Funerealsweats。Whatsecretwoundswhichhealonefeltbleed！
Whatexcoriationsinhislamentableexistence！Howmanytimeshehadrisenbleeding，bruised，broken，enlightened，despairinhisheart，serenityinhissoul！and，vanquished，hehadfelthimselftheconqueror。And，afterhavingdislocated，broken，andrenthisconsciencewithred—hotpincers，ithadsaidtohim，asitstoodoverhim，formidable，luminous，andtranquil:\"Now，goinpeace！\"
Butonemergingfromsomelancholyaconflict，whatalugubriouspeace，alas！
Nevertheless，thatnightJeanValjeanfeltthathewaspassingthroughhisfinalcombat。
Aheart—rendingquestionpresenteditself。
Predestinationsarenotalldirect；theydonotopenoutinastraightavenuebeforethepredestinedman；theyhaveblindcourts，impassablealleys，obscureturns，disturbingcrossroadsofferingthechoiceofmanyways。JeanValjeanhadhaltedatthatmomentatthemostperilousofthesecrossroads。
Hehadcometothesupremecrossingofgoodandevil。Hehadthatgloomyintersectionbeneathhiseyes。Onthisoccasiononcemore，ashadhappenedtohimalreadyinothersadvicissitudes，tworoadsopenedoutbeforehim，theonetempting，theotheralarming。
Whichwashetotake？
Hewascounselledtotheonewhichalarmedhimbythatmysteriousindexfingerwhichweallperceivewheneverwefixoureyesonthedarkness。
Oncemore，JeanValjeanhadthechoicebetweentheterribleportandthesmilingambush。
Isitthentrue？thesoulmayrecover；butnotfate。Frightfulthing！
anincurabledestiny！
Thisistheproblemwhichpresenteditselftohim:
InwhatmannerwasJeanValjeantobehaveinrelationtothehappinessofCosetteandMarius？Itwashewhohadwilledthathappiness，itwashewhohadbroughtitabout；hehad，himself，burieditinhisentrails，andatthatmoment，whenhereflectedonit，hewasabletoenjoythesortofsatisfactionwhichanarmorerwouldexperienceonrecognizinghisfactorymarkonaknife，onwithdrawingit，allsmoking，fromhisownbreast。
CosettehadMarius，MariuspossessedCosette。Theyhadeverything，evenriches。Andthiswashisdoing。
Butwhatwashe，JeanValjean，todowiththishappiness，nowthatitexisted，nowthatitwasthere？Shouldheforcehimselfonthishappiness？Shouldhetreatitasbelongingtohim？
Nodoubt，Cosettedidbelongtoanother；butshouldhe，JeanValjean，retainofCosetteallthathecouldretain？Shouldheremainthesortoffather，halfseenbutrespected，whichhehadhithertobeen？
Shouldhe，withoutsayingaword，bringhispasttothatfuture？
Shouldhepresenthimselfthere，asthoughhehadaright，andshouldheseathimself，veiled，atthatluminousfireside？
Shouldhetakethoseinnocenthandsintohistragichands，withasmile？ShouldheplaceuponthepeacefulfenderoftheGillenormanddrawing—roomthosefeetofhis，whichdraggedbehindthemthedisgracefulshadowofthelaw？ShouldheenterintoparticipationinthefairfortunesofCosetteandMarius？
Shouldherendertheobscurityonhisbrowandthecloudupontheirsstillmoredense？Shouldheplacehiscatastropheasathirdassociateintheirfelicity？Shouldhecontinuetoholdhispeace？
Inaword，shouldhebethesinistermuteofdestinybesidethesetwohappybeings？
Wemusthavebecomehabituatedtofatalityandtoencounterswithit，inordertohavethedaringtoraiseoureyeswhencertainquestionsappeartousinalltheirhorriblenakedness。Goodorevilstandsbehindthissevereinterrogationpoint。Whatareyougoingtodo？
demandsthesphinx。
ThishabitoftrialJeanValjeanpossessed。Hegazedintentlyatthesphinx。
Heexaminedthepitilessproblemunderallitsaspects。
Cosette，thatcharmingexistence，wastheraftofthisshipwreck。
Whatwashetodo？Toclingfasttoit，ortoletgohishold？
Ifheclungtoit，heshouldemergefromdisaster，heshouldascendagainintothesunlight，heshouldletthebitterwaterdripfromhisgarmentsandhishair，hewassaved，heshouldlive。
Andifheletgohishold？
Thentheabyss。
Thushetooksadcouncilwithhisthoughts。Or，tospeakmorecorrectly，hefought；hekickedfuriouslyinternally，nowagainsthiswill，nowagainsthisconviction。
HappilyforJeanValjeanthathehadbeenabletoweep。
Thatrelievedhim，possibly。Butthebeginningwassavage。
Atempest，morefuriousthantheonewhichhadformerlydrivenhimtoArras，brokeloosewithinhim。Thepastsurgedupbeforehimfacingthepresent；hecomparedthemandsobbed。Thesilenceoftearsonceopened，thedespairingmanwrithed。
Hefeltthathehadbeenstoppedshort。
Alas！inthisfighttothedeathbetweenouregotismandourduty，whenwethusretreatstepbystepbeforeourimmutableideal，bewildered，furious，exasperatedathavingtoyield，disputingtheground，hopingforapossibleflight，seekinganescape，whatanabruptandsinisterresistancedoesthefootofthewallofferinourrear！
Tofeelthesacredshadowwhichformsanobstacle！
Theinvisibleinexorable，whatanobsession！
Then，oneisneverdonewithconscience。Makeyourchoice，Brutus；
makeyourchoice，Cato。Itisfathomless，sinceitisGod。
Oneflingsintothatwellthelaborofone’swholelife，oneflingsinone’sfortune，oneflingsinone’sriches，oneflingsinone’ssuccess，oneflingsinone’slibertyorfatherland，oneflingsinone’swell—being，oneflingsinone’srepose，oneflingsinone’sjoy！
More！more！more！Emptythevase！tiptheurn！Onemustfinishbyflinginginone’sheart。
Somewhereinthefogoftheancienthells，thereisatunlikethat。
Isnotonepardonable，ifoneatlastrefuses！Cantheinexhaustiblehaveanyright？Arenotchainswhichareendlessabovehumanstrength？
WhowouldblameSisyphusandJeanValjeanforsaying:\"Itisenough！\"
Theobedienceofmatterislimitedbyfriction；istherenolimittotheobedienceofthesoul？Ifperpetualmotionisimpossible，canperpetualself—sacrificebeexacted？
Thefirststepisnothing，itisthelastwhichisdifficult。
WhatwastheChampmathieuaffairincomparisonwithCosette’smarriageandofthatwhichitentailed？Whatisare—entranceintothegalleys，comparedtoentranceintothevoid？
Oh，firststepthatmustbedescended，howsombreartthou！
Oh，secondstep，howblackartthou！
Howcouldherefrainfromturningasidehisheadthistime？
Martyrdomissublimation，corrosivesublimation。Itisatorturewhichconsecrates。Onecanconsenttoitforthefirsthour；
