CHAPTERIX
　　THENARDIERANDHISMANOEUVRES
　　Onthefollowingmorning，twohoursatleastbeforeday—break，Thenardier，seatedbesideacandleinthepublicroomofthetavern，peninhand，wasmakingoutthebillforthetravellerwiththeyellowcoat。
　　Hiswife，standingbesidehim，andhalfbentoverhim，wasfollowinghimwithhereyes。Theyexchangednotaword。Ontheonehand，therewasprofoundmeditation，ontheother，thereligiousadmirationwithwhichonewatchesthebirthanddevelopmentofamarvelofthehumanmind。Anoisewasaudibleinthehouse；
　　itwastheLarksweepingthestairs。
　　Afterthelapseofagoodquarterofanhour，andsomeerasures，Thenardierproducedthefollowingmasterpiece:——
　　BILLOFTHEGENTLEMANINNo。1。
　　Supper……3francs。
　　Chamber……10"
　　Candle……5"
　　Fire……4"
　　Service……1"
　　——————————
　　Total……23francs。
　　Servicewaswrittenservisse。
　　"Twenty—threefrancs！"criedthewoman，withanenthusiasmwhichwasmingledwithsomehesitation。
　　Likeallgreatartists，Thenardierwasdissatisfied。
　　"Peuh！"heexclaimed。
　　ItwastheaccentofCastlereaghauditingFrance’sbillattheCongressofVienna。
　　"MonsieurThenardier，youareright；hecertainlyowesthat，"
　　murmuredthewife，whowasthinkingofthedollbestowedonCosetteinthepresenceofherdaughters。"Itisjust，butitistoomuch。
　　Hewillnotpayit。"
　　Thenardierlaughedcoldly，asusual，andsaid:——
　　"Hewillpay。"
　　Thislaughwasthesupremeassertionofcertaintyandauthority。
　　Thatwhichwasassertedinthismannermustneedsbeso。Hiswifedidnotinsist。
　　Shesetaboutarrangingthetable；herhusbandpacedtheroom。
　　Amomentlaterheadded:——
　　"Iowefullfifteenhundredfrancs！"
　　Hewentandseatedhimselfinthechimney—corner，meditating，withhisfeetamongthewarmashes。
　　"Ah！bytheway，"resumedhiswife，"youdon’tforgetthatI’mgoingtoturnCosetteoutofdoorsto—day？Themonster！Shebreaksmyheartwiththatdollofhers！I’drathermarryLouisXVIII。
　　thankeepheranotherdayinthehouse！"
　　Thenardierlightedhispipe，andrepliedbetweentwopuffs:——
　　"Youwillhandthatbilltotheman。"
　　Thenhewentout。
　　Hardlyhadhelefttheroomwhenthetravellerentered。
　　Thenardierinstantlyreappearedbehindhimandremainedmotionlessinthehalf—opendoor，visibleonlytohiswife。
　　Theyellowmancarriedhisbundleandhiscudgelinhishand。
　　"Upsoearly？"saidMadameThenardier；"isMonsieurleavingusalready？"
　　Asshespokethus，shewastwistingthebillaboutinherhandswithanembarrassedair，andmakingcreasesinitwithhernails。
　　Herhardfacepresentedashadewhichwasnothabitualwithit，——
　　timidityandscruples。
　　Topresentsuchabilltoamanwhohadsocompletelytheair"ofapoorwretch"seemeddifficulttoher。
　　Thetravellerappearedtobepreoccupiedandabsent—minded。Hereplied:——
　　"Yes，Madame，Iamgoing。"
　　"SoMonsieurhasnobusinessinMontfermeil？"
　　"No，Iwaspassingthrough。Thatisall。WhatdoIoweyou，Madame，"headded。
　　TheThenardiersilentlyhandedhimthefoldedbill。
　　Themanunfoldedthepaperandglancedatit；buthisthoughtswereevidentlyelsewhere。
　　"Madame，"heresumed，"isbusinessgoodhereinMontfermeil？"
　　"Soso，Monsieur，"repliedtheThenardier，stupefiedatnotwitnessinganothersortofexplosion。
　　Shecontinued，inadrearyandlamentabletone:——
　　"Oh！Monsieur，timesaresohard！andthen，wehavesofewbourgeoisintheneighborhood！Allthepeoplearepoor，yousee。Ifwehadnot，nowandthen，somerichandgeneroustravellerslikeMonsieur，weshouldnotgetalongatall。Wehavesomanyexpenses。Justsee，thatchildiscostingusourveryeyes。"
　　"Whatchild？"
　　"Why，thelittleone，youknow！Cosette——theLark，assheiscalledhereabouts！"
　　"Ah！"saidtheman。
　　Shewenton:——
　　"Howstupidthesepeasantsarewiththeirnicknames！Shehasmoretheairofabatthanofalark。Yousee，sir，wedonotaskcharity，andwecannotbestowit。Weearnnothingandwehavetopayoutagreatdeal。Thelicense，theimposts，thedoorandwindowtax，thehundredths！Monsieurisawarethatthegovernmentdemandsaterribledealofmoney。Andthen，Ihavemydaughters。
　　Ihavenoneedtobringupotherpeople’schildren。"
　　Themanresumed，inthatvoicewhichhestrovetorenderindifferent，andinwhichtherelingeredatremor:——
　　"Whatifoneweretoridyouofher？"
　　"Who？Cosette？"
　　"Yes。"
　　Thelandlady’sredandviolentfacebrighteneduphideously。
　　"Ah！sir，mydearsir，takeher，keepher，leadheroff，carryheraway，sugarher，stuffherwithtruffles，drinkher，eather，andtheblessingsofthegoodholyVirginandofallthesaintsofparadisebeuponyou！"
　　"Agreed。"
　　"Really！Youwilltakeheraway？"
　　"Iwilltakeheraway。"
　　"Immediately？"
　　"Immediately。Callthechild。"
　　"Cosette！"screamedtheThenardier。
　　"Inthemeantime，"pursuedtheman，"IwillpayyouwhatIoweyou。
　　Howmuchisit？"
　　Hecastaglanceonthebill，andcouldnotrestrainastartofsurprise:——
　　"Twenty—threefrancs！"
　　Helookedatthelandlady，andrepeated:——
　　"Twenty—threefrancs？"
　　Therewasintheenunciationofthesewords，thusrepeated，anaccentbetweenanexclamationandaninterrogationpoint。
　　TheThenardierhadhadtimetoprepareherselffortheshock。
　　Shereplied，withassurance:——
　　"Goodgracious，yes，sir，itistwenty—threefrancs。"
　　Thestrangerlaidfivefive—francpiecesonthetable。
　　"Goandgetthechild，"saidhe。
　　AtthatmomentThenardieradvancedtothemiddleoftheroom，andsaid:——
　　"Monsieurowestwenty—sixsous。"
　　"Twenty—sixsous！"exclaimedhiswife。
　　"Twentysousforthechamber，"resumedThenardier，coldly，"andsixsousforhissupper。Asforthechild，Imustdiscussthatmatteralittlewiththegentleman。Leaveus，wife。"
　　MadameThenardierwasdazzledaswiththeshockcausedbyunexpectedlightningflashesoftalent。Shewasconsciousthatagreatactorwasmakinghisentranceonthestage，utterednotawordinreply，andlefttheroom。
　　Assoonastheywerealone，Thenardierofferedthetravellerachair。
　　Thetravellerseatedhimself；Thenardierremainedstanding，andhisfaceassumedasingularexpressionofgood—fellowshipandsimplicity。
　　"Sir，"saidhe，"whatIhavetosaytoyouisthis，thatIadorethatchild。"
　　Thestrangergazedintentlyathim。
　　"Whatchild？"
　　Thenardiercontinued:——
　　"Howstrangeitis，onegrowsattached。Whatmoneyisthat？
　　Takebackyourhundred—soupiece。Iadorethechild。"
　　"Whomdoyoumean？"demandedthestranger。
