CHAPTERI
WHICHTREATSOFTHEMANNEROFENTERINGACONVENT
ItwasintothishousethatJeanValjeanhad，asFaucheleventexpressedit，\"fallenfromthesky。\"
HehadscaledthewallofthegardenwhichformedtheangleoftheRuePolonceau。Thathymnoftheangelswhichhehadheardinthemiddleofthenight，wasthenunschantingmatins；thathall，ofwhichhehadcaughtaglimpseinthegloom，wasthechapel。
Thatphantomwhichhehadseenstretchedonthegroundwasthesisterwhowasmakingreparation；thatbell，thesoundofwhichhadsostrangelysurprisedhim，wasthegardener’sbellattachedtothekneeofFatherFauchelevent。
Cosetteonceputtobed，JeanValjeanandFaucheleventhad，aswehavealreadyseen，suppedonaglassofwineandabitofcheesebeforeagood，cracklingfire；then，theonlybedinthehutbeingoccupiedbyCosette，eachthrewhimselfonatrussofstraw。
Beforeheshuthiseyes，JeanValjeansaid:\"Imustremainherehenceforth。\"ThisremarktrottedthroughFauchelevent’sheadallnightlong。
Totellthetruth，neitherofthemslept。
JeanValjean，feelingthathewasdiscoveredandthatJavertwasonhisscent，understoodthatheandCosettewerelostiftheyreturnedtoParis。Thenthenewstormwhichhadjustburstuponhimhadstrandedhiminthiscloister。JeanValjeanhad，henceforth，butonethought，——
toremainthere。Now，foranunfortunatemaninhisposition，thisconventwasboththesafestandthemostdangerousofplaces；
themostdangerous，because，asnomenmightenterthere，ifhewerediscovered，itwasaflagrantoffence，andJeanValjeanwouldfindbutonestepinterveningbetweentheconventandprison；
thesafest，because，ifhecouldmanagetogethimselfacceptedthereandremainthere，whowouldeverseekhiminsuchaplace？
Todwellinanimpossibleplacewassafety。
Onhisside，Faucheleventwascudgellinghisbrains。Hebeganbydeclaringtohimselfthatheunderstoodnothingofthematter。
HowhadM。Madeleinegotthere，whenthewallswerewhattheywere？
Cloisterwallsarenottobesteppedover。Howdidhegettherewithachild？Onecannotscaleaperpendicularwallwithachildinone’sarms。Whowasthatchild？Wheredidtheybothcomefrom？
SinceFaucheleventhadlivedintheconvent，hehadheardnothingofM。surM。，andheknewnothingofwhathadtakenplacethere。
FatherMadeleinehadanairwhichdiscouragedquestions；andbesides，Faucheleventsaidtohimself:\"Onedoesnotquestionasaint。\"
M。MadeleinehadpreservedallhisprestigeinFauchelevent’seyes。
Only，fromsomewordswhichJeanValjeanhadletfall，thegardenerthoughthecoulddrawtheinferencethatM。Madeleinehadprobablybecomebankruptthroughthehardtimes，andthathewaspursuedbyhiscreditors；
orthathehadcompromisedhimselfinsomepoliticalaffair，andwasinhiding；whichlastdidnotdispleaseFauchelevent，who，likemanyofourpeasantsoftheNorth，hadanoldfundofBonapartismabouthim。
Whileinhiding，M。Madeleinehadselectedtheconventasarefuge，anditwasquitesimplethatheshouldwishtoremainthere。
Buttheinexplicablepoint，towhichFaucheleventreturnedconstantlyandoverwhichheweariedhisbrain，wasthatM。Madeleineshouldbethere，andthatheshouldhavethatlittlegirlwithhim。
Faucheleventsawthem，touchedthem，spoketothem，andstilldidnotbelieveitpossible。TheincomprehensiblehadjustmadeitsentranceintoFauchelevent’shut。Faucheleventgropedaboutamidconjectures，andcouldseenothingclearlybutthis:
\"M。Madeleinesavedmylife。\"Thiscertaintyalonewassufficientanddecidedhiscourse。Hesaidtohimself:\"Itismyturnnow。\"
Headdedinhisconscience:\"M。Madeleinedidnotstoptodeliberatewhenitwasaquestionofthrustinghimselfunderthecartforthepurposeofdraggingmeout。\"HemadeuphismindtosaveM。Madeleine。
Nevertheless，heputmanyquestionstohimselfandmadehimselfdiversreplies:\"Afterwhathedidforme，wouldIsavehimifhewereathief？Justthesame。Ifhewereanassassin，wouldI
savehim？Justthesame。Sinceheisasaint，shallIsavehim？
Justthesame。\"
Butwhataproblemitwastomanagetohavehimremainintheconvent！
Faucheleventdidnotrecoilinthefaceofthisalmostchimericalundertaking；thispoorpeasantofPicardywithoutanyotherladderthanhisself—devotion，hisgoodwill，andalittleofthatoldrusticcunning，onthisoccasionenlistedintheserviceofagenerousenterprise，undertooktoscalethedifficultiesofthecloister，andthesteepescarpmentsoftheruleofSaint—Benoit。FatherFaucheleventwasanoldmanwhohadbeenanegoistallhislife，andwho，towardstheendofhisdays，halt，infirm，withnointerestlefttohimintheworld，founditsweettobegrateful，andperceivingagenerousactiontobeperformed，flunghimselfuponitlikeaman，whoatthemomentwhenheisdying，shouldfindclosetohishandaglassofgoodwinewhichhehadnevertasted，andshouldswallowitwithavidity。
Wemayadd，thattheairwhichhehadbreathedformanyyearsinthisconventhaddestroyedallpersonalityinhim，andhadendedbyrenderingagoodactionofsomekindabsolutelynecessarytohim。
Sohetookhisresolve:todevotehimselftoM。Madeleine。
WehavejustcalledhimapoorpeasantofPicardy。Thatdescriptionisjust，butincomplete。Atthepointofthisstorywhichwehavenowreached，alittleofFatherFauchelevent’sphysiologybecomesuseful。Hewasapeasant，buthehadbeenanotary，whichaddedtrickerytohiscunning，andpenetrationtohisingenuousness。
Having，throughvariouscauses，failedinhisbusiness，hehaddescendedtothecallingofacarterandalaborer。But，inspiteofoathsandlashings，whichhorsesseemtorequire，somethingofthenotaryhadlingeredinhim。Hehadsomenaturalwit；hetalkedgoodgrammar；heconversed，whichisararethinginavillage；
