Apoignantemotioncloudedthejoyofthedisencumberedbarricade。
Therollwascalled。Oneoftheinsurgentswasmissing。Andwhowasit？
Oneofthedearest。Oneofthemostvaliant。JeanProuvaire。
Hewassoughtamongthewounded，hewasnotthere。Hewassoughtamongthedead，hewasnotthere。Hewasevidentlyaprisoner。
CombeferresaidtoEnjolras:——
\"Theyhaveourfriend；wehavetheiragent。Areyousetonthedeathofthatspy？\"
\"Yes，\"repliedEnjolras；\"butlesssothanonthelifeofJeanProuvaire。\"
Thistookplaceinthetap—roomnearJavert’spost。
\"Well，\"resumedCombeferre，\"Iamgoingtofastenmyhandkerchieftomycane，andgoasaflagoftruce，tooffertoexchangeourmanfortheirs。\"
\"Listen，\"saidEnjolras，layinghishandonCombeferre’sarm。
Attheendofthestreettherewasasignificantclashofarms。
Theyheardamanlyvoiceshout:——
\"VivelaFrance！LongliveFrance！Longlivethefuture！\"
TheyrecognizedthevoiceofProuvaire。
Aflashpassed，areportrangout。
Silencefellagain。
\"Theyhavekilledhim，\"exclaimedCombeferre。
EnjolrasglancedatJavert，andsaidtohim:——
\"Yourfriendshavejustshotyou。\"
CHAPTERVI
THEAGONYOFDEATHAFTERTHEAGONYOFLIFE
Apeculiarityofthisspeciesofwaris，thattheattackofthebarricadesisalmostalwaysmadefromthefront，andthattheassailantsgenerallyabstainfromturningtheposition，eitherbecausetheyfearambushes，orbecausetheyareafraidofgettingentangledinthetortuousstreets。Theinsurgents’wholeattentionhadbeendirected，therefore，tothegrandbarricade，whichwas，evidently，thespotalwaysmenaced，andtherethestrugglewouldinfalliblyrecommence。
ButMariusthoughtofthelittlebarricade，andwentthither。
Itwasdesertedandguardedonlybythefire—potwhichtrembledbetweenthepaving—stones。Moreover，theMondetouralley，andthebranchesoftheRuedelaPetiteTruanderieandtheRueduCygnewereprofoundlycalm。
AsMariuswaswithdrawing，afterconcludinghisinspection，heheardhisnamepronouncedfeeblyinthedarkness。
\"MonsieurMarius！\"
Hestarted，forherecognizedthevoicewhichhadcalledtohimtwohoursbeforethroughthegateintheRuePlumet。
Only，thevoicenowseemedtobenothingmorethanabreath。
Helookedabouthim，butsawnoone。
Mariusthoughthehadbeenmistaken，thatitwasanillusionaddedbyhismindtotheextraordinaryrealitieswhichwereclashingaroundhim。Headvancedastep，inordertoquitthedistantrecesswherethebarricadelay。
\"MonsieurMarius！\"repeatedthevoice。
Thistimehecouldnotdoubtthathehadhearditdistinctly；
helookedandsawnothing。
\"Atyourfeet，\"saidthevoice。
Hebentdown，andsawinthedarknessaformwhichwasdraggingitselftowardshim。
Itwascrawlingalongthepavement。Itwasthisthathadspokentohim。
Thefire—potallowedhimtodistinguishablouse，torntrousersofcoarsevelvet，barefeet，andsomethingwhichresembledapoolofblood。Mariusindistinctlymadeoutapaleheadwhichwasliftedtowardshimandwhichwassayingtohim:——
\"Youdonotrecognizeme？\"
\"No。\"
\"Eponine。\"
Mariusbenthastilydown。Itwas，infact，thatunhappychild。
Shewasdressedinmen’sclothes。
\"Howcomeyouhere？Whatareyoudoinghere？\"
\"Iamdying，\"saidshe。
Therearewordsandincidentswhicharousedejectedbeings。
Mariuscriedoutwithastart:——
\"Youarewounded！Wait，Iwillcarryyouintotheroom！Theywillattendtoyouthere。Isitserious？HowmustItakeholdofyouinordernottohurtyou？Wheredoyousuffer？Help！MyGod！
Butwhydidyoucomehither？\"
Andhetriedtopasshisarmunderher，inordertoraiseher。
Sheutteredafeeblecry。
\"HaveIhurtyou？\"askedMarius。
\"Alittle。\"
\"ButIonlytouchedyourhand。\"
SheraisedherhandtoMarius，andinthemiddleofthathandMariussawablackhole。
\"Whatisthematterwithyourhand？\"saidhe。
\"Itispierced。\"
\"Pierced？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Whatwith？\"
\"Abullet。\"
\"How？\"
\"Didyouseeagunaimedatyou？\"
\"Yes，andahandstoppingit。\"
\"Itwasmine。\"
Mariuswasseizedwithashudder。
\"Whatmadness！Poorchild！Butsomuchthebetter，ifthatisall，itisnothing，letmecarryyoutoabed。Theywilldressyourwound；
onedoesnotdieofapiercedhand。\"
Shemurmured:——
\"Thebullettraversedmyhand，butitcameoutthroughmyback。
Itisuselesstoremovemefromthisspot。Iwilltellyouhowyoucancareformebetterthananysurgeon。Sitdownnearmeonthisstone。\"
Heobeyed；shelaidherheadonMarius’knees，and，withoutlookingathim，shesaid:——
\"Oh！Howgoodthisis！Howcomfortablethisis！There；Inolongersuffer。\"
Sheremainedsilentforamoment，thensheturnedherfacewithaneffort，andlookedatMarius。
\"Doyouknowwhat，MonsieurMarius？Itpuzzledmebecauseyouenteredthatgarden；itwasstupid，becauseitwasIwhoshowedyouthathouse；andthen，Ioughttohavesaidtomyselfthatayoungmanlikeyou——\"
Shepaused，andoversteppingthesombretransitionsthatundoubtedlyexistedinhermind，sheresumedwithaheartrendingsmile:——
\"Youthoughtmeugly，didn’tyou？\"
Shecontinued:——
\"Yousee，youarelost！Now，noonecangetoutofthebarricade。
ItwasIwholedyouhere，bytheway！Youaregoingtodie，Icountuponthat。Andyet，whenIsawthemtakingaimatyou，Iputmyhandonthemuzzleofthegun。Howqueeritis！ButitwasbecauseIwantedtodiebeforeyou。WhenIreceivedthatbullet，Idraggedmyselfhere，noonesawme，noonepickedmeup，Iwaswaitingforyou，Isaid:`Soheisnotcoming！’Oh，ifyouonlyknew。Ibitmyblouse，Isufferedso！NowIamwell。
DoyourememberthedayIenteredyourchamberandwhenIlookedatmyselfinyourmirror，andthedaywhenIcametoyouontheboulevardnearthewasherwomen？Howthebirdssang！Thatwasalongtimeago。Yougavemeahundredsous，andIsaidtoyou:
`Idon’twantyourmoney。’Ihopeyoupickedupyourcoin？
Youarenotrich。Ididnotthinktotellyoutopickitup。
Thesunwasshiningbright，anditwasnotcold。Doyouremember，MonsieurMarius？Oh！HowhappyIam！Everyoneisgoingtodie。\"
Shehadamad，grave，andheart—breakingair。Hertornblousedisclosedherbarethroat。
Asshetalked，shepressedherpiercedhandtoherbreast，wheretherewasanotherhole，andwhencetherespurtedfrommomenttomomentastreamofblood，likeajetofwinefromanopenbung—hole。
Mariusgazedatthisunfortunatecreaturewithprofoundcompassion。
\"Oh！\"sheresumed，\"itiscomingagain，Iamstifling！\"
