Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/143



sooner had the return of night released me from my hiding-place, than I asked Lescaut to accompany me to the Hôpital. We entered into conversation with one of the porters, who seemed an intelligent fellow. Pretending to be a foreigner who had heard much admiration expressed for the Hôpital Général and its excellent management, I questioned him concerning the minutest details; and, passing from one matter to another, we finally fell to talking about the Guardians, whose names and rank I asked him to tell me. His answers on this last point suggested an idea to my mind which I welcomed as a happy one; and I proceeded to put it into operation