Itwasevidentthat，forthisenergeticandenthusiasticnature，thiscouldonlybeatransitorystate，andthat，atthefirstshockagainsttheinevitablecomplicationsofdestiny，Mariuswouldawaken。
Inthemeantime，althoughhewasalawyer，andwhateverFatherGillenormandthoughtaboutthematter，hewasnotpractising，hewasnotevenpettifogging。Meditationhadturnedhimasidefrompleading。
Tohauntattorneys，tofollowthecourt，tohuntupcases——
whatabore！Whyshouldhedoit？Hesawnoreasonforchangingthemannerofgaininghislivelihood！Theobscureandill—paidpublishingestablishmenthadcometomeanforhimasuresourceofworkwhichdidnotinvolvetoomuchlabor，aswehaveexplained，andwhichsufficedforhiswants。
Oneofthepublishersforwhomheworked，M。Magimel，Ithink，offeredtotakehimintohisownhouse，tolodgehimwell，tofurnishhimwithregularoccupation，andtogivehimfifteenhundredfrancsayear。Tobewelllodged！Fifteenhundredfrancs！Nodoubt。
Butrenouncehisliberty！Beonfixedwages！Asortofhiredmanofletters！AccordingtoMarius’opinion，ifheaccepted，hispositionwouldbecomebothbetterandworseatthesametime，heacquiredcomfort，andlosthisdignity；itwasafineandcompleteunhappinessconvertedintoarepulsiveandridiculousstateoftorture:
somethinglikethecaseofablindmanwhoshouldrecoverthesightofoneeye。Herefused。
Mariusdweltinsolitude。Owingtohistasteforremainingoutsideofeverything，andthroughhavingbeentoomuchalarmed，hehadnotentereddecidedlyintothegrouppresidedoverbyEnjolras。
Theyhadremainedgoodfriends；theywerereadytoassisteachotheronoccasionineverypossibleway；butnothingmore。
Mariushadtwofriends:oneyoung，Courfeyrac；andoneold，M。Mabeuf。Heinclinedmoretotheoldman。Inthefirstplace，heowedtohimtherevolutionwhichhadtakenplacewithinhim；
tohimhewasindebtedforhavingknownandlovedhisfather。
"Heoperatedonmeforacataract，"hesaid。
Thechurchwardenhadcertainlyplayedadecisivepart。
Itwasnot，however，thatM。MabeufhadbeenanythingbutthecalmandimpassiveagentofProvidenceinthisconnection。HehadenlightenedMariusbychanceandwithoutbeingawareofthefact，asdoesacandlewhichsomeonebrings；hehadbeenthecandleandnotthesomeone。
AsforMarius’inwardpoliticalrevolution，M。Mabeufwastotallyincapableofcomprehendingit，ofwillingorofdirectingit。
AsweshallseeM。Mabeufagain，lateron，afewwordswillnotbesuperfluous。
CHAPTERIV
M。MABEUF
OnthedaywhenM。MabeufsaidtoMarius:"CertainlyIapproveofpoliticalopinions，"heexpressedtherealstateofhismind。
Allpoliticalopinionsweremattersofindifferencetohim，andheapprovedthemall，withoutdistinction，providedtheylefthiminpeace，astheGreekscalledtheFuries"thebeautiful，thegood，thecharming，"theEumenides。M。Mabeuf’spoliticalopinionconsistedinapassionateloveforplants，and，aboveall，forbooks。
Likealltherestoftheworld，hepossessedtheterminationinist，withoutwhichnoonecouldexistatthattime，buthewasneitheraRoyalist，aBonapartist，aChartist，anOrleanist，noranAnarchist；
hewasabouquinist，acollectorofoldbooks。Hedidnotunderstandhowmencouldbusythemselveswithhatingeachotherbecauseofsillystufflikethecharter，democracy，legitimacy，monarchy，therepublic，etc。，whentherewereintheworldallsortsofmosses，grasses，andshrubswhichtheymightbelookingat，andheapsoffolios，andevenof32mos，whichtheymightturnover。Hetookgoodcarenottobecomeuseless；havingbooksdidnotpreventhisreading，beingabotanistdidnotpreventhisbeingagardener。WhenhemadePontmercy’sacquaintance，thissympathyhadexistedbetweenthecolonelandhimself——thatwhatthecoloneldidforflowers，hedidforfruits。M。MabeufhadsucceededinproducingseedlingpearsassavoryasthepearsofSt。Germain；itisfromoneofhiscombinations，apparently，thattheOctoberMirabelle，nowcelebratedandnolessperfumedthanthesummerMirabelle，owesitsorigin。Hewenttomassratherfromgentlenessthanfrompiety，andbecause，ashelovedthefacesofmen，buthatedtheirnoise，hefoundthemassembledandsilentonlyinchurch。
FeelingthathemustbesomethingintheState，hehadchosenthecareerofwarden。However，hehadneversucceededinlovinganywomanasmuchasatulipbulb，noranymanasmuchasanElzevir。
Hehadlongpassedsixty，when，oneday，someoneaskedhim:
"Haveyouneverbeenmarried？""Ihaveforgotten，"saidhe。
Whenitsometimeshappenedtohim——andtowhomdoesitnothappen？——
tosay:"Oh！ifIwereonlyrich！"itwasnotwhenoglingaprettygirl，aswasthecasewithFatherGillenormand，butwhencontemplatinganoldbook。Helivedalonewithanoldhousekeeper。
Hewassomewhatgouty，andwhenhewasasleep，hisagedfingers，stiffenedwithrheumatism，laycrookedupinthefoldsofhissheets。
HehadcomposedandpublishedaFloraoftheEnvironsofCauteretz，withcoloredplates，aworkwhichenjoyedatolerablemeasureofesteemandwhichsoldwell。Peopleranghisbell，intheRueMesieres，twoorthreetimesaday，toaskforit。Hedrewasmuchastwothousandfrancsayearfromit；thisconstitutednearlythewholeofhisfortune。Althoughpoor，hehadhadthetalenttoformforhimself，bydintofpatience，privations，andtime，apreciouscollectionofrarecopiesofeverysort。Heneverwentoutwithoutabookunderhisarm，andheoftenreturnedwithtwo。Thesoledecorationofthefourroomsonthegroundfloor，whichcomposedhislodgings，consistedofframedherbariums，andengravingsoftheoldmasters。
Thesightofaswordoragunchilledhisblood。Hehadneverapproachedacannoninhislife，evenattheInvalides。Hehadapassablestomach，abrotherwhowasacure，perfectlywhitehair，noteeth，eitherinhismouthorhismind，atremblingineverylimb，aPicardaccent，aninfantilelaugh，theairofanoldsheep，andhewaseasilyfrightened。Addtothis，thathehadnootherfriendship，nootheracquaintanceamongtheliving，thananoldbooksellerofthePorte—Saint—Jacques，namedRoyal。HisdreamwastonaturalizeindigoinFrance。
Hisservantwasalsoasortofinnocent。Thepoorgoodoldwomanwasaspinster。Sultan，hercat，whichmighthavemewedAllegri’smiserereintheSixtineChapel，hadfilledherheartandsufficedforthequantityofpassionwhichexistedinher。Noneofherdreamshadeverproceededasfarasman。Shehadneverbeenabletogetfurtherthanhercat。Likehim，shehadamustache。Hergloryconsistedinhercaps，whichwerealwayswhite。Shepassedhertime，onSundays，aftermass，incountingoverthelineninherchest，andinspreadingoutonherbedthedressesinthepiecewhichsheboughtandneverhadmadeup。Sheknewhowtoread。M。MabeufhadnicknamedherMotherPlutarque。
M。MabeufhadtakenafancytoMarius，becauseMarius，beingyoungandgentle，warmedhisagewithoutstartlinghistimidity。
Youthcombinedwithgentlenessproducesonoldpeopletheeffectofthesunwithoutwind。WhenMariuswassaturatedwithmilitaryglory，withgunpowder，withmarchesandcountermarches，andwithallthoseprodigiousbattlesinwhichhisfatherhadgivenandreceivedsuchtremendousblowsofthesword，hewenttoseeM。Mabeuf，andM。Mabeuftalkedtohimofhisherofromthepointofviewofflowers。
Hisbrotherthecurediedabout1830，andalmostimmediately，aswhenthenightisdrawingon，thewholehorizongrewdarkforM。Mabeuf。
