BOOKFIFTH。——GRANDSONANDGRANDFATHER
CHAPTERI
INWHICHTHETREEWITHTHEZINCPLASTERAPPEARSAGAIN
Sometimeaftertheeventswhichwehavejustrecorded，SieurBoulatruelleexperiencedalivelyemotion。
SieurBoulatruellewasthatroad—menderofMontfermeilwhomthereaderhasalreadyseeninthegloomypartsofthisbook。
Boulatruelle，asthereadermay，perchance，recall，wasamanwhowasoccupiedwithdiversandtroublesomematters。Hebrokestonesanddamagedtravellersonthehighway。
Road—menderandthiefashewas，hecherishedonedream；hebelievedinthetreasuresburiedintheforestofMontfermeil。Hehopedsomedaytofindthemoneyintheearthatthefootofatree；
inthemeanwhile，helivedtosearchthepocketsofpassers—by。
Nevertheless，foraninstant，hewasprudent。Hehadjustescapedneatly。Hehadbeen，asthereaderisaware，pickedupinJondrette’sgarretincompanywiththeotherruffians。
Utilityofavice:hisdrunkennesshadbeenhissalvation。
Theauthoritieshadneverbeenabletomakeoutwhetherhehadbeenthereinthequalityofarobberoramanwhohadbeenrobbed。
Anorderofnolleprosequi，foundedonhiswellauthenticatedstateofintoxicationontheeveningoftheambush，hadsethimatliberty。
Hehadtakentohisheels。HehadreturnedtohisroadfromGagnytoLagny，tomake，underadministrativesupervision，brokenstoneforthegoodofthestate，withdowncastmien，inaverypensivemood，hisardorfortheftsomewhatcooled；buthewasaddictednonethelesstenderlytothewinewhichhadrecentlysavedhim。
Asforthelivelyemotionwhichhehadexperiencedashorttimeafterhisreturntohisroad—mender’sturf—thatchedcot，hereitis:
Onemorning，Boulatruelle，whileonhiswayaswashiswont，tohiswork，andpossiblyalsotohisambush，alittlebeforedaybreakcaughtsight，throughthebranchesofthetrees，ofaman，whosebackalonehesaw，buttheshapeofwhoseshoulders，asitseemedtohimatthatdistanceandintheearlydusk，wasnotentirelyunfamiliartohim。Boulatruelle，althoughintoxicated，hadacorrectandlucidmemory，adefensivearmthatisindispensabletoanyonewhoisatallinconflictwithlegalorder。
"WherethedeucehaveIseensomethinglikethatmanyonder？"
hesaidtohimself。Buthecouldmakehimselfnoanswer，exceptthatthemanresembledsomeoneofwhomhismemorypreservedaconfusedtrace。
However，apartfromtheidentitywhichhecouldnotmanagetocatch，Boulatruelleputthingstogetherandmadecalculations。Thismandidnotbelonginthecountry—side。Hehadjustarrivedthere。
Onfoot，evidently。NopublicconveyancepassesthroughMontfermeilatthathour。Hehadwalkedallnight。Whencecamehe？Notfromaverygreatdistance；forhehadneitherhaversack，norbundle。
FromParis，nodoubt。Whywasheinthesewoods？whywashethereatsuchanhour？whathadhecometherefor？
Boulatruellethoughtofthetreasure。Bydintofransackinghismemory，herecalledinavaguewaythathehadalready，manyyearsbefore，hadasimilaralarminconnectionwithamanwhoproducedonhimtheeffectthathemightwellbethisveryindividual。
"Bythedeuce，"saidBoulatruelle，"I’llfindhimagain。
I’lldiscovertheparishofthatparishioner。ThisprowlerofPatron—Minettehasareason，andI’llknowit。Peoplecan’thavesecretsinmyforestifIdon’thaveafingerinthepie。"
Hetookhispick—axewhichwasverysharplypointed。
"Therenow，"hegrumbled，"issomethingthatwillsearchtheearthandaman。"
And，asoneknotsonethreadtoanotherthread，hetookupthelineofmarchathisbestpaceinthedirectionwhichthemanmustfollow，andsetoutacrossthethickets。
Whenhehadcompassedahundredstrides，theday，whichwasalreadybeginningtobreak，cametohisassistance。Footprintsstampedinthesand，weedstroddendownhereandthere，heathercrushed，youngbranchesinthebrushwoodbentandintheactofstraighteningthemselvesupagainwiththegracefuldeliberationofthearmsofaprettywomanwhostretchesherselfwhenshewakes，pointedouttohimasortoftrack。Hefollowedit，thenlostit。Timewasflying。
Heplungeddeeperintothewoodsandcametoasortofeminence。
Anearlyhuntsmanwhowaspassinginthedistancealongapath，whistlingtheairofGuillery，suggestedtohimtheideaofclimbingatree。Oldashewas，hewasagile。Therestoodcloseathandabeech—treeofgreatsize，worthyofTityrusandofBoulatruelle。
Boulatruelleascendedthebeechashighashewasable。
Theideawasagoodone。Onscrutinizingthesolitarywasteonthesidewheretheforestisthoroughlyentangledandwild，Boulatruellesuddenlycaughtsightofhisman。
Hardlyhadhegothiseyeuponhimwhenhelostsightofhim。
Themanentered，orrather，glidedinto，anopenglade，ataconsiderabledistance，maskedbylargetrees，butwithwhichBoulatruellewasperfectlyfamiliar，onaccountofhavingnoticed，nearalargepileofporousstones，anailingchestnut—treebandagedwithasheetofzincnaileddirectlyuponthebark。
ThisgladewastheonewhichwasformerlycalledtheBlaru—bottom。
Theheapofstones，destinedfornooneknowswhatemployment，whichwasvisibletherethirtyyearsago，isdoubtlessstillthere。
Nothingequalsaheapofstonesinlongevity，unlessitisaboardfence。
Theyaretemporaryexpedients。Whatareasonforlasting！
Boulatruelle，withtherapidityofjoy，droppedratherthandescendedfromthetree。Thelairwasunearthed，thequestionnowwastoseizethebeast。Thatfamoustreasureofhisdreamswasprobablythere。
Itwasnosmallmattertoreachthatglade。Bythebeatenpaths，whichindulgeinathousandteasingzigzags，itrequiredagoodquarterofanhour。Inabee—line，throughtheunderbrush，whichispeculiarlydense，verythorny，andveryaggressiveinthatlocality，afullhalfhourwasnecessary。Boulatruellecommittedtheerrorofnotcomprehendingthis。Hebelievedinthestraightline；
arespectableopticalillusionwhichruinsmanyaman。Thethicket，bristlingasitwas，struckhimasthebestroad。
"Let’staketothewolves’RuedeRivoli，"saidhe。
Boulatruelle，accustomedtotakingcrookedcourses，wasonthisoccasionguiltyofthefaultofgoingstraight。
Heflunghimselfresolutelyintothetangleofundergrowth。
Hehadtodealwithhollybushes，nettles，hawthorns，eglantines，thistles，andveryirasciblebrambles。Hewasmuchlacerated。
Atthebottomoftheravinehefoundwaterwhichhewasobligedtotraverse。
AtlasthereachedtheBlaru—bottom，afterthelapseoffortyminutes，sweating，soaked，breathless，scratched，andferocious。
Therewasnooneintheglade。Boulatruellerushedtotheheapofstones。Itwasinitsplace。Ithadnotbeencarriedoff。
Asfortheman，hehadvanishedintheforest。Hehadmadehisescape。
Where？inwhatdirection？intowhatthicket？Impossibletoguess。
And，heartrendingtosay，there，behindthepileofstones，infrontofthetreewiththesheetofzinc，wasfreshlyturnedearth，apick—axe，abandonedorforgotten，andahole。
Theholewasempty。
"Thief！"shriekedBoulatruelle，shakinghisfistatthehorizon。
CHAPTERII
MARIUS，EMERGINGFROMCIVILWAR，MAKESREADYFORDOMESTICWAR
Foralongtime，Mariuswasneitherdeadnoralive。Formanyweekshelayinafeveraccompaniedbydelirium，andbytolerablygravecerebralsymptoms，causedmorebytheshocksofthewoundsontheheadthanbythewoundsthemselves。
