Thedistrict—attorneyknowswhoIam；heknowswhitherIamgoing；
　　hecanhavemearrestedwhenhelikes。"
　　Hedirectedhisstepstowardsthedoor。Notavoicewasraised，notanarmextendedtohinderhim。Allstoodaside。Atthatmomenttherewasabouthimthatdivinesomethingwhichcausesmultitudestostandasideandmakewayforaman。Hetraversedthecrowdslowly。
　　Itwasneverknownwhoopenedthedoor，butitiscertainthathefoundthedooropenwhenhereachedit。Onarrivingthereheturnedroundandsaid:——
　　"Iamatyourcommand，Mr。District—Attorney。"
　　Thenheaddressedtheaudience:——
　　"Allofyou，allwhoarepresent——considermeworthyofpity，doyounot？GoodGod！WhenIthinkofwhatIwasonthepointofdoing，IconsiderthatIamtobeenvied。Nevertheless，Ishouldhavepreferrednottohavehadthisoccur。"
　　Hewithdrew，andthedoorclosedbehindhimasithadopened，forthosewhodocertainsovereignthingsarealwayssureofbeingservedbysomeoneinthecrowd。
　　Lessthananhourafterthis，theverdictofthejuryfreedthesaidChampmathieufromallaccusations；andChampmathieu，beingatoncereleased，wentoffinastateofstupefaction，thinkingthatallmenwerefools，andcomprehendingnothingofthisvision。
　　BOOKEIGHTH。——ACOUNTER—BLOW
　　CHAPTERI
　　INWHATMIRRORM。MADELEINECONTEMPLATESHISHAIR
　　Thedayhadbeguntodawn。Fantinehadpassedasleeplessandfeverishnight，filledwithhappyvisions；atdaybreakshefellasleep。
　　SisterSimplice，whohadbeenwatchingwithher，availedherselfofthisslumbertogoandprepareanewpotionofchinchona。
　　Theworthysisterhadbeeninthelaboratoryoftheinfirmarybutafewmoments，bendingoverherdrugsandphials，andscrutinizingthingsveryclosely，onaccountofthedimnesswhichthehalf—lightofdawnspreadsoverallobjects。Suddenlysheraisedherheadandutteredafaintshriek。M。Madeleinestoodbeforeher；
　　hehadjustenteredsilently。
　　"Isityou，Mr。Mayor？"sheexclaimed。
　　Herepliedinalowvoice:——
　　"Howisthatpoorwoman？"
　　"Notsobadjustnow；butwehavebeenveryuneasy。"
　　Sheexplainedtohimwhathadpassed:thatFantinehadbeenveryillthedaybefore，andthatshewasbetternow，becauseshethoughtthatthemayorhadgonetoMontfermeiltogetherchild。
　　Thesisterdarednotquestionthemayor；butsheperceivedplainlyfromhisairthathehadnotcomefromthere。
　　"Allthatisgood，"saidhe；"youwererightnottoundeceiveher。"
　　"Yes，"respondedthesister；"butnow，Mr。Mayor，shewillseeyouandwillnotseeherchild。Whatshallwesaytoher？"
　　Hereflectedforamoment。
　　"Godwillinspireus，"saidhe。
　　"Butwecannottellalie，"murmuredthesister，halfaloud。
　　Itwasbroaddaylightintheroom。ThelightfellfullonM。Madeleine’sface。Thesisterchancedtoraisehereyestoit。
　　"GoodGod，sir！"sheexclaimed；"whathashappenedtoyou？
　　Yourhairisperfectlywhite！"
　　"White！"saidhe。
　　SisterSimplicehadnomirror。Sherummagedinadrawer，andpulledoutthelittleglasswhichthedoctoroftheinfirmaryusedtoseewhetherapatientwasdeadandwhetherhenolongerbreathed。
　　M。Madeleinetookthemirror，lookedathishair，andsaid:——
　　"Well！"
　　Heutteredthewordindifferently，andasthoughhismindwereonsomethingelse。
　　Thesisterfeltchilledbysomethingstrangeofwhichshecaughtaglimpseinallthis。
　　Heinquired:——
　　"CanIseeher？"
　　"IsnotMonsieurleMairegoingtohaveherchildbroughtbacktoher？"
　　saidthesister，hardlyventuringtoputthequestion。
　　"Ofcourse；butitwilltaketwoorthreedaysatleast。"
　　"IfshewerenottoseeMonsieurleMaireuntilthattime，"wentonthesister，timidly，"shewouldnotknowthatMonsieurleMairehadreturned，anditwouldbeeasytoinspireherwithpatience；
　　andwhenthechildarrived，shewouldnaturallythinkMonsieurleMairehadjustcomewiththechild。Weshouldnothavetoenactalie。"
　　M。Madeleineseemedtoreflectforafewmoments；thenhesaidwithhiscalmgravity:——
　　"No，sister，Imustseeher。Imay，perhaps，beinhaste。"
　　Thenundidnotappeartonoticethisword"perhaps，"whichcommunicatedanobscureandsingularsensetothewordsofthemayor’sspeech。
　　Shereplied，loweringhereyesandhervoicerespectfully:——
　　"Inthatcase，sheisasleep；butMonsieurleMairemayenter。"
　　Hemadesomeremarksaboutadoorwhichshutbadly，andthenoiseofwhichmightawakenthesickwoman；thenheenteredFantine’schamber，approachedthebedanddrewasidethecurtains。Shewasasleep。
　　Herbreathissuedfromherbreastwiththattragicsoundwhichispeculiartothosemaladies，andwhichbreakstheheartsofmotherswhentheyarewatchingthroughthenightbesidetheirsleepingchildwhoiscondemnedtodeath。Butthispainfulrespirationhardlytroubledasortofineffableserenitywhichoverspreadhercountenance，andwhichtransfiguredherinhersleep。
　　Herpallorhadbecomewhiteness；hercheekswerecrimson；herlonggoldenlashes，theonlybeautyofheryouthandhervirginitywhichremainedtoher，palpitated，thoughtheyremainedclosedanddrooping。Herwholepersonwastremblingwithanindescribableunfoldingofwings，allreadytoopenwideandbearheraway，whichcouldbefeltastheyrustled，thoughtheycouldnotbeseen。
　　Toseeherthus，onewouldneverhavedreamedthatshewasaninvalidwhoselifewasalmostdespairedof。Sheresembledrathersomethingonthepointofsoaringawaythansomethingonthepointofdying。
　　Thebranchtrembleswhenahandapproachesittopluckaflower，andseemstobothwithdrawandtoofferitselfatoneandthesametime。
　　ThehumanbodyhassomethingofthistremorwhentheinstantarrivesinwhichthemysteriousfingersofDeathareabouttopluckthesoul。
　　M。Madeleineremainedforsometimemotionlessbesidethatbed，gazinginturnuponthesickwomanandthecrucifix，ashehaddonetwomonthsbefore，onthedaywhenhehadcomeforthefirsttimetoseeherinthatasylum。Theywerebothstillthereinthesameattitude——
　　shesleeping，hepraying；onlynow，afterthelapseoftwomonths，herhairwasgrayandhiswaswhite。
　　Thesisterhadnotenteredwithhim。Hestoodbesidethebed，withhisfingeronhislips，asthoughthereweresomeoneinthechamberwhomhemustenjointosilence。
　　Sheopenedhereyes，sawhim，andsaidquietly，withasmile:——
　　"AndCosette？"
　　CHAPTERII
　　FANTINEHAPPY
　　Shemadenomovementofeithersurpriseorofjoy；shewasjoyitself。
　　Thatsimplequestion，"AndCosette？"wasputwithsoprofoundafaith，withsomuchcertainty，withsuchacompleteabsenceofdisquietandofdoubt，thathefoundnotawordofreply。
