ote to Manon; I told her at the same time of the manner
in which I had procured the interview with her. My scheme, as well as
the new one of M. de T----'s, delighted her: we laughed heartily at it
for some minutes; but when I treated it as a mere joke, I was surprised
at her insisting seriously upon it, as a thing perfectly practicable,
and too delightful to be neglected. In vain I enquired where she
thought I could possibly find, on a sudden, men fit for such an
adventure? and on whom I could rely for keeping G---- M---- in strict
custody? She said that I should at least try, as M. de T---- ensured
us yet a full hour; and as to my other objections, she said that I was
playing the tyrant, and did not show the slightest indulgence to her
fancies. She said that it was impossible there could be a more
enchanting project. 'You will have his place at supper; you will sleep
in his bed; and tomorrow, as early as you like, you can walk off with
both his mistress and his money. You may thus, at one blow, be amply
revenged upon father and son.'

"I yielded to her entreaties, in spite of the secret misgivings of my
own mind, which seemed to forebode the unhappy catastrophe that
afterwards befell me. I went out with the intention of asking two or
three guardsmen, with whom Lescaut had made me acquainted, to undertake
the arrest of G---- M----. I found only one of them at home, but he
was a fellow ripe for any adventure; and he no sooner heard our plan,
than he assured me of certain success: all he required were six
pistoles, to reward the three private soldiers whom he determined to
employ in the business. I begged of him to lose no time. He got them
together in less than a quarter of in hour. I waited at his lodgings
till he returned with them, and then conducted him to the corner of a
street through which I knew G---- M---- must pass an going back to
Manon's house. I requested him not to treat G---- M---- roughly, but
to keep him confined, and so strictly watched, until seven o'clock next
morning, that I might be free from all apprehension of his escape. He
told me his intention was to bring him a prisoner to his own room, and
make him undress and sleep in his bed, while he and his gallant
comrades should spend the night in drinking and playing.

"I remained with them until we saw G---- M---- returning homewards; and
I then withdrew a few steps into a dark recess in the street, to enjoy
so entertaining and extraord