\"WhenIlostallhopeofreceivingtheexpectedassistancefromTiberge，Isoldmyhorse；themoneyitbrought，joinedtowhatremainedofyourgenerousgift，amountedtothesmallsumoffortypistoles；IexpendedeightinthepurchaseofsomenecessaryarticlesforManon；andIputtheremainderby，asthecapitaluponwhichweweretorestourhopesandraiseourfortunesinAmerica。Ihadnodifficultyingettingadmittedonboardthevessel。Theywereatthetimelookingforyoungmenasvoluntaryemigrantstothecolony。Thepassageandprovisionsweresuppliedgratis。IleftaletterforTiberge，whichwastogobythepostnextmorningtoParis。Itwasnodoubtwritteninatonecalculatedtoaffecthimdeeply，sinceitinducedhimtoformaresolution，whichcouldonlybecarriedintoexecutionbythetenderestandmostgeneroussympathyforhisunhappyfriend。
XIII
Sunthieetiamsuaproemialaudi，Suntlachrymaererum，etmentemmortaliatangunt。
VIRGIL。
E’enthemutewallsrelatethevictim’sfame。
Andsinner’stearsthegoodman’spityclaim。
DRYDEN。
\"Wesetsail；thewindcontinuedfavourableduringtheentirepassage。Iobtainedfromthecaptain’skindnessaseparatecabinfortheuseofManonandmyself。Hewassogoodastodistinguishusfromtheherdofourmiserableassociates。Itookanopportunity，onthesecondday，ofconciliatinghisattentions，bytellinghimpartofourunfortunatehistory。I
didnotfeelthatIwasguiltyofanyveryculpablefalsehoodinsayingthatIwasthehusbandofManon。Heappearedtobelieveit，andpromisedmehisprotection；andindeedweexperienced，duringthewholepassage，themostflatteringevidencesofhissincerity。Hetookcarethatourtablewascomfortablyprovided；
andhisattentionsprocuredusthemarkedrespectofourcompanionsinmisery。TheunweariedobjectofmysolicitudewastosaveManonfromeveryinconvenience。Shefeltthis，andhergratitude，togetherwithalivelysenseofthesingularpositioninwhichIhadplacedmyselfsolelyforhersake，renderedthedearcreaturesotenderandimpassioned，soattentivealsotomymosttriflingwants，thatitwasbetweenusacontinualemulationofattentionsandoflove。IfeltnoregretatquittingEurope；
onthecontrary，thenearerweapproachedAmerica，themoredidI
feelmyheartexpandandbecometranquil。IfIhadnotfeltadreadofourperhapswanting，byandby，theabsolutenecessariesoflife，Ishouldhavebeengratefultofateforhavingatlengthgivensofavourableaturntoouraffairs。
\"`Afterapassageoftwomonths，weatlengthreachedthebanksofthedesiredriver。Thecountryofferedatfirstsightnothingagreeable。Wesawonlysterileanduninhabitedplains，coveredwithrushes，andsometreesrootedupbythewind。Notraceeitherofmenoranimals。However，thecaptainhavingdischargedsomepiecesofartillery，wepresentlyobservedagroupoftheinhabitantsofNewOrleans，whoapproacheduswithevidentsignsofjoy。Wehadnotperceivedthetown：itisconcealeduponthesideonwhichweapproacheditbyahill。Wewerereceivedaspersonsdroppedfromtheclouds。
\"ThepoorinhabitantshastenedtoputathousandquestionstousuponthestateofFrance，andofthedifferentprovincesinwhichtheywereborn。Theyembracedusasbrothers，andasbelovedcompanions，whohadcometosharetheirpainsandtheirsolitude。
Weturnedtowardsthetownwiththem；butwewereastonishedtoperceive，asweadvanced，thatwhatwehadhithertoheardspokenofasarespectabletown，wasnothingmorethanacollectionofmiserablehuts。Theywereinhabitedbyfiveorsixhundredpersons。Thegovernor’shousewasalittledistinguishedfromtherestbyitsheightanditsposition。Itwassurroundedbysomeearthenramparts，andadeepditch。
