Page 2319 - les-miserables

CHAPTER III

THE INSEPARABLE

What had become of Jean Valjean?
Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s grace-
ful command, when no one was paying any heed to him,
Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber
unperceived. This was the very room which, eight months
before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and pow-
der, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather. The old
wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the
musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid
Marius down. Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white
stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all
of the dishes that were to be served. Jean Valjean pointed to
his arm in its sling, charged Basque to explain his absence,
and went away.
The long windows of the dining-room opened on the
street. Jean Valjean stood for several minutes, erect and
motionless in the darkness, beneath those radiant win-
dows. He listened. The confused sounds of the banquet
reached his ear. He heard the loud, commanding tones of
the grandfather, the violins, the clatter of the plates, the

2319