\"Wewerenotable，however，tocarrythisintentionintoeffect；
for，havingtakenmeaside，`Ihavebeeninthegreatestembarrassment，’saidhetome，`sinceIsawyou，andthatisthecauseofmyvisitingyoutoday。G————M————isinlovewithyourmistress：hetoldmesoinconfidence；Iamhisintimatefriend，anddisposedtodohimanyserviceinmypower；butIamnotlessdevotedtoyou；hisdesignsappearedtomeunjustifiable，andI
expressedmydisapprobationofthem；Ishouldnothavedivulgedhissecret，ifhehadonlyintendedtousefairandordinarymeansforgainingManon’saffections；butheisawareofhercapriciousdisposition；hehaslearned，Godknowshow，thatherrulingpassionisforaffluenceandpleasure；and，asheisalreadyinpossessionofaconsiderablefortune，hedeclaredhisintentionoftemptingheratoncewithapresentofgreatvalue，andtheofferofanannuityofsixthousandfrancs；ifIhadinallotherpointsconsideredyoubothinanequallight，Ishouldhavehadperhapstodomoreviolencetomyfeelingsinbetrayinghim：butasenseofjusticeaswellasoffriendshipwasonyourside，andthemoresofromhavingbeenmyselftheimprudent，thoughunconscious，causeofhispassioninintroducinghimhere。
IfeelitmydutythereforetoavertanyevilconsequencesfromthemischiefIhaveinadvertentlycaused。
\"IthankedM。deT————forrenderingmesoimportantaservice，andconfessedtohim，inalikespiritofconfidence，thatManon’sdispositionwaspreciselywhatG————M————hadimagined；
thatistosay，thatshewasincapableofenduringeventhethoughtofpoverty。`However，’saidItohim，`whenitisamerequestionofmoreorless，Idonotbelievethatshewouldgivemeupforanyotherperson；Icanaffordtoletherwantfornothing，andIhavefromdaytodayreasontohopethatmyfortunewillimprove；Ionlydreadonething，’continuedI，`whichis，thatG————M————maytakeunfairadvantageoftheknowledgehehasofourplaceofresidence，andbringusintotroublebydisclosingit。’
\"M。deT————assuredmethatImightbeperfectlyeasyuponthathead；thatG————M————mightbecapableofasillypassion，butnotofanactofbaseness；thatifheevercouldbevillainenoughforsuchathing，he，deT————，wouldbethefirsttopunishhim，andbythatmeansmakereparationforthemischiefhehadoccasioned。`Ifeelgratefulforwhatyousay，’saidI，`butthemischiefwillhavebeenalldone，andtheremedyevenseemsdoubtful；thewisestplanthereforewillbetoquitChaillot，andgotoresideelsewhere。’`Verytrue，’saidM。deT————，`butyouwillnotbeabletodoitquicklyenough，forG————M————istobehereatnoon；hetoldmesoyesterday，anditwasthatintelligencethatmademecomesoearlythismorningtoinformyouofhisintentions。Youmayexpecthimeverymoment。\"
\"Theurgencyoftheoccasionmademeviewthismatterinamoreseriouslight。AsitseemedtomeimpossibletoescapethevisitofG————M————，andperhapsequallysotopreventhimfrommakinghisdeclarationtoManon，Iresolvedtotellherbeforehandofthedesignsofmynewrival。IfanciedthatwhensheknewIwasawareoftheoffersthatwouldbemadetoher，andmadeprobablyinmypresence，shewouldbethemorelikelytorejectthem。I
toldM。deT————ofmyintention，andheobservedthathethoughtitamatterofextremedelicacy。`Iadmitit，’saidI，`butnomaneverhadmorereasonforconfidinginamistress，thanIhaveforrelyingontheaffectionofmine。Theonlythingthatcouldpossiblyforamomentblindher，isthesplendourofhisoffers；
nodoubtshelovesherease，butshelovesmealso；andinmypresentcircumstances，IcannotbelievethatshewouldabandonmeforthesonofthemanwhohadincarceratedherintheMagdalen。’
Infine，Ipersistedinmyintentions，andtakingManonaside，I
candidlytoldherwhatIhadlearned。
\"ShethankedmeforthegoodopinionIentertainedofher，andpromisedtoreceiveG————M————’soffersinawaythatshouldpreventarepetitionofthem。`No，’saidI，`youmustnotirritatehimbyincivility：hehasitinhispowertoinjureus。
Butyouknowwellenough，youlittlerogue，’continuedI，smiling，`howtoridyourselfofadisagreeableoruselesslover！’Afteramoment’spauseshesaid：`Ihavejustthoughtofanadmirableplan，andIcertainlyhaveafertileinvention。
G————M————isthesonofourbitterestenemy：wemustavengeourselvesonthefather，notthroughtheson’sperson，butthroughhispurse。Myplanistolistentohisproposals，accepthispresents，andthenlaughathim。’
\"`Theprojectisnotabadone，’saidItoher；`butyouforget，mydearchild，thatitispreciselythesamecoursethatconductedusformerlytothepenitentiary。’Irepresentedtoherthedangerofsuchanenterprise；shereplied，thattheonlythingnecessarywastotakeourmeasureswithcaution，andshefoundananswertoeveryobjectionIstarted。`Showmetheloverwhodoesnotblindlyhumoureverywhimofanadoredmistress，andIwillthenallowthatIwaswronginyieldingsoeasilyonthisoccasion。’TheresolutionwastakentomakeadupeofG————M————，andbyanunforeseenandunluckyturnoffortune，Ibecamethevictimmyself。
\"Abouteleveno’clockhiscarriagedroveuptothedoor。Hemadethemostcomplaisantandrefinedspeechesuponthelibertyhehadtakenofcomingtodinewithusuninvited。HewasnotsurprisedatmeetingM。deT————，whohadthenightbeforepromisedtomeethimthere，andwhohad，undersomepretextorother，refusedaseatinhiscarriage。Althoughtherewasnotasinglepersoninthepartywhowasnotatheartmeditatingtreachery，weallsatdownwithanairofmutualconfidenceandfriendship。G————M————easilyfoundanopportunityofdeclaringhissentimentstoManon。Ididnotwishtoannoyhimbyappearingvigilant，soIlefttheroompurposelyforseveralminutes。
\"IperceivedonmyreturnthathehadnothadtoencounteranyverydiscouragingausterityonManon’spart，forhewasinthebestpossiblespirits。Iaffectedgoodhumouralso。Hewaslaughinginhismindatmysimplicity，whileIwasnotlessdivertedbyhisown。Duringthewholeeveningwewerethussupplyingtoeachotheraninexhaustiblefundofamusement。I
