CHAPTERIV
DETAILSCONCERNINGTHECHEESE—DAIRIESOFPONTARLIER。
Now，inordertoconveyanideaofwhatpassedatthattable，wecannotdobetterthantotranscribehereapassagefromoneofMademoiselleBaptistine’sletterstoMadameBoischevron，whereintheconversationbetweentheconvictandtheBishopisdescribedwithingeniousminuteness。
"……Thismanpaidnoattentiontoanyone。Heatewiththevoracityofastarvingman。However，aftersupperhesaid:
"`MonsieurleCureofthegoodGod，allthisisfartoogoodforme；
butImustsaythatthecarterswhowouldnotallowmetoeatwiththemkeepabettertablethanyoudo。’
"Betweenourselves，theremarkrathershockedme。Mybrotherreplied:——
"`TheyaremorefatiguedthanI。’
"`No，’returnedtheman，`theyhavemoremoney。Youarepoor；
Iseethatplainly。Youcannotbeevenacurate。Areyoureallyacure？Ah，ifthegoodGodwerebutjust，youcertainlyoughttobeacure！’
"`ThegoodGodismorethanjust，’saidmybrother。
"Amomentlaterheadded:——
"`MonsieurJeanValjean，isittoPontarlierthatyouaregoing？’
"`Withmyroadmarkedoutforme。’
"Ithinkthatiswhatthemansaid。Thenhewenton:——
"`Imustbeonmywaybydaybreakto—morrow。Travellingishard。
Ifthenightsarecold，thedaysarehot。’
"`Youaregoingtoagoodcountry，’saidmybrother。`DuringtheRevolutionmyfamilywasruined。ItookrefugeinFranche—Comteatfirst，andthereIlivedforsometimebythetoilofmyhands。
Mywillwasgood。Ifoundplentytooccupyme。Onehasonlytochoose。
Therearepapermills，tanneries，distilleries，oilfactories，watchfactoriesonalargescale，steelmills，copperworks，twentyironfoundriesatleast，fourofwhich，situatedatLods，atChatillon，atAudincourt，andatBeure，aretolerablylarge。’
"IthinkIamnotmistakeninsayingthatthosearethenameswhichmybrothermentioned。Thenheinterruptedhimselfandaddressedme:——
"`Havewenotsomerelativesinthoseparts，mydearsister？’
"Ireplied，——
"`Wedidhavesome；amongothers，M。deLucenet，whowascaptainofthegatesatPontarlierundertheoldregime。’
"`Yes，’resumedmybrother；`butin’93，onehadnolongeranyrelatives，onehadonlyone’sarms。Iworked。Theyhave，inthecountryofPontarlier，whitheryouaregoing，MonsieurValjean，atrulypatriarchalandtrulycharmingindustry，mysister。
Itistheircheese—dairies，whichtheycallfruitieres。’
"Thenmybrother，whileurgingthemantoeat，explainedtohim，withgreatminuteness，whatthesefruitieresofPontarlierwere；
thattheyweredividedintotwoclasses:thebigbarnswhichbelongtotherich，andwheretherearefortyorfiftycowswhichproducefromseventoeightthousandcheeseseachsummer，andtheassociatedfruitieres，whichbelongtothepoor；thesearethepeasantsofmid—mountain，whoholdtheircowsincommon，andsharetheproceeds。
`Theyengagetheservicesofacheese—maker，whomtheycallthegrurin；
thegrurinreceivesthemilkoftheassociatesthreetimesaday，andmarksthequantityonadoubletally。ItistowardstheendofAprilthattheworkofthecheese—dairiesbegins；itistowardsthemiddleofJunethatthecheese—makersdrivetheircowstothemountains。’
"Themanrecoveredhisanimationasheate。MybrothermadehimdrinkthatgoodMauveswine，whichhedoesnotdrinkhimself，becausehesaysthatwineisexpensive。Mybrotherimpartedallthesedetailswiththateasygayetyofhiswithwhichyouareacquainted，interspersinghiswordswithgracefulattentionstome。Herecurredfrequentlytothatcomfortabletradeofgrurin，asthoughhewishedthemantounderstand，withoutadvisinghimdirectlyandharshly，thatthiswouldaffordhimarefuge。Onethingstruckme。
ThismanwaswhatIhavetoldyou。Well，neitherduringsupper，norduringtheentireevening，didmybrotherutterasingleword，withtheexceptionofafewwordsaboutJesuswhenheentered，whichcouldremindthemanofwhathewas，norofwhatmybrotherwas。
Toallappearances，itwasanoccasionforpreachinghimalittlesermon，andofimpressingtheBishopontheconvict，sothatamarkofthepassagemightremainbehind。Thismighthaveappearedtoanyoneelsewhohadthis，unfortunatemaninhishandstoaffordachancetonourishhissoulaswellashisbody，andtobestowuponhimsomereproach，seasonedwithmoralizingandadvice，oralittlecommiseration，withanexhortationtoconducthimselfbetterinthefuture。
Mybrotherdidnotevenaskhimfromwhatcountryhecame，norwhatwashishistory。Forinhishistorythereisafault，andmybrotherseemedtoavoideverythingwhichcouldremindhimofit。Tosuchapointdidhecarryit，thatatonetime，whenmybrotherwasspeakingofthemountaineersofPontarlier，whoexerciseagentlelabornearheaven，andwho，headded，arehappybecausetheyareinnocent，hestoppedshort，fearinglestinthisremarktheremighthaveescapedhimsomethingwhichmightwoundtheman。
Bydintofreflection，IthinkIhavecomprehendedwhatwaspassinginmybrother’sheart。Hewasthinking，nodoubt，thatthisman，whosenameisJeanValjean，hadhismisfortuneonlytoovividlypresentinhismind；thatthebestthingwastodiverthimfromit，andtomakehimbelieve，ifonlymomentarily，thathewasapersonlikeanyother，bytreatinghimjustinhisordinaryway。Isnotthisindeed，tounderstandcharitywell？Istherenot，dearMadame，somethingtrulyevangelicalinthisdelicacywhichabstainsfromsermon，frommoralizing，fromallusions？andisnotthetruestpity，whenamanhasasorepoint，nottotouchitatall？Ithasseemedtomethatthismighthavebeenmybrother’sprivatethought。
Inanycase，whatIcansayisthat，ifheentertainedalltheseideas，hegavenosignofthem；frombeginningtoend，eventomehewasthesameasheiseveryevening，andhesuppedwiththisJeanValjeanwiththesameairandinthesamemannerinwhichhewouldhavesuppedwithM。GedeonleProvost，orwiththecurateoftheparish。
"Towardstheend，whenhehadreachedthefigs，therecameaknockatthedoor。ItwasMotherGerbaud，withherlittleoneinherarms。
Mybrotherkissedthechildonthebrow，andborrowedfifteensouswhichIhadaboutmetogivetoMotherGerbaud。Themanwasnotpayingmuchheedtoanythingthen。Hewasnolongertalking，andheseemedverymuchfatigued。AfterpooroldGerbaudhadtakenherdeparture，mybrothersaidgrace；thenheturnedtothemanandsaidtohim，`Youmustbeingreatneedofyourbed。’MadameMagloireclearedthetableverypromptly。Iunderstoodthatwemustretire，inordertoallowthistravellertogotosleep，andwebothwentupstairs。Nevertheless，IsentMadameMagloiredownamomentlater，tocarrytotheman’sbedagoatskinfromtheBlackForest，whichwasinmyroom。Thenightsarefrigid，andthatkeepsonewarm。
Itisapitythatthisskinisold；allthehairisfallingout。
MybrotherboughtitwhilehewasinGermany，atTottlingen，nearthesourcesoftheDanube，aswellasthelittleivory—handledknifewhichIuseattable。
"MadameMagloirereturnedimmediately。Wesaidourprayersinthedrawing—room，wherewehangupthelinen，andthenweeachretiredtoourownchambers，withoutsayingawordtoeachother。"
CHAPTERV
TRANQUILLITY
Afterbiddinghissistergoodnight，MonseigneurBienvenutookoneofthetwosilvercandlesticksfromthetable，handedtheothertohisguest，andsaidtohim，——
"Monsieur，Iwillconductyoutoyourroom。"
Themanfollowedhim。
