CHAPTERV
ATBOMBARDA’S
TheRussianmountainshavingbeenexhausted，theybegantothinkaboutdinner；andtheradiantpartyofeight，somewhatwearyatlast，becamestrandedinBombarda’spublichouse，abranchestablishmentwhichhadbeensetupintheChamps—Elyseesbythatfamousrestaurant—keeper，Bombarda，whosesigncouldthenbeseenintheRuedeRivoli，nearDelormeAlley。
Alargebutuglyroom，withanalcoveandabedattheend（theyhadbeenobligedtoputupwiththisaccommodationinviewoftheSundaycrowd）；twowindowswhencetheycouldsurveybeyondtheelms，thequayandtheriver；amagnificentAugustsunlightlightlytouchingthepanes；twotables；upononeofthematriumphantmountainofbouquets，mingledwiththehatsofmenandwomen；
attheotherthefourcouplesseatedroundamerryconfusionofplatters，dishes，glasses，andbottles；jugsofbeermingledwithflasksofwine；verylittleorderonthetable，somedisorderbeneathit；
"TheymadebeneaththetableAnoise，aclatterofthefeetthatwasabominable，"
saysMoliere。
Thiswasthestatewhichtheshepherdidyl，begunatfiveo’clockinthemorning，hadreachedathalf—pastfourintheafternoon。
Thesunwassetting；theirappetitesweresatisfied。
TheChamps—Elysees，filledwithsunshineandwithpeople，werenothingbutlightanddust，thetwothingsofwhichgloryiscomposed。
ThehorsesofMarly，thoseneighingmarbles，wereprancinginacloudofgold。Carriagesweregoingandcoming。Asquadronofmagnificentbody—guards，withtheirclarionsattheirhead，weredescendingtheAvenuedeNeuilly；thewhiteflag，showingfaintlyrosyinthesettingsun，floatedoverthedomeoftheTuileries。
ThePlacedelaConcorde，whichhadbecomethePlaceLouisXV。
oncemore，waschokedwithhappypromenaders。Manyworethesilverfleur—de—lyssuspendedfromthewhite—wateredribbon，whichhadnotyetwhollydisappearedfrombutton—holesintheyear1817。
Hereandtherechorusesoflittlegirlsthrewtothewinds，amidthepassersby，whoformedintocirclesandapplauded，thethencelebratedBourbonair，whichwasdestinedtostriketheHundredDayswithlightning，andwhichhadforitsrefrain:——
"Rendez—nousnotreperedeGand，Rendez—nousnotrepere。"
"GiveusbackourfatherfromGhent，Giveusbackourfather。"
Groupsofdwellersinthesuburbs，inSundayarray，sometimesevendecoratedwiththefleur—de—lys，likethebourgeois，scatteredoverthelargesquareandtheMarignysquare，wereplayingatringsandrevolvingonthewoodenhorses；otherswereengagedindrinking；
somejourneymanprintershadonpapercaps；theirlaughterwasaudible。
Everythingwasradiant。Itwasatimeofundisputedpeaceandprofoundroyalistsecurity；itwastheepochwhenaspecialandprivatereportofChiefofPoliceAngelestotheKing，onthesubjectofthesuburbsofParis，terminatedwiththeselines:——
"Takingallthingsintoconsideration，Sire，thereisnothingtobefearedfromthesepeople。Theyareasheedlessandasindolentascats。
Thepopulaceisrestlessintheprovinces；itisnotinParis。
Theseareveryprettymen，Sire。Itwouldtakealloftwoofthemtomakeoneofyourgrenadiers。ThereisnothingtobefearedonthepartofthepopulaceofParisthecapital。Itisremarkablethatthestatureofthispopulationshouldhavediminishedinthelastfiftyyears；andthepopulaceofthesuburbsisstillmorepunythanatthetimeoftheRevolution。Itisnotdangerous。
Inshort，itisanamiablerabble。"
Prefectsofthepolicedonotdeemitpossiblethatacatcantransformitselfintoalion；thatdoeshappen，however，andinthatliesthemiraclewroughtbythepopulaceofParis。Moreover，thecatsodespisedbyCountAnglespossessedtheesteemoftherepublicsofold。
Intheireyesitwaslibertyincarnate；andasthoughtoserveaspendanttotheMinervaApteraofthePiraeus，therestoodonthepublicsquareinCorinththecolossalbronzefigureofacat。
TheingenuouspoliceoftheRestorationbeheldthepopulaceofParisintoo"rose—colored"alight；itisnotsomuchof"anamiablerabble"
asitisthought。TheParisianistotheFrenchmanwhattheAthenianwastotheGreek:noonesleepsmoresoundlythanhe，nooneismorefranklyfrivolousandlazythanhe，noonecanbetterassumetheairofforgetfulness；lethimnotbetrustednevertheless；
heisreadyforanysortofcooldeed；butwhenthereisgloryattheendofit，heisworthyofadmirationineverysortoffury。
Givehimapike，hewillproducethe10thofAugust；givehimagun，youwillhaveAusterlitz。HeisNapoleon’sstayandDanton’sresource。
Isitaquestionofcountry，heenlists；isitaquestionofliberty，hetearsupthepavements。Beware！hishairfilledwithwrath，isepic；
hisblousedrapesitselflikethefoldsofachlamys。Takecare！hewillmakeofthefirstRueGrenetatwhichcomestohandCaudineForks。
Whenthehourstrikes，thismanofthefaubourgswillgrowinstature；
thislittlemanwillarise，andhisgazewillbeterrible，andhisbreathwillbecomeatempest，andtherewillissueforthfromthatslenderchestenoughwindtodisarrangethefoldsoftheAlps。
Itis，thankstothesuburbanmanofParis，thattheRevolution，mixedwitharms，conquersEurope。Hesings；itishisdelight。
Proportionhissongtohisnature，andyouwillsee！AslongashehasforrefrainnothingbutlaCarmagnole，heonlyoverthrowsLouisXVI。；makehimsingtheMarseillaise，andhewillfreetheworld。
ThisnotejotteddownonthemarginofAngles’report，wewillreturntoourfourcouples。Thedinner，aswehavesaid，wasdrawingtoitsclose。
CHAPTERVI
ACHAPTERINWHICHTHEYADOREEACHOTHER
Chatattable，thechatoflove；itisasimpossibletoreproduceoneastheother；thechatofloveisacloud；thechatattableissmoke。
FameuilandDahliawerehumming。Tholomyeswasdrinking。
Zephinewaslaughing，Fantinesmiling，ListolierblowingawoodentrumpetwhichhehadpurchasedatSaint—Cloud。
FavouritegazedtenderlyatBlachevelleandsaid:——
"Blachevelle，Iadoreyou。"
ThiscalledforthaquestionfromBlachevelle:——
"Whatwouldyoudo，Favourite，ifIweretoceasetoloveyou？"
"I！"criedFavourite。"Ah！Donotsaythateveninjest！
Ifyouweretoceasetoloveme，Iwouldspringafteryou，Iwouldscratchyou，Ishouldrendyou，Iwouldthrowyouintothewater，Iwouldhaveyouarrested。"
Blachevellesmiledwiththevoluptuousself—conceitofamanwhoistickledinhisself—love。Favouriteresumed:——
"Yes，Iwouldscreamtothepolice！Ah！Ishouldnotrestrainmyself，notatall！Rabble！"
Blachevellethrewhimselfbackinhischair，inanecstasy，andclosedbotheyesproudly。
