CHAPTERIX
THENARDIERANDHISMANOEUVRES
Onthefollowingmorning，twohoursatleastbeforeday—break，Thenardier，seatedbesideacandleinthepublicroomofthetavern，peninhand，wasmakingoutthebillforthetravellerwiththeyellowcoat。
Hiswife，standingbesidehim，andhalfbentoverhim，wasfollowinghimwithhereyes。Theyexchangednotaword。Ontheonehand，therewasprofoundmeditation，ontheother，thereligiousadmirationwithwhichonewatchesthebirthanddevelopmentofamarvelofthehumanmind。Anoisewasaudibleinthehouse；
itwastheLarksweepingthestairs。
Afterthelapseofagoodquarterofanhour，andsomeerasures，Thenardierproducedthefollowingmasterpiece:——
BILLOFTHEGENTLEMANINNo。1。
Supper……3francs。
Chamber……10\"
Candle……5\"
Fire……4\"
Service……1\"
——————————
Total……23francs。
Servicewaswrittenservisse。
\"Twenty—threefrancs！\"criedthewoman，withanenthusiasmwhichwasmingledwithsomehesitation。
Likeallgreatartists，Thenardierwasdissatisfied。
\"Peuh！\"heexclaimed。
ItwastheaccentofCastlereaghauditingFrance’sbillattheCongressofVienna。
\"MonsieurThenardier，youareright；hecertainlyowesthat，\"
murmuredthewife，whowasthinkingofthedollbestowedonCosetteinthepresenceofherdaughters。\"Itisjust，butitistoomuch。
Hewillnotpayit。\"
Thenardierlaughedcoldly，asusual，andsaid:——
\"Hewillpay。\"
Thislaughwasthesupremeassertionofcertaintyandauthority。
Thatwhichwasassertedinthismannermustneedsbeso。Hiswifedidnotinsist。
Shesetaboutarrangingthetable；herhusbandpacedtheroom。
Amomentlaterheadded:——
\"Iowefullfifteenhundredfrancs！\"
Hewentandseatedhimselfinthechimney—corner，meditating，withhisfeetamongthewarmashes。
\"Ah！bytheway，\"resumedhiswife，\"youdon’tforgetthatI’mgoingtoturnCosetteoutofdoorsto—day？Themonster！Shebreaksmyheartwiththatdollofhers！I’drathermarryLouisXVIII。
thankeepheranotherdayinthehouse！\"
Thenardierlightedhispipe，andrepliedbetweentwopuffs:——
\"Youwillhandthatbilltotheman。\"
Thenhewentout。
Hardlyhadhelefttheroomwhenthetravellerentered。
Thenardierinstantlyreappearedbehindhimandremainedmotionlessinthehalf—opendoor，visibleonlytohiswife。
Theyellowmancarriedhisbundleandhiscudgelinhishand。
\"Upsoearly？\"saidMadameThenardier；\"isMonsieurleavingusalready？\"
Asshespokethus，shewastwistingthebillaboutinherhandswithanembarrassedair，andmakingcreasesinitwithhernails。
Herhardfacepresentedashadewhichwasnothabitualwithit，——
timidityandscruples。
Topresentsuchabilltoamanwhohadsocompletelytheair\"ofapoorwretch\"seemeddifficulttoher。
Thetravellerappearedtobepreoccupiedandabsent—minded。Hereplied:——
\"Yes，Madame，Iamgoing。\"
\"SoMonsieurhasnobusinessinMontfermeil？\"
\"No，Iwaspassingthrough。Thatisall。WhatdoIoweyou，Madame，\"headded。
TheThenardiersilentlyhandedhimthefoldedbill。
Themanunfoldedthepaperandglancedatit；buthisthoughtswereevidentlyelsewhere。
\"Madame，\"heresumed，\"isbusinessgoodhereinMontfermeil？\"
\"Soso，Monsieur，\"repliedtheThenardier，stupefiedatnotwitnessinganothersortofexplosion。
Shecontinued，inadrearyandlamentabletone:——
\"Oh！Monsieur，timesaresohard！andthen，wehavesofewbourgeoisintheneighborhood！Allthepeoplearepoor，yousee。Ifwehadnot，nowandthen，somerichandgeneroustravellerslikeMonsieur，weshouldnotgetalongatall。Wehavesomanyexpenses。Justsee，thatchildiscostingusourveryeyes。\"
\"Whatchild？\"
\"Why，thelittleone，youknow！Cosette——theLark，assheiscalledhereabouts！\"
\"Ah！\"saidtheman。
Shewenton:——
\"Howstupidthesepeasantsarewiththeirnicknames！Shehasmoretheairofabatthanofalark。Yousee，sir，wedonotaskcharity，andwecannotbestowit。Weearnnothingandwehavetopayoutagreatdeal。Thelicense，theimposts，thedoorandwindowtax，thehundredths！Monsieurisawarethatthegovernmentdemandsaterribledealofmoney。Andthen，Ihavemydaughters。
Ihavenoneedtobringupotherpeople’schildren。\"
Themanresumed，inthatvoicewhichhestrovetorenderindifferent，andinwhichtherelingeredatremor:——
\"Whatifoneweretoridyouofher？\"
\"Who？Cosette？\"
\"Yes。\"
Thelandlady’sredandviolentfacebrighteneduphideously。
\"Ah！sir，mydearsir，takeher，keepher，leadheroff，carryheraway，sugarher，stuffherwithtruffles，drinkher，eather，andtheblessingsofthegoodholyVirginandofallthesaintsofparadisebeuponyou！\"
\"Agreed。\"
\"Really！Youwilltakeheraway？\"
\"Iwilltakeheraway。\"
\"Immediately？\"
\"Immediately。Callthechild。\"
\"Cosette！\"screamedtheThenardier。
\"Inthemeantime，\"pursuedtheman，\"IwillpayyouwhatIoweyou。
Howmuchisit？\"
Hecastaglanceonthebill，andcouldnotrestrainastartofsurprise:——
\"Twenty—threefrancs！\"
Helookedatthelandlady，andrepeated:——
\"Twenty—threefrancs？\"
Therewasintheenunciationofthesewords，thusrepeated，anaccentbetweenanexclamationandaninterrogationpoint。
TheThenardierhadhadtimetoprepareherselffortheshock。
Shereplied，withassurance:——
\"Goodgracious，yes，sir，itistwenty—threefrancs。\"
Thestrangerlaidfivefive—francpiecesonthetable。
\"Goandgetthechild，\"saidhe。
AtthatmomentThenardieradvancedtothemiddleoftheroom，andsaid:——
\"Monsieurowestwenty—sixsous。\"
\"Twenty—sixsous！\"exclaimedhiswife。
\"Twentysousforthechamber，\"resumedThenardier，coldly，\"andsixsousforhissupper。Asforthechild，Imustdiscussthatmatteralittlewiththegentleman。Leaveus，wife。\"
MadameThenardierwasdazzledaswiththeshockcausedbyunexpectedlightningflashesoftalent。Shewasconsciousthatagreatactorwasmakinghisentranceonthestage，utterednotawordinreply，andlefttheroom。
Assoonastheywerealone，Thenardierofferedthetravellerachair。
Thetravellerseatedhimself；Thenardierremainedstanding，andhisfaceassumedasingularexpressionofgood—fellowshipandsimplicity。
\"Sir，\"saidhe，\"whatIhavetosaytoyouisthis，thatIadorethatchild。\"
Thestrangergazedintentlyathim。
\"Whatchild？\"
Thenardiercontinued:——
\"Howstrangeitis，onegrowsattached。Whatmoneyisthat？
Takebackyourhundred—soupiece。Iadorethechild。\"
\"Whomdoyoumean？\"demandedthestranger。
