Amysteriousmovementwasgoingonatacertaindistance。
　　Itwasevidentthatthecriticalmomentwasapproaching。Asonthepreviousevening，thesentinelshadcomein；butthistimeallhadcome。
　　Thebarricadewasstrongerthanontheoccasionofthefirstattack。
　　Sincethedepartureofthefive，theyhadincreaseditsheightstillfurther。
　　OntheadviceofthesentinelwhohadexaminedtheregionoftheHalles，Enjolras，forfearofasurpriseintherear，cametoaseriousdecision。HehadthesmallgutoftheMondetourlane，whichhadbeenleftopenuptothattime，barricaded。Forthispurpose，theytoreupthepavementforthelengthofseveralhousesmore。
　　Inthismanner，thebarricade，walledonthreestreets，infrontontheRuedelaChanvrerie，totheleftontheRuesduCygneanddelaPetiteTruanderie，totherightontheRueMondetour，wasreallyalmostimpregnable；itistruethattheywerefatallyhemmedinthere。
　　Ithadthreefronts，butnoexit。——"Afortressbutaratholetoo，"
　　saidCourfeyracwithalaugh。
　　Enjolrashadaboutthirtypaving—stones"tornupinexcess，"
　　saidBossuet，piledupnearthedoorofthewine—shop。
　　Thesilencewasnowsoprofoundinthequarterwhencetheattackmustneedscome，thatEnjolrashadeachmanresumehispostofbattle。
　　Anallowanceofbrandywasdoledouttoeach。
　　Nothingismorecuriousthanabarricadepreparingforanassault。
　　Eachmanselectshisplaceasthoughatthetheatre。Theyjostle，andelbowandcrowdeachother。Therearesomewhomakestallsofpaving—stones。Hereisacornerofthewallwhichisintheway，itisremoved；hereisaredanwhichmayaffordprotection，theytakeshelterbehindit。Left—handedmenareprecious；
　　theytaketheplacesthatareinconvenienttotherest。Manyarrangetofightinasittingposture。Theywishtobeateasetokill，andtodiecomfortably。InthesadwarofJune，1848，aninsurgentwhowasaformidablemarksman，andwhowasfiringfromthetopofaterraceuponaroof，hadareclining—chairbroughtthereforhisuse；
　　achargeofgrape—shotfoundhimoutthere。
　　Assoonastheleaderhasgiventheordertoclearthedecksforaction，alldisorderlymovementscease；thereisnomorepullingfromoneanother；therearenomorecoteries；nomoreasides，thereisnomoreholdingaloof；everythingintheirspiritsconvergesin，andchangesinto，awaitingfortheassailants。Abarricadebeforethearrivalofdangerischaos；indanger，itisdisciplineitself。
　　Perilproducesorder。
　　AssoonasEnjolrashadseizedhisdouble—barrelledrifle，andhadplacedhimselfinasortofembrasurewhichhehadreservedforhimself，alltherestheldtheirpeace。Aseriesoffaint，sharpnoisesresoundedconfusedlyalongthewallofpaving—stones。
　　Itwasthemencockingtheirguns。
　　Moreover，theirattitudeswereprouder，moreconfidentthanever；
　　theexcessofsacrificestrengthens；theynolongercherishedanyhope，buttheyhaddespair，despair，——thelastweapon，whichsometimesgivesvictory；Virgilhassaidso。Supremeresourcesspringfromextremeresolutions。Toembarkindeathissometimesthemeansofescapingashipwreck；andthelidofthecoffinbecomesaplankofsafety。
　　Asontheprecedingevening，theattentionofallwasdirected，wemightalmostsayleanedupon，theendofthestreet，nowlightedupandvisible。
　　Theyhadnotlongtowait。AstirbegandistinctlyintheSaint—Leuquarter，butitdidnotresemblethemovementofthefirstattack。
　　Aclashingofchains，theuneasyjoltingofamass，theclickofbrassskippingalongthepavement，asortofsolemnuproar，announcedthatsomesinisterconstructionofironwasapproaching。
　　Therearoseatremorinthebosomsofthesepeacefuloldstreets，piercedandbuiltforthefertilecirculationofinterestsandideas，andwhicharenotmadeforthehorriblerumbleofthewheelsofwar。
　　Thefixityofeyeinallthecombatantsupontheextremityofthestreetbecameferocious。
　　Acannonmadeitsappearance。
　　Artillery—menwerepushingthepiece；itwasinfiringtrim；
　　thefore—carriagehadbeendetached；twoupheldthegun—carriage，fourwereatthewheels；othersfollowedwiththecaisson。
　　Theycouldseethesmokeoftheburninglint—stock。
　　"Fire！"shoutedEnjolras。
　　Thewholebarricadefired，thereportwasterrible；anavalancheofsmokecoveredandeffacedbothcannonandmen；afterafewseconds，theclouddispersed，andthecannonandmenre—appeared；thegun—crewhadjustfinishedrollingitslowly，correctly，withouthaste，intopositionfacingthebarricade。Notoneofthemhadbeenstruck。
　　Thenthecaptainofthepiece，bearingdownuponthebreechinordertoraisethemuzzle，begantopointthecannonwiththegravityofanastronomerlevellingatelescope。
　　"Bravoforthecannoneers！"criedBossuet。
　　Andthewholebarricadeclappedtheirhands。
　　Amomentlater，squarelyplantedintheverymiddleofthestreet，astrideofthegutter，thepiecewasreadyforaction。Aformidablepairofjawsyawnedonthebarricade。
　　"Come，merrilynow！"ejaculatedCourfeyrac。"That’sthebrutalpartofit。Afterthefilliponthenose，theblowfromthefist。
　　Thearmyisreachingoutitsbigpawtous。Thebarricadeisgoingtobeseverelyshakenup。Thefusilladetries，thecannontakes。"
　　"Itisapieceofeight，newmodel，brass，"addedCombeferre。
　　"Thosepiecesareliabletoburstassoonastheproportionoftenpartsoftintoonehundredofbrassisexceeded。Theexcessoftinrendersthemtootender。Thenitcomestopassthattheyhavecavesandchamberswhenlookedatfromtheventhole。Inordertoobviatethisdanger，andtorenderitpossibletoforcethecharge，itmaybecomenecessarytoreturntotheprocessofthefourteenthcentury，hooping，andtoencirclethepieceontheoutsidewithaseriesofunweldedsteelbands，fromthebreechtothetrunnions。
　　Inthemeantime，theyremedythisdefectasbesttheymay；
　　theymanagetodiscoverwheretheholesarelocatedintheventofacannon，bymeansofasearcher。Butthereisabettermethod，withGribeauval’smovablestar。"
　　"Inthesixteenthcentury，"remarkedBossuet，"theyusedtoriflecannon。"
　　"Yes，"repliedCombeferre，"thataugmentstheprojectileforce，butdiminishestheaccuracyofthefiring。Infiringatshortrange，thetrajectoryisnotasrigidascouldbedesired，theparabolaisexaggerated，thelineoftheprojectileisnolongersufficientlyrectilineartoallowofitsstrikinginterveningobjects，whichis，nevertheless，anecessityofbattle，theimportanceofwhichincreaseswiththeproximityoftheenemyandtheprecipitationofthedischarge。
　　Thisdefectofthetensionofthecurveoftheprojectileintherifledcannonofthesixteenthcenturyarosefromthesmallnessofthecharge；smallchargesforthatsortofengineareimposedbytheballisticnecessities，such，forinstance，asthepreservationofthegun—carriage。Inshort，thatdespot，thecannon，cannotdoallthatitdesires；forceisagreatweakness。Acannon—ballonlytravelssixhundredleaguesanhour；lighttravelsseventythousandleaguesasecond。SuchisthesuperiorityofJesusChristoverNapoleon。"
　　"Reloadyourguns，"saidEnjolras。
　　Howwasthecasingofthebarricadegoingtobehaveunderthecannon—balls？Wouldtheyeffectabreach？Thatwasthequestion。
