or she was conscious that she was offering
something unreal to extenuate the fault of her brother--her hopes rather
than her convictions.

"Well, well! goddaughter! we shall, at any rate, soon have the pleasure
of seeing Le Gardeur. The Intendant himself has been summoned to
attend a council of war today. Colonel Philibert left an hour ago for
Beaumanoir."

Amelie gave a slight start at the name; she looked inquiringly, but did
not yet ask the question that trembled on her lips.

"Thanks, godfather, for the good news of Le Gardeur's speedy return."
Amelie talked on, her thoughts but little accompanying her words as
she repeated to herself the name of Philibert. "Have you heard that the
Intendant wishes to bestow an important and honorable post in the Palace
upon Le Gardeur--my brother wrote to that effect?"

"An important and honorable post in the Palace?" The old soldier
emphasized the word HONORABLE. "No, I had not heard of it,--never expect
to hear of an honorable post in the company of Bigot, Cadet, Varin, De
Pean, and the rest of the scoundrels of the Friponne! Pardon me, dear,
I do not class Le Gardeur among them, far from it, dear deluded boy! My
best hope is that Colonel Philibert will find him and bring him clean
and clear out of their clutches."

The question that had trembled on her lips came out now. For her life
she could not have retained it longer.

"Who is Colonel Philibert, godfather?" asked she, surprise, curiosity,
and a still deeper interest marking her voice, in spite of all she could
do to appear indifferent.

"Colonel Philibert?" repeated La Corne. "Why, do not you know? Who but
our young Pierre Philibert; you have not forgotten him, surely, Amelie?
At any rate he has not forgotten you: in many a long night by our
watch-fires in the forest has Colonel Philibert passed the hours talking
of Tilly and the dear friends he left there. Your brother at any rate
will gratefully remember Philibert when he sees him."

Amelie blushed a little as she replied somewhat shyly, "Yes, godfather,
I remember Pierre Philibert very well,--with gratitude I remember
him,--but I never heard him called Colonel Philibert before."

"Oh, true! He has been so long absent. He left a simple ensign en second
and returns a colonel, and has the stuff in him to make a field-marshal!
He gained his rank where he won his glory--in Acadia. A noble fellow,
Amelie! loving as a woman to his friends, but to his foes stern as the