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+*Project Gutenberg's Etext of Manon Lescaut by the Abbe Prevost*
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+Manon Lescaut 
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+by the Abbe Prevost
+
+March, 1996  [Etext #468]
+[Date last updated: February 11, 2005]
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+
+
+
+
+MANON LESCAUT I
+
+
+
+
+
+Why did he love her?  Curious fool, be still!
+Is human love the fruit of human will?
+
+BYRON.
+
+
+
+
+Just about six months before my departure for Spain, I first met
+the Chevalier des Grieux.  Though I rarely quitted my retreat,
+still the interest I felt in my child's welfare induced me
+occasionally to undertake short journeys, which, however, I took
+good care to abridge as much as possible.
+
+I was one day returning from Rouen, where I had been, at her
+request, to attend a cause then pending before the Parliament of
+Normandy, respecting an inheritance to which I had claims derived
+from my maternal grandfather.  Having taken the road by Evreux,
+where I slept the first night, I on the following day, about
+dinner-time, reached Passy, a distance of five or six leagues.  I
+was amazed, on entering this quiet town, to see all the
+inhabitants in commotion.  They were pouring from their houses in
+crowds, towards the gate of a small inn, immediately before which
+two covered vans were drawn up.  Their horses still in harness,
+and reeking from fatigue and heat, showed that the cortege had
+only just arrived.  I stopped for a moment to learn the cause of
+the tumult, but could gain little information from the curious
+mob as they rushed by, heedless of my enquiries, and hastening
+impatiently towards the inn in the utmost confusion.  At length
+an archer of the civic guard, wearing his bandolier, and carrying
+a carbine on his shoulder, appeared at the gate; so, beckoning
+him towards me, I begged to know the cause of the uproar. 
+"Nothing, sir," said he, "but a dozen of the frail sisterhood,
+that I and my comrades are conducting to Havre-de-Grace, whence
+we are to ship them for America.  There are one or two of them
+pretty enough; and it is that, apparently, which attracts the
+curiosity of these good people."
+
+I should have passed on, satisfied with this explanation, if my
+attention had not been arrested by the cries of an old woman, who
+was coming out of the inn with her hands clasped, and exclaiming:
+
+"A downright barbarity!--A scene to excite horror and
+compassion!"  "What may this mean?" I enquired.  "Oh! sir; go
+into the house yourself," said the woman, "and see if it is not a
+sight to rend your heart!"  Curiosity made me dismount; and
+leaving my horse to the care of the ostler, I made my way with
+some difficulty through the crowd, and did indeed behold a scene
+sufficiently touching.
+
+Among the twelve girls, who were chained together by the waist in
+two rows, there was one, whose whole air and figure seemed so
+ill-suited to her present condition, that under other
+circumstances I should not have hesitated to pronounce her a
+person of high birth.  Her excessive grief, and even the
+wretchedness of her attire, detracted so little from her
+surpassing beauty, that at first sight of her I was inspired with
+a mingled feeling of respect and pity.
+
+She tried, as well as the chain would permit her, to turn herself
+away, and hide her face from the rude gaze of the spectators. 
+There was something so unaffected in the effort she made to
+escape observation, that it could but have sprung from natural
+and innate modesty alone.
+
+As the six men who escorted the unhappy train were together in
+the room, I took the chief one aside and asked for information
+respecting this beautiful girl.  All that he could supply was of
+the most vague kind.  "We brought her," he said, "from the
+Hospital, by order of the lieutenant-general of police.  There is
+no reason to suppose that she was shut up there for good conduct.
+
+"I have questioned her often upon the road; but she persists in
+refusing even to answer me.  Yet, although I received no orders
+to make any distinction between her and the others, I cannot help
+treating her differently, for she seems to me somewhat superior
+to her companions.  Yonder is a young man," continued the
+archer, "who can tell you, better than I can, the cause of her
+misfortunes.  He has followed her from Paris, and has scarcely dried
+his tears for a single moment.  He must be either her brother or
+her lover."
+
+I turned towards the corner of the room, where this young man was
+seated.  He seemed buried in a profound reverie.  Never did I
+behold a more affecting picture of grief.  He was plainly
+dressed; but one may discover at the first glance a man of birth
+and education.  As I approached him he rose, and there was so
+refined and noble an expression in his eyes, in his whole
+countenance, in his every movement, that I felt an involuntary
+impulse to render him any service in my power.  "I am unwilling
+to intrude upon your sorrows," said I, taking a seat beside him,
+"but you will, perhaps, gratify the desire I feel to learn
+something about that beautiful girl, who seems little formed by
+nature for the miserable condition in which she is placed."
+
+He answered me candidly, that he could not communicate her
+history without making himself known, and that he had urgent
+reasons for preserving his own incognito.  "I may, however, tell
+you this much, for it is no longer a secret to these wretches,"
+he continued, pointing to the guards,--"that I adore her with a
+passion so ardent and absorbing as to render me the most unhappy
+of human beings.  I tried every means at Paris to effect her
+liberty.       Petitions, artifice, force--all failed.  Go where
+she may, I have resolved to follow her--to the extremity of the
+world.  I shall embark with her and cross to America.
+
+"But think of the brutal inhumanity of these cowardly ruffians,"
+he added, speaking of the guards; "they will not allow me to
+approach her!  I had planned an open attack upon them some
+leagues from Paris; having secured, as I thought, the aid of four
+men, who for a considerable sum hired me their services.  The
+traitors, however, left me to execute my scheme single-handed,
+and decamped with my money.  The impossibility of success made me
+of course abandon the attempt, I then implored of the guards
+permission to follow in their train, promising them a recompense. 
+The love of money procured their consent; but as they required
+payment every time I was allowed to speak to her, my purse was
+speedily emptied; and now that I am utterly penniless, they are
+barbarous enough to repulse me brutally, whenever I make the
+slightest attempt to approach her.  It is but a moment since,
+that venturing to do so, in spite of their threats, one of the
+fellows raised the butt-end of his musket.  I am now driven by
+their exactions to dispose of the miserable horse that has
+brought me hither, and am preparing to continue the journey on foot."
+
+Although he seemed to recite this story tranquilly enough, I
+observed the tears start to his eyes as he concluded.  This
+adventure struck me as being not less singular than it was
+affecting.  "I do not press you," said I to him, "to make me the
+confidant of your secrets; but if I can be of use to you in any
+way, I gladly tender you my services."  "Alas!" replied he,
+"I see not the slightest ray of hope.  I must reconcile myself
+to my destiny in all its rigour.  I shall go to America: there,
+at least, I may be free to live with her I love.  I have written
+to a friend, who will send me money to Havre-de-Grace.  My only
+difficulty is to get so far, and to supply that poor creature,"
+added he, as he cast a look of sorrow at his mistress, "with
+some few comforts upon the way."  "Well!" said I to him, "I
+shall relieve you from that difficulty.  Here is some money, of
+which I entreat your acceptance: I am only sorry that I can be of
+no greater service to you."
+
+I gave him four louis-d'ors without being perceived by the
+guards; for I thought that if they knew he had this money, they
+might have raised the price of their concessions.  It occurred to
+me, even, to come to an understanding with them, in order to
+secure for the young man the privilege of conversing with his
+mistress, during the rest of the journey to Havre, without
+hindrance.  I beckoned the chief to approach, and made the
+proposition to him.  It seemed to abash the ruffian, in spite of
+his habitual effrontery.  "It is not, sir," said he, in an
+embarrassed tone, "that we refuse to let him speak to the girl,
+but he wishes to be always near her, which puts us to
+inconvenience; and it is just that we should be paid for the
+trouble he occasions."  "Let us see!" said I to him, "what
+would suffice to prevent you from feeling the inconvenience?"
+He had the audacity to demand two louis.  I gave them
+to him on the spot.  "But have a care," said I to him,
+"that we have no foul play: for I shall give the young man my
+address, in order that he may write to me on his arrival; and be
+assured that I am not without the power to punish you."  It cost
+me altogether six louis-d'ors.
+
+The graceful manner and heartfelt gratitude with which the young
+unknown thanked me, confirmed my notion that he was of good birth
+and merited my kindness.  I addressed a few words to his mistress
+before I left the room.  She replied to me with a modesty so
+gentle and so charming that I could not help making, as I went
+out, a thousand reflections upon the incomprehensible character
+of women.
+
+Returned to my retreat, I remained in ignorance of the result of
+this adventure; and ere two years had passed, it was completely
+blotted from my recollection, when chance brought me an
+opportunity of learning all the circumstances from beginning to
+end.
+
+I arrived at Calais, from London, with my pupil, the Marquis of
+----.  We lodged, if I remember rightly, at the "Golden Lion,"
+where, for some reason, we were obliged to spend the following
+day and night.  Walking along the streets in the afternoon, I
+fancied I saw the same young man whom I had formerly met at
+Passy.  He was miserably dressed, and much paler than when I
+first saw him.  He carried on his arm an old portmanteau, having
+only just arrived in the town.  However, there was an expression
+in his countenance too amiable not to be easily recognised, and
+which immediately brought his features to my recollection. 
+"Observe that young man," said I to the Marquis; "we must
+accost him."
+
+His joy was beyond expression when, in his turn, he recognised
+me.
+
+"Ah, sir!" he cried, kissing my hand, "I have then once again
+an opportunity of testifying my eternal gratitude to you!"  I
+enquired of him whence he came.  He replied, that he had just
+arrived, by sea, from Havre, where he had lately landed from
+America.  "You do not seem to be too well off for money," said
+I to him; "go on to the `Golden Lion,' where I am lodging; I
+will join you in a moment."
+
+I returned, in fact, full of impatience to learn the details of
+his misfortunes, and the circumstances of his voyage to America. 
+I gave him a thousand welcomes, and ordered that they should
+supply him with everything he wanted.  He did not wait to be
+solicited for the history of his life.  "Sir," said he to me,
+"your conduct is so generous, that I should consider it base
+ingratitude to maintain any reserve towards you.  You shall learn
+not only my misfortunes and sufferings, but my faults and most
+culpable weaknesses.  I am sure that, even while you blame me,
+you will not refuse me your sympathy."
+
+I should here inform the reader that I wrote down the story
+almost immediately after hearing it; and he may, therefore, be
+assured of the correctness and fidelity of the narrative.  I use
+the word fidelity with reference to the substance of reflections
+and sentiments, which the young man conveyed in the most graceful
+language.  Here, then, is his story, which in its progress I
+shall not encumber with a single observation that was not his own.
+
+
+
+II
+
+
+I loved Ophelia! forty thousand brothers
+Could not, with all their quantity of love,
+Make up my sum.
+
+SHAKESPEARE.
+
+
+"I was seventeen years old, and was finishing my studies at
+Amiens, whither my parents, who belonged to one of the first
+families in Picardy, had sent me.  I led a life so studious and
+well regulated, that my masters pointed to me as a model of
+conduct for the other scholars.  Not that I made any
+extraordinary efforts to acquire this reputation, but my
+disposition was naturally tractable and tranquil; my inclinations
+led me to apply to study; and even the natural dislike I felt for
+vice was placed to my credit as positive proof of virtue.  The
+successful progress of my studies, my birth, and some external
+advantages of person, made me a general favourite with the
+inhabitants of the town.
+
+"I completed my public exercises with such general approbation,
+that the bishop of the diocese, who was present, proposed to me
+to enter the church, where I could not fail, he said, to acquire
+more distinction than in the Order of Malta, for which my parents
+had destined me. I was already decorated with the Cross, and
+called the Chevalier des Grieux.  The vacation having arrived, I
+was preparing to return to my father, who had promised to send me
+soon to the Academy.
+
+"My only regret on quitting Amiens arose from parting with a
+friend, some years older than myself, to whom I had always been
+tenderly attached.  We had been brought up together; but from the
+straitened circumstances of his family, he was intended to take
+orders, and was to remain after me at Amiens to complete the
+requisite studies for his sacred calling.  He had a thousand good
+qualities.  You will recognise in him the very best during the
+course of my history, and above all, a zeal and fervour of
+friendship which surpass the most illustrious examples of
+antiquity.  If I had at that time followed his advice, I should
+have always continued a discreet and happy man.  If I had even
+taken counsel from his reproaches, when on the brink of that gulf
+into which my passions afterwards plunged me, I should have been
+spared the melancholy wreck of both fortune and reputation.  But
+he was doomed to see his friendly admonitions disregarded; nay,
+even at times repaid by contempt from an ungrateful wretch, who
+often dared to treat his fraternal conduct as offensive and
+officious.
+
+"I had fixed the day for my departure from Amiens.  Alas! that I
+had not fixed it one day sooner!  I should then have carried to
+my father's house my innocence untarnished.
+
+"The very evening before my expected departure, as I was walking
+with my friend, whose name was Tiberge, we saw the Arras
+diligence arrive, and sauntered after it to the inn, at which
+these coaches stop.  We had no other motive than curiosity.  Some
+worn men alighted, and immediately retired into the inn.  One
+remained behind: she was very young, and stood by herself in the
+court, while a man of advanced age, who appeared to have charge
+of her, was busy in getting her luggage from the vehicle.  She
+struck me as being so extremely beautiful, that I, who had never
+before thought of the difference between the sexes, or looked on
+woman with the slightest attention--I, whose conduct had been
+hitherto the theme of universal admiration, felt myself, on the
+instant, deprived of my reason and self-control.  I had been
+always excessively timid, and easily disconcerted; but now,
+instead of meeting with any impediment from this weakness, I
+advanced without the slightest reserve towards her, who had thus
+become, in a moment, the mistress of my heart.
+
+"Although younger than myself, she received my civilities
+without embarrassment.  I asked the cause of her journey to
+Amiens, and whether she had any acquaintances in the town.  She
+ingenuously told me that she had been sent there by her parents,
+to commence her novitiate for taking the veil.  Love had so
+quickened my perception, even in the short moment it had been
+enthroned, that I saw in this announcement a death-blow to my
+hopes.  I spoke to her in a way that made her at once understand
+what was passing in my mind; for she had more experience than
+myself.  It was against her consent that she was consigned to a
+convent, doubtless to repress that inclination for pleasure which
+had already become too manifest, and which caused, in the sequel,
+all her misfortunes and mine.  I combated the cruel intention of
+her parents with all the arguments that my new-born passion and
+schoolboy eloquence could suggest.  She affected neither
+austerity nor reserve.  She told me, after a moment's silence,
+that she foresaw too clearly, what her unhappy fate must be; but
+that it was, apparently, the will of Heaven, since there were no
+means left her to avert it.  The sweetness of her look, the air
+of sorrow with which she pronounced these words, or rather
+perhaps the controlling destiny which led me on to ruin, allowed
+me not an instant to weigh my answer.  I assured her that if she
+would place reliance on my honour, and on the tender interest
+with which she had already inspired me, I would sacrifice my life
+to deliver her from the tyranny of her parents, and to render her
+happy.  I have since been a thousand times astonished in
+reflecting upon it, to think how I could have expressed myself
+with so much boldness and facility; but love could never have
+become a divinity, if he had not often worked miracles.
+
+"I made many other pressing and tender speeches; and my unknown
+fair one was perfectly aware that mine was not the age for
+deceit.  She confessed to me that if I could see but a reasonable
+hope of being able to effect her enfranchisement, she should deem
+herself indebted for my kindness in more than life itself could
+pay.  I repeated that I was ready to attempt anything in her
+behalf; but, not having sufficient experience at once to imagine
+any reasonable plan of serving her, I did not go beyond this
+general assurance, from which indeed little good could arise
+either to her or to myself.  Her old guardian having by this time
+joined us, my hopes would have been blighted, but that she had
+tact enough to make amends for my stupidity.  I was surprised, on
+his approaching us, to hear her call me her cousin, and say,
+without being in the slightest degree disconcerted, that as she
+had been so fortunate as to fall in with me at Amiens, she would
+not go into the convent until the next morning, in order to have
+the pleasure of meeting me at supper.  Innocent as I was, I at
+once comprehended the meaning of this ruse; and proposed that she
+should lodge for the night at the house of an innkeeper, who,
+after being many years my father's coachman, had lately
+established himself at Amiens, and who was sincerely attached to
+me.
+
+"I conducted her there myself, at which the old Argus appeared
+to grumble a little; and my friend Tiberge, who was puzzled by
+the whole scene, followed, without uttering a word.  He had not
+heard our conversation, having walked up and down the court while
+I was talking of love to my angelic mistress.  As I had some
+doubts of his discretion, I got rid of him, by begging that he
+would execute a commission for me.  I had thus the happiness, on
+arriving at the inn, of entertaining alone the sovereign of my
+heart.
+
+"I soon learned that I was less a child than I had before
+imagined.  My heart expanded to a thousand sentiments of
+pleasure, of which I had not before the remotest idea.  A
+delicious consciousness of enjoyment diffused itself through my
+whole mind and soul.  I sank into a kind of ecstasy, which
+deprived me for a time of the power of utterance, and which found
+vent only in a flood of tears.
+
+"Manon Lescaut (this she told me was her name) seemed gratified
+by the visible effect of her own charms.  She appeared to me not
+less excited than myself.  She acknowledged that she was greatly
+pleased with me, and that she should be enchanted to owe to me
+her freedom and future happiness.  She would insist on hearing
+who I was, and the knowledge only augmented her affection; for,
+being herself of humble birth, she was flattered by securing for
+her lover a man of family.
+
+"After many reflections we could discover no other resource than
+in flight.  To effect this it would be requisite to cheat the
+vigilance of Manon's guardian, who required management, although
+he was but a servant.  We determined, therefore, that, during the
+night, I should procure a post-chaise, and return with it at
+break of day to the inn, before he was awake; that we should
+steal away quietly, and go straight to Paris, where we might be
+married on our arrival.  I had about fifty crowns in my pocket,
+the fruit of my little savings at school; and she had about twice
+as much.  We imagined, like inexperienced children, that such a
+sum could never be exhausted, and we counted, with equal
+confidence, upon the success of our other schemes.
+
+"After having supped, with certainly more satisfaction than I
+had ever before experienced, I retired to prepare for our
+project.  All my arrangements were the more easy, because, for
+the purpose of returning on the morrow to my father's, my luggage
+had been already packed.  I had, therefore, no difficulty in
+removing my trunk, and having a chaise prepared for five o'clock
+in the morning, at which hour the gates of the town would be
+opened; but I encountered an obstacle which I was little prepared
+for, and which nearly upset all my plans.
+
+"Tiberge, although only three years older than myself, was a
+youth of unusually strong mind, and of the best regulated
+conduct.  He loved me with singular affection.  The sight of so
+lovely a girl as Manon, my ill-disguised impatience to conduct
+her to the inn, and the anxiety I betrayed to get rid of him, had
+excited in his mind some suspicions of my passion.  He had not
+ventured to return to the inn where he had left me, for fear of
+my being annoyed at his doing so; but went to wait for me at my
+lodgings, where, although it was ten o'clock at night, I found
+him on my arrival.  His presence annoyed me, and he soon
+perceived the restraint which it imposed.  `I am certain,' he
+said to me, without any disguise, `that you have some plan in
+contemplation which you will not confide to me; I see it by your
+manner.'  I answered him rather abruptly, that I was not bound to
+render him an account of all my movements. `Certainly not!' he
+replied; `but you have always, hitherto, treated me as a friend,
+and that appellation implies a certain degree of confidence and
+candour.'  He pressed me so much and so earnestly to discover my
+secret, that, having never up to that moment felt the slightest
+reserve towards him, I confided to him now the whole history of
+my passion.  He heard it with an appearance of disapprobation,
+which made me tremble; and I immediately repented of my
+indiscretion, in telling him of my intended elopement.  He told
+me he was too sincerely my friend not to oppose every obstacle in
+his power to such a scheme; that he would first try all other
+means of turning me from such a purpose, but that if I refused to
+renounce so fatal a resolution, he assuredly would inform some
+persons of my intention, who would be able to defeat it.  He held
+forth upon the subject for a full quarter of an hour, in the most
+serious tone, and ended by again threatening to inform against
+me, if I did not pledge him my word that I would return to the
+paths of discretion and reason.
+
+"I was in despair at having so awkwardly betrayed myself. 
+However, love having wonderfully sharpened my intellect during
+the last two or three hours, I recollected that I had not yet
+told him of its being my intention to execute my project on the
+following morning, and I at once determined to deceive him by a
+little equivocation.
+
+"`Tiberge,' said I to him, `up to the present moment I thought
+you were my friend; and I wished to prove it by the test of
+confidence.  It is true, I am in love; I have not deceived you:
+but with regard to my flight, that is a project not to be
+undertaken without deliberation.  Call for me tomorrow at nine
+o'clock: you shall see my mistress, if it be possible, and then
+judge whether she is not worthy of any risk or sacrifice on my
+part.'  He left me, with a thousand protestations of friendship.
+
+"I employed the night in preparing for the journey, and on
+repairing to the inn at early dawn, I found Manon waiting my
+arrival.  She was at her window, which looked upon the street,
+and perceiving my approach, she came down and opened the door
+herself.  We took our departure silently, and without creating
+the least alarm.  She merely brought away a small portion of her
+apparel, of which I took charge.  The chaise was in readiness,
+and we were soon at a distance from the town.
+
+"You will learn in the sequel what was the conduct of Tiberge
+when he discovered that I had deceived him; that his zeal to
+serve me suffered no diminution; and you will observe to what
+lengths his devotion carried him.  How ought I to grieve, when I
+reflect on the base ingratitude with which his affection was
+always repaid!
+
+"We made such speed on our journey that before night we reached
+St. Denis.  I rode alongside of the chaise, which gave us little
+opportunity for conversation, except while changing horses; but
+when we found ourselves so near Paris, and out of the reach of
+danger, we allowed ourselves time for refreshment, not having
+tasted food since we quitted Amiens.  Passionately in love as I
+felt with Manon, she knew how to convince me that she was equally
+so with me.  So little did we restrain our fondness, that we had
+not even patience to reserve our caresses till we were alone. 
+The postilions and innkeepers stared at us with wonder, and I
+remarked that they appeared surprised at such uncontrollable love
+in children of our age.
+
+"Our project of marriage was forgotten at St. Denis; we
+defrauded the Church of her rights; and found ourselves united as
+man and wife without reflecting on the consequences.  It is
+certain that with my easy and constant disposition, I should have
+been happy for my whole life, if Manon had remained faithful to
+me.  The more I saw of her, the more I discovered in her new
+perfections.  Her mind, her heart, her gentleness and beauty,
+formed a chain at once so binding and so agreeable, that I could
+have found perfect happiness in its enduring influence.  Terrible
+fatality? that which has been the source of my despair, might,
+under a slight change of circumstances, have constituted my
+happiness.  I find myself the most wretched of mankind, by the
+force of that very constancy from which I might have fairly
+expected to derive the most serene of human blisses, and the most
+perfect recompense of love.
+
+"We took a furnished apartment at Paris, in the Rue V----, and, as
+it afterwards turned out, to my sorrow, close to the house of M.
+de B----, the famous Fermier-general.  Three weeks passed, during
+which I was so absorbed in my passion, that I never gave a
+thought to my family, nor dreamed of the distress which my father
+probably felt at my absence.  However, as there was yet nothing
+of profligacy about me, and as Manon conducted herself with the
+strictest propriety, the tranquil life we led served to restore
+me by degrees to a sense of duty.
+
+"I resolved to effect, if possible, a reconciliation with my
+parent.  My mistress was to me so perfectly lovable, that I could
+not a doubt her power of captivating my father, if I could only
+find the means of making him acquainted with her good conduct and
+merit.  In a word, I relied on obtaining his consent to our
+marriage, having given up all idea of accomplishing it without
+his approval.  I mentioned the project to Manon, and explained to
+her that, besides every motive of filial love and duty, the
+weightier one of necessity should also have some influence; for
+our finances were sadly reduced, and I began to see the folly of
+thinking them, as I once did, inexhaustible.
+
+"Manon received the proposition with considerable coldness. 
+However, the difficulties she made, being apparently the
+suggestions of tenderness alone, or as arising from the natural
+fear of losing me, if my father, after learning our address,
+should refuse his assent to our union, I had not the smallest
+suspicion of the cruel blow she was at the very time preparing to
+inflict.  As to the argument of necessity, she replied that we
+had still abundant means of living for some weeks longer, and
+that she would then find a resource in the kindness of some
+relations in the country, to whom she should write.  She tempered
+her opposition by caresses so tender and impassioned, that I, who
+lived only for her, and who never had the slightest misgiving as
+to her love, applauded at once her arguments and her resolutions.
+
+"To Manon I had committed the care of our finances, and the
+house-hold arrangements.  In a short time, I observed that our
+style of living was improved, and that she had treated herself to
+more expensive dresses.  As I calculated that we could hardly
+have at this period more than fifteen or twenty crowns remaining,
+I did not conceal my surprise at this mysterious augmentation of
+our wealth.  She begged of me, with a smile, to give myself no
+trouble on that head.  `Did I not promise you,' said she, `that I
+would find resources?'  I loved her too purely to experience the
+slightest suspicion.
+
+"One day, having gone out in the afternoon, and told her that I
+should not be at home so early as usual, I was astonished, on my
+return, at being detained several minutes at the door.  Our only
+servant was a young girl about our own age.  On her letting me in
+at last, I asked why she had detained me so long?  She replied in
+an embarrassed tone, that she did not hear me knock.  `I only
+knocked once,' said I; `so if you did not hear me, why come to
+open the door at all?'  This query disconcerted her so visibly,
+that losing her presence of mind, she began to cry, assuring me
+that it was not her fault; and that her mistress had desired her
+not to open the door until M. de B----had had time to go down by
+the back staircase.  I was so confounded by this information as
+to be utterly unable to proceed to our apartment; and was obliged
+to leave the house, under the pretext of an appointment.  I
+desired the girl, therefore, to let her mistress know that I
+should return in a few minutes, but on no account to say that she
+had spoken to me of M. de B----.
+
+"My horror was so great, that I shed tears as I went along,
+hardly knowing from what feeling they flowed.  I entered a
+coffee-house close by, and placing myself at a table, I buried my
+face between my hands, as though I would turn my eyes inward to
+ascertain what was passing in my heart.  Still, I dared not
+recall what I had heard the moment before.  I strove to look upon
+it as a dream; and was more than once on the point of returning
+to my lodgings, determined to attach no importance to what I had
+heard.
+
+"It appeared to me so impossible that Manon could have been
+unfaithful, that I feared even to wrong her by a suspicion.  I
+adored her--that was too certain; I had not on my part given her
+more proofs of my love than I had received of hers; why then
+should I charge her with being less sincere and constant than
+myself?  What reason could she have to deceive me?  Not three
+hours before, she had lavished upon me the most tender caresses,
+and had received mine with transport: I knew her heart as
+thoroughly as my own.  `No, no!' I said, `it is not possible that
+Manon can have deceived me.  She well knows that I live but for
+her; that I adore her: upon that point I can have no reason to be
+unhappy.'
+
+"Notwithstanding these reflections, the visit of M. de B----,
+and his secret departure, gave me some uneasiness.  I remembered,
+too, the little purchases she had lately made, which seemed
+beyond our present means.  This looked like the liberality of a
+new lover.  And the confidence with which she had foretold
+resources which were to me unknown?  I had some difficulty in
+solving these mysteries in as favourable a manner as my heart
+desired.
+
+"On the other hand, she had been hardly out of my sight since we
+entered Paris.  However occupied, in our walks, in all our
+amusements, she was ever at my side.  Heavens! even a momentary
+separation would have been too painful.  I could not therefore
+imagine how Manon could, to any other person, have devoted a
+single instant.
+
+"At last I thought I had discovered a clue to the mystery.  `M.
+de B----' said I to myself, `is a man extensively engaged in
+commercial affairs; and Manon's relations have no doubt remitted
+her money through his house.  She has probably already received
+some from him, and he is come today to bring her more.  She
+wishes, perhaps, to derive amusement by and by, from an agreeable
+surprise, by keeping me at present in the dark.  She would
+doubtless have at once told me all, if I had gone in as usual,
+instead of coming here to distress myself: at all events, she
+will not conceal it from me when I broach the subject myself.'
+
+"I cherished this idea so willingly, that it considerably
+lightened my grief.  I immediately returned to my lodgings, and
+embraced Manon as tenderly as ever.  She received me as usual. 
+At first I was tempted to mention my conjectures, which I now,
+more than ever, looked upon as certain; but I restrained myself
+in the hope that she might render it unnecessary by informing me
+of all that had passed.
+
+"Supper was served.  Assuming an air of gaiety, I took my seat
+at table; but by the light of the candles which were between us,
+I fancied I perceived an air of melancholy about the eyes and
+countenance of my beloved mistress.  The very thought soon damped
+my gaiety.  I remarked that her looks wore an unusual expression,
+and although nothing could be more soft or languishing, I was at
+a loss to discover whether they conveyed more of love than of
+compassion.  I gazed at her with equal earnestness, and she
+perhaps had no less difficulty in comprehending from my
+countenance what was passing in my heart.  We neither spoke nor
+ate.  At length I saw tears starting from her beauteous
+eyes--perfidious tears!  `Oh heavens!' I cried, `my dearest
+Manon, why allow your sorrows to afflict you to this degree
+without imparting their cause to me?'  She answered me only with
+sighs, which increased my misery.  I arose trembling from my
+seat: I conjured her, with all the urgent earnestness of love, to
+let me know the cause of her grief: I wept in endeavouring to
+soothe her sorrows: I was more dead than alive.  A barbarian
+would have pitied my sufferings as I stood trembling with grief
+and apprehension.
+
+"While my attention was thus confined to her, I heard people
+coming upstairs.  They tapped gently at the door.  Manon gave me
+a kiss, and escaping from my arms, quickly entered the boudoir,
+turning the key after her.  I imagined that, not being dressed to
+receive strangers, she was unwilling to meet the persons who had
+knocked; I went to let them in.
+
+"I had hardly opened the door, when I found myself seized by
+three men, whom I recognised as my father's servants.  They
+offered not the least violence, but two of them taking me by the
+arms, the third examined my pockets, and took out a small knife,
+the only weapon I had about me.  They begged pardon for the
+necessity they were under of treating me with apparent
+disrespect; telling me frankly that they were acting by the
+orders of my father, and that my eldest brother was in a carriage
+below waiting to receive me.  My feelings were so overpowered,
+that I allowed myself to be led away without making either reply
+or resistance.  I found my brother waiting for me as they had
+stated.  They placed me by his side, and the coachman immediately
+drove, by his orders, towards St. Denis.
+
+"My brother embraced me most affectionately, but during our ride,
+he uttered not a word, so that, as I was not inclined for
+conversation, I had as much leisure as I could desire to reflect
+upon my misfortunes.
+
+
+
+III
+
+
+That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
+And not their appetites.
+
+SHAKESPEARE.
+
+
+"The whole affair was so involved in obscurity that I could not
+see my way even to a reasonable conjecture.  I was cruelly
+betrayed--that was certain; but by whom?  Tiberge first occurred
+to me.  `Tiberge!' said I, `it is as much as thy life is worth,
+if my suspicions turn out to be well founded.'  However, I
+recollected that he could not by possibility know my abode; and
+therefore, he could not have furnished the information.  To
+accuse Manon was more than my heart was capable of.  The unusual
+melancholy with which she had lately seemed weighed down, her
+tears, the tender kiss she gave me in parting, made it all as yet
+a mystery to me.  I could only look upon her recent melancholy as
+a presentiment of our common misfortune; and while I was
+deploring the event which tore me from her, I was credulous
+enough to consider her fate as much deserving of pity as my own.
+
+"The result of my reflections was, that I had been seen and
+followed in the streets of Paris by some persons of my
+acquaintance, who had conveyed the information to my father. 
+This idea comforted me.  I made up my mind to encounter some
+reproaches, or perhaps harsh treatment, for having outraged the
+paternal authority.  I resolved, however, to suffer with
+patience, and to promise all that might be required of me, in
+order to facilitate my speedy return to Paris, that I might
+restore life and happiness to my dear Manon.
+
+"We soon arrived at St. Denis.  My brother, surprised at my long
+silence, thought it the effect of fear.  He assured me that I had
+nothing to apprehend from my father's severity, provided I showed
+a disposition to return quietly to the path of duty, and prove
+myself worthy of his affection.  He made me pass the night at St.
+Denis, merely taking the precaution of putting the three lackeys
+to sleep in my room.  It cost me a pang to find myself in the
+same inn where I had stopped with Manon on our way from Amiens to
+Paris.  The innkeeper and his servants recognised me, and guessed
+at once the truth of my history.  I overheard them say, `Ah!
+that's the handsome young gentleman who travelled this road about
+a month ago, with the beautiful girl he appeared so much in love
+with!  How pretty she was!  The poor young things, how they
+caressed each other!  Pity if they have been separated!'  I
+pretended not to hear, and kept as much out of sight as possible.
+
+"At St. Denis my brother had a chariot waiting for us, in which
+we started early the next morning, and arrived at home before
+night.
+
+"He saw my father first, in order to make a favourable impression
+by telling him how quietly I had allowed myself to be brought
+away, so that his reception of me was less austere than I had
+expected.  He merely rebuked me in general terms for the offence
+I had committed, by absenting myself without his permission.  As
+for my mistress, he said I richly deserved what had happened to
+me, for abandoning myself to a person utterly unknown; that he
+had entertained a better opinion of my discretion; but that he
+hoped this little adventure would make me wiser.  I took the
+whole lecture only in the sense that accorded with my own
+notions.  I thanked my father for his indulgence, and promised
+that I would in future observe a better regulated and more
+obedient course of conduct.  I felt that I had secured a triumph;
+for, from the present aspect of affairs, there was no doubt that
+I should be free to effect my escape from the house even before
+the night was over.
+
+"We sat down to supper.  They rallied me about my Amiens
+conquest, and my flight with that paragon of fidelity.  I took
+their jokes in good part, glad enough at being permitted to
+revolve in my mind the plans I had meditated; but some words
+which fell from my father made me listen with earnest attention. 
+He spoke of perfidy, and the not disinterested kindness he had
+received at the hands of M. de B----.  I was almost paralysed on
+hearing the name, and begged of my father to explain himself.  He
+turned to my brother, to ask if he had not told me the whole
+story.  My brother answered, that I appeared to him so tranquil
+upon the road, that he did not suppose I required this remedy to
+cure me of my folly.  I remarked that my father was doubtful
+whether he should give me the explanation or not.  I entreated
+him so earnestly that he satisfied me, or I should rather say
+tortured me, with the following most horrible narration.
+
+"He began by asking me whether I was really simple enough to
+believe that I had been really loved by the girl.  I told him
+confidently that I was perfectly sure of it, and that nothing
+could make me for a moment doubt it. `Ha, ha, ha!' said he, with
+a loud laugh; `that is excellent! you are a pretty dupe! 
+Admirable idea!  'Twould be a thousand pities, my poor chevalier,
+to make you a Knight of Malta, with all the requisites you
+possess for a patient and accommodating husband.'  He continued
+in the same tone to ridicule what he was pleased to call my
+dullness and credulity.
+
+"He concluded, while I maintained a profound silence, by saying
+that, according to the nicest calculation he could make of the
+time since my departure from Amiens, Manon must have been in love
+with me about twelve days; `for,' said he, `I know that you left
+Amiens on the 28th of last month; this is, the 29th of the
+present; it is eleven days since M. de B---- wrote to me; I
+suppose he required eight days to establish a perfect
+understanding with your mistress; so that, take eight and eleven
+from thirty-one days, the time between the 28th of one month and
+the 29th of the next, there remains twelve, more or less!'  This
+joke was followed by shouts of laughter.
+
+"I heard it all with a kind of sinking of the heart that I
+thought I could not bear up against, until he finished.  `You
+must know then,' continued my father, `since you appear as yet
+ignorant of it, that M. de B---- has won the affections of your
+idol; for he can't be serious in pretending that it is his
+disinterested regard for me that has induced him to take her from
+you.  It would be absurd to expect such noble sentiments from a
+man of his description, and one, besides, who is a perfect
+stranger to me.  He knew that you were my son, and in order to
+get rid of you, he wrote to inform me of your abode, and of the
+life you led; saying, at the same time, that strong measures
+would be necessary to secure you.
+
+"He offered to procure me the means of laying hold of you; and it
+was by his direction, as well as that of your mistress herself,
+that your brother hit upon the moment for catching you unawares. 
+Now, you may congratulate yourself upon the duration of your
+triumph.  You know how to conquer, rapid enough; but you have yet
+to learn how to secure your conquests.'
+
+"I could no longer endure these remarks, every one of which
+struck a dagger to my heart.  I arose from the table, and had not
+advanced four steps towards the door, when I fell upon the floor,
+perfectly senseless.  By prompt applications they soon brought me
+to myself.  My eyes opened only to shed a torrent of tears, and
+my lips to utter the most sorrowful and heartrending complaints. 