　　Whiletheinsurgentswerereloadingtheirguns，theartillery—menwereloadingthecannon。
　　Theanxietyintheredoubtwasprofound。
　　Theshotspedthereportburstforth。
　　"Present！"shoutedajoyousvoice。
　　AndGavrocheflunghimselfintothebarricadejustastheballdashedagainstit。
　　HecamefromthedirectionoftheRueduCygne，andhehadnimblyclimbedovertheauxiliarybarricadewhichfrontedonthelabyrinthoftheRuedelaPetiteTruanderie。
　　Gavrocheproducedagreatersensationinthebarricadethanthecannon—ball。
　　Theballburieditselfinthemassofrubbish。Atthemosttherewasanomnibuswheelbroken，andtheoldAnceaucartwasdemolished。
　　Onseeingthis，thebarricadeburstintoalaugh。
　　"Goon！"shoutedBossuettotheartillerists。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　THEARTILLERY—MENCOMPELPEOPLETOTAKETHEMSERIOUSLY
　　ThetflockedroundGavroche。Buthehadnotimetotellanything。
　　Mariusdrewhimasidewithashudder。
　　"Whatareyoudoinghere？"
　　"Hullo！"saidthechild，"whatareyoudoinghereyourself？"
　　AndhestaredatMariusintentlywithhisepiceffrontery。
　　Hiseyesgrewlargerwiththeproudlightwithinthem。
　　ItwaswithanaccentofseveritythatMariuscontinued:
　　"Whotoldyoutocomeback？Didyoudelivermyletterattheaddress？"
　　Gavrochewasnotwithoutsomecompunctionsinthematterofthatletter。Inhishastetoreturntothebarricade，hehadgotridofitratherthandeliveredit。Hewasforcedtoacknowledgetohimselfthathehadconfideditratherlightlytothatstrangerwhosefacehehadnotbeenabletomakeout。Itistruethatthemanwasbareheaded，butthatwasnotsufficient。Inshort，hehadbeenadministeringtohimselflittleinwardremonstrancesandhefearedMarius’reproaches。Inordertoextricatehimselffromthepredicament，hetookthesimplestcourse；heliedabominably。
　　"Citizen，Ideliveredthelettertotheporter。Theladywasasleep。
　　Shewillhavetheletterwhenshewakesup。
　　Mariushadhadtwoobjectsinsendingthatletter:tobidfarewelltoCosetteandtosaveGavroche。Hewasobligedtocontenthimselfwiththehalfofhisdesire。
　　ThedespatchofhisletterandthepresenceofM。Faucheleventinthebarricade，wasacoincidencewhichoccurredtohim。
　　HepointedoutM。FaucheleventtoGavroche。
　　"Doyouknowthatman？"
　　"No，"saidGavroche。
　　Gavrochehad，infact，aswehavejustmentioned，seenJeanValjeanonlyatnight。
　　ThetroubledandunhealthyconjectureswhichhadoutlinedthemselvesinMarius’mindweredissipated。DidheknowM。Fauchelevent’sopinions？
　　PerhapsM。Faucheleventwasarepublican。Hencehisverynaturalpresenceinthiscombat。
　　Inthemeanwhile，Gavrochewasshouting，attheotherendofthebarricade:"Mygun！"
　　Courfeyrachaditreturnedtohim。
　　Gavrochewarned"hiscomrades"ashecalledthem，thatthebarricadewasblocked。Hehadhadgreatdifficultyinreachingit。
　　AbattalionofthelinewhosearmswerepiledintheRuedelaPetiteTruanderiewasonthewatchonthesideoftheRueduCygne；ontheoppositeside，themunicipalguardoccupiedtheRuedesPrecheurs。
　　Thebulkofthearmywasfacingtheminfront。
　　Thisinformationgiven，Gavrocheadded:
　　"Iauthorizeyoutohit’ematremendouswhack。"
　　Meanwhile，Enjolraswasstraininghisearsandwatchingathisembrasure。
　　Theassailants，dissatisfied，nodoubt，withtheirshot，hadnotrepeatedit。
　　Acompanyofinfantryofthelinehadcomeupandoccupiedtheendofthestreetbehindthepieceofordnance。Thesoldiersweretearingupthepavementandconstructingwiththestonesasmall，lowwall，asortofside—worknotmorethaneighteenincheshigh，andfacingthebarricade。Intheangleattheleftofthisepaulement，therewasvisibletheheadofthecolumnofabattalionfromthesuburbsmassedintheRueSaint—Denis。
　　Enjolras，onthewatch，thoughthedistinguishedthepeculiarsoundwhichisproducedwhentheshellsofgrape—shotaredrawnfromthecaissons，andhesawthecommanderofthepiecechangetheelevationandinclinethemouthofthecannonslightlytotheleft。
　　Thenthecannoneersbegantoloadthepiece。Thechiefseizedthelint—stockhimselfandloweredittothevent。
　　"Downwithyourheads，hugthewall！"shoutedEnjolras，"andallonyourkneesalongthebarricade！"
　　Theinsurgentswhowerestragglinginfrontofthewine—shop，andwhohadquittedtheirpostsofcombatonGavroche’sarrival，rushedpell—melltowardsthebarricade；butbeforeEnjolras’
　　ordercouldbeexecuted，thedischargetookplacewiththeterrifyingrattleofaroundofgrape—shot。Thisiswhatitwas，infact。
　　Thechargehadbeenaimedatthecutintheredoubt，andhadtherereboundedfromthewall；andthisterriblereboundhadproducedtwodeadandthreewounded。
　　Ifthiswerecontinued，thebarricadewasnolongertenable。
　　Thegrape—shotmadeitswayin。
　　Amurmurofconsternationarose。
　　"Letuspreventtheseconddischarge，"saidEnjolras。
　　And，loweringhisrifle，hetookaimatthecaptainofthegun，who，atthatmoment，wasbearingdownonthebreachofhisgunandrectifyinganddefinitelyfixingitspointing。
　　Thecaptainofthepiecewasahandsomesergeantofartillery，veryyoung，blond，withaverygentleface，andtheintelligentairpeculiartothatpredestinedandredoubtableweaponwhich，bydintofperfectingitselfinhorror，mustendinkillingwar。
　　Combeferre，whowasstandingbesideEnjolras，scrutinizedthisyoungman。
　　"Whatapity！"saidCombeferre。"Whathideousthingsthesebutcheriesare！Come，whentherearenomorekings，therewillbenomorewar。Enjolras，youaretakingaimatthatsergeant，youarenotlookingathim。Fancy，heisacharmingyoungman；
　　heisintrepid；itisevidentthatheisthoughtful；thoseyoungartillery—menareverywelleducated；hehasafather，amother，afamily；heisprobablyinlove；heisnotmorethanfiveandtwentyatthemost；hemightbeyourbrother。"
　　"Heis，"saidEnjolras。
　　"Yes，"repliedCombeferre，"heisminetoo。Well，letusnotkillhim。"
　　"Letmealone。Itmustbedone。"
　　AndateartrickledslowlydownEnjolras’marblecheek。
　　Atthesamemoment，hepressedthetriggerofhisrifle。Theflameleapedforth。Theartillery—manturnedroundtwice，hisarmsextendedinfrontofhim，hisheaduplifted，asthoughforbreath，thenhefellwithhissideonthegun，andlaytheremotionless。
　　Theycouldseehisback，fromthecentreofwhichtherefloweddirectlyastreamofblood。Theballhadtraversedhisbreastfromsidetoside。Hewasdead。
　　Hehadtobecarriedawayandreplacedbyanother。Severalminuteswerethusgained，infact。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　EMPLOYMENTOFTHEOLDTALENTSOFAPOACHERANDTHATINFALLIBLE
　　MARKSMANSHIPWHICHINFLUENCEDTHECONDEMNATIONOF1796
　　Opinionswereexchangedinthebarricade。Thefiringfromthegunwasabouttobeginagain。Againstthatgrape—shot，theycouldnotholdoutaquarterofanhourlonger。Itwasabsolutelynecessarytodeadentheblows。
　　Enjolrasissuedthiscommand:
　　"Wemustplaceamattressthere。"
　　"Wehavenone，"saidCombeferre，"thewoundedarelyingonthem。"
　　JeanValjean，whowasseatedapartonastonepost，atthecornerofthetavern，withhisgunbetweenhisknees，had，uptothatmoment，takennopartinanythingthatwasgoingon。Hedidnotappeartohearthecombatantssayingaroundhim:"Hereisagunthatisdoingnothing。"
