Page 2200 - les-miserables
P. 2200

CHAPTER X



         RETURN OF THE SON WHO

         WAS PRODIGAL OF HIS LIFE






         At every jolt over the pavement, a drop of blood trickled
         from Marius’ hair.
            Night had fully closed in when the carriage arrived at No.
         6, Rue des Filles-du-Calvaire.
            Javert was the first to alight; he made sure with one glance
         of the number on the carriage gate, and, raising the heavy
         knocker of beaten iron, embellished in the old style, with a
         male goat and a satyr confronting each other, he gave a vio-
         lent peal. The gate opened a little way and Javert gave it a
         push. The porter half made his appearance yawning, vaguely
         awake, and with a candle in his hand.
            Everyone in the house was asleep. People go to bed be-
         times in the Marais, especially on days when there is a revolt.
         This good, old quarter, terrified at the Revolution, takes ref-
         uge in slumber, as children, when they hear the Bugaboo
         coming, hide their heads hastily under their coverlet.
            In the meantime Jean Valjean and the coachman had tak-
         en Marius out of the carriage, Jean Valjean supporting him

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