　　"Eh！ourlittleCosette！Areyounotintendingtotakeherawayfromus？Well，Ispeakfrankly；astrueasyouareanhonestman，Iwillnotconsenttoit。Ishallmissthatchild。Isawherfirstwhenshewasatinything。Itistruethatshecostsusmoney；
　　itistruethatshehasherfaults；itistruethatwearenotrich；
　　itistruethatIhavepaidoutoverfourhundredfrancsfordrugsforjustoneofherillnesses！ButonemustdosomethingforthegoodGod’ssake。Shehasneitherfathernormother。
　　Ihavebroughtherup。Ihavebreadenoughforherandformyself。
　　Intruth，Ithinkagreatdealofthatchild。Youunderstand，oneconceivesanaffectionforaperson；Iamagoodsortofabeast，Iam；Idonotreason；Ilovethatlittlegirl；mywifeisquick—tempered，butshelovesheralso。Yousee，sheisjustthesameasourownchild。Iwanttokeephertobabbleaboutthehouse。"
　　ThestrangerkepthiseyeintentlyfixedonThenardier。
　　Thelattercontinued:——
　　"Excuseme，sir，butonedoesnotgiveawayone’schildtoapasser—by，likethat。Iamright，amInot？Still，Idon’tsay——
　　youarerich；youhavetheairofaverygoodman，——ifitwereforherhappiness。Butonemustfindoutthat。Youunderstand:
　　supposethatIweretolethergoandtosacrificemyself，Ishouldliketoknowwhatbecomesofher；Ishouldnotwishtolosesightofher；Ishouldliketoknowwithwhomsheisliving，sothatIcouldgotoseeherfromtimetotime；sothatshemayknowthathergoodfoster—fatherisalive，thatheiswatchingoverher。
　　Inshort，therearethingswhicharenotpossible。Idonotevenknowyourname。Ifyouweretotakeheraway，Ishouldsay:
　　`Well，andtheLark，whathasbecomeofher？’Onemust，atleast，seesomepettyscrapofpaper，sometrifleinthewayofapassport，youknow！"
　　Thestranger，stillsurveyinghimwiththatgazewhichpenetrates，asthesayinggoes，totheverydepthsoftheconscience，repliedinagrave，firmvoice:——
　　"MonsieurThenardier，onedoesnotrequireapassporttotravelfiveleaguesfromParis。IfItakeCosetteaway，Ishalltakeheraway，andthatistheendofthematter。Youwillnotknowmyname，youwillnotknowmyresidence，youwillnotknowwheresheis；
　　andmyintentionisthatsheshallneverseteyesonyouagainsolongasshelives。Ibreakthethreadwhichbindsherfoot，andshedeparts。Doesthatsuityou？Yesorno？"
　　Sincegeniuses，likedemons，recognizethepresenceofasuperiorGodbycertainsigns，Thenardiercomprehendedthathehadtodealwithaverystrongperson。Itwaslikeanintuition；hecomprehendeditwithhisclearandsagaciouspromptitude。Whiledrinkingwiththecarters，smoking，andsingingcoarsesongsontheprecedingevening，hehaddevotedthewholeofthetimetoobservingthestranger，watchinghimlikeacat，andstudyinghimlikeamathematician。
　　Hehadwatchedhim，bothonhisownaccount，forthepleasureofthething，andthroughinstinct，andhadspieduponhimasthoughhehadbeenpaidforsodoing。Notamovement，notagesture，onthepartofthemanintheyellowgreat—coathadescapedhim。
　　EvenbeforethestrangerhadsoclearlymanifestedhisinterestinCosette，Thenardierhaddivinedhispurpose。Hehadcaughttheoldman’sdeepglancesreturningconstantlytothechild。
　　Whowasthisman？Whythisinterest？Whythishideouscostume，whenhehadsomuchmoneyinhispurse？Questionswhichheputtohimselfwithoutbeingabletosolvethem，andwhichirritatedhim。
　　Hehadpondereditallnightlong。HecouldnotbeCosette’sfather。
　　Washehergrandfather？Thenwhynotmakehimselfknownatonce？
　　Whenonehasaright，oneassertsit。ThismanevidentlyhadnorightoverCosette。Whatwasit，then？Thenardierlosthimselfinconjectures。Hecaughtglimpsesofeverything，buthesawnothing。
　　Bethatasitmay，onenteringintoconversationwiththeman，surethattherewassomesecretinthecase，thatthelatterhadsomeinterestinremainingintheshadow，hefelthimselfstrong；
　　whenheperceivedfromthestranger’sclearandfirmretort，thatthismysteriouspersonagewasmysteriousinsosimpleaway，hebecameconsciousthathewasweak。Hehadexpectednothingofthesort。Hisconjectureswereputtotherout。Heralliedhisideas。Heweighedeverythinginthespaceofasecond。
　　Thenardierwasoneofthosemenwhotakeinasituationataglance。
　　Hedecidedthatthemomenthadarrivedforproceedingstraightforward，andquicklyatthat。Hedidasgreatleadersdoatthedecisivemoment，whichtheyknowthattheyalonerecognize；heabruptlyunmaskedhisbatteries。
　　"Sir，"saidhe，"Iaminneedoffifteenhundredfrancs。"
　　Thestrangertookfromhissidepocketanoldpocketbookofblackleather，openedit，drewoutthreebank—bills，whichhelaidonthetable。
　　Thenheplacedhislargethumbonthenotesandsaidtotheinn—keeper:——
　　"GoandfetchCosette。"
　　Whilethiswastakingplace，whathadCosettebeendoing？
　　Onwakingup，Cosettehadruntogethershoe。Initshehadfoundthegoldpiece。ItwasnotaNapoleon；itwasoneofthoseperfectlynewtwenty—francpiecesoftheRestoration，onwhoseeffigythelittlePrussianqueuehadreplacedthelaurelwreath。
　　Cosettewasdazzled。Herdestinybegantointoxicateher。
　　Shedidnotknowwhatagoldpiecewas；shehadneverseenone；
　　shehiditquicklyinherpocket，asthoughshehadstolenit。
　　Still，shefeltthatitreallywashers；sheguessedwhencehergifthadcome，butthejoywhichsheexperiencedwasfulloffear。
　　Shewashappy；aboveallshewasstupefied。Suchmagnificentandbeautifulthingsdidnotappearreal。Thedollfrightenedher，thegoldpiecefrightenedher。Shetrembledvaguelyinthepresenceofthismagnificence。Thestrangeralonedidnotfrightenher。
　　Onthecontrary，hereassuredher。Eversincetheprecedingevening，amidallheramazement，eveninhersleep，shehadbeenthinkinginherlittlechildishmindofthatmanwhoseemedtobesopoorandsosad，andwhowassorichandsokind。Everythinghadchangedforhersinceshehadmetthatgoodmanintheforest。
　　Cosette，lesshappythanthemostinsignificantswallowofheaven，hadneverknownwhatitwastotakerefugeunderamother’sshadowandunderawing。Forthelastfiveyears，thatistosay，asfarbackashermemoryran，thepoorchildhadshiveredandtrembled。
　　Shehadalwaysbeenexposedcompletelynakedtothesharpwindofadversity；nowitseemedtohershewasclothed。Formerlyhersoulhadseemedcold，nowitwaswarm。CosettewasnolongerafraidoftheThenardier。Shewasnolongeralone；therewassomeonethere。
　　Shehastilysetaboutherregularmorningduties。Thatlouis，whichshehadabouther，intheveryapronpocketwhencethefifteen—soupiecehadfallenonthenightbefore，distractedherthoughts。
