“He came to see me next morning, and fortunately was admitted under my brother’s name.  I was overjoyed at finding him in my room.  I carefully closed the door. `Let us lose no time,’ I said. `First tell me about Manon, and then advise me how I am to shake off these fetters.’  He assured me that he had not seen his sister since the day before my arrest, and that it was only by repeated enquiries, and after much trouble, that he had at length been able to discover her fate as well as mine; and that he had two or three times presented himself at the Magdalen, and been refused admittance. `Wretch!’ muttered I to myself, `dearly shall G——­ M——­ pay for this!’

“`As to your escape,’ continued Lescaut, `it will not be so easy as you imagine.  Last evening, I and a couple of friends walked round this establishment to reconnoitre it; and we agreed that, as your windows looked into a court surrounded by buildings, as you yourself mentioned in your letter, there would be vast difficulty in getting you out.  Besides, you are on the third story, and it would be impossible to introduce ropes or ladders through the window.  I therefore see no means from without—­in the house itself we must hit upon some scheme.’

“`No,’ replied I; `I have examined everything minutely, particularly since, through the governor’s indulgence, my confinement has been less rigorous.  I am no longer locked into my room; I have liberty to walk in the gallery; but there is, upon every landing, a strong door kept closed night and day, so that it is impossible that ingenuity alone, unaided by some violent efforts, can rescue me.

“`Wait,’ said I, after turning in my mind for a moment an idea that struck me as excellent; `could you bring me a pistol?’ `Softly,’ said Lescaut to me, `you don’t think of committing murder?’ I assured him that I had so little intention of shooting anyone, that it would not be even necessary to have the pistol loaded. `Bring it to me tomorrow,’ I added, `and do not fail to be exactly opposite the great entrance with two or three of your friends at eleven tomorrow night; I think I shall be able to join you there.’  He in vain requested me to explain my plan.  I told him that such an attempt as I contemplated could only appear rational after it had succeeded.  I begged of him to shorten his visit, in order that he might with the less difficulty be admitted next morning.  He was accordingly admitted as readily as on his first visit.  He had put on so serious an air, moreover, that a stranger would have taken him for a respectable person.

“When I found in my hand the instrument of my liberty, I no longer doubted my success.  It was certainly a strange and a bold project; but of what was I not capable, with the motives that inspired me?  I had, since I was allowed permission to walk in the galleries, found opportunities of observing that every night the porter brought the keys of all the doors to the governor, and subsequently there