Asmighthavebeenobservedfromwhathasbeensaidabove，thehousewassoarrangedthatinordertopassintotheoratorywherethealcovewassituated，ortogetoutofit，itwasnecessarytotraversetheBishop’sbedroom。
Atthemomentwhenhewascrossingthisapartment，MadameMagloirewasputtingawaythesilverwareinthecupboardneartheheadofthebed。
Thiswasherlastcareeveryeveningbeforeshewenttobed。
TheBishopinstalledhisguestinthealcove。Afreshwhitebedhadbeenpreparedthere。Themansetthecandledownonasmalltable。
"Well，"saidtheBishop，"mayyoupassagoodnight。To—morrowmorning，beforeyousetout，youshalldrinkacupofwarmmilkfromourcows。"
"Thanks，Monsieurl’Abbe，"saidtheman。
Hardlyhadhepronouncedthesewordsfullofpeace，whenallofasudden，andwithouttransition，hemadeastrangemovement，whichwouldhavefrozenthetwosaintedwomenwithhorror，hadtheywitnessedit。Evenatthisdayitisdifficultforustoexplainwhatinspiredhimatthatmoment。Didheintendtoconveyawarningortothrowoutamenace？Washesimplyobeyingasortofinstinctiveimpulsewhichwasobscureeventohimself？
Heturnedabruptlytotheoldman，foldedhisarms，andbendinguponhishostasavagegaze，heexclaimedinahoarsevoice:——
"Ah！really！Youlodgemeinyourhouse，closetoyourselflikethis？"
Hebrokeoff，andaddedwithalaughinwhichtherelurkedsomethingmonstrous:——
"Haveyoureallyreflectedwell？HowdoyouknowthatIhavenotbeenanassassin？"
TheBishopreplied:——
"ThatistheconcernofthegoodGod。"
Thengravely，andmovinghislipslikeonewhoisprayingortalkingtohimself，heraisedtwofingersofhisrighthandandbestowedhisbenedictionontheman，whodidnotbow，andwithoutturninghisheadorlookingbehindhim，hereturnedtohisbedroom。
Whenthealcovewasinuse，alargesergecurtaindrawnfromwalltowallconcealedthealtar。TheBishopkneltbeforethiscurtainashepassedandsaidabriefprayer。Amomentlaterhewasinhisgarden，walking，meditating，conteplating，hisheartandsoulwhollyabsorbedinthosegrandandmysteriousthingswhichGodshowsatnighttotheeyeswhichremainopen。
Asfortheman，hewasactuallysofatiguedthathedidnotevenprofitbythenicewhitesheets。Snuffingouthiscandlewithhisnostrilsafterthemannerofconvicts，hedropped，alldressedashewas，uponthebed，whereheimmediatelyfellintoaprofoundsleep。
MidnightstruckastheBishopreturnedfromhisgardentohisapartment。
Afewminuteslaterallwereasleepinthelittlehouse。
CHAPTERVI
JEANVALJEAN
TowardsthemiddleofthenightJeanValjeanwoke。
JeanValjeancamefromapoorpeasantfamilyofBrie。Hehadnotlearnedtoreadinhischildhood。Whenhereachedman’sestate，bebecameatree—pruneratFaverolles。HismotherwasnamedJeanneMathieu；
hisfatherwascalledJeanValjeanorVlajean，probablyasobriquet，andacontractionofviolaJean，"here’sJean。"
JeanValjeanwasofthatthoughtfulbutnotgloomydispositionwhichconstitutesthepeculiarityofaffectionatenatures。
Onthewhole，however，therewassomethingdecidedlysluggishandinsignificantaboutJeanValjeaninappearance，atleast。
Hehadlosthisfatherandmotherataveryearlyage。Hismotherhaddiedofamilkfever，whichhadnotbeenproperlyattendedto。
Hisfather，atree—pruner，likehimself，hadbeenkilledbyafallfromatree。AllthatremainedtoJeanValjeanwasasisterolderthanhimself，——awidowwithsevenchildren，boysandgirls。
ThissisterhadbroughtupJeanValjean，andsolongasshehadahusbandshelodgedandfedheryoungbrother。
Thehusbanddied。Theeldestofthesevenchildrenwaseightyearsold。Theyoungest，one。
JeanValjeanhadjustattainedhistwenty—fifthyear。Hetookthefather’splace，and，inhisturn，supportedthesisterwhohadbroughthimup。ThiswasdonesimplyasadutyandevenalittlechurlishlyonthepartofJeanValjean。Thushisyouthhadbeenspentinrudeandill—paidtoil。Hehadneverknowna"kindwomanfriend"
inhisnativeparts。Hehadnothadthetimetofallinlove。
Hereturnedatnightweary，andatehisbrothwithoututteringaword。
Hissister，motherJeanne，oftentookthebestpartofhisrepastfromhisbowlwhilehewaseating，——abitofmeat，asliceofbacon，theheartofthecabbage，——togivetooneofherchildren。
Ashewentoneating，withhisheadbentoverthetableandalmostintohissoup，hislonghairfallingabouthisbowlandconcealinghiseyes，hehadtheairofperceivingnothingandallowingit。
TherewasatFaverolles，notfarfromtheValjeanthatchedcottage，ontheothersideofthelane，afarmer’swifenamedMarie—Claude；
theValjeanchildren，habituallyfamished，sometimeswenttoborrowfromMarie—Claudeapintofmilk，intheirmother’sname，whichtheydrankbehindahedgeorinsomealleycorner，snatchingthejugfromeachothersohastilythatthelittlegirlsspilleditontheirapronsanddowntheirnecks。Iftheirmotherhadknownofthismarauding，shewouldhavepunishedthedelinquentsseverely。
JeanValjeangrufflyandgrumblinglypaidMarie—Claudeforthepintofmilkbehindtheirmother’sback，andthechildrenwerenotpunished。
Inpruningseasonheearnedeighteensousaday；thenhehiredoutasahay—maker，aslaborer，asneat—herdonafarm，asadrudge。
Hedidwhateverhecould。Hissisterworkedalsobutwhatcouldshedowithsevenlittlechildren？Itwasasadgroupenvelopedinmisery，whichwasbeinggraduallyannihilated。Averyhardwintercame。
Jeanhadnowork。Thefamilyhadnobread。Nobreadliterally。
Sevenchildren！
OneSundayevening，MaubertIsabeau，thebakerontheChurchSquareatFaverolles，waspreparingtogotobed，whenheheardaviolentblowonthegratedfrontofhisshop。Hearrivedintimetoseeanarmpassedthroughaholemadebyablowfromafist，throughthegratingandtheglass。Thearmseizedaloafofbreadandcarrieditoff。Isabeauranoutinhaste；therobberfledatthefullspeedofhislegs。Isabeauranafterhimandstoppedhim。
Thethiefhadflungawaytheloaf，buthisarmwasstillbleeding。
ItwasJeanValjean。
Thistookplacein1795。JeanValjeanwastakenbeforethetribunalsofthetimefortheftandbreakingandenteringaninhabitedhouseatnight。Hehadagunwhichheusedbetterthananyoneelseintheworld，hewasabitofapoacher，andthisinjuredhiscase。Thereexistsalegitimateprejudiceagainstpoachers。
Thepoacher，likethesmuggler，smackstoostronglyofthebrigand。
Nevertheless，wewillremarkcursorily，thereisstillanabyssbetweentheseracesofmenandthehideousassassinofthetowns。
Thepoacherlivesintheforest，thesmugglerlivesinthemountainsoronthesea。Thecitiesmakeferociousmenbecausetheymakecorruptmen。Themountain，thesea，theforest，makesavagemen；
theydevelopthefierceside，butoftenwithoutdestroyingthehumaneside。
JeanValjeanwaspronouncedguilty。ThetermsoftheCodewereexplicit。Thereoccurformidablehoursinourcivilization；
therearemomentswhenthepenallawsdecreeashipwreck。
Whatanominousminuteisthatinwhichsocietydrawsbackandconsummatestheirreparableabandonmentofasentientbeing！
JeanValjeanwascondemnedtofiveyearsinthegalleys。
Onthe22dofApril，1796，thevictoryofMontenotte，wonbythegeneral—in—chiefofthearmyofItaly，whomthemessageoftheDirectorytotheFiveHundred，ofthe2dofFloreal，yearIV。，callsBuona—Parte，wasannouncedinParis；onthatsamedayagreatgangofgalley—slaveswasputinchainsatBicetre。JeanValjeanformedapartofthatgang。Anoldturnkeyoftheprison，whoisnownearlyeightyyearsold，stillrecallsperfectlythatunfortunatewretchwhowaschainedtotheendofthefourthline，inthenorthangleofthecourtyard。Hewasseatedonthegroundliketheothers。
