prosperous appearance at the expense of some new lover. He had followed her coach home, and learned from a ser- vant that she was living upon the liberality of M. B .
- I did not stop at this," he continued, "but returned
to the house the next day, to ascertain from her oa^ti lips what had become of you. She left me abruptly when I mentioned your name, and I was compelled to return to the countiy without any further enlightenment. There I heard all about your adventure, and the profoimd distress which it had caused you, but I thought it as well not to see you until I was assured of finding 3'ou more resigned." "And you have seen Manon, then," I responded, with a sigh. "Alas! you are more fortunate than I, who am doomed never to behold her again ! " He reproached me for my sigh, which betrayed a linger- ing weakness for her ; and then flattered me so adroitly- on the goodness of my character and general disposition that, even during this first visit, he succeeded in inspiring me with an ardent desire to renounce, like him, all worldly pleasures, and to enter the Church. I was so enamoured of this idea that, when once more left to myself, I thought of nothing else. I recurred in mem- ory to the words of the Bishop of Amiens, who had given me the same advice, and to the bright augury which he had drawTi of my success, should I decide to embrace that calling. Piety, too, was not without its share in influenc- ing me. " I will lead," thought I, " a holy and Christian life. I will devote myself to study and to religion, which will leave me no time to think of love and its dangerous pleasures. I will hold in contempt all that is admired by the conmion heixl of mankind ; and, since I feel an inward assurance that my heart will (U^sire nothing but what is worthy of its est(*eni, I shall have but few wishes, and as f(»w cares."
