Withthatmachineonmyhead，IhavetheairofMadameMad—dog。\"
JeanValjeanheavedadeepsigh。
Fromthatmomentforth，henoticedthatCosette，whohadalwaysheretoforeaskedtoremainathome，saying:\"Father，Ienjoymyselfmoreherewithyou，\"nowwasalwaysaskingtogoout。Infact，whatistheuseofhavingahandsomefaceandadeliciouscostumeifonedoesnotdisplaythem？
HealsonoticedthatCosettehadnolongerthesametasteforthebackgarden。Nowshepreferredthegarden，anddidnotdisliketopromenadebackandforthinfrontoftherailedfence。
JeanValjean，whowasshy，neversetfootinthegarden。
Hekepttohisbackyard，likeadog。
Cosette，ingainingtheknowledgethatshewasbeautiful，lostthegraceofignoringit。Anexquisitegrace，forbeautyenhancedbyingenuousnessisineffable，andnothingissoadorableasadazzlingandinnocentcreaturewhowalksalong，holdinginherhandthekeytoparadisewithoutbeingconsciousofit。Butwhatshehadlostiningenuousgrace，shegainedinpensiveandseriouscharm。
Herwholeperson，permeatedwiththejoyofyouth，ofinnocence，andofbeauty，breathedforthasplendidmelancholy。
ItwasatthisepochthatMarius，afterthelapseofsixmonths，sawheroncemoreattheLuxembourg。
CHAPTERVI
THEBATTLEBEGUN
Cosetteinhershadow，likeMariusinhis，wasallreadytotakefire。
Destiny，withitsmysteriousandfatalpatience，slowlydrewtogetherthesetwobeings，allchargedandalllanguishingwiththestormyelectricityofpassion，thesetwosoulswhichwereladenwithloveastwocloudsareladenwithlightning，andwhichwereboundtooverflowandmingleinalooklikethecloudsinaflashoffire。
Theglancehasbeensomuchabusedinloveromancesthatithasfinallyfallenintodisrepute。Onehardlydarestosay，nowadays，thattwobeingsfellinlovebecausetheylookedateachother。
Thatisthewaypeopledofallinlove，nevertheless，andtheonlyway。Therestisnothing，buttherestcomesafterwards。
Nothingismorerealthanthesegreatshockswhichtwosoulsconveytoeachotherbytheexchangeofthatspark。
AtthatparticularhourwhenCosetteunconsciouslydartedthatglancewhichtroubledMarius，MariushadnosuspicionthathehadalsolaunchedalookwhichdisturbedCosette。
Hecausedherthesamegoodandthesameevil。
Shehadbeeninthehabitofseeinghimforalongtime，andshehadscrutinizedhimasgirlsscrutinizeandsee，whilelookingelsewhere。
MariusstillconsideredCosetteugly，whenshehadalreadybeguntothinkMariushandsome。Butashepaidnoattentiontoher，theyoungmanwasnothingtoher。
Still，shecouldnotrefrainfromsayingtoherselfthathehadbeautifulhair，beautifuleyes，handsometeeth，acharmingtoneofvoicewhensheheardhimconversingwithhiscomrades，thatheheldhimselfbadlywhenhewalked，ifyoulike，butwithagracethatwasallhisown，thathedidnotappeartobeatallstupid，thathiswholepersonwasnoble，gentle，simple，proud，andthat，inshort，thoughheseemedtobepoor，yethisairwasfine。
Onthedaywhentheireyesmetatlast，andsaidtoeachotherthosefirst，obscure，andineffablethingswhichtheglancelisps，Cosettedidnotimmediatelyunderstand。ShereturnedthoughtfullytothehouseintheRuedel’Ouest，whereJeanValjean，accordingtohiscustom，hadcometospendsixweeks。Thenextmorning，onwaking，shethoughtofthatstrangeyoungman，solongindifferentandicy，whonowseemedtopayattentiontoher，anditdidnotappeartoherthatthisattentionwastheleastintheworldagreeabletoher。
Shewas，onthecontrary，somewhatincensedatthishandsomeanddisdainfulindividual。Asubstratumofwarstirredwithinher。
Itstruckher，andtheideacausedherawhollychildishjoy，thatshewasgoingtotakeherrevengeatlast。
Knowingthatshewasbeautiful，shewasthoroughlyconscious，thoughinanindistinctfashion，thatshepossessedaweapon。
Womenplaywiththeirbeautyaschildrendowithaknife。
Theywoundthemselves。
ThereaderwillrecallMarius’hesitations，hispalpitations，histerrors。Heremainedonhisbenchanddidnotapproach。
ThisvexedCosette。Oneday，shesaidtoJeanValjean:
\"Father，letusstrollaboutalittleinthatdirection。\"
SeeingthatMariusdidnotcometoher，shewenttohim。Insuchcases，allwomenresembleMahomet。Andthen，strangetosay，thefirstsymptomoftrueloveinayoungmanistimidity；inayounggirlitisboldness。Thisissurprising，andyetnothingismoresimple。
Itisthetwosexestendingtoapproacheachotherandassuming，eachtheother’squalities。
Thatday，Cosette’sglancedroveMariusbesidehimself，andMarius’
glancesetCosettetotrembling。Mariuswentawayconfident，andCosetteuneasy。Fromthatdayforth，theyadoredeachother。
ThefirstthingthatCosettefeltwasaconfusedandprofoundmelancholy。
Itseemedtoherthathersoulhadbecomeblacksincethedaybefore。
Shenolongerrecognizedit。Thewhitenessofsoulinyounggirls，whichiscomposedofcoldnessandgayety，resemblessnow。Itmeltsinlove，whichisitssun。
Cosettedidnotknowwhatlovewas。Shehadneverheardthewordutteredinitsterrestrialsense。Onthebooksofprofanemusicwhichenteredtheconvent，amour（love）wasreplacedbytambour（drum）
orpandour。Thiscreatedenigmaswhichexercisedtheimaginationsofthebiggirls，suchas:Ah，howdelightfulisthedrum！or，Pityisnotapandour。ButCosettehadlefttheconventtooearlytohaveoccupiedherselfmuchwiththe\"drum。\"Therefore，shedidnotknowwhatnametogivetowhatshenowfelt。Isanyonethelessillbecauseonedoesnotknowthenameofone’smalady？
Shelovedwithallthemorepassionbecauseshelovedignorantly。
Shedidnotknowwhetheritwasagoodthingorabadthing，usefulordangerous，eternalortemporary，allowableorprohibited；
sheloved。Shewouldhavebeengreatlyastonished，hadanyonesaidtoher:\"Youdonotsleep？Butthatisforbidden！
Youdonoteat？Why，thatisverybad！Youhaveoppressionsandpalpitationsoftheheart？Thatmustnotbe！Youblushandturnpale，whenacertainbeingcladinblackappearsattheendofacertaingreenwalk？Butthatisabominable！\"
Shewouldnothaveunderstood，andshewouldhavereplied:
\"WhatfaultisthereofmineinamatterinwhichIhavenopowerandofwhichIknownothing？\"
Itturnedoutthatthelovewhichpresenteditselfwasexactlysuitedtothestateofhersoul。Itwasasortofadmirationatadistance，amutecontemplation，thedeificationofastranger。
Itwastheapparitionofyouthtoyouth，thedreamofnightsbecomearealityyetremainingadream，thelonged—forphantomrealizedandmadefleshatlast，buthavingasyet，neithername，norfault，norspot，norexigence，nordefect；inaword，thedistantloverwholingeredintheideal，achimaerawithaform。
AnynearerandmorepalpablemeetingwouldhavealarmedCosetteatthisfirststage，whenshewasstillhalfimmersedintheexaggeratedmistsofthecloister。Shehadallthefearsofchildrenandallthefearsofnunscombined。Thespiritoftheconvent，withwhichshehadbeenpermeatedforthespaceoffiveyears，wasstillintheprocessofslowevaporationfromherperson，andmadeeverythingtremblearoundher。Inthissituationhewasnotalover，hewasnotevenanadmirer，hewasavision。
ShesetherselftoadoringMariusassomethingcharming，luminous，andimpossible。
Asextremeinnocencebordersonextremecoquetry，shesmiledathimwithallfrankness。
Everyday，shelookedforwardtothehourfortheirwalkwithimpatience，shefoundMariusthere，shefeltherselfunspeakablyhappy，andthoughtinallsinceritythatshewasexpressingherwholethoughtwhenshesaidtoJeanValjean:——
\"WhatadeliciousgardenthatLuxembourgis！\"