oneseatsoneselfonthethroneofglowingiron，oneplacesonone’sheadthecrownofhotiron，oneacceptstheglobeofredhotiron，onetakesthesceptreofredhotiron，butthemantleofflamestillremainstobedonned，andcomestherenotamomentwhenthemiserablefleshrevoltsandwhenoneabdicatesfromsuffering？
Atlength，JeanValjeanenteredintothepeaceofexhaustion。
Heweighed，hereflected，heconsideredthealternatives，themysteriousbalanceoflightanddarkness。
Shouldheimposehisgalleysonthosetwodazzlingchildren，orshouldheconsummatehisirremediableengulfmentbyhimself？
OnonesidelaythesacrificeofCosette，ontheotherthatofhimself。
Atwhatsolutionshouldhearrive？Whatdecisiondidhecometo？
Whatresolutiondidhetake？Whatwashisowninwarddefinitiveresponsetotheunbribableinterrogatoryoffatality？Whatdoordidhedecidetoopen？Whichsideofhislifedidheresolveuponclosingandcondemning？Amongalltheunfathomableprecipiceswhichsurroundedhim，whichwashischoice？Whatextremitydidheaccept？
Towhichofthegulfsdidhenodhishead？
Hisdizzyreverylastedallnightlong。
Heremainedthereuntildaylight，inthesameattitude，bentdoubleoverthatbed，prostratebeneaththeenormityoffate，crushed，perchance，alas！withclenchedfists，witharmsoutspreadatrightangles，likeamancrucifiedwhohasbeenun—nailed，andflungfacedownontheearth。Thereheremainedfortwelvehours，thetwelvelonghoursofalongwinter’snight，ice—cold，withoutonceraisinghishead，andwithoututteringaword。
Hewasasmotionlessasacorpse，whilehisthoughtswallowedontheearthandsoared，nowlikethehydra，nowliketheeagle。
Anyonetobeholdhimthusmotionlesswouldhavepronouncedhimdead；
allatonceheshudderedconvulsively，andhismouth，gluedtoCosette’sgarments，kissedthem；thenitcouldbeseenthathewasalive。
Whocouldsee？SinceJeanValjeanwasalone，andtherewasnoonethere。
TheOnewhoisintheshadows。
BOOKSEVENTH。——THELASTDRAUGHTFROMTHECUP
CHAPTERI
THESEVENTHCIRCLEANDTHEEIGHTHHEAVEN
Thedaysthatfollowweddingsaresolitary。Peoplerespectthemeditationsofthehappypair。Andalso，theirtardyslumbers，tosomedegree。Thetumultofvisitsandcongratulationsonlybeginslateron。Onthemorningofthe17thofFebruary，itwasalittlepastmiddaywhenBasque，withnapkinandfeather—dusterunderhisarm，busyinsettinghisantechambertorights，heardalighttapatthedoor。Therehadbeennoring，whichwasdiscreetonsuchaday。
Basqueopenedthedoor，andbeheldM。Fauchelevent。Heintroducedhimintothedrawing—room，stillencumberedandtopsy—turvy，andwhichboretheairofafieldofbattleafterthejoysoftheprecedingevening。
\"Dame，sir，\"remarkedBasque，\"weallwokeuplate。\"
\"Isyourmasterup？\"askedJeanValjean。
\"HowisMonsieur’sarm？\"repliedBasque。
\"Better。Isyourmasterup？\"
\"Whichone？theoldoneorthenewone？\"
\"MonsieurPontmercy。\"
\"MonsieurleBaron，\"saidBasque，drawinghimselfup。
AmanisaBaronmostofalltohisservants。Hecountsforsomethingwiththem；theyarewhataphilosopherwouldcall，bespatteredwiththetitle，andthatflattersthem。Marius，beitsaidinpassing，amilitantrepublicanashehadproved，wasnowaBaroninspiteofhimself。Asmallrevolutionhadtakenplaceinthefamilyinconnectionwiththistitle。ItwasnowM。Gillenormandwhoclungtoit，andMariuswhodetachedhimselffromit。
ButColonelPontmercyhadwritten:\"Mysonwillbearmytitle。\"
Mariusobeyed。Andthen，Cosette，inwhomthewomanwasbeginningtodawn，wasdelightedtobeaBaroness。
\"MonsieurleBaron？\"repeatedBasque。\"Iwillgoandsee。
IwilltellhimthatM。Faucheleventishere。\"
\"No。DonottellhimthatitisI。Tellhimthatsomeonewishestospeaktohiminprivate，andmentionnoname。\"
\"Ah！\"ejaculatedBasque。
\"Iwishtosurprisehim。\"
\"Ah！\"ejaculatedBasqueoncemore，emittinghissecond\"ah！\"
asanexplanationofthefirst。
Andhelefttheroom。
JeanValjeanremainedalone。
Thedrawing—room，aswehavejustsaid，wasingreatdisorder。
Itseemedasthough，bylendinganair，onemightstillhearthevaguenoiseofthewedding。Onthepolishedfloorlayallsortsofflowerswhichhadfallenfromgarlandsandhead—dresses。Thewaxcandles，burnedtostumps，addedstalactitesofwaxtothecrystaldropsofthechandeliers。Notasinglepieceoffurniturewasinitsplace。
Inthecorners，threeorfourarm—chairs，drawnclosetogetherinacircle，hadtheappearanceofcontinuingaconversation。
Thewholeeffectwascheerful。Acertaingracestilllingersroundadeadfeast。Ithasbeenahappything。Onthechairsindisarray，amongthosefadingflowers，beneaththoseextinctlights，peoplehavethoughtofjoy。Thesunhadsucceededtothechandelier，andmadeitswaygaylyintothedrawing—room。
Severalminuteselapsed。JeanValjeanstoodmotionlessonthespotwhereBasquehadlefthim。Hewasverypale。Hiseyeswerehollow，andsosunkeninhisheadbysleeplessnessthattheynearlydisappearedintheirorbits。Hisblackcoatborethewearyfoldsofagarmentthathasbeenupallnight。Theelbowswerewhitenedwiththedownwhichthefrictionofclothagainstlinenleavesbehindit。
JeanValjeanstaredatthewindowoutlinedonthepolishedfloorathisfeetbythesun。
Therecameasoundatthedoor，andheraisedhiseyes。
Mariusentered，hisheadwellup，hismouthsmiling，anindescribablelightonhiscountenance，hisbrowexpanded，hiseyestriumphant。
Hehadnotslepteither。
\"Itisyou，father！\"heexclaimed，oncatchingsightofJeanValjean；
\"thatidiotofaBasquehadsuchamysteriousair！Butyouhavecometooearly。Itisonlyhalfpasttwelve。Cosetteisasleep。\"
Thatword:\"Father，\"saidtoM。FaucheleventbyMarius，signified:
supremefelicity。Therehadalwaysexisted，asthereaderknows，aloftywall，acoldnessandaconstraintbetweenthem；
icewhichmustbebrokenormelted。Mariushadreachedthatpointofintoxicationwhenthewallwaslowered，whentheicedissolved，andwhenM。Faucheleventwastohim，astoCosette，afather。
Hecontinued:hiswordspouredforth，asisthepeculiarityofdivineparoxysmsofjoy。
\"HowgladIamtoseeyou！Ifyouonlyknewhowwemissedyouyesterday！
Goodmorning，father。Howisyourhand？Better，isitnot？\"
And，satisfiedwiththefavorablereplywhichhehadmadetohimself，hepursued:
\"Wehavebothbeentalkingaboutyou。Cosettelovesyousodearly！
