by abbé Prévost
VI
It is a strange thing to note the excess of this passion; and how itbraves the nature and value of things, by this--that the speaking in aperpetual hyperbole is comely in nothing but in love.--BACON.
"My interview with Tiberge was of the most friendly description. I sawthat his object was to discover the present temper of my mind. Iopened my heart to him without any reserve, except as to the mere pointof 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 youflattered yourself with a hope that you were at last about to find megrown prudent and regular in my conduct, a libertine reclaimed by thechastisements of fortune, released alike from the trammels of love, andthe dominion that Manon wields over me, I must in candour say, that youdeceive 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 Inow hope, as fervently and as confidently as I ever did, to deriveeventually solid comfort.'
"He answered, that such an acknowledgment rendered me utterlyinexcusable; that it was no uncommon case to meet sinners who allowedthemselves to be so dazzled with the glare of vice as to prefer itopenly to the true splendour of virtue; they were at least deluded bythe false image of happiness, the poor dupes of an empty shadow; but toknow and feel as I did, that the object of my attachment was onlycalculated to render me culpable and unhappy, and to continue thusvoluntarily in a career of misery and crime, involved a contradictionof ideas and of conduct little creditable to my reason.
"'Tiberge,' replied I, 'it is easy to triumph when your arguments areunopposed. Allow me to reason for a few moments in my turn. Can youpretend that what you call the happiness of virtue is exempt fromtroubles, and crosses, and cares? By what name will you designate thedungeon, the rack, the inflections and tortures of tyrants? Will yousay with the Mystics[1] that the soul derives pleasure from thetorments of the body? You are not bold enough to hold such adoctrine--a paradox not to be maintained. This happiness, then, thatyou prize so much, has a thousand drawbacks, or is, more properlyspeaking, but a tissue of sufferings through which one hopes to attainfelicity. If by the power of imagination one can even derive pleasurefrom 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 byprecisely the same principle? I love Manon: I wade through sorrow andsuffering in order to attain happiness with her. My path is one indeedof difficulties, but the mere hope of reaching the desired goal makesit easy and delightful; and I shall think myself but too bountifullyrepaid by one moment of her society, for all the troubles I encounterin my course. There appears therefore no difference between us, or, ifthere be any, it is assuredly in my favour; for the bliss I hope for isnear and tangible, yours is far distant, and purely speculative. Mineis of the same kind as my sufferings, that is to say, evident to mysenses; yours is of an incomprehensible nature, and only discerniblethrough the dim medium of faith.'
"Tiberge appeared shocked by my remarks. He retired two or three pacesfrom me, while he said, in the most serious tone, that my argument wasnot only a violation of good sense, but that it was the miserablesophistry of irreligion; 'for the comparison,' he added, 'of thepitiful reward of your sufferings with that held out to us by thedivine revelation, is the essence of impiety and absurdity combined.'
"'I acknowledge,' said I, 'that the comparison is not a just one, butmy argument does not at all depend upon it. I was about to explainwhat you consider a contradiction--the persevering in a painfulpursuit; and I think I have satisfactorily proved, that if there be anycontradiction in that, we shall be both equally obnoxious to thecharge. It was in this light, only, that I could observe no differencein 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 aidthey both afford in the endurance of affliction. Judge of that by thepractical effect: are there not multitudes who abandon a life of strictvirtue? how few give up the pursuits of love!
"'Again, you will reply that if there be difficulties in the exerciseof virtue, they are by no means universal and sure; that the good mandoes not necessarily meet tyrants and tortures, and that, on thecontrary, a life of virtue is perfectly compatible with repose andenjoyment. I can say with equal truth, that love is often accompaniedby content and happiness; and what makes another distinction ofinfinite advantage to my argument, I may add that love, though it oftendeludes, never holds out other than hopes of bliss and joy, whilstreligion exacts from her votaries mortification and sorrow.
"'Do not be alarmed,' said I, perceiving that I had almost offended hiszealous feelings of devotion. 'I only wish to say, that there is nomore unsuccessful method of weaning man's heart from love, than byendeavouring to decry its enjoyments, and by promising him morepleasure from the exercise of virtue. It is an inherent principle inour nature, that our felicity consists only in pleasure. I defy you toconceive any other notion of it; and it requires little time to arriveat the conviction, that, of all pleasures, those of love areimmeasurably the most enchanting. A man quickly discerns the delusion,when he hears the promise made of livelier enjoyment, and the effect ofsuch misrepresentation is only to make him doubt the truth of a moresolid promise.
