Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/53

Rh cording to the aspect under which Manon presented herself to my mind. At one moment I thought of her only as the loveliest of women, and pined to see her once more; at another I saw in her nothing but a heartless and unfaithful mistress, and registered vow upon vow that I would seek her out only to punish her.

I was furnished with books, and they served to restore my peace of mind to some degree. I read once more through all my favorite authors, and extended my attainments into fresh branches of learning. My eager delight in study was reawakened in me; and you will see of what use it proved to me in the sequel. The new insight which I owed to love illuminated for me a number of passages in Horace and Virgil which had formerly been obscure to me. I composed an Amatory Commentary on the fourth book of the Æneid. I intend that it shall see the light some day, and I am not without hopes that it will be favorably received by the public.

"Alas!" I would sigh, while writing it, "it was for such a heart as mine that the constant Dido longed in vain!"

Tiberge came to see me one day while I was still in confinement. I was surprised at the affectionate warmth with which he greeted me; for I had not hitherto re-