did not recover her health.
On the contrary, her condition seemed to become more grave from week to week. That handful of snow applied to her bare skin between her shoulder-blades had brought about a sudden suppression of perspiration, as a consequence of which the malady which had been smouldering within her for many years was violently developed at last. At that time people were beginning to follow the fine Laennec''s fine suggestions in the study and treatment of chest maladies. The doctor sounded Fantine''s chest and shook his head.
M. Madeleine said to the doctor:--
"Well?"
"Has she not a child which she desires to see?" said the doctor.
"Yes."
"Well!
Make haste and get it here!"
M. Madeleine shuddered.
Fantine inquired:--
"What did the doctor say?"
M. Madeleine forced himself to smile.
"He said that your child was to be brought speedily.
That that would restore your health."
"Oh!" she rejoined, "he is right!
But what do those Thenardiers mean by keeping my Cosette from me!
Oh! she is coming.
At last I behold happiness close beside me!"
In the meantime Thenardier did not "let go of the child," and gave a hundred insufficient reasons for it.
Cosette was not quite well enough to take a journey in the winter.
And then, there still remained some petty but pressing debts in the neighborhood, and they were collecting the bills for them, etc., etc.