CHAPTERV
APROVIDENTIALPEEP—HOLE
Mariushadlivedforfiveyearsinpoverty，indestitution，evenindistress，buthenowperceivedthathehadnotknownrealmisery。Truemiseryhehadbutjusthadaviewof。
Itwasitsspectrewhichhadjustpassedbeforehiseyes。
Infact，hewhohasonlybeheldthemiseryofmanhasseennothing；
themiseryofwomaniswhathemustsee；hewhohasseenonlythemiseryofwomanhasseennothing；hemustseethemiseryofthechild。
Whenamanhasreachedhislastextremity，hehasreachedhislastresourcesatthesametime。Woetothedefencelessbeingswhosurroundhim！Work，wages，bread，fire，courage，goodwill，allfailhimsimultaneously。Thelightofdayseemsextinguishedwithout，themorallightwithin；intheseshadowsmanencountersthefeeblenessofthewomanandthechild，andbendsthemviolentlytoignominy。
Thenallhorrorsbecomepossible。Despairissurroundedwithfragilepartitionswhichallopenoneitherviceorcrime。
Health，youth，honor，alltheshydelicaciesoftheyoungbody，theheart，virginity，modesty，thatepidermisofthesoul，aremanipulatedinsinisterwisebythatfumblingwhichseeksresources，whichencountersopprobrium，andwhichaccomodatesitselftoit。
Fathers，mothers，children，brothers，sisters，men，women，daughters，adhereandbecomeincorporated，almostlikeamineralformation，inthatduskypromiscuousnessofsexes，relationships，ages，infamies，andinnocences。Theycrouch，backtoback，inasortofhutoffate。
Theyexchangewoe—begoneglances。Oh，theunfortunatewretches！
Howpaletheyare！Howcoldtheyare！Itseemsasthoughtheydweltinaplanetmuchfurtherfromthesunthanours。
ThisyounggirlwastoMariusasortofmessengerfromtherealmofsadshadows。Sherevealedtohimahideoussideofthenight。
Mariusalmostreproachedhimselfforthepreoccupationsofreveryandpassionwhichhadpreventedhisbestowingaglanceonhisneighborsuptothatday。Thepaymentoftheirrenthadbeenamechanicalmovement，whichanyonewouldhaveyieldedto；
buthe，Marius，shouldhavedonebetterthanthat。What！onlyawallseparatedhimfromthoseabandonedbeingswholivedgropinglyinthedarkoutsidethepaleoftherestoftheworld，hewaselbowtoelbowwiththem，hewas，insomesort，thelastlinkofthehumanracewhichtheytouched，heheardthemlive，orrather，rattleinthedeathagonybesidehim，andhepaidnoheedtothem！
Everyday，everyinstant，heheardthemwalkingontheothersideofthewall，heheardthemgo，andcome，andspeak，andhedidnotevenlendanear！Andgroanslayinthosewords，andhedidnotevenlistentothem，histhoughtswereelsewhere，givenuptodreams，toimpossibleradiances，tolovesintheair，tofollies；
andallthewhile，humancreatures，hisbrothersinJesusChrist，hisbrothersinthepeople，wereagonizinginvainbesidehim！
Heevenformedapartoftheirmisfortune，andheaggravatedit。
Foriftheyhadhadanotherneighborwhowaslesschimericalandmoreattentive，anyordinaryandcharitableman，evidentlytheirindigencewouldhavebeennoticed，theirsignalsofdistresswouldhavebeenperceived，andtheywouldhavebeentakenholdofandrescued！
Theyappearedverycorruptandverydepraved，nodoubt，veryvile，veryodiouseven；butthosewhofallwithoutbecomingdegradedarerare；besides，thereisapointwheretheunfortunateandtheinfamousuniteandareconfoundedinasingleword，afatalword，themiserable；whosefaultisthis？Andthenshouldnotthecharitybeallthemoreprofound，inproportionasthefallisgreat？
Whilereadinghimselfthismorallesson，fortherewereoccasionsonwhichMarius，likealltrulyhonesthearts，washisownpedagogueandscoldedhimselfmorethanhedeserved，hestaredatthewallwhichseparatedhimfromtheJondrettes，asthoughhewereabletomakehisgaze，fullofpity，penetratethatpartitionandwarmthesewretchedpeople。Thewallwasathinlayerofplasterupheldbylathesandbeams，and，asthereaderhadjustlearned，itallowedthesoundofvoicesandwordstobeclearlydistinguished。
OnlyamanasdreamyasMariuscouldhavefailedtoperceivethislongbefore。Therewasnopaperpastedonthewall，eitheronthesideoftheJondrettesoronthatofMarius；thecoarseconstructionwasvisibleinitsnakedness。Mariusexaminedthepartition，almostunconsciously；sometimesreveryexamines，observes，andscrutinizesasthoughtwould。Allatoncehesprangup；
hehadjustperceived，nearthetop，closetotheceiling，atriangularhole，whichresultedfromthespacebetweenthreelathes。
Theplasterwhichshouldhavefilledthiscavitywasmissing，andbymountingonthecommode，aviewcouldbehadthroughthisapertureintotheJondrettes’attic。Commiserationhas，andshouldhave，itscuriosity。Thisapertureformedasortofpeep—hole。Itispermissibletogazeatmisfortunelikeatraitorinordertosuccorit。[27]
[27]Thepeep—holeisaJudasinFrench。Hencethehalf—punningallusion。
\"Letusgetsomelittleideaofwhatthesepeoplearelike，\"
thoughtMarius，\"andinwhatconditiontheyare。\"
Heclimbeduponthecommode，puthiseyetothecrevice，andlooked。
CHAPTERVI
THEWILDMANINHISLAIR
Cities，likeforests，havetheircavernsinwhichallthemostwickedandformidablecreatureswhichtheycontainconcealthemselves。Only，incities，thatwhichthusconcealsitselfisferocious，unclean，andpetty，thatistosay，ugly；inforests，thatwhichconcealsitselfisferocious，savage，andgrand，thatistosay，beautiful。Takingonelairwithanother，thebeast’sispreferabletotheman’s。Cavernsarebetterthanhovels。
WhatMariusnowbeheldwasahovel。
Mariuswaspoor，andhischamberwaspoverty—stricken，butashispovertywasnoble，hisgarretwasneat。Thedenuponwhichhiseyenowrestedwasabject，dirty，fetid，pestiferous，mean，sordid。Theonlyfurnitureconsistedofastrawchair，aninfirmtable，someoldbitsofcrockery，andintwoofthecorners，twoindescribablepallets；
allthelightwasfurnishdbyadormerwindowoffourpanes，drapedwithspiders’webs。Throughthisaperturetherepenetratedjustenoughlighttomakethefaceofamanappearlikethefaceofaphantom。Thewallshadaleprousaspect，andwerecoveredwithseamsandscars，likeavisagedisfiguredbysomehorriblemalady；
