Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/186

190 T, "that I may punish him for his father's villainy! He shall not escape me until we have measured swords together!"

M. de T, who knew him, and who, indeed, was one of his most intimate friends, endeavored to inspire me with more amicable sentiments towards him. He assured me that he was a young man of exceedingly amiable character; and so far from being capable of having taken any share in his father's proceedings, that even I, were I to be in his company for a few minutes, could not fail to accord him my esteem and to desire that he should give me his.

After adding a great deal more in his favor, M. de T begged that I would permit him to go and invite his friend to join us, and to partake of what was left of our supper. He met the objection as to the risk to which we should be exposing Manon in making her whereabouts known to our enemy's son, by protesting on his faith and honor that when once young G M knew us, we should have no more zealous champion than he. In the face of such positive assurances I made no further difficulty. Before bringing him to us, M. de T had a few minutes' conversation with him in private, and told him who we were. His manner on entering the room certainly prepossessed us in his favor.