Thedistrict—attorneyknowswhoIam；heknowswhitherIamgoing；
hecanhavemearrestedwhenhelikes。\"
Hedirectedhisstepstowardsthedoor。Notavoicewasraised，notanarmextendedtohinderhim。Allstoodaside。Atthatmomenttherewasabouthimthatdivinesomethingwhichcausesmultitudestostandasideandmakewayforaman。Hetraversedthecrowdslowly。
Itwasneverknownwhoopenedthedoor，butitiscertainthathefoundthedooropenwhenhereachedit。Onarrivingthereheturnedroundandsaid:——
\"Iamatyourcommand，Mr。District—Attorney。\"
Thenheaddressedtheaudience:——
\"Allofyou，allwhoarepresent——considermeworthyofpity，doyounot？GoodGod！WhenIthinkofwhatIwasonthepointofdoing，IconsiderthatIamtobeenvied。Nevertheless，Ishouldhavepreferrednottohavehadthisoccur。\"
Hewithdrew，andthedoorclosedbehindhimasithadopened，forthosewhodocertainsovereignthingsarealwayssureofbeingservedbysomeoneinthecrowd。
Lessthananhourafterthis，theverdictofthejuryfreedthesaidChampmathieufromallaccusations；andChampmathieu，beingatoncereleased，wentoffinastateofstupefaction，thinkingthatallmenwerefools，andcomprehendingnothingofthisvision。
BOOKEIGHTH。——ACOUNTER—BLOW
CHAPTERI
INWHATMIRRORM。MADELEINECONTEMPLATESHISHAIR
Thedayhadbeguntodawn。Fantinehadpassedasleeplessandfeverishnight，filledwithhappyvisions；atdaybreakshefellasleep。
SisterSimplice，whohadbeenwatchingwithher，availedherselfofthisslumbertogoandprepareanewpotionofchinchona。
Theworthysisterhadbeeninthelaboratoryoftheinfirmarybutafewmoments，bendingoverherdrugsandphials，andscrutinizingthingsveryclosely，onaccountofthedimnesswhichthehalf—lightofdawnspreadsoverallobjects。Suddenlysheraisedherheadandutteredafaintshriek。M。Madeleinestoodbeforeher；
hehadjustenteredsilently。
\"Isityou，Mr。Mayor？\"sheexclaimed。
Herepliedinalowvoice:——
\"Howisthatpoorwoman？\"
\"Notsobadjustnow；butwehavebeenveryuneasy。\"
Sheexplainedtohimwhathadpassed:thatFantinehadbeenveryillthedaybefore，andthatshewasbetternow，becauseshethoughtthatthemayorhadgonetoMontfermeiltogetherchild。
Thesisterdarednotquestionthemayor；butsheperceivedplainlyfromhisairthathehadnotcomefromthere。
\"Allthatisgood，\"saidhe；\"youwererightnottoundeceiveher。\"
\"Yes，\"respondedthesister；\"butnow，Mr。Mayor，shewillseeyouandwillnotseeherchild。Whatshallwesaytoher？\"
Hereflectedforamoment。
\"Godwillinspireus，\"saidhe。
\"Butwecannottellalie，\"murmuredthesister，halfaloud。
Itwasbroaddaylightintheroom。ThelightfellfullonM。Madeleine’sface。Thesisterchancedtoraisehereyestoit。
\"GoodGod，sir！\"sheexclaimed；\"whathashappenedtoyou？
Yourhairisperfectlywhite！\"
\"White！\"saidhe。
SisterSimplicehadnomirror。Sherummagedinadrawer，andpulledoutthelittleglasswhichthedoctoroftheinfirmaryusedtoseewhetherapatientwasdeadandwhetherhenolongerbreathed。
M。Madeleinetookthemirror，lookedathishair，andsaid:——
\"Well！\"
Heutteredthewordindifferently，andasthoughhismindwereonsomethingelse。
Thesisterfeltchilledbysomethingstrangeofwhichshecaughtaglimpseinallthis。
Heinquired:——
\"CanIseeher？\"
\"IsnotMonsieurleMairegoingtohaveherchildbroughtbacktoher？\"
saidthesister，hardlyventuringtoputthequestion。
\"Ofcourse；butitwilltaketwoorthreedaysatleast。\"
\"IfshewerenottoseeMonsieurleMaireuntilthattime，\"wentonthesister，timidly，\"shewouldnotknowthatMonsieurleMairehadreturned，anditwouldbeeasytoinspireherwithpatience；
andwhenthechildarrived，shewouldnaturallythinkMonsieurleMairehadjustcomewiththechild。Weshouldnothavetoenactalie。\"
M。Madeleineseemedtoreflectforafewmoments；thenhesaidwithhiscalmgravity:——
\"No，sister，Imustseeher。Imay，perhaps，beinhaste。\"
Thenundidnotappeartonoticethisword\"perhaps，\"whichcommunicatedanobscureandsingularsensetothewordsofthemayor’sspeech。
Shereplied，loweringhereyesandhervoicerespectfully:——
\"Inthatcase，sheisasleep；butMonsieurleMairemayenter。\"
Hemadesomeremarksaboutadoorwhichshutbadly，andthenoiseofwhichmightawakenthesickwoman；thenheenteredFantine’schamber，approachedthebedanddrewasidethecurtains。Shewasasleep。
Herbreathissuedfromherbreastwiththattragicsoundwhichispeculiartothosemaladies，andwhichbreakstheheartsofmotherswhentheyarewatchingthroughthenightbesidetheirsleepingchildwhoiscondemnedtodeath。Butthispainfulrespirationhardlytroubledasortofineffableserenitywhichoverspreadhercountenance，andwhichtransfiguredherinhersleep。
Herpallorhadbecomewhiteness；hercheekswerecrimson；herlonggoldenlashes，theonlybeautyofheryouthandhervirginitywhichremainedtoher，palpitated，thoughtheyremainedclosedanddrooping。Herwholepersonwastremblingwithanindescribableunfoldingofwings，allreadytoopenwideandbearheraway，whichcouldbefeltastheyrustled，thoughtheycouldnotbeseen。
Toseeherthus，onewouldneverhavedreamedthatshewasaninvalidwhoselifewasalmostdespairedof。Sheresembledrathersomethingonthepointofsoaringawaythansomethingonthepointofdying。
Thebranchtrembleswhenahandapproachesittopluckaflower，andseemstobothwithdrawandtoofferitselfatoneandthesametime。
ThehumanbodyhassomethingofthistremorwhentheinstantarrivesinwhichthemysteriousfingersofDeathareabouttopluckthesoul。
M。Madeleineremainedforsometimemotionlessbesidethatbed，gazinginturnuponthesickwomanandthecrucifix，ashehaddonetwomonthsbefore，onthedaywhenhehadcomeforthefirsttimetoseeherinthatasylum。Theywerebothstillthereinthesameattitude——
shesleeping，hepraying；onlynow，afterthelapseoftwomonths，herhairwasgrayandhiswaswhite。
Thesisterhadnotenteredwithhim。Hestoodbesidethebed，withhisfingeronhislips，asthoughthereweresomeoneinthechamberwhomhemustenjointosilence。
Sheopenedhereyes，sawhim，andsaidquietly，withasmile:——
\"AndCosette？\"
CHAPTERII
FANTINEHAPPY
Shemadenomovementofeithersurpriseorofjoy；shewasjoyitself。
Thatsimplequestion，\"AndCosette？\"wasputwithsoprofoundafaith，withsomuchcertainty，withsuchacompleteabsenceofdisquietandofdoubt，thathefoundnotawordofreply。