arepulsivemoistureexudedfromthem。Obscenesketchesroughlysketchedwithcharcoalcouldbedistinguisheduponthem。
ThechamberwhichMariusoccupiedhadadilapidatedbrickpavement；
thisonewasneithertilednorplanked；itsinhabitantssteppeddirectlyontheantiqueplasterofthehovel，whichhadgrownblackunderthelong—continuedpressureoffeet。Uponthisunevenfloor，wherethedirtseemedtobefairlyincrusted，andwhichpossessedbutonevirginity，thatofthebroom，werecapriciouslygroupedconstellationsofoldshoes，socks，andrepulsiverags；however，thisroomhadafireplace，soitwasletforfortyfrancsayear。
Therewaseverysortofthinginthatfireplace，abrazier，apot，brokenboards，ragssuspendedfromnails，abird—cage，ashes，andevenalittlefire。Twobrandsweresmoulderingthereinamelancholyway。
Onethingwhichaddedstillmoretothehorrorsofthisgarretwas，thatitwaslarge。Ithadprojectionsandanglesandblackholes，thelowersidesofroofs，bays，andpromontories。Hencehorrible，unfathomablenookswhereitseemedasthoughspidersasbigasone’sfist，wood—liceaslargeasone’sfoot，andperhapseven——whoknows？——
somemonstroushumanbeings，mustbehiding。
Oneofthepalletswasnearthedoor，theothernearthewindow。
OneendofeachtouchedthefireplaceandfacedMarius。InacornerneartheaperturethroughwhichMariuswasgazing，acoloredengravinginablackframewassuspendedtoanailonthewall，andatitsbottom，inlargeletters，wastheinscription:THEDREAM。
Thisrepresentedasleepingwoman，andachild，alsoasleep，thechildonthewoman’slap，aneagleinacloud，withacrowninhisbeak，andthewomanthrustingthecrownawayfromthechild’shead，withoutawakingthelatter；inthebackground，Napoleoninaglory，leaningonaverybluecolumnwithayellowcapitalornamentedwiththisinscription:
MARINGO
AUSTERLITS
IENA
WAGRAMME
ELOT
Beneaththisframe，asortofwoodenpanel，whichwasnolongerthanitwasbroad，stoodonthegroundandrestedinaslopingattitudeagainstthewall。Ithadtheappearanceofapicturewithitsfaceturnedtothewall，ofaframeprobablyshowingadaubontheotherside，ofsomepier—glassdetachedfromawallandlyingforgottentherewhilewaitingtoberehung。
Nearthetable，uponwhichMariusdescriedapen，ink，andpaper，satamanaboutsixtyyearsofage，small，thin，livid，haggard，withacunning，cruel，anduneasyair；ahideousscoundrel。
IfLavaterhadstudiedthisvisage，hewouldhavefoundthevulturemingledwiththeattorneythere，thebirdofpreyandthepettifoggerrenderingeachothermutuallyhideousandcomplementingeachother；
thepettifoggermakingthebirdofpreyignoble，thebirdofpreymakingthepettifoggerhorrible。
Thismanhadalonggraybeard。Hewascladinawoman’schemise，whichallowedhishairybreastandhisbarearms，bristlingwithgrayhair，tobeseen。Beneaththischemise，muddytrousersandbootsthroughwhichhistoesprojectedwerevisible。
Hehadapipeinhismouthandwassmoking。Therewasnobreadinthehovel，buttherewasstilltobacco。
HewaswritingprobablysomemoreletterslikethosewhichMariushadread。
Onthecornerofthetablelayanancient，dilapidated，reddishvolume，andthesize，whichwastheantique12moofreading—rooms，betrayedaromance。Onthecoversprawledthefollowingtitle，printedinlargecapitals:GOD；THEKING；HONORANDTHELADIES；
BYDUCRAYDUMINIL，1814。
Asthemanwrote，hetalkedaloud，andMariusheardhiswords:——
\"Theideathatthereisnoequality，evenwhenyouaredead！
JustlookatPereLachaise！Thegreat，thosewhoarerich，areupabove，intheacaciaalley，whichispaved。Theycanreachitinacarriage。
Thelittlepeople，thepoor，theunhappy，well，whatofthem？theyareputdownbelow，wherethemudisuptoyourknees，inthedampplaces。Theyareputtheresothattheywilldecaythesooner！
Youcannotgotoseethemwithoutsinkingintotheearth。\"
Hepaused，smotethetablewithhisfist，andadded，ashegroundhisteeth:——
\"Oh！Icouldeatthewholeworld！\"
Abigwoman，whomightbefortyyearsofage，orahundred，wascrouchingnearthefireplaceonherbareheels。
She，too，wascladonlyinachemiseandaknittedpetticoatpatchedwithbitsofoldcloth。Acoarselinenapronconcealedthehalfofherpetticoat。Althoughthiswomanwasdoubledupandbenttogether，itcouldbeseenthatshewasofveryloftystature。
Shewasasortofgiant，besideherhusband。Shehadhideoushair，ofareddishblondwhichwasturninggray，andwhichshethrustbackfromtimetotime，withherenormousshininghands，withtheirflatnails。
Besideher，onthefloor，wideopen，layabookofthesameformastheother，andprobablyavolumeofthesameromance。
Ononeofthepallets，Mariuscaughtaglimpseofasortoftallpaleyounggirl，whosattherehalfnakedandwithpendantfeet，andwhodidnotseemtobelisteningorseeingorliving。
Nodoubttheyoungersisteroftheonewhohadcometohisroom。
Sheseemedtobeelevenortwelveyearsofage。Oncloserscrutinyitwasevidentthatshereallywasfourteen。Shewasthechildwhohadsaid，ontheboulevardtheeveningbefore:
\"Ibolted，bolted，bolted！\"
Shewasofthatpunysortwhichremainsbackwardforalongtime，thensuddenlystartsuprapidly。Itisindigencewhichproducesthesemelancholyhumanplants。Thesecreatureshaveneitherchildhoodnoryouth。Atfifteenyearsofagetheyappeartobetwelve，atsixteentheyseemtwenty。To—dayalittlegirl，to—morrowawoman。
Onemightsaythattheystridethroughlife，inordertogetthroughwithitthemorespeedily。
Atthismoment，thisbeinghadtheairofachild。
Moreover，notraceofworkwasrevealedinthatdwelling；
nohandicraft，nospinning—wheel，notatool。Inonecornerlaysomeironmongeryofdubiousaspect。Itwasthedulllistlessnesswhichfollowsdespairandprecedesthedeathagony。
Mariusgazedforawhileatthisgloomyinterior，moreterrifyingthantheinteriorofatomb，forthehumansoulcouldbefeltflutteringthere，andlifewaspalpitatingthere。Thegarret，thecellar，thelowlyditchwherecertainindigentwretchescrawlattheverybottomofthesocialedifice，isnotexactlythesepulchre，butonlyitsantechamber；but，asthewealthydisplaytheirgreatestmagnificenceattheentranceoftheirpalaces，itseemsthatdeath，whichstandsdirectlysidebysidewiththem，placesitsgreatestmiseriesinthatvestibule。
