Itwasnecessarythatoneshouldnotbeeithertoofatortoolean。
　　Thechangerhadforeseenonlyordinarymen。Hehadtakenthemeasure
　　ofthespeciesfromthefirstrascalwhocametohand，whois
　　neitherstoutnorthin，neithertallnorshort。Henceadaptations
　　whichweresometimesdifficultandfromwhichtheChanger’sclients
　　extricatedthemselvesasbesttheymight。Somuchtheworse
　　fortheexceptions！Thesuitofthestatesman，forinstance，
　　blackfromheadtofoot，andconsequentlyproper，wouldhavebeen
　　toolargeforPittandtoosmallforCastelcicala。Thecostume
　　ofastatesmanwasdesignatedasfollowsintheChanger’scatalogue；
　　wecopy:
　　"Acoatofblackcloth，trowsersofblackwool，asilk
　　waistcoat，bootsandlinen。"Onthemargintherestood:
　　ex—ambassador，andanotewhichwealsocopy:"Inaseparatebox，
　　aneatlyfrizzedperuke，greenglasses，seals，andtwosmall
　　quillsaninchlong，wrappedincotton。"Allthisbelonged
　　tothestatesman，theex—ambassador。Thiswholecostumewas，
　　ifwemaysoexpressourselves，debilitated；theseamswerewhite，
　　avaguebutton—holeyawnedatoneoftheelbows；moreover，oneofthe
　　coatbuttonswasmissingonthebreast；butthiswasonlydetail；
　　asthehandofthestatesmanshouldalwaysbethrustintohiscoat
　　andlaiduponhisheart，itsfunctionwastoconcealtheabsentbutton。
　　IfMariushadbeenfamiliarwiththeoccultinstitutionsofParis，
　　hewouldinstantlyhaverecognizeduponthebackofthevisitor
　　whomBasquehadjustshownin，thestatesman’ssuitborrowedfrom
　　thepick—me—down—thatshopoftheChanger。
　　Marius’disappointmentonbeholdinganothermanthantheonewhom
　　heexpectedtoseeturnedtothenewcomer’sdisadvantage。
　　Hesurveyedhimfromheadtofoot，whilethatpersonagemade
　　exaggeratedbows，anddemandedinacurttone:"Whatdoyouwant？"
　　Themanrepliedwithanamiablegrinofwhichthecaressingsmile
　　ofacrocodilewillfurnishsomeidea:
　　"ItseemstomeimpossiblethatIshouldnothavealreadyhad
　　thehonorofseeingMonsieurleBaroninsociety。IthinkI
　　actuallydidmeetmonsieurpersonally，severalyearsago，atthe
　　houseofMadamelaPrincesseBagrationandinthedrawing—rooms
　　ofhisLordshiptheVicomteDambray，peerofFrance。"
　　Itisalwaysagoodbitoftacticsinknaverytopretendtorecognize
　　someonewhomonedoesnotknow。
　　Mariuspaidattentiontothemannerofthisman’sspeech。
　　Hespiedonhisaccentandgesture，buthisdisappointmentincreased；
　　thepronunciationwasnasalandabsolutelyunlikethedry，
　　shrilltonewhichhehadexpected。Hewasutterlyrouted。
　　"IknowneitherMadameBagrationnorM。Dambray，"saidhe。
　　"Ihaveneversetfootinthehouseofeitheroftheminmylife。"
　　Thereplywasungracious。Thepersonage，determinedtobegracious
　　atanycost，insisted。
　　"ThenitmusthavebeenatChateaubriand’sthatIhaveseenMonsieur！
　　IknowChateaubriandverywell。Heisveryaffable。Hesometimes
　　saystome:`Thenard，myfriend……won’tyoudrinkaglass
　　ofwinewithme？’"Marius’browgrewmoreandmoresevere:
　　"IhaveneverhadthehonorofbeingreceivedbyM。deChateaubriand。
　　Letuscutitshort。Whatdoyouwant？"Themanbowedloweratthatharshvoice。
　　"MonsieurleBaron，deigntolistentome。ThereisinAmerica，
　　inadistrictnearPanama，avillagecalledlaJoya。Thatvillage
　　iscomposedofasinglehouse，alarge，squarehouseofthreestories，
　　builtofbricksdriedinthesun，eachsideofthesquarefive
　　hundredfeetinlength，eachstoryretreatingtwelvefeetback
　　ofthestorybelow，insuchamannerastoleaveinfrontaterrace
　　whichmakesthecircuitoftheedifice，inthecentreaninnercourt
　　wheretheprovisionsandmunitionsarekept；nowindows，loopholes，
　　nodoors，ladders，ladderstomountfromthegroundtothefirstterrace，
　　andfromthefirsttothesecond，andfromthesecondtothethird，
　　ladderstodescendintotheinnercourt，nodoorstothechambers，
　　trap—doors，nostaircasestothechambers，ladders；intheevening
　　thetrapsareclosed，theladdersarewithdrawncarbinesand
　　blunderbussestrainedfromtheloopholes；nomeansofentering，
　　ahousebyday，acitadelbynight，eighthundredinhabitants，——
　　thatisthevillage。Whysomanyprecautions？becausethecountry
　　isdangerous；itisfullofcannibals。Thenwhydopeoplegothere？
　　becausethecountryismarvellous；goldisfoundthere。"
　　"Whatareyoudrivingat？"interruptedMarius，whohadpassed
　　fromdisappointmenttoimpatience。
　　"Atthis，MonsieurleBaron。Iamanoldandwearydiplomat。
　　Ancientcivilizationhasthrownmeonmyowndevices。Iwantto
　　trysavages。""Well？"
　　"MonsieurleBaron，egotismisthelawoftheworld。Theproletarian
　　peasantwoman，whotoilsbytheday，turnsroundwhenthediligence
　　passesby，thepeasantproprietress，whotoilsinherfield，
　　doesnotturnround。Thedogofthepoormanbarksattherichman，
　　thedogoftherichmanbarksatthepoorman。Eachoneforhimself。
　　Self—interest——that’stheobjectofmen。Gold，that’stheloadstone。""Whatthen？Finish。"
　　"IshouldliketogoandestablishmyselfatlaJoya。Therearethree
　　ofus。Ihavemyspouseandmyyounglady；averybeautifulgirl。
　　Thejourneyislongandcostly。Ineedalittlemoney。""Whatconcernisthatofmine？"demandedMarius。
　　Thestrangerstretchedhisneckoutofhiscravat，agesture
　　characteristicofthevulture，andrepliedwithanaugmentedsmile。"HasnotMonsieurleBaronperusedmyletter？"
　　Therewassometruthinthis。Thefactis，thatthecontentsofthe
　　epistlehadslippedMarius’mind。Hehadseenthewritingrather
　　thanreadtheletter。Hecouldhardlyrecallit。Butamoment
　　agoafreshstarthadbeengivenhim。Hehadnotedthatdetail:
　　"myspouseandmyyounglady。"
　　Hefixedapenetratingglanceonthestranger。Anexaminingjudge
　　couldnothavedonethelookbetter。Healmostlayinwaitforhim。Heconfinedhimselftoreplying:"Statethecaseprecisely。"
　　Thestrangerinsertedhistwohandsinbothhisfobs，drewhimself
　　upwithoutstraighteninghisdorsalcolumn，butscrutinizingMarius
　　inhisturn，withthegreengazeofhisspectacles。
　　"Sobeit，MonsieurleBaron。Iwillbeprecise。Ihaveasecret
　　toselltoyou。""Asecret？""Asecret。""Whichconcernsme？""Somewhat。""Whatisthesecret？"Mariusscrutinizedthemanmoreandmoreashelistenedtohim。
　　"Icommencegratis，"saidthestranger。"YouwillseethatI
　　aminteresting。""Speak。""MonsieurleBaron，youhaveinyourhouseathiefandanassassin。"Mariusshuddered。"Inmyhouse？no，"saidhe。Theimperturbablestrangerbrushedhishatwithhiselbowandwenton:
　　"Anassassinandathief。Remark，MonsieurleBaron，thatIdonot
　　herespeakofancientdeeds，deedsofthepastwhichhavelapsed，
　　whichcanbeeffacedbylimitationbeforethelawandbyrepentance
　　beforeGod。Ispeakofrecentdeeds，ofactualfactsasstill
　　unknowntojusticeatthishour。Icontinue。Thismanhas
　　insinuatedhimselfintoyourconfidence，andalmostintoyour
　　familyunderafalsename。Iamabouttotellyouhisrealname。
　　Andtotellittoyoufornothing。""Iamlistening。""HisnameisJeanValjean。""Iknowit。""Iamgoingtotellyou，equallyfornothing，whoheis。""Sayon。""Heisanex—convict。""Iknowit。""YouknowitsinceIhavehadthehonoroftellingyou。""No。Iknewitbefore。"
　　Marius’coldtone，thatdoublereplyof"Iknowit，"hislaconicism，
　　whichwasnotfavorabletodialogue，stirredupsomesmouldering
　　wrathinthestranger。Helaunchedafuriousglanceonthesly
　　atMarius，whichwasinstantlyextinguished。Rapidasitwas，
　　thisglancewasofthekindwhichamanrecognizeswhenhehasonce
　　beheldit；itdidnotescapeMarius。Certainflashescanonly
　　proceedfromcertainsouls；theeye，thatvent—holeofthethought，
