Chapter I—the Lower Chamber

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On the following day, at nightfall, Jean Valjean knocked at the carriage gate of the Gillenormand house. It was Basque who received him. Basque was in the courtyard at the appointed hour, as though he had received his orders. It sometimes happens that one says to a servant: “You will watch for Mr. So and So, when he arrives.”

Basque addressed Jean Valjean without waiting for the latter toapproach him:

“Monsieur le Baron has charged me to inquire whether monsieur desiresto go upstairs or to remain below?”

“I will remain below,” replied Jean Valjean.

Basque, who was perfectly respectful, opened the door of thewaiting-room and said:

“I will go and inform Madame.”

The room which Jean Valjean entered was a damp, vaulted room on theground floor, which served as a cellar on occasion, which opened on thestreet, was paved with red squares and was badly lighted by a gratedwindow.

This chamber was not one of those which are harassed by the feather-duster, the pope’s head brush, and the broom. The dust rested tranquilly there. Persecution of the spiders was not organized there. A fine web, which spread far and wide, and was very black and ornamented with dead flies, formed a wheel on one of the window-panes. The room, which was small and low-ceiled, was furnished with a heap of empty bottles piled up in one corner.

Chapter I—the Lower Chamber

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