\"Eh！ourlittleCosette！Areyounotintendingtotakeherawayfromus？Well，Ispeakfrankly；astrueasyouareanhonestman，Iwillnotconsenttoit。Ishallmissthatchild。Isawherfirstwhenshewasatinything。Itistruethatshecostsusmoney；
itistruethatshehasherfaults；itistruethatwearenotrich；
itistruethatIhavepaidoutoverfourhundredfrancsfordrugsforjustoneofherillnesses！ButonemustdosomethingforthegoodGod’ssake。Shehasneitherfathernormother。
Ihavebroughtherup。Ihavebreadenoughforherandformyself。
Intruth，Ithinkagreatdealofthatchild。Youunderstand，oneconceivesanaffectionforaperson；Iamagoodsortofabeast，Iam；Idonotreason；Ilovethatlittlegirl；mywifeisquick—tempered，butshelovesheralso。Yousee，sheisjustthesameasourownchild。Iwanttokeephertobabbleaboutthehouse。\"
ThestrangerkepthiseyeintentlyfixedonThenardier。
Thelattercontinued:——
\"Excuseme，sir，butonedoesnotgiveawayone’schildtoapasser—by，likethat。Iamright，amInot？Still，Idon’tsay——
youarerich；youhavetheairofaverygoodman，——ifitwereforherhappiness。Butonemustfindoutthat。Youunderstand:
supposethatIweretolethergoandtosacrificemyself，Ishouldliketoknowwhatbecomesofher；Ishouldnotwishtolosesightofher；Ishouldliketoknowwithwhomsheisliving，sothatIcouldgotoseeherfromtimetotime；sothatshemayknowthathergoodfoster—fatherisalive，thatheiswatchingoverher。
Inshort，therearethingswhicharenotpossible。Idonotevenknowyourname。Ifyouweretotakeheraway，Ishouldsay:
`Well，andtheLark，whathasbecomeofher？’Onemust，atleast，seesomepettyscrapofpaper，sometrifleinthewayofapassport，youknow！\"
Thestranger，stillsurveyinghimwiththatgazewhichpenetrates，asthesayinggoes，totheverydepthsoftheconscience，repliedinagrave，firmvoice:——
\"MonsieurThenardier，onedoesnotrequireapassporttotravelfiveleaguesfromParis。IfItakeCosetteaway，Ishalltakeheraway，andthatistheendofthematter。Youwillnotknowmyname，youwillnotknowmyresidence，youwillnotknowwheresheis；
andmyintentionisthatsheshallneverseteyesonyouagainsolongasshelives。Ibreakthethreadwhichbindsherfoot，andshedeparts。Doesthatsuityou？Yesorno？\"
Sincegeniuses，likedemons，recognizethepresenceofasuperiorGodbycertainsigns，Thenardiercomprehendedthathehadtodealwithaverystrongperson。Itwaslikeanintuition；hecomprehendeditwithhisclearandsagaciouspromptitude。Whiledrinkingwiththecarters，smoking，andsingingcoarsesongsontheprecedingevening，hehaddevotedthewholeofthetimetoobservingthestranger，watchinghimlikeacat，andstudyinghimlikeamathematician。
Hehadwatchedhim，bothonhisownaccount，forthepleasureofthething，andthroughinstinct，andhadspieduponhimasthoughhehadbeenpaidforsodoing。Notamovement，notagesture，onthepartofthemanintheyellowgreat—coathadescapedhim。
EvenbeforethestrangerhadsoclearlymanifestedhisinterestinCosette，Thenardierhaddivinedhispurpose。Hehadcaughttheoldman’sdeepglancesreturningconstantlytothechild。
Whowasthisman？Whythisinterest？Whythishideouscostume，whenhehadsomuchmoneyinhispurse？Questionswhichheputtohimselfwithoutbeingabletosolvethem，andwhichirritatedhim。
Hehadpondereditallnightlong。HecouldnotbeCosette’sfather。
Washehergrandfather？Thenwhynotmakehimselfknownatonce？
Whenonehasaright，oneassertsit。ThismanevidentlyhadnorightoverCosette。Whatwasit，then？Thenardierlosthimselfinconjectures。Hecaughtglimpsesofeverything，buthesawnothing。
Bethatasitmay，onenteringintoconversationwiththeman，surethattherewassomesecretinthecase，thatthelatterhadsomeinterestinremainingintheshadow，hefelthimselfstrong；
whenheperceivedfromthestranger’sclearandfirmretort，thatthismysteriouspersonagewasmysteriousinsosimpleaway，hebecameconsciousthathewasweak。Hehadexpectednothingofthesort。Hisconjectureswereputtotherout。Heralliedhisideas。Heweighedeverythinginthespaceofasecond。
Thenardierwasoneofthosemenwhotakeinasituationataglance。
Hedecidedthatthemomenthadarrivedforproceedingstraightforward，andquicklyatthat。Hedidasgreatleadersdoatthedecisivemoment，whichtheyknowthattheyalonerecognize；heabruptlyunmaskedhisbatteries。
\"Sir，\"saidhe，\"Iaminneedoffifteenhundredfrancs。\"
Thestrangertookfromhissidepocketanoldpocketbookofblackleather，openedit，drewoutthreebank—bills，whichhelaidonthetable。
Thenheplacedhislargethumbonthenotesandsaidtotheinn—keeper:——
\"GoandfetchCosette。\"
Whilethiswastakingplace，whathadCosettebeendoing？
Onwakingup，Cosettehadruntogethershoe。Initshehadfoundthegoldpiece。ItwasnotaNapoleon；itwasoneofthoseperfectlynewtwenty—francpiecesoftheRestoration，onwhoseeffigythelittlePrussianqueuehadreplacedthelaurelwreath。
Cosettewasdazzled。Herdestinybegantointoxicateher。
Shedidnotknowwhatagoldpiecewas；shehadneverseenone；
shehiditquicklyinherpocket，asthoughshehadstolenit。
Still，shefeltthatitreallywashers；sheguessedwhencehergifthadcome，butthejoywhichsheexperiencedwasfulloffear。
Shewashappy；aboveallshewasstupefied。Suchmagnificentandbeautifulthingsdidnotappearreal。Thedollfrightenedher，thegoldpiecefrightenedher。Shetrembledvaguelyinthepresenceofthismagnificence。Thestrangeralonedidnotfrightenher。
Onthecontrary，hereassuredher。Eversincetheprecedingevening，amidallheramazement，eveninhersleep，shehadbeenthinkinginherlittlechildishmindofthatmanwhoseemedtobesopoorandsosad，andwhowassorichandsokind。Everythinghadchangedforhersinceshehadmetthatgoodmanintheforest。
Cosette，lesshappythanthemostinsignificantswallowofheaven，hadneverknownwhatitwastotakerefugeunderamother’sshadowandunderawing。Forthelastfiveyears，thatistosay，asfarbackashermemoryran，thepoorchildhadshiveredandtrembled。
Shehadalwaysbeenexposedcompletelynakedtothesharpwindofadversity；nowitseemedtohershewasclothed。Formerlyhersoulhadseemedcold，nowitwaswarm。CosettewasnolongerafraidoftheThenardier。Shewasnolongeralone；therewassomeonethere。
Shehastilysetaboutherregularmorningduties。Thatlouis，whichshehadabouther，intheveryapronpocketwhencethefifteen—soupiecehadfallenonthenightbefore，distractedherthoughts。
Shedarednottouchit，butshespentfiveminutesingazingatit，withhertonguehangingout，ifthetruthmustbetold。Asshesweptthestaircase，shepaused，remainedstandingtheremotionless，forgetfulofherbroomandoftheentireuniverse，occupiedingazingatthatstarwhichwasblazingatthebottomofherpocket。
ItwasduringoneoftheseperiodsofcontemplationthattheThenardierjoinedher。ShehadgoneinsearchofCosetteatherhusband’sorders。Whatwasquiteunprecedented，sheneitherstruckhernorsaidaninsultingwordtoher。
\"Cosette，\"shesaid，almostgently，\"comeimmediately。\"
AninstantlaterCosetteenteredthepublicroom。
Thestrangertookupthebundlewhichhehadbroughtanduntiedit。
Thisbundlecontainedalittlewoollengown，anapron，afustianbodice，akerchief，apetticoat，woollenstockings，shoes——acompleteoutfitforagirlofsevenyears。Allwasblack。
\"Mychild，\"saidtheman，\"takethese，andgoanddressyourselfquickly。\"
DaylightwasappearingwhenthoseoftheinhabitantsofMontfermeilwhohadbeguntoopentheirdoorsbeheldapoorlycladoldmanleadingalittlegirldressedinmourning，andcarryingapinkdollinherarms，passalongtheroadtoParis。TheyweregoinginthedirectionofLivry。
ItwasourmanandCosette。
Nooneknewtheman；asCosettewasnolongerinrags，manydidnotrecognizeher。Cosettewasgoingaway。Withwhom？Shedidnotknow。Whither？Sheknewnot。AllthatsheunderstoodwasthatshewasleavingtheThenardiertavernbehindher。Noonehadthoughtofbiddingherfarewell，norhadshethoughtoftakingleaveofanyone。Shewasleavingthathatedandhatinghouse。
Poor，gentlecreature，whosehearthadbeenrepresseduptothathour！
Cosettewalkedalonggravely，withherlargeeyeswideopen，andgazingatthesky。Shehadputherlouisinthepocketofhernewapron。Fromtimetotime，shebentdownandglancedatit；
thenshelookedatthegoodman。ShefeltsomethingasthoughshewerebesidethegoodGod。
CHAPTERX
HEWHOSEEKSTOBETTERHIMSELFMAYRENDERHISSITUATIONWORSE
MadameThenardierhadallowedherhusbandtohavehisownway，aswasherwont。Shehadexpectedgreatresults。WhenthemanandCosettehadtakentheirdeparture，Thenardierallowedafullquarterofanhourtoelapse；thenhetookherasideandshowedherthefifteenhundredfrancs。
\"Isthatall？\"saidshe。
Itwasthefirsttimesincetheyhadsetuphousekeepingthatshehaddaredtocriticiseoneofthemaster’sacts。
Theblowtold。
\"Youareright，insooth，\"saidhe；\"Iamafool。Givememyhat。\"
Hefoldedupthethreebank—bills，thrustthemintohispocket，andranoutinallhaste；buthemadeamistakeandturnedtotherightfirst。
Someneighbors，ofwhomhemadeinquiries，puthimonthetrackagain；
theLarkandthemanhadbeenseengoinginthedirectionofLivry。
Hefollowedthesehints，walkingwithgreatstrides，andtalkingtohimselfthewhile:——
\"Thatmanisevidentlyamilliondressedinyellow，andIamananimal。
Firsthegavetwentysous，thenfivefrancs，thenfiftyfrancs，thenfifteenhundredfrancs，allwithequalreadiness。Hewouldhavegivenfifteenthousandfrancs。ButIshallovertakehim。\"
Andthen，thatbundleofclothespreparedbeforehandforthechild；
allthatwassingular；manymysterieslayconcealedunderit。
Onedoesnotletmysteriesoutofone’shandwhenonehasoncegraspedthem。Thesecretsofthewealthyarespongesofgold；
onemustknowhowtosubjectthemtopressure。Allthesethoughtswhirledthroughhisbrain。\"Iamananimal，\"saidhe。
WhenoneleavesMontfermeilandreachestheturnwhichtheroadtakesthatrunstoLivry，itcanbeseenstretchingoutbeforeonetoagreatdistanceacrosstheplateau。Onarrivingthere，hecalculatedthatheoughttobeabletoseetheoldmanandthechild。Helookedasfarashisvisionreached，andsawnothing。
Hemadefreshinquiries，buthehadwastedtime。Somepassers—byinformedhimthatthemanandchildofwhomhewasinsearchhadgonetowardstheforestinthedirectionofGagny。Hehastenedinthatdirection。
Theywerefarinadvanceofhim；butachildwalksslowly，andhewalkedfast；andthen，hewaswellacquaintedwiththecountry。
Allatoncehepausedanddealthimselfablowonhisforeheadlikeamanwhohasforgottensomeessentialpointandwhoisreadytoretracehissteps。
\"Ioughttohavetakenmygun，\"saidhetohimself。
Thenardierwasoneofthosedoublenatureswhichsometimespassthroughourmidstwithoutourbeingawareofthefact，andwhodisappearwithoutourfindingthemout，becausedestinyhasonlyexhibitedonesideofthem。Itisthefateofmanymentolivethushalfsubmerged。Inacalmandevensituation，Thenardierpossessedallthatisrequiredtomake——wewillnotsaytobe——
whatpeoplehaveagreedtocallanhonesttrader，agoodbourgeois。
Atthesametimecertaincircumstancesbeinggiven，certainshocksarrivingtobringhisunder—naturetothesurface，hehadalltherequisitesforablackguard。Hewasashopkeeperinwhomtherewassometaintofthemonster。SatanmusthaveoccasionallycroucheddowninsomecornerofthehovelinwhichThenardierdwelt，andhavefallena—dreaminginthepresenceofthishideousmasterpiece。
Afteramomentaryhesitation:——
\"Bah！\"hethought；\"theywillhavetimetomaketheirescape。\"
Andhepursuedhisroad，walkingrapidlystraightahead，andwithalmostanairofcertainty，withthesagacityofafoxscentingacoveyofpartridges。
Intruth，whenhehadpassedthepondsandhadtraversedinanobliquedirectionthelargeclearingwhichliesontherightoftheAvenuedeBellevue，andreachedthatturfalleywhichnearlymakesthecircuitofthehill，andcoversthearchoftheancientaqueductoftheAbbeyofChelles，hecaughtsight，overthetopofthebrushwood，ofthehatonwhichhehadalreadyerectedsomanyconjectures；itwasthatman’shat。Thebrushwoodwasnothigh。ThenardierrecognizedthefactthatthemanandCosetteweresittingthere。Thechildcouldnotbeseenonaccountofhersmallsize，buttheheadofherdollwasvisible。
Thenardierwasnotmistaken。Themanwassittingthere，andlettingCosettegetsomewhatrested。Theinn—keeperwalkedroundthebrushwoodandpresentedhimselfabruptlytotheeyesofthosewhomhewasinsearchof。
\"Pardon，excuseme，sir，\"hesaid，quitebreathless，\"buthereareyourfifteenhundredfrancs。\"
Sosaying，hehandedthestrangerthethreebank—bills。
Themanraisedhiseyes。
\"Whatisthemeaningofthis？\"
Thenardierrepliedrespectfully:——
\"Itmeans，sir，thatIshalltakebackCosette。\"
Cosetteshuddered，andpressedclosetotheoldman。
