“It was in my room and in Manon’s presence that he delivered this apostolical harangue.  He rose to depart.  I was about to detain him; but was prevented by Manon, who said it was better to let the madman go.

“What he said, however, did not fail to make some impression upon me.  I notice these brief passages of my life when I experienced a returning sentiment of virtue, because it was to those traces, however light, that I was afterwards indebted for whatever of fortitude I displayed under the most trying circumstances.

“Manon’s caresses soon dissipated the annoyance this scene had caused me.  We continued to lead a life entirely devoted to pleasure and love.  The increase of our wealth only redoubled our affection.  There none happier among all the devotees of Venus and Fortune.  Heavens! why call this a world of misery, when it can furnish a life of such rapturous enjoyment?  But alas, it is too soon over!  For what ought man to sigh, could such felicity but last for ever?  Ours shared the common fate—­in being of short duration, and followed by lasting regrets.

“I had realised by play such a considerable sum of money, that I thought of investing a portion of it.  My servants were not ignorant of my good luck, particularly my valet and Manon’s own maid, before whom we often talked without any reserve.  The maid was handsome, and my valet in love with her.  They knew they had to deal with a young and inexperienced couple, whom they fancied they could impose upon without much difficulty.  They laid a plan, and executed it with so much skill, that they reduced us to a state from which it was never afterwards possible for us to extricate ourselves.

“Having supped one evening at Lescaut’s, it was about midnight when we returned home.  I asked for my valet, and Manon for her maid; neither one nor the other could be found.  They had not been seen in the house since eight o’clock, and had gone out, after having some cases carried before them, according to orders which they pretended to have received from me.  I at once foresaw a part of the truth, but my suspicions were infinitely surpassed by what presented itself on going into my room.  The lock of my closet had been forced, and my cash as well as my best clothes were gone.  While I stood stupefied with amazement, Manon came, in the greatest alarm, to inform me that her apartment had been rifled in the same manner.

“This blow was so perfectly astounding, so cruel, that it was with difficulty I could refrain from tears.  The dread of infecting Manon with my despair made me assume a more contented air.  I said, smiling, that I should avenge myself upon some unhappy dupe at the hotel of Transylvania.  However, she appeared so sensibly affected, that her grief increased my sorrow infinitely more than my attempt succeeded in supporting her spirits. `We are destroyed!’ said she, with tears in her eyes.  I endeavoured, in vain, by my entreaties and caresses, to console her.  My own lamentations betrayed my distress and despair.  In fact, we were so completely ruined, that we were bereft almost of decent covering.