When\"hisUrsule，\"afterhavingreachedtheendofthewalk，retracedherstepswithM。Leblanc，andpassedinfrontofthebenchonwhichMariushadseatedhimselfoncemore，Mariusdartedasullenandferociousglanceather。Theyounggirlgavewaytothatslightstraighteningupwithabackwardmovement，accompaniedbyaraisingoftheeyelids，whichsignifies:\"Well，whatisthematter？\"
Thiswas\"theirfirstquarrel。\"
Mariushadhardlymadethissceneatherwithhiseyes，whensomeonecrossedthewalk。Itwasaveteran，verymuchbent，extremelywrinkled，andpale，inauniformoftheLouisXV。
pattern，bearingonhisbreastthelittleovalplaqueofredcloth，withthecrossedswords，thesoldier’scrossofSaint—Louis，andadorned，inaddition，withacoat—sleeve，whichhadnoarmwithinit，withasilverchinandawoodenleg。Mariusthoughtheperceivedthatthismanhadanextremelywellsatisfiedair。
Itevenstruckhimthattheagedcynic，ashehobbledalongpasthim，addressedtohimaveryfraternalandverymerrywink，asthoughsomechancehadcreatedanunderstandingbetweenthem，andasthoughtheyhadsharedsomepieceofgoodlucktogether。
WhatdidthatrelicofMarsmeanbybeingsocontented？Whathadpassedbetweenthatwoodenlegandtheother？Mariusreachedaparoxysmofjealousy。——\"Perhapshewasthere！\"hesaidtohimself；
\"perhapshesaw！\"——Andhefeltadesiretoexterminatetheveteran。
Withtheaidoftime，allpointsgrowdull。Marius’wrathagainst\"Ursule，\"justandlegitimateasitwas，passedoff。Hefinallypardonedher；butthiscosthimagreateffort；hesulkedforthreedays。
Nevertheless，inspiteofallthis，andbecauseofallthis，hispassionaugmentedandgrewtomadness。
CHAPTERIX
ECLIPSE
ThereaderhasjustseenhowMariusdiscovered，orthoughtthathediscovered，thatShewasnamedUrsule。
Appetitegrowswithloving。ToknowthathernamewasUrsulewasagreatdeal；itwasverylittle。Inthreeorfourweeks，Mariushaddevouredthisbliss。Hewantedanother。Hewantedtoknowwhereshelived。
Hehadcommittedhisfirstblunder，byfallingintotheambushofthebenchbytheGladiator。Hehadcommittedasecond，bynotremainingattheLuxembourgwhenM。Leblanccamethitheralone。
Henowcommittedathird，andanimmenseone。Hefollowed\"Ursule。\"
ShelivedintheRuedel’Ouest，inthemostunfrequentedspot，inanew，three—storyhouse，ofmodestappearance。
Fromthatmomentforth，MariusaddedtohishappinessofseeingherattheLuxembourgthehappinessoffollowingherhome。
Hishungerwasincreasing。Heknewherfirstname，atleast，acharmingname，agenuinewoman’sname；heknewwhereshelived；
hewantedtoknowwhoshewas。
Oneevening，afterhehadfollowedthemtotheirdwelling，andhadseenthemdisappearthroughthecarriagegate，heenteredintheirtrainandsaidboldlytotheporter:——
\"Isthatthegentlemanwholivesonthefirstfloor，whohasjustcomein？\"
\"No，\"repliedtheporter。\"Heisthegentlemanonthethirdfloor。\"
Anotherstepgained。ThissuccessemboldenedMarius。
\"Onthefront？\"heasked。
\"Parbleu！\"saidtheporter，\"thehouseisonlybuiltonthestreet。\"
\"Andwhatisthatgentleman’sbusiness？\"beganMariusagain。
\"Heisagentlemanofproperty，sir。Averykindmanwhodoesgoodtotheunfortunate，thoughnotrichhimself。\"
\"Whatishisname？\"resumedMarius。
Theporterraisedhisheadandsaid:——
\"Areyouapolicespy，sir？\"
Mariuswentoffquiteabashed，butdelighted。Hewasgettingon。
\"Good，\"thoughthe，\"IknowthathernameisUrsule，thatsheisthedaughterofagentlemanwholivesonhisincome，andthatshelivesthere，onthethirdfloor，intheRuedel’Ouest。\"
Onthefollowingday，M。LeblancandhisdaughtermadeonlyaverybriefstayintheLuxembourg；theywentawaywhileitwasstillbroaddaylight。MariusfollowedthemtotheRuedel’Ouest，ashehadtakenupthehabitofdoing。OnarrivingatthecarriageentranceM。Leblancmadehisdaughterpassinfirst，thenpaused，beforecrossingthethreshold，andstaredintentlyatMarius。
OnthenextdaytheydidnotcometotheLuxembourg。Mariuswaitedforthemalldayinvain。
Atnightfall，hewenttotheRuedel’Ouest，andsawalightinthewindowsofthethirdstory。
Hewalkedaboutbeneaththewindowsuntilthelightwasextinguished。
Thenextday，nooneattheLuxembourg。Mariuswaitedallday，thenwentanddidsentineldutyundertheirwindows。Thiscarriedhimontoteno’clockintheevening。
Hisdinnertookcareofitself。Fevernourishesthesickman，andlovethelover。
Hespentaweekinthismanner。M。LeblancnolongerappearedattheLuxembourg。
Mariusindulgedinmelancholyconjectures；hedarednotwatchtheportecochereduringtheday；hecontentedhimselfwithgoingatnighttogazeupontheredlightofthewindows。Attimeshesawshadowsflitacrossthem，andhisheartbegantobeat。
Ontheeighthday，whenhearrivedunderthewindows，therewasnolightinthem。
\"Hello！\"hesaid，\"thelampisnotlightedyet。Butitisdark。
Cantheyhavegoneout？\"Hewaiteduntilteno’clock。Untilmidnight。
Untiloneinthemorning。Notalightappearedinthewindowsofthethirdstory，andnooneenteredthehouse。
Hewentawayinaverygloomyframeofmind。
Onthemorrow，——forheonlyexistedfrommorrowtomorrow，therewas，sotospeak，noto—dayforhim，——onthemorrow，hefoundnooneattheLuxembourg；hehadexpectedthis。Atdusk，hewenttothehouse。
Nolightinthewindows；theshadesweredrawn；thethirdfloorwastotallydark。
Mariusrappedattheportecochere，entered，andsaidtotheporter:——
\"Thegentlemanonthethirdfloor？\"
\"Hasmovedaway，\"repliedtheporter。
Mariusreeledandsaidfeebly:——
\"Howlongago？\"
\"Yesterday。\"
\"Whereishelivingnow？\"
\"Idon’tknowanythingaboutit。\"
\"Sohehasnotlefthisnewaddress？\"
\"No。\"
Andtheporter，raisinghiseyes，recognizedMarius。
\"Come！Soit’syou！\"saidhe；\"butyouaredecidedlyaspythen？\"
BOOKSEVENTH。——PATRONMINETTE
CHAPTERI
MINESANDMINERS
Humansocietiesallhavewhatiscalledintheatricalparlance，athirdlowerfloor。Thesocialsoiliseverywhereundermined，sometimesforgood，sometimesforevil。Theseworksaresuperposedoneupontheother。Therearesuperiorminesandinferiormines。
Thereisatopandabottominthisobscuresub—soil，whichsometimesgiveswaybeneathcivilization，andwhichourindifferenceandheedlessnesstrampleunderfoot。TheEncyclopedia，inthelastcentury，wasaminethatwasalmostopentothesky。Theshades，thosesombrehatchersofprimitiveChristianity，onlyawaitedanopportunitytobringaboutanexplosionundertheCaesarsandtoinundatethehumanracewithlight。Forinthesacredshadowstherelieslatentlight。
Volcanoesarefullofashadowthatiscapableofflashingforth。
Everyformbeginsbybeingnight。Thecatacombs，inwhichthefirstmasswassaid，werenotalonethecellarofRome，theywerethevaultsoftheworld。
