WhataplacethatMontfermeilis！Itookthatjourneyonfootonce；
　　itwasverylongforme，butthediligencesgoveryquickly！hewillbehereto—morrowwithCosette:howfarisitfromheretoMontfermeil？"
　　Thesister，whohadnoideaofdistances，replied，"Oh，Ithinkthatbewillbehereto—morrow。"
　　"To—morrow！to—morrow！"saidFantine，"IshallseeCosetteto—morrow！
　　yousee，goodsisterofthegoodGod，thatIamnolongerill；
　　Iammad；Icoulddanceifanyonewishedit。"
　　Apersonwhohadseenheraquarterofanhourpreviouslywouldnothaveunderstoodthechange；shewasallrosynow；shespokeinalivelyandnaturalvoice；herwholefacewasonesmile；
　　nowandthenshetalked，shelaughedsoftly；thejoyofamotherisalmostinfantile。
　　"Well，"resumedthenun，"nowthatyouarehappy，mindme，anddonottalkanymore。"
　　Fantinelaidherheadonherpillowandsaidinalowvoice:
　　"Yes，liedownagain；begood，foryouaregoingtohaveyourchild；
　　SisterSimpliceisright；everyonehereisright。"
　　Andthen，withoutstirring，withoutevenmovingherhead，shebegantostareallaboutherwithwide—openeyesandajoyousair，andshesaidnothingmore。
　　Thesisterdrewthecurtainstogetheragain，hopingthatshewouldfallintoadoze。Betweensevenandeighto’clockthedoctorcame；
　　nothearinganysound，hethoughtFantinewasasleep，enteredsoftly，andapproachedthebedontiptoe；heopenedthecurtainsalittle，and，bythelightofthetaper，hesawFantine’sbigeyesgazingathim。
　　Shesaidtohim，"Shewillbeallowedtosleepbesidemeinalittlebed，willshenot，sir？"
　　Thedoctorthoughtthatshewasdelirious。Sheadded:——
　　"See！thereisjustroom。"
　　ThedoctortookSisterSimpliceaside，andsheexplainedmatterstohim；thatM。Madeleinewasabsentforadayortwo，andthatintheirdoubttheyhadnotthoughtitwelltoundeceivetheinvalid，whobelievedthatthemayorhadgonetoMontfermeil；
　　thatitwaspossible，afterall，thatherguesswascorrect:
　　thedoctorapproved。
　　HereturnedtoFantine’sbed，andshewenton:——
　　"Yousee，whenshewakesupinthemorning，Ishallbeabletosaygoodmorningtoher，poorkitten，andwhenIcannotsleepatnight，Icanhearherasleep；herlittlegentlebreathingwilldomegood。"
　　"Givemeyourhand，"saidthedoctor。
　　Shestretchedoutherarm，andexclaimedwithalaugh:——
　　"Ah，hold！intruth，youdidnotknowit；Iamcured；Cosettewillarriveto—morrow。"
　　Thedoctorwassurprised；shewasbetter；thepressureonherchesthaddecreased；herpulsehadregaineditsstrength；asortoflifehadsuddenlysupervenedandreanimatedthispoor，worn—outcreature。
　　"Doctor，"shewenton，"didthesistertellyouthatM。leMairehasgonetogetthatmiteofachild？"
　　Thedoctorrecommendedsilence，andthatallpainfulemotionsshouldbeavoided；heprescribedaninfusionofpurechinchona，and，incasethefevershouldincreaseagainduringthenight，acalmingpotion。
　　Ashetookhisdeparture，hesaidtothesister:——
　　"Sheisdoingbetter；ifgoodluckwilledthatthemayorshouldactuallyarriveto—morrowwiththechild，whoknows？therearecrisessoastounding；greatjoyhasbeenknowntoarrestmaladies；
　　Iknowwellthatthisisanorganicdisease，andinanadvancedstate，butallthosethingsaresuchmysteries:wemaybeabletosaveher。"
　　CHAPTERVII
　　THETRAVELLERONHISARRIVALTAKESPRECAUTIONSFORDEPARTURE
　　Itwasnearlyeighto’clockintheeveningwhenthecart，whichweleftontheroad，enteredtheporte—cochereoftheHoteldelaPosteinArras；themanwhomwehavebeenfollowinguptothismomentalightedfromit，respondedwithanabstractedairtotheattentionsofthepeopleoftheinn，sentbacktheextrahorse，andwithhisownhandsledthelittlewhitehorsetothestable；thenheopenedthedoorofabilliard—roomwhichwassituatedonthegroundfloor，satdownthere，andleanedhiselbowsonatable；hehadtakenfourteenhoursforthejourneywhichhehadcountedonmakinginsix；
　　hedidhimselfthejusticetoacknowledgethatitwasnothisfault，butatbottom，hewasnotsorry。
　　Thelandladyofthehotelentered。
　　"DoesMonsieurwishabed？DoesMonsieurrequiresupper？"
　　Hemadeasignoftheheadinthenegative。
　　"ThestablemansaysthatMonsieur’shorseisextremelyfatigued。"
　　Herehebrokehissilence。
　　"Willnotthehorsebeinaconditiontosetoutagainto—morrowmorning？"
　　"Oh，Monsieur！hemustrestfortwodaysatleast。"
　　Heinquired:——
　　"Isnottheposting—stationlocatedhere？"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　Thehostessconductedhimtotheoffice；heshowedhispassport，andinquiredwhethertherewasanywayofreturningthatsamenighttoM。surM。bythemail—wagon；theseatbesidethepost—boychancedtobevacant；heengageditandpaidforit。"Monsieur，"saidtheclerk，"donotfailtobeherereadytostartatpreciselyoneo’clockinthemorning。"
　　Thisdone，heleftthehotelandbegantowanderaboutthetown。
　　HewasnotacquaintedwithArras；thestreetsweredark，andhewalkedonatrandom；butheseemedbentuponnotaskingthewayofthepassers—by。HecrossedthelittleriverCrinchon，andfoundhimselfinalabyrinthofnarrowalleyswherehelosthisway。
　　Acitizenwaspassingalongwithalantern。Aftersomehesitation，hedecidedtoapplytothisman，notwithouthavingfirstglancedbehindandinfrontofhim，asthoughhefearedlestsomeoneshouldhearthequestionwhichhewasabouttoput。
　　"Monsieur，"saidhe，"whereisthecourt—house，ifyouplease。"
　　"Youdonotbelongintown，sir？"repliedthebourgeois，whowasanoldishman；"well，followme。Ihappentobegoinginthedirectionofthecourt—house，thatistosay，inthedirectionofthehoteloftheprefecture；forthecourt—houseisundergoingrepairsjustatthismoment，andthecourtsareholdingtheirsittingsprovisionallyintheprefecture。"
　　"IsittherethattheAssizesareheld？"heasked。
　　"Certainly，sir；yousee，theprefectureofto—daywasthebishop’spalacebeforetheRevolution。M。deConzie，whowasbishopin’82，builtagrandhallthere。Itisinthisgrandhallthatthecourtisheld。"
　　Ontheway，thebourgeoissaidtohim:——
　　"IfMonsieurdesirestowitnessacase，itisratherlate。
　　Thesittingsgenerallycloseatsixo’clock。"
　　Whentheyarrivedonthegrandsquare，however，themanpointedouttohimfourlongwindowsalllightedup，inthefrontofavastandgloomybuilding。
　　"Uponmyword，sir，youareinluck；youhavearrivedinseason。
　　Doyouseethosefourwindows？ThatistheCourtofAssizes。
　　Thereislightthere，sotheyarenotthrough。Themattermusthavebeengreatlyprotracted，andtheyareholdinganeveningsession。
　　Doyoutakeaninterestinthisaffair？Isitacriminalcase？
　　Areyouawitness？"
　　Hereplied:——
　　"Ihavenotcomeonanybusiness；Ionlywishtospeaktooneofthelawyers。"
　　"Thatisdifferent，"saidthebourgeois。"Stop，sir；hereisthedoorwherethesentrystands。Youhaveonlytoascendthegrandstaircase。"
　　Heconformedtothebourgeois’sdirections，andafewminuteslaterhewasinahallcontainingmanypeople，andwheregroups，intermingledwithlawyersintheirgowns，werewhisperingtogetherhereandthere。
