Asallthreemethodsareattendedwiththeirspecialinconveniences，thesecond，whichatallevents，presentssomeadvantages，amongothersthatofpossessingatreasure，ifonlyforamonth，istheonemostgenerallyadopted。Soboldmen，whoaretemptedbyeverychance，havequitefrequently，asweareassured，openedtheholesexcavatedbytheblackman，andtriedtorobthedevil。
Thesuccessoftheoperationappearstobebutmoderate。Atleast，ifthetraditionistobebelieved，andinparticularthetwoenigmaticallinesinbarbarousLatin，whichanevilNormanmonk，abitofasorcerer，namedTryphonhasleftonthissubject。
ThisTryphonisburiedattheAbbeyofSaint—GeorgesdeBocherville，nearRouen，andtoadsspawnonhisgrave。
Accordingly，enormouseffortsaremade。Suchtrenchesareordinarilyextremelydeep；amansweats，digs，toilsallnight——
foritmustbedoneatnight；hewetshisshirt，burnsouthiscandle，breakshismattock，andwhenhearrivesatthebottomofthehole，whenhelayshishandonthe\"treasure，\"whatdoeshefind？
Whatisthedevil’streasure？Asou，sometimesacrown—piece，astone，askeleton，ableedingbody，sometimesaspectrefoldedinfourlikeasheetofpaperinaportfolio，sometimesnothing。
ThisiswhatTryphon’sversesseemtoannouncetotheindiscreetandcurious:——
\"Fodit，etinfossathesaurosconditopaca，As，nummas，lapides，cadaver，simulacra，nihilque。\"
Itseemsthatinourdaythereissometimesfoundapowder—hornwithbullets，sometimesanoldpackofcardsgreasyandworn，whichhasevidentlyservedthedevil。Tryphondoesnotrecordthesetwofinds，sinceTryphonlivedinthetwelfthcentury，andsincethedevildoesnotappeartohavehadthewittoinventpowderbeforeRogerBacon’stime，andcardsbeforethetimeofCharlesVI。
Moreover，ifoneplaysatcards，oneissuretoloseallthatonepossesses！andasforthepowderinthehorn，itpossessesthepropertyofmakingyourgunburstinyourface。
Now，averyshorttimeaftertheepochwhenitseemedtotheprosecutingattorneythattheliberatedconvictJeanValjeanduringhisflightofseveraldayshadbeenprowlingaroundMontfermeil，itwasremarkedinthatvillagethatacertainoldroad—laborer，namedBoulatruelle，had\"peculiarways\"intheforest。PeoplethereaboutsthoughttheyknewthatthisBoulatruellehadbeeninthegalleys。
Hewassubjectedtocertainpolicesupervision，and，ashecouldfindworknowhere，theadministrationemployedhimatreducedratesasaroad—menderonthecross—roadfromGagnytoLagny。
ThisBoulatruellewasamanwhowasviewedwithdisfavorbytheinhabitantsofthedistrictastoorespectful，toohumble，toopromptinremovinghiscaptoeveryone，andtremblingandsmilinginthepresenceofthegendarmes，——probablyaffiliatedtorobberbands，theysaid；suspectedoflyinginambushatvergeofcopsesatnightfall。
Theonlythinginhisfavorwasthathewasadrunkard。
Thisiswhatpeoplethoughttheyhadnoticed:——
Oflate，Boulatruellehadtakentoquittinghistaskofstone—breakingandcareoftheroadataveryearlyhour，andtobetakinghimselftotheforestwithhispickaxe。Hewasencounteredtowardseveninginthemostdesertedclearings，inthewildestthickets；
andhehadtheappearanceofbeinginsearchofsomething，andsometimeshewasdiggingholes。ThegoodwiveswhopassedtookhimatfirstforBeelzebub；thentheyrecognizedBoulatruelle，andwerenotintheleastreassuredthereby。TheseencountersseemedtocauseBoulatruellealivelydispleasure。Itwasevidentthathesoughttohide，andthattherewassomemysteryinwhathewasdoing。
Itwassaidinthevillage:\"Itisclearthatthedevilhasappeared。
Boulatruellehasseenhim，andisonthesearch。Insooth，heiscunningenoughtopocketLucifer’shoard。\"
TheVoltairiansadded，\"WillBoulatruellecatchthedevil，orwillthedevilcatchBoulatruelle？\"Theoldwomenmadeagreatmanysignsofthecross。
Inthemeantime，Boulatruelle’smanoeuvresintheforestceased；
andheresumedhisregularoccupationofroadmending；andpeoplegossipedofsomethingelse。
Somepersons，however，werestillcurious，surmisingthatinallthistherewasprobablynofabuloustreasureofthelegends，butsomefinewindfallofamoreseriousandpalpablesortthanthedevil’sbank—bills，andthattheroad—menderhadhalfdiscoveredthesecret。Themost\"puzzled\"weretheschool—masterandThenardier，theproprietorofthetavern，whowaseverybody’sfriend，andhadnotdisdainedtoallyhimselfwithBoulatruelle。
\"Hehasbeeninthegalleys，\"saidThenardier。\"Eh！GoodGod！
nooneknowswhohasbeenthereorwillbethere。\"
OneeveningtheschoolmasteraffirmedthatinformertimesthelawwouldhaveinstitutedaninquiryastowhatBoulatruelledidintheforest，andthatthelatterwouldhavebeenforcedtospeak，andthathewouldhavebeenputtothetortureincaseofneed，andthatBoulatruellewouldnothaveresistedthewatertest，forexample。\"Letusputhimtothewinetest，\"saidThenardier。
Theymadeaneffort，andgottheoldroad—mendertodrinking。
Boulatruelledrankanenormousamount，butsaidverylittle。
Hecombinedwithadmirableart，andinmasterlyproportions，thethirstofagormandizerwiththediscretionofajudge。
Nevertheless，bydintofreturningtothechargeandofcomparingandputtingtogetherthefewobscurewordswhichhedidallowtoescapehim，thisiswhatThenardierandtheschoolmasterimaginedthattheyhadmadeout:——
Onemorning，whenBoulatruellewasonhiswaytohiswork，atdaybreak，hehadbeensurprisedtosee，atanookoftheforestintheunderbrush，ashovelandapickaxe，concealed，asonemightsay。
However，hemighthavesupposedthattheywereprobablytheshovelandpickofFatherSix—Fours，thewater—carrier，andwouldhavethoughtnomoreaboutit。But，ontheeveningofthatday，hesaw，withoutbeingseenhimself，ashewashiddenbyalargetree，\"apersonwhodidnotbelonginthoseparts，andwhomhe，Boulatruelle，knewwell，\"directinghisstepstowardsthedensestpartofthewood。TranslationbyThenardier:Acomradeofthegalleys。
Boulatruelleobstinatelyrefusedtorevealhisname。Thispersoncarriedapackage——somethingsquare，likealargeboxorasmalltrunk。
SurpriseonthepartofBoulatruelle。However，itwasonlyaftertheexpirationofsevenoreightminutesthattheideaoffollowingthat\"person\"hadoccurredtohim。Butitwastoolate；
thepersonwasalreadyinthethicket，nighthaddescended，andBoulatruellehadnotbeenabletocatchupwithhim。Thenhehadadoptedthecourseofwatchingforhimattheedgeofthewoods。
\"Itwasmoonlight。\"Twoorthreehourslater，Boulatruellehadseenthispersonemergefromthebrushwood，carryingnolongerthecoffer，butashovelandpick。Boulatruellehadallowedthepersontopass，andhadnotdreamedofaccostinghim，becausehesaidtohimselfthattheothermanwasthreetimesasstrongashewas，andarmedwithapickaxe，andthathewouldprobablyknockhimovertheheadonrecognizinghim，andonperceivingthathewasrecognized。
Touchingeffusionoftwooldcomradesonmeetingagain。ButtheshovelandpickhadservedasarayoflighttoBoulatruelle；hehadhastenedtothethicketinthemorning，andhadfoundneithershovelnorpick。Fromthishehaddrawntheinferencethatthisperson，onceintheforest，haddugaholewithhispick，buriedthecoffer，andreclosedtheholewithhisshovel。Now，thecofferwastoosmalltocontainabody；thereforeitcontainedmoney。Hencehisresearches。
Boulatruellehadexplored，sounded，searchedtheentireforestandthethicket，andhaddugwherevertheearthappearedtohimtohavebeenrecentlyturnedup。Invain。
Hehad\"ferretedout\"nothing。NooneinMontfermeilthoughtanymoreaboutit。Therewereonlyafewbravegossips，whosaid，\"YoumaybecertainthatthemenderontheGagnyroaddidnottakeallthattroublefornothing；hewassurethatthedevilhadcome。\"