HerepeatedCosette’snameforwholenightsinthemelancholyloquacityoffever，andwiththesombreobstinacyofagony。Theextentofsomeofthelesionspresentedaseriousdanger，thesuppurationoflargewoundsbeingalwaysliabletobecomere—absorbed，andconsequently，tokillthesickman，undercertainatmosphericconditions；ateverychangeofweather，attheslighteststorm，thephysicianwasuneasy。
"Aboveallthings，"herepeated，"letthewoundedmanbesubjectedtonoemotion。"Thedressingofthewoundswascomplicatedanddifficult，thefixationofapparatusandbandagesbycereclothsnothavingbeeninventedasyet，atthatepoch。
Nicoletteusedupasheet"asbigastheceiling，"assheputit，forlint。Itwasnotwithoutdifficultythatthechlorurettedlotionsandthenitrateofsilverovercamethegangrene。
Aslongastherewasanydanger，M。Gillenormand，seatedindespairathisgrandson’spillow，was，likeMarius，neitheralivenordead。
Everyday，sometimestwiceaday，averywelldressedgentlemanwithwhitehair，——suchwasthedescriptiongivenbytheporter，——
cametoinquireaboutthewoundedman，andleftalargepackageoflintforthedressings。
Finally，onthe7thofSeptember，fourmonthstoaday，afterthesorrowfulnightwhenhehadbeenbroughtbacktohisgrandfatherinadyingcondition，thedoctordeclaredthathewouldanswerforMarius。Convalescencebegan。ButMariuswasforcedtoremainfortwomonthsmorestretchedoutonalongchair，onaccountoftheresultscalledupbythefractureofhiscollar—bone。Therealwaysisalastwoundlikethatwhichwillnotclose，andwhichprolongsthedressingsindefinitely，tothegreatannoyanceofthesickperson。
However，thislongillnessandthislongconvalescencesavedhimfromallpursuit。InFrance，thereisnowrath，notevenofapubliccharacter，whichsixmonthswillnotextinguish。Revolts，inthepresentstateofsociety，aresomuchthefaultofeveryone，thattheyarefollowedbyacertainnecessityofshuttingtheeyes。
Letusadd，thattheinexcusableGisquetorder，whichenjoineddoctorstolodgeinformationagainstthewounded，havingoutragedpublicopinion，andnotopinionalone，buttheKingfirstofall，thewoundedwerecoveredandprotectedbythisindignation；and，withtheexceptionofthosewhohadbeenmadeprisonersintheveryactofcombat，thecouncilsofwardidnotdaretotroubleanyone。
SoMariuswasleftinpeace。
M。Gillenormandfirstpassedthroughallmannerofanguish，andthenthrougheveryformofecstasy。Itwasfounddifficulttopreventhispassingeverynightbesidethewoundedman；hehadhisbigarm—chaircarriedtoMarius’bedside；herequiredhisdaughtertotakethefinestlineninthehouseforcompressesandbandages。
MademoiselleGillenormand，likeasageandelderlyperson，contrivedtosparethefinelinen，whileallowingthegrandfathertothinkthathewasobeyed。M。Gillenormandwouldnotpermitanyonetoexplaintohim，thatforthepreparationoflintbatisteisnotnearlysogoodascoarselinen，nornewlinenasoldlinen。HewaspresentatallthedressingsofthewoundsfromwhichMademoiselleGillenormandmodestlyabsentedherself。
Whenthedeadfleshwascutawaywithscissors，hesaid:"Aie！aie！"
Nothingwasmoretouchingthantoseehimwithhisgentle，senilepalsy，offerthewoundedmanacupofhiscooling—draught。
Heoverwhelmedthedoctorwithquestions。Hedidnotobservethatheaskedthesameonesoverandoveragain。
OnthedaywhenthedoctorannouncedtohimthatMariuswasoutofdanger，thegoodmanwasinadelirium。Hemadehisporterapresentofthreelouis。Thatevening，onhisreturntohisownchamber，hedancedagavotte，usinghisthumbandforefingerascastanets，andhesangthefollowingsong:
"JeanneestneeaFougere"Amour，tuvisenelle；
Vrainidd’unebergere；Carc’estdanssaprunelleJ’adoresonjupon，Quetumetstoncarquois。
Fripon。Narquois！
"Moi，jelachante，etj’aime，PlusqueDianememe，JeanneetsesdurstetonsBretons。"[61]
[61]"JeannewasbornatFougere，atrueshepherd’snest；Iadoreherpetticoat，therogue。
"Love，thoudwellestinher；For’tisinhereyesthatthouplacestthyquiver，slyscamp！
"Asforme，Isingher，andIlove，morethanDianaherself，JeanneandherfirmBretonbreasts。"
Thenhekneltuponachair，andBasque，whowaswatchinghimthroughthehalf—opendoor，madesurethathewaspraying。
Uptothattime，hehadnotbelievedinGod。
Ateachsucceedingphaseofimprovement，whichbecamemoreandmorepronounced，thegrandfatherraved。Heexecutedamultitudeofmechanicalactionsfullofjoy；heascendedanddescendedthestairs，withoutknowingwhy。Aprettyfemaleneighborwasamazedonemorningatreceivingabigbouquet；itwasM。Gillenormandwhohadsentittoher。Thehusbandmadeajealousscene。M。GillenormandtriedtodrawNicoletteuponhisknees。HecalledMarius，"M。leBaron。"
Heshouted:"LonglivetheRepublic！"
Everymoment，hekeptaskingthedoctor:"Ishenolongerindanger？"
HegazeduponMariuswiththeeyesofagrandmother。Hebroodedoverhimwhileheate。Henolongerknewhimself，henolongerrenderedhimselfanaccountofhimself。Mariuswasthemasterofthehouse，therewasabdicationinhisjoy，hewasthegrandsonofhisgrandson。
Inthestateofjoyinwhichhethenwas，hewasthemostvenerableofchildren。Inhisfearlesthemightfatigueorannoytheconvalescent，hesteppedbehindhimtosmile。Hewascontent，joyous，delighted，charming，young。Hiswhitelocksaddedagentlemajestytothegayradianceofhisvisage。Whengraceismingledwithwrinkles，itisadorable。Thereisanindescribableaurorainbeamingoldage。
AsforMarius，asheallowedthemtodresshiswoundsandcareforhim，hehadbutonefixedidea:Cosette。
Afterthefeveranddeliriumhadlefthim，hedidnotagainpronouncehername，anditmighthavebeensupposedthathenolongerthoughtofher。Heheldhispeace，preciselybecausehissoulwasthere。
HedidnotknowwhathadbecomeofCosette；thewholeaffairoftheRuedelaChanvreriewaslikeacloudinhismemory；shadowsthatwerealmostindistinct，floatedthroughhismind，Eponine，Gavroche，Mabeuf，theThenardiers，allhisfriendsgloomilyintermingledwiththesmokeofthebarricade；thestrangepassageofM。Faucheleventthroughthatadventureproducedonhimtheeffectofapuzzleinatempest；
heunderstoodnothingconnectedwithhisownlife，hedidnotknowhownorbywhomhehadbeensaved，andnooneofthosearoundhimknewthis；allthattheyhadbeenabletotellhimwas，thathehadbeenbroughthomeatnightinahackney—coach，totheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire；past，present，futurewerenothingmoretohimthanthemistofavagueidea；butinthatfogtherewasoneimmovablepoint，oneclearandpreciseoutline，somethingmadeofgranite，aresolution，awill；tofindCosetteoncemore。
Forhim，theideaoflifewasnotdistinctfromtheideaofCosette。
Hehaddecreedinhisheartthathewouldnotaccepttheonewithouttheother，andhewasimmovablyresolvedtoexactofanypersonwhatever，whoshoulddesiretoforcehimtolive，——fromhisgrandfather，fromfate，fromhell，——therestitutionofhisvanishedEden。
