\"AndwhyIwas，\"addedLaigledeMeaux。
\"Idonotunderstandyou，\"saidMarius。
Laigleresumed:——
\"Nothingismoresimple。Iwasclosetothedesktoreply，andclosetothedoorforthepurposeofflight。Theprofessorgazedatmewithacertainintensity。Allofasudden，Blondeau，whomustbethemaliciousnosealludedtobyBoileau，skippedtotheletterL。Lismyletter。IamfromMeaux，andmynameisLesgle。\"
\"L’Aigle！\"interruptedMarius，\"whatfinename！\"
\"Monsieur，Blondeaucametothisfinename，andcalled:
`Laigle！’Ireply:`Present！’ThenBlondeaugazesatme，withthegentlenessofatiger，andsaystome:`lfyouarePontmercy，youarenotLaigle。’Aphrasewhichhasadisobligingairforyou，butwhichwaslugubriousonlyforme。Thatsaid，hecrossedmeoff。\"
Mariusexclaimed:——
\"Iammortified，sir——\"
\"Firstofall，\"interposedLaigle，\"IdemandpermissiontoembalmBlondeauinafewphrasesofdeeplyfelteulogium。Iwillassumethatheisdead。Therewillbenogreatchangerequiredinhisgauntness，inhispallor，inhiscoldness，andinhissmell。
AndIsay:`Erudiminiquijudicatisterram。HereliesBlondeau，BlondeautheNose，BlondeauNasica，theoxofdiscipline，bosdisciplinae，thebloodhoundofthepassword，theangeloftheroll—call，whowasupright，squareexact，rigid，honest，andhideous。
Godcrossedhimoffashecrossedmeoff。’\"
Mariusresumed:——
\"Iamverysorry——\"
\"Youngman，\"saidLaigledeMeaux，\"letthisserveyouasalesson。
Infuture，beexact。\"
\"Ireallybegyouathousandpardons。\"
\"Donotexposeyourneighbortothedangerofhavinghisnameerasedagain。\"
\"Iamextremelysorry——\"
Laigleburstoutlaughing。
\"AndIamdelighted。Iwasonthebrinkofbecomingalawyer。
Thiserasuresavesme。Irenouncethetriumphsofthebar。
Ishallnotdefendthewidow，andIshallnotattacktheorphan。
Nomoretoga，nomorestage。Hereismyerasureallreadyforme。
ItistoyouthatIamindebtedforit，MonsieurPontmercy。
Iintendtopayasolemncallofthanksuponyou。Wheredoyoulive？\"
\"Inthiscab，\"saidMarius。
\"Asignofopulence，\"retortedLaiglecalmly。\"Icongratulateyou。
Youhavetherearentofninethousandfrancsperannum。\"
Atthatmoment，Courfeyracemergedfromthecafe。
Mariussmiledsadly。
\"Ihavepaidthisrentforthelasttwohours，andIaspiretogetridofit；butthereisasortofhistoryattachedtoit，andIdon’tknowwheretogo。\"
\"Cometomyplace，sir，\"saidCourfeyrac。
\"Ihavethepriority，\"observedLaigle，\"butIhavenohome。\"
\"Holdyourtongue，Bossuet，\"saidCourfeyrac。
\"Bossuet，\"saidMarius，\"butIthoughtthatyournamewasLaigle。\"
\"DeMeaux，\"repliedLaigle；\"bymetaphor，Bossuet。\"
Courfeyracenteredthecab。
\"Coachman，\"saidhe，\"hoteldelaPorte—Saint—Jacques。\"
Andthatveryevening，MariusfoundhimselfinstalledinachamberofthehoteldelaPorte—Saint—JacquessidebysidewithCourfeyrac。
CHAPTERIII
MARIUS’ASTONISHMENTS
Inafewdays，MariushadbecomeCourfeyrac’sfriend。Youthistheseasonforpromptweldingandtherapidhealingofscars。
MariusbreathedfreelyinCourfeyrac’ssociety，adecidedlynewthingforhim。Courfeyracputnoquestionstohim。Hedidnoteventhinkofsuchathing。Atthatage，facesdiscloseeverythingonthespot。Wordsaresuperfluous。Thereareyoungmenofwhomitcanbesaidthattheircountenanceschatter。Onelooksatthemandoneknowsthem。
Onemorning，however，Courfeyracabruptlyaddressedthisinterrogationtohim:——
\"Bytheway，haveyouanypoliticalopinions？\"
\"Theidea！\"saidMarius，almostaffrontedbythequestion。
\"Whatareyou？\"
\"Ademocrat—Bonapartist。\"
\"Thegrayhueofareassuredrat，\"saidCourfeyrac。
Onthefollowingday，CourfeyracintroducedMariusattheCafeMusain。
Thenhewhisperedinhisear，withasmile:\"Imustgiveyouyourentrytotherevolution。\"AndheledhimtothehalloftheFriendsoftheABC。Hepresentedhimtotheothercomrades，sayingthissimplewordwhichMariusdidnotunderstand:\"Apupil。\"
Mariushadfallenintoawasps’—nestofwits。However，althoughhewassilentandgrave，hewas，nonetheless，bothwingedandarmed。
Marius，uptothattimesolitaryandinclinedtosoliloquy，andtoasides，bothbyhabitandbytaste，wasalittleflutteredbythiscoveyofyoungmenaroundhim。Allthesevariousinitiativessolicitedhisattentionatonce，andpulledhimabout。
Thetumultuousmovementsofthesemindsatlibertyandatworksethisideasinawhirl。Sometimes，inhistrouble，theyfledsofarfromhim，thathehaddifficultyinrecoveringthem。
Heheardthemtalkofphilosophy，ofliterature，ofart，ofhistory，ofreligion，inunexpectedfashion。Hecaughtglimpsesofstrangeaspects；and，ashedidnotplacetheminproperperspective，hewasnotaltogethersurethatitwasnotchaosthathegrasped。
Onabandoninghisgrandfather’sopinionsfortheopinionsofhisfather，hehadsupposedhimselffixed；henowsuspected，withuneasiness，andwithoutdaringtoavowittohimself，thathewasnot。
Theangleatwhichhesaweverythingbegantobedisplacedanew。
Acertainoscillationsetallthehorizonsofhisbrainsinmotion。
Anoddinternalupsetting。Healmostsufferedfromit。
Itseemedasthoughtherewereno\"consecratedthings\"
forthoseyoungmen。Mariusheardsingularpropositionsoneverysortofsubject，whichembarrassedhisstilltimidmind。
Atheatreposterpresenteditself，adornedwiththetitleofatragedyfromtheancientrepertorycalledclassic:\"Downwithtragedydeartothebourgeois！\"criedBahorel。AndMariusheardCombeferrereply:——
\"Youarewrong，Bahorel。Thebourgeoisielovestragedy，andthebourgeoisiemustbeleftatpeaceonthatscore。
Bewiggedtragedyhasareasonforitsexistence，andIamnotoneofthosewho，byorderofAEschylus，contestitsrighttoexistence。
Thereareroughoutlinesinnature；thereare，increation，ready—madeparodies；abeakwhichisnotabeak，wingswhicharenotwings，gillswhicharenotgills，pawswhicharenotpaws，acryofpainwhicharousesadesiretolaugh，thereistheduck。
Now，sincepoultryexistsbythesideofthebird，Idonotseewhyclassictragedyshouldnotexistinthefaceofantiquetragedy。\"
OrchancedecreedthatMariusshouldtraverseRueJean—JacquesRousseaubetweenEnjolrasandCourfeyrac。
Courfeyractookhisarm:——
\"Payattention。ThisistheRuePlatriere，nowcalledRueJean—JacquesRousseau，onaccountofasingularhouseholdwhichlivedinitsixtyyearsago。ThisconsistedofJean—JacquesandTherese。
Fromtimetotime，littlebeingswerebornthere。Theresegavebirthtothem，Jean—Jacquesrepresentedthemasfoundlings。\"
AndEnjolrasaddressedCourfeyracroughly:——
\"SilenceinthepresenceofJean—Jacques！Iadmirethatman。
Hedeniedhisownchildren，thatmaybe；butheadoptedthepeople。\"
Notoneoftheseyoungmenarticulatedtheword:TheEmperor。
JeanProuvairealonesometimessaidNapoleon；alltheotherssaid\"Bonaparte。\"Enjolraspronouncedit\"Buonaparte。\"
Mariuswasvaguelysurprised。Initiumsapientiae。
CHAPTERIV
THEBACKROOMOFTHECAFEMUSAIN
Oneoftheconversationsamongtheyoungmen，atwhichMariuswaspresentandinwhichhesometimesjoined，wasaveritableshocktohismind。
ThistookplaceinthebackroomoftheCafeMusain。NearlyalltheFriendsoftheABChadconvenedthatevening。Theargandlampwassolemnlylighted。Theytalkedofonethingandanother，withoutpassionandwithnoise。WiththeexceptionofEnjolrasandMarius，whoheldtheirpeace，allwereharanguingratherathap—hazard。Conversationsbetweencomradessometimesaresubjecttothesepeaceabletumults。Itwasagameandanuproarasmuchasaconversation。Theytossedwordstoeachotherandcaughtthemupinturn。Theywerechatteringinallquarters。
Nowomanwasadmittedtothisbackroom，exceptLouison，thedish—washerofthecafe，whopassedthroughitfromtimetotime，togotoherwashinginthe\"lavatory。\"
Grantaire，thoroughlydrunk，wasdeafeningthecornerofwhichhehadtakenpossession，reasoningandcontradictingatthetopofhislungs，andshouting:——
\"Iamthirsty。Mortals，Iamdreaming:thatthetunofHeidelberghasanattackofapoplexy，andthatIamoneofthedozenleecheswhichwillbeappliedtoit。Iwantadrink。Idesiretoforgetlife。
LifeisahideousinventionofIknownotwhom。Itlastsnotimeatall，andisworthnothing。Onebreaksone’sneckinliving。
Lifeisatheatresetinwhichtherearebutfewpracticableentrances。
Happinessisanantiquereliquarypaintedononesideonly。
Ecclesiastessays:`Allisvanity。’Iagreewiththatgoodman，whoneverexisted，perhaps。Zeronotwishingtogostarknaked，clothedhimselfinvanity。Ovanity！Thepatchingupofeverythingwithbigwords！akitchenisalaboratory，adancerisaprofessor，anacrobatisagymnast，aboxerisapugilist，anapothecaryisachemist，awigmakerisanartist，ahodmanisanarchitect，ajockeyisasportsman，awood—louseisapterigybranche。Vanityhasarightandawrongside；therightsideisstupid，itisthenegrowithhisglassbeads；thewrongsideisfoolish，itisthephilosopherwithhisrags。IweepovertheoneandIlaughovertheother。
Whatarecalledhonorsanddignities，andevendignityandhonor，aregenerallyofpinchbeck。Kingsmakeplaythingsofhumanpride。
Caligulamadeahorseaconsul；CharlesII。madeaknightofasirloin。Wrapyourselfupnow，then，betweenConsulIncitatusandBaronetRoastbeef。Asfortheintrinsicvalueofpeople，itisnolongerrespectableintheleast。Listentothepanegyricwhichneighbormakesofneighbor。Whiteonwhiteisferocious；
ifthelilycouldspeak，whatasettingdownitwouldgivethedove！
Abigotedwomanpratingofadevoutwomanismorevenomousthantheaspandthecobra。ItisashamethatIamignorant，otherwiseIwouldquotetoyouamassofthings；butIknownothing。
Forinstance，Ihavealwaysbeenwitty；whenIwasapupilofGros，insteadofdaubingwretchedlittlepictures，Ipassedmytimeinpilferingapples；rapin[24]isthemasculineofrapine。Somuchformyself；asfortherestofyou，youareworthnomorethanIam。
Iscoffatyourperfections，excellencies，andqualities。
Everygoodqualitytendstowardsadefect；economybordersonavarice，thegenerousmanisnextdoortotheprodigal，thebravemanrubselbowswiththebraggart；hewhosaysverypioussaysatriflebigoted；
therearejustasmanyvicesinvirtueasthereareholesinDiogenes’cloak。Whomdoyouadmire，theslainortheslayer，CaesarorBrutus？Generallymenareinfavoroftheslayer。
LongliveBrutus，hehasslain！Thereliesthevirtue。Virtue，granted，butmadnessalso。Therearequeerspotsonthosegreatmen。
TheBrutuswhokilledCaesarwasinlovewiththestatueofalittleboy。
ThisstatuewasfromthehandoftheGreeksculptorStrongylion，whoalsocarvedthatfigureofanAmazonknownastheBeautifulLeg，Eucnemos，whichNerocarriedwithhiminhistravels。ThisStrongylionleftbuttwostatueswhichplacedNeroandBrutusinaccord。
Brutuswasinlovewiththeone，Nerowiththeother。Allhistoryisnothingbutwearisomerepetition。Onecenturyistheplagiaristoftheother。ThebattleofMarengocopiesthebattleofPydna；
theTolbiacofClovisandtheAusterlitzofNapoleonareaslikeeachotherastwodropsofwater。Idon’tattachmuchimportancetovictory。
Nothingissostupidastoconquer；truegloryliesinconvincing。
Buttrytoprovesomething！Ifyouarecontentwithsuccess，whatmediocrity，andwithconquering，whatwretchedness！Alas，vanityandcowardiceeverywhere。Everythingobeyssuccess，evengrammar。
Sivoletusus，saysHorace。ThereforeIdisdainthehumanrace。
Shallwedescendtothepartyatall？Doyouwishmetobeginadmiringthepeoples？Whatpeople，ifyouplease？ShallitbeGreece？
TheAthenians，thoseParisiansofdaysgoneby，slewPhocion，aswemightsayColigny，andfawnedupontyrantstosuchanextentthatAnacephorussaidofPisistratus:\"Hisurineattractsthebees。\"
ThemostprominentmaninGreeceforfiftyyearswasthatgrammarianPhiletas，whowassosmallandsothinthathewasobligedtoloadhisshoeswithleadinordernottobeblownawaybythewind。
TherestoodonthegreatsquareinCorinthastatuecarvedbySilanionandcataloguedbyPliny；thisstatuerepresentedEpisthates。
WhatdidEpisthatesdo？Heinventedatrip。ThatsumsupGreeceandglory。Letuspassontoothers。ShallIadmireEngland？
ShallIadmireFrance？France？Why？BecauseofParis？IhavejusttoldyoumyopinionofAthens。England？Why？BecauseofLondon？
IhateCarthage。Andthen，London，themetropolisofluxury，istheheadquartersofwretchedness。ThereareahundreddeathsayearofhungerintheparishofCharing—Crossalone。SuchisAlbion。
Iadd，astheclimax，thatIhaveseenanEnglishwomandancinginawreathofrosesandbluespectacles。AfigthenforEngland！
IfIdonotadmireJohnBull，shallIadmireBrotherJonathan？
Ihavebutlittletasteforthatslave—holdingbrother。TakeawayTimeismoney，whatremainsofEngland？TakeawayCottonisking，whatremainsofAmerica？Germanyisthelymph，Italyisthebile。
ShallwegointoecstasiesoverRussia？Voltaireadmiredit。HealsoadmiredChina。IadmitthatRussiahasitsbeauties，amongothers，astoutdespotism；butIpitythedespots。Theirhealthisdelicate。
AdecapitatedAlexis，apoignardedPeter，astrangledPaul，anotherPaulcrushedflatwithkicks，diversIvansstrangled，withtheirthroatscut，numerousNicholasesandBasilspoisoned，allthisindicatesthatthepalaceoftheEmperorsofRussiaisinaconditionofflagrantinsalubrity。Allcivilizedpeoplesofferthisdetailtotheadmirationofthethinker；war；now，war，civilizedwar，exhaustsandsumsupalltheformsofruffianism，fromthebrigandageoftheTrabucerosinthegorgesofMontJaxatothemaraudingoftheComancheIndiansintheDoubtfulPass。
