"AndwhyIwas，"addedLaigledeMeaux。
　　"Idonotunderstandyou，"saidMarius。
　　Laigleresumed:——
　　"Nothingismoresimple。Iwasclosetothedesktoreply，andclosetothedoorforthepurposeofflight。Theprofessorgazedatmewithacertainintensity。Allofasudden，Blondeau，whomustbethemaliciousnosealludedtobyBoileau，skippedtotheletterL。Lismyletter。IamfromMeaux，andmynameisLesgle。"
　　"L’Aigle！"interruptedMarius，"whatfinename！"
　　"Monsieur，Blondeaucametothisfinename，andcalled:
　　`Laigle！’Ireply:`Present！’ThenBlondeaugazesatme，withthegentlenessofatiger，andsaystome:`lfyouarePontmercy，youarenotLaigle。’Aphrasewhichhasadisobligingairforyou，butwhichwaslugubriousonlyforme。Thatsaid，hecrossedmeoff。"
　　Mariusexclaimed:——
　　"Iammortified，sir——"
　　"Firstofall，"interposedLaigle，"IdemandpermissiontoembalmBlondeauinafewphrasesofdeeplyfelteulogium。Iwillassumethatheisdead。Therewillbenogreatchangerequiredinhisgauntness，inhispallor，inhiscoldness，andinhissmell。
　　AndIsay:`Erudiminiquijudicatisterram。HereliesBlondeau，BlondeautheNose，BlondeauNasica，theoxofdiscipline，bosdisciplinae，thebloodhoundofthepassword，theangeloftheroll—call，whowasupright，squareexact，rigid，honest，andhideous。
　　Godcrossedhimoffashecrossedmeoff。’"
　　Mariusresumed:——
　　"Iamverysorry——"
　　"Youngman，"saidLaigledeMeaux，"letthisserveyouasalesson。
　　Infuture，beexact。"
　　"Ireallybegyouathousandpardons。"
　　"Donotexposeyourneighbortothedangerofhavinghisnameerasedagain。"
　　"Iamextremelysorry——"
　　Laigleburstoutlaughing。
　　"AndIamdelighted。Iwasonthebrinkofbecomingalawyer。
　　Thiserasuresavesme。Irenouncethetriumphsofthebar。
　　Ishallnotdefendthewidow，andIshallnotattacktheorphan。
　　Nomoretoga，nomorestage。Hereismyerasureallreadyforme。
　　ItistoyouthatIamindebtedforit，MonsieurPontmercy。
　　Iintendtopayasolemncallofthanksuponyou。Wheredoyoulive？"
　　"Inthiscab，"saidMarius。
　　"Asignofopulence，"retortedLaiglecalmly。"Icongratulateyou。
　　Youhavetherearentofninethousandfrancsperannum。"
　　Atthatmoment，Courfeyracemergedfromthecafe。
　　Mariussmiledsadly。
　　"Ihavepaidthisrentforthelasttwohours，andIaspiretogetridofit；butthereisasortofhistoryattachedtoit，andIdon’tknowwheretogo。"
　　"Cometomyplace，sir，"saidCourfeyrac。
　　"Ihavethepriority，"observedLaigle，"butIhavenohome。"
　　"Holdyourtongue，Bossuet，"saidCourfeyrac。
　　"Bossuet，"saidMarius，"butIthoughtthatyournamewasLaigle。"
　　"DeMeaux，"repliedLaigle；"bymetaphor，Bossuet。"
　　Courfeyracenteredthecab。
　　"Coachman，"saidhe，"hoteldelaPorte—Saint—Jacques。"
　　Andthatveryevening，MariusfoundhimselfinstalledinachamberofthehoteldelaPorte—Saint—JacquessidebysidewithCourfeyrac。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　MARIUS’ASTONISHMENTS
　　Inafewdays，MariushadbecomeCourfeyrac’sfriend。Youthistheseasonforpromptweldingandtherapidhealingofscars。
　　MariusbreathedfreelyinCourfeyrac’ssociety，adecidedlynewthingforhim。Courfeyracputnoquestionstohim。Hedidnoteventhinkofsuchathing。Atthatage，facesdiscloseeverythingonthespot。Wordsaresuperfluous。Thereareyoungmenofwhomitcanbesaidthattheircountenanceschatter。Onelooksatthemandoneknowsthem。
　　Onemorning，however，Courfeyracabruptlyaddressedthisinterrogationtohim:——
　　"Bytheway，haveyouanypoliticalopinions？"
　　"Theidea！"saidMarius，almostaffrontedbythequestion。
　　"Whatareyou？"
　　"Ademocrat—Bonapartist。"
　　"Thegrayhueofareassuredrat，"saidCourfeyrac。
　　Onthefollowingday，CourfeyracintroducedMariusattheCafeMusain。
　　Thenhewhisperedinhisear，withasmile:"Imustgiveyouyourentrytotherevolution。"AndheledhimtothehalloftheFriendsoftheABC。Hepresentedhimtotheothercomrades，sayingthissimplewordwhichMariusdidnotunderstand:"Apupil。"
　　Mariushadfallenintoawasps’—nestofwits。However，althoughhewassilentandgrave，hewas，nonetheless，bothwingedandarmed。
　　Marius，uptothattimesolitaryandinclinedtosoliloquy，andtoasides，bothbyhabitandbytaste，wasalittleflutteredbythiscoveyofyoungmenaroundhim。Allthesevariousinitiativessolicitedhisattentionatonce，andpulledhimabout。
　　Thetumultuousmovementsofthesemindsatlibertyandatworksethisideasinawhirl。Sometimes，inhistrouble，theyfledsofarfromhim，thathehaddifficultyinrecoveringthem。
　　Heheardthemtalkofphilosophy，ofliterature，ofart，ofhistory，ofreligion，inunexpectedfashion。Hecaughtglimpsesofstrangeaspects；and，ashedidnotplacetheminproperperspective，hewasnotaltogethersurethatitwasnotchaosthathegrasped。
　　Onabandoninghisgrandfather’sopinionsfortheopinionsofhisfather，hehadsupposedhimselffixed；henowsuspected，withuneasiness，andwithoutdaringtoavowittohimself，thathewasnot。
　　Theangleatwhichhesaweverythingbegantobedisplacedanew。
　　Acertainoscillationsetallthehorizonsofhisbrainsinmotion。
　　Anoddinternalupsetting。Healmostsufferedfromit。
　　Itseemedasthoughtherewereno"consecratedthings"
　　forthoseyoungmen。Mariusheardsingularpropositionsoneverysortofsubject，whichembarrassedhisstilltimidmind。
　　Atheatreposterpresenteditself，adornedwiththetitleofatragedyfromtheancientrepertorycalledclassic:"Downwithtragedydeartothebourgeois！"criedBahorel。AndMariusheardCombeferrereply:——
　　"Youarewrong，Bahorel。Thebourgeoisielovestragedy，andthebourgeoisiemustbeleftatpeaceonthatscore。
　　Bewiggedtragedyhasareasonforitsexistence，andIamnotoneofthosewho，byorderofAEschylus，contestitsrighttoexistence。
　　Thereareroughoutlinesinnature；thereare，increation，ready—madeparodies；abeakwhichisnotabeak，wingswhicharenotwings，gillswhicharenotgills，pawswhicharenotpaws，acryofpainwhicharousesadesiretolaugh，thereistheduck。
　　Now，sincepoultryexistsbythesideofthebird，Idonotseewhyclassictragedyshouldnotexistinthefaceofantiquetragedy。"
　　OrchancedecreedthatMariusshouldtraverseRueJean—JacquesRousseaubetweenEnjolrasandCourfeyrac。
　　Courfeyractookhisarm:——
　　"Payattention。ThisistheRuePlatriere，nowcalledRueJean—JacquesRousseau，onaccountofasingularhouseholdwhichlivedinitsixtyyearsago。ThisconsistedofJean—JacquesandTherese。
　　Fromtimetotime，littlebeingswerebornthere。Theresegavebirthtothem，Jean—Jacquesrepresentedthemasfoundlings。"
　　AndEnjolrasaddressedCourfeyracroughly:——
　　"SilenceinthepresenceofJean—Jacques！Iadmirethatman。
　　Hedeniedhisownchildren，thatmaybe；butheadoptedthepeople。"
