TheCorsicanvendettahaspenetratedtocertainlowerstrataandhasbecomethelawthere；itissosimplethatitdoesnotastonishsoulswhicharebuthalfturnedtowardsgood；andthoseheartsaresoconstitutedthatacriminal，whoisinthepathofrepentance，maybescrupulousinthematteroftheftandunscrupulousinthematterofvengeance。JeanValjeanhadkilledJavert。Atleast，thatseemedtobeevident。
Thiswasthefinalquestion，tobesure；buttothistherewasnoreply。ThisquestionMariusfeltlikepincers。HowhaditcometopassthatJeanValjean’sexistencehadelbowedthatofCosetteforsolongaperiod？
WhatmelancholysportofProvidencewasthatwhichhadplacedthatchildincontactwiththatman？Aretherethenchainsfortwowhichareforgedonhigh？anddoesGodtakepleasureincouplingtheangelwiththedemon？Soacrimeandaninnocencecanberoom—matesinthemysteriousgalleysofwretchedness？
Inthatdefilingofcondemnedpersonswhichiscalledhumandestiny，cantwobrowspasssidebyside，theoneingenuous，theotherformidable，theoneallbathedinthedivinewhitenessofdawn，theotherforeverblemishedbytheflashofaneternallightning？
Whocouldhavearrangedthatinexplicablepairingoff？Inwhatmanner，inconsequenceofwhatprodigy，hadanycommunityoflifebeenestablishedbetweenthiscelestiallittlecreatureandthatoldcriminal？
Whocouldhaveboundthelambtothewolf，and，whatwasstillmoreincomprehensible，haveattachedthewolftothelamb？
Forthewolflovedthelamb，forthefiercecreatureadoredthefeebleone，for，duringthespaceofnineyears，theangelhadhadthemonsterasherpointofsupport。Cosette’schildhoodandgirlhood，heradventinthedaylight，hervirginalgrowthtowardslifeandlight，hadbeenshelteredbythathideousdevotion。
Herequestionsexfoliated，sotospeak，intoinnumerableenigmas，abyssesyawnedatthebottomsofabysses，andMariuscouldnolongerbendoverJeanValjeanwithoutbecomingdizzy。Whatwasthisman—precipice？
TheoldsymbolsofGenesisareeternal；inhumansociety，suchasitnowexists，anduntilabroaderdayshalleffectachangeinit，therewillalwaysbetwomen，theonesuperior，theothersubterranean；
theonewhichisaccordingtogoodisAbel；theotherwhichisaccordingtoevilisCain。WhatwasthistenderCain？Whatwasthisruffianreligiouslyabsorbedintheadorationofavirgin，watchingoverher，rearingher，guardingher，dignifyingher，andenvelopingher，impureashewashimself，withpurity？
Whatwasthatcess—poolwhichhadveneratedthatinnocencetosuchapointasnottoleaveuponitasinglespot？WhatwasthisJeanValjeaneducatingCosette？Whatwasthisfigureoftheshadowswhichhadforitsonlyobjectthepreservationoftherisingofastarfromeveryshadowandfromeverycloud？
ThatwasJeanValjean’ssecret；thatwasalsoGod’ssecret。
Inthepresenceofthisdoublesecret，Mariusrecoiled。Theone，insomesort，reassuredhimastotheother。GodwasasvisibleinthisaffairaswasJeanValjean。Godhashisinstruments。
Hemakesuseofthetoolwhichhewills。Heisnotresponsibletomen。DoweknowhowGodsetsaboutthework？JeanValjeanhadlaboredoverCosette。Hehad，tosomeextent，madethatsoul。
Thatwasincontestable。Well，whatthen？Theworkmanwashorrible；
buttheworkwasadmirable。Godproduceshismiraclesasseemsgoodtohim。HehadconstructedthatcharmingCosette，andhehademployedJeanValjean。Ithadpleasedhimtochoosethisstrangecollaboratorforhimself。Whataccounthavewetodemandofhim？
Isthisthefirsttimethatthedung—heaphasaidedthespringtocreatetherose？
Mariusmadehimselfthesereplies，anddeclaredtohimselfthattheyweregood。HehadnotdaredtopressJeanValjeanonallthepointswhichwehavejustindicated，buthedidnotconfesstohimselfthathedidnotdaretodoit。HeadoredCosette，hepossessedCosette，Cosettewassplendidlypure。Thatwassufficientforhim。
Whatenlightenmentdidheneed？Cosettewasalight。Doeslightrequireenlightenment？Hehadeverything；whatmorecouldhedesire？All，——
isnotthatenough？JeanValjean’spersonalaffairsdidnotconcernhim。
Andbendingoverthefatalshadowofthatman，heclungfast，convulsively，tothesolemndeclarationofthatunhappywretch:
"IamnothingtoCosette。TenyearsagoIdidnotknowthatshewasinexistence。"
JeanValjeanwasapasser—by。Hehadsaidsohimself。
Well，hehadpassed。Whateverhewas，hispartwasfinished。
Henceforth，thereremainedMariustofulfilthepartofProvidencetoCosette。Cosettehadsoughttheazureinapersonlikeherself，inherlover，herhusband，hercelestialmale。Cosette，asshetookherflight，wingedandtransfigured，leftbehindherontheearthherhideousandemptychrysalis，JeanValjean。
InwhatevercircleofideasMariusrevolved，healwaysreturnedtoacertainhorrorforJeanValjean。Asacredhorror，perhaps，for，aswehavejustpointedout，hefeltaquiddivinuminthatman。
Butdowhathewould，andseekwhatextenuationhewould，hewascertainlyforcedtofallbackuponthis:themanwasaconvict；
thatistosay，abeingwhohasnotevenaplaceinthesocialladder，sinceheislowerthantheverylowestrung。Aftertheverylastofmencomestheconvict。Theconvictisnolonger，sotospeak，inthesemblanceoftheliving。Thelawhasdeprivedhimoftheentirequantityofhumanityofwhichitcandepriveaman。
Marius，onpenalquestions，stillheldtotheinexorablesystem，thoughhewasademocratandheentertainedalltheideasofthelawonthesubjectofthosewhomthelawstrikes。Hehadnotyetaccomplishedallprogress，weadmit。HehadnotyetcometodistinguishbetweenthatwhichiswrittenbymanandthatwhichiswrittenbyGod，betweenlawandright。Hehadnotexaminedandweighedtherightwhichmantakestodisposeoftheirrevocableandtheirreparable。
Hewasnotshockedbythewordvindicte。Hefounditquitesimplethatcertainbreachesofthewrittenlawshouldbefollowedbyeternalsuffering，andheaccepted，astheprocessofcivilization，socialdamnation。Hestillstoodatthispoint，thoughsafetoadvanceinfalliblylateron，sincehisnaturewasgood，and，atbottom，whollyformedoflatentprogress。
Inthisstageofhisideas，JeanValjeanappearedtohimhideousandrepulsive。Hewasamanreproved，hewastheconvict。
ThatwordwasforhimlikethesoundofthetrumpontheDayofJudgment；and，afterhavingreflecteduponJeanValjeanforalongtime，hisfinalgesturehadbeentoturnawayhishead。
Vaderetro。
Marius，ifwemustrecognizeandeveninsistuponthefact，whileinterrogatingJeanValjeantosuchapointthatJeanValjeanhadsaid:"Youareconfessingme，"hadnot，nevertheless，puttohimtwoorthreedecisivequestions。
Itwasnotthattheyhadnotpresentedthemselvestohismind，butthathehadbeenafraidofthem。TheJondretteattic？
Thebarricade？Javert？Whoknowswheretheserevelationswouldhavestopped？JeanValjeandidnotseemlikeamanwhowoulddrawback，andwhoknowswhetherMarius，afterhavingurgedhimon，wouldnothavehimselfdesiredtoholdhimback？
