2282 Les Miserables
tures of both men were rigid, no question from Marius to
M. Fauchelevent was possible. Such an idea had not even
occurred to him. We have already indicated this character-
istic detail.
Two men who have a secret in common, and who, by a
sort of tacit agreement, exchange not a word on the subject,
are less rare than is commonly supposed.
Once only, did Marius make the attempt. He introduced
into the conversation the Rue de la Chanvrerie, and, turn-
ing to M. Fauchelevent, he said to him:
‘Of course, you are acquainted with that street?’
‘What street?’
‘The Rue de la Chanvrerie.’
‘I have no idea of the name of that street,’ replied M. Fau-
chelevent, in the most natural manner in the world.
The response which bore upon the name of the street and
not upon the street itself, appeared to Marius to be more
conclusive than it really was.
‘Decidedly,’ thought he, ‘I have been dreaming. I have
been subject to a hallucination. It was some one who resem-
bled him. M. Fauchelevent was not there.‘‘