Heturned。Arayofmoonlightoutlinedhisprofile，andJeanValjeanrecognizedoldFauchelevent。
"Ah！"saidJeanValjean，"soitisyou？Yes，Irecollectyou。"
"Thatisverylucky，"saidtheoldman，inareproachfultone。
"Andwhatareyoudoinghere？"resumedJeanValjean。
"Why，Iamcoveringmymelons，ofcourse！"
Infact，atthemomentwhenJeanValjeanaccostedhim，oldFaucheleventheldinhishandtheendofastrawmatwhichhewasoccupiedinspreadingoverthemelonbed。Duringthehourorthereaboutsthathehadbeeninthegardenhehadalreadyspreadoutanumberofthem。
ItwasthisoperationwhichhadcausedhimtoexecutethepeculiarmovementsobservedfromtheshedbyJeanValjean。
Hecontinued:——
"Isaidtomyself，`Themoonisbright:itisgoingtofreeze。
WhatifIweretoputmymelonsintotheirgreatcoats？’And，"headded，lookingatJeanValjeanwithabroadsmile，——"pardieu！yououghttohavedonethesame！Buthowdoyoucomehere？"
JeanValjean，findinghimselfknowntothisman，atleastonlyunderthenameofMadeleine，thenceforthadvancedonlywithcaution。
Hemultipliedhisquestions。Strangetosay，theirrolesseemedtobereversed。Itwashe，theintruder，whointerrogated。
"Andwhatisthisbellwhichyouwearonyourknee？"
"This，"repliedFauchelevent，"issothatImaybeavoided。"
"What！sothatyoumaybeavoided？"
OldFaucheleventwinkedwithanindescribableair。
"Ah，goodness！thereareonlywomeninthishouse——manyyounggirls。
ItappearsthatIshouldbeadangerouspersontomeet。Thebellgivesthemwarning。WhenIcome，theygo。
"Whathouseisthis？"
"Come，youknowwellenough。"
"ButIdonot。"
"Notwhenyougotmetheplacehereasgardener？"
"AnswermeasthoughIknewnothing。"
"Well，then，thisisthePetit—Picpusconvent。"
MemoriesrecurredtoJeanValjean。Chance，thatistosay，Providence，hadcasthimintopreciselythatconventintheQuartierSaint—AntoinewhereoldFauchelevent，crippledbythefallfromhiscart，hadbeenadmittedonhisrecommendationtwoyearspreviously。
Herepeated，asthoughtalkingtohimself:——
"ThePetit—Picpusconvent。"
"Exactly，"returnedoldFauchelevent。"Buttocometothepoint，howthedeucedidyoumanagetogetinhere，you，FatherMadeleine？
Nomatterifyouareasaint；youareamanaswell，andnomanentershere。"
"Youcertainlyarehere。"
"Thereisnoonebutme。"
"Still，"saidJeanValjean，"Imuststayhere。"
"Ah，goodGod！"criedFauchelevent。
JeanValjeandrewneartotheoldman，andsaidtohiminagravevoice:——
"FatherFauchelevent，Isavedyourlife。"
"Iwasthefirsttorecallit，"returnedFauchelevent。
"Well，youcandoto—dayformethatwhichIdidforyouintheoldendays。"
Faucheleventtookinhisaged，trembling，andwrinkledhandsJeanValjean’stworobusthands，andstoodforseveralminutesasthoughincapableofspeaking。Atlengthheexclaimed:——
"Oh！thatwouldbeablessingfromthegoodGod，ifIcouldmakeyousomelittlereturnforthat！Saveyourlife！MonsieurleMaire，disposeoftheoldman！"
Awonderfuljoyhadtransfiguredthisoldman。Hiscountenanceseemedtoemitarayoflight。
"Whatdoyouwishmetodo？"heresumed。
"ThatIwillexplaintoyou。Youhaveachamber？"
"Ihaveanisolatedhovelyonder，behindtheruinsoftheoldconvent，inacornerwhichnooneeverlooksinto。Therearethreeroomsinit。"
Thehutwas，infact，sowellhiddenbehindtheruins，andsocleverlyarrangedtopreventitbeingseen，thatJeanValjeanhadnotperceivedit。
"Good，"saidJeanValjean。"NowIamgoingtoasktwothingsofyou。"
"Whatarethey，Mr。Mayor？"
"Inthefirstplace，youarenottotellanyonewhatyouknowaboutme。
Inthesecond，youarenottotrytofindoutanythingmore。"
"Asyouplease。Iknowthatyoucandonothingthatisnothonest，thatyouhavealwaysbeenamanafterthegoodGod’sheart。
Andthen，moreover，youitwaswhoplacedmehere。Thatconcernsyou。
Iamatyourservice。"
"Thatissettledthen。Now，comewithme。Wewillgoandgetthechild。"
"Ah！"saidFauchelevent，"sothereisachild？"
Headdednotawordfurther，andfollowedJeanValjeanasadogfollowshismaster。
LessthanhalfanhourafterwardsCosette，whohadgrownrosyagainbeforetheflameofagoodfire，waslyingasleepintheoldgardener’sbed。JeanValjeanhadputonhiscravatandcoatoncemore；hishat，whichhehadflungoverthewall，hadbeenfoundandpickedup。WhileJeanValjeanwasputtingonhiscoat，Faucheleventhadremovedthebellandkneecap，whichnowhungonanailbesideavintagebasketthatadornedthewall。ThetwomenwerewarmingthemselveswiththeirelbowsrestingonatableuponwhichFaucheleventhadplacedabitofcheese，blackbread，abottleofwine，andtwoglasses，andtheoldmanwassayingtoJeanValjean，ashelaidhishandonthelatter’sknee:"Ah！FatherMadeleine！
Youdidnotrecognizemeimmediately；yousavepeople’slives，andthenyouforgetthem！Thatisbad！Buttheyrememberyou！
Youareaningrate！"
CHAPTERX
WHICHEXPLAINSHOWJAVERTGOTONTHESCENT
Theeventsofwhichwehavejustbeheldthereverseside，sotospeak，hadcomeaboutinthesimplestpossiblemanner。
WhenJeanValjean，ontheeveningoftheverydaywhenJaverthadarrestedhimbesideFantine’sdeath—bed，hadescapedfromthetownjailofM。surM。，thepolicehadsupposedthathehadbetakenhimselftoParis。Parisisamaelstromwhereeverythingislost，andeverythingdisappearsinthisbellyoftheworld，asinthebellyofthesea。Noforesthidesamanasdoesthatcrowd。
Fugitivesofeverysortknowthis。TheygotoParisastoanabyss；
therearegulfswhichsave。Thepoliceknowitalso，anditisinParisthattheyseekwhattheyhavelostelsewhere。
Theysoughttheex—mayorofM。surM。JavertwassummonedtoParistothrowlightontheirresearches。Javerthad，infact，renderedpowerfulassistanceintherecaptureofJeanValjean。
Javert’szealandintelligenceonthatoccasionhadbeenremarkedbyM。Chabouillet，secretaryofthePrefectureunderComteAngles。
M。Chabouillet，whohad，moreover，alreadybeenJavert’spatron，hadtheinspectorofM。surM。attachedtothepoliceforceofParis。
ThereJavertrenderedhimselfusefulindiversand，thoughthewordmayseemstrangeforsuchservices，honorablemanners。
HenolongerthoughtofJeanValjean，——thewolfofto—daycausesthesedogswhoarealwaysonthechasetoforgetthewolfofyesterday，——when，inDecember，1823，hereadanewspaper，hewhoneverreadnewspapers；
butJavert，amonarchicalman，hadadesiretoknowtheparticularsofthetriumphalentryofthe"PrinceGeneralissimo"intoBayonne。
Justashewasfinishingthearticle，whichinterestedhim；aname，thenameofJeanValjean，attractedhisattentionatthebottomofapage。ThepaperannouncedthattheconvictJeanValjeanwasdead，andpublishedthefactinsuchformaltermsthatJavertdidnotdoubtit。Heconfinedhimselftotheremark，"That’sagoodentry。"
Thenhethrewasidethepaper，andthoughtnomoreaboutit。
Sometimeafterwards，itchancedthatapolicereportwastransmittedfromtheprefectureoftheSeine—et—OisetotheprefectureofpoliceinParis，concerningtheabductionofachild，whichhadtakenplace，underpeculiarcircumstances，asitwassaid，inthecommuneofMontfermeil。Alittlegirlofsevenoreightyearsofage，thereportsaid，whohadbeenintrustedbyhermothertoaninn—keeperofthatneighborhood，hadbeenstolenbyastranger；thischildansweredtothenameofCosette，andwasthedaughterofagirlnamedFantine，whohaddiedinthehospital，itwasnotknownwhereorwhen。
