Hefumbledinhispocket，drewouthispurse，openedit，andtookoutasmallkey；heinsertedthekeyinalockwhoseaperturecouldhardlybeseen，sohiddenwasitinthemostsombretonesofthedesignwhichcoveredthewall—paper；asecretreceptacleopened，asortoffalsecupboardconstructedintheanglebetweenthewallandthechimney—piece；inthishiding—placethereweresomerags——
abluelinenblouse，anoldpairoftrousers，anoldknapsack，andahugethorncudgelshodwithironatbothends。ThosewhohadseenJeanValjeanattheepochwhenhepassedthroughD————
inOctober，1815，couldeasilyhaverecognizedallthepiecesofthismiserableoutfit。
Hehadpreservedthemashehadpreservedthesilvercandlesticks，inordertoremindhimselfcontinuallyofhisstarting—point，buthehadconcealedallthatcamefromthegalleys，andhehadallowedthecandlestickswhichcamefromtheBishoptobeseen。
Hecastafurtiveglancetowardsthedoor，asthoughhefearedthatitwouldopeninspiteoftheboltwhichfastenedit；then，withaquickandabruptmovement，hetookthewholeinhisarmsatonce，withoutbestowingsomuchasaglanceonthethingswhichhehadsoreligiouslyandsoperilouslypreservedforsomanyyears，andflungthemall，rags，cudgel，knapsack，intothefire。
Heclosedthefalsecupboardagain，andwithredoubledprecautions，henceforthunnecessary，sinceitwasnowempty，heconcealedthedoorbehindaheavypieceoffurniture，whichhepushedinfrontofit。
Afterthelapseofafewseconds，theroomandtheoppositewallwerelightedupwithafierce，red，tremulousglow。Everythingwasonfire；thethorncudgelsnappedandthrewoutsparkstothemiddleofthechamber。
Astheknapsackwasconsumed，togetherwiththehideousragswhichitcontained，itrevealedsomethingwhichsparkledintheashes。
Bybendingover，onecouldhavereadilyrecognizedacoin，——nodoubttheforty—soupiecestolenfromthelittleSavoyard。
Hedidnotlookatthefire，butpacedbackandforthwiththesamestep。
Allatoncehiseyefellonthetwosilvercandlesticks，whichshonevaguelyonthechimney—piece，throughtheglow。
\"Hold！\"hethought；\"thewholeofJeanValjeanisstillinthem。
Theymustbedestroyedalso。\"
Heseizedthetwocandlesticks。
Therewasstillfireenoughtoallowoftheirbeingputoutofshape，andconvertedintoasortofunrecognizablebarofmetal。
Hebentoverthehearthandwarmedhimselfforamoment。Hefeltasenseofrealcomfort。\"Howgoodwarmthis！\"saidhe。
Hestirredthelivecoalswithoneofthecandlesticks。
Aminutemore，andtheywerebothinthefire。
Atthatmomentitseemedtohimthatheheardavoicewithinhimshouting:\"JeanValjean！JeanValjean！\"
Hishairroseupright:hebecamelikeamanwhoislisteningtosometerriblething。
\"Yes，that’sit！finish！\"saidthevoice。\"Completewhatyouareabout！Destroythesecandlesticks！Annihilatethissouvenir！
ForgettheBishop！Forgeteverything！DestroythisChampmathieu，do！
Thatisright！Applaudyourself！Soitissettled，resolved，fixed，agreed:hereisanoldmanwhodoesnotknowwhatiswantedofhim，whohas，perhaps，donenothing，aninnocentman，whosewholemisfortuneliesinyourname，uponwhomyournameweighslikeacrime，whoisabouttobetakenforyou，whowillbecondemned，whowillfinishhisdaysinabjectnessandhorror。Thatisgood！
Beanhonestmanyourself；remainMonsieurleMaire；remainhonorableandhonored；enrichthetown；nourishtheindigent；reartheorphan；
livehappy，virtuous，andadmired；and，duringthistime，whileyouarehereinthemidstofjoyandlight，therewillbeamanwhowillwearyourredblouse，whowillbearyournameinignominy，andwhowilldragyourchaininthegalleys。Yes，itiswellarrangedthus。Ah，wretch！\"
Theperspirationstreamedfromhisbrow。Hefixedahaggardeyeonthecandlesticks。Butthatwithinhimwhichhadspokenhadnotfinished。Thevoicecontinued:——
\"JeanValjean，therewillbearoundyoumanyvoices，whichwillmakeagreatnoise，whichwilltalkveryloud，andwhichwillblessyou，andonlyonewhichnoonewillhear，andwhichwillcurseyouinthedark。Well！listen，infamousman！Allthosebenedictionswillfallbackbeforetheyreachheaven，andonlythemaledictionwillascendtoGod。\"
Thisvoice，feebleatfirst，andwhichhadproceededfromthemostobscuredepthsofhisconscience，hadgraduallybecomestartlingandformidable，andhenowhearditinhisveryear。Itseemedtohimthatithaddetacheditselffromhim，andthatitwasnowspeakingoutsideofhim。Hethoughtthatheheardthelastwordssodistinctly，thatheglancedaroundtheroominasortofterror。
\"Isthereanyonehere？\"hedemandedaloud，inutterbewilderment。
Thenheresumed，withalaughwhichresembledthatofanidiot:——
\"HowstupidIam！Therecanbenoone！\"
Therewassomeone；butthepersonwhowastherewasofthosewhomthehumaneyecannotsee。
Heplacedthecandlesticksonthechimney—piece。
Thenheresumedhismonotonousandlugubrioustramp，whichtroubledthedreamsofthesleepingmanbeneathhim，andawokehimwithastart。
Thistrampingtoandfrosoothedandatthesametimeintoxicatedhim。
Itsometimesseems，onsupremeoccasions，asthoughpeoplemovedaboutforthepurposeofaskingadviceofeverythingthattheymayencounterbychangeofplace。Afterthelapseofafewminuteshenolongerknewhisposition。
Henowrecoiledinequalterrorbeforeboththeresolutionsatwhichhehadarrivedinturn。Thetwoideaswhichcounselledhimappearedtohimequallyfatal。Whatafatality！WhatconjunctionthatthatChampmathieushouldhavebeentakenforhim；tobeoverwhelmedbypreciselythemeanswhichProvidenceseemedtohaveemployed，atfirst，tostrengthenhisposition！
Therewasamomentwhenhereflectedonthefuture。Denouncehimself，greatGod！Deliverhimselfup！Withimmensedespairhefacedallthatheshouldbeobligedtoleave，allthatheshouldbeobligedtotakeuponcemore。Heshouldhavetobidfarewelltothatexistencewhichwassogood，sopure，soradiant，totherespectofall，tohonor，toliberty。Heshouldnevermorestrollinthefields；
