theusurper，——thetyrant，——themonsterwhowastheloverofhisownsisters，——theactorwhotooklessonsofTalma，——thepoisonerofJaffa，——thetiger，——Buonaparte，——allthisvanished，andgaveplaceinhismindtoavagueandbrilliantradianceinwhichshone，ataninaccessibleheight，thepalemarblephantomofCaesar。
TheEmperorhadbeenforhisfatheronlythewell—belovedcaptainwhomoneadmires，forwhomonesacrificesone’sself；hewassomethingmoretoMarius。HewasthepredestinedconstructoroftheFrenchgroup，succeedingtheRomangroupinthedominationoftheuniverse。
Hewasaprodigiousarchitect，ofadestruction，thecontinuerofCharlemagne，ofLouisXI。，ofHenryIV。，ofRichelieu，ofLouisXIV。，andoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety，havinghisspots，nodoubt，hisfaults，hiscrimeseven，beingaman，thatistosay；
butaugustinhisfaults，brilliantinhisspots，powerfulinhiscrime。
Hewasthepredestinedman，whohadforcedallnationstosay:
"Thegreatnation！"Hewasbetterthanthat，hewastheveryincarnationofFrance，conqueringEuropebytheswordwhichhegrasped，andtheworldbythelightwhichheshed。MariussawinBonapartethedazzlingspectrewhichwillalwaysriseuponthefrontier，andwhichwillguardthefuture。Despotbutdictator；
adespotresultingfromarepublicandsumminguparevolution。
Napoleonbecameforhimtheman—peopleasJesusChrististheman—God。
Itwillbeperceived，thatlikeallnewconvertstoareligion，hisconversionintoxicatedhim，hehurledhimselfheadlongintoadhesionandhewenttoofar。Hisnaturewassoconstructed；
onceonthedownwardslope，itwasalmostimpossibleforhimtoputonthedrag。Fanaticismfortheswordtookpossessionofhim，andcomplicatedinhismindhisenthusiasmfortheidea。
Hedidnotperceivethat，alongwithgenius，andpell—mell，hewasadmittingforce，thatistosay，thathewasinstallingintwocompartmentsofhisidolatry，ontheonehandthatwhichisdivine，ontheotherthatwhichisbrutal。Inmanyrespects，hehadsetaboutdeceivinghimselfotherwise。Headmittedeverything。
Thereisawayofencounteringerrorwhileonone’swaytothetruth。
Hehadaviolentsortofgoodfaithwhichtookeverythinginthelump。
Inthenewpathwhichhehadenteredon，injudgingthemistakesoftheoldregime，asinmeasuringthegloryofNapoleon，heneglectedtheattenuatingcircumstances。
Atallevents，atremendousstephadbeentaken。Wherehehadformerlybeheldthefallofthemonarchy，henowsawtheadventofFrance。
Hisorientationhadchanged。WhathadbeenhisEastbecametheWest。
Hehadturnedsquarelyround。
Alltheserevolutionswereaccomplishedwithinhim，withouthisfamilyobtaininganinklingofthecase。
When，duringthismysteriouslabor，hehadentirelyshedhisoldBourbonandultraskin，whenhehadcastoffthearistocrat，theJacobiteandtheRoyalist，whenhehadbecomethoroughlyarevolutionist，profoundlydemocraticandrepublican，hewenttoanengraverontheQuaidesOrfevresandorderedahundredcardsbearingthisname:
LeBaronMariusPontmercy。
Thiswasonlythestrictlylogicalconsequenceofthechangewhichhadtakenplaceinhim，achangeinwhicheverythinggravitatedroundhisfather。
Only，ashedidnotknowanyoneandcouldnotsowhiscardswithanyporter，heputtheminhispocket。
Byanothernaturalconsequence，inproportionashedrewnearertohisfather，tothelatter’smemory，andtothethingsforwhichthecolonelhadfoughtfiveandtwentyyearsbefore，herecededfromhisgrandfather。Wehavelongagosaid，thatM。Gillenormand’stemperdidnotpleasehim。Therealreadyexistedbetweenthemallthedissonancesofthegraveyoungmanandthefrivolousoldman。
ThegayetyofGeronteshocksandexasperatesthemelancholyofWerther。Solongasthesamepoliticalopinionsandthesameideashadbeencommontothemboth，MariushadmetM。Gillenormandthereasonabridge。Whenthebridgefell，anabysswasformed。
Andthen，overandaboveall，Mariusexperiencedunutterableimpulsestorevolt，whenhereflectedthatitwasM。Gillenormandwhohad，fromstupidmotives，tornhimruthlesslyfromthecolonel，thusdeprivingthefatherofthechild，andthechildofthefather。
Bydintofpityforhisfather，Mariushadnearlyarrivedataversionforhisgrandfather。
Nothingofthissort，however，wasbetrayedontheexterior，aswehavealreadysaid。Onlyhegrewcolderandcolder；
laconicatmeals，andrareinthehouse。Whenhisauntscoldedhimforit，hewasverygentleandallegedhisstudies，hislectures，theexaminations，etc。，asapretext。Hisgrandfatherneverdepartedfromhisinfalliblediagnosis:"Inlove！Iknowallaboutit。"
FromtimetotimeMariusabsentedhimself。
"Whereisitthathegoesofflikethis？"saidhisaunt。
Ononeofthesetrips，whichwerealwaysverybrief，hewenttoMontfermeil，inordertoobeytheinjunctionwhichhisfatherhadlefthim，andhesoughttheoldsergeanttoWaterloo，theinn—keeperThenardier。Thenardierhadfailed，theinnwasclosed，andnooneknewwhathadbecomeofhim。
Mariuswasawayfromthehouseforfourdaysonthisquest。
"Heisgettingdecidedlywild，"saidhisgrandfather。
Theythoughttheyhadnoticedthatheworesomethingonhisbreast，underhisshirt，whichwasattachedtohisneckbyablackribbon。
CHAPTERVII
SOMEPETTICOAT
Wehavementionedalancer。
Hewasagreat—grand—nephewofM。Gillenormand，onthepaternalside，wholedagarrisonlife，outsidethefamilyandfarfromthedomestichearth。LieutenantTheoduleGillenormandfulfilledalltheconditionsrequiredtomakewhatiscalledafineofficer。
Hehad"alady’swaist，"avictoriousmanneroftrailinghisswordandoftwirlinghismustacheinahook。HevisitedParisveryrarely，andsorarelythatMariushadneverseenhim。
Thecousinskneweachotheronlybyname。WethinkwehavesaidthatTheodulewasthefavoriteofAuntGillenormand，whopreferredhimbecauseshedidnotseehim。Notseeingpeoplepermitsonetoattributetothemallpossibleperfections。
Onemorning，MademoiselleGillenormandtheelderreturnedtoherapartmentasmuchdisturbedasherplaciditywascapableofallowing。
Mariushadjustaskedhisgrandfather’spermissiontotakealittletrip，addingthathemeanttosetoutthatveryevening。
"Go！"hadbeenhisgrandfather’sreply，andM。Gillenormandhadaddedinanaside，asheraisedhiseyebrowstothetopofhisforehead:"Hereheispassingthenightoutagain。"
MademoiselleGillenormandhadascendedtoherchambergreatlypuzzled，andonthestaircasehaddroppedthisexclamation:"Thisistoomuch！"——andthisinterrogation:"Butwhereisitthathegoes？"
Sheespiedsomeadventureoftheheart，moreorlessillicit，awomanintheshadow，arendezvous，amystery，andshewouldnothavebeensorrytothrustherspectaclesintotheaffair。
Tastingamysteryresemblesgettingthefirstflavorofascandal；
saintedsoulsdonotdetestthis。Thereissomecuriosityaboutscandalinthesecretcompartmentsofbigotry。
Soshewasthepreyofavagueappetiteforlearningahistory。
Inordertogetridofthiscuriositywhichagitatedheralittlebeyondherwont，shetookrefugeinhertalents，andsetaboutscalloping，withonelayerofcottonafteranother，oneofthoseembroideriesoftheEmpireandtheRestoration，inwhichtherearenumerouscart—wheels。Theworkwasclumsy，theworkercross。Shehadbeenseatedatthisforseveralhourswhenthedooropened。MademoiselleGillenormandraisedhernose。
