PREFACE
　　Solongasthereshallexist，byvirtueoflawandcustom，decreesofdamnationpronouncedbysociety，artificiallycreatinghellsamidthecivilizationofearth，andaddingtheelementofhumanfatetodivinedestiny；solongasthethreegreatproblemsofthecentury——
　　thedegradationofmanthroughpauperism，thecorruptionofwomanthroughhunger，thecripplingofchildrenthroughlackoflight——
　　areunsolved；solongassocialasphyxiaispossibleinanypartoftheworld；——inotherwords，andwithastillwidersignificance，solongasignoranceandpovertyexistonearth，booksofthenatureofLesMiserablescannotfailtobeofuse。
　　HAUTEVILLEHOUSE，1862。
　　BOOKFIRST——AJUSTMAN
　　CHAPTERI
　　M。MYRIEL
　　In1815，M。Charles—Francois—BienvenuMyrielwasBishopofD————
　　Hewasanoldmanofaboutseventy—fiveyearsofage；hehadoccupiedtheseeofD————since1806。
　　Althoughthisdetailhasnoconnectionwhateverwiththerealsubstanceofwhatweareabouttorelate，itwillnotbesuperfluous，ifmerelyforthesakeofexactnessinallpoints，tomentionherethevariousrumorsandremarkswhichhadbeenincirculationabouthimfromtheverymomentwhenhearrivedinthediocese。Trueorfalse，thatwhichissaidofmenoftenoccupiesasimportantaplaceintheirlives，andaboveallintheirdestinies，asthatwhichtheydo。
　　M。MyrielwasthesonofacouncilloroftheParliamentofAix；
　　hencehebelongedtothenobilityofthebar。Itwassaidthathisfather，destininghimtobetheheirofhisownpost，hadmarriedhimataveryearlyage，eighteenortwenty，inaccordancewithacustomwhichisratherwidelyprevalentinparliamentaryfamilies。
　　Inspiteofthismarriage，however，itwassaidthatCharlesMyrielcreatedagreatdealoftalk。Hewaswellformed，thoughrathershortinstature，elegant，graceful，intelligent；thewholeofthefirstportionofhislifehadbeendevotedtotheworldandtogallantry。
　　TheRevolutioncame；eventssucceededeachotherwithprecipitation；
　　theparliamentaryfamilies，decimated，pursued，hunteddown，weredispersed。M。CharlesMyrielemigratedtoItalyattheverybeginningoftheRevolution。Therehiswifediedofamaladyofthechest，fromwhichshehadlongsuffered。Hehadnochildren。
　　WhattookplacenextinthefateofM。Myriel？TheruinoftheFrenchsocietyoftheoldendays，thefallofhisownfamily，thetragicspectaclesof’93，whichwere，perhaps，evenmorealarmingtotheemigrantswhoviewedthemfromadistance，withthemagnifyingpowersofterror，——didthesecausetheideasofrenunciationandsolitudetogerminateinhim？Washe，inthemidstofthesedistractions，theseaffectionswhichabsorbedhislife，suddenlysmittenwithoneofthosemysteriousandterribleblowswhichsometimesoverwhelm，bystrikingtohisheart，amanwhompubliccatastropheswouldnotshake，bystrikingathisexistenceandhisfortune？Noonecouldhavetold:allthatwasknownwas，thatwhenhereturnedfromItalyhewasapriest。
　　In1804，M。MyrielwastheCureofB————[Brignolles]。Hewasalreadyadvancedinyears，andlivedinaveryretiredmanner。
　　Abouttheepochofthecoronation，somepettyaffairconnectedwithhiscuracy——justwhat，isnotpreciselyknown——tookhimtoParis。AmongotherpowerfulpersonstowhomhewenttosolicitaidforhisparishionerswasM。leCardinalFesch。Oneday，whentheEmperorhadcometovisithisuncle，theworthyCure，whowaswaitingintheanteroom，foundhimselfpresentwhenHisMajestypassed。Napoleon，onfindinghimselfobservedwithacertaincuriositybythisoldman，turnedroundandsaidabruptly:——
　　"Whoisthisgoodmanwhoisstaringatme？"
　　"Sire，"saidM。Myriel，"youarelookingatagoodman，andI
　　atagreatman。Eachofuscanprofitbyit。"
　　Thatveryevening，theEmperoraskedtheCardinalthenameoftheCure，andsometimeafterwardsM。MyrielwasutterlyastonishedtolearnthathehadbeenappointedBishopofD————
　　Whattruthwasthere，afterall，inthestorieswhichwereinventedastotheearlyportionofM。Myriel’slife？Nooneknew。
　　VeryfewfamilieshadbeenacquaintedwiththeMyrielfamilybeforetheRevolution。
　　M。Myrielhadtoundergothefateofeverynewcomerinalittletown，wheretherearemanymouthswhichtalk，andveryfewheadswhichthink。
　　Hewasobligedtoundergoitalthoughhewasabishop，andbecausehewasabishop。Butafterall，therumorswithwhichhisnamewasconnectedwererumorsonly，——noise，sayings，words；lessthanwords——
　　palabres，astheenergeticlanguageoftheSouthexpressesit。
　　Howeverthatmaybe，afternineyearsofepiscopalpowerandofresidenceinD————，allthestoriesandsubjectsofconversationwhichengrosspettytownsandpettypeopleattheoutsethadfallenintoprofoundoblivion。Noonewouldhavedaredtomentionthem；
　　noonewouldhavedaredtorecallthem。
　　M。MyrielhadarrivedatD————accompaniedbyanelderlyspinster，MademoiselleBaptistine，whowashissister，andtenyearshisjunior。
　　TheironlydomesticwasafemaleservantofthesameageasMademoiselleBaptistine，andnamedMadameMagloire，who，afterhavingbeentheservantofM。leCure，nowassumedthedoubletitleofmaidtoMademoiselleandhousekeepertoMonseigneur。
　　MademoiselleBaptistinewasalong，pale，thin，gentlecreature；
　　sherealizedtheidealexpressedbytheword"respectable"；foritseemsthatawomanmustneedsbeamotherinordertobevenerable。
　　Shehadneverbeenpretty；herwholelife，whichhadbeennothingbutasuccessionofholydeeds，hadfinallyconferreduponherasortofpallorandtransparency；andassheadvancedinyearsshehadacquiredwhatmaybecalledthebeautyofgoodness。
　　Whathadbeenleannessinheryouthhadbecometransparencyinhermaturity；andthisdiaphaneityallowedtheangeltobeseen。
　　Shewasasoulratherthanavirgin。Herpersonseemedmadeofashadow；therewashardlysufficientbodytoprovideforsex；
　　alittlematterenclosingalight；largeeyesforeverdrooping；——
　　amerepretextforasoul’sremainingontheearth。
　　MadameMagloirewasalittle，fat，whiteoldwoman，corpulentandbustling；alwaysoutofbreath，——inthefirstplace，becauseofheractivity，andinthenext，becauseofherasthma。
　　Onhisarrival，M。MyrielwasinstalledintheepiscopalpalacewiththehonorsrequiredbytheImperialdecrees，whichclassabishopimmediatelyafteramajor—general。Themayorandthepresidentpaidthefirstcallonhim，andhe，inturn，paidthefirstcallonthegeneralandtheprefect。
　　Theinstallationover，thetownwaitedtoseeitsbishopatwork。
　　CHAPTERII
　　M。MYRIELBECOMESM。WELCOME
　　TheepiscopalpalaceofD————adjoinsthehospital。
　　Theepiscopalpalacewasahugeandbeautifulhouse，builtofstoneatthebeginningofthelastcenturybyM。HenriPuget，DoctorofTheologyoftheFacultyofParis，AbbeofSimore，whohadbeenBishopofD————in1712。Thispalacewasagenuineseignorialresidence。
　　Everythingaboutithadagrandair，——theapartmentsoftheBishop，thedrawing—rooms，thechambers，theprincipalcourtyard，whichwasverylarge，withwalksencirclingitunderarcadesintheoldFlorentinefashion，andgardensplantedwithmagnificenttrees。
