“And how long will the case last?”
“One day, at the most. The judgment will be pronounced tomorrow evening at latest. But I shall not wait for the sentence, which is certain; I shall return here as soon as my deposition has been taken.”
“That is well,” said M. Madeleine.
And he dismissed Javert with a wave of the hand.
Javert did not withdraw.
“Excuse me, Mr. Mayor,” said he.
“What is it now?” demanded M. Madeleine.
“ Mr. Mayor, there is still something of which I must remind you.”
“What is it?”
“That I must be dismissed.”
M. Madeleine rose.
“Javert, you are a man of honor, and I esteem you. You exaggerate your fault. Moreover, this is an offence which concerns me. Javert, you deserve promotion instead of degradation. I wish you to retain your post.”
Javert gazed at M. Madeleine with his candid eyes, in whose depths his not very enlightened but pure and rigid conscience seemed visible, and said in a tranquil voice:—
“ Mr. Mayor, I cannot grant you that.”
“I repeat,” replied M. Madeleine, “that the matter concerns me.”
But Javert, heeding his own thought only, continued:—