Whereweretheyallthen？wasitreallytruethatallweredead？
Afallintotheshadowshadcarriedoffallexcepthimself。
Itallseemedtohimtohavedisappearedasthoughbehindthecurtainofatheatre。Therearecurtainslikethiswhichdropinlife。
Godpassesontothefollowingact。
Andhehimself——washeactuallythesameman？He，thepoorman，wasrich；he，theabandoned，hadafamily；he，thedespairing，wastomarryCosette。Itseemedtohimthathehadtraversedatomb，andthathehadenteredintoitblackandhademergedfromitwhite，andinthattombtheothershadremained。Atcertainmoments，allthesebeingsofthepast，returnedandpresent，formedacirclearoundhim，andovershadowedhim；thenhethoughtofCosette，andrecoveredhisserenity；butnothinglessthanthisfelicitycouldhavesufficedtoeffacethatcatastrophe。
M。Faucheleventalmostoccupiedaplaceamongthesevanishedbeings。
MariushesitatedtobelievethattheFaucheleventofthebarricadewasthesameasthisFaucheleventinfleshandblood，sittingsogravelybesideCosette。Thefirstwas，probably，oneofthosenightmaresoccasionedandbroughtbackbyhishoursofdelirium。
However，thenaturesofbothmenwererigid，noquestionfromMariustoM。Faucheleventwaspossible。Suchanideahadnotevenoccurredtohim。Wehavealreadyindicatedthischaracteristicdetail。
Twomenwhohaveasecretincommon，andwho，byasortoftacitagreement，exchangenotawordonthesubject，arelessrarethaniscommonlysupposed。
Onceonly，didMariusmaketheattempt。HeintroducedintotheconversationtheRuedelaChanvrerie，and，turningtoM。Fauchelevent，hesaidtohim:
\"Ofcourse，youareacquaintedwiththatstreet？\"
\"Whatstreet？\"
\"TheRuedelaChanvrerie。\"
\"Ihavenoideaofthenameofthatstreet，\"repliedM。Fauchelevent，inthemostnaturalmannerintheworld。
Theresponsewhichboreuponthenameofthestreetandnotuponthestreetitself，appearedtoMariustobemoreconclusivethanitreallywas。
\"Decidedly，\"thoughthe，\"Ihavebeendreaming。Ihavebeensubjecttoahallucination。Itwassomeonewhoresembledhim。
M。Faucheleventwasnotthere。\"’
CHAPTERVIII
TWOMENIMPOSSIBLETOFIND
Marius’enchantment，greatasitwas，couldnoteffacefromhismindotherpre—occupations。
Whiletheweddingwasinpreparation，andwhileawaitingthedatefixedupon，hecauseddifficultandscrupulousretrospectiveresearchestobemade。
Heowedgratitudeinvariousquarters；
heoweditonhisfather’saccount，heoweditonhisown。
TherewasThenardier；therewastheunknownmanwhohadbroughthim，Marius，backtoM。Gillenormand。
Mariusendeavoredtofindthesetwomen，notintendingtomarry，tobehappy，andtoforgetthem，andfearingthat，werethesedebtsofgratitudenotdischarged，theywouldleaveashadowonhislife，whichpromisedsobrightlyforthefuture。
Itwasimpossibleforhimtoleaveallthesearrearsofsufferingbehindhim，andhewished，beforeenteringjoyouslyintothefuture，toobtainaquittancefromthepast。
ThatThenardierwasavillaindetractednothingfromthefactthathehadsavedColonelPontmercy。ThenardierwasaruffianintheeyesofalltheworldexceptMarius。
AndMarius，ignorantoftherealsceneinthebattlefieldofWaterloo，wasnotawareofthepeculiardetail，thathisfather，sofarasThenardierwasconcernedwasinthestrangepositionofbeingindebtedtothelatterforhislife，withoutbeingindebtedtohimforanygratitude。
NoneofthevariousagentswhomMariusemployedsucceededindiscoveringanytraceofThenardier。Obliterationappearedtobecompleteinthatquarter。MadameThenardierhaddiedinprisonpendingthetrial。ThenardierandhisdaughterAzelma，theonlytworemainingofthatlamentablegroup，hadplungedbackintothegloom。
Thegulfofthesocialunknownhadsilentlyclosedabovethosebeings。
Onthesurfacetherewasnotvisiblesomuchasthatquiver，thattrembling，thoseobscureconcentriccircleswhichannouncethatsomethinghasfallenin，andthattheplummetmaybedropped。
MadameThenardierbeingdead，Boulatruellebeingeliminatedfromthecase，Claquesoushavingdisappeared，theprincipalpersonsaccusedhavingescapedfromprison，thetrialconnectedwiththeambushintheGorbeauhousehadcometonothing。
Thataffairhadremainedratherobscure。ThebenchofAssizeshadbeenobligedtocontentthemselveswithtwosubordinates。Panchaud，aliasPrintanier，aliasBigrenaille，andDemi—Liard，aliasDeux—Milliards，whohadbeeninconsistentlycondemned，afterahearingofbothsidesofthecase，totenyearsinthegalleys。Hardlaborforlifehadbeenthesentencepronouncedagainsttheescapedandcontumaciousaccomplices。
Thenardier，theheadandleader，hadbeen，throughcontumacy，likewisecondemnedtodeath。
ThissentencewastheonlyinformationremainingaboutThenardier，castinguponthatburiednameitssinisterlightlikeacandlebesideabier。
Moreover，bythrustingThenardierbackintotheveryremotestdepths，throughafearofbeingre—captured，thissentenceaddedtothedensityoftheshadowswhichenvelopedthisman。
Asfortheotherperson，asfortheunknownmanwhohadsavedMarius，theresearcheswereatfirsttosomeextentsuccessful，thencametoanabruptconclusion。TheysucceededinfindingthecarriagewhichhadbroughtMariustotheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaireontheeveningofthe6thofJune。
Thecoachmandeclaredthat，onthe6thofJune，inobediencetothecommandsofapolice—agent，hehadstoodfromthreeo’clockintheafternoonuntilnightfallontheQuaidesChamps—Elysees，abovetheoutletoftheGrandSewer；that，towardsnineo’clockintheevening，thegratingofthesewer，whichabutsonthebankoftheriver，hadopened；thatamanhademergedtherefrom，bearingonhisshouldersanotherman，whoseemedtobedead；thattheagent，whowasonthewatchatthatpoint，hadarrestedthelivingmanandhadseizedthedeadman；that，attheorderofthepolice—agent，he，thecoachman，hadtaken\"allthosefolks\"intohiscarriage；
thattheyhadfirstdriventotheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire；
thattheyhadtheredepositedthedeadman；thatthedeadmanwasMonsieurMarius，andthathe，thecoachman，recognizedhimperfectly，althoughhewasalive\"thistime\"；thatafterwards，theyhadenteredthevehicleagain，thathehadwhippeduphishorses；
afewpacesfromthegateoftheArchives，theyhadcalledtohimtohalt；thatthere，inthestreet，theyhadpaidhimandlefthim，andthatthepolice—agenthadledtheothermanaway；thatheknewnothingmore；thatthenighthadbeenverydark。
Marius，aswehavesaid，recallednothing。Heonlyrememberedthathehadbeenseizedfrombehindbyanenergetichandatthemomentwhenhewasfallingbackwardsintothebarricade；
then，everythingvanishedsofarashewasconcerned。
HehadonlyregainedconsciousnessatM。Gillenormand’s。
Hewaslostinconjectures。