Youmustnotforgetthatyouhaveachamberhere，WewantnothingmoretodowiththeRuedel’HommeArme。Wewillhavenomoreofitatall。
Howcouldyougotoliveinastreetlikethat，whichissickly，whichisdisagreeable，whichisugly，whichhasabarrieratoneend，whereoneiscold，andintowhichonecannotenter？Youaretocomeandinstallyourselfhere。Andthisveryday。OryouwillhavetodealwithCosette。Shemeanstoleadusallbythenose，Iwarnyou。
Youhaveyourownchamberhere，itisclosetoours，itopensonthegarden；thetroublewiththeclockhasbeenattendedto，thebedismade，itisallready，youhaveonlytotakepossessionofit。
NearyourbedCosettehasplacedahuge，old，easy—chaircoveredwithUtrechtvelvetandshehassaidtoit:`Stretchoutyourarmstohim。’Anightingalecomestotheclumpofacaciasoppositeyourwindows，everyspring。Intwomonthsmoreyouwillhaveit。
Youwillhaveitsnestonyourleftandoursonyourright。Bynightitwillsing，andbydayCosettewillprattle。YourchamberfacesdueSouth。Cosettewillarrangeyourbooksforyou，yourVoyagesofCaptainCookandtheother，——Vancouver’sandallyouraffairs。
Ibelievethatthereisalittlevalisetowhichyouareattached，Ihavefixeduponacornerofhonorforthat。Youhaveconqueredmygrandfather，yousuithim。Wewilllivetogether。Doyouplaywhist？youwilloverwhelmmygrandfatherwithdelightifyouplaywhist。ItisyouwhoshalltakeCosettetowalkonthedayswhenIamatthecourts，youshallgiveheryourarm，youknow，asyouusedto，intheLuxembourg。Weareabsolutelyresolvedtobehappy。Andyoushallbeincludedinit，inourhappiness，doyouhear，father？Come，willyoubreakfastwithusto—day？\"
\"Sir，\"saidJeanValjean，\"Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。
Iamanex—convict。\"
Thelimitofshrillsoundsperceptiblecanbeoverleaped，aswellinthecaseofthemindasinthatoftheear。Thesewords:
\"Iamanex—convict，\"proceedingfromthemouthofM。FaucheleventandenteringtheearofMariusovershotthepossible。Itseemedtohimthatsomethinghadjustbeensaidtohim；buthedidnotknowwhat。
Hestoodwithhismouthwideopen。
Thenheperceivedthatthemanwhowasaddressinghimwasfrightful。
Whollyabsorbedinhisowndazzledstate，hehadnot，uptothatmoment，observedtheotherman’sterriblepallor。
JeanValjeanuntiedtheblackcravatwhichsupportedhisrightarm，unrolledthelinenfromaroundhishand，baredhisthumbandshowedittoMarius。
\"Thereisnothingthematterwithmyhand，\"saidhe。
Mariuslookedatthethumb。
\"Therehasnotbeenanythingthematterwithit，\"wentonJeanValjean。
Therewas，infact，notraceofanyinjury。
JeanValjeancontinued:
\"ItwasfittingthatIshouldbeabsentfromyourmarriage。
Iabsentedmyselfasmuchaswasinmypower。SoIinventedthisinjuryinorderthatImightnotcommitaforgery，thatImightnotintroduceaflawintothemarriagedocuments，inorderthatI
mightescapefromsigning。\"
Mariusstammered。
\"Whatisthemeaningofthis？\"
\"Themeaningofitis，\"repliedJeanValjean，\"thatIhavebeeninthegalleys。\"
\"Youaredrivingmemad！\"exclaimedMariusinterror。
\"MonsieurPontmercy，\"saidJeanValjean，\"Iwasnineteenyearsinthegalleys。Fortheft。Then，Iwascondemnedforlifefortheft，forasecondoffence。Atthepresentmoment，Ihavebrokenmyban。\"
InvaindidMariusrecoilbeforethereality，refusethefact，resisttheevidence，hewasforcedtogiveway。Hebegantounderstand，and，asalwayshappensinsuchcases，heunderstoodtoomuch。
Aninwardshudderofhideousenlightenmentflashedthroughhim；
anideawhichmadehimquivertraversedhismind。Hecaughtaglimpseofawretcheddestinyforhimselfinthefuture。
\"Sayall，sayall！\"hecried。\"YouareCosette’sfather！\"
Andheretreatedacoupleofpaceswithamovementofindescribablehorror。
JeanValjeanelevatedhisheadwithsomuchmajestyofattitudethatheseemedtogroweventotheceiling。
\"Itisnecessarythatyoushouldbelievemehere，sir；althoughouroathtoothersmaynotbereceivedinlaw……\"
Herehepaused，then，withasortofsovereignandsepulchralauthority，headded，articulatingslowly，andemphasizingthesyllables:
\"……Youwillbelieveme。IthefatherofCosette！beforeGod，no。
MonsieurleBaronPontmercy，IamapeasantofFaverolles。
Iearnedmylivingbypruningtrees。MynameisnotFauchelevent，butJeanValjean。IamnotrelatedtoCosette。Reassureyourself。\"
Mariusstammered:
\"Whowillprovethattome？\"
\"I。SinceItellyouso。\"
Mariuslookedattheman。Hewasmelancholyyettranquil。Noliecouldproceedfromsuchacalm。Thatwhichisicyissincere。
Thetruthcouldbefeltinthatchillofthetomb。
\"Ibelieveyou，\"saidMarius。
JeanValjeanbenthishead，asthoughtakingnoteofthis，andcontinued:
\"WhatamItoCosette？Apasser—by。Tenyearsago，Ididnotknowthatshewasinexistence。Iloveher，itistrue。Onelovesachildwhomonehasseenwhenveryyoung，beingoldoneself。Whenoneisold，onefeelsoneselfagrandfathertowardsalllittlechildren。
Youmay，itseemstome，supposethatIhavesomethingwhichresemblesaheart。Shewasanorphan。Withouteitherfatherormother。
Sheneededme。ThatiswhyIbegantoloveher。Childrenaresoweakthatthefirstcomer，evenamanlikeme，canbecometheirprotector。IhavefulfilledthisdutytowardsCosette。
Idonotthinkthatsoslightathingcanbecalledagoodaction；
butifitbeagoodaction，well，saythatIhavedoneit。
Registerthisattenuatingcircumstance。To—day，Cosettepassesoutofmylife；ourtworoadspart。Henceforth，Icandonothingforher。SheisMadamePontmercy。Herprovidencehaschanged。
AndCosettegainsbythechange。Alliswell。Asforthesixhundredthousandfrancs，youdonotmentionthemtome，butI
forestallyourthought，theyareadeposit。Howdidthatdepositcomeintomyhands？Whatdoesthatmatter？Irestorethedeposit。
Nothingmorecanbedemandedofme。Icompletetherestitutionbyannouncingmytruename。Thatconcernsme。IhaveareasonfordesiringthatyoushouldknowwhoIam。\"
AndJeanValjeanlookedMariusfullintheface。
AllthatMariusexperiencedwastumultuousandincoherent。
Certaingustsofdestinyproducethesebillowsinoursouls。
Wehaveallundergonemomentsoftroubleinwhicheverythingwithinusisdispersed；wesaythefirstthingsthatoccurtous，whicharenotalwayspreciselythosewhichshouldbesaid。