　　AttheorderissuedbyEnjolras，herose。
　　Itwillberememberedthat，onthearrivaloftherabbleintheRuedelaChanvrerie，anoldwoman，foreseeingthebullets，hadplacedhermattressinfrontofherwindow。Thiswindow，anatticwindow，wasontheroofofasix—storyhousesituatedalittlebeyondthebarricade。Themattress，placedcross—wise，supportedatthebottomontwopolesfordryinglinen，wasupheldatthetopbytworopes，which，atthatdistance，lookedliketwothreads，andwhichwereattachedtotwonailsplantedinthewindowframes。
　　Theseropesweredistinctlyvisible，likehairs，againstthesky。
　　"Cansomeonelendmeadouble—barrelledrifle？"saidJeanValjean。
　　Enjolras，whohadjustre—loadedhis，handedittohim。
　　JeanValjeantookaimattheatticwindowandfired。
　　Oneofthemattressropeswascut。
　　Themattressnowhungbyonethreadonly。
　　JeanValjeanfiredthesecondcharge。Thesecondropelashedthepanesoftheatticwindow。Themattressslippedbetweenthetwopolesandfellintothestreet。
　　Thebarricadeapplauded。
　　Allvoicescried:
　　"Hereisamattress！"
　　"Yes，"saidCombeferre，"butwhowillgoandfetchit？"
　　Themattresshad，infact，fallenoutsidethebarricade，betweenbesiegersandbesieged。Now，thedeathofthesergeantofartilleryhavingexasperatedthetroop，thesoldiershad，forseveralminutes，beenlyingflatontheirstomachsbehindthelineofpaving—stoneswhichtheyhaderected，and，inordertosupplytheforcedsilenceofthepiece，whichwasquietwhileitsservicewasincourseofreorganization，theyhadopenedfireonthebarricade。Theinsurgentsdidnotreplytothismusketry，inordertosparetheirammunitionThefusilladebrokeagainstthebarricade；butthestreet，whichitfilled，wasterrible。
　　JeanValjeansteppedoutofthecut，enteredthestreet，traversedthestormofbullets，walkeduptothemattress，hoistedituponhisback，andreturnedtothebarricade。
　　Heplacedthemattressinthecutwithhisownhands。Hefixeditthereagainstthewallinsuchamannerthattheartillery—menshouldnotseeit。
　　Thatdone，theyawaitedthenextdischargeofgrape—shot。
　　Itwasnotlongincoming。
　　Thecannonvomitedforthitspackageofbuck—shotwitharoar。
　　Buttherewasnorebound。Theeffectwhichtheyhadforeseenhadbeenattained。Thebarricadewassaved。
　　"Citizen，"saidEnjolrastoJeanValjean，"theRepublicthanksyou。"
　　Bossuetadmiredandlaughed。Heexclaimed:
　　"Itisimmoralthatamattressshouldhavesomuchpower。
　　Triumphofthatwhichyieldsoverthatwhichstrikeswithlightning。
　　Butnevermind，glorytothemattresswhichannulsacannon！"
　　CHAPTERX
　　DAWN
　　Atthatmoment，Cosetteawoke。
　　Herchamberwasnarrow，neat，unobtrusive，withalongsash—window，facingtheEastonthebackcourt—yardofthehouse。
　　CosetteknewnothingofwhatwasgoingoninParis。Shehadnotbeenthereontheprecedingevening，andshehadalreadyretiredtoherchamberwhenToussainthadsaid:
　　"Itappearsthatthereisarow。"
　　Cosettehadsleptonlyafewhours，butsoundly。Shehadhadsweetdreams，whichpossiblyarosefromthefactthatherlittlebedwasverywhite。Someone，whowasMarius，hadappearedtoherinthelight。Sheawokewiththesuninhereyes，which，atfirst，producedonhertheeffectofbeingacontinuationofherdream。
　　Herfirstthoughtonemergingfromthisdreamwasasmilingone。
　　Cosettefeltherselfthoroughlyreassured。LikeJeanValjean，shehad，afewhourspreviously，passedthroughthatreactionofthesoulwhichabsolutelywillnothearofunhappiness。
　　Shebegantocherishhope，withallhermight，withoutknowingwhy。
　　Thenshefeltapangatherheart。ItwasthreedayssinceshehadseenMarius。Butshesaidtoherselfthathemusthavereceivedherletter，thatheknewwhereshewas，andthathewassocleverthathewouldfindmeansofreachingher。——Andthatcertainlyto—day，andperhapsthatverymorning。——Itwasbroaddaylight，buttheraysoflightwereveryhorizontal；shethoughtthatitwasveryearly，butthatshemustrise，nevertheless，inordertoreceiveMarius。
　　ShefeltthatshecouldnotlivewithoutMarius，andthat，consequently，thatwassufficientandthatMariuswouldcome。
　　Noobjectionwasvalid。Allthiswascertain。Itwasmonstrousenoughalreadytohavesufferedforthreedays。Mariusabsentthreedays，thiswashorribleonthepartofthegoodGod。Now，thiscruelteasingfromonhighhadbeengonethroughwith。Mariuswasabouttoarrive，andhewouldbringgoodnews。Youthismadethus；
　　itquicklydriesitseyes；itfindssorrowuselessanddoesnotacceptit。Youthisthesmileofthefutureinthepresenceofanunknownquantity，whichisitself。Itisnaturaltoittobehappy。
　　Itseemsasthoughitsrespirationweremadeofhope。
　　Moreover，CosettecouldnotrememberwhatMariushadsaidtoheronthesubjectofthisabsencewhichwastolastonlyoneday，andwhatexplanationofithehadgivenher。Everyonehasnoticedwithwhatnimblenessacoinwhichonehasdroppedonthegroundrollsawayandhides，andwithwhatartitrendersitselfundiscoverable。
　　Therearethoughtswhichplayusthesametrick；theynestleawayinacornerofourbrain；thatistheendofthem；theyarelost；
　　itisimpossibletolaythememoryonthem。Cosettewassomewhatvexedattheuselesslittleeffortmadebyhermemory。Shetoldherself，thatitwasverynaughtyandverywickedofher，tohaveforgottenthewordsutteredbyMarius。
　　Shesprangoutofbedandaccomplishedthetwoablutionsofsoulandbody，herprayersandhertoilet。
　　Onemay，inacaseofexigency，introducethereaderintoanuptialchamber，notintoavirginalchamber。Versewouldhardlyventureit，prosemustnot。
　　Itistheinteriorofaflowerthatisnotyetunfolded，itiswhitenessinthedark，itistheprivatecellofaclosedlily，whichmustnotbegazeduponbymansolongasthesunhasnotgazeduponit。Womaninthebudissacred。Thatinnocentbudwhichopens，thatadorablehalf—nuditywhichisafraidofitself，thatwhitefootwhichtakesrefugeinaslipper，thatthroatwhichveilsitselfbeforeamirrorasthoughamirrorwereaneye，thatchemisewhichmakeshastetoriseupandconcealtheshoulderforacreakingbitoffurnitureorapassingvehicle，thosecordstied，thoseclaspsfastened，thoselacesdrawn，thosetremors，thoseshiversofcoldandmodesty，thatexquisiteaffrightineverymovement，thatalmostwingeduneasinesswherethereisnocauseforalarm，thesuccessivephasesofdressing，ascharmingasthecloudsofdawn，——
　　itisnotfittingthatallthisshouldbenarrated，anditistoomuchtohaveevencalledattentiontoit。
　　Theeyeofmanmustbemorereligiousinthepresenceoftherisingofayounggirlthaninthepresenceoftherisingofastar。
　　Thepossibilityofhurtingshouldinspireanaugmentationofrespect。
　　Thedownonthepeach，thebloomontheplum，theradiatedcrystalofthesnow，thewingofthebutterflypowderedwithfeathers，arecoarsecomparedtothatchastitywhichdoesnotevenknowthatitischaste。
　　Theyounggirlisonlytheflashofadream，andisnotyetastatue。
　　Herbed—chamberishiddeninthesombrepartoftheideal。
　　Theindiscreettouchofaglancebrutalizesthisvaguepenumbra。