`Bah！’youwillsaytome，`butEuropeiscertainlybetterthanAsia？’
IadmitthatAsiaisafarce；butIdonotpreciselyseewhatyoufindtolaughatintheGrandLama，youpeoplesofthewest，whohavemingledwithyourfashionsandyourelegancesallthecomplicatedfilthofmajesty，fromthedirtychemiseofQueenIsabellatothechamber—chairoftheDauphin。Gentlemenofthehumanrace，Itellyou，notabitofit！ItisatBrusselsthatthemostbeerisconsumed，atStockholmthemostbrandy，atMadridthemostchocolate，atAmsterdamthemostgin，atLondonthemostwine，atConstantinoplethemostcoffee，atParisthemostabsinthe；
therearealltheusefulnotions。Pariscarriestheday，inshort。
InParis，eventherag—pickersaresybarites；Diogeneswouldhavelovedtobearag—pickerofthePlaceMaubertbetterthantobeaphilosopheratthePiraeus。Learnthisinaddition；thewineshopsoftheragpickersarecalledbibines；themostcelebratedaretheSaucepanandTheSlaughter—House。Hence，tea—gardens，goguettes，caboulots，bouibuis，mastroquets，bastringues，manezingues，bibinesoftherag—pickers，caravanseriesofthecaliphs，Icertifytoyou，Iamavoluptuary，IeatatRichard’satfortysousahead，ImusthavePersiancarpetstorollnakedCleopatrain！WhereisCleopatra？Ah！Soitisyou，Louison。Goodday。\"
[24]Theslangtermforapainter’sassistant。
ThusdidGrantaire，morethanintoxicated，launchintospeech，catchingatthedish—washerinherpassage，fromhiscornerinthebackroomoftheCafeMusain。
Bossuet，extendinghishandtowardshim，triedtoimposesilenceonhim，andGrantairebeganagainworsethanever:——
\"AigledeMeaux，downwithyourpaws。YouproduceonmenoeffectwithyourgestureofHippocratesrefusingArtaxerxes’bric—a—brac。I
excuseyoufromthetaskofsoothingme。Moreover，Iamsad。
Whatdoyouwishmetosaytoyou？Manisevil，manisdeformed；
thebutterflyisasuccess，manisafailure。Godmadeamistakewiththatanimal。Acrowdoffersachoiceofugliness。
Thefirstcomerisawretch，Femme——woman——rhymeswithinfame，——
infamous。Yes，Ihavethespleen，complicatedwithmelancholy，withhomesickness，plushypochondria，andIamvexedandIrage，andIyawn，andIambored，andIamtiredtodeath，andIamstupid！
LetGodgotothedevil！\"
\"Silencethen，capitalR！\"resumedBossuet，whowasdiscussingapointoflawbehindthescenes，andwhowasplungedmorethanwaisthighinaphraseofjudicialslang，ofwhichthisistheconclusion:——
\"——Andasforme，althoughIamhardlyalegist，andatthemost，anamateurattorney，Imaintainthis:that，inaccordancewiththetermsofthecustomsofNormandy，atSaint—Michel，andforeachyear，anequivalentmustbepaidtotheprofitofthelordofthemanor，savingtherightsofothers，andbyallandseveral，theproprietorsaswellasthoseseizedwithinheritance，andthat，forallemphyteuses，leases，freeholds，contractsofdomain，mortgages——\"
\"Echo，plaintivenymph，\"hummedGrantaire。
NearGrantaire，analmostsilenttable，asheetofpaper，aninkstandandapenbetweentwoglassesofbrandy，announcedthatavaudevillewasbeingsketchedout。
Thisgreataffairwasbeingdiscussedinalowvoice，andthetwoheadsatworktouchedeachother:\"Letusbeginbyfindingnames。
Whenonehasthenames，onefindsthesubject。\"
\"Thatistrue。Dictate。Iwillwrite。\"
\"MonsieurDorimon。\"
\"Anindependentgentleman？\"
\"Ofcourse。\"
\"Hisdaughter，Celestine。\"
\"——tine。Whatnext？\"
\"ColonelSainval。\"
\"Sainvalisstale。IshouldsayValsin。\"
Besidethevaudevilleaspirants，anothergroup，whichwasalsotakingadvantageoftheuproartotalklow，wasdiscussingaduel。
Anoldfellowofthirtywascounsellingayoungoneofeighteen，andexplainingtohimwhatsortofanadversaryhehadtodealwith。
\"Thedeuce！Lookoutforyourself。Heisafineswordsman。Hisplayisneat。Hehastheattack，nowastedfeints，wrist，dash，lightning，ajustparade，mathematicalparries，bigre！andheisleft—handed。\"
IntheangleoppositeGrantaire，JolyandBahorelwereplayingdominoes，andtalkingoflove。
\"Youareinluck，thatyouare，\"Jolywassaying。\"Youhaveamistresswhoisalwayslaughing。\"
\"Thatisafaultofhers，\"returnedBahorel。\"One’smistressdoeswrongtolaugh。Thatencouragesonetodeceiveher。Toseehergayremovesyourremorse；ifyouseehersad，yourconsciencepricksyou。\"
\"Ingrate！awomanwholaughsissuchagoodthing！Andyouneverquarrel！\"
\"Thatisbecauseofthetreatywhichwehavemade。OnformingourlittleHolyAllianceweassignedourselveseachourfrontier，whichwenevercross。WhatissituatedonthesideofwinterbelongstoVaud，onthesideofthewindtoGex。Hencethepeace。\"
\"Peaceishappinessdigesting。\"
\"Andyou，Jolllly，wheredoyoustandinyourentanglementwithMamselle——
youknowwhomImean？\"
\"Shesulksatmewithcruelpatience。\"
\"Yetyouarealovertosoftentheheartwithgauntness。\"
\"Alas！\"
\"Inyourplace，Iwouldletheralone。\"
\"Thatiseasyenoughtosay。\"
\"Andtodo。IsnothernameMusichetta？\"
\"Yes。Ah！mypoorBahorel，sheisasuperbgirl，veryliterary，withtinyfeet，littlehands，shedresseswell，andiswhiteanddimpled，withtheeyesofafortune—teller。Iamwildoverher。\"
\"Mydearfellow，theninordertopleaseher，youmustbeelegant，andproduceeffectswithyourknees。Buyagoodpairoftrousersofdouble—milledclothatStaub’s。Thatwillassist。\"
\"Atwhatprice？\"shoutedGrantaire。
Thethirdcornerwasdelivereduptoapoeticaldiscussion。
PaganmythologywasgivingbattletoChristianmythology。
ThequestionwasaboutOlympus，whosepartwastakenbyJeanProuvaire，outofpureromanticism。
JeanProuvairewastimidonlyinrepose。Onceexcited，heburstforth，asortofmirthaccentuatedhisenthusiasm，andhewasatoncebothlaughingandlyric。
\"Letusnotinsultthegods，\"saidhe。\"Thegodsmaynothavetakentheirdeparture。Jupiterdoesnotimpressmeasdead。
Thegodsaredreams，yousay。Well，eveninnature，suchasitisto—day，aftertheflightofthesedreams，westillfindallthegrandoldpaganmyths。Suchandsuchamountainwiththeprofileofacitadel，liketheVignemale，forexample，isstilltometheheaddressofCybele；ithasnotbeenprovedtomethatPandoesnotcomeatnighttobreatheintothehollowtrunksofthewillows，stoppinguptheholesinturnwithhisfingers，andIhavealwaysbelievedthatIohadsomethingtodowiththecascadeofPissevache。\"
Inthelastcorner，theyweretalkingpolitics。TheCharterwhichhadbeengrantedwasgettingroughlyhandled。Combeferrewasupholdingitweakly。Courfeyracwasenergeticallymakingabreachinit。
OnthetablelayanunfortunatecopyofthefamousTouquetCharter。
