L'Abbé Prévost, The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux…
“ She was extremely pretty; and I could have wished that she were beautiful enough to make me forswear honor and constancy in my turn. But hers were not those bright and melting eyes, that divinely moulded form, that complexion of love's own coloring—in a word, that inexhaustible wealth of charms which Nature had lavished upon the faithless Manon. ”
L'Abbé Prévost, The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux…
“ He can boast of all that a man need have in order to win the favor of the fair. He can lavish upon them gifts of houses, and carriages, and whole retinues of servants. As for me, who have only love and constancy to offer, women scorn my poverty and make sport of my simplicity!" Thus did I run on, now in a strain of sadness, now of indignation, as each of the various passions that were contending in my breast in turn subsided or gained the upper hand. ”
L'Abbé Prévost, The Story of Manon Lescaut and of the Chevalier des Grieux…
“ M. de T——— was so amazed to learn that G——— M——— had succeeded in seducing Manon, that, not being aware of how far I had been instrumental in bringing this misfortune upon myself, he generously offered to gather all his friends together and rescue my mistress by force of arms. I pointed out to him that the scandal which would inevitably be created by such an affray might be fraught with dangerous results for Manon and myself. "We will have no bloodshed," said I, "until we are driven to the last extremity. The plan I have in view is less violent, but, I expect, will prove quite as successful." ”