contrived，beforehisdeparture，tolethimhaveManonforanothermomenttohimself；sothathehadreasontoapplaudmycomplaisance，aswellasthehospitablereceptionIhadgivenhim。
\"AssoonashegotintohiscarriagewithM。deT————，Manonrantowardsmewithextendedarms，andembracedme；laughingallthewhileimmoderately。Sherepeatedallhisspeechesandproposals，withoutalteringaword。Thiswasthesubstance：Heofcourseadoredher；andwishedtosharewithheralargefortuneofwhichhewasalreadyinpossession，withoutcountingwhathewastoinheritathisfather’sdeath。Sheshouldbesolemistressofhisheartandfortune；andasanimmediatetokenofhisliberality，hewasreadyatoncetosupplyherwithanequipage，afurnishedhouse，alady’smaid，threefootmen，andaman-cook。
\"`Thereisindeedason，’saidI，`verydifferentfromhisfather！
Buttellmetruly，now，doesnotsuchanoffertemptyou？’
`Me！’shereplied，adaptingtotheideatwoversesfromRacine——
Moi！vousmesoupconnezdecetteperfidie？
Moi！jepourraissouffrirunvisageodieux，Quirappelletoujoursl’Hopitalamesyeux？
`NoI’repliedI，continuingtheparody——
J’auraispeineapenserquel’Hopital，madame，Futuntraitdontl’amourl’eutgravedansvotreame。
`Butitassuredlyisatemptation——afurnishedhouse，alady’smaid，acook，acarriage，andthreeservants——gallantrycanofferbutfewmoreseductivetemptations。’
\"Sheprotestedthatherheartwasentirelymine，andthatitwasforthefutureonlyopentotheimpressionsIchosetomakeuponit。`Ilookuponhispromises，’saidshe，`asaninstrumentforrevenge，ratherthanasamarkoflove。’Iaskedherifshethoughtofacceptingthehotelandthecarriage。Sherepliedthathismoneywasallshewanted。
Thedifficultywas，howtoobtaintheonewithouttheother；weresolvedtowaitforadetailedexplanationofthewholeprojectinaletterwhichG————M————promisedtowritetoher，andwhichinfactshereceivednextmorningbyaservantoutoflivery，who，verycleverly，contrivedanopportunityofspeakingtoheralone。
Shetoldhimtowaitforananswer，andimmediatelybroughtthelettertome：weopenedittogether。
\"Passingovertheusualcommonplaceexpressionsoftenderness，itgaveaparticulardetailofmyrival’spromises。Therewerenolimitstotheexpense。Heengagedtopayherdowntenthousandfrancsonhertakingpossessionofthehotel，andtosupplyherexpenditureinsuchawayasthatsheshouldneverhavelessthanthatsumathercommand。Theappointeddayforherenteringintopossessionwascloseathand。Heonlyrequiredtwodaysforallhispreparations，andhementionedthenameofthestreetandthehotel，wherehepromisedtobeinwaitingforherintheafternoonofthesecondday，ifshecouldmanagetoescapemyvigilance。Thatwastheonlypointuponwhichhebeggedofhertorelievehisuneasiness；heseemedtobequitesatisfieduponeveryother：butheaddedthat，ifsheapprehendedanydifficultyinescapingfromme，hecouldfindsuremeansforfacilitatingherflight。
\"G————M————theyoungerwasmorecunningthantheoldgentleman。Hewantedtosecurehispreybeforehecountedoutthecash。WeconsideredwhatcourseManonshouldadopt。Imadeanotherefforttoinducehertogiveupthescheme，andstronglyrepresentedallitsdangers；nothing，however，couldshakeherdetermination。
\"HeranswertoG————M————wasbrief，merelyassuringhimthatshecouldbe，withouttheleastdifficulty，inParisontheappointeddayandthathemightexpectherwithcertainty。
\"Wethenresolved，thatIshouldinstantlyhirelodgingsinsomevillageontheothersideofParis，andthatIshouldtakeourluggagewithme；thatintheafternoonofthefollowingday，whichwasthetimeappointed，sheshouldgotoParis；that，afterreceivingG————M————’spresents，sheshouldearnestlyentreathimtotakehertothetheatre；thatsheshouldcarrywithheraslargeaportionofthemoneyasshecould，andchargemyservantwiththeremainder，foritwasagreedthathewastoaccompanyher。HewasthemanwhohadrescuedherfromtheMagdalen，andhewasdevotedlyattachedtous。Iwastobewithahackney-coachattheendofthestreetofSt。Andre-des-arcs，andtoleaveitthereaboutseveno’clock，whileIstole，undercoverofthetwilight，tothedoorofthetheatre。Manonpromisedtomakesomeexcuseforquittingherboxforamoment，whenshewouldcomedownandjoinme。Therestcouldbeeasilydone。Wewerethentoreturntomyhackney-coach，andquitParisbytheFaubourgSt。Antoine，whichwastheroadtoournewresidence。
\"Thisplan，extravagantasitwas，appearedtoussatisfactorilyarranged。Butourgreatestfollywasinimaginingthat，succeedaswemightinitsexecution，itwouldbepossibleforustoescapetheconsequences。Nevertheless，weexposedourselvestoallriskwiththeblindestconfidence。ManontookherdeparturewithMarcel——sowastheservantcalled。Icouldnothelpfeelingapangasshetookleaveofme。`Manon，’saidI，`donotdeceiveme；willyoubefaithfultome？’Shecomplained，inthetenderesttone，ofmywantofconfidence，andrenewedallherprotestationsofeternallove。
\"ShewastobeinParisatthreeo’clock。Iwentsometimeafter。IspenttheremainderoftheafternoonmopingintheCafedeFere，nearthePontSt。Michel。Iremainedtheretillnightfall。Ithenhiredahackney-coach，whichIplaced，accordingtoourplan，attheendofthestreetofSt。
Andre-des-arcs，andwentonfoottothedoorofthetheatre。I
wassurprisedatnotseeingMarcel，whowastohavebeentherewaitingforme。Iwaitedpatientlyforafullhour，standingamongacrowdoflackeys，andgazingateverypersonthatpassed。
Atlength，seveno’clockhavingstruck，withoutmybeingabletodiscoveranythingoranypersonconnectedwithourproject，I
procuredapitticket，inordertoascertainifManonandG————
