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Bienvenu Myriel was bishop of Digne since 1806. In 1815 he was about seventy five years old. He was the son of a member of the Aix Parlament. It was said of him that he had been married at a very young age. During the Revolution he flew to Italy where his wife died childless. In 1804 he was a priest at Brignolles. One day he met Napoleon in Paris at Cardinal Fesch's office. When Napoleon felt that Monsignor Myriel was looking at him, he asked "Why are you looking at me, good man?" and the priest answered: "Sire, you are watching a good man, I'm watching a great man". That same night, the Emperor asked the Cardinal the name of the old priest and some time later, Monsignor Myriel was named bishop of Digne.
He lived with two old women. One was his sister, Mademoiselle Baptisitine, a pale, thin and sweet woman, who venerated her brother. The other was Madame Magloire, a faithfull housekeeper. Monsignor Myriel lived in poverty. He gave to the poors all the money that fall into his hands.
When Jean Valjean arrives to Monsignor Myriel's house, asking for bed and bread, he recieves him with open arms. Mosignor changes Valjean's life, when he gives the ex-convict two silver candelaires instead of accusing him for having stolen some silver forks from the Bishop. Although he never sees him again, Valjean venerates the Bishop during all his life, |
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