deur's thoughts in
an elaborate cobweb of occupations rivalling that of Arachne, which she
had woven to catch every leisure hour of his, so as to leave him no time
to brood over the pleasures of the Palace of the Intendant or the charms
of Angelique des Meloises.

There were golden threads too in the network in which she hoped to
entangle him: long rides to the neighboring seigniories, where bright
eyes and laughing lips were ready to expel every shadow of care from the
most dejected of men, much more from a handsome gallant like Le Gardeur
de Repentigny, whose presence at any of these old manors put their fair
inmates at once in holiday trim and in holiday humor; there were shorter
walks through the park and domain of Tilly, where she intended to
botanize and sketch, and even fish and hunt with Le Gardeur and Pierre,
although, sooth to say, Amelie's share in hunting would only be to ride
her sure-footed pony and look at her companions; there were visits to
friends far and near, and visits in return to the Manor House, and
a grand excursion of all to the lake of Tilly in boats,--they would
colonize its little island for a day, set up tents, make a governor and
intendant, perhaps a king and queen, and forget the world till their
return home.

This elaborate scheme secured the approbation of the Lady de Tilly, who
had, in truth, contributed part of it. Le Gardeur said he was a poor
fly whom they were resolved to catch and pin to the wall of a chateau
en Espagne, but he would enter the web without a buzz of opposition on
condition that Pierre would join him. So it was all settled.

Amelie did not venture again that night to encounter the eyes of Pierre
Philibert,--she needed more courage than she felt just now to do that;
but in secret she blessed him, and treasured those fond looks of his in
her heart, never to be forgotten any more. When she retired to her
own chamber and was alone, she threw herself in passionate abandonment
before the altar in her little oratory, which she had crowned
with flowers to mark her gladness. She poured out her pure soul in
invocations of blessings upon Pierre Philibert and upon her brother and
all the house. The golden head of her rosary lingered long in her loving
fingers that night, as she repeated over and over her accustomed prayers
for his safety and welfare.

The sun rose gloriously next morning over the green woods and still
greener meadows of Tilly. The atmosphere was soft and pu