Hedidnotconcealfromhimselfthefactthatobstaclesexisted。
Letushereemphasizeonedetail，hewasnotwonoverandwasbutlittlesoftenedbyallthesolicitudeandtendernessofhisgrandfather。
Inthefirstplace，hewasnotinthesecret；then，inhisreveriesofaninvalid，whichwerestillfeverish，possibly，hedistrustedthistendernessasastrangeandnovelthing，whichhadforitsobjecthisconquest。Heremainedcold。Thegrandfatherabsolutelywastedhispooroldsmile。Mariussaidtohimselfthatitwasallrightsolongashe，Marius，didnotspeak，andletthingstaketheircourse；butthatwhenitbecameaquestionofCosette，hewouldfindanotherface，andthathisgrandfather’strueattitudewouldbeunmasked。Thentherewouldbeanunpleasantscene；
arecrudescenceoffamilyquestions，aconfrontationofpositions，everysortofsarcasmandallmannerofobjectionsatoneandthesametime，Fauchelevent，Coupelevent，fortune，poverty，astoneabouthisneck，thefuture。Violentresistance；conclusion:arefusal。
Mariusstiffenedhimselfinadvance。
Andthen，inproportionasheregainedlife，theoldulcersofhismemoryopenedoncemore，hereflectedagainonthepast，ColonelPontmercyplacedhimselfoncemorebetweenM。Gillenormandandhim，Marius，hetoldhimselfthathehadnotruekindnesstoexpectfromapersonwhohadbeensounjustandsohardtohisfather。
Andwithhealth，therereturnedtohimasortofharshnesstowardshisgrandfather。Theoldmanwasgentlypainedbythis。
M。Gillenormand，withouthoweverallowingittoappear，observedthatMarius，eversincethelatterhadbeenbroughtbacktohimandhadregainedconsciousness，hadnotoncecalledhimfather。
Itistruethathedidnotsay"monsieur"tohim；buthecontrivednottosayeithertheoneortheother，bymeansofacertainwayofturninghisphrases。Obviously，acrisiswasapproaching。
Asalmostalwayshappensinsuchcases，Mariusskirmishedbeforegivingbattle，bywayofprovinghimself。Thisiscalled"feelingtheground。"OnemorningitcametopassthatM。GillenormandspokeslightinglyoftheConvention，aproposofanewspaperwhichhadfallenintohishands，andgaveventtoaRoyalistharangueonDanton，Saint—JusteandRobespierre。——"Themenof’93weregiants，"
saidMariuswithseverity。Theoldmanheldhispeace，andutterednotasoundduringtheremainderofthatday。
Marius，whohadalwayspresenttohismindtheinflexiblegrandfatherofhisearlyyears，interpretedthissilenceasaprofoundconcentrationofwrath，auguredfromitahotconflict，andaugmentedhispreparationsforthefrayintheinmostrecessesofhismind。
Hedecidedthat，incaseofarefusal，hewouldtearoffhisbandages，dislocatehiscollar—bone，thathewouldlaybareallthewoundswhichhehadleft，andwouldrejectallfood。Hiswoundswerehismunitionsofwar。HewouldhaveCosetteordie。
Heawaitedthepropitiousmomentwiththecraftypatienceofthesick。
Thatmomentarrived。
CHAPTERIII
MARIUSATTACKED
Oneday，M。Gillenormand，whilehisdaughterwasputtinginorderthephialsandcupsonthemarbleofthecommode，bentoverMariusandsaidtohiminhistenderestaccents:"Lookhere，mylittleMarius，ifIwereinyourplace，Iwouldeatmeatnowinpreferencetofish。
Afriedsoleisexcellenttobeginaconvalescencewith，butagoodcutletisneededtoputasickmanonhisfeet。"
Marius，whohadalmostentirelyrecoveredhisstrength，collectedthewholeofit，drewhimselfupintoasittingposture，laidhistwoclenchedfistsonthesheetsofhisbed，lookedhisgrandfatherintheface，assumedaterribleair，andsaid:
"Thisleadsmetosaysomethingtoyou。"
"Whatisit？"
"ThatIwishtomarry。"
"Agreed，"saidhisgrandfather。——Andheburstoutlaughing。
"Howagreed？"
"Yes，agreed。Youshallhaveyourlittlegirl。"
Marius，stunnedandoverwhelmedwiththedazzlingshock，trembledineverylimb。
M。Gillenormandwenton:
"Yes，youshallhaveher，thatprettylittlegirlofyours。
Shecomeseverydayintheshapeofanoldgentlemantoinquireafteryou。Eversinceyouwerewounded，shehaspassedhertimeinweepingandmakinglint。Ihavemadeinquiries。ShelivesintheRuedel’HommeArme，No。7。Ah！Therewehaveit！
Ah！soyouwanther！Well，youshallhaveher。You’recaught。
Youhadarrangedyourlittleplot，youhadsaidtoyourself:——`I’mgoingtosignifythissquarelytomygrandfather，tothatmummyoftheRegencyandoftheDirectory，tothatancientbeau，tothatDoranteturnedGeronte；hehasindulgedinhisfrivolitiesalso，thathehas，andhehashadhisloveaffairs，andhisgrisettesandhisCosettes；hehasmadehisrustle，hehashadhiswings，hehaseatenofthebreadofspring；hecertainlymustrememberit。’
Ah！youtakethecockchaferbythehorns。That’sgood。Iofferyouacutletandyouanswerme:`Bytheway，Iwanttomarry。’
There’satransitionforyou！Ah！youreckonedonabickering！
YoudonotknowthatIamanoldcoward。Whatdoyousaytothat？
Youarevexed？Youdidnotexpecttofindyourgrandfatherstillmorefoolishthanyourself，youarewastingthediscoursewhichyoumeanttobestowuponme，Mr。Lawyer，andthat’svexatious。
Well，somuchtheworse，rageaway。I’lldowhateveryouwish，andthatcutsyoushort，imbecile！Listen。Ihavemademyinquiries，I’mcunningtoo；sheischarming，sheisdiscreet，itisnottrueaboutthelancer，shehasmadeheapsoflint，she’sajewel，sheadoresyou，ifyouhaddied，therewouldhavebeenthreeofus，hercoffinwouldhaveaccompaniedmine。Ihavehadanidea，eversinceyouhavebeenbetter，ofsimplyplantingheratyourbedside，butitisonlyinromancesthatyounggirlsarebroughttothebedsidesofhandsomeyoungwoundedmenwhointerestthem。Itisnotdone。
Whatwouldyouraunthavesaidtoit？Youwerenudethreequartersofthetime，mygoodfellow。AskNicolette，whohasnotleftyouforamoment，iftherewasanypossibilityofhavingawomanhere。
Andthen，whatwouldthedoctorhavesaid？Aprettygirldoesnotcureamanoffever。Inshort，it’sallright，letussaynomoreaboutit，all’ssaid，all’sdone，it’sallsettled，takeher。
Suchismyferocity。Yousee，Iperceivedthatyoudidnotloveme。
Isaidtomyself:`Herenow，IhavemylittleCosetterightundermyhand，I’mgoingtogivehertohim，hewillbeobligedtolovemealittlethen，orhemusttellthereasonwhy。’Ah！soyouthoughtthattheoldmanwasgoingtostorm，toputonabigvoice，toshoutno，andtolifthiscaneatallthataurora。Notabitofit。Cosette，sobeit；love，sobeit；Iasknothingbetter。
Praytakethetroubleofgettingmarried，sir。Behappy，mywell—belovedchild。"
Thatsaid，theoldmanburstforthintosobs。
AndheseizedMarius’head，andpresseditwithbotharmsagainsthisbreast，andbothfelltoweeping。Thisisoneoftheformsofsupremehappiness。
"Father！"criedMarius。
"Ah，soyouloveme！"saidtheoldman。
Anineffablemomentensued。Theywerechokingandcouldnotspeak。
Atlengththeoldmanstammered:
"Come！hismouthisunstoppedatlast。Hehassaid:`Father’tome。"
Mariusdisengagedhisheadfromhisgrandfather’sarms，andsaidgently:
"But，father，nowthatIamquitewell，itseemstomethatI
mightseeher。"
"Agreedagain，youshallseeherto—morrow。"
"Father！"
"What？"
"Whynotto—day？"
"Well，to—daythen。Letitbeto—day。Youhavecalledme`father’