Anotary’sfailuredeprivedhimofthesumoftenthousandfrancs，whichwasallthathepossessedinhisbrother’srightandhisown。
TheRevolutionofJulybroughtacrisistopublishing。Inaperiodofembarrassment，thefirstthingwhichdoesnotsellisaFlora。
TheFloraoftheEnvironsofCauteretzstoppedshort。Weekspassedbywithoutasinglepurchaser。SometimesM。Mabeufstartedatthesoundofthebell。"Monsieur，"saidMotherPlutarquesadly，"itisthewater—carrier。"Inshort，oneday，M。MabeufquittedtheRueMesieres，abdicatedthefunctionsofwarden，gaveupSaint—Sulpice，soldnotapartofhisbooks，butofhisprints，——
thattowhichhewastheleastattached，——andinstalledhimselfinalittlehouseontheRueMontparnasse，where，however，heremainedbutonequarterfortworeasons:inthefirstplace，thegroundfloorandthegardencostthreehundredfrancs，andhedarednotspendmorethantwohundredfrancsonhisrent；inthesecond，beingnearFaton’sshooting—gallery，hecouldhearthepistol—shots；
whichwasintolerabletohim。
HecarriedoffhisFlora，hiscopper—plates，hisherbariums，hisportfolios，andhisbooks，andestablishedhimselfneartheSalpetriere，inasortofthatchedcottageofthevillageofAusterlitz，where，forfiftycrownsayear，hegotthreeroomsandagardenenclosedbyahedge，andcontainingawell。Hetookadvantageofthisremovaltoselloffnearlyallhisfurniture。
Onthedayofhisentranceintohisnewquarters，hewasverygay，anddrovethenailsonwhichhisengravingsandherbariumsweretohang，withhisownhands，duginhisgardentherestoftheday，andatnight，perceivingthatMotherPlutarquehadamelancholyair，andwasverythoughtful，hetappedherontheshoulderandsaidtoherwithasmile:"Wehavetheindigo！"
Onlytwovisitors，thebooksellerofthePorte—Saint—JacquesandMarius，wereadmittedtoviewthethatchedcottageatAusterlitz，abrawlingnamewhichwas，totellthetruth，extremelydisagreeabletohim。
However，aswehavejustpointedout，brainswhichareabsorbedinsomebitofwisdom，orfolly，or，asitoftenhappens，inbothatonce，arebutslowlyaccessibletothethingsofactuallife。
Theirowndestinyisafar—offthingtothem。Thereresultsfromsuchconcentrationapassivity，which，ifitweretheoutcomeofreasoning，wouldresemblephilosophy。Onedeclines，descends，tricklesaway，evencrumblesaway，andyetishardlyconsciousofitone’sself。
Italwaysends，itistrue，inanawakening，buttheawakeningistardy。
Inthemeantime，itseemsasthoughweheldourselvesneutralinthegamewhichisgoingonbetweenourhappinessandourunhappiness。
Wearethestake，andwelookonatthegamewithindifference。
Itisthusthat，athwartthecloudwhichformedabouthim，whenallhishopeswereextinguishedoneaftertheother，M。Mabeufremainedratherpuerilely，butprofoundlyserene。Hishabitsofmindhadtheregularswingofapendulum。Oncemountedonanillusion，hewentforaverylongtime，evenaftertheillusionhaddisappeared。
Aclockdoesnotstopshortattheprecisemomentwhenthekeyislost。
M。Mabeufhadhisinnocentpleasures。Thesepleasureswereinexpensiveandunexpected；themerestchancefurnishedthem。Oneday，MotherPlutarquewasreadingaromanceinonecorneroftheroom。
Shewasreadingaloud，findingthatsheunderstoodbetterthus。
Toreadaloudistoassureone’sselfofwhatoneisreading。
Therearepeoplewhoreadveryloud，andwhohavetheappearanceofgivingthemselvestheirwordofhonorastowhattheyareperusing。
ItwaswiththissortofenergythatMotherPlutarquewasreadingtheromancewhichshehadinhand。M。Mabeufheardherwithoutlisteningtoher。
Inthecourseofherreading，MotherPlutarquecametothisphrase。
Itwasaquestionofanofficerofdragoonsandabeauty:——
"——Thebeautypouted，andthedragoon——"
Heresheinterruptedherselftowipeherglasses。
"BouddhaandtheDragon，"struckinM。Mabeufinalowvoice。
"Yes，itistruethattherewasadragon，which，fromthedepthsofitscave，spoutedflamethroughhismawandsettheheavensonfire。
Manystarshadalreadybeenconsumedbythismonster，which，besides，hadtheclawsofatiger。Bouddhawentintoitsdenandsucceededinconvertingthedragon。Thatisagoodbookthatyouarereading，MotherPlutarque。Thereisnomorebeautifullegendinexistence。"
AndM。Mabeuffellintoadeliciousrevery。
CHAPTERV
POVERTYAGOODNEIGHBORFORMISERY
Mariuslikedthiscandidoldmanwhosawhimselfgraduallyfallingintotheclutchesofindigence，andwhocametofeelastonishment，littlebylittle，without，however，beingmademelancholybyit。
MariusmetCourfeyracandsoughtoutM。Mabeuf。Veryrarely，however；
twiceamonthatmost。
Marius’pleasureconsistedintakinglongwalksaloneontheouterboulevards，orintheChamps—de—Mars，orintheleastfrequentedalleysoftheLuxembourg。Heoftenspenthalfadayingazingatamarketgarden，thebedsoflettuce，thechickensonthedung—heap，thehorseturningthewater—wheel。Thepassers—bystaredathiminsurprise，andsomeofthemthoughthisattiresuspiciousandhismiensinister。
Hewasonlyapooryoungmandreaminginanobjectlessway。
ItwasduringoneofhisstrollsthathehadhitupontheGorbeauhouse，and，temptedbyitsisolationanditscheapness，hadtakenuphisabodethere。HewasknownthereonlyunderthenameofM。Marius。
Someofhisfather’soldgeneralsoroldcomradeshadinvitedhimtogoandseethem，whentheylearnedabouthim。Mariushadnotrefusedtheirinvitations。Theyaffordedopportunitiesoftalkingabouthisfather。Thushewentfromtimetotime，toComtePajol，toGeneralBellavesne，toGeneralFririon，totheInvalides。
Therewasmusicanddancingthere。Onsuchevenings，Mariusputonhisnewcoat。Butheneverwenttotheseeveningpartiesorballsexceptondayswhenitwasfreezingcold，becausehecouldnotaffordacarriage，andhedidnotwishtoarrivewithbootsotherwisethanlikemirrors。
Hesaidsometimes，butwithoutbitterness:"Menaresomadethatinadrawing—roomyoumaybesoiledeverywhereexceptonyourshoes。
Inordertoinsureagoodreceptionthere，onlyoneirreproachablethingisaskedofyou；yourconscience？No，yourboots。"
Allpassionsexceptthoseoftheheartaredissipatedbyrevery。
Marius’politicalfeversvanishedthus。TheRevolutionof1830
assistedintheprocess，bysatisfyingandcalminghim。
Heremainedthesame，settingasidehisfitsofwrath。
Hestillheldthesameopinions。Only，theyhadbeentempered。
Tospeakaccurately，hehadnolongeranyopinions，hehadsympathies。
Towhatpartydidhebelong？Tothepartyofhumanity。OutofhumanityhechoseFrance；outoftheNationhechosethepeople；
outofthepeoplehechosethewoman。Itwastothatpointaboveall，thathispitywasdirected。Nowhepreferredanideatoadeed，apoettoahero，andheadmiredabooklikeJobmorethananeventlikeMarengo。Andthen，when，afteradayspentinmeditation，hereturnedintheeveningthroughtheboulevards，andcaughtaglimpsethroughthebranchesofthetreesofthefathomlessspacebeyond，thenamelessgleams，theabyss，theshadow，themystery，allthatwhichisonlyhumanseemedveryprettyindeedtohim。
Hethoughtthathehad，andhereallyhad，infact，arrivedatthetruthoflifeandofhumanphilosophy，andhehadendedbygazingatnothingbutheaven，theonlythingwhichTruthcanperceivefromthebottomofherwell。
