Page 807 - les-miserables

returning to the Arsenal post having passed him, he made
a requisition on it, and caused it to accompany him. In such
games soldiers are aces. Moreover, the principle is, that in
order to get the best of a wild boar, one must employ the
science of venery and plenty of dogs. These combinations
having been effected, feeling that Jean Valjean was caught
between the blind alley Genrot on the right, his agent on
the left, and himself, Javert, in the rear, he took a pinch of
snuff.
Then he began the game. He experienced one ecstatic
and infernal moment; he allowed his man to go on ahead,
knowing that he had him safe, but desirous of postpon-
ing the moment of arrest as long as possible, happy at the
thought that he was taken and yet at seeing him free, gloat-
ing over him with his gaze, with that voluptuousness of the
spider which allows the fly to flutter, and of the cat which
lets the mouse run. Claws and talons possess a monstrous
sensuality,— the obscure movements of the creature im-
prisoned in their pincers. What a delight this strangling is!
Javert was enjoying himself. The meshes of his net were
stoutly knotted. He was sure of success; all he had to do now
was to close his hand.
Accompanied as he was, the very idea of resistance was
impossible, however vigorous, energetic, and desperate Jean
Valjean might be.
Javert advanced slowly, sounding, searching on his way
all the nooks of the street like so many pockets of thieves.
When he reached the centre of the web he found the fly
no longer there.

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