andtheotherpeasantssaidofhim:\"Hetalksalmostlikeagentlemanwithahat。\"Faucheleventbelonged，infact，tothatspecies，whichtheimpertinentandflippantvocabularyofthelastcenturyqualifiedasdemi—bourgeois，demi—lout，andwhichthemetaphorsshoweredbythechateauuponthethatchedcottageticketedinthepigeon—holeoftheplebeian:ratherrustic，rathercitified；pepperandsalt。
Fauchelevent，thoughsorelytriedandharshlyusedbyfate，wornout，asortofpoor，threadbareoldsoul，was，nevertheless，animpulsiveman，andextremelyspontaneousinhisactions；
apreciousqualitywhichpreventsonefromeverbeingwicked。
Hisdefectsandhisvices，forhehadsome，wereallsuperficial；
inshort，hisphysiognomywasofthekindwhichsucceedswithanobserver。Hisagedfacehadnoneofthosedisagreeablewrinklesatthetopoftheforehead，whichsignifymaliceorstupidity。
Atdaybreak，FatherFaucheleventopenedhiseyes，afterhavingdoneanenormousdealofthinking，andbeheldM。Madeleineseatedonhistrussofstraw，andwatchingCosette’sslumbers。
Faucheleventsatupandsaid:——
\"Nowthatyouarehere，howareyougoingtocontrivetoenter？\"
ThisremarksummedupthesituationandarousedJeanValjeanfromhisrevery。
Thetwomentookcounseltogether。
\"Inthefirstplace，\"’saidFauchelevent，\"youwillbeginbynotsettingfootoutsideofthischamber，eitheryouorthechild。
Onestepinthegardenandwearedonefor。\"
\"Thatistrue。\"
\"MonsieurMadeleine，\"resumedFauchelevent，\"youhavearrivedataveryauspiciousmoment，Imeantosayaveryinauspiciousmoment；
oneoftheladiesisveryill。Thiswillpreventthemfromlookingmuchinourdirection。Itseemsthatsheisdying。Theprayersofthefortyhoursarebeingsaid。Thewholecommunityisinconfusion。
Thatoccupiesthem。Theonewhoisonthepointofdepartureisasaint。Infact，weareallsaintshere；allthedifferencebetweenthemandmeisthattheysay`ourcell，’andthatIsay`mycabin。’Theprayersforthedyingaretobesaid，andthentheprayersforthedead。Weshallbeatpeacehereforto—day；
butIwillnotanswerforto—morrow。\"
\"Still，\"observedJeanValjean，\"thiscottageisinthenicheofthewall，itishiddenbyasortofruin，therearetrees，itisnotvisiblefromtheconvent。\"
\"AndIaddthatthenunsnevercomenearit。\"
\"Well？\"saidJeanValjean。
Theinterrogationmarkwhichaccentuatedthis\"well\"signified:
\"itseemstomethatonemayremainconcealedhere？\"ItwastothisinterrogationpointthatFaucheleventresponded:——
\"Therearethelittlegirls。\"
\"Whatlittlegirls？\"askedJeanValjean。
JustasFaucheleventopenedhismouthtoexplainthewordswhichhehaduttered，abellemittedonestroke。
\"Thenunisdead，\"saidhe。\"Thereistheknell。\"
AndhemadeasigntoJeanValjeantolisten。
Thebellstruckasecondtime。
\"Itistheknell，MonsieurMadeleine。Thebellwillcontinuetostrikeonceaminutefortwenty—fourhours，untilthebodyistakenfromthechurch。——Yousee，theyplay。Atrecreationhoursitsufficestohaveaballrollaside，tosendthemallhither，inspiteofprohibitions，tohuntandrummageforitallabouthere。
Thosecherubsaredevils。\"
\"Who？\"askedJeanValjean。
\"Thelittlegirls。Youwouldbeveryquicklydiscovered。
Theywouldshriek:`Oh！aman！’Thereisnodangerto—day。Therewillbenorecreationhour。Thedaywillbeentirelydevotedtoprayers。Youhearthebell。AsItoldyou，astrokeeachminute。
Itisthedeathknell。\"
\"Iunderstand，FatherFauchelevent。Therearepupils。\"
AndJeanValjeanthoughttohimself:——
\"HereisCosette’seducationalreadyprovided。\"
Faucheleventexclaimed:——
\"Pardine！Therearelittlegirlsindeed！Andtheywouldbawlaroundyou！Andtheywouldrushoff！Tobeamanhereistohavetheplague。YouseehowtheyfastenabelltomypawasthoughIwereawildbeast。\"
JeanValjeanfellintomoreandmoreprofoundthought。——\"Thisconventwouldbeoursalvation，\"hemurmured。
Thenheraisedhisvoice:——
\"Yes，thedifficultyistoremainhere。\"
\"No，\"saidFauchelevent，\"thedifficultyistogetout。\"
JeanValjeanfeltthebloodrushbacktohisheart。
\"Togetout！\"
\"Yes，MonsieurMadeleine。Inordertoreturnhereitisfirstnecessarytogetout。\"
Andafterwaitinguntilanotherstrokeoftheknellhadsounded，Faucheleventwenton:——
\"Youmustnotbefoundhereinthisfashion。Whencecomeyou？
Forme，youfallfromheaven，becauseIknowyou；butthenunsrequireonetoenterbythedoor。\"
Allatoncetheyheardarathercomplicatedpealingfromanotherbell。
\"Ah！\"saidFauchelevent，\"theyareringingupthevocalmothers。
Theyaregoingtothechapter。Theyalwaysholdachapterwhenanyonedies。Shediedatdaybreak。Peoplegenerallydodieatdaybreak。
Butcannotyougetoutbythewayinwhichyouentered？Come，Idonotaskforthesakeofquestioningyou，buthowdidyougetin？\"
JeanValjeanturnedpale；theverythoughtofdescendingagainintothatterriblestreetmadehimshudder。Youmakeyourwayoutofaforestfilledwithtigers，andonceoutofit，imagineafriendlycounselthatshalladviseyoutoreturnthither！
JeanValjeanpicturedtohimselfthewholepoliceforcestillengagedinswarminginthatquarter，agentsonthewatch，sentinelseverywhere，frightfulfistsextendedtowardshiscollar，Javertatthecorneroftheintersectionofthestreetsperhaps。
\"Impossible！\"saidhe。\"FatherFauchelevent，saythatIfellfromthesky。\"
\"ButIbelieveit，Ibelieveit，\"retortedFauchelevent。
\"Youhavenoneedtotellmethat。ThegoodGodmusthavetakenyouinhishandforthepurposeofgettingagoodlookatyoucloseto，andthendroppedyou。Only，hemeanttoplaceyouinaman’sconvent；