+My father, who always loved me most affectionately, tried every
+means to console me.  I listened to him, but his words were
+without effect.  I threw myself at his feet, in the attitude of
+prayer, conjuring him to let me return to Paris, and destroy the
+monster B----.  `No!'cried I; `he has not gained Manon's heart;
+he may have seduced her by charms, or by drugs; he may have even
+brutally violated her.  Manon loves me.  Do I not know that well? 
+He must have terrified her with a poniard, to induce her to
+abandon me.'  What must he not have done to have robbed me of my
+angelic mistress?  Oh Heaven!  Heaven! can it be possible that
+Manon deceived me, or that she has ceased to love me!
+
+"As I continued to rave about returning at once to Paris, and
+was perpetually starting up with that purpose, my father clearly
+saw that while the paroxysm lasted, no arguments could pacify me. 
+He conducted me to one of the upper rooms, and left two servants
+to keep constant watch over me.  I was completely bewildered.  I
+would have given a thousand lives to be but for one quarter of an
+hour in Paris.  I had sense enough, however, to know that having
+so openly declared my intention, they would not easily allow me
+to quit my chamber.  I looked at the height of the windows. 
+Seeing no possibility of escaping that way, I addressed the
+servants in the most tranquil tone.  I promised, with the most
+solemn vows, to make at some future day their fortunes, if they
+would but consent to my escape.  I entreated them; I tried
+caresses, and lastly threats; but all were unavailing.  I gave
+myself up to despair.  I resolved to die; and threw myself upon
+the bed, with a firm determination to quit it only with my life. 
+In this situation I passed the night and the following day.  I
+refused the nourishment that was brought to me next morning.
+
+"My father came to see me in the afternoon.  He tried in the
+most affectionate manner, to soothe my grief.  He desired me so
+urgently to take some refreshment, that, to gratify him, I obeyed
+his wishes.  Several days passed, during which I took nothing but
+in his presence, and at his special request.  He continued to
+furnish new arguments to restore me to my proper senses, and to
+inspire me with merited contempt for the faithless Manon.  I
+certainly had lost all esteem for her: how could I esteem the
+most fickle and perfidious of created beings!  But her
+image--those exquisite features, which were engraven on my
+heart's core, were still uneffaced.  I understood my own
+feelings:  `I may die,' said I, `and I ought to die after so much
+shame and grief; but I might suffer a thousand deaths without
+being able to forget the ingrate Manon.'
+
+"My father was surprised at my still continuing so powerfully
+affected.  He knew that I was imbued with the principles of
+honour; and not doubting that her infidelity must make me despise
+her, fancied that my obstinacy proceeded less from this
+particular passion, than from a general inclination towards the
+sex.  This idea so took possession of his mind, that, prompted
+only by his affection for me, he came one day to reveal his
+thoughts.  `Chevalier,' said he to me, `it has been hitherto my
+intention to make you bear the Cross of Malta: I now see that
+your inclinations do not bend that way.  You are an admirer of
+beauty.  I shall be able to find you a wife to your taste.  Let
+me candidly know how you feel upon the subject.'
+
+"I answered that I could never again see the slightest
+difference amongst women, and that after the misfortune I had
+experienced, I detested them all equally.  `I will find you one,'
+replied my father, smiling, `who shall resemble Manon in beauty,
+but who shall be more faithful.'  `Ah! if you have any mercy,'
+said I, `you will restore my Manon to me.  Be assured, my dear
+father, that she has not betrayed me; she is incapable of such
+base and cruel treachery.  It is the perfidious B---- who
+deceives both her and me.  If you could form an idea of her
+tenderness and her sincerity--if you only knew her, you yourself
+would love her!'  `You are absolutely a child,' replied my
+father. `How can you so delude yourself, after what I have told
+you about her?  It was she who actually delivered you up to your
+brother.  You ought to obliterate even her name from your memory,
+and take advantage, if you are wise, of the indulgence I am
+showing you.'
+
+"I very clearly perceived that my father was right.  It was an
+involuntary emotion that made me thus take part with the traitor. 
+`Alas!' replied I, after a moment's silence, `it is but too true
+that I am the unhappy victim of the vilest perfidy.  Yes,' I
+continued, while shedding tears of anger, `I too clearly perceive
+that I am indeed but a child.  Credulity like mine was easily
+gulled; but I shall be at no loss to revenge myself.'  My father
+enquired of me my intentions:  `I will go to Paris,' I said, `set
+fire to B----'s house, and immolate him and the perfidious Manon
+together.'  This burst made my father laugh, and had only the
+effect of causing me to be more vigilantly watched in my cell.
+
+"I thus passed six long months; during the first of which my mind
+underwent little change.  My feelings were in a state of
+perpetual alternation between hate and love; between hope and
+despair; according as, the tendency of each passing thought
+brought Manon back to my recollection.  At one time, I could see
+in her the most delightful of women only, and sigh for the
+pleasure of beholding her once more; at another, I felt she was
+the most unworthy and perfidious of mistresses, and I would on
+these occasions swear never again to seek her, but for the
+purpose of revenge.
+
+"I was supplied with books, which served to restore my peace of
+mind.  I read once again all my favourite authors; and I became
+acquainted with new ones.  All my former taste for study was
+revived.  You will see of what use this was to me in the sequel. 
+The light I had already derived from love, enabled me to
+comprehend many passages in Horace and Virgil which had before
+appeared obscure.  I wrote an amatory commentary upon the fourth
+book of the AEneid.  I intend one day to publish it, and I
+flatter myself it will be popular.
+
+"`Alas!' I used to exclaim, whilst employed on that work, it
+was for a heart like mine the faithful Dido sighed, and sighed in
+vain!'
+
+
+
+IV
+
+Now, by the strange enchantment that surrounds thee,
+There's nothing--nothing thou shalt ask in vain.
+
+ESSEX.
+
+
+"While in my confinement Tiberge came one day to see me.  I was
+surprised at the affectionate joy with which he saluted me.  I
+had never, hitherto, observed any peculiar warmth in his
+friendship that could lead me to look upon it as anything more
+than the partiality common among boys of the same age.  He was so
+altered, and had grown so manly during the five or six months
+since I had last seen him, that his expressive features and his
+manner of addressing me inspired me with a feeling of respect. 
+He spoke more in the character of a mentor than a schoolfellow,
+lamented the delusion into which I had fallen, congratulated me
+on my reformation, which he believed was now sincere, and ended
+by exhorting me to profit by my youthful error, and open my eyes
+to the vanity of worldly pleasures.  I looked at him with some
+astonishment, which he at once perceived.
+
+"`My dear chevalier,' said he to me, `you shall hear nothing
+but the strict truth, of which I have assured myself by the most
+serious examination.  I had, perhaps, as strong an inclination
+for pleasure as you, but Heaven had at the same time, in its
+mercy, blessed me with a taste for virtue.  I exercised my reason
+in comparing the consequences of the one with those of the other,
+and the divine aid was graciously vouchsafed to my reflections. 
+I conceived for the world a contempt which nothing can equal. 
+Can you guess what it is retains me in it now,' he added, `and
+that prevents me from embracing a life of solitude?  Simply the
+sincere friendship I bear towards you.  I know the excellent
+qualities of both your heart and head.  There is no good of which
+you may not render yourself capable.  The blandishments of
+pleasure have momentarily drawn you aside.  What detriment to the
+sacred cause of virtue!  Your flight from Amiens gave me such
+intense sorrow, that I have not since known a moment's happiness. 
+You may judge of this by the steps it induced me to take.'  He
+then told me how, after discovering that I had deceived him, and
+gone off with my mistress, he procured horses for the purpose of
+pursuing me, but having the start of him by four or five hours,
+he found it impossible to overtake me; that he arrived, however,
+at St. Denis half an hour after I had left it; that, being very
+sure that I must have stopped in Paris, he spent six weeks there
+in a fruitless endeavour to discover me--visiting every place
+where he thought he should be likely to meet me, and that one
+evening he at length recognised my mistress at the play, where
+she was so gorgeously dressed, that he of course set it down to
+the account of some new lover; that he had followed her equipage
+to her house, and had there learned from a servant that she was
+entertained in this style by M. de B----.  `I did not stop here,'
+continued he; `I returned next day to the house, to learn from
+her own lips what had become of you.  She turned abruptly away
+when she heard the mention of your name, and I was obliged to
+return into the country without further information.  I there
+learned the particulars of your adventure, and the extreme
+annoyance she had caused you; but I was unwilling to visit you
+until I could have assurance of your being in a more tranquil
+state.'
+
+"`You have seen Manon then!' cried I, sighing. `Alas! you are
+happier than I, who am doomed never again to behold her.'  He
+rebuked me for this sigh, which still showed my weakness for the
+perfidious girl.  He flattered me so adroitly upon the goodness
+of my mind and disposition, that he really inspired me, even on
+this first visit, with a strong inclination to renounce, as he
+had done, the pleasures of the world, and enter at once into holy
+orders.
+
+"The idea was so suited to my present frame of mind, that when
+alone I thought of nothing else.  I remembered the words of the
+Bishop of Amiens, who had given me the same advice, and thought
+only of the happiness which he predicted would result from my
+adoption of such a course.  Piety itself took part in these
+suggestions.  `I shall lead a holy and a Christian life,' said I;
+`I shall divide my time between study and religion, which will
+allow me no leisure for the perilous pleasures of love.  I shall
+despise that which men ordinarily admire; and as I am conscious
+that my heart will desire nothing but what it can esteem, my
+cares will not be greater or more numerous than my wants and
+wishes.'
+
+"I thereupon pictured to myself in anticipation a course of life
+peaceful and retired.  I fancied a retreat embosomed in a wood,
+with a limpid stream of running water bounding my garden; a
+library, comprising the most select works; a limited circle of
+friends, virtuous and intellectual; a table neatly served, but
+frugal and temperate.  To all these agremens I added a literary
+correspondence with a friend whose residence should be in Paris,
+who should give me occasional information upon public affairs,
+less for the gratification of my curiosity, than to afford a kind
+of relaxation by hearing of and lamenting the busy follies of
+men.  `Shall not I be happy?' added I; `will not my utmost wishes
+be thus gratified?'  This project flattered my inclinations
+extremely.  But after all the details of this most admirable and
+prudent plan, I felt that my heart still yearned for something;
+and that in order to leave nothing to desire in this most
+enchanting retirement, one ought to be able to share it with
+Manon.
+
+"However, Tiberge continuing to pay me frequent visits in order
+to strengthen me in the purpose with which he had inspired me, I
+took an opportunity of opening the subject to my father.  He
+declared that his intention ever was to leave his children free
+to choose a profession, and that in whatever manner I should
+dispose of myself, all he wished to reserve was the right of
+aiding me with his counsel.  On this occasion he gave me some of
+the wisest, which tended less to divert me from my project, than
+to convince me of my good father's sound judgment and discretion.
+
+"The recommencement of the scholastic year being at hand, Tiberge
+and I agreed to enter ourselves together at St. Sulpice, he to
+pursue his theological studies, and I to begin mine.  His merits,
+which were not unknown to the bishop of the diocese, procured him
+the promise of a living from that prelate before our departure.
+
+"My father, thinking me quite cured of my passion, made no
+objection to my taking final leave.  We arrived at Paris.  The
+Cross of Malta gave place to the ecclesiastical habit, and the
+designation of the Abbe de Grieux was substituted for that of
+chevalier.  I applied so diligently to study, that in a few
+months I had made extraordinary progress.  I never lost a moment
+of the day, and employed even part of the night.  I soon acquired
+such a reputation, that I was already congratulated upon the
+honours which I was sure of obtaining; and, without solicitation
+on my part, my name was inscribed on the list for a vacant
+benefice.  Piety was by no means neglected, and I entered with
+ardent devotion into all the exercises of religion.  Tiberge was
+proud of what he considered the work of his own hands, and many a
+time have I seen him shed tears of delight in noticing what he
+styled my perfect conversion.
+
+"It has never been matter of wonder to me that human resolutions
+are liable to change; one passion gives them birth, another may
+destroy them; but when I reflect upon the sacredness of those
+motives that led me to St. Sulpice, and upon the heartfelt
+satisfaction I enjoyed while obeying their dictation, I shudder
+at the facility with which I outraged them all.  If it be true
+that the benign succour afforded by Heaven is at all times equal
+to the strongest of man's pinions, I shall be glad to learn the
+nature of the deplorable ascendancy which causes us suddenly to
+swerve from the path of duty, without the power of offering the
+least resistance, and without even the slightest visitation of
+remorse.
+
+"I now thought myself entirely safe from the dangers of love.  I
+fancied that I could have preferred a single page of St.
+Augustine, or a quarter of an hour of Christian meditation, to
+every sensual gratification, not excepting any that I might have
+derived even from Manon's society.  Nevertheless, one unlucky
+moment plunged me again headlong into the gulf; and my ruin was
+the more irreparable, because, falling at once to the same depth
+from whence I had been before rescued, each of the new disorders
+into which I now lapsed carried me deeper and deeper still down
+the profound abyss of vice.  I had passed nearly a year at Paris
+without hearing of Manon.  It cost me no slight effort to abstain
+from enquiry; but the unintermitting advice of Tiberge, and my
+own reflections, secured this victory over my wishes.  The last
+months glided away so tranquilly, that I considered the memory of
+this charming but treacherous creature about to be consigned to
+eternal oblivion.
+
+"The time arrived when I was to undergo a public examination in
+the class of theology:  I invited several persons of
+consideration to honour me with their presence on the occasion. 
+My name was mentioned in every quarter of Paris: it even reached
+the ears of her who had betrayed me.  She had some difficulty in
+recognising it with the prefix of Abbe; but curiosity, or perhaps
+remorse for having been faithless to me (I could never after
+ascertain by which of these feelings she was actuated), made her
+at once take an interest in a name so like mine; and she came
+with several other women to the Sorbonne, where she was present
+at my examination, and had doubtless little trouble in
+recognising my person.
+
+"I had not the remotest suspicion of her presence.  It is well
+known that in these places there are private seats for ladies,
+where they remain screened by a curtain.  I returned to St.
+Sulpice covered with honours and congratulations.  It was six in
+the evening.  The moment I returned, a lady was announced, who
+desired to speak with me.  I went to meet her.  Heavens! what a
+surprise!
+
+"It was Manon.  It was she indeed, but more bewitching and
+brilliant than I had ever beheld her.  She was now in her
+eighteenth year.  Her beauty beggars all description.  The
+exquisite grace of her form, the mild sweetness of expression
+that animated her features, and her engaging air, made her seem
+the very personification of love.  The vision was something too
+perfect for human beauty.
+
+"I stood like one enchanted at beholding her.  Unable to divine
+the object of her visit, I waited trembling and with downcast
+looks until she explained herself.  At first, her embarrassment
+was equal to mine; but, seeing that I was not disposed to break
+silence, she raised her hand to her eyes to conceal a starting
+tear, and then, in a timid tone, said that she well knew she had
+justly earned my abhorrence by her infidelity; but that if I had
+ever really felt any love for her, there was not much kindness in
+allowing two long years to pass without enquiring after her, and
+as little now in seeing her in the state of mental distress in
+which she was, without condescending to bestow upon her a single
+word.  I shall not attempt to describe what my feelings were as I
+listened to this reproof.
+
+"She seated herself.  I remained standing, with my face half
+turned aside, for I could not muster courage to meet her look.  I
+several times commenced a reply without power to conclude it.  At
+length I made an effort, and in a tone of poignant grief
+exclaimed:  `Perfidious Manon! perfidious, perfidious creature!' 
+She had no wish, she repeated with a flood of tears, to attempt
+to justify her infidelity.  `What is your wish, then?' cried I.
+`I wish to die,' she answered, `if you will not give me back that
+heart, without which it is impossible to endure life.'  `Take my
+life too, then, faithless girl!'  I exclaimed, in vain
+endeavouring to restrain my tears; `take my life also! it is the
+sole sacrifice that remains for me to make, for my heart has
+never ceased to be thine.'
+
+"I had hardly uttered these words, when she rose in a transport
+of joy, and approached to embrace me.  She loaded me with a
+thousand caresses.  She addressed me by all the endearing
+appellations with which love supplies his votaries, to enable
+them to express the most passionate fondness.  I still answered
+with affected coldness; but the sudden transition from a state of
+quietude, such as that I had up to this moment enjoyed, to the
+agitation and tumult which were now kindled in my breast and
+tingled through my veins, thrilled me with a kind of horror, and
+impressed me with a vague sense that I was about to undergo some
+great transformation, and to enter upon a new existence.
+
+"We sat down close by each other.  I took her hand within mine, 
+`Ah! Manon,' said I, with a look of sorrow, `I little thought
+that love like mine could have been repaid with treachery!  It
+was a poor triumph to betray a heart of which you were the
+absolute mistress--whose sole happiness it was to gratify and
+obey you.  Tell me if among others you have found any so
+affectionate and so devoted?  No, no!  I believe nature has cast
+few hearts in the same mould as mine.  Tell me at least whether
+you have ever thought of me with regret!  Can I have any reliance
+on the duration of the feeling that has brought you back to me
+today?  I perceive too plainly that you are infinitely lovelier
+than ever: but I conjure you by all my past sufferings, dearest
+Manon, to tell me--can you in future be more faithful?'
+
+"She gave me in reply such tender assurances of her repentance,
+and pledged her fidelity with such solemn protestations and vows,
+that I was inexpressibly affected.  `Beauteous Manon,' said I,
+with rather a profane mixture of amorous and theological
+expressions, `you are too adorable for a created being.  I feel
+my heart transported with triumphant rapture.  It is folly to
+talk of liberty at St. Sulpice.  Fortune and reputation are but
+slight sacrifices at such a shrine!  I plainly foresee it: I can
+read my destiny in your bright eyes; but what abundant recompense
+shall I not find in your affections for any loss I may sustain! 
+The favours of fortune have no influence over me: fame itself
+appears to me but a mockery; all my projects of a holy life were
+wild absurdities: in fact, any joys but those I may hope for at
+your side are fit objects of contempt.  There are none that would
+not vanish into worthlessness before one single glance of thine!'
+
+"In promising her, however, a full remission of her past
+frailties, I enquired how she permitted herself to be led astray
+by B----.  She informed me that having seen her at her window, he
+became passionately in love with her; that he made his advances
+in the true style of a mercantile cit;--that is to say, by giving
+her to understand in his letter, that his payments would be
+proportioned to her favours; that she had admitted his overtures
+at first with no other intention than that of getting from him
+such a sum as might enable us to live without inconvenience; but
+that he had so bewildered her with splendid promises, that she
+allowed herself to be misled by degrees.  She added, that I ought
+to have formed some notion of the remorse she experienced, by her
+grief on the night of our separation; and assured me that, in
+spite of the splendour in which he maintained her, she had never
+known a moment's happiness with him, not only, she said, because
+he was utterly devoid of that delicacy of sentiment and of those
+agreeable manners which I possessed, but because even in the
+midst of the amusements which he unceasingly procured her, she
+could never shake off the recollection of my love, or her own
+ingratitude.  She then spoke of Tiberge, and the extreme
+embarrassment his visit caused her.  `A dagger's point,' she
+added, `could not have struck more terror to my heart.  I turned
+from him, unable to sustain the interview for a moment.'
+
+"She continued to inform me how she had been apprised of my
+residence at Paris, of the change in my condition, and of her
+witnessing my examination at the Sorbonne.  She told me how
+agitated she had been during my intellectual conflict with the
+examiner; what difficulty she felt in restraining her tears as
+well as her sighs, which were more than once on the point of
+spurning all control, and bursting forth; that she was the last
+person to leave the hall of examination, for fear of betraying
+her distress, and that, following only the instinct of her own
+heart, and her ardent desires, she came direct to the seminary,
+with the firm resolution of surrendering life itself, if she
+found me cruel enough to withhold my forgiveness.
+
+"Could any savage remain unmoved by such proofs of cordial
+repentance as those I had just witnessed?  For my part, I felt at
+the moment that I could gladly have given up all the bishoprics
+in Christendom for Manon.  I asked what course she would
+recommend in our present emergency. `It is requisite,' she
+replied, `at all events, to quit the seminary, and settle in some
+safer place.'  I consented to everything she proposed.  She got
+into her carriage to go and wait for me at the corner of the
+street.  I escaped the next moment, without attracting the
+porter's notice.  I entered the carriage, and we drove off to a
+Jew's.  I there resumed my lay-dress and sword.  Manon furnished
+the supplies, for I was without a sou, and fearing that I might
+meet with some new impediment, she would not consent to my
+returning to my room at St. Sulpice for my purse.  My finances
+were in truth wretchedly low, and hers more than sufficiently
+enriched by the liberality of M. de B---- to make her think
+lightly of my loss.  We consulted together at the Jew's as to the
+course we should now adopt.
+
+"In order to enhance the sacrifice she had made for me of her
+late lover, she determined to treat him without the least
+ceremony.  `I shall leave him all his furniture,' she said; `it
+belongs to him: but I shall assuredly carry off, as I have a
+right to do, the jewels, and about sixty thousand francs, which I
+have had from him in the last two years.  I have given him no
+control over me,' she added, `so that we may remain without
+apprehension in Paris, taking a convenient house, where we shall
+live, oh how happily together!'
+
+"I represented to her that, although there might be no danger
+for her, there was a great deal for me, who must be sooner or
+later infallibly recognised, and continually exposed to a
+repetition of the trials I had before endured.  She gave me to
+understand that she could not quit Paris without regret.  I had
+such a dread of giving her annoyance, that there were no risks I
+would not have encountered for her sake.  However, we compromised
+matters by resolving to take a house in some village near Paris,
+from whence it would be easy for us to come into town whenever
+pleasure or business required it.  We fixed on Chaillot, which is
+at a convenient distance.  Manon at once returned to her house,
+and I went to wait for her at a side-gate of the garden of the
+Tuileries.
+
+"She returned an hour after, in a hired carriage, with a
+servant-maid, and several trunks, which contained her dresses,
+and everything she had of value.
+
+"We were not long on our way to Chaillot.  We lodged the first
+night at the inn, in order to have time to find a suitable house,
+or at least a commodious lodging.  We found one to our taste the
+next morning.
+
+"My happiness now appeared to be secured beyond the reach of
+fate.  Manon was everything most sweet and amiable.  She was so
+delicate and so unceasing in her attentions to me, that I deemed
+myself but too bountifully rewarded for all my past troubles.  As
+we had both, by this time, acquired some experience, we discussed
+rationally the state of our finances.  Sixty thousand francs (the
+amount of our wealth) was not a sum that could be expected to
+last our whole life; besides, we were neither of us much disposed
+to control our expenses.  Manon's chief virtue assuredly was not
+economy, any more than it was mine.  This was my proposition. 
+`Sixty thousand francs,' said I, `may support us for ten years. 
+Two thousand crowns a year will suffice, if we continue to live
+at Chaillot.  We shall keep up appearances, but live frugally. 
+Our only expense will be occasionally a carriage, and the
+theatres.  We shall do everything in moderation.  You like the
+opera; we shall go twice a week, in the season.  As for play, we
+shall limit ourselves; so that our losses must never exceed three
+crowns.  It is impossible but that in the space of ten years some
+change must occur in my family: my father is even now of an
+advanced age; he may die; in which event I must inherit a
+fortune, and we shall then be above all other fears.'
+
+"This arrangement would not have been by any means the most
+silly act of my life, if we had only been prudent enough to
+persevere in its execution; but our resolutions hardly lasted
+longer than a month.  Manon's passion was for amusement; she was
+the only object of mine.  New temptations to expense constantly
+presented themselves, and far from regretting the money which she
+sometimes prodigally lavished, I was the first to procure for her
+everything likely to afford her pleasure.  Our residence at
+Chaillot began even to appear tiresome.
+
+"Winter was approaching, and the whole world returning to town;
+the country had a deserted look.  She proposed to me to take a
+house in Paris.  I did not approve of this; but, in order partly
+at least to satisfy her, I said that we might hire furnished
+apartments, and that we might sleep there whenever we were late
+in quitting the assembly, whither we often went; for the
+inconvenience of returning so late to Chaillot was her excuse for
+wishing to leave it.  We had thus two dwellings, one in town and
+the other in the country.  This change soon threw our affairs
+into confusion, and led to two adventures, which eventually
+caused our ruin.
+
+"Manon had a brother in the Guards.  He unfortunately lived in
+the very street in which we had taken lodgings.  He one day
+recognised his sister at the window, and hastened over to us.  He
+was a fellow of the rudest manners, and without the slightest
+principle of honour.  He entered the room swearing in the most
+horrible way; and as he knew part of his sister's history, he
+loaded her with abuse and reproaches.
+
+"I had gone out the moment before, which was doubtless fortunate
+for either him or me, for I was little disposed to brook an
+insult.  I only returned to the lodgings after he had left them. 
+The low spirits in which I found Manon convinced me at once that
+something extraordinary had occurred.  She told me of the
+provoking scene she had just gone through, and of the brutal
+threats of her brother.  I felt such indignation, that I wished
+to proceed at once to avenge her, when she entreated me with
+tears to desist.
+
+"While we were still talking of the adventure, the guardsman
+again entered the room in which we sat, without even waiting to
+be announced.  Had I known him, he should not have met from me as
+civil a reception as he did; but saluting us with a smile upon
+his countenance, he addressed himself to Manon, and said, he was
+come to make excuses for his violence; that he had supposed her
+to be living a life of shame and disgrace, and it was this notion
+that excited his rage; but having since made enquiry from one of
+our servants, he had learned such a character of me, that his
+only wish was now to be on terms with us both.
+
+"Although this admission, of having gone for information to one
+of my own servants, had in it something ludicrous as well as
+indelicate, I acknowledged his compliments with civility, I
+thought by doing so to please Manon, and I was not deceived--she
+was delighted at the reconciliation.  We made him stay to dine
+with us.
+
+"In a little time he became so familiar, that hearing us speak
+of our return to Chaillot, he insisted on accompanying us.  We
+were obliged to give him a seat in our carriage.  This was in
+fact putting him into possession, for he soon began to feel so
+much pleasure in our company, that he made our house his home,
+and made himself in some measure master of all that belonged to
+us.  He called me his brother, and, under the semblance of
+fraternal freedom, he put himself on such a footing as to
+introduce all his friends without ceremony into our house at
+Chaillot, and there entertain them at our expense.  His
+magnificent uniforms were procured of my tailor and charged to
+me, and he even contrived to make Manon and me responsible for
+all his debts.  I pretended to be blind to this system of
+tyranny, rather than annoy Manon, and even to take no notice of
+the sums of money which from time to time he received from her. 
+No doubt, as he played very deep, he was honest enough to repay
+her a part sometimes, when luck turned in his favour; but our
+finances were utterly inadequate to supply, for any length of
+time, demands of such magnitude and frequency.
+
+"I was on the point of coming to an understanding with him, in
+order to put an end to the system, when an unfortunate accident
+saved me that trouble, by involving us in inextricable ruin.
+
+"One night we stopped in Paris to sleep, as it had now indeed
+become our constant habit.  The servant-maid who on such
+occasions remained alone at Chaillot, came early the next morning
+to inform me that our house had taken fire in the night, and that
+the flames had been extinguished with great difficulty.  I asked
+whether the furniture had suffered.  She answered, that there had
+been such confusion, owing to the multitude of strangers who came
+to offer assistance, that she could hardly ascertain what damage
+had been done.  I was principally uneasy about our money, which
+had been locked up in a little box.  I went off in haste to
+Chaillot.  Vain hope! the box had disappeared!
+
+"I discovered that one could love money without being a miser. 
+This loss afflicted me to such a degree that I was almost out of
+my mind.  I saw at one glance to what new calamities I should be
+exposed: poverty was the least of them.  I knew Manon thoroughly;
+I had already had abundant proof that, although faithful and
+attached to me under happier circumstances, she could not be
+depended upon in want: pleasure and plenty she loved too well to
+sacrifice them for my sake.  `I shall lose her!' I cried;
+`miserable chevalier! you are about then to lose all that you
+love on earth!'  This thought agitated me to such a degree that I
+actually for some moments considered whether it would not be best
+for me to end at once all my miseries by death.  I however
+preserved presence of mind enough to reflect whether I was
+entirely without resource, and an idea occurred to me which
+quieted my despair.  It would not be impossible, I thought, to
+conceal our loss from Manon; and I might perhaps discover some
+ways and means of supplying her, so as to ward off the
+inconveniences of poverty.
+
+"I had calculated in endeavouring to comfort myself, that twenty
+thousand crowns would support us for ten years.  Suppose that
+these ten years had now elapsed, and that none of the events
+which I had looked for in my family had occurred.  What then
+would have been my course?  I hardly know; but whatever I should
+then have done, why may I not do now?  How many are there in
+Paris, who have neither my talents, nor the natural advantages I
+possess, and who, notwithstanding, owe their support to the
+exercise of their talents, such as they are?
+
+"`Has not Providence,' I added, while reflecting on the
+different conditions of life, `arranged things wisely?'  The
+greater number of the powerful and the rich are fools.  No one
+who knows anything of the world can doubt that.  How admirable is
+the compensating justice thereof!  If wealth brought with it
+talent also, the rich would be too happy, and other men too
+wretched.  To these latter are given personal advantages and
+genius, to help them out of misery and want.  Some of them share
+the riches of the wealthy by administering to their pleasures, or
+by making them their dupes; others afford them instruction, and
+endeavour to make them decent members of society; to be sure,
+they do not always succeed; but that was probably not the
+intention of the divine wisdom.  In every case they derive a
+benefit from their labours by living at the expense of their
+pupils; and, in whatever point of view it is considered, the
+follies of the rich are a bountiful source of revenue to the
+humbler classes.
+
+"These thoughts restored me a little to my spirits and to my
+reason.  I determined first to consult M. Lescaut, the brother of
+Manon.  He knew Paris perfectly; and I had too many opportunities
+of learning that it was neither from his own estates, nor from
+the king's pay, that he derived the principal portion of his
+income.  I had about thirty-three crowns left, which I
+fortunately happened to have about me.  I showed him my purse,
+and explained to him my misfortune and my fears, and then asked
+him whether I had any alternative between starvation and blowing
+out my brains in despair.  He coolly replied that suicide was the
+resource of fools.  As to dying of want, there were hundreds of
+men of genius who found themselves reduced to that state when
+they would not employ their talents; that it was for myself to
+discover what I was capable of doing, and he told me to reckon
+upon his assistance and his advice in any enterprise I might
+undertake.
+
+"`Vague enough, M. Lescaut!' said I to him: `my wants demand a
+more speedy remedy; for what am I to say to Manon?'  `Apropos of
+Manon,' replied he, `what is it that annoys you about her? 
+Cannot you always find in her wherewithal to meet your wants,
+when you wish it?  Such a person ought to support us all, you and
+me as well as herself.'  He cut short the answer which I was
+about to give to such unfeeling and brutal impertinence, by going
+on to say, that before night he would ensure me a thousand crowns
+to divide between us, if I would only follow his advice; that he
+was acquainted with a nobleman, who was so liberal in affairs of
+the kind, that he was certain he would not hesitate for a moment
+to give the sum named for the favours of such a girl as Manon.
+
+"I stopped him.  `I had a better opinion of you,' said I; `I had
+imagined that your motive for bestowing your friendship upon me
+was very different indeed from the one you now betray.'  With the
+greatest effrontery he acknowledged that he had been always of
+the same mind, and that his sister having once sacrificed her
+virtue, though it might be to the man she most loved, he would
+never have consented to a reconciliation with her, but with the
+hope of deriving some advantage from her past misconduct.
+
+"It was easy to see that we had been hitherto his dupes. 
+Notwithstanding the disgust with which his proposition inspired
+me, still, as I felt that I had occasion for his services, I
+said, with apparent complacency, that we ought only to entertain
+such a plan as a last resource.  I begged of him to suggest some
+other.
+
+"He proposed to me to turn my youth and the good looks nature
+had bestowed upon me to some account, by establishing a liaison
+with some generous old dame.  This was just as little to my
+taste, for it would necessarily have rendered me unfaithful to
+Manon.
+
+"I mentioned play as the easiest scheme, and the most suitable
+to my present situation.  He admitted that play certainly was a
+resource, but that it was necessary to consider the point well. 
+`Mere play,' said he, `with its ordinary chances, is the certain
+road to ruin; and as for attempting, alone and without an ally,
+to employ the little means an adroit man has for correcting the
+vagaries of luck, it would be too dangerous an experiment.' 
+There was, he stated, a third course, which was to enter into
+what he called a partnership; but he feared his confederates
+would consider my youth an objection to my admittance.  He,
+however, promised to use his influence with them; and, what was
+more than I expected at his hands, he said that he would supply
+me with a little money whenever I had pressing occasion for any. 
+The only favour I then asked of him was to say nothing to Manon
+of the loss I had experienced, nor of the subject of our
+conversation.
+
+"I certainly derived little comfort from my visit to Lescaut; I
+felt even sorry for having confided my secret to him: not a
+single thing had he done for me that I might not just as well
+have done for myself, without troubling him; and I could not help
+dreading that he would violate his promise to keep the secret
+from Manon.  I had also reason to apprehend, from his late
+avowals, that he might form the design of making use of her for
+his own vile purposes, or at least of advising her to quit me for
+some happier and more wealthy lover.  This idea brought in its
+train a thousand reflections, which had no other effect than to
+torment me, and throw me again into the state of despair in which
+I had passed the morning.  It occurred to me, more than once, to
+write to my father; and to pretend a new reformation, in order to
+obtain some pecuniary assistance from him; but I could not forget
+that, notwithstanding all his natural love and affection for me,
+he had shut me up for six months in a confined room for my first
+transgression; and I was certain that, after the scandalous
+sensation caused by my flight from St. Sulpice, he would be sure
+to treat me with infinitely more rigour now.
+
+"At length, out of this chaos of fancies came an idea that all
+at once restored ease to my mind, and which I was surprised at
+not having hit upon sooner; this was, to go again to my friend
+Tiberge, in whom I might be always sure of finding the same
+unfailing zeal and friendship.  There is nothing more
+glorious--nothing that does more honour to true virtue, than the
+confidence with which one approaches a friend of tried integrity;
+no apprehension, no risk of unkind repulse: if it be not always
+in his power to afford the required succour, one is sure at least
+of meeting kindness and compassion.  The heart of the poor
+supplicant, which remains impenetrably closed to the rest of the
+world, opens in his presence, as a flower expands before the orb
+of day, from which it instinctively knows it can derive a
+cheering and benign influence only.
+
+"I consider it a blessing to have thought so apropos of Tiberge,
+and resolved to take measures to find him before evening.  I
+returned at once to my lodgings to write him a line, and fix a
+convenient place for our meeting.  I requested secrecy and
+discretion, as the most important service he could render me
+under present circumstances.
+
+"The pleasure I derived from the prospect of seeing Tiberge
+dissipated every trace of melancholy, which Manon would not have
+failed otherwise to detect in my countenance.  I described our
+misfortune at Chaillot as a trifle which ought not to annoy her;
+and Paris being the spot she liked best in the world, she was not
+sorry to hear me say that it would be necessary for us to remain
+there entirely, until the little damage was repaired which had
+been caused by the fire at Chaillot.
+
+"In an hour I received an answer from Tiberge, who promised to
+be at the appointed rendezvous.  I went there punctually.  I
+certainly felt some shame at encountering a friend whose presence
+alone ought to be a reproach to my iniquities; but I was
+supported by the opinion I had of the goodness of his heart, as
+well as by my anxiety about Manon.
+
+"I had begged of him to meet me in the garden of the Palais
+Royal.  He was there before me.  He hastened towards me, the
+moment he saw me approach and shook me warmly by both hands.  I
+said that I could not help feeling perfectly ashamed to meet him,
+and that I was weighed down by a sense of my ingratitude; that
+the first thing I implored of him was to tell me whether I might
+still consider him my friend, after having so justly incurred the
+loss of his esteem and affection.  He replied, in the kindest
+possible manner, that it was not in the nature of things to
+destroy his regard for me; that my misfortunes even, or, if he
+might so call them, my faults and transgressions, had but
+increased the interest he felt for me; but that he must confess
+his affection was not unalloyed by a sentiment of the liveliest
+sorrow, such as a person may be supposed to feel at seeing a
+beloved object on the brink of ruin, and beyond the reach of his
+assistance.
+
+"We sat down upon a bench.  `Alas!' said I with a deep sigh,
+`your compassion must be indeed great, my dear Tiberge, if you
+assure me it is equal to my sufferings.  I am almost ashamed to
+recount them, for I confess they have been brought on by no very
+creditable course of conduct: the results, however, are so truly
+melancholy, that a friend even less attached than you would be
+affected by the recital.'
+
+"He then begged of me, in proof of friendship, to let him know,
+without any disguise, all that had occurred to me since my
+departure from St. Sulpice.  I gratified him; and so far from
+concealing anything, or attempting to extenuate my faults, I
+spoke of my passion with all the ardour with which it still
+inspired me.  I represented it to him as one of those especial
+visitations of fate, which draw on the devoted victim to his
+ruin, and which it is as impossible for virtue itself to resist,
+as for human wisdom to foresee.  I painted to him in the most
+vivid colours, my excitement, my fears, the state of despair in
+which I had been two hours before I saw him, and into which I
+should be again plunged, if I found my friends as relentless as
+fate had been.  I at length made such an impression upon poor
+Tiberge, that I saw he was as much affected by compassion, as I
+by the recollection of my sufferings.