Hedidnotseemtocomprehendhisposition，exceptthatitwashorrible。
Itisprobablethathe，also，wasdisentanglingfromamidthevagueideasofapoorman，ignorantofeverything，somethingexcessive。
Whiletheboltofhisironcollarwasbeingrivetedbehindhisheadwithheavyblowsfromthehammer，hewept，histearsstifledhim，theyimpededhisspeech；heonlymanagedtosayfromtimetotime，"Iwasatree—pruneratFaverolles。"Thenstillsobbing，heraisedhisrighthandandlowereditgraduallyseventimes，asthoughheweretouchinginsuccessionsevenheadsofunequalheights，andfromthisgestureitwasdivinedthatthethingwhichhehaddone，whateveritwas，hehaddoneforthesakeofclothingandnourishingsevenlittlechildren。
HesetoutforToulon。Hearrivedthere，afterajourneyoftwenty—sevendays，onacart，withachainonhisneck。AtToulonhewasclothedintheredcassock。Allthathadconstitutedhislife，eventohisname，waseffaced；hewasnolongerevenJeanValjean；hewasnumber24，601。Whatbecameofhissister？
Whatbecameofthesevenchildren？Whotroubledhimselfaboutthat？
Whatbecomesofthehandfulofleavesfromtheyoungtreewhichissawedoffattheroot？
Itisalwaysthesamestory。Thesepoorlivingbeings，thesecreaturesofGod，henceforthwithoutsupport，withoutguide，withoutrefuge，wanderedawayatrandom，——whoevenknows？——
eachinhisowndirectionperhaps，andlittlebylittleburiedthemselvesinthatcoldmistwhichengulfssolitarydestinies；
gloomyshades，intowhichdisappearinsuccessionsomanyunluckyheads，inthesombremarchofthehumanrace。Theyquittedthecountry。
Theclock—towerofwhathadbeentheirvillageforgotthem；theboundarylineofwhathadbeentheirfieldforgotthem；afterafewyears’
residenceinthegalleys，JeanValjeanhimselfforgotthem。
Inthatheart，wheretherehadbeenawound，therewasascar。
Thatisall。Onlyonce，duringallthetimewhichhespentatToulon，didhehearhissistermentioned。Thishappened，Ithink，towardstheendofthefourthyearofhiscaptivity。Iknownotthroughwhatchannelsthenewsreachedhim。Someonewhohadknownthemintheirowncountryhadseenhissister。ShewasinParis。
ShelivedinapoorstreetRearSaint—Sulpice，intheRueduGindre。
Shehadwithheronlyonechild，alittleboy，theyoungest。
Whereweretheothersix？Perhapsshedidnotknowherself。
Everymorningshewenttoaprintingoffice，No。3RueduSabot，whereshewasafolderandstitcher。Shewasobligedtobethereatsixo’clockinthemorning——longbeforedaylightinwinter。
Inthesamebuildingwiththeprintingofficetherewasaschool，andtothisschoolshetookherlittleboy，whowassevenyearsold。
Butassheenteredtheprintingofficeatsix，andtheschoolonlyopenedatseven，thechildhadtowaitinthecourtyard，fortheschooltoopen，foranhour——onehourofawinternightintheopenair！
Theywouldnotallowthechildtocomeintotheprintingoffice，becausehewasintheway，theysaid。Whentheworkmenpassedinthemorning，theybeheldthispoorlittlebeingseatedonthepavement，overcomewithdrowsiness，andoftenfastasleepintheshadow，croucheddownanddoubledupoverhisbasket。Whenitrained，anoldwoman，theportress，tookpityonhim；shetookhimintoherden，wheretherewasapallet，aspinning—wheel，andtwowoodenchairs，andthelittleoneslumberedinacorner，pressinghimselfclosetothecatthathemightsufferlessfromcold。Atseveno’clocktheschoolopened，andheentered。ThatiswhatwastoldtoJeanValjean。
Theytalkedtohimaboutitforoneday；itwasamoment，aflash，asthoughawindowhadsuddenlybeenopeneduponthedestinyofthosethingswhomhehadloved；thenallclosedagain。Heheardnothingmoreforever。Nothingfromthemeverreachedhimagain；
heneverbeheldthem；henevermetthemagain；andinthecontinuationofthismournfulhistorytheywillnotbemetwithanymore。
TowardstheendofthisfourthyearJeanValjean’sturntoescapearrived。Hiscomradesassistedhim，asisthecustominthatsadplace。
Heescaped。Hewanderedfortwodaysinthefieldsatliberty，ifbeingatlibertyistobehunted，toturntheheadeveryinstant，toquakeattheslightestnoise，tobeafraidofeverything，——ofasmokingroof，ofapassingman，ofabarkingdog，ofagallopinghorse，ofastrikingclock，ofthedaybecauseonecansee，ofthenightbecauseonecannotsee，ofthehighway，ofthepath，ofabush，ofsleep。Ontheeveningoftheseconddayhewascaptured。
Hehadneithereatennorsleptforthirty—sixhours。Themaritimetribunalcondemnedhim，forthiscrime，toaprolongationofhistermforthreeyears，whichmadeeightyears。Inthesixthyearhisturntoescapeoccurredagain；heavailedhimselfofit，butcouldnotaccomplishhisflightfully。Hewasmissingatroll—call。Thecannonwerefired，andatnightthepatrolfoundhimhiddenunderthekeelofavesselinprocessofconstruction；
heresistedthegalleyguardswhoseizedhim。Escapeandrebellion。
Thiscase，providedforbyaspecialcode，waspunishedbyanadditionoffiveyears，twooftheminthedoublechain。Thirteenyears。
Inthetenthyearhisturncameroundagain；heagainprofitedbyit；
hesucceedednobetter。Threeyearsforthisfreshattempt。
Sixteenyears。Finally，Ithinkitwasduringhisthirteenthyear，hemadealastattempt，andonlysucceededingettingretakenattheendoffourhoursofabsence。Threeyearsforthosefourhours。
Nineteenyears。InOctober，1815，hewasreleased；hehadenteredtherein1796，forhavingbrokenapaneofglassandtakenaloafofbread。
Roomforabriefparenthesis。Thisisthesecondtime，duringhisstudiesonthepenalquestionanddamnationbylaw，thattheauthorofthisbookhascomeacrossthetheftofaloafofbreadasthepointofdepartureforthedisasterofadestiny。
ClaudeGauxhadstolenaloaf；JeanValjeanhadstolenaloaf。
EnglishstatisticsprovethefactthatfourtheftsoutoffiveinLondonhavehungerfortheirimmediatecause。
JeanValjeanhadenteredthegalleyssobbingandshuddering；
heemergedimpassive。Hehadenteredindespair；heemergedgloomy。
Whathadtakenplaceinthatsoul？
CHAPTERVII
THEINTERIOROFDESPAIR
Letustrytosayit。
Itisnecessarythatsocietyshouldlookatthesethings，becauseitisitselfwhichcreatesthem。
Hewas，aswehavesaid，anignorantman，buthewasnotafool。
Thelightofnaturewasignitedinhim。Unhappiness，whichalsopossessesaclearnessofvisionofitsown，augmentedthesmallamountofdaylightwhichexistedinthismind。Beneaththecudgel，beneaththechain，inthecell，inhardship，beneaththeburningsunofthegalleys，upontheplankbedoftheconvict，hewithdrewintohisownconsciousnessandmeditated。
Heconstitutedhimselfthetribunal。
Hebeganbyputtinghimselfontrial。
Herecognizedthefactthathewasnotaninnocentmanunjustlypunished。
Headmittedthathehadcommittedanextremeandblameworthyact；
thatthatloafofbreadwouldprobablynothavebeenrefusedtohimhadheaskedforit；that，inanycase，itwouldhavebeenbettertowaituntilhecouldgetitthroughcompassionorthroughwork；