Hasitnothappenedtoallofus，incertainsupremeconjunctures，tostopourearsinorderthatwemaynothearthereply，afterwehaveaskedaquestion？Itisespeciallywhenonelovesthatonegiveswaytotheseexhibitionsofcowardice。Itisnotwisetoquestionsinistersituationstothelastpoint，particularlywhentheindissolublesideofourlifeisfatallyintermingledwiththem。WhataterriblelightmighthaveproceededfromthedespairingexplanationsofJeanValjean，andwhoknowswhetherthathideousglarewouldnothavedartedforthasfarasCosette？Whoknowswhetherasortofinfernalglowwouldnothavelingeredbehinditonthebrowofthatangel？
Thespatteringofalightning—flashisofthethunderalso。
Fatalityhaspointsofjuncturewhereinnocenceitselfisstampedwithcrimebythegloomylawofthereflectionswhichgivecolor。
Thepurestfiguresmayforeverpreservethereflectionofahorribleassociation。Rightlyorwrongly，Mariushadbeenafraid。
Healreadyknewtoomuch。Hesoughttodullhissensesratherthantogainfurtherlight。
IndismayheboreoffCosetteinhisarmsandshuthiseyestoJeanValjean。
Thatmanwasthenight，thelivingandhorriblenight。
Howshouldhedaretoseekthebottomofit？Itisaterriblethingtointerrogatetheshadow。Whoknowswhatitsreplywillbe？
Thedawnmaybeblackenedforeverbyit。
Inthisstateofmindthethoughtthatthatmanwould，henceforth，comeintoanycontactwhateverwithCosettewasaheartrendingperplexitytoMarius。
Henowalmostreproachedhimselffornothavingputthoseformidablequestions，beforewhichhehadrecoiled，andfromwhichanimplacableanddefinitivedecisionmighthavesprung。
Hefeltthathewastoogood，toogentle，tooweak，ifwemustsaytheword。Thisweaknesshadledhimtoanimprudentconcession。
Hehadallowedhimselftobetouched。Hehadbeeninthewrong。
HeoughttohavesimplyandpurelyrejectedJeanValjean。JeanValjeanplayedthepartoffire，andthatiswhatheshouldhavedone，andhavefreedhishousefromthatman。
Hewasvexedwithhimself，hewasangrywiththatwhirlwindofemotionswhichhaddeafened，blinded，andcarriedhimaway。
Hewasdispleasedwithhimself。
Whatwashetodonow？JeanValjean’svisitswereprofoundlyrepugnanttohim。Whatwastheuseinhavingthatmaninhishouse？Whatdidthemanwant？Here，hebecamedismayed，hedidnotwishtodigdown，hedidnotwishtopenetratedeeply；hedidnotwishtosoundhimself。
Hehadpromised，hehadallowedhimselftobedrawnintoapromise；
JeanValjeanheldhispromise；onemustkeepone’swordeventoaconvict，abovealltoaconvict。Still，hisfirstdutywastoCosette。
Inshort，hewascarriedawaybytherepugnancewhichdominatedhim。
Mariusturnedoverallthisconfusionofideasinhismind，passingfromonetotheother，andmovedbyallofthem。
Hencearoseaprofoundtrouble。
ItwasnoteasyforhimtohidethistroublefromCosette，butloveisatalent，andMariussucceededindoingit。
However，withoutanyapparentobject，hequestionedCosette，whowasascandidasadoveiswhiteandwhosuspectednothing；
hetalkedofherchildhoodandheryouth，andhebecamemoreandmoreconvincedthatthatconvicthadbeeneverythinggood，paternalandrespectablethatamancanbetowardsCosette。
AllthatMariushadcaughtaglimpseofandhadsurmisedwasreal。
Thatsinisternettlehadlovedandprotectedthatlily。
BOOKEIGHTH。——FADINGAWAYOFTHETWILIGHT
CHAPTERI
THELOWERCHAMBER
Onthefollowingday，atnightfall，JeanValjeanknockedatthecarriagegateoftheGillenormandhouse。ItwasBasquewhoreceivedhim。
Basquewasinthecourtyardattheappointedhour，asthoughhehadreceivedhisorders。Itsometimeshappensthatonesaystoaservant:
"YouwillwatchforMr。SoandSo，whenhearrives。"
BasqueaddressedJeanValjeanwithoutwaitingforthelattertoapproachhim:
"MonsieurleBaronhaschargedmetoinquirewhethermonsieurdesirestogoupstairsortoremainbelow？"
"Iwillremainbelow，"repliedJeanValjean。
Basque，whowasperfectlyrespectful，openedthedoorofthewaiting—roomandsaid:
"IwillgoandinformMadame。"
TheroomwhichJeanValjeanenteredwasadamp，vaultedroomonthegroundfloor，whichservedasacellaronoccasion，whichopenedonthestreet，waspavedwithredsquaresandwasbadlylightedbyagratedwindow。
Thischamberwasnotoneofthosewhichareharassedbythefeather—duster，thepope’sheadbrush，andthebroom。
Thedustrestedtranquillythere。Persecutionofthespiderswasnotorganizedthere。Afineweb，whichspreadfarandwide，andwasveryblackandornamentedwithdeadflies，formedawheelononeofthewindow—panes。Theroom，whichwassmallandlow—ceiled，wasfurnishedwithaheapofemptybottlespiledupinonecorner。
Thewall，whichwasdaubedwithanochreyellowwash，wasscalingoffinlargeflakes。Atoneendtherewasachimney—piecepaintedinblackwithanarrowshelf。Afirewasburningthere；
whichindicatedthatJeanValjean’sreply:"Iwillremainbelow，"
hadbeenforeseen。
Twoarm—chairswereplacedatthetwocornersofthefireplace。
Betweenthechairsanoldbedsiderug，whichdisplayedmorefoundationthreadthanwool，hadbeenspreadbywayofacarpet。
Thechamberwaslightedbythefireonthehearthandthetwilightfallingthroughthewindow。
JeanValjeanwasfatigued。Fordayshehadneithereatennorslept。
Hethrewhimselfintooneofthearm—chairs。
Basquereturned，setalightedcandleonthechimney—pieceandretired。
JeanValjean，hisheaddroopingandhischinrestingonhisbreast，perceivedneitherBasquenorthecandle。
Allatonce，hedrewhimselfupwithastart。Cosettewasstandingbesidehim。
Hehadnotseenherenter，buthehadfeltthatshewasthere。
Heturnedround。Hegazedather。Shewasadorablylovely。
Butwhathewascontemplatingwiththatprofoundgazewasnotherbeautybuthersoul。
"Well，"exclaimedCosette，"father，Iknewthatyouwerepeculiar，butInevershouldhaveexpectedthis。Whatanidea！Mariustoldmethatyouwishmetoreceiveyouhere。"
"Yes，itismywish。"
"Iexpectedthatreply。Good。IwarnyouthatIamgoingtomakeasceneforyou。Letusbeginatthebeginning。Embraceme，father。"
Andsheofferedhimhercheek。
JeanValjeanremainedmotionless。
"Youdonotstir。Itakenoteofit。Attitudeofguilt。
Butnevermind，Ipardonyou。JesusChristsaid:Offertheothercheek。Hereitis。"
Andshepresentedherothercheek。
JeanValjeandidnotmove。Itseemedasthoughhisfeetwerenailedtothepavement。
"Thisisbecomingserious，"saidCosette。"WhathaveIdonetoyou？
IdeclarethatIamperplexed。Youowemereparation。Youwilldinewithus。"
"Ihavedined。"
"Thatisnottrue。IwillgetM。Gillenormandtoscoldyou。
Grandfathersaremadetoreprimandfathers。Come。Goupstairswithmetothedrawing—room。Immediately。"
"Impossible。"
HereCosettelostgroundalittle。Sheceasedtocommandandpassedtoquestioning。
"Butwhy？andyouchoosetheugliestchamberinthehouseinwhichtoseeme。It’shorriblehere。"
"Thouknowest……"
JeanValjeancaughthimselfup。
"Youknow，madame，thatIampeculiar，Ihavemyfreaks。"
Cosettestruckhertinyhandstogether。
"Madame！……Youknow！……morenovelties！Whatisthemeaningofthis？"
