Itisnotverynear。\"
\"Iwillremainconcealedinyourtool—closetallnightandallthemorning。Andhowaboutfood？Ishallbehungry。\"
\"Iwillbringyousomething。\"
\"Youcancomeandnailmeupinthecoffinattwoo’clock。\"
Faucheleventrecoiledandcrackedhisfinger—joints。
\"Butthatisimpossible！\"
\"Bah！Impossibletotakeahammeranddrivesomenailsinaplank？\"
WhatseemedunprecedentedtoFaucheleventwas，werepeat，asimplemattertoJeanValjean。JeanValjeanhadbeeninworsestraitsthanthis。Anymanwhohasbeenaprisonerunderstandshowtocontracthimselftofitthediameteroftheescape。
Theprisonerissubjecttoflightasthesickmanissubjecttoacrisiswhichsavesorkillshim。Anescapeisacure。
Whatdoesnotamanundergoforthesakeofacure？Tohavehimselfnailedupinacaseandcarriedofflikeabaleofgoods，toliveforalongtimeinabox，tofindairwherethereisnone，toeconomizehisbreathforhours，toknowhowtostiflewithoutdying——
thiswasoneofJeanValjean’sgloomytalents。
Moreover，acoffincontainingalivingbeing，——thatconvict’sexpedient，——
isalsoanimperialexpedient。IfwearetocreditthemonkAustinCastillejo，thiswasthemeansemployedbyCharlestheFifth，desirousofseeingthePlombesforthelasttimeafterhisabdication。
HehadherbroughtintoandcarriedoutofthemonasteryofSaint—Yusteinthismanner。
Fauchelevent，whohadrecoveredhimselfalittle，exclaimed:——
\"Buthowwillyoumanagetobreathe？\"
\"Iwillbreathe。\"
\"Inthatbox！Themerethoughtofitsuffocatesme。\"
\"Yousurelymusthaveagimlet，youwillmakeafewholeshereandthere，aroundmymouth，andyouwillnailthetopplankonloosely。\"
\"Good！Andwhatifyoushouldhappentocoughortosneeze？\"
\"Amanwhoismakinghisescapedoesnotcoughorsneeze。\"
AndJeanValjeanadded:——
\"FatherFauchelevent，wemustcometoadecision:Imusteitherbecaughthere，oracceptthisescapethroughthehearse。\"
Everyonehasnoticedthetastewhichcatshaveforpausingandloungingbetweenthetwoleavesofahalf—shutdoor。Whoistherewhohasnotsaidtoacat，\"Docomein！\"Therearemenwho，whenanincidentstandshalf—openbeforethem，havethesametendencytohaltinindecisionbetweentworesolutions，attheriskofgettingcrushedthroughtheabruptclosingoftheadventurebyfate。
Theover—prudent，catsastheyare，andbecausetheyarecats，sometimesincurmoredangerthantheaudacious。Faucheleventwasofthishesitatingnature。ButJeanValjean’scoolnessprevailedoverhiminspiteofhimself。Hegrumbled:——
\"Well，sincethereisnoothermeans。\"
JeanValjeanresumed:——
\"Theonlythingwhichtroublesmeiswhatwilltakeplaceatthecemetery。\"
\"Thatistheverypointthatisnottroublesome，\"exclaimedFauchelevent。
\"Ifyouaresureofcomingoutofthecoffinallright，Iamsureofgettingyououtofthegrave。Thegrave—diggerisadrunkard，andafriendofmine。HeisFatherMestienne。Anoldfellowoftheoldschool。Thegrave—diggerputsthecorpsesinthegrave，andIputthegrave—diggerinmypocket。Iwilltellyouwhatwilltakeplace。Theywillarrivealittlebeforedusk，three—quartersofanhourbeforethegatesofthecemeteryareclosed。
Thehearsewilldrivedirectlyuptothegrave。Ishallfollow；
thatismybusiness。Ishallhaveahammer，achisel，andsomepincersinmypocket。Thehearsehalts，theundertaker’smenknotaropearoundyourcoffinandloweryoudown。Thepriestsaystheprayers，makesthesignofthecross，sprinklestheholywater，andtakeshisdeparture。IamleftalonewithFatherMestienne。
Heismyfriend，Itellyou。Oneoftwothingswillhappen，hewilleitherbesober，orhewillnotbesober。Ifheisnotdrunk，Ishallsaytohim:`ComeanddrinkaboutwhiletheBonCoing[theGoodQuince]isopen。’Icarryhimoff，Igethimdrunk，——
itdoesnottakelongtomakeFatherMestiennedrunk，healwayshasthebeginningofitabouthim，——Ilayhimunderthetable，Itakehiscard，sothatIcangetintothecemeteryagain，andIreturnwithouthim。Thenyouhavenolongeranyonebutmetodealwith。Ifheisdrunk，Ishallsaytohim:`Beoff；
Iwilldoyourworkforyou。’Offhegoes，andIdragyououtofthehole。\"
JeanValjeanheldouthishand，andFaucheleventprecipitatedhimselfuponitwiththetouchingeffusionofapeasant。
\"Thatissettled，FatherFauchelevent。Allwillgowell。\"
\"Providednothinggoeswrong，\"thoughtFauchelevent。\"Inthatcase，itwouldbeterrible。\"
CHAPTERV
ITISNOTNECESSARYTOBEDRUNKINORDERTOBEIMMORTAL
Onthefollowingday，asthesunwasdeclining，theveryrarepassers—byontheBoulevardduMainepulledofftheirhatstoanold—fashionedhearse，ornamentedwithskulls，cross—bones，andtears。
Thishearsecontainedacoffincoveredwithawhiteclothoverwhichspreadalargeblackcross，likeahugecorpsewithdroopingarms。
Amourning—coach，inwhichcouldbeseenapriestinhissurplice，andachoirboyinhisredcap，followed。Twoundertaker’smeningrayuniformstrimmedwithblackwalkedontherightandtheleftofthehearse。Behinditcameanoldmaninthegarmentsofalaborer，wholimpedalong。TheprocessionwasgoinginthedirectionoftheVaugirardcemetery。
Thehandleofahammer，thebladeofacoldchisel，andtheantennaeofapairofpincerswerevisible，protrudingfromtheman’spocket。
TheVaugirardcemeteryformedanexceptionamongthecemeteriesofParis。Ithaditspeculiarusages，justasithaditscarriageentranceanditshousedoor，whicholdpeopleinthequarter，whoclungtenaciouslytoancientwords，stillcalledtheportecavaliereandtheportepietonne。[16]TheBernardines—BenedictinesoftheRuePetit—Picpushadobtainedpermission，aswehavealreadystated，tobeburiedthereinacornerapart，andatnight，theplotoflandhavingformerlybelongedtotheircommunity。Thegrave—diggersbeingthusboundtoserviceintheeveninginsummerandatnightinwinter，inthiscemetery，theyweresubjectedtoaspecialdiscipline。
ThegatesofthePariscemeteriesclosed，atthatepoch，atsundown，andthisbeingamunicipalregulation，theVaugirardcemeterywasboundbyitliketherest。Thecarriagegateandthehousedoorweretwocontiguousgratedgates，adjoiningapavilionbuiltbythearchitectPerronet，andinhabitedbythedoor—keeperofthecemetery。Thesegates，therefore，swunginexorablyontheirhingesattheinstantwhenthesundisappearedbehindthedomeoftheInvalides。Ifanygrave—diggerweredelayedafterthatmomentinthecemetery，therewasbutonewayforhimtogetout——