Beneaththesocialconstruction，thatcomplicatedmarvelofastructure，thereareexcavationsofallsorts。Thereisthereligiousmine，thephilosophicalmine，theeconomicmine，therevolutionarymine。
Suchandsuchapick—axewiththeidea，suchapickwithciphers。
Suchanotherwithwrath。Peoplehailandanswereachotherfromonecatacombtoanother。Utopiastravelaboutunderground，inthepipes。
Theretheybranchoutineverydirection。Theysometimesmeet，andfraternizethere。Jean—JacqueslendshispicktoDiogenes，wholendshimhislantern。Sometimestheyenterintocombatthere。
CalvinseizesSociniusbythehair。Butnothingarrestsnorinterruptsthetensionofalltheseenergiestowardthegoal，andthevast，simultaneousactivity，whichgoesandcomes，mounts，descends，andmountsagainintheseobscurities，andwhichimmenseunknownswarmingslowlytransformsthetopandthebottomandtheinsideandtheoutside。Societyhardlyevensuspectsthisdiggingwhichleavesitssurfaceintactandchangesitsbowels。Thereareasmanydifferentsubterraneanstagesastherearevaryingworks，asthereareextractions。Whatemergesfromthesedeepexcavations？
Thefuture。
Thedeeperonegoes，themoremysteriousarethetoilers。
Theworkisgood，uptoadegreewhichthesocialphilosophiesareabletorecognize；beyondthatdegreeitisdoubtfulandmixed；
lowerdown，itbecomesterrible。Atacertaindepth，theexcavationsarenolongerpenetrablebythespiritofcivilization，thelimitbreathablebymanhasbeenpassed；abeginningofmonstersispossible。
Thedescendingscaleisastrangeone；andeachoneoftherungsofthisladdercorrespondstoastagewherephilosophycanfindfoothold，andwhereoneencountersoneoftheseworkmen，sometimesdivine，sometimesmisshapen。BelowJohnHuss，thereisLuther；belowLuther，thereisDescartes；belowDescartes，thereisVoltaire；belowVoltaire，thereisCondorcet；belowCondorcet，thereisRobespierre；
belowRobespierre，thereisMarat；belowMaratthereisBabeuf。
Andsoitgoeson。Lowerdown，confusedly，atthelimitwhichseparatestheindistinctfromtheinvisible，oneperceivesothergloomymen，whoperhapsdonotexistasyet。Themenofyesterdayarespectres；
thoseofto—morrowareforms。Theeyeofthespiritdistinguishesthembutobscurely。Theembryonicworkofthefutureisoneofthevisionsofphilosophy。
Aworldinlimbo，inthestateoffoetus，whatanunheard—ofspectre！
Saint—Simon，Owen，Fourier，aretherealso，inlateralgalleries。
Surely，althoughadivineandinvisiblechainunknowntothemselves，bindstogetherallthesesubterraneanpioneerswho，almostalways，thinkthemselvesisolated，andwhoarenotso，theirworksvarygreatly，andthelightofsomecontrastswiththeblazeofothers。Thefirstareparadisiacal，thelastaretragic。Nevertheless，whatevermaybethecontrast，allthesetoilers，fromthehighesttothemostnocturnal，fromthewisesttothemostfoolish，possessonelikeness，andthisisit:disinterestedness。MaratforgetshimselflikeJesus。
Theythrowthemselvesononeside，theyomitthemselves，theythinknotofthemselves。Theyhaveaglance，andthatglanceseekstheabsolute。Thefirsthasthewholeheavensinhiseyes；thelast，enigmaticalthoughhemaybe，hasstill，beneathhiseyelids，thepalebeamoftheinfinite。Veneratetheman，whoeverhemaybe，whohasthissign——thestarryeye。
Theshadowyeyeistheothersign。
Withit，evilcommences。Reflectandtrembleinthepresenceofanyonewhohasnoglanceatall。Thesocialorderhasitsblackminers。
Thereisapointwheredepthistantamounttoburial，andwherelightbecomesextinct。
Belowallthesemineswhichwehavejustmentioned，belowallthesegalleries，belowthiswholeimmense，subterranean，venoussystemofprogressandutopia，muchfurtheronintheearth，muchlowerthanMarat，lowerthanBabeuf，lower，muchlower，andwithoutanyconnectionwiththeupperlevels，thereliesthelastmine。
Aformidablespot。Thisiswhatwehavedesignatedastheletroisiemedessous。Itisthegraveofshadows。Itisthecellaroftheblind。Inferi。
Thiscommunicateswiththeabyss。
CHAPTERII
THELOWESTDEPTHS
Theredisinterestednessvanishes。Thedemonisvaguelyoutlined；
eachoneisforhimself。The_I_intheeyeshowls，seeks，fumbles，andgnaws。ThesocialUgolinoisinthisgulf。
Thewildspectreswhoroaminthisgrave，almostbeasts，almostphantoms，arenotoccupiedwithuniversalprogress；theyareignorantbothoftheideaandoftheword；theytakenothoughtforanythingbutthesatisfactionoftheirindividualdesires。
Theyarealmostunconscious，andthereexistswithinthemasortofterribleobliteration。Theyhavetwomothers，bothstep—mothers，ignoranceandmisery。Theyhaveaguide，necessity；andforallformsofsatisfaction，appetite。Theyarebrutallyvoracious，thatistosay，ferocious，notafterthefashionofthetyrant，butafterthefashionofthetiger。Fromsufferingthesespectrespasstocrime；fatalaffiliation，dizzycreation，logicofdarkness。
Thatwhichcrawlsinthesocialthirdlowerlevelisnolongercomplaintstifledbytheabsolute；itistheprotestofmatter。
Mantherebecomesadragon。Tobehungry，tobethirsty——thatisthepointofdeparture；tobeSatan——thatisthepointreached。
FromthatvaultLacenaireemerges。
Wehavejustseen，inBookFourth，oneofthecompartmentsoftheuppermine，ofthegreatpolitical，revolutionary，andphilosophicalexcavation。There，aswehavejustsaid，allispure，noble，dignified，honest。There，assuredly，onemightbemisled；
buterrorisworthyofvenerationthere，sothoroughlydoesitimplyheroism。Theworkthereeffected，takenasawholehasaname:Progress。
Themomenthasnowcomewhenwemusttakealookatotherdepths，hideousdepths。Thereexistsbeneathsociety，weinsistuponthispoint，andtherewillexist，untilthatdaywhenignoranceshallbedissipated，thegreatcavernofevil。
Thiscavernisbelowall，andisthefoeofall。Itishatred，withoutexception。Thiscavernknowsnophilosophers；itsdaggerhasnevercutapen。Itsblacknesshasnoconnectionwiththesublimeblacknessoftheinkstand。Neverhavethefingersofnightwhichcontractbeneaththisstiflingceiling，turnedtheleavesofabooknorunfoldedanewspaper。BabeufisaspeculatortoCartouche；
MaratisanaristocrattoSchinderhannes。Thiscavernhasforitsobjectthedestructionofeverything。
Ofeverything。Includingtheuppersuperiormines，whichitexecrates。
Itnotonlyundermines，initshideousswarming，theactualsocialorder；
itunderminesphilosophy，itundermineshumanthought，itunderminescivilization，itunderminesrevolution，itunderminesprogress。
Itsnameissimplytheft，prostitution，murder，assassination。
