Oneofwoman’smagnanimitiesistoyield。Love，attheheightwhereitisabsolute，iscomplicatedwithsomeindescribablycelestialblindnessofmodesty。Butwhatdangersyourun，Onoblesouls！
Oftenyougivetheheart，andwetakethebody。Yourheartremainswithyou，yougazeuponitinthegloomwithashudder。Lovehasnomiddlecourse；iteitherruinsoritsaves。Allhumandestinyliesinthisdilemma。Thisdilemma，ruin，orsafety，issetforthnomoreinexorablybyanyfatalitythanbylove。Loveislife，ifitisnotdeath。Cradle；alsocoffin。Thesamesentimentsays\"yes\"and\"no\"inthehumanheart。OfallthethingsthatGodhasmade，thehumanheartistheonewhichshedsthemostlight，alas！andthemostdarkness。
GodwilledthatCosette’sloveshouldencounteroneoftheloveswhichsave。
ThroughoutthewholeofthemonthofMayofthatyear1832，therewerethere，ineverynight，inthatpoor，neglectedgarden，beneaththatthicketwhichgrewthickerandmorefragrantdaybyday，twobeingscomposedofallchastity，allinnocence，overflowingwithallthefelicityofheaven，nearertothearchangelsthantomankind，pure，honest，intoxicated，radiant，whoshoneforeachotheramidtheshadows。ItseemedtoCosettethatMariushadacrown，andtoMariusthatCosettehadanimbus。Theytouchedeachother，theygazedateachother，theyclaspedeachother’shands，theypressedclosetoeachother；buttherewasadistancewhichtheydidnotpass。
Notthattheyrespectedit；theydidnotknowofitsexistence。
Mariuswasconsciousofabarrier，Cosette’sinnocence；andCosetteofasupport，Marius’loyalty。Thefirstkisshadalsobeenthelast。Marius，sincethattime，hadnotgonefurtherthantotouchCosette’shand，orherkerchief，oralockofherhair，withhislips。
Forhim，Cosettewasaperfumeandnotawoman。Heinhaledher。
Sherefusednothing，andheaskednothing。Cosettewashappy，andMariuswassatisfied。Theylivedinthisecstaticstatewhichcanbedescribedasthedazzlingofonesoulbyanothersoul。
Itwastheineffablefirstembraceoftwomaidensoulsintheideal。
TwoswansmeetingontheJungfrau。
Atthathouroflove，anhourwhenvoluptuousnessisabsolutelymute，beneaththeomnipotenceofecstasy，Marius，thepureandseraphicMarius，wouldratherhavegonetoawomanofthetownthanhaveraisedCosette’srobetotheheightofherankle。Once，inthemoonlight，Cosettestoopedtopickupsomethingontheground，herbodicefellapartandpermittedaglimpseofthebeginningofherthroat。
Mariusturnedawayhiseyes。
Whattookplacebetweenthesetwobeings？Nothing。Theyadoredeachother。
Atnight，whentheywerethere，thatgardenseemedalivingandasacredspot。Allflowersunfoldedaroundthemandsentthemincense；
andtheyopenedtheirsoulsandscatteredthemovertheflowers。
Thewantonandvigorousvegetationquivered，fullofstrengthandintoxication，aroundthesetwoinnocents，andtheyutteredwordsoflovewhichsetthetreestotrembling。
Whatwordswerethese？Breaths。Nothingmore。Thesebreathssufficedtotroubleandtotouchallnatureroundabout。
Magicpowerwhichweshouldfinditdifficulttounderstandwerewetoreadinabooktheseconversationswhicharemadetobeborneawayanddispersedlikesmokewreathsbythebreezebeneaththeleaves。
Takefromthosemurmursoftwoloversthatmelodywhichproceedsfromthesoulandwhichaccompaniesthemlikealyre，andwhatremainsisnothingmorethanashade；yousay:\"What！isthatall！\"
eh！yes，childishprattle，repetitions，laughteratnothing，nonsense，everythingthatisdeepestandmostsublimeintheworld！
Theonlythingswhichareworththetroubleofsayingandhearing！
Themanwhohasneverheard，themanwhohasneverutteredtheseabsurdities，thesepaltryremarks，isanimbecileandamaliciousfellow。CosettesaidtoMarius:——
\"Dostthouknow？——\"
[Inallthisandathwartthiscelestialmaidenliness，andwithouteitherofthembeingabletosayhowithadcomeabout，theyhadbeguntocalleachotherthou。]
\"Dostthouknow？MynameisEuphrasie。\"
\"Euphrasie？Why，no，thynameisCosette。\"
\"Oh！CosetteisaveryuglynamethatwasgiventomewhenI
wasalittlething。ButmyrealnameisEuphrasie。Dostthoulikethatname——Euphrasie？\"
\"Yes。ButCosetteisnotugly。\"
\"DoyoulikeitbetterthanEuphrasie？\"
\"Why，yes。\"
\"ThenIlikeitbettertoo。Truly，itispretty，Cosette。
CallmeCosette。\"
Andthesmilethatsheaddedmadeofthisdialogueanidylworthyofagrovesituatedinheaven。Onanotheroccasionshegazedintentlyathimandexclaimed:——
\"Monsieur，youarehandsome，youaregood—looking，youarewitty，youarenotatallstupid，youaremuchmorelearnedthanIam，butIbidyoudefiancewiththisword:Iloveyou！\"
AndMarius，intheveryheavens，thoughtheheardastrainsungbyastar。
Orshebestowedonhimagentletapbecausehecoughed，andshesaidtohim:——
\"Don’tcough，sir；Iwillnothavepeoplecoughonmydomainwithoutmypermission。It’sverynaughtytocoughandtodisturbme。
Iwantyoutobewell，because，inthefirstplace，ifyouwerenotwell，Ishouldbeveryunhappy。WhatshouldIdothen？\"
Andthiswassimplydivine。
OnceMariussaidtoCosette:——
\"Justimagine，IthoughtatonetimethatyournamewasUrsule。\"
Thismadebothofthemlaughthewholeevening。
Inthemiddleofanotherconversation，hechancedtoexclaim:——
\"Oh！Oneday，attheLuxembourg，Ihadagoodmindtofinishbreakingupaveteran！\"Buthestoppedshort，andwentnofurther。
HewouldhavebeenobligedtospeaktoCosetteofhergarter，andthatwasimpossible。Thisborderedonastrangetheme，theflesh，beforewhichthatimmenseandinnocentloverecoiledwithasortofsacredfright。
MariuspicturedlifewithCosettetohimselflikethis，withoutanythingelse；tocomeeveryeveningtotheRuePlumet，todisplacetheoldandaccommodatingbarofthechief—justice’sgate，tositelbowtoelbowonthatbench，togazethroughthetreesatthescintillationoftheon—comingnight，tofitafoldofthekneeofhistrousersintotheamplefallofCosette’sgown，tocaressherthumb—nail，tocallherthou，tosmellofthesameflower，oneaftertheother，forever，indefinitely。Duringthistime，cloudspassedabovetheirheads。Everytimethatthewindblowsitbearswithitmoreofthedreamsofmenthanofthecloudsofheaven。
Thischaste，almostshylovewasnotdevoidofgallantry，byanymeans。Topaycomplimentstothewomanwhomamanlovesisthefirstmethodofbestowingcaresses，andheishalfaudaciouswhotriesit。Acomplimentissomethinglikeakissthroughaveil。