　　Shecontinued:——
　　"Iknewthatyouwerethere。Iwasasleep，butIsawyou。
　　Ihaveseenyouforalong，longtime。Ihavebeenfollowingyouwithmyeyesallnightlong。Youwereinaglory，andyouhadaroundyouallsortsofcelestialforms。"
　　Heraisedhisglancetothecrucifix。
　　"But，"sheresumed，"tellmewhereCosetteis。Whydidnotyouplaceheronmybedagainstthemomentofmywaking？"
　　Hemadesomemechanicalreplywhichhewasneverafterwardsabletorecall。
　　Fortunately，thedoctorhadbeenwarned，andhenowmadehisappearance。
　　HecametotheaidofM。Madeleine。
　　"Calmyourself，mychild，"saidthedoctor；"yourchildishere。"
　　Fantine’seyesbeamedandfilledherwholefacewithlight。
　　Sheclaspedherhandswithanexpressionwhichcontainedallthatispossibletoprayerinthewayofviolenceandtenderness。
　　"Oh！"sheexclaimed，"bringhertome！"
　　Touchingillusionofamother！Cosettewas，forher，stillthelittlechildwhoiscarried。
　　"Notyet，"saidthedoctor，"notjustnow。Youstillhavesomefever。
　　Thesightofyourchildwouldagitateyouanddoyouharm。
　　Youmustbecuredfirst。"
　　Sheinterruptedhimimpetuously:——
　　"ButIamcured！Oh，ItellyouthatIamcured！Whatanassthatdoctoris！Theidea！Iwanttoseemychild！"
　　"Yousee，"saidthedoctor，"howexcitedyoubecome。SolongasyouareinthisstateIshallopposeyourhavingyourchild。Itisnotenoughtoseeher；itisnecessarythatyoushouldliveforher。
　　Whenyouarereasonable，Iwillbringhertoyoumyself。"
　　Thepoormotherbowedherhead。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，doctor，Ireallybegyourpardon。FormerlyI
　　shouldneverhavespokenasIhavejustdone；somanymisfortuneshavehappenedtome，thatIsometimesdonotknowwhatIamsaying。
　　Iunderstandyou；youfeartheemotion。Iwillwaitaslongasyoulike，butIsweartoyouthatitwouldnothaveharmedmetoseemydaughter。Ihavebeenseeingher；Ihavenottakenmyeyesfromhersinceyesterdayevening。Doyouknow？
　　Ifshewerebroughttomenow，Ishouldtalktoherverygently。
　　Thatisall。IsitnotquitenaturalthatIshoulddesiretoseemydaughter，whohasbeenbroughttomeexpresslyfromMontfermeil？
　　Iamnotangry。IknowwellthatIamabouttobehappy。AllnightlongIhaveseenwhitethings，andpersonswhosmiledatme。
　　WhenMonsieurleDocteurpleases，heshallbringmeCosette。
　　Ihavenolongeranyfever；Iamwell。Iamperfectlyconsciousthatthereisnothingthematterwithmeanymore；butIamgoingtobehaveasthoughIwereill，andnotstir，topleasetheseladieshere。
　　WhenitisseenthatIamverycalm，theywillsay，`Shemusthaveherchild。’"
　　M。Madeleinewassittingonachairbesidethebed。Sheturnedtowardshim；shewasmakingavisibleefforttobecalmand"verygood，"
　　assheexpresseditinthefeeblenessofillnesswhichresemblesinfancy，inorderthat，seeinghersopeaceable，theymightmakenodifficultyaboutbringingCosettetoher。ButwhileshecontrolledherselfshecouldnotrefrainfromquestioningM。Madeleine。
　　"Didyouhaveapleasanttrip，MonsieurleMaire？Oh！howgoodyouweretogoandgetherforme！Onlytellmehowsheis。
　　Didshestandthejourneywell？Alas！shewillnotrecognizeme。
　　Shemusthaveforgottenmebythistime，poordarling！Childrenhavenomemories。Theyarelikebirds。Achildseesonethingto—dayandanotherthingto—morrow，andthinksofnothinganylonger。
　　Anddidshehavewhitelinen？DidthoseThenardierskeepherclean？
　　Howhavetheyfedher？Oh！ifyouonlyknewhowIhavesuffered，puttingsuchquestionsasthattomyselfduringallthetimeofmywretchedness。Now，itisallpast。Iamhappy。Oh，howIshouldliketoseeher！Doyouthinkherpretty，MonsieurleMaire？Isnotmydaughterbeautiful？Youmusthavebeenverycoldinthatdiligence！
　　Couldshenotbebroughtforjustonelittleinstant？Shemightbetakenawaydirectlyafterwards。Tellme；youarethemaster；
　　itcouldbesoifyouchose！"
　　Hetookherhand。"Cosetteisbeautiful，"hesaid，"Cosetteiswell。
　　Youshallseehersoon；butcalmyourself；youaretalkingwithtoomuchvivacity，andyouarethrowingyourarmsoutfromundertheclothes，andthatmakesyoucough。"
　　Infact，fitsofcoughinginterruptedFantineatnearlyeveryword。
　　Fantinedidnotmurmur；shefearedthatshehadinjuredbyhertoopassionatelamentationstheconfidencewhichshewasdesirousofinspiring，andshebegantotalkofindifferentthings。
　　"Montfermeilisquitepretty，isitnot？Peoplegothereonpleasurepartiesinsummer。AretheThenardiersprosperous？
　　Therearenotmanytravellersintheirparts。Thatinnoftheirsisasortofacook—shop。"
　　M。Madeleinewasstillholdingherhand，andgazingatherwithanxiety；itwasevidentthathehadcometotellherthingsbeforewhichhismindnowhesitated。Thedoctor，havingfinishedhisvisit，retired。SisterSimpliceremainedalonewiththem。
　　ButinthemidstofthispauseFantineexclaimed:——
　　"Ihearher！monDieu，Ihearher！"
　　Shestretchedoutherarmtoenjoinsilenceabouther，heldherbreath，andbegantolistenwithrapture。
　　Therewasachildplayingintheyard——thechildoftheportressorofsomework—woman。Itwasoneofthoseaccidentswhicharealwaysoccurring，andwhichseemtoformapartofthemysteriousstage—settingofmournfulscenes。Thechild——alittlegirl——
　　wasgoingandcoming，runningtowarmherself，laughing，singingatthetopofhervoice。Alas！inwhataretheplaysofchildrennotintermingled。ItwasthislittlegirlwhomFantineheardsinging。
　　"Oh！"sheresumed，"itismyCosette！Irecognizehervoice。"
　　Thechildretreatedasithadcome；thevoicediedaway。
　　Fantinelistenedforawhilelonger，thenherfacecloudedover，andM。Madeleineheardhersay，inalowvoice:"Howwickedthatdoctorisnottoallowmetoseemydaughter！Thatmanhasanevilcountenance，thathehas。"
　　Butthesmilingbackgroundofherthoughtscametothefrontagain。
　　Shecontinuedtotalktoherself，withherheadrestingonthepillow:
　　"Howhappywearegoingtobe！Weshallhavealittlegardentheveryfirstthing；M。Madeleinehaspromisedittome。Mydaughterwillplayinthegarden。Shemustknowherlettersbythistime。
　　Iwillmakeherspell。Shewillrunoverthegrassafterbutterflies。
　　Iwillwatchher。Thenshewilltakeherfirstcommunion。Ah！whenwillshetakeherfirstcommunion？"
　　Shebegantoreckononherfingers。
　　"One，two，three，four——sheissevenyearsold。Infiveyearsshewillhaveawhiteveil，andopenworkstockings；shewilllooklikealittlewoman。Omygoodsister，youdonotknowhowfoolishIbecomewhenIthinkofmydaughter’sfirstcommunion！"
