CHAPTERVI
WHICHPOSSIBLYPROVESBOULATRUELLE’SINTELLIGENCE
OntheafternoonofthatsameChristmasDay，1823，amanhadwalkedforratheralongtimeinthemostdesertedpartoftheBoulevarddel’HopitalinParis。Thismanhadtheairofapersonwhoisseekinglodgings，andheseemedtohalt，bypreference，atthemostmodesthousesonthatdilapidatedborderofthefaubourgSaint—Marceau。
Weshallseefurtheronthatthismanhad，infact，hiredachamberinthatisolatedquarter。
Thisman，inhisattire，asinallhisperson，realizedthetypeofwhatmaybecalledthewell—bredmendicant，——extremewretchednesscombinedwithextremecleanliness。Thisisaveryraremixturewhichinspiresintelligentheartswiththatdoublerespectwhichonefeelsforthemanwhoisverypoor，andforthemanwhoisveryworthy。
Heworeaveryoldandverywellbrushedroundhat；acoarsecoat，wornperfectlythreadbare，ofanochreyellow，acolorthatwasnotintheleasteccentricatthatepoch；alargewaistcoatwithpocketsofavenerablecut；blackbreeches，worngrayattheknee，stockingsofblackworsted；andthickshoeswithcopperbuckles。
Hewouldhavebeenpronouncedapreceptorinsomegoodfamily，returnedfromtheemigration。Hewouldhavebeentakenformorethansixtyyearsofage，fromhisperfectlywhitehair，hiswrinkledbrow，hislividlips，andhiscountenance，whereeverythingbreatheddepressionandwearinessoflife。Judgingfromhisfirmtread，fromthesingularvigorwhichstampedallhismovements，hewouldhavehardlybeenthoughtfifty。Thewrinklesonhisbrowwerewellplaced，andwouldhavedisposedinhisfavoranyonewhoobservedhimattentively。Hislipcontractedwithastrangefoldwhichseemedsevere，andwhichwashumble。Therewasinthedepthofhisglanceanindescribablemelancholyserenity。
Inhislefthandhecarriedalittlebundletiedupinahandkerchief；
inhisrightheleanedonasortofacudgel，cutfromsomehedge。
Thisstickhadbeencarefullytrimmed，andhadanairthatwasnottoothreatening；themosthadbeenmadeofitsknots，andithadreceivedacoral—likehead，madefromredwax:itwasacudgel，anditseemedtobeacane。
Therearebutfewpassers—byonthatboulevard，particularlyinthewinter。Themanseemedtoavoidthemratherthantoseekthem，butthiswithoutanyaffectation。
Atthatepoch，KingLouisXVIII。wentnearlyeverydaytoChoisy—le—Roi:itwasoneofhisfavoriteexcursions。Towardstwoo’clock，almostinvariably，theroyalcarriageandcavalcadewasseentopassatfullspeedalongtheBoulevarddel’Hopital。
Thisservedinlieuofawatchorclocktothepoorwomenofthequarterwhosaid，\"Itistwoo’clock；thereheisreturningtotheTuileries。\"
Andsomerushedforward，andothersdrewupinline，forapassingkingalwayscreatesatumult；besides，theappearanceanddisappearanceofLouisXVIII。producedacertaineffectinthestreetsofParis。
Itwasrapidbutmajestic。Thisimpotentkinghadatasteforafastgallop；ashewasnotabletowalk，hewishedtorun:thatcripplewouldgladlyhavehadhimselfdrawnbythelightning。Hepassed，pacificandsevere，inthemidstofnakedswords。Hismassivecouch，allcoveredwithgilding，withgreatbranchesofliliespaintedonthepanels，thunderednoisilyalong。Therewashardlytimetocastaglanceuponit。Intherearangleontherighttherewasvisibleontuftedcushionsofwhitesatinalarge，firm，andruddyface，abrowfreshlypowderedal’oiseauroyal，aproud，hard，craftyeye，thesmileofaneducatedman，twogreatepauletswithbullionfringefloatingoverabourgeoiscoat，theGoldenFleece，thecrossofSaintLouis，thecrossoftheLegionofHonor，thesilverplaqueoftheSaint—Esprit，ahugebelly，andawideblueribbon:
itwastheking。OutsideofParis，heheldhishatdeckedwithwhiteostrichplumesonhiskneesenwrappedinhighEnglishgaiters；
whenhere—enteredthecity，heputonhishatandsalutedrarely；
hestaredcoldlyatthepeople，andtheyreturneditinkind。
WhenheappearedforthefirsttimeintheSaint—Marceauquarter，thewholesuccesswhichheproducediscontainedinthisremarkofaninhabitantofthefaubourgtohiscomrade，\"Thatbigfellowyonderisthegovernment。\"
Thisinfalliblepassageofthekingatthesamehourwas，therefore，thedailyeventoftheBoulevarddel’Hopital。
Thepromenaderintheyellowcoatevidentlydidnotbelonginthequarter，andprobablydidnotbelonginParis，forhewasignorantastothisdetail。When，attwoo’clock，theroyalcarriage，surroundedbyasquadronofthebody—guardallcoveredwithsilverlace，debouchedontheboulevard，afterhavingmadetheturnoftheSalpetriere，heappearedsurprisedandalmostalarmed。
Therewasnoonebuthimselfinthiscross—lane。Hedrewuphastilybehindthecornerofthewallofanenclosure，thoughthisdidnotpreventM。leDucdeHavrefromspyinghimout。
M。leDucdeHavre，ascaptainoftheguardondutythatday，wasseatedinthecarriage，oppositetheking。HesaidtohisMajesty，\"Yonderisanevil—lookingman。\"Membersofthepolice，whowereclearingtheking’sroute，tookequalnoteofhim:
oneofthemreceivedanordertofollowhim。Butthemanplungedintothedesertedlittlestreetsofthefaubourg，andastwilightwasbeginningtofall，theagentlosttraceofhim，asisstatedinareportaddressedthatsameeveningtoM。leComted’Angles，MinisterofState，PrefectofPolice。
Whenthemanintheyellowcoathadthrowntheagentoffhistrack，heredoubledhispace，notwithoutturningroundmanyatimetoassurehimselfthathewasnotbeingfollowed。Ataquarter—pastfour，thatistosay，whennightwasfullycome，hepassedinfrontofthetheatreofthePorteSaint—Martin，whereTheTwoConvictswasbeingplayedthatday。Thisposter，illuminatedbythetheatrelanterns，struckhim；for，althoughhewaswalkingrapidly，hehaltedtoreadit。
AninstantlaterhewasintheblindalleyofLaPlanchette，andheenteredthePlatd’Etain[thePewterPlatter]，wheretheofficeofthecoachforLagnywasthensituated。Thiscoachsetoutathalf—pastfour。Thehorseswereharnessed，andthetravellers，summonedbythecoachman，werehastilyclimbingtheloftyironladderofthevehicle。
Themaninquired:——
\"Haveyouaplace？\"
