CHAPTERIII
THELARK
Itisnotallinallsufficienttobewickedinordertoprosper。
Thecook—shopwasinabadway。
Thankstothetraveller’sfifty—sevenfrancs，Thenardierhadbeenabletoavoidaprotestandtohonorhissignature。Onthefollowingmonththeywereagaininneedofmoney。ThewomantookCosette’soutfittoParis，andpawneditatthepawnbroker’sforsixtyfrancs。
Assoonasthatsumwasspent，theThenardiersgrewaccustomedtolookonthelittlegirlmerelyasachildwhomtheywerecaringforoutofcharity；andtheytreatedheraccordingly。Asshehadnolongeranyclothes，theydressedherinthecast—offpetticoatsandchemisesoftheThenardierbrats；thatistosay，inrags。
Theyfedheronwhatalltheresthadleft——alittlebetterthanthedog，alittleworsethanthecat。Moreover，thecatandthedogwereherhabitualtable—companions；Cosetteatewiththemunderthetable，fromawoodenbowlsimilartotheirs。
Themother，whohadestablishedherself，asweshallseelateron，atM。surM。，wrote，or，morecorrectly，causedtobewritten，alettereverymonth，thatshemighthavenewsofherchild。
TheThenardiersrepliedinvariably，"Cosetteisdoingwonderfullywell。"
Attheexpirationofthefirstsixmonthsthemothersentsevenfrancsfortheseventhmonth，andcontinuedherremittanceswithtolerableregularityfrommonthtomonth。TheyearwasnotcompletedwhenThenardiersaid:"Afinefavorsheisdoingus，insooth！Whatdoessheexpectustodowithhersevenfrancs？"
andhewrotetodemandtwelvefrancs。Themother，whomtheyhadpersuadedintothebeliefthatherchildwashappy，"andwascomingonwell，"submitted，andforwardedthetwelvefrancs。
Certainnaturescannotloveontheonehandwithouthatingontheother。MotherThenardierlovedhertwodaughterspassionately，whichcausedhertohatethestranger。
Itissadtothinkthattheloveofamothercanpossessvillainousaspects。LittleaswasthespaceoccupiedbyCosette，itseemedtoherasthoughitweretakenfromherown，andthatthatlittlechilddiminishedtheairwhichherdaughtersbreathed。
Thiswoman，likemanywomenofhersort，hadaloadofcaressesandaburdenofblowsandinjuriestodispenseeachday。
IfshehadnothadCosette，itiscertainthatherdaughters，idolizedastheywere，wouldhavereceivedthewholeofit；
butthestrangerdidthemtheservicetodiverttheblowstoherself。
Herdaughtersreceivednothingbutcaresses。Cosettecouldnotmakeamotionwhichdidnotdrawdownuponherheadaheavyshowerofviolentblowsandunmeritedchastisement。Thesweet，feeblebeing，whoshouldnothaveunderstoodanythingofthisworldorofGod，incessantlypunished，scolded，ill—used，beaten，andseeingbesidehertwolittlecreatureslikeherself，wholivedinarayofdawn！
MadameThenardierwasviciouswithCosette。EponineandAzelmawerevicious。Childrenatthatageareonlycopiesoftheirmother。
Thesizeissmaller；thatisall。
Ayearpassed；thenanother。
Peopleinthevillagesaid:——
"ThoseThenardiersaregoodpeople。Theyarenotrich，andyettheyarebringingupapoorchildwhowasabandonedontheirhands！"
TheythoughtthatCosette’smotherhadforgottenher。
Inthemeanwhile，Thenardier，havinglearned，itisimpossibletosaybywhatobscuremeans，thatthechildwasprobablyabastard，andthatthemothercouldnotacknowledgeit，exactedfifteenfrancsamonth，sayingthat"thecreature"wasgrowingand"eating，"andthreateningtosendheraway。"Lethernotbotherme，"heexclaimed，"orI’llfireherbratrightintothemiddleofhersecrets。
Imusthaveanincrease。"Themotherpaidthefifteenfrancs。
Fromyeartoyearthechildgrew，andsodidherwretchedness。
AslongasCosettewaslittle，shewasthescape—goatofthetwootherchildren；assoonasshebegantodevelopalittle，thatistosay，beforeshewasevenfiveyearsold，shebecametheservantofthehousehold。
Fiveyearsold！thereaderwillsay；thatisnotprobable。
Alas！itistrue。Socialsufferingbeginsatallages。
HavewenotrecentlyseenthetrialofamannamedDumollard，anorphanturnedbandit，who，fromtheageoffive，astheofficialdocumentsstate，beingaloneintheworld，"workedforhislivingandstole"？
Cosettewasmadetorunonerrands，tosweeptherooms，thecourtyard，thestreet，towashthedishes，toevencarryburdens。TheThenardiersconsideredthemselvesallthemoreauthorizedtobehaveinthismanner，sincethemother，whowasstillatM。surM。，hadbecomeirregularinherpayments。Somemonthsshewasinarrears。
IfthismotherhadreturnedtoMontfermeilattheendofthesethreeyears，shewouldnothaverecognizedherchild。Cosette，soprettyandrosyonherarrivalinthathouse，wasnowthinandpale。
Shehadanindescribablyuneasylook。"Theslycreature，"
saidtheThenardiers。
Injusticehadmadeherpeevish，andmiseryhadmadeherugly。
Nothingremainedtoherexceptherbeautifuleyes，whichinspiredpain，because，largeastheywere，itseemedasthoughonebeheldinthemastilllargeramountofsadness。
Itwasaheart—breakingthingtoseethispoorchild，notyetsixyearsold，shiveringinthewinterinheroldragsoflinen，fullofholes，sweepingthestreetbeforedaylight，withanenormousbroominhertinyredhands，andatearinhergreateyes。
ShewascalledtheLarkintheneighborhood。Thepopulace，whoarefondofthesefiguresofspeech，hadtakenafancytobestowthisnameonthistrembling，frightened，andshiveringlittlecreature，nobiggerthanabird，whowasawakeeverymorningbeforeanyoneelseinthehouseorthevillage，andwasalwaysinthestreetorthefieldsbeforedaybreak。
Onlythelittlelarkneversang。
BOOKFIFTH。——THEDESCENT。
CHAPTERI
THEHISTORYOFAPROGRESSINBLACKGLASSTRINKETS
Andinthemeantime，whathadbecomeofthatmotherwhoaccordingtothepeopleatMontfermeil，seemedtohaveabandonedherchild？
Wherewasshe？Whatwasshedoing？
AfterleavingherlittleCosettewiththeThenardiers，shehadcontinuedherjourney，andhadreachedM。surM。
This，itwillberemembered，wasin1818。
Fantinehadquittedherprovincetenyearsbefore。M。surM。hadchangeditsaspect。WhileFantinehadbeenslowlydescendingfromwretchednesstowretchedness，hernativetownhadprospered。
Abouttwoyearspreviouslyoneofthoseindustrialfactswhicharethegrandeventsofsmalldistrictshadtakenplace。
Thisdetailisimportant，andweregarditasusefultodevelopitatlength；weshouldalmostsay，tounderlineit。
Fromtimeimmemorial，M。surM。hadhadforitsspecialindustrytheimitationofEnglishjetandtheblackglasstrinketsofGermany。
Thisindustryhadalwaysvegetated，onaccountofthehighpriceoftherawmaterial，whichreactedonthemanufacture。
AtthemomentwhenFantinereturnedtoM。surM。，anunheard—oftransformationhadtakenplaceintheproductionof"blackgoods。"
Towardsthecloseof1815aman，astranger，hadestablishedhimselfinthetown，andhadbeeninspiredwiththeideaofsubstituting，inthismanufacture，gum—lacforresin，and，forbraceletsinparticular，slidesofsheet—ironsimplylaidtogether，forslidesofsolderedsheet—iron。
Thisverysmallchangehadeffectedarevolution。
