Manon Lescaut | Page 5

said I to him, "what
would suffice to prevent you from feeling the inconvenience?" He had
the audacity to demand two louis. I gave them to him on the spot. "But
have a care," said I to him, "that we have no foul play: for I shall give
the young man my address, in order that he may write to me on his
arrival; and be assured that I am not without the power to punish you."
It cost me altogether six louis-d'ors.
The graceful manner and heartfelt gratitude with which the young
unknown thanked me, confirmed my notion that he was of good birth
and merited my kindness. I addressed a few words to his mistress
before I left the room. She replied to me with a modesty so gentle and

so charming that I could not help making, as I went out, a thousand
reflections upon the incomprehensible character of women.
Returned to my retreat, I remained in ignorance of the result of this
adventure; and ere two years had passed, it was completely blotted
from my recollection, when chance brought me an opportunity of
learning all the circumstances from beginning to end.
I arrived at Calais, from London, with my pupil, the Marquis of ----.
We lodged, if I remember rightly, at the "Golden Lion," where, for
some reason, we were obliged to spend the following day and night.
Walking along the streets in the afternoon, I fancied I saw the same
young man whom I had formerly met at Passy. He was miserably
dressed, and much paler than when I first saw him. He carried on his
arm an old portmanteau, having only just arrived in the town. However,
there was an expression in his countenance too amiable not to be easily
recognised, and which immediately brought his features to my
recollection. "Observe that young man,"said I to the Marquis; "we must
accost him."
His joy was beyond expression when, in his turn, he recognised me.
"Ah, sir!" he cried, kissing my hand, "I have then once again an
opportunity of testifying my eternal gratitude to you!" I enquired of
him whence he came. He replied, that he had just arrived, by sea, from
Havre, where he had lately landed from America. "You do not seem to
be too well off for money," said I to him; "go on to the `Golden Lion,'
where I am lodging; I will join you in a moment."
I returned, in fact, full of impatience to learn the details of his
misfortunes, and the circumstances of his voyage to America. I gave
him a thousand welcomes, and ordered that they should supply him
with everything he wanted. He did not wait to be solicited for the
history of his life. "Sir," said he to me, "your conduct is so generous,
that I should consider it base ingratitude to maintain any reserve
towards you. You shall learn not only my misfortunes and sufferings,
but my faults and most culpable weaknesses. I am sure that, even while
you blame me, you will not refuse me your sympathy."
I should here inform the reader that I wrote down the story almost
immediately after hearing it; and he may, therefore, be assured of the
correctness and fidelity of the narrative. I use the word fidelity with
reference to the substance of reflections and sentiments, which the

young man conveyed in the most graceful language. Here, then, is his
story, which in its progress I shall not encumber with a single
observation that was not his own.

II
I loved Ophelia! forty thousand brothers Could not, with all their
quantity of love, Make up my sum.
SHAKESPERE.
"I was seventeen years old, and was finishing my studies at Amiens,
whither my parents, who belonged to one of the first families in
Picardy, had sent me. I led a life so studious and well regulated, that
my masters pointed to me as a model of conduct for the other scholars.
Not that I made any extraordinary efforts to acquire this reputation, but
my disposition was naturally tractable and tranquil; my inclinations led
me to apply to study; and even the natural dislike I felt for vice was
placed to my credit as positive proof of virtue. The successful progress
of my studies, my birth, and some external advantages of person, made
me a general favourite with the inhabitants of the town.
"I completed my public exercises with such general approbation, that
the bishop of the diocese, who was present, proposed to me to enter the
church, where I could not fail, he said, to acquire more distinction than
in the Order of Malta, for which my parents had destined me. I was
already decorated with the Cross, and called the Chevalier des Grieux.
The vacation having arrived,