Funerealsweats。Whatsecretwoundswhichhealonefeltbleed！
　　Whatexcoriationsinhislamentableexistence！Howmanytimeshehadrisenbleeding，bruised，broken，enlightened，despairinhisheart，serenityinhissoul！and，vanquished，hehadfelthimselftheconqueror。And，afterhavingdislocated，broken，andrenthisconsciencewithred—hotpincers，ithadsaidtohim，asitstoodoverhim，formidable，luminous，andtranquil:"Now，goinpeace！"
　　Butonemergingfromsomelancholyaconflict，whatalugubriouspeace，alas！
　　Nevertheless，thatnightJeanValjeanfeltthathewaspassingthroughhisfinalcombat。
　　Aheart—rendingquestionpresenteditself。
　　Predestinationsarenotalldirect；theydonotopenoutinastraightavenuebeforethepredestinedman；theyhaveblindcourts，impassablealleys，obscureturns，disturbingcrossroadsofferingthechoiceofmanyways。JeanValjeanhadhaltedatthatmomentatthemostperilousofthesecrossroads。
　　Hehadcometothesupremecrossingofgoodandevil。Hehadthatgloomyintersectionbeneathhiseyes。Onthisoccasiononcemore，ashadhappenedtohimalreadyinothersadvicissitudes，tworoadsopenedoutbeforehim，theonetempting，theotheralarming。
　　Whichwashetotake？
　　Hewascounselledtotheonewhichalarmedhimbythatmysteriousindexfingerwhichweallperceivewheneverwefixoureyesonthedarkness。
　　Oncemore，JeanValjeanhadthechoicebetweentheterribleportandthesmilingambush。
　　Isitthentrue？thesoulmayrecover；butnotfate。Frightfulthing！
　　anincurabledestiny！
　　Thisistheproblemwhichpresenteditselftohim:
　　InwhatmannerwasJeanValjeantobehaveinrelationtothehappinessofCosetteandMarius？Itwashewhohadwilledthathappiness，itwashewhohadbroughtitabout；hehad，himself，burieditinhisentrails，andatthatmoment，whenhereflectedonit，hewasabletoenjoythesortofsatisfactionwhichanarmorerwouldexperienceonrecognizinghisfactorymarkonaknife，onwithdrawingit，allsmoking，fromhisownbreast。
　　CosettehadMarius，MariuspossessedCosette。Theyhadeverything，evenriches。Andthiswashisdoing。
　　Butwhatwashe，JeanValjean，todowiththishappiness，nowthatitexisted，nowthatitwasthere？Shouldheforcehimselfonthishappiness？Shouldhetreatitasbelongingtohim？
　　Nodoubt，Cosettedidbelongtoanother；butshouldhe，JeanValjean，retainofCosetteallthathecouldretain？Shouldheremainthesortoffather，halfseenbutrespected，whichhehadhithertobeen？
　　Shouldhe，withoutsayingaword，bringhispasttothatfuture？
　　Shouldhepresenthimselfthere，asthoughhehadaright，andshouldheseathimself，veiled，atthatluminousfireside？
　　Shouldhetakethoseinnocenthandsintohistragichands，withasmile？ShouldheplaceuponthepeacefulfenderoftheGillenormanddrawing—roomthosefeetofhis，whichdraggedbehindthemthedisgracefulshadowofthelaw？ShouldheenterintoparticipationinthefairfortunesofCosetteandMarius？
　　Shouldherendertheobscurityonhisbrowandthecloudupontheirsstillmoredense？Shouldheplacehiscatastropheasathirdassociateintheirfelicity？Shouldhecontinuetoholdhispeace？
　　Inaword，shouldhebethesinistermuteofdestinybesidethesetwohappybeings？
　　Wemusthavebecomehabituatedtofatalityandtoencounterswithit，inordertohavethedaringtoraiseoureyeswhencertainquestionsappeartousinalltheirhorriblenakedness。Goodorevilstandsbehindthissevereinterrogationpoint。Whatareyougoingtodo？
　　demandsthesphinx。
　　ThishabitoftrialJeanValjeanpossessed。Hegazedintentlyatthesphinx。
　　Heexaminedthepitilessproblemunderallitsaspects。
　　Cosette，thatcharmingexistence，wastheraftofthisshipwreck。
　　Whatwashetodo？Toclingfasttoit，ortoletgohishold？
　　Ifheclungtoit，heshouldemergefromdisaster，heshouldascendagainintothesunlight，heshouldletthebitterwaterdripfromhisgarmentsandhishair，hewassaved，heshouldlive。
　　Andifheletgohishold？
　　Thentheabyss。
　　Thushetooksadcouncilwithhisthoughts。Or，tospeakmorecorrectly，hefought；hekickedfuriouslyinternally，nowagainsthiswill，nowagainsthisconviction。
　　HappilyforJeanValjeanthathehadbeenabletoweep。
　　Thatrelievedhim，possibly。Butthebeginningwassavage。
　　Atempest，morefuriousthantheonewhichhadformerlydrivenhimtoArras，brokeloosewithinhim。Thepastsurgedupbeforehimfacingthepresent；hecomparedthemandsobbed。Thesilenceoftearsonceopened，thedespairingmanwrithed。
　　Hefeltthathehadbeenstoppedshort。
　　Alas！inthisfighttothedeathbetweenouregotismandourduty，whenwethusretreatstepbystepbeforeourimmutableideal，bewildered，furious，exasperatedathavingtoyield，disputingtheground，hopingforapossibleflight，seekinganescape，whatanabruptandsinisterresistancedoesthefootofthewallofferinourrear！
　　Tofeelthesacredshadowwhichformsanobstacle！
　　Theinvisibleinexorable，whatanobsession！
　　Then，oneisneverdonewithconscience。Makeyourchoice，Brutus；
　　makeyourchoice，Cato。Itisfathomless，sinceitisGod。
　　Oneflingsintothatwellthelaborofone’swholelife，oneflingsinone’sfortune，oneflingsinone’sriches，oneflingsinone’ssuccess，oneflingsinone’slibertyorfatherland，oneflingsinone’swell—being，oneflingsinone’srepose，oneflingsinone’sjoy！
　　More！more！more！Emptythevase！tiptheurn！Onemustfinishbyflinginginone’sheart。
　　Somewhereinthefogoftheancienthells，thereisatunlikethat。
　　Isnotonepardonable，ifoneatlastrefuses！Cantheinexhaustiblehaveanyright？Arenotchainswhichareendlessabovehumanstrength？
　　WhowouldblameSisyphusandJeanValjeanforsaying:"Itisenough！"
　　Theobedienceofmatterislimitedbyfriction；istherenolimittotheobedienceofthesoul？Ifperpetualmotionisimpossible，canperpetualself—sacrificebeexacted？
　　Thefirststepisnothing，itisthelastwhichisdifficult。
　　WhatwastheChampmathieuaffairincomparisonwithCosette’smarriageandofthatwhichitentailed？Whatisare—entranceintothegalleys，comparedtoentranceintothevoid？
　　Oh，firststepthatmustbedescended，howsombreartthou！
　　Oh，secondstep，howblackartthou！
　　Howcouldherefrainfromturningasidehisheadthistime？
　　Martyrdomissublimation，corrosivesublimation。Itisatorturewhichconsecrates。Onecanconsenttoitforthefirsthour；