threetimes，anditisworthit。Iwillattendtoit。Sheshallbebroughthither。Agreed，Itellyou。Ithasalreadybeenputintoverse。Thisistheendingoftheelegyofthe`JeuneMalade’
byAndreChenier，byAndreChenierwhosethroatwascutbytheras……bythegiantsof’93。"
M。GillenormandfanciedthathedetectedafaintfrownonthepartofMarius，who，intruth，aswemustadmit，wasnolongerlisteningtohim，andwhowasthinkingfarmoreofCosettethanof1793。
Thegrandfather，tremblingathavingsoinopportunelyintroducedAndreChenier，resumedprecipitately:
"Cuthisthroatisnottheword。Thefactisthatthegreatrevolutionarygeniuses，whowerenotmalicious，thatisincontestable，whowereheroes，pardi！foundthatAndreChenierembarrassedthemsomewhat，andtheyhadhimguillot……thatistosay，thosegreatmenonthe7thofThermidor，besoughtAndreChenier，intheinterestsofpublicsafety，tobesogoodastogo……"
M。Gillenormand，clutchedbythethroatbyhisownphrase，couldnotproceed。Beingableneithertofinishitnortoretractit，whilehisdaughterarrangedthepillowbehindMarius，whowasoverwhelmedwithsomanyemotions，theoldmanrushedheadlong，withasmuchrapidityashisagepermitted，fromthebed—chamber，shutthedoorbehindhim，and，purple，chokingandfoamingatthemouth，hiseyesstartingfromhishead，hefoundhimselfnosetonosewithhonestBasque，whowasblackingbootsintheanteroom。
HeseizedBasquebythecollar，andshoutedfullinhisfaceinfury:——"BythehundredthousandJavottesofthedevil，thoseruffiansdidassassinatehim！"
"Who，sir？"
"AndreChenier！"
"Yes，sir，"saidBasqueinalarm。
CHAPTERIV
MADEMOISELLEGILLENORMANDENDSBYNOLONGERTHINKINGITABADTHING
THATM。FAUCHELEVENTSHOULDHAVEENTEREDWITHSOMETHINGUNDERHIS
ARM
CosetteandMariusbeheldeachotheroncemore。
Whatthatinterviewwaslikewedeclinetosay。Therearethingswhichonemustnotattempttodepict；thesunisoneofthem。
Theentirefamily，includingBasqueandNicolette，wereassembledinMarius’chamberatthemomentwhenCosetteenteredit。
Preciselyatthatmoment，thegrandfatherwasonthepointofblowinghisnose；hestoppedshort，holdinghisnoseinhishandkerchief，andgazingoveritatCosette。
Sheappearedonthethreshold；itseemedtohimthatshewassurroundedbyaglory。
"Adorable！"heexclaimed。
Thenheblewhisnosenoisily。
Cosettewasintoxicated，delighted，frightened，inheaven。
Shewasasthoroughlyalarmedasanyonecanbebyhappiness。
Shestammeredallpale，yetflushed，shewantedtoflingherselfintoMarius’arms，anddarednot。Ashamedoflovinginthepresenceofallthesepeople。Peoplearepitilesstowardshappylovers；
theyremainwhenthelattermostdesiretobeleftalone。Lovershavenoneedofanypeoplewhatever。
WithCosette，andbehindher，therehadenteredamanwithwhitehairwhowasgraveyetsmiling，thoughwithavagueandheartrendingsmile。
Itwas"MonsieurFauchelevent"；itwasJeanValjean。
Hewasverywelldressed，astheporterhadsaid，entirelyinblack，inperfectlynewgarments，andwithawhitecravat。
Theporterwasathousandleaguesfromrecognizinginthiscorrectbourgeois，inthisprobablenotary，thefear—inspiringbearerofthecorpse，whohadsprungupathisdooronthenightofthe7thofJune，tattered，muddy，hideous，haggard，hisfacemaskedinbloodandmire，supportinginhisarmsthefaintingMarius；
still，hisporter’sscentwasaroused。WhenM。FaucheleventarrivedwithCosette，theporterhadnotbeenabletorefrainfromcommunicatingtohiswifethisaside:"Idon’tknowwhyitis，butIcan’thelpfancyingthatI’veseenthatfacebefore。"
M。FaucheleventinMarius’chamber，remainedapartnearthedoor。
Hehadunderhisarm，apackagewhichboreconsiderableresemblancetoanoctavovolumeenvelopedinpaper。Theenvelopingpaperwasofagreenishhue，andappearedtobemouldy。
"Doesthegentlemanalwayshavebookslikethatunderhisarm？"
MademoiselleGillenormand，whodidnotlikebooks，demandedinalowtoneofNicolette。
"Well，"retortedM。Gillenormand，whohadoverheardher，inthesametone，"he’salearnedman。Whatthen？Isthathisfault？
MonsieurBoulard，oneofmyacquaintances，neverwalkedoutwithoutabookunderhisarmeither，andhealwayshadsomeoldvolumehuggedtohisheartlikethat。"
And，withabow，hesaidaloud:
"MonsieurTranchelevent……"
FatherGillenormanddidnotdoitintentionally，butinattentiontopropernameswasanaristocratichabitofhis。
"MonsieurTranchelevent，Ihavethehonorofaskingyou，onbehalfofmygrandson，BaronMariusPontmercy，forthehandofMademoiselle。"
MonsieurTrancheleventbowed。
"That’ssettled，"saidthegrandfather。
And，turningtoMariusandCosette，withbotharmsextendedinblessing，hecried:
"Permissiontoadoreeachother！"
Theydidnotrequirehimtorepeatittwice。Somuchtheworse！
thechirpingbegan。Theytalkedlow。Marius，restingonhiselbowonhisrecliningchair，Cosettestandingbesidehim。"Oh，heavens！"
murmuredCosette，"Iseeyouonceagain！itisthou！itisyou！
Theideaofgoingandfightinglikethat！Butwhy？Itishorrible。
Ihavebeendeadforfourmonths。Oh！howwickeditwasofyoutogotothatbattle！WhathadIdonetoyou？Ipardonyou，butyouwillneverdoitagain。Alittlewhileago，whentheycametotellustocometoyou，IstillthoughtthatIwasabouttodie，butitwasfromjoy。Iwassosad！Ihavenottakenthetimetodressmyself，Imustfrightenpeoplewithmylooks！
Whatwillyourrelativessaytoseemeinacrumpledcollar？
Dospeak！Youletmedoallthetalking。WearestillintheRuedel’HommeArme。Itseemsthatyourshoulderwasterrible。
Theytoldmethatyoucouldputyourfistinit。Andthen，itseemsthattheycutyourfleshwiththescissors。Thatisfrightful。
IhavecriedtillIhavenoeyesleft。Itisqueerthatapersoncansufferlikethat。Yourgrandfatherhasaverykindlyair。
Don’tdisturbyourself，don’triseonyourelbow，youwillinjureyourself。Oh！howhappyIam！Soourunhappinessisover！
Iamquitefoolish。Ihadthingstosaytoyou，andInolongerknowintheleastwhattheywere。Doyoustillloveme？WeliveintheRuedel’HommeArme。Thereisnogarden。Imadelintallthetime；stay，sir，look，itisyourfault，Ihaveacallousonmyfingers。"
"Angel！"saidMarius。
Angelistheonlywordinthelanguagewhichcannotbewornout。
Nootherwordcouldresistthemercilessusewhichloversmakeofit。
Thenastherewerespectators，theypausedandsaidnotawordmore，contentingthemselveswithsoftlytouchingeachother’shands。
M。Gillenormandturnedtowardsthosewhowereintheroomandcried:
"Talkloud，therestofyou。Makeanoise，youpeoplebehindthescenes。Come，alittleuproar，thedeuce！sothatthechildrencanchatterattheirease。"
And，approachingMariusandCosette，hesaidtotheminaverylowvoice:
"Calleachotherthou。Don’tstandonceremony。"
AuntGillenormandlookedoninamazementatthisirruptionoflightinherelderlyhousehold。Therewasnothingaggressiveaboutthisamazement；itwasnottheleastintheworldlikethescandalizedandenviousglanceofanowlattwoturtle—doves，itwasthestupideyeofapoorinnocentsevenandfiftyyearsofage；
itwasalifewhichhadbeenafailuregazingatthattriumph，love。