M————wereintheboxes。NeitheronenortheothercouldIfind。
Ireturnedtothedoor，whereIagainstoppedforaquarterofanhour，inanagonyofimpatienceanduneasiness。Nopersonappeared，andIwentbacktothecoach，withoutknowingwhattoconjecture。Thecoachman，seeingme，advancedafewpacestowardsme，andsaid，withamysteriousair，thataveryhandsomeyoungpersonhadbeenwaitingmorethananhourformeinthecoach；thatshedescribedmesoexactlythathecouldnotbemistaken，andhavinglearnedthatIintendedtoreturn，shesaidshewouldenterthecoachandwaitwithpatience。
\"`IfeltconfidentthatitwasManon。Iapproached。Ibeheldaveryprettyface，certainly，butalas，nothers。Theladyasked，inavoicethatIhadneverbeforeheard，whethershehadthehonourofspeakingtotheChevalierdesGrieux？Ianswered，`Thatismyname。’`Ihavealetterforyou，’saidshe，`whichwilltellyouwhathasbroughtmehere，andbywhatmeansI
learnedyourname。’Ibeggedshewouldallowmeafewmomentstoreaditinanadjoiningcafe。Sheproposedtofollowme，andadvisedmetoaskforaprivateroom，towhichIconsented。`Whoisthewriterofthisletter？’Ienquired。Shereferredmetotheletteritself。
\"IrecognisedManon’shand。Thisisnearlythesubstanceoftheletter：G————M————hadreceivedherwithapolitenessandmagnificencebeyondanythingshehadpreviouslyconceived。Hehadloadedherwiththemostgorgeouspresents。Shehadtheprospectofalmostimperialsplendour。Sheassuredme，however，thatshecouldnotforgetmeamidstallthismagnificence；butthat，notbeingabletoprevailonG————M————totakeherthateveningtotheplay，shewasobligedtodeferthepleasureofseeingme；andthat，asaslightconsolationforthedisappointmentwhichshefearedthismightcauseme，shehadfoundamessengerinoneoftheloveliestgirlsinallParis。
Shesignedherself，`Yourlovingandconstant，MANONLESCAUT。’
\"Therewassomethingsocruelandsoinsultingintheletter，that，whatbetweenindignationandgrief，Iresolutelydeterminedtoforgeteternallymyungratefulandperjuredmistress。I
lookedattheyoungwomanwhostoodbeforeme：shewasexceedinglypretty，andIcouldhavewishedthatshehadbeensufficientlysotorendermeinconstantinmyturn。Buttherewerewantingthoselovelyandlanguishingeyes，thatdivinegracefulness，thatexquisitecomplexion，infine，thoseinnumerablecharmswhichnaturehadsoprofuselylavishedupontheperfidiousManon。`No，no，’saidI，turningawayfromher；
`theungratefulwretchwhosentyouknewinherheartthatshewassendingyouonauselesserrand。Returntoher；andtellherfromme，totriumphinhercrime，andenjoyit，ifshecan，withoutremorse。Iabandonherindespair，and，atthesametime，renounceallwomen，who，withoutherfascination，arenodoubtherequalsinbasenessandinfidelity。’
\"Iwasthenonthepointofgoingaway，determinednevertobestowanotherthoughtonManon：themortaljealousythatwasrackingmyheartlayconcealedunderadarkandsullenmelancholy，andIfancied，becauseIfeltnoneofthoseviolentemotionswhichIhadexperienceduponformeroccasions，thatI
hadshakenoffmythraldom。Alas！Iwasevenatthatmomentinfinitelymorethedupeoflove，thanof，G————M————andManon。
\"Thegirlwhohadbroughttheletter，seeingmeabouttodepart，askedmewhatIwishedhertosaytoM。G————M————，andtotheladywhowaswithhim？Atthisquestion，Isteppedbackagainintotheroom，andbyoneofthoseunaccountabletransitionsthatareonlyknowntothevictimsofviolentpassion，IpassedinaninstantfromthestateofsubduedtranquillitywhichIhavejustdescribed，intoanungovernablefury`Away！’saidItoher，`tellthetraitorG————M————andhisabandonedmistressthestateofdespairintowhichyouraccursedmissionhascastme；butwarnthemthatitshallnotbelongasourceofamusementtothem，andthatmyownhandsshallbewarmedwiththeheart’sbloodofboth！’Isankbackuponachair；myhatfellononeside，andmycaneupontheother：torrentsofbittertearsrolleddownmycheeks。Theparoxysmofragechangedintoaprofoundandsilentgrief：Ididnothingbutweepandsigh。`Approach，mychild，approach，’saidItotheyounggirl；`approach，sinceitisyoutheyhavesenttobringmecomfort；tellmewhetheryouhaveanybalmtoadministerforthepangsofdespairandrage——anyargumenttoofferagainstthecrimeofself-destruction，whichI
haveresolvedupon，afterriddingtheworldoftwoperfidiousmonsters。Yes，approach，’continuedI，perceivingthatsheadvancedwithtimidanddoubtfulsteps；`comeanddrymysorrows；
comeandrestorepeacetomymind；comeandtellmethatatleastyouloveme：youarehandsome——Imayperhapsloveyouinreturn。’
Thepoorchild，whowasonlysixteenorseventeenyearsofage，andwhoappearedmoremodestthangirlsofherclassgenerallyare，wasthunderstruckatthisunusualscene。Shehowevergentlyapproachedtocaressme，whenwithupliftedhandsIrudelyrepulsedher。`Whatdoyouwishwithme？’exclaimedItoher。
`Ah！youareawoman，andofasexIabhor，andcannolongertolerate；theverygentlenessofyourlookthreatensmewithsomenewtreason。Go，leavemeherealone！’Shemademeacurtsywithoututteringaword，andturnedtogoout。Icalledtohertostop：`Tellmeatleast，’saidI，`wherefore——how——withwhatdesigntheysentyouhere？howdidyoudiscovermyname，ortheplacewhereyoucouldfindme？’
\"ShetoldmethatshehadlongknownM。G————M————；thathehadsentforherthateveningaboutfiveo’clock；andthat，havingfollowedtheservantwhohadbeendispatchedtoher，shewasshownintoalargehouse，whereshefoundhimplayingatpicquetwithabeautifulyoungwoman；andthattheybothchargedhertodelivertheletterintomyhands，aftertellingherthatshewouldfindmeinahackney-coachatthebottomofthestreetofSt。Andre。Iaskediftheyhadsaidnothingmore。Sheblushedwhileshereplied，thattheyhadcertainlymadeherbelievethatIshouldbegladofhersociety。`Theyhavedeceivedyoutoo，’