　　Inthedining—room，alongandsuperbgallerywhichwassituatedontheground—floorandopenedonthegardens，M。HenriPugethadentertainedinstate，onJuly29，1714，MyLordsCharlesBrulartdeGenlis，archbishop；Princed’Embrun；AntoinedeMesgrigny，thecapuchin，BishopofGrasse；PhilippedeVendome，GrandPriorofFrance，AbbeofSaintHonoredeLerins；FrancoisdeBertondeCrillon，bishop，BarondeVence；CesardeSabrandeForcalquier，bishop，SeignorofGlandeve；andJeanSoanen，PriestoftheOratory，preacherinordinarytotheking，bishop，SeignorofSenez。
　　Theportraitsofthesesevenreverendpersonagesdecoratedthisapartment；
　　andthismemorabledate，the29thofJuly，1714，wasthereengravedinlettersofgoldonatableofwhitemarble。
　　Thehospitalwasalowandnarrowbuildingofasinglestory，withasmallgarden。
　　Threedaysafterhisarrival，theBishopvisitedthehospital。
　　Thevisitended，hehadthedirectorrequestedtobesogoodastocometohishouse。
　　"Monsieurthedirectorofthehospital，"saidhetohim，"howmanysickpeoplehaveyouatthepresentmoment？"
　　"Twenty—six，Monseigneur。"
　　"ThatwasthenumberwhichIcounted，"saidtheBishop。
　　"Thebeds，"pursuedthedirector，"areverymuchcrowdedagainsteachother。"
　　"ThatiswhatIobserved。"
　　"Thehallsarenothingbutrooms，anditiswithdifficultythattheaircanbechangedinthem。"
　　"Soitseemstome。"
　　"Andthen，whenthereisarayofsun，thegardenisverysmallfortheconvalescents。"
　　"ThatwaswhatIsaidtomyself。"
　　"Incaseofepidemics，——wehavehadthetyphusfeverthisyear；
　　wehadthesweatingsicknesstwoyearsago，andahundredpatientsattimes，——weknownotwhattodo。"
　　"Thatisthethoughtwhichoccurredtome。"
　　"Whatwouldyouhave，Monseigneur？"saidthedirector。"Onemustresignone’sself。"
　　Thisconversationtookplaceinthegallerydining—roomontheground—floor。
　　TheBishopremainedsilentforamoment；thenheturnedabruptlytothedirectorofthehospital。
　　"Monsieur，"saidhe，"howmanybedsdoyouthinkthishallalonewouldhold？"
　　"Monseigneur’sdining—room？"exclaimedthestupefieddirector。
　　TheBishopcastaglanceroundtheapartment，andseemedtobetakingmeasuresandcalculationswithhiseyes。
　　"Itwouldholdfulltwentybeds，"saidhe，asthoughspeakingtohimself。Then，raisinghisvoice:——
　　"Hold，Monsieurthedirectorofthehospital，Iwilltellyousomething。
　　Thereisevidentlyamistakehere。Therearethirty—sixofyou，infiveorsixsmallrooms。Therearethreeofushere，andwehaveroomforsixty。Thereissomemistake，Itellyou；
　　youhavemyhouse，andIhaveyours。Givemebackmyhouse；
　　youareathomehere。"
　　Onthefollowingdaythethirty—sixpatientswereinstalledintheBishop’spalace，andtheBishopwassettledinthehospital。
　　M。Myrielhadnoproperty，hisfamilyhavingbeenruinedbytheRevolution。Hissisterwasinreceiptofayearlyincomeoffivehundredfrancs，whichsufficedforherpersonalwantsatthevicarage。M。MyrielreceivedfromtheState，inhisqualityofbishop，asalaryoffifteenthousandfrancs。Ontheverydaywhenhetookuphisabodeinthehospital，M。Myrielsettledonthedispositionofthissumonceforall，inthefollowingmanner。
　　Wetranscribehereanotemadebyhisownhand:——
　　NOTEONTHEREGULATIONOFMYHOUSEHOLDEXPENSES。
　　Forthelittleseminary……1，500livresSocietyofthemission……100"
　　FortheLazaristsofMontdidier……100"
　　SeminaryforforeignmissionsinParis……200"
　　CongregationoftheHolySpirit……150"
　　ReligiousestablishmentsoftheHolyLand……100"
　　Charitablematernitysocieties……300"
　　Extra，forthatofArles……50"
　　Workfortheameliorationofprisons……400"
　　Workforthereliefanddeliveryofprisoners……500"
　　Toliberatefathersoffamiliesincarceratedfordebt1，000"
　　Additiontothesalaryofthepoorteachersofthediocese……2，000"
　　PublicgranaryoftheHautes—Alpes……100"
　　CongregationoftheladiesofD————，ofManosque，andofSisteron，forthegratuitousinstructionofpoorgirls……1，500"
　　Forthepoor……6，000"
　　Mypersonalexpenses……1，000"
　　——————
　　Total……15，000"
　　M。MyrielmadenochangeinthisarrangementduringtheentireperiodthatheoccupiedtheseeofD————Ashasbeenseen，hecalleditregulatinghishouseholdexpenses。
　　ThisarrangementwasacceptedwithabsolutesubmissionbyMademoiselleBaptistine。ThisholywomanregardedMonseigneurofD————
　　asatoneandthesametimeherbrotherandherbishop，herfriendaccordingtothefleshandhersuperioraccordingtotheChurch。
　　Shesimplylovedandveneratedhim。Whenhespoke，shebowed；
　　whenheacted，sheyieldedheradherence。Theironlyservant，MadameMagloire，grumbledalittle。ItwillbeobservedthatMonsieurtheBishophadreservedforhimselfonlyonethousandlivres，which，addedtothepensionofMademoiselleBaptistine，madefifteenhundredfrancsayear。Onthesefifteenhundredfrancsthesetwooldwomenandtheoldmansubsisted。
　　AndwhenavillagecuratecametoD————，theBishopstillfoundmeanstoentertainhim，thankstothesevereeconomyofMadameMagloire，andtotheintelligentadministrationofMademoiselleBaptistine。
　　Oneday，afterhehadbeeninD————aboutthreemonths，theBishopsaid:——
　　"AndstillIamquitecrampedwithitall！"
　　"Ishouldthinkso！"exclaimedMadameMagloire。"Monseigneurhasnotevenclaimedtheallowancewhichthedepartmentoweshimfortheexpenseofhiscarriageintown，andforhisjourneysaboutthediocese。Itwascustomaryforbishopsinformerdays。"
　　"Hold！"criedtheBishop，"youarequiteright，MadameMagloire。"
　　Andhemadehisdemand。
　　SometimeafterwardstheGeneralCounciltookthisdemandunderconsideration，andvotedhimanannualsumofthreethousandfrancs，underthisheading:AllowancetoM。theBishopforexpensesofcarriage，expensesofposting，andexpensesofpastoralvisits。
　　Thisprovokedagreatoutcryamongthelocalburgesses；
　　andasenatoroftheEmpire，aformermemberoftheCounciloftheFiveHundredwhichfavoredthe18Brumaire，andwhowasprovidedwithamagnificentsenatorialofficeinthevicinityofthetownofD————，wrotetoM。BigotdePreameneu，theministerofpublicworship，averyangryandconfidentialnoteonthesubject，fromwhichweextracttheseauthenticlines:——
　　"Expensesofcarriage？Whatcanbedonewithitinatownoflessthanfourthousandinhabitants？Expensesofjourneys？Whatistheuseofthesetrips，inthefirstplace？Next，howcanthepostingbeaccomplishedinthesemountainousparts？Therearenoroads。
　　Noonetravelsotherwisethanonhorseback。EventhebridgebetweenDuranceandChateau—Arnouxcanbarelysupportox—teams。
　　Thesepriestsareallthus，greedyandavaricious。Thismanplayedthegoodpriestwhenhefirstcame。Nowhedoesliketherest；
　　hemusthaveacarriageandaposting—chaise，hemusthaveluxuries，likethebishopsoftheoldendays。Oh，allthispriesthood！
　　Thingswillnotgowell，M。leComte，untiltheEmperorhasfreedusfromtheseblack—cappedrascals。DownwiththePope！[MattersweregettingembroiledwithRome。]Formypart，IamforCaesaralone。"
　　Etc。，etc。
　　Ontheotherhand，thisaffairaffordedgreatdelighttoMadameMagloire。
　　"Good，"saidshetoMademoiselleBaptistine；"Monseigneurbeganwithotherpeople，buthehashadtowindupwithhimself，afterall。
