hat I would find resources?' I loved her too purely
to experience the slightest suspicion.

"One day, having gone out in the afternoon, and told her that I should
not be at home so early as usual, I was astonished, on my return, at
being detained several minutes at the door. Our only servant was a
young girl about our own age. On her letting me in at last, I asked
why she had detained me so long? She replied in an embarrassed tone,
that she did not hear me knock. 'I only knocked once,' said I; 'so if
you did not hear me, why come to open the door at all?' This query
disconcerted her so visibly, that losing her presence of mind, she
began to cry, assuring me that it was not her fault; and that her
mistress had desired her not to open the door until M. de B----had had
time to go down by the back staircase. I was so confounded by this
information as to be utterly unable to proceed to our apartment; and
was obliged to leave the house, under the pretext of an appointment. I
desired the girl, therefore, to let her mistress know that I should
return in a few minutes, but on no account to say that she had spoken
to me of M. de B----.

"My horror was so great, that I shed tears as I went along, hardly
knowing from what feeling they flowed. I entered a coffee-house close
by, and placing myself at a table, I buried my face between my hands,
as though I would turn my eyes inward to ascertain what was passing in
my heart. Still, I dared not recall what I had heard the moment
before. I strove to look upon it as a dream; and was more than once on
the point of returning to my lodgings, determined to attach no
importance to what I had heard.

"It appeared to me so impossible that Manon could have been unfaithful,
that I feared even to wrong her by a suspicion. I adored her--that was
too certain; I had not on my part given her more proofs of my love than
I had received of hers; why then should I charge her with being less
sincere and constant than myself? What reason could she have to
deceive me? Not three hours before, she had lavished upon me the most
tender caresses, and had received mine with transport: I knew her heart
as thoroughly as my own. 'No, no!' I said, 'it is not possible that
Manon can have deceived me. She well knows that I live but for her;
that I adore her: upon that point I can have no reason to be unhappy.'

"Notwithstanding these reflections, the visit of M. de B----, and his
secret departure, gav