Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/217

Rh posed that they should have a game of cards to pass the time until supper was ready.

"I frankly own," continued Manon, "that I was dazzled by this magnificence. It seemed to me that it would be a thousand pities to cheat ourselves of all this wealth by running away from it and taking nothing with me but the money and the jewelry. Here, thought I, is a fortune, all ready made and waiting for us both; and there is nothing to prevent our living in luxury and ease at G M's expense. Instead, therefore, of suggesting that he should take me to the Comédie, I determined to sound him as to the sentiments he entertained towards you, and thus to ascertain what opportunities you and I should have of seeing one another in future, supposing that my scheme were to be carried into effect. I found him of a most accommodating disposition. He asked me what I thought of you, and whether I had not felt some regret at leaving you.

"I told him that you possessed so many amiable qualities, and had always treated me so well, that it was only natural that I should regard you with great esteem. He admitted that he had a high opinion of your merits, and would be very glad to count you among his friends. He