heshouldnevermorehearthebirdssinginthemonthofMay；
heshouldnevermorebestowalmsonthelittlechildren；
heshouldnevermoreexperiencethesweetnessofhavingglancesofgratitudeandlovefixeduponhim；heshouldquitthathousewhichhehadbuilt，thatlittlechamber！Everythingseemedcharmingtohimatthatmoment。Neveragainshouldhereadthosebooks；
nevermoreshouldhewriteonthatlittletableofwhitewood；
hisoldportress，theonlyservantwhomhekept，wouldnevermorebringhimhiscoffeeinthemorning。GreatGod！insteadofthat，theconvictgang，theironnecklet，theredwaistcoat，thechainonhisankle，fatigue，thecell，thecampbedallthosehorrorswhichheknewsowell！Athisage，afterhavingbeenwhathewas！
Ifhewereonlyyoungagain！buttobeaddressedinhisoldageas\"thou\"byanyonewhopleased；tobesearchedbytheconvict—guard；
toreceivethegalley—sergeant’scudgellings；toweariron—boundshoesonhisbarefeet；tohavetostretchouthislegnightandmorningtothehammeroftheroundsmanwhovisitsthegang；
tosubmittothecuriosityofstrangers，whowouldbetold:\"ThatmanyonderisthefamousJeanValjean，whowasmayorofM。surM。\"；
andatnight，drippingwithperspiration，overwhelmedwithlassitude，theirgreencapsdrawnovertheireyes，toremount，twobytwo，theladderstaircaseofthegalleysbeneaththesergeant’swhip。
Oh，whatmisery！Candestiny，then，beasmaliciousasanintelligentbeing，andbecomeasmonstrousasthehumanheart？
Anddowhathewould，healwaysfellbackupontheheartrendingdilemmawhichlayatthefoundationofhisrevery:\"Shouldheremaininparadiseandbecomeademon？Shouldhereturntohellandbecomeanangel？\"
Whatwastobedone？GreatGod！whatwastobedone？
Thetormentfromwhichhehadescapedwithsomuchdifficultywasunchainedafreshwithinhim。Hisideasbegantogrowconfusedoncemore；theyassumedakindofstupefiedandmechanicalqualitywhichispeculiartodespair。ThenameofRomainvillerecurredincessantlytohismind，withthetwoversesofasongwhichhehadheardinthepast。HethoughtthatRomainvillewasalittlegrovenearParis，whereyoungloversgotoplucklilacsinthemonthofApril。
Hewaveredoutwardlyaswellasinwardly。Hewalkedlikealittlechildwhoispermittedtotoddlealone。
Atintervals，ashecombatedhislassitude，hemadeanefforttorecoverthemasteryofhismind。Hetriedtoputtohimself，forthelasttime，anddefinitely，theproblemoverwhichhehad，inamanner，fallenprostratewithfatigue:Oughthetodenouncehimself？Oughthetoholdhispeace？Hecouldnotmanagetoseeanythingdistinctly。Thevagueaspectsofallthecoursesofreasoningwhichhadbeensketchedoutbyhismeditationsquiveredandvanished，oneaftertheother，intosmoke。Heonlyfeltthat，towhatevercourseofactionhemadeuphismind，somethinginhimmustdie，andthatofnecessity，andwithouthisbeingabletoescapethefact；thathewasenteringasepulchreontherighthandasmuchasontheleft；thathewaspassingthroughadeathagony，——
theagonyofhishappiness，ortheagonyofhisvirtue。
Alas！allhisresolutionhadagaintakenpossessionofhim。
Hewasnofurtheradvancedthanatthebeginning。
Thusdidthisunhappysoulstruggleinitsanguish。
Eighteenhundredyearsbeforethisunfortunateman，themysteriousBeinginwhomaresummedupallthesanctitiesandallthesufferingsofhumanityhadalsolongthrustasidewithhishand，whiletheolive—treesquiveredinthewildwindoftheinfinite，theterriblecupwhichappearedtoHimdrippingwithdarknessandoverflowingwithshadowsinthedepthsallstuddedwithstars。
CHAPTERIV
FORMSASSUMEDBYSUFFERINGDURINGSLEEP
Threeo’clockinthemorninghadjuststruck，andhehadbeenwalkingthusforfivehours，almostuninterruptedly，whenheatlengthallowedhimselftodropintohischair。
Therehefellasleepandhadadream。
Thisdream，likethemajorityofdreams，borenorelationtothesituation，exceptbyitspainfulandheart—rendingcharacter，butitmadeanimpressiononhim。Thisnightmarestruckhimsoforciblythathewroteitdownlateron。Itisoneofthepapersinhisownhandwritingwhichhehasbequeathedtous。Wethinkthatwehaveherereproducedthethinginstrictaccordancewiththetext。
Ofwhatevernaturethisdreammaybe，thehistoryofthisnightwouldbeincompleteifweweretoomitit:itisthegloomyadventureofanailingsoul。
Hereitis。Ontheenvelopewefindthislineinscribed，\"TheDreamIhadthatNight。\"
\"Iwasinaplain；avast，gloomyplain，wheretherewasnograss。
Itdidnotseemtometobedaylightnoryetnight。
\"Iwaswalkingwithmybrother，thebrotherofmychildishyears，thebrotherofwhom，Imustsay，Ineverthink，andwhomInowhardlyremember。
\"Wewereconversingandwemetsomepassers—by。Weweretalkingofaneighborofoursinformerdays，whohadalwaysworkedwithherwindowopenfromthetimewhenshecametoliveonthestreet。
Aswetalkedwefeltcoldbecauseofthatopenwindow。
\"Therewerenotreesintheplain。Wesawamanpassingclosetous。
Hewasentirelynude，ofthehueofashes，andmountedonahorsewhichwasearthcolor。Themanhadnohair；wecouldseehisskullandtheveinsonit。Inhishandheheldaswitchwhichwasassuppleasavine—shootandasheavyasiron。Thishorsemanpassedandsaidnothingtous。
\"Mybrothersaidtome，`Letustaketothehollowroad。’
\"Thereexistedahollowwaywhereinonesawneitherasingleshrubnoraspearofmoss。Everythingwasdirt—colored，eventhesky。
Afterproceedingafewpaces，IreceivednoreplywhenIspoke:
Iperceivedthatmybrotherwasnolongerwithme。
\"IenteredavillagewhichIespied。IreflectedthatitmustbeRomainville。（WhyRomainville？）[5]
[5]ThisparenthesisisduetoJeanValjean。
\"ThefirststreetthatIenteredwasdeserted。Ienteredasecondstreet。Behindtheangleformedbythetwostreets，amanwasstandingerectagainstthewall。IsaidtothisMan:——