\"Onlyone——besidemeonthebox，\"saidthecoachman。
\"Iwilltakeit。\"
\"Climbup。\"
Nevertheless，beforesettingout，thecoachmancastaglanceatthetraveller’sshabbydress，atthediminutivesizeofhisbundle，andmadehimpayhisfare。
\"AreyougoingasfarasLagny？\"demandedthecoachman。
\"Yes，\"saidtheman。
ThetravellerpaidtoLagny。
Theystarted。Whentheyhadpassedthebarrier，thecoachmantriedtoenterintoconversation，butthetravelleronlyrepliedinmonosyllables。Thecoachmantooktowhistlingandswearingathishorses。
Thecoachmanwrappedhimselfupinhiscloak。Itwascold。
Themandidnotappeartobethinkingofthat。ThustheypassedGournayandNeuilly—sur—Marne。
Towardssixo’clockintheeveningtheyreachedChelles。Thecoachmandrewupinfrontofthecarters’inninstalledintheancientbuildingsoftheRoyalAbbey，togivehishorsesabreathingspell。
\"Igetdownhere，\"saidtheman。
Hetookhisbundleandhiscudgelandjumpeddownfromthevehicle。
Aninstantlaterhehaddisappeared。
Hedidnotentertheinn。
WhenthecoachsetoutforLagnyafewminuteslater，itdidnotencounterhimintheprincipalstreetofChelles。
Thecoachmanturnedtotheinsidetravellers。
\"There，\"saidhe，\"isamanwhodoesnotbelonghere，forIdonotknowhim。Hehadnottheairofowningasou，buthedoesnotconsidermoney；hepaystoLagny，andhegoesonlyasfarasChelles。
Itisnight；allthehousesareshut；hedoesnotentertheinn，andheisnottobefound。Sohehasdivedthroughtheearth。\"
Themanhadnotplungedintotheearth，buthehadgonewithgreatstridesthroughthedark，downtheprincipalstreetofChelles，thenhehadturnedtotherightbeforereachingthechurch，intothecross—roadleadingtoMontfermeil，likeapersonwhowasacquaintedwiththecountryandhadbeentherebefore。
Hefollowedthisroadrapidly。Atthespotwhereitisintersectedbytheancienttree—borderedroadwhichrunsfromGagnytoLagny，heheardpeoplecoming。Heconcealedhimselfprecipitatelyinaditch，andtherewaiteduntilthepassers—bywereatadistance。
Theprecautionwasnearlysuperfluous，however；for，aswehavealreadysaid，itwasaverydarkDecembernight。Notmorethantwoorthreestarswerevisibleinthesky。
Itisatthispointthattheascentofthehillbegins。ThemandidnotreturntotheroadtoMontfermeil；hestruckacrossthefieldstotheright，andenteredtheforestwithlongstrides。
Onceintheforestheslackenedhispace，andbeganacarefulexaminationofallthetrees，advancing，stepbystep，asthoughseekingandfollowingamysteriousroadknowntohimselfalone。
Therecameamomentwhenheappearedtolosehimself，andhepausedinindecision。Atlasthearrived，bydintoffeelinghiswayinchbyinch，ataclearingwheretherewasagreatheapofwhitishstones。
Hesteppedupbrisklytothesestones，andexaminedthemattentivelythroughthemistsofnight，asthoughhewerepassingtheminreview。
Alargetree，coveredwiththoseexcrescenceswhicharethewartsofvegetation，stoodafewpacesdistantfromthepileofstones。
Hewentuptothistreeandpassedhishandoverthebarkofthetrunk，asthoughseekingtorecognizeandcountallthewarts。
Oppositethistree，whichwasanash，therewasachestnut—tree，sufferingfromapeelingofthebark，towhichabandofzinchadbeennailedbywayofdressing。Heraisedhimselfontiptoeandtouchedthisbandofzinc。
Thenhetrodaboutforawhileonthegroundcomprisedinthespacebetweenthetreeandtheheapofstones，likeapersonwhoistryingtoassurehimselfthatthesoilhasnotrecentlybeendisturbed。
Thatdone，hetookhisbearings，andresumedhismarchthroughtheforest。
ItwasthemanwhohadjustmetCosette。
AshewalkedthroughthethicketinthedirectionofMontfermeil，hehadespiedthattinyshadowmovingwithagroan，depositingaburdenontheground，thentakingitupandsettingoutagain。
Hedrewnear，andperceivedthatitwasaveryyoungchild，ladenwithanenormousbucketofwater。Thenheapproachedthechild，andsilentlygraspedthehandleofthebucket。
CHAPTERVII
COSETTESIDEBYSIDEWITHTHESTRANGERINTHEDARK
Cosette，aswehavesaid，wasnotfrightened。
Themanaccostedher。Hespokeinavoicethatwasgraveandalmostbass。
\"Mychild，whatyouarecarryingisveryheavyforyou。\"
Cosetteraisedherheadandreplied:——
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Giveittome，\"saidtheman；\"Iwillcarryitforyou。\"
Cosetteletgoofthebucket—handle。Themanwalkedalongbesideher。
\"Itreallyisveryheavy，\"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth。
Thenheadded:——
\"Howoldareyou，littleone？\"
\"Eight，sir。\"
\"Andhaveyoucomefromfarlikethis？\"
\"Fromthespringintheforest。\"
\"Areyougoingfar？\"
\"Agoodquarterofanhour’swalkfromhere。\"
Themansaidnothingforamoment；thenheremarkedabruptly:——
\"Soyouhavenomother。\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"answeredthechild。
Beforethemanhadtimetospeakagain，sheadded:——
\"Idon’tthinkso。Otherpeoplehavemothers。Ihavenone。\"
Andafterasilenceshewenton:——
\"IthinkthatIneverhadany。\"
Themanhalted；hesetthebucketontheground，bentdownandplacedbothhandsonthechild’sshoulders，makinganefforttolookatherandtoseeherfaceinthedark。
Cosette’sthinandsicklyfacewasvaguelyoutlinedbythelividlightinthesky。
\"Whatisyourname？\"saidtheman。
\"Cosette。\"
Themanseemedtohavereceivedanelectricshock。Helookedatheroncemore；thenheremovedhishandsfromCosette’sshoulders，seizedthebucket，andsetoutagain。
Afteramomentheinquired:——
\"Wheredoyoulive，littleone？\"
\"AtMontfermeil，ifyouknowwherethatis。\"
\"Thatiswherewearegoing？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
Hepaused；thenbeganagain:——
\"Whosentyouatsuchanhourtogetwaterintheforest？\"
\"ItwasMadameThenardier。\"
Themanresumed，inavoicewhichhestrovetorenderindifferent，butinwhichtherewas，nevertheless，asingulartremor:——
\"WhatdoesyourMadameThenardierdo？\"
\"Sheismymistress，\"saidthechild。\"Shekeepstheinn。\"
\"Theinn？\"saidtheman。\"Well，Iamgoingtolodgethereto—night。
