Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/258

262 perfection itself, I am no less sure that you would have thought her so! You would then have taken her part; you would have been filled with loathing for that villain G M and his base schemes; you would have had campassion on her, and on me. Alas! I am certain of it! Your heart is not so obdurate but that you would have allowed pity to melt it!"

Again he interrupted me, seeing from the fervor with which I was speaking that it would be some time before I came to a conclusion.

"And what, may I ask," said he, "is to be the upshot of all this impassioned eloquence of yours?"

"To beg you to spare my life," I replied; "for that moment must be my last which sees Manon sail for America!"

"Enough of this, sir!" said he sternly; "I would rather, far rather, that you took leave of life than of virtue and honor!"

"Then why go further?" I cried, seizing him by the arm and holding him back. "Rid me here and at once of this life that is but a hateful burden to me; for you have filled me with such despair that death would be the greatest boon you could confer upon me; and it is a gift worthy of a father's hand!"

"I shall not give it, though you well deserve it," was his response. "I know many a father who long ere this would have meted out justice to you with his own hands; but it is my excessive leniency that has been your ruin!"

I threw myself at his feet.

"Oh! if you have any of that leniency remaining," I implored, as I clung to his knees, "do not harden your heart against the son who lies weeping before you now! Your son—yes, think of that! Think of my mother, alas! whom you loved so tenderly! Would you have