　　Hehasregulatedallhischarities。Nowherearethreethousandfrancsforus！Atlast！"
　　ThatsameeveningtheBishopwroteoutandhandedtohissisteramemorandumconceivedinthefollowingterms:——
　　EXPENSESOFCARRIAGEANDCIRCUIT。
　　Forfurnishingmeatsouptothepatientsinthehospital。1，500livresForthematernitycharitablesocietyofAix……250"
　　ForthematernitycharitablesocietyofDraguignan……250"
　　Forfoundlings……500"
　　Fororphans……500"
　　—————
　　Total……3，000"
　　SuchwasM。Myriel’sbudget。
　　Asforthechanceepiscopalperquisites，thefeesformarriagebans，dispensations，privatebaptisms，sermons，benedictions，ofchurchesorchapels，marriages，etc。，theBishopleviedthemonthewealthywithallthemoreasperity，sincehebestowedthemontheneedy。
　　Afteratime，offeringsofmoneyflowedin。ThosewhohadandthosewholackedknockedatM。Myriel’sdoor，——thelatterinsearchofthealmswhichtheformercametodeposit。InlessthanayeartheBishophadbecomethetreasurerofallbenevolenceandthecashierofallthoseindistress。Considerablesumsofmoneypassedthroughhishands，butnothingcouldinducehimtomakeanychangewhateverinhismodeoflife，oraddanythingsuperfluoustohisbarenecessities。
　　Farfromit。Asthereisalwaysmorewretchednessbelowthanthereisbrotherhoodabove，allwasgivenaway，sotospeak，beforeitwasreceived。Itwaslikewaterondrysoil；nomatterhowmuchmoneyhereceived，heneverhadany。Thenhestrippedhimself。
　　Theusagebeingthatbishopsshallannouncetheirbaptismalnamesattheheadoftheirchargesandtheirpastoralletters，thepoorpeopleofthecountry—sidehadselected，withasortofaffectionateinstinct，amongthenamesandprenomensoftheirbishop，thatwhichhadameaningforthem；andtheynevercalledhimanythingexceptMonseigneurBienvenu[Welcome]。Wewillfollowtheirexample，andwillalsocallhimthuswhenwehaveoccasiontonamehim。Moreover，thisappellationpleasedhim。
　　"Ilikethatname，"saidhe。"BienvenumakesupfortheMonseigneur。"
　　Wedonotclaimthattheportraitherewithpresentedisprobable；
　　weconfineourselvestostatingthatitresemblestheoriginal。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　AHARDBISHOPRICFORAGOODBISHOP
　　TheBishopdidnotomithispastoralvisitsbecausehehadconvertedhiscarriageintoalms。ThedioceseofD————isafatiguingone。
　　Thereareveryfewplainsandagreatmanymountains；hardlyanyroads，aswehavejustseen；thirty—twocuracies，forty—onevicarships，andtwohundredandeighty—fiveauxiliarychapels。Tovisitalltheseisquiteatask。
　　TheBishopmanagedtodoit。Hewentonfootwhenitwasintheneighborhood，inatiltedspring—cartwhenitwasontheplain，andonadonkeyinthemountains。Thetwooldwomenaccompaniedhim。
　　Whenthetripwastoohardforthem，hewentalone。
　　OnedayhearrivedatSenez，whichisanancientepiscopalcity。
　　Hewasmountedonanass。Hispurse，whichwasverydryatthatmoment，didnotpermithimanyotherequipage。Themayorofthetowncametoreceivehimatthegateofthetown，andwatchedhimdismountfromhisass，withscandalizedeyes。Someofthecitizenswerelaughingaroundhim。"MonsieurtheMayor，"saidtheBishop，"andMessieursCitizens，IperceivethatIshockyou。YouthinkitveryarrogantinapoorpriesttorideananimalwhichwasusedbyJesusChrist。Ihavedonesofromnecessity，Iassureyou，andnotfromvanity。"
　　Inthecourseofthesetripshewaskindandindulgent，andtalkedratherthanpreached。Heneverwentfarinsearchofhisargumentsandhisexamples。Hequotedtotheinhabitantsofonedistricttheexampleofaneighboringdistrict。Inthecantonswheretheywereharshtothepoor，hesaid:"LookatthepeopleofBriancon！
　　Theyhaveconferredonthepoor，onwidowsandorphans，therighttohavetheirmeadowsmownthreedaysinadvanceofeveryoneelse。
　　Theyrebuildtheirhousesforthemgratuitouslywhentheyareruined。
　　ThereforeitisacountrywhichisblessedbyGod。Forawholecentury，therehasnotbeenasinglemurdereramongthem。"
　　Invillageswhichweregreedyforprofitandharvest，hesaid:
　　"LookatthepeopleofEmbrun！If，attheharvestseason，thefatherofafamilyhashissonawayonserviceinthearmy，andhisdaughtersatserviceinthetown，andifheisillandincapacitated，thecurerecommendshimtotheprayersofthecongregation；andonSunday，afterthemass，alltheinhabitantsofthevillage——men，women，andchildren——gotothepoorman’sfieldanddohisharvestingforhim，andcarryhisstrawandhisgraintohisgranary。"
　　Tofamiliesdividedbyquestionsofmoneyandinheritancehesaid:
　　"LookatthemountaineersofDevolny，acountrysowildthatthenightingaleisnotheardthereonceinfiftyyears。Well，whenthefatherofafamilydies，theboysgoofftoseektheirfortunes，leavingthepropertytothegirls，sothattheymayfindhusbands。"
　　Tothecantonswhichhadatasteforlawsuits，andwherethefarmersruinedthemselvesinstampedpaper，hesaid:"LookatthosegoodpeasantsinthevalleyofQueyras！Therearethreethousandsoulsofthem。
　　MonDieu！itislikealittlerepublic。Neitherjudgenorbailiffisknownthere。Themayordoeseverything。Heallotstheimposts，taxeseachpersonconscientiously，judgesquarrelsfornothing，dividesinheritanceswithoutcharge，pronouncessentencesgratuitously；
　　andheisobeyed，becauseheisajustmanamongsimplemen。"
　　Tovillageswherehefoundnoschoolmaster，hequotedoncemorethepeopleofQueyras:"Doyouknowhowtheymanage？"hesaid。"Sincealittlecountryofadozenorfifteenhearthscannotalwayssupportateacher，theyhaveschool—masterswhoarepaidbythewholevalley，whomaketheroundofthevillages，spendingaweekinthisone，tendaysinthat，andinstructthem。Theseteachersgotothefairs。
　　Ihaveseenthemthere。Theyaretoberecognizedbythequillpenswhichtheywearinthecordoftheirhat。Thosewhoteachreadingonlyhaveonepen；thosewhoteachreadingandreckoninghavetwopens；thosewhoteachreading，reckoning，andLatinhavethreepens。Butwhatadisgracetobeignorant！DolikethepeopleofQueyras！"
　　Thushediscoursedgravelyandpaternally；indefaultofexamples，heinventedparables，goingdirectlytothepoint，withfewphrasesandmanyimages，whichcharacteristicformedtherealeloquenceofJesusChrist。Andbeingconvincedhimself，hewaspersuasive。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　WORKSCORRESPONDINGTOWORDS
　　Hisconversationwasgayandaffable。Heputhimselfonalevelwiththetwooldwomenwhohadpassedtheirlivesbesidehim。
　　Whenhelaughed，itwasthelaughofaschoolboy。MadameMagloirelikedtocallhimYourGrace[VotreGrandeur]。Onedayherosefromhisarm—chair，andwenttohislibraryinsearchofabook。
　　Thisbookwasononeoftheuppershelves。Asthebishopwasrathershortofstature，hecouldnotreachit。"MadameMagloire，"saidhe，"fetchmeachair。Mygreatness[grandeur]doesnotreachasfarasthatshelf。"
　　Oneofhisdistantrelatives，MadamelaComtessedeLo，rarelyallowedanopportunitytoescapeofenumerating，inhispresence，whatshedesignatedas"theexpectations"ofherthreesons。
