Page:The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux.pdf/17

"However," he continued, pointig to the archers as he spoke, "I can tell you what those wretches know only too well: that I love her with such passionate devotion as to make me the unhappiest of men. I left no means untried at Paris to obtain her release. Entreaties, stratagem, and force proving alike in vain, I resolved to follow her to the very ends of the earth, if need be. The ship which carries her to America shall take me with her. But, so utterly inhuman are those cowardly rascals," he added, alluding to the archers, "that they will not allow me to go near her. My intention was to make an open attack upon them when some leagues outside of Paris. I had four men with me, whom I had paid liberally to promise me their assistance. The traitors made off with my money and left me single-handed. Seeing that it was impossible to accomplish anything by force, I put up my sword and proposed to the archers that they should at least allow me to accompany them, promising to reward them if they would do so. Their cupidity led them to consent. They insisted upon being paid every time they granted me leave to speak to my mistress. The contents of my purse were soon exhausted, and now that I am penniless they have the barbarity to thrust me away brutally