Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/271

Rh follow her to the very end of the world, that I might watch over her, tend her, love her, and link my miserable destiny forever with her own, the poor girl gave way to such transports of grief and affection that I trembled lest the violence of her emotions might endanger her life itself.

All the agitation of her heart seemed to concentrate itself in her eyes, which she kept intently fixed upon my face. Every now and again she would commence a sentence, and, lacking strength to complete it, the words would die away upon her lips. The few to which she succeeded in giving utterance were expressions of admiring wonder at my devotion, and tender protests against the lengths to which I was carrying it; mingled with murmurs of surprise that she should be fortunate enough to have inspired me with so matchless a love, and earnest entreaties that I would renounce my intention of accompanying her, and seek elsewhere the happiness I deserved and which, she said, I could never hope to enjoy with her.

In spite of the cruelty of Fate, I found my long-sought happiness in her tender gaze, and in the certainty I now felt that I possessed her love. I had, indeed, forfeited all