　　Itisalwaysaheart—breakingthingtoseethesecongregationsofmenrobedinblack，murmuringtogetherinlowvoices，onthethresholdofthehallsofjustice。Itisrarethatcharityandpityaretheoutcomeofthesewords。Condemnationspronouncedinadvancearemorelikelytobetheresult。Allthesegroupsseemtothepassingandthoughtfulobserversomanysombrehiveswherebuzzingspiritsconstructinconcertallsortsofdarkedifices。
　　Thisspacioushall，illuminatedbyasinglelamp，wastheoldhalloftheepiscopalpalace，andservedasthelargehallofthepalaceofjustice。Adouble—leaveddoor，whichwasclosedatthatmoment，separateditfromthelargeapartmentwherethecourtwassitting。
　　Theobscuritywassuchthathedidnotfeartoaccostthefirstlawyerwhomhemet。
　　"Whatstagehavetheyreached，sir？"heasked。
　　"Itisfinished，"saidthelawyer。
　　"Finished！"
　　Thiswordwasrepeatedinsuchaccentsthatthelawyerturnedround。
　　"Excusemesir；perhapsyouarearelative？"
　　"No；Iknownoonehere。Hasjudgmentbeenpronounced？"
　　"Ofcourse。Nothingelsewaspossible。"
　　"Topenalservitude？"
　　"Forlife。"
　　Hecontinued，inavoicesoweakthatitwasbarelyaudible:——
　　"Thenhisidentitywasestablished？"
　　"Whatidentity？"repliedthelawyer。"Therewasnoidentitytobeestablished。Thematterwasverysimple。Thewomanhadmurderedherchild；theinfanticidewasproved；thejurythrewoutthequestionofpremeditation，andshewascondemnedforlife。"
　　"Soitwasawoman？"saidhe。
　　"Why，certainly。TheLimosinwoman。Ofwhatareyouspeaking？"
　　"Nothing。Butsinceitisallover，howcomesitthatthehallisstilllighted？"
　　"Foranothercase，whichwasbegunabouttwohoursago。
　　"Whatothercase？"
　　"Oh！thisoneisaclearcasealso。Itisaboutasortofblackguard；
　　amanarrestedforasecondoffence；aconvictwhohasbeenguiltyoftheft。Idon’tknowhisnameexactly。There’sabandit’sphizforyou！I’dsendhimtothegalleysonthestrengthofhisfacealone。"
　　"Isthereanywayofgettingintothecourt—room，sir？"saidhe。
　　"Ireallythinkthatthereisnot。Thereisagreatcrowd。
　　However，thehearinghasbeensuspended。Somepeoplehavegoneout，andwhenthehearingisresumed，youmightmakeaneffort。"
　　"Whereistheentrance？"
　　"Throughyonderlargedoor。"
　　Thelawyerlefthim。Inthecourseofafewmomentshehadexperienced，almostsimultaneously，almostintermingledwitheachother，allpossibleemotions。Thewordsofthisindifferentspectatorhad，inturn，piercedhisheartlikeneedlesoficeandlikebladesoffire。
　　Whenhesawthatnothingwassettled，hebreathedfreelyoncemore；
　　buthecouldnothavetoldwhetherwhathefeltwaspainorpleasure。
　　Hedrewneartomanygroupsandlistenedtowhattheyweresaying。
　　Thedocketofthesessionwasveryheavy；thepresidenthadappointedforthesamedaytwoshortandsimplecases。Theyhadbegunwiththeinfanticide，andnowtheyhadreachedtheconvict，theoldoffender，the"returnhorse。"Thismanhadstolenapples，butthatdidnotappeartobeentirelyproved；whathadbeenprovedwas，thathehadalreadybeeninthegalleysatToulon。
　　Itwasthatwhichlentabadaspecttohiscase。However，theman’sexaminationandthedepositionsofthewitnesseshadbeencompleted，butthelawyer’splea，andthespeechofthepublicprosecutorwerestilltocome；itcouldnotbefinishedbeforemidnight。Themanwouldprobablybecondemned；theattorney—generalwasveryclever，andnevermissedhisculprits；hewasabrilliantfellowwhowroteverses。
　　AnusherstoodatthedoorcommunicatingwiththehalloftheAssizes。
　　Heinquiredofthisusher:——
　　"Willthedoorbeopenedsoon，sir？"
　　"Itwillnotbeopenedatall，"repliedtheusher。
　　"What！Itwillnotbeopenedwhenthehearingisresumed？
　　Isnotthehearingsuspended？"
　　"Thehearinghasjustbeenbegunagain，"repliedtheusher，"butthedoorwillnotbeopenedagain。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Becausethehallisfull。"
　　"What！Thereisnotroomforonemore？"
　　"Notanotherone。Thedoorisclosed。Noonecanenternow。"
　　Theusheraddedafterapause:"Thereare，totellthetruth，twoorthreeextraplacesbehindMonsieurlePresident，butMonsieurlePresidentonlyadmitspublicfunctionariestothem。"
　　Sosaying，theusherturnedhisback。
　　Heretiredwithbowedhead，traversedtheantechamber，andslowlydescendedthestairs，asthoughhesitatingateverystep。
　　Itisprobablethathewasholdingcounselwithhimself。
　　Theviolentconflictwhichhadbeengoingonwithinhimsincetheprecedingeveningwasnotyetended；andeverymomentheencounteredsomenewphaseofit。Onreachingthelanding—place，heleanedhisbackagainstthebalustersandfoldedhisarms。Allatonceheopenedhiscoat，drewouthispocket—book，tookfromitapencil，toreoutaleaf，anduponthatleafhewroterapidly，bythelightofthestreetlantern，thisline:M。Madeleine，MayorofM。surM。；
　　thenheascendedthestairsoncemorewithgreatstrides，madehiswaythroughthecrowd，walkedstraightuptotheusher，handedhimthepaper，andsaidinanauthoritativemanner:——
　　"TakethistoMonsieurlePresident。"
　　Theushertookthepaper，castaglanceuponit，andobeyed。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　ANENTRANCEBYFAVOR
　　Althoughhedidnotsuspectthefact，themayorofM。surM。enjoyedasortofcelebrity。ForthespaceofsevenyearshisreputationforvirtuehadfilledthewholeofBasBoulonnais；ithadeventuallypassedtheconfinesofasmalldistrictandhadbeenspreadabroadthroughtwoorthreeneighboringdepartments。Besidestheservicewhichhehadrenderedtothechieftownbyresuscitatingtheblackjetindustry，therewasnotoneoutofthehundredandfortycommunesofthearrondissementofM。surM。whichwasnotindebtedtohimforsomebenefit。Hehadevenatneedcontrivedtoaidandmultiplytheindustriesofotherarrondissements。Itwasthusthathehad，whenoccasionoffered，supportedwithhiscreditandhisfundsthelinenfactoryatBoulogne，theflax—spinningindustryatFrevent，andthehydraulicmanufactureofclothatBoubers—sur—Canche。
　　EverywherethenameofM。Madeleinewaspronouncedwithveneration。
　　ArrasandDouaienviedthehappylittletownofM。surM。itsmayor。
　　TheCouncilloroftheRoyalCourtofDouai，whowaspresidingoverthissessionoftheAssizesatArras，wasacquainted，incommonwiththerestoftheworld，withthisnamewhichwassoprofoundlyanduniversallyhonored。Whentheusher，discreetlyopeningthedoorwhichconnectedthecouncil—chamberwiththecourt—room，bentoverthebackofthePresident’sarm—chairandhandedhimthepaperonwhichwasinscribedthelinewhichwehavejustperused，adding:"Thegentlemandesirestobepresentatthetrial，"thePresident，withaquickanddeferentialmovement，seizedapenandwroteafewwordsatthebottomofthepaperandreturnedittotheusher，saying，"Admithim。"
　　Theunhappymanwhosehistorywearerelatinghadremainednearthedoorofthehall，inthesameplaceandthesameattitudeinwhichtheusherhadlefthim。Inthemidstofhisreveryheheardsomeonesayingtohim，"WillMonsieurdomethehonortofollowme？"