JeanValjeandirecteduponherthatheartrendingsmiletowhichheoccasionallyhadrecourse:
"YouwishedtobeMadame。Youareso。"
"Notforyou，father。"
"Donotcallmefather。"
"What？"
"Callme`MonsieurJean。’`Jean，’ifyoulike。"
"Youarenolongermyfather？IamnolongerCosette？
`MonsieurJean’？Whatdoesthismean？why，thesearerevolutions，aren’tthey？whathastakenplace？come，lookmeintheface。
Andyouwon’tlivewithus！Andyouwon’thavemychamber！
WhathaveIdonetoyou？Hasanythinghappened？"
"Nothing。"
"Wellthen？"
"Everythingisasusual。"
"Whydoyouchangeyourname？"
"Youhavechangedyours，surely。"
Hesmiledagainwiththesamesmileasbeforeandadded:
"SinceyouareMadamePontmercy，IcertainlycanbeMonsieurJean。"
"Idon’tunderstandanythingaboutit。Allthisisidiotic。
Ishallaskpermissionofmyhusbandforyoutobe`MonsieurJean。’
Ihopethathewillnotconsenttoit。Youcausemeagreatdealofpain。Onedoeshavefreaks，butonedoesnotcauseone’slittleCosettegrief。Thatiswrong。Youhavenorighttobewicked，youwhoaresogood。"
Hemadenoreply。
Sheseizedhishandswithvivacity，andraisingthemtoherfacewithanirresistiblemovement，shepressedthemagainstherneckbeneathherchin，whichisagestureofprofoundtenderness。
"Oh！"shesaidtohim，"begood！"
Andshewenton:
"ThisiswhatIcallbeinggood:beingniceandcomingandlivinghere，——
therearebirdshereasthereareintheRuePlumet，——livingwithus，quittingthatholeofaRuedel’HommeArme，notgivingusriddlestoguess，beinglikealltherestoftheworld，diningwithus，breakfastingwithus，beingmyfather。"
Heloosedherhands。
"Younolongerneedafather，youhaveahusband。"
Cosettebecameangry。
"Inolongerneedafather！Onereallydoesnotknowwhattosaytothingslikethat，whicharenotcommonsense！"
"IfToussaintwerehere，"resumedJeanValjean，likeapersonwhoisdriventoseekauthorities，andwhoclutchesateverybranch，"shewouldbethefirsttoagreethatitistruethatIhavealwayshadwaysofmyown。Thereisnothingnewinthis。Ialwayshavelovedmyblackcorner。"
"Butitiscoldhere。Onecannotseedistinctly。Itisabominable，thatitis，towishtobeMonsieurJean！Iwillnothaveyousay`you’tome。
"Justnow，asIwascominghither，"repliedJeanValjean，"IsawapieceoffurnitureintheRueSaintLouis。Itwasatacabinet—maker’s。IfIwereaprettywoman，Iwouldtreatmyselftothatbitoffurniture。Averyneattoilettableinthereigningstyle。Whatyoucallrosewood，Ithink。Itisinlaid。
Themirrorisquitelarge。Therearedrawers。Itispretty。"
"Hou！thevillainousbear！"repliedCosette。
Andwithsupremegrace，settingherteethanddrawingbackherlips，sheblewatJeanValjean。ShewasaGracecopyingacat。
"Iamfurious，"sheresumed。"Eversinceyesterday，youhavemademerage，allofyou。Iamgreatlyvexed。Idon’tunderstand。YoudonotdefendmeagainstMarius。Mariuswillnotupholdmeagainstyou。
Iamallalone。Iarrangeachamberprettily。IfIcouldhaveputthegoodGodthereIwouldhavedoneit。Mychamberisleftonmyhands。
Mylodgersendsmeintobankruptcy。IorderanicelittledinnerofNicolette。Wewillhavenothingtodowithyourdinner，Madame。
AndmyfatherFaucheleventwantsmetocallhim`MonsieurJean，’
andtoreceivehiminafrightful，old，uglycellar，wherethewallshavebeards，andwherethecrystalconsistsofemptybottles，andthecurtainsareofspiders’webs！Youaresingular，Iadmit，thatisyourstyle，butpeoplewhogetmarriedaregrantedatruce。
Yououghtnottohavebegunbeingsingularagaininstantly。
SoyouaregoingtobeperfectlycontentedinyourabominableRuedel’HommeArme。Iwasverydesperateindeedthere，thatIwas。
Whathaveyouagainstme？Youcausemeagreatdealofgrief。
Fi！"
And，becomingsuddenlyserious，shegazedintentlyatJeanValjeanandadded:
"AreyouangrywithmebecauseIamhappy？"
Ingenuousnesssometimesunconsciouslypenetratesdeep。Thisquestion，whichwassimpleforCosette，wasprofoundforJeanValjean。
Cosettehadmeanttoscratch，andshelacerated。
JeanValjeanturnedpale。
Heremainedforamomentwithoutreplying，then，withaninexpressibleintonation，andspeakingtohimself，hemurmured:
"Herhappinesswastheobjectofmylife。NowGodmaysignmydismissal。Cosette，thouarthappy；mydayisover。"
"Ah，youhavesaidthoutome！"exclaimedCosette。
Andshesprangtohisneck。
JeanValjean，inbewilderment，strainedherwildlytohisbreast。
Italmostseemedtohimasthoughheweretakingherback。
"Thanks，father！"saidCosette。
ThisenthusiasticimpulsewasonthepointofbecomingpoignantforJeanValjean。HegentlyremovedCosette’sarms，andtookhishat。
"Well？"saidCosette。
"Ileaveyou，Madame，theyarewaitingforyou。"
And，fromthethreshold，headded:
"Ihavesaidthoutoyou。Tellyourhusbandthatthisshallnothappenagain。Pardonme。"
JeanValjeanquittedtheroom，leavingCosettestupefiedatthisenigmaticalfarewell。
CHAPTERII
ANOTHERSTEPBACKWARDS
Onthefollowingday，atthesamehour，JeanValjeancame。
Cosetteaskedhimnoquestions，wasnolongerastonished，nolongerexclaimedthatshewascold，nolongerspokeofthedrawing—room，sheavoidedsayingeither"father"or"MonsieurJean。"Sheallowedherselftobeaddressedasyou。SheallowedherselftobecalledMadame。Only，herjoyhadundergoneacertaindiminution。
Shewouldhavebeensad，ifsadnesshadbeenpossibletoher。
ItisprobablethatshehadhadwithMariusoneofthoseconversationsinwhichthebelovedmansayswhathepleases，explainsnothing，andsatisfiesthebelovedwoman。Thecuriosityofloversdoesnotextendveryfarbeyondtheirownlove。
Thelowerroomhadmadealittletoilet。Basquehadsuppressedthebottles，andNicolettethespiders。
AllthedayswhichfollowedbroughtJeanValjeanatthesamehour。
Hecameeveryday，becausehehadnotthestrengthtotakeMarius’
wordsotherwisethanliterally。MariusarrangedmatterssoastobeabsentatthehourswhenJeanValjeancame。ThehousegrewaccustomedtothenovelwaysofM。Fauchelevent。Toussainthelpedinthisdirection:"Monsieurhasalwaysbeenlikethat，"sherepeated。
Thegrandfatherissuedthisdecree:——"He’sanoriginal。"Andallwassaid。Moreover，attheageofninety—six，nobondisanylongerpossible，allismerelyjuxtaposition；anewcomerisintheway。
Thereisnolongeranyroom；allhabitsareacquired。M。Fauchelevent，M。Tranchelevent，FatherGillenormandaskednothingbetterthantoberelievedfrom"thatgentleman。"Headded:——"Nothingismorecommonthanthoseoriginals。Theydoallsortsofqueerthings。
Theyhavenoreason。TheMarquisdeCanapleswasstillworse。
Heboughtapalacethathemightlodgeinthegarret。Thesearefantasticappearancesthatpeopleaffect。"
Noonecaughtaglimpseofthesinisterfoundation。Andmoreover，whocouldhaveguessedsuchathing？TherearemarshesofthisdescriptioninIndia。Thewaterseemsextraordinary，inexplicable，ripplingthoughthereisnowind，andagitatedwhereitshouldbecalm。Onegazesatthesurfaceofthesecauselessebullitions；
