“The gendarmes became so rapacious when they saw the violence of my passion, continually increasing their demands for the slightest favours, that they soon left me penniless.  Love did not permit me to put any bounds to my liberality.  At Manon’s side I was not master of myself; and it was no longer by the hour that time was measured; rather by the duration of whole days.  At length, my funds being completely exhausted, I found myself exposed to the brutal caprice of these six wretches who treated me with intolerable rudeness—­you yourself witnessed it at Passy.  My meeting with you was a momentary relaxation accorded me by fate.  Your compassion at the sight of my sufferings was my only recommendation to your generous nature.  The assistance which you so liberally extended, enabled me to reach Havre, and the guards kept their promise more faithfully than I had ventured to hope.

“We arrived at Havre.  I went to the post-office:  Tiberge had not yet had time to answer my letter.  I ascertained the earliest day I might reckon upon his answer:  it could not possibly arrive for two days longer; and by an extraordinary fatality, our vessel was to sail on the very morning of the day when the letter might be expected.  I cannot give you an idea of my despair. `Alas!’ cried I, `even amongst the unfortunate, I am to be ever the most wretched!’

“Manon replied:  `Alas! does a life so thoroughly miserable deserve the care we bestow on ours?  Let us die at Havre, dearest chevalier!  Let death at once put an end to our afflictions!  Shall we persevere, and go to drag on this hopeless existence in an unknown land, where we shall, no doubt, have to encounter the most horrible pains, since it has been their object to punish me by exile?  Let us die,’ she repeated, `or do at least in mercy rid me of life, and then you can seek another lot in the arms of some happier lover.’

“`No, no, Manon,’ said I; `it is but too enviable a lot, in my estimation, to be allowed to share your misfortunes.’

“Her observations made me tremble.  I saw that she was overpowered by her afflictions.  I tried to assume a more tranquil air, in order to dissipate such melancholy thoughts of death and despair.

“I resolved to adopt the same course in future; and I learned by the results, that nothing is more calculated to inspire a woman with courage than the demonstration of intrepidity in the man she loves.

“When I lost all hope of receiving the expected assistance from Tiberge, I sold my horse; the money it brought, joined to what remained of your generous gift, amounted to the small sum of forty pistoles; I expended eight in the purchase of some necessary articles for Manon; and I put the remainder by, as the capital upon which we were to rest our hopes and raise our fortunes in America.  I had no difficulty in getting admitted on board the vessel.  They were at the time looking for young men as voluntary emigrants to the colony.  The passage and provisions were supplied gratis.  I left a letter for Tiberge, which was to go by the post next morning to Paris.  It was no doubt written in a tone calculated to affect him deeply, since it induced him to form a resolution, which could only be carried into execution by the tenderest and most generous sympathy for his unhappy friend.