Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/288

292 passion that he was secretly pining to possess her. As he supposed, however, in common with his uncle and all the people of the town, that I was really her husband, he had mastered his love so far as to let no signs of it escape him; and had even given evidence of a warm friendship for me on several occasions when it had been in his power to serve me.

I found him with his uncle when I reached the fort. I had no reason for keeping him in ignorance of my intentions; and consequently spoke out freely, without raising any objections to his being present. The Governor listened to me with his usual kindness. I told him part of the story of my life, which he heard with interest; and when I asked him to favor me by his presence at the coming ceremony he was generous enough to insist upon being allowed to defray all the expenses of the wedding festivities. I took my leave in the happiest frame of mind imaginable.

An hour afterwards I received a visit from the chaplain. I supposed that he had come to give me some instructions concerning my marriage; but, after greeting me coldly, he informed me abruptly that the Governor commanded me to abandon all further idea of it, as he had other views for Manon.