LieutenantTheodulestoodbeforeher，makingtheregulationsalute。
Sheutteredacryofdelight。Onemaybeold，onemaybeaprude，onemaybepious，onemaybeanaunt，butitisalwaysagreeabletoseealancerenterone’schamber。
"Youhere，Theodule！"sheexclaimed。
"Onmywaythroughtown，aunt。"
"Embraceme。"
"Heregoes！"saidTheodule。
Andhekissedher。AuntGillenormandwenttoherwriting—deskandopenedit。
"Youwillremainwithusaweekatleast？"
"Ileavethisveryevening，aunt。"
"Itisnotpossible！"
"Mathematically！"
"Remain，mylittleTheodule，Ibeseechyou。"
"Myheartsays`yes，’butmyorderssay`no。’Thematterissimple。
Theyarechangingourgarrison；wehavebeenatMelun，wearebeingtransferredtoGaillon。ItisnecessarytopassthroughParisinordertogetfromtheoldposttothenewone。Isaid:`Iamgoingtoseemyaunt。’"
"Hereissomethingforyourtrouble。"
Andsheputtenlouisintohishand。
"Formypleasure，youmeantosay，mydearaunt。"
Theodulekissedheragain，andsheexperiencedthejoyofhavingsomeoftheskinscratchedfromherneckbythebraidingsonhisuniform。
"Areyoumakingthejourneyonhorseback，withyourregiment？"
sheaskedhim。
"No，aunt。Iwantedtoseeyou。Ihavespecialpermission。
Myservantistakingmyhorse；Iamtravellingbydiligence。
And，bytheway，Iwanttoaskyousomething。"
"Whatisit？"
"IsmycousinMariusPontmercytravellingso，too？"
"Howdoyouknowthat？"saidhisaunt，suddenlyprickedtothequickwithalivelycuriosity。
"Onmyarrival，Iwenttothediligencetoengagemyseatinthecoupe。"
"Well？"
"Atravellerhadalreadycometoengageaseatintheimperial。
Isawhisnameonthecard。"
"Whatname？"
"MariusPontmercy。"
"Thewickedfellow！"exclaimedhisaunt。"Ah！yourcousinisnotasteadyladlikeyourself。Tothinkthatheistopassthenightinadiligence！"
"JustasIamgoingtodo。"
"Butyou——itisyourduty；inhiscase，itiswildness。"
"Bosh！"saidTheodule。
HereaneventoccurredtoMademoiselleGillenormandtheelder，——
anideastruckher。Ifshehadbeenaman，shewouldhaveslappedherbrow。SheapostrophizedTheodule:——
"Areyouawarewhetheryourcousinknowsyou？"
"No。Ihaveseenhim；buthehasneverdeignedtonoticeme。"
"Soyouaregoingtotraveltogether？"
"Heintheimperial，Iinthecoupe。"
"Wheredoesthisdiligencerun？"
"ToAndelys。"
"ThenthatiswhereMariusisgoing？"
"Unless，likemyself，heshouldstopontheway。IgetdownatVernon，inordertotakethebranchcoachforGaillon。IknownothingofMarius’planoftravel。"
"Marius！whatanuglyname！whatpossessedthemtonamehimMarius？
Whileyou，atleast，arecalledTheodule。"
"IwouldratherbecalledAlfred，"saidtheofficer。
"Listen，Theodule。"
"Iamlistening，aunt。"
"Payattention。"
"Iampayingattention。"
"Youunderstand？"
"Yes。"
"Well，Mariusabsentshimself！"
"Eh！eh！"
"Hetravels。"
"Ah！ah！"
"Hespendsthenightout。"
"Oh！oh！"
"Weshouldliketoknowwhatthereisbehindallthis。"
Theodulerepliedwiththecomposureofamanofbronze:——
"Somepetticoatorother。"
Andwiththatinwardlaughwhichdenotescertainty，headded:——
"Alass。"
"Thatisevident，"exclaimedhisaunt，whothoughtsheheardM。Gillenormandspeaking，andwhofeltherconvictionbecomeirresistibleatthatwordfillette，accentuatedinalmosttheverysamefashionbythegranduncleandthegrandnephew。Sheresumed:——
"Dousafavor。FollowMariusalittle。Hedoesnotknowyou，itwillbeeasy。Sincealassthereis，trytogetasightofher。
Youmustwriteusthetale。Itwillamusehisgrandfather。"
Theodulehadnoexcessivetasteforthissortofspying；buthewasmuchtouchedbythetenlouis，andhethoughthesawachanceforapossiblesequel。Heacceptedthecommissionandsaid:
"Asyouplease，aunt。"
Andheaddedinanaside，tohimself:"HereIamaduenna。"
MademoiselleGillenormandembracedhim。
"Youarenotthemantoplaysuchpranks，Theodule。Youobeydiscipline，youaretheslaveoforders，youareamanofscruplesandduty，andyouwouldnotquityourfamilytogoandseeacreature。"
ThelancermadethepleasedgrimaceofCartouchewhenpraisedforhisprobity。
Marius，ontheeveningfollowingthisdialogue，mountedthediligencewithoutsuspectingthathewaswatched。Asforthewatcher，thefirstthinghedidwastofallasleep。Hisslumberwascompleteandconscientious。Argussnoredallnightlong。
Atdaybreak，theconductorofthediligenceshouted:"Vernon！relayofVernon！TravellersforVernon！"AndLieutenantTheodulewoke。
"Good，"hegrowled，stillhalfasleep，"thisiswhereIgetout。"
Then，ashismemoryclearedbydegrees，theeffectofwaking，herecalledhisaunt，thetenlouis，andtheaccountwhichhehadundertakentorenderofthedeedsandproceedingsofMarius。
Thissethimtolaughing。
"Perhapsheisnolongerinthecoach，"hethought，asherebuttonedthewaistcoatofhisundressuniform。"HemayhavestoppedatPoissy；
hemayhavestoppedatTriel；ifhedidnotgetoutatMeulan，hemayhavegotoutatMantes，unlesshegotoutatRolleboise，orifhedidnotgoonasfarasPacy，withthechoiceofturningtotheleftatEvreus，ortotherightatLaroche—Guyon。Runafterhim，aunty。WhatthedevilamItowritetothatgoodoldsoul？"
Atthatmomentapairofblacktrousersdescendingfromtheimperial，madeitsappearanceatthewindowofthecoupe。
"CanthatbeMarius？"saidthelieutenant。
ItwasMarius。
Alittlepeasantgirl，allentangledwiththehorsesandthepostilionsattheendofthevehicle，wasofferingflowerstothetravellers。
"Giveyourladiesflowers！"shecried。
Mariusapproachedherandpurchasedthefinestflowersinherflatbasket。
"Comenow，"saidTheodule，leapingdownfromthecoupe，"thispiquesmycuriosity。Whothedeuceishegoingtocarrythoseflowersto？
Shemustbeasplendidlyhandsomewomanforsofineabouquet。
Iwanttoseeher。"
Andnolongerinpursuanceoforders，butfrompersonalcuriosity，likedogswhohuntontheirownaccount，hesetouttofollowMarius。
MariuspaidnoattentiontoTheodule。Elegantwomendescendedfromthediligence；hedidnotglanceatthem。Heseemedtoseenothingaroundhim。
"Heisprettydeeplyinlove！"thoughtTheodule。
Mariusdirectedhisstepstowardsthechurch。
"Capital，"saidTheoduletohimself。"Rendezvousseasonedwithabitofmassarethebestsort。NothingissoexquisiteasanoglewhichpassesoverthegoodGod’shead。"
Onarrivingatthechurch，Mariusdidnotenterit，butskirtedtheapse。Hedisappearedbehindoneoftheanglesoftheapse。
"Therendezvousisappointedoutside，"saidTheodule。"Let’shavealookatthelass。"
AndheadvancedonthetipsofhisbootstowardsthecornerwhichMariushadturned。
Onarrivingthere，hehaltedinamazement。
Marius，withhisforeheadclaspedinhishands，waskneelinguponthegrassonagrave。Hehadstrewnhisbouquetthere。Attheextremityofthegrave，onalittleswellingwhichmarkedthehead，therestoodacrossofblackwoodwiththisnameinwhiteletters:
COLONELBARONPONTMERCY。Marius’sobswereaudible。
The"lass"wasagrave。
CHAPTERVIII
MARBLEAGAINSTGRANITE
ItwashitherthatMariushadcomeonthefirstoccasionofhisabsentinghimselffromParis。ItwashitherthathehadcomeeverytimethatM。Gillenormandhadsaid:"Heissleepingout。"