CHAPTERIII
THEANKLE—CHAINMUSTHAVEUNDERGONEACERTAINPREPARATORYMANIPULATION
TOBETHUSBROKENWITHABLOWFROMAHAMMER
TowardstheendofOctober，inthatsameyear，1823，theinhabitantsofToulonbeheldtheentryintotheirport，afterheavyweather，andforthepurposeofrepairingsomedamages，oftheshipOrion，whichwasemployedlateratBrestasaschool—ship，andwhichthenformedapartoftheMediterraneansquadron。
Thisvessel，batteredasitwas，——fortheseahadhandleditroughly，——
producedafineeffectasitenteredtheroads。Itflewsomecolorswhichprocuredforittheregulationsaluteofelevenguns，whichitreturned，shotforshot；total，twenty—two。Ithasbeencalculatedthatwhatwithsalvos，royalandmilitarypolitenesses，courteousexchangesofuproar，signalsofetiquette，formalitiesofroadsteadsandcitadels，sunrisesandsunsets，salutedeverydaybyallfortressesandallshipsofwar，openingsandclosingsofports，etc。，thecivilizedworld，dischargedallovertheearth，inthecourseoffourandtwentyhours，onehundredandfiftythousanduselessshots。Atsixfrancstheshot，thatcomestoninehundredthousandfrancsaday，threehundredmillionsayear，whichvanishinsmoke。Thisisameredetail。Allthistimethepoorweredyingofhunger。
Theyear1823waswhattheRestorationcalled\"theepochoftheSpanishwar。\"
Thiswarcontainedmanyeventsinone，andaquantityofpeculiarities。
AgrandfamilyaffairforthehouseofBourbon；thebranchofFrancesuccoringandprotectingthebranchofMadrid，thatistosay，performinganactdevolvingontheelder；anapparentreturntoournationaltraditions，complicatedbyservitudeandbysubjectiontothecabinetsoftheNorth；M。leDucd’Angouleme，surnamedbytheliberalsheetstheheroofAndujar，compressinginatriumphalattitudethatwassomewhatcontradictedbyhispeaceableair，theancientandverypowerfulterrorismoftheHolyOfficeatvariancewiththechimericalterrorismoftheliberals；thesansculottesresuscitated，tothegreatterrorofdowagers，underthenameofdescamisados；
monarchyopposinganobstacletoprogressdescribedasanarchy；
thetheoriesof’89roughlyinterruptedinthesap；aEuropeanhalt，calledtotheFrenchidea，whichwasmakingthetouroftheworld；
besidethesonofFranceasgeneralissimo，thePrincedeCarignan，afterwardsCharlesAlbert，enrollinghimselfinthatcrusadeofkingsagainstpeopleasavolunteer，withgrenadierepauletsofredworsted；
thesoldiersoftheEmpiresettingoutonafreshcampaign，butaged，saddened，aftereightyearsofrepose，andunderthewhitecockade；
thetricoloredstandardwavedabroadbyaheroichandfulofFrenchmen，asthewhitestandardhadbeenthirtyyearsearlieratCoblentz；
monksmingledwithourtroops；thespiritoflibertyandofnoveltybroughttoitssensesbybayonets；principlesslaughteredbycannonades；
Franceundoingbyherarmsthatwhichshehaddonebyhermind；
inadditiontothis，hostileleaderssold，soldiershesitating，citiesbesiegedbymillions；nomilitaryperils，andyetpossibleexplosions，asineveryminewhichissurprisedandinvaded；
butlittlebloodshed，littlehonorwon，shameforsome，gloryfornoone。
Suchwasthiswar，madebytheprincesdescendedfromLouisXIV。，andconductedbygeneralswhohadbeenunderNapoleon。Itssadfatewastorecallneitherthegrandwarnorgrandpolitics。
Somefeatsofarmswereserious；thetakingoftheTrocadero，amongothers，wasafinemilitaryaction；butafterall，werepeat，thetrumpetsofthiswargivebackacrackedsound，thewholeeffectwassuspicious；historyapprovesofFranceformakingadifficultyaboutacceptingthisfalsetriumph。ItseemedevidentthatcertainSpanishofficerschargedwithresistanceyieldedtooeasily；theideaofcorruptionwasconnectedwiththevictory；
itappearsasthoughgeneralsandnotbattleshadbeenwon，andtheconqueringsoldierreturnedhumiliated。Adebasingwar，inshort，inwhichtheBankofFrancecouldbereadinthefoldsoftheflag。
Soldiersofthewarof1808，onwhomSaragossahadfalleninformidableruin，frownedin1823attheeasysurrenderofcitadels，andbegantoregretPalafox。ItisthenatureofFrancetoprefertohaveRostopchineratherthanBallesterosinfrontofher。
Fromastillmoreseriouspointofview，andonewhichitisalsopropertoinsistuponhere，thiswar，whichwoundedthemilitaryspiritofFrance，enragedthedemocraticspirit。Itwasanenterpriseofinthralment。Inthatcampaign，theobjectoftheFrenchsoldier，thesonofdemocracy，wastheconquestofayokeforothers。
Ahideouscontradiction。Franceismadetoarousethesoulofnations，nottostifleit。AlltherevolutionsofEuropesince1792aretheFrenchRevolution:libertydartsraysfromFrance。Thatisasolarfact。Blindishewhowillnotsee！ItwasBonapartewhosaidit。
Thewarof1823，anoutrageonthegenerousSpanishnation，wasthen，atthesametime，anoutrageontheFrenchRevolution。
ItwasFrancewhocommittedthismonstrousviolence；byfoulmeans，for，withtheexceptionofwarsofliberation，everythingthatarmiesdoisbyfoulmeans。Thewordspassiveobedienceindicatethis。
Anarmyisastrangemasterpieceofcombinationwhereforceresultsfromanenormoussumofimpotence。Thusiswar，madebyhumanityagainsthumanity，despitehumanity，explained。
AsfortheBourbons，thewarof1823wasfataltothem。Theytookitforasuccess。Theydidnotperceivethedangerthatliesinhavinganideaslaintoorder。Theywentastray，intheirinnocence，tosuchadegreethattheyintroducedtheimmenseenfeeblementofacrimeintotheirestablishmentasanelementofstrength。Thespiritoftheambushenteredintotheirpolitics。1830haditsgermin1823。
TheSpanishcampaignbecameintheircounselsanargumentforforceandforadventuresbyrightDivine。France，havingre—establishedelreynettoinSpain，mightwellhavere—establishedtheabsolutekingathome。Theyfellintothealarmingerroroftakingtheobedienceofthesoldierfortheconsentofthenation。Suchconfidenceistheruinofthrones。Itisnotpermittedtofallasleep，eitherintheshadowofamachineeltree，norintheshadowofanarmy。
LetusreturntotheshipOrion。
Duringtheoperationsofthearmycommandedbytheprincegeneralissimo，asquadronhadbeencruisingintheMediterranean。WehavejuststatedthattheOrionbelongedtothisfleet，andthataccidentsoftheseahadbroughtitintoportatToulon。
Thepresenceofavesselofwarinaporthassomethingaboutitwhichattractsandengagesacrowd。Itisbecauseitisgreat，andthecrowdloveswhatisgreat。
Ashipofthelineisoneofthemostmagnificentcombinationsofthegeniusofmanwiththepowersofnature。
Ashipofthelineiscomposed，atthesametime，oftheheaviestandthelightestofpossiblematter，foritdealsatoneandthesametimewiththreeformsofsubstance，——solid，liquid，andfluid，——
anditmustdobattlewithallthree。Ithaselevenclawsofironwithwhichtoseizethegraniteonthebottomofthesea，andmorewingsandmoreantennaethanwingedinsects，tocatchthewindintheclouds。Itsbreathpoursoutthroughitshundredandtwentycannonsasthroughenormoustrumpets，andrepliesproudlytothethunder。Theoceanseekstoleaditastrayinthealarmingsamenessofitsbillows，butthevesselhasitssoul，itscompass，whichcounselsitandalwaysshowsitthenorth。
Intheblackestnights，itslanternssupplytheplaceofthestars。
Thus，againstthewind，ithasitscordageanditscanvas；
againstthewater，wood；againsttherocks，itsiron，brass，andlead；
againsttheshadows，itslight；againstimmensity，aneedle。