Voluptuousnessminglestherewithitssweettinypoint，whileithidesitself。Theheartdrawsbackbeforevoluptuousnessonlytolovethemore。Marius’blandishments，allsaturatedwithfancy，were，sotospeak，ofazurehue。Thebirdswhentheyflyupyonder，inthedirectionoftheangels，musthearsuchwords。Thereweremingledwiththem，nevertheless，life，humanity，allthepositivenessofwhichMariuswascapable。Itwaswhatissaidinthebower，apreludetowhatwillbesaidinthechamber；alyricaleffusion，stropheandsonnetintermingled，pleasinghyperbolesofcooing，alltherefinementsofadorationarrangedinabouquetandexhalingacelestialperfume，anineffabletwitterofhearttoheart。
\"Oh！\"murmuredMarius，\"howbeautifulyouare！Idarenotlookatyou。
ItisalloverwithmewhenIcontemplateyou。Youareagrace。
Iknownotwhatisthematterwithme。Thehemofyourgown，whenthetipofyourshoepeepsfrombeneath，upsetsme。Andthen，whatanenchantedgleamwhenyouopenyourthoughtevenbutalittle！
Youtalkastonishinglygoodsense。Itseemstomeattimesthatyouareadream。Speak，Ilisten，Iadmire。OhCosette！
howstrangeitisandhowcharming！Iamreallybesidemyself。
Youareadorable，Mademoiselle。Istudyyourfeetwiththemicroscopeandyoursoulwiththetelescope。\"
AndCosetteanswered:——
\"Ihavebeenlovingalittlemoreallthetimethathaspassedsincethismorning。\"
Questionsandrepliestookcareofthemselvesinthisdialogue，whichalwaysturnedwithmutualconsentuponlove，asthelittlepithfiguresalwaysturnontheirpeg。
Cosette’swholepersonwasingenuousness，ingenuity，transparency，whiteness，candor，radiance。ItmighthavebeensaidofCosettethatshewasclear。SheproducedonthosewhosawherthesensationofAprilanddawn。Therewasdewinhereyes。
Cosettewasacondensationoftheaurorallightintheformofawoman。
ItwasquitesimplethatMariusshouldadmireher，sinceheadoredher。
Butthetruthis，thatthislittleschool—girl，freshfromtheconvent，talkedwithexquisitepenetrationanduttered，attimes，allsortsoftrueanddelicatesayings。Herprattlewasconversation。
Shenevermadeamistakeaboutanything，andshesawthingsjustly。
Thewomanfeelsandspeakswiththetenderinstinctoftheheart，whichisinfallible。
Nooneunderstandssowellasawoman，howtosaythingsthatare，atonce，bothsweetanddeep。Sweetnessanddepth，theyarethewholeofwoman；inthemliesthewholeofheaven。
Inthisfullfelicity，tearswelleduptotheireyeseveryinstant。
Acrushedlady—bug，afeatherfallenfromanest，abranchofhawthornbroken，arousedtheirpity，andtheirecstasy，sweetlymingledwithmelancholy，seemedtoasknothingbetterthantoweep。
Themostsovereignsymptomofloveisatendernessthatis，attimes，almostunbearable。
And，inadditiontothis，——allthesecontradictionsarethelightningplayoflove，——theywerefondoflaughing，theylaughedreadilyandwithadeliciousfreedom，andsofamiliarlythattheysometimespresentedtheairoftwoboys。
Still，thoughunknowntoheartsintoxicatedwithpurity，natureisalwayspresentandwillnotbeforgotten。Sheistherewithherbrutalandsublimeobject；andhowevergreatmaybetheinnocenceofsouls，onefeelsinthemostmodestprivateinterview，theadorableandmysteriousshadewhichseparatesacoupleofloversfromapairoffriends。
Theyidolizedeachother。
Thepermanentandtheimmutablearepersistent。Peoplelive，theysmile，theylaugh，theymakelittlegrimaceswiththetipsoftheirlips，theyinterlacetheirfingers，theycalleachotherthou，andthatdoesnotpreventeternity。
Twolovershidethemselvesintheevening，inthetwilight，intheinvisible，withthebirds，withtheroses；theyfascinateeachotherinthedarknesswiththeirheartswhichtheythrowintotheireyes，theymurmur，theywhisper，andinthemeantime，immenselibrationsoftheplanetsfilltheinfiniteuniverse。
CHAPTERII
THEBEWILDERMENTOFPERFECTHAPPINESS
Theyexistedvaguely，frightenedattheirhappiness。TheydidnotnoticethecholerawhichdecimatedParispreciselyduringthatverymonth。
Theyhadconfidedineachotherasfaraspossible，butthishadnotextendedmuchfurtherthantheirnames。MariushadtoldCosettethathewasanorphan，thathisnamewasMariusPontmercy，thathewasalawyer，thathelivedbywritingthingsforpublishers，thathisfatherhadbeenacolonel，thatthelatterhadbeenahero，andthathe，Marius，wasonbadtermswithhisgrandfatherwhowasrich。Hehadalsohintedatbeingabaron，butthishadproducednoeffectonCosette。Shedidnotknowthemeaningoftheword。
MariuswasMarius。Onherside，shehadconfidedtohimthatshehadbeenbroughtupatthePetit—Picpusconvent，thathermother，likehisown，wasdead，thatherfather’snamewasM。Fauchelevent，thathewasverygood，thathegaveagreatdealtothepoor，butthathewaspoorhimself，andthathedeniedhimselfeverythingthoughhedeniedhernothing。
Strangetosay，inthesortofsymphonywhichMariushadlivedsincehehadbeeninthehabitofseeingCosette，thepast，eventhemostrecentpast，hadbecomesoconfusedanddistanttohim，thatwhatCosettetoldhimsatisfiedhimcompletely。
Itdidnotevenoccurtohimtotellheraboutthenocturnaladventureinthehovel，aboutThenardier，abouttheburn，andaboutthestrangeattitudeandsingularflightofherfather。
Mariushadmomentarilyforgottenallthis；intheeveninghedidnotevenknowthattherehadbeenamorning，whathehaddone，wherehehadbreakfasted，norwhohadspokentohim；hehadsongsinhisearswhichrenderedhimdeaftoeveryotherthought；
heonlyexistedatthehourswhenhesawCosette。Then，ashewasinheaven，itwasquitenaturalthatheshouldforgetearth。
Bothborelanguidlytheindefinableburdenofimmaterialpleasures。
Thuslivedthesesomnambulistswhoarecalledlovers。
Alas！Whoistherewhohasnotfeltallthesethings？Whydoestherecomeanhourwhenoneemergesfromthisazure，andwhydoeslifegoonafterwards？
Lovingalmosttakestheplaceofthinking。Loveisanardentforgetfulnessofalltherest。Thenasklogicofpassionifyouwill。
Thereisnomoreabsolutelogicalsequenceinthehumanheartthanthereisaperfectgeometricalfigureinthecelestialmechanism。
ForCosetteandMariusnothingexistedexceptMariusandCosette。
Theuniversearoundthemhadfallenintoahole。Theylivedinagoldenminute。Therewasnothingbeforethem，nothingbehind。
IthardlyoccurredtoMariusthatCosettehadafather。Hisbrainwasdazzledandobliterated。Ofwhatdidtheseloverstalkthen？