MariusandCosettewereinthedarkastooneanother。Theydidnotaddresseachother，theydidnotsaluteeachother，theydidnotknoweachother；theysaweachother；andlikestarsofheavenwhichareseparatedbymillionsofleagues，theylivedbygazingateachother。
ItwasthusthatCosettegraduallybecameawomananddeveloped，beautifulandloving，withaconsciousnessofherbeauty，andinignoranceofherlove。Shewasacoquettetobootthroughherignorance。
CHAPTERVII
TOONESADNESSOPPOSEASADNESSANDAHALF
Allsituationshavetheirinstincts。OldandeternalMotherNaturewarnedJeanValjeaninadimwayofthepresenceofMarius。
JeanValjeanshudderedtotheverybottomofhissoul。JeanValjeansawnothing，knewnothing，andyethescannedwithobstinateattention，thedarknessinwhichhewalked，asthoughhefeltononesideofhimsomethinginprocessofconstruction，andontheother，somethingwhichwascrumblingaway。Marius，alsowarned，and，inaccordancewiththedeeplawofGod，bythatsameMotherNature，didallhecouldtokeepoutofsightof\"thefather。\"Nevertheless，itcametopassthatJeanValjeansometimesespiedhim。Marius’mannerswerenolongerintheleastnatural。Heexhibitedambiguousprudenceandawkwarddaring。Henolongercamequiteclosetothemasformerly。
Heseatedhimselfatadistanceandpretendedtobereading；
whydidhepretendthat？Formerlyhehadcomeinhisoldcoat，nowheworehisnewoneeveryday；JeanValjeanwasnotsurethathedidnothavehishaircurled，hiseyeswereveryqueer，heworegloves；
inshort，JeanValjeancordiallydetestedthisyoungman。
Cosetteallowednothingtobedivined。Withoutknowingjustwhatwasthematterwithhershewasconvincedthattherewassomethinginit，andthatitmustbeconcealed。
TherewasacoincidencebetweenthetasteforthetoiletwhichhadrecentlycometoCosette，andthehabitofnewclothesdevelopedbythatstrangerwhichwasveryrepugnanttoJeanValjean。Itmightbeaccidental，nodoubt，certainly，butitwasamenacingaccident。
HeneveropenedhismouthtoCosetteaboutthisstranger。Oneday，however，hecouldnotrefrainfromsodoing，and，withthatvaguedespairwhichsuddenlycaststheleadintothedepthsofitsdespair，hesaidtoher:\"Whataverypedanticairthatyoungmanhas！\"
Cosette，butayearbeforeonlyanindifferentlittlegirl，wouldhavereplied:\"Why，no，heischarming。\"Tenyearslater，withtheloveofMariusinherheart，shewouldhaveanswered:
\"Apedant，andinsufferabletothesight！Youareright！\"——
Atthemomentinlifeandtheheartwhichshehadthenattained，shecontentedherselfwithreplying，withsupremecalmness:
\"Thatyoungman！\"
Asthoughshenowbeheldhimforthefirsttimeinherlife。
\"HowstupidIam！\"thoughtJeanValjean。\"Shehadnotnoticedhim。
ItisIwhohavepointedhimouttoher。\"
Oh，simplicityoftheold！oh，thedepthofchildren！
Itisoneofthelawsofthosefreshyearsofsufferingandtrouble，ofthosevivaciousconflictsbetweenafirstloveandthefirstobstacles，thattheyounggirldoesnotallowherselftobecaughtinanytrapwhatever，andthattheyoungmanfallsintoeveryone。
JeanValjeanhadinstitutedanundeclaredwaragainstMarius，whichMarius，withthesublimestupidityofhispassionandhisage，didnotdivine。JeanValjeanlaidahostofambushesforhim；
hechangedhishour，hechangedhisbench，heforgothishandkerchief，hecamealonetotheLuxembourg；Mariusdashedheadlongintoallthesesnares；andtoalltheinterrogationmarksplantedbyJeanValjeaninhispathway，heingenuouslyanswered\"yes。\"
ButCosetteremainedimmuredinherapparentunconcernandinherimperturbabletranquillity，sothatJeanValjeanarrivedatthefollowingconclusion:\"ThatninnyismadlyinlovewithCosette，butCosettedoesnotevenknowthatheexists。\"
Nonethelessdidhebearinhisheartamournfultremor。
TheminutewhenCosettewouldlovemightstrikeatanymoment。
Doesnoteverythingbeginwithindifference？
OnlyoncedidCosettemakeamistakeandalarmhim。Herosefromhisseattodepart，afterastayofthreehours，andshesaid:
\"What，already？\"
JeanValjeanhadnotdiscontinuedhistripstotheLuxembourg，ashedidnotwishtodoanythingoutoftheway，andas，aboveallthings，hefearedtoarouseCosette；butduringthehourswhichweresosweettothelovers，whileCosettewassendinghersmiletotheintoxicatedMarius，whoperceivednothingelsenow，andwhonowsawnothinginalltheworldbutanadoredandradiantface，JeanValjeanwasfixingonMariusflashingandterribleeyes。He，whohadfinallycometobelievehimselfincapableofamalevolentfeeling，experiencedmomentswhenMariuswaspresent，inwhichhethoughthewasbecomingsavageandferociousoncemore，andhefelttheolddepthsofhissoul，whichhadformerlycontainedsomuchwrath，openingoncemoreandrisingupagainstthatyoungman。Italmostseemedtohimthatunknowncraterswereforminginhisbosom。
What！hewasthere，thatcreature！Whatwashetherefor？
Hecamecreepingabout，smellingout，examining，trying！
Hecame，saying:\"Hey！Whynot？\"Hecametoprowlabouthis，JeanValjean’s，life！toprowlabouthishappiness，withthepurposeofseizingitandbearingitaway！
JeanValjeanadded:\"Yes，that’sit！Whatisheinsearchof？
Anadventure！Whatdoeshewant？Aloveaffair！Aloveaffair！
AndI？What！Ihavebeenfirst，themostwretchedofmen，andthenthemostunhappy，andIhavetraversedsixtyyearsoflifeonmyknees，Ihavesufferedeverythingthatmancansuffer，Ihavegrownoldwithouthavingbeenyoung，Ihavelivedwithoutafamily，withoutrelatives，withoutfriends，withoutlife，withoutchildren，Ihaveleftmybloodoneverystone，oneverybramble，oneverymile—post，alongeverywall，Ihavebeengentle，thoughothershavebeenhardtome，andkind，althoughothershavebeenmalicious，Ihavebecomeanhonestmanoncemore，inspiteofeverything，IhaverepentedoftheevilthatIhavedoneandhaveforgiventheevilthathasbeendonetome，andatthemomentwhenI
receivemyrecompense，atthemomentwhenitisallover，atthemomentwhenIamjusttouchingthegoal，atthemomentwhenIhavewhatIdesire，itiswell，itisgood，Ihavepaid，Ihaveearnedit，allthisistotakeflight，allthiswillvanish，andIshallloseCosette，andIshalllosemylife，myjoy，mysoul，becauseithaspleasedagreatboobytocomeandloungeattheLuxembourg。\"
Thenhiseyeswerefilledwithasadandextraordinarygleam。
Itwasnolongeramangazingataman；itwasnolongeranenemysurveyinganenemy。Itwasadogscanningathief。
Thereaderknowstherest。Mariuspursuedhissenselesscourse。
OnedayhefollowedCosettetotheRuedel’Ouest。Anotherdayhespoketotheporter。Theporter，onhisside，spoke，andsaidtoJeanValjean:\"Monsieur，whoisthatcuriousyoungmanwhoisaskingforyou？\"OnthemorrowJeanValjeanbestowedonMariusthatglancewhichMariusatlastperceived。Aweeklater，JeanValjeanhadtakenhisdeparture。HesworetohimselfthathewouldneveragainsetfooteitherintheLuxembourgorintheRuedel’Ouest。HereturnedtotheRuePlumet。
Cosettedidnotcomplain，shesaidnothing，sheaskednoquestions，shedidnotseektolearnhisreasons；shehadalreadyreachedthepointwhereshewasafraidofbeingdivined，andofbetrayingherself。
JeanValjeanhadnoexperienceofthesemiseries，theonlymiserieswhicharecharmingandtheonlyoneswithwhichhewasnotacquainted；
theconsequencewasthathedidnotunderstandthegravesignificanceofCosette’ssilence。
Hemerelynoticedthatshehadgrownsad，andhegrewgloomy。
Onhissideandonhers，inexperiencehadjoinedissue。
Oncehemadeatrial。HeaskedCosette:——
\"WouldyouliketocometotheLuxembourg？\"
