Madame Thénardier had allowed her husband to have his own way, as was her wont. She had expected great results.
When the man and Cosette had taken their departure, Thénardier allowed a full quarter of an hour to elapse; then he took her aside and showed her the fifteen hundred francs. 'Is that all? ' said she.
It was the first time since they had set up housekeeping that she had dared to criticise one of the master’s acts. The blow told. 'You are right, in sooth,' said he; 'I am a fool. Give me my hat.
' He folded up the three bank-bills, thrust them into his pocket, and ran out in all haste; but he made a mistake and turned to the right first.
Some neighbors, of whom he made inquiries, put him on the track again; the Lark and the man had been seen going in the direction of Livry.
He followed these hints, walking with great strides, and talking to himself the while:— 'That man is evidently a million dressed in yellow, and I am an animal. First he gave twenty sous, then five francs, then fifty francs, then fifteen hundred francs, all with equal readiness.
He would have given fifteen thousand francs. But I shall overtake him. ' And then, that bundle of clothes prepared beforehand for the child; all that was singular; many mysteries lay concealed under it. One does not let mysteries out of one’s hand when one has once grasped them.
The secrets of the wealthy are sponges of gold; one must know how to subject them to pressure. All these thoughts whirled through his brain. 'I am an animal,' said he.
When one leaves Montfermeil and reaches the turn which the road takes that runs to Livry, it can be seen stretching out before