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CHAPTER IV
BEGINNING OF A
GREAT MALADY
On the following day, at the accustomed hour, Marius
drew from his wardrobe his new coat, his new trousers, his
new hat, and his new boots; he clothed himself in this com-
plete panoply, put on his gloves, a tremendous luxury, and
set off for the Luxembourg.
On the way thither, he encountered Courfeyrac, and pre-
tended not to see him. Courfeyrac, on his return home, said
to his friends:—
‘I have just met Marius’ new hat and new coat, with Mar-
ius inside them. He was going to pass an examination, no
doubt. He looked utterly stupid.’
On arriving at the Luxembourg, Marius made the tour
of the fountain basin, and stared at the swans; then he re-
mained for a long time in contemplation before a statue
whose head was perfectly black with mould, and one of
whose hips was missing. Near the basin there was a bour-
geois forty years of age, with a prominent stomach, who
was holding by the hand a little urchin of five, and saying to
1200 Les Miserables
