session of the court

The messenger himself was a very clever member of the police, who, in two words, informed
Javert of what had taken place at Arras. The order of arrest, signed by the district-
attorney, was couched in these words: "Inspector Javert will apprehend the body of the Sieur
Madeleine, mayor of M. sur M., who, in this day's session of the court, was recognized as
the liberated convict, Jean Valjean."

Any one who did not know Javert, and who had chanced to see him at the moment when he
penetrated the antechamber of the infirmary, could have divined nothing of what had taken
place, and would have thought his air the most ordinary in the world. He was cool, calm,
grave, his gray hair was perfectly smooth upon his temples, and he had just mounted the
stairs with his habitual deliberation. Any one who was thoroughly acquainted with him, and
who had examined him attentively at the moment, would have shuddered. The buckle of his
leather stock was under his left ear instead of at the nape of his neck. This betrayed
unwonted agitation.

Javert was a complete character, who never had a wrinkle in his duty or in his uniform;
methodical with malefactors, rigid with the buttons of his coat.

That he should have set the buckle of his stock awry, it was indispensable that there should
have taken place in him one of those emotions which may be designated as internal
earthquakes.