　　Shehadnumerousrelatives，whowereveryoldandneartodeath，andofwhomhersonswerethenaturalheirs。Theyoungestofthethreewastoreceivefromagrand—auntagoodhundredthousandlivresofincome；thesecondwastheheirbyentailtothetitleoftheDuke，hisuncle；theeldestwastosucceedtothepeerageofhisgrandfather。TheBishopwasaccustomedtolisteninsilencetotheseinnocentandpardonablematernalboasts。Ononeoccasion，however，heappearedtobemorethoughtfulthanusual，whileMadamedeLowasrelatingonceagainthedetailsofalltheseinheritancesandallthese"expectations。"Sheinterruptedherselfimpatiently:
　　"MonDieu，cousin！Whatareyouthinkingabout？""Iamthinking，"
　　repliedtheBishop，"ofasingularremark，whichistobefound，Ibelieve，inSt。Augustine，——`Placeyourhopesinthemanfromwhomyoudonotinherit。’"
　　Atanothertime，onreceivinganotificationofthedeceaseofagentlemanofthecountry—side，whereinnotonlythedignitiesofthedeadman，butalsothefeudalandnoblequalificationsofallhisrelatives，spreadoveranentirepage:"WhatastoutbackDeathhas！"heexclaimed。"Whatastrangeburdenoftitlesischeerfullyimposedonhim，andhowmuchwitmustmenhave，inorderthustopressthetombintotheserviceofvanity！"
　　Hewasgifted，onoccasion，withagentleraillery，whichalmostalwaysconcealedaseriousmeaning。InthecourseofoneLent，ayouthfulvicarcametoD————，andpreachedinthecathedral。
　　Hewastolerablyeloquent。Thesubjectofhissermonwascharity。
　　Heurgedtherichtogivetothepoor，inordertoavoidhell，whichhedepictedinthemostfrightfulmannerofwhichhewascapable，andtowinparadise，whichherepresentedascharminganddesirable。
　　Amongtheaudiencetherewasawealthyretiredmerchant，whowassomewhatofausurer，namedM。Geborand，whohadamassedtwomillionsinthemanufactureofcoarsecloth，serges，andwoollengalloons。
　　NeverinhiswholelifehadM。Geborandbestowedalmsonanypoorwretch。
　　Afterthedeliveryofthatsermon，itwasobservedthathegaveasoueverySundaytothepooroldbeggar—womenatthedoorofthecathedral。
　　Thereweresixofthemtoshareit。OnedaytheBishopcaughtsightofhimintheactofbestowingthischarity，andsaidtohissister，withasmile，"ThereisM。Geborandpurchasingparadiseforasou。"
　　Whenitwasaquestionofcharity，hewasnottoberebuffedevenbyarefusal，andonsuchoccasionshegaveutterancetoremarkswhichinducedreflection。Oncehewasbeggingforthepoorinadrawing—roomofthetown；therewaspresenttheMarquisdeChamptercier，awealthyandavariciousoldman，whocontrivedtobe，atoneandthesametime，anultra—royalistandanultra—Voltairian。Thisvarietyofmanhasactuallyexisted。WhentheBishopcametohim，hetouchedhisarm，"Youmustgivemesomething，M。leMarquis。"
　　TheMarquisturnedroundandanswereddryly，"Ihavepoorpeopleofmyown，Monseigneur。""Givethemtome，"repliedtheBishop。
　　Onedayhepreachedthefollowingsermoninthecathedral:——
　　"Myverydearbrethren，mygoodfriends，therearethirteenhundredandtwentythousandpeasants’dwellingsinFrancewhichhavebutthreeopenings；eighteenhundredandseventeenthousandhovelswhichhavebuttwoopenings，thedoorandonewindow；andthreehundredandforty—sixthousandcabinsbesideswhichhavebutoneopening，thedoor。Andthisarisesfromathingwhichiscalledthetaxondoorsandwindows。Justputpoorfamilies，oldwomenandlittlechildren，inthosebuildings，andbeholdthefeversandmaladieswhichresult！Alas！Godgivesairtomen；thelawsellsittothem。
　　Idonotblamethelaw，butIblessGod。InthedepartmentoftheIsere，intheVar，inthetwodepartmentsoftheAlpes，theHautes，andtheBasses，thepeasantshavenotevenwheelbarrows；
　　theytransporttheirmanureonthebacksofmen；theyhavenocandles，andtheyburnresinoussticks，andbitsofropedippedinpitch。
　　ThatisthestateofaffairsthroughoutthewholeofthehillycountryofDauphine。Theymakebreadforsixmonthsatonetime；
　　theybakeitwithdriedcow—dung。Inthewintertheybreakthisbreadupwithanaxe，andtheysoakitfortwenty—fourhours，inordertorenderiteatable。Mybrethren，havepity！beholdthesufferingonallsidesofyou！"
　　BornaProvencal，heeasilyfamiliarizedhimselfwiththedialectofthesouth。Hesaid，"Enbe！moussu，sessage？"asinlowerLanguedoc；
　　"Onteanaraspassa？"asintheBasses—Alpes；"Puerteunbouenmoutuembeunbouenfromagegrase，"asinupperDauphine。Thispleasedthepeopleextremely，andcontributednotalittletowinhimaccesstoallspirits。Hewasperfectlyathomeinthethatchedcottageandinthemountains。Heunderstoodhowtosaythegrandestthingsinthemostvulgarofidioms。Ashespokealltongues，heenteredintoallhearts。
　　Moreover，hewasthesametowardspeopleoftheworldandtowardsthelowerclasses。Hecondemnednothinginhasteandwithouttakingcircumstancesintoaccount。Hesaid，"Examinetheroadoverwhichthefaulthaspassed。"
　　Being，ashedescribedhimselfwithasmile，anex—sinner，hehadnoneoftheasperitiesofausterity，andheprofessed，withagooddealofdistinctness，andwithoutthefrownoftheferociouslyvirtuous，adoctrinewhichmaybesummedupasfollows:——
　　"Manhasuponhimhisflesh，whichisatoncehisburdenandhistemptation。Hedragsitwithhimandyieldstoit。
　　Hemustwatchit，cheekit，repressit，andobeyitonlyatthelastextremity。Theremaybesomefaulteveninthisobedience；
　　butthefaultthuscommittedisvenial；itisafall，butafallonthekneeswhichmayterminateinprayer。
　　"Tobeasaintistheexception；tobeanuprightmanistherule。
　　Err，fall，sinifyouwill，butbeupright。
　　"Theleastpossiblesinisthelawofman。Nosinatallisthedreamoftheangel。Allwhichisterrestrialissubjecttosin。
　　Sinisagravitation。"
　　Whenhesaweveryoneexclaimingveryloudly，andgrowingangryveryquickly，"Oh！oh！"hesaid，withasmile；"toallappearance，thisisagreatcrimewhichalltheworldcommits。Thesearehypocrisieswhichhavetakenfright，andareinhastetomakeprotestandtoputthemselvesundershelter。"
　　Hewasindulgenttowardswomenandpoorpeople，onwhomtheburdenofhumansocietyrest。Hesaid，"Thefaultsofwomen，ofchildren，ofthefeeble，theindigent，andtheignorant，arethefaultofthehusbands，thefathers，themasters，thestrong，therich，andthewise。"
　　Hesaid，moreover，"Teachthosewhoareignorantasmanythingsaspossible；societyisculpable，inthatitdoesnotaffordinstructiongratis；itisresponsibleforthenightwhichitproduces。
　　Thissoulisfullofshadow；sinisthereincommitted。Theguiltyoneisnotthepersonwhohascommittedthesin，butthepersonwhohascreatedtheshadow。"
　　Itwillbeperceivedthathehadapeculiarmannerofhisownofjudgingthings:IsuspectthatheobtaineditfromtheGospel。
　　Onedayheheardacriminalcase，whichwasinpreparationandonthepointoftrial，discussedinadrawing—room。Awretchedman，beingattheendofhisresources，hadcoinedcounterfeitmoney，outofloveforawoman，andforthechildwhichhehadhadbyher。
　　Counterfeitingwasstillpunishablewithdeathatthatepoch。
