ThepursefellonFatherMabeuf’sfoot。Thiscommotionrousedhim。
Hebentoverandpickedupthepurse。
Hedidnotunderstandintheleast，andopenedit。
Thepursehadtwocompartments；inoneofthemtherewassomesmallchange；intheotherlaysixnapoleons。
M。Mabeuf，ingreatalarm，referredthemattertohishousekeeper。
\"Thathasfallenfromheaven，\"saidMotherPlutarque。
BOOKFIFTH。——THEENDOFWHICHDOESNOTRESEMBLETHEBEGINNING
CHAPTERI
SOLITUDEANDTHEBARRACKSCOMBINED
Cosette’sgrief，whichhadbeensopoignantandlivelyfourorfivemonthspreviously，had，withoutherbeingconsciousofthefact，entereduponitsconvalescence。Nature，spring，youth，loveforherfather，thegayetyofthebirdsandflowers，causedsomethingalmostresemblingforgetfulnesstofiltergradually，dropbydrop，intothatsoul，whichwassovirginandsoyoung。Wasthefirewhollyextinctthere？Orwasitmerelythatlayersofasheshadformed？
Thetruthis，thatshehardlyfeltthepainfulandburningspotanylonger。
OnedayshesuddenlythoughtofMarius:\"Why！\"saidshe，\"Inolongerthinkofhim。\"
Thatsameweek，shenoticedaveryhandsomeofficeroflancers，withawasp—likewaist，adeliciousuniform，thecheeksofayounggirl，aswordunderhisarm，waxedmustaches，andaglazedschapka，passingthegate。Moreover，hehadlighthair，prominentblueeyes，aroundface，wasvain，insolentandgood—looking；quitethereverseofMarius。Hehadacigarinhismouth。CosettethoughtthatthisofficerdoubtlessbelongedtotheregimentinbarracksintheRuedeBabylone。
Onthefollowingday，shesawhimpassagain。Shetooknoteofthehour。
Fromthattimeforth，wasitchance？shesawhimpassnearlyeveryday。
Theofficer’scomradesperceivedthattherewas，inthat\"badlykept\"
garden，behindthatmaliciousrococofence，averyprettycreature，whowasalmostalwaystherewhenthehandsomelieutenant，——whoisnotunknowntothereader，andwhosenamewasTheoduleGillenormand，——
passedby。
\"Seehere！\"theysaidtohim，\"there’salittlecreaturetherewhoismakingeyesatyou，look。\"
\"HaveIthetime，\"repliedthelancer，\"tolookatallthegirlswholookatme？\"
ThiswasattheprecisemomentwhenMariuswasdescendingheavilytowardsagony，andwassaying:\"IfIcouldbutseeherbeforeIdie！\"——
Hadhiswishbeenrealized，hadhebeheldCosetteatthatmomentgazingatthelancer，hewouldnothavebeenabletoutteraword，andhewouldhaveexpiredwithgrief。
Whosefaultwasit？Noone’s。
Mariuspossessedoneofthosetemperamentswhichburythemselvesinsorrowandthereabide；Cosettewasoneofthosepersonswhoplungeintosorrowandemergefromitagain。
Cosettewas，moreover，passingthroughthatdangerousperiod，thefatalphaseoffemininereveryabandonedtoitself，inwhichtheisolatedheartofayounggirlresemblesthetendrilsofthevinewhichcling，aschancedirects，tothecapitalofamarblecolumnortothepostofawine—shop:Arapidanddecisivemoment，criticalforeveryorphan，besherichorpoor，forwealthdoesnotpreventabadchoice；misalliancesaremadeinveryhighcircles，realmisallianceisthatofsouls；andasmanyanunknownyoungman，withoutname，withoutbirth，withoutfortune，isamarblecolumnwhichbearsupatempleofgrandsentimentsandgrandideas，sosuchandsuchamanoftheworldsatisfiedandopulent，whohaspolishedbootsandvarnishedwords，iflookedatnotoutside，butinside，athingwhichisreservedforhiswife，isnothingmorethanablockobscurelyhauntedbyviolent，unclean，andvinouspassions；
thepostofadrinking—shop。
WhatdidCosette’ssoulcontain？Passioncalmedorlulledtosleep；
somethinglimpid，brilliant，troubledtoacertaindepth，andgloomylowerdown。Theimageofthehandsomeofficerwasreflectedinthesurface。Didasouvenirlingerinthedepths？——
Quiteatthebottom？——Possibly。Cosettedidnotknow。
Asingularincidentsupervened。
CHAPTERII
COSETTE’SAPPREHENSIONS
DuringthefirstfortnightinApril，JeanValjeantookajourney。
This，asthereaderknows，happenedfromtimetotime，atverylongintervals。Heremainedabsentadayortwodaysattheutmost。
Wheredidhego？Nooneknew，notevenCosette。Onceonly，ontheoccasionofoneofthesedepartures，shehadaccompaniedhiminahackney—coachasfarasalittleblind—alleyatthecornerofwhichsheread:ImpassedelaPlanchette。Therehealighted，andthecoachtookCosettebacktotheRuedeBabylone。ItwasusuallywhenmoneywaslackinginthehousethatJeanValjeantooktheselittletrips。
SoJeanValjeanwasabsent。Hehadsaid:\"Ishallreturninthreedays。\"
Thatevening，Cosettewasaloneinthedrawing—room。Inordertogetridofherennui，shehadopenedherpiano—organ，andhadbeguntosing，accompanyingherselfthewhile，thechorusfromEuryanthe:
\"Huntersastrayinthewood！\"whichisprobablythemostbeautifulthinginallthesphereofmusic。Whenshehadfinished，sheremainedwrappedinthought。
Allatonce，itseemedtoherthatsheheardthesoundoffootstepsinthegarden。
Itcouldnotbeherfather，hewasabsent；itcouldnotbeToussaint，shewasinbed，anditwasteno’clockatnight。
Shesteppedtotheshutterofthedrawing—room，whichwasclosed，andlaidherearagainstit。
Itseemedtoherthatitwasthetreadofaman，andthathewaswalkingverysoftly。
Shemountedrapidlytothefirstfloor，toherownchamber，openedasmallwicketinhershutter，andpeepedintothegarden。
Themoonwasatthefull。Everythingcouldbeseenasplainlyasbyday。
Therewasnoonethere。
Sheopenedthewindow。Thegardenwasabsolutelycalm，andallthatwasvisiblewasthatthestreetwasdesertedasusual。
Cosettethoughtthatshehadbeenmistaken。Shethoughtthatshehadheardanoise。ItwasahallucinationproducedbythemelancholyandmagnificentchorusofWeber，whichlaysopenbeforethemindterrifieddepths，whichtremblesbeforethegazelikeadizzyforest，andinwhichonehearsthecracklingofdeadbranchesbeneaththeuneasytreadofthehuntsmenofwhomonecatchesaglimpsethroughthetwilight。
Shethoughtnomoreaboutit。
Moreover，Cosettewasnotverytimidbynature。Thereflowedinherveinssomeofthebloodofthebohemianandtheadventuresswhorunsbarefoot。Itwillberememberedthatshewasmoreofalarkthanadove。Therewasafoundationofwildnessandbraveryinher。
Onthefollowingday，atanearlierhour，towardsnightfall，shewasstrollinginthegarden。Inthemidstoftheconfusedthoughtswhichoccupiedher，shefanciedthatshecaughtforaninstantasoundsimilartothatoftheprecedingevening，asthoughsomeonewerewalkingbeneaththetreesinthedusk，andnotveryfarfromher；
butshetoldherselfthatnothingsocloselyresemblesasteponthegrassasthefrictionoftwobrancheswhichhavemovedfromsidetoside，andshepaidnoheedtoit。Besides，shecouldseenothing。
Sheemergedfrom\"thethicket\"；shehadstilltocrossasmalllawntoregainthesteps。
Themoon，whichhadjustrisenbehindher，castCosette’sshadowinfrontofheruponthislawn，asshecameoutfromtheshrubbery。
Cosettehaltedinalarm。
Besidehershadow，themoonoutlineddistinctlyupontheturfanothershadow，whichwasparticularlystartlingandterrible，ashadowwhichhadaroundhat。
Itwastheshadowofaman，whomusthavebeenstandingontheborderoftheclumpofshrubbery，afewpacesintherearofCosette。
Shestoodforamomentwithoutthepowertospeak，orcry，orcall，orstir，orturnherhead。
Thenshesummonedupallhercourage，andturnedroundresolutely。
Therewasnoonethere。
Sheglancedontheground。Thefigurehaddisappeared。
Shere—enteredthethicket，searchedthecornersboldly，wentasfarasthegate，andfoundnothing。
Shefeltherselfabsolutelychilledwithterror。Wasthisanotherhallucination？What！Twodaysinsuccession！
Onehallucinationmightpass，buttwohallucinations？
Thedisquietingpointaboutitwas，thattheshadowhadassuredlynotbeenaphantom。Phantomsdonotwearroundhats。
OnthefollowingdayJeanValjeanreturned。Cosettetoldhimwhatshethoughtshehadheardandseen。Shewantedtobereassuredandtoseeherfathershrughisshouldersandsaytoher:
\"Youarealittlegoose。\"
JeanValjeangrewanxious。
\"Itcannotbeanything，\"saidhe。
Heleftherundersomepretext，andwentintothegarden，andshesawhimexaminingthegatewithgreatattention。
Duringthenightshewokeup；thistimeshewassure，andshedistinctlyheardsomeonewalkingclosetotheflightofstepsbeneathherwindow。
Sherantoherlittlewicketandopenedit。Inpointoffact，therewasamaninthegarden，withalargeclubinhishand。
Justasshewasabouttoscream，themoonlighteduptheman’sprofile。
Itwasherfather。Shereturnedtoherbed，sayingtoherself:
\"Heisveryuneasy！\"
JeanValjeanpassedthatnightandthetwosucceedingnightsinthegarden。Cosettesawhimthroughtheholeinhershutter。
Onthethirdnight，themoonwasonthewane，andhadbeguntoriselater；atoneo’clockinthemorning，possibly，sheheardaloudburstoflaughterandherfather’svoicecallingher:——
\"Cosette！\"
Shejumpedoutofbed，threwonherdressing—gown，andopenedherwindow。
Herfatherwasstandingonthegrass—plotbelow。
\"Ihavewakedyouforthepurposeofreassuringyou，\"saidhe；
\"look，thereisyourshadowwiththeroundhat。\"
Andhepointedouttoherontheturfashadowcastbythemoon，andwhichdidindeed，bearconsiderableresemblancetothespectreofamanwearingaroundhat。Itwastheshadowproducedbyachimney—pipeofsheetiron，withahood，whichroseaboveaneighboringroof。
Cosettejoinedinhislaughter，allherlugubrioussuppositionswereallayed，andthenextmorning，asshewasatbreakfastwithherfather，shemademerryoverthesinistergardenhauntedbytheshadowsofironchimney—pots。
JeanValjeanbecamequitetranquiloncemore；asforCosette，shedidnotpaymuchattentiontothequestionwhetherthechimney—potwasreallyinthedirectionoftheshadowwhichshehadseen，orthoughtshehadseen，andwhetherthemoonhadbeeninthesamespotinthesky。
Shedidnotquestionherselfastothepeculiarityofachimney—potwhichisafraidofbeingcaughtintheact，andwhichretireswhensomeonelooksatitsshadow，fortheshadowhadtakenthealarmwhenCosettehadturnedround，andCosettehadthoughtherselfverysureofthis。Cosette’sserenitywasfullyrestored。
Theproofappearedtohertobecomplete，anditquitevanishedfromhermind，whethertherecouldpossiblybeanyonewalkinginthegardenduringtheeveningoratnight。
Afewdayslater，however，afreshincidentoccurred。
CHAPTERIII
ENRICHEDWITHCOMMENTARIESBYTOUSSAINT
Inthegarden，neartherailingonthestreet，therewasastonebench，screenedfromtheeyesofthecuriousbyaplantationofyoke—elms，butwhichcould，incaseofnecessity，bereachedbyanarmfromtheoutside，pastthetreesandthegate。
OneeveningduringthatsamemonthofApril，JeanValjeanhadgoneout；Cosettehadseatedherselfonthisbenchaftersundown。
Thebreezewasblowingbrisklyinthetrees，Cosettewasmeditating；
anobjectlesssadnesswastakingpossessionofherlittlebylittle，thatinvinciblesadnessevokedbytheevening，andwhicharises，perhaps，whoknows，fromthemysteryofthetombwhichisajaratthathour。
PerhapsFantinewaswithinthatshadow。
Cosetterose，slowlymadethetourofthegarden，walkingonthegrassdrenchedindew，andsayingtoherself，throughthespeciesofmelancholysomnambulisminwhichshewasplunged:
\"Really，oneneedswoodenshoesforthegardenatthishour。
Onetakescold。\"
Shereturnedtothebench。
Asshewasabouttoresumeherseatthere，sheobservedonthespotwhichshehadquitted，atolerablylargestonewhichhad，evidently，notbeenthereamomentbefore。
Cosettegazedatthestone，askingherselfwhatitmeant。Allatoncetheideaoccurredtoherthatthestonehadnotreachedthebenchallbyitself，thatsomeonehadplaceditthere，thatanarmhadbeenthrustthroughtherailing，andthisideaappearedtoalarmher。
Thistime，thefearwasgenuine；thestonewasthere。Nodoubtwaspossible；shedidnottouchit，fledwithoutglancingbehindher，tookrefugeinthehouse，andimmediatelyclosedwithshutter，bolt，andbarthedoor—likewindowopeningontheflightofsteps。
SheinquiredofToussaint:——
\"Hasmyfatherreturnedyet？\"
\"Notyet，Mademoiselle。\"
[WehavealreadynotedonceforallthefactthatToussaintstuttered。
Maywebepermittedtodispensewithitforthefuture。Themusicalnotationofaninfirmityisrepugnanttous。]
JeanValjean，athoughtfulman，andgiventonocturnalstrolls，oftenreturnedquitelateatnight。
\"Toussaint，\"wentonCosette，\"areyoucarefultothoroughlybarricadetheshuttersopeningonthegarden，atleastwithbars，intheevening，andtoputthelittleironthingsinthelittleringsthatclosethem？\"
\"Oh！beeasyonthatscore，Miss。\"
Toussaintdidnotfailinherduty，andCosettewaswellawareofthefact，butshecouldnotrefrainfromadding:——
\"Itissosolitaryhere。\"
\"Sofarasthatisconcerned，\"saidToussaint，\"itistrue。
Wemightbeassassinatedbeforewehadtimetosayouf！
AndMonsieurdoesnotsleepinthehouse，toboot。
Butfearnothing，Miss，Ifastentheshuttersuplikeprisons。
Lonewomen！Thatisenoughtomakeoneshudder，Ibelieveyou！
Justimagine，whatifyouweretoseemenenteryourchamberatnightandsay:`Holdyourtongue！’andbegintocutyourthroat。
It’snotthedyingsomuch；youdie，foronemustdie，andthat’sallright；it’stheabominationoffeelingthosepeopletouchyou。
