at Nigel's escape, grossly abused
him, and interrupted him with shouts and execrations whenever he
especially pointed to the proofs of his innocence. The count, of
course, defended Constance, and argued that she was but listening to her
husband, whom she was bound to obey, and was therefore guiltless.

"It is false!" exclaimed the priest, starting up; "her duty to the
Church is above all others. It was for her to denounce her husband
rather than to listen to him. Such heretical notions as yours, Count de
Tourville, must be destroyed. The Church would lose her authority and
power were they to prevail."

"Ma foi!" exclaimed the count; "in that case no husband can venture to
trust his wife with the slightest secret. It would not be confided to
her keeping, but to that of the confessor. For that reason, and many
others, we repudiate the system you, for your own ends, are anxious to
maintain. I advise those who are husbands never to tell to their wives
words they would not have known where the system prevails."

"Silence! Count de Tourville," exclaimed the priest, foaming with rage,
"you shall answer for these insulting words."

The count, it must be confessed, regretted having touched on the
subject, as it was like throwing pearls to swine; but he felt for the
moment that he might shield his daughter by drawing the anger of the
priests on himself.

The mockery of a trial came to a conclusion, and the governor, who had
taken upon himself the office of judge and inquisitor-general, found the
count and his daughter guilty of the crimes with which they were
charged, and condemned them both to death. In consequence of Nigel's
escape, the priest begged that they might be kept for safe custody in
the prison within the fort; the same wretched place in which Nigel had
first been confined, and utterly unfit for the reception of any female.
Poor Constance shuddered as she was led into it. Her father begged that
he might send to his house for such necessaries as his daughter
required, but his request was roughly refused. It was not without
difficulty even that he obtained some matting, and a few armfuls of
rushes on which she might rest.

"Lie down, my child," said the count to Constance, when they were at
length left alone. "We will not altogether despair, but look to Him who
is always ready to protect us. You require rest; and we know not what
we may have to go through."

Constance obeyed her father, while he con