　　Thewomanhadbeenarrestedintheactofpassingthefirstfalsepiecemadebytheman。Shewasheld，buttherewerenoproofsexceptagainsther。Shealonecouldaccuseherlover，anddestroyhimbyherconfession。Shedenied；theyinsisted。Shepersistedinherdenial。Thereuponanideaoccurredtotheattorneyforthecrown。
　　Heinventedaninfidelityonthepartofthelover，andsucceeded，bymeansoffragmentsofletterscunninglypresented，inpersuadingtheunfortunatewomanthatshehadarival，andthatthemanwasdeceivingher。Thereupon，exasperatedbyjealousy，shedenouncedherlover，confessedall，provedall。
　　Themanwasruined。HewasshortlytobetriedatAixwithhisaccomplice。Theywererelatingthematter，andeachonewasexpressingenthusiasmovertheclevernessofthemagistrate。
　　Bybringingjealousyintoplay，hehadcausedthetruthtoburstforthinwrath，hehadeducedthejusticeofrevenge。TheBishoplistenedtoallthisinsilence。Whentheyhadfinished，heinquired，——
　　"Wherearethismanandwomantobetried？"
　　"AttheCourtofAssizes。"
　　Hewenton，"Andwherewilltheadvocateofthecrownbetried？"
　　AtragiceventoccurredatD————Amanwascondemnedtodeathformurder。Hewasawretchedfellow，notexactlyeducated，notexactlyignorant，whohadbeenamountebankatfairs，andawriterforthepublic。Thetowntookagreatinterestinthetrial。
　　Ontheeveofthedayfixedfortheexecutionofthecondemnedman，thechaplainoftheprisonfellill。Apriestwasneededtoattendthecriminalinhislastmoments。Theysentforthecure。
　　Itseemsthatherefusedtocome，saying，"Thatisnoaffairofmine。Ihavenothingtodowiththatunpleasanttask，andwiththatmountebank:I，too，amill；andbesides，itisnotmyplace。"
　　ThisreplywasreportedtotheBishop，whosaid，"MonsieurleCureisright:itisnothisplace；itismine。"
　　Hewentinstantlytotheprison，descendedtothecellofthe"mountebank，"calledhimbyname，tookhimbythehand，andspoketohim。
　　Hepassedtheentiredaywithhim，forgetfuloffoodandsleep，prayingtoGodforthesoulofthecondemnedman，andprayingthecondemnedmanforhisown。Hetoldhimthebesttruths，whicharealsothemostsimple。Hewasfather，brother，friend；hewasbishoponlytobless。Hetaughthimeverything，encouragedandconsoledhim。
　　Themanwasonthepointofdyingindespair。Deathwasanabysstohim。
　　Ashestoodtremblingonitsmournfulbrink，herecoiledwithhorror。
　　Hewasnotsufficientlyignoranttobeabsolutelyindifferent。
　　Hiscondemnation，whichhadbeenaprofoundshock，had，inamanner，brokenthrough，hereandthere，thatwallwhichseparatesusfromthemysteryofthings，andwhichwecalllife。Hegazedincessantlybeyondthisworldthroughthesefatalbreaches，andbeheldonlydarkness。TheBishopmadehimseelight。
　　Onthefollowingday，whentheycametofetchtheunhappywretch，theBishopwasstillthere。Hefollowedhim，andexhibitedhimselftotheeyesofthecrowdinhispurplecamailandwithhisepiscopalcrossuponhisneck，sidebysidewiththecriminalboundwithcords。
　　Hemountedthetumbrilwithhim，hemountedthescaffoldwithhim。
　　Thesufferer，whohadbeensogloomyandcastdownontheprecedingday，wasradiant。Hefeltthathissoulwasreconciled，andhehopedinGod。TheBishopembracedhim，andatthemomentwhentheknifewasabouttofall，hesaidtohim:"Godraisesfromthedeadhimwhommanslays；hewhomhisbrothershaverejectedfindshisFatheroncemore。Pray，believe，enterintolife:theFatheristhere。"
　　Whenhedescendedfromthescaffold，therewassomethinginhislookwhichmadethepeopledrawasidetolethimpass。Theydidnotknowwhichwasmostworthyofadmiration，hispallororhisserenity。
　　Onhisreturntothehumbledwelling，whichhedesignated，withasmile，ashispalace，hesaidtohissister，"Ihavejustofficiatedpontifically。"
　　Sincethemostsublimethingsareoftenthosewhicharetheleastunderstood，therewerepeopleinthetownwhosaid，whencommentingonthisconductoftheBishop，"Itisaffectation。"
　　This，however，wasaremarkwhichwasconfinedtothedrawing—rooms。
　　Thepopulace，whichperceivesnojestinholydeeds，wastouched，andadmiredhim。
　　AsfortheBishop，itwasashocktohimtohavebeheldtheguillotine，anditwasalongtimebeforeherecoveredfromit。
　　Infact，whenthescaffoldisthere，allerectedandprepared，ithassomethingaboutitwhichproduceshallucination。
　　Onemayfeelacertainindifferencetothedeathpenalty，onemayrefrainfrompronouncinguponit，fromsayingyesorno，solongasonehasnotseenaguillotinewithone’sowneyes:
　　butifoneencountersoneofthem，theshockisviolent；
　　oneisforcedtodecide，andtotakepartfororagainst。
　　Someadmireit，likedeMaistre；othersexecrateit，likeBeccaria。
　　Theguillotineistheconcretionofthelaw；itiscalledvindicte；
　　itisnotneutral，anditdoesnotpermityoutoremainneutral。
　　Hewhoseesitshiverswiththemostmysteriousofshivers。
　　Allsocialproblemserecttheirinterrogationpointaroundthischopping—knife。Thescaffoldisavision。Thescaffoldisnotapieceofcarpentry；thescaffoldisnotamachine；
　　thescaffoldisnotaninertbitofmechanismconstructedofwood，ironandcords。
　　Itseemsasthoughitwereabeing，possessedofIknownotwhatsombreinitiative；onewouldsaythatthispieceofcarpenter’sworksaw，thatthismachineheard，thatthismechanismunderstood，thatthiswood，thisiron，andthesecordswerepossessedofwill。
　　Inthefrightfulmeditationintowhichitspresencecaststhesoulthescaffoldappearsinterribleguise，andasthoughtakingpartinwhatisgoingon。Thescaffoldistheaccompliceoftheexecutioner；
　　itdevours，iteatsflesh，itdrinksblood；thescaffoldisasortofmonsterfabricatedbythejudgeandthecarpenter，aspectrewhichseemstolivewithahorriblevitalitycomposedofallthedeathwhichithasinflicted。
　　Therefore，theimpressionwasterribleandprofound；onthedayfollowingtheexecution，andonmanysucceedingdays，theBishopappearedtobecrushed。Thealmostviolentserenityofthefunerealmomenthaddisappeared；thephantomofsocialjusticetormentedhim。He，whogenerallyreturnedfromallhisdeedswitharadiantsatisfaction，seemedtobereproachinghimself。
　　Attimeshetalkedtohimself，andstammeredlugubriousmonologuesinalowvoice。Thisisonewhichhissisteroverheardoneeveningandpreserved:"Ididnotthinkthatitwassomonstrous。
　　Itiswrongtobecomeabsorbedinthedivinelawtosuchadegreeasnottoperceivehumanlaw。DeathbelongstoGodalone。
　　Bywhatrightdomentouchthatunknownthing？"
　　Incourseoftimetheseimpressionsweakenedandprobablyvanished。
　　Nevertheless，itwasobservedthattheBishopthenceforthavoidedpassingtheplaceofexecution。
　　M。Myrielcouldbesummonedatanyhourtothebedsideofthesickanddying。Hedidnotignorethefactthatthereinlayhisgreatestdutyandhisgreatestlabor。Widowedandorphanedfamilieshadnoneedtosummonhim；hecameofhisownaccord。Heunderstoodhowtositdownandholdhispeaceforlonghoursbesidethemanwhohadlostthewifeofhislove，ofthemotherwhohadlostherchild。Asheknewthemomentforsilenceheknewalsothemomentforspeech。Oh，admirableconsoler！Hesoughtnottoeffacesorrowbyforgetfulness，buttomagnifyanddignifyitbyhope。Hesaid:——