+
+"He took my hand, and exhorted me to have courage and be
+comforted; but, as he seemed to consider it settled that Manon
+and I were to separate, I gave him at once to understand that it
+was that very separation I considered as the most intolerable of
+all my misfortunes; and that I was ready to endure not only the
+last degree of misery, but death itself, of the cruellest kind,
+rather than seek relief in a remedy worse than the whole
+accumulation of my woes.
+
+"`Explain yourself, then,' said he to me; `what assistance can
+I afford you, if you reject everything I propose?'  I had not
+courage to tell him that it was from his purse I wanted relief. 
+He, however, comprehended it in the end; and acknowledging that
+he believed he now understood me, he remained for a moment in an
+attitude of thought, with the air of a person revolving something
+in his mind.  `Do not imagine,' he presently said, `that my
+hesitation arises from any diminution of my zeal and friendship;
+but to what an alternative do you now reduce me, since I must
+either refuse you the assistance you ask, or violate my most
+sacred duty in affording it!  For is it not participating in your
+sin to furnish you with the means of continuing its indulgence?' 
+
+"`However,' continued he, after a moment's thought, `it is
+perhaps the excited state into which want has thrown you, that
+denies you now the liberty of choosing the proper path.  Man's
+mind must be at rest, to know the luxury of wisdom and virtue.  I
+can afford to let you have some money; and permit me, my dear
+chevalier, to impose but one condition; that is, that you let me
+know the place of your abode, and allow me the opportunity of
+using my exertions to reclaim you.  I know that there is in your
+heart a love of virtue, and that you have been only led astray by
+the violence of your passions.'
+
+"I, of course, agreed to everything he asked, and only begged of
+him to deplore the malign destiny which rendered me callous to
+the counsels of so virtuous a friend.  He then took me to a
+banker of his acquaintance, who gave one hundred and seventy
+crowns for his note of hand, which was taken as cash.  I have
+already said that he was not rich.  His living was worth about
+six thousand francs a year, but as this was the first year since
+his induction, he had as yet touched none of the receipts, and it
+was out of the future income that he made me this advance.
+
+"I felt the full force of his generosity, even to such a degree
+as almost to deplore the fatal passion which thus led me to break
+through all the restraints of duty.  Virtue had for a moment the
+ascendancy in my heart, and made me sensible of my shame and
+degradation.  But this was soon over.  For Manon I could have
+given up my hopes of heaven, and when I again found myself at her
+side, I wondered how I could for an instant have considered
+myself degraded by my passion for this enchanting girl.
+
+"Manon was a creature of most extraordinary disposition.  Never
+had mortal a greater contempt for money, and yet she was haunted
+by perpetual dread of wanting it.  Her only desire was for
+pleasure and amusement.  She would never have wished to possess a
+sou, if pleasure could be procured without money.  She never even
+cared what our purse contained, provided she could pass the day
+agreeably; so that, being neither fond of play nor at all dazzled
+by the desire of great wealth, nothing was more easy than to
+satisfy her, by daily finding out amusements suited to her
+moderate wishes.  But it became by habit a thing so absolutely
+necessary for her to have her mind thus occupied, that, without
+it, it was impossible to exercise the smallest influence over her
+temper or inclinations.  Although she loved me tenderly, and I
+was the only person, as she often declared, in whose society she
+could ever find the pure enjoyments of love, yet I felt
+thoroughly convinced that her attachment could not withstand
+certain apprehensions.  She would have preferred me, even with a
+moderate fortune, to the whole world; but I had no kind of doubt
+that she would, on the other hand, abandon me for some new M. de
+B----, when I had nothing more to offer her than fidelity and
+love.
+
+"I resolved therefore so to curtail my own individual expenses,
+as to be able always to meet hers, and rather to deprive myself
+of a thousand necessaries than even to limit her extravagance. 
+The carriage made me more uneasy than anything else, for I saw no
+chance of being able to maintain either coachman or horses.
+
+"I told M. Lescaut of my difficulties, and did not conceal from
+him that I had received a thousand francs from a friend.  He
+repeated, that if I wished to try the chances of the
+gaming-table, he was not without hopes that, by spending a few
+crowns in entertaining his associates, I might be, on his
+recommendation, admitted into the association.  With all my
+repugnance to cheating, I yielded to dire necessity.
+
+"Lescaut presented me that night as a relation of his own.  He
+added, that I was the more likely to succeed in my new
+profession, from wanting the favours of fortune.  However, to
+show them that I was not quite reduced to the lowest ebb, he said
+it was my intention to treat them with a supper.  The offer was
+accepted, and I entertained them en prince.  They talked a good
+deal about my fashionable appearance and the apparent amiability
+of my disposition; they said that the best hopes might be
+entertained of me, because there was something in my countenance
+that bespoke the gentleman, and no one therefore could have a
+suspicion of my honesty: they voted thanks to Lescaut for having
+introduced so promising a novice, and deputed one of the members
+to instruct me for some days in the necessary manoeuvres.
+
+"The principal scene of my exploits was the hotel of
+Transylvania, where there was a faro table in one room, and other
+games of cards and dice in the gallery.  This academy was kept by
+the Prince of R----, who then lived at Clagny, and most of his
+officers belonged to our society.  Shall I mention it to my
+shame?  I profited quickly by my instructor's tuition.  I
+acquired an amazing facility in sleight of hand tricks, and
+learned in perfection to sauter le coup; with the help of a pair
+of long ruffles, I shuffled so adroitly as to defy the quickest
+observer, and I ruined several fair players.  My unrivalled skill
+so quickened the progress of my fortunes, that I found myself
+master, in a few weeks, of very considerable sums, besides what I
+divided in good faith with my companions.
+
+"I had no longer any fear of communicating to Manon the extent
+of our loss at Chaillot, and, to console her on the announcement
+of such disastrous news, I took a furnished house, where we
+established ourselves in all the pride of opulence and security.
+
+"Tiberge was in the habit, at this period, of paying me frequent
+visits.  He was never tired of his moral lectures.  Over and over
+again did he represent to me the injury I was inflicting upon my
+conscience, my honour, and my fortune.  I received all his advice
+kindly, and although I had not the smallest inclination to adopt
+it, I had no doubt of its sincerity, for I knew its source. 
+Sometimes I rallied him good-humouredly, and entreated him not to
+be more tight-laced than some other priests were, and even
+bishops, who by no means considered a mistress incompatible with
+a good and holy life.'  `Look,' I said, `at Manon's eyes, and tell
+me if there is one in the long catalogue of sins that might not
+there find a plea of justification.'  He bore these sallies
+patiently, and carried his forbearance almost too far: but when
+he saw my funds increase, and that I had not only returned him
+the hundred and seventy crowns, but having hired a new house and
+trebled my expenses, I had plunged deeper than ever into a life
+of pleasure, he changed his tone and manner towards me.  He
+lamented my obduracy.  He warned me against the chastisement of
+the Divine wrath, and predicted some of the miseries with which
+indeed I was shortly afterwards visited.  `It is impossible,' he
+said, `that the money which now serves to support your
+debaucheries can have been acquired honourably.  You have come by
+it unjustly, and in the same way shall it be taken from you.  The
+most awful punishment Heaven could inflict would be to allow you
+the undisturbed enjoyment of it.  All my advice,' he added, `has
+been useless; I too plainly perceive that it will shortly become
+troublesome to you.  I now take my leave; you are a weak, as well
+as an ungrateful friend!  May your criminal enjoyments vanish as
+a shadow! may your ill-gotten wealth leave you without a
+resource; and may you yourself remain alone and deserted, to
+learn the vanity of these things, which now divert you from
+better pursuits!  When that time arrives, you will find me
+disposed to love and to serve you; this day ends our intercourse,
+and I once for all avow my horror of the life you are leading.'
+
+"It was in my room and in Manon's presence that he delivered
+this apostolical harangue.  He rose to depart.  I was about to
+detain him; but was prevented by Manon, who said it was better to
+let the madman go.
+
+"What he said, however, did not fail to make some impression
+upon me.  I notice these brief passages of my life when I
+experienced a returning sentiment of virtue, because it was to
+those traces, however light, that I was afterwards indebted for
+whatever of fortitude I displayed under the most trying
+circumstances.
+
+"Manon's caresses soon dissipated the annoyance this scene had
+caused me.  We continued to lead a life entirely devoted to
+pleasure and love.  The increase of our wealth only redoubled our
+affection.  There none happier among all the devotees of Venus
+and Fortune.  Heavens! why call this a world of misery, when it
+can furnish a life of such rapturous enjoyment?  But alas, it is
+too soon over!  For what ought man to sigh, could such felicity
+but last for ever?  Ours shared the common fate--in being of
+short duration, and followed by lasting regrets.
+
+"I had realised by play such a considerable sum of money, that I
+thought of investing a portion of it.  My servants were not
+ignorant of my good luck, particularly my valet and Manon's own
+maid, before whom we often talked without any reserve.  The maid
+was handsome, and my valet in love with her.  They knew they had
+to deal with a young and inexperienced couple, whom they fancied
+they could impose upon without much difficulty.  They laid a
+plan, and executed it with so much skill, that they reduced us to
+a state from which it was never afterwards possible for us to
+extricate ourselves.
+
+"Having supped one evening at Lescaut's, it was about midnight
+when we returned home.  I asked for my valet, and Manon for her
+maid; neither one nor the other could be found.  They had not
+been seen in the house since eight o'clock, and had gone out,
+after having some cases carried before them, according to orders
+which they pretended to have received from me.  I at once foresaw
+a part of the truth, but my suspicions were infinitely surpassed
+by what presented itself on going into my room.  The lock of my
+closet had been forced, and my cash as well as my best clothes
+were gone.  While I stood stupefied with amazement, Manon came,
+in the greatest alarm, to inform me that her apartment had been
+rifled in the same manner.
+
+"This blow was so perfectly astounding, so cruel, that it was
+with difficulty I could refrain from tears.  The dread of
+infecting Manon with my despair made me assume a more contented
+air.  I said, smiling, that I should avenge myself upon some
+unhappy dupe at the hotel of Transylvania.  However, she appeared
+so sensibly affected, that her grief increased my sorrow
+infinitely more than my attempt succeeded in supporting her
+spirits.  `We are destroyed!' said she, with tears in her eyes. 
+I endeavoured, in vain, by my entreaties and caresses, to console
+her.  My own lamentations betrayed my distress and despair.  In
+fact, we were so completely ruined, that we were bereft almost of
+decent covering.
+
+"I determined to send off at once for Lescaut.  He advised me to
+go immediately to the lieutenant of police, and to give
+information also to the Grand Provost of Paris.  I went, but it
+was to add to my calamities only; for, independently of my visit
+producing not the smallest good effect, I, by my absence, allowed
+Lescaut time for discussion with his sister, during which he did
+not fail to inspire her with the most horrible resolutions.  He
+spoke to her about M. G---- M----, an old voluptuary, who paid
+prodigally for his pleasures; he so glowingly described the
+advantages of such a connection, that she entered into all his
+plans.  This discreditable arrangement was all concluded before
+my return, and the execution of it only postponed till the next
+morning, after Lescaut should have apprised G---- M----.
+
+"I found him, on my return, waiting for me at my house; but
+Manon had retired to her own apartment, and she had desired the
+footman to tell me that, having need of repose, she hoped she
+should not be disturbed that night.  Lescaut left me, after
+offering me a few crowns which I accepted.
+
+"It was nearly four o'clock when I retired to bed; and having
+revolved in my mind various schemes for retrieving my fortunes, I
+fell asleep so late that I did not awake till between eleven and
+twelve o'clock.  I rose at once to enquire after Manon's health;
+they told me that she had gone out an hour before with her
+brother, who had come for her in a hired carriage.  Although
+there appeared something mysterious in such a proceeding, I
+endeavoured to check my rising suspicions.  I allowed some hours
+to pass, during which I amused myself with reading.  At length,
+being unable any longer to stifle my uneasiness, I paced up and
+down the apartments.  A sealed letter upon Manon's table at last
+caught my eye.  It was addressed to me, and in her handwriting. 
+I felt my blood freeze as I opened it; it was in these words:
+
+
+I protest to you, dearest chevalier, that you are the idol of my
+heart, and that you are the only being on earth whom I can truly
+love; but do you not see, my own poor dear chevalier, that in the
+situation to which we are now reduced, fidelity would be worse
+than madness?  Do you think tenderness possibly compatible with
+starvation?  For my part, hunger would be sure to drive me to
+some fatal end.  Heaving some day a sigh for love, I should find
+it was my last.  I adore you, rely upon that; but leave to me,
+for a short while, the management of our fortunes.  God help the
+man who falls into my hands.  My only wish is to render my
+chevalier rich and happy.  My brother will tell you about me; he
+can vouch for my grief in yielding to the necessity of parting
+from you.
+
+"I remained, after reading this, in a state which it would be
+difficult to describe; for even now I know not the nature of the
+feelings which then agitated me.  It was one of those unique
+situations of which others can never have experienced anything
+even approaching to similarity.  It is impossible to explain it,
+because other persons can have no idea of its nature; and one can
+hardly even analyse it to oneself.  Memory furnishes nothing that
+will connect it with the past, and therefore ordinary language is
+inadequate to describe it.  Whatever was its nature, however, it
+is certain that grief, hate, jealousy, and shame entered into its
+composition.  Fortunate would it have proved for me if love also
+had not been a component part!
+
+"`That she loves me,' I exclaimed, `I can believe; but could
+she, without being a monster, hate me?  What right can man ever
+have to woman's affections which I had not to Manon's?  What is
+left to me, after all the sacrifices I have made for her sake? 
+Yet she abandons me, and the ungrateful creature thinks to screen
+herself from my reproaches by professions of love!  She pretends
+to dread starvation!  God of love, what grossness of sentiment! 
+What an answer to the refinement of my adoration!  I had no dread
+of that kind; I, who have almost sought starvation for her sake,
+by renouncing fortune and the comforts of my father's house!  I,
+who denied myself actual necessaries, in order to gratify her
+little whims and caprices!  She adores me, she says.  If you
+adored me, ungrateful creature, I well know what course you would
+have taken; you would never have quitted me, at least without
+saying adieu.  It is only I who can tell the pangs and torments,
+of being separated from all one loves.  I must have taken leave
+of my senses, to have voluntarily brought all this misery upon
+myself.'
+
+"My lamentations were interrupted by a visit I little expected;
+it was from Lescaut.  `Assassin!' cried I, putting my hand upon
+my sword, `where is Manon? what have you done with her?'  My
+agitation startled him.  He replied, that if this was the
+reception he was to meet, when he came to offer me the most
+essential service it was in his power to render me, he should
+take his leave, and never again cross my threshold.  I ran to the
+door of the apartment, which I shut. `Do not imagine,' I said,
+turning towards him, `that you can once more make a dupe of me
+with your lies and inventions.  Either defend your life, or tell
+me where I can find Manon.'  `How impatient you are!' replied he;
+`that was in reality the object of my visit.  I came to announce
+a piece of good fortune which you little expected, and for which
+you will probably feel somewhat grateful.'  My curiosity was at
+once excited.
+
+"He informed me that Manon, totally unable to endure the dread
+of want, and, above all, the certainty of being at once obliged
+to dispense with her equipage, had begged of him to make her
+acquainted with M. G---- M----, who had a character for
+liberality.  He carefully avoided telling me that this was the
+result of his own advice, and that he had prepared the way before
+he introduced his sister.  `I took her there this morning,' said
+he, `and the fellow was so enchanted with her looks that he at
+once invited her to accompany him to his country seat, where he
+is gone to pass some days.  As I plainly perceived,' said
+Lescaut, `the advantage it may be to you, I took care to let him
+know that she had lately experienced very considerable losses;
+and I so piqued his generosity that he began by giving her four
+hundred crowns.  I told him that was well enough for a
+commencement, but that my sister would have, for the future, many
+demands for money; that she had the charge of a young brother,
+who had been thrown upon her hands since the death of our
+parents; and that, if he wished to prove himself worthy of her
+affections, he would not allow her to suffer uneasiness upon
+account of this child, whom she regarded as part of herself. 
+This speech produced its effect, he at once promised to take a
+house for you and Manon, for you must know that you are the poor
+little orphan.  He undertook to set you up in furniture, and to
+give you four hundred livres a month, which if I calculate
+rightly, will amount to four thousand eight hundred per annum. 
+He left orders with his steward to look out for a house, and to
+have it in readiness by the time he returned.  You will soon,
+therefore, again see Manon, who begged of me to give you a
+thousand tender messages, and to assure you that she loves you
+more dearly than ever.'
+
+
+
+V
+
+
+Infected with that leprosy of lust,
+Which taints the hoariest years of vicious men
+Making them ransack to the very last
+The dregs of pleasure for their vanished joys.
+
+BYRON.
+
+
+"On sitting down to reflect upon this strange turn of fate, I
+found myself so perplexed, and consequently so incapable of
+arriving at any rational conclusion, that I allowed Lescaut to
+put repeated questions to me without in the slightest degree
+attending to their purport.  It was then that honour and virtue
+made me feel the most poignant remorse, and that I recalled with
+bitterness Amiens, my father's house, St. Sulpice, and every spot
+where I had ever lived in happy innocence.  By what a terrific
+interval was I now separated from that blessed state!  I beheld
+it no longer but as a dim shadow in the distance, still
+attracting my regrets and desires, but without the power of
+rousing me to exertion.  `By what fatality,' said I, `have I
+become thus degraded?  Love is not a guilty passion! why then has
+it been to me the source of profligacy and distress?  Who
+prevented me from leading a virtuous and tranquil life with
+Manon?  Why did I not marry her before I obtained any concession
+from her love?  Would not my father, who had the tenderest regard
+for me, have given his consent, if I had taken the fair and
+candid course of soliciting him?  Yes, my father would himself
+have cherished her as one far too good to be his son's wife!  I
+should have been happy in the love of Manon, in the affection of
+my father, in the esteem of the world, with a moderate portion of
+the good things of life, and above all with the consciousness of
+virtue.  Disastrous change!  Into what an infamous character is
+it here proposed that I should sink?  To share----  But can I
+hesitate, if Manon herself suggests it, and if I am to lose her
+except upon such conditions?  `Lescaut,' said I, putting my hands
+to my eyes as if to shut out such a horrifying vision, `if your
+intention was to render me a service, I give you thanks.  You
+might perhaps have struck out a more reputable course, but it is
+so settled, is it not?  Let us then only think of profiting by
+your labour, and fulfilling your engagements.'
+
+"Lescaut, who had been considerably embarrassed, not only by my
+fury, but by the long silence which followed it, was too happy to
+see me now take a course so different from what he had
+anticipated.  He had not a particle of courage, of which indeed I
+have, in the sequel of my story, abundant proof.  `Yes, yes,' he
+quickly answered, `it is good service I have rendered you, and
+you will find that we shall derive infinitely more advantage from
+it than you now expect.'  We consulted then as to the best mode
+of preventing the suspicions which G---- M---- might entertain of
+our relationship, when he found me older and of riper manhood
+than he probably imagined.  The only plan we could hit upon was
+to assume in his presence an innocent and provincial air, and to
+persuade him that it was my intention to enter the Church, and
+that with that view I was obliged to go every day to the college. 
+We also determined that I should appear as awkward as I possibly
+could the first time I was admitted to the honour of an
+introduction.
+
+"He returned to town three or four days after, and at once
+conducted Manon to the house which his steward had in the
+meantime prepared.  She immediately apprised Lescaut of her
+return, and he having informed me, we went together to her new
+abode.  The old lover had already gone out.
+
+"In spite of the submission with which I had resigned myself to
+her wishes, I could not, at our meeting, repress the compunctious
+visitings of my conscience.  I appeared before her grieved and
+dejected.  The joy I felt at seeing her once more could not
+altogether dispel my sorrow for her infidelity: she, on the
+contrary, appeared transported with the pleasure of seeing me. 
+She accused me of coldness.  I could not help muttering the words
+perfidious and unfaithful, though they were profusely mixed with
+sighs.
+
+"At first she laughed at me for my simplicity; but when she
+found that I continued to look at her with an unchanging
+expression of melancholy, and that I could not bring myself to
+enter with alacrity into a scene so repugnant to all my feelings,
+she went alone into her boudoir.  I very soon followed her, and
+then I found her in a flood of tears.  I asked the cause of her
+sorrow.  `You can easily understand it,' said she; `how can you
+wish me to live, if my presence can no longer have any other
+effect than to give you an air of sadness and chagrin?  Not one
+kiss have you given me during the long hour you have been in the
+house, while you have received my caresses with the dignified
+indifference of a Grand Turk, receiving the forced homage of the
+Sultanas of his harem.'
+
+"`Hearken to me, Manon,' said I, embracing her; `I cannot
+conceal from you that my heart is bitterly afflicted.  I do not
+now allude to the uneasiness your sudden flight caused me, nor to
+the unkindness of quitting me without a word of consolation,
+after having passed the night away from me.  The pleasure of
+seeing you again would more than compensate for all; but do you
+imagine that I can reflect without sighs and tears upon the
+degrading and unhappy life which you now wish me to lead in this
+house?  Say nothing of my birth, or of my feelings of honour;
+love like mine derives no aid from arguments of that feeble
+nature; but do you imagine that I can without emotion see my love
+so badly recompensed, or rather so cruelly treated, by an
+ungrateful and unfeeling mistress?'
+
+"She interrupted me. `Stop, chevalier,' said she, `it is useless
+to torture me with reproaches, which, coming from you, always
+pierce my heart.  I see what annoys you.  I had hoped that you
+would have agreed to the project which I had devised for mending
+our shattered fortunes, and it was from a feeling of delicacy to
+you that I began the execution of it without your assistance; but
+I give it up since it does not meet your approbation.'  She added
+that she would now merely request a little patient forbearance
+during the remainder of the day; that she had already received
+five hundred crowns from the old gentleman, and that he had
+promised to bring her that evening a magnificent pearl necklace
+with other jewels, and, in advance, half of the yearly pension he
+had engaged to allow her.  `Leave me only time enough,' said she
+to me, to get possession of these presents; I promise you that he
+will have little to boast of from his connection with me, for in
+the country I repulsed all his advances, putting him off till our
+return to town.  It is true that he has kissed my hand a thousand
+times over, and it is but just that he should pay for even this
+amusement:  I am sure that, considering his riches as well as his
+age, five or six thousand francs is not an unreasonable price!'
+
+"Her determination was of more value in my eyes than twenty
+thousand crowns.  I could feel that I was not yet bereft of every
+sentiment of honour, by the satisfaction I experienced at
+escaping thus from infamy,  But I was born for brief joys, and
+miseries of long duration.  Fate never rescued me from one
+precipice, but to lead me to another.  When I had expressed my
+delight to Manon at this change in her intentions, I told her she
+had better inform Lescaut of it, in order that we might take our
+measures in concert.  At first he murmured, but the money in hand
+induced him to enter into our views.  It was then determined that
+we should all meet at G---- M----'s supper table, and that, for
+two reasons: first, for the amusement of passing me off as a
+schoolboy, and brother to Manon; and secondly, to prevent the old
+profligate from taking any liberties with his mistress, on the
+strength of his liberal payments in advance.  Lescaut and I were
+to retire, when he went to the room where he expected to pass the
+night; and Manon, instead of following him, promised to come out,
+and join us.  Lescaut undertook to have a coach waiting at the
+door.
+
+"The supper hour having arrived, M. G---- M---- made his
+appearance.  Already Lescaut was with his sister in the supper
+room.  The moment the lover entered, he presented his fair one
+with a complete set of pearls, necklaces, ear-rings, and
+bracelets, which must have cost at least a thousand crowns.  He
+then placed on the table before her, in louis d'or, two thousand
+four hundred francs, the half of her year's allowance.  He
+seasoned his present with many pretty speeches in the true style
+of the old court.  Manon could not refuse him a few kisses: it
+was sealing her right to the money which he had just handed to
+her.  I was at the door, and waiting for Lescaut's signal to
+enter the room.
+
+"He approached to take me by the hand, while Manon was securing
+the money and jewels, and leading me towards M. G---- M----, he
+desired me to make my bow.  I made two or three most profound
+ones.  `Pray excuse him, sir,' said Lescaut, `he is a mere child. 
+He has not yet acquired much of the ton of Paris; but no doubt
+with a little trouble we shall improve him.  You will often have
+the honour of seeing that gentleman, here,' said he, turning
+towards me: `take advantage of it, and endeavour to imitate so
+good a model.'
+
+"The old libertine appeared to be pleased with me.  He patted me
+on the cheek, saying that I was a fine boy, but that I should be
+on my guard in Paris, where young men were easily debauched. 
+Lescaut assured him that I was naturally of so grave a character
+that I thought of nothing but becoming a clergyman, and that,
+even as a child, my favourite amusement was building little
+chapels.  `I fancy a likeness to Manon,' said the old gentleman,
+putting his hand under my chin.  I answered him, with the most
+simple air-- `Sir, the fact is, that we are very closely
+connected, and I love my sister as another portion of myself.' 
+`Do you hear that,' said he to Lescaut; `he is indeed a clever
+boy!  It is a pity he should not see something of the world.' 
+`Oh, sir,' I replied, `I have seen a great deal of it at home,
+attending church, and I believe I might find in Paris some
+greater fools than myself.'  `Listen,' said he; `it is positively
+wonderful in a boy from the country.'
+
+"The whole conversation during supper was of the same kind. 
+Manon, with her usual gaiety, was several times on the point of
+spoiling the joke by her bursts of laughter.  I contrived, while
+eating, to recount his own identical history, and to paint even
+the fate that awaited him.  Lescaut and Manon were in an agony of
+fear during my recital, especially while I was drawing his
+portrait to the life: but his own vanity prevented him from
+recognising it, and I did it so well that he was the first to
+pronounce it extremely laughable.  You will allow that I had
+reason for dwelling on this ridiculous scene. 
+
+"At length it was time to retire.  He hinted at the impatience of
+love.  Lescaut and I took our departure.  G---- M---- went to his
+room, and Manon, making some excuse for her absence, came to join
+us at the gate.  The coach, that was waiting for us a few doors
+off, drove up towards us, and we were out of the street in an
+instant.
+
+"Although I must confess that this proceeding appeared to me
+little short of actual robbery, it was not the most dishonest one
+with which I thought I had to reproach myself.  I had more
+scruples about the money which I had won at play.  However, we
+derived as little advantage from one as from the other; and
+Heaven sometimes ordains that the lightest fault shall meet the
+severest punishment.
+
+"M. G---- M---- was not long in finding out that he had been
+duped.  I am not sure whether he took any steps that night to
+discover us, but he had influence enough to ensure an effectual
+pursuit, and we were sufficiently imprudent to rely upon the
+extent of Paris and the distance between our residence and his. 
+Not only did he discover our abode and our circumstances, but
+also who I was--the life that I had led in Paris--Manon's former
+connection with B----,--the manner in which she had deceived him:
+in a word, all the scandalous facts of our history.  He therefore
+resolved to have us apprehended, and treated less as criminals
+than as vagabonds.  An officer came abruptly one morning into our
+bedroom, with half a dozen archers of the guard.  They first took
+possession of our money, or I should rather say, of G----M----'s.
+They made us quickly get up, and conducted us to the door,
+where we found two coaches, into one of which they forced
+poor Manon, without any explanation, and I was taken in the
+other to St. Lazare.
+
+"One must have experienced this kind of reverse, to understand the
+despair that is caused by it.  The police were savage enough to
+deny me the consolation of embracing Manon, or of bidding her
+farewell.  I remained for a long time ignorant of her fate.  It
+was perhaps fortunate for me that I was kept in a state of
+ignorance, for had I known what she suffered, I should have lost
+my senses, probably my life.
+
+"My unhappy mistress was dragged then from my presence, and
+taken to a place the very name of which fills me with horror to
+remember.  This to be the lot of a creature the most perfect, who
+must have shared the most splendid throne on earth, if other men
+had only seen and felt as I did!  She was not treated harshly
+there, but was shut up in a narrow prison, and obliged, in
+solitary confinement, to perform a certain quantity of work each
+day, as a necessary condition for obtaining the most unpalatable
+food.  I did not learn this till a long time after, when I had
+myself endured some months of rough and cruel treatment.
+
+"My guards not having told me where it was that they had been
+ordered to conduct me, it was only on my arrival at St. Lazare
+that I learned my destination.  I would have preferred death, at
+that moment, to the state into which I believed myself about to
+be thrown.  I had the utmost terror of this place.  My misery was
+increased by the guards on my entrance, examining once more my
+pockets, to ascertain whether I had about me any arms or weapons
+of defence.
+
+"The governor appeared.  He had been informed of my
+apprehension.  He saluted me with great mildness.  `Do not, my
+good sir,' said I to him, `allow me to be treated with indignity. 
+I would suffer a hundred deaths rather than quietly submit to
+degrading treatment.'  `No, no,' he replied, `you will act
+quietly and prudently, and we shall be mutually content with each
+other.'  He begged of me to ascend to one of the highest rooms; I
+followed him without a murmur.  The archers accompanied us to the
+door, and the governor, entering the room, made a sign for them
+to depart.  `I am your prisoner, I suppose?' said I; `well, what
+do you intend to do with me?'  He said, he was delighted to see
+me adopt so reasonable a tone; that it would be his duty to
+endeavour to inspire me with a taste for virtue and religion, and
+mine to profit by his exhortations and advice: that lightly as I
+might be disposed to rate his attentions to me, I should find
+nothing but enjoyment in my solitude.  `Ah, enjoyment, indeed!'
+replied I; `you do not know, my good sir, the only thing on
+earth that could afford me enjoyment.'  `I know it,' said he,
+`but I trust your inclinations will change.'  His answer showed
+that he had heard of my adventures, and perhaps of my name.  I
+begged to know if such were the fact.  He told me candidly that
+they had informed him of every particular.
+
+"This blow was the severest of any I had yet experienced.  I
+literally shed a torrent of tears, in all the bitterness of
+unmixed despair; I could not reconcile myself to the humiliation
+which would make me a proverb to all my acquaintances, and the
+disgrace of my family.  I passed a week in the most profound
+dejection, without being capable of gaining any information, or
+of occupying myself with anything but my own degradation.  The
+remembrance even of Manon added nothing to my grief; it only
+occurred to me as a circumstance that had preceded my new sorrow;
+and the sense of shame and confusion was at present the
+all-absorbing passion.
+
+"There are few persons who have experienced the force of these
+special workings of the mind.  The generality of men are only
+sensible of five or six passions, in the limited round of which
+they pass their lives, and within which all their agitations are
+confined.  Remove them from the influence of love and hate,
+pleasure and pain, hope and fear, and they have no further
+feeling.  But persons of a finer cast can be affected in a
+thousand different ways; it would almost seem that they had more
+than five senses, and that they are accessible to ideas and
+sensations which far exceed the ordinary faculties of human
+nature; and, conscious that they possess a capacity which raises
+them above the common herd, there is nothing of which they are
+more jealous.  Hence springs their impatience under contempt and
+ridicule; and hence it is that a sense of debasement is perhaps
+the most violent of all their emotions. 
+
+"I had this melancholy advantage at St. Lazare.  My grief
+appeared to the governor so excessive, that, dreading the
+consequences, he thought he was bound to treat me with more
+mildness and indulgence.  He visited me two or three times a day;
+he often made me take a turn with him in the garden, and showed
+his interest for me in his exhortations and good advice.  I
+listened always attentively; and warmly expressed my sense of his
+kindness, from which he derived hopes of my ultimate conversion.
+
+"`You appear to me,' said he one day, `of a disposition so mild
+and tractable, that I cannot comprehend the excesses into which
+you have fallen.  Two things astonish me: one is, how, with your
+good qualities, you could have ever abandoned yourself to vice;
+and the other, which amazes me still more, is, how you can
+receive with such perfect temper my advice and instructions,
+after having lived so long in a course of debauchery.  If it be
+sincere repentance, you present a singular example of the benign
+mercy of Heaven; if it proceed from the natural goodness of your
+disposition, then you certainly have that within you which
+warrants the hope that a protracted residence in this place will
+not be required to bring you back to a regular and respectable
+life.'
+
+"I was delighted to find that he had such an opinion of me.  I
+resolved to strengthen it by a continuance of good conduct,
+convinced that it was the surest means of abridging the term of
+my confinement.  I begged of him to furnish me with books.  He
+was agreeably surprised to find that when he requested me to say
+what I should prefer, I mentioned only some religious and
+instructive works.  I pretended to devote myself assiduously to
+study, and I thus gave him convincing proof of the moral
+reformation he was so anxious to bring about.  It was nothing,
+however, but rank hypocrisy--I blush to confess it.  Instead of
+studying, when alone I did nothing but curse my destiny.  I
+lavished the bitterest execrations on my prison, and the tyrants
+who detained me there.  If I ceased for a moment from these
+lamentations, it was only to relapse into the tormenting
+remembrance of my fatal and unhappy love.  Manon's absence--the
+mystery in which her fate was veiled--the dread of never again
+beholding her; these formed the subject of my melancholy
+thoughts.  I fancied her in the arms of G---- M----.  Far from
+imagining that he could have been brute enough to subject her to
+the same treatment to which I was condemned, I felt persuaded
+that he had only procured my removal, in order that he might
+possess her in undisturbed enjoyment.
+
+"Oh! how miserable were the days and nights I thus passed!  They
+seemed to be of endless duration.  My only hope of escape now,
+was in hypocrisy; I scrutinised the countenance, and carefully
+marked every observation that fell from the governor, in order to
+ascertain what he really thought of me; and looking on him as the
+sole arbiter of my future fate, I made it my study to win, if
+possible, his favour.  I soon had the satisfaction to find that I
+was firmly established in his good graces, and no longer doubted
+his disposition to befriend me.
+
+"I, one day, ventured to ask him whether my liberation depended
+on him.  He replied that it was not altogether in his hands, but
+that he had no doubt that on his representation M. G---- M----,
+at whose instance the lieutenant-general of police had ordered me
+to be confined, would consent to my being set at liberty.  `May I
+flatter myself,' rejoined I, in the mildest tone, `that he will
+consider two months, which I have now spent in this prison, as a
+sufficient atonement?'  He offered to speak to him, if I wished
+it.  I implored him without delay to do me that favour.
+
+"He told me two days afterwards that G---- M---- was so sensibly
+affected by what he had heard, that he not only was ready to
+consent to my liberation, but that he had even expressed a strong
+desire to become better acquainted with me, and that he himself
+purposed to pay me a visit in prison.  Although his presence
+could not afford me much pleasure, I looked upon it as a certain
+prelude to my liberation.
+
+"He accordingly came to St. Lazare.  I met him with an air more
+grave and certainly less silly than I had exhibited at his house
+with Manon.  He spoke reasonably enough of my former bad conduct. 
+He added, as if to excuse his own delinquencies, that it was
+graciously permitted to the weakness of man to indulge in certain
+pleasures, almost, indeed, prompted by nature, but that
+dishonesty and such shameful practices ought to be, and always
+would be, inexorably punished.
+
+"I listened to all he said with an air of submission, which
+quite charmed him.  I betrayed no symptoms of annoyance even at
+some jokes in which he indulged about my relationship with Manon
+and Lescaut, and about the little chapels of which he supposed I
+must have had time to erect a great many in St. Lazare, as I was
+so fond of that occupation.  But he happened, unluckily both for
+me and for himself, to add, that he hoped Manon had also employed
+herself in the same edifying manner at the Magdalen. 
+Notwithstanding the thrill of horror I felt at the sound of the
+name, I had still presence of mind enough to beg, in the gentlest
+manner, that he would explain himself.  `Oh! yes,' he replied,
+`she has been these last two months at the Magdalen learning to
+be prudent, and I trust she has improved herself as much there,
+as you have done at St. Lazare!'
+
+"If an eternal imprisonment, or death itself, had been presented
+to my view, I could not have restrained the excitement into which
+this afflicting announcement threw me.  I flung myself upon him
+in so violent a rage that half my strength was exhausted by the
+effort.  I had, however, more than enough left to drag him to the
+ground, and grasp him by the throat.  I should infallibly have
+strangled him, if his fall, and the half-stifled cries which he
+had still the power to utter, had not attracted the governor and
+several of the priests to my room.  They rescued him from my
+fury.
+
+"I was, myself, breathless and almost impotent from rage.  `Oh
+God!' I cried--`Heavenly justice!  Must I survive this infamy?' 
+I tried again to seize the barbarian who had thus roused my
+indignation--they prevented me.  My despair--my cries--my tears,
+exceeded all belief: I raved in so incoherent a manner that all
+the bystanders, who were ignorant of the cause, looked at each
+other with as much dread as surprise.