Shecontinued:——
\"Iknewthatyouwerethere。Iwasasleep，butIsawyou。
Ihaveseenyouforalong，longtime。Ihavebeenfollowingyouwithmyeyesallnightlong。Youwereinaglory，andyouhadaroundyouallsortsofcelestialforms。\"
Heraisedhisglancetothecrucifix。
\"But，\"sheresumed，\"tellmewhereCosetteis。Whydidnotyouplaceheronmybedagainstthemomentofmywaking？\"
Hemadesomemechanicalreplywhichhewasneverafterwardsabletorecall。
Fortunately，thedoctorhadbeenwarned，andhenowmadehisappearance。
HecametotheaidofM。Madeleine。
\"Calmyourself，mychild，\"saidthedoctor；\"yourchildishere。\"
Fantine’seyesbeamedandfilledherwholefacewithlight。
Sheclaspedherhandswithanexpressionwhichcontainedallthatispossibletoprayerinthewayofviolenceandtenderness。
\"Oh！\"sheexclaimed，\"bringhertome！\"
Touchingillusionofamother！Cosettewas，forher，stillthelittlechildwhoiscarried。
\"Notyet，\"saidthedoctor，\"notjustnow。Youstillhavesomefever。
Thesightofyourchildwouldagitateyouanddoyouharm。
Youmustbecuredfirst。\"
Sheinterruptedhimimpetuously:——
\"ButIamcured！Oh，ItellyouthatIamcured！Whatanassthatdoctoris！Theidea！Iwanttoseemychild！\"
\"Yousee，\"saidthedoctor，\"howexcitedyoubecome。SolongasyouareinthisstateIshallopposeyourhavingyourchild。Itisnotenoughtoseeher；itisnecessarythatyoushouldliveforher。
Whenyouarereasonable，Iwillbringhertoyoumyself。\"
Thepoormotherbowedherhead。
\"Ibegyourpardon，doctor，Ireallybegyourpardon。FormerlyI
shouldneverhavespokenasIhavejustdone；somanymisfortuneshavehappenedtome，thatIsometimesdonotknowwhatIamsaying。
Iunderstandyou；youfeartheemotion。Iwillwaitaslongasyoulike，butIsweartoyouthatitwouldnothaveharmedmetoseemydaughter。Ihavebeenseeingher；Ihavenottakenmyeyesfromhersinceyesterdayevening。Doyouknow？
Ifshewerebroughttomenow，Ishouldtalktoherverygently。
Thatisall。IsitnotquitenaturalthatIshoulddesiretoseemydaughter，whohasbeenbroughttomeexpresslyfromMontfermeil？
Iamnotangry。IknowwellthatIamabouttobehappy。AllnightlongIhaveseenwhitethings，andpersonswhosmiledatme。
WhenMonsieurleDocteurpleases，heshallbringmeCosette。
Ihavenolongeranyfever；Iamwell。Iamperfectlyconsciousthatthereisnothingthematterwithmeanymore；butIamgoingtobehaveasthoughIwereill，andnotstir，topleasetheseladieshere。
WhenitisseenthatIamverycalm，theywillsay，`Shemusthaveherchild。’\"
M。Madeleinewassittingonachairbesidethebed。Sheturnedtowardshim；shewasmakingavisibleefforttobecalmand\"verygood，\"
assheexpresseditinthefeeblenessofillnesswhichresemblesinfancy，inorderthat，seeinghersopeaceable，theymightmakenodifficultyaboutbringingCosettetoher。ButwhileshecontrolledherselfshecouldnotrefrainfromquestioningM。Madeleine。
\"Didyouhaveapleasanttrip，MonsieurleMaire？Oh！howgoodyouweretogoandgetherforme！Onlytellmehowsheis。
Didshestandthejourneywell？Alas！shewillnotrecognizeme。
Shemusthaveforgottenmebythistime，poordarling！Childrenhavenomemories。Theyarelikebirds。Achildseesonethingto—dayandanotherthingto—morrow，andthinksofnothinganylonger。
Anddidshehavewhitelinen？DidthoseThenardierskeepherclean？
Howhavetheyfedher？Oh！ifyouonlyknewhowIhavesuffered，puttingsuchquestionsasthattomyselfduringallthetimeofmywretchedness。Now，itisallpast。Iamhappy。Oh，howIshouldliketoseeher！Doyouthinkherpretty，MonsieurleMaire？Isnotmydaughterbeautiful？Youmusthavebeenverycoldinthatdiligence！
Couldshenotbebroughtforjustonelittleinstant？Shemightbetakenawaydirectlyafterwards。Tellme；youarethemaster；
itcouldbesoifyouchose！\"
Hetookherhand。\"Cosetteisbeautiful，\"hesaid，\"Cosetteiswell。
Youshallseehersoon；butcalmyourself；youaretalkingwithtoomuchvivacity，andyouarethrowingyourarmsoutfromundertheclothes，andthatmakesyoucough。\"
Infact，fitsofcoughinginterruptedFantineatnearlyeveryword。
Fantinedidnotmurmur；shefearedthatshehadinjuredbyhertoopassionatelamentationstheconfidencewhichshewasdesirousofinspiring，andshebegantotalkofindifferentthings。
\"Montfermeilisquitepretty，isitnot？Peoplegothereonpleasurepartiesinsummer。AretheThenardiersprosperous？
Therearenotmanytravellersintheirparts。Thatinnoftheirsisasortofacook—shop。\"
M。Madeleinewasstillholdingherhand，andgazingatherwithanxiety；itwasevidentthathehadcometotellherthingsbeforewhichhismindnowhesitated。Thedoctor，havingfinishedhisvisit，retired。SisterSimpliceremainedalonewiththem。
ButinthemidstofthispauseFantineexclaimed:——
\"Ihearher！monDieu，Ihearher！\"
Shestretchedoutherarmtoenjoinsilenceabouther，heldherbreath，andbegantolistenwithrapture。
Therewasachildplayingintheyard——thechildoftheportressorofsomework—woman。Itwasoneofthoseaccidentswhicharealwaysoccurring，andwhichseemtoformapartofthemysteriousstage—settingofmournfulscenes。Thechild——alittlegirl——
wasgoingandcoming，runningtowarmherself，laughing，singingatthetopofhervoice。Alas！inwhataretheplaysofchildrennotintermingled。ItwasthislittlegirlwhomFantineheardsinging。
\"Oh！\"sheresumed，\"itismyCosette！Irecognizehervoice。\"
Thechildretreatedasithadcome；thevoicediedaway。
Fantinelistenedforawhilelonger，thenherfacecloudedover，andM。Madeleineheardhersay，inalowvoice:\"Howwickedthatdoctorisnottoallowmetoseemydaughter！Thatmanhasanevilcountenance，thathehas。\"
Butthesmilingbackgroundofherthoughtscametothefrontagain。
Shecontinuedtotalktoherself，withherheadrestingonthepillow:
\"Howhappywearegoingtobe！Weshallhavealittlegardentheveryfirstthing；M。Madeleinehaspromisedittome。Mydaughterwillplayinthegarden。Shemustknowherlettersbythistime。
Iwillmakeherspell。Shewillrunoverthegrassafterbutterflies。
Iwillwatchher。Thenshewilltakeherfirstcommunion。Ah！whenwillshetakeherfirstcommunion？\"
Shebegantoreckononherfingers。
\"One，two，three，four——sheissevenyearsold。Infiveyearsshewillhaveawhiteveil，andopenworkstockings；shewilllooklikealittlewoman。Omygoodsister，youdonotknowhowfoolishIbecomewhenIthinkofmydaughter’sfirstcommunion！\"
Shebegantolaugh。
HehadreleasedFantine’shand。Helistenedtoherwordsasonelistenstothesighingofthebreeze，withhiseyesontheground，hismindabsorbedinreflectionwhichhadnobottom。Allatoncesheceasedspeaking，andthiscausedhimtoraisehisheadmechanically。
Fantinehadbecometerrible。
Shenolongerspoke，shenolongerbreathed；shehadraisedherselftoasittingposture，herthinshoulderemergedfromherchemise；
herface，whichhadbeenradiantbutamomentbefore，wasghastly，andsheseemedtohavefixedhereyes，renderedlargewithterror，onsomethingalarmingattheotherextremityoftheroom。
\"GoodGod！\"heexclaimed；\"whatailsyou，Fantine？\"
Shemadenoreply；shedidnotremovehereyesfromtheobjectwhichsheseemedtosee。Sheremovedonehandfromhisarm，andwiththeothermadehimasigntolookbehindhim。
Heturned，andbeheldJavert。
CHAPTERIII
JAVERTSATISFIED
Thisiswhathadtakenplace。
Thehalf—houraftermidnighthadjuststruckwhenM。MadeleinequittedtheHallofAssizesinArras。Heregainedhisinnjustintimetosetoutagainbythemail—wagon，inwhichhehadengagedhisplace。
Alittlebeforesixo’clockinthemorninghehadarrivedatM。surM。，andhisfirstcarehadbeentopostalettertoM。Laffitte，thentoentertheinfirmaryandseeFantine。
However，hehadhardlyquittedtheaudiencehalloftheCourtofAssizes，whenthedistrict—attorney，recoveringfromhisfirstshock，hadtakenthewordtodeplorethemaddeedofthehonorablemayorofM。surM。，todeclarethathisconvictionshadnotbeenintheleastmodifiedbythatcuriousincident，whichwouldbeexplainedthereafter，andtodemand，inthemeantime，thecondemnationofthatChampmathieu，whowasevidentlytherealJeanValjean。
Thedistrict—attorney’spersistencewasvisiblyatvariancewiththesentimentsofeveryone，ofthepublic，ofthecourt，andofthejury。Thecounselforthedefencehadsomedifficultyinrefutingthisharangueandinestablishingthat，inconsequenceoftherevelationsofM。Madeleine，thatistosay，oftherealJeanValjean，theaspectofthematterhadbeenthoroughlyaltered，andthatthejuryhadbeforetheireyesnowonlyaninnocentman。
Thencethelawyerhaddrawnsomeepiphonemas，notveryfresh，unfortunately，uponjudicialerrors，etc。，etc。；thePresident，inhissummingup，hadjoinedthecounselforthedefence，andinafewminutesthejuryhadthrownChampmathieuoutofthecase。
Nevertheless，thedistrict—attorneywasbentonhavingaJeanValjean；
andashehadnolongerChampmathieu，hetookMadeleine。
ImmediatelyafterChampmathieuhadbeensetatliberty，thedistrict—attorneyshuthimselfupwiththePresident。
Theyconferred\"astothenecessityofseizingthepersonofM。leMaireofM。surM。\"Thisphrase，inwhichtherewasagreatdealofof，isthedistrict—attorney’s，writtenwithhisownhand，ontheminutesofhisreporttotheattorney—general。Hisfirstemotionhavingpassedoff，thePresidentdidnotoffermanyobjections。
Justicemust，afterall，takeitscourse。Andthen，whenallwassaid，althoughthePresidentwasakindlyandatolerablyintelligentman，hewas，atthesametime，adevotedandalmostanardentroyalist，andhehadbeenshockedtoheartheMayorofM。surM。saytheEmperor，andnotBonaparte，whenalludingtothelandingatCannes。
Theorderforhisarrestwasaccordinglydespatched。
Thedistrict—attorneyforwardedittoM。surM。byaspecialmessenger，atfullspeed，andentrusteditsexecutiontoPoliceInspectorJavert。
ThereaderknowsthatJaverthadreturnedtoM。surM。immediatelyafterhavinggivenhisdeposition。
Javertwasjustgettingoutofbedwhenthemessengerhandedhimtheorderofarrestandthecommandtoproducetheprisoner。
Themessengerhimselfwasaveryclevermemberofthepolice，who，intwowords，informedJavertofwhathadtakenplaceatArras。
Theorderofarrest，signedbythedistrict—attorney，wascouchedinthesewords:\"InspectorJavertwillapprehendthebodyoftheSieurMadeleine，mayorofM。surM。，who，inthisday’ssessionofthecourt，wasrecognizedastheliberatedconvict，JeanValjean。\"
AnyonewhodidnotknowJavert，andwhohadchancedtoseehimatthemomentwhenhepenetratedtheantechamberoftheinfirmary，couldhavedivinednothingofwhathadtakenplace，andwouldhavethoughthisairthemostordinaryintheworld。Hewascool，calm，grave，hisgrayhairwasperfectlysmoothuponhistemples，andhehadjustmountedthestairswithhishabitualdeliberation。
Anyonewhowasthoroughlyacquaintedwithhim，andwhohadexaminedhimattentivelyatthemoment，wouldhaveshuddered。Thebuckleofhisleatherstockwasunderhisleftearinsteadofatthenapeofhisneck。Thisbetrayedunwontedagitation。
Javertwasacompletecharacter，whoneverhadawrinkleinhisdutyorinhisuniform；methodicalwithmalefactors，rigidwiththebuttonsofhiscoat。
Thatheshouldhavesetthebuckleofhisstockawry，itwasindispensablethatthereshouldhavetakenplaceinhimoneofthoseemotionswhichmaybedesignatedasinternalearthquakes。
Hehadcomeinasimpleway，hadmadearequisitionontheneighboringpostforacorporalandfoursoldiers，hadleftthesoldiersinthecourtyard，hadhadFantine’sroompointedouttohimbytheportress，whowasutterlyunsuspicious，accustomedasshewastoseeingarmedmeninquiringforthemayor。
OnarrivingatFantine’schamber，Javertturnedthehandle，pushedthedooropenwiththegentlenessofasick—nurseorapolicespy，andentered。
Properlyspeaking，hedidnotenter。Hestooderectinthehalf—opendoor，hishatonhisheadandhislefthandthrustintohiscoat，whichwasbuttoneduptothechin。Inthebendofhiselbowtheleadenheadofhisenormouscane，whichwashiddenbehindhim，couldbeseen。
Thusheremainedfornearlyaminute，withouthispresencebeingperceived。AllatonceFantineraisedhereyes，sawhim，andmadeM。Madeleineturnround。
TheinstantthatMadeleine’sglanceencounteredJavert’sglance，Javert，withoutstirring，withoutmovingfromhispost，withoutapproachinghim，becameterrible。Nohumansentimentcanbeasterribleasjoy。
Itwasthevisageofademonwhohasjustfoundhisdamnedsoul。
ThesatisfactionofatlastgettingholdofJeanValjeancausedallthatwasinhissoultoappearinhiscountenance。Thedepthshavingbeenstirredup，mountedtothesurface。Thehumiliationofhaving，insomeslightdegree，lostthescent，andofhavingindulged，forafewmoments，inanerrorwithregardtoChampmathieu，waseffacedbyprideathavingsowellandaccuratelydivinedinthefirstplace，andofhavingforsolongcherishedajustinstinct。
Javert’scontentshoneforthinhissovereignattitude。Thedeformityoftriumphoverspreadthatnarrowbrow。Allthedemonstrationsofhorrorwhichasatisfiedfacecanaffordwerethere。
Javertwasinheavenatthatmoment。Withoutputtingthethingclearlytohimself，butwithaconfusedintuitionofthenecessityofhispresenceandofhissuccess，he，Javert，personifiedjustice，light，andtruthintheircelestialfunctionofcrushingoutevil。
Behindhimandaroundhim，ataninfinitedistance，hehadauthority，reason，thecasejudged，thelegalconscience，thepublicprosecution，allthestars；hewasprotectingorder，hewascausingthelawtoyieldupitsthunders，hewasavengingsociety，hewaslendingahelpinghandtotheabsolute，hewasstandingerectinthemidstofaglory。Thereexistedinhisvictoryaremnantofdefianceandofcombat。Erect，haughty，brilliant，heflauntedabroadinopendaythesuperhumanbestialityofaferociousarchangel。
Theterribleshadowoftheactionwhichhewasaccomplishingcausedthevagueflashofthesocialswordtobevisibleinhisclenchedfist；
happyandindignant，heheldhisheeluponcrime，vice，rebellion，perdition，hell；hewasradiant，heexterminated，hesmiled，andtherewasanincontestablegrandeurinthismonstrousSaintMichael。
Javert，thoughfrightful，hadnothingignobleabouthim。
Probity，sincerity，candor，conviction，thesenseofduty，arethingswhichmaybecomehideouswhenwronglydirected；
butwhich，evenwhenhideous，remaingrand:theirmajesty，themajestypeculiartothehumanconscience，clingstotheminthemidstofhorror；theyarevirtueswhichhaveonevice，——error。
Thehonest，pitilessjoyofafanaticinthefullfloodofhisatrocitypreservesacertainlugubriouslyvenerableradiance。
Withouthimselfsuspectingthefact，Javertinhisformidablehappinesswastobepitied，asiseveryignorantmanwhotriumphs。
Nothingcouldbesopoignantandsoterribleasthisface，whereinwasdisplayedallthatmaybedesignatedastheevilofthegood。
CHAPTERIV
AUTHORITYREASSERTSITSRIGHTS
FantinehadnotseenJavertsincethedayonwhichthemayorhadtornherfromtheman。Herailingbraincomprehendednothing，buttheonlythingwhichshedidnotdoubtwasthathehadcometogether。
Shecouldnotendurethatterribleface；shefeltherlifequittingher；
shehidherfaceinbothhands，andshriekedinheranguish:——
\"MonsieurMadeleine，saveme！\"
JeanValjean——weshallhenceforthnotspeakofhimotherwise——
hadrisen。HesaidtoFantineinthegentlestandcalmestofvoices:——
\"Beatease；itisnotforyouthatheiscome。\"
ThenheaddressedJavert，andsaid:——
\"Iknowwhatyouwant。\"
Javertreplied:——
\"Bequickaboutit！\"
Therelayintheinflectionofvoicewhichaccompaniedthesewordssomethingindescribablyfierceandfrenzied。Javertdidnotsay，\"Bequickaboutit！\"hesaid\"Bequiabouit。\"
Noorthographycandojusticetotheaccentwithwhichitwasuttered:
itwasnolongerahumanword:itwasaroar。
Hedidnotproceedaccordingtohiscustom，hedidnotenterintothematter，heexhibitednowarrantofarrest。Inhiseyes，JeanValjeanwasasortofmysteriouscombatant，whowasnottobelaidhandsupon，awrestlerinthedarkwhomhehadhadinhisgraspforthelastfiveyears，withoutbeingabletothrowhim。
Thisarrestwasnotabeginning，butanend。Heconfinedhimselftosaying，\"Bequickaboutit！\"
Ashespokethus，hedidnotadvanceasinglestep；hehurledatJeanValjeanaglancewhichhethrewoutlikeagrappling—hook，andwithwhichhewasaccustomedtodrawwretchesviolentlytohim。
ItwasthisglancewhichFantinehadfeltpenetratingtotheverymarrowofherbonestwomonthspreviously。
AtJavert’sexclamation，Fantineopenedhereyesoncemore。
Butthemayorwasthere；whathadshetofear？
Javertadvancedtothemiddleoftheroom，andcried:——
\"Seeherenow！Artthoucoming？\"
Theunhappywomanglancedabouther。Noonewaspresentexceptingthenunandthemayor。Towhomcouldthatabjectuseof\"thou\"
beaddressed？Toheronly。Sheshuddered。
Thenshebeheldamostunprecedentedthing，athingsounprecedentedthatnothingequaltoithadappearedtoherevenintheblackestdeliriumsoffever。
ShebeheldJavert，thepolicespy，seizethemayorbythecollar；
shesawthemayorbowhishead。Itseemedtoherthattheworldwascomingtoanend。
Javerthad，infact，graspedJeanValjeanbythecollar。
\"MonsieurleMaire！\"shriekedFantine。
Javertburstoutlaughingwiththatfrightfullaughwhichdisplayedallhisgums。
\"ThereisnolongeranyMonsieurleMairehere！\"
JeanValjeanmadenoattempttodisengagethehandwhichgraspedthecollarofhiscoat。Hesaid:——
\"Javert——\"
Javertinterruptedhim:\"CallmeMr。Inspector。\"
\"Monsieur，\"saidJeanValjean，\"Ishouldliketosayawordtoyouinprivate。\"
\"Aloud！Sayitaloud！\"repliedJavert；\"peopleareinthehabitoftalkingaloudtome。\"
JeanValjeanwentoninalowertone:——
\"Ihavearequesttomakeofyou——\"
\"Itellyoutospeakloud。\"
\"Butyoualoneshouldhearit——\"
\"Whatdifferencedoesthatmaketome？Ishallnotlisten。\"
JeanValjeanturnedtowardshimandsaidveryrapidlyandinaverylowvoice:——
\"Grantmethreedays’grace！threedaysinwhichtogoandfetchthechildofthisunhappywoman。Iwillpaywhateverisnecessary。
Youshallaccompanymeifyouchoose。\"
\"Youaremakingsportofme！\"criedJavert。\"Comenow，Ididnotthinkyousuchafool！Youaskmetogiveyouthreedaysinwhichtorunaway！Yousaythatitisforthepurposeoffetchingthatcreature’schild！Ah！Ah！That’sgood！That’sreallycapital！\"
Fantinewasseizedwithafitoftrembling。
\"Mychild！\"shecried，\"togoandfetchmychild！Sheisnothere，then！Answerme，sister；whereisCosette？Iwantmychild！
MonsieurMadeleine！MonsieurleMaire！\"
Javertstampedhisfoot。
\"Andnowthere’stheotherone！Willyouholdyourtongue，youhussy？
It’saprettysortofaplacewhereconvictsaremagistrates，andwherewomenofthetownarecaredforlikecountesses！Ah！Butwearegoingtochangeallthat；itishightime！\"
HestaredintentlyatFantine，andadded，oncemoretakingintohisgraspJeanValjean’scravat，shirtandcollar:——
\"ItellyouthatthereisnoMonsieurMadeleineandthatthereisnoMonsieurleMaire。Thereisathief，abrigand，aconvictnamedJeanValjean！AndIhavehiminmygrasp！That’swhatthereis！\"
