"What wonder that men
are wicked, when women tempt them to be so! Le Gardeur was like
none of the gallants you compare him with! He loved virtue and
hated vice, and above all things he despised the companionship of
such men as now detain him at the Palace. You first took him from
me, Angelique! I ask you now to give him back to me. Give me back
my brother, Angelique des Meloises!" Amelie grasped her by the arm
in the earnestness of her appeal.
"I took him from you?" exclaimed Angelique hotly. "It is untrue!
Forgive my saying so, Amelie! I took him no more than did Heloise
de Lotbiniere or Cecile Tourangeau! Will you hear the truth? He
fell in love with me, and I had not the heart to repulse him,--nay,
I could not, for I will confess to you, Amelie, as I often avowed to
you in the Convent, I loved Le Gardeur the best of all my admirers!
And by this blessed shrine," continued she, laying her hand upon it,
"I do still! If he be, as some say he is, going too fast for his
own good or yours or mine, I regret it with my whole heart; I regret
it as you do! Can I say more?"
Angelique was sincere in this.
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