　　Notoneoftheseyoungmenarticulatedtheword:TheEmperor。
　　JeanProuvairealonesometimessaidNapoleon；alltheotherssaid"Bonaparte。"Enjolraspronouncedit"Buonaparte。"
　　Mariuswasvaguelysurprised。Initiumsapientiae。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　THEBACKROOMOFTHECAFEMUSAIN
　　Oneoftheconversationsamongtheyoungmen，atwhichMariuswaspresentandinwhichhesometimesjoined，wasaveritableshocktohismind。
　　ThistookplaceinthebackroomoftheCafeMusain。NearlyalltheFriendsoftheABChadconvenedthatevening。Theargandlampwassolemnlylighted。Theytalkedofonethingandanother，withoutpassionandwithnoise。WiththeexceptionofEnjolrasandMarius，whoheldtheirpeace，allwereharanguingratherathap—hazard。Conversationsbetweencomradessometimesaresubjecttothesepeaceabletumults。Itwasagameandanuproarasmuchasaconversation。Theytossedwordstoeachotherandcaughtthemupinturn。Theywerechatteringinallquarters。
　　Nowomanwasadmittedtothisbackroom，exceptLouison，thedish—washerofthecafe，whopassedthroughitfromtimetotime，togotoherwashinginthe"lavatory。"
　　Grantaire，thoroughlydrunk，wasdeafeningthecornerofwhichhehadtakenpossession，reasoningandcontradictingatthetopofhislungs，andshouting:——
　　"Iamthirsty。Mortals，Iamdreaming:thatthetunofHeidelberghasanattackofapoplexy，andthatIamoneofthedozenleecheswhichwillbeappliedtoit。Iwantadrink。Idesiretoforgetlife。
　　LifeisahideousinventionofIknownotwhom。Itlastsnotimeatall，andisworthnothing。Onebreaksone’sneckinliving。
　　Lifeisatheatresetinwhichtherearebutfewpracticableentrances。
　　Happinessisanantiquereliquarypaintedononesideonly。
　　Ecclesiastessays:`Allisvanity。’Iagreewiththatgoodman，whoneverexisted，perhaps。Zeronotwishingtogostarknaked，clothedhimselfinvanity。Ovanity！Thepatchingupofeverythingwithbigwords！akitchenisalaboratory，adancerisaprofessor，anacrobatisagymnast，aboxerisapugilist，anapothecaryisachemist，awigmakerisanartist，ahodmanisanarchitect，ajockeyisasportsman，awood—louseisapterigybranche。Vanityhasarightandawrongside；therightsideisstupid，itisthenegrowithhisglassbeads；thewrongsideisfoolish，itisthephilosopherwithhisrags。IweepovertheoneandIlaughovertheother。
　　Whatarecalledhonorsanddignities，andevendignityandhonor，aregenerallyofpinchbeck。Kingsmakeplaythingsofhumanpride。
　　Caligulamadeahorseaconsul；CharlesII。madeaknightofasirloin。Wrapyourselfupnow，then，betweenConsulIncitatusandBaronetRoastbeef。Asfortheintrinsicvalueofpeople，itisnolongerrespectableintheleast。Listentothepanegyricwhichneighbormakesofneighbor。Whiteonwhiteisferocious；
　　ifthelilycouldspeak，whatasettingdownitwouldgivethedove！
　　Abigotedwomanpratingofadevoutwomanismorevenomousthantheaspandthecobra。ItisashamethatIamignorant，otherwiseIwouldquotetoyouamassofthings；butIknownothing。
　　Forinstance，Ihavealwaysbeenwitty；whenIwasapupilofGros，insteadofdaubingwretchedlittlepictures，Ipassedmytimeinpilferingapples；rapin[24]isthemasculineofrapine。Somuchformyself；asfortherestofyou，youareworthnomorethanIam。
　　Iscoffatyourperfections，excellencies，andqualities。
　　Everygoodqualitytendstowardsadefect；economybordersonavarice，thegenerousmanisnextdoortotheprodigal，thebravemanrubselbowswiththebraggart；hewhosaysverypioussaysatriflebigoted；
　　therearejustasmanyvicesinvirtueasthereareholesinDiogenes’cloak。Whomdoyouadmire，theslainortheslayer，CaesarorBrutus？Generallymenareinfavoroftheslayer。
　　LongliveBrutus，hehasslain！Thereliesthevirtue。Virtue，granted，butmadnessalso。Therearequeerspotsonthosegreatmen。
　　TheBrutuswhokilledCaesarwasinlovewiththestatueofalittleboy。
　　ThisstatuewasfromthehandoftheGreeksculptorStrongylion，whoalsocarvedthatfigureofanAmazonknownastheBeautifulLeg，Eucnemos，whichNerocarriedwithhiminhistravels。ThisStrongylionleftbuttwostatueswhichplacedNeroandBrutusinaccord。
　　Brutuswasinlovewiththeone，Nerowiththeother。Allhistoryisnothingbutwearisomerepetition。Onecenturyistheplagiaristoftheother。ThebattleofMarengocopiesthebattleofPydna；
　　theTolbiacofClovisandtheAusterlitzofNapoleonareaslikeeachotherastwodropsofwater。Idon’tattachmuchimportancetovictory。
　　Nothingissostupidastoconquer；truegloryliesinconvincing。
　　Buttrytoprovesomething！Ifyouarecontentwithsuccess，whatmediocrity，andwithconquering，whatwretchedness！Alas，vanityandcowardiceeverywhere。Everythingobeyssuccess，evengrammar。
　　Sivoletusus，saysHorace。ThereforeIdisdainthehumanrace。
　　Shallwedescendtothepartyatall？Doyouwishmetobeginadmiringthepeoples？Whatpeople，ifyouplease？ShallitbeGreece？
　　TheAthenians，thoseParisiansofdaysgoneby，slewPhocion，aswemightsayColigny，andfawnedupontyrantstosuchanextentthatAnacephorussaidofPisistratus:"Hisurineattractsthebees。"
　　ThemostprominentmaninGreeceforfiftyyearswasthatgrammarianPhiletas，whowassosmallandsothinthathewasobligedtoloadhisshoeswithleadinordernottobeblownawaybythewind。
　　TherestoodonthegreatsquareinCorinthastatuecarvedbySilanionandcataloguedbyPliny；thisstatuerepresentedEpisthates。
　　WhatdidEpisthatesdo？Heinventedatrip。ThatsumsupGreeceandglory。Letuspassontoothers。ShallIadmireEngland？
　　ShallIadmireFrance？France？Why？BecauseofParis？IhavejusttoldyoumyopinionofAthens。England？Why？BecauseofLondon？
　　IhateCarthage。Andthen，London，themetropolisofluxury，istheheadquartersofwretchedness。ThereareahundreddeathsayearofhungerintheparishofCharing—Crossalone。SuchisAlbion。
　　Iadd，astheclimax，thatIhaveseenanEnglishwomandancinginawreathofrosesandbluespectacles。AfigthenforEngland！
　　IfIdonotadmireJohnBull，shallIadmireBrotherJonathan？
　　Ihavebutlittletasteforthatslave—holdingbrother。TakeawayTimeismoney，whatremainsofEngland？TakeawayCottonisking，whatremainsofAmerica？Germanyisthelymph，Italyisthebile。
　　ShallwegointoecstasiesoverRussia？Voltaireadmiredit。HealsoadmiredChina。IadmitthatRussiahasitsbeauties，amongothers，astoutdespotism；butIpitythedespots。Theirhealthisdelicate。
　　AdecapitatedAlexis，apoignardedPeter，astrangledPaul，anotherPaulcrushedflatwithkicks，diversIvansstrangled，withtheirthroatscut，numerousNicholasesandBasilspoisoned，allthisindicatesthatthepalaceoftheEmperorsofRussiaisinaconditionofflagrantinsalubrity。Allcivilizedpeoplesofferthisdetailtotheadmirationofthethinker；war；now，war，civilizedwar，exhaustsandsumsupalltheformsofruffianism，fromthebrigandageoftheTrabucerosinthegorgesofMontJaxatothemaraudingoftheComancheIndiansintheDoubtfulPass。