Dahlia，assheate，saidinalowvoicetoFavourite，amidtheuproar:——
"Soyoureallyidolizehimdeeply，thatBlachevelleofyours？"
"I？Idetesthim，"repliedFavouriteinthesametone，seizingherforkagain。"Heisavaricious。Ilovethelittlefellowoppositemeinmyhouse。Heisverynice，thatyoungman；doyouknowhim？
Onecanseethatheisanactorbyprofession。Iloveactors。
Assoonashecomesin，hismothersaystohim:`Ah！monDieu！mypeaceofmindisgone。Therehegoeswithhisshouting。But，mydear，youaresplittingmyhead！’Sohegoesuptorat—riddengarrets，toblackholes，ashighashecanmount，andtherehesetstosinging，declaiming，howdoIknowwhat？sothathecanbehearddownstairs！
Heearnstwentysousadayatanattorney’sbypenningquibbles。
HeisthesonofaformerprecentorofSaint—Jacques—du—Haut—Pas。
Ah！heisverynice。Heidolizesmeso，thatonedaywhenhesawmemakingbatterforsomepancakes，hesaidtome:`Mamselle，makeyourglovesintofritters，andIwilleatthem。’Itisonlyartistswhocansaysuchthingsasthat。Ah！heisverynice。
Iaminafairwaytogooutofmyheadoverthatlittlefellow。
Nevermind；ItellBlachevellethatIadorehim——howIlie！Hey！HowI
dolie！"
Favouritepaused，andthenwenton:——
"Iamsad，yousee，Dahlia。Ithasdonenothingbutrainallsummer；
thewindirritatesme；thewinddoesnotabate。Blachevelleisverystingy；therearehardlyanygreenpeasinthemarket；
onedoesnotknowwhattoeat。Ihavethespleen，astheEnglishsay，butterissodear！andthenyouseeitishorrible，herewearedininginaroomwithabedinit，andthatdisgustsmewithlife。"
CHAPTERVII
THEWISDOMOFTHOLOMYES
Inthemeantime，whilesomesang，theresttalkedtogethertumultuouslyallatonce；itwasnolongeranythingbutnoise。
Tholomyesintervened。
"Letusnottalkatrandomnortoofast，"heexclaimed。
"Letusreflect，ifwewishtobebrilliant。Toomuchimprovisationemptiesthemindinastupidway。Runningbeergathersnofroth。
Nohaste，gentlemen。Letusminglemajestywiththefeast。Letuseatwithmeditation；letusmakehasteslowly。Letusnothurry。
Considerthespringtime；ifitmakeshaste，itisdonefor；
thatistosay，itgetsfrozen。Excessofzealruinspeach—treesandapricot—trees。Excessofzealkillsthegraceandthemirthofgooddinners。Nozeal，gentlemen！GrimoddelaReyniereagreeswithTalleyrand。"
Ahollowsoundofrebellionrumbledthroughthegroup。
"Leaveusinpeace，Tholomyes，"saidBlachevelle。
"Downwiththetyrant！"saidFameuil。
"Bombarda，Bombance，andBambochel！"criedListolier。
"Sundayexists，"resumedFameuil。
"Wearesober，"addedListolier。
"Tholomyes，"remarkedBlachevelle，"contemplatemycalmness[moncalme]。"
"YouaretheMarquisofthat，"retortedTholomyes。
Thismediocreplayuponwordsproducedtheeffectofastoneinapool。
TheMarquisdeMontcalmwasatthattimeacelebratedroyalist。
Allthefrogsheldtheirpeace。
"Friends，"criedTholomyes，withtheaccentofamanwhohadrecoveredhisempire，"Cometoyourselves。Thispunwhichhasfallenfromtheskiesmustnotbereceivedwithtoomuchstupor。
Everythingwhichfallsinthatwayisnotnecessarilyworthyofenthusiasmandrespect。Thepunisthedungofthemindwhichsoars。
Thejestfalls，nomatterwhere；andthemindafterproducingapieceofstupidityplungesintotheazuredepths。Awhitishspeckflattenedagainsttherockdoesnotpreventthecondorfromsoaringaloft。
Farbeitfrommetoinsultthepun！Ihonoritinproportiontoitsmerits；nothingmore。Allthemostaugust，themostsublime，themostcharmingofhumanity，andperhapsoutsideofhumanity，havemadepuns。JesusChristmadeapunonSt。Peter，MosesonIsaac，AEschylusonPolynices，CleopatraonOctavius。AndobservethatCleopatra’spunprecededthebattleofActium，andthathaditnotbeenforit，noonewouldhaverememberedthecityofToryne，aGreeknamewhichsignifiesaladle。Thatonceconceded，Ireturntomyexhortation。Irepeat，brothers，Irepeat，nozeal，nohubbub，noexcess；eveninwitticisms，gayety，jollities，orplaysonwords。
Listentome。IhavetheprudenceofAmphiarausandthebaldnessofCaesar。Theremustbealimit，eventorebuses。Estmodusinrebus。
"Theremustbealimit，eventodinners。Youarefondofappleturnovers，ladies；donotindulgeinthemtoexcess。
Eveninthematterofturnovers，goodsenseandartarerequisite。
Gluttonychastisestheglutton，GulapunitGulax。IndigestionischargedbythegoodGodwithpreachingmoralitytostomachs。
Andrememberthis:eachoneofourpassions，evenlove，hasastomachwhichmustnotbefilledtoofull。Inallthingsthewordfinismustbewritteningoodseason；self—controlmustbeexercisedwhenthematterbecomesurgent；theboltmustbedrawnonappetite；
onemustsetone’sownfantasytotheviolin，andcarryone’sselftothepost。Thesageisthemanwhoknowshow，atagivenmoment，toeffecthisownarrest。Havesomeconfidenceinme，forIhavesucceededtosomeextentinmystudyofthelaw，accordingtotheverdictofmyexaminations，forIknowthedifferencebetweenthequestionputandthequestionpending，forIhavesustainedathesisinLatinuponthemannerinwhichtorturewasadministeredatRomeattheepochwhenMunatiusDemenswasquaestoroftheParricide；
becauseIamgoingtobeadoctor，apparentlyitdoesnotfollowthatitisabsolutelynecessarythatIshouldbeanimbecile。
Irecommendyoutomoderationinyourdesires。ItistruethatmynameisFelixTholomyes；Ispeakwell。Happyishewho，whenthehourstrikes，takesaheroicresolve，andabdicateslikeSyllaorOrigenes。"
Favouritelistenedwithprofoundattention。
"Felix，"saidshe，"whataprettyword！Ilovethatname。
ItisLatin；itmeansprosper。"
Tholomyeswenton:——
"Quirites，gentlemen，caballeros，myfriends。Doyouwishnevertofeeltheprick，todowithoutthenuptialbed，andtobravelove？
Nothingmoresimple。Hereisthereceipt:lemonade，excessiveexercise，hardlabor；workyourselftodeath，dragblocks，sleepnot，holdvigil，gorgeyourselfwithnitrousbeverages，andpotionsofnymphaeas；
drinkemulsionsofpoppiesandagnuscastus；seasonthiswithastrictdiet，starveyourself，andaddtheretocoldbaths，girdlesofherbs，theapplicationofaplateoflead，lotionsmadewiththesubacetateoflead，andfomentationsofoxycrat。"
"Ipreferawoman，"saidListolier。
"Woman，"resumedTholomyes；"distrusther。Woetohimwhoyieldshimselftotheunstableheartofwoman！Womanisperfidiousanddisingenuous。Shedeteststheserpentfromprofessionaljealousy。
Theserpentistheshopovertheway。"
