Itisnotverynear。"
　　"Iwillremainconcealedinyourtool—closetallnightandallthemorning。Andhowaboutfood？Ishallbehungry。"
　　"Iwillbringyousomething。"
　　"Youcancomeandnailmeupinthecoffinattwoo’clock。"
　　Faucheleventrecoiledandcrackedhisfinger—joints。
　　"Butthatisimpossible！"
　　"Bah！Impossibletotakeahammeranddrivesomenailsinaplank？"
　　WhatseemedunprecedentedtoFaucheleventwas，werepeat，asimplemattertoJeanValjean。JeanValjeanhadbeeninworsestraitsthanthis。Anymanwhohasbeenaprisonerunderstandshowtocontracthimselftofitthediameteroftheescape。
　　Theprisonerissubjecttoflightasthesickmanissubjecttoacrisiswhichsavesorkillshim。Anescapeisacure。
　　Whatdoesnotamanundergoforthesakeofacure？Tohavehimselfnailedupinacaseandcarriedofflikeabaleofgoods，toliveforalongtimeinabox，tofindairwherethereisnone，toeconomizehisbreathforhours，toknowhowtostiflewithoutdying——
　　thiswasoneofJeanValjean’sgloomytalents。
　　Moreover，acoffincontainingalivingbeing，——thatconvict’sexpedient，——
　　isalsoanimperialexpedient。IfwearetocreditthemonkAustinCastillejo，thiswasthemeansemployedbyCharlestheFifth，desirousofseeingthePlombesforthelasttimeafterhisabdication。
　　HehadherbroughtintoandcarriedoutofthemonasteryofSaint—Yusteinthismanner。
　　Fauchelevent，whohadrecoveredhimselfalittle，exclaimed:——
　　"Buthowwillyoumanagetobreathe？"
　　"Iwillbreathe。"
　　"Inthatbox！Themerethoughtofitsuffocatesme。"
　　"Yousurelymusthaveagimlet，youwillmakeafewholeshereandthere，aroundmymouth，andyouwillnailthetopplankonloosely。"
　　"Good！Andwhatifyoushouldhappentocoughortosneeze？"
　　"Amanwhoismakinghisescapedoesnotcoughorsneeze。"
　　AndJeanValjeanadded:——
　　"FatherFauchelevent，wemustcometoadecision:Imusteitherbecaughthere，oracceptthisescapethroughthehearse。"
　　Everyonehasnoticedthetastewhichcatshaveforpausingandloungingbetweenthetwoleavesofahalf—shutdoor。Whoistherewhohasnotsaidtoacat，"Docomein！"Therearemenwho，whenanincidentstandshalf—openbeforethem，havethesametendencytohaltinindecisionbetweentworesolutions，attheriskofgettingcrushedthroughtheabruptclosingoftheadventurebyfate。
　　Theover—prudent，catsastheyare，andbecausetheyarecats，sometimesincurmoredangerthantheaudacious。Faucheleventwasofthishesitatingnature。ButJeanValjean’scoolnessprevailedoverhiminspiteofhimself。Hegrumbled:——
　　"Well，sincethereisnoothermeans。"
　　JeanValjeanresumed:——
　　"Theonlythingwhichtroublesmeiswhatwilltakeplaceatthecemetery。"
　　"Thatistheverypointthatisnottroublesome，"exclaimedFauchelevent。
　　"Ifyouaresureofcomingoutofthecoffinallright，Iamsureofgettingyououtofthegrave。Thegrave—diggerisadrunkard，andafriendofmine。HeisFatherMestienne。Anoldfellowoftheoldschool。Thegrave—diggerputsthecorpsesinthegrave，andIputthegrave—diggerinmypocket。Iwilltellyouwhatwilltakeplace。Theywillarrivealittlebeforedusk，three—quartersofanhourbeforethegatesofthecemeteryareclosed。
　　Thehearsewilldrivedirectlyuptothegrave。Ishallfollow；
　　thatismybusiness。Ishallhaveahammer，achisel，andsomepincersinmypocket。Thehearsehalts，theundertaker’smenknotaropearoundyourcoffinandloweryoudown。Thepriestsaystheprayers，makesthesignofthecross，sprinklestheholywater，andtakeshisdeparture。IamleftalonewithFatherMestienne。
　　Heismyfriend，Itellyou。Oneoftwothingswillhappen，hewilleitherbesober，orhewillnotbesober。Ifheisnotdrunk，Ishallsaytohim:`ComeanddrinkaboutwhiletheBonCoing[theGoodQuince]isopen。’Icarryhimoff，Igethimdrunk，——
　　itdoesnottakelongtomakeFatherMestiennedrunk，healwayshasthebeginningofitabouthim，——Ilayhimunderthetable，Itakehiscard，sothatIcangetintothecemeteryagain，andIreturnwithouthim。Thenyouhavenolongeranyonebutmetodealwith。Ifheisdrunk，Ishallsaytohim:`Beoff；
　　Iwilldoyourworkforyou。’Offhegoes，andIdragyououtofthehole。"
　　JeanValjeanheldouthishand，andFaucheleventprecipitatedhimselfuponitwiththetouchingeffusionofapeasant。
　　"Thatissettled，FatherFauchelevent。Allwillgowell。"
　　"Providednothinggoeswrong，"thoughtFauchelevent。"Inthatcase，itwouldbeterrible。"
　　CHAPTERV
　　ITISNOTNECESSARYTOBEDRUNKINORDERTOBEIMMORTAL
　　Onthefollowingday，asthesunwasdeclining，theveryrarepassers—byontheBoulevardduMainepulledofftheirhatstoanold—fashionedhearse，ornamentedwithskulls，cross—bones，andtears。
　　Thishearsecontainedacoffincoveredwithawhiteclothoverwhichspreadalargeblackcross，likeahugecorpsewithdroopingarms。
　　Amourning—coach，inwhichcouldbeseenapriestinhissurplice，andachoirboyinhisredcap，followed。Twoundertaker’smeningrayuniformstrimmedwithblackwalkedontherightandtheleftofthehearse。Behinditcameanoldmaninthegarmentsofalaborer，wholimpedalong。TheprocessionwasgoinginthedirectionoftheVaugirardcemetery。
　　Thehandleofahammer，thebladeofacoldchisel，andtheantennaeofapairofpincerswerevisible，protrudingfromtheman’spocket。
　　TheVaugirardcemeteryformedanexceptionamongthecemeteriesofParis。Ithaditspeculiarusages，justasithaditscarriageentranceanditshousedoor，whicholdpeopleinthequarter，whoclungtenaciouslytoancientwords，stillcalledtheportecavaliereandtheportepietonne。[16]TheBernardines—BenedictinesoftheRuePetit—Picpushadobtainedpermission，aswehavealreadystated，tobeburiedthereinacornerapart，andatnight，theplotoflandhavingformerlybelongedtotheircommunity。Thegrave—diggersbeingthusboundtoserviceintheeveninginsummerandatnightinwinter，inthiscemetery，theyweresubjectedtoaspecialdiscipline。
　　ThegatesofthePariscemeteriesclosed，atthatepoch，atsundown，andthisbeingamunicipalregulation，theVaugirardcemeterywasboundbyitliketherest。Thecarriagegateandthehousedoorweretwocontiguousgratedgates，adjoiningapavilionbuiltbythearchitectPerronet，andinhabitedbythedoor—keeperofthecemetery。Thesegates，therefore，swunginexorablyontheirhingesattheinstantwhenthesundisappearedbehindthedomeoftheInvalides。Ifanygrave—diggerweredelayedafterthatmomentinthecemetery，therewasbutonewayforhimtogetout——