　　Shedarednottouchit，butshespentfiveminutesingazingatit，withhertonguehangingout，ifthetruthmustbetold。Asshesweptthestaircase，shepaused，remainedstandingtheremotionless，forgetfulofherbroomandoftheentireuniverse，occupiedingazingatthatstarwhichwasblazingatthebottomofherpocket。
　　ItwasduringoneoftheseperiodsofcontemplationthattheThenardierjoinedher。ShehadgoneinsearchofCosetteatherhusband’sorders。Whatwasquiteunprecedented，sheneitherstruckhernorsaidaninsultingwordtoher。
　　"Cosette，"shesaid，almostgently，"comeimmediately。"
　　AninstantlaterCosetteenteredthepublicroom。
　　Thestrangertookupthebundlewhichhehadbroughtanduntiedit。
　　Thisbundlecontainedalittlewoollengown，anapron，afustianbodice，akerchief，apetticoat，woollenstockings，shoes——acompleteoutfitforagirlofsevenyears。Allwasblack。
　　"Mychild，"saidtheman，"takethese，andgoanddressyourselfquickly。"
　　DaylightwasappearingwhenthoseoftheinhabitantsofMontfermeilwhohadbeguntoopentheirdoorsbeheldapoorlycladoldmanleadingalittlegirldressedinmourning，andcarryingapinkdollinherarms，passalongtheroadtoParis。TheyweregoinginthedirectionofLivry。
　　ItwasourmanandCosette。
　　Nooneknewtheman；asCosettewasnolongerinrags，manydidnotrecognizeher。Cosettewasgoingaway。Withwhom？Shedidnotknow。Whither？Sheknewnot。AllthatsheunderstoodwasthatshewasleavingtheThenardiertavernbehindher。Noonehadthoughtofbiddingherfarewell，norhadshethoughtoftakingleaveofanyone。Shewasleavingthathatedandhatinghouse。
　　Poor，gentlecreature，whosehearthadbeenrepresseduptothathour！
　　Cosettewalkedalonggravely，withherlargeeyeswideopen，andgazingatthesky。Shehadputherlouisinthepocketofhernewapron。Fromtimetotime，shebentdownandglancedatit；
　　thenshelookedatthegoodman。ShefeltsomethingasthoughshewerebesidethegoodGod。
　　CHAPTERX
　　HEWHOSEEKSTOBETTERHIMSELFMAYRENDERHISSITUATIONWORSE
　　MadameThenardierhadallowedherhusbandtohavehisownway，aswasherwont。Shehadexpectedgreatresults。WhenthemanandCosettehadtakentheirdeparture，Thenardierallowedafullquarterofanhourtoelapse；thenhetookherasideandshowedherthefifteenhundredfrancs。
　　"Isthatall？"saidshe。
　　Itwasthefirsttimesincetheyhadsetuphousekeepingthatshehaddaredtocriticiseoneofthemaster’sacts。
　　Theblowtold。
　　"Youareright，insooth，"saidhe；"Iamafool。Givememyhat。"
　　Hefoldedupthethreebank—bills，thrustthemintohispocket，andranoutinallhaste；buthemadeamistakeandturnedtotherightfirst。
　　Someneighbors，ofwhomhemadeinquiries，puthimonthetrackagain；
　　theLarkandthemanhadbeenseengoinginthedirectionofLivry。
　　Hefollowedthesehints，walkingwithgreatstrides，andtalkingtohimselfthewhile:——
　　"Thatmanisevidentlyamilliondressedinyellow，andIamananimal。
　　Firsthegavetwentysous，thenfivefrancs，thenfiftyfrancs，thenfifteenhundredfrancs，allwithequalreadiness。Hewouldhavegivenfifteenthousandfrancs。ButIshallovertakehim。"
　　Andthen，thatbundleofclothespreparedbeforehandforthechild；
　　allthatwassingular；manymysterieslayconcealedunderit。
　　Onedoesnotletmysteriesoutofone’shandwhenonehasoncegraspedthem。Thesecretsofthewealthyarespongesofgold；
　　onemustknowhowtosubjectthemtopressure。Allthesethoughtswhirledthroughhisbrain。"Iamananimal，"saidhe。
　　WhenoneleavesMontfermeilandreachestheturnwhichtheroadtakesthatrunstoLivry，itcanbeseenstretchingoutbeforeonetoagreatdistanceacrosstheplateau。Onarrivingthere，hecalculatedthatheoughttobeabletoseetheoldmanandthechild。Helookedasfarashisvisionreached，andsawnothing。
　　Hemadefreshinquiries，buthehadwastedtime。Somepassers—byinformedhimthatthemanandchildofwhomhewasinsearchhadgonetowardstheforestinthedirectionofGagny。Hehastenedinthatdirection。
　　Theywerefarinadvanceofhim；butachildwalksslowly，andhewalkedfast；andthen，hewaswellacquaintedwiththecountry。
　　Allatoncehepausedanddealthimselfablowonhisforeheadlikeamanwhohasforgottensomeessentialpointandwhoisreadytoretracehissteps。
　　"Ioughttohavetakenmygun，"saidhetohimself。
　　Thenardierwasoneofthosedoublenatureswhichsometimespassthroughourmidstwithoutourbeingawareofthefact，andwhodisappearwithoutourfindingthemout，becausedestinyhasonlyexhibitedonesideofthem。Itisthefateofmanymentolivethushalfsubmerged。Inacalmandevensituation，Thenardierpossessedallthatisrequiredtomake——wewillnotsaytobe——
　　whatpeoplehaveagreedtocallanhonesttrader，agoodbourgeois。
　　Atthesametimecertaincircumstancesbeinggiven，certainshocksarrivingtobringhisunder—naturetothesurface，hehadalltherequisitesforablackguard。Hewasashopkeeperinwhomtherewassometaintofthemonster。SatanmusthaveoccasionallycroucheddowninsomecornerofthehovelinwhichThenardierdwelt，andhavefallena—dreaminginthepresenceofthishideousmasterpiece。
　　Afteramomentaryhesitation:——
　　"Bah！"hethought；"theywillhavetimetomaketheirescape。"
　　Andhepursuedhisroad，walkingrapidlystraightahead，andwithalmostanairofcertainty，withthesagacityofafoxscentingacoveyofpartridges。
　　Intruth，whenhehadpassedthepondsandhadtraversedinanobliquedirectionthelargeclearingwhichliesontherightoftheAvenuedeBellevue，andreachedthatturfalleywhichnearlymakesthecircuitofthehill，andcoversthearchoftheancientaqueductoftheAbbeyofChelles，hecaughtsight，overthetopofthebrushwood，ofthehatonwhichhehadalreadyerectedsomanyconjectures；itwasthatman’shat。Thebrushwoodwasnothigh。ThenardierrecognizedthefactthatthemanandCosetteweresittingthere。Thechildcouldnotbeseenonaccountofhersmallsize，buttheheadofherdollwasvisible。
　　Thenardierwasnotmistaken。Themanwassittingthere，andlettingCosettegetsomewhatrested。Theinn—keeperwalkedroundthebrushwoodandpresentedhimselfabruptlytotheeyesofthosewhomhewasinsearchof。
　　"Pardon，excuseme，sir，"hesaid，quitebreathless，"buthereareyourfifteenhundredfrancs。"
　　Sosaying，hehandedthestrangerthethreebank—bills。
　　Themanraisedhiseyes。
　　"Whatisthemeaningofthis？"
　　Thenardierrepliedrespectfully:——
　　"Itmeans，sir，thatIshalltakebackCosette。"
　　Cosetteshuddered，andpressedclosetotheoldman。
　　Hereplied，gazingtotheverybottomofThenardier’seyesthewhile，andenunciatingeverysyllabledistinctly:——