Hecouldnotdoubthisownidentity。Still，howhaditcometopassthat，havingfallenintheRuedelaChanvrerie，hehadbeenpickedupbythepolice—agentonthebanksoftheSeine，nearthePontdesInvalides？
SomeonehadcarriedhimfromtheQuartierdesHallestotheChamps—Elysees。Andhow？Throughthesewer。Unheard—ofdevotion！
Someone？Who？
ThiswasthemanforwhomMariuswassearching。
Ofthisman，whowashissavior，nothing；notatrace；notthefaintestindication。
Marius，althoughforcedtopreservegreatreserve，inthatdirection，pushedhisinquiriesasfarastheprefectureofpolice。There，nomorethanelsewhere，didtheinformationobtainedleadtoanyenlightenment。
Theprefectureknewlessaboutthematterthandidthehackney—coachman。Theyhadnoknowledgeofanyarresthavingbeenmadeonthe6thofJuneatthemouthoftheGrandSewer。
Noreportofanyagenthadbeenreceivedthereuponthismatter，whichwasregardedattheprefectureasafable。Theinventionofthisfablewasattributedtothecoachman。
Acoachmanwhowantsagratuityiscapableofanything，evenofimagination。Thefactwasassured，nevertheless，andMariuscouldnotdoubtit，unlesshedoubtedhisownidentity，aswehavejustsaid。
Everythingaboutthissingularenigmawasinexplicable。
Whathadbecomeofthatman，thatmysteriousman，whomthecoachmanhadseenemergefromthegratingoftheGrandSewerbearinguponhisbacktheunconsciousMarius，andwhomthepolice—agentonthewatchhadarrestedintheveryactofrescuinganinsurgent？
Whathadbecomeoftheagenthimself？
Whyhadthisagentpreservedsilence？Hadthemansucceededinmakinghisescape？Hadhebribedtheagent？WhydidthismangivenosignoflifetoMarius，whoowedeverythingtohim？
Hisdisinterestednesswasnolesstremendousthanhisdevotion。
Whyhadnotthatmanappearedagain？Perhapshewasabovecompensation，butnooneisabovegratitude。Washedead？Whowastheman？
Whatsortofafacehadhe？Noonecouldtellhimthis。
Thecoachmananswered:\"Thenightwasverydark。\"BasqueandNicolette，allinaflutter，hadlookedonlyattheiryoungmasterallcoveredwithblood。
Theporter，whosecandlehadlightedthetragicarrivalofMarius，hadbeentheonlyonetotakenoteofthemaninquestion，andthisisthedescriptionthathegave:
\"Thatmanwasterrible。\"
Mariushadtheblood—stainedclothingwhichhehadwornwhenhehadbeenbroughtbacktohisgrandfatherpreserved，inthehopethatitwouldproveofserviceinhisresearches。
Onexaminingthecoat，itwasfoundthatoneskirthadbeentorninasingularway。Apiecewasmissing。
Oneevening，MariuswasspeakinginthepresenceofCosetteandJeanValjeanofthewholeofthatsingularadventure，oftheinnumerableinquirieswhichhehadmade，andofthefruitlessnessofhisefforts。
Thecoldcountenanceof\"MonsieurFauchelevent\"angeredhim。
Heexclaimed，withavivacitywhichhadsomethingofwrathinit:
\"Yes，thatman，whoeverhemayhavebeen，wassublime。
Doyouknowwhathedid，sir？Heintervenedlikeanarchangel。
Hemusthaveflunghimselfintothemidstofthebattle，havestolenmeaway，haveopenedthesewer，havedraggedmeintoitandhavecarriedmethroughit！Hemusthavetraversedmorethanaleagueandahalfinthosefrightfulsubterraneangalleries，bentover，weigheddown，inthedark，inthecess—pool，——morethanaleagueandahalf，sir，withacorpseuponhisback！Andwithwhatobject？
Withthesoleobjectofsavingthecorpse。AndthatcorpseIwas。
Hesaidtohimself:`Theremaystillbeaglimpseoflifethere，perchance；Iwillriskmyownexistenceforthatmiserablespark！’
Andhisexistenceheriskednotoncebuttwentytimes！Andeverystepwasadanger。Theproofofitis，thatonemergingfromthesewer，hewasarrested。Doyouknow，sir，thatthatmandidallthis？
Andhehadnorecompensetoexpect。WhatwasI？Aninsurgent。
WhatwasI？Oneoftheconquered。Oh！ifCosette’ssixhundredthousandfrancsweremine……\"
\"Theyareyours，\"interruptedJeanValjean。
\"Well，\"resumedMarius，\"Iwouldgivethemalltofindthatmanoncemore。\"
JeanValjeanremainedsilent。
BOOKSIXTH。——THESLEEPLESSNIGHT
CHAPTERI
THE16THOFFEBRUARY，1833
Thenightofthe16thtothe17thofFebruary，1833，wasablessednight。
Aboveitsshadowsheavenstoodopen。ItwastheweddingnightofMariusandCosette。
Thedayhadbeenadorable。
Ithadnotbeenthegrandfestivaldreamedbythegrandfather，afairyspectacle，withaconfusionofcherubimandCupidsovertheheadsofthebridalpair，amarriageworthytoformthesubjectofapaintingtobeplacedoveradoor；butithadbeensweetandsmiling。
Themannerofmarriagein1833wasnotthesameasitisto—day。
FrancehadnotyetborrowedfromEnglandthatsupremedelicacyofcarryingoffone’swife，offleeing，oncomingoutofchurch，ofhidingoneselfwithshamefromone’shappiness，andofcombiningthewaysofabankruptwiththedelightsoftheSongofSongs。
Peoplehadnotyetgraspedtothefullthechastity，exquisiteness，anddecencyofjoltingtheirparadiseinaposting—chaise，ofbreakinguptheirmysterywithclic—clacs，oftakingforanuptialbedthebedofaninn，andofleavingbehindthem，inacommonplacechamber，atsomuchanight，themostsacredofthesouvenirsoflifemingledpell—mellwiththetete—a—teteoftheconductorofthediligenceandthemaid—servantoftheinn。
Inthissecondhalfofthenineteenthcenturyinwhichwearenowliving，themayorandhisscarf，thepriestandhischasuble，thelawandGodnolongersuffice；theymustbeekedoutbythePostiliondeLonjumeau；
abluewaistcoatturnedupwithred，andwithbellbuttons，aplaquelikeavantbrace，knee—breechesofgreenleather，oathstotheNormanhorseswiththeirtailsknottedup，falsegalloons，varnishedhat，longpowderedlocks，anenormouswhipandtallboots。
FrancedoesnotyetcarryelegancetothelengthofdoingliketheEnglishnobility，andrainingdownonthepost—chaiseofthebridalpairahailstormofslipperstroddendownatheelandofworn—outshoes，inmemoryofChurchill，afterwardsMarlborough，orMalbrouck，whowasassailedonhiswedding—daybythewrathofanauntwhichbroughthimgoodluck。Oldshoesandslippersdonot，asyet，formapartofournuptialcelebrations；butpatience，asgoodtastecontinuestospread，weshallcometothat。
In1833，ahundredyearsago，marriagewasnotconductedatafulltrot。
Strangetosay，atthatepoch，peoplestillimaginedthataweddingwasaprivateandsocialfestival，thatapatriarchalbanquetdoesnotspoiladomesticsolemnity，thatgayety，eveninexcess，provideditbehonest，anddecent，doeshappinessnoharm，andthat，inshort，itisagoodandavenerablethingthatthefusionofthesetwodestinieswhenceafamilyisdestinedtospring，shouldbeginathome，andthatthehouseholdshouldthenceforthhaveitsnuptialchamberasitswitness。
Andpeopleweresoimmodestastomarryintheirownhomes。
Themarriagetookplace，therefore，inaccordancewiththisnowsuperannuatedfashion，atM。Gillenormand’shouse。
