Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/189

Rh able, I expressed my strong disapprobation of them. I should have kept his secret for him, had it been his design to employ only the ordinary methods of winning a lady's favor, but he has an accurate knowledge of Manon's peculiar character, having discovered—by what means I cannot say—her fondness for wealth and pleasure; and, as he is already in the enjoyment of a considerable fortune, he means, he informed me, to begin by tempting her with a very handsome present, and the offer of an allowance of ten thousand francs.

"Had all things been equal, it might have cost me, perhaps, a much greater struggle to betray his confidence; but considerations of justice as well as of friendship decided me in your favor; especially as, having been the imprudent cause of his passion, by introducing him here, I felt that it lay upon me to avert any ill-consequences of the mischief I have occasioned."

I thanked M. de T for rendering me so important a service; and, returning his confidence unreservedly, I owned that Manon's character was such as G M supposed it to be; that is to say, that she could not endure the very mention of poverty.

"However," I said, "when it is merely a question of more or less, I do not think her capable of deserting me