　　hisgrave—digger’scardfurnishedbythedepartmentofpublicfunerals。
　　Asortofletter—boxwasconstructedintheporter’swindow。
　　Thegrave—diggerdroppedhiscardintothisbox，theporterhearditfall，pulledtherope，andthesmalldooropened。Ifthemanhadnothiscard，hementionedhisname，theporter，whowassometimesinbedandasleep，rose，cameoutandidentifiedtheman，andopenedthegatewithhiskey；thegrave—diggersteppedout，buthadtopayafineoffifteenfrancs。
　　[16]Insteadofportecochereandportebatarde。
　　Thiscemetery，withitspeculiaritiesoutsidetheregulations，embarrassedthesymmetryoftheadministration。Itwassuppressedalittlelaterthan1830。ThecemeteryofMont—Parnasse，calledtheEasterncemetery，succeededtoit，andinheritedthatfamousdram—shopnexttotheVaugirardcemetery，whichwassurmountedbyaquincepaintedonaboard，andwhichformedanangle，onesideonthedrinkers’tables，andtheotheronthetombs，withthissign:
　　AuBonCoing。
　　TheVaugirardcemeterywaswhatmaybecalledafadedcemetery。
　　Itwasfallingintodisuse。Dampnesswasinvadingit，theflowersweredesertingit。ThebourgeoisdidnotcaremuchaboutbeingburiedintheVaugirard；ithintedatpoverty。Pere—Lachaiseifyouplease！tobeburiedinPere—Lachaiseisequivalenttohavingfurnitureofmahogany。Itisrecognizedaselegant。TheVaugirardcemeterywasavenerableenclosure，plantedlikeanold—fashionedFrenchgarden。Straightalleys，box，thuya—trees，holly，ancienttombsbeneathagedcypress—trees，andverytallgrass。
　　Intheeveningitwastragicthere。Therewereverylugubriouslinesaboutit。
　　ThesunhadnotyetsetwhenthehearsewiththewhitepallandtheblackcrossenteredtheavenueoftheVaugirardcemetery。
　　ThelamemanwhofolloweditwasnootherthanFauchelevent。
　　TheintermentofMotherCrucifixioninthevaultunderthealtar，theexitofCosette，theintroductionofJeanValjeantothedead—room，——
　　allhadbeenexecutedwithoutdifficulty，andtherehadbeennohitch。
　　Letusremarkinpassing，thattheburialofMotherCrucifixionunderthealtaroftheconventisaperfectlyvenialoffenceinoursight。Itisoneofthefaultswhichresembleaduty。
　　Thenunshadcommittedit，notonlywithoutdifficulty，butevenwiththeapplauseoftheirownconsciences。Inthecloister，whatiscalledthe"government"isonlyanintermeddlingwithauthority，aninterferencewhichisalwaysquestionable。Inthefirstplace，therule；asforthecode，weshallsee。Makeasmanylawsasyouplease，men；butkeepthemforyourselves。ThetributetoCaesarisneveranythingbuttheremnantsofthetributetoGod。
　　Aprinceisnothinginthepresenceofaprinciple。
　　Faucheleventlimpedalongbehindthehearseinaverycontentedframeofmind。Histwinplots，theonewiththenuns，theonefortheconvent，theotheragainstit，theotherwithM。Madeleine，hadsucceeded，toallappearance。JeanValjean’scomposurewasoneofthosepowerfultranquillitieswhicharecontagious。
　　Faucheleventnolongerfeltdoubtfulastohissuccess。
　　Whatremainedtobedonewasamerenothing。Withinthelasttwoyears，hehadmadegoodFatherMestienne，achubby—cheekedperson，drunkatleasttentimes。HeplayedwithFatherMestienne。Hedidwhathelikedwithhim。Hemadehimdanceaccordingtohiswhim。
　　Mestienne’sheadadjusteditselftothecapofFauchelevent’swill。
　　Fauchelevent’sconfidencewasperfect。
　　Atthemomentwhentheconvoyenteredtheavenueleadingtothecemetery，Faucheleventglancedcheerfullyatthehearse，andsaidhalfaloud，asherubbedhisbighands:——
　　"Here’safinefarce！"
　　Allatoncethehearsehalted；ithadreachedthegate。Thepermissionforintermentmustbeexhibited。Theundertaker’smanaddressedhimselftotheporterofthecemetery。Duringthiscolloquy，whichalwaysisproductiveofadelayoffromonetotwominutes，someone，astranger，cameandplacedhimselfbehindthehearse，besideFauchelevent。Hewasasortoflaboringman，whoworeawaistcoatwithlargepocketsandcarriedamattockunderhisarm。
　　Faucheleventsurveyedthisstranger。
　　"Whoareyou？"hedemanded。
　　"Themanreplied:——
　　"Thegrave—digger。"
　　Ifamancouldsurvivetheblowofacannon—ballfullinthebreast，hewouldmakethesamefacethatFaucheleventmade。
　　"Thegrave—digger？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"You？"
　　"I。"
　　"FatherMestienneisthegrave—digger。"
　　"Hewas。"
　　"What！Hewas？"
　　"Heisdead。"
　　Faucheleventhadexpectedanythingbutthis，thatagrave—diggercoulddie。Itistrue，nevertheless，thatgrave—diggersdodiethemselves。Bydintofexcavatinggravesforotherpeople，onehollowsoutone’sown。
　　Faucheleventstoodtherewithhismouthwideopen。Hehadhardlythestrengthtostammer:——
　　"Butitisnotpossible！"
　　"Itisso。"
　　"But，"hepersistedfeebly，"FatherMestienneisthegrave—digger。"
　　"AfterNapoleon，LouisXVIII。AfterMestienne，Gribier。
　　Peasant，mynameisGribier。"
　　Fauchelevent，whowasdeadlypale，staredatthisGribier。
　　Hewasatall，thin，livid，utterlyfunerealman。Hehadtheairofanunsuccessfuldoctorwhohadturnedgrave—digger。
　　Faucheleventburstoutlaughing。
　　"Ah！"saidhe，"whatqueerthingsdohappen！FatherMestienneisdead，butlonglivelittleFatherLenoir！DoyouknowwholittleFatherLenoiris？Heisajugofredwine。ItisajugofSurene，morbigou！ofrealParisSurene？Ah！SooldMestienneisdead！
　　Iamsorryforit；hewasajollyfellow。Butyouareajollyfellow，too。Areyounot，comrade？We’llgoandhaveadrinktogetherpresently。"
　　Themanreplied:——
　　"Ihavebeenastudent。Ipassedmyfourthexamination。
　　Ineverdrink。"
　　Thehearsehadsetoutagain，andwasrollingupthegrandalleyofthecemetery。
　　Faucheleventhadslackenedhispace。Helimpedmoreoutofanxietythanfrominfirmity。
　　Thegrave—diggerwalkedoninfrontofhim。
　　FaucheleventpassedtheunexpectedGribieroncemoreinreview。
　　Hewasoneofthosemenwho，thoughveryyoung，havetheairofage，andwho，thoughslender，areextremelystrong。
　　"Comrade！"criedFauchelevent。
　　Themanturnedround。
　　"Iamtheconventgrave—digger。"
　　"Mycolleague，"saidtheman。
　　Fauchelevent，whowasilliteratebutverysharp，understoodthathehadtodealwithaformidablespeciesofman，withafinetalker。
　　Hemuttered:
　　"SoFatherMestienneisdead。"
　　Themanreplied:——
　　"Completely。ThegoodGodconsultedhisnote—bookwhichshowswhenthetimeisup。ItwasFatherMestienne’sturn。FatherMestiennedied。"
