TheCorsicanvendettahaspenetratedtocertainlowerstrataandhasbecomethelawthere；itissosimplethatitdoesnotastonishsoulswhicharebuthalfturnedtowardsgood；andthoseheartsaresoconstitutedthatacriminal，whoisinthepathofrepentance，maybescrupulousinthematteroftheftandunscrupulousinthematterofvengeance。JeanValjeanhadkilledJavert。Atleast，thatseemedtobeevident。
Thiswasthefinalquestion，tobesure；buttothistherewasnoreply。ThisquestionMariusfeltlikepincers。HowhaditcometopassthatJeanValjean’sexistencehadelbowedthatofCosetteforsolongaperiod？
WhatmelancholysportofProvidencewasthatwhichhadplacedthatchildincontactwiththatman？Aretherethenchainsfortwowhichareforgedonhigh？anddoesGodtakepleasureincouplingtheangelwiththedemon？Soacrimeandaninnocencecanberoom—matesinthemysteriousgalleysofwretchedness？
Inthatdefilingofcondemnedpersonswhichiscalledhumandestiny，cantwobrowspasssidebyside，theoneingenuous，theotherformidable，theoneallbathedinthedivinewhitenessofdawn，theotherforeverblemishedbytheflashofaneternallightning？
Whocouldhavearrangedthatinexplicablepairingoff？Inwhatmanner，inconsequenceofwhatprodigy，hadanycommunityoflifebeenestablishedbetweenthiscelestiallittlecreatureandthatoldcriminal？
Whocouldhaveboundthelambtothewolf，and，whatwasstillmoreincomprehensible，haveattachedthewolftothelamb？
Forthewolflovedthelamb，forthefiercecreatureadoredthefeebleone，for，duringthespaceofnineyears，theangelhadhadthemonsterasherpointofsupport。Cosette’schildhoodandgirlhood，heradventinthedaylight，hervirginalgrowthtowardslifeandlight，hadbeenshelteredbythathideousdevotion。
Herequestionsexfoliated，sotospeak，intoinnumerableenigmas，abyssesyawnedatthebottomsofabysses，andMariuscouldnolongerbendoverJeanValjeanwithoutbecomingdizzy。Whatwasthisman—precipice？
TheoldsymbolsofGenesisareeternal；inhumansociety，suchasitnowexists，anduntilabroaderdayshalleffectachangeinit，therewillalwaysbetwomen，theonesuperior，theothersubterranean；
theonewhichisaccordingtogoodisAbel；theotherwhichisaccordingtoevilisCain。WhatwasthistenderCain？Whatwasthisruffianreligiouslyabsorbedintheadorationofavirgin，watchingoverher，rearingher，guardingher，dignifyingher，andenvelopingher，impureashewashimself，withpurity？
Whatwasthatcess—poolwhichhadveneratedthatinnocencetosuchapointasnottoleaveuponitasinglespot？WhatwasthisJeanValjeaneducatingCosette？Whatwasthisfigureoftheshadowswhichhadforitsonlyobjectthepreservationoftherisingofastarfromeveryshadowandfromeverycloud？
ThatwasJeanValjean’ssecret；thatwasalsoGod’ssecret。
Inthepresenceofthisdoublesecret，Mariusrecoiled。Theone，insomesort，reassuredhimastotheother。GodwasasvisibleinthisaffairaswasJeanValjean。Godhashisinstruments。
Hemakesuseofthetoolwhichhewills。Heisnotresponsibletomen。DoweknowhowGodsetsaboutthework？JeanValjeanhadlaboredoverCosette。Hehad，tosomeextent，madethatsoul。
Thatwasincontestable。Well，whatthen？Theworkmanwashorrible；
buttheworkwasadmirable。Godproduceshismiraclesasseemsgoodtohim。HehadconstructedthatcharmingCosette，andhehademployedJeanValjean。Ithadpleasedhimtochoosethisstrangecollaboratorforhimself。Whataccounthavewetodemandofhim？
Isthisthefirsttimethatthedung—heaphasaidedthespringtocreatetherose？
Mariusmadehimselfthesereplies，anddeclaredtohimselfthattheyweregood。HehadnotdaredtopressJeanValjeanonallthepointswhichwehavejustindicated，buthedidnotconfesstohimselfthathedidnotdaretodoit。HeadoredCosette，hepossessedCosette，Cosettewassplendidlypure。Thatwassufficientforhim。
Whatenlightenmentdidheneed？Cosettewasalight。Doeslightrequireenlightenment？Hehadeverything；whatmorecouldhedesire？All，——
isnotthatenough？JeanValjean’spersonalaffairsdidnotconcernhim。
Andbendingoverthefatalshadowofthatman，heclungfast，convulsively，tothesolemndeclarationofthatunhappywretch:
\"IamnothingtoCosette。TenyearsagoIdidnotknowthatshewasinexistence。\"
JeanValjeanwasapasser—by。Hehadsaidsohimself。
Well，hehadpassed。Whateverhewas，hispartwasfinished。
Henceforth，thereremainedMariustofulfilthepartofProvidencetoCosette。Cosettehadsoughttheazureinapersonlikeherself，inherlover，herhusband，hercelestialmale。Cosette，asshetookherflight，wingedandtransfigured，leftbehindherontheearthherhideousandemptychrysalis，JeanValjean。
InwhatevercircleofideasMariusrevolved，healwaysreturnedtoacertainhorrorforJeanValjean。Asacredhorror，perhaps，for，aswehavejustpointedout，hefeltaquiddivinuminthatman。
Butdowhathewould，andseekwhatextenuationhewould，hewascertainlyforcedtofallbackuponthis:themanwasaconvict；
thatistosay，abeingwhohasnotevenaplaceinthesocialladder，sinceheislowerthantheverylowestrung。Aftertheverylastofmencomestheconvict。Theconvictisnolonger，sotospeak，inthesemblanceoftheliving。Thelawhasdeprivedhimoftheentirequantityofhumanityofwhichitcandepriveaman。
Marius，onpenalquestions，stillheldtotheinexorablesystem，thoughhewasademocratandheentertainedalltheideasofthelawonthesubjectofthosewhomthelawstrikes。Hehadnotyetaccomplishedallprogress，weadmit。HehadnotyetcometodistinguishbetweenthatwhichiswrittenbymanandthatwhichiswrittenbyGod，betweenlawandright。Hehadnotexaminedandweighedtherightwhichmantakestodisposeoftheirrevocableandtheirreparable。
Hewasnotshockedbythewordvindicte。Hefounditquitesimplethatcertainbreachesofthewrittenlawshouldbefollowedbyeternalsuffering，andheaccepted，astheprocessofcivilization，socialdamnation。Hestillstoodatthispoint，thoughsafetoadvanceinfalliblylateron，sincehisnaturewasgood，and，atbottom，whollyformedoflatentprogress。
Inthisstageofhisideas，JeanValjeanappearedtohimhideousandrepulsive。Hewasamanreproved，hewastheconvict。
ThatwordwasforhimlikethesoundofthetrumpontheDayofJudgment；and，afterhavingreflecteduponJeanValjeanforalongtime，hisfinalgesturehadbeentoturnawayhishead。
Vaderetro。
Marius，ifwemustrecognizeandeveninsistuponthefact，whileinterrogatingJeanValjeantosuchapointthatJeanValjeanhadsaid:\"Youareconfessingme，\"hadnot，nevertheless，puttohimtwoorthreedecisivequestions。
Itwasnotthattheyhadnotpresentedthemselvestohismind，butthathehadbeenafraidofthem。TheJondretteattic？
Thebarricade？Javert？Whoknowswheretheserevelationswouldhavestopped？JeanValjeandidnotseemlikeamanwhowoulddrawback，andwhoknowswhetherMarius，afterhavingurgedhimon，wouldnothavehimselfdesiredtoholdhimback？