Shecaughtupherblouseandbitit，andherlimbsstiffenedonthepavement。
Atthatmomenttheyoungcock’scrowexecutedbylittleGavrocheresoundedthroughthebarricade。
Thechildhadmountedatabletoloadhisgun，andwassinginggaylythesongthensopopular:——
\"EnvoyantLafayette，\"OnbeholdingLafayette，Legendarmerepete:——Thegendarmerepeats:——
Sauvonsnous！sauvonsnous！Letusflee！letusflee！
sauvonsnous！\"letusflee！
Eponineraisedherselfandlistened；thenshemurmured:——
\"Itishe。\"
AndturningtoMarius:——
\"Mybrotherishere。Hemustnotseeme。Hewouldscoldme。\"
\"Yourbrother？\"inquiredMarius，whowasmeditatinginthemostbitterandsorrowfuldepthsofhisheartonthedutiestotheThenardierswhichhisfatherhadbequeathedtohim；\"whoisyourbrother？\"
\"Thatlittlefellow。\"
\"Theonewhoissinging？\"
\"Yes。\"
Mariusmadeamovement。
\"Oh！don’tgoaway，\"saidshe，\"itwillnotbelongnow。\"
Shewassittingalmostupright，buthervoicewasverylowandbrokenbyhiccoughs。
Atintervals，thedeathrattleinterruptedher。SheputherfaceasnearthatofMariusaspossible。Sheaddedwithastrangeexpression:——
\"Listen，Idonotwishtoplayyouatrick。Ihavealetterinmypocketforyou。Iwastoldtoputitinthepost。Ikeptit。
Ididnotwanttohaveitreachyou。Butperhapsyouwillbeangrywithmeforitwhenwemeetagainpresently？Takeyourletter。\"
ShegraspedMarius’handconvulsivelywithherpiercedhand，butshenolongerseemedtofeelhersufferings。SheputMarius’
handinthepocketofherblouse。There，infact，Mariusfeltapaper。
\"Takeit，\"saidshe。
Mariustooktheletter。
Shemadeasignofsatisfactionandcontentment。
\"Now，formytrouble，promiseme——\"
Andshestopped。
\"What？\"askedMarius。
\"Promiseme！\"
\"Ipromise。\"
\"PromisetogivemeakissonmybrowwhenIamdead。——Ishallfeelit。\"
ShedroppedherheadagainonMarius’knees，andhereyelidsclosed。
Hethoughtthepoorsoulhaddeparted。Eponineremainedmotionless。
Allatonce，attheverymomentwhenMariusfanciedherasleepforever，sheslowlyopenedhereyesinwhichappearedthesombreprofundityofdeath，andsaidtohiminatonewhosesweetnessseemedalreadytoproceedfromanotherworld:——
\"Andbytheway，MonsieurMarius，IbelievethatIwasalittlebitinlovewithyou。\"
Shetriedtosmileoncemoreandexpired。
CHAPTERVII
GAVROCHEASAPROFOUNDCALCULATOROFDISTANCES
Mariuskepthispromise。Hedroppedakissonthatlividbrow，wheretheicyperspirationstoodinbeads。
ThiswasnoinfidelitytoCosette；itwasagentleandpensivefarewelltoanunhappysoul。
ItwasnotwithoutatremorthathehadtakentheletterwhichEponinehadgivenhim。Hehadimmediatelyfeltthatitwasaneventofweight。Hewasimpatienttoreadit。
TheheartofmanissoconstitutedthattheunhappychildhadhardlyclosedhereyeswhenMariusbegantothinkofunfoldingthispaper。
Helaidhergentlyontheground，andwentaway。Somethingtoldhimthathecouldnotperusethatletterinthepresenceofthatbody。
Hedrewneartoacandleinthetap—room。Itwasasmallnote，foldedandsealedwithawoman’selegantcare。Theaddresswasinawoman’shandandran:——
\"ToMonsieur，MonsieurMariusPontmercy，atM。Courfeyrac’s，RuedelaVerrerie，No。16。\"
Hebrokethesealandread:——
\"Mydearest，alas！myfatherinsistsonoursettingoutimmediately。
WeshallbethiseveningintheRuedel’HommeArme，No。7。
InaweekweshallbeinEngland。COSETTE。June4th。\"
SuchwastheinnocenceoftheirlovethatMariuswasnotevenacquaintedwithCosette’shandwriting。
Whathadtakenplacemayberelatedinafewwords。Eponinehadbeenthecauseofeverything。Aftertheeveningofthe3dofJuneshehadcherishedadoubleidea，todefeattheprojectsofherfatherandtheruffiansonthehouseoftheRuePlumet，andtoseparateMariusandCosette。Shehadexchangedragswiththefirstyoungscampshecameacrosswhohadthoughtitamusingtodresslikeawoman，whileEponinedisguisedherselflikeaman。
ItwasshewhohadconveyedtoJeanValjeanintheChampdeMarstheexpressivewarning:\"Leaveyourhouse。\"JeanValjeanhad，infact，returnedhome，andhadsaidtoCosette:\"WesetoutthiseveningandwegototheRuedel’HommeArmewithToussaint。
Nextweek，weshallbeinLondon。\"Cosette，utterlyoverwhelmedbythisunexpectedblow，hadhastilypennedacoupleoflinestoMarius。Buthowwasshetogetthelettertothepost？
Sheneverwentoutalone，andToussaint，surprisedatsuchacommission，wouldcertainlyshowthelettertoM。Fauchelevent。
Inthisdilemma，CosettehadcaughtsightthroughthefenceofEponineinman’sclothes，whonowprowledincessantlyaroundthegarden。
Cosettehadcalledto\"thisyoungworkman\"andhadhandedhimfivefrancsandtheletter，saying:\"Carrythisletterimmediatelytoitsaddress。\"Eponinehadputtheletterinherpocket。Thenextday，onthe5thofJune，shewenttoCourfeyrac’squarterstoinquireforMarius，notforthepurposeofdeliveringtheletter，but，——athingwhicheveryjealousandlovingsoulwillcomprehend，——\"tosee。\"
ThereshehadwaitedforMarius，oratleastforCourfeyrac，stillforthepurposeofseeing。WhenCourfeyrachadtoldher:
\"Wearegoingtothebarricades，\"anideaflashedthroughhermind，toflingherselfintothatdeath，asshewouldhavedoneintoanyother，andtothrustMariusintoitalso。ShehadfollowedCourfeyrac，hadmadesureofthelocalitywherethebarricadewasinprocessofconstruction；and，quitecertain，sinceMariushadreceivednowarning，andsinceshehadinterceptedtheletter，thathewouldgoatdusktohistrystingplaceforeveryevening，shehadbetakenherselftotheRuePlumet，hadthereawaitedMarius，andhadsenthim，inthenameofhisfriends，theappealwhichwould，shethought，leadhimtothebarricade。ShereckonedonMarius’
despairwhenheshouldfailtofindCosette；shewasnotmistaken。
ShehadreturnedtotheRuedelaChanvrerieherself。Whatshedidtherethereaderhasjustseen。Shediedwiththetragicjoyofjealousheartswhodragthebelovedbeingintotheirowndeath，andwhosay:
\"Nooneshallhavehim！\"
MariuscoveredCosette’sletterwithkisses。Soshelovedhim！
Foronemomenttheideaoccurredtohimthatheoughtnottodienow。
Thenhesaidtohimself:\"Sheisgoingaway。HerfatheristakinghertoEngland，andmygrandfatherrefuseshisconsenttothemarriage。
