Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/126

130 He soon came back. I failed to detect in his face any of the signs of pleasure which accompany good news.

"I have seen the Lieutenant-General of Police," said he; "but I was too late. M. de G M went straight to him on leaving here; and prejudiced him so strongly against you that he was on the point of sending me fresh orders to put you under still closer restraint. However, when I acquainted him with the true version of your affairs, he seemed to relent considerably; and, after laughing a little over the incontinence of old M. de G M, he told me that, in order to satisfy him, you must be kept here for six months; especially, he added, as your stay could not but be beneficial to you. He enjoined me to treat you well; and I promise you that you shall have no reason to complain of my behavior toward you."

The worthy Superior was long enough in narrating all this to give me time to make a prudent reflection. I saw that I should run the risk of defeating my plans if I betrayed too much impatience for my release. I therefore assured him on the contrary, that, as I must remain, it was a great comfort for me to know that I held some small place in his esteem. I then begged him unaffectedly to grant me a favor which, while it was of no consequence to