"Tholomyes！"criedBlachevelle，"youaredrunk！"
"Pardieu，"saidTholomyes。
"Thenbegay，"resumedBlachevelle。
"Iagreetothat，"respondedTholomyes。
And，refillinghisglass，herose。
"Glorytowine！Nuncte，Bacche，canam！Pardonmeladies；
thatisSpanish。Andtheproofofit，senoras，isthis:likepeople，likecask。ThearrobeofCastilecontainssixteenlitres；thecantaroofAlicante，twelve；thealmudeoftheCanaries，twenty—five；
thecuartinoftheBalearicIsles，twenty—six；thebootofTzarPeter，thirty。LonglivethatTzarwhowasgreat，andlonglivehisboot，whichwasstillgreater！Ladies，taketheadviceofafriend；makeamistakeinyourneighborifyouseefit。
Thepropertyofloveistoerr。AloveaffairisnotmadetocrouchdownandbrutalizeitselflikeanEnglishserving—maidwhohascallousesonherkneesfromscrubbing。Itisnotmadeforthat；
iterrsgayly，ourgentlelove。Ithasbeensaid，errorishuman；
Isay，errorislove。Ladies，Iidolizeyouall。OZephine，OJosephine，facemorethanirregular，youwouldbecharmingwereyounotallaskew。Youhavetheairofaprettyfaceuponwhichsomeonehassatdownbymistake。AsforFavourite，Onymphsandmuses！onedaywhenBlachevellewascrossingthegutterintheRueGuerin—Boisseau，heespiedabeautifulgirlwithwhitestockingswelldrawnup，whichdisplayedherlegs。Thisprologuepleasedhim，andBlachevellefellinlove。TheonehelovedwasFavourite。OFavourite，thouhastIonianlips。TherewasaGreekpainternamedEuphorion，whowassurnamedthepainterofthelips。ThatGreekalonewouldhavebeenworthytopaintthymouth。Listen！beforethee，therewasneveracreatureworthyofthename。ThouwertmadetoreceivetheapplelikeVenus，ortoeatitlikeEve；beautybeginswiththee。
IhavejustreferredtoEve；itisthouwhohastcreatedher。
Thoudeservesttheletters—patentofthebeautifulwoman。OFavourite，Iceasetoaddressyouas`thou，’becauseIpassfrompoetrytoprose。
Youwerespeakingofmynamealittlewhileago。Thattouchedme；
butletus，whoeverwemaybe，distrustnames。Theymaydeludeus。
IamcalledFelix，andIamnothappy。Wordsareliars。Letusnotblindlyaccepttheindicationswhichtheyaffordus。ItwouldbeamistaketowritetoLiege[2]forcorks，andtoPauforgloves。
MissDahlia，wereIinyourplace，IwouldcallmyselfRosa。
Aflowershouldsmellsweet，andwomanshouldhavewit。IsaynothingofFantine；sheisadreamer，amusing，thoughtful，pensiveperson；
sheisaphantompossessedoftheformofanymphandthemodestyofanun，whohasstrayedintothelifeofagrisette，butwhotakesrefugeinillusions，andwhosingsandpraysandgazesintotheazurewithoutverywellknowingwhatsheseesorwhatsheisdoing，andwho，withhereyesfixedonheaven，wandersinagardenwheretherearemorebirdsthanareinexistence。OFantine，knowthis:
I，Tholomyes，Iamallillusion；butshedoesnotevenhearme，thatblondmaidofChimeras！asfortherest，everythingaboutherisfreshness，suavity，youth，sweetmorninglight。OFantine，maidworthyofbeingcalledMargueriteorPearl，youareawomanfromthebeauteousOrient。Ladies，asecondpieceofadvice:
donotmarry；marriageisagraft；ittakeswellorill；
avoidthatrisk。Butbah！whatamIsaying？Iamwastingmywords。
Girlsareincurableonthesubjectofmarriage，andallthatwewisemencansaywillnotpreventthewaistcoat—makersandtheshoe—stitchersfromdreamingofhusbandsstuddedwithdiamonds。
Well，sobeit；but，mybeauties，rememberthis，youeattoomuchsugar。
Youhavebutonefault，Owoman，andthatisnibblingsugar。
Onibblingsex，yourprettylittlewhiteteethadoresugar。
Now，heedmewell，sugarisasalt。Allsaltsarewithering。
Sugaristhemostdesiccatingofallsalts；itsuckstheliquidsofthebloodthroughtheveins；hencethecoagulation，andthenthesolidificationoftheblood；hencetuberclesinthelungs，hencedeath。
Thatiswhydiabetesbordersonconsumption。Then，donotcrunchsugar，andyouwilllive。Iturntothemen:gentlemen，makeconquest，robeachotherofyourwell—belovedwithoutremorse。Chassezacross。
Inlovetherearenofriends。Everywherewherethereisaprettywomanhostilityisopen。Noquarter，wartothedeath！aprettywomanisacasusbelli；aprettywomanisflagrantmisdemeanor。
Alltheinvasionsofhistoryhavebeendeterminedbypetticoats。
Womanisman’sright。RomuluscarriedofftheSabines；WilliamcarriedofftheSaxonwomen；CaesarcarriedofftheRomanwomen。Themanwhoisnotlovedsoarslikeavultureoverthemistressesofothermen；
andformyownpart，toallthoseunfortunatemenwhoarewidowers，IthrowthesublimeproclamationofBonapartetothearmyofItaly:
"Soldiers，youareinneedofeverything；theenemyhasit。"
[2]Liege:acork—tree。Pau:ajestonpeau，skin。
Tholomyespaused。
"Takebreath，Tholomyes，"saidBlachevelle。
AtthesamemomentBlachevelle，supportedbyListolierandFameuil，struckuptoaplaintiveair，oneofthosestudiosongscomposedofthefirstwordswhichcometohand，rhymedrichlyandnotatall，asdestituteofsenseasthegestureofthetreeandthesoundofthewind，whichhavetheirbirthinthevaporofpipes，andaredissipatedandtaketheirflightwiththem。ThisisthecoupletbywhichthegrouprepliedtoTholomyes’harangue:——
"Thefatherturkey—cockssograveSomemoneytoanagentgave，ThatmastergoodClermont—TonnerreMightbemadepopeonSaintJohns’dayfair。
ButthisgoodClermontcouldnotbeMadepope，becausenopriestwashe；
Andthentheiragent，whosewrathburned，Withalltheirmoneybackreturned。"
ThiswasnotcalculatedtocalmTholomyes’improvisation；heemptiedhisglass，filled，refilledit，andbeganagain:——
"Downwithwisdom！ForgetallthatIhavesaid。Letusbeneitherprudesnorprudentmennorprudhommes。Iproposeatoasttomirth；
bemerry。Letuscompleteourcourseoflawbyfollyandeating！
Indigestionandthedigest。LetJustinianbethemale，andFeasting，thefemale！Joyinthedepths！Live，Ocreation！Theworldisagreatdiamond。Iamhappy。Thebirdsareastonishing。
Whatafestivaleverywhere！ThenightingaleisagratuitousElleviou。
Summer，Isalutethee！OLuxembourg！OGeorgicsoftheRueMadame，andoftheAlleedel’Observatoire！Opensiveinfantrysoldiers！
Oallthosecharmingnurseswho，whiletheyguardthechildren，amusethemselves！ThepampasofAmericawouldpleasemeifIhadnotthearcadesoftheOdeon。Mysoulflitsawayintothevirginforestsandtothesavannas。Allisbeautiful。Thefliesbuzzinthesun。
Thesunhassneezedoutthehummingbird。Embraceme，Fantine！"
