She well knew which must be the voice of Colonel
Philibert--the rest were all so familiar to her ear. Suddenly
footsteps ran up the grand stair, clearing three at a time. She
waited, trembling with anticipation. Le Gardeur rushed into the
room with outstretched arms, embraced her, and kissed her in a
transport of brotherly affection.
"Oh, Le Gardeur!" cried she, returning his kiss with fond affection,
and looking in his face with tenderness and joy. "O my brother, how
I have prayed and longed for your coming. Thank God! you are here
at last. You are well, brother, are you not?" said she, looking up
with a glance that seemed to betray some anxiety.
"Never better, Amelie," replied he, in a gayer tone than was quite
natural to him, and shyly averting his eyes from her tender
scrutiny. "Never better. Why, if I had been in my grave, I should
have risen up to welcome a friend whom I have met to-day after years
of separation. Oh, Amelie, I have such news for you!"
"News for me, Le Gardeur! What can it be?" A blush stole over her
countenance, and her bosom heaved, for she was very conscious of the
nature of the news her brother was about to impart.
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