　　Here，contemplationisprofanation。
　　Weshall，therefore，shownothingofthatsweetlittleflutterofCosette’srising。
　　AnorientaltalerelateshowtherosewasmadewhitebyGod，butthatAdamlookeduponherwhenshewasunfolding，andshewasashamedandturnedcrimson。Weareofthenumberwhofallspeechlessinthepresenceofyounggirlsandflowers，sincewethinkthemworthyofveneration。
　　Cosettedressedherselfveryhastily，combedanddressedherhair，whichwasaverysimplematterinthosedays，whenwomendidnotswellouttheircurlsandbandswithcushionsandpuffs，anddidnotputcrinolineintheirlocks。Thensheopenedthewindowandcasthereyesaroundherineverydirection，hopingtodescrysomebitofthestreet，anangleofthehouse，anedgeofpavement，sothatshemightbeabletowatchforMariusthere。Butnoviewoftheoutsidewastobehad。Thebackcourtwassurroundedbytolerablyhighwalls，andtheoutlookwasonlyonseveralgardens。
　　Cosettepronouncedthesegardenshideous:forthefirsttimeinherlife，shefoundflowersugly。Thesmallestscrapofthegutterofthestreetwouldhavemetherwishesbetter。Shedecidedtogazeatthesky，asthoughshethoughtthatMariusmightcomefromthatquarter。
　　Allatonce，sheburstintotears。Notthatthiswasficklenessofsoul；buthopescutintwainbydejection——thatwashercase。
　　Shehadaconfusedconsciousnessofsomethinghorrible。Thoughtswererifeintheair，infact。Shetoldherselfthatshewasnotsureofanything，thattowithdrawherselffromsightwastobelost；
　　andtheideathatMariuscouldreturntoherfromheavenappearedtohernolongercharmingbutmournful。
　　Then，asisthenatureoftheseclouds，calmreturnedtoher，andhopeandasortofunconscioussmile，whichyetindicatedtrustinGod。
　　Everyoneinthehousewasstillasleep。Acountry—likesilencereigned。
　　Notashutterhadbeenopened。Theporter’slodgewasclosed。
　　Toussainthadnotrisen，andCosette，naturally，thoughtthatherfatherwasasleep。Shemusthavesufferedmuch，andshemusthavestillbeensufferinggreatly，forshesaidtoherself，thatherfatherhadbeenunkind；butshecountedonMarius。Theeclipseofsuchalightwasdecidedlyimpossible。Nowandthen，sheheardsharpshocksinthedistance，andshesaid:"Itisoddthatpeopleshouldbeopeningandshuttingtheircarriagegatessoearly。"
　　Theywerethereportsofthecannonbatteringthebarricade。
　　AfewfeetbelowCosette’swindow，intheancientandperfectlyblackcorniceofthewall，therewasamartin’snest；thecurveofthisnestformedalittleprojectionbeyondthecornice，sothatfromaboveitwaspossibletolookintothislittleparadise。
　　Themotherwasthere，spreadingherwingslikeafanoverherbrood；
　　thefatherflutteredabout，flewaway，thencameback，bearinginhisbeakfoodandkisses。Thedawningdaygildedthishappything，thegreatlaw，"Multiply，"laytheresmilingandaugust，andthatsweetmysteryunfoldedinthegloryofthemorning。Cosette，withherhairinthesunlight，hersoulabsorbedinchimeras，illuminatedbylovewithinandbythedawnwithout，bentovermechanically，andalmostwithoutdaringtoavowtoherselfthatshewasthinkingatthesametimeofMarius，begantogazeatthesebirds，atthisfamily，atthatmaleandfemale，thatmotherandherlittleones，withtheprofoundtroublewhichanestproducesonavirgin。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　THESHOTWHICHMISSESNOTHINGANDKILLSNOONE
　　Theassailants’firecontinued。Musketryandgrape—shotalternated，butwithoutcommittinggreatravages，totellthetruth。ThetopaloneoftheCorinthefacadesuffered；thewindowonthefirstfloor，andtheatticwindowintheroof，riddledwithbuck—shotandbiscaiens，wereslowlylosingtheirshape。Thecombatantswhohadbeenpostedtherehadbeenobligedtowithdraw。However，thisisaccordingtothetacticsofbarricades；tofireforalongwhile，inordertoexhausttheinsurgents’ammunition，iftheycommitthemistakeofreplying。Whenitisperceived，fromtheslackeningoftheirfire，thattheyhavenomorepowderandball，theassaultismade。
　　Enjolrashadnotfallenintothistrap；thebarricadedidnotreply。
　　Ateverydischargebyplatoons，Gavrochepuffedouthischeekwithhistongue，asignofsupremedisdain。
　　"Goodforyou，"saidhe，"ripupthecloth。Wewantsomelint。"
　　Courfeyraccalledthegrape—shottoorderforthelittleeffectwhichitproduced，andsaidtothecannon:
　　"Youaregrowingdiffuse，mygoodfellow。"
　　Onegetspuzzledinbattle，asataball。Itisprobablethatthissilenceonthepartoftheredoubtbegantorenderthebesiegersuneasy，andtomakethemfearsomeunexpectedincident，andthattheyfeltthenecessityofgettingaclearviewbehindthatheapofpaving—stones，andofknowingwhatwasgoingonbehindthatimpassablewallwhichreceivedblowswithoutretorting。Theinsurgentssuddenlyperceivedahelmetglitteringinthesunonaneighboringroof。
　　Afiremanhadplacedhisbackagainstatallchimney，andseemedtobeactingassentinel。Hisglancefelldirectlydownintothebarricade。
　　"There’sanembarrassingwatcher，"saidEnjolras。
　　JeanValjeanhadreturnedEnjolras’rifle，buthehadhisowngun。
　　Withoutsayingaword，hetookaimatthefireman，and，asecondlater，thehelmet，smashedbyabullet，rattlednoisilyintothestreet。
　　Theterrifiedsoldiermadehastetodisappear。Asecondobservertookhisplace。Thisonewasanofficer。JeanValjean，whohadre—loadedhisgun，tookaimatthenewcomerandsenttheofficer’scasquetojointhesoldier’s。Theofficerdidnotpersist，andretiredspeedily。Thistimethewarningwasunderstood。
　　Noonemadehisappearancethereafteronthatroof；andtheideaofspyingonthebarricadewasabandoned。
　　"Whydidyounotkilltheman？"BossuetaskedJeanValjean。
　　JeanValjeanmadenoreply。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　DISORDERAPARTISANOFORDER
　　BossuetmutteredinCombeferre’sear:
　　"Hedidnotanswermyquestion。"
　　"Heisamanwhodoesgoodbygun—shots，"saidCombeferre。
　　ThosewhohavepreservedsomememoryofthisalreadydistantepochknowthattheNationalGuardfromthesuburbswasvaliantagainstinsurrections。ItwasparticularlyzealousandintrepidinthedaysofJune，1832。Acertaingooddram—shopkeeperofPantindesVertusorlaCunette，whose"establishment"hadbeenclosedbytheriots，becameleonineatthesightofhisdeserteddance—hall，andgothimselfkilledtopreservetheorderrepresentedbyatea—garden。Inthatbourgeoisandheroictime，inthepresenceofideaswhichhadtheirknights，interestshadtheirpaladins。
　　Theprosinessoftheoriginatorsdetractednothingfromthebraveryofthemovement。ThediminutionofapileofcrownsmadebankerssingtheMarseillaise。Theyshedtheirbloodlyricallyforthecounting—house；andtheydefendedtheshop，thatimmensediminutiveofthefatherland，withLacedaemonianenthusiasm。
　　Atbottom，wewillobserve，therewasnothinginallthisthatwasnotextremelyserious。Itwassocialelementsenteringintostrife，whileawaitingthedaywhentheyshouldenterintoequilibrium。
　　Anothersignofthetimeswastheanarchymingledwithgovernmentalism[thebarbarousnameofthecorrectparty]。Peoplewerefororderincombinationwithlackofdiscipline。
