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.