sing their demands for the slightest
favours, that they soon left me penniless. Love did not permit me to
put any bounds to my liberality. At Manon's side I was not master of
myself; and it was no longer by the hour that time was measured; rather
by the duration of whole days. At length, my funds being completely
exhausted, I found myself exposed to the brutal caprice of these six
wretches who treated me with intolerable rudeness--you yourself
witnessed it at Passy. My meeting with you was a momentary relaxation
accorded me by fate. Your compassion at the sight of my sufferings was
my only recommendation to your generous nature. The assistance which
you so liberally extended, enabled me to reach Havre, and the guards
kept their promise more faithfully than I had ventured to hope.

"We arrived at Havre. I went to the post-office: Tiberge had not yet
had time to answer my letter. I ascertained the earliest day I might
reckon upon his answer: it could not possibly arrive for two days
longer; and by an extraordinary fatality, our vessel was to sail on the
very morning of the day when the letter might be expected. I cannot
give you an idea of my despair. 'Alas!' cried I, 'even amongst the
unfortunate, I am to be ever the most wretched!'

"Manon replied: 'Alas! does a life so thoroughly miserable deserve the
care we bestow on ours? Let us die at Havre, dearest chevalier! Let
death at once put an end to our afflictions! Shall we persevere, and go
to drag on this hopeless existence in an unknown land, where we shall,
no doubt, have to encounter the most horrible pains, since it has been
their object to punish me by exile? Let us die,' she repeated, 'or do
at least in mercy rid me of life, and then you can seek another lot in
the arms of some happier lover.'

"'No, no, Manon,' said I; 'it is but too enviable a lot, in my
estimation, to be allowed to share your misfortunes.'

"Her observations made me tremble. I saw that she was overpowered by
her afflictions. I tried to assume a more tranquil air, in order to
dissipate such melancholy thoughts of death and despair.

"I resolved to adopt the same course in future; and I learned by the
results, that nothing is more calculated to inspire a woman with
courage than the demonstration of intrepidity in the man she loves.

"When I lost all hope of receiving the expected assistance from
Tiberge, I sold my horse; the money it brought, joined to what remained
of your g