Showmetheway。\"
\"Weareonthewaythere，\"saidthechild。
Themanwalkedtolerablyfast。Cosettefollowedhimwithoutdifficulty。
Shenolongerfeltanyfatigue。Fromtimetotimesheraisedhereyestowardstheman，withasortoftranquillityandanindescribableconfidence。ShehadneverbeentaughttoturntoProvidenceandtopray；nevertheless，shefeltwithinhersomethingwhichresembledhopeandjoy，andwhichmountedtowardsheaven。
Severalminuteselapsed。Themanresumed:——
\"IstherenoservantinMadameThenardier’shouse？\"
\"No，sir。\"
\"Areyoualonethere？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
Anotherpauseensued。Cosettelifteduphervoice:——
\"Thatistosay，therearetwolittlegirls。\"
\"Whatlittlegirls？\"
\"PonineandZelma。\"
ThiswasthewaythechildsimplifiedtheromanticnamessodeartothefemaleThenardier。
\"WhoarePonineandZelma？\"
\"TheyareMadameThenardier’syoungladies；herdaughters，asyouwouldsay。\"
\"Andwhatdothosegirlsdo？\"
\"Oh！\"saidthechild，\"theyhavebeautifuldolls；thingswithgoldinthem，allfullofaffairs。Theyplay；theyamusethemselves。\"
\"Alldaylong？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Andyou？\"
\"I？Iwork。\"
\"Alldaylong？\"
Thechildraisedhergreateyes，inwhichhungatear，whichwasnotvisiblebecauseofthedarkness，andrepliedgently:——
\"Yes，sir。\"
Afteranintervalofsilenceshewenton:——
\"Sometimes，whenIhavefinishedmyworkandtheyletme，Iamusemyself，too。\"
\"Howdoyouamuseyourself？\"
\"InthebestwayIcan。Theyletmealone；butIhavenotmanyplaythings。PonineandZelmawillnotletmeplaywiththeirdolls。Ihaveonlyalittleleadsword，nolongerthanthat。\"
Thechildhelduphertinyfinger。
\"Anditwillnotcut？\"
\"Yes，sir，\"saidthechild；\"itcutssaladandtheheadsofflies。\"
Theyreachedthevillage。Cosetteguidedthestrangerthroughthestreets。Theypassedthebakeshop，butCosettedidnotthinkofthebreadwhichshehadbeenorderedtofetch。Themanhadceasedtoplyherwithquestions，andnowpreservedagloomysilence。
Whentheyhadleftthechurchbehindthem，theman，onperceivingalltheopen—airbooths，askedCosette:——
\"Sothereisafairgoingonhere？\"
\"No，sir；itisChristmas。\"
Astheyapproachedthetavern，Cosettetimidlytouchedhisarm:——
\"Monsieur？\"
\"What，mychild？\"
\"Wearequitenearthehouse。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Willyouletmetakemybucketnow？\"
\"Why？\"
\"IfMadameseesthatsomeonehascarrieditforme，shewillbeatme。\"
Themanhandedherthebucket。Aninstantlatertheywereatthetaverndoor。
CHAPTERVIII
THEUNPLEASANTNESSOFRECEIVINGINTOONE’SHOUSEAPOORMANWHO
MAYBEARICHMAN
Cosettecouldnotrefrainfromcastingasidelongglanceatthebigdoll，whichwasstilldisplayedatthetoy—merchant’s；thensheknocked。
Thedooropened。TheThenardierappearedwithacandleinherhand。
\"Ah！soit’syou，youlittlewretch！goodmercy，butyou’vetakenyourtime！Thehussyhasbeenamusingherself！\"
\"Madame，\"saidCosette，tremblingallover，\"here’sagentlemanwhowantsalodging。\"
TheThenardierspeedilyreplacedhergruffairbyheramiablegrimace，achangeofaspectcommontotavern—keepers，andeagerlysoughtthenew—comerwithhereyes。
\"Thisisthegentleman？\"saidshe。
\"Yes，Madame，\"repliedtheman，raisinghishandtohishat。
Wealthytravellersarenotsopolite。Thisgesture，andaninspectionofthestranger’scostumeandbaggage，whichtheThenardierpassedinreviewwithoneglance，causedtheamiablegrimacetovanish，andthegruffmientoreappear。Sheresumeddryly:——
\"Enter，mygoodman。\"
The\"goodman\"entered。TheThenardiercastasecondglanceathim，paidparticularattentiontohisfrock—coat，whichwasabsolutelythreadbare，andtohishat，whichwasalittlebattered，and，tossingherhead，wrinklinghernose，andscrewinguphereyes，sheconsultedherhusband，whowasstilldrinkingwiththecarters。
Thehusbandrepliedbythatimperceptiblemovementoftheforefinger，which，backedupbyaninflationofthelips，signifiesinsuchcases:
Aregularbeggar。Thereupon，theThenardierexclaimed:——
\"Ah！seehere，mygoodman；Iamverysorry，butIhavenoroomleft。\"
\"Putmewhereyoulike，\"saidtheman；\"intheattic，inthestable。
IwillpayasthoughIoccupiedaroom。\"
\"Fortysous。\"
\"Fortysous；agreed。\"
\"Verywell，then！\"
\"Fortysous！\"saidacarter，inalowtone，totheThenardierwoman；
\"why，thechargeisonlytwentysous！\"
\"Itisfortyinhiscase，\"retortedtheThenardier，inthesametone。
\"Idon’tlodgepoorfolksforless。\"
\"That’strue，\"addedherhusband，gently；\"itruinsahousetohavesuchpeopleinit。\"
Inthemeantime，theman，layinghisbundleandhiscudgelonabench，hadseatedhimselfatatable，onwhichCosettemadehastetoplaceabottleofwineandaglass。Themerchantwhohaddemandedthebucketofwatertookittohishorsehimself。
Cosetteresumedherplaceunderthekitchentable，andherknitting。
Theman，whohadbarelymoistenedhislipsinthewinewhichhehadpouredoutforhimself，observedthechildwithpeculiarattention。
Cosettewasugly。Ifshehadbeenhappy，shemighthavebeenpretty。
Wehavealreadygivenasketchofthatsombrelittlefigure。
Cosettewasthinandpale；shewasnearlyeightyearsold，butsheseemedtobehardlysix。Herlargeeyes，sunkeninasortofshadow，werealmostputoutwithweeping。Thecornersofhermouthhadthatcurveofhabitualanguishwhichisseenincondemnedpersonsanddesperatelysickpeople。Herhandswere，ashermotherhaddivined，\"ruinedwithchilblains。\"Thefirewhichilluminatedheratthatmomentbroughtintoreliefalltheanglesofherbones，andrenderedherthinnessfrightfullyapparent。Asshewasalwaysshivering，shehadacquiredthehabitofpressingherkneesoneagainsttheother。
Herentireclothingwasbutaragwhichwouldhaveinspiredpityinsummer，andwhichinspiredhorrorinwinter。Allshehadonwashole—riddenlinen，notascrapofwoollen。Herskinwasvisiblehereandthereandeverywhereblackandbluespotscouldbedescried，whichmarkedtheplaceswheretheThenardierwomanhadtouchedher。