Hereplied，gazingtotheverybottomofThenardier’seyesthewhile，andenunciatingeverysyllabledistinctly:——
\"Youarego—ingtotakebackCo—sette？\"
\"Yes，sir，Iam。Iwilltellyou；Ihaveconsideredthematter。
Infact，Ihavenottherighttogivehertoyou。Iamanhonestman，yousee；thischilddoesnotbelongtome；shebelongstohermother。
Itwashermotherwhoconfidedhertome；Icanonlyresignhertohermother。Youwillsaytome，`Buthermotherisdead。’
Good；inthatcaseIcanonlygivethechilduptothepersonwhoshallbringmeawriting，signedbyhermother，totheeffectthatIamtohandthechildovertothepersonthereinmentioned；
thatisclear。\"
Theman，withoutmakinganyreply，fumbledinhispocket，andThenardierbeheldthepocket—bookofbank—billsmakeitsappearanceoncemore。
Thetavern—keepershiveredwithjoy。
\"Good！\"thoughthe；\"letusholdfirm；heisgoingtobribeme！\"
Beforeopeningthepocket—book，thetravellercastaglanceabouthim:
thespotwasabsolutelydeserted；therewasnotasouleitherinthewoodsorinthevalley。Themanopenedhispocket—bookoncemoreanddrewfromit，notthehandfulofbillswhichThenardierexpected，butasimplelittlepaper，whichheunfoldedandpresentedfullyopentotheinn—keeper，saying:——
\"Youareright；read！\"
Thenardiertookthepaperandread:——
\"M。SURM。，March25，1823。
\"MONSIEURTHENARDIER:——
YouwilldeliverCosettetothisperson。
Youwillbepaidforallthelittlethings。
Ihavethehonortosaluteyouwithrespect，FANTINE。\"
\"Youknowthatsignature？\"resumedtheman。
ItcertainlywasFantine’ssignature；Thenardierrecognizedit。
Therewasnoreplytomake；heexperiencedtwoviolentvexations，thevexationofrenouncingthebriberywhichhehadhopedfor，andthevexationofbeingbeaten；themanadded:——
\"Youmaykeepthispaperasyourreceipt。\"
Thenardierretreatedintolerablygoodorder。
\"Thissignatureisfairlywellimitated，\"hegrowledbetweenhisteeth；
\"however，letitgo！\"
Thenheessayedadesperateeffort。
\"Itiswell，sir，\"hesaid，\"sinceyouaretheperson，butImustbepaidforallthoselittlethings。Agreatdealisowingtome。\"
Themanrosetohisfeet，fillipingthedustfromhisthread—baresleeve:——
\"MonsieurThenardier，inJanuarylast，themotherreckonedthatsheowedyouonehundredandtwentyfrancs。InFebruary，yousentherabilloffivehundredfrancs；youreceivedthreehundredfrancsattheendofFebruary，andthreehundredfrancsatthebeginningofMarch。
Sincethenninemonthshaveelapsed，atfifteenfrancsamonth，thepriceagreedupon，whichmakesonehundredandthirty—fivefrancs。
Youhadreceivedonehundredfrancstoomuch；thatmakesthirty—fivestillowingyou。Ihavejustgivenyoufifteenhundredfrancs。\"
Thenardier’ssensationswerethoseofthewolfatthemomentwhenhefeelshimselfnippedandseizedbythesteeljawofthetrap。
\"Whoisthisdevilofaman？\"hethought。
Hedidwhatthewolfdoes:heshookhimself。Audacityhadsucceededwithhimonce。
\"Monsieur—I—don’t—know—your—name，\"hesaidresolutely，andthistimecastingasideallrespectfulceremony，\"IshalltakebackCosetteifyoudonotgivemeathousandcrowns。\"
Thestrangersaidtranquilly:——
\"Come，Cosette。\"
HetookCosettebyhislefthand，andwithhisrighthepickeduphiscudgel，whichwaslyingontheground。
Thenardiernotedtheenormoussizeofthecudgelandthesolitudeofthespot。
Themanplungedintotheforestwiththechild，leavingtheinn—keepermotionlessandspeechless。
Whiletheywerewalkingaway，Thenardierscrutinizedhishugeshoulders，whichwerealittlerounded，andhisgreatfists。
Then，bringinghiseyesbacktohisownperson，theyfelluponhisfeeblearmsandhisthinhands。\"Ireallymusthavebeenexceedinglystupidnottohavethoughttobringmygun，\"hesaidtohimself，\"sinceIwasgoinghunting！\"
However，theinn—keeperdidnotgiveup。
\"Iwanttoknowwhereheisgoing，\"saidhe，andhesetouttofollowthematadistance。Twothingswereleftonhishands，anironyintheshapeofthepapersignedFantine，andaconsolation，thefifteenhundredfrancs。
ThemanledCosetteoffinthedirectionofLivryandBondy。
Hewalkedslowly，withdroopinghead，inanattitudeofreflectionandsadness。Thewinterhadthinnedouttheforest，sothatThenardierdidnotlosethemfromsight，althoughhekeptatagooddistance。
Themanturnedroundfromtimetotime，andlookedtoseeifhewasbeingfollowed。AllatoncehecaughtsightofThenardier。
HeplungedsuddenlyintothebrushwoodwithCosette，wheretheycouldbothhidethemselves。\"Thedeuce！\"saidThenardier，andheredoubledhispace。
Thethicknessoftheundergrowthforcedhimtodrawnearertothem。
Whenthemanhadreachedthedensestpartofthethicket，hewheeledround。ItwasinvainthatThenardiersoughttoconcealhimselfinthebranches；hecouldnotpreventthemanseeinghim。
Themancastuponhimanuneasyglance，thenelevatedhisheadandcontinuedhiscourse。Theinn—keepersetoutagaininpursuit。
Thustheycontinuedfortwoorthreehundredpaces。Allatoncethemanturnedroundoncemore；hesawtheinn—keeper。ThistimehegazedathimwithsosombreanairthatThenardierdecidedthatitwas\"useless\"toproceedfurther。Thenardierretracedhissteps。
CHAPTERXI
NUMBER9，430REAPPEARS，ANDCOSETTEWINSITINTHELOTTERY
JeanValjeanwasnotdead。
Whenhefellintothesea，orrather，whenhethrewhimselfintoit，hewasnotironed，aswehaveseen。Heswamunderwateruntilhereachedavesselatanchor，towhichaboatwasmoored。
Hefoundmeansofhidinghimselfinthisboatuntilnight。
Atnightheswamoffagain，andreachedtheshorealittlewayfromCapeBrun。There，ashedidnotlackmoney，heprocuredclothing。
Asmallcountry—houseintheneighborhoodofBalaguierwasatthattimethedressing—roomofescapedconvicts，——alucrativespecialty。
ThenJeanValjean，likeallthesorryfugitiveswhoareseekingtoevadethevigilanceofthelawandsocialfatality，pursuedanobscureandundulatingitinerary。HefoundhisfirstrefugeatPradeaux，nearBeausset。ThenhedirectedhiscoursetowardsGrand—Villard，nearBriancon，intheHautes—Alpes。Itwasafumblinganduneasyflight，——
amole’strack，whosebranchingsareuntraceable。Lateron，sometraceofhispassageintoAin，intheterritoryofCivrieux，wasdiscovered；
inthePyrenees，atAccons；atthespotcalledGrange—de—Doumec，nearthemarketofChavailles，andintheenvironsofPerigueuxatBrunies，cantonofLaChapelle—Gonaguet。HereachedParis。
WehavejustseenhimatMontfermeil。
