No one ventured to address them, however,
although their appearance caused no little speculation as to who
they were and whither they were going.
Amelie and Heloise, almost fainting under their sorrow, stood upon
the broad stone step which formed the threshold that separated the
world they were entering into from the world they were leaving.
The high gables and old belfry of the Monastrey stood bathed in
sunlight. The figure of St. Joseph that dominated over the ancient
portal held out his arms and seemed to welcome the trembling
fugitives into the house with a gesture of benediction.
The two ladies paused upon the stone steps. Amelie clasped her arm
round Heloise, whom she pressed to her bosom and said, "Think before
you knock at this door and cross the threshold for the last time,
Heloise! You must not do it for my sake, darling."
"No, Amelie," replied she sadly. "It is not wholly for your sake.
Would I could say it were! Alas! If I remained in the world, I
could even now pity Le Gardeur, and follow him to the world's end;
but it must not--cannot be.
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