Hernakedlegswerethinandred。Thehollowsinherneckwereenoughtomakeoneweep。Thischild’swholeperson，hermien，herattitude，thesoundofhervoice，theintervalswhichsheallowedtoelapsebetweenonewordandthenext，herglance，hersilence，herslightestgesture，expressedandbetrayedonesoleidea，——fear。
Fearwasdiffusedalloverher；shewascoveredwithit，sotospeak；
feardrewherelbowsclosetoherhips，withdrewherheelsunderherpetticoat，madeheroccupyaslittlespaceaspossible，allowedheronlythebreaththatwasabsolutelynecessary，andhadbecomewhatmightbecalledthehabitofherbody，admittingofnopossiblevariationexceptanincrease。Inthedepthsofhereyestherewasanastonishednookwhereterrorlurked。
Herfearwassuch，thatonherarrival，wetasshewas，Cosettedidnotdaretoapproachthefireanddryherself，butsatsilentlydowntoherworkagain。
Theexpressionintheglanceofthatchildofeightyearswashabituallysogloomy，andattimessotragic，thatitseemedatcertainmomentsasthoughshewereonthevergeofbecominganidiotorademon。
Aswehavestated，shehadneverknownwhatitistopray；shehadneversetfootinachurch。\"HaveIthetime？\"saidtheThenardier。
ThemanintheyellowcoatnevertookhiseyesfromCosette。
Allatonce，theThenardierexclaimed:——
\"Bytheway，where’sthatbread？\"
Cosette，accordingtohercustomwhenevertheThenardierupliftedhervoice，emergedwithgreathastefrombeneaththetable。
Shehadcompletelyforgottenthebread。Shehadrecoursetotheexpedientofchildrenwholiveinaconstantstateoffear。
Shelied。
\"Madame，thebaker’sshopwasshut。\"
\"Youshouldhaveknocked。\"
\"Ididknock，Madame。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Hedidnotopenthedoor。\"
\"I’llfindoutto—morrowwhetherthatistrue，\"saidtheThenardier；
\"andifyouaretellingmealie，I’llleadyouaprettydance。
Inthemeantime，givemebackmyfifteen—soupiece。\"
Cosetteplungedherhandintothepocketofherapron，andturnedgreen。
Thefifteen—soupiecewasnotthere。
\"Ah，comenow，\"saidMadameThenardier，\"didyouhearme？\"
Cosetteturnedherpocketinsideout；therewasnothinginit。
Whatcouldhavebecomeofthatmoney？Theunhappylittlecreaturecouldnotfindawordtosay。Shewaspetrified。
\"Haveyoulostthatfifteen—soupiece？\"screamedtheThenardier，hoarsely，\"ordoyouwanttorobmeofit？\"
Atthesametime，shestretchedoutherarmtowardsthecat—o’—nine—tailswhichhungonanailinthechimney—corner。
ThisformidablegesturerestoredtoCosettesufficientstrengthtoshriek:——
\"Mercy，Madame，Madame！Iwillnotdosoanymore！\"
TheThenardiertookdownthewhip。
Inthemeantime，themanintheyellowcoathadbeenfumblinginthefobofhiswaistcoat，withoutanyonehavingnoticedhismovements。
Besides，theothertravellersweredrinkingorplayingcards，andwerenotpayingattentiontoanything。
Cosettecontractedherselfintoaball，withanguish，withintheangleofthechimney，endeavoringtogatherupandconcealherpoorhalf—nudelimbs。TheThenardierraisedherarm。
\"Pardonme，Madame，\"saidtheman，\"butjustnowIcaughtsightofsomethingwhichhadfallenfromthislittleone’sapronpocket，androlledaside。Perhapsthisisit。\"
Atthesametimehebentdownandseemedtobesearchingonthefloorforamoment。
\"Exactly；hereitis，\"hewenton，straighteninghimselfup。
AndheheldoutasilvercointotheThenardier。
\"Yes，that’sit，\"saidshe。
Itwasnotit，foritwasatwenty—soupiece；buttheThenardierfoundittoheradvantage。Sheputthecoininherpocket，andconfinedherselftocastingafierceglanceatthechild，accompaniedwiththeremark，\"Don’tletthiseverhappenagain！\"
CosettereturnedtowhattheThenardiercalled\"herkennel，\"
andherlargeeyes，whichwererivetedonthetraveller，begantotakeonanexpressionsuchastheyhadneverwornbefore。
Thusfaritwasonlyaninnocentamazement，butasortofstupefiedconfidencewasmingledwithit。
\"Bytheway，wouldyoulikesomesupper？\"theThenardierinquiredofthetraveller。
Hemadenoreply。Heappearedtobeabsorbedinthought。
\"Whatsortofamanisthat？\"shemutteredbetweenherteeth。
\"He’ssomefrightfullypoorwretch。Hehasn’tasoutopayforasupper。Willheevenpaymeforhislodging？It’sverylucky，allthesame，thatitdidnotoccurtohimtostealthemoneythatwasonthefloor。\"
Inthemeantime，adoorhadopened，andEponineandAzelmaentered。
Theyweretworeallyprettylittlegirls，morebourgeoisthanpeasantinlooks，andverycharming；theonewithshiningchestnuttresses，theotherwithlongblackbraidshangingdownherback，bothvivacious，neat，plump，rosy，andhealthy，andadelighttotheeye。Theywerewarmlyclad，butwithsomuchmaternalartthatthethicknessofthestuffsdidnotdetractfromthecoquetryofarrangement。Therewasahintofwinter，thoughthespringtimewasnotwhollyeffaced。Lightemanatedfromthesetwolittlebeings。
Besidesthis，theywereonthethrone。Intheirtoilettes，intheirgayety，inthenoisewhichtheymade，therewassovereignty。
Whentheyentered，theThenardiersaidtotheminagrumblingtonewhichwasfullofadoration，\"Ah！thereyouare，youchildren！\"
Thendrawingthem，oneaftertheothertoherknees，smoothingtheirhair，tyingtheirribbonsafresh，andthenreleasingthemwiththatgentlemannerofshakingoffwhichispeculiartomothers，sheexclaimed，\"Whatfrightstheyare！\"
Theywentandseatedthemselvesinthechimney—corner。Theyhadadoll，whichtheyturnedoverandoverontheirkneeswithallsortsofjoyouschatter。FromtimetotimeCosetteraisedhereyesfromherknitting，andwatchedtheirplaywithamelancholyair。
EponineandAzelmadidnotlookatCosette。Shewasthesameasadogtothem。Thesethreelittlegirlsdidnotyetreckonupfourandtwentyyearsbetweenthem，buttheyalreadyrepresentedthewholesocietyofman；envyontheoneside，disdainontheother。
ThedolloftheThenardiersisterswasverymuchfaded，veryold，andmuchbroken；butitseemednonethelessadmirabletoCosette，whohadneverhadadollinherlife，arealdoll，tomakeuseoftheexpressionwhichallchildrenwillunderstand。
