"But is this really true ?" asked Wilding.

"Or is it but another rumour ?" "Remember the letter your friends intercepted," Trenchard bade him.
"I am not forgetting it," said Wilding.
"It's no rumour," Vallancey assured them.

"I was at White Lackington three hours ago when the news came to George Speke, and I was riding to carry it to you, going by way of Taunton that I might drop word of it for our friends at the Red Lion." Trenchard needed no further convincing; he looked accordingly dismayed.
But Wilding found it still almost impossible--in spite of what already he had learnt--to credit this amazing news.

It was hard to believe the Duke of Monmouth mad enough to spoil all by this sudden and unheralded precipitation.
"You heard the news at Whitp Lackington ?" said he slowly.

"Who carried it thither ?" "There were two messengers," answered Vallancey, with restrained impatience, "and they were Heywood Dare--who has been appointed paymaster to the Duke's forces--and Mr.Chamberlain." Mr.Wilding was observed for once to change colour.