Fantineraisedherselfinbedwithabound，supportingherselfonherstiffenedarmsandonbothhands:shegazedatJeanValjean，shegazedatJavert，shegazedatthenun，sheopenedhermouthasthoughtospeak；arattleproceededfromthedepthsofherthroat，herteethchattered；shestretchedoutherarmsinheragony，openingherhandsconvulsively，andfumblingaboutherlikeadrowningperson；thensuddenlyfellbackonherpillow。
Herheadstruckthehead—boardofthebedandfellforwardsonherbreast，withgapingmouthandstaring，sightlesseyes。
Shewasdead。
JeanValjeanlaidhishanduponthedetaininghandofJavert，andopeneditashewouldhaveopenedthehandofababy；thenhesaidtoJavert:——
\"Youhavemurderedthatwoman。\"
\"Let’shaveanendofthis！\"shoutedJavert，inafury；\"Iamnotheretolistentoargument。Letuseconomizeallthat；theguardisbelow；marchoninstantly，oryou’llgetthethumb—screws！\"
Inthecorneroftheroomstoodanoldironbedstead，whichwasinadecidedlydecrepitstate，andwhichservedthesistersasacamp—bedwhentheywerewatchingwiththesick。JeanValjeansteppeduptothisbed，inatwinklingwrenchedoffthehead—piece，whichwasalreadyinadilapidatedcondition，aneasymattertomuscleslikehis，graspedtheprincipalrodlikeabludgeon，andglancedatJavert。
Javertretreatedtowardsthedoor。JeanValjean，armedwithhisbarofiron，walkedslowlyuptoFantine’scouch。WhenhearrivedthereheturnedandsaidtoJavert，inavoicethatwasbarelyaudible:——
\"Iadviseyounottodisturbmeatthismoment。\"
Onethingiscertain，andthatis，thatJaverttrembled。
Itdidoccurtohimtosummontheguard，butJeanValjeanmightavailhimselfofthatmomenttoeffecthisescape；soheremained，graspedhiscanebythesmallend，andleanedagainstthedoor—post，withoutremovinghiseyesfromJeanValjean。
JeanValjeanrestedhiselbowontheknobattheheadofthebed，andhisbrowonhishand，andbegantocontemplatethemotionlessbodyofFantine，whichlayextendedthere。Heremainedthus，mute，absorbed，evidentlywithnofurtherthoughtofanythingconnectedwiththislife。Uponhisfaceandinhisattitudetherewasnothingbutinexpressiblepity。AfterafewmomentsofthismeditationhebenttowardsFantine，andspoketoherinalowvoice。
Whatdidhesaytoher？Whatcouldthisman，whowasreproved，saytothatwoman，whowasdead？Whatwordswerethose？Nooneonearthheardthem。Didthedeadwomanhearthem？Therearesometouchingillusionswhichare，perhaps，sublimerealities。
Thepointastowhichthereexistsnodoubtis，thatSisterSimplice，thesolewitnessoftheincident，oftensaidthatatthemomentthatJeanValjeanwhisperedinFantine’sear，shedistinctlybeheldanineffablesmiledawnonthosepalelips，andinthosedimeyes，filledwiththeamazementofthetomb。
JeanValjeantookFantine’sheadinbothhishands，andarrangeditonthepillowasamothermighthavedoneforherchild；thenhetiedthestringofherchemise，andsmoothedherhairbackunderhercap。
Thatdone，heclosedhereyes。
Fantine’sfaceseemedstrangelyilluminatedatthatmoment。
Death，thatsignifiesentranceintothegreatlight。
Fantine’shandwashangingoverthesideofthebed。JeanValjeankneltdownbeforethathand，lifteditgently，andkissedit。
Thenherose，andturnedtoJavert。
\"Now，\"saidhe，\"Iamatyourdisposal。\"
CHAPTERV
ASUITABLETOMB
JavertdepositedJeanValjeaninthecityprison。
ThearrestofM。Madeleineoccasionedasensation，orrather，anextraordinarycommotioninM。surM。Wearesorrythatwecannotconcealthefact，thatatthesingleword，\"Hewasaconvict，\"
nearlyeveryonedesertedhim。Inlessthantwohoursallthegoodthathehaddonehadbeenforgotten，andhewasnothingbuta\"convictfromthegalleys。\"ItisjusttoaddthatthedetailsofwhathadtakenplaceatArraswerenotyetknown。Alldaylongconversationslikethefollowingweretobeheardinallquartersofthetown:——
\"Youdon’tknow？Hewasaliberatedconvict！\"\"Who？\"\"Themayor。\"
\"Bah！M。Madeleine？\"\"Yes。\"\"Really？\"\"HisnamewasnotMadeleineatall；hehadafrightfulname，Bejean，Bojean，Boujean。\"\"Ah！
GoodGod！\"\"Hehasbeenarrested。\"\"Arrested！\"\"Inprison，inthecityprison，whilewaitingtobetransferred。\"\"Untilheistransferred！\"\"Heistobetransferred！\"\"Whereishetobetaken？\"\"HewillbetriedattheAssizesforahighwayrobberywhichhecommittedlongago。\"\"Well！Isuspectedasmuch。
Thatmanwastoogood，tooperfect，tooaffected。Herefusedthecross；hebestowedsousonallthelittlescampshecameacross。
Ialwaysthoughttherewassomeevilhistorybackofallthat。\"
The\"drawing—rooms\"particularlyaboundedinremarksofthisnature。
Oneoldlady，asubscribertotheDrapeauBlanc，madethefollowingremark，thedepthofwhichitisimpossibletofathom:——
\"Iamnotsorry。ItwillbealessontotheBonapartists！\"
ItwasthusthatthephantomwhichhadbeencalledM。MadeleinevanishedfromM。surM。Onlythreeorfourpersonsinallthetownremainedfaithfultohismemory。Theoldportresswhohadservedhimwasamongthenumber。
Ontheeveningofthatdaytheworthyoldwomanwassittinginherlodge，stillinathoroughfright，andabsorbedinsadreflections。
Thefactoryhadbeenclosedallday，thecarriagegatewasbolted，thestreetwasdeserted。Therewasnooneinthehousebutthetwonuns，SisterPerpetueandSisterSimplice，whowerewatchingbesidethebodyofFantine。
TowardsthehourwhenM。Madeleinewasaccustomedtoreturnhome，thegoodportressrosemechanically，tookfromadrawerthekeyofM。Madeleine’schamber，andtheflatcandlestickwhichheusedeveryeveningtogouptohisquarters；thenshehungthekeyonthenailwhencehewasaccustomedtotakeit，andsetthecandlestickononeside，asthoughshewasexpectinghim。Thenshesatdownagainonherchair，andbecameabsorbedinthoughtoncemore。
Thepoor，goodoldwomanbaddoneallthiswithoutbeingconsciousofit。
Itwasonlyattheexpirationoftwohoursthatsherousedherselffromherrevery，andexclaimed，\"Hold！MygoodGodJesus！
AndIhunghiskeyonthenail！\"
Atthatmomentthesmallwindowinthelodgeopened，ahandpassedthrough，seizedthekeyandthecandlestick，andlightedthetaperatthecandlewhichwasburningthere。
Theportressraisedhereyes，andstoodtherewithgapingmouth，andashriekwhichsheconfinedtoherthroat。
Sheknewthathand，thatarm，thesleeveofthatcoat。
