"Stay！yonderisthewayhewent。HejumpedoverintoCochefiletLane。Ah，theabomination！Hehasstolenoursilver！"
TheBishopremainedsilentforamoment；thenheraisedhisgraveeyes，andsaidgentlytoMadameMagloire:——
"And，inthefirstplace，wasthatsilverours？"
MadameMagloirewasspeechless。Anothersilenceensued；thentheBishopwenton:——
"MadameMagloire，Ihaveforalongtimedetainedthatsilverwrongfully。
Itbelongedtothepoor。Whowasthatman？Apoorman，evidently。"
"Alas！Jesus！"returnedMadameMagloire。"Itisnotformysake，norforMademoiselle’s。Itmakesnodifferencetous。ButitisforthesakeofMonseigneur。WhatisMonseigneurtoeatwithnow？"
TheBishopgazedatherwithanairofamazement。
"Ah，come！Aretherenosuchthingsaspewterforksandspoons？"
MadameMagloireshruggedhershoulders。
"Pewterhasanodor。"
"Ironforksandspoons，then。"
MadameMagloiremadeanexpressivegrimace。
"Ironhasataste。"
"Verywell，"saidtheBishop；"woodenonesthen。"
AfewmomentslaterhewasbreakfastingattheverytableatwhichJeanValjeanhadsatonthepreviousevening。Asheatehisbreakfast，MonseigneurWelcomeremarkedgaylytohissister，whosaidnothing，andtoMadameMagloire，whowasgrumblingunderherbreath，thatonereallydoesnotneedeitherforkorspoon，evenofwood，inordertodipabitofbreadinacupofmilk。
"Aprettyidea，truly，"saidMadameMagloiretoherself，asshewentandcame，"totakeinamanlikethat！andtolodgehimclosetoone’sself！Andhowfortunatethathedidnothingbutsteal！
Ah，monDieu！itmakesoneshuddertothinkofit！"
Asthebrotherandsisterwereabouttorisefromthetable，therecameaknockatthedoor。
"Comein，"saidtheBishop。
Thedooropened。Asingularandviolentgroupmadeitsappearanceonthethreshold。Threemenwereholdingafourthmanbythecollar。
Thethreemenweregendarmes；theotherwasJeanValjean。
Abrigadierofgendarmes，whoseemedtobeincommandofthegroup，wasstandingnearthedoor。HeenteredandadvancedtotheBishop，makingamilitarysalute。
"Monseigneur——"saidhe。
Atthisword，JeanValjean，whowasdejectedandseemedoverwhelmed，raisedhisheadwithanairofstupefaction。
"Monseigneur！"hemurmured。"Soheisnotthecure？"
"Silence！"saidthegendarme。"HeisMonseigneurtheBishop。"
Inthemeantime，MonseigneurBienvenuhadadvancedasquicklyashisgreatagepermitted。
"Ah！hereyouare！"heexclaimed，lookingatJeanValjean。
"Iamgladtoseeyou。Well，buthowisthis？Igaveyouthecandlestickstoo，whichareofsilverliketherest，andforwhichyoucancertainlygettwohundredfrancs。
Whydidyounotcarrythemawaywithyourforksandspoons？"
JeanValjeanopenedhiseyeswide，andstaredatthevenerableBishopwithanexpressionwhichnohumantonguecanrenderanyaccountof。
"Monseigneur，"saidthebrigadierofgendarmes，"sowhatthismansaidistrue，then？Wecameacrosshim。Hewaswalkinglikeamanwhoisrunningaway。Westoppedhimtolookintothematter。
Hehadthissilver——"
"Andhetoldyou，"interposedtheBishopwithasmile，"thatithadbeengiventohimbyakindoldfellowofapriestwithwhomhehadpassedthenight？Iseehowthematterstands。Andyouhavebroughthimbackhere？Itisamistake。"
"Inthatcase，"repliedthebrigadier，"wecanlethimgo？"
"Certainly，"repliedtheBishop。
ThegendarmesreleasedJeanValjean，whorecoiled。
"IsittruethatIamtobereleased？"hesaid，inanalmostinarticulatevoice，andasthoughheweretalkinginhissleep。
"Yes，thouartreleased；dostthounotunderstand？"saidoneofthegendarmes。
"Myfriend，"resumedtheBishop，"beforeyougo，hereareyourcandlesticks。Takethem。"
Hesteppedtothechimney—piece，tookthetwosilvercandlesticks，andbroughtthemtoJeanValjean。Thetwowomenlookedonwithoututteringaword，withoutagesture，withoutalookwhichcoulddisconcerttheBishop。
JeanValjeanwastremblingineverylimb。Hetookthetwocandlesticksmechanically，andwithabewilderedair。
"Now，"saidtheBishop，"goinpeace。Bytheway，whenyoureturn，myfriend，itisnotnecessarytopassthroughthegarden。
Youcanalwaysenteranddepartthroughthestreetdoor。Itisneverfastenedwithanythingbutalatch，eitherbydayorbynight。"
Then，turningtothegendarmes:——
"Youmayretire，gentlemen。"
Thegendarmesretired。
JeanValjeanwaslikeamanonthepointoffainting。
TheBishopdrewneartohim，andsaidinalowvoice:——
"Donotforget，neverforget，thatyouhavepromisedtousethismoneyinbecominganhonestman。"
JeanValjean，whohadnorecollectionofeverhavingpromisedanything，remainedspeechless。TheBishophademphasizedthewordswhenheutteredthem。Heresumedwithsolemnity:——
"JeanValjean，mybrother，younolongerbelongtoevil，buttogood。
ItisyoursoulthatIbuyfromyou；Iwithdrawitfromblackthoughtsandthespiritofperdition，andIgiveittoGod。"
CHAPTERXIII
LITTLEGERVAIS
JeanValjeanleftthetownasthoughhewerefleeingfromit。
Hesetoutataveryhastypacethroughthefields，takingwhateverroadsandpathspresentedthemselvestohim，withoutperceivingthathewasincessantlyretracinghissteps。Hewanderedthusthewholemorning，withouthavingeatenanythingandwithoutfeelinghungry。
Hewasthepreyofathrongofnovelsensations。Hewasconsciousofasortofrage；hedidnotknowagainstwhomitwasdirected。
Hecouldnothavetoldwhetherhewastouchedorhumiliated。
Therecameoverhimatmomentsastrangeemotionwhichheresistedandtowhichheopposedthehardnessacquiredduringthelasttwentyyearsofhislife。Thisstateofmindfatiguedhim。Heperceivedwithdismaythatthesortoffrightfulcalmwhichtheinjusticeofhismisfortunehadconferreduponhimwasgivingwaywithinhim。
Heaskedhimselfwhatwouldreplacethis。Attimeshewouldhaveactuallypreferredtobeinprisonwiththegendarmes，andthatthingsshouldnothavehappenedinthisway；itwouldhaveagitatedhimless。
Althoughtheseasonwastolerablyfaradvanced，therewerestillafewlateflowersinthehedge—rowshereandthere，whoseodorashepassedthroughtheminhismarchrecalledtohimmemoriesofhischildhood。Thesememorieswerealmostintolerabletohim，itwassolongsincetheyhadrecurredtohim。
Unutterablethoughtsassembledwithinhiminthismanneralldaylong。
Asthesundeclinedtoitssetting，castinglongshadowsathwartthesoilfromeverypebble，JeanValjeansatdownbehindabushuponalargeruddyplain，whichwasabsolutelydeserted。TherewasnothingonthehorizonexcepttheAlps。Noteventhespireofadistantvillage。
JeanValjeanmighthavebeenthreeleaguesdistantfromD————
Apathwhichintersectedtheplainpassedafewpacesfromthebush。
Inthemiddleofthismeditation，whichwouldhavecontributednotalittletorenderhisragsterrifyingtoanyonewhomighthaveencounteredhim，ajoyoussoundbecameaudible。
HeturnedhisheadandsawalittleSavoyard，abouttenyearsofage，comingupthepathandsinging，hishurdy—gurdyonhiship，andhismarmot—boxonhisback，Oneofthosegayandgentlechildren，whogofromlandtolandaffordingaviewoftheirkneesthroughtheholesintheirtrousers。
Withoutstoppinghissong，theladhaltedinhismarchfromtimetotime，andplayedatknuckle—boneswithsomecoinswhichhehadinhishand——hiswholefortune，probably。