\"`Whatcountryisthis？WhereamI？’Themanmadenoreply。
Isawthedoorofahouseopen，andIentered。
\"Thefirstchamberwasdeserted。Ienteredthesecond。Behindthedoorofthischamberamanwasstandingerectagainstthewall。
Iinquiredofthisman，`Whosehouseisthis？WhereamI？’
Themanrepliednot。
\"Thehousehadagarden。Iquittedthehouseandenteredthegarden。
Thegardenwasdeserted。BehindthefirsttreeIfoundamanstandingupright。Isaidtothisman，`Whatgardenisthis？
WhereamI？’Themandidnotanswer。
\"Istrolledintothevillage，andperceivedthatitwasatown。
Allthestreetsweredeserted，allthedoorswereopen。Notasinglelivingbeingwaspassinginthestreets，walkingthroughthechambersorstrollinginthegardens。Butbehindeachangleofthewalls，behindeachdoor，behindeachtree，stoodasilentman。Onlyonewastobeseenatatime。Thesemenwatchedmepass。
\"Ileftthetownandbegantorambleaboutthefields。
\"AfterthelapseofsometimeIturnedbackandsawagreatcrowdcomingupbehindme。IrecognizedallthemenwhomIhadseeninthattown。
Theyhadstrangeheads。Theydidnotseemtobeinahurry，yettheywalkedfasterthanIdid。Theymadenonoiseastheywalked。
Inaninstantthiscrowdhadovertakenandsurroundedme。
Thefacesofthesemenwereeartheninhue。
\"ThenthefirstonewhomIhadseenandquestionedonenteringthetownsaidtome:——
\"`Whitherareyougoing！Doyounotknowthatyouhavebeendeadthislongtime？’
\"Iopenedmymouthtoreply，andIperceivedthattherewasnoonenearme。\"
Hewoke。Hewasicycold。Awindwhichwaschilllikethebreezeofdawnwasrattlingtheleavesofthewindow，whichhadbeenleftopenontheirhinges。Thefirewasout。Thecandlewasnearingitsend。Itwasstillblacknight。
Herose，hewenttothewindow。Therewerenostarsintheskyevenyet。
Fromhiswindowtheyardofthehouseandthestreetwerevisible。
Asharp，harshnoise，whichmadehimdrophiseyes，resoundedfromtheearth。
Belowhimheperceivedtworedstars，whoserayslengthenedandshortenedinasingularmannerthroughthedarkness。
Ashisthoughtswerestillhalfimmersedinthemistsofsleep，\"Hold！\"saidhe，\"therearenostarsinthesky。Theyareonearthnow。\"
Butthisconfusionvanished；asecondsoundsimilartothefirstrousedhimthoroughly；helookedandrecognizedthefactthatthesetwostarswerethelanternsofacarriage。Bythelightwhichtheycasthewasabletodistinguishtheformofthisvehicle。
Itwasatilburyharnessedtoasmallwhitehorse。Thenoisewhichhehadheardwasthetramplingofthehorse’shoofsonthepavement。
\"Whatvehicleisthis？\"hesaidtohimself。\"Whoiscomingheresoearlyinthemorning？\"
Atthatmomenttherecamealighttaponthedoorofhischamber。
Heshudderedfromheadtofoot，andcriedinaterriblevoice:——
\"Whoisthere？\"
Someonesaid:——
\"I，MonsieurleMaire。\"
Herecognizedthevoiceoftheoldwomanwhowashisportress。
\"Well！\"hereplied，\"whatisit？\"
\"MonsieurleMaire，itisjustfiveo’clockinthemorning。\"
\"Whatisthattome？\"
\"Thecabrioletishere，MonsieurleMaire。\"
\"Whatcabriolet？\"
\"Thetilbury。\"
\"Whattilbury？\"
\"DidnotMonsieurleMaireorderatilbury？\"
\"No，\"saidhe。
\"ThecoachmansaysthathehascomeforMonsieurleMaire。\"
\"Whatcoachman？\"
\"M。Scaufflaire’scoachman。\"
\"M。Scaufflaire？\"
Thatnamesentashudderoverhim，asthoughaflashoflightninghadpassedinfrontofhisface。
\"Ah！yes，\"heresumed；\"M。Scaufflaire！\"
Iftheoldwomancouldhaveseenhimatthatmoment，shewouldhavebeenfrightened。
Atolerablylongsilenceensued。Heexaminedtheflameofthecandlewithastupidair，andfromaroundthewickhetooksomeoftheburningwax，whichherolledbetweenhisfingers。Theoldwomanwaitedforhim。Sheevenventuredtouplifthervoiceoncemore:——
\"WhatamItosay，MonsieurleMaire？\"
\"Saythatitiswell，andthatIamcomingdown。\"
CHAPTERV
HINDRANCES
ThepostingservicefromArrastoM。surM。wasstilloperatedatthisperiodbysmallmail—wagonsofthetimeoftheEmpire。
Thesemail—wagonsweretwo—wheeledcabriolets，upholsteredinsidewithfawn—coloredleather，hungonsprings，andhavingbuttwoseats，oneforthepostboy，theotherforthetraveller。Thewheelswerearmedwiththoselong，offensiveaxleswhichkeepothervehiclesatadistance，andwhichmaystillbeseenontheroadinGermany。
Thedespatchbox，animmenseoblongcoffer，wasplacedbehindthevehicleandformedapartofit。Thiscofferwaspaintedblack，andthecabrioletyellow。
Thesevehicles，whichhavenocounterpartsnowadays，hadsomethingdistortedandhunchbackedaboutthem；andwhenonesawthempassinginthedistance，andclimbingupsomeroadtothehorizon，theyresembledtheinsectswhicharecalled，Ithink，termites，andwhich，thoughwithbutlittlecorselet，dragagreattrainbehindthem。
Buttheytravelledataveryrapidrate。Thepost—wagonwhichsetoutfromArrasatoneo’clockeverynight，afterthemailfromParishadpassed，arrivedatM。surM。alittlebeforefiveo’clockinthemorning。
ThatnightthewagonwhichwasdescendingtoM。surM。bytheHesdinroad，collidedatthecornerofastreet，justasitwasenteringthetown，withalittletilburyharnessedtoawhitehorse，whichwasgoingintheoppositedirection，andinwhichtherewasbutoneperson，amanenvelopedinamantle。Thewheelofthetilburyreceivedquiteaviolentshock。Thepostmanshoutedtothemantostop，butthetravellerpaidnoheedandpursuedhisroadatfullgallop。
\"Thatmanisinadevilishhurry！\"saidthepostman。
Themanthushasteningonwastheonewhomwehavejustseenstrugglinginconvulsionswhicharecertainlydeservingofpity。
Whitherwashegoing？Hecouldnothavetold。Whywashehastening？
Hedidnotknow。Hewasdrivingatrandom，straightahead。Whither？
ToArras，nodoubt；buthemighthavebeengoingelsewhereaswell。
Attimeshewasconsciousofit，andheshuddered。Heplungedintothenightasintoagulf。Somethingurgedhimforward；somethingdrewhimon。Noonecouldhavetoldwhatwastakingplacewithinhim；