Allatonce，theThenardier，whohadbeengoingbackandforthintheroom，perceivedthatCosette’smindwasdistracted，andthat，insteadofworking，shewaspayingattentiontothelittleonesattheirplay。
\"Ah！I’vecaughtyouatit！\"shecried。\"Sothat’sthewayyouwork！
I’llmakeyouworktothetuneofthewhip；thatIwill。\"
ThestrangerturnedtotheThenardier，withoutquittinghischair。
\"Bah，Madame，\"hesaid，withanalmosttimidair，\"letherplay！\"
Suchawishexpressedbyatravellerwhohadeatenasliceofmuttonandhaddrunkacoupleofbottlesofwinewithhissupper，andwhohadnottheairofbeingfrightfullypoor，wouldhavebeenequivalenttoanorder。Butthatamanwithsuchahatshouldpermithimselfsuchadesire，andthatamanwithsuchacoatshouldpermithimselftohaveawill，wassomethingwhichMadameThenardierdidnotintendtotolerate。Sheretortedwithacrimony:——
\"Shemustwork，sincesheeats。Idon’tfeedhertodonothing。\"
\"Whatisshemaking？\"wentonthestranger，inagentlevoicewhichcontrastedstrangelywithhisbeggarlygarmentsandhisporter’sshoulders。
TheThenardierdeignedtoreply:——
\"Stockings，ifyouplease。Stockingsformylittlegirls，whohavenone，sotospeak，andwhoareabsolutelybarefootjustnow。\"
ThemanlookedatCosette’spoorlittleredfeet，andcontinued:——
\"Whenwillshehavefinishedthispairofstockings？\"
\"Shehasatleastthreeorfourgooddays’workonthemstill，thelazycreature！\"
\"Andhowmuchwillthatpairofstockingsbeworthwhenshehasfinishedthem？\"
TheThenardiercastaglanceofdisdainonhim。
\"Thirtysousatleast。\"
\"Willyousellthemforfivefrancs？\"wentontheman。
\"Goodheavens！\"exclaimedacarterwhowaslistening，withaloudlaugh；
\"fivefrancs！thedeuce，Ishouldthinkso！fiveballs！\"
Thenardierthoughtittimetostrikein。
\"Yes，sir；ifsuchisyourfancy，youwillbeallowedtohavethatpairofstockingsforfivefrancs。Wecanrefusenothingtotravellers。\"
\"Youmustpayonthespot，\"saidtheThenardier，inhercurtandperemptoryfashion。
\"Iwillbuythatpairofstockings，\"repliedtheman，\"and，\"headded，drawingafive—francpiecefromhispocket，andlayingitonthetable，\"Iwillpayforthem。\"
ThenheturnedtoCosette。
\"NowIownyourwork；play，mychild。\"
Thecarterwassomuchtouchedbythefive—francpiece，thatheabandonedhisglassandhastenedup。
\"Butit’strue！\"hecried，examiningit。\"Arealhindwheel！
andnotcounterfeit！\"
Thenardierapproachedandsilentlyputthecoininhispocket。
TheThenardierhadnoreplytomake。Shebitherlips，andherfaceassumedanexpressionofhatred。
Inthemeantime，Cosettewastrembling。Sheventuredtoask:——
\"Isittrue，Madame？MayIplay？\"
\"Play！\"saidtheThenardier，inaterriblevoice。
\"Thanks，Madame，\"saidCosette。
AndwhilehermouththankedtheThenardier，herwholelittlesoulthankedthetraveller。
Thenardierhadresumedhisdrinking；hiswifewhisperedinhisear:——
\"Whocanthisyellowmanbe？\"
\"Ihaveseenmillionaireswithcoatslikethat，\"repliedThenardier，inasovereignmanner。
Cosettehaddroppedherknitting，buthadnotleftherseat。
Cosettealwaysmovedaslittleaspossible。Shepickedupsomeoldragsandherlittleleadswordfromaboxbehindher。
EponineandAzelmapaidnoattentiontowhatwasgoingon。
Theyhadjustexecutedaveryimportantoperation；theyhadjustgotholdofthecat。Theyhadthrowntheirdollontheground，andEponine，whowastheelder，wasswathingthelittlecat，inspiteofitsmewinganditscontortions，inaquantityofclothesandredandbluescraps。Whileperformingthisseriousanddifficultworkshewassayingtohersisterinthatsweetandadorablelanguageofchildren，whosegrace，likethesplendorofthebutterfly’swing，vanisheswhenoneessaystofixitfast。
\"Yousee，sister，thisdollismoreamusingthantheother。
Shetwists，shecries，sheiswarm。See，sister，letusplaywithher。
Sheshallbemylittlegirl。Iwillbealady。Iwillcometoseeyou，andyoushalllookather。Gradually，youwillperceiveherwhiskers，andthatwillsurpriseyou。Andthenyouwillseeherears，andthenyouwillseehertailanditwillamazeyou。
Andyouwillsaytome，`Ah！MonDieu！’andIwillsaytoyou:
`Yes，Madame，itismylittlegirl。Littlegirlsaremadelikethatjustatpresent。’\"
AzelmalistenedadmiringlytoEponine。
Inthemeantime，thedrinkershadbeguntosinganobscenesong，andtolaughatituntiltheceilingshook。Thenardieraccompaniedandencouragedthem。
Asbirdsmakenestsoutofeverything，sochildrenmakeadolloutofanythingwhichcomestohand。WhileEponineandAzelmawerebundlingupthecat，Cosette，onherside，haddresseduphersword。
Thatdone，shelaiditinherarms，andsangtoitsoftly，tolullittosleep。
Thedollisoneofthemostimperiousneedsand，atthesametime，oneofthemostcharminginstinctsoffemininechildhood。
Tocarefor，toclothe，todeck，todress，toundress，toredress，toteach，scoldalittle，torock，todandle，tolulltosleep，toimaginethatsomethingissomeone，——thereinliesthewholewoman’sfuture。Whiledreamingandchattering，makingtinyoutfits，andbabyclothes，whilesewinglittlegowns，andcorsagesandbodices，thechildgrowsintoayounggirl，theyounggirlintoabiggirl，thebiggirlintoawoman。Thefirstchildisthecontinuationofthelastdoll。
Alittlegirlwithoutadollisalmostasunhappy，andquiteasimpossible，asawomanwithoutchildren。
SoCosettehadmadeherselfadolloutofthesword。
MadameThenardierapproachedtheyellowman；\"Myhusbandisright，\"
shethought；\"perhapsitisM。Laffitte；therearesuchqueerrichmen！\"
Shecameandsetherelbowsonthetable。
\"Monsieur，\"saidshe。Atthisword，Monsieur，themanturned；
uptothattime，theThenardierhadaddressedhimonlyasbravehommeorbonhomme。
\"Yousee，sir，\"shepursued，assumingasweetishairthatwasevenmorerepulsivetobeholdthanherfiercemien，\"Iamwillingthatthechildshouldplay；Idonotopposeit，butitisgoodforonce，becauseyouaregenerous。Yousee，shehasnothing；
shemustneedswork。\"
