Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/232

236 tion from those whom his son had hired for her. But on learning that Marcel had been in our service before, he had resolved to force him to speak out by threatening him with severe penalties, and so working upon his fears.

Marcel was a faithful fellow, but simple and dull-witted. The recollection of the share he had taken in rescuing Manon from the Hôpital, added to the terror with which G M succeeded in inspiring him, so affected his weak mind that he fully believed that he was about to be dragged straight to the gallows or to be broken upon the wheel. He promised to disclose all that he knew, if only they would spare his life. This convinced G M that we were guilty of some more serious and criminal offence than he had as yet seen reason to suppose. He assured Marcel that he would not only spare his life, but reward him liberally, if he would make a full confession.

The unhappy wretch then acquainted him with part of our plot. We had discussed it freely in his presence, because of the share he was to take in its execution. He was, it is true, entirely in the dark as to the changes we had made in it since coming to Paris; but he had received full instructions on leaving Chaillot as to our arrangements and the part he was to play in them. He informed