et,
stretching himself in his chair; "I like the old Canadian ballads better
than all the devil's ditties ever made in Paris! You must sing your
devil's ditties yourself, Varin; our habitans won't,--that is sure!"

After an hour's roystering at the Fleur-de-Lis the party of gentlemen
returned to the Taverne de Menut a good deal more unsteady and more
obstreperous than when they came. They left Master Pothier seated in
his chair, drunk as Bacchus, and every one of the rest of his companions
blind as Bartemy.

The gentlemen, on their return to the Taverne de Menut, found De Pean in
a rage. Pierre Philibert had followed Amelie to the city, and learning
the cause of her anxiety and unconcealed tears, started off with the
determination to find Le Gardeur.

The officer of the guard at the gate of the Basse Ville was able to
direct him to the right quarter. He hastened to the Taverne de Menut,
and in haughty defiance of De Pean, with whom he had high words, he got
the unfortunate Le Gardeur away, placed him in a carriage, and took him
home, receiving from Amelie such sweet and sincere thanks as he thought
a life's service could scarcely have deserved.

"Par Dieu! that Philibert is a game-cock, De Pean," exclaimed Cadet, to
the savage annoyance of the Secretary. "He has pluck and impudence for
ten gardes du corps. It was neater done than at Beaumanoir!" Cadet sat
down to enjoy a broad laugh at the expense of his friend over the second
carrying off of Le Gardeur.

"Curse him! I could have run him through, and am sorry I did not,"
exclaimed De Pean.

"No, you could not have run him through, and you would have been sorry
had you tried it, De Pean," replied Cadet. "That Philibert is not as
safe as the Bank of France to draw upon. I tell you it was well for
yourself you did not try, De Pean. But never mind," continued Cadet,
"there is never so bad a day but there is a fair to-morrow after it,
so make up a hand at cards with me and Colonel Trivio, and put money
in your purse; it will salve your bruised feelings." De Pean failed to
laugh off his ill humor, but he took Cadet's advice, and sat down to
play for the remainder of the night.

"Oh, Pierre Philibert, how can we sufficiently thank you for your
kindness to my dear, unhappy brother?" said Amelie to him, her eyes
tremulous with tears and her hand convulsively clasping his, as Pierre
took leave of her at the door of the mansion of the Lady de Tilly.

"Le Gardeur claims