Ifonewishestoformanideaofallthosegiganticproportionswhich，takenasawhole，constitutetheshipoftheline，onehasonlytoenteroneofthesix—storycoveredconstructionstocks，intheportsofBrestorToulon。Thevesselsinprocessofconstructionareunderabell—glassthere，asitwere。Thiscolossalbeamisayard；
thatgreatcolumnofwoodwhichstretchesoutontheearthasfarastheeyecanreachisthemain—mast。Takingitfromitsrootinthestockstoitstipintheclouds，itissixtyfathomslong，anditsdiameteratitsbaseisthreefeet。TheEnglishmain—mastrisestoaheightoftwohundredandseventeenfeetabovethewater—line。
Thenavyofourfathersemployedcables，oursemployschains。
Thesimplepileofchainsonashipofahundredgunsisfourfeethigh，twentyfeetinbreadth，andeightfeetindepth。Andhowmuchwoodisrequiredtomakethisship？Threethousandcubicmetres。
Itisafloatingforest。
Andmoreover，letthisbeborneinmind，itisonlyaquestionhereofthemilitaryvesseloffortyyearsago，ofthesimplesailing—vessel；steam，theninitsinfancy，hassinceaddednewmiraclestothatprodigywhichiscalledawarvessel。
Atthepresenttime，forexample，themixedvesselwithascrewisasurprisingmachine，propelledbythreethousandsquaremetresofcanvasandbyanengineoftwothousandfivehundredhorse—power。
Nottomentionthesenewmarvels，theancientvesselofChristopherColumbusandofDeRuyterisoneofthemasterpiecesofman。
ItisasinexhaustibleinforceasistheInfiniteingales；
itstoresupthewindinitssails，itispreciseintheimmensevaguenessofthebillows，itfloats，anditreigns。
Therecomesanhour，nevertheless，whenthegalebreaksthatsixty—footyardlikeastraw，whenthewindbendsthatmastfourhundredfeettall，whenthatanchor，whichweighstensofthousands，istwistedinthejawsofthewaveslikeafisherman’shookinthejawsofapike，whenthosemonstrouscannonsutterplaintiveandfutileroars，whichthehurricanebearsforthintothevoidandintonight，whenallthatpowerandallthatmajestyareengulfedinapowerandmajestywhicharesuperior。
Everytimethatimmenseforceisdisplayedtoculminateinanimmensefeeblenessitaffordsmenfoodforthought，Henceintheportscuriouspeopleaboundaroundthesemarvellousmachinesofwarandofnavigation，withoutbeingabletoexplainperfectlytothemselveswhy。Everyday，accordingly，frommorninguntilnight，thequays，sluices，andthejettiesoftheportofToulonwerecoveredwithamultitudeofidlersandloungers，astheysayinParis，whosebusinessconsistedinstaringattheOrion。
TheOrionwasashipthathadbeenailingforalongtime；
inthecourseofitspreviouscruisesthicklayersofbarnacleshadcollectedonitskeeltosuchadegreeastodepriveitofhalfitsspeed；ithadgoneintothedrydocktheyearbeforethis，inordertohavethebarnaclesscrapedoff，thenithadputtoseaagain；butthiscleaninghadaffectedtheboltsofthekeel:
intheneighborhoodoftheBalearicIslesthesideshadbeenstrainedandhadopened；and，astheplatinginthosedayswasnotofsheetiron，thevesselhadsprungaleak。Aviolentequinoctialgalehadcomeup，whichhadfirststavedinagratingandaportholeonthelarboardside，anddamagedtheforetop—gallant—shrouds；
inconsequenceoftheseinjuries，theOrionhadrunbacktoToulon。
ItanchoredneartheArsenal；itwasfullyequipped，andrepairswerebegun。Thehullhadreceivednodamageonthestarboard，butsomeoftheplankshadbeenunnailedhereandthere，accordingtocustom，topermitofairenteringthehold。
Onemorningthecrowdwhichwasgazingatitwitnessedanaccident。
Thecrewwasbusybendingthesails；thetopman，whohadtotaketheuppercornerofthemain—top—sailonthestarboard，losthisbalance；hewasseentowaver；themultitudethrongingtheArsenalquayutteredacry；theman’sheadoverbalancedhisbody；
themanfellaroundtheyard，withhishandsoutstretchedtowardstheabyss；onhiswayheseizedthefootrope，firstwithonehand，thenwiththeother，andremainedhangingfromit:thesealaybelowhimatadizzydepth；theshockofhisfallhadimpartedtothefoot—ropeaviolentswingingmotion；themanswayedbackandforthattheendofthatrope，likeastoneinasling。
Itwasincurringafrightfulrisktogotohisassistance；notoneofthesailors，allfishermenofthecoast，recentlyleviedfortheservice，daredtoattemptit。Inthemeantime，theunfortunatetopmanwaslosinghisstrength；hisanguishcouldnotbediscernedonhisface，buthisexhaustionwasvisibleineverylimb；hisarmswerecontractedinhorribletwitchings；everyeffortwhichhemadetore—ascendservedbuttoaugmenttheoscillationsofthefoot—rope；hedidnotshout，forfearofexhaustinghisstrength。Allwereawaitingtheminutewhenheshouldreleasehisholdontherope，and，frominstanttoinstant，headswereturnedasidethathisfallmightnotbeseen。
Therearemomentswhenabitofrope，apole，thebranchofatree，islifeitself，anditisaterriblethingtoseealivingbeingdetachhimselffromitandfalllikearipefruit。
Allatonceamanwasseenclimbingintotheriggingwiththeagilityofatiger—cat；thismanwasdressedinred；hewasaconvict；
heworeagreencap；hewasalifeconvict。Onarrivingonalevelwiththetop，agustofwindcarriedawayhiscap，andallowedaperfectlywhiteheadtobeseen:hewasnotayoungman。
Aconvictemployedonboardwithadetachmentfromthegalleyshad，infact，attheveryfirstinstant，hastenedtotheofficerofthewatch，and，inthemidstoftheconsternationandthehesitationofthecrew，whileallthesailorsweretremblinganddrawingback，hehadaskedtheofficer’spermissiontoriskhislifetosavethetopman；atanaffirmativesignfromtheofficerhehadbrokenthechainrivetedtohisanklewithoneblowofahammer，thenhehadcaughtuparope，andhaddashedintotherigging:
noonenoticed，attheinstant，withwhateasethatchainhadbeenbroken；itwasonlylateronthattheincidentwasrecalled。
Inatwinklinghewasontheyard；hepausedforafewsecondsandappearedtobemeasuringitwithhiseye；theseseconds，duringwhichthebreezeswayedthetopmanattheextremityofathread，seemedcenturiestothosewhowerelookingon。
Atlast，theconvictraisedhiseyestoheavenandadvancedastep:
thecrowddrewalongbreath。Hewasseentorunoutalongtheyard:
onarrivingatthepoint，hefastenedtheropewhichhehadbroughttoit，andallowedtheotherendtohangdown，thenhebegantodescendtherope，handoverhand，andthen，——andtheanguishwasindescribable，——insteadofonemansuspendedoverthegulf，thereweretwo。
Onewouldhavesaiditwasaspidercomingtoseizeafly，onlyherethespiderbroughtlife，notdeath。Tenthousandglanceswerefastenedonthisgroup；notacry，notaword；thesametremorcontractedeverybrow；allmouthsheldtheirbreathasthoughtheyfearedtoaddtheslightestpufftothewindwhichwasswayingthetwounfortunatemen。
Inthemeantime，theconvicthadsucceededinloweringhimselftoapositionnearthesailor。Itwashightime；oneminutemore，andtheexhaustedanddespairingmanwouldhaveallowedhimselftofallintotheabyss。Theconvicthadmooredhimsecurelywiththecordtowhichheclungwithonehand，whilehewasworkingwiththeother。Atlast，hewasseentoclimbbackontheyard，andtodragthesailorupafterhim；heheldhimthereamomenttoallowhimtorecoverhisstrength，thenhegraspedhiminhisarmsandcarriedhim，walkingontheyardhimselftothecap，andfromtheretothemain—top，wherehelefthiminthehandsofhiscomrades。
Atthatmomentthecrowdbrokeintoapplause:oldconvict—sergeantsamongthemwept，andwomenembracedeachotheronthequay，andallvoiceswereheardtocrywithasortoftenderrage，\"Pardonforthatman！\"