　　oneseatsoneselfonthethroneofglowingiron，oneplacesonone’sheadthecrownofhotiron，oneacceptstheglobeofredhotiron，onetakesthesceptreofredhotiron，butthemantleofflamestillremainstobedonned，andcomestherenotamomentwhenthemiserablefleshrevoltsandwhenoneabdicatesfromsuffering？
　　Atlength，JeanValjeanenteredintothepeaceofexhaustion。
　　Heweighed，hereflected，heconsideredthealternatives，themysteriousbalanceoflightanddarkness。
　　Shouldheimposehisgalleysonthosetwodazzlingchildren，orshouldheconsummatehisirremediableengulfmentbyhimself？
　　OnonesidelaythesacrificeofCosette，ontheotherthatofhimself。
　　Atwhatsolutionshouldhearrive？Whatdecisiondidhecometo？
　　Whatresolutiondidhetake？Whatwashisowninwarddefinitiveresponsetotheunbribableinterrogatoryoffatality？Whatdoordidhedecidetoopen？Whichsideofhislifedidheresolveuponclosingandcondemning？Amongalltheunfathomableprecipiceswhichsurroundedhim，whichwashischoice？Whatextremitydidheaccept？
　　Towhichofthegulfsdidhenodhishead？
　　Hisdizzyreverylastedallnightlong。
　　Heremainedthereuntildaylight，inthesameattitude，bentdoubleoverthatbed，prostratebeneaththeenormityoffate，crushed，perchance，alas！withclenchedfists，witharmsoutspreadatrightangles，likeamancrucifiedwhohasbeenun—nailed，andflungfacedownontheearth。Thereheremainedfortwelvehours，thetwelvelonghoursofalongwinter’snight，ice—cold，withoutonceraisinghishead，andwithoututteringaword。
　　Hewasasmotionlessasacorpse，whilehisthoughtswallowedontheearthandsoared，nowlikethehydra，nowliketheeagle。
　　Anyonetobeholdhimthusmotionlesswouldhavepronouncedhimdead；
　　allatonceheshudderedconvulsively，andhismouth，gluedtoCosette’sgarments，kissedthem；thenitcouldbeseenthathewasalive。
　　Whocouldsee？SinceJeanValjeanwasalone，andtherewasnoonethere。
　　TheOnewhoisintheshadows。
　　BOOKSEVENTH。——THELASTDRAUGHTFROMTHECUP
　　CHAPTERI
　　THESEVENTHCIRCLEANDTHEEIGHTHHEAVEN
　　Thedaysthatfollowweddingsaresolitary。Peoplerespectthemeditationsofthehappypair。Andalso，theirtardyslumbers，tosomedegree。Thetumultofvisitsandcongratulationsonlybeginslateron。Onthemorningofthe17thofFebruary，itwasalittlepastmiddaywhenBasque，withnapkinandfeather—dusterunderhisarm，busyinsettinghisantechambertorights，heardalighttapatthedoor。Therehadbeennoring，whichwasdiscreetonsuchaday。
　　Basqueopenedthedoor，andbeheldM。Fauchelevent。Heintroducedhimintothedrawing—room，stillencumberedandtopsy—turvy，andwhichboretheairofafieldofbattleafterthejoysoftheprecedingevening。
　　"Dame，sir，"remarkedBasque，"weallwokeuplate。"
　　"Isyourmasterup？"askedJeanValjean。
　　"HowisMonsieur’sarm？"repliedBasque。
　　"Better。Isyourmasterup？"
　　"Whichone？theoldoneorthenewone？"
　　"MonsieurPontmercy。"
　　"MonsieurleBaron，"saidBasque，drawinghimselfup。
　　AmanisaBaronmostofalltohisservants。Hecountsforsomethingwiththem；theyarewhataphilosopherwouldcall，bespatteredwiththetitle，andthatflattersthem。Marius，beitsaidinpassing，amilitantrepublicanashehadproved，wasnowaBaroninspiteofhimself。Asmallrevolutionhadtakenplaceinthefamilyinconnectionwiththistitle。ItwasnowM。Gillenormandwhoclungtoit，andMariuswhodetachedhimselffromit。
　　ButColonelPontmercyhadwritten:"Mysonwillbearmytitle。"
　　Mariusobeyed。Andthen，Cosette，inwhomthewomanwasbeginningtodawn，wasdelightedtobeaBaroness。
　　"MonsieurleBaron？"repeatedBasque。"Iwillgoandsee。
　　IwilltellhimthatM。Faucheleventishere。"
　　"No。DonottellhimthatitisI。Tellhimthatsomeonewishestospeaktohiminprivate，andmentionnoname。"
　　"Ah！"ejaculatedBasque。
　　"Iwishtosurprisehim。"
　　"Ah！"ejaculatedBasqueoncemore，emittinghissecond"ah！"
　　asanexplanationofthefirst。
　　Andhelefttheroom。
　　JeanValjeanremainedalone。
　　Thedrawing—room，aswehavejustsaid，wasingreatdisorder。
　　Itseemedasthough，bylendinganair，onemightstillhearthevaguenoiseofthewedding。Onthepolishedfloorlayallsortsofflowerswhichhadfallenfromgarlandsandhead—dresses。Thewaxcandles，burnedtostumps，addedstalactitesofwaxtothecrystaldropsofthechandeliers。Notasinglepieceoffurniturewasinitsplace。
　　Inthecorners，threeorfourarm—chairs，drawnclosetogetherinacircle，hadtheappearanceofcontinuingaconversation。
　　Thewholeeffectwascheerful。Acertaingracestilllingersroundadeadfeast。Ithasbeenahappything。Onthechairsindisarray，amongthosefadingflowers，beneaththoseextinctlights，peoplehavethoughtofjoy。Thesunhadsucceededtothechandelier，andmadeitswaygaylyintothedrawing—room。
　　Severalminuteselapsed。JeanValjeanstoodmotionlessonthespotwhereBasquehadlefthim。Hewasverypale。Hiseyeswerehollow，andsosunkeninhisheadbysleeplessnessthattheynearlydisappearedintheirorbits。Hisblackcoatborethewearyfoldsofagarmentthathasbeenupallnight。Theelbowswerewhitenedwiththedownwhichthefrictionofclothagainstlinenleavesbehindit。
　　JeanValjeanstaredatthewindowoutlinedonthepolishedfloorathisfeetbythesun。
　　Therecameasoundatthedoor，andheraisedhiseyes。
　　Mariusentered，hisheadwellup，hismouthsmiling，anindescribablelightonhiscountenance，hisbrowexpanded，hiseyestriumphant。
　　Hehadnotslepteither。
　　"Itisyou，father！"heexclaimed，oncatchingsightofJeanValjean；
　　"thatidiotofaBasquehadsuchamysteriousair！Butyouhavecometooearly。Itisonlyhalfpasttwelve。Cosetteisasleep。"
　　Thatword:"Father，"saidtoM。FaucheleventbyMarius，signified:
　　supremefelicity。Therehadalwaysexisted，asthereaderknows，aloftywall，acoldnessandaconstraintbetweenthem；
　　icewhichmustbebrokenormelted。Mariushadreachedthatpointofintoxicationwhenthewallwaslowered，whentheicedissolved，andwhenM。Faucheleventwastohim，astoCosette，afather。
　　Hecontinued:hiswordspouredforth，asisthepeculiarityofdivineparoxysmsofjoy。
　　"HowgladIamtoseeyou！Ifyouonlyknewhowwemissedyouyesterday！
　　Goodmorning，father。Howisyourhand？Better，isitnot？"
　　And，satisfiedwiththefavorablereplywhichhehadmadetohimself，hepursued:
　　"Wehavebothbeentalkingaboutyou。Cosettelovesyousodearly！
　　Youmustnotforgetthatyouhaveachamberhere，WewantnothingmoretodowiththeRuedel’HommeArme。Wewillhavenomoreofitatall。
　　Howcouldyougotoliveinastreetlikethat，whichissickly，whichisdisagreeable，whichisugly，whichhasabarrieratoneend，whereoneiscold，andintowhichonecannotenter？Youaretocomeandinstallyourselfhere。Andthisveryday。OryouwillhavetodealwithCosette。Shemeanstoleadusallbythenose，Iwarnyou。
　　Youhaveyourownchamberhere，itisclosetoours，itopensonthegarden；thetroublewiththeclockhasbeenattendedto，thebedismade，itisallready，youhaveonlytotakepossessionofit。
　　NearyourbedCosettehasplacedahuge，old，easy—chaircoveredwithUtrechtvelvetandshehassaidtoit:`Stretchoutyourarmstohim。’Anightingalecomestotheclumpofacaciasoppositeyourwindows，everyspring。Intwomonthsmoreyouwillhaveit。
　　Youwillhaveitsnestonyourleftandoursonyourright。Bynightitwillsing，andbydayCosettewillprattle。YourchamberfacesdueSouth。Cosettewillarrangeyourbooksforyou，yourVoyagesofCaptainCookandtheother，——Vancouver’sandallyouraffairs。
　　Ibelievethatthereisalittlevalisetowhichyouareattached，Ihavefixeduponacornerofhonorforthat。Youhaveconqueredmygrandfather，yousuithim。Wewilllivetogether。Doyouplaywhist？youwilloverwhelmmygrandfatherwithdelightifyouplaywhist。ItisyouwhoshalltakeCosettetowalkonthedayswhenIamatthecourts，youshallgiveheryourarm，youknow，asyouusedto，intheLuxembourg。Weareabsolutelyresolvedtobehappy。Andyoushallbeincludedinit，inourhappiness，doyouhear，father？Come，willyoubreakfastwithusto—day？"
　　"Sir，"saidJeanValjean，"Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。
　　Iamanex—convict。"
　　Thelimitofshrillsoundsperceptiblecanbeoverleaped，aswellinthecaseofthemindasinthatoftheear。Thesewords:
　　"Iamanex—convict，"proceedingfromthemouthofM。FaucheleventandenteringtheearofMariusovershotthepossible。Itseemedtohimthatsomethinghadjustbeensaidtohim；buthedidnotknowwhat。
　　Hestoodwithhismouthwideopen。
　　Thenheperceivedthatthemanwhowasaddressinghimwasfrightful。
　　Whollyabsorbedinhisowndazzledstate，hehadnot，uptothatmoment，observedtheotherman’sterriblepallor。
　　JeanValjeanuntiedtheblackcravatwhichsupportedhisrightarm，unrolledthelinenfromaroundhishand，baredhisthumbandshowedittoMarius。
　　"Thereisnothingthematterwithmyhand，"saidhe。
　　Mariuslookedatthethumb。
　　"Therehasnotbeenanythingthematterwithit，"wentonJeanValjean。
　　Therewas，infact，notraceofanyinjury。
　　JeanValjeancontinued:
　　"ItwasfittingthatIshouldbeabsentfromyourmarriage。
　　Iabsentedmyselfasmuchaswasinmypower。SoIinventedthisinjuryinorderthatImightnotcommitaforgery，thatImightnotintroduceaflawintothemarriagedocuments，inorderthatI
　　mightescapefromsigning。"
　　Mariusstammered。
　　"Whatisthemeaningofthis？"
　　"Themeaningofitis，"repliedJeanValjean，"thatIhavebeeninthegalleys。"
　　"Youaredrivingmemad！"exclaimedMariusinterror。
　　"MonsieurPontmercy，"saidJeanValjean，"Iwasnineteenyearsinthegalleys。Fortheft。Then，Iwascondemnedforlifefortheft，forasecondoffence。Atthepresentmoment，Ihavebrokenmyban。"
　　InvaindidMariusrecoilbeforethereality，refusethefact，resisttheevidence，hewasforcedtogiveway。Hebegantounderstand，and，asalwayshappensinsuchcases，heunderstoodtoomuch。
　　Aninwardshudderofhideousenlightenmentflashedthroughhim；
　　anideawhichmadehimquivertraversedhismind。Hecaughtaglimpseofawretcheddestinyforhimselfinthefuture。
　　"Sayall，sayall！"hecried。"YouareCosette’sfather！"
　　Andheretreatedacoupleofpaceswithamovementofindescribablehorror。
　　JeanValjeanelevatedhisheadwithsomuchmajestyofattitudethatheseemedtogroweventotheceiling。
　　"Itisnecessarythatyoushouldbelievemehere，sir；althoughouroathtoothersmaynotbereceivedinlaw……"
　　Herehepaused，then，withasortofsovereignandsepulchralauthority，headded，articulatingslowly，andemphasizingthesyllables:
　　"……Youwillbelieveme。IthefatherofCosette！beforeGod，no。
　　MonsieurleBaronPontmercy，IamapeasantofFaverolles。
　　Iearnedmylivingbypruningtrees。MynameisnotFauchelevent，butJeanValjean。IamnotrelatedtoCosette。Reassureyourself。"
　　Mariusstammered:
　　"Whowillprovethattome？"
　　"I。SinceItellyouso。"
　　Mariuslookedattheman。Hewasmelancholyyettranquil。Noliecouldproceedfromsuchacalm。Thatwhichisicyissincere。
　　Thetruthcouldbefeltinthatchillofthetomb。
　　"Ibelieveyou，"saidMarius。
　　JeanValjeanbenthishead，asthoughtakingnoteofthis，andcontinued:
　　"WhatamItoCosette？Apasser—by。Tenyearsago，Ididnotknowthatshewasinexistence。Iloveher，itistrue。Onelovesachildwhomonehasseenwhenveryyoung，beingoldoneself。Whenoneisold，onefeelsoneselfagrandfathertowardsalllittlechildren。
　　Youmay，itseemstome，supposethatIhavesomethingwhichresemblesaheart。Shewasanorphan。Withouteitherfatherormother。
　　Sheneededme。ThatiswhyIbegantoloveher。Childrenaresoweakthatthefirstcomer，evenamanlikeme，canbecometheirprotector。IhavefulfilledthisdutytowardsCosette。
　　Idonotthinkthatsoslightathingcanbecalledagoodaction；
　　butifitbeagoodaction，well，saythatIhavedoneit。
　　Registerthisattenuatingcircumstance。To—day，Cosettepassesoutofmylife；ourtworoadspart。Henceforth，Icandonothingforher。SheisMadamePontmercy。Herprovidencehaschanged。
　　AndCosettegainsbythechange。Alliswell。Asforthesixhundredthousandfrancs，youdonotmentionthemtome，butI
　　forestallyourthought，theyareadeposit。Howdidthatdepositcomeintomyhands？Whatdoesthatmatter？Irestorethedeposit。
　　Nothingmorecanbedemandedofme。Icompletetherestitutionbyannouncingmytruename。Thatconcernsme。IhaveareasonfordesiringthatyoushouldknowwhoIam。"
　　AndJeanValjeanlookedMariusfullintheface。
　　AllthatMariusexperiencedwastumultuousandincoherent。
　　Certaingustsofdestinyproducethesebillowsinoursouls。
　　Wehaveallundergonemomentsoftroubleinwhicheverythingwithinusisdispersed；wesaythefirstthingsthatoccurtous，whicharenotalwayspreciselythosewhichshouldbesaid。
