Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and the Chevalier Des Grieux.djvu/53

52 with me in pretending* that his motive in taking her from you was a disinterested desire to serve me. It is scarcely from a man of his stamp that one looks for such lofty sen- timents, especially when, as it happens, he is a complete stranger to me. He learned from her that you were my son, and, wishing to rid himself of your inconvenient pres- ence, he wrote and informed me of your whereabouts and of the life of irregularity you were leading, giving me to understand, at the same time, that forcible means would be necessary to secure you. He offered his assistance in finding an easy way to lay hands on you ; and it was uiidei* his directions, and those of your mistress herself, that your brother succeeded in catching you at a moment when j^ou were off your guard. Noiv let us hear you congratulate yourself on the duration of your triumph as a lover ! You know how to vanquish rapidly enough. Chevalier, but not how to maintain your conquests." I could listen no longer to words like these, every one of which had pierced me to the heart. Rising from the table, I endeavored to leave the room, but I had scarcely taken four steps when I fell to the floor in a deep swoon. Prompt assistance was rendered me and brought me back to con- sciousness, but I opened my eyes only to burst into a tor-