HemadeamistakeandembracedFavourite。
CHAPTERVIII
THEDEATHOFAHORSE
"ThedinnersarebetteratEdon’sthanatBombarda’s，"exclaimedZephine。
"IpreferBombardatoEdon，"declaredBlachevelle。"Thereismoreluxury。ItismoreAsiatic。Lookattheroomdownstairs；
therearemirrors[glaces]onthewalls。"
"Ipreferthem[glaces，ices]onmyplate，"saidFavourite。
Blachevellepersisted:——
"Lookattheknives。ThehandlesareofsilveratBombarda’sandofboneatEdon’s。Now，silverismorevaluablethanbone。"
"Exceptforthosewhohaveasilverchin，"observedTholomyes。
HewaslookingatthedomeoftheInvalides，whichwasvisiblefromBombarda’swindows。
Apauseensued。
"Tholomyes，"exclaimedFameuil，"ListolierandIwerehavingadiscussionjustnow。"
"Adiscussionisagoodthing，"repliedTholomyes；"aquarrelisbetter。"
"Weweredisputingaboutphilosophy。"
"Well？"
"Whichdoyouprefer，DescartesorSpinoza？"
"Desaugiers，"saidTholomyes。
Thisdecreepronounced，hetookadrink，andwenton:——
"Iconsenttolive。Allisnotatanendonearthsincewecanstilltalknonsense。ForthatIreturnthankstotheimmortalgods。
Welie。Onelies，butonelaughs。Oneaffirms，butonedoubts。
Theunexpectedburstsforthfromthesyllogism。Thatisfine。
Therearestillhumanbeingsherebelowwhoknowhowtoopenandclosethesurpriseboxoftheparadoxmerrily。This，ladies，whichyouaredrinkingwithsotranquilanairisMadeirawine，youmustknow，fromthevineyardofCouraldasFreiras，whichisthreehundredandseventeenfathomsabovethelevelofthesea。
Attentionwhileyoudrink！threehundredandseventeenfathoms！
andMonsieurBombarda，themagnificenteating—housekeeper，givesyouthosethreehundredandseventeenfathomsforfourfrancsandfiftycentimes。"
AgainFameuilinterruptedhim:——
"Tholomyes，youropinionsfixthelaw。Whoisyourfavoriteauthor？"
"Ber——"
"Quin？"
"No；Choux。"
AndTholomyescontinued:——
"HonortoBombarda！HewouldequalMunophisofElephantaifhecouldbutgetmeanIndiandancing—girl，andThygelionofChaeroneaifhecouldbringmeaGreekcourtesan；for，oh，ladies！therewereBombardasinGreeceandinEgypt。Apuleiustellsusofthem。
Alas！alwaysthesame，andnothingnew；nothingmoreunpublishedbythecreatorincreation！Nilsubsolenovum，saysSolomon；
amoromnibusidem，saysVirgil；andCarabinemountswithCarabinintothebarkatSaint—Cloud，asAspasiaembarkedwithPericlesuponthefleetatSamos。Onelastword。DoyouknowwhatAspasiawas，ladies？
Althoughshelivedatanepochwhenwomenhad，asyet，nosoul，shewasasoul；asoulofarosyandpurplehue，moreardenthuedthanfire，fresherthanthedawn。Aspasiawasacreatureinwhomtwoextremesofwomanhoodmet；shewasthegoddessprostitute；
SocratesplusManonLescaut。AspasiawascreatedincaseamistressshouldbeneededforPrometheus。"
Tholomyes，oncestarted，wouldhavefoundsomedifficultyinstopping，hadnotahorsefallendownuponthequayjustatthatmoment。
Theshockcausedthecartandtheoratortocometoadeadhalt。
ItwasaBeauceronmare，oldandthin，andonefitfortheknacker，whichwasdraggingaveryheavycart。OnarrivinginfrontofBombarda’s，theworn—out，exhaustedbeasthadrefusedtoproceedanyfurther。
Thisincidentattractedacrowd。Hardlyhadthecursingandindignantcarterhadtimetoutterwithproperenergythesacramentalword，Matin（thejade），backedupwithapitilesscutofthewhip，whenthejadefell，nevertoriseagain。Onhearingthehubbubmadebythepassersby，Tholomyes’merryauditorsturnedtheirheads，andTholomyestookadvantageoftheopportunitytobringhisallocutiontoaclosewiththismelancholystrophe:——
"Elleetaitdecemondeoucoucousetcarrosses[3]
Ontlememedestin；
Et，rosse，elleavecucequevivantlesrosses，L’espaced’unmatin！"
[3]Shebelongedtothatcirclewherecuckoosandcarriagessharethesamefate；andajadeherself，shelived，asjadeslive，forthespaceofamorning（orjade）。
"Poorhorse！"sighedFantine。
AndDahliaexclaimed:——
"ThereisFantineonthepointofcryingoverhorses。Howcanonebesuchapitifulfoolasthat！"
AtthatmomentFavourite，foldingherarmsandthrowingherheadback，lookedresolutelyatTholomyesandsaid:——
"Come，now！thesurprise？"
"Exactly。Themomenthasarrived，"repliedTholomyes。
"Gentlemen，thehourforgivingtheseladiesasurprisehasstruck。
Waitforusamoment，ladies。"
"Itbeginswithakiss，"saidBlachevelle。
"Onthebrow，"addedTholomyes。
Eachgravelybestowedakissonhismistress’sbrow；thenallfourfiledoutthroughthedoor，withtheirfingersontheirlips。
Favouriteclappedherhandsontheirdeparture。
"Itisbeginningtobeamusingalready，"saidshe。
"Don’tbetoolong，"murmuredFantine；"wearewaitingforyou。"
CHAPTERIX
AMERRYENDTOMIRTH
Whentheyounggirlswereleftalone，theyleanedtwobytwoonthewindow—sills，chatting，craningouttheirheads，andtalkingfromonewindowtotheother。
TheysawtheyoungmenemergefromtheCafeBombardaarminarm。
Thelatterturnedround，madesignstothem，smiled，anddisappearedinthatdustySundaythrongwhichmakesaweeklyinvasionintotheChamps—Elysees。
"Don’tbelong！"criedFantine。
"Whataretheygoingtobringus？"saidZephine。
"Itwillcertainlybesomethingpretty，"saidDahlia。
"Formypart，"saidFavourite，"Iwantittobeofgold。"
Theirattentionwassoondistractedbythemovementsontheshoreofthelake，whichtheycouldseethroughthebranchesofthelargetrees，andwhichdivertedthemgreatly。
Itwasthehourforthedepartureofthemail—coachesanddiligences。
Nearlyallthestage—coachesforthesouthandwestpassedthroughtheChamps—Elysees。ThemajorityfollowedthequayandwentthroughthePassyBarrier。Frommomenttomoment，somehugevehicle，paintedyellowandblack，heavilyloaded，noisilyharnessed，renderedshapelessbytrunks，tarpaulins，andvalises，fullofheadswhichimmediatelydisappeared，rushedthroughthecrowdwithallthesparksofaforge，withdustforsmoke，andanairoffury，grindingthepavements，changingallthepaving—stonesintosteels。
Thisuproardelightedtheyounggirls。Favouriteexclaimed:——
"Whatarow！Onewouldsaythatitwasapileofchainsflyingaway。"
Itchancedthatoneofthesevehicles，whichtheycouldonlyseewithdifficultythroughthethickelms，haltedforamoment，thensetoutagainatagallop。ThissurprisedFantine。
"That’sodd！"saidshe。"Ithoughtthediligenceneverstopped。"
Favouriteshruggedhershoulders。