everyonewillunderstandit。Whatmanistherewhohasnotentered，atleastonceinhislife，intothatobscurecavernoftheunknown？
However，hehadresolvedonnothing，decidednothing，formednoplan，donenothing。Noneoftheactionsofhisconsciencehadbeendecisive。
Hewas，morethanever，ashehadbeenatthefirstmoment。
WhywashegoingtoArras？
HerepeatedwhathehadalreadysaidtohimselfwhenhehadhiredScaufflaire’scabriolet:that，whatevertheresultwastobe，therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldnotseewithhisowneyes，andjudgeofmattersforhimself；thatthiswasevenprudent；
thathemustknowwhattookplace；thatnodecisioncouldbearrivedatwithouthavingobservedandscrutinized；thatonemademountainsoutofeverythingfromadistance；that，atanyrate，whenheshouldhaveseenthatChampmathieu，somewretch，hisconsciencewouldprobablybegreatlyrelievedtoallowhimtogotothegalleysinhisstead；thatJavertwouldindeedbethere；andthatBrevet，thatChenildieu，thatCochepaille，oldconvictswhohadknownhim；
buttheycertainlywouldnotrecognizehim；——bah！whatanidea！
thatJavertwasahundredleaguesfromsuspectingthetruth；
thatallconjecturesandallsuppositionswerefixedonChampmathieu，andthatthereisnothingsoheadstrongassuppositionsandconjectures；
thataccordinglytherewasnodanger。
Thatitwas，nodoubt，adarkmoment，butthatheshouldemergefromit；that，afterall，heheldhisdestiny，howeverbaditmightbe，inhisownhand；thathewasmasterofit。Heclungtothisthought。
Atbottom，totellthewholetruth，hewouldhavepreferrednottogotoArras。
Nevertheless，hewasgoingthither。
Ashemeditated，hewhippeduphishorse，whichwasproceedingatthatfine，regular，andeventrotwhichaccomplishestwoleaguesandahalfanhour。
Inproportionasthecabrioletadvanced，hefeltsomethingwithinhimdrawback。
Atdaybreakhewasintheopencountry；thetownofM。surM。layfarbehindhim。Hewatchedthehorizongrowwhite；hestaredatallthechillyfiguresofawinter’sdawnastheypassedbeforehiseyes，butwithoutseeingthem。Themorninghasitsspectresaswellastheevening。Hedidnotseethem；butwithouthisbeingawareofit，andbymeansofasortofpenetrationwhichwasalmostphysical，theseblacksilhouettesoftreesandofhillsaddedsomegloomyandsinisterqualitytotheviolentstateofhissoul。
Eachtimethathepassedoneofthoseisolateddwellingswhichsometimesborderonthehighway，hesaidtohimself，\"Andyettherearepeopletherewithinwhoaresleeping！\"
Thetrotofthehorse，thebellsontheharness，thewheelsontheroad，producedagentle，monotonousnoise。Thesethingsarecharmingwhenoneisjoyous，andlugubriouswhenoneissad。
ItwasbroaddaylightwhenhearrivedatHesdin。Hehaltedinfrontoftheinn，toallowthehorseabreathingspell，andtohavehimgivensomeoats。
Thehorsebelonged，asScaufflairehadsaid，tothatsmallraceoftheBoulonnais，whichhastoomuchhead，toomuchbelly，andnotenoughneckandshoulders，butwhichhasabroadchest，alargecrupper，thin，finelegs，andsolidhoofs——ahomely，butarobustandhealthyrace。Theexcellentbeasthadtravelledfiveleaguesintwohours，andhadnotadropofsweatonhisloins。
Hedidnotgetoutofthetilbury。Thestablemanwhobroughttheoatssuddenlybentdownandexaminedtheleftwheel。
\"Areyougoingfarinthiscondition？\"saidtheman。
Hereplied，withanairofnothavingrousedhimselffromhisrevery:——
\"Why？\"
\"Haveyoucomefromagreatdistance？\"wentontheman。
\"Fiveleagues。\"
\"Ah！\"
\"Whydoyousay，`Ah？’\"
Themanbentdownoncemore，wassilentforamoment，withhiseyesfixedonthewheel；thenheroseerectandsaid:——
\"Because，thoughthiswheelhastravelledfiveleagues，itcertainlywillnottravelanotherquarterofaleague。\"
Hesprangoutofthetilbury。
\"Whatisthatyousay，myfriend？\"
\"Isaythatitisamiraclethatyoushouldhavetravelledfiveleagueswithoutyouandyourhorserollingintosomeditchonthehighway。
Justseehere！\"
Thewheelreallyhadsufferedseriousdamage。Theshockadministeredbythemail—wagonhadsplittwospokesandstrainedthehub，sothatthenutnolongerheldfirm。
\"Myfriend，\"hesaidtothestableman，\"isthereawheelwrighthere？\"
\"Certainly，sir。\"
\"Dometheservicetogoandfetchhim。\"
\"Heisonlyastepfromhere。Hey！MasterBourgaillard！\"
MasterBourgaillard，thewheelwright，wasstandingonhisownthreshold。
Hecame，examinedthewheelandmadeagrimacelikeasurgeonwhenthelatterthinksalimbisbroken。
\"Canyourepairthiswheelimmediately？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"WhencanIsetoutagain？\"
\"To—morrow。\"
\"To—morrow！\"
\"Thereisalongday’sworkonit。Areyouinahurry，sir？\"
\"Inaverygreathurry。Imustsetoutagaininanhouratthelatest。\"
\"Impossible，sir。\"
\"Iwillpaywhateveryouask。\"
\"Impossible。\"
\"Well，intwohours，then。\"
\"Impossibleto—day。Twonewspokesandahubmustbemade。
Monsieurwillnotbeabletostartbeforeto—morrowmorning。\"
\"Themattercannotwaituntilto—morrow。Whatifyouweretoreplacethiswheelinsteadofrepairingit？\"
\"Howso？\"
\"Youareawheelwright？\"
\"Certainly，sir。\"
\"Haveyounotawheelthatyoucansellme？ThenIcouldstartagainatonce。\"
\"Asparewheel？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Ihavenowheelonhandthatwouldfityourcabriolet。Twowheelsmakeapair。Twowheelscannotbeputtogetherhap—hazard。\"
\"Inthatcase，sellmeapairofwheels。\"
\"Notallwheelsfitallaxles，sir。\"
\"Try，nevertheless。\"
\"Itisuseless，sir。Ihavenothingtosellbutcart—wheels。Wearebutapoorcountryhere。\"
\"Haveyouacabrioletthatyoucanletmehave？\"