Thisverysmallchangehad，infact，prodigiouslyreducedthecostoftherawmaterial，whichhadrendereditpossibleinthefirstplace，toraisethepriceofmanufacture，abenefittothecountry；
inthesecondplace，toimprovetheworkmanship，anadvantagetotheconsumer；inthethirdplace，tosellatalowerprice，whiletreblingtheprofit，whichwasabenefittothemanufacturer。
Thusthreeresultsensuedfromoneidea。
Inlessthanthreeyearstheinventorofthisprocesshadbecomerich，whichisgood，andhadmadeeveryoneabouthimrich，whichisbetter。HewasastrangerintheDepartment。Ofhisorigin，nothingwasknown；ofthebeginningofhiscareer，verylittle。
Itwasrumoredthathehadcometotownwithverylittlemoney，afewhundredfrancsatthemost。
Itwasfromthisslendercapital，enlistedintheserviceofaningeniousidea，developedbymethodandthought，thathehaddrawnhisownfortune，andthefortuneofthewholecountryside。
OnhisarrivalatM。surM。hehadonlythegarments，theappearance，andthelanguageofaworkingman。
ItappearsthatontheverydaywhenhemadehisobscureentryintothelittletownofM。surM。，justatnightfall，onaDecemberevening，knapsackonbackandthornclubinhand，alargefirehadbrokenoutinthetown—hall。Thismanhadrushedintotheflamesandsaved，attheriskofhisownlife，twochildrenwhobelongedtothecaptainofthegendarmerie；thisiswhytheyhadforgottentoaskhimforhispassport。Afterwardstheyhadlearnedhisname。
HewascalledFatherMadeleine。
CHAPTERII
MADELEINE
Hewasamanaboutfiftyyearsofage，whohadapreoccupiedair，andwhowasgood。Thatwasallthatcouldbesaidabouthim。
Thankstotherapidprogressoftheindustrywhichhehadsoadmirablyre—constructed，M。surM。hadbecomearatherimportantcentreoftrade。Spain，whichconsumesagooddealofblackjet，madeenormouspurchasesthereeachyear。M。surM。almostrivalledLondonandBerlininthisbranchofcommerce。FatherMadeleine’sprofitsweresuch，thatattheendofthesecondyearhewasabletoerectalargefactory，inwhichthereweretwovastworkrooms，oneforthemen，andtheotherforwomen。Anyonewhowashungrycouldpresenthimselfthere，andwassureoffindingemploymentandbread。FatherMadeleinerequiredofthemengoodwill，ofthewomenpuremorals，andofall，probity。Hehadseparatedthework—roomsinordertoseparatethesexes，andsothatthewomenandgirlsmightremaindiscreet。Onthispointhewasinflexible。
Itwastheonlythinginwhichhewasinamannerintolerant。
Hewasallthemorefirmlysetonthisseverity，sinceM。surM。，beingagarrisontown，opportunitiesforcorruptionabounded。
However，hiscominghadbeenaboon，andhispresencewasagodsend。
BeforeFatherMadeleine’sarrival，everythinghadlanguishedinthecountry；noweverythinglivedwithahealthylifeoftoil。
Astrongcirculationwarmedeverythingandpenetratedeverywhere。
Slackseasonsandwretchednesswereunknown。Therewasnopocketsoobscurethatithadnotalittlemoneyinit；nodwellingsolowlythattherewasnotsomelittlejoywithinit。
FatherMadeleinegaveemploymenttoeveryone。Heexactedbutonething:Beanhonestman。Beanhonestwoman。
Aswehavesaid，inthemidstofthisactivityofwhichhewasthecauseandthepivot，FatherMadeleinemadehisfortune；butasingularthinginasimplemanofbusiness，itdidnotseemasthoughthatwerehischiefcare。Heappearedtobethinkingmuchofothers，andlittleofhimself。In1820hewasknowntohaveasumofsixhundredandthirtythousandfrancslodgedinhisnamewithLaffitte；
butbeforereservingthesesixhundredandthirtythousandfrancs，hehadspentmorethanamillionforthetownanditspoor。
Thehospitalwasbadlyendowed；hefoundedsixbedsthere。M。surM。isdividedintotheupperandthelowertown。Thelowertown，inwhichhelived，hadbutoneschool，amiserablehovel，whichwasfallingtoruin:heconstructedtwo，oneforgirls，theotherforboys。
Heallottedasalaryfromhisownfundstothetwoinstructors，asalarytwiceaslargeastheirmeagreofficialsalary，andonedayhesaidtosomeonewhoexpressedsurprise，"Thetwoprimefunctionariesofthestatearethenurseandtheschoolmaster。"
Hecreatedathisownexpenseaninfantschool，athingthenalmostunknowninFrance，andafundforaidingoldandinfirmworkmen。
Ashisfactorywasacentre，anewquarter，inwhichtherewereagoodmanyindigentfamilies，roserapidlyaroundhim；heestablishedthereafreedispensary。
Atfirst，whentheywatchedhisbeginnings，thegoodsoulssaid，"He’sajollyfellowwhomeanstogetrich。"Whentheysawhimenrichingthecountrybeforeheenrichedhimself，thegoodsoulssaid，"Heisanambitiousman。"Thisseemedallthemoreprobablesincethemanwasreligious，andevenpractisedhisreligiontoacertaindegree，athingwhichwasveryfavorablyviewedatthatepoch。HewentregularlytolowmasseverySunday。
Thelocaldeputy，whonosedoutallrivalryeverywhere，soonbegantogrowuneasyoverthisreligion。ThisdeputyhadbeenamemberofthelegislativebodyoftheEmpire，andsharedthereligiousideasofafatheroftheOratoire，knownunderthenameofFouche，Ducd’Otrante，whosecreatureandfriendhehadbeen。HeindulgedingentlerailleryatGodwithcloseddoors。ButwhenhebeheldthewealthymanufacturerMadeleinegoingtolowmassatseveno’clock，heperceivedinhimapossiblecandidate，andresolvedtooutdohim；
hetookaJesuitconfessor，andwenttohighmassandtovespers。
Ambitionwasatthattime，inthedirectacceptationoftheword，aracetothesteeple。ThepoorprofitedbythisterroraswellasthegoodGod，forthehonorabledeputyalsofoundedtwobedsinthehospital，whichmadetwelve。
Nevertheless，in1819arumoronemorningcirculatedthroughthetowntotheeffectthat，ontherepresentationsoftheprefectandinconsiderationoftheservicesrenderedbyhimtothecountry，FatherMadeleinewastobeappointedbytheKing，mayorofM。surM。Thosewhohadpronouncedthisnew—comertobe"anambitiousfellow，"
seizedwithdelightonthisopportunitywhichallmendesire，toexclaim，"There！whatdidwesay！"AllM。surM。wasinanuproar。
Therumorwaswellfounded。SeveraldayslatertheappointmentappearedintheMoniteur。OnthefollowingdayFatherMadeleinerefused。
Inthissameyearof1819theproductsofthenewprocessinventedbyMadeleinefiguredintheindustrialexhibition；whenthejurymadetheirreport，theKingappointedtheinventorachevalieroftheLegionofHonor。Afreshexcitementinthelittletown。
Well，soitwasthecrossthathewanted！FatherMadeleinerefusedthecross。
Decidedlythismanwasanenigma。Thegoodsoulsgotoutoftheirpredicamentbysaying，"Afterall，heissomesortofanadventurer。"
Wehaveseenthatthecountryowedmuchtohim；thepoorowedhimeverything；hewassousefulandhewassogentlethatpeoplehadbeenobligedtohonorandrespecthim。Hisworkmen，inparticular，adoredhim，andheenduredthisadorationwithasortofmelancholygravity。
Whenhewasknowntoberich，"peopleinsociety"bowedtohim，andhereceivedinvitationsinthetown；hewascalled，intown，MonsieurMadeleine；hisworkmenandthechildrencontinuedtocallhimFatherMadeleine，andthatwaswhatwasmostadaptedtomakehimsmile。
