Marius ascended the stairs of the hovel with slow steps; at the moment when he was about to re-enter his cell, he caught sight of the elder Jondrette girl following him through the corridor.
The very sight of this girl was odious to him; it was she who had his five francs, it was too late to demand them back, the cab was no longer there, the fiacre was far away. Moreover, she would not have given them back.
As for questioning her about the residence of the persons who had just been there, that was useless; it was evident that she did not know, since the letter signed Fabantou had been addressed 'to the benevolent gentleman of the church of Saint-Jacques-du-Haut-Pas.
' Marius entered his room and pushed the door to after him. It did not close; he turned round and beheld a hand which held the door half open. 'What is it? ' he asked, 'who is there? ' It was the Jondrette girl. 'Is it you? ' resumed Marius almost harshly, 'still you!
What do you want with me? ' She appeared to be thoughtful and did not look at him. She no longer had the air of assurance which had characterized her that morning.
She did not enter, but held back in the darkness of the corridor, where Marius could see her through the half-open door. 'Come now, will you answer? ' cried Marius. 'What do you want with me?
' She raised her dull eyes, in which a sort of gleam seemed to flicker vaguely, and said:— 'Monsieur Marius, you look sad. What is the matter with you? ' 'With me! ' said Marius. 'Yes, you. ' 'There is nothing the matter with me. ' 'Yes, there is! ' 'No. ' 'I tell you there is!
' 'Let me alone! ' Marius gave the door another push, but she retained