Thewheelwrighthadseenatthefirstglancethatthetilburywasahiredvehicle。Heshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Youtreatthecabrioletsthatpeopleletyousowell！IfIhadone，Iwouldnotletittoyou！\"
\"Well，sellittome，then。\"
\"Ihavenone。\"
\"What！notevenaspring—cart？Iamnothardtoplease，asyousee。\"
\"Weliveinapoorcountry。Thereis，intruth，\"addedthewheelwright，\"anoldcalashundertheshedyonder，whichbelongstoabourgeoisofthetown，whogaveittometotakecareof，andwhoonlyusesitonthethirty—sixthofthemonth——never，thatistosay。Imightletthattoyou，forwhatmattersittome？Butthebourgeoismustnotseeitpass——andthen，itisacalash；itwouldrequiretwohorses。\"
\"Iwilltaketwopost—horses。\"
\"WhereisMonsieurgoing？\"
\"ToArras。\"
\"AndMonsieurwishestoreachthereto—day？\"
\"Yes，ofcourse。\"
\"Bytakingtwopost—horses？\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"DoesitmakeanydifferencewhetherMonsieurarrivesatfouro’clockto—morrowmorning？\"
\"Certainlynot。\"
\"Thereisonethingtobesaidaboutthat，yousee，bytakingpost—horses——
Monsieurhashispassport？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，bytakingpost—horses，MonsieurcannotreachArrasbeforeto—morrow。Weareonacross—road。Therelaysarebadlyserved，thehorsesareinthefields。Theseasonforploughingisjustbeginning；heavyteamsarerequired，andhorsesareseizeduponeverywhere，fromthepostaswellaselsewhere。Monsieurwillhavetowaitthreeorfourhoursattheleastateveryrelay。
And，then，theydriveatawalk。Therearemanyhillstoascend。\"
\"Comethen，Iwillgoonhorseback。Unharnessthecabriolet。
Someonecansurelysellmeasaddleintheneighborhood。\"
\"Withoutdoubt。Butwillthishorsebearthesaddle？\"
\"Thatistrue；youremindmeofthat；hewillnotbearit。\"
\"Then——\"
\"ButIcansurelyhireahorseinthevillage？\"
\"AhorsetotraveltoArrasatonestretch？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Thatwouldrequiresuchahorseasdoesnotexistintheseparts。
Youwouldhavetobuyittobeginwith，becausenooneknowsyou。
Butyouwillnotfindoneforsalenortolet，forfivehundredfrancs，orforathousand。\"
\"WhatamItodo？\"
\"Thebestthingistoletmerepairthewheellikeanhonestman，andsetoutonyourjourneyto—morrow。\"
\"To—morrowwillbetoolate。\"
\"Thedeuce！\"
\"Istherenotamail—wagonwhichrunstoArras？Whenwillitpass？\"
\"To—night。Boththepostspassatnight；theonegoingaswellastheonecoming。\"
\"What！Itwilltakeyouadaytomendthiswheel？\"
\"Aday，andagoodlongone。\"
\"Ifyousettwomentowork？\"
\"IfIsettenmentowork。\"
\"Whatifthespokesweretobetiedtogetherwithropes？\"
\"Thatcouldbedonewiththespokes，notwiththehub；andthefellyisinabadstate，too。\"
\"Isthereanyoneinthisvillagewholetsoutteams？\"
\"No。\"
\"Isthereanotherwheelwright？\"
Thestablemanandthewheelwrightrepliedinconcert，withatossofthehead\"No。\"
Hefeltanimmensejoy。
ItwasevidentthatProvidencewasintervening。Thatitwasitwhohadbrokenthewheelofthetilburyandwhowasstoppinghimontheroad。Hehadnotyieldedtothissortoffirstsummons；
hehadjustmadeeverypossibleefforttocontinuethejourney；
hehadloyallyandscrupulouslyexhaustedallmeans；hehadbeendeterredneitherbytheseason，norfatigue，norbytheexpense；
hehadnothingwithwhichtoreproachhimself。Ifhewentnofurther，thatwasnofaultofhis。Itdidnotconcernhimfurther。
Itwasnolongerhisfault。Itwasnottheactofhisownconscience，buttheactofProvidence。
Hebreathedagain。HebreathedfreelyandtothefullextentofhislungsforthefirsttimesinceJavert’svisit。Itseemedtohimthatthehandofironwhichhadheldhisheartinitsgraspforthelasttwentyhourshadjustreleasedhim。
ItseemedtohimthatGodwasforhimnow，andwasmanifestingHimself。
Hesaidhimselfthathehaddoneallhecould，andthatnowhehadnothingtodobutretracehisstepsquietly。
Ifhisconversationwiththewheelwrighthadtakenplaceinachamberoftheinn，itwouldhavehadnowitnesses，noonewouldhaveheardhim，thingswouldhaverestedthere，anditisprobablethatweshouldnothavehadtorelateanyoftheoccurrenceswhichthereaderisabouttoperuse；butthisconversationhadtakenplaceinthestreet。
Anycolloquyinthestreetinevitablyattractsacrowd。Therearealwayspeoplewhoasknothingbetterthantobecomespectators。
Whilehewasquestioningthewheelwright，somepeoplewhowerepassingbackandforthhaltedaroundthem。Afterlisteningforafewminutes，ayounglad，towhomnoonehadpaidanyheed，detachedhimselffromthegroupandranoff。
Atthemomentwhenthetraveller，aftertheinwarddeliberationwhichwehavejustdescribed，resolvedtoretracehissteps，thischildreturned。Hewasaccompaniedbyanoldwoman。
\"Monsieur，\"saidthewoman，\"myboytellsmethatyouwishtohireacabriolet。\"
Thesesimplewordsutteredbyanoldwomanledbyachildmadetheperspirationtrickledownhislimbs。Hethoughtthathebeheldthehandwhichhadrelaxeditsgraspreappearinthedarknessbehindhim，readytoseizehimoncemore。
Heanswered:——
\"Yes，mygoodwoman；IaminsearchofacabrioletwhichIcanhire。\"
Andhehastenedtoadd:——
\"Butthereisnoneintheplace。\"
\"Certainlythereis，\"saidtheoldwoman。
\"Where？\"interpolatedthewheelwright。
\"Atmyhouse，\"repliedtheoldwoman。
Heshuddered。Thefatalhandhadgraspedhimagain。
Theoldwomanreallyhadinhershedasortofbasketspring—cart。
Thewheelwrightandthestable—man，indespairattheprospectofthetravellerescapingtheirclutches，interfered。
\"Itwasafrightfuloldtrap；itrestsflatontheaxle；itisanactualfactthattheseatsweresuspendedinsideitbyleatherthongs；
theraincameintoit；thewheelswererustedandeatenwithmoisture；
itwouldnotgomuchfurtherthanthetilbury；aregularramshackleoldstage—wagon；thegentlemanwouldmakeagreatmistakeifhetrustedhimselftoit，\"etc。，etc。