"'Let the preacher who seeks the reformation of a sinner tell me thatvirtue is indispensably necessary, but not disguise its difficulty andits attendant denials. Say that the enjoyments of love are fleeting,if you will, that they are rigidly forbidden, that they lead withcertainty to eternal suffering; and, what would assuredly make a deeperimpression upon me than any other argument, say that the more sweet anddelectable they are, the brighter will be the reward of Heaven forgiving 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 mostperfect happiness.'
"My last sentence restored to Tiberge his good humour. He allowed thatmy 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 Ihad 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; buthave I the power of governing my own actions? What aid will enable meto forget Manon's charms?' 'God forgive me,' said Tiberge, 'I canalmost fancy you a Jansenist[2]. 'I know not of what sect I am,'replied I, 'nor do I indeed very clearly see to which I ought tobelong; but I cannot help feeling the truth of this at least of theirtenets.'
"One effect of our conversation was to revive my friend's pity for mein all its force. He perceived that there was in my errors more ofweakness than of vice; and he was the more disposed in the end to giveme assistance; without which I should infallibly have perished fromdistress of mind. However, I carefully concealed from him my intentionof escaping from St. Lazare. I merely begged of him to take charge ofmy letter; I had it ready before he came, and I soon found an excusefor the necessity of writing. He faithfully transmitted it, andLescaut received before evening the one I had enclosed for him.
"He came to see me next morning, and fortunately was admitted under mybrother's name. I was overjoyed at finding him in my room. Icarefully closed the door. 'Let us lose no time,' I said. 'First tellme about Manon, and then advise me how I am to shake off thesefetters.' He assured me that he had not seen his sister since the daybefore my arrest, and that it was only by repeated enquiries, and aftermuch trouble, that he had at length been able to discover her fate aswell as mine; and that he had two or three times presented himself atthe Magdalen, and been refused admittance. 'Wretch!' muttered I tomyself, 'dearly shall G---- M---- pay for this!'
"'As to your escape,' continued Lescaut, 'it will not be so easy as youimagine. Last evening, I and a coup
le of friends walked round thisestablishment to reconnoitre it; and we agreed that, as your windowslooked into a court surrounded by buildings, as you yourself mentionedin your letter, there would be vast difficulty in getting you out.Besides, you are on the third story, and it would be impossible tointroduce ropes or ladders through the window. I therefore see nomeans from without--in the house itself we must hit upon some scheme.'
"'No,' replied I; 'I have examined everything minutely, particularlysince, through the governor's indulgence, my confinement has been lessrigorous. I am no longer locked into my room; I have liberty to walkin the gallery; but there is, upon every landing, a strong door keptclosed 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 thatstruck me as excellent; 'could you bring me a pistol?' 'Softly,' saidLescaut to me, 'you don't think of committing murder?' I assured himthat I had so little intention of shooting anyone, that it would not beeven necessary to have the pistol loaded. 'Bring it to me tomorrow,' Iadded, 'and do not fail to be exactly opposite the great entrance withtwo or three of your friends at eleven tomorrow night; I think I shallbe able to join you there.' He in vain requested me to explain myplan. I told him that such an attempt as I contemplated could onlyappear rational after it had succeeded. I begged of him to shorten hisvisit, in order that he might with the less difficulty be admitted nextmorning. He was accordingly admitted as readily as on his first visit.He had put on so serious an air, moreover, that a stranger would havetaken him for a respectable person.
"When I found in my hand the instrument of my liberty, I no longerdoubted my success. It was certainly a strange and a bold project; butof what was I not capable, with the motives that inspired me? I had,since I was allowed permission to walk in the galleries, foundopportunities of observing that every night the porter brought the keysof all the doors to the governor, and subsequently there always reigneda profound silence in the house, which showed that the inmates hadretired to rest. There was an open communication between my room andthat of the Superior. My resolution was, if he refused quietly tosurrender the keys, to force him, by fear of the pistol, to deliverthem up, and then by their help to gain the street. I impatientlyawaited the moment for executing my purpose. The porter arrived at hisusual time, that is to say, soon after nine o'clock. I allowed an hourto elapse, in order that the priests as well as the servants might beall 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 withoutalarming him. I knocked a second time before he heard me; andsupposing of course that it was one of the priests who was taken illand wanted assistance, he got out of bed, dressed himself, and came tothe door. He had, however, the precaution to ask first who it was, andwhat was wanted? I was obliged to mention my name, but I assumed aplaintive tone, to make him believe that I was indisposed. 'Ah! it isyou, my dear boy,' said he on opening the door; 'what can bring youhere at this hour?' I stepped inside the door, and leading him to theopposite side of the room, I declared to him that it was absolutelyimpossible for me to remain longer at St. Lazare; that the night wasthe most favourable time for going out unobserved, and that Iconfidently expected, from his tried friendship, that he would consentto 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 stoodfor a few moments looking at me without making any reply. Finding thatI had no time to lose, I just begged to assure him that I had the mostlively sense of all his kindnesses, but that freedom was dearer to manthan every other consideration, especially so to me, who had beencruelly and unjustly deprived of it; that I was resolved this night torecover it, cost what it would, and fearing lest he might raise hisvoice and call for assistance, I let him see the powerful incentive tosilence 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 attentionsI have shown you?' 'God forbid,' replied I; 'you are too reasonable todrive 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 anend to your existence.' 'But, my dear son!' said he, pale andfrightened, 'what have I done to you? What reason have you for takingmy life?' 'No!' replied I, impatiently, 'I have no design upon yourlife, if you, yourself, wish to live; open but the doors for me, andyou will find me the most attached of friends.' I perceived the keysupon the table. I requested he would take them in his hand and walkbefore me, making as little noise as he possibly could.
"He saw the necessity of consenting. We proceeded, and as he openedeach door, he repeated, always with a sigh, 'Ah! my son, who could havebelieved it?' 'No noise, good Father, no noise,' I as often answeredin my turn. At length we reached a kind of barrier, just inside thegreat entrance. I already fancied myself free, and kept close behindthe 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, jumpedout of bed, and peeped forth to see what was passing. The good Fatherapparently thought him strong enough to overpower me. He commandedhim, most imprudently, to come to his assistance. He was a powerfulruffian, and threw himself upon me without an instant's hesitation.There was no time for parleying--I levelled my pistol and lodged thecontents in his breast! 'See, Father, of what mischief you have beenthe cause,' said I to my guide; 'but that must not prevent us fromfinishing our work,' I added, pushing him on towards the last door. Hedid 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 notheard the report of a pistol? 'You are to blame,' said I, 'why did youbring it charged?' I, however, could not help thanking him for havingtaken this precaution, without which I doubtless must have continuedmuch 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 beendoled out to me for nearly three months. I was very far, however, fromtasting perfect enjoyment; Manon's sufferings were mine. 'She must bereleased,' said I to my companions: 'this was my sole object indesiring my own liberty. I rely on your aiding me with all youringenuity; as for myself, my life shall be devoted to the purpose.'
"Lescaut, who was not deficient in tact, and still less in that betterpart of valour called discretion, dwelt upon the necessity of actingwith extreme caution: he said that my escape from St. Lazare, and theaccident that happened on my leaving it, would assuredly create asensation; that the lieutenant-general of police would cause a strictsearch to be made for me, and it would be difficult to evade him; infine, that, unless disposed to encounter something worse, perhaps, thanSt. Lazare, it would be requisite for me to remain concealed for a fewdays, in order to give the enemy's zeal time to cool. No doubt thiswas wise counsel; but, one should have been wise oneself to havefollowed it. Such calculating slowness little suited my passion. Theutmost I could bring myself to promise was, that I would sleep throughthe whole of the next day. He locked me in my bedroom, where Iremained patiently until night.
"I employed great part of the time in devising schemes for relievingManon. I felt persuaded that her prison was even more inaccessiblethan mine had been. Force was out of the question. Artifice was theonly resource; but the goddess of invention herself could not have toldme how to begin. I felt the impossibility of working in the dark, andtherefore postponed the further consideration of my schemes until Icould acquire some knowledge of the internal arrangements of theHospital, in which she was confined.