Wehaveseen，oftheflowers，andtheswallows，thesettingsunandtherisingmoon，andallsortsofimportantthings。Theyhadtoldeachothereverythingexcepteverything。Theeverythingofloversisnothing。Butthefather，therealities，thatlair，theruffians，thatadventure，towhatpurpose？Andwasheverysurethatthisnightmarehadactuallyexisted？Theyweretwo，andtheyadoredeachother，andbeyondthattherewasnothing。Nothingelseexisted。
Itisprobablethatthisvanishingofhellinourrearisinherenttothearrivalofparadise。Havewebehelddemons？Arethereany？
Havewetrembled？Havewesuffered？Wenolongerknow。Arosycloudhangsoverit。
Sothesetwobeingslivedinthismanner，highaloft，withallthatimprobabilitywhichisinnature；neitheratthenadirnoratthezenith，betweenmanandseraphim，abovethemire，belowtheether，intheclouds；hardlyfleshandblood，soulandecstasyfromheadtofoot；alreadytoosublimetowalktheearth，stilltooheavilychargedwithhumanitytodisappearintheblue，suspendedlikeatomswhicharewaitingtobeprecipitated；apparentlybeyondtheboundsofdestiny；ignorantofthatrut；yesterday，to—day，to—morrow；
amazed，rapturous，floating，soaring；attimessolightthattheycouldtaketheirflightoutintotheinfinite；almostpreparedtosoarawaytoalleternity。Theysleptwide—awake，thussweetlylulled。
Oh！splendidlethargyoftherealoverwhelmedbytheideal。
Sometimes，beautifulasCosettewas，Mariusshuthiseyesinherpresence。Thebestwaytolookatthesoulisthroughclosedeyes。
MariusandCosetteneveraskedthemselveswhitherthiswastoleadthem。
Theyconsideredthattheyhadalreadyarrived。Itisastrangeclaimonman’sparttowishthatloveshouldleadtosomething。
CHAPTERIII
THEBEGINNINGOFSHADOW
JeanValjeansuspectednothing。
Cosette，whowasratherlessdreamythanMarius，wasgay，andthatsufficedforJeanValjean’shappiness。ThethoughtswhichCosettecherished，hertenderpreoccupations，Marius’imagewhichfilledherheart，tookawaynothingfromtheincomparablepurityofherbeautiful，chaste，andsmilingbrow。Shewasattheagewhenthevirginbearsherloveastheangelhislily。SoJeanValjeanwasatease。Andthen，whentwolovershavecometoanunderstanding，thingsalwaysgowell；thethirdpartywhomightdisturbtheirloveiskeptinastateofperfectblindnessbyarestrictednumberofprecautionswhicharealwaysthesameinthecaseofalllovers。
Thus，CosetteneverobjectedtoanyofJeanValjean’sproposals。
Didshewanttotakeawalk？\"Yes，dearlittlefather。\"Didshewanttostayathome？Verygood。DidhewishtopasstheeveningwithCosette？Shewasdelighted。Ashealwayswenttobedatteno’clock，Mariusdidnotcometothegardenonsuchoccasionsuntilafterthathour，when，fromthestreet，heheardCosetteopenthelongglassdoorontheveranda。Ofcourse，nooneevermetMariusinthedaytime。JeanValjeanneverevendreamedanylongerthatMariuswasinexistence。Onlyonce，onemorning，hechancedtosaytoCosette:\"Why，youhavewhitewashonyourback！\"Onthepreviousevening，Marius，inatransport，hadpushedCosetteagainstthewall。
OldToussaint，whoretiredearly，thoughtofnothingbuthersleep，andwasasignorantofthewholematterasJeanValjean。
Mariusneversetfootinthehouse。WhenhewaswithCosette，theyhidthemselvesinarecessnearthesteps，inorderthattheymightneitherbeseennorheardfromthestreet，andtheretheysat，frequentlycontentingthemselves，bywayofconversation，withpressingeachother’shandstwentytimesaminuteastheygazedatthebranchesofthetrees。Atsuchtimes，athunderboltmighthavefallenthirtypacesfromthem，andtheywouldnothavenoticedit，sodeeplywasthereveryoftheoneabsorbedandsunkinthereveryoftheother。
Limpidpurity。Hourswhollywhite；almostallalike。Thissortofloveisarecollectionoflilypetalsandtheplumageofthedove。
Thewholeextentofthegardenlaybetweenthemandthestreet。
EverytimethatMariusenteredandleft，hecarefullyadjustedthebarofthegateinsuchamannerthatnodisplacementwasvisible。
Heusuallywentawayaboutmidnight，andreturnedtoCourfeyrac’slodgings。CourfeyracsaidtoBahorel:——
\"Wouldyoubelieveit？Mariuscomeshomenowadaysatoneo’clockinthemorning。\"
Bahorelreplied:——
\"Whatdoyouexpect？There’salwaysapetardinaseminaryfellow。\"
Attimes，Courfeyracfoldedhisarms，assumedaseriousair，andsaidtoMarius:——
\"Youaregettingirregularinyourhabits，youngman。\"
Courfeyrac，beingapracticalman，didnottakeingoodpartthisreflectionofaninvisibleparadiseuponMarius；hewasnotmuchinthehabitofconcealedpassions；itmadehimimpatient，andnowandthenhecalleduponMariustocomebacktoreality。
Onemorning，hethrewhimthisadmonition:——
\"Mydearfellow，youproduceuponmetheeffectofbeinglocatedinthemoon，therealmofdreams，theprovinceofillusions，capital，soap—bubble。Come，beagoodboy，what’shername？\"
ButnothingcouldinduceMarius\"totalk。\"Theymighthavetornouthisnailsbeforeoneofthetwosacredsyllablesofwhichthatineffablename，Cosette，wascomposed。Trueloveisasluminousasthedawnandassilentasthetomb。Only，CourfeyracsawthischangeinMarius，thathistaciturnitywasofthebeamingorder。
DuringthissweetmonthofMay，MariusandCosettelearnedtoknowtheseimmensedelights。Todisputeandtosayyouforthou，simplythattheymightsaythouthebetterafterwards。Totalkatgreatlengthwithveryminutedetails，ofpersonsinwhomtheytooknottheslightestinterestintheworld；anotherproofthatinthatravishingoperacalledlove，thelibrettocountsforalmostnothing；
ForMarius，tolistentoCosettediscussingfinery；
ForCosette，tolistentoMariustalkinpolitics；
Tolisten，kneepressedtoknee，tothecarriagesrollingalongtheRuedeBabylone；
Togazeuponthesameplanetinspace，oratthesameglowwormgleaminginthegrass；
Toholdtheirpeacetogether；astillgreaterdelightthanconversation；
Etc。，etc。
Inthemeantime，diverscomplicationswereapproaching。
Oneevening，Mariuswasonhiswaytotherendezvous，bywayoftheBoulevarddesInvalides。Hehabituallywalkedwithdroopinghead。
AshewasonthepointofturningthecorneroftheRuePlumet，heheardsomeonequiteclosetohimsay:——
\"Goodevening，MonsieurMarius。\"
HeraisedhisheadandrecognizedEponine。
Thisproducedasingulareffectuponhim。HehadnotthoughtofthatgirlasingletimesincethedaywhenshehadconductedhimtotheRuePlumet，hehadnotseenheragain，andshehadgonecompletelyoutofhismind。Hehadnoreasonsforanythingbutgratitudetowardsher，heowedherhishappiness，andyet，itwasembarrassingtohimtomeether。
