Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/298

302 even a tree was to be seen under which to shelter ourselves.

Her first care was to put a fresh bandage on my wound, which she had dressed with her own hands before our departure. It was in vain that I opposed her wishes; and, indeed, I should only have added the final stroke to her already overwhelming distress, had I refused her the satisfaction of believing me at ease and out of danger before she gave a thought to her own preservation. I submitted, therefore, and let her have her way for a few minutes, receiving her gentle ministrations in shamefaced silence. But, as soon as she had satisfied her tender solicitude, with what eagerness did mine resume its sway! I took off all my outer garments and stretched them beneath her, that she might find the ground a softer couch. Despite her loving protests, I busied myself in diminishing the discomforts of her situation by every contrivance that my ingenuity could suggest.

I lent warmth to her hands by my glowing kisses and my fervent sighs. I passed the whole night long in watching over her, and praying Heaven to grant her sweet and untroubled slumbers. God knows how heartfelt and