HisfirstcareonarrivinginParishadbeentobuymourningclothesforalittlegirloffromseventoeightyearsofage；thentoprocurealodging。Thatdone，hehadbetakenhimselftoMontfermeil。
Itwillberememberedthatalready，duringhisprecedingescape，hehadmadeamysterioustripthither，orsomewhereinthatneighborhood，ofwhichthelawhadgatheredaninkling。
However，hewasthoughttobedead，andthisstillfurtherincreasedtheobscuritywhichhadgatheredabouthim。AtParis，oneofthejournalswhichchronicledthefactfellintohishands。
Hefeltreassuredandalmostatpeace，asthoughhehadreallybeendead。
OntheeveningofthedaywhenJeanValjeanrescuedCosettefromtheclawsoftheThenardiers，hereturnedtoParis。Here—entereditatnightfall，withthechild，bywayoftheBarrierMonceaux。
Thereheenteredacabriolet，whichtookhimtotheesplanadeoftheObservatoire。Therehegotout，paidthecoachman，tookCosettebythehand，andtogethertheydirectedtheirstepsthroughthedarkness，——throughthedesertedstreetswhichadjointheOurcineandtheGlaciere，towardstheBoulevarddel’Hopital。
ThedayhadbeenstrangeandfilledwithemotionsforCosette。
Theyhadeatensomebreadandcheesepurchasedinisolatedtaverns，behindhedges；theyhadchangedcarriagesfrequently；theyhadtravelledshortdistancesonfoot。Shemadenocomplaint，butshewasweary，andJeanValjeanperceiveditbythewayshedraggedmoreandmoreonhishandasshewalked。Hetookheronhisback。
Cosette，withoutlettinggoofCatherine，laidherheadonJeanValjean’sshoulder，andtherefellasleep。
BOOKFOURTH。——THEGORBEAUHOVEL
CHAPTERI
MASTERGORBEAU
Fortyyearsago，aramblerwhohadventuredintothatunknowncountryoftheSalpetriere，andwhohadmountedtotheBarriered’Italiebywayoftheboulevard，reachedapointwhereitmightbesaidthatParisdisappeared。Itwasnolongersolitude，fortherewerepassers—by；itwasnotthecountry，fortherewerehousesandstreets；itwasnotthecity，forthestreetshadrutslikehighways，andthegrassgrewinthem；itwasnotavillage，thehousesweretoolofty。Whatwasit，then？Itwasaninhabitedspotwheretherewasnoone；itwasadesertplacewheretherewassomeone；itwasaboulevardofthegreatcity，astreetofParis；
morewildatnightthantheforest，moregloomybydaythanacemetery。
ItwastheoldquarteroftheMarche—aux—Chevaux。
Therambler，ifheriskedhimselfoutsidethefourdecrepitwallsofthisMarche—aux—Chevaux；ifheconsentedeventopassbeyondtheRueduPetit—Banquier，afterleavingonhisrightagardenprotectedbyhighwalls；thenafieldinwhichtan—barkmillsroselikegiganticbeaverhuts；thenanenclosureencumberedwithtimber，withaheapofstumps，sawdust，andshavings，onwhichstoodalargedog，barking；thenalong，low，utterlydilapidatedwall，withalittleblackdoorinmourning，ladenwithmosses，whichwerecoveredwithflowersinthespring；then，inthemostdesertedspot，afrightfulanddecrepitbuilding，onwhichrantheinscriptioninlargeletters:POSTNOBILLS，——thisdaringramblerwouldhavereachedlittleknownlatitudesatthecorneroftheRuedesVignes—Saint—Marcel。There，nearafactory，andbetweentwogardenwalls，therecouldbeseen，atthatepoch，ameanbuilding，which，atthefirstglance，seemedassmallasathatchedhovel，andwhichwas，inreality，aslargeasacathedral。
Itpresenteditssideandgabletothepublicroad；henceitsapparentdiminutiveness。Nearlythewholeofthehousewashidden。
Onlythedoorandonewindowcouldbeseen。
Thishovelwasonlyonestoryhigh。
Thefirstdetailthatstrucktheobserverwas，thatthedoorcouldneverhavebeenanythingbutthedoorofahovel，whilethewindow，ifithadbeencarvedoutofdressedstoneinsteadofbeinginroughmasonry，mighthavebeenthelatticeofalordlymansion。
Thedoorwasnothingbutacollectionofworm—eatenplanksroughlyboundtogetherbycross—beamswhichresembledroughlyhewnlogs。
Itopeneddirectlyonasteepstaircaseofloftysteps，muddy，chalky，plaster—stained，dustysteps，ofthesamewidthasitself，whichcouldbeseenfromthestreet，runningstraightuplikealadderanddisappearinginthedarknessbetweentwowalls。Thetopoftheshapelessbayintowhichthisdoorshutwasmaskedbyanarrowscantlinginthecentreofwhichatriangularholehadbeensawed，whichservedbothaswicketandair—holewhenthedoorwasclosed。
Ontheinsideofthedoorthefigures52hadbeentracedwithacoupleofstrokesofabrushdippedinink，andabovethescantlingthesamehandhaddaubedthenumber50，sothatonehesitated。
Wherewasone？Abovethedooritsaid，\"Number50\"；theinsidereplied，\"no，Number52。\"Nooneknowswhatdust—coloredfiguresweresuspendedlikedraperiesfromthetriangularopening。
Thewindowwaslarge，sufficientlyelevated，garnishedwithVenetianblinds，andwithaframeinlargesquarepanes；
onlytheselargepanesweresufferingfromvariouswounds，whichwerebothconcealedandbetrayedbyaningeniouspaperbandage。
Andtheblinds，dislocatedandunpasted，threatenedpassers—byratherthanscreenedtheoccupants。Thehorizontalslatsweremissinghereandthereandhadbeennaivelyreplacedwithboardsnailedonperpendicularly；sothatwhatbeganasablindendedasashutter。Thisdoorwithanunclean，andthiswindowwithanhonestthoughdilapidatedair，thusbeheldonthesamehouse，producedtheeffectoftwoincompletebeggarswalkingsidebyside，withdifferentmiensbeneaththesamerags，theonehavingalwaysbeenamendicant，andtheotherhavingoncebeenagentleman。
Thestaircaseledtoaveryvastedificewhichresembledashedwhichhadbeenconvertedintoahouse。Thisedificehad，foritsintestinaltube，alongcorridor，onwhichopenedtorightandleftsortsofcompartmentsofvarieddimensionswhichwereinhabitableunderstressofcircumstances，andrathermorelikestallsthancells。
Thesechambersreceivedtheirlightfromthevaguewastegroundsintheneighborhood。
Allthiswasdark，disagreeable，wan，melancholy，sepulchral；
traversedaccordingasthecreviceslayintherooforinthedoor，bycoldraysorbyicywinds。Aninterestingandpicturesquepeculiarityofthissortofdwellingistheenormoussizeofthespiders。
Totheleftoftheentrancedoor，ontheboulevardside，atabouttheheightofamanfromtheground，asmallwindowwhichhadbeenwalledupformedasquarenichefullofstoneswhichthechildrenhadthrownthereastheypassedby。
Aportionofthisbuildinghasrecentlybeendemolished。
