would do his
duty, as far as he had the power. He was a silent undemonstrative man,
not given unnecessarily to express his opinions. He had never shown a
disposition to disregard the orders of the governor, who was, therefore,
persuaded that he would carry them out on the present occasion. With
sad hearts those remaining saw their countrymen sail away. They were
anxious about their fate; but they had still greater cause to be anxious
about their own.

In the mean time, Nigel, under Constance's unremitting care, and that of
the good surgeon who remained, was progressing favourably. Some days
passed before he had sufficient strength to speak, and not till more
than a week had elapsed would the surgeon allow him to be told what had
happened; he was then deeply grieved to hear that the count and
Constance had remained behind for his sake. He dreaded even more than
they did the treachery and cruelty of Villegagnon, knowing him as he did
to be so completely under the influence of the priests.

"He is but a wretched tool in their hands; and they, acting according to
the dictates of their accursed system, which they call `The Church,' are
determined to drive every Protestant out of the island, so that they may
again be masters over the consciences of all the inhabitants. Why,"
exclaimed poor Nigel to Constance, "did I not denounce the traitor to
the admiral, who would not then, I feel convinced, have trusted the
colony to his government? Even had I failed to convince him, it would
have been better to have been dismissed, and to have sought my fortune
elsewhere. But then, Constance, I should not have met you; and even
now, if God wills that I should recover, I may be the means of
preserving you from the dangers by which you are surrounded."

"You acted as you believed right, and you must not blame yourself," said
Constance. "We must trust in God, and remember that, whatever happens,
He orders all things for the best. Should He permit these wicked men to
triumph, let us feel sure that He has some object in view, though we may
not see it."

The count also exonerated Nigel from any blame, and was much inclined to
find fault with himself for having quitted France, instead of remaining
at his post, and looking after his dependants.

"We are but weak fallible creatures at best," he observed. "We often
fancy that we are following God's will when we are pursuing only the
promptings of our own inclinations. It shows ho