908 Les Miserables
broken and that he was insufficient for the work, he should
be obliged, greatly to his regret, to go away; and that his
brother had a little daughter whom he would bring with
him, who might be reared for God in the house, and who
might, who knows, become a nun some day.’
When he had finished speaking, the prioress stayed
the slipping of her rosary between her fingers, and said to
him:—
‘Could you procure a stout iron bar between now and
this evening?’
‘For what purpose?’
‘To serve as a lever.’
‘Yes, reverend Mother,’ replied Fauchelevent.
The prioress, without adding a word, rose and entered
the adjoining room, which was the hall of the chapter, and
where the vocal mothers were probably assembled. Fau-
chelevent was left alone.