Andthen，theirknives；theycan’tbeabletocutwellwiththem！
Ah，goodgracious！\"
\"Bequiet，\"saidCosette。\"Fasteneverythingthoroughly。\"
Cosette，terrifiedbythemelodramaimprovisedbyToussaint，andpossibly，also，bytherecollectionoftheapparitionsofthepastweek，whichrecurredtohermemory，darednotevensaytoher:
\"Goandlookatthestonewhichhasbeenplacedonthebench！\"
forfearofopeningthegardengateandallowing\"themen\"toenter。
Shesawthatallthedoorsandwindowswerecarefullyfastened，madeToussaintgoalloverthehousefromgarrettocellar，lockedherselfupinherownchamber，boltedherdoor，lookedunderhercouch，wenttobedandsleptbadly。Allnightlongshesawthatbigstone，aslargeasamountainandfullofcaverns。
Atsunrise，——thepropertyoftherisingsunistomakeuslaughatallourterrorsofthepastnight，andourlaughterisindirectproportiontoourterrorwhichtheyhavecaused，——atsunriseCosette，whenshewoke，viewedherfrightasanightmare，andsaidtoherself:
\"WhathaveIbeenthinkingof？ItislikethefootstepsthatI
thoughtIheardaweekortwoagointhegardenatnight！
Itisliketheshadowofthechimney—pot！AmIbecomingacoward？\"
Thesun，whichwasglowingthroughthecrevicesinhershutters，andturningthedamaskcurtainscrimson，reassuredhertosuchanextentthateverythingvanishedfromherthoughts，eventhestone。
\"Therewasnomoreastoneonthebenchthantherewasamaninaroundhatinthegarden；Idreamedaboutthestone，asIdidalltherest。\"
Shedressedherself，descendedtothegarden，rantothebench，andbrokeoutinacoldperspiration。Thestonewasthere。
Butthislastedonlyforamoment。Thatwhichisterrorbynightiscuriositybyday。
\"Bah！\"saidshe，\"come，letusseewhatitis。\"
Sheliftedthestone，whichwastolerablylarge。Beneathitwassomethingwhichresembledaletter。Itwasawhiteenvelope。
Cosetteseizedit。Therewasnoaddressononeside，nosealontheother。Yettheenvelope，thoughunsealed，wasnotempty。
Paperscouldbeseeninside。
Cosetteexaminedit。Itwasnolongeralarm，itwasnolongercuriosity；
itwasabeginningofanxiety。
Cosettedrewfromtheenvelopeitscontents，alittlenotebookofpaper，eachpageofwhichwasnumberedandboreafewlinesinaveryfineandratherprettyhandwriting，asCosettethought。
Cosettelookedforaname；therewasnone。Towhomwasthisaddressed？
Toher，probably，sinceahandhaddepositedthepacketonherbench。
Fromwhomdiditcome？Anirresistiblefascinationtookpossessionofher；shetriedtoturnawayhereyesfromtheleafletswhichweretremblinginherhand，shegazedatthesky，thestreet，theacaciasallbathedinlight，thepigeonsflutteringoveraneighboringroof，andthenherglancesuddenlyfelluponthemanuscript，andshesaidtoherselfthatshemustknowwhatitcontained。
Thisiswhatsheread。
CHAPTERIV
AHEARTBENEATHASTONE
Thereductionoftheuniversetoasinglebeing，theexpansionofasinglebeingeventoGod，thatislove。
Loveisthesalutationoftheangelstothestars。
Howsadisthesoul，whenitissadthroughlove！
Whatavoidintheabsenceofthebeingwho，byherselfalonefillstheworld！Oh！howtrueitisthatthebelovedbeingbecomesGod。
OnecouldcomprehendthatGodmightbejealousofthishadnotGodtheFatherofallevidentlymadecreationforthesoul，andthesoulforlove。
Theglimpseofasmilebeneathawhitecrapebonnetwithalilaccurtainissufficienttocausethesoultoenterintothepalaceofdreams。
Godisbehindeverything，buteverythinghidesGod。Thingsareblack，creaturesareopaque。Toloveabeingistorenderthatbeingtransparent。
Certainthoughtsareprayers。Therearemomentswhen，whatevertheattitudeofthebodymaybe，thesoulisonitsknees。
Partedloversbeguileabsencebyathousandchimericaldevices，whichpossess，however，arealityoftheirown。Theyarepreventedfromseeingeachother，theycannotwritetoeachother；
theydiscoveramultitudeofmysteriousmeanstocorrespond。
Theysendeachotherthesongofthebirds，theperfumeoftheflowers，thesmilesofchildren，thelightofthesun，thesighingsofthebreeze，theraysofstars，allcreation。Andwhynot？
AlltheworksofGodaremadetoservelove。Loveissufficientlypotenttochargeallnaturewithitsmessages。
OhSpring！ThouartaletterthatIwritetoher。
Thefuturebelongstoheartsevenmorethanitdoestominds。
Love，thatistheonlythingthatcanoccupyandfilleternity。
Intheinfinite，theinexhaustibleisrequisite。
Loveparticipatesofthesoulitself。Itisofthesamenature。
Likeit，itisthedivinespark；likeit，itisincorruptible，indivisible，imperishable。Itisapointoffirethatexistswithinus，whichisimmortalandinfinite，whichnothingcanconfine，andwhichnothingcanextinguish。Wefeelitburningeventotheverymarrowofourbones，andweseeitbeamingintheverydepthsofheaven。
OhLove！Adorations！voluptuousnessoftwomindswhichunderstandeachother，oftwoheartswhichexchangewitheachother，oftwoglanceswhichpenetrateeachother！Youwillcometome，willyounot，bliss！strollsbytwosinthesolitudes！Blessedandradiantdays！Ihavesometimesdreamedthatfromtimetotimehoursdetachedthemselvesfromthelivesoftheangelsandcameherebelowtotraversethedestiniesofmen。
Godcanaddnothingtothehappinessofthosewholove，excepttogivethemendlessduration。Afteralifeoflove，aneternityofloveis，infact，anaugmentation；buttoincreaseinintensityeventheineffablefelicitywhichlovebestowsonthesouleveninthisworld，isimpossible，eventoGod。Godistheplenitudeofheaven；
loveistheplenitudeofman。
Youlookatastarfortworeasons，becauseitisluminous，andbecauseitisimpenetrable。Youhavebesideyouasweeterradianceandagreatermystery，woman。
Allofus，whoeverwemaybe，haveourrespirablebeings。Welackairandwestifle。Thenwedie。Todieforlackofloveishorrible。
Suffocationofthesoul。
Whenlovehasfusedandmingledtwobeingsinasacredandangelicunity，thesecretoflifehasbeendiscoveredsofarastheyareconcerned；theyarenolongeranythingmorethanthetwoboundariesofthesamedestiny；theyarenolongeranythingbutthetwowingsofthesamespirit。Love，soar。
Onthedaywhenawomanasshepassesbeforeyouemitslightasshewalks，youarelost，youlove。Butonethingremainsforyoutodo:
tothinkofhersointentlythatsheisconstrainedtothinkofyou。
WhatlovecommencescanbefinishedbyGodalone。
Trueloveisindespairandisenchantedoveraglovelostorahandkerchieffound，andeternityisrequiredforitsdevotionanditshopes。Itiscomposedbothoftheinfinitelygreatandtheinfinitelylittle。
