Asallthreemethodsareattendedwiththeirspecialinconveniences，thesecond，whichatallevents，presentssomeadvantages，amongothersthatofpossessingatreasure，ifonlyforamonth，istheonemostgenerallyadopted。Soboldmen，whoaretemptedbyeverychance，havequitefrequently，asweareassured，openedtheholesexcavatedbytheblackman，andtriedtorobthedevil。
　　Thesuccessoftheoperationappearstobebutmoderate。Atleast，ifthetraditionistobebelieved，andinparticularthetwoenigmaticallinesinbarbarousLatin，whichanevilNormanmonk，abitofasorcerer，namedTryphonhasleftonthissubject。
　　ThisTryphonisburiedattheAbbeyofSaint—GeorgesdeBocherville，nearRouen，andtoadsspawnonhisgrave。
　　Accordingly，enormouseffortsaremade。Suchtrenchesareordinarilyextremelydeep；amansweats，digs，toilsallnight——
　　foritmustbedoneatnight；hewetshisshirt，burnsouthiscandle，breakshismattock，andwhenhearrivesatthebottomofthehole，whenhelayshishandonthe"treasure，"whatdoeshefind？
　　Whatisthedevil’streasure？Asou，sometimesacrown—piece，astone，askeleton，ableedingbody，sometimesaspectrefoldedinfourlikeasheetofpaperinaportfolio，sometimesnothing。
　　ThisiswhatTryphon’sversesseemtoannouncetotheindiscreetandcurious:——
　　"Fodit，etinfossathesaurosconditopaca，As，nummas，lapides，cadaver，simulacra，nihilque。"
　　Itseemsthatinourdaythereissometimesfoundapowder—hornwithbullets，sometimesanoldpackofcardsgreasyandworn，whichhasevidentlyservedthedevil。Tryphondoesnotrecordthesetwofinds，sinceTryphonlivedinthetwelfthcentury，andsincethedevildoesnotappeartohavehadthewittoinventpowderbeforeRogerBacon’stime，andcardsbeforethetimeofCharlesVI。
　　Moreover，ifoneplaysatcards，oneissuretoloseallthatonepossesses！andasforthepowderinthehorn，itpossessesthepropertyofmakingyourgunburstinyourface。
　　Now，averyshorttimeaftertheepochwhenitseemedtotheprosecutingattorneythattheliberatedconvictJeanValjeanduringhisflightofseveraldayshadbeenprowlingaroundMontfermeil，itwasremarkedinthatvillagethatacertainoldroad—laborer，namedBoulatruelle，had"peculiarways"intheforest。PeoplethereaboutsthoughttheyknewthatthisBoulatruellehadbeeninthegalleys。
　　Hewassubjectedtocertainpolicesupervision，and，ashecouldfindworknowhere，theadministrationemployedhimatreducedratesasaroad—menderonthecross—roadfromGagnytoLagny。
　　ThisBoulatruellewasamanwhowasviewedwithdisfavorbytheinhabitantsofthedistrictastoorespectful，toohumble，toopromptinremovinghiscaptoeveryone，andtremblingandsmilinginthepresenceofthegendarmes，——probablyaffiliatedtorobberbands，theysaid；suspectedoflyinginambushatvergeofcopsesatnightfall。
　　Theonlythinginhisfavorwasthathewasadrunkard。
　　Thisiswhatpeoplethoughttheyhadnoticed:——
　　Oflate，Boulatruellehadtakentoquittinghistaskofstone—breakingandcareoftheroadataveryearlyhour，andtobetakinghimselftotheforestwithhispickaxe。Hewasencounteredtowardseveninginthemostdesertedclearings，inthewildestthickets；
　　andhehadtheappearanceofbeinginsearchofsomething，andsometimeshewasdiggingholes。ThegoodwiveswhopassedtookhimatfirstforBeelzebub；thentheyrecognizedBoulatruelle，andwerenotintheleastreassuredthereby。TheseencountersseemedtocauseBoulatruellealivelydispleasure。Itwasevidentthathesoughttohide，andthattherewassomemysteryinwhathewasdoing。
　　Itwassaidinthevillage:"Itisclearthatthedevilhasappeared。
　　Boulatruellehasseenhim，andisonthesearch。Insooth，heiscunningenoughtopocketLucifer’shoard。"
　　TheVoltairiansadded，"WillBoulatruellecatchthedevil，orwillthedevilcatchBoulatruelle？"Theoldwomenmadeagreatmanysignsofthecross。
　　Inthemeantime，Boulatruelle’smanoeuvresintheforestceased；
　　andheresumedhisregularoccupationofroadmending；andpeoplegossipedofsomethingelse。
　　Somepersons，however，werestillcurious，surmisingthatinallthistherewasprobablynofabuloustreasureofthelegends，butsomefinewindfallofamoreseriousandpalpablesortthanthedevil’sbank—bills，andthattheroad—menderhadhalfdiscoveredthesecret。Themost"puzzled"weretheschool—masterandThenardier，theproprietorofthetavern，whowaseverybody’sfriend，andhadnotdisdainedtoallyhimselfwithBoulatruelle。
　　"Hehasbeeninthegalleys，"saidThenardier。"Eh！GoodGod！
　　nooneknowswhohasbeenthereorwillbethere。"
　　OneeveningtheschoolmasteraffirmedthatinformertimesthelawwouldhaveinstitutedaninquiryastowhatBoulatruelledidintheforest，andthatthelatterwouldhavebeenforcedtospeak，andthathewouldhavebeenputtothetortureincaseofneed，andthatBoulatruellewouldnothaveresistedthewatertest，forexample。"Letusputhimtothewinetest，"saidThenardier。
　　Theymadeaneffort，andgottheoldroad—mendertodrinking。
　　Boulatruelledrankanenormousamount，butsaidverylittle。
　　Hecombinedwithadmirableart，andinmasterlyproportions，thethirstofagormandizerwiththediscretionofajudge。
　　Nevertheless，bydintofreturningtothechargeandofcomparingandputtingtogetherthefewobscurewordswhichhedidallowtoescapehim，thisiswhatThenardierandtheschoolmasterimaginedthattheyhadmadeout:——
　　Onemorning，whenBoulatruellewasonhiswaytohiswork，atdaybreak，hehadbeensurprisedtosee，atanookoftheforestintheunderbrush，ashovelandapickaxe，concealed，asonemightsay。
　　However，hemighthavesupposedthattheywereprobablytheshovelandpickofFatherSix—Fours，thewater—carrier，andwouldhavethoughtnomoreaboutit。But，ontheeveningofthatday，hesaw，withoutbeingseenhimself，ashewashiddenbyalargetree，"apersonwhodidnotbelonginthoseparts，andwhomhe，Boulatruelle，knewwell，"directinghisstepstowardsthedensestpartofthewood。TranslationbyThenardier:Acomradeofthegalleys。
　　Boulatruelleobstinatelyrefusedtorevealhisname。Thispersoncarriedapackage——somethingsquare，likealargeboxorasmalltrunk。
　　SurpriseonthepartofBoulatruelle。However，itwasonlyaftertheexpirationofsevenoreightminutesthattheideaoffollowingthat"person"hadoccurredtohim。Butitwastoolate；
　　thepersonwasalreadyinthethicket，nighthaddescended，andBoulatruellehadnotbeenabletocatchupwithhim。Thenhehadadoptedthecourseofwatchingforhimattheedgeofthewoods。
　　"Itwasmoonlight。"Twoorthreehourslater，Boulatruellehadseenthispersonemergefromthebrushwood，carryingnolongerthecoffer，butashovelandpick。Boulatruellehadallowedthepersontopass，andhadnotdreamedofaccostinghim，becausehesaidtohimselfthattheothermanwasthreetimesasstrongashewas，andarmedwithapickaxe，andthathewouldprobablyknockhimovertheheadonrecognizinghim，andonperceivingthathewasrecognized。
　　Touchingeffusionoftwooldcomradesonmeetingagain。ButtheshovelandpickhadservedasarayoflighttoBoulatruelle；hehadhastenedtothethicketinthemorning，andhadfoundneithershovelnorpick。Fromthishehaddrawntheinferencethatthisperson，onceintheforest，haddugaholewithhispick，buriedthecoffer，andreclosedtheholewithhisshovel。Now，thecofferwastoosmalltocontainabody；thereforeitcontainedmoney。Hencehisresearches。
　　Boulatruellehadexplored，sounded，searchedtheentireforestandthethicket，andhaddugwherevertheearthappearedtohimtohavebeenrecentlyturnedup。Invain。
　　Hehad"ferretedout"nothing。NooneinMontfermeilthoughtanymoreaboutit。Therewereonlyafewbravegossips，whosaid，"YoumaybecertainthatthemenderontheGagnyroaddidnottakeallthattroublefornothing；hewassurethatthedevilhadcome。"