"As soon as night restored to me my liberty, I begged of Lescaut toaccompany me. We were not long in drawing one of the porters intoconversation; he appeared a reasonable man. I passed for a strangerwho had often with admiration heard talk of the Hospital, and of
theorder that reigned within it. I enquired into the most minute details;and, proceeding from one subject to another, we at length spoke of themanagers, and of these I begged to know the names and the respectivecharacters. He gave me such information upon the latter point as atonce suggested an idea which flattered my hopes, and I immediately setabout carrying it into execution.
"I asked him (this being a matter essential to my plan) whether any ofthe gentlemen had children. He said he could not answer me withcertainty as to all, but as for M. de T----, one of the principaldirectors, he knew that he had a son old enough to be married, and whohad come several times to the Hospital with his father. This wasenough for my purpose.
"I immediately put an end to our interview, and, in returning, I toldLescaut of the plan I had formed. 'I have taken it,' said I, 'into myhead, that M. de T----, the son, who is rich and of good family, musthave the same taste for pleasure that other young men of his agegenerally 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 havearranged a plan for interesting him in favour of Manon. If he is a manof feeling and of right mind, he will give us his assistance fromgenerosity. If he is not to be touched by a motive of this kind, hewill at least do something for a handsome girl, if it were only withthe hope of hereafter sharing her favours. I will not defer seeinghim,' added I, 'beyond tomorrow. I really feel so elated by thisproject, that I derive from it a good omen.'
"Lescaut himself allowed that the idea was not unreasonable, and thatwe might fairly entertain a hope of turning it to account. I passed thenight less sorrowfully.
"Next morning I dressed as well as, in my present state of indigence, Icould possibly contrive to do; and went in a hackney coach to theresidence of M. de T----. He was surprised at receiving a visit from aperfect stranger. I augured favourably from his countenance and thecivility 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 ardentpassion and of Manon's merit, as of two things that were unequalled,except by each other. He told me, that although he had never seenManon, he had heard of her; at least, if the person I was talking ofwas the same who had been the mistress of old G---- M----. Iconjectured that he must have heard of the part I had acted in thattransaction, and in order to conciliate him more and more by treatinghim with confidence, I told him everything that had occurred to Manonand myself. 'You see, sir,' said I, 'that all that can interest me inlife, all that can command my affections, is in your hands. I have noreserve with you, because I have been informed of your generous andnoble character; and, being of the same age, I trust I shall find someresemblance in our dispositions.'
"He seemed flattered by this mark of candour and confidence. Hereplied in a manner that became a man of the world, and a man offeeling also, for they are not always synonymous terms. He told methat he appreciated my visit as a piece of good fortune; that heconsidered my friendship as a valuable acquisition, and that he wouldendeavour to prove himself worthy of it, by the sincerity of hisservices. He could not absolutely promise to restore Manon to my arms,because, as he said, he himself had very little influence; but heoffered to procure me the pleasure of seeing her, and to do everythingin his power to effect her release. I was the more satisfied with thisfrank avowal as to his want of influence, than I should have been by anunqualified promise of fulfilling all my wishes. I found in hismoderation a pledge of his sincerity: in a word, I no longer doubted myentire success. The promise alone of enabling me to see Manon filledme with gratitude, and I testified it in so earnest a manner, as togive him a favourable opinion of my heart and disposition; we shookhands warmly, and parted sworn friends, merely from mutual regard, andthat natural feeling which prompts a man of kind and generoussentiments to esteem another of congenial mind.
"He, indeed, exceeded me in the proofs of his esteem; for, inferringfrom my adventures, and especially my late escape from St. Lazare, thatI might be in want of money, he offered me his purse, and pressed me toaccept 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 meto see Manon again, rely on my eternal regard and gratitude. If yousucceed in restoring altogether this dear creature to my arms, I shouldthink myself happy in spilling the last drop of my blood in yourservice.'
"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, andwe went together towards the Magdalen; my knees trembled under me as Icrossed the courts. 'Ye heavenly powers!' said I, 'then I shall oncemore behold the idol of my heart--the dear object of so many sighs andlamentations! All I now ask of Providence is, to vouchsafe me strengthenough to reach her presence, and after that, to dispose as it pleasethof my future fate, and of my life itself. Beyond this, I have noprayer to utter.'
"M. de T---- spoke to some of the porters of the establishment, whoappeared all anxious to please him. The quarter in which Manon's roomlay was pointed out to us, and our guide carried in his hand the key ofher chamber: it was of frightful size. I asked the man who conductedus, 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 evenhe, disagreeable as his official duties must render him, had neverheard from her a single syllable in the nature of rebuke or harshness;that her tears had never ceased to flow during the first six weeksafter her arrival, but that latterly she seemed to bear her misfortuneswith more resignation, and that she employed herself from morning tillnight with her needle, excepting some hours that she, each day, devotedto reading. I asked whether she had been decently provided for. Heassured 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; Ifear that she may be overcome by seeing me unexpectedly.' The door wasopened. I remained in the passage, and listened to the conversation.He said that he came to bring her consolation; that he was a friend ofmine, and felt deeply interested for the happiness of us both. Sheasked with the tenderest anxiety, whether he could tell her what hadbecome of me. He promised that she should soon see me at her feet, asaffectionate and as faithful as ever. 'When?' she asked. 'This veryday,' said he; 'the happy moment shall not be long delayed; nay, thisvery instant even, if you wish it.' She at once understood that I wasat the door; as she was rushing towards it, I entered. We embracedeach other with that abounding and impassioned tenderness, which anabsence of many months makes so delicious to those who truly love. Oursighs, our broken exclamations, the thousand endearing appellations oflove, exchanged in languishing rapture, astonished M. de T----, andaffected 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 tothe possession of a mistress at once so tender and impassioned.' 'Norwould I,' I replied, 'give up her love for universal empire!'
"The remainder of an interview which had been so long and so ardentlydesired by me, was of course as tender as the commencement. Poor Manonrelated all her adventures, and I told her mine: we bitterly wept overeach other's story. M. de T---- consoled us by his renewed promises toexert himself in our service. He advised us not to make this, ourfirst interview, of too long duration, that he might have the lessdifficulty in procuring us the same enjoyment again. He at lengthinduced us to follow his advice. Manon especially could not reconcileherself 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 myever seeing you again?' M. de T---- promised her that he would oftencome and see her with me. 'As to the abode,' he said, 'it must nolonger be called the Magdalen; it is Versailles! now that it contains aperson who deserves t
he empire of all hearts.'
"I made the man who attended a present as I went out, in order toquicken his zeal and attentions. This fellow had a mind less rough andvulgar than the generality of his class. He had witnessed ourinterview, and was affected by it. The interest he felt was doubtlessincreased by the louis d'or I gave him. He took me aside as we wentdown into the courtyard. 'Sir,' said he, 'if you will only take meinto your service, or indemnify me in any way for the loss of thesituation which I fill here, I think I should not have much difficultyin liberating the beauteous Manon.'
"I caught readily at the suggestion, and, although at the moment I wasalmost in a state of destitution, I gave him promises far beyond hisdesires. I considered that it would be at all times easy to recompensea 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 yourfortune is just as certain as my own.' I enquired what means heintended to employ. 'None other,' said he, 'than merely to open thedoor of her cell for her at night, and to conduct her to the streetdoor, where you, of course, will be to receive her.' I asked whetherthere was no danger of her being recognised as she traversed the longgalleries and the courts. He admitted that there was danger, but thatnothing could be done without some slight risk.
"Although I was delighted to find him so determined, I called M. deT----, and informed him of the project, and of the only difficulty inthe way. He thought it not so easy of execution. He allowed thepossibility of escaping thus: 'But if she be recognised,' continuedhe, 'if she be stopped in the attempt, all hope will be over with her,perhaps for ever. Besides, you would be obliged to quit Parisinstantly, for you could never evade the search that would be made foryou: they would redouble their efforts as much on your own account ashers. A single man may easily escape detection, but in company with ahandsome woman, it would be utterly impossible to remain undiscovered.'