Ifyouareastone，beadamant；ifyouareaplant，bethesensitiveplant；ifyouareaman，belove。
Nothingsufficesforlove。Wehavehappiness，wedesireparadise；
wepossessparadise，wedesireheaven。
Ohyewholoveeachother，allthisiscontainedinlove。
Understandhowtofinditthere。Lovehascontemplationaswellasheaven，andmorethanheaven，ithasvoluptuousness。
\"DoesshestillcometotheLuxembourg？\"\"No，sir。\"\"Thisisthechurchwheresheattendsmass，isitnot？\"\"Shenolongercomeshere。\"
\"Doesshestillliveinthishouse？\"\"Shehasmovedaway。\"
\"Wherehasshegonetodwell？\"
\"Shedidnotsay。\"
Whatamelancholythingnottoknowtheaddressofone’ssoul！
Lovehasitschildishness，otherpassionshavetheirpettinesses。
Shameonthepassionswhichbelittleman！Honortotheonewhichmakesachildofhim！
Thereisonestrangething，doyouknowit？Idwellinthenight。
Thereisabeingwhocarriedoffmyskywhenshewentaway。
Oh！wouldthatwewerelyingsidebysideinthesamegrave，handinhand，andfromtimetotime，inthedarkness，gentlycaressingafinger，——thatwouldsufficeformyeternity！
Yewhosufferbecauseyelove，loveyetmore。Todieoflove，istoliveinit。
Love。Asombreandstarrytransfigurationismingledwiththistorture。
Thereisecstasyinagony。
Ohjoyofthebirds！Itisbecausetheyhaveneststhattheysing。
Loveisacelestialrespirationoftheairofparadise。
Deephearts，sageminds，takelifeasGodhasmadeit；itisalongtrial，anincomprehensiblepreparationforanunknowndestiny。
Thisdestiny，thetrueone，beginsforamanwiththefirststepinsidethetomb。Thensomethingappearstohim，andhebeginstodistinguishthedefinitive。Thedefinitive，meditateuponthatword。
Thelivingperceivetheinfinite；thedefinitivepermitsitselftobeseenonlybythedead。Inthemeanwhile，loveandsuffer，hopeandcontemplate。Woe，alas！tohimwhoshallhavelovedonlybodies，forms，appearances！Deathwilldeprivehimofall。
Trytolovesouls，youwillfindthemagain。
Iencounteredinthestreet，averypooryoungmanwhowasinlove。
Hishatwasold，hiscoatwasworn，hiselbowswereinholes；
watertrickledthroughhisshoes，andthestarsthroughhissoul。
Whatagrandthingitistobeloved！Whatafargranderthingitistolove！Theheartbecomesheroic，bydintofpassion。
Itisnolongercomposedofanythingbutwhatispure；itnolongerrestsonanythingthatisnotelevatedandgreat。Anunworthythoughtcannomoregerminateinit，thananettleonaglacier。
Thesereneandloftysoul，inaccessibletovulgarpassionsandemotions，dominatingthecloudsandtheshadesofthisworld，itsfollies，itslies，itshatreds，itsvanities，itsmiseries，inhabitstheblueofheaven，andnolongerfeelsanythingbutprofoundandsubterraneanshocksofdestiny，asthecrestsofmountainsfeeltheshocksofearthquake。
Iftheredidnotexistsomeonewholoved，thesunwouldbecomeextinct。
CHAPTERV
COSETTEAFTERTHELETTER
AsCosetteread，shegraduallyfellintothought。Attheverymomentwhensheraisedhereyesfromthelastlineofthenote—book，thehandsomeofficerpassedtriumphantlyinfrontofthegate，——
itwashishour；Cosettethoughthimhideous。
Sheresumedhercontemplationofthebook。Itwaswritteninthemostcharmingofchirography，thoughtCosette；inthesamehand，butwithdiversinks，sometimesveryblack，againwhitish，aswheninkhasbeenaddedtotheinkstand，andconsequentlyondifferentdays。Itwas，then，amindwhichhadunfoldeditselfthere，sighbysigh，irregularly，withoutorder，withoutchoice，withoutobject，hap—hazard。Cosettehadneverreadanythinglikeit。
Thismanuscript，inwhichshealreadyperceivedmorelightthanobscurity，produceduponhertheeffectofahalf—opensanctuary。
Eachoneofthesemysteriouslinesshonebeforehereyesandinundatedherheartwithastrangeradiance。Theeducationwhichshehadreceivedhadalwaystalkedtoherofthesoul，andneveroflove，verymuchasonemighttalkofthefirebrandandnotoftheflame。
Thismanuscriptoffifteenpagessuddenlyandsweetlyrevealedtoheralloflove，sorrow，destiny，life，eternity，thebeginning，theend。Itwasasifahandhadopenedandsuddenlyflunguponherahandfulofraysoflight。Inthesefewlinesshefeltapassionate，ardent，generous，honestnature，asacredwill，animmensesorrow，andanimmensedespair，asufferingheart，anecstasyfullyexpanded。Whatwasthismanuscript？Aletter。
Aletterwithoutname，withoutaddress，withoutdate，withoutsignature，pressinganddisinterested，anenigmacomposedoftruths，amessageoflovemadetobebroughtbyanangelandreadbyavirgin，anappointmentmadebeyondtheboundsofearth，thelove—letterofaphantomtoashade。Itwasanabsentone，tranquilanddejected，whoseemedreadytotakerefugeindeathandwhosenttotheabsentlove，hislady，thesecretoffate，thekeyoflife，love。Thishadbeenwrittenwithonefootinthegraveandonefingerinheaven。
Theselines，whichhadfallenonebyoneonthepaper，werewhatmightbecalleddropsofsoul。
Now，fromwhomcouldthesepagescome？Whocouldhavepennedthem？
Cosettedidnothesitateamoment。Onemanonly。
He！
Dayhaddawnedoncemoreinherspirit；allhadreappeared。
Shefeltanunheard—ofjoy，andaprofoundanguish。Itwashe！hewhohadwritten！hewasthere！itwashewhosearmhadbeenthrustthroughthatrailing！Whileshewasforgetfulofhim，hehadfoundheragain！Buthadsheforgottenhim？No，never！Shewasfoolishtohavethoughtsoforasinglemoment。Shehadalwayslovedhim，alwaysadoredhim。Thefirehadbeensmothered，andhadsmoulderedforatime，butshesawallplainlynow；ithadbutmadeheadway，andnowithadburstforthafresh，andhadinflamedherwholebeing。
Thisnote—bookwaslikeasparkwhichhadfallenfromthatothersoulintohers。Shefelttheconflagrationstartinguponcemore。
Sheimbuedherselfthoroughlywitheverywordofthemanuscript:
\"Ohyes！\"saidshe，\"howperfectlyIrecognizeallthat！ThatiswhatIhadalreadyreadinhiseyes。\"Asshewasfinishingitforthethirdtime，LieutenantTheodulepassedthegateoncemore，andrattledhisspursuponthepavement。Cosettewasforcedtoraisehereyes。Shethoughthiminsipid，silly，stupid，useless，foppish，displeasing，impertinent，andextremelyugly。
Theofficerthoughtithisdutytosmileather。
Sheturnedawayasinshameandindignation。Shewouldgladlyhavethrownsomethingathishead。
Shefled，re—enteredthehouse，andshutherselfupinherchambertoperusethemanuscriptoncemore，tolearnitbyheart，andtodream。Whenshehadthoroughlymastereditshekisseditandputitinherbosom。
Allwasover，Cosettehadfallenbackintodeep，seraphiclove。
TheabyssofEdenhadyawnedoncemore。