"ThisFantineissurprising。Iamcomingtotakealookatheroutofcuriosity。Sheisdazzledbythesimplestthings。Supposeacase:
Iamatraveller；Isaytothediligence，`Iwillgooninadvance；
youshallpickmeuponthequayasyoupass。’Thediligencepasses，seesme，halts，andtakesme。Thatisdoneeveryday。Youdonotknowlife，mydear。"
Inthismanneracertaintimeelapsed。AllatonceFavouritemadeamovement，likeapersonwhoisjustwakingup。
"Well，"saidshe，"andthesurprise？"
"Yes，bytheway，"joinedinDahlia，"thefamoussurprise？"
"Theyareaverylongtimeaboutit！"saidFantine。
AsFantineconcludedthissigh，thewaiterwhohadservedthematdinnerentered。Heheldinhishandsomethingwhichresembledaletter。
"Whatisthat？"demandedFavourite。
Thewaiterreplied:——
"Itisapaperthatthosegentlemenleftfortheseladies。"
"Whydidyounotbringitatonce？"
"Because，"saidthewaiter，"thegentlemenorderedmenottodeliverittotheladiesforanhour。"
Favouritesnatchedthepaperfromthewaiter’shand。Itwas，infact，aletter。
"Stop！"saidshe；"thereisnoaddress；butthisiswhatiswrittenonit——"
"THISISTHESURPRISE。"
Shetoretheletteropenhastily，openedit，andread[sheknewhowtoread]:——
"OURBELOVED:——
"Youmustknowthatwehaveparents。Parents——youdonotknowmuchaboutsuchthings。Theyarecalledfathersandmothersbythecivilcode，whichispuerileandhonest。Now，theseparentsgroan，theseoldfolksimploreus，thesegoodmenandthesegoodwomencallusprodigalsons；theydesireourreturn，andoffertokillcalvesforus。
Beingvirtuous，weobeythem。Atthehourwhenyoureadthis，fivefieryhorseswillbebearingustoourpapasandmammas。Wearepullingupourstakes，asBossuetsays。Wearegoing；wearegone。
WefleeinthearmsofLafitteandonthewingsofCaillard。
TheToulousediligencetearsusfromtheabyss，andtheabyssisyou，Oourlittlebeauties！Wereturntosociety，toduty，torespectability，atfulltrot，attherateofthreeleaguesanhour。
Itisnecessaryforthegoodofthecountrythatweshouldbe，liketherestoftheworld，prefects，fathersoffamilies，ruralpolice，andcouncillorsofstate。Venerateus。Wearesacrificingourselves。
Mournforusinhaste，andreplaceuswithspeed。Ifthisletterlaceratesyou，dothesamebyit。Adieu。
"Forthespaceofnearlytwoyearswehavemadeyouhappy。
Webearyounogrudgeforthat。
"Signed:
BLACHEVELLE。
FAMUEIL。
LISTOLIER。
FELIXTHOLOMYES。
"Postscriptum。Thedinnerispaidfor。"
Thefouryoungwomenlookedateachother。
Favouritewasthefirsttobreakthesilence。
"Well！"sheexclaimed，"it’saveryprettyfarce，allthesame。"
"Itisverydroll，"saidZephine。
"ThatmusthavebeenBlachevelle’sidea，"resumedFavourite。
"Itmakesmeinlovewithhim。Nosoonerishegonethanheisloved。
Thisisanadventure，indeed。"
"No，"saidDahlia；"itwasoneofTholomyes’ideas。Thatisevident。
"Inthatcase，"retortedFavourite，"deathtoBlachevelle，andlongliveTholomyes！"
"LongliveTholomyes！"exclaimedDahliaandZephine。
Andtheyburstoutlaughing。
Fantinelaughedwiththerest。
Anhourlater，whenshehadreturnedtoherroom，shewept。
Itwasherfirstloveaffair，aswehavesaid；shehadgivenherselftothisTholomyesastoahusband，andthepoorgirlhadachild。
BOOKFOURTH。——TOCONFIDEISSOMETIMESTODELIVERINTOAPERSON’SPOWER
CHAPTERI
ONEMOTHERMEETSANOTHERMOTHER
Therewas，atMontfermeil，nearParis，duringthefirstquarterofthiscentury，asortofcook—shopwhichnolongerexists。
Thiscook—shopwaskeptbysomepeoplenamedThenardier，husbandandwife。ItwassituatedinBoulangerLane。Overthedoortherewasaboardnailedflatagainstthewall。Uponthisboardwaspaintedsomethingwhichresembledamancarryinganothermanonhisback，thelatterwearingthebiggiltepaulettesofageneral，withlargesilverstars；redspotsrepresentedblood；therestofthepictureconsistedofsmoke，andprobablyrepresentedabattle。
Belowranthisinscription:ATTHESIGNOFSERGEANTOFWATERLOO
（AuSargentdeWaterloo）。
Nothingismorecommonthanacartoratruckatthedoorofahostelry。Nevertheless，thevehicle，or，tospeakmoreaccurately，thefragmentofavehicle，whichencumberedthestreetinfrontofthecook—shopoftheSergeantofWaterloo，oneeveninginthespringof1818，wouldcertainlyhaveattracted，byitsmass，theattentionofanypainterwhohadpassedthatway。
Itwasthefore—carriageofoneofthosetruckswhichareusedinwoodedtractsofcountry，andwhichservetotransportthickplanksandthetrunksoftrees。Thisfore—carriagewascomposedofamassiveironaxle—treewithapivot，intowhichwasfittedaheavyshaft，andwhichwassupportedbytwohugewheels。
Thewholethingwascompact，overwhelming，andmisshapen。
Itseemedlikethegun—carriageofanenormouscannon。Therutsoftheroadhadbestowedonthewheels，thefellies，thehub，theaxle，andtheshaft，alayerofmud，ahideousyellowishdaubinghue，tolerablylikethatwithwhichpeoplearefondofornamentingcathedrals。
Thewoodwasdisappearingundermud，andtheironbeneathrust。
Undertheaxle—treehung，likedrapery，ahugechain，worthyofsomeGoliathofaconvict。Thischainsuggested，notthebeams，whichitwasitsofficetotransport，butthemastodonsandmammothswhichitmighthaveservedtoharness；ithadtheairofthegalleys，butofcyclopeanandsuperhumangalleys，anditseemedtohavebeendetachedfromsomemonster。HomerwouldhaveboundPolyphemuswithit，andShakespeare，Caliban。
Whywasthatfore—carriageofatruckinthatplaceinthestreet？
Inthefirstplace，toencumberthestreet；next，inorderthatitmightfinishtheprocessofrusting。Thereisathrongofinstitutionsintheoldsocialorder，whichonecomesacrossinthisfashionasonewalksaboutoutdoors，andwhichhavenootherreasonsforexistencethantheabove。
Thecentreofthechainswungverynearthegroundinthemiddle，andintheloop，asintheropeofaswing，therewereseatedandgrouped，onthatparticularevening，inexquisiteinterlacement，twolittlegirls；oneabouttwoyearsandahalfold，theother，eighteenmonths；theyoungerinthearmsoftheother。Ahandkerchief，cleverlyknottedaboutthem，preventedtheirfallingout。
Amotherhadcaughtsightofthatfrightfulchain，andhadsaid，"Come！there’saplaythingformychildren。"
Thetwochildren，whoweredressedprettilyandwithsomeelegance，wereradiantwithpleasure；onewouldhavesaidthattheyweretworosesamidoldiron；theireyeswereatriumph；theirfreshcheekswerefulloflaughter。Onehadchestnuthair；theother，brown。
