ardeur and of herself.

CHAPTER XI. THE SOLDIER'S WELCOME.

The voices of the gentlemen mingled with her aunt's in eager greetings.
She well knew which must be the voice of Colonel Philibert--the rest
were all so familiar to her ear. Suddenly footsteps ran up the
grand stair, clearing three at a time. She waited, trembling with
anticipation. Le Gardeur rushed into the room with outstretched arms,
embraced her, and kissed her in a transport of brotherly affection.

"Oh, Le Gardeur!" cried she, returning his kiss with fond affection, and
looking in his face with tenderness and joy. "O my brother, how I have
prayed and longed for your coming. Thank God! you are here at last. You
are well, brother, are you not?" said she, looking up with a glance that
seemed to betray some anxiety.

"Never better, Amelie," replied he, in a gayer tone than was quite
natural to him, and shyly averting his eyes from her tender scrutiny.
"Never better. Why, if I had been in my grave, I should have risen up to
welcome a friend whom I have met to-day after years of separation. Oh,
Amelie, I have such news for you!"

"News for me, Le Gardeur! What can it be?" A blush stole over her
countenance, and her bosom heaved, for she was very conscious of the
nature of the news her brother was about to impart.

"Guess! you unsuspecting queen of shepherdesses," cried he, archly
twisting a lock of her hair that hung over her shoulder. "Guess, you
pretty gipsy, you!"

"Guess? How can I guess, Le Gardeur? Can there be any news left in the
city of Quebec after an hour's visit from Madame de Grandmaison and
Madame Couillard? I did not go down, but I know they inquired much after
you, by the way!" Amelie, with a little touch of feminine perversity,
shyly put off the grand burst of Le Gardeur's intelligence, knowing it
was sure to come.

"Pshaw! who cares for those old scandal-mongers! But you can never guess
my news, Amelie, so I may as well tell you." Le Gardeur fairly swelled
with the announcement he was about to make.

"Have mercy then, brother, and tell me at once, for you do now set my
curiosity on tiptoe." She was a true woman, and would not for anything
have admitted her knowledge of the presence of Colonel Philibert in the
house.

"Amelie," said he, taking her by both hands, as if to prevent her
escape, "I was at Beaumanoir--you know the Intendant gave a grand
hunting party," added he, noticing the quick glance she gave him; "and
who do