"Amelie in the city?" repeated he, with glad surprise, "I did not
expect to be able to salute her and the noble Lady de Tilly so
soon." His heart bounded in secret at the prospect of again seeing
this fair girl, who had filled his thoughts for so many years and
been the secret spring of so much that was noble and manly in his
character.
"Come, Le Gardeur, let us take leave of the Intendant, and return at
once to the city, but not in that plight!" added he, smiling, as Le
Gardeur, oblivious of all but the pleasure of accompanying him,
grasped his arm to leave the great hall. "Not in that garb, Le
Gardeur! Bathe, purify, and clean yourself; I will wait outside in
the fresh air. The odor of this room stifles me!"
"You are not going to leave us, Le Gardeur!" Varin called, across
the table, "and break up good company? Wait till we finish a few
more rounds, and we will all go together."
"I have finished all the rounds for to-day, Varin, may be forever!
Colonel Philibert is my dearest friend in life; I must leave even
you to go with him, so pray excuse me.
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