Amysteriousmovementwasgoingonatacertaindistance。
Itwasevidentthatthecriticalmomentwasapproaching。Asonthepreviousevening，thesentinelshadcomein；butthistimeallhadcome。
Thebarricadewasstrongerthanontheoccasionofthefirstattack。
Sincethedepartureofthefive，theyhadincreaseditsheightstillfurther。
OntheadviceofthesentinelwhohadexaminedtheregionoftheHalles，Enjolras，forfearofasurpriseintherear，cametoaseriousdecision。HehadthesmallgutoftheMondetourlane，whichhadbeenleftopenuptothattime，barricaded。Forthispurpose，theytoreupthepavementforthelengthofseveralhousesmore。
Inthismanner，thebarricade，walledonthreestreets，infrontontheRuedelaChanvrerie，totheleftontheRuesduCygneanddelaPetiteTruanderie，totherightontheRueMondetour，wasreallyalmostimpregnable；itistruethattheywerefatallyhemmedinthere。
Ithadthreefronts，butnoexit。——\"Afortressbutaratholetoo，\"
saidCourfeyracwithalaugh。
Enjolrashadaboutthirtypaving—stones\"tornupinexcess，\"
saidBossuet，piledupnearthedoorofthewine—shop。
Thesilencewasnowsoprofoundinthequarterwhencetheattackmustneedscome，thatEnjolrashadeachmanresumehispostofbattle。
Anallowanceofbrandywasdoledouttoeach。
Nothingismorecuriousthanabarricadepreparingforanassault。
Eachmanselectshisplaceasthoughatthetheatre。Theyjostle，andelbowandcrowdeachother。Therearesomewhomakestallsofpaving—stones。Hereisacornerofthewallwhichisintheway，itisremoved；hereisaredanwhichmayaffordprotection，theytakeshelterbehindit。Left—handedmenareprecious；
theytaketheplacesthatareinconvenienttotherest。Manyarrangetofightinasittingposture。Theywishtobeateasetokill，andtodiecomfortably。InthesadwarofJune，1848，aninsurgentwhowasaformidablemarksman，andwhowasfiringfromthetopofaterraceuponaroof，hadareclining—chairbroughtthereforhisuse；
achargeofgrape—shotfoundhimoutthere。
Assoonastheleaderhasgiventheordertoclearthedecksforaction，alldisorderlymovementscease；thereisnomorepullingfromoneanother；therearenomorecoteries；nomoreasides，thereisnomoreholdingaloof；everythingintheirspiritsconvergesin，andchangesinto，awaitingfortheassailants。Abarricadebeforethearrivalofdangerischaos；indanger，itisdisciplineitself。
Perilproducesorder。
AssoonasEnjolrashadseizedhisdouble—barrelledrifle，andhadplacedhimselfinasortofembrasurewhichhehadreservedforhimself，alltherestheldtheirpeace。Aseriesoffaint，sharpnoisesresoundedconfusedlyalongthewallofpaving—stones。
Itwasthemencockingtheirguns。
Moreover，theirattitudeswereprouder，moreconfidentthanever；
theexcessofsacrificestrengthens；theynolongercherishedanyhope，buttheyhaddespair，despair，——thelastweapon，whichsometimesgivesvictory；Virgilhassaidso。Supremeresourcesspringfromextremeresolutions。Toembarkindeathissometimesthemeansofescapingashipwreck；andthelidofthecoffinbecomesaplankofsafety。
Asontheprecedingevening，theattentionofallwasdirected，wemightalmostsayleanedupon，theendofthestreet，nowlightedupandvisible。
Theyhadnotlongtowait。AstirbegandistinctlyintheSaint—Leuquarter，butitdidnotresemblethemovementofthefirstattack。
Aclashingofchains，theuneasyjoltingofamass，theclickofbrassskippingalongthepavement，asortofsolemnuproar，announcedthatsomesinisterconstructionofironwasapproaching。
Therearoseatremorinthebosomsofthesepeacefuloldstreets，piercedandbuiltforthefertilecirculationofinterestsandideas，andwhicharenotmadeforthehorriblerumbleofthewheelsofwar。
Thefixityofeyeinallthecombatantsupontheextremityofthestreetbecameferocious。
Acannonmadeitsappearance。
Artillery—menwerepushingthepiece；itwasinfiringtrim；
thefore—carriagehadbeendetached；twoupheldthegun—carriage，fourwereatthewheels；othersfollowedwiththecaisson。
Theycouldseethesmokeoftheburninglint—stock。
\"Fire！\"shoutedEnjolras。
Thewholebarricadefired，thereportwasterrible；anavalancheofsmokecoveredandeffacedbothcannonandmen；afterafewseconds，theclouddispersed，andthecannonandmenre—appeared；thegun—crewhadjustfinishedrollingitslowly，correctly，withouthaste，intopositionfacingthebarricade。Notoneofthemhadbeenstruck。
Thenthecaptainofthepiece，bearingdownuponthebreechinordertoraisethemuzzle，begantopointthecannonwiththegravityofanastronomerlevellingatelescope。
\"Bravoforthecannoneers！\"criedBossuet。
Andthewholebarricadeclappedtheirhands。
Amomentlater，squarelyplantedintheverymiddleofthestreet，astrideofthegutter，thepiecewasreadyforaction。Aformidablepairofjawsyawnedonthebarricade。
\"Come，merrilynow！\"ejaculatedCourfeyrac。\"That’sthebrutalpartofit。Afterthefilliponthenose，theblowfromthefist。
Thearmyisreachingoutitsbigpawtous。Thebarricadeisgoingtobeseverelyshakenup。Thefusilladetries，thecannontakes。\"
\"Itisapieceofeight，newmodel，brass，\"addedCombeferre。
\"Thosepiecesareliabletoburstassoonastheproportionoftenpartsoftintoonehundredofbrassisexceeded。Theexcessoftinrendersthemtootender。Thenitcomestopassthattheyhavecavesandchamberswhenlookedatfromtheventhole。Inordertoobviatethisdanger，andtorenderitpossibletoforcethecharge，itmaybecomenecessarytoreturntotheprocessofthefourteenthcentury，hooping，andtoencirclethepieceontheoutsidewithaseriesofunweldedsteelbands，fromthebreechtothetrunnions。
Inthemeantime，theyremedythisdefectasbesttheymay；
theymanagetodiscoverwheretheholesarelocatedintheventofacannon，bymeansofasearcher。Butthereisabettermethod，withGribeauval’smovablestar。\"
\"Inthesixteenthcentury，\"remarkedBossuet，\"theyusedtoriflecannon。\"
\"Yes，\"repliedCombeferre，\"thataugmentstheprojectileforce，butdiminishestheaccuracyofthefiring。Infiringatshortrange，thetrajectoryisnotasrigidascouldbedesired，theparabolaisexaggerated，thelineoftheprojectileisnolongersufficientlyrectilineartoallowofitsstrikinginterveningobjects，whichis，nevertheless，anecessityofbattle，theimportanceofwhichincreaseswiththeproximityoftheenemyandtheprecipitationofthedischarge。
Thisdefectofthetensionofthecurveoftheprojectileintherifledcannonofthesixteenthcenturyarosefromthesmallnessofthecharge；smallchargesforthatsortofengineareimposedbytheballisticnecessities，such，forinstance，asthepreservationofthegun—carriage。Inshort，thatdespot，thecannon，cannotdoallthatitdesires；forceisagreatweakness。Acannon—ballonlytravelssixhundredleaguesanhour；lighttravelsseventythousandleaguesasecond。SuchisthesuperiorityofJesusChristoverNapoleon。\"
\"Reloadyourguns，\"saidEnjolras。
Howwasthecasingofthebarricadegoingtobehaveunderthecannon—balls？Wouldtheyeffectabreach？Thatwasthequestion。
