n was crowded with guests. "Ten thousand thanks for coming!"
exclaimed Pierre Philibert, as he assisted Amelie de Repentigny and the
Lady de Tilly to alight from their carriage.

"We could not choose but come to-day, Pierre," replied Amelie, feeling
without displeasure the momentary lingering of his hand as it touched
hers. "Nothing short of an earthquake would have kept aunt at home,"
added she, darting a merry glance of sympathy with her aunt's supposed
feelings.

"And you, Amelie?" Pierre looked into those dark eyes which shyly turned
aside from his gaze.

"I was an obedient niece, and accompanied her. It is so easy to persuade
people to go where they wish to go!" She withdrew her hand gently, and
took his arm as he conducted the ladies into the house. She felt a flush
on her cheek, but it did not prevent her saying in her frank, kindly
way,--"I was glad to come to-day, Pierre, to witness this gathering of
the best and noblest in the land to honor your fete. Aunt de Tilly has
always predicted greatness for you."

"And you, Amelie, doubted, knowing me a shade better than your aunt?"

"No, I believed her; so true a prophet as aunt surely deserved one firm
believer!"

Pierre felt the electric thrill run through him which a man feels at the
moment he discovers a woman believes in him. "Your presence here to-day,
Amelie! you cannot think how sweet it is," said he.

Her hand trembled upon his arm. She thought nothing could be sweeter
than such words from Pierre Philibert. With a charming indirectness,
however, which did not escape him, she replied, "Le Gardeur is very
proud of you to-day, Pierre."

He laid his fingers upon her hand. It was a delicate little hand, but
with the strength of an angel's it had moulded his destiny and led him
to the honorable position he had attained. He was profoundly conscious
at this moment of what he owed to this girl's silent influence. He
contented himself, however, with saying, "I will so strive that one day
Amelie de Repentigny shall not shame to say she too is proud of me."

She did not reply for a moment. A tremor agitated her low, sweet voice.
"I am proud of you now, Pierre,--more proud than words can tell to see
you so honored, and proudest to think you deserve it all."

It touched him almost to tears. "Thanks, Amelie; when you are proud of
me I shall begin to feel pride of myself. Your opinion is the one thing
in life I have most cared for,--your approbation is my best re