Manon Lescaut Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893 edition. Excerpt: ... bishops, who by no means considered a mistress incompatible with a good and holy life. " Look," 1 said, "at Manon's eyes, and tell me if there is one in the long catalogue of sins that might not there find a plea of justification." He bore these sallies patiently, and carried his forbearance almost too far; but when he saw my funds increase, and that I had not only returned him the hundred and seventy crowns, but having hired a new house and trebled my expenses, I had plunged deeper than ever into a life of pleasure, he changed his tone and manner towards me. He lamented my obduracy. He warned me against the chastisements of the Divine wrath, and predicted some of the miseries with which indeed I was shortly afterwards visited. "It is impossible," he said, " that the money which now serves to support your debaucheries can have been acquired honourably. You have come by it unjustly, and in the same way shall it be taken from you. The most awful punishment Heaven c: ould inflict would be to allow you the undisturbed enjoyment of it. All my advice," he added, "has been useless; I too plainly perceive that it will shortly become troublesome to you. I now take my leave; you are a weak as well as an ungrateful friend May your criminal enjoyments vanish as a shadow May your ill-gotten wealth leave you without a resource; and may you yourself remain alone and deserted, to learn the vanity of these things which now divert you from better pursuits When that time arrives, you will find me disposed to love and to serve you; this day ends our intercourse, and I once for all avow my horror of the life you are leading." It was in my room and in Manon's presence that he delivered this apos' tolical harangue. He rose to depart. I was about to detain him, but...