"And what did he offer?" asked Marguerite.
"Two napoleons."
"That makes forty francs."
"Yes," said Fantine; "that makes forty francs."
She remained thoughtful, and began her work. At the expiration of a quarter of an hour she left her sewing and went to read the Thénardiers' letter once more on the staircase.
On her return, she said to Marguerite, who was at work beside her:—
"What is a miliary fever? Do you know?"
"Yes," answered the old spinster; "it is a disease."