\"Wewerefirstpresentedtohim。Hecontinuedforsometimeinconversationwiththecaptain；andthenadvancingtowardsus，helookedattentivelyatthewomenoneafteranother：therewerethirtyofthem，foranothertroopofconvictshadjoinedusatHavre。Afterhavingthusinspectedthem，hesentforseveralyoungmenofthecolonywhoweredesiroustomarry。Heassignedthehandsomestwomentotheprincipalofthese，andtheremainderweredisposedofbylot。HehadnotyetaddressedManon；buthavingorderedtheotherstodepart，hemadeusremain。`Ilearnfromthecaptain，’saidhe，`thatyouaremarried，andheisconvincedbyyourconductonthepassagethatyouarebothpersonsofmeritandofeducation。Ihavenothingtodowiththecauseofyourmisfortunes；butifitbetruethatyouareasconversantwiththeworldandsocietyasyourappearancewouldindicate，Ishallsparenopainstosoftentheseverityofyourlot，andyoumayonyourpartcontributetowardsrenderingthissavageanddesertabodelessdisagreeabletome。’IrepliedinthemannerwhichIthoughtbestcalculatedtoconfirmtheopinionhehadformedofus。Hegaveorderstohaveahabitationpreparedforusinthetown，anddetainedustosupper。Iwasreallysurprisedtofindsomuchpolitenessinagovernoroftransportedconvicts。Inthepresenceofothersheabstainedfromenquiringaboutourpastadventures。Theconversationwasgeneral；andinspiteofourdegradation，ManonandIexertedourselvestomakeitlivelyandagreeable。
\"Atnightwewereconductedtothelodgingpreparedforus。Wefoundawretchedhovelcomposedofplanksandmud，containingthreeroomsontheground，andaloftoverhead。Hehadsenttheresixchairs，andsomefewnecessariesoflife。
\"Manonappearedfrightenedbythefirstviewofthismelancholydwelling。Itwasonmyaccountmuchmorethanuponherown，thatshedistressedherself。Whenwewerelefttoourselves，shesatdownandweptbitterly。Iattemptedatfirsttoconsoleher；butwhensheenabledmetounderstandthatitwasformysakeshedeploredourprivations，andthatinourcommonafflictionssheonlyconsideredmeasthesufferer，Iputonanairofresolution，andevenofcontent，sufficienttoencourageher。
\"`Whatisthereinmylottolament？’saidI；`IpossessallthatIhaveeverdesired。Youloveme，Manon，doyounot？WhathappinessbeyondthishaveIeverlongedfor？LetusleavetoProvidencethedirectionofourdestiny；itbynomeansappearstomesodesperate。Thegovernoriscivilandobliging；hehasalreadygivenusmarksofhisconsideration；hewillnotallowustowantfornecessaries。Astoourrudehutandthesqualidnessofourfurniture，youmighthavenoticedthattherearefewpersonsinthecolonybetterlodgedormorecomfortablyfurnishedthanweare：andthenyouareanadmirablechemist，’addedI，embracingher；`youtransformeverythingintogold。’
\"`Inthatcase，’sheanswered，`youshallbetherichestmanintheuniverse；for，asthereneverwaslovesurpassingyours，soitisimpossibleformantobelovedmoretenderlythanyouarebyme。Iwellknow，’shecontinued，`thatIhavenevermeritedthealmostincrediblefidelityandattachmentwhichyouhaveshownforme。Ihaveoftencausedyouannoyances，whichnothingbutexcessivefondnesscouldhaveinducedyoutopardon。Ihavebeenthoughtlessandvolatile；andevenwhilelovingyouasI
havealwaysdonetodistraction，Iwasneverfreefromaconsciousnessofingratitude。Butyoucannotbelievehowmuchmynatureisaltered；thosetearswhichyouhavesofrequentlyseenmeshedsincequittingtheFrenchshore，havenotbeencausedbymyownmisfortunes。Sinceyoubegantosharethemwithme，I
havebeenastrangertoselfishness：Ionlyweptfromtendernessandcompassionforyou。Iaminconsolableatthethoughtofhavinggivenyouoneinstant’spainduringmypastlife。Ineverceaseupbraidingmyselfwithmyformerinconstancy，andwonderingatthesacrificeswhichlovehasinducedyoutomakeforamiserableandunworthywretch，whocouldnot，withthelastdropofherblood，compensateforhalfthetormentsshehascausedyou。’
\"Hergrief，thelanguage，andthetoneinwhichsheexpressedherself，madesuchanimpression，thatIfeltmyheartreadytobreakinme。`Takecare，’saidItoher，`takecare，dearManon；
Ihavenotstrengthtoenduresuchexcitingmarksofyouraffection；Iamlittleaccustomedtotherapturoussensationswhichyounowkindleinmyheart。OhHeaven！’criedI，`Ihavenownothingfurthertoaskofyou。IamsureofManon’slove。
Thathasbeenalonewantingtocompletemyhappiness；Icannowneverceasetobehappy：myfelicityiswellsecured。’
\"`Itisindeed，’shereplied，`ifitdependsuponme，andI
wellknowwhereIcanbeevercertainoffindingmyownhappinesscentred。’
