Nevertheless, it was indispensable that he should take a look into his conscience, after such shocks, and render to himself an account of himself.
What he had just done made him shudder.
He, Javert, had seen fit to decide, contrary to all the regulations of the police, contrary to the whole social and judicial organization, contrary to the entire code, upon a release; this had suited him; he had substituted his own affairs for the affairs of the public; was not this unjustifiable? Every time that he brought himself face to face with this deed without a name which he had committed, he trembled from head to foot. Upon what should he decide?
One sole resource remained to him; to return in all haste to the Rue de l''Homme Arme, and commit Jean Valjean to prison.
It was clear that that was what he ought to do. He could not.
Something barred his way in that direction.
Something?
What?
Is there in the world, anything outside of the tribunals, executory sentences, the police and the authorities? Javert was overwhelmed.
A galley-slave sacred!
A convict who could not be touched by the law! And that the deed of Javert!
Was it not a fearful thing that Javert and Jean Valjean, the man made to proceed with vigor, the man made to submit,--that these two men who were both the things of the law, should have come to such a pass, that both of them had set themselves above the law?