　　`Bah！’youwillsaytome，`butEuropeiscertainlybetterthanAsia？’
　　IadmitthatAsiaisafarce；butIdonotpreciselyseewhatyoufindtolaughatintheGrandLama，youpeoplesofthewest，whohavemingledwithyourfashionsandyourelegancesallthecomplicatedfilthofmajesty，fromthedirtychemiseofQueenIsabellatothechamber—chairoftheDauphin。Gentlemenofthehumanrace，Itellyou，notabitofit！ItisatBrusselsthatthemostbeerisconsumed，atStockholmthemostbrandy，atMadridthemostchocolate，atAmsterdamthemostgin，atLondonthemostwine，atConstantinoplethemostcoffee，atParisthemostabsinthe；
　　therearealltheusefulnotions。Pariscarriestheday，inshort。
　　InParis，eventherag—pickersaresybarites；Diogeneswouldhavelovedtobearag—pickerofthePlaceMaubertbetterthantobeaphilosopheratthePiraeus。Learnthisinaddition；thewineshopsoftheragpickersarecalledbibines；themostcelebratedaretheSaucepanandTheSlaughter—House。Hence，tea—gardens，goguettes，caboulots，bouibuis，mastroquets，bastringues，manezingues，bibinesoftherag—pickers，caravanseriesofthecaliphs，Icertifytoyou，Iamavoluptuary，IeatatRichard’satfortysousahead，ImusthavePersiancarpetstorollnakedCleopatrain！WhereisCleopatra？Ah！Soitisyou，Louison。Goodday。"
　　[24]Theslangtermforapainter’sassistant。
　　ThusdidGrantaire，morethanintoxicated，launchintospeech，catchingatthedish—washerinherpassage，fromhiscornerinthebackroomoftheCafeMusain。
　　Bossuet，extendinghishandtowardshim，triedtoimposesilenceonhim，andGrantairebeganagainworsethanever:——
　　"AigledeMeaux，downwithyourpaws。YouproduceonmenoeffectwithyourgestureofHippocratesrefusingArtaxerxes’bric—a—brac。I
　　excuseyoufromthetaskofsoothingme。Moreover，Iamsad。
　　Whatdoyouwishmetosaytoyou？Manisevil，manisdeformed；
　　thebutterflyisasuccess，manisafailure。Godmadeamistakewiththatanimal。Acrowdoffersachoiceofugliness。
　　Thefirstcomerisawretch，Femme——woman——rhymeswithinfame，——
　　infamous。Yes，Ihavethespleen，complicatedwithmelancholy，withhomesickness，plushypochondria，andIamvexedandIrage，andIyawn，andIambored，andIamtiredtodeath，andIamstupid！
　　LetGodgotothedevil！"
　　"Silencethen，capitalR！"resumedBossuet，whowasdiscussingapointoflawbehindthescenes，andwhowasplungedmorethanwaisthighinaphraseofjudicialslang，ofwhichthisistheconclusion:——
　　"——Andasforme，althoughIamhardlyalegist，andatthemost，anamateurattorney，Imaintainthis:that，inaccordancewiththetermsofthecustomsofNormandy，atSaint—Michel，andforeachyear，anequivalentmustbepaidtotheprofitofthelordofthemanor，savingtherightsofothers，andbyallandseveral，theproprietorsaswellasthoseseizedwithinheritance，andthat，forallemphyteuses，leases，freeholds，contractsofdomain，mortgages——"
　　"Echo，plaintivenymph，"hummedGrantaire。
　　NearGrantaire，analmostsilenttable，asheetofpaper，aninkstandandapenbetweentwoglassesofbrandy，announcedthatavaudevillewasbeingsketchedout。
　　Thisgreataffairwasbeingdiscussedinalowvoice，andthetwoheadsatworktouchedeachother:"Letusbeginbyfindingnames。
　　Whenonehasthenames，onefindsthesubject。"
　　"Thatistrue。Dictate。Iwillwrite。"
　　"MonsieurDorimon。"
　　"Anindependentgentleman？"
　　"Ofcourse。"
　　"Hisdaughter，Celestine。"
　　"——tine。Whatnext？"
　　"ColonelSainval。"
　　"Sainvalisstale。IshouldsayValsin。"
　　Besidethevaudevilleaspirants，anothergroup，whichwasalsotakingadvantageoftheuproartotalklow，wasdiscussingaduel。
　　Anoldfellowofthirtywascounsellingayoungoneofeighteen，andexplainingtohimwhatsortofanadversaryhehadtodealwith。
　　"Thedeuce！Lookoutforyourself。Heisafineswordsman。Hisplayisneat。Hehastheattack，nowastedfeints，wrist，dash，lightning，ajustparade，mathematicalparries，bigre！andheisleft—handed。"
　　IntheangleoppositeGrantaire，JolyandBahorelwereplayingdominoes，andtalkingoflove。
　　"Youareinluck，thatyouare，"Jolywassaying。"Youhaveamistresswhoisalwayslaughing。"
　　"Thatisafaultofhers，"returnedBahorel。"One’smistressdoeswrongtolaugh。Thatencouragesonetodeceiveher。Toseehergayremovesyourremorse；ifyouseehersad，yourconsciencepricksyou。"
　　"Ingrate！awomanwholaughsissuchagoodthing！Andyouneverquarrel！"
　　"Thatisbecauseofthetreatywhichwehavemade。OnformingourlittleHolyAllianceweassignedourselveseachourfrontier，whichwenevercross。WhatissituatedonthesideofwinterbelongstoVaud，onthesideofthewindtoGex。Hencethepeace。"
　　"Peaceishappinessdigesting。"
　　"Andyou，Jolllly，wheredoyoustandinyourentanglementwithMamselle——
　　youknowwhomImean？"
　　"Shesulksatmewithcruelpatience。"
　　"Yetyouarealovertosoftentheheartwithgauntness。"
　　"Alas！"
　　"Inyourplace，Iwouldletheralone。"
　　"Thatiseasyenoughtosay。"
　　"Andtodo。IsnothernameMusichetta？"
　　"Yes。Ah！mypoorBahorel，sheisasuperbgirl，veryliterary，withtinyfeet，littlehands，shedresseswell，andiswhiteanddimpled，withtheeyesofafortune—teller。Iamwildoverher。"
　　"Mydearfellow，theninordertopleaseher，youmustbeelegant，andproduceeffectswithyourknees。Buyagoodpairoftrousersofdouble—milledclothatStaub’s。Thatwillassist。"
　　"Atwhatprice？"shoutedGrantaire。
　　Thethirdcornerwasdelivereduptoapoeticaldiscussion。
　　PaganmythologywasgivingbattletoChristianmythology。
　　ThequestionwasaboutOlympus，whosepartwastakenbyJeanProuvaire，outofpureromanticism。
　　JeanProuvairewastimidonlyinrepose。Onceexcited，heburstforth，asortofmirthaccentuatedhisenthusiasm，andhewasatoncebothlaughingandlyric。
　　"Letusnotinsultthegods，"saidhe。"Thegodsmaynothavetakentheirdeparture。Jupiterdoesnotimpressmeasdead。
　　Thegodsaredreams，yousay。Well，eveninnature，suchasitisto—day，aftertheflightofthesedreams，westillfindallthegrandoldpaganmyths。Suchandsuchamountainwiththeprofileofacitadel，liketheVignemale，forexample，isstilltometheheaddressofCybele；ithasnotbeenprovedtomethatPandoesnotcomeatnighttobreatheintothehollowtrunksofthewillows，stoppinguptheholesinturnwithhisfingers，andIhavealwaysbelievedthatIohadsomethingtodowiththecascadeofPissevache。"
　　Inthelastcorner，theyweretalkingpolitics。TheCharterwhichhadbeengrantedwasgettingroughlyhandled。Combeferrewasupholdingitweakly。Courfeyracwasenergeticallymakingabreachinit。
　　OnthetablelayanunfortunatecopyofthefamousTouquetCharter。