Nothingischangedinourfates。\"DreamerslikeMariusaresubjecttosupremeattacksofdejection，anddesperateresolvesaretheresult。
Thefatigueoflivingisinsupportable；deathissooneroverwith。
Thenhereflectedthathehadstilltwodutiestofulfil:toinformCosetteofhisdeathandsendherafinalfarewell，andtosavefromtheimpendingcatastrophewhichwasinpreparation，thatpoorchild，Eponine’sbrotherandThenardier’sson。
Hehadapocket—bookabouthim；thesameonewhichhadcontainedthenote—bookinwhichhehadinscribedsomanythoughtsofloveforCosette。Hetoreoutaleafandwroteonitafewlinesinpencil:——
\"Ourmarriagewasimpossible。Iaskedmygrandfather，herefused；
Ihavenofortune，neitherhastthou。Ihastenedtothee，thouwertnolongerthere。ThouknowestthepromisethatIgavethee，Ishallkeepit。Idie。Ilovethee。Whenthoureadestthis，mysoulwillbenearthee，andthouwiltsmile。\"
Havingnothingwherewithtosealthisletter，hecontentedhimselfwithfoldingthepaperinfour，andaddedtheaddress:——
\"ToMademoiselleCosetteFauchelevent，atM。Fauchelevent’s，Ruedel’HommeArme，No。7。\"
Havingfoldedtheletter，hestoodinthoughtforamoment，drewouthispocket—bookagain，openedit，andwrote，withthesamepencil，thesefourlinesonthefirstpage:——
\"MynameisMariusPontmercy。Carrymybodytomygrandfather，M。Gillenormand，RuedesFilles—du—Calvaire，No。6，intheMarais。\"
Heputhispocketbookbackinhispocket，thenhecalledGavroche。
Thegamin，atthesoundofMarius’voice，ranuptohimwithhismerryanddevotedair。
\"Willyoudosomethingforme？\"
\"Anything，\"saidGavroche。\"GoodGod！ifithadnotbeenforyou，Ishouldhavebeendonefor。\"
\"Doyouseethisletter？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Takeit。Leavethebarricadeinstantly\"（Gavrochebegantoscratchhisearuneasily）\"andto—morrowmorning，youwilldeliveritatitsaddresstoMademoiselleCosette，atM。Fauchelevent’s，Ruedel’HommeArme，No。7。\"
Theheroicchildreplied\"Well，but！inthemeanwhilethebarricadewillbetaken，andI
shallnotbethere。\"
\"Thebarricadewillnotbeattackeduntildaybreak，accordingtoallappearances，andwillnotbetakenbeforeto—morrownoon。\"
Thefreshrespitewhichtheassailantsweregrantingtothebarricadehad，infact，beenprolonged。Itwasoneofthoseintermissionswhichfrequentlyoccurinnocturnalcombats，whicharealwaysfollowedbyanincreaseofrage。
\"Well，\"saidGavroche，\"whatifIweretogoandcarryyourletterto—morrow？\"
\"Itwillbetoolate。Thebarricadewillprobablybeblockaded，allthestreetswillbeguarded，andyouwillnotbeabletogetout。
Goatonce。\"
Gavrochecouldthinkofnoreplytothis，andstoodthereinindecision，scratchinghisearsadly。
Allatonce，hetooktheletterwithoneofthosebirdlikemovementswhichwerecommonwithhim。
\"Allright，\"saidhe。
AndhestartedoffatarunthroughMondetourlane。
AnideahadoccurredtoGavrochewhichhadbroughthimtoadecision，buthehadnotmentioneditforfearthatMariusmightoffersomeobjectiontoit。
Thiswastheidea:——
\"Itisbarelymidnight，theRuedel’HommeArmeisnotfaroff；
Iwillgoanddelivertheletteratonce，andIshallgetbackintime。\"
BOOKFIFTEENTH。——THERUEDEL’HOMMEARME
CHAPTERI
ADRINKERISABABBLER
Whataretheconvulsionsofacityincomparisonwiththeinsurrectionsofthesoul？Manisadepthstillgreaterthanthepeople。
JeanValjeanatthatverymomentwasthepreyofaterribleupheaval。
Everysortofgulfhadopenedagainwithinhim。Healsowastrembling，likeParis，onthebrinkofanobscureandformidablerevolution。
Afewhourshadsufficedtobringthisabout。Hisdestinyandhisconsciencehadsuddenlybeencoveredwithgloom。Ofhimalso，aswellasofParis，itmighthavebeensaid:\"Twoprinciplesarefacetoface。Thewhiteangelandtheblackangelareabouttoseizeeachotheronthebridgeoftheabyss。Whichofthetwowillhurltheotherover？Whowillcarrytheday？\"
Ontheeveningprecedingthissame5thofJune，JeanValjean，accompaniedbyCosetteandToussainthadinstalledhimselfintheRuedel’HommeArme。Achangeawaitedhimthere。
CosettehadnotquittedtheRuePlumetwithoutmakinganeffortatresistance。Forthefirsttimesincetheyhadlivedsidebyside，Cosette’swillandthewillofJeanValjeanhadprovedtobedistinct，andhadbeeninopposition，atleast，iftheyhadnotclashed。
Therehadbeenobjectionsononesideandinflexibilityontheother。
Theabruptadvice:\"Leaveyourhouse，\"hurledatJeanValjeanbyastranger，hadalarmedhimtotheextentofrenderinghimperemptory。
Hethoughtthathehadbeentracedandfollowed。Cosettehadbeenobligedtogiveway。
BothhadarrivedintheRuedel’HommeArmewithoutopeningtheirlips，andwithoututteringaword，eachbeingabsorbedinhisownpersonalpreoccupation；JeanValjeansouneasythathedidnotnoticeCosette’ssadness，CosettesosadthatshedidnotnoticeJeanValjean’suneasiness。
JeanValjeanhadtakenToussaintwithhim，athingwhichhehadneverdoneinhispreviousabsences。HeperceivedthepossibilityofnotreturningtotheRuePlumet，andhecouldneitherleaveToussaintbehindnorconfidehissecrettoher。Besides，hefeltthatshewasdevotedandtrustworthy。Treacherybetweenmasterandservantbeginsincuriosity。NowToussaint，asthoughshehadbeendestinedtobeJeanValjean’sservant，wasnotcurious。
ShestammeredinherpeasantdialectofBarneville:\"Iammadeso；
Idomywork；therestisnoaffairofmine。\"
InthisdeparturefromtheRuePlumet，whichhadbeenalmostaflight，JeanValjeanhadcarriedawaynothingbutthelittleembalmedvalise，baptizedbyCosette\"theinseparable。\"
Fulltrunkswouldhaverequiredporters，andportersarewitnesses。
AfiacrehadbeensummonedtothedoorontheRuedeBabylone，andtheyhadtakentheirdeparture。
ItwaswithdifficultythatToussainthadobtainedpermissiontopackupalittlelinenandclothesandafewtoiletarticles。
Cosettehadtakenonlyherportfolioandherblotting—book。
JeanValjean，withaviewtoaugmentingthesolitudeandthemysteryofthisdeparture，hadarrangedtoquitthepavilionoftheRuePlumetonlyatdusk，whichhadallowedCosettetimetowritehernotetoMarius。
TheyhadarrivedintheRuedel’HommeArmeafternighthadfullyfallen。
Theyhadgonetobedinsilence。
