hearts."

Amelie looked at him with a fond expression of reproach. "Does that
surprise you, Pierre? You rough soldier, you little know, and I will not
tell you, the way to a woman's heart; but for one blindfolded by so much
diffidence to his own merits, you have found the way very easily! Was it
for loving you that you blamed me? What if I should recall the fault?"
added she, laughing.

Pierre raised her hand to his lips, kissing devotedly the ring he had
placed upon her finger. "I have no fear of that, Amelie! The wonder
to me is that you could think me worthy of the priceless trust of your
happiness."

"And the wonder to me," replied she, "is that your dear heart ever
burdened itself with my happiness. I am weak in myself, and only strong
in my resolution to be all a loving wife should be to you, my Pierre!
You wonder how you gained my love? Shall I tell you? You never gained
it; it was always yours, before you formed a thought to win it! You are
now my betrothed, Pierre Philibert, soon to be my husband; I would not
exchange my fortune to become the proudest queen that ever sat on the
throne of France."

Amelie was very happy to-day. The half-stolen delight of walking by the
side of Pierre Philibert was enhanced by the hope that the fatal spell
that bound Le Gardeur to the Palace had been broken, and he would yet
return home, a new man.

Le Gardeur had only yesterday, in a moment of recollection of himself
and of his sister, addressed a note to Amelie, asking pardon for his
recent neglect of home, and promising to come and see them on St.
Martin's day.

He had heard of her betrothal to Pierre. It was the gladdest news,
he said, that had ever come to him in his life. He sent a brother's
blessing upon them both, and claimed the privilege of giving away her
hand to the noblest man in New France, Pierre Philibert.

Amelie showed the precious note to Pierre. It only needed that
to complete their happiness for the day. The one cloud that had
overshadowed their joy in their approaching nuptials was passing away,
and Amelie was prouder in the anticipation that Le Gardeur, restored to
himself, sober, and in his right mind, was to be present at her wedding
and give her away, than if the whole Court of France, with thousands of
admiring spectators, were to pay her royal honors.

They sauntered on towards a turn of the stream where a little pool lay
embayed like a smooth mirror reflecting the grassy bank. Amelie sat
do