　　Itwasthesameusherwhohadturnedhisbackuponhimbutamomentpreviously，andwhowasnowbowingtotheearthbeforehim。
　　Atthesametime，theusherhandedhimthepaper。Heunfoldedit，andashechancedtobenearthelight，hecouldreadit。
　　"ThePresidentoftheCourtofAssizespresentshisrespectstoM。Madeleine。"
　　Hecrushedthepaperinhishandasthoughthosewordscontainedforhimastrangeandbitteraftertaste。
　　Hefollowedtheusher。
　　Afewminuteslaterhefoundhimselfaloneinasortofwainscotedcabinetofsevereaspect，lightedbytwowaxcandles，placeduponatablewithagreencloth。Thelastwordsoftheusherwhohadjustquittedhimstillranginhisears:"Monsieur，youarenowinthecouncil—chamber；
　　youhaveonlytoturnthecopperhandleofyonderdoor，andyouwillfindyourselfinthecourt—room，behindthePresident’schair。"
　　Thesewordsweremingledinhisthoughtswithavaguememoryofnarrowcorridorsanddarkstaircaseswhichhehadrecentlytraversed。
　　Theusherhadlefthimalone。Thesuprememomenthadarrived。
　　Hesoughttocollecthisfaculties，butcouldnot。Itischieflyatthemomentwhenthereisthegreatestneedforattachingthemtothepainfulrealitiesoflife，thatthethreadsofthoughtsnapwithinthebrain。Hewasintheveryplacewherethejudgesdeliberatedandcondemned。Withstupidtranquillityhesurveyedthispeacefulandterribleapartment，wheresomanyliveshadbeenbroken，whichwassoontoringwithhisname，andwhichhisfatewasatthatmomenttraversing。Hestaredatthewall，thenhelookedathimself，wonderingthatitshouldbethatchamberandthatitshouldbehe。
　　Hehadeatennothingforfourandtwentyhours；hewaswornoutbythejoltsofthecart，buthewasnotconsciousofit。
　　Itseemedtohimthathefeltnothing。
　　Heapproachedablackframewhichwassuspendedonthewall，andwhichcontained，underglass，anancientautographletterofJeanNicolasPache，mayorofParisandminister，anddated，throughanerror，nodoubt，the9thofJune，oftheyearII。，andinwhichPacheforwardedtothecommunethelistofministersanddeputiesheldinarrestbythem。Anyspectatorwhohadchancedtoseehimatthatmoment，andwhohadwatchedhim，wouldhaveimagined，doubtless，thatthisletterstruckhimasverycurious，forhedidnottakehiseyesfromit，andhereadittwoorthreetimes。
　　Hereaditwithoutpayinganyattentiontoit，andunconsciously。
　　HewasthinkingofFantineandCosette。
　　Ashedreamed，heturnedround，andhiseyesfelluponthebrassknobofthedoorwhichseparatedhimfromtheCourtofAssizes。
　　Hehadalmostforgottenthatdoor。Hisglance，calmatfirst，pausedthere，remainedfixedonthatbrasshandle，thengrewterrified，andlittlebylittlebecameimpregnatedwithfear。Beadsofperspirationburstforthamonghishairandtrickleddownuponhistemples。
　　Atacertainmomenthemadethatindescribablegestureofasortofauthoritymingledwithrebellion，whichisintendedtoconvey，andwhichdoessowellconvey，"Pardieu！whocompelsmetothis？"
　　Thenhewheeledbrisklyround，caughtsightofthedoorthroughwhichhehadenteredinfrontofhim，wenttoit，openedit，andpassedout。
　　Hewasnolongerinthatchamber；hewasoutsideinacorridor，along，narrowcorridor，brokenbystepsandgratings，makingallsortsofangles，lightedhereandtherebylanternssimilartothenighttaperofinvalids，thecorridorthroughwhichhehadapproached。
　　Hebreathed，helistened；notasoundinfront，notasoundbehindhim，andhefledasthoughpursued。
　　Whenhehadturnedmanyanglesinthiscorridor，hestilllistened。
　　Thesamesilencereigned，andtherewasthesamedarknessaroundhim。
　　Hewasoutofbreath；hestaggered；heleanedagainstthewall。
　　Thestonewascold；theperspirationlayice—coldonhisbrow；
　　hestraightenedhimselfupwithashiver。
　　Then，therealoneinthedarkness，tremblingwithcoldandwithsomethingelse，too，perchance，hemeditated。
　　Hehadmeditatedallnightlong；hehadmeditatedalltheday:
　　heheardwithinhimbutonevoice，whichsaid，"Alas！"
　　Aquarterofanhourpassedthus。Atlengthhebowedhishead，sighedwithagony，droppedhisarms，andretracedhissteps。
　　Hewalkedslowly，andasthoughcrushed。Itseemedasthoughsomeonehadovertakenhiminhisflightandwasleadinghimback。
　　Here—enteredthecouncil—chamber。Thefirstthinghecaughtsightofwastheknobofthedoor。Thisknob，whichwasroundandofpolishedbrass，shonelikeaterriblestarforhim。
　　Hegazedatitasalambmightgazeintotheeyeofatiger。
　　Hecouldnottakehiseyesfromit。Fromtimetotimeheadvancedastepandapproachedthedoor。
　　Hadhelistened，hewouldhaveheardthesoundoftheadjoininghalllikeasortofconfusedmurmur；buthedidnotlisten，andhedidnothear。
　　Suddenly，withouthimselfknowinghowithappened，hefoundhimselfnearthedoor；hegraspedtheknobconvulsively；thedooropened。
　　Hewasinthecourt—room。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　APLACEWHERECONVICTIONSAREINPROCESSOFFORMATION
　　Headvancedapace，closedthedoormechanicallybehindhim，andremainedstanding，contemplatingwhathesaw。
　　Itwasavastandbadlylightedapartment，nowfullofuproar，nowfullofsilence，wherealltheapparatusofacriminalcase，withitspettyandmournfulgravityinthemidstofthethrong，wasinprocessofdevelopment。
　　Attheoneendofthehall，theonewherehewas，werejudges，withabstractedair，inthreadbarerobes，whoweregnawingtheirnailsorclosingtheireyelids；attheotherend，araggedcrowd；
　　lawyersinallsortsofattitudes；soldierswithhardbuthonestfaces；ancient，spottedwoodwork，adirtyceiling，tablescoveredwithsergethatwasyellowratherthangreen；doorsblackenedbyhandmarks；tap—roomlampswhichemittedmoresmokethanlight，suspendedfromnailsinthewainscot；onthetablescandlesinbrasscandlesticks；darkness，ugliness，sadness；andfromallthistherewasdisengagedanaustereandaugustimpression，foronetherefeltthatgrandhumanthingwhichiscalledthelaw，andthatgranddivinethingwhichiscalledjustice。
　　Nooneinallthatthrongpaidanyattentiontohim；allglancesweredirectedtowardsasinglepoint，awoodenbenchplacedagainstasmalldoor，inthestretchofwallonthePresident’sleft；
　　onthisbench，illuminatedbyseveralcandles，satamanbetweentwogendarmes。
　　Thismanwastheman。
　　Hedidnotseekhim；hesawhim；hiseyeswentthithernaturally，asthoughtheyhadknownbeforehandwherethatfigurewas。
　　Hethoughthewaslookingathimself，grownold；notabsolutelythesameinface，ofcourse，butexactlysimilarinattitudeandaspect，withhisbristlinghair，withthatwildanduneasyeye，withthatblouse，justasitwasonthedaywhenheenteredD————，fullofhatred，concealinghissoulinthathideousmassoffrightfulthoughtswhichhehadspentnineteenyearsincollectingontheflooroftheprison。
　　Hesaidtohimselfwithashudder，"GoodGod！shallIbecomelikethatagain？"
　　Thiscreatureseemedtobeatleastsixty；therewassomethingindescribablycoarse，stupid，andfrightenedabouthim。