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THEANKLE—CHAINMUSTHAVEUNDERGONEACERTAINPREPARATORYMANIPULATION
　　TOBETHUSBROKENWITHABLOWFROMAHAMMER
　　TowardstheendofOctober，inthatsameyear，1823，theinhabitantsofToulonbeheldtheentryintotheirport，afterheavyweather，andforthepurposeofrepairingsomedamages，oftheshipOrion，whichwasemployedlateratBrestasaschool—ship，andwhichthenformedapartoftheMediterraneansquadron。
　　Thisvessel，batteredasitwas，——fortheseahadhandleditroughly，——
　　producedafineeffectasitenteredtheroads。Itflewsomecolorswhichprocuredforittheregulationsaluteofelevenguns，whichitreturned，shotforshot；total，twenty—two。Ithasbeencalculatedthatwhatwithsalvos，royalandmilitarypolitenesses，courteousexchangesofuproar，signalsofetiquette，formalitiesofroadsteadsandcitadels，sunrisesandsunsets，salutedeverydaybyallfortressesandallshipsofwar，openingsandclosingsofports，etc。，thecivilizedworld，dischargedallovertheearth，inthecourseoffourandtwentyhours，onehundredandfiftythousanduselessshots。Atsixfrancstheshot，thatcomestoninehundredthousandfrancsaday，threehundredmillionsayear，whichvanishinsmoke。Thisisameredetail。Allthistimethepoorweredyingofhunger。
　　Theyear1823waswhattheRestorationcalled"theepochoftheSpanishwar。"
　　Thiswarcontainedmanyeventsinone，andaquantityofpeculiarities。
　　AgrandfamilyaffairforthehouseofBourbon；thebranchofFrancesuccoringandprotectingthebranchofMadrid，thatistosay，performinganactdevolvingontheelder；anapparentreturntoournationaltraditions，complicatedbyservitudeandbysubjectiontothecabinetsoftheNorth；M。leDucd’Angouleme，surnamedbytheliberalsheetstheheroofAndujar，compressinginatriumphalattitudethatwassomewhatcontradictedbyhispeaceableair，theancientandverypowerfulterrorismoftheHolyOfficeatvariancewiththechimericalterrorismoftheliberals；thesansculottesresuscitated，tothegreatterrorofdowagers，underthenameofdescamisados；
　　monarchyopposinganobstacletoprogressdescribedasanarchy；
　　thetheoriesof’89roughlyinterruptedinthesap；aEuropeanhalt，calledtotheFrenchidea，whichwasmakingthetouroftheworld；
　　besidethesonofFranceasgeneralissimo，thePrincedeCarignan，afterwardsCharlesAlbert，enrollinghimselfinthatcrusadeofkingsagainstpeopleasavolunteer，withgrenadierepauletsofredworsted；
　　thesoldiersoftheEmpiresettingoutonafreshcampaign，butaged，saddened，aftereightyearsofrepose，andunderthewhitecockade；
　　thetricoloredstandardwavedabroadbyaheroichandfulofFrenchmen，asthewhitestandardhadbeenthirtyyearsearlieratCoblentz；
　　monksmingledwithourtroops；thespiritoflibertyandofnoveltybroughttoitssensesbybayonets；principlesslaughteredbycannonades；
　　Franceundoingbyherarmsthatwhichshehaddonebyhermind；
　　inadditiontothis，hostileleaderssold，soldiershesitating，citiesbesiegedbymillions；nomilitaryperils，andyetpossibleexplosions，asineveryminewhichissurprisedandinvaded；
　　butlittlebloodshed，littlehonorwon，shameforsome，gloryfornoone。
　　Suchwasthiswar，madebytheprincesdescendedfromLouisXIV。，andconductedbygeneralswhohadbeenunderNapoleon。Itssadfatewastorecallneitherthegrandwarnorgrandpolitics。
　　Somefeatsofarmswereserious；thetakingoftheTrocadero，amongothers，wasafinemilitaryaction；butafterall，werepeat，thetrumpetsofthiswargivebackacrackedsound，thewholeeffectwassuspicious；historyapprovesofFranceformakingadifficultyaboutacceptingthisfalsetriumph。ItseemedevidentthatcertainSpanishofficerschargedwithresistanceyieldedtooeasily；theideaofcorruptionwasconnectedwiththevictory；
　　itappearsasthoughgeneralsandnotbattleshadbeenwon，andtheconqueringsoldierreturnedhumiliated。Adebasingwar，inshort，inwhichtheBankofFrancecouldbereadinthefoldsoftheflag。
　　Soldiersofthewarof1808，onwhomSaragossahadfalleninformidableruin，frownedin1823attheeasysurrenderofcitadels，andbegantoregretPalafox。ItisthenatureofFrancetoprefertohaveRostopchineratherthanBallesterosinfrontofher。
　　Fromastillmoreseriouspointofview，andonewhichitisalsopropertoinsistuponhere，thiswar，whichwoundedthemilitaryspiritofFrance，enragedthedemocraticspirit。Itwasanenterpriseofinthralment。Inthatcampaign，theobjectoftheFrenchsoldier，thesonofdemocracy，wastheconquestofayokeforothers。
　　Ahideouscontradiction。Franceismadetoarousethesoulofnations，nottostifleit。AlltherevolutionsofEuropesince1792aretheFrenchRevolution:libertydartsraysfromFrance。Thatisasolarfact。Blindishewhowillnotsee！ItwasBonapartewhosaidit。
　　Thewarof1823，anoutrageonthegenerousSpanishnation，wasthen，atthesametime，anoutrageontheFrenchRevolution。
　　ItwasFrancewhocommittedthismonstrousviolence；byfoulmeans，for，withtheexceptionofwarsofliberation，everythingthatarmiesdoisbyfoulmeans。Thewordspassiveobedienceindicatethis。
　　Anarmyisastrangemasterpieceofcombinationwhereforceresultsfromanenormoussumofimpotence。Thusiswar，madebyhumanityagainsthumanity，despitehumanity，explained。
　　AsfortheBourbons，thewarof1823wasfataltothem。Theytookitforasuccess。Theydidnotperceivethedangerthatliesinhavinganideaslaintoorder。Theywentastray，intheirinnocence，tosuchadegreethattheyintroducedtheimmenseenfeeblementofacrimeintotheirestablishmentasanelementofstrength。Thespiritoftheambushenteredintotheirpolitics。1830haditsgermin1823。
　　TheSpanishcampaignbecameintheircounselsanargumentforforceandforadventuresbyrightDivine。France，havingre—establishedelreynettoinSpain，mightwellhavere—establishedtheabsolutekingathome。Theyfellintothealarmingerroroftakingtheobedienceofthesoldierfortheconsentofthenation。Suchconfidenceistheruinofthrones。Itisnotpermittedtofallasleep，eitherintheshadowofamachineeltree，norintheshadowofanarmy。
　　LetusreturntotheshipOrion。
　　Duringtheoperationsofthearmycommandedbytheprincegeneralissimo，asquadronhadbeencruisingintheMediterranean。WehavejuststatedthattheOrionbelongedtothisfleet，andthataccidentsoftheseahadbroughtitintoportatToulon。
　　Thepresenceofavesselofwarinaporthassomethingaboutitwhichattractsandengagesacrowd。Itisbecauseitisgreat，andthecrowdloveswhatisgreat。
　　Ashipofthelineisoneofthemostmagnificentcombinationsofthegeniusofmanwiththepowersofnature。
　　Ashipofthelineiscomposed，atthesametime，oftheheaviestandthelightestofpossiblematter，foritdealsatoneandthesametimewiththreeformsofsubstance，——solid，liquid，andfluid，——
　　anditmustdobattlewithallthree。Ithaselevenclawsofironwithwhichtoseizethegraniteonthebottomofthesea，andmorewingsandmoreantennaethanwingedinsects，tocatchthewindintheclouds。Itsbreathpoursoutthroughitshundredandtwentycannonsasthroughenormoustrumpets，andrepliesproudlytothethunder。Theoceanseekstoleaditastrayinthealarmingsamenessofitsbillows，butthevesselhasitssoul，itscompass，whichcounselsitandalwaysshowsitthenorth。
　　Intheblackestnights，itslanternssupplytheplaceofthestars。
　　Thus，againstthewind，ithasitscordageanditscanvas；
　　againstthewater，wood；againsttherocks，itsiron，brass，andlead；
　　againsttheshadows，itslight；againstimmensity，aneedle。
