"Monseigneur!" he muttered, "then this is not an inn.
He is not just a priest!"
"Silence," commanded the corporal. "This is Monseigneur
the Bishop."
The aged Bishop was making his way to Jean Valjean as 10
rapidly as he could.
"Ah, here you are again," he said, "I am glad to see
you. You know I gave you the candlesticks, too. Why
did you not take them? They are worth at least 200
francs. You should have taken them along with the plate 15
silver."
Words cannot describe the expression in the eyes of Jean
Valjean as he gazed at the Bishop.
"Then, Monseigneur, what this man says is true?" asked
the corporal. "He looked as if he was escaping from somewhere, 20
so we arrested him. And then we found this silver
plate upon him."
"And then," interrupted the Bishop, "he explained, of
course, that an old priest at whose house he stayed last
night gave him the plate? I see. And you brought him 25
back. You were wrong."
"Then we are to let him go?" asked the corporal.
"Certainly," replied the Bishop.
Jean Valjean was released. He staggered back.
"Is it true that I am free?" he murmured weakly. 30
"Yes, of course. And my friend," the Bishop continued,
"take the candlesticks with you this time."
Going to the mantelpiece, he took down the two candlesticks
and brought them to Jean Valjean. The two
women watched, speechless, but made no sign of dissent.
Jean Valjean was trembling; he took the candlesticks
mechanically, as if in a dream. 5
"Depart in peace," said the Bishop, "and, by the way,
when you come again, enter by the front door; it is only
latched."
Turning to the gendarmes, he said, "Gentlemen, it is
unnecessary for you to remain." 10
The gendarmes retired.
Jean Valjean seemed unable to recover his senses; he
felt himself about to faint, when the Bishop approached
and said to him, in a very low voice,
"Remember always, my friend, that I have your promise 15
to use this money to become an honest man."
Jean Valjean, unconscious of having made a promise of
any kind, remained silent.
With great solemnity, the Bishop continued, in a low
but firm voice: 20
"Jean Valjean, henceforth you belong only to good.
Your soul I have bought and herewith I banish from it all
black thoughts and the spirit of Evil, and give it to Good."
--_Les Misérables._
1. Who are the two characters that come into
contact here? Tell what each is like. What, in a
way, does each represent?
2. Did Valjean have any intention of robbing anyone
when he asked for lodging? Was Valjean accountable
for the theft? Discuss fully.
3. Where is the point of highest dramatic interest?
If you were painting a scene from the selection,
which would you select?
4. Explain why the Bishop did what he did in the
final scene.