L'Abbé Prévost

“ The path which I tread is a thorny one; but the hope of reaching my goal sheds gladness on it all the way; and I should hold myself only too richly repaid, by one moment spent with her, for all the sorrows I am enduring to win her. It seems to me, therefore, that all considerations are equal, on your side and on mine; or, if there be any difference, it is rather in my favor—as the happiness for which I hope is near at hand, and the other is remote; and as mine is of the same nature as my sufferings—that is, physically perceptible ”

“ My rejoinder is that there are instances, also, of calm and contented love; and, let me add, as another point of difference that is greatly in my favor, that Love, treacherous as it often is, holds out the promise of nothing but joy and pleasure, whereas Religion presents for our anticipation a round of sombre and irksome observances. ”

“ Do you reply that the goal of Virtue is infinitely loftier than that of Love? Who but will admit it? Is that the point in question, however? Are we not at present concerned with the power which they respectively possess of rendering suffering endurable?
"Let us judge by results. How many deserters do we find from strict Virtue, and how few from Love! Do I hear you answer that although, in the practice of Virtue, there are trials to be endured, they are not essential or inevitable ”

“ But, to recognize, as you do, that the object of your affections can only lead you into guilt and misery—and to persist in voluntarily plunging into an abyss of crime and sorrow, is a contradiction of thought and conduct which does small honor to your powers of reason. ”

“ I replied; "I have considered everything, especially since the strictness of my confinement has been somewhat relaxed by the indulgence of the Superior. The door of my room is no longer kept locked, and I am at liberty to walk about the galleries used by the priests. All the stairways are cut off, however, by heavy doors which are kept carefully closed day and night, so that it is impossible for me to effect my escape by the exercise of ingenuity alone. But wait," I added, after thinking for a moment over an idea which struck me as an excellent one; "could you bring me a pistol?" ”

“ I hastened to add, for I saw that his piety was on the point of taking umbrage, "the only conclusion which I mean to draw now is that there can be no worse method of exorcising love from a man's heart than to decry its delights to him and to promise him greater gratification in the pursuit of Virtue. Constituted as we are, there is no disputing the fact that our happiness consists in pleasure ”

“ Now, the moment the heart is consulted, it will testify that of all possible pleasures, the most exquisite are those of love. To promise it deeper joys from any other source is but to delude it, as it quickly discovers ”

“ I answered impatiently, "that I have no design upon your life? If you wish to live, you have only to open the doors for me, and I shall be your friend forever after."
Here I caught sight of the keys, which were lying on the table, and, seizing them, I told him to come with me, and to make as little noise as possible. ”

“ 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. ”