　　Shebegantolaugh。
　　HehadreleasedFantine’shand。Helistenedtoherwordsasonelistenstothesighingofthebreeze，withhiseyesontheground，hismindabsorbedinreflectionwhichhadnobottom。Allatoncesheceasedspeaking，andthiscausedhimtoraisehisheadmechanically。
　　Fantinehadbecometerrible。
　　Shenolongerspoke，shenolongerbreathed；shehadraisedherselftoasittingposture，herthinshoulderemergedfromherchemise；
　　herface，whichhadbeenradiantbutamomentbefore，wasghastly，andsheseemedtohavefixedhereyes，renderedlargewithterror，onsomethingalarmingattheotherextremityoftheroom。
　　"GoodGod！"heexclaimed；"whatailsyou，Fantine？"
　　Shemadenoreply；shedidnotremovehereyesfromtheobjectwhichsheseemedtosee。Sheremovedonehandfromhisarm，andwiththeothermadehimasigntolookbehindhim。
　　Heturned，andbeheldJavert。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　JAVERTSATISFIED
　　Thisiswhathadtakenplace。
　　Thehalf—houraftermidnighthadjuststruckwhenM。MadeleinequittedtheHallofAssizesinArras。Heregainedhisinnjustintimetosetoutagainbythemail—wagon，inwhichhehadengagedhisplace。
　　Alittlebeforesixo’clockinthemorninghehadarrivedatM。surM。，andhisfirstcarehadbeentopostalettertoM。Laffitte，thentoentertheinfirmaryandseeFantine。
　　However，hehadhardlyquittedtheaudiencehalloftheCourtofAssizes，whenthedistrict—attorney，recoveringfromhisfirstshock，hadtakenthewordtodeplorethemaddeedofthehonorablemayorofM。surM。，todeclarethathisconvictionshadnotbeenintheleastmodifiedbythatcuriousincident，whichwouldbeexplainedthereafter，andtodemand，inthemeantime，thecondemnationofthatChampmathieu，whowasevidentlytherealJeanValjean。
　　Thedistrict—attorney’spersistencewasvisiblyatvariancewiththesentimentsofeveryone，ofthepublic，ofthecourt，andofthejury。Thecounselforthedefencehadsomedifficultyinrefutingthisharangueandinestablishingthat，inconsequenceoftherevelationsofM。Madeleine，thatistosay，oftherealJeanValjean，theaspectofthematterhadbeenthoroughlyaltered，andthatthejuryhadbeforetheireyesnowonlyaninnocentman。
　　Thencethelawyerhaddrawnsomeepiphonemas，notveryfresh，unfortunately，uponjudicialerrors，etc。，etc。；thePresident，inhissummingup，hadjoinedthecounselforthedefence，andinafewminutesthejuryhadthrownChampmathieuoutofthecase。
　　Nevertheless，thedistrict—attorneywasbentonhavingaJeanValjean；
　　andashehadnolongerChampmathieu，hetookMadeleine。
　　ImmediatelyafterChampmathieuhadbeensetatliberty，thedistrict—attorneyshuthimselfupwiththePresident。
　　Theyconferred"astothenecessityofseizingthepersonofM。leMaireofM。surM。"Thisphrase，inwhichtherewasagreatdealofof，isthedistrict—attorney’s，writtenwithhisownhand，ontheminutesofhisreporttotheattorney—general。Hisfirstemotionhavingpassedoff，thePresidentdidnotoffermanyobjections。
　　Justicemust，afterall，takeitscourse。Andthen，whenallwassaid，althoughthePresidentwasakindlyandatolerablyintelligentman，hewas，atthesametime，adevotedandalmostanardentroyalist，andhehadbeenshockedtoheartheMayorofM。surM。saytheEmperor，andnotBonaparte，whenalludingtothelandingatCannes。
　　Theorderforhisarrestwasaccordinglydespatched。
　　Thedistrict—attorneyforwardedittoM。surM。byaspecialmessenger，atfullspeed，andentrusteditsexecutiontoPoliceInspectorJavert。
　　ThereaderknowsthatJaverthadreturnedtoM。surM。immediatelyafterhavinggivenhisdeposition。
　　Javertwasjustgettingoutofbedwhenthemessengerhandedhimtheorderofarrestandthecommandtoproducetheprisoner。
　　Themessengerhimselfwasaveryclevermemberofthepolice，who，intwowords，informedJavertofwhathadtakenplaceatArras。
　　Theorderofarrest，signedbythedistrict—attorney，wascouchedinthesewords:"InspectorJavertwillapprehendthebodyoftheSieurMadeleine，mayorofM。surM。，who，inthisday’ssessionofthecourt，wasrecognizedastheliberatedconvict，JeanValjean。"
　　AnyonewhodidnotknowJavert，andwhohadchancedtoseehimatthemomentwhenhepenetratedtheantechamberoftheinfirmary，couldhavedivinednothingofwhathadtakenplace，andwouldhavethoughthisairthemostordinaryintheworld。Hewascool，calm，grave，hisgrayhairwasperfectlysmoothuponhistemples，andhehadjustmountedthestairswithhishabitualdeliberation。
　　Anyonewhowasthoroughlyacquaintedwithhim，andwhohadexaminedhimattentivelyatthemoment，wouldhaveshuddered。Thebuckleofhisleatherstockwasunderhisleftearinsteadofatthenapeofhisneck。Thisbetrayedunwontedagitation。
　　Javertwasacompletecharacter，whoneverhadawrinkleinhisdutyorinhisuniform；methodicalwithmalefactors，rigidwiththebuttonsofhiscoat。
　　Thatheshouldhavesetthebuckleofhisstockawry，itwasindispensablethatthereshouldhavetakenplaceinhimoneofthoseemotionswhichmaybedesignatedasinternalearthquakes。
　　Hehadcomeinasimpleway，hadmadearequisitionontheneighboringpostforacorporalandfoursoldiers，hadleftthesoldiersinthecourtyard，hadhadFantine’sroompointedouttohimbytheportress，whowasutterlyunsuspicious，accustomedasshewastoseeingarmedmeninquiringforthemayor。
　　OnarrivingatFantine’schamber，Javertturnedthehandle，pushedthedooropenwiththegentlenessofasick—nurseorapolicespy，andentered。
　　Properlyspeaking，hedidnotenter。Hestooderectinthehalf—opendoor，hishatonhisheadandhislefthandthrustintohiscoat，whichwasbuttoneduptothechin。Inthebendofhiselbowtheleadenheadofhisenormouscane，whichwashiddenbehindhim，couldbeseen。
　　Thusheremainedfornearlyaminute，withouthispresencebeingperceived。AllatonceFantineraisedhereyes，sawhim，andmadeM。Madeleineturnround。
　　TheinstantthatMadeleine’sglanceencounteredJavert’sglance，Javert，withoutstirring，withoutmovingfromhispost，withoutapproachinghim，becameterrible。Nohumansentimentcanbeasterribleasjoy。
　　Itwasthevisageofademonwhohasjustfoundhisdamnedsoul。
　　ThesatisfactionofatlastgettingholdofJeanValjeancausedallthatwasinhissoultoappearinhiscountenance。Thedepthshavingbeenstirredup，mountedtothesurface。Thehumiliationofhaving，insomeslightdegree，lostthescent，andofhavingindulged，forafewmoments，inanerrorwithregardtoChampmathieu，waseffacedbyprideathavingsowellandaccuratelydivinedinthefirstplace，andofhavingforsolongcherishedajustinstinct。