hemadeamistake。Come，theregoesanotherpeal，thatistoordertheportertogoandinformthemunicipalitythatthedead—doctoristocomehereandviewacorpse。Allthatistheceremonyofdying。
Thesegoodladiesarenotatallfondofthatvisit。Adoctorisamanwhodoesnotbelieveinanything。Heliftstheveil。
Sometimesheliftssomethingelsetoo。Howquicklytheyhavehadthedoctorsummonedthistime！Whatisthematter？Yourlittleoneisstillasleep。Whatishername？\"
\"Cosette。\"
\"Sheisyourdaughter？
Youarehergrandfather，thatis？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Itwillbeeasyenoughforhertogetoutofhere。Ihavemyservicedoorwhichopensonthecourtyard。Iknock。Theporteropens；
Ihavemyvintagebasketonmyback，thechildisinit，Igoout。
FatherFaucheleventgoesoutwithhisbasket——thatisperfectlynatural。
Youwilltellthechildtokeepveryquiet。Shewillbeunderthecover。
Iwillleaveherforwhatevertimeisrequiredwithagoodoldfriend，afruit—sellerwhomIknowintheRueChemin—Vert，whoisdeaf，andwhohasalittlebed。Iwillshoutinthefruit—seller’sear，thatsheisanieceofmine，andthatsheistokeepherformeuntilto—morrow。Thenthelittleonewillre—enterwithyou；
forIwillcontrivetohaveyoure—enter。Itmustbedone。
Buthowwillyoumanagetogetout？\"
JeanValjeanshookhishead。
\"Noonemustseeme，thewholepointliesthere，FatherFauchelevent。
Findsomemeansofgettingmeoutinabasket，undercover，likeCosette。\"
Faucheleventscratchedthelobeofhisearwiththemiddlefingerofhislefthand，asignofseriousembarrassment。
Athirdpealcreatedadiversion。
\"Thatisthedead—doctortakinghisdeparture，\"saidFauchelevent。
\"Hehastakenalookandsaid:`Sheisdead，thatiswell。’
Whenthedoctorhassignedthepassportforparadise，theundertaker’scompanysendsacoffin。Ifitisamother，themotherslayherout；
ifsheisasister，thesisterslayherout。Afterwhich，Inailherup。Thatformsapartofmygardener’sduty。Agardenerisabitofagrave—digger。Sheisplacedinalowerhallofthechurchwhichcommunicateswiththestreet，andintowhichnomanmayentersavethedoctorofthedead。Idon’tcounttheundertaker’smenandmyselfasmen。ItisinthathallthatInailupthecoffin。
Theundertaker’smencomeandgetit，andwhipup，coachman！that’sthewayonegoestoheaven。Theyfetchaboxwithnothinginit，theytakeitawayagainwithsomethinginit。That’swhataburialislike。Deprofundis。\"
AhorizontalrayofsunshinelightlytouchedthefaceofthesleepingCosette，wholaywithhermouthvaguelyopen，andhadtheairofanangeldrinkinginthelight。JeanValjeanhadfallentogazingather。HewasnolongerlisteningtoFauchelevent。
Thatoneisnotlistenedtoisnoreasonforpreservingsilence。
Thegoodoldgardenerwentontranquillywithhisbabble:——
\"ThegraveisdugintheVaugirardcemetery。TheydeclarethattheyaregoingtosuppressthatVaugirardcemetery。Itisanancientcemeterywhichisoutsidetheregulations，whichhasnouniform，andwhichisgoingtoretire。Itisashame，foritisconvenient。
Ihaveafriendthere，FatherMestienne，thegrave—digger。Thenunsherepossessoneprivilege，itistobetakentothatcemeteryatnightfall。ThereisaspecialpermissionfromthePrefectureontheirbehalf。Buthowmanyeventshavehappenedsinceyesterday！
MotherCrucifixionisdead，andFatherMadeleine——\"
\"Isburied，\"saidJeanValjean，smilingsadly。
Faucheleventcaughttheword。
\"Goodness！ifyouwerehereforgood，itwouldbearealburial。\"
Afourthpealburstout。Faucheleventhastilydetachedthebelledknee—capfromitsnailandbuckleditonhiskneeagain。
\"Thistimeitisforme。TheMotherPrioresswantsme。Good，nowI
amprickingmyselfonthetongueofmybuckle。MonsieurMadeleine，don’tstirfromhere，andwaitforme。Somethingnewhascomeup。
Ifyouarehungry，thereiswine，breadandcheese。\"
Andhehastenedoutofthehut，crying:\"Coming！coming！\"
JeanValjeanwatchedhimhurryingacrossthegardenasfastashiscrookedlegwouldpermit，castingasidelongglancebythewayonhismelonpatch。
Lessthantenminuteslater，FatherFauchelevent，whosebellputthenunsinhisroadtoflight，tappedgentlyatadoor，andagentlevoicereplied:\"Forever！Forever！\"thatistosay:\"Enter。\"
Thedoorwastheoneleadingtotheparlorreservedforseeingthegardeneronbusiness。Thisparloradjoinedthechapterhall。
Theprioress，seatedontheonlychairintheparlor，waswaitingforFauchelevent。
CHAPTERII
FAUCHELEVENTINTHEPRESENCEOFADIFFICULTY
Itisthepeculiarityofcertainpersonsandcertainprofessions，notablypriestsandnuns，towearagraveandagitatedaironcriticaloccasions。AtthemomentwhenFauchelevententered，thisdoubleformofpreoccupationwasimprintedonthecountenanceoftheprioress，whowasthatwiseandcharmingMademoiselledeBlemeur，MotherInnocente，whowasordinarilycheerful。
Thegardenermadeatimidbow，andremainedatthedoorofthecell。
Theprioress，whowastellingherbeads，raisedhereyesandsaid:——
\"Ah！itisyou，FatherFauvent。\"
Thisabbreviationhadbeenadoptedintheconvent。
Faucheleventbowedagain。
\"FatherFauvent，Ihavesentforyou。\"
\"HereIam，reverendMother。\"
\"Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。\"
\"AndsohaveI，\"saidFaucheleventwithaboldnesswhichcausedhiminwardterror，\"IhavesomethingtosaytotheveryreverendMother。\"
Theprioressstaredathim。
\"Ah！youhaveacommunicationtomaketome。\"
\"Arequest。\"
\"Verywell，speak。\"
GoodmanFauchelevent，theex—notary，belongedtothecategoryofpeasantswhohaveassurance。Acertaincleverignoranceconstitutesaforce；youdonotdistrustit，andyouarecaughtbyit。