Itisdarkness，anditdesireschaos。Itsvaultisformedofignorance。
Alltheothers，thoseaboveit，havebutoneobject——tosuppressit。
Itistothispointthatphilosophyandprogresstend，withalltheirorganssimultaneously，bytheirameliorationofthereal，aswellasbytheircontemplationoftheabsolute。DestroythecavernIgnoranceandyoudestroythelairCrime。
Letuscondense，inafewwords，apartofwhatwehavejustwritten。
Theonlysocialperilisdarkness。
Humanityisidentity。Allmenaremadeofthesameclay。
Thereisnodifference，herebelow，atleast，inpredestination。
Thesameshadowinfront，thesamefleshinthepresent，thesameashesafterwards。Butignorance，mingledwiththehumanpaste，blackensit。Thisincurableblacknesstakespossessionoftheinteriorofamanandisthereconvertedintoevil。
CHAPTERIII
BABET，GUEULEMER，CLAQUESOUS，ANDMONTPARNASSE
Aquartetteofruffians，Claquesous，Gueulemer，Babet，andMontparnassegovernedthethirdlowerfloorofParis，from1830to1835。
GueulemerwasaHerculesofnodefinedposition。ForhislairhehadtheseweroftheArche—Marion。Hewassixfeethigh，hispectoralmuscleswereofmarble，hisbicepsofbrass，hisbreathwasthatofacavern，historsothatofacolossus，hisheadthatofabird。OnethoughtonebeheldtheFarneseHerculescladinducktrousersandacottonvelvetwaistcoat。Gueulemer，builtafterthissculpturalfashion，mighthavesubduedmonsters；hehadfounditmoreexpeditioustobeone。Alowbrow，largetemples，lessthanfortyyearsofage，butwithcrow’s—feet，harsh，shorthair，cheekslikeabrush，abeardlikethatofawildboar；thereadercanseethemanbeforehim。
Hismusclescalledforwork，hisstupiditywouldhavenoneofit。
Hewasagreat，idleforce。Hewasanassassinthroughcoolness。
Hewasthoughttobeacreole。Hehad，probably，somewhattodowithMarshalBrune，havingbeenaporteratAvignonin1815。
Afterthisstage，hehadturnedruffian。
ThediaphaneityofBabetcontrastedwiththegrossnessofGueulemer。
Babetwasthinandlearned。Hewastransparentbutimpenetrable。
Daylightwasvisiblethroughhisbones，butnothingthroughhiseyes。
Hedeclaredthathewasachemist。Hehadbeenajackofalltrades。
HehadplayedinvaudevilleatSaint—Mihiel。Hewasamanofpurpose，afinetalker，whounderlinedhissmilesandaccentuatedhisgestures。
Hisoccupationconsistedinselling，intheopenair，plasterbustsandportraitsof\"theheadoftheState。\"Inadditiontothis，heextractedteeth。Hehadexhibitedphenomenaatfairs，andhehadownedaboothwithatrumpetandthisposter:
\"Babet，DentalArtist，MemberoftheAcademies，makesphysicalexperimentsonmetalsandmetalloids，extractsteeth，undertakesstumpsabandonedbyhisbrotherpractitioners。Price:onetooth，onefranc，fiftycentimes；twoteeth，twofrancs；threeteeth，twofrancs，fifty。Takeadvantageofthisopportunity。\"
ThisTakeadvantageofthisopportunitymeant:Haveasmanyteethextractedaspossible。Hehadbeenmarriedandhadhadchildren。
Hedidnotknowwhathadbecomeofhiswifeandchildren。Hehadlostthemasoneloseshishandkerchief。Babetreadthepapers，astrikingexceptionintheworldtowhichhebelonged。Oneday，attheperiodwhenhehadhisfamilywithhiminhisboothonwheels，hehadreadintheMessager，thatawomanhadjustgivenbirthtoachild，whowasdoingwell，andhadacalf’smuzzle，andheexclaimed:
\"There’safortune！mywifehasnotthewittopresentmewithachildlikethat！\"
Lateronhehadabandonedeverything，inorderto\"undertakeParis。\"
Thiswashisexpression。
WhowasClaquesous？Hewasnight。Hewaiteduntiltheskywasdaubedwithblack，beforeheshowedhimself。Atnightfallheemergedfromtheholewhitherhereturnedbeforedaylight。Wherewasthishole？
Nooneknew。Heonlyaddressedhisaccomplicesinthemostabsolutedarkness，andwithhisbackturnedtothem。WashisnameClaquesous？
Certainlynot。Ifacandlewasbrought，heputonamask。
Hewasaventriloquist。Babetsaid:\"Claquesousisanocturnefortwovoices。\"Claquesouswasvague，terrible，andaroamer。
Noonewassurewhetherhehadaname，Claquesousbeingasobriquet；
nonewassurethathehadavoice，ashisstomachspokemorefrequentlythanhisvoice；noonewassurethathehadaface，ashewasneverseenwithouthismask。Hedisappearedasthoughhehadvanishedintothinair；whenheappeared，itwasasthoughhesprangfromtheearth。
AlugubriousbeingwasMontparnasse。Montparnassewasachild；
lessthantwentyyearsofage，withahandsomeface，lipslikecherries，charmingblackhair，thebrilliantlightofspringtimeinhiseyes；
hehadallvicesandaspiredtoallcrimes。
Thedigestionofevilarousedinhimanappetiteforworse。Itwasthestreetboyturnedpickpocket，andapickpocketturnedgarroter。
Hewasgenteel，effeminate，graceful，robust，sluggish，ferocious。
Therimofhishatwascurledupontheleftside，inordertomakeroomforatuftofhair，afterthestyleof1829。Helivedbyrobberywithviolence。Hiscoatwasofthebestcut，butthreadbare。
Montparnassewasafashion—plateinmiseryandgiventothecommissionofmurders。Thecauseofallthisyouth’scrimeswasthedesiretobewell—dressed。Thefirstgrisettewhohadsaidtohim:
\"Youarehandsome！\"hadcastthestainofdarknessintohisheart，andhadmadeaCainofthisAbel。Findingthathewashandsome，hedesiredtobeelegant:now，theheightofeleganceisidleness；
idlenessinapoormanmeanscrime。FewprowlersweresodreadedasMontparnasse。Ateighteen，hehadalreadynumerouscorpsesinhispast。Morethanonepasser—bylaywithoutstretchedarmsinthepresenceofthiswretch，withhisfaceinapoolofblood。
Curled，pomaded，withlacedwaist，thehipsofawoman，thebustofaPrussianofficer，themurmurofadmirationfromtheboulevardwenchessurroundinghim，hiscravatknowinglytied，abludgeoninhispocket，aflowerinhisbuttonhole；suchwasthisdandyofthesepulchre。
CHAPTERIV
COMPOSITIONOFTHETROUPE
ThesefourruffiansformedasortofProteus，windinglikeaserpentamongthepolice，andstrivingtoescapeVidocq’sindiscreetglances\"underdiversforms，tree，flame，fountain，\"lendingeachothertheirnamesandtheirtraps，hidingintheirownshadows，boxeswithsecretcompartmentsandrefugesforeachother，strippingofftheirpersonalities，asoneremoveshisfalsenoseatamaskedball，sometimessimplifyingmatterstothepointofconsistingofbutoneindividual，sometimesmultiplyingthemselvestosuchapointthatCoco—Latourhimselftookthemforawholethrong。
Thesefourmenwerenotfourmen；theywereasortofmysteriousrobberwithfourheads，operatingonagrandscaleonParis；
theywerethatmonstrouspolypofevil，whichinhabitsthecryptofsociety。
