.....him, and whom she was thrusting into the gulf in his stead; in order that the gulf might close once more, it was neces- sary that some one, himself or that other man, should fall into it: he had only let things take their course. The light became complete, and he acknowledged this to himself: That his place was empty in the galleys; that do what he would, it was still awaiting him; that the theft from little Gervais had led him back to it; that this vacant place would await him, and draw him on until he filled it; that this was inevitable and fatal; and then he said to himself,