ThisreportcameunderJavert’seyeandsethimtothinking。
ThenameofFantinewaswellknowntohim。HerememberedthatJeanValjeanhadmadehim，Javert，burstintolaughter，byaskinghimforarespiteofthreedays，forthepurposeofgoingtofetchthatcreature’schild。HerecalledthefactthatJeanValjeanhadbeenarrestedinParisattheverymomentwhenhewassteppingintothecoachforMontfermeil。Somesignshadmadehimsuspectatthetimethatthiswasthesecondoccasionofhisenteringthatcoach，andthathehadalready，onthepreviousday，madeanexcursiontotheneighborhoodofthatvillage，forhehadnotbeenseeninthevillageitself。
WhathadhebeenintendingtodointhatregionofMontfermeil？
Itcouldnotevenbesurmised。Javertunderstooditnow。
Fantine’sdaughterwasthere。JeanValjeanwasgoingthereinsearchofher。Andnowthischildhadbeenstolenbyastranger！
Whocouldthatstrangerbe？CoulditbeJeanValjean？ButJeanValjeanwasdead。Javert，withoutsayinganythingtoanybody，tookthecoachfromthePewterPlatter，Cul—de—SacdelaPlanchette，andmadeatriptoMontfermeil。
Heexpectedtofindagreatdealoflightonthesubjectthere；
hefoundagreatdealofobscurity。
ForthefirstfewdaystheThenardiershadchatteredintheirrage。
ThedisappearanceoftheLarkhadcreatedasensationinthevillage。
Heimmediatelyobtainednumerousversionsofthestory，whichendedintheabductionofachild。Hencethepolicereport。Buttheirfirstvexationhavingpassedoff，Thenardier，withhiswonderfulinstinct，hadveryquicklycomprehendedthatitisneveradvisabletostiruptheprosecutoroftheCrown，andthathiscomplaintswithregardtotheabductionofCosettewouldhaveastheirfirstresulttofixuponhimself，anduponmanydarkaffairswhichhehadonhand，theglitteringeyeofjustice。Thelastthingthatowlsdesireistohaveacandlebroughttothem。Andinthefirstplace，howexplainthefifteenhundredfrancswhichhehadreceived？
Heturnedsquarelyround，putagagonhiswife’smouth，andfeignedastonishmentwhenthestolenchildwasmentionedtohim。
Heunderstoodnothingaboutit；nodoubthehadgrumbledforawhileathavingthatdearlittlecreature"takenfromhim"sohastily；
heshouldhavelikedtokeephertwoorthreedayslonger，outoftenderness；buther"grandfather"hadcomeforherinthemostnaturalwayintheworld。Headdedthe"grandfather，"whichproducedagoodeffect。ThiswasthestorythatJaverthituponwhenhearrivedatMontfermeil。ThegrandfathercausedJeanValjeantovanish。
Nevertheless，Javertdroppedafewquestions，likeplummets，intoThenardier’shistory。"Whowasthatgrandfather？andwhatwashisname？"Thenardierrepliedwithsimplicity:"Heisawealthyfarmer。
Isawhispassport。IthinkhisnamewasM。GuillaumeLambert。"
Lambertisarespectableandextremelyreassuringname。
ThereuponJavertreturnedtoParis。
"JeanValjeaniscertainlydead，"saidhe，"andIamaninny。"
Hehadagainbeguntoforgetthishistory，when，inthecourseofMarch，1824，heheardofasingularpersonagewhodweltintheparishofSaint—Medardandwhohadbeensurnamed"themendicantwhogivesalms。"Thisperson，thestoryran，wasamanofmeans，whosenamenooneknewexactly，andwholivedalonewithalittlegirlofeightyears，whoknewnothingaboutherself，savethatshehadcomefromMontfermeil。Montfermeil！thatnamewasalwayscomingup，anditmadeJavertprickuphisears。Anoldbeggarpolicespy，anex—beadle，towhomthispersonhadgivenalms，addedafewmoredetails。Thisgentlemanofpropertywasveryshy，——
nevercomingoutexceptintheevening，speakingtonoone，except，occasionallytothepoor，andneverallowinganyonetoapproachhim。
Heworeahorribleoldyellowfrock—coat，whichwasworthmanymillions，beingallwaddedwithbank—bills。ThispiquedJavert’scuriosityinadecidedmanner。Inordertogetacloselookatthisfantasticgentlemanwithoutalarminghim，heborrowedthebeadle’soutfitforaday，andtheplacewheretheoldspywasinthehabitofcrouchingeveryevening，whiningorisonsthroughhisnose，andplayingthespyundercoverofprayer。
"Thesuspectedindividual"didindeedapproachJavertthusdisguised，andbestowalmsonhim。AtthatmomentJavertraisedhishead，andtheshockwhichJeanValjeanreceivedonrecognizingJavertwasequaltotheonereceivedbyJavertwhenhethoughtherecognizedJeanValjean。
However，thedarknessmighthavemisledhim；JeanValjean’sdeathwasofficial；Javertcherishedverygravedoubts；andwhenindoubt，Javert，themanofscruples，neverlaidafingeronanyone’scollar。
HefollowedhismantotheGorbeauhouse，andgot"theoldwoman"
totalking，whichwasnodifficultmatter。Theoldwomanconfirmedthefactregardingthecoatlinedwithmillions，andnarratedtohimtheepisodeofthethousand—francbill。Shehadseenit！
Shehadhandledit！Javerthiredaroom；thateveningheinstalledhimselfinit。Hecameandlistenedatthemysteriouslodger’sdoor，hopingtocatchthesoundofhisvoice，butJeanValjeansawhiscandlethroughthekey—hole，andfoiledthespybykeepingsilent。
OnthefollowingdayJeanValjeandecamped；butthenoisemadebythefallofthefive—francpiecewasnoticedbytheoldwoman，who，hearingtherattlingofcoin，suspectedthathemightbeintendingtoleave，andmadehastetowarnJavert。Atnight，whenJeanValjeancameout，Javertwaswaitingforhimbehindthetreesoftheboulevardwithtwomen。
JaverthaddemandedassistanceatthePrefecture，buthehadnotmentionedthenameoftheindividualwhomhehopedtoseize；
thatwashissecret，andhehadkeptitforthreereasons:
inthefirstplace，becausetheslightestindiscretionmightputJeanValjeanonthealert；next，because，tolayhandsonanex—convictwhohadmadehisescapeandwasreputeddead，onacriminalwhomjusticehadformerlyclassedforeverasamongmalefactorsofthemostdangeroussort，wasamagnificentsuccesswhichtheoldmembersoftheParisianpolicewouldassuredlynotleavetoanew—comerlikeJavert，andhewasafraidofbeingdeprivedofhisconvict；
andlastly，becauseJavert，beinganartist，hadatastefortheunforeseen。Hehatedthosewell—heraldedsuccesseswhicharetalkedoflonginadvanceandhavehadthebloombrushedoff。
Hepreferredtoelaboratehismasterpiecesinthedarkandtounveilthemsuddenlyatthelast。
JaverthadfollowedJeanValjeanfromtreetotree，thenfromcornertocornerofthestreet，andhadnotlostsightofhimforasingleinstant；evenatthemomentswhenJeanValjeanbelievedhimselftobethemostsecureJavert’seyehadbeenonhim。
WhyhadnotJavertarrestedJeanValjean？Becausehewasstillindoubt。
Itmustberememberedthatatthatepochthepolicewasnotpreciselyatitsease；thefreepressembarrassedit；severalarbitraryarrestsdenouncedbythenewspapers，hadechoedevenasfarastheChambers，andhadrenderedthePrefecturetimid。Interferencewithindividuallibertywasagravematter。Thepoliceagentswereafraidofmakingamistake；theprefectlaidtheblameonthem；amistakemeantdismissal。
Thereadercanimaginetheeffectwhichthisbriefparagraph，reproducedbytwentynewspapers，wouldhavecausedinParis:
"Yesterday，anagedgrandfather，withwhitehair，arespectableandwell—to—dogentleman，whowaswalkingwithhisgrandchild，agedeight，wasarrestedandconductedtotheagencyofthePrefectureasanescapedconvict！"
LetusrepeatinadditionthatJaverthadscruplesofhisown；
injunctionsofhisconsciencewereaddedtotheinjunctionsoftheprefect。Hewasreallyindoubt。
JeanValjeanturnedhisbackonhimandwalkedinthedark。
Sadness，uneasiness，anxiety，depression，thisfreshmisfortuneofbeingforcedtofleebynight，toseekachancerefugeinParisforCosetteandhimself，thenecessityofregulatinghispacetothepaceofthechild——allthis，withouthisbeingawareofit，hadalteredJeanValjean’swalk，andimpressedonhisbearingsuchsenility，thatthepolicethemselves，incarnateinthepersonofJavert，might，anddidinfact，makeamistake。Theimpossibilityofapproachingtooclose，hiscostumeofanemigrepreceptor，thedeclarationofThenardierwhichmadeagrandfatherofhim，and，finally，thebeliefinhisdeathinprison，addedstillfurthertotheuncertaintywhichgatheredthickinJavert’smind。
Foraninstantitoccurredtohimtomakeanabruptdemandforhispapers；butifthemanwasnotJeanValjean，andifthismanwasnotagood，honestoldfellowlivingonhisincome，hewasprobablysomemerrybladedeeplyandcunninglyimplicatedintheobscurewebofParisianmisdeeds，somechiefofadangerousband，whogavealmstoconcealhisothertalents，whichwasanolddodge。
Hehadtrustyfellows，accomplices’retreatsincaseofemergencies，inwhichhewould，nodoubt，takerefuge。Alltheseturnswhichhewasmakingthroughthestreetsseemedtoindicatethathewasnotasimpleandhonestman。Toarresthimtoohastilywouldbe"tokillthehenthatlaidthegoldeneggs。"Wherewastheinconvenienceinwaiting？Javertwasverysurethathewouldnotescape。
Thusheproceededinatolerablyperplexedstateofmind，puttingtohimselfahundredquestionsaboutthisenigmaticalpersonage。
ItwasonlyquitelateintheRuedePontoise，that，thankstothebrilliantlightthrownfromadram—shop，hedecidedlyrecognizedJeanValjean。
Thereareinthisworldtwobeingswhogiveaprofoundstart，——
themotherwhorecoversherchildandthetigerwhorecovershisprey。
Javertgavethatprofoundstart。
AssoonashehadpositivelyrecognizedJeanValjean，theformidableconvict，heperceivedthattherewereonlythreeofthem，andheaskedforreinforcementsatthepolicestationoftheRuedePontoise。
Oneputsonglovesbeforegraspingathorncudgel。
ThisdelayandthehaltattheCarrefourRollintoconsultwithhisagentscamenearcausinghimtolosethetrail。
Hespeedilydivined，however，thatJeanValjeanwouldwanttoputtheriverbetweenhispursuersandhimself。Hebenthisheadandreflectedlikeablood—houndwhoputshisnosetothegroundtomakesurethatheisontherightscent。Javert，withhispowerfulrectitudeofinstinct，wentstraighttothebridgeofAusterlitz。
Awordwiththetoll—keeperfurnishedhimwiththeinformationwhichherequired:"Haveyouseenamanwithalittlegirl？"
"Imadehimpaytwosous，"repliedthetoll—keeper。JavertreachedthebridgeinseasontoseeJeanValjeantraversethesmallilluminatedspotontheothersideofthewater，leadingCosettebythehand。
HesawhimentertheRueduChemin—Vert—Saint—Antoine；herememberedtheCul—de—SacGenrotarrangedtherelikeatrap，andofthesoleexitoftheRueDroit—MurintotheRuePetit—Picpus。Hemadesureofhisbackburrows，ashuntsmensay；hehastilydespatchedoneofhisagents，byaroundaboutway，toguardthatissue。
ApatrolwhichwasreturningtotheArsenalposthavingpassedhim，hemadearequisitiononit，andcausedittoaccompanyhim。
Insuchgamessoldiersareaces。Moreover，theprincipleis，thatinordertogetthebestofawildboar，onemustemploythescienceofveneryandplentyofdogs。Thesecombinationshavingbeeneffected，feelingthatJeanValjeanwascaughtbetweentheblindalleyGenrotontheright，hisagentontheleft，andhimself，Javert，intherear，hetookapinchofsnuff。
Thenhebeganthegame。Heexperiencedoneecstaticandinfernalmoment；
heallowedhismantogoonahead，knowingthathehadhimsafe，butdesirousofpostponingthemomentofarrestaslongaspossible，happyatthethoughtthathewastakenandyetatseeinghimfree，gloatingoverhimwithhisgaze，withthatvoluptuousnessofthespiderwhichallowstheflytoflutter，andofthecatwhichletsthemouserun。Clawsandtalonspossessamonstroussensuality，——
theobscuremovementsofthecreatureimprisonedintheirpincers。
Whatadelightthisstranglingis！
Javertwasenjoyinghimself。Themeshesofhisnetwerestoutlyknotted。
Hewassureofsuccess；allhehadtodonowwastoclosehishand。
Accompaniedashewas，theveryideaofresistancewasimpossible，howevervigorous，energetic，anddesperateJeanValjeanmightbe。
Javertadvancedslowly，sounding，searchingonhiswayallthenooksofthestreetlikesomanypocketsofthieves。
Whenhereachedthecentreofthewebhefoundtheflynolongerthere。
Hisexasperationcanbeimagined。
HeinterrogatedhissentineloftheRuesDroit—MurandPetit—Picpus；
thatagent，whohadremainedimperturbablyathispost，hadnotseenthemanpass。
Itsometimeshappensthatastagislostheadandhorns；
thatistosay，heescapesalthoughhehasthepackonhisveryheels，andthentheoldesthuntsmenknownotwhattosay。
Duvivier，Ligniville，andDesprezhaltshort。Inadiscomfitureofthissort，Artongeexclaims，"Itwasnotastag，butasorcerer。"
Javertwouldhavelikedtoutterthesamecry。
Hisdisappointmentborderedforamomentondespairandrage。
ItiscertainthatNapoleonmademistakesduringthewarwithRussia，thatAlexandercommittedblundersinthewarinIndia，thatCaesarmademistakesinthewarinAfrica，thatCyruswasatfaultinthewarinScythia，andthatJavertblunderedinthiscampaignagainstJeanValjean。Hewaswrong，perhaps，inhesitatinginhisrecognitionoftheexconvict。Thefirstglanceshouldhavesufficedhim。
Hewaswronginnotarrestinghimpurelyandsimplyintheoldbuilding；
hewaswronginnotarrestinghimwhenhepositivelyrecognizedhimintheRuedePontoise。HewaswrongintakingcounselwithhisauxiliariesinthefulllightofthemoonintheCarrefourRollin。
Adviceiscertainlyuseful；itisagoodthingtoknowandtointerrogatethoseofthedogswhodeserveconfidence；butthehuntercannotbetoocautiouswhenheischasinguneasyanimalslikethewolfandtheconvict。Javert，bytakingtoomuchthoughtastohowheshouldsetthebloodhoundsofthepackonthetrail，alarmedthebeastbygivinghimwindofthedart，andsomadehimrun。
Aboveall，hewaswronginthatafterhehadpickedupthescentagainonthebridgeofAusterlitz，heplayedthatformidableandpuerilegameofkeepingsuchamanattheendofathread。
Hethoughthimselfstrongerthanhewas，andbelievedthathecouldplayatthegameofthemouseandthelion。Atthesametime，hereckonedhimselfastooweak，whenhejudgeditnecessarytoobtainreinforcement。Fatalprecaution，wasteofprecioustime！
Javertcommittedalltheseblunders，andnonethelesswasoneofthecleverestandmostcorrectspiesthateverexisted。Hewas，inthefullforceoftheterm，whatiscalledinveneryaknowingdog。