Thankstotheirramifications，andtothenetworkunderlyingtheirrelations，Babet，Gueulemer，Claquesous，andMontparnassewerechargedwiththegeneralenterpriseoftheambushesofthedepartmentoftheSeine。Theinventorsofideasofthatnature，menwithnocturnalimaginations，appliedtothemtohavetheirideasexecuted。Theyfurnishedthecanvastothefourrascals，andthelatterundertookthepreparationofthescenery。Theylaboredatthestagesetting。Theywerealwaysinaconditiontolendaforceproportionedandsuitabletoallcrimeswhichdemandedaliftoftheshoulder，andwhichweresufficientlylucrative。
Whenacrimewasinquestofarms，theyunder—lettheiraccomplices。
Theykeptatroupeofactorsoftheshadowsatthedispositionofallundergroundtragedies。
Theywereinthehabitofassemblingatnightfall，thehourwhentheywokeup，ontheplainswhichadjointheSalpetriere。Theretheyheldtheirconferences。Theyhadtwelveblackhoursbeforethem；
theyregulatedtheiremploymentaccordingly。
Patron—Minette，——suchwasthenamewhichwasbestowedinthesubterraneancirculationontheassociationofthesefourmen。
Inthefantastic，ancient，popularparlance，whichisvanishingdaybyday，Patron—Minettesignifiesthemorning，thesameasentrechienetloup——betweendogandwolf——signifiestheevening。Thisappellation，Patron—Minette，wasprobablyderivedfromthehouratwhichtheirworkended，thedawnbeingthevanishingmomentforphantomsandfortheseparationofruffians。Thesefourmenwereknownunderthistitle。
WhenthePresidentoftheAssizesvisitedLacenaireinhisprison，andquestionedhimconcerningamisdeedwhichLacenairedenied，\"Whodidit？\"demandedthePresident。Lacenairemadethisresponse，enigmaticalsofarasthemagistratewasconcerned，butcleartothepolice:\"PerhapsitwasPatron—Minette。\"
Apiececansometimesbedivinedontheenunciationofthepersonages；
inthesamemannerabandcanalmostbejudgedfromthelistofruffianscomposingit。HerearetheappellationstowhichtheprincipalmembersofPatron—Minetteanswered，——forthenameshavesurvivedinspecialmemoirs。
Panchaud，aliasPrintanier，aliasBigrenaille。
Brujon。[TherewasaBrujondynasty；wecannotrefrainfrominterpolatingthisword。]
Boulatruelle，theroad—menderalreadyintroduced。
Laveuve。
Finistere。
Homere—Hogu，anegro。
Mardisoir。（Tuesdayevening。）
Depeche。（Makehaste。）
Fauntleroy，aliasBouquetiere（theFlowerGirl）。
Glorieux，adischargedconvict。
Barrecarrosse（Stop—carriage），calledMonsieurDupont。
L’Esplanade—du—Sud。
Poussagrive。
Carmagnolet。
Kruideniers，calledBizarro。
Mangedentelle。（Lace—eater。）
Les—pieds—en—l’Air。（Feetintheair。）
Demi—Liard，calledDeux—Milliards。
Etc。，etc。
Wepassoversome，andnottheworstofthem。Thesenameshavefacesattached。Theydonotexpressmerelybeings，butspecies。
Eachoneofthesenamescorrespondstoavarietyofthosemisshapenfungifromtheundersideofcivilization。
Thosebeings，whowerenotverylavishwiththeircountenances，werenotamongthemenwhomoneseespassingalongthestreets。
Fatiguedbythewildnightswhichtheypassed，theywentoffbydaytosleep，sometimesinthelime—kilns，sometimesintheabandonedquarriesofMontmatreorMontrouge，sometimesinthesewers。
Theyrantoearth。
Whatbecameofthesemen？Theystillexist。Theyhavealwaysexisted。
Horacespeaksofthem:Ambubaiarumcollegia，pharmacopolae，mendici，mimae；andsolongassocietyremainswhatitis，theywillremainwhattheyare。Beneaththeobscureroofoftheircavern，theyarecontinuallybornagainfromthesocialooze。
Theyreturn，spectres，butalwaysidentical；only，theynolongerbearthesamenamesandtheyarenolongerinthesameskins。
Theindividualsextirpated，thetribesubsists。
Theyalwayshavethesamefaculties。Fromthevagranttothetramp，theraceismaintainedinitspurity。Theydivinepursesinpockets，theyscentoutwatchesinfobs。Goldandsilverpossessanodorforthem。Thereexistingenuousbourgeois，ofwhomitmightbesaid，thattheyhavea\"stealable\"air。Thesemenpatientlypursuethesebourgeois。Theyexperiencethequiversofaspideratthepassageofastrangerorofamanfromthecountry。
Thesemenareterrible，whenoneencountersthem，orcatchesaglimpseofthem，towardsmidnight，onadesertedboulevard。
Theydonotseemtobemenbutformscomposedoflivingmists；
onewouldsaythattheyhabituallyconstituteonemasswiththeshadows，thattheyareinnowisedistinctfromthem，thattheypossessnoothersoulthanthedarkness，andthatitisonlymomentarilyandforthepurposeoflivingforafewminutesamonstrouslife，thattheyhaveseparatedfromthenight。
Whatisnecessarytocausethesespectrestovanish？Light。
Lightinfloods。Notasinglebatcanresistthedawn。
Lightupsocietyfrombelow。
BOOKEIGHTH。——THEWICKEDPOORMAN
CHAPTERI
MARIUS，WHILESEEKINGAGIRLINABONNET，ENCOUNTERSAMANINACAP
Summerpassed，thentheautumn；wintercame。NeitherM。LeblancnortheyounggirlhadagainsetfootintheLuxembourggarden。
Thenceforth，Mariushadbutonethought，——togazeoncemoreonthatsweetandadorableface。Hesoughtconstantly，hesoughteverywhere；
hefoundnothing。HewasnolongerMarius，theenthusiasticdreamer，thefirm，resolute，ardentman，thebolddefieroffate，thebrainwhicherectedfutureonfuture，theyoungspiritencumberedwithplans，withprojects，withpride，withideasandwishes；hewasalostdog。
Hefellintoablackmelancholy。Allwasover。Workdisgustedhim，walkingtiredhim。Vastnature，formerlysofilledwithforms，lights，voices，counsels，perspectives，horizons，teachings，nowlayemptybeforehim。Itseemedtohimthateverythinghaddisappeared。
Hethoughtincessantly，forhecouldnotdootherwise；buthenolongertookpleasureinhisthoughts。Toeverythingthattheyproposedtohiminawhisper，herepliedinhisdarkness:
\"Whatistheuse？\"
Heheapedahundredreproachesonhimself。\"WhydidIfollowher？
Iwassohappyatthemeresightofher！Shelookedatme；
wasnotthatimmense？Shehadtheairoflovingme。Wasnotthateverything？Iwishedtohave，what？Therewasnothingafterthat。Ihavebeenabsurd。Itismyownfault，\"etc。，etc。
Courfeyrac，towhomheconfidednothing，——itwashisnature，——
butwhomadesomelittleguessateverything，——thatwashisnature，——
hadbegunbycongratulatinghimonbeinginlove，thoughhewasamazedatit；then，seeingMariusfallintothismelancholystate，heendedbysayingtohim:\"Iseethatyouhavebeensimplyananimal。Here，cometotheChaumiere。\"
Once，havingconfidenceinafineSeptembersun，MariushadallowedhimselftobetakentotheballatSceauxbyCourfeyrac，Bossuet，andGrantaire，hoping，whatadream！thathemight，perhaps，findherthere。Ofcoursehedidnotseetheonehesought。——\"Butthisistheplace，allthesame，wherealllostwomenarefound，\"