saidI，`mypoorgirl——theyhavedeceivedyou；youareawoman，andprobablywishforalover；butyoumustfindonewhoisrichandhappy，anditisnothereyouwillfindhim。Return，returntoM。G————M————；hepossesseseverythingrequisitetomakeamanbeloved。Hehasfurnishedhousesandequipagestobestow，whileI，whohavenothingbutconstancyoflovetooffer，amdespisedformypoverty，andlaughedatformysimplicity。’
\"Icontinuedinatoneofsorroworviolence，asthesefeelingsalternatelytookpossessionofmymind。However，bytheveryexcessofmyagitation，Ibecamegraduallysosubduedastobeablecalmlytoreflectuponthesituationofaffairs。IcomparedthisnewmisfortunewiththosewhichIhadalreadyexperiencedofthesamekind，andIcouldnotperceivethattherewasanymorereasonfordespairnow，thanuponformeroccasions。IknewManon：whythendistressmyselfonaccountofacalamitywhichI
couldnotbuthaveplainlyforeseen？Whynotratherthinkofseekingaremedy？therewasyettime；Iatleastoughtnottosparemyownexertions，ifIwishedtoavoidthebitterreproachofhavingcontributed，bymyownindolence，tomymisery。I
thereuponsetaboutconsideringeverymeansofraisingagleamofhope。
\"ToattempttotakeherbymainforcefromthehandsofG————M————wastoodesperateaproject，calculatedonlytoruinme，andwithouttheslightestprobabilityofsucceeding。ButitseemedtomethatifIcouldensureamoment’sinterviewwithher，Icouldnotfailtoregainmyinfluenceoverheraffections。
Isowellknewhowtoexcitehersensibilities！Iwassoconfidentofherloveforme！Theverywhimevenofsendingmeaprettywomanbywayofconsolingme，Iwouldstakemyexistence，washeridea，andthatitwasthesuggestionofherownsinceresympathyformysufferings。
\"Iresolvedtoexerteverynervetoprocureaninterview。AfteramultitudeofplanswhichIcanvassedoneafteranother，Ifixeduponthefollowing：M。deT————hadshownsomuchsincerityintheserviceshehadrenderedme，thatIcouldnotentertainadoubtofhiszealandgoodfaith。Iproposedtocalluponhimatonce，andmakehimsendforG————M————，underpretenceofsomeimportantbusiness。HalfanhourwouldsufficetoenablemetoseeManon。IthoughtitwouldnotbedifficulttogetintroducedintoherapartmentduringG————M————’sabsence。
\"Thisdeterminationpacifiedme，andIgavealiberalpresenttothegirl，whowasstillwithme；andinordertopreventherfromreturningtothosewhohadsenther，Itookdownheraddress，andhalfpromisedtocalluponheratalaterhour。Ithengotintothehackney-coach，anddrovequicklytoM。deT————’s。Iwasfortunateenoughtofindhimathome。IhadbeenapprehensiveuponthispointasIwentalong。Asinglesentenceputhiminpossessionofthewholecase，aswellofmysufferings，asofthefriendlyserviceIhadcometosupplicateathishands。
\"HewassoastonishedtolearnthatG————M————hadbeenabletoseduceManonfromme，that，notbeingawarethatIhadmyselflentahandtomyownmisfortune，hegenerouslyofferedtoassemblehisfriends，andevoketheiraidforthedeliveranceofmymistress。ItoldhimthatsuchaproceedingmightbyitspublicitybeattendedwithdangertoManonandtome。`Letusriskourlives，’saidI，`onlyasalastresource。Myplanisofamorepeacefulnature，andpromisingatleastequalsuccess。’
HeenteredwithoutamurmurintoallthatIproposed；soagainstatingthatallIrequiredwas，thatheshouldsendforG————
M————，andcontrivetokeephimanhourortwofromhome，weatoncesetaboutouroperations。
\"Wefirstofallconsideredwhatexpedientwecouldmakeuseofforkeepinghimoutsolongatime。Iproposedthatheshouldwriteanotedatedfromacafe，beggingofhimtocomethereassoonaspossibleuponanaffairoftoourgentimportancetoadmitofdelay。`Iwillwatch，’addedI，`themomenthequitsthehouse，andintroducemyselfwithoutanydifficulty，beingonlyknowntoManon，andmyservantMarcel。YoucanatthesametimetellG————M————，thattheimportantaffairuponwhichyouwishedtoseehimwastheimmediatewantofasumofmoney；thatyouhadjustemptiedyourpurseatplay，andthatyouhadplayedon，withcontinuedbadluck，uponcredit。Hewillrequiresometimetotakeyoutohisfather’shouse，wherehekeepshismoney，andIshallhavequitesufficientfortheexecutionofmyplan。’
\"M。deT————minutelyadheredtothesedirections。Ilefthiminacafe，whereheatoncewrotehisletter。ItookmystationclosebyManon’shouse。IsawdeT————’smessengerarrive，andG————M————comeoutthenextmoment，followedbyaservant。
Allowinghimbarelytimetogetoutofthestreet，Iadvancedtomydeceiver’sdoor，andnotwithstandingtheangerIfelt，I
knockedwithasmuchrespectasattheportalofachurch。
FortunatelyitwasMarcelwhoopenedforme。AlthoughIhadnothingtoapprehendfromtheotherservants，IaskedhiminalowvoiceifhecouldconductmeunseenintotheroominwhichManonwas。Hesaidthatwaseasilydone，bymerelyascendingthegreatstaircase。`Comethenatonce，’saidItohim，`andendeavourtopreventanyonefromcomingupwhileIamthere。’I
reachedtheapartmentwithoutanydifficulty。
\"Manonwasreading。Ihadthereanopportunityofadmiringthesingularcharacterofthisgirl。Insteadofbeingnervousoralarmedatmyappearance，shescarcelybetrayedasymptomofsurprise，whichfewpersons，howeverindifferent，couldrestrain，onseeingonewhomtheyimaginedtobefardistant。`Ah！itisyou，mydearlove，’saidshe，approachingtoembracemewithherusualtenderness。`Goodheavens，howventuresomeandfoolhardyyouare！Whocouldhaveexpectedtoseeyouinthisplace！’
Insteadofembracingherinreturn，Irepulsedherwithindignation，andretreatedtwoorthreepacesfromher。Thisevidentlydisconcertedher。Sheremainedimmovable，andfixedhereyesonme，whileshechangedcolour。
