He is back to the city, wild
as a savage and beyond all control."
"Good God! it will break his sister's heart," said the Governor,
sympathizingly. "That girl would give her life for her brother. I
feel for her; I feel for you, too, Pierre." Philibert felt the
tight clasp of the Governor's hand as he said this. He understood
well its meaning. "And not less do I pity the unhappy youth who is
the cause of such grief to his friends," continued he.
"Yes, your Excellency, Le Gardeur is to be pitied, as well as
blamed. He has been tried and tempted beyond human strength."
La Corne St. Luc had risen, and was pacing the floor with impatient
strides. "Pierre Philibert!" exclaimed he, "where is the poor lad?
He must be sought for and saved yet. What demons have assailed him
now? Was it the serpent of strong drink, that bites men mad, or the
legion of fiends that rattle the dice-box in their ears? Or was it
the last temptation, which never fails when all else has been tried
in vain--a woman?"
"It was all three combined. The Chevalier de Pean visited Tilly on
business of the Intendant--in reality, I suspect, to open a
communication with Le Gardeur, for he brought him a message from a
lady you wot of, which drove him wild with excitement.
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