"Ah! Jemmy," she exclaimed, looking up at him tenderly, "how could I live if I lost you! You must not join this perilous expedition." "Nay, I cannot honourably withdraw," he replied. "My promise is given to the prince. Were I to retire now I should be termed a coward. And all my love for you would not enable me to bear that dreadful reproach." "'Tis I who induced you to join," she cried. "If you perish, I shall be guilty of your death. You must not--shall not go." "How is this?" he cried. "I cannot believe you are the brave Jacobite girl who urged me to take arms for the good cause." "My love, I find, is stronger than my loyalty," she replied. "Do not leave me, Jemmy. A sad presentiment has come over me, and I dread lest you should perish by the hand of the executioner." "This idle foreboding of ill is solely caused by your mother's fancied vision. Shake it off, and be yourself." "Ay, be yourself, Monica," said Constance, stepping towards them. "This weakness is unworthy of you. 'Tis quite impossible for Jemmy to retreat with honour from his plighted word. Those who have embarked in this hazardous enterprise must go through it at whatever risk." And she glanced at Atherton, who maintained a firm countenance. But Monica fixed a supplicating look on her lover, and sought to move him. Fearing he might yield to her entreaties, Constance seized his hand. "For your sake I am bound to interpose, Jemmy," she said. "You will for ever repent it, if you make a false step now. What is life without honour?" "Heed her not!" exclaimed Monica. "Listen to me! Till now I never knew how dear you are to me. I cannot--will not part with you." Both Mrs. Butler and Father Jerome heard what was passing, but did not deem it necessary to interfere--leaving the task to Constance. "Take him hence!" said Constance, in a low tone to Atherton. "She may shake his determination. Ere long she will recover her energies, and think quite differently." After bidding adieu to Mrs. Butler and the priest, Atherton tried to lead Jemmy gently away. But Monica still clung to him. "Come with me," said Atherton. "I want to say a few words to you in private." "Say what you have to tell him here," observed Monica. "This is mere childishness, Monica," observed Constance. "Let him go with his friend." Monica offered no further resistance, and the two young men quitted the room together. No sooner were they gone than Monica flew towards Mrs. Butler, and throwing herself at her feet, exclaimed: "Oh, mother! let us pray that Jemmy may not share the tragical fate of him you have mourned so long. Let us pray that he may not die the death of a traitor!" "A traitor!" exclaimed Mrs. Butler. "He whom I mourn was no traitor."