thatitisnotanunanswerableargumenttosay，"Canonewaitwhenoneishungry？"That，inthefirstplace，itisveryrareforanyonetodieofhunger，literally；andnext，that，fortunatelyorunfortunately，manissoconstitutedthathecansufferlongandmuch，bothmorallyandphysically，withoutdying；thatitisthereforenecessarytohavepatience；thatthatwouldevenhavebeenbetterforthosepoorlittlechildren；thatithadbeenanactofmadnessforhim，amiserable，unfortunatewretch，totakesocietyatlargeviolentlybythecollar，andtoimaginethatonecanescapefrommiserythroughtheft；
thatthatisinanycaseapoordoorthroughwhichtoescapefrommiserythroughwhichinfamyenters；inshort，thathewasinthewrong。
Thenheaskedhimself——
Whetherhehadbeentheonlyoneinfaultinhisfatalhistory。
Whetheritwasnotaseriousthing，thathe，alaborer，outofwork，thathe，anindustriousman，shouldhavelackedbread。Andwhether，thefaultoncecommittedandconfessed，thechastisementhadnotbeenferociousanddisproportioned。Whethertherehadnotbeenmoreabuseonthepartofthelaw，inrespecttothepenalty，thantherehadbeenonthepartoftheculpritinrespecttohisfault。Whethertherehadnotbeenanexcessofweightsinonebalanceofthescale，intheonewhichcontainsexpiation。Whethertheover—weightofthepenaltywasnotequivalenttotheannihilationofthecrime，anddidnotresultinreversingthesituation，ofreplacingthefaultofthedelinquentbythefaultoftherepression，ofconvertingtheguiltymanintothevictim，andthedebtorintothecreditor，andofrangingthelawdefinitelyonthesideofthemanwhohadviolatedit。
Whetherthispenalty，complicatedbysuccessiveaggravationsforattemptsatescape，hadnotendedinbecomingasortofoutrageperpetratedbythestrongeruponthefeebler，acrimeofsocietyagainsttheindividual，acrimewhichwasbeingcommittedafresheveryday，acrimewhichhadlastednineteenyears。
Heaskedhimselfwhetherhumansocietycouldhavetherighttoforceitsmemberstosufferequallyinonecaseforitsownunreasonablelackofforesight，andintheothercaseforitspitilessforesight；
andtoseizeapoormanforeverbetweenadefectandanexcess，adefaultofworkandanexcessofpunishment。
Whetheritwasnotoutrageousforsocietytotreatthuspreciselythoseofitsmemberswhoweretheleastwellendowedinthedivisionofgoodsmadebychance，andconsequentlythemostdeservingofconsideration。
Thesequestionsputandanswered，hejudgedsocietyandcondemnedit。
Hecondemnedittohishatred。
Hemadeitresponsibleforthefatewhichhewassuffering，andhesaidtohimselfthatitmightbethatonedayheshouldnothesitatetocallittoaccount。Hedeclaredtohimselfthattherewasnoequilibriumbetweentheharmwhichhehadcausedandtheharmwhichwasbeingdonetohim；hefinallyarrivedattheconclusionthathispunishmentwasnot，intruth，unjust，butthatitmostassuredlywasiniquitous。
Angermaybebothfoolishandabsurd；onecanbeirritatedwrongfully；
oneisexasperatedonlywhenthereissomeshowofrightonone’ssideatbottom。JeanValjeanfelthimselfexasperated。
Andbesides，humansocietyhaddonehimnothingbutharm；hehadneverseenanythingofitsavethatangryfacewhichitcallsJustice，andwhichitshowstothosewhomitstrikes。Menhadonlytouchedhimtobruisehim。Everycontactwiththemhadbeenablow。
Never，sincehisinfancy，sincethedaysofhismother，ofhissister，hadheeverencounteredafriendlywordandakindlyglance。
Fromsufferingtosuffering，hehadgraduallyarrivedattheconvictionthatlifeisawar；andthatinthiswarhewastheconquered。
Hehadnootherweaponthanhishate。Heresolvedtowhetitinthegalleysandtobearitawaywithhimwhenhedeparted。
TherewasatToulonaschoolfortheconvicts，keptbytheIgnorantinfriars，wherethemostnecessarybranchesweretaughttothoseoftheunfortunatemenwhohadamindforthem。Hewasofthenumberwhohadamind。Hewenttoschoolattheageofforty，andlearnedtoread，towrite，tocipher。Hefeltthattofortifyhisintelligencewastofortifyhishate。Incertaincases，educationandenlightenmentcanservetoekeoutevil。
Thisisasadthingtosay；afterhavingjudgedsociety，whichhadcausedhisunhappiness，hejudgedProvidence，whichhadmadesociety，andhecondemneditalso。
Thusduringnineteenyearsoftortureandslavery，thissoulmountedandatthesametimefell。Lightentereditononeside，anddarknessontheother。
JeanValjeanhadnot，aswehaveseen，anevilnature。Hewasstillgoodwhenhearrivedatthegalleys。Hetherecondemnedsociety，andfeltthathewasbecomingwicked；hetherecondemnedProvidence，andwasconsciousthathewasbecomingimpious。
Itisdifficultnottoindulgeinmeditationatthispoint。
Doeshumannaturethuschangeutterlyandfromtoptobottom？
CanthemancreatedgoodbyGodberenderedwickedbyman？
Canthesoulbecompletelymadeoverbyfate，andbecomeevil，fatebeingevil？Cantheheartbecomemisshapenandcontractincurabledeformitiesandinfirmitiesundertheoppressionofadisproportionateunhappiness，asthevertebralcolumnbeneathtoolowavault？Istherenotineveryhumansoul，wastherenotinthesoulofJeanValjeaninparticular，afirstspark，adivineelement，incorruptibleinthisworld，immortalintheother，whichgoodcandevelop，fan，ignite，andmaketoglowwithsplendor，andwhichevilcanneverwhollyextinguish？
Graveandobscurequestions，tothelastofwhicheveryphysiologistwouldprobablyhaverespondedno，andthatwithouthesitation，hadhebeheldatToulon，duringthehoursofrepose，whichwereforJeanValjeanhoursofrevery，thisgloomygalley—slave，seatedwithfoldedarmsuponthebarofsomecapstan，withtheendofhischainthrustintohispockettopreventitsdragging，serious，silent，andthoughtful，apariahofthelawswhichregardedthemanwithwrath，condemnedbycivilization，andregardingheavenwithseverity。
Certainly，——andwemakenoattempttodissimulatethefact，——
theobservingphysiologistwouldhavebeheldanirremediablemisery；
hewould，perchance，havepitiedthissickman，ofthelaw’smaking；
buthewouldnothaveevenessayedanytreatment；hewouldhaveturnedasidehisgazefromthecavernsofwhichhewouldhavecaughtaglimpsewithinthissoul，and，likeDanteattheportalsofhell，hewouldhaveeffacedfromthisexistencethewordwhichthefingerofGodhas，nevertheless，inscribeduponthebrowofeveryman，——hope。
Wasthisstateofhissoul，whichwehaveattemptedtoanalyze，asperfectlycleartoJeanValjeanaswehavetriedtorenderitforthosewhoreadus？DidJeanValjeandistinctlyperceive，aftertheirformation，andhadheseendistinctlyduringtheprocessoftheirformation，alltheelementsofwhichhismoralmiserywascomposed？Hadthisroughandunletteredmangatheredaperfectlyclearperceptionofthesuccessionofideasthroughwhichhehad，bydegrees，mountedanddescendedtothelugubriousaspectswhichhad，forsomanyyears，formedtheinnerhorizonofhisspirit？
Washeconsciousofallthatpassedwithinhim，andofallthatwasworkingthere？Thatissomethingwhichwedonotpresumetostate；