ArayilluminatedCosette’spaleface。
\"Yes，\"saidshe。
Theywentthither。Threemonthshadelapsed。Mariusnolongerwentthere。Mariuswasnotthere。
Onthefollowingday，JeanValjeanaskedCosetteagain:——
\"WouldyouliketocometotheLuxembourg？\"
Shereplied，sadlyandgently:——
\"No。\"
JeanValjeanwashurtbythissadness，andheart—brokenatthisgentleness。
Whatwasgoingoninthatmindwhichwassoyoungandyetalreadysoimpenetrable？Whatwasonitswaytherewithin？WhatwastakingplaceinCosette’ssoul？Sometimes，insteadofgoingtobed，JeanValjeanremainedseatedonhispallet，withhisheadinhishands，andhepassedwholenightsaskinghimself:\"WhathasCosetteinhermind？\"
andinthinkingofthethingsthatshemightbethinkingabout。
Oh！atsuchmoments，whatmournfulglancesdidhecasttowardsthatcloister，thatchastepeak，thatabodeofangels，thatinaccessibleglacierofvirtue！Howhecontemplated，withdespairingecstasy，thatconventgarden，fullofignoredflowersandcloisteredvirgins，whereallperfumesandallsoulsmountstraighttoheaven！
HowheadoredthatEdenforeverclosedagainsthim，whencehehadvoluntarilyandmadlyemerged！HowheregrettedhisabnegationandhisfollyinhavingbroughtCosettebackintotheworld，poorheroofsacrifice，seizedandhurledtotheearthbyhisveryself—devotion！Howhesaidtohimself，\"WhathaveIdone？\"
However，nothingofallthiswasperceptibletoCosette。
Noill—temper，noharshness。Hisfacewasalwayssereneandkind。
JeanValjean’smannersweremoretenderandmorepaternalthanever。
Ifanythingcouldhavebetrayedhislackofjoy，itwashisincreasedsuavity。
Onherside，Cosettelanguished。ShesufferedfromtheabsenceofMariusasshehadrejoicedinhispresence，peculiarly，withoutexactlybeingconsciousofit。WhenJeanValjeanceasedtotakeherontheircustomarystrolls，afeminineinstinctmurmuredconfusedly，atthebottomofherheart，thatshemustnotseemtosetstoreontheLuxembourggarden，andthatifthisprovedtobeamatterofindifferencetoher，herfatherwouldtakeherthitheroncemore。
Butdays，weeks，months，elapsed。JeanValjeanhadtacitlyacceptedCosette’stacitconsent。Sheregrettedit。Itwastoolate。
SoMariushaddisappeared；allwasover。ThedayonwhichshereturnedtotheLuxembourg，Mariuswasnolongerthere。Whatwastobedone？
Shouldsheeverfindhimagain？Shefeltananguishatherheart，whichnothingrelieved，andwhichaugmentedeveryday；shenolongerknewwhetheritwaswinterorsummer，whetheritwasrainingorshining，whetherthebirdsweresinging，whetheritwastheseasonfordahliasordaisies，whethertheLuxembourgwasmorecharmingthantheTuileries，whetherthelinenwhichthelaundressbroughthomewasstarchedtoomuchornotenough，whetherToussainthaddone\"hermarketing\"wellorill；andsheremaineddejected，absorbed，attentivetobutasinglethought，hereyesvagueandstaringaswhenonegazesbynightatablackandfathomlessspotwhereanapparitionhasvanished。
However，shedidnotallowJeanValjeantoperceiveanythingofthis，exceptherpallor。
Shestillworehersweetfaceforhim。
ThispallorsufficedbuttoothoroughlytotroubleJeanValjean。
Sometimesheaskedher:——
\"Whatisthematterwithyou？\"
Shereplied:\"Thereisnothingthematterwithme。\"
Andafterasilence，whenshedivinedthathewassadalso，shewouldadd:——
\"Andyou，father——isthereanythingwrongwithyou？\"
\"Withme？Nothing，\"saidhe。
Thesetwobeingswhohadlovedeachothersoexclusively，andwithsotouchinganaffection，andwhohadlivedsolongforeachothernowsufferedsidebyside，eachontheother’saccount；
withoutacknowledgingittoeachother，withoutangertowardseachother，andwithasmile。
CHAPTERVIII
THECHAIN—GANG
JeanValjeanwasthemoreunhappyofthetwo。Youth，eveninitssorrows，alwayspossessesitsownpeculiarradiance。
Attimes，JeanValjeansufferedsogreatlythathebecamepuerile。
Itisthepropertyofgrieftocausethechildishsideofmantoreappear。HehadanunconquerableconvictionthatCosettewasescapingfromhim。Hewouldhavelikedtoresist，toretainher，toarouseherenthusiasmbysomeexternalandbrilliantmatter。
Theseideas，puerile，aswehavejustsaid，andatthesametimesenile，conveyedtohim，bytheirverychildishness，atolerablyjustnotionoftheinfluenceofgoldlaceontheimaginationsofyounggirls。
Heoncechancedtoseeageneralonhorseback，infulluniform，passalongthestreet，ComteCoutard，thecommandantofParis。
Heenviedthatgildedman；whathappinessitwouldbe，hesaidtohimself，ifhecouldputonthatsuitwhichwasanincontestablething；
andifCosettecouldbeholdhimthus，shewouldbedazzled，andwhenhehadCosetteonhisarmandpassedthegatesoftheTuileries，theguardwouldpresentarmstohim，andthatwouldsufficeforCosette，andwoulddispelherideaoflookingatyoungmen。
Anunforeseenshockwasaddedtothesesadreflections。
Intheisolatedlifewhichtheyled，andsincetheyhadcometodwellintheRuePlumet，theyhadcontractedonehabit。
Theysometimestookapleasuretriptoseethesunrise，amildspeciesofenjoymentwhichbefitsthosewhoareenteringlifeandthosewhoarequittingit。
Forthosewholovesolitude，awalkintheearlymorningisequivalenttoastrollbynight，withthecheerfulnessofnatureadded。
Thestreetsaredesertedandthebirdsaresinging。Cosette，abirdherself，likedtoriseearly。Thesematutinalexcursionswereplannedontheprecedingevening。Heproposed，andsheagreed。
Itwasarrangedlikeaplot，theysetoutbeforedaybreak，andthesetripsweresomanysmalldelightsforCosette。
Theseinnocenteccentricitiespleaseyoungpeople。
JeanValjean’sinclinationledhim，aswehaveseen，totheleastfrequentedspots，tosolitarynooks，toforgottenplaces。
Therethenexisted，inthevicinityofthebarriersofParis，asortofpoormeadows，whichwerealmostconfoundedwiththecity，wheregrewinsummersicklygrain，andwhich，inautumn，aftertheharvesthadbeengathered，presentedtheappearance，notofhavingbeenreaped，butpeeled。JeanValjeanlovedtohauntthesefields。Cosettewasnotboredthere。Itmeantsolitudetohimandlibertytoher。There，shebecamealittlegirloncemore，shecouldrunandalmostplay；shetookoffherhat，laiditonJeanValjean’sknees，andgatheredbunchesofflowers。
Shegazedatthebutterfliesontheflowers，butdidnotcatchthem；
gentlenessandtendernessarebornwithlove，andtheyounggirlwhocherisheswithinherbreastatremblingandfragileidealhasmercyonthewingofabutterfly。Shewovegarlandsofpoppies，whichsheplacedonherhead，andwhich，crossedandpenetratedwithsunlight，glowinguntiltheyflamed，formedforherrosyfaceacrownofburningembers。
Evenaftertheirlifehadgrownsad，theykeptuptheircustomofearlystrolls。
OnemorninginOctober，therefore，temptedbythesereneperfectionoftheautumnof1831，theysetout，andfoundthemselvesatbreakofdayneartheBarriereduMaine。Itwasnotdawn，itwasdaybreak；
adelightfulandsternmoment。Afewconstellationshereandthereinthedeep，paleazure，theearthallblack，theheavensallwhite，aquiveramidthebladesofgrass，everywherethemysteriouschilloftwilight。Alark，whichseemedmingledwiththestars，wascarollingataprodigiousheight，andonewouldhavedeclaredthatthathymnofpettinesscalmedimmensity。IntheEast，theValde—Graceprojecteditsdarkmassontheclearhorizonwiththesharpnessofsteel；Venusdazzlinglybrilliantwasrisingbehindthatdomeandhadtheairofasoulmakingitsescapefromagloomyedifice。
Allwaspeaceandsilence；therewasnooneontheroad；