　　glowswithit；spectacleshidenothing；tryputtingapaneofglass
　　overhell！Thestrangerresumedwithasmile:
　　"IwillnotpermitmyselftocontradictMonsieurleBaron。Inanycase，
　　yououghttoperceivethatIamwellinformed。NowwhatIhave
　　totellyouisknowntomyselfalone。Thisconcernsthefortune
　　ofMadamelaBaronne。Itisanextraordinarysecret。Itisforsale——
　　Imakeyouthefirstofferofit。Cheap。Twentythousandfrancs。""Iknowthatsecretaswellastheothers，"saidMarius。Thepersonagefeltthenecessityofloweringhispriceatrifle。"MonsieurleBaron，saytenthousandfrancsandIwillspeak。"
　　"Irepeattoyouthatthereisnothingwhichyoucantellme。
　　Iknowwhatyouwishtosaytome。"Afreshflashgleamedintheman’seye。Heexclaimed:
　　"ButImustdineto—day，nevertheless。Itisanextraordinarysecret，
　　Itellyou。MonsieurleBaron，Iwillspeak。Ispeak。Giveme
　　twentyfrancs。"Mariusgazedintentlyathim:
　　"Iknowyourextraordinarysecret，justasIknewJeanValjean’sname，
　　justasIknowyourname。""Myname？""Yes。"
　　"Thatisnotdifficult，MonsieurleBaron。Ihadthehonortowrite
　　toyouandtotellittoyou。Thenard。""——Dier。""Hey？""Thenardier。""Who’sthat？"
　　Indangertheporcupinebristlesup，thebeetlefeignsdeath，
　　theoldguardformsinasquare；thismanburstintolaughter。
　　Thenheflickedagrainofdustfromthesleeveofhiscoat
　　withafillip。Mariuscontinued:
　　"YouarealsoJondrettetheworkman，Fabantouthecomedian，
　　Genflotthepoet，DonAlvarestheSpaniard，andMistressBalizard。""Mistresswhat？""Andyoukeptapot—houseatMontfermeil。""Apot—house！Never。""AndItellyouthatyournameisThenardier。""Idenyit。""Andthatyouarearascal。Here。"AndMariusdrewabank—notefromhispocketandflungitinhisface。"Thanks！Pardonme！fivehundredfrancs！MonsieurleBaron！"Andtheman，overcome，bowed，seizedthenoteandexaminedit。
　　"Fivehundredfrancs！"hebeganagain，takenaback。Andhestammered
　　inalowvoice:"Anhonestrustler。"[69]
　　[69]Unfafiotserieux。Fafiotistheslangtermforabank—bill，
　　derivedfromitsrustlingnoise。Thenbrusquely:"Well，sobeit！"heexclaimed。"Letusputourselvesatourease。"
　　Andwiththeagilityofamonkey，flingingbackhishair，
　　tearingoffhisspectacles，andwithdrawingfromhisnoseby
　　sleightofhandthetwoquillsofwhichmentionwasrecentlymade，
　　andwhichthereaderhasalsometwithonanotherpageofthisbook，
　　hetookoffhisfaceasthemantakesoffhishat。
　　Hiseyelightedup；hisunevenbrow，withhollowsinsomeplaces
　　andbumpsinothers，hideouslywrinkledatthetop，waslaidbare，
　　hisnosehadbecomeassharpasabeak；thefierceandsagacious
　　profileofthemanofpreyreappeared。
　　"MonsieurleBaronisinfallible，"hesaidinaclearvoicewhence
　　allnasaltwanghaddisappeared，"IamThenardier。"Andhestraighteneduphiscrookedback。
　　Thenardier，foritwasreallyhe，wasstrangelysurprised；
　　hewouldhavebeentroubled，hadhebeencapableofsuchathing。
　　Hehadcometobringastonishment，anditwashewhohadreceivedit。
　　Thishumiliationhadbeenworthfivehundredfrancstohim，and，takingit
　　allinall，heacceptedit；buthewasnonethelessbewildered。
　　HebeheldthisBaronPontmercyforthefirsttime，and，inspite
　　ofhisdisguise，thisBaronPontmercyrecognizedhim，andrecognized
　　himthoroughly。AndnotonlywasthisBaronperfectlyinformed
　　astoThenardier，butheseemedwellpostedastoJeanValjean。
　　Whowasthisalmostbeardlessyoungman，whowassoglacialand
　　sogenerous，whoknewpeople’snames，whoknewalltheirnames，
　　andwhoopenedhispursetothem，whobulliedrascalslikeajudge，
　　andwhopaidthemlikeadupe？
　　Thenardier，thereaderwillremember，althoughhehadbeenMarius’
　　neighbor，hadneverseenhim，whichisnotunusualinParis；
　　hehadformerly，inavagueway，heardhisdaughterstalkofaverypoor
　　youngmannamedMariuswholivedinthehouse。Hehadwrittentohim，
　　withoutknowinghim，theletterwithwhichthereaderisacquainted。
　　NoconnectionbetweenthatMariusandM。leBaronPontmercywas
　　possibleinhismind。
　　AsforthenamePontmercy，itwillberecalledthat，onthe
　　battlefieldofWaterloo，hehadonlyheardthelasttwosyllables，
　　forwhichhealwaysentertainedthelegitimatescornwhichone
　　owestowhatismerelyanexpressionofthanks。
　　However，throughhisdaughterAzelma，whohadstartedonthescent
　　ofthemarriedpaironthe16thofFebruary，andthroughhisown
　　personalresearches，hehadsucceededinlearningmanythings，and，
　　fromthedepthsofhisowngloom，hehadcontrivedtograspmore
　　thanonemysteriousclew。Hehaddiscovered，bydintofindustry，
　　or，atleast，bydintofinduction，hehadguessedwhotheman
　　waswhomhehadencounteredonacertaindayintheGrandSewer。
　　Fromthemanhehadeasilyreachedthename。HeknewthatMadame
　　laBaronnePontmercywasCosette。Buthemeanttobediscreet
　　inthatquarter。
　　WhowasCosette？Hedidnotknowexactlyhimself。Hedid，
　　indeed，catchaninklingofillegitimacy，thehistoryofFantine
　　hadalwaysseemedtohimequivocal；butwhatwastheuseoftalking
　　aboutthat？inordertocausehimselftobepaidforhissilence？
　　Hehad，orthoughthehad，betterwaresthanthatforsale。
　　And，accordingtoallappearances，ifheweretocomeandmake
　　totheBaronPontmercythisrevelation——andwithoutproof:
　　"Yourwifeisabastard，"theonlyresultwouldbetoattract
　　thebootofthehusbandtowardstheloinsoftherevealer。
　　FromThenardier’spointofview，theconversationwithMarius
　　hadnotyetbegun。Heoughttohavedrawnback，tohavemodified
　　hisstrategy，tohaveabandonedhisposition，tohavechanged
　　hisfront；butnothingessentialhadbeencompromisedasyet，
　　andhehadfivehundredfrancsinhispocket。Moreover，hehad
　　somethingdecisivetosay，and，evenagainstthisverywell—informed
　　andwell—armedBaronPontmercy，hefelthimselfstrong。
　　FormenofThenardier’snature，everydialogueisacombat。
　　Intheoneinwhichhewasabouttoengage，whatwashissituation？
　　Hedidnotknowtowhomhewasspeaking，buthedidknowofwhat
　　hewasspeaking，hemadethisrapidreviewofhisinnerforces，
　　andafterhavingsaid:"IamThenardier，"hewaited。
　　Mariushadbecomethoughtful。SohehadholdofThenardieratlast。
　　Thatmanwhomhehadsogreatlydesiredtofindwasbeforehim。
　　HecouldhonorColonelPontmercy’srecommendation。
　　Hefelthumiliatedthatthatheroshouldhaveownedanythingto
　　thisvillain，andthattheletterofchangedrawnfromthedepths
　　ofthetombbyhisfatheruponhim，Marius，hadbeenprotestedup
　　tothatday。Italsoseemedtohim，inthecomplexstateofhis
　　mindtowardsThenardier，thattherewasoccasiontoavengethe
　　Colonelforthemisfortuneofhavingbeensavedbysucharascal。
　　Inanycase，hewascontent。HewasabouttodelivertheColonel’s
　　shadefromthisunworthycreditoratlast，anditseemedtohim
　　thathewasonthepointofrescuinghisfather’smemoryfrom
　　thedebtors’prison。Bythesideofthisdutytherewasanother——
　　toelucidate，ifpossible，thesourceofCosette’sfortune。
　　Theopportunityappearedtopresentitself。PerhapsThenardier
　　knewsomething。Itmightproveusefultoseethebottomofthisman。Hecommencedwiththis。
　　Thenardierhadcausedthe"honestrustler"todisappearinhisfob，
　　andwasgazingatMariuswithagentlenessthatwasalmosttender。Mariusbrokethesilence。
　　"Thenardier，Ihavetoldyouyourname。Now，wouldyouliketohave
　　metellyouyoursecret——theonethatyoucameheretorevealtome？
　　Ihaveinformationofmyown，also。YoushallseethatIknowmore
　　aboutitthanyoudo。JeanValjean，asyouhavesaid，isanassassin
　　andathief。Athief，becauseherobbedawealthymanufacturer，
　　whoseruinhebroughtabout。Anassassin，becauseheassassinated
