Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/286

290 we are even supposed to be married already, what is there to prevent our soon actually becoming so, and thus consecrating our love by the vows to which religion lends its sanction? "As for myself," I added, "I offer you nothing new in offering you my heart and hand; but I am ready to ratify the gift at the foot of the altar."

My words seemed to fill her with joy.

"Believe me," she said, "I have thought of this a thousand times since we came to America. The fear of displeasing you has made me lock the wish as a secret in my own heart; for I feel that it would be presumption on my part to aspire to the honor of being your wife."

"My wife!" replied I; "why, Manon, you should soon be a queen had it been my fate to be born a king. Let us hesitate no longer; we have no obstacles to dread. I will speak of the matter to the Governor this very day, and confess that we have hitherto been deceiving him. Let vulgar natures be deterred by the indissolubility of the marriage tie; they would not fear it were they sure, as we are, of its never being other than a bond of love."

Manon was in raptures of delight when I left her, after this expression of my resolve. I am convinced that my