hisgrave—digger’scardfurnishedbythedepartmentofpublicfunerals。
Asortofletter—boxwasconstructedintheporter’swindow。
Thegrave—diggerdroppedhiscardintothisbox，theporterhearditfall，pulledtherope，andthesmalldooropened。Ifthemanhadnothiscard，hementionedhisname，theporter，whowassometimesinbedandasleep，rose，cameoutandidentifiedtheman，andopenedthegatewithhiskey；thegrave—diggersteppedout，buthadtopayafineoffifteenfrancs。
[16]Insteadofportecochereandportebatarde。
Thiscemetery，withitspeculiaritiesoutsidetheregulations，embarrassedthesymmetryoftheadministration。Itwassuppressedalittlelaterthan1830。ThecemeteryofMont—Parnasse，calledtheEasterncemetery，succeededtoit，andinheritedthatfamousdram—shopnexttotheVaugirardcemetery，whichwassurmountedbyaquincepaintedonaboard，andwhichformedanangle，onesideonthedrinkers’tables，andtheotheronthetombs，withthissign:
AuBonCoing。
TheVaugirardcemeterywaswhatmaybecalledafadedcemetery。
Itwasfallingintodisuse。Dampnesswasinvadingit，theflowersweredesertingit。ThebourgeoisdidnotcaremuchaboutbeingburiedintheVaugirard；ithintedatpoverty。Pere—Lachaiseifyouplease！tobeburiedinPere—Lachaiseisequivalenttohavingfurnitureofmahogany。Itisrecognizedaselegant。TheVaugirardcemeterywasavenerableenclosure，plantedlikeanold—fashionedFrenchgarden。Straightalleys，box，thuya—trees，holly，ancienttombsbeneathagedcypress—trees，andverytallgrass。
Intheeveningitwastragicthere。Therewereverylugubriouslinesaboutit。
ThesunhadnotyetsetwhenthehearsewiththewhitepallandtheblackcrossenteredtheavenueoftheVaugirardcemetery。
ThelamemanwhofolloweditwasnootherthanFauchelevent。
TheintermentofMotherCrucifixioninthevaultunderthealtar，theexitofCosette，theintroductionofJeanValjeantothedead—room，——
allhadbeenexecutedwithoutdifficulty，andtherehadbeennohitch。
Letusremarkinpassing，thattheburialofMotherCrucifixionunderthealtaroftheconventisaperfectlyvenialoffenceinoursight。Itisoneofthefaultswhichresembleaduty。
Thenunshadcommittedit，notonlywithoutdifficulty，butevenwiththeapplauseoftheirownconsciences。Inthecloister，whatiscalledthe\"government\"isonlyanintermeddlingwithauthority，aninterferencewhichisalwaysquestionable。Inthefirstplace，therule；asforthecode，weshallsee。Makeasmanylawsasyouplease，men；butkeepthemforyourselves。ThetributetoCaesarisneveranythingbuttheremnantsofthetributetoGod。
Aprinceisnothinginthepresenceofaprinciple。
Faucheleventlimpedalongbehindthehearseinaverycontentedframeofmind。Histwinplots，theonewiththenuns，theonefortheconvent，theotheragainstit，theotherwithM。Madeleine，hadsucceeded，toallappearance。JeanValjean’scomposurewasoneofthosepowerfultranquillitieswhicharecontagious。
Faucheleventnolongerfeltdoubtfulastohissuccess。
Whatremainedtobedonewasamerenothing。Withinthelasttwoyears，hehadmadegoodFatherMestienne，achubby—cheekedperson，drunkatleasttentimes。HeplayedwithFatherMestienne。Hedidwhathelikedwithhim。Hemadehimdanceaccordingtohiswhim。
Mestienne’sheadadjusteditselftothecapofFauchelevent’swill。
Fauchelevent’sconfidencewasperfect。
Atthemomentwhentheconvoyenteredtheavenueleadingtothecemetery，Faucheleventglancedcheerfullyatthehearse，andsaidhalfaloud，asherubbedhisbighands:——
\"Here’safinefarce！\"
Allatoncethehearsehalted；ithadreachedthegate。Thepermissionforintermentmustbeexhibited。Theundertaker’smanaddressedhimselftotheporterofthecemetery。Duringthiscolloquy，whichalwaysisproductiveofadelayoffromonetotwominutes，someone，astranger，cameandplacedhimselfbehindthehearse，besideFauchelevent。Hewasasortoflaboringman，whoworeawaistcoatwithlargepocketsandcarriedamattockunderhisarm。
Faucheleventsurveyedthisstranger。
\"Whoareyou？\"hedemanded。
\"Themanreplied:——
\"Thegrave—digger。\"
Ifamancouldsurvivetheblowofacannon—ballfullinthebreast，hewouldmakethesamefacethatFaucheleventmade。
\"Thegrave—digger？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"You？\"
\"I。\"
\"FatherMestienneisthegrave—digger。\"
\"Hewas。\"
\"What！Hewas？\"
\"Heisdead。\"
Faucheleventhadexpectedanythingbutthis，thatagrave—diggercoulddie。Itistrue，nevertheless，thatgrave—diggersdodiethemselves。Bydintofexcavatinggravesforotherpeople，onehollowsoutone’sown。
Faucheleventstoodtherewithhismouthwideopen。Hehadhardlythestrengthtostammer:——
\"Butitisnotpossible！\"
\"Itisso。\"
\"But，\"hepersistedfeebly，\"FatherMestienneisthegrave—digger。\"
\"AfterNapoleon，LouisXVIII。AfterMestienne，Gribier。
Peasant，mynameisGribier。\"
Fauchelevent，whowasdeadlypale，staredatthisGribier。
Hewasatall，thin，livid，utterlyfunerealman。Hehadtheairofanunsuccessfuldoctorwhohadturnedgrave—digger。
Faucheleventburstoutlaughing。
\"Ah！\"saidhe，\"whatqueerthingsdohappen！FatherMestienneisdead，butlonglivelittleFatherLenoir！DoyouknowwholittleFatherLenoiris？Heisajugofredwine。ItisajugofSurene，morbigou！ofrealParisSurene？Ah！SooldMestienneisdead！
Iamsorryforit；hewasajollyfellow。Butyouareajollyfellow，too。Areyounot，comrade？We’llgoandhaveadrinktogetherpresently。\"
Themanreplied:——
\"Ihavebeenastudent。Ipassedmyfourthexamination。
Ineverdrink。\"
Thehearsehadsetoutagain，andwasrollingupthegrandalleyofthecemetery。
Faucheleventhadslackenedhispace。Helimpedmoreoutofanxietythanfrominfirmity。
Thegrave—diggerwalkedoninfrontofhim。
FaucheleventpassedtheunexpectedGribieroncemoreinreview。
Hewasoneofthosemenwho，thoughveryyoung，havetheairofage，andwho，thoughslender，areextremelystrong。
\"Comrade！\"criedFauchelevent。
Themanturnedround。
\"Iamtheconventgrave—digger。\"
\"Mycolleague，\"saidtheman。
Fauchelevent，whowasilliteratebutverysharp，understoodthathehadtodealwithaformidablespeciesofman，withafinetalker。
Hemuttered:
\"SoFatherMestienneisdead。\"
Themanreplied:——
