Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/138

142 countering any obstacle. My plan was to take the keys from him, intimidating him with my pistol if he made any difficulty about surrendering them, and then to use them in gaining the street. I waited impatiently for the proper moment to arrive. The porter made his appearance at his usual time—a little after nine o'clock. I allowed another hour to pass in order to be sure that all the priests and servants were asleep, and then, taking my weapon and a lighted candle, I sallied forth.

I first knocked gently at the Superior's door, in order to awaken him with as little noise as possible. He did not hear me until I had rapped a second time, and then, doubtless supposing it was one of the priests who had been taken ill and needed assistance, he rose to let me in. He took the precaution, however, of asking through the door who it was and what he was wanted for. I was obliged to give my name, but I did so in a tone of assumed distress, that he might think I was indisposed.

"Ah! it is you, my dear son!" said he, as he opened the door. "What brings you here at this late hour?"

I stepped into the room, and leading him to the other side of it, opposite the door, I told him that I found it ab-