Page 2366 - les-miserables

Has it not happened to all of us, in certain supreme con-
junctures, to stop our ears in order that we may not hear the
reply, after we have asked a question? It is especially when
one loves that one gives way to these exhibitions of coward-
ice. It is not wise to question sinister situations to the last
point, particularly when the indissoluble side of our life is
fatally intermingled with them. What a terrible light might
have proceeded from the despairing explanations of Jean
Valjean, and who knows whether that hideous glare would
not have darted forth as far as Cosette? Who knows wheth-
er a sort of infernal glow would not have lingered behind
it on the brow of that angel? The spattering of a lightning-
flash is of the thunder also. Fatality has points of juncture
where innocence itself is stamped with crime by the gloomy
law of the reflections which give color. The purest figures
may forever preserve the reflection of a horrible association.
Rightly or wrongly, Marius had been afraid. He already
knew too much. He sought to dull his senses rather than to
gain further light.
In dismay he bore off Cosette in his arms and shut his
eyes to Jean Valjean.
That man was the night, the living and horrible night.
How should he dare to seek the bottom of it? It is a terrible
thing to interrogate the shadow. Who knows what its reply
will be? The dawn may be blackened forever by it.
In this state of mind the thought that that man would,
henceforth, come into any contact whatever with Cosette
was a heartrending perplexity to Marius.
He now almost reproached himself for not having put

2366 Les Miserables