\"Completely。ThegoodGodconsultedhisnote—bookwhichshowswhenthetimeisup。ItwasFatherMestienne’sturn。FatherMestiennedied。\"
Faucheleventrepeatedmechanically:\"ThegoodGod——\"
\"ThegoodGod，\"saidthemanauthoritatively。\"Accordingtothephilosophers，theEternalFather；accordingtotheJacobins，theSupremeBeing。\"
\"Shallwenotmakeeachother’sacquaintance？\"stammeredFauchelevent。
\"Itismade。Youareapeasant，IamaParisian。\"
\"Peopledonotknoweachotheruntiltheyhavedrunktogether。
Hewhoemptieshisglassemptieshisheart。Youmustcomeandhaveadrinkwithme。Suchathingcannotberefused。\"
\"Businessfirst。\"
Faucheleventthought:\"Iamlost。\"
Theywereonlyafewturnsofthewheeldistantfromthesmallalleyleadingtothenuns’corner。
Thegrave—diggerresumed:——
\"Peasant，Ihavesevensmallchildrenwhomustbefed。Astheymusteat，Icannotdrink。\"
Andheadded，withthesatisfactionofaseriousmanwhoisturningaphrasewell:——
\"Theirhungeristheenemyofmythirst。\"
Thehearseskirtedaclumpofcypress—trees，quittedthegrandalley，turnedintoanarrowone，enteredthewasteland，andplungedintoathicket。Thisindicatedtheimmediateproximityoftheplaceofsepulture。Faucheleventslackenedhispace，buthecouldnotdetainthehearse。Fortunately，thesoil，whichwaslightandwetwiththewinterrains，cloggedthewheelsandretardeditsspeed。
Heapproachedthegrave—digger。
\"TheyhavesuchanicelittleArgenteuilwine，\"murmuredFauchelevent。
\"Villager，\"retortedtheman，\"Ioughtnotbeagrave—digger。MyfatherwasaporteratthePrytaneum[Town—Hall]。Hedestinedmeforliterature。Buthehadreverses。Hehadlosseson’change。
Iwasobligedtorenouncetheprofessionofauthor。ButIamstillapublicwriter。\"
\"Soyouarenotagrave—digger，then？\"returnedFauchelevent，clutchingatthisbranch，feebleasitwas。
\"Theonedoesnothindertheother。Icumulate。\"
Faucheleventdidnotunderstandthislastword。
\"Comehaveadrink，\"saidhe。
Herearemarkbecomesnecessary。Fauchelevent，whateverhisanguish，offeredadrink，buthedidnotexplainhimselfononepoint；whowastopay？Generally，FaucheleventofferedandFatherMestiennepaid。
Anofferofadrinkwastheevidentresultofthenovelsituationcreatedbythenewgrave—digger，anditwasnecessarytomakethisoffer，buttheoldgardenerlefttheproverbialquarterofanhournamedafterRabelaisinthedark，andthatnotunintentionally。
Asforhimself，Faucheleventdidnotwishtopay，troubledashewas。
Thegrave—diggerwentonwithasuperiorsmile:——
\"Onemusteat。IhaveacceptedFatherMestienne’sreversion。
Onegetstobeaphilosopherwhenonehasnearlycompletedhisclasses。TothelaborofthehandIjointhelaborofthearm。
Ihavemyscrivener’sstallinthemarketoftheRuedeSevres。
Youknow？theUmbrellaMarket。AllthecooksoftheRedCrossapplytome。Iscribbletheirdeclarationsoflovetotherawsoldiers。
InthemorningIwriteloveletters；intheeveningIdiggraves。
Suchislife，rustic。\"
Thehearsewasstilladvancing。Fauchelevent，uneasytothelastdegree，wasgazingabouthimonallsides。Greatdropsofperspirationtrickleddownfromhisbrow。
\"But，\"continuedthegrave—digger，\"amancannotservetwomistresses。
Imustchoosebetweenthepenandthemattock。Themattockisruiningmyhand。\"
Thehearsehalted。
Thechoirboyalightedfromthemourning—coach，thenthepriest。
Oneofthesmallfrontwheelsofthehearsehadrunupalittleonapileofearth，beyondwhichanopengravewasvisible。
\"Whatafarcethisis！\"repeatedFaucheleventinconsternation。
CHAPTERVI
BETWEENFOURPLANKS
Whowasinthecoffin？Thereaderknows。JeanValjean。
JeanValjeanhadarrangedthingssothathecouldexistthere，andhecouldalmostbreathe。
Itisastrangethingtowhatadegreesecurityofconscienceconferssecurityoftherest。EverycombinationthoughtoutbyJeanValjeanhadbeenprogressing，andprogressingfavorably，sincetheprecedingday。He，likeFauchelevent，countedonFatherMestienne。Hehadnodoubtastotheend。Neverwasthereamorecriticalsituation，nevermorecompletecomposure。
Thefourplanksofthecoffinbreatheoutakindofterriblepeace。
ItseemedasthoughsomethingofthereposeofthedeadenteredintoJeanValjean’stranquillity。
Fromthedepthsofthatcoffinhehadbeenabletofollow，andhehadfollowed，allthephasesoftheterribledramawhichhewasplayingwithdeath。
ShortlyafterFaucheleventhadfinishednailingontheupperplank，JeanValjeanhadfelthimselfcarriedout，thendrivenoff。Heknew，fromthediminutioninthejolting，whentheyleftthepavementsandreachedtheearthroad。Hehaddivined，fromadullnoise，thattheywerecrossingthebridgeofAusterlitz。Atthefirsthalt，hehadunderstoodthattheywereenteringthecemetery；atthesecondhalt，hesaidtohimself:——
\"Hereisthegrave。\"
Suddenly，hefelthandsseizethecoffin，thenaharshgratingagainsttheplanks；heexplainedittohimselfastheropewhichwasbeingfastenedroundthecasketinordertoloweritintothecavity。
Thenheexperiencedagiddiness。
Theundertaker’smanandthegrave—diggerhadprobablyallowedthecoffintoloseitsbalance，andhadloweredtheheadbeforethefoot。Herecoveredhimselffullywhenhefelthimselfhorizontalandmotionless。Hehadjusttouchedthebottom。
Hehadacertainsensationofcold。
Avoiceroseabovehim，glacialandsolemn。HeheardLatinwords，whichhedidnotunderstand，passoverhim，soslowlythathewasabletocatchthemonebyone:——
\"Quidormiuntinterraepulvere，evigilabunt；aliiinvitamaeternam，etaliiinapprobrium，utvideantsemper。\"
Achild’svoicesaid:——
\"Deprofundis。\"
Thegravevoicebeganagain:——
\"Requiemaeternamdonaei，Domine。\"
Thechild’svoiceresponded:——
\"Etluxperpetualuceatei。\"
Heheardsomethinglikethegentlepatterofseveraldropsofrainontheplankwhichcoveredhim。Itwasprobablytheholywater。
Hethought:\"Thiswillbeoversoonnow。Patienceforalittlewhilelonger。Thepriestwilltakehisdeparture。
FaucheleventwilltakeMestienneofftodrink。Ishallbeleft。
ThenFaucheleventwillreturnalone，andIshallgetout。
Thatwillbetheworkofagoodhour。\"
Thegravevoiceresumed\"Requiescatinpace。\"
Andthechild’svoicesaid:——
\"Amen。\"
JeanValjeanstrainedhisears，andheardsomethinglikeretreatingfootsteps。
\"There，theyaregoingnow，\"thoughthe。\"Iamalone。\"
