yourself crushed also!"
Madeleine made no reply.
All the spectators were panting.
The wheels had continued to sink, and it had become almost impossible for Madeleine to make his way from under the vehicle.
Suddenly the enormous mass was seen to quiver, the cart rose slowly, the wheels half emerged from the ruts.
They heard a stifled voice crying, "Make haste!
Help!"
It was Madeleine, who had just made a final effort.
They rushed forwards.
The devotion of a single man had given force and courage to all.
The cart was raised by twenty arms. Old Fauchelevent was saved.
Madeleine rose.
He was pale, though dripping with perspiration. His clothes were torn and covered with mud.
All wept.
The old man kissed his knees and called him the good God.
As for him, he bore upon his countenance an indescribable expression of happy and celestial suffering, and he fixed his tranquil eye on Javert, who was still staring at him.
BOOK FIFTH.--THE DESCENT
CHAPTER VII
FAUCHELEVENT BECOMES A GARDENER IN PARIS
Fauchelevent had dislocated his kneepan in his fall.
Father Madeleine had him conveyed to an infirmary which he had established for his workmen in the factory building itself, and which was served by two sisters of charity.
On the following morning the old man found a thousand-franc bank-note on his night-stand, with these words in Father Madeleine''s writing: