would be able to arrest my flight, ordered him, most imprudently, to come to his assistance. The fellow was a stalwart rascal, and threw himself upon me without a moment's hesitation. I did not stop to parley with him, but discharged my pistol full at his breast. "You are responsible for this, father," I said haughtily to my guide, "but you must finish your task, notwithstanding," I added, pushing him on towards the last door. He dared
not refuse to open it, and I sprang out, free at last! A
few paces off I found Lescaut waiting for me with two friends, as he had promised.
We hurried away. Lescaut asked me whether he had not heard the report of a pistol.
"That was your fault," I replied, "why did you bring me a loaded one?"
I thanked him, nevertheless, for having taken that precaution—had it not been for which I should doubtless have remained at St. Lazare for many a day. We went to spend the night at a tavern, where I made up, to some extent, for the poor fare to which I had been accustomed for nearly three months. I could not give myself up to the full enjoyment of the moment, however, for I was tortured by the thought of what Manon might be suffering.
"We must rescue her!" I said to my three friends. "I
