Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/137

Rh opposite the entrance of this building", with two or three of our friends, at eleven o'clock to-morrow night. I hope to be able to join you there."

He urged me in vain to give him some further particulars of my project. I told him that an attempt such as the one I contemplated making could not but appear foolhardy until after it had succeeded. I begged him to shorten his visit in order that he might have less difficulty in obtaining permission to see me the next day.

He was admitted as readilv as he had been on the first occasion. The serious and dignified demeanor which he assumed would have made him pass anywhere for a person of the utmost respectability.

Once furnished with the instrument of my release, I scarcely felt any doubt as to the success of my scheme. It was a strange and audacious one; but what was I not capable of with the motives that inspired me?

Since I had been permitted to leave my room and walk about the galleries, I had noticed that every night the porter was in the habit of taking the keys of all the doors to the Superior, and that afterwards a profound silence reigned throughout the house, which showed that every one had retired to rest.

By passing through a gallery of communication I could go from my own room to the Superior's without en-