　　Atthesoundmadebytheopeningdoor，peoplehaddrawnasidetomakewayforhim；thePresidenthadturnedhishead，and，understandingthatthepersonagewhohadjustenteredwasthemayorofM。surM。，hehadbowedtohim；theattorney—general，whohadseenM。MadeleineatM。surM。，whitherthedutiesofhisofficehadcalledhimmorethanonce，recognizedhimandsalutedhimalso:hehadhardlyperceivedit；
　　hewasthevictimofasortofhallucination；hewaswatching。
　　Judges，clerks，gendarmes，athrongofcruellycuriousheads，allthesehehadalreadybeheldonce，indaysgoneby，twenty—sevenyearsbefore；
　　hehadencounteredthosefatalthingsoncemore；theretheywere；
　　theymoved；theyexisted；itwasnolongeraneffortofhismemory，amirageofhisthought；theywererealgendarmesandrealjudges，arealcrowd，andrealmenoffleshandblood:itwasallover；
　　hebeheldthemonstrousaspectsofhispastreappearandliveoncemorearoundhim，withallthatthereisformidableinreality。
　　Allthiswasyawningbeforehim。
　　Hewashorrifiedbyit；heshuthiseyes，andexclaimedinthedeepestrecessesofhissoul，"Never！"
　　Andbyatragicplayofdestinywhichmadeallhisideastremble，andrenderedhimnearlymad，itwasanotherselfofhisthatwasthere！allcalledthatmanwhowasbeingtriedJeanValjean。
　　Underhisveryeyes，unheard—ofvision，hehadasortofrepresentationofthemosthorriblemomentofhislife，enactedbyhisspectre。
　　Everythingwasthere；theapparatuswasthesame，thehourofthenight，thefacesofthejudges，ofsoldiers，andofspectators；allwerethesame，onlyabovethePresident’sheadtherehungacrucifix，somethingwhichthecourtshadlackedatthetimeofhiscondemnation:
　　Godhadbeenabsentwhenhehadbeenjudged。
　　Therewasachairbehindhim；hedroppedintoit，terrifiedatthethoughtthathemightbeseen；whenhewasseated，hetookadvantageofapileofcardboardboxes，whichstoodonthejudge’sdesk，toconcealhisfacefromthewholeroom；
　　hecouldnowseewithoutbeingseen；hehadfullyregainedconsciousnessoftherealityofthings；graduallyherecovered；
　　heattainedthatphaseofcomposurewhereitispossibletolisten。
　　M。Bamataboiswasoneofthejurors。
　　HelookedforJavert，butdidnotseehim；theseatofthewitnesseswashiddenfromhimbytheclerk’stable，andthen，aswehavejustsaid，thehallwassparelylighted。
　　Atthemomentofthisentrance，thedefendant’slawyerhadjustfinishedhisplea。
　　Theattentionofallwasexcitedtothehighestpitch；theaffairhadlastedforthreehours:forthreehoursthatcrowdhadbeenwatchingastrangeman，amiserablespecimenofhumanity，eitherprofoundlystupidorprofoundlysubtle，graduallybendingbeneaththeweightofaterriblelikeness。Thisman，asthereaderalreadyknows，wasavagabondwhohadbeenfoundinafieldcarryingabranchladenwithripeapples，brokenintheorchardofaneighbor，calledthePierronorchard。Whowasthisman？anexaminationhadbeenmade；witnesseshadbeenheard，andtheywereunanimous；
　　lighthadaboundedthroughouttheentiredebate；theaccusationsaid:
　　"Wehaveinourgraspnotonlyamarauder，astealeroffruit；
　　wehavehere，inourhands，abandit，anoldoffenderwhohasbrokenhisban，anex—convict，amiscreantofthemostdangerousdescription，amalefactornamedJeanValjean，whomjusticehaslongbeeninsearchof，andwho，eightyearsago，onemergingfromthegalleysatToulon，committedahighwayrobbery，accompaniedbyviolence，onthepersonofachild，aSavoyardnamedLittleGervais；acrimeprovidedforbyarticle383ofthePenalCode，therighttotryhimforwhichwereservehereafter，whenhisidentityshallhavebeenjudiciallyestablished。Hehasjustcommittedafreshtheft；
　　itisacaseofasecondoffence；condemnhimforthefreshdeed；
　　lateronhewillbejudgedfortheoldcrime。"Inthefaceofthisaccusation，inthefaceoftheunanimityofthewitnesses，theaccusedappearedtobeastonishedmorethananythingelse；
　　hemadesignsandgestureswhichweremeanttoconveyNo，orelsehestaredattheceiling:hespokewithdifficulty，repliedwithembarrassment，buthiswholeperson，fromheadtofoot，wasadenial；hewasanidiotinthepresenceofallthesemindsrangedinorderofbattlearoundhim，andlikeastrangerinthemidstofthissocietywhichwasseizingfastuponhim；
　　nevertheless，itwasaquestionofthemostmenacingfutureforhim；
　　thelikenessincreasedeverymoment，andtheentirecrowdsurveyed，withmoreanxietythanhedidhimself，thatsentencefreightedwithcalamity，whichdescendedevercloseroverhishead；therewasevenaglimpseofapossibilityafforded；besidesthegalleys，apossibledeathpenalty，incasehisidentitywereestablished，andtheaffairofLittleGervaisweretoendthereafterincondemnation。
　　Whowasthisman？whatwasthenatureofhisapathy？wasitimbecilityorcraft？Didheunderstandtoowell，ordidhenotunderstandatall？thesewerequestionswhichdividedthecrowd，andseemedtodividethejury；therewassomethingbothterribleandpuzzlinginthiscase:thedramawasnotonlymelancholy；itwasalsoobscure。
　　Thecounselforthedefencehadspokentolerablywell，inthatprovincialtonguewhichhaslongconstitutedtheeloquenceofthebar，andwhichwasformerlyemployedbyalladvocates，atParisaswellasatRomorantinoratMontbrison，andwhichto—day，havingbecomeclassic，isnolongerspokenexceptbytheofficialoratorsofmagistracy，towhomitissuitedonaccountofitsgravesonorousnessanditsmajesticstride；atongueinwhichahusbandiscalledaconsort，andawomanaspouse；Paris，thecentreofartandcivilization；
　　theking，themonarch；MonseigneurtheBishop，asaintedpontiff；
　　thedistrict—attorney，theeloquentinterpreterofpublicprosecution；
　　thearguments，theaccentswhichwehavejustlistenedto；theageofLouisXIV。，thegrandage；atheatre，thetempleofMelpomene；
　　thereigningfamily，theaugustbloodofourkings；aconcert，amusicalsolemnity；theGeneralCommandantoftheprovince，theillustriouswarrior，who，etc。；thepupilsintheseminary，thesetenderlevities；errorsimputedtonewspapers，theimposturewhichdistillsitsvenomthroughthecolumnsofthoseorgans；etc。
　　Thelawyerhad，accordingly，begunwithanexplanationastothetheftoftheapples，——anawkwardmattercouchedinfinestyle；
　　butBenigneBossuethimselfwasobligedtoalludetoachickeninthemidstofafuneraloration，andheextricatedhimselffromthesituationinstatelyfashion。Thelawyerestablishedthefactthatthetheftoftheappleshadnotbeencircumstantiallyproved。
　　Hisclient，whomhe，inhischaracterofcounsel，persistedincallingChampmathieu，hadnotbeenseenscalingthatwallnorbreakingthatbranchbyanyone。Hehadbeentakenwiththatbranch（whichthelawyerpreferredtocallabough）inhispossession；
　　buthesaidthathehadfounditbrokenoffandlyingontheground，andhadpickeditup。Wherewasthereanyprooftothecontrary？
　　Nodoubtthatbranchhadbeenbrokenoffandconcealedafterthescalingofthewall，thenthrownawaybythealarmedmarauder；