LieutenantTheodulewasabsolutelyputoutofcountenancebythisunexpectedencounterwithasepulchre；heexperiencedasingularanddisagreeablesensationwhichhewasincapableofanalyzing，andwhichwascomposedofrespectforthetomb，mingledwithrespectforthecolonel。Heretreated，leavingMariusaloneinthecemetery，andtherewasdisciplineinthisretreat。Deathappearedtohimwithlargeepaulets，andhealmostmadethemilitarysalutetohim。
Notknowingwhattowritetohisaunt，hedecidednottowriteatall；
anditisprobablethatnothingwouldhaveresultedfromthediscoverymadebyTheoduleastotheloveaffairsofMarius，if，byoneofthosemysteriousarrangementswhicharesofrequentinchance，thesceneatVernonhadnothadanalmostimmediatecounter—shockatParis。
MariusreturnedfromVernononthethirdday，inthemiddleofthemorning，descendedathisgrandfather’sdoor，and，weariedbythetwonightsspentinthediligence，andfeelingtheneedofrepairinghislossofsleepbyanhourattheswimming—school，hemountedrapidlytohischamber，tookmerelytimeenoughtothrowoffhistravelling—coat，andtheblackribbonwhichheworeroundhisneck，andwentofftothebath。
M。Gillenormand，whohadrisenbetimeslikealloldmeningoodhealth，hadheardhisentrance，andhadmadehastetoclimb，asquicklyashisoldlegspermitted，thestairstotheupperstorywhereMariuslived，inordertoembracehim，andtoquestionhimwhilesodoing，andtofindoutwherehehadbeen。
Buttheyouthhadtakenlesstimetodescendthantheoldmanhadtoascend，andwhenFatherGillenormandenteredtheattic，Mariuswasnolongerthere。
Thebedhadnotbeendisturbed，andonthebedlay，outspread，butnotdefiantlythegreat—coatandtheblackribbon。
"Ilikethisbetter，"saidM。Gillenormand。
Andamomentlater，hemadehisentranceintothesalon，whereMademoiselleGillenormandwasalreadyseated，busilyembroideringhercart—wheels。
Theentrancewasatriumphantone。
M。Gillenormandheldinonehandthegreat—coat，andintheothertheneck—ribbon，andexclaimed:——
"Victory！Weareabouttopenetratethemystery！Wearegoingtolearnthemostminutedetails；wearegoingtolayourfingeronthedebaucheriesofourslyfriend！Herewehavetheromanceitself。
Ihavetheportrait！"
Infact，acaseofblackshagreen，resemblingamedallionportrait，wassuspendedfromtheribbon。
Theoldmantookthiscaseandgazedatitforsometimewithoutopeningit，withthatairofenjoyment，rapture，andwrath，withwhichapoorhungryfellowbeholdsanadmirabledinnerwhichisnotforhim，passunderhisverynose。
"Forthisevidentlyisaportrait。Iknowallaboutsuchthings。
Thatisworntenderlyontheheart。Howstupidtheyare！
Someabominablefrightthatwillmakeusshudder，probably！Youngmenhavesuchbadtastenowadays！"
"Letussee，father，"saidtheoldspinster。
Thecaseopenedbythepressureofaspring。Theyfoundinitnothingbutacarefullyfoldedpaper。
"Fromthesametothesame，"saidM。Gillenormand，burstingwithlaughter。"Iknowwhatitis。Abillet—doux。"
"Ah！letusreadit！"saidtheaunt。
Andsheputonherspectacles。Theyunfoldedthepaperandreadasfollows:——
"Formyson。——TheEmperormademeaBarononthebattlefieldofWaterloo。SincetheRestorationdisputesmyrighttothistitlewhichIpurchasedwithmyblood，mysonshalltakeitandbearit。
Thathewillbeworthyofitisamatterofcourse。"
Thefeelingsoffatheranddaughtercannotbedescribed。Theyfeltchilledasbythebreathofadeath’s—head。Theydidnotexchangeaword。
Only，M。Gillenormandsaidinalowvoiceandasthoughspeakingtohimself:——
"Itistheslasher’shandwriting。"
Theauntexaminedthepaper，turneditaboutinalldirections，thenputitbackinitscase。
Atthesamemomentalittleoblongpacket，envelopedinbluepaper，fellfromoneofthepocketsofthegreat—coat。MademoiselleGillenormandpickeditupandunfoldedthebluepaper。
ItcontainedMarius’hundredcards。ShehandedoneofthemtoM。Gillenormand，whoread:LeBaronMariusPontmercy。
Theoldmanrangthebell。Nicolettecame。M。Gillenormandtooktheribbon，thecase，andthecoat，flungthemallonthefloorinthemiddleoftheroom，andsaid:——
"Carrythosedudsaway。"
Afullhourpassedinthemostprofoundsilence。Theoldmanandtheoldspinsterhadseatedthemselveswiththeirbackstoeachother，andwerethinking，eachonhisownaccount，thesamethings，inallprobability。
Attheexpirationofthishour，AuntGillenormandsaid:——"Aprettystateofthings！"
Afewmomentslater，Mariusmadehisappearance。Heentered。
Evenbeforehehadcrossedthethreshold，hesawhisgrandfatherholdingoneofhisowncardsinhishand，andoncatchingsightofhim，thelatterexclaimedwithhisairofbourgeoisandgrinningsuperioritywhichwassomethingcrushing:——
"Well！well！well！well！well！soyouareabaronnow。Ipresentyoumycompliments。Whatisthemeaningofthis？"
Mariusreddenedslightlyandreplied:——
"ItmeansthatIamthesonofmyfather。"
M。Gillenormandceasedtolaugh，andsaidharshly:——
"Iamyourfather。"
"Myfather，"retortedMarius，withdowncasteyesandasevereair，"wasahumbleandheroicman，whoservedtheRepublicandFrancegloriously，whowasgreatinthegreatesthistorythatmenhaveevermade，wholivedinthebivouacforaquarterofacentury，beneathgrape—shotandbullets，insnowandmudbyday，beneathrainatnight，whocapturedtwoflags，whoreceivedtwentywounds，whodiedforgottenandabandoned，andwhonevercommittedbutonemistake，whichwastolovetoofondlytwoingrates，hiscountryandmyself。"
ThiswasmorethanM。Gillenormandcouldbeartohear。Atthewordrepublic，herose，or，tospeakmorecorrectly，hesprangtohisfeet。EverywordthatMariushadjustutteredproducedonthevisageoftheoldRoyalisttheeffectofthepuffsofairfromaforgeuponablazingbrand。Fromadullhuehehadturnedred，fromred，purple，andfrompurple，flame—colored。
"Marius！"hecried。"Abominablechild！Idonotknowwhatyourfatherwas！Idonotwishtoknow！Iknownothingaboutthat，andIdonotknowhim！ButwhatIdoknowis，thatthereneverwasanythingbutscoundrelsamongthosemen！Theywereallrascals，assassins，red—caps，thieves！Isayall！Isayall！
Iknownotone！Isayall！Doyouhearme，Marius！Seehere，youarenomoreabaronthanmyslipperis！TheywereallbanditsintheserviceofRobespierre！AllwhoservedB—u—o—napartewerebrigands！Theywerealltraitorswhobetrayed，betrayed，betrayedtheirlegitimateking！AllcowardswhofledbeforethePrussiansandtheEnglishatWaterloo！ThatiswhatIdoknow！
WhetherMonsieuryourfathercomesinthatcategory，Idonotknow！
Iamsorryforit，somuchtheworse，yourhumbleservant！"
Inhisturn，itwasMariuswhowasthefirebrandandM。Gillenormandwhowasthebellows。Mariusquiveredineverylimb，hedidnotknowwhatwouldhappennext，hisbrainwasonfire。Hewasthepriestwhobeholdsallhissacredwaferscasttothewinds，thefakirwhobeholdsapasser—byspituponhisidol。Itcouldnotbethatsuchthingshadbeenutteredinhispresence。
Whatwashetodo？Hisfatherhadjustbeentrampledunderfootandstampeduponinhispresence，butbywhom？Byhisgrandfather。
Howwashetoavengetheonewithoutoutragingtheother？
Itwasimpossibleforhimtoinsulthisgrandfatheranditwasequallyimpossibleforhimtoleavehisfatherunavenged。
Ontheonehandwasasacredgrave，ontheotherhoarylocks。
