urn to our affairs.

"'After a passage of two months, we at length reached the banks of the
desired river. The country offered at first sight nothing agreeable.
We saw only sterile and uninhabited plains, covered with rushes, and
some trees rooted up by the wind. No trace either of men or animals.
However, the captain having discharged some pieces of artillery, we
presently observed a group of the inhabitants of New Orleans, who
approached us with evident signs of joy. We had not perceived the
town: it is concealed upon the side on which we approached it by a
hill. We were received as persons dropped from the clouds.

"The poor inhabitants hastened to put a thousand questions to us upon
the state of France, and of the different provinces in which they were
born. They embraced us as brothers, and as beloved companions, who had
come to share their pains and their solitude.

"We turned towards the town with them; but we were astonished to
perceive, as we advanced, that what we had hitherto heard spoken of as
a respectable town, was nothing more than a collection of miserable
huts. They were inhabited by five or six hundred persons. The
governor's house was a little distinguished from the rest by its height
and its position. It was surrounded by some earthen ramparts, and a
deep ditch.

"We were first presented to him. He continued for some time in
conversation with the captain; and then advancing towards us, he looked
attentively at the women one after another: there were thirty of them,
for another troop of convicts had joined us at Havre. After having
thus inspected them, he sent for several young men of the colony who
were desirous to marry. He assigned the handsomest women to the
principal of these, and the remainder were disposed of by lot. He had
not yet addressed Manon; but having ordered the others to depart, he
made us remain. 'I learn from the captain,' said he, 'that you are
married, and he is convinced by your conduct on the passage that you
are both persons of merit and of education. I have nothing to do with
the cause of your misfortunes; but if it be true that you are as
conversant with the world and society as your appearance would
indicate, I shall spare no pains to soften the severity of your lot,
and you may on your part contribute towards rendering this savage and
desert abode less disagreeable to me.' I replied in the manner which I
thought best calculated to confirm the opinion he h