Allatonce，heheardoverhisheadasoundwhichseemedtohimtobeaclapofthunder。
Itwasashovelfulofearthfallingonthecoffin。
Asecondshovelfulfell。
Oneoftheholesthroughwhichhebreathedhadjustbeenstoppedup。
Athirdshovelfulofearthfell。
Thenafourth。
Therearethingswhicharetoostrongforthestrongestman。
JeanValjeanlostconsciousness。
CHAPTERVII
INWHICHWILLBEFOUNDTHEORIGINOFTHESAYING:DON’TLOSETHE
CARD
ThisiswhathadtakenplaceabovethecoffininwhichlayJeanValjean。
Whenthehearsehaddrivenoff，whenthepriestandthechoirboyhadenteredthecarriageagainandtakentheirdeparture，Fauchelevent，whohadnottakenhiseyesfromthegrave—digger，sawthelatterbendoverandgrasphisshovel，whichwasstickinguprightintheheapofdirt。
ThenFaucheleventtookasupremeresolve。
Heplacedhimselfbetweenthegraveandthegrave—digger，crossedhisarmsandsaid:——
\"Iamtheonetopay！\"
Thegrave—diggerstaredathiminamazement，andreplied:——
\"What’sthat，peasant？\"
Faucheleventrepeated:——
\"Iamtheonewhopays！\"
\"What？\"
\"Forthewine。\"
\"Whatwine？\"
\"ThatArgenteuilwine。\"
\"WhereistheArgenteuil？\"
\"AttheBonCoing。\"
\"Gotothedevil！\"saidthegrave—digger。
Andheflungashovelfulofearthonthecoffin。
Thecoffingavebackahollowsound。Faucheleventfelthimselfstaggerandonthepointoffallingheadlongintothegravehimself。
Heshoutedinavoiceinwhichthestranglingsoundofthedeathrattlebegantomingle:——
\"Comrade！BeforetheBonCoingisshut！\"
Thegrave—diggertooksomemoreearthonhisshovel。
Faucheleventcontinued。
\"Iwillpay。\"
Andheseizedtheman’sarm。
\"Listentome，comrade。Iamtheconventgrave—digger，Ihavecometohelpyou。Itisabusinesswhichcanbeperformedatnight。
Letusbegin，then，bygoingforadrink。\"
Andashespoke，andclungtothisdesperateinsistence，thismelancholyreflectionoccurredtohim:\"Andifhedrinks，willhegetdrunk？\"
\"Provincial，\"saidtheman，\"ifyoupositivelyinsistuponit，Iconsent。Wewilldrink。Afterwork，neverbefore。\"
Andheflourishedhisshovelbriskly。Faucheleventheldhimback。
\"ItisArgenteuilwine，atsix。\"
\"Oh，come，\"saidthegrave—digger，\"youareabell—ringer。Dingdong，dingdong，that’sallyouknowhowtosay。Gohangyourself。\"
Andhethrewinasecondshovelful。
Faucheleventhadreachedapointwherehenolongerknewwhathewassaying。
\"Comealonganddrink，\"hecried，\"sinceitisIwhopaysthebill。\"
\"Whenwehaveputthechildtobed，\"saidthegrave—digger。
Heflunginathirdshovelful。
Thenhethrusthisshovelintotheearthandadded:——
\"It’scoldto—night，yousee，andthecorpsewouldshriekoutafterusifweweretoplanthertherewithoutacoverlet。\"
Atthatmoment，asheloadedhisshovel，thegrave—diggerbentover，andthepocketofhiswaistcoatgaped。Fauchelevent’swildgazefellmechanicallyintothatpocket，andthereitstopped。
Thesunwasnotyethiddenbehindthehorizon；therewasstilllightenoughtoenablehimtodistinguishsomethingwhiteatthebottomofthatyawningpocket。
ThesumtotaloflightningthattheeyeofaPicardpeasantcancontain，traversedFauchelevent’spupils。Anideahadjustoccurredtohim。
Hethrusthishandintothepocketfrombehind，withoutthegrave—digger，whowaswhollyabsorbedinhisshovelfulofearth，observingit，andpulledoutthewhiteobjectwhichlayatthebottomofit。
Themansentafourthshovelfultumblingintothegrave。
Justasheturnedroundtogetthefifth，Faucheleventlookedcalmlyathimandsaid:——
\"Bytheway，younewman，haveyouyourcard？\"
Thegrave—diggerpaused。
\"Whatcard？\"
\"Thesunisonthepointofsetting。\"
\"That’sgood，itisgoingtoputonitsnightcap。\"
\"Thegateofthecemeterywillcloseimmediately。\"
\"Well，whatthen？\"
\"Haveyouyourcard？\"
\"Ah！mycard？\"saidthegrave—digger。
Andhefumbledinhispocket。
Havingsearchedonepocket，heproceededtosearchtheother。
Hepassedontohisfobs，exploredthefirst，returnedtothesecond。
\"Why，no，\"saidhe，\"Ihavenotmycard。Imusthaveforgottenit。\"
\"Fifteenfrancsfine，\"saidFauchelevent。
Thegrave—diggerturnedgreen。Greenisthepalloroflividpeople。
\"Ah！Jesus—mon—Dieu—bancroche—a—bas—la—lune！\"[17]heexclaimed。
\"Fifteenfrancsfine！\"
[17]Jesus—my—God—bandy—leg——downwiththemoon！
\"Threepiecesofahundredsous，\"saidFauchelevent。
Thegrave—diggerdroppedhisshovel。
Fauchelevent’sturnhadcome。
\"Ah，comenow，conscript，\"saidFauchelevent，\"noneofthisdespair。
Thereisnoquestionofcommittingsuicideandbenefitingthegrave。
Fifteenfrancsisfifteenfrancs，andbesides，youmaynotbeabletopayit。Iamanoldhand，youareanewone。Iknowalltheropesandthedevices。Iwillgiveyousomefriendlyadvice。
Onethingisclear，thesunisonthepointofsetting，itistouchingthedomenow，thecemeterywillbeclosedinfiveminutesmore。\"
\"Thatistrue，\"repliedtheman。
\"Fiveminutesmoreandyouwillnothavetimetofillthegrave，itisashollowasthedevil，thisgrave，andtoreachthegateinseasontopassitbeforeitisshut。\"
\"Thatistrue。\"
\"Inthatcase，afineoffifteenfrancs。\"
\"Fifteenfrancs。\"
\"Butyouhavetime。Wheredoyoulive？\"
\"Acoupleofstepsfromthebarrier，aquarterofanhourfromhere。
No。87RuedeVaugirard。\"
\"Youhavejusttimetogetoutbytakingtoyourheelsatyourbestspeed。\"
\"Thatisexactlyso。\"
\"Onceoutsidethegate，yougallophome，yougetyourcard，youreturn，thecemeteryporteradmitsyou。Asyouhaveyourcard，therewillbenothingtopay。Andyouwillburyyourcorpse。
I’llwatchitforyouinthemeantime，sothatitshallnotrunaway。\"
\"Iamindebtedtoyouformylife，peasant。\"
\"Decamp！\"saidFauchelevent。
Thegrave—digger，overwhelmedwithgratitude，shookhishandandsetoffonarun。
Whenthemanhaddisappearedinthethicket，Faucheleventlisteneduntilheheardhisfootstepsdieawayinthedistance，thenheleanedoverthegrave，andsaidinalowtone:——
\"FatherMadeleine！\"
Therewasnoreply。
Faucheleventwasseizedwithashudder。Hetumbledratherthanclimbedintothegrave，flunghimselfontheheadofthecoffinandcried:——
\"Areyouthere？\"
Silenceinthecoffin。
Fauchelevent，hardlyabletodrawhisbreathfortrembling，seizedhiscoldchiselandhishammer，andpriedupthecoffinlid。
JeanValjean’sfaceappearedinthetwilight；itwaspaleandhiseyeswereclosed。