Therearesuddenrevelationswhichonecannotbear，andwhichintoxicatelikebalefulwine。Mariuswasstupefiedbythenovelsituationwhichpresenteditselftohim，tothepointofaddressingthatmanalmostlikeapersonwhowasangrywithhimforthisavowal。
\"Butwhy，\"heexclaimed，\"doyoutellmeallthis？Whoforcesyoutodoso？Youcouldhavekeptyoursecrettoyourself。
Youareneitherdenounced，nortrackednorpursued。Youhaveareasonforwantonlymakingsucharevelation。Conclude。Thereissomethingmore。Inwhatconnectiondoyoumakethisconfession？
Whatisyourmotive？\"
\"Mymotive？\"repliedJeanValjeaninavoicesolowanddullthatonewouldhavesaidthathewastalkingtohimselfratherthantoMarius。
\"Fromwhatmotive，infact，hasthisconvictjustsaid`Iamaconvict’？Well，yes！themotiveisstrange。Itisoutofhonesty。
Stay，theunfortunatepointisthatIhaveathreadinmyheart，whichkeepsmefast。Itiswhenoneisoldthatthatsortofthreadisparticularlysolid。Alllifefallsinruinaroundone；
oneresists。HadIbeenabletotearoutthatthread，tobreakit，toundotheknotortocutit，togofaraway，Ishouldhavebeensafe。
Ihadonlytogoaway；therearediligencesintheRueBouloy；
youarehappy；Iamgoing。Ihavetriedtobreakthatthread，Ihavejerkedatit，itwouldnotbreak，Itoremyheartwithit。
ThenIsaid:`Icannotliveanywhereelsethanhere。’Imuststay。
Well，yes，youareright，Iamafool，whynotsimplyremainhere？
Youoffermeachamberinthishouse，MadamePontmercyissincerelyattachedtome，shesaidtothearm—chair:`Stretchoutyourarmstohim，’yourgrandfatherdemandsnothingbetterthantohaveme，Isuithim，weshalllivetogether，andtakeourmealsincommon，IshallgiveCosettemyarm……MadamePontmercy，excuseme，itisahabit，weshallhavebutoneroof，onetable，onefire，thesamechimney—cornerinwinter，thesamepromenadeinsummer，thatisjoy，thatishappiness，thatiseverything。Weshallliveasonefamily。
Onefamily！\"
Atthatword，JeanValjeanbecamewild。Hefoldedhisarms，glaredatthefloorbeneathhisfeetasthoughhewouldhaveexcavatedanabysstherein，andhisvoicesuddenlyroseinthunderingtones:
\"Asonefamily！No。Ibelongtonofamily。Idonotbelongtoyours。
Idonotbelongtoanyfamilyofmen。Inhouseswherepeopleareamongthemselves，Iamsuperfluous。Therearefamilies，butthereisnothingofthesortforme。Iamanunluckywretch；
Iamleftoutside。DidIhaveafatherandmother？Ialmostdoubtit。
OnthedaywhenIgavethatchildinmarriage，allcametoanend。
Ihaveseenherhappy，andthatsheiswithamanwhomsheloves，andthatthereexistshereakindoldman，ahouseholdoftwoangels，andalljoysinthathouse，andthatitwaswell，Isaidtomyself:
`Enterthounot。’Icouldhavelied，itistrue，havedeceivedyouall，andremainedMonsieurFauchelevent。Solongasitwasforher，Icouldlie；butnowitwouldbeformyself，andImustnot。Itwassufficientformetoholdmypeace，itistrue，andallwouldgoon。
Youaskmewhathasforcedmetospeak？averyoddthing；myconscience。
Toholdmypeacewasveryeasy，however。Ipassedthenightintryingtopersuademyselftoit；youquestionedme，andwhatIhavejustsaidtoyouissoextraordinarythatyouhavetherighttodoit；
well，yes，Ihavepassedthenightinallegingreasonstomyself，andIgavemyselfverygoodreasons，IhavedonewhatIcould。
ButtherearetwothingsinwhichIhavenotsucceeded；inbreakingthethreadthatholdsmefixed，rivetedandsealedherebytheheart，orinsilencingsomeonewhospeakssoftlytomewhenIamalone。
ThatiswhyIhavecomehithertotellyoueverythingthismorning。
Everythingornearlyeverything。Itisuselesstotellyouthatwhichconcernsonlymyself；Ikeepthattomyself。Youknowtheessentialpoints。SoIhavetakenmymysteryandhavebroughtittoyou。AndIhavedisembowelledmysecretbeforeyoureyes。
Itwasnotaresolutionthatwaseasytotake。Istruggledallnightlong。Ah！youthinkthatIdidnottellmyselfthatthiswasnoChampmathieuaffair，thatbyconcealingmynameIwasdoingnooneanyinjury，thatthenameofFaucheleventhadbeengiventomebyFaucheleventhimself，outofgratitudeforaservicerenderedtohim，andthatImightassuredlykeepit，andthatI
shouldbehappyinthatchamberwhichyouofferme，thatIshouldnotbeinanyone’sway，thatIshouldbeinmyownlittlecorner，andthat，whileyouwouldhaveCosette，IshouldhavetheideathatI
wasinthesamehousewithher。Eachoneofuswouldhavehadhisshareofhappiness。IfIcontinuedtobeMonsieurFauchelevent，thatwouldarrangeeverything。Yes，withtheexceptionofmysoul。
Therewasjoyeverywhereuponmysurface，butthebottomofmysoulremainedblack。Itisnotenoughtobehappy，onemustbecontent。
ThusIshouldhaveremainedMonsieurFauchelevent，thusIshouldhaveconcealedmytruevisage，thus，inthepresenceofyourexpansion，Ishouldhavehadanenigma，thus，inthemidstofyourfullnoonday，Ishouldhavehadshadows，thus，withoutcrying`’ware，’Ishouldhavesimplyintroducedthegalleystoyourfireside，IshouldhavetakenmyseatatyourtablewiththethoughtthatifyouknewwhoIwas，youwoulddrivemefromit，Ishouldhaveallowedmyselftobeservedbydomesticswho，hadtheyknown，wouldhavesaid:
`Howhorrible！’Ishouldhavetouchedyouwithmyelbow，whichyouhavearighttodislike，Ishouldhavefilchedyourclaspsofthehand！Therewouldhaveexistedinyourhouseadivisionofrespectbetweenvenerablewhitelocksandtaintedwhitelocks；
atyourmostintimatehours，whenallheartsthoughtthemselvesopentotheverybottomtoalltherest，whenwefourweretogether，yourgrandfather，youtwoandmyself，astrangerwouldhavebeenpresent！
Ishouldhavebeensidebysidewithyouinyourexistence，havingformyonlycarenottodisarrangethecoverofmydreadfulpit。
Thus，I，adeadman，shouldhavethrustmyselfuponyouwhoarelivingbeings。Ishouldhavecondemnedhertomyselfforever。
YouandCosetteandIwouldhavehadallthreeofourheadsinthegreencap！Doesitnotmakeyoushudder？Iamonlythemostcrushedofmen；Ishouldhavebeenthemostmonstrousofmen。
AndIshouldhavecommittedthatcrimeeveryday！AndIshouldhavehadthatfaceofnightuponmyvisageeveryday！everyday！
AndIshouldhavecommunicatedtoyouashareinmytainteveryday！everyday！toyou，mydearlybeloved，mychildren，toyou，myinnocentcreatures！Isitnothingtoholdone’speace？isitasimplemattertokeepsilence？No，itisnotsimple。Thereisasilencewhichlies。Andmylie，andmyfraudandmyindignity，andmycowardiceandmytreasonandmycrime，Ishouldhavedraineddropbydrop，Ishouldhavespititout，thenswalloweditagain，Ishouldhavefinishedatmidnightandhavebegunagainatmidday，andmy`goodmorning’wouldhavelied，andmy`goodnight’
wouldhavelied，andIshouldhavesleptonit，Ishouldhaveeatenit，withmybread，andIshouldhavelookedCosetteintheface，andIshouldhaverespondedtothesmileoftheangelbythesmileofthedamnedsoul，andIshouldhavebeenanabominablevillain！
WhyshouldIdoit？inordertobehappy。Inordertobehappy。
HaveItherighttobehappy？Istandoutsideoflife，Sir。\"
JeanValjeanpaused。Mariuslistened。Suchchainsofideasandofanguishescannotbeinterrupted。JeanValjeanloweredhisvoiceoncemore，butitwasnolongeradullvoice——itwasasinistervoice。
\"YouaskwhyIspeak？Iamneitherdenounced，norpursued，nortracked，yousay。Yes！Iamdenounced！yes！Iamtracked！Bywhom？
Bymyself。ItisIwhobarthepassagetomyself，andIdragmyself，andIpushmyself，andIarrestmyself，andIexecutemyself，andwhenoneholdsoneself，oneisfirmlyheld。\"
And，seizingahandfulofhisowncoatbythenapeoftheneckandextendingittowardsMarius:
\"Doyouseethatfist？\"hecontinued。\"Don’tyouthinkthatitholdsthatcollarinsuchawiseasnottoreleaseit？
Well！conscienceisanothergrasp！Ifonedesirestobehappy，sir，onemustneverunderstandduty；for，assoonasonehascomprehendedit，itisimplacable。Onewouldsaythatitpunishedyouforcomprehendingit；butno，itrewardsyou；foritplacesyouinahell，whereyoufeelGodbesideyou。Onehasnosoonerlaceratedhisownentrailsthanheisatpeacewithhimself。\"
And，withapoignantaccent，headded:
\"MonsieurPontmercy，thisisnotcommonsense，Iamanhonestman。
ItisbydegradingmyselfinyoureyesthatIelevatemyselfinmyown。
Thishashappenedtomeoncebefore，butitwaslesspainfulthen；
itwasamerenothing。Yes，anhonestman。Ishouldnotbesoif，throughmyfault，youhadcontinuedtoesteemme；nowthatyoudespiseme，Iamso。Ihavethatfatalityhangingovermethat，notbeingabletoeverhaveanythingbutstolenconsideration，thatconsiderationhumiliatesme，andcrushesmeinwardly，and，inorderthatImayrespectmyself，itisnecessarythatIshouldbedespised。ThenIstraightenupagain。Iamagalley—slavewhoobeyshisconscience。Iknowwellthatthatismostimprobable。
Butwhatwouldyouhavemedoaboutit？itisthefact。Ihaveenteredintoengagementswithmyself；Ikeepthem。Thereareencounterswhichbindus，therearechanceswhichinvolveusinduties。
Yousee，MonsieurPontmercy，variousthingshavehappenedtomeinthecourseofmylife。\"
AgainJeanValjeanpaused，swallowinghissalivawithaneffort，asthoughhiswordshadabitterafter—taste，andthenhewenton:
\"Whenonehassuchahorrorhangingoverone，onehasnottherighttomakeothersshareitwithouttheirknowledge，onehasnottherighttomakethemslipoverone’sownprecipicewithouttheirperceivingit，onehasnottherighttoletone’sredblousedraguponthem，onehasnorighttoslylyencumberwithone’smiserythehappinessofothers。Itishideoustoapproachthosewhoarehealthy，andtotouchtheminthedarkwithone’sulcer。InspiteofthefactthatFaucheleventlentmehisname，Ihavenorighttouseit；
hecouldgiveittome，butIcouldnottakeit。Anameisan_I_。
Yousee，sir，thatIhavethoughtsomewhat，Ihavereadalittle，althoughIamapeasant；andyouseethatIexpressmyselfproperly。
Iunderstandthings。Ihaveprocuredmyselfaneducation。Well，yes，toabstractanameandtoplaceoneselfunderitisdishonest。
Lettersofthealphabetcanbefilched，likeapurseorawatch。
Tobeafalsesignatureinfleshandblood，tobealivingfalsekey，toenterthehouseofhonestpeoplebypickingtheirlock，nevermoretolookstraightforward，toforevereyeaskance，tobeinfamouswithinthe_I_，no！no！no！no！no！Itisbettertosuffer，tobleed，toweep，totearone’sskinfromthefleshwithone’snails，topassnightswrithinginanguish，todevouroneselfbodyandsoul。ThatiswhyIhavejusttoldyouallthis。
Wantonly，asyousay。\"
Hedrewapainfulbreath，andhurledthisfinalword:
\"Indaysgoneby，Istolealoafofbreadinordertolive；
to—day，inordertolive，Iwillnotstealaname。\"
\"Tolive！\"interruptedMarius。\"Youdonotneedthatnameinordertolive？\"
\"Ah！Iunderstandthematter，\"saidJeanValjean，raisingandloweringhisheadseveraltimesinsuccession。
Asilenceensued。Bothheldtheirpeace，eachplungedinagulfofthoughts。Mariuswassittingnearatableandrestingthecornerofhismouthononeofhisfingers，whichwasfoldedback。
JeanValjeanwaspacingtoandfro。Hepausedbeforeamirror，andremainedmotionless。Then，asthoughreplyingtosomeinwardcourseofreasoning，hesaid，ashegazedatthemirror，whichhedidnotsee:
\"While，atpresent，Iamrelieved。\"
Hetookuphismarchagain，andwalkedtotheotherendofthedrawing—room。Atthemomentwhenheturnedround，heperceivedthatMariuswaswatchinghiswalk。Thenhesaid，withaninexpressibleintonation:
\"Idragmylegalittle。Nowyouunderstandwhy！\"
ThenheturnedfullyroundtowardsMarius:
\"Andnow，sir，imaginethis:Ihavesaidnothing，IhaveremainedMonsieurFauchelevent，Ihavetakenmyplaceinyourhouse，Iamoneofyou，Iaminmychamber，Icometobreakfastinthemorninginslippers，intheeveningallthreeofusgototheplay，IaccompanyMadamePontmercytotheTuileries，andtothePlaceRoyale，wearetogether，youthinkmeyourequal；onefinedayyouarethere，andIamthere，weareconversing，wearelaughing；allatonce，youhearavoiceshoutingthisname:`JeanValjean！’andbehold，thatterriblehand，thepolice，dartsfromthedarkness，andabruptlytearsoffmymask！\"
Againhepaused；Mariushadsprungtohisfeetwithashudder。
JeanValjeanresumed:
\"Whatdoyousaytothat？\"
Marius’silenceansweredforhim。
JeanValjeancontinued:
\"YouseethatIamrightinnotholdingmypeace。Behappy，beinheaven，betheangelofanangel，existinthesun，becontenttherewith，anddonottroubleyourselfaboutthemeanswhichapoordamnedwretchtakestoopenhisbreastandforcehisdutytocomeforth；
youhavebeforeyou，sir，awretchedman。\"
Mariusslowlycrossedtheroom，and，whenhewasquiteclosetoJeanValjean，heofferedthelatterhishand。
