the earth all that it had ever
contained most perfect and peerless. I then lay myself with my face
down upon the grave, and closing my eyes with the determination never
again to open them, I invoked the mercy of Heaven, and ardently prayed
for death.

"You will find it difficult to believe that, during the whole time of
this protracted and distressing ceremony, not a tear or a sigh escaped
to relieve my agony. The state of profound affliction in which I was,
and the deep settled resolution I had taken to die, had silenced the
sighs of despair, and effectually dried up the ordinary channels of
grief. It was thus impossible for me, in this posture upon the grave,
to continue for any time in possession of my faculties.

"After what you have listened to, the remainder of my own history would
ill repay the attention you seem inclined to bestow upon it. Synnelet
having been carried into the town and skilfully examined, it was found
that, so far from being dead, he was not even dangerously wounded. He
informed his uncle of the manner in which the affray had occurred
between us, and he generously did justice to my conduct on the
occasion. I was sent for; and as neither of us could be found, our
flight was immediately suspected. It was then too late to attempt to
trace me, but the next day and the following one were employed in the
pursuit.

"I was found, without any appearance of life, upon the grave of Manon:
and the persons who discovered me in this situation, seeing that I was
almost naked and bleeding from my wounds, naturally supposed that I had
been robbed and assassinated. They carried me into the town. The
motion restored me to my senses. The sighs I heaved on opening my eyes
and finding myself still amongst the living, showed that I was not
beyond the reach of art: they were but too successful in its
application.

"I was immediately confined as a close prisoner. My trial was ordered;
and as Manon was not forthcoming, I was accused of having murdered her
from rage and jealousy. I naturally related all that had occurred.
Synnelet, though bitterly grieved and disappointed by what he heard,
had the generosity to solicit my pardon: he obtained it.

"I was so reduced, that they were obliged to carry me from the prison
to my bed, and there I suffered for three long months under severe
illness. My aversion from life knew no diminution. I continually
prayed for death, and obstinately for some time refused eve