　　Faucheleventrepeatedmechanically:"ThegoodGod——"
　　"ThegoodGod，"saidthemanauthoritatively。"Accordingtothephilosophers，theEternalFather；accordingtotheJacobins，theSupremeBeing。"
　　"Shallwenotmakeeachother’sacquaintance？"stammeredFauchelevent。
　　"Itismade。Youareapeasant，IamaParisian。"
　　"Peopledonotknoweachotheruntiltheyhavedrunktogether。
　　Hewhoemptieshisglassemptieshisheart。Youmustcomeandhaveadrinkwithme。Suchathingcannotberefused。"
　　"Businessfirst。"
　　Faucheleventthought:"Iamlost。"
　　Theywereonlyafewturnsofthewheeldistantfromthesmallalleyleadingtothenuns’corner。
　　Thegrave—diggerresumed:——
　　"Peasant，Ihavesevensmallchildrenwhomustbefed。Astheymusteat，Icannotdrink。"
　　Andheadded，withthesatisfactionofaseriousmanwhoisturningaphrasewell:——
　　"Theirhungeristheenemyofmythirst。"
　　Thehearseskirtedaclumpofcypress—trees，quittedthegrandalley，turnedintoanarrowone，enteredthewasteland，andplungedintoathicket。Thisindicatedtheimmediateproximityoftheplaceofsepulture。Faucheleventslackenedhispace，buthecouldnotdetainthehearse。Fortunately，thesoil，whichwaslightandwetwiththewinterrains，cloggedthewheelsandretardeditsspeed。
　　Heapproachedthegrave—digger。
　　"TheyhavesuchanicelittleArgenteuilwine，"murmuredFauchelevent。
　　"Villager，"retortedtheman，"Ioughtnotbeagrave—digger。MyfatherwasaporteratthePrytaneum[Town—Hall]。Hedestinedmeforliterature。Buthehadreverses。Hehadlosseson’change。
　　Iwasobligedtorenouncetheprofessionofauthor。ButIamstillapublicwriter。"
　　"Soyouarenotagrave—digger，then？"returnedFauchelevent，clutchingatthisbranch，feebleasitwas。
　　"Theonedoesnothindertheother。Icumulate。"
　　Faucheleventdidnotunderstandthislastword。
　　"Comehaveadrink，"saidhe。
　　Herearemarkbecomesnecessary。Fauchelevent，whateverhisanguish，offeredadrink，buthedidnotexplainhimselfononepoint；whowastopay？Generally，FaucheleventofferedandFatherMestiennepaid。
　　Anofferofadrinkwastheevidentresultofthenovelsituationcreatedbythenewgrave—digger，anditwasnecessarytomakethisoffer，buttheoldgardenerlefttheproverbialquarterofanhournamedafterRabelaisinthedark，andthatnotunintentionally。
　　Asforhimself，Faucheleventdidnotwishtopay，troubledashewas。
　　Thegrave—diggerwentonwithasuperiorsmile:——
　　"Onemusteat。IhaveacceptedFatherMestienne’sreversion。
　　Onegetstobeaphilosopherwhenonehasnearlycompletedhisclasses。TothelaborofthehandIjointhelaborofthearm。
　　Ihavemyscrivener’sstallinthemarketoftheRuedeSevres。
　　Youknow？theUmbrellaMarket。AllthecooksoftheRedCrossapplytome。Iscribbletheirdeclarationsoflovetotherawsoldiers。
　　InthemorningIwriteloveletters；intheeveningIdiggraves。
　　Suchislife，rustic。"
　　Thehearsewasstilladvancing。Fauchelevent，uneasytothelastdegree，wasgazingabouthimonallsides。Greatdropsofperspirationtrickleddownfromhisbrow。
　　"But，"continuedthegrave—digger，"amancannotservetwomistresses。
　　Imustchoosebetweenthepenandthemattock。Themattockisruiningmyhand。"
　　Thehearsehalted。
　　Thechoirboyalightedfromthemourning—coach，thenthepriest。
　　Oneofthesmallfrontwheelsofthehearsehadrunupalittleonapileofearth，beyondwhichanopengravewasvisible。
　　"Whatafarcethisis！"repeatedFaucheleventinconsternation。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　BETWEENFOURPLANKS
　　Whowasinthecoffin？Thereaderknows。JeanValjean。
　　JeanValjeanhadarrangedthingssothathecouldexistthere，andhecouldalmostbreathe。
　　Itisastrangethingtowhatadegreesecurityofconscienceconferssecurityoftherest。EverycombinationthoughtoutbyJeanValjeanhadbeenprogressing，andprogressingfavorably，sincetheprecedingday。He，likeFauchelevent，countedonFatherMestienne。Hehadnodoubtastotheend。Neverwasthereamorecriticalsituation，nevermorecompletecomposure。
　　Thefourplanksofthecoffinbreatheoutakindofterriblepeace。
　　ItseemedasthoughsomethingofthereposeofthedeadenteredintoJeanValjean’stranquillity。
　　Fromthedepthsofthatcoffinhehadbeenabletofollow，andhehadfollowed，allthephasesoftheterribledramawhichhewasplayingwithdeath。
　　ShortlyafterFaucheleventhadfinishednailingontheupperplank，JeanValjeanhadfelthimselfcarriedout，thendrivenoff。Heknew，fromthediminutioninthejolting，whentheyleftthepavementsandreachedtheearthroad。Hehaddivined，fromadullnoise，thattheywerecrossingthebridgeofAusterlitz。Atthefirsthalt，hehadunderstoodthattheywereenteringthecemetery；atthesecondhalt，hesaidtohimself:——
　　"Hereisthegrave。"
　　Suddenly，hefelthandsseizethecoffin，thenaharshgratingagainsttheplanks；heexplainedittohimselfastheropewhichwasbeingfastenedroundthecasketinordertoloweritintothecavity。
　　Thenheexperiencedagiddiness。
　　Theundertaker’smanandthegrave—diggerhadprobablyallowedthecoffintoloseitsbalance，andhadloweredtheheadbeforethefoot。Herecoveredhimselffullywhenhefelthimselfhorizontalandmotionless。Hehadjusttouchedthebottom。
　　Hehadacertainsensationofcold。
　　Avoiceroseabovehim，glacialandsolemn。HeheardLatinwords，whichhedidnotunderstand，passoverhim，soslowlythathewasabletocatchthemonebyone:——
　　"Quidormiuntinterraepulvere，evigilabunt；aliiinvitamaeternam，etaliiinapprobrium，utvideantsemper。"
　　Achild’svoicesaid:——
　　"Deprofundis。"
　　Thegravevoicebeganagain:——
　　"Requiemaeternamdonaei，Domine。"
　　Thechild’svoiceresponded:——
　　"Etluxperpetualuceatei。"
　　Heheardsomethinglikethegentlepatterofseveraldropsofrainontheplankwhichcoveredhim。Itwasprobablytheholywater。
　　Hethought:"Thiswillbeoversoonnow。Patienceforalittlewhilelonger。Thepriestwilltakehisdeparture。
　　FaucheleventwilltakeMestienneofftodrink。Ishallbeleft。
　　ThenFaucheleventwillreturnalone，andIshallgetout。
　　Thatwillbetheworkofagoodhour。"
　　Thegravevoiceresumed"Requiescatinpace。"
　　Andthechild’svoicesaid:——
　　"Amen。"
　　JeanValjeanstrainedhisears，andheardsomethinglikeretreatingfootsteps。
　　"There，theyaregoingnow，"thoughthe。"Iamalone。"
　　Allatonce，heheardoverhisheadasoundwhichseemedtohimtobeaclapofthunder。