ButMariuswasobligedtostepupandtakethathandwhichwasnotoffered，JeanValjeanlethimhavehisownway，anditseemedtoMariusthathepressedahandofmarble。
\"Mygrandfatherhasfriends，\"saidMarius；\"Iwillprocureyourpardon。\"
\"Itisuseless，\"repliedJeanValjean。\"Iambelievedtobedead，andthatsuffices。Thedeadarenotsubjectedtosurveillance。
Theyaresupposedtorotinpeace。Deathisthesamethingaspardon。\"
And，disengagingthehandwhichMariusheld，headded，withasortofinexorabledignity:
\"Moreover，thefriendtowhomIhaverecourseisthedoingofmyduty；
andIneedbutonepardon，thatofmyconscience。\"
Atthatmoment，adoorattheotherendofthedrawing—roomopenedgentlyhalfway，andintheopeningCosette’sheadappeared。
Theysawonlyhersweetface，herhairwasincharmingdisorder，hereyelidswerestillswollenwithsleep。Shemadethemovementofabird，whichthrustsitsheadoutofitsnest，glancedfirstatherhusband，thenatJeanValjean，andcriedtothemwithasmile，sothattheyseemedtobeholdasmileattheheartofarose:
\"Iwillwagerthatyouaretalkingpolitics。Howstupidthatis，insteadofbeingwithme！\"
JeanValjeanshuddered。
\"Cosette！……\"stammeredMarius。
Andhepaused。Onewouldhavesaidthattheyweretwocriminals。
Cosette，whowasradiant，continuedtogazeatbothofthem。
Therewassomethinginhereyeslikegleamsofparadise。
\"Ihavecaughtyouintheveryact，\"saidCosette。\"Justnow，IheardmyfatherFaucheleventthroughthedoorsaying:`Conscience……doingmyduty……’Thatispolitics，indeeditis。Iwillnothaveit。Peopleshouldnottalkpoliticstheverynextday。
Itisnotright。\"
\"Youaremistaken。Cosette，\"saidMarius，\"wearetalkingbusiness。
Wearediscussingthebestinvestmentofyoursixhundredthousandfrancs……\"
\"Thatisnotitatall\"interruptedCosette。\"Iamcoming。
Doesanybodywantmehere？\"
And，passingresolutelythroughthedoor，sheenteredthedrawing—room。
Shewasdressedinavoluminouswhitedressing—gown，withathousandfoldsandlargesleeveswhich，startingfromtheneck，felltoherfeet。Inthegoldenheavensofsomeancientgothicpictures，therearethesecharmingsacksfittoclothetheangels。
Shecontemplatedherselffromheadtofootinalongmirror，thenexclaimed，inanoutburstofineffableecstasy:
\"TherewasonceaKingandaQueen。Oh！howhappyIam！\"
Thatsaid，shemadeacurtseytoMariusandtoJeanValjean。
\"There，\"saidshe，\"Iamgoingtoinstallmyselfnearyouinaneasy—chair，webreakfastinhalfanhour，youshallsayanythingyoulike，Iknowwellthatmenmusttalk，andIwillbeverygood。\"
Mariustookherbythearmandsaidlovinglytoher:
\"Wearetalkingbusiness。\"
\"Bytheway，\"saidCosette，\"Ihaveopenedmywindow，aflockofpierrotshasarrivedinthegarden，——Birds，notmaskers。
To—dayisAsh—Wednesday；butnotforthebirds。\"
\"Itellyouthatwearetalkingbusiness，go，mylittleCosette，leaveusaloneforamoment。Wearetalkingfigures。Thatwillboreyou。\"
\"Youhaveacharmingcravatonthismorning，Marius。Youareverydandified，monseigneur。No，itwillnotboreme。\"
\"Iassureyouthatitwillboreyou。\"
\"No。Sinceitisyou。Ishallnotunderstandyou，butIshalllistentoyou。Whenonehearsthevoicesofthosewhomoneloves，onedoesnotneedtounderstandthewordsthattheyutter。
Thatweshouldbeheretogether——thatisallthatIdesire。
Ishallremainwithyou，bah！\"
\"YouaremybelovedCosette！Impossible。\"
\"Impossible！\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Verygood，\"saidCosette。\"Iwasgoingtotellyousomenews。
Icouldhavetoldyouthatyourgrandfatherisstillasleep，thatyourauntisatmass，thatthechimneyinmyfatherFauchelevent’sroomsmokes，thatNicolettehassentforthechimney—sweep，thatToussaintandNicolettehavealreadyquarrelled，thatNicolettemakessportofToussaint’sstammer。Well，youshallknownothing。
Ah！itisimpossible？youshallsee，gentlemen，thatI，inmyturn，cansay:Itisimpossible。Thenwhowillbecaught？Ibeseechyou，mylittleMarius，letmestayherewithyoutwo。\"
\"Isweartoyou，thatitisindispensablethatweshouldbealone。\"
\"Well，amIanybody？\"
JeanValjeanhadnotutteredasingleword。Cosetteturnedtohim:
\"Inthefirstplace，father，Iwantyoutocomeandembraceme。
Whatdoyoumeanbynotsayinganythinginsteadoftakingmypart？whogavemesuchafatherasthat？Youmustperceivethatmyfamilylifeisveryunhappy。Myhusbandbeatsme。Come，embracemeinstantly。\"
JeanValjeanapproached。
CosetteturnedtowardMarius。
\"Asforyou，Ishallmakeafaceatyou。\"
ThenshepresentedherbrowtoJeanValjean。
JeanValjeanadvancedasteptowardher。
Cosetterecoiled。
\"Father，youarepale。Doesyourarmhurtyou？\"
\"Itiswell，\"saidJeanValjean。
\"Didyousleepbadly？\"
\"No。\"
\"Areyousad？\"
\"No。\"
\"Embracemeifyouarewell，ifyousleepwell，ifyouarecontent，Iwillnotscoldyou。\"
Andagainsheofferedhimherbrow。
JeanValjeandroppedakissuponthatbrowwhereonrestedacelestialgleam。
\"Smile。\"
JeanValjeanobeyed。Itwasthesmileofaspectre。
\"Now，defendmeagainstmyhusband。\"
\"Cosette！……\"ejaculatedMarius。
\"Getangry，father。SaythatImuststay。Youcancertainlytalkbeforeme。Soyouthinkmeverysilly。Whatyousayisastonishing！business，placingmoneyinabankagreatmattertruly。
Menmakemysteriesoutofnothing。Iamveryprettythismorning。
Lookatme，Marius。\"
Andwithanadorableshrugoftheshoulders，andanindescribablyexquisitepout，sheglancedatMarius。
\"Iloveyou！\"saidMarius。
\"Iadoreyou！\"saidCosette。
Andtheyfellirresistiblyintoeachother’sarms。
\"Now，\"saidCosette，adjustingafoldofherdressing—gown，withatriumphantlittlegrimace，\"Ishallstay。\"
\"No，notthat，\"saidMarius，inasupplicatingtone。\"Wehavetofinishsomething。\"
\"Stillno？\"
Mariusassumedagravetone:
\"Iassureyou，Cosette，thatitisimpossible。\"
\"Ah！youputonyourman’svoice，sir。Thatiswell，Igo。
You，father，havenotupheldme。Monsieurmyfather，monsieurmyhusband，youaretyrants。Ishallgoandtellgrandpapa。
IfyouthinkthatIamgoingtoreturnandtalkplatitudestoyou，youaremistaken。Iamproud。Ishallwaitforyounow。
Youshallsee，thatitisyouwhoaregoingtobeboredwithoutme。
Iamgoing，itiswell。\"
Andshelefttheroom。