\"Withtheseideas，capableofturningmyhutintoapalaceworthyofearth’sproudestmonarch，Ilaydowntorest。Americaappearedtomyviewthetruelandofmilkandhoney，theabodeofcontentmentanddelight。`PeopleshouldcometoNewOrleans，’I
oftensaidtoManon，`whowishtoenjoytherealraptureoflove！
Itisherethatloveisdivestedofallselfishness，alljealousy，allinconstancy。Ourcountrymencomehereinsearchofgold；theylittlethinkthatwehavediscoveredtreasuresofinestimablygreatervalue。’
\"Wecarefullycultivatedthegovernor’sfriendship。Hebestoweduponme，afewweeksafterourarrival，asmallappointmentwhichbecamevacantinthefort。Althoughnotoneofanydistinction，IgratefullyaccepteditasagiftofProvidence，asitenabledmetoliveindependentlyofothers’aid。Itookaservantformyself，andawomanforManon。Ourlittleestablishmentbecamesettled：nothingcouldsurpasstheregularityofmyconduct，orthatofManon；welostnoopportunityofservingordoinganactofkindnesstoourneighbours。Thisfriendlydisposition，andthemildnessofourmanners，securedustheconfidenceandaffectionofthewholecolony。Wesoonbecamesorespected，thatwerankedastheprincipalpersonsinthetownafterthegovernor。
\"Thesimplicityofourhabitsandoccupations，andtheperfectinnocenceinwhichwelived，revivedinsensiblyourearlyfeelingsofdevotion。Manonhadneverbeenanirreligiousgirl，andIwasfarfrombeingoneofthoserecklesslibertineswhodelightinaddingimpietyandsacrilegetomoraldepravity：allthedisordersofourlivesmightbefairlyascribedtothenaturalinfluencesofyouthandlove。Experiencehadnowbegunwithustodotheofficeofage；itproducedthesameeffectuponusasyearsmusthavedone。Ourconversation，whichwasgenerallyofaseriousturn，bydegreesengenderedalongingforvirtuouslove。IfirstproposedthischangetoManon。Iknewtheprinciplesofherheart；shewasfrankandnaturalinallhersentiments，qualitieswhichinvariablypredisposetovirtue。I
saidtoherthattherewasbutonethingwantingtocompleteourhappiness：`itis，’saidI，`toinvokeuponourunionthebenedictionofHeaven。Wehavebothofusheartstoosensitiveandmindstoorefined，tocontinuevoluntarilyinthewilfulviolationofsosacredaduty。ItsignifiesnothingourhavinglivedwhileinFranceinsuchamanner，becausethereitwasasimpossibleforusnottolove，astobeunitedbyalegitimatetie：butinAmerica，whereweareundernorestraint，whereweowenoallegiancetothearbitrarydistinctionsofbirthandaristocraticprejudice，wherebesideswearealreadysupposedtobemarried，whyshouldwenotactuallybecomeso——whyshouldwenotsanctifyourlovebytheholyordinancesofreligion？Asforme，’Iadded，`Ioffernothingnewinofferingyoumyhandandmyheart；butIamreadytoratifyitatthefootofthealtar。’
\"Thisspeechseemedtoinspireherwithjoy。`Wouldyoubelieveit，’shereplied，`IhavethoughtofthisathousandtimessinceourarrivalinAmerica？Thefearofannoyingyouhaskeptitshutupinmybreast。IfeltthatIhadnopretensionstoaspiretothecharacterofyourwife。’
\"`Ah！Manon，’saidI，`youshouldverysoonbeasovereign’sconsort，ifIhadbeenborntotheinheritanceofacrown。Letusnothesitate；wehavenoobstacletoimpedeus：Iwillthisdayspeaktothegovernoronthesubject，andacknowledgethatwehaveinthisparticularhithertodeceivedhim。Letusleave，’
addedI，`tovulgarloversthedreadoftheindissolublebondsofmarriage；[1]theywouldnotfearthemiftheywereassured，asweare，ofthecontinuanceofthoseoflove。’IleftManonenchantedbythisresolution。
[1]SomesaythatLove，atsightofhumanties，Spreadshislightwings，andinamomentflies。
\"Iampersuadedthatnohonestmancoulddisapproveofthisintentioninmypresentsituation；thatistosay，fatallyenslavedasIwasbyapassionwhichIcouldnotsubdue，andvisitedbycompunctionandremorsewhichIoughtnottostifle。
ButwillanymanchargemewithinjusticeorimpietyifI
complainoftherigourofHeavenindefeatingadesignthatI
