But Le Gardeur felt her hand tighten
upon his. He comprehended the involuntary sign, drew her to him,
kissed her, and left the topic without pressing it further; leaving
it in the most formidable shape to take deep root in the silent
meditations of Amelie.
The rest of the day passed in such sunshine as Amelie could throw
over her brother. Her soft influence retained him at home: she
refreshed him with her conversation and sympathy, drew from him the
pitiful story of his love and its bitter ending. She knew the
relief of disburdening his surcharged heart; and to none but his
sister, from whom he had never had a secret until this episode in
his life, would he have spoken a word of his heart's trouble.
Numerous were the visitors to-day at the hospitable mansion of the
Lady de Tilly; but Le Gardeur would see none of them except Pierre
Philibert, who rode over as soon as he was relieved from his
military attendance at the Castle of St. Louis.
Le Gardeur received Pierre with an effusion of grateful affection--
touching, because real.
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