ely seemed weighed down,
her tears, the tender kiss she gave me in parting, made it all as yet a
mystery to me. I could only look upon her recent melancholy as a
presentiment of our common misfortune; and while I was deploring the
event which tore me from her, I was credulous enough to consider her
fate as much deserving of pity as my own.

"The result of my reflections was, that I had been seen and followed in
the streets of Paris by some persons of my acquaintance, who had
conveyed the information to my father. This idea comforted me. I made
up my mind to encounter some reproaches, or perhaps harsh treatment,
for having outraged the paternal authority. I resolved, however, to
suffer with patience, and to promise all that might be required of me,
in order to facilitate my speedy return to Paris, that I might restore
life and happiness to my dear Manon.

"We soon arrived at St. Denis. My brother, surprised at my long
silence, thought it the effect of fear. He assured me that I had
nothing to apprehend from my father's severity, provided I showed a
disposition to return quietly to the path of duty, and prove myself
worthy of his affection. He made me pass the night at St. Denis,
merely taking the precaution of putting the three lackeys to sleep in
my room. It cost me a pang to find myself in the same inn where I had
stopped with Manon on our way from Amiens to Paris. The innkeeper and
his servants recognised me, and guessed at once the truth of my
history. I overheard them say, 'Ah! that's the handsome young
gentleman who travelled this road about a month ago, with the beautiful
girl he appeared so much in love with! How pretty she was! The poor
young things, how they caressed each other! Pity if they have been
separated!' I pretended not to hear, and kept as much out of sight as
possible.

"At St. Denis my brother had a chariot waiting for us, in which we
started early the next morning, and arrived at home before night.

"He saw my father first, in order to make a favourable impression by
telling him how quietly I had allowed myself to be brought away, so
that his reception of me was less austere than I had expected. He
merely rebuked me in general terms for the offence I had committed, by
absenting myself without his permission. As for my mistress, he said I
richly deserved what had happened to me, for abandoning myself to a
person utterly unknown; that he had entertained a better opinion of my
disc