Courfeyrachadseizedit，andwasbrandishingit，minglingwithhisargumentstherattlingofthissheetofpaper。
\"Inthefirstplace，Iwon’thaveanykings；ifitwereonlyfromaneconomicalpointofview，Idon’twantany；akingisaparasite。Onedoesnothavekingsgratis。Listentothis:
thedearnessofkings。AtthedeathofFrancoisI。，thenationaldebtofFranceamountedtoanincomeofthirtythousandlivres；
atthedeathofLouisXIV。itwastwomilliards，sixhundredmillions，attwenty—eightlivresthemark，whichwasequivalentin1760，accordingtoDesmarets，tofourmilliards，fivehundredmillions，whichwouldto—daybeequivalenttotwelvemilliards。Inthesecondplace，andnooffencetoCombeferre，achartergrantedisbutapoorexpedientofcivilization。Tosavethetransition，tosoftenthepassage，todeadentheshock，tocausethenationtopassinsensiblyfromthemonarchytodemocracybythepracticeofconstitutionalfictions，——whatdetestablereasonsallthoseare！
No！no！letusneverenlightenthepeoplewithfalsedaylight。
Principlesdwindleandpaleinyourconstitutionalcellar。
Noillegitimacy，nocompromise，nograntfromthekingtothepeople。
InallsuchgrantsthereisanArticle14。Bythesideofthehandwhichgivesthereistheclawwhichsnatchesback。Irefuseyourcharterpoint—blank。Acharterisamask；thelielurksbeneathit。
Apeoplewhichacceptsacharterabdicates。Thelawisonlythelawwhenentire。No！nocharter！\"
Itwaswinter；acoupleoffagotswerecracklinginthefireplace。
Thiswastempting，andCourfeyraccouldnotresist。HecrumpledthepoorTouquetCharterinhisfist，andflungitinthefire。
Thepaperflashedup。CombeferrewatchedthemasterpieceofLouisXVIII。
burnphilosophically，andcontentedhimselfwithsaying:——
\"Thechartermetamorphosedintoflame。\"
Andsarcasms，sallies，jests，thatFrenchthingwhichiscalledentrain，andthatEnglishthingwhichiscalledhumor，goodandbadtaste，goodandbadreasons，allthewildpyrotechnicsofdialogue，mountingtogetherandcrossingfromallpointsoftheroom，producedasortofmerrybombardmentovertheirheads。
CHAPTERV
ENLARGEMENTOFHORIZON
Theshocksofyouthfulmindsamongthemselveshavethisadmirableproperty，thatonecanneverforeseethespark，nordivinethelightningflash。Whatwilldartoutpresently？Nooneknows。
Theburstoflaughterstartsfromatenderfeeling。
Atthemomentofjest，theseriousmakesitsentry。Impulsesdependonthefirstchanceword。Thespiritofeachissovereign，jestsufficestoopenthefieldtotheunexpected。Theseareconversationswithabruptturns，inwhichtheperspectivechangessuddenly。
Chanceisthestage—managerofsuchconversations。
Aseverethought，startingoddlyfromaclashofwords，suddenlytraversedtheconflictofquipsinwhichGrantaire，Bahorel，Prouvaire，Bossuet，Combeferre，andCourfeyracwereconfusedlyfencing。
Howdoesaphrasecropupinadialogue？Whencecomesitthatitsuddenlyimpressesitselfontheattentionofthosewhohearit？
Wehavejustsaid，thatnooneknowsanythingaboutit。Inthemidstoftheuproar，BossuetallatonceterminatedsomeapostrophetoCombeferre，withthisdate:——
\"June18th，1815，Waterloo。\"
AtthisnameofWaterloo，Marius，whowasleaninghiselbowsonatable，besideaglassofwater，removedhiswristfrombeneathhischin，andbegantogazefixedlyattheaudience。
\"Pardieu！\"exclaimedCourfeyrac（\"Parbleu\"wasfallingintodisuseatthisperiod），\"thatnumber18isstrangeandstrikesme。ItisBonaparte’sfatalnumber。PlaceLouisinfrontandBrumairebehind，youhavethewholedestinyoftheman，withthissignificantpeculiarity，thattheendtreadscloseontheheelsofthecommencement。\"
Enjolras，whohadremainedmuteuptothatpoint，brokethesilenceandaddressedthisremarktoCombeferre:——
\"Youmeantosay，thecrimeandtheexpiation。\"
ThiswordcrimeoverpassedthemeasureofwhatMarius，whowasalreadygreatlyagitatedbytheabruptevocationofWaterloo，couldaccept。
Herose，walkedslowlytothemapofFrancespreadoutonthewall，andatwhosebaseanislandwasvisibleinaseparatecompartment，laidhisfingeronthiscompartmentandsaid:——
\"Corsica，alittleislandwhichhasrenderedFranceverygreat。\"
Thiswaslikeabreathoficyair。Allceasedtalking。Theyfeltthatsomethingwasonthepointofoccurring。
Bahorel，replyingtoBossuet，wasjustassuminganattitudeofthetorsotowhichhewasaddicted。Hegaveituptolisten。
Enjolras，whoseblueeyewasnotfixedonanyone，andwhoseemedtobegazingatspace，replied，withoutglancingatMarius:——
\"FranceneedsnoCorsicatobegreat。FranceisgreatbecausesheisFrance。Quianominaleo。\"
Mariusfeltnodesiretoretreat；heturnedtowardsEnjolras，andhisvoiceburstforthwithavibrationwhichcamefromaquiverofhisverybeing:——
\"GodforbidthatIshoulddiminishFrance！ButamalgamatingNapoleonwithherisnotdiminishingher。Come！letusarguethequestion。
Iamanewcomeramongyou，butIwillconfessthatyouamazeme。
Wheredowestand？Whoarewe？Whoareyou？WhoamI？LetuscometoanexplanationabouttheEmperor。IhearyousayBuonaparte，accentingtheuliketheRoyalists。Iwarnyouthatmygrandfatherdoesbetterstill；hesaysBuonaparte’。Ithoughtyouwereyoungmen。Where，then，isyourenthusiasm？Andwhatareyoudoingwithit？Whomdoyouadmire，ifyoudonotadmiretheEmperor？
Andwhatmoredoyouwant？Ifyouwillhavenoneofthatgreatman，whatgreatmenwouldyoulike？Hehadeverything。Hewascomplete。
Hehadinhisbrainthesumofhumanfaculties。HemadecodeslikeJustinian，hedictatedlikeCaesar，hisconversationwasmingledwiththelightning—flashofPascal，withthethunderclapofTacitus，hemadehistoryandhewroteit，hisbulletinsareIliads，hecombinedthecipherofNewtonwiththemetaphorofMahomet，heleftbehindhimintheEastwordsasgreatasthepyramids，atTilsithetaughtEmperorsmajesty，attheAcademyofSciencesherepliedtoLaplace，intheCouncilofStatebeheldhisownagainstMerlin，hegaveasoultothegeometryofthefirst，andtothechicaneryofthelast，hewasalegistwiththeattorneysandsiderealwiththeastronomers；
likeCromwellblowingoutoneoftwocandles，hewenttotheTempletobargainforacurtaintassel；hesaweverything；hekneweverything；
whichdidnotpreventhimfromlaughinggood—naturedlybesidethecradleofhislittlechild；andallatonce，frightenedEuropelentanear，armiesputthemselvesinmotion，parksofartilleryrumbled，pontoonsstretchedovertherivers，cloudsofcavalrygallopedinthestorm，cries，trumpets，atremblingofthronesineverydirection，thefrontiersofkingdomsoscillatedonthemap，thesoundofasuperhumanswordwasheard，asitwasdrawnfromitssheath；
theybeheldhim，him，riseerectonthehorizonwithablazingbrandinhishand，andaglowinhiseyes，unfoldingamidthethunder，histwowings，thegrandarmyandtheoldguard，andhewasthearchangelofwar！\"