itissomethingwhichwedonotevenbelieve。TherewastoomuchignoranceinJeanValjean，evenafterhismisfortune，topreventmuchvaguenessfromstilllingeringthere。Attimeshedidnotrightlyknowhimselfwhathefelt。JeanValjeanwasintheshadows；hesufferedintheshadows；hehatedintheshadows；onemighthavesaidthathehatedinadvanceofhimself。Hedwelthabituallyinthisshadow，feelinghiswaylikeablindmanandadreamer。Only，atintervals，theresuddenlycametohim，fromwithoutandfromwithin，anaccessofwrath，asurchargeofsuffering，alividandrapidflashwhichilluminatedhiswholesoul，andcausedtoappearabruptlyallaroundhim，infront，behind，amidthegleamsofafrightfullight，thehideousprecipicesandthesombreperspectiveofhisdestiny。
Theflashpassed，thenightclosedinagain；andwherewashe？
Henolongerknew。Thepeculiarityofpainsofthisnature，inwhichthatwhichispitiless——thatistosay，thatwhichisbrutalizing——predominates，istotransformaman，littlebylittle，byasortofstupidtransfiguration，intoawildbeast；
sometimesintoaferociousbeast。
JeanValjean’ssuccessiveandobstinateattemptsatescapewouldalonesufficetoprovethisstrangeworkingofthelawuponthehumansoul。JeanValjeanwouldhaverenewedtheseattempts，utterlyuselessandfoolishastheywere，asoftenastheopportunityhadpresenteditself，withoutreflectingforaninstantontheresult，norontheexperienceswhichhehadalreadygonethrough。
Heescapedimpetuously，likethewolfwhofindshiscageopen。
Instinctsaidtohim，"Flee！"Reasonwouldhavesaid，"Remain！"
Butinthepresenceofsoviolentatemptation，reasonvanished；
nothingremainedbutinstinct。Thebeastaloneacted。Whenhewasrecaptured，thefreshseveritiesinflictedonhimonlyservedtorenderhimstillmorewild。
Onedetail，whichwemustnotomit，isthathepossessedaphysicalstrengthwhichwasnotapproachedbyasingleoneofthedenizensofthegalleys。Atwork，atpayingoutacableorwindingupacapstan，JeanValjeanwasworthfourmen。Hesometimesliftedandsustainedenormousweightsonhisback；andwhentheoccasiondemandedit，hereplacedthatimplementwhichiscalledajack—screw，andwasformerlycalledorgueil[pride]，whence，wemayremarkinpassing，isderivedthenameoftheRueMontorgueil，neartheHalles[Fishmarket]
inParis。HiscomradeshadnicknamedhimJeantheJack—screw。Once，whentheywererepairingthebalconyofthetown—hallatToulon，oneofthoseadmirablecaryatidsofPuget，whichsupportthebalcony，becameloosened，andwasonthepointoffalling。JeanValjean，whowaspresent，supportedthecaryatidwithhisshoulder，andgavetheworkmentimetoarrive。
Hissupplenessevenexceededhisstrength。Certainconvictswhowereforeverdreamingofescape，endedbymakingaveritablescienceofforceandskillcombined。Itisthescienceofmuscles。
Anentiresystemofmysteriousstaticsisdailypractisedbyprisoners，menwhoareforeverenviousofthefliesandbirds。
Toclimbaverticalsurface，andtofindpointsofsupportwherehardlyaprojectionwasvisible，wasplaytoJeanValjean。
Anangleofthewallbeinggiven，withthetensionofhisbackandlegs，withhiselbowsandhisheelsfittedintotheunevennessofthestone，heraisedhimselfasifbymagictothethirdstory。
Hesometimesmountedthuseventotheroofofthegalleyprison。
Hespokebutlittle。Helaughednotatall。Anexcessiveemotionwasrequiredtowringfromhim，onceortwiceayear，thatlugubriouslaughoftheconvict，whichisliketheechoofthelaughofademon。
Toallappearance，heseemedtobeoccupiedintheconstantcontemplationofsomethingterrible。
Hewasabsorbed，infact。
Athwarttheunhealthyperceptionsofanincompletenatureandacrushedintelligence，hewasconfusedlyconsciousthatsomemonstrousthingwasrestingonhim。Inthatobscureandwanshadowwithinwhichhecrawled，eachtimethatheturnedhisneckandessayedtoraisehisglance，heperceivedwithterror，mingledwithrage，asortoffrightfulaccumulationofthings，collectingandmountingabovehim，beyondtherangeofhisvision，——
laws，prejudices，men，anddeeds，——whoseoutlinesescapedhim，whosemassterrifiedhim，andwhichwasnothingelsethanthatprodigiouspyramidwhichwecallcivilization。Hedistinguished，hereandthereinthatswarmingandformlessmass，nownearhim，nowafaroffandoninaccessibletable—lands，somegroup，somedetail，vividlyilluminated；herethegalley—sergeantandhiscudgel；
therethegendarmeandhissword；yonderthemitredarchbishop；
awayatthetop，likeasortofsun，theEmperor，crownedanddazzling。
Itseemedtohimthatthesedistantsplendors，farfromdissipatinghisnight，rendereditmorefunerealandmoreblack。Allthis——
laws，prejudices，deeds，men，things——wentandcameabovehim，overhishead，inaccordancewiththecomplicatedandmysteriousmovementwhichGodimpartstocivilization，walkingoverhimandcrushinghimwithIknownotwhatpeacefulnessinitscrueltyandinexorabilityinitsindifference。Soulswhichhavefallentothebottomofallpossiblemisfortune，unhappymenlostinthelowestofthoselimbosatwhichnooneanylongerlooks，thereprovedofthelaw，feelthewholeweightofthishumansociety，soformidableforhimwhoiswithout，sofrightfulforhimwhoisbeneath，restingupontheirheads。
InthissituationJeanValjeanmeditated；andwhatcouldbethenatureofhismeditation？
Ifthegrainofmilletbeneaththemillstonehadthoughts，itwould，doubtless，thinkthatsamethingwhichJeanValjeanthought。
Allthesethings，realitiesfullofspectres，phantasmagoriesfullofrealities，hadeventuallycreatedforhimasortofinteriorstatewhichisalmostindescribable。
Attimes，amidhisconvicttoil，hepaused。Hefelltothinking。
Hisreason，atoneandthesametimeriperandmoretroubledthanofyore，roseinrevolt。Everythingwhichhadhappenedtohimseemedtohimabsurd；everythingthatsurroundedhimseemedtohimimpossible。Hesaidtohimself，"Itisadream。"
Hegazedatthegalley—sergeantstandingafewpacesfromhim；
thegalley—sergeantseemedaphantomtohim。Allofasuddenthephantomdealthimablowwithhiscudgel。
Visiblenaturehardlyexistedforhim。ItwouldalmostbetruetosaythatthereexistedforJeanValjeanneithersun，norfinesummerdays，norradiantsky，norfreshAprildawns。
Iknownotwhatvent—holedaylighthabituallyilluminedhissoul。
Tosumup，inconclusion，thatwhichcanbesummedupandtranslatedintopositiveresultsinallthatwehavejustpointedout，wewillconfineourselvestothestatementthat，inthecourseofnineteenyears，JeanValjean，theinoffensivetree—prunerofFaverolles，theformidableconvictofToulon，hadbecomecapable，thankstothemannerinwhichthegalleyshadmouldedhim，oftwosortsofevilaction:firstly，ofevilactionwhichwasrapid，unpremeditated，dashing，entirelyinstinctive，inthenatureofreprisalsfortheevilwhichhehadundergone；secondly，ofevilactionwhichwasserious，grave，consciouslyarguedoutandpremeditated，withthefalseideaswhichsuchamisfortunecanfurnish。Hisdeliberatedeedspassedthroughthreesuccessivephases，whichnaturesofacertainstampcanalonetraverse，——reasoning，will，perseverance。
Hehadformovingcauseshishabitualwrath，bitternessofsoul，aprofoundsenseofindignitiessuffered，thereactionevenagainstthegood，theinnocent，andthejust，ifthereareanysuch。
