Thesebuildingsweresodecrepitthat，intheRuedelaChanvrerieandtheRuedelaPetite—Truanderie，thefrontswereshoredupwithbeamsrunningfromonehousetoanother。Thestreetwasnarrowandthegutterbroad，thepedestriantherewalkedonapavementthatwasalwayswet，skirtinglittlestallsresemblingcellars，bigpostsencircledwithironhoops，excessiveheapsofrefuse，andgatesarmedwithenormous，century—oldgratings。TheRueRambuteauhasdevastatedallthat。
ThenameofMondetourpaintsmarvellouslywellthesinuositiesofthatwholesetofstreets。Alittlefurtheron，theyarefoundstillbetterexpressedbytheRuePirouette，whichranintotheRueMondetour。
Thepasser—bywhogotentangledfromtheRueSaint—DenisintheRuedelaChanvreriebehelditgraduallycloseinbeforehimasthoughhehadenteredanelongatedfunnel。Attheendofthisstreet，whichwasveryshort，hefoundfurtherpassagebarredinthedirectionoftheHallesbyatallrowofhouses，andhewouldhavethoughthimselfinablindalley，hadhenotperceivedontherightandlefttwodarkcutsthroughwhichhecouldmakehisescape。ThiswastheRueMondetour，whichononesideranintotheRuedePrecheurs，andontheotherintotheRueduCygneandthePetite—Truanderie。Atthebottomofthissortofcul—de—sac，attheangleofthecuttingontheright，therewastobeseenahousewhichwasnotsotallastherest，andwhichformedasortofcapeinthestreet。
Itisinthishouse，oftwostoriesonly，thatanillustriouswine—shophadbeenmerrilyinstalledthreehundredyearsbefore。
ThistaverncreatedajoyousnoiseintheveryspotwhicholdTheophilusdescribedinthefollowingcouplet:——
LabranlelesquelettehorribleD’unpauvreamantquisependit。[47]
[47]Thereswingsthehorribleskeletonofapoorloverwhohunghimself。
Thesituationwasgood，andtavern—keeperssucceededeachotherthere，fromfathertoson。
InthetimeofMathurinRegnier，thiscabaretwascalledthePot—aux—Roses，andastherebuswastheninfashion，ithadforitssign—board，apost（poteau）paintedrose—color。Inthelastcentury，theworthyNatoire，oneofthefantasticmastersnowadaysdespisedbythestiffschool，havinggotdrunkmanytimesinthiswine—shopattheverytablewhereRegnierhaddrunkhisfill，hadpainted，bywayofgratitude，abunchofCorinthgrapesonthepinkpost。
Thekeeperofthecabaret，inhisjoy，hadchangedhisdeviceandhadcausedtobeplacedingiltlettersbeneaththebunchthesewords:
"AttheBunchofCorinthGrapes"（"AuRaisindeCorinthe"）。HencethenameofCorinthe。Nothingismorenaturaltodrunkenmenthanellipses。
Theellipsisisthezig—zagofthephrase。CorinthegraduallydethronedthePot—aux—Roses。Thelastproprietorofthedynasty，FatherHucheloup，nolongeracquaintedevenwiththetradition，hadthepostpaintedblue。
Aroomonthegroundfloor，wherethebarwassituated，oneonthefirstfloorcontainingabilliard—table，awoodenspiralstaircasepiercingtheceiling，wineonthetables，smokeonthewalls，candlesinbroaddaylight，——thiswasthestyleofthiscabaret。
Astaircasewithatrap—doorinthelowerroomledtothecellar。
OnthesecondfloorwerethelodgingsoftheHucheloupfamily。
Theywerereachedbyastaircasewhichwasaladderratherthanastaircase，andhadfortheirentranceonlyaprivatedoorinthelargeroomonthefirstfloor。Undertheroof，intwomansardattics，werethenestsfortheservants。Thekitchensharedtheground—floorwiththetap—room。
FatherHuchelouphad，possibly，beenbornachemist，butthefactisthathewasacook；peopledidnotconfinethemselvestodrinkingaloneinhiswine—shop，theyalsoatethere。Huchelouphadinventedacapitalthingwhichcouldbeeatennowherebutinhishouse，stuffedcarps，whichhecalledcarpesaugras。ThesewereeatenbythelightofatallowcandleorofalampofthetimeofLouisXVI。，ontablestowhichwerenailedwaxedclothsinlieuoftable—cloths。
Peoplecamethitherfromadistance。Hucheloup，onefinemorning，hadseenfittonotifypassers—byofthis"specialty"；hehaddippedabrushinapotofblackpaint，andashewasanorthographeronhisownaccount，aswellasacookafterhisownfashion，hehadimprovisedonhiswallthisremarkableinscription:——
CARPESHOGRAS。
Onewinter，therain—stormsandtheshowershadtakenafancytoobliteratetheSwhichterminatedthefirstword，andtheG
whichbeganthethird；thisiswhatremained:——
CARPEHORAS。
Timeandrainassisting，ahumblegastronomicalannouncementhadbecomeaprofoundpieceofadvice。
Inthiswayitcameabout，thatthoughheknewnoFrench，FatherHucheloupunderstoodLatin，thathehadevokedphilosophyfromhiskitchen，andthat，desiroussimplyofeffacingLent，hehadequalledHorace。
Andthestrikingthingaboutitwas，thatthatalsomeant:
"Entermywine—shop。"
Nothingofallthisisinexistencenow。TheMondetourlabyrinthwasdisembowelledandwidelyopenedin1847，andprobablynolongerexistsatthepresentmoment。TheRuedelaChanvrerieandCorinthehavedisappearedbeneaththepavementoftheRueRambuteau。
Aswehavealreadysaid，Corinthewasthemeeting—placeifnottherallying—point，ofCourfeyracandhisfriends。ItwasGrantairewhohaddiscoveredCorinthe。HehadentereditonaccountoftheCarpehoras，andhadreturnedthitheronaccountoftheCarpesaugras。Theretheydrank，theretheyate，theretheyshouted；
theydidnotpaymuch，theypaidbadly，theydidnotpayatall，buttheywerealwayswelcome。FatherHucheloupwasajovialhost。
Hucheloup，thatamiableman，aswasjustsaid，wasawine—shop—keeperwithamustache；anamusingvariety。Healwayshadanill—temperedair，seemedtowishtointimidatehiscustomers，grumbledatthepeoplewhoenteredhisestablishment，andhadratherthemienofseekingaquarrelwiththemthanofservingthemwithsoup。Andyet，weinsistupontheword，peoplewerealwayswelcomethere。Thisoddityhadattractedcustomerstohisshop，andbroughthimyoungmen，whosaidtoeachother:"ComehearFatherHucheloupgrowl。"Hehadbeenafencing—master。Allofasudden，hewouldburstoutlaughing。
Abigvoice，agoodfellow。Hehadacomicfoundationunderatragicexterior，heaskednothingbetterthantofrightenyou，verymuchlikethosesnuff—boxeswhichareintheshapeofapistol。
Thedetonationmakesonesneeze。
MotherHucheloup，hiswife，wasabeardedandaveryhomelycreature。
About1830，FatherHucheloupdied。Withhimdisappearedthesecretofstuffedcarps。Hisinconsolablewidowcontinuedtokeepthewine—shop。Butthecookingdeteriorated，andbecameexecrable；
thewine，whichhadalwaysbeenbad，becamefearfullybad。
Nevertheless，CourfeyracandhisfriendscontinuedtogotoCorinthe，——
outofpity，asBossuetsaid。
TheWidowHucheloupwasbreathlessandmisshapenandgiventorusticrecollections。Shedeprivedthemoftheirflatnessbyherpronunciation。Shehadawayofherownofsayingthings，whichspicedherreminiscencesofthevillageandofherspringtime。
Ithadformerlybeenherdelight，sosheaffirmed，toheartheloups—de—gorge（rouges—gorges）chanterdanslesogrepines（aubepines）——toheartheredbreastssinginthehawthorn—trees。