　　"Haveacareofthemannerinwhichyouturntowardsthedead。
　　Thinknotofthatwhichperishes。Gazesteadily。Youwillperceivethelivinglightofyourwell—beloveddeadinthedepthsofheaven。"
　　Heknewthatfaithiswholesome。Hesoughttocounselandcalmthedespairingman，bypointingouttohimtheresignedman，andtotransformthegriefwhichgazesuponagravebyshowinghimthegriefwhichfixesitsgazeuponastar。
　　CHAPTERV
　　MONSEIGNEURBIENVENUMADEHISCASSOCKSLASTTOOLONG
　　TheprivatelifeofM。Myrielwasfilledwiththesamethoughtsashispubliclife。ThevoluntarypovertyinwhichtheBishopofD————lived，wouldhavebeenasolemnandcharmingsightforanyonewhocouldhavevieweditcloseathand。
　　Likealloldmen，andlikethemajorityofthinkers，hesleptlittle。
　　Thisbriefslumberwasprofound。Inthemorninghemeditatedforanhour，thenhesaidhismass，eitheratthecathedralorinhisownhouse。
　　Hismasssaid，hebrokehisfastonryebreaddippedinthemilkofhisowncows。Thenhesettowork。
　　ABishopisaverybusyman:hemusteverydayreceivethesecretaryofthebishopric，whoisgenerallyacanon，andnearlyeverydayhisvicars—general。Hehascongregationstoreprove，privilegestogrant，awholeecclesiasticallibrarytoexamine，——
　　prayer—books，diocesancatechisms，booksofhours，etc。，——chargestowrite，sermonstoauthorize，curesandmayorstoreconcile，aclericalcorrespondence，anadministrativecorrespondence；
　　ononesidetheState，ontheothertheHolySee；andathousandmattersofbusiness。
　　Whattimewaslefttohim，afterthesethousanddetailsofbusiness，andhisofficesandhisbreviary，hebestowedfirstonthenecessitous，thesick，andtheafflicted；thetimewhichwaslefttohimfromtheafflicted，thesick，andthenecessitous，hedevotedtowork。
　　Sometimesheduginhisgarden；again，hereadorwrote。Hehadbutonewordforboththesekindsoftoil；hecalledthemgardening。
　　"Themindisagarden，"saidhe。
　　Towardsmid—day，whentheweatherwasfine，hewentforthandtookastrollinthecountryorintown，oftenenteringlowlydwellings。
　　Hewasseenwalkingalone，buriedinhisownthoughts，hiseyescastdown，supportinghimselfonhislongcane，cladinhiswaddedpurplegarmentofsilk，whichwasverywarm，wearingpurplestockingsinsidehiscoarseshoes，andsurmountedbyaflathatwhichallowedthreegoldentasselsoflargebulliontodroopfromitsthreepoints。
　　Itwasaperfectfestivalwhereverheappeared。Onewouldhavesaidthathispresencehadsomethingwarmingandluminousaboutit。
　　ThechildrenandtheoldpeoplecameouttothedoorstepsfortheBishopasforthesun。Hebestowedhisblessing，andtheyblessedhim。
　　Theypointedouthishousetoanyonewhowasinneedofanything。
　　Hereandtherehehalted，accostedthelittleboysandgirls，andsmileduponthemothers。Hevisitedthepoorsolongashehadanymoney；whenhenolongerhadany，hevisitedtherich。
　　Ashemadehiscassockslastalongwhile，anddidnotwishtohaveitnoticed，heneverwentoutinthetownwithouthiswaddedpurplecloak。Thisinconveniencedhimsomewhatinsummer。
　　Onhisreturn，hedined。Thedinnerresembledhisbreakfast。
　　Athalf—pasteightintheeveninghesuppedwithhissister，MadameMagloirestandingbehindthemandservingthemattable。
　　Nothingcouldbemorefrugalthanthisrepast。If，however，theBishophadoneofhiscurestosupper，MadameMagloiretookadvantageoftheopportunitytoserveMonseigneurwithsomeexcellentfishfromthelake，orwithsomefinegamefromthemountains。Everycurefurnishedthepretextforagoodmeal:theBishopdidnotinterfere。
　　Withthatexception，hisordinarydietconsistedonlyofvegetablesboiledinwater，andoilsoup。Thusitwassaidinthetown，whentheBishopdoesnotindulgeinthecheerofacure，heindulgesinthecheerofatrappist。
　　AftersupperheconversedforhalfanhourwithMademoiselleBaptistineandMadameMagloire；thenheretiredtohisownroomandsettowriting，sometimesonloosesheets，andagainonthemarginofsomefolio。
　　Hewasamanoflettersandratherlearned。Heleftbehindhimfiveorsixverycuriousmanuscripts；amongothers，adissertationonthisverseinGenesis，Inthebeginning，thespiritofGodfloateduponthewaters。Withthisversehecomparesthreetexts:
　　theArabicversewhichsays，ThewindsofGodblew；FlaviusJosephuswhosays，Awindfromabovewasprecipitatedupontheearth；
　　andfinally，theChaldaicparaphraseofOnkelos，whichrendersit，AwindcomingfromGodblewuponthefaceofthewaters。
　　Inanotherdissertation，heexaminesthetheologicalworksofHugo，BishopofPtolemais，great—grand—uncletothewriterofthisbook，andestablishesthefact，thattothisbishopmustbeattributedthediverslittleworkspublishedduringthelastcentury，underthepseudonymofBarleycourt。
　　Sometimes，inthemidstofhisreading，nomatterwhatthebookmightbewhichhehadinhishand，hewouldsuddenlyfallintoaprofoundmeditation，whenceheonlyemergedtowriteafewlinesonthepagesofthevolumeitself。Theselineshaveoftennoconnectionwhateverwiththebookwhichcontainsthem。WenowhaveunderoureyesanotewrittenbyhimonthemarginofaquartoentitledCorrespondenceofLordGermainwithGeneralsClinton，Cornwallis，andtheAdmiralsontheAmericanstation。Versailles，Poincot，book—seller；andParis，Pissot，bookseller，QuaidesAugustins。
　　Hereisthenote:——
　　"Oh，youwhoare！
　　"EcclesiastescallsyoutheAll—powerful；theMaccabeescallyoutheCreator；theEpistletotheEphesianscallsyouliberty；
　　BaruchcallsyouImmensity；thePsalmscallyouWisdomandTruth；
　　JohncallsyouLight；theBooksofKingscallyouLord；ExoduscallsyouProvidence；Leviticus，Sanctity；Esdras，Justice；thecreationcallsyouGod；mancallsyouFather；butSolomoncallsyouCompassion，andthatisthemostbeautifulofallyournames。"
　　Towardnineo’clockintheeveningthetwowomenretiredandbetookthemselvestotheirchambersonthefirstfloor，leavinghimaloneuntilmorningonthegroundfloor。
　　Itisnecessarythatweshould，inthisplace，giveanexactideaofthedwellingoftheBishopofD————
　　CHAPTERVI
　　WHOGUARDEDHISHOUSEFORHIM
　　Thehouseinwhichhelivedconsisted，aswehavesaid，ofagroundfloor，andonestoryabove；threeroomsonthegroundfloor，threechambersonthefirst，andanatticabove。Behindthehousewasagarden，aquarterofanacreinextent。Thetwowomenoccupiedthefirstfloor；
　　theBishopwaslodgedbelow。Thefirstroom，openingonthestreet，servedhimasdining—room，thesecondwashisbedroom，andthethirdhisoratory。Therewasnoexitpossiblefromthisoratory，exceptbypassingthroughthebedroom，norfromthebedroom，withoutpassingthroughthedining—room。Attheendofthesuite，intheoratory，therewasadetachedalcovewithabed，foruseincasesofhospitality。TheBishopofferedthisbedtocountrycurateswhombusinessortherequirementsoftheirparishesbroughttoD————
　　Thepharmacyofthehospital，asmallbuildingwhichhadbeenaddedtothehouse，andabuttedonthegarden，hadbeentransformedintoakitchenandcellar。Inadditiontothis，therewasinthegardenastable，whichhadformerlybeenthekitchenofthehospital，andinwhichtheBishopkepttwocows。Nomatterwhatthequantityofmilktheygave，heinvariablysenthalfofiteverymorningtothesickpeopleinthehospital。"Iampayingmytithes，"