Inproportionashemounted，throve，invitationsraineddownuponhim。
"Society"claimedhimforitsown。Theprimlittledrawing—roomsonM。surM。，which，ofcourse，hadatfirstbeenclosedtotheartisan，openedbothleavesoftheirfolding—doorstothemillionnaire。
Theymadeathousandadvancestohim。Herefused。
Thistimethegoodgossipshadnotrouble。"Heisanignorantman，ofnoeducation。Nooneknowswherehecamefrom。Hewouldnotknowhowtobehaveinsociety。Ithasnotbeenabsolutelyprovedthatheknowshowtoread。"
Whentheysawhimmakingmoney，theysaid，"Heisamanofbusiness。"
Whentheysawhimscatteringhismoneyabout，theysaid，"Heisanambitiousman。"Whenhewasseentodeclinehonors，theysaid，"Heisanadventurer。"Whentheysawhimrepulsesociety，theysaid，"Heisabrute。"
In1820，fiveyearsafterhisarrivalinM。surM。，theserviceswhichhehadrenderedtothedistrictweresodazzling，theopinionofthewholecountryroundaboutwassounanimous，thattheKingagainappointedhimmayorofthetown。Heagaindeclined；
buttheprefectresistedhisrefusal，allthenotabilitiesoftheplacecametoimplorehim，thepeopleinthestreetbesoughthim；
theurgingwassovigorousthatheendedbyaccepting。
Itwasnoticedthatthethingwhichseemedchieflytobringhimtoadecisionwasthealmostirritatedapostropheaddressedtohimbyanoldwomanofthepeople，whocalledtohimfromherthreshold，inanangryway:"Agoodmayorisausefulthing。Ishedrawingbackbeforethegoodwhichhecando？"
Thiswasthethirdphaseofhisascent。FatherMadeleinehadbecomeMonsieurMadeleine。MonsieurMadeleinebecameMonsieurleMaire。
CHAPTERIII
SUMSDEPOSITEDWITHLAFFITTE
Ontheotherhand，heremainedassimpleasonthefirstday。
Hehadgrayhair，aseriouseye，thesunburnedcomplexionofalaborer，thethoughtfulvisageofaphilosopher。Hehabituallyworeahatwithawidebrim，andalongcoatofcoarsecloth，buttonedtothechin。
Hefulfilledhisdutiesasmayor；but，withthatexception，helivedinsolitude。Hespoketobutfewpeople。Heavoidedpoliteattentions；
heescapedquickly；hesmiledtorelievehimselfofthenecessityoftalking；hegave，inordertogetridofthenecessityforsmiling，Thewomensaidofhim，"Whatagood—naturedbear！"Hispleasureconsistedinstrollinginthefields。
Healwaystookhismealsalone，withanopenbookbeforehim，whichheread。Hehadawell—selectedlittlelibrary。Helovedbooks；
booksarecoldbutsafefriends。Inproportionasleisurecametohimwithfortune，heseemedtotakeadvantageofittocultivatehismind。Ithadbeenobservedthat，eversincehisarrivalatM。surM……hislanguagehadgrownmorepolished，morechoice，andmoregentlewitheverypassingyear。Helikedtocarryagunwithhimonhisstrolls，butherarelymadeuseofit。
Whenhedidhappentodoso，hisshootingwassomethingsoinfallibleastoinspireterror。Heneverkilledaninoffensiveanimal。
Henevershotatalittlebird。
Althoughhewasnolongeryoung，itwasthoughtthathewasstillprodigiouslystrong。Heofferedhisassistancetoanyonewhowasinneedofit，liftedahorse，releasedawheelcloggedinthemud，orstoppedarunawaybullbythehorns。Healwayshadhispocketsfullofmoneywhenhewentout；buttheywereemptyonhisreturn。
Whenhepassedthroughavillage，theraggedbratsranjoyouslyafterhim，andsurroundedhimlikeaswarmofgnats。
Itwasthoughtthathemust，inthepast，havelivedacountrylife，sinceheknewallsortsofusefulsecrets，whichhetaughttothepeasants。Hetaughtthemhowtodestroyscurfonwheat，bysprinklingitandthegranaryandinundatingthecracksinthefloorwithasolutionofcommonsalt；andhowtochaseawayweevilsbyhanginguporviotinbloomeverywhere，onthewallsandtheceilings，amongthegrassandinthehouses。
Hehad"recipes"forexterminatingfromafield，blight，tares，foxtail，andallparasiticgrowthswhichdestroythewheat。
Hedefendedarabbitwarrenagainstrats，simplybytheodorofaguinea—pigwhichheplacedinit。
Onedayhesawsomecountrypeoplebusilyengagedinpullingupnettles；
heexaminedtheplants，whichwereuprootedandalreadydried，andsaid:"Theyaredead。Nevertheless，itwouldbeagoodthingtoknowhowtomakeuseofthem。Whenthenettleisyoung，theleafmakesanexcellentvegetable；whenitisolder，ithasfilamentsandfibreslikehempandflax。Nettleclothisasgoodaslinencloth。
Choppedup，nettlesaregoodforpoultry；pounded，theyaregoodforhornedcattle。Theseedofthenettle，mixedwithfodder，givesglosstothehairofanimals；theroot，mixedwithsalt，producesabeautifulyellowcoloring—matter。Moreover，itisanexcellenthay，whichcanbecuttwice。Andwhatisrequiredforthenettle？Alittlesoil，nocare，noculture。Onlytheseedfallsasitisripe，anditisdifficulttocollectit。Thatisall。
Withtheexerciseofalittlecare，thenettlecouldbemadeuseful；
itisneglectedanditbecomeshurtful。Itisexterminated。Howmanymenresemblethenettle！"Headded，afterapause:"Rememberthis，myfriends:therearenosuchthingsasbadplantsorbadmen。
Thereareonlybadcultivators。"
Thechildrenlovedhimbecauseheknewhowtomakecharminglittletriflesofstrawandcocoanuts。
Whenhesawthedoorofachurchhunginblack，heentered:
hesoughtoutfuneralsasothermenseekchristenings。Widowhoodandthegriefofothersattractedhim，becauseofhisgreatgentleness；
hemingledwiththefriendscladinmourning，withfamiliesdressedinblack，withthepriestsgroaningaroundacoffin。
Heseemedtoliketogivetohisthoughtsfortextthesefunerealpsalmodiesfilledwiththevisionoftheotherworld。Withhiseyesfixedonheaven，helistenedwithasortofaspirationtowardsallthemysteriesoftheinfinite，thosesadvoiceswhichsingonthevergeoftheobscureabyssofdeath。
Heperformedamultitudeofgoodactions，concealinghisagencyinthemasamanconcealshimselfbecauseofevilactions。Hepenetratedhousesprivately，atnight；heascendedstaircasesfurtively。
Apoorwretchonreturningtohisatticwouldfindthathisdoorhadbeenopened，sometimesevenforced，duringhisabsence。
Thepoormanmadeaclamoroverit:somemalefactorhadbeenthere！
Heentered，andthefirstthinghebeheldwasapieceofgoldlyingforgottenonsomepieceoffurniture。The"malefactor"whohadbeentherewasFatherMadeleine。
Hewasaffableandsad。Thepeoplesaid:"Thereisarichmanwhohasnotahaughtyair。Thereisahappymanwhohasnotacontentedair。"
Somepeoplemaintainedthathewasamysteriousperson，andthatnooneeverenteredhischamber，whichwasaregularanchorite’scell，furnishedwithwingedhour—glassesandenlivenedbycross—bonesandskullsofdeadmen！Thiswasmuchtalkedof，sothatoneoftheelegantandmaliciousyoungwomenofM。surM。cametohimoneday，andasked:"MonsieurleMaire，prayshowusyourchamber。
Itissaidtobeagrotto。"Hesmiled，andintroducedtheminstantlyintothis"grotto。"Theywerewellpunishedfortheircuriosity。
Theroomwasverysimplyfurnishedinmahogany，whichwasratherugly，likeallfurnitureofthatsort，andhungwithpaperworthtwelvesous。
