The fire on the hearth lighted him up.
He was hideous. It was a sinister apparition.
Madame Magloire had not even the strength to utter a cry. She trembled, and stood with her mouth wide open.
Mademoiselle Baptistine turned round, beheld the man entering, and half started up in terror; then, turning her head by degrees towards the fireplace again, she began to observe her brother, and her face became once more profoundly calm and serene.
The Bishop fixed a tranquil eye on the man.
As he opened his mouth, doubtless to ask the new-comer what he desired, the man rested both hands on his staff, directed his gaze at the old man and the two women, and without waiting for the Bishop to speak, he said, in a loud voice:--
"See here.
My name is Jean Valjean.
I am a convict from the galleys. I have passed nineteen years in the galleys.
I was liberated four days ago, and am on my way to Pontarlier, which is my destination. I have been walking for four days since I left Toulon.
I have travelled a dozen leagues to-day on foot.
This evening, when I arrived in these parts, I went to an inn, and they turned me out, because of my yellow passport, which I had shown at the town-hall. I had to do it.
I went to an inn.
They said to me, `Be off,'' at both places.
No one would take me.