Thepointofdeparture，likethepointofarrival，forallhisthoughts，washatredofhumanlaw；thathatredwhich，ifitbenotarrestedinitsdevelopmentbysomeprovidentialincident，becomes，withinagiventime，thehatredofsociety，thenthehatredofthehumanrace，thenthehatredofcreation，andwhichmanifestsitselfbyavague，incessant，andbrutaldesiretodoharmtosomelivingbeing，nomatterwhom。ItwillbeperceivedthatitwasnotwithoutreasonthatJeanValjean’spassportdescribedhimasaverydangerousman。
Fromyeartoyearthissoulhaddriedawayslowly，butwithfatalsureness。Whentheheartisdry，theeyeisdry。Onhisdeparturefromthegalleysithadbeennineteenyearssincehehadshedatear。
CHAPTERVIII
BILLOWSANDSHADOWS
Amanoverboard！
Whatmattersit？Thevesseldoesnothalt。Thewindblows。
Thatsombreshiphasapathwhichitisforcedtopursue。
Itpasseson。
Themandisappears，thenreappears；heplunges，herisesagaintothesurface；hecalls，hestretchesouthisarms；heisnotheard。
Thevessel，tremblingunderthehurricane，iswhollyabsorbedinitsownworkings；thepassengersandsailorsdonotevenseethedrowningman；
hismiserableheadisbutaspeckamidtheimmensityofthewaves。
Hegivesventtodesperatecriesfromoutofthedepths。Whataspectreisthatretreatingsail！Hegazesandgazesatitfrantically。
Itretreats，itgrowsdim，itdiminishesinsize。Hewastherebutjustnow，hewasoneofthecrew，hewentandcamealongthedeckwiththerest，hehadhispartofbreathandofsunlight，hewasalivingman。Now，whathastakenplace？Hehasslipped，hehasfallen；allisatanend。
Heisinthetremendoussea。Underfoothehasnothingbutwhatfleesandcrumbles。Thebillows，tornandlashedbythewind，encompasshimhideously；thetossingsoftheabyssbearhimaway；
allthetonguesofwaterdashoverhishead；apopulaceofwavesspitsuponhim；confusedopeningshalfdevourhim；everytimethathesinks，hecatchesglimpsesofprecipicesfilledwithnight；
frightfulandunknownvegetationsseizehim，knotabouthisfeet，drawhimtothem；heisconsciousthatheisbecominganabyss，thatheformspartofthefoam；thewavestosshimfromonetoanother；
hedrinksinthebitterness；thecowardlyoceanattackshimfuriously，todrownhim；theenormityplayswithhisagony。Itseemsasthoughallthatwaterwerehate。
Nevertheless，hestruggles。
Hetriestodefendhimself；hetriestosustainhimself；hemakesaneffort；heswims。He，hispettystrengthallexhaustedinstantly，combatstheinexhaustible。
Where，then，istheship？Yonder。Barelyvisibleinthepaleshadowsofthehorizon。
Thewindblowsingusts；allthefoamoverwhelmshim。
Heraiseshiseyesandbeholdsonlythelividnessoftheclouds。
Hewitnesses，amidhisdeath—pangs，theimmensemadnessofthesea。
Heistorturedbythismadness；hehearsnoisesstrangetoman，whichseemtocomefrombeyondthelimitsoftheearth，andfromoneknowsnotwhatfrightfulregionbeyond。
Therearebirdsintheclouds，justasthereareangelsabovehumandistresses；butwhatcantheydoforhim？Theysingandflyandfloat，andhe，herattlesinthedeathagony。
Hefeelshimselfburiedinthosetwoinfinities，theoceanandthesky，atoneandthesametime:theoneisatomb；theotherisashroud。
Nightdescends；hehasbeenswimmingforhours；hisstrengthisexhausted；thatship，thatdistantthinginwhichthereweremen，hasvanished；heisaloneintheformidabletwilightgulf；
hesinks，hestiffenshimself，hetwistshimself；hefeelsunderhimthemonstrousbillowsoftheinvisible；heshouts。
Therearenomoremen。WhereisGod？
Heshouts。Help！Help！Hestillshoutson。
Nothingonthehorizon；nothinginheaven。
Heimplorestheexpanse，thewaves，theseaweed，thereef；
theyaredeaf。Hebeseechesthetempest；theimperturbabletempestobeysonlytheinfinite。
Aroundhimdarkness，fog，solitude，thestormyandnonsentienttumult，theundefinedcurlingofthosewildwaters。Inhimhorrorandfatigue。
Beneathhimthedepths。Notapointofsupport。Hethinksofthegloomyadventuresofthecorpseinthelimitlessshadow。
Thebottomlesscoldparalyzeshim。Hishandscontractconvulsively；
theyclose，andgraspnothingness。Winds，clouds，whirlwinds，gusts，uselessstars！Whatistobedone？Thedesperatemangivesup；
heisweary，hechoosesthealternativeofdeath；heresistsnot；
heletshimselfgo；heabandonshisgrip；andthenhetossesforevermoreinthelugubriousdrearydepthsofengulfment。
Oh，implacablemarchofhumansocieties！Oh，lossesofmenandofsoulsontheway！Oceanintowhichfallsallthatthelawletsslip！
Disastrousabsenceofhelp！Oh，moraldeath！
Theseaistheinexorablesocialnightintowhichthepenallawsflingtheircondemned。Theseaistheimmensityofwretchedness。
Thesoul，goingdownstreaminthisgulf，maybecomeacorpse。
Whoshallresuscitateit？
CHAPTERIX
NEWTROUBLES
Whenthehourcameforhimtotakehisdeparturefromthegalleys，whenJeanValjeanheardinhisearthestrangewords，Thouartfree！
themomentseemedimprobableandunprecedented；arayofvividlight，arayofthetruelightoftheliving，suddenlypenetratedwithinhim。
Butitwasnotlongbeforethisraypaled。JeanValjeanhadbeendazzledbytheideaofliberty。Hehadbelievedinanewlife。
Heveryspeedilyperceivedwhatsortoflibertyitistowhichayellowpassportisprovided。
Andthiswasencompassedwithmuchbitterness。Hehadcalculatedthathisearnings，duringhissojourninthegalleys，oughttoamounttoahundredandseventy—onefrancs。ItisbutjusttoaddthathehadforgottentoincludeinhiscalculationstheforcedreposeofSundaysandfestivaldaysduringnineteenyears，whichentailedadiminutionofabouteightyfrancs。Atallevents，hishoardhadbeenreducedbyvariouslocalleviestothesumofonehundredandninefrancsfifteensous，whichhadbeencountedouttohimonhisdeparture。
Hehadunderstoodnothingofthis，andhadthoughthimselfwronged。
Letussaytheword——robbed。
Onthedayfollowinghisliberation，hesaw，atGrasse，infrontofanorange—flowerdistillery，somemenengagedinunloadingbales。
Heofferedhisservices。Businesswaspressing；theywereaccepted。
Hesettowork。Hewasintelligent，robust，adroit；hedidhisbest；
themasterseemedpleased。Whilehewasatwork，agendarmepassed，observedhim，anddemandedhispapers。Itwasnecessarytoshowhimtheyellowpassport。Thatdone，JeanValjeanresumedhislabor。
Alittlewhilebeforehehadquestionedoneoftheworkmenastotheamountwhichtheyearnedeachdayatthisoccupation；
hehadbeentoldthirtysous。Wheneveningarrived，ashewasforcedtosetoutagainonthefollowingday，hepresentedhimselftotheownerofthedistilleryandrequestedtobepaid。Theownerdidnotutteraword，buthandedhimfifteensous。Heobjected。
Hewastold，"Thatisenoughforthee。"Hepersisted。Themasterlookedhimstraightbetweentheeyes，andsaidtohim"Bewareoftheprison。"
There，again，heconsideredthathehadbeenrobbed。
Society，theState，bydiminishinghishoard，hadrobbedhimwholesale。
Nowitwastheindividualwhowasrobbinghimatretail。
Liberationisnotdeliverance。Onegetsfreefromthegalleys，butnotfromthesentence。
ThatiswhathappenedtohimatGrasse。WehaveseeninwhatmannerhewasreceivedatD————
CHAPTERX
THEMANAROUSED
AstheCathedralclockstrucktwointhemorning，JeanValjeanawoke。
Whatwokehimwasthathisbedwastoogood。Itwasnearlytwentyyearssincehehadsleptinabed，and，althoughhehadnotundressed，thesensationwastoonovelnottodisturbhisslumbers。
