at.
In the one in which he was about to engage, what was his situation?
He did not know to whom he was speaking, but he did know of what he was speaking, he made this rapid review of his inner forces, and after having said:
"I am Thenardier," he waited.
Marius had become thoughtful.
So he had hold of Thenardier at last.
That man whom he had so greatly desired to find was before him.
He could honor Colonel Pontmercy''s recommendation.
He felt humiliated that that hero should have owned anything to this villain, and that the letter of change drawn from the depths of the tomb by his father upon him, Marius, had been protested up to that day.
It also seemed to him, in the complex state of his mind towards Thenardier, that there was occasion to avenge the Colonel for the misfortune of having been saved by such a rascal.
In any case, he was content.
He was about to deliver the Colonel''s shade from this unworthy creditor at last, and it seemed to him that he was on the point of rescuing his father''s memory from the debtors'' prison.
By the side of this duty there was another-- to elucidate, if possible, the source of Cosette''s fortune.
The opportunity appeared to present itself.
Perhaps Thenardier knew something.
It might prove useful to see the bottom of this man.
He commenced with this.