son, escaped, but, because he had changed his faith, she slew him
among the others.

Pity now fair Constance left alone among her foes! She has no help
nor succour save the Lord God in Whom she trusts, and Who will never
fail those that put their faith in Him. The queen-mother had devised
a fate worse than death for her hated daughter-in-law. Alone, without
company, she was placed on a ship which was cut loose to sail the
sea. Yet in men's hearts there is some pity, and not without food or
raiment did Constance set forth. Truly the arm of the Lord is mighty
to save. He that guarded Daniel among the lions guarded Constance in
her open boat. Far and wide, for three years and more, she drifted;
but amid storm and calm, cold and heat, she was kept safe; neither
did her food nor drink fail her. The arms of God were around her. He,
Who fed five thousand in the wilderness, preserved this lone woman
for His own honour.

At last, guided by His hand, the bark drifted northwards through the
vast ocean till it came to the shores of Northumbria. There the
governor of the district found her with her ship and hearkened to her
prayer for help, though she was a stranger, and he could scarce
understand the Latin she spoke. In his home she had rest, and bore
herself so gently that the governor and his wife, Hermengild, loved
her as their own daughter. Never did she cease to preach Christ's
gospel, and such was her holy life that many believed through her.

Yet even here a cruel fate pursued her. There was a young knight who
hated Constance because she would not love him. One night he crept
through the window of the room where she slept with Hermengild, and,
approaching the bed, killed Hermengild, and left the blood-stained