Faucheleventhadbeenasuccessduringthesomethingmorethantwoyearswhichhehadpassedintheconvent。Alwayssolitaryandbusiedabouthisgardening，hehadnothingelsetodothantoindulgehiscuriosity。Ashewasatadistancefromallthoseveiledwomenpassingtoandfro，hesawbeforehimonlyanagitationofshadows。
Bydintofattentionandsharpnesshehadsucceededinclothingallthosephantomswithflesh，andthosecorpseswerealiveforhim。
Hewaslikeadeafmanwhosesightgrowskeener，andlikeablindmanwhosehearingbecomesmoreacute。Hehadappliedhimselftoriddlingoutthesignificanceofthedifferentpeals，andhehadsucceeded，sothatthistaciturnandenigmaticalcloisterpossessednosecretsforhim；thesphinxbabbledallhersecretsinhisear。
Faucheleventknewallandconcealedall；thatconstitutedhisart。
Thewholeconventthoughthimstupid。Agreatmeritinreligion。
ThevocalmothersmademuchofFauchelevent。Hewasacuriousmute。
Heinspiredconfidence。Moreover，hewasregular，andneverwentoutexceptforwell—demonstratedrequirementsoftheorchardandvegetablegarden。Thisdiscretionofconducthadinuredtohiscredit。
Nonetheless，hehadsettwomentochattering:theporter，intheconvent，andheknewthesingularitiesoftheirparlor，andthegrave—digger，atthecemetery，andhewasacquaintedwiththepeculiaritiesoftheirsepulture；inthisway，hepossessedadoublelightonthesubjectofthesenuns，oneastotheirlife，theotherastotheirdeath。Buthedidnotabusehisknowledge。
Thecongregationthoughtagreatdealofhim。Old，lame，blindtoeverything，probablyalittledeafintothebargain，——whatqualities！
Theywouldhavefounditdifficulttoreplacehim。
Thegoodman，withtheassuranceofapersonwhofeelsthatheisappreciated，enteredintoaratherdiffuseandverydeeprusticharanguetothereverendprioress。Hetalkedalongtimeabouthisage，hisinfirmities，thesurchargeofyearscountingdoubleforhimhenceforth，oftheincreasingdemandsofhiswork，ofthegreatsizeofthegarden，ofnightswhichmustbepassed，likethelast，forinstance，whenhehadbeenobligedtoputstrawmatsoverthemelonbeds，becauseofthemoon，andhewoundupasfollows:
\"Thathehadabrother\"——（theprioressmadeamovement），——\"abrothernolongeryoung\"——（asecondmovementonthepartoftheprioress，butoneexpressiveofreassurance），——\"that，ifhemightbepermitted，thisbrotherwouldcomeandlivewithhimandhelphim，thathewasanexcellentgardener，thatthecommunitywouldreceivefromhimgoodservice，betterthanhisown；that，otherwise，ifhisbrotherwerenotadmitted，ashe，theelder，feltthathishealthwasbrokenandthathewasinsufficientforthework，heshouldbeobliged，greatlytohisregret，togoaway；andthathisbrotherhadalittledaughterwhomhewouldbringwithhim，whomightberearedforGodinthehouse，andwhomight，whoknows，becomeanunsomeday。\"
Whenhehadfinishedspeaking，theprioressstayedtheslippingofherrosarybetweenherfingers，andsaidtohim:——
\"Couldyouprocureastoutironbarbetweennowandthisevening？\"
\"Forwhatpurpose？\"
\"Toserveasalever。\"
\"Yes，reverendMother，\"repliedFauchelevent。
Theprioress，withoutaddingaword，roseandenteredtheadjoiningroom，whichwasthehallofthechapter，andwherethevocalmotherswereprobablyassembled。Faucheleventwasleftalone。
CHAPTERIII
MOTHERINNOCENTE
Aboutaquarterofanhourelapsed。Theprioressreturnedandseatedherselfoncemoreonherchair。
Thetwointerlocutorsseemedpreoccupied。Wewillpresentastenographicreportofthedialoguewhichthenensued，tothebestofourability。
\"FatherFauvent！\"
\"ReverendMother！\"
\"Doyouknowthechapel？\"
\"Ihavealittlecagethere，whereIhearthemassandtheoffices。\"
\"Andyouhavebeeninthechoirinpursuanceofyourduties？\"
\"Twoorthreetimes。\"
\"Thereisastonetoberaised。\"
\"Heavy？\"
\"Theslabofthepavementwhichisatthesideofthealtar。\"
\"Theslabwhichclosesthevault？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Itwouldbeagoodthingtohavetwomenforit。\"
\"MotherAscension，whoisasstrongasaman，willhelpyou。\"
\"Awomanisneveraman。\"
\"Wehaveonlyawomanheretohelpyou。Eachonedoeswhathecan。
BecauseDomMabillongivesfourhundredandseventeenepistlesofSaintBernard，whileMerlonusHorstiusonlygivesthreehundredandsixty—seven，IdonotdespiseMerlonusHorstius。\"
\"NeitherdoI。\"
\"Meritconsistsinworkingaccordingtoone’sstrength。Acloisterisnotadock—yard。\"
\"Andawomanisnotaman。Butmybrotheristhestrongone，though！\"
\"Andcanyougetalever？\"
\"Thatistheonlysortofkeythatfitsthatsortofdoor。\"
\"Thereisaringinthestone。\"
\"Iwillputtheleverthroughit。\"
\"Andthestoneissoarrangedthatitswingsonapivot。\"
\"Thatisgood，reverendMother。Iwillopenthevault。\"
\"AndthefourMotherPrecentorswillhelpyou。\"
\"Andwhenthevaultisopen？\"
\"Itmustbeclosedagain。\"
\"Willthatbeall？\"
\"No。\"
\"Givemeyourorders，veryreverendMother。\"
\"Fauvent，wehaveconfidenceinyou。\"
\"Iamheretodoanythingyouwish。\"
\"Andtoholdyourpeaceabouteverything！\"
\"Yes，reverendMother。\"
\"Whenthevaultisopen——\"
\"Iwillcloseitagain。\"
\"Butbeforethat——\"
\"What，reverendMother？\"
\"Somethingmustbeloweredintoit。\"
Asilenceensued。Theprioress，afterapoutoftheunderlipwhichresembledhesitation，brokeit。
\"FatherFauvent！\"
\"ReverendMother！\"
\"Youknowthatamotherdiedthismorning？\"
\"No。\"
\"Didyounothearthebell？\"
\"Nothingcanbeheardatthebottomofthegarden。\"
\"Really？\"
\"Icanhardlydistinguishmyownsignal。\"
\"Shediedatdaybreak。\"
\"Andthen，thewindisnotblowinginmydirectionthismorning。\"
