2200 Les Miserables
CHAPTER X
RETURN OF THE SON WHO
WAS PRODIGAL OF HIS LIFE
At every jolt over the pavement, a drop of blood trickled
from Marius’ hair.
Night had fully closed in when the carriage arrived at No.
6, Rue des Filles-du-Calvaire.
Javert was the first to alight; he made sure with one glance
of the number on the carriage gate, and, raising the heavy
knocker of beaten iron, embellished in the old style, with a
male goat and a satyr confronting each other, he gave a vio-
lent peal. The gate opened a little way and Javert gave it a
push. The porter half made his appearance yawning, vaguely
awake, and with a candle in his hand.
Everyone in the house was asleep. People go to bed be-
times in t he Marais, especia l ly on days when t here is a revolt.
This good, old quarter, terrified at the Revolution, takes ref-
uge in slumber, as children, when they hear the Bugaboo
coming, hide their heads hastily under their coverlet.
In the meantime Jean Valjean and the coachman had ta k-
en Marius out of the carriage, Jean Valjean supporting him