Page 471 - les-miserables

Brevet, and Chenildieu.
‘Do you not recognize me?’ said he.
All three remained speechless, and indicated by a sign
of the head that they did not know him. Cochepaille, who
was intimidated, made a military salute. M. Madeleine
turned towards the jury and the court, and said in a gentle
voice:—
‘Gentlemen of the jury, order the prisoner to be released!
Mr. President, have me arrested. He is not the man whom
you are in search of; it is I: I am Jean Valjean.’
Not a mouth breathed; the first commotion of astonish-
ment had been followed by a silence like that of the grave;
those within the hall experienced that sort of religious ter-
ror which seizes the masses when something grand has
been done.
In the meantime, the face of the President was stamped
with sympathy and sadness; he had exchanged a rapid sign
with the district-attorney and a few low-toned words with
the assistant judges; he addressed the public, and asked in
accents which all understood:—
‘Is there a physician present?’
The district-attorney took the word:—
‘Gentlemen of the jury, the very strange and unexpect-
ed incident which disturbs the audience inspires us, like
yourselves, only with a sentiment which it is unnecessary
for us to express. You all know, by reputation at least, the
honorable M. Madeleine, mayor of M. sur M.; if there is a
physician in the audience, we join the President in request-
ing him to attend to M. Madeleine, and to conduct him to

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