"MademoiselleGillenormandsenior，"saidherfathertoher，"Itoldyouthatthisiswhatwouldhappentoyou。"
Heremainedsilentforamoment，andthenadded:
"Lookatthehappinessofothers。"
ThenheturnedtoCosette。
"Howprettysheis！howprettysheis！She’saGreuze。
Soyouaregoingtohavethatalltoyourself，youscamp！
Ah！myrogue，youaregettingoffnicelywithme，youarehappy；
ifIwerenotfifteenyearstooold，wewouldfightwithswordstoseewhichofusshouldhaveher。Comenow！Iaminlovewithyou，mademoiselle。It’sperfectlysimple。Itisyourright。
Youareintheright。Ah！whatasweet，charminglittleweddingthiswillmake！OurparishisSaint—DenisduSaintSacrament，butIwillgetadispensationsothatyoucanbemarriedatSaint—Paul。Thechurchisbetter。ItwasbuiltbytheJesuits。
Itismorecoquettish。ItisoppositethefountainofCardinaldeBirague。ThemasterpieceofJesuitarchitectureisatNamur。
ItiscalledSaint—Loup。Youmustgothereafteryouaremarried。
Itisworththejourney。Mademoiselle，Iamquiteofyourmind，Ithinkgirlsoughttomarry；thatiswhattheyaremadefor。
ThereisacertainSainte—CatherinewhomIshouldalwaysliketoseeuncoiffed。[62]It’safinethingtoremainaspinster，butitischilly。TheBiblesays:Multiply。Inordertosavethepeople，Jeanned’Arcisneeded；butinordertomakepeople，whatisneededisMotherGoose。So，marry，mybeauties。Ireallydonotseetheuseinremainingaspinster！Iknowthattheyhavetheirchapelapartinthechurch，andthattheyfallbackontheSocietyoftheVirgin；but，sapristi，ahandsomehusband，afinefellow，andattheexpirationofayear，abig，blondbratwhonurseslustily，andwhohasfinerollsoffatonhisthighs，andwhomussesupyourbreastinhandfulswithhislittlerosypaws，laughingthewhilelikethedawn，——that’sbetterthanholdingacandleatvespers，andchantingTurriseburnea！"
[62]Inallusiontotheexpression，coifferSainte—Catherine，"toremainunmarried。"
Thegrandfatherexecutedapirouetteonhiseighty—year—oldheels，andbegantotalkagainlikeaspringthathasbrokenlooseoncemore:
"Ainsi，bornantlescoursdetesrevasseries，Alcippe，ilestdoncvrai，danspeututemaries。"[63]
[63]"Thus，hemminginthecourseofthymusings，Alcippus，itistruethatthouwiltwederelong。"
"Bytheway！"
"Whatisit，father？"
"Havenotyouanintimatefriend？"
"Yes，Courfeyrac。"
"Whathasbecomeofhim？"
"Heisdead。"
"Thatisgood。"
Heseatedhimselfnearthem，madeCosettesitdown，andtooktheirfourhandsinhisagedandwrinkledhands:
"Sheisexquisite，thisdarling。She’samasterpiece，thisCosette！
Sheisaverylittlegirlandaverygreatlady。ShewillonlybeaBaroness，whichisacomedownforher；shewasbornaMarquise。
Whateyelashesshehas！Getitwellfixedinyournoddles，mychildren，thatyouareinthetrueroad。Loveeachother。
Befoolishaboutit。LoveisthefollyofmenandthewitofGod。
Adoreeachother。Only，"headded，suddenlybecominggloomy，"whatamisfortune！Ithasjustoccurredtome！MorethanhalfofwhatIpossessisswallowedupinanannuity；solongasIlive，itwillnotmatter，butaftermydeath，ascoreofyearshence，ah！mypoorchildren，youwillnothaveasou！Yourbeautifulwhitehands，MadamelaBaronne，willdothedevilthehonorofpullinghimbythetail。"[64]
[64]Tirerlediableparlaqueue，"tolivefromhandtomouth。"
Atthispointtheyheardagraveandtranquilvoicesay:
"MademoiselleEuphrasieFaucheleventpossessessixhundredthousandfrancs。"
ItwasthevoiceofJeanValjean。
Sofarhehadnotutteredasingleword，nooneseemedtobeawarethathewasthere，andhehadremainedstandingerectandmotionless，behindallthesehappypeople。
"WhathasMademoiselleEuphrasietodowiththequestion？"
inquiredthestartledgrandfather。
"Iamshe，"repliedCosette。
"Sixhundredthousandfrancs？"resumedM。Gillenormand。
"Minusfourteenorfifteenthousandfrancs，possibly，"saidJeanValjean。
AndhelaidonthetablethepackagewhichMademoiselleGillenormandhadmistakenforabook。
JeanValjeanhimselfopenedthepackage；itwasabundleofbank—notes。
Theywereturnedoverandcounted。Therewerefivehundrednotesforathousandfrancseach，andonehundredandsixty—eightoffivehundred。Inall，fivehundredandeighty—fourthousandfrancs。
"Thisisafinebook，"saidM。Gillenormand。
"Fivehundredandeighty—fourthousandfrancs！"murmuredtheaunt。
"Thisarrangesthingswell，doesitnot，MademoiselleGillenormandsenior？"saidthegrandfather。"ThatdevilofaMariushasferretedoutthenestofamillionairegrisetteinhistreeofdreams！
Justtrusttotheloveaffairsofyoungfolksnow，willyou！
Studentsfindstudentesseswithsixhundredthousandfrancs。
CherubinoworksbetterthanRothschild。"
"Fivehundredandeighty—fourthousandfrancs！"repeatedMademoiselleGillenormand，inalowtone。"Fivehundredandeighty—four！
onemightaswellsaysixhundredthousand！"
AsforMariusandCosette，theyweregazingateachotherwhilethiswasgoingon；theyhardlyheededthisdetail。
CHAPTERV
DEPOSITYOURMONEYINAFORESTRATHERTHANWITHANOTARY
Thereaderhas，nodoubt，understood，withoutnecessitatingalengthyexplanation，thatJeanValjean，aftertheChampmathieuaffair，hadbeenable，thankstohisfirstescapeofafewdays’duration，tocometoParisandtowithdrawinseason，fromthehandsofLaffitte，thesumearnedbyhim，underthenameofMonsieurMadeleine，atMontreuil—sur—Mer；andthatfearingthathemightberecaptured，——
whicheventuallyhappened——hehadburiedandhiddenthatsumintheforestofMontfermeil，inthelocalityknownastheBlaru—bottom。
Thesum，sixhundredandthirtythousandfrancs，allinbank—bills，wasnotverybulky，andwascontainedinabox；only，inordertopreservetheboxfromdampness，hehadplaceditinacofferfilledwithchestnutshavings。Inthesamecofferhehadplacedhisothertreasures，theBishop’scandlesticks。ItwillberememberedthathehadcarriedoffthecandlestickswhenhemadehisescapefromMontreuil—sur—Mer。ThemanseenoneeveningforthefirsttimebyBoulatruelle，wasJeanValjean。Lateron，everytimethatJeanValjeanneededmoney，hewenttogetitintheBlaru—bottom。Hencetheabsenceswhichwehavementioned。Hehadapickaxesomewhereintheheather，inahiding—placeknowntohimselfalone。WhenhebeheldMariusconvalescent，feelingthatthehourwasathand，whenthatmoneymightproveofservice，hehadgonetogetit；itwasheagain，whomBoulatruellehadseeninthewoods，butonthisoccasion，inthemorninginsteadofintheevening。Boulatreulleinheritedhispickaxe。
Theactualsumwasfivehundredandeighty—fourthousand，fivehundredfrancs。JeanValjeanwithdrewthefivehundredfrancsforhimself。——"Weshallseehereafter，"hethought。
ThedifferencebetweenthatsumandthesixhundredandthirtythousandfrancswithdrawnfromLaffitterepresentedhisexpenditureintenyears，from1823to1833。Thefiveyearsofhisstayintheconventhadcostonlyfivethousandfrancs。
JeanValjeansetthetwocandlesticksonthechimney—piece，wheretheyglitteredtothegreatadmirationofToussaint。
Moreover，JeanValjeanknewthathewasdeliveredfromJavert。