Butwhatistherethatisperfect？
Greatstrategistshavetheireclipses。
Thegreatestfolliesareoftencomposed，likethelargestropes，ofamultitudeofstrands。Takethecablethreadbythread，takeallthepettydeterminingmotivesseparately，andyoucanbreakthemoneaftertheother，andyousay，"Thatisallthereisofit！"
Braidthem，twistthemtogether；theresultisenormous:itisAttilahesitatingbetweenMarcianontheeastandValentinianonthewest；
itisHannibaltarryingatCapua；itisDantonfallingasleepatArcis—sur—Aube。
Howeverthatmaybe，evenatthemomentwhenhesawthatJeanValjeanhadescapedhim，Javertdidnotlosehishead。
Surethattheconvictwhohadbrokenhisbancouldnotbefaroff，heestablishedsentinels，heorganizedtrapsandambuscades，andbeatthequarterallthatnight。Thefirstthinghesawwasthedisorderinthestreetlanternwhoseropehadbeencut。
Aprecioussignwhich，however，ledhimastray，sinceitcausedhimtoturnallhisresearchesinthedirectionoftheCul—de—SacGenrot。
Inthisblindalleythereweretolerablylowwallswhichabuttedongardenswhoseboundsadjoinedtheimmensestretchesofwasteland。
JeanValjeanevidentlymusthavefledinthatdirection。Thefactis，thathadhepenetratedalittlefurtherintheCul—de—SacGenrot，hewouldprobablyhavedonesoandhavebeenlost。Javertexploredthesegardensandthesewastestretchesasthoughhehadbeenhuntingforaneedle。
Atdaybreakhelefttwointelligentmenontheoutlook，andreturnedtothePrefectureofPolice，asmuchashamedasapolicespywhohadbeencapturedbyarobbermighthavebeen。
BOOKSIXTH。——LEPETIT—PICPUS
CHAPTERI
NUMBER62RUEPETIT—PICPUS
Nothing，halfacenturyago，moreresembledeveryothercarriagegatethanthecarriagegateofNumber62RuePetit—Picpus。Thisentrance，whichusuallystoodajarinthemostinvitingfashion，permittedaviewoftwothings，neitherofwhichhaveanythingveryfunerealaboutthem，——acourtyardsurroundedbywallshungwithvines，andthefaceofaloungingporter。Abovethewall，atthebottomofthecourt，talltreeswerevisible。Whenarayofsunlightenlivenedthecourtyard，whenaglassofwinecheereduptheporter，itwasdifficulttopassNumber62LittlePicpusStreetwithoutcarryingawayasmilingimpressionofit。Nevertheless，itwasasombreplaceofwhichonehadhadaglimpse。
Thethresholdsmiled；thehouseprayedandwept。
Ifonesucceededinpassingtheporter，whichwasnoteasy，——
whichwasevennearlyimpossibleforeveryone，fortherewasanopensesame！whichitwasnecessarytoknow，——if，theporteroncepassed，oneenteredalittlevestibuleontheright，onwhichopenedastaircaseshutinbetweentwowallsandsonarrowthatonlyonepersoncouldascenditatatime，ifonedidnotallowone’sselftobealarmedbyadaubingofcanaryyellow，withadadoofchocolatewhichclothedthisstaircase，ifoneventuredtoascendit，onecrossedafirstlanding，thenasecond，andarrivedonthefirststoryatacorridorwheretheyellowwashandthechocolate—huedplinthpursuedonewithapeaceablepersistency。
Staircaseandcorridorwerelightedbytwobeautifulwindows。
Thecorridortookaturnandbecamedark。Ifonedoubledthiscape，onearrivedafewpacesfurtheron，infrontofadoorwhichwasallthemoremysteriousbecauseitwasnotfastened。Ifoneopenedit，onefoundone’sselfinalittlechamberaboutsixfeetsquare，tiled，well—scrubbed，clean，cold，andhungwithnankinpaperwithgreenflowers，atfifteensoustheroll。Awhite，dulllightfellfromalargewindow，withtinypanes，ontheleft，whichusurpedthewholewidthoftheroom。Onegazedabout，butsawnoone；
onelistened，oneheardneitherafootstepnorahumanmurmur。
Thewallswerebare，thechamberwasnotfurnished；therewasnotevenachair。
Onelookedagain，andbeheldonthewallfacingthedooraquadrangularhole，aboutafootsquare，withagratingofinterlacingironbars，black，knotted，solid，whichformedsquares——
Ihadalmostsaidmeshes——oflessthananinchandahalfindiagonallength。Thelittlegreenflowersofthenankinpaperraninacalmandorderlymannertothoseironbars，withoutbeingstartledorthrownintoconfusionbytheirfunerealcontact。
Supposingthatalivingbeinghadbeensowonderfullythinastoessayanentranceoranexitthroughthesquarehole，thisgratingwouldhavepreventedit。Itdidnotallowthepassageofthebody，butitdidallowthepassageoftheeyes；thatistosay，ofthemind。
Thisseemstohaveoccurredtothem，forithadbeenre—enforcedbyasheetoftininsertedinthewallalittleintherear，andpiercedwithathousandholesmoremicroscopicthantheholesofastrainer。Atthebottomofthisplate，anaperturehadbeenpiercedexactlysimilartotheorificeofaletterbox。Abitoftapeattachedtoabell—wirehungattherightofthegratedopening。
Ifthetapewaspulled，abellrang，andoneheardavoiceverynearathand，whichmadeonestart。
"Whoisthere？"thevoicedemanded。
Itwasawoman’svoice，agentlevoice，sogentlethatitwasmournful。
Here，again，therewasamagicalwordwhichitwasnecessarytoknow。
Ifonedidnotknowit，thevoiceceased，thewallbecamesilentoncemore，asthoughtheterrifiedobscurityofthesepulchrehadbeenontheothersideofit。
Ifoneknewthepassword，thevoiceresumed，"Enterontheright。"
Onethenperceivedontheright，facingthewindow，aglassdoorsurmountedbyaframeglazedandpaintedgray。Onraisingthelatchandcrossingthethreshold，oneexperiencedpreciselythesameimpressionaswhenoneentersatthetheatreintoagratedbaignoire，beforethegratingisloweredandthechandelierislighted。
Onewas，infact，inasortoftheatre—box，narrow，furnishedwithtwooldchairs，andamuch—frayedstrawmatting，sparelyilluminatedbythevaguelightfromtheglassdoor；aregularbox，withitsfrontjustofaheighttoleanupon，bearingatabletofblackwood。
Thisboxwasgrated，onlythegratingofitwasnotofgildedwood，asattheopera；itwasamonstrouslatticeofironbars，hideouslyinterlacedandrivetedtothewallbyenormousfasteningswhichresembledclenchedfists。
Thefirstminutespassed；whenone’seyesbegantogrowusedtothiscellar—likehalf—twilight，onetriedtopassthegrating，butgotnofurtherthansixinchesbeyondit。Thereheencounteredabarrierofblackshutters，re—enforcedandfortifiedwithtransversebeamsofwoodpaintedagingerbreadyellow。Theseshuttersweredividedintolong，narrowslats，andtheymaskedtheentirelengthofthegrating。
Theywerealwaysclosed。Attheexpirationofafewmomentsoneheardavoiceproceedingfrombehindtheseshutters，andsaying:——
"Iamhere。Whatdoyouwishwithme？"
Itwasabeloved，sometimesanadored，voice。Noonewasvisible。
Hardlythesoundofabreathwasaudible。Itseemedasthoughitwereaspiritwhichhadbeenevoked，thatwasspeakingtoyouacrossthewallsofthetomb。
Ifonechancedtobewithincertainprescribedandveryrareconditions，theslatofoneoftheshuttersopenedoppositeyou；theevokedspiritbecameanapparition。Behindthegrating，behindtheshutter，oneperceivedsofarasthegratingpermittedsight，ahead，ofwhichonlythemouthandthechinwerevisible；therestwascoveredwithablackveil。Onecaughtaglimpseofablackguimpe，andaformthatwasbarelydefined，coveredwithablackshroud。