　　Ifonewishestoformanideaofallthosegiganticproportionswhich，takenasawhole，constitutetheshipoftheline，onehasonlytoenteroneofthesix—storycoveredconstructionstocks，intheportsofBrestorToulon。Thevesselsinprocessofconstructionareunderabell—glassthere，asitwere。Thiscolossalbeamisayard；
　　thatgreatcolumnofwoodwhichstretchesoutontheearthasfarastheeyecanreachisthemain—mast。Takingitfromitsrootinthestockstoitstipintheclouds，itissixtyfathomslong，anditsdiameteratitsbaseisthreefeet。TheEnglishmain—mastrisestoaheightoftwohundredandseventeenfeetabovethewater—line。
　　Thenavyofourfathersemployedcables，oursemployschains。
　　Thesimplepileofchainsonashipofahundredgunsisfourfeethigh，twentyfeetinbreadth，andeightfeetindepth。Andhowmuchwoodisrequiredtomakethisship？Threethousandcubicmetres。
　　Itisafloatingforest。
　　Andmoreover，letthisbeborneinmind，itisonlyaquestionhereofthemilitaryvesseloffortyyearsago，ofthesimplesailing—vessel；steam，theninitsinfancy，hassinceaddednewmiraclestothatprodigywhichiscalledawarvessel。
　　Atthepresenttime，forexample，themixedvesselwithascrewisasurprisingmachine，propelledbythreethousandsquaremetresofcanvasandbyanengineoftwothousandfivehundredhorse—power。
　　Nottomentionthesenewmarvels，theancientvesselofChristopherColumbusandofDeRuyterisoneofthemasterpiecesofman。
　　ItisasinexhaustibleinforceasistheInfiniteingales；
　　itstoresupthewindinitssails，itispreciseintheimmensevaguenessofthebillows，itfloats，anditreigns。
　　Therecomesanhour，nevertheless，whenthegalebreaksthatsixty—footyardlikeastraw，whenthewindbendsthatmastfourhundredfeettall，whenthatanchor，whichweighstensofthousands，istwistedinthejawsofthewaveslikeafisherman’shookinthejawsofapike，whenthosemonstrouscannonsutterplaintiveandfutileroars，whichthehurricanebearsforthintothevoidandintonight，whenallthatpowerandallthatmajestyareengulfedinapowerandmajestywhicharesuperior。
　　Everytimethatimmenseforceisdisplayedtoculminateinanimmensefeeblenessitaffordsmenfoodforthought，Henceintheportscuriouspeopleaboundaroundthesemarvellousmachinesofwarandofnavigation，withoutbeingabletoexplainperfectlytothemselveswhy。Everyday，accordingly，frommorninguntilnight，thequays，sluices，andthejettiesoftheportofToulonwerecoveredwithamultitudeofidlersandloungers，astheysayinParis，whosebusinessconsistedinstaringattheOrion。
　　TheOrionwasashipthathadbeenailingforalongtime；
　　inthecourseofitspreviouscruisesthicklayersofbarnacleshadcollectedonitskeeltosuchadegreeastodepriveitofhalfitsspeed；ithadgoneintothedrydocktheyearbeforethis，inordertohavethebarnaclesscrapedoff，thenithadputtoseaagain；butthiscleaninghadaffectedtheboltsofthekeel:
　　intheneighborhoodoftheBalearicIslesthesideshadbeenstrainedandhadopened；and，astheplatinginthosedayswasnotofsheetiron，thevesselhadsprungaleak。Aviolentequinoctialgalehadcomeup，whichhadfirststavedinagratingandaportholeonthelarboardside，anddamagedtheforetop—gallant—shrouds；
　　inconsequenceoftheseinjuries，theOrionhadrunbacktoToulon。
　　ItanchoredneartheArsenal；itwasfullyequipped，andrepairswerebegun。Thehullhadreceivednodamageonthestarboard，butsomeoftheplankshadbeenunnailedhereandthere，accordingtocustom，topermitofairenteringthehold。
　　Onemorningthecrowdwhichwasgazingatitwitnessedanaccident。
　　Thecrewwasbusybendingthesails；thetopman，whohadtotaketheuppercornerofthemain—top—sailonthestarboard，losthisbalance；hewasseentowaver；themultitudethrongingtheArsenalquayutteredacry；theman’sheadoverbalancedhisbody；
　　themanfellaroundtheyard，withhishandsoutstretchedtowardstheabyss；onhiswayheseizedthefootrope，firstwithonehand，thenwiththeother，andremainedhangingfromit:thesealaybelowhimatadizzydepth；theshockofhisfallhadimpartedtothefoot—ropeaviolentswingingmotion；themanswayedbackandforthattheendofthatrope，likeastoneinasling。
　　Itwasincurringafrightfulrisktogotohisassistance；notoneofthesailors，allfishermenofthecoast，recentlyleviedfortheservice，daredtoattemptit。Inthemeantime，theunfortunatetopmanwaslosinghisstrength；hisanguishcouldnotbediscernedonhisface，buthisexhaustionwasvisibleineverylimb；hisarmswerecontractedinhorribletwitchings；everyeffortwhichhemadetore—ascendservedbuttoaugmenttheoscillationsofthefoot—rope；hedidnotshout，forfearofexhaustinghisstrength。Allwereawaitingtheminutewhenheshouldreleasehisholdontherope，and，frominstanttoinstant，headswereturnedasidethathisfallmightnotbeseen。
　　Therearemomentswhenabitofrope，apole，thebranchofatree，islifeitself，anditisaterriblethingtoseealivingbeingdetachhimselffromitandfalllikearipefruit。
　　Allatonceamanwasseenclimbingintotheriggingwiththeagilityofatiger—cat；thismanwasdressedinred；hewasaconvict；
　　heworeagreencap；hewasalifeconvict。Onarrivingonalevelwiththetop，agustofwindcarriedawayhiscap，andallowedaperfectlywhiteheadtobeseen:hewasnotayoungman。
　　Aconvictemployedonboardwithadetachmentfromthegalleyshad，infact，attheveryfirstinstant，hastenedtotheofficerofthewatch，and，inthemidstoftheconsternationandthehesitationofthecrew，whileallthesailorsweretremblinganddrawingback，hehadaskedtheofficer’spermissiontoriskhislifetosavethetopman；atanaffirmativesignfromtheofficerhehadbrokenthechainrivetedtohisanklewithoneblowofahammer，thenhehadcaughtuparope，andhaddashedintotherigging:
　　noonenoticed，attheinstant，withwhateasethatchainhadbeenbroken；itwasonlylateronthattheincidentwasrecalled。
　　Inatwinklinghewasontheyard；hepausedforafewsecondsandappearedtobemeasuringitwithhiseye；theseseconds，duringwhichthebreezeswayedthetopmanattheextremityofathread，seemedcenturiestothosewhowerelookingon。
　　Atlast，theconvictraisedhiseyestoheavenandadvancedastep:
　　thecrowddrewalongbreath。Hewasseentorunoutalongtheyard:
　　onarrivingatthepoint，hefastenedtheropewhichhehadbroughttoit，andallowedtheotherendtohangdown，thenhebegantodescendtherope，handoverhand，andthen，——andtheanguishwasindescribable，——insteadofonemansuspendedoverthegulf，thereweretwo。
　　Onewouldhavesaiditwasaspidercomingtoseizeafly，onlyherethespiderbroughtlife，notdeath。Tenthousandglanceswerefastenedonthisgroup；notacry，notaword；thesametremorcontractedeverybrow；allmouthsheldtheirbreathasthoughtheyfearedtoaddtheslightestpufftothewindwhichwasswayingthetwounfortunatemen。
　　Inthemeantime，theconvicthadsucceededinloweringhimselftoapositionnearthesailor。Itwashightime；oneminutemore，andtheexhaustedanddespairingmanwouldhaveallowedhimselftofallintotheabyss。Theconvicthadmooredhimsecurelywiththecordtowhichheclungwithonehand，whilehewasworkingwiththeother。Atlast，hewasseentoclimbbackontheyard，andtodragthesailorupafterhim；heheldhimthereamomenttoallowhimtorecoverhisstrength，thenhegraspedhiminhisarmsandcarriedhim，walkingontheyardhimselftothecap，andfromtheretothemain—top，wherehelefthiminthehandsofhiscomrades。
　　Atthatmomentthecrowdbrokeintoapplause:oldconvict—sergeantsamongthemwept，andwomenembracedeachotheronthequay，andallvoiceswereheardtocrywithasortoftenderrage，"Pardonforthatman！"
