Page 2181 - les-miserables

CHAPTER VII

ONE SOMETIMES RUNS

AGROUND WHEN ONE

FANCIES THAT ONE

IS DISEMBARKING

He set out on his way once more.
However, although he had not left his life in the fontis, he
seemed to have left his strength behind him there. That su-
preme effort had exhausted him. His lassitude was now such
that he was obliged to pause for breath every three or four
steps, and lean against the wall. Once he was forced to seat
himself on the banquette in order to alter Marius’ position,
and he thought that he should have to remain there. But if
his vigor was dead, his energy was not. He rose again.
He walked on desperately, almost fast, proceeded thus
for a hundred paces, almost without drawing breath, and
suddenly came in contact with the wall. He had reached an
elbow of the sewer, and, arriving at the turn with head bent
down, he had struck the wall. He raised his eyes, and at the

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