Amongthismoneytherewasoneforty—soupiece。
Thechildhaltedbesidethebush，withoutperceivingJeanValjean，andtosseduphishandfulofsous，which，uptothattime，hehadcaughtwithagooddealofadroitnessonthebackofhishand。
Thistimetheforty—soupieceescapedhim，andwentrollingtowardsthebrushwooduntilitreachedJeanValjean。
JeanValjeansethisfootuponit。
Inthemeantime，thechildhadlookedafterhiscoinandhadcaughtsightofhim。
Heshowednoastonishment，butwalkedstraightuptotheman。
Thespotwasabsolutelysolitary。Asfarastheeyecouldseetherewasnotapersonontheplainoronthepath。Theonlysoundwasthetiny，feeblecriesofaflockofbirdsofpassage，whichwastraversingtheheavensatanimmenseheight。Thechildwasstandingwithhisbacktothesun，whichcastthreadsofgoldinhishairandempurpledwithitsblood—redgleamthesavagefaceofJeanValjean。
"Sir，"saidthelittleSavoyard，withthatchildishconfidencewhichiscomposedofignoranceandinnocence，"mymoney。"
"Whatisyourname？"saidJeanValjean。
"LittleGervais，sir。"
"Goaway，"saidJeanValjean。
"Sir，"resumedthechild，"givemebackmymoney。"
JeanValjeandroppedhishead，andmadenoreply。
Thechildbeganagain，"Mymoney，sir。"
JeanValjean’seyesremainedfixedontheearth。
"Mypieceofmoney！"criedthechild，"mywhitepiece！mysilver！"
ItseemedasthoughJeanValjeandidnothearhim。Thechildgraspedhimbythecollarofhisblouseandshookhim。Atthesametimehemadeanefforttodisplacethebigiron—shodshoewhichrestedonhistreasure。
"Iwantmypieceofmoney！mypieceoffortysous！"
Thechildwept。JeanValjeanraisedhishead。Hestillremainedseated。Hiseyesweretroubled。Hegazedatthechild，inasortofamazement，thenhestretchedouthishandtowardshiscudgelandcriedinaterriblevoice，"Who’sthere？"
"I，sir，"repliedthechild。"LittleGervais！I！Givemebackmyfortysous，ifyouplease！Takeyourfootaway，sir，ifyouplease！"
Thenirritated，thoughhewassosmall，andbecomingalmostmenacing:——
"Comenow，willyoutakeyourfootaway？Takeyourfootaway，orwe’llsee！"
"Ah！It’sstillyou！"saidJeanValjean，andrisingabruptlytohisfeet，hisfootstillrestingonthesilverpiece，headded:——
"Willyoutakeyourselfoff！"
Thefrightenedchildlookedathim，thenbegantotremblefromheadtofoot，andafterafewmomentsofstuporhesetout，runningatthetopofhisspeed，withoutdaringtoturnhisneckortoutteracry。
Nevertheless，lackofbreathforcedhimtohaltafteracertaindistance，andJeanValjeanheardhimsobbing，inthemidstofhisownrevery。
Attheendofafewmomentsthechildhaddisappeared。
Thesunhadset。
TheshadowsweredescendingaroundJeanValjean。Hehadeatennothingallday；itisprobablethathewasfeverish。
Hehadremainedstandingandhadnotchangedhisattitudeafterthechild’sflight。Thebreathheavedhischestatlongandirregularintervals。Hisgaze，fixedtenortwelvepacesinfrontofhim，seemedtobescrutinizingwithprofoundattentiontheshapeofanancientfragmentofblueearthenwarewhichhadfalleninthegrass。
Allatonceheshivered；hehadjustbeguntofeelthechillofevening。
Hesettledhiscapmorefirmlyonhisbrow，soughtmechanicallytocrossandbuttonhisblouse，advancedastepandstoppedtopickuphiscudgel。
Atthatmomenthecaughtsightoftheforty—soupiece，whichhisfoothadhalfgroundintotheearth，andwhichwasshiningamongthepebbles。Itwasasthoughhehadreceivedagalvanicshock。
"Whatisthis？"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth。Herecoiledthreepaces，thenhalted，withoutbeingabletodetachhisgazefromthespotwhichhisfoothadtroddenbutaninstantbefore，asthoughthethingwhichlayglitteringthereinthegloomhadbeenanopeneyeriveteduponhim。
Attheexpirationofafewmomentshedartedconvulsivelytowardsthesilvercoin，seizedit，andstraightenedhimselfupagainandbegantogazeafaroffovertheplain，atthesametimecastinghiseyestowardsallpointsofthehorizon，ashestoodthereerectandshivering，likeaterrifiedwildanimalwhichisseekingrefuge。
Hesawnothing。Nightwasfalling，theplainwascoldandvague，greatbanksofviolethazewererisinginthegleamofthetwilight。
Hesaid，"Ah！"andsetoutrapidlyinthedirectioninwhichthechildhaddisappeared。Afteraboutthirtypaceshepaused，lookedabouthimandsawnothing。
Thenheshoutedwithallhismight:——
"LittleGervais！LittleGervais！"
Hepausedandwaited。
Therewasnoreply。
Thelandscapewasgloomyanddeserted。Hewasencompassedbyspace。
Therewasnothingaroundhimbutanobscurityinwhichhisgazewaslost，andasilencewhichengulfedhisvoice。
Anicynorthwindwasblowing，andimpartedtothingsaroundhimasortoflugubriouslife。Thebushesshooktheirthinlittlearmswithincrediblefury。Onewouldhavesaidthattheywerethreateningandpursuingsomeone。
Hesetoutonhismarchagain，thenhebegantorun；andfromtimetotimehehaltedandshoutedintothatsolitude，withavoicewhichwasthemostformidableandthemostdisconsolatethatitwaspossibletohear，"LittleGervais！LittleGervais！"
Assuredly，ifthechildhadheardhim，hewouldhavebeenalarmedandwouldhavetakengoodcarenottoshowhimself。Butthechildwasnodoubtalreadyfaraway。
Heencounteredapriestonhorseback。Hesteppeduptohimandsaid:——
"MonsieurleCure，haveyouseenachildpass？"
"No，"saidthepriest。
"OnenamedLittleGervais？"
"Ihaveseennoone。"
Hedrewtwofive—francpiecesfromhismoney—bagandhandedthemtothepriest。
"MonsieurleCure，thisisforyourpoorpeople。MonsieurleCure，hewasalittlelad，abouttenyearsold，withamarmot，Ithink，andahurdy—gurdy。OneofthoseSavoyards，youknow？"
"Ihavenotseenhim。"
"LittleGervais？Therearenovillageshere？Canyoutellme？"
"Ifheislikewhatyousay，myfriend，heisalittlestranger。
Suchpersonspassthroughtheseparts。Weknownothingofthem。"
JeanValjeanseizedtwomorecoinsoffivefrancseachwithviolence，andgavethemtothepriest。
"Foryourpoor，"hesaid。
Thenheadded，wildly:——
"Monsieurl’Abbe，havemearrested。Iamathief。"
Thepriestputspurstohishorseandfledinhaste，muchalarmed。
JeanValjeansetoutonarun，inthedirectionwhichhehadfirsttaken。
Inthiswayhetraversedatolerablylongdistance，gazing，calling，shouting，buthemetnoone。Twoorthreetimesheranacrosstheplaintowardssomethingwhichconveyedtohimtheeffectofahumanbeingrecliningorcrouchingdown；itturnedouttobenothingbutbrushwoodorrocksnearlyonalevelwiththeearth。
Atlength，ataspotwherethreepathsintersectedeachother，hestopped。Themoonhadrisen。Hesenthisgazeintothedistanceandshoutedforthelasttime，"LittleGervais！LittleGervais！
LittleGervais！"Hisshoutdiedawayinthemist，withoutevenawakeninganecho。Hemurmuredyetoncemore，"LittleGervais！"
butinafeebleandalmostinarticulatevoice。Itwashislasteffort；
hislegsgavewayabruptlyunderhim，asthoughaninvisiblepowerhadsuddenlyoverwhelmedhimwiththeweightofhisevilconscience；
