1296 Les Miserables
CHAPTER XI
OFFERS OF SERVICE
FROM MISERY TO
WRETCHEDNESS
Marius ascended the stairs of the hovel with slow steps;
at the moment when he was about to re-enter his cell, he
caught sight of the elder Jondrette girl following him
through the corridor. The very sight of this girl was odious
to him; it was she who had his five francs, it was too late to
demand them back, the cab was no longer there, the fia-
cre was far away. Moreover, she would not have given them
back. As for questioning her about the residence of the per-
sons who had just been there, that was useless; it was evident
that she did not know, since the letter signed Fabantou had
been addressed ‘to the benevolent gentleman of the church
of Saint-Jacquesdu-Haut-Pas.’
Marius entered his room and pushed the door to after
him.
It did not close; he turned round and beheld a hand
which held the door half open.