ThelodgingsintheRuedel’HommeArmeweresituatedonabackcourt，onthesecondfloor，andwerecomposedoftwosleeping—rooms，adining—roomandakitchenadjoiningthedining—room，withagarretwheretherewasafolding—bed，andwhichfelltoToussaint’sshare。
Thedining—roomwasanantechamberaswell，andseparatedthetwobedrooms。Theapartmentwasprovidedwithallnecessaryutensils。
Peoplere—acquireconfidenceasfoolishlyastheyloseit；humannatureissoconstituted。HardlyhadJeanValjeanreachedtheRuedel’HommeArmewhenhisanxietywaslightenedandbydegreesdissipated。
Therearesoothingspotswhichactinsomesortmechanicallyonthemind。Anobscurestreet，peaceableinhabitants。JeanValjeanexperiencedanindescribablecontagionoftranquillityinthatalleyofancientParis，whichissonarrowthatitisbarredagainstcarriagesbyatransversebeamplacedontwoposts，whichisdeafanddumbinthemidstoftheclamorouscity，dimlylightedatmid—day，andis，sotospeak，incapableofemotionsbetweentworowsofloftyhousescenturiesold，whichholdtheirpeacelikeancientsastheyare。
Therewasatouchofstagnantoblivioninthatstreet。JeanValjeandrewhisbreathoncemorethere。Howcouldhebefoundthere？
Hisfirstcarewastoplacetheinseparablebesidehim。
Hesleptwell。Nightbringswisdom；wemayadd，nightsoothes。
Onthefollowingmorningheawokeinamoodthatwasalmostgay。
Hethoughtthedining—roomcharming，thoughitwashideous，furnishedwithanoldroundtable，alongsideboardsurmountedbyaslantingmirror，adilapidatedarm—chair，andseveralplainchairswhichwereencumberedwithToussaint’spackages。InoneofthesepackagesJeanValjean’suniformofaNationalGuardwasvisiblethrougharent。
AsforCosette，shehadhadToussainttakesomebrothtoherroom，anddidnotmakeherappearanceuntilevening。
Aboutfiveo’clock，Toussaint，whowasgoingandcomingandbusyingherselfwiththetinyestablishment，setonthetableacoldchicken，whichCosette，outofdeferencetoherfather，consentedtoglanceat。
Thatdone，Cosette，underthepretextofanobstinatesickheadache，hadbadeJeanValjeangoodnightandhadshutherselfupinherchamber。
JeanValjeanhadeatenawingofthechickenwithagoodappetite，andwithhiselbowsonthetable，havinggraduallyrecoveredhisserenity，hadregainedpossessionofhissenseofsecurity。
Whilehewasdiscussingthismodestdinner，hehad，twiceorthrice，noticedinaconfusedway，Toussaint’sstammeringwordsasshesaidtohim:\"Monsieur，thereissomethinggoingon，theyarefightinginParis。\"Butabsorbedinathrongofinwardcalculations，hehadpaidnoheedtoit。Totellthetruth，hehadnotheardher。
Heroseandbegantopacefromthedoortothewindowandfromthewindowtothedoor，growingevermoreserene。
Withthiscalm，Cosette，hissoleanxiety，recurredtohisthoughts。
Notthathewastroubledbythisheadache，alittlenervouscrisis，ayounggirl’sfitofsulks，thecloudofamoment，therewouldbenothingleftofitinadayortwo；buthemeditatedonthefuture，and，aswashishabit，hethoughtofitwithpleasure。Afterall，hesawnoobstacletotheirhappyliferesumingitscourse。
Atcertainhours，everythingseemsimpossible，atotherseverythingappearseasy；JeanValjeanwasinthemidstofoneofthesegoodhours。
Theygenerallysucceedthebadones，asdayfollowsnight，byvirtueofthatlawofsuccessionandofcontrastwhichliesattheveryfoundationofnature，andwhichsuperficialmindscallantithesis。
Inthispeacefulstreetwherehehadtakenrefuge，JeanValjeangotridofallthathadbeentroublinghimforsometimepast。
Thisveryfact，thathehadseenmanyshadows，madehimbegintoperceivealittleazure。TohavequittedtheRuePlumetwithoutcomplicationsorincidentswasonegoodstepalreadyaccomplished。
Perhapsitwouldbewisetogoabroad，ifonlyforafewmonths，andtosetoutforLondon。Well，theywouldgo。WhatdifferencediditmaketohimwhetherhewasinFranceorinEngland，providedhehadCosettebesidehim？Cosettewashisnation。Cosettesufficedforhishappiness；theideathathe，perhaps，didnotsufficeforCosette’shappiness，thatideawhichhadformerlybeenthecauseofhisfeverandsleeplessness，didnotevenpresentitselftohismind。
Hewasinastateofcollapsefromallhispastsufferings，andhewasfullyenteredonoptimism。Cosettewasbyhisside，sheseemedtobehis；anopticalillusionwhicheveryonehasexperienced。
Hearrangedinhisownmind，withallsortsoffelicitousdevices，hisdepartureforEnglandwithCosette，andhebeheldhisfelicityreconstitutedwhereverhepleased，intheperspectiveofhisrevery。
Ashepacedtoandfrowithlongstrides，hisglancesuddenlyencounteredsomethingstrange。
Intheinclinedmirrorfacinghimwhichsurmountedthesideboard，hesawthefourlineswhichfollow:——
\"Mydearest，alas！myfatherinsistsonoursettingoutimmediately。
WeshallbethiseveningintheRuedel’HommeArme，No。7。
InaweekweshallbeinEngland。COSETTE。June4th。\"
JeanValjeanhalted，perfectlyhaggard。
Cosetteonherarrivalhadplacedherblotting—bookonthesideboardinfrontofthemirror，and，utterlyabsorbedinheragonyofgrief，hadforgottenitandleftitthere，withoutevenobservingthatshehadleftitwideopen，andopenatpreciselythepageonwhichshehadlaidtodrythefourlineswhichshehadpenned，andwhichshehadgiveninchargeoftheyoungworkmanintheRuePlumet。
Thewritinghadbeenprintedoffontheblotter。
Themirrorreflectedthewriting。
Theresultwas，whatiscalledingeometry，thesymmetricalimage；
sothatthewriting，reversedontheblotter，wasrightedinthemirrorandpresenteditsnaturalappearance；andJeanValjeanhadbeneathhiseyestheletterwrittenbyCosettetoMariusontheprecedingevening。
Itwassimpleandwithering。
JeanValjeansteppeduptothemirror。Hereadthefourlinesagain，buthedidnotbelievethem。Theyproducedonhimtheeffectofappearinginaflashoflightning。Itwasahallucination，itwasimpossible。Itwasnotso。
Littlebylittle，hisperceptionsbecamemoreprecise；helookedatCosette’sblotting—book，andtheconsciousnessoftherealityreturnedtohim。Hecaughtuptheblotterandsaid:\"Itcomesfromthere。\"Hefeverishlyexaminedthefourlinesimprintedontheblotter，thereversalofthelettersconvertedintoanoddscrawl，andhesawnosenseinit。Thenhesaidtohimself:
\"Butthissignifiesnothing；thereisnothingwrittenhere。\"
