Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/151

Rh As I went out I gave some money to the turnkey who was her attendant, in order to enlist his zeal in her service. This fellow was not so sordid and hardened as most of his class. He had witnessed our meeting, and that touching spectacle had excited his compassion; while a louis d'or, which I now handed him, won his complete devotion to my interests.

He took me aside as we were going down to the court-yard, and said:

"If you will take me into your service, sir, or give me a fair reward, to compensate me for the loss of my employment here, I think I can easily assist Miss Manon to escape."

I lent an eager ear to this proposition, and, destitute as I was of means, I promised him far more than he expected, feeling persuaded that I should have no difficulty in satisfying a fellow of his stamp at any time.

"You may depend upon my doing all I can for you, my friend," said I, "and may consider your fortune as well assured as my own."

I then asked him how he intended to proceed.

"Simply by opening her door for her some evening," he replied, "and showing her the way to the street entrance, where you must be waiting to receive her."