　　police—agentJavert。""Idon’tunderstand，sir，"ejaculatedThenardier。
　　"Iwillmakemyselfintelligible。Inacertainarrondissement
　　ofthePasdeCalais，therewas，in1822，amanwhohadfallenout
　　withjustice，andwho，underthenameofM。Madeleine，hadregained
　　hisstatusandrehabilitatedhimself。Thismanhadbecomeajust
　　maninthefullforceoftheterm。Inatrade，themanufacture
　　ofblackglassgoods，hemadethefortuneofanentirecity。
　　Asfarashispersonalfortunewasconcernedhemadethatalso，
　　butasasecondarymatter，andinsomesort，byaccident。
　　Hewasthefoster—fatherofthepoor。Hefoundedhospitals，
　　openedschools，visitedthesick，doweredyounggirls，supportedwidows，
　　andadoptedorphans；hewasliketheguardianangelofthecountry。
　　Herefusedthecross，hewasappointedMayor。Aliberatedconvict
　　knewthesecretofapenaltyincurredbythismaninformerdays；
　　hedenouncedhim，andhadhimarrested，andprofitedbythearrest
　　tocometoParisandcausethebankerLaffitte，——Ihavethefact
　　fromthecashierhimself，——bymeansofafalsesignature，tohand
　　overtohimthesumofoverhalfamillionwhichbelongedto
　　M。Madeleine。ThisconvictwhorobbedM。MadeleinewasJeanValjean。
　　Asfortheotherfact，youhavenothingtotellmeaboutiteither。
　　JeanValjeankilledtheagentJavert；heshothimwithapistol。
　　I，thepersonwhoisspeakingtoyou，waspresent。"
　　ThenardiercastuponMariusthesovereignglanceofaconquered
　　manwholayshishandoncemoreuponthevictory，andwhohas
　　justregained，inoneinstant，allthegroundwhichhehaslost。
　　Butthesmilereturnedinstantly。Theinferior’striumphinthe
　　presenceofhissuperiormustbewheedling。ThenardiercontentedhimselfwithsayingtoMarius:"MonsieurleBaron，weareonthewrongtrack。"
　　Andheemphasizedthisphrasebymakinghisbunchofsealsexecute
　　anexpressivewhirl。"What！"brokeforthMarius，"doyoudisputethat？Thesearefacts。"
　　"Theyarechimeras。TheconfidencewithwhichMonsieurleBaron
　　honorsmerendersitmydutytotellhimso。Truthandjustice
　　beforeallthings。Idonotliketoseefolksaccusedunjustly。
　　MonsieurleBaron，JeanValjeandidnotrobM。MadeleineandJean
　　ValjeandidnotkillJavert。""Thisistoomuch！Howisthis？""Fortworeasons。""Whatarethey？Speak。"
　　"Thisisthefirst:hedidnotrobM。Madeleine，becauseit
　　isJeanValjeanhimselfwhowasM。Madeleine。""Whattaleareyoutellingme？"
　　"Andthisisthesecond:hedidnotassassinateJavert，
　　becausethepersonwhokilledJavertwasJavert。""Whatdoyoumeantosay？""ThatJavertcommittedsuicide。""Proveit！proveit！"criedMariusbesidehimself。
　　Thenardierresumed，scanninghisphraseafterthemannerofthe
　　ancientAlexandrinemeasure:"Police—agent—Ja—vert—was—found—drowned—un—der—a—boat—of—the—Pont—au—Change。"
　　"Butproveit！"
　　Thenardierdrewfromhispocketalargeenvelopeofgraypaper，
　　whichseemedtocontainsheetsfoldedindifferentsizes。"Ihavemypapers，"hesaidcalmly。Andheadded:
　　"MonsieurleBaron，inyourinterestsIdesiredtoknowJean
　　Valjeanthoroughly。IsaythatJeanValjeanandM。Madeleineareoneand
　　thesameman，andIsaythatJaverthadnootherassassinthanJavert。
　　IfIspeak，itisbecauseIhaveproofs。Notmanuscriptproofs——
　　writingissuspicious，handwritingiscomplaisant，——butprintedproofs。"
　　Ashespoke，Thenardierextractedfromtheenvelopetwocopies
　　ofnewspapers，yellow，faded，andstronglysaturatedwithtobacco。
　　Oneofthesetwonewspapers，brokenateveryfoldandfallingintorags，
　　seemedmucholderthantheother。
　　"Twofacts，twoproofs，"remarkedThenardier。Andheoffered
　　thetwonewspapers，unfolded，toMarius，
　　Thereaderisacquaintedwiththesetwopapers。One，themostancient，
　　anumberoftheDrapeauBlancofthe25thofJuly，1823，thetext
　　ofwhichcanbeseeninthefirstvolume，establishedtheidentity
　　ofM。MadeleineandJeanValjean。
　　Theother，aMoniteurofthe15thofJune，1832，announcedthe
　　suicideofJavert，addingthatitappearedfromaverbalreport
　　ofJaverttotheprefectthat，havingbeentakenprisonerinthe
　　barricadeoftheRuedelaChanvrerie，hehadowedhislifetothe
　　magnanimityofaninsurgentwho，holdinghimunderhispistol，
　　hadfiredintotheair，insteadofblowingouthisbrains。
　　Mariusread。Hehadevidence，acertaindate，irrefragableproof，
　　thesetwonewspapershadnotbeenprintedexpresslyforthepurpose
　　ofbackingupThenardier’sstatements；thenoteprintedintheMoniteur
　　hadbeenanadministrativecommunicationfromthePrefectureofPolice。
　　Mariuscouldnotdoubt。
　　Theinformationofthecashier—clerkhadbeenfalse，andhehimself
　　hadbeendeceived。
　　JeanValjean，whohadsuddenlygrowngrand，emergedfromhiscloud。
　　Mariuscouldnotrepressacryofjoy。
　　"Well，thenthisunhappywretchisanadmirableman！thewhole
　　ofthatfortunereallybelongedtohim！heisMadeleine，
　　theprovidenceofawholecountryside！heisJeanValjean，
　　Javert’ssavior！heisahero！heisasaint！"
　　"He’snotasaint，andhe’snotahero！"saidThenardier。
　　"He’sanassassinandarobber。"
　　Andheadded，inthetoneofamanwhobeginstofeelthathe
　　possessessomeauthority:"Letusbecalm。"
　　Robber，assassin——thosewordswhichMariusthoughthaddisappeared
　　andwhichreturned，felluponhimlikeanice—coldshower—bath。"Again！"saidhe。
　　"Always，"ejaculatedThenardier。"JeanValjeandidnotrobMadeleine，
　　butheisathief。HedidnotkillJavert，butheisamurderer。"
　　"Willyouspeak，"retortedMarius，"ofthatmiserabletheft，
　　committedfortyyearsago，andexpiated，asyourownnewspapersprove，
　　byawholelifeofrepentance，ofself—abnegationandofvirtue？"
　　"Isayassassinationandtheft，MonsieurleBaron，andIrepeat
　　thatIamspeakingofactualfacts。WhatIhavetorevealto
　　youisabsolutelyunknown。Itbelongstounpublishedmatter。
　　Andperhapsyouwillfindinitthesourceofthefortune
　　soskilfullypresentedtoMadamelaBaronnebyJeanValjean。
　　Isayskilfully，because，byagiftofthatnatureitwouldnotbeso
　　veryunskilfultoslipintoanhonorablehousewhosecomfortsonewould
　　thenshare，and，atthesamestroke，toconcealone’scrime，andto
　　enjoyone’stheft，toburyone’snameandtocreateforoneselfafamily。""Imightinterruptyouatthispoint，"saidMarius，"butgoon。"
　　"MonsieurleBaron，Iwilltellyouall，leavingtherecompenseto
　　yourgenerosity。Thissecretisworthmassivegold。Youwillsaytome:
　　`WhydonotyouapplytoJeanValjean？’Foraverysimplereason；
　　Iknowthathehasstrippedhimself，andstrippedhimselfinyourfavor，
　　andIconsiderthecombinationingenious；buthehasnolongerason，
　　hewouldshowmehisemptyhands，and，sinceIaminneedofsome
　　moneyformytriptolaJoya，Ipreferyou，youwhohaveitall，
　　tohimwhohasnothing。Iamalittlefatigued，permitmetotake
　　achair。"Mariusseatedhimselfandmotionedtohimtodothesame。
　　Thenardierinstalledhimselfonatuftedchair，pickedup
　　histwonewspapers，thrustthembackintotheirenvelope，
　　andmurmuredashepeckedattheDrapeauBlancwithhisnail:
　　"Itcostmeagooddealoftroubletogetthisone。"
　　Thatdonehecrossedhislegsandstretchedhimselfoutontheback
　　ofthechair，anattitudecharacteristicofpeoplewhoaresure
　　ofwhattheyaresaying，thenheentereduponhissubjectgravely，
　　emphasizinghiswords:
　　"MonsieurleBaron，onthe6thofJune，1832，aboutayearago，
　　onthedayoftheinsurrection，amanwasintheGrandSewerofParis，
　　atthepointwherethesewerenterstheSeine，betweenthePontdes
　　InvalidesandthePontdeJena。"
　　MariusabruptlydrewhischairclosertothatofThenardier。
　　Thenardiernoticedthismovementandcontinuedwiththedeliberation
