“I then went to M. de T——­:  I had no reserve with him.  I plainly told him my misfortunes and distress:  he already knew everything, and had informed himself even of the most trifling circumstance, on account of the interest he naturally took in young G——­ M——­’s adventure.  He, however, listened to me, and seemed sincerely to lament what had occurred.  When I consulted him as to the best means of rescuing Manon, he answered that he saw such little ground for hope, that, without some extraordinary interposition of Providence, it would be folly to expect relief; that he had paid a visit expressly to the Hospital since Manon had been transferred from the Chatelet, but that he could not even obtain permission to see her, as the lieutenant-general of police had given the strictest orders to the contrary; and that, to complete the catastrophe, the unfortunate train of convicts, in which she was to be included, was to take its departure from Paris the day but one after.

“I was so confounded by what he said, that if he had gone on speaking for another hour, I should not have interrupted him.  He continued to tell me, that the reason of his not calling to see me at the Chatelet was, that he hoped to be of more use by appearing to be unknown to me; that for the last few hours, since I had been set at liberty, he had in vain looked for me, in order to suggest the only plan through which he could see a hope of averting Manon’s fate.  He told me it was dangerous counsel to give, and implored me never to mention the part he took in it; it was to find some enterprising fellows gallant enough to attack Manon’s guard on getting outside the barriere.  Nor did he wait for me to urge a plea of poverty. `Here is fifty pounds,’ he said, presenting me his purse; `it may be of use to you; you can repay me when you are in better circumstances.’  He added, that if the fear of losing his character did not prevent him from embarking in such an enterprise, he would have willingly put his sword and his life at my service.

“This unlooked-for generosity affected me to tears.  I expressed my gratitude with as much warmth as my depressed spirits left at my command.  I asked him if there were nothing to be expected from interceding with the lieutenant-general of police:  he said that he had considered that point; but that he looked upon it as a hopeless attempt, because a favour of that nature was never accorded without some strong motive, and he did not see what inducement could be held out for engaging the intercession of any person of power on her behalf; that if any hope could possibly be entertained upon the point, it must be by working a change in the feelings of old G——­ M——­ and my father, and by prevailing on them to solicit from the lieutenant-general of police the revocation of Manon’s sentence.  He offered to do everything in his power to gain over the younger G——­ M——­, although he fancied a coldness in that gentleman’s manner towards him, probably from some suspicions he might entertain of his being concerned in the late affair; and he entreated me to lose no opportunity of effecting the desired change in my father’s mind.