　　therewasnodoubtthattherehadbeenathiefinthecase。
　　ButwhatproofwastherethatthatthiefhadbeenChampmathieu？
　　Onethingonly。Hischaracterasanex—convict。Thelawyerdidnotdenythatthatcharacterappearedtobe，unhappily，wellattested；
　　theaccusedhadresidedatFaverolles；theaccusedhadexercisedthecallingofatree—prunerthere；thenameofChampmathieumightwellhavehaditsorigininJeanMathieu；allthatwastrue，——
　　inshort，fourwitnessesrecognizeChampmathieu，positivelyandwithouthesitation，asthatconvict，JeanValjean；tothesesigns，tothistestimony，thecounselcouldopposenothingbutthedenialofhisclient，thedenialofaninterestedparty；butsupposingthathewastheconvictJeanValjean，didthatprovethathewasthethiefoftheapples？thatwasapresumptionatthemost，notaproof。
　　Theprisoner，itwastrue，andhiscounsel，"ingoodfaith，"
　　wasobligedtoadmitit，hadadopted"abadsystemofdefence。"
　　Heobstinatelydeniedeverything，thetheftandhischaracterofconvict。
　　Anadmissionuponthislastpointwouldcertainlyhavebeenbetter，andwouldhavewonforhimtheindulgenceofhisjudges；thecounselhadadvisedhimtodothis；buttheaccusedhadobstinatelyrefused，thinking，nodoubt，thathewouldsaveeverythingbyadmittingnothing。
　　Itwasanerror；butoughtnotthepaucityofthisintelligencetobetakenintoconsideration？Thismanwasvisiblystupid。
　　Long—continuedwretchednessinthegalleys，longmiseryoutsidethegalleys，hadbrutalizedhim，etc。Hedefendedhimselfbadly；
　　wasthatareasonforcondemninghim？AsfortheaffairwithLittleGervais，thecounselneednotdiscussit；itdidnotenterintothecase。Thelawyerwoundupbybeseechingthejuryandthecourt，iftheidentityofJeanValjeanappearedtothemtobeevident，toapplytohimthepolicepenaltieswhichareprovidedforacriminalwhohasbrokenhisban，andnotthefrightfulchastisementwhichdescendsupontheconvictguiltyofasecondoffence。
　　Thedistrict—attorneyansweredthecounselforthedefence。
　　Hewasviolentandflorid，asdistrict—attorneysusuallyare。
　　Hecongratulatedthecounselforthedefenceonhis"loyalty，"andskilfullytookadvantageofthisloyalty。Hereachedtheaccusedthroughalltheconcessionsmadebyhislawyer。TheadvocatehadseemedtoadmitthattheprisonerwasJeanValjean。Hetooknoteofthis。
　　SothismanwasJeanValjean。Thispointhadbeenconcededtotheaccusationandcouldnolongerbedisputed。Here，bymeansofacleverautonomasiawhichwentbacktothesourcesandcausesofcrime，thedistrict—attorneythunderedagainsttheimmoralityoftheromanticschool，thendawningunderthenameoftheSatanicschool，whichhadbeenbestoweduponitbythecriticsoftheQuotidienneandtheOriflamme；heattributed，notwithoutsomeprobability，totheinfluenceofthisperverseliteraturethecrimeofChampmathieu，orrather，tospeakmorecorrectly，ofJeanValjean。Havingexhaustedtheseconsiderations，hepassedontoJeanValjeanhimself。
　　WhowasthisJeanValjean？DescriptionofJeanValjean:amonsterspewedforth，etc。ThemodelforthissortofdescriptioniscontainedinthetaleofTheramene，whichisnotusefultotragedy，butwhicheverydayrendersgreatservicestojudicialeloquence。
　　Theaudienceandthejury"shuddered。"Thedescriptionfinished，thedistrict—attorneyresumedwithanoratoricalturncalculatedtoraisetheenthusiasmofthejournaloftheprefecturetothehighestpitchonthefollowingday:Anditissuchaman，etc。，etc。，etc。，vagabond，beggar，withoutmeansofexistence，etc。，etc。，inuredbyhispastlifetoculpabledeeds，andbutlittlereformedbyhissojourninthegalleys，aswasprovedbythecrimecommittedagainstLittleGervais，etc。，etc。；itissuchaman，caughtuponthehighwayintheveryactoftheft，afewpacesfromawallthathadbeenscaled，stillholdinginhishandtheobjectstolen，whodeniesthecrime，thetheft，theclimbingthewall；denieseverything；deniesevenhisownidentity！
　　Inadditiontoahundredotherproofs，towhichwewillnotrecur，fourwitnessesrecognizehim——Javert，theuprightinspectorofpolice；Javert，andthreeofhisformercompanionsininfamy，theconvictsBrevet，Chenildieu，andCochepaille。Whatdoesheofferinoppositiontothisoverwhelmingunanimity？Hisdenial。
　　Whatobduracy！Youwilldojustice，gentlemenofthejury，etc。，etc。
　　Whilethedistrict—attorneywasspeaking，theaccusedlistenedtohimopen—mouthed，withasortofamazementinwhichsomeadmirationwasassuredlyblended。Hewasevidentlysurprisedthatamancouldtalklikethat。Fromtimetotime，atthose"energetic"momentsoftheprosecutor’sspeech，wheneloquencewhichcannotcontainitselfoverflowsinafloodofwitheringepithetsandenvelopstheaccusedlikeastorm，hemovedhisheadslowlyfromrighttoleftandfromlefttorightinthesortofmuteandmelancholyprotestwithwhichhehadcontentedhimselfsincethebeginningoftheargument。
　　Twoorthreetimesthespectatorswhowerenearesttohimheardhimsayinalowvoice，"ThatiswhatcomesofnothavingaskedM。Baloup。"
　　Thedistrict—attorneydirectedtheattentionofthejurytothisstupidattitude，evidentlydeliberate，whichdenotednotimbecility，butcraft，skill，ahabitofdeceivingjustice，andwhichsetforthinallitsnakednessthe"profoundperversity"ofthisman。
　　HeendedbymakinghisreservesontheaffairofLittleGervaisanddemandingaseveresentence。
　　Atthattime，asthereaderwillremember，itwaspenalservitudeforlife。
　　Thecounselforthedefencerose，beganbycomplimentingMonsieurl’Avocat—Generalonhis"admirablespeech，"thenrepliedasbesthecould；butheweakened；thegroundwasevidentlyslippingawayfromunderhisfeet。
　　CHAPTERX
　　THESYSTEMOFDENIALS
　　Themomentforclosingthedebatehadarrived。ThePresidenthadtheaccusedstandup，andaddressedtohimthecustomaryquestion，"Haveyouanythingtoaddtoyourdefence？"
　　Themandidnotappeartounderstand，ashestoodthere，twistinginhishandsaterriblecapwhichhehad。
　　ThePresidentrepeatedthequestion。
　　Thistimethemanheardit。Heseemedtounderstand。Hemadeamotionlikeamanwhoisjustwakingup，casthiseyesabouthim，staredattheaudience，thegendarmes，hiscounsel，thejury，thecourt，laidhismonstrousfistontherimofwoodworkinfrontofhisbench，tookanotherlook，andallatonce，fixinghisglanceuponthedistrict—attorney，hebegantospeak。Itwaslikeaneruption。
　　Itseemed，fromthemannerinwhichthewordsescapedfromhismouth，——
　　incoherent，impetuous，pell—mell，tumblingovereachother，——
　　asthoughtheywereallpressingforwardtoissueforthatonce。
　　Hesaid:——
　　"ThisiswhatIhavetosay。ThatIhavebeenawheelwrightinParis，andthatitwaswithMonsieurBaloup。Itisahardtrade。
　　Inthewheelwright’stradeoneworksalwaysintheopenair，incourtyards，undershedswhenthemastersaregood，neverinclosedworkshops，becausespaceisrequired，yousee。Inwinteronegetssocoldthatonebeatsone’sarmstogethertowarmone’sself；butthemastersdon’tlikeit；theysayitwastestime。
