Letanotarytransfigurehimselfintoadeputy:letafalseCorneillecomposeTiridate；letaeunuchcometopossessaharem；
　　letamilitaryPrudhommeaccidentallywinthedecisivebattleofanepoch；letanapothecaryinventcardboardshoe—solesforthearmyoftheSambre—and—Meuse，andconstructforhimself，outofthiscardboard，soldasleather，fourhundredthousandfrancsofincome；
　　letapork—packerespouseusury，andcauseittobringforthsevenoreightmillions，ofwhichheisthefatherandofwhichitisthemother；letapreacherbecomeabishopbyforceofhisnasaldrawl；
　　letthestewardofafinefamilybesorichonretiringfromservicethatheismadeministeroffinances，——andmencallthatGenius，justastheycallthefaceofMousquetonBeauty，andthemienofClaudeMajesty。Withtheconstellationsofspacetheyconfoundthestarsoftheabysswhicharemadeinthesoftmireofthepuddlebythefeetofducks。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　WHATHEBELIEVED
　　WearenotobligedtosoundtheBishopofD————onthescoreoforthodoxy。Inthepresenceofsuchasoulwefeelourselvesinnomoodbutrespect。Theconscienceofthejustmanshouldbeacceptedonhisword。Moreover，certainnaturesbeinggiven，weadmitthepossibledevelopmentofallbeautiesofhumanvirtueinabeliefthatdiffersfromourown。
　　Whatdidhethinkofthisdogma，orofthatmystery？Thesesecretsoftheinnertribunaloftheconscienceareknownonlytothetomb，wheresoulsenternaked。Thepointonwhichwearecertainis，thatthedifficultiesoffaithneverresolvedthemselvesintohypocrisyinhiscase。Nodecayispossibletothediamond。
　　Hebelievedtotheextentofhispowers。"CredoinPatrem，"
　　heoftenexclaimed。Moreover，hedrewfromgoodworksthatamountofsatisfactionwhichsufficestotheconscience，andwhichwhisperstoaman，"ThouartwithGod！"
　　Thepointwhichweconsideritourdutytonoteis，thatoutsideofandbeyondhisfaith，asitwere，theBishoppossessedanexcessoflove。Inwasinthatquarter，quiamultumamavit，——becausehelovedmuch——thathewasregardedasvulnerableby"seriousmen，"
　　"gravepersons"and"reasonablepeople"；favoritelocutionsofoursadworldwhereegotismtakesitswordofcommandfrompedantry。
　　Whatwasthisexcessoflove？Itwasaserenebenevolencewhichoverflowedmen，aswehavealreadypointedout，andwhich，onoccasion，extendedeventothings。Helivedwithoutdisdain。
　　HewasindulgenttowardsGod’screation。Everyman，eventhebest，haswithinhimathoughtlessharshnesswhichhereservesforanimals。
　　TheBishopofD————hadnoneofthatharshness，whichispeculiartomanypriests，nevertheless。HedidnotgoasfarastheBrahmin，butheseemedtohaveweighedthissayingofEcclesiastes:"Whoknowethwhitherthesouloftheanimalgoeth？"Hideousnessofaspect，deformityofinstinct，troubledhimnot，anddidnotarousehisindignation。Hewastouched，almostsoftenedbythem。
　　Itseemedasthoughhewentthoughtfullyawaytoseekbeyondtheboundsoflifewhichisapparent，thecause，theexplanation，ortheexcuseforthem。HeseemedattimestobeaskingGodtocommutethesepenalties。Heexaminedwithoutwrath，andwiththeeyeofalinguistwhoisdecipheringapalimpsest，thatportionofchaoswhichstillexistsinnature。Thisreverysometimescausedhimtoutteroddsayings。Onemorninghewasinhisgarden，andthoughthimselfalone，buthissisterwaswalkingbehindhim，unseenbyhim:suddenlyhepausedandgazedatsomethingontheground；
　　itwasalarge，black，hairy，frightfulspider。Hissisterheardhimsay:——
　　"Poorbeast！Itisnotitsfault！"
　　Whynotmentionthesealmostdivinelychildishsayingsofkindness？
　　Pueriletheymaybe；butthesesublimepuerilitieswerepeculiartoSaintFrancisd’AssisiandofMarcusAurelius。Onedayhesprainedhisankleinhisefforttoavoidsteppingonanant。
　　Thuslivedthisjustman。Sometimeshefellasleepinhisgarden，andthentherewasnothingmorevenerablepossible。
　　MonseigneurBienvenuhadformerlybeen，ifthestoriesanenthisyouth，andeveninregardtohismanhood，weretobebelieved，apassionate，and，possibly，aviolentman。Hisuniversalsuavitywaslessaninstinctofnaturethantheresultofagrandconvictionwhichhadfilteredintohisheartthroughthemediumoflife，andhadtrickledthereslowly，thoughtbythought；for，inacharacter，asinarock，theremayexistaperturesmadebydropsofwater。
　　Thesehollowsareuneffaceable；theseformationsareindestructible。
　　In1815，aswethinkwehavealreadysaid，hereachedhisseventy—fifthbirthday，buthedidnotappeartobemorethansixty。Hewasnottall；hewasratherplump；and，inordertocombatthistendency，hewasfondoftakinglongstrollsonfoot；hisstepwasfirm，andhisformwasbutslightlybent，adetailfromwhichwedonotpretendtodrawanyconclusion。GregoryXVI。，attheageofeighty，heldhimselferectandsmiling，whichdidnotpreventhimfrombeingabadbishop。MonseigneurWelcomehadwhatthepeopleterma"finehead，"butsoamiablewashethattheyforgotthatitwasfine。
　　Whenheconversedwiththatinfantilegayetywhichwasoneofhischarms，andofwhichwehavealreadyspoken，peoplefeltattheireasewithhim，andjoyseemedtoradiatefromhiswholeperson。Hisfreshandruddycomplexion，hisverywhiteteeth，allofwhichhehadpreserved，andwhichweredisplayedbyhissmile，gavehimthatopenandeasyairwhichcausetheremarktobemadeofaman，"He’sagoodfellow"；
　　andofanoldman，"Heisafineman。"That，itwillberecalled，wastheeffectwhichheproduceduponNapoleon。Onthefirstencounter，andtoonewhosawhimforthefirsttime，hewasnothing，infact，butafineman。Butifoneremainednearhimforafewhours，andbeheldhimintheleastdegreepensive，thefinemanbecamegraduallytransfigured，andtookonsomeimposingquality，Iknownotwhat；hisbroadandseriousbrow，renderedaugustbyhiswhitelocks，becameaugustalsobyvirtueofmeditation；
　　majestyradiatedfromhisgoodness，thoughhisgoodnessceasednottoberadiant；oneexperiencedsomethingoftheemotionwhichonewouldfeelonbeholdingasmilingangelslowlyunfoldhiswings，withoutceasingtosmile。Respect，anunutterablerespect，penetratedyoubydegreesandmountedtoyourheart，andonefeltthatonehadbeforehimoneofthosestrong，thoroughlytried，andindulgentsoulswherethoughtissograndthatitcannolongerbeanythingbutgentle。
　　Aswehaveseen，prayer，thecelebrationoftheofficesofreligion，alms—giving，theconsolationoftheafflicted，thecultivationofabitofland，fraternity，frugality，hospitality，renunciation，confidence，study，work，filledeverydayofhislife。Filledisexactlytheword；certainlytheBishop’sdaywasquitefulltothebrim，ofgoodwordsandgooddeeds。Nevertheless，itwasnotcompleteifcoldorrainyweatherpreventedhispassinganhourortwoinhisgardenbeforegoingtobed，andafterthetwowomenhadretired。