Naturalandcommonplaceasthismatterofmarryingis，thebannstopublish，thepaperstobedrawnup，themayoralty，andthechurchproducesomecomplication。Theycouldnotgetreadybeforethe16thofFebruary。
Now，wenotethisdetail，forthepuresatisfactionofbeingexact，itchancedthatthe16thfellonShroveTuesday。Hesitations，scruples，particularlyonthepartofAuntGillenormand。
\"ShroveTuesday！\"exclaimedthegrandfather，\"somuchthebetter。
Thereisaproverb:
\"`MariageunMardigrasN’aurapointenfantsingrats。’[66]
[66]\"AShrove—Tuesdaymarriagewillhavenoungratefulchildren。\"
Letusproceed。Heregoesforthe16th！Doyouwanttodelay，Marius？\"
\"No，certainlynot！\"repliedthelover。
\"Letusmarry，then，\"criedthegrandfather。
Accordingly，themarriagetookplaceonthe16th，notwithstandingthepublicmerrymaking。Itrainedthatday，butthereisalwaysintheskyatinyscrapofblueattheserviceofhappiness，whichloverssee，evenwhentherestofcreationisunderanumbrella。
Ontheprecedingevening，JeanValjeanhandedtoMarius，inthepresenceofM。Gillenormand，thefivehundredandeighty—fourthousandfrancs。
Asthemarriagewastakingplaceundertheregimeofcommunityofproperty，thepapershadbeensimple。
Henceforth，ToussaintwasofnousetoJeanValjean；Cosetteinheritedherandpromotedhertotherankoflady’smaid。
AsforJeanValjean，abeautifulchamberintheGillenormandhousehadbeenfurnishedexpresslyforhim，andCosettehadsaidtohiminsuchanirresistiblemanner:\"Father，Ientreatyou，\"
thatshehadalmostpersuadedhimtopromisethathewouldcomeandoccupyit。
Afewdaysbeforethatfixedonforthemarriage，anaccidenthappenedtoJeanValjean；hecrushedthethumbofhisrighthand。
Thiswasnotaseriousmatter；andhehadnotallowedanyonetotroublehimselfaboutit，nortodressit，noreventoseehishurt，notevenCosette。Nevertheless，thishadforcedhimtoswathehishandinalinenbandage，andtocarryhisarminasling，andhadpreventedhissigning。M。Gillenormand，inhiscapacityofCosette’ssupervising—guardian，hadsuppliedhisplace。
Wewillnotconductthereadereithertothemayor’sofficeortothechurch。Onedoesnotfollowapairofloverstothatextent，andoneisaccustomedtoturnone’sbackonthedramaassoonasitputsaweddingnosegayinitsbuttonhole。Wewillconfineourselvestonotinganincidentwhich，thoughunnoticedbytheweddingparty，markedthetransitfromtheRuedesFilles—du—CalvairetothechurchofSaint—Paul。
Atthatepoch，thenorthernextremityoftheRueSaint—Louiswasinprocessofrepaving。Itwasbarredoff，beginningwiththeRueduPare—Royal。ItwasimpossiblefortheweddingcarriagestogodirectlytoSaint—Paul。Theywereobligedtoaltertheircourse，andthesimplestwaywastoturnthroughtheboulevard。OneoftheinvitedguestsobservedthatitwasShroveTuesday，andthattherewouldbeajamofvehicles。——\"Why？\"askedM。Gillenormand——\"Becauseofthemaskers。\"——
\"Capital，\"saidthegrandfather，\"letusgothatway。Theseyoungfolksareonthewaytobemarried；theyareabouttoentertheseriouspartoflife。Thiswillpreparethemforseeingabitofthemasquerade。\"
Theywentbywayoftheboulevard。ThefirstweddingcoachheldCosetteandAuntGillenormand，M。GillenormandandJeanValjean。
Marius，stillseparatedfromhisbetrothedaccordingtousage，didnotcomeuntilthesecond。Thenuptialtrain，onemergingfromtheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire，becameentangledinalongprocessionofvehicleswhichformedanendlesschainfromtheMadeleinetotheBastille，andfromtheBastilletotheMadeleine。
Maskersaboundedontheboulevard。Inspiteofthefactthatitwasrainingatintervals，Merry—Andrew，PantaloonandClownpersisted。
Inthegoodhumorofthatwinterof1833，ParishaddisguiseditselfasVenice。SuchShroveTuesdaysarenolongertobeseennow—a—days。EverythingwhichexistsbeingascatteredCarnival，thereisnolongeranyCarnival。
Thesidewalkswereoverflowingwithpedestriansandthewindowswithcuriousspectators。Theterraceswhichcrowntheperistylesofthetheatreswereborderedwithspectators。Besidesthemaskers，theystaredatthatprocession——peculiartoShroveTuesdayastoLongchamps，——
ofvehiclesofeverydescription，citadines，tapissieres，carioles，cabrioletsmarchinginorder，rigorouslyrivetedtoeachotherbythepoliceregulations，andlockedintorails，asitwere。
Anyoneinthesevehiclesisatonceaspectatorandaspectacle。
Police—sergeantsmaintained，onthesidesoftheboulevard，thesetwointerminableparallelfiles，movingincontrarydirections，andsawtoitthatnothinginterferedwiththatdoublecurrent，thosetwobrooksofcarriages，flowing，theonedownstream，theotherupstream，theonetowardstheChausseed’Antin，theothertowardstheFaubourgSaint—Antoine。ThecarriagesofthepeersofFranceandoftheAmbassadors，emblazonedwithcoatsofarms，heldthemiddleoftheway，goingandcomingfreely。Certainjoyousandmagnificenttrains，notablythatoftheBoeufGras，hadthesameprivilege。InthisgayetyofParis，Englandcrackedherwhip；
LordSeymour’spost—chaise，harassedbyanicknamefromthepopulace，passedwithgreatnoise。
Inthedoublefile，alongwhichthemunicipalguardsgallopedlikesheep—dogs，honestfamilycoaches，loadeddownwithgreat—auntsandgrandmothers，displayedattheirdoorsfreshgroupsofchildrenindisguise，Clownsofsevenyearsofage，Columbinesofsix，ravishinglittlecreatures，whofeltthattheyformedanofficialpartofthepublicmirth，whowereimbuedwiththedignityoftheirharlequinade，andwhopossessedthegravityoffunctionaries。
Fromtimetotime，ahitcharosesomewhereintheprocessionofvehicles；oneorotherofthetwolateralfileshalteduntiltheknotwasdisentangled；onecarriagedelayedsufficedtoparalyzethewholeline。Thentheysetoutagainonthemarch。
TheweddingcarriageswereinthefileproceedingtowardstheBastille，andskirtingtherightsideoftheBoulevard。AtthetopofthePont—aux—Choux，therewasastoppage。Nearlyatthesamemoment，theotherfile，whichwasproceedingtowardstheMadeleine，haltedalso。Atthatpointofthefiletherewasacarriage—loadofmaskers。
Thesecarriages，ortospeakmorecorrectly，thesewagon—loadsofmaskersareveryfamiliartoParisians。IftheyweremissingonaShroveTuesday，orattheMid—Lent，itwouldbetakeninbadpart，andpeoplewouldsay:\"There’ssomethingbehindthat。Probablytheministryisabouttoundergoachange。\"ApileofCassandras，HarlequinsandColumbines，joltedalonghighabovethepassers—by，allpossiblegrotesquenesses，fromtheTurktothesavage，HerculessupportingMarquises，fishwiveswhowouldhavemadeRabelaisstopuphisearsjustastheMaenadsmadeAristophanesdrophiseyes，towwigs，pinktights，dandifiedhats，spectaclesofagrimacer，three—corneredhatsofJanottormentedwithabutterfly，shoutsdirectedatpedestrians，fistsonhips，boldattitudes，bareshoulders，immodestyunchained；achaosofshamelessnessdrivenbyacoachmancrownedwithflowers；thisiswhatthatinstitutionwaslike。
