as
been useless; I too plainly perceive that it will shortly become
troublesome to you. I now take my leave; you are a weak, as well as an
ungrateful friend! May your criminal enjoyments vanish as a shadow!
may your ill-gotten wealth leave you without a resource; and may you
yourself remain alone and deserted, to learn the vanity of these
things, which now divert you from better pursuits! When that time
arrives, you will find me disposed to love and to serve you; this day
ends our intercourse, and I once for all avow my horror of the life you
are leading.'

"It was in my room and in Manon's presence that he delivered this
apostolical harangue. He rose to depart. I was about to detain him;
but was prevented by Manon, who said it was better to let the madman go.

"What he said, however, did not fail to make some impression upon me.
I notice these brief passages of my life when I experienced a returning
sentiment of virtue, because it was to those traces, however light,
that I was afterwards indebted for whatever of fortitude I displayed
under the most trying circumstances.

"Manon's caresses soon dissipated the annoyance this scene had caused
me. We continued to lead a life entirely devoted to pleasure and love.
The increase of our wealth only redoubled our affection. There none
happier among all the devotees of Venus and Fortune. Heavens! why call
this a world of misery, when it can furnish a life of such rapturous
enjoyment? But alas, it is too soon over! For what ought man to sigh,
could such felicity but last for ever? Ours shared the common fate--in
being of short duration, and followed by lasting regrets.

"I had realised by play such a considerable sum of money, that I
thought of investing a portion of it. My servants were not ignorant of
my good luck, particularly my valet and Manon's own maid, before whom
we often talked without any reserve. The maid was handsome, and my
valet in love with her. They knew they had to deal with a young and
inexperienced couple, whom they fancied they could impose upon without
much difficulty. They laid a plan, and executed it with so much skill,
that they reduced us to a state from which it was never afterwards
possible for us to extricate ourselves.

"Having supped one evening at Lescaut's, it was about midnight when we
returned home. I asked for my valet, and Manon for her maid; neither
one nor the other could be found. They had not been seen in the house
s