Youcanimaginewhetherthissurprisedme，whenIthoughtthatI
hadthatsameJeanValjeanhere。Iwritetotheexaminingjudge；
hesendsforme；Champmathieuisconductedtome——\"
[4]Anex—convict。
\"Well？\"interposedM。Madeleine。
Javertreplied，hisfaceincorruptible，andasmelancholyasever:——
\"Mr。Mayor，thetruthisthetruth。Iamsorry；butthatmanisJeanValjean。Irecognizedhimalso。\"
M。Madeleineresumedin，averylowvoice:——
\"Youaresure？\"
Javertbegantolaugh，withthatmournfullaughwhichcomesfromprofoundconviction。
\"O！Sure！\"
Hestoodtherethoughtfullyforamoment，mechanicallytakingpinchesofpowderedwoodforblottinginkfromthewoodenbowlwhichstoodonthetable，andheadded:——
\"AndevennowthatIhaveseentherealJeanValjean，IdonotseehowIcouldhavethoughtotherwise。Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Mayor。\"
Javert，asheaddressedthesegraveandsupplicatingwordstotheman，whosixweeksbeforehadhumiliatedhiminthepresenceofthewholestation—house，andbadehim\"leavetheroom，\"——Javert，thathaughtyman，wasunconsciouslyfullofsimplicityanddignity，——M。Madeleinemadenootherreplytohisprayerthantheabruptquestion:——
\"Andwhatdoesthismansay？\"
\"Ah！Indeed，Mr。Mayor，it’sabadbusiness。IfheisJeanValjean，hehashispreviousconvictionagainsthim。Toclimbawall，tobreakabranch，topurloinapples，isamischievoustrickinachild；
foramanitisamisdemeanor；foraconvictitisacrime。
Robbingandhousebreaking——itisallthere。Itisnolongeraquestionofcorrectionalpolice；itisamatterfortheCourtofAssizes。
Itisnolongeramatterofafewdaysinprison；itisthegalleysforlife。Andthen，thereistheaffairwiththelittleSavoyard，whowillreturn，Ihope。Thedeuce！thereisplentytodisputeinthematter，istherenot？Yes，foranyonebutJeanValjean。
ButJeanValjeanisaslydog。ThatisthewayIrecognizedhim。
Anyothermanwouldhavefeltthatthingsweregettinghotforhim；
hewouldstruggle，hewouldcryout——thekettlesingsbeforethefire；
hewouldnotbeJeanValjean，etcetera。Buthehasnottheappearanceofunderstanding；hesays，`IamChampmathieu，andIwon’tdepartfromthat！’Hehasanastonishedair，hepretendstobestupid；
itisfarbetter。Oh！therogueisclever！Butitmakesnodifference。
Theproofsarethere。Hehasbeenrecognizedbyfourpersons；
theoldscampwillbecondemned。ThecasehasbeentakentotheAssizesatArras。Ishallgotheretogivemytestimony。Ihavebeensummoned。\"
M。Madeleinehadturnedtohisdeskagain，andtakenuphisdocket，andwasturningovertheleavestranquilly，readingandwritingbyturns，likeabusyman。HeturnedtoJavert:——
\"Thatwilldo，Javert。Intruth，allthesedetailsinterestmebutlittle。Wearewastingourtime，andwehavepressingbusinessonhand。Javert，youwillbetakeyourselfatoncetothehouseofthewomanBuseaupied，whosellsherbsatthecorneroftheRueSaint—Saulve。YouwilltellherthatshemustenterhercomplaintagainstcarterPierreChesnelong。Themanisabrute，whocamenearcrushingthiswomanandherchild。Hemustbepunished。YouwillthengotoM。Charcellay，RueMontre—de—Champigny。Hecomplainedthatthereisagutterontheadjoininghousewhichdischargesrain—wateronhispremises，andisunderminingthefoundationsofhishouse。
Afterthat，youwillverifytheinfractionsofpoliceregulationswhichhavebeenreportedtomeintheRueGuibourg，atWidowDoris’s，andRueduGarraud—Blanc，atMadameReneeleBosse’s，andyouwillpreparedocuments。ButIamgivingyouagreatdealofwork。
Areyounottobeabsent？DidyounottellmethatyouweregoingtoArrasonthatmatterinaweekortendays？\"
\"Soonerthanthat，Mr。Mayor。\"
\"Onwhatday，then？\"
\"Why，IthoughtthatIhadsaidtoMonsieurleMairethatthecasewastobetriedto—morrow，andthatIamtosetoutbydiligenceto—night。\"
M。Madeleinemadeanimperceptiblemovement。
\"Andhowlongwillthecaselast？\"
\"Oneday，atthemost。Thejudgmentwillbepronouncedto—morroweveningatlatest。ButIshallnotwaitforthesentence，whichiscertain；
Ishallreturnhereassoonasmydepositionhasbeentaken。\"
\"Thatiswell，\"saidM。Madeleine。
AndhedismissedJavertwithawaveofthehand。
Javertdidnotwithdraw。
\"Excuseme，Mr。Mayor，\"saidhe。
\"Whatisitnow？\"demandedM。Madeleine。
\"Mr。Mayor，thereisstillsomethingofwhichImustremindyou。\"
\"Whatisit？\"
\"ThatImustbedismissed。\"
M。Madeleinerose。
\"Javert，youareamanofhonor，andIesteemyou。Youexaggerateyourfault。Moreover，thisisanoffencewhichconcernsme。
Javert，youdeservepromotioninsteadofdegradation。Iwishyoutoretainyourpost。\"
JavertgazedatM。Madeleinewithhiscandideyes，inwhosedepthshisnotveryenlightenedbutpureandrigidconscienceseemedvisible，andsaidinatranquilvoice:——
\"Mr。Mayor，Icannotgrantyouthat。\"
\"Irepeat，\"repliedM。Madeleine，\"thatthematterconcernsme。\"
ButJavert，heedinghisownthoughtonly，continued:——
\"Sofarasexaggerationisconcerned，Iamnotexaggerating。ThisisthewayIreason:Ihavesuspectedyouunjustly。Thatisnothing。
Itisourrighttocherishsuspicion，althoughsuspiciondirectedaboveourselvesisanabuse。Butwithoutproofs，inafitofrage，withtheobjectofwreakingmyvengeance，Ihavedenouncedyouasaconvict，you，arespectableman，amayor，amagistrate！
Thatisserious，veryserious。Ihaveinsultedauthorityinyourperson，I，anagentoftheauthorities！IfoneofmysubordinateshaddonewhatIhavedone，Ishouldhavedeclaredhimunworthyoftheservice，andhaveexpelledhim。Well？Stop，Mr。Mayor；onewordmore。
Ihaveoftenbeensevereinthecourseofmylifetowardsothers。
Thatisjust。Ihavedonewell。Now，ifIwerenotseveretowardsmyself，allthejusticethatIhavedonewouldbecomeinjustice。
OughtItosparemyselfmorethanothers？No！What！Ishouldbegoodfornothingbuttochastiseothers，andnotmyself！Why，Ishouldbeablackguard！Thosewhosay，`ThatblackguardofaJavert！’
wouldbeintheright。Mr。Mayor，Idonotdesirethatyoushouldtreatmekindly；yourkindnessrousedsufficientbadbloodinmewhenitwasdirectedtoothers。Iwantnoneofitformyself。
Thekindnesswhichconsistsinupholdingawomanofthetownagainstacitizen，thepoliceagentagainstthemayor，themanwhoisdownagainstthemanwhoisupintheworld，iswhatIcallfalsekindness。
Thatisthesortofkindnesswhichdisorganizessociety。GoodGod！
itisveryeasytobekind；thedifficultyliesinbeingjust。
Come！ifyouhadbeenwhatIthoughtyou，Ishouldnothavebeenkindtoyou，notI！Youwouldhaveseen！Mr。Mayor，ImusttreatmyselfasIwouldtreatanyotherman。WhenIhavesubduedmalefactors，whenIhaveproceededwithvigoragainstrascals，Ihaveoftensaidtomyself，`Ifyouflinch，ifIevercatchyouinfault，youmayrestatyourease！’Ihaveflinched，Ihavecaughtmyselfinafault。
