at you
acted, as you thought, for the best. We must now endeavour to
counteract his designs."

They agreed not to speak to Constance about their suspicions of the
governor, as the matter would not fail to make her anxious.

Nigel had to return to his ship at night; but, early the next morning,
he again went on shore to visit his friends, intending also to apply to
the governor to be discharged from the naval service. As he was nearing
the landing-place, he observed a canoe, urged on towards the shore with
rapid strokes by an Indian who plied his paddle, now on one side, now on
the other. In the stern sat another person, a young girl, whose dark
tresses were ornamented with a wreath of natural flowers, which gave an
additional charm to her beautiful features, the rest of her costume
being also adorned with gaily-coloured feathers, further increasing the
picturesqueness of her appearance. She lightly stepped out of the
canoe, followed by her companion, who hauled it up on the beach at the
same time that Nigel landed. They together made their way to the
village as if well accustomed to traverse the path. Nigel was a few
paces behind them, and observed that they entered the house of the
minister, Monsieur Laporte. On reaching the count's house, he mentioned
the circumstance to his friends, and inquired who the Indians were.

"They must be, without doubt, the young chief Tecumah and his sister
Cora, who come frequently to receive from our good minister instruction
in the truths of Christianity, of which, I trust, they have gained
considerable knowledge," answered Constance. "First the young chief
came by himself, and then he begged permission to bring his sister. She
is a sweet young creature; a perfect child of nature; and has already
become even a more faithful believer than her brother, who cannot, as
yet, understand why he should not destroy his enemies wherever he can
find them."

Constance had before told Nigel of her meeting with Tecumah; she now
assured him that the young chief seemed to have got over any attachment
he might have felt for her, so Nigel felt no sensations of jealousy.
Nigel proceeded afterwards to call on the governor to present his letter
from the admiral. Villegagnon received him in his usual courteous
manner, and complimented him on his gallantry with the Portuguese.
When, however, he read the letter, his manner changed.

"The admiral does not command here," he observed, "and I requi