　　Javert’scontentshoneforthinhissovereignattitude。Thedeformityoftriumphoverspreadthatnarrowbrow。Allthedemonstrationsofhorrorwhichasatisfiedfacecanaffordwerethere。
　　Javertwasinheavenatthatmoment。Withoutputtingthethingclearlytohimself，butwithaconfusedintuitionofthenecessityofhispresenceandofhissuccess，he，Javert，personifiedjustice，light，andtruthintheircelestialfunctionofcrushingoutevil。
　　Behindhimandaroundhim，ataninfinitedistance，hehadauthority，reason，thecasejudged，thelegalconscience，thepublicprosecution，allthestars；hewasprotectingorder，hewascausingthelawtoyieldupitsthunders，hewasavengingsociety，hewaslendingahelpinghandtotheabsolute，hewasstandingerectinthemidstofaglory。Thereexistedinhisvictoryaremnantofdefianceandofcombat。Erect，haughty，brilliant，heflauntedabroadinopendaythesuperhumanbestialityofaferociousarchangel。
　　Theterribleshadowoftheactionwhichhewasaccomplishingcausedthevagueflashofthesocialswordtobevisibleinhisclenchedfist；
　　happyandindignant，heheldhisheeluponcrime，vice，rebellion，perdition，hell；hewasradiant，heexterminated，hesmiled，andtherewasanincontestablegrandeurinthismonstrousSaintMichael。
　　Javert，thoughfrightful，hadnothingignobleabouthim。
　　Probity，sincerity，candor，conviction，thesenseofduty，arethingswhichmaybecomehideouswhenwronglydirected；
　　butwhich，evenwhenhideous，remaingrand:theirmajesty，themajestypeculiartothehumanconscience，clingstotheminthemidstofhorror；theyarevirtueswhichhaveonevice，——error。
　　Thehonest，pitilessjoyofafanaticinthefullfloodofhisatrocitypreservesacertainlugubriouslyvenerableradiance。
　　Withouthimselfsuspectingthefact，Javertinhisformidablehappinesswastobepitied，asiseveryignorantmanwhotriumphs。
　　Nothingcouldbesopoignantandsoterribleasthisface，whereinwasdisplayedallthatmaybedesignatedastheevilofthegood。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　AUTHORITYREASSERTSITSRIGHTS
　　FantinehadnotseenJavertsincethedayonwhichthemayorhadtornherfromtheman。Herailingbraincomprehendednothing，buttheonlythingwhichshedidnotdoubtwasthathehadcometogether。
　　Shecouldnotendurethatterribleface；shefeltherlifequittingher；
　　shehidherfaceinbothhands，andshriekedinheranguish:——
　　"MonsieurMadeleine，saveme！"
　　JeanValjean——weshallhenceforthnotspeakofhimotherwise——
　　hadrisen。HesaidtoFantineinthegentlestandcalmestofvoices:——
　　"Beatease；itisnotforyouthatheiscome。"
　　ThenheaddressedJavert，andsaid:——
　　"Iknowwhatyouwant。"
　　Javertreplied:——
　　"Bequickaboutit！"
　　Therelayintheinflectionofvoicewhichaccompaniedthesewordssomethingindescribablyfierceandfrenzied。Javertdidnotsay，"Bequickaboutit！"hesaid"Bequiabouit。"
　　Noorthographycandojusticetotheaccentwithwhichitwasuttered:
　　itwasnolongerahumanword:itwasaroar。
　　Hedidnotproceedaccordingtohiscustom，hedidnotenterintothematter，heexhibitednowarrantofarrest。Inhiseyes，JeanValjeanwasasortofmysteriouscombatant，whowasnottobelaidhandsupon，awrestlerinthedarkwhomhehadhadinhisgraspforthelastfiveyears，withoutbeingabletothrowhim。
　　Thisarrestwasnotabeginning，butanend。Heconfinedhimselftosaying，"Bequickaboutit！"
　　Ashespokethus，hedidnotadvanceasinglestep；hehurledatJeanValjeanaglancewhichhethrewoutlikeagrappling—hook，andwithwhichhewasaccustomedtodrawwretchesviolentlytohim。
　　ItwasthisglancewhichFantinehadfeltpenetratingtotheverymarrowofherbonestwomonthspreviously。
　　AtJavert’sexclamation，Fantineopenedhereyesoncemore。
　　Butthemayorwasthere；whathadshetofear？
　　Javertadvancedtothemiddleoftheroom，andcried:——
　　"Seeherenow！Artthoucoming？"
　　Theunhappywomanglancedabouther。Noonewaspresentexceptingthenunandthemayor。Towhomcouldthatabjectuseof"thou"
　　beaddressed？Toheronly。Sheshuddered。
　　Thenshebeheldamostunprecedentedthing，athingsounprecedentedthatnothingequaltoithadappearedtoherevenintheblackestdeliriumsoffever。
　　ShebeheldJavert，thepolicespy，seizethemayorbythecollar；
　　shesawthemayorbowhishead。Itseemedtoherthattheworldwascomingtoanend。
　　Javerthad，infact，graspedJeanValjeanbythecollar。
　　"MonsieurleMaire！"shriekedFantine。
　　Javertburstoutlaughingwiththatfrightfullaughwhichdisplayedallhisgums。
　　"ThereisnolongeranyMonsieurleMairehere！"
　　JeanValjeanmadenoattempttodisengagethehandwhichgraspedthecollarofhiscoat。Hesaid:——
　　"Javert——"
　　Javertinterruptedhim:"CallmeMr。Inspector。"
　　"Monsieur，"saidJeanValjean，"Ishouldliketosayawordtoyouinprivate。"
　　"Aloud！Sayitaloud！"repliedJavert；"peopleareinthehabitoftalkingaloudtome。"
　　JeanValjeanwentoninalowertone:——
　　"Ihavearequesttomakeofyou——"
　　"Itellyoutospeakloud。"
　　"Butyoualoneshouldhearit——"
　　"Whatdifferencedoesthatmaketome？Ishallnotlisten。"
　　JeanValjeanturnedtowardshimandsaidveryrapidlyandinaverylowvoice:——
　　"Grantmethreedays’grace！threedaysinwhichtogoandfetchthechildofthisunhappywoman。Iwillpaywhateverisnecessary。
　　Youshallaccompanymeifyouchoose。"
　　"Youaremakingsportofme！"criedJavert。"Comenow，Ididnotthinkyousuchafool！Youaskmetogiveyouthreedaysinwhichtorunaway！Yousaythatitisforthepurposeoffetchingthatcreature’schild！Ah！Ah！That’sgood！That’sreallycapital！"
　　Fantinewasseizedwithafitoftrembling。
　　"Mychild！"shecried，"togoandfetchmychild！Sheisnothere，then！Answerme，sister；whereisCosette？Iwantmychild！
　　MonsieurMadeleine！MonsieurleMaire！"
　　Javertstampedhisfoot。
　　"Andnowthere’stheotherone！Willyouholdyourtongue，youhussy？
　　It’saprettysortofaplacewhereconvictsaremagistrates，andwherewomenofthetownarecaredforlikecountesses！Ah！Butwearegoingtochangeallthat；itishightime！"
　　HestaredintentlyatFantine，andadded，oncemoretakingintohisgraspJeanValjean’scravat，shirtandcollar:——
