Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/264

268 hour in the morning, with instructions to ascertain to a moment the time of the Archers' departure with their prisoners. Although it was only my excessive anxiety and prudence which prompted me to take this precaution, it turned out to have been absolutely necessary; for, relying upon false information which had been given me as to their route, I had intended to lie in wait for the ill-fated band on the Orleans road, under the impression that they were to embark at La Rochelle. Had I done so, all my trouble would have been thrown away, for, as I learnt from the soldier's report, they were taking the road to Normandy, and it was from Havre-de-Grace that they were to sail for America.

We hastened at once to the Porte St. Honoré, taking care to approach it by different streets, and rejoining one another at the end of the Faubourg. Our horses were fresh, and we were not long in coming up with the six Archers and the two wretched wagons which you saw at Passy two years ago.

This spectacle so unmanned me that my strength and consciousness almost deserted me.

"O Fortune!" I cried, "cruel Fortune, grant me now at least either victory or death!"

We held a hasty consultation as to what should be our