　　Itseemedtobeasortofritewithhim，topreparehimselfforslumberbymeditationinthepresenceofthegrandspectaclesofthenocturnalheavens。Sometimes，ifthetwooldwomenwerenotasleep，theyheardhimpacingslowlyalongthewalksataveryadvancedhourofthenight。Hewastherealone，communingwithhimself，peaceful，adoring，comparingtheserenityofhisheartwiththeserenityoftheether，movedamidthedarknessbythevisiblesplendoroftheconstellationsandtheinvisiblesplendorofGod，openinghishearttothethoughtswhichfallfromtheUnknown。
　　Atsuchmoments，whileheofferedhisheartatthehourwhennocturnalflowersoffertheirperfume，illuminatedlikealampamidthestarrynight，ashepouredhimselfoutinecstasyinthemidstoftheuniversalradianceofcreation，hecouldnothavetoldhimself，probably，whatwaspassinginhisspirit；hefeltsomethingtakeitsflightfromhim，andsomethingdescendintohim。Mysteriousexchangeoftheabyssesofthesoulwiththeabyssesoftheuniverse！
　　HethoughtofthegrandeurandpresenceofGod；ofthefutureeternity，thatstrangemystery；oftheeternitypast，amysterystillmorestrange；ofalltheinfinities，whichpiercedtheirwayintoallhissenses，beneathhiseyes；and，withoutseekingtocomprehendtheincomprehensible，hegazeduponit。HedidnotstudyGod；
　　hewasdazzledbyhim。Heconsideredthosemagnificentconjunctionsofatoms，whichcommunicateaspectstomatter，revealforcesbyverifyingthem，createindividualitiesinunity，proportionsinextent，theinnumerableintheinfinite，and，throughlight，producebeauty。
　　Theseconjunctionsareformedanddissolvedincessantly；
　　hencelifeanddeath。
　　Heseatedhimselfonawoodenbench，withhisbackagainstadecrepitvine；hegazedatthestars，pastthepunyandstuntedsilhouettesofhisfruit—trees。Thisquarterofanacre，sopoorlyplanted，soencumberedwithmeanbuildingsandsheds，wasdeartohim，andsatisfiedhiswants。
　　Whatmorewasneededbythisoldman，whodividedtheleisureofhislife，wheretherewassolittleleisure，betweengardeninginthedaytimeandcontemplationatnight？Wasnotthisnarrowenclosure，withtheheavensforaceiling，sufficienttoenablehimtoadoreGodinhismostdivineworks，inturn？Doesnotthiscomprehendall，infact？andwhatistherelefttodesirebeyondit？
　　Alittlegardeninwhichtowalk，andimmensityinwhichtodream。
　　Atone’sfeetthatwhichcanbecultivatedandplucked；overheadthatwhichonecanstudyandmeditateupon:someflowersonearth，andallthestarsinthesky。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　WHATHETHOUGHT
　　Onelastword。
　　Sincethissortofdetailsmight，particularlyatthepresentmoment，andtouseanexpressionnowinfashion，givetotheBishopofD————
　　acertain"pantheistical"physiognomy，andinducethebelief，eithertohiscreditordiscredit，thatheentertainedoneofthosepersonalphilosophieswhicharepeculiartoourcentury，whichsometimesspringupinsolitaryspirits，andtheretakeonaformandgrowuntiltheyusurptheplaceofreligion，weinsistuponit，thatnotoneofthosepersonswhoknewMonseigneurWelcomewouldhavethoughthimselfauthorizedtothinkanythingofthesort。
　　Thatwhichenlightenedthismanwashisheart。Hiswisdomwasmadeofthelightwhichcomesfromthere。
　　Nosystems；manyworks。Abstrusespeculationscontainvertigo；no，thereisnothingtoindicatethatheriskedhismindinapocalypses。
　　Theapostlemaybedaring，butthebishopmustbetimid。Hewouldprobablyhavefeltascrupleatsoundingtoofarinadvancecertainproblemswhichare，inamanner，reservedforterriblegreatminds。
　　Thereisasacredhorrorbeneaththeporchesoftheenigma；
　　thosegloomyopeningsstandyawningthere，butsomethingtellsyou，you，apasser—byinlife，thatyoumustnotenter。
　　Woetohimwhopenetratesthither！
　　Geniusesintheimpenetrabledepthsofabstractionandpurespeculation，situated，sotospeak，abovealldogmas，proposetheirideastoGod。Theirprayeraudaciouslyoffersdiscussion。
　　Theiradorationinterrogates。Thisisdirectreligion，whichisfullofanxietyandresponsibilityforhimwhoattemptsitssteepcliffs。
　　Humanmeditationhasnolimits。Athisownriskandperil，itanalyzesanddigsdeepintoitsownbedazzlement。Onemightalmostsay，thatbyasortofsplendidreaction，itwithitdazzlesnature；
　　themysteriousworldwhichsurroundsusrendersbackwhatithasreceived；itisprobablethatthecontemplatorsarecontemplated。
　　Howeverthatmaybe，thereareonearthmenwho——aretheymen？——
　　perceivedistinctlyatthevergeofthehorizonsofreverytheheightsoftheabsolute，andwhohavetheterriblevisionoftheinfinitemountain。MonseigneurWelcomewasoneofthesemen；
　　MonseigneurWelcomewasnotagenius。Hewouldhavefearedthosesublimitieswhencesomeverygreatmeneven，likeSwedenborgandPascal，haveslippedintoinsanity。Certainly，thesepowerfulreverieshavetheirmoralutility，andbythesearduouspathsoneapproachestoidealperfection。Asforhim，hetookthepathwhichshortens，——
　　theGospel’s。
　　HedidnotattempttoimparttohischasublethefoldsofElijah’smantle；
　　heprojectednorayoffutureuponthedarkgroundswellofevents；
　　hedidnotseetocondenseinflamethelightofthings；hehadnothingoftheprophetandnothingofthemagicianabouthim。
　　Thishumblesoulloved，andthatwasall。
　　Thathecarriedprayertothepitchofasuperhumanaspirationisprobable:butonecannomorepraytoomuchthanonecanlovetoomuch；andifitisaheresytopraybeyondthetexts，SaintTheresaandSaintJeromewouldbeheretics。
　　Heinclinedtowardsallthatgroansandallthatexpiates。
　　Theuniverseappearedtohimlikeanimmensemalady；everywherehefeltfever，everywhereheheardthesoundofsuffering，and，withoutseekingtosolvetheenigma，hestrovetodressthewound。
　　Theterriblespectacleofcreatedthingsdevelopedtendernessinhim；
　　hewasoccupiedonlyinfindingforhimself，andininspiringotherswiththebestwaytocompassionateandrelieve。Thatwhichexistswasforthisgoodandrarepriestapermanentsubjectofsadnesswhichsoughtconsolation。
　　Therearemenwhotoilatextractinggold；hetoiledattheextractionofpity。Universalmiserywashismine。Thesadnesswhichreignedeverywherewasbutanexcuseforunfailingkindness。Loveeachother；
　　hedeclaredthistobecomplete，desirednothingfurther，andthatwasthewholeofhisdoctrine。Oneday，thatmanwhobelievedhimselftobea"philosopher，"thesenatorwhohasalreadybeenalludedto，saidtotheBishop:"Justsurveythespectacleoftheworld:
　　allwaragainstall；thestrongesthasthemostwit。Yourloveeachotherisnonsense。"——"Well，"repliedMonseigneurWelcome，withoutcontestingthepoint，"ifitisnonsense，thesoulshouldshutitselfupinit，asthepearlintheoyster。"Thusheshuthimselfup，helivedthere，hewasabsolutelysatisfiedwithit，leavingononesidetheprodigiousquestionswhichattractandterrify，thefathomlessperspectivesofabstraction，theprecipicesofmetaphysics——allthoseprofunditieswhichconverge，fortheapostleinGod，fortheatheistinnothingness；destiny，goodandevil，thewayofbeingagainstbeing，theconscienceofman，thethoughtfulsomnambulismoftheanimal，thetransformationindeath，therecapitulationofexistenceswhichthetombcontains，theincomprehensiblegraftingofsuccessivelovesonthepersistent_I_，theessence，thesubstance，theNile，andtheEns，thesoul，nature，liberty，necessity；perpendicularproblems，sinisterobscurities，whereleanthegiganticarchangelsofthehumanmind；formidableabysses，whichLucretius，Manou，SaintPaul，Dante，contemplatewitheyesflashinglightning，whichseemsbyitssteadygazeontheinfinitetocausestarstoblazeforththere。
