The sisters had at first only received and nursed “that woman” with repugnance. Those who have seen the bas-reliefs of Rheims will recall the inflation of the lower lip of the wise virgins as they survey the foolish virgins. The ancient scorn of the vestals for the ambubajæ is one of the most profound instincts of feminine dignity; the sisters felt it with the double force contributed by religion. But in a few days Fantine disarmed them. She said all kinds of humble and gentle things, and the mother in her provoked tenderness. One day the sisters heard her say amid her fever: “I have been a sinner; but when I have my child beside me, it will be a sign that God has pardoned me. While I was leading a bad life, I should not have liked to have my Cosette with me; I could not have born her sad, astonished eyes. It was for her sake that I did evil, and that is why God pardons me. I shall feel the benediction of the good God when Cosette is here. I shall gaze at her; it will do me good to see that innocent creature. She knows nothing at all. She is an angel, you see, my sisters. At that age the wings have not fallen off." (Hugo, Victor, "Les Miserables" Volume I, "Fontine", Book VI, "Javert", Chapter I, "The Beginning of Repose") (John 7:24, I Corinthians 9:19-23, Acts 10:34, Matthew 25:1-13, II Corinthians 4:4-15, Titus 2:7-8, Matthew 19:14, Luke 18:16-17, Psalm 36:7-8, 72:1-5, 78:1-8, Malachi 2:16-17, I John 1:9, Psalm 103:2-5, Deuteronomy 1:39, Isaiah 7:16)
Posted on: Wed, 02 Oct 2013 20:21:15 +0000
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