　　Itwasashovelfulofearthfallingonthecoffin。
　　Asecondshovelfulfell。
　　Oneoftheholesthroughwhichhebreathedhadjustbeenstoppedup。
　　Athirdshovelfulofearthfell。
　　Thenafourth。
　　Therearethingswhicharetoostrongforthestrongestman。
　　JeanValjeanlostconsciousness。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　INWHICHWILLBEFOUNDTHEORIGINOFTHESAYING:DON’TLOSETHE
　　CARD
　　ThisiswhathadtakenplaceabovethecoffininwhichlayJeanValjean。
　　Whenthehearsehaddrivenoff，whenthepriestandthechoirboyhadenteredthecarriageagainandtakentheirdeparture，Fauchelevent，whohadnottakenhiseyesfromthegrave—digger，sawthelatterbendoverandgrasphisshovel，whichwasstickinguprightintheheapofdirt。
　　ThenFaucheleventtookasupremeresolve。
　　Heplacedhimselfbetweenthegraveandthegrave—digger，crossedhisarmsandsaid:——
　　"Iamtheonetopay！"
　　Thegrave—diggerstaredathiminamazement，andreplied:——
　　"What’sthat，peasant？"
　　Faucheleventrepeated:——
　　"Iamtheonewhopays！"
　　"What？"
　　"Forthewine。"
　　"Whatwine？"
　　"ThatArgenteuilwine。"
　　"WhereistheArgenteuil？"
　　"AttheBonCoing。"
　　"Gotothedevil！"saidthegrave—digger。
　　Andheflungashovelfulofearthonthecoffin。
　　Thecoffingavebackahollowsound。Faucheleventfelthimselfstaggerandonthepointoffallingheadlongintothegravehimself。
　　Heshoutedinavoiceinwhichthestranglingsoundofthedeathrattlebegantomingle:——
　　"Comrade！BeforetheBonCoingisshut！"
　　Thegrave—diggertooksomemoreearthonhisshovel。
　　Faucheleventcontinued。
　　"Iwillpay。"
　　Andheseizedtheman’sarm。
　　"Listentome，comrade。Iamtheconventgrave—digger，Ihavecometohelpyou。Itisabusinesswhichcanbeperformedatnight。
　　Letusbegin，then，bygoingforadrink。"
　　Andashespoke，andclungtothisdesperateinsistence，thismelancholyreflectionoccurredtohim:"Andifhedrinks，willhegetdrunk？"
　　"Provincial，"saidtheman，"ifyoupositivelyinsistuponit，Iconsent。Wewilldrink。Afterwork，neverbefore。"
　　Andheflourishedhisshovelbriskly。Faucheleventheldhimback。
　　"ItisArgenteuilwine，atsix。"
　　"Oh，come，"saidthegrave—digger，"youareabell—ringer。Dingdong，dingdong，that’sallyouknowhowtosay。Gohangyourself。"
　　Andhethrewinasecondshovelful。
　　Faucheleventhadreachedapointwherehenolongerknewwhathewassaying。
　　"Comealonganddrink，"hecried，"sinceitisIwhopaysthebill。"
　　"Whenwehaveputthechildtobed，"saidthegrave—digger。
　　Heflunginathirdshovelful。
　　Thenhethrusthisshovelintotheearthandadded:——
　　"It’scoldto—night，yousee，andthecorpsewouldshriekoutafterusifweweretoplanthertherewithoutacoverlet。"
　　Atthatmoment，asheloadedhisshovel，thegrave—diggerbentover，andthepocketofhiswaistcoatgaped。Fauchelevent’swildgazefellmechanicallyintothatpocket，andthereitstopped。
　　Thesunwasnotyethiddenbehindthehorizon；therewasstilllightenoughtoenablehimtodistinguishsomethingwhiteatthebottomofthatyawningpocket。
　　ThesumtotaloflightningthattheeyeofaPicardpeasantcancontain，traversedFauchelevent’spupils。Anideahadjustoccurredtohim。
　　Hethrusthishandintothepocketfrombehind，withoutthegrave—digger，whowaswhollyabsorbedinhisshovelfulofearth，observingit，andpulledoutthewhiteobjectwhichlayatthebottomofit。
　　Themansentafourthshovelfultumblingintothegrave。
　　Justasheturnedroundtogetthefifth，Faucheleventlookedcalmlyathimandsaid:——
　　"Bytheway，younewman，haveyouyourcard？"
　　Thegrave—diggerpaused。
　　"Whatcard？"
　　"Thesunisonthepointofsetting。"
　　"That’sgood，itisgoingtoputonitsnightcap。"
　　"Thegateofthecemeterywillcloseimmediately。"
　　"Well，whatthen？"
　　"Haveyouyourcard？"
　　"Ah！mycard？"saidthegrave—digger。
　　Andhefumbledinhispocket。
　　Havingsearchedonepocket，heproceededtosearchtheother。
　　Hepassedontohisfobs，exploredthefirst，returnedtothesecond。
　　"Why，no，"saidhe，"Ihavenotmycard。Imusthaveforgottenit。"
　　"Fifteenfrancsfine，"saidFauchelevent。
　　Thegrave—diggerturnedgreen。Greenisthepalloroflividpeople。
　　"Ah！Jesus—mon—Dieu—bancroche—a—bas—la—lune！"[17]heexclaimed。
　　"Fifteenfrancsfine！"
　　[17]Jesus—my—God—bandy—leg——downwiththemoon！
　　"Threepiecesofahundredsous，"saidFauchelevent。
　　Thegrave—diggerdroppedhisshovel。
　　Fauchelevent’sturnhadcome。
　　"Ah，comenow，conscript，"saidFauchelevent，"noneofthisdespair。
　　Thereisnoquestionofcommittingsuicideandbenefitingthegrave。
　　Fifteenfrancsisfifteenfrancs，andbesides，youmaynotbeabletopayit。Iamanoldhand，youareanewone。Iknowalltheropesandthedevices。Iwillgiveyousomefriendlyadvice。
　　Onethingisclear，thesunisonthepointofsetting，itistouchingthedomenow，thecemeterywillbeclosedinfiveminutesmore。"
　　"Thatistrue，"repliedtheman。
　　"Fiveminutesmoreandyouwillnothavetimetofillthegrave，itisashollowasthedevil，thisgrave，andtoreachthegateinseasontopassitbeforeitisshut。"
　　"Thatistrue。"
　　"Inthatcase，afineoffifteenfrancs。"
　　"Fifteenfrancs。"
　　"Butyouhavetime。Wheredoyoulive？"
　　"Acoupleofstepsfromthebarrier，aquarterofanhourfromhere。
　　No。87RuedeVaugirard。"
　　"Youhavejusttimetogetoutbytakingtoyourheelsatyourbestspeed。"
　　"Thatisexactlyso。"
　　"Onceoutsidethegate，yougallophome，yougetyourcard，youreturn，thecemeteryporteradmitsyou。Asyouhaveyourcard，therewillbenothingtopay。Andyouwillburyyourcorpse。
　　I’llwatchitforyouinthemeantime，sothatitshallnotrunaway。"
　　"Iamindebtedtoyouformylife，peasant。"
　　"Decamp！"saidFauchelevent。
　　Thegrave—digger，overwhelmedwithgratitude，shookhishandandsetoffonarun。
　　Whenthemanhaddisappearedinthethicket，Faucheleventlisteneduntilheheardhisfootstepsdieawayinthedistance，thenheleanedoverthegrave，andsaidinalowtone:——
　　"FatherMadeleine！"
　　Therewasnoreply。
　　Faucheleventwasseizedwithashudder。Hetumbledratherthanclimbedintothegrave，flunghimselfontheheadofthecoffinandcried:——
　　"Areyouthere？"
　　Silenceinthecoffin。
　　Fauchelevent，hardlyabletodrawhisbreathfortrembling，seizedhiscoldchiselandhishammer，andpriedupthecoffinlid。
　　JeanValjean’sfaceappearedinthetwilight；itwaspaleandhiseyeswereclosed。
