Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/236

240 me; but that a miserable scoundrel like this should have it in his power to tyrannize over me thus is more than I can bear!"

The Archers were growing impatient, and ordered us not to keep them waiting any longer. They had a coach ready at the door. I held out my hand to Manon to assist her downstairs, and said:

"Come, sweet mistress of my heart! Come and submit to the cruel decrees of our destiny. Some day, perchance, it may please Heaven to grant us a happier fate!"

We were both put into the same coach, and as we were driven away from the house, Manon threw herself into my arms. Not a word had she uttered since the moment of G M's first appearance; but now that she found herself once more alone with me, she poured forth innumerable expressions of endearment, and of self-reproach for having brought this misfortune upon me. I assured her that, whatever my fate might be, I would never complain so long as she continued to love me.

"It is not I who am to be pitied," I continued; "a few months' imprisonment has no terrors for me, and, in any case, the Châtelet is preferable to Saint Lazare. It is for you, sweet soul, that my heart is bleeding. What a