　　Therearesuddenrevelationswhichonecannotbear，andwhichintoxicatelikebalefulwine。Mariuswasstupefiedbythenovelsituationwhichpresenteditselftohim，tothepointofaddressingthatmanalmostlikeapersonwhowasangrywithhimforthisavowal。
　　"Butwhy，"heexclaimed，"doyoutellmeallthis？Whoforcesyoutodoso？Youcouldhavekeptyoursecrettoyourself。
　　Youareneitherdenounced，nortrackednorpursued。Youhaveareasonforwantonlymakingsucharevelation。Conclude。Thereissomethingmore。Inwhatconnectiondoyoumakethisconfession？
　　Whatisyourmotive？"
　　"Mymotive？"repliedJeanValjeaninavoicesolowanddullthatonewouldhavesaidthathewastalkingtohimselfratherthantoMarius。
　　"Fromwhatmotive，infact，hasthisconvictjustsaid`Iamaconvict’？Well，yes！themotiveisstrange。Itisoutofhonesty。
　　Stay，theunfortunatepointisthatIhaveathreadinmyheart，whichkeepsmefast。Itiswhenoneisoldthatthatsortofthreadisparticularlysolid。Alllifefallsinruinaroundone；
　　oneresists。HadIbeenabletotearoutthatthread，tobreakit，toundotheknotortocutit，togofaraway，Ishouldhavebeensafe。
　　Ihadonlytogoaway；therearediligencesintheRueBouloy；
　　youarehappy；Iamgoing。Ihavetriedtobreakthatthread，Ihavejerkedatit，itwouldnotbreak，Itoremyheartwithit。
　　ThenIsaid:`Icannotliveanywhereelsethanhere。’Imuststay。
　　Well，yes，youareright，Iamafool，whynotsimplyremainhere？
　　Youoffermeachamberinthishouse，MadamePontmercyissincerelyattachedtome，shesaidtothearm—chair:`Stretchoutyourarmstohim，’yourgrandfatherdemandsnothingbetterthantohaveme，Isuithim，weshalllivetogether，andtakeourmealsincommon，IshallgiveCosettemyarm……MadamePontmercy，excuseme，itisahabit，weshallhavebutoneroof，onetable，onefire，thesamechimney—cornerinwinter，thesamepromenadeinsummer，thatisjoy，thatishappiness，thatiseverything。Weshallliveasonefamily。
　　Onefamily！"
　　Atthatword，JeanValjeanbecamewild。Hefoldedhisarms，glaredatthefloorbeneathhisfeetasthoughhewouldhaveexcavatedanabysstherein，andhisvoicesuddenlyroseinthunderingtones:
　　"Asonefamily！No。Ibelongtonofamily。Idonotbelongtoyours。
　　Idonotbelongtoanyfamilyofmen。Inhouseswherepeopleareamongthemselves，Iamsuperfluous。Therearefamilies，butthereisnothingofthesortforme。Iamanunluckywretch；
　　Iamleftoutside。DidIhaveafatherandmother？Ialmostdoubtit。
　　OnthedaywhenIgavethatchildinmarriage，allcametoanend。
　　Ihaveseenherhappy，andthatsheiswithamanwhomsheloves，andthatthereexistshereakindoldman，ahouseholdoftwoangels，andalljoysinthathouse，andthatitwaswell，Isaidtomyself:
　　`Enterthounot。’Icouldhavelied，itistrue，havedeceivedyouall，andremainedMonsieurFauchelevent。Solongasitwasforher，Icouldlie；butnowitwouldbeformyself，andImustnot。Itwassufficientformetoholdmypeace，itistrue，andallwouldgoon。
　　Youaskmewhathasforcedmetospeak？averyoddthing；myconscience。
　　Toholdmypeacewasveryeasy，however。Ipassedthenightintryingtopersuademyselftoit；youquestionedme，andwhatIhavejustsaidtoyouissoextraordinarythatyouhavetherighttodoit；
　　well，yes，Ihavepassedthenightinallegingreasonstomyself，andIgavemyselfverygoodreasons，IhavedonewhatIcould。
　　ButtherearetwothingsinwhichIhavenotsucceeded；inbreakingthethreadthatholdsmefixed，rivetedandsealedherebytheheart，orinsilencingsomeonewhospeakssoftlytomewhenIamalone。
　　ThatiswhyIhavecomehithertotellyoueverythingthismorning。
　　Everythingornearlyeverything。Itisuselesstotellyouthatwhichconcernsonlymyself；Ikeepthattomyself。Youknowtheessentialpoints。SoIhavetakenmymysteryandhavebroughtittoyou。AndIhavedisembowelledmysecretbeforeyoureyes。
　　Itwasnotaresolutionthatwaseasytotake。Istruggledallnightlong。Ah！youthinkthatIdidnottellmyselfthatthiswasnoChampmathieuaffair，thatbyconcealingmynameIwasdoingnooneanyinjury，thatthenameofFaucheleventhadbeengiventomebyFaucheleventhimself，outofgratitudeforaservicerenderedtohim，andthatImightassuredlykeepit，andthatI
　　shouldbehappyinthatchamberwhichyouofferme，thatIshouldnotbeinanyone’sway，thatIshouldbeinmyownlittlecorner，andthat，whileyouwouldhaveCosette，IshouldhavetheideathatI
　　wasinthesamehousewithher。Eachoneofuswouldhavehadhisshareofhappiness。IfIcontinuedtobeMonsieurFauchelevent，thatwouldarrangeeverything。Yes，withtheexceptionofmysoul。
　　Therewasjoyeverywhereuponmysurface，butthebottomofmysoulremainedblack。Itisnotenoughtobehappy，onemustbecontent。
　　ThusIshouldhaveremainedMonsieurFauchelevent，thusIshouldhaveconcealedmytruevisage，thus，inthepresenceofyourexpansion，Ishouldhavehadanenigma，thus，inthemidstofyourfullnoonday，Ishouldhavehadshadows，thus，withoutcrying`’ware，’Ishouldhavesimplyintroducedthegalleystoyourfireside，IshouldhavetakenmyseatatyourtablewiththethoughtthatifyouknewwhoIwas，youwoulddrivemefromit，Ishouldhaveallowedmyselftobeservedbydomesticswho，hadtheyknown，wouldhavesaid:
　　`Howhorrible！’Ishouldhavetouchedyouwithmyelbow，whichyouhavearighttodislike，Ishouldhavefilchedyourclaspsofthehand！Therewouldhaveexistedinyourhouseadivisionofrespectbetweenvenerablewhitelocksandtaintedwhitelocks；
　　atyourmostintimatehours，whenallheartsthoughtthemselvesopentotheverybottomtoalltherest，whenwefourweretogether，yourgrandfather，youtwoandmyself，astrangerwouldhavebeenpresent！
　　Ishouldhavebeensidebysidewithyouinyourexistence，havingformyonlycarenottodisarrangethecoverofmydreadfulpit。
　　Thus，I，adeadman，shouldhavethrustmyselfuponyouwhoarelivingbeings。Ishouldhavecondemnedhertomyselfforever。
　　YouandCosetteandIwouldhavehadallthreeofourheadsinthegreencap！Doesitnotmakeyoushudder？Iamonlythemostcrushedofmen；Ishouldhavebeenthemostmonstrousofmen。
　　AndIshouldhavecommittedthatcrimeeveryday！AndIshouldhavehadthatfaceofnightuponmyvisageeveryday！everyday！