Thehallonthefirstfloor，where"therestaurant"wassituated，wasalargeandlongapartmentencumberedwithstools，chairs，benches，andtables，andwithacrippled，lame，oldbilliard—table。Itwasreachedbyaspiralstaircasewhichterminatedinthecorneroftheroomatasquareholelikethehatchwayofaship。
Thisroom，lightedbyasinglenarrowwindow，andbyalampthatwasalwaysburning，hadtheairofagarret。Allthefour—footedfurniturecomporteditselfasthoughithadbutthreelegs——
thewhitewashedwallshadfortheironlyornamentthefollowingquatraininhonorofMameHucheloup:——
Elleetonneadixpas，elleepouventeadeux，Uneverruehabiteensonnezhasardeux；
Ontrembleachaqueinstantqu’ellenevouslamoucheEtqu’unbeaujoursonneznetombedanssabouche。[48]
[48]Sheastoundsattenpaces，shefrightensattwo，awartinhabitsherhazardousnose；youtrembleeveryinstantlestsheshouldblowitatyou，andlest，somefineday，hernoseshouldtumbleintohermouth。
Thiswasscrawledincharcoalonthewall。
MameHucheloup，agoodlikeness，wentandcamefrommorningtillnightbeforethisquatrainwiththemostperfecttranquillity。
Twoserving—maids，namedMateloteandGibelotte，[49]andwhohadneverbeenknownbyanyothernames，helpedMameHuchelouptosetonthetablesthejugsofpoorwine，andthevariousbrothswhichwereservedtothehungrypatronsinearthenwarebowls。
Matelote，large，plump，redhaired，andnoisy，thefavoriteex—sultanaofthedefunctHucheloup，washomelierthananymythologicalmonster，beitwhatitmay；still，asitbecomestheservanttoalwayskeepintherearofthemistress，shewaslesshomelythanMameHucheloup。Gibelotte，tall，delicate，whitewithalymphaticpallor，withcirclesroundhereyes，anddroopinglids，alwayslanguidandweary，afflictedwithwhatmaybecalledchroniclassitude，thefirstupinthehouseandthelastinbed，waitedoneveryone，eventheothermaid，silentlyandgently，smilingthroughherfatiguewithavagueandsleepysmile。
[49]Matelote:aculinarypreparationofvariousfishes。
Gibelotte:stewedrabbits。
Beforeenteringtherestaurantroom，thevisitorreadonthedoorthefollowinglinewrittenthereinchalkbyCourfeyrac:——
Regalesitupeuxetmangesitul’oses。[50]
[50]Treatifyoucan，andeatifyoudare。
CHAPTERII
PRELIMINARYGAYETIES
LaigledeMeaux，asthereaderknows，livedmorewithJolythanelsewhere。Hehadalodging，asabirdhasoneonabranch。
Thetwofriendslivedtogether，atetogether，slepttogether。
Theyhadeverythingincommon，evenMusichetta，tosomeextent。
Theywere，whatthesubordinatemonkswhoaccompanymonksarecalled，bini。Onthemorningofthe5thofJune，theywenttoCorinthetobreakfast。Joly，whowasallstuffedup，hadacatarrhwhichLaiglewasbeginningtoshare。Laigle’scoatwasthreadbare，butJolywaswelldressed。
Itwasaboutnineo’clockinthemorning，whentheyopenedthedoorofCorinthe。
Theyascendedtothefirstfloor。
MateloteandGibelottereceivedthem。
"Oysters，cheese，andham，"saidLaigle。
Andtheyseatedthemselvesatatable。
Thewine—shopwasempty；therewasnoonetherebutthemselves。
Gibelotte，knowingJolyandLaigle，setabottleofwineonthetable。
Whiletheywerebusywiththeirfirstoysters，aheadappearedatthehatchwayofthestaircase，andavoicesaid:——
"Iampassingby。IsmellfromthestreetadeliciousodorofBriecheese。Ienter。"ItwasGrantaire。
Grantairetookastoolanddrewuptothetable。
AtthesightofGrantaire，Gibelotteplacedtwobottlesofwineonthetable。
Thatmadethree。
"Areyougoingtodrinkthosetwobottles？"LaigleinquiredofGrantaire。
Grantairereplied:——
"Allareingenious，thoualoneartingenuous。Twobottlesneveryetastonishedaman。"
Theothershadbegunbyeating，Grantairebeganbydrinking。
Halfabottlewasrapidlygulpeddown。
"Soyouhaveaholeinyourstomach？"beganLaigleagain。
"Youhaveoneinyourelbow，"saidGrantaire。
Andafterhavingemptiedhisglass，headded:——
"Ah，bytheway，Laigleofthefuneraloration，yourcoatisold。"
"Ishouldhopeso，"retortedLaigle。"That’swhywegetonwelltogether，mycoatandI。Ithasacquiredallmyfolds，itdoesnotbindmeanywhere，itismouldedonmydeformities，itfallsinwithallmymovements，Iamonlyconsciousofitbecauseitkeepsmewarm。Oldcoatsarejustlikeoldfriends。"
"That’strue，"ejaculatedJoly，strikingintothedialogue，"anoldgoatisanoldabi"（ami，friend）。
"Especiallyinthemouthofamanwhoseheadisstuffedup，"
saidGrantaire。
"Grantaire，"demandedLaigle，"haveyoujustcomefromtheboulevard？"
"No。"
"Wehavejustseentheheadoftheprocessionpass，JolyandI。"
"It’samarvelloussight，"saidJoly。
"Howquietthisstreetis！"exclaimedLaigle。"WhowouldsuspectthatPariswasturnedupsidedown？Howplainlyitistobeseenthatinformerdaystherewerenothingbutconventshere！
Inthisneighborhood！DuBreulandSauvalgivealistofthem，andsodoestheAbbeLebeuf。Theywereallroundhere，theyfairlyswarmed，bootedandbarefooted，shaven，bearded，gray，black，white，Franciscans，Minims，Capuchins，Carmelites，LittleAugustines，GreatAugustines，oldAugustines——therewasnoendofthem。"
"Don’tlet’stalkofmonks，"interruptedGrantaire，"itmakesonewanttoscratchone’sself。"
Thenheexclaimed:——
"Bouh！I’vejustswallowedabadoyster。Nowhypochondriaistakingpossessionofmeagain。Theoystersarespoiled，theservantsareugly。
Ihatethehumanrace。IjustpassedthroughtheRueRichelieu，infrontofthebigpubliclibrary。Thatpileofoyster—shellswhichiscalledalibraryisdisgustingeventothinkof。Whatpaper！
Whatink！Whatscrawling！Andallthathasbeenwritten！Whatrascalwasitwhosaidthatmanwasafeatherlessbiped？[51]Andthen，Imetaprettygirlofmyacquaintance，whoisasbeautifulasthespring，worthytobecalledFloreal，andwhoisdelighted，enraptured，ashappyastheangels，becauseawretchyesterday，afrightfulbankerallspottedwithsmall—pox，deignedtotakeafancytoher！
Alas！womankeepsonthewatchforaprotectorasmuchasforalover；
catschasemiceaswellasbirds。Twomonthsagothatyoungwomanwasvirtuousinanattic，sheadjustedlittlebrassringsintheeyelet—holesofcorsets，whatdoyoucallit？Shesewed，shehadacampbed，shedweltbesideapotofflowers，shewascontented。
Nowheresheisabankeress。Thistransformationtookplacelastnight。
Imetthevictimthismorninginhighspirits。Thehideouspointaboutitis，thatthejadeisasprettyto—dayasshewasyesterday。
Herfinancierdidnotshowinherface。Roseshavethisadvantageordisadvantageoverwomen，thatthetracesleftuponthembycaterpillarsarevisible。Ah！thereisnomoralityonearth。
Icalltowitnessthemyrtle，thesymboloflove，thelaurel，thesymbolofair，theolive，thatninny，thesymbolofpeace，theapple—treewhichcamenearestranglingAdamwithitspips，andthefig—tree，thegrandfatherofpetticoats。Asforright，doyouknowwhatrightis？TheGaulscovetClusium，RomeprotectsClusium，anddemandswhatwrongClusiumhasdonetothem。Brennusanswers:
`ThewrongthatAlbadidtoyou，thewrongthatFidenaedidtoyou，thewrongthattheEques，theVolsci，andtheSabineshavedonetoyou。Theywereyourneighbors。TheClusiansareours。
