Page 1301 - les-miserables
P. 1301
CHAPTER XII
THE USE MADE OF
M. LEBLANC’S FIVE-
FRANC PIECE
Nothing in the aspect of the family was altered, except
that the wife and daughters had levied on the package and
put on woollen stockings and jackets. Two new blankets
were thrown across the two beds.
Jondrette had evidently just returned. He still had the
breathlessness of out of doors. His daughters were seated
on the floor near the fireplace, the elder engaged in dressing
the younger’s wounded hand. His wife had sunk back on
the bed near the fireplace, with a face indicative of aston-
ishment. Jondrette was pacing up and down the garret with
long strides. His eyes were extraordinary.
The woman, who seemed timid and overwhelmed with
stupor in the presence of her husband, turned to say:—
‘What, really? You are sure?’
‘Sure! Eight years have passed! But I recognize him! Ah!
I recognize him. I knew him at once! What! Didn’t it force
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