GreecestoodinneedofthechariotofThespis，Francestandsinneedofthehackney—coachofVade。
Everythingcanbeparodied，evenparody。TheSaturnalia，thatgrimaceofantiquebeauty，ends，throughexaggerationafterexaggeration，inShroveTuesday；andtheBacchanal，formerlycrownedwithspraysofvineleavesandgrapes，inundatedwithsunshine，displayinghermarblebreastinadivinesemi—nudity，havingatthepresentdaylosthershapeunderthesoakedragsoftheNorth，hasfinallycometobecalledtheJack—pudding。
Thetraditionofcarriage—loadsofmaskersrunsbacktothemostancientdaysofthemonarchy。TheaccountsofLouisXI。
allottothebailiffofthepalace\"twentysous，Tournois，forthreecoachesofmascaradesinthecross—roads。\"Inourday，thesenoisyheapsofcreaturesareaccustomedtohavethemselvesdriveninsomeancientcuckoocarriage，whoseimperialtheyloaddown，ortheyoverwhelmahiredlandau，withitstopthrownback，withtheirtumultuousgroups。Twentyofthemrideinacarriageintendedforsix。Theyclingtotheseats，totherumble，onthecheeksofthehood，ontheshafts。Theyevenbestridethecarriagelamps。Theystand，sit，lie，withtheirkneesdrawnupinaknot，andtheirlegshanging。Thewomensitonthemen’slaps。
Faraway，abovethethrongofheads，theirwildpyramidisvisible。
Thesecarriage—loadsformmountainsofmirthinthemidstoftherout。Colle，PanardandPironflowfromit，enrichedwithslang。
Thiscarriagewhichhasbecomecolossalthroughitsfreight，hasanairofconquest。Uproarreignsinfront，tumultbehind。
Peoplevociferate，shout，howl，theretheybreakforthandwrithewithenjoyment；gayetyroars；sarcasmflamesforth，jovialityisflauntedlikearedflag；twojadestheredragfarceblossomedforthintoanapotheosis；itisthetriumphalcaroflaughter。
Alaughterthatistoocynicaltobefrank。Intruth，thislaughterissuspicious。Thislaughterhasamission。
ItischargedwithprovingtheCarnivaltotheParisians。
Thesefishwifevehicles，inwhichonefeelsoneknowsnotwhatshadows，setthephilosophertothinking。Thereisgovernmenttherein。
Thereonelaysone’sfingeronamysteriousaffinitybetweenpublicmenandpublicwomen。
Itcertainlyissadthatturpitudeheapedupshouldgiveasumtotalofgayety，thatbypilingignominyuponopprobriumthepeopleshouldbeenticed，thatthesystemofspying，andservingascaryatidstoprostitutionshouldamusetherabblewhenitconfrontsthem，thatthecrowdlovestobeholdthatmonstrouslivingpileoftinselrags，halfdung，halflight，rollbyonfourwheelshowlingandlaughing，thattheyshouldclaptheirhandsatthisglorycomposedofallshames，thattherewouldbenofestivalforthepopulace，didnotthepolicepromenadeintheirmidstthesesortsoftwenty—headedhydrasofjoy。
Butwhatcanbedoneaboutit？Thesebe—ribbonedandbe—floweredtumbrilsofmireareinsultedandpardonedbythelaughterofthepublic。
Thelaughterofallistheaccompliceofuniversaldegradation。
Certainunhealthyfestivalsdisaggregatethepeopleandconvertthemintothepopulace。Andpopulaces，liketyrants，requirebuffoons。
TheKinghasRoquelaure，thepopulacehastheMerry—Andrew。Parisisagreat，madcityoneveryoccasionthatitisagreatsublimecity。
TheretheCarnivalformspartofpolitics。Paris，——letusconfessit——willinglyallowsinfamytofurnishitwithcomedy。
Sheonlydemandsofhermasters——whenshehasmasters——onething:
\"Paintmethemud。\"Romewasofthesamemind。ShelovedNero。
Nerowasatitaniclighterman。
Chanceordained，aswehavejustsaid，thatoneoftheseshapelessclustersofmaskedmenandwomen，draggedaboutonavastcalash，shouldhaltontheleftoftheboulevard，whiletheweddingtrainhaltedontheright。Thecarriage—loadofmaskscaughtsightoftheweddingcarriagecontainingthebridalpartyoppositethemontheothersideoftheboulevard。
\"Hullo！\"saidamasker，\"here’sawedding。\"
\"Ashamwedding，\"retortedanother。\"Wearethegenuinearticle。\"
And，beingtoofarofftoaccosttheweddingparty，andfearingalso，therebukeofthepolice，thetwomaskersturnedtheireyeselsewhere。
Attheendofanotherminute，thecarriage—loadofmaskershadtheirhandsfull，themultitudesettoyelling，whichisthecrowd’scaresstomasquerades；andthetwomaskerswhohadjustspokenhadtofacethethrongwiththeircomrades，anddidnotfindtheentirerepertoryofprojectilesofthefishmarketstooextensivetoretorttotheenormousverbalattacksofthepopulace。Afrightfulexchangeofmetaphorstookplacebetweenthemaskersandthecrowd。
Inthemeanwhile，twoothermaskersinthesamecarriage，aSpaniardwithanenormousnose，anelderlyair，andhugeblackmoustache，andagauntfishwife，whowasquiteayounggirl，maskedwithaloup，[67]hadalsonoticedthewedding，andwhiletheircompanionsandthepassers—bywereexchanginginsults，theyhadheldadialogueinalowvoice。
[67]Ashortmask。
Theirasidewascoveredbythetumultandwaslostinit。
Thegustsofrainhaddrenchedthefrontofthevehicle，whichwaswideopen；thebreezesofFebruaryarenotwarm；asthefishwife，cladinalow—neckedgown，repliedtotheSpaniard，sheshivered，laughedandcoughed。
Hereistheirdialogue:
\"Say，now。\"
\"What，daddy？\"
\"Doyouseethatoldcove？\"
\"Whatoldcove？\"
\"Yonder，inthefirstwedding—cart，onourside。\"
\"Theonewithhisarmhungupinablackcravat？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well？\"
\"I’msurethatIknowhim。\"
\"Ah！\"
\"I’mwillingthattheyshouldcutmythroat，andI’mreadytoswearthatIneversaideitheryou，thou，orI，inmylife，ifIdon’tknowthatParisian。\"[pantinois。]
\"ParisinPantinto—day。\"
\"Canyouseethebrideifyoustoopdown？\"
\"No。\"
\"Andthebridegroom？\"
\"There’snobridegroominthattrap。\"
\"Bah！\"
\"Unlessit’stheoldfellow。\"
\"Trytogetasightofthebridebystoopingverylow。\"
\"Ican’t。\"
\"Nevermind，thatoldcovewhohassomethingthematterwithhispawIknow，andthatI’mpositive。\"
\"Andwhatgooddoesitdotoknowhim？\"
\"Noonecantell。Sometimesitdoes！\"
\"Idon’tcareahangforoldfellows，thatIdon’t！\"
\"Iknowhim。\"
\"Knowhim，ifyouwantto。\"
\"Howthedevildoeshecometobeoneoftheweddingparty？\"
\"Weareinit，too。\"
\"Wheredoesthatweddingcomefrom？\"
\"HowshouldIknow？\"
\"Listen。\"
\"Well，what？\"
\"There’sonethingyououghttodo。\"
\"What’sthat？\"
\"Getoffofourtrapandspinthatwedding。\"
\"Whatfor？\"
\"Tofindoutwhereitgoes，andwhatitis。Hurryupandjumpdown，trot，mygirl，yourlegsareyoung。\"
\"Ican’tquitthevehicle。\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"I’mhired。\"
\"Ah，thedevil！\"
\"Iowemyfishwifedaytotheprefecture。\"
\"That’strue。\"
\"IfIleavethecart，thefirstinspectorwhogetshiseyeonmewillarrestme。Youknowthatwellenough。\"
