ended the steps of the
Manor House. There was a deep bloom upon her cheeks, and her eyes
looked like fountains of light and gladness, running over to bless all
beholders.

She inquired of Felix Beaudoin of her brother. The old majordomo, with a
significant look, informed her that Monsieur Le Gardeur had just ordered
his horse to ride to the village. He had first called for a decanter of
Cognac, and when it was brought to him he suddenly thrust it back and
would not taste it. "He would not drink even Jove's nectar in the Manor
House, he said; but would go down to the village, where Satan mixed the
drink for thirsty souls like his! Poor Le Gardeur!" continued Felix,
"you must not let him go to the village this morning, mademoiselle!"

Amelie was startled at this information. She hastened at once to seek
her brother, whom she found walking impatiently in the garden, slashing
the heads off the poppies and dahlias within reach of his riding-whip.
He was equipped for a ride, and waited the coming of the groom with his
horse.

Amelie ran up, and clasping his arms with both hands as she looked up
in his face with a smile, exclaimed, "Do not go to the village yet, Le
Gardeur! Wait for us!"

"Not go to the village yet, Amelie?" replied he; "why not? I shall
return for breakfast, although I have no appetite. I thought a ride to
the village would give me one."

"Wait until after breakfast, brother, when we will all go with you to
meet our friends who come this morning to Tilly,--our cousin Heloise de
Lotbiniere is coming to see you and Pierre Philibert; you must be there
to welcome her,--gallants are too scarce to allow her to spare the
handsomest of all, my own brother!"

Amelie divined truly from Le Gardeur's restless eyes and haggard look
that a fierce conflict was going on in his breast between duty and
desire,--whether he should remain at home, or go to the village to
plunge again into the sea of dissipation out of which he had just been
drawn to land half-drowned and utterly desperate.

Amelie resolved not to leave his side, but to cleave to him, and inch by
inch to fight the demons which possessed him until she got the victory.

Le Gardeur looked fondly in the face of Amelie. He read her thoughts,
and was very conscious why she wished him not to go to the village. His
feelings gave way before her love and tenderness. He suddenly embraced
her and kissed her cheeks, while the tears stood welling in his eyes. "I
am no