Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/19

Rh "Well," said I, "I will solve that difficulty for you. Pray oblige me by accepting this money. I only regret that I cannot serve you in any other way."

I then gave him four louis d'or, taking care not to be observed by the guards as I did so: for I shrewdly conjectured that if they suspected him of having such a sum about him they would put a higher price on their favors. It even occurred to me to strike a bargain with them to allow the young lover to talk with his mistress at his pleasure all the way to Havre. Beckoning to the archer in command. I made the proposition to him. In spite of his effrontery, it seemed to put him to the blush.

"You see, sir," he responded with some embarrassment, "we should have no objection to his speaking to the girl; but he is not satisfied with that. He wants to be continually at her side. That puts us to no little trouble, and it is only fair that he should pay for the inconvenience he causes us."

"How much, think you, would prevent your feeling the annoyance?" I asked him.

He had the impudence to ask me for two louis, which I at once gave him, saying as I did so:

"Mind you, sirrah! Do not attempt any rascality; for I am going to leave my address with this young