Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/267

Rh trust. I despair of any further aid from Fortune or from man. I have reached the climax of my sorrows, and all that remains for me is to resign myself to them and to close my eyes, as I now do, to every gleam of hope. May Heaven reward you for your kindness to me! Farewell! I am going to help my evil destiny to consummate my ruin, by hurrying to meet it of my own free-will!"

He endeavored in vain to persuade me to return to Paris. I entreated him to allow me to carry out my resolve, and to leave me at once, lest the Archers might still imagine that we intended to attack them.

I rode slowly towards them, alone, and with such a dejection mirrored in my face, that they had no reason for being alarmed at my approach. In spite of this, they continued to stand on the defensive. "Be under no apprehension, my good sirs," I said, as I drew near them; "I do not come as an enemy, but as a suppliant." Then, requesting them to resume their journey without distrust, I told them, as we went along, the favors which I hoped they would grant me. They consulted together as to how they should receive my propositions. Finally the Archer in command, acting as spokesman for the others, told me in reply that they had received orders