　　He，inthemeantime，hadimmediatelybeguntomakehisdescenttorejoinhisdetachment。Inordertoreachthemthemorespeedily，hedroppedintotherigging，andranalongoneoftheloweryards；
　　alleyeswerefollowinghim。Atacertainmomentfearassailedthem；
　　whetheritwasthathewasfatigued，orthathisheadturned，theythoughttheysawhimhesitateandstagger。Allatoncethecrowdutteredaloudshout:theconvicthadfallenintothesea。
　　Thefallwasperilous。ThefrigateAlgesiraswasanchoredalongsidetheOrion，andthepoorconvicthadfallenbetweenthetwovessels:
　　itwastobefearedthathewouldslipunderoneortheotherofthem。
　　Fourmenflungthemselveshastilyintoaboat；thecrowdcheeredthemon；anxietyagaintookpossessionofallsouls；themanhadnotrisentothesurface；hehaddisappearedintheseawithoutleavingaripple，asthoughhehadfallenintoacaskofoil:theysounded，theydived。Invain。Thesearchwascontinueduntiltheevening:
　　theydidnotevenfindthebody。
　　OnthefollowingdaytheToulonnewspaperprintedtheselines:——
　　"Nov。17，1823。Yesterday，aconvictbelongingtothedetachmentonboardoftheOrion，onhisreturnfromrenderingassistancetoasailor，fellintotheseaandwasdrowned。Thebodyhasnotyetbeenfound；itissupposedthatitisentangledamongthepilesoftheArsenalpoint:thismanwascommittedunderthenumber9，430，andhisnamewasJeanValjean。"
　　BOOKTHIRD。——ACCOMPLISHMENTOFTHEPROMISEMADETOTHEDEADWOMAN
　　CHAPTERI
　　THEWATERQUESTIONATMONTFERMEIL
　　MontfermeilissituatedbetweenLivryandChelles，onthesouthernedgeofthatloftytable—landwhichseparatestheOurcqfromtheMarne。
　　Atthepresentdayitisatolerablylargetown，ornamentedalltheyearthroughwithplastervillas，andonSundayswithbeamingbourgeois。
　　In1823therewereatMontfermeilneithersomanywhitehousesnorsomanywell—satisfiedcitizens:itwasonlyavillageintheforest。
　　Somepleasure—housesofthelastcenturyweretobemetwiththere，tobesure，whichwererecognizablebytheirgrandair，theirbalconiesintwistediron，andtheirlongwindows，whosetinypanescastallsortsofvaryingshadesofgreenonthewhiteoftheclosedshutters；
　　butMontfermeilwasnonethelessavillage。Retiredcloth—merchantsandrusticatingattorneyshadnotdiscovereditasyet；itwasapeacefulandcharmingplace，whichwasnotontheroadtoanywhere:
　　therepeoplelived，andcheaply，thatpeasantrusticlifewhichissobounteousandsoeasy；only，waterwasrarethere，onaccountoftheelevationoftheplateau。
　　Itwasnecessarytofetchitfromaconsiderabledistance；
　　theendofthevillagetowardsGagnydrewitswaterfromthemagnificentpondswhichexistinthewoodsthere。Theotherend，whichsurroundsthechurchandwhichliesinthedirectionofChelles，founddrinking—wateronlyatalittlespringhalf—waydowntheslope，neartheroadtoChelles，aboutaquarterofanhourfromMontfermeil。
　　Thuseachhouseholdfoundithardworktokeepsuppliedwithwater。
　　Thelargehouses，thearistocracy，ofwhichtheThenardiertavernformedapart，paidhalfafarthingabucketfultoamanwhomadeabusinessofit，andwhoearnedabouteightsousadayinhisenterpriseofsupplyingMontfermeilwithwater；butthisgoodmanonlyworkeduntilseveno’clockintheeveninginsummer，andfiveinwinter；
　　andnightoncecomeandtheshuttersonthegroundflooronceclosed，hewhohadnowatertodrinkwenttofetchitforhimselfordidwithoutit。
　　Thisconstitutedtheterrorofthepoorcreaturewhomthereaderhasprobablynotforgotten，——littleCosette。ItwillberememberedthatCosettewasusefultotheThenardiersintwoways:
　　theymadethemotherpaythem，andtheymadethechildservethem。
　　Sowhenthemotherceasedtopayaltogether，thereasonforwhichwehavereadinprecedingchapters，theThenardierskeptCosette。
　　Shetooktheplaceofaservantintheirhouse。Inthiscapacitysheitwaswhorantofetchwaterwhenitwasrequired。Sothechild，whowasgreatlyterrifiedattheideaofgoingtothespringatnight，tookgreatcarethatwatershouldneverbelackinginthehouse。
　　Christmasoftheyear1823wasparticularlybrilliantatMontfermeil。
　　Thebeginningofthewinterhadbeenmild；therehadbeenneithersnownorfrostuptothattime。SomemountebanksfromParishadobtainedpermissionofthemayortoerecttheirboothsintheprincipalstreetofthevillage，andabandofitinerantmerchants，underprotectionofthesametolerance，hadconstructedtheirstallsontheChurchSquare，andevenextendedthemintoBoulangerAlley，where，asthereaderwillperhapsremember，theThenardiers’hostelrywassituated。
　　Thesepeoplefilledtheinnsanddrinking—shops，andcommunicatedtothattranquillittledistrictanoisyandjoyouslife。Inordertoplaythepartofafaithfulhistorian，weoughteventoaddthat，amongthecuriositiesdisplayedinthesquare，therewasamenagerie，inwhichfrightfulclowns，cladinragsandcomingnooneknewwhence，exhibitedtothepeasantsofMontfermeilin1823oneofthosehorribleBrazilianvultures，suchasourRoyalMuseumdidnotpossessuntil1845，andwhichhaveatricoloredcockadeforaneye。
　　IbelievethatnaturalistscallthisbirdCaracaraPolyborus；
　　itbelongstotheorderoftheApicides，andtothefamilyofthevultures。SomegoodoldBonapartistsoldiers，whohadretiredtothevillage，wenttoseethiscreaturewithgreatdevotion。
　　ThemountebanksgaveoutthatthetricoloredcockadewasauniquephenomenonmadebyGodexpresslyfortheirmenagerie。
　　OnChristmaseveitself，anumberofmen，carters，andpeddlers，wereseatedattable，drinkingandsmokingaroundfourorfivecandlesinthepublicroomofThenardier’shostelry。Thisroomresembledalldrinking—shoprooms，——tables，pewterjugs，bottles，drinkers，smokers；butlittlelightandagreatdealofnoise。
　　Thedateoftheyear1823wasindicated，nevertheless，bytwoobjectswhichwerethenfashionableinthebourgeoisclass:towit，akaleidoscopeandalampofribbedtin。ThefemaleThenardierwasattendingtothesupper，whichwasroastinginfrontofaclearfire；
　　herhusbandwasdrinkingwithhiscustomersandtalkingpolitics。
　　BesidespoliticalconversationswhichhadfortheirprincipalsubjectstheSpanishwarandM。leDucd’Angouleme，strictlylocalparentheses，likethefollowing，wereaudibleamidtheuproar:——
　　"AboutNanterreandSuresnesthevineshaveflourishedgreatly。
　　Whentenpieceswerereckonedontherehavebeentwelve。
　　Theyhaveyieldedagreatdealofjuiceunderthepress。"
　　"Butthegrapescannotberipe？""Inthosepartsthegrapesshouldnotberipe；thewineturnsoilyassoonasspringcomes。"
　　"Thenitisverythinwine？""Therearewinespoorereventhanthese。
　　Thegrapesmustbegatheredwhilegreen。"Etc。
　　Oramillerwouldcallout:——
　　"Areweresponsibleforwhatisinthesacks？Wefindinthemaquantityofsmallseedwhichwecannotsiftout，andwhichweareobligedtosendthroughthemill—stones；therearetares，fennel，vetches，hempseed，fox—tail，andahostofotherweeds，nottomentionpebbles，whichaboundincertainwheat，especiallyinBretonwheat。IamnotfondofgrindingBretonwheat，anymorethanlong—sawyersliketosawbeamswithnailsinthem。Youcanjudgeofthebaddustthatmakesingrinding。Andthenpeoplecomplainoftheflour。Theyareinthewrong。Theflourisnofaultofours。"
　　Inaspacebetweentwowindowsamower，whowasseatedattablewithalandedproprietorwhowasfixingonapriceforsomemeadowworktobeperformedinthespring，wassaying:——
　　"Itdoesnoharmtohavethegrasswet。Itcutsbetter。
　　Dewisagoodthing，sir。Itmakesnodifferencewiththatgrass。
　　Yourgrassisyoungandveryhardtocutstill。It’sterriblytender。
　　Ityieldsbeforetheiron。"Etc。