Hasitnothappenedtoallofus，incertainsupremeconjunctures，tostopourearsinorderthatwemaynothearthereply，afterwehaveaskedaquestion？Itisespeciallywhenonelovesthatonegiveswaytotheseexhibitionsofcowardice。Itisnotwisetoquestionsinistersituationstothelastpoint，particularlywhentheindissolublesideofourlifeisfatallyintermingledwiththem。WhataterriblelightmighthaveproceededfromthedespairingexplanationsofJeanValjean，andwhoknowswhetherthathideousglarewouldnothavedartedforthasfarasCosette？Whoknowswhetherasortofinfernalglowwouldnothavelingeredbehinditonthebrowofthatangel？
Thespatteringofalightning—flashisofthethunderalso。
Fatalityhaspointsofjuncturewhereinnocenceitselfisstampedwithcrimebythegloomylawofthereflectionswhichgivecolor。
Thepurestfiguresmayforeverpreservethereflectionofahorribleassociation。Rightlyorwrongly，Mariushadbeenafraid。
Healreadyknewtoomuch。Hesoughttodullhissensesratherthantogainfurtherlight。
IndismayheboreoffCosetteinhisarmsandshuthiseyestoJeanValjean。
Thatmanwasthenight，thelivingandhorriblenight。
Howshouldhedaretoseekthebottomofit？Itisaterriblethingtointerrogatetheshadow。Whoknowswhatitsreplywillbe？
Thedawnmaybeblackenedforeverbyit。
Inthisstateofmindthethoughtthatthatmanwould，henceforth，comeintoanycontactwhateverwithCosettewasaheartrendingperplexitytoMarius。
Henowalmostreproachedhimselffornothavingputthoseformidablequestions，beforewhichhehadrecoiled，andfromwhichanimplacableanddefinitivedecisionmighthavesprung。
Hefeltthathewastoogood，toogentle，tooweak，ifwemustsaytheword。Thisweaknesshadledhimtoanimprudentconcession。
Hehadallowedhimselftobetouched。Hehadbeeninthewrong。
HeoughttohavesimplyandpurelyrejectedJeanValjean。JeanValjeanplayedthepartoffire，andthatiswhatheshouldhavedone，andhavefreedhishousefromthatman。
Hewasvexedwithhimself，hewasangrywiththatwhirlwindofemotionswhichhaddeafened，blinded，andcarriedhimaway。
Hewasdispleasedwithhimself。
Whatwashetodonow？JeanValjean’svisitswereprofoundlyrepugnanttohim。Whatwastheuseinhavingthatmaninhishouse？Whatdidthemanwant？Here，hebecamedismayed，hedidnotwishtodigdown，hedidnotwishtopenetratedeeply；hedidnotwishtosoundhimself。
Hehadpromised，hehadallowedhimselftobedrawnintoapromise；
JeanValjeanheldhispromise；onemustkeepone’swordeventoaconvict，abovealltoaconvict。Still，hisfirstdutywastoCosette。
Inshort，hewascarriedawaybytherepugnancewhichdominatedhim。
Mariusturnedoverallthisconfusionofideasinhismind，passingfromonetotheother，andmovedbyallofthem。
Hencearoseaprofoundtrouble。
ItwasnoteasyforhimtohidethistroublefromCosette，butloveisatalent，andMariussucceededindoingit。
However，withoutanyapparentobject，hequestionedCosette，whowasascandidasadoveiswhiteandwhosuspectednothing；
hetalkedofherchildhoodandheryouth，andhebecamemoreandmoreconvincedthatthatconvicthadbeeneverythinggood，paternalandrespectablethatamancanbetowardsCosette。
AllthatMariushadcaughtaglimpseofandhadsurmisedwasreal。
Thatsinisternettlehadlovedandprotectedthatlily。
BOOKEIGHTH。——FADINGAWAYOFTHETWILIGHT
CHAPTERI
THELOWERCHAMBER
Onthefollowingday，atnightfall，JeanValjeanknockedatthecarriagegateoftheGillenormandhouse。ItwasBasquewhoreceivedhim。
Basquewasinthecourtyardattheappointedhour，asthoughhehadreceivedhisorders。Itsometimeshappensthatonesaystoaservant:
\"YouwillwatchforMr。SoandSo，whenhearrives。\"
BasqueaddressedJeanValjeanwithoutwaitingforthelattertoapproachhim:
\"MonsieurleBaronhaschargedmetoinquirewhethermonsieurdesirestogoupstairsortoremainbelow？\"
\"Iwillremainbelow，\"repliedJeanValjean。
Basque，whowasperfectlyrespectful，openedthedoorofthewaiting—roomandsaid:
\"IwillgoandinformMadame。\"
TheroomwhichJeanValjeanenteredwasadamp，vaultedroomonthegroundfloor，whichservedasacellaronoccasion，whichopenedonthestreet，waspavedwithredsquaresandwasbadlylightedbyagratedwindow。
Thischamberwasnotoneofthosewhichareharassedbythefeather—duster，thepope’sheadbrush，andthebroom。
Thedustrestedtranquillythere。Persecutionofthespiderswasnotorganizedthere。Afineweb，whichspreadfarandwide，andwasveryblackandornamentedwithdeadflies，formedawheelononeofthewindow—panes。Theroom，whichwassmallandlow—ceiled，wasfurnishedwithaheapofemptybottlespiledupinonecorner。
Thewall，whichwasdaubedwithanochreyellowwash，wasscalingoffinlargeflakes。Atoneendtherewasachimney—piecepaintedinblackwithanarrowshelf。Afirewasburningthere；
whichindicatedthatJeanValjean’sreply:\"Iwillremainbelow，\"
hadbeenforeseen。
Twoarm—chairswereplacedatthetwocornersofthefireplace。
Betweenthechairsanoldbedsiderug，whichdisplayedmorefoundationthreadthanwool，hadbeenspreadbywayofacarpet。
Thechamberwaslightedbythefireonthehearthandthetwilightfallingthroughthewindow。
JeanValjeanwasfatigued。Fordayshehadneithereatennorslept。
Hethrewhimselfintooneofthearm—chairs。
Basquereturned，setalightedcandleonthechimney—pieceandretired。
JeanValjean，hisheaddroopingandhischinrestingonhisbreast，perceivedneitherBasquenorthecandle。
Allatonce，hedrewhimselfupwithastart。Cosettewasstandingbesidehim。
Hehadnotseenherenter，buthehadfeltthatshewasthere。
Heturnedround。Hegazedather。Shewasadorablylovely。
Butwhathewascontemplatingwiththatprofoundgazewasnotherbeautybuthersoul。
\"Well，\"exclaimedCosette，\"father，Iknewthatyouwerepeculiar，butInevershouldhaveexpectedthis。Whatanidea！Mariustoldmethatyouwishmetoreceiveyouhere。\"
\"Yes，itismywish。\"
\"Iexpectedthatreply。Good。IwarnyouthatIamgoingtomakeasceneforyou。Letusbeginatthebeginning。Embraceme，father。\"
Andsheofferedhimhercheek。
JeanValjeanremainedmotionless。
\"Youdonotstir。Itakenoteofit。Attitudeofguilt。
Butnevermind，Ipardonyou。JesusChristsaid:Offertheothercheek。Hereitis。\"
Andshepresentedherothercheek。
JeanValjeandidnotmove。Itseemedasthoughhisfeetwerenailedtothepavement。
\"Thisisbecomingserious，\"saidCosette。\"WhathaveIdonetoyou？
IdeclarethatIamperplexed。Youowemereparation。Youwilldinewithus。\"
\"Ihavedined。\"
\"Thatisnottrue。IwillgetM。Gillenormandtoscoldyou。
Grandfathersaremadetoreprimandfathers。Come。Goupstairswithmetothedrawing—room。Immediately。\"
\"Impossible。\"
HereCosettelostgroundalittle。Sheceasedtocommandandpassedtoquestioning。
\"Butwhy？andyouchoosetheugliestchamberinthehouseinwhichtoseeme。It’shorriblehere。\"
\"Thouknowest……\"
JeanValjeancaughthimselfup。
\"Youknow，madame，thatIampeculiar，Ihavemyfreaks。\"
Cosettestruckhertinyhandstogether。
\"Madame！……Youknow！……morenovelties！Whatisthemeaningofthis？\"