afewstraylaborers，ofwhomtheycaughtbarelyaglimpse，wereontheirwaytotheirworkalongtheside—paths。
JeanValjeanwassittinginacross—walkonsomeplanksdepositedatthegateofatimber—yard。Hisfacewasturnedtowardsthehighway，hisbacktowardsthelight；hehadforgottenthesunwhichwasonthepointofrising；hehadsunkintooneofthoseprofoundabsorptionsinwhichthemindbecomesconcentrated，whichimprisoneventheeye，andwhichareequivalenttofourwalls。Therearemeditationswhichmaybecalledvertical；whenoneisatthebottomofthem，timeisrequiredtoreturntoearth。JeanValjeanhadplungedintooneofthesereveries。HewasthinkingofCosette，ofthehappinessthatwaspossibleifnothingcamebetweenhimandher，ofthelightwithwhichshefilledhislife，alightwhichwasbuttheemanationofhersoul。Hewasalmosthappyinhisrevery。Cosette，whowasstandingbesidehim，wasgazingatthecloudsastheyturnedrosy。
AllatonceCosetteexclaimed:\"Father，Ishouldthinksomeonewascomingyonder。\"JeanValjeanraisedhiseyes。
Cosettewasright。ThecausewaywhichleadstotheancientBarriereduMaineisaprolongation，asthereaderknows，oftheRuedeSevres，andiscutatrightanglesbytheinnerboulevard。
Attheelbowofthecausewayandtheboulevard，atthespotwhereitbranches，theyheardanoisewhichitwasdifficulttoaccountforatthathour，andasortofconfusedpilemadeitsappearance。
Someshapelessthingwhichwascomingfromtheboulevardwasturningintotheroad。
Itgrewlarger，itseemedtomoveinanorderlymanner，thoughitwasbristlingandquivering；itseemedtobeavehicle，butitsloadcouldnotbedistinctlymadeout。Therewerehorses，wheels，shouts；whipswerecracking。Bydegreestheoutlinesbecamefixed，althoughbathedinshadows。Itwasavehicle，infact，whichhadjustturnedfromtheboulevardintothehighway，andwhichwasdirectingitscoursetowardsthebarriernearwhichsatJeanValjean；asecond，ofthesameaspect，followed，thenathird，thenafourth；sevenchariotsmadetheirappearanceinsuccession，theheadsofthehorsestouchingtherearofthewagoninfront。
Figuresweremovingonthesevehicles，flasheswerevisiblethroughtheduskasthoughtherewerenakedswordsthere，aclankingbecameaudiblewhichresembledtherattlingofchains，andasthissomethingadvanced，thesoundofvoiceswaxedlouder，anditturnedintoaterriblethingsuchasemergesfromthecaveofdreams。
Asitdrewnearer，itassumedaform，andwasoutlinedbehindthetreeswiththepallidhueofanapparition；themassgrewwhite；theday，whichwasslowlydawning，castawanlightonthisswarmingheapwhichwasatoncebothsepulchralandliving，theheadsofthefiguresturnedintothefacesofcorpses，andthisiswhatitprovedtobe:——
Sevenwagonsweredrivinginafilealongtheroad。Thefirstsixweresingularlyconstructed。Theyresembledcoopers’drays；
theyconsistedoflongladdersplacedontwowheelsandformingbarrowsattheirrearextremities。Eachdray，orratherletussay，eachladder，wasattachedtofourhorsesharnessedtandem。
Ontheseladdersstrangeclustersofmenwerebeingdrawn。
Inthefaintlight，thesemenweretobedivinedratherthanseen。
Twenty—fouroneachvehicle，twelveonaside，backtoback，facingthepassers—by，theirlegsdanglingintheair，——thiswasthemannerinwhichthesemenweretravelling，andbehindtheirbackstheyhadsomethingwhichclanked，andwhichwasachain，andontheirneckssomethingwhichshone，andwhichwasanironcollar。
Eachmanhadhiscollar，butthechainwasforall；sothatifthesefourandtwentymenhadoccasiontoalightfromthedrayandwalk，theywereseizedwithasortofinexorableunity，andwereobligedtowindoverthegroundwiththechainforabackbone，somewhatafterthefashionofmillepeds。Inthebackandfrontofeachvehicle，twomenarmedwithmusketsstooderect，eachholdingoneendofthechainunderhisfoot。Theironneckletsweresquare。
Theseventhvehicle，ahugerack—sidedbaggagewagon，withoutahood，hadfourwheelsandsixhorses，andcarriedasonorouspileofironboilers，cast—ironpots，braziers，andchains，amongwhichweremingledseveralmenwhowerepinionedandstretchedatfulllength，andwhoseemedtobeill。Thiswagon，alllattice—work，wasgarnishedwithdilapidatedhurdleswhichappearedtohaveservedforformerpunishments。Thesevehicleskepttothemiddleoftheroad。
Oneachsidemarchedadoublehedgeofguardsofinfamousaspect，wearingthree—corneredhats，likethesoldiersundertheDirectory，shabby，coveredwithspotsandholes，muffledinuniformsofveteransandthetrousersofundertakers’men，halfgray，halfblue，whichwerealmosthanginginrags，withredepaulets，yellowshoulderbelts，shortsabres，muskets，andcudgels；theywereaspeciesofsoldier—blackguards。Thesemyrmidonsseemedcomposedoftheabjectnessofthebeggarandtheauthorityoftheexecutioner。
Theonewhoappearedtobetheirchiefheldapostilion’swhipinhishand。Allthesedetails，blurredbythedimnessofdawn，becamemoreandmoreclearlyoutlinedasthelightincreased。
Attheheadandintherearoftheconvoyrodemountedgendarmes，seriousandwithswordinfist。
Thisprocessionwassolongthatwhenthefirstvehiclereachedthebarrier，thelastwasbarelydebauchingfromtheboulevard。
Athrong，sprung，itisimpossibletosaywhence，andformedinatwinkling，asisfrequentlythecaseinParis，pressedforwardfrombothsidesoftheroadandlookedon。Intheneighboringlanestheshoutsofpeoplecallingtoeachotherandthewoodenshoesofmarket—gardenershasteninguptogazewereaudible。
Themenmasseduponthedraysallowedthemselvestobejoltedalonginsilence。Theywerelividwiththechillofmorning。
Theyallworelinentrousers，andtheirbarefeetwerethrustintowoodenshoes。Therestoftheircostumewasafantasyofwretchedness。
Theiraccoutrementswerehorriblyincongruous；nothingismorefunerealthantheharlequininrags。Batteredfelthats，tarpaulincaps，hideouswoollennightcaps，and，sidebysidewithashortblouse，ablackcoatbrokenattheelbow；manyworewomen’sheadgear，othershadbasketsontheirheads；hairybreastswerevisible，andthroughtherentintheirgarmentstattooeddesignscouldbedescried；
templesofLove，flaminghearts，Cupids；eruptionsandunhealthyredblotchescouldalsobeseen。Twoorthreehadastrawropeattachedtothecross—barofthedray，andsuspendedunderthemlikeastirrup，whichsupportedtheirfeet。Oneofthemheldinhishandandraisedtohismouthsomethingwhichhadtheappearanceofablackstoneandwhichheseemedtobegnawing；itwasbreadwhichhewaseating。
Therewerenoeyestherewhichwerenoteitherdry，dulled，orflamingwithanevillight。Theescorttroopcursed，themeninchainsdidnotutterasyllable；fromtimetotimethesoundofablowbecameaudibleasthecudgelsdescendedonshoulder—bladesorskulls；
someofthesemenwereyawning；theirragswereterrible；theirfeethungdown，theirshouldersoscillated，theirheadsclashedtogether，theirfettersclanked，theireyesglaredferociously，theirfistsclenchedorfellopeninertlylikethehandsofcorpses；intherearoftheconvoyranabandofchildrenscreamingwithlaughter。
Thisfileofvehicles，whateveritsnaturewas，wasmournful。