Themanheldhispeace，thewomanspokenoword，theyounggirldidnotevenseemtobreathe。Thescratchingofthepenonthepaperwasaudible。
Themangrumbled，withoutpausinginhiswriting。\"Canaille！canaille！
everybodyiscanaille！\"
ThisvariationtoSolomon’sexclamationelicitedasighfromthewoman。
\"Calmyourself，mylittlefriend，\"shesaid。\"Don’thurtyourself，mydear。Youaretoogoodtowritetoallthosepeople，husband。\"
Bodiespressclosetoeachotherinmisery，asincold，butheartsdrawapart。Thiswomanmusthavelovedthisman，toallappearance，judgingfromtheamountoflovewithinher；butprobably，inthedailyandreciprocalreproachesofthehorribledistresswhichweighedonthewholegroup，thishadbecomeextinct。Therenolongerexistedinheranythingmorethantheashesofaffectionforherhusband。Nevertheless，caressingappellationshadsurvived，asisoftenthecase。Shecalledhim:Mydear，mylittlefriend，mygoodman，etc。，withhermouthwhileherheartwassilent。
Themanresumedhiswriting。
CHAPTERVII
STRATEGYANDTACTICS
Marius，withaloaduponhisbreast，wasonthepointofdescendingfromthespeciesofobservatorywhichhehadimprovised，whenasoundattractedhisattentionandcausedhimtoremainathispost。
Thedooroftheattichadjustburstopenabruptly。Theeldestgirlmadeherappearanceonthethreshold。Onherfeet，shehadlarge，coarse，men’sshoes，bespatteredwithmud，whichhadsplashedeventoherredankles，andshewaswrappedinanoldmantlewhichhungintatters。Mariushadnotseenitonheranhourpreviously，butshehadprobablydepositeditathisdoor，inorderthatshemightinspirethemorepity，andhadpickeditupagainonemerging。
Sheentered，pushedthedoortobehindher，pausedtotakebreath，forshewascompletelybreathless，thenexclaimedwithanexpressionoftriumphandjoy:——
\"Heiscoming！\"
Thefatherturnedhiseyestowardsher，thewomanturnedherhead，thelittlesisterdidnotstir。
\"Who？\"demandedherfather。
\"Thegentleman！\"
\"Thephilanthropist？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"FromthechurchofSaint—Jacques？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Thatoldfellow？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andheiscoming？\"
\"Heisfollowingme。\"
\"Youaresure？\"
\"Iamsure。\"
\"There，truly，heiscoming？\"
\"Heiscominginafiacre。\"
\"Inafiacre。HeisRothschild。\"
Thefatherrose。
\"Howareyousure？Ifheiscominginafiacre，howisitthatyouarrivebeforehim？Yougavehimouraddressatleast？Didyoutellhimthatitwasthelastdoorattheendofthecorridor，ontheright？
Ifheonlydoesnotmakeamistake！Soyoufoundhimatthechurch？
Didhereadmyletter？Whatdidhesaytoyou？\"
\"Ta，ta，ta，\"saidthegirl，\"howyoudogallopon，mygoodman！
Seehere:Ienteredthechurch，hewasinhisusualplace，Imadehimareverence，andIhandedhimtheletter；hereaditandsaidtome:
`Wheredoyoulive，mychild？’Isaid:`Monsieur，Iwillshowyou。’
Hesaidtome:`No，givemeyouraddress，mydaughterhassomepurchasestomake，Iwilltakeacarriageandreachyourhouseatthesametimethatyoudo。’Igavehimtheaddress。WhenImentionedthehouse，heseemedsurprisedandhesitatedforaninstant，thenhesaid:
`Nevermind，Iwillcome。’Whenthemasswasfinished，Iwatchedhimleavethechurchwithhisdaughter，andIsawthementeracarriage。Icertainlydidtellhimthelastdoorinthecorridor，ontheright。\"
\"Andwhatmakesyouthinkthathewillcome？\"
\"IhavejustseenthefiacreturnintotheRuePetit—Banquier。Thatiswhatmademerunso。\"
\"Howdoyouknowthatitwasthesamefiacre？\"
\"BecauseItooknoticeofthenumber，sothere！\"
\"Whatwasthenumber？\"
\"440。\"
\"Good，youareaclevergirl。\"
Thegirlstaredboldlyatherfather，andshowingtheshoeswhichshehadonherfeet:——
\"Aclevergirl，possibly；butItellyouIwon’tputtheseshoesonagain，andthatIwon’t，forthesakeofmyhealth，inthefirstplace，andforthesakeofcleanliness，inthenext。
Idon’tknowanythingmoreirritatingthanshoesthatsquelch，andgoghi，ghi，ghi，thewholetime。Iprefertogobarefoot。\"
\"Youareright，\"saidherfather，inasweettonewhichcontrastedwiththeyounggirl’srudeness，\"butthen，youwillnotbeallowedtoenterchurches，forpoorpeoplemusthaveshoestodothat。
OnecannotgobarefoottothegoodGod，\"headdedbitterly。
Then，returningtothesubjectwhichabsorbedhim:——
\"Soyouaresurethathewillcome？\"
\"Heisfollowingonmyheels，\"saidshe。
Themanstartedup。Asortofilluminationappearedonhiscountenance。
\"Wife！\"heexclaimed，\"youhear。Hereisthephilanthropist。
Extinguishthefire。\"
Thestupefiedmotherdidnotstir。
Thefather，withtheagilityofanacrobat，seizedabroken—nosedjugwhichstoodonthechimney，andflungthewateronthebrands。
Then，addressinghiseldestdaughter:——
\"Hereyou！Pullthestrawoffthatchair！\"
Hisdaughterdidnotunderstand。
Heseizedthechair，andwithonekickherendereditseatless。
Hislegpassedthroughit。
Ashewithdrewhisleg，heaskedhisdaughter:——
\"Isitcold？\"
\"Verycold。Itissnowing。\"
Thefatherturnedtowardstheyoungergirlwhosatonthebednearthewindow，andshoutedtoherinathunderingvoice:——
\"Quick！getoffthatbed，youlazything！willyouneverdoanything？
Breakapaneofglass！\"
Thelittlegirljumpedoffthebedwithashiver。
\"Breakapane！\"herepeated。
Thechildstoodstillinbewilderment。
\"Doyouhearme？\"repeatedherfather，\"Itellyoutobreakapane！\"
Thechild，withasortofterrifiedobedience，roseontiptoe，andstruckapanewithherfist。Theglassbrokeandfellwithaloudclatter。
\"Good，\"saidthefather。
Hewasgraveandabrupt。Hisglancesweptrapidlyoverallthecranniesofthegarret。Onewouldhavesaidthathewasageneralmakingthefinalpreparationatthemomentwhenthebattleisonthepointofbeginning。
Themother，whohadnotsaidawordsofar，nowroseanddemandedinadull，slow，languidvoice，whenceherwordsseemedtoemergeinacongealedstate:——
\"Whatdoyoumeantodo，mydear？\"
\"Getintobed，\"repliedtheman。
Hisintonationadmittedofnodeliberation。Themotherobeyed，andthrewherselfheavilyononeofthepallets。