　　ofanoratorwhoholdshisinterlocutorandwhofeelshisadversary
　　palpitatingunderhiswords:
　　"Thisman，forcedtoconcealhimself，andforreasons，moreover，
　　whichareforeigntopolitics，hadadoptedthesewerashis
　　domicileandhadakeytoit。Itwas，Irepeat，onthe6th
　　ofJune；itmighthavebeeneighto’clockintheevening。
　　Themanhearsanoiseinthesewer。Greatlysurprised，hehides
　　himselfandliesinwait。Itwasthesoundoffootsteps，
　　someonewaswalkinginthedark，andcominginhisdirection。
　　Strangetosay，therewasanothermaninthesewerbesideshimself。
　　Thegratingoftheoutletfromthesewerwasnotfaroff。Alittle
　　lightwhichfellthroughitpermittedhimtorecognizethenewcomer，
　　andtoseethatthemanwascarryingsomethingonhisback。
　　Hewaswalkinginabentattitude。Themanwhowaswalkingina
　　bentattitudewasanex—convict，andwhathewasdraggingonhis
　　shoulderswasacorpse。Assassinationcaughtintheveryact，
　　ifevertherewassuchathing。Asforthetheft，thatisunderstood；
　　onedoesnotkillamangratis。Thisconvictwasonhisway
　　toflingthebodyintotheriver。Onefactistobenoticed，
　　thatbeforereachingtheexitgrating，thisconvict，whohadcome
　　alongdistanceinthesewer，must，necessarily，haveencountered
　　afrightfulquagmirewhereitseemsasthoughhemighthaveleft
　　thebody，butthesewermenwouldhavefoundtheassassinatedman
　　theverynextday，whileatworkonthequagmire，andthatdid
　　notsuittheassassin’splans。Hehadpreferredtotraversethat
　　quagmirewithhisburden，andhisexertionsmusthavebeenterrible，
　　foritisimpossibletoriskone’slifemorecompletely；Idon’t
　　understandhowhecouldhavecomeoutofthatalive。"
　　Marius’chairapproachedstillnearer。Thenardiertookadvantage
　　ofthistodrawalongbreath。Hewenton:
　　"MonsieurleBaron，asewerisnottheChampdeMars。Onelacks
　　everythingthere，evenroom。Whentwomenarethere，theymustmeet。
　　Thatiswhathappened。Themandomiciledthereandthepasser—by
　　wereforcedtobideachothergood—day，greatlytotheregret
　　ofboth。Thepasser—bysaidtotheinhabitant:——"YouseewhatI
　　haveonmyback，Imustgetout，youhavethekey，giveittome。"
　　Thatconvictwasamanofterriblestrength。Therewasnoway
　　ofrefusing。Nevertheless，themanwhohadthekeyparleyed，
　　simplytogaintime。Heexaminedthedeadman，buthecould
　　seenothing，exceptthatthelatterwasyoung，welldressed，
　　withtheairofbeingrich，andalldisfiguredwithblood。
　　Whiletalking，themancontrivedtotearandpulloffbehind，
　　withouttheassassinperceivingit，abitoftheassassinated
　　man’scoat。Adocumentforconviction，youunderstand；ameans
　　ofrecoveringthetraceofthingsandofbringinghomethecrime
　　tothecriminal。Heputthisdocumentforconvictioninhispocket。
　　Afterwhichheopenedthegrating，madethemangooutwithhis
　　embarrassmentonhisback，closedthegratingagain，andranoff，
　　notcaringtobemixedupwiththeremainderoftheadventure
　　andaboveall，notwishingtobepresentwhentheassassinthrew
　　theassassinatedmanintotheriver。Nowyoucomprehend。Theman
　　whowascarryingthecorpsewasJeanValjean；theonewhohadthekey
　　isspeakingtoyouatthismoment；andthepieceofthecoat……"
　　Thenardiercompletedhisphrasebydrawingfromhispocket，
　　andholding，onalevelwithhiseyes，nippedbetweenhistwo
　　thumbsandhistwoforefingers，astripoftornblackcloth，
　　allcoveredwithdarkspots。
　　Mariushadsprungtohisfeet，pale，hardlyabletodrawhisbreath，
　　withhiseyesrivetedonthefragmentofblackcloth，and，without
　　utteringaword，withouttakinghiseyesfromthatfragment，
　　heretreatedtothewallandfumbledwithhisrighthandalong
　　thewallforakeywhichwasinthelockofacupboardnearthechimney。
　　Hefoundthekey，openedthecupboard，plungedhisarmintoit
　　withoutlooking，andwithouthisfrightenedgazequittingtherag
　　whichThenardierstillheldoutspread。ButThenardiercontinued:
　　"MonsieurleBaron，Ihavethestrongestofreasonsforbelieving
　　thattheassassinatedyoungmanwasanopulentstrangerluredinto
　　atrapbyJeanValjean，andthebearerofanenormoussumofmoney。"
　　"Theyoungmanwasmyself，andhereisthecoat！"criedMarius，
　　andheflungupontheflooranoldblackcoatallcoveredwithblood。
　　Then，snatchingthefragmentfromthehandsofThenardier，hecrouched
　　downoverthecoat，andlaidthetornmorselagainstthetatteredskirt。
　　Therentfittedexactly，andthestripcompletedthecoat。Thenardierwaspetrified。Thisiswhathethought:"I’mstruckallofaheap。"Mariusrosetohisfeettrembling，despairing，radiant。
　　HefumbledinhispocketandstalkedfuriouslytoThenardier，
　　presentingtohimandalmostthrustinginhisfacehisfistfilled
　　withbank—notesforfivehundredandathousandfrancs。
　　"Youareaninfamouswretch！youarealiar，acalumniator，
　　avillain。Youcametoaccusethatman，youhaveonlyjustifiedhim；
　　youwantedtoruinhim，youhaveonlysucceededinglorifyinghim。
　　Anditisyouwhoarethethief！Anditisyouwhoaretheassassin！
　　Isawyou，ThenardierJondrette，inthatlairontheRuedel’Hopital。
　　Iknowenoughaboutyoutosendyoutothegalleysandevenfurther
　　ifIchoose。Hereareathousandfrancs，bullythatyouare！"AndheflungathousandfrancnoteatThenardier。
　　"Ah！JondretteThenardier，vilerascal！Letthisserveyouas
　　alesson，youdealerinsecond—handsecrets，merchantofmysteries，
　　rummageroftheshadows，wretch！Takethesefivehundredfrancs
　　andgetoutofhere！Waterlooprotectsyou。"
　　"Waterloo！"growledThenardier，pocketingthefivehundredfrancs
　　alongwiththethousand。"Yes，assassin！YoutheresavedthelifeofaColonel……""OfaGeneral，"saidThenardier，elevatinghishead。
　　"OfaColonel！"repeatedMariusinarage。"Iwouldn’tgiveaha’penny
　　forageneral。Andyoucomeheretocommitinfamies！Itellyou
　　thatyouhavecommittedallcrimes。Go！disappear！Onlybehappy，
　　thatisallthatIdesire。Ah！monster！herearethreethousand
　　francsmore。Takethem。Youwilldepartto—morrow，forAmerica，
　　withyourdaughter；foryourwifeisdead，youabominableliar。
　　Ishallwatchoveryourdeparture，youruffian，andatthatmoment
　　Iwillcountouttoyoutwentythousandfrancs。Gogetyourself
　　hungelsewhere！"
　　"MonsieurleBaron！"repliedThenardier，bowingtotheveryearth，
　　"eternalgratitude。"AndThenardierlefttheroom，understandingnothing，
　　stupefiedanddelightedwiththissweetcrushingbeneathsacksofgold，
　　andwiththatthunderwhichhadburstforthoverhisheadinbank—bills。
　　Struckbylightninghewas，buthewasalsocontent；andhewould
　　havebeengreatlyangeredhadhehadalightningrodtowardoff
　　suchlightningasthat。Letusfinishwiththismanatonce。
　　Twodaysaftertheeventswhichweareatthismomentnarrating，
　　hesetout，thankstoMarius’care，forAmericaunderafalsename，
　　withhisdaughterAzelma，furnishedwithadraftonNewYorkfortwenty
　　thousandfrancs。
　　ThemoralwretchednessofThenardier，thebourgeoiswhohadmissed
　　hisvocation，wasirremediable。HewasinAmericawhathehad
　　beeninEurope。Contactwithanevilmansometimessufficesto
　　corruptagoodactionandtocauseevilthingstospringfromit。
　　WithMarius’money，Thenardiersetupasaslave—dealer。
　　AssoonasThenardierhadleftthehouse，Mariusrushedtothegarden，
　　whereCosettewasstillwalking。
　　"Cosette！Cosette！"hecried。"Come！comequick！Letusgo。
　　Basque，acarriage！Cosette，come。Ah！MyGod！Itwashe
　　whosavedmylife！Letusnotloseaminute！Putonyourshawl。"Cosettethoughthimmadandobeyed。
　　Hecouldnotbreathe，helaidhishandonhishearttorestrain
　　itsthrobbing。Hepacedbackandforthwithhugestrides，