Itwasevidentthatto—morrow，thatanhourhence，apouringrainmightdescend，thatitmightbefollowedbyanotherandanother，andthattheirdilapidatedgarmentswouldbedrenched，thatoncesoaked，thesemenwouldnotgetdryagain，thatoncechilled，theywouldnotagaingetwarm，thattheirlinentrouserswouldbegluedtotheirbonesbythedownpour，thatthewaterwouldfilltheirshoes，thatnolashesfromthewhipswouldbeabletopreventtheirjawsfromchattering，thatthechainwouldcontinuetobindthembytheneck，thattheirlegswouldcontinuetodangle，anditwasimpossiblenottoshudderatthesightofthesehumanbeingsthusboundandpassivebeneaththecoldcloudsofautumn，anddeliveredovertotherain，totheblast，toallthefuriesoftheair，liketreesandstones。
Blowsfromthecudgelwerenotomittedeveninthecaseofthesickmen，wholaythereknottedwithropesandmotionlessontheseventhwagon，andwhoappearedtohavebeentossedtherelikesacksfilledwithmisery。
Suddenly，thesunmadeitsappearance；theimmenselightoftheOrientburstforth，andonewouldhavesaidthatithadsetfiretoallthoseferociousheads。Theirtongueswereunloosed；aconflagrationofgrins，oaths，andsongsexploded。Thebroadhorizontalsheetoflightseveredthefileintwoparts，illuminatingheadsandbodies，leavingfeetandwheelsintheobscurity。Thoughtsmadetheirappearanceonthesefaces；itwasaterriblemoment；visibledemonswiththeirmasksremoved，fiercesoulslaidbare。Thoughlightedup，thiswildthrongremainedingloom。Some，whoweregay，hadintheirmouthsquillsthroughwhichtheyblewverminoverthecrowd，pickingoutthewomen；thedawnaccentuatedtheselamentableprofileswiththeblacknessofitsshadows；therewasnotoneofthesecreatureswhowasnotdeformedbyreasonofwretchedness；
andthewholewassomonstrousthatonewouldhavesaidthatthesun’sbrilliancyhadbeenchangedintotheglareofthelightning。
Thewagon—loadwhichheadedthelinehadstruckupasong，andwereshoutingatthetopoftheirvoiceswithahaggardjoviality，apotpourribyDesaugiers，thenfamous，calledTheVestal；thetreesshiveredmournfully；inthecross—lanes，countenancesofbourgeoislistenedinanidioticdelighttothesecoarsestrainsdronedbyspectres。
Allsortsofdistressmetinthisprocessionasinchaos；hereweretobefoundthefacialanglesofeverysortofbeast，oldmen，youths，baldheads，graybeards，cynicalmonstrosities，sourresignation，savagegrins，senselessattitudes，snoutssurmountedbycaps，headslikethoseofyounggirlswithcorkscrewcurlsonthetemples，infantilevisages，andbyreasonofthat，horriblethinskeletonfaces，towhichdeathalonewaslacking。Onthefirstcartwasanegro，whohadbeenaslave，inallprobability，andwhocouldmakeacomparisonofhischains。Thefrightfullevellerfrombelow，shame，hadpassedoverthesebrows；atthatdegreeofabasement，thelasttransformationsweresufferedbyallintheirextremestdepths，andignorance，convertedintodulness，wastheequalofintelligenceconvertedintodespair。Therewasnochoicepossiblebetweenthesemenwhoappearedtotheeyeastheflowerofthemud。
Itwasevidentthatthepersonwhohadhadtheorderingofthatuncleanprocessionhadnotclassifiedthem。Thesebeingshadbeenfetteredandcoupledpell—mell，inalphabeticaldisorder，probably，andloadedhap—hazardonthosecarts。Nevertheless，horrors，whengroupedtogether，alwaysendbyevolvingaresult；alladditionsofwretchedmengiveasumtotal，eachchainexhaledacommonsoul，andeachdray—loadhaditsownphysiognomy。Bythesideoftheonewheretheyweresinging，therewasonewheretheywerehowling；
athirdwheretheywerebegging；onecouldbeseeninwhichtheyweregnashingtheirteeth；anotherloadmenacedthespectators，anotherblasphemedGod；thelastwasassilentasthetomb。
Dantewouldhavethoughtthathebeheldhissevencirclesofhellonthemarch。Themarchofthedamnedtotheirtortures，performedinsinisterwise，notontheformidableandflamingchariotoftheApocalypse，but，whatwasmoremournfulthanthat，onthegibbetcart。
Oneoftheguards，whohadahookontheendofhiscudgel，madeapretencefromtimetotime，ofstirringupthismassofhumanfilth。
Anoldwomaninthecrowdpointedthemouttoherlittleboyfiveyearsold，andsaidtohim:\"Rascal，letthatbeawarningtoyou！\"
Asthesongsandblasphemiesincreased，themanwhoappearedtobethecaptainoftheescortcrackedhiswhip，andatthatsignalafearfuldullandblindflogging，whichproducedthesoundofhail，felluponthesevendray—loads；manyroaredandfoamedatthemouth；
whichredoubledthedelightofthestreeturchinswhohadhastenedup，aswarmoffliesonthesewounds。
JeanValjean’seyeshadassumedafrightfulexpression。
Theywerenolongereyes；theywerethosedeepandglassyobjectswhichreplacetheglanceinthecaseofcertainwretchedmen，whichseemunconsciousofreality，andinwhichflamesthereflectionofterrorsandofcatastrophes。Hewasnotlookingataspectacle，hewasseeingavision。Hetriedtorise，toflee，tomakehisescape；hecouldnotmovehisfeet。Sometimes，thethingsthatyouseeseizeuponyouandholdyoufast。Heremainednailedtothespot，petrified，stupid，askinghimself，athwartconfusedandinexpressibleanguish，whatthissepulchralpersecutionsignified，andwhencehadcomethatpandemoniumwhichwaspursuinghim。
Allatonce，heraisedhishandtohisbrow，agesturehabitualtothosewhosememorysuddenlyreturns；herememberedthatthiswas，infact，theusualitinerary，thatitwascustomarytomakethisdetourinordertoavoidallpossibilityofencounteringroyaltyontheroadtoFontainebleau，andthat，fiveandthirtyyearsbefore，hehadhimselfpassedthroughthatbarrier。
Cosettewasnolessterrified，butinadifferentway。Shedidnotunderstand；whatshebehelddidnotseemtohertobepossible；
atlengthshecried:——
\"Father！Whatarethosemeninthosecarts？\"
JeanValjeanreplied:\"Convicts。\"
\"Whitheraretheygoing？\"
\"Tothegalleys。\"
Atthatmoment，thecudgelling，multipliedbyahundredhands，becamezealous，blowswiththeflatoftheswordweremingledwithit，itwasaperfectstormofwhipsandclubs；theconvictsbentbeforeit，ahideousobediencewasevokedbythetorture，andallheldtheirpeace，dartingglanceslikechainedwolves。
Cosettetrembledineverylimb；sheresumed:——
\"Father，aretheystillmen？\"
\"Sometimes，\"answeredtheunhappyman。
Itwasthechain—gang，infact，whichhadsetoutbeforedaybreakfromBicetre，andhadtakentheroadtoMansinordertoavoidFontainebleau，wheretheKingthenwas。Thiscausedthehorriblejourneytolastthreeorfourdayslonger；buttorturemaysurelybeprolongedwiththeobjectofsparingtheroyalpersonageasightofit。
JeanValjeanreturnedhomeutterlyoverwhelmed。Suchencountersareshocks，andthememorythattheyleavebehindthemresemblesathoroughshakingup。
Nevertheless，JeanValjeandidnotobservethat，onhiswaybacktotheRuedeBabylonewithCosette，thelatterwasplyinghimwithotherquestionsonthesubjectofwhattheyhadjustseen；
perhapshewastoomuchabsorbedinhisowndejectiontonoticeherwordsandreplytothem。ButwhenCosettewasleavinghimintheevening，tobetakeherselftobed，heheardhersayinalowvoice，andasthoughtalkingtoherself:\"Itseemstome，thatifIweretofindoneofthosemeninmypathway，oh，myGod，Ishoulddiemerelyfromthesightofhimcloseathand。\"
Fortunately，chanceordainedthatonthemorrowofthattragicday，therewassomeofficialsolemnityaproposofIknownotwhat，——
fetesinParis，areviewintheChampdeMars，joustsontheSeine，theatricalperformancesintheChamps—Elysees，fireworksattheArcdel’Etoile，illuminationseverywhere。JeanValjeandidviolencetohishabits，andtookCosettetoseetheserejoicings，forthepurposeofdivertingherfromthememoryofthedaybefore，andofeffacing，beneaththesmilingtumultofallParis，theabominablethingwhichhadpassedbeforeher。Thereviewwithwhichthefestivalwasspicedmadethepresenceofuniformsperfectlynatural；JeanValjeandonnedhisuniformofanationalguardwiththevagueinwardfeelingofamanwhoisbetakinghimselftoshelter。However，thistripseemedtoattainitsobject。