Andhedrewalongbreathwithinexpressiblerelief。Whohasnotexperiencedthosefoolishjoysinhorribleinstants？Thesouldoesnotsurrendertodespairuntilithasexhaustedallillusions。
Heheldtheblotterinhishandandcontemplateditinstupiddelight，almostreadytolaughatthehallucinationofwhichhehadbeenthedupe。Allatoncehiseyesfelluponthemirroragain，andagainhebeheldthevision。Therewerethefourlinesoutlinedwithinexorableclearness。Thistimeitwasnomirage。
Therecurrenceofavisionisareality；itwaspalpable，itwasthewritingrestoredinthemirror。Heunderstood。
JeanValjeantottered，droppedtheblotter，andfellintotheoldarm—chairbesidethebuffet，withdroopinghead，andglassyeyes，inutterbewilderment。Hetoldhimselfthatitwasplain，thatthelightoftheworldhadbeeneclipsedforever，andthatCosettehadwrittenthattosomeone。Thenheheardhissoul，whichhadbecometerribleoncemore，giveventtoadullroarinthegloom。
Trythentheeffectoftakingfromthelionthedogwhichhehasinhiscage！
Strangeandsadtosay，atthatverymoment，MariushadnotyetreceivedCosette’sletter；chancehadtreacherouslycarriedittoJeanValjeanbeforedeliveringittoMarius。Uptothatday，JeanValjeanhadnotbeenvanquishedbytrial。Hehadbeensubjectedtofearfulproofs；noviolenceofbadfortunehadbeensparedhim；
theferocityoffate，armedwithallvindictivenessandallsocialscorn，hadtakenhimforherpreyandhadragedagainsthim。
Hehadacceptedeveryextremitywhenithadbeennecessary；
hehadsacrificedhisinviolabilityasareformedman，hadyieldeduphisliberty，riskedhishead，losteverything，sufferedeverything，andhehadremaineddisinterestedandstoicaltosuchapointthathemighthavebeenthoughttobeabsentfromhimselflikeamartyr。
Hisconscienceinuredtoeveryassaultofdestiny，mighthaveappearedtobeforeverimpregnable。Well，anyonewhohadbeheldhisspiritualselfwouldhavebeenobligedtoconcedethatitweakenedatthatmoment。Itwasbecause，ofallthetortureswhichhehadundergoneinthecourseofthislonginquisitiontowhichdestinyhaddoomedhim，thiswasthemostterrible。Neverhadsuchpincersseizedhimhitherto。Hefeltthemysteriousstirringofallhislatentsensibilities。Hefeltthepluckingatthestrangechord。
Alas！thesupremetrial，letussayrather，theonlytrial，isthelossofthebelovedbeing。
PooroldJeanValjeancertainlydidnotloveCosetteotherwisethanasafather；butwehavealreadyremarked，above，thatintothispaternitythewidowhoodofhislifehadintroducedalltheshadesoflove；
helovedCosetteashisdaughter，andhelovedherashismother，andhelovedherashissister；and，ashehadneverhadeitherawomantoloveorawife，asnatureisacreditorwhoacceptsnoprotest，thatsentimentalso，themostimpossibletolose，wasmingledwiththerest，vague，ignorant，purewiththepurityofblindness，unconscious，celestial，angelic，divine；lesslikeasentimentthanlikeaninstinct，lesslikeaninstinctthanlikeanimperceptibleandinvisiblebutrealattraction；andlove，properlyspeaking，was，inhisimmensetendernessforCosette，likethethreadofgoldinthemountain，concealedandvirgin。
Letthereaderrecallthesituationofheartwhichwehavealreadyindicated。Nomarriagewaspossiblebetweenthem；
noteventhatofsouls；andyet，itiscertainthattheirdestinieswerewedded。WiththeexceptionofCosette，thatistosay，withtheexceptionofachildhood，JeanValjeanhadnever，inthewholeofhislonglife，knownanythingofthatwhichmaybeloved。
Thepassionsandloveswhichsucceedeachotherhadnotproducedinhimthosesuccessivegreengrowths，tendergreenordarkgreen，whichcanbeseeninfoliagewhichpassesthroughthewinterandinmenwhopassfifty。Inshort，andwehaveinsistedonitmorethanonce，allthisinteriorfusion，allthiswhole，ofwhichthesumtotalwasaloftyvirtue，endedinrenderingJeanValjeanafathertoCosette。
Astrangefather，forgedfromthegrandfather，theson，thebrother，andthehusband，thatexistedinJeanValjean；afatherinwhomtherewasincludedevenamother；afatherwholovedCosetteandadoredher，andwhoheldthatchildashislight，hishome，hisfamily，hiscountry，hisparadise。
Thuswhenhesawthattheendhadabsolutelycome，thatshewasescapingfromhim，thatshewasslippingfromhishands，thatshewasglidingfromhim，likeacloud，likewater，whenhehadbeforehiseyesthiscrushingproof:\"anotheristhegoalofherheart，anotheristhewishofherlife；thereisadearestone，Iamnolongeranythingbutherfather，Inolongerexist\"；whenhecouldnolongerdoubt，whenhesaidtohimself:\"Sheisgoingawayfromme！\"
thegriefwhichhefeltsurpassedtheboundsofpossibility。
Tohavedoneallthathehaddoneforthepurposeofendinglikethis！
Andtheveryideaofbeingnothing！Then，aswehavejustsaid，aquiverofrevoltranthroughhimfromheadtofoot。Hefelt，evenintheveryrootsofhishair，theimmensereawakeningofegotism，andthe_I_inthisman’sabysshowled。
Thereissuchathingasthesuddengivingwayoftheinwardsubsoil。
Adespairingcertaintydoesnotmakeitswayintoamanwithoutthrustingasideandbreakingcertainprofoundelementswhich，insomecases，aretheverymanhimself。Grief，whenitattainsthisshape，isaheadlongflightofalltheforcesoftheconscience。
Thesearefatalcrises。Fewamongusemergefromthemstilllikeourselvesandfirminduty。Whenthelimitofenduranceisoverstepped，themostimperturbablevirtueisdisconcerted。
JeanValjeantooktheblotteragain，andconvincedhimselfafresh；
heremainedbowedandasthoughpetrifiedandwithstaringeyes，overthosefourunobjectionablelines；andtherearosewithinhimsuchacloudthatonemighthavethoughtthateverythinginthissoulwascrumblingaway。
Heexaminedthisrevelation，athwarttheexaggerationsofrevery，withanapparentandterrifyingcalmness，foritisafearfulthingwhenaman’scalmnessreachesthecoldnessofthestatue。
Hemeasuredtheterriblestepwhichhisdestinyhadtakenwithouthishavingasuspicionofthefact；herecalledhisfearsoftheprecedingsummer，sofoolishlydissipated；herecognizedtheprecipice，itwasstillthesame；only，JeanValjeanwasnolongeronthebrink，hewasatthebottomofit。
Theunprecedentedandheart—rendingthingaboutitwasthathehadfallenwithoutperceivingit。Allthelightofhislifehaddeparted，whilehestillfanciedthathebeheldthesun。