　　heembracedCosette:"Ah！Cosette！Iamanunhappywretch！"saidhe。
　　Mariuswasbewildered。HebegantocatchaglimpseinJean
　　Valjeanofsomeindescribablyloftyandmelancholyfigure。
　　Anunheard—ofvirtue，supremeandsweet，humbleinitsimmensity，
　　appearedtohim。TheconvictwastransfiguredintoChrist。
　　Mariuswasdazzledbythisprodigy。Hedidnotknowprecisely
　　whathebeheld，butitwasgrand。Inaninstant，ahackney—carriagestoodinfrontofthedoor。MariushelpedCosetteinanddartedinhimself。"Driver，"saidhe，"Ruedel’HommeArme，Number7。"Thecarriagedroveoff。
　　"Ah！whathappiness！"ejaculatedCosette。"Ruedel’HommeArme，
　　Ididnotdaretospeaktoyouofthat。Wearegoingtosee
　　M。Jean。"
　　"Thyfather！Cosette，thyfathermorethanever。Cosette，I
　　guessit。Youtoldmethatyouhadneverreceivedtheletter
　　thatIsentyoubyGavroche。Itmusthavefallenintohishands。
　　Cosette，hewenttothebarricadetosaveme。Asitisanecessity
　　withhimtobeanangel，hesavedothersalso；hesavedJavert。
　　Herescuedmefromthatgulftogivemetoyou。Hecarriedme
　　onhisbackthroughthatfrightfulsewer。Ah！Iamamonster
　　ofingratitude。Cosette，afterhavingbeenyourprovidence，
　　hebecamemine。Justimagine，therewasaterriblequagmire
　　enoughtodrownoneahundredtimesover，todrownoneinmire。
　　Cosette！hemademetraverseit。Iwasunconscious；Isawnothing，
　　Iheardnothing，Icouldknownothingofmyownadventure。
　　Wearegoingtobringhimback，totakehimwithus，whetherhe
　　iswillingornot，heshallneverleaveusagain。Ifonlyheis
　　athome！Providedonlythatwecanfindhim，Iwillpasstherest
　　ofmylifeinveneratinghim。Yes，thatishowitshouldbe，
　　doyousee，Cosette？Gavrochemusthavedeliveredmylettertohim。
　　Allisexplained。Youunderstand。"Cosettedidnotunderstandaword。"Youareright，"shesaidtohim。Meanwhilethecarriagerolledon。CHAPTERVANIGHTBEHINDWHICHTHEREISDAYJeanValjeanturnedroundattheknockwhichheheardonhisdoor。"Comein，"hesaidfeebly。Thedooropened。CosetteandMariusmadetheirappearance。Cosetterushedintotheroom。Mariusremainedonthethreshold，leaningagainstthejambofthedoor。"Cosette！"saidJeanValjean。
　　Andhesaterectinhischair，hisarmsoutstretchedandtrembling，
　　haggard，livid，gloomy，animmensejoyinhiseyes。Cosette，stiflingwithemotion，felluponJeanValjean’sbreast。"Father！"saidshe。JeanValjean，overcome，stammered:"Cosette！she！you！Madame！itisthou！Ah！myGod！"And，pressedcloseinCosette’sarms，heexclaimed:"Itisthou！thouarthere！Thoudostpardonmethen！"
　　Marius，loweringhiseyelids，inordertokeephistearsfromflowing，
　　tookastepforwardandmurmuredbetweenlipsconvulsivelycontracted
　　torepresshissobs:"Myfather！""Andyoualso，youpardonme！"JeanValjeansaidtohim。Mariuscouldfindnowords，andJeanValjeanadded:"Thanks。"Cosettetoreoffhershawlandtossedherhatonthebed。"Itembarrassesme，"saidshe。
　　And，seatingherselfontheoldman’sknees，sheputasidehiswhite
　　lockswithanadorablemovement，andkissedhisbrow。JeanValjean，bewildered，letherhaveherownway。
　　Cosette，whoonlyunderstoodinaveryconfusedmanner，
　　redoubledhercaresses，asthoughshedesiredtopayMarius’debt。JeanValjeanstammered:
　　"Howstupidpeopleare！IthoughtthatIshouldneverseeheragain。
　　Imagine，MonsieurPontmercy，attheverymomentwhenyouentered，
　　Iwassayingtomyself:`Allisover。Hereisherlittlegown，
　　Iamamiserableman，IshallneverseeCosetteagain，’andIwas
　　sayingthatattheverymomentwhenyouweremountingthestairs。
　　WasnotIanidiot？Justseehowidioticonecanbe！Onereckons
　　withoutthegoodGod。ThegoodGodsays:
　　"`Youfancythatyouareabouttobeabandoned，stupid！No。No，
　　thingswillnotgoso。Come，thereisagoodmanyonderwhoisin
　　needofanangel。’Andtheangelcomes，andoneseesone’sCosette
　　again！andoneseesone’slittleCosetteoncemore！Ah！Iwas
　　veryunhappy。"Foramomenthecouldnotspeak，thenhewenton:
　　"IreallyneededtoseeCosettealittlebitnowandthen。Aheartneeds
　　abonetognaw。ButIwasperfectlyconsciousthatIwasintheway。
　　Igavemyselfreasons:`Theydonotwantyou，keepinyourowncourse，
　　onehasnottherighttoclingeternally。’Ah！Godbepraised，Isee
　　heroncemore！Dostthouknow，Cosette，thyhusbandisveryhandsome？
　　Ah！whataprettyembroideredcollarthouhaston，luckily。Iam
　　fondofthatpattern。Itwasthyhusbandwhochoseit，wasitnot？
　　Andthen，thoushouldsthavesomecashmereshawls。Letmecall
　　herthou，MonsieurPontmercy。Itwillnotbeforlong。"AndCosettebeganagain:
　　"Howwickedofyoutohaveleftuslikethat！Wheredidyougo？
　　Whyhaveyoustayedawaysolong？Formerlyyourjourneysonlylasted
　　threeorfourdays。IsentNicolette，theansweralwayswas:
　　`Heisabsent。’Howlonghaveyoubeenback？Whydidyou
　　notletusknow？Doyouknowthatyouareverymuchchanged？
　　Ah！whatanaughtyfather！hehasbeenill，andwehavenotknownit！
　　Stay，Marius，feelhowcoldhishandis！"
　　"Soyouarehere！MonsieurPontmercy，youpardonme！"
　　repeatedJeanValjean。
　　AtthatwordwhichJeanValjeanhadjustutteredoncemore，
　　allthatwasswellingMarius’heartfoundvent。Heburstforth:
　　"Cosette，doyouhear？hehascometothat！heasksmyforgiveness！
　　Anddoyouknowwhathehasdoneforme，Cosette？Hehassaved
　　mylife。Hehasdonemore——hehasgivenyoutome。Andafterhaving
　　savedme，andafterhavinggivenyoutome，Cosette，whathashe
　　donewithhimself？Hehassacrificedhimself。Beholdtheman。
　　Andhesaystometheingrate，tometheforgetful，tomethepitiless，
　　tometheguiltyone:Thanks！Cosette，mywholelifepassed
　　atthefeetofthismanwouldbetoolittle。Thatbarricade，
　　thatsewer，thatfurnace，thatcesspool，——allthathetraversed
　　forme，forthee，Cosette！Hecarriedmeawaythroughallthe
　　deathswhichheputasidebeforeme，andacceptedforhimself。
　　Everycourage，everyvirtue，everyheroism，everysanctity
　　hepossesses！Cosette，thatmanisanangel！""Hush！hush！"saidJeanValjeaninalowvoice。"Whytellallthat？"
　　"Butyou！"criedMariuswithawrathinwhichtherewasveneration，
　　"whydidyounottellittome？Itisyourownfault，too。
　　Yousavepeople’slives，andyouconcealitfromthem！Youdomore，
　　underthepretextofunmaskingyourself，youcalumniateyourself。
　　Itisfrightful。""Itoldthetruth，"repliedJeanValjean。
　　"No，"retortedMarius，"thetruthisthewholetruth；andthatyou
　　didnottell。YouwereMonsieurMadeleine，whynothavesaidso？
　　YousavedJavert，whynothavesaidso？Iowedmylifetoyou，
　　whynothavesaidso？"
　　"BecauseIthoughtasyoudo。Ithoughtthatyouwereintheright。
　　ItwasnecessarythatIshouldgoaway。Ifyouhadknownabout
　　thataffair，ofthesewer，youwouldhavemademeremainnearyou。
　　Iwasthereforeforcedtoholdmypeace。IfIhadspoken，itwould
　　havecausedembarrassmentineveryway。"
　　"Itwouldhaveembarrassedwhat？embarrassedwhom？"retortedMarius。
　　"Doyouthinkthatyouaregoingtostayhere？Weshallcarryyouoff。
　　Ah！goodheavens！whenIreflectthatitwasbyanaccidentthatIhave
　　learnedallthis。Youformapartofourselves。Youareherfather，
　　andmine。Youshallnotpassanotherdayinthisdreadfulhouse。
　　Donotimaginethatyouwillbehereto—morrow。"
　　"To—morrow，"saidJeanValjean，"Ishallnotbehere，butIshall
　　notbewithyou。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"repliedMarius。"Ah！comenow，wearenotgoing
　　topermitanymorejourneys。Youshallneverleaveusagain。
　　Youbelongtous。Weshallnotlooseourholdofyou。"
　　"Thistimeitisforgood，"addedCosette。"Wehaveacarriage
　　atthedoor。Ishallrunawaywithyou。Ifnecessary，Ishall
