Heturned。Arayofmoonlightoutlinedhisprofile，andJeanValjeanrecognizedoldFauchelevent。
　　"Ah！"saidJeanValjean，"soitisyou？Yes，Irecollectyou。"
　　"Thatisverylucky，"saidtheoldman，inareproachfultone。
　　"Andwhatareyoudoinghere？"resumedJeanValjean。
　　"Why，Iamcoveringmymelons，ofcourse！"
　　Infact，atthemomentwhenJeanValjeanaccostedhim，oldFaucheleventheldinhishandtheendofastrawmatwhichhewasoccupiedinspreadingoverthemelonbed。Duringthehourorthereaboutsthathehadbeeninthegardenhehadalreadyspreadoutanumberofthem。
　　ItwasthisoperationwhichhadcausedhimtoexecutethepeculiarmovementsobservedfromtheshedbyJeanValjean。
　　Hecontinued:——
　　"Isaidtomyself，`Themoonisbright:itisgoingtofreeze。
　　WhatifIweretoputmymelonsintotheirgreatcoats？’And，"headded，lookingatJeanValjeanwithabroadsmile，——"pardieu！yououghttohavedonethesame！Buthowdoyoucomehere？"
　　JeanValjean，findinghimselfknowntothisman，atleastonlyunderthenameofMadeleine，thenceforthadvancedonlywithcaution。
　　Hemultipliedhisquestions。Strangetosay，theirrolesseemedtobereversed。Itwashe，theintruder，whointerrogated。
　　"Andwhatisthisbellwhichyouwearonyourknee？"
　　"This，"repliedFauchelevent，"issothatImaybeavoided。"
　　"What！sothatyoumaybeavoided？"
　　OldFaucheleventwinkedwithanindescribableair。
　　"Ah，goodness！thereareonlywomeninthishouse——manyyounggirls。
　　ItappearsthatIshouldbeadangerouspersontomeet。Thebellgivesthemwarning。WhenIcome，theygo。
　　"Whathouseisthis？"
　　"Come，youknowwellenough。"
　　"ButIdonot。"
　　"Notwhenyougotmetheplacehereasgardener？"
　　"AnswermeasthoughIknewnothing。"
　　"Well，then，thisisthePetit—Picpusconvent。"
　　MemoriesrecurredtoJeanValjean。Chance，thatistosay，Providence，hadcasthimintopreciselythatconventintheQuartierSaint—AntoinewhereoldFauchelevent，crippledbythefallfromhiscart，hadbeenadmittedonhisrecommendationtwoyearspreviously。
　　Herepeated，asthoughtalkingtohimself:——
　　"ThePetit—Picpusconvent。"
　　"Exactly，"returnedoldFauchelevent。"Buttocometothepoint，howthedeucedidyoumanagetogetinhere，you，FatherMadeleine？
　　Nomatterifyouareasaint；youareamanaswell，andnomanentershere。"
　　"Youcertainlyarehere。"
　　"Thereisnoonebutme。"
　　"Still，"saidJeanValjean，"Imuststayhere。"
　　"Ah，goodGod！"criedFauchelevent。
　　JeanValjeandrewneartotheoldman，andsaidtohiminagravevoice:——
　　"FatherFauchelevent，Isavedyourlife。"
　　"Iwasthefirsttorecallit，"returnedFauchelevent。
　　"Well，youcandoto—dayformethatwhichIdidforyouintheoldendays。"
　　Faucheleventtookinhisaged，trembling，andwrinkledhandsJeanValjean’stworobusthands，andstoodforseveralminutesasthoughincapableofspeaking。Atlengthheexclaimed:——
　　"Oh！thatwouldbeablessingfromthegoodGod，ifIcouldmakeyousomelittlereturnforthat！Saveyourlife！MonsieurleMaire，disposeoftheoldman！"
　　Awonderfuljoyhadtransfiguredthisoldman。Hiscountenanceseemedtoemitarayoflight。
　　"Whatdoyouwishmetodo？"heresumed。
　　"ThatIwillexplaintoyou。Youhaveachamber？"
　　"Ihaveanisolatedhovelyonder，behindtheruinsoftheoldconvent，inacornerwhichnooneeverlooksinto。Therearethreeroomsinit。"
　　Thehutwas，infact，sowellhiddenbehindtheruins，andsocleverlyarrangedtopreventitbeingseen，thatJeanValjeanhadnotperceivedit。
　　"Good，"saidJeanValjean。"NowIamgoingtoasktwothingsofyou。"
　　"Whatarethey，Mr。Mayor？"
　　"Inthefirstplace，youarenottotellanyonewhatyouknowaboutme。
　　Inthesecond，youarenottotrytofindoutanythingmore。"
　　"Asyouplease。Iknowthatyoucandonothingthatisnothonest，thatyouhavealwaysbeenamanafterthegoodGod’sheart。
　　Andthen，moreover，youitwaswhoplacedmehere。Thatconcernsyou。
　　Iamatyourservice。"
　　"Thatissettledthen。Now，comewithme。Wewillgoandgetthechild。"
　　"Ah！"saidFauchelevent，"sothereisachild？"
　　Headdednotawordfurther，andfollowedJeanValjeanasadogfollowshismaster。
　　LessthanhalfanhourafterwardsCosette，whohadgrownrosyagainbeforetheflameofagoodfire，waslyingasleepintheoldgardener’sbed。JeanValjeanhadputonhiscravatandcoatoncemore；hishat，whichhehadflungoverthewall，hadbeenfoundandpickedup。WhileJeanValjeanwasputtingonhiscoat，Faucheleventhadremovedthebellandkneecap，whichnowhungonanailbesideavintagebasketthatadornedthewall。ThetwomenwerewarmingthemselveswiththeirelbowsrestingonatableuponwhichFaucheleventhadplacedabitofcheese，blackbread，abottleofwine，andtwoglasses，andtheoldmanwassayingtoJeanValjean，ashelaidhishandonthelatter’sknee:"Ah！FatherMadeleine！
　　Youdidnotrecognizemeimmediately；yousavepeople’slives，andthenyouforgetthem！Thatisbad！Buttheyrememberyou！
　　Youareaningrate！"
　　CHAPTERX
　　WHICHEXPLAINSHOWJAVERTGOTONTHESCENT
　　Theeventsofwhichwehavejustbeheldthereverseside，sotospeak，hadcomeaboutinthesimplestpossiblemanner。
　　WhenJeanValjean，ontheeveningoftheverydaywhenJaverthadarrestedhimbesideFantine’sdeath—bed，hadescapedfromthetownjailofM。surM。，thepolicehadsupposedthathehadbetakenhimselftoParis。Parisisamaelstromwhereeverythingislost，andeverythingdisappearsinthisbellyoftheworld，asinthebellyofthesea。Noforesthidesamanasdoesthatcrowd。
　　Fugitivesofeverysortknowthis。TheygotoParisastoanabyss；
　　therearegulfswhichsave。Thepoliceknowitalso，anditisinParisthattheyseekwhattheyhavelostelsewhere。
　　Theysoughttheex—mayorofM。surM。JavertwassummonedtoParistothrowlightontheirresearches。Javerthad，infact，renderedpowerfulassistanceintherecaptureofJeanValjean。
　　Javert’szealandintelligenceonthatoccasionhadbeenremarkedbyM。Chabouillet，secretaryofthePrefectureunderComteAngles。
　　M。Chabouillet，whohad，moreover，alreadybeenJavert’spatron，hadtheinspectorofM。surM。attachedtothepoliceforceofParis。
　　ThereJavertrenderedhimselfusefulindiversand，thoughthewordmayseemstrangeforsuchservices，honorablemanners。
　　HenolongerthoughtofJeanValjean，——thewolfofto—daycausesthesedogswhoarealwaysonthechasetoforgetthewolfofyesterday，——when，inDecember，1823，hereadanewspaper，hewhoneverreadnewspapers；
　　butJavert，amonarchicalman，hadadesiretoknowtheparticularsofthetriumphalentryofthe"PrinceGeneralissimo"intoBayonne。
　　Justashewasfinishingthearticle，whichinterestedhim；aname，thenameofJeanValjean，attractedhisattentionatthebottomofapage。ThepaperannouncedthattheconvictJeanValjeanwasdead，andpublishedthefactinsuchformaltermsthatJavertdidnotdoubtit。Heconfinedhimselftotheremark，"That’sagoodentry。"
　　Thenhethrewasidethepaper，andthoughtnomoreaboutit。
　　Sometimeafterwards，itchancedthatapolicereportwastransmittedfromtheprefectureoftheSeine—et—OisetotheprefectureofpoliceinParis，concerningtheabductionofachild，whichhadtakenplace，underpeculiarcircumstances，asitwassaid，inthecommuneofMontfermeil。Alittlegirlofsevenoreightyearsofage，thereportsaid，whohadbeenintrustedbyhermothertoaninn—keeperofthatneighborhood，hadbeenstolenbyastranger；thischildansweredtothenameofCosette，andwasthedaughterofagirlnamedFantine，whohaddiedinthehospital，itwasnotknownwhereorwhen。
　　ThisreportcameunderJavert’seyeandsethimtothinking。
　　ThenameofFantinewaswellknowntohim。HerememberedthatJeanValjeanhadmadehim，Javert，burstintolaughter，byaskinghimforarespiteofthreedays，forthepurposeofgoingtofetchthatcreature’schild。HerecalledthefactthatJeanValjeanhadbeenarrestedinParisattheverymomentwhenhewassteppingintothecoachforMontfermeil。Somesignshadmadehimsuspectatthetimethatthiswasthesecondoccasionofhisenteringthatcoach，andthathehadalready，onthepreviousday，madeanexcursiontotheneighborhoodofthatvillage，forhehadnotbeenseeninthevillageitself。
　　WhathadhebeenintendingtodointhatregionofMontfermeil？
　　Itcouldnotevenbesurmised。Javertunderstooditnow。
　　Fantine’sdaughterwasthere。JeanValjeanwasgoingthereinsearchofher。Andnowthischildhadbeenstolenbyastranger！
　　Whocouldthatstrangerbe？CoulditbeJeanValjean？ButJeanValjeanwasdead。Javert，withoutsayinganythingtoanybody，tookthecoachfromthePewterPlatter，Cul—de—SacdelaPlanchette，andmadeatriptoMontfermeil。
　　Heexpectedtofindagreatdealoflightonthesubjectthere；
　　hefoundagreatdealofobscurity。
　　ForthefirstfewdaystheThenardiershadchatteredintheirrage。
　　ThedisappearanceoftheLarkhadcreatedasensationinthevillage。
　　Heimmediatelyobtainednumerousversionsofthestory，whichendedintheabductionofachild。Hencethepolicereport。Buttheirfirstvexationhavingpassedoff，Thenardier，withhiswonderfulinstinct，hadveryquicklycomprehendedthatitisneveradvisabletostiruptheprosecutoroftheCrown，andthathiscomplaintswithregardtotheabductionofCosettewouldhaveastheirfirstresulttofixuponhimself，anduponmanydarkaffairswhichhehadonhand，theglitteringeyeofjustice。Thelastthingthatowlsdesireistohaveacandlebroughttothem。Andinthefirstplace，howexplainthefifteenhundredfrancswhichhehadreceived？
　　Heturnedsquarelyround，putagagonhiswife’smouth，andfeignedastonishmentwhenthestolenchildwasmentionedtohim。
　　Heunderstoodnothingaboutit；nodoubthehadgrumbledforawhileathavingthatdearlittlecreature"takenfromhim"sohastily；
　　heshouldhavelikedtokeephertwoorthreedayslonger，outoftenderness；buther"grandfather"hadcomeforherinthemostnaturalwayintheworld。Headdedthe"grandfather，"whichproducedagoodeffect。ThiswasthestorythatJaverthituponwhenhearrivedatMontfermeil。ThegrandfathercausedJeanValjeantovanish。
　　Nevertheless，Javertdroppedafewquestions，likeplummets，intoThenardier’shistory。"Whowasthatgrandfather？andwhatwashisname？"Thenardierrepliedwithsimplicity:"Heisawealthyfarmer。
　　Isawhispassport。IthinkhisnamewasM。GuillaumeLambert。"
　　Lambertisarespectableandextremelyreassuringname。
　　ThereuponJavertreturnedtoParis。
　　"JeanValjeaniscertainlydead，"saidhe，"andIamaninny。"
　　Hehadagainbeguntoforgetthishistory，when，inthecourseofMarch，1824，heheardofasingularpersonagewhodweltintheparishofSaint—Medardandwhohadbeensurnamed"themendicantwhogivesalms。"Thisperson，thestoryran，wasamanofmeans，whosenamenooneknewexactly，andwholivedalonewithalittlegirlofeightyears，whoknewnothingaboutherself，savethatshehadcomefromMontfermeil。Montfermeil！thatnamewasalwayscomingup，anditmadeJavertprickuphisears。Anoldbeggarpolicespy，anex—beadle，towhomthispersonhadgivenalms，addedafewmoredetails。Thisgentlemanofpropertywasveryshy，——
　　nevercomingoutexceptintheevening，speakingtonoone，except，occasionallytothepoor，andneverallowinganyonetoapproachhim。
　　Heworeahorribleoldyellowfrock—coat，whichwasworthmanymillions，beingallwaddedwithbank—bills。ThispiquedJavert’scuriosityinadecidedmanner。Inordertogetacloselookatthisfantasticgentlemanwithoutalarminghim，heborrowedthebeadle’soutfitforaday，andtheplacewheretheoldspywasinthehabitofcrouchingeveryevening，whiningorisonsthroughhisnose，andplayingthespyundercoverofprayer。
　　"Thesuspectedindividual"didindeedapproachJavertthusdisguised，andbestowalmsonhim。AtthatmomentJavertraisedhishead，andtheshockwhichJeanValjeanreceivedonrecognizingJavertwasequaltotheonereceivedbyJavertwhenhethoughtherecognizedJeanValjean。
　　However，thedarknessmighthavemisledhim；JeanValjean’sdeathwasofficial；Javertcherishedverygravedoubts；andwhenindoubt，Javert，themanofscruples，neverlaidafingeronanyone’scollar。
　　HefollowedhismantotheGorbeauhouse，andgot"theoldwoman"
　　totalking，whichwasnodifficultmatter。Theoldwomanconfirmedthefactregardingthecoatlinedwithmillions，andnarratedtohimtheepisodeofthethousand—francbill。Shehadseenit！
　　Shehadhandledit！Javerthiredaroom；thateveningheinstalledhimselfinit。Hecameandlistenedatthemysteriouslodger’sdoor，hopingtocatchthesoundofhisvoice，butJeanValjeansawhiscandlethroughthekey—hole，andfoiledthespybykeepingsilent。
　　OnthefollowingdayJeanValjeandecamped；butthenoisemadebythefallofthefive—francpiecewasnoticedbytheoldwoman，who，hearingtherattlingofcoin，suspectedthathemightbeintendingtoleave，andmadehastetowarnJavert。Atnight，whenJeanValjeancameout，Javertwaswaitingforhimbehindthetreesoftheboulevardwithtwomen。
　　JaverthaddemandedassistanceatthePrefecture，buthehadnotmentionedthenameoftheindividualwhomhehopedtoseize；
　　thatwashissecret，andhehadkeptitforthreereasons:
　　inthefirstplace，becausetheslightestindiscretionmightputJeanValjeanonthealert；next，because，tolayhandsonanex—convictwhohadmadehisescapeandwasreputeddead，onacriminalwhomjusticehadformerlyclassedforeverasamongmalefactorsofthemostdangeroussort，wasamagnificentsuccesswhichtheoldmembersoftheParisianpolicewouldassuredlynotleavetoanew—comerlikeJavert，andhewasafraidofbeingdeprivedofhisconvict；
　　andlastly，becauseJavert，beinganartist，hadatastefortheunforeseen。Hehatedthosewell—heraldedsuccesseswhicharetalkedoflonginadvanceandhavehadthebloombrushedoff。
　　Hepreferredtoelaboratehismasterpiecesinthedarkandtounveilthemsuddenlyatthelast。
　　JaverthadfollowedJeanValjeanfromtreetotree，thenfromcornertocornerofthestreet，andhadnotlostsightofhimforasingleinstant；evenatthemomentswhenJeanValjeanbelievedhimselftobethemostsecureJavert’seyehadbeenonhim。
　　WhyhadnotJavertarrestedJeanValjean？Becausehewasstillindoubt。
　　Itmustberememberedthatatthatepochthepolicewasnotpreciselyatitsease；thefreepressembarrassedit；severalarbitraryarrestsdenouncedbythenewspapers，hadechoedevenasfarastheChambers，andhadrenderedthePrefecturetimid。Interferencewithindividuallibertywasagravematter。Thepoliceagentswereafraidofmakingamistake；theprefectlaidtheblameonthem；amistakemeantdismissal。
　　Thereadercanimaginetheeffectwhichthisbriefparagraph，reproducedbytwentynewspapers，wouldhavecausedinParis:
　　"Yesterday，anagedgrandfather，withwhitehair，arespectableandwell—to—dogentleman，whowaswalkingwithhisgrandchild，agedeight，wasarrestedandconductedtotheagencyofthePrefectureasanescapedconvict！"
　　LetusrepeatinadditionthatJaverthadscruplesofhisown；
　　injunctionsofhisconsciencewereaddedtotheinjunctionsoftheprefect。Hewasreallyindoubt。
　　JeanValjeanturnedhisbackonhimandwalkedinthedark。
　　Sadness，uneasiness，anxiety，depression，thisfreshmisfortuneofbeingforcedtofleebynight，toseekachancerefugeinParisforCosetteandhimself，thenecessityofregulatinghispacetothepaceofthechild——allthis，withouthisbeingawareofit，hadalteredJeanValjean’swalk，andimpressedonhisbearingsuchsenility，thatthepolicethemselves，incarnateinthepersonofJavert，might，anddidinfact，makeamistake。Theimpossibilityofapproachingtooclose，hiscostumeofanemigrepreceptor，thedeclarationofThenardierwhichmadeagrandfatherofhim，and，finally，thebeliefinhisdeathinprison，addedstillfurthertotheuncertaintywhichgatheredthickinJavert’smind。
　　Foraninstantitoccurredtohimtomakeanabruptdemandforhispapers；butifthemanwasnotJeanValjean，andifthismanwasnotagood，honestoldfellowlivingonhisincome，hewasprobablysomemerrybladedeeplyandcunninglyimplicatedintheobscurewebofParisianmisdeeds，somechiefofadangerousband，whogavealmstoconcealhisothertalents，whichwasanolddodge。
　　Hehadtrustyfellows，accomplices’retreatsincaseofemergencies，inwhichhewould，nodoubt，takerefuge。Alltheseturnswhichhewasmakingthroughthestreetsseemedtoindicatethathewasnotasimpleandhonestman。Toarresthimtoohastilywouldbe"tokillthehenthatlaidthegoldeneggs。"Wherewastheinconvenienceinwaiting？Javertwasverysurethathewouldnotescape。
　　Thusheproceededinatolerablyperplexedstateofmind，puttingtohimselfahundredquestionsaboutthisenigmaticalpersonage。
　　ItwasonlyquitelateintheRuedePontoise，that，thankstothebrilliantlightthrownfromadram—shop，hedecidedlyrecognizedJeanValjean。
　　Thereareinthisworldtwobeingswhogiveaprofoundstart，——
　　themotherwhorecoversherchildandthetigerwhorecovershisprey。
　　Javertgavethatprofoundstart。
　　AssoonashehadpositivelyrecognizedJeanValjean，theformidableconvict，heperceivedthattherewereonlythreeofthem，andheaskedforreinforcementsatthepolicestationoftheRuedePontoise。
　　Oneputsonglovesbeforegraspingathorncudgel。
　　ThisdelayandthehaltattheCarrefourRollintoconsultwithhisagentscamenearcausinghimtolosethetrail。
　　Hespeedilydivined，however，thatJeanValjeanwouldwanttoputtheriverbetweenhispursuersandhimself。Hebenthisheadandreflectedlikeablood—houndwhoputshisnosetothegroundtomakesurethatheisontherightscent。Javert，withhispowerfulrectitudeofinstinct，wentstraighttothebridgeofAusterlitz。
　　Awordwiththetoll—keeperfurnishedhimwiththeinformationwhichherequired:"Haveyouseenamanwithalittlegirl？"
　　"Imadehimpaytwosous，"repliedthetoll—keeper。JavertreachedthebridgeinseasontoseeJeanValjeantraversethesmallilluminatedspotontheothersideofthewater，leadingCosettebythehand。
　　HesawhimentertheRueduChemin—Vert—Saint—Antoine；herememberedtheCul—de—SacGenrotarrangedtherelikeatrap，andofthesoleexitoftheRueDroit—MurintotheRuePetit—Picpus。Hemadesureofhisbackburrows，ashuntsmensay；hehastilydespatchedoneofhisagents，byaroundaboutway，toguardthatissue。
　　ApatrolwhichwasreturningtotheArsenalposthavingpassedhim，hemadearequisitiononit，andcausedittoaccompanyhim。
　　Insuchgamessoldiersareaces。Moreover，theprincipleis，thatinordertogetthebestofawildboar，onemustemploythescienceofveneryandplentyofdogs。Thesecombinationshavingbeeneffected，feelingthatJeanValjeanwascaughtbetweentheblindalleyGenrotontheright，hisagentontheleft，andhimself，Javert，intherear，hetookapinchofsnuff。
　　Thenhebeganthegame。Heexperiencedoneecstaticandinfernalmoment；
　　heallowedhismantogoonahead，knowingthathehadhimsafe，butdesirousofpostponingthemomentofarrestaslongaspossible，happyatthethoughtthathewastakenandyetatseeinghimfree，gloatingoverhimwithhisgaze，withthatvoluptuousnessofthespiderwhichallowstheflytoflutter，andofthecatwhichletsthemouserun。Clawsandtalonspossessamonstroussensuality，——
　　theobscuremovementsofthecreatureimprisonedintheirpincers。
　　Whatadelightthisstranglingis！
　　Javertwasenjoyinghimself。Themeshesofhisnetwerestoutlyknotted。
　　Hewassureofsuccess；allhehadtodonowwastoclosehishand。
　　Accompaniedashewas，theveryideaofresistancewasimpossible，howevervigorous，energetic，anddesperateJeanValjeanmightbe。
　　Javertadvancedslowly，sounding，searchingonhiswayallthenooksofthestreetlikesomanypocketsofthieves。
　　Whenhereachedthecentreofthewebhefoundtheflynolongerthere。
　　Hisexasperationcanbeimagined。
　　HeinterrogatedhissentineloftheRuesDroit—MurandPetit—Picpus；
　　thatagent，whohadremainedimperturbablyathispost，hadnotseenthemanpass。
　　Itsometimeshappensthatastagislostheadandhorns；
　　thatistosay，heescapesalthoughhehasthepackonhisveryheels，andthentheoldesthuntsmenknownotwhattosay。
　　Duvivier，Ligniville，andDesprezhaltshort。Inadiscomfitureofthissort，Artongeexclaims，"Itwasnotastag，butasorcerer。"
　　Javertwouldhavelikedtoutterthesamecry。
　　Hisdisappointmentborderedforamomentondespairandrage。
　　ItiscertainthatNapoleonmademistakesduringthewarwithRussia，thatAlexandercommittedblundersinthewarinIndia，thatCaesarmademistakesinthewarinAfrica，thatCyruswasatfaultinthewarinScythia，andthatJavertblunderedinthiscampaignagainstJeanValjean。Hewaswrong，perhaps，inhesitatinginhisrecognitionoftheexconvict。Thefirstglanceshouldhavesufficedhim。
　　Hewaswronginnotarrestinghimpurelyandsimplyintheoldbuilding；
　　hewaswronginnotarrestinghimwhenhepositivelyrecognizedhimintheRuedePontoise。HewaswrongintakingcounselwithhisauxiliariesinthefulllightofthemoonintheCarrefourRollin。
　　Adviceiscertainlyuseful；itisagoodthingtoknowandtointerrogatethoseofthedogswhodeserveconfidence；butthehuntercannotbetoocautiouswhenheischasinguneasyanimalslikethewolfandtheconvict。Javert，bytakingtoomuchthoughtastohowheshouldsetthebloodhoundsofthepackonthetrail，alarmedthebeastbygivinghimwindofthedart，andsomadehimrun。
　　Aboveall，hewaswronginthatafterhehadpickedupthescentagainonthebridgeofAusterlitz，heplayedthatformidableandpuerilegameofkeepingsuchamanattheendofathread。
　　Hethoughthimselfstrongerthanhewas，andbelievedthathecouldplayatthegameofthemouseandthelion。Atthesametime，hereckonedhimselfastooweak，whenhejudgeditnecessarytoobtainreinforcement。Fatalprecaution，wasteofprecioustime！
　　Javertcommittedalltheseblunders，andnonethelesswasoneofthecleverestandmostcorrectspiesthateverexisted。Hewas，inthefullforceoftheterm，whatiscalledinveneryaknowingdog。
　　Butwhatistherethatisperfect？
　　Greatstrategistshavetheireclipses。
　　Thegreatestfolliesareoftencomposed，likethelargestropes，ofamultitudeofstrands。Takethecablethreadbythread，takeallthepettydeterminingmotivesseparately，andyoucanbreakthemoneaftertheother，andyousay，"Thatisallthereisofit！"
　　Braidthem，twistthemtogether；theresultisenormous:itisAttilahesitatingbetweenMarcianontheeastandValentinianonthewest；
　　itisHannibaltarryingatCapua；itisDantonfallingasleepatArcis—sur—Aube。
　　Howeverthatmaybe，evenatthemomentwhenhesawthatJeanValjeanhadescapedhim，Javertdidnotlosehishead。
　　Surethattheconvictwhohadbrokenhisbancouldnotbefaroff，heestablishedsentinels，heorganizedtrapsandambuscades，andbeatthequarterallthatnight。Thefirstthinghesawwasthedisorderinthestreetlanternwhoseropehadbeencut。
　　Aprecioussignwhich，however，ledhimastray，sinceitcausedhimtoturnallhisresearchesinthedirectionoftheCul—de—SacGenrot。
　　Inthisblindalleythereweretolerablylowwallswhichabuttedongardenswhoseboundsadjoinedtheimmensestretchesofwasteland。
　　JeanValjeanevidentlymusthavefledinthatdirection。Thefactis，thathadhepenetratedalittlefurtherintheCul—de—SacGenrot，hewouldprobablyhavedonesoandhavebeenlost。Javertexploredthesegardensandthesewastestretchesasthoughhehadbeenhuntingforaneedle。
　　Atdaybreakhelefttwointelligentmenontheoutlook，andreturnedtothePrefectureofPolice，asmuchashamedasapolicespywhohadbeencapturedbyarobbermighthavebeen。
　　BOOKSIXTH。——LEPETIT—PICPUS
　　CHAPTERI
　　NUMBER62RUEPETIT—PICPUS
　　Nothing，halfacenturyago，moreresembledeveryothercarriagegatethanthecarriagegateofNumber62RuePetit—Picpus。Thisentrance，whichusuallystoodajarinthemostinvitingfashion，permittedaviewoftwothings，neitherofwhichhaveanythingveryfunerealaboutthem，——acourtyardsurroundedbywallshungwithvines，andthefaceofaloungingporter。Abovethewall，atthebottomofthecourt，talltreeswerevisible。Whenarayofsunlightenlivenedthecourtyard，whenaglassofwinecheereduptheporter，itwasdifficulttopassNumber62LittlePicpusStreetwithoutcarryingawayasmilingimpressionofit。Nevertheless，itwasasombreplaceofwhichonehadhadaglimpse。
　　Thethresholdsmiled；thehouseprayedandwept。
　　Ifonesucceededinpassingtheporter，whichwasnoteasy，——
　　whichwasevennearlyimpossibleforeveryone，fortherewasanopensesame！whichitwasnecessarytoknow，——if，theporteroncepassed，oneenteredalittlevestibuleontheright，onwhichopenedastaircaseshutinbetweentwowallsandsonarrowthatonlyonepersoncouldascenditatatime，ifonedidnotallowone’sselftobealarmedbyadaubingofcanaryyellow，withadadoofchocolatewhichclothedthisstaircase，ifoneventuredtoascendit，onecrossedafirstlanding，thenasecond，andarrivedonthefirststoryatacorridorwheretheyellowwashandthechocolate—huedplinthpursuedonewithapeaceablepersistency。
　　Staircaseandcorridorwerelightedbytwobeautifulwindows。
　　Thecorridortookaturnandbecamedark。Ifonedoubledthiscape，onearrivedafewpacesfurtheron，infrontofadoorwhichwasallthemoremysteriousbecauseitwasnotfastened。Ifoneopenedit，onefoundone’sselfinalittlechamberaboutsixfeetsquare，tiled，well—scrubbed，clean，cold，andhungwithnankinpaperwithgreenflowers，atfifteensoustheroll。Awhite，dulllightfellfromalargewindow，withtinypanes，ontheleft，whichusurpedthewholewidthoftheroom。Onegazedabout，butsawnoone；
　　onelistened，oneheardneitherafootstepnorahumanmurmur。
　　Thewallswerebare，thechamberwasnotfurnished；therewasnotevenachair。
　　Onelookedagain，andbeheldonthewallfacingthedooraquadrangularhole，aboutafootsquare，withagratingofinterlacingironbars，black，knotted，solid，whichformedsquares——
　　Ihadalmostsaidmeshes——oflessthananinchandahalfindiagonallength。Thelittlegreenflowersofthenankinpaperraninacalmandorderlymannertothoseironbars，withoutbeingstartledorthrownintoconfusionbytheirfunerealcontact。
　　Supposingthatalivingbeinghadbeensowonderfullythinastoessayanentranceoranexitthroughthesquarehole，thisgratingwouldhavepreventedit。Itdidnotallowthepassageofthebody，butitdidallowthepassageoftheeyes；thatistosay，ofthemind。
　　Thisseemstohaveoccurredtothem，forithadbeenre—enforcedbyasheetoftininsertedinthewallalittleintherear，andpiercedwithathousandholesmoremicroscopicthantheholesofastrainer。Atthebottomofthisplate，anaperturehadbeenpiercedexactlysimilartotheorificeofaletterbox。Abitoftapeattachedtoabell—wirehungattherightofthegratedopening。
　　Ifthetapewaspulled，abellrang，andoneheardavoiceverynearathand，whichmadeonestart。
　　"Whoisthere？"thevoicedemanded。
　　Itwasawoman’svoice，agentlevoice，sogentlethatitwasmournful。
　　Here，again，therewasamagicalwordwhichitwasnecessarytoknow。
　　Ifonedidnotknowit，thevoiceceased，thewallbecamesilentoncemore，asthoughtheterrifiedobscurityofthesepulchrehadbeenontheothersideofit。
　　Ifoneknewthepassword，thevoiceresumed，"Enterontheright。"
　　Onethenperceivedontheright，facingthewindow，aglassdoorsurmountedbyaframeglazedandpaintedgray。Onraisingthelatchandcrossingthethreshold，oneexperiencedpreciselythesameimpressionaswhenoneentersatthetheatreintoagratedbaignoire，beforethegratingisloweredandthechandelierislighted。
　　Onewas，infact，inasortoftheatre—box，narrow，furnishedwithtwooldchairs，andamuch—frayedstrawmatting，sparelyilluminatedbythevaguelightfromtheglassdoor；aregularbox，withitsfrontjustofaheighttoleanupon，bearingatabletofblackwood。
　　Thisboxwasgrated，onlythegratingofitwasnotofgildedwood，asattheopera；itwasamonstrouslatticeofironbars，hideouslyinterlacedandrivetedtothewallbyenormousfasteningswhichresembledclenchedfists。
　　Thefirstminutespassed；whenone’seyesbegantogrowusedtothiscellar—likehalf—twilight，onetriedtopassthegrating，butgotnofurtherthansixinchesbeyondit。Thereheencounteredabarrierofblackshutters，re—enforcedandfortifiedwithtransversebeamsofwoodpaintedagingerbreadyellow。Theseshuttersweredividedintolong，narrowslats，andtheymaskedtheentirelengthofthegrating。
　　Theywerealwaysclosed。Attheexpirationofafewmomentsoneheardavoiceproceedingfrombehindtheseshutters，andsaying:——
　　"Iamhere。Whatdoyouwishwithme？"
　　Itwasabeloved，sometimesanadored，voice。Noonewasvisible。
　　Hardlythesoundofabreathwasaudible。Itseemedasthoughitwereaspiritwhichhadbeenevoked，thatwasspeakingtoyouacrossthewallsofthetomb。
　　Ifonechancedtobewithincertainprescribedandveryrareconditions，theslatofoneoftheshuttersopenedoppositeyou；theevokedspiritbecameanapparition。Behindthegrating，behindtheshutter，oneperceivedsofarasthegratingpermittedsight，ahead，ofwhichonlythemouthandthechinwerevisible；therestwascoveredwithablackveil。Onecaughtaglimpseofablackguimpe，andaformthatwasbarelydefined，coveredwithablackshroud。