Somuchtheworse！Come，discharged，cashiered，expelled！Thatiswell。
Ihavearms。Iwilltillthesoil；itmakesnodifferencetome。
Mr。Mayor，thegoodoftheservicedemandsanexample。IsimplyrequirethedischargeofInspectorJavert。\"
Allthiswasutteredinaproud，humble，despairing，yetconvincedtone，whichlentindescribablegrandeurtothissingular，honestman。
\"Weshallsee，\"saidM。Madeleine。
Andheofferedhimhishand。
Javertrecoiled，andsaidinawildvoice:——
\"Excuseme，Mr。Mayor，butthismustnotbe。Amayordoesnotofferhishandtoapolicespy。\"
Headdedbetweenhisteeth:——
\"Apolicespy，yes；fromthemomentwhenIhavemisusedthepolice。
Iamnomorethanapolicespy。\"
Thenhebowedprofoundly，anddirectedhisstepstowardsthedoor。
Therehewheeledround，andwitheyesstilldowncast:——
\"Mr。Mayor，\"hesaid，\"IshallcontinuetoserveuntilIamsuperseded。\"
Hewithdrew。M。Madeleineremainedthoughtfullylisteningtothefirm，surestep，whichdiedawayonthepavementofthecorridor。
BOOKSEVENTH。——THECHAMPMATHIEUAFFAIR
CHAPTERI
SISTERSIMPLICE
TheincidentsthereaderisabouttoperusewerenotallknownatM。surM。Butthesmallportionofthemwhichbecameknownleftsuchamemoryinthattownthataseriousgapwouldexistinthisbookifwedidnotnarratethemintheirmostminutedetails。
Amongthesedetailsthereaderwillencountertwoorthreeimprobablecircumstances，whichwepreserveoutofrespectforthetruth。
OntheafternoonfollowingthevisitofJavert，M。MadeleinewenttoseeFantineaccordingtohiswont。
BeforeenteringFantine’sroom，hehadSisterSimplicesummoned。
Thetwonunswhoperformedtheservicesofnurseintheinfirmary，Lazaristeladies，likeallsistersofcharity，borethenamesofSisterPerpetueandSisterSimplice。
SisterPerpetuewasanordinaryvillager，asisterofcharityinacoarsestyle，whohadenteredtheserviceofGodasoneentersanyotherservice。Shewasanunasotherwomenarecooks。
Thistypeisnotsoveryrare。Themonasticordersgladlyacceptthisheavypeasantearthenware，whichiseasilyfashionedintoaCapuchinoranUrsuline。Theserusticsareutilizedfortheroughworkofdevotion。ThetransitionfromadrovertoaCarmeliteisnotintheleastviolent；theoneturnsintotheotherwithoutmucheffort；
thefundofignorancecommontothevillageandthecloisterisapreparationreadyathand，andplacesthebooratonceonthesamefootingasthemonk:alittlemoreamplitudeinthesmock，anditbecomesafrock。SisterPerpetuewasarobustnunfromMarinesnearPontoise，whochatteredherpatois，droned，grumbled，sugaredthepotionaccordingtothebigotryorthehypocrisyoftheinvalid，treatedherpatientsabruptly，roughly，wascrabbedwiththedying，almostflungGodintheirfaces，stonedtheirdeathagonywithprayersmumbledinarage；wasbold，honest，andruddy。
SisterSimplicewaswhite，withawaxenpallor。BesideSisterPerpetue，shewasthetaperbesidethecandle。VincentdePaulhasdivinelytracedthefeaturesoftheSisterofCharityintheseadmirablewords，inwhichheminglesasmuchfreedomasservitude:\"Theyshallhavefortheirconventonlythehouseofthesick；forcellonlyahiredroom；
forchapelonlytheirparishchurch；forcloisteronlythestreetsofthetownandthewardsofthehospitals；forenclosureonlyobedience；
forgratingsonlythefearofGod；forveilonlymodesty。\"ThisidealwasrealizedinthelivingpersonofSisterSimplice:shehadneverbeenyoung，anditseemedasthoughshewouldnevergrowold。
NoonecouldhavetoldSisterSimplice’sage。Shewasaperson——
wedarenotsayawoman——whowasgentle，austere，well—bred，cold，andwhohadneverlied。Shewassogentlethatsheappearedfragile；
butshewasmoresolidthangranite。Shetouchedtheunhappywithfingersthatwerecharminglypureandfine。Therewas，sotospeak，silenceinherspeech；shesaidjustwhatwasnecessary，andshepossessedatoneofvoicewhichwouldhaveequallyedifiedaconfessionalorenchantedadrawing—room。Thisdelicacyaccommodateditselftothesergegown，findinginthisharshcontactacontinualreminderofheavenandofGod。Letusemphasizeonedetail。
Nevertohavelied，nevertohavesaid，foranyinterestwhatever，eveninindifference，anysinglethingwhichwasnotthetruth，thesacredtruth，wasSisterSimplice’sdistinctivetrait；
itwastheaccentofhervirtue。Shewasalmostrenownedinthecongregationforthisimperturbableveracity。TheAbbeSicardspeaksofSisterSimpliceinalettertothedeaf—muteMassieu。
Howeverpureandsincerewemaybe，weallbearuponourcandorthecrackofthelittle，innocentlie。Shedidnot。Littlelie，innocentlie——doessuchathingexist？Tolieistheabsoluteformofevil。Toliealittleisnotpossible:hewholies，liesthewholelie。Tolieistheveryfaceofthedemon。Satanhastwonames；heiscalledSatanandLying。Thatiswhatshethought；
andasshethought，soshedid。Theresultwasthewhitenesswhichwehavementioned——awhitenesswhichcoveredevenherlipsandhereyeswithradiance。Hersmilewaswhite，herglancewaswhite。
Therewasnotasinglespider’sweb，notagrainofdust，ontheglasswindowofthatconscience。OnenteringtheorderofSaintVincentdePaul，shehadtakenthenameofSimplicebyspecialchoice。
SimpliceofSicily，asweknow，isthesaintwhopreferredtoallowbothherbreaststobetornoffratherthantosaythatshehadbeenbornatSegestawhenshehadbeenbornatSyracuse——
aliewhichwouldhavesavedher。Thispatronsaintsuitedthissoul。
SisterSimplice，onherentranceintotheorder，hadhadtwofaultswhichshehadgraduallycorrected:shehadatastefordainties，andshelikedtoreceiveletters。SheneverreadanythingbutabookofprayersprintedinLatin，incoarsetype。
ShedidnotunderstandLatin，butsheunderstoodthebook。
ThispiouswomanhadconceivedanaffectionforFantine，probablyfeelingalatentvirtuethere，andshehaddevotedherselfalmostexclusivelytohercare。
M。MadeleinetookSisterSimpliceapartandrecommendedFantinetoherinasingulartone，whichthesisterrecalledlateron。
Onleavingthesister，heapproachedFantine。
FantineawaitedM。Madeleine’sappearanceeverydayasoneawaitsarayofwarmthandjoy。Shesaidtothesisters，\"IonlylivewhenMonsieurleMaireishere。\"
Shehadagreatdealoffeverthatday。AssoonasshesawM。Madeleinesheaskedhim:——
\"AndCosette？\"
Herepliedwithasmile:——
\"Soon。\"
M。MadeleinewasthesameasusualwithFantine。Onlyheremainedanhourinsteadofhalfanhour，toFantine’sgreatdelight。