　　Cosettewasinherusualplace，seatedonthecross—barofthekitchentablenearthechimney。Shewasinrags；herbarefeetwerethrustintowoodenshoes，andbythefirelightshewasengagedinknittingwoollenstockingsdestinedfortheyoungThenardiers。Averyyoungkittenwasplayingaboutamongthechairs。Laughterandchatterwereaudibleintheadjoiningroom，fromtwofreshchildren’svoices:
　　itwasEponineandAzelma。
　　Inthechimney—corneracat—o’—nine—tailswashangingonanail。
　　Atintervalsthecryofaveryyoungchild，whichwassomewhereinthehouse，rangthroughthenoiseofthedram—shop。ItwasalittleboywhohadbeenborntotheThenardiersduringoneoftheprecedingwinters，——"shedidnotknowwhy，"shesaid，"theresultofthecold，"——andwhowasalittlemorethanthreeyearsold。Themotherhadnursedhim，butshedidnotlovehim。
　　Whenthepersistentclamorofthebratbecametooannoying，"Yoursonissqualling，"Thenardierwouldsay；"dogoandseewhathewants。""Bah！"themotherwouldreply，"hebothersme。"
　　Andtheneglectedchildcontinuedtoshriekinthedark。
　　CHAPTERII
　　TWOCOMPLETEPORTRAITS
　　SofarinthisbooktheThenardiershavebeenviewedonlyinprofile；
　　themomenthasarrivedformakingthecircuitofthiscouple，andconsideringitunderallitsaspects。
　　Thenardierhadjustpassedhisfiftiethbirthday；MadameThenardierwasapproachingherforties，whichisequivalenttofiftyinawoman；
　　sothatthereexistedabalanceofagebetweenhusbandandwife。
　　OurreadershavepossiblypreservedsomerecollectionofthisThenardierwoman，eversinceherfirstappearance，——tall，blond，red，fat，angular，square，enormous，andagile；shebelonged，aswehavesaid，totheraceofthosecolossalwildwomen，whocontortthemselvesatfairswithpaving—stoneshangingfromtheirhair。
　　Shedideverythingaboutthehouse，——madethebeds，didthewashing，thecooking，andeverythingelse。Cosettewasheronlyservant；
　　amouseintheserviceofanelephant。Everythingtrembledatthesoundofhervoice，——windowpanes，furniture，andpeople。
　　Herbigface，dottedwithredblotches，presentedtheappearanceofaskimmer。Shehadabeard。Shewasanidealmarket—porterdressedinwoman’sclothes。Shesworesplendidly；sheboastedofbeingabletocrackanutwithoneblowofherfist。Exceptfortheromanceswhichshehadread，andwhichmadetheaffectedladypeepthroughtheogressattimes，inaveryqueerway，theideawouldneverhaveoccurredtoanyonetosayofher，"Thatisawoman。"
　　ThisThenardierfemalewasliketheproductofawenchengraftedonafishwife。Whenoneheardherspeak，onesaid，"Thatisagendarme"；whenonesawherdrink，onesaid，"Thatisacarter"；
　　whenonesawherhandleCosette，onesaid，"Thatisthehangman。"
　　Oneofherteethprojectedwhenherfacewasinrepose。
　　Thenardierwasasmall，thin，pale，angular，bony，feebleman，whohadasicklyairandwhowaswonderfullyhealthy。Hiscunningbeganhere；
　　hesmiledhabitually，bywayofprecaution，andwasalmostpolitetoeverybody，eventothebeggartowhomherefusedhalfafarthing。
　　Hehadtheglanceofapole—catandthebearingofamanofletters。
　　HegreatlyresembledtheportraitsoftheAbbeDelille。
　　Hiscoquetryconsistedindrinkingwiththecarters。Noonehadeversucceededinrenderinghimdrunk。Hesmokedabigpipe。
　　Heworeablouse，andunderhisblouseanoldblackcoat。Hemadepretensionstoliteratureandtomaterialism。Therewerecertainnameswhichheoftenpronouncedtosupportwhateverthingshemightbesaying，——Voltaire，Raynal，Parny，and，singularlyenough，SaintAugustine。Hedeclaredthathehad"asystem。"Inaddition，hewasagreatswindler。Afilousophe[philosophe]，ascientificthief。
　　Thespeciesdoesexist。Itwillberememberedthathepretendedtohaveservedinthearmy；hewasinthehabitofrelatingwithexuberance，how，beingasergeantinthe6thorthe9thlightsomethingorother，atWaterloo，hehadalone，andinthepresenceofasquadronofdeath—dealinghussars，coveredwithhisbodyandsavedfromdeath，inthemidstofthegrape—shot，"ageneral，whohadbeendangerouslywounded。"Thencearoseforhiswalltheflaringsign，andforhisinnthenamewhichitboreintheneighborhood，of"thecabaretoftheSergeantofWaterloo。"Hewasaliberal，aclassic，andaBonapartist。HehadsubscribedfortheChampd’Asile。Itwassaidinthevillagethathehadstudiedforthepriesthood。
　　WebelievethathehadsimplystudiedinHollandforaninn—keeper。
　　Thisrascalofcompositeorderwas，inallprobability，someFlemingfromLille，inFlanders，aFrenchmaninParis，aBelgianatBrussels，beingcomfortablyastrideofbothfrontiers。
　　AsforhisprowessatWaterloo，thereaderisalreadyacquaintedwiththat。Itwillbeperceivedthatheexaggerateditatrifle。
　　Ebbandflow，wandering，adventure，wasthelevenofhisexistence；
　　atatteredconscienceentailsafragmentarylife，and，apparentlyatthestormyepochofJune18，1815，Thenardierbelongedtothatvarietyofmaraudingsutlersofwhichwehavespoken，beatingaboutthecountry，sellingtosome，stealingfromothers，andtravellinglikeafamilyman，withwifeandchildren，inaricketycart，intherearoftroopsonthemarch，withaninstinctforalwaysattachinghimselftothevictoriousarmy。Thiscampaignended，andhaving，ashesaid，"somequibus，"hehadcometoMontfermeilandsetupaninnthere。
　　Thisquibus，composedofpursesandwatches，ofgoldringsandsilvercrosses，gatheredinharvest—timeinfurrowssownwithcorpses，didnotamounttoalargetotal，anddidnotcarrythissutlerturnedeating—house—keeperveryfar。
　　Thenardierhadthatpeculiarrectilinearsomethingabouthisgestureswhich，accompaniedbyanoath，recallsthebarracks，andbyasignofthecross，theseminary。Hewasafinetalker。
　　Heallowedittobethoughtthathewasaneducatedman。Nevertheless，theschoolmasterhadnoticedthathepronouncedimproperly。[12]
　　[12]Literally"madecuirs"；i。e。，pronouncedatoransattheendofwordswheretheoppositelettershouldoccur，orusedeitheroneofthemwhereneitherexists。
　　Hecomposedthetravellers’tariffcardinasuperiormanner，butpractisedeyessometimesspiedoutorthographicalerrorsinit。
　　Thenardierwascunning，greedy，slothful，andclever。Hedidnotdisdainhisservants，whichcausedhiswifetodispensewiththem。
　　Thisgiantesswasjealous。Itseemedtoherthatthatthinandyellowlittlemanmustbeanobjectcovetedbyall。
　　Thenardier，whowas，aboveall，anastuteandwell—balancedman，wasascampofatemperatesort。Thisistheworstspecies；
　　hypocrisyentersintoit。
　　ItisnotthatThenardierwasnot，onoccasion，capableofwrathtoquitethesamedegreeashiswife；butthiswasveryrare，andatsuchtimes，sincehewasenragedwiththehumanraceingeneral，asheborewithinhimadeepfurnaceofhatred。Andsincehewasoneofthosepeoplewhoarecontinuallyavengingtheirwrongs，whoaccuseeverythingthatpassesbeforethemofeverythingwhichhasbefallenthem，andwhoarealwaysreadytocastuponthefirstpersonwhocomestohand，asalegitimategrievance，thesumtotalofthedeceptions，thebankruptcies，andthecalamitiesoftheirlives，——whenallthisleavenwasstirredupinhimandboiledforthfromhismouthandeyes，hewasterrible。
　　Woetothepersonwhocameunderhiswrathatsuchatime！
　　Inadditiontohisotherqualities，Thenardierwasattentiveandpenetrating，silentortalkative，accordingtocircumstances，andalwayshighlyintelligent。Hehadsomethingofthelookofsailors，whoareaccustomedtoscrewuptheireyestogazethroughmarineglasses。Thenardierwasastatesman。
　　Everynew—comerwhoenteredthetavernsaid，oncatchingsightofMadameThenardier，"Thereisthemasterofthehouse。"
　　Amistake。Shewasnoteventhemistress。Thehusbandwasbothmasterandmistress。Sheworked；hecreated。Hedirectedeverythingbyasortofinvisibleandconstantmagneticaction。