Hisinstinctdidnothesitate。Heputtogethercertaincircumstances，certaindates，certainblushesandcertainpallorsonCosette’spart，andhesaidtohimself:\"Itishe。\"
Thedivinationofdespairisasortofmysteriousbowwhichnevermissesitsaim。HestruckMariuswithhisfirstconjecture。
Hedidnotknowthename，buthefoundthemaninstantly。
Hedistinctlyperceived，inthebackgroundoftheimplacableconjurationofhismemories，theunknownprowleroftheLuxembourg，thatwretchedseekerofloveadventures，thatidlerofromance，thatidiot，thatcoward，foritiscowardlytocomeandmakeeyesatyounggirlswhohavebesidethemafatherwholovesthem。
Afterhehadthoroughlyverifiedthefactthatthisyoungmanwasatthebottomofthissituation，andthateverythingproceededfromthatquarter，he，JeanValjean，theregeneratedman，themanwhohadsolaboredoverhissoul，themanwhohadmadesomanyeffortstoresolvealllife，allmisery，andallunhappinessintolove，lookedintohisownbreastandtherebeheldaspectre，Hate。
Greatgriefscontainsomethingofdejection。Theydiscourageonewithexistence。Themanintowhomtheyenterfeelssomethingwithinhimwithdrawfromhim。Inhisyouth，theirvisitsarelugubrious；
laterontheyaresinister。Alas，ifdespairisafearfulthingwhenthebloodishot，whenthehairisblack，whentheheadiserectonthebodyliketheflameonthetorch，whentherollofdestinystillretainsitsfullthickness，whentheheart，fullofdesirablelove，stillpossessesbeatswhichcanbereturnedtoit，whenonehastimeforredress，whenallwomenandallsmilesandallthefutureandallthehorizonarebeforeone，whentheforceoflifeiscomplete，whatisitinoldage，whentheyearshastenon，growingeverpaler，tothattwilighthourwhenonebeginstobeholdthestarsofthetomb？
Whilehewasmeditating，Toussaintentered。JeanValjeanroseandaskedher:——
\"Inwhatquarterisit？Doyouknow？\"
Toussaintwasstruckdumb，andcouldonlyanswerhim:——
\"Whatisit，sir？\"
JeanValjeanbeganagain:\"Didyounottellmethatjustnowthatthereisfightinggoingon？\"
\"Ah！yes，sir，\"repliedToussaint。\"ItisinthedirectionofSaint—Merry。\"
Thereisamechanicalmovementwhichcomestous，unconsciously，fromthemostprofounddepthsofourthought。Itwas，nodoubt，undertheimpulseofamovementofthissort，andofwhichhewashardlyconscious，thatJeanValjean，fiveminuteslater，foundhimselfinthestreet。
Bareheaded，hesatuponthestonepostatthedoorofhishouse。
Heseemedtobelistening。
Nighthadcome。
CHAPTERII
THESTREETURCHINANENEMYOFLIGHT
Howlongdidheremainthus？Whatwastheebbandflowofthistragicmeditation？Didhestraightenup？Didheremainbowed？
Hadhebeenbenttobreaking？Couldhestillriseandregainhisfootinginhisconscienceuponsomethingsolid？Heprobablywouldnothavebeenabletotellhimself。
Thestreetwasdeserted。Afewuneasybourgeois，whowererapidlyreturninghome，hardlysawhim。Eachoneforhimselfintimesofperil。Thelamp—lightercameasusualtolightthelanternwhichwassituatedpreciselyoppositethedoorofNo。7，andthenwentaway。JeanValjeanwouldnothaveappearedlikealivingmantoanyonewhohadexaminedhiminthatshadow。
Hesatthereonthepostofhisdoor，motionlessasaformofice。
Thereiscongealmentindespair。Thealarmbellsandavagueandstormyuproarwereaudible。Inthemidstofalltheseconvulsionsofthebellmingledwiththerevolt，theclockofSaint—Paulstruckeleven，gravelyandwithouthaste；forthetocsinisman；
thehourisGod。ThepassageofthehourproducednoeffectonJeanValjean；JeanValjeandidnotstir。Still，ataboutthatmoment，abrusquereportburstforthinthedirectionoftheHalles，asecondyetmoreviolentfollowed；itwasprobablythatattackonthebarricadeintheRuedelaChanvreriewhichwehavejustseenrepulsedbyMarius。Atthisdoubledischarge，whosefuryseemedaugmentedbythestuporofthenight，JeanValjeanstarted；
herose，turningtowardsthequarterwhencethenoiseproceeded；
thenhefellbackuponthepostagain，foldedhisarms，andhisheadslowlysankonhisbosomagain。
Heresumedhisgloomydialoguewithhimself。
Allatonce，heraisedhiseyes；someonewaswalkinginthestreet，heheardstepsnearhim。Helooked，andbythelightofthelanterns，inthedirectionofthestreetwhichranintotheRue—aux—Archives，heperceivedayoung，livid，andbeamingface。
GavrochehadjustarrivedintheRuel’HommeArme。
Gavrochewasstaringintotheair，apparentlyinsearchofsomething。
HesawJeanValjeanperfectlywellbuthetooknonoticeofhim。
Gavrocheafterstaringintotheair，staredbelow；heraisedhimselfontiptoe，andfeltofthedoorsandwindowsofthegroundfloor；
theywereallshut，bolted，andpadlocked。Afterhavingauthenticatedthefrontsoffiveorsixbarricadedhousesinthismanner，theurchinshruggedhisshoulders，andtookhimselftotaskintheseterms:——
\"Pardi！\"
Thenhebegantostareintotheairagain。
JeanValjean，who，aninstantpreviously，inhisthenstateofmind，wouldnothavespokentoorevenansweredanyone，feltirresistiblyimpelledtoaccostthatchild。
\"Whatisthematterwithyou，mylittlefellow？\"hesaid。
\"ThematterwithmeisthatIamhungry，\"repliedGavrochefrankly。
Andheadded:\"Littlefellowyourself。\"
JeanValjeanfumbledinhisfobandpulledoutafive—francpiece。
ButGavroche，whowasofthewagtailspecies，andwhoskippedvivaciouslyfromonegesturetoanother，hadjustpickedupastone。
Hehadcaughtsightofthelantern。
\"Seehere，\"saidhe，\"youstillhaveyourlanternshere。
Youaredisobeyingtheregulations，myfriend。Thisisdisorderly。
Smashthatforme。\"
Andheflungthestoneatthelantern，whosebrokenglassfellwithsuchaclatterthatthebourgeoisinhidingbehindtheircurtainsintheoppositehousecried:\"Thereis`Ninety—three’comeagain。\"
Thelanternoscillatedviolently，andwentout。Thestreethadsuddenlybecomeblack。
\"That’sright，oldstreet，\"ejaculatedGavroche，\"putonyournight—cap。\"
AndturningtoJeanValjean:——
\"Whatdoyoucallthatgiganticmonumentthatyouhavethereattheendofthestreet？It’stheArchives，isn’tit？Imustcrumbleupthosebigstupidsofpillarsabitandmakeanicebarricadeoutofthem。\"
JeanValjeansteppeduptoGavroche。
\"Poorcreature，\"hesaidinalowtone，andspeakingtohimself，\"heishungry。\"