Fromwhatstillremainsofitonecanformajudgmentastowhatitwasinformerdays。Asawhole，itwasnotoverahundredyearsold。
Ahundredyearsisyouthinachurchandageinahouse。
Itseemsasthoughman’slodgingpartookofhisephemeralcharacter，andGod’shouseofhiseternity。
ThepostmencalledthehouseNumber50—52；butitwasknownintheneighborhoodastheGorbeauhouse。
Letusexplainwhencethisappellationwasderived。
Collectorsofpettydetails，whobecomeherbalistsofanecdotes，andprickslipperydatesintotheirmemorieswithapin，knowthattherewasinParis，duringthelastcentury，about1770，twoattorneysattheChateletnamed，oneCorbeau（Raven），theotherRenard（Fox）。ThetwonameshadbeenforestalledbyLaFontaine。
Theopportunitywastoofineforthelawyers；theymadethemostofit。
Aparodywasimmediatelyputincirculationinthegalleriesofthecourt—house，inversesthatlimpedalittle:——
MaitreCorbeau，surundossierperche，[13]
Tenaitdanssonbeeunesaisieexecutoire；
MaitreRenard，parl’odeuralleche，Luifitapeuprescettehistoire:
He！bonjour。Etc。
[13]LawyerCorbeau，perchedonadocket，heldinhisbeakawritofexecution；LawyerRenard，attractedbythesmell，addressedhimnearlyasfollows，etc。
Thetwohonestpractitioners，embarrassedbythejests，andfindingthebearingoftheirheadsinterferedwithbytheshoutsoflaughterwhichfollowedthem，resolvedtogetridoftheirnames，andhitupontheexpedientofapplyingtotheking。
TheirpetitionwaspresentedtoLouisXV。onthesamedaywhenthePapalNuncio，ontheonehand，andtheCardinaldelaRoche—Aymonontheother，bothdevoutlykneeling，wereeachengagedinputtingon，inhisMajesty’spresence，aslipperonthebarefeetofMadameduBarry，whohadjustgotoutofbed。Theking，whowaslaughing，continuedtolaugh，passedgaylyfromthetwobishopstothetwolawyers，andbestowedontheselimbsofthelawtheirformernames，ornearlyso。Bythekingscommand，MaitreCorbeauwaspermittedtoaddatailtohisinitialletterandtocallhimselfGorbeau。
MaitreRenardwaslesslucky；allheobtainedwasleavetoplaceaP
infrontofhisR，andtocallhimselfPrenard；sothatthesecondnameborealmostasmuchresemblanceasthefirst。
Now，accordingtolocaltradition，thisMaitreGorbeauhadbeentheproprietorofthebuildingnumbered50—52ontheBoulevarddel’Hopital。Hewaseventheauthorofthemonumentalwindow。
HencetheedificeborethenameoftheGorbeauhouse。
Oppositethishouse，amongthetreesoftheboulevard，roseagreatelmwhichwasthree—quartersdead；almostdirectlyfacingitopenstheRuedelaBarrieredesGobelins，astreetthenwithouthouses，unpaved，plantedwithunhealthytrees，whichwasgreenormuddyaccordingtotheseason，andwhichendedsquarelyintheexteriorwallofParis。Anodorofcopperasissuedinpuffsfromtheroofsoftheneighboringfactory。
Thebarrierwascloseathand。In1823thecitywallwasstillinexistence。
Thisbarrieritselfevokedgloomyfanciesinthemind。ItwastheroadtoBicetre。Itwasthroughitthat，undertheEmpireandtheRestoration，prisonerscondemnedtodeathre—enteredParisonthedayoftheirexecution。Itwasthere，that，about1829，wascommittedthatmysteriousassassination，called\"TheassassinationoftheFontainebleaubarrier，\"whoseauthorsjusticewasneverabletodiscover；amelancholyproblemwhichhasneverbeenelucidated，afrightfulenigmawhichhasneverbeenunriddled。Takeafewsteps，andyoucomeuponthatfatalRueCroulebarbe，whereUlbachstabbedthegoat—girlofIvrytothesoundofthunder，asinthemelodramas。
Afewpacesmore，andyouarriveattheabominablepollardedelmsoftheBarriereSaint—Jacques，thatexpedientofthephilanthropisttoconcealthescaffold，thatmiserableandshamefulPlacedeGroveofashop—keepingandbourgeoissociety，whichrecoiledbeforethedeathpenalty，neitherdaringtoabolishitwithgrandeur，nortoupholditwithauthority。
LeavingasidethisPlaceSaint—Jacques，whichwas，asitwere，predestined，andwhichhasalwaysbeenhorrible，probablythemostmournfulspotonthatmournfulboulevard，sevenandthirtyyearsago，wasthespotwhichevento—dayissounattractive，wherestoodthebuildingNumber50—52。
Bourgeoishousesonlybegantospringuptheretwenty—fiveyearslater。
Theplacewasunpleasant。Inadditiontothegloomythoughtswhichassailedonethere，onewasconsciousofbeingbetweentheSalpetriere，aglimpseofwhosedomecouldbeseen，andBicetre，whoseoutskirtsonewasfairlytouching；thatistosay，betweenthemadnessofwomenandthemadnessofmen。Asfarastheeyecouldsee，onecouldperceivenothingbuttheabattoirs，thecitywall，andthefrontsofafewfactories，resemblingbarracksormonasteries；everywhereaboutstoodhovels，rubbish，ancientwallsblackenedlikecerecloths，newwhitewallslikewinding—sheets；everywhereparallelrowsoftrees，buildingserectedonaline，flatconstructions，long，coldrows，andthemelancholysadnessofrightangles。Notanunevennessoftheground，notacapriceinthearchitecture，notafold。
Theensemblewasglacial，regular，hideous。Nothingoppressestheheartlikesymmetry。Itisbecausesymmetryisennui，andennuiisattheveryfoundationofgrief。Despairyawns。
Somethingmoreterriblethanahellwhereonesuffersmaybeimagined，andthatisahellwhereoneisbored。Ifsuchahellexisted，thatbitoftheBoulevarddel’Hopitalmighthaveformedtheentrancetoit。
Nevertheless，atnightfall，atthemomentwhenthedaylightisvanishing，especiallyinwinter，atthehourwhenthetwilightbreezetearsfromtheelmstheirlastrussetleaves，whenthedarknessisdeepandstarless，orwhenthemoonandthewindaremakingopeningsinthecloudsandlosingthemselvesintheshadows，thisboulevardsuddenlybecomesfrightful。Theblacklinessinkinwardsandarelostintheshades，likemorselsoftheinfinite。
Thepasser—bycannotrefrainfromrecallingtheinnumerabletraditionsoftheplacewhichareconnectedwiththegibbet。
Thesolitudeofthisspot，wheresomanycrimeshavebeencommitted，hadsomethingterribleaboutit。Onealmosthadapresentimentofmeetingwithtrapsinthatdarkness；alltheconfusedformsofthedarknessseemedsuspicious，andthelong，hollowsquare，ofwhichonecaughtaglimpsebetweeneachtree，seemedgraves:
bydayitwasugly；intheeveningmelancholy；bynightitwassinister。
Insummer，attwilight，onesaw，hereandthere，afewoldwomenseatedatthefootoftheelm，onbenchesmouldywithrain。
Thesegoodoldwomenwerefondofbegging。
