Page 1090 - les-miserables

have stopped at Poissy; he may have stopped at Triel; if he
did not get out at Meulan, he may have got out at Mantes,
unless he got out at Rolleboise, or if he did not go on as far
as Pacy, with the choice of turning to the left at Evreus, or to
the right at Laroche-Guyon. Run after him, aunty. What the
devil am I to write to that good old soul?’
At that moment a pair of black trousers descending from
the imperial, made its appearance at the window of the
coupe.
‘Can that be Marius?’ said the lieutenant.
It was Marius.
A little peasant girl, all entangled with the horses and the
postilions at the end of the vehicle, was offering flowers to
the travellers. ‘Give your ladies flowers!’ she cried.
Marius approached her and purchased the finest flowers
in her flat basket.
‘Come now,’ said Theodule, leaping down from the
coupe, ‘this piques my curiosity. Who the deuce is he going
to carry those flowers to? She must be a splendidly hand-
some woman for so fine a bouquet. I want to see her.’
And no longer in pursuance of orders, but from personal
curiosity, like dogs who hunt on their own account, he set
out to follow Marius.
Marius paid no attention to Theodule. Elegant women
descended from the diligence; he did not glance at them. He
seemed to see nothing around him.
‘He is pretty deeply in love!’ thought Theodule.
Marius directed his steps towards the church.
‘Capital,’ said Theodule to himself. ‘Rendezvous seasoned

1090 Les Miserables