Thisdidnotpreventhimfrommultiplyinghisplans，hiscombinations，hisscaffoldings，hisprojectsforthefuture。Inthisstateofrevery，aneyewhichcouldhavecastaglanceintoMarius’
interiorwouldhavebeendazzledwiththepurityofthatsoul。
Infact，haditbeengiventooureyesofthefleshtogazeintotheconsciencesofothers，weshouldbeabletojudgeamanmuchmoresurelyaccordingtowhathedreams，thanaccordingtowhathethinks。Thereiswillinthought，thereisnoneindreams。
Revery，whichisutterlyspontaneous，takesandkeeps，eveninthegiganticandtheideal，theformofourspirit。Nothingproceedsmoredirectlyandmoresincerelyfromtheverydepthofoursoul，thanourunpremeditatedandboundlessaspirationstowardsthesplendorsofdestiny。Intheseaspirations，muchmorethanindeliberate，rationalcoordinatedideas，istherealcharacterofamantobefound。Ourchimerasarethethingswhichthemostresembleus。
Eachoneofusdreamsoftheunknownandtheimpossibleinaccordancewithhisnature。
Towardsthemiddleofthisyear1831，theoldwomanwhowaitedonMariustoldhimthathisneighbors，thewretchedJondrettefamily，hadbeenturnedoutofdoors。Marius，whopassednearlythewholeofhisdaysoutofthehouse，hardlyknewthathehadanyneighbors。
"Whyaretheyturnedout？"heasked。
"Becausetheydonotpaytheirrent；theyowefortwoquarters。"
"Howmuchisit？"
"Twentyfrancs，"saidtheoldwoman。
Mariushadthirtyfrancssavedupinadrawer。
"Here，"hesaidtotheoldwoman，"takethesetwenty—fivefrancs。
Payforthepoorpeopleandgivethemfivefrancs，anddonottellthemthatitwasI。"
CHAPTERVI
THESUBSTITUTE
ItchancedthattheregimenttowhichLieutenantTheodulebelongedcametoperformgarrisondutyinParis。ThisinspiredAuntGillenormandwithasecondidea。Shehad，onthefirstoccasion，hitupontheplanofhavingMariusspieduponbyTheodule；nowsheplottedtohaveTheoduletakeMarius’place。
Atalleventsandincasethegrandfathershouldfeelthevagueneedofayoungfaceinthehouse，——theseraysofdawnaresometimessweettoruin，——itwasexpedienttofindanotherMarius。"Takeitasasimpleerratum，"shethought，"suchasoneseesinbooks。
ForMarius，readTheodule。"
Agrandnephewisalmostthesameasagrandson；indefaultofalawyeronetakesalancer。
Onemorning，whenM。GillenormandwasabouttoreadsomethingintheQuotidienne，hisdaughterenteredandsaidtohiminhersweetestvoice；forthequestionconcernedherfavorite:——
"Father，Theoduleiscomingtopresenthisrespectstoyouthismorning。"
"Who’sTheodule？"
"Yourgrandnephew。"
"Ah！"saidthegrandfather。
Thenhewentbacktohisreading，thoughtnomoreofhisgrandnephew，whowasmerelysomeTheoduleorother，andsoonflewintoarage，whichalmostalwayshappenedwhenheread。The"sheet"whichheheld，althoughRoyalist，ofcourse，announcedforthefollowingday，withoutanysofteningphrases，oneoftheselittleeventswhichwereofdailyoccurrenceatthatdateinParis:"ThatthestudentsoftheschoolsoflawandmedicineweretoassembleonthePlaceduPantheon，atmidday，——todeliberate。"Thediscussionconcernedoneofthequestionsofthemoment，theartilleryoftheNationalGuard，andaconflictbetweentheMinisterofWarand"thecitizen’smilitia，"
onthesubjectofthecannonparkedinthecourtyardoftheLouvre。
Thestudentswereto"deliberate"overthis。ItdidnottakemuchmorethanthistoswellM。Gillenormand’srage。
HethoughtofMarius，whowasastudent，andwhowouldprobablygowiththerest，to"deliberate，atmidday，onthePlaceduPantheon。"
Ashewasindulginginthispainfuldream，LieutenantTheoduleenteredcladinplainclothesasabourgeois，whichwascleverofhim，andwasdiscreetlyintroducedbyMademoiselleGillenormand。
Thelancerhadreasonedasfollows:"Theolddruidhasnotsunkallhismoneyinalifepension。Itiswelltodisguiseone’sselfasacivilianfromtimetotime。"
MademoiselleGillenormandsaidaloudtoherfather:——
"Theodule，yourgrandnephew。"
Andinalowvoicetothelieutenant:——
"Approveofeverything。"
Andshewithdrew。
Thelieutenant，whowasbutlittleaccustomedtosuchvenerableencounters，stammeredwithsometimidity:"Goodday，uncle，"——
andmadeasalutecomposedoftheinvoluntaryandmechanicaloutlineofthemilitarysalutefinishedoffasabourgeoissalute。
"Ah！soit’syou；thatiswell，sitdown，"saidtheoldgentleman。
Thatsaid，hetotallyforgotthelancer。
Theoduleseatedhimself，andM。Gillenormandrose。
M。Gillenormandbegantopacebackandforth，hishandsinhispockets，talkingaloud，andtwitching，withhisirritatedoldfingers，atthetwowatcheswhichheworeinhistwofobs。
"Thatpackofbrats！theyconveneonthePlaceduPantheon！
bymylife！urchinswhowerewiththeirnursesbutyesterday！
Ifoneweretosqueezetheirnoses，milkwouldburstout。
Andtheydeliberateto—morrow，atmidday。Whatarewecomingto？
Whatarewecomingto？Itisclearthatwearemakingfortheabyss。
Thatiswhatthedescamisadoshavebroughtusto！Todeliberateonthecitizenartillery！TogoandjabberintheopenairoverthejibesoftheNationalGuard！Andwithwhomaretheytomeetthere？
JustseewhitherJacobinismleads。Iwillbetanythingyoulike，amillionagainstacounter，thattherewillbenoonetherebutreturnedconvictsandreleasedgalley—slaves。TheRepublicansandthegalley—slaves，——theyformbutonenoseandonehandkerchief。
Carnotusedtosay:`Wherewouldyouhavemego，traitor？’
Fouchereplied:`Whereveryouplease，imbecile！’That’swhattheRepublicansarelike。"
"Thatistrue，"saidTheodule。
M。Gillenormandhalfturnedhishead，sawTheodule，andwenton:——
"Whenonereflectsthatthatscoundrelwassovileastoturncarbonaro！
Whydidyouleavemyhouse？TogoandbecomeaRepublican！Pssst！
Inthefirstplace，thepeoplewantnoneofyourrepublic，theyhavecommonsense，theyknowwellthattherealwayshavebeenkings，andthattherealwayswillbe；theyknowwellthatthepeopleareonlythepeople，afterall，theymakesportofit，ofyourrepublic——
doyouunderstand，idiot？Isitnotahorriblecaprice？TofallinlovewithPereDuchesne，tomakesheep’s—eyesattheguillotine，tosingromances，andplayontheguitarunderthebalconyof’93——it’senoughtomakeonespitonalltheseyoungfellows，suchfoolsarethey！Theyareallalike。Notoneescapes。
Itsufficesforthemtobreathetheairwhichblowsthroughthestreettolosetheirsenses。Thenineteenthcenturyispoison。
Thefirstscampthathappensalongletshisbeardgrowlikeagoat’s，thinkshimselfarealscoundrel，andabandonshisoldrelatives。
He’saRepublican，he’saromantic。Whatdoesthatmean，romantic？
Domethefavortotellmewhatitis。Allpossiblefollies。
Ayearago，theyrantoHernani。Now，Ijustaskyou，Hernani！
antitheses！abominationswhicharenotevenwritteninFrench！
Andthen，theyhavecannonsinthecourtyardoftheLouvre。
Sucharetherascalitiesofthisage！"
"Youareright，uncle，"saidTheodule。
M。Gillenormandresumed:——
"CannonsinthecourtyardoftheMuseum！Forwhatpurpose？
Doyouwanttofiregrape—shotattheApolloBelvedere？WhathavethosecartridgestodowiththeVenusdeMedici？Oh！theyoungmenofthepresentdayareallblackguards！WhataprettycreatureistheirBenjaminConstant！Andthosewhoarenotrascalsaresimpletons！
