Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/249

Rh congratulated me upon having such a father as my own, and exhorted me to profit by his teaching and example in the future. My father, on his side, ordered me to apologize to G M for my intended insult to him and his family, and to thank him for having joined with him in his efforts to obtain my release.

We left the prison together, without a word having been said regarding my mistress. I did not even dare to speak to the turnkeys about her, in their presence.

Alas! my sorrowful appeals to them that they should treat her kindly would have been vain indeed, had I uttered them. For, with the order that set me free, had come the cruel one concerning her; and an hour had scarcely passed before the unhappy girl was taken to the Hôpital, there to be placed among a band of unfortunates of her own sex, who had been condemned to a similar fate.

My father had compelled me to accompany him to the house in which he was lodging, so that it was nearly six o'clock in the evening before I found an opportunity of eluding his vigilance, and betaking myself once more to the Châtelet. My object was merely to take some little delicacies for Manon, and to beg the Warder to have an eye to her comfort; for I did not entertain any hopes of obtaining permission to see her; nor had I, as yet, had time to mature any plans for her rescue.

I asked for the Warder. My gratuities and civility of manner had quite won the man's heart, and he was eager to give me some evidence of his good-will. Prompted by this kindly feeling, he began to tell me that he deeply regretted Manon's unfortunate fate, because he was sure that it would be a great grief to me.

I was utterly at a loss as to what he meant, and we went on talking at cross- purposes for some time. At last, seeing that an explanation was necessary, he told