\"Yes，Ido。\"
\"I’mboughtbythegovernmentforto—day。\"
\"Allthesame，thatoldfellowbothersme。\"
\"Dotheoldfellowsbotheryou？Butyou’renotayounggirl。\"
\"He’sinthefirstcarriage。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Inthebride’strap。\"
\"Whatthen？\"
\"Soheisthefather。\"
\"Whatconcernisthatofmine？\"
\"Itellyouthathe’sthefather。\"
\"Asifheweretheonlyfather。\"
\"Listen。\"
\"What？\"
\"Ican’tgooutotherwisethanmasked。HereI’mconcealed，nooneknowsthatI’mhere。Butto—morrow，therewillbenomoremaskers。
It’sAshWednesday。Iruntheriskofbeingnabbed。Imustsneakbackintomyhole。Butyouarefree。\"
\"Notparticularly。\"
\"MorethanIam，atanyrate。\"
\"Well，whatofthat？\"
\"Youmusttrytofindoutwherethatwedding—partywentto。\"
\"Whereitwent？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Iknow。\"
\"Whereisitgoingthen？\"
\"TotheCadran—Bleu。\"
\"Inthefirstplace，it’snotinthatdirection。\"
\"Well！tolaRapee。\"
\"Orelsewhere。\"
\"It’sfree。Wedding—partiesareatliberty。\"
\"That’snotthepointatall。Itellyouthatyoumusttrytolearnformewhatthatweddingis，whothatoldcovebelongsto，andwherethatweddingpairlives。\"
\"Ilikethat！thatwouldbequeer。It’ssoeasytofindoutawedding—partythatpassedthroughthestreetonaShroveTuesday，aweekafterwards。Apininahay—mow！Itain’tpossible！\"
\"Thatdon’tmatter。Youmusttry。Youunderstandme，Azelma。\"
Thetwofilesresumedtheirmovementonbothsidesoftheboulevard，inoppositedirections，andthecarriageofthemaskerslostsightofthe\"trap\"ofthebride。
CHAPTERII
JEANVALJEANSTILLWEARSHISARMINASLING
Torealizeone’sdream。Towhomisthisaccorded？Theremustbeelectionsforthisinheaven；weareallcandidates，unknowntoourselves；theangelsvote。CosetteandMariushadbeenelected。
Cosette，bothatthemayor’sofficeandatchurch，wasdazzlingandtouching。Toussaint，assistedbyNicolette，haddressedher。
Cosetteworeoverapetticoatofwhitetaffeta，herrobeofBincheguipure，aveilofEnglishpoint，anecklaceoffinepearls，awreathoforangeflowers；allthiswaswhite，and，fromthemidstofthatwhitenessshebeamedforth。Itwasanexquisitecandorexpandingandbecomingtransfiguredinthelight。Onewouldhavepronouncedheravirginonthepointofturningintoagoddess。
Marius’handsomehairwaslustrousandperfumed；hereandthere，beneaththethickcurls，palelines——thescarsofthebarricade——
werevisible。
Thegrandfather，haughty，withheadheldhigh，amalgamatingmorethaneverinhistoiletandhismannersalltheelegancesoftheepochofBarras，escortedCosette。HetooktheplaceofJeanValjean，who，onaccountofhisarmbeingstillinasling，couldnotgivehishandtothebride。
JeanValjean，dressedinblack，followedthemwithasmile。
\"MonsieurFauchelevent，\"saidthegrandfathertohim，\"thisisafineday。Ivotefortheendofafflictionsandsorrows。
Henceforth，theremustbenosadnessanywhere。Pardieu，Idecreejoy！
Evilhasnorighttoexist。Thatthereshouldbeanyunhappymenis，insooth，adisgracetotheazureofthesky。Evildoesnotcomefromman，whoisgoodatbottom。Allhumanmiserieshavefortheircapitalandcentralgovernmenthell，otherwise，knownastheDevil’sTuileries。Good，hereIamutteringdemagogicalwords！
AsfarasIamconcerned，Ihavenolongeranypoliticalopinions；
letallmeberich，thatistosay，mirthful，andIconfinemyselftothat。\"
When，attheconclusionofalltheceremonies，afterhavingpronouncedbeforethemayorandbeforethepriestallpossible\"yesses，\"afterhavingsignedtheregistersatthemunicipalityandatthesacristy，afterhavingexchangedtheirrings，afterhavingkneltsidebysideunderthepallofwhitemoireinthesmokeofthecenser，theyarrived，handinhand，admiredandenviedbyall，Mariusinblack，sheinwhite，precededbythesuisse，withtheepauletsofacolonel，tappingthepavementwithhishalberd，betweentworowsofastonishedspectators，attheportalsofthechurch，bothleavesofwhichwerethrownwideopen，readytoentertheircarriageagain，andallbeingfinished，Cosettestillcouldnotbelievethatitwasreal。ShelookedatMarius，shelookedatthecrowd，shelookedatthesky:itseemedasthoughshefearedthatsheshouldwakeupfromherdream。Heramazedanduneasyairaddedsomethingindescribablyenchantingtoherbeauty。
Theyenteredthesamecarriagetoreturnhome，MariusbesideCosette；
M。GillenormandandJeanValjeansatoppositethem；AuntGillenormandhadwithdrawnonedegree，andwasinthesecondvehicle。
\"Mychildren，\"saidthegrandfather，\"hereyouare，MonsieurleBaronandMadamelaBaronne，withanincomeofthirtythousandlivres。\"
AndCosette，nestlingclosetoMarius，caressedhisearwithanangelicwhisper:\"Soitistrue。MynameisMarius。IamMadameThou。\"
Thesetwocreatureswereresplendent。Theyhadreachedthatirrevocableandirrecoverablemoment，atthedazzlingintersectionofallyouthandalljoy。TheyrealizedtheversesofJeanProuvaire；
theywerefortyyearsoldtakentogether。Itwasmarriagesublimated；
thesetwochildrenweretwolilies。Theydidnotseeeachother，theydidnotcontemplateeachother。CosetteperceivedMariusinthemidstofaglory；MariusperceivedCosetteonanaltar。
Andonthataltar，andinthatglory，thetwoapotheosesmingling，inthebackground，oneknowsnothow，behindacloudforCosette，inaflashforMarius，therewastheidealthing，therealthing，themeetingofthekissandthedream，thenuptialpillow。
Allthetormentsthroughwhichtheyhadpassedcamebacktotheminintoxication。Itseemedtothemthattheirsorrows，theirsleeplessnights，theirtears，theiranguish，theirterrors，theirdespair，convertedintocaressesandraysoflight，renderedstillmorecharmingthecharminghourwhichwasapproaching；andthattheirgriefswerebutsomanyhandmaidenswhowerepreparingthetoiletofjoy。
Howgooditistohavesuffered！Theirunhappinessformedahaloroundtheirhappiness。Thelongagonyoftheirlovewasterminatinginanascension。
Itwasthesameenchantmentintwosouls，tingedwithvoluptuousnessinMarius，andwithmodestyinCosette。Theysaidtoeachotherinlowtones:\"WewillgobacktotakealookatourlittlegardenintheRuePlumet。\"ThefoldsofCosette’sgownlayacrossMarius。
Suchadayisanineffablemixtureofdreamandofreality。
Onepossessesandonesupposes。Onestillhastimebeforeonetodivine。
Theemotiononthatday，ofbeingatmid—dayandofdreamingofmidnightisindescribable。Thedelightsofthesetwoheartsoverfloweduponthecrowd，andinspiredthepassers—bywithcheerfulness。
PeoplehaltedintheRueSaint—Antoine，infrontofSaint—Paul，togazethroughthewindowsofthecarriageattheorange—flowersquiveringonCosette’shead。
ThentheyreturnedhometotheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire。Marius，triumphantandradiant，mountedsidebysidewithCosettethestaircaseupwhichhehadbeenborneinadyingcondition。Thepoor，whohadtroopedtothedoor，andwhosharedtheirpurses，blessedthem。
Therewereflowerseverywhere。Thehousewasnolessfragrantthanthechurch；aftertheincense，roses。Theythoughttheyheardvoicescarollingintheinfinite；theyhadGodintheirhearts；
destinyappearedtothemlikeaceilingofstars；abovetheirheadstheybeheldthelightofarisingsun。Allatonce，theclockstruck。
MariusglancedatCosette’scharmingbarearm，andattherosythingswhichwerevaguelyvisiblethroughthelaceofherbodice，andCosette，interceptingMarius’glance，blushedtoherveryhair。
QuiteanumberofoldfamilyfriendsoftheGillenormandfamilyhadbeeninvited；theypressedaboutCosette。EachoneviedwiththerestinsalutingherasMadamelaBaronne。
Theofficer，TheoduleGillenormand，nowacaptain，hadcomefromChartres，wherehewasstationedingarrison，tobepresentattheweddingofhiscousinPontmercy。Cosettedidnotrecognizehim。
He，onhisside，habituatedashewastohavewomenconsiderhimhandsome，retainednomorerecollectionofCosettethanofanyotherwoman。
\"HowrightIwasnottobelieveinthatstoryaboutthelancer！\"
saidFatherGillenormand，tohimself。
CosettehadneverbeenmoretenderwithJeanValjean。
ShewasinunisonwithFatherGillenormand；whileheerectedjoyintoaphorismsandmaxims，sheexhaledgoodnesslikeaperfume。
Happinessdesiresthatalltheworldshouldbehappy。
Sheregained，forthepurposeofaddressingJeanValjean，inflectionsofvoicebelongingtothetimewhenshewasalittlegirl。
Shecaressedhimwithhersmile。
Abanquethadbeenspreadinthedining—room。
Illuminationasbrilliantasthedaylightisthenecessaryseasoningofagreatjoy。Mistandobscurityarenotacceptedbythehappy。
Theydonotconsenttobeblack。Thenight，yes；theshadows，no。
Ifthereisnosun，onemustbemade。
Thedining—roomwasfullofgaythings。Inthecentre，abovethewhiteandglitteringtable，wasaVenetianlustrewithflatplates，withallsortsofcoloredbirds，blue，violet，red，andgreen，perchedamidthecandles；aroundthechandelier，girandoles，onthewalls，sconceswithtripleandquintuplebranches；mirrors，silverware，glassware，plate，porcelain，faience，pottery，goldandsilversmith’swork，allwassparklingandgay。Theemptyspacesbetweenthecandelabrawerefilledinwithbouquets，sothatwheretherewasnotalight，therewasaflower。
Intheantechamber，threeviolinsandaflutesoftlyplayedquartettesbyHaydn。
JeanValjeanhadseatedhimselfonachairinthedrawing—room，behindthedoor，theleafofwhichfoldedbackuponhiminsuchamannerastonearlyconcealhim。Afewmomentsbeforetheysatdowntotable，Cosettecame，asthoughinspiredbyasuddenwhim，andmadehimadeepcourtesy，spreadingoutherbridaltoiletwithbothhands，andwithatenderlyroguishglance，sheaskedhim:
\"Father，areyousatisfied？\"
\"Yes，\"saidJeanValjean，\"Iamcontent！\"
\"Well，then，laugh。\"
JeanValjeanbegantolaugh。
Afewmomentslater，Basqueannouncedthatdinnerwasserved。
Theguests，precededbyM。GillenormandwithCosetteonhisarm，enteredthedining—room，andarrangedthemselvesintheproperorderaroundthetable。
Twolargearm—chairsfiguredontherightandleftofthebride，thefirstforM。Gillenormand，theotherforJeanValjean。
M。Gillenormandtookhisseat。Theotherarm—chairremainedempty。
TheylookedaboutforM。Fauchelevent。
Hewasnolongerthere。
M。GillenormandquestionedBasque。
\"DoyouknowwhereM。Faucheleventis？\"
\"Sir，\"repliedBasque，\"Ido，precisely。M。Faucheleventtoldmetosaytoyou，sir，thathewassuffering，hisinjuredhandwaspaininghimsomewhat，andthathecouldnotdinewithMonsieurleBaronandMadamelaBaronne。Thathebeggedtobeexcused，thathewouldcometo—morrow。Hehasjusttakenhisdeparture。\"
Thatemptyarm—chairchilledtheeffusionoftheweddingfeastforamoment。But，ifM。Faucheleventwasabsent，M。Gillenormandwaspresent，andthegrandfatherbeamedfortwo。
HeaffirmedthatM。Faucheleventhaddonewelltoretireearly，ifheweresuffering，butthatitwasonlyaslightailment。
Thisdeclarationsufficed。Moreover，whatisanobscurecornerinsuchasubmersionofjoy？CosetteandMariuswerepassingthroughoneofthoseegotisticalandblessedmomentswhennootherfacultyislefttoapersonthanthatofreceivinghappiness。
Andthen，anideaoccurredtoM。Gillenormand。——\"Pardieu，thisarmchairisempty。Comehither，Marius。Yourauntwillpermitit，althoughshehasarighttoyou。Thisarmchairisforyou。
Thatislegalanddelightful。FortunatusbesideFortunata。\"——
Applausefromthewholetable。MariustookJeanValjean’splacebesideCosette，andthingsfelloutsothatCosette，whohad，atfirst，beensaddenedbyJeanValjean’sabsence，endedbybeingsatisfiedwithit。FromthemomentwhenMariustookhisplace，andwasthesubstitute，CosettewouldnothaveregrettedGodhimself。
Shesethersweetlittlefoot，shodinwhitesatin，onMarius’foot。
Thearm—chairbeingoccupied，M。Faucheleventwasobliterated；
andnothingwaslacking。
And，fiveminutesafterward，thewholetablefromoneendtotheother，waslaughingwithalltheanimationofforgetfulness。
Atdessert，M。Gillenormand，risingtohisfeet，withaglassofchampagneinhishand——onlyhalffullsothatthepalsyofhiseightyyearsmightnotcauseanoverflow，——proposedthehealthofthemarriedpair。
\"Youshallnotescapetwosermons，\"heexclaimed。\"Thismorningyouhadonefromthecure，thiseveningyoushallhaveonefromyourgrandfather。Listentome；Iwillgiveyouabitofadvice:
Adoreeachother。Idonotmakeapackofgyrations，Igostraighttothemark，behappy。Inallcreation，onlytheturtle—dovesarewise。
Philosopherssay:`Moderateyourjoys。’Isay:`Givereintoyourjoys。’Beasmuchsmittenwitheachotherasfiends。
Beinarageaboutit。Thephilosopherstalkstuffandnonsense。
Ishouldliketostufftheirphilosophydowntheirgulletsagain。
Cantherebetoomanyperfumes，toomanyopenrose—buds，toomanynightingalessinging，toomanygreenleaves，toomuchaurorainlife？canpeopleloveeachothertoomuch？canpeoplepleaseeachothertoomuch？Takecare，Estelle，thouarttoopretty！
Haveacare，Nemorin，thouarttoohandsome！Finestupidity，insooth！
Canpeopleenchanteachothertoomuch，cajoleeachothertoomuch，charmeachothertoomuch？Canonebetoomuchalive，toohappy？
Moderateyourjoys。Ah，indeed！Downwiththephilosophers！
Wisdomconsistsinjubilation。Makemerry，letusmakemerry。
Arewehappybecausewearegood，orarewegoodbecausewearehappy？
IstheSancydiamondcalledtheSancybecauseitbelongedtoHarleydeSancy，orbecauseitweighssixhundredcarats？
Iknownothingaboutit，lifeisfullofsuchproblems；theimportantpointistopossesstheSancyandhappiness。Letusbehappywithoutquibblingandquirking。Letusobeythesunblindly。