He，inthemeantime，hadimmediatelybeguntomakehisdescenttorejoinhisdetachment。Inordertoreachthemthemorespeedily，hedroppedintotherigging，andranalongoneoftheloweryards；
alleyeswerefollowinghim。Atacertainmomentfearassailedthem；
whetheritwasthathewasfatigued，orthathisheadturned，theythoughttheysawhimhesitateandstagger。Allatoncethecrowdutteredaloudshout:theconvicthadfallenintothesea。
Thefallwasperilous。ThefrigateAlgesiraswasanchoredalongsidetheOrion，andthepoorconvicthadfallenbetweenthetwovessels:
itwastobefearedthathewouldslipunderoneortheotherofthem。
Fourmenflungthemselveshastilyintoaboat；thecrowdcheeredthemon；anxietyagaintookpossessionofallsouls；themanhadnotrisentothesurface；hehaddisappearedintheseawithoutleavingaripple，asthoughhehadfallenintoacaskofoil:theysounded，theydived。Invain。Thesearchwascontinueduntiltheevening:
theydidnotevenfindthebody。
OnthefollowingdaytheToulonnewspaperprintedtheselines:——
\"Nov。17，1823。Yesterday，aconvictbelongingtothedetachmentonboardoftheOrion，onhisreturnfromrenderingassistancetoasailor，fellintotheseaandwasdrowned。Thebodyhasnotyetbeenfound；itissupposedthatitisentangledamongthepilesoftheArsenalpoint:thismanwascommittedunderthenumber9，430，andhisnamewasJeanValjean。\"
BOOKTHIRD。——ACCOMPLISHMENTOFTHEPROMISEMADETOTHEDEADWOMAN
CHAPTERI
THEWATERQUESTIONATMONTFERMEIL
MontfermeilissituatedbetweenLivryandChelles，onthesouthernedgeofthatloftytable—landwhichseparatestheOurcqfromtheMarne。
Atthepresentdayitisatolerablylargetown，ornamentedalltheyearthroughwithplastervillas，andonSundayswithbeamingbourgeois。
In1823therewereatMontfermeilneithersomanywhitehousesnorsomanywell—satisfiedcitizens:itwasonlyavillageintheforest。
Somepleasure—housesofthelastcenturyweretobemetwiththere，tobesure，whichwererecognizablebytheirgrandair，theirbalconiesintwistediron，andtheirlongwindows，whosetinypanescastallsortsofvaryingshadesofgreenonthewhiteoftheclosedshutters；
butMontfermeilwasnonethelessavillage。Retiredcloth—merchantsandrusticatingattorneyshadnotdiscovereditasyet；itwasapeacefulandcharmingplace，whichwasnotontheroadtoanywhere:
therepeoplelived，andcheaply，thatpeasantrusticlifewhichissobounteousandsoeasy；only，waterwasrarethere，onaccountoftheelevationoftheplateau。
Itwasnecessarytofetchitfromaconsiderabledistance；
theendofthevillagetowardsGagnydrewitswaterfromthemagnificentpondswhichexistinthewoodsthere。Theotherend，whichsurroundsthechurchandwhichliesinthedirectionofChelles，founddrinking—wateronlyatalittlespringhalf—waydowntheslope，neartheroadtoChelles，aboutaquarterofanhourfromMontfermeil。
Thuseachhouseholdfoundithardworktokeepsuppliedwithwater。
Thelargehouses，thearistocracy，ofwhichtheThenardiertavernformedapart，paidhalfafarthingabucketfultoamanwhomadeabusinessofit，andwhoearnedabouteightsousadayinhisenterpriseofsupplyingMontfermeilwithwater；butthisgoodmanonlyworkeduntilseveno’clockintheeveninginsummer，andfiveinwinter；
andnightoncecomeandtheshuttersonthegroundflooronceclosed，hewhohadnowatertodrinkwenttofetchitforhimselfordidwithoutit。
Thisconstitutedtheterrorofthepoorcreaturewhomthereaderhasprobablynotforgotten，——littleCosette。ItwillberememberedthatCosettewasusefultotheThenardiersintwoways:
theymadethemotherpaythem，andtheymadethechildservethem。
Sowhenthemotherceasedtopayaltogether，thereasonforwhichwehavereadinprecedingchapters，theThenardierskeptCosette。
Shetooktheplaceofaservantintheirhouse。Inthiscapacitysheitwaswhorantofetchwaterwhenitwasrequired。Sothechild，whowasgreatlyterrifiedattheideaofgoingtothespringatnight，tookgreatcarethatwatershouldneverbelackinginthehouse。
Christmasoftheyear1823wasparticularlybrilliantatMontfermeil。
Thebeginningofthewinterhadbeenmild；therehadbeenneithersnownorfrostuptothattime。SomemountebanksfromParishadobtainedpermissionofthemayortoerecttheirboothsintheprincipalstreetofthevillage，andabandofitinerantmerchants，underprotectionofthesametolerance，hadconstructedtheirstallsontheChurchSquare，andevenextendedthemintoBoulangerAlley，where，asthereaderwillperhapsremember，theThenardiers’hostelrywassituated。
Thesepeoplefilledtheinnsanddrinking—shops，andcommunicatedtothattranquillittledistrictanoisyandjoyouslife。Inordertoplaythepartofafaithfulhistorian，weoughteventoaddthat，amongthecuriositiesdisplayedinthesquare，therewasamenagerie，inwhichfrightfulclowns，cladinragsandcomingnooneknewwhence，exhibitedtothepeasantsofMontfermeilin1823oneofthosehorribleBrazilianvultures，suchasourRoyalMuseumdidnotpossessuntil1845，andwhichhaveatricoloredcockadeforaneye。
IbelievethatnaturalistscallthisbirdCaracaraPolyborus；
itbelongstotheorderoftheApicides，andtothefamilyofthevultures。SomegoodoldBonapartistsoldiers，whohadretiredtothevillage，wenttoseethiscreaturewithgreatdevotion。
ThemountebanksgaveoutthatthetricoloredcockadewasauniquephenomenonmadebyGodexpresslyfortheirmenagerie。
OnChristmaseveitself，anumberofmen，carters，andpeddlers，wereseatedattable，drinkingandsmokingaroundfourorfivecandlesinthepublicroomofThenardier’shostelry。Thisroomresembledalldrinking—shoprooms，——tables，pewterjugs，bottles，drinkers，smokers；butlittlelightandagreatdealofnoise。
Thedateoftheyear1823wasindicated，nevertheless，bytwoobjectswhichwerethenfashionableinthebourgeoisclass:towit，akaleidoscopeandalampofribbedtin。ThefemaleThenardierwasattendingtothesupper，whichwasroastinginfrontofaclearfire；
herhusbandwasdrinkingwithhiscustomersandtalkingpolitics。
BesidespoliticalconversationswhichhadfortheirprincipalsubjectstheSpanishwarandM。leDucd’Angouleme，strictlylocalparentheses，likethefollowing，wereaudibleamidtheuproar:——
\"AboutNanterreandSuresnesthevineshaveflourishedgreatly。
Whentenpieceswerereckonedontherehavebeentwelve。
Theyhaveyieldedagreatdealofjuiceunderthepress。\"
\"Butthegrapescannotberipe？\"\"Inthosepartsthegrapesshouldnotberipe；thewineturnsoilyassoonasspringcomes。\"
\"Thenitisverythinwine？\"\"Therearewinespoorereventhanthese。
Thegrapesmustbegatheredwhilegreen。\"Etc。
Oramillerwouldcallout:——
\"Areweresponsibleforwhatisinthesacks？Wefindinthemaquantityofsmallseedwhichwecannotsiftout，andwhichweareobligedtosendthroughthemill—stones；therearetares，fennel，vetches，hempseed，fox—tail，andahostofotherweeds，nottomentionpebbles，whichaboundincertainwheat，especiallyinBretonwheat。IamnotfondofgrindingBretonwheat，anymorethanlong—sawyersliketosawbeamswithnailsinthem。Youcanjudgeofthebaddustthatmakesingrinding。Andthenpeoplecomplainoftheflour。Theyareinthewrong。Theflourisnofaultofours。\"
Inaspacebetweentwowindowsamower，whowasseatedattablewithalandedproprietorwhowasfixingonapriceforsomemeadowworktobeperformedinthespring，wassaying:——
\"Itdoesnoharmtohavethegrasswet。Itcutsbetter。
Dewisagoodthing，sir。Itmakesnodifferencewiththatgrass。
Yourgrassisyoungandveryhardtocutstill。It’sterriblytender。
Ityieldsbeforetheiron。\"Etc。