　　AndIshouldhavecommunicatedtoyouashareinmytainteveryday！everyday！toyou，mydearlybeloved，mychildren，toyou，myinnocentcreatures！Isitnothingtoholdone’speace？isitasimplemattertokeepsilence？No，itisnotsimple。Thereisasilencewhichlies。Andmylie，andmyfraudandmyindignity，andmycowardiceandmytreasonandmycrime，Ishouldhavedraineddropbydrop，Ishouldhavespititout，thenswalloweditagain，Ishouldhavefinishedatmidnightandhavebegunagainatmidday，andmy`goodmorning’wouldhavelied，andmy`goodnight’
　　wouldhavelied，andIshouldhavesleptonit，Ishouldhaveeatenit，withmybread，andIshouldhavelookedCosetteintheface，andIshouldhaverespondedtothesmileoftheangelbythesmileofthedamnedsoul，andIshouldhavebeenanabominablevillain！
　　WhyshouldIdoit？inordertobehappy。Inordertobehappy。
　　HaveItherighttobehappy？Istandoutsideoflife，Sir。"
　　JeanValjeanpaused。Mariuslistened。Suchchainsofideasandofanguishescannotbeinterrupted。JeanValjeanloweredhisvoiceoncemore，butitwasnolongeradullvoice——itwasasinistervoice。
　　"YouaskwhyIspeak？Iamneitherdenounced，norpursued，nortracked，yousay。Yes！Iamdenounced！yes！Iamtracked！Bywhom？
　　Bymyself。ItisIwhobarthepassagetomyself，andIdragmyself，andIpushmyself，andIarrestmyself，andIexecutemyself，andwhenoneholdsoneself，oneisfirmlyheld。"
　　And，seizingahandfulofhisowncoatbythenapeoftheneckandextendingittowardsMarius:
　　"Doyouseethatfist？"hecontinued。"Don’tyouthinkthatitholdsthatcollarinsuchawiseasnottoreleaseit？
　　Well！conscienceisanothergrasp！Ifonedesirestobehappy，sir，onemustneverunderstandduty；for，assoonasonehascomprehendedit，itisimplacable。Onewouldsaythatitpunishedyouforcomprehendingit；butno，itrewardsyou；foritplacesyouinahell，whereyoufeelGodbesideyou。Onehasnosoonerlaceratedhisownentrailsthanheisatpeacewithhimself。"
　　And，withapoignantaccent，headded:
　　"MonsieurPontmercy，thisisnotcommonsense，Iamanhonestman。
　　ItisbydegradingmyselfinyoureyesthatIelevatemyselfinmyown。
　　Thishashappenedtomeoncebefore，butitwaslesspainfulthen；
　　itwasamerenothing。Yes，anhonestman。Ishouldnotbesoif，throughmyfault，youhadcontinuedtoesteemme；nowthatyoudespiseme，Iamso。Ihavethatfatalityhangingovermethat，notbeingabletoeverhaveanythingbutstolenconsideration，thatconsiderationhumiliatesme，andcrushesmeinwardly，and，inorderthatImayrespectmyself，itisnecessarythatIshouldbedespised。ThenIstraightenupagain。Iamagalley—slavewhoobeyshisconscience。Iknowwellthatthatismostimprobable。
　　Butwhatwouldyouhavemedoaboutit？itisthefact。Ihaveenteredintoengagementswithmyself；Ikeepthem。Thereareencounterswhichbindus，therearechanceswhichinvolveusinduties。
　　Yousee，MonsieurPontmercy，variousthingshavehappenedtomeinthecourseofmylife。"
　　AgainJeanValjeanpaused，swallowinghissalivawithaneffort，asthoughhiswordshadabitterafter—taste，andthenhewenton:
　　"Whenonehassuchahorrorhangingoverone，onehasnottherighttomakeothersshareitwithouttheirknowledge，onehasnottherighttomakethemslipoverone’sownprecipicewithouttheirperceivingit，onehasnottherighttoletone’sredblousedraguponthem，onehasnorighttoslylyencumberwithone’smiserythehappinessofothers。Itishideoustoapproachthosewhoarehealthy，andtotouchtheminthedarkwithone’sulcer。InspiteofthefactthatFaucheleventlentmehisname，Ihavenorighttouseit；
　　hecouldgiveittome，butIcouldnottakeit。Anameisan_I_。
　　Yousee，sir，thatIhavethoughtsomewhat，Ihavereadalittle，althoughIamapeasant；andyouseethatIexpressmyselfproperly。
　　Iunderstandthings。Ihaveprocuredmyselfaneducation。Well，yes，toabstractanameandtoplaceoneselfunderitisdishonest。
　　Lettersofthealphabetcanbefilched，likeapurseorawatch。
　　Tobeafalsesignatureinfleshandblood，tobealivingfalsekey，toenterthehouseofhonestpeoplebypickingtheirlock，nevermoretolookstraightforward，toforevereyeaskance，tobeinfamouswithinthe_I_，no！no！no！no！no！Itisbettertosuffer，tobleed，toweep，totearone’sskinfromthefleshwithone’snails，topassnightswrithinginanguish，todevouroneselfbodyandsoul。ThatiswhyIhavejusttoldyouallthis。
　　Wantonly，asyousay。"
　　Hedrewapainfulbreath，andhurledthisfinalword:
　　"Indaysgoneby，Istolealoafofbreadinordertolive；
　　to—day，inordertolive，Iwillnotstealaname。"
　　"Tolive！"interruptedMarius。"Youdonotneedthatnameinordertolive？"
　　"Ah！Iunderstandthematter，"saidJeanValjean，raisingandloweringhisheadseveraltimesinsuccession。
　　Asilenceensued。Bothheldtheirpeace，eachplungedinagulfofthoughts。Mariuswassittingnearatableandrestingthecornerofhismouthononeofhisfingers，whichwasfoldedback。
　　JeanValjeanwaspacingtoandfro。Hepausedbeforeamirror，andremainedmotionless。Then，asthoughreplyingtosomeinwardcourseofreasoning，hesaid，ashegazedatthemirror，whichhedidnotsee:
　　"While，atpresent，Iamrelieved。"
　　Hetookuphismarchagain，andwalkedtotheotherendofthedrawing—room。Atthemomentwhenheturnedround，heperceivedthatMariuswaswatchinghiswalk。Thenhesaid，withaninexpressibleintonation:
　　"Idragmylegalittle。Nowyouunderstandwhy！"
　　ThenheturnedfullyroundtowardsMarius:
　　"Andnow，sir，imaginethis:Ihavesaidnothing，IhaveremainedMonsieurFauchelevent，Ihavetakenmyplaceinyourhouse，Iamoneofyou，Iaminmychamber，Icometobreakfastinthemorninginslippers，intheeveningallthreeofusgototheplay，IaccompanyMadamePontmercytotheTuileries，andtothePlaceRoyale，wearetogether，youthinkmeyourequal；onefinedayyouarethere，andIamthere，weareconversing，wearelaughing；allatonce，youhearavoiceshoutingthisname:`JeanValjean！’andbehold，thatterriblehand，thepolice，dartsfromthedarkness，andabruptlytearsoffmymask！"
　　Againhepaused；Mariushadsprungtohisfeetwithashudder。
　　JeanValjeanresumed:
　　"Whatdoyousaytothat？"
　　Marius’silenceansweredforhim。
　　JeanValjeancontinued:
　　"YouseethatIamrightinnotholdingmypeace。Behappy，beinheaven，betheangelofanangel，existinthesun，becontenttherewith，anddonottroubleyourselfaboutthemeanswhichapoordamnedwretchtakestoopenhisbreastandforcehisdutytocomeforth；
　　youhavebeforeyou，sir，awretchedman。"
　　Mariusslowlycrossedtheroom，and，whenhewasquiteclosetoJeanValjean，heofferedthelatterhishand。