　　Fauchelevent’shairroseuprightonhishead，hesprangtohisfeet，thenfellbackagainstthesideofthegrave，readytoswoononthecoffin。HestaredatJeanValjean。
　　JeanValjeanlaytherepallidandmotionless。
　　Faucheleventmurmuredinavoiceasfaintasasigh:——
　　"Heisdead！"
　　And，drawinghimselfup，andfoldinghisarmswithsuchviolencethathisclenchedfistscameincontactwithhisshoulders，hecried:——
　　"AndthisisthewayIsavehislife！"
　　Thenthepoormanfelltosobbing。Hesoliloquizedthewhile，foritisanerrortosupposethatthesoliloquyisunnatural。
　　Powerfulemotionoftentalksaloud。
　　"ItisFatherMestienne’sfault。Whydidthatfooldie？Whatneedwasthereforhimtogiveuptheghostattheverymomentwhennoonewasexpectingit？ItishewhohaskilledM。Madeleine。
　　FatherMadeleine！Heisinthecoffin。Itisquitehandy。
　　Allisover。Now，isthereanysenseinthesethings？
　　Ah！myGod！heisdead！Well！andhislittlegirl，whatamItodowithher？Whatwillthefruit—sellersay？Theideaofitsbeingpossibleforamanlikethattodielikethis！
　　WhenIthinkhowheputhimselfunderthatcart！FatherMadeleine！
　　FatherMadeleine！Pardine！Hewassuffocated，Isaidso。
　　Hewouldn’tbelieveme。Well！Here’saprettytricktoplay！
　　Heisdead，thatgoodman，theverybestmanoutofallthegoodGod’sgoodfolks！Andhislittlegirl！Ah！Inthefirstplace，Iwon’tgobacktheremyself。Ishallstayhere。Afterhavingdonesuchathingasthat！What’stheuseofbeingtwooldmen，ifwearetwooldfools！But，inthefirstplace，howdidhemanagetoentertheconvent？Thatwasthebeginningofitall。
　　Oneshouldnotdosuchthings。FatherMadeleine！FatherMadeleine！
　　FatherMadeleine！Madeleine！MonsieurMadeleine！MonsieurleMaire！
　　Hedoesnothearme。Nowgetoutofthisscrapeifyoucan！"
　　Andhetorehishair。
　　Agratingsoundbecameaudiblethroughthetreesinthedistance。
　　Itwasthecemeterygateclosing。
　　FaucheleventbentoverJeanValjean，andallatonceheboundedbackandrecoiledsofarasthelimitsofagravepermit。
　　JeanValjean’seyeswereopenandgazingathim。
　　Toseeacorpseisalarming，tobeholdaresurrectionisalmostasmuchso。Faucheleventbecamelikestone，pale，haggard，overwhelmedbyalltheseexcessesofemotion，notknowingwhetherhehadtodowithalivingmanoradeadone，andstaringatJeanValjean，whowasgazingathim。
　　"Ifellasleep，"saidJeanValjean。
　　Andheraisedhimselftoasittingposture。
　　Faucheleventfellonhisknees。
　　"Just，goodVirgin！Howyoufrightenedme！"
　　Thenhesprangtohisfeetandcried:——
　　"Thanks，FatherMadeleine！"
　　JeanValjeanhadmerelyfainted。Thefreshairhadrevivedhim。
　　Joyistheebbofterror。FaucheleventfoundalmostasmuchdifficultyinrecoveringhimselfasJeanValjeanhad。
　　"Soyouarenotdead！Oh！Howwiseyouare！Icalledyousomuchthatyoucameback。WhenIsawyoureyesshut，Isaid:
　　`Good！thereheis，stifled，’Ishouldhavegoneravingmad，madenoughforastraitjacket。TheywouldhaveputmeinBicetre。
　　WhatdoyousupposeIshouldhavedoneifyouhadbeendead？
　　Andyourlittlegirl？There’sthatfruit—seller，——shewouldneverhaveunderstoodit！Thechildisthrustintoyourarms，andthen——
　　thegrandfatherisdead！Whatastory！goodsaintsofparadise，whatatale！Ah！youarealive，that’sthebestofit！"
　　"Iamcold，"saidJeanValjean。
　　ThisremarkrecalledFaucheleventthoroughlytoreality，andtherewaspressingneedofit。Thesoulsofthesetwomenweretroubledevenwhentheyhadrecoveredthemselves，althoughtheydidnotrealizeit，andtherewasaboutthemsomethinguncanny，whichwasthesinisterbewildermentinspiredbytheplace。
　　"Letusgetoutofherequickly，"exclaimedFauchelevent。
　　Hefumbledinhispocket，andpulledoutagourdwithwhichhehadprovidedhimself。
　　"Butfirst，takeadrop，"saidhe。
　　Theflaskfinishedwhatthefreshairhadbegun，JeanValjeanswallowedamouthfulofbrandy，andregainedfullpossessionofhisfaculties。
　　Hegotoutofthecoffin，andhelpedFaucheleventtonailonthelidagain。
　　Threeminuteslatertheywereoutofthegrave。
　　Moreover，Faucheleventwasperfectlycomposed。Hetookhistime。
　　Thecemeterywasclosed。Thearrivalofthegrave—diggerGribierwasnottobeapprehended。That"conscript"wasathomebusilyengagedinlookingforhiscard，andatsomedifficultyinfindingitinhislodgings，sinceitwasinFauchelevent’spocket。
　　Withoutacard，hecouldnotgetbackintothecemetery。
　　Faucheleventtooktheshovel，andJeanValjeanthepick—axe，andtogethertheyburiedtheemptycoffin。
　　Whenthegravewasfull，FaucheleventsaidtoJeanValjean:——
　　"Letusgo。Iwillkeeptheshovel；doyoucarryoffthemattock。"
　　Nightwasfalling。
　　JeanValjeanexperiencedromedifficultyinmovingandinwalking。
　　Hehadstiffenedhimselfinthatcoffin，andhadbecomealittlelikeacorpse。Therigidityofdeathhadseizeduponhimbetweenthosefourplanks。Hehad，inamanner，tothawout，fromthetomb。
　　"Youarebenumbed，"saidFauchelevent。"ItisapitythatIhaveagameleg，forotherwisewemightstepoutbriskly。"
　　"Bah！"repliedJeanValjean，"fourpaceswillputlifeintomylegsoncemore。"
　　Theysetoffbythealleysthroughwhichthehearsehadpassed。
　　Onarrivingbeforetheclosedgateandtheporter’spavilionFauchelevent，whoheldthegrave—digger’scardinhishand，droppeditintothebox，theporterpulledtherope，thegateopened，andtheywentout。
　　"Howwelleverythingisgoing！"saidFauchelevent；"whatacapitalideathatwasofyours，FatherMadeleine！"
　　TheypassedtheVaugirardbarrierinthesimplestmannerintheworld。
　　Intheneighborhoodofthecemetery，ashovelandpickareequaltotwopassports。
　　TheRueVaugirardwasdeserted。
　　"FatherMadeleine，"saidFaucheleventastheywentalong，andraisinghiseyestothehouses，"Youreyesarebetterthanmine。
　　ShowmeNo。87。"
　　"Hereitis，"saidJeanValjean。
　　"Thereisnooneinthestreet，"saidFauchelevent。"Givemeyourmattockandwaitacoupleofminutesforme。"
　　FauchelevententeredNo。87，ascendedtotheverytop，guidedbytheinstinctwhichalwaysleadsthepoormantothegarret，andknockedinthedark，atthedoorofanattic。
　　Avoicereplied:"Comein。"
　　ItwasGribier’svoice。
　　Faucheleventopenedthedoor。Thegrave—digger’sdwellingwas，likeallsuchwretchedhabitations，anunfurnishedandencumberedgarret。