+
+"G---- M---- in the meantime adjusted his wig and cravat, and in
+his anger at having been so ill-treated, ordered me to be kept
+under more severe restraint than before, and to be punished in
+the manner usual with offenders in St. Lazare.  `No, sir!' said
+the governor, `it is not with a person of his birth that we are
+in the habit of using such means of coercion; besides, he is
+habitually so mild and well-conducted, that I cannot but think
+you must have given provocation for such excessive violence.' 
+This reply disconcerted G---- M---- beyond measure and he went
+away, declaring that he knew how to be revenged on the governor,
+as well as on me, and everyone else who dared to thwart him.
+
+"The Superior, having ordered some of the brotherhood to escort
+him out of the prison, remained alone with me.  He conjured me to
+tell him at once what was the cause of the fracas.--`Oh, my good
+sir!' said I to him, continuing to cry like a child, `imagine the
+most horrible cruelty, figure to yourself the most inhuman of
+atrocities--that is what G---- M---- has had the cowardly
+baseness to perpetrate: he has pierced my heart.  Never shall I
+recover from this blow!  I would gladly tell you the whole
+circumstance,' added I, sobbing with grief; `you are
+kind-hearted, and cannot fail to pity me.'
+
+"I gave him, as briefly as I could, a history of my
+long-standing and insurmountable passion for Manon, of the
+flourishing condition of our fortunes previous to the robbery
+committed by our servants, of the offers which G---- M---- had
+made to my mistress, of the understanding they had come to, and
+the manner in which it had been defeated.  To be sure, I
+represented things to him in as favourable a light for us as
+possible.  `Now you can comprehend,' continued I, `the source of
+M. G---- M----'s holy zeal for my conversion.  He has had
+influence enough to have me shut up here, out of mere revenge. 
+That I can pardon; but, my good sir, that is not all.  He has
+taken from me my heart's blood: he has had Manon shamefully
+incarcerated in the Magdalen; and had the effrontery to announce
+it to me this day with his own lips.  In the Magdalen, good sir! 
+Oh heavens! my adorable mistress, my beloved Manon, a degraded
+inmate of the Hospital!  How shall I command strength of mind
+enough to survive this grief and shame!'
+
+"The good Father, seeing me in such affliction, endeavoured to
+console me.  He told me that he had never understood my history,
+as I just now related it; he had of course known that I led a
+dissolute life, but he had imagined that M. G---- M----'s
+interest about me was the result of his esteem and friendship for
+my family; that it was in this sense he had explained the matter
+to him; that what I had now told him should assuredly produce a
+change in my treatment, and that he had no doubt but the accurate
+detail which he should immediately transmit to the
+lieutenant-general of police would bring about my liberation.
+
+"He then enquired why I had never thought of informing my family
+of what had taken place, since they had not been instrumental to
+my incarceration.  I satisfactorily answered this by stating my
+unwillingness to cause my father pain, or to bring upon myself
+the humiliation of such an exposure.  In the end, he promised to
+go directly to the lieutenant-general of police if it were only,
+said he, to be beforehand with M. G---- M----, who went off in
+such a rage, and who had sufficient influence to make himself
+formidable.
+
+"I looked for the good Father's return with all the suspense of
+a man expecting sentence of death.  It was torture to me to think
+of Manon at the Magdalen.  Besides the infamy of such a prison, I
+knew not how she might be treated there; and the recollection of
+some particulars I had formerly heard of this horrible place,
+incessantly renewed my misery.  Cost what it might, I was so bent
+upon relieving her by some means or other, that I should
+assuredly have set fire to St. Lazare, if no other mode of escape
+had presented itself.
+
+"I considered what chances would remain to me if the lieutenant-
+general still kept me in confinement.  I taxed my ingenuity: I
+scanned every imaginable gleam of hope--I could discover nothing
+that gave me any prospect of escape, and I feared that I should
+experience only more rigid confinement, if I made an unsuccessful
+attempt.  I thought of some friends from whom I might hope for
+aid, but then, how was I to make them aware of my situation?  At
+length I fancied that I had hit upon a plan so ingenious, as to
+offer a fair probability of success.  I postponed the details of
+its arrangement until after the Superior's return, in case of his
+having failed in the object of his visit.
+
+"He soon arrived: I did not observe upon his countenance any of
+those marks of joy that indicate good news.  `I have spoken,'
+said he, `to the lieutenant-general of police, but I was too
+late, M. G---- M---- went straight to him after quitting us, and
+so prejudiced him against you, that he was on the point of
+sending me fresh instructions to subject you to closer
+confinement.
+
+"`However, when I let him know the truth of your story, he
+reconsidered the matter, and, smiling at the incontinence of old
+G---- M----, he said it would be necessary to keep you here for
+six months longer, in order to pacify him; the less to be
+lamented,' he added, `because your morals would be sure to
+benefit by your residence here.  He desired that I would show you
+every kindness and attention, and I need not assure you that you
+shall have no reason to complain of your treatment.'
+
+"This speech of the Superior's was long enough to afford me time
+to form a prudent resolution.  I saw that by betraying too strong
+an impatience for my liberty, I should probably be upsetting all
+my projects.  I acknowledged to him, that, as it was necessary to
+me to remain, it was an infinite comfort to know that I possessed
+a place in his esteem.  I then requested, and with unaffected
+sincerity, a favour, which could be of no consequence to others,
+and which would contribute much to my peace of mind; it was to
+inform a friend of mine, a devout clergyman, who lived at St.
+Sulpice, that I was at St. Lazare, and to permit me occasionally
+to receive his visits.
+
+"This was of course my friend Tiberge; not that I could hope
+from him the assistance necessary for effecting my liberty; but I
+wished to make him the unconscious instrument of my designs.  In
+a word, this was my project: I wished to write to Lescaut, and to
+charge him and our common friends with the task of my
+deliverance.  The first difficulty was to have my letter conveyed
+to him: this should be Tiberge's office.  However, as he knew him
+to be Manon's brother, I doubted whether he would take charge of
+this commission.  My plan was to enclose my letter to Lescaut in
+another to some respectable man of my acquaintance, begging of
+him to transmit the first to its address without delay; and as it
+was necessary that I should have personal communication with
+Lescaut, in order to arrange our proceedings, I told him to call
+on me at St. Lazare, and assume the name of my eldest brother, as
+if he had come to Paris expressly to see me.  I postponed till
+our meeting all mention of the safest and most expeditious course
+I intended to suggest for our future conduct.  The governor
+informed Tiberge of my wish to see him.  This ever-faithful
+friend had not so entirely lost sight of me as to be ignorant of
+my present abode, and it is probable that, in his heart, he did
+not regret the circumstance, from an idea that it might furnish
+the means of my moral regeneration.  He lost no time in paying me
+the desired visit.
+
+
+
+VI
+
+
+It is a strange thing to note the excess of this passion;
+and how it braves the nature and value of things, by this--
+that the speaking in a perpetual hyperbole is comely in nothing
+but in love.--BACON.
+
+
+"My interview with Tiberge was of the most friendly description. 
+I saw that his object was to discover the present temper of my
+mind.  I opened my heart to him without any reserve, except as to
+the mere point of my intention of escaping.  `It is not from such
+a friend as you,' said I, `that I can ever wish to dissemble my
+real feelings.  If you flattered yourself with a hope that you
+were at last about to find me grown prudent and regular in my
+conduct, a libertine reclaimed by the chastisements of fortune,
+released alike from the trammels of love, and the dominion that
+Manon wields over me, I must in candour say, that you deceive
+yourself.  You still behold me, as you left me four months ago,
+the slave--if you will, the unhappy slave--of a passion, from
+which I now hope, as fervently and as confidently as I ever did,
+to derive eventually solid comfort.' 
+
+"He answered, that such an acknowledgment rendered me utterly
+inexcusable; that it was no uncommon case to meet sinners who
+allowed themselves to be so dazzled with the glare of vice as to
+prefer it openly to the true splendour of virtue; they were at
+least deluded by the false image of happiness, the poor dupes of
+an empty shadow; but to know and feel as I did, that the object
+of my attachment was only calculated to render me culpable and
+unhappy, and to continue thus voluntarily in a career of misery
+and crime, involved a contradiction of ideas and of conduct
+little creditable to my reason.
+
+"`Tiberge,' replied I, `it is easy to triumph when your
+arguments are unopposed.  Allow me to reason for a few moments in
+my turn.  Can you pretend that what you call the happiness of
+virtue is exempt from troubles, and crosses, and cares?  By what
+name will you designate the dungeon, the rack, the inflections
+and tortures of tyrants?  Will you say with the Mystics[1] that
+the soul derives pleasure from the torments of the body?  You are
+not bold enough to hold such a doctrine--a paradox not to be
+maintained.  This happiness, then, that you prize so much, has a
+thousand drawbacks, or is, more properly speaking, but a tissue
+of sufferings through which one hopes to attain felicity.  If by
+the power of imagination one can even derive pleasure from these
+sufferings, hoping that they may lead to a happy end, why, let me
+ask, do you deem my conduct senseless, when it is directed by
+precisely the same principle?  I love Manon: I wade through
+sorrow and suffering in order to attain happiness with her.  My
+path is one indeed of difficulties, but the mere hope of reaching
+the desired goal makes it easy and delightful; and I shall think
+myself but too bountifully repaid by one moment of her society,
+for all the troubles I encounter in my course.  There appears
+therefore no difference between us, or, if there be any, it is
+assuredly in my favour; for the bliss I hope for is near and
+tangible, yours is far distant, and purely speculative.  Mine is
+of the same kind as my sufferings, that is to say, evident to my
+senses; yours is of an incomprehensible nature, and only
+discernible through the dim medium of faith.'
+
+
+[1]  A favourite tenet of the Mystics, advocated by Madame de
+Guyon, and adopted by the amiable and eloquent Fenelon, was, that
+the love of the Supreme Being must be pure and disinterested;
+that is, exempt from all views of interest, and all hope of
+reward.  See the controversy between Bossuet and Fenelon.
+
+
+
+"Tiberge appeared shocked by my remarks.  He retired two or
+three paces from me, while he said, in the most serious tone,
+that my argument was not only a violation of good sense, but that
+it was the miserable sophistry of irreligion; `for the
+comparison,' he added, `of the pitiful reward of your sufferings
+with that held out to us by the divine revelation, is the essence
+of impiety and absurdity combined.'
+
+"`I acknowledge,' said I, `that the comparison is not a just
+one, but my argument does not at all depend upon it.  I was about
+to explain what you consider a contradiction--the persevering in
+a painful pursuit; and I think I have satisfactorily proved, that
+if there be any contradiction in that, we shall be both equally
+obnoxious to the charge.  It was in this light, only, that I
+could observe no difference in our cases, and I cannot as yet
+perceive any.
+
+"`You may probably answer, that the proposed end, the promised
+reward, of virtue, is infinitely superior to that of love?  No
+one disputes it, but that is not the question--we are only
+discussing the relative aid they both afford in the endurance of
+affliction.  Judge of that by the practical effect: are there not
+multitudes who abandon a life of strict virtue? how few give up
+the pursuits of love!
+
+"`Again, you will reply that if there be difficulties in the
+exercise of virtue, they are by no means universal and sure; that
+the good man does not necessarily meet tyrants and tortures, and
+that, on the contrary, a life of virtue is perfectly compatible
+with repose and enjoyment.  I can say with equal truth, that love
+is often accompanied by content and happiness; and what makes
+another distinction of infinite advantage to my argument, I may
+add that love, though it often deludes, never holds out other
+than hopes of bliss and joy, whilst religion exacts from her
+votaries mortification and sorrow.
+
+"`Do not be alarmed,' said I, perceiving that I had almost
+offended his zealous feelings of devotion.  `I only wish to say,
+that there is no more unsuccessful method of weaning man's heart
+from love, than by endeavouring to decry its enjoyments, and by
+promising him more pleasure from the exercise of virtue.  It is
+an inherent principle in our nature, that our felicity consists
+only in pleasure.  I defy you to conceive any other notion of it;
+and it requires little time to arrive at the conviction, that, of
+all pleasures, those of love are immeasurably the most
+enchanting.  A man quickly discerns the delusion, when he hears
+the promise made of livelier enjoyment, and the effect of such
+misrepresentation is only to make him doubt the truth of a more
+solid promise.
+
+"`Let the preacher who seeks the reformation of a sinner tell
+me that virtue is indispensably necessary, but not disguise its
+difficulty and its attendant denials.  Say that the enjoyments of
+love are fleeting, if you will, that they are rigidly forbidden,
+that they lead with certainty to eternal suffering; and, what
+would assuredly make a deeper impression upon me than any other
+argument, say that the more sweet and delectable they are, the
+brighter will be the reward of Heaven for giving them up in
+sacrifice; but do in the name of justice admit, that, constituted
+as the heart of man is, they form here, on earth, our most
+perfect happiness.'
+
+"My last sentence restored to Tiberge his good humour.  He
+allowed that my ideas were not altogether so unreasonable.  The
+only point he made, was in asking me why I did not carry my own
+principle into operation, by sacrificing my passion to the hope
+of that remuneration of which I had drawn so brilliant a picture. 
+`Oh! my dear friend,' replied I; `that it is which makes me
+conscious of my own misery and weakness: true, alas! it is indeed
+my duty to act according to my argument; but have I the power of
+governing my own actions?  What aid will enable me to forget
+Manon's charms?'  'God forgive me,' said Tiberge, `I can almost
+fancy you a Jansenist[1].  `I know not of what sect I am,'
+replied I, `nor do I indeed very clearly see to which I ought to
+belong; but I cannot help feeling the truth of this at least of
+their tenets.'
+
+
+[1]  The first proposition of the Jansenists was, that there are
+divine precepts which good men, notwithstanding their desire to
+observe them, are nevertheless absolutely unable to obey: God not
+having given them such a measure of grace as is essentially
+necessary to render them capable of obedience.--Mosheim's Eccles. 
+Hist., ii. 397.
+
+
+"One effect of our conversation was to revive my friend's pity
+for me in all its force.  He perceived that there was in my
+errors more of weakness than of vice; and he was the more
+disposed in the end to give me assistance; without which I should
+infallibly have perished from distress of mind.  However, I
+carefully concealed from him my intention of escaping from St.
+Lazare.  I merely begged of him to take charge of my letter; I
+had it ready before he came, and I soon found an excuse for the
+necessity of writing.  He faithfully transmitted it, and Lescaut
+received before evening the one I had enclosed for him.
+
+"He came to see me next morning, and fortunately was admitted
+under my brother's name.  I was overjoyed at finding him in my
+room.  I carefully closed the door.  `Let us lose no time,' I
+said.  `First tell me about Manon, and then advise me how I am to
+shake off these fetters.'  He assured me that he had not seen his
+sister since the day before my arrest, and that it was only by
+repeated enquiries, and after much trouble, that he had at length
+been able to discover her fate as well as mine; and that he had
+two or three times presented himself at the Magdalen, and been
+refused admittance.  `Wretch!' muttered I to myself, `dearly
+shall G---- M---- pay for this!'
+
+"`As to your escape,' continued Lescaut, `it will not be so easy
+as you imagine.  Last evening, I and a couple of friends walked
+round this establishment to reconnoitre it; and we agreed that,
+as your windows looked into a court surrounded by buildings, as
+you yourself mentioned in your letter, there would be vast
+difficulty in getting you out.  Besides, you are on the third
+story, and it would be impossible to introduce ropes or ladders
+through the window.  I therefore see no means from without--in
+the house itself we must hit upon some scheme.'
+
+"`No,' replied I; `I have examined everything minutely,
+particularly since, through the governor's indulgence, my
+confinement has been less rigorous.  I am no longer locked into
+my room; I have liberty to walk in the gallery; but there is,
+upon every landing, a strong door kept closed night and day, so
+that it is impossible that ingenuity alone, unaided by some
+violent efforts, can rescue me.
+
+"`Wait,' said I, after turning in my mind for a moment an idea
+that struck me as excellent; `could you bring me a pistol?'
+`Softly,' said Lescaut to me, `you don't think of committing
+murder?'  I assured him that I had so little intention of
+shooting anyone, that it would not be even necessary to have the
+pistol loaded.  `Bring it to me tomorrow,' I added, `and do not
+fail to be exactly opposite the great entrance with two or three
+of your friends at eleven tomorrow night; I think I shall be able
+to join you there.'  He in vain requested me to explain my plan. 
+I told him that such an attempt as I contemplated could only
+appear rational after it had succeeded.  I begged of him to
+shorten his visit, in order that he might with the less
+difficulty be admitted next morning.  He was accordingly admitted
+as readily as on his first visit.  He had put on so serious an
+air, moreover, that a stranger would have taken him for a
+respectable person.
+
+"When I found in my hand the instrument of my liberty, I no
+longer doubted my success.  It was certainly a strange and a bold
+project; but of what was I not capable, with the motives that
+inspired me?  I had, since I was allowed permission to walk in
+the galleries, found opportunities of observing that every night
+the porter brought the keys of all the doors to the governor, and
+subsequently there always reigned a profound silence in the
+house, which showed that the inmates had retired to rest.  There
+was an open communication between my room and that of the
+Superior.  My resolution was, if he refused quietly to surrender
+the keys, to force him, by fear of the pistol, to deliver them
+up, and then by their help to gain the street.  I impatiently
+awaited the moment for executing my purpose.  The porter arrived
+at his usual time, that is to say, soon after nine o'clock.  I
+allowed an hour to elapse, in order that the priests as well as
+the servants might be all asleep.  I at length proceeded with my
+pistol and a lighted candle.  I first gave a gentle tap at the
+governor's door to awaken without alarming him.  I knocked a
+second time before he heard me; and supposing of course that it
+was one of the priests who was taken ill and wanted assistance,
+he got out of bed, dressed himself, and came to the door.  He
+had, however, the precaution to ask first who it was, and what
+was wanted?  I was obliged to mention my name, but I assumed a
+plaintive tone, to make him believe that I was indisposed.  `Ah!
+it is you, my dear boy,' said he on opening the door; `what can
+bring you here at this hour?'  I stepped inside the door, and
+leading him to the opposite side of the room, I declared to him
+that it was absolutely impossible for me to remain longer at St.
+Lazare; that the night was the most favourable time for going out
+unobserved, and that I confidently expected, from his tried
+friendship, that he would consent to open the gates for me, or
+entrust me with the keys to let myself out.
+
+"This compliment to his friendship seemed to surprise him.  He
+stood for a few moments looking at me without making any reply. 
+Finding that I had no time to lose, I just begged to assure him
+that I had the most lively sense of all his kindnesses, but that
+freedom was dearer to man than every other consideration,
+especially so to me, who had been cruelly and unjustly deprived
+of it; that I was resolved this night to recover it, cost what it
+would, and fearing lest he might raise his voice and call for
+assistance, I let him see the powerful incentive to silence which
+I had kept concealed in my bosom.  `A pistol!' cried he.  `What!
+my son? will you take away my life in return for the attentions I
+have shown you?'  `God forbid,' replied I; `you are too
+reasonable to drive me to that horrible extremity: but I am
+determined to be free, and so firmly determined, that if you
+defeat my project, I will put an end to your existence.'  `But,
+my dear son!' said he, pale and frightened, `what have I done to
+you?  What reason have you for taking my life?'  `No!' replied I,
+impatiently, `I have no design upon your life, if you, yourself,
+wish to live; open but the doors for me, and you will find me the
+most attached of friends.'  I perceived the keys upon the table. 
+I requested he would take them in his hand and walk before me,
+making as little noise as he possibly could.
+
+"He saw the necessity of consenting.  We proceeded, and as he
+opened each door, he repeated, always with a sigh, `Ah! my son,
+who could have believed it?'  `No noise, good Father, no noise,'
+I as often answered in my turn.  At length we reached a kind of
+barrier, just inside the great entrance.  I already fancied
+myself free, and kept close behind the governor, with my candle
+in one hand, and my pistol in the other.
+
+"While he was endeavouring to open the heavy gate, one of the
+servants, who slept in an adjoining room, hearing the noise of
+the bolts, jumped out of bed, and peeped forth to see what was
+passing.  The good Father apparently thought him strong enough to
+overpower me.  He commanded him, most imprudently, to come to his
+assistance.  He was a powerful ruffian, and threw himself upon me
+without an instant's hesitation.  There was no time for
+parleying--I levelled my pistol and lodged the contents in his
+breast!  `See, Father, of what mischief you have been the cause,'
+said I to my guide; `but that must not prevent us from finishing
+our work,' I added, pushing him on towards the last door.  He did
+not dare refuse to open it.  I made my exit in perfect safety,
+and, a few paces off, found Lescaut with two friends waiting for
+me, according to his promise.
+
+"We removed at once to a distance.  Lescaut enquired whether he
+had not heard the report of a pistol?  `You are to blame,' said
+I, `why did you bring it charged?'  I, however, could not help
+thanking him for having taken this precaution, without which I
+doubtless must have continued much longer at St. Lazare.  We went
+to pass the night at a tavern, where I made up, in some degree,
+for the miserable fare which had been doled out to me for nearly
+three months.  I was very far, however, from tasting perfect
+enjoyment; Manon's sufferings were mine.  `She must be released,'
+said I to my companions: `this was my sole object in desiring my
+own liberty.  I rely on your aiding me with all your ingenuity;
+as for myself, my life shall be devoted to the purpose.'
+
+"Lescaut, who was not deficient in tact, and still less in that
+better part of valour called discretion, dwelt upon the necessity
+of acting with extreme caution: he said that my escape from St.
+Lazare, and the accident that happened on my leaving it, would
+assuredly create a sensation; that the lieutenant-general of
+police would cause a strict search to be made for me, and it
+would be difficult to evade him; in fine, that, unless disposed
+to encounter something worse, perhaps, than St. Lazare, it would
+be requisite for me to remain concealed for a few days, in order
+to give the enemy's zeal time to cool.  No doubt this was wise
+counsel; but, one should have been wise oneself to have followed
+it.  Such calculating slowness little suited my passion.  The
+utmost I could bring myself to promise was, that I would sleep
+through the whole of the next day.  He locked me in my bedroom,
+where I remained patiently until night.
+
+"I employed great part of the time in devising schemes for
+relieving Manon.  I felt persuaded that her prison was even more
+inaccessible than mine had been.  Force was out of the question. 
+Artifice was the only resource; but the goddess of invention
+herself could not have told me how to begin.  I felt the
+impossibility of working in the dark, and therefore postponed the
+further consideration of my schemes until I could acquire some
+knowledge of the internal arrangements of the Hospital, in which
+she was confined.
+
+"As soon as night restored to me my liberty, I begged of Lescaut
+to accompany me.  We were not long in drawing one of the porters
+into conversation; he appeared a reasonable man.  I passed for a
+stranger who had often with admiration heard talk of the
+Hospital, and of the order that reigned within it.  I enquired
+into the most minute details; and, proceeding from one subject to
+another, we at length spoke of the managers, and of these I
+begged to know the names and the respective characters.  He gave
+me such information upon the latter point as at once suggested an
+idea which flattered my hopes, and I immediately set about
+carrying it into execution.
+
+"I asked him (this being a matter essential to my plan) whether
+any of the gentlemen had children.  He said he could not answer
+me with certainty as to all, but as for M. de T----, one of the
+principal directors, he knew that he had a son old enough to be
+married, and who had come several times to the Hospital with his
+father.  This was enough for my purpose.
+
+"I immediately put an end to our interview, and, in returning, I
+told Lescaut of the plan I had formed.  `I have taken it,' said
+I, `into my head, that M. de T----, the son, who is rich and of
+good family, must have the same taste for pleasure that other
+young men of his age generally have.  He could hardly be so bad a
+friend to the fair sex, nor so absurd as to refuse his services
+in an affair of love.  I have arranged a plan for interesting him
+in favour of Manon.  If he is a man of feeling and of right mind,
+he will give us his assistance from generosity.  If he is not to
+be touched by a motive of this kind, he will at least do
+something for a handsome girl, if it were only with the hope of
+hereafter sharing her favours.  I will not defer seeing him,'
+added I, `beyond tomorrow.  I really feel so elated by this
+project, that I derive from it a good omen.'
+
+"Lescaut himself allowed that the idea was not unreasonable, and
+that we might fairly entertain a hope of turning it to account. 
+I passed the night less sorrowfully. 
+
+"Next morning I dressed as well as, in my present state of
+indigence, I could possibly contrive to do; and went in a hackney
+coach to the residence of M. de T----.  He was surprised at
+receiving a visit from a perfect stranger.  I augured favourably
+from his countenance and the civility of his manner.  I explained
+my object in the most candid way; and, to excite his feelings as
+much as possible, I spoke of my ardent passion and of Manon's
+merit, as of two things that were unequalled, except by each
+other.  He told me, that although he had never seen Manon, he had
+heard of her; at least, if the person I was talking of was the
+same who had been the mistress of old G---- M----.  I conjectured
+that he must have heard of the part I had acted in that
+transaction, and in order to conciliate him more and more by
+treating him with confidence, I told him everything that had
+occurred to Manon and myself.  `You see, sir,' said I, `that all
+that can interest me in life, all that can command my affections,
+is in your hands.  I have no reserve with you, because I have
+been informed of your generous and noble character; and, being of
+the same age, I trust I shall find some resemblance in our
+dispositions.'
+
+"He seemed flattered by this mark of candour and confidence.  He
+replied in a manner that became a man of the world, and a man of
+feeling also, for they are not always synonymous terms.  He told
+me that he appreciated my visit as a piece of good fortune; that
+he considered my friendship as a valuable acquisition, and that
+he would endeavour to prove himself worthy of it, by the
+sincerity of his services.  He could not absolutely promise to
+restore Manon to my arms, because, as he said, he himself had
+very little influence; but he offered to procure me the pleasure
+of seeing her, and to do everything in his power to effect her
+release.  I was the more satisfied with this frank avowal as to
+his want of influence, than I should have been by an unqualified
+promise of fulfilling all my wishes.  I found in his moderation a
+pledge of his sincerity: in a word, I no longer doubted my entire
+success.  The promise alone of enabling me to see Manon filled me
+with gratitude, and I testified it in so earnest a manner, as to
+give him a favourable opinion of my heart and disposition; we
+shook hands warmly, and parted sworn friends, merely from mutual
+regard, and that natural feeling which prompts a man of kind and
+generous sentiments to esteem another of congenial mind.
+
+"He, indeed, exceeded me in the proofs of his esteem; for,
+inferring from my adventures, and especially my late escape from
+St. Lazare, that I might be in want of money, he offered me his
+purse, and pressed me to accept it.  I refused, but said to him,
+`You are too kind, my dear sir!  If in addition to such proofs of
+kindness and friendship, you enable me to see Manon again, rely
+on my eternal regard and gratitude.  If you succeed in restoring
+altogether this dear creature to my arms, I should think myself
+happy in spilling the last drop of my blood in your service.'
+
+"Before we parted, we agreed as to the time and place for our
+meeting.  He was so considerate as to appoint the afternoon of
+the same day. 
+
+"I waited for him at a cafe, where he joined me about four
+o'clock, and we went together towards the Magdalen; my knees
+trembled under me as I crossed the courts.  `Ye heavenly powers!'
+said I, `then I shall once more behold the idol of my heart--the
+dear object of so many sighs and lamentations!  All I now ask of
+Providence is, to vouchsafe me strength enough to reach her
+presence, and after that, to dispose as it pleaseth of my future
+fate, and of my life itself.  Beyond this, I have no prayer to
+utter.'
+
+"M. de T---- spoke to some of the porters of the establishment,
+who appeared all anxious to please him.  The quarter in which
+Manon's room lay was pointed out to us, and our guide carried in
+his hand the key of her chamber: it was of frightful size.  I
+asked the man who conducted us, and whose duty it was to attend
+to Manon, how she passed her time?  He said, that she had a
+temper of the most angelic sweetness; that even he, disagreeable
+as his official duties must render him, had never heard from her
+a single syllable in the nature of rebuke or harshness; that her
+tears had never ceased to flow during the first six weeks after
+her arrival, but that latterly she seemed to bear her misfortunes
+with more resignation, and that she employed herself from morning
+till night with her needle, excepting some hours that she, each
+day, devoted to reading.  I asked whether she had been decently
+provided for.  He assured me that at least she had never felt the
+want of necessaries.
+
+"We now approached her door.  My heart beat almost audibly in
+my bosom.  I said to M. de T----, `Go in alone, and prepare her
+for my visit; I fear that she may be overcome by seeing me
+unexpectedly.'  The door was opened.  I remained in the passage,
+and listened to the conversation.  He said that he came to bring
+her consolation; that he was a friend of mine, and felt deeply
+interested for the happiness of us both.  She asked with the
+tenderest anxiety, whether he could tell her what had become of
+me.  He promised that she should soon see me at her feet, as
+affectionate and as faithful as ever.  `When?' she asked. `This
+very day,' said he; `the happy moment shall not be long delayed;
+nay, this very instant even, if you wish it.'  She at once
+understood that I was at the door; as she was rushing towards it,
+I entered.  We embraced each other with that abounding and
+impassioned tenderness, which an absence of many months makes so
+delicious to those who truly love.  Our sighs, our broken
+exclamations, the thousand endearing appellations of love,
+exchanged in languishing rapture, astonished M. de T----, and
+affected him even to tears.
+
+"`I cannot help envying you,' said he, as he begged us to be
+seated; `there is no lot, however glorious, that I would hold as
+comparable to the possession of a mistress at once so tender and
+impassioned.'  `Nor would I,' I replied, `give up her love for
+universal empire!'
+
+"The remainder of an interview which had been so long and so
+ardently desired by me, was of course as tender as the
+commencement.  Poor Manon related all her adventures, and I told
+her mine: we bitterly wept over each other's story.  M. de T----
+consoled us by his renewed promises to exert himself in our
+service.  He advised us not to make this, our first interview, of
+too long duration, that he might have the less difficulty in
+procuring us the same enjoyment again.  He at length induced us
+to follow his advice.  Manon especially could not reconcile
+herself to the separation: she made me a hundred times resume my
+seat.  At one time she held me by my hands, at another by my
+coat.  `Alas!' she said, `in what an abode do you leave me!  Who
+will answer for my ever seeing you again?'  M. de T---- promised
+her that he would often come and see her with me.  `As to the
+abode,' he said, 'it must no longer be called the Magdalen; it is
+Versailles! now that it contains a person who deserves the empire
+of all hearts.'
+
+"I made the man who attended a present as I went out, in order
+to quicken his zeal and attentions.  This fellow had a mind less
+rough and vulgar than the generality of his class.  He had
+witnessed our interview, and was affected by it.  The interest he
+felt was doubtless increased by the louis d'or I gave him.  He
+took me aside as we went down into the courtyard.  `Sir,' said
+he, `if you will only take me into your service, or indemnify me
+in any way for the loss of the situation which I fill here, I
+think I should not have much difficulty in liberating the
+beauteous Manon.'
+
+"I caught readily at the suggestion, and, although at the moment
+I was almost in a state of destitution, I gave him promises far
+beyond his desires.  I considered that it would be at all times
+easy to recompense a man of his description.  `Be assured, my
+friend,' said I to him, `that there is nothing I will not be
+ready to do for you, and that your fortune is just as certain as
+my own.'  I enquired what means he intended to employ.  `None
+other,' said he, `than merely to open the door of her cell for
+her at night, and to conduct her to the street door, where you,
+of course, will be to receive her.'  I asked whether there was no
+danger of her being recognised as she traversed the long
+galleries and the courts.  He admitted that there was danger, but
+that nothing could be done without some slight risk.
+
+"Although I was delighted to find him so determined, I called M.
+de T----, and informed him of the project, and of the only
+difficulty in the way.  He thought it not so easy of execution. 
+He allowed the possibility of escaping thus:  `But if she be
+recognised,' continued he, `if she be stopped in the attempt, all
+hope will be over with her, perhaps for ever.  Besides, you would
+be obliged to quit Paris instantly, for you could never evade the
+search that would be made for you: they would redouble their
+efforts as much on your own account as hers.  A single man may
+easily escape detection, but in company with a handsome woman, it
+would be utterly impossible to remain undiscovered.'
+
+"However sound this reasoning, it could not, in my mind,
+outweigh the immediate prospect of restoring Manon to liberty.  I
+said as much to M. de T----, and trusted that he would excuse my
+imprudence and rashness, on the ground of love.  I added that it
+was already my intention to quit Paris for some neighbouring
+village, as I had once before done.  We then settled with the
+servant that he should carry his project into execution the
+following day, and to render our success as certain as he could,
+we resolved to carry into the prison men's clothes, in order to
+facilitate her escape.
+
+There was a difficulty to be surmounted in carrying them in, but
+I had ingenuity enough to meet it.  I begged of M. de T---- only
+to put on two light waistcoats the next morning, and I undertook
+to arrange the rest.
+
+We returned the following day to the Hospital.  I took with me
+linen, stockings, etc., for Manon, and over my body-coat a
+surtout, which concealed the bulk I carried in my pockets.  We
+remained but a moment in her room.  M. de T---- left her one of
+his waistcoats; I gave her my short coat, the surtout being
+sufficient for me.  She found nothing wanting for her complete
+equipment but a pair of pantaloons, which in my hurry I had
+forgotten.
+
+"The want of so necessary an article might have amused us, if
+the embarrassment it caused had been of a less serious kind.  I
+was in despair at having our whole scheme foiled by a trifling
+omission of this nature.  However, I soon hit on a remedy, and
+determined to make my own exit sans-culotte, leaving that portion
+of my dress with Manon.  My surtout was long, and I contrived by
+the help of a few pins to put myself in a decent condition for
+passing the gate.
+
+"The remainder of the day appeared to me of endless length. 
+When at last night came, we went in a coach to within a few yards
+of the Hospital.  We were not long waiting, when we saw Manon
+make her appearance with her guide.  The door of the coach being
+opened, they both stepped in without delay.  I opened my arms to
+receive my adored mistress; she trembled like an aspen leaf.  The
+coachman asked where he was to drive?  `To the end of the world!'
+I exclaimed; `to some place where I can never again be separated
+from Manon.'
+
+"This burst, which I could not control, was near bringing me
+into fresh trouble.  The coachman reflected upon what I said, and
+when I afterwards told him the name of the street to which I
+wished him to drive, he answered that he feared I was about to
+implicate him in some bad business; that he saw plainly enough
+that the good-looking young man whom I called Manon was a girl
+eloping from the Hospital, and that he was little disposed indeed
+to ruin himself for love of me.
+
+"Extortion was the source of this scoundrel's delicacy.  We were
+still too near the Hospital to make any noise.  `Silence!' said I
+to him, `you shall have a louis d'or for the job': for less than
+that he would have helped me to burn the Hospital.
+
+"We arrived at Lescaut's house.  As it was late, M. de T----
+left us on the way, promising to visit us the next morning.  The
+servant alone remained.
+
+"I held Manon in such close embrace in my arms, that we occupied
+but one place in the coach.  She cried for joy, and I could feel
+her tears trickling down my cheeks. 
+
+"When we were about getting out at Lescaut's, I had a new
+difficulty with the coachman, which was attended with the most
+unfortunate results.  I repented of having promised the fellow a
+louis d'or, not only because it was extravagant folly, but for
+another stronger reason, that it was at the moment out of my
+power to pay him.  I called for Lescaut, and he came down to the
+door.  I whispered to him the cause of my present embarrassment. 
+Being naturally rough, and not at all in the habit of treating
+hackney-coachmen with respect, he answered that I could not be
+serious.  `A louis!' said he; `twenty blows of a cane would be
+the right payment for that rascal!'  I entreated him not to
+destroy us; when he snatched my cane from my hand, and was about
+to lay it on the coachman.  The fellow had probably before
+experienced the weight of a guardsman's arm, and instantly drove
+off, crying out, that I had cheated him, and should hear of him
+again.  I in vain endeavoured to stop him.
+
+"His flight caused me, of course, the greatest alarm.  I had no
+doubt that he would immediately give information to the police. 
+`You have ruined me,' said I to Lescaut; `I shall be no longer
+safe at your house; we must go hence at once.'  I gave Manon my
+arm, and as quickly as possible got out of the dangerous
+neighbourhood.  Lescaut accompanied us."
+
+The Chevalier des Grieux having occupied more than an hour with
+his story, I begged him to give himself a little rest, and
+meanwhile to share our supper.  He saw, by the attention we paid
+him, that we were amused, and promised that we should hear
+something of perhaps greater interest in the sequel.  When we had
+finished supper, he continued in the following words.
+
+
+
+VII
+
+
+. . . How chances mock,
+And changes fill the cup of alteration
+With divers liquors.
+
+SHAKESPEARE.
+
+
+"How inscrutably does Providence connect events!  We had hardly
+proceeded for five minutes on our way, when a man, whose face I
+could not see, recognised Lescaut.  He had no doubt been watching
+for him near his home, with the horrible intention which he now
+unhappily executed.  `It IS Lescaut!' said he, snapping a pistol
+at his head; `he shall sup tonight with the angels!'  He then
+instantly disappeared.  Lescaut fell, without the least sign of
+life.  I pressed Manon to fly, for we could be of no use to a
+dead man, and I feared being arrested by the police, who would
+certainly be soon upon the spot.  I turned down the first narrow
+street with her and the servant: she was so overpowered by the
+scene she had just witnessed, that I could hardly support her. 