\"Thenthischildisnotyours？\"demandedtheman。
\"Oh！monDieu！no，sir！sheisalittlebeggarwhomwehavetakeninthroughcharity；asortofimbecilechild。Shemusthavewateronthebrain；shehasalargehead，asyousee。Wedowhatwecanforher，forwearenotrich；wehavewritteninvaintohernativeplace，andhavereceivednoreplythesesixmonths。
Itmustbethathermotherisdead。\"
\"Ah！\"saidtheman，andfellintohisreveryoncemore。
\"Hermotherdidn’tamounttomuch，\"addedtheThenardier；
\"sheabandonedherchild。\"
DuringthewholeofthisconversationCosette，asthoughwarnedbysomeinstinctthatshewasunderdiscussion，hadnottakenhereyesfromtheThenardier’sface；shelistenedvaguely；shecaughtafewwordshereandthere。
Meanwhile，thedrinkers，allthree—quartersintoxicated，wererepeatingtheiruncleanrefrainwithredoubledgayety；itwasahighlyspicedandwantonsong，inwhichtheVirginandtheinfantJesuswereintroduced。TheThenardierwentofftotakepartintheshoutsoflaughter。Cosette，fromherpostunderthetable，gazedatthefire，whichwasreflectedfromherfixedeyes。Shehadbeguntorockthesortofbabywhichshehadmade，and，assherockedit，shesanginalowvoice，\"Mymotherisdead！mymotherisdead！mymotherisdead！\"
Onbeingurgedafreshbythehostess，theyellowman，\"themillionaire，\"
consentedatlasttotakesupper。
\"WhatdoesMonsieurwish？\"
\"Breadandcheese，\"saidtheman。
\"Decidedly，heisabeggar\"thoughtMadameThenardier。
Thedrunkenmenwerestillsingingtheirsong，andthechildunderthetablewassinginghers。
Allatonce，Cosettepaused；shehadjustturnedroundandcaughtsightofthelittleThenardiers’doll，whichtheyhadabandonedforthecatandhadleftonthefloorafewpacesfromthekitchentable。
Thenshedroppedtheswaddledsword，whichonlyhalfmetherneeds，andcasthereyesslowlyroundtheroom。MadameThenardierwaswhisperingtoherhusbandandcountingoversomemoney；
PonineandZelmawereplayingwiththecat；thetravellerswereeatingordrinkingorsinging；notaglancewasfixedonher。
Shehadnotamomenttolose；shecreptoutfromunderthetableonherhandsandknees，madesureoncemorethatnoonewaswatchingher；
thensheslippedquicklyuptothedollandseizedit。Aninstantlatershewasinherplaceagain，seatedmotionless，andonlyturnedsoastocastashadowonthedollwhichsheheldinherarms。
Thehappinessofplayingwithadollwassorareforherthatitcontainedalltheviolenceofvoluptuousness。
Noonehadseenher，exceptthetraveller，whowasslowlydevouringhismeagresupper。
Thisjoylastedaboutaquarterofanhour。
ButwithalltheprecautionsthatCosettehadtakenshedidnotperceivethatoneofthedoll’slegsstuckoutandthatthefireonthehearthlighteditupveryvividly。Thatpinkandshiningfoot，projectingfromtheshadow，suddenlystrucktheeyeofAzelma，whosaidtoEponine，\"Look！sister。\"
Thetwolittlegirlspausedinstupefaction；Cosettehaddaredtotaketheirdoll！
Eponinerose，and，withoutreleasingthecat，sherantohermother，andbegantotugatherskirt。
\"Letmealone！\"saidhermother；\"whatdoyouwant？\"
\"Mother，\"saidthechild，\"lookthere！\"
AndshepointedtoCosette。
Cosette，absorbedintheecstasiesofpossession，nolongersaworheardanything。
MadameThenardier’scountenanceassumedthatpeculiarexpressionwhichiscomposedoftheterriblemingledwiththetriflesoflife，andwhichhascausedthisstyleofwomantobenamedmegaeras。
Onthisoccasion，woundedprideexasperatedherwrathstillfurther。
Cosettehadoversteppedallbounds；Cosettehadlaidviolenthandsonthedollbelongingto\"theseyoungladies。\"Aczarinawhoshouldseeamuzhiktryingonherimperialson’sblueribbonwouldwearnootherface。
Sheshriekedinavoicerenderedhoarsewithindignation:——
\"Cosette！\"
Cosettestartedasthoughtheearthhadtrembledbeneathher；
sheturnedround。
\"Cosette！\"repeatedtheThenardier。
Cosettetookthedollandlaiditgentlyonthefloorwithasortofveneration，mingledwithdespair；then，withouttakinghereyesfromit，sheclaspedherhands，and，whatisterribletorelateofachildofthatage，shewrungthem；then——notoneoftheemotionsoftheday，neitherthetriptotheforest，northeweightofthebucketofwater，northelossofthemoney，northesightofthewhip，noreventhesadwordswhichshehadheardMadameThenardierutterhadbeenabletowringthisfromher——
shewept；sheburstoutsobbing。
Meanwhile，thetravellerhadrisentohisfeet。
\"Whatisthematter？\"hesaidtotheThenardier。
\"Don’tyousee？\"saidtheThenardier，pointingtothecorpusdelictiwhichlayatCosette’sfeet。
\"Well，whatofit？\"resumedtheman。
\"Thatbeggar，\"repliedtheThenardier，\"haspermittedherselftotouchthechildren’sdoll！\"
\"Allthisnoiseforthat！\"saidtheman；\"well，whatifshedidplaywiththatdoll？\"
\"Shetoucheditwithherdirtyhands！\"pursuedtheThenardier，\"withherfrightfulhands！\"
HereCosetteredoubledhersobs。
\"Willyoustopyournoise？\"screamedtheThenardier。
Themanwentstraighttothestreetdoor，openedit，andsteppedout。
Assoonashehadgone，theThenardierprofitedbyhisabsencetogiveCosetteaheartykickunderthetable，whichmadethechildutterloudcries。
Thedooropenedagain，themanre—appeared；hecarriedinbothhandsthefabulousdollwhichwehavementioned，andwhichallthevillagebratshadbeenstaringateversincethemorning，andhesetituprightinfrontofCosette，saying:——
\"Here；thisisforyou。\"
Itmustbesupposedthatinthecourseofthehourandmorewhichhehadspenttherehehadtakenconfusednoticethroughhisreveryofthattoyshop，lightedupbyfire—potsandcandlessosplendidlythatitwasvisiblelikeanilluminationthroughthewindowofthedrinking—shop。
Cosetteraisedhereyes；shegazedatthemanapproachingherwiththatdollasshemighthavegazedatthesun；sheheardtheunprecedentedwords，\"Itisforyou\"；shestaredathim；
shestaredatthedoll；thensheslowlyretreated，andhidherselfattheextremeend，underthetableinacornerofthewall。
Shenolongercried；shenolongerwept；shehadtheappearanceofnolongerdaringtobreathe。