　　employforce。"Andshelaughinglymadeamovementtolifttheoldmaninherarms。
　　"Yourchamberstillstandsreadyinourhouse，"shewenton。
　　"Ifyouonlyknewhowprettythegardenisnow！Theazaleas
　　aredoingverywellthere。Thewalksaresandedwithriversand；
　　therearetinyvioletshells。Youshalleatmystrawberries。
　　Iwaterthemmyself。Andnomore`madame，’nomore`MonsieurJean，’
　　wearelivingunderaRepublic，everybodysaysthou，don’tthey，Marius？
　　Theprogrammeischanged。Ifyouonlyknew，father，Ihavehadasorrow，
　　therewasarobinredbreastwhichhadmadehernestinaholein
　　thewall，andahorriblecatateher。Mypoor，pretty，littlerobin
　　red—breastwhichusedtoputherheadoutofherwindowandlook
　　atme！Icriedoverit。Ishouldhavelikedtokillthecat。
　　Butnownobodycriesanymore。Everybodylaughs，everybodyishappy。
　　Youaregoingtocomewithus。Howdelightedgrandfatherwillbe！
　　Youshallhaveyourplotinthegarden，youshallcultivateit，
　　andweshallseewhetheryourstrawberriesareasfineasmine。
　　And，then，Ishalldoeverythingthatyouwish，andthen，youwillobey
　　meprettily。"
　　JeanValjeanlistenedtoherwithouthearingher。Heheard
　　themusicofhervoiceratherthanthesenseofherwords；
　　oneofthoselargetearswhicharethesombrepearlsofthesoul
　　welledupslowlyinhiseyes。Hemurmured:"TheproofthatGodisgoodisthatsheishere。""Father！"saidCosette。JeanValjeancontinued:
　　"Itisquitetruethatitwouldbecharmingforustolivetogether。
　　Theirtreesarefullofbirds。IwouldwalkwithCosette。
　　Itissweettobeamonglivingpeoplewhobideachother`good—day，’
　　whocalltoeachotherinthegarden。Peopleseeeachotherfrom
　　earlymorning。Weshouldeachcultivateourownlittlecorner。
　　Shewouldmakemeeatherstrawberries。Iwouldmakehergather
　　myroses。Thatwouldbecharming。Only……"Hepausedandsaidgently:"Itisapity。"
　　Theteardidnotfall，itretreated，andJeanValjeanreplacedit
　　withasmile。Cosettetookboththeoldman’shandsinhers。
　　"MyGod！"saidshe，"yourhandsarestillcolderthanbefore。
　　Areyouill？Doyousuffer？""I？No，"repliedJeanValjean。"Iamverywell。Only……"Hepaused。"Onlywhat？""Iamgoingtodiepresently。"CosetteandMariusshuddered。"Todie！"exclaimedMarius。"Yes，butthatisnothing，"saidJeanValjean。Hetookbreath，smiledandresumed:
　　"Cosette，thouwerttalkingtome，goon，sothylittlerobin
　　red—breastisdead？Speak，sothatImayhearthyvoice。"Mariusgazedattheoldmaninamazement。Cosetteutteredaheartrendingcry。
　　"Father！myfather！youwilllive。Youaregoingtolive。
　　Iinsistuponyourliving，doyouhear？"JeanValjeanraisedhisheadtowardsherwithadoration。
　　"Oh！yes，forbidmetodie。Whoknows？PerhapsIshallobey。
　　Iwasonthevergeofdyingwhenyoucame。Thatstoppedme，
　　itseemedtomethatIwasbornagain。"
　　"Youarefullofstrengthandlife，"criedMarius。"Doyouimagine
　　thatapersoncandielikethis？Youhavehadsorrow，youshall
　　havenomore。ItisIwhoaskyourforgiveness，andonmyknees！
　　Youaregoingtolive，andtolivewithus，andtolivealongtime。
　　Wetakepossessionofyouoncemore。Therearetwoofusherewho
　　willhenceforthhavenootherthoughtthanyourhappiness。"
　　"Yousee，"resumedCosette，allbathedintears，"thatMariussays
　　thatyoushallnotdie。"JeanValjeancontinuedtosmile。
　　"Evenifyouweretotakepossessionofme，MonsieurPontmercy，
　　wouldthatmakemeotherthanIam？No，Godhasthoughtlikeyou
　　andmyself，andhedoesnotchangehismind；itisusefulforme
　　togo。Deathisagoodarrangement。Godknowsbetterthanwewhat
　　weneed。Mayyoubehappy，mayMonsieurPontmercyhaveCosette，
　　mayyouthwedthemorning，maytherebearoundyou，mychildren，
　　lilacsandnightingales；mayyourlifebeabeautiful，sunnylawn，
　　mayalltheenchantmentsofheavenfillyoursouls，andnowletme，
　　whoamgoodfornothing，die；itiscertainthatallthisisright。
　　Come，bereasonable，nothingispossiblenow，Iamfullyconsciousthat
　　allisover。Andthen，lastnight，Idrankthatwholejugofwater。
　　Howgoodthyhusbandis，Cosette！Thouartmuchbetteroffwithhim
　　thanwithme。"Anoisebecameaudibleatthedoor。Itwasthedoctorentering。
　　"Good—day，andfarewell，doctor，"saidJeanValjean。"Hereare
　　mypoorchildren。"
　　Mariussteppeduptothedoctor。Headdressedtohimonlythis
　　singleword:"Monsieur？……"Buthismannerofpronouncingit
　　containedacompletequestion。Thedoctorrepliedtothequestionbyanexpressiveglance。
　　"Becausethingsarenotagreeable，"saidJeanValjean，"thatis
　　noreasonforbeingunjusttowardsGod。"Asilenceensued。Allbreastswereoppressed。
　　JeanValjeanturnedtoCosette。Hebegantogazeatherasthough
　　hewishedtoretainherfeaturesforeternity。
　　Inthedepthsoftheshadowintowhichhehadalreadydescended，
　　ecstasywasstillpossibletohimwhengazingatCosette。
　　Thereflectionofthatsweetfacelighteduphispalevisage。Thedoctorfeltofhispulse。
　　"Ah！itwasyouthathewanted！"hemurmured，lookingatCosette
　　andMarius。AndbendingdowntoMarius’ear，headdedinaverylowvoice:"Toolate。"
　　JeanValjeansurveyedthedoctorandMariusserenely，almostwithout
　　ceasingtogazeatCosette。Thesebarelyarticulatewordswereheardtoissuefromhismouth:"Itisnothingtodie；itisdreadfulnottolive。"
　　Allatonceherosetohisfeet。Theseaccessesofstrength
　　aresometimesthesignofthedeathagony。Hewalkedwithafirm
　　steptothewall，thrustingasideMariusandthedoctorwhotried
　　tohelphim，detachedfromthewallalittlecoppercrucifix
　　whichwassuspendedthere，andreturnedtohisseatwithallthe
　　freedomofmovementofperfecthealth，andsaidinaloudvoice，
　　ashelaidthecrucifixonthetable:"Beholdthegreatmartyr。"
　　Thenhischestsankin，hisheadwavered，asthoughtheintoxication
　　ofthetombwereseizingholduponhim。
　　Hishands，whichrestedonhisknees，begantopresstheirnails
　　intothestuffofhistrousers。
　　Cosettesupportedhisshoulders，andsobbed，andtriedtospeak
　　tohim，butcouldnot。
　　Amongthewordsmingledwiththatmournfulsalivawhich
　　accompaniestears，theydistinguishedwordslikethefollowing:
　　"Father，donotleaveus。Isitpossiblethatwehavefoundyou
　　onlytoloseyouagain？"
　　Itmightbesaidthatagonywrithes。Itgoes，comes，
　　advancestowardsthesepulchre，andreturnstowardslife。
　　Thereisgropingintheactionofdying。
　　JeanValjeanralliedafterthissemi—swoon，shookhisbrowasthough
　　tomaketheshadowsfallawayfromitandbecamealmostperfectly
　　lucidoncemore。HetookafoldofCosette’ssleeveandkissedit。"Heiscomingback！doctor，heiscomingback，"criedMarius。
　　"Youaregood，bothofyou，"saidJeanValjean。"Iamgoingtotell
　　youwhathascausedmepain。Whathaspainedme，MonsieurPontmercy，
　　isthatyouhavenotbeenwillingtotouchthatmoney。
　　Thatmoneyreallybelongstoyourwife。Iwillexplaintoyou，
　　mychildren，andforthatreason，also，Iamgladtoseeyou。
　　BlackjetcomesfromEngland，whitejetcomesfromNorway。
　　Allthisisinthispaper，whichyouwillread。Forbracelets，
　　Iinventedawayofsubstitutingforslidesofsolderedsheetiron，
　　slidesofironlaidtogether。Itisprettier，betterandlesscostly。
　　Youwillunderstandhowmuchmoneycanbemadeinthatway。
　　SoCosette’sfortuneisreallyhers。Igiveyouthesedetails，
　　inorderthatyourmindmaybesetatrest。"
　　Theportresshadcomeupstairsandwasgazinginatthehalf—opendoor。
　　Thedoctordismissedher。
　　Buthecouldnotpreventthiszealouswomanfromexclaiming
　　tothedyingmanbeforeshedisappeared:"Wouldyoulikeapriest？""Ihavehadone，"repliedJeanValjean。
　　Andwithhisfingerheseemedtoindicateapointabovehishead
　　whereonewouldhavesaidthathesawsomeone。
