In a
few moments you will be an honored wife, on your way to a place of
refuge, instead of a helpless girl whose defenders may soon be
scattered or dead."
"Truly, Miss Baron," said the clergyman, rising and approaching,
"you cannot hesitate in circumstances like these."
Miss Lou felt her tongue clinging to the roof of her mouth, and
could only say in a hoarse whisper, "But I do not love my cousin--I
do not wish to marry."
"That may be your feeling at this moment. Indeed, circumstances are
not conducive to gentle amatory feelings, and all may seem sudden
and hasty to you, but you must consider that your relatives in this
emergency--indeed that all your neighbors--are doing many things and
taking many precautions that would not be thought of in a time of
security. I have already sent my own family further South, and now
in your case and Mrs. Whately's I feel that time is pressing. Will
you please rise and take your cousin by the hand?"
She shook her head and remained motionless. Whately advanced
decisively, took her hand, and sought gently to draw her into
position before the clergyman.
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