　　MonseigneurBienvenuwassimplyamanwhotooknoteoftheexteriorofmysteriousquestionswithoutscrutinizingthem，andwithouttroublinghisownmindwiththem，andwhocherishedinhisownsoulagraverespectfordarkness。
　　BOOKSECOND——THEFALL
　　CHAPTERI
　　THEEVENINGOFADAYOFWALKING
　　EarlyinthemonthofOctober，1815，aboutanhourbeforesunset，amanwhowastravellingonfootenteredthelittletownofD————
　　Thefewinhabitantswhowereattheirwindowsorontheirthresholdsatthemomentstaredatthistravellerwithasortofuneasiness。
　　Itwasdifficulttoencounterawayfarerofmorewretchedappearance。
　　Hewasamanofmediumstature，thicksetandrobust，intheprimeoflife。Hemighthavebeenforty—sixorforty—eightyearsold。
　　Acapwithadroopingleathervisorpartlyconcealedhisface，burnedandtannedbysunandwind，anddrippingwithperspiration。
　　Hisshirtofcoarseyellowlinen，fastenedattheneckbyasmallsilveranchor，permittedaviewofhishairybreast:hehadacravattwistedintoastring；trousersofbluedrilling，wornandthreadbare，whiteononekneeandtornontheother；anoldgray，tatteredblouse，patchedononeoftheelbowswithabitofgreenclothsewedonwithtwine；atightlypackedsoldierknapsack，wellbuckledandperfectlynew，onhisback；anenormous，knottystickinhishand；
　　iron—shodshoesonhisstockinglessfeet；ashavedheadandalongbeard。
　　Thesweat，theheat，thejourneyonfoot，thedust，addedIknownotwhatsordidqualitytothisdilapidatedwhole。Hishairwascloselycut，yetbristling，forithadbeguntogrowalittle，anddidnotseemtohavebeencutforsometime。
　　Nooneknewhim。Hewasevidentlyonlyachancepasser—by。Whencecamehe？Fromthesouth；fromtheseashore，perhaps，forhemadehisentranceintoD————bythesamestreetwhich，sevenmonthspreviously，hadwitnessedthepassageoftheEmperorNapoleononhiswayfromCannestoParis。Thismanmusthavebeenwalkingallday。
　　Heseemedverymuchfatigued。SomewomenoftheancientmarkettownwhichissituatedbelowthecityhadseenhimpausebeneaththetreesoftheboulevardGassendi，anddrinkatthefountainwhichstandsattheendofthepromenade。Hemusthavebeenverythirsty:
　　forthechildrenwhofollowedhimsawhimstopagainforadrink，twohundredpacesfurtheron，atthefountaininthemarket—place。
　　OnarrivingatthecorneroftheRuePoichevert，heturnedtotheleft，anddirectedhisstepstowardthetown—hall。Heentered，thencameoutaquarterofanhourlater。Agendarmewasseatednearthedoor，onthestonebenchwhichGeneralDrouothadmountedonthe4thofMarchtoreadtothefrightenedthrongoftheinhabitantsofD————
　　theproclamationoftheGulfJuan。Themanpulledoffhiscapandhumblysalutedthegendarme。
　　Thegendarme，withoutreplyingtohissalute，staredattentivelyathim，followedhimforawhilewithhiseyes，andthenenteredthetown—hall。
　　TherethenexistedatD————afineinnatthesignoftheCrossofColbas。ThisinnhadforalandlordacertainJacquinLabarre，amanofconsiderationinthetownonaccountofhisrelationshiptoanotherLabarre，whokepttheinnoftheThreeDauphinsinGrenoble，andhadservedintheGuides。AtthetimeoftheEmperor’slanding，manyrumorshadcirculatedthroughoutthecountrywithregardtothisinnoftheThreeDauphins。ItwassaidthatGeneralBertrand，disguisedasacarter，hadmadefrequenttripsthitherinthemonthofJanuary，andthathehaddistributedcrossesofhonortothesoldiersandhandfulsofgoldtothecitizens。Thetruthis，thatwhentheEmperorenteredGrenoblehehadrefusedtoinstallhimselfatthehoteloftheprefecture；hehadthankedthemayor，saying，"Iamgoingtothehouseofabravemanofmyacquaintance"；
　　andhehadbetakenhimselftotheThreeDauphins。ThisgloryoftheLabarreoftheThreeDauphinswasreflectedupontheLabarreoftheCrossofColbas，atadistanceoffiveandtwentyleagues。
　　Itwassaidofhiminthetown，"ThatisthecousinofthemanofGrenoble。"
　　Themanbenthisstepstowardsthisinn，whichwasthebestinthecountry—side。Heenteredthekitchen，whichopenedonalevelwiththestreet。Allthestoveswerelighted；ahugefireblazedgaylyinthefireplace。Thehost，whowasalsothechiefcook，wasgoingfromonestew—pantoanother，verybusilysuperintendinganexcellentdinnerdesignedforthewagoners，whoseloudtalking，conversation，andlaughterwereaudiblefromanadjoiningapartment。
　　Anyonewhohastravelledknowsthatthereisnoonewhoindulgesinbettercheerthanwagoners。Afatmarmot，flankedbywhitepartridgesandheather—cocks，wasturningonalongspitbeforethefire；onthestove，twohugecarpsfromLakeLauzetandatroutfromLakeAllozwerecooking。
　　Thehost，hearingthedooropenandseeinganewcomerenter，said，withoutraisinghiseyesfromhisstoves:——
　　"Whatdoyouwish，sir？"
　　"Foodandlodging，"saidtheman。
　　"Nothingeasier，"repliedthehost。Atthatmomentheturnedhishead，tookinthetraveller’sappearancewithasingleglance，andadded，"Bypayingforit。"
　　Themandrewalargeleatherpursefromthepocketofhisblouse，andanswered，"Ihavemoney。"
　　"Inthatcase，weareatyourservice，"saidthehost。
　　Themanputhispursebackinhispocket，removedhisknapsackfromhisback，putitonthegroundnearthedoor，retainedhisstickinhishand，andseatedhimselfonalowstoolclosetothefire。
　　D————isinthemountains。TheeveningsarecoldthereinOctober。
　　Butasthehostwentbackandforth，hescrutinizedthetraveller。
　　"Willdinnerbereadysoon？"saidtheman。
　　"Immediately，"repliedthelandlord。
　　Whilethenewcomerwaswarminghimselfbeforethefire，withhisbackturned，theworthyhost，JacquinLabarre，drewapencilfromhispocket，thentoreoffthecornerofanoldnewspaperwhichwaslyingonasmalltablenearthewindow。Onthewhitemarginhewrotealineortwo，foldeditwithoutsealing，andthenintrustedthisscrapofpapertoachildwhoseemedtoservehiminthecapacitybothofscullionandlackey。Thelandlordwhisperedawordinthescullion’sear，andthechildsetoffonaruninthedirectionofthetown—hall。
　　Thetravellersawnothingofallthis。
　　Oncemoreheinquired，"Willdinnerbereadysoon？"
　　"Immediately，"respondedthehost。
　　Thechildreturned。Hebroughtbackthepaper。Thehostunfoldediteagerly，likeapersonwhoisexpectingareply。Heseemedtoreaditattentively，thentossedhishead，andremainedthoughtfulforamoment。Thenhetookastepinthedirectionofthetraveller，whoappearedtobeimmersedinreflectionswhichwerenotveryserene。
　　"Icannotreceiveyou，sir，"saidhe。
　　Themanhalfrose。
　　"What！AreyouafraidthatIwillnotpayyou？Doyouwantmetopayyouinadvance？Ihavemoney，Itellyou。"
