“Her determination was of more value in my eyes than twenty thousand crowns.  I could feel that I was not yet bereft of every sentiment of honour, by the satisfaction I experienced at escaping thus from infamy, But I was born for brief joys, and miseries of long duration.  Fate never rescued me from one precipice, but to lead me to another.  When I had expressed my delight to Manon at this change in her intentions, I told her she had better inform Lescaut of it, in order that we might take our measures in concert.  At first he murmured, but the money in hand induced him to enter into our views.  It was then determined that we should all meet at G——­ M——­’s supper table, and that, for two reasons:  first, for the amusement of passing me off as a schoolboy, and brother to Manon; and secondly, to prevent the old profligate from taking any liberties with his mistress, on the strength of his liberal payments in advance.  Lescaut and I were to retire, when he went to the room where he expected to pass the night; and Manon, instead of following him, promised to come out, and join us.  Lescaut undertook to have a coach waiting at the door.

“The supper hour having arrived, M. G——­ M——­ made his appearance.  Already Lescaut was with his sister in the supper room.  The moment the lover entered, he presented his fair one with a complete set of pearls, necklaces, ear-rings, and bracelets, which must have cost at least a thousand crowns.  He then placed on the table before her, in louis d’or, two thousand four hundred francs, the half of her year’s allowance.  He seasoned his present with many pretty speeches in the true style of the old court.  Manon could not refuse him a few kisses:  it was sealing her right to the money which he had just handed to her.  I was at the door, and waiting for Lescaut’s signal to enter the room.

“He approached to take me by the hand, while Manon was securing the money and jewels, and leading me towards M. G——­ M——­, he desired me to make my bow.  I made two or three most profound ones. `Pray excuse him, sir,’ said Lescaut, `he is a mere child.  He has not yet acquired much of the ton of Paris; but no doubt with a little trouble we shall improve him.  You will often have the honour of seeing that gentleman, here,’ said he, turning towards me:  `take advantage of it, and endeavour to imitate so good a model.’

“The old libertine appeared to be pleased with me.  He patted me on the cheek, saying that I was a fine boy, but that I should be on my guard in Paris, where young men were easily debauched.  Lescaut assured him that I was naturally of so grave a character that I thought of nothing but becoming a clergyman, and that, even as a child, my favourite amusement was building little chapels. `I fancy a likeness to Manon,’ said the old gentleman, putting his hand under my chin.  I answered him, with the most simple air—­ `Sir, the fact is, that we are very closely connected, and I love