　　"Youarego—ingtotakebackCo—sette？"
　　"Yes，sir，Iam。Iwilltellyou；Ihaveconsideredthematter。
　　Infact，Ihavenottherighttogivehertoyou。Iamanhonestman，yousee；thischilddoesnotbelongtome；shebelongstohermother。
　　Itwashermotherwhoconfidedhertome；Icanonlyresignhertohermother。Youwillsaytome，`Buthermotherisdead。’
　　Good；inthatcaseIcanonlygivethechilduptothepersonwhoshallbringmeawriting，signedbyhermother，totheeffectthatIamtohandthechildovertothepersonthereinmentioned；
　　thatisclear。"
　　Theman，withoutmakinganyreply，fumbledinhispocket，andThenardierbeheldthepocket—bookofbank—billsmakeitsappearanceoncemore。
　　Thetavern—keepershiveredwithjoy。
　　"Good！"thoughthe；"letusholdfirm；heisgoingtobribeme！"
　　Beforeopeningthepocket—book，thetravellercastaglanceabouthim:
　　thespotwasabsolutelydeserted；therewasnotasouleitherinthewoodsorinthevalley。Themanopenedhispocket—bookoncemoreanddrewfromit，notthehandfulofbillswhichThenardierexpected，butasimplelittlepaper，whichheunfoldedandpresentedfullyopentotheinn—keeper，saying:——
　　"Youareright；read！"
　　Thenardiertookthepaperandread:——
　　"M。SURM。，March25，1823。
　　"MONSIEURTHENARDIER:——
　　YouwilldeliverCosettetothisperson。
　　Youwillbepaidforallthelittlethings。
　　Ihavethehonortosaluteyouwithrespect，FANTINE。"
　　"Youknowthatsignature？"resumedtheman。
　　ItcertainlywasFantine’ssignature；Thenardierrecognizedit。
　　Therewasnoreplytomake；heexperiencedtwoviolentvexations，thevexationofrenouncingthebriberywhichhehadhopedfor，andthevexationofbeingbeaten；themanadded:——
　　"Youmaykeepthispaperasyourreceipt。"
　　Thenardierretreatedintolerablygoodorder。
　　"Thissignatureisfairlywellimitated，"hegrowledbetweenhisteeth；
　　"however，letitgo！"
　　Thenheessayedadesperateeffort。
　　"Itiswell，sir，"hesaid，"sinceyouaretheperson，butImustbepaidforallthoselittlethings。Agreatdealisowingtome。"
　　Themanrosetohisfeet，fillipingthedustfromhisthread—baresleeve:——
　　"MonsieurThenardier，inJanuarylast，themotherreckonedthatsheowedyouonehundredandtwentyfrancs。InFebruary，yousentherabilloffivehundredfrancs；youreceivedthreehundredfrancsattheendofFebruary，andthreehundredfrancsatthebeginningofMarch。
　　Sincethenninemonthshaveelapsed，atfifteenfrancsamonth，thepriceagreedupon，whichmakesonehundredandthirty—fivefrancs。
　　Youhadreceivedonehundredfrancstoomuch；thatmakesthirty—fivestillowingyou。Ihavejustgivenyoufifteenhundredfrancs。"
　　Thenardier’ssensationswerethoseofthewolfatthemomentwhenhefeelshimselfnippedandseizedbythesteeljawofthetrap。
　　"Whoisthisdevilofaman？"hethought。
　　Hedidwhatthewolfdoes:heshookhimself。Audacityhadsucceededwithhimonce。
　　"Monsieur—I—don’t—know—your—name，"hesaidresolutely，andthistimecastingasideallrespectfulceremony，"IshalltakebackCosetteifyoudonotgivemeathousandcrowns。"
　　Thestrangersaidtranquilly:——
　　"Come，Cosette。"
　　HetookCosettebyhislefthand，andwithhisrighthepickeduphiscudgel，whichwaslyingontheground。
　　Thenardiernotedtheenormoussizeofthecudgelandthesolitudeofthespot。
　　Themanplungedintotheforestwiththechild，leavingtheinn—keepermotionlessandspeechless。
　　Whiletheywerewalkingaway，Thenardierscrutinizedhishugeshoulders，whichwerealittlerounded，andhisgreatfists。
　　Then，bringinghiseyesbacktohisownperson，theyfelluponhisfeeblearmsandhisthinhands。"Ireallymusthavebeenexceedinglystupidnottohavethoughttobringmygun，"hesaidtohimself，"sinceIwasgoinghunting！"
　　However，theinn—keeperdidnotgiveup。
　　"Iwanttoknowwhereheisgoing，"saidhe，andhesetouttofollowthematadistance。Twothingswereleftonhishands，anironyintheshapeofthepapersignedFantine，andaconsolation，thefifteenhundredfrancs。
　　ThemanledCosetteoffinthedirectionofLivryandBondy。
　　Hewalkedslowly，withdroopinghead，inanattitudeofreflectionandsadness。Thewinterhadthinnedouttheforest，sothatThenardierdidnotlosethemfromsight，althoughhekeptatagooddistance。
　　Themanturnedroundfromtimetotime，andlookedtoseeifhewasbeingfollowed。AllatoncehecaughtsightofThenardier。
　　HeplungedsuddenlyintothebrushwoodwithCosette，wheretheycouldbothhidethemselves。"Thedeuce！"saidThenardier，andheredoubledhispace。
　　Thethicknessoftheundergrowthforcedhimtodrawnearertothem。
　　Whenthemanhadreachedthedensestpartofthethicket，hewheeledround。ItwasinvainthatThenardiersoughttoconcealhimselfinthebranches；hecouldnotpreventthemanseeinghim。
　　Themancastuponhimanuneasyglance，thenelevatedhisheadandcontinuedhiscourse。Theinn—keepersetoutagaininpursuit。
　　Thustheycontinuedfortwoorthreehundredpaces。Allatoncethemanturnedroundoncemore；hesawtheinn—keeper。ThistimehegazedathimwithsosombreanairthatThenardierdecidedthatitwas"useless"toproceedfurther。Thenardierretracedhissteps。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　NUMBER9，430REAPPEARS，ANDCOSETTEWINSITINTHELOTTERY
　　JeanValjeanwasnotdead。
　　Whenhefellintothesea，orrather，whenhethrewhimselfintoit，hewasnotironed，aswehaveseen。Heswamunderwateruntilhereachedavesselatanchor，towhichaboatwasmoored。
　　Hefoundmeansofhidinghimselfinthisboatuntilnight。
　　Atnightheswamoffagain，andreachedtheshorealittlewayfromCapeBrun。There，ashedidnotlackmoney，heprocuredclothing。
　　Asmallcountry—houseintheneighborhoodofBalaguierwasatthattimethedressing—roomofescapedconvicts，——alucrativespecialty。
　　ThenJeanValjean，likeallthesorryfugitiveswhoareseekingtoevadethevigilanceofthelawandsocialfatality，pursuedanobscureandundulatingitinerary。HefoundhisfirstrefugeatPradeaux，nearBeausset。ThenhedirectedhiscoursetowardsGrand—Villard，nearBriancon，intheHautes—Alpes。Itwasafumblinganduneasyflight，——
　　amole’strack，whosebranchingsareuntraceable。Lateron，sometraceofhispassageintoAin，intheterritoryofCivrieux，wasdiscovered；
　　inthePyrenees，atAccons；atthespotcalledGrange—de—Doumec，nearthemarketofChavailles，andintheenvironsofPerigueuxatBrunies，cantonofLaChapelle—Gonaguet。HereachedParis。
　　WehavejustseenhimatMontfermeil。