　　"Itisnotthat。"
　　"Whatthen？"
　　"Youhavemoney——"
　　"Yes，"saidtheman。
　　"AndI，"saidthehost，"havenoroom。"
　　Themanresumedtranquilly，"Putmeinthestable。"
　　"Icannot。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Thehorsestakeupallthespace。"
　　"Verywell！"retortedtheman；"acorneroftheloftthen，atrussofstraw。Wewillseeaboutthatafterdinner。"
　　"Icannotgiveyouanydinner。"
　　Thisdeclaration，madeinameasuredbutfirmtone，struckthestrangerasgrave。Herose。
　　"Ah！bah！ButIamdyingofhunger。Ihavebeenwalkingsincesunrise。
　　Ihavetravelledtwelveleagues。Ipay。Iwishtoeat。"
　　"Ihavenothing，"saidthelandlord。
　　Themanburstoutlaughing，andturnedtowardsthefireplaceandthestoves:"Nothing！andallthat？"
　　"Allthatisengaged。"
　　"Bywhom？"
　　"Bymessieursthewagoners。"
　　"Howmanyarethereofthem？"
　　"Twelve。"
　　"Thereisenoughfoodtherefortwenty。"
　　"Theyhaveengagedthewholeofitandpaidforitinadvance。"
　　Themanseatedhimselfagain，andsaid，withoutraisinghisvoice，"Iamataninn；Iamhungry，andIshallremain。"
　　Thenthehostbentdowntohisear，andsaidinatonewhichmadehimstart，"Goaway！"
　　Atthatmomentthetravellerwasbendingforwardandthrustingsomebrandsintothefirewiththeiron—shodtipofhisstaff；
　　heturnedquicklyround，andasheopenedhismouthtoreply，thehostgazedsteadilyathimandadded，stillinalowvoice:
　　"Stop！there’senoughofthatsortoftalk。Doyouwantmetotellyouyourname？YournameisJeanValjean。Nowdoyouwantmetotellyouwhoyouare？WhenIsawyoucomeinIsuspectedsomething；
　　Isenttothetown—hall，andthiswasthereplythatwassenttome。
　　Canyouread？"
　　Sosaying，heheldouttothestranger，fullyunfolded，thepaperwhichhadjusttravelledfromtheinntothetown—hall，andfromthetown—halltotheinn。Themancastaglanceuponit。
　　Thelandlordresumedafterapause。
　　"Iaminthehabitofbeingpolitetoeveryone。Goaway！"
　　Themandroppedhishead，pickeduptheknapsackwhichhehaddepositedontheground，andtookhisdeparture。
　　Hechosetheprincipalstreet。Hewalkedstraightonataventure，keepingclosetothehouseslikeasadandhumiliatedman。
　　Hedidnotturnroundasingletime。Hadhedoneso，hewouldhaveseenthehostoftheCrossofColbasstandingonhisthreshold，surroundedbyalltheguestsofhisinn，andallthepassers—byinthestreet，talkingvivaciously，andpointinghimoutwithhisfinger；
　　and，fromtheglancesofterroranddistrustcastbythegroup，hemighthavedivinedthathisarrivalwouldspeedilybecomeaneventforthewholetown。
　　Hesawnothingofallthis。Peoplewhoarecrusheddonotlookbehindthem。Theyknowbuttoowelltheevilfatewhichfollowsthem。
　　Thusheproceededforsometime，walkingonwithoutceasing，traversingatrandomstreetsofwhichheknewnothing，forgetfulofhisfatigue，asisoftenthecasewhenamanissad。Allatoncehefeltthepangsofhungersharply。Nightwasdrawingnear。
　　Heglancedabouthim，toseewhetherhecouldnotdiscoversomeshelter。
　　Thefinehostelrywasclosedtohim；hewasseekingsomeveryhumblepublichouse，somehovel，howeverlowly。
　　Justthenalightflashedupattheendofthestreets；apinebranchsuspendedfromacross—beamofironwasoutlinedagainstthewhiteskyofthetwilight。Heproceededthither。
　　Itprovedtobe，infact，apublichouse。ThepublichousewhichisintheRuedeChaffaut。
　　Thewayfarerhaltedforamoment，andpeepedthroughthewindowintotheinteriorofthelow—studdedroomofthepublichouse，illuminatedbyasmalllamponatableandbyalargefireonthehearth。Somemenwereengagedindrinkingthere。Thelandlordwaswarminghimself。
　　Anironpot，suspendedfromacrane，bubbledovertheflame。
　　Theentrancetothispublichouse，whichisalsoasortofaninn，isbytwodoors。Oneopensonthestreet，theotheruponasmallyardfilledwithmanure。Thetravellerdarenotenterbythestreetdoor。
　　Heslippedintotheyard，haltedagain，thenraisedthelatchtimidlyandopenedthedoor。
　　"Whogoesthere？"saidthemaster。
　　"Someonewhowantssupperandbed。"
　　"Good。Wefurnishsupperandbedhere。"
　　Heentered。Allthemenwhoweredrinkingturnedround。
　　Thelampilluminatedhimononeside，thefirelightontheother。
　　Theyexaminedhimforsometimewhilehewastakingoffhisknapsack。
　　Thehostsaidtohim，"Thereisthefire。Thesupperiscookinginthepot。Comeandwarmyourself，comrade。"
　　Heapproachedandseatedhimselfnearthehearth。Hestretchedouthisfeet，whichwereexhaustedwithfatigue，tothefire；
　　afineodorwasemittedbythepot。Allthatcouldbedistinguishedofhisface，beneathhiscap，whichwaswellpulleddown，assumedavagueappearanceofcomfort，mingledwiththatotherpoignantaspectwhichhabitualsufferingbestows。
　　Itwas，moreover，afirm，energetic，andmelancholyprofile。
　　Thisphysiognomywasstrangelycomposed；itbeganbyseeminghumble，andendedbyseemingsevere。Theeyeshonebeneathitslasheslikeafirebeneathbrushwood。
　　Oneofthemenseatedatthetable，however，wasafishmongerwho，beforeenteringthepublichouseoftheRuedeChaffaut，hadbeentostablehishorseatLabarre’s。ItchancedthathehadthatverymorningencounteredthisunprepossessingstrangerontheroadbetweenBrasd’Asseand——Ihaveforgottenthename。
　　IthinkitwasEscoublon。Now，whenhemethim，theman，whothenseemedalreadyextremelyweary，hadrequestedhimtotakehimonhiscrupper；towhichthefishmongerhadmadenoreplyexceptbyredoublinghisgait。ThisfishmongerhadbeenamemberhalfanhourpreviouslyofthegroupwhichsurroundedJacquinLabarre，andhadhimselfrelatedhisdisagreeableencounterofthemorningtothepeopleattheCrossofColbas。Fromwherehesathemadeanimperceptiblesigntothetavern—keeper。Thetavern—keeperwenttohim。Theyexchangedafewwordsinalowtone。Themanhadagainbecomeabsorbedinhisreflections。
　　Thetavern—keeperreturnedtothefireplace，laidhishandabruptlyontheshoulderoftheman，andsaidtohim:——
　　"Youaregoingtogetoutofhere。"
　　Thestrangerturnedroundandrepliedgently，"Ah！Youknow？——"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Iwassentawayfromtheotherinn。"
　　"Andyouaretobeturnedoutofthisone。"
　　"Wherewouldyouhavemego？"
　　"Elsewhere。"
　　Themantookhisstickandhisknapsackanddeparted。
　　Ashewentout，somechildrenwhohadfollowedhimfromtheCrossofColbas，andwhoseemedtobelyinginwaitforhim，threwstonesathim。Heretracedhisstepsinanger，andthreatenedthemwithhisstick:thechildrendispersedlikeaflockofbirds。
　　Hepassedbeforetheprison。Atthedoorhunganironchainattachedtoabell。Herang。
　　Thewicketopened。
　　"Turnkey，"saidhe，removinghiscappolitely，"willyouhavethekindnesstoadmitme，andgivemealodgingforthenight？"
　　Avoicereplied:——
　　"Theprisonisnotaninn。Getyourselfarrested，andyouwillbeadmitted。"
　　Thewicketclosedagain。
　　Heenteredalittlestreetinwhichthereweremanygardens。