\"Iwasinrealitysodelightedtobeholdheroncemore，that，withsomuchrealcauseforanger，Icouldhardlybringmylipstoupbraidher。Myheart，however，feltthecrueloutrageshehadinflicteduponme。Iendeavouredtorevivetherecollectionofitinmyownmind，inordertoexcitemyfeelings，andputonalookofsternindignation。Iremainedsilentforafewmoments，whenIremarkedthatsheobservedmyagitation，andtrembled：apparentlytheeffectofherfears。
\"Icouldnotlongerendurethisspectacle。`Ah！Manon，’saidI
toherinthemildesttone，`faithlessandperjuredManon！HowamItocomplainofyourconduct？Iseeyoupaleandtrembling，andIamstillsomuchalivetoyourslightestsufferings，thatI
amunwillingtoaddtothembymyreproaches。But，Manon，Itellyouthatmyheartispiercedwithsorrowatyourtreatmentofme——treatmentthatisseldominflictedbutwiththepurposeofdestroyingone’slife。Thisisthethirdtime，Manon；Ihavekeptacorrectaccount；itisimpossibletoforgetthat。Itisnowforyoutoconsiderwhatcourseyouwilladopt；formyafflictedheartisnolongercapableofsustainingsuchshocks。
Iknowandfeelthatitmustgiveway，anditisatthismomentreadytoburstwithgrief。Icansaynomore，’addedI，throwingmyselfintoachair；`Ihavehardlystrengthtospeak，ortosupportmyself。’
\"Shemademenoreply；butwhenIwasseated，shesankdownuponherknees，andrestedherheaduponmylap，coveringherfacewithherhands。Iperceivedinamomentthatshewassheddingfloodsoftears。Heavens！withwhatconflictingsensationswasI
atthatinstantagitated！`Ah！Manon，Manon，’saidI，sighing，`itistoolatetogivemetearsafterthedeath-blowyouhaveinflicted。Youaffectasorrowwhichyoucannotfeel。Thegreatestofyourmisfortunesisnodoubtmypresence，whichhasbeenalwaysanobstacletoyourhappiness。Openyoureyes；lookupandseewhoitisthatishere；youwillnotthrowawaytearsoftendernessuponanunhappywretchwhomyouhavebetrayedandabandoned。’
\"Shekissedmyhandswithoutchangingherposition。`InconstantManon，’saidIagain，`ungratefulandfaithlessgirl，wherenowareallyourpromisesandyourvows？Capriciousandcruelthatyouare！whathasnowbecomeofthelovethatyouprotestedformethisveryday？JustHeavens，’addedI，`isitthusyoupermitatraitortomockyou，afterhavingcalledyousosolemnlytowitnesshervows！Recompenseandrewardthenarefortheperjured！Despairandneglectarethelotoffidelityandtruth！’
\"Thesewordsconveyedeventomyownmindasentimentsobitterlysevere，that，inspiteofmyself，sometearsescapedfromme。Manonperceivedthisbythechangeinmyvoice。Sheatlengthspoke。`Imusthaveindeeddonesomethingmostculpable，’
saidshe，sobbingwithgrief，`tohaveexcitedandannoyedyoutothisdegree；but，IcallHeaventoattestmyutterunconsciousnessofcrime，andmyinnocenceofallcriminalintention！’
\"Thisspeechstruckmeassodevoidofreasonandoftruth，thatIcouldnotrestrainalivelyfeelingofanger。`Horriblehypocrisy！’criedI；`Iseemoreplainlythaneverthatyouaredishonestandtreacherous。NowatlengthIlearnyourwretcheddisposition。Adieu，basecreature，’saidI，risingfrommyseat；
`Iwouldpreferdeathathousandtimesratherthancontinuetoholdtheslightestcommunicationwithyou。MayHeavenpunishme，ifIeveragainwasteuponyouthesmallestregard！Liveonwithyournewlover——renounceallfeelingsofhonour——detestme——yourloveisnowamattertomeofutterinsignificance！’
\"Manonwassoterrifiedbytheviolenceofmyanger，that，remainingonherkneesbythechairfromwhichIhadjustbeforerisen，breathlessandtrembling，shefixedhereyesuponme。I
advancedalittlefarthertowardsthedoor，but，unlessIhadlostthelastsparkofhumanity，Icouldnotcontinuelongerunmovedbysuchaspectacle。
\"Sofar，indeed，wasIfromthiskindofstoicalindifference，that，rushingatonceintotheveryoppositeextreme，Ireturned，orratherflewbacktoherwithoutaninstant’sreflection。I
liftedherinmyarms；Igaveherathousandtenderkisses；I
imploredhertopardonmyungovernabletemper；IconfessedthatI
wasanabsolutebrute，andunworthyofbeinglovedbysuchanangel。
\"Imadehersitdown，andthrowingmyself，inmyturn，uponmyknees，Iconjuredhertolistentomeinthatattitude。ThenI
brieflyexpressedallthatasubmissiveandimpassionedlovercouldsaymosttenderandrespectful。Isupplicatedherpardon。
Sheletherarmsfallovermyneck，asshesaidthatitwasshewhostoodinneedofforgiveness，andbeggedofmeinmercytoforgetalltheannoyancesshehadcausedme，andthatshebegan，withreason，tofearthatIshouldnotapproveofwhatshehadtosayinherjustification。`Me！’saidIinterruptingherimpatiently；`Irequirenojustification；Iapproveofallyouhavedone。Itisnotformetodemandexcusesforanythingyoudo；Iambuttoohappy，toocontented，ifmydearManonwillonlyleavememasterofheraffections！But，’continuedI，rememberingthatitwasthecrisisofmyfate，`mayInot，Manon，all-powerfulManon，youwhowieldatyourpleasuremyjoysandsorrows，mayInotbepermitted，afterhavingconciliatedyoubymysubmissionandallthesignsofrepentance，tospeaktoyounowofmymiseryanddistress？MayInowlearnfromyourownlipswhatmydestinyistobe，andwhetheryouareresolvedtosignmydeath-warrant，byspendingevenasinglenightwithmyrival？’
\"Sheconsideredamomentbeforeshereplied。`Mygoodchevalier，’saidshe，resumingthemosttranquiltone，`ifyouhadonlyatfirstexplainedyourselfthusdistinctly，youwouldhavesparedyourselfaworldoftrouble，andpreventedascenethathasreallyannoyedme。Sinceyourdistressistheresultofjealousy，Icouldatfirsthavecuredthatbyofferingtoaccompanyyouwhereyoupleased。ButIimagineditwascausedbytheletterwhichIwasobligedtowriteinthepresenceofG————