Allthiswastrue；butthistrap，thisramshackleoldvehicle，thisthing，whateveritwas，ranonitstwowheelsandcouldgotoArras。
Hepaidwhatwasasked，leftthetilburywiththewheelwrighttoberepaired，intendingtoreclaimitonhisreturn，hadthewhitehorseputtothecart，climbedintoit，andresumedtheroadwhichhehadbeentravellingsincemorning。
Atthemomentwhenthecartmovedoff，headmittedthathehadfelt，amomentpreviously，acertainjoyinthethoughtthatheshouldnotgowhitherhewasnowproceeding。Heexaminedthisjoywithasortofwrath，andfounditabsurd。Whyshouldhefeeljoyatturningback？
Afterall，hewastakingthistripofhisownfreewill。
Noonewasforcinghimtoit。
Andassuredlynothingwouldhappenexceptwhatheshouldchoose。
AsheleftHesdin，heheardavoiceshoutingtohim:\"Stop！Stop！\"
Hehaltedthecartwithavigorousmovementwhichcontainedafeverishandconvulsiveelementresemblinghope。
Itwastheoldwoman’slittleboy。
\"Monsieur，\"saidthelatter，\"itwasIwhogotthecartforyou。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Youhavenotgivenmeanything。\"
Hewhogavetoallsoreadilythoughtthisdemandexorbitantandalmostodious。
\"Ah！it’syou，youscamp？\"saidhe；\"youshallhavenothing。\"
Hewhippeduphishorseandsetoffatfullspeed。
HehadlostagreatdealoftimeatHesdin。Hewantedtomakeitgood。
Thelittlehorsewascourageous，andpulledfortwo；butitwasthemonthofFebruary，therehadbeenrain；theroadswerebad。
Andthen，itwasnolongerthetilbury。Thecartwasveryheavy，andinaddition，thereweremanyascents。
HetooknearlyfourhourstogofromHesdintoSaint—Pol；fourhoursforfiveleagues。
AtSaint—Polhehadthehorseunharnessedatthefirstinnhecametoandledtothestable；ashehadpromisedScaufflaire，hestoodbesidethemangerwhilethehorsewaseating；hethoughtofsadandconfusingthings。
Theinn—keeper’swifecametothestable。
\"DoesnotMonsieurwishtobreakfast？\"
\"Come，thatistrue；Ievenhaveagoodappetite。\"
Hefollowedthewoman，whohadarosy，cheerfulface；sheledhimtothepublicroomwherethereweretablescoveredwithwaxedcloth。
\"Makehaste！\"saidhe；\"Imuststartagain；Iaminahurry。\"
AbigFlemishservant—maidplacedhisknifeandforkinallhaste；
helookedatthegirlwithasensationofcomfort。
\"Thatiswhatailedme，\"hethought；\"Ihadnotbreakfasted。\"
Hisbreakfastwasserved；heseizedthebread，tookamouthful，andthenslowlyreplaceditonthetable，anddidnottouchitagain。
Acarterwaseatingatanothertable；hesaidtothisman:——
\"Whyistheirbreadsobitterhere？\"
ThecarterwasaGermananddidnotunderstandhim。
Hereturnedtothestableandremainednearthehorse。
AnhourlaterhehadquittedSaint—PolandwasdirectinghiscoursetowardsTinques，whichisonlyfiveleaguesfromArras。
Whatdidhedoduringthisjourney？Ofwhatwashethinking？
Asinthemorning，hewatchedthetrees，thethatchedroofs，thetilledfieldspassby，andthewayinwhichthelandscape，brokenateveryturnoftheroad，vanished；thisisasortofcontemplationwhichsometimessufficestothesoul，andalmostrelievesitfromthought。Whatismoremelancholyandmoreprofoundthantoseeathousandobjectsforthefirstandthelasttime？
Totravelistobebornandtodieateveryinstant；perhaps，inthevaguestregionofhismind，bedidmakecomparisonsbetweentheshiftinghorizonandourhumanexistence:allthethingsoflifeareperpetuallyfleeingbeforeus；thedarkandbrightintervalsareintermingled；afteradazzlingmoment，aneclipse；welook，wehasten，westretchoutourhandstograspwhatispassing；
eacheventisaturnintheroad，and，allatonce，weareold；
wefeelashock；allisblack；wedistinguishanobscuredoor；
thegloomyhorseoflife，whichhasbeendrawingushalts，andweseeaveiledandunknownpersonunharnessingamidtheshadows。
TwilightwasfallingwhenthechildrenwhowerecomingoutofschoolbeheldthistravellerenterTinques；itistruethatthedayswerestillshort；hedidnothaltatTinques；asheemergedfromthevillage，alaborer，whowasmendingtheroadwithstones，raisedhisheadandsaidtohim:——
\"Thathorseisverymuchfatigued。\"
Thepoorbeastwas，infact，goingatawalk。
\"AreyougoingtoArras？\"addedtheroad—mender。
\"Yes。\"
\"Ifyougoonatthatrateyouwillnotarriveveryearly。\"
Hestoppedhishorse，andaskedthelaborer:——
\"HowfarisitfromheretoArras？\"
\"Nearlysevengoodleagues。\"
\"Howisthat？thepostingguideonlysaysfiveleaguesandaquarter。\"
\"Ah！\"returnedtheroad—mender，\"soyoudon’tknowthattheroadisunderrepair？Youwillfinditbarredaquarterofanhourfurtheron；thereisnowaytoproceedfurther。\"
\"Really？\"
\"Youwilltaketheroadontheleft，leadingtoCarency；youwillcrosstheriver；whenyoureachCamblin，youwillturntotheright；
thatistheroadtoMont—Saint—EloywhichleadstoArras。\"
\"Butitisnight，andIshalllosemyway。\"
\"Youdonotbelongintheseparts？\"
\"No。\"
\"And，besides，itisallcross—roads；stop！sir，\"resumedtheroad—mender；
\"shallIgiveyouapieceofadvice？yourhorseistired；
returntoTinques；thereisagoodinnthere；sleepthere；
youcanreachArrasto—morrow。\"
\"Imustbetherethisevening。\"
\"Thatisdifferent；butgototheinnallthesame，andgetanextrahorse；thestable—boywillguideyouthroughthecross—roads。\"
Hefollowedtheroad—mender’sadvice，retracedhissteps，and，halfanhourlater，hepassedthesamespotagain，butthistimeatfullspeed，withagoodhorsetoaid；astable—boy，whocalledhimselfapostilion，wasseatedontheshaftofthecariole。
Still，hefeltthathehadlosttime。
Nighthadfullycome。
Theyturnedintothecross—road；thewaybecamefrightfullybad；
thecartlurchedfromoneruttotheother；hesaidtothepostilion:——
\"Keepatatrot，andyoushallhaveadoublefee。\"
Inoneofthejolts，thewhiffle—treebroke。
