In "Les Miserables," the character is described as holding his hat and exhibiting a composed demeanor despite the turmoil he has been through. His clothing is orderly and well-maintained, and he stands with his coat buttoned up, yet there is an evident pallor to his face and a slight tremor in his body. This suggests that he is under significant stress or fear.
Remarkably, the man’s hair, which was gray upon his arrival in Arras, has turned completely white in just one hour. This dramatic change symbolizes the intense emotional impact of the events he has experienced, indicating how deeply affected he is by the situation around him.