Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/205

Rh Thus did I run on, now in a strain of sadness, now of indignation, as each of the various passions that were contending in my breast in turn subsided or gained the upper hand. Gradually, however, my self-tormentings had the effect of calming the tumult of my feelings sufficiently to allow of my making some reflections.

I compared this last misfortune with the others of the same kind which I had already endured, and I saw no more reason to despair in this than in the former cases. Understanding Manon's character as I did, why should I allow myself to be overwhelmed by a trial which I ought to have foreseen and guarded against? Why not rather set about discovering some way of remedying it? It was not yet too late. At all events, I felt that I must spare no pains in the task, unless I wished to have myself to reproach for contributing to my own unhappiness by my negligence. I began at once, therefore, to consider every expedient that seemed to hold out the least ray of hope.

To attempt to wrest her forcibly from the clutches of G M would be a desperate undertaking, likely to result only in my ruin, and presenting absolutely no prospect of success. But I was convinced that if I could find some way of speaking to her, if only for a few short