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when she had been born at Syracuse— a lie which would
have saved her. This patron saint suited this soul.
Sister Simplice, on her entrance into the order, had had
two faults which she had gradually corrected: she had a taste
for dainties, and she liked to receive letters. She never read
anything but a book of prayers printed in Latin, in coarse
type. She did not understand Latin, but she understood the
book.
This pious woman had conceived an affection for Fan-
tine, probably feeling a latent virtue there, and she had
devoted herself almost exclusively to her care.
M. Madeleine took Sister Simplice apart and recom-
mended Fantine to her in a singular tone, which the sister
recalled later on.
On leaving the sister, he approached Fantine.
Fantine awaited M. Madeleine’s appearance every day as
one awaits a ray of warmth and joy. She said to the sisters, ‘I
only live when Monsieur le Maire is here.’
She had a great deal of fever that day. As soon as she saw
M. Madeleine she asked him:—
‘And Cosette?’
He replied with a smile:—
‘Soon.’
M. Madeleine was the same as usual with Fantine. Only
he remained an hour instead of half an hour, to Fantine’s
great delight. He urged every one repeatedly not to allow
the invalid to want for anything. It was noticed that there
was a moment when his countenance became very sombre.
But this was explained when it became known that the doc-