With keen maternal instinct Madame de Montrevel had thought of love.

But whom could Amelie love?
There were no visitors at the Chateau des Noires-Fontaines, the political troubles had put an end to all society, and Amelie went nowhere alone.

Madame de Montrevel could get no further than conjecture.

Roland's return had given her a moment's hope; but this hope fled as soon as she perceived the effect which this event had produced upon Amelie.
It was not a sister, but a spectre, it will be recalled, who had come to meet him.

Since her son's arrival, Madame de Montrevel had not lost sight of Amelie, and she perceived, with dolorous amazement, that Roland's presence awakened a feeling akin to terror in his sister's breast.