Thestoryhadbeentoldinhispresence，andhehadverifiedthefactintheMoniteur，howapoliceinspectornamedJaverthadbeenfounddrownedunderaboatbelongingtosomelaundresses，betweenthePontauChangeandthePont—Neuf，andthatawritingleftbythisman，otherwiseirreproachableandhighlyesteemedbyhissuperiors，pointedtoafitofmentalaberrationandasuicide。——"Infact，"
thoughtJeanValjean，"sinceheleftmeatliberty，oncehavinggotmeinhispower，hemusthavebeenalreadymad。"
CHAPTERVI
THETWOOLDMENDOEVERYTHING，EACHONEAFTERHISOWNFASHION，TORENDERCOSETTEHAPPY
Everythingwasmadereadyforthewedding。Thedoctor，onbeingconsulted，declaredthatitmighttakeplaceinFebruary。
ItwasthenDecember。Afewravishingweeksofperfecthappinesspassed。
Thegrandfatherwasnottheleasthappyofthemall。HeremainedforaquarterofanhouratatimegazingatCosette。
"Thewonderful，beautifulgirl！"heexclaimed。"Andshehassosweetandgoodanair！sheis，withoutexception，themostcharminggirlthatIhaveeverseeninmylife。Lateron，she’llhavevirtueswithanodorofviolets。Howgraceful！onecannotliveotherwisethannoblywithsuchacreature。Marius，myboy，youareaBaron，youarerich，don’tgotopettifogging，Ibegofyou。"
CosetteandMariushadpassedabruptlyfromthesepulchretoparadise。
Thetransitionhadnotbeensoftened，andtheywouldhavebeenstunned，hadtheynotbeendazzledbyit。
"Doyouunderstandanythingaboutit？"saidMariustoCosette。
"No，"repliedCosette，"butitseemstomethatthegoodGodiscaringforus。"
JeanValjeandideverything，smoothedawayeverydifficulty，arrangedeverything，madeeverythingeasy。HehastenedtowardsCosette’shappinesswithasmuchardor，and，apparentlywithasmuchjoy，asCosetteherself。
Ashehadbeenamayor，heunderstoodhowtosolvethatdelicateproblem，withthesecretofwhichhealonewasacquainted，Cosette’scivilstatus。Ifheweretoannounceheroriginbluntly，itmightpreventthemarriage，whoknows？HeextricatedCosettefromalldifficulties。Heconcoctedforherafamilyofdeadpeople，asuremeansofnotencounteringanyobjections。
Cosettewastheonlyscionofanextinctfamily；Cosettewasnothisowndaughter，butthedaughteroftheotherFauchelevent。
TwobrothersFaucheleventhadbeengardenerstotheconventofthePetit—Picpus。Inquirywasmadeatthatconvent；theverybestinformationandthemostrespectablereferencesabounded；thegoodnuns，notveryaptandbutlittleinclinedtofathomquestionsofpaternity，andnotattachinganyimportancetothematter，hadneverunderstoodexactlyofwhichofthetwoFaucheleventsCosettewasthedaughter。
Theysaidwhatwaswantedandtheysaiditwithzeal。Anactedenotorietewasdrawnup。Cosettebecameintheeyesofthelaw，MademoiselleEuphrasieFauchelevent。Shewasdeclaredanorphan，bothfatherandmotherbeingdead。JeanValjeansoarrangeditthathewasappointed，underthenameofFauchelevent，asCosette’sguardian，withM。Gillenormandassupervisingguardianoverhim。
Asforthefivehundredandeightythousandfrancs，theyconstitutedalegacybequeathedtoCosettebyadeadperson，whodesiredtoremainunknown。Theoriginallegacyhadconsistedoffivehundredandninety—fourthousandfrancs；buttenthousandfrancshadbeenexpendedontheeducationofMademoiselleEuphrasie，fivethousandfrancsofthatamounthavingbeenpaidtotheconvent。
Thislegacy，depositedinthehandsofathirdparty，wastobeturnedovertoCosetteathermajority，oratthedateofhermarriage。
This，takenasawhole，wasveryacceptable，asthereaderwillperceive，especiallywhenthesumduewashalfamillion。Thereweresomepeculiaritieshereandthere，itistrue，buttheywerenotnoticed；
oneoftheinterestedpartieshadhiseyesblindfoldedbylove，theothersbythesixhundredthousandfrancs。
Cosettelearnedthatshewasnotthedaughterofthatoldmanwhomshehadsolongcalledfather。Hewasmerelyakinsman；
anotherFaucheleventwasherrealfather。Atanyothertimethiswouldhavebrokenherheart。Butattheineffablemomentwhichshewasthenpassingthrough，itcastbutaslightshadow，afaintcloud，andshewassofullofjoythattheclouddidnotlastlong。
ShehadMarius。Theyoungmanarrived，theoldmanwaseffaced；
suchislife。
Andthen，Cosettehad，forlongyears，beenhabituatedtoseeingenigmasaroundher；everybeingwhohashadamysteriouschildhoodisalwayspreparedforcertainrenunciations。
Nevertheless，shecontinuedtocallJeanValjean:Father。
Cosette，happyastheangels，wasenthusiasticoverFatherGillenormand。
Itistruethatheoverwhelmedherwithgallantcomplimentsandpresents。WhileJeanValjeanwasbuildingupforCosetteanormalsituationinsocietyandanunassailablestatus，M。Gillenormandwassuperintendingthebasketofweddinggifts。Nothingsoamusedhimasbeingmagnificent。HehadgiventoCosettearobeofBincheguipurewhichhaddescendedtohimfromhisowngrandmother。
"Thesefashionscomeupagain，"saidhe，"ancientthingsaretherage，andtheyoungwomenofmyoldagedressliketheoldwomenofmychildhood。"
HerifledhisrespectablechestsofdrawersinCoromandellacquer，withswellingfronts，whichhadnotbeenopenedforyears。——"Letusheartheconfessionofthesedowagers，"hesaid，"letusseewhattheyhaveintheirpaunches。"Henoisilyviolatedthepot—bellieddrawersofallhiswives，ofallhismistressesandofallhisgrandmothers。
Pekins，damasks，lampas，paintedmoires，robesofshotgrosdeTours，Indiakerchiefsembroideredingoldthatcouldbewashed，dauphineswithoutarightorwrongside，inthepiece，GenoaandAlenconpointlace，paruresinantiquegoldsmith’swork，ivorybon—bonboxesornamentedwithmicroscopicbattles，gewgawsandribbons——
helavishedeverythingonCosette。Cosette，amazed，desperatelyinlovewithMarius，andwildwithgratitudetowardsM。Gillenormand，dreamedofahappinesswithoutlimitclothedinsatinandvelvet。
Herweddingbasketseemedtohertobeupheldbyseraphim。
Hersoulflewoutintotheazuredepths，withwingsofMechlinlace。
Theintoxicationoftheloverswasonlyequalled，aswehavealreadysaid，bytheecstasyofthegrandfather。AsortofflourishoftrumpetswentonintheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire。
Everymorning，afreshofferingofbric—a—bracfromthegrandfathertoCosette。Allpossibleknickknacksglitteredaroundher。
OnedayMarius，whowasfondoftalkinggravelyinthemidstofhisbliss，said，aproposofIknownotwhatincident:
"Themenoftherevolutionaresogreat，thattheyhavetheprestigeoftheages，likeCatoandlikePhocion，andeachoneofthemseemstomeanantiquememory。"
"Moireantique！"exclaimedtheoldgentleman。"Thanks，Marius。
ThatispreciselytheideaofwhichIwasinsearch。"
Andonthefollowingday，amagnificentdressoftea—rosecoloredmoireantiquewasaddedtoCosette’sweddingpresents。
Fromthesefripperies，thegrandfatherextractedabitofwisdom。
"Loveisallverywell；buttheremustbesomethingelsetogowithit。Theuselessmustbemingledwithhappiness。Happinessisonlythenecessary。Seasonthatenormouslywiththesuperfluousforme。Apalaceandherheart。HerheartandtheLouvre。