hefellexhausted，onalargestone，hisfistsclenchedinhishairandhisfaceonhisknees，andhecried，"Iamawretch！"
Thenhisheartburst，andhebegantocry。Itwasthefirsttimethathehadweptinnineteenyears。
WhenJeanValjeanlefttheBishop’shouse，hewas，aswehaveseen，quitethrownoutofeverythingthathadbeenhisthoughthitherto。
Hecouldnotyieldtotheevidenceofwhatwasgoingonwithinhim。
Hehardenedhimselfagainsttheangelicactionandthegentlewordsoftheoldman。"Youhavepromisedmetobecomeanhonestman。
Ibuyyoursoul。Itakeitawayfromthespiritofperversity；
IgiveittothegoodGod。"
Thisrecurredtohismindunceasingly。Tothiscelestialkindnessheopposedpride，whichisthefortressofevilwithinus。
Hewasindistinctlyconsciousthatthepardonofthispriestwasthegreatestassaultandthemostformidableattackwhichhadmovedhimyet；thathisobduracywasfinallysettledifheresistedthisclemency；thatifheyielded，heshouldbeobligedtorenouncethathatredwithwhichtheactionsofothermenhadfilledhissoulthroughsomanyyears，andwhichpleasedhim；
thatthistimeitwasnecessarytoconquerortobeconquered；
andthatastruggle，acolossalandfinalstruggle，hadbeenbegunbetweenhisviciousnessandthegoodnessofthatman。
Inthepresenceoftheselights，heproceededlikeamanwhoisintoxicated。Ashewalkedthuswithhaggardeyes，didhehaveadistinctperceptionofwhatmightresulttohimfromhisadventureatD————？Didheunderstandallthosemysteriousmurmurswhichwarnorimportunethespiritatcertainmomentsoflife？
Didavoicewhisperinhisearthathehadjustpassedthesolemnhourofhisdestiny；thattherenolongerremainedamiddlecourseforhim；thatifhewerenothenceforththebestofmen，hewouldbetheworst；thatitbehoovedhimnow，sotospeak，tomounthigherthantheBishop，orfalllowerthantheconvict；
thatifhewishedtobecomegoodbemustbecomeanangel；thatifhewishedtoremainevil，hemustbecomeamonster？
Here，again，somequestionsmustbeput，whichwehavealreadyputtoourselveselsewhere:didhecatchsomeshadowofallthisinhisthought，inaconfusedway？Misfortunecertainly，aswehavesaid，doesformtheeducationoftheintelligence；nevertheless，itisdoubtfulwhetherJeanValjeanwasinaconditiontodisentangleallthatwehavehereindicated。Iftheseideasoccurredtohim，hebutcaughtglimpsesof，ratherthansawthem，andtheyonlysucceededinthrowinghimintoanunutterableandalmostpainfulstateofemotion。Onemergingfromthatblackanddeformedthingwhichiscalledthegalleys，theBishophadhurthissoul，astoovividalightwouldhavehurthiseyesonemergingfromthedark。Thefuturelife，thepossiblelifewhichoffereditselftohimhenceforth，allpureandradiant，filledhimwithtremorsandanxiety。Henolongerknewwherehereallywas。Likeanowl，whoshouldsuddenlyseethesunrise，theconvicthadbeendazzledandblinded，asitwere，byvirtue。
Thatwhichwascertain，thatwhichhedidnotdoubt，wasthathewasnolongerthesameman，thateverythingabouthimwaschanged，thatitwasnolongerinhispowertomakeitasthoughtheBishophadnotspokentohimandhadnottouchedhim。
InthisstateofmindhehadencounteredlittleGervais，andhadrobbedhimofhisfortysous。Why？Hecertainlycouldnothaveexplainedit；
wasthisthelasteffectandthesupremeeffort，asitwere，oftheevilthoughtswhichhehadbroughtawayfromthegalleys，——
aremnantofimpulse，aresultofwhatiscalledinstatics，acquiredforce？Itwasthat，anditwasalso，perhaps，evenlessthanthat。Letussayitsimply，itwasnothewhostole；
itwasnottheman；itwasthebeast，who，byhabitandinstinct，hadsimplyplacedhisfootuponthatmoney，whiletheintelligencewasstrugglingamidsomanynovelandhithertounheard—ofthoughtsbesettingit。
Whenintelligencere—awakenedandbeheldthatactionofthebrute，JeanValjeanrecoiledwithanguishandutteredacryofterror。
Itwasbecause，——strangephenomenon，andonewhichwaspossibleonlyinthesituationinwhichhefoundhimself，——instealingthemoneyfromthatchild，hehaddoneathingofwhichhewasnolongercapable。
Howeverthatmaybe，thislastevilactionhadadecisiveeffectonhim；itabruptlytraversedthatchaoswhichheboreinhismind，anddispersedit，placedononesidethethickobscurity，andontheotherthelight，andactedonhissoul，inthestateinwhichitthenwas，ascertainchemicalreagentsactuponatroubledmixturebyprecipitatingoneelementandclarifyingtheother。
Firstofall，evenbeforeexamininghimselfandreflecting，allbewildered，likeonewhoseekstosavehimself，hetriedtofindthechildinordertoreturnhismoneytohim；then，whenherecognizedthefactthatthiswasimpossible，hehaltedindespair。
Atthemomentwhenheexclaimed"Iamawretch！"hehadjustperceivedwhathewas，andhewasalreadyseparatedfromhimselftosuchadegree，thatheseemedtohimselftobenolongeranythingmorethanaphantom，andasifhehad，therebeforehim，infleshandblood，thehideousgalley—convict，JeanValjean，cudgelinhand，hisblouseonhiships，hisknapsackfilledwithstolenobjectsonhisback，withhisresoluteandgloomyvisage，withhisthoughtsfilledwithabominableprojects。
Excessofunhappinesshad，aswehaveremarked，madehiminsomesortavisionary。This，then，wasinthenatureofavision。
HeactuallysawthatJeanValjean，thatsinisterface，beforehim。
Hehadalmostreachedthepointofaskinghimselfwhothatmanwas，andhewashorrifiedbyhim。
Hisbrainwasgoingthroughoneofthoseviolentandyetperfectlycalmmomentsinwhichreveryissoprofoundthatitabsorbsreality。
Onenolongerbeholdstheobjectwhichonehasbeforeone，andonesees，asthoughapartfromone’sself，thefigureswhichonehasinone’sownmind。
Thushecontemplatedhimself，sotospeak，facetoface，andatthesametime，athwartthishallucination，heperceivedinamysteriousdepthasortoflightwhichheatfirsttookforatorch。Onscrutinizingthislightwhichappearedtohisconsciencewithmoreattention，herecognizedthefactthatitpossessedahumanformandthatthistorchwastheBishop。
Hisconscienceweighedinturnthesetwomenthusplacedbeforeit，——
theBishopandJeanValjean。Nothinglessthanthefirstwasrequiredtosoftenthesecond。Byoneofthosesingulareffects，whicharepeculiartothissortofecstasies，inproportionashisreverycontinued，astheBishopgrewgreatandresplendentinhiseyes，sodidJeanValjeangrowlessandvanish。Afteracertaintimehewasnolongeranythingmorethanashade。Allatoncehedisappeared。
TheBishopaloneremained；hefilledthewholesoulofthiswretchedmanwithamagnificentradiance。
JeanValjeanweptforalongtime。Heweptburningtears，hesobbedwithmoreweaknessthanawoman，withmorefrightthanachild。
Ashewept，daylightpenetratedmoreandmoreclearlyintohissoul；
anextraordinarylight；alightatonceravishingandterrible。
Hispastlife，hisfirstfault，hislongexpiation，hisexternalbrutishness，hisinternalhardness，hisdismissaltoliberty，rejoicinginmanifoldplansofvengeance，whathadhappenedtohimattheBishop’s，thelastthingthathehaddone，thattheftoffortysousfromachild，acrimeallthemorecowardly，andallthemoremonstroussinceithadcomeaftertheBishop’spardon，——allthisrecurredtohismindandappearedclearlytohim，butwithaclearnesswhichhehadneverhithertowitnessed。Heexaminedhislife，anditseemedhorribletohim；hissoul，anditseemedfrightfultohim。