Whatisthesun？Itislove。Hewhosayslove，sayswoman。
Ah！ah！beholdomnipotence——women。AskthatdemagogueofaMariusifheisnottheslaveofthatlittletyrantofaCosette。Andofhisownfreewill，too，thecoward！Woman！ThereisnoRobespierrewhokeepshisplacebutwomanreigns。IamnolongerRoyalistexcepttowardsthatroyalty。WhatisAdam？ThekingdomofEve。
No’89forEve。Therehasbeentheroyalsceptresurmountedbyafleur—de—lys，therehasbeentheimperialsceptresurmountedbyaglobe，therehasbeenthesceptreofCharlemagne，whichwasofiron，therehasbeenthesceptreofLouistheGreat，whichwasofgold，——
therevolutiontwistedthembetweenitsthumbandforefinger，ha’pennystraws；itisdonewith，itisbroken，itliesontheearth，thereisnolongeranysceptre，butmakemearevolutionagainstthatlittleembroideredhandkerchief，whichsmellsofpatchouli！
Ishouldliketoseeyoudoit。Try。Whyisitsosolid？Becauseitisagewgaw。Ah！youarethenineteenthcentury？Well，whatthen？
Andwehavebeenasfoolishasyou。Donotimaginethatyouhaveeffectedmuchchangeintheuniverse，becauseyourtrip—gallantiscalledthecholera—morbus，andbecauseyourpourreeiscalledthecachuca。
Infact，thewomenmustalwaysbeloved。Idefyyoutoescapefromthat。
Thesefriendsareourangels。Yes，love，woman，thekissformsacirclefromwhichIdefyyoutoescape；and，formyownpart，Ishouldbeonlytoohappytore—enterit。WhichofyouhasseentheplanetVenus，thecoquetteoftheabyss，theCelimeneoftheocean，riseintheinfinite，calmingallherebelow？
TheoceanisaroughAlcestis。Well，grumbleashewill，whenVenusappearsheisforcedtosmile。Thatbrutebeastsubmits。Weareallmadeso。Wrath，tempest，clapsofthunder，foamtotheveryceiling。
Awomanentersonthescene，aplanetrises；flatonyourface！
Mariuswasfightingsixmonthsago；to—dayheismarried。
Thatiswell。Yes，Marius，yes，Cosette，youareintheright。
Existboldlyforeachother，makeusburstwithragethatwecannotdothesame，idealizeeachother，catchinyourbeaksallthetinybladesoffelicitythatexistonearth，andarrangeyourselvesanestforlife。Pardi，tolove，tobeloved，whatafinemiraclewhenoneisyoung！Don’timaginethatyouhaveinventedthat。I，too，havehadmydream，I，too，havemeditated，I，too，havesighed；I，too，havehadamoonlightsoul。Loveisachildsixthousandyearsold。
Lovehastherighttoalongwhitebeard。MethusalemisastreetarabbesideCupid。Forsixtycenturiesmenandwomenhavegotoutoftheirscrapebyloving。Thedevil，whoiscunning，tooktohatingman；man，whoisstillmorecunning，tooktolovingwoman。
Inthiswayhedoesmoregoodthanthedevildoeshimharm。
Thiscraftwasdiscoveredinthedaysoftheterrestrialparadise。
Theinventionisold，myfriends，butitisperfectlynew。Profitbyit。
BeDaphnisandChloe，whilewaitingtobecomePhilemonandBaucis。
Managesothat，whenyouarewitheachother，nothingshallbelackingtoyou，andthatCosettemaybethesunforMarius，andthatMariusmaybetheuniversetoCosette。Cosette，letyourfineweatherbethesmileofyourhusband；Marius，letyourrainbeyourwife’stears。Andletitneverraininyourhousehold。
Youhavefilchedthewinningnumberinthelottery；youhavegainedthegreatprize，guarditwell，keepitunderlockandkey，donotsquanderit，adoreeachotherandsnapyourfingersatalltherest。BelievewhatIsaytoyou。Itisgoodsense。
Andgoodsensecannotlie。Beareligiontoeachother。
EachmanhashisownfashionofadoringGod。Saperlotte！thebestwaytoadoreGodistoloveone’swife。Ilovethee！that’smycatechism。Hewholovesisorthodox。TheoathofHenriIV。
placessanctitysomewherebetweenfeastinganddrunkenness。
Ventre—saint—gris！Idon’tbelongtothereligionofthatoath。
Womanisforgotteninit。ThisastonishesmeonthepartofHenriIV。Myfriends，longlivewomen！Iamold，theysay；
it’sastonishinghowmuchIfeelinthemoodtobeyoung。Ishouldliketogoandlistentothebagpipesinthewoods。Childrenwhocontrivetobebeautifulandcontented，——thatintoxicatesme。
Iwouldlikegreatlytogetmarried，ifanyonewouldhaveme。
ItisimpossibletoimaginethatGodcouldhavemadeusforanythingbutthis:toidolize，tocoo，topreenourselves，tobedove—like，tobedainty，tobillandcooourlovesfrommorntonight，togazeatone’simageinone’slittlewife，tobeproud，tobetriumphant，toplumeoneself；thatistheaimoflife。There，letnotthatdispleaseyouwhichweusedtothinkinourday，whenwewereyoungfolks。
Ah！vertu—bamboche！whatcharmingwomentherewereinthosedays，andwhatprettylittlefacesandwhatlovelylasses！Icommittedmyravagesamongthem。Thenloveeachother。Ifpeopledidnotloveeachother，Ireallydonotseewhatusetherewouldbeinhavinganyspringtime；andformyownpart，IshouldpraythegoodGodtoshutupallthebeautifulthingsthatheshowsus，andtotakeawayfromusandputbackinhisbox，theflowers，thebirds，andtheprettymaidens。Mychildren，receiveanoldman’sblessing。
Theeveningwasgay，livelyandagreeable。Thegrandfather’ssovereigngoodhumorgavethekey—notetothewholefeast，andeachpersonregulatedhisconductonthatalmostcentenariancordiality。
Theydancedalittle，theylaughedagreatdeal；itwasanamiablewedding。GoodmanDaysofYoremighthavebeeninvitedtoit。However，hewaspresentinthepersonofFatherGillenormand。
Therewasatumult，thensilence。
Themarriedpairdisappeared。
Alittleaftermidnight，theGillenormandhousebecameatemple。
Herewepause。Onthethresholdofweddingnightsstandsasmilingangelwithhisfingeronhislips。
Thesoulentersintocontemplationbeforethatsanctuarywherethecelebrationoflovetakesplace。
Thereshouldbeflashesoflightathwartsuchhouses。Thejoywhichtheycontainoughttomakeitsescapethroughthestonesofthewallsinbrilliancy，andvaguelyilluminatethegloom。
Itisimpossiblethatthissacredandfatalfestivalshouldnotgiveoffacelestialradiancetotheinfinite。Loveisthesublimecruciblewhereinthefusionofthemanandthewomantakesplace；
thebeingone，thebeingtriple，thebeingfinal，thehumantrinityproceedsfromit。Thisbirthoftwosoulsintoone，oughttobeanemotionforthegloom。Theloveristhepriest；theravishedvirginisterrified。SomethingofthatjoyascendstoGod。
Wheretruemarriageis，thatistosay，wherethereislove，theidealentersin。Anuptialbedmakesanookofdawnamidtheshadows。
Ifitweregiventotheeyeofthefleshtoscantheformidableandcharmingvisionsoftheupperlife，itisprobablethatweshouldbeholdtheformsofnight，thewingedunknowns，thebluepassersoftheinvisible，benddown，athrongofsombreheads，aroundtheluminoushouse，satisfied，showeringbenedictions，pointingouttoeachotherthevirginwifegentlyalarmed，sweetlyterrified，andbearingthereflectionofhumanblissupontheirdivinecountenances。Ifatthatsupremehour，theweddedpair，dazzledwithvoluptuousnessandbelievingthemselvesalone，weretolisten，theywouldhearintheirchamberaconfusedrustlingofwings。Perfecthappinessimpliesamutualunderstandingwiththeangels。Thatdarklittlechamberhasallheavenforitsceiling。