Hehadsleptmorethanfourhours。Hisfatiguehadpassedaway。
Hewasaccustomednottodevotemanyhourstorepose。
Heopenedhiseyesandstaredintothegloomwhichsurroundedhim；
thenheclosedthemagain，withtheintentionofgoingtosleeponcemore。
Whenmanyvariedsensationshaveagitatedtheday，whenvariousmatterspreoccupythemind，onefallsasleeponce，butnotasecondtime。
Sleepcomesmoreeasilythanitreturns。ThisiswhathappenedtoJeanValjean。Hecouldnotgettosleepagain，andhefelltothinking。
Hewasatoneofthosemomentswhenthethoughtswhichonehasinone’smindaretroubled。Therewasasortofdarkconfusioninhisbrain。
Hismemoriesoftheoldentimeandoftheimmediatepresentfloatedtherepell—mellandmingledconfusedly，losingtheirproperforms，becomingdisproportionatelylarge，thensuddenlydisappearing，asinamuddyandperturbedpool。Manythoughtsoccurredtohim；
buttherewasonewhichkeptconstantlypresentingitselfafresh，andwhichdroveawayallothers。Wewillmentionthisthoughtatonce:
hehadobservedthesixsetsofsilverforksandspoonsandtheladlewhichMadameMagloirehadplacedonthetable。
Thosesixsetsofsilverhauntedhim。——Theywerethere。——Afewpacesdistant。——Justashewastraversingtheadjoiningroomtoreachtheoneinwhichhethenwas，theoldservant—womanhadbeenintheactofplacingtheminalittlecupboardneartheheadofthebed。——
Hehadtakencarefulnoteofthiscupboard。——Ontheright，asyouenteredfromthedining—room。——Theyweresolid。——Andoldsilver。——
Fromtheladleonecouldgetatleasttwohundredfrancs。——
Doublewhathehadearnedinnineteenyears。——Itistruethathewouldhaveearnedmoreif"theadministrationhadnotrobbedhim。"
Hismindwaveredforawholehourinfluctuationswithwhichtherewascertainlymingledsomestruggle。Threeo’clockstruck。Heopenedhiseyesagain，drewhimselfupabruptlyintoasittingposture，stretchedouthisarmandfeltofhisknapsack，whichhehadthrowndownonacornerofthealcove；thenhehunghislegsovertheedgeofthebed，andplacedhisfeetonthefloor，andthusfoundhimself，almostwithoutknowingit，seatedonhisbed。
Heremainedforatimethoughtfullyinthisattitude，whichwouldhavebeensuggestiveofsomethingsinisterforanyonewhohadseenhimthusinthedark，theonlypersonawakeinthathousewhereallweresleeping。Allofasuddenhestoopeddown，removedhisshoesandplacedthemsoftlyonthematbesidethebed；thenheresumedhisthoughtfulattitude，andbecamemotionlessoncemore。
Throughoutthishideousmeditation，thethoughtswhichwehaveaboveindicatedmovedincessantlythroughhisbrain；entered，withdrew，re—entered，andinamanneroppressedhim；andthenhethought，also，withoutknowingwhy，andwiththemechanicalpersistenceofrevery，ofaconvictnamedBrevet，whomhehadknowninthegalleys，andwhosetrousershadbeenupheldbyasinglesuspenderofknittedcotton。
Thecheckeredpatternofthatsuspenderrecurredincessantlytohismind。
Heremainedinthissituation，andwouldhavesoremainedindefinitely，evenuntildaybreak，hadnottheclockstruckone——thehalforquarterhour。Itseemedtohimthatthatstrokesaidtohim，"Comeon！"
Herosetohisfeet，hesitatedstillanothermoment，andlistened；
allwasquietinthehouse；thenhewalkedstraightahead，withshortsteps，tothewindow，ofwhichhecaughtaglimpse。
Thenightwasnotverydark；therewasafullmoon，acrosswhichcoursedlargecloudsdrivenbythewind。Thiscreated，outdoors，alternateshadowandgleamsoflight，eclipses，thenbrightopeningsoftheclouds；andindoorsasortoftwilight。Thistwilight，sufficienttoenableapersontoseehisway，intermittentonaccountoftheclouds，resembledthesortoflividlightwhichfallsthroughanair—holeinacellar，beforewhichthepassersbycomeandgo。Onarrivingatthewindow，JeanValjeanexaminedit。
Ithadnograting；itopenedinthegardenandwasfastened，accordingtothefashionofthecountry，onlybyasmallpin。
Heopenedit；butasarushofcoldandpiercingairpenetratedtheroomabruptly，hecloseditagainimmediately。Hescrutinizedthegardenwiththatattentivegazewhichstudiesratherthanlooks。
Thegardenwasenclosedbyatolerablylowwhitewall，easytoclimb。
Faraway，attheextremity，heperceivedtopsoftrees，spacedatregularintervals，whichindicatedthatthewallseparatedthegardenfromanavenueorlaneplantedwithtrees。
Havingtakenthissurvey，heexecutedamovementlikethatofamanwhohasmadeuphismind，strodetohisalcove，graspedhisknapsack，openedit，fumbledinit，pulledoutofitsomethingwhichheplacedonthebed，puthisshoesintooneofhispockets，shutthewholethingupagain，threwtheknapsackonhisshoulders，putonhiscap，drewthevisordownoverhiseyes，feltforhiscudgel，wentandplaceditintheangleofthewindow；thenreturnedtothebed，andresolutelyseizedtheobjectwhichhehaddepositedthere。
Itresembledashortbarofiron，pointedlikeapikeatoneend。
Itwouldhavebeendifficulttodistinguishinthatdarknessforwhatemploymentthatbitofironcouldhavebeendesigned。
Perhapsitwasalever；possiblyitwasaclub。
Inthedaytimeitwouldhavebeenpossibletorecognizeitasnothingmorethanaminer’scandlestick。Convictswere，atthatperiod，sometimesemployedinquarryingstonefromtheloftyhillswhichenvironToulon，anditwasnotrareforthemtohaveminers’toolsattheircommand。Theseminers’candlesticksareofmassiveiron，terminatedatthelowerextremitybyapoint，bymeansofwhichtheyarestuckintotherock。
Hetookthecandlestickinhisrighthand；holdinghisbreathandtryingtodeadenthesoundofhistread，hedirectedhisstepstothedooroftheadjoiningroom，occupiedbytheBishop，aswealreadyknow。
Onarrivingatthisdoor，hefounditajar。TheBishophadnotclosedit。
CHAPTERXI
WHATHEDOES
JeanValjeanlistened。Notasound。
Hegavethedoorapush。
Hepusheditgentlywiththetipofhisfinger，lightly，withthefurtiveanduneasygentlenessofacatwhichisdesirousofentering。
Thedooryieldedtothispressure，andmadeanimperceptibleandsilentmovement，whichenlargedtheopeningalittle。
Hewaitedamoment；thengavethedoorasecondandabolderpush。
Itcontinuedtoyieldinsilence。Theopeningwasnowlargeenoughtoallowhimtopass。Butnearthedoortherestoodalittletable，whichformedanembarrassinganglewithit，andbarredtheentrance。
JeanValjeanrecognizedthedifficulty。Itwasnecessary，atanycost，toenlargetheaperturestillfurther。
Hedecidedonhiscourseofaction，andgavethedoorathirdpush，moreenergeticthanthetwopreceding。Thistimeabadlyoiledhingesuddenlyemittedamidthesilenceahoarseandprolongedcry。
JeanValjeanshuddered。ThenoiseofthehingeranginhisearswithsomethingofthepiercingandformidablesoundofthetrumpoftheDayofJudgment。
Inthefantasticexaggerationsofthefirstmomenthealmostimaginedthatthathingehadjustbecomeanimated，andhadsuddenlyassumedaterriblelife，andthatitwasbarkinglikeadogtoarouseeveryone，andwarnandtowakethosewhowereasleep。Hehalted，shuddering，bewildered，andfellbackfromthetipsofhistoesuponhisheels。
Heheardthearteriesinhistemplesbeatingliketwoforgehammers，anditseemedtohimthathisbreathissuedfromhisbreastwiththeroarofthewindissuingfromacavern。Itseemedimpossibletohimthatthehorribleclamorofthatirritatedhingeshouldnothavedisturbedtheentirehousehold，liketheshockofanearthquake；
