Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/93

Rh admonitions in a friendly spirit, and, though I was not in the least disposed to heed them, I took his zeal on my behalf in good part, knowing, as I did, the source from which it arose. Now and then I would banter him good-naturedly, in Manon's very presence, and would urge him not to be more scrupulous than many a bishop and other ecclesiastic who found no difficulty in reconciling a mistress and a benefice. "Look there," I would say to him, pointing to the eyes of my own lady-love, "and tell me if there be any faults which so beautiful a cause would not justify?" He did not lose patience, and, indeed, bore with me very far; but when he saw that I was growing richer day by day, and had not only repaid him his hundred pistoles, but, having taken a new house and doubled my expenditure, was about to give myself up more completely than ever to pleasure, his whole tone and manner underwent a change.

He upbraided me for my callousness, warned me of the penalties of Divine displeasure, and predicted some of the misfortunes that were not long in overtaking me.

"You cannot make me believe," he said to me, "that the money which serves to maintain you in your immoralities comes to you in a legitimate way. You have acquired it wrongfully; and even so will it be snatched