he had
not spoken of his suspicions to Constance or her father, as they must
have been, had he done so, greatly troubled about the future. He, in
common with all the officers and men of the expedition, was busily
engaged from morn till night in erecting the new fortifications, which
were laid out on a much larger scale, and were built far more
substantially than the last had been. The colonists' dwellings were
also re-erected, and, wood being abundant, many of them were of
considerable size, though only one story in height. Within the fort
were the barracks for the soldiers, while a number of houses to afford
shelter to the inhabitants, should the settlement be attacked, were
erected. The larger residences were scattered about over the island,
and a village sprang up on the shores of the chief landing-place. It
was, however, well protected by the fort, off which lay the ships, and
it was considered that while they remained it would be secured against
an attack. Four smaller forts were also built on commanding situations
in the more accessible parts of the island, so Villegagnon considered
that the settlement was well able to resist the assaults of either a
civilised or barbarous foe. The friendly disposition shown by the
Tamoyos, the most numerous and powerful tribe in the neighbourhood, gave
him no anxiety on the latter account; while, although by this time the
Portuguese settlement in the south had greatly increased, the Portuguese
had shown no disposition to advance towards the shores of the bay of
Nitherohy. It was the intention of the French to form a settlement on
the southern shore of the bay as soon as their numbers were sufficiently
increased; and Villegagnon, relying on his secure position, resolved at
length to send back the fleet for reinforcements.

Nigel had in the mean time been a frequent visitor at the house of the
Count de Tourville, where he ever received that friendly welcome which
made him hope that he would not disapprove of his aspiring to the hand
of Constance, who appeared to have no doubts on the subject. She knew
that Nigel was of noble birth though destitute of fortune, and she felt
sure that her father would not refuse to give her to one, her equal in
birth, who was of her own religion, and whose heart was hers, while he
was well able to protect her. They had not hitherto spoken of love, but
they were mutually aware of the state of each other's affections, the
most perfect confiden