e to say
good-by."

"Which way do your people go now?" she hoarsely asked.

"Santa Anna is marching with overwhelming forces toward us, and
Colonel Fanning thinks it advisable to retire to headquarters. We set
out at dawn to-morrow."

"You cannot escape by flight: it were better to remain here. I tell
you now, if you leave Goliad, you will be cut off to a man."

"Inez, my own feelings would strongly incline me to follow your
advice, but it has been decided otherwise!'

"Then, if you must go, I go with you!"

"Impossible, Inez, impossible! you know not what you say! For you to
venture from this place under existing circumstances, beset as we are
on every hand with dangers seen and unseen,--would be the height of
madness."

"I know not fear! of that you must have been convinced long ere this.
Danger cannot intimidate me; what you meet and suffer, that will I
encounter."

"Bethink yourself, Inez! What can you hope to accomplish by this
strange step? You have nothing to fear here from your own nation: what
can you gain by seeking a home among my people? Strange, mysterious
being! I wish for your own sake you were timid--that fear might
strengthen your sense of prudence!"

Inez had bent her head while he spoke, as in humiliation, now she
lifted herself and said, in a low, determined tone:

"I am alone in the wide world, and I have but one hope, but one
pleasure; to be with you while life remains, and to die near, that you
may close my eyes and lay me down to rest." She paused a moment,
and then clasping her hands, approached him, and continued in a more
passionate tone:

"Oh, if you knew how I have loved you, you could not look down so
coldly, so calmly upon me! you could not refuse the favor I ask! Oh,
Dr. Bryant, do not scorn me for my love!--'tis not a common love; for
it I have lost every earthly comfort and blessing; for this struggled
and toiled, and braved numberless dangers. I have loved you better
than everything beside! Turn not from me, and think contemptuously of
the worship given unsought! If you cannot love me, do not, oh, do not
despise me! Let me a little while longer be with you, and see you;
I will not trouble or incommode any one--do not leave me. Oh, Dr.
Bryant, do not leave me!"

The large black eyes were raised entreatingly to his, and an
expression of the keenest anguish rested on her colorless, yet
beautiful face.

Sadly he regarded her as she hurried on: no glance of scorn rested