However，thisquarter，whichhadasuperannuatedratherthananantiqueair，wastendingeventhentotransformation。Evenatthattimeanyonewhowasdesirousofseeingithadtomakehaste。
Eachdaysomedetailofthewholeeffectwasdisappearing。
ForthelasttwentyyearsthestationoftheOrleansrailwayhasstoodbesidetheoldfaubourganddistractedit，asitdoesto—day。Whereveritisplacedonthebordersofacapital，arailwaystationisthedeathofasuburbandthebirthofacity。
Itseemsasthough，aroundthesegreatcentresofthemovementsofapeople，theearth，fullofgerms，trembledandyawned，toengulftheancientdwellingsofmenandtoallownewonestospringforth，attherattleofthesepowerfulmachines，atthebreathofthesemonstroushorsesofcivilizationwhichdevourcoalandvomitfire。
Theoldhousescrumbleandnewonesrise。
SincetheOrleansrailwayhasinvadedtheregionoftheSalpetriere，theancient，narrowstreetswhichadjointhemoatsSaint—VictorandtheJardindesPlantestremble，astheyareviolentlytraversedthreeorfourtimeseachdaybythosecurrentsofcoachfiacresandomnibuseswhich，inagiventime，crowdbackthehousestotherightandtheleft；fortherearethingswhichareoddwhensaidthatarerigorouslyexact；andjustasitistruetosaythatinlargecitiesthesunmakesthesouthernfrontsofhousestovegetateandgrow，itiscertainthatthefrequentpassageofvehiclesenlargesstreets。Thesymptomsofanewlifeareevident。
Inthisoldprovincialquarter，inthewildestnooks，thepavementshowsitself，thesidewalksbegintocrawlandtogrowlonger，evenwherethereareasyetnopedestrians。Onemorning，——amemorablemorninginJuly，1845，——blackpotsofbitumenwereseensmokingthere；
onthatdayitmightbesaidthatcivilizationhadarrivedintheRuedel’Ourcine，andthatParishadenteredthesuburbofSaint—Marceau。
CHAPTERII
ANESTFOROWLANDAWARBLER
ItwasinfrontofthisGorbeauhousethatJeanValjeanhalted。
Likewildbirds，hehadchosenthisdesertplacetoconstructhisnest。
Hefumbledinhiswaistcoatpocket，drewoutasortofapass—key，openedthedoor，entered，closeditagaincarefully，andascendedthestaircase，stillcarryingCosette。
Atthetopofthestairshedrewfromhispocketanotherkey，withwhichheopenedanotherdoor。Thechamberwhichheentered，andwhichheclosedagaininstantly，wasakindofmoderatelyspaciousattic，furnishedwithamattresslaidonthefloor，atable，andseveralchairs；astoveinwhichafirewasburning，andwhoseemberswerevisible，stoodinonecorner。Alanternontheboulevardcastavaguelightintothispoorroom。
Attheextremeendtherewasadressing—roomwithafoldingbed；
JeanValjeancarriedthechildtothisbedandlaidherdowntherewithoutwakingher。
Hestruckamatchandlightedacandle。Allthiswaspreparedbeforehandonthetable，and，ashehaddoneonthepreviousevening，hebegantoscrutinizeCosette’sfacewithagazefullofecstasy，inwhichtheexpressionofkindnessandtendernessalmostamountedtoaberration。Thelittlegirl，withthattranquilconfidencewhichbelongsonlytoextremestrengthandextremeweakness，hadfallenasleepwithoutknowingwithwhomshewas，andcontinuedtosleepwithoutknowingwhereshewas。
JeanValjeanbentdownandkissedthatchild’shand。
Ninemonthsbeforehehadkissedthehandofthemother，whohadalsojustfallenasleep。
Thesamesad，piercing，religioussentimentfilledhisheart。
HekneltbesideCosette’sbed。
ltwasbroaddaylight，andthechildstillslept。AwanrayoftheDecembersunpenetratedthewindowoftheatticandlayupontheceilinginlongthreadsoflightandshade。Allatonceaheavilyladencarrier’scart，whichwaspassingalongtheboulevard，shookthefrailbed，likeaclapofthunder，andmadeitquiverfromtoptobottom。
\"Yes，madame！\"criedCosette，wakingwithastart，\"hereIam！
hereIam！\"
Andshesprangoutofbed，hereyesstillhalfshutwiththeheavinessofsleep，extendingherarmstowardsthecornerofthewall。
\"Ah！monDieu，mybroom！\"saidshe。
Sheopenedhereyeswidenow，andbeheldthesmilingcountenanceofJeanValjean。
\"Ah！soitistrue！\"saidthechild。\"Goodmorning，Monsieur。\"
Childrenacceptjoyandhappinessinstantlyandfamiliarly，beingthemselvesbynaturejoyandhappiness。
CosettecaughtsightofCatherineatthefootofherbed，andtookpossessionofher，and，assheplayed，sheputahundredquestionstoJeanValjean。Wherewasshe？WasParisverylarge？
WasMadameThenardierveryfaraway？Wasshetogoback？etc。，etc。
Allatoncesheexclaimed，\"Howprettyitishere！\"
Itwasafrightfulhole，butshefeltfree。
\"MustIsweep？\"sheresumedatlast。
\"Play！\"saidJeanValjean。
Thedaypassedthus。Cosette，withouttroublingherselftounderstandanything，wasinexpressiblyhappywiththatdollandthatkindman。
CHAPTERIII
TWOMISFORTUNESMAKEONEPIECEOFGOODFORTUNE
Onthefollowingmorning，atdaybreak，JeanValjeanwasstillbyCosette’sbedside；hewatchedtheremotionless，waitingforhertowake。
Somenewthinghadcomeintohissoul。
JeanValjeanhadneverlovedanything；fortwenty—fiveyearshehadbeenaloneintheworld。Hehadneverbeenfather，lover，husband，friend。
Intheprisonhehadbeenvicious，gloomy，chaste，ignorant，andshy。Theheartofthatex—convictwasfullofvirginity。
Hissisterandhissister’schildrenhadlefthimonlyavagueandfar—offmemorywhichhadfinallyalmostcompletelyvanished；
hehadmadeeveryefforttofindthem，andnothavingbeenabletofindthem，hehadforgottenthem。Humannatureismadethus；
theothertenderemotionsofhisyouth，ifhehadeverhadany，hadfallenintoanabyss。
WhenhesawCosette，whenhehadtakenpossessionofher，carriedheroff，anddeliveredher，hefelthisheartmovedwithinhim。
Allthepassionandaffectionwithinhimawoke，andrushedtowardsthatchild。Heapproachedthebed，whereshelaysleeping，andtrembledwithjoy。Hesufferedallthepangsofamother，andheknewnotwhatitmeant；forthatgreatandsingularmovementofaheartwhichbeginstoloveisaveryobscureandaverysweetthing。
Pooroldman，withaperfectlynewheart！
Only，ashewasfiveandfifty，andCosetteeightyearsofage，allthatmighthavebeenloveinthewholecourseofhislifeflowedtogetherintoasortofineffablelight。
Itwasthesecondwhiteapparitionwhichhehadencountered。
TheBishophadcausedthedawnofvirtuetoriseonhishorizon；
Cosettecausedthedawnoflovetorise。
Theearlydayspassedinthisdazzledstate。
