1850 Les Miserables
one fine morning. He besought Love to give it life, and this
produced Matelote. Look at her, citizens! She has chromate-
of-lead-colored hair, like Titian’s mistress, and she is a good
girl. I guarantee that she will fight well. Every good girl con-
tains a hero. As for Mother Hucheloup, she’s an old warrior.
Look at her moustaches! She inherited them from her hus-
band. A hussar indeed! She will fight too. These two alone
will strike terror to the heart of the banlieue. Comrades, we
shall overthrow the government as true as there are fifteen
intermediary acids between margaric acid and formic acid;
however, that is a matter of perfect indifference to me. Gen-
tlemen, my father always detested me because I could not
understand mathematics. I understand only love and liberty.
I am Grantaire, the good fellow. Having never had any mon-
ey, I never acquired the habit of it, and the result is that I have
never lacked it; but, if I had been rich, there would have been
no more poor people! You would have seen! Oh, if the kind
hearts only had fat purses, how much better things would
go! I picture myself Jesus Christ with Rothschild’s fortune!
How much good he would do! Matelote, embrace me! You
are voluptuous and timid! You have cheeks which invite the
kiss of a sister, and lips which claim the kiss of a lover.’
‘Hold your tongue, you cask!’ said Courfeyrac.
Grantaire retorted:—
‘I am the capitoul[52] and the master of the floral
games!’
[52] Municipal officer of Toulouse.
Enjolras, who was standing on the crest of the barricade,
gun in hand, raised his beautiful, austere face. Enjolras,