Andhelaidthehundred—soupieceinhishand。
Gavrocheraisedhisface，astonishedatthesizeofthissou；
hestaredatitinthedarkness，andthewhitenessofthebigsoudazzledhim。Heknewfive—francpiecesbyhearsay；theirreputationwasagreeabletohim；hewasdelightedtoseeonecloseto。
Hesaid:——
\"Letuscontemplatethetiger。\"
Hegazedatitforseveralminutesinecstasy；then，turningtoJeanValjean，heheldoutthecointohim，andsaidmajesticallytohim:——
\"Bourgeois，Iprefertosmashlanterns。Takebackyourferociousbeast。
Youcan’tbribeme。Thathasgotfiveclaws；butitdoesn’tscratchme。\"
\"Haveyouamother？\"askedJeanValjean。
Gavrochereplied:——
\"Morethanyouhave，perhaps。\"
\"Well，\"returnedJeanValjean，\"keepthemoneyforyourmother！\"
Gavrochewastouched。Moreover，hehadjustnoticedthatthemanwhowasaddressinghimhadnohat，andthisinspiredhimwithconfidence。
\"Truly，\"saidhe，\"soitwasn’ttokeepmefrombreakingthelanterns？\"
\"Breakwhateveryouplease。\"
\"You’reafineman，\"saidGavroche。
Andheputthefive—francpieceintooneofhispockets。
Hisconfidencehavingincreased，headded:——
\"Doyoubelonginthisstreet？\"
\"Yes，why？\"
\"CanyoutellmewhereNo。7is？\"
\"WhatdoyouwantwithNo。7？\"
Herethechildpaused，hefearedthathehadsaidtoomuch；
hethrusthisnailsenergeticallyintohishairandcontentedhimselfwithreplying:——
\"Ah！Hereitis。\"
AnideaflashedthroughJeanValjean’smind。Anguishdoeshavethesegleams。Hesaidtothelad:——
\"AreyouthepersonwhoisbringingaletterthatIamexpecting？\"
\"You？\"saidGavroche。\"Youarenotawoman。\"
\"TheletterisforMademoiselleCosette，isitnot？\"
\"Cosette，\"mutteredGavroche。\"Yes，Ibelievethatisthequeername。\"
\"Well，\"resumedJeanValjean，\"Iamthepersontowhomyouaretodelivertheletter。Giveithere。\"
\"Inthatcase，youmustknowthatIwassentfromthebarricade。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidJeanValjean。
Gavrocheengulfedhishandinanotherofhispocketsanddrewoutapaperfoldedinfour。
Thenhemadethemilitarysalute。
\"Respectfordespatches，\"saidhe。\"ItcomesfromtheProvisionalGovernment。\"
\"Giveittome，\"saidJeanValjean。
Gavrocheheldthepaperelevatedabovehishead。
\"Don’tgoandfancyit’saloveletter。Itisforawoman，butit’sforthepeople。Wemenfightandwerespectthefairsex。
Wearenotastheyareinfinesociety，wheretherearelionswhosendchickens[55]tocamels。\"
[55]Loveletters。
\"Giveittome。\"
\"Afterall，\"continuedGavroche，\"youhavetheairofanhonestman。\"
\"Giveittomequick。\"
\"Catchholdofit。\"
AndhehandedthepapertoJeanValjean。
\"Andmakehaste，MonsieurWhat’s—your—name，forMamselleCosetteiswaiting。\"
Gavrochewassatisfiedwithhimselfforhavingproducedthisremark。
JeanValjeanbeganagain:——
\"IsittoSaint—Merrythattheansweristobesent？\"
\"Thereyouaremakingsomeofthosebitsofpastryvulgarlycalledbrioches[blunders]。ThislettercomesfromthebarricadeoftheRuedelaChanvrerie，andI’mgoingbackthere。Goodevening，citizen。\"
Thatsaid，Gavrochetookhimselfoff，or，todescribeitmoreexactly，flutteredawayinthedirectionwhencehehadcomewithaflightlikethatofanescapedbird。Heplungedbackintothegloomasthoughhemadeaholeinit，withtherigidrapidityofaprojectile；
thealleyofl’HommeArmebecamesilentandsolitaryoncemore；
inatwinkling，thatstrangechild，whohadabouthimsomethingoftheshadowandofthedream，hadburiedhimselfinthemistsoftherowsofblackhouses，andwaslostthere，likesmokeinthedark；
andonemighthavethoughtthathehaddissipatedandvanished，hadtherenottakenplace，afewminutesafterhisdisappearance，astartlingshiverofglass，andhadnotthemagnificentcrashofalanternrattlingdownonthepavementoncemoreabruptlyawakenedtheindignantbourgeois。ItwasGavrocheuponhiswaythroughtheRueduChaume。
CHAPTERIII
WHILECOSETTEANDTOUSSAINTAREASLEEP
JeanValjeanwentintothehousewithMarius’letter。
Hegropedhiswayupthestairs，aspleasedwiththedarknessasanowlwhogripshisprey，openedandshuthisdoorsoftly，listenedtoseewhetherhecouldhearanynoise，——madesurethat，toallappearances，CosetteandToussaintwereasleep，andplungedthreeorfourmatchesintothebottleoftheFumadelighterbeforehecouldevokeaspark，sogreatlydidhishandtremble。
Whathehadjustdonesmackedoftheft。Atlastthecandlewaslighted；heleanedhiselbowsonthetable，unfoldedthepaper，andread。
Inviolentemotions，onedoesnotread，oneflingstotheearth，sotospeak，thepaperwhichoneholds，oneclutchesitlikeavictim，onecrushesit，onedigsintoitthenailsofone’swrath，orofone’sjoy；onehastenstotheend，oneleapstothebeginning；
attentionisatfeverheat；ittakesupinthegross，asitwere，theessentialpoints；itseizesononepoint，andtherestdisappears。
InMarius’notetoCosette，JeanValjeansawonlythesewords:——
\"Idie。Whenthoureadestthis，mysoulwillbenearthee。\"
Inthepresenceofthesetwolines，hewashorriblydazzled；
heremainedforamoment，crushed，asitwere，bythechangeofemotionwhichwastakingplacewithinhim，hestaredatMarius’
notewithasortofintoxicatedamazement，hehadbeforehiseyesthatsplendor，thedeathofahatedindividual。
Heutteredafrightfulcryofinwardjoy。Soitwasallover。
Thecatastrophehadarrivedsoonerthanhehaddaredtohope。
Thebeingwhoobstructedhisdestinywasdisappearing。Thatmanhadtakenhimselfoffofhisownaccord，freely，willingly。Thismanwasgoingtohisdeath，andhe，JeanValjean，hadhadnohandinthematter，anditwasthroughnofaultofhis。Perhaps，even，heisalreadydead。Herehisfeverenteredintocalculations。
No，heisnotdeadyet。TheletterhadevidentlybeenintendedforCosettetoreadonthefollowingmorning；afterthetwodischargesthatwereheardbetweeneleveno’clockandmidnight，nothingmorehastakenplace；thebarricadewillnotbeattackedseriouslyuntildaybreak；butthatmakesnodifference，fromthemomentwhen\"thatman\"isconcernedinthiswar，heislost；
heiscaughtinthegearing。JeanValjeanfelthimselfdelivered。
SohewasabouttofindhimselfalonewithCosetteoncemore。
Therivalrywouldcease；thefuturewasbeginningagain。Hehadbuttokeepthisnoteinhispocket。Cosettewouldneverknowwhathadbecomeofthatman。Allthatthererequirestobedoneistoletthingstaketheirowncourse。Thismancannotescape。