Theirinnocentfacesweretwodelightedsurprises；ablossomingshrubwhichgrewnearwaftedtothepassers—byperfumeswhichseemedtoemanatefromthem；thechildofeighteenmonthsdisplayedherprettylittlebarestomachwiththechasteindecencyofchildhood。
Aboveandaroundthesetwodelicateheads，allmadeofhappinessandsteepedinlight，thegiganticfore—carriage，blackwithrust，almostterrible，allentangledincurvesandwildangles，roseinavault，liketheentranceofacavern。Afewpacesapart，crouchingdownuponthethresholdofthehostelry，themother，notaveryprepossessingwoman，bytheway，thoughtouchingatthatmoment，wasswingingthetwochildrenbymeansofalongcord，watchingthemcarefully，forfearofaccidents，withthatanimalandcelestialexpressionwhichispeculiartomaternity。Ateverybackwardandforwardswingthehideouslinksemittedastridentsound，whichresembledacryofrage；thelittlegirlswereinecstasies；
thesettingsunmingledinthisjoy，andnothingcouldbemorecharmingthanthiscapriceofchancewhichhadmadeofachainofTitanstheswingofcherubim。
Assherockedherlittleones，themotherhummedinadiscordantvoicearomancethencelebrated:——
"Itmustbe，saidawarrior。"
Hersong，andthecontemplationofherdaughters，preventedherhearingandseeingwhatwasgoingoninthestreet。
Inthemeantime，someonehadapproachedher，asshewasbeginningthefirstcoupletoftheromance，andsuddenlysheheardavoicesayingverynearherear:——
"Youhavetwobeautifulchildrenthere，Madame。"
"TothefairandtenderImogene——"
repliedthemother，continuingherromance；thensheturnedherhead。
Awomanstoodbeforeher，afewpacesdistant。Thiswomanalsohadachild，whichshecarriedinherarms。
Shewascarrying，inaddition，alargecarpet—bag，whichseemedveryheavy。
Thiswoman’schildwasoneofthemostdivinecreaturesthatitispossibletobehold。ltwasagirl，twoorthreeyearsofage。
Shecouldhaveenteredintocompetitionwiththetwootherlittleones，sofarasthecoquetryofherdresswasconcerned；sheworeacapoffinelinen，ribbonsonherbodice，andValencienneslaceonhercap。
Thefoldsofherskirtwereraisedsoastopermitaviewofherwhite，firm，anddimpledleg。Shewasadmirablyrosyandhealthy。
Thelittlebeautyinspiredadesiretotakeabitefromtheapplesofhercheeks。Ofhereyesnothingcouldbeknown，exceptthattheymustbeverylarge，andthattheyhadmagnificentlashes。
Shewasasleep。
Shesleptwiththatslumberofabsoluteconfidencepeculiartoherage。Thearmsofmothersaremadeoftenderness；inthemchildrensleepprofoundly。
Asforthemother，herappearancewassadandpoverty—stricken。
Shewasdressedlikeaworking—womanwhoisinclinedtoturnintoapeasantagain。Shewasyoung。Wasshehandsome？Perhaps；butinthatattireitwasnotapparent。Herhair，agoldenlockofwhichhadescaped，seemedverythick，butwasseverelyconcealedbeneathanugly，tight，close，nun—likecap，tiedunderthechin。Asmiledisplaysbeautifulteethwhenonehasthem；butshedidnotsmile。
Hereyesdidnotseemtohavebeendryforaverylongtime。
Shewaspale；shehadaverywearyandrathersicklyappearance。
Shegazeduponherdaughterasleepinherarmswiththeairpeculiartoamotherwhohasnursedherownchild。Alargebluehandkerchief，suchastheInvalidesuse，wasfoldedintoafichu，andconcealedherfigureclumsily。Herhandsweresunburntandalldottedwithfreckles，herforefingerwashardenedandlaceratedwiththeneedle；sheworeacloakofcoarsebrownwoollenstuff，alinengown，andcoarseshoes。
ItwasFantine。
ItwasFantine，butdifficulttorecognize。Nevertheless，onscrutinizingherattentively，itwasevidentthatshestillretainedherbeauty。
Amelancholyfold，whichresembledthebeginningofirony，wrinkledherrightcheek。Asforhertoilette，thataerialtoiletteofmuslinandribbons，whichseemedmadeofmirth，offolly，andofmusic，fullofbells，andperfumedwithlilacshadvanishedlikethatbeautifulanddazzlinghoar—frostwhichismistakenfordiamondsinthesunlight；itmeltsandleavesthebranchquiteblack。
Tenmonthshadelapsedsincethe"prettyfarce。"
Whathadtakenplaceduringthosetenmonths？Itcanbedivined。
Afterabandonment，straightenedcircumstances。FantinehadimmediatelylostsightofFavourite，ZephineandDahlia；thebondoncebrokenonthesideofthemen，itwasloosedbetweenthewomen；
theywouldhavebeengreatlyastonishedhadanyonetoldthemafortnightlater，thattheyhadbeenfriends；therenolongerexistedanyreasonforsuchathing。Fantinehadremainedalone。
Thefatherofherchildgone，——alas！suchrupturesareirrevocable，——
shefoundherselfabsolutelyisolated，minusthehabitofworkandplusthetasteforpleasure。DrawnawaybyherliaisonwithTholomyestodisdaintheprettytradewhichsheknew，shehadneglectedtokeephermarketopen；itwasnowclosedtoher。Shehadnoresource。
Fantinebarelyknewhowtoread，anddidnotknowhowtowrite；
inherchildhoodshehadonlybeentaughttosignhername；
shehadapublicletter—writerinditeanepistletoTholomyes，thenasecond，thenathird。Tholomyesrepliedtononeofthem。
Fantineheardthegossipssay，astheylookedatherchild:
"Whotakesthosechildrenseriously！Oneonlyshrugsone’sshouldersoversuchchildren！"ThenshethoughtofTholomyes，whohadshruggedhisshouldersoverhischild，andwhodidnottakethatinnocentbeingseriously；andherheartgrewgloomytowardthatman。
Butwhatwasshetodo？Shenolongerknewtowhomtoapply。
Shehadcommittedafault，butthefoundationofhernature，aswillberemembered，wasmodestyandvirtue。Shewasvaguelyconsciousthatshewasonthevergeoffallingintodistress，andofglidingintoaworsestate。Couragewasnecessary；
shepossessedit，andheldherselffirm。TheideaofreturningtohernativetownofM。surM。occurredtoher。There，someonemightpossiblyknowherandgiveherwork；yes，butitwouldbenecessarytoconcealherfault。Inaconfusedwaysheperceivedthenecessityofaseparationwhichwouldbemorepainfulthanthefirstone。
Herheartcontracted，butshetookherresolution。Fantine，asweshallsee，hadthefiercebraveryoflife。Shehadalreadyvaliantlyrenouncedfinery，haddressedherselfinlinen，andhadputallhersilks，allherornaments，allherribbons，andallherlacesonherdaughter，theonlyvanitywhichwaslefttoher，andaholyoneitwas。Shesoldallthatshehad，whichproducedforhertwohundredfrancs；herlittledebtspaid，shehadonlyabouteightyfrancsleft。Attheageoftwenty—two，onabeautifulspringmorning，shequittedParis，bearingherchildonherback。
