nt; but
have I the power of governing my own actions? What aid will enable me
to forget Manon's charms?' 'God forgive me,' said Tiberge, 'I can
almost fancy you a Jansenist[2]. 'I know not of what sect I am,'
replied I, 'nor do I indeed very clearly see to which I ought to
belong; but I cannot help feeling the truth of this at least of their
tenets.'

"One effect of our conversation was to revive my friend's pity for me
in all its force. He perceived that there was in my errors more of
weakness than of vice; and he was the more disposed in the end to give
me assistance; without which I should infallibly have perished from
distress of mind. However, I carefully concealed from him my intention
of escaping from St. Lazare. I merely begged of him to take charge of
my letter; I had it ready before he came, and I soon found an excuse
for the necessity of writing. He faithfully transmitted it, and
Lescaut received before evening the one I had enclosed for him.

"He came to see me next morning, and fortunately was admitted under my
brother's name. I was overjoyed at finding him in my room. I
carefully closed the door. 'Let us lose no time,' I said. 'First tell
me about Manon, and then advise me how I am to shake off these
fetters.' He assured me that he had not seen his sister since the day
before my arrest, and that it was only by repeated enquiries, and after
much trouble, that he had at length been able to discover her fate as
well as mine; and that he had two or three times presented himself at
the Magdalen, and been refused admittance. 'Wretch!' muttered I to
myself, 'dearly shall G---- M---- pay for this!'

"'As to your escape,' continued Lescaut, 'it will not be so easy as you
imagine. Last evening, I and a couple of friends walked round this
establishment to reconnoitre it; and we agreed that, as your windows
looked into a court surrounded by buildings, as you yourself mentioned
in your letter, there would be vast difficulty in getting you out.
Besides, you are on the third story, and it would be impossible to
introduce ropes or ladders through the window. I therefore see no
means from without--in the house itself we must hit upon some scheme.'

"'No,' replied I; 'I have examined everything minutely, particularly
since, through the governor's indulgence, my confinement has been less
rigorous. I am no longer locked into my room; I have liberty to walk
in the gallery; but there is, upon every landing,