Page 1066 - les-miserables

him. It was forcing estrangement into reconciliation. It was
not an affliction, but it was an unpleasant duty.
Marius, in addition to his motives of political antipathy,
was convinced that his father, the slasher, as M. Gillenor-
mand called him on his amiable days, did not love him; this
was evident, since he had abandoned him to others. Feeling
that he was not beloved, he did not love. ‘Nothing is more
simple,’ he said to himself.
He was so astounded that he did not question M.
Gillenormand. The grandfather resumed:—
‘It appears that he is ill. He demands your presence.’
And after a pause, he added:—
‘Set out to-morrow morning. I think there is a coach
which leaves the Cour des Fontaines at six o’clock, and
which arrives in the evening. Take it. He says that here is
haste.’
Then he crushed the letter in his hand and thrust it into
his pocket. Marius might have set out that very evening
and have been with his father on the following morning.
A diligence from the Rue du Bouloi took the trip to Rouen
by night at that date, and passed through Vernon. Neither
Marius nor M.Gillenormand thought of making inquiries
about it.
The next day, at twilight, Marius reached Vernon. People
were just beginning to light their candles. He asked the first
person whom he met for ‘M. Pontmercy’s house.’ For in his
own mind, he agreed with the Restoration, and like it, did
not recognize his father’s claim to the title of either colonel
or baron.

1066 Les Miserables