　　Courfeyrachadseizedit，andwasbrandishingit，minglingwithhisargumentstherattlingofthissheetofpaper。
　　"Inthefirstplace，Iwon’thaveanykings；ifitwereonlyfromaneconomicalpointofview，Idon’twantany；akingisaparasite。Onedoesnothavekingsgratis。Listentothis:
　　thedearnessofkings。AtthedeathofFrancoisI。，thenationaldebtofFranceamountedtoanincomeofthirtythousandlivres；
　　atthedeathofLouisXIV。itwastwomilliards，sixhundredmillions，attwenty—eightlivresthemark，whichwasequivalentin1760，accordingtoDesmarets，tofourmilliards，fivehundredmillions，whichwouldto—daybeequivalenttotwelvemilliards。Inthesecondplace，andnooffencetoCombeferre，achartergrantedisbutapoorexpedientofcivilization。Tosavethetransition，tosoftenthepassage，todeadentheshock，tocausethenationtopassinsensiblyfromthemonarchytodemocracybythepracticeofconstitutionalfictions，——whatdetestablereasonsallthoseare！
　　No！no！letusneverenlightenthepeoplewithfalsedaylight。
　　Principlesdwindleandpaleinyourconstitutionalcellar。
　　Noillegitimacy，nocompromise，nograntfromthekingtothepeople。
　　InallsuchgrantsthereisanArticle14。Bythesideofthehandwhichgivesthereistheclawwhichsnatchesback。Irefuseyourcharterpoint—blank。Acharterisamask；thelielurksbeneathit。
　　Apeoplewhichacceptsacharterabdicates。Thelawisonlythelawwhenentire。No！nocharter！"
　　Itwaswinter；acoupleoffagotswerecracklinginthefireplace。
　　Thiswastempting，andCourfeyraccouldnotresist。HecrumpledthepoorTouquetCharterinhisfist，andflungitinthefire。
　　Thepaperflashedup。CombeferrewatchedthemasterpieceofLouisXVIII。
　　burnphilosophically，andcontentedhimselfwithsaying:——
　　"Thechartermetamorphosedintoflame。"
　　Andsarcasms，sallies，jests，thatFrenchthingwhichiscalledentrain，andthatEnglishthingwhichiscalledhumor，goodandbadtaste，goodandbadreasons，allthewildpyrotechnicsofdialogue，mountingtogetherandcrossingfromallpointsoftheroom，producedasortofmerrybombardmentovertheirheads。
　　CHAPTERV
　　ENLARGEMENTOFHORIZON
　　Theshocksofyouthfulmindsamongthemselveshavethisadmirableproperty，thatonecanneverforeseethespark，nordivinethelightningflash。Whatwilldartoutpresently？Nooneknows。
　　Theburstoflaughterstartsfromatenderfeeling。
　　Atthemomentofjest，theseriousmakesitsentry。Impulsesdependonthefirstchanceword。Thespiritofeachissovereign，jestsufficestoopenthefieldtotheunexpected。Theseareconversationswithabruptturns，inwhichtheperspectivechangessuddenly。
　　Chanceisthestage—managerofsuchconversations。
　　Aseverethought，startingoddlyfromaclashofwords，suddenlytraversedtheconflictofquipsinwhichGrantaire，Bahorel，Prouvaire，Bossuet，Combeferre，andCourfeyracwereconfusedlyfencing。
　　Howdoesaphrasecropupinadialogue？Whencecomesitthatitsuddenlyimpressesitselfontheattentionofthosewhohearit？
　　Wehavejustsaid，thatnooneknowsanythingaboutit。Inthemidstoftheuproar，BossuetallatonceterminatedsomeapostrophetoCombeferre，withthisdate:——
　　"June18th，1815，Waterloo。"
　　AtthisnameofWaterloo，Marius，whowasleaninghiselbowsonatable，besideaglassofwater，removedhiswristfrombeneathhischin，andbegantogazefixedlyattheaudience。
　　"Pardieu！"exclaimedCourfeyrac（"Parbleu"wasfallingintodisuseatthisperiod），"thatnumber18isstrangeandstrikesme。ItisBonaparte’sfatalnumber。PlaceLouisinfrontandBrumairebehind，youhavethewholedestinyoftheman，withthissignificantpeculiarity，thattheendtreadscloseontheheelsofthecommencement。"
　　Enjolras，whohadremainedmuteuptothatpoint，brokethesilenceandaddressedthisremarktoCombeferre:——
　　"Youmeantosay，thecrimeandtheexpiation。"
　　ThiswordcrimeoverpassedthemeasureofwhatMarius，whowasalreadygreatlyagitatedbytheabruptevocationofWaterloo，couldaccept。
　　Herose，walkedslowlytothemapofFrancespreadoutonthewall，andatwhosebaseanislandwasvisibleinaseparatecompartment，laidhisfingeronthiscompartmentandsaid:——
　　"Corsica，alittleislandwhichhasrenderedFranceverygreat。"
　　Thiswaslikeabreathoficyair。Allceasedtalking。Theyfeltthatsomethingwasonthepointofoccurring。
　　Bahorel，replyingtoBossuet，wasjustassuminganattitudeofthetorsotowhichhewasaddicted。Hegaveituptolisten。
　　Enjolras，whoseblueeyewasnotfixedonanyone，andwhoseemedtobegazingatspace，replied，withoutglancingatMarius:——
　　"FranceneedsnoCorsicatobegreat。FranceisgreatbecausesheisFrance。Quianominaleo。"
　　Mariusfeltnodesiretoretreat；heturnedtowardsEnjolras，andhisvoiceburstforthwithavibrationwhichcamefromaquiverofhisverybeing:——
　　"GodforbidthatIshoulddiminishFrance！ButamalgamatingNapoleonwithherisnotdiminishingher。Come！letusarguethequestion。
　　Iamanewcomeramongyou，butIwillconfessthatyouamazeme。
　　Wheredowestand？Whoarewe？Whoareyou？WhoamI？LetuscometoanexplanationabouttheEmperor。IhearyousayBuonaparte，accentingtheuliketheRoyalists。Iwarnyouthatmygrandfatherdoesbetterstill；hesaysBuonaparte’。Ithoughtyouwereyoungmen。Where，then，isyourenthusiasm？Andwhatareyoudoingwithit？Whomdoyouadmire，ifyoudonotadmiretheEmperor？
　　Andwhatmoredoyouwant？Ifyouwillhavenoneofthatgreatman，whatgreatmenwouldyoulike？Hehadeverything。Hewascomplete。
　　Hehadinhisbrainthesumofhumanfaculties。HemadecodeslikeJustinian，hedictatedlikeCaesar，hisconversationwasmingledwiththelightning—flashofPascal，withthethunderclapofTacitus，hemadehistoryandhewroteit，hisbulletinsareIliads，hecombinedthecipherofNewtonwiththemetaphorofMahomet，heleftbehindhimintheEastwordsasgreatasthepyramids，atTilsithetaughtEmperorsmajesty，attheAcademyofSciencesherepliedtoLaplace，intheCouncilofStatebeheldhisownagainstMerlin，hegaveasoultothegeometryofthefirst，andtothechicaneryofthelast，hewasalegistwiththeattorneysandsiderealwiththeastronomers；
　　likeCromwellblowingoutoneoftwocandles，hewenttotheTempletobargainforacurtaintassel；hesaweverything；hekneweverything；
　　whichdidnotpreventhimfromlaughinggood—naturedlybesidethecradleofhislittlechild；andallatonce，frightenedEuropelentanear，armiesputthemselvesinmotion，parksofartilleryrumbled，pontoonsstretchedovertherivers，cloudsofcavalrygallopedinthestorm，cries，trumpets，atremblingofthronesineverydirection，thefrontiersofkingdomsoscillatedonthemap，thesoundofasuperhumanswordwasheard，asitwasdrawnfromitssheath；
