Page 1996 - les-miserables

not perceive the details. He beheld men going and coming
as through a flame. He heard voices speaking as at the bot-
tom of an abyss.
But this moved him. There was in this scene a point
which pierced and roused even him. He had but one idea
now, to die; and he did not wish to be turned aside from it,
but he reflected, in his gloomy somnambulism, that while
destroying himself, he was not prohibited from saving some
one else.
He raised his voice.
‘Enjolras and Combeferre are right,’ said he; ‘no un-
necessary sacrifice. I join them, and you must make haste.
Combeferre has said convincing things to you. There are
some among you who have families, mothers, sisters, wives,
children. Let such leave the ranks.’
No one stirred.
‘Married men and the supporters of families, step out of
the ranks!’ repeated Marius.
His authority was great. Enjolras was certainly the head
of the barricade, but Marius was its savior.
‘I order it,’ cried Enjolras.
‘I entreat you,’ said Marius.
Then, touched by Combeferre’s words, shaken by Enjol-
ras’ order, touched by Marius’ entreaty, these heroic men
began to denounce each other.—‘It is true,’ said one young
man to a full grown man, ‘you are the father of a family.
Go.’—‘It is your duty rather,’ retorted the man, ‘you have
two sisters whom you maintain.’— And an unprecedent-
ed controversy broke forth. Each struggled to determine

1996 Les Miserables