ItwasM。Madeleine。
Itwasseveralsecondsbeforeshecouldspeak；shehadaseizure，asshesaidherself，whensherelatedtheadventureafterwards。
\"GoodGod，MonsieurleMaire，\"shecriedatlast，\"Ithoughtyouwere——\"
Shestopped；theconclusionofhersentencewouldhavebeenlackinginrespecttowardsthebeginning。JeanValjeanwasstillMonsieurleMairetoher。
Hefinishedherthought。
\"Inprison，\"saidhe。\"Iwasthere；Ibrokeabarofoneofthewindows；Iletmyselfdropfromthetopofaroof，andhereIam。
Iamgoinguptomyroom；goandfindSisterSimpliceforme。
Sheiswiththatpoorwoman，nodoubt。\"
Theoldwomanobeyedinallhaste。
Hegavehernoorders；hewasquitesurethatshewouldguardhimbetterthanheshouldguardhimself。
Nooneeverfoundouthowhehadmanagedtogetintothecourtyardwithoutopeningthebiggates。Hehad，andalwayscarriedabouthim，apass—keywhichopenedalittleside—door；buthemusthavebeensearched，andhislatch—keymusthavebeentakenfromhim。
Thispointwasneverexplained。
Heascendedthestaircaseleadingtohischamber。Onarrivingatthetop，helefthiscandleonthetopstepofhisstairs，openedhisdoorwithverylittlenoise，wentandclosedhiswindowandhisshuttersbyfeeling，thenreturnedforhiscandleandre—enteredhisroom。
Itwasausefulprecaution；itwillberecollectedthathiswindowcouldbeseenfromthestreet。
Hecastaglanceabouthim，athistable，athischair，athisbedwhichhadnotbeendisturbedforthreedays。Notraceofthedisorderofthenightbeforelastremained。Theportresshad\"doneup\"
hisroom；onlyshehadpickedoutoftheashesandplacedneatlyonthetablethetwoironendsofthecudgelandtheforty—soupiecewhichhadbeenblackenedbythefire。
Hetookasheetofpaper，onwhichhewrote:\"Thesearethetwotipsofmyiron—shodcudgelandtheforty—soupiecestolenfromLittleGervais，whichImentionedattheCourtofAssizes，\"
andhearrangedthispieceofpaper，thebitsofiron，andthecoininsuchawaythattheywerethefirstthingstobeseenonenteringtheroom。Fromacupboardhepulledoutoneofhisoldshirts，whichhetoreinpieces。Inthestripsoflinenthuspreparedhewrappedthetwosilvercandlesticks。Hebetrayedneitherhastenoragitation；andwhilehewaswrappinguptheBishop’scandlesticks，henibbledatapieceofblackbread。Itwasprobablytheprison—breadwhichhehadcarriedwithhiminhisflight。
Thiswasprovedbythecrumbswhichwerefoundontheflooroftheroomwhentheauthoritiesmadeanexaminationlateron。
Therecametwotapsatthedoor。
\"Comein，\"saidhe。
ItwasSisterSimplice。
Shewaspale；hereyeswerered；thecandlewhichshecarriedtrembledinherhand。Thepeculiarfeatureoftheviolencesofdestinyis，thathoweverpolishedorcoolwemaybe，theywringhumannaturefromourverybowels，andforceittoreappearonthesurface。
Theemotionsofthatdayhadturnedthenunintoawomanoncemore。
Shehadwept，andshewastrembling。
JeanValjeanhadjustfinishedwritingafewlinesonapaper，whichhehandedtothenun，saying，\"Sister，youwillgivethistoMonsieurleCure。\"
Thepaperwasnotfolded。Shecastaglanceuponit。
\"Youcanreadit，\"saidhe。
Sheread:——
\"IbegMonsieurleCuretokeepaneyeonallthatIleavebehindme。
Hewillbesogoodastopayoutofittheexpensesofmytrial，andofthefuneralofthewomanwhodiedyesterday。Therestisforthepoor。\"
Thesistertriedtospeak，butsheonlymanagedtostammerafewinarticulatesounds。Shesucceededinsaying，however:——
\"DoesnotMonsieurleMairedesiretotakealastlookatthatpoor，unhappywoman？\"
\"No，\"saidhe；\"Iampursued；itwouldonlyendintheirarrestingmeinthatroom，andthatwoulddisturbher。\"
Hehadhardlyfinishedwhenaloudnoisebecameaudibleonthestaircase。
Theyheardatumultofascendingfootsteps，andtheoldportresssayinginherloudestandmostpiercingtones:——
\"Mygoodsir，IsweartoyoubythegoodGod，thatnotasoulhasenteredthishouseallday，noralltheevening，andthatI
havenotevenleftthedoor。\"
Amanresponded:——
\"Butthereisalightinthatroom，nevertheless。\"
TheyrecognizedJavert’svoice。
Thechamberwassoarrangedthatthedoorinopeningmaskedthecornerofthewallontheright。JeanValjeanblewoutthelightandplacedhimselfinthisangle。SisterSimplicefellonherkneesnearthetable。
Thedooropened。
Javertentered。
Thewhispersofmanymenandtheprotestationsoftheportresswereaudibleinthecorridor。
Thenundidnotraisehereyes。Shewaspraying。
Thecandlewasonthechimney—piece，andgavebutverylittlelight。
Javertcaughtsightofthenunandhaltedinamazement。
ItwillberememberedthatthefundamentalpointinJavert，hiselement，theveryairhebreathed，wasvenerationforallauthority。
Thiswasimpregnable，andadmittedofneitherobjectionnorrestriction。
Inhiseyes，ofcourse，theecclesiasticalauthoritywasthechiefofall；hewasreligious，superficialandcorrectonthispointasonallothers。Inhiseyes，apriestwasamind，whonevermakesamistake；anunwasacreaturewhoneversins；theyweresoulswalledinfromthisworld，withasingledoorwhichneveropenedexcepttoallowthetruthtopassthrough。
Onperceivingthesister，hisfirstmovementwastoretire。
Buttherewasalsoanotherdutywhichboundhimandimpelledhimimperiouslyintheoppositedirection。Hissecondmovementwastoremainandtoventureonatleastonequestion。
ThiswasSisterSimplice，whohadnevertoldalieinherlife。
Javertknewit，andheldherinspecialvenerationinconsequence。
\"Sister，\"saidhe，\"areyoualoneinthisroom？\"
Aterriblemomentensued，duringwhichthepoorportressfeltasthoughsheshouldfaint。
Thesisterraisedhereyesandanswered:——
\"Yes。\"
\"Then，\"resumedJavert，\"youwillexcusemeifIpersist；itismyduty；youhavenotseenacertainperson——aman——thisevening？
Hehasescaped；weareinsearchofhim——thatJeanValjean；
youhavenotseenhim？\"
Thesisterreplied:——
\"No。\"
Shelied。Shehadliedtwiceinsuccession，oneaftertheother，withouthesitation，promptly，asapersondoeswhensacrificingherself。
\"Pardonme，\"saidJavert，andheretiredwithadeepbow。
Osaintedmaid！youleftthisworldmanyyearsago；youhaverejoinedyoursisters，thevirgins，andyourbrothers，theangels，inthelight；maythisliebecountedtoyourcreditinparadise！
Thesister’saffirmationwasforJavertsodecisiveathingthathedidnotevenobservethesingularityofthatcandlewhichhadbutjustbeenextinguished，andwhichwasstillsmokingonthetable。