　　"ItellyouthatthereisnoMonsieurMadeleineandthatthereisnoMonsieurleMaire。Thereisathief，abrigand，aconvictnamedJeanValjean！AndIhavehiminmygrasp！That’swhatthereis！"
　　Fantineraisedherselfinbedwithabound，supportingherselfonherstiffenedarmsandonbothhands:shegazedatJeanValjean，shegazedatJavert，shegazedatthenun，sheopenedhermouthasthoughtospeak；arattleproceededfromthedepthsofherthroat，herteethchattered；shestretchedoutherarmsinheragony，openingherhandsconvulsively，andfumblingaboutherlikeadrowningperson；thensuddenlyfellbackonherpillow。
　　Herheadstruckthehead—boardofthebedandfellforwardsonherbreast，withgapingmouthandstaring，sightlesseyes。
　　Shewasdead。
　　JeanValjeanlaidhishanduponthedetaininghandofJavert，andopeneditashewouldhaveopenedthehandofababy；thenhesaidtoJavert:——
　　"Youhavemurderedthatwoman。"
　　"Let’shaveanendofthis！"shoutedJavert，inafury；"Iamnotheretolistentoargument。Letuseconomizeallthat；theguardisbelow；marchoninstantly，oryou’llgetthethumb—screws！"
　　Inthecorneroftheroomstoodanoldironbedstead，whichwasinadecidedlydecrepitstate，andwhichservedthesistersasacamp—bedwhentheywerewatchingwiththesick。JeanValjeansteppeduptothisbed，inatwinklingwrenchedoffthehead—piece，whichwasalreadyinadilapidatedcondition，aneasymattertomuscleslikehis，graspedtheprincipalrodlikeabludgeon，andglancedatJavert。
　　Javertretreatedtowardsthedoor。JeanValjean，armedwithhisbarofiron，walkedslowlyuptoFantine’scouch。WhenhearrivedthereheturnedandsaidtoJavert，inavoicethatwasbarelyaudible:——
　　"Iadviseyounottodisturbmeatthismoment。"
　　Onethingiscertain，andthatis，thatJaverttrembled。
　　Itdidoccurtohimtosummontheguard，butJeanValjeanmightavailhimselfofthatmomenttoeffecthisescape；soheremained，graspedhiscanebythesmallend，andleanedagainstthedoor—post，withoutremovinghiseyesfromJeanValjean。
　　JeanValjeanrestedhiselbowontheknobattheheadofthebed，andhisbrowonhishand，andbegantocontemplatethemotionlessbodyofFantine，whichlayextendedthere。Heremainedthus，mute，absorbed，evidentlywithnofurtherthoughtofanythingconnectedwiththislife。Uponhisfaceandinhisattitudetherewasnothingbutinexpressiblepity。AfterafewmomentsofthismeditationhebenttowardsFantine，andspoketoherinalowvoice。
　　Whatdidhesaytoher？Whatcouldthisman，whowasreproved，saytothatwoman，whowasdead？Whatwordswerethose？Nooneonearthheardthem。Didthedeadwomanhearthem？Therearesometouchingillusionswhichare，perhaps，sublimerealities。
　　Thepointastowhichthereexistsnodoubtis，thatSisterSimplice，thesolewitnessoftheincident，oftensaidthatatthemomentthatJeanValjeanwhisperedinFantine’sear，shedistinctlybeheldanineffablesmiledawnonthosepalelips，andinthosedimeyes，filledwiththeamazementofthetomb。
　　JeanValjeantookFantine’sheadinbothhishands，andarrangeditonthepillowasamothermighthavedoneforherchild；thenhetiedthestringofherchemise，andsmoothedherhairbackunderhercap。
　　Thatdone，heclosedhereyes。
　　Fantine’sfaceseemedstrangelyilluminatedatthatmoment。
　　Death，thatsignifiesentranceintothegreatlight。
　　Fantine’shandwashangingoverthesideofthebed。JeanValjeankneltdownbeforethathand，lifteditgently，andkissedit。
　　Thenherose，andturnedtoJavert。
　　"Now，"saidhe，"Iamatyourdisposal。"
　　CHAPTERV
　　ASUITABLETOMB
　　JavertdepositedJeanValjeaninthecityprison。
　　ThearrestofM。Madeleineoccasionedasensation，orrather，anextraordinarycommotioninM。surM。Wearesorrythatwecannotconcealthefact，thatatthesingleword，"Hewasaconvict，"
　　nearlyeveryonedesertedhim。Inlessthantwohoursallthegoodthathehaddonehadbeenforgotten，andhewasnothingbuta"convictfromthegalleys。"ItisjusttoaddthatthedetailsofwhathadtakenplaceatArraswerenotyetknown。Alldaylongconversationslikethefollowingweretobeheardinallquartersofthetown:——
　　"Youdon’tknow？Hewasaliberatedconvict！""Who？""Themayor。"
　　"Bah！M。Madeleine？""Yes。""Really？""HisnamewasnotMadeleineatall；hehadafrightfulname，Bejean，Bojean，Boujean。""Ah！
　　GoodGod！""Hehasbeenarrested。""Arrested！""Inprison，inthecityprison，whilewaitingtobetransferred。""Untilheistransferred！""Heistobetransferred！""Whereishetobetaken？""HewillbetriedattheAssizesforahighwayrobberywhichhecommittedlongago。""Well！Isuspectedasmuch。
　　Thatmanwastoogood，tooperfect，tooaffected。Herefusedthecross；hebestowedsousonallthelittlescampshecameacross。
　　Ialwaysthoughttherewassomeevilhistorybackofallthat。"
　　The"drawing—rooms"particularlyaboundedinremarksofthisnature。
　　Oneoldlady，asubscribertotheDrapeauBlanc，madethefollowingremark，thedepthofwhichitisimpossibletofathom:——
　　"Iamnotsorry。ItwillbealessontotheBonapartists！"
　　ItwasthusthatthephantomwhichhadbeencalledM。MadeleinevanishedfromM。surM。Onlythreeorfourpersonsinallthetownremainedfaithfultohismemory。Theoldportresswhohadservedhimwasamongthenumber。
　　Ontheeveningofthatdaytheworthyoldwomanwassittinginherlodge，stillinathoroughfright，andabsorbedinsadreflections。
　　Thefactoryhadbeenclosedallday，thecarriagegatewasbolted，thestreetwasdeserted。Therewasnooneinthehousebutthetwonuns，SisterPerpetueandSisterSimplice，whowerewatchingbesidethebodyofFantine。
　　TowardsthehourwhenM。Madeleinewasaccustomedtoreturnhome，thegoodportressrosemechanically，tookfromadrawerthekeyofM。Madeleine’schamber，andtheflatcandlestickwhichheusedeveryeveningtogouptohisquarters；thenshehungthekeyonthenailwhencehewasaccustomedtotakeit，andsetthecandlestickononeside，asthoughshewasexpectinghim。Thenshesatdownagainonherchair，andbecameabsorbedinthoughtoncemore。
　　Thepoor，goodoldwomanbaddoneallthiswithoutbeingconsciousofit。
　　Itwasonlyattheexpirationoftwohoursthatsherousedherselffromherrevery，andexclaimed，"Hold！MygoodGodJesus！
　　AndIhunghiskeyonthenail！"
　　Atthatmomentthesmallwindowinthelodgeopened，ahandpassedthrough，seizedthekeyandthecandlestick，andlightedthetaperatthecandlewhichwasburningthere。
　　Theportressraisedhereyes，andstoodtherewithgapingmouth，andashriekwhichsheconfinedtoherthroat。