\"ItwasMotherCrucifixion。Ablessedwoman。\"
Theprioresspaused，movedherlips，asthoughinmentalprayer，andresumed:——
\"Threeyearsago，MadamedeBethune，aJansenist，turnedorthodox，merelyfromhavingseenMotherCrucifixionatprayer。\"
\"Ah！yes，nowIheartheknell，reverendMother。\"
\"Themothershavetakenhertothedead—room，whichopensonthechurch。\"
\"Iknow。\"
\"Noothermanthanyoucanormustenterthatchamber。Seetothat。
Afinesightitwouldbe，toseeamanenterthedead—room！\"
\"Moreoften！\"
\"Hey？\"
\"Moreoften！\"
\"Whatdoyousay？\"
\"Isaymoreoften。\"
\"Moreoftenthanwhat？\"
\"ReverendMother，Ididnotsaymoreoftenthanwhat，Isaidmoreoften。\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou。Whydoyousaymoreoften？\"
\"Inordertospeaklikeyou，reverendMother。\"
\"ButIdidnotsay`moreoften。’\"
Atthatmoment，nineo’clockstruck。
\"Atnineo’clockinthemorningandatallhours，praisedandadoredbethemostHolySacramentofthealtar，\"saidtheprioress。
\"Amen，\"saidFauchelevent。
Theclockstruckopportunely。Itcut\"moreoften\"short。
Itisprobable，thathaditnotbeenforthis，theprioressandFaucheleventwouldneverhaveunravelledthatskein。
Faucheleventmoppedhisforehead。
Theprioressindulgedinanotherlittleinwardmurmur，probablysacred，thenraisedhervoice:——
\"Inherlifetime，MotherCrucifixionmadeconverts；afterherdeath，shewillperformmiracles。\"
\"Shewill！\"repliedFatherFauchelevent，fallingintostep，andstrivingnottoflinchagain。
\"FatherFauvent，thecommunityhasbeenblessedinMotherCrucifixion。
Nodoubt，itisnotgrantedtoeveryonetodie，likeCardinaldeBerulle，whilesayingtheholymass，andtobreatheforththeirsoulstoGod，whilepronouncingthesewords:Hancigituroblationem。
Butwithoutattainingtosuchhappiness，MotherCrucifixion’sdeathwasveryprecious。Sheretainedherconsciousnesstotheverylastmoment。Shespoketous，thenshespoketotheangels。
Shegaveusherlastcommands。Ifyouhadalittlemorefaith，andifyoucouldhavebeeninhercell，shewouldhavecuredyourlegmerelybytouchingit。Shesmiled。WefeltthatshewasregainingherlifeinGod。Therewassomethingofparadiseinthatdeath。\"
Faucheleventthoughtthatitwasanorisonwhichshewasfinishing。
\"Amen，\"saidhe。
\"FatherFauvent，whatthedeadwishmustbedone。\"
Theprioresstookoffseveralbeadsofherchaplet。Faucheleventheldhispeace。
Shewenton:——
\"IhaveconsulteduponthispointmanyecclesiasticslaboringinOurLord，whooccupythemselvesintheexercisesoftheclericallife，andwhobearwonderfulfruit。\"
\"ReverendMother，youcanheartheknellmuchbetterherethaninthegarden。\"
\"Besides，sheismorethanadeadwoman，sheisasaint。\"
\"Likeyourself，reverendMother。\"
\"Shesleptinhercoffinfortwentyyears，byexpresspermissionofourHolyFather，PiusVII。——\"
\"TheonewhocrownedtheEmp——Buonaparte。\"
ForaclevermanlikeFauchelevent，thisallusionwasanawkwardone。
Fortunately，theprioress，completelyabsorbedinherownthoughts，didnothearit。Shecontinued:——
\"FatherFauvent？\"
\"ReverendMother？\"
\"SaintDidorus，ArchbishopofCappadocia，desiredthatthissinglewordmightbeinscribedonhistomb:Acarus，whichsignifies，awormoftheearth；thiswasdone。Isthistrue？\"
\"Yes，reverendMother。\"
\"TheblessedMezzocane，AbbotofAquila，wishedtobeburiedbeneaththegallows；thiswasdone。\"
\"Thatistrue。\"
\"SaintTerentius，BishopofPort，wherethemouthoftheTiberemptiesintothesea，requestedthatonhistombmightbeengravedthesignwhichwasplacedonthegravesofparricides，inthehopethatpassers—bywouldspitonhistomb。Thiswasdone。
Thedeadmustbeobeyed。\"
\"Sobeit。\"
\"ThebodyofBernardGuidonis，borninFrancenearRoche—Abeille，was，ashehadordered，andinspiteofthekingofCastile，bornetothechurchoftheDominicansinLimoges，althoughBernardGuidoniswasBishopofTuyinSpain。Canthecontrarybeaffirmed？\"
\"Forthatmatter，no，reverendMother。\"
\"ThefactisattestedbyPlantavitdelaFosse。\"
Severalbeadsofthechapletweretoldoff，stillinsilence。
Theprioressresumed:——
\"FatherFauvent，MotherCrucifixionwillbeinterredinthecoffininwhichshehassleptforthelasttwentyyears。\"
\"Thatisjust。\"
\"Itisacontinuationofherslumber。\"
\"SoIshallhavetonailupthatcoffin？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andwearetorejecttheundertaker’scoffin？\"
\"Precisely。\"
\"Iamattheordersoftheveryreverendcommunity。\"
\"ThefourMotherPrecentorswillassistyou。\"
\"Innailingupthecoffin？Idonotneedthem。\"
\"No。Inloweringthecoffin。\"
\"Where？\"
\"Intothevault。\"
\"Whatvault？\"
\"Underthealtar。\"
Faucheleventstarted。
\"Thevaultunderthealtar？\"
\"Underthealtar。\"
\"But——\"
\"Youwillhaveanironbar。\"
\"Yes，but——\"
\"Youwillraisethestonewiththebarbymeansofthering。\"
\"But——\"
\"Thedeadmustbeobeyed。Tobeburiedinthevaultunderthealtarofthechapel，nottogotoprofaneearth；toremainthereindeathwheresheprayedwhileliving；suchwasthelastwishofMotherCrucifixion。Sheaskeditofus；thatistosay，commandedus。\"
\"Butitisforbidden。\"
\"Forbiddenbymen，enjoinedbyGod。\"
\"Whatifitbecameknown？\"
\"Wehaveconfidenceinyou。\"
\"Oh！Iamastoneinyourwalls。\"
\"Thechapterassembled。Thevocalmothers，whomIhavejustconsultedagain，andwhoarenowdeliberating，havedecidedthatMotherCrucifixionshallbeburied，accordingtoherwish，inherowncoffin，underouraltar。Think，FatherFauvent，ifsheweretoworkmiracleshere！WhatagloryofGodforthecommunity！