Itisanerrortothinkthatpassion，whenitispureandhappy，leadsmantoastateofperfection；itsimplyleadshim，aswehavenoted，toastateofoblivion。Inthissituation，manforgetstobebad，buthealsoforgetstobegood。Gratitude，duty，mattersessentialandimportanttoberemembered，vanish。Atanyothertime，MariuswouldhavebehavedquitedifferentlytoEponine。
AbsorbedinCosette，hehadnotevenclearlyputittohimselfthatthisEponinewasnamedEponineThenardier，andthatsheborethenameinscribedinhisfather’swill，thatname，forwhich，butafewmonthsbefore，hewouldhavesoardentlysacrificedhimself。
WeshowMariusashewas。Hisfatherhimselfwasfadingoutofhissoultosomeextent，underthesplendorofhislove。
Herepliedwithsomeembarrassment:——
\"Ah！soit’syou，Eponine？\"
\"Whydoyoucallmeyou？HaveIdoneanythingtoyou？\"
\"No，\"heanswered。
Certainly，hehadnothingagainsther。Farfromit。Only，hefeltthathecouldnotdootherwise，nowthatheusedthoutoCosette，thansayyoutoEponine。
Asheremainedsilent，sheexclaimed:——
\"Say——\"
Thenshepaused。Itseemedasthoughwordsfailedthatcreatureformerlysoheedlessandsobold。Shetriedtosmileandcouldnot。
Thensheresumed:——
\"Well？\"
Thenshepausedagain，andremainedwithdowncasteyes。
\"Goodevening，Mr。Marius，\"saidshesuddenlyandabruptly；
andawayshewent。
CHAPTERIV
ACABRUNSINENGLISHANDBARKSINSLANG
Thefollowingdaywasthe3dofJune，1832，adatewhichitisnecessarytoindicateonaccountofthegraveeventswhichatthatepochhungonthehorizonofParisinthestateoflightning—chargedclouds。Marius，atnightfall，waspursuingthesameroadasontheprecedingevening，withthesamethoughtsofdelightinhisheart，whenhecaughtsightofEponineapproaching，throughthetreesoftheboulevard。Twodaysinsuccession——
thiswastoomuch。Heturnedhastilyaside，quittedtheboulevard，changedhiscourseandwenttotheRuePlumetthroughtheRueMonsieur。
ThiscausedEponinetofollowhimtotheRuePlumet，athingwhichshehadnotyetdone。Uptothattime，shehadcontentedherselfwithwatchinghimonhispassagealongtheboulevardwithouteverseekingtoencounterhim。Itwasonlyontheeveningbeforethatshehadattemptedtoaddresshim。
SoEponinefollowedhim，withouthissuspectingthefact。
Shesawhimdisplacethebarandslipintothegarden。
Sheapproachedtherailing，feltofthebarsoneaftertheother，andreadilyrecognizedtheonewhichMariushadmoved。
Shemurmuredinalowvoiceandingloomyaccents:——
\"Noneofthat，Lisette！\"
Sheseatedherselfontheunderpinningoftherailing，closebesidethebar，asthoughshewereguardingit。Itwaspreciselyatthepointwheretherailingtouchedtheneighboringwall。
Therewasadimnookthere，inwhichEponinewasentirelyconcealed。
Sheremainedthusformorethananhour，withoutstirringandwithoutbreathing，apreytoherthoughts。
Towardsteno’clockintheevening，oneofthetwoorthreepersonswhopassedthroughtheRuePlumet，anold，belatedbourgeoiswhowasmakinghastetoescapefromthisdesertedspotofevilrepute，asheskirtedthegardenrailingsandreachedtheanglewhichitmadewiththewall，heardadullandthreateningvoicesaying:——
\"I’mnolongersurprisedthathecomeshereeveryevening。\"
Thepasser—bycastaglancearoundhim，sawnoone，darednotpeerintotheblackniche，andwasgreatlyalarmed。Heredoubledhispace。
Thispasser—byhadreasontomakehaste，foraveryfewinstantslater，sixmen，whoweremarchingseparatelyandatsomedistancefromeachother，alongthewall，andwhomighthavebeentakenforagraypatrol，enteredtheRuePlumet。
Thefirsttoarriveatthegardenrailinghalted，andwaitedfortheothers；asecondlater，allsixwerereunited。
Thesemenbegantotalkinalowvoice。
\"Thisistheplace，\"saidoneofthem。
\"Isthereacab[dog]inthegarden？\"askedanother。
\"Idon’tknow。Inanycase，Ihavefetchedaballthatwe’llmakehimeat。\"
\"Haveyousomeputtytobreakthepanewith？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Therailingisold，\"interpolatedafifth，whohadthevoiceofaventriloquist。
\"Somuchthebetter，\"saidthesecondwhohadspoken。\"Itwon’tscreechunderthesaw，anditwon’tbehardtocut。\"
Thesixth，whohadnotyetopenedhislips，nowbegantoinspectthegate，asEponinehaddoneanhourearlier，graspingeachbarinsuccession，andshakingthemcautiously。
ThushecametothebarwhichMariushadloosened。Ashewasonthepointofgraspingthisbar，ahandemergedabruptlyfromthedarkness，felluponhisarm；hefelthimselfvigorouslythrustasidebyapushinthemiddleofhisbreast，andahoarsevoicesaidtohim，butnotloudly:——
\"There’sadog。\"
Atthesamemoment，heperceivedapalegirlstandingbeforehim。
Themanunderwentthatshockwhichtheunexpectedalwaysbrings。
Hebristledupinhideouswise；nothingissoformidabletobeholdasferociousbeastswhoareuneasy；theirterrifiedairevokesterror。
Herecoiledandstammered:——
\"Whatjadeisthis？\"
\"Yourdaughter。\"
Itwas，infact，Eponine，whohadaddressedThenardier。
AttheapparitionofEponine，theotherfive，thatistosay，Claquesous，Guelemer，Babet，Brujon，andMontparnassehadnoiselesslydrawnnear，withoutprecipitation，withoututteringaword，withthesinisterslownesspeculiartothesemenofthenight。
Someindescribablebuthideoustoolswerevisibleintheirhands。
Guelemerheldoneofthosepairsofcurvedpincerswhichprowlerscallfanchons。
\"Ah，seehere，whatareyouaboutthere？Whatdoyouwantwithus？
Areyoucrazy？\"exclaimedThenardier，asloudlyasonecanexclaimandstillspeaklow；\"whathaveyoucomeheretohinderourworkfor？\"
Eponineburstoutlaughing，andthrewherselfonhisneck。
\"Iamhere，littlefather，becauseIamhere。Isn’tapersonallowedtositonthestonesnowadays？It’syouwhooughtnottobehere。Whathaveyoucomeherefor，sinceit’sabiscuit？
ItoldMagnonso。There’snothingtobedonehere。Butembraceme，mygoodlittlefather！It’salongtimesinceI’veseenyou！
Soyou’reout？\"
ThenardiertriedtodisentanglehimselffromEponine’sarms，andgrumbled:——
\"That’sgood。You’veembracedme。Yes，I’mout。I’mnotin。
Now，getawaywithyou。\"
ButEponinedidnotreleaseherhold，andredoubledhercaresses。
\"Buthowdidyoumanageit，littlepa？Youmusthavebeenveryclevertogetoutofthat。Tellmeaboutit！Andmymother？
Whereismother？Tellmeaboutmamma。\"
Thenardierreplied:——
\"She’swell。Idon’tknow，letmealone，andbeoff，Itellyou。
\"Iwon’tgo，sotherenow，\"poutedEponinelikeaspoiledchild；
\"yousendmeoff，andit’sfourmonthssinceIsawyou，andI’vehardlyhadtimetokissyou。\"