Whiletheinsurgentswerereloadingtheirguns，theartillery—menwereloadingthecannon。
Theanxietyintheredoubtwasprofound。
Theshotspedthereportburstforth。
\"Present！\"shoutedajoyousvoice。
AndGavrocheflunghimselfintothebarricadejustastheballdashedagainstit。
HecamefromthedirectionoftheRueduCygne，andhehadnimblyclimbedovertheauxiliarybarricadewhichfrontedonthelabyrinthoftheRuedelaPetiteTruanderie。
Gavrocheproducedagreatersensationinthebarricadethanthecannon—ball。
Theballburieditselfinthemassofrubbish。Atthemosttherewasanomnibuswheelbroken，andtheoldAnceaucartwasdemolished。
Onseeingthis，thebarricadeburstintoalaugh。
\"Goon！\"shoutedBossuettotheartillerists。
CHAPTERVIII
THEARTILLERY—MENCOMPELPEOPLETOTAKETHEMSERIOUSLY
ThetflockedroundGavroche。Buthehadnotimetotellanything。
Mariusdrewhimasidewithashudder。
\"Whatareyoudoinghere？\"
\"Hullo！\"saidthechild，\"whatareyoudoinghereyourself？\"
AndhestaredatMariusintentlywithhisepiceffrontery。
Hiseyesgrewlargerwiththeproudlightwithinthem。
ItwaswithanaccentofseveritythatMariuscontinued:
\"Whotoldyoutocomeback？Didyoudelivermyletterattheaddress？\"
Gavrochewasnotwithoutsomecompunctionsinthematterofthatletter。Inhishastetoreturntothebarricade，hehadgotridofitratherthandeliveredit。Hewasforcedtoacknowledgetohimselfthathehadconfideditratherlightlytothatstrangerwhosefacehehadnotbeenabletomakeout。Itistruethatthemanwasbareheaded，butthatwasnotsufficient。Inshort，hehadbeenadministeringtohimselflittleinwardremonstrancesandhefearedMarius’reproaches。Inordertoextricatehimselffromthepredicament，hetookthesimplestcourse；heliedabominably。
\"Citizen，Ideliveredthelettertotheporter。Theladywasasleep。
Shewillhavetheletterwhenshewakesup。
Mariushadhadtwoobjectsinsendingthatletter:tobidfarewelltoCosetteandtosaveGavroche。Hewasobligedtocontenthimselfwiththehalfofhisdesire。
ThedespatchofhisletterandthepresenceofM。Faucheleventinthebarricade，wasacoincidencewhichoccurredtohim。
HepointedoutM。FaucheleventtoGavroche。
\"Doyouknowthatman？\"
\"No，\"saidGavroche。
Gavrochehad，infact，aswehavejustmentioned，seenJeanValjeanonlyatnight。
ThetroubledandunhealthyconjectureswhichhadoutlinedthemselvesinMarius’mindweredissipated。DidheknowM。Fauchelevent’sopinions？
PerhapsM。Faucheleventwasarepublican。Hencehisverynaturalpresenceinthiscombat。
Inthemeanwhile，Gavrochewasshouting，attheotherendofthebarricade:\"Mygun！\"
Courfeyrachaditreturnedtohim。
Gavrochewarned\"hiscomrades\"ashecalledthem，thatthebarricadewasblocked。Hehadhadgreatdifficultyinreachingit。
AbattalionofthelinewhosearmswerepiledintheRuedelaPetiteTruanderiewasonthewatchonthesideoftheRueduCygne；ontheoppositeside，themunicipalguardoccupiedtheRuedesPrecheurs。
Thebulkofthearmywasfacingtheminfront。
Thisinformationgiven，Gavrocheadded:
\"Iauthorizeyoutohit’ematremendouswhack。\"
Meanwhile，Enjolraswasstraininghisearsandwatchingathisembrasure。
Theassailants，dissatisfied，nodoubt，withtheirshot，hadnotrepeatedit。
Acompanyofinfantryofthelinehadcomeupandoccupiedtheendofthestreetbehindthepieceofordnance。Thesoldiersweretearingupthepavementandconstructingwiththestonesasmall，lowwall，asortofside—worknotmorethaneighteenincheshigh，andfacingthebarricade。Intheangleattheleftofthisepaulement，therewasvisibletheheadofthecolumnofabattalionfromthesuburbsmassedintheRueSaint—Denis。
Enjolras，onthewatch，thoughthedistinguishedthepeculiarsoundwhichisproducedwhentheshellsofgrape—shotaredrawnfromthecaissons，andhesawthecommanderofthepiecechangetheelevationandinclinethemouthofthecannonslightlytotheleft。
Thenthecannoneersbegantoloadthepiece。Thechiefseizedthelint—stockhimselfandloweredittothevent。
\"Downwithyourheads，hugthewall！\"shoutedEnjolras，\"andallonyourkneesalongthebarricade！\"
Theinsurgentswhowerestragglinginfrontofthewine—shop，andwhohadquittedtheirpostsofcombatonGavroche’sarrival，rushedpell—melltowardsthebarricade；butbeforeEnjolras’
ordercouldbeexecuted，thedischargetookplacewiththeterrifyingrattleofaroundofgrape—shot。Thisiswhatitwas，infact。
Thechargehadbeenaimedatthecutintheredoubt，andhadtherereboundedfromthewall；andthisterriblereboundhadproducedtwodeadandthreewounded。
Ifthiswerecontinued，thebarricadewasnolongertenable。
Thegrape—shotmadeitswayin。
Amurmurofconsternationarose。
\"Letuspreventtheseconddischarge，\"saidEnjolras。
And，loweringhisrifle，hetookaimatthecaptainofthegun，who，atthatmoment，wasbearingdownonthebreachofhisgunandrectifyinganddefinitelyfixingitspointing。
Thecaptainofthepiecewasahandsomesergeantofartillery，veryyoung，blond，withaverygentleface，andtheintelligentairpeculiartothatpredestinedandredoubtableweaponwhich，bydintofperfectingitselfinhorror，mustendinkillingwar。
Combeferre，whowasstandingbesideEnjolras，scrutinizedthisyoungman。
\"Whatapity！\"saidCombeferre。\"Whathideousthingsthesebutcheriesare！Come，whentherearenomorekings，therewillbenomorewar。Enjolras，youaretakingaimatthatsergeant，youarenotlookingathim。Fancy，heisacharmingyoungman；
heisintrepid；itisevidentthatheisthoughtful；thoseyoungartillery—menareverywelleducated；hehasafather，amother，afamily；heisprobablyinlove；heisnotmorethanfiveandtwentyatthemost；hemightbeyourbrother。\"
\"Heis，\"saidEnjolras。
\"Yes，\"repliedCombeferre，\"heisminetoo。Well，letusnotkillhim。\"
\"Letmealone。Itmustbedone。\"
AndateartrickledslowlydownEnjolras’marblecheek。
Atthesamemoment，hepressedthetriggerofhisrifle。Theflameleapedforth。Theartillery—manturnedroundtwice，hisarmsextendedinfrontofhim，hisheaduplifted，asthoughforbreath，thenhefellwithhissideonthegun，andlaytheremotionless。
Theycouldseehisback，fromthecentreofwhichtherefloweddirectlyastreamofblood。Theballhadtraversedhisbreastfromsidetoside。Hewasdead。
Hehadtobecarriedawayandreplacedbyanother。Severalminuteswerethusgained，infact。
CHAPTERIX
EMPLOYMENTOFTHEOLDTALENTSOFAPOACHERANDTHATINFALLIBLE
MARKSMANSHIPWHICHINFLUENCEDTHECONDEMNATIONOF1796
Opinionswereexchangedinthebarricade。Thefiringfromthegunwasabouttobeginagain。Againstthatgrape—shot，theycouldnotholdoutaquarterofanhourlonger。Itwasabsolutelynecessarytodeadentheblows。
Enjolrasissuedthiscommand:
\"Wemustplaceamattressthere。\"
\"Wehavenone，\"saidCombeferre，\"thewoundedarelyingonthem。\"
JeanValjean，whowasseatedapartonastonepost，atthecornerofthetavern，withhisgunbetweenhisknees，had，uptothatmoment，takennopartinanythingthatwasgoingon。Hedidnotappeartohearthecombatantssayingaroundhim:\"Hereisagunthatisdoingnothing。\"