Thatheadspokewithyou，butdidnotlookatyouandneversmiledatyou。
Thelightwhichcamefrombehindyouwasadjustedinsuchamannerthatyousawherinthewhite，andshesawyouintheblack。
Thislightwassymbolical。
Nevertheless，youreyesplungedeagerlythroughthatopeningwhichwasmadeinthatplaceshutofffromallglances。Aprofoundvaguenessenvelopedthatformcladinmourning。Youreyessearchedthatvagueness，andsoughttomakeoutthesurroundingsoftheapparition。
Attheexpirationofaveryshorttimeyoudiscoveredthatyoucouldseenothing。Whatyoubeheldwasnight，emptiness，shadows，awintrymistmingledwithavaporfromthetomb，asortofterriblepeace，asilencefromwhichyoucouldgathernothing，notevensighs，agloominwhichyoucoulddistinguishnothing，notevenphantoms。
Whatyoubeheldwastheinteriorofacloister。
ItwastheinteriorofthatsevereandgloomyedificewhichwascalledtheConventoftheBernardinesofthePerpetualAdoration。
Theboxinwhichyoustoodwastheparlor。Thefirstvoicewhichhadaddressedyouwasthatoftheportresswhoalwayssatmotionlessandsilent，ontheothersideofthewall，nearthesquareopening，screenedbytheirongratingandtheplatewithitsthousandholes，asbyadoublevisor。Theobscuritywhichbathedthegratedboxarosefromthefactthattheparlor，whichhadawindowonthesideoftheworld，hadnoneonthesideoftheconvent。Profaneeyesmustseenothingofthatsacredplace。
Nevertheless，therewassomethingbeyondthatshadow；therewasalight；therewaslifeinthemidstofthatdeath。Althoughthiswasthemoststrictlywalledofallconvents，weshallendeavortomakeourwayintoit，andtotakethereaderin，andtosay，withouttransgressingtheproperbounds，thingswhichstory—tellershaveneverseen，andhave，therefore，neverdescribed。
CHAPTERII
THEOBEDIENCEOFMARTINVERGA
Thisconvent，whichin1824hadalreadyexistedformanyalongyearintheRuePetit—Picpus，wasacommunityofBernardinesoftheobedienceofMartinVerga。
TheseBernardineswereattached，inconsequence，nottoClairvaux，liketheBernardinemonks，buttoCiteaux，liketheBenedictinemonks。
Inotherwords，theywerethesubjects，notofSaintBernard，butofSaintBenoit。
AnyonewhohasturnedoveroldfoliostoanyextentknowsthatMartinVergafoundedin1425acongregationofBernardines—Benedictines，withSalamancafortheheadoftheorder，andAlcalaasthebranchestablishment。
ThiscongregationhadsentoutbranchesthroughoutalltheCatholiccountriesofEurope。
ThereisnothingunusualintheLatinChurchinthesegraftsofoneorderonanother。TomentiononlyasingleorderofSaint—Benoit，whichishereinquestion:thereareattachedtothisorder，withoutcountingtheobedienceofMartinVerga，fourcongregations，——
twoinItaly，Mont—CassinandSainte—JustineofPadua；twoinFrance，ClunyandSaint—Maur；andnineorders，——Vallombrosa，Granmont，theCelestins，theCamaldules，theCarthusians，theHumilies，theOlivateurs，theSilvestrins，andlastly，Citeaux；forCiteauxitself，atrunkforotherorders，isonlyanoffshootofSaint—Benoit。
CiteauxdatesfromSaintRobert，AbbedeMolesme，inthedioceseofLangres，in1098。Nowitwasin529thatthedevil，havingretiredtothedesertofSubiaco——hewasold——hadheturnedhermit？——
waschasedfromtheancienttempleofApollo，wherehedwelt，bySaint—Benoit，thenagedseventeen。
AftertheruleoftheCarmelites，whogobarefoot，wearabitofwillowontheirthroats，andneversitdown，theharshestruleisthatoftheBernardines—BenedictinesofMartinVerga。
Theyareclothedinblack，withaguimpe，which，inaccordancewiththeexpresscommandofSaint—Benoit，mountstothechin。
Arobeofsergewithlargesleeves，alargewoollenveil，theguimpewhichmountstothechincutsquareonthebreast，thebandwhichdescendsovertheirbrowtotheireyes，——thisistheirdress。
Allisblackexcepttheband，whichiswhite。Thenoviceswearthesamehabit，butallinwhite。Theprofessednunsalsoweararosaryattheirside。
TheBernardines—BenedictinesofMartinVergapractisethePerpetualAdoration，liketheBenedictinescalledLadiesoftheHolySacrament，who，atthebeginningofthiscentury，hadtwohousesinParis，——
oneattheTemple，theotherintheRueNeuve—Sainte—Genevieve。However，theBernardines—BenedictinesofthePetit—Picpus，ofwhomwearespeaking，wereatotallydifferentorderfromtheLadiesoftheHolySacrament，cloisteredintheRueNeuve—Sainte—GenevieveandattheTemple。
Therewerenumerousdifferencesintheirrule；thereweresomeintheircostume。TheBernardines—BenedictinesofthePetit—Picpusworetheblackguimpe，andtheBenedictinesoftheHolySacramentandoftheRueNeuve—Sainte—Genevieveworeawhiteone，andhad，besides，ontheirbreasts，aHolySacramentaboutthreeincheslong，insilvergiltorgildedcopper。ThenunsofthePetit—PicpusdidnotwearthisHolySacrament。ThePerpetualAdoration，whichwascommontothehouseofthePetit—PicpusandtothehouseoftheTemple，leavesthosetwoordersperfectlydistinct。TheironlyresemblanceliesinthispracticeoftheLadiesoftheHolySacramentandtheBernardinesofMartinVerga，justasthereexistedasimilarityinthestudyandtheglorificationofallthemysteriesrelatingtotheinfancy，thelife，anddeathofJesusChristandtheVirgin，betweenthetwoorders，whichwere，nevertheless，widelyseparated，andonoccasionevenhostile。TheOratoryofItaly，establishedatFlorencebyPhilipdeNeri，andtheOratoryofFrance，establishedbyPierredeBerulle。TheOratoryofFranceclaimedtheprecedence，sincePhilipdeNeriwasonlyasaint，whileBerullewasacardinal。
LetusreturntotheharshSpanishruleofMartinVerga。
TheBernardines—Benedictinesofthisobediencefastalltheyearround，abstainfrommeat，fastinLentandonmanyotherdayswhicharepeculiartothem，risefromtheirfirstsleep，fromonetothreeo’clockinthemorning，toreadtheirbreviaryandchantmatins，sleepinallseasonsbetweensergesheetsandonstraw，makenouseofthebath，neverlightafire，scourgethemselveseveryFriday，observetheruleofsilence，speaktoeachotheronlyduringtherecreationhours，whichareverybrief，andweardruggetchemisesforsixmonthsintheyear，fromSeptember14th，whichistheExaltationoftheHolyCross，untilEaster。
Thesesixmonthsareamodification:therulesaysalltheyear，butthisdruggetchemise，intolerableintheheatofsummer，producedfeversandnervousspasms。Theuseofithadtoberestricted。
Evenwiththispalliation，whenthenunsputonthischemiseonthe14thofSeptember，theysufferfromfeverforthreeorfourdays。
Obedience，poverty，chastity，perseveranceintheirseclusion，——
thesearetheirvows，whichtherulegreatlyaggravates。
Theprioressiselectedforthreeyearsbythemothers，whoarecalledmeresvocalesbecausetheyhaveavoiceinthechapter。
Aprioresscanonlybere—electedtwice，whichfixesthelongestpossiblereignofaprioressatnineyears。
Theyneverseetheofficiatingpriest，whoisalwayshiddenfromthembyasergecurtainninefeetinheight。Duringthesermon，whenthepreacherisinthechapel，theydroptheirveilsovertheirfaces。