Inthemeantime，asobbecameaudibleinonecorner。
\"What’sthat？\"criedthefather。
Theyoungerdaughterexhibitedherbleedingfist，withoutquittingthecornerinwhichshewascowering。Shehadwoundedherselfwhilebreakingthewindow；shewentoff，nearhermother’spalletandweptsilently。
Itwasnowthemother’sturntostartupandexclaim:——
\"Justseethere！Whatfolliesyoucommit！Shehascutherselfbreakingthatpaneforyou！\"
\"Somuchthebetter！\"saidtheman。\"Iforesawthat。\"
\"What？Somuchthebetter？\"retortedhiswife。
\"Peace！\"repliedthefather，\"Isuppressthelibertyofthepress。\"
Thentearingthewoman’schemisewhichhewaswearing，hemadeastripofclothwithwhichhehastilyswathedthelittlegirl’sbleedingwrist。
Thatdone，hiseyefellwithasatisfiedexpressiononhistornchemise。
\"Andthechemisetoo，\"saidhe，\"thishasagoodappearance。\"
Anicybreezewhistledthroughthewindowandenteredtheroom。
Theoutermistpenetratedthitheranddiffuseditselflikeawhitishsheetofwaddingvaguelyspreadbyinvisiblefingers。Throughthebrokenpanethesnowcouldbeseenfalling。ThesnowpromisedbytheCandlemassunoftheprecedingdayhadactuallycome。
Thefathercastaglanceabouthimasthoughtomakesurethathehadforgottennothing。Heseizedanoldshovelandspreadashesoverthewetbrandsinsuchamannerastoentirelyconcealthem。
Thendrawinghimselfupandleaningagainstthechimney—piece:——
\"Now，\"saidhe，\"wecanreceivethephilanthropist。\"
CHAPTERVIII
THERAYOFLIGHTINTHEHOVEL
Thebiggirlapproachedandlaidherhandinherfather’s。
\"FeelhowcoldIam，\"saidshe。
\"Bah！\"repliedthefather，\"Iammuchcolderthanthat。\"
Themotherexclaimedimpetuously:——
\"Youalwayshavesomethingbetterthananyoneelse，soyoudo！
evenbadthings。\"
\"Downwithyou！\"saidtheman。
Themother，beingeyedafteracertainfashion，heldhertongue。
Silencereignedforamomentinthehovel。Theeldergirlwasremovingthemudfromthebottomofhermantle，withacarelessair；
heryoungersistercontinuedtosob；themotherhadtakenthelatter’sheadbetweenherhands，andwascoveringitwithkisses，whisperingtoherthewhile:——
\"Mytreasure，Ientreatyou，itisnothingofconsequence，don’tcry，youwillangeryourfather。\"
\"No！\"exclaimedthefather，\"quitethecontrary！sob！sob！that’sright。\"
Thenturningtotheelder:——
\"Therenow！Heisnotcoming！Whatifhewerenottocome！
Ishallhaveextinguishedmyfire，wreckedmychair，tornmyshirt，andbrokenmypaneallfornothing。\"
\"Andwoundedthechild！\"murmuredthemother。
\"Doyouknow，\"wentonthefather，\"thatit’sbeastlycoldinthisdevil’sgarret！Whatifthatmanshouldnotcome！Oh！Seethere，you！Hemakesuswait！Hesaystohimself:`Well！theywillwaitforme！That’swhatthey’retherefor。’Oh！howIhatethem，andwithwhatjoy，jubilation，enthusiasm，andsatisfactionI
couldstrangleallthoserichfolks！allthoserichfolks！
Thesemenwhopretendtobecharitable，whoputonairs，whogotomass，whomakepresentstothepriesthood，preachy，preachy，intheirskullcaps，andwhothinkthemselvesaboveus，andwhocomeforthepurposeofhumiliatingus，andtobringus`clothes，’
astheysay！olddudsthatarenotworthfoursous！Andbread！
That’snotwhatIwant，packofrascalsthattheyare，it’smoney！
Ah！money！Never！Becausetheysaythatwewouldgooffanddrinkitup，andthatwearedrunkardsandidlers！Andthey！
Whatarethey，then，andwhathavetheybeenintheirtime！Thieves！
Theynevercouldhavebecomerichotherwise！Oh！Societyoughttobegraspedbythefourcornersoftheclothandtossedintotheair，allofit！Itwouldallbesmashed，verylikely，butatleast，noonewouldhaveanything，andtherewouldbethatmuchgained！
Butwhatisthatblockheadofabenevolentgentlemandoing？
Willhecome？Perhapstheanimalhasforgottentheaddress！
I’llbetthatthatoldbeast——\"
Atthatmomenttherecamealighttapatthedoor，themanrushedtoitandopenedit，exclaiming，amidprofoundbowsandsmilesofadoration:——
\"Enter，sir！Deigntoenter，mostrespectedbenefactor，andyourcharmingyounglady，also。\"
Amanofripeageandayounggirlmadetheirappearanceonthethresholdoftheattic。
Mariushadnotquittedhispost。Hisfeelingsforthemomentsurpassedthepowersofthehumantongue。
ItwasShe！
Whoeverhaslovedknowsalltheradiantmeaningscontainedinthosethreelettersofthatword:She。
Itwascertainlyshe。Mariuscouldhardlydistinguishherthroughtheluminousvaporwhichhadsuddenlyspreadbeforehiseyes。
Itwasthatsweet，absentbeing，thatstarwhichhadbeameduponhimforsixmonths；itwasthoseeyes，thatbrow，thatmouth，thatlovelyvanishedfacewhichhadcreatednightbyitsdeparture。
Thevisionhadbeeneclipsed，nowitreappeared。
Itreappearedinthatgloom，inthatgarret，inthatmisshapenattic，inallthathorror。
Mariusshudderedindismay。What！Itwasshe！Thepalpitationsofhishearttroubledhissight。Hefeltthathewasonthebrinkofburstingintotears！What！Hebeheldheragainatlast，afterhavingsoughthersolong！Itseemedtohimthathehadlosthissoul，andthathehadjustfounditagain。
Shewasthesameasever，onlyalittlepale；herdelicatefacewasframedinabonnetofvioletvelvet，herfigurewasconcealedbeneathapelisseofblacksatin。Beneathherlongdress，aglimpsecouldbecaughtofhertinyfootshodinasilkenboot。
ShewasstillaccompaniedbyM。Leblanc。
Shehadtakenafewstepsintotheroom，andhaddepositedatolerablybulkyparcelonthetable。
TheeldestJondrettegirlhadretiredbehindthedoor，andwasstaringwithsombreeyesatthatvelvetbonnet，thatsilkmantle，andthatcharming，happyface。
CHAPTERIX
JONDRETTECOMESNEARWEEPING
Thehovelwassodark，thatpeoplecomingfromwithoutfeltonenteringittheeffectproducedonenteringacellar。
Thetwonew—comersadvanced，therefore，withacertainhesitation，beinghardlyabletodistinguishthevagueformssurroundingthem，whiletheycouldbeclearlyseenandscrutinizedbytheeyesoftheinhabitantsofthegarret，whowereaccustomedtothistwilight。
M。Leblancapproached，withhissadbutkindlylook，andsaidtoJondrettethefather:——
\"Monsieur，inthispackageyouwillfindsomenewclothesandsomewoollenstockingsandblankets。\"
