Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/21

Rh young man I had met at Passy. He was very poorly clad, and much paler than when I had first seen him. He was carrying an old portmanteau under one arm, and had evidently only just arrived in the town. His was too handsome a face to be easily forgotten, however, and I knew him again immediately.

"I cannot let that young man pass without speaking to him," I said to the marquis.

He was overjoyed when he, in turn, recognized me.

"Ah! sir," he exclaimed, kissing my hand, "I am indeed glad to have an opportunity of assuring you once again of my undying gratitude!"

I asked him whence he had come. He replied that he had just arrived, by sea, from Havre-de-Grace, whither he had returned from America only a short time since.

"From your appearance I fear that you are not very well off for money," said I; "if you will walk on to the Golden Lion, where I am lodging, I will be with you in a few minutes."

I soon returned, in fact, full of impatience to learn the details of his misfortunes and all the particulars of his voyage to America. I embraced him cordially, and gave orders that he should be allowed to want for nothing.

He did not wait to be urged to relate the story of his life.