Andmiraclesissuefromtombs。\"
\"But，reverendMother，iftheagentofthesanitarycommission——\"
\"SaintBenoitII。，inthematterofsepulture，resistedConstantinePogonatus。\"
\"Butthecommissaryofpolice——\"
\"Chonodemaire，oneofthesevenGermankingswhoenteredamongtheGaulsundertheEmpireofConstantius，expresslyrecognizedtherightofnunstobeburiedinreligion，thatistosay，beneaththealtar。\"
\"ButtheinspectorfromthePrefecture——\"
\"Theworldisnothinginthepresenceofthecross。Martin，theeleventhgeneraloftheCarthusians，gavetohisorderthisdevice:
Statcruxdumvolviturorbis。\"
\"Amen，\"saidFauchelevent，whoimperturbablyextricatedhimselfinthismannerfromthedilemma，wheneverheheardLatin。
Anyaudiencesufficesforapersonwhohasheldhispeacetoolong。
OnthedaywhentherhetoricianGymnastoraslefthisprison，bearinginhisbodymanydilemmasandnumeroussyllogismswhichhadstruckin，hehaltedinfrontofthefirsttreewhichhecameto，harangueditandmadeverygreateffortstoconvinceit。Theprioress，whowasusuallysubjectedtothebarrierofsilence，andwhosereservoirwasoverfull，roseandexclaimedwiththeloquacityofadamwhichhasbrokenaway:——
\"IhaveonmyrightBenoitandonmyleftBernard。WhowasBernard？
ThefirstabbotofClairvaux。FontainesinBurgundyisacountrythatisblestbecauseitgavehimbirth。HisfatherwasnamedTecelin，andhismotherAlethe。HebeganatCiteaux，toendinClairvaux；
hewasordainedabbotbythebishopofChalon—sur—Saone，GuillaumedeChampeaux；hehadsevenhundrednovices，andfoundedahundredandsixtymonasteries；heoverthrewAbeilardatthecouncilofSensin1140，andPierredeBruysandHenryhisdisciple，andanothersortoferringspiritswhowerecalledtheApostolics；
heconfoundedArnaulddeBrescia，dartedlightningatthemonkRaoul，themurdereroftheJews，dominatedthecouncilofReimsin1148，causedthecondemnationofGilbertdePorea，BishopofPoitiers，causedthecondemnationofEondel’Etoile，arrangedthedisputesofprinces，enlightenedKingLouistheYoung，advisedPopeEugeneIII。，regulatedtheTemple，preachedthecrusade，performedtwohundredandfiftymiraclesduringhislifetime，andasmanyasthirty—nineinoneday。WhowasBenoit？HewasthepatriarchofMont—Cassin；
hewasthesecondfounderoftheSainteteClaustrale，hewastheBasiloftheWest。Hisorderhasproducedfortypopes，twohundredcardinals，fiftypatriarchs，sixteenhundredarchbishops，fourthousandsixhundredbishops，fouremperors，twelveempresses，forty—sixkings，forty—onequeens，threethousandsixhundredcanonizedsaints，andhasbeeninexistenceforfourteenhundredyears。OnonesideSaintBernard，ontheothertheagentofthesanitarydepartment！
OnonesideSaintBenoit，ontheothertheinspectorofpublicways！
Thestate，theroadcommissioners，thepublicundertaker，regulations，theadministration，whatdoweknowofallthat？
Thereisnotachancepasser—bywhowouldnotbeindignanttoseehowwearetreated。WehavenoteventherighttogiveourdusttoJesusChrist！Yoursanitarydepartmentisarevolutionaryinvention。
Godsubordinatedtothecommissaryofpolice；suchistheage。
Silence，Fauvent！\"
Faucheleventwasbutillateaseunderthisshowerbath。
Theprioresscontinued:——
\"Noonedoubtstherightofthemonasterytosepulture。Onlyfanaticsandthoseinerrordenyit。Weliveintimesofterribleconfusion。
Wedonotknowthatwhichitisnecessarytoknow，andweknowthatwhichweshouldignore。Weareignorantandimpious。InthisagethereexistpeoplewhodonotdistinguishbetweentheverygreatSaintBernardandtheSaintBernarddenominatedofthepoorCatholics，acertaingoodecclesiasticwholivedinthethirteenthcentury。
OthersaresoblasphemousastocomparethescaffoldofLouisXVI。
tothecrossofJesusChrist。LouisXVI。wasmerelyaking。
LetusbewareofGod！Thereisnolongerjustnorunjust。
ThenameofVoltaireisknown，butnotthenameofCesardeBus。
Nevertheless，CesardeBusisamanofblessedmemory，andVoltaireoneofunblessedmemory。Thelastarch—bishop，theCardinaldePerigord，didnotevenknowthatCharlesdeGondrensucceededtoBerulle，andFrancoisBourgointoGondren，andJean—FrancoisSenaulttoBourgoin，andFatherSainte—MarthetoJean—FrancoisSenault。
ThenameofFatherCotonisknown，notbecausehewasoneofthethreewhourgedthefoundationoftheOratorie，butbecausehefurnishedHenriIV。，theHuguenotking，withthematerialforanoath。
ThatwhichpleasespeopleoftheworldinSaintFrancoisdeSales，isthathecheatedatplay。Andthen，religionisattacked。
Why？Becausetherehavebeenbadpriests，becauseSagittaire，BishopofGap，wasthebrotherofSalone，BishopofEmbrun，andbecausebothofthemfollowedMommol。Whathasthattodowiththequestion？DoesthatpreventMartindeToursfrombeingasaint，andgivinghalfofhiscloaktoabeggar？Theypersecutethesaints。Theyshuttheireyestothetruth。Darknessistherule。Themostferociousbeastsarebeastswhichareblind。
Noonethinksofhellasareality。Oh！howwickedpeopleare！
Byorderofthekingsignifiesto—day，byorderoftherevolution。
Onenolongerknowswhatisduetothelivingortothedead。Aholydeathisprohibited。Burialisacivilmatter。Thisishorrible。
SaintLeoII。wrotetwospecialletters，onetoPierreNotaire，theothertothekingoftheVisigoths，forthepurposeofcombatingandrejecting，inquestionstouchingthedead，theauthorityoftheexarchandthesupremacyoftheEmperor。Gauthier，BishopofChalons，heldhisowninthismatteragainstOtho，DukeofBurgundy。