　　HisfirstcareonarrivinginParishadbeentobuymourningclothesforalittlegirloffromseventoeightyearsofage；thentoprocurealodging。Thatdone，hehadbetakenhimselftoMontfermeil。
　　Itwillberememberedthatalready，duringhisprecedingescape，hehadmadeamysterioustripthither，orsomewhereinthatneighborhood，ofwhichthelawhadgatheredaninkling。
　　However，hewasthoughttobedead，andthisstillfurtherincreasedtheobscuritywhichhadgatheredabouthim。AtParis，oneofthejournalswhichchronicledthefactfellintohishands。
　　Hefeltreassuredandalmostatpeace，asthoughhehadreallybeendead。
　　OntheeveningofthedaywhenJeanValjeanrescuedCosettefromtheclawsoftheThenardiers，hereturnedtoParis。Here—entereditatnightfall，withthechild，bywayoftheBarrierMonceaux。
　　Thereheenteredacabriolet，whichtookhimtotheesplanadeoftheObservatoire。Therehegotout，paidthecoachman，tookCosettebythehand，andtogethertheydirectedtheirstepsthroughthedarkness，——throughthedesertedstreetswhichadjointheOurcineandtheGlaciere，towardstheBoulevarddel’Hopital。
　　ThedayhadbeenstrangeandfilledwithemotionsforCosette。
　　Theyhadeatensomebreadandcheesepurchasedinisolatedtaverns，behindhedges；theyhadchangedcarriagesfrequently；theyhadtravelledshortdistancesonfoot。Shemadenocomplaint，butshewasweary，andJeanValjeanperceiveditbythewayshedraggedmoreandmoreonhishandasshewalked。Hetookheronhisback。
　　Cosette，withoutlettinggoofCatherine，laidherheadonJeanValjean’sshoulder，andtherefellasleep。
　　BOOKFOURTH。——THEGORBEAUHOVEL
　　CHAPTERI
　　MASTERGORBEAU
　　Fortyyearsago，aramblerwhohadventuredintothatunknowncountryoftheSalpetriere，andwhohadmountedtotheBarriered’Italiebywayoftheboulevard，reachedapointwhereitmightbesaidthatParisdisappeared。Itwasnolongersolitude，fortherewerepassers—by；itwasnotthecountry，fortherewerehousesandstreets；itwasnotthecity，forthestreetshadrutslikehighways，andthegrassgrewinthem；itwasnotavillage，thehousesweretoolofty。Whatwasit，then？Itwasaninhabitedspotwheretherewasnoone；itwasadesertplacewheretherewassomeone；itwasaboulevardofthegreatcity，astreetofParis；
　　morewildatnightthantheforest，moregloomybydaythanacemetery。
　　ItwastheoldquarteroftheMarche—aux—Chevaux。
　　Therambler，ifheriskedhimselfoutsidethefourdecrepitwallsofthisMarche—aux—Chevaux；ifheconsentedeventopassbeyondtheRueduPetit—Banquier，afterleavingonhisrightagardenprotectedbyhighwalls；thenafieldinwhichtan—barkmillsroselikegiganticbeaverhuts；thenanenclosureencumberedwithtimber，withaheapofstumps，sawdust，andshavings，onwhichstoodalargedog，barking；thenalong，low，utterlydilapidatedwall，withalittleblackdoorinmourning，ladenwithmosses，whichwerecoveredwithflowersinthespring；then，inthemostdesertedspot，afrightfulanddecrepitbuilding，onwhichrantheinscriptioninlargeletters:POSTNOBILLS，——thisdaringramblerwouldhavereachedlittleknownlatitudesatthecorneroftheRuedesVignes—Saint—Marcel。There，nearafactory，andbetweentwogardenwalls，therecouldbeseen，atthatepoch，ameanbuilding，which，atthefirstglance，seemedassmallasathatchedhovel，andwhichwas，inreality，aslargeasacathedral。
　　Itpresenteditssideandgabletothepublicroad；henceitsapparentdiminutiveness。Nearlythewholeofthehousewashidden。
　　Onlythedoorandonewindowcouldbeseen。
　　Thishovelwasonlyonestoryhigh。
　　Thefirstdetailthatstrucktheobserverwas，thatthedoorcouldneverhavebeenanythingbutthedoorofahovel，whilethewindow，ifithadbeencarvedoutofdressedstoneinsteadofbeinginroughmasonry，mighthavebeenthelatticeofalordlymansion。
　　Thedoorwasnothingbutacollectionofworm—eatenplanksroughlyboundtogetherbycross—beamswhichresembledroughlyhewnlogs。
　　Itopeneddirectlyonasteepstaircaseofloftysteps，muddy，chalky，plaster—stained，dustysteps，ofthesamewidthasitself，whichcouldbeseenfromthestreet，runningstraightuplikealadderanddisappearinginthedarknessbetweentwowalls。Thetopoftheshapelessbayintowhichthisdoorshutwasmaskedbyanarrowscantlinginthecentreofwhichatriangularholehadbeensawed，whichservedbothaswicketandair—holewhenthedoorwasclosed。
　　Ontheinsideofthedoorthefigures52hadbeentracedwithacoupleofstrokesofabrushdippedinink，andabovethescantlingthesamehandhaddaubedthenumber50，sothatonehesitated。
　　Wherewasone？Abovethedooritsaid，"Number50"；theinsidereplied，"no，Number52。"Nooneknowswhatdust—coloredfiguresweresuspendedlikedraperiesfromthetriangularopening。
　　Thewindowwaslarge，sufficientlyelevated，garnishedwithVenetianblinds，andwithaframeinlargesquarepanes；
　　onlytheselargepanesweresufferingfromvariouswounds，whichwerebothconcealedandbetrayedbyaningeniouspaperbandage。
　　Andtheblinds，dislocatedandunpasted，threatenedpassers—byratherthanscreenedtheoccupants。Thehorizontalslatsweremissinghereandthereandhadbeennaivelyreplacedwithboardsnailedonperpendicularly；sothatwhatbeganasablindendedasashutter。Thisdoorwithanunclean，andthiswindowwithanhonestthoughdilapidatedair，thusbeheldonthesamehouse，producedtheeffectoftwoincompletebeggarswalkingsidebyside，withdifferentmiensbeneaththesamerags，theonehavingalwaysbeenamendicant，andtheotherhavingoncebeenagentleman。
　　Thestaircaseledtoaveryvastedificewhichresembledashedwhichhadbeenconvertedintoahouse。Thisedificehad，foritsintestinaltube，alongcorridor，onwhichopenedtorightandleftsortsofcompartmentsofvarieddimensionswhichwereinhabitableunderstressofcircumstances，andrathermorelikestallsthancells。
　　Thesechambersreceivedtheirlightfromthevaguewastegroundsintheneighborhood。
　　Allthiswasdark，disagreeable，wan，melancholy，sepulchral；
　　traversedaccordingasthecreviceslayintherooforinthedoor，bycoldraysorbyicywinds。Aninterestingandpicturesquepeculiarityofthissortofdwellingistheenormoussizeofthespiders。
　　Totheleftoftheentrancedoor，ontheboulevardside，atabouttheheightofamanfromtheground，asmallwindowwhichhadbeenwalledupformedasquarenichefullofstoneswhichthechildrenhadthrownthereastheypassedby。
　　Aportionofthisbuildinghasrecentlybeendemolished。