M————，andofthegirlwhomwesentwithit。Ithoughtyoumighthaveconstruedthatletterintoamockery；andhavefanciedthat，bysendingsuchamessenger，ImeanttoannouncemyabandonmentofyouforthesakeofG————M————。Itwasthisideathatatonceoverwhelmedmewithgrief；for，innocentasIknewmyselftobe，Icouldnotbutallowthatappearanceswereagainstme。
However，’continuedshe，`Iwillleaveyoutojudgeofmyconduct，afterIshallhaveexplainedthewholetruth。’
\"ShethentoldmeallthathadoccurredtoherafterjoiningG————M————，whomshefoundpunctuallyawaitingherarrival。Hehadinfactreceivedherinthemostprincelystyle。Heshowedherthroughalltheapartments，whichwerefittedupintheneatestandmostcorrecttaste。Hehadcountedouttoherinherboudoirtenthousandfrancs，aswellasaquantityofjewels，amongstwhichweretheidenticalpearlnecklaceandbraceletswhichshehadoncebeforereceivedasapresentfromhisfather。
Hethenledherintoasplendidroom，whichshehadnotbeforeseen，andinwhichanexquisitecollationwasserved；shewaswaiteduponbythenewservants，whomhehadhiredpurposelyforher，andwhomhenowdesiredtoconsiderthemselvesasexclusivelyherattendants；thecarriageandthehorseswereafterwardsparaded，andhethenproposedagameofcards，untilsuppershouldbeannounced。
\"`Iacknowledge，’continuedManon，`thatIwasdazzledbyallthismagnificence。Itstruckmethatitwouldbemadnesstosacrificeatoncesomanygoodthingsforthemeresakeofcarryingoffthemoneyandthejewelsalreadyinmypossession；
thatitwasacertainfortunemadeforbothyouandme，andthatwemightpasstheremainderofourlivesmostagreeablyandcomfortablyattheexpenseofG————M————。
\"`Insteadofproposingthetheatre，Ithoughtitmoreprudenttosoundhisfeelingswithregardtoyou，inordertoascertainwhatfacilitiesweshouldhaveformeetinginfuture，onthesuppositionthatIcouldcarrymyprojectintoeffect。Ifoundhimofamosttractabledisposition。HeaskedmehowIfelttowardsyou，andifIhadnotexperiencedsomecompunctionatquittingyou。Itoldhimthatyouweresotrulyamiable，andhadevertreatedmewithsuchundeviatingkindness，thatitwasimpossibleIcouldhateyou。Headmittedthatyouwereamanofmerit，andexpressedanardentdesiretogainyourfriendship。
\"`HewasanxioustoknowhowIthoughtyouwouldtakemyelopement，particularlywhenyoushouldlearnthatIwasinhishands。Ianswered，thatourlovewasofsuchlongstandingastohavehadtimetomoderatealittle；that，besides，youwerenotinveryeasycircumstances，andwouldprobablynotconsidermydepartureasanyseveremisfortune，inasmuchasitwouldrelieveyoufromaburdenofnoveryinsignificantnature。Iaddedthat，beingperfectlyconvincedyouwouldtakethewholematterrationally，IhadnothesitatedtotellyouthatIhadsomebusinessinParis；butyouhadatonceconsented，andthathavingaccompaniedmeyourself，youdidnotseemveryuneasywhenweseparated。
\"`IfIthought，’saidhetome，’thathecouldbringhimselftoliveongoodtermswithme，Ishouldbetoohappytomakehimatenderofmyservicesandattentions。’Iassuredhimthat，fromwhatIknewofyourdisposition，Ihadnodoubtyouwouldacknowledgehiskindnessinacongenialspirit：especially，I
added，ifhecouldassistyouinyouraffairs，whichhadbecomeembarrassedsinceyourdisagreementwithyourfamily。Heinterruptedmebydeclaring，thathewouldgladlyrenderyouanyserviceinhispower，andthatifyouweredisposedtoformanewattachment，hewouldintroduceyoutoanextremelyprettywoman，whomhehadjustgivenupforme。
\"`Iapprovedofallhesaid，’sheadded，`forfearofexcitinganysuspicions；andbeingmoreandmoresatisfiedofthefeasibilityofmyscheme，Ionlylongedforanopportunityoflettingyouintoit，lestyoushouldbealarmedatmynotkeepingmyappointment。WiththisviewIsuggestedtheideaofsendingthisyoungladytoyou，inordertohaveanopportunityofwriting；Iwasobligedtohaverecoursetothisplan，becauseI
couldnotseeachanceofhisleavingmetomyselfforamoment。’
\"`Hewasgreatlyamusedwithmyproposition；hecalledhisvalet，andaskinghimwhetherhecouldimmediatelyfindhislatemistress，hedispatchedhimatonceinsearchofher。HeimaginedthatshewouldhavetogotoChaillottomeetyou，butI
toldhimthat，whenweparted，Ipromisedtomeetyouagainatthetheatre，orthat，ifanythingshouldpreventmefromgoingthere，youweretowaitformeinacoachatthe，endofthestreetofSt。Andre；thatconsequentlyitwouldbebesttosendyournewlovethere，ifitwereonlytosaveyoufromthemiseryofsuspenseduringthewholenight。Isaiditwouldbealsonecessarytowriteyoualineofexplanation，withoutwhichyouwouldprobablybepuzzledbythewholetransaction。Heconsented；butIwasobligedtowriteinhispresence；andItookespecialcarenottoexplainmatterstoopalpablyinmyletter。
\"`Thisisthehistory，’saidManon，`oftheentireaffair。I
concealnothingfromyou，ofeithermyconductormyintentions。
Thegirlarrived；Ithoughtherhandsome；andasIdoubtednotthatyouwouldbemortifiedbymyabsence，Ididmostsincerelyhopethatshewouldbeabletodissipatesomethingofyourennui：
foritisthefidelityoftheheartalonethatIvalue。IshouldhavebeentoodelightedtohavesentMarcel，butIcouldnotforasingleinstantfindanopportunityoftellinghimwhatIwishedtocommunicatetoyou。’ShefinishedherstorybydescribingtheembarrassmentintowhichM。deT————’sletterhadthrownG————
M————；`hehesitated，’saidshe，`aboutleaving，andassuredmethatheshouldnotbelongabsent；anditisonthisaccountthatIamuneasyatseeingyouhere，andthatIbetrayed，atyourappearance，someslightfeelingofsurprise。’
\"Ilistenedtoherwithgreatpatience。Therewerecertainlypartsofherrecitalsufficientlycruelandmortifying；fortheintention，atleast，oftheinfidelitywassoobvious，thatshehadnoteventakenthetroubletodisguiseit。ShecouldneverhaveimaginedthatG————M————meanttovenerateherasavestal。
