"I will not weep, nor moan, nor in aught afflict thee.

Nigel, dearest Nigel, I will not leave thee now." "But is it wise, is it well, my best beloved?
think, if in the deep anguish of to-morrow thy disguise be penetrated, thy sex discovered, and thy cruel father claim thee, dragging thee even from the protection of the princess--oh, the bitterness of death were doubled then! Thou thinkest but of me, mine own, but thy safety, thy future peace is all now left for me." "Safety, peace--oh, do not, do not mock me, Nigel--where are they for poor Agnes, save in her husband's grave?
What is life now, that thou shouldst seek to guard it?
no, no, I will abide by thee, thou shalt not send me hence." "But to-morrow, lady, to-morrow," interposed Gloucester, with deep commiseration.

"I would not, from any selfish fear, shorten by one minute the few sad hours ye may yet pass together, but bethink ye, I dare not promise to shield thee from the horrors of to-morrow, for I cannot.

Fearful scenes and sounds may pass before thee; thou mayest come in contact with men from whom thou wilt shrink in horror, and though thine own safety be of little worth, remember the betrayal of thy sex and rank may hurl down the royal vengeance on the head of thy protectress, daughter of Edward though she be.

Canst thou be firm--wilt thou, canst thou await the morrow ?" "Yes," answered Agnes, the wildness of her former accents subsiding into almost solemnity; "the safety of thy noble countess shall not be hazarded through me.