Theydoalltheycantomakethemselvesugly，theyarebadlydressed，theyareafraidofwomen，inthepresenceofpetticoatstheyhaveamendicantairwhichsetsthegirlsintofitsoflaughter；onmywordofhonor，onewouldsaythepoorcreatureswereashamedoflove。
Theyaredeformed，andtheycompletethemselvesbybeingstupid；
theyrepeatthepunsofTiercelinandPotier，theyhavesackcoats，stablemen’swaistcoats，shirtsofcoarselinen，trousersofcoarsecloth，bootsofcoarseleather，andtheirrigmaroleresemblestheirplumage。
Onemightmakeuseoftheirjargontoputnewsolesontheiroldshoes。
Andallthisawkwardbatchofbratshaspoliticalopinions，ifyouplease。Politicalopinionsshouldbestrictlyforbidden。
Theyfabricatesystems，theyrecastsociety，theydemolishthemonarchy，theyflingalllawstotheearth，theyputtheatticinthecellar’splaceandmyporterintheplaceoftheKing，theyturnEuropetopsy—turvy，theyreconstructtheworld，andalltheirloveaffairsconsistinstaringslilyattheanklesofthelaundressesasthesewomenclimbintotheircarts。Ah！Marius！Ah！youblackguard！togoandvociferateonthepublicplace！todiscuss，todebate，totakemeasures！Theycallthatmeasures，justGod！
Disorderhumblesitselfandbecomessilly。Ihaveseenchaos，Inowseeamess。StudentsdeliberatingontheNationalGuard，——
suchathingcouldnotbeseenamongtheOgibewasnortheCadodaches！
Savageswhogonaked，withtheirnoddlesdressedlikeashuttlecock，withaclubintheirpaws，arelessofbrutesthanthosebachelorsofarts！Thefour—pennymonkeys！Andtheysetupforjudges！
Thosecreaturesdeliberateandratiocinate！Theendoftheworldiscome！Thisisplainlytheendofthismiserableterraqueousglobe！
Afinalhiccoughwasrequired，andFrancehasemittedit。
Deliberate，myrascals！SuchthingswillhappensolongastheygoandreadthenewspapersunderthearcadesoftheOdeon。
Thatcoststhemasou，andtheirgoodsense，andtheirintelligence，andtheirheartandtheirsoul，andtheirwits。Theyemergethence，anddecampfromtheirfamilies。Allnewspapersarepests；all，eventheDrapeauBlanc！Atbottom，MartainvillewasaJacobin。Ah！justHeaven！youmayboastofhavingdrivenyourgrandfathertodespair，thatyoumay！"
"Thatisevident，"saidTheodule。
AndprofitingbythefactthatM。Gillenormandwastakingbreath，thelanceraddedinamagisterialmanner:——
"ThereshouldbenoothernewspaperthantheMoniteur，andnootherbookthantheAnnuaireMilitaire。"
M。Gillenormandcontinued:——
"ItisliketheirSieyes！Aregicideendinginasenator；
forthatisthewaytheyalwaysend。Theygivethemselvesascarwiththeaddressofthouascitizens，inordertogetthemselvescalled，eventually，MonsieurleComte。MonsieurleComteasbigasmyarm，assassinsofSeptember。ThephilosopherSieyes！
Iwilldomyselfthejusticetosay，thatIhaveneverhadanybetteropinionofthephilosophiesofallthosephilosophers，thanofthespectaclesofthegrimacerofTivoli！OnedayIsawtheSenatorscrosstheQuaiMalplaquetinmantlesofvioletvelvetsownwithbees，withhatsalaHenriIV。Theywerehideous。Onewouldhavepronouncedthemmonkeysfromthetiger’scourt。Citizens，Ideclaretoyou，thatyourprogressismadness，thatyourhumanityisadream，thatyourrevolutionisacrime，thatyourrepublicisamonster，thatyouryoungandvirginFrancecomesfromthebrothel，andI
maintainitagainstall，whoeveryoumaybe，whetherjournalists，economists，legists，orevenwereyoubetterjudgesofliberty，ofequality，andfraternitythantheknifeoftheguillotine！
AndthatIannouncetoyou，myflnefellows！"
"Parbleu！"criedthelieutenant，"thatiswonderfullytrue。"
M。Gillenormandpausedinagesturewhichhehadbegun，wheeledround，staredLancerTheoduleintentlyintheeyes，andsaidtohim:——
"Youareafool。"
BOOKSIXTH。——THECONJUNCTIONOFTWOSTARS
CHAPTERI
THESOBRIQUET:MODEOFFORMATIONOFFAMILYNAMES
Mariuswas，atthisepoch，ahandsomeyoungman，ofmediumstature，withthickandintenselyblackhair，aloftyandintelligentbrow，well—openedandpassionatenostrils，anairofcalmnessandsincerity，andwithsomethingindescribablyproud，thoughtful，andinnocentoverhiswholecountenance。Hisprofile，allofwhoselineswererounded，withouttherebylosingtheirfirmness，hadacertainGermanicsweetness，whichhasmadeitswayintotheFrenchphysiognomybywayofAlsaceandLorraine，andthatcompleteabsenceofangleswhichrenderedtheSicambressoeasilyrecognizableamongtheRomans，andwhichdistinguishestheleoninefromtheaquilinerace。
Hewasatthatperiodoflifewhenthemindofmenwhothinkiscomposed，innearlyequalparts，ofdepthandingenuousness。
Agravesituationbeinggiven，hehadallthatisrequiredtobestupid:onemoreturnofthekey，andhemightbesublime。
Hismannerswerereserved，cold，polished，notverygenial。
Ashismouthwascharming，hislipsthereddest，andhisteeththewhitestintheworld，hissmilecorrectedtheseverityofhisface，asawhole。Atcertainmoments，thatpurebrowandthatvoluptuoussmilepresentedasingularcontrast。Hiseyesweresmall，buthisglancewaslarge。
Attheperiodofhismostabjectmisery，hehadobservedthatyounggirlsturnedroundwhenhepassedby，andhefledorhid，withdeathinhissoul。Hethoughtthattheywerestaringathimbecauseofhisoldclothes，andthattheywerelaughingatthem；
thefactis，thattheystaredathimbecauseofhisgrace，andthattheydreamedofhim。
Thismutemisunderstandingbetweenhimandtheprettypassers—byhadmadehimshy。Hechosenoneofthemfortheexcellentreasonthathefledfromallofthem。Helivedthusindefinitely，——
stupidly，asCourfeyracsaid。
Courfeyracalsosaidtohim:"Donotaspiretobevenerable"
[theycalledeachotherthou；itisthetendencyofyouthfulfriendshipstoslipintothismodeofaddress]。"Letmegiveyouapieceofadvice，mydearfellow。Don’treadsomanybooks，andlookalittlemoreatthelasses。Thejadeshavesomegoodpointsaboutthem，OMarius！Bydintoffleeingandblushing，youwillbecomebrutalized。"
Onotheroccasions，Courfeyracencounteredhimandsaid:——"Goodmorning，Monsieurl’Abbe！"
WhenCourfeyrachadaddressedtohimsomeremarkofthisnature，Mariusavoidedwomen，bothyoungandold，morethaneverforaweektocome，andheavoidedCourfeyractoboot。
Nevertheless，thereexistedinalltheimmensityofcreation，twowomenwhomMariusdidnotflee，andtowhomhepaidnoattentionwhatever。
Intruth，hewouldhavebeenverymuchamazedifhehadbeeninformedthattheywerewomen。Onewasthebeardedoldwomanwhosweptouthischamber，andcausedCourfeyractosay:"Seeingthathisservantwomanwearshisbeard，Mariusdoesnotwearhisownbeard。"
Theotherwasasortoflittlegirlwhomhesawveryoften，andwhomheneverlookedat。
Formorethanayear，MariushadnoticedinoneofthewalksoftheLuxembourg，theonewhichskirtstheparapetofthePepiniere，amanandaveryyounggirl，whowerealmostalwaysseatedsidebysideonthesamebench，atthemostsolitaryendofthealley，ontheRuedel’Ouestside。Everytimethatthatchancewhichmeddleswiththestrollsofpersonswhosegazeisturnedinwards，ledMariustothatwalk，——anditwasnearlyeveryday，——hefoundthiscouplethere。Themanappearedtobeaboutsixtyyearsofage；
heseemedsadandserious；hiswholepersonpresentedtherobustandwearyaspectpeculiartomilitarymenwhohaveretiredfromtheservice。Ifhehadwornadecoration，Mariuswouldhavesaid:
"Heisanex—officer。"Hehadakindlybutunapproachableair，andheneverlethisglancelingerontheeyesofanyone。
Heworebluetrousers，abluefrockcoatandabroad—brimmedhat，whichalwaysappearedtobenew，ablackcravat，aquakershirt，thatistosay，itwasdazzlinglywhite，butofcoarselinen。Agrisettewhopassednearhimoneday，said:"Here’saverytidywidower。"
Hishairwasverywhite。
Thefirsttimethattheyounggirlwhoaccompaniedhimcameandseatedherselfonthebenchwhichtheyseemedtohaveadopted，shewasasortofchildthirteenorfourteenyearsofage，sothinastobealmosthomely，awkward，insignificant，andwithapossiblepromiseofhandsomeeyes。Only，theywerealwaysraisedwithasortofdispleasingassurance。Herdresswasbothagedandchildish，likethedressofthescholarsinaconvent；itconsistedofabadlycutgownofblackmerino。Theyhadtheairofbeingfatheranddaughter。
Mariusscannedthisoldman，whowasnotyetaged，andthislittlegirl，whowasnotyetaperson，forafewdays，andthereafterpaidnoattentiontothem。They，ontheirside，didnotappeareventoseehim。
Theyconversedtogetherwithapeacefulandindifferentair。Thegirlchatteredincessantlyandmerrily。Theoldmantalkedbutlittle，and，attimes，hefixedonhereyesoverflowingwithanineffablepaternity。
Mariushadacquiredthemechanicalhabitofstrollinginthatwalk。
Heinvariablyfoundthemthere。
Thisisthewaythingswent:——
Mariuslikedtoarrivebytheendofthealleywhichwasfurthestfromtheirbench；hewalkedthewholelengthofthealley，passedinfrontofthem，thenreturnedtotheextremitywhencehehadcome，andbeganagain。Thishedidfiveorsixtimesinthecourseofhispromenade，andthepromenadewastakenfiveorsixtimesaweek，withoutitshavingoccurredtohimortothesepeopletoexchangeagreeting。Thatpersonage，andthatyounggirl，althoughtheyappeared，——andperhapsbecausetheyappeared，——
toshunallglances，had，naturally，causedsomeattentiononthepartofthefiveorsixstudentswhostrolledalongthePepinierefromtimetotime；thestudiousaftertheirlectures，theothersaftertheirgameofbilliards。Courfeyrac，whowasamongthelast，hadobservedthemseveraltimes，but，findingthegirlhomely，hehadspeedilyandcarefullykeptoutoftheway。Hehadfled，dischargingatthemasobriquet，likeaParthiandart。
Impressedsolelywiththechild’sgownandtheoldman’shair，hehaddubbedthedaughterMademoiselleLanoire，andthefather，MonsieurLeblanc，sothatasnooneknewthemunderanyothertitle，thisnicknamebecamealawinthedefaultofanyothername。
Thestudentssaid:"Ah！MonsieurLeblancisonhisbench。"
AndMarius，liketherest，hadfounditconvenienttocallthisunknowngentlemanMonsieurLeblanc。
Weshallfollowtheirexample，andweshallsayM。Leblanc，inordertofacilitatethistale。
SoMariussawthemnearlyeveryday，atthesamehour，duringthefirstyear。Hefoundthemantohistaste，butthegirlinsipid。
CHAPTERII
LUXFACTAEST
Duringthesecondyear，preciselyatthepointinthishistorywhichthereaderhasnowreached，itchancedthatthishabitoftheLuxembourgwasinterrupted，withoutMariushimselfbeingquiteawarewhy，andnearlysixmonthselapsed，duringwhichhedidnotsetfootinthealley。Oneday，atlast，hereturnedthitheroncemore；
itwasaserenesummermorning，andMariuswasinjoyousmood，asoneiswhentheweatherisfine。Itseemedtohimthathehadinhisheartallthesongsofthebirdsthathewaslisteningto，andallthebitsofblueskyofwhichhecaughtglimpsesthroughtheleavesofthetrees。
Hewentstraightto"hisalley，"andwhenhereachedtheendofitheperceived，stillonthesamebench，thatwell—knowncouple。
Only，whenheapproached，itcertainlywasthesameman；butitseemedtohimthatitwasnolongerthesamegirl。Thepersonwhomhenowbeheldwasatallandbeautifulcreature，possessedofallthemostcharminglinesofawomanattheprecisemomentwhentheyarestillcombinedwithallthemostingenuousgracesofthechild；apureandfugitivemoment，whichcanbeexpressedonlybythesetwowords，——
"fifteenyears。"Shehadwonderfulbrownhair，shadedwiththreadsofgold，abrowthatseemedmadeofmarble，cheeksthatseemedmadeofrose—leaf，apaleflush，anagitatedwhiteness，anexquisitemouth，whencesmilesdartedlikesunbeams，andwordslikemusic，aheadsuchasRaphaelwouldhavegiventoMary，setuponaneckthatJeanGoujonwouldhaveattributedtoaVenus。And，inorderthatnothingmightbelackingtothisbewitchingface，hernosewasnothandsome——
itwaspretty；neitherstraightnorcurved，neitherItaliannorGreek；
itwastheParisiannose，thatistosay，spiritual，delicate，irregular，pure，——whichdrivespainterstodespair，andcharmspoets。
WhenMariuspassednearher，hecouldnotseehereyes，whichwereconstantlylowered。Hesawonlyherlongchestnutlashes，permeatedwithshadowandmodesty。
Thisdidnotpreventthebeautifulchildfromsmilingasshelistenedtowhatthewhite—hairedoldmanwassayingtoher，andnothingcouldbemorefascinatingthanthatfreshsmile，combinedwiththosedroopingeyes。
Foramoment，Mariusthoughtthatshewasanotherdaughterofthesameman，asisteroftheformer，nodoubt。Butwhentheinvariablehabitofhisstrollbroughthim，forthesecondtime，nearthebench，andhehadexaminedherattentively，herecognizedherasthesame。
Insixmonthsthelittlegirlhadbecomeayoungmaiden；thatwasall。
Nothingismorefrequentthanthisphenomenon。Thereisamomentwhengirlsblossomoutinthetwinklingofaneye，andbecomerosesallatonce。Oneleftthemchildrenbutyesterday；today，onefindsthemdisquietingtothefeelings。
Thischildhadnotonlygrown，shehadbecomeidealized。
AsthreedaysinAprilsufficetocovercertaintreeswithflowers，sixmonthshadsufficedtoclotheherwithbeauty。HerAprilhadarrived。
Onesometimesseespeople，who，poorandmean，seemtowakeup，passsuddenlyfromindigencetoluxury，indulgeinexpendituresofallsorts，andbecomedazzling，prodigal，magnificent，allofasudden。Thatistheresultofhavingpocketedanincome；anotefelldueyesterday。Theyounggirlhadreceivedherquarterlyincome。
Andthen，shewasnolongertheschool—girlwithherfelthat，hermerinogown，herscholar’sshoes，andredhands；tastehadcometoherwithbeauty；shewasawell—dressedperson，cladwithasortofrichandsimpleelegance，andwithoutaffectation。
Sheworeadressofblackdamask，acapeofthesamematerial，andabonnetofwhitecrape。Herwhiteglovesdisplayedthedelicacyofthehandwhichtoyedwiththecarved，Chineseivoryhandleofaparasol，andhersilkenshoeoutlinedthesmallnessofherfoot。
Whenonepassednearher，herwholetoiletteexhaledayouthfulandpenetratingperfume。
Asfortheman，hewasthesameasusual。
ThesecondtimethatMariusapproachedher，theyounggirlraisedhereyelids；hereyeswereofadeep，celestialblue，butinthatveiledazure，therewas，asyet，nothingbuttheglanceofachild。
ShelookedatMariusindifferently，asshewouldhavestaredatthebratrunningbeneaththesycamores，orthemarblevasewhichcastashadowonthebench，andMarius，onhisside，continuedhispromenade，andthoughtaboutsomethingelse。
Hepassednearthebenchwheretheyounggirlsat，fiveorsixtimes，butwithouteventurninghiseyesinherdirection。