　　Sheknewthathand，thatarm，thesleeveofthatcoat。
　　ItwasM。Madeleine。
　　Itwasseveralsecondsbeforeshecouldspeak；shehadaseizure，asshesaidherself，whensherelatedtheadventureafterwards。
　　"GoodGod，MonsieurleMaire，"shecriedatlast，"Ithoughtyouwere——"
　　Shestopped；theconclusionofhersentencewouldhavebeenlackinginrespecttowardsthebeginning。JeanValjeanwasstillMonsieurleMairetoher。
　　Hefinishedherthought。
　　"Inprison，"saidhe。"Iwasthere；Ibrokeabarofoneofthewindows；Iletmyselfdropfromthetopofaroof，andhereIam。
　　Iamgoinguptomyroom；goandfindSisterSimpliceforme。
　　Sheiswiththatpoorwoman，nodoubt。"
　　Theoldwomanobeyedinallhaste。
　　Hegavehernoorders；hewasquitesurethatshewouldguardhimbetterthanheshouldguardhimself。
　　Nooneeverfoundouthowhehadmanagedtogetintothecourtyardwithoutopeningthebiggates。Hehad，andalwayscarriedabouthim，apass—keywhichopenedalittleside—door；buthemusthavebeensearched，andhislatch—keymusthavebeentakenfromhim。
　　Thispointwasneverexplained。
　　Heascendedthestaircaseleadingtohischamber。Onarrivingatthetop，helefthiscandleonthetopstepofhisstairs，openedhisdoorwithverylittlenoise，wentandclosedhiswindowandhisshuttersbyfeeling，thenreturnedforhiscandleandre—enteredhisroom。
　　Itwasausefulprecaution；itwillberecollectedthathiswindowcouldbeseenfromthestreet。
　　Hecastaglanceabouthim，athistable，athischair，athisbedwhichhadnotbeendisturbedforthreedays。Notraceofthedisorderofthenightbeforelastremained。Theportresshad"doneup"
　　hisroom；onlyshehadpickedoutoftheashesandplacedneatlyonthetablethetwoironendsofthecudgelandtheforty—soupiecewhichhadbeenblackenedbythefire。
　　Hetookasheetofpaper，onwhichhewrote:"Thesearethetwotipsofmyiron—shodcudgelandtheforty—soupiecestolenfromLittleGervais，whichImentionedattheCourtofAssizes，"
　　andhearrangedthispieceofpaper，thebitsofiron，andthecoininsuchawaythattheywerethefirstthingstobeseenonenteringtheroom。Fromacupboardhepulledoutoneofhisoldshirts，whichhetoreinpieces。Inthestripsoflinenthuspreparedhewrappedthetwosilvercandlesticks。Hebetrayedneitherhastenoragitation；andwhilehewaswrappinguptheBishop’scandlesticks，henibbledatapieceofblackbread。Itwasprobablytheprison—breadwhichhehadcarriedwithhiminhisflight。
　　Thiswasprovedbythecrumbswhichwerefoundontheflooroftheroomwhentheauthoritiesmadeanexaminationlateron。
　　Therecametwotapsatthedoor。
　　"Comein，"saidhe。
　　ItwasSisterSimplice。
　　Shewaspale；hereyeswerered；thecandlewhichshecarriedtrembledinherhand。Thepeculiarfeatureoftheviolencesofdestinyis，thathoweverpolishedorcoolwemaybe，theywringhumannaturefromourverybowels，andforceittoreappearonthesurface。
　　Theemotionsofthatdayhadturnedthenunintoawomanoncemore。
　　Shehadwept，andshewastrembling。
　　JeanValjeanhadjustfinishedwritingafewlinesonapaper，whichhehandedtothenun，saying，"Sister，youwillgivethistoMonsieurleCure。"
　　Thepaperwasnotfolded。Shecastaglanceuponit。
　　"Youcanreadit，"saidhe。
　　Sheread:——
　　"IbegMonsieurleCuretokeepaneyeonallthatIleavebehindme。
　　Hewillbesogoodastopayoutofittheexpensesofmytrial，andofthefuneralofthewomanwhodiedyesterday。Therestisforthepoor。"
　　Thesistertriedtospeak，butsheonlymanagedtostammerafewinarticulatesounds。Shesucceededinsaying，however:——
　　"DoesnotMonsieurleMairedesiretotakealastlookatthatpoor，unhappywoman？"
　　"No，"saidhe；"Iampursued；itwouldonlyendintheirarrestingmeinthatroom，andthatwoulddisturbher。"
　　Hehadhardlyfinishedwhenaloudnoisebecameaudibleonthestaircase。
　　Theyheardatumultofascendingfootsteps，andtheoldportresssayinginherloudestandmostpiercingtones:——
　　"Mygoodsir，IsweartoyoubythegoodGod，thatnotasoulhasenteredthishouseallday，noralltheevening，andthatI
　　havenotevenleftthedoor。"
　　Amanresponded:——
　　"Butthereisalightinthatroom，nevertheless。"
　　TheyrecognizedJavert’svoice。
　　Thechamberwassoarrangedthatthedoorinopeningmaskedthecornerofthewallontheright。JeanValjeanblewoutthelightandplacedhimselfinthisangle。SisterSimplicefellonherkneesnearthetable。
　　Thedooropened。
　　Javertentered。
　　Thewhispersofmanymenandtheprotestationsoftheportresswereaudibleinthecorridor。
　　Thenundidnotraisehereyes。Shewaspraying。
　　Thecandlewasonthechimney—piece，andgavebutverylittlelight。
　　Javertcaughtsightofthenunandhaltedinamazement。
　　ItwillberememberedthatthefundamentalpointinJavert，hiselement，theveryairhebreathed，wasvenerationforallauthority。
　　Thiswasimpregnable，andadmittedofneitherobjectionnorrestriction。
　　Inhiseyes，ofcourse，theecclesiasticalauthoritywasthechiefofall；hewasreligious，superficialandcorrectonthispointasonallothers。Inhiseyes，apriestwasamind，whonevermakesamistake；anunwasacreaturewhoneversins；theyweresoulswalledinfromthisworld，withasingledoorwhichneveropenedexcepttoallowthetruthtopassthrough。
　　Onperceivingthesister，hisfirstmovementwastoretire。
　　Buttherewasalsoanotherdutywhichboundhimandimpelledhimimperiouslyintheoppositedirection。Hissecondmovementwastoremainandtoventureonatleastonequestion。
　　ThiswasSisterSimplice，whohadnevertoldalieinherlife。
　　Javertknewit，andheldherinspecialvenerationinconsequence。
　　"Sister，"saidhe，"areyoualoneinthisroom？"
　　Aterriblemomentensued，duringwhichthepoorportressfeltasthoughsheshouldfaint。
　　Thesisterraisedhereyesandanswered:——
　　"Yes。"
　　"Then，"resumedJavert，"youwillexcusemeifIpersist；itismyduty；youhavenotseenacertainperson——aman——thisevening？
　　Hehasescaped；weareinsearchofhim——thatJeanValjean；
　　youhavenotseenhim？"
　　Thesisterreplied:——
　　"No。"
　　Shelied。Shehadliedtwiceinsuccession，oneaftertheother，withouthesitation，promptly，asapersondoeswhensacrificingherself。
　　"Pardonme，"saidJavert，andheretiredwithadeepbow。
　　Osaintedmaid！youleftthisworldmanyyearsago；youhaverejoinedyoursisters，thevirgins，andyourbrothers，theangels，inthelight；maythisliebecountedtoyourcreditinparadise！