JeanValjeandirecteduponherthatheartrendingsmiletowhichheoccasionallyhadrecourse:
\"YouwishedtobeMadame。Youareso。\"
\"Notforyou，father。\"
\"Donotcallmefather。\"
\"What？\"
\"Callme`MonsieurJean。’`Jean，’ifyoulike。\"
\"Youarenolongermyfather？IamnolongerCosette？
`MonsieurJean’？Whatdoesthismean？why，thesearerevolutions，aren’tthey？whathastakenplace？come，lookmeintheface。
Andyouwon’tlivewithus！Andyouwon’thavemychamber！
WhathaveIdonetoyou？Hasanythinghappened？\"
\"Nothing。\"
\"Wellthen？\"
\"Everythingisasusual。\"
\"Whydoyouchangeyourname？\"
\"Youhavechangedyours，surely。\"
Hesmiledagainwiththesamesmileasbeforeandadded:
\"SinceyouareMadamePontmercy，IcertainlycanbeMonsieurJean。\"
\"Idon’tunderstandanythingaboutit。Allthisisidiotic。
Ishallaskpermissionofmyhusbandforyoutobe`MonsieurJean。’
Ihopethathewillnotconsenttoit。Youcausemeagreatdealofpain。Onedoeshavefreaks，butonedoesnotcauseone’slittleCosettegrief。Thatiswrong。Youhavenorighttobewicked，youwhoaresogood。\"
Hemadenoreply。
Sheseizedhishandswithvivacity，andraisingthemtoherfacewithanirresistiblemovement，shepressedthemagainstherneckbeneathherchin，whichisagestureofprofoundtenderness。
\"Oh！\"shesaidtohim，\"begood！\"
Andshewenton:
\"ThisiswhatIcallbeinggood:beingniceandcomingandlivinghere，——
therearebirdshereasthereareintheRuePlumet，——livingwithus，quittingthatholeofaRuedel’HommeArme，notgivingusriddlestoguess，beinglikealltherestoftheworld，diningwithus，breakfastingwithus，beingmyfather。\"
Heloosedherhands。
\"Younolongerneedafather，youhaveahusband。\"
Cosettebecameangry。
\"Inolongerneedafather！Onereallydoesnotknowwhattosaytothingslikethat，whicharenotcommonsense！\"
\"IfToussaintwerehere，\"resumedJeanValjean，likeapersonwhoisdriventoseekauthorities，andwhoclutchesateverybranch，\"shewouldbethefirsttoagreethatitistruethatIhavealwayshadwaysofmyown。Thereisnothingnewinthis。Ialwayshavelovedmyblackcorner。\"
\"Butitiscoldhere。Onecannotseedistinctly。Itisabominable，thatitis，towishtobeMonsieurJean！Iwillnothaveyousay`you’tome。
\"Justnow，asIwascominghither，\"repliedJeanValjean，\"IsawapieceoffurnitureintheRueSaintLouis。Itwasatacabinet—maker’s。IfIwereaprettywoman，Iwouldtreatmyselftothatbitoffurniture。Averyneattoilettableinthereigningstyle。Whatyoucallrosewood，Ithink。Itisinlaid。
Themirrorisquitelarge。Therearedrawers。Itispretty。\"
\"Hou！thevillainousbear！\"repliedCosette。
Andwithsupremegrace，settingherteethanddrawingbackherlips，sheblewatJeanValjean。ShewasaGracecopyingacat。
\"Iamfurious，\"sheresumed。\"Eversinceyesterday，youhavemademerage，allofyou。Iamgreatlyvexed。Idon’tunderstand。YoudonotdefendmeagainstMarius。Mariuswillnotupholdmeagainstyou。
Iamallalone。Iarrangeachamberprettily。IfIcouldhaveputthegoodGodthereIwouldhavedoneit。Mychamberisleftonmyhands。
Mylodgersendsmeintobankruptcy。IorderanicelittledinnerofNicolette。Wewillhavenothingtodowithyourdinner，Madame。
AndmyfatherFaucheleventwantsmetocallhim`MonsieurJean，’
andtoreceivehiminafrightful，old，uglycellar，wherethewallshavebeards，andwherethecrystalconsistsofemptybottles，andthecurtainsareofspiders’webs！Youaresingular，Iadmit，thatisyourstyle，butpeoplewhogetmarriedaregrantedatruce。
Yououghtnottohavebegunbeingsingularagaininstantly。
SoyouaregoingtobeperfectlycontentedinyourabominableRuedel’HommeArme。Iwasverydesperateindeedthere，thatIwas。
Whathaveyouagainstme？Youcausemeagreatdealofgrief。
Fi！\"
And，becomingsuddenlyserious，shegazedintentlyatJeanValjeanandadded:
\"AreyouangrywithmebecauseIamhappy？\"
Ingenuousnesssometimesunconsciouslypenetratesdeep。Thisquestion，whichwassimpleforCosette，wasprofoundforJeanValjean。
Cosettehadmeanttoscratch，andshelacerated。
JeanValjeanturnedpale。
Heremainedforamomentwithoutreplying，then，withaninexpressibleintonation，andspeakingtohimself，hemurmured:
\"Herhappinesswastheobjectofmylife。NowGodmaysignmydismissal。Cosette，thouarthappy；mydayisover。\"
\"Ah，youhavesaidthoutome！\"exclaimedCosette。
Andshesprangtohisneck。
JeanValjean，inbewilderment，strainedherwildlytohisbreast。
Italmostseemedtohimasthoughheweretakingherback。
\"Thanks，father！\"saidCosette。
ThisenthusiasticimpulsewasonthepointofbecomingpoignantforJeanValjean。HegentlyremovedCosette’sarms，andtookhishat。
\"Well？\"saidCosette。
\"Ileaveyou，Madame，theyarewaitingforyou。\"
And，fromthethreshold，headded:
\"Ihavesaidthoutoyou。Tellyourhusbandthatthisshallnothappenagain。Pardonme。\"
JeanValjeanquittedtheroom，leavingCosettestupefiedatthisenigmaticalfarewell。
CHAPTERII
ANOTHERSTEPBACKWARDS
Onthefollowingday，atthesamehour，JeanValjeancame。
Cosetteaskedhimnoquestions，wasnolongerastonished，nolongerexclaimedthatshewascold，nolongerspokeofthedrawing—room，sheavoidedsayingeither\"father\"or\"MonsieurJean。\"Sheallowedherselftobeaddressedasyou。SheallowedherselftobecalledMadame。Only，herjoyhadundergoneacertaindiminution。
Shewouldhavebeensad，ifsadnesshadbeenpossibletoher。
ItisprobablethatshehadhadwithMariusoneofthoseconversationsinwhichthebelovedmansayswhathepleases，explainsnothing，andsatisfiesthebelovedwoman。Thecuriosityofloversdoesnotextendveryfarbeyondtheirownlove。
Thelowerroomhadmadealittletoilet。Basquehadsuppressedthebottles，andNicolettethespiders。
AllthedayswhichfollowedbroughtJeanValjeanatthesamehour。
Hecameeveryday，becausehehadnotthestrengthtotakeMarius’
wordsotherwisethanliterally。MariusarrangedmatterssoastobeabsentatthehourswhenJeanValjeancame。ThehousegrewaccustomedtothenovelwaysofM。Fauchelevent。Toussainthelpedinthisdirection:\"Monsieurhasalwaysbeenlikethat，\"sherepeated。
Thegrandfatherissuedthisdecree:——\"He’sanoriginal。\"Andallwassaid。Moreover，attheageofninety—six，nobondisanylongerpossible，allismerelyjuxtaposition；anewcomerisintheway。
Thereisnolongeranyroom；allhabitsareacquired。M。Fauchelevent，M。Tranchelevent，FatherGillenormandaskednothingbetterthantoberelievedfrom\"thatgentleman。\"Headded:——\"Nothingismorecommonthanthoseoriginals。Theydoallsortsofqueerthings。
Theyhavenoreason。TheMarquisdeCanapleswasstillworse。
Heboughtapalacethathemightlodgeinthegarret。Thesearefantasticappearancesthatpeopleaffect。\"
Noonecaughtaglimpseofthesinisterfoundation。Andmoreover，whocouldhaveguessedsuchathing？TherearemarshesofthisdescriptioninIndia。Thewaterseemsextraordinary，inexplicable，ripplingthoughthereisnowind，andagitatedwhereitshouldbecalm。Onegazesatthesurfaceofthesecauselessebullitions；