　　Someofthemareenclosedonlybyhedges，whichlendsacheerfulaspecttothestreet。Inthemidstofthesegardensandhedgeshecaughtsightofasmallhouseofasinglestory，thewindowofwhichwaslightedup。Hepeeredthroughthepaneashehaddoneatthepublichouse。Withinwasalargewhitewashedroom，withabeddrapedinprintedcottonstuff，andacradleinonecorner，afewwoodenchairs，andadouble—barrelledgunhangingonthewall。
　　Atablewasspreadinthecentreoftheroom。Acopperlampilluminatedthetableclothofcoarsewhitelinen，thepewterjugshininglikesilver，andfilledwithwine，andthebrown，smokingsoup—tureen。Atthistablesatamanofaboutforty，withamerryandopencountenance，whowasdandlingalittlechildonhisknees。Closebyaveryyoungwomanwasnursinganotherchild。
　　Thefatherwaslaughing，thechildwaslaughing，themotherwassmiling。
　　Thestrangerpausedamomentinreverybeforethistenderandcalmingspectacle。Whatwastakingplacewithinhim？
　　Healonecouldhavetold。Itisprobablethathethoughtthatthisjoyoushousewouldbehospitable，andthat，inaplacewherehebeheldsomuchhappiness，hewouldfindperhapsalittlepity。
　　Hetappedonthepanewithaverysmallandfeebleknock。
　　Theydidnothearhim。
　　Hetappedagain。
　　Heheardthewomansay，"Itseemstome，husband，thatsomeoneisknocking。"
　　"No，"repliedthehusband。
　　Hetappedathirdtime。
　　Thehusbandrose，tookthelamp，andwenttothedoor，whichheopened。
　　Hewasamanofloftystature，halfpeasant，halfartisan。
　　Heworeahugeleatherapron，whichreachedtohisleftshoulder，andwhichahammer，aredhandkerchief，apowder—horn，andallsortsofobjectswhichwereupheldbythegirdle，asinapocket，causedtobulgeout。Hecarriedhisheadthrownbackwards；
　　hisshirt，widelyopenedandturnedback，displayedhisbullneck，whiteandbare。Hehadthickeyelashes，enormousblackwhiskers，prominenteyes，thelowerpartofhisfacelikeasnout；
　　andbesidesallthis，thatairofbeingonhisownground，whichisindescribable。
　　"Pardonme，sir，"saidthewayfarer，"Couldyou，inconsiderationofpayment，givemeaplateofsoupandacornerofthatshedyonderinthegarden，inwhichtosleep？Tellme；canyou？
　　Formoney？"
　　"Whoareyou？"demandedthemasterofthehouse。
　　Themanreplied:"IhavejustcomefromPuy—Moisson。Ihavewalkedalldaylong。Ihavetravelledtwelveleagues。Canyou？——
　　ifIpay？"
　　"Iwouldnotrefuse，"saidthepeasant，"tolodgeanyrespectablemanwhowouldpayme。Butwhydoyounotgototheinn？"
　　"Thereisnoroom。"
　　"Bah！Impossible。Thisisneitherafairnoramarketday。
　　HaveyoubeentoLabarre？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Well？"
　　Thetravellerrepliedwithembarrassment:"Idonotknow。
　　Hedidnotreceiveme。"
　　"HaveyoubeentoWhat’s—his—name’s，intheRueChaffaut？"
　　Thestranger’sembarrassmentincreased；hestammered，"Hedidnotreceivemeeither。"
　　Thepeasant’scountenanceassumedanexpressionofdistrust；
　　hesurveyedthenewcomerfromheadtofeet，andsuddenlyexclaimed，withasortofshudder:——
　　"Areyoutheman？——"
　　Hecastafreshglanceuponthestranger，tookthreestepsbackwards，placedthelamponthetable，andtookhisgundownfromthewall。
　　Meanwhile，atthewords，Areyoutheman？thewomanhadrisen，hadclaspedhertwochildreninherarms，andhadtakenrefugeprecipitatelybehindherhusband，staringinterroratthestranger，withherbosomuncovered，andwithfrightenedeyes，asshemurmuredinalowtone，"Tso—maraude。"[1]
　　[1]PatoisoftheFrenchAlps:chatdemaraude，rascallymarauder。
　　Allthistookplaceinlesstimethanitrequirestopictureittoone’sself。Afterhavingscrutinizedthemanforseveralmoments，asonescrutinizesaviper，themasterofthehousereturnedtothedoorandsaid:——
　　"Clearout！"
　　"Forpity’ssake，aglassofwater，"saidtheman。
　　"Ashotfrommygun！"saidthepeasant。
　　Thenheclosedthedoorviolently，andthemanheardhimshoottwolargebolts。Amomentlater，thewindow—shutterwasclosed，andthesoundofabarofironwhichwasplacedagainstitwasaudibleoutside。
　　Nightcontinuedtofall。AcoldwindfromtheAlpswasblowing。
　　Bythelightoftheexpiringdaythestrangerperceived，inoneofthegardenswhichborderedthestreet，asortofhut，whichseemedtohimtobebuiltofsods。Heclimbedoverthewoodenfenceresolutely，andfoundhimselfinthegarden。Heapproachedthehut；itsdoorconsistedofaverylowandnarrowaperture，anditresembledthosebuildingswhichroad—laborersconstructforthemselvesalongtheroads。Hethoughtwithoutdoubt，thatitwas，infact，thedwellingofaroad—laborer；hewassufferingfromcoldandhunger，butthiswas，atleast，ashelterfromthecold。
　　Thissortofdwellingisnotusuallyoccupiedatnight。Hethrewhimselfflatonhisface，andcrawledintothehut。Itwaswarmthere，andhefoundatolerablygoodbedofstraw。Helay，foramoment，stretchedoutonthisbed，withoutthepowertomakeamovement，sofatiguedwashe。Then，astheknapsackonhisbackwasinhisway，andasitfurnished，moreover，apillowreadytohishand，hesetaboutunbucklingoneofthestraps。Atthatmoment，aferociousgrowlbecameaudible。Heraisedhiseyes。Theheadofanenormousdogwasoutlinedinthedarknessattheentranceofthehut。
　　Itwasadog’skennel。
　　Hewashimselfvigorousandformidable；hearmedhimselfwithhisstaff，madeashieldofhisknapsack，andmadehiswayoutofthekennelinthebestwayhecould，notwithoutenlargingtherentsinhisrags。
　　Heleftthegardeninthesamemanner，butbackwards，beingobliged，inordertokeepthedogrespectful，tohaverecoursetothatmanoeuvrewithhisstickwhichmastersinthatsortoffencingdesignateaslarosecouverte。
　　Whenhehad，notwithoutdifficulty，repassedthefence，andfoundhimselfoncemoreinthestreet，alone，withoutrefuge，withoutshelter，withoutaroofoverhishead，chasedevenfromthatbedofstrawandfromthatmiserablekennel，hedroppedratherthanseatedhimselfonastone，anditappearsthatapasser—byheardhimexclaim，"Iamnotevenadog！"
　　Hesoonroseagainandresumedhismarch。Hewentoutofthetown，hopingtofindsometreeorhaystackinthefieldswhichwouldaffordhimshelter。
　　Hewalkedthusforsometime，withhisheadstilldrooping。
　　Whenhefelthimselffarfromeveryhumanhabitation，heraisedhiseyesandgazedsearchinglyabouthim。Hewasinafield。
　　Beforehimwasoneofthoselowhillscoveredwithclose—cutstubble，which，aftertheharvest，resembleshavedheads。
　　Thehorizonwasperfectlyblack。Thiswasnotalonetheobscurityofnight；itwascausedbyverylow—hangingcloudswhichseemedtorestuponthehillitself，andwhichweremountingandfillingthewholesky。Meanwhile，asthemoonwasabouttorise，andastherewasstillfloatinginthezenitharemnantofthebrightnessoftwilight，thesecloudsformedatthesummitoftheskyasortofwhitisharch，whenceagleamoflightfellupontheearth。
　　Theearthwasthusbetterlightedthanthesky，whichproducesaparticularlysinistereffect，andthehill，whosecontourwaspoorandmean，wasoutlinedvagueandwanagainstthegloomyhorizon。
　　Thewholeeffectwashideous，petty，lugubrious，andnarrow。