　　Thesister’saffirmationwasforJavertsodecisiveathingthathedidnotevenobservethesingularityofthatcandlewhichhadbutjustbeenextinguished，andwhichwasstillsmokingonthetable。
　　Anhourlater，aman，marchingamidtreesandmists，wasrapidlydepartingfromM。surM。inthedirectionofParis。ThatmanwasJeanValjean。Ithasbeenestablishedbythetestimonyoftwoorthreecarterswhomethim，thathewascarryingabundle；
　　thathewasdressedinablouse。Wherehadheobtainedthatblouse？
　　Nooneeverfoundout。Butanagedworkmanhaddiedintheinfirmaryofthefactoryafewdaysbefore，leavingbehindhimnothingbuthisblouse。Perhapsthatwastheone。
　　OnelastwordaboutFantine。
　　Weallhaveamother，——theearth。Fantinewasgivenbacktothatmother。
　　Thecurethoughtthathewasdoingright，andperhapshereallywas，inreservingasmuchmoneyaspossiblefromwhatJeanValjeanhadleftforthepoor。Whowasconcerned，afterall？Aconvictandawomanofthetown。ThatiswhyhehadaverysimplefuneralforFantine，andreducedittothatstrictlynecessaryformknownasthepauper’sgrave。
　　SoFantinewasburiedinthefreecornerofthecemeterywhichbelongstoanybodyandeverybody，andwherethepoorarelost。Fortunately，Godknowswheretofindthesoulagain。
　　Fantinewaslaidintheshade，amongthefirstbonesthatcametohand；shewassubjectedtothepromiscuousnessofashes。
　　Shewasthrownintothepublicgrave。Hergraveresembledherbed。
　　[TheendofVolumeI。"Fantine"]
　　VOLUMEII。COSETTE
　　BOOKFIRST。——WATERLOO
　　CHAPTERI
　　WHATISMETWITHONTHEWAYFROMNIVELLES
　　Lastyear（1861），onabeautifulMaymorning，atraveller，thepersonwhoistellingthisstory，wascomingfromNivelles，anddirectinghiscoursetowardsLaHulpe。Hewasonfoot。Hewaspursuingabroadpavedroad，whichundulatedbetweentworowsoftrees，overthehillswhichsucceedeachother，raisetheroadandletitfallagain，andproducesomethinginthenatureofenormouswaves。
　　HehadpassedLilloisandBois—Seigneur—Isaac。Inthewestheperceivedtheslate—roofedtowerofBraine—l’Alleud，whichhastheformofareversedvase。Hehadjustleftbehindawooduponaneminence；andattheangleofthecross—road，bythesideofasortofmouldygibbetbearingtheinscriptionAncientBarrierNo。4，apublichouse，bearingonitsfrontthissign:
　　AttheFourWinds（AuxQuatreVents）。Echabeau，PrivateCafe。
　　Aquarterofaleaguefurtheron，hearrivedatthebottomofalittlevalley，wherethereiswaterwhichpassesbeneathanarchmadethroughtheembankmentoftheroad。Theclumpofsparselyplantedbutverygreentrees，whichfillsthevalleyononesideoftheroad，isdispersedoverthemeadowsontheother，anddisappearsgracefullyandasinorderinthedirectionofBraine—l’Alleud。
　　Ontheright，closetotheroad，wasaninn，withafour—wheeledcartatthedoor，alargebundleofhop—poles，aplough，aheapofdriedbrushwoodnearaflourishinghedge，limesmokinginasquarehole，andaladdersuspendedalonganoldpenthousewithstrawpartitions。
　　Ayounggirlwasweedinginafield，whereahugeyellowposter，probablyofsomeoutsidespectacle，suchasaparishfestival，wasflutteringinthewind。Atonecorneroftheinn，besideapoolinwhichaflotillaofduckswasnavigating，abadlypavedpathplungedintothebushes。Thewayfarerstruckintothis。
　　Aftertraversingahundredpaces，skirtingawallofthefifteenthcentury，surmountedbyapointedgable，withbrickssetincontrast，hefoundhimselfbeforealargedoorofarchedstone，witharectilinearimpost，inthesombrestyleofLouisXIV。，flankedbytwoflatmedallions。Aseverefacaderoseabovethisdoor；
　　awall，perpendiculartothefacade，almosttouchedthedoor，andflankeditwithanabruptrightangle。Inthemeadowbeforethedoorlaythreeharrows，throughwhich，indisorder，grewalltheflowersofMay。Thedoorwasclosed。Thetwodecrepitleaveswhichbarreditwereornamentedwithanoldrustyknocker。
　　Thesunwascharming；thebrancheshadthatsoftshiveringofMay，whichseemstoproceedratherfromtheneststhanfromthewind。
　　Abravelittlebird，probablyalover，wascarollinginadistractedmannerinalargetree。
　　Thewayfarerbentoverandexaminedaratherlargecircularexcavation，resemblingthehollowofasphere，inthestoneontheleft，atthefootofthepierofthedoor。
　　Atthismomenttheleavesofthedoorparted，andapeasantwomanemerged。
　　Shesawthewayfarer，andperceivedwhathewaslookingat。
　　"ItwasaFrenchcannon—ballwhichmadethat，"shesaidtohim。
　　Andsheadded:——
　　"Thatwhichyouseethere，higherupinthedoor，nearanail，istheholeofabigironbulletaslargeasanegg。Thebulletdidnotpiercethewood。"
　　"Whatisthenameofthisplace？"inquiredthewayfarer。
　　"Hougomont，"saidthepeasantwoman。
　　Thetravellerstraightenedhimselfup。Hewalkedonafewpaces，andwentofftolookoverthetopsofthehedges。Onthehorizonthroughthetrees，heperceivedasortoflittleelevation，andonthiselevationsomethingwhichatthatdistanceresembledalion。
　　Hewasonthebattle—fieldofWaterloo。
　　CHAPTERII
　　HOUGOMONT
　　Hougomont，——thiswasafunerealspot，thebeginningoftheobstacle，thefirstresistance，whichthatgreatwood—cutterofEurope，calledNapoleon，encounteredatWaterloo，thefirstknotundertheblowsofhisaxe。
　　Itwasachateau；itisnolongeranythingbutafarm。Fortheantiquary，HougomontisHugomons。ThismanorwasbuiltbyHugo，SireofSomerel，thesamewhoendowedthesixthchaplaincyoftheAbbeyofVilliers。
　　Thetravellerpushedopenthedoor，elbowedanancientcalashundertheporch，andenteredthecourtyard。
　　Thefirstthingwhichstruckhiminthispaddockwasadoorofthesixteenthcentury，whichheresimulatesanarcade，everythingelsehavingfallenprostratearoundit。Amonumentalaspectoftenhasitsbirthinruin。Inawallnearthearcadeopensanotherarcheddoor，ofthetimeofHenryIV。，permittingaglimpseofthetreesofanorchard；besidethisdoor，amanure—hole，somepickaxes，someshovels，somecarts，anoldwell，withitsflagstoneanditsironreel，achickenjumping，andaturkeyspreadingitstail，achapelsurmountedbyasmallbell—tower，ablossomingpear—treetrainedinespalieragainstthewallofthechapel——beholdthecourt，theconquestofwhichwasoneofNapoleon’sdreams。Thiscornerofearth，couldhebuthaveseizedit，would，perhaps，havegivenhimtheworldlikewise。Chickensarescatteringitsdustabroadwiththeirbeaks。Agrowlisaudible；itisahugedog，whoshowshisteethandreplacestheEnglish。
　　TheEnglishbehavedadmirablythere。Cooke’sfourcompaniesofguardsthereheldoutforsevenhoursagainstthefuryofanarmy。