Cosette，whomadeitherlawtopleaseherfather，andtowhom，moreover，allspectacleswereanovelty，acceptedthisdiversionwiththelightandeasygoodgraceofyouth，anddidnotpouttoodisdainfullyatthatflutterofenjoymentcalledapublicfete；
sothatJeanValjeanwasabletobelievethathehadsucceeded，andthatnotraceofthathideousvisionremained。
Somedayslater，onemorning，whenthesunwasshiningbrightly，andtheywerebothonthestepsleadingtothegarden，anotherinfractionoftheruleswhichJeanValjeanseemedtohaveimposeduponhimself，andtothecustomofremaininginherchamberwhichmelancholyhadcausedCosettetoadopt，Cosette，inawrapper，wasstandingerectinthatnegligentattireofearlymorningwhichenvelopsyounggirlsinanadorablewayandwhichproducestheeffectofaclouddrawnoverastar；and，withherheadbathedinlight，rosyafteragoodsleep，submittingtothegentleglancesofthetenderoldman，shewaspickingadaisytopieces。Cosettedidnotknowthedelightfullegend，Ilovealittle，passionately，etc。——whowastherewhocouldhavetaughther？Shewashandlingtheflowerinstinctively，innocently，withoutasuspicionthattopluckadaisyapartistodothesamebyaheart。Iftherewereafourth，andsmilingGracecalledMelancholy，shewouldhaveworntheairofthatGrace。
JeanValjeanwasfascinatedbythecontemplationofthosetinyfingersonthatflower，andforgetfulofeverythingintheradianceemittedbythatchild。Ared—breastwaswarblinginthethicket，ononeside。Whitecloudletsfloatedacrossthesky，sogayly，thatonewouldhavesaidthattheyhadjustbeensetatliberty。
Cosettewentonattentivelytearingtheleavesfromherflower；
sheseemedtobethinkingaboutsomething；butwhateveritwas，itmustbesomethingcharming；allatoncesheturnedherheadoverhershoulderwiththedelicatelanguorofaswan，andsaidtoJeanValjean:\"Father，whatarethegalleyslike？\"
BOOKFOURTH。——SUCCORFROMBELOWMAYTURNOUTTOBESUCCORFROMONHIGH
CHAPTERI
AWOUNDWITHOUT，HEALINGWITHIN
Thustheirlifecloudedoverbydegrees。
Butonediversion，whichhadformerlybeenahappiness，remainedtothem，whichwastocarrybreadtothosewhowerehungry，andclothingtothosewhowerecold。CosetteoftenaccompaniedJeanValjeanonthesevisitstothepoor，onwhichtheyrecoveredsomeremnantsoftheirformerfreeintercourse；andsometimes，whenthedayhadbeenagoodone，andtheyhadassistedmanyindistress，andcheeredandwarmedmanylittlechildren，Cosettewasrathermerryintheevening。
ItwasatthisepochthattheypaidtheirvisittotheJondretteden。
Onthedayfollowingthatvisit，JeanValjeanmadehisappearanceinthepavilioninthemorning，calmaswashiswont，butwithalargewoundonhisleftarmwhichwasmuchinflamed，andveryangry，whichresembledaburn，andwhichheexplainedinsomewayorother。
Thiswoundresultedinhisbeingdetainedinthehouseforamonthwithfever。Hewouldnotcallinadoctor。WhenCosetteurgedhim，\"Callthedog—doctor，\"saidhe。
Cosettedressedthewoundmorningandeveningwithsodivineanairandsuchangelichappinessatbeingofusetohim，thatJeanValjeanfeltallhisformerjoyreturning，hisfearsandanxietiesdissipating，andhegazedatCosette，saying:\"Oh！whatakindlywound！
Oh！whatagoodmisfortune！\"
Cosetteonperceivingthatherfatherwasill，haddesertedthepavilionandagaintakenafancytothelittlelodgingandthebackcourtyard。
ShepassednearlyallherdaysbesideJeanValjeanandreadtohimthebookswhichhedesired。Generallytheywerebooksoftravel。
JeanValjeanwasundergoinganewbirth；hishappinesswasrevivingintheseineffablerays；theLuxembourg，theprowlingyoungstranger，Cosette’scoldness，——allthesecloudsuponhissoulweregrowingdim。
Hehadreachedthepointwherehesaidtohimself:\"Iimaginedallthat。
Iamanoldfool。\"
HishappinesswassogreatthatthehorriblediscoveryoftheThenardiersmadeintheJondrettehovel，unexpectedasitwas，had，afterafashion，glidedoverhimunnoticed。Hehadsucceededinmakinghisescape；
alltraceofhimwaslost——whatmoredidhecarefor！heonlythoughtofthosewretchedbeingstopitythem。\"Heretheyareinprison，andhenceforththeywillbeincapacitatedfordoinganyharm，\"
hethought，\"butwhatalamentablefamilyindistress！\"
AsforthehideousvisionoftheBarriereduMaine，Cosettehadnotreferredtoitagain。
SisterSainte—MechtildehadtaughtCosettemusicintheconvent；
Cosettehadthevoiceofalinnetwithasoul，andsometimes，intheevening，inthewoundedman’shumbleabode，shewarbledmelancholysongswhichdelightedJeanValjean。
Springcame；thegardenwassodelightfulatthatseasonoftheyear，thatJeanValjeansaidtoCosette:——
\"Younevergothere；Iwantyoutostrollinit。\"
\"Asyoulike，father，\"saidCosette。
Andforthesakeofobeyingherfather，sheresumedherwalksinthegarden，generallyalone，for，aswehavementioned，JeanValjean，whowasprobablyafraidofbeingseenthroughthefence，hardlyeverwentthere。
JeanValjean’swoundhadcreatedadiversion。
WhenCosettesawthatherfatherwassufferingless，thathewasconvalescing，andthatheappearedtobehappy，sheexperiencedacontentmentwhichshedidnotevenperceive，sogentlyandnaturallyhaditcome。Then，itwasinthemonthofMarch，thedaysweregrowinglonger，thewinterwasdeparting，thewinteralwaysbearsawaywithitaportionofoursadness；thencameApril，thatdaybreakofsummer，freshasdawnalwaysis，gaylikeeverychildhood；
alittleinclinedtoweepattimeslikethenew—bornbeingthatitis。
Inthatmonth，naturehascharminggleamswhichpassfromthesky，fromthetrees，fromthemeadowsandtheflowersintotheheartofman。
CosettewasstilltooyoungtoescapethepenetratinginfluenceofthatApriljoywhichboresostrongaresemblancetoherself。
Insensibly，andwithouthersuspectingthefact，theblacknessdepartedfromherspirit。Inspring，sadsoulsgrowlight，aslightfallsintocellarsatmidday。Cosettewasnolongersad。
However，thoughthiswasso，shedidnotaccountforittoherself。
Inthemorning，aboutteno’clock，afterbreakfast，whenshehadsucceededinenticingherfatherintothegardenforaquarterofanhour，andwhenshewaspacingupanddowninthesunlightinfrontofthesteps，supportinghisleftarmforhim，shedidnotperceivethatshelaughedeverymomentandthatshewashappy。
JeanValjean，intoxicated，beheldhergrowingfreshandrosyoncemore。
\"Oh！Whatagoodwound！\"herepeatedinawhisper。
AndhefeltgratefultotheThenardiers。
Hiswoundoncehealed，heresumedhissolitarytwilightstrolls。
ItisamistaketosupposethatapersoncanstrollaloneinthatfashionintheuninhabitedregionsofPariswithoutmeetingwithsomeadventure。
CHAPTERII
MOTHERPLUTARQUEFINDSNODIFFICULTYINEXPLAININGAPHENOMENON
Oneevening，littleGavrochehadhadnothingtoeat；herememberedthathehadnotdinedontheprecedingdayeither；thiswasbecomingtiresome。Heresolvedtomakeanefforttosecuresomesupper。
HestrolledoutbeyondtheSalpetriereintodesertedregions；
thatiswherewindfallsaretobefound；wherethereisnoone，onealwaysfindssomething。HereachedasettlementwhichappearedtohimtobethevillageofAusterlitz。