onedoesnotperceivethehydrawhichcrawlsonthebottom。
Manymenhaveasecretmonsterinthissamemanner，adragonwhichgnawsthem，adespairwhichinhabitstheirnight。Suchamanresemblesothermen，hegoesandcomes。Nooneknowsthathebearswithinhimafrightfulparasiticpainwithathousandteeth，whichliveswithintheunhappyman，andofwhichheisdying。
Nooneknowsthatthismanisagulf。Heisstagnantbutdeep。
Fromtimetotime，atroubleofwhichtheonlookerunderstandsnothingappearsonhissurface。Amysteriouswrinkleisformed，thenvanishes，thenre—appears；anair—bubblerisesandbursts。
Itisthebreathingoftheunknownbeast。
Certainstrangehabits:arrivingatthehourwhenotherpeoplearetakingtheirleave，keepinginthebackgroundwhenotherpeoplearedisplayingthemselves，preservingonalloccasionswhatmaybedesignatedasthewall—coloredmantle，seekingthesolitarywalk，preferringthedesertedstreet，avoidinganyshareinconversation，avoidingcrowdsandfestivals，seemingatone’seaseandlivingpoorly，havingone’skeyinone’spocket，andone’scandleattheporter’slodge，howeverrichonemaybe，enteringbythesidedoor，ascendingtheprivatestaircase，——alltheseinsignificantsingularities，fugitivefoldsonthesurface，oftenproceedfromaformidablefoundation。
Manyweekspassedinthismanner。AnewlifegraduallytookpossessionofCosette:therelationswhichmarriagecreates，visits，thecareofthehouse，pleasures，greatmatters。Cosette’spleasureswerenotcostly，theyconsistedinonething:beingwithMarius。Thegreatoccupationofherlifewastogooutwithhim，toremainwithhim。
Itwasforthemajoythatwasalwaysfresh，togooutarminarm，inthefaceofthesun，intheopenstreet，withouthidingthemselves，beforethewholeworld，bothofthemcompletelyalone。
Cosettehadonevexation。ToussaintcouldnotgetonwithNicolette，thesolderingoftwoelderlymaidsbeingimpossible，andshewentaway。
Thegrandfatherwaswell；Mariusarguedacasehereandthere；
AuntGillenormandpeacefullyledthatlifeasidewhichsufficedforher，besidethenewhousehold。JeanValjeancameeveryday。
Theaddressasthoudisappeared，theyou，the"Madame，"the"MonsieurJean，"renderedhimanotherpersontoCosette。Thecarewhichhehadhimselftakentodetachherfromhimwassucceeding。
Shebecamemoreandmoregayandlessandlesstender。Yetshestilllovedhimsincerely，andhefeltit。
Onedayshesaidtohimsuddenly:"Youusedtobemyfather，youarenolongermyfather，youweremyuncle，youarenolongermyuncle，youwereMonsieurFauchelevent，youareJean。Whoareyouthen？
Idon’tlikeallthis。IfIdidnotknowhowgoodyouare，Ishouldbeafraidofyou。"
HestilllivedintheRuedel’HommeArme，becausehecouldnotmakeuphismindtoremovetoadistancefromthequarterwhereCosettedwelt。
Atfirst，heonlyremainedafewminuteswithCosette，andthenwentaway。
Littlebylittleheacquiredthehabitofmakinghisvisitslessbrief。
Onewouldhavesaidthathewastakingadvantageoftheauthorizationofthedayswhichwerelengthening，hearrivedearlieranddepartedlater。
OnedayCosettechancedtosay"father"tohim。AflashofjoyilluminatedJeanValjean’smelancholyoldcountenance。
Hecaughtherup:"SayJean。"——"Ah！truly，"sherepliedwithaburstoflaughter，"MonsieurJean。"——"Thatisright，"saidhe。
Andheturnedasidesothatshemightnotseehimwipehiseyes。
CHAPTERIII
THEYRECALLTHEGARDENOFTHERUEPLUMET
Thiswasthelasttime。Afterthatlastflashoflight，completeextinctionensued。Nomorefamiliarity，nomoregood—morningwithakiss，nevermorethatwordsoprofoundlysweet:"Myfather！"
Hewasathisownrequestandthroughhisowncomplicitydrivenoutofallhishappinessesoneaftertheother；andhehadthissorrow，thatafterhavinglostCosettewhollyinoneday，hewasafterwardsobligedtoloseheragainindetail。
Theeyeeventuallybecomesaccustomedtothelightofacellar。
Inshort，itsufficedforhimtohaveanapparitionofCosetteeveryday。Hiswholelifewasconcentratedinthatonehour。
Heseatedhimselfclosetoher，hegazedatherinsilence，orhetalkedtoherofyearsgoneby，ofherchildhood，oftheconvent，ofherlittlefriendsofthosebygonedays。
Oneafternoon，——itwasononeofthoseearlydaysinApril，alreadywarmandfresh，themomentofthesun’sgreatgayety，thegardenswhichsurroundedthewindowsofMariusandCosettefelttheemotionofwaking，thehawthornwasonthepointofbudding，ajewelledgarnitureofgillyflowersspreadovertheancientwalls，snapdragonsyawnedthroughthecrevicesofthestones，amidthegrasstherewasacharmingbeginningofdaisies，andbuttercups，thewhitebutterfliesoftheyearweremakingtheirfirstappearance，thewind，thatminstreloftheeternalwedding，wastryinginthetreesthefirstnotesofthatgrand，auroralsymphonywhichtheoldpoetscalledthespringtide，——MariussaidtoCosette:——"WesaidthatwewouldgobacktotakealookatourgardenintheRuePlumet。
Letusgothither。Wemustnotbeungrateful。"——Andawaytheyflitted，liketwoswallowstowardsthespring。ThisgardenoftheRuePlumetproducedonthemtheeffectofthedawn。Theyalreadyhadbehindtheminlifesomethingwhichwaslikethespringtimeoftheirlove。ThehouseintheRuePlumetbeingheldonalease，stillbelongedtoCosette。Theywenttothatgardenandthathouse。
Theretheyfoundthemselvesagain，theretheyforgotthemselves。
Thatevening，attheusualhour，JeanValjeancametotheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire。——"MadamewentoutwithMonsieurandhasnotyetreturned，"Basquesaidtohim。Heseatedhimselfinsilence，andwaitedanhour。Cosettedidnotreturn。Hedepartedwithdroopinghead。
Cosettewassointoxicatedwithherwalkto"theirgarden，"
andsojoyousathaving"livedawholedayinherpast，"thatshetalkedofnothingelseonthemorrow。ShedidnotnoticethatshehadnotseenJeanValjean。
"Inwhatwaydidyougothither？"JeanValjeanaskedher。"
"Onfoot。"
"Andhowdidyoureturn？"
"Inahackneycarriage。"
Forsometime，JeanValjeanhadnoticedtheeconomicallifeledbytheyoungpeople。Hewastroubledbyit。Marius’economywassevere，andthatwordhaditsabsolutemeaningforJeanValjean。
Hehazardedaquery:
"Whydoyounothaveacarriageofyourown？Aprettycoupewouldonlycostyoufivehundredfrancsamonth。Youarerich。"
"Idon’tknow，"repliedCosette。
"ItislikeToussaint，"resumedJeanValjean。"Sheisgone。
Youhavenotreplacedher。Why？"
"Nicolettesuffices。"
"Butyououghttohaveamaid。"
"HaveInotMarius？"
"Yououghttohaveahouseofyourown，yourownservants，acarriage，aboxatthetheatre。Thereisnothingtoofineforyou。
Whynotprofitbyyourriches？Wealthaddstohappiness。"
Cosettemadenoreply。
JeanValjean’svisitswerenotabridged。Farfromit。Whenitistheheartwhichisslipping，onedoesnothaltonthedownwardslope。
WhenJeanValjeanwishedtoprolonghisvisitandtoinduceforgetfulnessofthehour，hesangthepraisesofMarius；hepronouncedhimhandsome，noble，courageous，witty，eloquent，good。Cosetteoutdidhim。