\"Ourangelicbenefactoroverwhelmsus，\"saidJondrette，bowingtotheveryearth。
Then，bendingdowntotheearofhiseldestdaughter，whilethetwovisitorswereengagedinexaminingthislamentableinterior，headdedinalowandrapidvoice:——
\"Hey？WhatdidIsay？Duds！Nomoney！Theyareallalike！
Bytheway，howwasthelettertothatoldblockheadsigned？\"
\"Fabantou，\"repliedthegirl。
\"Thedramaticartist，good！\"
ItwasluckyforJondrette，thatthishadoccurredtohim，forattheverymoment，M。Leblancturnedtohim，andsaidtohimwiththeairofapersonwhoisseekingtorecallaname:——
\"Iseethatyouaregreatlytobepitied，Monsieur——\"
\"Fabantou，\"repliedJondrettequickly。
\"MonsieurFabantou，yes，thatisit。Iremember。\"
\"Dramaticartist，sir，andonewhohashadsomesuccess。\"
HereJondretteevidentlyjudgedthemomentpropitiousforcapturingthe\"philanthropist。\"Heexclaimedwithanaccentwhichsmackedatthesametimeofthevaingloryofthemountebankatfairs，andthehumilityofthemendicantonthehighway:——
\"ApupilofTalma！Sir！IamapupilofTalma！Fortuneformerlysmiledonme——Alas！Nowitismisfortune’sturn。Yousee，mybenefactor，nobread，nofire。Mypoorbabeshavenofire！
Myonlychairhasnoseat！Abrokenpane！Andinsuchweather！
Myspouseinbed！Ill！\"
\"Poorwoman！\"saidM。Leblanc。
\"Mychildwounded！\"addedJondrette。
Thechild，divertedbythearrivalofthestrangers，hadfallentocontemplating\"theyounglady，\"andhadceasedtosob。
\"Cry！bawl！\"saidJondrettetoherinalowvoice。
Atthesametimehepinchedhersorehand。Allthiswasdonewiththetalentofajuggler。
Thelittlegirlgaveventtoloudshrieks。
Theadorableyounggirl，whomMarius，inhisheart，called\"hisUrsule，\"
approachedherhastily。
\"Poor，dearchild！\"saidshe。
\"Yousee，mybeautifulyounglady，\"pursuedJondrette\"herbleedingwrist！Itcamethroughanaccidentwhileworkingatamachinetoearnsixsousaday。Itmaybenecessarytocutoffherarm。\"
\"Really？\"saidtheoldgentleman，inalarm。
Thelittlegirl，takingthisseriously，felltosobbingmoreviolentlythanever。
\"Alas！yes，mybenefactor！\"repliedthefather。
Forseveralminutes，Jondrettehadbeenscrutinizing\"thebenefactor\"
inasingularfashion。Ashespoke，heseemedtobeexaminingtheotherattentively，asthoughseekingtosummonuphisrecollections。
Allatonce，profitingbyamomentwhenthenew—comerswerequestioningthechildwithinterestastoherinjuredhand，hepassednearhiswife，wholayinherbedwithastupidanddejectedair，andsaidtoherinarapidbutverylowtone:——
\"Takealookatthatman！\"
Then，turningtoM。Leblanc，andcontinuinghislamentations:——
\"Yousee，sir！AlltheclothingthatIhaveismywife’schemise！
Andalltornatthat！Inthedepthsofwinter！Ican’tgooutforlackofacoat。IfIhadacoatofanysort，IwouldgoandseeMademoiselleMars，whoknowsmeandisveryfondofme。DoesshenotstillresideintheRuedelaTour—des—Dames？Doyouknow，sir？
Weplayedtogetherintheprovinces。Isharedherlaurels。
Celimenewouldcometomysuccor，sir！ElmirewouldbestowalmsonBelisaire！Butno，nothing！Andnotasouinthehouse！
Mywifeill，andnotasou！Mydaughterdangerouslyinjured，notasou！Mywifesuffersfromfitsofsuffocation。Itcomesfromherage，andbesides，hernervoussystemisaffected。
Sheoughttohaveassistance，andmydaughteralso！Butthedoctor！
Buttheapothecary！HowamItopaythem？Iwouldkneeltoapenny，sir！Suchistheconditiontowhichtheartsarereduced。
Anddoyouknow，mycharmingyounglady，andyou，mygenerousprotector，doyouknow，youwhobreatheforthvirtueandgoodness，andwhoperfumethatchurchwheremydaughterseesyoueverydaywhenshesaysherprayers？——ForIhavebroughtupmychildrenreligiously，sir。
Ididnotwantthemtotaketothetheatre。Ah！thehussies！
IfIcatchthemtripping！Idonotjest，thatIdon’t！Ireadthemlessonsonhonor，onmorality，onvirtue！Askthem！Theyhavegottowalkstraight。Theyarenoneofyourunhappywretcheswhobeginbyhavingnofamily，andendbyespousingthepublic。
OneisMamselleNobody，andonebecomesMadameEverybody。
Deucetakeit！NoneofthatintheFabantoufamily！Imeantobringthemupvirtuously，andtheyshallbehonest，andnice，andbelieveinGod，bythesacredname！Well，sir，myworthysir，doyouknowwhatisgoingtohappento—morrow？To—morrowisthefourthdayofFebruary，thefatalday，thelastdayofgraceallowedmebymylandlord；ifbythiseveningIhavenotpaidmyrent，to—morrowmyoldestdaughter，myspousewithherfever，mychildwithherwound，——
weshallallfourbeturnedoutofhereandthrownintothestreet，ontheboulevard，withoutshelter，intherain，inthesnow。
There，sir。Ioweforfourquarters——awholeyear！thatistosay，sixtyfrancs。\"
Jondrettelied。Fourquarterswouldhaveamountedtoonlyfortyfrancs，andhecouldnotowefour，becausesixmonthshadnotelapsedsinceMariushadpaidfortwo。
M。Leblancdrewfivefrancsfromhispocketandthrewthemonthetable。
Jondrettefoundtimetomutterintheearofhiseldestdaughter:——
\"Thescoundrel！WhatdoeshethinkIcandowithhisfivefrancs？
Thatwon’tpaymeformychairandpaneofglass！That’swhatcomesofincurringexpenses！\"
Inthemeanwhile，M。Leblanchadremovedthelargebrowngreat—coatwhichheworeoverhisbluecoat，andhadthrownitoverthebackofthechair。
\"MonsieurFabantou，\"hesaid，\"thesefivefrancsareallthatIhaveaboutme，butIshallnowtakemydaughterhome，andIwillreturnthisevening，——itisthiseveningthatyoumustpay，isitnot？\"
Jondrette’sfacelightedupwithastrangeexpression。
Herepliedvivaciously:——
\"Yes，respectedsir。Ateighto’clock，Imustbeatmylandlord’s。\"
\"Iwillbehereatsix，andIwillfetchyouthesixtyfrancs。\"
\"Mybenefactor！\"exclaimedJondrette，overwhelmed。Andheadded，inalowtone:\"Takeagoodlookathim，wife！\"
M。Leblanchadtakenthearmoftheyounggirl，oncemore，andhadturnedtowardsthedoor。
\"Farewelluntilthisevening，myfriends！\"saidhe。
\"Sixo’clock？\"saidJondrette。
\"Sixo’clockprecisely。\"
Atthatmoment，theovercoatlyingonthechaircaughttheeyeoftheelderJondrettegirl。
\"Youareforgettingyourcoat，sir，\"saidshe。