onedoesnotperceivethehydrawhichcrawlsonthebottom。
Manymenhaveasecretmonsterinthissamemanner，adragonwhichgnawsthem，adespairwhichinhabitstheirnight。Suchamanresemblesothermen，hegoesandcomes。Nooneknowsthathebearswithinhimafrightfulparasiticpainwithathousandteeth，whichliveswithintheunhappyman，andofwhichheisdying。
Nooneknowsthatthismanisagulf。Heisstagnantbutdeep。
Fromtimetotime，atroubleofwhichtheonlookerunderstandsnothingappearsonhissurface。Amysteriouswrinkleisformed，thenvanishes，thenre—appears；anair—bubblerisesandbursts。
Itisthebreathingoftheunknownbeast。
Certainstrangehabits:arrivingatthehourwhenotherpeoplearetakingtheirleave，keepinginthebackgroundwhenotherpeoplearedisplayingthemselves，preservingonalloccasionswhatmaybedesignatedasthewall—coloredmantle，seekingthesolitarywalk，preferringthedesertedstreet，avoidinganyshareinconversation，avoidingcrowdsandfestivals，seemingatone’seaseandlivingpoorly，havingone’skeyinone’spocket，andone’scandleattheporter’slodge，howeverrichonemaybe，enteringbythesidedoor，ascendingtheprivatestaircase，——alltheseinsignificantsingularities，fugitivefoldsonthesurface，oftenproceedfromaformidablefoundation。
Manyweekspassedinthismanner。AnewlifegraduallytookpossessionofCosette:therelationswhichmarriagecreates，visits，thecareofthehouse，pleasures，greatmatters。Cosette’spleasureswerenotcostly，theyconsistedinonething:beingwithMarius。Thegreatoccupationofherlifewastogooutwithhim，toremainwithhim。
Itwasforthemajoythatwasalwaysfresh，togooutarminarm，inthefaceofthesun，intheopenstreet，withouthidingthemselves，beforethewholeworld，bothofthemcompletelyalone。
Cosettehadonevexation。ToussaintcouldnotgetonwithNicolette，thesolderingoftwoelderlymaidsbeingimpossible，andshewentaway。
Thegrandfatherwaswell；Mariusarguedacasehereandthere；
AuntGillenormandpeacefullyledthatlifeasidewhichsufficedforher，besidethenewhousehold。JeanValjeancameeveryday。
Theaddressasthoudisappeared，theyou，the\"Madame，\"the\"MonsieurJean，\"renderedhimanotherpersontoCosette。Thecarewhichhehadhimselftakentodetachherfromhimwassucceeding。
Shebecamemoreandmoregayandlessandlesstender。Yetshestilllovedhimsincerely，andhefeltit。
Onedayshesaidtohimsuddenly:\"Youusedtobemyfather，youarenolongermyfather，youweremyuncle，youarenolongermyuncle，youwereMonsieurFauchelevent，youareJean。Whoareyouthen？
Idon’tlikeallthis。IfIdidnotknowhowgoodyouare，Ishouldbeafraidofyou。\"
HestilllivedintheRuedel’HommeArme，becausehecouldnotmakeuphismindtoremovetoadistancefromthequarterwhereCosettedwelt。
Atfirst，heonlyremainedafewminuteswithCosette，andthenwentaway。
Littlebylittleheacquiredthehabitofmakinghisvisitslessbrief。
Onewouldhavesaidthathewastakingadvantageoftheauthorizationofthedayswhichwerelengthening，hearrivedearlieranddepartedlater。
OnedayCosettechancedtosay\"father\"tohim。AflashofjoyilluminatedJeanValjean’smelancholyoldcountenance。
Hecaughtherup:\"SayJean。\"——\"Ah！truly，\"sherepliedwithaburstoflaughter，\"MonsieurJean。\"——\"Thatisright，\"saidhe。
Andheturnedasidesothatshemightnotseehimwipehiseyes。
CHAPTERIII
THEYRECALLTHEGARDENOFTHERUEPLUMET
Thiswasthelasttime。Afterthatlastflashoflight，completeextinctionensued。Nomorefamiliarity，nomoregood—morningwithakiss，nevermorethatwordsoprofoundlysweet:\"Myfather！\"
Hewasathisownrequestandthroughhisowncomplicitydrivenoutofallhishappinessesoneaftertheother；andhehadthissorrow，thatafterhavinglostCosettewhollyinoneday，hewasafterwardsobligedtoloseheragainindetail。
Theeyeeventuallybecomesaccustomedtothelightofacellar。
Inshort，itsufficedforhimtohaveanapparitionofCosetteeveryday。Hiswholelifewasconcentratedinthatonehour。
Heseatedhimselfclosetoher，hegazedatherinsilence，orhetalkedtoherofyearsgoneby，ofherchildhood，oftheconvent，ofherlittlefriendsofthosebygonedays。
Oneafternoon，——itwasononeofthoseearlydaysinApril，alreadywarmandfresh，themomentofthesun’sgreatgayety，thegardenswhichsurroundedthewindowsofMariusandCosettefelttheemotionofwaking，thehawthornwasonthepointofbudding，ajewelledgarnitureofgillyflowersspreadovertheancientwalls，snapdragonsyawnedthroughthecrevicesofthestones，amidthegrasstherewasacharmingbeginningofdaisies，andbuttercups，thewhitebutterfliesoftheyearweremakingtheirfirstappearance，thewind，thatminstreloftheeternalwedding，wastryinginthetreesthefirstnotesofthatgrand，auroralsymphonywhichtheoldpoetscalledthespringtide，——MariussaidtoCosette:——\"WesaidthatwewouldgobacktotakealookatourgardenintheRuePlumet。
Letusgothither。Wemustnotbeungrateful。\"——Andawaytheyflitted，liketwoswallowstowardsthespring。ThisgardenoftheRuePlumetproducedonthemtheeffectofthedawn。Theyalreadyhadbehindtheminlifesomethingwhichwaslikethespringtimeoftheirlove。ThehouseintheRuePlumetbeingheldonalease，stillbelongedtoCosette。Theywenttothatgardenandthathouse。
Theretheyfoundthemselvesagain，theretheyforgotthemselves。
Thatevening，attheusualhour，JeanValjeancametotheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire。——\"MadamewentoutwithMonsieurandhasnotyetreturned，\"Basquesaidtohim。Heseatedhimselfinsilence，andwaitedanhour。Cosettedidnotreturn。Hedepartedwithdroopinghead。
Cosettewassointoxicatedwithherwalkto\"theirgarden，\"
andsojoyousathaving\"livedawholedayinherpast，\"thatshetalkedofnothingelseonthemorrow。ShedidnotnoticethatshehadnotseenJeanValjean。
\"Inwhatwaydidyougothither？\"JeanValjeanaskedher。\"
\"Onfoot。\"
\"Andhowdidyoureturn？\"
\"Inahackneycarriage。\"
Forsometime，JeanValjeanhadnoticedtheeconomicallifeledbytheyoungpeople。Hewastroubledbyit。Marius’economywassevere，andthatwordhaditsabsolutemeaningforJeanValjean。
Hehazardedaquery:
\"Whydoyounothaveacarriageofyourown？Aprettycoupewouldonlycostyoufivehundredfrancsamonth。Youarerich。\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"repliedCosette。
\"ItislikeToussaint，\"resumedJeanValjean。\"Sheisgone。
Youhavenotreplacedher。Why？\"
\"Nicolettesuffices。\"
\"Butyououghttohaveamaid。\"
\"HaveInotMarius？\"
\"Yououghttohaveahouseofyourown，yourownservants，acarriage，aboxatthetheatre。Thereisnothingtoofineforyou。
Whynotprofitbyyourriches？Wealthaddstohappiness。\"
Cosettemadenoreply。
JeanValjean’svisitswerenotabridged。Farfromit。Whenitistheheartwhichisslipping，onedoesnothaltonthedownwardslope。
WhenJeanValjeanwishedtoprolonghisvisitandtoinduceforgetfulnessofthehour，hesangthepraisesofMarius；hepronouncedhimhandsome，noble，courageous，witty，eloquent，good。Cosetteoutdidhim。
