“One day, having gone out in the afternoon, and told her that I should not be at home so early as usual, I was astonished, on my return, at being detained several minutes at the door.  Our only servant was a young girl about our own age.  On her letting me in at last, I asked why she had detained me so long?  She replied in an embarrassed tone, that she did not hear me knock. `I only knocked once,’ said I; `so if you did not hear me, why come to open the door at all?’ This query disconcerted her so visibly, that losing her presence of mind, she began to cry, assuring me that it was not her fault; and that her mistress had desired her not to open the door until M. de B——­had had time to go down by the back staircase.  I was so confounded by this information as to be utterly unable to proceed to our apartment; and was obliged to leave the house, under the pretext of an appointment.  I desired the girl, therefore, to let her mistress know that I should return in a few minutes, but on no account to say that she had spoken to me of M. de B——.

“My horror was so great, that I shed tears as I went along, hardly knowing from what feeling they flowed.  I entered a coffee-house close by, and placing myself at a table, I buried my face between my hands, as though I would turn my eyes inward to ascertain what was passing in my heart.  Still, I dared not recall what I had heard the moment before.  I strove to look upon it as a dream; and was more than once on the point of returning to my lodgings, determined to attach no importance to what I had heard.

“It appeared to me so impossible that Manon could have been unfaithful, that I feared even to wrong her by a suspicion.  I adored her—­that was too certain; I had not on my part given her more proofs of my love than I had received of hers; why then should I charge her with being less sincere and constant than myself?  What reason could she have to deceive me?  Not three hours before, she had lavished upon me the most tender caresses, and had received mine with transport:  I knew her heart as thoroughly as my own. `No, no!’ I said, `it is not possible that Manon can have deceived me.  She well knows that I live but for her; that I adore her:  upon that point I can have no reason to be unhappy.’

“Notwithstanding these reflections, the visit of M. de B——­, and his secret departure, gave me some uneasiness.  I remembered, too, the little purchases she had lately made, which seemed beyond our present means.  This looked like the liberality of a new lover.  And the confidence with which she had foretold resources which were to me unknown?  I had some difficulty in solving these mysteries in as favourable a manner as my heart desired.

“On the other hand, she had been hardly out of my sight since we entered Paris.  However occupied, in our walks, in all our amusements, she was ever at my side.  Heavens! even a momentary separation would have been too painful.  I could not therefore imagine how Manon could, to any other person, have devoted a single instant.