TheThenardier，Eponine，andAzelmawerelikestatuesalso；
theverydrinkershadpaused；asolemnsilencereignedthroughthewholeroom。
MadameThenardier，petrifiedandmute，recommencedherconjectures:
\"Whoisthatoldfellow？Isheapoorman？Isheamillionaire？
Perhapsheisboth；thatistosay，athief。\"
ThefaceofthemaleThenardierpresentedthatexpressivefoldwhichaccentuatesthehumancountenancewheneverthedominantinstinctappearsthereinallitsbestialforce。Thetavern—keeperstaredalternatelyatthedollandatthetraveller；heseemedtobescentingouttheman，ashewouldhavescentedoutabagofmoney。
Thisdidnotlastlongerthanthespaceofaflashoflightning。
Hesteppeduptohiswifeandsaidtoherinalowvoice:——
\"Thatmachinecostsatleastthirtyfrancs。Nononsense。
Downonyourbellybeforethatman！\"
Grossnatureshavethisincommonwithnaivenatures，thattheypossessnotransitionstate。
\"Well，Cosette，\"saidtheThenardier，inavoicethatstrovetobesweet，andwhichwascomposedofthebitterhoneyofmaliciouswomen，\"aren’tyougoingtotakeyourdoll？\"
Cosetteventuredtoemergefromherhole。
\"Thegentlemanhasgivenyouadoll，mylittleCosette，\"
saidThenardier，withacaressingair。\"Takeit；itisyours。\"
Cosettegazedatthemarvellousdollinasortofterror。
Herfacewasstillfloodedwithtears，buthereyesbegantofill，liketheskyatdaybreak，withstrangebeamsofjoy。Whatshefeltatthatmomentwasalittlelikewhatshewouldhavefeltifshehadbeenabruptlytold，\"Littleone，youaretheQueenofFrance。\"
Itseemedtoherthatifshetouchedthatdoll，lightningwoulddartfromit。
Thiswastrue，uptoacertainpoint，forshesaidtoherselfthattheThenardierwouldscoldandbeather。
Nevertheless，theattractioncarriedtheday。SheendedbydrawingnearandmurmuringtimidlyassheturnedtowardsMadameThenardier:——
\"MayI，Madame？\"
Nowordscanrenderthatair，atoncedespairing，terrified，andecstatic。
\"Pardi！\"criedtheThenardier，\"itisyours。Thegentlemanhasgivenittoyou。\"
\"Truly，sir？\"saidCosette。\"Isittrue？Isthe`lady’mine？\"
Thestranger’seyesseemedtobefulloftears。Heappearedtohavereachedthatpointofemotionwhereamandoesnotspeakforfearlestheshouldweep。HenoddedtoCosette，andplacedthe\"lady’s\"handinhertinyhand。
Cosettehastilywithdrewherhand，asthoughthatofthe\"lady\"
scorchedher，andbegantostareatthefloor。Weareforcedtoaddthatatthatmomentshestuckouthertongueimmoderately。
Allatonceshewheeledroundandseizedthedollinatransport。
\"IshallcallherCatherine，\"shesaid。
ItwasanoddmomentwhenCosette’sragsmetandclaspedtheribbonsandfreshpinkmuslinsofthedoll。
\"Madame，\"sheresumed，\"mayIputheronachair？\"
\"Yes，mychild，\"repliedtheThenardier。
ItwasnowtheturnofEponineandAzelmatogazeatCosettewithenvy。
CosetteplacedCatherineonachair，thenseatedherselfonthefloorinfrontofher，andremainedmotionless，withoututteringaword，inanattitudeofcontemplation。
\"Play，Cosette，\"saidthestranger。
\"Oh！Iamplaying，\"returnedthechild。
Thisstranger，thisunknownindividual，whohadtheairofavisitwhichProvidencewasmakingonCosette，wasthepersonwhomtheThenardierhatedworsethananyoneintheworldatthatmoment。However，itwasnecessarytocontrolherself。
Habituatedasshewastodissimulationthroughendeavoringtocopyherhusbandinallhisactions，theseemotionsweremorethanshecouldendure。Shemadehastetosendherdaughterstobed，thensheaskedtheman’spermissiontosendCosetteoffalso；
\"forshehasworkedhardallday，\"sheaddedwithamaternalair。
Cosettewentofftobed，carryingCatherineinherarms。
FromtimetotimetheThenardierwenttotheotherendoftheroomwhereherhusbandwas，torelievehersoul，asshesaid。
Sheexchangedwithherhusbandwordswhichwereallthemorefuriousbecauseshedarednotutterthemaloud。
\"Oldbeast！Whathashegotinhisbelly，tocomeandupsetusinthismanner！Towantthatlittlemonstertoplay！togiveawayforty—francdollstoajadethatIwouldsellforfortysous，soIwould！AlittlemoreandhewillbesayingYourMajestytoher，asthoughtotheDuchessdeBerry！Isthereanysenseinit？
Ishemad，then，thatmysteriousoldfellow？\"
\"Why！itisperfectlysimple，\"repliedThenardier，\"ifthatamuseshim！
Itamusesyoutohavethelittleonework；itamuseshimtohaveherplay。He’sallright。Atravellercandowhathepleaseswhenhepaysforit。Iftheoldfellowisaphilanthropist，whatisthattoyou？Ifheisanimbecile，itdoesnotconcernyou。
Whatareyouworryingfor，solongashehasmoney？\"
Thelanguageofamaster，andthereasoningofaninnkeeper，neitherofwhichadmittedofanyreply。
Themanhadplacedhiselbowsonthetable，andresumedhisthoughtfulattitude。Alltheothertravellers，bothpedlersandcarters，hadwithdrawnalittle，andhadceasedsinging。
Theywerestaringathimfromadistance，withasortofrespectfulawe。
Thispoorlydressedman，whodrew\"hind—wheels\"fromhispocketwithsomuchease，andwholavishedgiganticdollsondirtylittlebratsinwoodenshoes，wascertainlyamagnificentfellow，andonetobefeared。
Manyhourspassed。Themidnightmasswasover，thechimeshadceased，thedrinkershadtakentheirdeparture，thedrinking—shopwasclosed，thepublicroomwasdeserted，thefireextinct，thestrangerstillremainedinthesameplaceandthesameattitude。Fromtimetotimehechangedtheelbowonwhichheleaned。Thatwasall；
buthehadnotsaidawordsinceCosettehadlefttheroom。
TheThenardiersalone，outofpolitenessandcuriosity，hadremainedintheroom。
\"Ishegoingtopassthenightinthatfashion？\"grumbledtheThenardier。
Whentwoo’clockinthemorningstruck，shedeclaredherselfvanquished，andsaidtoherhusband，\"I’mgoingtobed。Doasyoulike。\"
Herhusbandseatedhimselfatatableinthecorner，lightedacandle，andbegantoreadtheCourrierFrancais。
Agoodhourpassedthus。Theworthyinn—keeperhadperusedtheCourrierFrancaisatleastthreetimes，fromthedateofthenumbertotheprinter’sname。Thestrangerdidnotstir。
