Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/51

Rh were not yet effaced. My own feelings were clear to me. "I may die," I said; "I ought to die, in truth, after so much shame and anguish; but, though I suffered a thousand deaths, I should still be unable to forget you, ungrateful Manon!"

My father was surprised to see me continue thus deeply affected. He knew that I cherished principles of honor, and, being certain that Manon's treachery must have made me despise her, he arrived at the conclusion that my constancy was due less to my passion for her in particular than to a general fondness for women. He became so wedded to this view that, consulting only his tender affection for me, he came one day and broached it to me. "Chevalier," he said to me, "it has hitherto been my intention that you should wear the Cross of the Order of Malta, but I see that your inclinations do not lie in that direction. You have a taste for pretty women. Well, I am willing to find you a wife to your liking. Tell me frankly your ideas on the subject."

I answered him that all women were alike to me now, and that after the blow that had so lately fallen on me, I regarded them all with equal detestation.

"I will find you one," replied my father, with a smile,