Alldaylong，Cosetteremainedinasortofbewilderment。
Shescarcelythought，herideaswereinthestateofatangledskeininherbrain，shecouldnotmanagetoconjectureanything，shehopedthroughatremor，what？vaguethings。Shedaredmakeherselfnopromises，andshedidnotwishtorefuseherselfanything。
Flashesofpallorpassedoverhercountenance，andshiversranthroughherframe。Itseemedtoher，atintervals，thatshewasenteringthelandofchimaeras；shesaidtoherself:\"Isthisreality？\"
Thenshefeltofthedearpaperwithinherbosomunderhergown，shepressedittoherheart，shefeltitsanglesagainstherflesh；
andifJeanValjeanhadseenheratthemoment，hewouldhaveshudderedinthepresenceofthatluminousandunknownjoy，whichoverflowedfrombeneathhereyelids。——\"Ohyes！\"shethought，\"itiscertainlyhe！
Thiscomesfromhim，andisforme！\"
Andshetoldherselfthataninterventionoftheangels，acelestialchance，hadgivenhimbacktoher。
Ohtransfigurationoflove！Ohdreams！Thatcelestialchance，thatinterventionoftheangels，wasapelletofbreadtossedbyonethieftoanotherthief，fromtheCharlemagneCourtyardtotheLion’sDitch，overtheroofsofLaForce。
CHAPTERVI
OLDPEOPLEAREMADETOGOOUTOPPORTUNELY
Wheneveningcame，JeanValjeanwentout；Cosettedressedherself。
Shearrangedherhairinthemostbecomingmanner，andsheputonadresswhosebodicehadreceivedonesnipofthescissorstoomuch，andwhich，throughthisslope，permittedaviewofthebeginningofherthroat，andwas，asyounggirlssay，\"atrifleindecent。\"
Itwasnotintheleastindecent，butitwasprettierthanusual。
Shemadehertoiletthuswithoutknowingwhyshedidso。
Didshemeantogoout？No。
Wassheexpectingavisitor？No。
Atdusk，shewentdowntothegarden。Toussaintwasbusyinherkitchen，whichopenedonthebackyard。
Shebegantostrollaboutunderthetrees，thrustingasidethebranchesfromtimetotimewithherhand，becausethereweresomewhichhungverylow。
Inthismannershereachedthebench。
Thestonewasstillthere。
Shesatdown，andgentlylaidherwhitehandonthisstoneasthoughshewishedtocaressandthankit。
Allatonce，sheexperiencedthatindefinableimpressionwhichoneundergoeswhenthereissomeonestandingbehindone，evenwhenshedoesnotseetheperson。
Sheturnedherheadandrosetoherfeet。
Itwashe。
Hisheadwasbare。Heappearedtohavegrownthinandpale。
Hisblackclotheswerehardlydiscernible。Thetwilightthrewawanlightonhisfinebrow，andcoveredhiseyesinshadows。
Beneathaveilofincomparablesweetness，hehadsomethingabouthimthatsuggesteddeathandnight。Hisfacewasilluminatedbythelightofthedyingday，andbythethoughtofasoulthatistakingflight。
Heseemedtobenotyetaghost，andhewasnolongeraman。
Hehadflungawayhishatinthethicket，afewpacesdistant。
Cosette，thoughreadytoswoon，utterednocry。Sheretreatedslowly，forshefeltherselfattracted。Hedidnotstir。Byvirtueofsomethingineffableandmelancholywhichenvelopedhim，shefeltthelookinhiseyeswhichshecouldnotsee。
Cosette，inherretreat，encounteredatreeandleanedagainstit。
Haditnotbeenforthistree，shewouldhavefallen。
Thensheheardhisvoice，thatvoicewhichshehadreallyneverheard，barelyrisingabovetherustleoftheleaves，andmurmuring:——
\"Pardonme，hereIam。Myheartisfull。IcouldnotliveonasI
wasliving，andIhavecome。HaveyoureadwhatIplacedthereonthebench？Doyourecognizemeatall？Havenofearofme。
Itisalongtime，youremembertheday，sinceyoulookedatmeattheLuxembourg，neartheGladiator。Andthedaywhenyoupassedbeforeme？Itwasonthe16thofJuneandthe2dofJuly。Itisnearlyayearago。Ihavenotseenyouforalongtime。Iinquiredofthewomanwholetthechairs，andshetoldmethatshenolongersawyou。
YoulivedintheRuedel’Ouest，onthethirdfloor，inthefrontapartmentsofanewhouse，——youseethatIknow！Ifollowedyou。
Whatelsewasthereformetodo？Andthenyoudisappeared。
IthoughtIsawyoupassonce，whileIwasreadingthenewspapersunderthearcadeoftheOdeon。Iranafteryou。Butno。Itwasapersonwhohadabonnetlikeyours。AtnightIcamehither。
Donotbeafraid，nooneseesme。Icometogazeuponyourwindowsnearathand。Iwalkverysoftly，sothatyoumaynothear，foryoumightbealarmed。TheothereveningIwasbehindyou，youturnedround，Ifled。Once，Iheardyousinging。Iwashappy。
DiditaffectyoubecauseIheardyousingingthroughtheshutters？
Thatcouldnothurtyou。No，itisnotso？Yousee，youaremyangel！Letmecomesometimes；IthinkthatIamgoingtodie。
Ifyouonlyknew！Iadoreyou。Forgiveme，Ispeaktoyou，butI
donotknowwhatIamsaying；Imayhavedispleasedyou；haveI
displeasedyou？\"
\"Oh！mymother！\"saidshe。
Andshesankdownasthoughonthepointofdeath。
Hegraspedher，shefell，hetookherinhisarms，hepressedherclose，withoutknowingwhathewasdoing。Hesupportedher，thoughhewastotteringhimself。Itwasasthoughhisbrainwerefullofsmoke；
lightningsdartedbetweenhislips；hisideasvanished；itseemedtohimthathewasaccomplishingsomereligiousact，andthathewascommittingaprofanation。Moreover，hehadnottheleastpassionforthislovelywomanwhoseforcehefeltagainsthisbreast。
Hewasbesidehimselfwithlove。
Shetookhishandandlaiditonherheart。Hefeltthepaperthere，hestammered:——
\"Youloveme，then？\"
Sherepliedinavoicesolowthatitwasnolongeranythingmorethanabarelyaudiblebreath:——
\"Hush！Thouknowestit！\"
Andshehidherblushingfaceonthebreastofthesuperbandintoxicatedyoungman。
Hefelluponthebench，andshebesidehim。Theyhadnowordsmore。
Thestarswerebeginningtogleam。Howdiditcometopassthattheirlipsmet？Howcomesittopassthatthebirdssing，thatsnowmelts，thattheroseunfolds，thatMayexpands，thatthedawngrowswhitebehindtheblacktreesontheshiveringcrestofthehills？
Akiss，andthatwasall。
Bothstarted，andgazedintothedarknesswithsparklingeyes。
Theyfeltneitherthecoolnight，northecoldstone，northedampearth，northewetgrass；theylookedateachother，andtheirheartswerefullofthoughts。Theyhadclaspedhandsunconsciously。
Shedidnotaskhim，shedidnotevenwonder，howhehadenteredthere，andhowhehadmadehiswayintothegarden。Itseemedsosimpletoherthatheshouldbethere！
Fromtimetotime，Marius’kneetouchedCosette’sknee，andbothshivered。
Atintervals，Cosettestammeredaword。Hersoulflutteredonherlipslikeadropofdewonaflower。
Littlebylittletheybegantotalktoeachother。Effusionfollowedsilence，whichisfulness。Thenightwassereneandsplendidoverhead。