Theycouldseenothingremarkableaboutit，excepttwocandlesticksofantiquepatternwhichstoodonthechimney—pieceandappearedtobesilver，"fortheywerehall—marked，"anobservationfullofthetypeofwitofpettytowns。
Nevertheless，peoplecontinuedtosaythatnooneevergotintotheroom，andthatitwasahermit’scave，amysteriousretreat，ahole，atomb。
Itwasalsowhisperedaboutthathehad"immense"sumsdepositedwithLaffitte，withthispeculiarfeature，thattheywerealwaysathisimmediatedisposal，sothat，itwasadded，M。MadeleinecouldmakehisappearanceatLaffitte’sanymorning，signareceipt，andcarryoffhistwoorthreemillionsintenminutes。Inreality，"thesetwoorthreemillions"werereducible，aswehavesaid，tosixhundredandthirtyorfortythousandfrancs。
CHAPTERIV
M。MADELEINEINMOURNING
Atthebeginningof1820thenewspapersannouncedthedeathofM。Myriel，BishopofD————，surnamed"MonseigneurBienvenu，"
whohaddiedintheodorofsanctityattheageofeighty—two。
TheBishopofD——————tosupplyhereadetailwhichthepapersomitted——
hadbeenblindformanyyearsbeforehisdeath，andcontenttobeblind，ashissisterwasbesidehim。
Letusremarkbytheway，thattobeblindandtobeloved，is，infact，oneofthemoststrangelyexquisiteformsofhappinessuponthisearth，wherenothingiscomplete。Tohavecontinuallyatone’ssideawoman，adaughter，asister，acharmingbeing，whoistherebecauseyouneedherandbecauseshecannotdowithoutyou；
toknowthatweareindispensabletoapersonwhoisnecessarytous；
tobeabletoincessantlymeasureone’saffectionbytheamountofherpresencewhichshebestowsonus，andtosaytoourselves，"Sincesheconsecratesthewholeofhertimetome，itisbecauseI
possessthewholeofherheart"；tobeholdherthoughtinlieuofherface；tobeabletoverifythefidelityofonebeingamidtheeclipseoftheworld；toregardtherustleofagownasthesoundofwings；tohearhercomeandgo，retire，speak，return，sing，andtothinkthatoneisthecentreofthesesteps，ofthisspeech；
tomanifestateachinstantone’spersonalattraction；tofeelone’sselfallthemorepowerfulbecauseofone’sinfirmity；
tobecomeinone’sobscurity，andthroughone’sobscurity，thestararoundwhichthisangelgravitates，——fewfelicitiesequalthis。
Thesupremehappinessoflifeconsistsintheconvictionthatoneisloved；lovedforone’sownsake——letussayrather，lovedinspiteofone’sself；thisconvictiontheblindmanpossesses。
Tobeservedindistressistobecaressed。Doeshelackanything？
No。Onedoesnotlosethesightwhenonehaslove。Andwhatlove！
Alovewhollyconstitutedofvirtue！Thereisnoblindnesswherethereiscertainty。Soulseekssoul，gropingly，andfindsit。
Andthissoul，foundandtested，isawoman。Ahandsustainsyou；
itishers:amouthlightlytouchesyourbrow；itishermouth:
youhearabreathverynearyou；itishers。Tohaveeverythingofher，fromherworshiptoherpity，nevertobeleft，tohavethatsweetweaknessaidingyou，toleanuponthatimmovablereed，totouchProvidencewithone’shands，andtobeabletotakeitinone’sarms，——Godmadetangible，——whatbliss！Theheart，thatobscure，celestialflower，undergoesamysteriousblossoming。
Onewouldnotexchangethatshadowforallbrightness！
Theangelsoulisthere，uninterruptedlythere；ifshedeparts，itisbuttoreturnagain；shevanisheslikeadream，andreappearslikereality。Onefeelswarmthapproaching，andbehold！sheisthere。
Oneoverflowswithserenity，withgayety，withecstasy；oneisaradianceamidthenight。Andthereareathousandlittlecares。
Nothings，whichareenormousinthatvoid。Themostineffableaccentsofthefemininevoiceemployedtolullyou，andsupplyingthevanisheduniversetoyou。Oneiscaressedwiththesoul。
Oneseesnothing，butonefeelsthatoneisadored。Itisaparadiseofshadows。
ItwasfromthisparadisethatMonseigneurWelcomehadpassedtotheother。
TheannouncementofhisdeathwasreprintedbythelocaljournalofM。surM。Onthefollowingday，M。Madeleineappearedcladwhollyinblack，andwithcrapeonhishat。
Thismourningwasnoticedinthetown，andcommentedon。ItseemedtothrowalightonM。Madeleine’sorigin。ItwasconcludedthatsomerelationshipexistedbetweenhimandthevenerableBishop。"HehasgoneintomourningfortheBishopofD————"saidthedrawing—rooms；
thisraisedM。Madeleine’screditgreatly，andprocuredforhim，instantlyandatoneblow，acertainconsiderationinthenobleworldofM。surM。ThemicroscopicFaubourgSaint—GermainoftheplacemeditatedraisingthequarantineagainstM。Madeleine，theprobablerelativeofabishop。M。Madeleineperceivedtheadvancementwhichhehadobtained，bythemorenumerouscourtesiesoftheoldwomenandthemoreplentifulsmilesoftheyoungones。
Oneevening，arulerinthatpettygreatworld，whowascuriousbyrightofseniority，venturedtoaskhim，"M。leMaireisdoubtlessacousinofthelateBishopofD————？"
Hesaid，"No，Madame。"
"But，"resumedthedowager，"youarewearingmourningforhim。"
Hereplied，"ItisbecauseIwasaservantinhisfamilyinmyyouth。"
Anotherthingwhichwasremarked，was，thateverytimethatheencounteredinthetownayoungSavoyardwhowasroamingaboutthecountryandseekingchimneystosweep，themayorhadhimsummoned，inquiredhisname，andgavehimmoney。ThelittleSavoyardstoldeachotheraboutit:agreatmanyofthempassedthatway。
CHAPTERV
VAGUEFLASHESONTHEHORIZON
Littlebylittle，andinthecourseoftime，allthisoppositionsubsided。TherehadatfirstbeenexercisedagainstM。Madeleine，invirtueofasortoflawwhichallthosewhorisemustsubmitto，blackeningandcalumnies；thentheygrewtobenothingmorethanill—nature，thenmerelymaliciousremarks，theneventhisentirelydisappeared；respectbecamecomplete，unanimous，cordial，andtowards1821themomentarrivedwhentheword"MonsieurleMaire"
waspronouncedatM。surM。withalmostthesameaccentas"MonseigneurtheBishop"hadbeenpronouncedinD————in1815。PeoplecamefromadistanceoftenleaguesaroundtoconsultM。Madeleine。Heputanendtodifferences，hepreventedlawsuits，hereconciledenemies。
Everyonetookhimforthejudge，andwithgoodreason。
Itseemedasthoughhehadforasoulthebookofthenaturallaw。
Itwaslikeanepidemicofveneration，whichinthecourseofsixorsevenyearsgraduallytookpossessionofthewholedistrict。
Onesinglemaninthetown，inthearrondissement，absolutelyescapedthiscontagion，and，whateverFatherMadeleinedid，remainedhisopponentasthoughasortofincorruptibleandimperturbableinstinctkepthimonthealertanduneasy。Itseems，infact，asthoughthereexistedincertainmenaveritablebestialinstinct，thoughpureandupright，likeallinstincts，whichcreatesantipathiesandsympathies，whichfatallyseparatesonenaturefromanothernature，whichdoesnothesitate，whichfeelsnodisquiet，whichdoesnotholditspeace，andwhichneverbeliesitself，clearinitsobscurity，infallible，imperious，intractable，stubborntoallcounselsoftheintelligenceandtoallthedissolventsofreason，andwhich，inwhatevermannerdestiniesarearranged，secretlywarnstheman—dogofthepresenceoftheman—cat，andtheman—foxofthepresenceoftheman—lion。