Heurgedeveryonerepeatedlynottoallowtheinvalidtowantforanything。Itwasnoticedthattherewasamomentwhenhiscountenancebecameverysombre。Butthiswasexplainedwhenitbecameknownthatthedoctorhadbentdowntohisearandsaidtohim，\"Sheislosinggroundfast。\"
Thenhereturnedtothetown—hall，andtheclerkobservedhimattentivelyexaminingaroadmapofFrancewhichhunginhisstudy。
Hewroteafewfiguresonabitofpaperwithapencil。
CHAPTERII
THEPERSPICACITYOFMASTERSCAUFFLAIRE
Fromthetown—hallhebetookhimselftotheextremityofthetown，toaFlemingnamedMasterScaufflaer，FrenchScaufflaire，wholetout\"horsesandcabrioletsasdesired。\"
InordertoreachthisScaufflaire，theshortestwaywastotakethelittle—frequentedstreetinwhichwassituatedtheparsonageoftheparishinwhichM。Madeleineresided。Thecurewas，itwassaid，aworthy，respectable，andsensibleman。AtthemomentwhenM。Madeleinearrivedinfrontoftheparsonagetherewasbutonepasser—byinthestreet，andthispersonnoticedthis:Afterthemayorhadpassedthepriest’shousehehalted，stoodmotionless，thenturnedabout，andretracedhisstepstothedooroftheparsonage，whichhadanironknocker。Helaidhishandquicklyontheknockerandliftedit；thenhepausedagainandstoppedshort，asthoughinthought，andafterthelapseofafewseconds，insteadofallowingtheknockertofallabruptly，heplaceditgently，andresumedhiswaywithasortofhastewhichhadnotbeenapparentpreviously。
M。MadeleinefoundMasterScaufflaireathome，engagedinstitchingaharnessover。
\"MasterScaufflaire，\"heinquired，\"haveyouagoodhorse？\"
\"Mr。Mayor，\"saidtheFleming，\"allmyhorsesaregood。Whatdoyoumeanbyagoodhorse？\"
\"Imeanahorsewhichcantraveltwentyleaguesinaday。\"
\"Thedeuce！\"saidtheFleming。\"Twentyleagues！\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Hitchedtoacabriolet？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andhowlongcanherestattheendofhisjourney？\"
\"Hemustbeabletosetoutagainonthenextdayifnecessary。\"
\"Totraversethesameroad？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Thedeuce！thedeuce！Anditistwentyleagues？\"
M。Madeleinedrewfromhispocketthepaperonwhichhehadpencilledsomefigures。HeshowedittotheFleming。Thefigureswere5，6，81/2。
\"Yousee，\"hesaid，\"total，nineteenandahalf；aswellsaytwentyleagues。\"
\"Mr。Mayor，\"returnedtheFleming，\"Ihavejustwhatyouwant。
Mylittlewhitehorse——youmayhaveseenhimpassoccasionally；
heisasmallbeastfromLowerBoulonnais。Heisfulloffire。
Theywantedtomakeasaddle—horseofhimatfirst。Bah！Hereared，hekicked，helaideverybodyflatontheground。Hewasthoughttobevicious，andnooneknewwhattodowithhim。Iboughthim。
Iharnessedhimtoacarriage。Thatiswhathewanted，sir；heisasgentleasagirl；hegoeslikethewind。Ah！indeedhemustnotbemounted。Itdoesnotsuithisideastobeasaddle—horse。Everyonehashisambition。`Draw？Yes。Carry？No。’Wemustsupposethatiswhathesaidtohimself。\"
\"Andhewillaccomplishthetrip？\"
\"Yourtwentyleaguesallatafulltrot，andinlessthaneighthours。
Butherearetheconditions。\"
\"Statethem。\"
\"Inthefirstplace。youwillgivehimhalfanhour’sbreathingspellmidwayoftheroad；hewilleat；andsomeonemustbebywhileheiseatingtopreventthestableboyoftheinnfromstealinghisoats；forIhavenoticedthatininnstheoatsaremoreoftendrunkbythestablementhaneatenbythehorses。\"
\"Someonewillbeby。\"
\"Inthesecondplace——isthecabrioletforMonsieurleMaire？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"DoesMonsieurleMaireknowhowtodrive？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，MonsieurleMairewilltravelaloneandwithoutbaggage，inordernottooverloadthehorse？\"
\"Agreed。\"
\"ButasMonsieurleMairewillhavenoonewithhim，hewillbeobligedtotakethetroublehimselfofseeingthattheoatsarenotstolen。\"
\"Thatisunderstood。\"
\"Iamtohavethirtyfrancsaday。Thedaysofresttobepaidforalso——notafarthingless；andthebeast’sfoodtobeatMonsieurleMaire’sexpense。\"
M。Madeleinedrewthreenapoleonsfromhispurseandlaidthemonthetable。
\"Hereisthepayfortwodaysinadvance。\"
\"Fourthly，forsuchajourneyacabrioletwouldbetooheavy，andwouldfatiguethehorse。MonsieurleMairemustconsenttotravelinalittletilburythatIown。\"
\"Iconsenttothat。\"
\"Itislight，butithasnocover。\"
\"Thatmakesnodifferencetome。\"
\"HasMonsieurleMairereflectedthatweareinthemiddleofwinter？\"
M。Madeleinedidnotreply。TheFlemingresumed:——
\"Thatitisverycold？\"
M。Madeleinepreservedsilence。
MasterScaufflairecontinued:——
\"Thatitmayrain？\"
M。Madeleineraisedhisheadandsaid:——
\"Thetilburyandthehorsewillbeinfrontofmydoorto—morrowmorningathalf—pastfouro’clock。\"
\"Ofcourse，MonsieurleMaire，\"repliedScaufflaire；then，scratchingaspeckinthewoodofthetablewithhisthumb—nail，heresumedwiththatcarelessairwhichtheFlemingsunderstandsowellhowtominglewiththeirshrewdness:——
\"ButthisiswhatIamthinkingofnow:MonsieurleMairehasnottoldmewhereheisgoing。WhereisMonsieurleMairegoing？\"
Hehadbeenthinkingofnothingelsesincethebeginningoftheconversation，buthedidnotknowwhyhehadnotdaredtoputthequestion。
\"Areyourhorse’sforelegsgood？\"saidM。Madeleine。
\"Yes，MonsieurleMaire。Youmustholdhiminalittlewhengoingdownhill。Aretheremanydescendsbetweenhereandtheplacewhitheryouaregoing？\"
\"Donotforgettobeatmydooratpreciselyhalf—pastfouro’clockto—morrowmorning，\"repliedM。Madeleine；andhetookhisdeparture。
TheFlemingremained\"utterlystupid，\"ashehimselfsaidsometimeafterwards。
Themayorhadbeengonetwoorthreeminuteswhenthedooropenedagain；
itwasthemayoroncemore。
Hestillworethesameimpassiveandpreoccupiedair。
\"MonsieurScaufflaire，\"saidhe，\"atwhatsumdoyouestimatethevalueofthehorseandtilburywhichyouaretolettome，——
theonebearingtheother？\"
\"Theonedraggingtheother，MonsieurleMaire，\"saidtheFleming，withabroadsmile。
\"Sobeit。Well？\"
\"DoesMonsieurleMairewishtopurchasethemorme？\"
\"No；butIwishtoguaranteeyouinanycase。Youshallgivemebackthesumatmyreturn。Atwhatvaluedoyouestimateyourhorseandcabriolet？\"
\"Fivehundredfrancs，MonsieurleMaire。\"
\"Hereitis。\"
M。Madeleinelaidabank—billonthetable，thenlefttheroom；
andthistimehedidnotreturn。
MasterScaufflaireexperiencedafrightfulregretthathehadnotsaidathousandfrancs。Besidesthehorseandtilburytogetherwereworthbutahundredcrowns。
TheFlemingcalledhiswife，andrelatedtheaffairtoher。