Andshecaughtherfatherroundtheneckagain。
\"Come，now，thisisstupid！\"saidBabet。
\"Makehaste！\"saidGuelemer，\"thecopsmaypass。\"
Theventriloquist’svoicerepeatedhisdistich:——
\"Nousn’sommespaslejourdel’an，\"Thisisn’tNewYear’sdayAbecoterpapa，maman。\"Topeckatpaandma。\"
Eponineturnedtothefiveruffians。
\"Why，it’sMonsieurBrujon。Goodday，MonsieurBabet。Goodday，MonsieurClaquesous。Don’tyouknowme，MonsieurGuelemer？
Howgoesit，Montparnasse？\"
\"Yes，theyknowyou！\"ejaculatedThenardier。\"Butgoodday，goodevening，sheeroff！leaveusalone！\"
\"It’sthehourforfoxes，notforchickens，\"saidMontparnasse。
\"Youseethejobwehaveonhandhere，\"addedBabet。
EponinecaughtMontparnasse’shand。
\"Takecare，\"saidhe，\"you’llcutyourself，I’veaknifeopen。\"
\"MylittleMontparnasse，\"respondedEponineverygently，\"youmusthaveconfidenceinpeople。Iamthedaughterofmyfather，perhaps。
MonsieurBabet，MonsieurGuelemer，I’mthepersonwhowaschargedtoinvestigatethismatter。\"
ItisremarkablethatEponinedidnottalkslang。ThatfrightfultonguehadbecomeimpossibletohersinceshehadknownMarius。
Shepressedinherhand，small，bony，andfeebleasthatofaskeleton，Guelemer’shuge，coarsefingers，andcontinued:——
\"YouknowwellthatI’mnofool。Ordinarily，Iambelieved。
Ihaverenderedyouserviceonvariousoccasions。Well，Ihavemadeinquiries；youwillexposeyourselvestonopurpose，yousee。
Isweartoyouthatthereisnothinginthishouse。\"
\"Therearelonewomen，\"saidGuelemer。
\"No，thepersonshavemovedaway。\"
\"Thecandleshaven’t，anyway！\"ejaculatedBabet。
AndhepointedouttoEponine，acrossthetopsofthetrees，alightwhichwaswanderingaboutinthemansardroofofthepavilion。
ItwasToussaint，whohadstayeduptospreadoutsomelinentodry。
Eponinemadeafinaleffort。
\"Well，\"saidshe，\"they’reverypoorfolks，andit’sahovelwherethereisn’tasou。\"
\"Gotothedevil！\"criedThenardier。\"Whenwe’veturnedthehouseupsidedownandputthecellaratthetopandtheatticbelow，we’lltellyouwhatthereisinside，andwhetherit’sfrancsorsousorhalf—farthings。\"
Andhepushedherasidewiththeintentionofentering。
\"Mygoodfriend，Mr。Montparnasse，\"saidEponine，\"Ientreatyou，youareagoodfellow，don’tenter。\"
\"Takecare，you’llcutyourself，\"repliedMontparnasse。
Thenardierresumedinhisdecidedtone:——
\"Decamp，mygirl，andleavementotheirownaffairs！\"
EponinereleasedMontparnasse’shand，whichshehadgraspedagain，andsaid:——
\"Soyoumeantoenterthishouse？\"
\"Rather！\"grinnedtheventriloquist。
Thenshesetherbackagainstthegate，facedthesixruffianswhowerearmedtotheteeth，andtowhomthenightlentthevisagesofdemons，andsaidinafirm，lowvoice:——
\"Well，Idon’tmeanthatyoushall。\"
Theyhaltedinamazement。Theventriloquist，however，finishedhisgrin。
Shewenton:——
\"Friends！Listenwell。Thisisnotwhatyouwant。NowI’mtalking。
Inthefirstplace，ifyouenterthisgarden，ifyoulayahandonthisgate，I’llscream，I’llbeatonthedoor，I’llrouseeverybody，I’llhavethewholesixofyouseized，I’llcallthepolice。\"
\"She’ddoit，too，\"saidThenardierinalowtonetoBrujonandtheventriloquist。
Sheshookherheadandadded:——
\"Beginningwithmyfather！\"
Thenardiersteppednearer。
\"Notsoclose，mygoodman！\"saidshe。
Heretreated，growlingbetweenhisteeth:——
\"Why，what’sthematterwithher？\"
Andheadded:——
\"Bitch！\"
Shebegantolaughinaterribleway:——
\"Asyoulike，butyoushallnotenterhere。I’mnotthedaughterofadog，sinceI’mthedaughterofawolf。Therearesixofyou，whatmattersthattome？Youaremen。Well，I’mawoman。
Youdon’tfrightenme。Itellyouthatyoushan’tenterthishouse，becauseitdoesn’tsuitme。Ifyouapproach，I’llbark。Itoldyou，I’mthedog，andIdon’tcareastrawforyou。Goyourway，youboreme！Gowhereyouplease，butdon’tcomehere，Iforbidit！
Youcanuseyourknives。I’llusekicks；it’sallthesametome，comeon！\"
Sheadvancedapacenearertheruffians，shewasterrible，sheburstoutlaughing:——
\"Pardine！I’mnotafraid。Ishallbehungrythissummer，andIshallbecoldthiswinter。Aren’ttheyridiculous，theseninniesofmen，tothinktheycanscareagirl！What！Scare？Oh，yes，much！
Becauseyouhavefinicalpoppetsofmistresseswhohideunderthebedwhenyouputonabigvoice，forsooth！Iain’tafraidofanything，thatIain’t！\"
ShefastenedherintentgazeuponThenardierandsaid:——
\"Notevenofyou，father！\"
Thenshecontinued，asshecastherblood—shot，spectre—likeeyesupontheruffiansinturn:——
\"WhatdoIcareifI’mpickedupto—morrowmorningonthepavementoftheRuePlumet，killedbytheblowsofmyfather’sclub，orwhetherI’mfoundayearfromnowinthenetsatSaint—CloudortheIsleofSwansinthemidstofrottenoldcorksanddrowneddogs？\"
Shewasforcedtopause；shewasseizedbyadrycough，herbreathcamefromherweakandnarrowchestlikethedeath—rattle。
Sheresumed:——
\"Ihaveonlytocryout，andpeoplewillcome，andthenslap，bang！
Therearesixofyou；Irepresentthewholeworld。\"
Thenardiermadeamovementtowardsher。
\"Don’tapproach！\"shecried。
Hehalted，andsaidgently:——
\"Well，no；Iwon’tapproach，butdon’tspeaksoloud。Soyouintendtohinderusinourwork，mydaughter？Butwemustearnourlivingallthesame。Haveyounolongeranykindfeelingforyourfather？\"
\"Youbotherme，\"saidEponine。
\"Butwemustlive，wemusteat——\"
\"Burst！\"
Sosaying，sheseatedherselfontheunderpinningofthefenceandhummed:——
\"Monbrassidodu，\"Myarmsoplump，MajambebienfaiteMylegwellformed，Etletempsperdu。\"Andtimewasted。\"
Shehadsetherelbowonherkneeandherchininherhand，andsheswungherfootwithanairofindifference。Hertatteredgownpermittedaviewofherthinshoulder—blades。Theneighboringstreetlanternilluminatedherprofileandherattitude。
Nothingmoreresoluteandmoresurprisingcouldbeseen。
Thesixrascals，speechlessandgloomyatbeingheldincheckbyagirl，retreatedbeneaththeshadowcastbythelantern，andheldcounselwithfuriousandhumiliatedshrugs。
Inthemeantimeshestaredatthemwithasternbutpeacefulair。
\"There’ssomethingthematterwithher，\"saidBabet。\"Areason。
Issheinlovewiththedog？It’sashametomissthis，anyway。
Twowomen，anoldfellowwholodgesintheback—yard，andcurtainsthatain’tsobadatthewindows。TheoldcovemustbeaJew。
Ithinkthejob’sagoodone。\"
\"Well，goin，then，therestofyou，\"exclaimedMontparnasse。
