Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/241

Rh I then ventured to plead with him on Manon's behalf, and grew eloquent in my praises of her goodness and gentleness. He replied, with a smile, that he had not seen her as yet; but that he was given to understand that she was a dangerous character.

My devotion took fire at this epithet, and I launched out into a long and passionate defence of my unhappy mistress, losing my self-control so completely that at last I actually burst into tears. The Lieutenant-General ordered me to be taken back to my room; and as he saw me led from his presence, the sedate and worthy magistrate shook his head gravely and exclaimed:

"Ah! Love, Love! will you never cease to be at odds with Wisdom?"