Cosettewasinherusualplace，seatedonthecross—barofthekitchentablenearthechimney。Shewasinrags；herbarefeetwerethrustintowoodenshoes，andbythefirelightshewasengagedinknittingwoollenstockingsdestinedfortheyoungThenardiers。Averyyoungkittenwasplayingaboutamongthechairs。Laughterandchatterwereaudibleintheadjoiningroom，fromtwofreshchildren’svoices:
itwasEponineandAzelma。
Inthechimney—corneracat—o’—nine—tailswashangingonanail。
Atintervalsthecryofaveryyoungchild，whichwassomewhereinthehouse，rangthroughthenoiseofthedram—shop。ItwasalittleboywhohadbeenborntotheThenardiersduringoneoftheprecedingwinters，——\"shedidnotknowwhy，\"shesaid，\"theresultofthecold，\"——andwhowasalittlemorethanthreeyearsold。Themotherhadnursedhim，butshedidnotlovehim。
Whenthepersistentclamorofthebratbecametooannoying，\"Yoursonissqualling，\"Thenardierwouldsay；\"dogoandseewhathewants。\"\"Bah！\"themotherwouldreply，\"hebothersme。\"
Andtheneglectedchildcontinuedtoshriekinthedark。
CHAPTERII
TWOCOMPLETEPORTRAITS
SofarinthisbooktheThenardiershavebeenviewedonlyinprofile；
themomenthasarrivedformakingthecircuitofthiscouple，andconsideringitunderallitsaspects。
Thenardierhadjustpassedhisfiftiethbirthday；MadameThenardierwasapproachingherforties，whichisequivalenttofiftyinawoman；
sothatthereexistedabalanceofagebetweenhusbandandwife。
OurreadershavepossiblypreservedsomerecollectionofthisThenardierwoman，eversinceherfirstappearance，——tall，blond，red，fat，angular，square，enormous，andagile；shebelonged，aswehavesaid，totheraceofthosecolossalwildwomen，whocontortthemselvesatfairswithpaving—stoneshangingfromtheirhair。
Shedideverythingaboutthehouse，——madethebeds，didthewashing，thecooking，andeverythingelse。Cosettewasheronlyservant；
amouseintheserviceofanelephant。Everythingtrembledatthesoundofhervoice，——windowpanes，furniture，andpeople。
Herbigface，dottedwithredblotches，presentedtheappearanceofaskimmer。Shehadabeard。Shewasanidealmarket—porterdressedinwoman’sclothes。Shesworesplendidly；sheboastedofbeingabletocrackanutwithoneblowofherfist。Exceptfortheromanceswhichshehadread，andwhichmadetheaffectedladypeepthroughtheogressattimes，inaveryqueerway，theideawouldneverhaveoccurredtoanyonetosayofher，\"Thatisawoman。\"
ThisThenardierfemalewasliketheproductofawenchengraftedonafishwife。Whenoneheardherspeak，onesaid，\"Thatisagendarme\"；whenonesawherdrink，onesaid，\"Thatisacarter\"；
whenonesawherhandleCosette，onesaid，\"Thatisthehangman。\"
Oneofherteethprojectedwhenherfacewasinrepose。
Thenardierwasasmall，thin，pale，angular，bony，feebleman，whohadasicklyairandwhowaswonderfullyhealthy。Hiscunningbeganhere；
hesmiledhabitually，bywayofprecaution，andwasalmostpolitetoeverybody，eventothebeggartowhomherefusedhalfafarthing。
Hehadtheglanceofapole—catandthebearingofamanofletters。
HegreatlyresembledtheportraitsoftheAbbeDelille。
Hiscoquetryconsistedindrinkingwiththecarters。Noonehadeversucceededinrenderinghimdrunk。Hesmokedabigpipe。
Heworeablouse，andunderhisblouseanoldblackcoat。Hemadepretensionstoliteratureandtomaterialism。Therewerecertainnameswhichheoftenpronouncedtosupportwhateverthingshemightbesaying，——Voltaire，Raynal，Parny，and，singularlyenough，SaintAugustine。Hedeclaredthathehad\"asystem。\"Inaddition，hewasagreatswindler。Afilousophe[philosophe]，ascientificthief。
Thespeciesdoesexist。Itwillberememberedthathepretendedtohaveservedinthearmy；hewasinthehabitofrelatingwithexuberance，how，beingasergeantinthe6thorthe9thlightsomethingorother，atWaterloo，hehadalone，andinthepresenceofasquadronofdeath—dealinghussars，coveredwithhisbodyandsavedfromdeath，inthemidstofthegrape—shot，\"ageneral，whohadbeendangerouslywounded。\"Thencearoseforhiswalltheflaringsign，andforhisinnthenamewhichitboreintheneighborhood，of\"thecabaretoftheSergeantofWaterloo。\"Hewasaliberal，aclassic，andaBonapartist。HehadsubscribedfortheChampd’Asile。Itwassaidinthevillagethathehadstudiedforthepriesthood。
WebelievethathehadsimplystudiedinHollandforaninn—keeper。
Thisrascalofcompositeorderwas，inallprobability，someFlemingfromLille，inFlanders，aFrenchmaninParis，aBelgianatBrussels，beingcomfortablyastrideofbothfrontiers。
AsforhisprowessatWaterloo，thereaderisalreadyacquaintedwiththat。Itwillbeperceivedthatheexaggerateditatrifle。
Ebbandflow，wandering，adventure，wasthelevenofhisexistence；
atatteredconscienceentailsafragmentarylife，and，apparentlyatthestormyepochofJune18，1815，Thenardierbelongedtothatvarietyofmaraudingsutlersofwhichwehavespoken，beatingaboutthecountry，sellingtosome，stealingfromothers，andtravellinglikeafamilyman，withwifeandchildren，inaricketycart，intherearoftroopsonthemarch，withaninstinctforalwaysattachinghimselftothevictoriousarmy。Thiscampaignended，andhaving，ashesaid，\"somequibus，\"hehadcometoMontfermeilandsetupaninnthere。
Thisquibus，composedofpursesandwatches，ofgoldringsandsilvercrosses，gatheredinharvest—timeinfurrowssownwithcorpses，didnotamounttoalargetotal，anddidnotcarrythissutlerturnedeating—house—keeperveryfar。
Thenardierhadthatpeculiarrectilinearsomethingabouthisgestureswhich，accompaniedbyanoath，recallsthebarracks，andbyasignofthecross，theseminary。Hewasafinetalker。
Heallowedittobethoughtthathewasaneducatedman。Nevertheless，theschoolmasterhadnoticedthathepronouncedimproperly。[12]
[12]Literally\"madecuirs\"；i。e。，pronouncedatoransattheendofwordswheretheoppositelettershouldoccur，orusedeitheroneofthemwhereneitherexists。
Hecomposedthetravellers’tariffcardinasuperiormanner，butpractisedeyessometimesspiedoutorthographicalerrorsinit。
Thenardierwascunning，greedy，slothful，andclever。Hedidnotdisdainhisservants，whichcausedhiswifetodispensewiththem。
Thisgiantesswasjealous。Itseemedtoherthatthatthinandyellowlittlemanmustbeanobjectcovetedbyall。
Thenardier，whowas，aboveall，anastuteandwell—balancedman，wasascampofatemperatesort。Thisistheworstspecies；
hypocrisyentersintoit。
ItisnotthatThenardierwasnot，onoccasion，capableofwrathtoquitethesamedegreeashiswife；butthiswasveryrare，andatsuchtimes，sincehewasenragedwiththehumanraceingeneral，asheborewithinhimadeepfurnaceofhatred。Andsincehewasoneofthosepeoplewhoarecontinuallyavengingtheirwrongs，whoaccuseeverythingthatpassesbeforethemofeverythingwhichhasbefallenthem，andwhoarealwaysreadytocastuponthefirstpersonwhocomestohand，asalegitimategrievance，thesumtotalofthedeceptions，thebankruptcies，andthecalamitiesoftheirlives，——whenallthisleavenwasstirredupinhimandboiledforthfromhismouthandeyes，hewasterrible。
Woetothepersonwhocameunderhiswrathatsuchatime！
Inadditiontohisotherqualities，Thenardierwasattentiveandpenetrating，silentortalkative，accordingtocircumstances，andalwayshighlyintelligent。Hehadsomethingofthelookofsailors，whoareaccustomedtoscrewuptheireyestogazethroughmarineglasses。Thenardierwasastatesman。
Everynew—comerwhoenteredthetavernsaid，oncatchingsightofMadameThenardier，\"Thereisthemasterofthehouse。\"
Amistake。Shewasnoteventhemistress。Thehusbandwasbothmasterandmistress。Sheworked；hecreated。Hedirectedeverythingbyasortofinvisibleandconstantmagneticaction。
