“M. de T——­ had not yet returned home; but he arrived before many minutes had elapsed.  His negotiation had been as unsuccessful as my own.  He told me so with the most sorrowful countenance.  Young G——­ M——­, although less irritated than his father against Manon and me, would not undertake to petition in our favour.  He was, in great measure, deterred by the fear which he himself had of the vindictive old lecher, who had already vented his anger against him for his design of forming a connection with Manon.

“There only remained to me, therefore, the violent measures which M. T——­ had suggested.  I now confined all my hopes to them.  They were questionless most uncertain; but they held out to me, at least, a substantial consolation, in the certainty of meeting death in the attempt, if unsuccessful.  I left him, begging that he would offer up his best wishes for my triumph; and I thought only of finding some companions, to whom I might communicate a portion of my own courage and determination.

“The first that occurred to me was the same guardsman whom I had employed to arrest G——­ M——.  I had intended indeed to pass the night at his rooms, not having had a moment of leisure during the afternoon to procure myself a lodging.  I found him alone.  He was glad to see me out of the Chatelet.  He made me an offer of his services.  I explained to him in what way he might now do me the greatest kindness.  He had good sense enough to perceive all the difficulties; but he was also generous enough to undertake to surmount them.

“We spent part of the night in considering how the plot was to be executed.  He spoke of the three soldiers whom he had made use of on the last occasion, as men whose courage had been proved.  M. de T——­ had told me the exact number of archers that would escort Manon; they were but six.  Five strong and determined men could not fail to strike terror into these fellows, who would never think of defending themselves bravely, when they were to be allowed the alternative of avoiding danger by surrendering; and of that they would no doubt avail themselves.  As I was not without money, the guardsman advised me to spare no pains or expense to ensure success. `We must be mounted,’ he said, `and each man must have his carbine and pistols; I will take care to prepare everything requisite by tomorrow.  We shall also want three new suits of regimentals for the soldiers, who dare not appear in an affray of this kind in the uniform of their regiment.  I handed him the hundred pistoles which I had got from M. de T——­; it was all expended the next morning, to the very last sou.  I inspected the three soldiers; I animated them with the most liberal promises; and to confirm their confidence in me, I began by making each man a present of ten pistoles.