\"WherethedevilcouldMonsieurleMairebegoing？\"Theyheldcounseltogether。\"HeisgoingtoParis，\"saidthewife。\"Idon’tbelieveit，\"saidthehusband。
M。Madeleinehadforgottenthepaperwiththefiguresonit，anditlayonthechimney—piece。TheFlemingpickeditupandstudiedit。
\"Five，six，eightandahalf？Thatmustdesignatethepostingrelays。\"
Heturnedtohiswife:——
\"Ihavefoundout。\"
\"What？\"
\"ItisfiveleaguesfromheretoHesdin，sixfromHesdintoSaint—Pol，eightandahalffromSaint—PoltoArras。HeisgoingtoArras。\"
Meanwhile，M。Madeleinehadreturnedhome。HehadtakenthelongestwaytoreturnfromMasterScaufflaire’s，asthoughtheparsonagedoorhadbeenatemptationforhim，andhehadwishedtoavoidit。Heascendedtohisroom，andthereheshuthimselfup，whichwasaverysimpleact，sincehelikedtogotobedearly。Nevertheless，theportressofthefactory，whowas，atthesametime，M。Madeleine’sonlyservant，noticedthatthelatter’slightwasextinguishedathalf—pasteight，andshementionedittothecashierwhenhecamehome，adding:——
\"IsMonsieurleMaireill？Ithoughthehadarathersingularair。\"
ThiscashieroccupiedaroomsituateddirectlyunderM。Madeleine’schamber。Hepaidnoheedtotheportress’swords，butwenttobedandtosleep。Towardsmidnighthewokeupwithastart；
inhissleephehadheardanoiseabovehishead。Helistened；
itwasafootsteppacingbackandforth，asthoughsomeonewerewalkingintheroomabovehim。Helistenedmoreattentively，andrecognizedM。Madeleine’sstep。Thisstruckhimasstrange；
usually，therewasnonoiseinM。Madeleine’schamberuntilheroseinthemorning。Amomentlaterthecashierheardanoisewhichresembledthatofacupboardbeingopened，andthenshutagain；
thenapieceoffurniturewasdisarranged；thenapauseensued；
thenthestepbeganagain。Thecashiersatupinbed，quiteawakenow，andstaring；andthroughhiswindow—paneshesawthereddishgleamofalightedwindowreflectedontheoppositewall；
fromthedirectionoftherays，itcouldonlycomefromthewindowofM。Madeleine’schamber。Thereflectionwavered，asthoughitcameratherfromafirewhichhadbeenlightedthanfromacandle。
Theshadowofthewindow—framewasnotshown，whichindicatedthatthewindowwaswideopen。Thefactthatthiswindowwasopeninsuchcoldweatherwassurprising。Thecashierfellasleepagain。
Anhourortwolaterhewakedagain。Thesamestepwasstillpassingslowlyandregularlybackandforthoverhead。
Thereflectionwasstillvisibleonthewall，butnowitwaspaleandpeaceful，likethereflectionofalamporofacandle。
Thewindowwasstillopen。
ThisiswhathadtakenplaceinM。Madeleine’sroom。
CHAPTERIII
ATEMPESTINASKULL
Thereaderhas，nodoubt，alreadydivinedthatM。MadeleineisnootherthanJeanValjean。
Wehavealreadygazedintothedepthsofthisconscience；
themomenthasnowcomewhenwemusttakeanotherlookintoit。
Wedosonotwithoutemotionandtrepidation。Thereisnothingmoreterribleinexistencethanthissortofcontemplation。
Theeyeofthespiritcannowherefindmoredazzlingbrillianceandmoreshadowthaninman；itcanfixitselfonnootherthingwhichismoreformidable，morecomplicated，moremysterious，andmoreinfinite。Thereisaspectaclemoregrandthanthesea；
itisheaven:thereisaspectaclemoregrandthanheaven；itistheinmostrecessesofthesoul。
Tomakethepoemofthehumanconscience，wereitonlywithreferencetoasingleman，wereitonlyinconnectionwiththebasestofmen，wouldbetoblendallepicsintoonesuperioranddefinitiveepic。
Conscienceisthechaosofchimeras，oflusts，andoftemptations；
thefurnaceofdreams；thelairofideasofwhichweareashamed；
itisthepandemoniumofsophisms；itisthebattlefieldofthepassions。
Penetrate，atcertainhours，pastthelividfaceofahumanbeingwhoisengagedinreflection，andlookbehind，gazeintothatsoul，gazeintothatobscurity。There，beneaththatexternalsilence，battlesofgiants，likethoserecordedinHomer，areinprogress；
skirmishesofdragonsandhydrasandswarmsofphantoms，asinMilton；
visionarycircles，asinDante。Whatasolemnthingisthisinfinitywhicheverymanbearswithinhim，andwhichhemeasureswithdespairagainstthecapricesofhisbrainandtheactionsofhislife！
Alighierionedaymetwithasinister—lookingdoor，beforewhichhehesitated。Hereisonebeforeus，uponwhosethresholdwehesitate。
Letusenter，nevertheless。
WehavebutlittletoaddtowhatthereaderalreadyknowsofwhathadhappenedtoJeanValjeanaftertheadventurewithLittleGervais。
Fromthatmomentforthhewas，aswehaveseen，atotallydifferentman。
WhattheBishophadwishedtomakeofhim，thathecarriedout。
Itwasmorethanatransformation；itwasatransfiguration。
Hesucceededindisappearing，soldtheBishop’ssilver，reservingonlythecandlesticksasasouvenir，creptfromtowntotown，traversedFrance，cametoM。surM。，conceivedtheideawhichwehavementioned，accomplishedwhatwehaverelated，succeededinrenderinghimselfsafefromseizureandinaccessible，and，thenceforth，establishedatM。surM。，happyinfeelinghisconsciencesaddenedbythepastandthefirsthalfofhisexistencebeliedbythelast，helivedinpeace，reassuredandhopeful，havinghenceforthonlytwothoughts，——toconcealhisnameandtosanctifyhislife；toescapemenandtoreturntoGod。
Thesetwothoughtsweresocloselyintertwinedinhismindthattheyformedbutasingleonethere；bothwereequallyabsorbingandimperativeandruledhisslightestactions。Ingeneral，theyconspiredtoregulatetheconductofhislife；theyturnedhimtowardsthegloom；theyrenderedhimkindlyandsimple；
theycounselledhimtothesamethings。Sometimes，however，theyconflicted。Inthatcase，asthereaderwillremember，themanwhomallthecountryofM。surM。calledM。Madeleinedidnothesitatetosacrificethefirsttothesecond——hissecuritytohisvirtue。Thus，inspiteofallhisreserveandallhisprudence，hehadpreservedtheBishop’scandlesticks，wornmourningforhim，summonedandinterrogatedallthelittleSavoyardswhopassedthatway，collectedinformationregardingthefamiliesatFaverolles，andsavedoldFauchelevent’slife，despitethedisquietinginsinuationsofJavert。Itseemed，aswehavealreadyremarked，asthoughhethought，followingtheexampleofallthosewhohavebeenwise，holy，andjust，thathisfirstdutywasnottowardshimself。
Atthesametime，itmustbeconfessed，nothingjustlikethishadyetpresenteditself。
Neverhadthetwoideaswhichgovernedtheunhappymanwhosesufferingswearenarrating，engagedinsoseriousastruggle。
HeunderstoodthisconfusedlybutprofoundlyattheveryfirstwordspronouncedbyJavert，whenthelatterenteredhisstudy。Atthemomentwhenthatname，whichhehadburiedbeneathsomanylayers，wassostrangelyarticulated，hewasstruckwithstupor，andasthoughintoxicatedwiththesinistereccentricityofhisdestiny；
