his place commended itself to the feelings of Amelie.
She made Angelique kneel down by her side before the altar. After
breathing a short, silent prayer for help and guidance, she seized her
companion by both hands and besought her "in God's name to tell her
what she had done to Le Gardeur, who was ruining himself, both soul and
body."

Angelique, hardy as she was, could ill bear the searching gaze of those
pure eyes. She quailed under them for a moment, afraid that the question
might have some reference to Beaumanoir, but reassured by the words of
Amelie, that her interview had relation to Le Gardeur only, she replied:
"I have done nothing to make Le Gardeur ruin himself, soul or body,
Amelie. Nor do I believe he is doing so. Our old convent notions are
too narrow to take out with us into the world. You judge Le Gardeur too
rigidly, Amelie."

"Would that were my fault, Angelique!" replied she earnestly, "but my
heart tells me he is lost unless those who led him astray remit him
again into the path of virtue whence they seduced him."

Angelique winced, for she took the allusion to herself, although in
the mind of Amelie it referred more to the Intendant. "Le Gardeur is no
weakling to be led astray," replied she. "He is a strong man, to lead
others, not to be led, as I know better than even his sister."

Amelie looked up inquiringly, but Angelique did not pursue the thought
nor explain the meaning of her words.

"Le Gardeur," continued Angelique, "is not worse, nay, with all his
faults, is far better than most young gallants, who have the laudable
ambition to make a figure in the world, such as women admire. One cannot
hope to find men saints, and we women to be such sinners. Saints would
be dull companions. I prefer mere men, Amelie!"

"For shame, Angelique! to say such things before the sacred shrine,"
exclaimed Amelie, indignantly stopping her. "What wonder that men are
wicked, when women tempt them to be so! Le Gardeur was like none of the
gallants you compare him with! He loved virtue and hated vice, and above
all things he despised the companionship of such men as now detain him
at the Palace. You first took him from me, Angelique! I ask you now to
give him back to me. Give me back my brother, Angelique des Meloises!"
Amelie grasped her by the arm in the earnestness of her appeal.

"I took him from you?" exclaimed Angelique hotly. "It is untrue! Forgive
my saying so, Amelie! I took him no more than did Heloi