　　hesaid。
　　Hisbedroomwastolerablylarge，andratherdifficulttowarminbadweather。AswoodisextremelydearatD————，hehitupontheideaofhavingacompartmentofboardsconstructedinthecow—shed。Herehepassedhiseveningsduringseasonsofseverecold:
　　hecalledithiswintersalon。
　　Inthiswintersalon，asinthedining—room，therewasnootherfurniturethanasquaretableinwhitewood，andfourstraw—seatedchairs。
　　Inadditiontothisthedining—roomwasornamentedwithanantiquesideboard，paintedpink，inwatercolors。Outofasimilarsideboard，properlydrapedwithwhitenaperyandimitationlace，theBishophadconstructedthealtarwhichdecoratedhisoratory。
　　HiswealthypenitentsandthesaintedwomenofD————hadmorethanonceassessedthemselvestoraisethemoneyforanewaltarforMonseigneur’soratory；oneachoccasionhehadtakenthemoneyandhadgivenittothepoor。"Themostbeautifulofaltars，"hesaid，"isthesoulofanunhappycreatureconsoledandthankingGod。"
　　Inhisoratorythereweretwostrawprie—Dieu，andtherewasanarm—chair，alsoinstraw，inhisbedroom。When，bychance，hereceivedsevenoreightpersonsatonetime，theprefect，orthegeneral，orthestaffoftheregimentingarrison，orseveralpupilsfromthelittleseminary，thechairshadtobefetchedfromthewintersaloninthestable，theprie—Dieufromtheoratory，andthearm—chairfromthebedroom:inthiswayasmanyaselevenchairscouldbecollectedforthevisitors。Aroomwasdismantledforeachnewguest。
　　Itsometimeshappenedthatthereweretwelveintheparty；
　　theBishopthenrelievedtheembarrassmentofthesituationbystandinginfrontofthechimneyifitwaswinter，orbystrollinginthegardenifitwassummer。
　　Therewasstillanotherchairinthedetachedalcove，butthestrawwashalfgonefromit，andithadbutthreelegs，sothatitwasofserviceonlywhenproppedagainstthewall。MademoiselleBaptistinehadalsoinherownroomaverylargeeasy—chairofwood，whichhadformerlybeengilded，andwhichwascoveredwithfloweredpekin；
　　buttheyhadbeenobligedtohoistthisbergereuptothefirststorythroughthewindow，asthestaircasewastoonarrow；itcouldnot，therefore，bereckonedamongthepossibilitiesinthewayoffurniture。
　　MademoiselleBaptistine’sambitionhadbeentobeabletopurchaseasetofdrawing—roomfurnitureinyellowUtrechtvelvet，stampedwitharosepattern，andwithmahoganyinswan’sneckstyle，withasofa。Butthiswouldhavecostfivehundredfrancsatleast，andinviewofthefactthatshehadonlybeenabletolaybyforty—twofrancsandtensousforthispurposeinthecourseoffiveyears，shehadendedbyrenouncingtheidea。However，whoistherewhohasattainedhisideal？
　　NothingismoreeasytopresenttotheimaginationthantheBishop’sbedchamber。Aglazeddooropenedonthegarden；oppositethiswasthebed，——ahospitalbedofiron，withacanopyofgreenserge；intheshadowofthebed，behindacurtain，weretheutensilsofthetoilet，whichstillbetrayedtheeleganthabitsofthemanoftheworld:
　　thereweretwodoors，onenearthechimney，openingintotheoratory；
　　theothernearthebookcase，openingintothedining—room。Thebookcasewasalargecupboardwithglassdoorsfilledwithbooks；thechimneywasofwoodpaintedtorepresentmarble，andhabituallywithoutfire。
　　Inthechimneystoodapairoffiredogsofiron，ornamentedabovewithtwogarlandedvases，andflutingswhichhadformerlybeensilveredwithsilverleaf，whichwasasortofepiscopalluxury；
　　abovethechimney—piecehungacrucifixofcopper，withthesilverwornoff，fixedonabackgroundofthreadbarevelvetinawoodenframefromwhichthegildinghadfallen；neartheglassdooralargetablewithaninkstand，loadedwithaconfusionofpapersandwithhugevolumes；beforethetableanarm—chairofstraw；
　　infrontofthebedaprie—Dieu，borrowedfromtheoratory。
　　Twoportraitsinovalframeswerefastenedtothewalloneachsideofthebed。Smallgiltinscriptionsontheplainsurfaceoftheclothatthesideofthesefiguresindicatedthattheportraitsrepresented，onetheAbbeofChaliot，bishopofSaintClaude；theother，theAbbeTourteau，vicar—generalofAgde，abbeofGrand—Champ，orderofCiteaux，dioceseofChartres。WhentheBishopsucceededtothisapartment，afterthehospitalpatients，hehadfoundtheseportraitsthere，andhadleftthem。Theywerepriests，andprobablydonors——tworeasonsforrespectingthem。Allthatheknewaboutthesetwopersonswas，thattheyhadbeenappointedbytheking，theonetohisbishopric，theothertohisbenefice，onthesameday，the27thofApril，1785。MadameMagloirehavingtakenthepicturesdowntodust，theBishophaddiscoveredtheseparticularswritteninwhitishinkonalittlesquareofpaper，yellowedbytime，andattachedtothebackoftheportraitoftheAbbeofGrand—Champwithfourwafers。
　　Athiswindowhehadanantiquecurtainofacoarsewoollenstuff，whichfinallybecamesoold，that，inordertoavoidtheexpenseofanewone，MadameMagloirewasforcedtotakealargeseamintheverymiddleofit。Thisseamtooktheformofacross。
　　TheBishopoftencalledattentiontoit:"Howdelightfulthatis！"
　　hesaid。
　　Alltheroomsinthehouse，withoutexception，thoseonthegroundflooraswellasthoseonthefirstfloor，werewhite—washed，whichisafashioninbarracksandhospitals。
　　However，intheirlatteryears，MadameMagloirediscoveredbeneaththepaperwhichhadbeenwashedover，paintings，ornamentingtheapartmentofMademoiselleBaptistine，asweshallseefurtheron。
　　Beforebecomingahospital，thishousehadbeentheancientparliamenthouseoftheBourgeois。Hencethisdecoration。
　　Thechamberswerepavedinredbricks，whichwerewashedeveryweek，withstrawmatsinfrontofallthebeds。Altogether，thisdwelling，whichwasattendedtobythetwowomen，wasexquisitelycleanfromtoptobottom。ThiswasthesoleluxurywhichtheBishoppermitted。
　　Hesaid，"Thattakesnothingfromthepoor。"
　　Itmustbeconfessed，however，thathestillretainedfromhisformerpossessionssixsilverknivesandforksandasoup—ladle，whichMadameMagloirecontemplatedeverydaywithdelight，astheyglistenedsplendidlyuponthecoarselinencloth。
　　AndsincewearenowpaintingtheBishopofD————ashewasinreality，wemustaddthathehadsaidmorethanonce，"Ifinditdifficulttorenounceeatingfromsilverdishes。"
　　Tothissilverwaremustbeaddedtwolargecandlesticksofmassivesilver，whichhehadinheritedfromagreat—aunt。Thesecandlesticksheldtwowaxcandles，andusuallyfiguredontheBishop’schimney—piece。Whenhehadanyonetodinner，MadameMagloirelightedthetwocandlesandsetthecandlesticksonthetable。
　　IntheBishop’sownchamber，attheheadofhisbed，therewasasmallcupboard，inwhichMadameMagloirelockedupthesixsilverknivesandforksandthebigspooneverynight。
　　Butitisnecessarytoadd，thatthekeywasneverremoved。