Anyonewhohadseenthesetwopasswouldhavehadpityonthem。
Thiswomanhad，inalltheworld，nothingbutherchild，andthechildhad，inalltheworld，noonebutthiswoman。Fantinehadnursedherchild，andthishadtiredherchest，andshecoughedalittle。
WeshallhavenofurtheroccasiontospeakofM。FelixTholomyes。
Letusconfineourselvestosaying，that，twentyyearslater，underKingLouisPhilippe，hewasagreatprovinciallawyer，wealthyandinfluential，awiseelector，andaveryseverejuryman；
hewasstillamanofpleasure。
Towardsthemiddleoftheday，afterhaving，fromtimetotime，forthesakeofrestingherself，travelled，forthreeorfoursousaleague，inwhatwasthenknownasthePetitesVoituresdesEnvironsdeParis，the"littlesuburbancoachservice，"FantinefoundherselfatMontfermeil，inthealleyBoulanger。
AsshepassedtheThenardierhostelry，thetwolittlegirls，blissfulinthemonsterswing，haddazzledherinamanner，andshehadhaltedinfrontofthatvisionofjoy。
Charmsexist。Thesetwolittlegirlswereacharmtothismother。
Shegazedattheminmuchemotion。ThepresenceofangelsisanannouncementofParadise。Shethoughtthat，abovethisinn，shebeheldthemysteriousHEREofProvidence。Thesetwolittlecreatureswereevidentlyhappy。Shegazedatthem，sheadmiredthem，insuchemotionthatatthemomentwhentheirmotherwasrecoveringherbreathbetweentwocoupletsofhersong，shecouldnotrefrainfromaddressingtohertheremarkwhichwehavejustread:——
"Youhavetwoprettychildren，Madame。"
Themostferociouscreaturesaredisarmedbycaressesbestowedontheiryoung。
Themotherraisedherheadandthankedher，andbadethewayfarersitdownonthebenchatthedoor，sheherselfbeingseatedonthethreshold。Thetwowomenbegantochat。
"MynameisMadameThenardier，"saidthemotherofthetwolittlegirls。
"Wekeepthisinn。"
Then，hermindstillrunningonherromance，sheresumedhummingbetweenherteeth:——
"Itmustbeso；Iamaknight，AndIamofftoPalestine。"
ThisMadameThenardierwasasandy—complexionedwoman，thinandangular——
thetypeofthesoldier’swifeinallitsunpleasantness；
andwhatwasodd，withalanguishingair，whichsheowedtoherperusalofromances。Shewasasimpering，butmasculinecreature。
Oldromancesproducethateffectwhenrubbedagainsttheimaginationofcook—shopwoman。Shewasstillyoung；shewasbarelythirty。
Ifthiscrouchingwomanhadstoodupright，herloftystatureandherframeofaperambulatingcolossussuitableforfairs，mighthavefrightenedthetravellerattheoutset，troubledherconfidence，anddisturbedwhatcausedwhatwehavetorelatetovanish。
Apersonwhoisseatedinsteadofstandingerect——destinieshanguponsuchathingasthat。
Thetravellertoldherstory，withslightmodifications。
Thatshewasaworking—woman；thatherhusbandwasdead；
thatherworkinParishadfailedher，andthatshewasonherwaytoseekitelsewhere，inherownnativeparts；thatshehadleftParisthatmorningonfoot；that，asshewascarryingherchild，andfeltfatigued，shehadgotintotheVillemomblecoachwhenshemetit；thatfromVillemombleshehadcometoMontfermeilonfoot；
thatthelittleonehadwalkedalittle，butnotmuch，becauseshewassoyoung，andthatshehadbeenobligedtotakeherup，andthejewelhadfallenasleep。
Atthiswordshebestowedonherdaughterapassionatekiss，whichwokeher。Thechildopenedhereyes，greatblueeyeslikehermother’s，andlookedat——what？Nothing；withthatseriousandsometimessevereairoflittlechildren，whichisamysteryoftheirluminousinnocenceinthepresenceofourtwilightofvirtue。Onewouldsaythattheyfeelthemselvestobeangels，andthattheyknowustobemen。Thenthechildbegantolaugh；
andalthoughthemotherheldfasttoher，sheslippedtothegroundwiththeunconquerableenergyofalittlebeingwhichwishedtorun。
Allatonceshecaughtsightofthetwoothersintheswing，stoppedshort，andputouthertongue，insignofadmiration。
MotherThenardierreleasedherdaughters，madethemdescendfromtheswing，andsaid:——
"Nowamuseyourselves，allthreeofyou。"
Childrenbecomeacquaintedquicklyatthatage，andattheexpirationofaminutethelittleThenardierswereplayingwiththenew—comeratmakingholesintheground，whichwasanimmensepleasure。
Thenew—comerwasverygay；thegoodnessofthemotheriswritteninthegayetyofthechild；shehadseizedascrapofwoodwhichservedherforashovel，andenergeticallydugacavitybigenoughforafly。Thegrave—digger’sbusinessbecomesasubjectforlaughterwhenperformedbyachild。
Thetwowomenpursuedtheirchat。
"Whatisyourlittleone’sname？"
"Cosette。"
ForCosette，readEuphrasie。Thechild’snamewasEuphrasie。
ButoutofEuphrasiethemotherhadmadeCosettebythatsweetandgracefulinstinctofmothersandofthepopulacewhichchangesJosephaintoPepita，andFrancoiseintoSillette。Itisasortofderivativewhichdisarrangesanddisconcertsthewholescienceofetymologists。WehaveknownagrandmotherwhosucceededinturningTheodoreintoGnon。
"Howoldisshe？"
"Sheisgoingonthree。"
"Thatistheageofmyeldest。"
Inthemeantime，thethreelittlegirlsweregroupedinanattitudeofprofoundanxietyandblissfulness；aneventhadhappened；
abigwormhademergedfromtheground，andtheywereafraid；
andtheywereinecstasiesoverit。
Theirradiantbrowstouchedeachother；onewouldhavesaidthattherewerethreeheadsinoneaureole。
"Howeasilychildrengetacquaintedatonce！"exclaimedMotherThenardier；
"onewouldswearthattheywerethreesisters！"
Thisremarkwasprobablythesparkwhichtheothermotherhadbeenwaitingfor。SheseizedtheThenardier’shand，lookedatherfixedly，andsaid:——
"Willyoukeepmychildforme？"
TheThenardiermadeoneofthosemovementsofsurprisewhichsignifyneitherassentnorrefusal。
Cosette’smothercontinued:——
"Yousee，Icannottakemydaughtertothecountry。Myworkwillnotpermitit。Withachildonecanfindnosituation。
Peopleareridiculousinthecountry。ItwasthegoodGodwhocausedmetopassyourinn。WhenIcaughtsightofyourlittleones，sopretty，soclean，andsohappy，itoverwhelmedme。Isaid:
`Hereisagoodmother。Thatisjustthething；thatwillmakethreesisters。’Andthen，itwillnotbelongbeforeIreturn。
Willyoukeepmychildforme？"
"Imustseeaboutit，"repliedtheThenardier。
"Iwillgiveyousixfrancsamonth。"
