[The horror that is evident in the young man's countenance is perhaps what draws Jean Valjean to pity him beyond all the prisoners who share his plight. And in truth, he misidentifies him as a young woman, which in his mind makes the scene all the more horrific.
With the mob's many eyes aimed at the center of the altar, to which each prisoner is marched in turn, he is granted a narrow window of opportunity in which to aid this "woman." The mob provides ample cover for his operations, too, with the way they press close to the altar, nearly swallowing the prisoners in their fury before the brands ever touch the prisoners' flesh.]
I bear you no ill will, [he murmurs, so quiet that even the bound man can scarcely hear.
So speaking, he gently tugs Linneus' hands away from his face, to where they cannot be seen so easily. He then draws something from his jacket pocket and shortly sets to sawing at the ropes that bind the young man's hands.]
no subject
With the mob's many eyes aimed at the center of the altar, to which each prisoner is marched in turn, he is granted a narrow window of opportunity in which to aid this "woman." The mob provides ample cover for his operations, too, with the way they press close to the altar, nearly swallowing the prisoners in their fury before the brands ever touch the prisoners' flesh.]
I bear you no ill will, [he murmurs, so quiet that even the bound man can scarcely hear.
So speaking, he gently tugs Linneus' hands away from his face, to where they cannot be seen so easily. He then draws something from his jacket pocket and shortly sets to sawing at the ropes that bind the young man's hands.]