Chapter Ix—eclipse

4 min read

The reader has just seen how Marius discovered, or thought that hediscovered, that She was named Ursule.

Appetite grows with loving. To know that her name was Ursule was agreat deal; it was very little. In three or four weeks, Marius haddevoured this bliss. He wanted another. He wanted to know where shelived.

He had committed his first blunder, by falling into the ambush of the bench by the Gladiator. He had committed a second, by not remaining at the Luxembourg when M. Leblanc came thither alone. He now committed a third, and an immense one. He followed “Ursule.”

She lived in the Rue de l’Ouest, in the most unfrequented spot, in a new, three-story house, of modest appearance.

From that moment forth, Marius added to his happiness of seeing her at the Luxembourg the happiness of following her home.

His hunger was increasing. He knew her first name, at least, a charmingname, a genuine woman’s name; he knew where she lived; he wanted toknow who she was.

One evening, after he had followed them to their dwelling, and had seen them disappear through the carriage gate, he entered in their train and said boldly to the porter:—

“Is that the gentleman who lives on the first floor, who has just comein?”

“No,” replied the porter. “He is the gentleman on the third floor.”

Another step gained. This success emboldened Marius.

“On the front?” he asked.

“Parbleu!” said the porter, “the house is only built on the street.”

Chapter Ix—eclipse

1 / 4

← → keys or swipe to turn pages