　　Therewasnothinginthefieldoronthehillexceptadeformedtree，whichwrithedandshiveredafewpacesdistantfromthewayfarer。
　　Thismanwasevidentlyveryfarfromhavingthosedelicatehabitsofintelligenceandspiritwhichrenderonesensibletothemysteriousaspectsofthings；nevertheless，therewassomethinginthatsky，inthathill，inthatplain，inthattree，whichwassoprofoundlydesolate，thatafteramomentofimmobilityandreveryheturnedbackabruptly。Thereareinstantswhennatureseemshostile。
　　Heretracedhissteps；thegatesofD————wereclosed。D————，whichhadsustainedsiegesduringthewarsofreligion，wasstillsurroundedin1815byancientwallsflankedbysquaretowerswhichhavebeendemolishedsince。Hepassedthroughabreachandenteredthetownagain。
　　Itmighthavebeeneighto’clockintheevening。Ashewasnotacquaintedwiththestreets，herecommencedhiswalkatrandom。
　　Inthiswayhecametotheprefecture，thentotheseminary。
　　AshepassedthroughtheCathedralSquare，heshookhisfistatthechurch。
　　Atthecornerofthissquarethereisaprintingestablishment。
　　ItistherethattheproclamationsoftheEmperorandoftheImperialGuardtothearmy，broughtfromtheIslandofElbaanddictatedbyNapoleonhimself，wereprintedforthefirsttime。
　　Wornoutwithfatigue，andnolongerentertaininganyhope，helaydownonastonebenchwhichstandsatthedoorwayofthisprintingoffice。
　　Atthatmomentanoldwomancameoutofthechurch。Shesawthemanstretchedoutintheshadow。"Whatareyoudoingthere，myfriend？"
　　saidshe。
　　Heansweredharshlyandangrily:"Asyousee，mygoodwoman，Iamsleeping。"Thegoodwoman，whowaswellworthythename，infact，wastheMarquisedeR————
　　"Onthisbench？"shewenton。
　　"Ihavehadamattressofwoodfornineteenyears，"saidtheman；
　　"to—dayIhaveamattressofstone。"
　　"Youhavebeenasoldier？"
　　"Yes，mygoodwoman，asoldier。"
　　"Whydoyounotgototheinn？"
　　"BecauseIhavenomoney。"
　　"Alas！"saidMadamedeR————，"Ihaveonlyfoursousinmypurse。"
　　"Giveittomeallthesame。"
　　Themantookthefoursous。MadamedeR————continued:"Youcannotobtainlodgingsinaninnforsosmallasum。Buthaveyoutried？
　　Itisimpossibleforyoutopassthenightthus。Youarecoldandhungry，nodoubt。Someonemighthavegivenyoualodgingoutofcharity。"
　　"Ihaveknockedatalldoors。"
　　"Well？"
　　"Ihavebeendrivenawayeverywhere。"
　　The"goodwoman"touchedtheman’sarm，andpointedouttohimontheothersideofthestreetasmall，lowhouse，whichstoodbesidetheBishop’spalace。
　　"Youhaveknockedatalldoors？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Haveyouknockedatthatone？"
　　"No。"
　　"Knockthere。"
　　CHAPTERII
　　PRUDENCECOUNSELLEDTOWISDOM。
　　Thatevening，theBishopofD————，afterhispromenadethroughthetown，remainedshutupratherlateinhisroom。HewasbusyoveragreatworkonDuties，whichwasnevercompleted，unfortunately。HewascarefullycompilingeverythingthattheFathersandthedoctorshavesaidonthisimportantsubject。Hisbookwasdividedintotwoparts:firstly，thedutiesofall；secondly，thedutiesofeachindividual，accordingtotheclasstowhichhebelongs。
　　Thedutiesofallarethegreatduties。Therearefourofthese。
　　SaintMatthewpointsthemout:dutiestowardsGod（Matt。vi。）；
　　dutiestowardsone’sself（Matt。v。29，30）；dutiestowardsone’sneighbor（Matt。vii。12）；dutiestowardsanimals（Matt。vi。
　　20，25）。AsfortheotherdutiestheBishopfoundthempointedoutandprescribedelsewhere:tosovereignsandsubjects，intheEpistletotheRomans；tomagistrates，towives，tomothers，toyoungmen，bySaintPeter；tohusbands，fathers，childrenandservants，intheEpistletotheEphesians；tothefaithful，intheEpistletotheHebrews；tovirgins，intheEpistletotheCorinthians。
　　Outofthesepreceptshewaslaboriouslyconstructingaharmoniouswhole，whichhedesiredtopresenttosouls。
　　Ateighto’clockhewasstillatwork，writingwithagooddealofinconvenienceuponlittlesquaresofpaper，withabigbookopenonhisknees，whenMadameMagloireentered，accordingtoherwont，togetthesilver—warefromthecupboardnearhisbed。Amomentlater，theBishop，knowingthatthetablewasset，andthathissisterwasprobablywaitingforhim，shuthisbook，rosefromhistable，andenteredthedining—room。
　　Thedining—roomwasanoblongapartment，withafireplace，whichhadadooropeningonthestreet（aswehavesaid），andawindowopeningonthegarden。
　　MadameMagloirewas，infact，justputtingthelasttouchestothetable。
　　Assheperformedthisservice，shewasconversingwithMademoiselleBaptistine。
　　Alampstoodonthetable；thetablewasnearthefireplace。
　　Awoodfirewasburningthere。
　　Onecaneasilypicturetoone’sselfthesetwowomen，bothofwhomwereoversixtyyearsofage。MadameMagloiresmall，plump，vivacious；
　　MademoiselleBaptistinegentle，slender，frail，somewhattallerthanherbrother，dressedinagownofpuce—coloredsilk，ofthefashionof1806，whichshehadpurchasedatthatdateinParis，andwhichhadlastedeversince。Toborrowvulgarphrases，whichpossessthemeritofgivingutteranceinasinglewordtoanideawhichawholepagewouldhardlysufficetoexpress，MadameMagloirehadtheairofapeasant，andMademoiselleBaptistinethatofalady。
　　MadameMagloireworeawhitequiltedcap，agoldJeannettecrossonavelvetribbonuponherneck，theonlybitoffemininejewelrythattherewasinthehouse，averywhitefichupuffingoutfromagownofcoarseblackwoollenstuff，withlarge，shortsleeves，anapronofcottonclothinredandgreenchecks，knottedroundthewaistwithagreenribbon，withastomacherofthesameattachedbytwopinsattheuppercorners，coarseshoesonherfeet，andyellowstockings，likethewomenofMarseilles。MademoiselleBaptistine’sgownwascutonthepatternsof1806，withashortwaist，anarrow，sheath—likeskirt，puffedsleeves，withflapsandbuttons。
　　Sheconcealedhergrayhairunderafrizzedwigknownasthebabywig。
　　MadameMagloirehadanintelligent，vivacious，andkindlyair；
　　thetwocornersofhermouthunequallyraised，andherupperlip，whichwaslargerthanthelower，impartedtoherarathercrabbedandimperiouslook。SolongasMonseigneurheldhispeace，shetalkedtohimresolutelywithamixtureofrespectandfreedom；
　　butassoonasMonseigneurbegantospeak，aswehaveseen，sheobeyedpassivelylikehermistress。MademoiselleBaptistinedidnotevenspeak。Sheconfinedherselftoobeyingandpleasinghim。
　　Shehadneverbeenpretty，evenwhenshewasyoung；shehadlarge，blue，prominenteyes，andalongarchednose；butherwholevisage，herwholeperson，breathedforthanineffablegoodness，aswestatedinthebeginning。Shehadalwaysbeenpredestinedtogentleness；
　　butfaith，charity，hope，thosethreevirtueswhichmildlywarmthesoul，hadgraduallyelevatedthatgentlenesstosanctity。Naturehadmadeheralamb，religionhadmadeheranangel。Poorsaintedvirgin！
　　Sweetmemorywhichhasvanished！
　　MademoiselleBaptistinehassooftennarratedwhatpassedattheepiscopalresidencethatevening，thattherearemanypeoplenowlivingwhostillrecallthemostminutedetails。
