ens,
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 how absolutely necessary
it is to seek for guidance at the throne of grace in all our actions,
even in what we may consider the most minute. When we remember that the
hairs of our head are all numbered, and that God has told us that not a
sparrow falls to the ground but He knows of it, we should remember that
no act is too minute and inconsiderable to seek for counsel from Him
regarding it. I might say that at every word we utter we should ask Him
to direct us, for a single word may have an effect for good or for evil
on those who hear it."

Still Nigel was not satisfied with himself. Few people can be so, when
they review their past actions, unless they have acted as the count
advised, and sought for guidance from above.

For a short time the Protestant settlers were left to act as they
thought fit; but their place of worship continued shut up, and they were
not allowed to enter it. They met, however, at each other's houses to
read the Scriptures and offer up prayer and praise together. But they
thought it wise to do so with closed doors, and they always had some one
on the watch outside to give notice of the approach of any of the
Papists. Indeed, they found it necessary to use the same precautions
which they had been accustomed to employ in France. They were now
subjected to the same persecuting spirit as that from which they had
attempted to escape. Their only hope of being freed from their present
galling condition was by a large influx of Protestant settlers, when the
scales might be again turned in their favour. Would Villegagnon,
however, allow such to land? In all probability he would send them over
to settle on the southern shore.

This state of affairs continued for some weeks, during which Nigel
slowly recovered, much owing to the loving care of Constance, and the
skill of their friend the surgeon. At length his health was considered
fairly re-established. T