“This was no easy undertaking for me; not only on account of the difficulty I should naturally meet in overcoming his opinion, but for another reason which made me fear even to approach him; I had quitted his lodgings contrary to his express orders, and was resolved, since I had learned the sad fate of my poor Manon, never again to return thither.  I was not without apprehensions indeed of his now retaining me against my will, and perhaps taking me at once back with him into the country.  My elder brother had formerly had recourse to this violent measure.  True, I was now somewhat older; but age is a feeble argument against force.  I hit upon a mode, however, of avoiding this danger, which was to get him by contrivance to some public place, and there announce myself to him under an assumed name:  I immediately resolved on this method.  M. de T——­ went to G——­ M——­’s, and I to the Luxembourg, whence I sent my father word, that a gentleman waited there to speak with him.  I hardly thought he would come, as the night was advancing.  He, however, soon made his appearance, followed by a servant:  I begged of him to choose a walk where we could be alone.  We walked at least a hundred paces without speaking.  He doubtless imagined that so much precaution could not be taken without some important object.  He waited for my opening speech, and I was meditating how to commence it.

“At length I began.

“`Sir,’ said I, trembling, `you are a good and affectionate parent; you have loaded me with favours, and have forgiven me an infinite number of faults; I also, in my turn, call Heaven to witness the sincere, and tender, and respectful sentiments I entertain towards you.  But it does seem to me, that your inexorable severity——­’

“`Well, sir, my severity!’ interrupted my father, who no doubt found my hesitation little suited to his impatience.

“`Ah, sir,’ I replied, `it does seem to me that your severity is excessive in the penalty you inflict upon the unfortunate Manon.  You have taken only M. G——­ M——­’s report of her.  His hatred has made him represent her to you in the most odious colours:  you have formed a frightful idea of her.  She is, on the contrary, the mildest and most amiable of living creatures; would that Heaven had but inspired you at any one moment with the desire of seeing her!  I am convinced that you would be not less sensible of her perfections than your unhappy son.  You would then have been her advocate; you would have abhorred the foul artifices of G——­ M——­; you would have had pity on both her and me.  Alas!  I am persuaded of it; your heart is not insensible; it must ere now have melted with compassion.’

“He interrupted me again, perceiving that I spoke with a warmth which would not allow me to finish very briefly.  He begged to know with what request I intended to wind up so fervent an harangue.

“`To ask my life at your hands,’ said I, `which I never can retain if Manon once embark for America.’