m unworthy of her saintly prayers and need them
all the more! O Pierre Philibert, you do not know Amelie if you think
she is one ever to forget a friend like you!"

The heart of Philibert gave a great leap for joy. Too happy for speech,
he rode on a while in silence.

"Amelie will have changed much in appearance?" he asked, at last. A
thousand questions were crowding upon his lips.

"Changed? Oh, yes!" replied Le Gardeur, gaily. "I scarcely recognize my
little bright-eyed sister in the tall, perfect young lady that has taken
her place. But the loving heart, the pure mind, the gentle ways, and
winning smiles are the same as ever. She is somewhat more still and
thoughtful, perhaps--more strict in the observances of religion. You
will remember, I used to call her in jest our St. Amelie: I might call
her that in earnest now, Pierre, and she would be worthy of the name!"

"God bless you, Le Gardeur!" burst out Colonel Philibert,--his voice
could not repress the emotion he felt,--"and God bless Amelie! Think you
she would care to see me to-day, Le Gardeur?" Philibert's thoughts
flew far and fast, and his desire to know more of Amelie was a rack
of suspense to him. She might, indeed, recollect the youth Pierre
Philibert, thought he, as she did a sunbeam that gladdened long-past
summers; but how could he expect her to regard him--the full-grown
man--as the same? Nay, was he not nursing a fatal fancy in his breast
that would sting him to death? for among the gay and gallant throng
about the capital was it not more than possible that so lovely and
amiable a woman had already been wooed, and given the priceless treasure
of her love to another? It was, therefore, with no common feeling that
Philibert said, "Think you she will care to see me to-day, Le Gardeur?"

"Care to see you, Pierre Philibert? What a question! She and Aunt de
Tilly take every occasion to remind me of you, by way of example, to
shame me of my faults--and they succeed, too! I could cut off my right
hand this moment, Pierre, that it should never lift wine again to my
lips--and to have been seen by you in such company! What must you think
of me?"

"I think your regret could not surpass mine; but tell me how you have
been drawn into these rapids and taken the wrong turn, Le Gardeur?"

Le Gardeur winced as he replied,--"Oh, I do not know. I found myself
there before I thought. It was the wit, wine, and enchantments of Bigot,
I suppose,--and the greatest tempta