JeanValjeanbeganagain。Theywereneverweary。Marius——thatwordwasinexhaustible；thosesixletterscontainedvolumes。
Inthismanner，JeanValjeancontrivedtoremainalongtime。
ItwassosweettoseeCosette，toforgetbyherside！Italleviatedhiswounds。ItfrequentlyhappenedthatBasquecametwicetoannounce:
\"M。GillenormandsendsmetoremindMadamelaBaronnethatdinnerisserved。\"
Onthosedays，JeanValjeanwasverythoughtfulonhisreturnhome。
Wasthere，then，anytruthinthatcomparisonofthechrysaliswhichhadpresenteditselftothemindofMarius？WasJeanValjeanreallyachrysaliswhowouldpersist，andwhowouldcometovisithisbutterfly？
Onedayheremainedstilllongerthanusual。Onthefollowingdayheobservedthattherewasnofireonthehearth。——\"Hello！\"hethought。
\"Nofire。\"——Andhefurnishedtheexplanationforhimself。——\"Itisperfectlysimple。ItisApril。Thecoldweatherhasceased。\"
\"Heavens！howcolditishere！\"exclaimedCosettewhensheentered。
\"Why，no，\"saidJeanValjean。
\"WasityouwhotoldBasquenottomakeafirethen？\"
\"Yes，sincewearenowinthemonthofMay。\"
\"ButwehaveafireuntilJune。Oneisneededalltheyearinthiscellar。\"
\"Ithoughtthatafirewasunnecessary。\"
\"Thatisexactlylikeoneofyourideas！\"retortedCosette。
Onthefollowingdaytherewasafire。Butthetwoarm—chairswerearrangedattheotherendoftheroomnearthedoor。
\"——Whatisthemeaningofthis？\"thoughtJeanValjean。
Hewentforthearm—chairsandrestoredthemtotheirordinaryplacenearthehearth。
Thisfirelightedoncemoreencouragedhim，however。Heprolongedtheconversationevenbeyonditscustomarylimits。Asherosetotakehisleave，Cosettesaidtohim:
\"Myhusbandsaidaqueerthingtomeyesterday。\"
\"Whatwasit？\"
\"Hesaidtome:`Cosette，wehaveanincomeofthirtythousandlivres。
Twenty—seventhatyouown，andthreethatmygrandfathergivesme。’Ireplied:`Thatmakesthirty。’Hewenton:
`Wouldyouhavethecouragetoliveonthethreethousand？’
Ianswered:`Yes，onnothing。Providedthatitwaswithyou。’
AndthenIasked:`Whydoyousaythattome？’Hereplied:
`Iwantedtoknow。’\"
JeanValjeanfoundnotawordtoanswer。Cosetteprobablyexpectedsomeexplanationfromhim；helistenedingloomysilence。
HewentbacktotheRuedel’HommeArme；hewassodeeplyabsorbedthathemistookthedoorandinsteadofenteringhisownhouse，heenteredtheadjoiningdwelling。Itwasonlyafterhavingascendednearlytwostoriesthatheperceivedhiserrorandwentdownagain。
Hismindwasswarmingwithconjectures。ItwasevidentthatMariushadhisdoubtsastotheoriginofthesixhundredthousandfrancs，thathefearedsomesourcethatwasnotpure，whoknows？thathehadeven，perhaps，discoveredthatthemoneycamefromhim，JeanValjean，thathehesitatedbeforethissuspiciousfortune，andwasdisinclinedtotakeitashisown，——preferringthatbothheandCosetteshouldremainpoor，ratherthanthattheyshouldberichwithwealththatwasnotclean。
Moreover，JeanValjeanbeganvaguelytosurmisethathewasbeingshownthedoor。
Onthefollowingday，heunderwentsomethinglikeashockonenteringtheground—floorroom。Thearm—chairshaddisappeared。
Therewasnotasinglechairofanysort。
\"Ah，what’sthis！\"exclaimedCosetteassheentered，\"nochairs！
Wherearethearm—chairs？\"
\"Theyarenolongerhere，\"repliedJeanValjean。
\"Thisistoomuch！\"
JeanValjeanstammered:
\"ItwasIwhotoldBasquetoremovethem。\"
\"Andyourreason？\"
\"Ihaveonlyafewminutestostayto—day。\"
\"Abriefstayisnoreasonforremainingstanding。\"
\"IthinkthatBasqueneededthechairsforthedrawing—room。
\"Why？\"
\"Youhavecompanythisevening，nodoubt。\"
\"Weexpectnoone。\"
JeanValjeanhadnotanotherwordtosay。
Cosetteshruggedhershoulders。
\"Tohavethechairscarriedoff！Theotherdayyouhadthefireputout。Howoddyouare！\"
\"Adieu！\"murmuredJeanValjean。
Hedidnotsay:\"Adieu，Cosette。\"Buthehadnotthestrengthtosay:
\"Adieu，Madame。\"
Hewentawayutterlyoverwhelmed。
Thistimehehadunderstood。
Onthefollowingdayhedidnotcome。Cosetteonlyobservedthefactintheevening。
\"Why，\"saidshe，\"MonsieurJeanhasnotbeenheretoday。\"
Andshefeltaslighttwingeatherheart，butshehardlyperceivedit，beingimmediatelydivertedbyakissfromMarius。
Onthefollowingdayhedidnotcome。
Cosettepaidnoheedtothis，passedhereveningandsleptwellthatnight，asusual，andthoughtofitonlywhenshewoke。
Shewassohappy！ShespeedilydespatchedNicolettetoM。Jean’shousetoinquirewhetherhewereill，andwhyhehadnotcomeonthepreviousevening。NicolettebroughtbackthereplyofM。Jeanthathewasnotill。Hewasbusy。Hewouldcomesoon。
Assoonashewasable。Moreover，hewasonthepointoftakingalittlejourney。Madamemustrememberthatitwashiscustomtotaketripsfromtimetotime。Theywerenottoworryabouthim。
Theywerenottothinkofhim。
NicoletteonenteringM。Jean’shadrepeatedtohimhermistress’
verywords。ThatMadamehadsenthertoinquirewhyM。Jeanbadnotcomeontheprecedingevening。\"——ItistwodayssinceIhavebeenthere，\"saidJeanValjeangently。
ButtheremarkpassedunnoticedbyNicolette，whodidnotreportittoCosette。
CHAPTERIV
ATTRACTIONANDEXTINCTION
Duringthelastmonthsofspringandthefirstmonthsofsummerin1833，therarepassersbyintheMarais，thepettyshopkeepers，theloungersonthresholds，noticedanoldmanneatlycladinblack，whoemergedeverydayatthesamehour，towardsnightfall，fromtheRuedel’HommeArme，onthesideoftheRueSainte—Croix—de—la—Bretonnerie，passedinfrontoftheBlancsManteaux，gainedtheRueCulture—Sainte—Catherine，and，onarrivingattheRuedel’Echarpe，turnedtotheleft，andenteredtheRueSaint—Louis。
Therehewalkedataslowpace，withhisheadstrainedforward，seeingnothing，hearingnothing，hiseyeimmovablyfixedonapointwhichseemedtobeastartohim，whichnevervaried，andwhichwasnootherthanthecorneroftheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire。Thenearerheapproachedthecornerofthestreetthemorehiseyelightedup；
asortofjoyilluminatedhispupilslikeaninwardaurora，hehadafascinatedandmuchaffectedair，hislipsindulgedinobscuremovements，asthoughheweretalkingtosomeonewhomhedidnotsee，hesmiledvaguelyandadvancedasslowlyaspossible。
Onewouldhavesaidthat，whiledesirousofreachinghisdestination，hefearedthemomentwhenheshouldbecloseathand。Whenonlyafewhousesremainedbetweenhimandthatstreetwhichappearedtoattracthimhispaceslackened，tosuchadegreethat，attimes，onemighthavethoughtthathewasnolongeradvancingatall。
Thevacillationofhisheadandthefixityofhiseyeballssuggestedthethoughtofthemagneticneedleseekingthepole。
Whatevertimehespentonarriving，hewasobligedtoarriveatlast；
hereachedtheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire；thenhehalted，hetrembled，hethrusthisheadwithasortofmelancholytimidityroundthecornerofthelasthouse，andgazedintothatstreet，andtherewasinthattragiclooksomethingwhichresembledthedazzlinglightoftheimpossible，andthereflectionfromaparadisethatwasclosedtohim。Thenatear，whichhadslowlygatheredinthecornerofhislids，andhadbecomelargeenoughtofall，trickleddownhischeek，andsometimesstoppedathismouth。
Theoldmantasteditsbitterflavor。Thusheremainedforseveralminutesasthoughmadeofstone，thenhereturnedbythesameroadandwiththesamestep，and，inproportionasheretreated，hisglancediedout。
Littlebylittle，thisoldmanceasedtogoasfarasthecorneroftheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire；hehaltedhalfwayintheRueSaint—Louis；
sometimesalittlefurtheroff，sometimesalittlenearer。
OnedayhestoppedatthecorneroftheRueCulture—Sainte—CatherineandlookedattheRuedesFilles—du—Calvairefromadistance。
Thenheshookhisheadslowlyfromrighttoleft，asthoughrefusinghimselfsomething，andretracedhissteps。
SoonhenolongercameasfarastheRueSaint—Louis。HegotasfarastheRuePavee，shookhisheadandturnedback；thenhewentnofurtherthantheRuedesTrois—Pavillons；thenhedidnotoversteptheBlancs—Manteaux。Onewouldhavesaidthathewasapendulumwhichwasnolongerwoundup，andwhoseoscillationsweregrowingshorterbeforeceasingaltogether。
Everydayheemergedfromhishouseatthesamehour，heundertookthesametrip，buthenolongercompletedit，and，perhapswithouthimselfbeingawareofthefact，heconstantlyshortenedit。
Hiswholecountenanceexpressedthissingleidea:Whatistheuse？——
Hiseyewasdim；nomoreradiance。Histearswerealsoexhausted；
theynolongercollectedinthecornerofhiseye—lid；thatthoughtfuleyewasdry。Theoldman’sheadwasstillcranedforward；hischinmovedattimes；thefoldsinhisgauntneckwerepainfultobehold。
Sometimes，whentheweatherwasbad，hehadanumbrellaunderhisarm，butheneveropenedit。
Thegoodwomenofthequartersaid:\"Heisaninnocent。\"
Thechildrenfollowedhimandlaughed。BOOKNINTH。——SUPREMESHADOW，SUPREMEDAWNCHAPTERIPITYFORTHEUNHAPPY，BUTINDULGENCEFORTHEHAPPY
Itisaterriblethingtobehappy！Howcontentoneis！
Howall—sufficientonefindsit！How，beinginpossessionofthe
falseobjectoflife，happiness，oneforgetsthetrueobject，duty！
Letussay，however，thatthereaderwoulddowrongwerehe
toblameMarius。
Marius，aswehaveexplained，beforehismarriage，hadputnoquestions
toM。Fauchelevent，and，sincethattime，hehadfearedtoputanyto
JeanValjean。Hehadregrettedthepromiseintowhichhehadallowed
himselftobedrawn。Hehadoftensaidtohimselfthathehaddone
wronginmakingthatconcessiontodespair。Hehadconfinedhimself
tograduallyestrangingJeanValjeanfromhishouseandtoeffacinghim，
asmuchaspossible，fromCosette’smind。Hehad，inamanner，
alwaysplacedhimselfbetweenCosetteandJeanValjean，surethat，
inthisway，shewouldnotperceivenorthinkofthelatter。
Itwasmorethaneffacement，itwasaneclipse。
Mariusdidwhatheconsiderednecessaryandjust。Hethought
thathehadseriousreasonswhichthereaderhasalreadyseen，
andotherswhichwillbeseenlateron，forgettingridofJean
Valjeanwithoutharshness，butwithoutweakness。
Chancehavingordainedthatheshouldencounter，inacasewhichhe
hadargued，aformeremployeeoftheLaffitteestablishment，hehad
acquiredmysteriousinformation，withoutseekingit，whichhehad
notbeenable，itistrue，toprobe，outofrespectforthesecret
whichhehadpromisedtoguard，andoutofconsiderationforJean
Valjean’sperilousposition。Hebelievedatthatmomentthathehad
agravedutytoperform:therestitutionofthesixhundredthousand
francstosomeonewhomhesoughtwithallpossiblediscretion。
Inthemeanwhile，heabstainedfromtouchingthatmoney。
AsforCosette，shehadnotbeeninitiatedintoanyofthesesecrets；
butitwouldbeharshtocondemnheralso。
ThereexistedbetweenMariusandheranall—powerfulmagnetism，
whichcausedhertodo，instinctivelyandalmostmechanically，
whatMariuswished。ShewasconsciousofMarius’willinthedirection
of\"MonsieurJean，\"sheconformedtoit。Herhusbandhadnotbeen
obligedtosayanythingtoher；sheyieldedtothevaguebutclear
pressureofhistacitintentions，andobeyedblindly。Herobedience
inthisinstanceconsistedinnotrememberingwhatMariusforgot。
Shewasnotobligedtomakeanyefforttoaccomplishthis。
Withoutherknowingwhyherself，andwithouthishavinganycause
toaccuseherofit，hersoulhadbecomesowhollyherhusband’s
thatthatwhichwasshroudedingloominMarius’mindbecameovercast
inhers。
Letusnotgotoofar，however；inwhatconcernsJeanValjean，
thisforgetfulnessandobliterationweremerelysuperficial。
Shewasratherheedlessthanforgetful。Atbottom，shewassincerely
attachedtothemanwhomshehadsolongcalledherfather；
butshelovedherhusbandstillmoredearly。Thiswaswhathad
somewhatdisturbedthebalanceofherheart，whichleanedtoone
sideonly。
ItsometimeshappenedthatCosettespokeofJeanValjeanandexpressed
hersurprise。ThenMariuscalmedher:\"Heisabsent，Ithink。
Didnothesaythathewassettingoutonajourney？\"——\"Thatistrue，\"
thoughtCosette。\"Hehadahabitofdisappearinginthisfashion。
Butnotforsolong。\"TwoorthreetimesshedespatchedNicolette
toinquireintheRuedel’HommeArmewhetherM。Jeanhadreturnedfrom
hisjourney。JeanValjeancausedtheanswer\"no\"tobegiven。Cosetteaskednothingmore，sinceshehadbutoneneedonearth，Marius。
Letusalsosaythat，ontheirside，CosetteandMariushadalso
beenabsent。TheyhadbeentoVernon。MariushadtakenCosette
tohisfather’sgrave。MariusgraduallywonCosetteawayfromJeanValjean。Cosetteallowedit。
Moreoverthatwhichiscalled，fartooharshlyincertaincases，
theingratitudeofchildren，isnotalwaysathingsodeserving
ofreproachasitissupposed。Itistheingratitudeofnature。
Nature，aswehaveelsewheresaid，\"looksbeforeher。\"Naturedivides
livingbeingsintothosewhoarearrivingandthosewhoaredeparting。
Thosewhoaredepartingareturnedtowardstheshadows，thosewho
arearrivingtowardsthelight。Henceagulfwhichisfatalon
thepartoftheold，andinvoluntaryonthepartoftheyoung。
Thisbreach，atfirstinsensible，increasesslowly，likeallseparations
ofbranches。Theboughs，withoutbecomingdetachedfromthetrunk，
growawayfromit。Itisnofaultoftheirs。Youthgoeswherethere
isjoy，festivals，vividlights，love。Oldagegoestowardstheend。
Theydonotlosesightofeachother，butthereisnolonger
acloseconnection。Youngpeoplefeelthecoolingoffoflife；
oldpeople，thatofthetomb。Letusnotblamethesepoorchildren。CHAPTERIILASTFLICKERINGSOFALAMPWITHOUTOIL
Oneday，JeanValjeandescendedhisstaircase，tookthreesteps
inthestreet，seatedhimselfonapost，onthatsamestonepost
whereGavrochehadfoundhimmeditatingonthenightbetweenthe5th
andthe6thofJune；heremainedthereafewmoments，thenwent