ItfrequentlyhappenedthatwhenM。Madeleinewaspassingalongastreet，calm，affectionate，surroundedbytheblessingsofall，amanofloftystature，cladinaniron—grayfrock—coat，armedwithaheavycane，andwearingabatteredhat，turnedroundabruptlybehindhim，andfollowedhimwithhiseyesuntilhedisappeared，withfoldedarmsandaslowshakeofthehead，andhisupperlipraisedincompanywithhislowertohisnose，asortofsignificantgrimacewhichmightbetranslatedby:"Whatisthatman，afterall？
Icertainlyhaveseenhimsomewhere。Inanycase，Iamnothisdupe。"
Thisperson，gravewithagravitywhichwasalmostmenacing，wasoneofthosemenwho，evenwhenonlyseenbyarapidglimpse，arrestthespectator’sattention。
HisnamewasJavert，andhebelongedtothepolice。
AtM。surM。heexercisedtheunpleasantbutusefulfunctionsofaninspector。HehadnotseenMadeleine’sbeginnings。JavertowedthepostwhichheoccupiedtotheprotectionofM。Chabouillet，thesecretaryoftheMinisterofState，ComteAngeles，thenprefectofpoliceatParis。WhenJavertarrivedatM。surM。thefortuneofthegreatmanufacturerwasalreadymade，andFatherMadeleinehadbecomeMonsieurMadeleine。
Certainpoliceofficershaveapeculiarphysiognomy，whichiscomplicatedwithanairofbasenessmingledwithanairofauthority。
Javertpossessedthisphysiognomyminusthebaseness。
Itisourconvictionthatifsoulswerevisibletotheeyes，weshouldbeabletoseedistinctlythatstrangethingthateachoneindividualofthehumanracecorrespondstosomeoneofthespeciesoftheanimalcreation；andwecouldeasilyrecognizethistruth，hardlyperceivedbythethinker，thatfromtheoystertotheeagle，fromthepigtothetiger，allanimalsexistinman，andthateachoneofthemisinaman。Sometimesevenseveralofthematatime。
Animalsarenothingelsethanthefiguresofourvirtuesandourvices，strayingbeforeoureyes，thevisiblephantomsofoursouls。
Godshowsthemtousinordertoinduceustoreflect。Onlysinceanimalsaremereshadows，Godhasnotmadethemcapableofeducationinthefullsenseoftheword；whatistheuse？Onthecontrary，oursoulsbeingrealitiesandhavingagoalwhichisappropriatetothem，Godhasbestowedonthemintelligence；thatistosay，thepossibilityofeducation。Socialeducation，whenwelldone，canalwaysdrawfromasoul，ofwhateversortitmaybe，theutilitywhichitcontains。
This，beitsaid，isofcoursefromtherestrictedpointofviewoftheterrestriallifewhichisapparent，andwithoutprejudgingtheprofoundquestionoftheanteriororulteriorpersonalityofthebeingswhicharenotman。Thevisible_I_innowiseauthorizesthethinkertodenythelatent_I_。Havingmadethisreservation，letuspasson。
Now，ifthereaderwilladmit，foramoment，withus，thatineverymanthereisoneoftheanimalspeciesofcreation，itwillbeeasyforustosaywhattherewasinPoliceOfficerJavert。
ThepeasantsofAsturiasareconvincedthatineverylitterofwolvesthereisonedog，whichiskilledbythemotherbecause，otherwise，ashegrewup，hewoulddevourtheotherlittleones。
Givetothisdog—sonofawolfahumanface，andtheresultwillbeJavert。
Javerthadbeenborninprison，ofafortune—teller，whosehusbandwasinthegalleys。Ashegrewup，hethoughtthathewasoutsidethepaleofsociety，andhedespairedofeverre—enteringit。
Heobservedthatsocietyunpardoninglyexcludestwoclassesofmen，——
thosewhoattackitandthosewhoguardit；hehadnochoiceexceptbetweenthesetwoclasses；atthesametime，hewasconsciousofanindescribablefoundationofrigidity，regularity，andprobity，complicatedwithaninexpressiblehatredfortheraceofbohemianswhencehewassprung。Heenteredthepolice；hesucceededthere。
Atfortyyearsofagehewasaninspector。
DuringhisyouthhehadbeenemployedintheconvictestablishmentsoftheSouth。
Beforeproceedingfurther，letuscometoanunderstandingastothewords，"humanface，"whichwehavejustappliedtoJavert。
ThehumanfaceofJavertconsistedofaflatnose，withtwodeepnostrils，towardswhichenormouswhiskersascendedonhischeeks。
Onefeltillateasewhenhesawthesetwoforestsandthesetwocavernsforthefirsttime。WhenJavertlaughed，——andhislaughwasrareandterrible，——histhinlipspartedandrevealedtoviewnotonlyhisteeth，buthisgums，andaroundhisnosethereformedaflattenedandsavagefold，asonthemuzzleofawildbeast。
Javert，serious，wasawatchdog；whenhelaughed，hewasatiger。
Asfortherest，hehadverylittleskullandagreatdealofjaw；
hishairconcealedhisforeheadandfelloverhiseyebrows；
betweenhiseyestherewasapermanent，centralfrown，likeanimprintofwrath；hisgazewasobscure；hismouthpursedupandterrible；
hisairthatofferociouscommand。
Thismanwascomposedoftwoverysimpleandtwoverygoodsentiments，comparatively；butherenderedthemalmostbad，bydintofexaggeratingthem，——respectforauthority，hatredofrebellion；
andinhiseyes，murder，robbery，allcrimes，areonlyformsofrebellion。Heenvelopedinablindandprofoundfaitheveryonewhohadafunctioninthestate，fromtheprimeministertotheruralpoliceman。Hecoveredwithscorn，aversion，anddisgusteveryonewhohadoncecrossedthelegalthresholdofevil。
Hewasabsolute，andadmittednoexceptions。Ontheonehand，hesaid，"Thefunctionarycanmakenomistake；themagistrateisneverthewrong。"Ontheotherhand，hesaid，"Thesemenareirremediablylost。Nothinggoodcancomefromthem。"HefullysharedtheopinionofthoseextrememindswhichattributetohumanlawIknownotwhatpowerofmaking，or，ifthereaderwillhaveitso，ofauthenticating，demons，andwhoplaceaStyxatthebaseofsociety。Hewasstoical，serious，austere；amelancholydreamer，humbleandhaughty，likefanatics。Hisglancewaslikeagimlet，coldandpiercing。Hiswholelifehungonthesetwowords:
watchfulnessandsupervision。Hehadintroducedastraightlineintowhatisthemostcrookedthingintheworld；hepossessedtheconscienceofhisusefulness，thereligionofhisfunctions，andhewasaspyasothermenarepriests。Woetothemanwhofellintohishands！Hewouldhavearrestedhisownfather，ifthelatterhadescapedfromthegalleys，andwouldhavedenouncedhismother，ifshehadbrokenherban。Andhewouldhavedoneitwiththatsortofinwardsatisfactionwhichisconferredbyvirtue。And，withal，alifeofprivation，isolation，abnegation，chastity，withneveradiversion。Itwasimplacableduty；thepoliceunderstood，astheSpartansunderstoodSparta，apitilesslyinginwait，aferocioushonesty，amarbleinformer，BrutusinVidocq。
Javert’swholepersonwasexpressiveofthemanwhospiesandwhowithdrawshimselffromobservation。ThemysticalschoolofJosephdeMaistre，whichatthatepochseasonedwithloftycosmogonythosethingswhichwerecalledtheultranewspapers，wouldnothavefailedtodeclarethatJavertwasasymbol。
Hisbrowwasnotvisible；itdisappearedbeneathhishat:
hiseyeswerenotvisible，sincetheywerelostunderhiseyebrows:
hischinwasnotvisible，foritwasplungedinhiscravat:
hishandswerenotvisible；theyweredrawnupinhissleeves:
