Page:Tales from Chaucer.djvu/180

, that Dame Hermegild was converted through her grace. No Christian dared to dwell in that country; the believers were compelled to fly before their Pagan conquerors; and the Christianity of Ancient Britain took refuge in the strongholds of the Welsh mountains. Yet were not the Christian Britons so exiled but that some few remained who secretly worshipped Jesus; and three of these were dwelling near the castle, one of whom was blind.

One bright summer's day, the constable, with his wife and Constance, were walking towards the sea, that was a few furlongs distant; and in their way they met this blind man, who was also bowed down with age and infirmity. 'In the name of Christ,' cried this blind Briton, 'Dame Hermegild, give me my sight again.' The Lady feared lest her husband should hear the sound of that name; till Constance made her bold, by bidding her, as a daughter of the holy church, perform the will of Christ. The constable, astonished at the sight, enquired how all this might be. Constance answered him, that it was done by the