Fading Away of the Twilight
The Lower Chamber
On the following day, at nightfall, Jean Valjean knocked at the carriage gate of the Gillenormand house. It was Basque who received him. Basque was in the courtyard at the appointed hour, as though he had received his orders. It sometimes happens that one says to a servant: “You will watch for Mr. So-and-So, when he arrives.”
Basque addressed Jean Valjean without waiting for the latter to approach him:
“Monsieur le Baron has charged me to inquire whether monsieur desires to go upstairs or to remain below?”
“I will remain below,” replied Jean Valjean.
Basque, who was perfectly respectful, opened the door of the waiting-room and said: