Jansenists was, that there are divine
precepts which good men, notwithstanding their desire to observe them,
are nevertheless absolutely unable to obey: God not having given them
such a measure of grace as is essentially necessary to render them
capable of obedience.--Mosheim's Eccles. Hist., ii. 397.

VII

. . . How chances mock,
And changes fill the cup of alteration
With divers liquors.
SHAKESPEARE.

"How inscrutably does Providence connect events! We had hardly
proceeded for five minutes on our way, when a man, whose face I could
not see, recognised Lescaut. He had no doubt been watching for him
near his home, with the horrible intention which he now unhappily
executed. 'It IS Lescaut!' said he, snapping a pistol at his head; 'he
shall sup tonight with the angels!' He then instantly disappeared.
Lescaut fell, without the least sign of life. I pressed Manon to fly,
for we could be of no use to a dead man, and I feared being arrested by
the police, who would certainly be soon upon the spot. I turned down
the first narrow street with her and the servant: she was so
overpowered by the scene she had just witnessed, that I could hardly
support her. At last, at the end of the street, I perceived a
hackney-coach; we got into it, but when the coachman asked whither he
should drive, I was scarcely able to answer him. I had no certain
asylum--no confidential friend to whom I could have recourse. I was
almost destitute of money, having but one dollar left in my purse.
Fright and fatigue had so unnerved Manon, that she was almost fainting
at my side. My imagination too was full of the murder of Lescaut, and
I was not without strong apprehensions of the patrol. What was to be
done? I luckily remembered the inn at Chaillot, where we first went to
reside in that village. I hoped to be not only secure, but to continue
there for some time without being pressed for payment. 'Take us to
Chaillot,' said I to the coachman. He refused to drive us so far at
that late hour for less than twelve francs. A new embarrassment! At
last we agreed for half that sum--all that my purse contained.

"I tried to console Manon as we went along, but despair was rankling in
my own heart. I should have destroyed myself a thousand times over, if
I had not felt that I held in my arms all that could attach me to life:
this reflection reconciled me. 'I possess her at least,' said I; 'she
loves me! she is mine! Vain