　　theybeheldhim，him，riseerectonthehorizonwithablazingbrandinhishand，andaglowinhiseyes，unfoldingamidthethunder，histwowings，thegrandarmyandtheoldguard，andhewasthearchangelofwar！"
　　Allheldtheirpeace，andEnjolrasbowedhishead。Silencealwaysproducessomewhattheeffectofacquiescence，oftheenemybeingdriventothewall。Mariuscontinuedwithincreasedenthusiasm，andalmostwithoutpausingforbreath:——
　　"Letusbejust，myfriends！WhatasplendiddestinyforanationtobetheEmpireofsuchanEmperor，whenthatnationisFranceandwhenitaddsitsowngeniustothegeniusofthatman！Toappearandtoreign，tomarchandtotriumph，tohaveforhalting—placesallcapitals，totakehisgrenadiersandtomakekingsofthem，todecreethefallsofdynasties，andtotransfigureEuropeatthepaceofacharge；tomakeyoufeelthatwhenyouthreatenyoulayyourhandonthehiltoftheswordofGod；tofollowinasingleman，Hannibal，Caesar，Charlemagne；tobethepeopleofsomeonewhomingleswithyourdawnsthestartlingannouncementofabattlewon，tohavethecannonoftheInvalidestorouseyouinthemorning，tohurlintoabyssesoflightprodigiouswordswhichflameforever，Marengo，Arcola，Austerlitz，Jena，Wagram！
　　Tocauseconstellationsofvictoriestoflashforthateachinstantfromthezenithofthecenturies，tomaketheFrenchEmpireapendanttotheRomanEmpire，tobethegreatnationandtogivebirthtothegrandarmy，tomakeitslegionsflyforthoveralltheearth，asamountainsendsoutitseaglesonallsidestoconquer，todominate，tostrikewithlightning，tobeinEuropeasortofnationgildedthroughglory，tosoundathwartthecenturiesatrumpet—blastofTitans，toconquertheworldtwice，byconquestandbydazzling，thatissublime；andwhatgreaterthingisthere？"
　　"Tobefree，"saidCombeferre。
　　Mariusloweredhisheadinhisturn；thatcoldandsimplewordhadtraversedhisepiceffusionlikeabladeofsteel，andhefeltitvanishingwithinhim。Whenheraisedhiseyes，Combeferrewasnolongerthere。Probablysatisfiedwithhisreplytotheapotheosis，hehadjusttakenhisdeparture，andall，withtheexceptionofEnjolras，hadfollowedhim。Theroomhadbeenemptied。Enjolras，leftalonewithMarius，wasgazinggravelyathim。Marius，however，havingralliedhisideastosomeextent，didnotconsiderhimselfbeaten；therelingeredinhimatraceofinwardfermentationwhichwasonthepoint，nodoubt，oftranslatingitselfintosyllogismsarrayedagainstEnjolras，whenallofasudden，theyheardsomeonesingingonthestairsashewent。ItwasCombeferre，andthisiswhathewassinging:——
　　"SiCesarm’avaitdonne[25]
　　Lagloireetlaguerre，Etqu’ilmefallaitquitterL’amourdemamere，JediraisaugrandCesar:
　　Reprendstonsceptreettonchar，J’aimemieuxmamere，ogue！
　　J’aimemieuxmamere！"
　　[25]IfCesarhadgivenmegloryandwar，andIwereobligedtoquitmymother’slove，IwouldsaytogreatCaesar，"Takebackthysceptreandthychariot；Iprefertheloveofmymother。"
　　ThewildandtenderaccentswithwhichCombeferresangcommunicatedtothiscoupletasortofstrangegrandeur。Marius，thoughtfully，andwithhiseyesdikedontheceiling，repeatedalmostmechanically:
　　"Mymother？——"
　　Atthatmoment，hefeltEnjolras’handonhisshoulder。
　　"Citizen，"saidEnjolrastohim，"mymotheristheRepublic。"
　　CHAPTERVI
　　RESANGUSTA
　　ThateveningleftMariusprofoundlyshaken，andwithamelancholyshadowinhissoul。Hefeltwhattheearthmaypossiblyfeel，atthemomentwhenitistornopenwiththeiron，inorderthatgrainmaybedepositedwithinit；itfeelsonlythewound；
　　thequiverofthegermandthejoyofthefruitonlyarrivelater。
　　Mariuswasgloomy。Hehadbutjustacquiredafaith；musthethenrejectitalready？Heaffirmedtohimselfthathewouldnot。
　　Hedeclaredtohimselfthathewouldnotdoubt，andhebegantodoubtinspiteofhimself。Tostandbetweentworeligions，fromoneofwhichyouhavenotasyetemerged，andanotherintowhichyouhavenotyetentered，isintolerable；andtwilightispleasingonlytobat—likesouls。Mariuswasclear—eyed，andherequiredthetruelight。Thehalf—lightsofdoubtpainedhim。
　　Whatevermayhavebeenhisdesiretoremainwherehewas，hecouldnothaltthere，hewasirresistiblyconstrainedtocontinue，toadvance，toexamine，tothink，tomarchfurther。Whitherwouldthisleadhim？
　　Hefeared，afterhavingtakensomanystepswhichhadbroughthimnearertohisfather，tonowtakeastepwhichshouldestrangehimfromthatfather。Hisdiscomfortwasaugmentedbyallthereflectionswhichoccurredtohim。Anescarpmentrosearoundhim。
　　Hewasinaccordneitherwithhisgrandfathernorwithhisfriends；
　　daringintheeyesoftheone，hewasbehindthetimesintheeyesoftheothers，andherecognizedthefactthathewasdoublyisolated，onthesideofageandonthesideofyouth。HeceasedtogototheCafeMusain。
　　Inthetroubledstateofhisconscience，henolongerthoughtofcertainserioussidesofexistence。Therealitiesoflifedonotallowthemselvestobeforgotten。Theysoonelbowedhimabruptly。
　　Onemorning，theproprietorofthehotelenteredMarius’roomandsaidtohim:——
　　"MonsieurCourfeyracansweredforyou。"
　　"Yes。"
　　"ButImusthavemymoney。"
　　"RequestCourfeyractocomeandtalkwithme，"saidMarius。
　　Courfeyrachavingmadehisappearance，thehostleftthem。
　　Mariusthentoldhimwhatithadnotbeforeoccurredtohimtorelate，thathewasthesameasaloneintheworld，andhadnorelatives。
　　"Whatistobecomeofyou？"saidCourfeyrac。
　　"Idonotknowintheleast，"repliedMarius。
　　"Whatareyougoingtodo？"
　　"Idonotknow。"
　　"Haveyouanymoney？"
　　"Fifteenfrancs。"
　　"Doyouwantmetolendyousome？"
　　"Never。"
　　"Haveyouclothes？"
　　"HereiswhatIhave。"
　　"Haveyoutrinkets？"
　　"Awatch。"
　　"Silver？"
　　"Gold；hereitis。"
　　"Iknowaclothes—dealerwhowilltakeyourfrock—coatandapairoftrousers。"
　　"Thatisgood。"
　　"Youwillthenhaveonlyapairoftrousers，awaistcoat，ahatandacoat。"
　　"Andmyboots。"
　　"What！youwillnotgobarefoot？Whatopulence！"
　　"Thatwillbeenough。"
　　"Iknowawatchmakerwhowillbuyyourwatch。"
　　"Thatisgood。"
　　"No；itisnotgood。Whatwillyoudoafterthat？"
　　"Whateverisnecessary。Anythinghonest，thatistosay。"
　　"DoyouknowEnglish？"
　　"No。"
　　"DoyouknowGerman？"
　　"No。"
　　"Somuchtheworse。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Becauseoneofmyfriends，apublisher，isgettingupasortofanencyclopaedia，forwhichyoumighthavetranslatedEnglishorGermanarticles。Itisbadlypaidwork，butonecanlivebyit。"
　　"IwilllearnEnglishandGerman。"
　　"Andinthemeanwhile？"
　　"InthemeanwhileIwillliveonmyclothesandmywatch。"
　　Theclothes—dealerwassentfor。Hepaidtwentyfrancsforthecast—offgarments。Theywenttothewatchmaker’s。Heboughtthewatchforforty—fivefrancs。
　　"Thatisnotbad，"saidMariustoCourfeyrac，ontheirreturntothehotel，"withmyfifteenfrancs，thatmakeseighty。"