grumbledGrantaireinanaside。Mariuslefthisfriendsattheballandreturnedhomeonfoot，alone，throughthenight，weary，feverish，withsadandtroubledeyes，stunnedbythenoiseanddustofthemerrywagonsfilledwithsingingcreaturesontheirwayhomefromthefeast，whichpassedclosetohim，ashe，inhisdiscouragement，breathedintheacridscentofthewalnut—trees，alongtheroad，inordertorefreshhishead。
Hetooktolivingmoreandmorealone，utterlyoverwhelmed，whollygivenuptohisinwardanguish，goingandcominginhispainlikethewolfinthetrap，seekingtheabsentoneeverywhere，stupefiedbylove。
Onanotheroccasion，hehadanencounterwhichproducedonhimasingulareffect。Hemet，inthenarrowstreetsinthevicinityoftheBoulevarddesInvalides，amandressedlikeaworkingmanandwearingacapwithalongvisor，whichallowedaglimpseoflocksofverywhitehair。Mariuswasstruckwiththebeautyofthiswhitehair，andscrutinizedtheman，whowaswalkingslowlyandasthoughabsorbedinpainfulmeditation。Strangetosay，hethoughtthatherecognizedM。Leblanc。Thehairwasthesame，alsotheprofile，sofarasthecappermittedaviewofit，themienidentical，onlymoredepressed。Butwhytheseworkingman’sclothes？
Whatwasthemeaningofthis？Whatsignifiedthatdisguise？
Mariuswasgreatlyastonished。Whenherecoveredhimself，hisfirstimpulsewastofollowtheman；whoknowswhetherhedidnotholdatlastthecluewhichhewasseeking？Inanycase，hemustseethemannearathand，andclearupthemystery。
Buttheideaoccurredtohimtoolate，themanwasnolongerthere。
Hehadturnedintosomelittlesidestreet，andMariuscouldnotfindhim。Thisencounteroccupiedhismindforthreedaysandthenwaseffaced。\"Afterall，\"hesaidtohimself，\"itwasprobablyonlyaresemblance。\"
CHAPTERII
TREASURETROVE
MariushadnotlefttheGorbeauhouse。Hepaidnoattentiontoanyonethere。
Atthatepoch，totellthetruth，therewerenootherinhabitantsinthehouse，excepthimselfandthoseJondretteswhoserenthehadoncepaid，without，moreover，everhavingspokentoeitherfather，mother，ordaughters。Theotherlodgershadmovedawayorhaddied，orhadbeenturnedoutindefaultofpayment。
Onedayduringthatwinter，thesunhadshownitselfalittleintheafternoon，butitwasthe2dofFebruary，thatancientCandlemasdaywhosetreacheroussun，theprecursorofasixweeks’
coldspell，inspiredMathieuLaensbergwiththesetwolines，whichhavewithjusticeremainedclassic:——
Qu’illuiseouqu’illuiserne，L’oursrentredansensacaverne。[26]
[26]Whetherthesunshinesbrightlyordim，thebearreturnstohiscave。
Mariushadjustemergedfromhis:nightwasfalling。Itwasthehourforhisdinner；forhehadbeenobligedtotaketodiningagain，alas！oh，infirmitiesofidealpassions！
Hehadjustcrossedhisthreshold，whereMa’amBougonwassweepingatthemoment，assheutteredthismemorablemonologue:——
\"Whatistherethatischeapnow？Everythingisdear。
Thereisnothingintheworldthatischeapexcepttrouble；
youcangetthatfornothing，thetroubleoftheworld！\"
Mariusslowlyascendedtheboulevardtowardsthebarrier，inordertoreachtheRueSaint—Jacques。Hewaswalkingalongwithdroopinghead。
Allatonce，hefeltsomeoneelbowhiminthedusk；hewheeledround，andsawtwoyounggirlscladinrags，theonetallandslim，theotheralittleshorter，whowerepassingrapidly，alloutofbreath，interror，andwiththeappearanceoffleeing；theyhadbeencomingtomeethim，hadnotseenhim，andhadjostledhimastheypassed。
Throughthetwilight，Mariuscoulddistinguishtheirlividfaces，theirwildheads，theirdishevelledhair，theirhideousbonnets，theirraggedpetticoats，andtheirbarefeet。Theyweretalkingastheyran。Thetallersaidinaverylowvoice:——
\"Thebobbieshavecome。Theycamenearnabbingmeatthehalf—circle。\"
Theotheranswered:\"Isawthem。Ibolted，bolted，bolted！\"
Throughthisrepulsiveslang，Mariusunderstoodthatgendarmesorthepolicehadcomenearapprehendingthesetwochildren，andthatthelatterhadescaped。
Theyplungedamongthetreesoftheboulevardbehindhim，andtherecreated，forafewminutes，inthegloom，asortofvaguewhitespot，thendisappeared。
Mariushadhaltedforamoment。
Hewasabouttopursuehisway，whenhiseyelightedonalittlegrayishpackagelyingonthegroundathisfeet。Hestoopedandpickeditup。Itwasasortofenvelopewhichappearedtocontainpapers。
\"Good，\"hesaidtohimself，\"thoseunhappygirlsdroppedit。\"
Heretracedhissteps，hecalled，hedidnotfindthem；hereflectedthattheymustalreadybefaraway，putthepackageinhispocket，andwentofftodine。
Ontheway，hesawinanalleyoftheRueMouffetard，achild’scoffin，coveredwithablackclothrestingonthreechairs，andilluminatedbyacandle。Thetwogirlsofthetwilightrecurredtohismind。
\"Poormothers！\"hethought。\"Thereisonethingsadderthantoseeone’schildrendie；itistoseethemleadinganevillife。\"
Thenthoseshadowswhichhadvariedhismelancholyvanishedfromhisthoughts，andhefellbackoncemoreintohishabitualpreoccupations。Hefelltothinkingoncemoreofhissixmonthsofloveandhappinessintheopenairandthebroaddaylight，beneaththebeautifultreesofLuxembourg。
\"Howgloomymylifehasbecome！\"hesaidtohimself。\"Younggirlsarealwaysappearingtome，onlyformerlytheywereangelsandnowtheyareghouls。\"
CHAPTERIII
QUADRIFRONS
Thatevening，ashewasundressingpreparatorytogoingtobed，hishandcameincontact，inthepocketofhiscoat，withthepacketwhichhehadpickedupontheboulevard。Hehadforgottenit。
Hethoughtthatitwouldbewelltoopenit，andthatthispackagemightpossiblycontaintheaddressoftheyounggirls，ifitreallybelongedtothem，and，inanycase，theinformationnecessarytoarestitutiontothepersonwhohadlostit。
Heopenedtheenvelope。
Itwasnotsealedandcontainedfourletters，alsounsealed。
Theyboreaddresses。
Allfourexhaledahorribleodoroftobacco。
Thefirstwasaddressed:\"ToMadame，MadamelaMarquisedeGrucheray，theplaceoppositetheChamberofDeputies，No。——\"
Mariussaidtohimself，thatheshouldprobablyfindinittheinformationwhichhesought，andthat，moreover，theletterbeingopen，itwasprobablethatitcouldbereadwithoutimpropriety。
Itwasconceivedasfollows:——
MadamelaMarquise:Thevirtueofclemencyandpietyisthatwhichmostcloselyunitessosiety。TurnyourChristianspiritandcastalookofcompassiononthisunfortunateSpanishvictimofloyaltyandattachmenttothesacredcauseoflegitimacy，whohasgivenwithhisblood，consecratedhisfortune，evverything，todefendthatcause，andto—dayfindshimselfinthegreatestmissery。
