1280 Les Miserables
‘And the chemise too,’ said he, ‘this has a good appear-
a nce.’
An icy breeze whistled through the window and entered
the room. The outer mist penetrated thither and diffused
itself like a whitish sheet of wadding vaguely spread by in-
visible fingers. Through the broken pane the snow could be
seen falling. The snow promised by the Candlemas sun of
the preceding day had actually come.
The father cast a glance about him as though to make
sure that he had forgotten nothing. He seized an old shovel
and spread ashes over the wet brands in such a manner as to
entirely conceal them.
Then drawing himself up and leaning against the
chimney-piece:—
‘Now,’ said he, ‘we can receive the philanthropist.’