Theymustalwaysspeaklow，walkwiththeireyesonthegroundandtheirheadsbowed。Onemanonlyisallowedtoentertheconvent，——
thearchbishopofthediocese。
Thereisreallyoneother，——thegardener。Butheisalwaysanoldman，and，inorderthathemayalwaysbealoneinthegarden，andthatthenunsmaybewarnedtoavoidhim，abellisattachedtohisknee。
Theirsubmissiontotheprioressisabsoluteandpassive。
Itisthecanonicalsubjectioninthefullforceofitsabnegation。
AsatthevoiceofChrist，utvociChristi，atagesture，atthefirstsign，adnutum，adprimumsignum，immediately，withcheerfulness，withperseverance，withacertainblindobedience，prompte，hilariter，perseveranteretcaecaquadamobedientia，asthefileinthehandoftheworkman，quasilimaminmanibusfabri，withoutpowertoreadortowritewithoutexpresspermission，legerevelscriberenonaddisceritsineexpressasuperiorislicentia。
Eachoneoftheminturnmakeswhattheycallreparation。
Thereparationistheprayerforallthesins，forallthefaults，forallthedissensions，foralltheviolations，foralltheiniquities，forallthecrimescommittedonearth。Forthespaceoftwelveconsecutivehours，fromfouro’clockintheafternoontillfouro’clockinthemorning，orfromfouro’clockinthemorninguntilfouro’clockintheafternoon，thesisterwhoismakingreparationremainsonherkneesonthestonebeforetheHolySacrament，withhandsclasped，aropearoundherneck。Whenherfatiguebecomesunendurable，sheprostratesherselfflatonherfaceagainsttheearth，withherarmsoutstretchedintheformofacross；thisisheronlyrelief。
Inthisattitudeshepraysforalltheguiltyintheuniverse。
Thisisgreattosublimity。
Asthisactisperformedinfrontofapostonwhichburnsacandle，itiscalledwithoutdistinction，tomakereparationortobeatthepost。Thenunsevenprefer，outofhumility，thislastexpression，whichcontainsanideaoftortureandabasement。
Tomakereparationisafunctioninwhichthewholesoulisabsorbed。
Thesisteratthepostwouldnotturnroundwereathunderbolttofalldirectlybehindher。
Besidesthis，thereisalwaysasisterkneelingbeforetheHolySacrament。Thisstationlastsanhour。Theyrelieveeachotherlikesoldiersonguard。ThisisthePerpetualAdoration。
Theprioressesandthemothersalmostalwaysbearnamesstampedwithpeculiarsolemnity，recalling，notthesaintsandmartyrs，butmomentsinthelifeofJesusChrist:asMotherNativity，MotherConception，MotherPresentation，MotherPassion。Butthenamesofsaintsarenotinterdicted。
Whenoneseesthem，oneneverseesanythingbuttheirmouths。
Alltheirteethareyellow。Notooth—brusheverenteredthatconvent。
Brushingone’steethisatthetopofaladderatwhosebottomisthelossofone’ssoul。
Theyneversaymy。Theypossessnothingoftheirown，andtheymustnotattachthemselvestoanything。Theycalleverythingour；thus:ourveil，ourchaplet；iftheywerespeakingoftheirchemise，theywouldsayourchemise。Sometimestheygrowattachedtosomepettyobject，——
toabookofhours，arelic，amedalthathasbeenblessed。Assoonastheybecomeawarethattheyaregrowingattachedtothisobject，theymustgiveitup。TheyrecallthewordsofSaintTherese，towhomagreatladysaid，asshewasonthepointofenteringherorder，"Permitme，mother，tosendforaBibletowhichI
amgreatlyattached。""Ah，youareattachedtosomething！
Inthatcase，donotenterourorder！"
Everypersonwhateverisforbiddentoshutherselfup，tohaveaplaceofherown，achamber。Theylivewiththeircellsopen。
Whentheymeet，onesays，"BlessedandadoredbethemostHolySacramentofthealtar！"Theotherresponds，"Forever。"Thesameceremonywhenonetapsattheother’sdoor。Hardlyhasshetouchedthedoorwhenasoftvoiceontheothersideisheardtosayhastily，"Forever！"Likeallpractices，thisbecomesmechanicalbyforceofhabit；andonesometimessaysforeverbeforetheotherhashadtimetosaytheratherlongsentence，"PraisedandadoredbethemostHolySacramentofthealtar。"
AmongtheVisitandinestheonewhoenterssays:"AveMaria，"
andtheonewhosecellisenteredsays，"Gratiaplena。"Itistheirwayofsayinggoodday，whichisinfactfullofgrace。
Ateachhourofthedaythreesupplementarystrokessoundfromthechurchbelloftheconvent。Atthissignalprioress，vocalmothers，professednuns，lay—sisters，novices，postulants，interruptwhattheyaresaying，whattheyaredoing，orwhattheyarethinking，andallsayinunisonifitisfiveo’clock，forinstance，"Atfiveo’clockandatallhourspraisedandadoredbethemostHolySacramentofthealtar！"Ifitiseighto’clock，"Ateighto’clockandatallhours！"andsoon，accordingtothehour。
Thiscustom，theobjectofwhichistobreakthethreadofthoughtandtoleaditbackconstantlytoGod，existsinmanycommunities；
theformulaalonevaries。ThusatTheInfantJesustheysay，"AtthishourandateveryhourmaytheloveofJesuskindlemyheart！"
TheBernardines—BenedictinesofMartinVerga，cloisteredfiftyyearsagoatPetit—Picpus，chanttheofficestoasolemnpsalmody，apureGregorianchant，andalwayswithfullvoiceduringthewholecourseoftheoffice。Everywhereinthemissalwhereanasteriskoccurstheypause，andsayinalowvoice，"Jesus—Marie—Joseph。"Fortheofficeofthedeadtheyadoptatonesolowthatthevoicesofwomencanhardlydescendtosuchadepth。Theeffectproducedisstrikingandtragic。
ThenunsofthePetit—Picpushadmadeavaultundertheirgrandaltarfortheburialoftheircommunity。TheGovernment，astheysay，doesnotpermitthisvaulttoreceivecoffinssotheyleavetheconventwhentheydie。Thisisanafflictiontothem，andcausesthemconsternationasaninfractionoftherules。
Theyhadobtainedamediocreconsolationatbest，——permissiontobeinterredataspecialhourandinaspecialcornerintheancientVaugirardcemetery，whichwasmadeoflandwhichhadformerlybelongedtotheircommunity。
OnFridaysthenunshearhighmass，vespers，andalltheoffices，asonSunday。Theyscrupulouslyobserveinadditionallthelittlefestivalsunknowntopeopleoftheworld，ofwhichtheChurchofFrancewassoprodigalintheoldendays，andofwhichitisstillprodigalinSpainandItaly。Theirstationsinthechapelareinterminable。
Asforthenumberanddurationoftheirprayerswecanconveynobetterideaofthemthanbyquotingtheingenuousremarkofoneofthem:
"Theprayersofthepostulantsarefrightful，theprayersofthenovicesarestillworse，andtheprayersoftheprofessednunsarestillworse。"
Onceaweekthechapterassembles:theprioresspresides；
thevocalmothersassist。Eachsisterkneelsinturnonthestones，andconfessesaloud，inthepresenceofall，thefaultsandsinswhichshehascommittedduringtheweek。Thevocalmothersconsultaftereachconfessionandinflictthepenancealoud。
Besidesthisconfessioninaloudtone，forwhichallfaultsintheleastseriousarereserved，theyhavefortheirvenialoffenceswhattheycallthecoulpe。Tomakeone’scoulpemeanstoprostrateone’sselfflatonone’sfaceduringtheofficeinfrontoftheprioressuntilthelatter，whoisnevercalledanythingbutourmother，notifiestheculpritbyaslighttapofherfootagainstthewoodofherstallthatshecanrise。