Hestoodthereforseveralmoments，staggeringasthoughintoxicated，withallthiswhirlwinddashingthroughhishead；thenheraisedhiseyes，gazedfixedlyathisgrandfather，andcriedinavoiceofthunder:——
"DownwiththeBourbons，andthatgreathogofaLouisXVIII。！"
LouisXVIII。hadbeendeadforfouryears；butitwasallthesametohim。
Theoldman，whohadbeencrimson，turnedwhiterthanhishair。
HewheeledroundtowardsabustofM。leDucdeBerry，whichstoodonthechimney—piece，andmadeaprofoundbow，withasortofpeculiarmajesty。Thenhepacedtwice，slowlyandinsilence，fromthefireplacetothewindowandfromthewindowtothefireplace，traversingthewholelengthoftheroom，andmakingthepolishedfloorcreakasthoughhehadbeenastonestatuewalking。
Onhissecondturn，hebentoverhisdaughter，whowaswatchingthisencounterwiththestupefiedairofanantiquatedlamb，andsaidtoherwithasmilethatwasalmostcalm:"Abaronlikethisgentleman，andabourgeoislikemyselfcannotremainunderthesameroof。"
Anddrawinghimselfup，allatonce，pallid，trembling，terrible，withhisbrowrenderedmoreloftybytheterribleradianceofwrath，heextendedhisarmtowardsMariusandshoutedtohim:——
"Beoff！"
Mariusleftthehouse。
Onthefollowingday，M。Gillenormandsaidtohisdaughter:
"Youwillsendsixtypistoleseverysixmonthstothatblood—drinker，andyouwillnevermentionhisnametome。"
Havinganimmensereservefundofwrathtogetridof，andnotknowingwhattodowithit，hecontinuedtoaddresshisdaughterasyouinsteadofthouforthenextthreemonths。
Marius，onhisside，hadgoneforthinindignation。Therewasonecircumstancewhich，itmustbeadmitted，aggravatedhisexasperation。
Therearealwayspettyfatalitiesofthesortwhichcomplicatedomesticdramas。Theyaugmentthegrievancesinsuchcases，although，inreality，thewrongsarenotincreasedbythem。
WhilecarryingMarius’"duds"precipitatelytohischamber，athisgrandfather’scommand，Nicolettehad，inadvertently，letfall，probably，ontheatticstaircase，whichwasdark，thatmedallionofblackshagreenwhichcontainedthepaperpennedbythecolonel。
Neitherpapernorcasecouldafterwardsbefound。Mariuswasconvincedthat"MonsieurGillenormand"——fromthatdayforthheneveralludedtohimotherwise——hadflung"hisfather’stestament"
inthefire。Heknewbyheartthefewlineswhichthecolonelhadwritten，and，consequently，nothingwaslost。Butthepaper，thewriting，thatsacredrelic，——allthatwashisveryheart。
Whathadbeendonewithit？
Mariushadtakenhisdeparturewithoutsayingwhitherhewasgoing，andwithoutknowingwhere，withthirtyfrancs，hiswatch，andafewclothesinahand—bag。Hehadenteredahackney—coach，hadengageditbythehour，andhaddirectedhiscourseathap—hazardtowardstheLatinquarter。
WhatwastobecomeofMarius？
BOOKFOURTH。——THEFRIENDSOFTHEABC
CHAPTERI
AGROUPWHICHBARELYMISSEDBECOMINGHISTORIC
Atthatepoch，whichwas，toallappearancesindifferent，acertainrevolutionaryquiverwasvaguelycurrent。Breathswhichhadstartedforthfromthedepthsof’89and’93wereintheair。Youthwasonthepoint，maythereaderpardonustheword，ofmoulting。
Peoplewereundergoingatransformation，almostwithoutbeingconsciousofit，throughthemovementoftheage。Theneedlewhichmovesroundthecompassalsomovesinsouls。Eachpersonwastakingthatstepinadvancewhichhewasboundtotake。
TheRoyalistswerebecomingliberals，liberalswereturningdemocrats。
Itwasafloodtidecomplicatedwithathousandebbmovements；
thepeculiarityofebbsistocreateintermixtures；hencethecombinationofverysingularideas；peopleadoredbothNapoleonandliberty。
Wearemakinghistoryhere。Thesewerethemiragesofthatperiod。
Opinionstraversephases。Voltairianroyalism，aquaintvariety，hadanolesssingularsequel，Bonapartistliberalism。
Othergroupsofmindsweremoreserious。Inthatdirection，theysoundedprinciples，theyattachedthemselvestotheright。
Theygrewenthusiasticfortheabsolute，theycaughtglimpsesofinfiniterealizations；theabsolute，byitsveryrigidity，urgesspiritstowardstheskyandcausesthemtofloatinillimitablespace。
Thereisnothinglikedogmaforbringingforthdreams。Andthereisnothinglikedreamsforengenderingthefuture。Utopiato—day，fleshandbloodto—morrow。
Theseadvancedopinionshadadoublefoundation。Abeginningofmysterymenaced"theestablishedorderofthings，"whichwassuspiciousandunderhand。Asignwhichwasrevolutionarytothehighestdegree。Thesecondthoughtsofpowermeetthesecondthoughtsofthepopulaceinthemine。Theincubationofinsurrectionsgivestheretorttothepremeditationofcoupsd’etat。
Theredidnot，asyet，existinFranceanyofthosevastunderlyingorganizations，liketheGermantugendbundandItalianCarbonarism；
buthereandtherethereweredarkunderminings，whichwereinprocessofthrowingoffshoots。TheCougourdewasbeingoutlinedatAix；
thereexistedatParis，amongotheraffiliationsofthatnature，thesocietyoftheFriendsoftheABC。
WhatweretheseFriendsoftheABC？Asocietywhichhadforitsobjectapparentlytheeducationofchildren，inrealitytheelevationofman。
TheydeclaredthemselvestheFriendsoftheABC，——theAbaisse，——
thedebased，——thatistosay，thepeople。Theywishedtoelevatethepeople。Itwasapunwhichweshoulddowrongtosmileat。
Punsaresometimesseriousfactorsinpolitics；witnesstheCastratusadcastra，whichmadeageneralofthearmyofNarses；witness:
BarbarietBarberini；witness:TuesPetrusetsuperhancpetram，etc。，etc。
TheFriendsoftheABCwerenotnumerous，itwasasecretsocietyinthestateofembryo，wemightalmostsayacoterie，ifcoteriesendedinheroes。TheyassembledinParisintwolocalities，nearthefish—market，inawine—shopcalledCorinthe，ofwhichmorewillbeheardlateron，andnearthePantheoninalittlecafeintheRueSaint—MichelcalledtheCafeMusain，nowtorndown；
thefirstofthesemeeting—placeswasclosetotheworkingman，thesecondtothestudents。
TheassembliesoftheFriendsoftheABCwereusuallyheldinabackroomoftheCafeMusain。
Thishall，whichwastolerablyremotefromthecafe，withwhichitwasconnectedbyanextremelylongcorridor，hadtwowindowsandanexitwithaprivatestairwayonthelittleRuedesGres。Theretheysmokedanddrank，andgambledandlaughed。Theretheyconversedinveryloudtonesabouteverything，andinwhispersofotherthings。
AnoldmapofFranceundertheRepublicwasnailedtothewall，——
asignquitesufficienttoexcitethesuspicionofapoliceagent。
ThegreaterpartoftheFriendsoftheABCwerestudents，whowereoncordialtermswiththeworkingclasses。Herearethenamesoftheprincipalones。Theybelong，inacertainmeasure，tohistory:Enjolras，Combeferre，JeanProuvaire，Feuilly，Courfeyrac，Bahorel，LesgleorLaigle，Joly，Grantaire。
Theseyoungmenformedasortoffamily，throughthebondoffriendship。All，withtheexceptionofLaigle，werefromtheSouth。
Thiswasaremarkablegroup。Itvanishedintheinvisibledepthswhichliebehindus。Atthepointofthisdramawhichwehavenowreached，itwillnotperhapsbesuperfluoustothrowarayoflightupontheseyouthfulheads，beforethereaderbeholdsthemplungingintotheshadowofatragicadventure。