Inoneofhisprecedingloungeshehadnoticedthereanoldgardenhauntedbyanoldmanandanoldwoman，andinthatgarden，apassableapple—tree。Besidetheapple—treestoodasortoffruit—house，whichwasnotsecurelyfastened，andwhereonemightcontrivetogetanapple。Oneappleisasupper；oneappleislife。ThatwhichwasAdam’sruinmightproveGavroche’ssalvation。Thegardenabuttedonasolitary，unpavedlane，borderedwithbrushwoodwhileawaitingthearrivalofhouses；thegardenwasseparatedfromitbyahedge。
Gavrochedirectedhisstepstowardsthisgarden；hefoundthelane，herecognizedtheapple—tree，heverifiedthefruit—house，heexaminedthehedge；ahedgemeansmerelyonestride。Thedaywasdeclining，therewasnotevenacatinthelane，thehourwaspropitious。
Gavrochebegantheoperationofscalingthehedge，thensuddenlypaused。
Someonewastalkinginthegarden。Gavrochepeepedthroughoneofthebreaksinthehedge。
Acoupleofpacesdistant，atthefootofthehedgeontheotherside，exactlyatthepointwherethegapwhichhewasmeditatingwouldhavebeenmade，therewasasortofrecumbentstonewhichformedabench，andonthisbenchwasseatedtheoldmanofthegarden，whiletheoldwomanwasstandinginfrontofhim。Theoldwomanwasgrumbling。Gavroche，whowasnotverydiscreet，listened。
\"MonsieurMabeuf！\"saidtheoldwoman。
\"Mabeuf！\"thoughtGavroche，\"thatnameisaperfectfarce。\"
Theoldmanwhowasthusaddressed，didnotstir。Theoldwomanrepeated:——
\"MonsieurMabeuf！\"
Theoldman，withoutraisinghiseyesfromtheground，madeuphismindtoanswer:——
\"Whatisit，MotherPlutarque？\"
\"MotherPlutarque！\"thoughtGavroche，\"anotherfarcicalname。\"
MotherPlutarquebeganagain，andtheoldmanwasforcedtoaccepttheconversation:——
\"Thelandlordisnotpleased。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Weowethreequartersrent。\"
\"Inthreemonths，weshallowehimforfourquarters。\"
\"Hesaysthathewillturnyououttosleep。\"
\"Iwillgo。\"
\"Thegreen—grocerinsistsonbeingpaid。Shewillnolongerleaveherfagots。Whatwillyouwarmyourselfwiththiswinter？
Weshallhavenowood。\"
\"Thereisthesun。\"
\"Thebutcherrefusestogivecredit；hewillnotletushaveanymoremeat。\"
\"Thatisquiteright。Idonotdigestmeatwell。Itistooheavy。\"
\"Whatshallwehavefordinner？\"
\"Bread。\"
\"Thebakerdemandsasettlement，andsays，`nomoney，nobread。’\"
\"Thatiswell。\"
\"Whatwillyoueat？\"
\"Wehaveapplesintheapple—room。\"
\"But，Monsieur，wecan’tlivelikethatwithoutmoney。\"
\"Ihavenone。\"
Theoldwomanwentaway，theoldmanremainedalone。Hefellintothought。Gavrochebecamethoughtfulalso。Itwasalmostdark。
ThefirstresultofGavroche’smeditationwas，thatinsteadofscalingthehedge，hecroucheddownunderit。Thebranchesstoodapartalittleatthefootofthethicket。
\"Come，\"exclaimedGavrochementally，\"here’sanook！\"andhecurledupinit。HisbackwasalmostincontactwithFatherMabeuf’sbench。
Hecouldheartheoctogenarianbreathe。
Then，bywayofdinner，hetriedtosleep。
Itwasacat—nap，withoneeyeopen。Whilehedozed，Gavrochekeptonthewatch。
Thetwilightpalloroftheskyblanchedtheearth，andthelaneformedalividlinebetweentworowsofdarkbushes。
Allatonce，inthiswhitishband，twofiguresmadetheirappearance。
Onewasinfront，theothersomedistanceintherear。
\"Therecometwocreatures，\"mutteredGavroche。
Thefirstformseemedtobesomeelderlybourgeois，whowasbentandthoughtful，dressedmorethanplainly，andwhowaswalkingslowlybecauseofhisage，andstrollingaboutintheopeneveningair。
Thesecondwasstraight，firm，slender。Itregulateditspacebythatofthefirst；butinthevoluntaryslownessofitsgait，supplenessandagilitywerediscernible。Thisfigurehadalsosomethingfierceanddisquietingaboutit，thewholeshapewasthatofwhatwasthencalledanelegant；thehatwasofgoodshape，thecoatblack，wellcut，probablyoffinecloth，andwellfittedinatthewaist。Theheadwashelderectwithasortofrobustgrace，andbeneaththehatthepaleprofileofayoungmancouldbemadeoutinthedimlight。Theprofilehadaroseinitsmouth。
ThissecondformwaswellknowntoGavroche；itwasMontparnasse。
Hecouldhavetoldnothingabouttheother，exceptthathewasarespectableoldman。
Gavrocheimmediatelybegantotakeobservations。
Oneofthesetwopedestriansevidentlyhadaprojectconnectedwiththeother。Gavrochewaswellplacedtowatchthecourseofevents。
Thebedroomhadturnedintoahiding—placeataveryopportunemoment。
Montparnasseonthehuntatsuchanhour，insuchaplace，betokenedsomethingthreatening。Gavrochefelthisgamin’sheartmovedwithcompassionfortheoldman。
Whatwashetodo？Interfere？Oneweaknesscomingtotheaidofanother！ItwouldbemerelyalaughingmatterforMontparnasse。
Gavrochedidnotshuthiseyestothefactthattheoldman，inthefirstplace，andthechildinthesecond，wouldmakebuttwomouthfulsforthatredoubtableruffianeighteenyearsofage。
WhileGavrochewasdeliberating，theattacktookplace，abruptlyandhideously。Theattackofthetigeronthewildass，theattackofthespideronthefly。Montparnassesuddenlytossedawayhisrose，boundedupontheoldman，seizedhimbythecollar，graspedandclungtohim，andGavrochewithdifficultyrestrainedascream。Amomentlateroneofthesemenwasunderneaththeother，groaning，struggling，withakneeofmarbleuponhisbreast。Only，itwasnotjustwhatGavrochehadexpected。
TheonewholayontheearthwasMontparnasse；theonewhowasontopwastheoldman。AllthistookplaceafewpacesdistantfromGavroche。
Theoldmanhadreceivedtheshock，hadreturnedit，andthatinsuchaterriblefashion，thatinatwinkling，theassailantandtheassailedhadexchangedroles。
\"Here’saheartyveteran！\"thoughtGavroche。
Hecouldnotrefrainfromclappinghishands。Butitwasapplausewasted。Itdidnotreachthecombatants，absorbedanddeafenedastheywere，eachbytheother，astheirbreathmingledinthestruggle。
Silenceensued。Montparnasseceasedhisstruggles。Gavrocheindulgedinthisaside:\"Canhebedead！\"
Thegoodmanhadnotutteredaword，norgivenventtoacry。
Herosetohisfeet，andGavrocheheardhimsaytoMontparnasse:——
\"Getup。\"
Montparnasserose，butthegoodmanheldhimfast。
Montparnasse’sattitudewasthehumiliatedandfuriousattitudeofthewolfwhohasbeencaughtbyasheep。
Gavrochelookedonandlistened，makinganefforttoreinforcehiseyeswithhisears。Hewasenjoyinghimselfimmensely。
Hewasrepaidforhisconscientiousanxietyinthecharacterofaspectator。Hewasabletocatchonthewingadialoguewhichborrowedfromthedarknessanindescribablytragicaccent。
Thegoodmanquestioned，Montparnassereplied。
\"Howoldareyou？\"
\"Nineteen。\"
\"Youarestrongandhealthy。Whydoyounotwork？\"
\"Itboresme。\"
\"Whatisyourtrade？\"
\"Anidler。\"
\"Speakseriously。Cananythingbedoneforyou？Whatwouldyouliketobe？\"
\"Athief。\"
Apauseensued。Theoldmanseemedabsorbedinprofoundthought。
Hestoodmotionless，anddidnotrelaxhisholdonMontparnasse。
Everymomentthevigorousandagileyoungruffianindulgedinthetwitchingsofawildbeastcaughtinasnare。Hegaveajerk，triedacrookoftheknee，twistedhislimbsdesperately，andmadeeffortstoescape。
Theoldmandidnotappeartonoticeit，andheldbothhisarmswithonehand，withthesovereignindifferenceofabsoluteforce。
Theoldman’sreverylastedforsometime，then，lookingsteadilyatMontparnasse，headdressedtohiminagentlevoice，inthemidstofthedarknesswheretheystood，asolemnharangue，ofwhichGavrochedidnotloseasinglesyllable:——