　　Itisprobable，infact，thattheBishopwaspresentatthis
　　deathagony。Cosettegentlyslippedapillowunderhisloins。JeanValjeanresumed:
　　"Havenofear，MonsieurPontmercy，Iadjureyou。Thesixhundred
　　thousandfrancsreallybelongtoCosette。Mylifewillhavebeen
　　wastedifyoudonotenjoythem！Wemanagedtodoverywellwith
　　thoseglassgoods。WerivalledwhatiscalledBerlinjewellery。
　　However，wecouldnotequaltheblackglassofEngland。Agross，
　　whichcontainstwelvehundredverywellcutgrains，onlycosts
　　threefrancs。"
　　Whenabeingwhoisdeartousisonthepointofdeath，wegaze
　　uponhimwithalookwhichclingsconvulsivelytohimandwhich
　　wouldfainholdhimback。
　　CosettegaveherhandtoMarius，andboth，mutewithanguish，
　　notknowingwhattosaytothedyingman，stoodtremblingand
　　despairingbeforehim。
　　JeanValjeansankmomentbymoment。Hewasfailing；hewasdrawing
　　neartothegloomyhorizon。
　　Hisbreathhadbecomeintermittent；alittlerattlinginterruptedit。
　　Hefoundsomedifficultyinmovinghisforearm，hisfeethadlost
　　allmovement，andinproportionasthewretchednessoflimb
　　andfeeblenessofbodyincreased，allthemajestyofhissoul
　　wasdisplayedandspreadoverhisbrow。Thelightoftheunknown
　　worldwasalreadyvisibleinhiseyes。
　　Hisfacepaledandsmiled。Lifewasnolongerthere，itwas
　　somethingelse。
　　Hisbreathsank，hisglancegrewgrander。Hewasacorpse
　　onwhichthewingscouldbefelt。
　　HemadeasigntoCosettetodrawnear，thentoMarius；thelast
　　minuteofthelasthourhad，evidently，arrived。
　　Hebegantospeaktotheminavoicesofeeblethatitseemed
　　tocomefromadistance，andonewouldhavesaidthatawall
　　nowrosebetweenthemandhim。
　　"Drawnear，drawnear，bothofyou。Iloveyoudearly。Oh！how
　　gooditistodielikethis！Andthoulovestmealso，myCosette。
　　Iknewwellthatthoustillfeltfriendlytowardsthypooroldman。
　　Howkinditwasoftheetoplacethatpillowundermyloins！
　　Thouwiltweepformealittle，wiltthounot？Nottoomuch。
　　Idonotwishtheetohaveanyrealgriefs。Youmustenjoyyourselves
　　agreatdeal，mychildren。Iforgottotellyouthattheprofitwas
　　greaterstillonthebuckleswithouttonguesthanonalltherest。
　　Agrossofadozendozenscosttenfrancsandsoldforsixty。
　　Itreallywasagoodbusiness。Sothereisnooccasionfor
　　surpriseatthesixhundredthousandfrancs，MonsieurPontmercy。
　　Itishonestmoney。Youmayberichwithatranquilmind。
　　Thoumusthaveacarriage，aboxatthetheatresnowandthen，
　　andhandsomeballdresses，myCosette，andthen，thoumustgivegood
　　dinnerstothyfriends，andbeveryhappy。IwaswritingtoCosette
　　awhileago。Shewillfindmyletter。Ibequeathtoherthetwo
　　candlestickswhichstandonthechimney—piece。Theyareofsilver，
　　buttometheyaregold，theyarediamonds；theychangecandles
　　whichareplacedinthemintowax—tapers。Idonotknowwhether
　　thepersonwhogavethemtomeispleasedwithmeyonderonhigh。
　　IhavedonewhatIcould。Mychildren，youwillnotforgetthatI
　　amapoorman，youwillhavemeburiedinthefirstplotofearth
　　thatyoufind，underastonetomarkthespot。Thisismywish。
　　Nonameonthestone。IfCosettecarestocomeforalittle
　　whilenowandthen，itwillgivemepleasure。Andyoutoo，
　　MonsieurPontmercy。ImustadmitthatIhavenotalwayslovedyou。
　　Iaskyourpardonforthat。Nowsheandyouformbutoneforme。
　　Ifeelverygratefultoyou。IamsurethatyoumakeCosettehappy。
　　Ifyouonlyknew，MonsieurPontmercy，herprettyrosycheeks
　　weremydelight；whenIsawherintheleastpale，Iwassad。
　　Inthechestofdrawers，thereisabank—billforfivehundredfrancs。
　　Ihavenottouchedit。Itisforthepoor。Cosette，dostthousee
　　thylittlegownyonderonthebed？dostthourecognizeit？Thatwas
　　tenyearsago，however。Howtimeflies！Wehavebeenveryhappy。
　　Allisover。Donotweep，mychildren，Iamnotgoingveryfar，
　　Ishallseeyoufromthere，youwillonlyhavetolookatnight，
　　andyouwillseemesmile。Cosette，dostthourememberMontfermeil？
　　Thouwertintheforest，thouwertgreatlyterrified；dostthou
　　rememberhowItookholdofthehandleofthewater—bucket？Thatwas
　　thefirsttimethatItouchedthypoor，littlehand。Itwassocold！
　　Ah！yourhandswereredthen，mademoiselle，theyareverywhitenow。
　　Andthebigdoll！dostthouremember？ThoudidstcallherCatherine。
　　Thouregrettedestnothavingtakenhertotheconvent！
　　Howthoudidstmakemelaughsometimes，mysweetangel！Whenit
　　hadbeenraining，thoudidstfloatbitsofstrawonthegutters，
　　andwatchthempassaway。OnedayIgavetheeawillowbattledore
　　andashuttlecockwithyellow，blueandgreenfeathers。Thouhast
　　forgottenit。Thouwertroguishsoyoung！Thoudidstplay。
　　Thoudidstputcherriesinthyears。Thosearethingsofthepast。
　　Theforeststhroughwhichonehaspassedwithone’schild，
　　thetreesunderwhichonehasstrolled，theconventswhereonehas
　　concealedoneself，thegames，theheartylaughsofchildhood，
　　areshadows。Iimaginedthatallthatbelongedtome。Inthatlay
　　mystupidity。ThoseThenardierswerewicked。Thoumustforgivethem。
　　Cosette，themomenthascometotelltheethenameofthymother。
　　ShewascalledFantine。Rememberthatname——Fantine。Kneelwhenever
　　thouutterestit。Shesufferedmuch。Shelovedtheedearly。
　　Shehadasmuchunhappinessasthouhasthadhappiness。Thatis
　　thewayGodapportionsthings。Heisthereonhigh，heseesusall，
　　andheknowswhathedoesinthemidstofhisgreatstars。
　　Iamonthevergeofdeparture，mychildren。Loveeachother
　　wellandalways。Thereisnothingelsebutthatintheworld:
　　loveforeachother。Youwillthinksometimesofthepoorold
　　manwhodiedhere。OhmyCosette，itisnotmyfault，indeed，
　　thatIhavenotseentheeallthistime，itcutmetotheheart；
　　Iwentasfarasthecornerofthestreet，Imusthaveproduced
　　aqueereffectonthepeoplewhosawmepass，Iwaslikeamadman，
　　Ioncewentoutwithoutmyhat。Inolongerseeclearly，
　　mychildren，Ihadstillotherthingstosay，butnevermind。
　　Thinkalittleofme。Comestillnearer。Idiehappy。Giveme
　　yourdearandwell—belovedheads，sothatImaylaymyhandsupon
　　them。"
　　CosetteandMariusfellontheirknees，indespair，
　　suffocatingwithtears，eachbeneathoneofJeanValjean’shands。
　　Thoseaugusthandsnolongermoved。Hehadfallenbackwards，thelightofthecandlesilluminatedhim。
　　Hiswhitefacelookeduptoheaven，heallowedCosetteandMarius
　　tocoverhishandswithkisses。Hewasdead。
　　Thenightwasstarlessandextremelydark。Nodoubt，inthegloom，
　　someimmenseangelstooderectwithwingsoutspread，awaitingthatsoul。CHAPTERVITHEGRASSCOVERSANDTHERAINEFFACES
　　InthecemeteryofPere—Lachaise，inthevicinityofthecommon
　　grave，farfromtheelegantquarterofthatcityofsepulchres，
　　farfromallthetombsoffancywhichdisplayinthepresenceof
　　eternityallthehideousfashionsofdeath，inadesertedcorner，
　　besideanoldwall，beneathagreatyewtreeoverwhichclimbsthe
　　wildconvolvulus，amiddandelionsandmosses，thereliesastone。
　　Thatstoneisnomoreexemptthanothersfromtheleprosyoftime，
　　ofdampness，ofthelichensandfromthedefilementofthebirds。
　　Thewaterturnsitgreen，theairblackensit。Itisnotnear
　　anypath，andpeoplearenotfondofwalkinginthatdirection，
　　becausethegrassishighandtheirfeetareimmediatelywet。
　　Whenthereisalittlesunshine，thelizardscomethither。Allaround
　　thereisaquiveringofweeds。Inthespring，linnetswarblein
　　thetrees。
　　Thisstoneisperfectlyplain。Incuttingittheonlythought
　　wastherequirementsofthetomb，andnoothercarewastakenthan
　　tomakethestonelongenoughandnarrowenoughtocoveraman。Nonameistobereadthere。
　　Only，manyyearsago，ahandwroteuponitinpencilthesefourlines，