"However sound this reasoning, it could not, in my mind, outweigh theimmediate 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 toquit Paris for some neighbouring village, as I had once before done.We then settled with the servant that he should carry his project intoexecution the following day, and to render our success as certain as hecould, we resolved to carry into the prison men's clothes, in order tofacilitate her escape."
"There was a difficulty to be surmounted in carrying them in, but I hadingenuity enough to meet it. I begged of M. de T---- only to put ontwo light waistcoats the next morning, and I undertook to arrange therest.
"We returned the following day to the Hospital. I took with me linen,stockings, etc., for Manon, and over my body-coat a surtout, whichconcealed the bulk I carried in my pockets. We remained but a momentin her room. M. de T---- left her one of his waistcoats; I gave her myshort coat, the surtout being sufficient for me. She found nothingwanting for her complete equipment but a pair of pantaloons, which inmy hurry I had forgotten.
"The want of so necessary an article might have amused us, if theembarrassment it caused had been of a less serious kind. I was indespair at having our whole scheme foiled by a trifling omission ofthis nature. However, I soon hit on a remedy, and determined to makemy 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 putmyself in a decent condition for passing the gate.
"The remainder of the day appeared to me of endless length. When atlast night came, we went in a coach to within a few yards of theHospital. We were not long waiting, when we saw Manon make herappearance with her guide. The door of the coach being opened, theyboth stepped in without delay. I opened my arms to receive my adoredmistress; she trembled like an aspen leaf. The coachman asked where hewas to drive? 'To the end of the world!' I exclaimed; 'to some placewhere I can never again be separated from Manon.'
"This burst, which I could not control, was near bringing me into freshtrouble. The coachman reflected upon what I said, and when Iafterwards told him the name of the street to which I wished him todrive, he answered that he feared I was about to implicate him in somebad business; that he saw plainly enough that the good-looking youngman whom I called Manon was a girl eloping from the Hospital, and thathe was little disposed indeed to ruin himself for love of me.
"Extortion was the source of this scoundrel's delicacy. We were stilltoo 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 wouldhave helped me to burn the Hospital.
"We arrived at Lescaut's house. As it was late, M. de T---- left us onthe way, promising to visit us the next morning. The servant aloneremained.
"I held Manon in such close embrace in my arms, that we occupied butone place in the coach. She cried for joy, and I could feel her tearstrickling down my cheeks.
"When we were about getting out at Lescaut's, I had a new difficultywith the coachman, which was attended with the most unfortunateresults. I repented of having promised the fellow a louis d'or, notonly 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 forLescaut, and he came down to the door. I whispered to him the cause ofmy present embarrassment. Being naturally rough, and not at all in thehabit of treating hackney-coachmen with respect, he answered that Icould not be serious. 'A louis!' said he; 'twenty blows of a canewould be the right payment for that rascal!' I entreated him not todestroy us; when he snatched my cane from my hand, and was about to layit on the coachman. The fellow had probably before experienced theweight of a guardsman's arm, and instantly drove off, crying out, thatI had cheated him, and should hear of him again. I in vain endeavouredto stop him.
"His flight caused me, of course, the greatest alarm. I had no doubtthat he would immediately give information to the police. 'You haveruined me,' said I to Lescaut; 'I shall be no longer safe at yourhouse; we must go hence at once.' I gave Manon my arm, and as quicklyas possible got out of the dangerous neighbourhood. Lescautaccompanied us."
The Chevalier des Grieux having occupied more than an hour with hisstory, I begged him to give himself a little rest, and meanwhile toshare our supper. He saw, by the attention we paid him, that we wereamused, and promised that we should hear something of perhaps greaterinterest in the sequel. When we had finished supper, he continued inthe following words.
[1] A favourite tenet of the Mystics, advocated by Madame de Guyon, andadopted by the amiable and eloquent Fenelon, was, that the love of theSupreme Being must be pure and disinterested; that is, exempt from allviews of interest, and all hope of reward. See the controversy betweenBossuet and Fenelon.
[2] The first proposition of the Jansenists was, that there are divineprecepts which good men, notwithstanding their desire to observe them,are nevertheless absolutely unable to obey: God not having given themsuch a measure of grace as is essentially necessary to render themcapable of obedience.--Mosheim's Eccles. Hist., ii. 397.