+At last, at the end of the street, I perceived a hackney-coach;
+we got into it, but when the coachman asked whither he should
+drive, I was scarcely able to answer him.  I had no certain
+asylum--no confidential friend to whom I could have recourse.  I
+was almost destitute of money, having but one dollar left in my
+purse.  Fright and fatigue had so unnerved Manon, that she was
+almost fainting at my side.  My imagination too was full of the
+murder of Lescaut, and I was not without strong apprehensions of
+the patrol.  What was to be done?  I luckily remembered the inn
+at Chaillot, where we first went to reside in that village.  I
+hoped to be not only secure, but to continue there for some time
+without being pressed for payment.  `Take us to Chaillot,' said I
+to the coachman.  He refused to drive us so far at that late hour
+for less than twelve francs.  A new embarrassment!  At last we
+agreed for half that sum--all that my purse contained.
+
+"I tried to console Manon as we went along, but despair was
+rankling in my own heart.  I should have destroyed myself a
+thousand times over, if I had not felt that I held in my arms all
+that could attach me to life: this reflection reconciled me.  `I
+possess her at least,' said I; `she loves me! she is mine! 
+Vainly does Tiberge call this a mere phantom of happiness.'  I
+could, without feeling interest or emotion, see the whole world
+besides perish around me.  Why?  Because I have in it no object
+of affection beyond her.
+
+"This sentiment was true; however, while I so lightly esteemed
+the good things of the world, I felt that there was no doing
+without some little portion of them, were it only to inspire a
+more thorough contempt for the remainder.  Love is more powerful
+than wealth--more attractive than grandeur or fame; but, alas! it
+cannot exist without certain artificial aids; and there is
+nothing more humiliating to the feelings, of a sensitive lover,
+than to find himself, by want of means, reduced to the level of
+the most vulgar minds.
+
+"It was eleven o'clock when we arrived at Chaillot.  They
+received us at the inn as old acquaintances, and expressed no
+sort of surprise at seeing Manon in male attire, for it was the
+custom in Paris and the environs to adopt all disguises.  I took
+care to have her served with as much attention as if I had been
+in prosperous circumstances.  She was ignorant of my poverty, and
+I carefully kept her so, being resolved to return alone the
+following day to Paris, to seek some cure for this vexatious kind
+of malady.
+
+"At supper she appeared pale and thin; I had not observed this
+at the Hospital, as the room in which I saw her was badly
+lighted.  I asked her if the excessive paleness were not caused
+by the shock of witnessing her brother's death?  She assured me
+that, horrified as she naturally was at the event, her paleness
+was purely the effect of a three months' absence from me.  `You
+do love me then devotedly?' I exclaimed.
+
+"`A thousand times more than I can tell!' was her reply.
+
+"`You will never leave me again?' I added.
+
+"`No! never, never!' answered she. 
+
+"This assurance was confirmed by so many caresses and vows, that
+it appeared impossible she could, to the end of time, forget
+them.  I have never doubted that she was at that moment sincere. 
+What motive could she have had for dissembling to such a degree? 
+But she became afterwards still more volatile than ever, or
+rather she was no longer anything, and entirely forgot herself,
+when, in poverty and want, she saw other women living in
+abundance.  I was now on the point of receiving a new proof of
+her inconstancy, which threw all that had passed into the shade,
+and which led to the strangest adventure that ever happened to a
+man of my birth and prospects.
+
+"As I knew her disposition, I hastened the next day to Paris. 
+The death of her brother, and the necessity of getting linen and
+clothes for her, were such good reasons, that I had no occasion
+for any further pretext.  I left the inn, with the intention, as
+I told Manon and the landlord, of going in a hired carriage, but
+this was a mere flourish; necessity obliged me to travel on foot:
+I walked very fast as far as Cours-la-Reine, where I intended to
+rest.  A moment of solitude and tranquillity was requisite to
+compose myself, and to consider what was to be done in Paris.
+
+"I sat down upon the grass.  I plunged into a sea of thoughts
+and considerations, which at length resolved themselves into
+three principal heads.  I had pressing want of an infinite number
+of absolute necessaries; I had to seek some mode of at least
+raising a hope for the future; and, though last, not least in
+importance, I had to gain information, and adopt measures, to
+secure Manon's safety and my own.  After having exhausted myself
+in devising projects upon these three chief points, I was obliged
+to put out of view for the moment the two last.  We were not ill
+sheltered from observation in the inn at Chaillot; and as to
+future wants, I thought it would be time enough to think about
+them when those of the moment were satisfied.
+
+"The main object now was to replenish my purse.  M. de T---- had
+once offered me his, but I had an extreme repugnance to mention
+the subject to him again.  What a degradation to expose one's
+misery to a stranger, and to ask for charity: it must be either a
+man of low mind who would thus demean himself, and that from a
+baseness which must render him insensible to the degradation, or
+a humble Christian, from a consciousness of generosity in
+himself, which must put him above the sense of shame.  I would
+have sacrificed half my life to be spared the humiliation.
+
+"`Tiberge,' said I, `kind Tiberge, will he refuse me what he
+has it in his power to grant?  No, he will assuredly sympathise
+in my misery; but he will also torture me with his lectures!  One
+must endure his reproaches, his exhortations, his threats: I
+shall have to purchase his assistance so dearly, that I would
+rather make any sacrifice than encounter this distressing scene,
+which cannot fail to leave me full of sorrow and remorse.  Well,'
+thought I again, `all hope must be relinquished, since no other
+course presents itself: so far am I from adopting either of
+these, that I would sooner shed half my blood than face one of
+these evils, or the last drop rather than encounter both.  Yes,
+the very last drop,' I repeated after a moment's reflection, `I
+would sacrifice willingly rather than submit to such base
+supplication!
+
+"`But it is not in reality a question of my existence!  Manon's
+life and maintenance, her love and her fidelity, are at stake! 
+What consideration can outweigh that?  In her are centred all my
+glory, happiness, and future fortune!  There are doubtless many
+things that I would gladly give up my life to obtain, or to
+avoid; but to estimate a thing merely beyond the value of my own
+life, is not putting it on a par with that of Manon.'  This idea
+soon decided me: I went on my way, resolved to go first to
+Tiberge, and afterwards to M. de T----.
+
+"On entering Paris I took a hackney-coach, though I had not
+wherewithal to pay for it; I calculated on the loan I was going
+to solicit.  I drove to the Luxembourg, whence I sent word to
+Tiberge that I was waiting for him.  I had not to stay many
+minutes.  I told him without hesitation the extremity of my
+wants.  He asked if the fifty pounds which I had returned to him
+would suffice, and he at once went to fetch it with that generous
+air, that pleasure in bestowing which `blesseth him that gives,
+and him that takes,' and which can only be known to love or to
+true friendship.
+
+"Although I had never entertained a doubt of Tiberge's readiness
+to grant my request, yet I was surprised at having obtained it on
+such easy terms, that is to say, without a word of reprimand for
+my impenitence; but I was premature in fancying myself safe from
+his reproaches, for when he had counted out the money, and I was
+on the point of going away, he begged of me to take a walk with
+him in the garden.  I had not mentioned Manon's name; he knew
+nothing of her escape; so that his lecture was merely upon my own
+rash flight from St. Lazare, and upon his apprehensions lest,
+instead of profiting by the lessons of morality which I had
+received there, I should again relapse into dissipation.
+
+"He told me, that having gone to pay me a visit at St. Lazare,
+the day after my escape, he had been astonished beyond expression
+at hearing the mode in which I had effected it; that he had
+afterwards a conversation with the Superior; that the good Father
+had not quite recovered the shock; that he had, however, the
+generosity to conceal the real circumstances from the
+lieutenant-general of police, and that he had prevented the death
+of the porter from becoming known outside the walls; that I had,
+therefore, upon that score, no ground for alarm, but that, if I
+retained one grain of prudence, I should profit by this happy
+turn which Providence had given to my affairs, and begin by
+writing to my father, and reconciling myself to his favour; and
+finally that, if I would be guided by his advice, I should at
+once quit Paris, and return to the bosom of my family.
+
+"I listened to him attentively till he had finished.  There was
+much in what he said to gratify me.  In the first place, I was
+delighted to learn that I had nothing to fear on account of St.
+Lazare--the streets of Paris at least were again open to me. 
+Then I rejoiced to find that Tiberge had no suspicion of Manon's
+escape, and her return to my arms.  I even remarked that he had
+not mentioned her name, probably from the idea that, by my
+seeming indifference to her, she had become less dear to my
+heart.  I resolved, if not to return home, at least to write to
+my father, as he advised me, and to assure him that I was
+disposed to return to my duty, and consult his wishes.  My
+intention was to urge him to send me money for the purpose of
+pursuing my ordinary studies at the University, for I should have
+found it difficult to persuade him that I had any inclination to
+resume my ecclesiastical habit.  I was in truth not at all averse
+to what I was now going to promise him.  On the contrary, I was
+ready to apply myself to some creditable and rational pursuit, so
+far as the occupation would be compatible with my love.  I
+reckoned upon being able to live with my mistress, and at the
+same time continuing my studies.  I saw no inconsistency in this
+plan.
+
+"These thoughts were so satisfactory to my mind, that I promised
+Tiberge to dispatch a letter by that day's post to my father: in
+fact, on leaving him, I went into a scrivener's, and wrote in
+such a submissive and dutiful tone, that, on reading over my own
+letter, I anticipated the triumph I was going to achieve over my
+father's heart.
+
+"Although I had money enough to pay for a hackney-coach after my
+interview with Tiberge, I felt a pleasure in walking
+independently through the streets to M. de T----'s house.  There
+was great comfort in this unaccustomed exercise of my liberty, as
+to which my friend had assured me I had nothing now to apprehend. 
+However, it suddenly occurred to me, that he had been only
+referring to St. Lazare, and that I had the other affair of the
+Hospital on my hands; being implicated, if not as an accomplice,
+at all events as a witness.  This thought alarmed me so much,
+that I slipped down the first narrow street, and called a coach. 
+I went at once to M. de T----'s, and he laughed at my
+apprehensions.  I myself thought them ridiculous enough, when he
+informed me that there was no more danger from Lescaut's affray,
+than from the Hospital adventure.  He told me that, from the fear
+of their suspecting that he had a hand in Manon's escape, he had
+gone that morning to the Hospital and asked to see her,
+pretending not to know anything of what had happened; that they
+were so far from entertaining the least suspicion of either of
+us, that they lost no time in relating the adventure as a piece
+of news to him; and that they wondered how so pretty a girl as
+Manon Lescaut could have thought of eloping with a servant: that
+he replied with seeming indifference, that it by no means
+astonished him, for people would do anything for the sake of
+liberty.
+
+"He continued to tell me how he then went to Lescaut's
+apartments, in the hope of finding me there with my dear
+mistress; that the master of the house, who was a coachmaker,
+protested he had seen neither me nor Manon; but that it was no
+wonder that we had not appeared there, if our object was to see
+Lescaut, for that we must have doubtless heard of his having been
+assassinated about the very same time; upon which, he related all
+that he knew of the cause and circumstances of the murder.
+
+"About two hours previously, a guardsman of Lescaut's
+acquaintance had come to see him, and proposed play.  Lescaut had
+such a rapid and extravagant run of luck, that in an hour the
+young man was minus twelve hundred francs--all the money he had. 
+Finding himself without a sou, he begged of Lescaut to lend him
+half the sum he had lost; and there being some difficulty on this
+point, an angry quarrel arose between them.  Lescaut had refused
+to give him the required satisfaction, and the other swore, on
+quitting him, that he would take his life; a threat which he
+carried into execution the same night.  M. de T---- was kind
+enough to add, that he had felt the utmost anxiety on our
+account, and that, such as they were, he should gladly continue
+to us his services.  I at once told him the place of our retreat. 
+He begged of me to allow him to sup with us.
+
+"As I had nothing more to do than to procure the linen and
+clothes for Manon, I told him that we might start almost
+immediately, if he would be so good as to wait for me a moment
+while I went into one or two shops.  I know not whether he
+suspected that I made this proposition with the view of calling
+his generosity into play, or whether it was by the mere impulse
+of a kind heart; but, having consented to start immediately, he
+took me to a shopkeeper, who had lately furnished his house.  He
+there made me select several articles of a much higher price than
+I had proposed to myself; and when I was about paying the bill,
+he desired the man not to take a sou from me.  This he did so
+gracefully, that I felt no shame in accepting his present.  We
+then took the road to Chaillot together, where I arrived much
+more easy in mind than when I had left it that morning.
+
+"My return and the polite attentions of M. de T---- dispelled
+all Manon's melancholy.  `Let us forget our past annoyances, my
+dear soul,' said I to her, `and endeavour to live a still happier
+life than before.  After all, there are worse masters than love:
+fate cannot subject us to as much sorrow as love enables us to
+taste of happiness.'  Our supper was a true scene of joy.
+
+"In possession of Manon and of twelve hundred and fifty francs,
+I was prouder and more contented than the richest voluptuary of
+Paris with untold treasures.  Wealth should be measured by the
+means it affords us of satisfying our desires.  There did not
+remain to me at this moment a single wish unaccomplished.  Even
+the future gave me little concern.  I felt a hope, amounting
+almost to certainty, that my father would allow me the means of
+living respectably in Paris, because I had become entitled, on
+entering upon my twentieth year, to a share of my mother's
+fortune.  I did not conceal from Manon what was the extent of my
+present wealth; but I added, that it might suffice to support us
+until our fortune was bettered, either by the inheritance I have
+just alluded to, or by the resources of the hazard-table.
+
+
+
+VIII
+
+
+This Passion hath its floods in the very times of weakness,
+which are great prosperity, and great adversity; both which
+times kindle Love, and make it more fervent.--BACON.
+
+
+"For several weeks I thus continued to think only of enjoying
+the full luxury of my situation; and being restrained, by a sense
+of honour, as well as a lurking apprehension of the police, from
+renewing my intimacy with my former companions at the hotel of
+Transylvania, I began to play in certain coteries less notorious,
+where my good luck rendered it unnecessary for me to have
+recourse to my former accomplishments.  I passed a part of the
+afternoon in town, and returned always to supper at Chaillot,
+accompanied very often by M. de T----, whose intimacy and
+friendship for us daily increased.
+
+"Manon soon found resources against ennui.  She became
+acquainted with some young ladies, whom the spring brought into
+the neighbourhood.  They occupied their leisure hours in walking,
+and the customary amusements of persons of their sex and age. 
+Their little gains at cards (always within innocent limits) were
+laid out in defraying the expense of a coach, in which they took
+an airing occasionally in the Bois de Boulogne; and each night
+when I returned, I was sure of finding Manon more beautiful--more
+contented--more affectionate than ever.
+
+"There arose, however, certain clouds, which seemed to threaten
+the continuance of this blissful tranquillity, but they were soon
+dispelled; and Manon's sprightliness made the affair so
+excessively comical in its termination, that it is even now
+pleasing to recur to it, as a proof of the tenderness as well as
+the cheerfulness of her disposition.
+
+"The only servant we had came to me one day, with great
+embarrassment, and taking me aside, told me that he had a secret
+of the utmost importance to communicate to me.  I urged him to
+explain himself without reserve.  After some hesitation, he gave
+me to understand that a foreigner of high rank had apparently
+fallen in love with Manon.  I felt my blood boil at the
+announcement.  `Has she shown any penchant for him?'  I enquired,
+interrupting my informant with more impatience than was
+requisite, if I desired to have a full explanation.
+
+"He was alarmed at my excitement; and replied in an undecided
+tone, that he had not made sufficiently minute observation to
+satisfy me; but that, having noticed for several days together
+the regular arrival of the stranger at the Bois de Boulogne,
+where, quitting his carriage, he walked by himself in the
+cross-avenues, appearing to seek opportunities of meeting Manon,
+it had occurred to him to form an acquaintance with the servants,
+in order to discover the name of their master; that they spoke of
+him as an Italian prince, and that they also suspected he was
+upon some adventure of gallantry.  He had not been able to learn
+anything further, he added, trembling as he spoke, because the
+prince, then on the point of leaving the wood, had approached
+him, and with the most condescending familiarity asked his name;
+upon which, as if he at once knew that he was in our service, he
+congratulated him on having, for his mistress, the most
+enchanting person upon earth.
+
+"I listened to this recital with the greatest impatience.  He
+ended with the most awkward excuses, which I attributed to the
+premature and imprudent display of my own agitation.  In vain I
+implored him to continue his history.  He protested that he knew
+nothing more, and that what he had previously told me, having
+only happened the preceding day, he had not had a second
+opportunity of seeing the prince's servants.  I encouraged him,
+not only with praises, but with a substantial recompense; and
+without betraying the slightest distrust of Manon, I requested
+him, in the mildest manner, to keep strict watch upon all the
+foreigner's movements.
+
+"In truth, the effect of his fright was to leave me in a state
+of the cruellest suspense.  It was possible that she had ordered
+him to suppress part of the truth.  However, after a little
+reflection, I recovered sufficiently from my fears to see the
+manner in which I had exposed my weaknesses.  I could hardly
+consider it a crime in Manon to be loved.  Judging from
+appearances, it was probable that she was not even aware of her
+conquest.  `And what kind of life shall I in future lead,'
+thought I, `if I am capable of letting jealousy so easily take
+possession of my mind?'
+
+"I returned on the following day to Paris, with no other
+intention than to hasten the improvement of my fortune, by
+playing deeper than ever, in order to be in a condition to quit
+Chaillot on the first real occasion for uneasiness.  That night I
+learned nothing at all calculated to trouble my repose.  The
+foreigner had, as usual, made his appearance in the Bois de
+Boulogne; and venturing, from what had passed the preceding day,
+to accost my servant more familiarly, he spoke to him openly of
+his passion, but in such terms as not to lead to the slightest
+suspicion of Manon's being aware of it.  He put a thousand
+questions to him, and at last tried to bribe him with large
+promises; and taking a letter from his pocket, he in vain
+entreated him, with the promise of some louis d'ors, to convey it
+to her.
+
+"Two days passed without anything more occurring: the third was
+of a different character.  I learned on my arrival, later than
+usual, from Paris, that Manon, while in the wood, had left her
+companions for a moment, and that the foreigner, who had followed
+her at a short distance, approached, upon her making him a sign,
+and that she handed him a letter, which he took with a transport
+of joy.  He had only time to express his delight by kissing the
+billet-doux, for she was out of sight in an instant.  But she
+appeared in unusually high spirits the remainder of the day; and
+even after her return to our lodgings, her gaiety continued.  I
+trembled at every word.
+
+"`Are you perfectly sure,' said I, in an agony of fear, to my
+servant, `that your eyes have not deceived you?'  He called
+Heaven to witness the truth of what he had told me. 
+
+"I know not to what excess the torments of my mind would have
+driven me, if Manon, who heard me come in, had not met me with an
+air of impatience, and complained of my delay.  Before I had time
+to reply, she loaded me with caresses; and when she found we were
+alone, she reproached me warmly with the habit I was contracting
+of staying out so late.  My silence gave her an opportunity of
+continuing; and she then said that for the last three weeks I had
+never spent one entire day in her society; that she could not
+endure such prolonged absence; that she should at least expect me
+to give up a day to her from time to time, and that she
+particularly wished me to be with her on the following day from
+morning till night.
+
+"`You may be very certain I shall do that,' said I, in rather a
+sharp tone.  She did not appear to notice my annoyance; she
+seemed to me to have more than her usual cheerfulness; and she
+described, with infinite pleasantry, the manner in which she had
+spent the day.
+
+"`Incomprehensible girl!" said I to myself; `what am I to
+expect after such a prelude?' The adventures of my first
+separation occurred to me; nevertheless, I fancied I saw in her
+cheerfulness, and the affectionate reception she gave me, an air
+of truth that perfectly accorded with her professions.
+
+"It was an easy matter at supper to account for the low spirits
+which I could not conceal, by attributing them to a loss I had
+that day sustained at the gaming-table.  I considered it most
+fortunate that the idea of my remaining all the next day at
+Chaillot was suggested by herself: I should thus have ample time
+for deliberation.  My presence would prevent any fears for at
+least the next day; and if nothing should occur to compel me to
+disclose the discovery I had already made, I was determined on
+the following day to move my establishment into town, and fix
+myself in a quarter where I should have nothing to apprehend from
+the interference of princes.  This arrangement made me pass the
+night more tranquilly, but it by no means put an end to the alarm
+I felt at the prospect of a new infidelity.
+
+"When I awoke in the morning, Manon said to me, that although we
+were to pass the day at home, she did not at all wish that I
+should be less carefully dressed than on other occasions; and
+that she had a particular fancy for doing the duties of my
+toilette that morning with her own hands.  It was an amusement
+she often indulged in: but she appeared to take more pains on
+this occasion than I had ever observed before.  To gratify her, I
+was obliged to sit at her toilette table, and try all the
+different modes she imagined for dressing my hair.  In the course
+of the operation, she made me often turn my head round towards
+her, and putting both hands upon my shoulders, she would examine
+me with most anxious curiosity: then, showing her approbation by
+one or two kisses, she would make me resume my position before
+the glass, in order to continue her occupation.
+
+"This amatory trifling engaged us till dinner-time.  The
+pleasure she seemed to derive from it, and her more than usual
+gaiety, appeared to me so thoroughly natural, that I found it
+impossible any longer to suspect the treason I had previously
+conjured up; and I was several times on the point of candidly
+opening my mind to her, and throwing off a load that had begun to
+weigh heavily upon my heart: but I flattered myself with the hope
+that the explanation would every moment come from herself, and I
+anticipated the delicious triumph this would afford me.
+
+"We returned to her boudoir.  She began again to put my hair in
+order, and I humoured all her whims; when they came to say that
+the Prince of ---- was below, and wished to see her.  The name
+alone almost threw me into a rage.
+
+"`What then,' exclaimed I, as I indignantly pushed her from me,
+`who?--what prince?'
+
+"She made no answer to my enquiries.
+
+"`Show him upstairs,' said she coolly to the servant; and then
+turning towards me, `Dearest love! you whom I so fervently
+adore,' she added in the most bewitching tone, `I only ask of you
+one moment's patience; one moment, one single moment!  I will
+love you ten thousand times more than ever: your compliance now
+shall never, during my life, be forgotten.'
+
+"Indignation and astonishment deprived me of the power of
+utterance.  She renewed her entreaties, and I could not find
+adequate expressions to convey my feelings of anger and contempt. 
+But hearing the door of the ante-chamber open, she grasped with
+one hand my locks, which were floating over my shoulders, while
+she took her toilette mirror in the other, and with all her
+strength led me in this manner to the door of the boudoir, which
+she opened with her knee, and presented to the foreigner, who had
+been prevented by the noise he heard inside from advancing beyond
+the middle of the ante-chamber, a spectacle that must have indeed
+amazed him.  I saw a man extremely well dressed, but with a
+particularly ill-favoured countenance.
+
+"Notwithstanding his embarrassment, he made her a profound bow. 
+Manon gave him no time for speech-making; she held up the mirror
+before him:  `Look, sir,' said she to him, `observe yourself
+minutely, and I only ask you then to do me justice.  You wish me
+to love you: this is the man whom I love, and whom I have sworn
+to love during my whole life: make the comparison yourself.  If
+you think you can rival him in my affections, tell me at least
+upon what pretensions; for I solemnly declare to you, that, in
+the estimation of your most obedient humble servant, all the
+princes in Italy are not worth a single one of the hairs I now
+hold in my hand.'
+
+"During this whimsical harangue, which she had apparently
+prepared beforehand, I tried in vain to disengage myself, and
+feeling compassion for a person of such consideration, I was
+desirous, by my politeness at least, of making some reparation
+for this little outrage.  But recovering his self-possession with
+the ease of a man accustomed to the world, he put an end to my
+feelings of pity by his reply, which was, in my opinion, rude
+enough. 
+
+"`Young lady! young lady!' said he to her, with a sardonic
+smile, 'my eyes in truth are opened, and I perceive that you are
+much less of a novice than I had pictured to myself.'
+
+"He immediately retired without looking at her again, muttering
+to himself that the French women were quite as bad as those of
+Italy.  I felt little desire, on this occasion, to change his
+opinion of the fair sex.
+
+"Manon let go my hand, threw herself into an armchair, and made
+the room resound with her shouts of laughter.  I candidly confess
+that I was touched most sensibly by this unexpected proof of her
+affection, and by the sacrifice of her own interest which I had
+just witnessed, and which she could only have been induced to
+make by her excessive love for me.  Still, however, I could not
+help thinking she had gone rather too far.  I reproached her with
+what I called her indiscretion.  She told me that my rival, after
+having besieged her for several days in the Bois de Boulogne, and
+having made her comprehend his object by signs and grimaces, had
+actually made an open declaration of love; informing her at the
+same time of his name and all his titles, by means of a letter,
+which he had sent through the hands of the coachman who drove her
+and her companions; that he had promised her, on the other side
+of the Alps, a brilliant fortune and eternal adoration; that she
+returned to Chaillot, with the intention of relating to me the
+whole adventure, but that, fancying it might be made a source of
+amusement to us, she could not help gratifying her whim; that she
+accordingly invited the Italian prince, by a flattering note, to
+pay her a visit; and that it had afforded her equal delight to
+make me an accomplice, without giving me the least suspicion of
+her plan.  I said not a word of the information I had received
+through another channel; and the intoxication of triumphant love
+made me applaud all she had done.
+
+
+
+IX
+
+
+'Twas ever thus;--from childhood's hour
+  I've seen my fondest hopes decay;--
+I never loved a tree or flower,
+  But it was sure to fade away;
+I never nursed a dear Gazelle,
+  To glad me with its dark-blue eye,
+But, when it came to know me well,
+  And love me, it was sure to die.
+
+MOORE.
+
+
+"During my life I have remarked that fate has invariably chosen
+for the time of its severest visitations, those moments when my
+fortune seemed established on the firmest basis.  In the
+friendship of M. de T----, and the tender affections of Manon, I
+imagined myself so thoroughly happy, that I could not harbour the
+slightest apprehension of any new misfortune: there was one,
+nevertheless, at this very period impending, which reduced me to
+the state in which you beheld me at Passy, and which eventually
+brought in its train miseries of so deplorable a nature, that you
+will have difficulty in believing the simple recital that follows.
+
+"One evening, when M. de T---- remained to sup with us, we heard
+the sound of a carriage stopping at the door of the inn. 
+Curiosity tempted us to see who it was that arrived at this hour. 
+They told us it was young G---- M----, the son of our most
+vindictive enemy, of that debauched old sinner who had
+incarcerated me in St. Lazare, and Manon in the Hospital.  His
+name made the blood mount to my cheeks.  `It is Providence that
+has led him here,' said I to M. de T----, that I may punish him
+for the cowardly baseness of his father.  He shall not escape
+without our measuring swords at least.'  M. de T----, who knew
+him, and was even one of his most intimate friends, tried to
+moderate my feelings of anger towards him.  He assured me that he
+was a most amiable young man, and so little capable of
+countenancing his father's conduct, that I could not be many
+minutes in his society without feeling esteem and affection for
+him.  After saying many more things in his praise, he begged my
+permission to invite him to come and sit in our apartment, as
+well as to share the remainder of our supper.  As to the
+objection of Manon being exposed by this proceeding to any
+danger, he pledged his honour and good faith, that when once the
+young man became acquainted with us, we should find in him a most
+zealous defender.  After such an assurance, I could offer no
+further opposition.
+
+"M. de T---- did not introduce him without delaying a few
+moments outside, to let him know who we were.  He certainly came
+in with an air that prepossessed us in his favour: he shook hands
+with me; we sat down; he admired Manon; he appeared pleased with
+me, and with everything that belonged to us; and he ate with an
+appetite that did abundant honour to our hospitality.
+
+"When the table was cleared, our conversation became more
+serious.  He hung down his head while he spoke of his father's
+conduct towards us. He made, on his own part, the most submissive
+excuses.  `I say the less upon the subject,' said he, `because I
+do not wish to recall a circumstance that fills me with grief and
+shame.'  If he were sincere in the beginning, he became much more
+so in the end, for the conversation had not lasted half an hour,
+when I perceived that Manon's charms had made a visible
+impression upon him.  His looks and his manner became by degrees
+more tender.  He, however, allowed no expression to escape him;
+but, without even the aid of jealousy, I had had experience
+enough in love affairs to discern what was passing.
+
+"He remained with us till a late hour in the night, and before
+he took his leave, congratulated himself on having made our
+acquaintance, and begged permission to call and renew the offer
+of his services.  He went off next morning with M. de T----, who
+accepted the offer of a seat in his carriage. 
+
+"I felt, as I before said, not the slightest symptom of jealousy
+I had a more foolish confidence than ever in Manon's vows.  This
+dear creature had so absolute a dominion over my whole soul and
+affections, that I could give place to no other sentiment towards
+her than that of admiration and love.  Far from considering it a
+crime that she should have pleased young G---- M----, I was
+gratified by the effect of her charms, and experienced only a
+feeling of pride in being loved by a girl whom the whole world
+found so enchanting.  I did not even deem it worth while to
+mention my suspicions to her.  We were for some days occupied in
+arranging her new wardrobe, and in considering whether we might
+venture to the theatre without the risk of being recognised.  M.
+de T---- came again to see us before the end of the week, and we
+consulted him upon this point.  He saw clearly that the way to
+please Manon was to say yes: we resolved to go all together that
+same evening.
+
+"We were not able, however, to carry this intention into effect;
+for, having taken me aside, `I have been in the greatest
+embarrassment,' said he to me, `since I saw you, and that is the
+cause of my visiting you today.  G---- M---- is in love with your
+mistress: he told me so in confidence; I am his intimate friend,
+and disposed to do him any service in my power; but I am not less
+devoted to you; his designs appeared to me unjustifiable, and I
+expressed my disapprobation of them; I should not have divulged
+his secret, if he had only intended to use fair and ordinary
+means for gaining Manon's affections; but he is aware of her
+capricious disposition; he has learned, God knows how, that her
+ruling passion is for affluence and pleasure; and, as he is
+already in possession of a considerable fortune, he declared his
+intention of tempting her at once with a present of great value,
+and the offer of an annuity of six thousand francs; if I had in
+all other points considered you both in an equal light, I should
+have had perhaps to do more violence to my feelings in betraying
+him: but a sense of justice as well as of friendship was on your
+side, and the more so from having been myself the imprudent,
+though unconscious, cause of his passion in introducing him here. 
+I feel it my duty therefore to avert any evil consequences from
+the mischief I have inadvertently caused.
+
+"I thanked M. de T---- for rendering me so important a service,
+and confessed to him, in a like spirit of confidence, that
+Manon's disposition was precisely what G---- M---- had imagined;
+that is to say, that she was incapable of enduring even the
+thought of poverty.  `However,' said I to him, `when it is a mere
+question of more or less, I do not believe that she would give me
+up for any other person; I can afford to let her want for
+nothing, and I have from day to day reason to hope that my
+fortune will improve; I only dread one thing,' continued I,
+`which is, that G---- M---- may take unfair advantage of the
+knowledge he has of our place of residence, and bring us into
+trouble by disclosing it.'
+
+"M. de T---- assured me that I might be perfectly easy upon that
+head; that G---- M---- might be capable of a silly passion, but
+not of an act of baseness; that if he ever could be villain
+enough for such a thing, he, de T----, would be the first to
+punish him, and by that means make reparation for the mischief he
+had occasioned.  `I feel grateful for what you say,' said I, `but
+the mischief will have been all done, and the remedy even seems
+doubtful; the wisest plan therefore will be to quit Chaillot, and
+go to reside elsewhere.'  `Very true,' said M. de T----, `but you
+will not be able to do it quickly enough, for G---- M---- is to
+be here at noon; he told me so yesterday, and it was that
+intelligence that made me come so early this morning to inform
+you of his intentions.  You may expect him every moment.'"
+
+"The urgency of the occasion made me view this matter in a more
+serious light.  As it seemed to me impossible to escape the visit
+of G---- M----, and perhaps equally so to prevent him from making
+his declaration to Manon, I resolved to tell her beforehand of
+the designs of my new rival.  I fancied that when she knew I was
+aware of the offers that would be made to her, and made probably
+in my presence, she would be the more likely to reject them.  I
+told M. de T---- of my intention, and he observed that he thought
+it a matter of extreme delicacy.  `I admit it,' said I, `but no
+man ever had more reason for confiding in a mistress, than I have
+for relying on the affection of mine.  The only thing that could
+possibly for a moment blind her, is the splendour of his offers;
+no doubt she loves her ease, but she loves me also; and in my
+present circumstances, I cannot believe that she would abandon me
+for the son of the man who had incarcerated her in the Magdalen.' 
+In fine, I persisted in my intentions, and taking Manon aside, I
+candidly told her what I had learned.
+
+"She thanked me for the good opinion I entertained of her, and
+promised to receive G---- M----'s offers in a way that should
+prevent a repetition of them.  `No,' said I, `you must not
+irritate him by incivility: he has it in his power to injure us. 
+But you know well enough, you little rogue,' continued I,
+smiling, `how to rid yourself of a disagreeable or useless
+lover!'  After a moment's pause she said:  `I have just thought
+of an admirable plan, and I certainly have a fertile invention. 
+G---- M---- is the son of our bitterest enemy: we must avenge
+ourselves on the father, not through the son's person, but
+through his purse.  My plan is to listen to his proposals, accept
+his presents, and then laugh at him.'
+
+"`The project is not a bad one,' said I to her; `but you
+forget, my dear child, that it is precisely the same course that
+conducted us formerly to the penitentiary.'  I represented to her
+the danger of such an enterprise; she replied, that the only
+thing necessary was to take our measures with caution, and she
+found an answer to every objection I started.  `Show me the lover
+who does not blindly humour every whim of an adored mistress, and
+I will then allow that I was wrong in yielding so easily on this
+occasion.'  The resolution was taken to make a dupe of G----M----,
+and by an unforeseen and unlucky turn of fortune, I became
+the victim myself. 
+
+"About eleven o'clock his carriage drove up to the door.  He
+made the most complaisant and refined speeches upon the liberty
+he had taken of coming to dine with us uninvited.  He was not
+surprised at meeting M. de T----, who had the night before
+promised to meet him there, and who had, under some pretext or
+other, refused a seat in his carriage.  Although there was not a
+single person in the party who was not at heart meditating
+treachery, we all sat down with an air of mutual confidence and
+friendship.  G---- M---- easily found an opportunity of declaring
+his sentiments to Manon.  I did not wish to annoy him by
+appearing vigilant, so I left the room purposely for several
+minutes.
+
+"I perceived on my return that he had not had to encounter any
+very discouraging austerity on Manon's part, for he was in the
+best possible spirits.  I affected good humour also.  He was
+laughing in his mind at my simplicity, while I was not less
+diverted by his own.  During the whole evening we were thus
+supplying to each other an inexhaustible fund of amusement.  I
+contrived, before his departure, to let him have Manon for
+another moment to himself; so that he had reason to applaud my
+complaisance, as well as the hospitable reception I had given
+him.
+
+"As soon as he got into his carriage with M. de T----, Manon ran
+towards me with extended arms, and embraced me; laughing all the
+while immoderately.  She repeated all his speeches and proposals,
+without altering a word.  This was the substance:  He of course
+adored her; and wished to share with her a large fortune of which
+he was already in possession, without counting what he was to
+inherit at his father's death.  She should be sole mistress of
+his heart and fortune; and as an immediate token of his
+liberality, he was ready at once to supply her with an equipage,
+a furnished house, a lady's maid, three footmen, and a man-cook.
+
+"`There is indeed a son,' said I, `very different from his father!
+But tell me truly, now, does not such an offer tempt you?'
+`Me!' she replied, adapting to the idea two verses from Racine--
+
+
+Moi! vous me soupconnez de cette perfidie?              
+Moi! je pourrais souffrir un visage odieux,
+Qui rappelle toujours l'Hopital a mes yeux?
+
+
+`No I' replied I, continuing the parody--
+
+
+J'aurais peine a penser que l'Hopital, madame,           
+Fut un trait dont l'amour l'eut grave dans votre ame.
+
+
+`But it assuredly is a temptation--a furnished house, a lady's
+maid, a cook, a carriage, and three servants--gallantry can offer
+but few more seductive temptations.'
+
+"She protested that her heart was entirely mine, and that it was
+for the future only open to the impressions I chose to make upon
+it.  `I look upon his promises,' said she, `as an instrument for
+revenge, rather than as a mark of love.'  I asked her if she
+thought of accepting the hotel and the carriage.  She replied
+that his money was all she wanted.
+
+The difficulty was, how to obtain the one without the other; we
+resolved to wait for a detailed explanation of the whole project
+in a letter which G---- M---- promised to write to her, and which
+in fact she received next morning by a servant out of livery,
+who, very cleverly, contrived an opportunity of speaking to her
+alone.
