Page 1125 - les-miserables

the ox of discipline, bos disciplinae, the bloodhound of the
password, the angel of the roll-call, who was upright, square
exact, rigid, honest, and hideous. God crossed him off as he
crossed me off.’’
Marius resumed:—
‘I am very sorry—‘
‘Young man,’ said Laigle de Meaux, ‘let this serve you as
a lesson. In future, be exact.’
‘I really beg you a thousand pardons.’
‘Do not expose your neighbor to the danger of having his
name erased again.’
‘I am extremely sorry—‘
Laigle burst out laughing.
‘And I am delighted. I was on the brink of becoming a
lawyer. This erasure saves me. I renounce the triumphs of
the bar. I shall not defend the widow, and I shall not attack
the orphan. No more toga, no more stage. Here is my era-
sure all ready for me. It is to you that I am indebted for it,
Monsieur Pontmercy. I intend to pay a solemn call of thanks
upon you. Where do you live?’
‘In this cab,’ said Marius.
‘A sign of opulence,’ retorted Laigle calmly. ‘I congratu-
late you. You have there a rent of nine thousand francs per
annum.’
At that moment, Courfeyrac emerged from the cafe.
Marius smiled sadly.
‘I have paid this rent for the last two hours, and I aspire
to get rid of it; but there is a sort of history attached to it, and
I don’t know where to go.’

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