AttheorderissuedbyEnjolras，herose。
Itwillberememberedthat，onthearrivaloftherabbleintheRuedelaChanvrerie，anoldwoman，foreseeingthebullets，hadplacedhermattressinfrontofherwindow。Thiswindow，anatticwindow，wasontheroofofasix—storyhousesituatedalittlebeyondthebarricade。Themattress，placedcross—wise，supportedatthebottomontwopolesfordryinglinen，wasupheldatthetopbytworopes，which，atthatdistance，lookedliketwothreads，andwhichwereattachedtotwonailsplantedinthewindowframes。
Theseropesweredistinctlyvisible，likehairs，againstthesky。
\"Cansomeonelendmeadouble—barrelledrifle？\"saidJeanValjean。
Enjolras，whohadjustre—loadedhis，handedittohim。
JeanValjeantookaimattheatticwindowandfired。
Oneofthemattressropeswascut。
Themattressnowhungbyonethreadonly。
JeanValjeanfiredthesecondcharge。Thesecondropelashedthepanesoftheatticwindow。Themattressslippedbetweenthetwopolesandfellintothestreet。
Thebarricadeapplauded。
Allvoicescried:
\"Hereisamattress！\"
\"Yes，\"saidCombeferre，\"butwhowillgoandfetchit？\"
Themattresshad，infact，fallenoutsidethebarricade，betweenbesiegersandbesieged。Now，thedeathofthesergeantofartilleryhavingexasperatedthetroop，thesoldiershad，forseveralminutes，beenlyingflatontheirstomachsbehindthelineofpaving—stoneswhichtheyhaderected，and，inordertosupplytheforcedsilenceofthepiece，whichwasquietwhileitsservicewasincourseofreorganization，theyhadopenedfireonthebarricade。Theinsurgentsdidnotreplytothismusketry，inordertosparetheirammunitionThefusilladebrokeagainstthebarricade；butthestreet，whichitfilled，wasterrible。
JeanValjeansteppedoutofthecut，enteredthestreet，traversedthestormofbullets，walkeduptothemattress，hoistedituponhisback，andreturnedtothebarricade。
Heplacedthemattressinthecutwithhisownhands。Hefixeditthereagainstthewallinsuchamannerthattheartillery—menshouldnotseeit。
Thatdone，theyawaitedthenextdischargeofgrape—shot。
Itwasnotlongincoming。
Thecannonvomitedforthitspackageofbuck—shotwitharoar。
Buttherewasnorebound。Theeffectwhichtheyhadforeseenhadbeenattained。Thebarricadewassaved。
\"Citizen，\"saidEnjolrastoJeanValjean，\"theRepublicthanksyou。\"
Bossuetadmiredandlaughed。Heexclaimed:
\"Itisimmoralthatamattressshouldhavesomuchpower。
Triumphofthatwhichyieldsoverthatwhichstrikeswithlightning。
Butnevermind，glorytothemattresswhichannulsacannon！\"
CHAPTERX
DAWN
Atthatmoment，Cosetteawoke。
Herchamberwasnarrow，neat，unobtrusive，withalongsash—window，facingtheEastonthebackcourt—yardofthehouse。
CosetteknewnothingofwhatwasgoingoninParis。Shehadnotbeenthereontheprecedingevening，andshehadalreadyretiredtoherchamberwhenToussainthadsaid:
\"Itappearsthatthereisarow。\"
Cosettehadsleptonlyafewhours，butsoundly。Shehadhadsweetdreams，whichpossiblyarosefromthefactthatherlittlebedwasverywhite。Someone，whowasMarius，hadappearedtoherinthelight。Sheawokewiththesuninhereyes，which，atfirst，producedonhertheeffectofbeingacontinuationofherdream。
Herfirstthoughtonemergingfromthisdreamwasasmilingone。
Cosettefeltherselfthoroughlyreassured。LikeJeanValjean，shehad，afewhourspreviously，passedthroughthatreactionofthesoulwhichabsolutelywillnothearofunhappiness。
Shebegantocherishhope，withallhermight，withoutknowingwhy。
Thenshefeltapangatherheart。ItwasthreedayssinceshehadseenMarius。Butshesaidtoherselfthathemusthavereceivedherletter，thatheknewwhereshewas，andthathewassocleverthathewouldfindmeansofreachingher。——Andthatcertainlyto—day，andperhapsthatverymorning。——Itwasbroaddaylight，buttheraysoflightwereveryhorizontal；shethoughtthatitwasveryearly，butthatshemustrise，nevertheless，inordertoreceiveMarius。
ShefeltthatshecouldnotlivewithoutMarius，andthat，consequently，thatwassufficientandthatMariuswouldcome。
Noobjectionwasvalid。Allthiswascertain。Itwasmonstrousenoughalreadytohavesufferedforthreedays。Mariusabsentthreedays，thiswashorribleonthepartofthegoodGod。Now，thiscruelteasingfromonhighhadbeengonethroughwith。Mariuswasabouttoarrive，andhewouldbringgoodnews。Youthismadethus；
itquicklydriesitseyes；itfindssorrowuselessanddoesnotacceptit。Youthisthesmileofthefutureinthepresenceofanunknownquantity，whichisitself。Itisnaturaltoittobehappy。
Itseemsasthoughitsrespirationweremadeofhope。
Moreover，CosettecouldnotrememberwhatMariushadsaidtoheronthesubjectofthisabsencewhichwastolastonlyoneday，andwhatexplanationofithehadgivenher。Everyonehasnoticedwithwhatnimblenessacoinwhichonehasdroppedonthegroundrollsawayandhides，andwithwhatartitrendersitselfundiscoverable。
Therearethoughtswhichplayusthesametrick；theynestleawayinacornerofourbrain；thatistheendofthem；theyarelost；
itisimpossibletolaythememoryonthem。Cosettewassomewhatvexedattheuselesslittleeffortmadebyhermemory。Shetoldherself，thatitwasverynaughtyandverywickedofher，tohaveforgottenthewordsutteredbyMarius。
Shesprangoutofbedandaccomplishedthetwoablutionsofsoulandbody，herprayersandhertoilet。
Onemay，inacaseofexigency，introducethereaderintoanuptialchamber，notintoavirginalchamber。Versewouldhardlyventureit，prosemustnot。
Itistheinteriorofaflowerthatisnotyetunfolded，itiswhitenessinthedark，itistheprivatecellofaclosedlily，whichmustnotbegazeduponbymansolongasthesunhasnotgazeduponit。Womaninthebudissacred。Thatinnocentbudwhichopens，thatadorablehalf—nuditywhichisafraidofitself，thatwhitefootwhichtakesrefugeinaslipper，thatthroatwhichveilsitselfbeforeamirrorasthoughamirrorwereaneye，thatchemisewhichmakeshastetoriseupandconcealtheshoulderforacreakingbitoffurnitureorapassingvehicle，thosecordstied，thoseclaspsfastened，thoselacesdrawn，thosetremors，thoseshiversofcoldandmodesty，thatexquisiteaffrightineverymovement，thatalmostwingeduneasinesswherethereisnocauseforalarm，thesuccessivephasesofdressing，ascharmingasthecloudsofdawn，——
itisnotfittingthatallthisshouldbenarrated，anditistoomuchtohaveevencalledattentiontoit。
Theeyeofmanmustbemorereligiousinthepresenceoftherisingofayounggirlthaninthepresenceoftherisingofastar。
Thepossibilityofhurtingshouldinspireanaugmentationofrespect。
Thedownonthepeach，thebloomontheplum，theradiatedcrystalofthesnow，thewingofthebutterflypowderedwithfeathers，arecoarsecomparedtothatchastitywhichdoesnotevenknowthatitischaste。
Theyounggirlisonlytheflashofadream，andisnotyetastatue。
Herbed—chamberishiddeninthesombrepartoftheideal。
Theindiscreettouchofaglancebrutalizesthisvaguepenumbra。