　　ButMariuswasobligedtostepupandtakethathandwhichwasnotoffered，JeanValjeanlethimhavehisownway，anditseemedtoMariusthathepressedahandofmarble。
　　"Mygrandfatherhasfriends，"saidMarius；"Iwillprocureyourpardon。"
　　"Itisuseless，"repliedJeanValjean。"Iambelievedtobedead，andthatsuffices。Thedeadarenotsubjectedtosurveillance。
　　Theyaresupposedtorotinpeace。Deathisthesamethingaspardon。"
　　And，disengagingthehandwhichMariusheld，headded，withasortofinexorabledignity:
　　"Moreover，thefriendtowhomIhaverecourseisthedoingofmyduty；
　　andIneedbutonepardon，thatofmyconscience。"
　　Atthatmoment，adoorattheotherendofthedrawing—roomopenedgentlyhalfway，andintheopeningCosette’sheadappeared。
　　Theysawonlyhersweetface，herhairwasincharmingdisorder，hereyelidswerestillswollenwithsleep。Shemadethemovementofabird，whichthrustsitsheadoutofitsnest，glancedfirstatherhusband，thenatJeanValjean，andcriedtothemwithasmile，sothattheyseemedtobeholdasmileattheheartofarose:
　　"Iwillwagerthatyouaretalkingpolitics。Howstupidthatis，insteadofbeingwithme！"
　　JeanValjeanshuddered。
　　"Cosette！……"stammeredMarius。
　　Andhepaused。Onewouldhavesaidthattheyweretwocriminals。
　　Cosette，whowasradiant，continuedtogazeatbothofthem。
　　Therewassomethinginhereyeslikegleamsofparadise。
　　"Ihavecaughtyouintheveryact，"saidCosette。"Justnow，IheardmyfatherFaucheleventthroughthedoorsaying:`Conscience……doingmyduty……’Thatispolitics，indeeditis。Iwillnothaveit。Peopleshouldnottalkpoliticstheverynextday。
　　Itisnotright。"
　　"Youaremistaken。Cosette，"saidMarius，"wearetalkingbusiness。
　　Wearediscussingthebestinvestmentofyoursixhundredthousandfrancs……"
　　"Thatisnotitatall"interruptedCosette。"Iamcoming。
　　Doesanybodywantmehere？"
　　And，passingresolutelythroughthedoor，sheenteredthedrawing—room。
　　Shewasdressedinavoluminouswhitedressing—gown，withathousandfoldsandlargesleeveswhich，startingfromtheneck，felltoherfeet。Inthegoldenheavensofsomeancientgothicpictures，therearethesecharmingsacksfittoclothetheangels。
　　Shecontemplatedherselffromheadtofootinalongmirror，thenexclaimed，inanoutburstofineffableecstasy:
　　"TherewasonceaKingandaQueen。Oh！howhappyIam！"
　　Thatsaid，shemadeacurtseytoMariusandtoJeanValjean。
　　"There，"saidshe，"Iamgoingtoinstallmyselfnearyouinaneasy—chair，webreakfastinhalfanhour，youshallsayanythingyoulike，Iknowwellthatmenmusttalk，andIwillbeverygood。"
　　Mariustookherbythearmandsaidlovinglytoher:
　　"Wearetalkingbusiness。"
　　"Bytheway，"saidCosette，"Ihaveopenedmywindow，aflockofpierrotshasarrivedinthegarden，——Birds，notmaskers。
　　To—dayisAsh—Wednesday；butnotforthebirds。"
　　"Itellyouthatwearetalkingbusiness，go，mylittleCosette，leaveusaloneforamoment。Wearetalkingfigures。Thatwillboreyou。"
　　"Youhaveacharmingcravatonthismorning，Marius。Youareverydandified，monseigneur。No，itwillnotboreme。"
　　"Iassureyouthatitwillboreyou。"
　　"No。Sinceitisyou。Ishallnotunderstandyou，butIshalllistentoyou。Whenonehearsthevoicesofthosewhomoneloves，onedoesnotneedtounderstandthewordsthattheyutter。
　　Thatweshouldbeheretogether——thatisallthatIdesire。
　　Ishallremainwithyou，bah！"
　　"YouaremybelovedCosette！Impossible。"
　　"Impossible！"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Verygood，"saidCosette。"Iwasgoingtotellyousomenews。
　　Icouldhavetoldyouthatyourgrandfatherisstillasleep，thatyourauntisatmass，thatthechimneyinmyfatherFauchelevent’sroomsmokes，thatNicolettehassentforthechimney—sweep，thatToussaintandNicolettehavealreadyquarrelled，thatNicolettemakessportofToussaint’sstammer。Well，youshallknownothing。
　　Ah！itisimpossible？youshallsee，gentlemen，thatI，inmyturn，cansay:Itisimpossible。Thenwhowillbecaught？Ibeseechyou，mylittleMarius，letmestayherewithyoutwo。"
　　"Isweartoyou，thatitisindispensablethatweshouldbealone。"
　　"Well，amIanybody？"
　　JeanValjeanhadnotutteredasingleword。Cosetteturnedtohim:
　　"Inthefirstplace，father，Iwantyoutocomeandembraceme。
　　Whatdoyoumeanbynotsayinganythinginsteadoftakingmypart？whogavemesuchafatherasthat？Youmustperceivethatmyfamilylifeisveryunhappy。Myhusbandbeatsme。Come，embracemeinstantly。"
　　JeanValjeanapproached。
　　CosetteturnedtowardMarius。
　　"Asforyou，Ishallmakeafaceatyou。"
　　ThenshepresentedherbrowtoJeanValjean。
　　JeanValjeanadvancedasteptowardher。
　　Cosetterecoiled。
　　"Father，youarepale。Doesyourarmhurtyou？"
　　"Itiswell，"saidJeanValjean。
　　"Didyousleepbadly？"
　　"No。"
　　"Areyousad？"
　　"No。"
　　"Embracemeifyouarewell，ifyousleepwell，ifyouarecontent，Iwillnotscoldyou。"
　　Andagainsheofferedhimherbrow。
　　JeanValjeandroppedakissuponthatbrowwhereonrestedacelestialgleam。
　　"Smile。"
　　JeanValjeanobeyed。Itwasthesmileofaspectre。
　　"Now，defendmeagainstmyhusband。"
　　"Cosette！……"ejaculatedMarius。
　　"Getangry，father。SaythatImuststay。Youcancertainlytalkbeforeme。Soyouthinkmeverysilly。Whatyousayisastonishing！business，placingmoneyinabankagreatmattertruly。
　　Menmakemysteriesoutofnothing。Iamveryprettythismorning。
　　Lookatme，Marius。"
　　Andwithanadorableshrugoftheshoulders，andanindescribablyexquisitepout，sheglancedatMarius。
　　"Iloveyou！"saidMarius。
　　"Iadoreyou！"saidCosette。
　　Andtheyfellirresistiblyintoeachother’sarms。
　　"Now，"saidCosette，adjustingafoldofherdressing—gown，withatriumphantlittlegrimace，"Ishallstay。"
　　"No，notthat，"saidMarius，inasupplicatingtone。"Wehavetofinishsomething。"
　　"Stillno？"
　　Mariusassumedagravetone:
　　"Iassureyou，Cosette，thatitisimpossible。"
　　"Ah！youputonyourman’svoice，sir。Thatiswell，Igo。
　　You，father，havenotupheldme。Monsieurmyfather，monsieurmyhusband，youaretyrants。Ishallgoandtellgrandpapa。
　　IfyouthinkthatIamgoingtoreturnandtalkplatitudestoyou，youaremistaken。Iamproud。Ishallwaitforyounow。
　　Youshallsee，thatitisyouwhoaregoingtobeboredwithoutme。
　　Iamgoing，itiswell。"
　　Andshelefttheroom。