+
+She told him to wait for an answer, and immediately brought the
+letter to me: we opened it together.
+
+"Passing over the usual commonplace expressions of tenderness,
+it gave a particular detail of my rival's promises.  There were
+no limits to the expense.  He engaged to pay her down ten
+thousand francs on her taking possession of the hotel, and to
+supply her expenditure in such a way as that she should never
+have less than that sum at her command.  The appointed day for
+her entering into possession was close at hand.  He only required
+two days for all his preparations, and he mentioned the name of
+the street and the hotel, where he promised to be in waiting for
+her in the afternoon of the second day, if she could manage to
+escape my vigilance.  That was the only point upon which he
+begged of her to relieve his uneasiness; he seemed to be quite
+satisfied upon every other: but he added that, if she apprehended
+any difficulty in escaping from me, he could find sure means for
+facilitating her flight.
+
+"G---- M---- the younger was more cunning than the old
+gentleman.  He wanted to secure his prey before he counted out
+the cash.  We considered what course Manon should adopt.  I made
+another effort to induce her to give up the scheme, and strongly
+represented all its dangers; nothing, however, could shake her
+determination.
+
+"Her answer to G---- M---- was brief, merely assuring him that
+she could be, without the least difficulty, in Paris on the
+appointed day and that he might expect her with certainty.
+
+"We then resolved, that I should instantly hire lodgings in some
+village on the other side of Paris, and that I should take our
+luggage with me; that in the afternoon of the following day,
+which was the time appointed, she should go to Paris; that, after
+receiving G---- M----'s presents, she should earnestly entreat
+him to take her to the theatre; that she should carry with her as
+large a portion of the money as she could, and charge my servant
+with the remainder, for it was agreed that he was to accompany
+her.  He was the man who had rescued her from the Magdalen, and
+he was devotedly attached to us.  I was to be with a
+hackney-coach at the end of the street of St. Andre-des-arcs, and
+to leave it there about seven o'clock, while I stole, under cover
+of the twilight, to the door of the theatre.  Manon promised to
+make some excuse for quitting her box for a moment, when she
+would come down and join me.  The rest could be easily done.  We
+were then to return to my hackney-coach, and quit Paris by the
+Faubourg St. Antoine, which was the road to our new residence.
+
+"This plan, extravagant as it was, appeared to us satisfactorily
+arranged.  But our greatest folly was in imagining that, succeed
+as we might in its execution, it would be possible for us to
+escape the consequences.  Nevertheless, we exposed ourselves to
+all risk with the blindest confidence.  Manon took her departure
+with Marcel--so was the servant called.  I could not help feeling
+a pang as she took leave of me.  `Manon,' said I, `do not deceive
+me; will you be faithful to me?'  She complained, in the
+tenderest tone, of my want of confidence, and renewed all her
+protestations of eternal love.
+
+"She was to be in Paris at three o'clock.  I went some time
+after.  I spent the remainder of the afternoon moping in the Cafe
+de Fere, near the Pont St. Michel.  I remained there till
+nightfall.  I then hired a hackney-coach, which I placed,
+according to our plan, at the end of the street of St.
+Andre-des-arcs, and went on foot to the door of the theatre.  I
+was surprised at not seeing Marcel, who was to have been there
+waiting for me.  I waited patiently for a full hour, standing
+among a crowd of lackeys, and gazing at every person that passed. 
+At length, seven o'clock having struck, without my being able to
+discover anything or any person connected with our project, I
+procured a pit ticket, in order to ascertain if Manon and G----
+M---- were in the boxes.  Neither one nor the other could I find. 
+I returned to the door, where I again stopped for a quarter of an
+hour, in an agony of impatience and uneasiness.  No person
+appeared, and I went back to the coach, without knowing what to
+conjecture.  The coachman, seeing me, advanced a few paces
+towards me, and said, with a mysterious air, that a very handsome
+young person had been waiting more than an hour for me in the
+coach; that she described me so exactly that he could not be
+mistaken, and having learned that I intended to return, she said
+she would enter the coach and wait with patience.
+
+"I felt confident that it was Manon.  I approached.  I beheld
+a very pretty face, certainly, but alas, not hers.  The lady
+asked, in a voice that I had never before heard, whether she had
+the honour of speaking to the Chevalier des Grieux?  I answered,
+`That is my name.'  `I have a letter for you,' said she, `which
+will tell you what has brought me here, and by what means I
+learned your name.'  I begged she would allow me a few moments to
+read it in an adjoining cafe.  She proposed to follow me, and
+advised me to ask for a private room, to which I consented.  `Who
+is the writer of this letter?' I enquired.  She referred me to
+the letter itself.
+
+"I recognised Manon's hand.  This is nearly the substance of the
+letter:  G---- M---- had received her with a politeness and
+magnificence beyond anything she had previously conceived.  He
+had loaded her with the most gorgeous presents.  She had the
+prospect of almost imperial splendour.  She assured me, however,
+that she could not forget me amidst all this magnificence; but
+that, not being able to prevail on G---- M---- to take her that
+evening to the play, she was obliged to defer the pleasure of
+seeing me; and that, as a slight consolation for the
+disappointment which she feared this might cause me, she had
+found a messenger in one of the loveliest girls in all Paris. 
+She signed herself, `Your loving and constant, MANON LESCAUT.'
+
+"There was something so cruel and so insulting in the letter,
+that, what between indignation and grief, I resolutely determined
+to forget eternally my ungrateful and perjured mistress.  I
+looked at the young woman who stood before me: she was
+exceedingly pretty, and I could have wished that she had been
+sufficiently so to render me inconstant in my turn.  But there
+were wanting those lovely and languishing eyes, that divine
+gracefulness, that exquisite complexion, in fine, those
+innumerable charms which nature had so profusely lavished upon
+the perfidious Manon.  `No, no,' said I, turning away from her;
+`the ungrateful wretch who sent you knew in her heart that she
+was sending you on a useless errand.  Return to her; and tell her
+from me, to triumph in her crime, and enjoy it, if she can,
+without remorse.  I abandon her in despair, and, at the same
+time, renounce all women, who, without her fascination, are no
+doubt her equals in baseness and infidelity.'
+
+"I was then on the point of going away, determined never to
+bestow another thought on Manon: the mortal jealousy that was
+racking my heart lay concealed under a dark and sullen
+melancholy, and I fancied, because I felt none of those violent
+emotions which I had experienced upon former occasions, that I
+had shaken off my thraldom.  Alas! I was even at that moment
+infinitely more the dupe of love, than of G---- M---- and Manon.
+
+"The girl who had brought the letter, seeing me about to depart,
+asked me what I wished her to say to M. G---- M----, and to the
+lady who was with him?  At this question, I stepped back again
+into the room, and by one of those unaccountable transitions that
+are only known to the victims of violent passion, I passed in an
+instant from the state of subdued tranquillity which I have just
+described, into an ungovernable fury `Away!' said I to her, `tell
+the traitor G---- M----and his abandoned mistress the state of
+despair into which your accursed mission has cast me; but warn
+them that it shall not be long a source of amusement to them, and
+that my own hands shall be warmed with the heart's blood of
+both!'  I sank back upon a chair; my hat fell on one side, and my
+cane upon the other: torrents of bitter tears rolled down my
+cheeks.  The paroxysm of rage changed into a profound and silent
+grief: I did nothing but weep and sigh.  `Approach, my child,
+approach,' said I to the young girl; `approach, since it is you
+they have sent to bring me comfort; tell me whether you have any
+balm to administer for the pangs of despair and rage--any
+argument to offer against the crime of self-destruction, which I
+have resolved upon, after ridding the world of two perfidious
+monsters.  Yes, approach,' continued I, perceiving that she
+advanced with timid and doubtful steps; `come and dry my sorrows;
+come and restore peace to my mind; come and tell me that at least
+you love me: you are handsome--I may perhaps love you in return.' 
+The poor child, who was only sixteen or seventeen years of age,
+and who appeared more modest than girls of her class generally
+are, was thunderstruck at this unusual scene.  She however gently
+approached to caress me, when with uplifted hands I rudely
+repulsed her.  `What do you wish with me?' exclaimed I to her. 
+`Ah! you are a woman, and of a sex I abhor, and can no longer
+tolerate; the very gentleness of your look threatens me with some
+new treason.  Go, leave me here alone!'  She made me a curtsy
+without uttering a word, and turned to go out.  I called to her
+to stop:  `Tell me at least,' said I, `wherefore-- how--with what
+design they sent you here? how did you discover my name, or the
+place where you could find me?'
+
+"She told me that she had long known M. G---- M----; that he had
+sent for her that evening about five o'clock; and that, having
+followed the servant who had been dispatched to her, she was
+shown into a large house, where she found him playing at picquet
+with a beautiful young woman; and that they both charged her to
+deliver the letter into my hands, after telling her that she
+would find me in a hackney-coach at the bottom of the street of
+St. Andre.  I asked if they had said nothing more.  She blushed
+while she replied, that they had certainly made her believe that
+I should be glad of her society.  `They have deceived you too,'
+said I, `my poor girl--they have deceived you; you are a woman,
+and probably wish for a lover; but you must find one who is rich
+and happy, and it is not here you will find him.  Return, return
+to M. G---- M----; he possesses everything requisite to make a
+man beloved.  He has furnished houses and equipages to bestow,
+while I, who have nothing but constancy of love to offer, am
+despised for my poverty, and laughed at for my simplicity.'
+
+"I continued in a tone of sorrow or violence, as these feelings
+alternately took possession of my mind.  However, by the very
+excess of my agitation, I became gradually so subdued as to be
+able calmly to reflect upon the situation of affairs.  I compared
+this new misfortune with those which I had already experienced of
+the same kind, and I could not perceive that there was any more
+reason for despair now, than upon former occasions.  I knew
+Manon: why then distress myself on account of a calamity which I
+could not but have plainly foreseen?  Why not rather think of
+seeking a remedy? there was yet time; I at least ought not to
+spare my own exertions, if I wished to avoid the bitter reproach
+of having contributed, by my own indolence, to my misery.  I
+thereupon set about considering every means of raising a gleam of
+hope.
+
+"To attempt to take her by main force from the hands of
+G----M---- was too desperate a project, calculated only to ruin
+me, and without the slightest probability of succeeding.  But it
+seemed to me that if I could ensure a moment's interview with
+her, I could not fail to regain my influence over her affections. 
+I so well knew how to excite her sensibilities!  I was so
+confident of her love for me!  The very whim even of sending me a
+pretty woman by way of consoling me, I would stake my existence,
+was her idea, and that it was the suggestion of her own sincere
+sympathy for my sufferings.
+
+"I resolved to exert every nerve to procure an interview.  After
+a multitude of plans which I canvassed one after another, I fixed
+upon the following:  M. de T---- had shown so much sincerity in
+the services he had rendered me, that I could not entertain a
+doubt of his zeal and good faith.  I proposed to call upon him at
+once, and make him send for G---- M----, under pretence of some
+important business.  Half an hour would suffice to enable me to
+see Manon.  I thought it would not be difficult to get introduced
+into her apartment during G---- M----'s absence.
+
+"This determination pacified me, and I gave a liberal present to
+the girl, who was still with me; and in order to prevent her from
+returning to those who had sent her, I took down her address, and
+half promised to call upon her at a later hour.  I then got into
+the hackney-coach, and drove quickly to M. de T----'s.  I was
+fortunate enough to find him at home.  I had been apprehensive
+upon this point as I went along.  A single sentence put him in
+possession of the whole case, as well of my sufferings, as of the
+friendly service I had come to supplicate at his hands.
+
+"He was so astonished to learn that G---- M---- had been able to
+seduce Manon from me, that, not being aware that I had myself
+lent a hand to my own misfortune, he generously offered to
+assemble his friends, and evoke their aid for the deliverance of
+my mistress.  I told him that such a proceeding might by its
+publicity be attended with danger to Manon and to me.  `Let us
+risk our lives,' said I, `only as a last resource.  My plan is of
+a more peaceful nature, and promising at least equal success.' 
+He entered without a murmur into all that I proposed; so again
+stating that all I required was, that he should send for G----
+M----, and contrive to keep him an hour or two from home, we at
+once set about our operations.
+
+"We first of all considered what expedient we could make use of
+for keeping him out so long a time.  I proposed that he should
+write a note dated from a cafe, begging of him to come there as
+soon as possible upon an affair of too urgent importance to admit
+of delay.  `I will watch,' added I, `the moment he quits the
+house, and introduce myself without any difficulty, being only
+known to Manon, and my servant Marcel.  You can at the same time
+tell G----  M----, that the important affair upon which you
+wished to see him was the immediate want of a sum of money; that
+you had just emptied your purse at play, and that you had played
+on, with continued bad luck, upon credit.  He will require some
+time to take you to his father's house, where he keeps his money,
+and I shall have quite sufficient for the execution of my plan.'
+
+"M. de T---- minutely adhered to these directions.  I left him
+in a cafe, where he at once wrote his letter.  I took my station
+close by Manon's house.  I saw de T----'s messenger arrive, and
+G---- M---- come out the next moment, followed by a servant. 
+Allowing him barely time to get out of the street, I advanced to
+my deceiver's door, and notwithstanding the anger I felt, I
+knocked with as much respect as at the portal of a church. 
+Fortunately it was Marcel who opened for me.  Although I had
+nothing to apprehend from the other servants, I asked him in a
+low voice if he could conduct me unseen into the room in which
+Manon was.  He said that was easily done, by merely ascending the
+great staircase.  `Come then at once,' said I to him, `and
+endeavour to prevent anyone from coming up while I am there.'  I
+reached the apartment without any difficulty.
+
+"Manon was reading.  I had there an opportunity of admiring the
+singular character of this girl.  Instead of being nervous or
+alarmed at my appearance, she scarcely betrayed a symptom of
+surprise, which few persons, however indifferent, could restrain,
+on seeing one whom they imagined to be far distant.  `Ah! it is
+you, my dear love,' said she, approaching to embrace me with her
+usual tenderness. `Good heavens, how venturesome and foolhardy
+you are!  Who could have expected to see you in this place!' 
+Instead of embracing her in return, I repulsed her with
+indignation, and retreated two or three paces from her.  This
+evidently disconcerted her.  She remained immovable, and fixed
+her eyes on me, while she changed colour.
+
+"I was in reality so delighted to behold her once more, that,
+with so much real cause for anger, I could hardly bring my lips
+to upbraid her.  My heart, however, felt the cruel outrage she
+had inflicted upon me. I endeavoured to revive the recollection
+of it in my own mind, in order to excite my feelings, and put on
+a look of stern indignation.  I remained silent for a few
+moments, when I remarked that she observed my agitation, and
+trembled: apparently the effect of her fears.
+
+"I could not longer endure this spectacle. `Ah!  Manon,' said I
+to her in the mildest tone, `faithless and perjured Manon!  How
+am I to complain of your conduct?  I see you pale and trembling,
+and I am still so much alive to your slightest sufferings, that I
+am unwilling to add to them by my reproaches.  But, Manon, I tell
+you that my heart is pierced with sorrow at your treatment of
+me--treatment that is seldom inflicted but with the purpose of
+destroying one's life.  This is the third time, Manon; I have
+kept a correct account; it is impossible to forget that.  It is
+now for you to consider what course you will adopt; for my
+afflicted heart is no longer capable of sustaining such shocks. 
+I know and feel that it must give way, and it is at this moment
+ready to burst with grief.  I can say no more,' added I, throwing
+myself into a chair; `I have hardly strength to speak, or to
+support myself.'
+
+"She made me no reply; but when I was seated, she sank down upon
+her knees, and rested her head upon my lap, covering her face
+with her hands.  I perceived in a moment that she was shedding
+floods of tears.  Heavens! with what conflicting sensations was I
+at that instant agitated!  `Ah! Manon, Manon,' said I, sighing,
+`it is too late to give me tears after the death-blow you have
+inflicted.  You affect a sorrow which you cannot feel.  The
+greatest of your misfortunes is no doubt my presence, which has
+been always an obstacle to your happiness.  Open your eyes; look
+up and see who it is that is here; you will not throw away tears
+of tenderness upon an unhappy wretch whom you have betrayed and
+abandoned.' 
+
+"She kissed my hands without changing her position.  `Inconstant
+Manon,' said I again, `ungrateful and faithless girl, where now
+are all your promises and your vows?  Capricious and cruel that
+you are! what has now become of the love that you protested for
+me this very day?  Just Heavens,' added I, `is it thus you permit
+a traitor to mock you, after having called you so solemnly to
+witness her vows!  Recompense and reward then are for the
+perjured!  Despair and neglect are the lot of fidelity and
+truth!'
+
+"These words conveyed even to my own mind a sentiment so
+bitterly severe, that, in spite of myself, some tears escaped
+from me.  Manon perceived this by the change in my voice.  She at
+length spoke.  `I must have indeed done something most culpable,'
+said she, sobbing with grief, `to have excited and annoyed you to
+this degree; but, I call Heaven to attest my utter
+unconsciousness of crime, and my innocence of all criminal
+intention!'
+
+"This speech struck me as so devoid of reason and of truth, that
+I could not restrain a lively feeling of anger.  `Horrible
+hypocrisy!' cried I; `I see more plainly than ever that you are
+dishonest and treacherous.  Now at length I learn your wretched
+disposition.  Adieu, base creature,' said I, rising from my seat;
+`I would prefer death a thousand times rather than continue to
+hold the slightest communication with you.  May Heaven punish me,
+if I ever again waste upon you the smallest regard!  Live on with
+your new lover--renounce all feelings of honour--detest me--your
+love is now a matter to me of utter insignificance!'
+
+"Manon was so terrified by the violence of my anger, that,
+remaining on her knees by the chair from which I had just before
+risen, breathless and trembling, she fixed her eyes upon me.  I
+advanced a little farther towards the door, but, unless I had
+lost the last spark of humanity, I could not continue longer
+unmoved by such a spectacle.
+
+"So far, indeed, was I from this kind of stoical indifference,
+that, rushing at once into the very opposite extreme, I returned,
+or rather flew back to her without an instant's reflection.  I
+lifted her in my arms; I gave her a thousand tender kisses; I
+implored her to pardon my ungovernable temper; I confessed that I
+was an absolute brute, and unworthy of being loved by such an
+angel.
+
+"I made her sit down, and throwing myself, in my turn, upon my
+knees, I conjured her to listen to me in that attitude.  Then I
+briefly expressed all that a submissive and impassioned lover
+could say most tender and respectful.  I supplicated her pardon. 
+She let her arms fall over my neck, as she said that it was she
+who stood in need of forgiveness, and begged of me in mercy to
+forget all the annoyances she had caused me, and that she began,
+with reason, to fear that I should not approve of what she had to
+say in her justification.  `Me!' said I interrupting her
+impatiently; `I require no justification; I approve of all you
+have done.  It is not for me to demand excuses for anything you
+do; I am but too happy, too contented, if my dear Manon will only
+leave me master of her affections!  But,' continued I,
+remembering that it was the crisis of my fate, `may I not, Manon,
+all-powerful Manon, you who wield at your pleasure my joys and
+sorrows, may I not be permitted, after having conciliated you by
+my submission and all the signs of repentance, to speak to you
+now of my misery and distress?  May I now learn from your own
+lips what my destiny is to be, and whether you are resolved to
+sign my death-warrant, by spending even a single night with my
+rival?'
+
+"She considered a moment before she replied.  `My good
+chevalier,' said she, resuming the most tranquil tone, `if you
+had only at first explained yourself thus distinctly, you would
+have spared yourself a world of trouble, and prevented a scene
+that has really annoyed me.  Since your distress is the result of
+jealousy, I could at first have cured that by offering to
+accompany you where you pleased.  But I imagined it was caused by
+the letter which I was obliged to write in the presence of G----
+M----, and of the girl whom we sent with it.  I thought you might
+have construed that letter into a mockery; and have fancied that,
+by sending such a messenger, I meant to announce my abandonment
+of you for the sake of G---- M----.  It was this idea that at
+once overwhelmed me with grief; for, innocent as I knew myself to
+be, I could not but allow that appearances were against me. 
+However,' continued she, `I will leave you to judge of my
+conduct, after I shall have explained the whole truth.'
+
+"She then told me all that had occurred to her after joining
+G---- M----, whom she found punctually awaiting her arrival.  He
+had in fact received her in the most princely style.  He showed
+her through all the apartments, which were fitted up in the
+neatest and most correct taste.  He had counted out to her in her
+boudoir ten thousand francs, as well as a quantity of jewels,
+amongst which were the identical pearl necklace and bracelets
+which she had once before received as a present from his father. 
+He then led her into a splendid room, which she had not before
+seen, and in which an exquisite collation was served; she was
+waited upon by the new servants, whom he had hired purposely for
+her, and whom he now desired to consider themselves as
+exclusively her attendants; the carriage and the horses were
+afterwards paraded, and he then proposed a game of cards, until
+supper should be announced.
+
+"`I acknowledge,' continued Manon, `that I was dazzled by all
+this magnificence.  It struck me that it would be madness to
+sacrifice at once so many good things for the mere sake of
+carrying off the money and the jewels already in my possession;
+that it was a certain fortune made for both you and me, and that
+we might pass the remainder of our lives most agreeably and
+comfortably at the expense of G---- M----.
+
+"`Instead of proposing the theatre, I thought it more prudent
+to sound his feelings with regard to you, in order to ascertain
+what facilities we should have for meeting in future, on the
+supposition that I could carry my project into effect.  I found
+him of a most tractable disposition.  He asked me how I felt
+towards you, and if I had not experienced some compunction at
+quitting you.  I told him that you were so truly amiable, and had
+ever treated me with such undeviating kindness, that it was
+impossible I could hate you.  He admitted that you were a man of
+merit, and expressed an ardent desire to gain your friendship.
+
+"`He was anxious to know how I thought you would take my
+elopement, particularly when you should learn that I was in his
+hands.  I answered, that our love was of such long standing as to
+have had time to moderate a little; that, besides, you were not
+in very easy circumstances, and would probably not consider my
+departure as any severe misfortune, inasmuch as it would relieve
+you from a burden of no very insignificant nature.  I added that,
+being perfectly convinced you would take the whole matter
+rationally, I had not hesitated to tell you that I had some
+business in Paris; but you had at once consented, and that having
+accompanied me yourself, you did not seem very uneasy when we
+separated.
+
+"`If I thought,' said he to me, 'that he could bring himself to
+live on good terms with me, I should be too happy to make him a
+tender of my services and attentions.'  I assured him that, from
+what I knew of your disposition, I had no doubt you would
+acknowledge his kindness in a congenial spirit: especially, I
+added, if he could assist you in your affairs, which had become
+embarrassed since your disagreement with your family.  He
+interrupted me by declaring, that he would gladly render you any
+service in his power, and that if you were disposed to form a new
+attachment, he would introduce you to an extremely pretty woman,
+whom he had just given up for me.
+
+"`I approved of all he said,' she added, `for fear of exciting
+any suspicions; and being more and more satisfied of the
+feasibility of my scheme, I only longed for an opportunity of
+letting you into it, lest you should be alarmed at my not keeping
+my appointment.  With this view I suggested the idea of sending
+this young lady to you, in order to have an opportunity of
+writing; I was obliged to have recourse to this plan, because I
+could not see a chance of his leaving me to myself for a moment.'
+
+"`He was greatly amused with my proposition; he called his
+valet, and asking him whether he could immediately find his late
+mistress, he dispatched him at once in search of her.  He
+imagined that she would have to go to Chaillot to meet you, but I
+told him that, when we parted, I promised to meet you again at
+the theatre, or that, if anything should prevent me from going
+there, you were to wait for me in a coach at the end of the
+street of St. Andre; that consequently it would be best to send
+your new love there, if it were only to save you from the misery
+of suspense during the whole night.  I said it would be also
+necessary to write you a line of explanation, without which you
+would probably be puzzled by the whole transaction.  He
+consented; but I was obliged to write in his presence; and I took
+especial care not to explain matters too palpably in my letter. 
+
+"`This is the history,' said Manon, `of the entire affair.  I
+conceal nothing from you, of either my conduct or my intentions. 
+The girl arrived; I thought her handsome; and as I doubted not
+that you would be mortified by my absence, I did most sincerely
+hope that she would be able to dissipate something of your ennui:
+for it is the fidelity of the heart alone that I value.  I should
+have been too delighted to have sent Marcel, but I could not for
+a single instant find an opportunity of telling him what I wished
+to communicate to you.'  She finished her story by describing the
+embarrassment into which M. de T----'s letter had thrown G----
+M----; `he hesitated,' said she, `about leaving, and assured me
+that he should not be long absent; and it is on this account that
+I am uneasy at seeing you here, and that I betrayed, at your
+appearance, some slight feeling of surprise.'
+
+"I listened to her with great patience.  There were certainly
+parts of her recital sufficiently cruel and mortifying; for the
+intention, at least, of the infidelity was so obvious, that she
+had not even taken the trouble to disguise it.  She could never
+have imagined that G---- M---- meant to venerate her as a vestal. 
+She must therefore clearly have made up her mind to pass at least
+one night with him.  What an avowal for a lover's ears!  However,
+I considered myself as partly the cause of her guilt, by having
+been the first to let her know G---- M----'s sentiments towards
+her, and by the silly readiness with which I entered into this
+rash project.  Besides, by a natural bent of my mind, peculiar I
+believe to myself, I was duped by the ingenuousness of her
+story--by that open and winning manner with which she related
+even the circumstances most calculated to annoy me.  `There is
+nothing of wanton vice,' said I to myself, `in her
+transgressions; she is volatile and imprudent, but she is sincere
+and affectionate.'  My love alone rendered me blind to all her
+faults.  I was enchanted at the prospect of rescuing her that
+very night from my rival.  I said to her:  `With whom do you mean
+to pass the night?'  She was evidently disconcerted by the
+question, and answered me in an embarrassed manner with BUTS and
+IFS.
+
+"I felt for her, and interrupted her by saying that I at once
+expected her to accompany me.
+
+"`Nothing can give me more pleasure,' said she; `but you don't
+approve then of my project?'
+
+"`Is it not enough,' replied I, `that I approve of all that you
+have, up to this moment, done?'
+
+"`What,' said she, `are we not even to take the ten thousand
+francs with us?  Why, he gave me the money; it is mine.'
+
+"I advised her to leave everything, and let us think only of
+escaping for although I had been hardly half an hour with her, I
+began to dread the return of G---- M----.  However, she so
+earnestly urged me to consent to our going out with something in
+our pockets, that I thought myself bound to make her, on my part,
+some concession, in return for all she yielded to me.
+
+"While we were getting ready for our departure, I heard someone
+knock at the street door.  I felt convinced that it must be G----
+M----; and in the heat of the moment, I told Manon, that as sure
+as he appeared I would take his life.  In truth, I felt that I
+was not sufficiently recovered from my late excitement to be able
+to restrain my fury if I met him.  Marcel put an end to my
+uneasiness, by handing me a letter which he had received for me
+at the door; it was from M. de T----.
+
+"He told me that, as G---- M---- had gone to his father's house
+for the money which he wanted, he had taken advantage of his
+absence to communicate to me an amusing idea that had just come
+into his head; that it appeared to him, I could not possibly take
+a more agreeable revenge upon my rival, than by eating his
+supper, and spending the night in the very bed which he had hoped
+to share with my mistress; all this seemed to him easy enough, if
+I could only find two or three men upon whom I could depend, of
+courage sufficient to stop him in the street, and detain him in
+custody until next morning; that he would undertake to keep him
+occupied for another hour at least, under some pretext, which he
+could devise before G---- M----'s return.
+
+"I showed the note to Manon; I told her at the same time of the
+manner in which I had procured the interview with her.  My
+scheme, as well as the new one of M. de T----'s, delighted her:
+we laughed heartily at it for some minutes; but when I treated it
+as a mere joke, I was surprised at her insisting seriously upon
+it, as a thing perfectly practicable, and too delightful to be
+neglected.  In vain I enquired where she thought I could possibly
+find, on a sudden, men fit for such an adventure? and on whom I
+could rely for keeping G---- M---- in strict custody?  She said
+that I should at least try, as M. de T---- ensured us yet a full
+hour; and as to my other objections, she said that I was playing
+the tyrant, and did not show the slightest indulgence to her
+fancies.  She said that it was impossible there could be a more
+enchanting project.  `You will have his place at supper; you will
+sleep in his bed; and tomorrow, as early as you like, you can
+walk off with both his mistress and his money.  You may thus, at
+one blow, be amply revenged upon father and son.'
+
+"I yielded to her entreaties, in spite of the secret misgivings
+of my own mind, which seemed to forebode the unhappy catastrophe
+that afterwards befell me.  I went out with the intention of
+asking two or three guardsmen, with whom Lescaut had made me
+acquainted, to undertake the arrest of G---- M----.  I found only
+one of them at home, but he was a fellow ripe for any adventure;
+and he no sooner heard our plan, than he assured me of certain
+success: all he required were six pistoles, to reward the three
+private soldiers whom he determined to employ in the business.  I
+begged of him to lose no time.  He got them together in less than
+a quarter of in hour.  I waited at his lodgings till he returned
+with them, and then conducted him to the corner of a street
+through which I knew G----  M---- must pass an going back to
+Manon's house.  I requested him not to treat G---- M---- roughly,
+but to keep him confined, and so strictly watched, until seven
+o'clock next morning, that I might be free from all apprehension
+of his escape.  He told me his intention was to bring him a
+prisoner to his own room, and make him undress and sleep in his
+bed, while he and his gallant comrades should spend the night in
+drinking and playing.
+
+"I remained with them until we saw G---- M---- returning
+homewards; and I then withdrew a few steps into a dark recess in
+the street, to enjoy so entertaining and extraordinary a scene. 
+The officer challenged him with a pistol to his breast, and then
+told him, in a civil tone, that he did not want either his money
+or his life; but that if he hesitated to follow him, or if he
+gave the slightest alarm, he would blow his brains out.  G----
+M----, seeing that his assailant was supported by three soldiers,
+and perhaps not uninfluenced by a dread of the pistol, yielded
+without further resistance.  I saw him led away like a lamb.
+
+
+
+X
+
+
+What lost a world, and bade a hero fly?
+The timid tear in Cleopatra's eye.
+Yet be the soft triumvir's fault forgiven,
+By this, how many lose--not earth--but heaven!
+Consign their souls to man's eternal foe,
+And seal their own, to spare some wanton's, woe!
+
+BYRON.
+
+
+I soon returned to Manon; and to prevent the servants from having
+any suspicion, I told her in their hearing, that she need not
+expect M. G---- M---- to supper; that he was most reluctantly
+occupied with business which detained him, and that he had
+commissioned me to come and make his excuses, and to fill his
+place at the supper table; which, in the company of so beautiful
+a lady, I could not but consider a very high honour.  She
+seconded me with her usual adroitness.  We sat down to supper.  I
+put on the most serious air I could assume, while the servants
+were in the room, and at length having got rid of them, we
+passed, beyond all comparison, the most agreeable evening of my
+life.  I gave Marcel orders to find a hackney-coach, and engage
+it to be at the gate on the following morning a little before six
+o'clock.  I pretended to take leave of Manon about midnight, but
+easily gaining admission again, through Marcel, I proceeded to
+occupy G---- M----'s bed, as I had filled his place at the supper
+table.
+
+"In the meantime our evil genius was at work for our
+destruction.  We were like children enjoying the success of our
+silly scheme, while the sword hung suspended over our heads.  The
+thread which upheld it was just about to break; but the better to
+understand all the circumstances of our ruin, it is necessary to
+know the immediate cause.
+
+"G---- M---- was followed by a servant, when he was stopped by
+my friend the guardsman.  Alarmed by what he saw, this fellow
+retraced his steps, and the first thing he did was to go and
+inform old G---- M---- of what had just happened.
+
+"Such a piece of news, of course, excited him greatly.  This was
+his only son; and considering the old gentleman's advanced age,
+he was extremely active and ardent.  He first enquired of the
+servant what his son had been doing that afternoon; whether he
+had had any quarrel on his own account, or interfered in any
+other; whether he had been in any suspicious house.  The lackey,
+who fancied his master in imminent danger, and thought he ought
+not to have any reserve in such an emergency, disclosed at once
+all that he knew of his connection with Manon, and of the expense
+he had gone to on her account; the manner in which he had passed
+the afternoon with her until about nine o'clock, the circumstance
+of his leaving her, and the outrage he encountered on his return. 
+This was enough to convince him that his son's affair was a love
+quarrel.  Although it was then at least half-past ten at night,
+he determined at once to call on the lieutenant of police.  He
+begged of him to issue immediate orders to all the detachments
+that were out on duty, and he himself, taking some men with him,
+hastened to the street where his son had been stopped: he visited
+every place where he thought he might have a chance of finding
+him; and not being able to discover the slightest trace of him,
+he went off to the house of his mistress, to which he thought he
+probably might by this time have returned.
+
+"I was stepping into bed when he arrived.  The door of the
+chamber being closed, I did not hear the knock at the gate, but
+he rushed into the house, accompanied by two archers of the
+guard, and after fruitless enquiries of the servants about his
+son, he resolved to try whether he could get any information from
+their mistress.  He came up to the apartment, still accompanied
+by the guard.  We were just on the point of lying down when he
+burst open the door, and electrified us by his appearance. 
+`Heavens!' said I to Manon, `it is old G---- M----.'  I attempted
+to get possession of my sword; but it was fortunately entangled
+in my belt.  The archers, who saw my object, advanced to lay hold
+of me.  Stript to my shirt, I could, of course, offer no
+resistance, and they speedily deprived me of all means of
+defence.
+
+"G---- M----, although a good deal embarrassed by the whole
+scene, soon recognised me; and Manon still more easily.  `Is this
+a dream?' said he, in the most serious tone--`do I not see before
+me the Chevalier des Grieux and Manon Lescaut?'  I was so
+overcome with shame and disappointment, that I could make him no
+reply.  He appeared for some minutes revolving different thoughts
+in his mind; and as if they had suddenly excited his anger, he
+exclaimed, addressing himself to me:  `Wretch!  I am confident
+that you have murdered my son!'
+
+"I felt indignant at so insulting a charge.  `You hoary and
+lecherous villain!' I exclaimed, `if I had been inclined to kill
+any of your worthless family, it is with you I should most
+assuredly have commenced.' 
+
+"`Hold him fast,' cried he to the archers; `he must give me
+some tidings of my son; I shall have him hanged tomorrow, if he
+does not presently let me know how he has disposed of him.'
+
+"`You will have me hanged,' said I, `will you?  Infamous
+scoundrel! it is for such as you that the gibbet is erected.  Know
+that the blood which flows in my veins is noble, and purer in
+every sense than yours.  Yes,' I added, `I do know what has
+happened to your son; and if you irritate me further, I will have
+him strangled before morning; and I promise you the consolation
+of meeting in your own person the same fate, after he is disposed
+of.'
+
+"I was imprudent in acknowledging that I knew where his son was,
+but excess of anger made me commit this indiscretion.  He
+immediately called in five or six other archers, who were waiting
+at the gate, and ordered them to take all the servants into
+custody.  `Ah! ah! Chevalier,' said he, in a tone of sardonic
+raillery,--`so you do know where my son is, and you will have him
+strangled, you say?  We will try to set that matter to rights.'
+
+"I now saw the folly I had committed.
+
+"He approached Manon, who was sitting upon the bed, bathed in a
+flood of tears.  He said something, with the most cruel irony, of
+the despotic power she wielded over old and young, father and
+son-- her edifying dominion over her empire.  This superannuated
+monster of incontinence actually attempted to take liberties with
+her.
+
+"`Take care,' exclaimed I, `how you lay a finger upon her!--
+neither divine nor human law will be able, should your folly
+arouse it, to shield you from my vengeance!'
+
+"He quitted the room, desiring the archers to make us dress as
+quickly as possible.
+
+"I know not what were his intentions at that moment with regard
+to us; we might perhaps have regained our liberty if we had told
+him where his son was.  As I dressed, I considered whether this
+would not be the wisest course.  But if, on quitting the room,
+such had been the disposition of his mind, it was very different
+when he returned.  He had first gone to question Manon's
+servants, who were in the custody of the guard.  From those who
+had been expressly hired for her service by his son, he could
+learn nothing; but when he found that Marcel had been previously
+our servant, he determined to extract some information from him,
+by means of intimidation, threats, or bribes.
+
+"This lad was faithful, but weak and unsophisticated.  The
+remembrance of what he had done at the penitentiary for Manon's
+release, joined to the terror with which G---- M---- now inspired
+him, so subdued his mind, that he thought they were about leading
+him to the gallows, or the rack.  He promised that, if they would
+spare his life, he would disclose everything he knew.  This
+speech made G---- M---- imagine that there was something more
+serious in the affair than he had before supposed; he not only
+gave Marcel a promise of his life, but a handsome reward in hand
+for his intended confession. 