Thenardierfidgeted，coughed，spit，blewhisnose，andcreakedhischair。Notamovementontheman’spart。\"Isheasleep？\"
thoughtThenardier。Themanwasnotasleep，butnothingcouldarousehim。
AtlastThenardiertookoffhiscap，steppedgentlyuptohim，andventuredtosay:——
\"IsnotMonsieurgoingtohisrepose？\"
Notgoingtobedwouldhaveseemedtohimexcessiveandfamiliar。
Toreposesmackedofluxuryandrespect。Thesewordspossessthemysteriousandadmirablepropertyofswellingthebillonthefollowingday。Achamberwhereonesleepscoststwentysous；
achamberinwhichonereposescoststwentyfrancs。
\"Well！\"saidthestranger，\"youareright。Whereisyourstable？\"
\"Sir！\"exclaimedThenardier，withasmile，\"Iwillconductyou，sir。\"
Hetookthecandle；themanpickeduphisbundleandcudgel，andThenardierconductedhimtoachamberonthefirstfloor，whichwasofraresplendor，allfurnishedinmahogany，withalowbedstead，curtainedwithredcalico。
\"Whatisthis？\"saidthetraveller。
\"Itisreallyourbridalchamber，\"saidthetavern—keeper。\"MywifeandIoccupyanother。Thisisonlyenteredthreeorfourtimesayear。\"
\"Ishouldhavelikedthestablequiteaswell，\"saidtheman，abruptly。
Thenardierpretendednottohearthisunamiableremark。
Helightedtwoperfectlyfreshwaxcandleswhichfiguredonthechimney—piece。Averygoodfirewasflickeringonthehearth。
Onthechimney—piece，underaglassglobe，stoodawoman’shead—dressinsilverwireandorangeflowers。
\"Andwhatisthis？\"resumedthestranger。
\"That，sir，\"saidThenardier，\"ismywife’sweddingbonnet。\"
Thetravellersurveyedtheobjectwithaglancewhichseemedtosay，\"Therereallywasatime，then，whenthatmonsterwasamaiden？\"
Thenardierlied，however。Whenhehadleasedthispaltrybuildingforthepurposeofconvertingitintoatavern，hehadfoundthischamberdecoratedinjustthismanner，andhadpurchasedthefurnitureandobtainedtheorangeflowersatsecondhand，withtheideathatthiswouldcastagracefulshadowon\"hisspouse，\"
andwouldresultinwhattheEnglishcallrespectabilityforhishouse。
Whenthetravellerturnedround，thehosthaddisappeared。
Thenardierhadwithdrawndiscreetly，withoutventuringtowishhimagoodnight，ashedidnotwishtotreatwithdisrespectfulcordialityamanwhomheproposedtofleeceroyallythefollowingmorning。
Theinn—keeperretiredtohisroom。Hiswifewasinbed，butshewasnotasleep。Whensheheardherhusband’sstepsheturnedoverandsaidtohim:——
\"Doyouknow，I’mgoingtoturnCosetteoutofdoorsto—morrow。\"
Thenardierrepliedcoldly:——
\"Howyoudogoon！\"
Theyexchangednofurtherwords，andafewmomentslatertheircandlewasextinguished。
Asforthetraveller，hehaddepositedhiscudgelandhisbundleinacorner。Thelandlordoncegone，hethrewhimselfintoanarm—chairandremainedforsometimeburiedinthought。
Thenheremovedhisshoes，tookoneofthetwocandles，blewouttheother，openedthedoor，andquittedtheroom，gazingabouthimlikeapersonwhoisinsearchofsomething。
Hetraversedacorridorandcameuponastaircase。Thereheheardaveryfaintandgentlesoundlikethebreathingofachild。
Hefollowedthissound，andcametoasortoftriangularrecessbuiltunderthestaircase，orratherformedbythestaircaseitself。
Thisrecesswasnothingelsethanthespaceunderthesteps。
There，inthemidstofallsortsofoldpapersandpotsherds，amongdustandspiders’webs，wasabed——ifonecancallbythenameofbedastrawpalletsofullofholesastodisplaythestraw，andacoverletsotatteredastoshowthepallet。Nosheets。
Thiswasplacedonthefloor。
InthisbedCosettewassleeping。
Themanapproachedandgazeddownuponher。
Cosettewasinaprofoundsleep；shewasfullydressed。Inthewintershedidnotundress，inorderthatshemightnotbesocold。
Againstherbreastwaspressedthedoll，whoselargeeyes，wideopen，glitteredinthedark。Fromtimetotimeshegaveventtoadeepsighasthoughshewereonthepointofwaking，andshestrainedthedollalmostconvulsivelyinherarms。Besideherbedtherewasonlyoneofherwoodenshoes。
AdoorwhichstoodopennearCosette’spalletpermittedaviewofaratherlarge，darkroom。Thestrangersteppedintoit。
Atthefurtherextremity，throughaglassdoor，hesawtwosmall，verywhitebeds。TheybelongedtoEponineandAzelma。
Behindthesebeds，andhalfhidden，stoodanuncurtainedwickercradle，inwhichthelittleboywhohadcriedalltheeveninglayasleep。
ThestrangerconjecturedthatthischamberconnectedwiththatoftheThenardierpair。Hewasonthepointofretreatingwhenhiseyefelluponthefireplace——oneofthosevasttavernchimneyswherethereisalwayssolittlefirewhenthereisanyfireatall，andwhicharesocoldtolookat。Therewasnofireinthisone，therewasnotevenashes；buttherewassomethingwhichattractedthestranger’sgaze，nevertheless。Itwastwotinychildren’sshoes，coquettishinshapeandunequalinsize。ThetravellerrecalledthegracefulandimmemorialcustominaccordancewithwhichchildrenplacetheirshoesinthechimneyonChristmaseve，theretoawaitinthedarknesssomesparklinggiftfromtheirgoodfairy。
EponineandAzelmahadtakencarenottoomitthis，andeachofthemhadsetoneofhershoesonthehearth。
Thetravellerbentoverthem。
Thefairy，thatistosay，theirmother，hadalreadypaidhervisit，andineachhesawabrand—newandshiningten—soupiece。
Themanstraightenedhimselfup，andwasonthepointofwithdrawing，whenfarin，inthedarkestcornerofthehearth，hecaughtsightofanotherobject。Helookedatit，andrecognizedawoodenshoe，afrightfulshoeofthecoarsestdescription，halfdilapidatedandallcoveredwithashesanddriedmud。ItwasCosette’ssabot。
Cosette，withthattouchingtrustofchildhood，whichcanalwaysbedeceivedyetneverdiscouraged，hadplacedhershoeonthehearth—stonealso。
Hopeinachildwhohasneverknownanythingbutdespairisasweetandtouchingthing。
Therewasnothinginthiswoodenshoe。
Thestrangerfumbledinhiswaistcoat，bentoverandplacedalouisd’orinCosette’sshoe。
Thenheregainedhisownchamberwiththestealthytreadofawolf。