in order to
quicken his zeal and attentions. This fellow had a mind less rough and
vulgar than the generality of his class. He had witnessed our
interview, and was affected by it. The interest he felt was doubtless
increased by the louis d'or I gave him. He took me aside as we went
down into the courtyard. 'Sir,' said he, 'if you will only take me
into your service, or indemnify me in any way for the loss of the
situation which I fill here, I think I should not have much difficulty
in liberating the beauteous Manon.'

"I caught readily at the suggestion, and, although at the moment I was
almost in a state of destitution, I gave him promises far beyond his
desires. I considered that it would be at all times easy to recompense
a man of his description. 'Be assured, my friend,' said I to him,
'that there is nothing I will not be ready to do for you, and that your
fortune is just as certain as my own.' I enquired what means he
intended to employ. 'None other,' said he, 'than merely to open the
door of her cell for her at night, and to conduct her to the street
door, where you, of course, will be to receive her.' I asked whether
there was no danger of her being recognised as she traversed the long
galleries and the courts. He admitted that there was danger, but that
nothing could be done without some slight risk.

"Although I was delighted to find him so determined, I called M. de
T----, and informed him of the project, and of the only difficulty in
the way. He thought it not so easy of execution. He allowed the
possibility of escaping thus: 'But if she be recognised,' continued
he, 'if she be stopped in the attempt, all hope will be over with her,
perhaps for ever. Besides, you would be obliged to quit Paris
instantly, for you could never evade the search that would be made for
you: they would redouble their efforts as much on your own account as
hers. A single man may easily escape detection, but in company with a
handsome woman, it would be utterly impossible to remain undiscovered.'

"However sound this reasoning, it could not, in my mind, outweigh the
immediate prospect of restoring Manon to liberty. I said as much to M.
de T----, and trusted that he would excuse my imprudence and rashness,
on the ground of love. I added that it was already my intention to
quit Paris for some neighbouring village, as I had once before done.
We then settled with the servant that he should carry his project into
execu