　　Fromwhatstillremainsofitonecanformajudgmentastowhatitwasinformerdays。Asawhole，itwasnotoverahundredyearsold。
　　Ahundredyearsisyouthinachurchandageinahouse。
　　Itseemsasthoughman’slodgingpartookofhisephemeralcharacter，andGod’shouseofhiseternity。
　　ThepostmencalledthehouseNumber50—52；butitwasknownintheneighborhoodastheGorbeauhouse。
　　Letusexplainwhencethisappellationwasderived。
　　Collectorsofpettydetails，whobecomeherbalistsofanecdotes，andprickslipperydatesintotheirmemorieswithapin，knowthattherewasinParis，duringthelastcentury，about1770，twoattorneysattheChateletnamed，oneCorbeau（Raven），theotherRenard（Fox）。ThetwonameshadbeenforestalledbyLaFontaine。
　　Theopportunitywastoofineforthelawyers；theymadethemostofit。
　　Aparodywasimmediatelyputincirculationinthegalleriesofthecourt—house，inversesthatlimpedalittle:——
　　MaitreCorbeau，surundossierperche，[13]
　　Tenaitdanssonbeeunesaisieexecutoire；
　　MaitreRenard，parl’odeuralleche，Luifitapeuprescettehistoire:
　　He！bonjour。Etc。
　　[13]LawyerCorbeau，perchedonadocket，heldinhisbeakawritofexecution；LawyerRenard，attractedbythesmell，addressedhimnearlyasfollows，etc。
　　Thetwohonestpractitioners，embarrassedbythejests，andfindingthebearingoftheirheadsinterferedwithbytheshoutsoflaughterwhichfollowedthem，resolvedtogetridoftheirnames，andhitupontheexpedientofapplyingtotheking。
　　TheirpetitionwaspresentedtoLouisXV。onthesamedaywhenthePapalNuncio，ontheonehand，andtheCardinaldelaRoche—Aymonontheother，bothdevoutlykneeling，wereeachengagedinputtingon，inhisMajesty’spresence，aslipperonthebarefeetofMadameduBarry，whohadjustgotoutofbed。Theking，whowaslaughing，continuedtolaugh，passedgaylyfromthetwobishopstothetwolawyers，andbestowedontheselimbsofthelawtheirformernames，ornearlyso。Bythekingscommand，MaitreCorbeauwaspermittedtoaddatailtohisinitialletterandtocallhimselfGorbeau。
　　MaitreRenardwaslesslucky；allheobtainedwasleavetoplaceaP
　　infrontofhisR，andtocallhimselfPrenard；sothatthesecondnameborealmostasmuchresemblanceasthefirst。
　　Now，accordingtolocaltradition，thisMaitreGorbeauhadbeentheproprietorofthebuildingnumbered50—52ontheBoulevarddel’Hopital。Hewaseventheauthorofthemonumentalwindow。
　　HencetheedificeborethenameoftheGorbeauhouse。
　　Oppositethishouse，amongthetreesoftheboulevard，roseagreatelmwhichwasthree—quartersdead；almostdirectlyfacingitopenstheRuedelaBarrieredesGobelins，astreetthenwithouthouses，unpaved，plantedwithunhealthytrees，whichwasgreenormuddyaccordingtotheseason，andwhichendedsquarelyintheexteriorwallofParis。Anodorofcopperasissuedinpuffsfromtheroofsoftheneighboringfactory。
　　Thebarrierwascloseathand。In1823thecitywallwasstillinexistence。
　　Thisbarrieritselfevokedgloomyfanciesinthemind。ItwastheroadtoBicetre。Itwasthroughitthat，undertheEmpireandtheRestoration，prisonerscondemnedtodeathre—enteredParisonthedayoftheirexecution。Itwasthere，that，about1829，wascommittedthatmysteriousassassination，called"TheassassinationoftheFontainebleaubarrier，"whoseauthorsjusticewasneverabletodiscover；amelancholyproblemwhichhasneverbeenelucidated，afrightfulenigmawhichhasneverbeenunriddled。Takeafewsteps，andyoucomeuponthatfatalRueCroulebarbe，whereUlbachstabbedthegoat—girlofIvrytothesoundofthunder，asinthemelodramas。
　　Afewpacesmore，andyouarriveattheabominablepollardedelmsoftheBarriereSaint—Jacques，thatexpedientofthephilanthropisttoconcealthescaffold，thatmiserableandshamefulPlacedeGroveofashop—keepingandbourgeoissociety，whichrecoiledbeforethedeathpenalty，neitherdaringtoabolishitwithgrandeur，nortoupholditwithauthority。
　　LeavingasidethisPlaceSaint—Jacques，whichwas，asitwere，predestined，andwhichhasalwaysbeenhorrible，probablythemostmournfulspotonthatmournfulboulevard，sevenandthirtyyearsago，wasthespotwhichevento—dayissounattractive，wherestoodthebuildingNumber50—52。
　　Bourgeoishousesonlybegantospringuptheretwenty—fiveyearslater。
　　Theplacewasunpleasant。Inadditiontothegloomythoughtswhichassailedonethere，onewasconsciousofbeingbetweentheSalpetriere，aglimpseofwhosedomecouldbeseen，andBicetre，whoseoutskirtsonewasfairlytouching；thatistosay，betweenthemadnessofwomenandthemadnessofmen。Asfarastheeyecouldsee，onecouldperceivenothingbuttheabattoirs，thecitywall，andthefrontsofafewfactories，resemblingbarracksormonasteries；everywhereaboutstoodhovels，rubbish，ancientwallsblackenedlikecerecloths，newwhitewallslikewinding—sheets；everywhereparallelrowsoftrees，buildingserectedonaline，flatconstructions，long，coldrows，andthemelancholysadnessofrightangles。Notanunevennessoftheground，notacapriceinthearchitecture，notafold。
　　Theensemblewasglacial，regular，hideous。Nothingoppressestheheartlikesymmetry。Itisbecausesymmetryisennui，andennuiisattheveryfoundationofgrief。Despairyawns。
　　Somethingmoreterriblethanahellwhereonesuffersmaybeimagined，andthatisahellwhereoneisbored。Ifsuchahellexisted，thatbitoftheBoulevarddel’Hopitalmighthaveformedtheentrancetoit。
　　Nevertheless，atnightfall，atthemomentwhenthedaylightisvanishing，especiallyinwinter，atthehourwhenthetwilightbreezetearsfromtheelmstheirlastrussetleaves，whenthedarknessisdeepandstarless，orwhenthemoonandthewindaremakingopeningsinthecloudsandlosingthemselvesintheshadows，thisboulevardsuddenlybecomesfrightful。Theblacklinessinkinwardsandarelostintheshades，likemorselsoftheinfinite。
　　Thepasser—bycannotrefrainfromrecallingtheinnumerabletraditionsoftheplacewhichareconnectedwiththegibbet。
　　Thesolitudeofthisspot，wheresomanycrimeshavebeencommitted，hadsomethingterribleaboutit。Onealmosthadapresentimentofmeetingwithtrapsinthatdarkness；alltheconfusedformsofthedarknessseemedsuspicious，andthelong，hollowsquare，ofwhichonecaughtaglimpsebetweeneachtree，seemedgraves:
　　bydayitwasugly；intheeveningmelancholy；bynightitwassinister。
　　Insummer，attwilight，onesaw，hereandthere，afewoldwomenseatedatthefootoftheelm，onbenchesmouldywithrain。
　　Thesegoodoldwomenwerefondofbegging。