Here，contemplationisprofanation。
Weshall，therefore，shownothingofthatsweetlittleflutterofCosette’srising。
AnorientaltalerelateshowtherosewasmadewhitebyGod，butthatAdamlookeduponherwhenshewasunfolding，andshewasashamedandturnedcrimson。Weareofthenumberwhofallspeechlessinthepresenceofyounggirlsandflowers，sincewethinkthemworthyofveneration。
Cosettedressedherselfveryhastily，combedanddressedherhair，whichwasaverysimplematterinthosedays，whenwomendidnotswellouttheircurlsandbandswithcushionsandpuffs，anddidnotputcrinolineintheirlocks。Thensheopenedthewindowandcasthereyesaroundherineverydirection，hopingtodescrysomebitofthestreet，anangleofthehouse，anedgeofpavement，sothatshemightbeabletowatchforMariusthere。Butnoviewoftheoutsidewastobehad。Thebackcourtwassurroundedbytolerablyhighwalls，andtheoutlookwasonlyonseveralgardens。
Cosettepronouncedthesegardenshideous:forthefirsttimeinherlife，shefoundflowersugly。Thesmallestscrapofthegutterofthestreetwouldhavemetherwishesbetter。Shedecidedtogazeatthesky，asthoughshethoughtthatMariusmightcomefromthatquarter。
Allatonce，sheburstintotears。Notthatthiswasficklenessofsoul；buthopescutintwainbydejection——thatwashercase。
Shehadaconfusedconsciousnessofsomethinghorrible。Thoughtswererifeintheair，infact。Shetoldherselfthatshewasnotsureofanything，thattowithdrawherselffromsightwastobelost；
andtheideathatMariuscouldreturntoherfromheavenappearedtohernolongercharmingbutmournful。
Then，asisthenatureoftheseclouds，calmreturnedtoher，andhopeandasortofunconscioussmile，whichyetindicatedtrustinGod。
Everyoneinthehousewasstillasleep。Acountry—likesilencereigned。
Notashutterhadbeenopened。Theporter’slodgewasclosed。
Toussainthadnotrisen，andCosette，naturally，thoughtthatherfatherwasasleep。Shemusthavesufferedmuch，andshemusthavestillbeensufferinggreatly，forshesaidtoherself，thatherfatherhadbeenunkind；butshecountedonMarius。Theeclipseofsuchalightwasdecidedlyimpossible。Nowandthen，sheheardsharpshocksinthedistance，andshesaid:\"Itisoddthatpeopleshouldbeopeningandshuttingtheircarriagegatessoearly。\"
Theywerethereportsofthecannonbatteringthebarricade。
AfewfeetbelowCosette’swindow，intheancientandperfectlyblackcorniceofthewall，therewasamartin’snest；thecurveofthisnestformedalittleprojectionbeyondthecornice，sothatfromaboveitwaspossibletolookintothislittleparadise。
Themotherwasthere，spreadingherwingslikeafanoverherbrood；
thefatherflutteredabout，flewaway，thencameback，bearinginhisbeakfoodandkisses。Thedawningdaygildedthishappything，thegreatlaw，\"Multiply，\"laytheresmilingandaugust，andthatsweetmysteryunfoldedinthegloryofthemorning。Cosette，withherhairinthesunlight，hersoulabsorbedinchimeras，illuminatedbylovewithinandbythedawnwithout，bentovermechanically，andalmostwithoutdaringtoavowtoherselfthatshewasthinkingatthesametimeofMarius，begantogazeatthesebirds，atthisfamily，atthatmaleandfemale，thatmotherandherlittleones，withtheprofoundtroublewhichanestproducesonavirgin。
CHAPTERXI
THESHOTWHICHMISSESNOTHINGANDKILLSNOONE
Theassailants’firecontinued。Musketryandgrape—shotalternated，butwithoutcommittinggreatravages，totellthetruth。ThetopaloneoftheCorinthefacadesuffered；thewindowonthefirstfloor，andtheatticwindowintheroof，riddledwithbuck—shotandbiscaiens，wereslowlylosingtheirshape。Thecombatantswhohadbeenpostedtherehadbeenobligedtowithdraw。However，thisisaccordingtothetacticsofbarricades；tofireforalongwhile，inordertoexhausttheinsurgents’ammunition，iftheycommitthemistakeofreplying。Whenitisperceived，fromtheslackeningoftheirfire，thattheyhavenomorepowderandball，theassaultismade。
Enjolrashadnotfallenintothistrap；thebarricadedidnotreply。
Ateverydischargebyplatoons，Gavrochepuffedouthischeekwithhistongue，asignofsupremedisdain。
\"Goodforyou，\"saidhe，\"ripupthecloth。Wewantsomelint。\"
Courfeyraccalledthegrape—shottoorderforthelittleeffectwhichitproduced，andsaidtothecannon:
\"Youaregrowingdiffuse，mygoodfellow。\"
Onegetspuzzledinbattle，asataball。Itisprobablethatthissilenceonthepartoftheredoubtbegantorenderthebesiegersuneasy，andtomakethemfearsomeunexpectedincident，andthattheyfeltthenecessityofgettingaclearviewbehindthatheapofpaving—stones，andofknowingwhatwasgoingonbehindthatimpassablewallwhichreceivedblowswithoutretorting。Theinsurgentssuddenlyperceivedahelmetglitteringinthesunonaneighboringroof。
Afiremanhadplacedhisbackagainstatallchimney，andseemedtobeactingassentinel。Hisglancefelldirectlydownintothebarricade。
\"There’sanembarrassingwatcher，\"saidEnjolras。
JeanValjeanhadreturnedEnjolras’rifle，buthehadhisowngun。
Withoutsayingaword，hetookaimatthefireman，and，asecondlater，thehelmet，smashedbyabullet，rattlednoisilyintothestreet。
Theterrifiedsoldiermadehastetodisappear。Asecondobservertookhisplace。Thisonewasanofficer。JeanValjean，whohadre—loadedhisgun，tookaimatthenewcomerandsenttheofficer’scasquetojointhesoldier’s。Theofficerdidnotpersist，andretiredspeedily。Thistimethewarningwasunderstood。
Noonemadehisappearancethereafteronthatroof；andtheideaofspyingonthebarricadewasabandoned。
\"Whydidyounotkilltheman？\"BossuetaskedJeanValjean。
JeanValjeanmadenoreply。
CHAPTERXII
DISORDERAPARTISANOFORDER
BossuetmutteredinCombeferre’sear:
\"Hedidnotanswermyquestion。\"
\"Heisamanwhodoesgoodbygun—shots，\"saidCombeferre。
ThosewhohavepreservedsomememoryofthisalreadydistantepochknowthattheNationalGuardfromthesuburbswasvaliantagainstinsurrections。ItwasparticularlyzealousandintrepidinthedaysofJune，1832。Acertaingooddram—shopkeeperofPantindesVertusorlaCunette，whose\"establishment\"hadbeenclosedbytheriots，becameleonineatthesightofhisdeserteddance—hall，andgothimselfkilledtopreservetheorderrepresentedbyatea—garden。Inthatbourgeoisandheroictime，inthepresenceofideaswhichhadtheirknights，interestshadtheirpaladins。
Theprosinessoftheoriginatorsdetractednothingfromthebraveryofthemovement。ThediminutionofapileofcrownsmadebankerssingtheMarseillaise。Theyshedtheirbloodlyricallyforthecounting—house；andtheydefendedtheshop，thatimmensediminutiveofthefatherland，withLacedaemonianenthusiasm。
Atbottom，wewillobserve，therewasnothinginallthisthatwasnotextremelyserious。Itwassocialelementsenteringintostrife，whileawaitingthedaywhentheyshouldenterintoequilibrium。
Anothersignofthetimeswastheanarchymingledwithgovernmentalism[thebarbarousnameofthecorrectparty]。Peoplewerefororderincombinationwithlackofdiscipline。