JeanValjeanbeganagain。Theywereneverweary。Marius——thatwordwasinexhaustible；thosesixletterscontainedvolumes。
Inthismanner，JeanValjeancontrivedtoremainalongtime。
ItwassosweettoseeCosette，toforgetbyherside！Italleviatedhiswounds。ItfrequentlyhappenedthatBasquecametwicetoannounce:
"M。GillenormandsendsmetoremindMadamelaBaronnethatdinnerisserved。"
Onthosedays，JeanValjeanwasverythoughtfulonhisreturnhome。
Wasthere，then，anytruthinthatcomparisonofthechrysaliswhichhadpresenteditselftothemindofMarius？WasJeanValjeanreallyachrysaliswhowouldpersist，andwhowouldcometovisithisbutterfly？
Onedayheremainedstilllongerthanusual。Onthefollowingdayheobservedthattherewasnofireonthehearth。——"Hello！"hethought。
"Nofire。"——Andhefurnishedtheexplanationforhimself。——"Itisperfectlysimple。ItisApril。Thecoldweatherhasceased。"
"Heavens！howcolditishere！"exclaimedCosettewhensheentered。
"Why，no，"saidJeanValjean。
"WasityouwhotoldBasquenottomakeafirethen？"
"Yes，sincewearenowinthemonthofMay。"
"ButwehaveafireuntilJune。Oneisneededalltheyearinthiscellar。"
"Ithoughtthatafirewasunnecessary。"
"Thatisexactlylikeoneofyourideas！"retortedCosette。
Onthefollowingdaytherewasafire。Butthetwoarm—chairswerearrangedattheotherendoftheroomnearthedoor。
"——Whatisthemeaningofthis？"thoughtJeanValjean。
Hewentforthearm—chairsandrestoredthemtotheirordinaryplacenearthehearth。
Thisfirelightedoncemoreencouragedhim，however。Heprolongedtheconversationevenbeyonditscustomarylimits。Asherosetotakehisleave，Cosettesaidtohim:
"Myhusbandsaidaqueerthingtomeyesterday。"
"Whatwasit？"
"Hesaidtome:`Cosette，wehaveanincomeofthirtythousandlivres。
Twenty—seventhatyouown，andthreethatmygrandfathergivesme。’Ireplied:`Thatmakesthirty。’Hewenton:
`Wouldyouhavethecouragetoliveonthethreethousand？’
Ianswered:`Yes，onnothing。Providedthatitwaswithyou。’
AndthenIasked:`Whydoyousaythattome？’Hereplied:
`Iwantedtoknow。’"
JeanValjeanfoundnotawordtoanswer。Cosetteprobablyexpectedsomeexplanationfromhim；helistenedingloomysilence。
HewentbacktotheRuedel’HommeArme；hewassodeeplyabsorbedthathemistookthedoorandinsteadofenteringhisownhouse，heenteredtheadjoiningdwelling。Itwasonlyafterhavingascendednearlytwostoriesthatheperceivedhiserrorandwentdownagain。
Hismindwasswarmingwithconjectures。ItwasevidentthatMariushadhisdoubtsastotheoriginofthesixhundredthousandfrancs，thathefearedsomesourcethatwasnotpure，whoknows？thathehadeven，perhaps，discoveredthatthemoneycamefromhim，JeanValjean，thathehesitatedbeforethissuspiciousfortune，andwasdisinclinedtotakeitashisown，——preferringthatbothheandCosetteshouldremainpoor，ratherthanthattheyshouldberichwithwealththatwasnotclean。
Moreover，JeanValjeanbeganvaguelytosurmisethathewasbeingshownthedoor。
Onthefollowingday，heunderwentsomethinglikeashockonenteringtheground—floorroom。Thearm—chairshaddisappeared。
Therewasnotasinglechairofanysort。
"Ah，what’sthis！"exclaimedCosetteassheentered，"nochairs！
Wherearethearm—chairs？"
"Theyarenolongerhere，"repliedJeanValjean。
"Thisistoomuch！"
JeanValjeanstammered:
"ItwasIwhotoldBasquetoremovethem。"
"Andyourreason？"
"Ihaveonlyafewminutestostayto—day。"
"Abriefstayisnoreasonforremainingstanding。"
"IthinkthatBasqueneededthechairsforthedrawing—room。
"Why？"
"Youhavecompanythisevening，nodoubt。"
"Weexpectnoone。"
JeanValjeanhadnotanotherwordtosay。
Cosetteshruggedhershoulders。
"Tohavethechairscarriedoff！Theotherdayyouhadthefireputout。Howoddyouare！"
"Adieu！"murmuredJeanValjean。
Hedidnotsay:"Adieu，Cosette。"Buthehadnotthestrengthtosay:
"Adieu，Madame。"
Hewentawayutterlyoverwhelmed。
Thistimehehadunderstood。
Onthefollowingdayhedidnotcome。Cosetteonlyobservedthefactintheevening。
"Why，"saidshe，"MonsieurJeanhasnotbeenheretoday。"
Andshefeltaslighttwingeatherheart，butshehardlyperceivedit，beingimmediatelydivertedbyakissfromMarius。
Onthefollowingdayhedidnotcome。
Cosettepaidnoheedtothis，passedhereveningandsleptwellthatnight，asusual，andthoughtofitonlywhenshewoke。
Shewassohappy！ShespeedilydespatchedNicolettetoM。Jean’shousetoinquirewhetherhewereill，andwhyhehadnotcomeonthepreviousevening。NicolettebroughtbackthereplyofM。Jeanthathewasnotill。Hewasbusy。Hewouldcomesoon。
Assoonashewasable。Moreover，hewasonthepointoftakingalittlejourney。Madamemustrememberthatitwashiscustomtotaketripsfromtimetotime。Theywerenottoworryabouthim。
Theywerenottothinkofhim。
NicoletteonenteringM。Jean’shadrepeatedtohimhermistress’
verywords。ThatMadamehadsenthertoinquirewhyM。Jeanbadnotcomeontheprecedingevening。"——ItistwodayssinceIhavebeenthere，"saidJeanValjeangently。
ButtheremarkpassedunnoticedbyNicolette，whodidnotreportittoCosette。
CHAPTERIV
ATTRACTIONANDEXTINCTION
Duringthelastmonthsofspringandthefirstmonthsofsummerin1833，therarepassersbyintheMarais，thepettyshopkeepers，theloungersonthresholds，noticedanoldmanneatlycladinblack，whoemergedeverydayatthesamehour，towardsnightfall，fromtheRuedel’HommeArme，onthesideoftheRueSainte—Croix—de—la—Bretonnerie，passedinfrontoftheBlancsManteaux，gainedtheRueCulture—Sainte—Catherine，and，onarrivingattheRuedel’Echarpe，turnedtotheleft，andenteredtheRueSaint—Louis。
Therehewalkedataslowpace，withhisheadstrainedforward，seeingnothing，hearingnothing，hiseyeimmovablyfixedonapointwhichseemedtobeastartohim，whichnevervaried，andwhichwasnootherthanthecorneroftheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire。Thenearerheapproachedthecornerofthestreetthemorehiseyelightedup；
asortofjoyilluminatedhispupilslikeaninwardaurora，hehadafascinatedandmuchaffectedair，hislipsindulgedinobscuremovements，asthoughheweretalkingtosomeonewhomhedidnotsee，hesmiledvaguelyandadvancedasslowlyaspossible。
Onewouldhavesaidthat，whiledesirousofreachinghisdestination，hefearedthemomentwhenheshouldbecloseathand。Whenonlyafewhousesremainedbetweenhimandthatstreetwhichappearedtoattracthimhispaceslackened，tosuchadegreethat，attimes，onemighthavethoughtthathewasnolongeradvancingatall。
Thevacillationofhisheadandthefixityofhiseyeballssuggestedthethoughtofthemagneticneedleseekingthepole。
Whatevertimehespentonarriving，hewasobligedtoarriveatlast；
hereachedtheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire；thenhehalted，hetrembled，hethrusthisheadwithasortofmelancholytimidityroundthecornerofthelasthouse，andgazedintothatstreet，andtherewasinthattragiclooksomethingwhichresembledthedazzlinglightoftheimpossible，andthereflectionfromaparadisethatwasclosedtohim。Thenatear，whichhadslowlygatheredinthecornerofhislids，andhadbecomelargeenoughtofall，trickleddownhischeek，andsometimesstoppedathismouth。
Theoldmantasteditsbitterflavor。Thusheremainedforseveralminutesasthoughmadeofstone，thenhereturnedbythesameroadandwiththesamestep，and，inproportionasheretreated，hisglancediedout。
Littlebylittle，thisoldmanceasedtogoasfarasthecorneroftheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire；hehaltedhalfwayintheRueSaint—Louis；
sometimesalittlefurtheroff，sometimesalittlenearer。
OnedayhestoppedatthecorneroftheRueCulture—Sainte—CatherineandlookedattheRuedesFilles—du—Calvairefromadistance。
Thenheshookhisheadslowlyfromrighttoleft，asthoughrefusinghimselfsomething，andretracedhissteps。
SoonhenolongercameasfarastheRueSaint—Louis。HegotasfarastheRuePavee，shookhisheadandturnedback；thenhewentnofurtherthantheRuedesTrois—Pavillons；thenhedidnotoversteptheBlancs—Manteaux。Onewouldhavesaidthathewasapendulumwhichwasnolongerwoundup，andwhoseoscillationsweregrowingshorterbeforeceasingaltogether。
Everydayheemergedfromhishouseatthesamehour，heundertookthesametrip，buthenolongercompletedit，and，perhapswithouthimselfbeingawareofthefact，heconstantlyshortenedit。
Hiswholecountenanceexpressedthissingleidea:Whatistheuse？——
Hiseyewasdim；nomoreradiance。Histearswerealsoexhausted；
theynolongercollectedinthecornerofhiseye—lid；thatthoughtfuleyewasdry。Theoldman’sheadwasstillcranedforward；hischinmovedattimes；thefoldsinhisgauntneckwerepainfultobehold。
Sometimes，whentheweatherwasbad，hehadanumbrellaunderhisarm，butheneveropenedit。
Thegoodwomenofthequartersaid:"Heisaninnocent。"
Thechildrenfollowedhimandlaughed。BOOKNINTH。——SUPREMESHADOW，SUPREMEDAWNCHAPTERIPITYFORTHEUNHAPPY，BUTINDULGENCEFORTHEHAPPY
Itisaterriblethingtobehappy！Howcontentoneis！
Howall—sufficientonefindsit！How，beinginpossessionofthe
falseobjectoflife，happiness，oneforgetsthetrueobject，duty！
Letussay，however，thatthereaderwoulddowrongwerehe
toblameMarius。
Marius，aswehaveexplained，beforehismarriage，hadputnoquestions
toM。Fauchelevent，and，sincethattime，hehadfearedtoputanyto
JeanValjean。Hehadregrettedthepromiseintowhichhehadallowed
himselftobedrawn。Hehadoftensaidtohimselfthathehaddone
wronginmakingthatconcessiontodespair。Hehadconfinedhimself
tograduallyestrangingJeanValjeanfromhishouseandtoeffacinghim，
asmuchaspossible，fromCosette’smind。Hehad，inamanner，
alwaysplacedhimselfbetweenCosetteandJeanValjean，surethat，
inthisway，shewouldnotperceivenorthinkofthelatter。
Itwasmorethaneffacement，itwasaneclipse。
Mariusdidwhatheconsiderednecessaryandjust。Hethought
thathehadseriousreasonswhichthereaderhasalreadyseen，
andotherswhichwillbeseenlateron，forgettingridofJean
Valjeanwithoutharshness，butwithoutweakness。
Chancehavingordainedthatheshouldencounter，inacasewhichhe
hadargued，aformeremployeeoftheLaffitteestablishment，hehad
acquiredmysteriousinformation，withoutseekingit，whichhehad
notbeenable，itistrue，toprobe，outofrespectforthesecret
whichhehadpromisedtoguard，andoutofconsiderationforJean
Valjean’sperilousposition。Hebelievedatthatmomentthathehad
agravedutytoperform:therestitutionofthesixhundredthousand
francstosomeonewhomhesoughtwithallpossiblediscretion。
Inthemeanwhile，heabstainedfromtouchingthatmoney。
AsforCosette，shehadnotbeeninitiatedintoanyofthesesecrets；
butitwouldbeharshtocondemnheralso。
ThereexistedbetweenMariusandheranall—powerfulmagnetism，
whichcausedhertodo，instinctivelyandalmostmechanically，
whatMariuswished。ShewasconsciousofMarius’willinthedirection
of"MonsieurJean，"sheconformedtoit。Herhusbandhadnotbeen
obligedtosayanythingtoher；sheyieldedtothevaguebutclear
pressureofhistacitintentions，andobeyedblindly。Herobedience
inthisinstanceconsistedinnotrememberingwhatMariusforgot。
Shewasnotobligedtomakeanyefforttoaccomplishthis。
Withoutherknowingwhyherself，andwithouthishavinganycause
toaccuseherofit，hersoulhadbecomesowhollyherhusband’s
thatthatwhichwasshroudedingloominMarius’mindbecameovercast
inhers。
Letusnotgotoofar，however；inwhatconcernsJeanValjean，
thisforgetfulnessandobliterationweremerelysuperficial。
Shewasratherheedlessthanforgetful。Atbottom，shewassincerely
attachedtothemanwhomshehadsolongcalledherfather；
butshelovedherhusbandstillmoredearly。Thiswaswhathad
somewhatdisturbedthebalanceofherheart，whichleanedtoone
sideonly。
ItsometimeshappenedthatCosettespokeofJeanValjeanandexpressed
hersurprise。ThenMariuscalmedher:"Heisabsent，Ithink。
Didnothesaythathewassettingoutonajourney？"——"Thatistrue，"
thoughtCosette。"Hehadahabitofdisappearinginthisfashion。
Butnotforsolong。"TwoorthreetimesshedespatchedNicolette
toinquireintheRuedel’HommeArmewhetherM。Jeanhadreturnedfrom
hisjourney。JeanValjeancausedtheanswer"no"tobegiven。Cosetteaskednothingmore，sinceshehadbutoneneedonearth，Marius。
Letusalsosaythat，ontheirside，CosetteandMariushadalso
beenabsent。TheyhadbeentoVernon。MariushadtakenCosette
tohisfather’sgrave。MariusgraduallywonCosetteawayfromJeanValjean。Cosetteallowedit。
Moreoverthatwhichiscalled，fartooharshlyincertaincases，
theingratitudeofchildren，isnotalwaysathingsodeserving
ofreproachasitissupposed。Itistheingratitudeofnature。
Nature，aswehaveelsewheresaid，"looksbeforeher。"Naturedivides
livingbeingsintothosewhoarearrivingandthosewhoaredeparting。
Thosewhoaredepartingareturnedtowardstheshadows，thosewho
arearrivingtowardsthelight。Henceagulfwhichisfatalon
thepartoftheold，andinvoluntaryonthepartoftheyoung。
Thisbreach，atfirstinsensible，increasesslowly，likeallseparations
ofbranches。Theboughs，withoutbecomingdetachedfromthetrunk，
growawayfromit。Itisnofaultoftheirs。Youthgoeswherethere
isjoy，festivals，vividlights，love。Oldagegoestowardstheend。
Theydonotlosesightofeachother，butthereisnolonger
acloseconnection。Youngpeoplefeelthecoolingoffoflife；
oldpeople，thatofthetomb。Letusnotblamethesepoorchildren。CHAPTERIILASTFLICKERINGSOFALAMPWITHOUTOIL
Oneday，JeanValjeandescendedhisstaircase，tookthreesteps
inthestreet，seatedhimselfonapost，onthatsamestonepost
whereGavrochehadfoundhimmeditatingonthenightbetweenthe5th
andthe6thofJune；heremainedthereafewmoments，thenwent
