_]
Come in.
[_Enter an_ OFFICER _and two_ SOLDIERS, _dragging in_
JEAN VALJEAN.]
OFFICER. Your Reverence, we found your silver on this man.
BISHOP. Why not? I gave it to him. I am glad to see you again,
Jean. Why did you not take the candlesticks, too?
JEAN (_trembling_). Your Reverence--
BISHOP. I told you everything in this house was yours, my
brother.
OFFICER. Ah, then what he said was true. But, of course, we did
not believe him. We saw him creeping from your garden--
BISHOP. It is all right, I assure you. This man is a friend of
mine.
OFFICER. Then we can let him go?
BISHOP. Certainly.
[_Soldiers step back._]
JEAN (_trembling_). I am free?
OFFICER. Yes! You can go. Do you not understand?
[_Steps back._]
BISHOP (_to Jean_). My friend, before you go away--here are
your candlesticks (_going to the mantel and bringing the candlesticks_);
take them.
[_Jean takes the candlesticks, seeming not to know what he is doing._]
By the way, my friend, when you come again you need not come through the
garden. The front door is closed only with a latch, day or night. (_To
the Officer and Soldiers._) Gentlemen, you may withdraw.
[_Exit Officer and Soldiers._]
JEAN (_recoiling and holding out the candlesticks_).
No--no--I--I--
BISHOP. Say no more; I understand. You felt that they were all
owing to you from a world that had used you ill. Keep them, my friend,
keep them. I would I had more to give you.
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