Was she using Le Gardeur as a
foil to set off her attractions in the eyes of Bigot?
"Brother!" said Amelie, "I am a woman, and comprehend my sex better
than you. I know Angelique's far-reaching ambition and crafty ways.
Are you sure, not in outward persuasion but in inward conviction,
that she loves you as a woman should love the man she means to
marry?"
Le Gardeur felt her words like a silver probe that searched his
heart. With all his unbounded devotion, he knew Angelique too well
not to feel a pang of distrust sometimes, as she showered her
coquetries upon every side of her. It was the overabundance of her
love, he said, but he thought it often fell like the dew round
Gideon's fleece, refreshing all the earth about it, but leaving the
fleece dry. "Amelie!" said he, "you try me hard, and tempt me too,
my sister, but it is useless. Angelique may be false as Cressida to
other men, she will not be false to me! She has sworn it, with her
hand in mine, before the altar of Notre Dame. I would go down to
perdition with her in my arms rather than be a crowned king with all
the world of women to choose from and not get her.
Pages:
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442