Jondrettedartedanannihilatinglookathisdaughter，accompaniedbyaformidableshrugoftheshoulders。
M。Leblancturnedbackandsaid，withasmile:——
\"Ihavenotforgottenit，Iamleavingit。\"
\"Omyprotector！\"saidJondrette，\"myaugustbenefactor，Imeltintotears！Permitmetoaccompanyyoutoyourcarriage。\"
\"Ifyoucomeout，\"answeredM。Leblanc，\"putonthiscoat。
Itreallyisverycold。\"
Jondrettedidnotneedtobetoldtwice。Hehastilydonnedthebrowngreat—coat。Andallthreewentout，Jondretteprecedingthetwostrangers。
CHAPTERX
TARIFFOFLICENSEDCABS:TWOFRANCSANHOUR
Mariushadlostnothingofthisentirescene，andyet，inreality，hadseennothing。Hiseyeshadremainedfixedontheyounggirl，hishearthad，sotospeak，seizedherandwhollyenvelopedherfromthemomentofherveryfirststepinthatgarret。Duringherentirestaythere，hehadlivedthatlifeofecstasywhichsuspendsmaterialperceptionsandprecipitatesthewholesoulonasinglepoint。
Hecontemplated，notthatgirl，butthatlightwhichworeasatinpelisseandavelvetbonnet。ThestarSiriusmighthaveenteredtheroom，andhewouldnothavebeenanymoredazzled。
Whiletheyounggirlwasengagedinopeningthepackage，unfoldingtheclothingandtheblankets，questioningthesickmotherkindly，andthelittleinjuredgirltenderly，hewatchedhereverymovement，hesoughttocatchherwords。Heknewhereyes，herbrow，herbeauty，herform，herwalk，hedidnotknowthesoundofhervoice。
HehadoncefanciedthathehadcaughtafewwordsattheLuxembourg，buthewasnotabsolutelysureofthefact。Hewouldhavegiventenyearsofhislifetohearit，inorderthathemightbearawayinhissoulalittleofthatmusic。ButeverythingwasdrownedinthelamentableexclamationsandtrumpetburstsofJondrette。
ThisaddedatouchofgenuinewrathtoMarius’ecstasy。Hedevouredherwithhiseyes。Hecouldnotbelievethatitreallywasthatdivinecreaturewhomhesawinthemidstofthosevilecreaturesinthatmonstrouslair。Itseemedtohimthathebeheldahumming—birdinthemidstoftoads。
Whenshetookherdeparture，hehadbutonethought，tofollowher，toclingtohertrace，nottoquitheruntilhelearnedwhereshelived，nottoloseheragain，atleast，afterhavingsomiraculouslyre—discoveredher。Heleapeddownfromthecommodeandseizedhishat。Ashelaidhishandonthelockofthedoor，andwasonthepointofopeningit，asuddenreflectioncausedhimtopause。
Thecorridorwaslong，thestaircasesteep，Jondrettewastalkative，M。Leblanchad，nodoubt，notyetregainedhiscarriage；if，onturningroundinthecorridor，oronthestaircase，heweretocatchsightofhim，Marius，inthathouse，hewould，evidently，takethealarm，andfindmeanstoescapefromhimagain，andthistimeitwouldbefinal。Whatwashetodo？Shouldhewaitalittle？Butwhilehewaswaiting，thecarriagemightdriveoff。Mariuswasperplexed。
Atlastheacceptedtheriskandquittedhisroom。
Therewasnooneinthecorridor。Hehastenedtothestairs。
Therewasnooneonthestaircase。Hedescendedinallhaste，andreachedtheboulevardintimetoseeafiacreturningthecorneroftheRueduPetit—Banquier，onitswaybacktoParis。
Mariusrushedheadlonginthatdirection。Onarrivingattheangleoftheboulevard，hecaughtsightofthefiacreagain，rapidlydescendingtheRueMouffetard；thecarriagewasalreadyalongwayoff，andtherewasnomeansofovertakingit；what！runafterit？
Impossible；andbesides，thepeopleinthecarriagewouldassuredlynoticeanindividualrunningatfullspeedinpursuitofafiacre，andthefatherwouldrecognizehim。Atthatmoment，wonderfulandunprecedentedgoodluck，Mariusperceivedanemptycabpassingalongtheboulevard。Therewasbutonethingtobedone，tojumpintothiscabandfollowthefiacre。Thatwassure，efficacious，andfreefromdanger。
Mariusmadethedriverasigntohalt，andcalledtohim:——
\"Bythehour？\"
Mariusworenocravat，hehadonhisworking—coat，whichwasdestituteofbuttons，hisshirtwastornalongoneoftheplaitsonthebosom。
Thedriverhalted，winked，andheldouthislefthandtoMarius，rubbinghisforefingergentlywithhisthumb。
\"Whatisit？\"saidMarius。
\"Payinadvance，\"saidthecoachman。
Mariusrecollectedthathehadbutsixteensousabouthim。
\"Howmuch？\"hedemanded。
\"Fortysous。\"
\"Iwillpayonmyreturn。\"
Thedriver’sonlyreplywastowhistletheairofLaPalisseandtowhipuphishorse。
Mariusstaredattheretreatingcabrioletwithabewilderedair。
Forthelackoffourandtwentysous，hewaslosinghisjoy，hishappiness，hislove！Hehadseen，andhewasbecomingblindagain。Hereflectedbitterly，anditmustbeconfessed，withprofoundregret，onthefivefrancswhichhehadbestowed，thatverymorning，onthatmiserablegirl。Ifhehadhadthosefivefrancs，hewouldhavebeensaved，hewouldhavebeenbornagain，hewouldhaveemergedfromthelimboanddarkness，hewouldhavemadehisescapefromisolationandspleen，fromhiswidowedstate；
hemighthavere—knottedtheblackthreadofhisdestinytothatbeautifulgoldenthread，whichhadjustfloatedbeforehiseyesandhadbrokenatthesameinstant，oncemore！Hereturnedtohishovelindespair。
HemighthavetoldhimselfthatM。Leblanchadpromisedtoreturnintheevening，andthatallhehadtodowastosetaboutthemattermoreskilfully，sothathemightfollowhimonthatoccasion；
but，inhiscontemplation，itisdoubtfulwhetherhehadheardthis。
Ashewasonthepointofmountingthestaircase，heperceived，ontheothersideoftheboulevard，nearthedesertedwallskirtingtheRueDelaBarriere—des—Gobelins，Jondrette，wrappedinthe\"philanthropist’s\"
great—coat，engagedinconversationwithoneofthosemenofdisquietingaspectwhohavebeendubbedbycommonconsent，prowlersofthebarriers；peopleofequivocalface，ofsuspiciousmonologues，whopresenttheairofhavingevilminds，andwhogenerallysleepinthedaytime，whichsuggeststhesuppositionthattheyworkbynight。
Thesetwomen，standingtheremotionlessandinconversation，inthesnowwhichwasfallinginwhirlwinds，formedagroupthatapolicemanwouldsurelyhaveobserved，butwhichMariushardlynoticed。
Still，inspiteofhismournfulpreoccupation，hecouldnotrefrainfromsayingtohimselfthatthisprowlerofthebarrierswithwhomJondrettewastalkingresembledacertainPanchaud，aliasPrintanier，aliasBigrenaille，whomCourfeyrachadoncepointedouttohimasaverydangerousnocturnalroamer。
