igure which, in its perfect symmetry, looked smaller
than it really was, for she was a tall girl: it filled the eye and held
fast the fancy with the charms of a thousand graces as she moved
or stood, suggestive of the beauty of a tame fawn, that in all its
movements preserves somewhat of the coyness and easy grace of its free
life.

Her hair was very dark and thick, matching her deep liquid eyes, that
lay for the most part so quietly and restfully beneath their long
shading lashes,--eyes gentle, frank, and modest, looking tenderly on
all things innocent, fearlessly on all things harmful; eyes that
nevertheless noted every change of your countenance, and read unerringly
your meaning more from your looks than from your words. Nothing seemed
to hide itself from that pure, searching glance when she chose to look
at you.

In their depths you might read the tokens of a rare and noble
character--a capability of loving which, once enkindled by a worthy
object, might make all things that are possible to devoted womanhood
possible to this woman, who would not count her life anything either for
the man she loved or the cause she espoused. Amelie de Repentigny will
not yield her heart without her judgment; but when she does, it will be
a royal gift--never to be recalled, never to be repented of, to the end
of her life. Happy the man upon whom she shall bestow her affection! It
will be his forever. Unhappy all others who may love her! She may pity,
but she will listen to no voice but the one which rules her heart, to
her life's end!

Both ladies were in mourning, yet dressed with elegant simplicity,
befitting their rank and position in society. The Chevalier Le Gardeur
de Tilly had fallen two years ago, fighting gallantly for his King and
country, leaving a childless widow to manage his vast domain and succeed
him as sole guardian of their orphan niece, Amelie de Repentigny, and
her brother Le Gardeur, left in infancy to the care of their noble
relatives, who in every respect treated them as their own, and who
indeed were the legal inheritors of the Lordship of Tilly.

Only a year ago, Amelie had left the ancient Convent of the Ursulines,
perfected in all the graces and accomplishments taught in the famous
cloister founded by Mere Marie de l'Incarnation for the education of
the daughters of New France, generation after generation of whom were
trained, according to her precepts, in graces of manner as well as in
the learning of