Thesetwobeings，pureasspirits，toldeachothereverything，theirdreams，theirintoxications，theirecstasies，theirchimaeras，theirweaknesses，howtheyhadadoredeachotherfromafar，howtheyhadlongedforeachother，theirdespairwhentheyhadceasedtoseeeachother。Theyconfidedtoeachotherinanidealintimacy，whichnothingcouldaugment，theirmostsecretandmostmysteriousthoughts。Theyrelatedtoeachother，withcandidfaithintheirillusions，allthatlove，youth，andtheremainsofchildhoodwhichstilllingeredaboutthem，suggestedtotheirminds。
Theirtwoheartspouredthemselvesoutintoeachotherinsuchwise，thatattheexpirationofaquarterofanhour，itwastheyoungmanwhohadtheyounggirl’ssoul，andtheyounggirlwhohadtheyoungman’ssoul。Eachbecamepermeatedwiththeother，theywereenchantedwitheachother，theydazzledeachother。
Whentheyhadfinished，whentheyhadtoldeachothereverything，shelaidherheadonhisshoulderandaskedhim:——
\"Whatisyourname？\"
\"MynameisMarius，\"saidhe。\"Andyours？\"
\"MynameisCosette。\"
BOOKSIXTH。——LITTLEGAVROCHE
CHAPTERI
THEMALICIOUSPLAYFULNESSOFTHEWIND
Since1823，whenthetavernofMontfermeilwasonthewaytoshipwreckandwasbeinggraduallyengulfed，notintheabyssofabankruptcy，butinthecesspoolofpettydebts，theThenardierpairhadhadtwootherchildren；bothmales。Thatmadefive；twogirlsandthreeboys。
MadameThenardierhadgotridofthelasttwo，whiletheywerestillyoungandverysmall，withremarkableluck。
Gotridofistheword。Therewasbutamerefragmentofnatureinthatwoman。Aphenomenon，bytheway，ofwhichthereismorethanoneexampleextant。LiketheMarechaledeLaMothe—Houdancourt，theThenardierwasamothertoherdaughtersonly。
Therehermaternityended。Herhatredofthehumanracebeganwithherownsons。Inthedirectionofhersonsherevildispositionwasuncompromising，andherhearthadalugubriouswallinthatquarter。Asthereaderhasseen，shedetestedtheeldest；shecursedtheothertwo。Why？Because。Themostterribleofmotives，themostunanswerableofretorts——Because。
\"Ihavenoneedofalitterofsquallingbrats，\"saidthismother。
LetusexplainhowtheThenardiershadsucceededingettingridoftheirlasttwochildren；andevenindrawingprofitfromtheoperation。
ThewomanMagnon，whowasmentionedafewpagesfurtherback，wasthesameonewhohadsucceededinmakingoldGillenormandsupportthetwochildrenwhichshehadhad。ShelivedontheQuaidesCelestins，atthecornerofthisancientstreetofthePetit—Muscwhichaffordedhertheopportunityofchangingherevilreputeintogoododor。
ThereaderwillrememberthegreatepidemicofcroupwhichravagedtheriverdistrictsoftheSeineinParisthirty—fiveyearsago，andofwhichsciencetookadvantagetomakeexperimentsonagrandscaleastotheefficacyofinhalationsofalum，sobeneficiallyreplacedatthepresentdaybytheexternaltinctureofiodine。
Duringthisepidemic，theMagnonlostbothherboys，whowerestillveryyoung，oneinthemorning，theotherintheeveningofthesameday。
Thiswasablow。Thesechildrenwereprecioustotheirmother；
theyrepresentedeightyfrancsamonth。TheseeightyfrancswerepunctuallypaidinthenameofM。Gillenormand，bycollectorofhisrents，M。Barge，aretiredtip—staff，intheRueduRoi—de—Sicile。Thechildrendead，theincomewasatanend。TheMagnonsoughtanexpedient。
Inthatdarkfree—masonryofevilofwhichsheformedapart，everythingisknown，allsecretsarekept，andalllendmutualaid。
Magnonneededtwochildren；theThenardiershadtwo。Thesamesex，thesameage。Agoodarrangementfortheone，agoodinvestmentfortheother。ThelittleThenardiersbecamelittleMagnons。
MagnonquittedtheQuaidesCelestinsandwenttoliveintheRueClocheperce。InParis，theidentitywhichbindsanindividualtohimselfisbrokenbetweenonestreetandanother。
Theregistryofficebeinginnowaywarned，raisednoobjections，andthesubstitutionwaseffectedinthemostsimplemannerintheworld。Only，theThenardierexactedforthisloanofherchildren，tenfrancsamonth，whichMagnonpromisedtopay，andwhichsheactuallydidpay。ItisunnecessarytoaddthatM。Gillenormandcontinuedtoperformhiscompact。Hecametoseethechildreneverysixmonths。Hedidnotperceivethechange。
\"Monsieur，\"Magnonsaidtohim，\"howmuchtheyresembleyou！\"
Thenardier，towhomavatarswereeasy，seizedthisoccasiontobecomeJondrette。HistwodaughtersandGavrochehadhardlyhadtimetodiscoverthattheyhadtwolittlebrothers。Whenacertaindegreeofmiseryisreached，oneisoverpoweredwithasortofspectralindifference，andoneregardshumanbeingsasthoughtheywerespectres。Yournearestrelationsareoftennomoreforyouthanvagueshadowyforms，barelyoutlinedagainstanebulousbackgroundoflifeandeasilyconfoundedagainwiththeinvisible。
OntheeveningofthedaywhenshehadhandedoverhertwolittleonestoMagnon，withexpressintentionofrenouncingthemforever，theThenardierhadfelt，orhadappearedtofeel，ascruple。Shesaidtoherhusband:\"Butthisisabandoningourchildren！\"Thenardier，masterfulandphlegmatic，cauterizedthescruplewiththissaying:
\"JeanJacquesRousseaudidevenbetter！\"Fromscruples，themotherproceededtouneasiness:\"Butwhatifthepoliceweretoannoyus？
Tellme，MonsieurThenardier，iswhatwehavedonepermissible？\"
Thenardierreplied:\"Everythingispermissible。Noonewillseeanythingbuttrueblueinit。Besides，noonehasanyinterestinlookingcloselyafterchildrenwhohavenotasou。\"
Magnonwasasortoffashionablewomaninthesphereofcrime。
Shewascarefulabouthertoilet。Shesharedherlodgings，whichwerefurnishedinanaffectedandwretchedstyle，withaclevergallicizedEnglishthief。ThisEnglishwoman，whohadbecomeanaturalizedParisienne，recommendedbyverywealthyrelations，intimatelyconnectedwiththemedalsintheLibraryandMademoiselleMar’sdiamonds，becamecelebratedlateroninjudicialaccounts。
ShewascalledMamselleMiss。
ThetwolittlecreatureswhohadfallentoMagnonhadnoreasontocomplainoftheirlot。Recommendedbytheeightyfrancs，theywerewellcaredfor，asiseverythingfromwhichprofitisderived；
theywereneitherbadlyclothed，norbadlyfed；theyweretreatedalmostlike\"littlegentlemen，\"——betterbytheirfalsemotherthanbytheirrealone。Magnonplayedthelady，andtalkednothieves’
slangintheirpresence。
Thuspassedseveralyears。Thenardierauguredwellfromthefact。
Oneday，hechancedtosaytoMagnonasshehandedhimhismonthlystipendoftenfrancs:\"Thefathermustgivethemsomeeducation。\"
Allatonce，thesetwopoorchildren，whohaduptothattimebeenprotectedtolerablywell，evenbytheirevilfate，wereabruptlyhurledintolifeandforcedtobeginitforthemselves。