Fauchelevent’shairroseuprightonhishead，hesprangtohisfeet，thenfellbackagainstthesideofthegrave，readytoswoononthecoffin。HestaredatJeanValjean。
JeanValjeanlaytherepallidandmotionless。
Faucheleventmurmuredinavoiceasfaintasasigh:——
\"Heisdead！\"
And，drawinghimselfup，andfoldinghisarmswithsuchviolencethathisclenchedfistscameincontactwithhisshoulders，hecried:——
\"AndthisisthewayIsavehislife！\"
Thenthepoormanfelltosobbing。Hesoliloquizedthewhile，foritisanerrortosupposethatthesoliloquyisunnatural。
Powerfulemotionoftentalksaloud。
\"ItisFatherMestienne’sfault。Whydidthatfooldie？Whatneedwasthereforhimtogiveuptheghostattheverymomentwhennoonewasexpectingit？ItishewhohaskilledM。Madeleine。
FatherMadeleine！Heisinthecoffin。Itisquitehandy。
Allisover。Now，isthereanysenseinthesethings？
Ah！myGod！heisdead！Well！andhislittlegirl，whatamItodowithher？Whatwillthefruit—sellersay？Theideaofitsbeingpossibleforamanlikethattodielikethis！
WhenIthinkhowheputhimselfunderthatcart！FatherMadeleine！
FatherMadeleine！Pardine！Hewassuffocated，Isaidso。
Hewouldn’tbelieveme。Well！Here’saprettytricktoplay！
Heisdead，thatgoodman，theverybestmanoutofallthegoodGod’sgoodfolks！Andhislittlegirl！Ah！Inthefirstplace，Iwon’tgobacktheremyself。Ishallstayhere。Afterhavingdonesuchathingasthat！What’stheuseofbeingtwooldmen，ifwearetwooldfools！But，inthefirstplace，howdidhemanagetoentertheconvent？Thatwasthebeginningofitall。
Oneshouldnotdosuchthings。FatherMadeleine！FatherMadeleine！
FatherMadeleine！Madeleine！MonsieurMadeleine！MonsieurleMaire！
Hedoesnothearme。Nowgetoutofthisscrapeifyoucan！\"
Andhetorehishair。
Agratingsoundbecameaudiblethroughthetreesinthedistance。
Itwasthecemeterygateclosing。
FaucheleventbentoverJeanValjean，andallatonceheboundedbackandrecoiledsofarasthelimitsofagravepermit。
JeanValjean’seyeswereopenandgazingathim。
Toseeacorpseisalarming，tobeholdaresurrectionisalmostasmuchso。Faucheleventbecamelikestone，pale，haggard，overwhelmedbyalltheseexcessesofemotion，notknowingwhetherhehadtodowithalivingmanoradeadone，andstaringatJeanValjean，whowasgazingathim。
\"Ifellasleep，\"saidJeanValjean。
Andheraisedhimselftoasittingposture。
Faucheleventfellonhisknees。
\"Just，goodVirgin！Howyoufrightenedme！\"
Thenhesprangtohisfeetandcried:——
\"Thanks，FatherMadeleine！\"
JeanValjeanhadmerelyfainted。Thefreshairhadrevivedhim。
Joyistheebbofterror。FaucheleventfoundalmostasmuchdifficultyinrecoveringhimselfasJeanValjeanhad。
\"Soyouarenotdead！Oh！Howwiseyouare！Icalledyousomuchthatyoucameback。WhenIsawyoureyesshut，Isaid:
`Good！thereheis，stifled，’Ishouldhavegoneravingmad，madenoughforastraitjacket。TheywouldhaveputmeinBicetre。
WhatdoyousupposeIshouldhavedoneifyouhadbeendead？
Andyourlittlegirl？There’sthatfruit—seller，——shewouldneverhaveunderstoodit！Thechildisthrustintoyourarms，andthen——
thegrandfatherisdead！Whatastory！goodsaintsofparadise，whatatale！Ah！youarealive，that’sthebestofit！\"
\"Iamcold，\"saidJeanValjean。
ThisremarkrecalledFaucheleventthoroughlytoreality，andtherewaspressingneedofit。Thesoulsofthesetwomenweretroubledevenwhentheyhadrecoveredthemselves，althoughtheydidnotrealizeit，andtherewasaboutthemsomethinguncanny，whichwasthesinisterbewildermentinspiredbytheplace。
\"Letusgetoutofherequickly，\"exclaimedFauchelevent。
Hefumbledinhispocket，andpulledoutagourdwithwhichhehadprovidedhimself。
\"Butfirst，takeadrop，\"saidhe。
Theflaskfinishedwhatthefreshairhadbegun，JeanValjeanswallowedamouthfulofbrandy，andregainedfullpossessionofhisfaculties。
Hegotoutofthecoffin，andhelpedFaucheleventtonailonthelidagain。
Threeminuteslatertheywereoutofthegrave。
Moreover，Faucheleventwasperfectlycomposed。Hetookhistime。
Thecemeterywasclosed。Thearrivalofthegrave—diggerGribierwasnottobeapprehended。That\"conscript\"wasathomebusilyengagedinlookingforhiscard，andatsomedifficultyinfindingitinhislodgings，sinceitwasinFauchelevent’spocket。
Withoutacard，hecouldnotgetbackintothecemetery。
Faucheleventtooktheshovel，andJeanValjeanthepick—axe，andtogethertheyburiedtheemptycoffin。
Whenthegravewasfull，FaucheleventsaidtoJeanValjean:——
\"Letusgo。Iwillkeeptheshovel；doyoucarryoffthemattock。\"
Nightwasfalling。
JeanValjeanexperiencedromedifficultyinmovingandinwalking。
Hehadstiffenedhimselfinthatcoffin，andhadbecomealittlelikeacorpse。Therigidityofdeathhadseizeduponhimbetweenthosefourplanks。Hehad，inamanner，tothawout，fromthetomb。
\"Youarebenumbed，\"saidFauchelevent。\"ItisapitythatIhaveagameleg，forotherwisewemightstepoutbriskly。\"
\"Bah！\"repliedJeanValjean，\"fourpaceswillputlifeintomylegsoncemore。\"
Theysetoffbythealleysthroughwhichthehearsehadpassed。
Onarrivingbeforetheclosedgateandtheporter’spavilionFauchelevent，whoheldthegrave—digger’scardinhishand，droppeditintothebox，theporterpulledtherope，thegateopened，andtheywentout。
\"Howwelleverythingisgoing！\"saidFauchelevent；\"whatacapitalideathatwasofyours，FatherMadeleine！\"
TheypassedtheVaugirardbarrierinthesimplestmannerintheworld。
Intheneighborhoodofthecemetery，ashovelandpickareequaltotwopassports。
TheRueVaugirardwasdeserted。
\"FatherMadeleine，\"saidFaucheleventastheywentalong，andraisinghiseyestothehouses，\"Youreyesarebetterthanmine。
ShowmeNo。87。\"
\"Hereitis，\"saidJeanValjean。
\"Thereisnooneinthestreet，\"saidFauchelevent。\"Givemeyourmattockandwaitacoupleofminutesforme。\"
FauchelevententeredNo。87，ascendedtotheverytop，guidedbytheinstinctwhichalwaysleadsthepoormantothegarret，andknockedinthedark，atthedoorofanattic。
Avoicereplied:\"Comein。\"
ItwasGribier’svoice。
Faucheleventopenedthedoor。Thegrave—digger’sdwellingwas，likeallsuchwretchedhabitations，anunfurnishedandencumberedgarret。