upstairsagain。Thiswasthelastoscillationofthependulum。
Onthefollowingdayhedidnotleavehisapartment。Ontheday
afterthat，hedidnotleavehisbed。
Hisportress，whopreparedhisscantyrepasts，afewcabbages
orpotatoeswithbacon，glancedatthebrownearthenwareplate
andexclaimed:"Butyouatenothingyesterday，poor，dearman！""CertainlyIdid，"repliedJeanValjean。"Theplateisquitefull。""Lookatthewaterjug。Itisempty。"
"Thatprovesthatyouhavedrunk；itdoesnotprovethatyou
haveeaten。""Well，"saidJeanValjean，"whatifIfelthungryonlyforwater？"
"Thatiscalledthirst，and，whenonedoesnoteatatthesametime，
itiscalledfever。""Iwilleatto—morrow。"
"OratTrinityday。Whynotto—day？Isitthethingtosay:
`Iwilleatto—morrow’？Theideaofleavingmyplatterwithouteven
touchingit！Myladyfingerpotatoesweresogood！"JeanValjeantooktheoldwoman’shand:"IpromiseyouthatIwilleatthem，"hesaid，inhisbenevolentvoice。"Iamnotpleasedwithyou，"repliedtheportress。
JeanValjeansawnootherhumancreaturethanthisgoodwoman。
TherearestreetsinParisthroughwhichnooneeverpasses，
andhousestowhichnooneevercomes。Hewasinoneofthosestreets
andoneofthosehouses。
Whilehestillwentout，hehadpurchasedofacoppersmith，
forafewsous，alittlecoppercrucifixwhichhehadhungup
onanailoppositehisbed。Thatgibbetisalwaysgoodtolookat。
Aweekpassed，andJeanValjeanhadnottakenastepinhisroom。
Hestillremainedinbed。Theportresssaidtoherhusband:——"The
goodmanupstairsyonderdoesnotgetup，henolongereats，
hewillnotlastlong。Thatmanhashissorrows，thathehas。
Youwon’tgetitoutofmyheadthathisdaughterhasmadea
badmarriage。"Theporterreplied，withthetoneofmaritalsovereignty:
"Ifhe’srich，lethimhaveadoctor。Ifheisnotrich，lethim
gowithout。Ifhehasnodoctorhewilldie。""Andifhehasone？""Hewilldie，"saidtheporter。
Theportresssettoscrapingawaythegrassfromwhatshecalled
herpavement，withanoldknife，and，asshetoreouttheblades，
shegrumbled:"It’sashame。Suchaneatoldman！He’saswhiteasachicken。"
Shecaughtsightofthedoctorofthequarterashepassedtheend
ofthestreet；shetookituponherselftorequesthimtocome
upstairs。
"It’sonthesecondfloor，"saidshe。"Youhaveonlytoenter。
Asthegoodmannolongerstirsfromhisbed，thedooris
alwaysunlocked。"ThedoctorsawJeanValjeanandspokewithhim。Whenhecamedownagaintheportressinterrogatedhim:"Well，doctor？""Yoursickmanisveryillindeed。""Whatisthematterwithhim？"
"Everythingandnothing。Heisamanwho，toallappearances，
haslostsomepersonwhoisdeartohim。Peopledieofthat。""Whatdidhesaytoyou？""Hetoldmethathewasingoodhealth。""Shallyoucomeagain，doctor？""Yes，"repliedthedoctor。"Butsomeoneelsebesidesmustcome。"CHAPTERIIIAPENISHEAVYTOTHEMANWHOLIFTEDTHEFAUCHELEVENT’SCART
OneeveningJeanValjeanfounddifficultyinraisinghimself
onhiselbow；hefeltofhiswristandcouldnotfindhispulse；
hisbreathwasshortandhaltedattimes；herecognizedthefact
thathewasweakerthanhehadeverbeenbefore。Then，nodoubt
underthepressureofsomesupremepreoccupation，hemadeaneffort，
drewhimselfupintoasittingpostureanddressedhimself。
Heputonhisoldworkingman’sclothes。Ashenolongerwentout，
hehadreturnedtothemandpreferredthem。Hewasobligedtopause
manytimeswhiledressinghimself；merelyputtinghisarmsthroughhis
waistcoatmadetheperspirationtricklefromhisforehead。
Sincehehadbeenalone，hehadplacedhisbedintheantechamber，
inordertoinhabitthatdesertedapartmentaslittleaspossible。HeopenedthevaliseanddrewfromitCosette’soutfit。Hespreaditoutonhisbed。
TheBishop’scandlestickswereintheirplaceonthechimney—piece。He
tookfromadrawertwowaxcandlesandputtheminthecandlesticks。
Then，althoughitwasstillbroaddaylight，——itwassummer，——
helightedthem。Inthesamewaycandlesaretobeseenlighted
inbroaddaylightinchamberswherethereisacorpse。
Everystepthathetookingoingfromonepieceoffurniture
toanotherexhaustedhim，andhewasobligedtositdown。Itwas
notordinaryfatiguewhichexpendsthestrengthonlytorenewit；
itwastheremnantofallmovementpossibletohim，itwaslife
drainedwhichflowsawaydropbydropinoverwhelmingefforts
andwhichwillneverberenewed。
Thechairintowhichheallowedhimselftofallwasplacedinfront
ofthatmirror，sofatalforhim，soprovidentialforMarius，
inwhichhehadreadCosette’sreversedwritingontheblottingbook。
Hecaughtsightofhimselfinthismirror，anddidnotrecognizehimself。
Hewaseightyyearsold；beforeMarius’marriage，hewouldhavehardly
beentakenforfifty；thatyearhadcountedforthirty。Whathebore
onhisbrowwasnolongerthewrinklesofage，itwasthemysteriousmark
ofdeath。Thehollowingofthatpitilessnailcouldbefeltthere。
Hischeekswerependulous；theskinofhisfacehadthecolor
whichwouldleadonetothinkthatitalreadyhadearthuponit；
thecornersofhismouthdroopedasinthemaskwhichtheancients
sculpturedontombs。Hegazedintospacewithanairofreproach；
onewouldhavesaidthathewasoneofthosegrandtragicbeings
whohavecausetocomplainofsomeone。
Hewasinthatcondition，thelastphaseofdejection，
inwhichsorrownolongerflows；itiscoagulated，sotospeak；
thereissomethingonthesoullikeaclotofdespair。
Nighthadcome。Helaboriouslydraggedatableandtheold
arm—chairtothefireside，andplaceduponthetableapen，
someinkandsomepaper。
Thatdone，hehadafaintingfit。Whenherecoveredconsciousness，
hewasthirsty。Ashecouldnotliftthejug，hetippeditover
painfullytowardshismouth，andswallowedadraught。
Asneitherthepennortheinkhadbeenusedforalongtime，
thepointofthepenhadcurledup，theinkhaddriedaway，hewas
forcedtoriseandputafewdropsofwaterintheink，whichhedid
notaccomplishwithoutpausingandsittingdowntwoorthreetimes，
andhewascompelledtowritewiththebackofthepen。Hewiped
hisbrowfromtimetotime。
Thenheturnedtowardsthebed，and，stillseated，forhecouldnotstand，
hegazedatthelittleblackgownandallthosebelovedobjects。Thesecontemplationslastedforhourswhichseemedminutes。
Allatonceheshivered，hefeltthatachildwastakingpossession
ofhim；herestedhiselbowsonthetable，whichwasilluminated
bytheBishop’scandlesandtookupthepen。Hishandtrembled。
Hewroteslowlythefewfollowinglines:
"Cosette，Iblessthee。Iamgoingtoexplaintothee。Thyhusband
wasrightingivingmetounderstandthatIoughttogoaway；
butthereisalittleerrorinwhathebelieved，thoughhewasin
theright。Heisexcellent。LovehimwellevenafterIamdead。
MonsieurPontmercy，lovemydarlingchildwell。Cosette，thispaper
willbefound；thisiswhatIwishtosaytothee，thouwiltsee
thefigures，ifIhavethestrengthtorecallthem，listenwell，
thismoneyisreallythine。Hereisthewholematter:Whitejet
comesfromNorway，blackjetcomesfromEngland，blackglassjewellery