Enjolras，whosenamewehavementionedfirstofall，——thereadershallseewhylateron，——wasanonlysonandwealthy。
Enjolraswasacharmingyoungman，whowascapableofbeingterrible。
Hewasangelicallyhandsome。HewasasavageAntinous。Onewouldhavesaid，toseethepensivethoughtfulnessofhisglance，thathehadalready，insomepreviousstateofexistence，traversedtherevolutionaryapocalypse。Hepossessedthetraditionofitasthoughhehadbeenawitness。Hewasacquaintedwithalltheminutedetailsofthegreataffair。Apontificalandwarlikenature，asingularthinginayouth。Hewasanofficiatingpriestandamanofwar；
fromtheimmediatepointofview，asoldierofthedemocracy；
abovethecontemporarymovement，thepriestoftheideal。Hiseyesweredeep，hislidsalittlered，hislowerlipwasthickandeasilybecamedisdainful，hisbrowwaslofty。Agreatdealofbrowinafaceislikeagreatdealofhorizoninaview。Likecertainyoungmenatthebeginningofthiscenturyandtheendofthelast，whobecameillustriousatanearlyage，hewasendowedwithexcessiveyouth，andwasasrosyasayounggirl，althoughsubjecttohoursofpallor。
Alreadyaman，hestillseemedachild。Histwoandtwentyyearsappearedtobebutseventeen；hewasserious，itdidnotseemasthoughhewereawaretherewasonearthathingcalledwoman。
Hehadbutonepassion——theright；butonethought——tooverthrowtheobstacle。OnMountAventine，hewouldhavebeenGracchus；
intheConvention，hewouldhavebeenSaint—Just。Hehardlysawtheroses，heignoredspring，hedidnothearthecarollingofthebirds；thebarethroatofEvadnewouldhavemovedhimnomorethanitwouldhavemovedAristogeiton；he，likeHarmodius，thoughtflowersgoodfornothingexcepttoconcealthesword。
Hewassevereinhisenjoyments。HechastelydroppedhiseyesbeforeeverythingwhichwasnottheRepublic。Hewasthemarbleloverofliberty。Hisspeechwasharshlyinspired，andhadthethrillofahymn。Hewassubjecttounexpectedoutburstsofsoul。
Woetothelove—affairwhichshouldhaveriskeditselfbesidehim！
IfanygrisetteofthePlaceCambraiortheRueSaint—Jean—de—Beauvais，seeingthatfaceofayouthescapedfromcollege，thatpage’smien，thoselong，goldenlashes，thoseblueeyes，thathairbillowinginthewind，thoserosycheeks，thosefreshlips，thoseexquisiteteeth，hadconceivedanappetiteforthatcompleteaurora，andhadtriedherbeautyonEnjolras，anastoundingandterribleglancewouldhavepromptlyshownhertheabyss，andwouldhavetaughthernottoconfoundthemightycherubofEzekielwiththegallantCherubinoofBeaumarchais。
BythesideofEnjolras，whorepresentedthelogicoftheRevolution，Combeferrerepresenteditsphilosophy。BetweenthelogicoftheRevolutionanditsphilosophythereexiststhisdifference——thatitslogicmayendinwar，whereasitsphilosophycanendonlyinpeace。
CombeferrecomplementedandrectifiedEnjolras。Hewaslesslofty，butbroader。Hedesiredtopourintoallmindstheextensiveprinciplesofgeneralideas:hesaid:"Revolution，butcivilization"；
andaroundthemountainpeakheopenedoutavastviewofthebluesky。
TheRevolutionwasmoreadaptedforbreathingwithCombeferrethanwithEnjolras。Enjolrasexpresseditsdivineright，andCombeferreitsnaturalright。ThefirstattachedhimselftoRobespierre；
thesecondconfinedhimselftoCondorcet。CombeferrelivedthelifeofalltherestoftheworldmorethandidEnjolras。
Ifithadbeengrantedtothesetwoyoungmentoattaintohistory，theonewouldhavebeenthejust，theotherthewiseman。
Enjolraswasthemorevirile，Combeferrethemorehumane。Homoandvir，thatwastheexacteffectoftheirdifferentshades。CombeferrewasasgentleasEnjolraswassevere，throughnaturalwhiteness。
Helovedthewordcitizen，buthepreferredthewordman。Hewouldgladlyhavesaid:Hombre，liketheSpanish。Hereadeverything，wenttothetheatres，attendedthecoursesofpubliclecturers，learnedthepolarizationoflightfromArago，grewenthusiasticoveralessoninwhichGeoffreySainte—Hilaireexplainedthedoublefunctionoftheexternalcarotidartery，andtheinternal，theonewhichmakestheface，andtheonewhichmakesthebrain；
hekeptupwithwhatwasgoingon，followedsciencestepbystep，comparedSaint—SimonwithFourier，decipheredhieroglyphics，brokethepebblewhichhefoundandreasonedongeology，drewfrommemoryasilkwormmoth，pointedoutthefaultyFrenchintheDictionaryoftheAcademy，studiedPuysegurandDeleuze，affirmednothing，notevenmiracles；deniednothing，notevenghosts；
turnedoverthefilesoftheMoniteur，reflected。Hedeclaredthatthefutureliesinthehandoftheschoolmaster，andbusiedhimselfwitheducationalquestions。Hedesiredthatsocietyshouldlaborwithoutrelaxationattheelevationofthemoralandintellectuallevel，atcoiningscience，atputtingideasintocirculation，atincreasingthemindinyouthfulpersons，andhefearedlestthepresentpovertyofmethod，thepaltrinessfromaliterarypointofviewconfinedtotwoorthreecenturiescalledclassic，thetyrannicaldogmatismofofficialpedants，scholasticprejudicesandroutinesshouldendbyconvertingourcollegesintoartificialoysterbeds。Hewaslearned，apurist，exact，agraduateofthePolytechnic，aclosestudent，andatthesametime，thoughtful"eventochimaeras，"sohisfriendssaid。
Hebelievedinalldreams，railroads，thesuppressionofsufferinginchirurgicaloperations，thefixingofimagesinthedarkchamber，theelectrictelegraph，thesteeringofballoons。Moreover，hewasnotmuchalarmedbythecitadelserectedagainstthehumanmindineverydirection，bysuperstition，despotism，andprejudice。
Hewasoneofthosewhothinkthatsciencewilleventuallyturntheposition。Enjolraswasachief，Combeferrewasaguide。
Onewouldhavelikedtofightundertheoneandtomarchbehindtheother。ItisnotthatCombeferrewasnotcapableoffighting，hedidnotrefuseahand—to—handcombatwiththeobstacle，andtoattackitbymainforceandexplosively；butitsuitedhimbettertobringthehumanraceintoaccordwithitsdestinygradually，bymeansofeducation，theinculcationofaxioms，thepromulgationofpositivelaws；and，betweentwolights，hispreferencewasratherforilluminationthanforconflagration。
Aconflagrationcancreateanaurora，nodoubt，butwhynotawaitthedawn？Avolcanoilluminates，butdaybreakfurnishesastillbetterillumination。Possibly，Combeferrepreferredthewhitenessofthebeautifultotheblazeofthesublime。Alighttroubledbysmoke，progresspurchasedattheexpenseofviolence，onlyhalfsatisfiedthistenderandseriousspirit。Theheadlongprecipitationofapeopleintothetruth，a’93，terrifiedhim；nevertheless，stagnationwasstillmorerepulsivetohim，inithedetectedputrefactionanddeath；onthewhole，hepreferredscumtomiasma，andhepreferredthetorrenttothecesspool，andthefallsofNiagaratothelakeofMontfaucon。Inshort，hedesiredneitherhaltnorhaste。Whilehistumultuousfriends，captivatedbytheabsolute，adoredandinvokedsplendidrevolutionaryadventures，Combeferrewasinclinedtoletprogress，goodprogress，takeitsowncourse；
hemayhavebeencold，buthewaspure；methodical，butirreproachable；
phlegmatic，butimperturbable。Combeferrewouldhavekneltandclaspedhishandstoenablethefuturetoarriveinallitscandor，andthatnothingmightdisturbtheimmenseandvirtuousevolutionoftheraces。Thegoodmustbeinnocent，herepeatedincessantly。