Thecoulpeorpeccavi，ismadeforaverysmallmatter——abrokenglass，atornveil，aninvoluntarydelayofafewsecondsatanoffice，afalsenoteinchurch，etc。；thissuffices，andthecoulpeismade。
Thecoulpeisentirelyspontaneous；itistheculpablepersonherself（thewordisetymologicallyinitsplacehere）whojudgesherselfandinflictsitonherself。OnfestivaldaysandSundaysfourmotherprecentorsintonetheofficesbeforealargereading—deskwithfourplaces。OnedayoneofthemotherprecentorsintonedapsalmbeginningwithEcce，andinsteadofEccesheutteredaloudthethreenotesdosisol；forthispieceofabsent—mindednesssheunderwentacoulpewhichlastedduringthewholeservice:
whatrenderedthefaultenormouswasthefactthatthechapterhadlaughed。
Whenanunissummonedtotheparlor，evenwereittheprioressherself，shedropsherveil，aswillberemembered，sothatonlyhermouthisvisible。
Theprioressalonecanholdcommunicationwithstrangers。
Theotherscanseeonlytheirimmediatefamily，andthatveryrarely。
If，bychance，anoutsiderpresentsherselftoseeanun，oronewhomshehasknownandlovedintheouterworld，aregularseriesofnegotiationsisrequired。Ifitisawoman，theauthorizationmaysometimesbegranted；thenuncomes，andtheytalktoherthroughtheshutters，whichareopenedonlyforamotherorsister。
Itisunnecessarytosaythatpermissionisalwaysrefusedtomen。
SuchistheruleofSaint—Benoit，aggravatedbyMartinVerga。
Thesenunsarenotgay，rosy，andfresh，asthedaughtersofotherordersoftenare。Theyarepaleandgrave。Between1825and1830
threeofthemwentmad。
CHAPTERIII
AUSTERITIES
Oneisapostulantfortwoyearsatleast，oftenforfour；anoviceforfour。Itisrarethatthedefinitivevowscanbepronouncedearlierthantheageoftwenty—threeortwenty—fouryears。
TheBernardines—BenedictinesofMartinVergadonotadmitwidowstotheirorder。
Intheircells，theydeliverthemselvesuptomanyunknownmacerations，ofwhichtheymustneverspeak。
Onthedaywhenanovicemakesherprofession，sheisdressedinherhandsomestattire，sheiscrownedwithwhiteroses，herhairisbrusheduntilitshines，andcurled。Thensheprostratesherself；
agreatblackveilisthrownoverher，andtheofficeforthedeadissung。Thenthenunsseparateintotwofiles；onefilepassesclosetoher，sayinginplaintiveaccents，"Oursisterisdead"；
andtheotherfilerespondsinavoiceofecstasy，"OursisterisaliveinJesusChrist！"
Attheepochwhenthisstorytakesplace，aboarding—schoolwasattachedtotheconvent——aboarding—schoolforyounggirlsofnobleandmostlywealthyfamilies，amongwhomcouldberemarkedMademoiselledeSaint—AulaireanddeBelissen，andanEnglishgirlbearingtheillustriousCatholicnameofTalbot。Theseyounggirls，rearedbythesenunsbetweenfourwalls，grewupwithahorroroftheworldandoftheage。Oneofthemsaidtousoneday，"Thesightofthestreetpavementmademeshudderfromheadtofoot。"
Theyweredressedinblue，withawhitecapandaHolySpiritofsilvergiltorofcopperontheirbreast。Oncertaingrandfestivaldays，particularlySaintMartha’sday，theywerepermitted，asahighfavorandasupremehappiness，todressthemselvesasnunsandtocarryouttheofficesandpracticeofSaint—Benoitforawholeday。Intheearlydaysthenunswereinthehabitoflendingthemtheirblackgarments。Thisseemedprofane，andtheprioressforbadeit。Onlythenoviceswerepermittedtolend。
Itisremarkablethattheseperformances，toleratedandencouraged，nodoubt，intheconventoutofasecretspiritofproselytismandinordertogivethesechildrenaforetasteoftheholyhabit，wereagenuinehappinessandarealrecreationforthescholars。
Theysimplyamusedthemselveswithit。Itwasnew；itgavethemachange。Candidreasonsofchildhood，whichdonot，however，succeedinmakingusworldlingscomprehendthefelicityofholdingaholywatersprinklerinone’shandandstandingforhourstogethersinginghardenoughforfourinfrontofareading—desk。
Thepupilsconformed，withtheexceptionoftheausterities，toallthepracticesoftheconvent。Therewasacertainyoungwomanwhoenteredtheworld，andwhoaftermanyyearsofmarriedlifehadnotsucceededinbreakingherselfofthehabitofsayingingreathastewheneveranyoneknockedatherdoor，"forever！"
Likethenuns，thepupilssawtheirrelativesonlyintheparlor。
Theirverymothersdidnotobtainpermissiontoembracethem。
Thefollowingillustratestowhatadegreeseverityonthatpointwascarried。Onedayayounggirlreceivedavisitfromhermother，whowasaccompaniedbyalittlesisterthreeyearsofage。
Theyounggirlwept，forshewishedgreatlytoembracehersister。
Impossible。Shebeggedthat，atleast，thechildmightbepermittedtopassherlittlehandthroughthebarssothatshecouldkissit。
Thiswasalmostindignantlyrefused。
CHAPTERIV
GAYETIES
Nonetheless，theseyounggirlsfilledthisgravehousewithcharmingsouvenirs。
Atcertainhourschildhoodsparkledinthatcloister。Therecreationhourstruck。Adoorswungonitshinges。Thebirdssaid，"Good；herecomethechildren！"Anirruptionofyouthinundatedthatgardenintersectedwithacrosslikeashroud。Radiantfaces，whiteforeheads，innocenteyes，fullofmerrylight，allsortsofauroras，werescatteredaboutamidtheseshadows。Afterthepsalmodies，thebells，thepeals，andknellsandoffices，thesoundoftheselittlegirlsburstforthonasuddenmoresweetlythanthenoiseofbees。
Thehiveofjoywasopened，andeachonebroughtherhoney。
Theyplayed，theycalledtoeachother，theyformedintogroups，theyranabout；prettylittlewhiteteethchatteredinthecorners；
theveilssuperintendedthelaughsfromadistance，shadeskeptwatchofthesunbeams，butwhatmatteredit？Stilltheybeamedandlaughed。
Thosefourlugubriouswallshadtheirmomentofdazzlingbrilliancy。
Theylookedon，vaguelyblanchedwiththereflectionofsomuchjoyatthissweetswarmingofthehives。Itwaslikeashowerofrosesfallingathwartthishouseofmourning。Theyounggirlsfrolickedbeneaththeeyesofthenuns；thegazeofimpeccabilitydoesnotembarrassinnocence。Thankstothesechildren，therewas，amongsomanyausterehours，onehourofingenuousness。Thelittleonesskippedabout；theelderonesdanced。Inthiscloisterplaywasmingledwithheaven。Nothingissodelightfulandsoaugustasallthesefresh，expandingyoungsouls。HomerwouldhavecomethithertolaughwithPerrault；andtherewasinthatblackgarden，youth，health，noise，cries，giddiness，pleasure，happinessenoughtosmoothoutthewrinklesofalltheirancestresses，thoseoftheepicaswellasthoseofthefairy—tale，thoseofthethroneaswellasthoseofthethatchedcottagefromHecubatolaMere—Grand。
Inthathousemorethananywhereelse，perhaps，arisethosechildren’ssayingswhicharesogracefulandwhichevokeasmilethatisfullofthoughtfulness。Itwasbetweenthosefourgloomywallsthatachildoffiveyearsexclaimedoneday:
"Mother！oneofthebiggirlshasjusttoldmethatIhaveonlynineyearsandtenmonthslongertoremainhere。Whathappiness！"
Itwashere，too，thatthismemorabledialoguetookplace:——
AVocalMother。Whyareyouweeping，mychild？
Thechild（agedsix）。ItoldAlixthatIknewmyFrenchhistory。
