Manon Lescaut

Des Grieux is treated well at Saint-Lazare, although he is devastated that his family will now know how far he has fallen. He impresses his jailers, who comment on his “gentle and lovable” nature (57) that seems the opposite of his immoral and criminal behavior. Des Grieux pretends to repent for his behavior, aiming to get released as quickly as possible to reunite with Manon, who he believes is with M. de G…M…. His keepers report his behavior to G…M…, who visits Des Grieux and informs him that Manon is also in a reformatory. Des Grieux is “seized” with “such a fury of rage” (59) that he attacks G…M…, who then wants him punished harshly.

Des Grieux is finally honest with the Father Superior in charge of Saint-Lazare and tells him about Manon and his love for her. The Father Superior reveals that he did not know that G…M… was trying to take a lover and that immoral behavior on his part would lead to lenience for Des Grieux. The Father Superior gets Des Grieux’s sentence reduced to six months. This is still too long for Des Grieux, and he secures permission for