Andinfact，ifthegrandeuroftheRevolutionconsistsinkeepingthedazzlingidealfixedlyinview，andofsoaringthitherathwartthelightnings，withfireandbloodinitstalons，thebeautyofprogressliesinbeingspotless；andthereexistsbetweenWashington，whorepresentstheone，andDanton，whoincarnatestheother，thatdifferencewhichseparatestheswanfromtheangelwiththewingsofaneagle。
JeanProuvairewasastillsoftershadethanCombeferre。HisnamewasJehan，owingtothatpettymomentaryfreakwhichmingledwiththepowerfulandprofoundmovementwhencesprangtheveryessentialstudyoftheMiddleAges。JeanProuvairewasinlove；
hecultivatedapotofflowers，playedontheflute，madeverses，lovedthepeople，pitiedwoman，weptoverthechild，confoundedGodandthefutureinthesameconfidence，andblamedtheRevolutionforhavingcausedthefallofaroyalhead，thatofAndreChenier。
Hisvoicewasordinarilydelicate，butsuddenlygrewmanly。
Hewaslearnedeventoerudition，andalmostanOrientalist。
Aboveall，hewasgood；and，averysimplethingtothosewhoknowhownearlygoodnessbordersongrandeur，inthematterofpoetry，hepreferredtheimmense。HeknewItalian，Latin，Greek，andHebrew；
andtheseservedhimonlyfortheperusaloffourpoets:
Dante，Juvenal，AEschylus，andIsaiah。InFrench，hepreferredCorneilletoRacine，andAgrippad’AubignetoCorneille。
Helovedtosaunterthroughfieldsofwildoatsandcorn—flowers，andbusiedhimselfwithcloudsnearlyasmuchaswithevents。
Hismindhadtwoattitudes，oneonthesidetowardsman，theotheronthattowardsGod；hestudiedorhecontemplated。Alldaylong，heburiedhimselfinsocialquestions，salary，capital，credit，marriage，religion，libertyofthought，education，penalservitude，poverty，association，property，productionandsharing，theenigmaofthislowerworldwhichcoversthehumanant—hillwithdarkness；
andatnight，hegazedupontheplanets，thoseenormousbeings。
LikeEnjolras，hewaswealthyandanonlyson。Hespokesoftly，bowedhishead，loweredhiseyes，smiledwithembarrassment，dressedbadly，hadanawkwardair，blushedatamerenothing，andwasverytimid。Yethewasintrepid。
Feuillywasaworkingman，afan—maker，orphanedbothoffatherandmother，whoearnedwithdifficultythreefrancsaday，andhadbutonethought，todelivertheworld。Hehadoneotherpreoccupation，toeducatehimself；hecalledthisalso，deliveringhimself。
Hehadtaughthimselftoreadandwrite；everythingthatheknew，hehadlearnedbyhimself。Feuillyhadagenerousheart。Therangeofhisembracewasimmense。Thisorphanhadadoptedthepeoples。
Ashismotherhadfailedhim，hemeditatedonhiscountry。
Hebroodedwiththeprofounddivinationofthemanofthepeople，overwhatwenowcalltheideaofthenationality，hadlearnedhistorywiththeexpressobjectofragingwithfullknowledgeofthecase。
InthisclubofyoungUtopians，occupiedchieflywithFrance，herepresentedtheoutsideworld。HehadforhisspecialtyGreece，Poland，Hungary，Roumania，Italy。Heutteredthesenamesincessantly，appropriatelyandinappropriately，withthetenacityofright。
TheviolationsofTurkeyonGreeceandThessaly，ofRussiaonWarsaw，ofAustriaonVenice，enragedhim。Aboveallthings，thegreatviolenceof1772arousedhim。Thereisnomoresovereigneloquencethanthetrueinindignation；hewaseloquentwiththateloquence。Hewasinexhaustibleonthatinfamousdateof1772，onthesubjectofthatnobleandvaliantracesuppressedbytreason，andthatthree—sidedcrime，onthatmonstrousambush，theprototypeandpatternofallthosehorriblesuppressionsofstates，which，sincethattime，havestruckmanyanoblenation，andhaveannulledtheircertificateofbirth，sotospeak。
AllcontemporarysocialcrimeshavetheirorigininthepartitionofPoland。ThepartitionofPolandisatheoremofwhichallpresentpoliticaloutragesarethecorollaries。Therehasnotbeenadespot，noratraitorfornearlyacenturyback，whohasnotsigned，approved，counter—signed，andcopied，nevariatur，thepartitionofPoland。
Whentherecordofmoderntreasonswasexamined，thatwasthefirstthingwhichmadeitsappearance。ThecongressofViennaconsultedthatcrimebeforeconsummatingitsown。1772soundedtheonset；
1815wasthedeathofthegame。SuchwasFeuilly’shabitualtext。
ThispoorworkingmanhadconstitutedhimselfthetutorofJustice，andsherecompensedhimbyrenderinghimgreat。Thefactis，thatthereiseternityinright。WarsawcannomorebeTartarthanVenicecanbeTeuton。Kingslosetheirpainsandtheirhonorintheattempttomakethemso。Soonerorlater，thesubmergedpartfloatstothesurfaceandreappears。GreecebecomesGreeceagain，ItalyisoncemoreItaly。Theprotestofrightagainstthedeedpersistsforever。Thetheftofanationcannotbeallowedbyprescription。Theseloftydeedsofrascalityhavenofuture。
Anationcannothaveitsmarkextractedlikeapockethandkerchief。
CourfeyrachadafatherwhowascalledM。deCourfeyrac。OneofthefalseideasofthebourgeoisieundertheRestorationasregardsaristocracyandthenobilitywastobelieveintheparticle。
Theparticle，aseveryoneknows，possessesnosignificance。
ButthebourgeoisoftheepochoflaMinerveestimatedsohighlythatpoorde，thattheythoughtthemselvesboundtoabdicateit。
M。deChauvelinhadhimselfcalledM。Chauvelin；M。deCaumartin，M。Caumartin；M。deConstantdeRobecque，BenjaminConstant；
M。deLafayette，M。Lafayette。Courfeyrachadnotwishedtoremainbehindtherest，andcalledhimselfplainCourfeyrac。
Wemightalmost，sofarasCourfeyracisconcerned，stophere，andconfineourselvestosayingwithregardtowhatremains:
"ForCourfeyrac，seeTholomyes。"
Courfeyrachad，infact，thatanimationofyouthwhichmaybecalledthebeautedudiableofthemind。Lateron，thisdisappearsliketheplayfulnessofthekitten，andallthisgraceends，withthebourgeois，ontwolegs，andwiththetomcat，onfourpaws。
Thissortofwitistransmittedfromgenerationtogenerationofthesuccessiveleviesofyouthwhotraversetheschools，whopassitfromhandtohand，quasicursores，andisalmostalwaysexactlythesame；sothat，aswehavejustpointedout，anyonewhohadlistenedtoCourfeyracin1828wouldhavethoughtheheardTholomyesin1817。Only，Courfeyracwasanhonorablefellow。
Beneaththeapparentsimilaritiesoftheexteriormind，thedifferencebetweenhimandTholomyeswasverygreat。Thelatentmanwhichexistedinthetwowastotallydifferentinthefirstfromwhatitwasinthesecond。TherewasinTholomyesadistrictattorney，andinCourfeyracapaladin。
Enjolraswasthechief，Combeferrewastheguide，Courfeyracwasthecentre。Theothersgavemorelight，heshedmorewarmth；
thetruthis，thathepossessedallthequalitiesofacentre，roundnessandradiance。
BahorelhadfiguredinthebloodytumultofJune，1822，ontheoccasionoftheburialofyoungLallemand。
Bahorelwasagood—naturedmortal，whokeptbadcompany，brave，aspendthrift，prodigal，andtothevergeofgenerosity，talkative，andattimeseloquent，boldtothevergeofeffrontery；thebestfellowpossible；hehaddaringwaistcoats，andscarletopinions；
