“Before we parted, we agreed as to the time and place for our meeting.  He was so considerate as to appoint the afternoon of the same day.

“I waited for him at a cafe, where he joined me about four o’clock, and we went together towards the Magdalen; my knees trembled under me as I crossed the courts. `Ye heavenly powers!’ said I, `then I shall once more behold the idol of my heart—­the dear object of so many sighs and lamentations!  All I now ask of Providence is, to vouchsafe me strength enough to reach her presence, and after that, to dispose as it pleaseth of my future fate, and of my life itself.  Beyond this, I have no prayer to utter.’

“M. de T——­ spoke to some of the porters of the establishment, who appeared all anxious to please him.  The quarter in which Manon’s room lay was pointed out to us, and our guide carried in his hand the key of her chamber:  it was of frightful size.  I asked the man who conducted us, and whose duty it was to attend to Manon, how she passed her time?  He said, that she had a temper of the most angelic sweetness; that even he, disagreeable as his official duties must render him, had never heard from her a single syllable in the nature of rebuke or harshness; that her tears had never ceased to flow during the first six weeks after her arrival, but that latterly she seemed to bear her misfortunes with more resignation, and that she employed herself from morning till night with her needle, excepting some hours that she, each day, devoted to reading.  I asked whether she had been decently provided for.  He assured me that at least she had never felt the want of necessaries.

“We now approached her door.  My heart beat almost audibly in my bosom.  I said to M. de T——­, `Go in alone, and prepare her for my visit; I fear that she may be overcome by seeing me unexpectedly.’  The door was opened.  I remained in the passage, and listened to the conversation.  He said that he came to bring her consolation; that he was a friend of mine, and felt deeply interested for the happiness of us both.  She asked with the tenderest anxiety, whether he could tell her what had become of me.  He promised that she should soon see me at her feet, as affectionate and as faithful as ever. `When?’ she asked. `This very day,’ said he; `the happy moment shall not be long delayed; nay, this very instant even, if you wish it.’  She at once understood that I was at the door; as she was rushing towards it, I entered.  We embraced each other with that abounding and impassioned tenderness, which an absence of many months makes so delicious to those who truly love.  Our sighs, our broken exclamations, the thousand endearing appellations of love, exchanged in languishing rapture, astonished M. de T——­, and affected him even to tears.

“`I cannot help envying you,’ said he, as he begged us to be seated; `there is no lot, however glorious, that I would hold as comparable to the possession of a mistress at once so tender and impassioned.’ `Nor would I,’ I replied, `give up her love for universal empire!’