\"Dothejob。I’llstayherewiththegirl，andifshefailsus——\"
Heflashedtheknife，whichheheldopeninhishand，inthelightofthelantern。
Thenardiersaidnotaword，andseemedreadyforwhatevertherestpleased。
Brujon，whowassomewhatofanoracle，andwhohad，asthereaderknows，\"putupthejob，\"hadnotasyetspoken。Heseemedthoughtful。
Hehadthereputationofnotstickingatanything，anditwasknownthathehadplunderedapolicepostsimplyoutofbravado。
Besidesthishemadeversesandsongs，whichgavehimgreatauthority。
Babetinterrogatedhim:——
\"Yousaynothing，Brujon？\"
Brujonremainedsilentaninstantlonger，thenheshookhisheadinvariousways，andfinallyconcludedtospeak:——
\"Seehere；thismorningIcameacrosstwosparrowsfighting，thiseveningIjostledawomanwhowasquarrelling。Allthat’sbad。
Let’squit。\"
Theywentaway。
Astheywent，Montparnassemuttered:——
\"Nevermind！iftheyhadwanted，I’dhavecutherthroat。\"
Babetresponded\"Iwouldn’t。Idon’thitalady。\"
Atthecornerofthestreettheyhaltedandexchangedthefollowingenigmaticaldialogueinalowtone:——
\"Whereshallwegotosleepto—night？\"
\"UnderPantin[Paris]。\"
\"Haveyouthekeytothegate，Thenardier？\"
\"Pardi。\"
Eponine，whonevertookhereyesoffofthem，sawthemretreatbytheroadbywhichtheyhadcome。Sheroseandbegantocreepafterthemalongthewallsandthehouses。Shefollowedthemthusasfarastheboulevard。
Theretheyparted，andshesawthesesixmenplungeintothegloom，wheretheyappearedtomeltaway。
CHAPTERV
THINGSOFTHENIGHT
Afterthedepartureoftheruffians，theRuePlumetresumeditstranquil，nocturnalaspect。Thatwhichhadjusttakenplaceinthisstreetwouldnothaveastonishedaforest。Theloftytrees，thecopses，theheaths，thebranchesrudelyinterlaced，thetallgrass，existinasombremanner；thesavageswarmingtherecatchesglimpsesofsuddenapparitionsoftheinvisible；thatwhichisbelowmandistinguishes，throughthemists，thatwhichisbeyondman；
andthethingsofwhichwelivingbeingsareignoranttheremeetfacetofaceinthenight。Nature，bristlingandwild，takesalarmatcertainapproachesinwhichshefanciesthatshefeelsthesupernatural。Theforcesofthegloomknoweachother，andarestrangelybalancedbyeachother。Teethandclawsfearwhattheycannotgrasp。Blood—drinkingbestiality，voraciousappetites，hungerinsearchofprey，thearmedinstinctsofnailsandjawswhichhaveforsourceandaimthebelly，glareandsmelloutuneasilytheimpassivespectralformsstrayingbeneathashroud，erectinitsvagueandshudderingrobe，andwhichseemtothemtolivewithadeadandterriblelife。Thesebrutalities，whichareonlymatter，entertainaconfusedfearofhavingtodealwiththeimmenseobscuritycondensedintoanunknownbeing。
Ablackfigurebarringthewaystopsthewildbeastshort。
Thatwhichemergesfromthecemeteryintimidatesanddisconcertsthatwhichemergesfromthecave；theferociousfearthesinister；
wolvesrecoilwhentheyencounteraghoul。
CHAPTERVI
MARIUSBECOMESPRACTICALONCEMORETOTHEEXTENTOFGIVINGCOSETTE
HISADDRESS
Whilethissortofadogwithahumanfacewasmountingguardoverthegate，andwhilethesixruffianswereyieldingtoagirl，MariuswasbyCosette’sside。
Neverhadtheskybeenmorestuddedwithstarsandmorecharming，thetreesmoretrembling，theodorofthegrassmorepenetrating；
neverhadthebirdsfallenasleepamongtheleaveswithasweeternoise；
neverhadalltheharmoniesofuniversalserenityrespondedmorethoroughlytotheinwardmusicoflove；neverhadMariusbeenmorecaptivated，morehappy，moreecstatic。
ButhehadfoundCosettesad；Cosettehadbeenweeping。Hereyeswerered。
Thiswasthefirstcloudinthatwonderfuldream。
Marius’firstwordhadbeen:\"Whatisthematter？\"
Andshehadreplied:\"This。\"
Thenshehadseatedherselfonthebenchnearthesteps，andwhilehetremblinglytookhisplacebesideher，shehadcontinued:——
\"Myfathertoldmethismorningtoholdmyselfinreadiness，becausehehasbusiness，andwemaygoawayfromhere。\"
Mariusshiveredfromheadtofoot。
Whenoneisattheendofone’slife，todiemeanstogoaway；
whenoneisatthebeginningofit，togoawaymeanstodie。
Forthelastsixweeks，Mariushadlittlebylittle，slowly，bydegrees，takenpossessionofCosetteeachday。Aswehavealreadyexplained，inthecaseoffirstlove，thesoulistakenlongbeforethebody；
lateron，onetakesthebodylongbeforethesoul；sometimesonedoesnottakethesoulatall；theFaublasandthePrudhommesadd:
\"Becausethereisnone\"；butthesarcasmis，fortunately，ablasphemy。
SoMariuspossessedCosette，asspiritspossess，butheenvelopedherwithallhissoul，andseizedherjealouslywithincredibleconviction。
Hepossessedhersmile，herbreath，herperfume，theprofoundradianceofherblueeyes，thesweetnessofherskinwhenhetouchedherhand，thecharmingmarkwhichshehadonherneck，allherthoughts。
Therefore，hepossessedallCosette’sdreams。
Heincessantlygazedat，andhesometimestouchedlightlywithhisbreath，theshortlocksonthenapeofherneck，andhedeclaredtohimselfthattherewasnotoneofthoseshorthairswhichdidnotbelongtohim，Marius。Hegazeduponandadoredthethingsthatshewore，herknotofribbon，hergloves，hersleeves，hershoes，hercuffs，assacredobjectsofwhichhewasthemaster。
Hedreamedthathewasthelordofthoseprettyshellcombswhichsheworeinherhair，andheevensaidtohimself，inconfusedandsuppressedstammeringsofvoluptuousnesswhichdidnotmaketheirwaytothelight，thattherewasnotaribbonofhergown，notameshinherstockings，notafoldinherbodice，whichwasnothis。BesideCosettehefelthimselfbesidehisownproperty，hisownthing，hisowndespotandhisslave。Itseemedasthoughtheyhadsointermingledtheirsouls，thatitwouldhavebeenimpossibletotellthemaparthadtheywishedtotakethembackagain。——\"Thisismine。\"\"No，itismine。\"\"Iassureyouthatyouaremistaken。
Thisismyproperty。\"\"Whatyouaretakingasyourownismyself。\"——
MariuswassomethingthatmadeapartofCosette，andCosettewassomethingwhichmadeapartofMarius。MariusfeltCosettewithinhim。TohaveCosette，topossessCosette，this，tohim，wasnottobedistinguishedfrombreathing。Itwasinthemidstofthisfaith，ofthisintoxication，ofthisvirginpossession，unprecedentedandabsolute，ofthissovereignty，thatthesewords:
\"Wearegoingaway，\"fellsuddenly，atablow，andthattheharshvoiceofrealitycriedtohim:\"Cosetteisnotyours！\"