upstairsagain。Thiswasthelastoscillationofthependulum。
Onthefollowingdayhedidnotleavehisapartment。Ontheday
afterthat，hedidnotleavehisbed。
Hisportress，whopreparedhisscantyrepasts，afewcabbages
orpotatoeswithbacon，glancedatthebrownearthenwareplate
andexclaimed:\"Butyouatenothingyesterday，poor，dearman！\"\"CertainlyIdid，\"repliedJeanValjean。\"Theplateisquitefull。\"\"Lookatthewaterjug。Itisempty。\"
\"Thatprovesthatyouhavedrunk；itdoesnotprovethatyou
haveeaten。\"\"Well，\"saidJeanValjean，\"whatifIfelthungryonlyforwater？\"
\"Thatiscalledthirst，and，whenonedoesnoteatatthesametime，
itiscalledfever。\"\"Iwilleatto—morrow。\"
\"OratTrinityday。Whynotto—day？Isitthethingtosay:
`Iwilleatto—morrow’？Theideaofleavingmyplatterwithouteven
touchingit！Myladyfingerpotatoesweresogood！\"JeanValjeantooktheoldwoman’shand:\"IpromiseyouthatIwilleatthem，\"hesaid，inhisbenevolentvoice。\"Iamnotpleasedwithyou，\"repliedtheportress。
JeanValjeansawnootherhumancreaturethanthisgoodwoman。
TherearestreetsinParisthroughwhichnooneeverpasses，
andhousestowhichnooneevercomes。Hewasinoneofthosestreets
andoneofthosehouses。
Whilehestillwentout，hehadpurchasedofacoppersmith，
forafewsous，alittlecoppercrucifixwhichhehadhungup
onanailoppositehisbed。Thatgibbetisalwaysgoodtolookat。
Aweekpassed，andJeanValjeanhadnottakenastepinhisroom。
Hestillremainedinbed。Theportresssaidtoherhusband:——\"The
goodmanupstairsyonderdoesnotgetup，henolongereats，
hewillnotlastlong。Thatmanhashissorrows，thathehas。
Youwon’tgetitoutofmyheadthathisdaughterhasmadea
badmarriage。\"Theporterreplied，withthetoneofmaritalsovereignty:
\"Ifhe’srich，lethimhaveadoctor。Ifheisnotrich，lethim
gowithout。Ifhehasnodoctorhewilldie。\"\"Andifhehasone？\"\"Hewilldie，\"saidtheporter。
Theportresssettoscrapingawaythegrassfromwhatshecalled
herpavement，withanoldknife，and，asshetoreouttheblades，
shegrumbled:\"It’sashame。Suchaneatoldman！He’saswhiteasachicken。\"
Shecaughtsightofthedoctorofthequarterashepassedtheend
ofthestreet；shetookituponherselftorequesthimtocome
upstairs。
\"It’sonthesecondfloor，\"saidshe。\"Youhaveonlytoenter。
Asthegoodmannolongerstirsfromhisbed，thedooris
alwaysunlocked。\"ThedoctorsawJeanValjeanandspokewithhim。Whenhecamedownagaintheportressinterrogatedhim:\"Well，doctor？\"\"Yoursickmanisveryillindeed。\"\"Whatisthematterwithhim？\"
\"Everythingandnothing。Heisamanwho，toallappearances，
haslostsomepersonwhoisdeartohim。Peopledieofthat。\"\"Whatdidhesaytoyou？\"\"Hetoldmethathewasingoodhealth。\"\"Shallyoucomeagain，doctor？\"\"Yes，\"repliedthedoctor。\"Butsomeoneelsebesidesmustcome。\"CHAPTERIIIAPENISHEAVYTOTHEMANWHOLIFTEDTHEFAUCHELEVENT’SCART
OneeveningJeanValjeanfounddifficultyinraisinghimself
onhiselbow；hefeltofhiswristandcouldnotfindhispulse；
hisbreathwasshortandhaltedattimes；herecognizedthefact
thathewasweakerthanhehadeverbeenbefore。Then，nodoubt
underthepressureofsomesupremepreoccupation，hemadeaneffort，
drewhimselfupintoasittingpostureanddressedhimself。
Heputonhisoldworkingman’sclothes。Ashenolongerwentout，
hehadreturnedtothemandpreferredthem。Hewasobligedtopause
manytimeswhiledressinghimself；merelyputtinghisarmsthroughhis
waistcoatmadetheperspirationtricklefromhisforehead。
Sincehehadbeenalone，hehadplacedhisbedintheantechamber，
inordertoinhabitthatdesertedapartmentaslittleaspossible。HeopenedthevaliseanddrewfromitCosette’soutfit。Hespreaditoutonhisbed。
TheBishop’scandlestickswereintheirplaceonthechimney—piece。He
tookfromadrawertwowaxcandlesandputtheminthecandlesticks。
Then，althoughitwasstillbroaddaylight，——itwassummer，——
helightedthem。Inthesamewaycandlesaretobeseenlighted
inbroaddaylightinchamberswherethereisacorpse。
Everystepthathetookingoingfromonepieceoffurniture
toanotherexhaustedhim，andhewasobligedtositdown。Itwas
notordinaryfatiguewhichexpendsthestrengthonlytorenewit；
itwastheremnantofallmovementpossibletohim，itwaslife
drainedwhichflowsawaydropbydropinoverwhelmingefforts
andwhichwillneverberenewed。
Thechairintowhichheallowedhimselftofallwasplacedinfront
ofthatmirror，sofatalforhim，soprovidentialforMarius，
inwhichhehadreadCosette’sreversedwritingontheblottingbook。
Hecaughtsightofhimselfinthismirror，anddidnotrecognizehimself。
Hewaseightyyearsold；beforeMarius’marriage，hewouldhavehardly
beentakenforfifty；thatyearhadcountedforthirty。Whathebore
onhisbrowwasnolongerthewrinklesofage，itwasthemysteriousmark
ofdeath。Thehollowingofthatpitilessnailcouldbefeltthere。
Hischeekswerependulous；theskinofhisfacehadthecolor
whichwouldleadonetothinkthatitalreadyhadearthuponit；
thecornersofhismouthdroopedasinthemaskwhichtheancients
sculpturedontombs。Hegazedintospacewithanairofreproach；
onewouldhavesaidthathewasoneofthosegrandtragicbeings
whohavecausetocomplainofsomeone。
Hewasinthatcondition，thelastphaseofdejection，
inwhichsorrownolongerflows；itiscoagulated，sotospeak；
thereissomethingonthesoullikeaclotofdespair。
Nighthadcome。Helaboriouslydraggedatableandtheold
arm—chairtothefireside，andplaceduponthetableapen，
someinkandsomepaper。
Thatdone，hehadafaintingfit。Whenherecoveredconsciousness，
hewasthirsty。Ashecouldnotliftthejug，hetippeditover
painfullytowardshismouth，andswallowedadraught。
Asneitherthepennortheinkhadbeenusedforalongtime，
thepointofthepenhadcurledup，theinkhaddriedaway，hewas
forcedtoriseandputafewdropsofwaterintheink，whichhedid
notaccomplishwithoutpausingandsittingdowntwoorthreetimes，
andhewascompelledtowritewiththebackofthepen。Hewiped
hisbrowfromtimetotime。
Thenheturnedtowardsthebed，and，stillseated，forhecouldnotstand，
hegazedatthelittleblackgownandallthosebelovedobjects。Thesecontemplationslastedforhourswhichseemedminutes。
Allatonceheshivered，hefeltthatachildwastakingpossession
ofhim；herestedhiselbowsonthetable，whichwasilluminated
bytheBishop’scandlesandtookupthepen。Hishandtrembled。
Hewroteslowlythefewfollowinglines:
\"Cosette，Iblessthee。Iamgoingtoexplaintothee。Thyhusband
wasrightingivingmetounderstandthatIoughttogoaway；
butthereisalittleerrorinwhathebelieved，thoughhewasin
theright。Heisexcellent。LovehimwellevenafterIamdead。
MonsieurPontmercy，lovemydarlingchildwell。Cosette，thispaper
willbefound；thisiswhatIwishtosaytothee，thouwiltsee
thefigures，ifIhavethestrengthtorecallthem，listenwell，
thismoneyisreallythine。Hereisthewholematter:Whitejet
comesfromNorway，blackjetcomesfromEngland，blackglassjewellery