　　Thatheadspokewithyou，butdidnotlookatyouandneversmiledatyou。
　　Thelightwhichcamefrombehindyouwasadjustedinsuchamannerthatyousawherinthewhite，andshesawyouintheblack。
　　Thislightwassymbolical。
　　Nevertheless，youreyesplungedeagerlythroughthatopeningwhichwasmadeinthatplaceshutofffromallglances。Aprofoundvaguenessenvelopedthatformcladinmourning。Youreyessearchedthatvagueness，andsoughttomakeoutthesurroundingsoftheapparition。
　　Attheexpirationofaveryshorttimeyoudiscoveredthatyoucouldseenothing。Whatyoubeheldwasnight，emptiness，shadows，awintrymistmingledwithavaporfromthetomb，asortofterriblepeace，asilencefromwhichyoucouldgathernothing，notevensighs，agloominwhichyoucoulddistinguishnothing，notevenphantoms。
　　Whatyoubeheldwastheinteriorofacloister。
　　ItwastheinteriorofthatsevereandgloomyedificewhichwascalledtheConventoftheBernardinesofthePerpetualAdoration。
　　Theboxinwhichyoustoodwastheparlor。Thefirstvoicewhichhadaddressedyouwasthatoftheportresswhoalwayssatmotionlessandsilent，ontheothersideofthewall，nearthesquareopening，screenedbytheirongratingandtheplatewithitsthousandholes，asbyadoublevisor。Theobscuritywhichbathedthegratedboxarosefromthefactthattheparlor，whichhadawindowonthesideoftheworld，hadnoneonthesideoftheconvent。Profaneeyesmustseenothingofthatsacredplace。
　　Nevertheless，therewassomethingbeyondthatshadow；therewasalight；therewaslifeinthemidstofthatdeath。Althoughthiswasthemoststrictlywalledofallconvents，weshallendeavortomakeourwayintoit，andtotakethereaderin，andtosay，withouttransgressingtheproperbounds，thingswhichstory—tellershaveneverseen，andhave，therefore，neverdescribed。
　　CHAPTERII
　　THEOBEDIENCEOFMARTINVERGA
　　Thisconvent，whichin1824hadalreadyexistedformanyalongyearintheRuePetit—Picpus，wasacommunityofBernardinesoftheobedienceofMartinVerga。
　　TheseBernardineswereattached，inconsequence，nottoClairvaux，liketheBernardinemonks，buttoCiteaux，liketheBenedictinemonks。
　　Inotherwords，theywerethesubjects，notofSaintBernard，butofSaintBenoit。
　　AnyonewhohasturnedoveroldfoliostoanyextentknowsthatMartinVergafoundedin1425acongregationofBernardines—Benedictines，withSalamancafortheheadoftheorder，andAlcalaasthebranchestablishment。
　　ThiscongregationhadsentoutbranchesthroughoutalltheCatholiccountriesofEurope。
　　ThereisnothingunusualintheLatinChurchinthesegraftsofoneorderonanother。TomentiononlyasingleorderofSaint—Benoit，whichishereinquestion:thereareattachedtothisorder，withoutcountingtheobedienceofMartinVerga，fourcongregations，——
　　twoinItaly，Mont—CassinandSainte—JustineofPadua；twoinFrance，ClunyandSaint—Maur；andnineorders，——Vallombrosa，Granmont，theCelestins，theCamaldules，theCarthusians，theHumilies，theOlivateurs，theSilvestrins，andlastly，Citeaux；forCiteauxitself，atrunkforotherorders，isonlyanoffshootofSaint—Benoit。
　　CiteauxdatesfromSaintRobert，AbbedeMolesme，inthedioceseofLangres，in1098。Nowitwasin529thatthedevil，havingretiredtothedesertofSubiaco——hewasold——hadheturnedhermit？——
　　waschasedfromtheancienttempleofApollo，wherehedwelt，bySaint—Benoit，thenagedseventeen。
　　AftertheruleoftheCarmelites，whogobarefoot，wearabitofwillowontheirthroats，andneversitdown，theharshestruleisthatoftheBernardines—BenedictinesofMartinVerga。
　　Theyareclothedinblack，withaguimpe，which，inaccordancewiththeexpresscommandofSaint—Benoit，mountstothechin。
　　Arobeofsergewithlargesleeves，alargewoollenveil，theguimpewhichmountstothechincutsquareonthebreast，thebandwhichdescendsovertheirbrowtotheireyes，——thisistheirdress。
　　Allisblackexcepttheband，whichiswhite。Thenoviceswearthesamehabit，butallinwhite。Theprofessednunsalsoweararosaryattheirside。
　　TheBernardines—BenedictinesofMartinVergapractisethePerpetualAdoration，liketheBenedictinescalledLadiesoftheHolySacrament，who，atthebeginningofthiscentury，hadtwohousesinParis，——
　　oneattheTemple，theotherintheRueNeuve—Sainte—Genevieve。However，theBernardines—BenedictinesofthePetit—Picpus，ofwhomwearespeaking，wereatotallydifferentorderfromtheLadiesoftheHolySacrament，cloisteredintheRueNeuve—Sainte—GenevieveandattheTemple。
　　Therewerenumerousdifferencesintheirrule；thereweresomeintheircostume。TheBernardines—BenedictinesofthePetit—Picpusworetheblackguimpe，andtheBenedictinesoftheHolySacramentandoftheRueNeuve—Sainte—Genevieveworeawhiteone，andhad，besides，ontheirbreasts，aHolySacramentaboutthreeincheslong，insilvergiltorgildedcopper。ThenunsofthePetit—PicpusdidnotwearthisHolySacrament。ThePerpetualAdoration，whichwascommontothehouseofthePetit—PicpusandtothehouseoftheTemple，leavesthosetwoordersperfectlydistinct。TheironlyresemblanceliesinthispracticeoftheLadiesoftheHolySacramentandtheBernardinesofMartinVerga，justasthereexistedasimilarityinthestudyandtheglorificationofallthemysteriesrelatingtotheinfancy，thelife，anddeathofJesusChristandtheVirgin，betweenthetwoorders，whichwere，nevertheless，widelyseparated，andonoccasionevenhostile。TheOratoryofItaly，establishedatFlorencebyPhilipdeNeri，andtheOratoryofFrance，establishedbyPierredeBerulle。TheOratoryofFranceclaimedtheprecedence，sincePhilipdeNeriwasonlyasaint，whileBerullewasacardinal。
　　LetusreturntotheharshSpanishruleofMartinVerga。
　　TheBernardines—Benedictinesofthisobediencefastalltheyearround，abstainfrommeat，fastinLentandonmanyotherdayswhicharepeculiartothem，risefromtheirfirstsleep，fromonetothreeo’clockinthemorning，toreadtheirbreviaryandchantmatins，sleepinallseasonsbetweensergesheetsandonstraw，makenouseofthebath，neverlightafire，scourgethemselveseveryFriday，observetheruleofsilence，speaktoeachotheronlyduringtherecreationhours，whichareverybrief，andweardruggetchemisesforsixmonthsintheyear，fromSeptember14th，whichistheExaltationoftheHolyCross，untilEaster。
　　Thesesixmonthsareamodification:therulesaysalltheyear，butthisdruggetchemise，intolerableintheheatofsummer，producedfeversandnervousspasms。Theuseofithadtoberestricted。
　　Evenwiththispalliation，whenthenunsputonthischemiseonthe14thofSeptember，theysufferfromfeverforthreeorfourdays。
　　Obedience，poverty，chastity，perseveranceintheirseclusion，——
　　thesearetheirvows，whichtherulegreatlyaggravates。
　　Theprioressiselectedforthreeyearsbythemothers，whoarecalledmeresvocalesbecausetheyhaveavoiceinthechapter。
　　Aprioresscanonlybere—electedtwice，whichfixesthelongestpossiblereignofaprioressatnineyears。
　　Theyneverseetheofficiatingpriest，whoisalwayshiddenfromthembyasergecurtainninefeetinheight。Duringthesermon，whenthepreacherisinthechapel，theydroptheirveilsovertheirfaces。
