Page 709 - les-miserables

‘Twenty sous for the chamber,’ resumed Thenardier,
coldly, ‘and six sous for his supper. As for the child, I must
discuss that matter a little with the gentleman. Leave us,
wife.’
Madame Thenardier was dazzled as with the shock
caused by unexpected lightning flashes of talent. She was
conscious that a great actor was making his entrance on the
stage, uttered not a word in reply, and left the room.
As soon as they were alone, Thenardier offered the
traveller a chair. The traveller seated himself; Thenardier
remained standing, and his face assumed a singular expres-
sion of good-fellowship and simplicity.
‘Sir,’ said he, ‘what I have to say to you is this, that I adore
that child.’
The stranger gazed intently at him.
‘What child?’
Thenardier continued:—
‘How strange it is, one grows attached. What money is
that? Take back your hundred-sou piece. I adore the child.’
‘Whom do you mean?’ demanded the stranger.
‘Eh! our little Cosette! Are you not intending to take her
away from us? Well, I speak frankly; as true as you are an
honest man, I will not consent to it. I shall miss that child.
I saw her first when she was a tiny thing. It is true that she
costs us money; it is true that she has her faults; it is true that
we are not rich; it is true that I have paid out over four hun-
dred francs for drugs for just one of her illnesses! But one
must do something for the good God’s sake. She has nei-
ther father nor mother. I have brought her up. I have bread

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