“M. de T——­ did not introduce him without delaying a few moments outside, to let him know who we were.  He certainly came in with an air that prepossessed us in his favour:  he shook hands with me; we sat down; he admired Manon; he appeared pleased with me, and with everything that belonged to us; and he ate with an appetite that did abundant honour to our hospitality.

“When the table was cleared, our conversation became more serious.  He hung down his head while he spoke of his father’s conduct towards us.  He made, on his own part, the most submissive excuses. `I say the less upon the subject,’ said he, `because I do not wish to recall a circumstance that fills me with grief and shame.’  If he were sincere in the beginning, he became much more so in the end, for the conversation had not lasted half an hour, when I perceived that Manon’s charms had made a visible impression upon him.  His looks and his manner became by degrees more tender.  He, however, allowed no expression to escape him; but, without even the aid of jealousy, I had had experience enough in love affairs to discern what was passing.

“He remained with us till a late hour in the night, and before he took his leave, congratulated himself on having made our acquaintance, and begged permission to call and renew the offer of his services.  He went off next morning with M. de T——­, who accepted the offer of a seat in his carriage.

“I felt, as I before said, not the slightest symptom of jealousy I had a more foolish confidence than ever in Manon’s vows.  This dear creature had so absolute a dominion over my whole soul and affections, that I could give place to no other sentiment towards her than that of admiration and love.  Far from considering it a crime that she should have pleased young G——­ M——­, I was gratified by the effect of her charms, and experienced only a feeling of pride in being loved by a girl whom the whole world found so enchanting.  I did not even deem it worth while to mention my suspicions to her.  We were for some days occupied in arranging her new wardrobe, and in considering whether we might venture to the theatre without the risk of being recognised.  M. de T——­ came again to see us before the end of the week, and we consulted him upon this point.  He saw clearly that the way to please Manon was to say yes:  we resolved to go all together that same evening.

“We were not able, however, to carry this intention into effect; for, having taken me aside, `I have been in the greatest embarrassment,’ said he to me, `since I saw you, and that is the cause of my visiting you today.  G——­ M——­ is in love with your mistress:  he told me so in confidence; I am his intimate friend, and disposed to do him any service in my power; but I am not less devoted to you; his designs appeared to me unjustifiable, and I expressed my disapprobation of them; I should not have divulged his secret, if he had only intended to use fair and ordinary means for gaining Manon’s