Allheldtheirpeace，andEnjolrasbowedhishead。Silencealwaysproducessomewhattheeffectofacquiescence，oftheenemybeingdriventothewall。Mariuscontinuedwithincreasedenthusiasm，andalmostwithoutpausingforbreath:——
\"Letusbejust，myfriends！WhatasplendiddestinyforanationtobetheEmpireofsuchanEmperor，whenthatnationisFranceandwhenitaddsitsowngeniustothegeniusofthatman！Toappearandtoreign，tomarchandtotriumph，tohaveforhalting—placesallcapitals，totakehisgrenadiersandtomakekingsofthem，todecreethefallsofdynasties，andtotransfigureEuropeatthepaceofacharge；tomakeyoufeelthatwhenyouthreatenyoulayyourhandonthehiltoftheswordofGod；tofollowinasingleman，Hannibal，Caesar，Charlemagne；tobethepeopleofsomeonewhomingleswithyourdawnsthestartlingannouncementofabattlewon，tohavethecannonoftheInvalidestorouseyouinthemorning，tohurlintoabyssesoflightprodigiouswordswhichflameforever，Marengo，Arcola，Austerlitz，Jena，Wagram！
Tocauseconstellationsofvictoriestoflashforthateachinstantfromthezenithofthecenturies，tomaketheFrenchEmpireapendanttotheRomanEmpire，tobethegreatnationandtogivebirthtothegrandarmy，tomakeitslegionsflyforthoveralltheearth，asamountainsendsoutitseaglesonallsidestoconquer，todominate，tostrikewithlightning，tobeinEuropeasortofnationgildedthroughglory，tosoundathwartthecenturiesatrumpet—blastofTitans，toconquertheworldtwice，byconquestandbydazzling，thatissublime；andwhatgreaterthingisthere？\"
\"Tobefree，\"saidCombeferre。
Mariusloweredhisheadinhisturn；thatcoldandsimplewordhadtraversedhisepiceffusionlikeabladeofsteel，andhefeltitvanishingwithinhim。Whenheraisedhiseyes，Combeferrewasnolongerthere。Probablysatisfiedwithhisreplytotheapotheosis，hehadjusttakenhisdeparture，andall，withtheexceptionofEnjolras，hadfollowedhim。Theroomhadbeenemptied。Enjolras，leftalonewithMarius，wasgazinggravelyathim。Marius，however，havingralliedhisideastosomeextent，didnotconsiderhimselfbeaten；therelingeredinhimatraceofinwardfermentationwhichwasonthepoint，nodoubt，oftranslatingitselfintosyllogismsarrayedagainstEnjolras，whenallofasudden，theyheardsomeonesingingonthestairsashewent。ItwasCombeferre，andthisiswhathewassinging:——
\"SiCesarm’avaitdonne[25]
Lagloireetlaguerre，Etqu’ilmefallaitquitterL’amourdemamere，JediraisaugrandCesar:
Reprendstonsceptreettonchar，J’aimemieuxmamere，ogue！
J’aimemieuxmamere！\"
[25]IfCesarhadgivenmegloryandwar，andIwereobligedtoquitmymother’slove，IwouldsaytogreatCaesar，\"Takebackthysceptreandthychariot；Iprefertheloveofmymother。\"
ThewildandtenderaccentswithwhichCombeferresangcommunicatedtothiscoupletasortofstrangegrandeur。Marius，thoughtfully，andwithhiseyesdikedontheceiling，repeatedalmostmechanically:
\"Mymother？——\"
Atthatmoment，hefeltEnjolras’handonhisshoulder。
\"Citizen，\"saidEnjolrastohim，\"mymotheristheRepublic。\"
CHAPTERVI
RESANGUSTA
ThateveningleftMariusprofoundlyshaken，andwithamelancholyshadowinhissoul。Hefeltwhattheearthmaypossiblyfeel，atthemomentwhenitistornopenwiththeiron，inorderthatgrainmaybedepositedwithinit；itfeelsonlythewound；
thequiverofthegermandthejoyofthefruitonlyarrivelater。
Mariuswasgloomy。Hehadbutjustacquiredafaith；musthethenrejectitalready？Heaffirmedtohimselfthathewouldnot。
Hedeclaredtohimselfthathewouldnotdoubt，andhebegantodoubtinspiteofhimself。Tostandbetweentworeligions，fromoneofwhichyouhavenotasyetemerged，andanotherintowhichyouhavenotyetentered，isintolerable；andtwilightispleasingonlytobat—likesouls。Mariuswasclear—eyed，andherequiredthetruelight。Thehalf—lightsofdoubtpainedhim。
Whatevermayhavebeenhisdesiretoremainwherehewas，hecouldnothaltthere，hewasirresistiblyconstrainedtocontinue，toadvance，toexamine，tothink，tomarchfurther。Whitherwouldthisleadhim？
Hefeared，afterhavingtakensomanystepswhichhadbroughthimnearertohisfather，tonowtakeastepwhichshouldestrangehimfromthatfather。Hisdiscomfortwasaugmentedbyallthereflectionswhichoccurredtohim。Anescarpmentrosearoundhim。
Hewasinaccordneitherwithhisgrandfathernorwithhisfriends；
daringintheeyesoftheone，hewasbehindthetimesintheeyesoftheothers，andherecognizedthefactthathewasdoublyisolated，onthesideofageandonthesideofyouth。HeceasedtogototheCafeMusain。
Inthetroubledstateofhisconscience，henolongerthoughtofcertainserioussidesofexistence。Therealitiesoflifedonotallowthemselvestobeforgotten。Theysoonelbowedhimabruptly。
Onemorning，theproprietorofthehotelenteredMarius’roomandsaidtohim:——
\"MonsieurCourfeyracansweredforyou。\"
\"Yes。\"
\"ButImusthavemymoney。\"
\"RequestCourfeyractocomeandtalkwithme，\"saidMarius。
Courfeyrachavingmadehisappearance，thehostleftthem。
Mariusthentoldhimwhatithadnotbeforeoccurredtohimtorelate，thathewasthesameasaloneintheworld，andhadnorelatives。
\"Whatistobecomeofyou？\"saidCourfeyrac。
\"Idonotknowintheleast，\"repliedMarius。
\"Whatareyougoingtodo？\"
\"Idonotknow。\"
\"Haveyouanymoney？\"
\"Fifteenfrancs。\"
\"Doyouwantmetolendyousome？\"
\"Never。\"
\"Haveyouclothes？\"
\"HereiswhatIhave。\"
\"Haveyoutrinkets？\"
\"Awatch。\"
\"Silver？\"
\"Gold；hereitis。\"
\"Iknowaclothes—dealerwhowilltakeyourfrock—coatandapairoftrousers。\"
\"Thatisgood。\"
\"Youwillthenhaveonlyapairoftrousers，awaistcoat，ahatandacoat。\"
\"Andmyboots。\"
\"What！youwillnotgobarefoot？Whatopulence！\"
\"Thatwillbeenough。\"
\"Iknowawatchmakerwhowillbuyyourwatch。\"
\"Thatisgood。\"
\"No；itisnotgood。Whatwillyoudoafterthat？\"
\"Whateverisnecessary。Anythinghonest，thatistosay。\"
\"DoyouknowEnglish？\"
\"No。\"
\"DoyouknowGerman？\"
\"No。\"
\"Somuchtheworse。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Becauseoneofmyfriends，apublisher，isgettingupasortofanencyclopaedia，forwhichyoumighthavetranslatedEnglishorGermanarticles。Itisbadlypaidwork，butonecanlivebyit。\"
\"IwilllearnEnglishandGerman。\"
\"Andinthemeanwhile？\"
\"InthemeanwhileIwillliveonmyclothesandmywatch。\"
Theclothes—dealerwassentfor。Hepaidtwentyfrancsforthecast—offgarments。Theywenttothewatchmaker’s。Heboughtthewatchforforty—fivefrancs。
\"Thatisnotbad，\"saidMariustoCourfeyrac，ontheirreturntothehotel，\"withmyfifteenfrancs，thatmakeseighty。\"