Thisman’snamethereaderhaslearnedintheprecedingbook。
ThisPanchaud，aliasPrintanier，aliasBigrenaille，figuredlateroninmanycriminaltrials，andbecameanotoriousrascal。
Hewasatthattimeonlyafamousrascal。To—dayheexistsinthestateoftraditionamongruffiansandassassins。Hewasattheheadofaschooltowardstheendofthelastreign。Andintheevening，atnightfall，atthehourwhengroupsformandtalkinwhispers，hewasdiscussedatLaForceintheFosse—aux—Lions。Onemighteven，inthatprison，preciselyatthespotwherethesewerwhichservedtheunprecedentedescape，inbroaddaylight，ofthirtyprisoners，in1843，passesundertheculvert，readhisname，PANCHAUD，audaciouslycarvedbyhisownhandonthewallofthesewer，duringoneofhisattemptsatflight。In1832，thepolicealreadyhadtheireyeonhim，buthehadnotasyetmadeaseriousbeginning。
CHAPTERXI
OFFERSOFSERVICEFROMMISERYTOWRETCHEDNESS
Mariusascendedthestairsofthehovelwithslowsteps；atthemomentwhenhewasabouttore—enterhiscell，hecaughtsightoftheelderJondrettegirlfollowinghimthroughthecorridor。Theverysightofthisgirlwasodioustohim；itwasshewhohadhisfivefrancs，itwastoolatetodemandthemback，thecabwasnolongerthere，thefiacrewasfaraway。Moreover，shewouldnothavegiventhemback。
Asforquestioningherabouttheresidenceofthepersonswhohadjustbeenthere，thatwasuseless；itwasevidentthatshedidnotknow，sincethelettersignedFabantouhadbeenaddressed\"tothebenevolentgentlemanofthechurchofSaint—Jacquesdu—Haut—Pas。\"
Mariusenteredhisroomandpushedthedoortoafterhim。
Itdidnotclose；heturnedroundandbeheldahandwhichheldthedoorhalfopen。
\"Whatisit？\"heasked，\"whoisthere？\"
ItwastheJondrettegirl。
\"Isityou？\"resumedMariusalmostharshly，\"stillyou！Whatdoyouwantwithme？\"
Sheappearedtobethoughtfulanddidnotlookathim。Shenolongerhadtheairofassurancewhichhadcharacterizedherthatmorning。
Shedidnotenter，butheldbackinthedarknessofthecorridor，whereMariuscouldseeherthroughthehalf—opendoor。
\"Comenow，willyouanswer？\"criedMarius。\"Whatdoyouwantwithme？\"
Sheraisedherdulleyes，inwhichasortofgleamseemedtoflickervaguely，andsaid:——
\"MonsieurMarius，youlooksad。Whatisthematterwithyou？\"
\"Withme！\"saidMarius。
\"Yes，you。\"
\"Thereisnothingthematterwithme。\"
\"Yes，thereis！\"
\"No。\"
\"Itellyouthereis！\"
\"Letmealone！\"
Mariusgavethedooranotherpush，butsheretainedherholdonit。
\"Stop，\"saidshe，\"youareinthewrong。Althoughyouarenotrich，youwerekindthismorning。Besoagainnow。
Yougavemesomethingtoeat，nowtellmewhatailsyou。
Youaregrieved，thatisplain。Idonotwantyoutobegrieved。
Whatcanbedoneforit？CanIbeofanyservice？Employme。
Idonotaskforyoursecrets，youneednottellthemtome，butImaybeofuse，nevertheless。Imaybeabletohelpyou，sinceIhelpmyfather。Whenitisnecessarytocarryletters，togotohouses，toinquirefromdoortodoor，tofindoutanaddress，tofollowanyone，Iamofservice。Well，youmayassuredlytellmewhatisthematterwithyou，andIwillgoandspeaktothepersons；
sometimesitisenoughifsomeonespeakstothepersons，thatsufficestoletthemunderstandmatters，andeverythingcomesright。
Makeuseofme。\"
AnideaflashedacrossMarius’mind。Whatbranchdoesonedisdainwhenonefeelsthatoneisfalling？
HedrewneartotheJondrettegirl。
\"Listen——\"hesaidtoher。
Sheinterruptedhimwithagleamofjoyinhereyes。
\"Ohyes，docallmethou！Ilikethatbetter。\"
\"Well，\"heresumed，\"thouhastbroughthitherthatoldgentlemanandhisdaughter！\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Dostthouknowtheiraddress？\"
\"No。\"
\"Finditforme。\"
TheJondrette’sdulleyeshadgrownjoyous，andtheynowbecamegloomy。
\"Isthatwhatyouwant？\"shedemanded。
\"Yes。\"
\"Doyouknowthem？\"
\"No。\"
\"Thatistosay，\"sheresumedquickly，\"youdonotknowher，butyouwishtoknowher。\"
Thisthemwhichhadturnedintoherhadsomethingindescribablysignificantandbitteraboutit。
\"Well，canyoudoit？\"saidMarius。
\"Youshallhavethebeautifullady’saddress。\"
Therewasstillashadeinthewords\"thebeautifullady\"
whichtroubledMarius。Heresumed:——
\"Nevermind，afterall，theaddressofthefatheranddaughter。
Theiraddress，indeed！\"
Shegazedfixedlyathim。
\"Whatwillyougiveme？\"
\"Anythingyoulike。\"
\"AnythingIlike？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Youshallhavetheaddress。\"
Shedroppedherhead；then，withabrusquemovement，shepulledtothedoor，whichclosedbehindher。
Mariusfoundhimselfalone。
Hedroppedintoachair，withhisheadandbothelbowsonhisbed，absorbedinthoughtswhichhecouldnotgrasp，andasthoughapreytovertigo。Allthathadtakenplacesincethemorning，theappearanceoftheangel，herdisappearance，whatthatcreaturehadjustsaidtohim，agleamofhopefloatinginanimmensedespair，——
thiswaswhatfilledhisbrainconfusedly。
Allatoncehewasviolentlyarousedfromhisrevery。
Heheardtheshrill，hardvoiceofJondretteutterthesewords，whichwerefraughtwithastrangeinterestforhim:——
\"ItellyouthatIamsureofit，andthatIrecognizedhim。\"
OfwhomwasJondrettespeaking？Whomhadherecognized？M。Leblanc？
Thefatherof\"hisUrsule\"？What！DidJondretteknowhim？
WasMariusabouttoobtaininthisabruptandunexpectedfashionalltheinformationwithoutwhichhislifewassodarktohim？
Washeabouttolearnatlastwhoitwasthatheloved，whothatyounggirlwas？Whoherfatherwas？Wasthedenseshadowwhichenwrappedthemonthepointofbeingdispelled？Wastheveilabouttoberent？Ah！Heavens！
Heboundedratherthanclimbeduponhiscommode，andresumedhispostnearthelittlepeep—holeinthepartitionwall。
AgainhebeheldtheinteriorofJondrette’shovel。
CHAPTERXII
THEUSEMADEOFM。LEBLANC’SFIVE—FRANCPIECE
Nothingintheaspectofthefamilywasaltered，exceptthatthewifeanddaughtershadleviedonthepackageandputonwoollenstockingsandjackets。Twonewblanketswerethrownacrossthetwobeds。
