"Myself."
"And who is the magistrate who has cause to complain of the agent?"
"You, Monsieur le Maire."
M. Madeleine sat up, and Javert continued with a stern air and still looking down,—
"Monsieur le Maire, I have come to request that you will procure my dismissal from the service."
M. Madeleine in his stupefaction opened his mouth, but Javert interrupted him,—
"You will say that I could have sent in my resignation, but that is not enough. Such a course is honorable, but I have done wrong, and deserve punishment. I must be dismissed."
And after a pause he added,—
"Monsieur le Maire, you were severe to me the other day unjustly, be so to-day justly."
"What is the meaning of all this nonsense?" M. Madeleine exclaimed. "What is the culpable act you have committed? What have you done to me? You accuse yourself, you wish to be removed—"