Anhourlater，aman，marchingamidtreesandmists，wasrapidlydepartingfromM。surM。inthedirectionofParis。ThatmanwasJeanValjean。Ithasbeenestablishedbythetestimonyoftwoorthreecarterswhomethim，thathewascarryingabundle；
thathewasdressedinablouse。Wherehadheobtainedthatblouse？
Nooneeverfoundout。Butanagedworkmanhaddiedintheinfirmaryofthefactoryafewdaysbefore，leavingbehindhimnothingbuthisblouse。Perhapsthatwastheone。
OnelastwordaboutFantine。
Weallhaveamother，——theearth。Fantinewasgivenbacktothatmother。
Thecurethoughtthathewasdoingright，andperhapshereallywas，inreservingasmuchmoneyaspossiblefromwhatJeanValjeanhadleftforthepoor。Whowasconcerned，afterall？Aconvictandawomanofthetown。ThatiswhyhehadaverysimplefuneralforFantine，andreducedittothatstrictlynecessaryformknownasthepauper’sgrave。
SoFantinewasburiedinthefreecornerofthecemeterywhichbelongstoanybodyandeverybody，andwherethepoorarelost。Fortunately，Godknowswheretofindthesoulagain。
Fantinewaslaidintheshade，amongthefirstbonesthatcametohand；shewassubjectedtothepromiscuousnessofashes。
Shewasthrownintothepublicgrave。Hergraveresembledherbed。
[TheendofVolumeI。\"Fantine\"]
VOLUMEII。COSETTE
BOOKFIRST。——WATERLOO
CHAPTERI
WHATISMETWITHONTHEWAYFROMNIVELLES
Lastyear（1861），onabeautifulMaymorning，atraveller，thepersonwhoistellingthisstory，wascomingfromNivelles，anddirectinghiscoursetowardsLaHulpe。Hewasonfoot。Hewaspursuingabroadpavedroad，whichundulatedbetweentworowsoftrees，overthehillswhichsucceedeachother，raisetheroadandletitfallagain，andproducesomethinginthenatureofenormouswaves。
HehadpassedLilloisandBois—Seigneur—Isaac。Inthewestheperceivedtheslate—roofedtowerofBraine—l’Alleud，whichhastheformofareversedvase。Hehadjustleftbehindawooduponaneminence；andattheangleofthecross—road，bythesideofasortofmouldygibbetbearingtheinscriptionAncientBarrierNo。4，apublichouse，bearingonitsfrontthissign:
AttheFourWinds（AuxQuatreVents）。Echabeau，PrivateCafe。
Aquarterofaleaguefurtheron，hearrivedatthebottomofalittlevalley，wherethereiswaterwhichpassesbeneathanarchmadethroughtheembankmentoftheroad。Theclumpofsparselyplantedbutverygreentrees，whichfillsthevalleyononesideoftheroad，isdispersedoverthemeadowsontheother，anddisappearsgracefullyandasinorderinthedirectionofBraine—l’Alleud。
Ontheright，closetotheroad，wasaninn，withafour—wheeledcartatthedoor，alargebundleofhop—poles，aplough，aheapofdriedbrushwoodnearaflourishinghedge，limesmokinginasquarehole，andaladdersuspendedalonganoldpenthousewithstrawpartitions。
Ayounggirlwasweedinginafield，whereahugeyellowposter，probablyofsomeoutsidespectacle，suchasaparishfestival，wasflutteringinthewind。Atonecorneroftheinn，besideapoolinwhichaflotillaofduckswasnavigating，abadlypavedpathplungedintothebushes。Thewayfarerstruckintothis。
Aftertraversingahundredpaces，skirtingawallofthefifteenthcentury，surmountedbyapointedgable，withbrickssetincontrast，hefoundhimselfbeforealargedoorofarchedstone，witharectilinearimpost，inthesombrestyleofLouisXIV。，flankedbytwoflatmedallions。Aseverefacaderoseabovethisdoor；
awall，perpendiculartothefacade，almosttouchedthedoor，andflankeditwithanabruptrightangle。Inthemeadowbeforethedoorlaythreeharrows，throughwhich，indisorder，grewalltheflowersofMay。Thedoorwasclosed。Thetwodecrepitleaveswhichbarreditwereornamentedwithanoldrustyknocker。
Thesunwascharming；thebrancheshadthatsoftshiveringofMay，whichseemstoproceedratherfromtheneststhanfromthewind。
Abravelittlebird，probablyalover，wascarollinginadistractedmannerinalargetree。
Thewayfarerbentoverandexaminedaratherlargecircularexcavation，resemblingthehollowofasphere，inthestoneontheleft，atthefootofthepierofthedoor。
Atthismomenttheleavesofthedoorparted，andapeasantwomanemerged。
Shesawthewayfarer，andperceivedwhathewaslookingat。
\"ItwasaFrenchcannon—ballwhichmadethat，\"shesaidtohim。
Andsheadded:——
\"Thatwhichyouseethere，higherupinthedoor，nearanail，istheholeofabigironbulletaslargeasanegg。Thebulletdidnotpiercethewood。\"
\"Whatisthenameofthisplace？\"inquiredthewayfarer。
\"Hougomont，\"saidthepeasantwoman。
Thetravellerstraightenedhimselfup。Hewalkedonafewpaces，andwentofftolookoverthetopsofthehedges。Onthehorizonthroughthetrees，heperceivedasortoflittleelevation，andonthiselevationsomethingwhichatthatdistanceresembledalion。
Hewasonthebattle—fieldofWaterloo。
CHAPTERII
HOUGOMONT
Hougomont，——thiswasafunerealspot，thebeginningoftheobstacle，thefirstresistance，whichthatgreatwood—cutterofEurope，calledNapoleon，encounteredatWaterloo，thefirstknotundertheblowsofhisaxe。
Itwasachateau；itisnolongeranythingbutafarm。Fortheantiquary，HougomontisHugomons。ThismanorwasbuiltbyHugo，SireofSomerel，thesamewhoendowedthesixthchaplaincyoftheAbbeyofVilliers。
Thetravellerpushedopenthedoor，elbowedanancientcalashundertheporch，andenteredthecourtyard。
Thefirstthingwhichstruckhiminthispaddockwasadoorofthesixteenthcentury，whichheresimulatesanarcade，everythingelsehavingfallenprostratearoundit。Amonumentalaspectoftenhasitsbirthinruin。Inawallnearthearcadeopensanotherarcheddoor，ofthetimeofHenryIV。，permittingaglimpseofthetreesofanorchard；besidethisdoor，amanure—hole，somepickaxes，someshovels，somecarts，anoldwell，withitsflagstoneanditsironreel，achickenjumping，andaturkeyspreadingitstail，achapelsurmountedbyasmallbell—tower，ablossomingpear—treetrainedinespalieragainstthewallofthechapel——beholdthecourt，theconquestofwhichwasoneofNapoleon’sdreams。Thiscornerofearth，couldhebuthaveseizedit，would，perhaps，havegivenhimtheworldlikewise。Chickensarescatteringitsdustabroadwiththeirbeaks。Agrowlisaudible；itisahugedog，whoshowshisteethandreplacestheEnglish。
TheEnglishbehavedadmirablythere。Cooke’sfourcompaniesofguardsthereheldoutforsevenhoursagainstthefuryofanarmy。