Weunderstandneighborlinessjustasyoudo。YouhavestolenAlba，weshalltakeClusium。’Romesaid:`YoushallnottakeClusium。’
BrennustookRome。Thenhecried:`Vaevictis！’Thatiswhatrightis。
Ah！whatbeastsofpreythereareinthisworld！Whateagles！
Itmakesmyfleshcreep。"
[51]Bipedesansplume:bipedwithoutfeathers——pen。
HeheldouthisglasstoJoly，whofilledit，thenhedrankandwenton，havinghardlybeeninterruptedbythisglassofwine，ofwhichnoone，notevenhimself，hadtakenanynotice:——
"Brennus，whotakesRome，isaneagle；thebankerwhotakesthegrisetteisaneagle。Thereisnomoremodestyintheonecasethanintheother。Sowebelieveinnothing。Thereisbutonereality:drink。Whateveryouropinionmaybeinfavoroftheleancock，liketheCantonofUri，orinfavorofthefatcock，liketheCantonofGlaris，itmatterslittle，drink。Youtalktomeoftheboulevard，ofthatprocession，etcaetera，etcaetera。
Comenow，istheregoingtobeanotherrevolution？ThispovertyofmeansonthepartofthegoodGodastoundsme。Hehastokeepgreasingthegrooveofeventseverymoment。Thereisahitch，itwon’twork。Quick，arevolution！ThegoodGodhashishandsperpetuallyblackwiththatcart—grease。IfIwereinhisplace，I’dbeperfectlysimpleaboutit，Iwouldnotwindupmymechanismeveryminute，I’dleadthehumanraceinastraightforwardway，I’dweavemattersmeshbymesh，withoutbreakingthethread，Iwouldhavenoprovisionalarrangements，Iwouldhavenoextraordinaryrepertory。Whattherestofyoucallprogressadvancesbymeansoftwomotors，menandevents。But，sadtosay，fromtimetotime，theexceptionalbecomesnecessary。Theordinarytroupesufficesneitherforeventnorformen:amongmengeniusesarerequired，amongeventsrevolutions。Greataccidentsarethelaw；theorderofthingscannotdowithoutthem；and，judgingfromtheapparitionofcomets，onewouldbetemptedtothinkthatHeavenitselffindsactorsneededforitsperformance。Atthemomentwhenoneexpectsittheleast，Godplacardsameteoronthewallofthefirmament。
Somequeerstarturnsup，underlinedbyanenormoustail。
AndthatcausesthedeathofCaesar。Brutusdealshimablowwithaknife，andGodablowwithacomet。Crac，andbeholdanauroraborealis，beholdarevolution，beholdagreatman；
’93inbigletters，Napoleononguard，thecometof1811attheheadoftheposter。Ah！whatabeautifulbluetheatreallstuddedwithunexpectedflashes！Boum！Boum！extraordinaryshow！
Raiseyoureyes，boobies。Everythingisindisorder，thestaraswellasthedrama。GoodGod，itistoomuchandnotenough。
Theseresources，gatheredfromexception，seemmagnificenceandpoverty。
Myfriends，Providencehascomedowntoexpedients。Whatdoesarevolutionprove？ThatGodisinaquandry。Heeffectsacoupd’etatbecausehe，God，hasnotbeenabletomakebothendsmeet。
Infact，thisconfirmsmeinmyconjecturesastoJehovah’sfortune；
andwhenIseesomuchdistressinheavenandonearth，fromthebirdwhohasnotagrainofmillettomyselfwithoutahundredthousandlivresofincome，whenIseehumandestiny，whichisverybadlyworn，andevenroyaldestiny，whichisthreadbare，witnessthePrincedeCondehung，whenIseewinter，whichisnothingbutarentinthezeniththroughwhichthewindblows，whenIseesomanyragsevenintheperfectlynewpurpleofthemorningonthecrestsofhills，whenIseethedropsofdew，thosemockpearls，whenIseethefrost，thatpaste，whenIseehumanityrippedapartandeventspatchedup，andsomanyspotsonthesunandsomanyholesinthemoon，whenI
seesomuchmiseryeverywhere，IsuspectthatGodisnotrich。
Theappearanceexists，itistrue，butIfeelthatheishardup。
Hegivesarevolutionasatradesmanwhosemoney—boxisemptygivesaball。Godmustnotbejudgedfromappearances。
BeneaththegildingofheavenIperceiveapoverty—strickenuniverse。
Creationisbankrupt。ThatiswhyIamdiscontented。Hereitisthe4thofJune，itisalmostnight；eversincethismorningIhavebeenwaitingfordaylighttocome；ithasnotcome，andI
betthatitwon’tcomeallday。Thisistheinexactnessofanill—paidclerk。Yes，everythingisbadlyarranged，nothingfitsanythingelse，thisoldworldisallwarped，Itakemystandontheopposition，everythinggoesawry；theuniverseisatease。
It’slikechildren，thosewhowantthemhavenone，andthosewhodon’twantthemhavethem。Total:I’mvexed。Besides，LaigledeMeaux，thatbald—head，offendsmysight。IthumiliatesmetothinkthatI
amofthesameageasthatbaldy。However，Icriticise，butI
donotinsult。Theuniverseiswhatitis。Ispeakherewithoutevilintentandtoeasemyconscience。Receive，EternalFather，theassuranceofmydistinguishedconsideration。Ah！byallthesaintsofOlympusandbyallthegodsofparadise，IwasnotintendedtobeaParisian，thatistosay，toreboundforever，likeashuttlecockbetweentwobattledores，fromthegroupoftheloungerstothegroupoftheroysterers。IwasmadetobeaTurk，watchingorientalhourisalldaylong，executingthoseexquisiteEgyptiandances，assensuousasthedreamofachasteman，oraBeauceronpeasant，oraVenetiangentlemansurroundedbygentlewoman，orapettyGermanprince，furnishingthehalfofafoot—soldiertotheGermanicconfederation，andoccupyinghisleisurewithdryinghisbreechesonhishedge，thatistosay，hisfrontier。
ThosearethepositionsforwhichIwasborn！Yes，IhavesaidaTurk，andIwillnotretract。IdonotunderstandhowpeoplecanhabituallytakeTurksinbadpart；Mohammedhadhisgoodpoints；
respectfortheinventorofseraglioswithhourisandparadiseswithodalisques！LetusnotinsultMohammedanism，theonlyreligionwhichisornamentedwithahen—roost！Now，Iinsistonadrink。
Theearthisagreatpieceofstupidity。Anditappearsthattheyaregoingtofight，allthoseimbeciles，andtobreakeachother’sprofilesandtomassacreeachotherintheheartofsummer，inthemonthofJune，whentheymightgooffwithacreatureontheirarm，tobreathetheimmenseheapsofnew—mownhayinthemeadows！
Really，peopledocommitaltogethertoomanyfollies。AnoldbrokenlanternwhichIhavejustseenatabric—a—bracmerchant’ssuggestsareflectiontomymind；itistimetoenlightenthehumanrace。
Yes，beholdmesadagain。That’swhatcomesofswallowinganoysterandarevolutionthewrongway！Iamgrowingmelancholyoncemore。Oh！frightfuloldworld。Peoplestrive，turneachotherout，prostitutethemselves，killeachother，andgetusedtoit！"
AndGrantaire，afterthisfitofeloquence，hadafitofcoughing，whichwaswellearned。
"Aproposofrevolution，"saidJoly，"itisdecidedlyabberentthatBariusisinlub。"
"Doesanyoneknowwithwhom？"demandedLaigle。
"Do。"
"No？"
"Do！Itellyou。"
"Marius’loveaffairs！"exclaimedGrantaire。"Icanimagineit。
Mariusisafog，andhemusthavefoundavapor。Mariusisoftheraceofpoets。Hewhosayspoet，saysfool，madman，TymbraeusApollo。
MariusandhisMarie，orhisMarion，orhisMaria，orhisMariette。
Theymustmakeaqueerpairoflovers。Iknowjustwhatitislike。
Ecstasiesinwhichtheyforgettokiss。Pureonearth，butjoinedinheaven。Theyaresoulspossessedofsenses。Theylieamongthestars。"