　　Apacking—case——acoffin，perhaps——tooktheplaceofacommode，abutter—potservedforadrinking—fountain，astrawmattressservedforabed，thefloorservedinsteadoftablesandchairs。Inacorner，onatatteredfragmentwhichhadbeenapieceofanoldcarpet，athinwomanandanumberofchildrenwerepiledinaheap。Thewholeofthispoverty—strickeninteriorboretracesofhavingbeenoverturned。
　　Onewouldhavesaidthattherehadbeenanearthquake"forone。"
　　Thecoversweredisplaced，theragsscatteredabout，thejugbroken，themotherhadbeencrying，thechildrenhadprobablybeenbeaten；
　　tracesofavigorousandill—temperedsearch。Itwasplainthatthegrave—diggerhadmadeadesperatesearchforhiscard，andhadmadeeverybodyinthegarret，fromthejugtohiswife，responsibleforitsloss。Heworeanairofdesperation。
　　ButFaucheleventwasintoogreatahurrytoterminatethisadventuretotakeanynoticeofthissadsideofhissuccess。
　　Heenteredandsaid:——
　　"Ihavebroughtyoubackyourshovelandpick。"
　　Gribiergazedathiminstupefaction。
　　"Isityou，peasant？"
　　"Andto—morrowmorningyouwillfindyourcardwiththeporterofthecemetery。"
　　Andhelaidtheshovelandmattockonthefloor。
　　"Whatisthemeaningofthis？"demandedGribier。
　　"Themeaningofitis，thatyoudroppedyourcardoutofyourpocket，thatIfounditonthegroundafteryouweregone，thatIhaveburiedthecorpse，thatIhavefilledthegrave，thatIhavedoneyourwork，thattheporterwillreturnyourcardtoyou，andthatyouwillnothavetopayfifteenfrancs。Thereyouhaveit，conscript。"
　　"Thanks，villager！"exclaimedGribier，radiant。"ThenexttimeI
　　willpayforthedrinks。"
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　ASUCCESSFULINTERROGATORY
　　Anhourlater，inthedarknessofnight，twomenandachildpresentedthemselvesatNo。62RuePetit—Picpus。Theelderofthemenliftedtheknockerandrapped。
　　TheywereFauchelevent，JeanValjean，andCosette。
　　ThetwooldmenhadgonetofetchCosettefromthefruiterer’sintheRueduChemin—Vert，whereFaucheleventhaddepositedherontheprecedingday。Cosettehadpassedthesetwenty—fourhourstremblingsilentlyandunderstandingnothing。Shetrembledtosuchadegreethatshewept。Shehadneithereatennorslept。
　　Theworthyfruit—sellerhadpliedherwithahundredquestions，withoutobtaininganyotherreplythanamelancholyandunvaryinggaze。
　　Cosettehadbetrayednothingofwhatshehadseenandheardduringthelasttwodays。Shedivinedthattheywerepassingthroughacrisis。
　　Shewasdeeplyconsciousthatitwasnecessaryto"begood。"
　　Whohasnotexperiencedthesovereignpowerofthosetwowords，pronouncedwithacertainaccentintheearofaterrifiedlittlebeing:
　　Saynothing！Fearismute。Moreover，nooneguardsasecretlikeachild。
　　Butwhen，attheexpirationoftheselugubrioustwenty—fourhours，shebeheldJeanValjeanagain，shegaveventtosuchacryofjoy，thatanythoughtfulpersonwhohadchancedtohearthatcry，wouldhaveguessedthatitissuedfromanabyss。
　　Faucheleventbelongedtotheconventandknewthepass—words。Allthedoorsopened。
　　Thuswassolvedthedoubleandalarmingproblemofhowtogetoutandhowtogetin。
　　Theporter，whohadreceivedhisinstructions，openedthelittleservant’sdoorwhichconnectedthecourtyardwiththegarden，andwhichcouldstillbeseenfromthestreettwentyyearsago，inthewallatthebottomofthecourt，whichfacedthecarriageentrance。
　　Theporteradmittedallthreeofthemthroughthisdoor，andfromthatpointtheyreachedtheinner，reservedparlorwhereFauchelevent，ontheprecedingday，hadreceivedhisordersfromtheprioress。
　　Theprioress，rosaryinhand，waswaitingforthem。Avocalmother，withherveillowered，stoodbesideher。
　　Adiscreetcandlelighted，onemightalmostsay，madeashowoflightingtheparlor。
　　TheprioresspassedJeanValjeaninreview。Thereisnothingwhichexamineslikeadowncasteye。
　　Thenshequestionedhim:——
　　"Youarethebrother？"
　　"Yes，reverendMother，"repliedFauchelevent。
　　"Whatisyourname？"
　　Faucheleventreplied:——
　　"UltimeFauchelevent。"
　　HereallyhadhadabrothernamedUltime，whowasdead。
　　"Wheredoyoucomefrom？"
　　Faucheleventreplied:——
　　"FromPicquigny，nearAmiens。"
　　"Whatisyourage？"
　　Faucheleventreplied:——
　　"Fifty。"
　　"Whatisyourprofession？"
　　Faucheleventreplied:——
　　"Gardener。"
　　"AreyouagoodChristian？"
　　Faucheleventreplied:——
　　"Everyoneisinthefamily。"
　　"Isthisyourlittlegirl？"
　　Faucheleventreplied:——
　　"Yes，reverendMother。"
　　"Youareherfather？"
　　Faucheleventreplied:——
　　"Hergrandfather。"
　　Thevocalmothersaidtotheprioressinalowvoice"Heanswerswell。"
　　JeanValjeanhadnotutteredasingleword。
　　TheprioresslookedattentivelyatCosette，andsaidhalfaloudtothevocalmother:——
　　"Shewillgrowupugly。"
　　Thetwomothersconsultedforafewmomentsinverylowtonesinthecorneroftheparlor，thentheprioressturnedroundandsaid:——
　　"FatherFauvent，youwillgetanotherknee—capwithabell。
　　Twowillberequirednow。"
　　Onthefollowingday，therefore，twobellswereaudibleinthegarden，andthenunscouldnotresistthetemptationtoraisethecorneroftheirveils。Attheextremeendofthegarden，underthetrees，twomen，Fauventandanotherman，werevisibleastheydugsidebyside。Anenormousevent。Theirsilencewasbrokentotheextentofsayingtoeachother:"Heisanassistantgardener。"
　　Thevocalmothersadded:"HeisabrotherofFatherFauvent。"
　　JeanValjeanwas，infact，regularlyinstalled；hehadhisbelledknee—cap；henceforthhewasofficial。HisnamewasUltimeFauchelevent。
　　Themostpowerfuldeterminingcauseofhisadmissionhadbeentheprioress’sobservationuponCosette:"Shewillgrowupugly。"
　　Theprioress，thatpronouncedprognosticator，immediatelytookafancytoCosetteandgaveheraplaceintheschoolasacharitypupil。
　　Thereisnothingthatisnotstrictlylogicalaboutthis。
　　Itisinvainthatmirrorsarebanishedfromtheconvent，womenareconsciousoftheirfaces；now，girlswhoareconsciousoftheirbeautydonoteasilybecomenuns；thevocationbeingvoluntaryininverseproportiontotheirgoodlooks，moreistobehopedfromtheuglythanfromthepretty。Hencealivelytasteforplaingirls。
　　Thewholeofthisadventureincreasedtheimportanceofgood，oldFauchelevent；hewonatriplesuccess；intheeyesofJeanValjean，whomhehadsavedandsheltered；inthoseofgrave—diggerGribier，whosaidtohimself:"Hesparedmethatfine"；withtheconvent，which，beingenabled，thankstohim，toretainthecoffinofMotherCrucifixionunderthealtar，eludedCaesarandsatisfiedGod。
