a tall, meagre, rigorous gentleman, of a sallow complexion, already worn-looking, and scant of hair about the temples, but with the unmistakable stamp of character about him. He had the air and manners of a scholar, was careless in his dress, and spoke in an unmodulated voice—Manon was peculiarly susceptible to the sound of voices—with chopped-up sentences, as if he were scant of breath. But as he warmed up in conversation, a benevolent smile lit up his countenance, and the range and thoroughness of his acquirements lent a keen interest to his society. This was Roland de la Platière, of whom Lavater, who saw him some years afterwards in Zurich, exclaimed warmly: "You reconcile me to French travellers." Inspector of Manufactures at Amiens, he had often heard the Cannets speak of their remarkable friend at Paris, had seen her portrait hanging up in the drawing-room, and at last volunteered to play the postman to this phœnix of girls. On the other hand, Roland's praises had frequently been sung by Sophie, who said in introducing him—"You will receive this letter by the hand of the philosopher of whom I have spoken to you already, M. Roland, an enlightened man of antique manners; without reproach, except for his passion for the ancients, his contempt of his age, and his too high estimation of his own virtue."
The first interview took place as early as January 1776, and Manon was impressed by the dignity, uprightness, and pride which stamped his individuality, while his erudition inspired her with admiration. But the dogmatic narrowness and pedantry of his nature did not escape her. He awoke in her neither the tenderness which she had felt for Lablancherie, not the intellectual enthusiasm Sainte Lette had done.