\"There’sthewhiffle—treebroken，sir，\"saidthepostilion；\"Idon’tknowhowtoharnessmyhorsenow；thisroadisverybadatnight；
ifyouwishtoreturnandsleepatTinques，wecouldbeinArrasearlyto—morrowmorning。\"
Hereplied，\"Haveyouabitofropeandaknife？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
Hecutabranchfromatreeandmadeawhiffle—treeofit。
Thiscausedanotherlossoftwentyminutes；buttheysetoutagainatagallop。
Theplainwasgloomy；low—hanging，black，crispfogscreptoverthehillsandwrenchedthemselvesawaylikesmoke:therewerewhitishgleamsintheclouds；astrongbreezewhichblewinfromtheseaproducedasoundinallquartersofthehorizon，asofsomeonemovingfurniture；
everythingthatcouldbeseenassumedattitudesofterror。
Howmanythingsshiverbeneaththesevastbreathsofthenight！
Hewasstiffwithcold；hehadeatennothingsincethenightbefore；
hevaguelyrecalledhisothernocturnaltripinthevastplainintheneighborhoodofD————，eightyearspreviously，anditseemedbutyesterday。
Thehourstruckfromadistanttower；heaskedtheboy:——
\"Whattimeisit？\"
\"Seveno’clock，sir；weshallreachArrasateight；wehavebutthreeleaguesstilltogo。\"
Atthatmoment，heforthefirsttimeindulgedinthisreflection，thinkingitoddthewhilethatithadnotoccurredtohimsooner:
thatallthistroublewhichhewastakingwas，perhaps，useless；
thathedidnotknowsomuchasthehourofthetrial；thatheshould，atleast，haveinformedhimselfofthat；thathewasfoolishtogothusstraightaheadwithoutknowingwhetherhewouldbeofanyserviceornot；thenhesketchedoutsomecalculationsinhismind:
that，ordinarily，thesittingsoftheCourtofAssizesbeganatnineo’clockinthemorning；thatitcouldnotbealongaffair；
thatthetheftoftheappleswouldbeverybrief；thattherewouldthenremainonlyaquestionofidentity，fourorfivedepositions，andverylittleforthelawyerstosay；thatheshouldarriveafterallwasover。
Thepostilionwhippedupthehorses；theyhadcrossedtheriverandleftMont—Saint—Eloybehindthem。
Thenightgrewmoreprofound。
CHAPTERVI
SISTERSIMPLICEPUTTOTHEPROOF
ButatthatmomentFantinewasjoyous。
Shehadpassedaverybadnight；hercoughwasfrightful；herfeverhaddoubledinintensity；shehadhaddreams:inthemorning，whenthedoctorpaidhisvisit，shewasdelirious；heassumedanalarmedlook，andorderedthatheshouldbeinformedassoonasM。Madeleinearrived。
Allthemorningshewasmelancholy，saidbutlittle，andlaidplaitsinhersheets，murmuringthewhile，inalowvoice，calculationswhichseemedtobecalculationsofdistances。
Hereyeswerehollowandstaring。Theyseemedalmostextinguishedatintervals，thenlightedupagainandshonelikestars。
Itseemsasthough，attheapproachofacertaindarkhour，thelightofheavenfillsthosewhoarequittingthelightofearth。
EachtimethatSisterSimpliceaskedherhowshefelt，sherepliedinvariably，\"Well。IshouldliketoseeM。Madeleine。\"
Somemonthsbeforethis，atthemomentwhenFantinehadjustlostherlastmodesty，herlastshame，andherlastjoy，shewastheshadowofherself；nowshewasthespectreofherself。Physicalsufferinghadcompletedtheworkofmoralsuffering。Thiscreatureoffiveandtwentyhadawrinkledbrow，flabbycheeks，pinchednostrils，teethfromwhichthegumshadreceded，aleadencomplexion，abonyneck，prominentshoulder—blades，fraillimbs，aclayeyskin，andhergoldenhairwasgrowingoutsprinkledwithgray。
Alas！howillnessimprovisesold—age！
Atmid—daythephysicianreturned，gavesomedirections，inquiredwhetherthemayorhadmadehisappearanceattheinfirmary，andshookhishead。
M。Madeleineusuallycametoseetheinvalidatthreeo’clock。Asexactnessiskindness，hewasexact。
Abouthalf—pasttwo，Fantinebegantoberestless。Inthecourseoftwentyminutes，sheaskedthenunmorethantentimes，\"Whattimeisit，sister？\"
Threeo’clockstruck。Atthethirdstroke，Fantinesatupinbed；
shewhocould，ingeneral，hardlyturnover，joinedheryellow，fleshlesshandsinasortofconvulsiveclasp，andthenunheardherutteroneofthoseprofoundsighswhichseemtothrowoffdejection。
ThenFantineturnedandlookedatthedoor。
Nooneentered；thedoordidnotopen。
Sheremainedthusforaquarterofanhour，hereyesrivetedonthedoor，motionlessandapparentlyholdingherbreath。Thesisterdarednotspeaktoher。Theclockstruckaquarterpastthree。
Fantinefellbackonherpillow。
Shesaidnothing，butbegantoplaitthesheetsoncemore。
Halfanhourpassed，thenanhour，noonecame；everytimetheclockstruck，Fantinestartedupandlookedtowardsthedoor，thenfellbackagain。
Herthoughtwasclearlyperceptible，butsheutterednoname，shemadenocomplaint，sheblamednoone。Butshecoughedinamelancholyway。
Onewouldhavesaidthatsomethingdarkwasdescendinguponher。
Shewaslividandherlipswereblue。Shesmilednowandthen。
Fiveo’clockstruck。Thenthesisterheardhersay，verylowandgently，\"Heiswrongnottocometo—day，sinceIamgoingawayto—morrow。\"
SisterSimpliceherselfwassurprisedatM。Madeleine’sdelay。
Inthemeantime，Fantinewasstaringatthetesterofherbed。
Sheseemedtobeendeavoringtorecallsomething。Allatonceshebegantosinginavoiceasfeebleasabreath。Thenunlistened。
ThisiswhatFantinewassinging:——
\"LovelythingswewillbuyAswestrollthefaubourgsthrough。
Rosesarepink，corn—flowersareblue，Ilovemylove，corn—flowersareblue。
\"Yestere’entheVirginMarycamenearmystove，inabroideredmantleclad，andsaidtome，`Here，hide’neathmyveilthechildwhomyouonedaybeggedfromme。Hastetothecity，buylinen，buyaneedle，buythread。’
\"LovelythingswewillbuyAswestrollthefaubourgsthrough。
\"DearHolyVirgin，besidemystoveIhavesetacradlewithribbonsdecked。Godmaygivemehislovelieststar；
Ipreferthechildthouhastgrantedme。`Madame，whatshallIdowiththislinenfine？’——`Makeofitclothesforthynew—bornbabe。’