Onthefollowingdays，hereturned，aswashiswont，totheLuxembourg；
asusual，hefoundthere"thefatheranddaughter；"buthepaidnofurtherattentiontothem。Hethoughtnomoreaboutthegirlnowthatshewasbeautifulthanhehadwhenshewashomely。
Hepassedverynearthebenchwhereshesat，becausesuchwashishabit。
CHAPTERIII
EFFECTOFTHESPRING
Oneday，theairwaswarm，theLuxembourgwasinundatedwithlightandshade，theskywasaspureasthoughtheangelshadwasheditthatmorning，thesparrowsweregivingventtolittletwittersinthedepthsofthechestnut—trees。Mariushadthrownopenhiswholesoultonature，hewasnotthinkingofanything，hesimplylivedandbreathed，hepassednearthebench，theyounggirlraisedhereyestohim，thetwoglancesmet。
Whatwasthereintheyounggirl’sglanceonthisoccasion？
Mariuscouldnothavetold。Therewasnothingandtherewaseverything。
Itwasastrangeflash。
Shedroppedhereyes，andhepursuedhisway。
Whathehadjustseenwasnolongertheingenuousandsimpleeyeofachild；itwasamysteriousgulfwhichhadhalfopened，thenabruptlyclosedagain。
Therecomesadaywhentheyounggirlglancesinthismanner。
Woetohimwhochancestobethere！
Thatfirstgazeofasoulwhichdoesnot，asyet，knowitself，islikethedawninthesky。Itistheawakeningofsomethingradiantandstrange。Nothingcangiveanyideaofthedangerouscharmofthatunexpectedgleam，whichflashessuddenlyandvaguelyforthfromadorableshadows，andwhichiscomposedofalltheinnocenceofthepresent，andofallthepassionofthefuture。
Itisasortofundecidedtendernesswhichrevealsitselfbychance，andwhichwaits。Itisasnarewhichtheinnocentmaidensetsunknowntoherself，andinwhichshecapturesheartswithouteitherwishingorknowingit。Itisavirginlookinglikeawoman。
Itisrarethataprofoundreverydoesnotspringfromthatglance，whereitfalls。Allpuritiesandallcandorsmeetinthatcelestialandfatalgleamwhich，morethanallthebest—plannedtenderglancesofcoquettes，possessesthemagicpowerofcausingthesuddenblossoming，inthedepthsofthesoul，ofthatsombreflower，impregnatedwithperfumeandwithpoison，whichiscalledlove。
Thatevening，onhisreturntohisgarret，Mariuscasthiseyesoverhisgarments，andperceived，forthefirsttime，thathehadbeensoslovenly，indecorous，andinconceivablystupidastogoforhiswalkintheLuxembourgwithhis"every—dayclothes，"thatistosay，withahatbatteredneartheband，coarsecarter’sboots，blacktrouserswhichshowedwhiteattheknees，andablackcoatwhichwaspaleattheelbows。
CHAPTERIV
BEGINNINGOFAGREATMALADY
Onthefollowingday，attheaccustomedhour，Mariusdrewfromhiswardrobehisnewcoat，hisnewtrousers，hisnewhat，andhisnewboots；
heclothedhimselfinthiscompletepanoply，putonhisgloves，atremendousluxury，andsetofffortheLuxembourg。
Onthewaythither，heencounteredCourfeyrac，andpretendednottoseehim。Courfeyrac，onhisreturnhome，saidtohisfriends:——
"IhavejustmetMarius’newhatandnewcoat，withMariusinsidethem。Hewasgoingtopassanexamination，nodoubt。
Helookedutterlystupid。"
OnarrivingattheLuxembourg，Mariusmadethetourofthefountainbasin，andstaredattheswans；thenheremainedforalongtimeincontemplationbeforeastatuewhoseheadwasperfectlyblackwithmould，andoneofwhosehipswasmissing。Nearthebasintherewasabourgeoisfortyyearsofage，withaprominentstomach，whowasholdingbythehandalittleurchinoffive，andsayingtohim:"Shunexcess，myson，keepatanequaldistancefromdespotismandfromanarchy。"Mariuslistenedtothisbourgeois。
Thenhemadethecircuitofthebasinoncemore。Atlasthedirectedhiscoursetowards"hisalley，"slowly，andasifwithregret。
Onewouldhavesaidthathewasbothforcedtogothereandwithheldfromdoingso。Hedidnotperceiveithimself，andthoughtthathewasdoingashealwaysdid。
Onturningintothewalk，hesawM。Leblancandtheyounggirlattheotherend，"ontheirbench。"Hebuttonedhiscoatuptotheverytop，pulleditdownonhisbodysothattheremightbenowrinkles，examined，withacertaincomplaisance，thelustrousgleamsofhistrousers，andmarchedonthebench。Thismarchsavoredofanattack，andcertainlyofadesireforconquest。SoIsaythathemarchedonthebench，asIshouldsay:"HannibalmarchedonRome。"
However，allhismovementswerepurelymechanical，andhehadinterruptednoneofthehabitualpreoccupationsofhismindandlabors。Atthatmoment，hewasthinkingthattheManuelduBaccalaureatwasastupidbook，andthatitmusthavebeendrawnupbyrareidiots，toallowofthreetragediesofRacineandonlyonecomedyofMolierebeinganalyzedthereinasmasterpiecesofthehumanmind。Therewasapiercingwhistlinggoingoninhisears。
Asheapproachedthebench，heheldfasttothefoldsinhiscoat，andfixedhiseyesontheyounggirl。Itseemedtohimthatshefilledtheentireextremityofthealleywithavaguebluelight。
Inproportionashedrewnear，hispaceslackenedmoreandmore。
Onarrivingatsomelittledistancefromthebench，andlongbeforehehadreachedtheendofthewalk，hehalted，andcouldnotexplaintohimselfwhyheretracedhissteps。Hedidnotevensaytohimselfthathewouldnotgoasfarastheend。Itwasonlywithdifficultythattheyounggirlcouldhaveperceivedhiminthedistanceandnotedhisfineappearanceinhisnewclothes。Nevertheless，heheldhimselfveryerect，incaseanyoneshouldbelookingathimfrombehind。
Heattainedtheoppositeend，thencameback，andthistimeheapproachedalittlenearertothebench。Heevengottowithinthreeintervalsoftrees，buttherehefeltanindescribableimpossibilityofproceedingfurther，andhehesitated。Hethoughthesawtheyounggirl’sfacebendingtowardshim。Butheexertedamanlyandviolenteffort，subduedhishesitation，andwalkedstraightahead。Afewsecondslater，herushedinfrontofthebench，erectandfirm，reddeningtotheveryears，withoutdaringtocastaglanceeithertotherightortotheleft，withhishandthrustintohiscoatlikeastatesman。Atthemomentwhenhepassed，——
underthecannonoftheplace，——hefelthisheartbeatwildly。
Asontheprecedingday，sheworeherdamaskgownandhercrapebonnet。
Heheardanineffablevoice，whichmusthavebeen"hervoice。"
Shewastalkingtranquilly。Shewasverypretty。Hefeltit，althoughhemadenoattempttoseeher。"Shecouldnot，however，"
hethought，"helpfeelingesteemandconsiderationforme，ifsheonlyknewthatIamtheveritableauthorofthedissertationonMarcosObregondelaRonde，whichM。FrancoisdeNeufchateauput，asthoughitwerehisown，attheheadofhiseditionofGilBlas。"
Hewentbeyondthebenchasfarastheextremityofthewalk，whichwasverynear，thenturnedonhisheelandpassedoncemoreinfrontofthelovelygirl。Thistime，hewasverypale。
Moreover，allhisemotionsweredisagreeable。Ashewentfurtherfromthebenchandtheyounggirl，andwhilehisbackwasturnedtoher，hefanciedthatshewasgazingafterhim，andthatmadehimstumble。
Hedidnotattempttoapproachthebenchagain；hehaltednearthemiddleofthewalk，andthere，athingwhichheneverdid，hesatdown，andreflectinginthemostprofoundlyindistinctdepthsofhisspirit，thatafterall，itwashardthatpersonswhosewhitebonnetandblackgownheadmiredshouldbeabsolutelyinsensibletohissplendidtrousersandhisnewcoat。