andhiscanewasnotvisible；hecarrieditunderhiscoat。
Butwhentheoccasionpresenteditself，therewassuddenlyseentoemergefromallthisshadow，asfromanambuscade，anarrowandangularforehead，abalefulglance，athreateningchin，enormoushands，andamonstrouscudgel。
Inhisleisuremoments，whichwerefarfromfrequent，heread，althoughhehatedbooks；thiscausedhimtobenotwhollyilliterate。
Thiscouldberecognizedbysomeemphasisinhisspeech。
Aswehavesaid，hehadnovices。Whenhewaspleasedwithhimself，hepermittedhimselfapinchofsnuff。Thereinlayhisconnectionwithhumanity。
ThereaderwillhavenodifficultyinunderstandingthatJavertwastheterrorofthatwholeclasswhichtheannualstatisticsoftheMinistryofJusticedesignatesundertherubric，Vagrants。
ThenameofJavertroutedthembyitsmereutterance；thefaceofJavertpetrifiedthematsight。
Suchwasthisformidableman。
JavertwaslikeaneyeconstantlyfixedonM。Madeleine。Aneyefullofsuspicionandconjecture。M。Madeleinehadfinallyperceivedthefact；butitseemedtobeofnoimportancetohim。HedidnotevenputaquestiontoJavert；heneithersoughtnoravoidedhim；
heborethatembarrassingandalmostoppressivegazewithoutappearingtonoticeit。HetreatedJavertwitheaseandcourtesy，ashedidalltherestoftheworld。
Itwasdivined，fromsomewordswhichescapedJavert，thathehadsecretlyinvestigated，withthatcuriositywhichbelongstotherace，andintowhichthereentersasmuchinstinctaswill，alltheanteriortraceswhichFatherMadeleinemighthaveleftelsewhere。
Heseemedtoknow，andhesometimessaidincovertwords，thatsomeonehadgleanedcertaininformationinacertaindistrictaboutafamilywhichhaddisappeared。Oncehechancedtosay，ashewastalkingtohimself，"IthinkIhavehim！"
Thenheremainedpensiveforthreedays，andutterednotaword。
Itseemedthatthethreadwhichhethoughtheheldhadbroken。
Moreover，andthisfurnishesthenecessarycorrectiveforthetooabsolutesensewhichcertainwordsmightpresent，therecanbenothingreallyinfallibleinahumancreature，andthepeculiarityofinstinctisthatitcanbecomeconfused，thrownoffthetrack，anddefeated。Otherwise，itwouldbesuperiortointelligence，andthebeastwouldbefoundtobeprovidedwithabetterlightthanman。
JavertwasevidentlysomewhatdisconcertedbytheperfectnaturalnessandtranquillityofM。Madeleine。
Oneday，nevertheless，hisstrangemannerappearedtoproduceanimpressiononM。Madeleine。Itwasonthefollowingoccasion。
CHAPTERVI
FATHERFAUCHELEVENT
OnemorningM。MadeleinewaspassingthroughanunpavedalleyofM。surM。；heheardanoise，andsawagroupsomedistanceaway。
Heapproached。AnoldmannamedFatherFaucheleventhadjustfallenbeneathhiscart，hishorsehavingtumbleddown。
ThisFaucheleventwasoneofthefewenemieswhomM。Madeleinehadatthattime。WhenMadeleinearrivedintheneighborhood，Fauchelevent，anex—notaryandapeasantwhowasalmosteducated，hadabusinesswhichwasbeginningtobeinabadway。Faucheleventhadseenthissimpleworkmangrowrich，whilehe，alawyer，wasbeingruined。
Thishadfilledhimwithjealousy，andhehaddoneallhecould，oneveryoccasion，toinjureMadeleine。Thenbankruptcyhadcome；
andastheoldmanhadnothingleftbutacartandahorse，andneitherfamilynorchildren，hehadturnedcarter。
Thehorsehadtwobrokenlegsandcouldnotrise。Theoldmanwascaughtinthewheels。Thefallhadbeensounluckythatthewholeweightofthevehiclerestedonhisbreast。Thecartwasquiteheavilyladen。FatherFaucheleventwasrattlinginthethroatinthemostlamentablemanner。Theyhadtried，butinvain，todraghimout。Anunmethodicaleffort，aidawkwardlygiven，awrongshake，mightkillhim。Itwasimpossibletodisengagehimotherwisethanbyliftingthevehicleoffofhim。Javert，whohadcomeupatthemomentoftheaccident，hadsentforajack—screw。
M。Madeleinearrived。Peoplestoodasiderespectfully。
"Help！"criedoldFauchelevent。"Whowillbegoodandsavetheoldman？"
M。Madeleineturnedtowardsthosepresent:——
"Isthereajack—screwtobehad？"
"Onehasbeensentfor，"answeredthepeasant。
"Howlongwillittaketogetit？"
"Theyhavegoneforthenearest，toFlachot’splace，wherethereisafarrier；butitmakesnodifference；itwilltakeagoodquarterofanhour。"
"Aquarterofanhour！"exclaimedMadeleine。
Ithadrainedontheprecedingnight；thesoilwassoaked。
Thecartwassinkingdeeperintotheeartheverymoment，andcrushingtheoldcarter’sbreastmoreandmore。
Itwasevidentthathisribswouldbebrokeninfiveminutesmore。
"Itisimpossibletowaitanotherquarterofanhour，"saidMadeleinetothepeasants，whowerestaringathim。
"Wemust！"
"Butitwillbetoolatethen！Don’tyouseethatthecartissinking？"
"Well！"
"Listen，"resumedMadeleine；"thereisstillroomenoughunderthecarttoallowamantocrawlbeneathitandraiseitwithhisback。
Onlyhalfaminute，andthepoormancanbetakenout。Isthereanyoneherewhohasstoutloinsandheart？Therearefivelouisd’ortobeearned！"
Notamaninthegroupstirred。
"Tenlouis，"saidMadeleine。
Thepersonspresentdroppedtheireyes。Oneofthemmuttered:
"Amanwouldneedtobedevilishstrong。Andthenherunstheriskofgettingcrushed！"
"Come，"beganMadeleineagain，"twentylouis。"
Thesamesilence。
"Itisnotthewillwhichislacking，"saidavoice。
M。Madeleineturnedround，andrecognizedJavert。Hehadnotnoticedhimonhisarrival。
Javertwenton:——
"Itisstrength。Onewouldhavetobeaterriblemantodosuchathingasliftacartlikethatonhisback。"
Then，gazingfixedlyatM。Madeleine，hewenton，emphasizingeverywordthatheuttered:——
"MonsieurMadeleine，Ihaveneverknownbutonemancapableofdoingwhatyouask。"
Madeleineshuddered。
Javertadded，withanairofindifference，butwithoutremovinghiseyesfromMadeleine:——
"Hewasaconvict。"
"Ah！"saidMadeleine。
"InthegalleysatToulon。"
Madeleineturnedpale。
Meanwhile，thecartcontinuedtosinkslowly。FatherFaucheleventrattledinthethroat，andshrieked:——
"Iamstrangling！Myribsarebreaking！ascrew！something！Ah！"
Madeleineglancedabouthim。
"Isthere，then，noonewhowishestoearntwentylouisandsavethelifeofthispooroldman？"
Noonestirred。Javertresumed:——
"Ihaveneverknownbutonemanwhocouldtaketheplaceofascrew，andhewasthatconvict。"
"Ah！Itiscrushingme！"criedtheoldman。
Madeleineraisedhishead，metJavert’sfalconeyestillfixeduponhim，lookedatthemotionlesspeasants，andsmiledsadly。
Then，withoutsayingaword，hefellonhisknees，andbeforethecrowdhadevenhadtimetoutteracry，hewasunderneaththevehicle。
Aterriblemomentofexpectationandsilenceensued。
TheybeheldMadeleine，almostflatonhisstomachbeneaththatterribleweight，maketwovaineffortstobringhiskneesandhiselbowstogether。Theyshoutedtohim，"FatherMadeleine，comeout！"
OldFaucheleventhimselfsaidtohim，"MonsieurMadeleine，goaway！
YouseethatIamfatedtodie！Leaveme！Youwillgetyourselfcrushedalso！"Madeleinemadenoreply。
