At this moment the door was opened by Catesby.
"A slight change for the better appears to have taken place," answered Catesby. "His fever has in some decree abated, and he has sunk into a gentle slumber."
"Can he be removed with safety?" inquired Garnet; "for, I fear, if he remains here, he will fall into the hands of Topcliffe and his crew, who are scouring the country in every direction." And he recapitulated all he had just stated to Viviana.
Catesby was for some time lost in reflection.
"I am fairly perplexed as to what course it will be best to pursue," he said. "Dangers and difficulties beset us on every side. I am inclined to yield to Viviana's request, and proceed to Manchester."
"That will be rushing into the very face of danger," observed Garnet.
"And, therefore, may be the safest plan," replied Catesby. "Our adversaries will scarcely suspect us of so desperate a step."
"Perhaps you are in the right, my son," returned Garnet, after a moment's reflection. "At all events, I bow to your judgment."
"The plan is too much in accordance with my own wishes to meet with any opposition on my part," observed Viviana.
"Will you accompany us, father?" asked Catesby; "or do you proceed to Gothurst?"
"I will go with you, my son. Viviana will need a protector. And, till I have seen her in some place of safety, I will not leave her."
"Since we have come to this determination," rejoined Catesby, "as soon as the needful preparations can be made, and Guy Fawkes has had some hours' repose, we will set out. Under cover of night we can travel with security; and, by using some exertion, may reach Ordsall Hall, whither, I presume, Viviana would choose to proceed, in the first instance, before daybreak."
"I am well mounted, and so are my attendants," replied Garnet; "and, by the provident care of Sir Everard Digby, each of them has a led horse with him."
"That is well," said Catesby. "And now, Viviana, may I entreat you to take my place for a short time by the couch of the sufferer. In a few hours everything shall be in readiness."
He then retired with Garnet, while Viviana proceeded to the adjoining chamber, where she found Guy Fawkes still slumbering tranquilly.
As the evening advanced, he awoke, and appeared much refreshed. While he was speaking, Garnet and Catesby approached his bedside, and he seemed overjoyed at the sight of the former. The subject of the journey being mentioned to him, he at once expressed his ready compliance with the arrangement, and only desired that the last rites of his church might be performed for him before he set out.