Pierre raised her hand to his lips, kissing devotedly the ring he
had placed upon her finger. "I have no fear of that, Amelie! The
wonder to me is that you could think me worthy of the priceless
trust of your happiness."
"And the wonder to me," replied she, "is that your dear heart ever
burdened itself with my happiness. I am weak in myself, and only
strong in my resolution to be all a loving wife should be to you, my
Pierre! You wonder how you gained my love? Shall I tell you? You
never gained it; it was always yours, before you formed a thought to
win it! You are now my betrothed, Pierre Philibert, soon to be my
husband; I would not exchange my fortune to become the proudest
queen that ever sat on the throne of France."
Amelie was very happy to-day. The half-stolen delight of walking by
the side of Pierre Philibert was enhanced by the hope that the fatal
spell that bound Le Gardeur to the Palace had been broken, and he
would yet return home, a new man.
Le Gardeur had only yesterday, in a moment of recollection of
himself and of his sister, addressed a note to Amelie, asking pardon
for his recent neglect of home, and promising to come and see them
on St.
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