Grantairewasattackinghissecondbottleand，possibly，hissecondharangue，whenanewpersonageemergedfromthesquareapertureofthestairs。Itwasaboylessthantenyearsofage，ragged，verysmall，yellow，withanoddphiz，avivaciouseye，anenormousamountofhairdrenchedwithrain，andwearingacontentedair。
Thechildunhesitatinglymakinghischoiceamongthethree，addressedhimselftoLaigledeMeaux。
"AreyouMonsieurBossuet？"
"Thatismynickname，"repliedLaigle。"Whatdoyouwantwithme？"
"This。Atallblondefellowontheboulevardsaidtome:
`DoyouknowMotherHucheloup？’Isaid:`Yes，RueChanvrerie，theoldman’swidow；’hesaidtome:`Gothere。ThereyouwillfindM。Bossuet。Tellhimfromme:"ABC"。’It’sajokethatthey’replayingonyou，isn’tit。Hegavemetensous。"
"Joly，lendmetensous，"saidLaigle；and，turningtoGrantaire:
"Grantaire，lendmetensous。"
Thismadetwentysous，whichLaiglehandedtothelad。
"Thankyou，sir，"saidtheurchin。
"Whatisyourname？"inquiredLaigle。
"Navet，Gavroche’sfriend。"
"Staywithus，"saidLaigle。
"Breakfastwithus，"saidGrantaire，Thechildreplied:——
"Ican’t，Ibelongintheprocession，I’mtheonetoshout`DownwithPolignac！’"
Andexecutingaprolongedscrapeofhisfootbehindhim，whichisthemostrespectfulofallpossiblesalutes，hetookhisdeparture。
Thechildgone，Grantairetooktheword:——
"Thatisthepure—bredgamin。Thereareagreatmanyvarietiesofthegaminspecies。Thenotary’sgaminiscalledSkip—the—Gutter，thecook’sgaminiscalledascullion，thebaker’sgaminiscalledamitron，thelackey’sgaminiscalledagroom，themarinegaminiscalledthecabin—boy，thesoldier’sgaminiscalledthedrummer—boy，thepainter’sgaminiscalledpaint—grinder，thetradesman’sgaminiscalledanerrand—boy，thecourtesangaminiscalledtheminion，thekinglygaminiscalledthedauphin，thegodgaminiscalledthebambino。"
Inthemeantime，Laiglewasengagedinreflection；hesaidhalfaloud:——
"ABC，thatistosay:theburialofLamarque。"
"Thetallblonde，"remarkedGrantaire，"isEnjolras，whoissendingyouawarning。"
"Shallwego？"ejaculatedBossuet。
"It’sraiding，"saidJoly。"Ihavesworntogothroughfire，butnotthroughwater。Idon’twandtogedagold。"
"Ishallstayhere，"saidGrantaire。"Ipreferabreakfasttoahearse。"
"Conclusion:weremain，"saidLaigle。"Well，then，letusdrink。
Besides，wemightmissthefuneralwithoutmissingtheriot。"
"Ah！theriot，Iamwithyou！"criedJoly。
Laiglerubbedhishands。
"Nowwe’regoingtotouchuptherevolutionof1830。Asamatteroffact，itdoeshurtthepeoplealongtheseams。"
"Idon’tthinkmuchofyourrevolution，"saidGrantaire。"Idon’texecratethisGovernment。Itisthecrowntemperedbythecottonnight—cap。Itisasceptreendinginanumbrella。Infact，Ithinkthatto—day，withthepresentweather，LouisPhilippemightutilizehisroyaltyintwodirections，hemightextendthetipofthesceptreendagainstthepeople，andopentheumbrellaendagainstheaven。"
Theroomwasdark，largecloudshadjustfinishedtheextinctionofdaylight。Therewasnooneinthewine—shop，orinthestreet，everyonehavinggoneoff"towatchevents。"
"Isitmid—dayormidnight？"criedBossuet。"Youcan’tseeyourhandbeforeyourface。Gibelotte，fetchalight。"
Grantairewasdrinkinginamelancholyway。
"Enjolrasdisdainsme，"hemuttered。"Enjolrassaid:`Jolyisill，Grantaireisdrunk。’ItwastoBossuetthathesentNavet。
Ifhehadcomeforme，Iwouldhavefollowedhim。SomuchtheworseforEnjolras！Iwon’tgotohisfuneral。"
Thisresolutiononcearrivedat，Bossuet，Joly，andGrantairedidnotstirfromthewine—shop。Bytwoo’clockintheafternoon，thetableatwhichtheysatwascoveredwithemptybottles。
Twocandleswereburningonit，oneinaflatcoppercandlestickwhichwasperfectlygreen，theotherintheneckofacrackedcarafe。
GrantairehadseducedJolyandBossuettowine；BossuetandJolyhadconductedGrantairebacktowardscheerfulness。
AsforGrantaire，hehadgotbeyondwine，thatmerelymoderateinspirerofdreams，eversincemid—day。Wineenjoysonlyaconventionalpopularitywithseriousdrinkers。Thereis，infact，inthematterofinebriety，whitemagicandblackmagic；wineisonlywhitemagic。
Grantairewasadaringdrinkerofdreams。Theblacknessofaterriblefitofdrunkennessyawningbeforehim，farfromarrestinghim，attractedhim。Hehadabandonedthebottleandtakentothebeerglass。
Thebeer—glassistheabyss。Havingneitheropiumnorhashishonhand，andbeingdesirousoffillinghisbrainwithtwilight，hehadhadrecoursetothatfearfulmixtureofbrandy，stout，absinthe，whichproducesthemostterribleoflethargies。Itisofthesethreevapors，beer，brandy，andabsinthe，thattheleadofthesouliscomposed。Theyarethreegrooms；thecelestialbutterflyisdrownedinthem；andthereareformedthereinamembranoussmoke，vaguelycondensedintothewingofthebat，threemutefuries，Nightmare，Night，andDeath，whichhoverabouttheslumberingPsyche。
Grantairehadnotyetreachedthatlamentablephase；farfromit。
Hewastremendouslygay，andBossuetandJolyretorted。
Theyclinkedglasses。Grantaireaddedtotheeccentricaccentuationofwordsandideas，apeculiarityofgesture；herestedhisleftfistonhiskneewithdignity，hisarmformingarightangle，and，withcravatuntied，seatedastrideastool，hisfullglassinhisrighthand，hehurledsolemnwordsatthebigmaid—servantMatelote:——
"Letthedoorsofthepalacebethrownopen！LeteveryonebeamemberoftheFrenchAcademyandhavetherighttoembraceMadameHucheloup。
Letusdrink。"
AndturningtoMadameHucheloup，headded:——
"Womanancientandconsecratedbyuse，drawnearthatImaycontemplatethee！"
AndJolyexclaimed:——
"MateloteandGibelotte，dod’tgibGrantaireanythingmoretodrink。
Hehasalreadydevoured，sincethisbording，inwildprodigality，twofrancsandninety—fivecentibes。"
AndGrantairebeganagain:——
"Whohasbeenunhookingthestarswithoutmypermission，andputtingthemonthetableintheguiseofcandles？"
Bossuet，thoughverydrunk，preservedhisequanimity。
Hewasseatedonthesilloftheopenwindow，wettinghisbackinthefallingrain，andgazingathistwofriends。
Allatonce，heheardatumultbehindhim，hurriedfootsteps，criesof"Toarms！"HeturnedroundandsawintheRueSaint—Denis，attheendoftheRuedelaChanvrerie，Enjolraspassing，guninhand，andGavrochewithhispistol，Feuillywithhissword，Courfeyracwithhissword，andJeanProuvairewithhisblunderbuss，Combeferrewithhisgun，Bahorelwithhisgun，andthewholearmedandstormyrabblewhichwasfollowingthem。
TheRuedelaChanvreriewasnotmorethanagunshotlong。
Bossuetimprovisedaspeaking—trumpetfromhistwohandsplacedaroundhismouth，andshouted:——
"Courfeyrac！Courfeyrac！Hohee！"
Courfeyracheardtheshout，caughtsightofBossuet，andadvancedafewpacesintotheRuedelaChanvrerie，shouting:"Whatdoyouwant？"
whichcrosseda"Whereareyougoing？"
"Tomakeabarricade，"repliedCourfeyrac。
"Well，here！Thisisagoodplace！Makeithere！"
"That’strue，Aigle，"saidCourfeyrac。
AndatasignalfromCourfeyrac，themobflungthemselvesintotheRuedelaChanvrerie。
CHAPTERIII
NIGHTBEGINSTODESCENDUPONGRANTAIRE