　　AtthemomentwhentheBishopentered，MadameMagloirewastalkingwithconsiderablevivacity。ShewasharanguingMademoiselleBaptistineonasubjectwhichwasfamiliartoherandtowhichtheBishopwasalsoaccustomed。Thequestionconcernedthelockupontheentrancedoor。
　　Itappearsthatwhileprocuringsomeprovisionsforsupper，MadameMagloirehadheardthingsindiversplaces。Peoplehadspokenofaprowlerofevilappearance；asuspiciousvagabondhadarrivedwhomustbesomewhereaboutthetown，andthosewhoshouldtakeitintotheirheadstoreturnhomelatethatnightmightbesubjectedtounpleasantencounters。Thepolicewasverybadlyorganized，moreover，becausetherewasnolovelostbetweenthePrefectandtheMayor，whosoughttoinjureeachotherbymakingthingshappen。
　　Itbehoovedwisepeopletoplaythepartoftheirownpolice，andtoguardthemselveswell，andcaremustbetakentodulyclose，barandbarricadetheirhouses，andtofastenthedoorswell。
　　MadameMagloireemphasizedtheselastwords；buttheBishophadjustcomefromhisroom，whereitwasrathercold。Heseatedhimselfinfrontofthefire，andwarmedhimself，andthenfelltothinkingofotherthings。HedidnottakeuptheremarkdroppedwithdesignbyMadameMagloire。Sherepeatedit。ThenMademoiselleBaptistine，desirousofsatisfyingMadameMagloirewithoutdispleasingherbrother，venturedtosaytimidly:——
　　"DidyouhearwhatMadameMagloireissaying，brother？"
　　"Ihaveheardsomethingofitinavagueway，"repliedtheBishop。
　　Thenhalf—turninginhischair，placinghishandsonhisknees，andraisingtowardstheoldservantwomanhiscordialface，whichsoeasilygrewjoyous，andwhichwasilluminatedfrombelowbythefirelight，——"Come，whatisthematter？Whatisthematter？
　　Areweinanygreatdanger？"
　　ThenMadameMagloirebeganthewholestoryafresh，exaggeratingitalittlewithoutbeingawareofthefact。ItappearedthataBohemian，abare—footedvagabond，asortofdangerousmendicant，wasatthatmomentinthetown。HehadpresentedhimselfatJacquinLabarre’stoobtainlodgings，butthelatterhadnotbeenwillingtotakehimin。HehadbeenseentoarrivebythewayoftheboulevardGassendiandroamaboutthestreetsinthegloaming。
　　Agallows—birdwithaterribleface。
　　"Really！"saidtheBishop。
　　ThiswillingnesstointerrogateencouragedMadameMagloire；
　　itseemedtohertoindicatethattheBishopwasonthepointofbecomingalarmed；shepursuedtriumphantly:——
　　"Yes，Monseigneur。Thatishowitis。Therewillbesomesortofcatastropheinthistownto—night。Everyonesaysso。Andwithal，thepoliceissobadlyregulated"（ausefulrepetition）。"Theideaoflivinginamountainouscountry，andnotevenhavinglightsinthestreetsatnight！Onegoesout。Blackasovens，indeed！
　　AndIsay，Monseigneur，andMademoiselletheresayswithme——"
　　"I，"interruptedhissister，"saynothing。Whatmybrotherdoesiswelldone。"
　　MadameMagloirecontinuedasthoughtherehadbeennoprotest:——
　　"Wesaythatthishouseisnotsafeatall；thatifMonseigneurwillpermit，IwillgoandtellPaulinMusebois，thelocksmith，tocomeandreplacetheancientlocksonthedoors；wehavethem，anditisonlytheworkofamoment；forIsaythatnothingismoreterriblethanadoorwhichcanbeopenedfromtheoutsidewithalatchbythefirstpasser—by；andIsaythatweneedbolts，Monseigneur，ifonlyforthisnight；moreover，Monseigneurhasthehabitofalwayssaying`comein’；andbesides，eveninthemiddleofthenight，OmonDieu！thereisnoneedtoaskpermission。"
　　Atthatmomenttherecameatolerablyviolentknockonthedoor。
　　"Comein，"saidtheBishop。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THEHEROISMOFPASSIVEOBEDIENCE。
　　Thedooropened。
　　Itopenedwidewitharapidmovement，asthoughsomeonehadgivenitanenergeticandresolutepush。
　　Amanentered。
　　Wealreadyknowtheman。Itwasthewayfarerwhomwehaveseenwanderingaboutinsearchofshelter。
　　Heentered，advancedastep，andhalted，leavingthedooropenbehindhim。Hehadhisknapsackonhisshoulders，hiscudgelinhishand，arough，audacious，weary，andviolentexpressioninhiseyes。Thefireonthehearthlightedhimup。Hewashideous。
　　Itwasasinisterapparition。
　　MadameMagloirehadnoteventhestrengthtoutteracry。
　　Shetrembled，andstoodwithhermouthwideopen。
　　MademoiselleBaptistineturnedround，beheldthemanentering，andhalfstartedupinterror；then，turningherheadbydegreestowardsthefireplaceagain，shebegantoobserveherbrother，andherfacebecameoncemoreprofoundlycalmandserene。
　　TheBishopfixedatranquileyeontheman。
　　Asheopenedhismouth，doubtlesstoaskthenew—comerwhathedesired，themanrestedbothhandsonhisstaff，directedhisgazeattheoldmanandthetwowomen，andwithoutwaitingfortheBishoptospeak，hesaid，inaloudvoice:——
　　"Seehere。MynameisJeanValjean。Iamaconvictfromthegalleys。
　　Ihavepassednineteenyearsinthegalleys。Iwasliberatedfourdaysago，andamonmywaytoPontarlier，whichismydestination。
　　IhavebeenwalkingforfourdayssinceIleftToulon。Ihavetravelledadozenleaguesto—dayonfoot。Thisevening，whenI
　　arrivedintheseparts，Iwenttoaninn，andtheyturnedmeout，becauseofmyyellowpassport，whichIhadshownatthetown—hall。
　　Ihadtodoit。Iwenttoaninn。Theysaidtome，`Beoff，’
　　atbothplaces。Noonewouldtakeme。Iwenttotheprison；
　　thejailerwouldnotadmitme。Iwentintoadog’skennel；
　　thedogbitmeandchasedmeoff，asthoughhehadbeenaman。
　　OnewouldhavesaidthatheknewwhoIwas。Iwentintothefields，intendingtosleepintheopenair，beneaththestars。Therewerenostars。Ithoughtitwasgoingtorain，andIre—enteredthetown，toseektherecessofadoorway。Yonder，inthesquare，Imeanttosleeponastonebench。Agoodwomanpointedoutyourhousetome，andsaidtome，`Knockthere！’Ihaveknocked。
　　Whatisthisplace？Doyoukeepaninn？Ihavemoney——savings。
　　Onehundredandninefrancsfifteensous，whichIearnedinthegalleysbymylabor，inthecourseofnineteenyears。
　　Iwillpay。Whatisthattome？Ihavemoney。Iamveryweary；
　　twelveleaguesonfoot；Iamveryhungry。AreyouwillingthatI
　　shouldremain？"
　　"MadameMagloire，"saidtheBishop，"youwillsetanotherplace。"
　　Themanadvancedthreepaces，andapproachedthelampwhichwasonthetable。"Stop，"heresumed，asthoughhehadnotquiteunderstood；
　　"that’snotit。Didyouhear？Iamagalley—slave；aconvict。
　　Icomefromthegalleys。"Hedrewfromhispocketalargesheetofyellowpaper，whichheunfolded。"Here’smypassport。Yellow，asyousee。ThisservestoexpelmefromeveryplacewhereIgo。
　　Willyoureadit？Iknowhowtoread。Ilearnedinthegalleys。
　　Thereisaschoolthereforthosewhochoosetolearn。Hold，thisiswhattheyputonthispassport:`JeanValjean，dischargedconvict，nativeof’——thatisnothingtoyou——`hasbeennineteenyearsinthegalleys:fiveyearsforhouse—breakingandburglary；
　　fourteenyearsforhavingattemptedtoescapeonfouroccasions。
　　Heisaverydangerousman。’There！Everyonehascastmeout。
