A slight, conscious flush just touched the cheek of Amelie at the
mention of Colonel Philibert.

"But come if possible, godfather," added she; "we hope to have Le
Gardeur home this afternoon. He loves you so much, and I know you
have countless things to say to him."

Amelie's trembling anxiety about her brother made her most desirous
to bring the powerful influence of La Corne St. Luc to bear upon
him.

Their kind old godfather was regarded with filial reverence by both.
Amelie's father, dying on the battle-field, had, with his latest
breath, commended the care of his children to the love and
friendship of La Corne St. Luc.

"Well, Amelie, blessed are they who do not promise and still
perform. I must try and meet my dear boy, so do not quite place me
among the impossibles. Good-by, my Lady. Good-by, Amelie." The
old soldier gaily kissed his hand and rode away.

Amelie was thoroughly surprised and agitated out of all composure by
the news of the return of Pierre Philibert. She turned aside from
the busy throng that surrounded her, leaving her aunt engaged in
eager conversation with the Bishop and Father de Berey. She sat
down in a quiet embrasure of the wall, and with one hand resting her
drooping cheek, a train of reminiscences flew across her mind like a
flight of pure doves suddenly startled out of a thicket.

She remembered vividly Pierre Philibert, the friend and fellow-