theusurper，——thetyrant，——themonsterwhowastheloverofhisownsisters，——theactorwhotooklessonsofTalma，——thepoisonerofJaffa，——thetiger，——Buonaparte，——allthisvanished，andgaveplaceinhismindtoavagueandbrilliantradianceinwhichshone，ataninaccessibleheight，thepalemarblephantomofCaesar。
　　TheEmperorhadbeenforhisfatheronlythewell—belovedcaptainwhomoneadmires，forwhomonesacrificesone’sself；hewassomethingmoretoMarius。HewasthepredestinedconstructoroftheFrenchgroup，succeedingtheRomangroupinthedominationoftheuniverse。
　　Hewasaprodigiousarchitect，ofadestruction，thecontinuerofCharlemagne，ofLouisXI。，ofHenryIV。，ofRichelieu，ofLouisXIV。，andoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety，havinghisspots，nodoubt，hisfaults，hiscrimeseven，beingaman，thatistosay；
　　butaugustinhisfaults，brilliantinhisspots，powerfulinhiscrime。
　　Hewasthepredestinedman，whohadforcedallnationstosay:
　　"Thegreatnation！"Hewasbetterthanthat，hewastheveryincarnationofFrance，conqueringEuropebytheswordwhichhegrasped，andtheworldbythelightwhichheshed。MariussawinBonapartethedazzlingspectrewhichwillalwaysriseuponthefrontier，andwhichwillguardthefuture。Despotbutdictator；
　　adespotresultingfromarepublicandsumminguparevolution。
　　Napoleonbecameforhimtheman—peopleasJesusChrististheman—God。
　　Itwillbeperceived，thatlikeallnewconvertstoareligion，hisconversionintoxicatedhim，hehurledhimselfheadlongintoadhesionandhewenttoofar。Hisnaturewassoconstructed；
　　onceonthedownwardslope，itwasalmostimpossibleforhimtoputonthedrag。Fanaticismfortheswordtookpossessionofhim，andcomplicatedinhismindhisenthusiasmfortheidea。
　　Hedidnotperceivethat，alongwithgenius，andpell—mell，hewasadmittingforce，thatistosay，thathewasinstallingintwocompartmentsofhisidolatry，ontheonehandthatwhichisdivine，ontheotherthatwhichisbrutal。Inmanyrespects，hehadsetaboutdeceivinghimselfotherwise。Headmittedeverything。
　　Thereisawayofencounteringerrorwhileonone’swaytothetruth。
　　Hehadaviolentsortofgoodfaithwhichtookeverythinginthelump。
　　Inthenewpathwhichhehadenteredon，injudgingthemistakesoftheoldregime，asinmeasuringthegloryofNapoleon，heneglectedtheattenuatingcircumstances。
　　Atallevents，atremendousstephadbeentaken。Wherehehadformerlybeheldthefallofthemonarchy，henowsawtheadventofFrance。
　　Hisorientationhadchanged。WhathadbeenhisEastbecametheWest。
　　Hehadturnedsquarelyround。
　　Alltheserevolutionswereaccomplishedwithinhim，withouthisfamilyobtaininganinklingofthecase。
　　When，duringthismysteriouslabor，hehadentirelyshedhisoldBourbonandultraskin，whenhehadcastoffthearistocrat，theJacobiteandtheRoyalist，whenhehadbecomethoroughlyarevolutionist，profoundlydemocraticandrepublican，hewenttoanengraverontheQuaidesOrfevresandorderedahundredcardsbearingthisname:
　　LeBaronMariusPontmercy。
　　Thiswasonlythestrictlylogicalconsequenceofthechangewhichhadtakenplaceinhim，achangeinwhicheverythinggravitatedroundhisfather。
　　Only，ashedidnotknowanyoneandcouldnotsowhiscardswithanyporter，heputtheminhispocket。
　　Byanothernaturalconsequence，inproportionashedrewnearertohisfather，tothelatter’smemory，andtothethingsforwhichthecolonelhadfoughtfiveandtwentyyearsbefore，herecededfromhisgrandfather。Wehavelongagosaid，thatM。Gillenormand’stemperdidnotpleasehim。Therealreadyexistedbetweenthemallthedissonancesofthegraveyoungmanandthefrivolousoldman。
