which had been foaming but a moment before; he gazed with amazement on that fantastic and alarming metamorphosis, and he felt as a man might feel who should behold a tiger converted into a lawyer.
"Monsieur--" said Thenardier.
And dismissing with a gesture the ruffians who still kept their hands on M. Leblanc:--
"Stand off a little, and let me have a talk with the gentleman."
All retired towards the door.
He went on:--
"Monsieur, you did wrong to try to jump out of the window. You might have broken your leg.
Now, if you will permit me, we will converse quietly.
In the first place, I must communicate to you an observation which I have made which is, that you have not uttered the faintest cry."
Thenardier was right, this detail was correct, although it had escaped Marius in his agitation.
M. Leblanc had barely pronounced a few words, without raising his voice, and even during his struggle with the six ruffians near the window he had preserved the most profound and singular silence.
Thenardier continued:--
"Mon Dieu!
You might have shouted `stop thief'' a bit, and I should not have thought it improper.
`Murder!'' That, too, is said occasionally, and, so far as I am concerned, I should not have taken it in bad part.
It is very natural that you should make a little row when you find yourself with persons who don''t inspire you with sufficient confidence.