In the mean while Fantine did not recover, and still remained in the infirmary. The sisters had at first received and nursed "this girl" with some repugnance; any one who has seen the bas-relief at Rheims will remember the pouting lower lip of the wise virgins looking at the foolish virgins. This ancient contempt of Vestals for Ambubaïæ is one of the deepest instincts of the feminine dignity, and the sisters had experienced it, with the increased dislike which religion adds. But in a few days Fantine disarmed them; she had all sorts of humble and gentle words, and the mother within her was touching. One day the sisters heard her say in the paroxysm of fever, "I have been a sinner, but when I have my child by my side, that will show that God has forgiven me. While I was living badly, I should not have liked to have Cosette with me, for I could not have endured her sad and astonished eyes. And yet it was for her sake that I did wrong, and for that reason God pardons me. I shall feel the blessing of Heaven when Cosette is here; I shall look at her, and it will do me good to see the innocent creature. She knows nothing, as she is an angel. My sisters, at her age the wings have not yet dropped off." M. Madeleine went to see her twice a day, and every time she asked him, "Shall I see my Cosette soon?" He would answer,-- "To-morrow, perhaps; she may arrive at any moment, for I am expecting her." And the mother's pale face would grow radiant. "Oh!" she said, "how happy I shall be!" We have said that she did not improve; on the contrary, her condition seemed to grow worse week by week. The handful of snow placed between her naked shoulder-blades produced a sudden check of perspiration, which caused the illness that had smouldered in her for years suddenly to break out. Larmier's fine method for studying and healing diseases of the lungs was just beginning to be employed; the physician placed the stethoscope to Fantine's chest, and shook his head. M. Madeleine said to him,-- "Well?" "Has she not a child that she wishes to see?" asked the doctor. "Yes." "Well, make haste to send for her." Madeleine gave a start, and Fantine asked him,-- "What did the doctor say to you?" M. Madeleine forced a smile. "He said that your child must come at once, for that would cure you." "Oh," she replied, "he is right; but what do those Thénardiers mean by keeping my Cosette? Oh, she will come, and then I shall see happiness close to me." Thénardier, however, would not let the child go, and alleged a hundred poor excuses. Cosette was ailing, and it would be dangerous for her to travel in winter; and then there were some small debts still to pay, which he was collecting, &c. "I will send some one to fetch Cosette," said Father Madeleine; "if necessary, I will go myself." He wrote to Fantine's dictation the following letter, which she signed. "M. THÉNARDIER,--" You will hand over Cosette to the bearer, who will pay up all little matters. "Yours, FANTINE."