THE STORY OF MANON LESCAUT.
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I then ventured to plead with him on Manon's behalf, and grew eloquent in my praises of her goodness and gentleness. He replied, with a smile, that he had not seen her as yet; but that he was given to understand that she was a dangerous character.
My devotion took fire at this epithet, and I launched
out into a long and passionate defence of my unhappy mistress, losing my self-control so completely that at last I actually burst into tears. The Lieutenant-General ordered me to be taken back to my room; and as he saw
me led from his presence, the sedate and worthy magistrate shook his head gravely and exclaimed:
"Ah! Love, Love! will you never cease to be at odds with Wisdom?"