　　Awordwassufficientforhim，sometimesasign；themastodonobeyed。
　　ThenardierwasasortofspecialandsovereignbeinginMadameThenardier’seyes，thoughshedidnotthoroughlyrealizeit。
　　Shewaspossessedofvirtuesafterherownkind；ifshehadeverhadadisagreementastoanydetailwith"MonsieurThenardier，"——whichwasaninadmissiblehypothesis，bytheway，——shewouldnothaveblamedherhusbandinpubliconanysubjectwhatever。Shewouldneverhavecommitted"beforestrangers"thatmistakesooftencommittedbywomen，andwhichiscalledinparliamentarylanguage，"exposingthecrown。"
　　Althoughtheirconcordhadonlyevilasitsresult，therewascontemplationinMadameThenardier’ssubmissiontoherhusband。
　　Thatmountainofnoiseandoffleshmovedunderthelittlefingerofthatfraildespot。Viewedonitsdwarfedandgrotesqueside，thiswasthatgrandanduniversalthing，theadorationofmindbymatter；forcertainuglyfeatureshaveacauseintheverydepthsofeternalbeauty。TherewasanunknownquantityaboutThenardier；
　　hencetheabsoluteempireofthemanoverthatwoman。Atcertainmomentsshebeheldhimlikealightedcandle；atothersshefelthimlikeaclaw。
　　Thiswomanwasaformidablecreaturewholovednooneexceptherchildren，andwhodidnotfearanyoneexceptherhusband。
　　Shewasamotherbecauseshewasmammiferous。Buthermaternitystoppedshortwithherdaughters，and，asweshallsee，didnotextendtoboys。Themanhadbutonethought，——howtoenrichhimself。
　　Hedidnotsucceedinthis。Atheatreworthyofthisgreattalentwaslacking。ThenardierwasruininghimselfatMontfermeil，ifruinispossibletozero；inSwitzerlandorinthePyreneesthispennilessscampwouldhavebecomeamillionaire；butaninn—keepermustbrowsewherefatehashitchedhim。
　　Itwillbeunderstoodthatthewordinn—keeperishereemployedinarestrictedsense，anddoesnotextendtoanentireclass。
　　Inthissameyear，1823，Thenardierwasburdenedwithaboutfifteenhundredfrancs’worthofpettydebts，andthisrenderedhimanxious。
　　Whatevermayhavebeentheobstinateinjusticeofdestinyinthiscase，Thenardierwasoneofthosemenwhounderstandbest，withthemostprofundityandinthemostmodernfashion，thatthingwhichisavirtueamongbarbarouspeoplesandanobjectofmerchandiseamongcivilizedpeoples，——hospitality。Besides，hewasanadmirablepoacher，andquotedforhisskillinshooting。Hehadacertaincoldandtranquillaugh，whichwasparticularlydangerous。
　　Histheoriesasalandlordsometimesburstforthinlightningflashes。
　　Hehadprofessionalaphorisms，whichheinsertedintohiswife’smind。
　　"Thedutyoftheinn—keeper，"hesaidtoheroneday，violently，andinalowvoice，"istoselltothefirstcomer，stews，repose，light，fire，dirtysheets，aservant，lice，andasmile；tostoppassers—by，toemptysmallpurses，andtohonestlylightenheavyones；
　　tosheltertravellingfamiliesrespectfully:toshavetheman，topluckthewoman，topickthechildclean；toquotethewindowopen，thewindowshut，thechimney—corner，thearm—chair，thechair，theottoman，thestool，thefeather—bed，themattressandthetrussofstraw；toknowhowmuchtheshadowusesupthemirror，andtoputapriceonit；and，byfivehundredthousanddevils，tomakethetravellerpayforeverything，evenfortheflieswhichhisdogeats！"
　　Thismanandthiswomanwereruseandragewedded——ahideousandterribleteam。
　　Whilethehusbandponderedandcombined，MadameThenardierthoughtnotofabsentcreditors，tooknoheedofyesterdaynorofto—morrow，andlivedinafitofanger，allinaminute。
　　Suchwerethesetwobeings。Cosettewasbetweenthem，subjectedtotheirdoublepressure，likeacreaturewhoisatthesametimebeinggroundupinamillandpulledtopieceswithpincers。Themanandthewomaneachhadadifferentmethod:Cosettewasoverwhelmedwithblows——thiswasthewoman’s；shewentbarefootedinwinter——
　　thatwastheman’sdoing。
　　Cosetteranupstairsanddown，washed，swept，rubbed，dusted，ran，flutteredabout，panted，movedheavyarticles，andweakasshewas，didthecoarsework。Therewasnomercyforher；afiercemistressandvenomousmaster。TheThenardierhostelrywaslikeaspider’sweb，inwhichCosettehadbeencaught，andwhereshelaytrembling。
　　Theidealofoppressionwasrealizedbythissinisterhousehold。
　　Itwassomethingliketheflyservingthespiders。
　　Thepoorchildpassivelyheldherpeace。
　　WhattakesplacewithinthesesoulswhentheyhavebutjustquittedGod，findthemselvesthus，attheverydawnoflife，verysmallandinthemidstofmenallnaked！
　　CHAPTERIII
　　MENMUSTHAVEWINE，ANDHORSESMUSTHAVEWATER
　　Fournewtravellershadarrived。
　　Cosettewasmeditatingsadly；for，althoughshewasonlyeightyearsold，shehadalreadysufferedsomuchthatshereflectedwiththelugubriousairofanoldwoman。HereyewasblackinconsequenceofablowfromMadameThenardier’sfist，whichcausedthelattertoremarkfromtimetotime，"Howuglysheiswithherfist—blowonhereye！"
　　Cosettewasthinkingthatitwasdark，verydark，thatthepitchersandcaraffesinthechambersofthetravellerswhohadarrivedmusthavebeenfilledandthattherewasnomorewaterinthecistern。
　　ShewassomewhatreassuredbecausenooneintheThenardierestablishmentdrankmuchwater。Thirstypeoplewereneverlackingthere；
　　buttheirthirstwasofthesortwhichappliestothejugratherthantothepitcher。Anyonewhohadaskedforaglassofwateramongallthoseglassesofwinewouldhaveappearedasavagetoallthesemen。Buttherecameamomentwhenthechildtrembled；
　　MadameThenardierraisedthecoverofastew—panwhichwasboilingonthestove，thenseizedaglassandbrisklyapproachedthecistern。
　　Sheturnedthefaucet；thechildhadraisedherheadandwasfollowingallthewoman’smovements。Athinstreamofwatertrickledfromthefaucet，andhalffilledtheglass。"Well，"saidshe，"thereisnomorewater！"Amomentarysilenceensued。Thechilddidnotbreathe。
　　"Bah！"resumedMadameThenardier，examiningthehalf—filledglass，"thiswillbeenough。"
　　Cosetteappliedherselftoherworkoncemore，butforaquarterofanhourshefeltherheartleapinginherbosomlikeabigsnow—flake。
　　Shecountedtheminutesthatpassedinthismanner，andwisheditwerethenextmorning。
　　Fromtimetotimeoneofthedrinkerslookedintothestreet，andexclaimed，"It’sasblackasanoven！"or，"Onemustneedsbeacattogoaboutthestreetswithoutalanternatthishour！"
　　AndCosettetrembled。
　　Allatonceoneofthepedlerswholodgedinthehostelryentered，andsaidinaharshvoice:——
　　"Myhorsehasnotbeenwatered。"
　　"Yes，ithas，"saidMadameThenardier。
　　"Itellyouthatithasnot，"retortedthepedler。
　　Cosettehademergedfromunderthetable。
　　"Oh，yes，sir！"saidshe，"thehorsehashadadrink；hedrankoutofabucket，awholebucketful，anditwasIwhotookthewatertohim，andIspoketohim。"
　　Itwasnottrue；Cosettelied。
　　"There’sabratasbigasmyfistwhotellsliesasbigasthehouse，"
　　exclaimedthepedler。"Itellyouthathehasnotbeenwatered，youlittlejade！Hehasawayofblowingwhenhehashadnowater，whichIknowwell。"
　　Cosettepersisted，andaddedinavoicerenderedhoarsewithanguish，andwhichwashardlyaudible:——
　　"Andhedrankheartily。"
　　"Come，"saidthepedler，inarage，"thiswon’tdoatall，letmyhorsebewatered，andletthatbetheendofit！"
　　Cosettecreptunderthetableagain。
　　"Intruth，thatisfair！"saidMadameThenardier，"ifthebeasthasnotbeenwatered，itmustbe。"
　　Thenglancingabouther:——
　　"Well，now！Where’sthatotherbeast？"
　　ShebentdownanddiscoveredCosettecoweringattheotherendofthetable，almostunderthedrinkers’feet。
　　"Areyoucoming？"shriekedMadameThenardier。
