Marius was quite upset.
The sort of estrangement which he had always felt towards the manbeside whom he had seen Cosette, was now explained to him. There wassomething enigmatic about that person, of which his instinct had warnedhim.
This enigma was the most hideous of disgraces, the galleys. This M.Fauchelevent was the convict Jean Valjean.
To abruptly find such a secret in the midst of one’s happiness
resembles the discovery of a scorpion in a nest of turtledoves.
Was the happiness of Marius and Cosette thenceforth condemned to such aneighborhood? Was this an accomplished fact? Did the acceptance of thatman form a part of the marriage now consummated? Was there nothing tobe done?
Had Marius wedded the convict as well?
In vain may one be crowned with light and joy, in vain may one tastethe grand purple hour of life, happy love, such shocks would force eventhe archangel in his ecstasy, even the demigod in his glory, toshudder.