awholesaleblusterer，thatistosay，lovingnothingsomuchasaquarrel，unlessitwereanuprising；andnothingsomuchasanuprising，unlessitwerearevolution；alwaysreadytosmashawindow—pane，thentotearupthepavement，thentodemolishagovernment，justtoseetheeffectofit；astudentinhiseleventhyear。
Hehadnosedaboutthelaw，butdidnotpractiseit。Hehadtakenforhisdevice:"Neveralawyer，"andforhisarmorialbearingsanightstandinwhichwasvisibleasquarecap。Everytimethathepassedthelaw—school，whichrarelyhappened，hebuttoneduphisfrock—coat，——thepaletothadnotyetbeeninvented，——andtookhygienicprecautions。Oftheschoolporterhesaid:"Whatafineoldman！"andofthedean，M。Delvincourt:"Whatamonument！"
Inhislecturesheespiedsubjectsforballads，andinhisprofessorsoccasionsforcaricature。Hewastedatolerablylargeallowance，somethinglikethreethousandfrancsayear，indoingnothing。
Hehadpeasantparentswhomhehadcontrivedtoimbuewithrespectfortheirson。
Hesaidofthem:"Theyarepeasantsandnotbourgeois；thatisthereasontheyareintelligent。"
Bahorel，amanofcaprice，wasscatteredovernumerouscafes；
theothershadhabits，hehadnone。Hesauntered。Tostrayishuman。
TosaunterisParisian。Inreality，hehadapenetratingmindandwasmoreofathinkerthanappearedtoview。
HeservedasaconnectinglinkbetweentheFriendsoftheABC
andotherstillunorganizedgroups，whichweredestinedtotakeformlateron。
Inthisconclaveofyoungheads，therewasonebaldmember。
TheMarquisd’Avaray，whomLouisXVIII。madeadukeforhavingassistedhimtoenterahackney—coachonthedaywhenheemigrated，waswonttorelate，thatin1814，onhisreturntoFrance，astheKingwasdisembarkingatCalais，amanhandedhimapetition。
"Whatisyourrequest？"saidtheKing。
"Sire，apost—office。"
"Whatisyourname？"
"L’Aigle。"
TheKingfrowned，glancedatthesignatureofthepetitionandbeheldthenamewrittenthus:LESGLE。Thisnon—BonoparteorthographytouchedtheKingandhebegantosmile。"Sire，"resumedthemanwiththepetition，"IhadforancestorakeeperofthehoundssurnamedLesgueules。Thissurnamefurnishedmyname。IamcalledLesgueules，bycontractionLesgle，andbycorruptionl’Aigle。"
ThiscausedtheKingtosmilebroadly。LateronhegavethemanthepostingofficeofMeaux，eitherintentionallyoraccidentally。
ThebaldmemberofthegroupwasthesonofthisLesgle，orLegle，andhesignedhimself，Legle[deMeaux]。Asanabbreviation，hiscompanionscalledhimBossuet。
Bossuetwasagaybutunluckyfellow。Hisspecialtywasnottosucceedinanything。Asanoffset，helaughedateverything。
Atfiveandtwentyhewasbald。Hisfatherhadendedbyowningahouseandafield；buthe，theson，hadmadehastetolosethathouseandfieldinabadspeculation。Hehadnothingleft。
Hepossessedknowledgeandwit，butallhedidmiscarried。
Everythingfailedhimandeverybodydeceivedhim；whathewasbuildingtumbleddownontopofhim。Ifheweresplittingwood，hecutoffafinger。Ifhehadamistress，hespeedilydiscoveredthathehadafriendalso。Somemisfortunehappenedtohimeverymoment，hencehisjoviality。Hesaid:"Iliveunderfallingtiles。"
Hewasnoteasilyastonished，because，forhim，anaccidentwaswhathehadforeseen，hetookhisbadluckserenely，andsmiledattheteasingoffate，likeapersonwhoislisteningtopleasantries。
Hewaspoor，buthisfundofgoodhumorwasinexhaustible。
Hesoonreachedhislastsou，neverhislastburstoflaughter。
Whenadversityenteredhisdoors，hesalutedthisoldacquaintancecordially，hetappedallcatastrophesonthestomach；hewasfamiliarwithfatalitytothepointofcallingitbyitsnickname:
"Goodday，Guignon，"hesaidtoit。
Thesepersecutionsoffatehadrenderedhiminventive。Hewasfullofresources。Hehadnomoney，buthefoundmeans，whenitseemedgoodtohim，toindulgein"unbridledextravagance。"Onenight，hewentsofarastoeata"hundredfrancs"inasupperwithawench，whichinspiredhimtomakethismemorableremarkinthemidstoftheorgy:"Pulloffmyboots，youfive—louisjade。"
Bossuetwasslowlydirectinghisstepstowardstheprofessionofalawyer；hewaspursuinghislawstudiesafterthemannerofBahorel。Bossuethadnotmuchdomicile，sometimesnoneatall。
Helodgednowwithone，nowwithanother，mostoftenwithJoly。
Jolywasstudyingmedicine。HewastwoyearsyoungerthanBossuet。
Jolywasthe"maladeimaginaire"junior。Whathehadwoninmedicinewastobemoreofaninvalidthanadoctor。Atthreeandtwentyhethoughthimselfavaletudinarian，andpassedhislifeininspectinghistongueinthemirror。Heaffirmedthatmanbecomesmagneticlikeaneedle，andinhischamberheplacedhisbedwithitsheadtothesouth，andthefoottothenorth，sothat，atnight，thecirculationofhisbloodmightnotbeinterferedwithbythegreatelectriccurrentoftheglobe。Duringthunderstorms，hefelthispulse。Otherwise，hewasthegayestofthemall。
Alltheseyoung，maniacal，puny，merryincoherenceslivedinharmonytogether，andtheresultwasaneccentricandagreeablebeingwhomhiscomrades，whowereprodigalofwingedconsonants，calledJolllly。"YoumayflyawayonthefourL’s，"JeanProuvairesaidtohim。[23]
[23]L’Aile，wing。
Jolyhadatrickoftouchinghisnosewiththetipofhiscane，whichisanindicationofasagaciousmind。
Alltheseyoungmenwhodifferedsogreatly，andwho，onthewhole，canonlybediscussedseriously，heldthesamereligion:Progress。
AllwerethedirectsonsoftheFrenchRevolution。Themostgiddyofthembecamesolemnwhentheypronouncedthatdate:’89。Theirfathersinthefleshhadbeen，eitherroyalists，doctrinaires，itmattersnotwhat；thisconfusionanteriortothemselves，whowereyoung，didnotconcernthematall；thepurebloodofprincipleranintheirveins。Theyattachedthemselves，withoutintermediateshades，toincorruptiblerightandabsoluteduty。
Affiliatedandinitiated，theysketchedouttheidealunderground。
Amongalltheseglowingheartsandthoroughlyconvincedminds，therewasonesceptic。Howcamehethere？Byjuxtaposition。
Thissceptic’snamewasGrantaire，andhewasinthehabitofsigninghimselfwiththisrebus:R。Grantairewasamanwhotookgoodcarenottobelieveinanything。Moreover，hewasoneofthestudentswhohadlearnedthemostduringtheircourseatParis；
heknewthatthebestcoffeewastobehadattheCafeLemblin，andthebestbilliardsattheCafeVoltaire，thatgoodcakesandlassesweretobefoundattheErmitage，ontheBoulevardduMaine，spatchcockedchickensatMotherSauget’s，excellentmatelotesattheBarrieredelaCunette，andacertainthinwhitewineattheBarriereduCompat。Heknewthebestplaceforeverything；
inaddition，boxingandfoot—fencingandsomedances；andhewasathoroughsingle—stickplayer。Hewasatremendousdrinkertoboot。
Hewasinordinatelyhomely:theprettiestboot—stitcherofthatday，IrmaBoissy，enragedwithhishomeliness，pronouncedsentenceonhimasfollows:"Grantaireisimpossible"；butGrantaire’sfatuitywasnottobedisconcerted。Hestaredtenderlyandfixedlyatallwomen，withtheairofsayingtothemall:"IfIonlychose！"andoftryingtomakehiscomradesbelievethathewasingeneraldemand。
Allthosewords:rightsofthepeople，rightsofman，thesocialcontract，theFrenchRevolution，theRepublic，democracy，humanity，civilization，religion，progress，cameveryneartosignifyingnothingwhatevertoGrantaire。Hesmiledatthem。