　　Cosettecrawledoutofthesortofholeinwhichshehadhiddenherself。
　　TheThenardierresumed:——
　　"MademoiselleDog—lack—name，goandwaterthathorse。"
　　"But，Madame，"saidCosette，feebly，"thereisnowater。"
　　TheThenardierthrewthestreetdoorwideopen:——
　　"Well，goandgetsome，then！"
　　Cosettedroppedherhead，andwentforanemptybucketwhichstoodnearthechimney—corner。
　　Thisbucketwasbiggerthanshewas，andthechildcouldhavesetdowninitatherease。
　　TheThenardierreturnedtoherstove，andtastedwhatwasinthestewpan，withawoodenspoon，grumblingthewhile:——
　　"There’splentyinthespring。Thereneverwassuchamaliciouscreatureasthat。IthinkIshouldhavedonebettertostrainmyonions。"
　　Thensherummagedinadrawerwhichcontainedsous，pepper，andshallots。
　　"Seehere，Mam’selleToad，"sheadded，"onyourwayback，youwillgetabigloaffromthebaker。Here’safifteen—soupiece。"
　　Cosettehadalittlepocketononesideofherapron；shetookthecoinwithoutsayingaword，andputitinthatpocket。
　　Thenshestoodmotionless，bucketinhand，theopendoorbeforeher。
　　Sheseemedtobewaitingforsomeonetocometoherrescue。
　　"Getalongwithyou！"screamedtheThenardier。
　　Cosettewentout。Thedoorclosedbehindher。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　ENTRANCEONTHESCENEOFADOLL
　　Thelineofopen—airboothsstartingatthechurch，extended，asthereaderwillremember，asfarasthehostelryoftheThenardiers。
　　Theseboothswereallilluminated，becausethecitizenswouldsoonpassontheirwaytothemidnightmass，withcandlesburninginpaperfunnels，which，astheschoolmaster，thenseatedatthetableattheThenardiers’observed，produced"amagicaleffect。"
　　Incompensation，notastarwasvisibleinthesky。
　　Thelastofthesestalls，establishedpreciselyoppositetheThenardiers’
　　door，wasatoy—shopallglitteringwithtinsel，glass，andmagnificentobjectsoftin。Inthefirstrow，andfarforwards，themerchanthadplacedonabackgroundofwhitenapkins，animmensedoll，nearlytwofeethigh，whowasdressedinarobeofpinkcrepe，withgoldwheat—earsonherhead，whichhadrealhairandenameleyes。Allthatday，thismarvelhadbeendisplayedtothewondermentofallpassers—byundertenyearsofage，withoutamotherbeingfoundinMontfermeilsufficientlyrichorsufficientlyextravaganttogiveittoherchild。
　　EponineandAzelmahadpassedhoursincontemplatingit，andCosetteherselfhadventuredtocastaglanceatit，onthesly，itistrue。
　　AtthemomentwhenCosetteemerged，bucketinhand，melancholyandovercomeasshewas，shecouldnotrefrainfromliftinghereyestothatwonderfuldoll，towardsthelady，asshecalledit。
　　Thepoorchildpausedinamazement。Shehadnotyetbeheldthatdollcloseto。Thewholeshopseemedapalacetoher:
　　thedollwasnotadoll；itwasavision。Itwasjoy，splendor，riches，happiness，whichappearedinasortofchimericalhalotothatunhappylittlebeingsoprofoundlyengulfedingloomyandchillymisery。Withthesadandinnocentsagacityofchildhood，Cosettemeasuredtheabysswhichseparatedherfromthatdoll。
　　Shesaidtoherselfthatonemustbeaqueen，oratleastaprincess，tohavea"thing"likethat。Shegazedatthatbeautifulpinkdress，thatbeautifulsmoothhair，andshethought，"Howhappythatdollmustbe！"Shecouldnottakehereyesfromthatfantasticstall。
　　Themoreshelooked，themoredazzledshegrew。Shethoughtshewasgazingatparadise。Therewereotherdollsbehindthelargeone，whichseemedtohertobefairiesandgenii。Themerchant，whowaspacingbackandforthinfrontofhisshop，producedonhersomewhattheeffectofbeingtheEternalFather。
　　Inthisadorationsheforgoteverything，eventheerrandwithwhichshewascharged。
　　AllatoncetheThenardier’scoarsevoicerecalledhertoreality:
　　"What，yousillyjade！youhavenotgone？Wait！I’llgiveittoyou！Iwanttoknowwhatyouaredoingthere！Getalong，youlittlemonster！"
　　TheThenardierhadcastaglanceintothestreet，andhadcaughtsightofCosetteinherecstasy。
　　Cosettefled，draggingherpail，andtakingthelongeststridesofwhichshewascapable。
　　CHAPTERV
　　THELITTLEONEALLALONE
　　AstheThenardierhostelrywasinthatpartofthevillagewhichisnearthechurch，itwastothespringintheforestinthedirectionofChellesthatCosettewasobligedtogoforherwater。
　　Shedidnotglanceatthedisplayofasingleothermerchant。SolongasshewasinBoulangerLaneandintheneighborhoodofthechurch，thelightedstallsilluminatedtheroad；butsoonthelastlightfromthelaststallvanished。Thepoorchildfoundherselfinthedark。
　　Sheplungedintoit。Only，asacertainemotionovercameher，shemadeasmuchmotionaspossiblewiththehandleofthebucketasshewalkedalong。Thismadeanoisewhichaffordedhercompany。
　　Thefurthershewent，thedenserthedarknessbecame。Therewasnooneinthestreets。However，shedidencounterawoman，whoturnedaroundonseeingher，andstoodstill，mutteringbetweenherteeth:
　　"Wherecanthatchildbegoing？Isitawerewolfchild？"ThenthewomanrecognizedCosette。"Well，"saidshe，"it’stheLark！"
　　InthismannerCosettetraversedthelabyrinthoftortuousanddesertedstreetswhichterminateinthevillageofMontfermeilonthesideofChelles。Solongasshehadthehousesoreventhewallsonlyonbothsidesofherpath，sheproceededwithtolerableboldness。Fromtimetotimeshecaughttheflickerofacandlethroughthecrackofashutter——thiswaslightandlife；
　　therewerepeoplethere，anditreassuredher。Butinproportionassheadvanced，herpaceslackenedmechanically，asitwere。
　　Whenshehadpassedthecornerofthelasthouse，Cosettepaused。
　　Ithadbeenhardtoadvancefurtherthanthelaststall；
　　itbecameimpossibletoproceedfurtherthanthelasthouse。
　　Shesetherbucketontheground，thrustherhandintoherhair，andbeganslowlytoscratchherhead，——agesturepeculiartochildrenwhenterrifiedandundecidedwhattodo。ItwasnolongerMontfermeil；
　　itwastheopenfields。Blackanddesertspacewasbeforeher。
　　Shegazedindespairatthatdarkness，wheretherewasnolongeranyone，wheretherewerebeasts，wheretherewerespectres，possibly。
　　Shetookagoodlook，andheardthebeastswalkingonthegrass，andshedistinctlysawspectresmovinginthetrees。Thensheseizedherbucketagain；fearhadlentheraudacity。"Bah！"saidshe；
　　"Iwilltellhimthattherewasnomorewater！"Andsheresolutelyre—enteredMontfermeil。
　　Hardlyhadshegoneahundredpaceswhenshepausedandbegantoscratchherheadagain。NowitwastheThenardierwhoappearedtoher，withherhideous，hyenamouth，andwrathflashinginhereyes。
　　Thechildcastamelancholyglancebeforeherandbehindher。
　　Whatwasshetodo？Whatwastobecomeofher？Wherewasshetogo？
　　InfrontofherwasthespectreoftheThenardier；behindherallthephantomsofthenightandoftheforest。ItwasbeforetheThenardierthatsherecoiled。Sheresumedherpathtothespring，andbegantorun。Sheemergedfromthevillage，sheenteredtheforestatarun，nolongerlookingatorlisteningtoanything。
　　Sheonlypausedinhercoursewhenherbreathfailedher；
　　butshedidnothaltinheradvance。Shewentstraightbeforeherindesperation。
　　Assheranshefeltlikecrying。
　　Thenocturnalquiveringoftheforestsurroundedhercompletely。
　　Shenolongerthought，shenolongersaw。Theimmensityofnightwasfacingthistinycreature。Ontheonehand，allshadow；
　　ontheother，anatom。
　　Itwasonlysevenoreightminutes’walkfromtheedgeofthewoodstothespring。Cosetteknewtheway，throughhavinggoneoveritmanytimesindaylight。Strangetosay，shedidnotgetlost。
　　Aremnantofinstinctguidedhervaguely。Butshedidnotturnhereyeseithertorightortoleft，forfearofseeingthingsinthebranchesandinthebrushwood。Inthismannershereachedthespring。