Awordwassufficientforhim，sometimesasign；themastodonobeyed。
ThenardierwasasortofspecialandsovereignbeinginMadameThenardier’seyes，thoughshedidnotthoroughlyrealizeit。
Shewaspossessedofvirtuesafterherownkind；ifshehadeverhadadisagreementastoanydetailwith\"MonsieurThenardier，\"——whichwasaninadmissiblehypothesis，bytheway，——shewouldnothaveblamedherhusbandinpubliconanysubjectwhatever。Shewouldneverhavecommitted\"beforestrangers\"thatmistakesooftencommittedbywomen，andwhichiscalledinparliamentarylanguage，\"exposingthecrown。\"
Althoughtheirconcordhadonlyevilasitsresult，therewascontemplationinMadameThenardier’ssubmissiontoherhusband。
Thatmountainofnoiseandoffleshmovedunderthelittlefingerofthatfraildespot。Viewedonitsdwarfedandgrotesqueside，thiswasthatgrandanduniversalthing，theadorationofmindbymatter；forcertainuglyfeatureshaveacauseintheverydepthsofeternalbeauty。TherewasanunknownquantityaboutThenardier；
hencetheabsoluteempireofthemanoverthatwoman。Atcertainmomentsshebeheldhimlikealightedcandle；atothersshefelthimlikeaclaw。
Thiswomanwasaformidablecreaturewholovednooneexceptherchildren，andwhodidnotfearanyoneexceptherhusband。
Shewasamotherbecauseshewasmammiferous。Buthermaternitystoppedshortwithherdaughters，and，asweshallsee，didnotextendtoboys。Themanhadbutonethought，——howtoenrichhimself。
Hedidnotsucceedinthis。Atheatreworthyofthisgreattalentwaslacking。ThenardierwasruininghimselfatMontfermeil，ifruinispossibletozero；inSwitzerlandorinthePyreneesthispennilessscampwouldhavebecomeamillionaire；butaninn—keepermustbrowsewherefatehashitchedhim。
Itwillbeunderstoodthatthewordinn—keeperishereemployedinarestrictedsense，anddoesnotextendtoanentireclass。
Inthissameyear，1823，Thenardierwasburdenedwithaboutfifteenhundredfrancs’worthofpettydebts，andthisrenderedhimanxious。
Whatevermayhavebeentheobstinateinjusticeofdestinyinthiscase，Thenardierwasoneofthosemenwhounderstandbest，withthemostprofundityandinthemostmodernfashion，thatthingwhichisavirtueamongbarbarouspeoplesandanobjectofmerchandiseamongcivilizedpeoples，——hospitality。Besides，hewasanadmirablepoacher，andquotedforhisskillinshooting。Hehadacertaincoldandtranquillaugh，whichwasparticularlydangerous。
Histheoriesasalandlordsometimesburstforthinlightningflashes。
Hehadprofessionalaphorisms，whichheinsertedintohiswife’smind。
\"Thedutyoftheinn—keeper，\"hesaidtoheroneday，violently，andinalowvoice，\"istoselltothefirstcomer，stews，repose，light，fire，dirtysheets，aservant，lice，andasmile；tostoppassers—by，toemptysmallpurses，andtohonestlylightenheavyones；
tosheltertravellingfamiliesrespectfully:toshavetheman，topluckthewoman，topickthechildclean；toquotethewindowopen，thewindowshut，thechimney—corner，thearm—chair，thechair，theottoman，thestool，thefeather—bed，themattressandthetrussofstraw；toknowhowmuchtheshadowusesupthemirror，andtoputapriceonit；and，byfivehundredthousanddevils，tomakethetravellerpayforeverything，evenfortheflieswhichhisdogeats！\"
Thismanandthiswomanwereruseandragewedded——ahideousandterribleteam。
Whilethehusbandponderedandcombined，MadameThenardierthoughtnotofabsentcreditors，tooknoheedofyesterdaynorofto—morrow，andlivedinafitofanger，allinaminute。
Suchwerethesetwobeings。Cosettewasbetweenthem，subjectedtotheirdoublepressure，likeacreaturewhoisatthesametimebeinggroundupinamillandpulledtopieceswithpincers。Themanandthewomaneachhadadifferentmethod:Cosettewasoverwhelmedwithblows——thiswasthewoman’s；shewentbarefootedinwinter——
thatwastheman’sdoing。
Cosetteranupstairsanddown，washed，swept，rubbed，dusted，ran，flutteredabout，panted，movedheavyarticles，andweakasshewas，didthecoarsework。Therewasnomercyforher；afiercemistressandvenomousmaster。TheThenardierhostelrywaslikeaspider’sweb，inwhichCosettehadbeencaught，andwhereshelaytrembling。
Theidealofoppressionwasrealizedbythissinisterhousehold。
Itwassomethingliketheflyservingthespiders。
Thepoorchildpassivelyheldherpeace。
WhattakesplacewithinthesesoulswhentheyhavebutjustquittedGod，findthemselvesthus，attheverydawnoflife，verysmallandinthemidstofmenallnaked！
CHAPTERIII
MENMUSTHAVEWINE，ANDHORSESMUSTHAVEWATER
Fournewtravellershadarrived。
Cosettewasmeditatingsadly；for，althoughshewasonlyeightyearsold，shehadalreadysufferedsomuchthatshereflectedwiththelugubriousairofanoldwoman。HereyewasblackinconsequenceofablowfromMadameThenardier’sfist，whichcausedthelattertoremarkfromtimetotime，\"Howuglysheiswithherfist—blowonhereye！\"
Cosettewasthinkingthatitwasdark，verydark，thatthepitchersandcaraffesinthechambersofthetravellerswhohadarrivedmusthavebeenfilledandthattherewasnomorewaterinthecistern。
ShewassomewhatreassuredbecausenooneintheThenardierestablishmentdrankmuchwater。Thirstypeoplewereneverlackingthere；
buttheirthirstwasofthesortwhichappliestothejugratherthantothepitcher。Anyonewhohadaskedforaglassofwateramongallthoseglassesofwinewouldhaveappearedasavagetoallthesemen。Buttherecameamomentwhenthechildtrembled；
MadameThenardierraisedthecoverofastew—panwhichwasboilingonthestove，thenseizedaglassandbrisklyapproachedthecistern。
Sheturnedthefaucet；thechildhadraisedherheadandwasfollowingallthewoman’smovements。Athinstreamofwatertrickledfromthefaucet，andhalffilledtheglass。\"Well，\"saidshe，\"thereisnomorewater！\"Amomentarysilenceensued。Thechilddidnotbreathe。
\"Bah！\"resumedMadameThenardier，examiningthehalf—filledglass，\"thiswillbeenough。\"
Cosetteappliedherselftoherworkoncemore，butforaquarterofanhourshefeltherheartleapinginherbosomlikeabigsnow—flake。
Shecountedtheminutesthatpassedinthismanner，andwisheditwerethenextmorning。
Fromtimetotimeoneofthedrinkerslookedintothestreet，andexclaimed，\"It’sasblackasanoven！\"or，\"Onemustneedsbeacattogoaboutthestreetswithoutalanternatthishour！\"
AndCosettetrembled。
Allatonceoneofthepedlerswholodgedinthehostelryentered，andsaidinaharshvoice:——
\"Myhorsehasnotbeenwatered。\"
\"Yes，ithas，\"saidMadameThenardier。
\"Itellyouthatithasnot，\"retortedthepedler。
Cosettehademergedfromunderthetable。
\"Oh，yes，sir！\"saidshe，\"thehorsehashadadrink；hedrankoutofabucket，awholebucketful，anditwasIwhotookthewatertohim，andIspoketohim。\"
Itwasnottrue；Cosettelied。
\"There’sabratasbigasmyfistwhotellsliesasbigasthehouse，\"
exclaimedthepedler。\"Itellyouthathehasnotbeenwatered，youlittlejade！Hehasawayofblowingwhenhehashadnowater，whichIknowwell。\"
Cosettepersisted，andaddedinavoicerenderedhoarsewithanguish，andwhichwashardlyaudible:——
\"Andhedrankheartily。\"
\"Come，\"saidthepedler，inarage，\"thiswon’tdoatall，letmyhorsebewatered，andletthatbetheendofit！\"
Cosettecreptunderthetableagain。
\"Intruth，thatisfair！\"saidMadameThenardier，\"ifthebeasthasnotbeenwatered，itmustbe。\"
Thenglancingabouther:——
\"Well，now！Where’sthatotherbeast？\"
ShebentdownanddiscoveredCosettecoweringattheotherendofthetable，almostunderthedrinkers’feet。
