2370 Les Miserables
CHAPTER I
THE LOWER CHAMBER
On the following day, at nightfall, Jean Valjean knocked
at the carriage gate of the Gillenormand house. It was Basque
w ho re c e ive d h i m. B a s que w a s i n t he c ou r t y a rd at t he app oi nt-
ed hour, as though he had received his orders. It sometimes
happens that one says to a servant: ‘You will watch for Mr. So
and So, when he arrives.’
Basque addressed Jean Valjean without waiting for the lat-
ter to approach him:
‘Monsieur le Baron has charged me to inquire whether
monsieur desires to go upstairs or to remain below?’
‘I will remain below,’ replied Jean Valjean.
Basque, who was perfectly respectful, opened the door of
the waiting-room and said:
‘I will go and inform Madame.’
The room which Jean Valjean entered was a damp, vaulted
room on the ground floor, which served as a cellar on occa-
sion, which opened on the street, was paved with red squares
and was badly lighted by a grated window.
This chamber was not one of those which are harassed by
the feather-duster, the pope’s head brush, and the broom. The