"And yet it is true; Pierre, look at me again. I am no other than
he whom you drew out of the St. Lawrence, the only brother of
Amelie!"
Philibert looked hard in the eyes of Le Gardeur, and doubted no
longer. He pressed his old friend to his heart, saying, in a voice
full of pathos,--
"O Le Gardeur! I recognize you now, but under what change of look
and place! Often have I forecast our meeting again, but it was in
your pure, virtuous home of Tilly, not in this place. What do you
here, Le Gardeur?"
"Forgive me, Pierre, for the shame of meeting me here." Le Gardeur
stood up like a new man in the glance of his friend; the shock
seemed to have sobered him at once. "'What do I do here?' say you,
O dear friend!" said he, glancing round the hall, "it is easier seen
than told what I do here. But by all the saints, I have finished
here for to-day! You return to the city at once, Pierre?"
"At once, Le Gardeur. The Governor awaits my return."
"Then I will return with you. My dear aunt and sister are in the
city. News of their arrival reached me here; my duty was to return
at once, but the Intendant's wine-cups were too potent for me--curse
them, for they have disgraced me in your eyes, Pierre, as well as my
own!"
Philibert started at the information that Amelie was in the city.
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