Theancientmagistracyagreedwithhim。Informertimeswehadvoicesinthechapter，evenonmattersoftheday。TheAbbotofCiteaux，thegeneraloftheorder，wascouncillorbyrightofbirthtotheparliamentofBurgundy。Wedowhatwepleasewithourdead。
IsnotthebodyofSaintBenoithimselfinFrance，intheabbeyofFleury，calledSaintBenoit—sur—Loire，althoughhediedinItalyatMont—Cassin，onSaturday，the21stofthemonthofMarch，oftheyear543？Allthisisincontestable。Iabhorpsalm—singers，Ihatepriors，Iexecrateheretics，butIshoulddetestyetmoreanyonewhoshouldmaintainthecontrary。OnehasonlytoreadArnoulWion，GabrielBucelin，Trithemus，Maurolics，andDomLucd’Achery。\"
Theprioresstookbreath，thenturnedtoFauchelevent。
\"Isitsettled，FatherFauvent？\"
\"Itissettled，reverendMother。\"
\"Wemaydependonyou？\"
\"Iwillobey。\"
\"Thatiswell。\"
\"Iamentirelydevotedtotheconvent。\"
\"Thatisunderstood。Youwillclosethecoffin。Thesisterswillcarryittothechapel。Theofficeforthedeadwillthenbesaid。
Thenweshallreturntothecloister。Betweeneleveno’clockandmidnight，youwillcomewithyourironbar。Allwillbedoneinthemostprofoundsecrecy。TherewillbeinthechapelonlythefourMotherPrecentors，MotherAscensionandyourself。\"
\"Andthesisteratthepost？\"
\"Shewillnotturnround。\"
\"Butshewillhear。\"
\"Shewillnotlisten。Besides，whatthecloisterknowstheworldlearnsnot。\"
Apauseensued。Theprioresswenton:——
\"Youwillremoveyourbell。Itisnotnecessarythatthesisteratthepostshouldperceiveyourpresence。\"
\"ReverendMother？\"
\"What，FatherFauvent？\"
\"Hasthedoctorforthedeadpaidhisvisit？\"
\"Hewillpayitatfouro’clockto—day。Thepealwhichordersthedoctorforthedeadtobesummonedhasalreadybeenrung。
Butyoudonotunderstandanyofthepeals？\"
\"Ipaynoattentiontoanybutmyown。\"
\"Thatiswell，FatherFauvent。\"
\"ReverendMother，aleveratleastsixfeetlongwillberequired。\"
\"Wherewillyouobtainit？\"
\"Wheregratingsarenotlacking，ironbarsarenotlacking。
Ihavemyheapofoldironatthebottomofthegarden。\"
\"Aboutthree—quartersofanhourbeforemidnight；donotforget。\"
\"ReverendMother？\"
\"What？\"
\"Ifyouwereevertohaveanyotherjobsofthissort，mybrotheristhestrongmanforyou。AperfectTurk！\"
\"Youwilldoitasspeedilyaspossible。\"
\"Icannotworkveryfast。Iaminfirm；thatiswhyIrequireanassistant。Ilimp。\"
\"Tolimpisnosin，andperhapsitisablessing。TheEmperorHenryII。，whocombatedAntipopeGregoryandre—establishedBenoitVIII。，hastwosurnames，theSaintandtheLame。\"
\"Twosurtoutsareagoodthing，\"murmuredFauchelevent，whoreallywasalittlehardofhearing。
\"NowthatIthinkofit，FatherFauvent，letusgiveawholehourtoit。Thatisnottoomuch。Beneartheprincipalaltar，withyourironbar，ateleveno’clock。Theofficebeginsatmidnight。
Everythingmusthavebeencompletedagoodquarterofanhourbeforethat。\"
\"Iwilldoanythingtoprovemyzealtowardsthecommunity。
Thesearemyorders。Iamtonailupthecoffin。Ateleveno’clockexactly，Iamtobeinthechapel。TheMotherPrecentorswillbethere。MotherAscensionwillbethere。Twomenwouldbebetter。However，nevermind！Ishallhavemylever。
Wewillopenthevault，wewilllowerthecoffin，andwewillclosethevaultagain。Afterwhich，therewillbenotraceofanything。
Thegovernmentwillhavenosuspicion。Thusallhasbeenarranged，reverendMother？\"
\"No！\"
\"Whatelseremains？\"
\"Theemptycoffinremains。\"
Thisproducedapause。Faucheleventmeditated。Theprioressmeditated。
\"Whatistobedonewiththatcoffin，FatherFauvent？\"
\"Itwillbegiventotheearth。\"
\"Empty？\"
Anothersilence。Faucheleventmade，withhislefthand，thatsortofagesturewhichdismissesatroublesomesubject。
\"ReverendMother，Iamtheonewhoistonailupthecoffininthebasementofthechurch，andnoonecanentertherebutmyself，andIwillcoverthecoffinwiththepall。\"
\"Yes，butthebearers，whentheyplaceitinthehearseandloweritintothegrave，willbesuretofeelthatthereisnothinginit。\"
\"Ah！thede——！\"exclaimedFauchelevent。
Theprioressbegantomakethesignofthecross，andlookedfixedlyatthegardener。Thevilstuckfastinhisthroat。
Hemadehastetoimproviseanexpedienttomakeherforgettheoath。
\"Iwillputearthinthecoffin，reverendMother。Thatwillproducetheeffectofacorpse。\"
\"Youareright。Earth，thatisthesamethingasman。Soyouwillmanagetheemptycoffin？\"
\"Iwillmakethatmyspecialbusiness。\"
Theprioress’sface，uptothatmomenttroubledandclouded，grewsereneoncemore。Shemadethesignofasuperiordismissinganinferiortohim。Faucheleventwenttowardsthedoor。Ashewasonthepointofpassingout，theprioressraisedhervoicegently:——
\"Iampleasedwithyou，FatherFauvent；bringyourbrothertometo—morrow，aftertheburial，andtellhimtofetchhisdaughter。\"
CHAPTERIV
INWHICHJEANVALJEANHASQUITETHEAIROFHAVINGREADAUSTIN
CASTILLEJO
Thestridesofalamemanareliketheoglingglancesofaone—eyedman；
theydonotreachtheirgoalverypromptly。Moreover，Faucheleventwasinadilemma。Hetooknearlyaquarterofanhourtoreturntohiscottageinthegarden。Cosettehadwakedup。JeanValjeanhadplacedhernearthefire。AtthemomentwhenFauchelevententered，JeanValjeanwaspointingouttoherthevintner’sbasketonthewall，andsayingtoher，\"Listenattentivelytome，mylittleCosette。
Wemustgoawayfromthishouse，butweshallreturntoit，andweshallbeveryhappyhere。Thegoodmanwholiveshereisgoingtocarryyouoffonhisbackinthat。Youwillwaitformeatalady’shouse。
Ishallcometofetchyou。Obey，andsaynothing，aboveallthings，unlessyouwantMadameThenardiertogetyouagain！\"
Cosettenoddedgravely。