Twosecondslater，thedooropenedoncemore，herfreshandrosyheadwasagainthrustbetweenthetwoleaves，andshecriedtothem:
\"Iamveryangryindeed。\"
Thedoorclosedagain，andtheshadowsdescendedoncemore。
Itwasasthougharayofsunlightshouldhavesuddenlytraversedthenight，withoutitselfbeingconsciousofit。
Mariusmadesurethatthedoorwassecurelyclosed。
\"PoorCosette！\"hemurmured，\"whenshefindsout……\"
AtthatwordJeanValjeantrembledineverylimb。HefixedonMariusabewilderedeye。
\"Cosette！ohyes，itistrue，youaregoingtotellCosetteaboutthis。
Thatisright。Stay，Ihadnotthoughtofthat。Onehasthestrengthforonething，butnotforanother。Sir，Iconjureyou，Ientreatnow，sir，givemeyourmostsacredwordofhonor，thatyouwillnottellher。Isitnotenoughthatyoushouldknowit？
Ihavebeenabletosayitmyselfwithoutbeingforcedtoit，Icouldhavetoldittotheuniverse，tothewholeworld，——itwasallonetome。Butshe，shedoesnotknowwhatitis，itwouldterrifyher。What，aconvict！weshouldbeobligedtoexplainmatterstoher，tosaytoher:`Heisamanwhohasbeeninthegalleys。’
Shesawthechain—gangpassbyoneday。Oh！MyGod！\"……Hedroppedintoanarm—chairandhidhisfaceinhishands。
Hisgriefwasnotaudible，butfromthequiveringofhisshouldersitwasevidentthathewasweeping。Silenttears，terribletears。
Thereissomethingofsuffocationinthesob。Hewasseizedwithasortofconvulsion，hethrewhimselfagainstthebackofthechairasthoughtogainbreath，lettinghisarmsfall，andallowingMariustoseehisfaceinundatedwithtears，andMariusheardhimmurmur，solowthathisvoiceseemedtoissuefromfathomlessdepths:
\"Oh！wouldthatIcoulddie！\"
\"Beatyourease，\"saidMarius，\"Iwillkeepyoursecretformyselfalone。\"xAnd，lesstouched，perhaps，thanheoughttohavebeen，butforced，forthelasthour，tofamiliarizehimselfwithsomethingasunexpectedasitwasdreadful，graduallybeholdingtheconvictsuperposedbeforehisveryeyes，uponM。Fauchelevent，overcome，littlebylittle，bythatlugubriousreality，andled，bythenaturalinclinationofthesituation，torecognizethespacewhichhadjustbeenplacedbetweenthatmanandhimself，Mariusadded:
\"ItisimpossiblethatIshouldnotspeakawordtoyouwithregardtothedepositwhichyouhavesofaithfullyandhonestlyremitted。
Thatisanactofprobity。Itisjustthatsomerecompenseshouldbebestowedonyou。Fixthesumyourself，itshallbecountedouttoyou。
Donotfeartosetitveryhigh。\"
\"Ithankyou，sir，\"repliedJeanValjean，gently。
Heremainedinthoughtforamoment，mechanicallypassingthetipofhisfore—fingeracrosshisthumb—nail，thenhelifteduphisvoice:
\"Allisnearlyover。Butonelastthingremainsforme……\"
\"Whatisit？\"
JeanValjeanstruggledwithwhatseemedalasthesitation，and，withoutvoice，withoutbreath，hestammeredratherthansaid:
\"Nowthatyouknow，doyouthink，sir，you，whoarethemaster，thatIoughtnottoseeCosetteanymore？\"
\"Ithinkthatwouldbebetter，\"repliedMariuscoldly。
\"Ishallneverseehermore，\"murmuredJeanValjean。Andhedirectedhisstepstowardsthedoor。
Helaidhishandontheknob，thelatchyielded，thedooropened。
JeanValjeanpusheditopenfarenoughtopassthrough，stoodmotionlessforasecond，thenclosedthedooragainandturnedtoMarius。
Hewasnolongerpale，hewaslivid。Therewerenolongeranytearsinhiseyes，butonlyasortoftragicflame。Hisvoicehadregainedastrangecomposure。
\"Stay，sir，\"hesaid。\"Ifyouwillallowit，Iwillcometoseeher。
IassureyouthatIdesireitgreatly。IfIhadnotcaredtoseeCosette，IshouldnothavemadetoyoutheconfessionthatI
havemade，Ishouldhavegoneaway；but，asIdesiredtoremainintheplacewhereCosetteis，andtocontinuetoseeher，Ihadtotellyouaboutithonestly。Youfollowmyreasoning，doyounot？itisamattereasilyunderstood。Yousee，Ihavehadherwithmeformorethannineyears。Welivedfirstinthathutontheboulevard，thenintheconvent，thenneartheLuxembourg。
Thatwaswhereyousawherforthefirsttime。Yourememberherblueplushhat。ThenwewenttotheQuartierdesInvalides，wheretherewasarailingonagarden，theRuePlumet。Ilivedinalittlebackcourt—yard，whenceIcouldhearherpiano。
Thatwasmylife。Weneverlefteachother。Thatlastedfornineyearsandsomemonths。Iwaslikeherownfather，andshewasmychild。Idonotknowwhetheryouunderstand，MonsieurPontmercy，buttogoawaynow，nevertoseeheragain，nevertospeaktoheragain，tonolongerhaveanything，wouldbehard。Ifyoudonotdisapproveofit，IwillcometoseeCosettefromtimetotime。
Iwillnotcomeoften。Iwillnotremainlong。YoushallgiveordersthatIamtobereceivedinthelittlewaiting—room。Onthegroundfloor。Icouldenterperfectlywellbythebackdoor，butthatmightcreatesurpriseperhaps，anditwouldbebetter，Ithink，formetoenterbytheusualdoor。Truly，sir，IshouldliketoseealittlemoreofCosette。Asrarelyasyouplease。
Putyourselfinmyplace，Ihavenothingleftbutthat。Andthen，wemustbecautious。IfInolongercomeatall，itwouldproduceabadeffect，itwouldbeconsideredsingular。WhatIcando，bytheway，istocomeintheafternoon，whennightisbeginningtofall。\"
\"Youshallcomeeveryevening，\"saidMarius，\"andCosettewillbewaitingforyou。\"
\"Youarekind，sir，\"saidJeanValjean。
MariussalutedJeanValjean，happinessescorteddespairtothedoor，andthesetwomenparted。
CHAPTERII
THEOBSCURITIESWHICHAREVELATIONCANCONTAIN
Mariuswasquiteupset。
ThesortofestrangementwhichhehadalwaysfelttowardsthemanbesidewhomhehadseenCosette，wasnowexplainedtohim。
Therewassomethingenigmaticaboutthatperson，ofwhichhisinstincthadwarnedhim。
Thisenigmawasthemosthideousofdisgraces，thegalleys。
ThisM。FaucheleventwastheconvictJeanValjean。
Toabruptlyfindsuchasecretinthemidstofone’shappinessresemblesthediscoveryofascorpioninanestofturtledoves。
WasthehappinessofMariusandCosettethenceforthcondemnedtosuchaneighborhood？Wasthisanaccomplishedfact？Didtheacceptanceofthatmanformapartofthemarriagenowconsummated？
Wastherenothingtobedone？
HadMariusweddedtheconvictaswell？
Invainmayonebecrownedwithlightandjoy，invainmayonetastethegrandpurplehouroflife，happylove，suchshockswouldforceeventhearchangelinhisecstasy，eventhedemigodinhisglory，toshudder。
