He had scarce said this, ere a great noise broke out on the staircase: they heard a tumult of ascending steps, and the old servant cry in her loudest and most piercing voice,-- "My good sir, I can take my oath that no one has come in here all day or all the evening, and I have not left my lodge once." A man answered,-- "But there is a light in that room." They recognized Javert's voice. The room was so built that the door, on being thrown open, concealed a nook in the right-hand wall: Jean Valjean blew out the light and crept into the nook. Sister Simplice fell on her knees by the table, as the door opened and Javert entered. The voices of several men and the protestations of the old portress could be heard. The nun did not raise her eyes: she was praying. Her candle was on the chimney and gave but little light, and on noticing the nun, Javert halted in great confusion. It will be remembered that the very basis of Javert, his element, the air he breathed, was reverence for all authority: he was all of one piece, and allowed no objection or limitation. With him, of course, ecclesiastical authority was the highest of all: he was religious, superficial, and correct on this point as on all. In his eyes, a priest was a spirit that does not deceive, a nun a creature who does not sin. Theirs were souls walled up against the world with only one door, which never opened except to let truth pass out. On noticing the sister, his first movement was to withdraw, but he had another duty too, which imperiously urged him in an opposite direction. His second impulse was to remain, and at least venture one question. Sister Simplice had never told a falsehood in her life: Javert was aware of this, and especially revered her for it. "Sister," he asked, "are you alone in the room?" There was a terrible moment, during which the old servant felt as if she were going to faint: the sister raised her eyes and said, "Yes." "In that case," Javert continued, "I beg your pardon for pressing you, but it is my duty,--you have not seen this evening a person, a man who has escaped and we are seeking,--that fellow of the name of Jean Valjean. Have you seen him?" The sister answered "No." She had told two falsehoods, one upon the other, without hesitation, rapidly, as if devoting herself. "I beg your pardon," said Javert; and he withdrew with a deep bow. Oh, holy woman! it is many years since you were on this earth; you have rejoined in the light your sisters the virgins and your brothers the angels; may this falsehood be placed to your credit in Paradise!