" Her aunt tried to soothe her with fond
caresses.
"I will be composed! I am calm! Look now, aunt, I am calm!"
exclaimed the grief-stricken girl, whose every nerve was quivering
with wild excitement.
The Lady de Tilly and Heloise made her sit down, while each held
forcibly a hand to prevent an access of hysteria. Mere Ste. Vierge
rose and hastily left the chapel to fetch water.
"Amelie, the nobleness of Pierre Philibert is almost beyond the
range of fallible mortals," said the Lady de Tilly. "In the sudden
crash of all his hopes he would not utter a word of invective
against your brother. His heart tells him that Le Gardeur has been
made the senseless instrument of others in this crime."
"A thousand thanks, dearest aunt, for your true appreciation of
Pierre! I know he deserves it all; and when the veil covers my head
forever from the eyes of men, it will be my sole joy to reflect that
Pierre Philibert was worthy, more than worthy, of my love! But what
said he further, aunt? Oh, tell me all!"
"He rose from his knees beside the corpse of his father," continued
the lady, "and seeing me kneeling, raised me and seated me in a
chair beside him.
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