　　Twosecondslater，thedooropenedoncemore，herfreshandrosyheadwasagainthrustbetweenthetwoleaves，andshecriedtothem:
　　"Iamveryangryindeed。"
　　Thedoorclosedagain，andtheshadowsdescendedoncemore。
　　Itwasasthougharayofsunlightshouldhavesuddenlytraversedthenight，withoutitselfbeingconsciousofit。
　　Mariusmadesurethatthedoorwassecurelyclosed。
　　"PoorCosette！"hemurmured，"whenshefindsout……"
　　AtthatwordJeanValjeantrembledineverylimb。HefixedonMariusabewilderedeye。
　　"Cosette！ohyes，itistrue，youaregoingtotellCosetteaboutthis。
　　Thatisright。Stay，Ihadnotthoughtofthat。Onehasthestrengthforonething，butnotforanother。Sir，Iconjureyou，Ientreatnow，sir，givemeyourmostsacredwordofhonor，thatyouwillnottellher。Isitnotenoughthatyoushouldknowit？
　　Ihavebeenabletosayitmyselfwithoutbeingforcedtoit，Icouldhavetoldittotheuniverse，tothewholeworld，——itwasallonetome。Butshe，shedoesnotknowwhatitis，itwouldterrifyher。What，aconvict！weshouldbeobligedtoexplainmatterstoher，tosaytoher:`Heisamanwhohasbeeninthegalleys。’
　　Shesawthechain—gangpassbyoneday。Oh！MyGod！"……Hedroppedintoanarm—chairandhidhisfaceinhishands。
　　Hisgriefwasnotaudible，butfromthequiveringofhisshouldersitwasevidentthathewasweeping。Silenttears，terribletears。
　　Thereissomethingofsuffocationinthesob。Hewasseizedwithasortofconvulsion，hethrewhimselfagainstthebackofthechairasthoughtogainbreath，lettinghisarmsfall，andallowingMariustoseehisfaceinundatedwithtears，andMariusheardhimmurmur，solowthathisvoiceseemedtoissuefromfathomlessdepths:
　　"Oh！wouldthatIcoulddie！"
　　"Beatyourease，"saidMarius，"Iwillkeepyoursecretformyselfalone。"xAnd，lesstouched，perhaps，thanheoughttohavebeen，butforced，forthelasthour，tofamiliarizehimselfwithsomethingasunexpectedasitwasdreadful，graduallybeholdingtheconvictsuperposedbeforehisveryeyes，uponM。Fauchelevent，overcome，littlebylittle，bythatlugubriousreality，andled，bythenaturalinclinationofthesituation，torecognizethespacewhichhadjustbeenplacedbetweenthatmanandhimself，Mariusadded:
　　"ItisimpossiblethatIshouldnotspeakawordtoyouwithregardtothedepositwhichyouhavesofaithfullyandhonestlyremitted。
　　Thatisanactofprobity。Itisjustthatsomerecompenseshouldbebestowedonyou。Fixthesumyourself，itshallbecountedouttoyou。
　　Donotfeartosetitveryhigh。"
　　"Ithankyou，sir，"repliedJeanValjean，gently。
　　Heremainedinthoughtforamoment，mechanicallypassingthetipofhisfore—fingeracrosshisthumb—nail，thenhelifteduphisvoice:
　　"Allisnearlyover。Butonelastthingremainsforme……"
　　"Whatisit？"
　　JeanValjeanstruggledwithwhatseemedalasthesitation，and，withoutvoice，withoutbreath，hestammeredratherthansaid:
　　"Nowthatyouknow，doyouthink，sir，you，whoarethemaster，thatIoughtnottoseeCosetteanymore？"
　　"Ithinkthatwouldbebetter，"repliedMariuscoldly。
　　"Ishallneverseehermore，"murmuredJeanValjean。Andhedirectedhisstepstowardsthedoor。
　　Helaidhishandontheknob，thelatchyielded，thedooropened。
　　JeanValjeanpusheditopenfarenoughtopassthrough，stoodmotionlessforasecond，thenclosedthedooragainandturnedtoMarius。
　　Hewasnolongerpale，hewaslivid。Therewerenolongeranytearsinhiseyes，butonlyasortoftragicflame。Hisvoicehadregainedastrangecomposure。
　　"Stay，sir，"hesaid。"Ifyouwillallowit，Iwillcometoseeher。
　　IassureyouthatIdesireitgreatly。IfIhadnotcaredtoseeCosette，IshouldnothavemadetoyoutheconfessionthatI
　　havemade，Ishouldhavegoneaway；but，asIdesiredtoremainintheplacewhereCosetteis，andtocontinuetoseeher，Ihadtotellyouaboutithonestly。Youfollowmyreasoning，doyounot？itisamattereasilyunderstood。Yousee，Ihavehadherwithmeformorethannineyears。Welivedfirstinthathutontheboulevard，thenintheconvent，thenneartheLuxembourg。
　　Thatwaswhereyousawherforthefirsttime。Yourememberherblueplushhat。ThenwewenttotheQuartierdesInvalides，wheretherewasarailingonagarden，theRuePlumet。Ilivedinalittlebackcourt—yard，whenceIcouldhearherpiano。
　　Thatwasmylife。Weneverlefteachother。Thatlastedfornineyearsandsomemonths。Iwaslikeherownfather，andshewasmychild。Idonotknowwhetheryouunderstand，MonsieurPontmercy，buttogoawaynow，nevertoseeheragain，nevertospeaktoheragain，tonolongerhaveanything，wouldbehard。Ifyoudonotdisapproveofit，IwillcometoseeCosettefromtimetotime。
　　Iwillnotcomeoften。Iwillnotremainlong。YoushallgiveordersthatIamtobereceivedinthelittlewaiting—room。Onthegroundfloor。Icouldenterperfectlywellbythebackdoor，butthatmightcreatesurpriseperhaps，anditwouldbebetter，Ithink，formetoenterbytheusualdoor。Truly，sir，IshouldliketoseealittlemoreofCosette。Asrarelyasyouplease。
　　Putyourselfinmyplace，Ihavenothingleftbutthat。Andthen，wemustbecautious。IfInolongercomeatall，itwouldproduceabadeffect，itwouldbeconsideredsingular。WhatIcando，bytheway，istocomeintheafternoon，whennightisbeginningtofall。"
　　"Youshallcomeeveryevening，"saidMarius，"andCosettewillbewaitingforyou。"
　　"Youarekind，sir，"saidJeanValjean。
　　MariussalutedJeanValjean，happinessescorteddespairtothedoor，andthesetwomenparted。
　　CHAPTERII
　　THEOBSCURITIESWHICHAREVELATIONCANCONTAIN
　　Mariuswasquiteupset。
　　ThesortofestrangementwhichhehadalwaysfelttowardsthemanbesidewhomhehadseenCosette，wasnowexplainedtohim。
　　Therewassomethingenigmaticaboutthatperson，ofwhichhisinstincthadwarnedhim。
　　Thisenigmawasthemosthideousofdisgraces，thegalleys。
　　ThisM。FaucheleventwastheconvictJeanValjean。
　　Toabruptlyfindsuchasecretinthemidstofone’shappinessresemblesthediscoveryofascorpioninanestofturtledoves。
　　WasthehappinessofMariusandCosettethenceforthcondemnedtosuchaneighborhood？Wasthisanaccomplishedfact？Didtheacceptanceofthatmanformapartofthemarriagenowconsummated？
　　Wastherenothingtobedone？
　　HadMariusweddedtheconvictaswell？
　　Invainmayonebecrownedwithlightandjoy，invainmayonetastethegrandpurplehouroflife，happylove，suchshockswouldforceeventhearchangelinhisecstasy，eventhedemigodinhisglory，toshudder。