　　Thegarden，whichhadbeenratherspoiledbytheuglybuildingswhichwehavementioned，wascomposedoffouralleysincross—form，radiatingfromatank。Anotherwalkmadethecircuitofthegarden，andskirtedthewhitewallwhichenclosedit。Thesealleysleftbehindthemfoursquareplotsrimmedwithbox。Inthreeofthese，MadameMagloirecultivatedvegetables；inthefourth，theBishophadplantedsomeflowers；hereandtherestoodafewfruit—trees。
　　MadameMagloirehadonceremarked，withasortofgentlemalice:
　　"Monseigneur，youwhoturneverythingtoaccount，have，nevertheless，oneuselessplot。Itwouldbebettertogrowsaladstherethanbouquets。"
　　"MadameMagloire，"retortedtheBishop，"youaremistaken。
　　Thebeautifulisasusefulastheuseful。"Headdedafterapause，"Moreso，perhaps。"
　　Thisplot，consistingofthreeorfourbeds，occupiedtheBishopalmostasmuchasdidhisbooks。Helikedtopassanhourortwothere，trimming，hoeing，andmakingholeshereandthereintheearth，intowhichhedroppedseeds。Hewasnotashostiletoinsectsasagardenercouldhavewishedtoseehim。Moreover，hemadenopretensionstobotany；heignoredgroupsandconsistency；hemadenottheslightestefforttodecidebetweenTournefortandthenaturalmethod；
　　hetookpartneitherwiththebudsagainstthecotyledons，norwithJussieuagainstLinnaeus。Hedidnotstudyplants；helovedflowers。
　　Herespectedlearnedmengreatly；herespectedtheignorantstillmore；
　　and，withouteverfailinginthesetworespects，hewateredhisflower—bedseverysummereveningwithatinwatering—potpaintedgreen。
　　Thehousehadnotasingledoorwhichcouldbelocked。Thedoorofthedining—room，which，aswehavesaid，openeddirectlyonthecathedralsquare，hadformerlybeenornamentedwithlocksandboltslikethedoorofaprison。TheBishophadhadallthisironworkremoved，andthisdoorwasneverfastened，eitherbynightorbyday，withanythingexceptthelatch。Allthatthefirstpasserbyhadtodoatanyhour，wastogiveitapush。Atfirst，thetwowomenhadbeenverymuchtriedbythisdoor，whichwasneverfastened，butMonsieurdeD————hadsaidtothem，"Haveboltsputonyourrooms，ifthatwillpleaseyou。"Theyhadendedbysharinghisconfidence，orbyatleastactingasthoughtheysharedit。MadameMagloirealonehadfrightsfromtimetotime。AsfortheBishop，histhoughtcanbefoundexplained，oratleastindicated，inthethreelineswhichhewroteonthemarginofaBible，"Thisistheshadeofdifference:thedoorofthephysicianshouldneverbeshut，thedoorofthepriestshouldalwaysbeopen。"
　　Onanotherbook，entitledPhilosophyoftheMedicalScience，hehadwrittenthisothernote:"AmnotIaphysicianlikethem？
　　Ialsohavemypatients，andthen，too，IhavesomewhomIcallmyunfortunates。"
　　Againhewrote:"Donotinquirethenameofhimwhoasksashelterofyou。Theverymanwhoisembarrassedbyhisnameistheonewhoneedsshelter。"
　　Itchancedthataworthycure，IknownotwhetheritwasthecureofCouloubrouxorthecureofPompierry，tookitintohisheadtoaskhimoneday，probablyattheinstigationofMadameMagloire，whetherMonsieurwassurethathewasnotcommittinganindiscretion，toacertainextent，inleavinghisdoorunfasteneddayandnight，atthemercyofanyonewhoshouldchoosetoenter，andwhether，inshort，hedidnotfearlestsomemisfortunemightoccurinahousesolittleguarded。TheBishoptouchedhisshoulder，withgentlegravity，andsaidtohim，"NisiDominuscustodieritdomum，invanumvigilantquicustodiunteam，"UnlesstheLordguardthehouse，invaindotheywatchwhoguardit。
　　Thenhespokeofsomethingelse。
　　Hewasfondofsaying，"Thereisabraveryofthepriestaswellasthebraveryofacolonelofdragoons，——only，"headded，"oursmustbetranquil。"
　　CHAPTERVII
　　CRAVATTE
　　Itisherethatafactfallsnaturallyintoplace，whichwemustnotomit，becauseitisoneofthesortwhichshowusbestwhatsortofamantheBishopofD————was。
　　AfterthedestructionofthebandofGaspardBes，whohadinfestedthegorgesofOllioules，oneofhislieutenants，Cravatte，tookrefugeinthemountains。Heconcealedhimselfforsometimewithhisbandits，theremnantofGaspardBes’stroop，inthecountyofNice；
　　thenhemadehiswaytoPiedmont，andsuddenlyreappearedinFrance，inthevicinityofBarcelonette。HewasfirstseenatJauziers，thenatTuiles。HehidhimselfinthecavernsoftheJoug—de—l’Aigle，andthencehedescendedtowardsthehamletsandvillagesthroughtheravinesofUbayeandUbayette。
　　HeevenpushedasfarasEmbrun，enteredthecathedralonenight，anddespoiledthesacristy。Hishighwayrobberieslaidwastethecountry—side。Thegendarmesweresetonhistrack，butinvain。
　　Healwaysescaped；sometimesheresistedbymainforce。Hewasaboldwretch。InthemidstofallthisterrortheBishoparrived。
　　HewasmakinghiscircuittoChastelar。Themayorcametomeethim，andurgedhimtoretracehissteps。CravattewasinpossessionofthemountainsasfarasArche，andbeyond；therewasdangerevenwithanescort；itmerelyexposedthreeorfourunfortunategendarmestonopurpose。
　　"Therefore，"saidtheBishop，"Iintendtogowithoutescort。"
　　"Youdonotreallymeanthat，Monseigneur！"exclaimedthemayor。
　　"IdomeanitsothoroughlythatIabsolutelyrefuseanygendarmes，andshallsetoutinanhour。"
　　"Setout？"
　　"Setout。"
　　"Alone？"
　　"Alone。"
　　"Monseigneur，youwillnotdothat！"
　　"Thereexistsyonderinthemountains，"saidtheBishop，atinycommunitynobiggerthanthat，whichIhavenotseenforthreeyears。
　　Theyaremygoodfriends，thosegentleandhonestshepherds。Theyownonegoatoutofeverythirtythattheytend。Theymakeveryprettywoollencordsofvariouscolors，andtheyplaythemountainairsonlittlefluteswithsixholes。TheyneedtobetoldofthegoodGodnowandthen。Whatwouldtheysaytoabishopwhowasafraid？
　　WhatwouldtheysayifIdidnotgo？"
　　"Butthebrigands，Monseigneur？"
　　"Hold，"saidtheBishop，"Imustthinkofthat。Youareright。
　　Imaymeetthem。They，too，needtobetoldofthegoodGod。"
　　"But，Monseigneur，thereisabandofthem！Aflockofwolves！"
　　"Monsieurlemaire，itmaybethatitisofthisveryflockofwolvesthatJesushasconstitutedmetheshepherd。WhoknowsthewaysofProvidence？"
　　"Theywillrobyou，Monseigneur。"
　　"Ihavenothing。"
　　"Theywillkillyou。"
　　"Anoldgoodmanofapriest，whopassesalongmumblinghisprayers？
　　Bah！Towhatpurpose？"
　　"Oh，monDieu！whatifyoushouldmeetthem！"
　　"Ishouldbegalmsofthemformypoor。"
　　"Donotgo，Monseigneur。InthenameofHeaven！Youareriskingyourlife！"
　　"Monsieurlemaire，"saidtheBishop，"isthatreallyall？
　　Iamnotintheworldtoguardmyownlife，buttoguardsouls。"
　　Theyhadtoallowhimtodoashepleased。Hesetout，accompaniedonlybyachildwhoofferedtoserveasaguide。Hisobstinacywasbruitedaboutthecountry—side，andcausedgreatconsternation。
　　HewouldtakeneitherhissisternorMadameMagloire。Hetraversedthemountainonmule—back，encounterednoone，andarrivedsafeandsoundattheresidenceofhis"goodfriends，"theshepherds。
　　Heremainedthereforafortnight，preaching，administeringthesacrament，teaching，exhorting。Whenthetimeofhisdepartureapproached，heresolvedtochantaTeDeumpontifically。Hementionedittothecure。Butwhatwastobedone？Therewerenoepiscopalornaments。