Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/273

Rh scarce, but even to establish myself in some business there which would secure me a permanent footing.

As a result of these reflections, it occurred to me to write to Tiberge, whom I had ever found ready to lend me his friendly assistance. I wrote from the first town through which we passed. I did not use any pretext to disguise my real motive in making the request; but simply pleaded the pressing need of money which I foresaw that I should be in on my arrival at Havre-de-Grace, whither, I told him frankly, I was accompanying Manon. I asked him for a hundred pistoles.

"Send the money to me," I said, "through the Post-master at Havre. You will readily understand that this is the last time I shall trespass upon your kindness, and that, now that my ill-fated mistress is being torn from me forever, I cannot bear to let her go without some small comforts which, in mitigating the hardships of her lot, will also help to console the bitterness of my grief."

The Archers, as soon as they became aware of the violence of my passion, grew so rapacious in their extortions that, by continually doubling the price of their slightest favors, they soon left me absolutely penniless. The dic-