for freedom, for the fresh, pure, stainless air of the mountain, the
valley's holy calm; thine ear is sick with the fell sounds that burst
upon it; thine eye must turn in loathing from this fierce strife. Agnes,
mine own Agnes, is it not so? would it not be happiness, aye, heaven's
own bliss, to seek some peaceful home far, far away from this?"

He spoke hurriedly and more passionately than was his wont, but Agnes
only answered--

"With thee, Nigel, it were bliss indeed."

"With me," he said; "and couldst thou not be happy were I not at thy
side? Listen to me, beloved," and his voice became as solemnly earnest
as it had previously been hurried. "I sought thee, armed I thought with
fortitude sufficient for the task; sought thee, to beseech, implore thee
to seek safety and peace for a brief while apart from me, till these
fearful scenes are passed. Start not, and oh, do not look upon me thus.
I know all that strength of nerve, of soul, which bids thee care not for
the dangers round thee. I know that where I am thy loving spirit feels
no fear; but oh, Agnes, for my sake, if not for thine own, consent to
fly ere it be too late; consent to seek safety far from this fatal
tower. Let me not feel that on thee, on thee, far dearer than my life,
destruction, and misery, and suffering in a thousand fearful shapes may
fall. Let me but feel thee safe, far from this terrible scene, and then,
come what will, it can have no pang."

"And thee," murmured the startled girl, on whose ear the words of Nigel
had fallen as with scarce half their meaning, "thee, wouldst thou bid me
leave thee, to strive on, suffer on, and oh, merciful heaven! perchance
fall _alone_? Nigel, Nigel, how may this be? are we not one, only one,
and how may I dwell in safety without thee--how mayest thou suffer
without me?"

"Dearest and best!" he answered, passionately, "oh, that we were indeed
one; that the voice of heaven had bound us one, long, long ere this! and
yet--no, no, 'tis better thus," and again he struggled with emotion, and
spoke calmly. "Agnes, beloved, precious as thou art in these hours of
anxiety, dear, dearer than ever, in thy clinging, changeless love, yet
tempt me not selfishly to retain thee by my side, when liberty, and
life, and joy await thee beyond these fated walls. Thy path is secured;
all that can assist, can accelerate thy flight waits but thy approval.
The dress of a minstrel boy is procured, and will completely conceal and
guar