　　Theymustalwaysspeaklow，walkwiththeireyesonthegroundandtheirheadsbowed。Onemanonlyisallowedtoentertheconvent，——
　　thearchbishopofthediocese。
　　Thereisreallyoneother，——thegardener。Butheisalwaysanoldman，and，inorderthathemayalwaysbealoneinthegarden，andthatthenunsmaybewarnedtoavoidhim，abellisattachedtohisknee。
　　Theirsubmissiontotheprioressisabsoluteandpassive。
　　Itisthecanonicalsubjectioninthefullforceofitsabnegation。
　　AsatthevoiceofChrist，utvociChristi，atagesture，atthefirstsign，adnutum，adprimumsignum，immediately，withcheerfulness，withperseverance，withacertainblindobedience，prompte，hilariter，perseveranteretcaecaquadamobedientia，asthefileinthehandoftheworkman，quasilimaminmanibusfabri，withoutpowertoreadortowritewithoutexpresspermission，legerevelscriberenonaddisceritsineexpressasuperiorislicentia。
　　Eachoneoftheminturnmakeswhattheycallreparation。
　　Thereparationistheprayerforallthesins，forallthefaults，forallthedissensions，foralltheviolations，foralltheiniquities，forallthecrimescommittedonearth。Forthespaceoftwelveconsecutivehours，fromfouro’clockintheafternoontillfouro’clockinthemorning，orfromfouro’clockinthemorninguntilfouro’clockintheafternoon，thesisterwhoismakingreparationremainsonherkneesonthestonebeforetheHolySacrament，withhandsclasped，aropearoundherneck。Whenherfatiguebecomesunendurable，sheprostratesherselfflatonherfaceagainsttheearth，withherarmsoutstretchedintheformofacross；thisisheronlyrelief。
　　Inthisattitudeshepraysforalltheguiltyintheuniverse。
　　Thisisgreattosublimity。
　　Asthisactisperformedinfrontofapostonwhichburnsacandle，itiscalledwithoutdistinction，tomakereparationortobeatthepost。Thenunsevenprefer，outofhumility，thislastexpression，whichcontainsanideaoftortureandabasement。
　　Tomakereparationisafunctioninwhichthewholesoulisabsorbed。
　　Thesisteratthepostwouldnotturnroundwereathunderbolttofalldirectlybehindher。
　　Besidesthis，thereisalwaysasisterkneelingbeforetheHolySacrament。Thisstationlastsanhour。Theyrelieveeachotherlikesoldiersonguard。ThisisthePerpetualAdoration。
　　Theprioressesandthemothersalmostalwaysbearnamesstampedwithpeculiarsolemnity，recalling，notthesaintsandmartyrs，butmomentsinthelifeofJesusChrist:asMotherNativity，MotherConception，MotherPresentation，MotherPassion。Butthenamesofsaintsarenotinterdicted。
　　Whenoneseesthem，oneneverseesanythingbuttheirmouths。
　　Alltheirteethareyellow。Notooth—brusheverenteredthatconvent。
　　Brushingone’steethisatthetopofaladderatwhosebottomisthelossofone’ssoul。
　　Theyneversaymy。Theypossessnothingoftheirown，andtheymustnotattachthemselvestoanything。Theycalleverythingour；thus:ourveil，ourchaplet；iftheywerespeakingoftheirchemise，theywouldsayourchemise。Sometimestheygrowattachedtosomepettyobject，——
　　toabookofhours，arelic，amedalthathasbeenblessed。Assoonastheybecomeawarethattheyaregrowingattachedtothisobject，theymustgiveitup。TheyrecallthewordsofSaintTherese，towhomagreatladysaid，asshewasonthepointofenteringherorder，"Permitme，mother，tosendforaBibletowhichI
　　amgreatlyattached。""Ah，youareattachedtosomething！
　　Inthatcase，donotenterourorder！"
　　Everypersonwhateverisforbiddentoshutherselfup，tohaveaplaceofherown，achamber。Theylivewiththeircellsopen。
　　Whentheymeet，onesays，"BlessedandadoredbethemostHolySacramentofthealtar！"Theotherresponds，"Forever。"Thesameceremonywhenonetapsattheother’sdoor。Hardlyhasshetouchedthedoorwhenasoftvoiceontheothersideisheardtosayhastily，"Forever！"Likeallpractices，thisbecomesmechanicalbyforceofhabit；andonesometimessaysforeverbeforetheotherhashadtimetosaytheratherlongsentence，"PraisedandadoredbethemostHolySacramentofthealtar。"
　　AmongtheVisitandinestheonewhoenterssays:"AveMaria，"
　　andtheonewhosecellisenteredsays，"Gratiaplena。"Itistheirwayofsayinggoodday，whichisinfactfullofgrace。
　　Ateachhourofthedaythreesupplementarystrokessoundfromthechurchbelloftheconvent。Atthissignalprioress，vocalmothers，professednuns，lay—sisters，novices，postulants，interruptwhattheyaresaying，whattheyaredoing，orwhattheyarethinking，andallsayinunisonifitisfiveo’clock，forinstance，"Atfiveo’clockandatallhourspraisedandadoredbethemostHolySacramentofthealtar！"Ifitiseighto’clock，"Ateighto’clockandatallhours！"andsoon，accordingtothehour。
　　Thiscustom，theobjectofwhichistobreakthethreadofthoughtandtoleaditbackconstantlytoGod，existsinmanycommunities；
　　theformulaalonevaries。ThusatTheInfantJesustheysay，"AtthishourandateveryhourmaytheloveofJesuskindlemyheart！"
　　TheBernardines—BenedictinesofMartinVerga，cloisteredfiftyyearsagoatPetit—Picpus，chanttheofficestoasolemnpsalmody，apureGregorianchant，andalwayswithfullvoiceduringthewholecourseoftheoffice。Everywhereinthemissalwhereanasteriskoccurstheypause，andsayinalowvoice，"Jesus—Marie—Joseph。"Fortheofficeofthedeadtheyadoptatonesolowthatthevoicesofwomencanhardlydescendtosuchadepth。Theeffectproducedisstrikingandtragic。
　　ThenunsofthePetit—Picpushadmadeavaultundertheirgrandaltarfortheburialoftheircommunity。TheGovernment，astheysay，doesnotpermitthisvaulttoreceivecoffinssotheyleavetheconventwhentheydie。Thisisanafflictiontothem，andcausesthemconsternationasaninfractionoftherules。
　　Theyhadobtainedamediocreconsolationatbest，——permissiontobeinterredataspecialhourandinaspecialcornerintheancientVaugirardcemetery，whichwasmadeoflandwhichhadformerlybelongedtotheircommunity。
　　OnFridaysthenunshearhighmass，vespers，andalltheoffices，asonSunday。Theyscrupulouslyobserveinadditionallthelittlefestivalsunknowntopeopleoftheworld，ofwhichtheChurchofFrancewassoprodigalintheoldendays，andofwhichitisstillprodigalinSpainandItaly。Theirstationsinthechapelareinterminable。
　　Asforthenumberanddurationoftheirprayerswecanconveynobetterideaofthemthanbyquotingtheingenuousremarkofoneofthem:
　　"Theprayersofthepostulantsarefrightful，theprayersofthenovicesarestillworse，andtheprayersoftheprofessednunsarestillworse。"
　　Onceaweekthechapterassembles:theprioresspresides；
　　thevocalmothersassist。Eachsisterkneelsinturnonthestones，andconfessesaloud，inthepresenceofall，thefaultsandsinswhichshehascommittedduringtheweek。Thevocalmothersconsultaftereachconfessionandinflictthepenancealoud。
　　Besidesthisconfessioninaloudtone，forwhichallfaultsintheleastseriousarereserved，theyhavefortheirvenialoffenceswhattheycallthecoulpe。Tomakeone’scoulpemeanstoprostrateone’sselfflatonone’sfaceduringtheofficeinfrontoftheprioressuntilthelatter，whoisnevercalledanythingbutourmother，notifiestheculpritbyaslighttapofherfootagainstthewoodofherstallthatshecanrise。
　　Thecoulpeorpeccavi，ismadeforaverysmallmatter——abrokenglass，atornveil，aninvoluntarydelayofafewsecondsatanoffice，afalsenoteinchurch，etc。；thissuffices，andthecoulpeismade。