Awholesalearrestofmalefactors，likethatintheJondrettegarret，necessarilycomplicatedbyinvestigationsandsubsequentincarcerations，isaveritabledisasterforthathideousandoccultcounter—societywhichpursuesitsexistencebeneathpublicsociety；anadventureofthisdescriptionentailsallsortsofcatastrophesinthatsombreworld。
TheThenardiercatastropheinvolvedthecatastropheofMagnon。
Oneday，ashorttimeafterMagnonhadhandedtoEponinethenoterelatingtotheRuePlumet，asuddenraidwasmadebythepoliceintheRueClocheperce；Magnonwasseized，aswasalsoMamselleMiss；
andalltheinhabitantsofthehouse，whichwasofasuspiciouscharacter，weregatheredintothenet。Whilethiswasgoingon，thetwolittleboyswereplayinginthebackyard，andsawnothingoftheraid。
Whentheytriedtoenterthehouseagain，theyfoundthedoorfastenedandthehouseempty。Acobbleroppositecalledthemtohim，anddeliveredtothemapaperwhich\"theirmother\"hadleftforthem。
Onthispapertherewasanaddress:M。Barge，collectorofrents，RueduRoi—de—Sicile，No。8。Theproprietorofthestallsaidtothem:
\"Youcannotlivehereanylonger。Gothere。Itisnearby。
Thefirststreetontheleft。Askyourwayfromthispaper。\"
Thechildrensetout，theelderleadingtheyounger，andholdinginhishandthepaperwhichwastoguidethem。Itwascold，andhisbenumbedlittlefingerscouldnotcloseveryfirmly，andtheydidnotkeepaverygoodholdonthepaper。AtthecorneroftheRueClocheperce，agustofwindtoreitfromhim，andasnightwasfalling，thechildwasnotabletofinditagain。
Theybegantowanderaimlesslythroughthestreets。
CHAPTERII
INWHICHLITTLEGAVROCHEEXTRACTSPROFITFROMNAPOLEONTHEGREAT
SpringinParisisoftentraversedbyharshandpiercingbreezeswhichdonotpreciselychillbutfreezeone；thesenorthwindswhichsaddenthemostbeautifuldaysproduceexactlytheeffectofthosepuffsofcoldairwhichenterawarmroomthroughthecracksofabadlyfittingdoororwindow。Itseemsasthoughthegloomydoorofwinterhadremainedajar，andasthoughthewindwerepouringthroughit。
Inthespringof1832，theepochwhenthefirstgreatepidemicofthiscenturybrokeoutinEurope，thesenorthgalesweremoreharshandpiercingthanever。Itwasadoorevenmoreglacialthanthatofwinterwhichwasajar。Itwasthedoorofthesepulchre。
Inthesewindsonefeltthebreathofthecholera。
Fromameteorologicalpointofview，thesecoldwindspossessedthispeculiarity，thattheydidnotprecludeastrongelectrictension。
Frequentstorms，accompaniedbythunderandlightning，burstforthatthisepoch。
Oneevening，whenthesegaleswereblowingrudely，tosuchadegreethatJanuaryseemedtohavereturnedandthatthebourgeoishadresumedtheircloaks，LittleGavroche，whowasalwaysshiveringgaylyunderhisrags，wasstandingasthoughinecstasybeforeawig—maker’sshopinthevicinityoftheOrme—Saint—Gervais。Hewasadornedwithawoman’swoollenshawl，pickedupnooneknowswhere，andwhichhehadconvertedintoaneckcomforter。LittleGavrocheappearedtobeengagedinintentadmirationofawaxbride，inalow—neckeddress，andcrownedwithorange—flowers，whowasrevolvinginthewindow，anddisplayinghersmiletopassers—by，betweentwoargandlamps；butinreality，hewastakinganobservationoftheshop，inordertodiscoverwhetherhecouldnot\"prig\"
fromtheshop—frontacakeofsoap，whichhewouldthenproceedtosellforasoutoa\"hair—dresser\"inthesuburbs。Hehadoftenmanagedtobreakfastoffofsucharoll。Hecalledhisspeciesofwork，forwhichhepossessedspecialaptitude，\"shavingbarbers。\"
Whilecontemplatingthebride，andeyeingthecakeofsoap，hemutteredbetweenhisteeth:\"Tuesday。ItwasnotTuesday。
WasitTuesday？PerhapsitwasTuesday。Yes，itwasTuesday。\"
Noonehaseverdiscoveredtowhatthismonologuereferred。
Yes，perchance，thismonologuehadsomeconnectionwiththelastoccasiononwhichhehaddined，threedaysbefore，foritwasnowFriday。
Thebarberinhisshop，whichwaswarmedbyagoodstove，wasshavingacustomerandcastingaglancefromtimetotimeattheenemy，thatfreezingandimpudentstreeturchinbothofwhosehandswereinhispockets，butwhosemindwasevidentlyunsheathed。
WhileGavrochewasscrutinizingtheshop—windowandthecakesofwindsorsoap，twochildrenofunequalstature，veryneatlydressed，andstillsmallerthanhimself，oneapparentlyaboutsevenyearsofage，theotherfive，timidlyturnedthehandleandenteredtheshop，witharequestforsomethingorother，almspossibly，inaplaintivemurmurwhichresembledagroanratherthanaprayer。
Theybothspokeatonce，andtheirwordswereunintelligiblebecausesobsbrokethevoiceoftheyounger，andtheteethoftheelderwerechatteringwithcold。Thebarberwheeledroundwithafuriouslook，andwithoutabandoninghisrazor，thrustbacktheelderwithhislefthandandtheyoungerwithhisknee，andslammedhisdoor，saying:
\"Theideaofcominginandfreezingeverybodyfornothing！\"
Thetwochildrenresumedtheirmarchintears。Inthemeantime，acloudhadrisen；ithadbeguntorain。
LittleGavrocheranafterthemandaccostedthem:——
\"What’sthematterwithyou，brats？\"
\"Wedon’tknowwherewearetosleep，\"repliedtheelder。
\"Isthatall？\"saidGavroche。\"Agreatmatter，truly。Theideaofbawlingaboutthat。Theymustbegreenies！\"
Andadopting，inadditiontohissuperiority，whichwasratherbantering，anaccentoftenderauthorityandgentlepatronage:——
\"Comealongwithme，young’uns！\"
\"Yes，sir，\"saidtheelder。
Andthetwochildrenfollowedhimastheywouldhavefollowedanarchbishop。Theyhadstoppedcrying。
GavrocheledthemuptheRueSaint—AntoineinthedirectionoftheBastille。
AsGavrochewalkedalong，hecastanindignantbackwardglanceatthebarber’sshop。
\"Thatfellowhasnoheart，thewhiting，\"[35]hemuttered。
\"He’sanEnglishman。\"
[35]Merlan:asobriquetgiventohairdressersbecausetheyarewhitewithpowder。
Awomanwhocaughtsightofthesethreemarchinginafile，withGavrocheattheirhead，burstintonoisylaughter。Thislaughwaswantinginrespecttowardsthegroup。
\"Goodday，MamselleOmnibus，\"saidGavrochetoher。
Aninstantlater，thewig—makeroccurredtohismindoncemore，andheadded:——
\"Iammakingamistakeinthebeast；he’snotawhiting，he’saserpent。Barber，I’llgoandfetchalocksmith，andI’llhaveabellhungtoyourtail。\"
Thiswig—makerhadrenderedhimaggressive。Ashestrodeoveragutter，heapostrophizedabeardedportresswhowasworthytomeetFaustontheBrocken，andwhohadabroominherhand。
\"Madam，\"saidhe，\"soyouaregoingoutwithyourhorse？\"
