"My pure-hearted girl, forgive a request made so thoughtlessly. I
had not considered, as I should have done; yet you can appreciate
the anxious feelings which dictated it." As she spoke, Mrs. Carlton
clasped her friend to her heart, and wept on her shoulder. No tear
dimmed Mary's eye; yet that she suffered, none who looked on her pale
brow and writhing lips could doubt. As she raised her head to reply,
Dr. Bryant entered, and started visibly on seeing her, Mrs. Carlton
endeavored to regain her composure; and, with a slightly faltering
voice, asked how he succeeded in procuring horses?

"Better than I had hoped," was the rejoinder; and he held out his hand
to Mary. She gave him hers, now cold as ice. He held it a moment, and
pressed it gently, saying: "You see my sister is going to run away on
the first intimation of danger. I hope she has not infected you with
her fears; though, to judge from your looks, I should almost predict a
stampede in another direction."

"Indeed you are quite right. Florry and I are going with her; though
we had decided on leaving before we knew she intended doing so."

"Ah! you did not seem to apprehend any immediate danger when we
conversed on this subject a few days since. What has changed your
views?"

"I have been warned not to risk the dangers attendant on the
approaching conflict by a Mexican friend, whose attachment I have
every reason to believe is sincere; and besides, it needed but little
to augment my fears: and Florry and I concluded, if practicable, to
remove to a place of greater safety."