Hereaman’svoicecalledfromthedepthsofthecook—shop:——
"Notforlessthansevenfrancs。Andsixmonthspaidinadvance。"
"Sixtimessevenmakesforty—two，"saidtheThenardier。
"Iwillgiveit，"saidthemother。
"Andfifteenfrancsinadditionforpreliminaryexpenses，"
addedtheman’svoice。
"Total，fifty—sevenfrancs，"saidMadameThenardier。Andshehummedvaguely，withthesefigures:——
"Itmustbe，saidawarrior。"
"Iwillpayit，"saidthemother。"Ihaveeightyfrancs。Ishallhaveenoughlefttoreachthecountry，bytravellingonfoot。
Ishallearnmoneythere，andassoonasIhavealittleIwillreturnformydarling。"
Theman’svoiceresumed:——
"Thelittleonehasanoutfit？"
"Thatismyhusband，"saidtheThenardier。
"Ofcourseshehasanoutfit，thepoortreasure。——Iunderstoodperfectlythatitwasyourhusband。——Andabeautifuloutfit，too！asenselessoutfit，everythingbythedozen，andsilkgownslikealady。Itishere，inmycarpet—bag。"
"Youmusthanditover，"struckintheman’svoiceagain。
"OfcourseIshallgiveittoyou，"saidthemother。"ItwouldbeveryqueerifIweretoleavemydaughterquitenaked！"
Themaster’sfaceappeared。
"That’sgood，"saidhe。
Thebargainwasconcluded。Themotherpassedthenightattheinn，gaveuphermoneyandleftherchild，fastenedhercarpet—bagoncemore，nowreducedinvolumebytheremovaloftheoutfit，andlighthenceforthandsetoutonthefollowingmorning，intendingtoreturnsoon。Peoplearrangesuchdeparturestranquilly；
buttheyaredespairs！
AneighboroftheThenardiersmetthismotherasshewassettingout，andcamebackwiththeremark:——
"Ihavejustseenawomancryinginthestreetsothatitwasenoughtorendyourheart。"
WhenCosette’smotherhadtakenherdeparture，themansaidtothewoman:——
"Thatwillservetopaymynoteforonehundredandtenfrancswhichfallsdueto—morrow；Ilackedfiftyfrancs。DoyouknowthatIshouldhavehadabailiffandaprotestafterme？
Youplayedthemouse—trapnicelywithyouryoungones。"
"Withoutsuspectingit，"saidthewoman。
CHAPTERII
FIRSTSKETCHOFTWOUNPREPOSSESSINGFIGURES
Themousewhichhadbeencaughtwasapitifulspecimen；butthecatrejoicesevenoveraleanmouse。
WhoweretheseThenardiers？
Letussayawordortwoofthemnow。Wewillcompletethesketchlateron。
Thesebeingsbelongedtothatbastardclasscomposedofcoarsepeoplewhohavebeensuccessful，andofintelligentpeoplewhohavedescendedinthescale，whichisbetweentheclasscalled"middle"
andtheclassdenominatedas"inferior，"andwhichcombinessomeofthedefectsofthesecondwithnearlyallthevicesofthefirst，withoutpossessingthegenerousimpulseoftheworkingmannorthehonestorderofthebourgeois。
Theywereofthosedwarfednatureswhich，ifadullfirechancestowarmthemup，easilybecomemonstrous。Therewasinthewomanasubstratumofthebrute，andinthemanthematerialforablackguard。
Bothweresusceptible，inthehighestdegree，ofthesortofhideousprogresswhichisaccomplishedinthedirectionofevil。Thereexistcrab—likesoulswhicharecontinuallyretreatingtowardsthedarkness，retrogradinginliferatherthanadvancing，employingexperiencetoaugmenttheirdeformity，growingincessantlyworse，andbecomingmoreandmoreimpregnatedwithanever—augmentingblackness。
Thismanandwomanpossessedsuchsouls。
Thenardier，inparticular，wastroublesomeforaphysiognomist。
Onecanonlylookatsomementodistrustthem；foronefeelsthattheyaredarkinbothdirections。Theyareuneasyintherearandthreateninginfront。Thereissomethingoftheunknownaboutthem。
Onecannomoreanswerforwhattheyhavedonethanforwhattheywilldo。Theshadowwhichtheybearintheirglancedenouncesthem。
Frommerelyhearingthemutterawordorseeingthemmakeagesture，oneobtainsaglimpseofsombresecretsintheirpastandofsombremysteriesintheirfuture。
ThisThenardier，ifhehimselfwastobebelieved，hadbeenasoldier——
asergeant，hesaid。Hehadprobablybeenthroughthecampaignof1815，andhadevenconductedhimselfwithtolerablevalor，itwouldseem。
Weshallseelateronhowmuchtruththerewasinthis。Thesignofhishostelrywasinallusiontooneofhisfeatsofarms。
Hehadpaintedithimself；forheknewhowtodoalittleofeverything，andbadly。
Itwasattheepochwhentheancientclassicalromancewhich，afterhavingbeenClelie，wasnolongeranythingbutLodoiska，stillnoble，butevermoreandmorevulgar，havingfallenfromMademoiselledeScuderitoMadameBournon—Malarme，andfromMadamedeLafayettetoMadameBarthelemy—Hadot，wassettingthelovingheartsoftheportressesofParisaflame，andevenravagingthesuburbstosomeextent。
MadameThenardierwasjustintelligentenoughtoreadthissortofbooks。
Shelivedonthem。Inthemshedrownedwhatbrainsshepossessed。
Thishadgivenher，whenveryyoung，andevenalittlelater，asortofpensiveattitudetowardsherhusband，ascampofacertaindepth，aruffianletteredtotheextentofthegrammar，coarseandfineatoneandthesametime，but，sofarassentimentalismwasconcerned，giventotheperusalofPigault—Lebrun，and"inwhatconcernsthesex，"
ashesaidinhisjargon——adownright，unmitigatedlout。Hiswifewastwelveorfifteenyearsyoungerthanhewas。Lateron，whenherhair，arrangedinaromanticallydroopingfashion，begantogrowgray，whentheMagaerabegantobedevelopedfromthePamela，thefemaleThenardierwasnothingbutacoarse，viciouswoman，whohaddabbledinstupidromances。Now，onecannotreadnonsensewithimpunity。
TheresultwasthathereldestdaughterwasnamedEponine；asfortheyounger，thepoorlittlethingcamenearbeingcalledGulnare；
Iknownottowhatdiversion，effectedbyaromanceofDucray—Dumenil，sheowedthefactthatshemerelyborethenameofAzelma。
However，wewillremarkbytheway，everythingwasnotridiculousandsuperficialinthatcuriousepochtowhichwearealluding，andwhichmaybedesignatedastheanarchyofbaptismalnames。
Bythesideofthisromanticelementwhichwehavejustindicatedthereisthesocialsymptom。Itisnotrarefortheneatherd’sboynowadaystobearthenameofArthur，Alfred，orAlphonse，andforthevicomte——iftherearestillanyvicomtes——tobecalledThomas，Pierre，orJacques。Thisdisplacement，whichplacesthe"elegant"nameontheplebeianandtherusticnameonthearistocrat，isnothingelsethananeddyofequality。Theirresistiblepenetrationofthenewinspirationisthereaseverywhereelse。
Beneaththisapparentdiscordthereisagreatandaprofoundthing，——
theFrenchRevolution。