1252 Les Miserables
been robbed of an old pair of boots, to the great triumph of
Ma’am Bougon.
There came a second knock, as gentle as the first.
‘Come in,’ said Marius.
The door opened.
‘What do you want, Ma’am Bougon?’ asked Marius,
without raising his eyes from the books and manuscripts
on his table.
A voice which did not belong to Ma’am Bougon
replied:—
‘Excuse me, sir—‘
It was a dull, broken, hoarse, strangled voice, the voice of
an old man, roughened with brandy and liquor.
Marius turned round hastily, and beheld a young girl.