　　Thedrumsuddenlybeatcapriciouscalls，atthecommandofsuchorsuchaColoneloftheNationalGuard；suchandsuchacaptainwentintoactionthroughinspiration；suchandsuchNationalGuardsmenfought，"foranidea，"andontheirownaccount。Atcriticalmoments，on"days"
　　theytookcounsellessoftheirleadersthanoftheirinstincts。
　　Thereexistedinthearmyoforder，veritableguerilleros，someofthesword，likeFannicot，othersofthepen，likeHenriFonfrede。
　　Civilization，unfortunately，representedatthisepochratherbyanaggregationofintereststhanbyagroupofprinciples，wasorthoughtitself，inperil；itsetupthecryofalarm；
　　each，constitutinghimselfacentre，defendedit，succoredit，andprotecteditwithhisownhead；andthefirstcomertookituponhimselftosavesociety。
　　Zealsometimesproceededtoextermination。AplatoonoftheNationalGuardwouldconstituteitselfonitsownauthorityaprivatecouncilofwar，andjudgeandexecuteacapturedinsurgentinfiveminutes。
　　ItwasanimprovisationofthissortthathadslainJeanProuvaire。
　　FierceLynchlaw，withwhichnoonepartyhadanyrighttoreproachtherest，forithasbeenappliedbytheRepublicinAmerica，aswellasbythemonarchyinEurope。ThisLynchlawwascomplicatedwithmistakes。Ononedayofrioting，ayoungpoet，namedPaulAimeGarnier，waspursuedinthePlaceRoyale，withabayonetathisloins，andonlyescapedbytakingrefugeundertheporte—cochereofNo。6。Theyshouted:——"There’sanotherofthoseSaint—Simonians！"
　　andtheywantedtokillhim。Now，hehadunderhisarmavolumeofthememoirsoftheDucdeSaint—Simon。ANationalGuardhadreadthewordsSaint—Simononthebook，andhadshouted:"Death！"
　　Onthe6thofJune，1832，acompanyoftheNationalGuardsfromthesuburbs，commandedbytheCaptainFannicot，abovementioned，haditselfdecimatedintheRuedelaChanvrerieoutofcapriceanditsowngoodpleasure。Thisfact，singularthoughitmayseem，wasprovedatthejudicialinvestigationopenedinconsequenceoftheinsurrectionof1832。CaptainFannicot，aboldandimpatientbourgeois，asortofcondottiereoftheorderofthosewhomwehavejustcharacterized，afanaticalandintractablegovernmentalist，couldnotresistthetemptationtofireprematurely，andtheambitionofcapturingthebarricadealoneandunaided，thatistosay，withhiscompany。Exasperatedbythesuccessiveapparitionoftheredflagandtheoldcoatwhichhetookfortheblackflag，heloudlyblamedthegeneralsandchiefsofthecorps，whowereholdingcouncilanddidnotthinkthatthemomentforthedecisiveassaulthadarrived，andwhowereallowing"theinsurrectiontofryinitsownfat，"tousethecelebratedexpressionofoneofthem。
　　Forhispart，hethoughtthebarricaderipe，andasthatwhichisripeoughttofall，hemadetheattempt。
　　Hecommandedmenasresoluteashimself，"ragingfellows，"asawitnesssaid。Hiscompany，thesamewhichhadshotJeanProuvairethepoet，wasthefirstofthebattalionpostedattheangleofthestreet。
　　Atthemomentwhentheywereleastexpectingit，thecaptainlaunchedhismenagainstthebarricade。Thismovement，executedwithmoregoodwillthanstrategy，costtheFannicotcompanydear。
　　Beforeithadtraversedtwothirdsofthestreetitwasreceivedbyageneraldischargefromthebarricade。Four，themostaudacious，whowererunningoninfront，weremowndownpoint—blankattheveryfootoftheredoubt，andthiscourageousthrongofNationalGuards，verybravemenbutlackinginmilitarytenacity，wereforcedtofallback，aftersomehesitation，leavingfifteencorpsesonthepavement。
　　Thismomentaryhesitationgavetheinsurgentstimetore—loadtheirweapons，andasecondandverydestructivedischargestruckthecompanybeforeitcouldregainthecornerofthestreet，itsshelter。Amomentmore，anditwascaughtbetweentwofires，anditreceivedthevolleyfromthebatterypiecewhich，nothavingreceivedtheorder，hadnotdiscontinueditsfiring。
　　TheintrepidandimprudentFannicotwasoneofthedeadfromthisgrape—shot。Hewaskilledbythecannon，thatistosay，byorder。
　　Thisattack，whichwasmorefuriousthanserious，irritatedEnjolras。——"Thefools！"saidhe。"Theyaregettingtheirownmenkilledandtheyareusingupourammunitionfornothing。"
　　Enjolrasspokeliketherealgeneralofinsurrectionwhichhewas。
　　Insurrectionandrepressiondonotfightwithequalweapons。
　　Insurrection，whichisspeedilyexhausted，hasonlyacertainnumberofshotstofireandacertainnumberofcombatantstoexpend。
　　Anemptycartridge—box，amankilled，cannotbereplaced。Asrepressionhasthearmy，itdoesnotcountitsmen，and，asithasVincennes，itdoesnotcountitsshots。Repressionhasasmanyregimentsasthebarricadehasmen，andasmanyarsenalsasthebarricadehascartridge—boxes。Thustheyarestrugglesofoneagainstahundred，whichalwaysendincrushingthebarricade；unlesstherevolution，uprisingsuddenly，flingsintothebalanceitsflamingarchangel’ssword。
　　Thisdoeshappensometimes。Theneverythingrises，thepavementsbegintoseethe，popularredoubtsabound。Parisquiverssupremely，thequiddivinumisgivenforth，a10thofAugustisintheair，a29thofJulyisintheair，awonderfullightappears，theyawningmawofforcedrawsback，andthearmy，thatlion，seesbeforeit，erectandtranquil，thatprophet，France。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　PASSINGGLEAMS
　　Inthechaosofsentimentsandpassionswhichdefendabarricade，thereisalittleofeverything；thereisbravery，thereisyouth，honor，enthusiasm，theideal，conviction，therageofthegambler，and，aboveall，intermittencesofhope。
　　Oneoftheseintermittences，oneofthesevaguequiversofhopesuddenlytraversedthebarricadeoftheRuedelaChanvrerieatthemomentwhenitwasleastexpected。
　　"Listen，"suddenlycriedEnjolras，whowasstillonthewatch，"itseemstomethatParisiswakingup。"
　　Itiscertainthat，onthemorningofthe6thofJune，theinsurrectionbrokeoutafreshforanhourortwo，toacertainextent。
　　TheobstinacyofthealarmpealofSaint—Merryreanimatedsomefancies。BarricadeswerebegunintheRueduPoirierandtheRuedesGravilliers。InfrontofthePorteSaint—Martin，ayoungman，armedwitharifle，attackedaloneasquadronofcavalry。
　　Inplainsight，ontheopenboulevard，heplacedonekneeontheground，shoulderedhisweapon，fired，killedthecommanderofthesquadron，andturnedaway，saying:"There’sanotherwhowilldousnomoreharm。"
　　Hewasputtothesword。IntheRueSaint—Denis，awomanfiredontheNationalGuardfrombehindaloweredblind。Theslatsoftheblindcouldbeseentotrembleateveryshot。AchildfourteenyearsofagewasarrestedintheRuedelaCossonerie，withhispocketsfullofcartridges。Manypostswereattacked。
　　AttheentrancetotheRueBertin—Poiree，averylivelyandutterlyunexpectedfusilladewelcomedaregimentofcuirrassiers，atwhoseheadmarchedMarshalGeneralCavaignacdeBarague。
　　IntheRuePlanche—Mibray，theythrewoldpiecesofpotteryandhouseholdutensilsdownonthesoldiersfromtheroofs；abadsign；
　　andwhenthismatterwasreportedtoMarshalSoult，Napoleon’soldlieutenantgrewthoughtful，asherecalledSuchet’ssayingatSaragossa:
　　"Wearelostwhentheoldwomenemptytheirpotsdechambreonourheads。"
　　Thesegeneralsymptomswhichpresentedthemselvesatthemomentwhenitwasthoughtthattheuprisinghadbeenrenderedlocal，thisfeverofwrath，thesesparkswhichflewhitherandthitherabovethosedeepmassesofcombustibleswhicharecalledthefaubourgsofParis，——allthis，takentogether，disturbedthemilitarychiefs。
　　Theymadehastetostampoutthesebeginningsofconflagration。
　　TheydelayedtheattackonthebarricadesMaubuee，delaChanvrerieandSaint—Merryuntilthesesparkshadbeenextinguished，inorderthattheymighthavetodealwiththebarricadesonlyandbeabletofinishthematoneblow。Columnswerethrownintothestreetswheretherewasfermentation，sweepingthelarge，soundingthesmall，rightandleft，nowslowlyandcautiously，nowatfullcharge。
　　Thetroopsbrokeinthedoorsofhouseswhenceshotshadbeenfired；
　　atthesametime，manoeuvresbythecavalrydispersedthegroupsontheboulevards。Thisrepressionwasnoteffectedwithoutsomecommotion，andwithoutthattumultuousuproarpeculiartocollisionsbetweenthearmyandthepeople。ThiswaswhatEnjolrashadcaughtintheintervalsofthecannonadeandthemusketry。
　　Moreover，hehadseenwoundedmenpassingtheendofthestreetinlitters，andhesaidtoCourfeyrac:——"Thosewoundeddonotcomefromus。"
　　Theirhopedidnotlastlong；thegleamwasquicklyeclipsed。
　　Inlessthanhalfanhour，whatwasintheairvanished，itwasaflashoflightningunaccompaniedbythunder，andtheinsurgentsfeltthatsortofleadencope，whichtheindifferenceofthepeoplecastsoverobstinateanddesertedmen，falloverthemoncemore。
　　Thegeneralmovement，whichseemedtohaveassumedavagueoutline，hadmiscarried；andtheattentionoftheministerofwarandthestrategyofthegeneralscouldnowbeconcentratedonthethreeorfourbarricadeswhichstillremainedstanding。
　　Thesunwasmountingabovethehorizon。
　　AninsurgenthailedEnjolras。
　　"Wearehungryhere。Arewereallygoingtodielikethis，withoutanythingtoeat？"
　　Enjolras，whowasstillleaningonhiselbowsathisembrasure，madeanaffirmativesignwithhishead，butwithouttakinghiseyesfromtheendofthestreet。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　WHEREINWILLAPPEARTHENAMEOFENJOLRAS’MISTRESS
　　Courfeyrac，seatedonapaving—stonebesideEnjolras，continuedtoinsultthecannon，andeachtimethatthatgloomycloudofprojectileswhichiscalledgrape—shotpassedoverheadwithitsterriblesoundheassaileditwithaburstofirony。
　　"Youarewearingoutyourlungs，poor，brutal，oldfellow，youpainme，youarewastingyourrow。That’snotthunder，it’sacough。"
　　Andthebystanderslaughed。
　　CourfeyracandBossuet，whosebravegoodhumorincreasedwiththeperil，likeMadameScarron，replacednourishmentwithpleasantry，and，aswinewaslacking，theypouredoutgayetytoall。
　　"IadmireEnjolras，"saidBossuet。"Hisimpassivetemerityastoundsme。Helivesalone，whichrendershimalittlesad，perhaps；
　　Enjolrascomplainsofhisgreatness，whichbindshimtowidowhood。
　　Therestofushavemistresses，moreorless，whomakeuscrazy，thatistosay，brave。Whenamanisasmuchinloveasatiger，theleastthathecandoistofightlikealion。Thatisonewayoftakingourrevengeforthecapersthatmesdamesourgrisettesplayonus。RolandgetshimselfkilledforAngelique；allourheroismcomesfromourwomen。Amanwithoutawomanisapistolwithoutatrigger；itisthewomanthatsetsthemanoff。Well，Enjolrashasnowoman。Heisnotinlove，andyethemanagestobeintrepid。
　　Itisathingunheardofthatamanshouldbeascoldasiceandasboldasfire。"
　　Enjolrasdidnotappeartobelistening，buthadanyonebeennearhim，thatpersonwouldhaveheardhimmutterinalowvoice:"Patria。"
　　BossuetwasstilllaughingwhenCourfeyracexclaimed:
　　"News！"
　　Andassumingthetoneofanushermakinganannouncement，headded:
　　"MynameisEight—Pounder。"
　　Infact，anewpersonagehadenteredonthescene。Thiswasasecondpieceofordnance。
　　Theartillery—menrapidlyperformedtheirmanoeuvresinforceandplacedthissecondpieceinlinewiththefirst。
　　Thisoutlinedthecatastrophe。
　　Afewminuteslater，thetwopieces，rapidlyserved，werefiringpoint—blankattheredoubt；theplatoonfiringofthelineandofthesoldiersfromthesuburbssustainedtheartillery。
　　Anothercannonadewasaudibleatsomedistance。AtthesametimethatthetwogunswerefuriouslyattackingtheredoubtfromtheRuedelaChanvrerie，twoothercannons，trainedonefromtheRueSaint—Denis，theotherfromtheRueAubry—le—Boucher，wereriddlingtheSaint—Merrybarricade。Thefourcannonsechoedeachothermournfully。
　　Thebarkingofthesesombredogsofwarrepliedtoeachother。
　　OneofthetwopieceswhichwasnowbatteringthebarricadeontheRuedelaChanvreriewasfiringgrape—shot，theotherballs。
　　Thepiecewhichwasfiringballswaspointedalittlehigh，andtheaimwascalculatedsothattheballstrucktheextremeedgeoftheuppercrestofthebarricade，andcrumbledthestonedownupontheinsurgents，mingledwithburstsofgrape—shot。
　　Theobjectofthismodeoffiringwastodrivetheinsurgentsfromthesummitoftheredoubt，andtocompelthemtogathercloseintheinterior，thatistosay，thisannouncedtheassault。
　　Thecombatantsoncedrivenfromthecrestofthebarricadebyballs，andfromthewindowsofthecabaretbygrape—shot，theattackingcolumnscouldventureintothestreetwithoutbeingpickedoff，perhaps，even，withoutbeingseen，couldbrisklyandsuddenlyscaletheredoubt，asontheprecedingevening，and，whoknows？takeitbysurprise。
　　"Itisabsolutelynecessarythattheinconvenienceofthosegunsshouldbediminished，"saidEnjolras，andheshouted:"Fireontheartillery—men！"
　　Allwereready。Thebarricade，whichhadlongbeensilent，pouredforthadesperatefire；sevenoreightdischargesfollowed，withasortofrageandjoy；thestreetwasfilledwithblindingsmoke，and，attheendofafewminutes，athwartthismistallstreakedwithflame，twothirdsofthegunnerscouldbedistinguishedlyingbeneaththewheelsofthecannons。Thosewhowereleftstandingcontinuedtoservethepieceswithseveretranquillity，butthefirehadslackened。
　　"Thingsaregoingwellnow，"saidBossuettoEnjolras。"Success。"
　　Enjolrasshookhisheadandreplied:
　　"Anotherquarterofanhourofthissuccess，andtherewillnotbeanycartridgesleftinthebarricade。"
　　ItappearsthatGavrocheoverheardthisremark。
　　CHAPTERXV
　　GAVROCHEOUTSIDE
　　Courfeyracsuddenlycaughtsightofsomeoneatthebaseofthebarricade，outsideinthestreet，amidthebullets。
　　Gavrochehadtakenabottlebasketfromthewine—shop，hadmadehiswayoutthroughthecut，andwasquietlyengagedinemptyingthefullcartridge—boxesoftheNationalGuardsmenwhohadbeenkilledontheslopeoftheredoubt，intohisbasket。
　　"Whatareyoudoingthere？"askedCourfeyrac。
　　Gavrocheraisedhisface:——
　　"I’mfillingmybasket，citizen。"
　　"Don’tyouseethegrape—shot？"
　　Gavrochereplied:
　　"Well，itisraining。Whatthen？"
　　Courfeyracshouted:——"Comein！"
