"Catholics alone are in favour, while the
Protestants are detested. To which party do you belong?"

"I might say to neither, as I am not a Frenchman," answered Nigel,
surprised at the young lady's question. "At the same time I have
heartily abjured the errors of Rome."

"I am glad to hear it; I thought so," said Constance. "I myself am a
Protestant. I am here on sufferance, or rather a hostage, and would
gladly return to my home if I had permission. Persevering efforts have
been made to pervert me, but I have had grace to remain firm to the true
faith, and now I am simply exposed to the shafts of ridicule, and the
wit and sneers of those who hold religious truth in contempt. You may
be astonished at my thus venturing to speak to you, a perfect stranger,
but I am sure that I may trust Mary Seton's cousin; and if you have the
opportunity, I will beg you to tell my father or the good admiral what I
say. I dare not write on the subject, nor can I venture to send a
verbal message by Maitre Leroux."

"I faithfully promise to convey your sentiments to either one or the
other," answered Nigel, casting a glance of admiration at the young
girl, who could thus stand alone in her innocence amid the follies of
that vicious and frivolous court. "As to accepting a place at court,
even should it be offered me, I would refuse it, for my tastes lead me
to seek my fortune on the wild ocean or in foreign lands; and it is with
this object that I am about to visit the admiral, who will, I have been
led to hope, forward my views."

"You cannot apply to a wiser or truer man in France," answered
Constance. She was about to say more, when they were rejoined by Mary
Seton, who came to conduct Nigel into the presence of the queen.

"As a loyal Scot you are bound to pay your _devoir_ to her Majesty," she
said. "Though neither of us have much recollection of our native wilds,
we still regard our country with affection."

Nigel felt that there was no escaping, and mustering courage, went
boldly forward till he reached the spot where the young queen was
standing with several lords and ladies in attendance. Though
unaccustomed to courts, he had too much native dignity to be overawed,
and bending on his knee he lifted the hand of the young queen to his
lips and reverently kissed it. Mary bestowed on him one of those
fascinating smiles which in after years bound many a victim to her feet,
and bidding him rise, questioned him about the a