couldonlyhaveformedwiththeviewofconciliatingitsfavourandcomplyingwithitsdecrees？AlasIdoIsaydefeated？naypunishedasanewcrime。Iwaspatientlypermittedtogoblindlyalongthehighroadofvice；andthecruellestchastisementswerereservedfortheperiodwhenIwasreturningtothepathsofvirtue。InowfearthatIshallhavehardlyfortitudeenoughlefttorecountthemostdisastrouscircumstancesthateveroccurredtoanyman。
\"Iwaiteduponthegovernor，asIhadsettledwithManon，toprocurehisconsenttotheceremonyofourmarriage。Ishouldhaveavoidedspeakingtohimortoanyotherpersonuponthesubject，ifIhadimaginedthathischaplain，whowastheonlyministerinthetown，wouldhaveperformedtheofficeformewithouthisknowledge；butnotdaringtohopethathewoulddosoprivately，Ideterminedtoactingenuouslyinthematter。
\"ThegovernorhadanephewnamedSynnelet，ofwhomhewasparticularlyfond。Hewasaboutthirty；brave，butofaheadstrongandviolentdisposition。Hewasnotmarried。Manon’sbeautyhadstruckhimonthefirstdayofourarrival；andthenumberlessopportunitieshehadofseeingherduringthelastnineortenmonths，hadsoinflamedhispassion，thathewasabsolutelypiningforherinsecret。However，ashewasconvincedincommonwithhisuncleandthewholecolonythatI
wasmarried，heputsucharestraintuponhisfeelings，thattheyremainedgenerallyunnoticed；andhelostnoopportunityofshowingthemostdisinterestedfriendshipforme。
\"HehappenedtobewithhisunclewhenIarrivedatthegovernmenthouse。Ihadnoreasonforkeepingmyintentionasecretfromhim，sothatIexplainedmyselfwithouthesitationinhispresence。Thegovernorheardmewithhisusualkindness。I
relatedtohimapartofmyhistory，towhichhelistenedwithevidentinterest；andwhenIrequestedhispresenceattheintendedceremony，hewassogenerousastosay，thathemustbepermittedtodefraytheexpensesofthesucceedingentertainment。
Iretiredperfectlysatisfied。
\"Inanhourafter，thechaplainpaidmeavisit。Ithoughthewascometopreparemebyreligiousinstructionforthesacredceremony；but，afteracoldsalutation，heannouncedtomeintwowords，thatthegovernordesiredIwouldrelinquishallthoughtsofsuchathing，forthathehadotherviewsforManon。
\"`OtherviewsforManon！’saidI，asIfeltmyheartsinkwithinme；`whatviewsthencantheybe，chaplain？’
\"Hereplied，thatImustbe，ofcourse，awarethatthegovernorwasabsolutemasterhere；thatManon，havingbeentransportedfromFrancetothecolony，wasentirelyathisdisposal；that，hithertohehadnotexercisedhisright，believingthatshewasamarriedwoman；butthatnow，havinglearnedfrommyownlipsthatitwasnotso，hehadresolvedtoassignhertoM。Synnelet，whowaspassionatelyinlovewithher。
\"Myindignationovercamemyprudence。IrritatedasIwas，I
desiredthechaplaininstantlytoquitmyhouse，swearingatthesametimethatneithergovernor，Synnelet，northewholecolonytogether，shouldlayhandsuponmywife，ormistress，iftheychosesotocallher。
\"IimmediatelytoldManonofthedistressingmessageIhadjustreceived。WeconjecturedthatSynnelethadwarpedhisuncle’smindaftermydeparture，andthatitwasalltheeffectofapremeditateddesign。Theywere，questionless，thestrongerparty。WefoundourselvesinNewOrleans，asinthemidstoftheocean，separatedfromtherestoftheworldbyanimmenseintervalofspace。Inacountryperfectlyunknown，adesert，orinhabited，ifnotbybrutes，atleastbysavagesquiteasferocious，towhatcornercouldwefly？Iwasrespectedinthetown，butIcouldnothopetoexcitethepeopleinmyfavourtosuchadegreeastoderiveassistancefromthemproportionedtotheimpendingdanger：moneywasrequisiteforthatpurpose，andI
waspoor。Besides，thesuccessofapopularcommotionwasuncertain；andifwefailedintheattempt，ourdoomwouldbeinevitablysealed。
\"Irevolvedthesethoughtsinmymind；ImentionedtheminparttoManon；Ifoundnewones，withoutwaitingforherreplies；I
determinedupononecourse，andthenabandonedthattoadoptanother；Italkedtomyself，andansweredmyownthoughtsaloud；
atlengthIsankintoakindofhystericalstuporthatIcancomparetonothing，becausenothingeverequalledit。Manonobservedmyemotion，andfromitsviolence，judgedhowimminentwasourdanger；and，apprehensivemoreonmyaccountthanonherown，thedeargirlcouldnotevenventuretogiveexpressiontoherfears。