HerheartandthegrandwaterworksofVersailles。Givememyshepherdessandtrytomakeheraduchess。FetchmePhylliscrownedwithcorn—flowers，andaddahundredthousandfrancsincome。
Openformeabucolicperspectiveasfarasyoucansee，beneathamarblecolonnade。Iconsenttothebucolicandalsotothefairyspectacleofmarbleandgold。Dryhappinessresemblesdrybread。
Oneeats，butonedoesnotdine。Iwantthesuperfluous，theuseless，theextravagant，excess，thatwhichservesnopurpose。
Iremembertohaveseen，intheCathedralofStrasburg，aclock，astallasathree—storyhousewhichmarkedthehours，whichhadthekindnesstoindicatethehour，butwhichhadnottheairofbeingmadeforthat；andwhich，afterhavingstruckmidday，ormidnight，——
midday，thehourofthesun，ormidnight，thehouroflove，——
oranyotherhourthatyoulike，gaveyouthemoonandthestars，theearthandthesea，birdsandfishes，PhoebusandPhoebe，andahostofthingswhichemergedfromaniche，andthetwelveapostles，andtheEmperorCharlestheFifth，andEponine，andSabinus，andathrongoflittlegildedgoodmen，whoplayedonthetrumpettoboot。Withoutreckoningdeliciouschimeswhichitsprinkledthroughtheair，oneveryoccasion，withoutanyone’sknowingwhy。
Isapettybaldclock—facewhichmerelytellsthehourequaltothat？
Formypart，IamoftheopinionofthebigclockofStrasburg，andIpreferittothecuckooclockfromtheBlackForest。"
M。Gillenormandtalkednonsenseinconnectionwiththewedding，andallthefripperiesoftheeighteenthcenturypassedpell—mellthroughhisdithyrambs。
"Youareignorantoftheartoffestivals。Youdonotknowhowtoorganizeadayofenjoymentinthisage，"heexclaimed。
"Yournineteenthcenturyisweak。Itlacksexcess。Itignorestherich，itignoresthenoble。Ineverythingitisclean—shaven。
Yourthirdestateisinsipid，colorless，odorless，andshapeless。
Thedreamsofyourbourgeoiswhosetup，astheyexpressit:
aprettyboudoirfreshlydecorated，violet，ebonyandcalico。
Makeway！Makeway！theSieurCurmudgeonismarryingMademoiselleClutch—penny。Sumptuousnessandsplendor。Alouisd’orhasbeenstucktoacandle。There’stheepochforyou。MydemandisthatI
mayfleefromitbeyondtheSarmatians。Ah！in1787，Ipredictthatallwaslost，fromthedaywhenIbeheldtheDucdeRohan，PrincedeLeon，DucdeChabot，DucdeMontbazon，MarquisdeSonbise，VicomtedeThouars，peerofFrance，gotoLongchampsinatapecu！
Thathasborneitsfruits。Inthiscentury，menattendtobusiness，theygambleon’Change，theywinmoney，theyarestingy。Peopletakecareoftheirsurfacesandvarnishthem；everyoneisdressedasthoughjustoutofaband—box，washed，soaped，scraped，shaved，combed，waked，smoothed，rubbed，brushed，cleanedontheoutside，irreproachable，polishedasapebble，discreet，neat，andatthesametime，deathofmylife，inthedepthsoftheirconsciencestheyhavedung—heapsandcesspoolsthatareenoughtomakeacow—herdwhoblowshisnoseinhisfingers，recoil。Igranttothisagethedevice:
`DirtyCleanliness。’Don’tbevexed，Marius，givemepermissiontospeak；Isaynoevilofthepeopleasyousee，Iamalwaysharpingonyourpeople，butdolookfavorablyonmydealingabitofaslaptothebourgeoisie。Ibelongtoit。Hewholoveswelllasheswell。Thereupon，Isayplainly，thatnow—a—dayspeoplemarry，butthattheynolongerknowhowtomarry。Ah！itistrue，Iregretthegraceoftheancientmanners。Iregreteverythingaboutthem，theirelegance，theirchivalry，thosecourteousanddelicateways，thatjoyousluxurywhicheveryonepossessed，musicformingpartofthewedding，asymphonyabovestairs，abeatingofdrumsbelowstairs，thedances，thejoyousfacesroundthetable，thefine—spungallantcompliments，thesongs，thefireworks，thefranklaughter，thedevil’sownrow，thehugeknotsofribbon。Iregretthebride’sgarter。Thebride’sgarteriscousintothegirdleofVenus。
OnwhatdoesthewarofTroyturn？OnHelen’sgarter，parbleu！
Whydidtheyfight，whydidDiomedthedivinebreakovertheheadofMerionesthatgreatbrazenhelmetoftenpoints？whydidAchillesandHectorheweachotherupwithvastblowsoftheirlances？
BecauseHelenallowedParistotakehergarter。WithCosette’sgarter，HomerwouldconstructtheIliad。Hewouldputinhispoem，aloquaciousoldfellow，likeme，andhewouldcallhimNestor。
Myfriends，inbygonedays，inthoseamiabledaysofyore，peoplemarriedwisely；theyhadagoodcontract，andthentheyhadagoodcarouse。AssoonasCujashadtakenhisdeparture，Gamachoentered。But，insooth！thestomachisanagreeablebeastwhichdemandsitsdue，andwhichwantstohaveitsweddingalso。
Peoplesuppedwell，andhadattableabeautifulneighborwithoutaguimpesothatherthroatwasonlymoderatelyconcealed。
Oh！thelargelaughingmouths，andhowgaywewereinthosedays！
youthwasabouquet；everyyoungmanterminatedinabranchoflilacsoratuftofroses；whetherhewasashepherdorawarrior；
andif，bychance，onewasacaptainofdragoons，onefoundmeanstocalloneselfFlorian。Peoplethoughtmuchoflookingwell。
Theyembroideredandtintedthemselves。Abourgeoishadtheairofaflower，aMarquishadtheairofapreciousstone。Peoplehadnostrapstotheirboots，theyhadnoboots。Theywerespruce，shining，waved，lustrous，fluttering，dainty，coquettish，whichdidnotatallpreventtheirwearingswordsbytheirsides。Thehumming—birdhasbeakandclaws。ThatwasthedayoftheGallandIndies。Oneofthesidesofthatcenturywasdelicate，theotherwasmagnificent；
andbythegreencabbages！peopleamusedthemselves。To—day，peopleareserious。Thebourgeoisisavaricious，thebourgeoiseisaprude；
yourcenturyisunfortunate。PeoplewoulddriveawaytheGracesasbeingtoolowintheneck。Alas！beautyisconcealedasthoughitwereugliness。Sincetherevolution，everything，includingtheballet—dancers，hashaditstrousers；amountebankdancermustbegrave；
yourrigadoonsaredoctrinarian。Itisnecessarytobemajestic。
Peoplewouldbegreatlyannoyediftheydidnotcarrytheirchinsintheircravats。Theidealofanurchinoftwentywhenhemarries，istoresembleM。Royer—Collard。Anddoyouknowwhatonearrivesatwiththatmajesty？atbeingpetty。Learnthis:
joyisnotonlyjoyous；itisgreat。Butbeinlovegaylythen，whatthedeuce！marry，whenyoumarry，withfeverandgiddiness，andtumult，andtheuproarofhappiness！Begraveinchurch，wellandgood。But，assoonasthemassisfinished，sarpejou！youmustmakeadreamwhirlaroundthebride。Amarriageshouldberoyalandchimerical；itshouldpromenadeitsceremonyfromthecathedralofRheimstothepagodaofChanteloup。Ihaveahorrorofapaltrywedding。Ventregoulette！beinOlympusforthatoneday，atleast。Beoneofthegods。Ah！peoplemightbesylphs。
GamesandLaughter，argiraspides；theyarestupids。Myfriends，everyrecentlymadebridegroomoughttobePrinceAldobrandini。
Profitbythatuniqueminuteinlifetosoarawaytotheempyreanwiththeswansandtheeagles，evenifyoudohavetofallbackonthemorrowintothebourgeoisieofthefrogs。Don’teconomizeonthenuptials，donotprunethemoftheirsplendors；don’tscrimponthedaywhenyoubeam。Theweddingisnotthehousekeeping。