　　Hougomontviewedonthemap，asageometricalplan，comprisingbuildingsandenclosures，presentsasortofirregularrectangle，oneangleofwhichisnickedout。Itisthisanglewhichcontainsthesoutherndoor，guardedbythiswall，whichcommandsitonlyagun’slengthaway。Hougomonthastwodoors，——thesoutherndoor，thatofthechateau；andthenortherndoor，belongingtothefarm。
　　NapoleonsenthisbrotherJeromeagainstHougomont；thedivisionsofFoy，Guilleminot，andBacheluhurledthemselvesagainstit；
　　nearlytheentirecorpsofReillewasemployedagainstit，andmiscarried；
　　Kellermann’sballswereexhaustedonthisheroicsectionofwall。
　　Bauduin’sbrigadewasnotstrongenoughtoforceHougomontonthenorth，andthebrigadeofSoyecouldnotdomorethaneffectthebeginningofabreachonthesouth，butwithouttakingit。
　　Thefarmbuildingsborderthecourtyardonthesouth。Abitofthenorthdoor，brokenbytheFrench，hangssuspendedtothewall。
　　Itconsistsoffourplanksnailedtotwocross—beams，onwhichthescarsoftheattackarevisible。
　　Thenortherndoor，whichwasbeateninbytheFrench，andwhichhashadapieceappliedtoittoreplacethepanelsuspendedonthewall，standshalf—openatthebottomofthepaddock；itiscutsquarelyinthewall，builtofstonebelow，ofbrickabovewhichclosesinthecourtyardonthenorth。Itisasimpledoorforcarts，suchasexistinallfarms，withthetwolargeleavesmadeofrusticplanks:
　　beyondliethemeadows。Thedisputeoverthisentrancewasfurious。
　　Foralongtime，allsortsofimprintsofbloodyhandswerevisibleonthedoor—posts。ItwastherethatBauduinwaskilled。
　　Thestormofthecombatstilllingersinthiscourtyard；itshorrorisvisiblethere；theconfusionofthefraywaspetrifiedthere；
　　itlivesanditdiesthere；itwasonlyyesterday。Thewallsareinthedeathagony，thestonesfall；thebreachescryaloud；
　　theholesarewounds；thedrooping，quiveringtreesseemtobemakinganefforttoflee。
　　Thiscourtyardwasmorebuiltupin1815thanitisto—day。Buildingswhichhavesincebeenpulleddownthenformedredansandangles。
　　TheEnglishbarricadedthemselvesthere；theFrenchmadetheirwayin，butcouldnotstandtheirground。Besidethechapel，onewingofthechateau，theonlyruinnowremainingofthemanorofHougomont，risesinacrumblingstate，——disembowelled，onemightsay。
　　Thechateauservedforadungeon，thechapelforablock—house。
　　Theremenexterminatedeachother。TheFrench，firedonfromeverypoint，——frombehindthewalls，fromthesummitsofthegarrets，fromthedepthsofthecellars，throughallthecasements，throughalltheair—holes，througheverycrackinthestones，——
　　fetchedfagotsandsetfiretowallsandmen；thereplytothegrape—shotwasaconflagration。
　　Intheruinedwing，throughwindowsgarnishedwithbarsofiron，thedismantledchambersofthemainbuildingofbrickarevisible；
　　theEnglishguardswereinambushintheserooms；thespiralofthestaircase，crackedfromthegroundfloortotheveryroof，appearsliketheinsideofabrokenshell。Thestaircasehastwostories；
　　theEnglish，besiegedonthestaircase，andmassedonitsuppersteps，hadcutoffthelowersteps。Theseconsistedoflargeslabsofbluestone，whichformaheapamongthenettles。Halfascoreofstepsstillclingtothewall；onthefirstiscutthefigureofatrident。Theseinaccessiblestepsaresolidintheirniches。
　　Alltherestresemblesajawwhichhasbeendenudedofitsteeth。
　　Therearetwooldtreesthere:oneisdead；theotheriswoundedatitsbase，andisclothedwithverdureinApril。Since1815ithastakentogrowingthroughthestaircase。
　　Amassacretookplaceinthechapel。Theinterior，whichhasrecovereditscalm，issingular。Themasshasnotbeensaidtheresincethecarnage。Nevertheless，thealtarhasbeenleftthere——
　　analtarofunpolishedwood，placedagainstabackgroundofroughhewnstone。Fourwhitewashedwalls，adooroppositethealtar，twosmallarchedwindows；overthedooralargewoodencrucifix，belowthecrucifixasquareair—holestoppedupwithabundleofhay；
　　ontheground，inonecorner，anoldwindow—framewiththeglassallbrokentopieces——suchisthechapel。NearthealtarthereisnailedupawoodenstatueofSaintAnne，ofthefifteenthcentury；
　　theheadoftheinfantJesushasbeencarriedoffbyalargeball。
　　TheFrench，whoweremastersofthechapelforamoment，andwerethendislodged，setfiretoit。Theflamesfilledthisbuilding；
　　itwasaperfectfurnace；thedoorwasburned，thefloorwasburned，thewoodenChristwasnotburned。Thefirepreyeduponhisfeet，ofwhichonlytheblackenedstumpsarenowtobeseen；thenitstopped，——
　　amiracle，accordingtotheassertionofthepeopleoftheneighborhood。
　　TheinfantJesus，decapitated，waslessfortunatethantheChrist。
　　Thewallsarecoveredwithinscriptions。NearthefeetofChristthisnameistoberead:Henquinez。Thentheseothers:
　　CondedeRioMaiorMarquesyMarquesadeAlmagro（Habana）。ThereareFrenchnameswithexclamationpoints，——asignofwrath。
　　Thewallwasfreshlywhitewashedin1849。Thenationsinsultedeachotherthere。
　　Itwasatthedoorofthischapelthatthecorpsewaspickedupwhichheldanaxeinitshand；thiscorpsewasSub—LieutenantLegros。
　　Onemergingfromthechapel，awellisvisibleontheleft。
　　Therearetwointhiscourtyard。Oneinquires，Whyistherenobucketandpulleytothis？Itisbecausewaterisnolongerdrawnthere。
　　Whyiswaternotdrawnthere？Becauseitisfullofskeletons。
　　ThelastpersonwhodrewwaterfromthewellwasnamedGuillaumevanKylsom。HewasapeasantwholivedatHougomont，andwasgardenerthere。Onthe18thofJune，1815，hisfamilyfledandconcealedthemselvesinthewoods。
　　TheforestsurroundingtheAbbeyofVilliersshelteredtheseunfortunatepeoplewhohadbeenscatteredabroad，formanydaysandnights。
　　Thereareatthisdaycertaintracesrecognizable，suchasoldbolesofburnedtrees，whichmarkthesiteofthesepoorbivouacstremblinginthedepthsofthethickets。
　　GuillaumevanKylsomremainedatHougomont，"toguardthechateau，"
　　andconcealedhimselfinthecellar。TheEnglishdiscoveredhimthere。Theytorehimfromhishiding—place，andthecombatantsforcedthisfrightenedmantoservethem，byadministeringblowswiththeflatsoftheirswords。Theywerethirsty；thisGuillaumebroughtthemwater。Itwasfromthiswellthathedrewit。
　　Manydranktheretheirlastdraught。Thiswellwheredranksomanyofthedeadwasdestinedtodieitself。