\"Afteramultitudeofreflections，Iresolvedtocalluponthegovernor，andappealtohisfeelingsofhonour，totherecollectionofmyunvaryingrespectforhim，andthemarkshehadgivenofhisownaffectionforusboth。Manonendeavouredtodissuademefromthisattempt：shesaid，withtearsinhereyes，`Youarerushingintothejawsofdeath；theywillmurderyou——I
shallneveragainseeyou——Iamdeterminedtodiebeforeyou。’I
hadgreatdifficultyinpersuadingherthatitwasabsolutelynecessarythatIshouldgo，andthatsheshouldremainathome。
Ipromisedthatsheshouldseemeagaininafewmoments。Shedidnotforesee，nordidI，thatitwasagainstherselfthewholeangerofHeaven，andtherabidfuryofourenemies，wasabouttobeconcentrated。
\"Iwenttothefort：thegovernorwastherewithhischaplain。
IsupplicatedhiminatoneofhumblesubmissionthatIcouldhaveillbrookedunderothercircumstances。Iinvokedhisclemencybyeveryargumentcalculatedtosoftenanyheartlessferociousandcruelthanatiger’s。
\"Thebarbarianmadetoallmyprayersbuttwoshortanswers，whichherepeatedoverandoveragain。`Manon，’hesaid，`wasathisdisposal：andhehadgivenapromisetohisnephew。’Iwasresolvedtocommandmyfeelingstothelast：Imerelyreplied，thatIhadimaginedhewastoosincerelymyfriendtodesiremydeath，towhichIwouldinfinitelyratherconsentthantothelossofmymistress。
\"Ifeltpersuaded，onquittinghim，thatitwasfollytoexpectanythingfromtheobstinatetyrant，whowouldhavedamnedhimselfahundredtimesovertopleasehisnephew。However，Iperseveredinrestrainingmytempertotheend；deeplyresolved，iftheypersistedinsuchflagrantinjustice，tomakeAmericathesceneofoneofthemosthorribleandbloodymurdersthatevenlovehadeverledto。
\"Iwas，onmyreturnhome，meditatinguponthisdesign，whenfate，asifimpatienttoexpeditemyruin，threwSynneletinmyway。Hereadinmycountenanceaportionofmythoughts。I
beforesaid，hewasbrave。Heapproachedme。
\"`Areyounotseekingme？’heenquired。`Iknowthatmyintentionshavegivenyoumortaloffence，andthatthedeathofoneofusisindispensable：letusseewhoistobethehappyman。’
\"Ireplied，thatsuchwasunquestionablythefact，andthatnothingbutdeathcouldendthedifferencebetweenus。
\"Weretiredaboutonehundredpacesoutofthetown。Wedrew：I
woundedanddisarmedhimatthefirstonset。Hewassoenraged，thatheperemptorilyrefusedeithertoaskhislifeorrenouncehisclaimstoManon。Imighthavebeenperhapsjustifiedinendingbothbyasingleblow；butnoblebloodevervindicatesitsorigin。Ithrewhimbackhissword。`Letusrenewthestruggle，’saidItohim，`andrememberthatthereshallbenownoquarter。’Heattackedmewithredoubledfury。ImustconfessthatIwasnotanaccomplishedswordsman，havinghadbutthreemonths’tuitioninParis。Love，however，guidedmyweapon。
Synneletpiercedmethroughandthroughtheleftarm；butI
caughthimwhilstthusengaged，andmadesovigorousathrustthatIstretchedhimsenselessatmyfeet。
\"Inspiteofthetriumphantfeelingthatvictory，afteramortalconflict，inspires，Iwasimmediatelyhorrifiedbythecertainconsequencesofhisdeath。TherecouldnotbetheslightesthopeofeitherpardonorrespitefromthevengeanceIhadthusincurred。Aware，asIwas，oftheaffectionofthegovernorforhisnephew，Ifeltperfectlysurethatmydeathwouldnotbedelayedasinglehourafterhisshouldbecomeknown。`Urgentasthisapprehensionwas，itstillwasbynomeanstheprincipalsourceofmyuneasiness。Manon，thewelfareofManon，theperilthatimpendedoverher，andthecertaintyofmybeingnowatlengthseparatedfromher，afflictedmetosuchadegree，thatI
wasincapableofrecognisingtheplaceinwhichIstood。I
regrettedSynnelet’sdeath：instantsuicideseemedtheonlyremedyformywoes。
\"However，itwasthisverythoughtthatquicklyrestoredmetomyreason，andenabledmetoformaresolution。`What，’saidI
tomyself，`die，inordertoendmypain！ThenthereissomethingIdreadmorethanthelossofallIlove！No，letmesufferthecruellestextremitiesinordertoaidher；andwhentheseproveofnoavail，flytodeathasalastresource！’
