“I could hardly contain my indignation at this speech.  I would have given for one moment’s liberty—­Heavens! what would I not have given?  At length, I suppressed my feelings sufficiently to say in a tone of moderation, which was but the refinement of rage:  `Put an end, sir, to this insolent mockery!  What is your object?  What do you purpose doing with us?’

“`M.  Chevalier,’ he answered, `my object is to see you quietly lodged in the prison of Le Chatelet.  Tomorrow will bring daylight with it, and we shall then be able to take a clearer view of matters; and I hope you will at last do me the favour to let me know where my son is.’

“It did not require much consideration to feel convinced that our incarceration in Le Chatelet would be a serious calamity.  I foresaw all the dangers that would ensue.  In spite of my pride, I plainly saw the necessity of bending before my fate, and conciliating my most implacable enemy by submission.  I begged of him, in the quietest manner, to listen to me. `I wish to do myself but common justice, sir,’ said I to him; `I admit that my youth has led me into egregious follies; and that you have had fair reason to complain:  but if you have ever felt the resistless power of love, if you can enter into the sufferings of an unhappy young man, from whom all that he most loved was ravished, you may think me perhaps not so culpable in seeking the gratification of an innocent revenge; or at least, you may consider me sufficiently punished, by the exposure and degradation I have just now endured.  Neither pains nor imprisonment will be requisite to make me tell you where your son now is.  He is in perfect safety.  It was never my intention to injure him, nor to give you just cause for offence.  I am ready to let you know the place where he is safely passing the night, if, in return, you will set us at liberty.’

“The old tiger, far from being softened by my prayer, turned his back upon me and laughed.  A few words, escaped him, which showed that he perfectly well knew our whole plan from the commencement.  As for his son, the brute said that he would easily find him, since I had not assassinated him. `Conduct them to the Petit-Chatelet,’ said he to the archers; `and take especial care that the chevalier does not escape you:  he is a scamp that once before escaped from St. Lazare.’

“He went out, and left me in a condition that you may picture to yourself. `O Heavens!’ cried I to myself, `I receive with humble submission all your visitations; but that a wretched scoundrel should thus have the power to tyrannise over me! this it is that plunges me into the depths of despair!’ The archers begged that we would not detain them any longer.  They had a coach at the door. `Come, my dear angel,’ said I to Manon, as we went down, `come, let us submit to our destiny in all its rigour:  it may one day please Heaven to render us more happy.’