Hedoubtsnotthatyourhonorablepersonwillgrantsuccortopreserveanexistenceexteremelypainfulforamilitarymanofeducationandhonorfullofwounds，countsinadvanceonthehumanitywhichanimatesyouandontheinterestwhichMadamelaMarquisebearstoanationsounfortunate。Theirprayerwillnotbeinvain，andtheirgratitudewillpreservetheirscharmingsouvenir。
Myrespectfulsentiments，withwhichIhavethehonortobeMadame，DonAlvares，SpanishCaptainofCavalry，aroyalistwhohastakerefugeinFrance，whofindshimselfontravellsforhiscountry，andtheresourcesarelackinghimtocontinuehistravells。
Noaddresswasjoinedtothesignature。Mariushopedtofindtheaddressinthesecondletter，whosesuperscriptionread:
AMadame，MadamelaComtessedeMontvernet，RueCassette，No。9。
ThisiswhatMariusreadinit:——
MadamelaComtesse:Itisanunhappymotherofafamilyofsixchildrenthelastofwhichisonlyeightmonthsold。Isicksincemylastconfinement，abandonedbymyhusbandfivemonthsago，haveingnoresourcesintheworldthemostfrightfulindigance。
InthehopeofMadamelaComtesse，shehasthehonortobe，Madame，withprofoundrespect，MistressBalizard。
Mariusturnedtothethirdletter，whichwasapetitionlikethepreceding；heread:——
MonsieurPabourgeot，Elector，wholesalestockingmerchant，RueSaint—DenisonthecorneroftheRueauxFers。
IpermitmyselftoaddressyouthislettertobegyoutograntmethepretiousfavorofyoursimpatiesandtointerestyourselfinamanofletterswhohasjustsentadramatotheTheatre—Francais。Thesubjectishistorical，andtheactiontakesplaceinAuvergneinthetimeoftheEmpire；thestyle，Ithink，isnatural，laconic，andmayhavesomemerit。Therearecoupletstobesunginfourplaces。Thecomic，theserious，theunexpected，aremingledinavarietyofcharacters，andatingeofromanticismlightlyspreadthroughalltheintriguewhichproceedsmisteriously，andends，afterstrikingaltarations，inthemidstofmanybeautifulstrokesofbrilliantscenes。
Myprincipalobjectistosatisfithedesirewhichprogressivelyanimatesthemanofourcentury，thatistosay，thefashion，thatcapritiousandbizarreweathervanewhichchangesatalmosteverynewwind。
InspiteofthesequalitiesIhavereasontofearthatjealousy，theegotismofpriviligedauthors，mayobtainemyexclusionfromthetheatre，forIamnotignorantofthemortificationswithwhichnew—comersaretreated。
MonsiuerPabourgeot，yourjustreputationasanenlightenedprotectorofmenoflittersemboldensmetosendyoumydaughterwhowillexplainourindigantsituationtoyou，lackingbreadandfireinthiswynterseason。WhenIsaytoyouthatIbegyoutoacceptthededicationofmydramawhichIdesiretomaketoyouandofallthosethatIshallmake，istoprovetoyouhowgreatismyambitiontohavethehonorofshelteringmyselfunderyourprotection，andofadorningmywritingswithyourname。Ifyoudeigntohonormewiththemostmodestoffering，Ishallimmediatelyoccupymyselfinmakingapiesseofversetopayyoumytributeofgratitude。
WhichIshallendeavortorenderthispiesseasperfectaspossible，willbesenttoyoubeforeitisinsertedatthebeginningofthedramaanddeliveredonthestage。
ToMonsieurandMadamePabourgeot，Mymostrespectfulcomplements，Genflot，manofletters。
P。S。Evenifitisonlyfortysous。
Excusemeforsendingmydaughterandnotpresentingmyself，butsadmotivesconnectedwiththetoiletdonotpermitme，alas！togoout。
Finally，Mariusopenedthefourthletter。Theaddressran:
TothebenevolentGentlemanofthechurchofSaint—Jacquesdu—haut—Pas。
Itcontainedthefollowinglines:——
BenevolentMan:Ifyoudeigntoaccompanymydaughter，youwillbeholdamisserablecalamity，andIwillshowyoumycertificates。
Attheaspectofthesewritingsyourgeneroussoulwillbemovedwithasentimentofobviousbenevolence，fortruephilosophersalwaysfeellivelyemotions。
Admit，compassionateman，thatitisnecessarytosufferthemostcruelneed，andthatitisverypainful，forthesakeofobtainingalittlerelief，togetoneselfattestedbytheauthoritiesasthoughonewerenotfreetosufferandtodieofinanitionwhilewaitingtohaveourmiseryrelieved。Destiniesareveryfatalforseveralandtooprodigalortooprotectingforothers。
Iawaityourpresenceoryouroffering，ifyoudeigntomakeone，andIbeseechyoutoaccepttherespectfulsentimentswithwhichI
havethehonortobe，trulymagnanimousman，yourveryhumbleandveryobedientservant，P。Fabantou，dramaticartist。
Afterperusingthesefourletters，Mariusdidnotfindhimselfmuchfurtheradvancedthanbefore。
Inthefirstplace，notoneofthesignersgavehisaddress。
Then，theyseemedtocomefromfourdifferentindividuals，DonAlveras，MistressBalizard，thepoetGenflot，anddramaticartistFabantou；
butthesingularthingabouttheseletterswas，thatallfourwerewrittenbythesamehand。
Whatconclusionwastobedrawnfromthis，exceptthattheyallcomefromthesameperson？
Moreover，andthisrenderedtheconjectureallthemoreprobable，thecoarseandyellowpaperwasthesameinallfour，theodoroftobaccowasthesame，and，althoughanattempthadbeenmadetovarythestyle，thesameorthographicalfaultswerereproducedwiththegreatesttranquillity，andthemanoflettersGenflotwasnomoreexemptfromthemthantheSpanishcaptain。
Itwaswasteoftroubletotrytosolvethispettymystery。Haditnotbeenachancefind，itwouldhavebornetheairofamystification。
Mariuswastoomelancholytotakeevenachancepleasantrywell，andtolendhimselftoagamewhichthepavementofthestreetseemeddesirousofplayingwithhim。Itseemedtohimthathewasplayingthepartoftheblindmaninblindman’sbuffbetweenthefourletters，andthattheyweremakingsportofhim。
Nothing，however，indicatedthattheselettersbelongedtothetwoyounggirlswhomMariushadmetontheboulevard。Afterall，theywereevidentlypapersofnovalue。Mariusreplacedthemintheirenvelope，flungthewholeintoacornerandwenttobed。
Aboutseveno’clockinthemorning，hehadjustrisenandbreakfasted，andwastryingtosettledowntowork，whentherecameasoftknockathisdoor。
Asheownednothing，heneverlockedhisdoor，unlessoccasionally，thoughveryrarely，whenhewasengagedinsomepressingwork。
Evenwhenabsenthelefthiskeyinthelock。\"Youwillberobbed，\"
saidMa’amBougon。\"Ofwhat？\"saidMarius。Thetruthis，however，thathehad，oneday，beenrobbedofanoldpairofboots，tothegreattriumphofMa’amBougon。
Therecameasecondknock，asgentleasthefirst。
\"Comein，\"saidMarius。
Thedooropened。
\"Whatdoyouwant，Ma’amBougon？\"askedMarius，withoutraisinghiseyesfromthebooksandmanuscriptsonhistable。
AvoicewhichdidnotbelongtoMa’amBougonreplied:——
\"Excuseme，sir——\"
Itwasadull，broken，hoarse，strangledvoice，thevoiceofanoldman，roughenedwithbrandyandliquor。