\"Ireturnedtowardsthetown；onmyarrivalathome，IfoundManonhalfdeadwithfrightandanxiety：mypresencerestoredher。Icouldnotconcealfromhertheterribleaccidentthathadhappened。OnmymentioningthedeathofSynneletandmyownwound，shefellinastateofinsensibilityintomyarms。ItwasaquarterofanhourbeforeIcouldbringheragaintohersenses。
\"Iwasmyselfinamostdeplorablestateofmind；Icouldnotdiscerntheslightestprospectofsafetyforeitherofus。
`Manon，’saidItoher，whenshehadrecoveredalittle，`whatshallwedo？Alas，whathoperemainstous？Imustnecessarilyfly。Willyouremaininthetown？YesdearestManon，doremain；
youmaypossiblystillbehappyhere；whileI，farawayfromyou，mayseekdeathandfinditamongstthesavages，orthewildbeasts。’
\"Sheraisedherselfinspiteofherweakness，andtakingholdofmyhandtoleadmetowardsthedoor：`Letus，’saidshe，`flytogether，wehavenotamomenttolose；Synnelet’sbodymaybefoundbychance，andweshallthenhavenotimetoescape。’
`But，dearManon，’repliedI，`towhatplacecanwefly？Doyouperceiveanyresource？Woulditnotbebetterthatyoushouldendeavourtoliveonwithoutme；andthatIshouldgoandvoluntarilyplacemylifeinthegovernor’shands？’
\"Thisproposalhadonlytheeffectofmakinghermoreimpatientforourdeparture。Ihadpresenceofmindenough，ongoingout，totakewithmesomestrongliquorswhichIhadinmychamber，andasmuchfoodasIcouldcarryinmypockets。Wetoldourservants，whowereintheadjoiningroom，thatweweregoingtotakeoureveningwalk，aswasourinvariablehabit；andweleftthetownbehindusmorerapidlythanIhadthoughtpossiblefromManon’sdelicatestateofhealth。
\"AlthoughIhadnotformedanyresolveastoourfuturedestination，Istillcherishedahope，withoutwhichIshouldhaveinfinitelypreferreddeathtomysuspenseaboutManon’ssafety。Ihadacquiredasufficientknowledgeofthecountry，duringnearlytenmonthswhichIhadnowpassedinAmerica，toknowinwhatmannerthenativesshouldbeapproached。Deathwasnotthenecessaryconsequenceoffallingintotheirhands。Ihadlearnedafewwordsoftheirlanguage，andsomeoftheircustoms，havinghadmanyopportunitiesofseeingthem。
\"Besidesthissadresource，Iderivedsomehopesfromthefact，thattheEnglishhad，likeourselves，establishedcoloniesinthispartoftheNewWorld。Butthedistancewasterrific。Inordertoreachthem，weshouldhavetotraversedesertsofmanydays’journey，andmorethanonerangeofmountainssosteepandvastastoseemalmostimpassabletothestrongestman。I
neverthelessflatteredmyselfthatwemightderivepartialrelieffromoneorotherofthesesources：thesavagesmightserveusasguides，andtheEnglishreceiveusintheirsettlements。
\"WejourneyedonaslongasManon’sstrengthwouldpermit，thatistosay，aboutsixmiles；forthisincomparablecreature，withherusualabsenceofselfishness，refusedmyrepeatedentreatiestostop。Overpoweredatlengthbyfatigue，sheacknowledgedtheutterimpossibilityofproceedingfarther。Itwasalreadynight：
wesatdowninthemidstofanextensiveplain，wherewecouldnotevenfindatreetoshelterus。Herfirstcarewastodressmywound，whichshehadbandagedbeforeourdeparture。I，invain，entreatedhertodesistfromexertion：itwouldhaveonlyaddedtoherdistressifIhadrefusedherthesatisfactionofseeingmeateaseandoutofdanger，beforeherownwantswereattendedto。Iallowedherthereforetogratifyherself，andinshameandsilencesubmittedtoherdelicateattentions。
\"Butwhenshehadcompletedhertendertask，withwhatardourdidInotenteruponmine！Itookoffmyclothesandstretchedthemunderher，torendermoreendurablethehardandruggedgroundonwhichshelay。Iprotectedherdelicatehandsfromthecoldbymyburningkissesandthewarmthofmysighs。Ipassedthelivelongnightinwatchingoverherassheslept，andprayingHeaventorefreshherwithsoftandundisturbedrepose。`Youcanbearwitness，justandall-seeingGodItothefervourandsincerityofthoseprayers，andThoualoneknowestwithwhatawfulrigourtheywererejected。’
