ness; for they had known her to be ever virtuous, and loving Hermegild as her own life. Of this, all, save the murderer, bore testimony. The King was strongly incited by this witness, and determined to enquire more deeply into the case, to search the truth of the matter.
Ill-fated Constance! no champion have you to defend your right; and, alas the day! little can you defend yourself. If He who suffered for our redemption be not your strong champion on this day, guiltless must you die. Before the assembled court she fell upon her knees and cried aloud—'O immortal God! who preserved Susanna from false accusation; and O! merciful Virgin, to whose Son the angels sing Hosannas, if I be guiltless of this deed, grant me succour in this sharp hour of my trial.'—Have you not sometimes, in the midst of a crowd, beheld the pale face of him who has been leading to his death, without even the hope of reprieve; a face so ghastly that it could at once be known from all the rest?—So stood Constance, and looked around. You queens, and ladies, all, living in pros-
