For a long while he sought refuge against palings and among scaffoldings, his desolate brain haunted by the single remaining thought that he was very miserable.
Then he thought of God.

The sudden idea of divine help, of superhuman consolation, surprised him, as though it were something unforeseen and extraordinary.

The image of M.Venot was evoked thereby, and he saw his little plump face and ruined teeth.

Assuredly M.Venot, whom for months he had been avoiding and thereby rendering miserable, would be delighted were he to go and knock at his door and fall weeping into his arms.

In the old days God had been always so merciful toward him.