"Sancta
Maria," she murmured, pressing her bosom with both hands, "calm my
soul with thy divine peace, for I know not what to do!"
So she sat alone in the embrasure, living a life of emotion in a few
minutes; nor did she find any calm for her agitated spirits until
the thought flashed upon her that she was distressing herself
needlessly. It was most improbable that Colonel Philibert, after
years of absence and active life in the world's great affairs, could
retain any recollection of the schoolgirl of the Manor House of
Tilly. She might meet him, nay, was certain to do so in the society
in which both moved; but it would surely be as a stranger on his
part, and she must make it so on her own.
With this empty piece of casuistry, Amelie, like others of her sex,
placed a hand of steel, encased in a silken glove, upon her heart,
and tyrannically suppressed its yearnings. She was a victim, with
the outward show of conquest over her feelings. In the consciousness
of Philibert's imagined indifference and utter forgetfulness, she
could meet him now, she thought, with equanimity--nay, rather
wished to do so, to make sure that she had not been guilty of
weakness in regard to him.
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