Attheexpirationofaquarterofanhour，herose，asthoughhewereonthepointofagainbeginninghismarchtowardsthatbenchwhichwassurroundedbyanaureole。Butheremainedstandingthere，motionless。Forthefirsttimeinfifteenmonths，hesaidtohimselfthatthatgentlemanwhosatthereeverydaywithhisdaughter，had，onhisside，noticedhim，andprobablyconsideredhisassiduitysingular。
Forthefirsttime，also，hewasconsciousofsomeirreverenceindesignatingthatstranger，eveninhissecretthoughts，bythesobriquetofM。leBlanc。
Hestoodthusforseveralminutes，withdroopinghead，tracingfiguresinthesand，withthecanewhichheheldinhishand。
Thenheturnedabruptlyinthedirectionoppositetothebench，toM。Leblancandhisdaughter，andwenthome。
Thatdayheforgottodine。Ateighto’clockintheeveningheperceivedthisfact，andasitwastoolatetogodowntotheRueSaint—Jacques，hesaid:"Nevermind！"andateabitofbread。
Hedidnotgotobeduntilhehadbrushedhiscoatandfoldeditupwithgreatcare。
CHAPTERV
DIVRSCLAPSOFTHUNDERFALLONMA’AMBOUGON
Onthefollowingday，Ma’amBougon，asCourfeyracstyledtheoldportress—principal—tenant，housekeeperoftheGorbeauhovel，Ma’amBougon，whosenamewas，inreality，MadameBurgon，aswehavefoundout，butthisiconoclast，Courfeyrac，respectednothing，——
Ma’amBougonobserved，withstupefaction，thatM。Mariuswasgoingoutagaininhisnewcoat。
HewenttotheLuxembourgagain，buthedidnotproceedfurtherthanhisbenchmidwayofthealley。Heseatedhimselfthere，asontheprecedingday，surveyingfromadistance，andclearlymakingout，thewhitebonnet，theblackdress，andaboveall，thatbluelight。
Hedidnotstirfromit，andonlywenthomewhenthegatesoftheLuxembourgclosed。HedidnotseeM。Leblancandhisdaughterretire。
HeconcludedthattheyhadquittedthegardenbythegateontheRuedel’Ouest。Lateron，severalweeksafterwards，whenhecametothinkitover，hecouldneverrecallwherehehaddinedthatevening。
Onthefollowingday，whichwasthethird，Ma’amBougonwasthunderstruck。Mariuswentoutinhisnewcoat。
"Threedaysinsuccession！"sheexclaimed。
Shetriedtofollowhim，butMariuswalkedbriskly，andwithimmensestrides；itwasahippopotamusundertakingthepursuitofachamois。
Shelostsightofhimintwominutes，andreturnedbreathless，three—quarterschokedwithasthma，andfurious。"Ifthereisanysense，"shegrowled，"inputtingonone’sbestclotheseveryday，andmakingpeoplerunlikethis！"
MariusbetookhimselftotheLuxembourg。
TheyounggirlwastherewithM。Leblanc。Mariusapproachedasnearashecould，pretendingtobebusyreadingabook，buthehaltedafaroff，thenreturnedandseatedhimselfonhisbench，wherehespentfourhoursinwatchingthehouse—sparrowswhowereskippingaboutthewalk，andwhoproducedonhimtheimpressionthattheyweremakingsportofhim。
Afortnightpassedthus。MariuswenttotheLuxembourgnolongerforthesakeofstrollingthere，buttoseathimselfalwaysinthesamespot，andthatwithoutknowingwhy。Oncearrivedthere，hedidnotstir。Heputonhisnewcoateverymorning，forthepurposeofnotshowinghimself，andhebeganalloveragainonthemorrow。
Shewasdecidedlyamarvellousbeauty。Theonlyremarkapproachingacriticism，thatcouldbemade，was，thatthecontradictionbetweenhergaze，whichwasmelancholy，andhersmile，whichwasmerry，gavearatherwildeffecttoherface，whichsometimescausedthissweetcountenancetobecomestrangewithoutceasingtobecharming。
CHAPTERVI
TAKENPRISONER
Ononeofthelastdaysofthesecondweek，Mariuswasseatedonhisbench，asusual，holdinginhishandanopenbook，ofwhichhehadnotturnedapageforthelasttwohours。Allatoncehestarted。
Aneventwastakingplaceattheotherextremityofthewalk。
Leblancandhisdaughterhadjustlefttheirseat，andthedaughterhadtakenherfather’sarm，andbothwereadvancingslowly，towardsthemiddleofthealleywhereMariuswas。Mariusclosedhisbook，thenopeneditagain，thenforcedhimselftoread；hetrembled；
theaureolewascomingstraighttowardshim。"Ah！goodHeavens！"
thoughthe，"Ishallnothavetimetostrikeanattitude。"
Stillthewhite—hairedmanandthegirladvanced。Itseemedtohimthatthislastedforacentury，andthatitwasbutasecond。
"Whataretheycominginthisdirectionfor？"heaskedhimself。
"What！Shewillpasshere？Herfeetwilltreadthissand，thiswalk，twopacesfromme？"Hewasutterlyupset，hewouldhavelikedtobeveryhandsome，hewouldhavelikedtoownthecross。
Heheardthesoftandmeasuredsoundoftheirapproachingfootsteps。
HeimaginedthatM。Leblancwasdartingangryglancesathim。
"Isthatgentlemangoingtoaddressme？"hethoughttohimself。
Hedroppedhishead；whenheraiseditagain，theywereverynearhim。
Theyounggirlpassed，andasshepassed，sheglancedathim。
Shegazedsteadilyathim，withapensivesweetnesswhichthrilledMariusfromheadtofoot。Itseemedtohimthatshewasreproachinghimforhavingallowedsolongatimetoelapsewithoutcomingasfarasher，andthatshewassayingtohim:"Iamcomingmyself。"Mariuswasdazzledbythoseeyesfraughtwithraysandabysses。
Hefelthisbrainonfire。Shehadcometohim，whatjoy！
Andthen，howshehadlookedathim！Sheappearedtohimmorebeautifulthanhehadeverseenheryet。Beautifulwithabeautywhichwaswhollyfeminineandangelic，withacompletebeautywhichwouldhavemadePetrarchsingandDantekneel。Itseemedtohimthathewasfloatingfreeintheazureheavens。Atthesametime，hewashorriblyvexedbecausetherewasdustonhisboots。
Hethoughthefeltsurethatshehadlookedathisbootstoo。
Hefollowedherwithhiseyesuntilshedisappeared。ThenhestartedupandwalkedabouttheLuxembourggardenlikeamadman。
Itispossiblethat，attimes，helaughedtohimselfandtalkedaloud。
Hewassodreamywhenhecamenearthechildren’snurses，thateachoneofthemthoughthiminlovewithher。
HequittedtheLuxembourg，hopingtofindheragaininthestreet。
HeencounteredCourfeyracunderthearcadesoftheOdeon，andsaidtohim:"Comeanddinewithme。"TheywentofftoRousseau’sandspentsixfrancs。Mariusatelikeanogre。Hegavethewaitersixsous。
Atdessert，hesaidtoCourfeyrac。"Haveyoureadthepaper？
WhatafinediscourseAudrydePuyraveaudelivered！"
Hewasdesperatelyinlove。
Afterdinner，hesaidtoCourfeyrac:"Iwilltreatyoutotheplay。"
TheywenttothePorte—Sainte—MartintoseeFrederickinl’AubergedesAdrets。Mariuswasenormouslyamused。
Atthesametime，hehadaredoubledattackofshyness。
Onemergingfromthetheatre，herefusedtolookatthegarterofamodistewhowassteppingacrossagutter，andCourfeyrac，whosaid:"Ishouldliketoputthatwomaninmycollection，"
almosthorrifiedhim。
CourfeyracinvitedhimtobreakfastattheCafeVoltaireonthefollowingmorning。Mariuswentthither，andateevenmorethanontheprecedingevening。Hewasverythoughtfulandverymerry。
Onewouldhavesaidthathewastakingadvantageofeveryoccasiontolaughuproariously。Hetenderlyembracedsomemanorotherfromtheprovinces，whowaspresentedtohim。Acircleofstudentsformedroundthetable，andtheyspokeofthenonsensepaidforbytheStatewhichwasutteredfromtherostrumintheSorbonne，thentheconversationfelluponthefaultsandomissionsinGuicherat’sdictionariesandgrammars。Mariusinterruptedthediscussiontoexclaim:"Butitisveryagreeable，allthesametohavethecross！"
