Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/268

272 of the strictest kind to keep a close watch over their prisoners; but that, to oblige such a gallant young gentleman as I seemed to be, he and his companions would consent to be a little lax in their duty; on the understanding, of course, that I was to pay something for the privilege. I had about fifteen pistoles left, and told them frankly how much my purse contained.

"Well," said the Archer, "we'll not be extortionate in our demands upon it. It shall cost you only a crown an hour to enjoy the company of whichever of our girls here is most to your liking. 'Tis no more than the regular price in Paris."

I had not alluded to Manon in particular, because I did not wish them to know of my passion for her. They at first supposed that it was merely a young man's passing whim which led me to seek a little diversion with these unfortunates; but no sooner did they begin to suspect that I was in love, than they increased their exactions to such an extent that my purse was empty by the time we left Mantes, where we had slept the night before we reached Passy.

Do you ask me to tell you on what mournful themes Manon and I conversed during that journey, or to describe