Thespotwas，infact，admirablyadapted，theentrancetothestreetwidenedout，theotherextremitynarrowedtogetherintoapocketwithoutexit。Corinthecreatedanobstacle，theRueMondetourwaseasilybarricadedontherightandtheleft，noattackwaspossibleexceptfromtheRueSaint—Denis，thatistosay，infront，andinfullsight。BossuethadthecomprehensiveglanceofafastingHannibal。
Terrorhadseizedonthewholestreetattheirruptionofthemob。
Therewasnotapasser—bywhodidnotgetoutofsight。Inthespaceofaflashoflightning，intherear，torightandleft，shops，stables，area—doors，windows，blinds，atticskylights，shuttersofeverydescriptionwereclosed，fromthegroundfloortotheroof。Aterrifiedoldwomanfixedamattressinfrontofherwindowontwoclothes—polesfordryinglinen，inordertodeadentheeffectofmusketry。Thewine—shopaloneremainedopen；
andthatforaverygoodreason，thatthemobhadrushedintoit。——"AhmyGod！AhmyGod！"sighedMameHucheloup。
BossuethadgonedowntomeetCourfeyrac。
Joly，whohadplacedhimselfatthewindow，exclaimed:——
"Courfeyrac，yououghttohavebroughtanumbrella。Youwillgatchgold。"
Inthemeantime，inthespaceofafewminutes，twentyironbarshadbeenwrenchedfromthegratedfrontofthewine—shop，tenfathomsofstreethadbeenunpaved；GavrocheandBahorelhadseizedinitspassage，andoverturned，thedrayofalime—dealernamedAnceau；
thisdraycontainedthreebarrelsoflime，whichtheyplacedbeneaththepilesofpaving—stones:Enjolrasraisedthecellartrap，andallthewidowHucheloup’semptycaskswereusedtoflankthebarrelsoflime；Feuilly，withhisfingersskilledinpaintingthedelicatesticksoffans，hadbackedupthebarrelsandthedraywithtwomassiveheapsofblocksofroughstone。Blockswhichwereimprovisedliketherestandprocurednooneknowswhere。
Thebeamswhichservedaspropsweretornfromtheneighboringhouse—frontsandlaidonthecasks。WhenBossuetandCourfeyracturnedround，halfthestreetwasalreadybarredwitharamparthigherthanaman。Thereisnothinglikethehandofthepopulaceforbuildingeverythingthatisbuiltbydemolishing。
MateloteandGibelottehadmingledwiththeworkers。Gibelottewentandcameloadedwithrubbish。Herlassitudehelpedonthebarricade。
Sheservedthebarricadeasshewouldhaveservedwine，withasleepyair。
Anomnibuswithtwowhitehorsespassedtheendofthestreet。
Bossuetstrodeoverthepaving—stones，rantoit，stoppedthedriver，madethepassengersalight，offeredhishandto"theladies，"
dismissedtheconductor，andreturned，leadingthevehicleandthehorsesbythebridle。
"Omnibuses，"saidhe，"donotpasstheCorinthe。NonlicetomnibusadireCorinthum。"
Aninstantlater，thehorseswereunharnessedandwentoffattheirwill，throughtheRueMondetour，andtheomnibuslyingonitssidecompletedthebaracrossthestreet。
MameHucheloup，quiteupset，hadtakenrefugeinthefirststory。
Hereyeswerevague，andstaredwithoutseeinganything，andshecriedinalowtone。Herterrifiedshrieksdidnotdaretoemergefromherthroat。
"Theendoftheworldhascome，"shemuttered。
JolydepositedakissonMameHucheloup’sfat，red，wrinkledneck，andsaidtoGrantaire:"Mydearfellow，Ihavealwaysregardedawoman’sneckasaninfinitelydelicatething。"
ButGrantaireattainedtothehighestregionsofdithryamb。
Matelotehadmountedtothefirstflooroncemore，Grantaireseizedherroundherwaist，andgaveventtolongburstsoflaughteratthewindow。
"Mateloteishomely！"hecried:"Mateloteisofadreamofugliness！
Mateloteisachimaera。Thisisthesecretofherbirth:
aGothicPygmalion，whowasmakinggargoylesforcathedrals，fellinlovewithoneofthem，themosthorrible，onefinemorning。
HebesoughtLovetogiveitlife，andthisproducedMatelote。
Lookather，citizens！Shehaschromate—of—lead—coloredhair，likeTitian’smistress，andsheisagoodgirl。Iguaranteethatshewillfightwell。Everygoodgirlcontainsahero。AsforMotherHucheloup，she’sanoldwarrior。Lookathermoustaches！
Sheinheritedthemfromherhusband。Ahussarindeed！Shewillfighttoo。Thesetwoalonewillstriketerrortotheheartofthebanlieue。Comrades，weshalloverthrowthegovernmentastrueastherearefifteenintermediaryacidsbetweenmargaricacidandformicacid；however，thatisamatterofperfectindifferencetome。Gentlemen，myfatheralwaysdetestedmebecauseIcouldnotunderstandmathematics。Iunderstandonlyloveandliberty。
IamGrantaire，thegoodfellow。Havingneverhadanymoney，Ineveracquiredthehabitofit，andtheresultisthatIhaveneverlackedit；but，ifIhadbeenrich，therewouldhavebeennomorepoorpeople！Youwouldhaveseen！Oh，ifthekindheartsonlyhadfatpurses，howmuchbetterthingswouldgo！IpicturemyselfJesusChristwithRothschild’sfortune！Howmuchgoodhewoulddo！Matelote，embraceme！Youarevoluptuousandtimid！
Youhavecheekswhichinvitethekissofasister，andlipswhichclaimthekissofalover。"
"Holdyourtongue，youcask！"saidCourfeyrac。
Grantaireretorted:——
"Iamthecapitoul[52]andthemasterofthefloralgames！"
[52]MunicipalofficerofToulouse。
Enjolras，whowasstandingonthecrestofthebarricade，guninhand，raisedhisbeautiful，austereface。Enjolras，asthereaderknows，hadsomethingoftheSpartanandofthePuritaninhiscomposition。
HewouldhaveperishedatThermopylaewithLeonidas，andburnedatDroghedawithCromwell。
"Grantaire，"heshouted，"gogetridofthefumesofyourwinesomewhereelsethanhere。Thisistheplaceforenthusiasm，notfordrunkenness。Don’tdisgracethebarricade！"
ThisangryspeechproducedasingulareffectonGrantaire。Onewouldhavesaidthathehadhadaglassofcoldwaterflunginhisface。
Heseemedtoberenderedsuddenlysober。
Hesatdown，puthiselbowsonatablenearthewindow，lookedatEnjolraswithindescribablegentleness，andsaidtohim:——
"Letmesleephere。"
"Goandsleepsomewhereelse，"criedEnjolras。
ButGrantaire，stillkeepinghistenderandtroubledeyesfixedonhim，replied:——
"Letmesleephere，——untilIdie。"
Enjolrasregardedhimwithdisdainfuleyes:——
"Grantaire，youareincapableofbelieving，ofthinking，ofwilling，ofliving，andofdying。"
Grantairerepliedinagravetone:——
"Youwillsee。"
Hestammeredafewmoreunintelligiblewords，thenhisheadfellheavilyonthetable，and，asistheusualeffectofthesecondperiodofinebriety，intowhichEnjolrashadroughlyandabruptlythrusthim，aninstantlaterhehadfallenasleep。
CHAPTERIV
ANATTEMPTTOCONSOLETHEWIDOWHUCHELOUP
Bahorel，inecstasiesoverthebarricade，shouted:——
"Here’sthestreetinitslow—neckeddress！Howwellitlooks！"
Courfeyrac，ashedemolishedthewine—shoptosomeextent，soughttoconsolethewidowedproprietress。
"MotherHucheloup，weren’tyoucomplainingtheotherdaybecauseyouhadhadanoticeservedonyouforinfringingthelaw，becauseGibelotteshookacounterpaneoutofyourwindow？"
"Yes，mygoodMonsieurCourfeyrac。Ah！goodHeavens，areyougoingtoputthattableofmineinyourhorror，too？Anditwasforthecounterpane，andalsoforapotofflowerswhichfellfromtheatticwindowintothestreet，thatthegovernmentcollectedafineofahundredfrancs。Ifthatisn’tanabomination，whatis！"