Inthemeantimeagentlelightrestedoverthislifeandthissoul。
ItseemedtohimthathebeheldSatanbythelightofParadise。
Howmanyhoursdidheweepthus？Whatdidhedoafterhehadwept？
Whitherdidhego！Nooneeverknew。TheonlythingwhichseemstobeauthenticatedisthatthatsamenightthecarrierwhoservedGrenobleatthatepoch，andwhoarrivedatD————aboutthreeo’clockinthemorning，saw，ashetraversedthestreetinwhichtheBishop’sresidencewassituated，amanintheattitudeofprayer，kneelingonthepavementintheshadow，infrontofthedoorofMonseigneurWelcome。
BOOKTHIRD。——INTHEYEAR1817
CHAPTERI
THEYEAR1817
1817istheyearwhichLouisXVIII。，withacertainroyalassurancewhichwasnotwantinginpride，entitledthetwenty—secondofhisreign。
ItistheyearinwhichM。BruguieredeSorsumwascelebrated。
Allthehairdressers’shops，hopingforpowderandthereturnoftheroyalbird，werebesmearedwithazureanddeckedwithfleurs—de—lys。
ItwasthecandidtimeatwhichCountLynchsateverySundayaschurch—wardeninthechurch—warden’spewofSaint—Germain—des—Pres，inhiscostumeofapeerofFrance，withhisredribbonandhislongnoseandthemajestyofprofilepeculiartoamanwhohasperformedabrilliantaction。ThebrilliantactionperformedbyM。Lynchwasthis:beingmayorofBordeaux，onthe12thofMarch，1814，hehadsurrenderedthecityalittletoopromptlytoM。theDuked’Angouleme。Hencehispeerage。In1817fashionswalloweduplittleboysoffromfourtosixyearsofageinvastcapsofmoroccoleatherwithear—tabsresemblingEsquimauxmitres。
TheFrencharmywasdressedinwhite，afterthemodeoftheAustrian；
theregimentswerecalledlegions；insteadofnumberstheyborethenamesofdepartments；NapoleonwasatSt。Helena；andsinceEnglandrefusedhimgreencloth，hewashavinghisoldcoatsturned。
In1817Pelligrinisang；MademoiselleBigottinidanced；Potierreigned；
Odrydidnotyetexist。MadameSaquihadsucceededtoForioso。
TherewerestillPrussiansinFrance。M。Delalotwasapersonage。
Legitimacyhadjustasserteditselfbycuttingoffthehand，thenthehead，ofPleignier，ofCarbonneau，andofTolleron。
ThePrincedeTalleyrand，grandchamberlain，andtheAbbeLouis，appointedministeroffinance，laughedastheylookedateachother，withthelaughofthetwoaugurs；bothofthemhadcelebrated，onthe14thofJuly，1790，themassoffederationintheChampdeMars；
Talleyrandhadsaiditasbishop，Louishadserveditinthecapacityofdeacon。In1817，intheside—alleysofthissameChampdeMars，twogreatcylindersofwoodmighthavebeenseenlyingintherain，rottingamidthegrass，paintedblue，withtracesofeaglesandbees，fromwhichthegildingwasfalling。ThesewerethecolumnswhichtwoyearsbeforehadupheldtheEmperor’splatformintheChampdeMai。
TheywereblackenedhereandtherewiththescorchesofthebivouacofAustriansencampednearGros—Caillou。Twoorthreeofthesecolumnshaddisappearedinthesebivouacfires，andhadwarmedthelargehandsoftheImperialtroops。TheFieldofMayhadthisremarkablepoint:thatithadbeenheldinthemonthofJuneandintheFieldofMarch（Mars）。Inthisyear，1817，twothingswerepopular:theVoltaire—Touquetandthesnuff—boxalaCharter。
ThemostrecentParisiansensationwasthecrimeofDautun，whohadthrownhisbrother’sheadintothefountainoftheFlower—Market。
TheyhadbeguntofeelanxiousattheNavalDepartment，onaccountofthelackofnewsfromthatfatalfrigate，TheMedusa，whichwasdestinedtocoverChaumareixwithinfamyandGericaultwithglory。
ColonelSelveswasgoingtoEgypttobecomeSoliman—Pasha。ThepalaceofThermes，intheRuedeLaHarpe，servedasashopforacooper。
OntheplatformoftheoctagonaltoweroftheHoteldeCluny，thelittleshedofboards，whichhadservedasanobservatorytoMessier，thenavalastronomerunderLouisXVI。，wasstilltobeseen。
TheDuchessedeDurasreadtothreeorfourfriendsherunpublishedOurika，inherboudoirfurnishedbyX。insky—bluesatin。TheN’swerescratchedofftheLouvre。ThebridgeofAusterlitzhadabdicated，andwasentitledthebridgeoftheKing’sGarden[duJardinduRoi]，adoubleenigma，whichdisguisedthebridgeofAusterlitzandtheJardindesPlantesatonestroke。LouisXVIII。，muchpreoccupiedwhileannotatingHoracewiththecornerofhisfinger—nail，heroeswhohavebecomeemperors，andmakersofwoodenshoeswhohavebecomedauphins，hadtwoanxieties，——NapoleonandMathurinBruneau。
TheFrenchAcademyhadgivenforitsprizesubject，TheHappinessprocuredthroughStudy。M。Bellartwasofficiallyeloquent。
Inhisshadowcouldbeseengerminatingthatfutureadvocate—generalofBroe，dedicatedtothesarcasmsofPaul—LouisCourier。
TherewasafalseChateaubriand，namedMarchangy，intheinterim，untilthereshouldbeafalseMarchangy，namedd’Arlincourt。
Claired’AlbeandMalek—Adelweremasterpieces；MadameCottinwasproclaimedthechiefwriteroftheepoch。TheInstitutehadtheacademician，NapoleonBonaparte，strickenfromitslistofmembers。AroyalordinanceerectedAngoulemeintoanavalschool；
fortheDucd’Angouleme，beinglordhighadmiral，itwasevidentthatthecityofAngoulemehadallthequalitiesofaseaport；
otherwisethemonarchicalprinciplewouldhavereceivedawound。
IntheCouncilofMinistersthequestionwasagitatedwhethervignettesrepresentingslack—ropeperformances，whichadornedFranconi’sadvertisingposters，andwhichattractedthrongsofstreeturchins，shouldbetolerated。M。Paer，theauthorofAgnese，agoodsortoffellow，withasquarefaceandawartonhischeek，directedthelittleprivateconcertsoftheMarquisedeSasenayeintheRueVillel’Eveque。AlltheyounggirlsweresingingtheHermitofSaint—Avelle，withwordsbyEdmondGeraud。TheYellowDwarfwastransferredintoMirror。TheCafeLemblinstoodupfortheEmperor，againsttheCafeValois，whichupheldtheBourbons。
TheDucdeBerri，alreadysurveyedfromtheshadowbyLouvel，hadjustbeenmarriedtoaprincessofSicily。MadamedeStaelhaddiedayearpreviously。Thebody—guardhissedMademoiselleMars。
Thegrandnewspaperswereallverysmall。Theirformwasrestricted，buttheirlibertywasgreat。TheConstitutionnelwasconstitutional。
LaMinervecalledChateaubriandChateaubriant。Thattmadethegoodmiddle—classpeoplelaughheartilyattheexpenseofthegreatwriter。
Injournalswhichsoldthemselves，prostitutedjournalists，insultedtheexilesof1815。Davidhadnolongeranytalent，Arnaulthadnolongeranywit，Carnotwasnolongerhonest，Soulthadwonnobattles；itistruethatNapoleonhadnolongeranygenius。
Nooneisignorantofthefactthatletterssenttoanexilebypostveryrarelyreachedhim，asthepolicemadeittheirreligiousdutytointerceptthem。Thisisnonewfact；Descartescomplainedofitinhisexile。NowDavid，having，inaBelgianpublication，shownsomedispleasureatnotreceivingletterswhichhadbeenwrittentohim，itstrucktheroyalistjournalsasamusing；