+
+"The booby then told him the leading features of our plot, of
+which we had made no secret before him, as he was himself to have
+borne a part in it.  True, he knew nothing of the alterations we
+had made at Paris in our original design; but he had been
+informed, before quitting Chaillot, of our projected adventure,
+and of the part he was to perform.  He therefore told him that
+the object was to make a dupe of his son; and that Manon was to
+receive, if she had not already received, ten thousand francs,
+which, according to our project, would be effectually lost to
+G---- M----, his heirs and assigns for ever.
+
+"Having acquired this information, the old gentleman hastened
+back in a rage to the apartment.  Without uttering a word, he
+passed into the boudoir, where he easily put his hand upon the
+money and the jewels.  He then accosted us, bursting with rage;
+and holding up what he was pleased to call our plunder, he loaded
+us with the most indignant reproaches.  He placed close to
+Manon's eye the pearl necklace and bracelets.  `Do you recognise
+them?' said he, in a tone of mockery; 'it is not, perhaps, the
+first time you may have seen them.  The identical pearls, by my
+faith!  They were selected by your own exquisite taste!  The poor
+innocents!' added he; `they really are most amiable creatures,
+both one and the other; but they are perhaps a little too much
+inclined to roguery.'
+
+"I could hardly contain my indignation at this speech.  I would
+have given for one moment's liberty--Heavens! what would I not
+have given?  At length, I suppressed my feelings sufficiently to
+say in a tone of moderation, which was but the refinement of
+rage:  `Put an end, sir, to this insolent mockery!  What is your
+object?  What do you purpose doing with us?'
+
+"`M. Chevalier,' he answered, `my object is to see you quietly
+lodged in the prison of Le Chatelet.  Tomorrow will bring
+daylight with it, and we shall then be able to take a clearer
+view of matters; and I hope you will at last do me the favour to
+let me know where my son is.'
+
+"It did not require much consideration to feel convinced that
+our incarceration in Le Chatelet would be a serious calamity.  I
+foresaw all the dangers that would ensue.  In spite of my pride,
+I plainly saw the necessity of bending before my fate, and
+conciliating my most implacable enemy by submission.  I begged of
+him, in the quietest manner, to listen to me.  `I wish to do
+myself but common justice, sir,' said I to him; `I admit that my
+youth has led me into egregious follies; and that you have had
+fair reason to complain: but if you have ever felt the resistless
+power of love, if you can enter into the sufferings of an unhappy
+young man, from whom all that he most loved was ravished, you may
+think me perhaps not so culpable in seeking the gratification of
+an innocent revenge; or at least, you may consider me
+sufficiently punished, by the exposure and degradation I have
+just now endured.  Neither pains nor imprisonment will be
+requisite to make me tell you where your son now is.  He is in
+perfect safety.  It was never my intention to injure him, nor to
+give you just cause for offence.  I am ready to let you know the
+place where he is safely passing the night, if, in return, you
+will set us at liberty.'
+
+"The old tiger, far from being softened by my prayer, turned his
+back upon me and laughed.  A few words, escaped him, which showed
+that he perfectly well knew our whole plan from the commencement. 
+As for his son, the brute said that he would easily find him,
+since I had not assassinated him.  `Conduct them to the
+Petit-Chatelet,' said he to the archers; `and take especial care
+that the chevalier does not escape you: he is a scamp that once
+before escaped from St. Lazare.'
+
+"He went out, and left me in a condition that you may picture to
+yourself.  `O Heavens!' cried I to myself, `I receive with humble
+submission all your visitations; but that a wretched scoundrel
+should thus have the power to tyrannise over me! this it is that
+plunges me into the depths of despair!'  The archers begged that
+we would not detain them any longer.  They had a coach at the
+door.  `Come, my dear angel,' said I to Manon, as we went down,
+`come, let us submit to our destiny in all its rigour: it may one
+day please Heaven to render us more happy.'
+
+"We went in the same coach.  I supported her in my arms.  I had
+not heard her utter a single word since G---- M----'s first
+appearance: but now, finding herself alone with me, she addressed
+me in the tenderest manner, and accused herself of being the
+cause of all my troubles.  I assured her that I never could
+complain, while she continued to love me.  `It is not I that have
+reason to complain,' I added; `imprisonment for a few months has
+no terrors for me, and I would infinitely prefer Le Chatelet to
+St. Lazare; but it is for you, my dearest soul, that my heart
+bleeds.  What a lot for such an angel!  How can you, gracious
+Heaven! subject to such rigour the most perfect work of your own
+hands?  Why are we not both of us born with qualities conformable
+to our wretched condition?  We are endowed with spirit, with
+taste, with feeling; while the vilest of God's creatures--brutes,
+alone worthy of our unhappy fate, are revelling in all the
+favours of fortune.'
+
+"These feelings filled me with grief; but it was bliss compared
+with my prospects for the future.  My fear, on account of Manon,
+knew no bounds.  She had already been an inmate of the Magdalen;
+and even if she had left it by fair means, I knew that a relapse
+of this nature would be attended with disastrous consequences.  I
+wished to let her know my fears: I was apprehensive of exciting
+hers.  I trembled for her, without daring to put her on her guard
+against the danger; and I embraced her tenderly, to satisfy her,
+at least, of my love, which was almost the only sentiment to
+which I dared to give expression.  `Manon,' said I, `tell me
+sincerely, will you ever cease to love me?'
+
+"She answered, that it made her unhappy to think that I could
+doubt it.
+
+"`Very well,' replied I, `I do so no longer; and with this
+conviction, I may well defy all my enemies.  Through the
+influence of my family, I can ensure my own liberation from the
+Chatelet; and my life will be of little use, and of short
+duration, if I do not succeed in rescuing you.'
+
+"We arrived at the prison, where they put us into separate
+cells.  This blow was the less severe, because I was prepared for
+it.  I recommended Manon to the attention of the porter, telling
+him that I was a person of some distinction, and promising him a
+considerable recompense.  I embraced my dearest mistress before
+we parted; I implored her not to distress herself too much, and
+to fear nothing while I lived.  I had money with me: I gave her
+some; and I paid the porter, out of what remained, the amount of
+a month's expenses for both of us in, advance.  This had an
+excellent effect, for I found myself placed in an apartment
+comfortably furnished, and they assured me that Manon was in one
+equally good.
+
+"I immediately set about devising the means of procuring my
+liberty.  There certainly had been nothing actually criminal in
+my conduct; and supposing even that our felonious intention was
+established by the evidence of Marcel, I knew that criminal
+intentions alone were not punishable.  I resolved to write
+immediately to my father, and beg of him to come himself to
+Paris.  I felt much less humiliation, as I have already said, in
+being in Le Chatelet than in St. Lazare.  Besides, although I
+preserved, all proper respect for the paternal authority, age and
+experience had considerably lessened my timidity.  I wrote, and
+they made no difficulty in the prison about forwarding my letter;
+but it was a trouble I should have spared myself, had I known
+that my father was about to arrive on the following day in Paris. 
+He had received the letter I had written to him a week before; it
+gave him extreme delight; but, notwithstanding the flattering
+hopes I had held out of my conversion, he could not implicitly
+rely on my statements.  He determined therefore to satisfy
+himself of my reformation by the evidence of his own senses, and
+to regulate his conduct towards me according to his conviction of
+my sincerity.  He arrived the day after my imprisonment.
+
+"His first visit was to Tiberge, to whose care I begged that he
+would address his answer.  He could not learn from him either my
+present abode or condition: Tiberge merely told him of my
+principal adventures since I had escaped from St. Lazare. 
+Tiberge spoke warmly of the disposition to virtue which I had
+evinced at our last interview.  He added, that he considered me
+as having quite got rid of Manon; but that he was nevertheless
+surprised at my not having given him any intelligence about
+myself for a week.  My father was not to be duped.  He fully
+comprehended that there was something in the silence of which
+Tiberge complained, which had escaped my poor friend's
+penetration; and he took such pains to find me out, that in two
+days after his arrival he learned that I was in Le Chatelet.
+
+"Before I received this visit, which I little expected so soon,
+I had the honour of one from the lieutenant-general of police,
+or, to call things by their right names, I was subjected to an
+official examination.  He upbraided me certainly, but not in any
+harsh or annoying manner.  He told me, in the kindest tone, that
+he bitterly lamented my bad conduct; that I had committed a gross
+indiscretion in making an enemy of such a man as M. G---- M----;
+that in truth it was easy to see that there was, in the affair,
+more of imprudence and folly than of malice; but that still it
+was the second time I had been brought as a culprit under his
+cognisance; and that he had hoped I should have become more
+sedate, after the experience of two or three months in St.
+Lazare.
+
+"Delighted at finding that I had a rational judge to deal with,
+I explained the affair to him in a manner at once so respectful
+and so moderate, that he seemed exceedingly satisfied with my
+answers to all the queries he put.  He desired me not to abandon
+myself to grief, and assured me that he felt every disposition to
+serve me, as well on account of my birth as my inexperience.  I
+ventured to bespeak his attentions in favour of Manon, and I
+dwelt upon her gentle and excellent disposition.  He replied,
+with a smile, that he had not yet seen her, but that she had been
+represented to him as a most dangerous person.  This expression
+so excited my sympathy, that I urged a thousand anxious arguments
+in favour of my poor mistress, and I could not restrain even from
+shedding tears.
+
+"He desired them to conduct me back to my chamber.  `Love! love!'
+cried this grave magistrate as I went out, `thou art never to be
+reconciled with discretion!'
+
+"I had been occupied with the most melancholy reflections, and
+was thinking of the conversation I had had with the
+lieutenant-general of police, when I heard my door open.  It was
+my father.  Although I ought to have been half prepared for
+seeing him, and had reasons to expect his arrival within a day or
+two, yet I was so thunderstruck, that I could willingly have sunk
+into the earth, if it had been open at my feet.  I embraced him
+in the greatest possible state of confusion.  He took a seat,
+without either one or other of us having uttered a word.
+
+"As I remained standing, with my head uncovered, and my eyes
+cast on the ground, `Be seated, sir,' said he in a solemn voice;
+`be seated.  I have to thank the notoriety of your debaucheries
+for learning the place of your abode.  It is the privilege of
+such fame as yours, that it cannot lie concealed.  You are
+acquiring celebrity by an unerring path.  Doubtless it will lead
+you to the Greve,[1] and you will then have the unfading glory of
+being held up to the admiration of the world.'
+
+
+[1]Who has e'er been at Paris must needs know the Greve,       
+The fatal retreat of th' unfortunate brave,     
+Where honour and justice most oddly contribute,                
+To ease heroes' pains by the halter and gibbet.--PRIOR.
+
+
+
+"I made no reply.  He continued:  `What an unhappy lot is that
+of a father, who having tenderly loved a child, and strained
+every nerve to bring him up a virtuous and respectable man, finds
+him turn out in the end a worthless profligate, who dishonours
+him.  To an ordinary reverse of fortune one may be reconciled;
+time softens the affliction, and even the indulgence of sorrow
+itself is not unavailing; but what remedy is there for an evil
+that is perpetually augmenting, such as the profligacy of a
+vicious son, who has deserted every principle of honour, and is
+ever plunging from deep into deeper vice?  You are silent,' added
+he: `look at this counterfeit modesty, this hypocritical air of
+gentleness!-- might he not pass for the most respectable member
+of his family?'
+
+"Although I could not but feel that I deserved, in some degree,
+these reproaches, yet he appeared to me to carry them beyond all
+reason.  I thought I might be permitted to explain my feelings.
+
+"`I assure you, sir,' said I to him, `that the modesty which
+you ridicule is by no means affected; it is the natural feeling
+of a son who entertains sincere respect for his father, and above
+all, a father irritated as you justly are by his faults.  Neither
+have I, sir, the slightest wish to pass for the most respectable
+member of my family.  I know that I have merited your reproaches,
+but I conjure you to temper them with mercy, and not to look upon
+me as the most infamous of mankind.  I do not deserve such harsh
+names.  It is love, you know it, that has caused all my errors. 
+Fatal passion!  Have you yourself never felt its force?  Is it
+possible that you, with the same blood in your veins that flows
+in mine, should have passed through life unscathed by the same
+excitements?  Love has rendered me perhaps foolishly tender--too
+easily excited-- too impassioned--too faithful, and probably too
+indulgent to the desires and caprices, or, if you will, the
+faults of an adored mistress.  These are my crimes; are they such
+as to reflect dishonour upon you?  Come, my dear father,' said I
+tenderly, `show some pity for a son, who has never ceased to feel
+respect and affection for you--who has not renounced, as you say,
+all feelings of honour and of duty, and who is himself a thousand
+times more an object of pity than you imagine.'  I could not help
+shedding a tear as I concluded this appeal.
+
+"A father's heart is a chef-d'oeuvre of creation.  There nature
+rules in undisturbed dominion, and regulates at will its most
+secret springs.  He was a man of high feeling and good taste, and
+was so sensibly affected by the turn I had given to my defence,
+that he could no longer hide from me the change I had wrought.
+
+"`Come to me, my poor chevalier,' said he; `come and embrace
+me.  I do pity you!'
+
+"I embraced him: he pressed me to him in such a manner, that I
+guessed what was passing in his heart.
+
+"`But how are we,' said he, `to extricate you from this place? 
+Explain to me the real situation of your affairs.'
+
+"As there really was not anything in my conduct so grossly
+improper as to reflect dishonour upon me; at least, in comparison
+with the conduct of other young men of a certain station in the
+world; and as a mistress is not considered a disgrace, any more
+than a little dexterity in drawing some advantage from play, I
+gave my father a candid detail of the life I had been leading. 
+As I recounted each transgression, I took care to cite some
+illustrious example in my justification, in order to palliate my
+own faults.
+
+"`I lived,' said I, `with a mistress without the solemnity of
+marriage.  The Duke of ---- keeps two before the eyes of all
+Paris.  M---- D---- has had one now for ten years, and loves her
+with a fidelity which he has never shown to his wife.  Two-thirds
+of the men of fashion in Paris keep mistresses.
+
+"`I certainly have on one or two occasions cheated at play. 
+Well, the Marquis of ---- and the Count ---- have no other source
+of revenue.  The Prince of ---- and the Duke of ---- are at the
+head of a gang of the same industrious order.'  As for the
+designs I had upon the pockets of the two G---- M----s, I might
+just as easily have proved that I had abundant models for that
+also; but I had too much pride to plead guilty to this charge,
+and rest on the justification of example; so that I begged of my
+father to ascribe my weakness on this occasion to the violence of
+the two passions which agitated me--Revenge and Love.
+
+"He asked me whether I could suggest any means of obtaining my
+liberty, and in such a way as to avoid publicity as much as
+possible.  I told him of the kind feelings which the lieutenant-
+general of police had expressed towards me.  `If you encounter
+any obstacles,' said I, `they will be offered only by the two
+G---- M----s; so that I think it would be advisable to call upon them.'
+
+"He promised to do so.
+
+"I did not dare ask him to solicit Manon's liberation; this was
+not from want of courage, but from the apprehension of
+exasperating him by such a proposition, and perhaps driving him
+to form some design fatal to the future happiness of us both.  It
+remains to this hour a problem whether this fear on my part was
+not the immediate cause of all my most terrible misfortunes, by
+preventing me from ascertaining my father's disposition, and
+endeavouring to inspire him with favourable feelings towards my
+poor mistress: I might have perhaps once more succeeded in
+exciting his commiseration; I might have put him on his guard
+against the impression which he was sure of receiving from a
+visit to old G---- M----.  But how can I tell what the
+consequences would have been!  My unhappy fate would have most
+probably counteracted all my efforts; but it would have been a
+consolation to have had nothing else but that, and the cruelty of
+my enemies, to blame for my afflictions.
+
+"On quitting me, my father went to pay a visit to M. G----
+M----.  He found him with his son, whom the guardsman had safely
+restored to liberty.  I never learned the particulars of their
+conversation; but I could easily infer them from the disastrous
+results.  They went together (the two old gentlemen) to the
+lieutenant-general of police, from whom they requested one favour
+each: the first was to have me at once liberated from Le
+Chatelet; the second to condemn Manon to perpetual imprisonment,
+or to transport her for life to America.  They happened, at that
+very period, to be sending out a number of convicts to the
+Mississippi.  The lieutenant-general promised to have her
+embarked on board the first vessel that sailed.
+
+"M. G---- M---- and my father came together to bring me the news
+of my liberation.  M. G---- M---- said something civil with
+reference to what had passed; and having congratulated me upon my
+happiness in having such a father, he exhorted me to profit
+henceforward by his instruction and example.  My father desired
+me to express my sorrow for the injustice I had even contemplated
+against his family, and my gratitude for his having assisted in
+procuring my liberation.
+
+"We all left the prison together, without the mention of Manon's
+name.  I dared not in their presence speak of her to the
+turnkeys.  Alas! all my entreaties in her favour would have been
+useless.  The cruel sentence upon Manon had arrived at the same
+time as the warrant for my discharge.  The unfortunate girl was
+conducted in an hour after to the Hospital, to be there classed
+with some other wretched women, who had been condemned to the
+same punishment.
+
+"My father having forced me to accompany him to the house where
+he was residing, it was near six o'clock before I had an
+opportunity of escaping his vigilance.  In returning to Le
+Chatelet, my only wish was to convey some refreshments to Manon,
+and to recommend her to the attention of the porter; for I had no
+hope of being permitted to see her; nor had I, as yet, had time
+to reflect on the best means of rescuing her.
+
+"I asked for the porter.  I had won his heart, as much by my
+liberality to him, as by the mildness of my manner; so that,
+having a disposition to serve me, he spoke of Manon's sentence as
+a calamity which he sincerely regretted, since it was calculated
+to mortify me.  I was at first unable to comprehend his meaning. 
+We conversed for some minutes without my understanding him.  At
+length perceiving that an explanation was necessary, he gave me
+such a one, as on a former occasion I wanted courage to relate to
+you, and which, even now, makes my blood curdle in my veins to
+remember.
+
+
+
+XI
+
+
+Alack! it is not when we sleep soft and wake merrily that we think
+on other people's sufferings; but when the hour of trouble comes,
+said Jeanie Deans.--WALTER SCOTT.
+
+
+"Never did apoplexy produce on mortal a more sudden or terrific
+effect than did the announcement of Manon's sentence upon me.  I
+fell prostrate, with so intense a palpitation of the heart, that
+as I swooned I thought that death itself was come upon me.  This
+idea continued even after I had been restored to my senses.  I
+gazed around me upon every part of the room, then upon my own
+paralysed limbs, doubting, in my delirium, whether I still bore
+about me the attributes of a living man.  It is quite certain
+that, in obedience to the desire I felt of terminating my
+sufferings, even by my own hand, nothing could have been to me
+more welcome than death at that moment of anguish and despair. 
+Religion itself could depict nothing more insupportable after
+death than the racking agony with which I was then convulsed. 
+Yet, by a miracle, only within the power of omnipotent love, I
+soon regained strength enough to express my gratitude to Heaven
+for restoring me to sense and reason.  My death could have only
+been a relief and blessing to myself; whereas Manon had occasion
+for my prolonged existence, in order to deliver her--to succour
+her--to avenge her wrongs: I swore to devote that existence
+unremittingly to these objects.
+
+"The porter gave me every assistance that I could have expected
+at the hands of my oldest friend: I accepted his services with
+the liveliest gratitude.  `Alas!' said I to him, `you then are
+affected by my sufferings!  The whole world abandons me; my own
+father proves one of the very cruellest of my persecutors; no
+person feels pity for me!  You alone, in this abode of suffering
+and shame--you alone exhibit compassion for the most wretched of
+mankind!'  He advised me not to appear in the street until I had
+recovered a little from my affliction.  `Do not stop me,' said I,
+as I went out; `we shall meet again sooner than you imagine: get
+ready your darkest dungeon, for I shall shortly become its
+tenant.'
+
+"In fact, my first idea was nothing less than to make away with
+the two G---- M----s, and the lieutenant-general of police; and
+then to attack the Hospital, sword in hand, assisted by all whom
+I could enlist in my cause.  Even my father's life was hardly
+respected, so just appeared my feelings of vengeance; for the
+porter had informed me that he and G---- M---- were jointly the
+authors of my ruin.
+
+"But when I had advanced some paces into the street, and the
+fresh air had cooled my excitement, I gradually viewed matters in
+a more rational mood.  The death of our enemies could be of
+little use to Manon; and the obvious effect of such violence
+would be to deprive me of all other chance of serving her. 
+Besides, could I ever bring myself to be a cowardly assassin?  By
+what other means could I accomplish my revenge?  I set all my
+ingenuity and all my efforts at work to procure the deliverance
+of Manon, leaving everything else to be considered hereafter when
+I had succeeded in this first and paramount object.
+
+"I had very little money left; money, however, was an
+indispensable basis for all my operations.  I only knew three
+persons from whom I had any right to ask pecuniary assistance--M.
+de T----, Tiberge, and my father.  There appeared little chance
+of obtaining any from the two latter, and I was really ashamed
+again to importune M. de T----.  But it is not in desperate
+emergencies that one stands upon points of ceremony.  I went
+first to the seminary of St. Sulpice, without considering whether
+I should be recognised.  I asked for Tiberge.  His first words
+showed me that he knew nothing of my latest adventure: this made
+me change the design I had originally formed of appealing at once
+to his compassion.  I spoke generally of the pleasure it had
+given me to see my father again; and I then begged of him to lend
+me some money, under the pretext of being anxious before I left
+Paris to pay a few little debts, which I wished to keep secret. 
+He handed me his purse, without a single remark.  I took twenty
+or twenty-five pounds, which it contained.  I offered him my note
+of hand, but he was too generous to accept it.
+
+"I then went to M. de T----: I had no reserve with him.  I
+plainly told him my misfortunes and distress: he already knew
+everything, and had informed himself even of the most trifling
+circumstance, on account of the interest he naturally took in
+young G---- M----'s adventure.  He, however, listened to me, and
+seemed sincerely to lament what had occurred.  When I consulted
+him as to the best means of rescuing Manon, he answered that he
+saw such little ground for hope, that, without some extraordinary
+interposition of Providence, it would be folly to expect relief;
+that he had paid a visit expressly to the Hospital since Manon
+had been transferred from the Chatelet, but that he could not
+even obtain permission to see her, as the lieutenant-general of
+police had given the strictest orders to the contrary; and that,
+to complete the catastrophe, the unfortunate train of convicts,
+in which she was to be included, was to take its departure from
+Paris the day but one after.
+
+"I was so confounded by what he said, that if he had gone on
+speaking for another hour, I should not have interrupted him.  He
+continued to tell me, that the reason of his not calling to see
+me at the Chatelet was, that he hoped to be of more use by
+appearing to be unknown to me; that for the last few hours, since
+I had been set at liberty, he had in vain looked for me, in order
+to suggest the only plan through which he could see a hope of
+averting Manon's fate.  He told me it was dangerous counsel to
+give, and implored me never to mention the part he took in it; it
+was to find some enterprising fellows gallant enough to attack
+Manon's guard on getting outside the barriere.  Nor did he wait
+for me to urge a plea of poverty.  `Here is fifty pounds,' he
+said, presenting me his purse; `it may be of use to you; you can
+repay me when you are in better circumstances.'  He added, that
+if the fear of losing his character did not prevent him from
+embarking in such an enterprise, he would have willingly put his
+sword and his life at my service.
+
+"This unlooked-for generosity affected me to tears.  I expressed
+my gratitude with as much warmth as my depressed spirits left at
+my command.  I asked him if there were nothing to be expected
+from interceding with the lieutenant-general of police: he said
+that he had considered that point; but that he looked upon it as
+a hopeless attempt, because a favour of that nature was never
+accorded without some strong motive, and he did not see what
+inducement could be held out for engaging the intercession of any
+person of power on her behalf; that if any hope could possibly be
+entertained upon the point, it must be by working a change in the
+feelings of old G---- M---- and my father, and by prevailing on
+them to solicit from the lieutenant-general of police the
+revocation of Manon's sentence.  He offered to do everything in
+his power to gain over the younger G---- M----, although he
+fancied a coldness in that gentleman's manner towards him,
+probably from some suspicions he might entertain of his being
+concerned in the late affair; and he entreated me to lose no
+opportunity of effecting the desired change in my father's mind.
+
+"This was no easy undertaking for me; not only on account of the
+difficulty I should naturally meet in overcoming his opinion, but
+for another reason which made me fear even to approach him; I had
+quitted his lodgings contrary to his express orders, and was
+resolved, since I had learned the sad fate of my poor Manon,
+never again to return thither.  I was not without apprehensions
+indeed of his now retaining me against my will, and perhaps
+taking me at once back with him into the country.  My elder
+brother had formerly had recourse to this violent measure.  True,
+I was now somewhat older; but age is a feeble argument against
+force.  I hit upon a mode, however, of avoiding this danger,
+which was to get him by contrivance to some public place, and
+there announce myself to him under an assumed name: I immediately
+resolved on this method.  M. de T---- went to G---- M----'s, and
+I to the Luxembourg, whence I sent my father word, that a
+gentleman waited there to speak with him.  I hardly thought he
+would come, as the night was advancing.  He, however, soon made
+his appearance, followed by a servant: I begged of him to choose
+a walk where we could be alone.  We walked at least a hundred
+paces without speaking.  He doubtless imagined that so much
+precaution could not be taken without some important object.  He
+waited for my opening speech, and I was meditating how to
+commence it.
+
+"At length I began.
+
+"`Sir,' said I, trembling, `you are a good and affectionate
+parent; you have loaded me with favours, and have forgiven me an
+infinite number of faults; I also, in my turn, call Heaven to
+witness the sincere, and tender, and respectful sentiments I
+entertain towards you.  But it does seem to me, that your
+inexorable severity----'
+
+"`Well, sir, my severity!' interrupted my father, who no doubt
+found my hesitation little suited to his impatience.
+
+"`Ah, sir,' I replied, `it does seem to me that your severity
+is excessive in the penalty you inflict upon the unfortunate
+Manon.  You have taken only M. G---- M----'s report of her.  His
+hatred has made him represent her to you in the most odious
+colours: you have formed a frightful idea of her.  She is, on the
+contrary, the mildest and most amiable of living creatures; would
+that Heaven had but inspired you at any one moment with the
+desire of seeing her!  I am convinced that you would be not less
+sensible of her perfections than your unhappy son.  You would
+then have been her advocate; you would have abhorred the foul
+artifices of G---- M----; you would have had pity on both her and
+me.  Alas! I am persuaded of it; your heart is not insensible; it
+must ere now have melted with compassion.'
+
+"He interrupted me again, perceiving that I spoke with a warmth
+which would not allow me to finish very briefly.  He begged to
+know with what request I intended to wind up so fervent an
+harangue.
+
+"`To ask my life at your hands,' said I, `which I never can
+retain if Manon once embark for America.'
+
+"`No! no!' replied he, in the severest tone; `I would rather
+see you lifeless, than infamous and depraved.'
+
+"`We have gone far enough, then,' said I, catching hold of his
+arm; `take from me, in common mercy, my life! weary and odious
+and insupportable as it henceforward must be; for in the state of
+despair into which you now plunge me, death would be the greatest
+favour you could bestow--a favour worthy of a father's hand.'
+
+"`I should only give you what you deserve,' replied he; `I know
+fathers who would not have shown as much patience as I have, but
+would themselves have executed speedy justice; but it is my
+foolish and excessive forbearance that has been your ruin.'
+
+"I threw myself at his feet:  `Ah!' exclaimed I, `if you have
+still any remains of mercy, do not harden your heart against my
+distress and sorrow.  Remember that I am your child!  Alas! think
+of my poor mother! you loved her tenderly! would you have
+suffered her to be torn from your arms?  You would have defended
+her to the death!  May not the same feeling then be pardoned in
+others?  Can persons become barbarous and cruel, after having
+themselves experienced the softening influence of tenderness and
+grief?'
+
+"`Breathe not again the sacred name of your mother,' he
+exclaimed, in a voice of thunder; `the very allusion to her
+memory rouses my indignation.  Had she lived to witness the
+unredeemed profligacy of your life, it would have brought her in
+pain and sorrow to her grave.--Let us put an end to this
+discussion' he added; `it distresses me, and makes not the
+slightest change in my determination: I am going back to my
+lodgings, and I desire you to follow me.'
+
+"The cool and resolute tone in which he uttered this command,
+convinced me that he was inexorable.  I stepped some paces aside,
+for fear he should think fit to lay hands upon me.
+
+"`Do not increase my misery and despair,' said I to him, `by
+forcing me to disobey you.  It is impossible for me to follow
+you; and equally so that I should continue to live, after the
+unkind treatment I have experienced from you.  I, therefore, bid
+you an eternal adieu.  When you know that I am dead, as I shall
+soon be, the paternal affection which you once entertained for me
+may be perhaps revived.'
+
+"As I was about to turn away from him:  `You refuse then to
+follow me,' cried he, in a tone of excessive anger.  `Go! go on
+to your ruin.  Adieu! ungrateful and disobedient boy.'
+
+"`Adieu!' exclaimed I to him, in a burst of grief, `adieu,
+cruel and unnatural father!' 
+
+"I left the Luxembourg, and rushed like a madman through the
+streets to M. de T----'s house.  I raised my hands and eyes as I
+went along, invoking the Almighty Powers:  `O Heaven,' cried I,
+`will you not prove more merciful than man!  The only hope that
+remains to me is from above!'
+
+"M. de T---- had not yet returned home; but he arrived before
+many minutes had elapsed.  His negotiation had been as
+unsuccessful as my own.  He told me so with the most sorrowful
+countenance.  Young G---- M----, although less irritated than his
+father against Manon and me, would not undertake to petition in
+our favour.  He was, in great measure, deterred by the fear which
+he himself had of the vindictive old lecher, who had already
+vented his anger against him for his design of forming a
+connection with Manon.
+
+"There only remained to me, therefore, the violent measures
+which M. T---- had suggested.  I now confined all my hopes to
+them.  They were questionless most uncertain; but they held out
+to me, at least, a substantial consolation, in the certainty of
+meeting death in the attempt, if unsuccessful.  I left him,
+begging that he would offer up his best wishes for my triumph;
+and I thought only of finding some companions, to whom I might
+communicate a portion of my own courage and determination.
+
+"The first that occurred to me was the same guardsman whom I had
+employed to arrest G---- M----.  I had intended indeed to pass
+the night at his rooms, not having had a moment of leisure during
+the afternoon to procure myself a lodging.  I found him alone. 
+He was glad to see me out of the Chatelet.  He made me an offer
+of his services.  I explained to him in what way he might now do
+me the greatest kindness.  He had good sense enough to perceive
+all the difficulties; but he was also generous enough to
+undertake to surmount them.
+
+"We spent part of the night in considering how the plot was to
+be executed.  He spoke of the three soldiers whom he had made use
+of on the last occasion, as men whose courage had been proved. 
+M. de T---- had told me the exact number of archers that would
+escort Manon; they were but six.  Five strong and determined men
+could not fail to strike terror into these fellows, who would
+never think of defending themselves bravely, when they were to be
+allowed the alternative of avoiding danger by surrendering; and
+of that they would no doubt avail themselves.  As I was not
+without money, the guardsman advised me to spare no pains or
+expense to ensure success.  `We must be mounted,' he said, `and
+each man must have his carbine and pistols; I will take care to
+prepare everything requisite by tomorrow.  We shall also want
+three new suits of regimentals for the soldiers, who dare not
+appear in an affray of this kind in the uniform of their
+regiment.  I handed him the hundred pistoles which I had got from
+M. de T----; it was all expended the next morning, to the very
+last sou.  I inspected the three soldiers; I animated them with
+the most liberal promises; and to confirm their confidence in me,
+I began by making each man a present of ten pistoles.
+
+"The momentous day having arrived, I sent one of them at an
+early hour to the Hospital, to ascertain the exact time when the
+police were to start with their prisoners.  Although I merely
+took this precaution from my excessive anxiety, it turned out to
+have been a prudent step.  I had formed my plans upon false
+information, which I had received as to their destination; and
+believing that it was at Rochelle this unhappy group was to
+embark, all my trouble would have been thrown away in waiting for
+them on the Orleans road.  However, I learned, by the soldier's
+report, that they would go out towards Rouen, and that it was
+from Havre-de-Grace they were to sail for America.
+
+"We at once went to the gate of St. Honore, taking care to go by
+different streets.  We assembled at the end of the faubourg.  Our
+horses were fresh.  In a little time we observed before us the
+six archers and the two wretched caravans, which you saw at Passy
+two years ago.  The sight alone almost deprived me of my strength
+and senses.  `Oh fate!' said I to myself, `cruel fate! grant me
+now either death or victory.'
+
+"We hastily consulted as to the mode of making the attack.  The
+cavalcade was only four hundred paces in advance, and we might
+intercept them by cutting across a small field, round which the
+high road led.  The guardsman was for this course, in order to
+fall suddenly upon them while unprepared.  I approved of the
+plan, and was the first to spur my horse forward--but fate once
+again relentlessly blasted all my hopes.
+
+"The escort, seeing five horsemen riding towards them, inferred
+that it was for the purpose of attacking them.  They put
+themselves in a position of defence, preparing their bayonets and
+guns with an air of resolution.
+
+"This demonstration, which in the guardsman and myself only
+inspired fresh courage, had a very different effect upon our
+three cowardly companions.  They stopped simultaneously, and
+having muttered to each other some words which I could not hear,
+they turned their horses' heads, threw the bridles on their
+necks, and galloped back towards Paris.
+
+"`Good heavens!' said the guardsman, who appeared as much
+annoyed as I was by this infamous desertion, `what is to be done?
+we are but two now.'
+
+"From rage and consternation I had lost all power of speech.  I
+doubted whether my first revenge should not be in pursuing the
+cowards who had abandoned me.  I saw them flying, and looked in
+the other direction at the escort: if it had been possible to
+divide myself, I should at once have fallen upon both these
+objects of my fury; I should have destroyed all at the same
+moment.
+
+"The guardsman, who saw my irresolution by my wandering gaze,
+begged of me to hear his advice.  `Being but two,' he said, `it
+would be madness to attack six men as well armed as ourselves,
+and who seem determined to receive us firmly.  Let us return to
+Paris, and endeavour to succeed better in the choice of our
+comrades.  The police cannot make very rapid progress with two
+heavy vans; we may overtake them tomorrow without difficulty.'
+
+"I reflected a moment on this suggestion; but seeing nothing
+around me but despair, I took a final and indeed desperate
+resolution: this was to thank my companion for his services, and,
+far from attacking the police, to go up with submission and
+implore them to receive me among them, that I might accompany
+Manon to Havre-de-Grace, and afterwards, if possible, cross the
+Atlantic with her.  `The whole world is either persecuting or
+betraying me,' said I to the guardsman; `I have no longer the
+power of interesting anyone in my favour; I expect nothing more
+either from fortune or the friendship of man; my misery is at its
+height; it only remains for me to submit, so that I close my eyes
+henceforward against every gleam of hope.  May Heaven,' I
+continued, `reward you for your generosity!  Adieu!  I shall go
+and aid my wretched destiny in filling up the full measure of my
+ruin!'  He, in vain, endeavoured to persuade me to return with
+him to Paris.  I entreated him to leave me at once, lest the
+police should still suspect us of an intention to attack them.
+
+
+
+XII
+
+
+The pauses and intermissions of pain become positive pleasures;
+and have thus a power of shedding a satisfaction over the
+intervals of ease, which few enjoyments exceed.--PALEY.
+
+
+"Riding towards the cortege at a slow pace, and with a sorrowful
+countenance, the guards could hardly see anything very terrific
+in my approach.  They seemed, however, to expect an attack.  `Be
+persuaded, gentlemen,' said I to them, `that I come not to wage
+war, but rather to ask favours.'  I then begged of them to
+continue their progress without any distrust, and as we went
+along I made my solicitations.  They consulted together to
+ascertain in what way they should entertain my request.  The
+chief of them spoke for the rest.  He said that the orders they
+had received to watch the prisoners vigilantly were of the
+strictest kind; that, however, I seemed so interesting a young
+man, that they might be induced to relax a little in their duty;
+but that I must know, of course, that this would cost me
+something.  I had about sixteen pistoles left, and candidly told
+them what my purse contained.  `Well,' said the gendarme, `we
+will act generously.  It shall only cost you a crown an hour for
+conversing with any of our girls that you may prefer-- that is
+the ordinary price in Paris.'
+
+"I said not a word of Manon, because I did not wish to let them
+know of my passion.  They at first supposed it was merely a
+boyish whim, that made me think of amusing myself with these
+creatures but when they discovered that I was in love, they
+increased their demands in such a way, that my purse was
+completely empty on leaving Mantes, where we had slept the night
+before our arrival at Passy.
+
+"Shall I describe to you my heart-rending interviews with Manon
+during this journey, and what my sensations were when I obtained
+from the guards permission to approach her caravan?  Oh! language
+never can adequately express the sentiments of the heart; but
+picture to yourself my poor mistress, with a chain round her
+waist, seated upon a handful of straw, her head resting languidly
+against the panel of the carriage, her face pale and bathed with
+tears, which forced a passage between her eyelids, although she
+kept them continually closed.  She had not even the curiosity to
+open her eyes on hearing the bustle of the guards when they
+expected our attack.  Her clothes were soiled, and in disorder;
+her delicate hands exposed to the rough air; in fine, her whole
+angelic form, that face, lovely enough to carry back the world to
+idolatry, presented a spectacle of distress and anguish utterly
+indescribable.
