“’Tis in truth no scene for thee, mine own.  I know, I feel thou pinest 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 guard thee through the English camp.  Our faithful friend, the minstrel seer, will be thy guide, and lead thee to a home of peace and safety, until my brother’s happier fortune dawns; he will guard and love thee for thine own and for my sake.  Speak to me, beloved; thou knowest this good old man, and I so trust him that I have no fear for thee.  Oh, do not pause, and ere this truce be over let me, let me feel that thou art safe and free, and may in time be happy.”