　　Areyouwillingtoreceiveme？Isthisaninn？Willyougivemesomethingtoeatandabed？Haveyouastable？"
　　"MadameMagloire，"saidtheBishop，"youwillputwhitesheetsonthebedinthealcove。"Wehavealreadyexplainedthecharacterofthetwowomen’sobedience。
　　MadameMagloireretiredtoexecutetheseorders。
　　TheBishopturnedtotheman。
　　"Sitdown，sir，andwarmyourself。Wearegoingtosupinafewmoments，andyourbedwillbepreparedwhileyouaresupping。"
　　Atthispointthemansuddenlycomprehended。Theexpressionofhisface，uptothattimesombreandharsh，boretheimprintofstupefaction，ofdoubt，ofjoy，andbecameextraordinary。
　　Hebeganstammeringlikeacrazyman:——
　　"Really？What！Youwillkeepme？Youdonotdrivemeforth？
　　Aconvict！Youcallmesir！Youdonotaddressmeasthou？
　　`Getoutofhere，youdog！’iswhatpeoplealwayssaytome。Ifeltsurethatyouwouldexpelme，soItoldyouatoncewhoIam。Oh，whatagoodwomanthatwaswhodirectedmehither！Iamgoingtosup！
　　Abedwithamattressandsheets，liketherestoftheworld！abed！
　　ItisnineteenyearssinceIhavesleptinabed！Youactuallydonotwantmetogo！Youaregoodpeople。Besides，Ihavemoney。
　　Iwillpaywell。Pardonme，monsieurtheinn—keeper，butwhatisyourname？Iwillpayanythingyouask。Youareafineman。
　　Youareaninn—keeper，areyounot？"
　　"Iam，"repliedtheBishop，"apriestwholiveshere。"
　　"Apriest！"saidtheman。"Oh，whatafinepriest！Thenyouarenotgoingtodemandanymoneyofme？Youarethecure，areyounot？thecureofthisbigchurch？Well！Iamafool，truly！
　　Ihadnotperceivedyourskull—cap。"
　　Ashespoke，hedepositedhisknapsackandhiscudgelinacorner，replacedhispassportinhispocket，andseatedhimself。
　　MademoiselleBaptistinegazedmildlyathim。Hecontinued:
　　"Youarehumane，MonsieurleCure；youhavenotscornedme。
　　Agoodpriestisaverygoodthing。Thenyoudonotrequiremetopay？"
　　"No，"saidtheBishop；"keepyourmoney。Howmuchhaveyou？
　　Didyounottellmeonehundredandninefrancs？"
　　"Andfifteensous，"addedtheman。
　　"Onehundredandninefrancsfifteensous。Andhowlongdidittakeyoutoearnthat？"
　　"Nineteenyears。"
　　"Nineteenyears！"
　　TheBishopsigheddeeply。
　　Themancontinued:"Ihavestillthewholeofmymoney。
　　InfourdaysIhavespentonlytwenty—fivesous，whichIearnedbyhelpingunloadsomewagonsatGrasse。Sinceyouareanabbe，Iwilltellyouthatwehadachaplaininthegalleys。AndonedayIsawabishopthere。Monseigneuriswhattheycallhim。HewastheBishopofMajoreatMarseilles。Heisthecurewhorulesovertheothercures，youunderstand。Pardonme，Isaythatverybadly；
　　butitissuchafar—offthingtome！Youunderstandwhatweare！
　　Hesaidmassinthemiddleofthegalleys，onanaltar。Hehadapointedthing，madeofgold，onhishead；itglitteredinthebrightlightofmidday。Wewereallrangedinlinesonthethreesides，withcannonswithlightedmatchesfacingus。Wecouldnotseeverywell。Hespoke；buthewastoofaroff，andwedidnothear。
　　Thatiswhatabishopislike。"
　　Whilehewasspeaking，theBishophadgoneandshutthedoor，whichhadremainedwideopen。
　　MadameMagloirereturned。Shebroughtasilverforkandspoon，whichsheplacedonthetable。
　　"MadameMagloire，"saidtheBishop，"placethosethingsasnearthefireaspossible。"Andturningtohisguest:"ThenightwindisharshontheAlps。Youmustbecold，sir。"
　　Eachtimethatheutteredthewordsir，inhisvoicewhichwassogentlygraveandpolished，theman’sfacelightedup。MonsieurtoaconvictislikeaglassofwatertooneoftheshipwreckedoftheMedusa。
　　Ignominythirstsforconsideration。
　　"Thislampgivesaverybadlight，"saidtheBishop。
　　MadameMagloireunderstoodhim，andwenttogetthetwosilvercandlesticksfromthechimney—pieceinMonseigneur’sbed—chamber，andplacedthem，lighted，onthetable。
　　"MonsieurleCure，"saidtheman，"youaregood；youdonotdespiseme。
　　Youreceivemeintoyourhouse。Youlightyourcandlesforme。
　　YetIhavenotconcealedfromyouwhenceIcomeandthatIamanunfortunateman。"
　　TheBishop，whowassittingclosetohim，gentlytouchedhishand。
　　"Youcouldnothelptellingmewhoyouwere。Thisisnotmyhouse；
　　itisthehouseofJesusChrist。Thisdoordoesnotdemandofhimwhoenterswhetherhehasaname，butwhetherhehasagrief。
　　Yousuffer，youarehungryandthirsty；youarewelcome。
　　Anddonotthankme；donotsaythatIreceiveyouinmyhouse。
　　Nooneisathomehere，exceptthemanwhoneedsarefuge。
　　Isaytoyou，whoarepassingby，thatyouaremuchmoreathomeherethanIammyself。Everythinghereisyours。WhatneedhaveI
　　toknowyourname？Besides，beforeyoutoldmeyouhadonewhichIknew。"
　　Themanopenedhiseyesinastonishment。
　　"Really？YouknewwhatIwascalled？"
　　"Yes，"repliedtheBishop，"youarecalledmybrother。"
　　"Stop，MonsieurleCure，"exclaimedtheman。"IwasveryhungrywhenIenteredhere；butyouaresogood，thatInolongerknowwhathashappenedtome。"
　　TheBishoplookedathim，andsaid，——
　　"Youhavesufferedmuch？"
　　"Oh，theredcoat，theballontheankle，aplanktosleepon，heat，cold，toil，theconvicts，thethrashings，thedoublechainfornothing，thecellforoneword；evensickandinbed，stillthechain！Dogs，dogsarehappier！Nineteenyears！Iamforty—six。Nowthereistheyellowpassport。Thatiswhatitislike。"
　　"Yes，"resumedtheBishop，"youhavecomefromaverysadplace。
　　Listen。Therewillbemorejoyinheavenoverthetear—bathedfaceofarepentantsinnerthanoverthewhiterobesofahundredjustmen。
　　Ifyouemergefromthatsadplacewiththoughtsofhatredandofwrathagainstmankind，youaredeservingofpity；ifyouemergewiththoughtsofgood—willandofpeace，youaremoreworthythananyoneofus。"
　　Inthemeantime，MadameMagloirehadservedsupper:soup，madewithwater，oil，bread，andsalt；alittlebacon，abitofmutton，figs，afreshcheese，andalargeloafofryebread。Shehad，ofherownaccord，addedtotheBishop’sordinaryfareabottleofhisoldMauveswine。
　　TheBishop’sfaceatonceassumedthatexpressionofgayetywhichispeculiartohospitablenatures。"Totable！"hecriedvivaciously。
　　Aswashiscustomwhenastrangersuppedwithhim，hemadethemansitonhisright。MademoiselleBaptistine，perfectlypeaceableandnatural，tookherseatathisleft。
　　TheBishopaskedablessing；thenhelpedthesouphimself，accordingtohiscustom。Themanbegantoeatwithavidity。
　　AllatoncetheBishopsaid:"Itstrikesmethereissomethingmissingonthistable。"
　　MadameMagloirehad，infact，onlyplacedthethreesetsofforksandspoonswhichwereabsolutelynecessary。Now，itwastheusageofthehouse，whentheBishophadanyonetosupper，tolayoutthewholesixsetsofsilveronthetable—cloth——aninnocentostentation。
　　Thisgracefulsemblanceofluxurywasakindofchild’splay，whichwasfullofcharminthatgentleandseverehousehold，whichraisedpovertyintodignity。
　　MadameMagloireunderstoodtheremark，wentoutwithoutsayingaword，andamomentlaterthethreesetsofsilverforksandspoonsdemandedbytheBishopwereglitteringuponthecloth，symmetricallyarrangedbeforethethreepersonsseatedatthetable。