　　However，thisquarter，whichhadasuperannuatedratherthananantiqueair，wastendingeventhentotransformation。Evenatthattimeanyonewhowasdesirousofseeingithadtomakehaste。
　　Eachdaysomedetailofthewholeeffectwasdisappearing。
　　ForthelasttwentyyearsthestationoftheOrleansrailwayhasstoodbesidetheoldfaubourganddistractedit，asitdoesto—day。Whereveritisplacedonthebordersofacapital，arailwaystationisthedeathofasuburbandthebirthofacity。
　　Itseemsasthough，aroundthesegreatcentresofthemovementsofapeople，theearth，fullofgerms，trembledandyawned，toengulftheancientdwellingsofmenandtoallownewonestospringforth，attherattleofthesepowerfulmachines，atthebreathofthesemonstroushorsesofcivilizationwhichdevourcoalandvomitfire。
　　Theoldhousescrumbleandnewonesrise。
　　SincetheOrleansrailwayhasinvadedtheregionoftheSalpetriere，theancient，narrowstreetswhichadjointhemoatsSaint—VictorandtheJardindesPlantestremble，astheyareviolentlytraversedthreeorfourtimeseachdaybythosecurrentsofcoachfiacresandomnibuseswhich，inagiventime，crowdbackthehousestotherightandtheleft；fortherearethingswhichareoddwhensaidthatarerigorouslyexact；andjustasitistruetosaythatinlargecitiesthesunmakesthesouthernfrontsofhousestovegetateandgrow，itiscertainthatthefrequentpassageofvehiclesenlargesstreets。Thesymptomsofanewlifeareevident。
　　Inthisoldprovincialquarter，inthewildestnooks，thepavementshowsitself，thesidewalksbegintocrawlandtogrowlonger，evenwherethereareasyetnopedestrians。Onemorning，——amemorablemorninginJuly，1845，——blackpotsofbitumenwereseensmokingthere；
　　onthatdayitmightbesaidthatcivilizationhadarrivedintheRuedel’Ourcine，andthatParishadenteredthesuburbofSaint—Marceau。
　　CHAPTERII
　　ANESTFOROWLANDAWARBLER
　　ItwasinfrontofthisGorbeauhousethatJeanValjeanhalted。
　　Likewildbirds，hehadchosenthisdesertplacetoconstructhisnest。
　　Hefumbledinhiswaistcoatpocket，drewoutasortofapass—key，openedthedoor，entered，closeditagaincarefully，andascendedthestaircase，stillcarryingCosette。
　　Atthetopofthestairshedrewfromhispocketanotherkey，withwhichheopenedanotherdoor。Thechamberwhichheentered，andwhichheclosedagaininstantly，wasakindofmoderatelyspaciousattic，furnishedwithamattresslaidonthefloor，atable，andseveralchairs；astoveinwhichafirewasburning，andwhoseemberswerevisible，stoodinonecorner。Alanternontheboulevardcastavaguelightintothispoorroom。
　　Attheextremeendtherewasadressing—roomwithafoldingbed；
　　JeanValjeancarriedthechildtothisbedandlaidherdowntherewithoutwakingher。
　　Hestruckamatchandlightedacandle。Allthiswaspreparedbeforehandonthetable，and，ashehaddoneonthepreviousevening，hebegantoscrutinizeCosette’sfacewithagazefullofecstasy，inwhichtheexpressionofkindnessandtendernessalmostamountedtoaberration。Thelittlegirl，withthattranquilconfidencewhichbelongsonlytoextremestrengthandextremeweakness，hadfallenasleepwithoutknowingwithwhomshewas，andcontinuedtosleepwithoutknowingwhereshewas。
　　JeanValjeanbentdownandkissedthatchild’shand。
　　Ninemonthsbeforehehadkissedthehandofthemother，whohadalsojustfallenasleep。
　　Thesamesad，piercing，religioussentimentfilledhisheart。
　　HekneltbesideCosette’sbed。
　　ltwasbroaddaylight，andthechildstillslept。AwanrayoftheDecembersunpenetratedthewindowoftheatticandlayupontheceilinginlongthreadsoflightandshade。Allatonceaheavilyladencarrier’scart，whichwaspassingalongtheboulevard，shookthefrailbed，likeaclapofthunder，andmadeitquiverfromtoptobottom。
　　"Yes，madame！"criedCosette，wakingwithastart，"hereIam！
　　hereIam！"
　　Andshesprangoutofbed，hereyesstillhalfshutwiththeheavinessofsleep，extendingherarmstowardsthecornerofthewall。
　　"Ah！monDieu，mybroom！"saidshe。
　　Sheopenedhereyeswidenow，andbeheldthesmilingcountenanceofJeanValjean。
　　"Ah！soitistrue！"saidthechild。"Goodmorning，Monsieur。"
　　Childrenacceptjoyandhappinessinstantlyandfamiliarly，beingthemselvesbynaturejoyandhappiness。
　　CosettecaughtsightofCatherineatthefootofherbed，andtookpossessionofher，and，assheplayed，sheputahundredquestionstoJeanValjean。Wherewasshe？WasParisverylarge？
　　WasMadameThenardierveryfaraway？Wasshetogoback？etc。，etc。
　　Allatoncesheexclaimed，"Howprettyitishere！"
　　Itwasafrightfulhole，butshefeltfree。
　　"MustIsweep？"sheresumedatlast。
　　"Play！"saidJeanValjean。
　　Thedaypassedthus。Cosette，withouttroublingherselftounderstandanything，wasinexpressiblyhappywiththatdollandthatkindman。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　TWOMISFORTUNESMAKEONEPIECEOFGOODFORTUNE
　　Onthefollowingmorning，atdaybreak，JeanValjeanwasstillbyCosette’sbedside；hewatchedtheremotionless，waitingforhertowake。
　　Somenewthinghadcomeintohissoul。
　　JeanValjeanhadneverlovedanything；fortwenty—fiveyearshehadbeenaloneintheworld。Hehadneverbeenfather，lover，husband，friend。
　　Intheprisonhehadbeenvicious，gloomy，chaste，ignorant，andshy。Theheartofthatex—convictwasfullofvirginity。
　　Hissisterandhissister’schildrenhadlefthimonlyavagueandfar—offmemorywhichhadfinallyalmostcompletelyvanished；
　　hehadmadeeveryefforttofindthem，andnothavingbeenabletofindthem，hehadforgottenthem。Humannatureismadethus；
　　theothertenderemotionsofhisyouth，ifhehadeverhadany，hadfallenintoanabyss。
　　WhenhesawCosette，whenhehadtakenpossessionofher，carriedheroff，anddeliveredher，hefelthisheartmovedwithinhim。
　　Allthepassionandaffectionwithinhimawoke，andrushedtowardsthatchild。Heapproachedthebed，whereshelaysleeping，andtrembledwithjoy。Hesufferedallthepangsofamother，andheknewnotwhatitmeant；forthatgreatandsingularmovementofaheartwhichbeginstoloveisaveryobscureandaverysweetthing。
　　Pooroldman，withaperfectlynewheart！
　　Only，ashewasfiveandfifty，andCosetteeightyearsofage，allthatmighthavebeenloveinthewholecourseofhislifeflowedtogetherintoasortofineffablelight。
　　Itwasthesecondwhiteapparitionwhichhehadencountered。
　　TheBishophadcausedthedawnofvirtuetoriseonhishorizon；
　　Cosettecausedthedawnoflovetorise。
　　Theearlydayspassedinthisdazzledstate。