　　Itwasanarrow，naturalbasin，hollowedoutbythewaterinaclayeysoil，abouttwofeetdeep，surroundedwithmossandwiththosetall，crimpedgrasseswhicharecalledHenryIV。’sfrills，andpavedwithseverallargestones。Abrookranoutofit，withatranquillittlenoise。
　　Cosettedidnottaketimetobreathe。Itwasverydark，butshewasinthehabitofcomingtothisspring。Shefeltwithherlefthandinthedarkforayoungoakwhichleanedoverthespring，andwhichusuallyservedtosupporther，foundoneofitsbranches，clungtoit，bentdown，andplungedthebucketinthewater。
　　Shewasinastateofsuchviolentexcitementthatherstrengthwastrebled。Whilethusbentover，shedidnotnoticethatthepocketofherapronhademptieditselfintothespring。Thefifteen—soupiecefellintothewater。Cosetteneithersawnorhearditfall。
　　Shedrewoutthebucketnearlyfull，andsetitonthegrass。
　　Thatdone，sheperceivedthatshewaswornoutwithfatigue。
　　Shewouldhavelikedtosetoutagainatonce，buttheeffortrequiredtofillthebuckethadbeensuchthatshefounditimpossibletotakeastep。Shewasforcedtositdown。Shedroppedonthegrass，andremainedcrouchingthere。
　　Sheshuthereyes；thensheopenedthemagain，withoutknowingwhy，butbecauseshecouldnotdootherwise。Theagitatedwaterinthebucketbesideherwasdescribingcircleswhichresembledtinserpents。
　　Overheadtheskywascoveredwithvastblackclouds，whichwerelikemassesofsmoke。Thetragicmaskofshadowseemedtobendvaguelyoverthechild。
　　Jupiterwassettinginthedepths。
　　Thechildstaredwithbewilderedeyesatthisgreatstar，withwhichshewasunfamiliar，andwhichterrifiedher。Theplanetwas，infact，verynearthehorizonandwastraversingadenselayerofmistwhichimpartedtoitahorribleruddyhue。Themist，gloomilyempurpled，magnifiedthestar。Onewouldhavecalleditaluminouswound。
　　Acoldwindwasblowingfromtheplain。Theforestwasdark，notaleafwasmoving；therewerenoneofthevague，freshgleamsofsummertide。Greatboughsupliftedthemselvesinfrightfulwise。
　　Slenderandmisshapenbusheswhistledintheclearings。Thetallgrassesundulatedlikeeelsunderthenorthwind。Thenettlesseemedtotwistlongarmsfurnishedwithclawsinsearchofprey。
　　Somebitsofdryheather，tossedbythebreeze，flewrapidlyby，andhadtheairoffleeinginterrorbeforesomethingwhichwascomingafter。
　　Onallsidestherewerelugubriousstretches。
　　Thedarknesswasbewildering。Manrequireslight。Whoeverburieshimselfintheoppositeofdayfeelshisheartcontract。Whentheeyeseesblack，theheartseestrouble。Inaneclipseinthenight，inthesootyopacity，thereisanxietyevenforthestoutestofhearts。
　　Noonewalksaloneintheforestatnightwithouttrembling。
　　Shadowsandtrees——twoformidabledensities。Achimericalrealityappearsintheindistinctdepths。Theinconceivableisoutlinedafewpacesdistantfromyouwithaspectralclearness。
　　Onebeholdsfloating，eitherinspaceorinone’sownbrain，oneknowsnotwhatvagueandintangiblething，likethedreamsofsleepingflowers。Therearefierceattitudesonthehorizon。
　　Oneinhalestheeffluviaofthegreatblackvoid。Oneisafraidtoglancebehindhim，yetdesirousofdoingso。Thecavitiesofnight，thingsgrownhaggard，taciturnprofileswhichvanishwhenoneadvances，obscuredishevelments，irritatedtufts，lividpools，thelugubriousreflectedinthefunereal，thesepulchralimmensityofsilence，unknownbutpossiblebeings，bendingsofmysteriousbranches，alarmingtorsosoftrees，longhandfulsofquiveringplants，——
　　againstallthisonehasnoprotection。Thereisnohardihoodwhichdoesnotshudderandwhichdoesnotfeelthevicinityofanguish。
　　Oneisconsciousofsomethinghideous，asthoughone’ssoulwerebecomingamalgamatedwiththedarkness。Thispenetrationoftheshadowsisindescribablysinisterinthecaseofachild。
　　Forestsareapocalypses，andthebeatingofthewingsofatinysoulproducesasoundofagonybeneaththeirmonstrousvault。
　　Withoutunderstandinghersensations，Cosettewasconsciousthatshewasseizeduponbythatblackenormityofnature；
　　itwasnolongerterroralonewhichwasgainingpossessionofher；
　　itwassomethingmoreterribleeventhanterror；sheshivered。
　　Therearenowordstoexpressthestrangenessofthatshiverwhichchilledhertotheverybottomofherheart；hereyegrewwild；
　　shethoughtshefeltthatsheshouldnotbeabletorefrainfromreturningthereatthesamehouronthemorrow。
　　Then，byasortofinstinct，shebegantocountaloud，one，two，three，four，andsoonuptoten，inordertoescapefromthatsingularstatewhichshedidnotunderstand，butwhichterrifiedher，and，whenshehadfinished，shebeganagain；
　　thisrestoredhertoatrueperceptionofthethingsabouther。
　　Herhands，whichshehadwetindrawingthewater，feltcold；
　　sherose；herterror，anaturalandunconquerableterror，hadreturned:shehadbutonethoughtnow，——tofleeatfullspeedthroughtheforest，acrossthefieldstothehouses，tothewindows，tothelightedcandles。Herglancefelluponthewaterwhichstoodbeforeher；suchwasthefrightwhichtheThenardierinspiredinher，thatshedarednotfleewithoutthatbucketofwater:
　　sheseizedthehandlewithbothhands；shecouldhardlyliftthepail。
　　Inthismannersheadvancedadozenpaces，butthebucketwasfull；
　　itwasheavy；shewasforcedtosetitonthegroundoncemore。
　　Shetookbreathforaninstant，thenliftedthehandleofthebucketagain，andresumedhermarch，proceedingalittlefurtherthistime，butagainshewasobligedtopause。Aftersomesecondsofreposeshesetoutagain。Shewalkedbentforward，withdroopinghead，likeanoldwoman；theweightofthebucketstrainedandstiffenedherthinarms。Theironhandlecompletedthebenumbingandfreezingofherwetandtinyhands；shewasforcedtohaltfromtimetotime，andeachtimethatshedidso，thecoldwaterwhichsplashedfromthepailfellonherbarelegs。Thistookplaceinthedepthsofaforest，atnight，inwinter，farfromallhumansight；
　　shewasachildofeight:noonebutGodsawthatsadthingatthemoment。
　　Andhermother，nodoubt，alas！
　　Fortherearethingsthatmakethedeadopentheireyesintheirgraves。
　　Shepantedwithasortofpainfulrattle；sobscontractedherthroat，butshedarednotweep，soafraidwassheoftheThenardier，evenatadistance:itwashercustomtoimaginetheThenardieralwayspresent。
　　However，shecouldnotmakemuchheadwayinthatmanner，andshewentonveryslowly。Inspiteofdiminishingthelengthofherstops，andofwalkingaslongaspossiblebetweenthem，shereflectedwithanguishthatitwouldtakehermorethananhourtoreturntoMontfermeilinthismanner，andthattheThenardierwouldbeather。
　　Thisanguishwasmingledwithherterroratbeingaloneinthewoodsatnight；shewaswornoutwithfatigue，andhadnotyetemergedfromtheforest。Onarrivingnearanoldchestnut—treewithwhichshewasacquainted，madealasthalt，longerthantherest，inorderthatshemightgetwellrested；thenshesummonedupallherstrength，pickedupherbucketagain，andcourageouslyresumedhermarch，butthepoorlittledesperatecreaturecouldnotrefrainfromcrying，"OmyGod！myGod！"
　　Atthatmomentshesuddenlybecameconsciousthatherbucketnolongerweighedanythingatall:ahand，whichseemedtoherenormous，hadjustseizedthehandle，andlifteditvigorously。Sheraisedherhead。Alargeblackform，straightanderect，waswalkingbesideherthroughthedarkness；itwasamanwhohadcomeupbehindher，andwhoseapproachshehadnotheard。Thisman，withoututteringaword，hadseizedthehandleofthebucketwhichshewascarrying。
　　Thereareinstinctsforalltheencountersoflife。
　　Thechildwasnotafraid。