　　Thecoulpeisentirelyspontaneous；itistheculpablepersonherself（thewordisetymologicallyinitsplacehere）whojudgesherselfandinflictsitonherself。OnfestivaldaysandSundaysfourmotherprecentorsintonetheofficesbeforealargereading—deskwithfourplaces。OnedayoneofthemotherprecentorsintonedapsalmbeginningwithEcce，andinsteadofEccesheutteredaloudthethreenotesdosisol；forthispieceofabsent—mindednesssheunderwentacoulpewhichlastedduringthewholeservice:
　　whatrenderedthefaultenormouswasthefactthatthechapterhadlaughed。
　　Whenanunissummonedtotheparlor，evenwereittheprioressherself，shedropsherveil，aswillberemembered，sothatonlyhermouthisvisible。
　　Theprioressalonecanholdcommunicationwithstrangers。
　　Theotherscanseeonlytheirimmediatefamily，andthatveryrarely。
　　If，bychance，anoutsiderpresentsherselftoseeanun，oronewhomshehasknownandlovedintheouterworld，aregularseriesofnegotiationsisrequired。Ifitisawoman，theauthorizationmaysometimesbegranted；thenuncomes，andtheytalktoherthroughtheshutters，whichareopenedonlyforamotherorsister。
　　Itisunnecessarytosaythatpermissionisalwaysrefusedtomen。
　　SuchistheruleofSaint—Benoit，aggravatedbyMartinVerga。
　　Thesenunsarenotgay，rosy，andfresh，asthedaughtersofotherordersoftenare。Theyarepaleandgrave。Between1825and1830
　　threeofthemwentmad。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　AUSTERITIES
　　Oneisapostulantfortwoyearsatleast，oftenforfour；anoviceforfour。Itisrarethatthedefinitivevowscanbepronouncedearlierthantheageoftwenty—threeortwenty—fouryears。
　　TheBernardines—BenedictinesofMartinVergadonotadmitwidowstotheirorder。
　　Intheircells，theydeliverthemselvesuptomanyunknownmacerations，ofwhichtheymustneverspeak。
　　Onthedaywhenanovicemakesherprofession，sheisdressedinherhandsomestattire，sheiscrownedwithwhiteroses，herhairisbrusheduntilitshines，andcurled。Thensheprostratesherself；
　　agreatblackveilisthrownoverher，andtheofficeforthedeadissung。Thenthenunsseparateintotwofiles；onefilepassesclosetoher，sayinginplaintiveaccents，"Oursisterisdead"；
　　andtheotherfilerespondsinavoiceofecstasy，"OursisterisaliveinJesusChrist！"
　　Attheepochwhenthisstorytakesplace，aboarding—schoolwasattachedtotheconvent——aboarding—schoolforyounggirlsofnobleandmostlywealthyfamilies，amongwhomcouldberemarkedMademoiselledeSaint—AulaireanddeBelissen，andanEnglishgirlbearingtheillustriousCatholicnameofTalbot。Theseyounggirls，rearedbythesenunsbetweenfourwalls，grewupwithahorroroftheworldandoftheage。Oneofthemsaidtousoneday，"Thesightofthestreetpavementmademeshudderfromheadtofoot。"
　　Theyweredressedinblue，withawhitecapandaHolySpiritofsilvergiltorofcopperontheirbreast。Oncertaingrandfestivaldays，particularlySaintMartha’sday，theywerepermitted，asahighfavorandasupremehappiness，todressthemselvesasnunsandtocarryouttheofficesandpracticeofSaint—Benoitforawholeday。Intheearlydaysthenunswereinthehabitoflendingthemtheirblackgarments。Thisseemedprofane，andtheprioressforbadeit。Onlythenoviceswerepermittedtolend。
　　Itisremarkablethattheseperformances，toleratedandencouraged，nodoubt，intheconventoutofasecretspiritofproselytismandinordertogivethesechildrenaforetasteoftheholyhabit，wereagenuinehappinessandarealrecreationforthescholars。
　　Theysimplyamusedthemselveswithit。Itwasnew；itgavethemachange。Candidreasonsofchildhood，whichdonot，however，succeedinmakingusworldlingscomprehendthefelicityofholdingaholywatersprinklerinone’shandandstandingforhourstogethersinginghardenoughforfourinfrontofareading—desk。
　　Thepupilsconformed，withtheexceptionoftheausterities，toallthepracticesoftheconvent。Therewasacertainyoungwomanwhoenteredtheworld，andwhoaftermanyyearsofmarriedlifehadnotsucceededinbreakingherselfofthehabitofsayingingreathastewheneveranyoneknockedatherdoor，"forever！"
　　Likethenuns，thepupilssawtheirrelativesonlyintheparlor。
　　Theirverymothersdidnotobtainpermissiontoembracethem。
　　Thefollowingillustratestowhatadegreeseverityonthatpointwascarried。Onedayayounggirlreceivedavisitfromhermother，whowasaccompaniedbyalittlesisterthreeyearsofage。
　　Theyounggirlwept，forshewishedgreatlytoembracehersister。
　　Impossible。Shebeggedthat，atleast，thechildmightbepermittedtopassherlittlehandthroughthebarssothatshecouldkissit。
　　Thiswasalmostindignantlyrefused。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　GAYETIES
　　Nonetheless，theseyounggirlsfilledthisgravehousewithcharmingsouvenirs。
　　Atcertainhourschildhoodsparkledinthatcloister。Therecreationhourstruck。Adoorswungonitshinges。Thebirdssaid，"Good；herecomethechildren！"Anirruptionofyouthinundatedthatgardenintersectedwithacrosslikeashroud。Radiantfaces，whiteforeheads，innocenteyes，fullofmerrylight，allsortsofauroras，werescatteredaboutamidtheseshadows。Afterthepsalmodies，thebells，thepeals，andknellsandoffices，thesoundoftheselittlegirlsburstforthonasuddenmoresweetlythanthenoiseofbees。
　　Thehiveofjoywasopened，andeachonebroughtherhoney。
　　Theyplayed，theycalledtoeachother，theyformedintogroups，theyranabout；prettylittlewhiteteethchatteredinthecorners；
　　theveilssuperintendedthelaughsfromadistance，shadeskeptwatchofthesunbeams，butwhatmatteredit？Stilltheybeamedandlaughed。
　　Thosefourlugubriouswallshadtheirmomentofdazzlingbrilliancy。
　　Theylookedon，vaguelyblanchedwiththereflectionofsomuchjoyatthissweetswarmingofthehives。Itwaslikeashowerofrosesfallingathwartthishouseofmourning。Theyounggirlsfrolickedbeneaththeeyesofthenuns；thegazeofimpeccabilitydoesnotembarrassinnocence。Thankstothesechildren，therewas，amongsomanyausterehours，onehourofingenuousness。Thelittleonesskippedabout；theelderonesdanced。Inthiscloisterplaywasmingledwithheaven。Nothingissodelightfulandsoaugustasallthesefresh，expandingyoungsouls。HomerwouldhavecomethithertolaughwithPerrault；andtherewasinthatblackgarden，youth，health，noise，cries，giddiness，pleasure，happinessenoughtosmoothoutthewrinklesofalltheirancestresses，thoseoftheepicaswellasthoseofthefairy—tale，thoseofthethroneaswellasthoseofthethatchedcottagefromHecubatolaMere—Grand。
　　Inthathousemorethananywhereelse，perhaps，arisethosechildren’ssayingswhicharesogracefulandwhichevokeasmilethatisfullofthoughtfulness。Itwasbetweenthosefourgloomywallsthatachildoffiveyearsexclaimedoneday:
　　"Mother！oneofthebiggirlshasjusttoldmethatIhaveonlynineyearsandtenmonthslongertoremainhere。Whathappiness！"
　　Itwashere，too，thatthismemorabledialoguetookplace:——
　　AVocalMother。Whyareyouweeping，mychild？
　　Thechild（agedsix）。ItoldAlixthatIknewmyFrenchhistory。
　　ShesaysthatIdonotknowit，butIdo。
