"Oh, the old, old story followed. She ran away from home in an
agony of shame and fear, to avoid the return of her father from
France. She went among the Indians of the St. Croix, they say, and
has not been heard of since. Poor, dear girl! her very trust in
virtue was the cause of her fall!"
Amelie turned alternately pale and red at the recital of her
godfather. She riveted her eyes upon the ground as she pressed
close to her aunt, clasping her arm, as if seeking strength and
support.
Lady de Tilly was greatly shocked at the sad recital. She inquired
the name of the man of rank who had acted so treacherously to the
hapless girl.
"I will not utter the name to-day, my Lady! It has been revealed to
me as a great secret. It is a name too high for the stroke of the
law, if there be any law left us but the will of a King's mistress!
God, however, has left us the law of a gentleman's sword to avenge
its master's wrong. The Baron de St. Castin will soon return to
vindicate his own honor, and whether or no, I vow to heaven, my
Lady, that the traitor who has wronged that sweet girl will one day
have to try whether his sword be sharper than that of La Corne St.
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