　　"Instanter，"saidGavroche。
　　Andwithasingleboundheplungedintothestreet。
　　ItwillberememberedthatFannicot’scompanyhadleftbehinditatrailofbodies。Twentycorpseslayscatteredhereandthereonthepavement，throughthewholelengthofthestreet。
　　TwentycartouchesforGavrochemeantaprovisionofcartridgesforthebarricade。
　　Thesmokeinthestreetwaslikeafog。Whoeverhasbeheldacloudwhichhasfallenintoamountaingorgebetweentwopeakedescarpmentscanimaginethissmokerendereddenserandthickerbytwogloomyrowsofloftyhouses。Itrosegraduallyandwasincessantlyrenewed；
　　henceatwilightwhichmadeeventhebroaddaylightturnpale。
　　Thecombatantscouldhardlyseeeachotherfromoneendofthestreettotheother，shortasitwas。
　　Thisobscurity，whichhadprobablybeendesiredandcalculatedonbythecommanderswhoweretodirecttheassaultonthebarricade，wasusefultoGavroche。
　　Beneaththefoldsofthisveilofsmoke，andthankstohissmallsize，hecouldadvancetolerablyfarintothestreetwithoutbeingseen。
　　Herifledthefirstsevenoreightcartridge—boxeswithoutmuchdanger。
　　Hecrawledflatonhisbelly，gallopedonallfours，tookhisbasketinhisteeth，twisted，glided，undulated，woundfromonedeadbodytoanother，andemptiedthecartridge—boxorcartoucheasamonkeyopensanut。
　　Theydidnotdaretoshouttohimtoreturnfromthebarricade，whichwasquitenear，forfearofattractingattentiontohim。
　　Ononebody，thatofacorporal，hefoundapowder—flask。
　　"Forthirst，"saidhe，puttingitinhispocket。
　　Bydintofadvancing，hereachedapointwherethefogofthefusilladebecametransparent。Sothatthesharpshootersofthelinerangedontheoutlookbehindtheirpaving—stonedikeandthesharpshootersofthebanlieuemassedatthecornerofthestreetsuddenlypointedouttoeachothersomethingmovingthroughthesmoke。
　　AtthemomentwhenGavrochewasrelievingasergeant，whowaslyingnearastonedoor—post，ofhiscartridges，abulletstruckthebody。
　　"Fichtre！"ejaculatedGavroche。"Theyarekillingmydeadmenforme。"
　　Asecondbulletstruckasparkfromthepavementbesidehim。——
　　Athirdoverturnedhisbasket。
　　Gavrochelookedandsawthatthiscamefromthemenofthebanlieue。
　　Hesprangtohisfeet，stooderect，withhishairflyinginthewind，hishandsonhiships，hiseyesfixedontheNationalGuardsmenwhowerefiring，andsang:
　　"OnestlaidaNanterre，"MenareuglyatNanterre，C’estlafauteaVoltaire；’TisthefaultofVoltaire；
　　EtbeteaPalaiseau，AnddullatPalaiseau，C’estlafauteaRousseau。"’TisthefaultofRousseau。"
　　Thenhepickeduphisbasket，replacedthecartridgeswhichhadfallenfromit，withoutmissingasingleone，and，advancingtowardsthefusillade，setaboutplunderinganothercartridge—box。Thereafourthbulletmissedhim，again。Gavrochesang:
　　"Jenesuispasnotaire，"Iamnotanotary，C’estlafauteaVoltaire；’TisthefaultofVoltaire；
　　Jesuisunpetitoiseau，I’malittlebird，C’estlafauteaRousseau。"’TisthefaultofRousseau。"
　　Afifthbulletonlysucceededindrawingfromhimathirdcouplet。
　　"Joieestmoncaractere，"Joyismycharacter，C’estlafauteaVoltaire；’TisthefaultofVoltaire；
　　Misereestmontrousseau，Miseryismytrousseau，C’estlafauteaRousseau。"’TisthefaultofRousseau。"
　　Thusitwentonforsometime。
　　Itwasacharmingandterriblesight。Gavroche，thoughshotat，wasteasingthefusillade。Hehadtheairofbeinggreatlydiverted。
　　Itwasthesparrowpeckingatthesportsmen。Toeachdischargeheretortedwithacouplet。Theyaimedathimconstantly，andalwaysmissedhim。TheNationalGuardsmenandthesoldierslaughedastheytookaimathim。Helaydown，sprangtohisfeet，hidinthecornerofadoorway，thenmadeabound，disappeared，re—appeared，scamperedaway，returned，repliedtothegrape—shotwithhisthumbathisnose，and，allthewhile，wentonpillagingthecartouches，emptyingthecartridge—boxes，andfillinghisbasket。
　　Theinsurgents，pantingwithanxiety，followedhimwiththeireyes。
　　Thebarricadetrembled；hesang。Hewasnotachild，hewasnotaman；
　　hewasastrangegamin—fairy。Hemighthavebeencalledtheinvulnerabledwarfofthefray。Thebulletsflewafterhim，hewasmorenimblethanthey。Heplayedafearfulgameofhideandseekwithdeath；
　　everytimethattheflat—nosedfaceofthespectreapproached，theurchinadministeredtoitafillip。
　　Onebullet，however，betteraimedormoretreacherousthantherest，finallystruckthewill—o’—the—wispofachild。Gavrochewasseentostagger，thenhesanktotheearth。Thewholebarricadegaveventtoacry；buttherewassomethingofAntaeusinthatpygmy；
　　forthegamintotouchthepavementisthesameasforthegianttotouchtheearth；Gavrochehadfallenonlytoriseagain；
　　heremainedinasittingposture，alongthreadofbloodstreakedhisface，heraisedbotharmsintheair，glancedinthedirectionwhencetheshothadcome，andbegantosing:
　　"Jesuistombeparterre，"Ihavefallentotheearth，C’estlafauteaVoltaire；’TisthefaultofVoltaire；
　　Lenezdansleruisseau，Withmynoseinthegutter，C’estlafautea……"’Tisthefaultof……"
　　Hedidnotfinish。Asecondbulletfromthesamemarksmanstoppedhimshort。Thistimehefellfacedownwardonthepavement，andmovednomore。Thisgrandlittlesoulhadtakenitsflight。
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　HOWFROMABROTHERONEBECOMESAFATHER
　　Atthatsamemoment，inthegardenoftheLuxembourg，——forthegazeofthedramamustbeeverywherepresent，——twochildrenwereholdingeachotherbythehand。Onemighthavebeensevenyearsold，theotherfive。Therainhavingsoakedthem，theywerewalkingalongthepathsonthesunnyside；theelderwasleadingtheyounger；
　　theywerepaleandragged；theyhadtheairofwildbirds。
　　Thesmallerofthemsaid:"Iamveryhungry。"
　　Theelder，whowasalreadysomewhatofaprotector，wasleadinghisbrotherwithhislefthandandinhisrighthecarriedasmallstick。
　　Theywerealoneinthegarden。Thegardenwasdeserted，thegateshadbeenclosedbyorderofthepolice，onaccountoftheinsurrection。
　　Thetroopswhohadbeenbivouackingtherehaddepartedfortheexigenciesofcombat。
　　Howdidthosechildrencomethere？Perhapstheyhadescapedfromsomeguard—housewhichstoodajar；perhapstherewasinthevicinity，attheBarriered’Enfer；orontheEsplanadedel’Observatoire，orintheneighboringcarrefour，dominatedbythepedimentonwhichcouldberead:Inveneruntparvulumpannisinvolutum，somemountebank’sboothfromwhichtheyhadfled；perhapstheyhad，ontheprecedingevening，escapedtheeyeoftheinspectorsofthegardenatthehourofclosing，andhadpassedthenightinsomeoneofthosesentry—boxeswherepeoplereadthepapers？
　　Thefactis，theywerestraylambsandtheyseemedfree。Tobeastrayandtoseemfreeistobelost。Thesepoorlittlecreatureswere，infact，lost。
　　ThesetwochildrenwerethesameoverwhomGavrochehadbeenputtosometrouble，asthereaderwillrecollect。ChildrenoftheThenardiers，leasedouttoMagnon，attributedtoM。Gillenormand，andnowleavesfallenfromalltheserootlessbranches，andsweptoverthegroundbythewind。Theirclothing，whichhadbeencleaninMagnon’sday，andwhichhadservedherasaprospectuswithM。Gillenormand，hadbeenconvertedintorags。
