might not be delayed. There were odd rumours afloat in the West;
persistent rumours which had come fast upon the heels of the news of
Argyle's landing in Scotland; rumours which maintained that Monmouth
himself was coming over from Holland. These tales Wilding and his
associates had ignored. The Duke, they knew, was to spend the summer
in retreat in Sweden, with (it was alleged) the Lady Henrietta Wentworth
to bear him company, and in the mean time his trusted agents were to
pave the way for his coming in the following spring. Of late the lack
of direct news from the Duke had been a source of mystification to
his friends in the West, and now, suddenly, the information went
abroad - it was something more than rumour this time - that a letter
of the greatest importance had been intercepted. From whom that letter
proceeded or to whom it was addressed, could not yet be discovered.
But it seemed clear that it was connected with the Monmouth Cause, and
it behoved Mr. Wilding to discover what he could. With this intent he
rode with Trenchard that Sunday morning to Taunton, hoping that at the
Red Lion Inn - that meeting-place of dissenters - he might cull
reliable information.

It was in consequence of this that the meeting with Richard Westmacott
was not to take place until the evening, and therefore Vallancey came
not to Lupton House as early as Richard thought he should expect him.
Blake, however - more no doubt out of a selfish fear of losing a valued
ally in the winning of Ruth's hand than out of any excessive concern
for Richard himself - had risen early and hastened to Lupton House,
in the hope, which he recognized as all but forlorn, of yet being able
to avert the disaster he foresaw for Richard.

Peering over the orchard wall as he rode by, he caught a glimpse,
through an opening between the trees, of Ruth herself and Diana on