\"Andthehotelbill？\"observedCourfeyrac。
\"Hello，Ihadforgottenthat，\"saidMarius。
Thelandlordpresentedhisbill，whichhadtobepaidonthespot。
Itamountedtoseventyfrancs。
\"Ihavetenfrancsleft，\"saidMarius。
\"Thedeuce，\"exclaimedCourfeyrac，\"youwilleatupfivefrancswhileyouarelearningEnglish，andfivewhilelearningGerman。
Thatwillbeswallowingatongueveryfast，orahundredsousveryslowly。\"
InthemeantimeAuntGillenormand，arathergood—heartedpersonatbottomindifficulties，hadfinallyhuntedupMarius’abode。
Onemorning，onhisreturnfromthelaw—school，Mariusfoundaletterfromhisaunt，andthesixtypistoles，thatistosay，sixhundredfrancsingold，inasealedbox。
Mariussentbackthethirtylouistohisaunt，witharespectfulletter，inwhichhestatedthathehadsufficientmeansofsubsistenceandthatheshouldbeablethenceforthtosupplyallhisneeds。
Atthatmoment，hehadthreefrancsleft。
Hisauntdidnotinformhisgrandfatherofthisrefusalforfearofexasperatinghim。Besides，hadhenotsaid:\"Letmeneverhearthenameofthatblood—drinkeragain！\"
MariusleftthehoteldelaPorteSaint—Jacques，ashedidnotwishtorunindebtthere。
BOOKFIFTH。——THEEXCELLENCEOFMISFORTUNE
CHAPTERI
MARIUSINDIGENT
LifebecamehardforMarius。Itwasnothingtoeathisclothesandhiswatch。Heateofthatterrible，inexpressiblethingthatiscalleddelavacheenrage；thatistosay，heenduredgreathardshipsandprivations。Aterriblethingitis，containingdayswithoutbread，nightswithoutsleep，eveningswithoutacandle，ahearthwithoutafire，weekswithoutwork，afuturewithouthope，acoatoutattheelbows，anoldhatwhichevokesthelaughterofyounggirls，adoorwhichonefindslockedononeatnightbecauseone’srentisnotpaid，theinsolenceoftheporterandthecook—shopman，thesneersofneighbors，humiliations，dignitytrampledon，workofwhatevernatureaccepted，disgusts，bitterness，despondency。Mariuslearnedhowallthisiseaten，andhowsuchareoftentheonlythingswhichonehastodevour。Atthatmomentofhisexistencewhenamanneedshispride，becauseheneedslove，hefeltthathewasjeeredatbecausehewasbadlydressed，andridiculousbecausehewaspoor。
Attheagewhenyouthswellstheheartwithimperialpride，hedroppedhiseyesmorethanonceonhisdilapidatedboots，andheknewtheunjustshameandthepoignantblushesofwretchedness。
Admirableandterribletrialfromwhichthefeebleemergebase，fromwhichthestrongemergesublime。Acrucibleintowhichdestinycastsaman，wheneveritdesiresascoundrelorademi—god。
Formanygreatdeedsareperformedinpettycombats。Thereareinstancesofbraveryignoredandobstinate，whichdefendthemselvesstepbystepinthatfatalonslaughtofnecessitiesandturpitudes。
Nobleandmysterioustriumphswhichnoeyebeholds，whicharerequitedwithnorenown，whicharesalutedwithnotrumpetblast。
Life，misfortune，isolation，abandonment，poverty，arethefieldsofbattlewhichhavetheirheroes；obscureheroes，whoare，sometimes，granderthantheheroeswhowinrenown。
Firmandrarenaturesarethuscreated；misery，almostalwaysastep—mother，issometimesamother；destitutiongivesbirthtomightofsoulandspirit；distressisthenurseofpride；
unhappinessisagoodmilkforthemagnanimous。
TherecameamomentinMarius’life，whenheswepthisownlanding，whenheboughthissou’sworthofBriecheeseatthefruiterer’s，whenhewaiteduntiltwilighthadfallentoslipintothebaker’sandpurchasealoaf，whichhecarriedofffurtivelytohisatticasthoughhehadstolenit。Sometimestherecouldbeseenglidingintothebutcher’sshoponthecorner，inthemidstofthebanteringcookswhoelbowedhim，anawkwardyoungman，carryingbigbooksunderhisarm，whohadatimidyetangryair，who，onentering，removedhishatfromabrowwhereonstooddropsofperspiration，madeaprofoundbowtothebutcher’sastonishedwife，askedforamuttoncutlet，paidsixorsevensousforit，wrappeditupinapaper，putitunderhisarm，betweentwobooks，andwentaway。
ItwasMarius。Onthiscutlet，whichhecookedforhimself，helivedforthreedays。
Onthefirstdayheatethemeat，onthesecondheatethefat，onthethirdhegnawedthebone。AuntGillenormandmaderepeatedattempts，andsenthimthesixtypistolesseveraltimes。
Mariusreturnedthemoneveryoccasion，sayingthatheneedednothing。
Hewasstillinmourningforhisfatherwhentherevolutionwhichwehavejustdescribedwaseffectedwithinhim。Fromthattimeforth，hehadnotputoffhisblackgarments。Buthisgarmentswerequittinghim。Thedaycamewhenhehadnolongeracoat。
Thetrouserswouldgonext。Whatwastobedone？Courfeyrac，towhomhehad，onhisside，donesomegoodturns，gavehimanoldcoat。
Forthirtysous，Mariusgotitturnedbysomeporterorother，anditwasanewcoat。Butthiscoatwasgreen。ThenMariusceasedtogooutuntilafternightfall。Thismadehiscoatblack。
Ashewishedalwaystoappearinmourning，heclothedhimselfwiththenight。
Inspiteofallthis，hegotadmittedtopracticeasalawyer。
HewassupposedtoliveinCourfeyrac’sroom，whichwasdecent，andwhereacertainnumberoflaw—booksbackedupandcompletedbyseveraldilapidatedvolumesofromance，passedasthelibraryrequiredbytheregulations。HehadhislettersaddressedtoCourfeyrac’squarters。
WhenMariusbecamealawyer，heinformedhisgrandfatherofthefactinaletterwhichwascoldbutfullofsubmissionandrespect。
M。Gillenormandtrembledashetooktheletter，readit，toreitinfourpieces，andthrewitintothewaste—basket。Twoorthreedayslater，MademoiselleGillenormandheardherfather，whowasaloneinhisroom，talkingaloudtohimself。Healwaysdidthiswheneverhewasgreatlyagitated。Shelistened，andtheoldmanwassaying:
\"Ifyouwerenotafool，youwouldknowthatonecannotbeabaronandalawyeratthesametime。\"
CHAPTERII
MARIUSPOOR
Itisthesamewithwretchednessaswitheverythingelse。Itendsbybecomingbearable。Itfinallyassumesaform，andadjustsitself。
Onevegetates，thatistosay，onedevelopsinacertainmeagrefashion，whichis，however，sufficientforlife。ThisisthemodeinwhichtheexistenceofMariusPontmercywasarranged:
Hehadpassedtheworststraits；thenarrowpasswasopeningoutalittleinfrontofhim。Bydintoftoil，perseverance，courage，andwill，hehadmanagedtodrawfromhisworkaboutsevenhundredfrancsayear。
HehadlearnedGermanandEnglish；thankstoCourfeyrac，whohadputhimincommunicationwithhisfriendthepublisher，Mariusfilledthemodestpostofutilitymanintheliteratureofthepublishinghouse。
Hedrewupprospectuses，translatednewspapers，annotatededitions，compiledbiographies，etc。；netproduct，yearinandyearout，sevenhundredfrancs。Helivedonit。How？Notsobadly。
