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But the horrible man with the meat-axe would, none the less, be out of reach with the young girl, and Marius reflected on Thenardier's words, of which he perceived the bloody significance: "If you have me arrested, my comrade will give a turn of his thumb to the Lark."
She would never have committed "before strangers" that mistake so often committed by women, and which is called in parliamentary language, "exposing the crown." Although their concord had only evil as its result, there was contemplation in Madame Thenardier's submission to her husband. That mountain of noise and of flesh moved under the little finger of that frail despot.
From time to time she raised her eyes towards the man, with a sort of tranquillity and an indescribable confidence. She had never been taught to turn to Providence and to pray; nevertheless, she felt within her something which resembled hope and joy, and which mounted towards heaven. Several minutes elapsed. The man resumed: "Is there no servant in Madame Thenardier's house?" "No, sir."
The merchant, who was pacing back and forth in front of his shop, produced on her somewhat the effect of being the Eternal Father. In this adoration she forgot everything, even the errand with which she was charged. All at once the Thenardier's coarse voice recalled her to reality: "What, you silly jade! you have not gone? Wait! I'll give it to you! I want to know what you are doing there!
Since then nine months have elapsed, at fifteen francs a month, the price agreed upon, which makes one hundred and thirty-five francs. You had received one hundred francs too much; that makes thirty-five still owing you. I have just given you fifteen hundred francs." Thenardier's sensations were those of the wolf at the moment when he feels himself nipped and seized by the steel jaw of the trap.
This was the story that Javert hit upon when he arrived at Montfermeil. The grandfather caused Jean Valjean to vanish. Nevertheless, Javert dropped a few questions, like plummets, into Thenardier's history. "Who was that grandfather? and what was his name?" Thenardier replied with simplicity: "He is a wealthy farmer. I saw his passport. I think his name was M. Guillaume Lambert."
And his finger sought the trigger of his pistol. The shot was on the point of being discharged when Thenardier's voice shouted: "Don't harm him!" This desperate attempt of the victim, far from exasperating Thenardier, had calmed him. There existed in him two men, the ferocious man and the adroit man.
"That's true, excuse me!" ejaculated Thenardier, "you are quite right." And turning to Bigrenaille: "Untie the gentleman's right arm." Panchaud, alias Printanier, alias Bigrenaille, executed Thenardier's order. When the prisoner's right arm was free, Thenardier dipped the pen in the ink and presented it to him.
There are seven of you, there are fifteen of us. Don't let's fall to collaring each other like men of Auvergne." Bigrenaille drew out a pistol which he had kept concealed under his blouse, and put it in Thenardier's hand, whispering in the latter's ear: "It's Javert. I don't dare fire at that man. Do you dare?" "Parbleu!" replied Thenardier. "Well, then, fire."
"Above all things, don't lose the letter! remember that you carry two hundred thousand francs with you!" The Thenardier's hoarse voice replied: "Be easy. I have it in my bosom." A minute had not elapsed, when the sound of the cracking of a whip was heard, which rapidly retreated and died away. "Good!" growled Thenardier. "They're going at a fine pace.
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