Jondrettehadevidentlyjustreturned。Hestillhadthebreathlessnessofoutofdoors。Hisdaughterswereseatedonthefloornearthefireplace，theelderengagedindressingtheyounger’swoundedhand。Hiswifehadsunkbackonthebednearthefireplace，withafaceindicativeofastonishment。Jondrettewaspacingupanddownthegarretwithlongstrides。Hiseyeswereextraordinary。
Thewoman，whoseemedtimidandoverwhelmedwithstuporinthepresenceofherhusband，turnedtosay:——
\"What，really？Youaresure？\"
\"Sure！Eightyearshavepassed！ButIrecognizehim！Ah！Irecognizehim。Iknewhimatonce！What！Didn’titforceitselfonyou？\"
\"No。\"
\"ButItoldyou:`Payattention！’Why，itishisfigure，itishisface，onlyolder，——therearepeoplewhodonotgrowold，Idon’tknowhowtheymanageit，——itistheverysoundofhisvoice。
Heisbetterdressed，thatisall！Ah！youmysteriousolddevil，I’vegotyou，thatIhave！\"
Hepaused，andsaidtohisdaughters:——
\"Getoutofhere，you！——It’squeerthatitdidn’tstrikeyou！\"
Theyarosetoobey。
Themotherstammered:——
\"Withherinjuredhand。\"
\"Theairwilldoitgood，\"saidJondrette。\"Beoff。\"
Itwasplainthatthismanwasofthesorttowhomnooneofferstoreply。Thetwogirlsdeparted。
Atthemomentwhentheywereabouttopassthroughthedoor，thefatherdetainedtheelderbythearm，andsaidtoherwithapeculiaraccent:——
\"Youwillbehereatfiveo’clockprecisely。Bothofyou。
Ishallneedyou。\"
Mariusredoubledhisattention。
Onbeingleftalonewithhiswife，Jondrettebegantopacetheroomagain，andmadethetourofittwoorthreetimesinsilence。
Thenhespentseveralminutesintuckingthelowerpartofthewoman’schemisewhichheworeintohistrousers。
Allatonce，heturnedtothefemaleJondrette，foldedhisarmsandexclaimed:——
\"Andwouldyouliketohavemetellyousomething？Theyounglady——\"
\"Well，what？\"retortedhiswife，\"theyounglady？\"
Mariuscouldnotdoubtthatitwasreallysheofwhomtheywerespeaking。
Helistenedwithardentanxiety。Hiswholelifewasinhisears。
ButJondrettehadbentoverandspoketohiswifeinawhisper。
Thenhestraightenedhimselfupandconcludedaloud:——
\"Itisshe！\"
\"Thatone？\"saidhiswife。
\"Thatveryone，\"saidthehusband。
Noexpressioncanreproducethesignificanceofthemother’swords。
Surprise，rage，hate，wrath，weremingledandcombinedinonemonstrousintonation。Thepronunciationofafewwords，thename，nodoubt，whichherhusbandhadwhisperedinherear，hadsufficedtorousethishuge，somnolentwoman，andfrombeingrepulsiveshebecameterrible。
\"Itisnotpossible！\"shecried。\"WhenIthinkthatmydaughtersaregoingbarefoot，andhavenotagowntotheirbacks！What！
Asatinpelisse，avelvetbonnet，boots，andeverything；morethantwohundredfrancs’worthofclothes！sothatonewouldthinkshewasalady！No，youaremistaken！Why，inthefirstplace，theotherwashideous，andthisoneisnotsobad—looking！
Shereallyisnotbad—looking！Itcan’tbeshe！\"
\"Itellyouthatitisshe。Youwillsee。\"
Atthisabsoluteassertion，theJondrettewomanraisedherlarge，red，blondefaceandstaredattheceilingwithahorribleexpression。
Atthatmoment，sheseemedtoMariusevenmoretobefearedthanherhusband。Shewasasowwiththelookofatigress。
\"What！\"sheresumed，\"thathorrible，beautifulyounglady，whogazedatmydaughterswithanairofpity，——sheisthatbeggarbrat！Oh！Ishouldliketokickherstomachinforher！\"
Shesprangoffofthebed，andremainedstandingforamoment，herhairindisorder，hernostrilsdilating，hermouthhalfopen，herfistsclenchedanddrawnback。Thenshefellbackonthebedoncemore。Themanpacedtoandfroandpaidnoattentiontohisfemale。
Afterasilencelastingseveralminutes，heapproachedthefemaleJondrette，andhaltedinfrontofher，withfoldedarms，ashehaddoneamomentbefore:——
\"AndshallItellyouanotherthing？\"
\"Whatisit？\"sheasked。
Heansweredinalow，curtvoice:——
\"Myfortuneismade。\"
Thewomanstaredathimwiththelookthatsignifies:\"Isthepersonwhoisaddressingmeonthepointofgoingmad？\"
Hewenton:——
\"Thunder！ItwasnotsoverylongagothatIwasaparishioneroftheparishofdie—of—hunger—if—you—have—a—fire，—die—of—cold—if—you—have—bread！
Ihavehadenoughofmisery！myshareandotherpeople’sshare！
Iamnotjokinganylonger，Idon’tfinditcomicanymore，I’vehadenoughofpuns，goodGod！nomorefarces，EternalFather！
IwanttoeattillIamfull，Iwanttodrinkmyfill！togormandize！
tosleep！todonothing！Iwanttohavemyturn，soIdo，comenow！beforeIdie！Iwanttobeabitofamillionnaire！\"
Hetookaturnroundthehovel，andadded:——
\"Likeotherpeople。\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？\"askedthewoman。
Heshookhishead，winked，screweduponeeye，andraisedhisvoicelikeamedicalprofessorwhoisabouttomakeademonstration:——
\"WhatdoImeanbythat？Listen！\"
\"Hush！\"mutteredthewoman，\"notsoloud！Thesearematterswhichmustnotbeoverheard。\"
\"Bah！Who’shere？Ourneighbor？Isawhimgooutalittlewhileago。Besides，hedoesn’tlisten，thebigbooby。
AndItellyouthatIsawhimgoout。\"
Nevertheless，byasortofinstinct，Jondretteloweredhisvoice，althoughnotsufficientlytopreventMariushearinghiswords。
Onefavorablecircumstance，whichenabledMariusnottoloseawordofthisconversationwasthefallingsnowwhichdeadenedthesoundofvehiclesontheboulevard。
ThisiswhatMariusheard:——
\"Listencarefully。TheCroesusiscaught，orasgoodascaught！
That’sallsettledalready。Everythingisarranged。Ihaveseensomepeople。Hewillcomeherethiseveningatsixo’clock。Tobringsixtyfrancs，therascal！DidyounoticehowIplayedthatgameonhim，mysixtyfrancs，mylandlord，myfourthofFebruary？
Idon’tevenoweforonequarter！Isn’theafool！Sohewillcomeatsixo’clock！That’sthehourwhenourneighborgoestohisdinner。
MotherBougonisoffwashingdishesinthecity。There’snotasoulinthehouse。Theneighbornevercomeshomeuntileleveno’clock。
Thechildrenshallstandonwatch。Youshallhelpus。Hewillgivein。\"
\"Andwhatifhedoesnotgivein？\"demandedhiswife。
Jondrettemadeasinistergesture，andsaid:——
\"We’llfixhim。\"
Andheburstoutlaughing。