andthroughthisstuporhefeltthatshudderwhichprecedesgreatshocks。Hebentlikeanoakattheapproachofastorm，likeasoldierattheapproachofanassault。Hefeltshadowsfilledwiththundersandlightningsdescendinguponhishead。
AshelistenedtoJavert，thefirstthoughtwhichoccurredtohimwastogo，torunanddenouncehimself，totakethatChampmathieuoutofprisonandplacehimselfthere；thiswasaspainfulandaspoignantasanincisioninthelivingflesh。Thenitpassedaway，andhesaidtohimself，\"Wewillsee！Wewillsee！\"Herepressedthisfirst，generousinstinct，andrecoiledbeforeheroism。
Itwouldbebeautiful，nodoubt，aftertheBishop’sholywords，aftersomanyyearsofrepentanceandabnegation，inthemidstofapenitenceadmirablybegun，ifthismanhadnotflinchedforaninstant，eveninthepresenceofsoterribleaconjecture，buthadcontinuedtowalkwiththesamesteptowardsthisyawningprecipice，atthebottomofwhichlayheaven；thatwouldhavebeenbeautiful；
butitwasnotthus。Wemustrenderanaccountofthethingswhichwentoninthissoul，andwecanonlytellwhattherewasthere。
Hewascarriedaway，atfirst，bytheinstinctofself—preservation；
heralliedallhisideasinhaste，stifledhisemotions，tookintoconsiderationJavert’spresence，thatgreatdanger，postponedalldecisionwiththefirmnessofterror，shookoffthoughtastowhathehadtodo，andresumedhiscalmnessasawarriorpicksuphisbuckler。
Heremainedinthisstateduringtherestoftheday，awhirlwindwithin，aprofoundtranquillitywithout。Hetookno\"preservativemeasures，\"
astheymaybecalled。Everythingwasstillconfused，andjostlingtogetherinhisbrain。Histroublewassogreatthathecouldnotperceivetheformofasingleideadistinctly，andhecouldhavetoldnothingabouthimself，exceptthathehadreceivedagreatblow。
HerepairedtoFantine’sbedofsuffering，asusual，andprolongedhisvisit，throughakindlyinstinct，tellinghimselfthathemustbehavethus，andrecommendherwelltothesisters，incaseheshouldbeobligedtobeabsenthimself。HehadavaguefeelingthathemightbeobligedtogotoArras；andwithouthavingtheleastintheworldmadeuphismindtothistrip，hesaidtohimselfthatbeing，ashewas，beyondtheshadowofanysuspicion，therecouldbenothingoutofthewayinbeingawitnesstowhatwastotakeplace，andheengagedthetilburyfromScaufflaireinordertobepreparedinanyevent。
Hedinedwithagooddealofappetite。
Onreturningtohisroom，hecommunedwithhimself。
Heexaminedthesituation，andfounditunprecedented；
sounprecedentedthatinthemidstofhisreveryherosefromhischair，movedbysomeinexplicableimpulseofanxiety，andboltedhisdoor。Hefearedlestsomethingmoreshouldenter。
Hewasbarricadinghimselfagainstpossibilities。
Amomentlaterheextinguishedhislight；itembarrassedhim。
ltseemedtohimasthoughhemightbeseen。
Bywhom？
Alas！Thatonwhichhedesiredtoclosethedoorhadalreadyentered；
thatwhichhedesiredtoblindwasstaringhimintheface，——
hisconscience。
Hisconscience；thatistosay，God。
Nevertheless，hedeludedhimselfatfirst；hehadafeelingofsecurityandofsolitude；theboltoncedrawn，hethoughthimselfimpregnable；
thecandleextinguished，hefelthimselfinvisible。Thenhetookpossessionofhimself:hesethiselbowsonthetable，leanedhisheadonhishand，andbegantomeditateinthedark。
\"WheredoIstand？AmnotIdreaming？WhathaveIheard？IsitreallytruethatIhaveseenthatJavert，andthathespoketomeinthatmanner？WhocanthatChampmathieube？Soheresemblesme！
Isitpossible？WhenIreflectthatyesterdayIwassotranquil，andsofarfromsuspectinganything！WhatwasIdoingyesterdayatthishour？Whatisthereinthisincident？Whatwilltheendbe？
Whatistobedone？\"
Thiswasthetormentinwhichhefoundhimself。Hisbrainhadlostitspowerofretainingideas；theypassedlikewaves，andheclutchedhisbrowinbothhandstoarrestthem。
Nothingbutanguishextricateditselffromthistumultwhichoverwhelmedhiswillandhisreason，andfromwhichhesoughttodrawproofandresolution。
Hisheadwasburning。Hewenttothewindowandthrewitwideopen。
Therewerenostarsinthesky。Hereturnedandseatedhimselfatthetable。
Thefirsthourpassedinthismanner。
Gradually，however，vagueoutlinesbegantotakeformandtofixthemselvesinhismeditation，andhewasabletocatchaglimpsewithprecisionofthereality，——notthewholesituation，butsomeofthedetails。Hebeganbyrecognizingthefactthat，criticalandextraordinaryaswasthissituation，hewascompletelymasterofit。
Thisonlycausedanincreaseofhisstupor。
Independentlyofthesevereandreligiousaimwhichhehadassignedtohisactions，allthathehadmadeuptothatdayhadbeennothingbutaholeinwhichtoburyhisname。Thatwhichhehadalwaysfearedmostofallinhishoursofself—communion，duringhissleeplessnights，wastoeverhearthatnamepronounced；
hehadsaidtohimself，thatthatwouldbetheendofallthingsforhim；thatonthedaywhenthatnamemadeitsreappearanceitwouldcausehisnewlifetovanishfromabouthim，and——whoknows？——
perhapsevenhisnewsoulwithinhim，also。Heshudderedattheverythoughtthatthiswaspossible。Assuredly，ifanyonehadsaidtohimatsuchmomentsthatthehourwouldcomewhenthatnamewouldringinhisears，whenthehideouswords，JeanValjean，wouldsuddenlyemergefromthedarknessandriseinfrontofhim，whenthatformidablelight，capableofdissipatingthemysteryinwhichhehadenvelopedhimself，wouldsuddenlyblazeforthabovehishead，andthatthatnamewouldnotmenacehim，thatthatlightwouldbutproduceanobscuritymoredense，thatthisrentveilwouldbutincreasethemystery，thatthisearthquakewouldsolidifyhisedifice，thatthisprodigiousincidentwouldhavenootherresult，sofarashewasconcerned，ifsoitseemedgoodtohim，thanthatofrenderinghisexistenceatonceclearerandmoreimpenetrable，andthat，outofhisconfrontationwiththephantomofJeanValjean，thegoodandworthycitizenMonsieurMadeleinewouldemergemorehonored，morepeaceful，andmorerespectedthanever——ifanyonehadtoldhimthat，hewouldhavetossedhisheadandregardedthewordsasthoseofamadman。Well，allthiswaspreciselywhathadjustcometopass；allthataccumulationofimpossibilitieswasafact，andGodhadpermittedthesewildfanciestobecomerealthings！
Hisreverycontinuedtogrowclearer。Hecamemoreandmoretoanunderstandingofhisposition。