andtheyderidedtheprescribedmanwellonthisoccasion。
Whatseparatedtwomenmorethananabysswastosay，theregicides，ortosaythevoters；tosaytheenemies，ortosaytheallies；
tosayNapoleon，ortosayBuonaparte。AllsensiblepeoplewereagreedthattheeraofrevolutionhadbeenclosedforeverbyKingLouisXVIII。，surnamed"TheImmortalAuthoroftheCharter。"
OntheplatformofthePont—Neuf，thewordRedivivuswascarvedonthepedestalthatawaitedthestatueofHenryIV。M。Piet，intheRueTherese，No。4，wasmakingtheroughdraftofhisprivyassemblytoconsolidatethemonarchy。TheleadersoftheRightsaidatgraveconjunctures，"WemustwritetoBacot。"MM。Canuel，O’Mahoney，andDeChappedelainewerepreparingthesketch，tosomeextentwithMonsieur’sapproval，ofwhatwastobecomelateron"TheConspiracyoftheBorddel’Eau"——ofthewaterside。
L’EpingleNoirewasalreadyplottinginhisownquarter。
DelaverderiewasconferringwithTrogoff。M。Decazes，whowasliberaltoadegree，reigned。ChateaubriandstoodeverymorningathiswindowatNo。27RueSaint—Dominique，cladinfootedtrousers，andslippers，withamadraskerchiefknottedoverhisgrayhair，withhiseyesfixedonamirror，acompletesetofdentist’sinstrumentsspreadoutbeforehim，cleaninghisteeth，whichwerecharming，whilehedictatedTheMonarchyaccordingtotheChartertoM。Pilorge，hissecretary。Criticism，assuminganauthoritativetone，preferredLafontoTalma。M。deFeletezsignedhimselfA。；
M。HoffmannsignedhimselfZ。CharlesNodierwroteThereseAubert。
Divorcewasabolished。Lyceumscalledthemselvescolleges。
Thecollegians，decoratedonthecollarwithagoldenfleur—de—lys，foughteachotheraproposoftheKingofRome。Thecounter—policeofthechateauhaddenouncedtoherRoyalHighnessMadame，theportrait，everywhereexhibited，ofM。theDucd’Orleans，whomadeabetterappearanceinhisuniformofacolonel—generalofhussarsthanM。theDucdeBerri，inhisuniformofcolonel—generalofdragoons——
aseriousinconvenience。ThecityofPariswashavingthedomeoftheInvalidesregildedatitsownexpense。SeriousmenaskedthemselveswhatM。deTrinquelaguewoulddoonsuchorsuchanoccasion；
M。ClauseldeMontalsdifferedondiverspointsfromM。ClauseldeCoussergues；M。deSalaberrywasnotsatisfied。ThecomedianPicard，whobelongedtotheAcademy，whichthecomedianMolierehadnotbeenabletodo，hadTheTwoPhilibertsplayedattheOdeon，uponwhosepedimenttheremovalofthelettersstillallowedTHEATREOFTHE
EMPRESStobeplainlyread。PeopletookpartfororagainstCugnetdeMontarlot。Fabvierwasfactious；Bavouxwasrevolutionary。
TheLiberal，Pelicier，publishedaneditionofVoltaire，withthefollowingtitle:WorksofVoltaire，oftheFrenchAcademy。
"Thatwillattractpurchasers，"saidtheingeniouseditor。ThegeneralopinionwasthatM。CharlesLoysonwouldbethegeniusofthecentury；
envywasbeginningtognawathim——asignofglory；andthisversewascomposedonhim:——
"EvenwhenLoysonsteals，onefeelsthathehaspaws。"
AsCardinalFeschrefusedtoresign，M。dePins，ArchbishopofAmasie，administeredthedioceseofLyons。ThequarreloverthevalleyofDappeswasbegunbetweenSwitzerlandandFrancebyamemoirfromCaptain，afterwardsGeneralDufour。Saint—Simon，ignored，waserectinghissublimedream。TherewasacelebratedFourierattheAcademyofScience，whomposterityhasforgotten；andinsomegarretanobscureFourier，whomthefuturewillrecall。
LordByronwasbeginningtomakehismark；anotetoapoembyMillevoyeintroducedhimtoFranceintheseterms:acertainLordBaron。Davidd’Angerswastryingtoworkinmarble。TheAbbeCaronwasspeaking，intermsofpraise，toaprivategatheringofseminaristsintheblindalleyofFeuillantines，ofanunknownpriest，namedFelicite—Robert，who，atalatterdate，becameLamennais。
AthingwhichsmokedandclatteredontheSeinewiththenoiseofaswimmingdogwentandcamebeneaththewindowsoftheTuileries，fromthePontRoyaltothePontLouisXV。；itwasapieceofmechanismwhichwasnotgoodformuch；asortofplaything，theidledreamofadream—riddeninventor；anutopia——asteamboat。TheParisiansstaredindifferentlyatthisuselessthing。M。deVaublanc，thereformeroftheInstitutebyacoupd’etat，thedistinguishedauthorofnumerousacademicians，ordinances，andbatchesofmembers，afterhavingcreatedthem，couldnotsucceedinbecomingonehimself。
TheFaubourgSaint—GermainandthepaviliondeMarsanwishedtohaveM。Delaveauforprefectofpolice，onaccountofhispiety。
DupuytrenandRecamierenteredintoaquarrelintheamphitheatreoftheSchoolofMedicine，andthreatenedeachotherwiththeirfistsonthesubjectofthedivinityofJesusChrist。Cuvier，withoneeyeonGenesisandtheotheronnature，triedtopleasebigotedreactionbyreconcilingfossilswithtextsandbymakingmastodonsflatterMoses。
M。FrancoisdeNeufchateau，thepraiseworthycultivatorofthememoryofParmentier，madeathousandeffortstohavepommedeterre[potato]pronouncedparmentiere，andsucceededthereinnotatall。
TheAbbeGregoire，ex—bishop，ex—conventionary，ex—senator，hadpassed，intheroyalistpolemics，tothestateof"InfamousGregoire。"
Thelocutionofwhichwehavemadeuse——passedtothestateof——hasbeencondemnedasaneologismbyM。RoyerCollard。UnderthethirdarchofthePontdeJena，thenewstonewithwhich，thetwoyearspreviously，theminingaperturemadebyBluchertoblowupthebridgehadbeenstoppedup，wasstillrecognizableonaccountofitswhiteness。
Justicesummonedtoitsbaramanwho，onseeingtheComted’ArtoisenterNotreDame，hadsaidaloud:"Sapristi！IregretthetimewhenIsawBonaparteandTalmaentertheBelSauvage，arminarm。"
Aseditiousutterance。Sixmonthsinprison。Traitorsshowedthemselvesunbuttoned；menwhohadgoneovertotheenemyontheeveofbattlemadenosecretoftheirrecompense，andstruttedimmodestlyinthelightofday，inthecynicismofrichesanddignities；
desertersfromLignyandQuatre—Bras，inthebrazennessoftheirwell—paidturpitude，exhibitedtheirdevotiontothemonarchyinthemostbarefacedmanner。
Thisiswhatfloatsupconfusedly，pell—mell，fortheyear1817，andisnowforgotten。Historyneglectsnearlyalltheseparticulars，andcannotdootherwise；theinfinitywouldoverwhelmit。
Nevertheless，thesedetails，whicharewronglycalledtrivial，——
therearenotrivialfactsinhumanity，norlittleleavesinvegetation，——areuseful。Itisofthephysiognomyoftheyearsthatthephysiognomyofthecenturiesiscomposed。
Inthisyearof1817fouryoungParisiansarranged"afinefarce。"
CHAPTERII
ADOUBLEQUARTETTE
TheseParisianscame，onefromToulouse，anotherfromLimoges，thethirdfromCahors，andthefourthfromMontauban；buttheywerestudents；andwhenonesaysstudent，onesaysParisian:
tostudyinParisistobeborninParis。
Theseyoungmenwereinsignificant；everyonehasseensuchfaces；
fourspecimensofhumanitytakenatrandom；neithergoodnorbad，neitherwisenorignorant，neithergeniusesnorfools；handsome，withthatcharmingAprilwhichiscalledtwentyyears。TheywerefourOscars；for，atthatepoch，Arthursdidnotyetexist。