Hougomontviewedonthemap，asageometricalplan，comprisingbuildingsandenclosures，presentsasortofirregularrectangle，oneangleofwhichisnickedout。Itisthisanglewhichcontainsthesoutherndoor，guardedbythiswall，whichcommandsitonlyagun’slengthaway。Hougomonthastwodoors，——thesoutherndoor，thatofthechateau；andthenortherndoor，belongingtothefarm。
NapoleonsenthisbrotherJeromeagainstHougomont；thedivisionsofFoy，Guilleminot，andBacheluhurledthemselvesagainstit；
nearlytheentirecorpsofReillewasemployedagainstit，andmiscarried；
Kellermann’sballswereexhaustedonthisheroicsectionofwall。
Bauduin’sbrigadewasnotstrongenoughtoforceHougomontonthenorth，andthebrigadeofSoyecouldnotdomorethaneffectthebeginningofabreachonthesouth，butwithouttakingit。
Thefarmbuildingsborderthecourtyardonthesouth。Abitofthenorthdoor，brokenbytheFrench，hangssuspendedtothewall。
Itconsistsoffourplanksnailedtotwocross—beams，onwhichthescarsoftheattackarevisible。
Thenortherndoor，whichwasbeateninbytheFrench，andwhichhashadapieceappliedtoittoreplacethepanelsuspendedonthewall，standshalf—openatthebottomofthepaddock；itiscutsquarelyinthewall，builtofstonebelow，ofbrickabovewhichclosesinthecourtyardonthenorth。Itisasimpledoorforcarts，suchasexistinallfarms，withthetwolargeleavesmadeofrusticplanks:
beyondliethemeadows。Thedisputeoverthisentrancewasfurious。
Foralongtime，allsortsofimprintsofbloodyhandswerevisibleonthedoor—posts。ItwastherethatBauduinwaskilled。
Thestormofthecombatstilllingersinthiscourtyard；itshorrorisvisiblethere；theconfusionofthefraywaspetrifiedthere；
itlivesanditdiesthere；itwasonlyyesterday。Thewallsareinthedeathagony，thestonesfall；thebreachescryaloud；
theholesarewounds；thedrooping，quiveringtreesseemtobemakinganefforttoflee。
Thiscourtyardwasmorebuiltupin1815thanitisto—day。Buildingswhichhavesincebeenpulleddownthenformedredansandangles。
TheEnglishbarricadedthemselvesthere；theFrenchmadetheirwayin，butcouldnotstandtheirground。Besidethechapel，onewingofthechateau，theonlyruinnowremainingofthemanorofHougomont，risesinacrumblingstate，——disembowelled，onemightsay。
Thechateauservedforadungeon，thechapelforablock—house。
Theremenexterminatedeachother。TheFrench，firedonfromeverypoint，——frombehindthewalls，fromthesummitsofthegarrets，fromthedepthsofthecellars，throughallthecasements，throughalltheair—holes，througheverycrackinthestones，——
fetchedfagotsandsetfiretowallsandmen；thereplytothegrape—shotwasaconflagration。
Intheruinedwing，throughwindowsgarnishedwithbarsofiron，thedismantledchambersofthemainbuildingofbrickarevisible；
theEnglishguardswereinambushintheserooms；thespiralofthestaircase，crackedfromthegroundfloortotheveryroof，appearsliketheinsideofabrokenshell。Thestaircasehastwostories；
theEnglish，besiegedonthestaircase，andmassedonitsuppersteps，hadcutoffthelowersteps。Theseconsistedoflargeslabsofbluestone，whichformaheapamongthenettles。Halfascoreofstepsstillclingtothewall；onthefirstiscutthefigureofatrident。Theseinaccessiblestepsaresolidintheirniches。
Alltherestresemblesajawwhichhasbeendenudedofitsteeth。
Therearetwooldtreesthere:oneisdead；theotheriswoundedatitsbase，andisclothedwithverdureinApril。Since1815ithastakentogrowingthroughthestaircase。
Amassacretookplaceinthechapel。Theinterior，whichhasrecovereditscalm，issingular。Themasshasnotbeensaidtheresincethecarnage。Nevertheless，thealtarhasbeenleftthere——
analtarofunpolishedwood，placedagainstabackgroundofroughhewnstone。Fourwhitewashedwalls，adooroppositethealtar，twosmallarchedwindows；overthedooralargewoodencrucifix，belowthecrucifixasquareair—holestoppedupwithabundleofhay；
ontheground，inonecorner，anoldwindow—framewiththeglassallbrokentopieces——suchisthechapel。NearthealtarthereisnailedupawoodenstatueofSaintAnne，ofthefifteenthcentury；
theheadoftheinfantJesushasbeencarriedoffbyalargeball。
TheFrench，whoweremastersofthechapelforamoment，andwerethendislodged，setfiretoit。Theflamesfilledthisbuilding；
itwasaperfectfurnace；thedoorwasburned，thefloorwasburned，thewoodenChristwasnotburned。Thefirepreyeduponhisfeet，ofwhichonlytheblackenedstumpsarenowtobeseen；thenitstopped，——
amiracle，accordingtotheassertionofthepeopleoftheneighborhood。
TheinfantJesus，decapitated，waslessfortunatethantheChrist。
Thewallsarecoveredwithinscriptions。NearthefeetofChristthisnameistoberead:Henquinez。Thentheseothers:
CondedeRioMaiorMarquesyMarquesadeAlmagro（Habana）。ThereareFrenchnameswithexclamationpoints，——asignofwrath。
Thewallwasfreshlywhitewashedin1849。Thenationsinsultedeachotherthere。
Itwasatthedoorofthischapelthatthecorpsewaspickedupwhichheldanaxeinitshand；thiscorpsewasSub—LieutenantLegros。
Onemergingfromthechapel，awellisvisibleontheleft。
Therearetwointhiscourtyard。Oneinquires，Whyistherenobucketandpulleytothis？Itisbecausewaterisnolongerdrawnthere。
Whyiswaternotdrawnthere？Becauseitisfullofskeletons。
ThelastpersonwhodrewwaterfromthewellwasnamedGuillaumevanKylsom。HewasapeasantwholivedatHougomont，andwasgardenerthere。Onthe18thofJune，1815，hisfamilyfledandconcealedthemselvesinthewoods。
TheforestsurroundingtheAbbeyofVilliersshelteredtheseunfortunatepeoplewhohadbeenscatteredabroad，formanydaysandnights。
Thereareatthisdaycertaintracesrecognizable，suchasoldbolesofburnedtrees，whichmarkthesiteofthesepoorbivouacstremblinginthedepthsofthethickets。
GuillaumevanKylsomremainedatHougomont，\"toguardthechateau，\"
andconcealedhimselfinthecellar。TheEnglishdiscoveredhimthere。Theytorehimfromhishiding—place，andthecombatantsforcedthisfrightenedmantoservethem，byadministeringblowswiththeflatsoftheirswords。Theywerethirsty；thisGuillaumebroughtthemwater。Itwasfromthiswellthathedrewit。
Manydranktheretheirlastdraught。Thiswellwheredranksomanyofthedeadwasdestinedtodieitself。