"Well，MotherHucheloup，weareavengingyou。"
MotherHucheloupdidnotappeartounderstandveryclearlythebenefitwhichshewastoderivefromthesereprisalsmadeonheraccount。ShewassatisfiedafterthemannerofthatArabwoman，who，havingreceivedaboxontheearfromherhusband，wenttocomplaintoherfather，andcriedforvengeance，saying:
"Father，youowemyhusbandaffrontforaffront。"Thefatherasked:
"Onwhichcheekdidyoureceivetheblow？""Ontheleftcheek。"
Thefatherslappedherrightcheekandsaid:"Nowyouaresatisfied。
Gotellyourhusbandthatheboxedmydaughter’sears，andthatI
haveaccordinglyboxedhiswife’s。"
Therainhadceased。Recruitshadarrived。Workmenhadbroughtundertheirblousesabarrelofpowder，abasketcontainingbottlesofvitriol，twoorthreecarnivaltorches，andabasketfilledwithfire—pots，"leftoverfromtheKing’sfestival。"
Thisfestivalwasveryrecent，havingtakenplaceonthe1stofMay。
ItwassaidthatthesemunitionscamefromagrocerintheFaubourgSaint—AntoinenamedPepin。TheysmashedtheonlystreetlanternintheRuedelaChanvrerie，thelanterncorrespondingtooneintheRueSaint—Denis，andallthelanternsinthesurroundingstreets，deMondetour，duCygne，desPrecheurs，anddelaGrandeanddelaPetite—Truanderie。
Enjolras，Combeferre，andCourfeyracdirectedeverything。Twobarricadeswerenowinprocessofconstructionatonce，bothofthemrestingontheCorinthehouseandformingarightangle；thelargershutofftheRuedelaChanvrerie，theotherclosedtheRueMondetour，onthesideoftheRuedeCygne。Thislastbarricade，whichwasverynarrow，wasconstructedonlyofcasksandpaving—stones。Therewereaboutfiftyworkersonit；thirtywerearmedwithguns；for，ontheirway，theyhadeffectedawholesaleloanfromanarmorer’sshop。
Nothingcouldbemorebizarreandatthesametimemoremotleythanthistroop。Onehadaround—jacket，acavalrysabre，andtwoholster—pistols，anotherwasinhisshirt—sleeves，witharoundhat，andapowder—hornslungathisside，athirdworeaplastronofninesheetsofgraypaperandwasarmedwithasaddler’sawl。
Therewasonewhowasshouting:"Letusexterminatethemtothelastmananddieatthepointofourbayonet。"Thismanhadnobayonet。
Anotherspreadoutoverhiscoatthecross—beltandcartridge—boxofaNationalGuardsman，thecoverofthecartridge—boxbeingornamentedwiththisinscriptioninredworsted:PublicOrder。
Therewereagreatmanygunsbearingthenumbersofthelegions，fewhats，nocravats，manybarearms，somepikes。Addtothis，allages，allsortsoffaces，small，paleyoungmen，andbronzedlongshoremen。Allwereinhaste；andastheyhelpedeachother，theydiscussedthepossiblechances。Thattheywouldreceivesuccoraboutthreeo’clockinthemorning——thattheyweresureofoneregiment，thatPariswouldrise。Terriblesayingswithwhichwasmingledasortofcordialjoviality。Onewouldhavepronouncedthembrothers，buttheydidnotknoweachother’snames。
Greatperilshavethisfinecharacteristic，thattheybringtolightthefraternityofstrangers。Afirehadbeenlightedinthekitchen，andtheretheywereengagedinmouldingintobullets，pewtermugs，spoons，forks，andallthebrasstable—wareoftheestablishment。
Inthemidstofitall，theydrank。Capsandbuckshotweremixedpell—mellonthetableswithglassesofwine。Inthebilliard—hall，MameHucheloup，Matelote，andGibelotte，variouslymodifiedbyterror，whichhadstupefiedone，renderedanotherbreathless，androusedthethird，weretearingupolddish—clothsandmakinglint；
threeinsurgentswereassistingthem，threebushy—haired，jollybladeswithbeardsandmoustaches，whopluckedawayatthelinenwiththefingersofseamstressesandwhomadethemtremble。
ThemanofloftystaturewhomCourfeyrac，Combeferre，andEnjolrashadobservedatthemomentwhenhejoinedthemobatthecorneroftheRuedesBillettes，wasatworkonthesmallerbarricadeandwasmakinghimselfusefulthere。Gavrochewasworkingonthelargerone。AsfortheyoungmanwhohadbeenwaitingforCourfeyracathislodgings，andwhohadinquiredforM。Marius，hehaddisappearedataboutthetimewhentheomnibushadbeenoverturned。
Gavroche，completelycarriedawayandradiant，hadundertakentogeteverythinginreadiness。Hewent，came，mounted，descended，re—mounted，whistled，andsparkled。Heseemedtobetherefortheencouragementofall。Hadheanyincentive？Yes，certainly，hispoverty；hadhewings？yes，certainly，hisjoy。Gavrochewasawhirlwind。Hewasconstantlyvisible，hewasincessantlyaudible。
Hefilledtheair，ashewaseverywhereatonce。Hewasasortofalmostirritatingubiquity；nohaltwaspossiblewithhim。
Theenormousbarricadefelthimonitshaunches。Hetroubledtheloungers，heexcitedtheidle，hereanimatedtheweary，hegrewimpatientoverthethoughtful，heinspiredgayetyinsome，andbreathinothers，wrathinothers，movementinall，nowprickingastudent，nowbitinganartisan；healighted，paused，flewoffagain，hoveredoverthetumult，andtheeffort，sprangfromonepartytoanother，murmuringandhumming，andharassedthewholecompany；
aflyontheimmenserevolutionarycoach。
Perpetualmotionwasinhislittlearmsandperpetualclamorinhislittlelungs。
"Courage！morepaving—stones！morecasks！moremachines！
Whereareyounow？Ahodofplasterformetostopthisholewith！
Yourbarricadeisverysmall。Itmustbecarriedup。Puteverythingonit，flingeverythingthere，stickitallin。Breakdownthehouse。
AbarricadeisMotherGibou’stea。Hullo，here’saglassdoor。"
Thiselicitedanexclamationfromtheworkers。
"Aglassdoor？whatdoyouexpectustodowithaglassdoor，tubercle？"
"Herculesyourselves！"retortedGavroche。"Aglassdoorisanexcellentthinginabarricade。Itdoesnotpreventanattack，butitpreventstheenemytakingit。Soyou’veneverpriggedapplesoverawallwheretherewerebrokenbottles？AglassdoorcutsthecornsoftheNationalGuardwhentheytrytomountonthebarricade。
Pardi！glassisatreacherousthing。Well，youhaven’taverywildlylivelyimagination，comrades。"
However，hewasfuriousoverhistriggerlesspistol。Hewentfromonetoanother，demanding:"Agun，Iwantagun！Whydon’tyougivemeagun？"
"Giveyouagun！"saidCombeferre。
"Comenow！"saidGavroche，"whynot？Ihadonein1830whenwehadadisputewithCharlesX。"
Enjolrasshruggedhisshoulders。
"Whenthereareenoughforthemen，wewillgivesometothechildren。"
Gavrochewheeledroundhaughtily，andanswered:——
"Ifyouarekilledbeforeme，Ishalltakeyours。"
"Gamin！"saidEnjolras。
"Greenhorn！"saidGavroche。
Adandywhohadlosthiswayandwholoungedpasttheendofthestreetcreatedadiversion！Gavrocheshoutedtohim:——
"Comewithus，youngfellow！wellnow，don’twedoanythingforthisoldcountryofours？"
Thedandyfled。
CHAPTERV
PREPARATIONS
Thejournalsofthedaywhichsaidthatthatnearlyimpregnablestructure，ofthebarricadeoftheRuedelaChanvrerie，astheycallit，reachedtothelevelofthefirstfloor，weremistaken。Thefactis，thatitdidnotexceedanaverageheightofsixorsevenfeet。