Apacking—case——acoffin，perhaps——tooktheplaceofacommode，abutter—potservedforadrinking—fountain，astrawmattressservedforabed，thefloorservedinsteadoftablesandchairs。Inacorner，onatatteredfragmentwhichhadbeenapieceofanoldcarpet，athinwomanandanumberofchildrenwerepiledinaheap。Thewholeofthispoverty—strickeninteriorboretracesofhavingbeenoverturned。
Onewouldhavesaidthattherehadbeenanearthquake\"forone。\"
Thecoversweredisplaced，theragsscatteredabout，thejugbroken，themotherhadbeencrying，thechildrenhadprobablybeenbeaten；
tracesofavigorousandill—temperedsearch。Itwasplainthatthegrave—diggerhadmadeadesperatesearchforhiscard，andhadmadeeverybodyinthegarret，fromthejugtohiswife，responsibleforitsloss。Heworeanairofdesperation。
ButFaucheleventwasintoogreatahurrytoterminatethisadventuretotakeanynoticeofthissadsideofhissuccess。
Heenteredandsaid:——
\"Ihavebroughtyoubackyourshovelandpick。\"
Gribiergazedathiminstupefaction。
\"Isityou，peasant？\"
\"Andto—morrowmorningyouwillfindyourcardwiththeporterofthecemetery。\"
Andhelaidtheshovelandmattockonthefloor。
\"Whatisthemeaningofthis？\"demandedGribier。
\"Themeaningofitis，thatyoudroppedyourcardoutofyourpocket，thatIfounditonthegroundafteryouweregone，thatIhaveburiedthecorpse，thatIhavefilledthegrave，thatIhavedoneyourwork，thattheporterwillreturnyourcardtoyou，andthatyouwillnothavetopayfifteenfrancs。Thereyouhaveit，conscript。\"
\"Thanks，villager！\"exclaimedGribier，radiant。\"ThenexttimeI
willpayforthedrinks。\"
CHAPTERVIII
ASUCCESSFULINTERROGATORY
Anhourlater，inthedarknessofnight，twomenandachildpresentedthemselvesatNo。62RuePetit—Picpus。Theelderofthemenliftedtheknockerandrapped。
TheywereFauchelevent，JeanValjean，andCosette。
ThetwooldmenhadgonetofetchCosettefromthefruiterer’sintheRueduChemin—Vert，whereFaucheleventhaddepositedherontheprecedingday。Cosettehadpassedthesetwenty—fourhourstremblingsilentlyandunderstandingnothing。Shetrembledtosuchadegreethatshewept。Shehadneithereatennorslept。
Theworthyfruit—sellerhadpliedherwithahundredquestions，withoutobtaininganyotherreplythanamelancholyandunvaryinggaze。
Cosettehadbetrayednothingofwhatshehadseenandheardduringthelasttwodays。Shedivinedthattheywerepassingthroughacrisis。
Shewasdeeplyconsciousthatitwasnecessaryto\"begood。\"
Whohasnotexperiencedthesovereignpowerofthosetwowords，pronouncedwithacertainaccentintheearofaterrifiedlittlebeing:
Saynothing！Fearismute。Moreover，nooneguardsasecretlikeachild。
Butwhen，attheexpirationoftheselugubrioustwenty—fourhours，shebeheldJeanValjeanagain，shegaveventtosuchacryofjoy，thatanythoughtfulpersonwhohadchancedtohearthatcry，wouldhaveguessedthatitissuedfromanabyss。
Faucheleventbelongedtotheconventandknewthepass—words。Allthedoorsopened。
Thuswassolvedthedoubleandalarmingproblemofhowtogetoutandhowtogetin。
Theporter，whohadreceivedhisinstructions，openedthelittleservant’sdoorwhichconnectedthecourtyardwiththegarden，andwhichcouldstillbeseenfromthestreettwentyyearsago，inthewallatthebottomofthecourt，whichfacedthecarriageentrance。
Theporteradmittedallthreeofthemthroughthisdoor，andfromthatpointtheyreachedtheinner，reservedparlorwhereFauchelevent，ontheprecedingday，hadreceivedhisordersfromtheprioress。
Theprioress，rosaryinhand，waswaitingforthem。Avocalmother，withherveillowered，stoodbesideher。
Adiscreetcandlelighted，onemightalmostsay，madeashowoflightingtheparlor。
TheprioresspassedJeanValjeaninreview。Thereisnothingwhichexamineslikeadowncasteye。
Thenshequestionedhim:——
\"Youarethebrother？\"
\"Yes，reverendMother，\"repliedFauchelevent。
\"Whatisyourname？\"
Faucheleventreplied:——
\"UltimeFauchelevent。\"
HereallyhadhadabrothernamedUltime，whowasdead。
\"Wheredoyoucomefrom？\"
Faucheleventreplied:——
\"FromPicquigny，nearAmiens。\"
\"Whatisyourage？\"
Faucheleventreplied:——
\"Fifty。\"
\"Whatisyourprofession？\"
Faucheleventreplied:——
\"Gardener。\"
\"AreyouagoodChristian？\"
Faucheleventreplied:——
\"Everyoneisinthefamily。\"
\"Isthisyourlittlegirl？\"
Faucheleventreplied:——
\"Yes，reverendMother。\"
\"Youareherfather？\"
Faucheleventreplied:——
\"Hergrandfather。\"
Thevocalmothersaidtotheprioressinalowvoice\"Heanswerswell。\"
JeanValjeanhadnotutteredasingleword。
TheprioresslookedattentivelyatCosette，andsaidhalfaloudtothevocalmother:——
\"Shewillgrowupugly。\"
Thetwomothersconsultedforafewmomentsinverylowtonesinthecorneroftheparlor，thentheprioressturnedroundandsaid:——
\"FatherFauvent，youwillgetanotherknee—capwithabell。
Twowillberequirednow。\"
Onthefollowingday，therefore，twobellswereaudibleinthegarden，andthenunscouldnotresistthetemptationtoraisethecorneroftheirveils。Attheextremeendofthegarden，underthetrees，twomen，Fauventandanotherman，werevisibleastheydugsidebyside。Anenormousevent。Theirsilencewasbrokentotheextentofsayingtoeachother:\"Heisanassistantgardener。\"
Thevocalmothersadded:\"HeisabrotherofFatherFauvent。\"
JeanValjeanwas，infact，regularlyinstalled；hehadhisbelledknee—cap；henceforthhewasofficial。HisnamewasUltimeFauchelevent。
Themostpowerfuldeterminingcauseofhisadmissionhadbeentheprioress’sobservationuponCosette:\"Shewillgrowupugly。\"
Theprioress，thatpronouncedprognosticator，immediatelytookafancytoCosetteandgaveheraplaceintheschoolasacharitypupil。
Thereisnothingthatisnotstrictlylogicalaboutthis。
Itisinvainthatmirrorsarebanishedfromtheconvent，womenareconsciousoftheirfaces；now，girlswhoareconsciousoftheirbeautydonoteasilybecomenuns；thevocationbeingvoluntaryininverseproportiontotheirgoodlooks，moreistobehopedfromtheuglythanfromthepretty。Hencealivelytasteforplaingirls。
Thewholeofthisadventureincreasedtheimportanceofgood，oldFauchelevent；hewonatriplesuccess；intheeyesofJeanValjean，whomhehadsavedandsheltered；inthoseofgrave—diggerGribier，whosaidtohimself:\"Hesparedmethatfine\"；withtheconvent，which，beingenabled，thankstohim，toretainthecoffinofMotherCrucifixionunderthealtar，eludedCaesarandsatisfiedGod。