Cosette，onherside，hadalso，unknowntoherself，becomeanotherbeing，poorlittlething！Shewassolittlewhenhermotherlefther，thatshenolongerrememberedher。Likeallchildren，whoresembleyoungshootsofthevine，whichclingtoeverything，shehadtriedtolove；shehadnotsucceeded。Allhadrepulsedher，——
theThenardiers，theirchildren，otherchildren。Shehadlovedthedog，andhehaddied，afterwhichnothingandnobodywouldhaveanythingtodowithher。Itisasadthingtosay，andwehavealreadyintimatedit，that，ateightyearsofage，herheartwascold。
Itwasnotherfault；itwasnotthefacultyoflovingthatshelacked；
alas！itwasthepossibility。Thus，fromtheveryfirstday，allhersentientandthinkingpowerslovedthiskindman。Shefeltthatwhichshehadneverfeltbefore——asensationofexpansion。
Themannolongerproducedonhertheeffectofbeingoldorpoor；
shethoughtJeanValjeanhandsome，justasshethoughtthehovelpretty。
Thesearetheeffectsofthedawn，ofchildhood，ofjoy。Thenoveltyoftheearthandoflifecountsforsomethinghere。Nothingissocharmingasthecoloringreflectionofhappinessonagarret。
Weallhaveinourpastadelightfulgarret。
Nature，adifferenceoffiftyyears，hadsetaprofoundgulfbetweenJeanValjeanandCosette；destinyfilledinthisgulf。
Destinysuddenlyunitedandweddedwithitsirresistiblepowerthesetwouprootedexistences，differinginage，alikeinsorrow。
One，infact，completedtheother。Cosette’sinstinctsoughtafather，asJeanValjean’sinstinctsoughtachild。Tomeetwastofindeachother。Atthemysteriousmomentwhentheirhandstouched，theywereweldedtogether。Whenthesetwosoulsperceivedeachother，theyrecognizedeachotherasnecessarytoeachother，andembracedeachotherclosely。
Takingthewordsintheirmostcomprehensiveandabsolutesense，wemaysaythat，separatedfromeveryonebythewallsofthetomb，JeanValjeanwasthewidower，andCosettewastheorphan:
thissituationcausedJeanValjeantobecomeCosette’sfatherafteracelestialfashion。
Andintruth，themysteriousimpressionproducedonCosetteinthedepthsoftheforestofChellesbythehandofJeanValjeangraspinghersinthedarkwasnotanillusion，butareality。
TheentranceofthatmanintothedestinyofthatchildhadbeentheadventofGod。
Moreover，JeanValjeanhadchosenhisrefugewell。Thereheseemedperfectlysecure。
Thechamberwithadressing—room，whichheoccupiedwithCosette，wastheonewhosewindowopenedontheboulevard。Thisbeingtheonlywindowinthehouse，noneighbors’glancesweretobefearedfromacrossthewayorattheside。
Theground—floorofNumber50—52，asortofdilapidatedpenthouse，servedasawagon—houseformarket—gardeners，andnocommunicationexistedbetweenitandthefirststory。Itwasseparatedbytheflooring，whichhadneithertrapsnorstairs，andwhichformedthediaphragmofthebuilding，asitwere。Thefirststorycontained，aswehavesaid，numerouschambersandseveralattics，onlyoneofwhichwasoccupiedbytheoldwomanwhotookchargeofJeanValjean’shousekeeping；alltherestwasuninhabited。
Itwasthisoldwoman，ornamentedwiththenameoftheprincipallodger，andinrealityintrustedwiththefunctionsofportress，whohadlethimthelodgingonChristmaseve。HehadrepresentedhimselftoherasagentlemanofmeanswhohadbeenruinedbySpanishbonds，whowascomingtheretolivewithhislittledaughter。
Hehadpaidhersixmonthsinadvance，andhadcommissionedtheoldwomantofurnishthechamberanddressing—room，aswehaveseen。
Itwasthisgoodwomanwhohadlightedthefireinthestove，andpreparedeverythingontheeveningoftheirarrival。
Weekfollowedweek；thesetwobeingsledahappylifeinthathovel。
Cosettelaughed，chattered，andsangfromdaybreak。Childrenhavetheirmorningsongaswellasbirds。
ItsometimeshappenedthatJeanValjeanclaspedhertinyredhand，allcrackedwithchilblains，andkissedit。Thepoorchild，whowasusedtobeingbeaten，didnotknowthemeaningofthis，andranawayinconfusion。
Attimesshebecameseriousandstaredatherlittleblackgown。
Cosettewasnolongerinrags；shewasinmourning。Shehademergedfrommisery，andshewasenteringintolife。
JeanValjeanhadundertakentoteachhertoread。Sometimes，ashemadethechildspell，herememberedthatitwaswiththeideaofdoingevilthathehadlearnedtoreadinprison。Thisideahadendedinteachingachildtoread。Thentheex—convictsmiledwiththepensivesmileoftheangels。
Hefeltinitapremeditationfromonhigh，thewillofsomeonewhowasnotman，andhebecameabsorbedinrevery。Goodthoughtshavetheirabyssesaswellasevilones。
ToteachCosettetoread，andtoletherplay，thisconstitutednearlythewholeofJeanValjean’sexistence。Andthenhetalkedofhermother，andhemadeherpray。
Shecalledhimfather，andknewnoothernameforhim。
Hepassedhoursinwatchingherdressingandundressingherdoll，andinlisteningtoherprattle。Life，henceforth，appearedtohimtobefullofinterest；menseemedtohimgoodandjust；
henolongerreproachedanyoneinthought；hesawnoreasonwhyheshouldnotlivetobeaveryoldman，nowthatthischildlovedhim。
Hesawawholefuturestretchingoutbeforehim，illuminatedbyCosetteasbyacharminglight。Thebestofusarenotexemptfromegotisticalthoughts。Attimes，hereflectedwithasortofjoythatshewouldbeugly。
Thisisonlyapersonalopinion；but，toutterourwholethought，atthepointwhereJeanValjeanhadarrivedwhenhebegantoloveCosette，itisbynomeanscleartousthathedidnotneedthisencouragementinorderthathemightpersevereinwell—doing。Hehadjustviewedthemaliceofmenandthemiseryofsocietyunderanewaspect——
incompleteaspects，whichunfortunatelyonlyexhibitedonesideofthetruth，thefateofwomanassummedupinFantine，andpublicauthorityaspersonifiedinJavert。Hehadreturnedtoprison，thistimeforhavingdoneright；hehadquaffedfreshbitterness；
disgustandlassitudewereoverpoweringhim；eventhememoryoftheBishopprobablysufferedatemporaryeclipse，thoughsuretoreappearlateronluminousandtriumphant；but，afterall，thatsacredmemorywasgrowingdim。WhoknowswhetherJeanValjeanhadnotbeenontheeveofgrowingdiscouragedandoffallingoncemore？
Helovedandgrewstrongagain。Alas！hewalkedwithnolessindecisionthanCosette。Heprotectedher，andshestrengthenedhim。
Thankstohim，shecouldwalkthroughlife；thankstoher，hecouldcontinueinvirtue。Hewasthatchild’sstay，andshewashisprop。Oh，unfathomableanddivinemysteryofthebalancesofdestiny！