　　Cosette，onherside，hadalso，unknowntoherself，becomeanotherbeing，poorlittlething！Shewassolittlewhenhermotherlefther，thatshenolongerrememberedher。Likeallchildren，whoresembleyoungshootsofthevine，whichclingtoeverything，shehadtriedtolove；shehadnotsucceeded。Allhadrepulsedher，——
　　theThenardiers，theirchildren，otherchildren。Shehadlovedthedog，andhehaddied，afterwhichnothingandnobodywouldhaveanythingtodowithher。Itisasadthingtosay，andwehavealreadyintimatedit，that，ateightyearsofage，herheartwascold。
　　Itwasnotherfault；itwasnotthefacultyoflovingthatshelacked；
　　alas！itwasthepossibility。Thus，fromtheveryfirstday，allhersentientandthinkingpowerslovedthiskindman。Shefeltthatwhichshehadneverfeltbefore——asensationofexpansion。
　　Themannolongerproducedonhertheeffectofbeingoldorpoor；
　　shethoughtJeanValjeanhandsome，justasshethoughtthehovelpretty。
　　Thesearetheeffectsofthedawn，ofchildhood，ofjoy。Thenoveltyoftheearthandoflifecountsforsomethinghere。Nothingissocharmingasthecoloringreflectionofhappinessonagarret。
　　Weallhaveinourpastadelightfulgarret。
　　Nature，adifferenceoffiftyyears，hadsetaprofoundgulfbetweenJeanValjeanandCosette；destinyfilledinthisgulf。
　　Destinysuddenlyunitedandweddedwithitsirresistiblepowerthesetwouprootedexistences，differinginage，alikeinsorrow。
　　One，infact，completedtheother。Cosette’sinstinctsoughtafather，asJeanValjean’sinstinctsoughtachild。Tomeetwastofindeachother。Atthemysteriousmomentwhentheirhandstouched，theywereweldedtogether。Whenthesetwosoulsperceivedeachother，theyrecognizedeachotherasnecessarytoeachother，andembracedeachotherclosely。
　　Takingthewordsintheirmostcomprehensiveandabsolutesense，wemaysaythat，separatedfromeveryonebythewallsofthetomb，JeanValjeanwasthewidower，andCosettewastheorphan:
　　thissituationcausedJeanValjeantobecomeCosette’sfatherafteracelestialfashion。
　　Andintruth，themysteriousimpressionproducedonCosetteinthedepthsoftheforestofChellesbythehandofJeanValjeangraspinghersinthedarkwasnotanillusion，butareality。
　　TheentranceofthatmanintothedestinyofthatchildhadbeentheadventofGod。
　　Moreover，JeanValjeanhadchosenhisrefugewell。Thereheseemedperfectlysecure。
　　Thechamberwithadressing—room，whichheoccupiedwithCosette，wastheonewhosewindowopenedontheboulevard。Thisbeingtheonlywindowinthehouse，noneighbors’glancesweretobefearedfromacrossthewayorattheside。
　　Theground—floorofNumber50—52，asortofdilapidatedpenthouse，servedasawagon—houseformarket—gardeners，andnocommunicationexistedbetweenitandthefirststory。Itwasseparatedbytheflooring，whichhadneithertrapsnorstairs，andwhichformedthediaphragmofthebuilding，asitwere。Thefirststorycontained，aswehavesaid，numerouschambersandseveralattics，onlyoneofwhichwasoccupiedbytheoldwomanwhotookchargeofJeanValjean’shousekeeping；alltherestwasuninhabited。
　　Itwasthisoldwoman，ornamentedwiththenameoftheprincipallodger，andinrealityintrustedwiththefunctionsofportress，whohadlethimthelodgingonChristmaseve。HehadrepresentedhimselftoherasagentlemanofmeanswhohadbeenruinedbySpanishbonds，whowascomingtheretolivewithhislittledaughter。
　　Hehadpaidhersixmonthsinadvance，andhadcommissionedtheoldwomantofurnishthechamberanddressing—room，aswehaveseen。
　　Itwasthisgoodwomanwhohadlightedthefireinthestove，andpreparedeverythingontheeveningoftheirarrival。
　　Weekfollowedweek；thesetwobeingsledahappylifeinthathovel。
　　Cosettelaughed，chattered，andsangfromdaybreak。Childrenhavetheirmorningsongaswellasbirds。
　　ItsometimeshappenedthatJeanValjeanclaspedhertinyredhand，allcrackedwithchilblains，andkissedit。Thepoorchild，whowasusedtobeingbeaten，didnotknowthemeaningofthis，andranawayinconfusion。
　　Attimesshebecameseriousandstaredatherlittleblackgown。
　　Cosettewasnolongerinrags；shewasinmourning。Shehademergedfrommisery，andshewasenteringintolife。
　　JeanValjeanhadundertakentoteachhertoread。Sometimes，ashemadethechildspell，herememberedthatitwaswiththeideaofdoingevilthathehadlearnedtoreadinprison。Thisideahadendedinteachingachildtoread。Thentheex—convictsmiledwiththepensivesmileoftheangels。
　　Hefeltinitapremeditationfromonhigh，thewillofsomeonewhowasnotman，andhebecameabsorbedinrevery。Goodthoughtshavetheirabyssesaswellasevilones。
　　ToteachCosettetoread，andtoletherplay，thisconstitutednearlythewholeofJeanValjean’sexistence。Andthenhetalkedofhermother，andhemadeherpray。
　　Shecalledhimfather，andknewnoothernameforhim。
　　Hepassedhoursinwatchingherdressingandundressingherdoll，andinlisteningtoherprattle。Life，henceforth，appearedtohimtobefullofinterest；menseemedtohimgoodandjust；
　　henolongerreproachedanyoneinthought；hesawnoreasonwhyheshouldnotlivetobeaveryoldman，nowthatthischildlovedhim。
　　Hesawawholefuturestretchingoutbeforehim，illuminatedbyCosetteasbyacharminglight。Thebestofusarenotexemptfromegotisticalthoughts。Attimes，hereflectedwithasortofjoythatshewouldbeugly。
　　Thisisonlyapersonalopinion；but，toutterourwholethought，atthepointwhereJeanValjeanhadarrivedwhenhebegantoloveCosette，itisbynomeanscleartousthathedidnotneedthisencouragementinorderthathemightpersevereinwell—doing。Hehadjustviewedthemaliceofmenandthemiseryofsocietyunderanewaspect——
　　incompleteaspects，whichunfortunatelyonlyexhibitedonesideofthetruth，thefateofwomanassummedupinFantine，andpublicauthorityaspersonifiedinJavert。Hehadreturnedtoprison，thistimeforhavingdoneright；hehadquaffedfreshbitterness；
　　disgustandlassitudewereoverpoweringhim；eventhememoryoftheBishopprobablysufferedatemporaryeclipse，thoughsuretoreappearlateronluminousandtriumphant；but，afterall，thatsacredmemorywasgrowingdim。WhoknowswhetherJeanValjeanhadnotbeenontheeveofgrowingdiscouragedandoffallingoncemore？
　　Helovedandgrewstrongagain。Alas！hewalkedwithnolessindecisionthanCosette。Heprotectedher，andshestrengthenedhim。
　　Thankstohim，shecouldwalkthroughlife；thankstoher，hecouldcontinueinvirtue。Hewasthatchild’sstay，andshewashisprop。Oh，unfathomableanddivinemysteryofthebalancesofdestiny！