　　Handlingironwhenthereisicebetweenthepaving—stonesishardwork。
　　ThatwearsamanoutquicklyOneisoldwhileheisstillquiteyounginthattrade。Atfortyamanisdonefor。Iwasfifty—three。I
　　wasinabadstate。Andthen，workmenaresomean！Whenamanisnolongeryoung，theycallhimnothingbutanoldbird，oldbeast！
　　Iwasnotearningmorethanthirtysousaday。Theypaidmeaslittleaspossible。Themasterstookadvantageofmyage——
　　andthenIhadmydaughter，whowasalaundressattheriver。
　　Sheearnedalittlealso。Itsufficedforustwo。Shehadtrouble，also；alldaylonguptoherwaistinatub，inrain，insnow。
　　Whenthewindcutsyourface，whenitfreezes，itisallthesame；
　　youmuststillwash。Therearepeoplewhohavenotmuchlinen，andwaituntillate；ifyoudonotwash，youloseyourcustom。
　　Theplanksarebadlyjoined，andwaterdropsonyoufromeverywhere；
　　youhaveyourpetticoatsalldampaboveandbelow。Thatpenetrates。
　　ShehasalsoworkedatthelaundryoftheEnfants—Rouges，wherethewatercomesthroughfaucets。Youarenotinthetubthere；
　　youwashatthefaucetinfrontofyou，andrinseinabasinbehindyou。Asitisenclosed，youarenotsocold；butthereisthathotsteam，whichisterrible，andwhichruinsyoureyes。
　　Shecamehomeatseveno’clockintheevening，andwenttobedatonce，shewassotired。Herhusbandbeather。Sheisdead。
　　Wehavenotbeenveryhappy。Shewasagoodgirl，whodidnotgototheball，andwhowasverypeaceable。IrememberoneShrove—Tuesdaywhenshewenttobedateighto’clock。There，Iamtellingthetruth；
　　youhaveonlytoask。Ah，yes！howstupidIam！Parisisagulf。
　　WhoknowsFatherChampmathieuthere？ButM。Baloupdoes，Itellyou。
　　GoseeatM。Baloup’s；andafterall，Idon’tknowwhatiswantedofme。"
　　Themanceasedspeaking，andremainedstanding。Hehadsaidthesethingsinaloud，rapid，hoarsevoice，withasortofirritatedandsavageingenuousness。Oncehepausedtosalutesomeoneinthecrowd。
　　Thesortofaffirmationswhichheseemedtoflingoutbeforehimatrandomcamelikehiccoughs，andtoeachheaddedthegestureofawood—cutterwhoissplittingwood。Whenhehadfinished，theaudienceburstintoalaugh。Hestaredatthepublic，and，perceivingthattheywerelaughing，andnotunderstandingwhy，hebegantolaughhimself。
　　Itwasinauspicious。
　　ThePresident，anattentiveandbenevolentman，raisedhisvoice。
　　Hereminded"thegentlemenofthejury"that"thesieurBaloup，formerlyamaster—wheelwright，withwhomtheaccusedstatedthathehadserved，hadbeensummonedinvain。Hehadbecomebankrupt，andwasnottobefound。"Thenturningtotheaccused，heenjoinedhimtolistentowhathewasabouttosay，andadded:"Youareinapositionwherereflectionisnecessary。Thegravestpresumptionsrestuponyou，andmayinducevitalresults。Prisoner，inyourowninterests，Isummonyouforthelasttimetoexplainyourselfclearlyontwopoints。Inthefirstplace，didyouordidyounotclimbthewallofthePierronorchard，breakthebranch，andstealtheapples；thatistosay，committhecrimeofbreakinginandtheft？
　　Inthesecondplace，areyouthedischargedconvict，JeanValjean——
　　yesorno？"
　　Theprisonershookhisheadwithacapableair，likeamanwhohasthoroughlyunderstood，andwhoknowswhatanswerheisgoingtomake。
　　Heopenedhismouth，turnedtowardsthePresident，andsaid:——
　　"Inthefirstplace——"
　　Thenhestaredathiscap，staredattheceiling，andheldhispeace。
　　"Prisoner，"saidthedistrict—attorney，inaseverevoice；
　　"payattention。Youarenotansweringanythingthathasbeenaskedofyou。Yourembarrassmentcondemnsyou。ItisevidentthatyournameisnotChampmathieu；thatyouaretheconvict，JeanValjean，concealedfirstunderthenameofJeanMathieu，whichwasthenameofhismother；thatyouwenttoAuvergne；
　　thatyouwerebornatFaverolles，whereyouwereapruneroftrees。
　　Itisevidentthatyouhavebeenguiltyofentering，andofthetheftofripeapplesfromthePierronorchard。Thegentlemenofthejurywillformtheirownopinion。"
　　Theprisonerhadfinallyresumedhisseat；hearoseabruptlywhenthedistrict—attorneyhadfinished，andexclaimed:——
　　"Youareverywicked；thatyouare！ThiswhatIwantedtosay；
　　Icouldnotfindwordsforitatfirst。Ihavestolennothing。
　　Iamamanwhodoesnothavesomethingtoeateveryday。
　　IwascomingfromAilly；Iwaswalkingthroughthecountryafterashower，whichhadmadethewholecountryyellow:eventhepondswereoverflowed，andnothingsprangfromthesandanymorebutthelittlebladesofgrassatthewayside。Ifoundabrokenbranchwithapplesontheground；Ipickedupthebranchwithoutknowingthatitwouldgetmeintotrouble。Ihavebeeninprison，andtheyhavebeendraggingmeaboutforthelastthreemonths；
　　morethanthatIcannotsay；peopletalkagainstme，theytellme，`Answer！’Thegendarme，whoisagoodfellow，nudgesmyelbow，andsaystomeinalowvoice，`Come，answer！’Idon’tknowhowtoexplain；Ihavenoeducation；Iamapoorman；thatiswheretheywrongme，becausetheydonotseethis。Ihavenotstolen；
　　Ipickedupfromthegroundthingsthatwerelyingthere。
　　Yousay，JeanValjean，JeanMathieu！Idon’tknowthosepersons；
　　theyarevillagers。IworkedforM。Baloup，Boulevarddel’Hopital；
　　mynameisChampmathieu。YouareveryclevertotellmewhereI
　　wasborn；Idon’tknowmyself:it’snoteverybodywhohasahouseinwhichtocomeintotheworld；thatwouldbetooconvenient。
　　Ithinkthatmyfatherandmotherwerepeoplewhostrolledalongthehighways；Iknownothingdifferent。WhenIwasachild，theycalledmeyoungfellow；nowtheycallmeoldfellow；thosearemybaptismalnames；takethatasyoulike。IhavebeeninAuvergne；
　　IhavebeenatFaverolles。Pardi。Well！can’tamanhavebeeninAuvergne，oratFaverolles，withouthavingbeeninthegalleys？
　　ItellyouthatIhavenotstolen，andthatIamFatherChampmathieu；
　　IhavebeenwithM。Baloup；Ihavehadasettledresidence。
　　Youworrymewithyournonsense，there！Whyiseverybodypursuingmesofuriously？"
　　Thedistrict—attorneyhadremainedstanding；headdressedthePresident:——
　　"MonsieurlePresident，inviewoftheconfusedbutexceedinglycleverdenialsoftheprisoner，whowouldliketopasshimselfoffasanidiot，butwhowillnotsucceedinsodoing，——
　　weshallattendtothat，——wedemandthatitshallpleaseyouandthatitshallpleasethecourttosummononcemoreintothisplacetheconvictsBrevet，Cochepaille，andChenildieu，andPolice—InspectorJavert，andquestionthemforthelasttimeastotheidentityoftheprisonerwiththeconvictJeanValjean。"
　　"Iwouldremindthedistrict—attorney，"saidthePresident，"thatPolice—InspectorJavert，recalledbyhisdutiestothecapitalofaneighboringarrondissement，leftthecourt—roomandthetownassoonashehadmadehisdeposition；wehaveaccordedhimpermission，withtheconsentofthedistrict—attorneyandofthecounselfortheprisoner。"
　　"Thatistrue，Mr。President，"respondedthedistrict—attorney。
　　"IntheabsenceofsieurJavert，Ithinkitmydutytoremindthegentlemenofthejuryofwhathesaidhereafewhoursago。