Mariusawoke。ForsixweeksMariushadbeenliving，aswehavesaid，outsideoflife；thosewords，goingaway！causedhimtore—enteritharshly。
Hefoundnotawordtosay。Cosettemerelyfeltthathishandwasverycold。Shesaidtohiminherturn:\"Whatisthematter？\"
HerepliedinsolowatonethatCosettehardlyheardhim:——
\"Ididnotunderstandwhatyousaid。\"
Shebeganagain:——
\"Thismorningmyfathertoldmetosettleallmylittleaffairsandtoholdmyselfinreadiness，thathewouldgivemehislinentoputinatrunk，thathewasobligedtogoonajourney，thatweweretogoaway，thatitisnecessarytohavealargetrunkformeandasmalloneforhim，andthatallistobereadyinaweekfromnow，andthatwemightgotoEngland。\"
\"Butthisisoutrageous！\"exclaimedMarius。
Itiscertain，that，atthatmoment，noabuseofpower，noviolence，notoneoftheabominationsoftheworsttyrants，noactionofBusiris，ofTiberius，orofHenryVIII。，couldhaveequalledthisinatrocity，intheopinionofMarius；M。FaucheleventtakinghisdaughterofftoEnglandbecausehehadbusinessthere。
Hedemandedinaweakvoice:——
\"Andwhendoyoustart？\"
\"Hedidnotsaywhen。\"
\"Andwhenshallyoureturn？\"
\"Hedidnotsaywhen。\"
Mariusroseandsaidcoldly:——
\"Cosette，shallyougo？\"
Cosetteturnedtowardhimherbeautifuleyes，allfilledwithanguish，andrepliedinasortofbewilderment:——
\"Where？\"
\"ToEngland。Shallyougo？\"
\"Whydoyousayyoutome？\"
\"Iaskyouwhetheryouwillgo？\"
\"Whatdoyouexpectmetodo？\"shesaid，claspingherhands。
\"So，youwillgo？\"
\"Ifmyfathergoes。\"
\"So，youwillgo？\"
CosettetookMarius’hand，andpresseditwithoutreplying。
\"Verywell，\"saidMarius，\"thenIwillgoelsewhere。\"
Cosettefeltratherthanunderstoodthemeaningofthesewords。
Sheturnedsopalethatherfaceshonewhitethroughthegloom。
Shestammered:——
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
Mariuslookedather，thenraisedhiseyestoheaven，andanswered:\"Nothing。\"
Whenhiseyesfellagain，hesawCosettesmilingathim。
Thesmileofawomanwhomonelovespossessesavisibleradiance，evenatnight。
\"Howsillyweare！Marius，Ihaveanidea。\"
\"Whatisit？\"
\"Ifwegoaway，doyougotoo！Iwilltellyouwhere！ComeandjoinmewhereverIam。\"
Mariuswasnowathoroughlyrousedman。Hehadfallenbackintoreality。HecriedtoCosette:——
\"Goawaywithyou！Areyoumad？Why，Ishouldhavetohavemoney，andIhavenone！GotoEngland？ButIamindebtnow，Iowe，Idon’tknowhowmuch，morethantenlouistoCourfeyrac，oneofmyfriendswithwhomyouarenotacquainted！Ihaveanoldhatwhichisnotworththreefrancs，Ihaveacoatwhichlacksbuttonsinfront，myshirtisallragged，myelbowsaretorn，mybootsletinthewater；forthelastsixweeksIhavenotthoughtaboutit，andIhavenottoldyouaboutit。Youonlyseemeatnight，andyougivemeyourlove；ifyouweretoseemeinthedaytime，youwouldgivemeasou！GotoEngland！Eh！Ihaven’tenoughtopayforapassport！\"
Hethrewhimselfagainstatreewhichwascloseathand，erect，hisbrowpressedclosetothebark，feelingneitherthewoodwhichflayedhisskin，northefeverwhichwasthrobbinginhistemples，andtherehestoodmotionless，onthepointoffalling，likethestatueofdespair。
Heremainedalongtimethus。Onecouldremainforeternityinsuchabysses。Atlastheturnedround。Heheardbehindhimafaintstiflednoise，whichwassweetyetsad。
ItwasCosettesobbing。
ShehadbeenweepingformorethantwohoursbesideMariusashemeditated。
Hecametoher，fellatherknees，andslowlyprostratinghimself，hetookthetipofherfootwhichpeepedoutfrombeneathherrobe，andkissedit。
Shelethimhavehiswayinsilence。Therearemomentswhenawomanaccepts，likeasombreandresignedgoddess，thereligionoflove。
\"Donotweep，\"hesaid。
Shemurmured:——
\"NotwhenImaybegoingaway，andyoucannotcome！\"
Hewenton:——
\"Doyouloveme？\"
Shereplied，sobbing，bythatwordfromparadisewhichisnevermorecharmingthanamidtears:——
\"Iadoreyou！\"
Hecontinuedinatonewhichwasanindescribablecaress:——
\"Donotweep。Tellme，willyoudothisforme，andceasetoweep？\"
\"Doyouloveme？\"saidshe。
Hetookherhand。
\"Cosette，Ihavenevergivenmywordofhonortoanyone，becausemywordofhonorterrifiesme。Ifeelthatmyfatherisbymyside。Well，Igiveyoumymostsacredwordofhonor，thatifyougoawayIshalldie。\"
Inthetonewithwhichheutteredthesewordstherelayamelancholysosolemnandsotranquil，thatCosettetrembled。Shefeltthatchillwhichisproducedbyatrueandgloomythingasitpassesby。
Theshockmadeherceaseweeping。
\"Now，listen，\"saidhe，\"donotexpectmeto—morrow。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Donotexpectmeuntilthedayafterto—morrow。\"
\"Oh！Why？\"
\"Youwillsee。\"
\"Adaywithoutseeingyou！Butthatisimpossible！\"
\"Letussacrificeonedayinordertogainourwholelives，perhaps。\"
AndMariusaddedinalowtoneandinanaside:——
\"Heisamanwhoneverchangeshishabits，andhehasneverreceivedanyoneexceptintheevening。\"
\"Ofwhatmanareyouspeaking？\"askedCosette。
\"I？Isaidnothing。\"
\"Whatdoyouhope，then？\"
\"Waituntilthedayafterto—morrow。\"
\"Youwishit？\"
\"Yes，Cosette。\"
Shetookhisheadinbothherhands，raisingherselfontiptoeinordertobeonalevelwithhim，andtriedtoreadhishopeinhiseyes。
Mariusresumed:——
\"NowthatIthinkofit，yououghttoknowmyaddress:
somethingmighthappen，oneneverknows；IlivewiththatfriendnamedCourfeyrac，RuedelaVerrerie，No。16。\"
Hesearchedinhispocket，pulledouthispenknife，andwiththebladehewroteontheplasterofthewall:——
\"16RuedelaVerrerie。\"
Inthemeantime，Cosettehadbeguntogazeintohiseyesoncemore。
\"Tellmeyourthought，Marius；youhavesomeidea。Tellittome。
Oh！tellme，sothatImaypassapleasantnight。\"
\"Thisismyidea:thatitisimpossiblethatGodshouldmeantopartus。Wait；expectmethedayafterto—morrow。\"
\"WhatshallIdountilthen？\"saidCosette。
\"Youareoutside，yougo，andcome！Howhappymenare！
Ishallremainentirelyalone！Oh！HowsadIshallbe！Whatisitthatyouaregoingtodoto—morrowevening？tellme。\"
\"Iamgoingtotrysomething。\"
\"ThenIwillpraytoGodandIwillthinkofyouhere，sothatyoumaybesuccessful。Iwillquestionyounofurther，sinceyoudonotwishit。Youaremymaster。Ishallpasstheeveningto—morrowinsingingthatmusicfromEuryanthethatyoulove，andthatyoucameoneeveningtolistento，outsidemyshutters。
Butdayafterto—morrowyouwillcomeearly。Ishallexpectyouatdusk，atnineo’clockprecisely，Iwarnyou。MonDieu！