\"Youwillexcuseme，ifInowcutshortastorywhichitdistressesmebeyondendurancetorelate。Itis，Ibelieve，acalamitywithoutparallel。Icanneverceasetodeploreit。Butalthoughitcontinues，ofcourse，deeplyandindeliblyimpressedonmymemory，yetmyheartseemstoshrinkwithinmeeachtimethatIattempttherecital。
\"Wehadthustranquillypassedthenight。Ihadfondlyimaginedthatmybelovedmistresswasinaprofoundsleep，andIhardlydaredtobreathelestIshoulddisturbher。Asdaybroke，I
observedthatherhandswerecoldandtrembling；Ipressedthemtomybosominthehopeofrestoringanimation。Thismovementrousedherattention，andmakinganefforttograspmyhand，shesaid，inafeeblevoice，thatshethoughtherlastmomentshadarrived。
\"I，atfirst，tookthisforapassingweakness，ortheordinarylanguageofdistress；andIansweredwiththeusualconsolationsthatloveprompted。Butherincessantsighs，hersilence，andinattentiontomyenquiries，theconvulsedgraspofherhands，inwhichsheretainedmine，soonconvincedmethatthecrowningendofallmymiserieswasapproaching。
\"Donotnowexpectmetoattemptadescriptionofmyfeelings，ortorepeatherdyingexpressions。Ilosther——Ireceivedthepurestassurancesofherloveevenattheveryinstantthatherspiritfled。Ihavenotnervetosaymoreuponthisfatalanddisastrousevent。
\"MyspiritwasnotdestinedtoaccompanyManon’s。Doubtless，Heavendidnotasyetconsidermesufficientlypunished，andthereforeordainedthatIshouldcontinuetodragonalanguidandjoylessexistence。Iwillinglyrenouncedeveryhopeofleadingahappyone。
\"Iremainedfortwenty-fourhourswithouttakingmylipsfromthestillbeauteouscountenanceandhandsofmyadoredManon。Myintentionwastoawaitmyowndeathinthatposition；butatthebeginningofthesecondday，Ireflectedthat，afterIwasgone，shemustofnecessitybecomethepreyofwildbeasts。Ithendeterminedtoburyher，andwaitmyowndoomuponhergrave。I
wasalready，indeed，sonearmyendfromthecombinedeffectoflongfastingandgrief，thatitwaswiththegreatestdifficultyIcouldsupportmyselfstanding。IwasobligedtohaverecoursetotheliquorswhichIhadbroughtwithme，andtheserestoredsufficientstrengthtoenablemetosetaboutmylastsadoffice。
Fromthesandynatureofthesoiltherewaslittletroubleinopeningtheground。Ibrokemyswordanduseditforthepurpose；butmybarehandswereofgreaterservice。Idugadeepgrave，andtheredepositedtheidolofmyheart，afterhavingwraptaroundhermyclothestopreventthesandfromtouchingher。Ikissedhertenthousandtimeswithalltheardourofthemostglowinglove，beforeIlaidherinthismelancholybed。I
satforsometimeuponthebankintentlygazingonher，andcouldnotcommandfortitudeenoughtoclosethegraveoverher。Atlength，feelingthatmystrengthwasgivingway，andapprehensiveofitsbeingentirelyexhaustedbeforethecompletionofmytask，Icommittedtotheearthallthatithadevercontainedmostperfectandpeerless。Ithenlaymyselfwithmyfacedownuponthegrave，andclosingmyeyeswiththedeterminationneveragaintoopenthem，IinvokedthemercyofHeaven，andardentlyprayedfordeath。
\"Youwillfinditdifficulttobelievethat，duringthewholetimeofthisprotractedanddistressingceremony，notatearorasighescapedtorelievemyagony。ThestateofprofoundafflictioninwhichIwas，andthedeepsettledresolutionIhadtakentodie，hadsilencedthesighsofdespair，andeffectuallydrieduptheordinarychannelsofgrief。Itwasthusimpossibleforme，inthispostureuponthegrave，tocontinueforanytimeinpossessionofmyfaculties。
\"Afterwhatyouhavelistenedto，theremainderofmyownhistorywouldillrepaytheattentionyouseeminclinedtobestowuponit。Synnelethavingbeencarriedintothetownandskilfullyexamined，itwasfoundthat，sofarfrombeingdead，hewasnotevendangerouslywounded。Heinformedhisuncleofthemannerinwhichtheaffrayhadoccurredbetweenus，andhegenerouslydidjusticetomyconductontheoccasion。Iwassentfor；andasneitherofuscouldbefound，ourflightwasimmediatelysuspected。Itwasthentoolatetoattempttotraceme，butthenextdayandthefollowingonewereemployedinthepursuit。