　　Asisalwaysthecaseinchangesofviewofthisnature，Mariusaskedhimselfwhetherhehadnothingwithwhichtoreproachhimself。
　　Hadhebeenwantingindivination？Hadhebeenwantinginprudence？
　　Hadheinvoluntarilydulledhiswits？Alittle，perhaps。Hadheentereduponthisloveaffair，whichhadendedinhismarriagetoCosette，withouttakingsufficientprecautionstothrowlightuponthesurroundings？Headmitted，——itisthus，byaseriesofsuccessiveadmissionsofourselvesinregardtoourselves，thatlifeamendsus，littlebylittle，——headmittedthechimericalandvisionarysideofhisnature，asortofinternalcloudpeculiartomanyorganizations，andwhich，inparoxysmsofpassionandsorrow，dilatesasthetemperatureofthesoulchanges，andinvadestheentireman，tosuchadegreeastorenderhimnothingmorethanaconsciencebathedinamist。WehavemorethanonceindicatedthischaracteristicelementofMarius’individuality。
　　Herecalledthat，intheintoxicationofhislove，intheRuePlumet，duringthosesixorsevenecstaticweeks，hehadnotevenspoketoCosetteofthatdramaintheGorbeauhovel，wherethevictimhadtakenupsuchasingularlineofsilenceduringthestruggleandtheensuingflight。HowhadithappenedthathehadnotmentionedthistoCosette？Yetitwassonearandsoterrible！
　　HowhaditcometopassthathehadnotevennamedtheThenardiers，and，particularly，onthedaywhenhehadencounteredEponine？
　　Henowfounditalmostdifficulttoexplainhissilenceofthattime。
　　Nevertheless，hecouldaccountforit。Herecalledhisbenumbedstate，hisintoxicationwithCosette，loveabsorbingeverything，thatcatchingawayofeachotherintotheideal，andperhapsalso，liketheimperceptiblequantityofreasonmingledwiththisviolentandcharmingstateofthesoul，avague，dullinstinctimpellinghimtoconcealandabolishinhismemorythatredoubtableadventure，contactwithwhichhedreaded，inwhichhedidnotwishtoplayanypart，hisagencyinwhichhehadkeptsecret，andinwhichhecouldbeneithernarratornorwitnesswithoutbeinganaccuser。
　　Moreover，thesefewweekshadbeenaflashoflightning；therehadbeennotimeforanythingexceptlove。
　　Inshort，havingweighedeverything，turnedeverythingoverinhismind，examinedeverything，whatevermighthavebeentheconsequencesifhehadtoldCosetteabouttheGorbeauambush，evenifhehaddiscoveredthatJeanValjeanwasaconvict，wouldthathavechangedhim，Marius？
　　Wouldthathavechangedher，Cosette？Wouldhehavedrawnback？
　　Wouldhehaveadoredheranytheless？Wouldhehaverefrainedfrommarryingher？No。Thentherewasnothingtoregret，nothingwithwhichheneedreproachhimself。Allwaswell。
　　Thereisadeityforthosedrunkenmenwhoarecalledlovers。
　　Mariusblind，hadfollowedthepathwhichhewouldhavechosenhadhebeeninfullpossessionofhissight。Lovehadbandagedhiseyes，inordertoleadhimwhither？Toparadise。
　　Butthisparadisewashenceforthcomplicatedwithaninfernalaccompaniment。
　　Marius’ancientestrangementtowardsthisman，towardsthisFaucheleventwhohadturnedintoJeanValjean，wasatpresentmingledwithhorror。
　　Inthishorror，letusstate，therewassomepity，andevenacertainsurprise。
　　Thisthief，thisthiefguiltyofasecondoffence，hadrestoredthatdeposit。Andwhatadeposit！Sixhundredthousandfrancs。
　　Healonewasinthesecretofthatdeposit。Hemighthavekeptitall，hehadrestoreditall。
　　Moreover，hehadhimselfrevealedhissituation。Nothingforcedhimtothis。Ifanyonelearnedwhohewas，itwasthroughhimself。
　　Inthisavowaltherewassomethingmorethanacceptanceofhumiliation，therewasacceptanceofperil。Foracondemnedman，amaskisnotamask，itisashelter。Afalsenameissecurity，andhehadrejectedthatfalsename。He，thegalley—slave，mighthavehiddenhimselfforeverinanhonestfamily；hehadwithstoodthistemptation。
　　Andwithwhatmotive？Throughaconscientiousscruple。
　　Hehimselfexplainedthiswiththeirresistibleaccentsoftruth。
　　Inshort，whateverthisJeanValjeanmightbe，hewas，undoubtedly，aconsciencewhichwasawakening。Thereexistedsomemysteriousre—habilitationwhichhadbegun；and，toallappearances，scrupleshadforalongtimealreadycontrolledthisman。Suchfitsofjusticeandgoodnessarenotcharacteristicofvulgarnatures。
　　Anawakeningofconscienceisgrandeurofsoul。
　　JeanValjeanwassincere。Thissincerity，visible，palpable，irrefragable，evidentfromtheverygriefthatitcausedhim，renderedinquiriesuseless，andconferredauthorityonallthatthatmanhadsaid。
　　Here，forMarius，therewasastrangereversalofsituations。
　　WhatbreathedfromM。Fauchelevent？distrust。WhatdidJeanValjeaninspire？confidence。
　　InthemysteriousbalanceofthisJeanValjeanwhichthepensiveMariusstruck，headmittedtheactiveprinciple，headmittedthepassiveprinciple，andhetriedtoreachabalance。
　　Butallthiswentonasinastorm。Marius，whileendeavoringtoformaclearideaofthisman，andwhilepursuingJeanValjean，sotospeak，inthedepthsofhisthought，losthimandfoundhimagaininafatalmist。
　　Thedeposithonestlyrestored，theprobityoftheconfession——
　　theseweregood。Thisproducedalighteningofthecloud，thenthecloudbecameblackoncemore。
　　TroubledaswereMarius’memories，ashadowofthemreturnedtohim。
　　Afterall，whatwasthatadventureintheJondretteattic？
　　Whyhadthatmantakentoflightonthearrivalofthepolice，insteadofenteringacomplaint？
　　HereMariusfoundtheanswer。Becausethatmanwasafugitivefromjustice，whohadbrokenhisban。
　　Anotherquestion:Whyhadthatmancometothebarricade？
　　ForMariusnowoncemoredistinctlybeheldthatrecollectionwhichhadre—appearedinhisemotionslikesympatheticinkattheapplicationofheat。Thismanhadbeeninthebarricade。
　　Hehadnotfoughtthere。Whathadhecometherefor？Inthepresenceofthisquestionaspectresprangupandreplied:"Javert。"
　　MariusrecalledperfectlynowthatfunerealsightofJeanValjeandraggingthepinionedJavertoutofthebarricade，andhestillheardbehindthecornerofthelittleRueMondetourthatfrightfulpistolshot。Obviously，therewashatredbetweenthatpolicespyandthegalley—slave。Theonewasintheother’sway。JeanValjeanhadgonetothebarricadeforthepurposeofrevenginghimself。
　　Hehadarrivedlate。HeprobablyknewthatJavertwasaprisonerthere。