　　"Andthehotelbill？"observedCourfeyrac。
　　"Hello，Ihadforgottenthat，"saidMarius。
　　Thelandlordpresentedhisbill，whichhadtobepaidonthespot。
　　Itamountedtoseventyfrancs。
　　"Ihavetenfrancsleft，"saidMarius。
　　"Thedeuce，"exclaimedCourfeyrac，"youwilleatupfivefrancswhileyouarelearningEnglish，andfivewhilelearningGerman。
　　Thatwillbeswallowingatongueveryfast，orahundredsousveryslowly。"
　　InthemeantimeAuntGillenormand，arathergood—heartedpersonatbottomindifficulties，hadfinallyhuntedupMarius’abode。
　　Onemorning，onhisreturnfromthelaw—school，Mariusfoundaletterfromhisaunt，andthesixtypistoles，thatistosay，sixhundredfrancsingold，inasealedbox。
　　Mariussentbackthethirtylouistohisaunt，witharespectfulletter，inwhichhestatedthathehadsufficientmeansofsubsistenceandthatheshouldbeablethenceforthtosupplyallhisneeds。
　　Atthatmoment，hehadthreefrancsleft。
　　Hisauntdidnotinformhisgrandfatherofthisrefusalforfearofexasperatinghim。Besides，hadhenotsaid:"Letmeneverhearthenameofthatblood—drinkeragain！"
　　MariusleftthehoteldelaPorteSaint—Jacques，ashedidnotwishtorunindebtthere。
　　BOOKFIFTH。——THEEXCELLENCEOFMISFORTUNE
　　CHAPTERI
　　MARIUSINDIGENT
　　LifebecamehardforMarius。Itwasnothingtoeathisclothesandhiswatch。Heateofthatterrible，inexpressiblethingthatiscalleddelavacheenrage；thatistosay，heenduredgreathardshipsandprivations。Aterriblethingitis，containingdayswithoutbread，nightswithoutsleep，eveningswithoutacandle，ahearthwithoutafire，weekswithoutwork，afuturewithouthope，acoatoutattheelbows，anoldhatwhichevokesthelaughterofyounggirls，adoorwhichonefindslockedononeatnightbecauseone’srentisnotpaid，theinsolenceoftheporterandthecook—shopman，thesneersofneighbors，humiliations，dignitytrampledon，workofwhatevernatureaccepted，disgusts，bitterness，despondency。Mariuslearnedhowallthisiseaten，andhowsuchareoftentheonlythingswhichonehastodevour。Atthatmomentofhisexistencewhenamanneedshispride，becauseheneedslove，hefeltthathewasjeeredatbecausehewasbadlydressed，andridiculousbecausehewaspoor。
　　Attheagewhenyouthswellstheheartwithimperialpride，hedroppedhiseyesmorethanonceonhisdilapidatedboots，andheknewtheunjustshameandthepoignantblushesofwretchedness。
　　Admirableandterribletrialfromwhichthefeebleemergebase，fromwhichthestrongemergesublime。Acrucibleintowhichdestinycastsaman，wheneveritdesiresascoundrelorademi—god。
　　Formanygreatdeedsareperformedinpettycombats。Thereareinstancesofbraveryignoredandobstinate，whichdefendthemselvesstepbystepinthatfatalonslaughtofnecessitiesandturpitudes。
　　Nobleandmysterioustriumphswhichnoeyebeholds，whicharerequitedwithnorenown，whicharesalutedwithnotrumpetblast。
　　Life，misfortune，isolation，abandonment，poverty，arethefieldsofbattlewhichhavetheirheroes；obscureheroes，whoare，sometimes，granderthantheheroeswhowinrenown。
　　Firmandrarenaturesarethuscreated；misery，almostalwaysastep—mother，issometimesamother；destitutiongivesbirthtomightofsoulandspirit；distressisthenurseofpride；
　　unhappinessisagoodmilkforthemagnanimous。
　　TherecameamomentinMarius’life，whenheswepthisownlanding，whenheboughthissou’sworthofBriecheeseatthefruiterer’s，whenhewaiteduntiltwilighthadfallentoslipintothebaker’sandpurchasealoaf，whichhecarriedofffurtivelytohisatticasthoughhehadstolenit。Sometimestherecouldbeseenglidingintothebutcher’sshoponthecorner，inthemidstofthebanteringcookswhoelbowedhim，anawkwardyoungman，carryingbigbooksunderhisarm，whohadatimidyetangryair，who，onentering，removedhishatfromabrowwhereonstooddropsofperspiration，madeaprofoundbowtothebutcher’sastonishedwife，askedforamuttoncutlet，paidsixorsevensousforit，wrappeditupinapaper，putitunderhisarm，betweentwobooks，andwentaway。
　　ItwasMarius。Onthiscutlet，whichhecookedforhimself，helivedforthreedays。
　　Onthefirstdayheatethemeat，onthesecondheatethefat，onthethirdhegnawedthebone。AuntGillenormandmaderepeatedattempts，andsenthimthesixtypistolesseveraltimes。
　　Mariusreturnedthemoneveryoccasion，sayingthatheneedednothing。
　　Hewasstillinmourningforhisfatherwhentherevolutionwhichwehavejustdescribedwaseffectedwithinhim。Fromthattimeforth，hehadnotputoffhisblackgarments。Buthisgarmentswerequittinghim。Thedaycamewhenhehadnolongeracoat。
　　Thetrouserswouldgonext。Whatwastobedone？Courfeyrac，towhomhehad，onhisside，donesomegoodturns，gavehimanoldcoat。
　　Forthirtysous，Mariusgotitturnedbysomeporterorother，anditwasanewcoat。Butthiscoatwasgreen。ThenMariusceasedtogooutuntilafternightfall。Thismadehiscoatblack。
　　Ashewishedalwaystoappearinmourning，heclothedhimselfwiththenight。
　　Inspiteofallthis，hegotadmittedtopracticeasalawyer。
　　HewassupposedtoliveinCourfeyrac’sroom，whichwasdecent，andwhereacertainnumberoflaw—booksbackedupandcompletedbyseveraldilapidatedvolumesofromance，passedasthelibraryrequiredbytheregulations。HehadhislettersaddressedtoCourfeyrac’squarters。
　　WhenMariusbecamealawyer，heinformedhisgrandfatherofthefactinaletterwhichwascoldbutfullofsubmissionandrespect。
　　M。Gillenormandtrembledashetooktheletter，readit，toreitinfourpieces，andthrewitintothewaste—basket。Twoorthreedayslater，MademoiselleGillenormandheardherfather，whowasaloneinhisroom，talkingaloudtohimself。Healwaysdidthiswheneverhewasgreatlyagitated。Shelistened，andtheoldmanwassaying:
　　"Ifyouwerenotafool，youwouldknowthatonecannotbeabaronandalawyeratthesametime。"
　　CHAPTERII
　　MARIUSPOOR
　　Itisthesamewithwretchednessaswitheverythingelse。Itendsbybecomingbearable。Itfinallyassumesaform，andadjustsitself。
　　Onevegetates，thatistosay，onedevelopsinacertainmeagrefashion，whichis，however，sufficientforlife。ThisisthemodeinwhichtheexistenceofMariusPontmercywasarranged:
　　Hehadpassedtheworststraits；thenarrowpasswasopeningoutalittleinfrontofhim。Bydintoftoil，perseverance，courage，andwill，hehadmanagedtodrawfromhisworkaboutsevenhundredfrancsayear。
　　HehadlearnedGermanandEnglish；thankstoCourfeyrac，whohadputhimincommunicationwithhisfriendthepublisher，Mariusfilledthemodestpostofutilitymanintheliteratureofthepublishinghouse。
　　Hedrewupprospectuses，translatednewspapers，annotatededitions，compiledbiographies，etc。；netproduct，yearinandyearout，sevenhundredfrancs。Helivedonit。How？Notsobadly。