Thedrumsuddenlybeatcapriciouscalls，atthecommandofsuchorsuchaColoneloftheNationalGuard；suchandsuchacaptainwentintoactionthroughinspiration；suchandsuchNationalGuardsmenfought，\"foranidea，\"andontheirownaccount。Atcriticalmoments，on\"days\"
theytookcounsellessoftheirleadersthanoftheirinstincts。
Thereexistedinthearmyoforder，veritableguerilleros，someofthesword，likeFannicot，othersofthepen，likeHenriFonfrede。
Civilization，unfortunately，representedatthisepochratherbyanaggregationofintereststhanbyagroupofprinciples，wasorthoughtitself，inperil；itsetupthecryofalarm；
each，constitutinghimselfacentre，defendedit，succoredit，andprotecteditwithhisownhead；andthefirstcomertookituponhimselftosavesociety。
Zealsometimesproceededtoextermination。AplatoonoftheNationalGuardwouldconstituteitselfonitsownauthorityaprivatecouncilofwar，andjudgeandexecuteacapturedinsurgentinfiveminutes。
ItwasanimprovisationofthissortthathadslainJeanProuvaire。
FierceLynchlaw，withwhichnoonepartyhadanyrighttoreproachtherest，forithasbeenappliedbytheRepublicinAmerica，aswellasbythemonarchyinEurope。ThisLynchlawwascomplicatedwithmistakes。Ononedayofrioting，ayoungpoet，namedPaulAimeGarnier，waspursuedinthePlaceRoyale，withabayonetathisloins，andonlyescapedbytakingrefugeundertheporte—cochereofNo。6。Theyshouted:——\"There’sanotherofthoseSaint—Simonians！\"
andtheywantedtokillhim。Now，hehadunderhisarmavolumeofthememoirsoftheDucdeSaint—Simon。ANationalGuardhadreadthewordsSaint—Simononthebook，andhadshouted:\"Death！\"
Onthe6thofJune，1832，acompanyoftheNationalGuardsfromthesuburbs，commandedbytheCaptainFannicot，abovementioned，haditselfdecimatedintheRuedelaChanvrerieoutofcapriceanditsowngoodpleasure。Thisfact，singularthoughitmayseem，wasprovedatthejudicialinvestigationopenedinconsequenceoftheinsurrectionof1832。CaptainFannicot，aboldandimpatientbourgeois，asortofcondottiereoftheorderofthosewhomwehavejustcharacterized，afanaticalandintractablegovernmentalist，couldnotresistthetemptationtofireprematurely，andtheambitionofcapturingthebarricadealoneandunaided，thatistosay，withhiscompany。Exasperatedbythesuccessiveapparitionoftheredflagandtheoldcoatwhichhetookfortheblackflag，heloudlyblamedthegeneralsandchiefsofthecorps，whowereholdingcouncilanddidnotthinkthatthemomentforthedecisiveassaulthadarrived，andwhowereallowing\"theinsurrectiontofryinitsownfat，\"tousethecelebratedexpressionofoneofthem。
Forhispart，hethoughtthebarricaderipe，andasthatwhichisripeoughttofall，hemadetheattempt。
Hecommandedmenasresoluteashimself，\"ragingfellows，\"asawitnesssaid。Hiscompany，thesamewhichhadshotJeanProuvairethepoet，wasthefirstofthebattalionpostedattheangleofthestreet。
Atthemomentwhentheywereleastexpectingit，thecaptainlaunchedhismenagainstthebarricade。Thismovement，executedwithmoregoodwillthanstrategy，costtheFannicotcompanydear。
Beforeithadtraversedtwothirdsofthestreetitwasreceivedbyageneraldischargefromthebarricade。Four，themostaudacious，whowererunningoninfront，weremowndownpoint—blankattheveryfootoftheredoubt，andthiscourageousthrongofNationalGuards，verybravemenbutlackinginmilitarytenacity，wereforcedtofallback，aftersomehesitation，leavingfifteencorpsesonthepavement。
Thismomentaryhesitationgavetheinsurgentstimetore—loadtheirweapons，andasecondandverydestructivedischargestruckthecompanybeforeitcouldregainthecornerofthestreet，itsshelter。Amomentmore，anditwascaughtbetweentwofires，anditreceivedthevolleyfromthebatterypiecewhich，nothavingreceivedtheorder，hadnotdiscontinueditsfiring。
TheintrepidandimprudentFannicotwasoneofthedeadfromthisgrape—shot。Hewaskilledbythecannon，thatistosay，byorder。
Thisattack，whichwasmorefuriousthanserious，irritatedEnjolras。——\"Thefools！\"saidhe。\"Theyaregettingtheirownmenkilledandtheyareusingupourammunitionfornothing。\"
Enjolrasspokeliketherealgeneralofinsurrectionwhichhewas。
Insurrectionandrepressiondonotfightwithequalweapons。
Insurrection，whichisspeedilyexhausted，hasonlyacertainnumberofshotstofireandacertainnumberofcombatantstoexpend。
Anemptycartridge—box，amankilled，cannotbereplaced。Asrepressionhasthearmy，itdoesnotcountitsmen，and，asithasVincennes，itdoesnotcountitsshots。Repressionhasasmanyregimentsasthebarricadehasmen，andasmanyarsenalsasthebarricadehascartridge—boxes。Thustheyarestrugglesofoneagainstahundred，whichalwaysendincrushingthebarricade；unlesstherevolution，uprisingsuddenly，flingsintothebalanceitsflamingarchangel’ssword。
Thisdoeshappensometimes。Theneverythingrises，thepavementsbegintoseethe，popularredoubtsabound。Parisquiverssupremely，thequiddivinumisgivenforth，a10thofAugustisintheair，a29thofJulyisintheair，awonderfullightappears，theyawningmawofforcedrawsback，andthearmy，thatlion，seesbeforeit，erectandtranquil，thatprophet，France。
CHAPTERXIII
PASSINGGLEAMS
Inthechaosofsentimentsandpassionswhichdefendabarricade，thereisalittleofeverything；thereisbravery，thereisyouth，honor，enthusiasm，theideal，conviction，therageofthegambler，and，aboveall，intermittencesofhope。
Oneoftheseintermittences，oneofthesevaguequiversofhopesuddenlytraversedthebarricadeoftheRuedelaChanvrerieatthemomentwhenitwasleastexpected。
\"Listen，\"suddenlycriedEnjolras，whowasstillonthewatch，\"itseemstomethatParisiswakingup。\"
Itiscertainthat，onthemorningofthe6thofJune，theinsurrectionbrokeoutafreshforanhourortwo，toacertainextent。
TheobstinacyofthealarmpealofSaint—Merryreanimatedsomefancies。BarricadeswerebegunintheRueduPoirierandtheRuedesGravilliers。InfrontofthePorteSaint—Martin，ayoungman，armedwitharifle，attackedaloneasquadronofcavalry。
Inplainsight，ontheopenboulevard，heplacedonekneeontheground，shoulderedhisweapon，fired，killedthecommanderofthesquadron，andturnedaway，saying:\"There’sanotherwhowilldousnomoreharm。\"
Hewasputtothesword。IntheRueSaint—Denis，awomanfiredontheNationalGuardfrombehindaloweredblind。Theslatsoftheblindcouldbeseentotrembleateveryshot。AchildfourteenyearsofagewasarrestedintheRuedelaCossonerie，withhispocketsfullofcartridges。Manypostswereattacked。
AttheentrancetotheRueBertin—Poiree，averylivelyandutterlyunexpectedfusilladewelcomedaregimentofcuirrassiers，atwhoseheadmarchedMarshalGeneralCavaignacdeBarague。
IntheRuePlanche—Mibray，theythrewoldpiecesofpotteryandhouseholdutensilsdownonthesoldiersfromtheroofs；abadsign；
andwhenthismatterwasreportedtoMarshalSoult，Napoleon’soldlieutenantgrewthoughtful，asherecalledSuchet’ssayingatSaragossa:
\"Wearelostwhentheoldwomenemptytheirpotsdechambreonourheads。\"
Thesegeneralsymptomswhichpresentedthemselvesatthemomentwhenitwasthoughtthattheuprisinghadbeenrenderedlocal，thisfeverofwrath，thesesparkswhichflewhitherandthitherabovethosedeepmassesofcombustibleswhicharecalledthefaubourgsofParis，——allthis，takentogether，disturbedthemilitarychiefs。
Theymadehastetostampoutthesebeginningsofconflagration。
TheydelayedtheattackonthebarricadesMaubuee，delaChanvrerieandSaint—Merryuntilthesesparkshadbeenextinguished，inorderthattheymighthavetodealwiththebarricadesonlyandbeabletofinishthematoneblow。Columnswerethrownintothestreetswheretherewasfermentation，sweepingthelarge，soundingthesmall，rightandleft，nowslowlyandcautiously，nowatfullcharge。
Thetroopsbrokeinthedoorsofhouseswhenceshotshadbeenfired；
atthesametime，manoeuvresbythecavalrydispersedthegroupsontheboulevards。Thisrepressionwasnoteffectedwithoutsomecommotion，andwithoutthattumultuousuproarpeculiartocollisionsbetweenthearmyandthepeople。ThiswaswhatEnjolrashadcaughtintheintervalsofthecannonadeandthemusketry。
Moreover，hehadseenwoundedmenpassingtheendofthestreetinlitters，andhesaidtoCourfeyrac:——\"Thosewoundeddonotcomefromus。\"
Theirhopedidnotlastlong；thegleamwasquicklyeclipsed。
Inlessthanhalfanhour，whatwasintheairvanished，itwasaflashoflightningunaccompaniedbythunder，andtheinsurgentsfeltthatsortofleadencope，whichtheindifferenceofthepeoplecastsoverobstinateanddesertedmen，falloverthemoncemore。
Thegeneralmovement，whichseemedtohaveassumedavagueoutline，hadmiscarried；andtheattentionoftheministerofwarandthestrategyofthegeneralscouldnowbeconcentratedonthethreeorfourbarricadeswhichstillremainedstanding。
Thesunwasmountingabovethehorizon。
AninsurgenthailedEnjolras。
\"Wearehungryhere。Arewereallygoingtodielikethis，withoutanythingtoeat？\"
Enjolras，whowasstillleaningonhiselbowsathisembrasure，madeanaffirmativesignwithhishead，butwithouttakinghiseyesfromtheendofthestreet。
CHAPTERXIV
WHEREINWILLAPPEARTHENAMEOFENJOLRAS’MISTRESS
Courfeyrac，seatedonapaving—stonebesideEnjolras，continuedtoinsultthecannon，andeachtimethatthatgloomycloudofprojectileswhichiscalledgrape—shotpassedoverheadwithitsterriblesoundheassaileditwithaburstofirony。
\"Youarewearingoutyourlungs，poor，brutal，oldfellow，youpainme，youarewastingyourrow。That’snotthunder，it’sacough。\"
Andthebystanderslaughed。
CourfeyracandBossuet，whosebravegoodhumorincreasedwiththeperil，likeMadameScarron，replacednourishmentwithpleasantry，and，aswinewaslacking，theypouredoutgayetytoall。
\"IadmireEnjolras，\"saidBossuet。\"Hisimpassivetemerityastoundsme。Helivesalone，whichrendershimalittlesad，perhaps；
Enjolrascomplainsofhisgreatness，whichbindshimtowidowhood。
Therestofushavemistresses，moreorless，whomakeuscrazy，thatistosay，brave。Whenamanisasmuchinloveasatiger，theleastthathecandoistofightlikealion。Thatisonewayoftakingourrevengeforthecapersthatmesdamesourgrisettesplayonus。RolandgetshimselfkilledforAngelique；allourheroismcomesfromourwomen。Amanwithoutawomanisapistolwithoutatrigger；itisthewomanthatsetsthemanoff。Well，Enjolrashasnowoman。Heisnotinlove，andyethemanagestobeintrepid。
Itisathingunheardofthatamanshouldbeascoldasiceandasboldasfire。\"
Enjolrasdidnotappeartobelistening，buthadanyonebeennearhim，thatpersonwouldhaveheardhimmutterinalowvoice:\"Patria。\"
BossuetwasstilllaughingwhenCourfeyracexclaimed:
\"News！\"
Andassumingthetoneofanushermakinganannouncement，headded:
\"MynameisEight—Pounder。\"
Infact，anewpersonagehadenteredonthescene。Thiswasasecondpieceofordnance。
Theartillery—menrapidlyperformedtheirmanoeuvresinforceandplacedthissecondpieceinlinewiththefirst。
Thisoutlinedthecatastrophe。
Afewminuteslater，thetwopieces，rapidlyserved，werefiringpoint—blankattheredoubt；theplatoonfiringofthelineandofthesoldiersfromthesuburbssustainedtheartillery。
Anothercannonadewasaudibleatsomedistance。AtthesametimethatthetwogunswerefuriouslyattackingtheredoubtfromtheRuedelaChanvrerie，twoothercannons，trainedonefromtheRueSaint—Denis，theotherfromtheRueAubry—le—Boucher，wereriddlingtheSaint—Merrybarricade。Thefourcannonsechoedeachothermournfully。
Thebarkingofthesesombredogsofwarrepliedtoeachother。
OneofthetwopieceswhichwasnowbatteringthebarricadeontheRuedelaChanvreriewasfiringgrape—shot，theotherballs。
Thepiecewhichwasfiringballswaspointedalittlehigh，andtheaimwascalculatedsothattheballstrucktheextremeedgeoftheuppercrestofthebarricade，andcrumbledthestonedownupontheinsurgents，mingledwithburstsofgrape—shot。
Theobjectofthismodeoffiringwastodrivetheinsurgentsfromthesummitoftheredoubt，andtocompelthemtogathercloseintheinterior，thatistosay，thisannouncedtheassault。
Thecombatantsoncedrivenfromthecrestofthebarricadebyballs，andfromthewindowsofthecabaretbygrape—shot，theattackingcolumnscouldventureintothestreetwithoutbeingpickedoff，perhaps，even，withoutbeingseen，couldbrisklyandsuddenlyscaletheredoubt，asontheprecedingevening，and，whoknows？takeitbysurprise。
\"Itisabsolutelynecessarythattheinconvenienceofthosegunsshouldbediminished，\"saidEnjolras，andheshouted:\"Fireontheartillery—men！\"
Allwereready。Thebarricade，whichhadlongbeensilent，pouredforthadesperatefire；sevenoreightdischargesfollowed，withasortofrageandjoy；thestreetwasfilledwithblindingsmoke，and，attheendofafewminutes，athwartthismistallstreakedwithflame，twothirdsofthegunnerscouldbedistinguishedlyingbeneaththewheelsofthecannons。Thosewhowereleftstandingcontinuedtoservethepieceswithseveretranquillity，butthefirehadslackened。
\"Thingsaregoingwellnow，\"saidBossuettoEnjolras。\"Success。\"
Enjolrasshookhisheadandreplied:
\"Anotherquarterofanhourofthissuccess，andtherewillnotbeanycartridgesleftinthebarricade。\"
ItappearsthatGavrocheoverheardthisremark。
CHAPTERXV
GAVROCHEOUTSIDE
Courfeyracsuddenlycaughtsightofsomeoneatthebaseofthebarricade，outsideinthestreet，amidthebullets。
Gavrochehadtakenabottlebasketfromthewine—shop，hadmadehiswayoutthroughthecut，andwasquietlyengagedinemptyingthefullcartridge—boxesoftheNationalGuardsmenwhohadbeenkilledontheslopeoftheredoubt，intohisbasket。
\"Whatareyoudoingthere？\"askedCourfeyrac。
Gavrocheraisedhisface:——
\"I’mfillingmybasket，citizen。\"
\"Don’tyouseethegrape—shot？\"
Gavrochereplied:
\"Well，itisraining。Whatthen？\"
Courfeyracshouted:——\"Comein！\"
\"Instanter，\"saidGavroche。