Oh！ifIweretocarryoutmyfancy，itwouldbegallant，violinswouldbeheardunderthetrees。Hereismyprogramme:sky—blueandsilver。
Iwouldminglewiththefestivaltheruraldivinities，IwouldconvoketheDryadsandtheNereids。ThenuptialsofAmphitrite，arosycloud，nymphswithwelldressedlocksandentirelynaked，anAcademicianofferingquatrainstothegoddess，achariotdrawnbymarinemonsters。
"Tritontrottaitdevant，ettiraitdesaconqueDessonssiravissantsqu’ilravissaitquiconque！"[65]
——there’safestiveprogramme，there’sagoodone，orelseIknownothingofsuchmatters，deucetakeit！"
[65]"Tritontrottedonbefore，anddrewfromhisconch—shellsoundssoravishingthathedelightedeveryone！"
Whilethegrandfather，infulllyricaleffusion，waslisteningtohimself，CosetteandMariusgrewintoxicatedastheygazedfreelyateachother。
AuntGillenormandsurveyedallthiswithherimperturbableplacidity。
Withinthelastfiveorsixmonthsshehadexperiencedacertainamountofemotions。Mariusreturned，Mariusbroughtbackbleeding，Mariusbroughtbackfromabarricade，Mariusdead，thenliving，Mariusreconciled，Mariusbetrothed，Mariusweddingapoorgirl，Mariusweddingamillionairess。Thesixhundredthousandfrancshadbeenherlastsurprise。Then，herindifferenceofagirltakingherfirstcommunionreturnedtoher。Shewentregularlytoservice，toldherbeads，readhereuchology，mumbledAvesinonecornerofthehouse，whileIloveyouwasbeingwhisperedintheother，andshebeheldMariusandCosetteinavagueway，liketwoshadows。
Theshadowwasherself。
Thereisacertainstateofinertasceticisminwhichthesoul，neutralizedbytorpor，astrangertothatwhichmaybedesignatedasthebusinessofliving，receivesnoimpressions，eitherhuman，orpleasantorpainful，withtheexceptionofearthquakesandcatastrophes。
Thisdevotion，asFatherGillenormandsaidtohisdaughter，correspondstoacoldinthehead。Yousmellnothingoflife。
Neitheranybad，noranygoododor。
Moreover，thesixhundredthousandfrancshadsettledtheelderlyspinster’sindecision。Herfatherhadacquiredthehabitoftakinghersolittleintoaccount，thathehadnotconsultedherinthematterofconsenttoMarius’marriage。Hehadactedimpetuously，accordingtohiswont，having，adespot—turnedslave，butasinglethought，——tosatisfyMarius。Asfortheaunt，——ithadnotevenoccurredtohimthattheauntexisted，andthatshecouldhaveanopinionofherown，and，sheepasshewas，thishadvexedher。
Somewhatresentfulinherinmostsoul，butimpassibleexternally，shehadsaidtoherself:"Myfatherhassettledthequestionofthemarriagewithoutreferencetome；Ishallsettlethequestionoftheinheritancewithoutconsultinghim。"Shewasrich，infact，andherfatherwasnot。Shehadreservedherdecisiononthispoint。
Itisprobablethat，hadthematchbeenapoorone，shewouldhavelefthimpoor。"Somuchtheworseformynephew！heisweddingabeggar，lethimbeabeggarhimself！"ButCosette’shalf—millionpleasedtheaunt，andalteredherinwardsituationsofarasthispairofloverswereconcerned。Oneowessomeconsiderationtosixhundredthousandfrancs，anditwasevidentthatshecouldnotdootherwisethanleaveherfortunetotheseyoungpeople，sincetheydidnotneedit。
Itwasarrangedthatthecoupleshouldlivewiththegrandfather——
M。Gillenormandinsistedonresigningtothemhischamber，thefinestinthehouse。"Thatwillmakemeyoungagain，"hesaid。
"It’sanoldplanofmine。Ihavealwaysentertainedtheideaofhavingaweddinginmychamber。"
Hefurnishedthischamberwithamultitudeofeleganttrifles。
Hehadtheceilingandwallshungwithanextraordinarystuff，whichhehadbyhiminthepiece，andwhichhebelievedtohaveemanatedfromUtrechtwithabuttercup—coloredsatinground，coveredwithvelvetauriculablossoms。——"Itwaswiththatstuff，"saidhe，"thatthebedoftheDuchessed’AnvilleatlaRoche—Guyonwasdraped。"——
Onthechimney—piece，hesetalittlefigureinSaxeporcelain，carryingamuffagainsthernudestomach。
M。Gillenormand’slibrarybecamethelawyer’sstudy，whichMariusneeded；
astudy，itwillberemembered，beingrequiredbythecounciloftheorder。
CHAPTERVII
THEEFFECTSOFDREAMSMINGLEDWITHHAPPINESS
Theloverssaweachothereveryday。CosettecamewithM。Fauchelevent。——"Thisisreversingthings，"saidMademoiselleGillenormand，"tohavethebridecometothehousetodothecourtinglikethis。"ButMarius’convalescencehadcausedthehabittobecomeestablished，andthearm—chairsoftheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire，betteradaptedtointerviewsthanthestrawchairsoftheRuedel’HommeArme，hadrootedit。MariusandM。Faucheleventsaweachother，butdidnotaddresseachother。
Itseemedasthoughthishadbeenagreedupon。Everygirlneedsachaperon。CosettecouldnothavecomewithoutM。Fauchelevent。
InMarius’eyes，M。FaucheleventwastheconditionattachedtoCosette。
Heacceptedit。Bydintofdiscussingpoliticalmatters，vaguelyandwithoutprecision，fromthepointofviewofthegeneralameliorationofthefateofallmen，theycametosayalittlemorethan"yes"
and"no。"Once，onthesubjectofeducation，whichMariuswishedtohavefreeandobligatory，multipliedunderallformslavishedoneveryone，liketheairandthesuninaword，respirablefortheentirepopulation，theywereinunison，andtheyalmostconversed。
M。Faucheleventtalkedwell，andevenwithacertainloftinessoflanguage——stillhelackedsomethingindescribable。M。Faucheleventpossessedsomethinglessandalsosomethingmore，thanamanoftheworld。
Marius，inwardly，andinthedepthsofhisthought，surroundedwithallsortsofmutequestionsthisM。Fauchelevent，whowastohimsimplybenevolentandcold。Thereweremomentswhendoubtsastohisownrecollectionsoccurredtohim。Therewasavoidinhismemory，ablackspot，anabyssexcavatedbyfourmonthsofagony。——Manythingshadbeenlosttherein。HehadcometothepointofaskinghimselfwhetheritwerereallyafactthathehadseenM。Fauchelevent，soseriousandsocalmaman，inthebarricade。
Thiswasnot，however，theonlystuporwhichtheapparitionsandthedisappearancesofthepasthadleftinhismind。Itmustnotbesupposedthathewasdeliveredfromallthoseobsessionsofthememorywhichforceus，evenwhenhappy，evenwhensatisfied，toglancesadlybehindus。Theheadwhichdoesnotturnbackwardstowardshorizonsthathavevanishedcontainsneitherthoughtnorlove。Attimes，Mariusclaspedhisfacebetweenhishands，andthevagueandtumultuouspasttraversedthetwilightwhichreignedinhisbrain。AgainhebeheldMabeuffall，heheardGavrochesingingamidthegrape—shot，hefeltbeneathhislipsthecoldbrowofEponine；Enjolras，Courfeyrac，JeanProuvaire，Combeferre，Bossuet，Grantaire，allhisfriendsroseerectbeforehim，thendispersedintothinair。Wereallthosedear，sorrowful，valiant，charmingortragicbeingsmerelydreams？hadtheyactuallyexisted？Therevolthadenvelopedeverythinginitssmoke。
Thesegreatfeverscreategreatdreams。Hequestionedhimself；
hefelthimself；allthesevanishedrealitiesmadehimdizzy。