L'Abbé Prévost

“ Yes, let us die!" she again besought me; "or do you, at least, put me to death, and then seek a happier lot in the arms of some more fortunate mistress!"
"Nay, nay, sweet soul!" I replied; "I ask no better fate than to be allowed to share your misfortunes."
Her words made me tremble, for I feared that her spirit had been crushed under the weight of her afflictions. I forced myself to assume a more hopeful manner, in order to dispel from her mind these melancholy thoughts of death and despair. ”

“ But on my protesting to her that no power on earth could tear me from her side, and that I was resolved to follow her to the very end of the world, that I might watch over her, tend her, love her, and link my miserable destiny forever with her own, the poor girl gave way to such transports of grief and affection that I trembled lest the violence of her emotions might endanger her life itself. ”

“ I resolved to keep to the same course in future; and subsequent events served to teach me that nothing is more calculated to inspire a woman with courage than dauntless fortitude in the man she loves.
When I had lost all hope of receiving assistance from Tiberge, I sold my horse. The proceeds of that transaction, added to what remained of your generous gift, put me in possession of the small sum of seventeen pistoles. Seven of these I laid out in the purchase of some necessary comforts for Manon; the other ten I carefully put by, to serve as the foundation of our hopes and fortune in America. ”

“ This was, to thank my companion for his friendly services, and then, so far from attacking the Archers, to go, instead, and humbly beg them to let me join their party; my object being to accompany Manon as far as Havre-de-Grace with them, and then to cross the ocean with her.
"I meet with persecution or betrayal on every hand," I said to the Guardsman; "there is not a soul whom I can trust. I despair of any further aid from Fortune or from man. ”

“ M. de T——— had furnished me with exact information as to the number of Archers who were detailed to escort Manon on the journey. There were only six of them. Five bold and resolute men were enough to strike terror into the hearts of these miserable hirelings, who are utterly incapable of defending themselves gallantly when their cowardice can find a way of shirking the dangers of combat. ”

“ The passion of avarice, to which G——— M——— is a slave, and the fantastic notions of honor which have made my own father my enemy, are alike unknown to them. They will not molest two lovers whose lives, as they will see, are as simple as their own. ”

“ I had only too often been brought face to face with the fact that there are some privations which are unendurable, especially by a delicate girl who has been accustomed to a life of ease and abundance. ”