　　TherewasacoffincontainingabodyinthePetit—Picpus，andacoffinwithoutabodyintheVaugirardcemetery，publicorderhadnodoubtbeendeeplydisturbedthereby，butnoonewasawareofit。
　　Asfortheconvent，itsgratitudetoFaucheleventwasverygreat。
　　Faucheleventbecamethebestofservitorsandthemostpreciousofgardeners。Upontheoccasionofthearchbishop’snextvisit，theprioressrecountedtheaffairtohisGrace，makingsomethingofaconfessionatthesametime，andyetboastingofherdeed。
　　Onleavingtheconvent，thearchbishopmentioneditwithapproval，andinawhispertoM。deLatil，Monsieur’sconfessor，afterwardsArchbishopofReimsandCardinal。ThisadmirationforFaucheleventbecamewidespread，foritmadeitswaytoRome。
　　WehaveseenanoteaddressedbythethenreigningPope，LeoXII。，tooneofhisrelatives，aMonsignorintheNuncio’sestablishmentinParis，andbearing，likehimself，thenameofDellaGenga；
　　itcontainedtheselines:"ItappearsthatthereisinaconventinParisanexcellentgardener，whoisalsoaholyman，namedFauvent。"
　　NothingofthistriumphreachedFaucheleventinhishut；
　　hewentongrafting，weeding，andcoveringuphismelonbeds，withoutintheleastsuspectinghisexcellencesandhissanctity。
　　Neitherdidhesuspecthisglory，anymorethanaDurhamorSurreybullwhoseportraitispublishedintheLondonIllustratedNews，withthisinscription:"BullwhichcarriedofftheprizeattheCattleShow。"
　　CHAPTERIX
　　CLOISTERED
　　Cosettecontinuedtoholdhertongueintheconvent。
　　ItwasquitenaturalthatCosetteshouldthinkherselfJeanValjean’sdaughter。Moreover，assheknewnothing，shecouldsaynothing，andthen，shewouldnothavesaidanythinginanycase。Aswehavejustobserved，nothingtrainschildrentosilencelikeunhappiness。
　　Cosettehadsufferedsomuch，thatshefearedeverything，eventospeakortobreathe。Asinglewordhadsooftenbroughtdownanavalancheuponher。ShehadhardlybeguntoregainherconfidencesinceshehadbeenwithJeanValjean。Shespeedilybecameaccustomedtotheconvent。OnlysheregrettedCatherine，butshedarednotsayso。Once，however，shedidsaytoJeanValjean:
　　"Father，ifIhadknown，Iwouldhavebroughtherawaywithme。"
　　Cosettehadbeenobliged，onbecomingascholarintheconvent，todonthegarbofthepupilsofthehouse。JeanValjeansucceededingettingthemtorestoretohimthegarmentswhichshelaidaside。
　　ThiswasthesamemourningsuitwhichhehadmadeherputonwhenshehadquittedtheThenardiers’inn。Itwasnotverythreadbareevennow。
　　JeanValjeanlockedupthesegarments，plusthestockingsandtheshoes，withaquantityofcamphorandallthearomaticsinwhichconventsabound，inalittlevalisewhichhefoundmeansofprocuring。
　　Hesetthisvaliseonachairnearhisbed，andhealwayscarriedthekeyabouthisperson。"Father，"Cosetteaskedhimoneday，"whatisthereinthatboxwhichsmellssogood？"
　　FatherFaucheleventreceivedotherrecompenseforhisgoodaction，inadditiontotheglorywhichwejustmentioned，andofwhichheknewnothing；inthefirstplaceitmadehimhappy；next，hehadmuchlesswork，sinceitwasshared。Lastly，ashewasveryfondofsnuff，hefoundthepresenceofM。Madeleineanadvantage，inthatheusedthreetimesasmuchashehaddonepreviously，andthatinaninfinitelymoreluxuriousmanner，seeingthatM。Madeleinepaidforit。
　　ThenunsdidnotadoptthenameofUltime；theycalledJeanValjeantheotherFauvent。
　　IftheseholywomenhadpossessedanythingofJavert’sglance，theywouldeventuallyhavenoticedthatwhentherewasanyerrandtobedoneoutsideinthebehalfofthegarden，itwasalwaystheelderFauchelevent，theold，theinfirm，thelameman，whowent，andnevertheother；butwhetheritisthateyesconstantlyfixedonGodknownothowtospy，orwhethertheywere，bypreference，occupiedinkeepingwatchoneachother，theypaidnoheedtothis。
　　Moreover，itwaswellforJeanValjeanthathekeptcloseanddidnotstirout。Javertwatchedthequarterformorethanamonth。
　　ThisconventwasforJeanValjeanlikeanislandsurroundedbygulfs。Henceforth，thosefourwallsconstitutedhisworld。
　　Hesawenoughoftheskytheretoenablehimtopreservehisserenity，andCosetteenoughtoremainhappy。
　　Averysweetlifebeganforhim。
　　Heinhabitedtheoldhutattheendofthegarden，incompanywithFauchelevent。Thishovel，builtofoldrubbish，whichwasstillinexistencein1845，wascomposed，asthereaderalreadyknows，ofthreechambers，allofwhichwereutterlybareandhadnothingbeyondthewalls。Theprincipalonehadbeengivenup，byforce，forJeanValjeanhadopposeditinvain，toM。Madeleine，byFatherFauchelevent。Thewallsofthischamberhadforornament，inadditiontothetwonailswhereontohangtheknee—capandthebasket，aRoyalistbank—noteof’93，appliedtothewalloverthechimney—piece，andofwhichthefollowingisanexactfacsimile:——
　　{GRAPHICHERE}
　　ThisspecimenofVendeanpapermoneyhadbeennailedtothewallbytheprecedinggardener，anoldChouan，whohaddiedintheconvent，andwhoseplaceFaucheleventhadtaken。
　　JeanValjeanworkedinthegardeneverydayandmadehimselfveryuseful。
　　Hehadformerlybeenapruneroftrees，andhegladlyfoundhimselfagardeneroncemore。Itwillberememberedthatheknewallsortsofsecretsandreceiptsforagriculture。Heturnedthesetoadvantage。
　　Almostallthetreesintheorchardwereungrafted，andwild。
　　Hebuddedthemandmadethemproduceexcellentfruit。
　　Cosettehadpermissiontopassanhourwithhimeveryday。
　　Asthesistersweremelancholyandhewaskind，thechildmadecomparisonsandadoredhim。Attheappointedhoursheflewtothehut。
　　Whensheenteredthelowlycabin，shefilleditwithparadise。
　　JeanValjeanblossomedoutandfelthishappinessincreasewiththehappinesswhichheaffordedCosette。Thejoywhichweinspirehasthischarmingproperty，that，farfromgrowingmeagre，likeallreflections，itreturnstousmoreradiantthanever。
　　Atrecreationhours，JeanValjeanwatchedherrunningandplayinginthedistance，andhedistinguishedherlaughfromthatoftherest。
　　ForCosettelaughednow。
　　Cosette’sfacehadevenundergoneachange，toacertainextent。
　　Thegloomhaddisappearedfromit。Asmileisthesameassunshine；
　　itbanisheswinterfromthehumancountenance。
　　Recreationover，whenCosettewentintothehouseagain，JeanValjeangazedatthewindowsofherclass—room，andatnightherosetolookatthewindowsofherdormitory。
