Duchess of Ellington

The Duchess of Ellington is the young mistress of a castle in the kingdom of Vidalia and a member of the People of the Cross. Treasurer Eugenius envies her treasure and frames her with painted lies, false witnesses, and ninety-six absurd accusations. Queen Constance has her arrested for treason, while frightened Friar Woodbury fails to keep his promise to defend her. The duchess survives imprisonment on water and one onion a day until the queen confesses and frees her. When Woodbury returns expecting punishment, she welcomes him to dinner, forgives his cowardice, and asks him to keep his promise by feeding her sheep. Patient, gracious, and secure in faith, the duchess answers betrayal with restoration rather than revenge and gives a failed servant another chance to be faithful.