Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/69

Rh which I have received from him during the past two years. I have given him no rights over me," she added; "so that we can safely remain in Paris, and take a comfortable house, where we will live happily together."

I reminded her that, though there might be no danger for her in this plan, there would be a great deal for me; as I must inevitably be recognized sooner or later, and would be continually exposed to the recurrence of just such a mishap as had befallen me once already. She frankly owned that she would be very reluctant to leave Paris, and I was so anxious not to cross her wishes in any respect, that there was no risk which I would not gladly have faced in order to please her. However, we hit upon a sensible compromise, which was to take a house in some village near Paris, from which we could readily reach town when pleasure or business called us there. We decided upon Chaillot, which is within easy distance of Paris.

Manon then hastened to her house, and I proceeded to the smaller gate of the Tuileries Gardens to await her coming. She returned about an hour later, in a hackney-coach, accompanied by a maid-servant, and bringing with her two or three trunks in which were packed her clothes and everything of value which she possessed.