\"Rosesarepinkandcorn—flowersareblue，Ilovemylove，andcorn—flowersareblue。
\"`Washthislinen。’——`Where？’——`Inthestream。Makeofit，soilingnot，spoilingnot，apetticoatfairwithitsbodicefine，whichIwillembroiderandfillwithflowers。’——`Madame，thechildisnolongerhere；whatistobedone？’——`Thenmakeofitawinding—sheetinwhichtoburyme。’
\"LovelythingswewillbuyAswestrollthefaubourgsthrough，Rosesarepink，corn—flowersareblue，Ilovemylove，corn—flowersareblue。\"
Thissongwasanoldcradleromancewithwhichshehad，informerdays，lulledherlittleCosettetosleep，andwhichhadneverrecurredtohermindinallthefiveyearsduringwhichshehadbeenpartedfromherchild。Shesangitinsosadavoice，andtososweetanair，thatitwasenoughtomakeanyone，evenanun，weep。Thesister，accustomedasshewastoausterities，feltatearspringtohereyes。
Theclockstrucksix。Fantinedidnotseemtohearit。Shenolongerseemedtopayattentiontoanythingabouther。
SisterSimplicesentaserving—maidtoinquireoftheportressofthefactory，whetherthemayorhadreturned，andifhewouldnotcometotheinfirmarysoon。Thegirlreturnedinafewminutes。
Fantinewasstillmotionlessandseemedabsorbedinherownthoughts。
TheservantinformedSisterSimpliceinaverylowtone，thatthemayorhadsetoutthatmorningbeforesixo’clock，inalittletilburyharnessedtoawhitehorse，coldastheweatherwas；thathehadgonealone，withoutevenadriver；thatnooneknewwhatroadhehadtaken；
thatpeoplesaidhehadbeenseentoturnintotheroadtoArras；
thatothersassertedthattheyhadmethimontheroadtoParis。
Thatwhenhewentawayhehadbeenverygentle，asusual，andthathehadmerelytoldtheportressnottoexpecthimthatnight。
Whilethetwowomenwerewhisperingtogether，withtheirbacksturnedtoFantine’sbed，thesisterinterrogating，theservantconjecturing，Fantine，withthefeverishvivacityofcertainorganicmaladies，whichunitethefreemovementsofhealthwiththefrightfulemaciationofdeath，hadraisedherselftoherkneesinbed，withhershrivelledhandsrestingonthebolster，andherheadthrustthroughtheopeningofthecurtains，andwaslistening。
Allatonceshecried:——
\"YouarespeakingofM。Madeleine！Whyareyoutalkingsolow？
Whatishedoing？Whydoeshenotcome？\"
Hervoicewassoabruptandhoarsethatthetwowomenthoughttheyheardthevoiceofaman；theywheeledroundinaffright。
\"Answerme！\"criedFantine。
Theservantstammered:——
\"Theportresstoldmethathecouldnotcometo—day。\"
\"Becalm，mychild，\"saidthesister；\"liedownagain。\"
Fantine，withoutchangingherattitude，continuedinaloudvoice，andwithanaccentthatwasbothimperiousandheart—rending:——
\"Hecannotcome？Whynot？Youknowthereason。Youarewhisperingittoeachotherthere。Iwanttoknowit。\"
Theservant—maidhastenedtosayinthenun’sear，\"Saythatheisbusywiththecitycouncil。\"
SisterSimpliceblushedfaintly，foritwasaliethatthemaidhadproposedtoher。
Ontheotherhand，itseemedtoherthatthemerecommunicationofthetruthtotheinvalidwould，withoutdoubt，dealheraterribleblow，andthatthiswasaseriousmatterinFantine’spresentstate。
Herflushdidnotlastlong；thesisterraisedhercalm，sadeyestoFantine，andsaid，\"MonsieurleMairehasgoneaway。\"
Fantineraisedherselfandcrouchedonherheelsinthebed:
hereyessparkled；indescribablejoybeamedfromthatmelancholyface。
\"Gone！\"shecried；\"hehasgonetogetCosette。\"
Thensheraisedherarmstoheaven，andherwhitefacebecameineffable；
herlipsmoved；shewasprayinginalowvoice。
Whenherprayerwasfinished，\"Sister，\"shesaid，\"Iamwillingtoliedownagain；Iwilldoanythingyouwish；Iwasnaughtyjustnow；
Ibegyourpardonforhavingspokensoloud；itisverywrongtotalkloudly；Iknowthatwell，mygoodsister，but，yousee，Iamveryhappy:thegoodGodisgood；M。Madeleineisgood；
justthink！hehasgonetoMontfermeiltogetmylittleCosette。\"
Shelaydownagain，withthenun’sassistance，helpedthenuntoarrangeherpillow，andkissedthelittlesilvercrosswhichsheworeonherneck，andwhichSisterSimplicehadgivenher。
\"Mychild，\"saidthesister，\"trytorestnow，anddonottalkanymore。\"
Fantinetookthesister’shandinhermoisthands，andthelatterwaspainedtofeelthatperspiration。
\"HesetoutthismorningforParis；infact，heneednotevengothroughParis；Montfermeilisalittletotheleftasyoucomethence。
Doyourememberhowhesaidtomeyesterday，whenIspoketohimofCosette，Soon，soon？Hewantstogivemeasurprise，youknow！hemademesignalettersothatshecouldbetakenfromtheThenardiers；theycannotsayanything，canthey？theywillgivebackCosette，fortheyhavebeenpaid；theauthoritieswillnotallowthemtokeepthechildsincetheyhavereceivedtheirpay。
DonotmakesignstomethatImustnottalk，sister！Iamextremelyhappy；Iamdoingwell；Iamnotillatallanymore；
IamgoingtoseeCosetteagain；Iamevenquitehungry；itisnearlyfiveyearssinceIsawherlast；youcannotimaginehowmuchattachedonegetstochildren，andthen，shewillbesopretty；
youwillsee！Ifyouonlyknewwhatprettylittlerosyfingersshehad！Inthefirstplace，shewillhaveverybeautifulhands；
shehadridiculoushandswhenshewasonlyayearold；likethis！
shemustbeabiggirlnow；sheissevenyearsold；sheisquiteayounglady；IcallherCosette，buthernameisreallyEuphrasie。
Stop！thismorningIwaslookingatthedustonthechimney—piece，andIhadasortofideacomeacrossme，likethat，thatIshouldseeCosetteagainsoon。MonDieu！howwrongitisnottoseeone’schildrenforyears！Oneoughttoreflectthatlifeisnoteternal。
Oh，howgoodM。leMaireistogo！itisverycold！itistrue；
hehadonhiscloak，atleast？hewillbehereto—morrow，willhenot？to—morrowwillbeafestivalday；to—morrowmorning，sister，youmustremindmetoputonmylittlecapthathaslaceonit。