Allthespectatorswerepanting。Thewheelshadcontinuedtosink，andithadbecomealmostimpossibleforMadeleinetomakehiswayfromunderthevehicle。
Suddenlytheenormousmasswasseentoquiver，thecartroseslowly，thewheelshalfemergedfromtheruts。Theyheardastifledvoicecrying，"Makehaste！Help！"ItwasMadeleine，whohadjustmadeafinaleffort。
Theyrushedforwards。Thedevotionofasinglemanhadgivenforceandcouragetoall。Thecartwasraisedbytwentyarms。
OldFaucheleventwassaved。
Madeleinerose。Hewaspale，thoughdrippingwithperspiration。
Hisclothesweretornandcoveredwithmud。Allwept。TheoldmankissedhiskneesandcalledhimthegoodGod。Asforhim，heboreuponhiscountenanceanindescribableexpressionofhappyandcelestialsuffering，andhefixedhistranquileyeonJavert，whowasstillstaringathim。
CHAPTERVII
FAUCHELEVENTBECOMESAGARDENERINPARIS
Faucheleventhaddislocatedhiskneepaninhisfall。FatherMadeleinehadhimconveyedtoaninfirmarywhichhehadestablishedforhisworkmeninthefactorybuildingitself，andwhichwasservedbytwosistersofcharity。Onthefollowingmorningtheoldmanfoundathousand—francbank—noteonhisnight—stand，withthesewordsinFatherMadeleine’swriting:"Ipurchaseyourhorseandcart。"
Thecartwasbroken，andthehorsewasdead。Faucheleventrecovered，buthiskneeremainedstiff。M。Madeleine，ontherecommendationofthesistersofcharityandofhispriest，gotthegoodmanaplaceasgardenerinafemaleconventintheRueSaint—AntoineinParis。
Sometimeafterwards，M。Madeleinewasappointedmayor。ThefirsttimethatJavertbeheldM。Madeleineclothedinthescarfwhichgavehimauthorityoverthetown，hefeltthesortofshudderwhichawatch—dogmightexperienceonsmellingawolfinhismaster’sclothes。
Fromthattimeforthheavoidedhimasmuchashepossiblycould。
Whentherequirementsoftheserviceimperativelydemandedit，andhecouldnotdootherwisethanmeetthemayor，headdressedhimwithprofoundrespect。
ThisprosperitycreatedatM。surM。byFatherMadeleinehad，besidesthevisiblesignswhichwehavementioned，anothersymptomwhichwasnonethelesssignificantfornotbeingvisible。
Thisneverdeceives。Whenthepopulationsuffers，whenworkislacking，whenthereisnocommerce，thetax—payerresistsimpoststhroughpenury，heexhaustsandoverstepshisrespite，andthestateexpendsagreatdealofmoneyinthechargesforcompellingandcollection。Whenworkisabundant，whenthecountryisrichandhappy，thetaxesarepaideasilyandcostthestatenothing。
Itmaybesaid，thatthereisoneinfalliblethermometerofthepublicmiseryandriches，——thecostofcollectingthetaxes。
Inthecourseofsevenyearstheexpenseofcollectingthetaxeshaddiminishedthree—fourthsinthearrondissementofM。surM。，andthisledtothisarrondissementbeingfrequentlycitedfromalltherestbyM。deVillele，thenMinisterofFinance。
SuchwastheconditionofthecountrywhenFantinereturnedthither。
Noonerememberedher。Fortunately，thedoorofM。Madeleine’sfactorywaslikethefaceofafriend。Shepresentedherselfthere，andwasadmittedtothewomen’sworkroom。ThetradewasentirelynewtoFantine；shecouldnotbeveryskilfulatit，andshethereforeearnedbutlittlebyherday’swork；butitwassufficient；
theproblemwassolved；shewasearningherliving。
CHAPTERVIII
MADAMEVICTURNIENEXPENDSTHIRTYFRANCSONMORALITY
WhenFantinesawthatshewasmakingherliving，shefeltjoyfulforamoment。Tolivehonestlybyherownlabor，whatmercyfromheaven！Thetasteforworkhadreallyreturnedtoher。
Sheboughtalooking—glass，tookpleasureinsurveyinginitheryouth，herbeautifulhair，herfineteeth；sheforgotmanythings；shethoughtonlyofCosetteandofthepossiblefuture，andwasalmosthappy。
Shehiredalittleroomandfurnishedoncreditonthestrengthofherfuturework——alingeringtraceofherimprovidentways。
Asshewasnotabletosaythatshewasmarriedshetookgoodcare，aswehaveseen，nottomentionherlittlegirl。
Atfirst，asthereaderhasseen，shepaidtheThenardierspromptly。
Assheonlyknewhowtosignhername，shewasobligedtowritethroughapublicletter—writer。
Shewroteoften，andthiswasnoticed。Itbegantobesaidinanundertone，inthewomen’sworkroom，thatFantine"wroteletters"
andthat"shehadwaysabouther。"
Thereisnooneforspyingonpeople’sactionslikethosewhoarenotconcernedinthem。Whydoesthatgentlemannevercomeexceptatnightfall？WhydoesMr。So—and—SoneverhanghiskeyonitsnailonTuesday？Whydoeshealwaystakethenarrowstreets？
WhydoesMadamealwaysdescendfromherhackney—coachbeforereachingherhouse？Whydoesshesendouttopurchasesixsheetsofnotepaper，whenshehasa"wholestationer’sshopfullofit？"
etc。Thereexistbeingswho，forthesakeofobtainingthekeytotheseenigmas，whichare，moreover，ofnoconsequencewhatevertothem，spendmoremoney，wastemoretime，takemoretrouble，thanwouldberequiredfortengoodactions，andthatgratuitously，fortheirownpleasure，withoutreceivinganyotherpaymentfortheircuriositythancuriosity。Theywillfollowupsuchandsuchamanorwomanforwholedays；theywilldosentrydutyforhoursatatimeonthecornersofthestreets，underalley—waydoorsatnight，incoldandrain；theywillbribeerrand—porters，theywillmakethedriversofhackney—coachesandlackeystipsy，buyawaiting—maid，subornaporter。Why？Fornoreason。
Apurepassionforseeing，knowing，andpenetratingintothings。
Apureitchfortalking。Andoftenthesesecretsonceknown，thesemysteriesmadepublic，theseenigmasilluminatedbythelightofday，bringoncatastrophies，duels，failures，theruinoffamilies，andbrokenlives，tothegreatjoyofthosewhohave"foundouteverything，"withoutanyinterestinthematter，andbypureinstinct。Asadthing。
Certainpersonsaremalicioussolelythroughanecessityfortalking。
Theirconversation，thechatofthedrawing—room，gossipoftheanteroom，islikethosechimneyswhichconsumewoodrapidly；
theyneedagreatamountofcombustibles；andtheircombustiblesarefurnishedbytheirneighbors。
SoFantinewaswatched。
Inaddition，manyaonewasjealousofhergoldenhairandofherwhiteteeth。
Itwasremarkedthatintheworkroomsheoftenturnedaside，inthemidstoftherest，towipeawayatear。Thesewerethemomentswhenshewasthinkingofherchild；perhaps，also，ofthemanwhomshehadloved。
Breakingthegloomybondsofthepastisamournfultask。
Itwasobservedthatshewrotetwiceamonthatleast，andthatshepaidthecarriageontheletter。Theymanagedtoobtaintheaddress:
Monsieur，MonsieurThenardier，inn—keeperatMontfermeil。
Thepublicwriter，agoodoldmanwhocouldnotfillhisstomachwithredwinewithoutemptyinghispocketofsecrets，wasmadetotalkinthewine—shop。Inshort，itwasdiscoveredthatFantinehadachild。
"Shemustbeaprettysortofawoman。"Anoldgossipwasfound，whomadethetriptoMontfermeil，talkedtotheThenardiers，andsaidonherreturn:"FormyfiveandthirtyfrancsIhavefreedmymind。
Ihaveseenthechild。"
ThegossipwhodidthisthingwasagorgonnamedMadameVicturnien，theguardiananddoor—keeperofeveryone’svirtue。
