She started at sight of these relatives of Le Gardeur's, but did not
wonder at their presence, for she already knew that they had
returned to the city immediately after the abduction of Le Gardeur
by the Chevalier de Pean.
Startled, frightened, and despairing, with aching hearts but
unimpaired love, Amelie and the Lady de Tilly had followed Le
Gardeur and reoccupied their stately house in the city, resolved to
leave no means untried, no friends unsolicited, no prayers unuttered
to rescue him from the gulf of perdition into which he had again so
madly plunged.
Within an hour after her return, Amelie, accompanied by Pierre
Philibert, had gone to the Palace to seek an interview with her
brother. They were rudely denied. "He was playing a game of piquet
for the championship of the Palace with the Chevalier de Pean, and
could not come if St. Peter, let alone Pierre Philibert, stood at
the gate knocking!"
This reply had passed through the impure lips of the Sieur de
Lantagnac before it reached Amelie and Pierre. They did not believe
it came from their brother.
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