Itseemedtohimthathehadbutjustwakedupfromsomeinexplicabledream，andthathefoundhimselfslippingdownadeclivityinthemiddleofthenight，erect，shivering，holdingbackallinvain，ontheverybrinkoftheabyss。Hedistinctlyperceivedinthedarknessastranger，amanunknowntohim，whomdestinyhadmistakenforhim，andwhomshewasthrustingintothegulfinhisstead；
inorderthatthegulfmightcloseoncemore，itwasnecessarythatsomeone，himselforthatotherman，shouldfallintoit:
hehadonlyletthingstaketheircourse。
Thelightbecamecomplete，andheacknowledgedthistohimself:
Thathisplacewasemptyinthegalleys；thatdowhathewould，itwasstillawaitinghim；thatthetheftfromlittleGervaishadledhimbacktoit；thatthisvacantplacewouldawaithim，anddrawhimonuntilhefilledit；thatthiswasinevitableandfatal；andthenhesaidtohimself，\"that，atthismoment，behadasubstitute；
thatitappearedthatacertainChampmathieuhadthatillluck，andthat，asregardshimself，beingpresentinthegalleysinthepersonofthatChampmathieu，presentinsocietyunderthenameofM。Madeleine，hehadnothingmoretofear，providedthathedidnotpreventmenfromsealingovertheheadofthatChampmathieuthisstoneofinfamywhich，likethestoneofthesepulchre，fallsonce，nevertoriseagain。\"
Allthiswassostrangeandsoviolent，thattheresuddenlytookplaceinhimthatindescribablemovement，whichnomanfeelsmorethantwoorthreetimesinthecourseofhislife，asortofconvulsionoftheconsciencewhichstirsupallthatthereisdoubtfulintheheart，whichiscomposedofirony，ofjoy，andofdespair，andwhichmaybecalledanoutburstofinwardlaughter。
Hehastilyrelightedhiscandle。
\"Well，whatthen？\"hesaidtohimself；\"whatamIafraidof？
Whatisthereinallthatformetothinkabout？Iamsafe；
allisover。Ihadbutonepartlyopendoorthroughwhichmypastmightinvademylife，andbeholdthatdooriswalledupforever！
ThatJavert，whohasbeenannoyingmesolong；thatterribleinstinctwhichseemedtohavedivinedme，whichhaddivinedme——
goodGod！andwhichfollowedmeeverywhere；thatfrightfulhunting—dog，alwaysmakingapointatme，isthrownoffthescent，engagedelsewhere，absolutelyturnedfromthetrail:henceforthheissatisfied；hewillleavemeinpeace；hehashisJeanValjean。
Whoknows？itisevenprobablethathewillwishtoleavetown！
Andallthishasbeenbroughtaboutwithoutanyaidfromme，andI
countfornothinginit！Ah！butwhereisthemisfortuneinthis？
Uponmyhonor，peoplewouldthink，toseeme，thatsomecatastrophehadhappenedtome！Afterall，ifitdoesbringharmtosomeone，thatisnotmyfaultintheleast:itisProvidencewhichhasdoneitall；itisbecauseitwishesitsotobe，evidently。HaveI
therighttodisarrangewhatithasarranged？WhatdoIasknow？
WhyshouldImeddle？Itdoesnotconcernme；what！Iamnotsatisfied:
butwhatmoredoIwant？ThegoaltowhichIhaveaspiredforsomanyyears，thedreamofmynights，theobjectofmyprayerstoHeaven，——security，——Ihavenowattained；itisGodwhowillsit；
IcandonothingagainstthewillofGod，andwhydoesGodwillit？
InorderthatImaycontinuewhatIhavebegun，thatImaydogood，thatImayonedaybeagrandandencouragingexample，thatitmaybesaidatlast，thatalittlehappinesshasbeenattachedtothepenancewhichIhaveundergone，andtothatvirtuetowhichI
havereturned。Really，IdonotunderstandwhyIwasafraid，alittlewhileago，toenterthehouseofthatgoodcure，andtoaskhisadvice；thisisevidentlywhathewouldhavesaidtome:
Itissettled；letthingstaketheircourse；letthegoodGoddoashelikes！\"
Thusdidheaddresshimselfinthedepthsofhisownconscience，bendingoverwhatmaybecalledhisownabyss；herosefromhischair，andbegantopacetheroom:\"Come，\"saidhe，\"letusthinknomoreaboutit；myresolveistaken！\"buthefeltnojoy。
Quitethereverse。
Onecannomorepreventthoughtfromrecurringtoanideathanonecantheseafromreturningtotheshore:thesailorcallsitthetide；
theguiltymancallsitremorse；Godupheavesthesoulashedoestheocean。
Aftertheexpirationofafewmoments，dowhathewould，heresumedthegloomydialogueinwhichitwashewhospokeandhewholistened，sayingthatwhichhewouldhavepreferredtoignore，andlistenedtothatwhichhewouldhavepreferrednottohear，yieldingtothatmysteriouspowerwhichsaidtohim:\"Think！\"asitsaidtoanothercondemnedman，twothousandyearsago，\"Marchon！\"
Beforeproceedingfurther，andinordertomakeourselvesfullyunderstood，letusinsistupononenecessaryobservation。
Itiscertainthatpeopledotalktothemselves；thereisnolivingbeingwhohasnotdoneit。Itmayevenbesaidthatthewordisneveramoremagnificentmysterythanwhenitgoesfromthoughttoconsciencewithinaman，andwhenitreturnsfromconsciencetothought；itisinthissenseonlythatthewordssooftenemployedinthischapter，hesaid，heexclaimed，mustbeunderstood；
onespeakstoone’sself，talkstoone’sself，exclaimstoone’sselfwithoutbreakingtheexternalsilence；thereisagreattumult；
everythingaboutustalksexceptthemouth。Therealitiesofthesoularenonethelessrealitiesbecausetheyarenotvisibleandpalpable。
Soheaskedhimselfwherehestood。Heinterrogatedhimselfuponthat\"settledresolve。\"Heconfessedtohimselfthatallthathehadjustarrangedinhismindwasmonstrous，that\"toletthingstaketheircourse，toletthegoodGoddoasheliked，\"wassimplyhorrible；toallowthiserroroffateandofmentobecarriedout，nottohinderit，tolendhimselftoitthroughhissilence，todonothing，inshort，wastodoeverything！thatthiswashypocriticalbasenessinthelastdegree！thatitwasabase，cowardly，sneaking，abject，hideouscrime！
Forthefirsttimeineightyears，thewretchedmanhadjusttastedthebittersavorofanevilthoughtandofanevilaction。
Hespititoutwithdisgust。
Hecontinuedtoquestionhimself。Heaskedhimselfseverelywhathehadmeantbythis，\"Myobjectisattained！\"Hedeclaredtohimselfthathislifereallyhadanobject；butwhatobject？
Toconcealhisname？Todeceivethepolice？Wasitforsopettyathingthathehaddoneallthathehaddone？Hadhenotanotherandagrandobject，whichwasthetrueone——tosave，nothisperson，buthissoul；tobecomehonestandgoodoncemore；tobeajustman？
Wasitnotthataboveall，thatalone，whichhehadalwaysdesired，whichtheBishophadenjoineduponhim——toshutthedooronhispast？
Buthewasnotshuttingit！greatGod！hewasre—openingitbycommittinganinfamousaction！Hewasbecomingathiefoncemore，andthemostodiousofthieves！Hewasrobbinganotherofhisexistence，hislife，hispeace，hisplaceinthesunshine。
Hewasbecominganassassin。Hewasmurdering，morallymurdering，awretchedman。Hewasinflictingonhimthatfrightfullivingdeath，thatdeathbeneaththeopensky，whichiscalledthegalleys。