TherewasacoffincontainingabodyinthePetit—Picpus，andacoffinwithoutabodyintheVaugirardcemetery，publicorderhadnodoubtbeendeeplydisturbedthereby，butnoonewasawareofit。
Asfortheconvent，itsgratitudetoFaucheleventwasverygreat。
Faucheleventbecamethebestofservitorsandthemostpreciousofgardeners。Upontheoccasionofthearchbishop’snextvisit，theprioressrecountedtheaffairtohisGrace，makingsomethingofaconfessionatthesametime，andyetboastingofherdeed。
Onleavingtheconvent，thearchbishopmentioneditwithapproval，andinawhispertoM。deLatil，Monsieur’sconfessor，afterwardsArchbishopofReimsandCardinal。ThisadmirationforFaucheleventbecamewidespread，foritmadeitswaytoRome。
WehaveseenanoteaddressedbythethenreigningPope，LeoXII。，tooneofhisrelatives，aMonsignorintheNuncio’sestablishmentinParis，andbearing，likehimself，thenameofDellaGenga；
itcontainedtheselines:\"ItappearsthatthereisinaconventinParisanexcellentgardener，whoisalsoaholyman，namedFauvent。\"
NothingofthistriumphreachedFaucheleventinhishut；
hewentongrafting，weeding，andcoveringuphismelonbeds，withoutintheleastsuspectinghisexcellencesandhissanctity。
Neitherdidhesuspecthisglory，anymorethanaDurhamorSurreybullwhoseportraitispublishedintheLondonIllustratedNews，withthisinscription:\"BullwhichcarriedofftheprizeattheCattleShow。\"
CHAPTERIX
CLOISTERED
Cosettecontinuedtoholdhertongueintheconvent。
ItwasquitenaturalthatCosetteshouldthinkherselfJeanValjean’sdaughter。Moreover，assheknewnothing，shecouldsaynothing，andthen，shewouldnothavesaidanythinginanycase。Aswehavejustobserved，nothingtrainschildrentosilencelikeunhappiness。
Cosettehadsufferedsomuch，thatshefearedeverything，eventospeakortobreathe。Asinglewordhadsooftenbroughtdownanavalancheuponher。ShehadhardlybeguntoregainherconfidencesinceshehadbeenwithJeanValjean。Shespeedilybecameaccustomedtotheconvent。OnlysheregrettedCatherine，butshedarednotsayso。Once，however，shedidsaytoJeanValjean:
\"Father，ifIhadknown，Iwouldhavebroughtherawaywithme。\"
Cosettehadbeenobliged，onbecomingascholarintheconvent，todonthegarbofthepupilsofthehouse。JeanValjeansucceededingettingthemtorestoretohimthegarmentswhichshelaidaside。
ThiswasthesamemourningsuitwhichhehadmadeherputonwhenshehadquittedtheThenardiers’inn。Itwasnotverythreadbareevennow。
JeanValjeanlockedupthesegarments，plusthestockingsandtheshoes，withaquantityofcamphorandallthearomaticsinwhichconventsabound，inalittlevalisewhichhefoundmeansofprocuring。
Hesetthisvaliseonachairnearhisbed，andhealwayscarriedthekeyabouthisperson。\"Father，\"Cosetteaskedhimoneday，\"whatisthereinthatboxwhichsmellssogood？\"
FatherFaucheleventreceivedotherrecompenseforhisgoodaction，inadditiontotheglorywhichwejustmentioned，andofwhichheknewnothing；inthefirstplaceitmadehimhappy；next，hehadmuchlesswork，sinceitwasshared。Lastly，ashewasveryfondofsnuff，hefoundthepresenceofM。Madeleineanadvantage，inthatheusedthreetimesasmuchashehaddonepreviously，andthatinaninfinitelymoreluxuriousmanner，seeingthatM。Madeleinepaidforit。
ThenunsdidnotadoptthenameofUltime；theycalledJeanValjeantheotherFauvent。
IftheseholywomenhadpossessedanythingofJavert’sglance，theywouldeventuallyhavenoticedthatwhentherewasanyerrandtobedoneoutsideinthebehalfofthegarden，itwasalwaystheelderFauchelevent，theold，theinfirm，thelameman，whowent，andnevertheother；butwhetheritisthateyesconstantlyfixedonGodknownothowtospy，orwhethertheywere，bypreference，occupiedinkeepingwatchoneachother，theypaidnoheedtothis。
Moreover，itwaswellforJeanValjeanthathekeptcloseanddidnotstirout。Javertwatchedthequarterformorethanamonth。
ThisconventwasforJeanValjeanlikeanislandsurroundedbygulfs。Henceforth，thosefourwallsconstitutedhisworld。
Hesawenoughoftheskytheretoenablehimtopreservehisserenity，andCosetteenoughtoremainhappy。
Averysweetlifebeganforhim。
Heinhabitedtheoldhutattheendofthegarden，incompanywithFauchelevent。Thishovel，builtofoldrubbish，whichwasstillinexistencein1845，wascomposed，asthereaderalreadyknows，ofthreechambers，allofwhichwereutterlybareandhadnothingbeyondthewalls。Theprincipalonehadbeengivenup，byforce，forJeanValjeanhadopposeditinvain，toM。Madeleine，byFatherFauchelevent。Thewallsofthischamberhadforornament，inadditiontothetwonailswhereontohangtheknee—capandthebasket，aRoyalistbank—noteof’93，appliedtothewalloverthechimney—piece，andofwhichthefollowingisanexactfacsimile:——
{GRAPHICHERE}
ThisspecimenofVendeanpapermoneyhadbeennailedtothewallbytheprecedinggardener，anoldChouan，whohaddiedintheconvent，andwhoseplaceFaucheleventhadtaken。
JeanValjeanworkedinthegardeneverydayandmadehimselfveryuseful。
Hehadformerlybeenapruneroftrees，andhegladlyfoundhimselfagardeneroncemore。Itwillberememberedthatheknewallsortsofsecretsandreceiptsforagriculture。Heturnedthesetoadvantage。
Almostallthetreesintheorchardwereungrafted，andwild。
Hebuddedthemandmadethemproduceexcellentfruit。
Cosettehadpermissiontopassanhourwithhimeveryday。
Asthesistersweremelancholyandhewaskind，thechildmadecomparisonsandadoredhim。Attheappointedhoursheflewtothehut。
Whensheenteredthelowlycabin，shefilleditwithparadise。
JeanValjeanblossomedoutandfelthishappinessincreasewiththehappinesswhichheaffordedCosette。Thejoywhichweinspirehasthischarmingproperty，that，farfromgrowingmeagre，likeallreflections，itreturnstousmoreradiantthanever。
Atrecreationhours，JeanValjeanwatchedherrunningandplayinginthedistance，andhedistinguishedherlaughfromthatoftherest。
ForCosettelaughednow。
Cosette’sfacehadevenundergoneachange，toacertainextent。
Thegloomhaddisappearedfromit。Asmileisthesameassunshine；
itbanisheswinterfromthehumancountenance。
Recreationover，whenCosettewentintothehouseagain，JeanValjeangazedatthewindowsofherclass—room，andatnightherosetolookatthewindowsofherdormitory。
