the woods behind the house, through which several walks
had already been cut. She then frankly told him what had occurred,
begging him, at the same time, not to be anxious on that account, as she
had every reason to believe that the young chief would not again molest
her.

"I trust not, dearest Constance!" exclaimed Nigel, taking her hand.
"Would that I had a right to protect you. Will you consent to become
mine if your father will give his permission?"

Constance gave him her hand. He spoke of his want of fortune, but he
reminded her that he had a strong arm and willing heart, qualifications
of no slight importance in a new colony, and he had every reason to hope
that he should be able to maintain her. She agreed that he should
immediately speak to the count, and he offered to throw up his
commission and cast in his fortune with her father and his associates;
and before they returned to the house many a plan for the future was
agreed on.

The count, almost to their surprise, without offering any objections,
entered into all their views; and Nigel determined the next morning to
ask permission from the captain to quit his ship and settle on shore.

"Impossible, sir," was the answer. "Were I to give you the permission
you ask all the officers and men would be desiring to turn settlers. I
intend to send the ship back immediately, and you must be prepared to
attend to your duty."

In vain Nigel expostulated; Villegagnon threatened to put him in irons
and send him back as a mutineer if he refused to obey his orders.

The ships were rapidly got ready for the voyage. Nigel, with a sad
heart, bade farewell to Constance.

"Rest confident of my love," she whispered. "We must wait till you can
obtain the admiral's sanction to quit the service. My father will write
to him on the subject, and I doubt not that he will grant your request."

Still, though Constance spoke with confidence, the hearts of the young
people were sad, for they could not help thinking of the many dangers
which they both would have to encounter. Those to which Constance might
be exposed rose up before Nigel. The settlement might be attacked by
the Portuguese, or the natives might prove treacherous, and he could not
forget his doubts of Villegagnon's honesty. Constance thought of the
storms and the enemies Nigel might have to encounter during his voyage,
and the risk he might run of being treated as a heretic by the Roman
Catholics on return