\"Iwasfound，withoutanyappearanceoflife，uponthegraveofManon：andthepersonswhodiscoveredmeinthissituation，seeingthatIwasalmostnakedandbleedingfrommywounds，naturallysupposedthatIhadbeenrobbedandassassinated。Theycarriedmeintothetown。Themotionrestoredmetomysenses。
ThesighsIheavedonopeningmyeyesandfindingmyselfstillamongsttheliving，showedthatIwasnotbeyondthereachofart：theywerebuttoosuccessfulinitsapplication。
\"Iwasimmediatelyconfinedasacloseprisoner。Mytrialwasordered；andasManonwasnotforthcoming，Iwasaccusedofhavingmurderedherfromrageandjealousy。Inaturallyrelatedallthathadoccurred。Synnelet，thoughbitterlygrievedanddisappointedbywhatheheard，hadthegenerositytosolicitmypardon：heobtainedit。
\"Iwassoreduced，thattheywereobligedtocarrymefromtheprisontomybed，andthereIsufferedforthreelongmonthsundersevereillness。Myaversionfromlifeknewnodiminution。
Icontinuallyprayedfordeath，andobstinatelyforsometimerefusedeveryremedy。ButProvidence，afterhavingpunishedmewithatoningrigour，sawfittoturntomyownuseitschastisementsandthememoryofmymultipliedsorrows。Itatlengthdeignedtosheduponmeitsredeeminglight，andrevivedinmymindideasworthyofmybirthandmyearlyeducation。
\"Mytranquillityofmindbeingagainrestored，mycurespeedilyfollowed。Ibeganonlytofeelthehighestaspirationsofhonour，anddiligentlyperformedthedutiesofmyappointment，whilstexpectingthearrivalofthevesselsfromFrance，whichwerealwaysdueatthisperiodoftheyear。Iresolvedtoreturntomynativecountry，theretoexpiatethescandalofmyformerlifebymyfuturegoodconduct。Synnelethadtheremainsofmydearmistressremovedintoamorehallowedspot。
\"Itwassixweeksaftermyrecoverythat，onedaywalkingaloneuponthebanksoftheriver，Isawavesselarrive，whichsomemercantilespeculationhaddirectedtoNewOrleans。Istoodbywhilstthepassengerslanded。JudgemysurpriseonrecognisingTibergeamongstthosewhoproceededtowardsthetown。Thisever-faithfulfriendknewmeatadistance，inspiteoftheravageswhichcareandsorrowhadworkeduponmycountenance。Hetoldmethatthesoleobjectofhisvoyagehadbeentoseemeoncemore，andtoinducemetoreturnwithhimtoFrance；thatonreceiptofthelastletterwhichIhadwrittentohimfromHavre，hestartedforthatplace，andwashimselfthebearerofthesuccourwhichIsolicited；thathehadbeensensiblyaffectedonlearningmydeparture，andthathewouldhaveinstantlyfollowedme，iftherehadbeenavesselboundforthesamedestination；
thathehadbeenforseveralmonthsendeavouringtohearofoneinthevariousseaporttowns，andthat，havingatlengthfoundoneatSt。MalowhichwasweighinganchorforMartinique，heembarked，intheexpectationofeasilypassingfromthencetoNewOrleans；thattheSt。MalovesselhavingbeencapturedbySpanishpiratesandtakentooneoftheirislands，hehadcontrivedtoescape；andthat，inshort，aftermanyadventures，hehadgotonboardthevesselwhichhadjustarrived，andatlengthhappilyattainedhisobject。
\"Iwastotallyunableadequatelytoexpressmyfeelingsofgratitudetothisgenerousandunshakenfriend。Iconductedhimtomyhouse，andplacedallIpossessedathisservice。I
relatedtohimeverycircumstancethathadoccurredtomesinceI
leftFrance：andinordertogladdenhimwithtidingswhichI
knewhedidnotexpect，Iassuredhimthattheseedsofvirtuewhichhehadinformerdaysimplantedinmyheart，werenowabouttoproducefruit，ofwhichevenheshouldbeproud。Hedeclaredtome，thatthisgladdeningannouncementmorethanrepaidhimforallthefatigueandtroublehehadendured。
\"WepassedtwomonthstogetheratNewOrleanswhilstwaitingthedepartureofavesseldirecttoFrance；andhavingatlengthsailed，welandedonlyafortnightsinceatHavre-de-Grace。OnmyarrivalIwrotetomyfamily。Byaletterfrommyelderbrother，Itherelearnedmyfather’sdeath，which，Idreadtothink，thedisordersofmyyouthmighthavehastened。ThewindbeingfavourableforCalais，Iembarkedforthisport，andamnowgoingtothehouseofoneofmyrelationswholivesafewmilesoff，wheremybrothersaidthatheshouldanxiouslyawaitmyarrival。\"