+
+"I spent some moments gazing at her as I rode alongside the
+carriage.  I had so lost my self-possession, that I was several
+times on the point of falling from my horse.  My sighs and
+frequent exclamations at length attracted her attention.  She
+looked at and recognised me, and I remarked that on the first
+impulse, she unconsciously tried to leap from the carriage
+towards me, but being checked by her chain, she fell into her
+former attitude.
+
+"I begged of the guards to stop one moment for the sake of
+mercy; they consented for the sake of avarice.  I dismounted to
+go and sit near her.  She was so languid and feeble, that she was
+for some time without the power of speech, and could not raise
+her hands: I bathed them with my tears; and being myself unable
+to utter a word, we formed together as deplorable a picture of
+distress as could well be seen.  When at length we were able to
+speak, our conversation was not less sorrowful.  Manon said
+little: shame and grief appeared to have altered the character of
+her voice; its tone was feeble and tremulous.
+
+"She thanked me for not having forgotten her, and for the
+comfort I gave her in allowing her to see me once more, and she
+then bade me a long and last farewell.  But when I assured her
+that no power on earth could ever separate me from her, and that
+I was resolved to follow her to the extremity of the world--to
+watch over her--to guard her--to love her--and inseparably to
+unite my wretched destiny with hers, the poor girl gave way to
+such feelings of tenderness and grief, that I almost dreaded
+danger to her life from the violence of her emotion: the
+agitation of her whole soul seemed intensely concentrated in her
+eyes; she fixed them steadfastly upon me.  She more than once
+opened her lips without the power of giving utterance to her
+thoughts.  I could, however, catch some expressions that dropped
+from her, of admiration and wonder at my excessive love--of doubt
+that she could have been fortunate enough to inspire me with a
+passion so perfect--of earnest entreaty that I would abandon my
+intention of following her, and seek elsewhere a lot more worthy
+of me, and which, she said, I could never hope to find with her.
+
+"In spite of the cruellest inflictions of Fate, I derived
+comfort from her looks, and from the conviction that I now
+possessed her undivided affection.  I had in truth lost all that
+other men value; but I was the master of Manon's heart, the only
+possession that I prized.  Whether in Europe or in America, of
+what moment to me was the place of my abode, provided I might
+live happy in the society of my mistress?  Is not the universe
+the residence of two fond and faithful lovers?  Does not each
+find in the other, father, mother, friends, relations, riches,
+felicity?
+
+"If anything caused me uneasiness, it was the fear of seeing
+Manon exposed to want.  I fancied myself already with her in a
+barbarous country, inhabited by savages.  `I am quite certain,'
+said I, `there will be none there more cruel than G---- M---- and
+my father.  They will, at least, allow us to live in peace.  If
+the accounts we read of savages be true, they obey the laws of
+nature: they neither know the mean rapacity of avarice, nor the
+false and fantastic notions of dignity, which have raised me up
+an enemy in my own father.  They will not harass and persecute
+two lovers, when they see us adopt their own simple habits.' I
+was therefore at ease upon that point.
+
+"But my romantic ideas were not formed with a proper view to the
+ordinary wants of life.  I had too often found that there were
+necessaries which could not be dispensed with, particularly by a
+young and delicate woman, accustomed to comfort and abundance.  I
+was in despair at having so fruitlessly emptied my purse, and the
+little money that now remained was about being forced from me by
+the rascally imposition of the gendarmes.  I imagined that a very
+trifling sum would suffice for our support for some time in
+America, where money was scarce, and might also enable me to form
+some undertaking there for our permanent establishment.
+
+"This idea made me resolve on writing to Tiberge, whom I had
+ever found ready to hold out the generous hand of friendship.  I
+wrote from the first town we passed through.  I only alluded to
+the destitute condition in which I foresaw that I should find
+myself on arriving at Havre-de-Grace, to which place I
+acknowledged that I was accompanying Manon.  I asked him for only
+fifty pistoles.  `You can remit it to me,' said I to him,
+`through the hands of the postmaster.  You must perceive that it
+is the last time I can by possibility trespass on your friendly
+kindness; and my poor unhappy mistress being about to be exiled
+from her country for ever, I cannot let her depart without
+supplying her with some few comforts, to soften the sufferings of
+her lot, as well as to assuage my own sorrows.'
+
+"The gendarmes became so rapacious when they saw the violence of
+my passion, continually increasing their demands for the
+slightest favours, that they soon left me penniless.  Love did
+not permit me to put any bounds to my liberality.  At Manon's
+side I was not master of myself; and it was no longer by the hour
+that time was measured; rather by the duration of whole days.  At
+length, my funds being completely exhausted, I found myself
+exposed to the brutal caprice of these six wretches who treated
+me with intolerable rudeness--you yourself witnessed it at Passy. 
+My meeting with you was a momentary relaxation accorded me by
+fate.  Your compassion at the sight of my sufferings was my only
+recommendation to your generous nature.  The assistance which you
+so liberally extended, enabled me to reach Havre, and the guards
+kept their promise more faithfully than I had ventured to hope.
+
+"We arrived at Havre.  I went to the post-office: Tiberge had
+not yet had time to answer my letter.  I ascertained the earliest
+day I might reckon upon his answer: it could not possibly arrive
+for two days longer; and by an extraordinary fatality, our vessel
+was to sail on the very morning of the day when the letter might
+be expected.  I cannot give you an idea of my despair.  `Alas!'
+cried I, `even amongst the unfortunate, I am to be ever the most
+wretched!'
+
+"Manon replied:  `Alas! does a life so thoroughly miserable
+deserve the care we bestow on ours?  Let us die at Havre, dearest
+chevalier!  Let death at once put an end to our afflictions! 
+Shall we persevere, and go to drag on this hopeless existence in
+an unknown land, where we shall, no doubt, have to encounter the
+most horrible pains, since it has been their object to punish me
+by exile?  Let us die,' she repeated, `or do at least in mercy
+rid me of life, and then you can seek another lot in the arms of
+some happier lover.'
+
+"`No, no, Manon,' said I; `it is but too enviable a lot, in my
+estimation, to be allowed to share your misfortunes.'
+
+"Her observations made me tremble.  I saw that she was
+overpowered by her afflictions.  I tried to assume a more
+tranquil air, in order to dissipate such melancholy thoughts of
+death and despair.
+
+"I resolved to adopt the same course in future; and I learned by
+the results, that nothing is more calculated to inspire a woman
+with courage than the demonstration of intrepidity in the man she
+loves.
+
+"When I lost all hope of receiving the expected assistance from
+Tiberge, I sold my horse; the money it brought, joined to what
+remained of your generous gift, amounted to the small sum of
+forty pistoles; I expended eight in the purchase of some
+necessary articles for Manon; and I put the remainder by, as the
+capital upon which we were to rest our hopes and raise our
+fortunes in America.  I had no difficulty in getting admitted on
+board the vessel.  They were at the time looking for young men as
+voluntary emigrants to the colony.  The passage and provisions
+were supplied gratis.  I left a letter for Tiberge, which was to
+go by the post next morning to Paris.  It was no doubt written in
+a tone calculated to affect him deeply, since it induced him to
+form a resolution, which could only be carried into execution by
+the tenderest and most generous sympathy for his unhappy friend.
+
+
+
+XIII
+
+Sunt hie etiam sua proemia laudi,
+Sunt lachrymae rerum, et mentem mortalia tangunt.
+
+VIRGIL.
+
+E'en the mute walls relate the victim's fame.
+And sinner's tears the good man's pity claim.
+
+DRYDEN.
+
+
+"We set sail; the wind continued favourable during the entire
+passage.  I obtained from the captain's kindness a separate cabin
+for the use of Manon and myself.  He was so good as to
+distinguish us from the herd of our miserable associates.  I took
+an opportunity, on the second day, of conciliating his
+attentions, by telling him part of our unfortunate history.  I
+did not feel that I was guilty of any very culpable falsehood in
+saying that I was the husband of Manon.  He appeared to believe
+it, and promised me his protection; and indeed we experienced,
+during the whole passage, the most flattering evidences of his
+sincerity.  He took care that our table was comfortably provided;
+and his attentions procured us the marked respect of our
+companions in misery.  The unwearied object of my solicitude was
+to save Manon from every inconvenience.  She felt this, and her
+gratitude, together with a lively sense of the singular position
+in which I had placed myself solely for her sake, rendered the
+dear creature so tender and impassioned, so attentive also to my
+most trifling wants, that it was between us a continual emulation
+of attentions and of love.  I felt no regret at quitting Europe;
+on the contrary, the nearer we approached America, the more did I
+feel my heart expand and become tranquil.  If I had not felt a
+dread of our perhaps wanting, by and by, the absolute necessaries
+of life, I should have been grateful to fate for having at length
+given so favourable a turn to our affairs.
+
+"`After a passage of two months, we at length reached the banks
+of the desired river.  The country offered at first sight nothing
+agreeable.  We saw only sterile and uninhabited plains, covered
+with rushes, and some trees rooted up by the wind.  No trace
+either of men or animals.  However, the captain having discharged
+some pieces of artillery, we presently observed a group of the
+inhabitants of New Orleans, who approached us with evident signs
+of joy.  We had not perceived the town: it is concealed upon the
+side on which we approached it by a hill.  We were received as
+persons dropped from the clouds.
+
+"The poor inhabitants hastened to put a thousand questions to us
+upon the state of France, and of the different provinces in which
+they were born.  They embraced us as brothers, and as beloved
+companions, who had come to share their pains and their solitude.
+
+"We turned towards the town with them; but we were astonished to
+perceive, as we advanced, that what we had hitherto heard spoken
+of as a respectable town, was nothing more than a collection of
+miserable huts.  They were inhabited by five or six hundred
+persons.  The governor's house was a little distinguished from
+the rest by its height and its position.  It was surrounded by
+some earthen ramparts, and a deep ditch.
+
+"We were first presented to him.  He continued for some time in
+conversation with the captain; and then advancing towards us, he
+looked attentively at the women one after another: there were
+thirty of them, for another troop of convicts had joined us at
+Havre.  After having thus inspected them, he sent for several
+young men of the colony who were desirous to marry.  He assigned
+the handsomest women to the principal of these, and the remainder
+were disposed of by lot.  He had not yet addressed Manon; but
+having ordered the others to depart, he made us remain.  `I learn
+from the captain,' said he, `that you are married, and he is
+convinced by your conduct on the passage that you are both
+persons of merit and of education.  I have nothing to do with the
+cause of your misfortunes; but if it be true that you are as
+conversant with the world and society as your appearance would
+indicate, I shall spare no pains to soften the severity of your
+lot, and you may on your part contribute towards rendering this
+savage and desert abode less disagreeable to me.'  I replied in
+the manner which I thought best calculated to confirm the opinion
+he had formed of us.  He gave orders to have a habitation
+prepared for us in the town, and detained us to supper.  I was
+really surprised to find so much politeness in a governor of
+transported convicts.  In the presence of others he abstained
+from enquiring about our past adventures.  The conversation was
+general; and in spite of our degradation, Manon and I exerted
+ourselves to make it lively and agreeable.
+
+"At night we were conducted to the lodging prepared for us.  We
+found a wretched hovel composed of planks and mud, containing
+three rooms on the ground, and a loft overhead.  He had sent
+there six chairs, and some few necessaries of life.
+
+"Manon appeared frightened by the first view of this melancholy
+dwelling.  It was on my account much more than upon her own, that
+she distressed herself.  When we were left to ourselves, she sat
+down and wept bitterly.  I attempted at first to console her; but
+when she enabled me to understand that it was for my sake she
+deplored our privations, and that in our common afflictions she
+only considered me as the sufferer, I put on an air of
+resolution, and even of content, sufficient to encourage her.
+
+"`What is there in my lot to lament?' said I; `I possess all
+that I have ever desired.  You love me, Manon, do you not?  What
+happiness beyond this have I ever longed for?  Let us leave to
+Providence the direction of our destiny; it by no means appears
+to me so desperate.  The governor is civil and obliging; he has
+already given us marks of his consideration; he will not allow us
+to want for necessaries.  As to our rude hut and the squalidness
+of our furniture, you might have noticed that there are few
+persons in the colony better lodged or more comfortably furnished
+than we are: and then you are an admirable chemist,' added I,
+embracing her; `you transform everything into gold.'
+
+"`In that case,' she answered, `you shall be the richest man in
+the universe; for, as there never was love surpassing yours, so
+it is impossible for man to be loved more tenderly than you are
+by me.  I well know,' she continued, `that I have never merited
+the almost incredible fidelity and attachment which you have
+shown for me.  I have often caused you annoyances, which nothing
+but excessive fondness could have induced you to pardon.  I have
+been thoughtless and volatile; and even while loving you as I
+have always done to distraction, I was never free from a
+consciousness of ingratitude.  But you cannot believe how much my
+nature is altered; those tears which you have so frequently seen
+me shed since quitting the French shore, have not been caused by
+my own misfortunes.  Since you began to share them with me, I
+have been a stranger to selfishness: I only wept from tenderness
+and compassion for you.  I am inconsolable at the thought of
+having given you one instant's pain during my past life.  I never
+cease upbraiding myself with my former inconstancy, and wondering
+at the sacrifices which love has induced you to make for a
+miserable and unworthy wretch, who could not, with the last drop
+of her blood, compensate for half the torments she has caused
+you.'
+
+"Her grief, the language, and the tone in which she expressed
+herself, made such an impression, that I felt my heart ready to
+break in me.  `Take care,' said I to her, `take care, dear Manon;
+I have not strength to endure such exciting marks of your
+affection; I am little accustomed to the rapturous sensations
+which you now kindle in my heart.  Oh Heaven!' cried I, `I have
+now nothing further to ask of you.  I am sure of Manon's love. 
+That has been alone wanting to complete my happiness; I can now
+never cease to be happy: my felicity is well secured.'
+
+"`It is indeed,' she replied, `if it depends upon me, and I
+well know where I can be ever certain of finding my own happiness
+centred.'
+
+"With these ideas, capable of turning my hut into a palace
+worthy of earth's proudest monarch, I lay down to rest.  America
+appeared to my view the true land of milk and honey, the abode of
+contentment and delight.  `People should come to New Orleans,' I
+often said to Manon, `who wish to enjoy the real rapture of love! 
+It is here that love is divested of all selfishness, all
+jealousy, all inconstancy.  Our countrymen come here in search of
+gold; they little think that we have discovered treasures of
+inestimably greater value.'
+
+"We carefully cultivated the governor's friendship.  He bestowed
+upon me, a few weeks after our arrival, a small appointment which
+became vacant in the fort.  Although not one of any distinction,
+I gratefully accepted it as a gift of Providence, as it enabled
+me to live independently of others' aid.  I took a servant for
+myself, and a woman for Manon.  Our little establishment became
+settled: nothing could surpass the regularity of my conduct, or
+that of Manon; we lost no opportunity of serving or doing an act
+of kindness to our neighbours.  This friendly disposition, and
+the mildness of our manners, secured us the confidence and
+affection of the whole colony.  We soon became so respected, that
+we ranked as the principal persons in the town after the
+governor.
+
+"The simplicity of our habits and occupations, and the perfect
+innocence in which we lived, revived insensibly our early
+feelings of devotion.  Manon had never been an irreligious girl,
+and I was far from being one of those reckless libertines who
+delight in adding impiety and sacrilege to moral depravity: all
+the disorders of our lives might be fairly ascribed to the
+natural influences of youth and love.  Experience had now begun
+with us to do the office of age; it produced the same effect upon
+us as years must have done.  Our conversation, which was
+generally of a serious turn, by degrees engendered a longing for
+virtuous love.  I first proposed this change to Manon.  I knew
+the principles of her heart; she was frank and natural in all her
+sentiments, qualities which invariably predispose to virtue.  I
+said to her that there was but one thing wanting to complete our
+happiness: `it is,' said I, `to invoke upon our union the
+benediction of Heaven.  We have both of us hearts too sensitive
+and minds too refined, to continue voluntarily in the wilful
+violation of so sacred a duty.  It signifies nothing our having
+lived while in France in such a manner, because there it was as
+impossible for us not to love, as to be united by a legitimate
+tie: but in America, where we are under no restraint, where we
+owe no allegiance to the arbitrary distinctions of birth and
+aristocratic prejudice, where besides we are already supposed to
+be married, why should we not actually become so--why should we
+not sanctify our love by the holy ordinances of religion?  As for
+me,' I added, `I offer nothing new in offering you my hand and my
+heart; but I am ready to ratify it at the foot of the altar.'
+
+"This speech seemed to inspire her with joy.  `Would you believe
+it,' she replied, `I have thought of this a thousand times since
+our arrival in America?  The fear of annoying you has kept it
+shut up in my breast.  I felt that I had no pretensions to aspire
+to the character of your wife.'
+
+"`Ah! Manon,' said I, `you should very soon be a sovereign's
+consort, if I had been born to the inheritance of a crown.  Let
+us not hesitate; we have no obstacle to impede us: I will this
+day speak to the governor on the subject, and acknowledge that we
+have in this particular hitherto deceived him.  Let us leave,'
+added I, `to vulgar lovers the dread of the indissoluble bonds of
+marriage;[1] they would not fear them if they were assured, as we
+are, of the continuance of those of love.'  I left Manon
+enchanted by this resolution.
+
+
+[1]Some say that Love, at sight of human ties,             
+Spreads his light wings, and in a moment flies.
+
+
+"I am persuaded that no honest man could disapprove of this
+intention in my present situation; that is to say, fatally
+enslaved as I was by a passion which I could not subdue, and
+visited by compunction and remorse which I ought not to stifle. 
+But will any man charge me with injustice or impiety if I
+complain of the rigour of Heaven in defeating a design that I
+could only have formed with the view of conciliating its favour
+and complying with its decrees?  Alas I do I say defeated? nay
+punished as a new crime.  I was patiently permitted to go blindly
+along the high road of vice; and the cruellest chastisements were
+reserved for the period when I was returning to the paths of
+virtue.  I now fear that I shall have hardly fortitude enough
+left to recount the most disastrous circumstances that ever
+occurred to any man.
+
+"I waited upon the governor, as I had settled with Manon, to
+procure his consent to the ceremony of our marriage.  I should
+have avoided speaking to him or to any other person upon the
+subject, if I had imagined that his chaplain, who was the only
+minister in the town, would have performed the office for me
+without his knowledge; but not daring to hope that he would do so
+privately, I determined to act ingenuously in the matter.
+
+"The governor had a nephew named Synnelet, of whom he was
+particularly fond.  He was about thirty; brave, but of a
+headstrong and violent disposition.  He was not married.  Manon's
+beauty had struck him on the first day of our arrival; and the
+numberless opportunities he had of seeing her during the last
+nine or ten months, had so inflamed his passion, that he was
+absolutely pining for her in secret.  However, as he was
+convinced in common with his uncle and the whole colony that I
+was married, he put such a restraint upon his feelings, that they
+remained generally unnoticed; and he lost no opportunity of
+showing the most disinterested friendship for me.
+
+"He happened to be with his uncle when I arrived at the
+government house.  I had no reason for keeping my intention a
+secret from him, so that I explained myself without hesitation in
+his presence.  The governor heard me with his usual kindness.  I
+related to him a part of my history, to which he listened with
+evident interest; and when I requested his presence at the
+intended ceremony, he was so generous as to say, that he must be
+permitted to defray the expenses of the succeeding entertainment. 
+I retired perfectly satisfied.
+
+"In an hour after, the chaplain paid me a visit.  I thought he
+was come to prepare me by religious instruction for the sacred
+ceremony; but, after a cold salutation, he announced to me in two
+words, that the governor desired I would relinquish all thoughts
+of such a thing, for that he had other views for Manon.
+
+"`Other views for Manon!' said I, as I felt my heart sink
+within me; `what views then can they be, chaplain?'
+
+"He replied, that I must be, of course, aware that the governor
+was absolute master here; that Manon, having been transported
+from France to the colony, was entirely at his disposal; that,
+hitherto he had not exercised his right, believing that she was a
+married woman; but that now, having learned from my own lips that
+it was not so, he had resolved to assign her to M. Synnelet, who
+was passionately in love with her.
+
+"My indignation overcame my prudence.  Irritated as I was, I
+desired the chaplain instantly to quit my house, swearing at the
+same time that neither governor, Synnelet, nor the whole colony
+together, should lay hands upon my wife, or mistress, if they
+chose so to call her.
+
+"I immediately told Manon of the distressing message I had just
+received.  We conjectured that Synnelet had warped his uncle's
+mind after my departure, and that it was all the effect of a
+premeditated design.  They were, questionless, the stronger
+party.  We found ourselves in New Orleans, as in the midst of the
+ocean, separated from the rest of the world by an immense
+interval of space.  In a country perfectly unknown, a desert, or
+inhabited, if not by brutes, at least by savages quite as
+ferocious, to what corner could we fly?  I was respected in the
+town, but I could not hope to excite the people in my favour to
+such a degree as to derive assistance from them proportioned to
+the impending danger: money was requisite for that purpose, and I
+was poor.  Besides, the success of a popular commotion was
+uncertain; and if we failed in the attempt, our doom would be
+inevitably sealed.
+
+"I revolved these thoughts in my mind; I mentioned them in part
+to Manon; I found new ones, without waiting for her replies; I
+determined upon one course, and then abandoned that to adopt
+another; I talked to myself, and answered my own thoughts aloud;
+at length I sank into a kind of hysterical stupor that I can
+compare to nothing, because nothing ever equalled it.  Manon
+observed my emotion, and from its violence, judged how imminent
+was our danger; and, apprehensive more on my account than on her
+own, the dear girl could not even venture to give expression to
+her fears.
+
+"After a multitude of reflections, I resolved to call upon the
+governor, and appeal to his feelings of honour, to the
+recollection of my unvarying respect for him, and the marks he
+had given of his own affection for us both.  Manon endeavoured to
+dissuade me from this attempt: she said, with tears in her eyes,
+`You are rushing into the jaws of death; they will murder you--I
+shall never again see you--I am determined to die before you.'  I
+had great difficulty in persuading her that it was absolutely
+necessary that I should go, and that she should remain at home. 
+I promised that she should see me again in a few moments.  She
+did not foresee, nor did I, that it was against herself the whole
+anger of Heaven, and the rabid fury of our enemies, was about to
+be concentrated.
+
+"I went to the fort: the governor was there with his chaplain. 
+I supplicated him in a tone of humble submission that I could
+have ill brooked under other circumstances.  I invoked his
+clemency by every argument calculated to soften any heart less
+ferocious and cruel than a tiger's.
+
+"The barbarian made to all my prayers but two short answers,
+which he repeated over and over again.  `Manon,' he said, `was at
+his disposal: and he had given a promise to his nephew.'  I was
+resolved to command my feelings to the last: I merely replied,
+that I had imagined he was too sincerely my friend to desire my
+death, to which I would infinitely rather consent than to the
+loss of my mistress.
+
+"I felt persuaded, on quitting him, that it was folly to expect
+anything from the obstinate tyrant, who would have damned himself
+a hundred times over to please his nephew.  However, I persevered
+in restraining my temper to the end; deeply resolved, if they
+persisted in such flagrant injustice, to make America the scene
+of one of the most horrible and bloody murders that even love had
+ever led to.
+
+"I was, on my return home, meditating upon this design, when
+fate, as if impatient to expedite my ruin, threw Synnelet in my
+way.  He read in my countenance a portion of my thoughts.  I
+before said, he was brave.  He approached me.
+
+"`Are you not seeking me?' he enquired.  `I know that my
+intentions have given you mortal offence, and that the death of
+one of us is indispensable: let us see who is to be the happy
+man.'
+
+"I replied, that such was unquestionably the fact, and that
+nothing but death could end the difference between us.
+
+"We retired about one hundred paces out of the town.  We drew: I
+wounded and disarmed him at the first onset.  He was so enraged,
+that he peremptorily refused either to ask his life or renounce
+his claims to Manon.  I might have been perhaps justified in
+ending both by a single blow; but noble blood ever vindicates its
+origin.  I threw him back his sword.  `Let us renew the
+struggle,' said I to him, `and remember that there shall be now
+no quarter.'  He attacked me with redoubled fury.  I must confess
+that I was not an accomplished swordsman, having had but three
+months' tuition in Paris.  Love, however, guided my weapon. 
+Synnelet pierced me through and through the left arm; but I
+caught him whilst thus engaged, and made so vigorous a thrust
+that I stretched him senseless at my feet.
+
+"In spite of the triumphant feeling that victory, after a mortal
+conflict, inspires, I was immediately horrified by the certain
+consequences of his death.  There could not be the slightest hope
+of either pardon or respite from the vengeance I had thus
+incurred.  Aware, as I was, of the affection of the governor for
+his nephew, I felt perfectly sure that my death would not be
+delayed a single hour after his should become known.  `Urgent as
+this apprehension was, it still was by no means the principal
+source of my uneasiness.  Manon, the welfare of Manon, the peril
+that impended over her, and the certainty of my being now at
+length separated from her, afflicted me to such a degree, that I
+was incapable of recognising the place in which I stood.  I
+regretted Synnelet's death: instant suicide seemed the only
+remedy for my woes. 
+
+"However, it was this very thought that quickly restored me to
+my reason, and enabled me to form a resolution.  `What,' said I
+to myself, `die, in order to end my pain!  Then there is
+something I dread more than the loss of all I love!  No, let me
+suffer the cruellest extremities in order to aid her; and when
+these prove of no avail, fly to death as a last resource!'
+
+"I returned towards the town; on my arrival at home, I found
+Manon half dead with fright and anxiety: my presence restored
+her.  I could not conceal from her the terrible accident that had
+happened.  On my mentioning the death of Synnelet and my own
+wound, she fell in a state of insensibility into my arms.  It was
+a quarter of an hour before I could bring her again to her
+senses.
+
+"I was myself in a most deplorable state of mind; I could not
+discern the slightest prospect of safety for either of us. 
+`Manon,' said I to her, when she had recovered a little, `what
+shall we do?  Alas, what hope remains to us?  I must necessarily
+fly.  Will you remain in the town?  Yes dearest Manon, do remain;
+you may possibly still be happy here; while I, far away from you,
+may seek death and find it amongst the savages, or the wild
+beasts.'
+
+"She raised herself in spite of her weakness, and taking hold of
+my hand to lead me towards the door:  `Let us,' said she, `fly
+together, we have not a moment to lose; Synnelet's body may be
+found by chance, and we shall then have no time to escape.' 
+`But, dear Manon,' replied I, `to what place can we fly?  Do you
+perceive any resource?  Would it not be better that you should
+endeavour to live on without me; and that I should go and
+voluntarily place my life in the governor's hands?'
+
+"This proposal had only the effect of making her more impatient
+for our departure.  I had presence of mind enough, on going out,
+to take with me some strong liquors which I had in my chamber,
+and as much food as I could carry in my pockets.  We told our
+servants, who were in the adjoining room, that we were going to
+take our evening walk, as was our invariable habit; and we left
+the town behind us more rapidly than I had thought possible from
+Manon's delicate state of health.
+
+"Although I had not formed any resolve as to our future
+destination, I still cherished a hope, without which I should
+have infinitely preferred death to my suspense about Manon's
+safety.  I had acquired a sufficient knowledge of the country,
+during nearly ten months which I had now passed in America, to
+know in what manner the natives should be approached.  Death was
+not the necessary consequence of falling into their hands.  I had
+learned a few words of their language, and some of their customs,
+having had many opportunities of seeing them.
+
+"Besides this sad resource, I derived some hopes from the fact,
+that the English had, like ourselves, established colonies in
+this part of the New World.  But the distance was terrific.  In
+order to reach them, we should have to traverse deserts of many
+days' journey, and more than one range of mountains so steep and
+vast as to seem almost impassable to the strongest man.  I
+nevertheless flattered myself that we might derive partial relief
+from one or other of these sources: the savages might serve us as
+guides, and the English receive us in their settlements.
+
+"We journeyed on as long as Manon's strength would permit, that
+is to say, about six miles; for this incomparable creature, with
+her usual absence of selfishness, refused my repeated entreaties
+to stop.  Overpowered at length by fatigue, she acknowledged the
+utter impossibility of proceeding farther.  It was already night:
+we sat down in the midst of an extensive plain, where we could
+not even find a tree to shelter us.  Her first care was to dress
+my wound, which she had bandaged before our departure. I, in
+vain, entreated her to desist from exertion: it would have only
+added to her distress if I had refused her the satisfaction of
+seeing me at ease and out of danger, before her own wants were
+attended to.  I allowed her therefore to gratify herself, and in
+shame and silence submitted to her delicate attentions.
+
+"But when she had completed her tender task, with what ardour
+did I not enter upon mine!  I took off my clothes and stretched
+them under her, to render more endurable the hard and rugged
+ground on which she lay.  I protected her delicate hands from the
+cold by my burning kisses and the warmth of my sighs.  I passed
+the livelong night in watching over her as she slept, and praying
+Heaven to refresh her with soft and undisturbed repose.  `You can
+bear witness, just and all-seeing God! to the fervour and
+sincerity of those prayers, and Thou alone knowest with what
+awful rigour they were rejected.'
+
+"You will excuse me, if I now cut short a story which it
+distresses me beyond endurance to relate.  It is, I believe, a
+calamity without parallel.  I can never cease to deplore it.  But
+although it continues, of course, deeply and indelibly impressed
+on my memory, yet my heart seems to shrink within me each time
+that I attempt the recital.
+
+"We had thus tranquilly passed the night.  I had fondly imagined
+that my beloved mistress was in a profound sleep, and I hardly
+dared to breathe lest I should disturb her.  As day broke, I
+observed that her hands were cold and trembling; I pressed them
+to my bosom in the hope of restoring animation.  This movement
+roused her attention, and making an effort to grasp my hand, she
+said, in a feeble voice, that she thought her last moments had
+arrived.
+
+"I, at first, took this for a passing weakness, or the ordinary
+language of distress; and I answered with the usual consolations
+that love prompted.  But her incessant sighs, her silence, and
+inattention to my enquiries, the convulsed grasp of her hands, in
+which she retained mine, soon convinced me that the crowning end
+of all my miseries was approaching.
+
+"Do not now expect me to attempt a description of my feelings,
+or to repeat her dying expressions.  I lost her--I received the
+purest assurances of her love even at the very instant that her
+spirit fled.  I have not nerve to say more upon this fatal and
+disastrous event. 
+
+"My spirit was not destined to accompany Manon's.  Doubtless,
+Heaven did not as yet consider me sufficiently punished, and
+therefore ordained that I should continue to drag on a languid
+and joyless existence.  I willingly renounced every hope of
+leading a happy one.
+
+"I remained for twenty-four hours without taking my lips from
+the still beauteous countenance and hands of my adored Manon.  My
+intention was to await my own death in that position; but at the
+beginning of the second day, I reflected that, after I was gone,
+she must of necessity become the prey of wild beasts.  I then
+determined to bury her, and wait my own doom upon her grave.  I
+was already, indeed, so near my end from the combined effect of
+long fasting and grief, that it was with the greatest difficulty
+I could support myself standing.  I was obliged to have recourse
+to the liquors which I had brought with me, and these restored
+sufficient strength to enable me to set about my last sad office. 
+From the sandy nature of the soil there was little trouble in
+opening the ground.  I broke my sword and used it for the
+purpose; but my bare hands were of greater service.  I dug a deep
+grave, and there deposited the idol of my heart, after having
+wrapt around her my clothes to prevent the sand from touching
+her.  I kissed her ten thousand times with all the ardour of the
+most glowing love, before I laid her in this melancholy bed.  I
+sat for some time upon the bank intently gazing on her, and could
+not command fortitude enough to close the grave over her.  At
+length, feeling that my strength was giving way, and apprehensive
+of its being entirely exhausted before the completion of my task,
+I committed to the earth all that it had ever contained most
+perfect and peerless.  I then lay myself with my face down upon
+the grave, and closing my eyes with the determination never again
+to open them, I invoked the mercy of Heaven, and ardently prayed
+for death.
+
+"You will find it difficult to believe that, during the whole
+time of this protracted and distressing ceremony, not a tear or a
+sigh escaped to relieve my agony.  The state of profound
+affliction in which I was, and the deep settled resolution I had
+taken to die, had silenced the sighs of despair, and effectually
+dried up the ordinary channels of grief.  It was thus impossible
+for me, in this posture upon the grave, to continue for any time
+in possession of my faculties.
+
+"After what you have listened to, the remainder of my own
+history would ill repay the attention you seem inclined to bestow
+upon it.  Synnelet having been carried into the town and
+skilfully examined, it was found that, so far from being dead, he
+was not even dangerously wounded.  He informed his uncle of the
+manner in which the affray had occurred between us, and he
+generously did justice to my conduct on the occasion.  I was sent
+for; and as neither of us could be found, our flight was
+immediately suspected.  It was then too late to attempt to trace
+me, but the next day and the following one were employed in the
+pursuit.
+
+"I was found, without any appearance of life, upon the grave of
+Manon: and the persons who discovered me in this situation,
+seeing that I was almost naked and bleeding from my wounds,
+naturally supposed that I had been robbed and assassinated.  They
+carried me into the town.  The motion restored me to my senses. 
+The sighs I heaved on opening my eyes and finding myself still
+amongst the living, showed that I was not beyond the reach of
+art: they were but too successful in its application.
+
+"I was immediately confined as a close prisoner.  My trial was
+ordered; and as Manon was not forthcoming, I was accused of
+having murdered her from rage and jealousy.  I naturally related
+all that had occurred.  Synnelet, though bitterly grieved and
+disappointed by what he heard, had the generosity to solicit my
+pardon: he obtained it.
+
+"I was so reduced, that they were obliged to carry me from the
+prison to my bed, and there I suffered for three long months
+under severe illness.  My aversion from life knew no diminution. 
+I continually prayed for death, and obstinately for some time
+refused every remedy.  But Providence, after having punished me
+with atoning rigour, saw fit to turn to my own use its
+chastisements and the memory of my multiplied sorrows.  It at
+length deigned to shed upon me its redeeming light, and revived
+in my mind ideas worthy of my birth and my early education.
+
+"My tranquillity of mind being again restored, my cure speedily
+followed.  I began only to feel the highest aspirations of
+honour, and diligently performed the duties of my appointment,
+whilst expecting the arrival of the vessels from France, which
+were always due at this period of the year.  I resolved to return
+to my native country, there to expiate the scandal of my former
+life by my future good conduct.  Synnelet had the remains of my
+dear mistress removed into a more hallowed spot.
+
+"It was six weeks after my recovery that, one day walking alone
+upon the banks of the river, I saw a vessel arrive, which some
+mercantile speculation had directed to New Orleans.  I stood by
+whilst the passengers landed.  Judge my surprise on recognising
+Tiberge amongst those who proceeded towards the town.  This
+ever-faithful friend knew me at a distance, in spite of the
+ravages which care and sorrow had worked upon my countenance.  He
+told me that the sole object of his voyage had been to see me
+once more, and to induce me to return with him to France; that on
+receipt of the last letter which I had written to him from Havre,
+he started for that place, and was himself the bearer of the
+succour which I solicited; that he had been sensibly affected on
+learning my departure, and that he would have instantly followed
+me, if there had been a vessel bound for the same destination;
+that he had been for several months endeavouring to hear of one
+in the various seaport towns, and that, having at length found
+one at St. Malo which was weighing anchor for Martinique, he
+embarked, in the expectation of easily passing from thence to New
+Orleans; that the St. Malo vessel having been captured by Spanish
+pirates and taken to one of their islands, he had contrived to
+escape; and that, in short, after many adventures, he had got on
+board the vessel which had just arrived, and at length happily
+attained his object.
+
+"I was totally unable adequately to express my feelings of
+gratitude to this generous and unshaken friend.  I conducted him
+to my house, and placed all I possessed at his service.  I
+related to him every circumstance that had occurred to me since I
+left France: and in order to gladden him with tidings which I
+knew he did not expect, I assured him that the seeds of virtue
+which he had in former days implanted in my heart, were now about
+to produce fruit, of which even he should be proud.  He declared
+to me, that this gladdening announcement more than repaid him for
+all the fatigue and trouble he had endured.
+
+"We passed two months together at New Orleans whilst waiting the
+departure of a vessel direct to France; and having at length
+sailed, we landed only a fortnight since at Havre-de-Grace.  On
+my arrival I wrote to my family.  By a letter from my elder
+brother, I there learned my father's death, which, I dread to
+think, the disorders of my youth might have hastened.  The wind
+being favourable for Calais, I embarked for this port, and am now
+going to the house of one of my relations who lives a few miles off,
+where my brother said that he should anxiously await my arrival."
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Etext of Manon Lescaut by the Abbe Prevost
+
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