Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/206

210 moments, I could not fail to touch her heart in my favor—so well did I know its tender places, so sure was I that she really loved me! I would have been willing to wager that this whimsical notion of sending a pretty girl to comfort me had originated with her, and was simply an outcome of the compassion she was feeling for me in my distress. I was resolved that I would see her and speak to her at whatever cost.

After passing many plans under consideration, I decided upon the following one. M. de T had given evidence of such warm friendship in the services he had already rendered me, that it was impossible for me to entertain the slightest doubt of his sincerity and devotion. I determined to go to him at once, and persuade him to send for G M under pretence of having important business to transact with him. Half an hour would suffice for all I had to say to Manon. My design was nothing more nor less than to gain access to her own room; and this I believed that I could easily accomplish during G M's absence.

This resolution having somewhat restored my peace of mind, I paid the young girl (who was still with me) handsomely for her services; and, in order to deter her