"Tell Pierre--but indeed, he
knows we start early," said Le Gardeur, "and the canoes will be
waiting on the Batture an hour after sunrise.
The Bourgeois knew in a general way the position of Le Gardeur, and
sympathized deeply with him. "Keep your heart up, my boy!" said he
on leaving. "Remember the proverb,--never forget it for a moment,
Le Gardeur: Ce que Dieu garde est bien garde!"
"Good-by, Sieur Philibert!" replied he, still holding him by the
hand. "I would fain be permitted to regard you as a father, since
Pierre is all of a brother to me!"
"I will be a father, and a loving one too, if you will permit me, Le
Gardeur," said the Bourgeois, touched by the appeal. "When you
return to the city, come home with Pierre. At the Golden Dog, as
well as at Belmont, there will be ever welcome for Pierre's friend
as for Pierre's self."
The guests then took their departure.
The preparations for the journey home were all made, and the
household retired to rest, all glad to return to Tilly. Even Felix
Baudoin felt like a boy going back on a holiday.
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