de
Lantagnac: I owed her a grudge, and she has put on the black veil for
life, instead of the white one and orange-blossoms for a day! I only
meant to frighten her, however, when I stole her lover, but she took
it to heart and went into the Convent. It was dangerous for her to
challenge Angelique des Meloises to test the fidelity of her affianced,
Julien de St. Croix."

Amelie rose up in honest indignation, her cheek burning like a coal of
fire. "I know your wild talk of old, Angelique, but I will not believe
you are so wicked as to make deadly sport of our holiest affections."

"Ah, if you knew men as I do, Amelie, you would think it no sin to
punish them for their perjuries."

"No, I don't know men," replied Amelie, "but I think a noble man is,
after God, the worthiest object of a woman's devotion. We were better
dead than finding amusement in the pain of those who love us; pray what
became of Julien de St. Croix after you broke up his intended marriage
with poor Francoise?"

"Oh! I threw him to the fishes! What did I care for him? It was mainly
to punish Francoise's presumption that I showed my power and made him
fight that desperate duel with Captain Le Franc."

"O Angelique, how could you be so unutterably wicked?"

"Wicked? It was not my fault, you know, that he was killed. He was my
champion, and ought to have come off victor. I wore a black ribbon for
him a full half-year, and had the credit of being devoted to his memory;
I had my triumph in that if in nothing else."

"Your triumph! for shame, Angelique! I will not listen to you: you
profane the very name of love by uttering such sentiments. The gift of
so much beauty was for blessing, not for pain. St. Mary pray for you,
Angelique: you need her prayers!" Amelie rose up suddenly.

"Nay, do not get angry and go off that way, Amelie," ejaculated
Angelique. "I will do penance for my triumphs by relating my defeats,
and my special failure of all, which I know you will rejoice to hear."

"I, Angelique? What have your triumphs or failures to do with me? No, I
care not to hear." Angelique held her half forcibly by the scarf.

"But you will care when I tell you that I met an old and valued friend
of yours last night at the Castle--the new Aide-de-Camp of the Governor,
Colonel Philibert. I think I have heard you speak of Pierre Philibert in
the Convent, Amelie?"

Amelie felt the net thrown over her by the skilful retiaria. She stood
stock-still in mute surp