　　Alix，thebiggirl（agednine）。No；shedoesnotknowit。
　　TheMother。Howisthat，mychild？
　　Alix。Shetoldmetoopenthebookatrandomandtoaskheranyquestioninthebook，andshewouldanswerit。
　　"Well？"
　　"Shedidnotanswerit。"
　　"Letusseeaboutit。Whatdidyouaskher？"
　　"Iopenedthebookatrandom，assheproposed，andIputthefirstquestionthatIcameacross。"
　　"Andwhatwasthequestion？"
　　"Itwas，`Whathappenedafterthat？’"
　　Itwastherethatthatprofoundremarkwasmadeanentarathergreedyparoquetwhichbelongedtoaladyboarder:——
　　"Howwellbred！iteatsthetopofthesliceofbreadandbutterjustlikeaperson！"
　　Itwasononeoftheflagstonesofthiscloisterthattherewasoncepickedupaconfessionwhichhadbeenwrittenoutinadvance，inorderthatshemightnotforgetit，byasinnerofsevenyears:——
　　"Father，Iaccusemyselfofhavingbeenavaricious。
　　"Father，Iaccusemyselfofhavingbeenanadulteress。
　　"Father，Iaccusemyselfofhavingraisedmyeyestothegentlemen。"
　　Itwasononeoftheturfbenchesofthisgardenthatarosymouthsixyearsofageimprovisedthefollowingtale，whichwaslistenedtobyblueeyesagedfourandfiveyears:——
　　"Therewerethreelittlecockswhoownedacountrywheretherewereagreatmanyflowers。Theypluckedtheflowersandputthemintheirpockets。Afterthattheypluckedtheleavesandputthemintheirplaythings。Therewasawolfinthatcountry；
　　therewasagreatdealofforest；andthewolfwasintheforest；
　　andheatethelittlecocks。"
　　Andthisotherpoem:——
　　"Therecameablowwithastick。
　　"ItwasPunchinellowhobestoweditonthecat。
　　"Itwasnotgoodforher；ithurther。
　　"ThenaladyputPunchinelloinprison。"
　　Itwastherethatalittleabandonedchild，afoundlingwhomtheconventwasbringingupoutofcharity，utteredthissweetandheart—breakingsaying。Sheheardtheotherstalkingoftheirmothers，andshemurmuredinhercorner:——
　　"Asforme，mymotherwasnottherewhenIwasborn！"
　　Therewasastoutportresswhocouldalwaysbeseenhurryingthroughthecorridorswithherbunchofkeys，andwhosenamewasSisterAgatha。Thebigbiggirls——thoseovertenyearsofage——
　　calledherAgathocles。
　　Therefectory，alargeapartmentofanoblongsquareform，whichreceivednolightexceptthroughavaultedcloisteronalevelwiththegarden，wasdarkanddamp，and，asthechildrensay，fullofbeasts。
　　Alltheplacesroundaboutfurnishedtheircontingentofinsects。
　　Eachofitsfourcornershadreceived，inthelanguageofthepupils，aspecialandexpressivename。TherewasSpidercorner，Caterpillarcorner，Wood—lousecorner，andCricketcorner。
　　Cricketcornerwasnearthekitchenandwashighlyesteemed。
　　Itwasnotsocoldthereaselsewhere。Fromtherefectorythenameshadpassedtotheboarding—school，andthereservedasintheoldCollegeMazarintodistinguishfournations。Everypupilbelongedtooneofthesefournationsaccordingtothecorneroftherefectoryinwhichshesatatmeals。OnedayMonseigneurtheArchbishopwhilemakinghispastoralvisitsawaprettylittlerosygirlwithbeautifulgoldenhairentertheclass—roomthroughwhichhewaspassing。
　　Heinquiredofanotherpupil，acharmingbrunettewithrosycheeks，whostoodnearhim:——
　　"Whoisthat？"
　　"Sheisaspider，Monseigneur。"
　　"Bah！Andthatoneyonder？"
　　"Sheisacricket。"
　　"Andthatone？"
　　"Sheisacaterpillar。"
　　"Really！andyourself？"
　　"Iamawood—louse，Monseigneur。"
　　Everyhouseofthissorthasitsownpeculiarities。AtthebeginningofthiscenturyEcouenwasoneofthosestrictandgracefulplaceswhereyounggirlspasstheirchildhoodinashadowthatisalmostaugust。
　　AtEcouen，inordertotakerankintheprocessionoftheHolySacrament，adistinctionwasmadebetweenvirginsandflorists。
　　Therewerealsothe"dais"andthe"censors，"——thefirstwhoheldthecordsofthedais，andtheotherswhocarriedincensebeforetheHolySacrament。Theflowersbelongedbyrighttotheflorists。
　　Four"virgins"walkedinadvance。Onthemorningofthatgreatdayitwasnorarethingtohearthequestionputinthedormitory，"Whoisavirgin？"
　　MadameCampanusedtoquotethissayingofa"littleone"ofsevenyears，toa"biggirl"ofsixteen，whotooktheheadoftheprocession，whileshe，thelittleone，remainedattherear，"Youareavirgin，butIamnot。"
　　CHAPTERV
　　DISTRACTIONS
　　Abovethedooroftherefectorythisprayer，whichwascalledthewhitePaternoster，andwhichpossessedthepropertyofbearingpeoplestraighttoparadise，wasinscribedinlargeblackletters:——
　　"LittlewhitePaternoster，whichGodmade，whichGodsaid，whichGodplacedinparadise。Intheevening，whenIwenttobed，Ifoundthreeangelssittingonmybed，oneatthefoot，twoatthehead，thegoodVirginMaryinthemiddle，whotoldmetoliedownwithouthesitation。ThegoodGodismyfather，thegoodVirginismymother，thethreeapostlesaremybrothers，thethreevirginsaremysisters。TheshirtinwhichGodwasbornenvelopesmybody；SaintMargaret’scrossiswrittenonmybreast。
　　MadametheVirginwaswalkingthroughthemeadows，weepingforGod，whenshemetM。SaintJohn。`MonsieurSaintJohn，whencecomeyou？’
　　`IcomefromAveSalus。’`YouhavenotseenthegoodGod；whereishe？’
　　`HeisonthetreeoftheCross，hisfeethanging，hishandsnailed，alittlecapofwhitethornsonhishead。’Whoevershallsaythisthriceateventide，thriceinthemorning，shallwinparadiseatthelast。"
　　In1827thischaracteristicorisonhaddisappearedfromthewallunderatriplecoatingofdaubingpaint。Atthepresenttimeitisfinallydisappearingfromthememoriesofseveralwhowereyounggirlsthen，andwhoareoldwomennow。
　　Alargecrucifixfastenedtothewallcompletedthedecorationofthisrefectory，whoseonlydoor，aswethinkwehavementioned，openedonthegarden。Twonarrowtables，eachflankedbytwowoodenbenches，formedtwolongparallellinesfromoneendtotheotheroftherefectory。Thewallswerewhite，thetableswereblack；thesetwomourningcolorsconstitutetheonlyvarietyinconvents。Themealswereplain，andthefoodofthechildrenthemselvessevere。Asingledishofmeatandvegetablescombined，orsaltfish——suchwastheirluxury。Thismeagrefare，whichwasreservedforthepupilsalone，was，nevertheless，anexception。
　　Thechildrenateinsilence，undertheeyeofthemotherwhoseturnitwas，who，ifaflytookanotiontoflyortohumagainsttherule，openedandshutawoodenbookfromtimetotime。
　　Thissilencewasseasonedwiththelivesofthesaints，readaloudfromalittlepulpitwithadesk，whichwassituatedatthefootofthecrucifix。Thereaderwasoneofthebiggirls，inweeklyturn。
　　Atregulardistances，onthebaretables，therewerelarge，varnishedbowlsinwhichthepupilswashedtheirownsilvercupsandknivesandforks，andintowhichtheysometimesthrewsomescrapoftoughmeatorspoiledfish；thiswaspunished。Thesebowlswerecalledrondsd’eau。Thechildwhobrokethesilence"madeacrosswithhertongue。"Where？Ontheground。Shelickedthepavement。
　　Thedust，thatendofalljoys，waschargedwiththechastisementofthosepoorlittlerose—leaveswhichhadbeenguiltyofchirping。
　　Therewasintheconventabookwhichhasneverbeenprintedexceptasauniquecopy，andwhichitisforbiddentoread。ItistheruleofSaint—Benoit。Anarcanumwhichnoprofaneeyemustpenetrate。