Upon returning to his family, Des Grieux pretends contrition to seize the first opportunity to escape. He even endures being “teased about the conquest [he] had made at Amiens and about [his] elopement with so faithful a mistress” (22). However, he soon discovers that it was the tax-farmer who told Des Grieux’s father where he was, in order “to be relieved of [Des Grieux’s] importunate presence” (24). It takes a few moments for Des Grieux to understand the implications of what his father is telling him, and when he does, he collapses “bereft of all consciousness and feeling” (24). When he returns to his senses, he tries to leave for Paris, sure that Manon must have been forced into the relationship. His family holds him captive for six months, and though Des Grieux eventually concedes that Manon betrayed him, he still loves her. Indeed, he is bewildered by the “involuntary impulse” that made him “take the side of [his] faithless mistress” (26).

While under guard, Des Grieux reads to pass the time and “rediscover[s] an infinite taste for study” (26). Tiberge visits and tells Des Grieux that he too once had “as great a fondness for pleasure,” but with God’s help he was able to “renounce all worldly pleasures” (27).