Andwithasingleboundheplungedintothestreet。
ItwillberememberedthatFannicot’scompanyhadleftbehinditatrailofbodies。Twentycorpseslayscatteredhereandthereonthepavement，throughthewholelengthofthestreet。
TwentycartouchesforGavrochemeantaprovisionofcartridgesforthebarricade。
Thesmokeinthestreetwaslikeafog。Whoeverhasbeheldacloudwhichhasfallenintoamountaingorgebetweentwopeakedescarpmentscanimaginethissmokerendereddenserandthickerbytwogloomyrowsofloftyhouses。Itrosegraduallyandwasincessantlyrenewed；
henceatwilightwhichmadeeventhebroaddaylightturnpale。
Thecombatantscouldhardlyseeeachotherfromoneendofthestreettotheother，shortasitwas。
Thisobscurity，whichhadprobablybeendesiredandcalculatedonbythecommanderswhoweretodirecttheassaultonthebarricade，wasusefultoGavroche。
Beneaththefoldsofthisveilofsmoke，andthankstohissmallsize，hecouldadvancetolerablyfarintothestreetwithoutbeingseen。
Herifledthefirstsevenoreightcartridge—boxeswithoutmuchdanger。
Hecrawledflatonhisbelly，gallopedonallfours，tookhisbasketinhisteeth，twisted，glided，undulated，woundfromonedeadbodytoanother，andemptiedthecartridge—boxorcartoucheasamonkeyopensanut。
Theydidnotdaretoshouttohimtoreturnfromthebarricade，whichwasquitenear，forfearofattractingattentiontohim。
Ononebody，thatofacorporal，hefoundapowder—flask。
\"Forthirst，\"saidhe，puttingitinhispocket。
Bydintofadvancing，hereachedapointwherethefogofthefusilladebecametransparent。Sothatthesharpshootersofthelinerangedontheoutlookbehindtheirpaving—stonedikeandthesharpshootersofthebanlieuemassedatthecornerofthestreetsuddenlypointedouttoeachothersomethingmovingthroughthesmoke。
AtthemomentwhenGavrochewasrelievingasergeant，whowaslyingnearastonedoor—post，ofhiscartridges，abulletstruckthebody。
\"Fichtre！\"ejaculatedGavroche。\"Theyarekillingmydeadmenforme。\"
Asecondbulletstruckasparkfromthepavementbesidehim。——
Athirdoverturnedhisbasket。
Gavrochelookedandsawthatthiscamefromthemenofthebanlieue。
Hesprangtohisfeet，stooderect，withhishairflyinginthewind，hishandsonhiships，hiseyesfixedontheNationalGuardsmenwhowerefiring，andsang:
\"OnestlaidaNanterre，\"MenareuglyatNanterre，C’estlafauteaVoltaire；’TisthefaultofVoltaire；
EtbeteaPalaiseau，AnddullatPalaiseau，C’estlafauteaRousseau。\"’TisthefaultofRousseau。\"
Thenhepickeduphisbasket，replacedthecartridgeswhichhadfallenfromit，withoutmissingasingleone，and，advancingtowardsthefusillade，setaboutplunderinganothercartridge—box。Thereafourthbulletmissedhim，again。Gavrochesang:
\"Jenesuispasnotaire，\"Iamnotanotary，C’estlafauteaVoltaire；’TisthefaultofVoltaire；
Jesuisunpetitoiseau，I’malittlebird，C’estlafauteaRousseau。\"’TisthefaultofRousseau。\"
Afifthbulletonlysucceededindrawingfromhimathirdcouplet。
\"Joieestmoncaractere，\"Joyismycharacter，C’estlafauteaVoltaire；’TisthefaultofVoltaire；
Misereestmontrousseau，Miseryismytrousseau，C’estlafauteaRousseau。\"’TisthefaultofRousseau。\"
Thusitwentonforsometime。
Itwasacharmingandterriblesight。Gavroche，thoughshotat，wasteasingthefusillade。Hehadtheairofbeinggreatlydiverted。
Itwasthesparrowpeckingatthesportsmen。Toeachdischargeheretortedwithacouplet。Theyaimedathimconstantly，andalwaysmissedhim。TheNationalGuardsmenandthesoldierslaughedastheytookaimathim。Helaydown，sprangtohisfeet，hidinthecornerofadoorway，thenmadeabound，disappeared，re—appeared，scamperedaway，returned，repliedtothegrape—shotwithhisthumbathisnose，and，allthewhile，wentonpillagingthecartouches，emptyingthecartridge—boxes，andfillinghisbasket。
Theinsurgents，pantingwithanxiety，followedhimwiththeireyes。
Thebarricadetrembled；hesang。Hewasnotachild，hewasnotaman；
hewasastrangegamin—fairy。Hemighthavebeencalledtheinvulnerabledwarfofthefray。Thebulletsflewafterhim，hewasmorenimblethanthey。Heplayedafearfulgameofhideandseekwithdeath；
everytimethattheflat—nosedfaceofthespectreapproached，theurchinadministeredtoitafillip。
Onebullet，however，betteraimedormoretreacherousthantherest，finallystruckthewill—o’—the—wispofachild。Gavrochewasseentostagger，thenhesanktotheearth。Thewholebarricadegaveventtoacry；buttherewassomethingofAntaeusinthatpygmy；
forthegamintotouchthepavementisthesameasforthegianttotouchtheearth；Gavrochehadfallenonlytoriseagain；
heremainedinasittingposture，alongthreadofbloodstreakedhisface，heraisedbotharmsintheair，glancedinthedirectionwhencetheshothadcome，andbegantosing:
\"Jesuistombeparterre，\"Ihavefallentotheearth，C’estlafauteaVoltaire；’TisthefaultofVoltaire；
Lenezdansleruisseau，Withmynoseinthegutter，C’estlafautea……\"’Tisthefaultof……\"
Hedidnotfinish。Asecondbulletfromthesamemarksmanstoppedhimshort。Thistimehefellfacedownwardonthepavement，andmovednomore。Thisgrandlittlesoulhadtakenitsflight。
CHAPTERXVI
HOWFROMABROTHERONEBECOMESAFATHER
Atthatsamemoment，inthegardenoftheLuxembourg，——forthegazeofthedramamustbeeverywherepresent，——twochildrenwereholdingeachotherbythehand。Onemighthavebeensevenyearsold，theotherfive。Therainhavingsoakedthem，theywerewalkingalongthepathsonthesunnyside；theelderwasleadingtheyounger；
theywerepaleandragged；theyhadtheairofwildbirds。
Thesmallerofthemsaid:\"Iamveryhungry。\"
Theelder，whowasalreadysomewhatofaprotector，wasleadinghisbrotherwithhislefthandandinhisrighthecarriedasmallstick。
Theywerealoneinthegarden。Thegardenwasdeserted，thegateshadbeenclosedbyorderofthepolice，onaccountoftheinsurrection。
Thetroopswhohadbeenbivouackingtherehaddepartedfortheexigenciesofcombat。
Howdidthosechildrencomethere？Perhapstheyhadescapedfromsomeguard—housewhichstoodajar；perhapstherewasinthevicinity，attheBarriered’Enfer；orontheEsplanadedel’Observatoire，orintheneighboringcarrefour，dominatedbythepedimentonwhichcouldberead:Inveneruntparvulumpannisinvolutum，somemountebank’sboothfromwhichtheyhadfled；perhapstheyhad，ontheprecedingevening，escapedtheeyeoftheinspectorsofthegardenatthehourofclosing，andhadpassedthenightinsomeoneofthosesentry—boxeswherepeoplereadthepapers？
Thefactis，theywerestraylambsandtheyseemedfree。Tobeastrayandtoseemfreeistobelost。Thesepoorlittlecreatureswere，infact，lost。
ThesetwochildrenwerethesameoverwhomGavrochehadbeenputtosometrouble，asthereaderwillrecollect。ChildrenoftheThenardiers，leasedouttoMagnon，attributedtoM。Gillenormand，andnowleavesfallenfromalltheserootlessbranches，andsweptoverthegroundbythewind。Theirclothing，whichhadbeencleaninMagnon’sday，andwhichhadservedherasaprospectuswithM。Gillenormand，hadbeenconvertedintorags。