comesfromGermany。Jetisthelightest，themostprecious，
themostcostly。ImitationscanbemadeinFranceaswellasinGermany。
Whatisneededisalittleanviltwoinchessquare，andalamp
burningspiritsofwinetosoftenthewax。Thewaxwasformerly
madewithresinandlampblack，andcostfourlivresthepound。
Iinventedawayofmakingitwithgumshellacandturpentine。
Itdoesnotcostmorethanthirtysous，andismuchbetter。
Bucklesaremadewithavioletglasswhichisstuckfast，bymeans
ofthiswax，toalittleframeworkofblackiron。Theglassmust
bevioletforironjewellery，andblackforgoldjewellery。
Spainbuysagreatdealofit。Itisthecountryofjet……\"
Herehepaused，thepenfellfromhisfingers，hewasseizedbyoneof
thosesobswhichattimeswelledupfromtheverydepthsofhisbeing；
thepoormanclaspedhisheadinbothhands，andmeditated。
\"Oh！\"heexclaimedwithinhimself[lamentablecries，heardbyGod
alone]，\"allisover。Ishallneverseehermore。Sheisasmile
whichpassedoverme。Iamabouttoplungeintothenightwithout
evenseeingheragain。Oh！oneminute，oneinstant，tohearhervoice，
totouchherdress，togazeuponher，uponher，theangel！andthen
todie！Itisnothingtodie，whatisfrightfulistodiewithout
seeingher。Shewouldsmileonme，shewouldsayawordtome，
wouldthatdoanyharmtoanyone？No，allisover，andforever。
HereIamallalone。MyGod！MyGod！Ishallneverseeheragain！\"
Atthatmomenttherecameaknockatthedoor。CHAPTERIVABOTTLEOFINKWHICHONLYSUCCEEDEDINWHITENING
Thatsameday，ortospeakmoreaccurately，thatsameevening，asMarius
leftthetable，andwasonthepointofwithdrawingtohisstudy，
havingacasetolookover，Basquehandedhimalettersaying:
\"Thepersonwhowrotetheletterisintheantechamber。\"Cosettehadtakenthegrandfather’sarmandwasstrollinginthegarden。
Aletter，likeaman，mayhaveanunprepossessingexterior。
Coarsepaper，coarselyfolded——theverysightofcertainmissives
isdispleasing。TheletterwhichBasquehadbroughtwasofthissort。
Mariustookit。Itsmelledoftobacco。Nothingevokesamemory
likeanodor。Mariusrecognizedthattobacco。Helookedat
thesuperscription:\"ToMonsieur，MonsieurleBaronPommerci。
Athishotel。\"Therecognitionofthetobaccocausedhimto
recognizethewritingaswell。Itmaybesaidthatamazement
hasitslightningflashes。Mariuswas，asitwere，illuminatedbyoneoftheseflashes。
Thesenseofsmell，thatmysteriousaidtomemory，hadjust
revivedawholeworldwithinhim。Thiswascertainlythepaper，
thefashionoffolding，thedulltintofink；itwascertainly
thewell—knownhandwriting，especiallywasitthesametobacco。TheJondrettegarretrosebeforehismind。
Thus，strangefreakofchance！oneofthetwoscentswhichhehad
sodiligentlysought，theoneinconnectionwithwhichhehadlately
againexertedsomanyeffortsandwhichhesupposedtobeforeverlost，
hadcomeandpresenteditselftohimofitsownaccord。Heeagerlybroketheseal，andread:
\"MonsieurleBaron:——IftheSupremeBeinghadgivenmethetalents，
ImighthavebeenbaronThenard，memberoftheInstitute[academy
ofciences]，butIamnot。Ionlybearthesameashim，happyif
thismemoryrecommendsmetotheeccellenceofyourkindnesses。
Thebenefitwithwhichyouwillhonormewillbereciprocle。
Iaminpossessionofasecretconcerninganindividual。
Thisindividualconcernsyou。Iholdthesecretatyourdisposal
desiringtohavethehonortobehusefultoyou。Iwillfurnish
youwiththesimplemeansofdrivingfromyourhonorabelfamily
thatindividualwhohasnorightthere，madamelabaronnebeing
ofloftybirth。Thesanctuaryofvirtuecannotcohabitlonger
withcrimewithoutabdicating。
Iawateintheentichambertheordersofmonsieurlebaron。
\"Withrespect。\"Theletterwassigned\"Thenard。\"Thissignaturewasnotfalse。Itwasmerelyatrifleabridged。
Moreover，therigmaroleandtheorthographycompletedtherevelation。
Thecertificateoforiginwascomplete。
Marius’emotionwasprofound。Afterastartofsurprise，
heunderwentafeelingofhappiness。Ifhecouldnow
butfindthatothermanofwhomhewasinsearch，theman
whohadsavedhim，Marius，therewouldbenothingleftforhimtodesire。
Heopenedthedrawerofhissecretary，tookoutseveralbank—notes，put
theminhispocket，closedthesecretaryagain，andrangthebell。
Basquehalfopenedthedoor。\"Showthemanin，\"saidMarius。Basqueannounced:\"MonsieurThenard。\"Amanentered。
AfreshsurpriseforMarius。Themanwhoenteredwasanutter
strangertohim。
Thisman，whowasold，moreover，hadathicknose，hischinswathed
inacravat，greenspectacleswithadoublescreenofgreentaffeta
overhiseyes，andhishairwasplasteredandflatteneddownonhis
browonalevelwithhiseyebrowslikethewigsofEnglishcoachmen
in\"highlife。\"Hishairwasgray。Hewasdressedinblackfrom
headtofoot，ingarmentsthatwereverythreadbarebutclean；
abunchofsealsdependingfromhisfobsuggestedtheideaofawatch。
Heheldinhishandanoldhat！Hewalkedinabentattitude，
andthecurveinhisspineaugmentedtheprofundityofhisbow。
Thefirstthingthatstrucktheobserverwas，thatthis
personage’scoat，whichwastooamplealthoughcarefullybuttoned，
hadnotbeenmadeforhim。Hereashortdigressionbecomesnecessary。
TherewasinParisatthatepoch，inalow—livedoldlodging
intheRueBeautreillis，neartheArsenal，aningeniousJewwhose
professionwastochangevillainsintohonestmen。Notfortoolong，
whichmighthaveprovedembarrassingforthevillain。Thechange
wasonsight，foradayortwo，attherateofthirtysousaday，
bymeansofacostumewhichresembledthehonestyoftheworld
ingeneralasnearlyaspossible。Thiscostumerwascalled
\"theChanger\"；thepickpocketsofParishadgivenhimthisname
andknewhimbynoother。Hehadatolerablycompletewardrobe。
Theragswithwhichhetrickedoutpeoplewerealmostprobable。
Hehadspecialtiesandcategories；oneachnailofhisshophung
asocialstatus，threadbareandworn；herethesuitofamagistrate，
theretheoutfitofaCure，beyondtheoutfitofabanker，inone
cornerthecostumeofaretiredmilitaryman，elsewherethehabiliments
ofamanofletters，andfurtheronthedressofastatesman。
Thiscreaturewasthecostumeroftheimmensedramawhichknavery
playsinParis。Hislairwasthegreen—roomwhencetheftemerged，
andintowhichrogueryretreated。Atatteredknavearrivedatthis
dressing—room，depositedhisthirtysousandselected，accordingto
thepartwhichhewishedtoplay，thecostumewhichsuitedhim，
andondescendingthestairsoncemore，theknavewasasomebody。
Onthefollowingday，theclotheswerefaithfullyreturned，
andtheChanger，whotrustedthethieveswitheverything，
wasneverrobbed。Therewasoneinconvenienceabouttheseclothes，
they\"didnotfit\"；nothavingbeenmadeforthosewhoworethem，
theyweretootightforone，toolooseforanotheranddidnotadjust
themselvestoanyone。Everypickpocketwhoexceededorfellshort
ofthehumanaveragewasillathiseaseintheChanger’scostumes。