BurnforhimtheperfumesofAraby！exclaimedromance。
Oscaradvances。Oscar，Ishallbeholdhim！PeoplehadjustemergedfromOssian；elegancewasScandinavianandCaledonian；
thepureEnglishstylewasonlytoprevaillater，andthefirstoftheArthurs，Wellington，hadbutjustwonthebattleofWaterloo。
TheseOscarsborethenames，oneofFelixTholomyes，ofToulouse；
thesecond，Listolier，ofCahors；thenext，Fameuil，ofLimoges；
thelast，Blachevelle，ofMontauban。Naturally，eachofthemhadhismistress。BlachevellelovedFavourite，sonamedbecauseshehadbeeninEngland；ListolieradoredDahlia，whohadtakenforhernicknamethenameofaflower；FameuilidolizedZephine，anabridgmentofJosephine；TholomyeshadFantine，calledtheBlonde，becauseofherbeautiful，sunnyhair。
Favourite，Dahlia，Zephine，andFantinewerefourravishingyoungwomen，perfumedandradiant，stillalittlelikeworking—women，andnotyetentirelydivorcedfromtheirneedles；somewhatdisturbedbyintrigues，butstillretainingontheirfacessomethingoftheserenityoftoil，andintheirsoulsthatflowerofhonestywhichsurvivesthefirstfallinwoman。Oneofthefourwascalledtheyoung，becauseshewastheyoungestofthem，andonewascalledtheold；
theoldonewastwenty—three。Nottoconcealanything，thethreefirstweremoreexperienced，moreheedless，andmoreemancipatedintothetumultoflifethanFantinetheBlonde，whowasstillinherfirstillusions。
Dahlia，Zephine，andespeciallyFavourite，couldnothavesaidasmuch。
Therehadalreadybeenmorethanoneepisodeintheirromance，thoughhardlybegun；andtheloverwhohadbornethenameofAdolphinthefirstchapterhadturnedouttobeAlphonseinthesecond，andGustaveinthethird。Povertyandcoquetryaretwofatalcounsellors；
onescoldsandtheotherflatters，andthebeautifuldaughtersofthepeoplehavebothofthemwhisperingintheirear，eachonitsownside。Thesebadlyguardedsoulslisten。Hencethefallswhichtheyaccomplish，andthestoneswhicharethrownatthem。
Theyareoverwhelmedwithsplendorofallthatisimmaculateandinaccessible。Alas！whatiftheJungfrauwerehungry？
FavouritehavingbeeninEngland，wasadmiredbyDahliaandZephine。
Shehadhadanestablishmentofherownveryearlyinlife。
Herfatherwasanoldunmarriedprofessorofmathematics，abrutalmanandabraggart，whowentouttogivelessonsinspiteofhisage。
Thisprofessor，whenhewasayoungman，hadonedayseenachambermaid’sgowncatchonafender；hehadfalleninloveinconsequenceofthisaccident。TheresulthadbeenFavourite。Shemetherfatherfromtimetotime，andhebowedtoher。Onemorninganoldwomanwiththeairofadevotee，hadenteredherapartments，andhadsaidtoher，"Youdonotknowme，Mamemoiselle？""No。""Iamyourmother。"
Thentheoldwomanopenedthesideboard，andateanddrank，hadamattresswhichsheownedbroughtin，andinstalledherself。
ThiscrossandpiousoldmotherneverspoketoFavourite，remainedhourswithoututteringaword，breakfasted，dined，andsuppedforfour，andwentdowntotheporter’squartersforcompany，whereshespokeillofherdaughter。
ItwashavingrosynailsthatweretooprettywhichhaddrawnDahliatoListolier，toothersperhaps，toidleness。Howcouldshemakesuchnailswork？Shewhowishestoremainvirtuousmustnothavepityonherhands。AsforZephine，shehadconqueredFameuilbyherroguishandcaressinglittlewayofsaying"Yes，sir。"
Theyoungmenwerecomrades；theyounggirlswerefriends。
Suchlovesarealwaysaccompaniedbysuchfriendships。
Goodnessandphilosophyaretwodistinctthings；theproofofthisisthat，aftermakingalldueallowancesfortheselittleirregularhouseholds，Favourite，Zephine，andDahliawerephilosophicalyoungwomen，whileFantinewasagoodgirl。
Good！someonewillexclaim；andTholomyes？Solomonwouldreplythatloveformsapartofwisdom。WewillconfineourselvestosayingthattheloveofFantinewasafirstlove，asolelove，afaithfullove。
Shealone，ofallthefour，wasnotcalled"thou"byasingleoneofthem。
Fantinewasoneofthosebeingswhoblossom，sotospeak，fromthedregsofthepeople。Thoughshehademergedfromthemostunfathomabledepthsofsocialshadow，sheboreonherbrowthesignoftheanonymousandtheunknown。ShewasbornatM。surM。Ofwhatparents？Whocansay？Shehadneverknownfatherormother。
ShewascalledFantine。WhyFantine？Shehadneverborneanyothername。AttheepochofherbirththeDirectorystillexisted。
Shehadnofamilyname；shehadnofamily；nobaptismalname；
theChurchnolongerexisted。Sheborethenamewhichpleasedthefirstrandompasser—by，whohadencounteredher，whenaverysmallchild，runningbare—leggedinthestreet。Shereceivedthenameasshereceivedthewaterfromthecloudsuponherbrowwhenitrained。
ShewascalledlittleFantine。Nooneknewmorethanthat。Thishumancreaturehadenteredlifeinjustthisway。Attheageoften，Fantinequittedthetownandwenttoservicewithsomefarmersintheneighborhood。AtfifteenshecametoParis"toseekherfortune。"
Fantinewasbeautiful，andremainedpureaslongasshecould。
Shewasalovelyblonde，withfineteeth。Shehadgoldandpearlsforherdowry；buthergoldwasonherhead，andherpearlswereinhermouth。
Sheworkedforherliving；then，stillforthesakeofherliving，——
fortheheart，also，hasitshunger，——sheloved。
ShelovedTholomyes。
Anamourforhim；passionforher。ThestreetsoftheLatinquarter，filledwiththrongsofstudentsandgrisettes，sawthebeginningoftheirdream。FantinehadlongevadedTholomyesinthemazesofthehillofthePantheon，wheresomanyadventurerstwineanduntwine，butinsuchawayasconstantlytoencounterhimagain。
Thereisawayofavoidingwhichresemblesseeking。Inshort，theecloguetookplace。
Blachevelle，Listolier，andFameuilformedasortofgroupofwhichTholomyeswasthehead。Itwashewhopossessedthewit。
Tholomyeswastheantiqueoldstudent；hewasrich；hehadanincomeoffourthousandfrancs；fourthousandfrancs！asplendidscandalonMountSainte—Genevieve。Tholomyeswasafastmanofthirty，andbadlypreserved。Hewaswrinkledandtoothless，andhehadthebeginningofabaldspot，ofwhichhehimselfsaidwithsadness，theskullatthirty，thekneeatforty。Hisdigestionwasmediocre，andhehadbeenattackedbyawateringinoneeye。Butinproportionashisyouthdisappeared，gayetywaskindled；hereplacedhisteethwithbuffooneries，hishairwithmirth，hishealthwithirony，hisweepingeyelaughedincessantly。Hewasdilapidatedbutstillinflower。
Hisyouth，whichwaspackingupfordeparturelongbeforeitstime，beataretreatingoodorder，burstingwithlaughter，andnoonesawanythingbutfire。HehadhadapiecerejectedattheVaudeville。
Hemadeafewversesnowandthen。Inadditiontothishedoubtedeverythingtothelastdegree，whichisavastforceintheeyesoftheweak。Beingthusironicalandbald，hewastheleader。
IronisanEnglishword。Isitpossiblethatironyisderivedfromit？
OnedayTholomyestookthethreeothersaside，withthegestureofanoracle，andsaidtothem:——