Henceforththesebeingsbelongedtothestatisticsas\"Abandonedchildren，\"whomthepolicetakenoteof，collect，mislayandfindagainonthepavementsofParis。
Itrequiredthedisturbanceofadaylikethattoaccountforthesemiserablelittlecreaturesbeinginthatgarden。Ifthesuperintendentshadcaughtsightofthem，theywouldhavedrivensuchragsforth。
Poorlittlethingsdonotenterpublicgardens；still，peopleshouldreflectthat，aschildren，theyhavearighttoflowers。
Thesechildrenwerethere，thankstothelockedgates。Theyweretherecontrarytotheregulations。Theyhadslippedintothegardenandtheretheyremained。Closedgatesdonotdismisstheinspectors，oversightissupposedtocontinue，butitgrowsslackandreposes；
andtheinspectors，movedbythepublicanxietyandmoreoccupiedwiththeoutsidethantheinside，nolongerglancedintothegarden，andhadnotseenthetwodelinquents。
Ithadrainedthenightbefore，andevenalittleinthemorning。
ButinJune，showersdonotcountformuch。Anhourafterastorm，itcanhardlybeseenthatthebeautifulblondedayhaswept。
Theearth，insummer，isasquicklydriedasthecheekofachild。
Atthatperiodofthesolstice，thelightoffullnoondayis，sotospeak，poignant。Ittakeseverything。Itappliesitselftotheearth，andsuperposesitselfwithasortofsuction。Onewouldsaythatthesunwasthirsty。Ashowerisbutaglassofwater；
arainstormisinstantlydrunkup。Inthemorningeverythingwasdripping，intheafternooneverythingispowderedover。
Nothingissoworthyofadmirationasfoliagewashedbytherainandwipedbytheraysofsunlight；itiswarmfreshness。Thegardensandmeadows，havingwaterattheirroots，andsunintheirflowers，becomeperfuming—pansofincense，andsmokewithalltheirodorsatonce。Everythingsmiles，singsandoffersitself。Onefeelsgentlyintoxicated。Thespringtimeisaprovisionalparadise，thesunhelpsmantohavepatience。
Therearebeingswhodemandnothingfurther；mortals，who，havingtheazureofheaven，say:\"Itisenough！\"dreamersabsorbedinthewonderful，dippingintotheidolatryofnature，indifferenttogoodandevil，contemplatorsofcosmosandradiantlyforgetfulofman，whodonotunderstandhowpeoplecanoccupythemselveswiththehungerofthese，andthethirstofthose，withthenudityofthepoorinwinter，withthelymphaticcurvatureofthelittlespinalcolumn，withthepallet，theattic，thedungeon，andtheragsofshiveringyounggirls，whentheycandreambeneaththetrees；
peacefulandterriblespiritsthey，andpitilesslysatisfied。
Strangetosay，theinfinitesufficesthem。Thatgreatneedofman，thefinite，whichadmitsofembrace，theyignore。Thefinitewhichadmitsofprogressandsublimetoil，theydonotthinkabout。
Theindefinite，whichisbornfromthehumananddivinecombinationoftheinfiniteandthefinite，escapesthem。Providedthattheyarefacetofacewithimmensity，theysmile。Joynever，ecstasyforever。
Theirlifeliesinsurrenderingtheirpersonalityincontemplation。
Thehistoryofhumanityisforthemonlyadetailedplan。Allisnotthere；thetrueAllremainswithout；whatistheuseofbusyingoneselfoverthatdetail，man？Mansuffers，thatisquitepossible；
butlookatAldebaranrising！Themotherhasnomoremilk，thenew—bornbabeisdying。Iknownothingaboutthat，butjustlookatthiswonderfulrosettewhichasliceofwood—cellsofthepinepresentsunderthemicroscope！ComparethemostbeautifulMechlinlacetothatifyoucan！Thesethinkersforgettolove。
Thezodiacthriveswiththemtosuchapointthatitpreventstheirseeingtheweepingchild。Godeclipsestheirsouls。
Thisisafamilyofmindswhichare，atonce，greatandpetty。
Horacewasoneofthem；sowasGoethe。LaFontaineperhaps；
magnificentegoistsoftheinfinite，tranquilspectatorsofsorrow，whodonotbeholdNeroiftheweatherbefair，forwhomthesunconcealsthefuneralpile，whowouldlookonatanexecutionbytheguillotineinthesearchforaneffectoflight，whohearneitherthecrynorthesob，northedeathrattle，northealarmpeal，forwhomeverythingiswell，sincethereisamonthofMay，who，solongastherearecloudsofpurpleandgoldabovetheirheads，declarethemselvescontent，andwhoaredeterminedtobehappyuntiltheradianceofthestarsandthesongsofthebirdsareexhausted。
Thesearedarkradiances。Theyhavenosuspicionthattheyaretobepitied。Certainlytheyareso。Hewhodoesnotweepdoesnotsee。Theyaretobeadmiredandpitied，asonewouldbothpityandadmireabeingatoncenightandday，withouteyesbeneathhislashesbutwithastaronhisbrow。
Theindifferenceofthesethinkers，is，accordingtosome，asuperiorphilosophy。Thatmaybe；butinthissuperioritythereissomeinfirmity。Onemaybeimmortalandyetlimp:
witnessVulcan。Onemaybemorethanmanandlessthanman。
Thereisincompleteimmensityinnature。Whoknowswhetherthesunisnotablindman？
Butthen，what？Inwhomcanwetrust？Solemquisdicerefalsumaudeat？
Whoshalldaretosaythatthesunisfalse？Thuscertaingeniuses，themselves，certainVery—Loftymortals，man—stars，maybemistaken？
Thatwhichisonhighatthesummit，atthecrest，atthezenith，thatwhichsendsdownsomuchlightontheearth，seesbutlittle，seesbadly，seesnotatall？Isnotthisadesperatestateofthings？
No。Butwhatisthere，then，abovethesun？Thegod。
Onthe6thofJune，1832，abouteleveno’clockinthemorning，theLuxembourg，solitaryanddepopulated，wascharming。
Thequincunxesandflower—bedsshedforthbalmanddazzlingbeautyintothesunlight。Thebranches，wildwiththebrilliantglowofmidday，seemedendeavoringtoembrace。Inthesycamorestherewasanuproaroflinnets，sparrowstriumphed，woodpeckersclimbedalongthechestnuttrees，administeringlittlepecksonthebark。
Theflower—bedsacceptedthelegitimateroyaltyofthelilies；
themostaugustofperfumesisthatwhichemanatesfromwhiteness。
Thepepperyodorofthecarnationswasperceptible。TheoldcrowsofMariedeMediciwereamorousinthetalltrees。Thesungilded，empurpled，setfiretoandlightedupthetulips，whicharenothingbutallthevarietiesofflamemadeintoflowers。Allaroundthebanksoftulipsthebees，thesparksoftheseflame—flowers，hummed。
Allwasgraceandgayety，eventheimpendingrain；thisrelapse，bywhichtheliliesofthevalleyandthehoneysucklesweredestinedtoprofit，hadnothingdisturbingaboutit；theswallowsindulgedinthecharmingthreatofflyinglow。Hewhowasthereaspiredtohappiness；lifesmelledgood；allnatureexhaledcandor，help，assistance，paternity，caress，dawn。Thethoughtswhichfellfromheavenwereassweetasthetinyhandofababywhenonekissesit。
Thestatuesunderthetrees，whiteandnude，hadrobesofshadowpiercedwithlight；thesegoddesseswerealltatteredwithsunlight；
rayshungfromthemonallsides。Aroundthegreatfountain，theearthwasalreadydrieduptothepointofbeingburnt。
Therewassufficientbreezetoraiselittleinsurrectionsofdusthereandthere。Afewyellowleaves，leftoverfromtheautumn，chasedeachothermerrily，andseemedtobeplayingtricksoneachother。