\"Mychild，youareentering，throughindolence，ononeofthemostlaboriousoflives。Ah！Youdeclareyourselftobeanidler！preparetotoil。Thereisacertainformidablemachine，haveyouseenit？
Itistherolling—mill。Youmustbeonyourguardagainstit，itiscraftyandferocious；ifitcatchesholdoftheskirtofyourcoat，youwillbedrawninbodily。Thatmachineislaziness。
Stopwhilethereisyettime，andsaveyourself！Otherwise，itisalloverwithyou；inashorttimeyouwillbeamongthegearing。
Onceentangled，hopefornothingmore。Toil，lazybones！thereisnomorereposeforyou！Theironhandofimplacabletoilhasseizedyou。
Youdonotwishtoearnyourliving，tohaveatask，tofulfiladuty！
Itboresyoutobelikeothermen？Well！Youwillbedifferent。
Laboristhelaw；hewhorejectsitwillfindennuihistorment。
Youdonotwishtobeaworkingman，youwillbeaslave。
Toilletsgoofyouononesideonlytograspyouagainontheother。Youdonotdesiretobeitsfriend，youshallbeitsnegroslave。Ah！Youwouldhavenoneofthehonestwearinessofmen，youshallhavethesweatofthedamned。Whereotherssing，youwillrattleinyourthroat。Youwillseeafaroff，frombelow，othermenatwork；itwillseemtoyouthattheyareresting。
Thelaborer，theharvester，thesailor，theblacksmith，willappeartoyouingloryliketheblessedspiritsinparadise。Whatradiancesurroundstheforge！Toguidetheplough，tobindthesheaves，isjoy。Thebarkatlibertyinthewind，whatdelight！Doyou，lazyidler，delve，dragon，roll，march！Dragyourhalter。
Youareabeastofburdenintheteamofhell！Ah！Todonothingisyourobject。Well，notaweek，notaday，notanhourshallyouhavefreefromoppression。Youwillbeabletoliftnothingwithoutanguish。Everyminutethatpasseswillmakeyourmusclescrack。
Whatisafeathertootherswillbearocktoyou。Thesimplestthingswillbecomesteepacclivities。Lifewillbecomemonstrousallaboutyou。Togo，tocome，tobreathe，willbejustsomanyterriblelabors。Yourlungswillproduceonyoutheeffectofweighingahundredpounds。Whetheryoushallwalkhereratherthanthere，willbecomeaproblemthatmustbesolved。Anyonewhowantstogooutsimplygiveshisdoorapush，andthereheisintheopenair。
Ifyouwishtogoout，youwillbeobligedtopierceyourwall。
Whatdoeseveryonewhowantstostepintothestreetdo？Hegoesdownstairs；youwilltearupyoursheets，littlebylittleyouwillmakeofthemarope，thenyouwillclimboutofyourwindow，andyouwillsuspendyourselfbythatthreadoveranabyss，anditwillbenight，amidstorm，rain，andthehurricane，andiftheropeistooshort，butonewayofdescendingwillremaintoyou，tofall。Todrophap—hazardintothegulf，fromanunknownheight，onwhat？Onwhatisbeneath，ontheunknown。Oryouwillcrawlupachimney—flue，attheriskofburning；oryouwillcreepthroughasewer—pipe，attheriskofdrowning；Idonotspeakoftheholesthatyouwillbeobligedtomask，ofthestoneswhichyouwillhavetotakeupandreplacetwentytimesaday，oftheplasterthatyouwillhavetohideinyourstrawpallet。Alockpresentsitself；
thebourgeoishasinhispocketakeymadebyalocksmith。Ifyouwishtopassout，youwillbecondemnedtoexecuteaterribleworkofart；youwilltakealargesou，youwillcutitintwoplates；
withwhattools？Youwillhavetoinventthem。Thatisyourbusiness。
Thenyouwillhollowouttheinterioroftheseplates，takinggreatcareoftheoutside，andyouwillmakeontheedgesathread，sothattheycanbeadjustedoneupontheotherlikeaboxanditscover。
Thetopandbottomthusscrewedtogether，nothingwillbesuspected。
Totheoverseersitwillbeonlyasou；toyouitwillbeabox。
Whatwillyouputinthisbox？Asmallbitofsteel。Awatch—spring，inwhichyouwillhavecutteeth，andwhichwillformasaw。
Withthissaw，aslongasapin，andconcealedinasou，youwillcuttheboltofthelock，youwillseverbolts，thepadlockofyourchain，andthebaratyourwindow，andthefetteronyourleg。
Thismasterpiecefinished，thisprodigyaccomplished，allthesemiraclesofart，address，skill，andpatienceexecuted，whatwillbeyourrecompenseifitbecomesknownthatyouaretheauthor？Thedungeon。
Thereisyourfuture。Whatprecipicesareidlenessandpleasure！
Doyouknowthattodonothingisamelancholyresolution？
Toliveinidlenessonthepropertyofsociety！tobeuseless，thatistosay，pernicious！Thisleadsstraighttothedepthofwretchedness。Woetothemanwhodesirestobeaparasite！
Hewillbecomevermin！Ah！Soitdoesnotpleaseyoutowork？
Ah！Youhavebutonethought，todrinkwell，toeatwell，tosleepwell。Youwilldrinkwater，youwilleatblackbread，youwillsleeponaplankwithafetterwhosecoldtouchyouwillfeelonyourfleshallnightlong，rivetedtoyourlimbs。
Youwillbreakthosefetters，youwillflee。Thatiswell。
Youwillcrawlonyourbellythroughthebrushwood，andyouwilleatgrasslikethebeastsoftheforest。Andyouwillberecaptured。
Andthenyouwillpassyearsinadungeon，rivetedtoawall，gropingforyourjugthatyoumaydrink，gnawingatahorribleloafofdarknesswhichdogswouldnottouch，eatingbeansthatthewormshaveeatenbeforeyou。Youwillbeawood—louseinacellar。Ah！Havepityonyourself，youmiserableyoungchild，whoweresuckingatnurselessthantwentyyearsago，andwhohave，nodoubt，amotherstillalive！Iconjureyou，listentome，Ientreatyou。Youdesirefineblackcloth，varnishedshoes，tohaveyourhaircurledandsweet—smellingoilsonyourlocks，topleaselowwomen，tobehandsome。Youwillbeshavenclean，andyouwillweararedblouseandwoodenshoes。Youwantringsonyourfingers，youwillhaveanironneckletonyourneck。
Ifyouglanceatawoman，youwillreceiveablow。Andyouwillenterthereattheageoftwenty。Andyouwillcomeoutatfifty！
Youwillenteryoung，rosy，fresh，withbrillianteyes，andallyourwhiteteeth，andyourhandsome，youthfulhair；youwillcomeoutbroken，bent，wrinkled，toothless，horrible，withwhitelocks！
Ah！mypoorchild，youareonthewrongroad；idlenessiscounsellingyoubadly；thehardestofallworkisthieving。
Believeme，donotundertakethatpainfulprofessionofanidleman。
Itisnotcomfortabletobecomearascal。Itislessdisagreeabletobeanhonestman。Nowgo，andponderonwhatIhavesaidtoyou。Bytheway，whatdidyouwantofme？Mypurse？Hereitis。\"
Andtheoldman，releasingMontparnasse，puthispurseinthelatter’shand；Montparnasseweigheditforamoment，afterwhichheallowedittoslidegentlyintothebackpocketofhiscoat，withthesamemechanicalprecautionasthoughhehadstolenit。
Allthishavingbeensaidanddone，thegoodmanturnedhisbackandtranquillyresumedhisstroll。
\"Theblockhead！\"mutteredMontparnasse。
Whowasthisgoodman？Thereaderhas，nodoubt，alreadydivined。
Montparnassewatchedhimwithamazement，ashedisappearedinthedusk。
Thiscontemplationwasfataltohim。
Whiletheoldmanwaswalkingaway，Gavrochedrewnear。
Gavrochehadassuredhimself，withasidelongglance，thatFatherMabeufwasstillsittingonhisbench，probablysoundasleep。
Thenthegaminemergedfromhisthicket，andbegantocrawlafterMontparnasseinthedark，asthelatterstoodtheremotionless。
InthismannerhecameuptoMontparnassewithoutbeingseenorheard，gentlyinsinuatedhishandintothebackpocketofthatfrock—coatoffineblackcloth，seizedthepurse，withdrewhishand，andhavingrecourseoncemoretohiscrawling，heslippedawaylikeanadderthroughtheshadows。Montparnasse，whohadnoreasontobeonhisguard，andwhowasengagedinthoughtforthefirsttimeinhislife，perceivednothing。WhenGavrochehadoncemoreattainedthepointwhereFatherMabeufwas，heflungthepurseoverthehedge，andfledasfastashislegswouldcarryhim。