Manon Lescaut
"My tranquillity of mind being again restored, my cure speedily
followed. I began only to feel the highest aspirations of honour, and
diligently performed the duties of my appointment, whilst expecting the
arrival of the vessels from France, which were always due at this
period of the year. I resolved to return to my native country, there
to expiate the scandal of my former life by my future good conduct.
Synnelet had the remains of my dear mistress removed into a more
hallowed spot.
"It was six weeks after my recovery that, one day walking alone upon
the banks of the river, I saw a vessel arrive, which some mercantile
speculation had directed to New Orleans. I stood by whilst the
passengers landed. Judge my surprise on recognising Tiberge amongst
those who proceeded towards the town. This ever-faithful friend knew
me at a distance, in spite of the ravages which care and sorrow had
worked upon my countenance. He told me that the sole object of his
voyage had been to see me once more, and to induce me to return with
him to France; that on receipt of the last letter which I had written
to him from Havre, he started for that place, and was himself the
bearer of the succour which I solicited; that he had been sensibly
affected on learning my departure, and that he would have instantly
followed me, if there had been a vessel bound for the same destination;
that he had been for several months endeavouring to hear of one in the
various seaport towns, and that, having at length found one at St. Malo
which was weighing anchor for Martinique, he embarked, in the
expectation of easily passing from thence to New Orleans; that the St.
Malo vessel having been captured by Spanish pirates and taken to one of
their islands, he had contrived to escape; and that, in short, after
many adventures, he had got on board the vessel which had just arrived,
and at length happily attained his object.
"I was totally unable adequately to express my feelings of gratitude to
this generous and unshaken friend. I conducted him to my house, and
placed all I possessed at his service. I related to him every
circumstance that had occurred to me since I left France: and in order
to gladden him with tidings which I knew he did not expect, I assured
him that the seeds of virtue which he had in former days implanted in
my heart, were now about to produce fruit, of which even he should be
proud. He declared to me, that this gladdening announcement more than
repaid him for all the fatigue and trouble he had endured.
"We passed two months together at New Orleans whilst waiting the
departure of a vessel direct to France; and having at length sailed, we
landed only a fortnight since at Havre-de-Grace. On my arrival I wrote
to my family. By a letter from my elder brother, I there learned my
father's death, which, I dread to think, the disorders of my youth
might have hastened. The wind being favourable for Calais, I embarked
for this port, and am now going to the house of one of my relations who
lives a few miles off, where my brother said that he should anxiously
await my arrival."
[1] Some say that Love, at sight of human ties,
Spreads his light wings, and in a moment flies.