　　Wewillexplain。
　　MariusoccupiedintheGorbeauhouse，foranannualsumofthirtyfrancs，adenminusafireplace，calledacabinet，whichcontainedonlythemostindispensablearticlesoffurniture。Thisfurniturebelongedtohim。Hegavethreefrancsamonthtotheoldprincipaltenanttocomeandsweephishole，andtobringhimalittlehotwatereverymorning，afreshegg，andapennyroll。Hebreakfastedonthiseggandroll。Hisbreakfastvariedincostfromtwotofoursous，accordingaseggsweredearorcheap。Atsixo’clockintheeveninghedescendedtheRueSaint—JacquestodineatRousseau’s，oppositeBasset’s，thestamp—dealer’s，onthecorneroftheRuedesMathurins。Heatenosoup。Hetookasix—souplateofmeat，ahalf—portionofvegetablesforthreesous，andathree—soudessert。
　　Forthreesoushegotasmuchbreadashewished。Asforwine，hedrankwater。WhenhepaidatthedeskwhereMadamRousseau，atthatperiodstillplumpandrosymajesticallypresided，hegaveasoutothewaiter，andMadamRousseaugavehimasmile。
　　Thenhewentaway。Forsixteensoushehadasmileandadinner。
　　ThisRestaurantRousseau，wheresofewbottlesandsomanywatercarafeswereemptied，wasacalmingpotionratherthanarestaurant。
　　Itnolongerexists。Theproprietorhadafinenickname:hewascalledRousseautheAquatic。
　　Thus，breakfastfoursous，dinnersixteensous；hisfoodcosthimtwentysousaday；whichmadethreehundredandsixty—fivefrancsayear。Addthethirtyfrancsforrent，andthethirty—sixfrancstotheoldwoman，plusafewtriflingexpenses；forfourhundredandfiftyfrancs，Mariuswasfed，lodged，andwaitedon。
　　Hisclothingcosthimahundredfrancs，hislinenfiftyfrancs，hiswashingfiftyfrancs；thewholedidnotexceedsixhundredandfiftyfrancs。Hewasrich。Hesometimeslenttenfrancstoafriend。
　　Courfeyrachadoncebeenabletoborrowsixtyfrancsofhim。
　　Asfarasfirewasconcerned，asMariushadnofireplace，hehad"simplifiedmatters。"
　　Mariusalwayshadtwocompletesuitsofclothes，theoneold，"foreveryday"；theother，brandnewforspecialoccasions。
　　Bothwereblack。Hehadbutthreeshirts，oneonhisperson，thesecondinthecommode，andthethirdinthewasherwoman’shands。
　　Herenewedthemastheyworeout。Theywerealwaysragged，whichcausedhimtobuttonhiscoattothechin。
　　IthadrequiredyearsforMariustoattaintothisflourishingcondition。
　　Hardyears；difficult，someofthem，totraverse，otherstoclimb。
　　Mariushadnotfailedforasingleday。Hehadenduredeverythinginthewayofdestitution；hehaddoneeverythingexceptcontractdebts。
　　Hedidhimselfthejusticetosaythathehadneverowedanyoneasou。
　　Adebtwas，tohim，thebeginningofslavery。Heevensaidtohimself，thatacreditorisworsethanamaster；forthemasterpossessesonlyyourperson，acreditorpossessesyourdignityandcanadministertoitaboxontheear。Ratherthanborrow，hewentwithoutfood。
　　Hehadpassedmanyadayfasting。Feelingthatallextremesmeet，andthat，ifoneisnotonone’sguard，loweredfortunesmayleadtobasenessofsoul，hekeptajealouswatchonhispride。
　　Suchandsuchaformalityoraction，which，inanyothersituationwouldhaveappearedmerelyadeferencetohim，nowseemedinsipidity，andhenervedhimselfagainstit。Hisfaceworeasortofsevereflush。
　　Hewastimideventorudeness。
　　Duringallthesetrialshehadfelthimselfencouragedandevenuplifted，attimes，byasecretforcethathepossessedwithinhimself。
　　Thesoulaidsthebody，andatcertainmoments，raisesit。
　　Itistheonlybirdwhichbearsupitsowncage。
　　Besideshisfather’sname，anothernamewasgraveninMarius’heart，thenameofThenardier。Marius，withhisgraveandenthusiasticnature，surroundedwithasortofaureolethemantowhom，inhisthoughts，heowedhisfather’slife，——thatintrepidsergeantwhohadsavedthecolonelamidthebulletsandthecannon—ballsofWaterloo。
　　Heneverseparatedthememoryofthismanfromthememoryofhisfather，andheassociatedtheminhisveneration。Itwasasortofworshipintwosteps，withthegrandaltarforthecolonelandthelesseroneforThenardier。WhatredoubledthetendernessofhisgratitudetowardsThenardier，wastheideaofthedistressintowhichheknewthatThenardierhadfallen，andwhichhadengulfedthelatter。
　　MariushadlearnedatMontfermeiloftheruinandbankruptcyoftheunfortunateinn—keeper。Sincethattime，hehadmadeunheard—ofeffortstofindtracesofhimandtoreachhiminthatdarkabyssofmiseryinwhichThenardierhaddisappeared。Mariushadbeatenthewholecountry；
　　hehadgonetoChelles，toBondy，toGourney，toNogent，toLagny。
　　Hehadpersistedforthreeyears，expendingintheseexplorationsthelittlemoneywhichhehadlaidby。NoonehadbeenabletogivehimanynewsofThenardier:hewassupposedtohavegoneabroad。
　　Hiscreditorshadalsosoughthim，withlesslovethanMarius，butwithasmuchassiduity，andhadnotbeenabletolaytheirhandsonhim。Mariusblamedhimself，andwasalmostangrywithhimselfforhislackofsuccessinhisresearches。Itwastheonlydebtlefthimbythecolonel，andMariusmadeitamatterofhonortopayit。
　　"What，"hethought，"whenmyfatherlaydyingonthefieldofbattle，didThenardiercontrivetofindhimamidthesmokeandthegrape—shot，andbearhimoffonhisshoulders，andyetheowedhimnothing，andI，whoowesomuchtoThenardier，cannotjoinhiminthisshadowwhereheislyinginthepangsofdeath，andinmyturnbringhimbackfromdeathtolife！Oh！Iwillfindhim！"
　　TofindThenardier，infact，Mariuswouldhavegivenoneofhisarms，torescuehimfromhismisery，hewouldhavesacrificedallhisblood。
　　ToseeThenardier，torenderThenardiersomeservice，tosaytohim:
　　"Youdonotknowme；well，Idoknowyou！HereIam。Disposeofme！"
　　ThiswasMarius’sweetestandmostmagnificentdream。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　MARIUSGROWNUP
　　Atthisepoch，Mariuswastwentyyearsofage。Itwasthreeyearssincehehadlefthisgrandfather。Bothpartieshadremainedonthesameterms，withoutattemptingtoapproacheachother，andwithoutseekingtoseeeachother。Besides，whatwastheuseofseeingeachother？Mariuswasthebrassvase，whileFatherGillenormandwastheironpot。
　　WeadmitthatMariuswasmistakenastohisgrandfather’sheart。
　　HehadimaginedthatM。Gillenormandhadneverlovedhim，andthatthatcrusty，harsh，andsmilingoldfellowwhocursed，shouted，andstormedandbrandishedhiscane，cherishedforhim，atthemost，onlythataffection，whichisatonceslightandsevere，ofthedotardsofcomedy。Mariuswasinerror。
　　Therearefatherswhodonotlovetheirchildren；thereexistsnograndfatherwhodoesnotadorehisgrandson。Atbottom，aswehavesaid，M。GillenormandidolizedMarius。Heidolizedhimafterhisownfashion，withanaccompanimentofsnappishnessandboxesontheear；but，thischildoncegone，hefeltablackvoidinhisheart；hewouldallownoonetomentionthechildtohim，andallthewhilesecretlyregrettedthathewassowellobeyed。
