“Manon was so terrified by the violence of my anger, that, remaining on her knees by the chair from which I had just before risen, breathless and trembling, she fixed her eyes upon me.  I advanced a little farther towards the door, but, unless I had lost the last spark of humanity, I could not continue longer unmoved by such a spectacle.

“So far, indeed, was I from this kind of stoical indifference, that, rushing at once into the very opposite extreme, I returned, or rather flew back to her without an instant’s reflection.  I lifted her in my arms; I gave her a thousand tender kisses; I implored her to pardon my ungovernable temper; I confessed that I was an absolute brute, and unworthy of being loved by such an angel.

“I made her sit down, and throwing myself, in my turn, upon my knees, I conjured her to listen to me in that attitude.  Then I briefly expressed all that a submissive and impassioned lover could say most tender and respectful.  I supplicated her pardon.  She let her arms fall over my neck, as she said that it was she who stood in need of forgiveness, and begged of me in mercy to forget all the annoyances she had caused me, and that she began, with reason, to fear that I should not approve of what she had to say in her justification. `Me!’ said I interrupting her impatiently; `I require no justification; I approve of all you have done.  It is not for me to demand excuses for anything you do; I am but too happy, too contented, if my dear Manon will only leave me master of her affections!  But,’ continued I, remembering that it was the crisis of my fate, `may I not, Manon, all-powerful Manon, you who wield at your pleasure my joys and sorrows, may I not be permitted, after having conciliated you by my submission and all the signs of repentance, to speak to you now of my misery and distress?  May I now learn from your own lips what my destiny is to be, and whether you are resolved to sign my death-warrant, by spending even a single night with my rival?’

“She considered a moment before she replied. `My good chevalier,’ said she, resuming the most tranquil tone, `if you had only at first explained yourself thus distinctly, you would have spared yourself a world of trouble, and prevented a scene that has really annoyed me.  Since your distress is the result of jealousy, I could at first have cured that by offering to accompany you where you pleased.  But I imagined it was caused by the letter which I was obliged to write in the presence of G——­ M——­, and of the girl whom we sent with it.  I thought you might have construed that letter into a mockery; and have fancied that, by sending such a messenger, I meant to announce my abandonment of you for the sake of G——­ M——.  It was this idea that at once overwhelmed me with grief; for, innocent as I knew myself to be, I could not but allow that appearances were against me.  However,’ continued she, `I will leave you to judge of my conduct, after I shall have explained the whole truth.’