comesfromGermany。Jetisthelightest，themostprecious，
themostcostly。ImitationscanbemadeinFranceaswellasinGermany。
Whatisneededisalittleanviltwoinchessquare，andalamp
burningspiritsofwinetosoftenthewax。Thewaxwasformerly
madewithresinandlampblack，andcostfourlivresthepound。
Iinventedawayofmakingitwithgumshellacandturpentine。
Itdoesnotcostmorethanthirtysous，andismuchbetter。
Bucklesaremadewithavioletglasswhichisstuckfast，bymeans
ofthiswax，toalittleframeworkofblackiron。Theglassmust
bevioletforironjewellery，andblackforgoldjewellery。
Spainbuysagreatdealofit。Itisthecountryofjet……"
Herehepaused，thepenfellfromhisfingers，hewasseizedbyoneof
thosesobswhichattimeswelledupfromtheverydepthsofhisbeing；
thepoormanclaspedhisheadinbothhands，andmeditated。
"Oh！"heexclaimedwithinhimself[lamentablecries，heardbyGod
alone]，"allisover。Ishallneverseehermore。Sheisasmile
whichpassedoverme。Iamabouttoplungeintothenightwithout
evenseeingheragain。Oh！oneminute，oneinstant，tohearhervoice，
totouchherdress，togazeuponher，uponher，theangel！andthen
todie！Itisnothingtodie，whatisfrightfulistodiewithout
seeingher。Shewouldsmileonme，shewouldsayawordtome，
wouldthatdoanyharmtoanyone？No，allisover，andforever。
HereIamallalone。MyGod！MyGod！Ishallneverseeheragain！"
Atthatmomenttherecameaknockatthedoor。CHAPTERIVABOTTLEOFINKWHICHONLYSUCCEEDEDINWHITENING
Thatsameday，ortospeakmoreaccurately，thatsameevening，asMarius
leftthetable，andwasonthepointofwithdrawingtohisstudy，
havingacasetolookover，Basquehandedhimalettersaying:
"Thepersonwhowrotetheletterisintheantechamber。"Cosettehadtakenthegrandfather’sarmandwasstrollinginthegarden。
Aletter，likeaman，mayhaveanunprepossessingexterior。
Coarsepaper，coarselyfolded——theverysightofcertainmissives
isdispleasing。TheletterwhichBasquehadbroughtwasofthissort。
Mariustookit。Itsmelledoftobacco。Nothingevokesamemory
likeanodor。Mariusrecognizedthattobacco。Helookedat
thesuperscription:"ToMonsieur，MonsieurleBaronPommerci。
Athishotel。"Therecognitionofthetobaccocausedhimto
recognizethewritingaswell。Itmaybesaidthatamazement
hasitslightningflashes。Mariuswas，asitwere，illuminatedbyoneoftheseflashes。
Thesenseofsmell，thatmysteriousaidtomemory，hadjust
revivedawholeworldwithinhim。Thiswascertainlythepaper，
thefashionoffolding，thedulltintofink；itwascertainly
thewell—knownhandwriting，especiallywasitthesametobacco。TheJondrettegarretrosebeforehismind。
Thus，strangefreakofchance！oneofthetwoscentswhichhehad
sodiligentlysought，theoneinconnectionwithwhichhehadlately
againexertedsomanyeffortsandwhichhesupposedtobeforeverlost，
hadcomeandpresenteditselftohimofitsownaccord。Heeagerlybroketheseal，andread:
"MonsieurleBaron:——IftheSupremeBeinghadgivenmethetalents，
ImighthavebeenbaronThenard，memberoftheInstitute[academy
ofciences]，butIamnot。Ionlybearthesameashim，happyif
thismemoryrecommendsmetotheeccellenceofyourkindnesses。
Thebenefitwithwhichyouwillhonormewillbereciprocle。
Iaminpossessionofasecretconcerninganindividual。
Thisindividualconcernsyou。Iholdthesecretatyourdisposal
desiringtohavethehonortobehusefultoyou。Iwillfurnish
youwiththesimplemeansofdrivingfromyourhonorabelfamily
thatindividualwhohasnorightthere，madamelabaronnebeing
ofloftybirth。Thesanctuaryofvirtuecannotcohabitlonger
withcrimewithoutabdicating。
Iawateintheentichambertheordersofmonsieurlebaron。
"Withrespect。"Theletterwassigned"Thenard。"Thissignaturewasnotfalse。Itwasmerelyatrifleabridged。
Moreover，therigmaroleandtheorthographycompletedtherevelation。
Thecertificateoforiginwascomplete。
Marius’emotionwasprofound。Afterastartofsurprise，
heunderwentafeelingofhappiness。Ifhecouldnow
butfindthatothermanofwhomhewasinsearch，theman
whohadsavedhim，Marius，therewouldbenothingleftforhimtodesire。
Heopenedthedrawerofhissecretary，tookoutseveralbank—notes，put
theminhispocket，closedthesecretaryagain，andrangthebell。
Basquehalfopenedthedoor。"Showthemanin，"saidMarius。Basqueannounced:"MonsieurThenard。"Amanentered。
AfreshsurpriseforMarius。Themanwhoenteredwasanutter
strangertohim。
Thisman，whowasold，moreover，hadathicknose，hischinswathed
inacravat，greenspectacleswithadoublescreenofgreentaffeta
overhiseyes，andhishairwasplasteredandflatteneddownonhis
browonalevelwithhiseyebrowslikethewigsofEnglishcoachmen
in"highlife。"Hishairwasgray。Hewasdressedinblackfrom
headtofoot，ingarmentsthatwereverythreadbarebutclean；
abunchofsealsdependingfromhisfobsuggestedtheideaofawatch。
Heheldinhishandanoldhat！Hewalkedinabentattitude，
andthecurveinhisspineaugmentedtheprofundityofhisbow。
Thefirstthingthatstrucktheobserverwas，thatthis
personage’scoat，whichwastooamplealthoughcarefullybuttoned，
hadnotbeenmadeforhim。Hereashortdigressionbecomesnecessary。
TherewasinParisatthatepoch，inalow—livedoldlodging
intheRueBeautreillis，neartheArsenal，aningeniousJewwhose
professionwastochangevillainsintohonestmen。Notfortoolong，
whichmighthaveprovedembarrassingforthevillain。Thechange
wasonsight，foradayortwo，attherateofthirtysousaday，
bymeansofacostumewhichresembledthehonestyoftheworld
ingeneralasnearlyaspossible。Thiscostumerwascalled
"theChanger"；thepickpocketsofParishadgivenhimthisname
andknewhimbynoother。Hehadatolerablycompletewardrobe。
Theragswithwhichhetrickedoutpeoplewerealmostprobable。
Hehadspecialtiesandcategories；oneachnailofhisshophung
asocialstatus，threadbareandworn；herethesuitofamagistrate，
theretheoutfitofaCure，beyondtheoutfitofabanker，inone
cornerthecostumeofaretiredmilitaryman，elsewherethehabiliments
ofamanofletters，andfurtheronthedressofastatesman。
Thiscreaturewasthecostumeroftheimmensedramawhichknavery
playsinParis。Hislairwasthegreen—roomwhencetheftemerged，
andintowhichrogueryretreated。Atatteredknavearrivedatthis
dressing—room，depositedhisthirtysousandselected，accordingto
thepartwhichhewishedtoplay，thecostumewhichsuitedhim，
andondescendingthestairsoncemore，theknavewasasomebody。
Onthefollowingday，theclotheswerefaithfullyreturned，
andtheChanger，whotrustedthethieveswitheverything，
wasneverrobbed。Therewasoneinconvenienceabouttheseclothes，
they"didnotfit"；nothavingbeenmadeforthosewhoworethem，
theyweretootightforone，toolooseforanotheranddidnotadjust
themselvestoanyone。Everypickpocketwhoexceededorfellshort
ofthehumanaveragewasillathiseaseintheChanger’scostumes。