　　Henceforththesebeingsbelongedtothestatisticsas"Abandonedchildren，"whomthepolicetakenoteof，collect，mislayandfindagainonthepavementsofParis。
　　Itrequiredthedisturbanceofadaylikethattoaccountforthesemiserablelittlecreaturesbeinginthatgarden。Ifthesuperintendentshadcaughtsightofthem，theywouldhavedrivensuchragsforth。
　　Poorlittlethingsdonotenterpublicgardens；still，peopleshouldreflectthat，aschildren，theyhavearighttoflowers。
　　Thesechildrenwerethere，thankstothelockedgates。Theyweretherecontrarytotheregulations。Theyhadslippedintothegardenandtheretheyremained。Closedgatesdonotdismisstheinspectors，oversightissupposedtocontinue，butitgrowsslackandreposes；
　　andtheinspectors，movedbythepublicanxietyandmoreoccupiedwiththeoutsidethantheinside，nolongerglancedintothegarden，andhadnotseenthetwodelinquents。
　　Ithadrainedthenightbefore，andevenalittleinthemorning。
　　ButinJune，showersdonotcountformuch。Anhourafterastorm，itcanhardlybeseenthatthebeautifulblondedayhaswept。
　　Theearth，insummer，isasquicklydriedasthecheekofachild。
　　Atthatperiodofthesolstice，thelightoffullnoondayis，sotospeak，poignant。Ittakeseverything。Itappliesitselftotheearth，andsuperposesitselfwithasortofsuction。Onewouldsaythatthesunwasthirsty。Ashowerisbutaglassofwater；
　　arainstormisinstantlydrunkup。Inthemorningeverythingwasdripping，intheafternooneverythingispowderedover。
　　Nothingissoworthyofadmirationasfoliagewashedbytherainandwipedbytheraysofsunlight；itiswarmfreshness。Thegardensandmeadows，havingwaterattheirroots，andsunintheirflowers，becomeperfuming—pansofincense，andsmokewithalltheirodorsatonce。Everythingsmiles，singsandoffersitself。Onefeelsgentlyintoxicated。Thespringtimeisaprovisionalparadise，thesunhelpsmantohavepatience。
　　Therearebeingswhodemandnothingfurther；mortals，who，havingtheazureofheaven，say:"Itisenough！"dreamersabsorbedinthewonderful，dippingintotheidolatryofnature，indifferenttogoodandevil，contemplatorsofcosmosandradiantlyforgetfulofman，whodonotunderstandhowpeoplecanoccupythemselveswiththehungerofthese，andthethirstofthose，withthenudityofthepoorinwinter，withthelymphaticcurvatureofthelittlespinalcolumn，withthepallet，theattic，thedungeon，andtheragsofshiveringyounggirls，whentheycandreambeneaththetrees；
　　peacefulandterriblespiritsthey，andpitilesslysatisfied。
　　Strangetosay，theinfinitesufficesthem。Thatgreatneedofman，thefinite，whichadmitsofembrace，theyignore。Thefinitewhichadmitsofprogressandsublimetoil，theydonotthinkabout。
　　Theindefinite，whichisbornfromthehumananddivinecombinationoftheinfiniteandthefinite，escapesthem。Providedthattheyarefacetofacewithimmensity，theysmile。Joynever，ecstasyforever。
　　Theirlifeliesinsurrenderingtheirpersonalityincontemplation。
　　Thehistoryofhumanityisforthemonlyadetailedplan。Allisnotthere；thetrueAllremainswithout；whatistheuseofbusyingoneselfoverthatdetail，man？Mansuffers，thatisquitepossible；
　　butlookatAldebaranrising！Themotherhasnomoremilk，thenew—bornbabeisdying。Iknownothingaboutthat，butjustlookatthiswonderfulrosettewhichasliceofwood—cellsofthepinepresentsunderthemicroscope！ComparethemostbeautifulMechlinlacetothatifyoucan！Thesethinkersforgettolove。
　　Thezodiacthriveswiththemtosuchapointthatitpreventstheirseeingtheweepingchild。Godeclipsestheirsouls。
　　Thisisafamilyofmindswhichare，atonce，greatandpetty。
　　Horacewasoneofthem；sowasGoethe。LaFontaineperhaps；
　　magnificentegoistsoftheinfinite，tranquilspectatorsofsorrow，whodonotbeholdNeroiftheweatherbefair，forwhomthesunconcealsthefuneralpile，whowouldlookonatanexecutionbytheguillotineinthesearchforaneffectoflight，whohearneitherthecrynorthesob，northedeathrattle，northealarmpeal，forwhomeverythingiswell，sincethereisamonthofMay，who，solongastherearecloudsofpurpleandgoldabovetheirheads，declarethemselvescontent，andwhoaredeterminedtobehappyuntiltheradianceofthestarsandthesongsofthebirdsareexhausted。
　　Thesearedarkradiances。Theyhavenosuspicionthattheyaretobepitied。Certainlytheyareso。Hewhodoesnotweepdoesnotsee。Theyaretobeadmiredandpitied，asonewouldbothpityandadmireabeingatoncenightandday，withouteyesbeneathhislashesbutwithastaronhisbrow。
　　Theindifferenceofthesethinkers，is，accordingtosome，asuperiorphilosophy。Thatmaybe；butinthissuperioritythereissomeinfirmity。Onemaybeimmortalandyetlimp:
　　witnessVulcan。Onemaybemorethanmanandlessthanman。
　　Thereisincompleteimmensityinnature。Whoknowswhetherthesunisnotablindman？
　　Butthen，what？Inwhomcanwetrust？Solemquisdicerefalsumaudeat？
　　Whoshalldaretosaythatthesunisfalse？Thuscertaingeniuses，themselves，certainVery—Loftymortals，man—stars，maybemistaken？
　　Thatwhichisonhighatthesummit，atthecrest，atthezenith，thatwhichsendsdownsomuchlightontheearth，seesbutlittle，seesbadly，seesnotatall？Isnotthisadesperatestateofthings？
　　No。Butwhatisthere，then，abovethesun？Thegod。
　　Onthe6thofJune，1832，abouteleveno’clockinthemorning，theLuxembourg，solitaryanddepopulated，wascharming。
　　Thequincunxesandflower—bedsshedforthbalmanddazzlingbeautyintothesunlight。Thebranches，wildwiththebrilliantglowofmidday，seemedendeavoringtoembrace。Inthesycamorestherewasanuproaroflinnets，sparrowstriumphed，woodpeckersclimbedalongthechestnuttrees，administeringlittlepecksonthebark。
　　Theflower—bedsacceptedthelegitimateroyaltyofthelilies；
　　themostaugustofperfumesisthatwhichemanatesfromwhiteness。
　　Thepepperyodorofthecarnationswasperceptible。TheoldcrowsofMariedeMediciwereamorousinthetalltrees。Thesungilded，empurpled，setfiretoandlightedupthetulips，whicharenothingbutallthevarietiesofflamemadeintoflowers。Allaroundthebanksoftulipsthebees，thesparksoftheseflame—flowers，hummed。
　　Allwasgraceandgayety，eventheimpendingrain；thisrelapse，bywhichtheliliesofthevalleyandthehoneysucklesweredestinedtoprofit，hadnothingdisturbingaboutit；theswallowsindulgedinthecharmingthreatofflyinglow。Hewhowasthereaspiredtohappiness；lifesmelledgood；allnatureexhaledcandor，help，assistance，paternity，caress，dawn。Thethoughtswhichfellfromheavenwereassweetasthetinyhandofababywhenonekissesit。
　　Thestatuesunderthetrees，whiteandnude，hadrobesofshadowpiercedwithlight；thesegoddesseswerealltatteredwithsunlight；
　　rayshungfromthemonallsides。Aroundthegreatfountain，theearthwasalreadydrieduptothepointofbeingburnt。
　　Therewassufficientbreezetoraiselittleinsurrectionsofdusthereandthere。Afewyellowleaves，leftoverfromtheautumn，chasedeachothermerrily，andseemedtobeplayingtricksoneachother。