\"Areyoucoming？\"shriekedMadameThenardier。
Cosettecrawledoutofthesortofholeinwhichshehadhiddenherself。
TheThenardierresumed:——
\"MademoiselleDog—lack—name，goandwaterthathorse。\"
\"But，Madame，\"saidCosette，feebly，\"thereisnowater。\"
TheThenardierthrewthestreetdoorwideopen:——
\"Well，goandgetsome，then！\"
Cosettedroppedherhead，andwentforanemptybucketwhichstoodnearthechimney—corner。
Thisbucketwasbiggerthanshewas，andthechildcouldhavesetdowninitatherease。
TheThenardierreturnedtoherstove，andtastedwhatwasinthestewpan，withawoodenspoon，grumblingthewhile:——
\"There’splentyinthespring。Thereneverwassuchamaliciouscreatureasthat。IthinkIshouldhavedonebettertostrainmyonions。\"
Thensherummagedinadrawerwhichcontainedsous，pepper，andshallots。
\"Seehere，Mam’selleToad，\"sheadded，\"onyourwayback，youwillgetabigloaffromthebaker。Here’safifteen—soupiece。\"
Cosettehadalittlepocketononesideofherapron；shetookthecoinwithoutsayingaword，andputitinthatpocket。
Thenshestoodmotionless，bucketinhand，theopendoorbeforeher。
Sheseemedtobewaitingforsomeonetocometoherrescue。
\"Getalongwithyou！\"screamedtheThenardier。
Cosettewentout。Thedoorclosedbehindher。
CHAPTERIV
ENTRANCEONTHESCENEOFADOLL
Thelineofopen—airboothsstartingatthechurch，extended，asthereaderwillremember，asfarasthehostelryoftheThenardiers。
Theseboothswereallilluminated，becausethecitizenswouldsoonpassontheirwaytothemidnightmass，withcandlesburninginpaperfunnels，which，astheschoolmaster，thenseatedatthetableattheThenardiers’observed，produced\"amagicaleffect。\"
Incompensation，notastarwasvisibleinthesky。
Thelastofthesestalls，establishedpreciselyoppositetheThenardiers’
door，wasatoy—shopallglitteringwithtinsel，glass，andmagnificentobjectsoftin。Inthefirstrow，andfarforwards，themerchanthadplacedonabackgroundofwhitenapkins，animmensedoll，nearlytwofeethigh，whowasdressedinarobeofpinkcrepe，withgoldwheat—earsonherhead，whichhadrealhairandenameleyes。Allthatday，thismarvelhadbeendisplayedtothewondermentofallpassers—byundertenyearsofage，withoutamotherbeingfoundinMontfermeilsufficientlyrichorsufficientlyextravaganttogiveittoherchild。
EponineandAzelmahadpassedhoursincontemplatingit，andCosetteherselfhadventuredtocastaglanceatit，onthesly，itistrue。
AtthemomentwhenCosetteemerged，bucketinhand，melancholyandovercomeasshewas，shecouldnotrefrainfromliftinghereyestothatwonderfuldoll，towardsthelady，asshecalledit。
Thepoorchildpausedinamazement。Shehadnotyetbeheldthatdollcloseto。Thewholeshopseemedapalacetoher:
thedollwasnotadoll；itwasavision。Itwasjoy，splendor，riches，happiness，whichappearedinasortofchimericalhalotothatunhappylittlebeingsoprofoundlyengulfedingloomyandchillymisery。Withthesadandinnocentsagacityofchildhood，Cosettemeasuredtheabysswhichseparatedherfromthatdoll。
Shesaidtoherselfthatonemustbeaqueen，oratleastaprincess，tohavea\"thing\"likethat。Shegazedatthatbeautifulpinkdress，thatbeautifulsmoothhair，andshethought，\"Howhappythatdollmustbe！\"Shecouldnottakehereyesfromthatfantasticstall。
Themoreshelooked，themoredazzledshegrew。Shethoughtshewasgazingatparadise。Therewereotherdollsbehindthelargeone，whichseemedtohertobefairiesandgenii。Themerchant，whowaspacingbackandforthinfrontofhisshop，producedonhersomewhattheeffectofbeingtheEternalFather。
Inthisadorationsheforgoteverything，eventheerrandwithwhichshewascharged。
AllatoncetheThenardier’scoarsevoicerecalledhertoreality:
\"What，yousillyjade！youhavenotgone？Wait！I’llgiveittoyou！Iwanttoknowwhatyouaredoingthere！Getalong，youlittlemonster！\"
TheThenardierhadcastaglanceintothestreet，andhadcaughtsightofCosetteinherecstasy。
Cosettefled，draggingherpail，andtakingthelongeststridesofwhichshewascapable。
CHAPTERV
THELITTLEONEALLALONE
AstheThenardierhostelrywasinthatpartofthevillagewhichisnearthechurch，itwastothespringintheforestinthedirectionofChellesthatCosettewasobligedtogoforherwater。
Shedidnotglanceatthedisplayofasingleothermerchant。SolongasshewasinBoulangerLaneandintheneighborhoodofthechurch，thelightedstallsilluminatedtheroad；butsoonthelastlightfromthelaststallvanished。Thepoorchildfoundherselfinthedark。
Sheplungedintoit。Only，asacertainemotionovercameher，shemadeasmuchmotionaspossiblewiththehandleofthebucketasshewalkedalong。Thismadeanoisewhichaffordedhercompany。
Thefurthershewent，thedenserthedarknessbecame。Therewasnooneinthestreets。However，shedidencounterawoman，whoturnedaroundonseeingher，andstoodstill，mutteringbetweenherteeth:
\"Wherecanthatchildbegoing？Isitawerewolfchild？\"ThenthewomanrecognizedCosette。\"Well，\"saidshe，\"it’stheLark！\"
InthismannerCosettetraversedthelabyrinthoftortuousanddesertedstreetswhichterminateinthevillageofMontfermeilonthesideofChelles。Solongasshehadthehousesoreventhewallsonlyonbothsidesofherpath，sheproceededwithtolerableboldness。Fromtimetotimeshecaughttheflickerofacandlethroughthecrackofashutter——thiswaslightandlife；
therewerepeoplethere，anditreassuredher。Butinproportionassheadvanced，herpaceslackenedmechanically，asitwere。
Whenshehadpassedthecornerofthelasthouse，Cosettepaused。
Ithadbeenhardtoadvancefurtherthanthelaststall；
itbecameimpossibletoproceedfurtherthanthelasthouse。
Shesetherbucketontheground，thrustherhandintoherhair，andbeganslowlytoscratchherhead，——agesturepeculiartochildrenwhenterrifiedandundecidedwhattodo。ItwasnolongerMontfermeil；
itwastheopenfields。Blackanddesertspacewasbeforeher。
Shegazedindespairatthatdarkness，wheretherewasnolongeranyone，wheretherewerebeasts，wheretherewerespectres，possibly。
Shetookagoodlook，andheardthebeastswalkingonthegrass，andshedistinctlysawspectresmovinginthetrees。Thensheseizedherbucketagain；fearhadlentheraudacity。\"Bah！\"saidshe；
\"Iwilltellhimthattherewasnomorewater！\"Andsheresolutelyre—enteredMontfermeil。
Hardlyhadshegoneahundredpaceswhenshepausedandbegantoscratchherheadagain。NowitwastheThenardierwhoappearedtoher，withherhideous，hyenamouth，andwrathflashinginhereyes。
Thechildcastamelancholyglancebeforeherandbehindher。
Whatwasshetodo？Whatwastobecomeofher？Wherewasshetogo？
InfrontofherwasthespectreoftheThenardier；behindherallthephantomsofthenightandoftheforest。ItwasbeforetheThenardierthatsherecoiled。Sheresumedherpathtothespring，andbegantorun。Sheemergedfromthevillage，sheenteredtheforestatarun，nolongerlookingatorlisteningtoanything。
Sheonlypausedinhercoursewhenherbreathfailedher；
butshedidnothaltinheradvance。Shewentstraightbeforeherindesperation。
Assheranshefeltlikecrying。
Thenocturnalquiveringoftheforestsurroundedhercompletely。
Shenolongerthought，shenolongersaw。Theimmensityofnightwasfacingthistinycreature。Ontheonehand，allshadow；
ontheother，anatom。
Itwasonlysevenoreightminutes’walkfromtheedgeofthewoodstothespring。Cosetteknewtheway，throughhavinggoneoveritmanytimesindaylight。Strangetosay，shedidnotgetlost。
Aremnantofinstinctguidedhervaguely。Butshedidnotturnhereyeseithertorightortoleft，forfearofseeingthingsinthebranchesandinthebrushwood。Inthismannershereachedthespring。