Scepticism，thatcariesoftheintelligence，hadnotlefthimasinglewholeidea。Helivedwithirony。Thiswashisaxiom:
"Thereisbutonecertainty，myfullglass。"Hesneeredatalldevotioninallparties，thefatheraswellasthebrother，RobespierrejunioraswellasLoizerolles。"Theyaregreatlyinadvancetobedead，"
heexclaimed。Hesaidofthecrucifix:"Thereisagibbetwhichhasbeenasuccess。"Arover，agambler，alibertine，oftendrunk，hedispleasedtheseyoungdreamersbyhummingincessantly:
"J’aimonslesfilles，etj’aimonslebonvin。"Air:ViveHenriIV。
However，thissceptichadonefanaticism。Thisfanaticismwasneitheradogma，noranidea，noranart，norascience；itwasaman:Enjolras。Grantaireadmired，loved，andveneratedEnjolras。
Towhomdidthisanarchicalscofferunitehimselfinthisphalanxofabsoluteminds？Tothemostabsolute。InwhatmannerhadEnjolrassubjugatedhim？Byhisideas？No。Byhischaracter。
Aphenomenonwhichisoftenobservable。Ascepticwhoadherestoabelieverisassimpleasthelawofcomplementarycolors。Thatwhichwelackattractsus。Noonelovesthelightliketheblindman。
Thedwarfadoresthedrum—major。Thetoadalwayshashiseyesfixedonheaven。Why？Inordertowatchthebirdinitsflight。
Grantaire，inwhomwritheddoubt，lovedtowatchfaithsoarinEnjolras。
HehadneedofEnjolras。Thatchaste，healthy，firm，upright，hard，candidnaturecharmedhim，withouthisbeingclearlyawareofit，andwithouttheideaofexplainingittohimselfhavingoccurredtohim。Headmiredhisoppositebyinstinct。Hissoft，yielding，dislocated，sickly，shapelessideasattachedthemselvestoEnjolrasastoaspinalcolumn。Hismoralbackboneleanedonthatfirmness。
GrantaireinthepresenceofEnjolrasbecamesomeoneoncemore。
Hewas，himself，moreover，composedoftwoelements，whichwere，toallappearance，incompatible。Hewasironicalandcordial。
Hisindifferenceloved。Hismindcouldgetalongwithoutbelief，buthisheartcouldnotgetalongwithoutfriendship。
Aprofoundcontradiction；foranaffectionisaconviction。
Hisnaturewasthusconstituted。Therearemenwhoseemtobeborntobethereverse，theobverse，thewrongside。TheyarePollux，Patrocles，Nisus，Eudamidas，Ephestion，Pechmeja。Theyonlyexistonconditionthattheyarebackedupwithanotherman；theirnameisasequel，andisonlywrittenprecededbytheconjunctionand；
andtheirexistenceisnottheirown；itistheothersideofanexistencewhichisnottheirs。Grantairewasoneofthesemen。
HewastheobverseofEnjolras。
Onemightalmostsaythataffinitiesbeginwiththelettersofthealphabet。IntheseriesOandPareinseparable。Youcan，atwill，pronounceOandPorOrestesandPylades。
Grantaire，Enjolras’truesatellite，inhabitedthiscircleofyoungmen；helivedthere，hetooknopleasureanywherebutthere；
hefollowedthemeverywhere。Hisjoywastoseetheseformsgoandcomethroughthefumesofwine。Theytoleratedhimonaccountofhisgoodhumor。
Enjolras，thebeliever，disdainedthissceptic；and，asobermanhimself，scornedthisdrunkard。Heaccordedhimalittleloftypity。GrantairewasanunacceptedPylades。AlwaysharshlytreatedbyEnjolras，roughlyrepulsed，rejectedyeteverreturningtothecharge，hesaidofEnjolras:"Whatfinemarble！"
CHAPTERII
BLONDEAU’SFUNERALORATIONBYBOSSUET
Onacertainafternoon，whichhad，aswillbeseenhereafter，somecoincidencewiththeeventsheretoforerelated，LaigledeMeauxwastobeseenleaninginasensualmanneragainstthedoorpostoftheCafeMusain。Hehadtheairofacaryatidonavacation；
hecarriednothingbuthisrevery，however。HewasstaringatthePlaceSaint—Michel。Toleanone’sbackagainstathingisequivalenttolyingdownwhilestandingerect，whichattitudeisnothatedbythinkers。LaigledeMeauxwasponderingwithoutmelancholy，overalittlemisadventurewhichhadbefallenhimtwodayspreviouslyatthelaw—school，andwhichhadmodifiedhispersonalplansforthefuture，planswhichwereratherindistinctinanycase。
Reverydoesnotpreventacabfrompassingby，northedreamerfromtakingnoteofthatcab。LaigledeMeaux，whoseeyeswerestrayingaboutinasortofdiffuselounging，perceived，athwarthissomnambulism，atwo—wheeledvehicleproceedingthroughtheplace，atafootpaceandapparentlyinindecision。
Forwhomwasthiscabriolet？Whywasitdrivingatawalk？
Laigletookasurvey。Init，besidethecoachman，satayoungman，andinfrontoftheyoungmanlayaratherbulkyhand—bag。Thebagdisplayedtopassers—bythefollowingnameinscribedinlargeblacklettersonacardwhichwassewntothestuff:MARIUSPONTMERCY。
ThisnamecausedLaigletochangehisattitude。Hedrewhimselfupandhurledthisapostropheattheyoungmaninthecabriolet:——
"MonsieurMariusPontmercy！"
Thecabrioletthusaddressedcametoahalt。
Theyoungman，whoalsoseemeddeeplyburiedinthought，raisedhiseyes:——
"Hey？"saidhe。
"YouareM。MariusPontmercy？"
"Certainly。"
"Iwaslookingforyou，"resumedLaigledeMeaux。
"Howso？"demandedMarius；foritwashe:infact，hehadjustquittedhisgrandfather’s，andhadbeforehimafacewhichhenowbeheldforthefirsttime。"Idonotknowyou。"
"NeitherdoIknowyou，"respondedLaigle。
Mariusthoughthehadencounteredawag，thebeginningofamystificationintheopenstreet。Hewasnotinaverygoodhumoratthemoment。
Hefrowned。LaigledeMeauxwentonimperturbably:——
"Youwerenotattheschooldaybeforeyesterday。"
"Thatispossible。"
"Thatiscertain。"
"Youareastudent？"demandedMarius。
"Yes，sir。Likeyourself。Daybeforeyesterday，Ienteredtheschool，bychance。Youknow，onedoeshavesuchfreakssometimes。
Theprofessorwasjustcallingtheroll。Youarenotunawarethattheyareveryridiculousonsuchoccasions。Atthethirdcall，unanswered，yournameiserasedfromthelist。Sixtyfrancsinthegulf。"
Mariusbegantolisten。
"ItwasBlondeauwhowasmakingthecall。YouknowBlondeau，hehasaverypointedandverymaliciousnose，andhedelightstoscentouttheabsent。HeslylybeganwiththeletterP。Iwasnotlistening，notbeingcompromisedbythatletter。Thecallwasnotgoingbadly。
Noerasures；theuniversewaspresent。Blondeauwasgrieved。
Isaidtomyself:`Blondeau，mylove，youwillnotgettheverysmallestsortofanexecutionto—day。’AllatonceBlondeaucalls，`MariusPontmercy！’Nooneanswers。Blondeau，filledwithhope，repeatsmoreloudly:`MariusPontmercy！’Andhetakeshispen。
Monsieur，Ihavebowelsofcompassion。Isaidtomyselfhastily:
`Here’sabravefellowwhoisgoingtogetscratchedout。Attention。
Hereisaveritablemortalwhoisnotexact。He’snotagoodstudent。
Hereisnoneofyourheavy—sides，astudentwhostudies，agreenhornpedant，strongonletters，theology，science，andsapience，oneofthosedullwitscutbythesquare；apinbyprofession。
Heisanhonorableidlerwholounges，whopractisescountryjaunts，whocultivatesthegrisette，whopayscourttothefairsex，whoisatthisverymoment，perhaps，withmymistress。Letussavehim。DeathtoBlondeau！’Atthatmoment，Blondeaudippedhispenin，allblackwitherasuresintheink，casthisyelloweyesroundtheaudienceroom，andrepeatedforthethirdtime:
`MariusPontmercy！’Ireplied:`Present！’Thisiswhyyouwerenotcrossedoff。"
"Monsieur！——"saidMarius。