was alone in an upper chamber of the keep, looking out from the
narrow casement on a scene of hill and vale, and water, which, though
still wintry from the total absence of leaf and flower, was yet calm and
beautiful in the declining sun, and undisturbed by the fearful scenes
and sounds which met the glance and ear on every other side, seemed even
as a paradise of peace. It had been one of those mild, soft days of
February, still more rare in Scotland than in England, and on the heart
and sinking frame of Agnes its influence had fallen, till, almost
unconsciously, she wept. The step of Nigel caused her hastily to dash
these tears aside, and as he stood by her and silently folded his arm
around her, she looked up in his face with a smile. He sought to return
it, but the sight of such emotion, trifling as it was, caused his heart
to sink with indescribable fear; his lip quivered, as utterly to prevent
the words he sought to speak, and as he clasped her to his bosom and
bent his head on hers, a low yet instantly suppressed moan burst from
him.

"Nigel, dearest Nigel, what has chanced? Oh, speak to me!" she
exclaimed, clasping his hand in both hers, and gazing wildly in his
face. "Thou art wounded or ill, or wearied unto death. Oh, let me undo
this heavy armor, dearest; seek but a brief interval of rest. Speak to
me, I know thou art not well."

"It is but folly, my beloved, a momentary pang that weakness caused.
Indeed, thy fears are causeless; I am well, quite well," he answered,
struggling with himself, and subduing with an effort his emotion. "Mine
own Agnes, thou wilt not doubt me; look not upon me so tearfully, 'tis
passed, 'tis over now."

"And thou wilt not tell me that which caused it, Nigel? Hast thou aught
of suffering which thou fearest to tell thine Agnes? Oh! do not fear it;
weak, childlike as I am, my soul will find strength for it."

"And thou shalt know all, all in a brief while," he said, her sweet
pleading voice rendering the task of calmness more difficult. "Yet tell
me first thy thoughts, my love. Methought thy gaze was on yon peaceful
landscape as I entered, and yet thine eyes were dimmed with tears."

"And yet I know not wherefore," she replied, "save the yearnings for
peace were stronger, deeper than they should be, and I pictured a cot
where love might dwell in yon calm valley, and wished that this fierce
strife was o'er."

"'Tis in truth no scene for thee, mine own. I know, I feel thou pinest