“The principal scene of my exploits was the hotel of Transylvania, where there was a faro table in one room, and other games of cards and dice in the gallery.  This academy was kept by the Prince of R——­, who then lived at Clagny, and most of his officers belonged to our society.  Shall I mention it to my shame?  I profited quickly by my instructor’s tuition.  I acquired an amazing facility in sleight of hand tricks, and learned in perfection to sauter le coup; with the help of a pair of long ruffles, I shuffled so adroitly as to defy the quickest observer, and I ruined several fair players.  My unrivalled skill so quickened the progress of my fortunes, that I found myself master, in a few weeks, of very considerable sums, besides what I divided in good faith with my companions.

“I had no longer any fear of communicating to Manon the extent of our loss at Chaillot, and, to console her on the announcement of such disastrous news, I took a furnished house, where we established ourselves in all the pride of opulence and security.

“Tiberge was in the habit, at this period, of paying me frequent visits.  He was never tired of his moral lectures.  Over and over again did he represent to me the injury I was inflicting upon my conscience, my honour, and my fortune.  I received all his advice kindly, and although I had not the smallest inclination to adopt it, I had no doubt of its sincerity, for I knew its source.  Sometimes I rallied him good-humouredly, and entreated him not to be more tight-laced than some other priests were, and even bishops, who by no means considered a mistress incompatible with a good and holy life.’ `Look,’ I said, `at Manon’s eyes, and tell me if there is one in the long catalogue of sins that might not there find a plea of justification.’  He bore these sallies patiently, and carried his forbearance almost too far:  but when he saw my funds increase, and that I had not only returned him the hundred and seventy crowns, but having hired a new house and trebled my expenses, I had plunged deeper than ever into a life of pleasure, he changed his tone and manner towards me.  He lamented my obduracy.  He warned me against the chastisement of the Divine wrath, and predicted some of the miseries with which indeed I was shortly afterwards visited. `It is impossible,’ he said, `that the money which now serves to support your debaucheries can have been acquired honourably.  You have come by it unjustly, and in the same way shall it be taken from you.  The most awful punishment Heaven could inflict would be to allow you the undisturbed enjoyment of it.  All my advice,’ he added, `has been useless; I too plainly perceive that it will shortly become troublesome to you.  I now take my leave; you are a weak, as well as an ungrateful friend!  May your criminal enjoyments vanish as a shadow! may your ill-gotten wealth leave you without a resource; and may you yourself remain alone and deserted, to learn the vanity of these things, which now divert you from better pursuits!  When that time arrives, you will find me disposed to love and to serve you; this day ends our intercourse, and I once for all avow my horror of the life you are leading.’