Page 129 - les-miserables

CHAPTER III

THE HEROISM OF

PASSIVE OBEDIENCE.

The door opened.
It opened wide with a rapid movement, as though some
one had given it an energetic and resolute push.
A man entered.
We already know the man. It was the wayfarer whom we
have seen wandering about in search of shelter.
He entered, advanced a step, and halted, leaving the door
open behind him. He had his knapsack on his shoulders, his
cudgel in his hand, a rough, audacious, weary, and violent
expression in his eyes. The fire on the hearth lighted him up.
He was hideous. It was a sinister apparition.
Madame Magloire had not even the strength to utter a
cry. She trembled, and stood with her mouth wide open.
Mademoiselle Baptistine turned round, beheld the man
entering, and half started up in terror; then, turning her
head by degrees towards the fireplace again, she began to
observe her brother, and her face became once more pro-
foundly calm and serene.

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