　　ThegayetyofGeronteshocksandexasperatesthemelancholyofWerther。Solongasthesamepoliticalopinionsandthesameideashadbeencommontothemboth，MariushadmetM。Gillenormandthereasonabridge。Whenthebridgefell，anabysswasformed。
　　Andthen，overandaboveall，Mariusexperiencedunutterableimpulsestorevolt，whenhereflectedthatitwasM。Gillenormandwhohad，fromstupidmotives，tornhimruthlesslyfromthecolonel，thusdeprivingthefatherofthechild，andthechildofthefather。
　　Bydintofpityforhisfather，Mariushadnearlyarrivedataversionforhisgrandfather。
　　Nothingofthissort，however，wasbetrayedontheexterior，aswehavealreadysaid。Onlyhegrewcolderandcolder；
　　laconicatmeals，andrareinthehouse。Whenhisauntscoldedhimforit，hewasverygentleandallegedhisstudies，hislectures，theexaminations，etc。，asapretext。Hisgrandfatherneverdepartedfromhisinfalliblediagnosis:"Inlove！Iknowallaboutit。"
　　FromtimetotimeMariusabsentedhimself。
　　"Whereisitthathegoesofflikethis？"saidhisaunt。
　　Ononeofthesetrips，whichwerealwaysverybrief，hewenttoMontfermeil，inordertoobeytheinjunctionwhichhisfatherhadlefthim，andhesoughttheoldsergeanttoWaterloo，theinn—keeperThenardier。Thenardierhadfailed，theinnwasclosed，andnooneknewwhathadbecomeofhim。
　　Mariuswasawayfromthehouseforfourdaysonthisquest。
　　"Heisgettingdecidedlywild，"saidhisgrandfather。
　　Theythoughttheyhadnoticedthatheworesomethingonhisbreast，underhisshirt，whichwasattachedtohisneckbyablackribbon。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　SOMEPETTICOAT
　　Wehavementionedalancer。
　　Hewasagreat—grand—nephewofM。Gillenormand，onthepaternalside，wholedagarrisonlife，outsidethefamilyandfarfromthedomestichearth。LieutenantTheoduleGillenormandfulfilledalltheconditionsrequiredtomakewhatiscalledafineofficer。
　　Hehad"alady’swaist，"avictoriousmanneroftrailinghisswordandoftwirlinghismustacheinahook。HevisitedParisveryrarely，andsorarelythatMariushadneverseenhim。
　　Thecousinskneweachotheronlybyname。WethinkwehavesaidthatTheodulewasthefavoriteofAuntGillenormand，whopreferredhimbecauseshedidnotseehim。Notseeingpeoplepermitsonetoattributetothemallpossibleperfections。
　　Onemorning，MademoiselleGillenormandtheelderreturnedtoherapartmentasmuchdisturbedasherplaciditywascapableofallowing。
　　Mariushadjustaskedhisgrandfather’spermissiontotakealittletrip，addingthathemeanttosetoutthatveryevening。
　　"Go！"hadbeenhisgrandfather’sreply，andM。Gillenormandhadaddedinanaside，asheraisedhiseyebrowstothetopofhisforehead:"Hereheispassingthenightoutagain。"
　　MademoiselleGillenormandhadascendedtoherchambergreatlypuzzled，andonthestaircasehaddroppedthisexclamation:"Thisistoomuch！"——andthisinterrogation:"Butwhereisitthathegoes？"
　　Sheespiedsomeadventureoftheheart，moreorlessillicit，awomanintheshadow，arendezvous，amystery，andshewouldnothavebeensorrytothrustherspectaclesintotheaffair。
　　Tastingamysteryresemblesgettingthefirstflavorofascandal；
　　saintedsoulsdonotdetestthis。Thereissomecuriosityaboutscandalinthesecretcompartmentsofbigotry。
