“Yet have they not seemed more willing, more active in their assigned tasks since the execution of their comrade,” continued Agnes, with all a woman’s gentle artifice, still seeking to impart hope, even when she felt that none remained; “may it not be that, in reality, they repent them of former traitorous designs, and remain behind to aid thee to the last?  Thou sayest that palpable proof of this brooding evil thou canst not find, then do not heed its voice.  Let no fear of me, of my safety, add its pang; mine own Nigel, indeed I fear them not.”

“I know that all I urge will naught avail with thee, beloved,” he answered, somewhat less agitated.  “I know thy gentle love is all too deep, too pure, too strong, to share my fears for thee, and oh, I bless thee, bless thee for the sweet solace of that faithful love! yet, yet, I may not listen to thy wishes.  All that thou sayest is but confirmation of the brooding evil; they are active, willing, but to hide their dark designs.  Yet even were there not this evil to dread, no dream of treachery, still, still, I would send thee hence, sweet one.  Famine and blood, and chains, and death—­oh, no, no! thou must not stay for these.”

“And whither wouldst thou send me, Nigel, and for what?” she asked, still calmly, though her quivering lip denoted that self-possession was fast failing.  “Why?”

“Whither? to safety, freedom, peace, my best beloved!” he answered, fervently; “for what? that happier, brighter days may beam for thee, that thou mayest live to bless and be a blessing; dearest, best, cling not to a withered stem, thou mayest be happy yet.”

“And wilt thou join me, if I seek this home of safety, Nigel?” she laid her hand on his arm, and fixed her eyes unflinchingly upon his face.  He could not meet that glance, a cold shudder passed over his frame ere he could reply.

“Mine own Agnes,” and even then he paused, for his quivering lip could not give utterance to his thoughts, and a minute rolled in that deep stillness, and still those anxious eyes moved not from his face.  At length voice returned, and it was sad yet deeply solemn, “Our lives rest not in our own hands,” he said; “and who when they part may look to meet again?  Beloved, if life be spared, canst doubt that I will join thee? yet, situated as I am, governor of a castle about to fall, a patriot, and a Bruce, brother to the noble spirit who wears our country’s crown, and has dared to fling down defiance to a tyrant, Agnes, mine own Agnes, how may I dream of life?  I would send thee hence ere that fatal moment come; I would spare thee this deep woe.  I would bid thee live, beloved, live till years had shed sweet peace upon thy heart, and thou wert happy once again.”

There was a moment’s pause; the features of Agnes had become convulsed with agony as Nigel spoke, and her hands had closed with fearful pressure on his arm, but his last words, spoken in his own rich, thrilling voice, called back the stagnant blood.