Mariusturnedroundhastily，andbeheldayounggirl。
CHAPTERIV
AROSEINMISERY
Averyyounggirlwasstandinginthehalf—opendoor。Thedormerwindowofthegarret，throughwhichthelightfell，waspreciselyoppositethedoor，andilluminatedthefigurewithawanlight。
Shewasafrail，emaciated，slendercreature；therewasnothingbutachemiseandapetticoatuponthatchilledandshiveringnakedness。
Hergirdlewasastring，herheadribbonastring，herpointedshouldersemergedfromherchemise，ablondandlymphaticpallor，earth—coloredcollar—bones，redhands，ahalf—openanddegradedmouth，missingteeth，dull，bold，baseeyes；shehadtheformofayounggirlwhohasmissedheryouth，andthelookofacorruptoldwoman；
fiftyyearsmingledwithfifteen；oneofthosebeingswhicharebothfeebleandhorrible，andwhichcausethosetoshudderwhomtheydonotcausetoweep。
Mariushadrisen，andwasstaringinasortofstuporatthisbeing，whowasalmostliketheformsoftheshadowswhichtraversedreams。
Themostheart—breakingthingofallwas，thatthisyounggirlhadnotcomeintotheworldtobehomely。Inherearlychildhoodshemustevenhavebeenpretty。Thegraceofheragewasstillstrugglingagainstthehideous，prematuredecrepitudeofdebaucheryandpoverty。
Theremainsofbeautyweredyingawayinthatfaceofsixteen，likethepalesunlightwhichisextinguishedunderhideouscloudsatdawnonawinter’sday。
ThatfacewasnotwhollyunknowntoMarius。Hethoughtherememberedhavingseenitsomewhere。
\"Whatdoyouwish，Mademoiselle？\"heasked。
Theyounggirlrepliedinhervoiceofadrunkenconvict:——
\"Hereisaletterforyou，MonsieurMarius。\"
ShecalledMariusbyhisname；hecouldnotdoubtthathewasthepersonwhomshewanted；butwhowasthisgirl？Howdidsheknowhisname？
Withoutwaitingforhimtotellhertoadvance，sheentered。
Sheenteredresolutely，staring，withasortofassurancethatmadetheheartbleed，atthewholeroomandtheunmadebed。Herfeetwerebare。Largeholesinherpetticoatpermittedglimpsesofherlonglegsandherthinknees。Shewasshivering。
Sheheldaletterinherhand，whichshepresentedtoMarius。
Marius，asheopenedtheletter，noticedthattheenormouswaferwhichsealeditwasstillmoist。Themessagecouldnothavecomefromadistance。Heread:——
Myamiableneighbor，youngman:Ihavelearnedofyourgoodnesstome，thatyoupaidmyrentsixmonthsago。Iblessyou，youngman。
Myeldestdaughterwilltellyouthatwehavebeenwithoutamorselofbreadfortwodays，fourpersonsandmyspouseill。IfIamnotdeseavedinmyopinion，IthinkImayhopethatyourgenerousheartwillmeltatthisstatementandthedesirewillsubjugateyoutobepropitioustomebydaigningtolavishonmeaslightfavor。
Iamwiththedistinguishedconsiderationwhichisduetothebenefactorsofhumanity，——
Jondrette。
P。S。Myeldestdaughterwillawaityourorders，dearMonsieurMarius。
Thisletter，comingintheverymidstofthemysteriousadventurewhichhadoccupiedMarius’thoughtseversincetheprecedingevening，waslikeacandleinacellar。Allwassuddenlyilluminated。
Thislettercamefromthesameplaceastheotherfour。
Therewasthesamewriting，thesamestyle，thesameorthography，thesamepaper，thesameodoroftobacco。
Therewerefivemissives，fivehistories，fivesignatures，andasinglesigner。TheSpanishCaptainDonAlvares，theunhappyMistressBalizard，thedramaticpoetGenflot，theoldcomedianFabantou，wereallfournamedJondrette，if，indeed，JondrettehimselfwerenamedJondrette。
Mariushadlivedinthehouseforatolerablylongtime，andhehadhad，aswehavesaid，butveryrareoccasiontosee，toevencatchaglimpseof，hisextremelymeanneighbors。Hismindwaselsewhere，andwherethemindis，theretheeyesarealso。
HehadbeenobligedmorethanoncetopasstheJondrettesinthecorridororonthestairs；buttheyweremereformstohim；hehadpaidsolittleheedtothem，that，ontheprecedingevening，hehadjostledtheJondrettegirlsontheboulevard，withoutrecognizingthem，forithadevidentlybeenthey，anditwaswithgreatdifficultythattheonewhohadjustenteredhisroomhadawakenedinhim，inspiteofdisgustandpity，avaguerecollectionofhavingmetherelsewhere。
Nowhesaweverythingclearly。HeunderstoodthathisneighborJondrette，inhisdistress，exercisedtheindustryofspeculatingonthecharityofbenevolentpersons，thatheprocuredaddresses，andthathewroteunderfeignednamestopeoplewhomhejudgedtobewealthyandcompassionate，letterswhichhisdaughtersdeliveredattheirriskandperil，forthisfatherhadcometosuchapass，thatheriskedhisdaughters；hewasplayingagamewithfate，andheusedthemasthestake。Mariusunderstoodthatprobably，judgingfromtheirflightontheeveningbefore，fromtheirbreathlesscondition，fromtheirterrorandfromthewordsofslangwhichhehadoverheard，theseunfortunatecreatureswereplyingsomeinexplicablysadprofession，andthattheresultofthewholewas，inthemidstofhumansociety，asitisnowconstituted，twomiserablebeingswhowereneithergirlsnorwomen，aspeciesofimpureandinnocentmonstersproducedbymisery。
Sadcreatures，withoutname，orsex，orage，towhomneithergoodnorevilwereanylongerpossible，andwho，onemergingfromchildhood，havealreadynothinginthisworld，neitherliberty，norvirtue，norresponsibility。Soulswhichblossomedoutyesterday，andarefadedto—day，likethoseflowersletfallinthestreets，whicharesoiledwitheverysortofmire，whilewaitingforsomewheeltocrushthem。
Nevertheless，whileMariusbentapainedandastonishedgazeonher，theyounggirlwaswanderingbackandforthinthegarretwiththeaudacityofaspectre。Shekickedabout，withouttroublingherselfastohernakedness。Occasionallyherchemise，whichwasuntiedandtorn，fellalmosttoherwaist。Shemovedthechairsabout，shedisarrangedthetoiletarticleswhichstoodonthecommode，shehandledMarius’clothes，sherummagedabouttoseewhattherewasinthecorners。
\"Hullo！\"saidshe，\"youhaveamirror！\"
Andshehummedscrapsofvaudevilles，asthoughshehadbeenalone，frolicsomerefrainswhichherhoarseandgutturalvoicerenderedlugubrious。
Anindescribableconstraint，weariness，andhumiliationwereperceptiblebeneaththishardihood。Effronteryisadisgrace。
Nothingcouldbemoremelancholythantoseehersportabouttheroom，and，sotospeak，flitwiththemovementsofabirdwhichisfrightenedbythedaylight，orwhichhasbrokenitswing。
Onefeltthatunderotherconditionsofeducationanddestiny，thegayandover—freemienofthisyounggirlmighthaveturnedoutsweetandcharming。Never，evenamonganimals，doesthecreatureborntobeadovechangeintoanosprey。Thatisonlytobeseenamongmen。
Mariusreflected，andallowedhertohaveherway。
Sheapproachedthetable。
