Page 126 - les-miserables

ty. Nature had made her a lamb, religion had made her an
angel. Poor sainted virgin! Sweet memory which has van-
ished!
Mademoiselle Baptistine has so often narrated what
passed at the episcopal residence that evening, that there
are many people now living who still recall the most min-
ute details.
At the moment when the Bishop entered, Madame Ma-
gloire was talking with considerable vivacity. She was
haranguing Mademoiselle Baptistine on a subject which
was familiar to her and to which the Bishop was also accus-
tomed. The question concerned the lock upon the entrance
door.
It appears that while procuring some provisions for sup-
per, Madame Magloire had heard things in divers places.
People had spoken of a prowler of evil appearance; a suspi-
cious vagabond had arrived who must be somewhere about
the town, and those who should take it into their heads to
return home late that night might be subjected to unpleasant
encounters. The police was very badly organized, moreover,
because there was no love lost between the Prefect and the
Mayor, who sought to injure each other by making things
happen. It behooved wise people to play the part of their
own police, and to guard themselves well, and care must be
taken to duly close, bar and barricade their houses, and to
fasten the doors well.
Madame Magloire emphasized these last words; but the
Bishop had just come from his room, where it was rather cold.
He seated himself in front of the fire, and warmed himself,

126 Les Miserables