And I doubt whether any of our friends can be summoned together in haste, sufficient to resist such a power as they are like to bring together." "Nor would I wish any friends to take arms, in my name, against the King's warrant, Sir Geoffrey," said the Countess.
"Nay, for that matter," replied the Knight, "an his Majesty will grant warrants against his best friends, he must look to have them resisted.
But the best I can think of in this emergence is--though the proposal be something inhospitable--that your ladyship should take presently to horse, if your fatigue will permit.

I will mount also, with some brisk fellows, who will lodge you safe at Vale Royal, though the Sheriff stopped the way with a whole _posse comitatus_." The Countess of Derby willingly acquiesced in this proposal.

She had enjoyed a night's sound repose in the private chamber, to which Ellesmere had guided her on the preceding evening, and was quite ready to resume her route, or flight--"she scarce knew," she said, "which of the two she should term it." Lady Peveril wept at the necessity which seemed to hurry her earliest friend and protectress from under her roof, at the instant when the clouds of adversity were gathering around her; but she saw no alternative equally safe.

Nay, however strong her attachment to Lady Derby, she could not but be more readily reconciled to her hasty departure, when she considered the inconvenience, and even danger, in which her presence, at such a time, and in such circumstances, was likely to involve a man so bold and hot-tempered as her husband Sir Geoffrey.
While Lady Peveril, therefore, made every arrangement which time permitted and circumstances required, for the Countess prosecuting her journey, her husband, whose spirits always rose with the prospect of action, issued his orders to Whitaker to get together a few stout fellows, with back and breast pieces, and steel-caps.

"There are the two lackeys, and Outram and Saunders, besides the other groom fellow, and Roger Raine, and his son; but bid Roger not come drunk again;--thyself, young Dick of the Dale and his servant, and a file or two of the tenants,--we shall be enough for any force they can make.