　　Atfirst，hehopedthatthisBuonapartist，thisJacobin，thisterrorist，thisSeptembrist，wouldreturn。Buttheweekspassedby，yearspassed；
　　toM。Gillenormand’sgreatdespair，the"blood—drinker"didnotmakehisappearance。"Icouldnotdootherwisethanturnhimout，"saidthegrandfathertohimself，andheaskedhimself:
　　"Ifthethingweretodooveragain，wouldIdoit？"Hisprideinstantlyanswered"yes，"buthisagedhead，whichheshookinsilence，repliedsadly"no。"Hehadhishoursofdepression。
　　HemissedMarius。Oldmenneedaffectionastheyneedthesun。
　　Itiswarmth。Strongashisnaturewas，theabsenceofMariushadwroughtsomechangeinhim。Nothingintheworldcouldhaveinducedhimtotakeasteptowards"thatrogue"；buthesuffered。
　　Heneverinquiredabouthim，buthethoughtofhimincessantly。
　　HelivedintheMaraisinamoreandmoreretiredmanner；
　　hewasstillmerryandviolentasofold，buthismerrimenthadaconvulsiveharshness，andhisviolencesalwaysterminatedinasortofgentleandgloomydejection。Hesometimessaid:
　　"Oh！ifheonlywouldreturn，whatagoodboxontheearIwouldgivehim！"
　　Asforhisaunt，shethoughttoolittletolovemuch；Mariuswasnolongerforhermuchmorethanavagueblackform；andsheeventuallycametooccupyherselfwithhimmuchlessthanwiththecatortheparoquetwhichsheprobablyhad。WhataugmentedFatherGillenormand’ssecretsufferingwas，thathelockeditallupwithinhisbreast，anddidnotallowitsexistencetobedivined。
　　Hissorrowwaslikethoserecentlyinventedfurnaceswhichconsumetheirownsmoke。ItsometimeshappenedthatofficiousbusybodiesspoketohimofMarius，andaskedhim:"Whatisyourgrandsondoing？"
　　"Whathasbecomeofhim？"Theoldbourgeoisrepliedwithasigh，thathewasasadcase，andgivingafilliptohiscuff，ifhewishedtoappeargay:"MonsieurleBarondePontmercyispractisingpettifogginginsomecornerorother。"
　　Whiletheoldmanregretted，Mariusapplaudedhimself。
　　Asisthecasewithallgood—heartedpeople，misfortunehaderadicatedhisbitterness。HeonlythoughtofM。Gillenormandinanamiablelight，buthehadsethismindonnotreceivinganythingmorefromthemanwhohadbeenunkindtohisfather。
　　Thiswasthemitigatedtranslationofhisfirstindignation。
　　Moreover，hewashappyathavingsuffered，andatsufferingstill。
　　Itwasforhisfather’ssake。Thehardnessofhislifesatisfiedandpleasedhim。Hesaidtohimselfwithasortofjoythat——
　　itwascertainlytheleasthecoulddo；thatitwasanexpiation；——
　　that，haditnotbeenforthat，hewouldhavebeenpunishedinsomeotherwayandlateronforhisimpiousindifferencetowardshisfather，andsuchafather！thatitwouldnothavebeenjustthathisfathershouldhaveallthesuffering，andhenoneofit；andthat，inanycase，whatwerehistoilsandhisdestitutioncomparedwiththecolonel’sheroiclife？that，inshort，theonlywayforhimtoapproachhisfatherandresemblehim，wastobebraveinthefaceofindigence，astheotherhadbeenvaliantbeforetheenemy；andthatthatwas，nodoubt，whatthecolonelhadmeanttoimplybythewords:
　　"Hewillbeworthyofit。"WordswhichMariuscontinuedtowear，notonhisbreast，sincethecolonel’swritinghaddisappeared，butinhisheart。
　　Andthen，onthedaywhenhisgrandfatherhadturnedhimoutofdoors，hehadbeenonlyachild，nowhewasaman。Hefeltit。Misery，werepeat，hadbeengoodforhim。Povertyinyouth，whenitsucceeds，hasthismagnificentpropertyaboutit，thatitturnsthewholewilltowardseffort，andthewholesoultowardsaspiration。
　　Povertyinstantlylaysmateriallifebareandrendersithideous；
　　henceinexpressibleboundstowardstheideallife。Thewealthyyoungmanhasahundredcoarseandbrilliantdistractions，horseraces，hunting，dogs，tobacco，gaming，goodrepasts，andalltherestofit；
　　occupationsforthebasersideofthesoul，attheexpenseoftheloftierandmoredelicatesides。Thepooryoungmanwinshisbreadwithdifficulty；heeats；whenhehaseaten，hehasnothingmorebutmeditation。HegoestothespectacleswhichGodfurnishesgratis；
　　hegazesatthesky，space，thestars，flowers，children，thehumanityamongwhichheissuffering，thecreationamidwhichhebeams。
　　Hegazessomuchonhumanitythatheperceivesitssoul，hegazesuponcreationtosuchanextentthathebeholdsGod。Hedreams，hefeelshimselfgreat；hedreamson，andfeelshimselftender。
　　Fromtheegotismofthemanwhosuffershepassestothecompassionofthemanwhomeditates。Anadmirablesentimentbreaksforthinhim，forgetfulnessofselfandpityforall。
　　Ashethinksoftheinnumerableenjoymentswhichnatureoffers，gives，andlavishestosoulswhichstandopen，andrefusestosoulsthatareclosed，hecomestopity，hethemillionnaireofthemind，themillionnaireofmoney。Allhatreddepartsfromhisheart，inproportionaslightpenetrateshisspirit。Andisheunhappy？
　　No。Themiseryofayoungmanisnevermiserable。Thefirstyoungladwhocomestohand，howeverpoorhemaybe，withhisstrength，hishealth，hisrapidwalk，hisbrillianteyes，hiswarmlycirculatingblood，hisblackhair，hisredlips，hiswhiteteeth，hispurebreath，willalwaysarousetheenvyofanagedemperor。
　　Andthen，everymorning，hesetshimselfafreshtothetaskofearninghisbread；andwhilehishandsearnhisbread，hisdorsalcolumngainspride，hisbraingathersideas。Histaskfinished，hereturnstoineffableecstasies，tocontemplation，tojoys；
　　hebeholdshisfeetsetinafflictions，inobstacles，onthepavement，inthenettles，sometimesinthemire；hisheadinthelight。Heisfirmserene，gentle，peaceful，attentive，serious，contentwithlittle，kindly；andhethanksGodforhavingbestowedonhimthosetwoformsofricheswhichmanyarichmanlacks:work，whichmakeshimfree；
　　andthought，whichmakeshimdignified。
　　ThisiswhathadhappenedwithMarius。Totellthetruth，heinclinedalittletoomuchtothesideofcontemplation。Fromthedaywhenhehadsucceededinearninghislivingwithsomeapproachtocertainty，hehadstopped，thinkingitgoodtobepoor，andretrenchingtimefromhisworktogivetothought；thatistosay，hesometimespassedentiredaysinmeditation，absorbed，engulfed，likeavisionary，inthemutevoluptuousnessofecstasyandinwardradiance。
　　Hehadthuspropoundedtheproblemofhislife:totoilaslittleaspossibleatmateriallabor，inordertotoilasmuchaspossibleatthelaborwhichisimpalpable；inotherwords，tobestowafewhoursonreallife，andtocasttheresttotheinfinite。Ashebelievedthathelackednothing，hedidnotperceivethatcontemplation，thusunderstood，endsbybecomingoneoftheformsofidleness；
　　thathewascontentinghimselfwithconqueringthefirstnecessitiesoflife，andthathewasrestingfromhislaborstoosoon。