　　Javertisanestimableman，whodoeshonorbyhisrigorousandstrictprobitytoinferiorbutimportantfunctions。Thesearethetermsofhisdeposition:`Idonotevenstandinneedofcircumstantialproofsandmoralpresumptionstogivethelietotheprisoner’sdenial。
　　Irecognizehimperfectly。ThenameofthismanisnotChampmathieu；
　　heisanex—convictnamedJeanValjean，andisveryviciousandmuchtobefeared。Itisonlywithextremeregretthathewasreleasedattheexpirationofhisterm。Heunderwentnineteenyearsofpenalservitudefortheft。Hemadefiveorsixattemptstoescape。
　　BesidesthetheftfromLittleGervais，andfromthePierronorchard，IsuspecthimofatheftcommittedinthehouseofHisGracethelateBishopofD————IoftensawhimatthetimewhenIwasadjutantofthegalley—guardattheprisoninToulon。IrepeatthatIrecognizehimperfectly。’"
　　Thisextremelyprecisestatementappearedtoproduceavividimpressiononthepublicandonthejury。Thedistrict—attorneyconcludedbyinsisting，thatindefaultofJavert，thethreewitnessesBrevet，Chenildieu，andCochepailleshouldbeheardoncemoreandsolemnlyinterrogated。
　　ThePresidenttransmittedtheordertoanusher，and，amomentlater，thedoorofthewitnesses’roomopened。Theusher，accompaniedbyagendarmereadytolendhimarmedassistance，introducedtheconvictBrevet。Theaudiencewasinsuspense；
　　andallbreastsheavedasthoughtheyhadcontainedbutonesoul。
　　Theex—convictBrevetworetheblackandgraywaistcoatofthecentralprisons。Brevetwasapersonsixtyyearsofage，whohadasortofbusinessman’sface，andtheairofarascal。
　　Thetwosometimesgotogether。Inprison，whitherfreshmisdeedshadledhim，hehadbecomesomethinginthenatureofaturnkey。
　　Hewasamanofwhomhissuperiorssaid，"Hetriestomakehimselfofuse。"Thechaplainsboregoodtestimonyastohisreligioushabits。
　　ItmustnotbeforgottenthatthispassedundertheRestoration。
　　"Brevet，"saidthePresident，"youhaveundergoneanignominioussentence，andyoucannottakeanoath。"
　　Brevetdroppedhiseyes。
　　"Nevertheless，"continuedthePresident，"eveninthemanwhomthelawhasdegraded，theremayremain，whenthedivinemercypermitsit，asentimentofhonorandofequity。ItistothissentimentthatIappealatthisdecisivehour。Ifitstillexistsinyou，——andIhopeitdoes，——reflectbeforereplyingtome:
　　considerontheonehand，thisman，whomawordfromyoumayruin；
　　ontheotherhand，justice，whichawordfromyoumayenlighten。
　　Theinstantissolemn；thereisstilltimetoretractifyouthinkyouhavebeenmistaken。Rise，prisoner。Brevet，takeagoodlookattheaccused，recallyoursouvenirs，andtellusonyoursoulandconscience，ifyoupersistinrecognizingthismanasyourformercompanioninthegalleys，JeanValjean？"
　　Brevetlookedattheprisoner，thenturnedtowardsthecourt。
　　"Yes，Mr。President，Iwasthefirsttorecognizehim，andIsticktoit；
　　thatmanisJeanValjean，whoenteredatToulonin1796，andleftin1815。Ileftayearlater。Hehastheairofabrutenow；butitmustbebecauseagehasbrutalizedhim；hewasslyatthegalleys:
　　Irecognizehimpositively。"
　　"Takeyourseat，"saidthePresident。"Prisoner，remainstanding。"
　　Chenildieuwasbroughtin，aprisonerforlife，aswasindicatedbyhisredcassockandhisgreencap。HewasservingouthissentenceatthegalleysofToulon，whencehehadbeenbroughtforthiscase。
　　Hewasasmallmanofaboutfifty，brisk，wrinkled，frail，yellow，brazen—faced，feverish，whohadasortofsicklyfeeblenessaboutallhislimbsandhiswholeperson，andanimmenseforceinhisglance。
　　HiscompanionsinthegalleyshadnicknamedhimI—deny—God（Je—nieDieu，Chenildieu）。
　　ThePresidentaddressedhiminnearlythesamewordswhichhehadusedtoBrevet。Atthemomentwhenheremindedhimofhisinfamywhichdeprivedhimoftherighttotakeanoath，Chenildieuraisedhisheadandlookedthecrowdintheface。ThePresidentinvitedhimtoreflection，andaskedhimashehadaskedBrevet，ifhepersistedinrecognitionoftheprisoner。
　　Chenildieuburstoutlaughing。
　　"Pardieu，asifIdidn’trecognizehim！Wewereattachedtothesamechainforfiveyears。Soyouaresulking，oldfellow？"
　　"Gotakeyourseat，"saidthePresident。
　　TheusherbroughtinCochepaille。Hewasanotherconvictforlife，whohadcomefromthegalleys，andwasdressedinred，likeChenildieu，wasapeasantfromLourdes，andahalf—bearofthePyrenees。
　　Hehadguardedtheflocksamongthemountains，andfromashepherdhehadslippedintoabrigand。Cochepaillewasnolesssavageandseemedevenmorestupidthantheprisoner。Hewasoneofthosewretchedmenwhomnaturehassketchedoutforwildbeasts，andonwhomsocietyputsthefinishingtouchesasconvictsinthegalleys。
　　ThePresidenttriedtotouchhimwithsomegraveandpatheticwords，andaskedhim，ashehadaskedtheothertwo，ifhepersisted，withouthesitationortrouble，inrecognizingthemanwhowasstandingbeforehim。
　　"HeisJeanValjean，"saidCochepaille。"HewasevencalledJean—the—Screw，becausehewassostrong。"
　　Eachoftheseaffirmationsfromthesethreemen，evidentlysincereandingoodfaith，hadraisedintheaudienceamurmurofbadauguryfortheprisoner，——amurmurwhichincreasedandlastedlongereachtimethatafreshdeclarationwasaddedtotheproceeding。
　　Theprisonerhadlistenedtothem，withthatastoundedfacewhichwas，accordingtotheaccusation，hisprincipalmeansofdefence；
　　atthefirst，thegendarmes，hisneighbors，hadheardhimmutterbetweenhisteeth:"Ah，well，he’saniceone！"afterthesecond，hesaid，alittlelouder，withanairthatwasalmostthatofsatisfaction，"Good！"atthethird，hecried，"Famous！"
　　ThePresidentaddressedhim:——
　　"Haveyouheard，prisoner？Whathaveyoutosay？"
　　Hereplied:——
　　"Isay，`Famous！’"
　　Anuproarbrokeoutamongtheaudience，andwascommunicatedtothejury；itwasevidentthatthemanwaslost。
　　"Ushers，"saidthePresident，"enforcesilence！Iamgoingtosumupthearguments。"
　　AtthatmomenttherewasamovementjustbesidethePresident；
　　avoicewasheardcrying:——
　　"Brevet！Chenildieu！Cochepaille！lookhere！"
　　Allwhoheardthatvoicewerechilled，solamentableandterriblewasit；alleyeswereturnedtothepointwhenceithadproceeded。
　　Aman，placedamongtheprivilegedspectatorswhowereseatedbehindthecourt，hadjustrisen，hadpushedopenthehalf—doorwhichseparatedthetribunalfromtheaudience，andwasstandinginthemiddleofthehall；thePresident，thedistrict—attorney，M。Bamatabois，twentypersons，recognizedhim，andexclaimedinconcert:——
　　"M。Madeleine！"
　　CHAPTERXI
　　CHAMPMATHIEUMOREANDMOREASTONISHED
　　Itwashe，infact。Theclerk’slampilluminedhiscountenance。
　　Heheldhishatinhishand；therewasnodisorderinhisclothing；
　　hiscoatwascarefullybuttoned；hewasverypale，andhetrembledslightly；hishair，whichhadstillbeengrayonhisarrivalinArras，wasnowentirelywhite:ithadturnedwhiteduringthehourhehadsatthere。
　　Allheadswereraised:thesensationwasindescribable；
