"for what purpose an unknown visitor, at such an hour, in such a
costume, and in tears, can have come to see you. I have simply
come to ask of you a great service."

"Speak on, sir, I am entirely at your disposal."

"You were present at the sale of Marguerite Gautier?"

At this word the emotion, which he had got the better of for an
instant, was too much for him, and he was obliged to cover his
eyes with his hand.

"I must seem to you very absurd," he added, "but pardon me, and
believe that I shall never forget the patience with which you
have listened to me."

"Sir," I answered, "if the service which I can render you is able
to lessen your trouble a little, tell me at once what I can do
for you, and you will find me only too happy to oblige you."

M. Duval's sorrow was sympathetic, arid in spite of myself I felt
the desire of doing him a kindness. Thereupon he said to me:

"You bought something at Marguerite's sale?"

"Yes, a book."

"Manon Lescaut?"

"Precisely."