Page 1464 - les-miserables

CHAPTER II

EMBRYONIC FORMATION

OF CRIMES IN THE

INCUBATION OF PRISONS

Javert’s triumph in the Gorbeau hovel seemed complete,
but had not been so.
In the first place, and this constituted the principal
anxiety, Javert had not taken the prisoner prisoner. The
assassinated man who flees is more suspicious than the as-
sassin, and it is probable that this personage, who had been
so precious a capture for the ruffians, would be no less fine
a prize for the authorities.
And then, Montparnasse had escaped Javert.
Another opportunity of laying hands on that ‘devil’s
dandy’ must be waited for. Montparnasse had, in fact, en-
countered Eponine as she stood on the watch under the
trees of the boulevard, and had led her off, preferring to
play Nemorin with the daughter rather than Schinder-
hannes with the father. It was well that he did so. He was
free. As for Eponine, Javert had caused her to be seized; a

1464 Les Miserables