Godhashisownways，moreover；theconventcontributed，likeCosette，toupholdandcompletetheBishop’sworkinJeanValjean。Itiscertainthatvirtueadjoinsprideononeside。Abridgebuiltbythedevilexiststhere。JeanValjeanhadbeen，unconsciously，perhaps，tolerablynearthatsideandthatbridge，whenProvidencecasthislotintheconventofthePetit—Picpus；solongashehadcomparedhimselfonlytotheBishop，hehadregardedhimselfasunworthyandhadremainedhumble；butforsometimepasthehadbeencomparinghimselftomeningeneral，andpridewasbeginningtospringup。
Whoknows？Hemighthaveendedbyreturningverygraduallytohatred。
Theconventstoppedhimonthatdownwardpath。
Thiswasthesecondplaceofcaptivitywhichhehadseen。
Inhisyouth，inwhathadbeenforhimthebeginningofhislife，andlateron，quiterecentlyagain，hehadbeheldanother，——
afrightfulplace，aterribleplace，whoseseveritieshadalwaysappearedtohimtheiniquityofjustice，andthecrimeofthelaw。
Now，afterthegalleys，hesawthecloister；andwhenhemeditatedhowhehadformedapartofthegalleys，andthathenow，sotospeak，wasaspectatorofthecloister，heconfrontedthetwoinhisownmindwithanxiety。
Sometimeshecrossedhisarmsandleanedonhishoe，andslowlydescendedtheendlessspiralsofrevery。
Herecalledhisformercompanions:howwretchedtheywere；
theyroseatdawn，andtoileduntilnight；hardlyweretheypermittedtosleep；theylayoncampbeds，wherenothingwastoleratedbutmattressestwoinchesthick，inroomswhichwereheatedonlyintheveryharshestmonthsoftheyear；theywereclothedinfrightfulredblouses；theywereallowed，asagreatfavor，linentrousersinthehottestweather，andawoollencarter’sblouseontheirbackswhenitwasverycold；theydranknowine，andatenomeat，exceptwhentheywenton\"fatigueduty。\"Theylivednameless，designatedonlybynumbers，andconverted，afteramanner，intociphersthemselves，withdowncasteyes，withloweredvoices，withshornheads，beneaththecudgelandindisgrace。
Thenhismindrevertedtothebeingswhomhehadunderhiseyes。
Thesebeingsalsolivedwithshornheads，withdowncasteyes，withloweredvoices，notindisgrace，butamidthescoffsoftheworld，notwiththeirbacksbruisedwiththecudgel，butwiththeirshoulderslaceratedwiththeirdiscipline。Theirnames，also，hadvanishedfromamongmen；theynolongerexistedexceptunderaustereappellations。
Theyneveratemeatandtheyneverdrankwine；theyoftenremaineduntileveningwithoutfood；theywereattired，notinaredblouse，butinablackshroud，ofwoollen，whichwasheavyinsummerandthininwinter，withoutthepowertoaddorsubtractanythingfromit；
withouthavingeven，accordingtotheseason，theresourceofthelinengarmentorthewoollencloak；andforsixmonthsintheyeartheyworesergechemiseswhichgavethemfever。Theydwelt，notinroomswarmedonlyduringrigorouscold，butincellswherenofirewaseverlighted；theyslept，notonmattressestwoinchesthick，butonstraw。Andfinally，theywerenotevenallowedtheirsleep；
everynight，afteradayoftoil，theywereobliged，inthewearinessoftheirfirstslumber，atthemomentwhentheywerefallingsoundasleepandbeginningtogetwarm，torousethemselves，toriseandtogoandprayinanice—coldandgloomychapel，withtheirkneesonthestones。
Oncertaindayseachofthesebeingsinturnhadtoremainfortwelvesuccessivehoursinakneelingposture，orprostrate，withfaceuponthepavement，andarmsoutstretchedintheformofacross。
Theothersweremen；thesewerewomen。
Whathadthosemendone？Theyhadstolen，violated，pillaged，murdered，assassinated。Theywerebandits，counterfeiters，poisoners，incendiaries，murderers，parricides。Whathadthesewomendone？Theyhaddonenothingwhatever。
Ontheonehand，highwayrobbery，fraud，deceit，violence，sensuality，homicide，allsortsofsacrilege，everyvarietyofcrime；ontheother，onethingonly，innocence。
Perfectinnocence，almostcaughtupintoheaveninamysteriousassumption，attachedtotheearthbyvirtue，alreadypossessingsomethingofheaventhroughholiness。
Ontheonehand，confidencesovercrimes，whichareexchangedinwhispers；ontheother，theconfessionoffaultsmadealoud。
Andwhatcrimes！Andwhatfaults！
Ontheonehand，miasms；ontheother，anineffableperfume。
Ontheonehand，amoralpest，guardedfromsight，pennedupundertherangeofcannon，andliterallydevouringitsplague—strickenvictims；
ontheother，thechasteflameofallsoulsonthesamehearth。
There，darkness；here，theshadow；butashadowfilledwithgleamsoflight，andofgleamsfullofradiance。
Twostrongholdsofslavery；butinthefirst，deliverancepossible，alegallimitalwaysinsight，andthen，escape。Inthesecond，perpetuity；thesolehope，atthedistantextremityofthefuture，thatfaintlightoflibertywhichmencalldeath。
Inthefirst，menareboundonlywithchains；intheother，chainedbyfaith。
Whatflowedfromthefirst？Animmensecurse，thegnashingofteeth，hatred，desperateviciousness，acryofrageagainsthumansociety，asarcasmagainstheaven。
Whatresultsflowedfromthesecond？Blessingsandlove。
Andinthesetwoplaces，sosimilaryetsounlike，thesetwospeciesofbeingswhoweresoveryunlike，wereundergoingthesamework，expiation。
JeanValjeanunderstoodthoroughlytheexpiationoftheformer；
thatpersonalexpiation，theexpiationforone’sself。Buthedidnotunderstandthatoftheselast，thatofcreatureswithoutreproachandwithoutstain，andhetrembledasheaskedhimself:
Theexpiationofwhat？Whatexpiation？
Avoicewithinhisconsciencereplied:\"Themostdivineofhumangenerosities，theexpiationforothers。\"
Hereallpersonaltheoryiswithheld；weareonlythenarrator；
weplaceourselvesatJeanValjean’spointofview，andwetranslatehisimpressions。
Beforehiseyeshehadthesublimesummitofabnegation，thehighestpossiblepitchofvirtue；theinnocencewhichpardonsmentheirfaults，andwhichexpiatesintheirstead；
servitudesubmittedto，tortureaccepted，punishmentclaimedbysoulswhichhavenotsinned，forthesakeofsparingittosoulswhichhavefallen；theloveofhumanityswallowedupintheloveofGod，buteventherepreservingitsdistinctandmediatorialcharacter；sweetandfeeblebeingspossessingthemiseryofthosewhoarepunishedandthesmileofthosewhoarerecompensed。