Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/147

Rh He carried the evidences of his regard much further; for, connecting my various adventures in his mind and concluding that my flight from St. Lazare must have left me almost destitute of means, he offered me his purse, and pressed its acceptance upon me.

"Nay, sir," I said, refusing it, "you are too good. If I am to owe the happiness of once more seeing my dear Manon to your kind and friendly assistance, you will have my life-long gratitude. If you restore that beloved being to me altogether, I shall feel that, though I were to shed my blood to the last drop in your service, I should still be in your debt."

Before separating, we agreed upon the time and place of our next meeting. He was considerate enough not to prolong my suspense any further than he could help, and appointed that very afternoon. I waited for him at a café, where he rejoined me at about four o'clock, and we repaired together to the Hôpital.

My knees trembled under me as we crossed the court-yards. "Goddess of Love!" I inwardly ejaculated, "is it indeed true that I am once more to behold the idol of my soul, the object of so many tears and so much anguish of heart? Then, Heaven, give me but strength to reach her side; and after that dispose as you will of my fortunes and of my remaining days; this one boon is all I ask of you!"

M. de T spoke to some of the door-keepers of the place, who showed every desire to be of use to him in any way that they could. He made them point out to him the part of the establishment in which Manon's room was situated; and we were conducted to it, our escort carrying a key of terrific size with which to unlock her door.

I asked the turnkey who accompanied us, and who was the one appointed to attend to her wants, how she had