"Fantine，Dahlia，Zephine，andFavouritehavebeenteasingusfornearlyayeartogivethemasurprise。Wehavepromisedthemsolemnlythatwewould。Theyareforevertalkingaboutittous，tomeinparticular，justastheoldwomeninNaplescrytoSaintJanuarius，`Facciagialluta，faomiracolo，Yellowface，performthymiracle，’
soourbeautiessaytomeincessantly，`Tholomyes，whenwillyoubringforthyoursurprise？’Atthesametimeourparentskeepwritingtous。
Pressureonbothsides。Themomenthasarrived，itseemstome；
letusdiscussthequestion。"
Thereupon，Tholomyesloweredhisvoiceandarticulatedsomethingsomirthful，thatavastandenthusiasticgrinbrokeoutuponthefourmouthssimultaneously，andBlachevelleexclaimed，"Thatisanidea。"
Asmokytap—roompresenteditself；theyentered，andtheremainderoftheirconfidentialcolloquywaslostinshadow。
TheresultoftheseshadeswasadazzlingpleasurepartywhichtookplaceonthefollowingSunday，thefouryoungmeninvitingthefouryounggirls。
CHAPTERIII
FOURANDFOUR
Itishardnowadaystopicturetoone’sselfwhatapleasure—tripofstudentsandgrisettestothecountrywaslike，forty—fiveyearsago。
ThesuburbsofParisarenolongerthesame；thephysiognomyofwhatmaybecalledcircumparisianlifehaschangedcompletelyinthelasthalf—century；wheretherewasthecuckoo，thereistherailwaycar；
wheretherewasatender—boat，thereisnowthesteamboat；peoplespeakofFecampnowadaysastheyspokeofSaint—Cloudinthosedays。
TheParisof1862isacitywhichhasFranceforitsoutskirts。
Thefourcouplesconscientiouslywentthroughwithallthecountryfolliespossibleatthattime。Thevacationwasbeginning，anditwasawarm，bright，summerday。Ontheprecedingday，Favourite，theonlyonewhoknewhowtowrite，hadwrittenthefollowingtoTholomyesinthenameofthefour:"Itisagoodhourtoemergefromhappiness。"Thatiswhytheyroseatfiveo’clockinthemorning。
ThentheywenttoSaint—Cloudbythecoach，lookedatthedrycascadeandexclaimed，"Thismustbeverybeautifulwhenthereiswater！"
TheybreakfastedattheTete—Noir，whereCastainghadnotyetbeen；
theytreatedthemselvestoagameofring—throwingunderthequincunxoftreesofthegrandfountain；theyascendedDiogenes’
lantern，theygambledformacaroonsattherouletteestablishmentofthePontdeSevres，pickedbouquetsatPateaux，boughtreed—pipesatNeuilly，ateappletartseverywhere，andwereperfectlyhappy。
Theyounggirlsrustledandchattedlikewarblersescapedfromtheircage。Itwasaperfectdelirium。Fromtimetotimetheybestowedlittletapsontheyoungmen。Matutinalintoxicationoflife！
adorableyears！thewingsofthedragonflyquiver。Oh，whoeveryoumaybe，doyounotremember？Haveyourambledthroughthebrushwood，holdingasidethebranches，onaccountofthecharmingheadwhichiscomingonbehindyou？Haveyouslid，laughing，downaslopeallwetwithrain，withabelovedwomanholdingyourhand，andcrying，"Ah，mynewboots！whatastatetheyarein！"
Letussayatoncethatthatmerryobstacle，ashower，waslackinginthecaseofthisgood—humoredparty，althoughFavouritehadsaidastheysetout，withamagisterialandmaternaltone，"Theslugsarecrawlinginthepaths，——asignofrain，children。"
Allfourweremadlypretty。Agoodoldclassicpoet，thenfamous，agoodfellowwhohadanEleonore，M。leChevalierdeLabouisse，ashestrolledthatdaybeneaththechestnut—treesofSaint—Cloud，sawthempassaboutteno’clockinthemorning，andexclaimed，"Thereisonetoomanyofthem，"ashethoughtoftheGraces。
Favourite，Blachevelle’sfriend，theoneagedthreeandtwenty，theoldone，ranoninfrontunderthegreatgreenboughs，jumpedtheditches，stalkeddistractedlyoverbushes，andpresidedoverthismerry—makingwiththespiritofayoungfemalefaun。
ZephineandDahlia，whomchancehadmadebeautifulinsuchawaythattheyseteachoffwhentheyweretogether，andcompletedeachother，neverlefteachother，morefromaninstinctofcoquetrythanfromfriendship，andclingingtoeachother，theyassumedEnglishposes；thefirstkeepsakeshadjustmadetheirappearance，melancholywasdawningforwomen，aslateron，Byronismdawnedformen；
andthehairofthetendersexbegantodroopdolefully。ZephineandDahliahadtheirhairdressedinrolls。ListolierandFameuil，whowereengagedindiscussingtheirprofessors，explainedtoFantinethedifferencethatexistedbetweenM。DelvincourtandM。Blondeau。
BlachevelleseemedtohavebeencreatedexpresslytocarryFavourite’ssingle—bordered，imitationIndiashawlofTernaux’smanufacture，onhisarmonSundays。
Tholomyesfollowed，dominatingthegroup。Hewasverygay，butonefelttheforceofgovernmentinhim；therewasdictationinhisjoviality；
hisprincipalornamentwasapairoftrousersofelephant—legpatternofnankeen，withstrapsofbraidedcopperwire；hecarriedastoutrattanworthtwohundredfrancsinhishand，and，ashetreatedhimselftoeverything，astrangethingcalledacigarinhismouth。
Nothingwassacredtohim；hesmoked。
"ThatTholomyesisastounding！"saidtheothers，withveneration。
"Whattrousers！Whatenergy！"
AsforFantine，shewasajoytobehold。HersplendidteethhadevidentlyreceivedanofficefromGod，——laughter。Shepreferredtocarryherlittlehatofsewedstraw，withitslongwhitestrings，inherhandratherthanonherhead。Herthickblondhair，whichwasinclinedtowave，andwhicheasilyuncoiled，andwhichitwasnecessarytofastenupincessantly，seemedmadefortheflightofGalateaunderthewillows。Herrosylipsbabbledenchantingly。
Thecornersofhermouthvoluptuouslyturnedup，asintheantiquemasksofErigone，hadanairofencouragingtheaudacious；butherlong，shadowylashesdroopeddiscreetlyoverthejollityofthelowerpartofthefaceasthoughtocallahalt。Therewassomethingindescribablyharmoniousandstrikingaboutherentiredress。
Sheworeagownofmauvebarege，littlereddishbrownbuskins，whoseribbonstracedanXonherfine，white，open—workedstockings，andthatsortofmuslinspencer，aMarseillesinvention，whosename，canezou，acorruptionofthewordsquinzeaout，pronouncedafterthefashionoftheCanebiere，signifiesfineweather，heat，andmidday。
Thethreeothers，lesstimid，aswehavealreadysaid，worelow—neckeddresseswithoutdisguise，whichinsummer，beneathflower—adornedhats，areverygracefulandenticing；butbythesideoftheseaudaciousoutfits，blondFantine’scanezou，withitstransparencies，itsindiscretion，anditsreticence，concealinganddisplayingatoneandthesametime，seemedanalluringgodsendofdecency，andthefamousCourtofLove，presidedoverbytheVicomtessedeCette，withthesea—greeneyes，would，perhaps，haveawardedtheprizeforcoquetrytothiscanezou，inthecontestfortheprizeofmodesty。
Themostingeniousis，attimes，thewisest。Thisdoeshappen。
Brilliantofface，delicateofprofile，witheyesofadeepblue，heavylids，feetarchedandsmall，wristsandanklesadmirablyformed，awhiteskinwhich，hereandthereallowedtheazurebranchingoftheveinstobeseen，joy，acheekthatwasyoungandfresh，therobustthroatoftheJunoofAEgina，astrongandsupplenapeoftheneck，shouldersmodelledasthoughbyCoustou，withavoluptuousdimpleinthemiddle，visiblethroughthemuslin；agayetycooledbydreaminess；sculpturalandexquisite——suchwasFantine；
