accompany you; for he promised your dying uncle to watch over you both
with a brother's care, and otherwise he could not be induced to leave
San Antonio at this crisis. He seems completely rapt in the issue of
the contest; and would you believe it, Mary, he is anxious to enlist;
but my entreaties have as yet prevented him."

"Dear Mrs. Carlton, there is no obligation resting on him to go with
us. He has been very kind and careful, and though deeply grateful, we
could not consent to his leaving against his own inclinations. Oh, no!
we could not allow this. Yet should he remain, what may be the result?
Oh! Mrs. Carlton, this is terrible."

Mary's cheek was very pale, and her lips quivered convulsively, while
the small hands, clasped each other tightly.

"Mary, for my sake, use your influence with him in favor of going to
Washington. I can't go in peace, and feel that he is here exposed
to such imminent danger, for when I am gone, what will restrain him?
Mary, Mary! do not deter him, if he feels it incumbent on him to see
you to a place of of safety."

"Mrs. Carlton, you can appreciate the peculiar position in which I am
placed. Florry and I would shrink from drawing him away, in opposition
to his wishes, particularly when there is no danger attendant on our
traveling; for with you and Mr. Carlton we would feel no apprehension;
and even if we did, we could not consent to such a sacrifice on his
part. Yet I sympathize with you, most sincerely, and will willingly do
all that in propriety I can to alleviate your sorrow; but knowing his
sentiments, how could I advise, or even acquiesce in his going?"