“Cosette,” muttered Gavroche. “Yes, I believe that is the queer name.”
“Well,” resumed Jean Valjean, “I am the person to whom you are to deliver the letter. Give it here.”
“In that case, you must know that I was sent from the barricade.”
“Of course,” said Jean Valjean.
Gavroche engulfed his hand in another of his pockets and drew out a paper folded in four.
Then he made the military salute.
“Respect for despatches,” said he. “It comes from the Provisional Government.”
“Give it to me,” said Jean Valjean.
Gavroche held the paper elevated above his head.
“Don’t go and fancy it’s a love letter. It is for a woman, but it’s for the people. We men fight and we respect the fair sex. We are not as they are in fine society, where there are lions who send chickens[55] to camels.”