2356 Les Miserables
CHAPTER II
THE OBSCURITIES
WHICH A REVELATION
CAN CONTAIN
Marius was quite upset.
The sort of estrangement which he had always felt to-
wards the man beside whom he had seen Cosette, was now
explained to him. There was something enigmatic about
that person, of which his instinct had warned him.
This enigma was the most hideous of disgraces, the gal-
leys. This M. Fauchelevent was the convict Jean Valjean.
To abruptly find such a secret in the midst of one’s hap-
piness resembles the discovery of a scorpion in a nest of
turtledoves.
Was the happiness of Marius and Cosette thenceforth
condemned to such a neighborhood? Was this an accom-
plished fact? Did the acceptance of that man form a part of
the marriage now consummated? Was there nothing to be
done?
Had Marius wedded the convict as well?