Shemustthereforeclearlyhavemadeuphermindtopassatleastonenightwithhim。Whatanavowalforalover’sears！However，Iconsideredmyselfaspartlythecauseofherguilt，byhavingbeenthefirsttoletherknowG————M————’ssentimentstowardsher，andbythesillyreadinesswithwhichIenteredintothisrashproject。Besides，byanaturalbentofmymind，peculiarI
believetomyself，Iwasdupedbytheingenuousnessofherstory——bythatopenandwinningmannerwithwhichsherelatedeventhecircumstancesmostcalculatedtoannoyme。`Thereisnothingofwantonvice，’saidItomyself，`inhertransgressions；sheisvolatileandimprudent，butsheissincereandaffectionate。’Mylovealonerenderedmeblindtoallherfaults。Iwasenchantedattheprospectofrescuingherthatverynightfrommyrival。Isaidtoher：`Withwhomdoyoumeantopassthenight？’Shewasevidentlydisconcertedbythequestion，andansweredmeinanembarrassedmannerwithBUTSandIFS。
\"Ifeltforher，andinterruptedherbysayingthatIatonceexpectedhertoaccompanyme。
\"`Nothingcangivememorepleasure，’saidshe；`butyoudon’tapprovethenofmyproject？’
\"`Isitnotenough，’repliedI，`thatIapproveofallthatyouhave，uptothismoment，done？’
\"`What，’saidshe，`arewenoteventotakethetenthousandfrancswithus？Why，hegavemethemoney；itismine。’
\"Iadvisedhertoleaveeverything，andletusthinkonlyofescapingforalthoughIhadbeenhardlyhalfanhourwithher，I
begantodreadthereturnofG————M————。However，shesoearnestlyurgedmetoconsenttoourgoingoutwithsomethinginourpockets，thatIthoughtmyselfboundtomakeher，onmypart，someconcession，inreturnforallsheyieldedtome。
\"Whileweweregettingreadyforourdeparture，Iheardsomeoneknockatthestreetdoor。IfeltconvincedthatitmustbeG————
M————；andintheheatofthemoment，ItoldManon，thatassureasheappearedIwouldtakehislife。Intruth，IfeltthatI
wasnotsufficientlyrecoveredfrommylateexcitementtobeabletorestrainmyfuryifImethim。Marcelputanendtomyuneasiness，byhandingmealetterwhichhehadreceivedformeatthedoor；itwasfromM。deT————。
\"Hetoldmethat，asG————M————hadgonetohisfather’shouseforthemoneywhichhewanted，hehadtakenadvantageofhisabsencetocommunicatetomeanamusingideathathadjustcomeintohishead；thatitappearedtohim，Icouldnotpossiblytakeamoreagreeablerevengeuponmyrival，thanbyeatinghissupper，andspendingthenightintheverybedwhichhehadhopedtosharewithmymistress；allthisseemedtohimeasyenough，ifIcouldonlyfindtwoorthreemenuponwhomIcoulddepend，ofcouragesufficienttostophiminthestreet，anddetainhimincustodyuntilnextmorning；thathewouldundertaketokeephimoccupiedforanotherhouratleast，undersomepretext，whichhecoulddevisebeforeG————M————’sreturn。
\"IshowedthenotetoManon；ItoldheratthesametimeofthemannerinwhichIhadprocuredtheinterviewwithher。Myscheme，aswellasthenewoneofM。deT————’s，delightedher：
welaughedheartilyatitforsomeminutes；butwhenItreateditasamerejoke，Iwassurprisedatherinsistingseriouslyuponit，asathingperfectlypracticable，andtoodelightfultobeneglected。InvainIenquiredwhereshethoughtIcouldpossiblyfind，onasudden，menfitforsuchanadventure？andonwhomI
couldrelyforkeepingG————M————instrictcustody？ShesaidthatIshouldatleasttry，asM。deT————ensuredusyetafullhour；andastomyotherobjections，shesaidthatIwasplayingthetyrant，anddidnotshowtheslightestindulgencetoherfancies。Shesaidthatitwasimpossibletherecouldbeamoreenchantingproject。`Youwillhavehisplaceatsupper；youwillsleepinhisbed；andtomorrow，asearlyasyoulike，youcanwalkoffwithbothhismistressandhismoney。Youmaythus，atoneblow，beamplyrevengeduponfatherandson。’
\"Iyieldedtoherentreaties，inspiteofthesecretmisgivingsofmyownmind，whichseemedtoforebodetheunhappycatastrophethatafterwardsbefellme。Iwentoutwiththeintentionofaskingtwoorthreeguardsmen，withwhomLescauthadmademeacquainted，toundertakethearrestofG————M————。Ifoundonlyoneofthemathome，buthewasafellowripeforanyadventure；
andhenosoonerheardourplan，thanheassuredmeofcertainsuccess：allherequiredweresixpistoles，torewardthethreeprivatesoldierswhomhedeterminedtoemployinthebusiness。I
beggedofhimtolosenotime。Hegotthemtogetherinlessthanaquarterofinhour。Iwaitedathislodgingstillhereturnedwiththem，andthenconductedhimtothecornerofastreetthroughwhichIknewG————M————mustpassangoingbacktoManon’shouse。IrequestedhimnottotreatG————M————roughly，buttokeephimconfined，andsostrictlywatched，untilseveno’clocknextmorning，thatImightbefreefromallapprehensionofhisescape。Hetoldmehisintentionwastobringhimaprisonertohisownroom，andmakehimundressandsleepinhisbed，whileheandhisgallantcomradesshouldspendthenightindrinkingandplaying。
\"IremainedwiththemuntilwesawG————M————returninghomewards；andIthenwithdrewafewstepsintoadarkrecessinthestreet，toenjoysoentertainingandextraordinaryascene。
Theofficerchallengedhimwithapistoltohisbreast，andthentoldhim，inaciviltone，thathedidnotwanteitherhismoneyorhislife；butthatifhehesitatedtofollowhim，orifhegavetheslightestalarm，hewouldblowhisbrainsout。G————
M————，seeingthathisassailantwassupportedbythreesoldiers，andperhapsnotuninfluencedbyadreadofthepistol，yieldedwithoutfurtherresistance。Isawhimledawaylikealamb。
X
Whatlostaworld，andbadeaherofly？
ThetimidtearinCleopatra’seye。
Yetbethesofttriumvir’sfaultforgiven，Bythis，howmanylose——notearth——butheaven！
Consigntheirsoulstoman’seternalfoe，Andsealtheirown，tosparesomewanton’s，woe！
BYRON。
