Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/307

Rh been deeply distressed to hear of my departure, and would have followed me immediately had he been able to find a ship that was ready to sail. After spending several months in quest of one in various seaport towns, he had at last found one at St. Malo, which was weighing anchor for Martinique, and had embarked in her, hoping that he would have no difficulty in obtaining a passage from Martinique to New Orleans. The St. Malo vessel had been captured on her way out by Spanish pirates, and taken to one of their islands. He had contrived to escape, however, and, after many rovings and adventures, had luckily fallen in with the small merchantman which had just arrived, and so succeeded in reaching me safely at last.

What words could adequately express my gratitude to so unselfish and loyal a friend? Taking him to my house I bade him consider himself master of all I possessed. I related the various adventures which had befallen me since my departure from France, and, in order to gladden him with news which he was far from expecting, I told him earnestly that the seeds of virtue which he had long ago implanted in my heart, were beginning to bear fruit which would satisfy even him. He declared that this welcome assurance amply compensated him for all the hardships of his voyage.