It is a false rumor raised by the good wives to get their
husbands home again! Don't you think so, Amelie?" asked he, smiling
for the first time.
"No, I don't think so, Le Gardeur! but it would be a pretty ruse de
guerre, were it true. The good wives naturally feel nervous at
being left alone--I should myself," added she, playfully.
"Oh, I don't know! the nervous ones have all come with the men to
the city; but I suppose the works are sufficiently advanced, and the
men can be spared to return home. But what says Pierre Philibert to
the order despatching him to Tilly? You have seen him since?"
Amelie blushed a little as she replied, "Yes, I have seen him; he is
well content, I think, to see Tilly once more in your company,
brother."
"And in yours, sister!--Why blush, Amelie? Pierre is worthy of you,
should he ever say to you what I so vainly said last night to
Angelique des Meloises!" Le Gardeur held her tightly by the hand.
Her face was glowing scarlet,--she was in utter confusion. "Oh,
stop, brother! Don't say such things! Pierre never uttered such
thoughts to me!--never will, in all likelihood!"
"But he will! And, my darling sister, when Pierre Philibert shall
say he loves you and asks you to be his wife, if you love him, if
you pity me, do not say him nay!" She was trembling with agitation,
and without power to reply.
Pages:
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498