Wewillexplain。
MariusoccupiedintheGorbeauhouse，foranannualsumofthirtyfrancs，adenminusafireplace，calledacabinet，whichcontainedonlythemostindispensablearticlesoffurniture。Thisfurniturebelongedtohim。Hegavethreefrancsamonthtotheoldprincipaltenanttocomeandsweephishole，andtobringhimalittlehotwatereverymorning，afreshegg，andapennyroll。Hebreakfastedonthiseggandroll。Hisbreakfastvariedincostfromtwotofoursous，accordingaseggsweredearorcheap。Atsixo’clockintheeveninghedescendedtheRueSaint—JacquestodineatRousseau’s，oppositeBasset’s，thestamp—dealer’s，onthecorneroftheRuedesMathurins。Heatenosoup。Hetookasix—souplateofmeat，ahalf—portionofvegetablesforthreesous，andathree—soudessert。
Forthreesoushegotasmuchbreadashewished。Asforwine，hedrankwater。WhenhepaidatthedeskwhereMadamRousseau，atthatperiodstillplumpandrosymajesticallypresided，hegaveasoutothewaiter，andMadamRousseaugavehimasmile。
Thenhewentaway。Forsixteensoushehadasmileandadinner。
ThisRestaurantRousseau，wheresofewbottlesandsomanywatercarafeswereemptied，wasacalmingpotionratherthanarestaurant。
Itnolongerexists。Theproprietorhadafinenickname:hewascalledRousseautheAquatic。
Thus，breakfastfoursous，dinnersixteensous；hisfoodcosthimtwentysousaday；whichmadethreehundredandsixty—fivefrancsayear。Addthethirtyfrancsforrent，andthethirty—sixfrancstotheoldwoman，plusafewtriflingexpenses；forfourhundredandfiftyfrancs，Mariuswasfed，lodged，andwaitedon。
Hisclothingcosthimahundredfrancs，hislinenfiftyfrancs，hiswashingfiftyfrancs；thewholedidnotexceedsixhundredandfiftyfrancs。Hewasrich。Hesometimeslenttenfrancstoafriend。
Courfeyrachadoncebeenabletoborrowsixtyfrancsofhim。
Asfarasfirewasconcerned，asMariushadnofireplace，hehad\"simplifiedmatters。\"
Mariusalwayshadtwocompletesuitsofclothes，theoneold，\"foreveryday\"；theother，brandnewforspecialoccasions。
Bothwereblack。Hehadbutthreeshirts，oneonhisperson，thesecondinthecommode，andthethirdinthewasherwoman’shands。
Herenewedthemastheyworeout。Theywerealwaysragged，whichcausedhimtobuttonhiscoattothechin。
IthadrequiredyearsforMariustoattaintothisflourishingcondition。
Hardyears；difficult，someofthem，totraverse，otherstoclimb。
Mariushadnotfailedforasingleday。Hehadenduredeverythinginthewayofdestitution；hehaddoneeverythingexceptcontractdebts。
Hedidhimselfthejusticetosaythathehadneverowedanyoneasou。
Adebtwas，tohim，thebeginningofslavery。Heevensaidtohimself，thatacreditorisworsethanamaster；forthemasterpossessesonlyyourperson，acreditorpossessesyourdignityandcanadministertoitaboxontheear。Ratherthanborrow，hewentwithoutfood。
Hehadpassedmanyadayfasting。Feelingthatallextremesmeet，andthat，ifoneisnotonone’sguard，loweredfortunesmayleadtobasenessofsoul，hekeptajealouswatchonhispride。
Suchandsuchaformalityoraction，which，inanyothersituationwouldhaveappearedmerelyadeferencetohim，nowseemedinsipidity，andhenervedhimselfagainstit。Hisfaceworeasortofsevereflush。
Hewastimideventorudeness。
Duringallthesetrialshehadfelthimselfencouragedandevenuplifted，attimes，byasecretforcethathepossessedwithinhimself。
Thesoulaidsthebody，andatcertainmoments，raisesit。
Itistheonlybirdwhichbearsupitsowncage。
Besideshisfather’sname，anothernamewasgraveninMarius’heart，thenameofThenardier。Marius，withhisgraveandenthusiasticnature，surroundedwithasortofaureolethemantowhom，inhisthoughts，heowedhisfather’slife，——thatintrepidsergeantwhohadsavedthecolonelamidthebulletsandthecannon—ballsofWaterloo。
Heneverseparatedthememoryofthismanfromthememoryofhisfather，andheassociatedtheminhisveneration。Itwasasortofworshipintwosteps，withthegrandaltarforthecolonelandthelesseroneforThenardier。WhatredoubledthetendernessofhisgratitudetowardsThenardier，wastheideaofthedistressintowhichheknewthatThenardierhadfallen，andwhichhadengulfedthelatter。
MariushadlearnedatMontfermeiloftheruinandbankruptcyoftheunfortunateinn—keeper。Sincethattime，hehadmadeunheard—ofeffortstofindtracesofhimandtoreachhiminthatdarkabyssofmiseryinwhichThenardierhaddisappeared。Mariushadbeatenthewholecountry；
hehadgonetoChelles，toBondy，toGourney，toNogent，toLagny。
Hehadpersistedforthreeyears，expendingintheseexplorationsthelittlemoneywhichhehadlaidby。NoonehadbeenabletogivehimanynewsofThenardier:hewassupposedtohavegoneabroad。
Hiscreditorshadalsosoughthim，withlesslovethanMarius，butwithasmuchassiduity，andhadnotbeenabletolaytheirhandsonhim。Mariusblamedhimself，andwasalmostangrywithhimselfforhislackofsuccessinhisresearches。Itwastheonlydebtlefthimbythecolonel，andMariusmadeitamatterofhonortopayit。
\"What，\"hethought，\"whenmyfatherlaydyingonthefieldofbattle，didThenardiercontrivetofindhimamidthesmokeandthegrape—shot，andbearhimoffonhisshoulders，andyetheowedhimnothing，andI，whoowesomuchtoThenardier，cannotjoinhiminthisshadowwhereheislyinginthepangsofdeath，andinmyturnbringhimbackfromdeathtolife！Oh！Iwillfindhim！\"
TofindThenardier，infact，Mariuswouldhavegivenoneofhisarms，torescuehimfromhismisery，hewouldhavesacrificedallhisblood。
ToseeThenardier，torenderThenardiersomeservice，tosaytohim:
\"Youdonotknowme；well，Idoknowyou！HereIam。Disposeofme！\"
ThiswasMarius’sweetestandmostmagnificentdream。
CHAPTERIII
MARIUSGROWNUP
Atthisepoch，Mariuswastwentyyearsofage。Itwasthreeyearssincehehadlefthisgrandfather。Bothpartieshadremainedonthesameterms，withoutattemptingtoapproacheachother，andwithoutseekingtoseeeachother。Besides，whatwastheuseofseeingeachother？Mariuswasthebrassvase，whileFatherGillenormandwastheironpot。
WeadmitthatMariuswasmistakenastohisgrandfather’sheart。
HehadimaginedthatM。Gillenormandhadneverlovedhim，andthatthatcrusty，harsh，andsmilingoldfellowwhocursed，shouted，andstormedandbrandishedhiscane，cherishedforhim，atthemost，onlythataffection，whichisatonceslightandsevere，ofthedotardsofcomedy。Mariuswasinerror。
Therearefatherswhodonotlovetheirchildren；thereexistsnograndfatherwhodoesnotadorehisgrandson。Atbottom，aswehavesaid，M。GillenormandidolizedMarius。Heidolizedhimafterhisownfashion，withanaccompanimentofsnappishnessandboxesontheear；but，thischildoncegone，hefeltablackvoidinhisheart；hewouldallownoonetomentionthechildtohim，andallthewhilesecretlyregrettedthathewassowellobeyed。