Ontheotherhand，tosurrenderhimselftosavethatman，struckdownwithsomelancholyanerror，toresumehisownname，tobecomeoncemore，outofduty，theconvictJeanValjean，thatwas，intruth，toachievehisresurrection，andtocloseforeverthathellwhencehehadjustemerged；tofallbackthereinappearancewastoescapefromitinreality。Thismustbedone！Hehaddonenothingifhedidnotdoallthis；hiswholelifewasuseless；
allhispenitencewaswasted。Therewasnolongeranyneedofsaying，\"Whatistheuse？\"HefeltthattheBishopwasthere，thattheBishopwaspresentallthemorebecausehewasdead，thattheBishopwasgazingfixedlyathim，thathenceforthMayorMadeleine，withallhisvirtues，wouldbeabominabletohim，andthattheconvictJeanValjeanwouldbepureandadmirableinhissight；
thatmenbeheldhismask，butthattheBishopsawhisface；
thatmensawhislife，butthattheBishopbeheldhisconscience。
SohemustgotoArras，deliverthefalseJeanValjean，anddenouncetherealone。Alas！thatwasthegreatestofsacrifices，themostpoignantofvictories，thelaststeptotake；butitmustbedone。
Sadfate！hewouldenterintosanctityonlyintheeyesofGodwhenhereturnedtoinfamyintheeyesofmen。
\"Well，saidhe，\"letusdecideuponthis；letusdoourduty；letussavethisman。\"Heutteredthesewordsaloud，withoutperceivingthathewasspeakingaloud。
Hetookhisbooks，verifiedthem，andputtheminorder。
Heflunginthefireabundleofbillswhichhehadagainstpettyandembarrassedtradesmen。Hewroteandsealedaletter，andontheenvelopeitmighthavebeenread，hadtherebeenanyoneinhischamberatthemoment，ToMonsieurLaffitte，Banker，Rued’Artois，Paris。Hedrewfromhissecretaryapocket—bookwhichcontainedseveralbank—notesandthepassportofwhichhehadmadeusethatsameyearwhenhewenttotheelections。
Anyonewhohadseenhimduringtheexecutionofthesevariousacts，intowhichthereenteredsuchgravethought，wouldhavehadnosuspicionofwhatwasgoingonwithinhim。Onlyoccasionallydidhislipsmove；atothertimesheraisedhisheadandfixedhisgazeuponsomepointofthewall，asthoughthereexistedatthatpointsomethingwhichhewishedtoelucidateorinterrogate。
WhenhehadfinishedthelettertoM。Laffitte，heputitintohispocket，togetherwiththepocket—book，andbeganhiswalkoncemore。
Hisreveryhadnotswervedfromitscourse。Hecontinuedtoseehisdutyclearly，writteninluminousletters，whichflamedbeforehiseyesandchangeditsplaceashealteredthedirectionofhisglance:——
\"Go！Tellyourname！Denounceyourself！\"
Inthesamewayhebeheld，asthoughtheyhadpassedbeforehiminvisibleforms，thetwoideaswhichhad，uptothattime，formedthedoubleruleofhissoul，——theconcealmentofhisname，thesanctificationofhislife。Forthefirsttimetheyappearedtohimasabsolutelydistinct，andheperceivedthedistancewhichseparatedthem。Herecognizedthefactthatoneoftheseideaswas，necessarily，good，whiletheothermightbecomebad；
thatthefirstwasself—devotion，andthattheotherwaspersonality；
thattheonesaid，myneighbor，andthattheothersaid，myself；
thatoneemanatedfromthelight，andtheotherfromdarkness。
Theywereantagonistic。Hesawtheminconflict。Inproportionashemeditated，theygrewbeforetheeyesofhisspirit。
Theyhadnowattainedcolossalstatures，anditseemedtohimthathebeheldwithinhimself，inthatinfinityofwhichwewererecentlyspeaking，inthemidstofthedarknessandthelights，agoddessandagiantcontending。
Hewasfilledwithterror；butitseemedtohimthatthegoodthoughtwasgettingtheupperhand。
Hefeltthathewasonthebrinkoftheseconddecisivecrisisofhisconscienceandofhisdestiny；thattheBishophadmarkedthefirstphaseofhisnewlife，andthatChampmathieumarkedthesecond。
Afterthegrandcrisis，thegrandtest。
Butthefever，allayedforaninstant，graduallyresumedpossessionofhim。Athousandthoughtstraversedhismind，buttheycontinuedtofortifyhiminhisresolution。
Onemomenthesaidtohimselfthathewas，perhaps，takingthemattertookeenly；that，afterall，thisChampmathieuwasnotinteresting，andthathehadactuallybeenguiltyoftheft。
Heansweredhimself:\"Ifthismanhas，indeed，stolenafewapples，thatmeansamonthinprison。Itisalongwayfromthattothegalleys。
Andwhoknows？Didhesteal？Hasitbeenproved？ThenameofJeanValjeanoverwhelmshim，andseemstodispensewithproofs。
DonottheattorneysfortheCrownalwaysproceedinthismanner？
Heissupposedtobeathiefbecauseheisknowntobeaconvict。\"
Inanotherinstantthethoughthadoccurredtohimthat，whenhedenouncedhimself，theheroismofhisdeedmight，perhaps，betakenintoconsideration，andhishonestlifeforthelastsevenyears，andwhathehaddoneforthedistrict，andthattheywouldhavemercyonhim。
Butthissuppositionvanishedveryquickly，andhesmiledbitterlyasherememberedthatthetheftofthefortysousfromlittleGervaisputhiminthepositionofamanguiltyofasecondoffenceafterconviction，thatthisaffairwouldcertainlycomeup，and，accordingtotheprecisetermsofthelaw，wouldrenderhimliabletopenalservitudeforlife。
Heturnedasidefromallillusions，detachedhimselfmoreandmorefromearth，andsoughtstrengthandconsolationelsewhere。
Hetoldhimselfthathemustdohisduty；thatperhapsheshouldnotbemoreunhappyafterdoinghisdutythanafterhavingavoidedit；
thatifheallowedthingstotaketheirowncourse，ifheremainedatM。surM。，hisconsideration，hisgoodname，hisgoodworks，thedeferenceandvenerationpaidtohim，hischarity，hiswealth，hispopularity，hisvirtue，wouldbeseasonedwithacrime。
Andwhatwouldbethetasteofalltheseholythingswhenboundupwiththishideousthing？while，ifheaccomplishedhissacrifice，acelestialideawouldbemingledwiththegalleys，thepost，theironnecklet，thegreencap，unceasingtoil，andpitilessshame。
Atlengthhetoldhimselfthatitmustbeso，thathisdestinywasthusallotted，thathehadnotauthoritytoalterthearrangementsmadeonhigh，that，inanycase，hemustmakehischoice:virtuewithoutandabominationwithin，orholinesswithinandinfamywithout。
Thestirringupoftheselugubriousideasdidnotcausehiscouragetofail，buthisbraingrowweary。Hebegantothinkofotherthings，ofindifferentmatters，inspiteofhimself。
Theveinsinhistemplesthrobbedviolently；hestillpacedtoandfro；
midnightsoundedfirstfromtheparishchurch，thenfromthetown—hall；
hecountedthetwelvestrokesofthetwoclocks，andcomparedthesoundsofthetwobells；herecalledinthisconnectionthefactthat，afewdayspreviously，hehadseeninanironmonger’sshopanancientclockforsale，uponwhichwaswrittenthename，Antoine—AlbindeRomainville。