　　whichhavebecomegraduallyillegiblebeneaththerainandthedust，
　　andwhichare，to—day，probablyeffaced:
　　Ildort。Quoiquelesortfutpourluibienetrange，
　　Ilvivait。Ilmourutquandiln’eutplussonange。
　　Lachosesimplementd’elle—memearriva，
　　Commelanuitsefaitlorsquelejours’enva。[70]
　　[70]Hesleeps。Althoughhisfatewasverystrange，helived。
　　Hediedwhenhehadnolongerhisangel。Thethingcametopasssimply，
　　ofitself，asthenightcomeswhendayisgone。LETTERTOM。DAELLIPublisheroftheItaliantranslationofLesMiserablesinMilan。HAUTEVILLE—HOUSE，October18，1862。
　　Youareright，sir，whenyoutellmethatLesMiserablesiswritten
　　forallnations。Idonotknowwhetheritwillbereadbyall，butI
　　wroteitforall。ItisaddressedtoEnglandaswellastoSpain，
　　toItalyaswellastoFrance，toGermanyaswellastoIreland，
　　toRepublicswhichhaveslavesaswellastoEmpireswhichhaveserfs。
　　Socialproblemsoverstepfrontiers。Thesoresofthehumanrace，
　　thosegreatsoreswhichcovertheglobe，donothaltatthered
　　orbluelinestraceduponthemap。Ineveryplacewheremanis
　　ignorantanddespairing，ineveryplacewherewomanissoldforbread，
　　whereverthechildsuffersforlackofthebookwhichshould
　　instructhimandofthehearthwhichshouldwarmhim，thebook
　　ofLesMiserablesknocksatthedoorandsays:"Opentome，Icome
　　foryou。"
　　Atthehourofcivilizationthroughwhichwearenowpassing，
　　andwhichisstillsosombre，themiserable’snameisMan；heis
　　agonizinginallclimes，andheisgroaninginalllanguages。
　　YourItalyisnomoreexemptfromtheevilthanisourFrance。
　　YouradmirableItalyhasallmiseriesonthefaceofit。Doesnot
　　banditism，thatragingformofpauperism，inhabityourmountains？
　　FewnationsaremoredeeplyeatenbythatulcerofconventswhichI
　　haveendeavoredtofathom。InspiteofyourpossessingRome，
　　Milan，Naples，Palermo，Turin，Florence，Sienna，Pisa，Mantua，
　　Bologna，Ferrara，Genoa，Venice，aheroichistory，sublimeruins，
　　magnificentruins，andsuperbcities，youare，likeourselves，poor。
　　Youarecoveredwithmarvelsandvermin。Assuredly，thesunofItaly
　　issplendid，but，alas，azureintheskydoesnotpreventragsonman。
　　Likeus，youhaveprejudices，superstitions，tyrannies，fanaticisms，
　　blindlawslendingassistancetoignorantcustoms。Youtastenothing
　　ofthepresentnorofthefuturewithoutaflavorofthepastbeing
　　mingledwithit。Youhaveabarbarian，themonk，andasavage，
　　thelazzarone。Thesocialquestionisthesameforyouasforus。
　　Thereareafewlessdeathsfromhungerwithyou，andafewmore
　　fromfever；yoursocialhygieneisnotmuchbetterthanours；
　　shadows，whichareProtestantinEngland，areCatholicinItaly；
　　but，underdifferentnames，thevescovoisidenticalwiththebishop，
　　anditalwaysmeansnight，andofprettynearlythesamequality。
　　ToexplaintheBiblebadlyamountstothesamethingastounderstand
　　theGospelbadly。
　　Isitnecessarytoemphasizethis？Mustthismelancholyparallelism
　　beyetmorecompletelyverified？Haveyounotindigentpersons？
　　Glancebelow。Haveyounotparasites？Glanceup。Doesnot
　　thathideousbalance，whosetwoscales，pauperismandparasitism，
　　somournfullypreservetheirmutualequilibrium，oscillatebefore
　　youasitdoesbeforeus？Whereisyourarmyofschoolmasters，
　　theonlyarmywhichcivilizationacknowledges？
　　Whereareyourfreeandcompulsoryschools？Doeseveryone
　　knowhowtoreadinthelandofDanteandofMichaelAngelo？
　　Haveyoumadepublicschoolsofyourbarracks？Haveyounot，
　　likeourselves，anopulentwar—budgetandapaltrybudgetofeducation？
　　Havenotyoualsothatpassiveobediencewhichissoeasilyconverted
　　intosoldierlyobedience？militaryestablishmentwhichpushesthe
　　regulationstotheextremeoffiringuponGaribaldi；thatistosay，
　　uponthelivinghonorofItaly？Letussubjectyoursocialorder
　　toexamination，letustakeitwhereitstandsandasitstands，
　　letusviewitsflagrantoffences，showmethewomanandthechild。
　　Itisbytheamountofprotectionwithwhichthesetwofeeblecreatures
　　aresurroundedthatthedegreeofcivilizationistobemeasured。
　　IsprostitutionlessheartrendinginNaplesthaninParis？
　　Whatistheamountoftruththatspringsfromyourlaws，andwhat
　　amountofjusticespringsfromyourtribunals？Doyouchancetobe
　　sofortunateastobeignorantofthemeaningofthosegloomywords:
　　publicprosecution，legalinfamy，prison，thescaffold，theexecutioner，
　　thedeathpenalty？Italians，withyouaswithus，Beccariaisdead
　　andFarinaceisalive。Andthen，letusscrutinizeyourstatereasons。
　　Haveyouagovernmentwhichcomprehendstheidentityofmorality
　　andpolitics？Youhavereachedthepointwhereyougrantamnesty
　　toheroes！SomethingverysimilarhasbeendoneinFrance。
　　Stay，letuspassmiseriesinreview，leteachonecontribute
　　hispile，youareasrichaswe。Haveyounot，likeourselves，
　　twocondemnations，religiouscondemnationpronouncedbythepriest，
　　andsocialcondemnationdecreedbythejudge？Oh，greatnationofItaly，
　　thouresemblestthegreatnationofFrance！Alas！ourbrothers，
　　youare，likeourselves，Miserables。
　　Fromthedepthsofthegloomwhereinyoudwell，youdonotsee
　　muchmoredistinctlythanwetheradiantanddistantportals
　　ofEden。Only，thepriestsaremistaken。Theseholyportals
　　arebeforeandnotbehindus。
　　Iresume。Thisbook，LesMiserables，isnolessyourmirrorthanours。
　　Certainmen，certaincastes，riseinrevoltagainstthisbook，——
　　Iunderstandthat。Mirrors，thoserevealersofthetruth，arehated；
　　thatdoesnotpreventthemfrombeingofuse。
　　Asformyself，Ihavewrittenforall，withaprofoundlove
　　formyowncountry，butwithoutbeingengrossedbyFrancemore
　　thanbyanyothernation。InproportionasIadvanceinlife，
　　Igrowmoresimple，andIbecomemoreandmorepatrioticforhumanity。
　　Thisis，moreover，thetendencyofourage，andthelawofradiance
　　oftheFrenchRevolution；booksmustceasetobeexclusivelyFrench，
　　Italian，German，Spanish，orEnglish，andbecomeEuropean，Isay
　　more，human，iftheyaretocorrespondtotheenlargementofcivilization。
　　Henceanewlogicofart，andofcertainrequirementsofcomposition
　　whichmodifyeverything，eventheconditions，formerlynarrow，
　　oftasteandlanguage，whichmustgrowbroaderlikealltherest。
　　InFrance，certaincriticshavereproachedme，tomygreatdelight，
　　withhavingtransgressedtheboundsofwhattheycall"Frenchtaste"；
　　Ishouldbegladifthiseulogiumweremerited。
　　Inshort，IamdoingwhatIcan，Isufferwiththesame
　　universalsuffering，andItrytoassuageit，Ipossess
　　onlythepunyforcesofaman，andIcrytoall:"Helpme！"
　　This，sir，iswhatyourletterpromptsmetosay；Isayit
　　foryouandforyourcountry。IfIhaveinsistedsostrongly，
　　itisbecauseofonephraseinyourletter。Youwrite:——
　　"ThereareItalians，andtheyarenumerous，whosay:`Thisbook，
　　LesMiserables，isaFrenchbook。Itdoesnotconcernus。LettheFrench
　　readitasahistory，wereaditasaromance。’"——Alas！Irepeat，
　　whetherwebeItaliansorFrenchmen，miseryconcernsusall。
　　Eversincehistoryhasbeenwritten，eversincephilosophyhasmeditated，
　　miseryhasbeenthegarmentofthehumanrace；themomenthas
　　atlengtharrivedfortearingoffthatrag，andforreplacing，
　　uponthenakedlimbsoftheMan—People，thesinisterfragment
　　ofthepastwiththegrandpurplerobeofthedawn。
　　Ifthisletterseemstoyouofserviceinenlighteningsome
　　mindsandindissipatingsomeprejudices，youareatliberty
　　topublishit，sir。Accept，Iprayyou，arenewedassurance
　　ofmyverydistinguishedsentiments。VICTORHUGO。