Itwasbuiltinsuchamannerthatthecombatantscould，attheirwill，eitherdisappearbehinditordominatethebarrierandevenscaleitscrestbymeansofaquadruplerowofpaving—stonesplacedontopofeachotherandarrangedasstepsintheinterior。Ontheoutside，thefrontofthebarricade，composedofpilesofpaving—stonesandcasksboundtogetherbybeamsandplanks，whichwereentangledinthewheelsofAnceau’sdrayandoftheoverturnedomnibus，hadabristlingandinextricableaspect。
Anaperturelargeenoughtoallowamantopassthroughhadbeenmadebetweenthewallofthehousesandtheextremityofthebarricadewhichwasfurthestfromthewine—shop，sothatanexitwaspossibleatthispoint。Thepoleoftheomnibuswasplaceduprightandheldupwithropes，andaredflag，fastenedtothispole，floatedoverthebarricade。
ThelittleMondetourbarricade，hiddenbehindthewine—shopbuilding，wasnotvisible。Thetwobarricadesunitedformedaveritableredoubt。
EnjolrasandCourfeyrachadnotthoughtfittobarricadetheotherfragmentoftheRueMondetourwhichopensthroughtheRuedesPrecheursanissueintotheHalles，wishing，nodoubt，topreserveapossiblecommunicationwiththeoutside，andnotentertainingmuchfearofanattackthroughthedangerousanddifficultstreetoftheRuedesPrecheurs。
Withtheexceptionofthisissuewhichwasleftfree，andwhichconstitutedwhatFolardinhisstrategicalstylewouldhavetermedabranchandtakingintoaccount，also，thenarrowcuttingarrangedontheRuedelaChanvrerie，theinteriorofthebarricade，wherethewine—shopformedasalientangle，presentedanirregularsquare，closedonallsides。Thereexistedanintervaloftwentypacesbetweenthegrandbarrierandtheloftyhouseswhichformedthebackgroundofthestreet，sothatonemightsaythatthebarricaderestedonthesehouses，allinhabited，butclosedfromtoptobottom。
Allthisworkwasperformedwithoutanyhindrance，inlessthananhour，andwithoutthishandfulofboldmenseeingasinglebear—skincaporasinglebayonetmaketheirappearance。
TheverybourgeoiswhostillventuredatthishourofriottoentertheRueSaint—DeniscastaglanceattheRuedelaChanvrerie，caughtsightofthebarricade，andredoubledtheirpace。
Thetwobarricadesbeingfinished，andtheflagrunup，atablewasdraggedoutofthewine—shop；andCourfeyracmountedonthetable。
Enjolrasbroughtthesquarecoffer，andCourfeyracopenedit。
Thiscofferwasfilledwithcartridges。Whenthemobsawthecartridges，atremorranthroughthebravest，andamomentarysilenceensued。
Courfeyracdistributedthemwithasmile。
Eachonereceivedthirtycartridges。Manyhadpowder，andsetaboutmakingotherswiththebulletswhichtheyhadrun。
Asforthebarrelofpowder，itstoodonatableononeside，nearthedoor，andwasheldinreserve。
ThealarmbeatwhichranthroughallParis，didnotcease，butithadfinallycometobenothingmorethanamonotonousnoisetowhichtheynolongerpaidanyattention。Thisnoiseretreatedattimes，andagaindrewnear，withmelancholyundulations。
Theyloadedthegunsandcarbines，alltogether，withouthaste，withsolemngravity。Enjolraswentandstationedthreesentinelsoutsidethebarricades，oneintheRuedelaChanvrerie，thesecondintheRuedesPrecheurs，thethirdatthecorneroftheRuedelaPetiteTruanderie。
Then，thebarricadeshavingbeenbuilt，thepostsassigned，thegunsloaded，thesentinelsstationed，theywaited，aloneinthoseredoubtablestreetsthroughwhichnoonepassedanylonger，surroundedbythosedumbhouseswhichseemeddeadandinwhichnohumanmovementpalpitated，envelopedinthedeepeningshadesoftwilightwhichwasdrawingon，inthemidstofthatsilencethroughwhichsomethingcouldbefeltadvancing，andwhichhadaboutitsomethingtragicandterrifying，isolated，armed，determined，andtranquil。
CHAPTERVI
WAITING
Duringthosehoursofwaiting，whatdidtheydo？
Wemustneedstell，sincethisisamatterofhistory。
Whilethemenmadebulletsandthewomenlint，whilealargesaucepanofmeltedbrassandlead，destinedtothebullet—mouldsmokedoveraglowingbrazier，whilethesentinelswatched，weaponinhand，onthebarricade，whileEnjolras，whomitwasimpossibletodivert，keptaneyeonthesentinels，Combeferre，Courfeyrac，JeanProuvaire，Feuilly，Bossuet，Joly，Bahorel，andsomeothers，soughteachotheroutandunitedasinthemostpeacefuldaysoftheirconversationsintheirstudentlife，and，inonecornerofthiswine—shopwhichhadbeenconvertedintoacasement，acoupleofpacesdistantfromtheredoubtwhichtheyhadbuilt，withtheircarbinesloadedandprimedrestingagainstthebacksoftheirchairs，thesefineyoungfellows，soclosetoasupremehour，begantoreciteloveverses。
Whatverses？These:——
Vousrappelez—vousnotredoucevie，Lorsquenousetionssijeunestousdeux，Etquenousn’avionsaucoeurd’autreenvieQued’etrebienmisetd’etreamoureux，Lorsqu’enajoutantvotreageamonage，Nousnecomptionspasadeuxquaranteans，Etque，dansnotrehumbleetpetitmenage，Tout，memel’hiver，nousetaitprintemps？
Beauxjours！Manueletaitfieretsage，Pariss’asseyaitadesaintsbanquets，Foylancaitlafoudre，etvotrecorsageAvaituneepingleoujemepiquais。
Toutvouscontemplait。Avocatsanscauses，QuandjevousmenaisauPradodiner，VousetiezjolieaupointquelesrosesMefaisaientl’effetdeseretourner。
Jelesentendaisdire:Estellebelle！
Commeellesentbon！Quelscheveuxaflots！
Soussonmanteletellecacheuneaile，Sonbonnetcharmantestapeineeclos。
J’erraisavectoi，pressanttonbrassouple。
Lespassantscrovaientquel’amourcharmeAvaitmarie，dansnotreheureuxcouple，Ledouxmoisd’avrilaubeaumoisdemai。
Nousvivionscaches，contents，porteclose，Devorantl’amour，bonfruitdefendu，Mabouchen’avaitpasditunechoseQuedejatoncoeuravaitrepondu。
LaSorbonneetaitl’endroitbucoliqueOujet’adoraisdusoiraumatin。
C’estainsiqu’uneameamoureuseappliqueLacarteduTendreaupaysLatin。
OplaceMaubert！oplaceDauphine！
Quand，dansletaudisfraisetprintanier，Tutiraistonbassurtonjambefine，Jevoyaisunastreaufonddugrenier。
J’aifortluPlaton，maisriennem’enreste；
MieuxqueMalebrancheetqueLamennais，TumedemontraislabontecelesteAvecunefleurquetumedonnais。
Jet’obeissais，tum’etaissoumise；
Ogrenierdore！telacer！tevoirAlleretvenirdesl’aubeenchemise，Miranttonjeunefrontatonvieuxmiroir。
EtquidonepourraitperdelamemoireDecestempsd’auroreetdefirmament，Derubans，defleurs，degazeetdemoire，Oul’amourbegayeunargotcharmant？
Nosjardinsetaientunpotdetulipe；
Tumasquaislavitreavecunjupon；
Jeprenaisleboldeterredepipe，Etjetedonnaisletasseenjapon。
Etcesgrandsmalheursquinousfaisaientrire！
Tonmanchonbrule，tonboaperdu！
EtcecherportraitdudivinShakespeareQu’unsoirpoursoupernonsavonsvendu！
J’etaismendiantettoicharitable。
Jebaisaisauvoltesbrasfraisetronds。
DanteinfolionousservaitdetablePourmangergaimentuncentdemarrons。
Lapremierefoisqu’enmonjoyeuxbougeJeprisunbaiseratonlevreenfeu，Quandtut’enallaisdecoiffeeetrouge，JerestaitoutpaleetjecrusenDieu！
Terappelles—tunosbonheurssansnombre，Ettouscesfichuschangesenchiffons？
