. The count could only say,
"Trust in God, my child. He alone can help us."

Poor Constance, overcome with grief and terror, could scarcely, even
with her father's assistance, reach the house. He placed her on a couch
by his side, vainly endeavouring to console her. He indeed feared that
the priests would not allow them to escape with impunity, and he guessed
truly that it had been only for the sake of inflicting a greater cruelty
that Nigel had first been carried off.

Monsieur Laporte with the good doctor happily came in, having heard a
rumour of what had occurred. Both were required, for Constance became
seriously ill; but the words of the former were of more value than any
medicine the latter could prescribe. The minister at once turned to
God's word; not to the Book itself, for that he did not dare to carry
about, but to the numerous blessed texts which he had committed to
memory, and from these he was able to draw that effectual comfort which
could alone avail with the poor young wife. No one dared to speak of
the future, for they knew well the bitter hatred felt by the governor
and priests towards Nigel, and that they would rejoice at having a
victim in their power on whom they would wreak their vengeance. While
they were seated with Constance and the count, Tecumah and his sister
arrived, on their way to pay their usual visit to Monsieur Laporte.
They were overwhelmed with grief and indignation when they heard what
had occurred. Cora threw herself by the side of Constance, and poured
out her expressions of sympathy from her woman's heart. Indian as she
was, she could feel for her white sister, her affectionate tones tending
somewhat to soothe her friend's outraged feelings.

"Do not give up hope," she whispered. "We will gladly devote our lives,
if necessary, to save him. We Indians are accustomed to do many things
which would astonish the white people, and if a friend is in danger,
every one of our tribe is ready to help him."

"They dare not kill him!" exclaimed Tecumah, "and if a hair of his head
is injured I will arouse our people, and instead of being friends and
ready to fight on their side, we will come over with our strong bows and
attack them."

"Even for the sake of a friend we would not urge you to use violent
measures," said the minister. "Remember the precepts of our blessed
Lord and Master; He who was ever mild, gentle, and forgiving, doing good
to those who injured Him."

"Yes,