ShesaysthatIdonotknowit，butIdo。
Alix，thebiggirl（agednine）。No；shedoesnotknowit。
TheMother。Howisthat，mychild？
Alix。Shetoldmetoopenthebookatrandomandtoaskheranyquestioninthebook，andshewouldanswerit。
"Well？"
"Shedidnotanswerit。"
"Letusseeaboutit。Whatdidyouaskher？"
"Iopenedthebookatrandom，assheproposed，andIputthefirstquestionthatIcameacross。"
"Andwhatwasthequestion？"
"Itwas，`Whathappenedafterthat？’"
Itwastherethatthatprofoundremarkwasmadeanentarathergreedyparoquetwhichbelongedtoaladyboarder:——
"Howwellbred！iteatsthetopofthesliceofbreadandbutterjustlikeaperson！"
Itwasononeoftheflagstonesofthiscloisterthattherewasoncepickedupaconfessionwhichhadbeenwrittenoutinadvance，inorderthatshemightnotforgetit，byasinnerofsevenyears:——
"Father，Iaccusemyselfofhavingbeenavaricious。
"Father，Iaccusemyselfofhavingbeenanadulteress。
"Father，Iaccusemyselfofhavingraisedmyeyestothegentlemen。"
Itwasononeoftheturfbenchesofthisgardenthatarosymouthsixyearsofageimprovisedthefollowingtale，whichwaslistenedtobyblueeyesagedfourandfiveyears:——
"Therewerethreelittlecockswhoownedacountrywheretherewereagreatmanyflowers。Theypluckedtheflowersandputthemintheirpockets。Afterthattheypluckedtheleavesandputthemintheirplaythings。Therewasawolfinthatcountry；
therewasagreatdealofforest；andthewolfwasintheforest；
andheatethelittlecocks。"
Andthisotherpoem:——
"Therecameablowwithastick。
"ItwasPunchinellowhobestoweditonthecat。
"Itwasnotgoodforher；ithurther。
"ThenaladyputPunchinelloinprison。"
Itwastherethatalittleabandonedchild，afoundlingwhomtheconventwasbringingupoutofcharity，utteredthissweetandheart—breakingsaying。Sheheardtheotherstalkingoftheirmothers，andshemurmuredinhercorner:——
"Asforme，mymotherwasnottherewhenIwasborn！"
Therewasastoutportresswhocouldalwaysbeseenhurryingthroughthecorridorswithherbunchofkeys，andwhosenamewasSisterAgatha。Thebigbiggirls——thoseovertenyearsofage——
calledherAgathocles。
Therefectory，alargeapartmentofanoblongsquareform，whichreceivednolightexceptthroughavaultedcloisteronalevelwiththegarden，wasdarkanddamp，and，asthechildrensay，fullofbeasts。
Alltheplacesroundaboutfurnishedtheircontingentofinsects。
Eachofitsfourcornershadreceived，inthelanguageofthepupils，aspecialandexpressivename。TherewasSpidercorner，Caterpillarcorner，Wood—lousecorner，andCricketcorner。
Cricketcornerwasnearthekitchenandwashighlyesteemed。
Itwasnotsocoldthereaselsewhere。Fromtherefectorythenameshadpassedtotheboarding—school，andthereservedasintheoldCollegeMazarintodistinguishfournations。Everypupilbelongedtooneofthesefournationsaccordingtothecorneroftherefectoryinwhichshesatatmeals。OnedayMonseigneurtheArchbishopwhilemakinghispastoralvisitsawaprettylittlerosygirlwithbeautifulgoldenhairentertheclass—roomthroughwhichhewaspassing。
Heinquiredofanotherpupil，acharmingbrunettewithrosycheeks，whostoodnearhim:——
"Whoisthat？"
"Sheisaspider，Monseigneur。"
"Bah！Andthatoneyonder？"
"Sheisacricket。"
"Andthatone？"
"Sheisacaterpillar。"
"Really！andyourself？"
"Iamawood—louse，Monseigneur。"
Everyhouseofthissorthasitsownpeculiarities。AtthebeginningofthiscenturyEcouenwasoneofthosestrictandgracefulplaceswhereyounggirlspasstheirchildhoodinashadowthatisalmostaugust。
AtEcouen，inordertotakerankintheprocessionoftheHolySacrament，adistinctionwasmadebetweenvirginsandflorists。
Therewerealsothe"dais"andthe"censors，"——thefirstwhoheldthecordsofthedais，andtheotherswhocarriedincensebeforetheHolySacrament。Theflowersbelongedbyrighttotheflorists。
Four"virgins"walkedinadvance。Onthemorningofthatgreatdayitwasnorarethingtohearthequestionputinthedormitory，"Whoisavirgin？"
MadameCampanusedtoquotethissayingofa"littleone"ofsevenyears，toa"biggirl"ofsixteen，whotooktheheadoftheprocession，whileshe，thelittleone，remainedattherear，"Youareavirgin，butIamnot。"
CHAPTERV
DISTRACTIONS
Abovethedooroftherefectorythisprayer，whichwascalledthewhitePaternoster，andwhichpossessedthepropertyofbearingpeoplestraighttoparadise，wasinscribedinlargeblackletters:——
"LittlewhitePaternoster，whichGodmade，whichGodsaid，whichGodplacedinparadise。Intheevening，whenIwenttobed，Ifoundthreeangelssittingonmybed，oneatthefoot，twoatthehead，thegoodVirginMaryinthemiddle，whotoldmetoliedownwithouthesitation。ThegoodGodismyfather，thegoodVirginismymother，thethreeapostlesaremybrothers，thethreevirginsaremysisters。TheshirtinwhichGodwasbornenvelopesmybody；SaintMargaret’scrossiswrittenonmybreast。
MadametheVirginwaswalkingthroughthemeadows，weepingforGod，whenshemetM。SaintJohn。`MonsieurSaintJohn，whencecomeyou？’
`IcomefromAveSalus。’`YouhavenotseenthegoodGod；whereishe？’
`HeisonthetreeoftheCross，hisfeethanging，hishandsnailed，alittlecapofwhitethornsonhishead。’Whoevershallsaythisthriceateventide，thriceinthemorning，shallwinparadiseatthelast。"
In1827thischaracteristicorisonhaddisappearedfromthewallunderatriplecoatingofdaubingpaint。Atthepresenttimeitisfinallydisappearingfromthememoriesofseveralwhowereyounggirlsthen，andwhoareoldwomennow。
Alargecrucifixfastenedtothewallcompletedthedecorationofthisrefectory，whoseonlydoor，aswethinkwehavementioned，openedonthegarden。Twonarrowtables，eachflankedbytwowoodenbenches，formedtwolongparallellinesfromoneendtotheotheroftherefectory。Thewallswerewhite，thetableswereblack；thesetwomourningcolorsconstitutetheonlyvarietyinconvents。Themealswereplain，andthefoodofthechildrenthemselvessevere。Asingledishofmeatandvegetablescombined，orsaltfish——suchwastheirluxury。Thismeagrefare，whichwasreservedforthepupilsalone，was，nevertheless，anexception。
Thechildrenateinsilence，undertheeyeofthemotherwhoseturnitwas，who，ifaflytookanotiontoflyortohumagainsttherule，openedandshutawoodenbookfromtimetotime。
Thissilencewasseasonedwiththelivesofthesaints，readaloudfromalittlepulpitwithadesk，whichwassituatedatthefootofthecrucifix。Thereaderwasoneofthebiggirls，inweeklyturn。
Atregulardistances，onthebaretables，therewerelarge，varnishedbowlsinwhichthepupilswashedtheirownsilvercupsandknivesandforks，andintowhichtheysometimesthrewsomescrapoftoughmeatorspoiledfish；thiswaspunished。Thesebowlswerecalledrondsd’eau。Thechildwhobrokethesilence"madeacrosswithhertongue。"Where？Ontheground。Shelickedthepavement。
Thedust，thatendofalljoys，waschargedwiththechastisementofthosepoorlittlerose—leaveswhichhadbeenguiltyofchirping。
Therewasintheconventabookwhichhasneverbeenprintedexceptasauniquecopy，andwhichitisforbiddentoread。ItistheruleofSaint—Benoit。Anarcanumwhichnoprofaneeyemustpenetrate。