Ohquedesoupirs，denoscoeurspleinsd’ombre，Sesontenvolesdanslescieuxprofonds！[53]
[53]Doyourememberoursweetlife，whenwewerebothsoyoung，andwhenwehadnootherdesireinourheartsthantobewelldressedandinlove？When，byaddingyouragetomyage，wecouldnotcountfortyyearsbetweenus，andwhen，inourhumbleandtinyhousehold，everythingwasspringtouseveninwinter。
Fairdays！Manuelwasproudandwise，Parissatatsacredbanquets，Foylaunchedthunderbolts，andyourcorsagehadapinonwhichI
prickedmyself。Everythinggazeduponyou。Abrieflesslawyer，whenItookyoutothePradotodine，youweresobeautifulthattherosesseemedtometoturnround，andIheardthemsay:
Isshenotbeautiful！Howgoodshesmells！Whatbillowinghair！
Beneathhermantleshehidesawing。Hercharmingbonnetishardlyunfolded。Iwanderedwiththee，pressingthysupplearm。
Thepassers—bythoughtthatlovebewitchedhadwedded，inourhappycouple，thegentlemonthofApriltothefairmonthofMay。
Welivedconcealed，content，withcloseddoors，devouringlove，thatsweetforbiddenfruit。Mymouthhadnotutteredathingwhenthyhearthadalreadyresponded。TheSorbonnewasthebucolicspotwhereIadoredtheefromevetillmorn。’TisthusthatanamoroussoulappliesthechartoftheTendertotheLatincountry。
OPlaceMaubert！OPlaceDauphine！Wheninthefreshspring—likehutthoudidstdrawthystockingonthydelicateleg，Isawastarinthedepthsofthegarret。IhavereadagreatdealofPlato，butnothingofitremainsbyme；betterthanMalebrancheandthenLamennaisthoudidstdemonstratetomecelestialgoodnesswithaflowerwhichthougavesttome，Iobeyedthee，thoudidstsubmittome；
ohgildedgarret！tolacethee！tobeholdtheegoingandcomingfromdawninthychemise，gazingatthyyoungbrowinthineancientmirror！
Andwho，then，wouldforegothememoryofthosedaysofauroraandthefirmament，offlowers，ofgauzeandofmoire，whenlovestammersacharmingslang？Ourgardensconsistedofapotoftulips；
thoudidstmaskthewindowwiththypetticoat；ItooktheearthenwarebowlandIgavetheetheJapanesecup。Andthosegreatmisfortuneswhichmadeuslaugh！Thycuffscorched，thyboalost！AndthatdearportraitofthedivineShakespearewhichwesoldoneeveningthatwemightsup！Iwasabeggarandthouwertcharitable。
Ikissedthyfreshroundarmsinhaste。AfolioDanteservedusasatableonwhichtoeatmerrilyacentime’sworthofchestnuts。
Thefirsttimethat，inmyjoyousden，Isnatchedakissfromthyfierylip，whenthouwentestforth，dishevelledandblushing，IturneddeathlypaleandIbelievedinGod。Dostthourecallourinnumerablejoys，andallthosefichuschangedtorags？Oh！whatsighsfromourheartsfullofgloomflutteredforthtotheheavenlydepths！
Thehour，thespot，thesesouvenirsofyouthrecalled，afewstarswhichbegantotwinkleinthesky，thefuneralreposeofthosedesertedstreets，theimminenceoftheinexorableadventure，whichwasinpreparation，gaveapatheticcharmtotheseversesmurmuredinalowtoneintheduskbyJeanProuvaire，who，aswehavesaid，wasagentlepoet。
Inthemeantime，alamphadbeenlightedinthesmallbarricade，andinthelargeone，oneofthosewaxtorchessuchasaretobemetwithonShrove—Tuesdayinfrontofvehiclesloadedwithmasks，ontheirwaytolaCourtille。Thesetorches，asthereaderhasseen，camefromtheFaubourgSaint—Antoine。
Thetorchhadbeenplacedinasortofcageofpaving—stonesclosedonthreesidestoshelteritfromthewind，anddisposedinsuchafashionthatallthelightfellontheflag。Thestreetandthebarricaderemainedsunkingloom，andnothingwastobeseenexcepttheredflagformidablyilluminatedasbyanenormousdark—lantern。
Thislightenhancedthescarletoftheflag，withanindescribableandterriblepurple。
CHAPTERVII
THEMANRECRUITEDINTHERUEDESBILLETTES
Nightwasfullycome，nothingmadeitsappearance。Allthattheyheardwasconfusednoises，andatintervals，fusillades；butthesewererare，badlysustainedanddistant。Thisrespite，whichwasthusprolonged，wasasignthattheGovernmentwastakingitstime，andcollectingitsforces。Thesefiftymenwerewaitingforsixtythousand。
Enjolrasfeltattackedbythatimpatiencewhichseizesonstrongsoulsonthethresholdofredoubtableevents。HewentinsearchofGavroche，whohadsettomakingcartridgesinthetap—room，bythedubiouslightoftwocandlesplacedonthecounterbywayofprecaution，onaccountofthepowderwhichwasscatteredonthetables。
Thesetwocandlescastnogleamoutside。Theinsurgentshad，moreover，takenpainsnottohaveanylightintheupperstories。
Gavrochewasdeeplypreoccupiedatthatmoment，butnotpreciselywithhiscartridges。ThemanoftheRuedesBilletteshadjustenteredthetap—roomandhadseatedhimselfatthetablewhichwastheleastlighted。Amusketoflargemodelhadfallentohisshare，andhehelditbetweenhislegs。Gavroche，whohadbeen，uptothatmoment，distractedbyahundred"amusing"things，hadnotevenseenthisman。
Whenheentered，Gavrochefollowedhimmechanicallywithhiseyes，admiringhisgun；then，allatonce，whenthemanwasseated，thestreeturchinsprangtohisfeet。Anyonewhohadspieduponthatmanuptothatmoment，wouldhaveseenthathewasobservingeverythinginthebarricadeandinthebandofinsurgents，withsingularattention；but，fromthemomentwhenhehadenteredthisroom，hehadfallenintoasortofbrownstudy，andnolongerseemedtoseeanythingthatwasgoingon。Thegaminapproachedthispensivepersonage，andbegantosteparoundhimontiptoe，asonewalksinthevicinityofapersonwhomoneisafraidofwaking。
Atthesametime，overhischildishcountenancewhichwas，atoncesoimpudentandsoserious，sogiddyandsoprofound，sogayandsoheart—breaking，passedallthosegrimacesofanoldmanwhichsignify:
Ahbah！impossible！Mysightisbad！Iamdreaming！canthisbe？no，itisnot！butyes！why，no！etc。Gavrochebalancedonhisheels，clenchedbothfistsinhispockets，movedhisneckaroundlikeabird，expendedinagiganticpoutallthesagacityofhislowerlip。
Hewasastounded，uncertain，incredulous，convinced，dazzled。
Hehadthemienofthechiefoftheeunuchsintheslavemart，discoveringaVenusamongtheblowsyfemales，andtheairofanamateurrecognizingaRaphaelinaheapofdaubs。Hiswholebeingwasatwork，theinstinctwhichscentsout，andtheintelligencewhichcombines。ItwasevidentthatagreateventhadhappenedinGavroche’slife。
ItwasatthemostintensepointofthispreoccupationthatEnjolrasaccostedhim。
"Youaresmall，"saidEnjolras，"youwillnotbeseen。Gooutofthebarricade，slipalongclosetothehouses，skirmishaboutabitinthestreets，andcomebackandtellmewhatisgoingon。"
Gavrocheraisedhimselfonhishaunches。
"Sothelittlechapsaregoodforsomething！that’sverylucky！
I’llgo！Inthemeanwhile，trusttothelittlefellows，anddistrustthebigones。"AndGavroche，raisinghisheadandloweringhisvoice，added，asheindicatedthemanoftheRuedesBillettes:
"Doyouseethatbigfellowthere？"
"Well？"
"He’sapolicespy。"
"Areyousureofit？"
"Itisn’ttwoweekssincehepulledmeoffthecorniceofthePortRoyal，whereIwastakingtheair，bymyear。"