howsaditisthatthedaysaresolong！Onthestrokeofnine，doyouunderstand，Ishallbeinthegarden。\"
\"AndIalso。\"
Andwithouthavingutteredit，movedbythesamethought，impelledbythoseelectriccurrentswhichplaceloversincontinualcommunication，bothbeingintoxicatedwithdelightevenintheirsorrow，theyfellintoeachother’sarms，withoutperceivingthattheirlipsmetwhiletheirupliftedeyes，overflowingwithraptureandfulloftears，gazeduponthestars。
WhenMariuswentforth，thestreetwasdeserted。ThiswasthemomentwhenEponinewasfollowingtheruffianstotheboulevard。
WhileMariushadbeendreamingwithhisheadpressedtothetree，anideahadcrossedhismind；anidea，alas！thathehimselfjudgedtobesenselessandimpossible。Hehadcometoadesperatedecision。
CHAPTERVII
THEOLDHEARTANDTHEYOUNGHEARTINTHEPRESENCEOFEACHOTHER
Atthatepoch，FatherGillenormandwaswellpasthisninety—firstbirthday。HestilllivedwithMademoiselleGillenormandintheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire，No。6，intheoldhousewhichheowned。
Hewas，asthereaderwillremember，oneofthoseantiqueoldmenwhoawaitdeathperfectlyerect，whomagebearsdownwithoutbending，andwhomevensorrowcannotcurve。
Still，hisdaughterhadbeensayingforsometime:\"Myfatherissinking。\"Henolongerboxedthemaids’ears；henolongerthumpedthelanding—placesovigorouslywithhiscanewhenBasquewasslowinopeningthedoor。TheRevolutionofJulyhadexasperatedhimforthespaceofbarelysixmonths。Hehadviewed，almosttranquilly，thatcouplingofwords，intheMoniteur:M。Humblot—Conte，peerofFrance。Thefactis，thattheoldmanwasdeeplydejected。
Hedidnotbend，hedidnotyield；thiswasnomoreacharacteristicofhisphysicalthanofhismoralnature，buthefelthimselfgivingwayinternally。ForfouryearshehadbeenwaitingforMarius，withhisfootfirmlyplanted，thatistheexactword，intheconvictionthatthatgood—for—nothingyoungscampwouldringathisdoorsomedayorother；nowhehadreachedthepoint，where，atcertaingloomyhours，hesaidtohimself，thatifMariusmadehimwaitmuchlonger——Itwasnotdeaththatwasinsupportabletohim；
itwastheideathatperhapsheshouldneverseeMariusagain。
TheideaofneverseeingMariusagainhadneverenteredhisbrainuntilthatday；nowthethoughtbegantorecurtohim，anditchilledhim。Absence，asisalwaysthecaseingenuineandnaturalsentiments，hadonlyservedtoaugmentthegrandfather’slovefortheungratefulchild，whohadgoneofflikeaflash。
ItisduringDecembernights，whenthecoldstandsattendegrees，thatonethinksoftenestoftheson。
M。Gillenormandwas，orthoughthimself，aboveallthings，incapableoftakingasinglestep，he——thegrandfather，towardshisgrandson；\"Iwoulddierather，\"hesaidtohimself。
Hedidnotconsiderhimselfastheleasttoblame；buthethoughtofMariusonlywithprofoundtenderness，andthemutedespairofanelderly，kindlyoldmanwhoisabouttovanishinthedark。
Hebegantolosehisteeth，whichaddedtohissadness。
M。Gillenormand，withouthoweveracknowledgingittohimself，foritwouldhaverenderedhimfuriousandashamed，hadneverlovedamistressashelovedMarius。
Hehadhadplacedinhischamber，oppositetheheadofhisbed，sothatitshouldbethefirstthingonwhichhiseyesfellonwaking，anoldportraitofhisotherdaughter，whowasdead，MadamePontmercy，aportraitwhichhadbeentakenwhenshewaseighteen。Hegazedincessantlyatthatportrait。Oneday，hehappenedtosay，ashegazeduponit:——
\"Ithinkthelikenessisstrong。\"
\"Tomysister？\"inquiredMademoiselleGillenormand。\"Yes，certainly。\"
\"Theoldmanadded:——
\"Andtohimalso。\"
Onceashesatwithhiskneespressedtogether，andhiseyesalmostclosed，inadespondentattitude，hisdaughterventuredtosaytohim:——
\"Father，areyouasangrywithhimasever？\"
Shepaused，notdaringtoproceedfurther。
\"Withwhom？\"hedemanded。
\"WiththatpoorMarius。\"
Heraisedhisagedhead，laidhiswitheredandemaciatedfistonthetable，andexclaimedinhismostirritatedandvibratingtone:——
\"PoorMarius，doyousay！Thatgentlemanisaknave，awretchedscoundrel，avainlittleingrate，aheartless，soulless，haughty，andwickedman！\"
Andheturnedawaysothathisdaughtermightnotseethetearthatstoodinhiseye。
Threedayslaterhebrokeasilencewhichhadlastedfourhours，tosaytohisdaughterpoint—blank:——
\"IhadthehonortoaskMademoiselleGillenormandnevertomentionhimtome。\"
AuntGillenormandrenouncedeveryeffort，andpronouncedthisacutediagnosis:\"Myfathernevercaredverymuchformysisterafterherfolly。ItisclearthathedetestsMarius。\"
\"Afterherfolly\"meant:\"aftershehadmarriedthecolonel。\"
However，asthereaderhasbeenabletoconjecture，MademoiselleGillenormandhadfailedinherattempttosubstituteherfavorite，theofficeroflancers，forMarius。Thesubstitute，Theodule，hadnotbeenasuccess。M。Gillenormandhadnotacceptedthequidproquo。Avacancyintheheartdoesnotaccommodateitselftoastop—gap。Theodule，onhisside，thoughhescentedtheinheritance，wasdisgustedatthetaskofpleasing。Thegoodmanboredthelancer；
andthelancershockedthegoodman。LieutenantTheodulewasgay，nodoubt，butachatter—box，frivolous，butvulgar；ahighliver，butafrequenterofbadcompany；hehadmistresses，itistrue，andhehadagreatdealtosayaboutthem，itistruealso；
buthetalkedbadly。Allhisgoodqualitieshadadefect。
M。GillenormandwaswornoutwithhearinghimtellabouttheloveaffairsthathehadinthevicinityofthebarracksintheRuedeBabylone。Andthen，LieutenantGillenormandsometimescameinhisuniform，withthetricoloredcockade。Thisrenderedhimdownrightintolerable。Finally，FatherGillenormandhadsaidtohisdaughter:\"I’vehadenoughofthatTheodule。Ihaven’tmuchtasteforwarriorsintimeofpeace。Receivehimifyouchoose。
Idon’tknowbutIpreferslasherstofellowsthatdragtheirswords。
Theclashofbladesinbattleislessdismal，afterall，thantheclankofthescabbardonthepavement。Andthen，throwingoutyourchestlikeabullyandlacingyourselflikeagirl，withstaysunderyourcuirass，isdoublyridiculous。Whenoneisaveritableman，oneholdsequallyalooffromswaggerandfromaffectedairs。Heisneitherablusterernorafinnicky—heartedman。KeepyourTheoduleforyourself。\"
Itwasinvainthathisdaughtersaidtohim:\"Butheisyourgrandnephew，nevertheless，\"——itturnedoutthatM。Gillenormand，whowasagrandfathertotheveryfinger—tips，wasnotintheleastagrand—uncle。