Atfirst，hehopedthatthisBuonapartist，thisJacobin，thisterrorist，thisSeptembrist，wouldreturn。Buttheweekspassedby，yearspassed；
toM。Gillenormand’sgreatdespair，the\"blood—drinker\"didnotmakehisappearance。\"Icouldnotdootherwisethanturnhimout，\"saidthegrandfathertohimself，andheaskedhimself:
\"Ifthethingweretodooveragain，wouldIdoit？\"Hisprideinstantlyanswered\"yes，\"buthisagedhead，whichheshookinsilence，repliedsadly\"no。\"Hehadhishoursofdepression。
HemissedMarius。Oldmenneedaffectionastheyneedthesun。
Itiswarmth。Strongashisnaturewas，theabsenceofMariushadwroughtsomechangeinhim。Nothingintheworldcouldhaveinducedhimtotakeasteptowards\"thatrogue\"；buthesuffered。
Heneverinquiredabouthim，buthethoughtofhimincessantly。
HelivedintheMaraisinamoreandmoreretiredmanner；
hewasstillmerryandviolentasofold，buthismerrimenthadaconvulsiveharshness，andhisviolencesalwaysterminatedinasortofgentleandgloomydejection。Hesometimessaid:
\"Oh！ifheonlywouldreturn，whatagoodboxontheearIwouldgivehim！\"
Asforhisaunt，shethoughttoolittletolovemuch；Mariuswasnolongerforhermuchmorethanavagueblackform；andsheeventuallycametooccupyherselfwithhimmuchlessthanwiththecatortheparoquetwhichsheprobablyhad。WhataugmentedFatherGillenormand’ssecretsufferingwas，thathelockeditallupwithinhisbreast，anddidnotallowitsexistencetobedivined。
Hissorrowwaslikethoserecentlyinventedfurnaceswhichconsumetheirownsmoke。ItsometimeshappenedthatofficiousbusybodiesspoketohimofMarius，andaskedhim:\"Whatisyourgrandsondoing？\"
\"Whathasbecomeofhim？\"Theoldbourgeoisrepliedwithasigh，thathewasasadcase，andgivingafilliptohiscuff，ifhewishedtoappeargay:\"MonsieurleBarondePontmercyispractisingpettifogginginsomecornerorother。\"
Whiletheoldmanregretted，Mariusapplaudedhimself。
Asisthecasewithallgood—heartedpeople，misfortunehaderadicatedhisbitterness。HeonlythoughtofM。Gillenormandinanamiablelight，buthehadsethismindonnotreceivinganythingmorefromthemanwhohadbeenunkindtohisfather。
Thiswasthemitigatedtranslationofhisfirstindignation。
Moreover，hewashappyathavingsuffered，andatsufferingstill。
Itwasforhisfather’ssake。Thehardnessofhislifesatisfiedandpleasedhim。Hesaidtohimselfwithasortofjoythat——
itwascertainlytheleasthecoulddo；thatitwasanexpiation；——
that，haditnotbeenforthat，hewouldhavebeenpunishedinsomeotherwayandlateronforhisimpiousindifferencetowardshisfather，andsuchafather！thatitwouldnothavebeenjustthathisfathershouldhaveallthesuffering，andhenoneofit；andthat，inanycase，whatwerehistoilsandhisdestitutioncomparedwiththecolonel’sheroiclife？that，inshort，theonlywayforhimtoapproachhisfatherandresemblehim，wastobebraveinthefaceofindigence，astheotherhadbeenvaliantbeforetheenemy；andthatthatwas，nodoubt，whatthecolonelhadmeanttoimplybythewords:
\"Hewillbeworthyofit。\"WordswhichMariuscontinuedtowear，notonhisbreast，sincethecolonel’swritinghaddisappeared，butinhisheart。
Andthen，onthedaywhenhisgrandfatherhadturnedhimoutofdoors，hehadbeenonlyachild，nowhewasaman。Hefeltit。Misery，werepeat，hadbeengoodforhim。Povertyinyouth，whenitsucceeds，hasthismagnificentpropertyaboutit，thatitturnsthewholewilltowardseffort，andthewholesoultowardsaspiration。
Povertyinstantlylaysmateriallifebareandrendersithideous；
henceinexpressibleboundstowardstheideallife。Thewealthyyoungmanhasahundredcoarseandbrilliantdistractions，horseraces，hunting，dogs，tobacco，gaming，goodrepasts，andalltherestofit；
occupationsforthebasersideofthesoul，attheexpenseoftheloftierandmoredelicatesides。Thepooryoungmanwinshisbreadwithdifficulty；heeats；whenhehaseaten，hehasnothingmorebutmeditation。HegoestothespectacleswhichGodfurnishesgratis；
hegazesatthesky，space，thestars，flowers，children，thehumanityamongwhichheissuffering，thecreationamidwhichhebeams。
Hegazessomuchonhumanitythatheperceivesitssoul，hegazesuponcreationtosuchanextentthathebeholdsGod。Hedreams，hefeelshimselfgreat；hedreamson，andfeelshimselftender。
Fromtheegotismofthemanwhosuffershepassestothecompassionofthemanwhomeditates。Anadmirablesentimentbreaksforthinhim，forgetfulnessofselfandpityforall。
Ashethinksoftheinnumerableenjoymentswhichnatureoffers，gives，andlavishestosoulswhichstandopen，andrefusestosoulsthatareclosed，hecomestopity，hethemillionnaireofthemind，themillionnaireofmoney。Allhatreddepartsfromhisheart，inproportionaslightpenetrateshisspirit。Andisheunhappy？
No。Themiseryofayoungmanisnevermiserable。Thefirstyoungladwhocomestohand，howeverpoorhemaybe，withhisstrength，hishealth，hisrapidwalk，hisbrillianteyes，hiswarmlycirculatingblood，hisblackhair，hisredlips，hiswhiteteeth，hispurebreath，willalwaysarousetheenvyofanagedemperor。
Andthen，everymorning，hesetshimselfafreshtothetaskofearninghisbread；andwhilehishandsearnhisbread，hisdorsalcolumngainspride，hisbraingathersideas。Histaskfinished，hereturnstoineffableecstasies，tocontemplation，tojoys；
hebeholdshisfeetsetinafflictions，inobstacles，onthepavement，inthenettles，sometimesinthemire；hisheadinthelight。Heisfirmserene，gentle，peaceful，attentive，serious，contentwithlittle，kindly；andhethanksGodforhavingbestowedonhimthosetwoformsofricheswhichmanyarichmanlacks:work，whichmakeshimfree；
andthought，whichmakeshimdignified。
ThisiswhathadhappenedwithMarius。Totellthetruth，heinclinedalittletoomuchtothesideofcontemplation。Fromthedaywhenhehadsucceededinearninghislivingwithsomeapproachtocertainty，hehadstopped，thinkingitgoodtobepoor，andretrenchingtimefromhisworktogivetothought；thatistosay，hesometimespassedentiredaysinmeditation，absorbed，engulfed，likeavisionary，inthemutevoluptuousnessofecstasyandinwardradiance。
Hehadthuspropoundedtheproblemofhislife:totoilaslittleaspossibleatmateriallabor，inordertotoilasmuchaspossibleatthelaborwhichisimpalpable；inotherwords，tobestowafewhoursonreallife，andtocasttheresttotheinfinite。Ashebelievedthathelackednothing，hedidnotperceivethatcontemplation，thusunderstood，endsbybecomingoneoftheformsofidleness；
thathewascontentinghimselfwithconqueringthefirstnecessitiesoflife，andthathewasrestingfromhislaborstoosoon。