Master Chetham, I am assured, will remain with me till our enemies have departed, and I will then return to the hall." "Command me as you please, Miss Radcliffe," replied Humphrey Chetham.
"You have but to express a wish to insure its fulfilment on my part." "Oh! that you had suffered Mr.Catesby to tarry with us till the morning, as he himself proposed, dear daughter," observed the priest, turning to Viviana.
"Has Catesby been here ?" inquired Guy Fawkes, with a look of astonishment.
"He has," replied Oldcorne.

"He came to warn us that the hall would be this night searched by the officers of state; and he also brought word that a warrant had been issued by the Privy Council for the arrest of Sir William Radcliffe." "Where is he now ?" demanded Fawkes, hastily.
"On the way to Chester, whither he departed in all haste, at Viviana's urgent request, to apprise her father of his danger," rejoined the priest.
"This is strange!" muttered Guy Fawkes.

"Catesby here, and I not know it!" "He had a secret motive for his visit, my son," whispered Oldcorne, significantly.
"So I conclude, father," replied Fawkes, in the same tone.
"Viviana Radcliffe," murmured Humphrey Chetham, in low and tender accents, "something tells me that this moment will decide my future fate.

Emboldened by the mysterious manner in which we have been brought together, and you, as it were, have been thrown upon my protection, I venture to declare the passion I have long indulged for you;--a passion which, though deep and fervent as ever agitated human bosom, has hitherto, from the difference of our rank, and yet more from the difference of our religious opinions, been without hope.

What has just occurred,--added to the peril in which your worthy father stands, and the difficulties in which you yourself will necessarily be involved,--makes me cast aside all misgiving, and perhaps with too much presumption, but with a confident belief that the sincerity of my love renders me not wholly undeserving of your regard, earnestly solicit you to give me a husband's right to watch over and defend you." Viviana was silent.