　　therewasamomentaryhesitationintheaudience，thevoicehadbeensoheart—rending；themanwhostoodthereappearedsocalmthattheydidnotunderstandatfirst。Theyaskedthemselveswhetherhehadindeedutteredthatcry；theycouldnotbelievethatthattranquilmanhadbeentheonetogivethatterribleoutcry。
　　Thisindecisiononlylastedafewseconds。EvenbeforethePresidentandthedistrict—attorneycouldutteraword，beforetheushersandthegendarmescouldmakeagesture，themanwhomallstillcalled，atthatmoment，M。Madeleine，hadadvancedtowardsthewitnessesCochepaille，Brevet，andChenildieu。
　　"Doyounotrecognizeme？"saidhe。
　　Allthreeremainedspeechless，andindicatedbyasignoftheheadthattheydidnotknowhim。Cochepaille，whowasintimidated，madeamilitarysalute。M。Madeleineturnedtowardsthejuryandthecourt，andsaidinagentlevoice:——
　　"Gentlemenofthejury，ordertheprisonertobereleased！
　　Mr。President，havemearrested。Heisnotthemanwhomyouareinsearchof；itisI:IamJeanValjean。"
　　Notamouthbreathed；thefirstcommotionofastonishmenthadbeenfollowedbyasilencelikethatofthegrave；thosewithinthehallexperiencedthatsortofreligiousterrorwhichseizesthemasseswhensomethinggrandhasbeendone。
　　Inthemeantime，thefaceofthePresidentwasstampedwithsympathyandsadness；hehadexchangedarapidsignwiththedistrict—attorneyandafewlow—tonedwordswiththeassistantjudges；headdressedthepublic，andaskedinaccentswhichallunderstood:——
　　"Isthereaphysicianpresent？"
　　Thedistrict—attorneytooktheword:——
　　"Gentlemenofthejury，theverystrangeandunexpectedincidentwhichdisturbstheaudienceinspiresus，likeyourselves，onlywithasentimentwhichitisunnecessaryforustoexpress。
　　Youallknow，byreputationatleast，thehonorableM。Madeleine，mayorofM。surM。；ifthereisaphysicianintheaudience，wejointhePresidentinrequestinghimtoattendtoM。Madeleine，andtoconducthimtohishome。"
　　M。Madeleinedidnotallowthedistrict—attorneytofinish；
　　heinterruptedhiminaccentsfullofsuavityandauthority。
　　Thesearethewordswhichheuttered；heretheyareliterally，astheywerewrittendown，immediatelyafterthetrialbyoneofthewitnessestothisscene，andastheynowringintheearsofthosewhoheardthemnearlyfortyyearsago:——
　　"Ithankyou，Mr。District—Attorney，butIamnotmad；youshallsee；
　　youwereonthepointofcommittingagreaterror；releasethisman！
　　Iamfulfillingaduty；Iamthatmiserablecriminal。Iamtheonlyoneherewhoseesthematterclearly，andIamtellingyouthetruth。God，whoisonhigh，looksdownonwhatIamdoingatthismoment，andthatsuffices。Youcantakeme，forhereIam:
　　butIhavedonemybest；Iconcealedmyselfunderanothername；
　　Ihavebecomerich；Ihavebecomeamayor；Ihavetriedtore—entertheranksofthehonest。Itseemsthatthatisnottobedone。
　　Inshort，therearemanythingswhichIcannottell。Iwillnotnarratethestoryofmylifetoyou；youwillhearitoneofthesedays。
　　IrobbedMonseigneurtheBishop，itistrue；itistruethatI
　　robbedLittleGervais；theywererightintellingyouthatJeanValjeanwasaveryviciouswretch。Perhapsitwasnotaltogetherhisfault。Listen，honorablejudges！amanwhohasbeensogreatlyhumbledasIhavehasneitheranyremonstrancestomaketoProvidence，noranyadvicetogivetosociety；but，yousee，theinfamyfromwhichIhavetriedtoescapeisaninjuriousthing；thegalleysmaketheconvictwhatheis；reflectuponthat，ifyouplease。
　　Beforegoingtothegalleys，Iwasapoorpeasant，withverylittleintelligence，asortofidiot；thegalleyswroughtachangeinme。Iwasstupid；Ibecamevicious:Iwasablockofwood；
　　Ibecameafirebrand。Lateron，indulgenceandkindnesssavedme，asseverityhadruinedme。But，pardonme，youcannotunderstandwhatIamsaying。Youwillfindatmyhouse，amongtheashesinthefireplace，theforty—soupiecewhichIstole，sevenyearsago，fromlittleGervais。Ihavenothingfarthertoadd；takeme。
　　GoodGod！thedistrict—attorneyshakeshishead；yousay，’M。Madeleinehasgonemad！’youdonotbelieveme！thatisdistressing。Donot，atleast，condemnthisman！What！thesemendonotrecognizeme！
　　IwishJavertwerehere；hewouldrecognizeme。"
　　Nothingcanreproducethesombreandkindlymelancholyoftonewhichaccompaniedthesewords。
　　Heturnedtothethreeconvicts，andsaid:——
　　"Well，Irecognizeyou；doyouremember，Brevet？"
　　Hepaused，hesitatedforaninstant，andsaid:——
　　"Doyouremembertheknittedsuspenderswithacheckedpatternwhichyouworeinthegalleys？"
　　Brevetgaveastartofsurprise，andsurveyedhimfromheadtofootwithafrightenedair。Hecontinued:——
　　"Chenildieu，youwhoconferredonyourselfthenameof`Jenie—Dieu，’yourwholerightshoulderbearsadeepburn，becauseyouonedaylaidyourshoulderagainstthechafing—dishfullofcoals，inordertoeffacethethreelettersT。F。P。，whicharestillvisible，nevertheless；answer，isthistrue？"
　　"Itistrue，"saidChenildieu。
　　HeaddressedhimselftoCochepaille:——
　　"Cochepaille，youhave，nearthebendinyourleftarm，adatestampedinblueletterswithburntpowder；thedateisthatofthelandingoftheEmperoratCannes，March1，1815；pullupyoursleeve！"
　　Cochepaillepusheduphissleeve；alleyeswerefocusedonhimandonhisbarearm。
　　Agendarmeheldalightclosetoit；therewasthedate。
　　Theunhappymanturnedtothespectatorsandthejudgeswithasmilewhichstillrendstheheartsofallwhosawitwhenevertheythinkofit。Itwasasmileoftriumph；itwasalsoasmileofdespair。
　　"Youseeplainly，"hesaid，"thatIamJeanValjean。"
　　Inthatchambertherewerenolongereitherjudges，accusers，norgendarmes；therewasnothingbutstaringeyesandsympathizinghearts。Noonerecalledanylongerthepartthateachmightbecalledupontoplay；thedistrict—attorneyforgothewasthereforthepurposeofprosecuting，thePresidentthathewastheretopreside，thecounselforthedefencethathewastheretodefend。
　　Itwasastrikingcircumstancethatnoquestionwasput，thatnoauthorityintervened。Thepeculiarityofsublimespectaclesis，thattheycaptureallsoulsandturnwitnessesintospectators。
　　Noone，probably，couldhaveexplainedwhathefelt；noone，probably，saidtohimselfthathewaswitnessingthesplendidoutburstofagrandlight:allfeltthemselvesinwardlydazzled。
　　ItwasevidentthattheyhadJeanValjeanbeforetheireyes。
　　Thatwasclear。Theappearanceofthismanhadsufficedtosuffusewithlightthatmatterwhichhadbeensoobscurebutamomentpreviously，withoutanyfurtherexplanation:thewholecrowd，asbyasortofelectricrevelation，understoodinstantlyandatasingleglancethesimpleandmagnificenthistoryofamanwhowasdeliveringhimselfupsothatanothermanmightnotbecondemnedinhisstead。
　　Thedetails，thehesitations，littlepossibleoppositions，wereswallowedupinthatvastandluminousfact。
　　Itwasanimpressionwhichvanishedspeedily，butwhichwasirresistibleatthemoment。
　　"Idonotwishtodisturbthecourtfurther，"resumedJeanValjean。
　　"Ishallwithdraw，sinceyoudonotarrestme。Ihavemanythingstodo。