Itwasanarrow，naturalbasin，hollowedoutbythewaterinaclayeysoil，abouttwofeetdeep，surroundedwithmossandwiththosetall，crimpedgrasseswhicharecalledHenryIV。’sfrills，andpavedwithseverallargestones。Abrookranoutofit，withatranquillittlenoise。
Cosettedidnottaketimetobreathe。Itwasverydark，butshewasinthehabitofcomingtothisspring。Shefeltwithherlefthandinthedarkforayoungoakwhichleanedoverthespring，andwhichusuallyservedtosupporther，foundoneofitsbranches，clungtoit，bentdown，andplungedthebucketinthewater。
Shewasinastateofsuchviolentexcitementthatherstrengthwastrebled。Whilethusbentover，shedidnotnoticethatthepocketofherapronhademptieditselfintothespring。Thefifteen—soupiecefellintothewater。Cosetteneithersawnorhearditfall。
Shedrewoutthebucketnearlyfull，andsetitonthegrass。
Thatdone，sheperceivedthatshewaswornoutwithfatigue。
Shewouldhavelikedtosetoutagainatonce，buttheeffortrequiredtofillthebuckethadbeensuchthatshefounditimpossibletotakeastep。Shewasforcedtositdown。Shedroppedonthegrass，andremainedcrouchingthere。
Sheshuthereyes；thensheopenedthemagain，withoutknowingwhy，butbecauseshecouldnotdootherwise。Theagitatedwaterinthebucketbesideherwasdescribingcircleswhichresembledtinserpents。
Overheadtheskywascoveredwithvastblackclouds，whichwerelikemassesofsmoke。Thetragicmaskofshadowseemedtobendvaguelyoverthechild。
Jupiterwassettinginthedepths。
Thechildstaredwithbewilderedeyesatthisgreatstar，withwhichshewasunfamiliar，andwhichterrifiedher。Theplanetwas，infact，verynearthehorizonandwastraversingadenselayerofmistwhichimpartedtoitahorribleruddyhue。Themist，gloomilyempurpled，magnifiedthestar。Onewouldhavecalleditaluminouswound。
Acoldwindwasblowingfromtheplain。Theforestwasdark，notaleafwasmoving；therewerenoneofthevague，freshgleamsofsummertide。Greatboughsupliftedthemselvesinfrightfulwise。
Slenderandmisshapenbusheswhistledintheclearings。Thetallgrassesundulatedlikeeelsunderthenorthwind。Thenettlesseemedtotwistlongarmsfurnishedwithclawsinsearchofprey。
Somebitsofdryheather，tossedbythebreeze，flewrapidlyby，andhadtheairoffleeinginterrorbeforesomethingwhichwascomingafter。
Onallsidestherewerelugubriousstretches。
Thedarknesswasbewildering。Manrequireslight。Whoeverburieshimselfintheoppositeofdayfeelshisheartcontract。Whentheeyeseesblack，theheartseestrouble。Inaneclipseinthenight，inthesootyopacity，thereisanxietyevenforthestoutestofhearts。
Noonewalksaloneintheforestatnightwithouttrembling。
Shadowsandtrees——twoformidabledensities。Achimericalrealityappearsintheindistinctdepths。Theinconceivableisoutlinedafewpacesdistantfromyouwithaspectralclearness。
Onebeholdsfloating，eitherinspaceorinone’sownbrain，oneknowsnotwhatvagueandintangiblething，likethedreamsofsleepingflowers。Therearefierceattitudesonthehorizon。
Oneinhalestheeffluviaofthegreatblackvoid。Oneisafraidtoglancebehindhim，yetdesirousofdoingso。Thecavitiesofnight，thingsgrownhaggard，taciturnprofileswhichvanishwhenoneadvances，obscuredishevelments，irritatedtufts，lividpools，thelugubriousreflectedinthefunereal，thesepulchralimmensityofsilence，unknownbutpossiblebeings，bendingsofmysteriousbranches，alarmingtorsosoftrees，longhandfulsofquiveringplants，——
againstallthisonehasnoprotection。Thereisnohardihoodwhichdoesnotshudderandwhichdoesnotfeelthevicinityofanguish。
Oneisconsciousofsomethinghideous，asthoughone’ssoulwerebecomingamalgamatedwiththedarkness。Thispenetrationoftheshadowsisindescribablysinisterinthecaseofachild。
Forestsareapocalypses，andthebeatingofthewingsofatinysoulproducesasoundofagonybeneaththeirmonstrousvault。
Withoutunderstandinghersensations，Cosettewasconsciousthatshewasseizeduponbythatblackenormityofnature；
itwasnolongerterroralonewhichwasgainingpossessionofher；
itwassomethingmoreterribleeventhanterror；sheshivered。
Therearenowordstoexpressthestrangenessofthatshiverwhichchilledhertotheverybottomofherheart；hereyegrewwild；
shethoughtshefeltthatsheshouldnotbeabletorefrainfromreturningthereatthesamehouronthemorrow。
Then，byasortofinstinct，shebegantocountaloud，one，two，three，four，andsoonuptoten，inordertoescapefromthatsingularstatewhichshedidnotunderstand，butwhichterrifiedher，and，whenshehadfinished，shebeganagain；
thisrestoredhertoatrueperceptionofthethingsabouther。
Herhands，whichshehadwetindrawingthewater，feltcold；
sherose；herterror，anaturalandunconquerableterror，hadreturned:shehadbutonethoughtnow，——tofleeatfullspeedthroughtheforest，acrossthefieldstothehouses，tothewindows，tothelightedcandles。Herglancefelluponthewaterwhichstoodbeforeher；suchwasthefrightwhichtheThenardierinspiredinher，thatshedarednotfleewithoutthatbucketofwater:
sheseizedthehandlewithbothhands；shecouldhardlyliftthepail。
Inthismannersheadvancedadozenpaces，butthebucketwasfull；
itwasheavy；shewasforcedtosetitonthegroundoncemore。
Shetookbreathforaninstant，thenliftedthehandleofthebucketagain，andresumedhermarch，proceedingalittlefurtherthistime，butagainshewasobligedtopause。Aftersomesecondsofreposeshesetoutagain。Shewalkedbentforward，withdroopinghead，likeanoldwoman；theweightofthebucketstrainedandstiffenedherthinarms。Theironhandlecompletedthebenumbingandfreezingofherwetandtinyhands；shewasforcedtohaltfromtimetotime，andeachtimethatshedidso，thecoldwaterwhichsplashedfromthepailfellonherbarelegs。Thistookplaceinthedepthsofaforest，atnight，inwinter，farfromallhumansight；
shewasachildofeight:noonebutGodsawthatsadthingatthemoment。
Andhermother，nodoubt，alas！
Fortherearethingsthatmakethedeadopentheireyesintheirgraves。
Shepantedwithasortofpainfulrattle；sobscontractedherthroat，butshedarednotweep，soafraidwassheoftheThenardier，evenatadistance:itwashercustomtoimaginetheThenardieralwayspresent。
However，shecouldnotmakemuchheadwayinthatmanner，andshewentonveryslowly。Inspiteofdiminishingthelengthofherstops，andofwalkingaslongaspossiblebetweenthem，shereflectedwithanguishthatitwouldtakehermorethananhourtoreturntoMontfermeilinthismanner，andthattheThenardierwouldbeather。
Thisanguishwasmingledwithherterroratbeingaloneinthewoodsatnight；shewaswornoutwithfatigue，andhadnotyetemergedfromtheforest。Onarrivingnearanoldchestnut—treewithwhichshewasacquainted，madealasthalt，longerthantherest，inorderthatshemightgetwellrested；thenshesummonedupallherstrength，pickedupherbucketagain，andcourageouslyresumedhermarch，butthepoorlittledesperatecreaturecouldnotrefrainfromcrying，\"OmyGod！myGod！\"
Atthatmomentshesuddenlybecameconsciousthatherbucketnolongerweighedanythingatall:ahand，whichseemedtoherenormous，hadjustseizedthehandle，andlifteditvigorously。Sheraisedherhead。Alargeblackform，straightanderect，waswalkingbesideherthroughthedarkness；itwasamanwhohadcomeupbehindher，andwhoseapproachshehadnotheard。Thisman，withoututteringaword，hadseizedthehandleofthebucketwhichshewascarrying。
Thereareinstinctsforalltheencountersoflife。
Thechildwasnotafraid。