“Next morning I dressed as well as, in my present state of indigence, I could possibly contrive to do; and went in a hackney coach to the residence of M. de T——.  He was surprised at receiving a visit from a perfect stranger.  I augured favourably from his countenance and the civility of his manner.  I explained my object in the most candid way; and, to excite his feelings as much as possible, I spoke of my ardent passion and of Manon’s merit, as of two things that were unequalled, except by each other.  He told me, that although he had never seen Manon, he had heard of her; at least, if the person I was talking of was the same who had been the mistress of old G——­ M——.  I conjectured that he must have heard of the part I had acted in that transaction, and in order to conciliate him more and more by treating him with confidence, I told him everything that had occurred to Manon and myself. `You see, sir,’ said I, `that all that can interest me in life, all that can command my affections, is in your hands.  I have no reserve with you, because I have been informed of your generous and noble character; and, being of the same age, I trust I shall find some resemblance in our dispositions.’

“He seemed flattered by this mark of candour and confidence.  He replied in a manner that became a man of the world, and a man of feeling also, for they are not always synonymous terms.  He told me that he appreciated my visit as a piece of good fortune; that he considered my friendship as a valuable acquisition, and that he would endeavour to prove himself worthy of it, by the sincerity of his services.  He could not absolutely promise to restore Manon to my arms, because, as he said, he himself had very little influence; but he offered to procure me the pleasure of seeing her, and to do everything in his power to effect her release.  I was the more satisfied with this frank avowal as to his want of influence, than I should have been by an unqualified promise of fulfilling all my wishes.  I found in his moderation a pledge of his sincerity:  in a word, I no longer doubted my entire success.  The promise alone of enabling me to see Manon filled me with gratitude, and I testified it in so earnest a manner, as to give him a favourable opinion of my heart and disposition; we shook hands warmly, and parted sworn friends, merely from mutual regard, and that natural feeling which prompts a man of kind and generous sentiments to esteem another of congenial mind.

“He, indeed, exceeded me in the proofs of his esteem; for, inferring from my adventures, and especially my late escape from St. Lazare, that I might be in want of money, he offered me his purse, and pressed me to accept it.  I refused, but said to him, `You are too kind, my dear sir!  If in addition to such proofs of kindness and friendship, you enable me to see Manon again, rely on my eternal regard and gratitude.  If you succeed in restoring altogether this dear creature to my arms, I should think myself happy in spilling the last drop of my blood in your service.’