Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/226

230 for M. de G M, as some business had arisen which would detain him, much to his regret; and that he had asked me to come and make his excuses to her for his absence and to take supper with her; an honor of which the company of so fair a lady made me very sensible.

She seconded me very cleverly in my design, and we took our places at the table. We assumed an air of grave propriety before the servants while they remained in the room to wait upon us; and when, at last, we had dismissed them, we passed one of the most delightful evenings of our lives. I gave Marcel secret orders to find a coach and to tell the driver to be at the door before six o'clock the next morning.

Towards midnight I pretended to take my leave of Manon; but I was noiselessly let into the house again by Marcel, and was soon preparing to occupy G M's bed, as I had already usurped his place at table.