IsoonreturnedtoManon；andtopreventtheservantsfromhavinganysuspicion，Itoldherintheirhearing，thatsheneednotexpectM。G————M————tosupper；thathewasmostreluctantlyoccupiedwithbusinesswhichdetainedhim，andthathehadcommissionedmetocomeandmakehisexcuses，andtofillhisplaceatthesuppertable；which，inthecompanyofsobeautifulalady，Icouldnotbutconsideraveryhighhonour。Shesecondedmewithherusualadroitness。Wesatdowntosupper。I
putonthemostseriousairIcouldassume，whiletheservantswereintheroom，andatlengthhavinggotridofthem，wepassed，beyondallcomparison，themostagreeableeveningofmylife。IgaveMarcelorderstofindahackney-coach，andengageittobeatthegateonthefollowingmorningalittlebeforesixo’clock。IpretendedtotakeleaveofManonaboutmidnight，buteasilygainingadmissionagain，throughMarcel，IproceededtooccupyG————M————’sbed，asIhadfilledhisplaceatthesuppertable。
\"Inthemeantimeourevilgeniuswasatworkforourdestruction。Wewerelikechildrenenjoyingthesuccessofoursillyscheme，whiletheswordhungsuspendedoverourheads。Thethreadwhichuphelditwasjustabouttobreak；butthebettertounderstandallthecircumstancesofourruin，itisnecessarytoknowtheimmediatecause。
\"G————M————wasfollowedbyaservant，whenhewasstoppedbymyfriendtheguardsman。Alarmedbywhathesaw，thisfellowretracedhissteps，andthefirstthinghedidwastogoandinformoldG————M————ofwhathadjusthappened。
\"Suchapieceofnews，ofcourse，excitedhimgreatly。Thiswashisonlyson；andconsideringtheoldgentleman’sadvancedage，hewasextremelyactiveandardent。Hefirstenquiredoftheservantwhathissonhadbeendoingthatafternoon；whetherhehadhadanyquarrelonhisownaccount，orinterferedinanyother；whetherhehadbeeninanysuspicioushouse。Thelackey，whofanciedhismasterinimminentdanger，andthoughtheoughtnottohaveanyreserveinsuchanemergency，disclosedatonceallthatheknewofhisconnectionwithManon，andoftheexpensehehadgonetoonheraccount；themannerinwhichhehadpassedtheafternoonwithheruntilaboutnineo’clock，thecircumstanceofhisleavingher，andtheoutrageheencounteredonhisreturn。
Thiswasenoughtoconvincehimthathisson’saffairwasalovequarrel。Althoughitwasthenatleasthalf-pasttenatnight，hedeterminedatoncetocallonthelieutenantofpolice。Hebeggedofhimtoissueimmediateorderstoallthedetachmentsthatwereoutonduty，andhehimself，takingsomemenwithhim，hastenedtothestreetwherehissonhadbeenstopped：hevisitedeveryplacewherehethoughthemighthaveachanceoffindinghim；andnotbeingabletodiscovertheslightesttraceofhim，hewentofftothehouseofhismistress，towhichhethoughtheprobablymightbythistimehavereturned。
\"Iwassteppingintobedwhenhearrived。Thedoorofthechamberbeingclosed，Ididnotheartheknockatthegate，butherushedintothehouse，accompaniedbytwoarchersoftheguard，andafterfruitlessenquiriesoftheservantsabouthisson，heresolvedtotrywhetherhecouldgetanyinformationfromtheirmistress。Hecameuptotheapartment，stillaccompaniedbytheguard。Wewerejustonthepointoflyingdownwhenheburstopenthedoor，andelectrifiedusbyhisappearance。
`Heavens！’saidItoManon，`itisoldG————M————。’Iattemptedtogetpossessionofmysword；butitwasfortunatelyentangledinmybelt。Thearchers，whosawmyobject，advancedtolayholdofme。Stripttomyshirt，Icould，ofcourse，offernoresistance，andtheyspeedilydeprivedmeofallmeansofdefence。
\"G————M————，althoughagooddealembarrassedbythewholescene，soonrecognisedme；andManonstillmoreeasily。`Isthisadream？’saidhe，inthemostserioustone——`doInotseebeforemetheChevalierdesGrieuxandManonLescaut？’Iwassoovercomewithshameanddisappointment，thatIcouldmakehimnoreply。Heappearedforsomeminutesrevolvingdifferentthoughtsinhismind；andasiftheyhadsuddenlyexcitedhisanger，heexclaimed，addressinghimselftome：`Wretch！Iamconfidentthatyouhavemurderedmyson！’
\"Ifeltindignantatsoinsultingacharge。`Youhoaryandlecherousvillain！’Iexclaimed，`ifIhadbeeninclinedtokillanyofyourworthlessfamily，itiswithyouIshouldmostassuredlyhavecommenced。’
\"`Holdhimfast，’criedhetothearchers；`hemustgivemesometidingsofmyson；Ishallhavehimhangedtomorrow，ifhedoesnotpresentlyletmeknowhowhehasdisposedofhim。’
\"`Youwillhavemehanged，’saidI，`willyou？Infamousscoundre！itisforsuchasyouthatthegibbetiserected。Knowthatthebloodwhichflowsinmyveinsisnoble，andpurerineverysensethanyours。Yes，’Iadded，`Idoknowwhathashappenedtoyourson；andifyouirritatemefurther，Iwillhavehimstrangledbeforemorning；andIpromiseyoutheconsolationofmeetinginyourownpersonthesamefate，afterheisdisposedof。’
\"IwasimprudentinacknowledgingthatIknewwherehissonwas，butexcessofangermademecommitthisindiscretion。Heimmediatelycalledinfiveorsixotherarchers，whowerewaitingatthegate，andorderedthemtotakealltheservantsintocustody。`Ah！ah！Chevalier，’saidhe，inatoneofsardonicraillery，——`soyoudoknowwheremysonis，andyouwillhavehimstrangled，yousay？Wewilltrytosetthatmattertorights。’
\"InowsawthefollyIhadcommitted。
\"HeapproachedManon，whowassittinguponthebed，bathedinafloodoftears。Hesaidsomething，withthemostcruelirony，ofthedespoticpowershewieldedoveroldandyoung，fatherandson——heredifyingdominionoverherempire。Thissuperannuatedmonsterofincontinenceactuallyattemptedtotakelibertieswithher。
\"`Takecare，’exclaimedI，`howyoulayafingeruponher！——
neitherdivinenorhumanlawwillbeable，shouldyourfollyarouseit，toshieldyoufrommyvengeance！’
\"Hequittedtheroom，desiringthearcherstomakeusdressasquicklyaspossible。