JeanValjeanturnedroundatthenoisemadebyFaucheleventopeningthedoor。
\"Well？\"
\"Everythingisarranged，andnothingis，\"saidFauchelevent。
\"Ihavepermissiontobringyouin；butbeforebringingyouinyoumustbegotout。That’swherethedifficultylies。Itiseasyenoughwiththechild。\"
\"Youwillcarryherout？\"
\"Andshewillholdhertongue？\"
\"Ianswerforthat。\"
\"Butyou，FatherMadeleine？\"
And，afterasilence，fraughtwithanxiety，Faucheleventexclaimed:——
\"Why，getoutasyoucamein！\"
JeanValjean，asinthefirstinstance，contentedhimselfwithsaying，\"Impossible。\"
Faucheleventgrumbled，moretohimselfthantoJeanValjean:——
\"Thereisanotherthingwhichbothersme。IhavesaidthatIwouldputearthinit。WhenIcometothinkitover，theearthinsteadofthecorpsewillnotseemliketherealthing，itwon’tdo，itwillgetdisplaced，itwillmoveabout。Themenwillbearit。
Youunderstand，FatherMadeleine，thegovernmentwillnoticeit。\"
JeanValjeanstaredhimstraightintheeyeandthoughtthathewasraving。
Faucheleventwenton:——
\"Howthede——uceareyougoingtogetout？Itmustallbedonebyto—morrowmorning。Itisto—morrowthatIamtobringyouin。
Theprioressexpectsyou。\"
ThenheexplainedtoJeanValjeanthatthiswashisrecompenseforaservicewhichhe，Fauchelevent，wastorendertothecommunity。
Thatitfellamonghisdutiestotakepartintheirburials，thathenailedupthecoffinsandhelpedthegrave—diggeratthecemetery。
Thatthenunwhohaddiedthatmorninghadrequestedtobeburiedinthecoffinwhichhadservedherforabed，andinterredinthevaultunderthealtarofthechapel。Thatthepoliceregulationsforbadethis，butthatshewasoneofthosedeadtowhomnothingisrefused。
Thattheprioressandthevocalmothersintendedtofulfilthewishofthedeceased。Thatitwassomuchtheworseforthegovernment。
Thathe，Fauchelevent，wastonailupthecoffininthecell，raisethestoneinthechapel，andlowerthecorpseintothevault。
Andthat，bywayofthanks，theprioresswastoadmithisbrothertothehouseasagardener，andhisnieceasapupil。ThathisbrotherwasM。Madeleine，andthathisniecewasCosette。Thattheprioresshadtoldhimtobringhisbrotheronthefollowingevening，afterthecounterfeitintermentinthecemetery。ButthathecouldnotbringM。MadeleineinfromtheoutsideifM。Madeleinewasnotoutside。
Thatthatwasthefirstproblem。Andthen，thattherewasanother:
theemptycoffin。\"
\"Whatisthatemptycoffin？\"askedJeanValjean。
Faucheleventreplied:——
\"Thecoffinoftheadministration。\"
\"Whatcoffin？Whatadministration？\"
\"Anundies。Themunicipaldoctorcomesandsays，`Anunhasdied。’
Thegovernmentsendsacoffin。Thenextdayitsendsahearseandundertaker’smentogetthecoffinandcarryittothecemetery。
Theundertaker’smenwillcomeandliftthecoffin；therewillbenothinginit。\"
\"Putsomethinginit。\"
\"Acorpse？Ihavenone。\"
\"No。\"
\"Whatthen？\"
\"Alivingperson。\"
\"Whatperson？\"
\"Me！\"saidJeanValjean。
Fauchelevent，whowasseated，sprangupasthoughabombhadburstunderhischair。
\"You！\"
\"Whynot？\"
JeanValjeangavewaytooneofthoseraresmileswhichlighteduphisfacelikeaflashfromheaveninthewinter。
\"Youknow，Fauchelevent，whatyouhavesaid:`MotherCrucifixionisdead。’andIadd:`andFatherMadeleineisburied。’
\"Ah！good，youcanlaugh，youarenotspeakingseriously。\"
\"Veryseriously，Imustgetoutofthisplace。\"
\"Certainly。\"
\"lhavetoldyoutofindabasket，andacoverformealso，\"
\"Well？\"
\"Thebasketwillbeofpine，andthecoverablackcloth。\"
\"Inthefirstplace，itwillbeawhitecloth。Nunsareburiedinwhite。\"
\"Letitbeawhitecloth，then。\"
\"Youarenotlikeothermen，FatherMadeleine。\"
Tobeholdsuchdevices，whicharenothingelsethanthesavageanddaringinventionsofthegalleys，springforthfromthepeaceablethingswhichsurroundedhim，andminglewithwhathecalledthe\"pettycourseoflifeintheconvent，\"causedFaucheleventasmuchamazementasagullfishinginthegutteroftheRueSaint—Deniswouldinspireinapasser—by。
JeanValjeanwenton:——
\"Theproblemistogetoutofherewithoutbeingseen。Thisoffersthemeans。Butgivemesomeinformation，inthefirstplace。
Howisitmanaged？Whereisthiscoffin？\"
\"Theemptyone？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Downstairs，inwhatiscalledthedead—room。Itstandsontwotrestles，underthepall。\"
\"Howlongisthecoffin？\"
\"Sixfeet。\"
\"Whatisthisdead—room？\"
\"Itisachamberonthegroundfloorwhichhasagratedwindowopeningonthegarden，whichisclosedontheoutsidebyashutter，andtwodoors；oneleadsintotheconvent，theotherintothechurch。\"
\"Whatchurch？\"
\"Thechurchinthestreet，thechurchwhichanyonecanenter。\"
\"Haveyouthekeystothosetwodoors？\"
\"No；Ihavethekeytothedoorwhichcommunicateswiththeconvent；
theporterhasthekeytothedoorwhichcommunicateswiththechurch。\"
\"Whendoestheporteropenthatdoor？\"
\"Onlytoallowtheundertaker’smentoenter，whentheycometogetthecoffin。Whenthecoffinhasbeentakenout，thedoorisclosedagain。\"
\"Whonailsupthecoffin？\"
\"Ido。\"
\"Whospreadsthepalloverit？\"
\"Ido。\"
\"Areyoualone？\"
\"Notanotherman，exceptthepolicedoctor，canenterthedead—room。
Thatisevenwrittenonthewall。\"
\"Couldyouhidemeinthatroomto—nightwheneveryoneisasleep？\"
\"No。ButIcouldhideyouinasmall，darknookwhichopensonthedead—room，whereIkeepmytoolstouseforburials，andofwhichIhavethekey。\"
\"Atwhattimewillthehearsecomeforthecoffinto—morrow？\"
\"Aboutthreeo’clockintheafternoon。TheburialwilltakeplaceattheVaugirardcemeteryalittlebeforenightfall。