e had received orders
from France to allow no Bibles to remain in the hands of any of the
people, declaring that they made a bad use of them by seeking an excuse
from their pages for rebellion. The count resolved to go in person to
the governor, and reminding him that he had ever been loyal, to claim
exemption from the tyrannical law. He went, but was haughtily told that
rich and poor must be treated alike, and that no exception would be made
in his favour. Should he not deliver up all the Bibles in his house, he
must be prepared for the consequences. Monsieur Laporte and the good
surgeon were treated in the same manner. Nigel, however, resolved, as
he was not a Frenchman, not to part with his Bible; and, in case a
domiciliary visit should be paid by the "inquisitors," having placed it
in a box and buried it in the garden among some thick trees, he and
Constance could thus take it out and read it, which they did every day,
without risk, as they supposed, of being discovered. Before long a
party of men appeared, headed by an officer, with an authority from the
governor to collect all the Bibles and Protestant sermons and hymns to
be found. The count, knowing that resistance was vain, delivered up
those he possessed, protesting, however, against the injustice of the
act.

"That's not our affair, Count de Tourville," answered the officer; "but
I will report what you say to the governor. Now, let me ask you, have
you any other books?"

"I have given you all that are to my knowledge in the house," answered
the count. "If you are not satisfied you must search for them."

"We cannot take the word of an heretic," said the officer, insolently.
"We intend to search, and if we find any it will be the worse for you."

Providentially, Nigel was away, and thus escaped having questions asked
him. Poor Constance endeavoured to console her father while the
officers were searching in every corner and cranny of the house. No
books, however, were discovered; and at length, threatening to pay
another visit shortly, the inquisitors went away to search other houses
in the neighbourhood; and in two or three, meeting with opposition, they
carried the owners off to prison. The most severe sufferer was Monsieur
Laporte, the whole of whose library was carried off, all his books more
or less being of a theological character.

The following day, in an open space in front of the fort, a pile of
faggots was seen, when the books were b