With an anxious heart, Mrs. Carlton watched her failing strength; but to all inquiries and fears Mary replied that she did not suffer, save from her cough, and for a time dispelled her apprehensions.
One evening Mary stood leaning against the window, looking earnestly, wistfully upon the beautiful tints which ever linger in the western sky. She stretched her arms toward the dim outline, murmuring slowly: "Oh! that my life may fade away as gently as those tints, and that I may at last rest on the bosom of my God."
Darkness closed around--the soft hues melted into the deep blue of the zenith as she stood communing with her own heart, and she started when a shawl was wrapped about her, and the window closed.
"As ministering physician, I cannot allow such neglect of injunctions. How dare you expose yourself after my express direction to keep close?"
"I have kept very closely all day, and did not know that star-gazing was interdicted."
As she spoke, a violent fit of coughing succeeded; he watched her anxiously.
"Do you suffer any acute pain?"
"Occasionally I do; but nothing troubles me so much as an unpleasant fluttering about my heart, which I often have."
"You must be very careful, or your cough will increase as winter comes on."
Mary repressed a sigh which struggled up from her heart, and inquired if there was any news.
"We cannot learn exactly what is transpiring within the Alamo, but feel assured the crisis is at hand; some excitement has prevailed in the garrison all day, and it is confidently expected in our camp that the assault will soon be made."
"Oh! may God help you in the coming strife, and adjudge victory to the side of justice and liberty."
"Apparently the chances are against us, Miss Irving; yet I regard the future without apprehension, for the Texans are fearless, and General Burleson in every respect worthy the confidence reposed in him. Allow gloomy forebodings no room in your heart, but, like myself anticipate a speedy termination of the war."
"Yet your situation is perilous in the extreme; hourly you incur danger, and each day may be your last. Oh! why will you hazard your life, and cause your sister such bitter anguish?" Mary replied, with quivering lips, while the tone faltered, despite her efforts to seem calm.
"At least, I could not die in a better cause; and, as the price of independence, I would willingly yield up my life. Yet Ellen's tears are difficult to bear; I bade her adieu a few moments since, and must not meet her again till all is decided. So good-by, Miss Irving."