andbeneaththesefeminineadornmentsandtheseribbonsonecoulddivineastatue，andinthatstatueasoul。
Fantinewasbeautiful，withoutbeingtooconsciousofit。
Thoseraredreamers，mysteriouspriestsofthebeautifulwhosilentlyconfronteverythingwithperfection，wouldhavecaughtaglimpseinthislittleworking—woman，throughthetransparencyofherParisiangrace，oftheancientsacredeuphony。Thisdaughteroftheshadowswasthoroughbred。Shewasbeautifulinthetwoways——
styleandrhythm。Styleistheformoftheideal；rhythmisitsmovement。
WehavesaidthatFantinewasjoy；shewasalsomodesty。
Toanobserverwhostudiedherattentively，thatwhichbreathedfromherathwartalltheintoxicationofherage，theseason，andherloveaffair，wasaninvincibleexpressionofreserveandmodesty。
Sheremainedalittleastonished。ThischasteastonishmentistheshadeofdifferencewhichseparatesPsychefromVenus。
Fantinehadthelong，white，finefingersofthevestalvirginwhostirstheashesofthesacredfirewithagoldenpin。AlthoughshewouldhaverefusednothingtoTholomyes，asweshallhavemorethanampleopportunitytosee，herfaceinreposewassupremelyvirginal；
asortofseriousandalmostausteredignitysuddenlyoverwhelmedheratcertaintimes，andtherewasnothingmoresingularanddisturbingthantoseegayetybecomesosuddenlyextinctthere，andmeditationsucceedtocheerfulnesswithoutanytransitionstate。
Thissuddenandsometimesseverelyaccentuatedgravityresembledthedisdainofagoddess。Herbrow，hernose，herchin，presentedthatequilibriumofoutlinewhichisquitedistinctfromequilibriumofproportion，andfromwhichharmonyofcountenanceresults；
intheverycharacteristicintervalwhichseparatesthebaseofthenosefromtheupperlip，shehadthatimperceptibleandcharmingfold，amysterioussignofchastity，whichmakesBarberoussefallinlovewithaDianafoundinthetreasuresofIconia。
Loveisafault；sobeit。Fantinewasinnocencefloatinghighoverfault。
CHAPTERIV
THOLOMYESISSOMERRYTHATHESINGSASPANISHDITTY
Thatdaywascomposedofdawn，fromoneendtotheother。
Allnatureseemedtobehavingaholiday，andtobelaughing。
Theflower—bedsofSaint—Cloudperfumedtheair；thebreathoftheSeinerustledtheleavesvaguely；thebranchesgesticulatedinthewind，beespillagedthejasmines；awholebohemiaofbutterfliesswoopeddownupontheyarrow，theclover，andthesterileoats；intheaugustparkoftheKingofFrancetherewasapackofvagabonds，thebirds。
Thefourmerrycouples，mingledwiththesun，thefields，theflowers，thetrees，wereresplendent。
AndinthiscommunityofParadise，talking，singing，running，dancing，chasingbutterflies，pluckingconvolvulus，wettingtheirpink，open—workstockingsinthetallgrass，fresh，wild，withoutmalice，allreceived，tosomeextent，thekissesofall，withtheexceptionofFantine，whowashedgedaboutwiththatvagueresistanceofherscomposedofdreaminessandwildness，andwhowasinlove。
"Youalwayshaveaqueerlookaboutyou，"saidFavouritetoher。
Suchthingsarejoys。Thesepassagesofhappycouplesareaprofoundappealtolifeandnature，andmakeacaressandlightspringforthfromeverything。Therewasonceafairywhocreatedthefieldsandforestsexpresslyforthoseinlove，——inthateternalhedge—schooloflovers，whichisforeverbeginninganew，andwhichwilllastaslongastherearehedgesandscholars。
Hencethepopularityofspringamongthinkers。Thepatricianandtheknife—grinder，thedukeandthepeer，thelimbofthelaw，thecourtiersandtownspeople，astheyusedtosayinoldentimes，allaresubjectsofthisfairy。Theylaughandhunt，andthereisintheairthebrillianceofanapotheosis——whatatransfigurationeffectedbylove！Notaries’clerksaregods。Andthelittlecries，thepursuitsthroughthegrass，thewaistsembracedonthefly，thosejargonswhicharemelodies，thoseadorationswhichburstforthinthemannerofpronouncingasyllable，thosecherriestornfromonemouthbyanother，——allthisblazesforthandtakesitsplaceamongthecelestialglories。Beautifulwomenwastethemselvessweetly。Theythinkthatthiswillnevercometoanend。
Philosophers，poets，painters，observetheseecstasiesandknownotwhattomakeofit，sogreatlyaretheydazzledbyit。ThedepartureforCythera！exclaimsWatteau；Lancret，thepainterofplebeians，contemplateshisbourgeois，whohaveflittedawayintotheazuresky；
Diderotstretchesouthisarmstoalltheseloveidyls，andd’Urfeminglesdruidswiththem。
AfterbreakfastthefourcoupleswenttowhatwasthencalledtheKing’sSquaretoseeanewlyarrivedplantfromIndia，whosenameescapesourmemoryatthismoment，andwhich，atthatepoch，wasattractingallParistoSaint—Cloud。Itwasanoddandcharmingshrubwithalongstem，whosenumerousbranches，bristlingandleaflessandasfineasthreads，werecoveredwithamilliontinywhiterosettes；
thisgavetheshrubtheairofaheadofhairstuddedwithflowers。
Therewasalwaysanadmiringcrowdaboutit。
Afterviewingtheshrub，Tholomyesexclaimed，"Iofferyouasses！"
andhavingagreeduponapricewiththeowneroftheasses，theyreturnedbywayofVanvresandIssy。AtIssyanincidentoccurred。
Thetrulynationalpark，atthattimeownedbyBourguinthecontractor，happenedtobewideopen。Theypassedthegates，visitedthemanikinanchoriteinhisgrotto，triedthemysteriouslittleeffectsofthefamouscabinetofmirrors，thewantontrapworthyofasatyrbecomeamillionaireorofTurcaretmetamorphosedintoaPriapus。
Theyhadstoutlyshakentheswingattachedtothetwochestnut—treescelebratedbytheAbbedeBernis。Asheswungthesebeauties，oneaftertheother，producingfoldsintheflutteringskirtswhichGreuzewouldhavefoundtohistaste，amidpealsoflaughter，theToulousanTholomyes，whowassomewhatofaSpaniard，ToulousebeingthecousinofTolosa，sang，toamelancholychant，theoldballadgallega，probablyinspiredbysomelovelymaiddashinginfullflightuponaropebetweentwotrees:——
"SoydeBadajoz，"Badajozismyhome，Amormellama，AndLoveismyname；
Todamialma，Tomyeyesinflame，Esenmiojos，Allmysouldothcome；
Porqueensenas，ForinstructionmeetAtuaspiernas。Ireceiveatthyfeet"
Fantinealonerefusedtoswing。
"Idon’tliketohavepeopleputonairslikethat，"mutteredFavourite，withagooddealofacrimony。
Afterleavingtheassestherewasafreshdelight；theycrossedtheSeineinaboat，andproceedingfromPassyonfoottheyreachedthebarrierofl’Etoile。Theyhadbeenupsincefiveo’clockthatmorning，asthereaderwillremember；butbah！thereisnosuchthingasfatigueonSunday，saidFavourite；onSundayfatiguedoesnotwork。
Aboutthreeo’clockthefourcouples，frightenedattheirhappiness，wereslidingdowntheRussianmountains，asingularedificewhichthenoccupiedtheheightsofBeaujon，andwhoseundulatinglinewasvisibleabovethetreesoftheChampsElysees。
FromtimetotimeFavouriteexclaimed:——
"Andthesurprise？Iclaimthesurprise。"
"Patience，"repliedTholomyes。