MadameVicturnienwasfifty—six，andre—enforcedthemaskofuglinesswiththemaskofage。Aquaveringvoice，awhimsicalmind。
Thisolddamehadoncebeenyoung——astonishingfact！Inheryouth，in’93，shehadmarriedamonkwhohadfledfromhiscloisterinaredcap，andpassedfromtheBernardinestotheJacobins。
Shewasdry，rough，peevish，sharp，captious，almostvenomous；
allthisinmemoryofhermonk，whosewidowshewas，andwhohadruledoverhermasterfullyandbenthertohiswill。
Shewasanettleinwhichtherustleofthecassockwasvisible。
AttheRestorationshehadturnedbigot，andthatwithsomuchenergythatthepriestshadforgivenherhermonk。Shehadasmallproperty，whichshebequeathedwithmuchostentationtoareligiouscommunity。
ShewasinhighfavorattheepiscopalpalaceofArras。SothisMadameVicturnienwenttoMontfermeil，andreturnedwiththeremark，"Ihaveseenthechild。"
Allthistooktime。Fantinehadbeenatthefactoryformorethanayear，when，onemorning，thesuperintendentoftheworkroomhandedherfiftyfrancsfromthemayor，toldherthatshewasnolongeremployedintheshop，andrequestedher，inthemayor’sname，toleavetheneighborhood。
ThiswastheverymonthwhentheThenardiers，afterhavingdemandedtwelvefrancsinsteadofsix，hadjustexactedfifteenfrancsinsteadoftwelve。
Fantinewasoverwhelmed。Shecouldnotleavetheneighborhood；
shewasindebtforherrentandfurniture。Fiftyfrancswasnotsufficienttocancelthisdebt。Shestammeredafewsupplicatingwords。
Thesuperintendentorderedhertoleavetheshopontheinstant。
Besides，Fantinewasonlyamoderatelygoodworkwoman。
Overcomewithshame，evenmorethanwithdespair，shequittedtheshop，andreturnedtoherroom。Soherfaultwasnowknowntoeveryone。
Shenolongerfeltstrongenoughtosayaword。Shewasadvisedtoseethemayor；shedidnotdare。Themayorhadgivenherfiftyfrancsbecausehewasgood，andhaddismissedherbecausehewasjust。
Shebowedbeforethedecision。
CHAPTERIX
MADAMEVICTURNIEN’SSUCCESS
Sothemonk’swidowwasgoodforsomething。
ButM。Madeleinehadheardnothingofallthis。Lifeisfullofjustsuchcombinationsofevents。M。Madeleinewasinthehabitofalmostneverenteringthewomen’sworkroom。
Attheheadofthisroomhehadplacedanelderlyspinster，whomthepriesthadprovidedforhim，andhehadfullconfidenceinthissuperintendent，——atrulyrespectableperson，firm，equitable，upright，fullofthecharitywhichconsistsingiving，butnothavinginthesamedegreethatcharitywhichconsistsinunderstandingandinforgiving。M。Madeleinereliedwhollyonher。Thebestmenareoftenobligedtodelegatetheirauthority。Itwaswiththisfullpower，andtheconvictionthatshewasdoingright，thatthesuperintendenthadinstitutedthesuit，judged，condemned，andexecutedFantine。
Asregardsthefiftyfrancs，shehadgiventhemfromafundwhichM。Madeleinehadintrustedtoherforcharitablepurposes，andforgivingassistancetotheworkwomen，andofwhichsherenderednoaccount。
Fantinetriedtoobtainasituationasaservantintheneighborhood；
shewentfromhousetohouse。Noonewouldhaveher。Shecouldnotleavetown。Thesecond—handdealer，towhomshewasindebtforherfurniture——andwhatfurniture！——saidtoher，"Ifyouleave，Iwillhaveyouarrestedasathief。"Thehouseholder，whomsheowedforherrent，saidtoher，"Youareyoungandpretty；
youcanpay。"Shedividedthefiftyfrancsbetweenthelandlordandthefurniture—dealer，returnedtothelatterthree—quartersofhisgoods，keptonlynecessaries，andfoundherselfwithoutwork，withoutatrade，withnothingbutherbed，andstillaboutfiftyfrancsindebt。
Shebegantomakecoarseshirtsforsoldiersofthegarrison，andearnedtwelvesousaday。Herdaughtercostherten。ItwasatthispointthatshebegantopaytheThenardiersirregularly。
However，theoldwomanwholightedhercandleforherwhenshereturnedatnight，taughthertheartoflivinginmisery。
Backoflivingonlittle，thereisthelivingonnothing。
Thesearethetwochambers；thefirstisdark，thesecondisblack。
Fantinelearnedhowtolivewithoutfireentirelyinthewinter；
howtogiveupabirdwhicheatsahalfafarthing’sworthofmilleteverytwodays；howtomakeacoverletofone’spetticoat，andapetticoatofone’scoverlet；howtosaveone’scandle，bytakingone’smealsbythelightoftheoppositewindow。
Nooneknowsallthatcertainfeeblecreatures，whohavegrownoldinprivationandhonesty，cangetoutofasou。Itendsbybeingatalent。Fantineacquiredthissublimetalent，andregainedalittlecourage。
Atthisepochshesaidtoaneighbor，"Bah！Isaytomyself，byonlysleepingfivehours，andworkingalltherestofthetimeatmysewing，Ishallalwaysmanagetonearlyearnmybread。And，then，whenoneissad，oneeatsless。Well，sufferings，uneasiness，alittlebreadononehand，troubleontheother，——allthiswillsupportme。"
Itwouldhavebeenagreathappinesstohaveherlittlegirlwithherinthisdistress。Shethoughtofhavinghercome。Butwhatthen！
Makehershareherowndestitution！Andthen，shewasindebttotheThenardiers！Howcouldshepaythem？Andthejourney！
Howpayforthat？
Theoldwomanwhohadgivenherlessonsinwhatmaybecalledthelifeofindigence，wasasaintedspinsternamedMarguerite，whowaspiouswithatruepiety，poorandcharitabletowardsthepoor，andeventowardstherich，knowinghowtowritejustsufficientlytosignherselfMarguerite，andbelievinginGod，whichisscience。
Therearemanysuchvirtuouspeopleinthislowerworld；somedaytheywillbeintheworldabove。Thislifehasamorrow。
Atfirst，Fantinehadbeensoashamedthatshehadnotdaredtogoout。
Whenshewasinthestreet，shedivinedthatpeopleturnedroundbehindher，andpointedather；everyonestaredatherandnoonegreetedher；thecoldandbitterscornofthepassers—bypenetratedherveryfleshandsoullikeanorthwind。
Itseemsasthoughanunfortunatewomanwereutterlybarebeneaththesarcasmandthecuriosityofallinsmalltowns。InParis，atleast，nooneknowsyou，andthisobscurityisagarment。
Oh！howshewouldhavelikedtobetakeherselftoParis！Impossible！
Shewasobligedtoaccustomherselftodisrepute，asshehadaccustomedherselftoindigence。Graduallyshedecidedonhercourse。
Attheexpirationoftwoorthreemonthssheshookoffhershame，andbegantogoaboutasthoughtherewerenothingthematter。
"Itisallthesametome，"shesaid。
Shewentandcame，bearingherheadwellup，withabittersmile，andwasconsciousthatshewasbecomingbrazen—faced。
MadameVicturniensometimessawherpassing，fromherwindow，noticedthedistressof"thatcreature"who，"thankstoher，"
hadbeen"putbackinherproperplace，"andcongratulatedherself。
Thehappinessoftheevil—mindedisblack。
ExcessoftoilworeoutFantine，andthelittledrycoughwhichtroubledherincreased。Shesometimessaidtoherneighbor，Marguerite，"Justfeelhowhotmyhandsare！"
Nevertheless，whenshecombedherbeautifulhairinthemorningwithanoldbrokencomb，anditflowedaboutherlikeflosssilk，sheexperiencedamomentofhappycoquetry。