thedoor，pushedbyhim，hadtakenthealarm，andhadshouted；
theoldmanwouldriseatonce；thetwooldwomenwouldshriekout；
peoplewouldcometotheirassistance；inlessthanaquarterofanhourthetownwouldbeinanuproar，andthegendarmerieonhand。
Foramomenthethoughthimselflost。
Heremainedwherehewas，petrifiedlikethestatueofsalt，notdaringtomakeamovement。Severalminuteselapsed。Thedoorhadfallenwideopen。Heventuredtopeepintothenextroom。
Nothinghadstirredthere。Helentanear。Nothingwasmovinginthehouse。Thenoisemadebytherustyhingehadnotawakenedanyone。
Thisfirstdangerwaspast；buttherestillreignedafrightfultumultwithinhim。Nevertheless，hedidnotretreat。Evenwhenhehadthoughthimselflost，hehadnotdrawnback。Hisonlythoughtnowwastofinishassoonaspossible。Hetookastepandenteredtheroom。
Thisroomwasinastateofperfectcalm。Hereandtherevagueandconfusedformsweredistinguishable，whichinthedaylightwerepapersscatteredonatable，openfolios，volumespileduponastool，anarm—chairheapedwithclothing，aprie—Dieu，andwhichatthathourwereonlyshadowycornersandwhitishspots。JeanValjeanadvancedwithprecaution，takingcarenottoknockagainstthefurniture。
Hecouldhear，attheextremityoftheroom，theevenandtranquilbreathingofthesleepingBishop。
Hesuddenlycametoahalt。Hewasnearthebed。Hehadarrivedtheresoonerthanhehadthoughtfor。
Naturesometimesmingleshereffectsandherspectacleswithouractionswithsombreandintelligentappropriateness，asthoughshedesiredtomakeusreflect。Forthelasthalf—houralargecloudhadcoveredtheheavens。AtthemomentwhenJeanValjeanpausedinfrontofthebed，thiscloudparted，asthoughonpurpose，andarayoflight，traversingthelongwindow，suddenlyilluminatedtheBishop’spaleface。Hewassleepingpeacefully。Helayinhisbedalmostcompletelydressed，onaccountofthecoldoftheBasses—Alps，inagarmentofbrownwool，whichcoveredhisarmstothewrists。Hisheadwasthrownbackonthepillow，inthecarelessattitudeofrepose；hishand，adornedwiththepastoralring，andwhencehadfallensomanygooddeedsandsomanyholyactions，washangingovertheedgeofthebed。Hiswholefacewasilluminedwithavagueexpressionofsatisfaction，ofhope，andoffelicity。
Itwasmorethanasmile，andalmostaradiance。Heboreuponhisbrowtheindescribablereflectionofalightwhichwasinvisible。
Thesoulofthejustcontemplatesinsleepamysteriousheaven。
AreflectionofthatheavenrestedontheBishop。
Itwas，atthesametime，aluminoustransparency，forthatheavenwaswithinhim。Thatheavenwashisconscience。
Atthemomentwhentherayofmoonlightsuperposeditself，sotospeak，uponthatinwardradiance，thesleepingBishopseemedasinaglory。
Itremained，however，gentleandveiledinanineffablehalf—light。Thatmooninthesky，thatslumberingnature，thatgardenwithoutaquiver，thathousewhichwassocalm，thehour，themoment，thesilence，addedsomesolemnandunspeakablequalitytothevenerablereposeofthisman，andenvelopedinasortofsereneandmajesticaureolethatwhitehair，thoseclosedeyes，thatfaceinwhichallwashopeandallwasconfidence，thatheadofanoldman，andthatslumberofaninfant。
Therewassomethingalmostdivineinthisman，whowasthusaugust，withoutbeinghimselfawareofit。
JeanValjeanwasintheshadow，andstoodmotionless，withhisironcandlestickinhishand，frightenedbythisluminousoldman。
Neverhadhebeheldanythinglikethis。Thisconfidenceterrifiedhim。
Themoralworldhasnogranderspectaclethanthis:atroubledanduneasyconscience，whichhasarrivedonthebrinkofanevilaction，contemplatingtheslumberofthejust。
Thatslumberinthatisolation，andwithaneighborlikehimself，hadaboutitsomethingsublime，ofwhichhewasvaguelybutimperiouslyconscious。
Noonecouldhavetoldwhatwaspassingwithinhim，notevenhimself。
Inordertoattempttoformanideaofit，itisnecessarytothinkofthemostviolentofthingsinthepresenceofthemostgentle。
Evenonhisvisageitwouldhavebeenimpossibletodistinguishanythingwithcertainty。Itwasasortofhaggardastonishment。
Hegazedatit，andthatwasall。Butwhatwashisthought？
Itwouldhavebeenimpossibletodivineit。Whatwasevidentwas，thathewastouchedandastounded。Butwhatwasthenatureofthisemotion？
Hiseyeneverquittedtheoldman。Theonlythingwhichwasclearlytobeinferredfromhisattitudeandhisphysiognomywasastrangeindecision。
Onewouldhavesaidthathewashesitatingbetweenthetwoabysses，——
theoneinwhichonelosesone’sselfandthatinwhichonesavesone’sself。Heseemedpreparedtocrushthatskullortokissthathand。
Attheexpirationofafewminuteshisleftarmroseslowlytowardshisbrow，andhetookoffhiscap；thenhisarmfellbackwiththesamedeliberation，andJeanValjeanfelltomeditatingoncemore，hiscapinhislefthand，hisclubinhisrighthand，hishairbristlingalloverhissavagehead。
TheBishopcontinuedtosleepinprofoundpeacebeneaththatterrifyinggaze。
Thegleamofthemoonrenderedconfusedlyvisiblethecrucifixoverthechimney—piece，whichseemedtobeextendingitsarmstobothofthem，withabenedictionforoneandpardonfortheother。
SuddenlyJeanValjeanreplacedhiscaponhisbrow；thensteppedrapidlypastthebed，withoutglancingattheBishop，straighttothecupboard，whichhesawnearthehead；heraisedhisironcandlestickasthoughtoforcethelock；thekeywasthere；
heopenedit；thefirstthingwhichpresenteditselftohimwasthebasketofsilverware；heseizedit，traversedthechamberwithlongstrides，withouttakinganyprecautionsandwithouttroublinghimselfaboutthenoise，gainedthedoor，re—enteredtheoratory，openedthewindow，seizedhiscudgel，bestrodethewindow—silloftheground—floor，putthesilverintohisknapsack，threwawaythebasket，crossedthegarden，leapedoverthewalllikeatiger，andfled。
CHAPTERXII
THEBISHOPWORKS
ThenextmorningatsunriseMonseigneurBienvenuwasstrollinginhisgarden。MadameMagloireranuptohiminutterconsternation。
"Monseigneur，Monseigneur！"sheexclaimed，"doesyourGraceknowwherethebasketofsilveris？"
"Yes，"repliedtheBishop。
"JesustheLordbeblessed！"sheresumed；"Ididnotknowwhathadbecomeofit。"
TheBishophadjustpickedupthebasketinaflower—bed。HepresentedittoMadameMagloire。
"Hereitis。"
"Well！"saidshe。"Nothinginit！Andthesilver？"
"Ah，"returnedtheBishop，"soitisthesilverwhichtroublesyou？
Idon’tknowwhereitis。"
"Great，goodGod！Itisstolen！Thatmanwhowasherelastnighthasstolenit。"
Inatwinkling，withallthevivacityofanalertoldwoman，MadameMagloirehadrushedtotheoratory，enteredthealcove，andreturnedtotheBishop。TheBishophadjustbentdown，andwassighingasheexaminedaplantofcochleariadesGuillons，whichthebaskethadbrokenasitfellacrossthebed。HeroseupatMadameMagloire’scry。
"Monseigneur，themanisgone！Thesilverhasbeenstolen！"
Assheutteredthisexclamation，hereyesfelluponacornerofthegarden，wheretracesofthewallhavingbeenscaledwerevisible。
Thecopingofthewallhadbeentornaway。