Ifheisnotalreadydead，itiscertainthatheisabouttodie。
Whatgoodfortune！
Havingsaidallthistohimself，hebecamegloomy。
Thenhewentdownstairsandwokeuptheporter。
Aboutanhourlater，JeanValjeanwentoutinthecompletecostumeofaNationalGuard，andwithhisarms。Theporterhadeasilyfoundintheneighborhoodthewherewithaltocompletehisequipment。
Hehadaloadedgunandacartridge—boxfilledwithcartridges。
Hestrodeoffinthedirectionofthemarkets。
CHAPTERIV
GAVROCHE’SEXCESSOFZEAL
Inthemeantime，Gavrochehadhadanadventure。
Gavroche，afterhavingconscientiouslystonedthelanternintheRueduChaume，enteredtheRuedesVielles—Haudriettes，andnotseeing\"evenacat\"there，hethoughttheopportunityagoodonetostrikeupallthesongofwhichhewascapable。Hismarch，farfrombeingretardedbyhissinging，wasacceleratedbyit。Hebegantosowalongthesleepingorterrifiedhousestheseincendiarycouplets:——
\"L’oiseaumeditdanslescharmilles，Etpretendqu’hierAtalaAvecunRusses’enalla。
Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。
\"MonamiPierrot，tubabilles，Parcequel’autrejourMilaCognasavitreetm’appela，Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。
\"Lesdrolessessontfortgentilles，Leurpoisonquim’ensorcelaGriseraitMonsieurOrfila。
Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。
\"J’aimel’amouretlesbisbilles，J’aimeAgnes，j’aimePamela，Lisaenm’allumantsebrula。
Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。
\"Jadis，quandjevislesmantillesDeSuzetteetdeZeila，Monamealeursplissemela，Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。
\"Amour，quanddansl’ombreoutubrilles，TucoiffesderosesLola，Jemedamneraispourcela。
Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。
\"Jeanneatonmiroirtut’habilles！
Moncoeurunbeaujours’envola。
Jecroisquec’estJeannequil’a。
Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。
\"Lesoir，ensortantdesquadrilles，JemontreauxetoilesStella，Etjeleurdis:’Regardez—la。’
Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。\"[56]
[56]\"Thebirdslandersintheelms，Andpretendsthatyesterday，AtalaWentoffwithaRussian，Wherefairmaidsgo。
Lonla。
MyfriendPierrot，thoupratest，becauseMilaknockedatherpanetheotherdayandcalledme。Thejadesareverycharming，theirpoisonwhichbewitchedmewouldintoxicateMonsieurOrfila。
I’mfondofloveanditsbickerings，IloveAgnes，IlovePamela，Liseburnedherselfinsettingmeaflame。InformerdayswhenI
sawthemantillasofSuzetteandofZeila，mysoulmingledwiththeirfolds。Love，whenthougleamestinthedarkthoucrownestLolawithroses，Iwouldlosemysoulforthat。Jeanne，atthymirrorthoudeckestthyself！Onefineday，myheartflewforth。
IthinkthatitisJeannewhohasit。Atnight，whenIcomefromthequadrilles，IshowStellatothestars，andIsaytothem:
\"Beholdher。\"Wherefairmaidsgo，lonla。
Gavroche，ashesang，waslavishofhispantomime。Gestureisthestrongpointoftherefrain。Hisface，aninexhaustiblerepertoryofmasks，producedgrimacesmoreconvulsingandmorefantasticthantherentsofaclothtorninahighgale。Unfortunately，ashewasalone，andasitwasnight，thiswasneitherseennorevenvisible。
Suchwastesofrichesdooccur。
Allatonce，hestoppedshort。
\"Letusinterrupttheromance，\"saidhe。
Hisfelineeyehadjustdescried，intherecessofacarriagedoor，whatiscalledinpainting，anensemble，thatistosay，apersonandathing；thethingwasahand—cart，thepersonwasamanfromAuvergenewhowassleepingtherein。
Theshaftsofthecartrestedonthepavement，andtheAuvergnat’sheadwassupportedagainstthefrontofthecart。Hisbodywascoileduponthisinclinedplaneandhisfeettouchedtheground。
Gavroche，withhisexperienceofthethingsofthisworld，recognizedadrunkenman。Hewassomecornererrand—manwhohaddrunktoomuchandwassleepingtoomuch。
\"Therenow，\"thoughtGavroche，\"that’swhatthesummernightsaregoodfor。We’lltakethecartfortheRepublic，andleavetheAuvergnatfortheMonarchy。\"
Hismindhadjustbeenilluminatedbythisflashoflight:——
\"Howbullythatcartwouldlookonourbarricade！\"
TheAuvergnatwassnoring。
Gavrochegentlytuggedatthecartfrombehind，andattheAuvergnatfromthefront，thatistosay，bythefeet，andattheexpirationofanotherminutetheimperturbableAuvergnatwasreposingflatonthepavement。
Thecartwasfree。
Gavroche，habituatedtofacingtheunexpectedinallquarters，hadeverythingabouthim。Hefumbledinoneofhispockets，andpulledfromitascrapofpaperandabitofredpencilfilchedfromsomecarpenter。
Hewrote:——
\"FrenchRepublic。\"
\"Receivedthycart。\"
Andhesignedit:\"GAVROCHE。\"
Thatdone，heputthepaperinthepocketofthestillsnoringAuvergnat’svelvetvest，seizedthecartshaftsinbothhands，andsetoffinthedirectionoftheHalles，pushingthecartbeforehimatahardgallopwithagloriousandtriumphantuproar。
Thiswasperilous。TherewasapostattheRoyalPrintingEstablishment。
Gavrochedidnotthinkofthis。ThispostwasoccupiedbytheNationalGuardsofthesuburbs。Thesquadbegantowakeup，andheadswereraisedfromcampbeds。Twostreetlanternsbrokeninsuccession，thatdittysungatthetopofthelungs。
Thiswasagreatdealforthosecowardlystreets，whichdesiretogotosleepatsunset，andwhichputtheextinguisherontheircandlesatsuchanearlyhour。Forthelasthour，thatboyhadbeencreatinganuproarinthatpeaceablearrondissement，theuproarofaflyinabottle。Thesergeantofthebanlieuelentanear。
Hewaited。Hewasaprudentman。
Themadrattleofthecart，filledtooverflowingthepossiblemeasureofwaiting，anddecidedthesergeanttomakeareconnaisance。
\"There’sawholebandofthemthere！\"saidhe，\"letusproceedgently。\"
Itwasclearthatthehydraofanarchyhademergedfromitsboxandthatitwasstalkingabroadthroughthequarter。
Andthesergeantventuredoutofthepostwithcautioustread。
Allatonce，Gavroche，pushinghiscartinfrontofhim，andattheverymomentwhenhewasabouttoturnintotheRuedesVielles—Haudriettes，foundhimselffacetofacewithauniform，ashako，aplume，andagun。