Andthereupon，hespatteredthepolishedbootsofapedestrian。
\"Youscamp！\"shoutedthefuriouspedestrian。
Gavrocheelevatedhisnoseabovehisshawl。
\"IsMonsieurcomplaining？\"
\"Ofyou！\"ejaculatedtheman。
\"Theofficeisclosed，\"saidGavroche，\"Idonotreceiveanymorecomplaints。\"
Inthemeanwhile，ashewentonupthestreet，heperceivedabeggar—girl，thirteenorfourteenyearsold，andcladinsoshortagownthatherkneeswerevisible，lyingthoroughlychilledunderaporte—cochere。Thelittlegirlwasgettingtobetoooldforsuchathing。Growthdoesplaythesetricks。Thepetticoatbecomesshortatthemomentwhennuditybecomesindecent。
\"Poorgirl！\"saidGavroche。\"Shehasn’teventrousers。Holdon，takethis。\"
Andunwindingallthecomfortablewoollenwhichhehadaroundhisneck，heflungitonthethinandpurpleshouldersofthebeggar—girl，wherethescarfbecameashawloncemore。
Thechildstaredathiminastonishment，andreceivedtheshawlinsilence。Whenacertainstageofdistresshasbeenreachedinhismisery，thepoormannolongergroansoverevil，nolongerreturnsthanksforgood。
Thatdone:\"Brrr！\"saidGavroche，whowasshiveringmorethanSaintMartin，forthelatterretainedone—halfofhiscloak。
Atthisbrrr！thedownpourofrain，redoubledinitsspite，becamefurious。Thewickedskiespunishgooddeeds。
\"Ah，comenow！\"exclaimedGavroche，\"what’sthemeaningofthis？
It’sre—raining！GoodHeavens，ifitgoesonlikethis，Ishallstopmysubscription。\"
Andhesetoutonthemarchoncemore。
\"It’sallright，\"heresumed，castingaglanceatthebeggar—girl，asshecoiledupundertheshawl，\"she’sgotafamouspeel。\"
Andlookingupatthecloudsheexclaimed:——
\"Caught！\"
Thetwochildrenfollowedcloseonhisheels。
Astheywerepassingoneoftheseheavygratedlattices，whichindicateabaker’sshop，forbreadisputbehindbarslikegold，Gavrocheturnedround:——
\"Ah，bytheway，brats，havewedined？\"
\"Monsieur，\"repliedtheelder，\"wehavehadnothingtoeatsincethismorning。\"
\"Soyouhaveneitherfathernormother？\"resumedGavrochemajestically。
\"Excuseus，sir，wehaveapapaandamamma，butwedon’tknowwheretheyare。\"
\"Sometimesthat’sbetterthanknowingwheretheyare，\"saidGavroche，whowasathinker。
\"Wehavebeenwanderingaboutthesetwohours，\"continuedtheelder，\"wehavehuntedforthingsatthecornersofthestreets，butwehavefoundnothing。\"
\"Iknow，\"ejaculatedGavroche，\"it’sthedogswhoeateverything。\"
Hewenton，afterapause:——
\"Ah！wehavelostourauthors。Wedon’tknowwhatwehavedonewiththem。Thisshouldnotbe，gamins。It’sstupidtoletoldpeoplestrayofflikethat。Comenow！wemusthaveasnoozeallthesame。\"
However，heaskedthemnoquestions。Whatwasmoresimplethanthattheyshouldhavenodwellingplace！
Theelderofthetwochildren，whohadalmostentirelyrecoveredthepromptheedlessnessofchildhood，utteredthisexclamation:——
\"It’squeer，allthesame。MammatoldusthatshewouldtakeustogetablessedsprayonPalmSunday。\"
\"Bosh，\"saidGavroche。
\"Mamma，\"resumedtheelder，\"isaladywholiveswithMamselleMiss。\"
\"Tanflute！\"retortedGavroche。
Meanwhilehehadhalted，andforthelasttwominuteshehadbeenfeelingandfumblinginallsortsofnookswhichhisragscontained。
Atlasthetossedhisheadwithanairintendedtobemerelysatisfied，butwhichwastriumphant，inreality。
\"Letusbecalm，young’uns。Here’ssupperforthree。\"
Andfromoneofhispocketshedrewforthasou。
Withoutallowingthetwourchinstimeforamazement，hepushedbothofthembeforehimintothebaker’sshop，andflunghissouonthecounter，crying:——
\"Boy！fivecentimes’worthofbread。\"
Thebaker，whowastheproprietorinperson，tookupaloafandaknife。
\"Inthreepieces，myboy！\"wentonGavroche。
Andheaddedwithdignity:——
\"Therearethreeofus。\"
Andseeingthatthebaker，afterscrutinizingthethreecustomers，hadtakendownablackloaf，hethrusthisfingerfaruphisnosewithaninhalationasimperiousasthoughhehadhadapinchofthegreatFrederick’ssnuffonthetipofhisthumb，andhurledthisindignantapostrophefullinthebaker’sface:——
\"Keksekca？\"
ThoseofourreaderswhomightbetemptedtoespyinthisinterpellationofGavroche’stothebakeraRussianoraPolishword，oroneofthosesavagecrieswhichtheYowaysandtheBotocudoshurlateachotherfrombanktobankofariver，athwartthesolitudes，arewarnedthatitisawordwhichthey[ourreaders]uttereveryday，andwhichtakestheplaceofthephrase:\"Qu’est—cequec’estquecela？\"Thebakerunderstoodperfectly，andreplied:——
\"Well！It’sbread，andverygoodbreadofthesecondquality。\"
\"Youmeanlartonbrutal[blackbread]！\"retortedGavroche，calmlyandcoldlydisdainful。\"Whitebread，boy！whitebread[lartonsavonne]！I’mstandingtreat。\"
Thebakercouldnotrepressasmile，andashecutthewhitebreadhesurveyedtheminacompassionatewaywhichshockedGavroche。
\"Come，now，baker’sboy！\"saidhe，\"whatareyoutakingourmeasurelikethatfor？\"
Allthreeofthemplacedendtoendwouldhavehardlymadeameasure。
Whenthebreadwascut，thebakerthrewthesouintohisdrawer，andGavrochesaidtothetwochildren:——
\"Grubaway。\"
Thelittleboysstaredathiminsurprise。
Gavrochebegantolaugh。
\"Ah！hullo，that’sso！theydon’tunderstandyet，they’retoosmall。\"
Andherepeated:——
\"Eataway。\"
Atthesametime，heheldoutapieceofbreadtoeachofthem。
Andthinkingthattheelder，whoseemedtohimthemoreworthyofhisconversation，deservedsomespecialencouragementandoughttoberelievedfromallhesitationtosatisfyhisappetite，headded，asbehandedhimthelargestshare:——
\"Ramthatintoyourmuzzle。\"
Onepiecewassmallerthantheothers；hekeptthisforhimself。
Thepoorchildren，includingGavroche，werefamished。
Astheytoretheirbreadapartinbigmouthfuls，theyblockeduptheshopofthebaker，who，nowthattheyhadpaidtheirmoney，lookedangrilyatthem。
\"Let’sgointothestreetagain，\"saidGavroche。
TheysetoffoncemoreinthedirectionoftheBastille。
Fromtimetotime，astheypassedthelightedshop—windows，thesmallesthaltedtolookatthetimeonaleadenwatchwhichwassuspendedfromhisneckbyacord。
\"Well，heisaverygreen’un，\"saidGavroche。
Then，becomingthoughtful，hemutteredbetweenhisteeth:——
\"Allthesame，ifIhadchargeofthebabesI’dlock’emupbetterthanthat。\"
Justastheywerefinishingtheirmorselofbread，andhadreachedtheangleofthatgloomyRuedesBallets，attheotherendofwhichthelowandthreateningwicketofLaForcewasvisible:——
\"Hullo，isthatyou，Gavroche？\"saidsomeone。