Whentwomouths，renderedsacredbylove，approachtocreate，itisimpossiblethatthereshouldnotbe，abovethatineffablekiss，aquiveringthroughouttheimmensemysteryofstars。
Thesefelicitiesarethetrueones。Thereisnojoyoutsideofthesejoys。Loveistheonlyecstasy。Alltherestweeps。
Tolove，ortohaveloved，——thissuffices。Demandnothingmore。
Thereisnootherpearltobefoundintheshadowyfoldsoflife。
Toloveisafulfilment。
CHAPTERIII
THEINSEPARABLE
WhathadbecomeofJeanValjean？
Immediatelyafterhavinglaughed，atCosette’sgracefulcommand，whennoonewaspayinganyheedtohim，JeanValjeanhadrisenandhadgainedtheantechamberunperceived。Thiswastheveryroomwhich，eightmonthsbefore，hehadenteredblackwithmud，withbloodandpowder，bringingbackthegrandsontothegrandfather。
Theoldwainscotingwasgarlandedwithfoliageandflowers；
themusicianswereseatedonthesofaonwhichtheyhadlaidMariusdown。Basque，inablackcoat，knee—breeches，whitestockingsandwhitegloves，wasarrangingrosesroundallofthedishesthatweretobeserved。JeanValjeanpointedtohisarminitssling，chargedBasquetoexplainhisabsence，andwentaway。
Thelongwindowsofthedining—roomopenedonthestreet。
JeanValjeanstoodforseveralminutes，erectandmotionlessinthedarkness，beneaththoseradiantwindows。Helistened。
Theconfusedsoundsofthebanquetreachedhisear。Heheardtheloud，commandingtonesofthegrandfather，theviolins，theclatteroftheplates，theburstsoflaughter，andthroughallthatmerryuproar，hedistinguishedCosette’ssweetandjoyousvoice。
HequittedtheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire，andreturnedtotheRuedel’HommeArme。
Inordertoreturnthither，hetooktheRueSaint—Louis，theRueCulture—Sainte—Catherine，andtheBlancs—Manteaux；itwasalittlelonger，butitwastheroadthroughwhich，forthelastthreemonths，hehadbecomeaccustomedtopasseverydayonhiswayfromtheRuedel’HommeArmetotheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire，inordertoavoidtheobstructionsandthemudintheRueVielle—du—Temple。
Thisroad，throughwhichCosettehadpassed，excludedforhimallpossibilityofanyotheritinerary。
JeanValjeanenteredhislodgings。Helightedhiscandleandmountedthestairs。Theapartmentwasempty。EvenToussaintwasnolongerthere。JeanValjean’sstepmademorenoisethanusualinthechambers。Allthecupboardsstoodopen。
HepenetratedtoCosette’sbedroom。Therewerenosheetsonthebed。
Thepillow，coveredwithticking，andwithoutacaseorlace，waslaidontheblanketsfoldeduponthefootofthemattress，whosecoveringwasvisible，andonwhichnoonewasevertosleepagain。
AllthelittlefeminineobjectswhichCosettewasattachedtohadbeencarriedaway；nothingremainedexcepttheheavyfurnitureandthefourwalls。Toussaint’sbedwasdespoiledinlikemanner。
Onebedonlywasmadeup，andseemedtobewaitingsomeone，andthiswasJeanValjean’sbed。
JeanValjeanlookedatthewalls，closedsomeofthecupboarddoors，andwentandcamefromoneroomtoanother。
Thenhesoughthisownchamberoncemore，andsethiscandleonatable。
Hehaddisengagedhisarmfromthesling，andheusedhisrighthandasthoughitdidnothurthim。
Heapproachedhisbed，andhiseyesrested，wasitbychance？
wasitintentionally？ontheinseparableofwhichCosettehadbeenjealous，onthelittleportmanteauwhichneverlefthim。
OnhisarrivalintheRuedel’HommeArme，onthe4thofJune，hehaddepositeditonaroundtableneartheheadofhisbed。
Hewenttothistablewithasortofvivacity，tookakeyfromhispocket，andopenedthevalise。
Fromitheslowlydrewforththegarmentsinwhich，tenyearsbefore，CosettehadquittedMontfermeil；firstthelittlegown，thentheblackfichu，thenthestout，coarsechild’sshoeswhichCosettemightalmosthavewornstill，sotinywereherfeet，thenthefustianbodice，whichwasverythick，thentheknittedpetticoat，nexttheapronwithpockets，thenthewoollenstockings。
Thesestockings，whichstillpreservedthegracefulformofatinyleg，werenolongerthanJeanValjean’shand。Allthiswasblackofhue。
ItwashewhohadbroughtthosegarmentstoMontfermeilforher。
Asheremovedthemfromthevalise，helaidthemonthebed。
Hefelltothinking。Hecalledupmemories。Itwasinwinter，inaverycoldmonthofDecember，shewasshivering，half—naked，inrags，herpoorlittlefeetwereallredintheirwoodenshoes。
He，JeanValjean，hadmadeherabandonthoseragstoclotheherselfinthesemourninghabiliments。Themothermusthavefeltpleasedinhergrave，toseeherdaughterwearingmourningforher，and，aboveall，toseethatshewasproperlyclothed，andthatshewaswarm。
HethoughtofthatforestofMontfermeil；theyhadtraversedittogether，Cosetteandhe；hethoughtofwhattheweatherhadbeen，oftheleaflesstrees，ofthewooddestituteofbirds，ofthesunlesssky；itmatterednot，itwascharming。Hearrangedthetinygarmentsonthebed，thefichunexttothepetticoat，thestockingsbesidetheshoes，andhelookedatthem，oneaftertheother。
Shewasnotallerthanthat，shehadherbigdollinherarms，shehadputherlouisd’orinthepocketofthatapron，shehadlaughed，theywalkedhandinhand，shehadnooneintheworldbuthim。
Thenhisvenerable，whiteheadfellforwardonthebed，thatstoicaloldheartbroke，hisfacewasengulfed，sotospeak，inCosette’sgarments，andifanyonehadpassedupthestairsatthatmoment，hewouldhaveheardfrightfulsobs。
CHAPTERIV
THEIMMORTALLIVER[68]
[68]InallusiontothestoryofPrometheus。
Theoldandformidablestruggle，ofwhichwehavealreadywitnessedsomanyphases，beganoncemore。
Jacobstruggledwiththeangelbutonenight。Alas！howmanytimeshavewebeheldJeanValjeanseizedbodilybyhisconscience，inthedarkness，andstrugglingdesperatelyagainstit！
Unheard—ofconflict！Atcertainmomentsthefootslips；atothermomentsthegroundcrumblesawayunderfoot。Howmanytimeshadthatconscience，madforthegood，claspedandoverthrownhim！
Howmanytimeshadthetruthsetherkneeinexorablyuponhisbreast！
Howmanytimes，hurledtoearthbythelight，hadhebeggedformercy！
Howmanytimeshadthatimplacablespark，lightedwithinhim，anduponhimbytheBishop，dazzledhimbyforcewhenhehadwishedtobeblind！Howmanytimeshadherisentohisfeetinthecombat，heldfasttotherock，leaningagainstsophism，draggedinthedust，nowgettingtheupperhandofhisconscience，againoverthrownbyit！Howmanytimes，afteranequivoque，afterthespeciousandtreacherousreasoningofegotism，hadheheardhisirritatedconsciencecryinhisear:\"Atrip！youwretch！\"
Howmanytimeshadhisrefractorythoughtsrattledconvulsivelyinhisthroat，undertheevidenceofduty！ResistancetoGod。