\"Ah！\"saidshe，\"books！\"
Aflashpiercedherglassyeye。Sheresumed，andheraccentexpressedthehappinesswhichshefeltinboastingofsomething，towhichnohumancreatureisinsensible:——
\"Iknowhowtoread，Ido！\"
Sheeagerlyseizedabookwhichlayopenonthetable，andreadwithtolerablefluency:——
\"——GeneralBauduinreceivedorderstotakethechateauofHougomontwhichstandsinthemiddleoftheplainofWaterloo，withfivebattalionsofhisbrigade。\"
Shepaused。
\"Ah！Waterloo！Iknowaboutthat。Itwasabattlelongago。
Myfatherwasthere。Myfatherhasservedinthearmies。WearefineBonapartistsinourhouse，thatweare！WaterloowasagainsttheEnglish。\"
Shelaiddownthebook，caughtupapen，andexclaimed:——
\"AndIknowhowtowrite，too！\"
Shedippedherpenintheink，andturningtoMarius:——
\"Doyouwanttosee？Lookhere，I’mgoingtowriteawordtoshowyou。\"
Andbeforehehadtimetoanswer，shewroteonasheetofwhitepaper，whichlayinthemiddleofthetable:\"Thebobbiesarehere。\"
Thenthrowingdownthepen:——
\"Therearenofaultsoforthography。Youcanlook。Wehavereceivedaneducation，mysisterandI。Wehavenotalwaysbeenaswearenow。
Wewerenotmade——\"
Hereshepaused，fixedherdulleyesonMarius，andburstoutlaughing，saying，withanintonationwhichcontainedeveryformofanguish，stifledbyeveryformofcynicism:——
\"Bah！\"
Andshebegantohumthesewordstoagayair:——
\"J’aifaim，monpere。\"Iamhungry，father。
Pasdefricot。Ihavenofood。
J’aifroid，mamere。Iamcold，mother。
Pasdetricot。Ihavenoclothes。
Grelotte，Lolotte！
Lolotte！Shiver，Sanglote，Sob，Jacquot！\"Jacquot！\"
Shehadhardlyfinishedthiscouplet，whensheexexclaimed:——
\"Doyouevergototheplay，MonsieurMarius？Ido。Ihavealittlebrotherwhoisafriendoftheartists，andwhogivesmeticketssometimes。ButIdon’tlikethebenchesinthegalleries。
Oneiscrampedanduncomfortablethere。Thereareroughpeopletheresometimes；andpeoplewhosmellbad。\"
ThenshescrutinizedMarius，assumedasingularairandsaid:——
\"Doyouknow，Mr。Marius，thatyouareaveryhandsomefellow？\"
Andatthesamemomentthesameideaoccurredtothemboth，andmadehersmileandhimblush。Shesteppeduptohim，andlaidherhandonhisshoulder:\"Youpaynoheedtome，butIknowyou，Mr。Marius。Imeetyouhereonthestaircase，andthenIoftenseeyougoingtoapersonnamedFatherMabeufwholivesinthedirectionofAusterlitz，sometimeswhenIhavebeenstrollinginthatquarter。
Itisverybecomingtoyoutohaveyourhairtumbledthus。\"
Shetriedtorenderhervoicesoft，butonlysucceededinmakingitverydeep。Aportionofherwordswaslostinthetransitfromherlarynxtoherlips，asthoughonapianowheresomenotesaremissing。
Mariushadretreatedgently。
\"Mademoiselle，\"saidhe，withhiscoolgravity，\"Ihavehereapackagewhichbelongstoyou，Ithink。Permitmetoreturnittoyou。\"
Andheheldouttheenvelopecontainingthefourletters。
Sheclappedherhandsandexclaimed:——
\"Wehavebeenlookingeverywhereforthat！\"
Thensheeagerlyseizedthepackageandopenedtheenvelope，sayingasshedidso:——
\"DieudeDieu！howmysisterandIhavehunted！Anditwasyouwhofoundit！Ontheboulevard，wasitnot？Itmusthavebeenontheboulevard？Yousee，weletitfallwhenwewererunning。
Itwasthatbratofasisterofminewhowassostupid。Whenwegothome，wecouldnotfinditanywhere。Aswedidnotwishtobebeaten，asthatisuseless，asthatisentirelyuseless，asthatisabsolutelyuseless，wesaidthatwehadcarriedtheletterstotheproperpersons，andthattheyhadsaidtous:
`Nix。’Soheretheyare，thosepoorletters！Andhowdidyoufindoutthattheybelongedtome？Ah！yes，thewriting。Soitwasyouthatwejostledaswepassedlastnight。Wecouldn’tsee。
Isaidtomysister:`Isitagentleman？’Mysistersaidtome:
`Ithinkitisagentleman。’\"
Inthemeanwhileshehadunfoldedthepetitionaddressedto\"thebenevolentgentlemanofthechurchofSaint—Jacquesdu—Haut—Pas。\"
\"Here！\"saidshe，\"thisisforthatoldfellowwhogoestomass。
Bytheway，thisishishour。I’llgoandcarryittohim。
Perhapshewillgiveussomethingtobreakfaston。\"
Thenshebegantolaughagain，andadded:——
\"Doyouknowwhatitwillmeanifwegetabreakfasttoday？
Itwillmeanthatweshallhavehadourbreakfastofthedaybeforeyesterday，ourbreakfastofyesterday，ourdinnerofto—day，andallthatatonce，andthismorning。Come！Parbleu！ifyouarenotsatisfied，dogs，burst！\"
ThisremindedMariusofthewretchedgirl’serrandtohimself。
Hefumbledinhiswaistcoatpocket，andfoundnothingthere。
Theyounggirlwenton，andseemedtohavenoconsciousnessofMarius’presence。
\"Ioftengooffintheevening。SometimesIdon’tcomehomeagain。
Lastwinter，beforewecamehere，welivedunderthearchesofthebridges。Wehuddledtogethertokeepfromfreezing。
Mylittlesistercried。Howmelancholythewateris！WhenI
thoughtofdrowningmyself，Isaidtomyself:`No，it’stoocold。’
Igooutalone，wheneverIchoose，Isometimessleepintheditches。
Doyouknow，atnight，whenIwalkalongtheboulevard，Iseethetreeslikeforks，Iseehouses，allblackandasbigasNotreDame，Ifancythatthewhitewallsaretheriver，Isaytomyself:`Why，there’swaterthere！’Thestarsarelikethelampsinilluminations，onewouldsaythattheysmokedandthatthewindblewthemout，Iambewildered，asthoughhorseswerebreathinginmyears；
althoughitisnight，Ihearhand—organsandspinning—machines，andI
don’tknowwhatall。Ithinkpeopleareflingingstonesatme，Ifleewithoutknowingwhither，everythingwhirlsandwhirls。
Youfeelveryqueerwhenyouhavehadnofood。\"
Andthenshestaredathimwithabewilderedair。
Bydintofsearchingandransackinghispockets，Mariushadfinallycollectedfivefrancssixteensous。Thiswasallheownedintheworldforthemoment。\"Atallevents，\"hethought，\"thereismydinnerforto—day，andto—morrowwewillsee。\"Hekeptthesixteensous，andhandedthefivefrancstotheyounggirl。
Sheseizedthecoin。
\"Good！\"saidshe，\"thesunisshining！\"
And，asthoughthesunhadpossessedthepropertyofmeltingtheavalanchesofslanginherbrain，shewenton:——
\"Fivefrancs！theshiner！amonarch！inthishole！Ain’tthisfine！
You’reajollythief！I’myourhumbleservant！Bravoforthegoodfellows！Twodays’wine！andmeat！andstew！we’llhavearoyalfeast！andagoodfill！\"
Shepulledherchemiseuponhershoulders，madealowbowtoMarius，thenafamiliarsignwithherhand，andwenttowardsthedoor，saying:——
\"Goodmorning，sir。It’sallright。I’llgoandfindmyoldman。\"
Asshepassed，shecaughtsightofadrycrustofbreadonthecommode，whichwasmouldingthereamidthedust；sheflungherselfuponitandbitintoit，muttering:——
\"That’sgood！it’shard！itbreaksmyteeth！\"
Thenshedeparted。