"That’squeer！"whisperedCourfeyractoJeanProuvaire。
"No，"respondedProuvaire，"that’sserious。"
Itwasserious；infact，Mariushadreachedthatfirstviolentandcharminghourwithwhichgrandpassionsbegin。
Aglancehadwroughtallthis。
Whenthemineischarged，whentheconflagrationisready，nothingismoresimple。Aglanceisaspark。
Itwasalloverwithhim。Mariuslovedawoman。Hisfatewasenteringtheunknown。
Theglanceofwomenresemblescertaincombinationsofwheels，whicharetranquilinappearanceyetformidable。Youpassclosetothemeveryday，peaceablyandwithimpunity，andwithoutasuspicionofanything。Amomentarriveswhenyouforgetthatthethingisthere。Yougoandcome，dream，speak，laugh。Allatonceyoufeelyourselfclutched；allisover。Thewheelsholdyoufast，theglancehasensnaredyou。Ithascaughtyou，nomatterwhereorhow，bysomeportionofyourthoughtwhichwasflutteringloose，bysomedistractionwhichhadattackedyou。Youarelost。Thewholeofyoupassesintoit。Achainofmysteriousforcestakespossessionofyou。Youstruggleinvain；nomorehumansuccorispossible。
Yougoonfallingfromgearingtogearing，fromagonytoagony，fromtorturetotorture，you，yourmind，yourfortune，yourfuture，yoursoul；and，accordingtowhetheryouareinthepowerofawickedcreature，orofanobleheart，youwillnotescapefromthisterrifyingmachineotherwisethandisfiguredwithshame，ortransfiguredbypassion。
CHAPTERVII
ADVENTURESOFTHELETTERUDELIVEREDOVERTOCONJECTURES
Isolation，detachment，fromeverything，pride，independence，thetasteofnature，theabsenceofdailyandmaterialactivity，thelifewithinhimself，thesecretconflictsofchastity，abenevolentecstasytowardsallcreation，hadpreparedMariusforthispossessionwhichiscalledpassion。Hisworshipofhisfatherhadgraduallybecomeareligion，and，likeallreligions，ithadretreatedtothedepthsofhissoul。Somethingwasrequiredintheforeground。Lovecame。
Afullmonthelapsed，duringwhichMariuswenteverydaytotheLuxembourg。Whenthehourarrived，nothingcouldholdhimback。——"Heisonduty，"saidCourfeyrac。Mariuslivedinastateofdelight。Itiscertainthattheyounggirldidlookathim。
Hehadfinallygrownbold，andapproachedthebench。Still，hedidnotpassinfrontofitanymore，inobediencetotheinstinctoftimidityandtotheinstinctofprudencecommontolovers。
Heconsidereditbetternottoattract"theattentionofthefather。"
Hecombinedhisstationsbehindthetreesandthepedestalsofthestatueswithaprofounddiplomacy，sothathemightbeseenasmuchaspossiblebytheyounggirlandaslittleaspossiblebytheoldgentleman。Sometimes，heremainedmotionlessbythehalf—hourtogetherintheshadeofaLeonidasoraSpartacus，holdinginhishandabook，abovewhichhiseyes，gentlyraised，soughtthebeautifulgirl，andshe，onherside，turnedhercharmingprofiletowardshimwithavaguesmile。Whileconversinginthemostnaturalandtranquilmannerintheworldwiththewhite—hairedman，shebentuponMariusallthereveriesofavirginalandpassionateeye。
Ancientandtime—honoredmanoeuvrewhichEveunderstoodfromtheveryfirstdayoftheworld，andwhicheverywomanunderstandsfromtheveryfirstdayofherlife！hermouthrepliedtoone，andherglancerepliedtoanother。
Itmustbesupposed，thatM。Leblancfinallynoticedsomething，foroften，whenMariusarrived，heroseandbegantowalkabout。
HehadabandonedtheiraccustomedplaceandhadadoptedthebenchbytheGladiator，neartheotherendofthewalk，asthoughwiththeobjectofseeingwhetherMariuswouldpursuethemthither。
Mariusdidnotunderstand，andcommittedthiserror。"Thefather"
begantogrowinexact，andnolongerbrought"hisdaughter"
everyday。Sometimes，hecamealone。ThenMariusdidnotstay。
Anotherblunder。
Mariuspaidnoheedtothesesymptoms。Fromthephaseoftimidity，hehadpassed，byanaturalandfatalprogress，tothephaseofblindness。Hisloveincreased。Hedreamedofiteverynight。
Andthen，anunexpectedblisshadhappenedtohim，oilonthefire，aredoublingoftheshadowsoverhiseyes。Oneevening，atdusk，hehadfound，onthebenchwhich"M。Leblancandhisdaughter"
hadjustquitted，ahandkerchief，averysimplehandkerchief，withoutembroidery，butwhite，andfine，andwhichseemedtohimtoexhaleineffableperfume。Heseizeditwithrapture。
ThishandkerchiefwasmarkedwiththelettersU。F。Mariusknewnothingaboutthisbeautifulchild，——neitherherfamilyname，herChristiannamenorherabode；thesetwoletterswerethefirstthingofherthathehadgainedpossessionof，adorableinitials，uponwhichheimmediatelybegantoconstructhisscaffolding。
UwasevidentlytheChristianname。"Ursule！"hethought，"whatadeliciousname！"Hekissedthehandkerchief，drankitin，placeditonhisheart，onhisflesh，duringtheday，andatnight，laiditbeneathhislipsthathemightfallasleeponit。
"Ifeelthatherwholesoullieswithinit！"heexclaimed。
Thishandkerchiefbelongedtotheoldgentleman，whohadsimplyletitfallfromhispocket。
Inthedayswhichfollowedthefindingofthistreasure，heonlydisplayedhimselfattheLuxembourgintheactofkissingthehandkerchiefandlayingitonhisheart。Thebeautifulchildunderstoodnothingofallthis，andsignifiedittohimbyimperceptiblesigns。
"Omodesty！"saidMarius。
CHAPTERVIII
THEVETERANSTHEMSELVESCANBEHAPPY
Sincewehavepronouncedthewordmodesty，andsinceweconcealnothing，weoughttosaythatonce，nevertheless，inspiteofhisecstasies，"hisUrsule"causedhimveryseriousgrief。ItwasononeofthedayswhenshepersuadedM。Leblanctoleavethebenchandstrollalongthewalk。AbriskMaybreezewasblowing，whichswayedthecrestsoftheplaintain—trees。Thefatheranddaughter，arminarm，hadjustpassedMarius’bench。Mariushadrisentohisfeetbehindthem，andwasfollowingthemwithhiseyes，aswasfittinginthedesperatesituationofhissoul。
Allatonce，agustofwind，moremerrythantherest，andprobablychargedwithperformingtheaffairsofSpringtime，sweptdownfromthenursery，flungitselfonthealley，envelopedtheyounggirlinadeliciousshiver，worthyofVirgil’snymphs，andthefawnsofTheocritus，andliftedherdress，therobemoresacredthanthatofIsis，almosttotheheightofhergarter。Alegofexquisiteshapeappeared。Mariussawit。Hewasexasperatedandfurious。
Theyounggirlhadhastilythrustdownherdress，withadivinelytroubledmotion，buthewasnonethelessangryforallthat。Hewasaloneinthealley，itistrue。Buttheremighthavebeensomeonethere。
Andwhatiftherehadbeensomeonethere！Cananyonecomprehendsuchathing？Whatshehadjustdoneishorrible！——Alas，thepoorchildhaddonenothing；therehadbeenbutoneculprit，thewind；
butMarius，inwhomquiveredtheBartholowhoexistsinCherubin，wasdeterminedtobevexed，andwasjealousofhisownshadow。
Itisthus，infact，thattheharshandcapriciousjealousyofthefleshawakensinthehumanheart，andtakespossessionofit，evenwithoutanyright。Moreover，settingasideeventhatjealousy，thesightofthatcharmingleghadcontainednothingagreeableforhim；
thewhitestockingofthefirstwomanhechancedtomeetwouldhaveaffordedhimmorepleasure。