　　Godhashisownways，moreover；theconventcontributed，likeCosette，toupholdandcompletetheBishop’sworkinJeanValjean。Itiscertainthatvirtueadjoinsprideononeside。Abridgebuiltbythedevilexiststhere。JeanValjeanhadbeen，unconsciously，perhaps，tolerablynearthatsideandthatbridge，whenProvidencecasthislotintheconventofthePetit—Picpus；solongashehadcomparedhimselfonlytotheBishop，hehadregardedhimselfasunworthyandhadremainedhumble；butforsometimepasthehadbeencomparinghimselftomeningeneral，andpridewasbeginningtospringup。
　　Whoknows？Hemighthaveendedbyreturningverygraduallytohatred。
　　Theconventstoppedhimonthatdownwardpath。
　　Thiswasthesecondplaceofcaptivitywhichhehadseen。
　　Inhisyouth，inwhathadbeenforhimthebeginningofhislife，andlateron，quiterecentlyagain，hehadbeheldanother，——
　　afrightfulplace，aterribleplace，whoseseveritieshadalwaysappearedtohimtheiniquityofjustice，andthecrimeofthelaw。
　　Now，afterthegalleys，hesawthecloister；andwhenhemeditatedhowhehadformedapartofthegalleys，andthathenow，sotospeak，wasaspectatorofthecloister，heconfrontedthetwoinhisownmindwithanxiety。
　　Sometimeshecrossedhisarmsandleanedonhishoe，andslowlydescendedtheendlessspiralsofrevery。
　　Herecalledhisformercompanions:howwretchedtheywere；
　　theyroseatdawn，andtoileduntilnight；hardlyweretheypermittedtosleep；theylayoncampbeds，wherenothingwastoleratedbutmattressestwoinchesthick，inroomswhichwereheatedonlyintheveryharshestmonthsoftheyear；theywereclothedinfrightfulredblouses；theywereallowed，asagreatfavor，linentrousersinthehottestweather，andawoollencarter’sblouseontheirbackswhenitwasverycold；theydranknowine，andatenomeat，exceptwhentheywenton"fatigueduty。"Theylivednameless，designatedonlybynumbers，andconverted，afteramanner，intociphersthemselves，withdowncasteyes，withloweredvoices，withshornheads，beneaththecudgelandindisgrace。
　　Thenhismindrevertedtothebeingswhomhehadunderhiseyes。
　　Thesebeingsalsolivedwithshornheads，withdowncasteyes，withloweredvoices，notindisgrace，butamidthescoffsoftheworld，notwiththeirbacksbruisedwiththecudgel，butwiththeirshoulderslaceratedwiththeirdiscipline。Theirnames，also，hadvanishedfromamongmen；theynolongerexistedexceptunderaustereappellations。
　　Theyneveratemeatandtheyneverdrankwine；theyoftenremaineduntileveningwithoutfood；theywereattired，notinaredblouse，butinablackshroud，ofwoollen，whichwasheavyinsummerandthininwinter，withoutthepowertoaddorsubtractanythingfromit；
　　withouthavingeven，accordingtotheseason，theresourceofthelinengarmentorthewoollencloak；andforsixmonthsintheyeartheyworesergechemiseswhichgavethemfever。Theydwelt，notinroomswarmedonlyduringrigorouscold，butincellswherenofirewaseverlighted；theyslept，notonmattressestwoinchesthick，butonstraw。Andfinally，theywerenotevenallowedtheirsleep；
　　everynight，afteradayoftoil，theywereobliged，inthewearinessoftheirfirstslumber，atthemomentwhentheywerefallingsoundasleepandbeginningtogetwarm，torousethemselves，toriseandtogoandprayinanice—coldandgloomychapel，withtheirkneesonthestones。
　　Oncertaindayseachofthesebeingsinturnhadtoremainfortwelvesuccessivehoursinakneelingposture，orprostrate，withfaceuponthepavement，andarmsoutstretchedintheformofacross。
　　Theothersweremen；thesewerewomen。
　　Whathadthosemendone？Theyhadstolen，violated，pillaged，murdered，assassinated。Theywerebandits，counterfeiters，poisoners，incendiaries，murderers，parricides。Whathadthesewomendone？Theyhaddonenothingwhatever。
　　Ontheonehand，highwayrobbery，fraud，deceit，violence，sensuality，homicide，allsortsofsacrilege，everyvarietyofcrime；ontheother，onethingonly，innocence。
　　Perfectinnocence，almostcaughtupintoheaveninamysteriousassumption，attachedtotheearthbyvirtue，alreadypossessingsomethingofheaventhroughholiness。
　　Ontheonehand，confidencesovercrimes，whichareexchangedinwhispers；ontheother，theconfessionoffaultsmadealoud。
　　Andwhatcrimes！Andwhatfaults！
　　Ontheonehand，miasms；ontheother，anineffableperfume。
　　Ontheonehand，amoralpest，guardedfromsight，pennedupundertherangeofcannon，andliterallydevouringitsplague—strickenvictims；
　　ontheother，thechasteflameofallsoulsonthesamehearth。
　　There，darkness；here，theshadow；butashadowfilledwithgleamsoflight，andofgleamsfullofradiance。
　　Twostrongholdsofslavery；butinthefirst，deliverancepossible，alegallimitalwaysinsight，andthen，escape。Inthesecond，perpetuity；thesolehope，atthedistantextremityofthefuture，thatfaintlightoflibertywhichmencalldeath。
　　Inthefirst，menareboundonlywithchains；intheother，chainedbyfaith。
　　Whatflowedfromthefirst？Animmensecurse，thegnashingofteeth，hatred，desperateviciousness，acryofrageagainsthumansociety，asarcasmagainstheaven。
　　Whatresultsflowedfromthesecond？Blessingsandlove。
　　Andinthesetwoplaces，sosimilaryetsounlike，thesetwospeciesofbeingswhoweresoveryunlike，wereundergoingthesamework，expiation。
　　JeanValjeanunderstoodthoroughlytheexpiationoftheformer；
　　thatpersonalexpiation，theexpiationforone’sself。Buthedidnotunderstandthatoftheselast，thatofcreatureswithoutreproachandwithoutstain，andhetrembledasheaskedhimself:
　　Theexpiationofwhat？Whatexpiation？
　　Avoicewithinhisconsciencereplied:"Themostdivineofhumangenerosities，theexpiationforothers。"
　　Hereallpersonaltheoryiswithheld；weareonlythenarrator；
　　weplaceourselvesatJeanValjean’spointofview，andwetranslatehisimpressions。
　　Beforehiseyeshehadthesublimesummitofabnegation，thehighestpossiblepitchofvirtue；theinnocencewhichpardonsmentheirfaults，andwhichexpiatesintheirstead；
　　servitudesubmittedto，tortureaccepted，punishmentclaimedbysoulswhichhavenotsinned，forthesakeofsparingittosoulswhichhavefallen；theloveofhumanityswallowedupintheloveofGod，buteventherepreservingitsdistinctandmediatorialcharacter；sweetandfeeblebeingspossessingthemiseryofthosewhoarepunishedandthesmileofthosewhoarerecompensed。