Hewascold；helightedasmallfire；itdidnotoccurtohimtoclosethewindow。
Inthemeantimehehadrelapsedintohisstupor；hewasobligedtomakeatolerablyvigorousefforttorecallwhathadbeenthesubjectofhisthoughtsbeforemidnighthadstruck；hefinallysucceededindoingthis。
\"Ah！yes，\"hesaidtohimself，\"Ihadresolvedtoinformagainstmyself。\"
Andthen，allofasudden，hethoughtofFantine。
\"Hold！\"saidhe，\"andwhataboutthatpoorwoman？\"
Hereafreshcrisisdeclareditself。
Fantine，byappearingthusabruptlyinhisrevery，producedtheeffectofanunexpectedrayoflight；itseemedtohimasthougheverythingabouthimwereundergoingachangeofaspect:heexclaimed:——
\"Ah！butIhavehithertoconsiderednoonebutmyself；itisproperformetoholdmytongueortodenouncemyself，toconcealmypersonortosavemysoul，tobeadespicableandrespectedmagistrate，oraninfamousandvenerableconvict；itisI，itisalwaysI
andnothingbutI:but，goodGod！allthisisegotism；thesearediverseformsofegotism，butitisegotismallthesame。
WhatifIweretothinkalittleaboutothers？Thehighestholinessistothinkofothers；come，letusexaminethematter。
The_I_excepted，the_I_effaced，the_I_forgotten，whatwouldbetheresultofallthis？WhatifIdenouncemyself？Iamarrested；
thisChampmathieuisreleased；Iamputbackinthegalleys；thatiswell——
andwhatthen？Whatisgoingonhere？Ah！hereisacountry，atown，herearefactories，anindustry，workers，bothmenandwomen，agedgrandsires，children，poorpeople！AllthisIhavecreated；
alltheseIprovidewiththeirliving；everywherewherethereisasmokingchimney，itisIwhohaveplacedthebrandonthehearthandmeatinthepot；Ihavecreatedease，circulation，credit；
beforemetherewasnothing；Ihaveelevated，vivified，informedwithlife，fecundated，stimulated，enrichedthewholecountry—side；
lackingme，thesoulislacking；Itakemyselfoff，everythingdies:
andthiswoman，whohassufferedsomuch，whopossessessomanymeritsinspiteofherfall；thecauseofallwhosemiseryIhaveunwittinglybeen！AndthatchildwhomImeanttogoinsearchof，whomIhavepromisedtohermother；doInotalsoowesomethingtothiswoman，inreparationfortheevilwhichIhavedoneher？
IfIdisappear，whathappens？Themotherdies；thechildbecomeswhatitcan；thatiswhatwilltakeplace，ifIdenouncemyself。
IfIdonotdenouncemyself？come，letusseehowitwillbeifIdonotdenouncemyself。\"
Afterputtingthisquestiontohimself，hepaused；heseemedtoundergoamomentaryhesitationandtrepidation；butitdidnotlastlong，andheansweredhimselfcalmly:——
\"Well，thismanisgoingtothegalleys；itistrue，butwhatthedeuce！hehasstolen！Thereisnouseinmysayingthathehasnotbeenguiltyoftheft，forhehas！Iremainhere；Igoon:
intenyearsIshallhavemadetenmillions；Iscatterthemoverthecountry；Ihavenothingofmyown；whatisthattome？
ItisnotformyselfthatIamdoingit；theprosperityofallgoesonaugmenting；industriesarearousedandanimated；
factoriesandshopsaremultiplied；families，ahundredfamilies，athousandfamilies，arehappy；thedistrictbecomespopulated；
villagesspringupwheretherewereonlyfarmsbefore；
farmsrisewheretherewasnothing；wretchednessdisappears，andwithwretchednessdebauchery，prostitution，theft，murder；
allvicesdisappear，allcrimes:andthispoormotherrearsherchild；
andbeholdawholecountryrichandhonest！Ah！Iwasafool！
Iwasabsurd！whatwasthatIwassayingaboutdenouncingmyself？
Ireallymustpayattentionandnotbeprecipitateaboutanything。
What！becauseitwouldhavepleasedmetoplaythegrandandgenerous；
thisismelodrama，afterall；becauseIshouldhavethoughtofnoonebutmyself，theidea！forthesakeofsavingfromapunishment，atrifleexaggerated，perhaps，butjustatbottom，nooneknowswhom，athief，agood—for—nothing，evidently，awholecountry—sidemustperish！apoorwomanmustdieinthehospital！apoorlittlegirlmustdieinthestreet！likedogs；ah，thisisabominable！
Andwithoutthemotherevenhavingseenherchildoncemore，almostwithoutthechild’shavingknownhermother；andallthatforthesakeofanoldwretchofanapple—thiefwho，mostassuredly，hasdeservedthegalleysforsomethingelse，ifnotforthat；
finescruples，indeed，whichsaveaguiltymanandsacrificetheinnocent，whichsaveanoldvagabondwhohasonlyafewyearstoliveatmost，andwhowillnotbemoreunhappyinthegalleysthaninhishovel，andwhichsacrificeawholepopulation，mothers，wives，children。
ThispoorlittleCosettewhohasnooneintheworldbutme，andwhois，nodoubt，bluewithcoldatthismomentinthedenofthoseThenardiers；thosepeoplesarerascals；andIwasgoingtoneglectmydutytowardsallthesepoorcreatures；andIwasgoingofftodenouncemyself；andIwasabouttocommitthatunspeakablefolly！
Letusputitattheworst:supposethatthereisawrongactiononmypartinthis，andthatmyconsciencewillreproachmeforitsomeday，toaccept，forthegoodofothers，thesereproacheswhichweighonlyonmyself；thisevilactionwhichcompromisesmysoulalone；inthatliesself—sacrifice；inthatalonethereisvirtue。\"
Heroseandresumedhismarch；thistime，heseemedtobecontent。
Diamondsarefoundonlyinthedarkplacesoftheearth；
truthsarefoundonlyinthedepthsofthought。Itseemedtohim，that，afterhavingdescendedintothesedepths，afterhavinglonggropedamongthedarkestoftheseshadows，hehadatlastfoundoneofthesediamonds，oneofthesetruths，andthathenowhelditinhishand，andhewasdazzledashegazeduponit。
\"Yes，\"hethought，\"thisisright；Iamontherightroad；Ihavethesolution；Imustendbyholdingfasttosomething；myresolveistaken；letthingstaketheircourse；letusnolongervacillate；
letusnolongerhangback；thisisfortheinterestofall，notformyown；IamMadeleine，andMadeleineIremain。WoetothemanwhoisJeanValjean！Iamnolongerhe；Idonotknowthatman；
Inolongerknowanything；itturnsoutthatsomeoneisJeanValjeanatthepresentmoment；lethimlookoutforhimself；
thatdoesnotconcernme；itisafatalnamewhichwasfloatingabroadinthenight；ifithaltsanddescendsonahead，somuchtheworseforthathead。\"
Helookedintothelittlemirrorwhichhungabovehischimney—piece，andsaid:——
\"Hold！ithasrelievedmetocometoadecision；Iamquiteanothermannow。\"
Heproceededafewpacesfurther，thenhestoppedshort。
\"Come！\"hesaid，\"ImustnotflinchbeforeanyoftheconsequencesoftheresolutionwhichIhaveonceadopted；therearestillthreadswhichattachmetothatJeanValjean；theymustbebroken；
inthisveryroomthereareobjectswhichwouldbetrayme，dumbthingswhichwouldbearwitnessagainstme；itissettled；
allthesethingsmustdisappear。\"