Asisalwaysthecaseinchangesofviewofthisnature，Mariusaskedhimselfwhetherhehadnothingwithwhichtoreproachhimself。
Hadhebeenwantingindivination？Hadhebeenwantinginprudence？
Hadheinvoluntarilydulledhiswits？Alittle，perhaps。Hadheentereduponthisloveaffair，whichhadendedinhismarriagetoCosette，withouttakingsufficientprecautionstothrowlightuponthesurroundings？Headmitted，——itisthus，byaseriesofsuccessiveadmissionsofourselvesinregardtoourselves，thatlifeamendsus，littlebylittle，——headmittedthechimericalandvisionarysideofhisnature，asortofinternalcloudpeculiartomanyorganizations，andwhich，inparoxysmsofpassionandsorrow，dilatesasthetemperatureofthesoulchanges，andinvadestheentireman，tosuchadegreeastorenderhimnothingmorethanaconsciencebathedinamist。WehavemorethanonceindicatedthischaracteristicelementofMarius’individuality。
Herecalledthat，intheintoxicationofhislove，intheRuePlumet，duringthosesixorsevenecstaticweeks，hehadnotevenspoketoCosetteofthatdramaintheGorbeauhovel，wherethevictimhadtakenupsuchasingularlineofsilenceduringthestruggleandtheensuingflight。HowhadithappenedthathehadnotmentionedthistoCosette？Yetitwassonearandsoterrible！
HowhaditcometopassthathehadnotevennamedtheThenardiers，and，particularly，onthedaywhenhehadencounteredEponine？
Henowfounditalmostdifficulttoexplainhissilenceofthattime。
Nevertheless，hecouldaccountforit。Herecalledhisbenumbedstate，hisintoxicationwithCosette，loveabsorbingeverything，thatcatchingawayofeachotherintotheideal，andperhapsalso，liketheimperceptiblequantityofreasonmingledwiththisviolentandcharmingstateofthesoul，avague，dullinstinctimpellinghimtoconcealandabolishinhismemorythatredoubtableadventure，contactwithwhichhedreaded，inwhichhedidnotwishtoplayanypart，hisagencyinwhichhehadkeptsecret，andinwhichhecouldbeneithernarratornorwitnesswithoutbeinganaccuser。
Moreover，thesefewweekshadbeenaflashoflightning；therehadbeennotimeforanythingexceptlove。
Inshort，havingweighedeverything，turnedeverythingoverinhismind，examinedeverything，whatevermighthavebeentheconsequencesifhehadtoldCosetteabouttheGorbeauambush，evenifhehaddiscoveredthatJeanValjeanwasaconvict，wouldthathavechangedhim，Marius？
Wouldthathavechangedher，Cosette？Wouldhehavedrawnback？
Wouldhehaveadoredheranytheless？Wouldhehaverefrainedfrommarryingher？No。Thentherewasnothingtoregret，nothingwithwhichheneedreproachhimself。Allwaswell。
Thereisadeityforthosedrunkenmenwhoarecalledlovers。
Mariusblind，hadfollowedthepathwhichhewouldhavechosenhadhebeeninfullpossessionofhissight。Lovehadbandagedhiseyes，inordertoleadhimwhither？Toparadise。
Butthisparadisewashenceforthcomplicatedwithaninfernalaccompaniment。
Marius’ancientestrangementtowardsthisman，towardsthisFaucheleventwhohadturnedintoJeanValjean，wasatpresentmingledwithhorror。
Inthishorror，letusstate，therewassomepity，andevenacertainsurprise。
Thisthief，thisthiefguiltyofasecondoffence，hadrestoredthatdeposit。Andwhatadeposit！Sixhundredthousandfrancs。
Healonewasinthesecretofthatdeposit。Hemighthavekeptitall，hehadrestoreditall。
Moreover，hehadhimselfrevealedhissituation。Nothingforcedhimtothis。Ifanyonelearnedwhohewas，itwasthroughhimself。
Inthisavowaltherewassomethingmorethanacceptanceofhumiliation，therewasacceptanceofperil。Foracondemnedman，amaskisnotamask，itisashelter。Afalsenameissecurity，andhehadrejectedthatfalsename。He，thegalley—slave，mighthavehiddenhimselfforeverinanhonestfamily；hehadwithstoodthistemptation。
Andwithwhatmotive？Throughaconscientiousscruple。
Hehimselfexplainedthiswiththeirresistibleaccentsoftruth。
Inshort，whateverthisJeanValjeanmightbe，hewas，undoubtedly，aconsciencewhichwasawakening。Thereexistedsomemysteriousre—habilitationwhichhadbegun；and，toallappearances，scrupleshadforalongtimealreadycontrolledthisman。Suchfitsofjusticeandgoodnessarenotcharacteristicofvulgarnatures。
Anawakeningofconscienceisgrandeurofsoul。
JeanValjeanwassincere。Thissincerity，visible，palpable，irrefragable，evidentfromtheverygriefthatitcausedhim，renderedinquiriesuseless，andconferredauthorityonallthatthatmanhadsaid。
Here，forMarius，therewasastrangereversalofsituations。
WhatbreathedfromM。Fauchelevent？distrust。WhatdidJeanValjeaninspire？confidence。
InthemysteriousbalanceofthisJeanValjeanwhichthepensiveMariusstruck，headmittedtheactiveprinciple，headmittedthepassiveprinciple，andhetriedtoreachabalance。
Butallthiswentonasinastorm。Marius，whileendeavoringtoformaclearideaofthisman，andwhilepursuingJeanValjean，sotospeak，inthedepthsofhisthought，losthimandfoundhimagaininafatalmist。
Thedeposithonestlyrestored，theprobityoftheconfession——
theseweregood。Thisproducedalighteningofthecloud，thenthecloudbecameblackoncemore。
TroubledaswereMarius’memories，ashadowofthemreturnedtohim。
Afterall，whatwasthatadventureintheJondretteattic？
Whyhadthatmantakentoflightonthearrivalofthepolice，insteadofenteringacomplaint？
HereMariusfoundtheanswer。Becausethatmanwasafugitivefromjustice，whohadbrokenhisban。
Anotherquestion:Whyhadthatmancometothebarricade？
ForMariusnowoncemoredistinctlybeheldthatrecollectionwhichhadre—appearedinhisemotionslikesympatheticinkattheapplicationofheat。Thismanhadbeeninthebarricade。
Hehadnotfoughtthere。Whathadhecometherefor？Inthepresenceofthisquestionaspectresprangupandreplied:\"Javert。\"
MariusrecalledperfectlynowthatfunerealsightofJeanValjeandraggingthepinionedJavertoutofthebarricade，andhestillheardbehindthecornerofthelittleRueMondetourthatfrightfulpistolshot。Obviously，therewashatredbetweenthatpolicespyandthegalley—slave。Theonewasintheother’sway。JeanValjeanhadgonetothebarricadeforthepurposeofrevenginghimself。
Hehadarrivedlate。HeprobablyknewthatJavertwasaprisonerthere。