　　Soshewasthepreyofavagueappetiteforlearningahistory。
　　Inordertogetridofthiscuriositywhichagitatedheralittlebeyondherwont，shetookrefugeinhertalents，andsetaboutscalloping，withonelayerofcottonafteranother，oneofthoseembroideriesoftheEmpireandtheRestoration，inwhichtherearenumerouscart—wheels。Theworkwasclumsy，theworkercross。Shehadbeenseatedatthisforseveralhourswhenthedooropened。MademoiselleGillenormandraisedhernose。
　　LieutenantTheodulestoodbeforeher，makingtheregulationsalute。
　　Sheutteredacryofdelight。Onemaybeold，onemaybeaprude，onemaybepious，onemaybeanaunt，butitisalwaysagreeabletoseealancerenterone’schamber。
　　"Youhere，Theodule！"sheexclaimed。
　　"Onmywaythroughtown，aunt。"
　　"Embraceme。"
　　"Heregoes！"saidTheodule。
　　Andhekissedher。AuntGillenormandwenttoherwriting—deskandopenedit。
　　"Youwillremainwithusaweekatleast？"
　　"Ileavethisveryevening，aunt。"
　　"Itisnotpossible！"
　　"Mathematically！"
　　"Remain，mylittleTheodule，Ibeseechyou。"
　　"Myheartsays`yes，’butmyorderssay`no。’Thematterissimple。
　　Theyarechangingourgarrison；wehavebeenatMelun，wearebeingtransferredtoGaillon。ItisnecessarytopassthroughParisinordertogetfromtheoldposttothenewone。Isaid:`Iamgoingtoseemyaunt。’"
　　"Hereissomethingforyourtrouble。"
　　Andsheputtenlouisintohishand。
　　"Formypleasure，youmeantosay，mydearaunt。"
　　Theodulekissedheragain，andsheexperiencedthejoyofhavingsomeoftheskinscratchedfromherneckbythebraidingsonhisuniform。
　　"Areyoumakingthejourneyonhorseback，withyourregiment？"
　　sheaskedhim。
　　"No，aunt。Iwantedtoseeyou。Ihavespecialpermission。
　　Myservantistakingmyhorse；Iamtravellingbydiligence。
　　And，bytheway，Iwanttoaskyousomething。"
　　"Whatisit？"
　　"IsmycousinMariusPontmercytravellingso，too？"
　　"Howdoyouknowthat？"saidhisaunt，suddenlyprickedtothequickwithalivelycuriosity。
　　"Onmyarrival，Iwenttothediligencetoengagemyseatinthecoupe。"
　　"Well？"
　　"Atravellerhadalreadycometoengageaseatintheimperial。
　　Isawhisnameonthecard。"
　　"Whatname？"
　　"MariusPontmercy。"
　　"Thewickedfellow！"exclaimedhisaunt。"Ah！yourcousinisnotasteadyladlikeyourself。Tothinkthatheistopassthenightinadiligence！"
　　"JustasIamgoingtodo。"
　　"Butyou——itisyourduty；inhiscase，itiswildness。"
　　"Bosh！"saidTheodule。
　　HereaneventoccurredtoMademoiselleGillenormandtheelder，——
　　anideastruckher。Ifshehadbeenaman，shewouldhaveslappedherbrow。SheapostrophizedTheodule:——
　　"Areyouawarewhetheryourcousinknowsyou？"
　　"No。Ihaveseenhim；buthehasneverdeignedtonoticeme。"
　　"Soyouaregoingtotraveltogether？"
　　"Heintheimperial，Iinthecoupe。"
　　"Wheredoesthisdiligencerun？"
　　"ToAndelys。"
　　"ThenthatiswhereMariusisgoing？"
　　"Unless，likemyself，heshouldstopontheway。IgetdownatVernon，inordertotakethebranchcoachforGaillon。IknownothingofMarius’planoftravel。"
　　"Marius！whatanuglyname！whatpossessedthemtonamehimMarius？
　　Whileyou，atleast，arecalledTheodule。"
　　"IwouldratherbecalledAlfred，"saidtheofficer。
　　"Listen，Theodule。"
　　"Iamlistening，aunt。"
　　"Payattention。"
　　"Iampayingattention。"
　　"Youunderstand？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Well，Mariusabsentshimself！"
　　"Eh！eh！"
　　"Hetravels。"
　　"Ah！ah！"
　　"Hespendsthenightout。"
　　"Oh！oh！"
　　"Weshouldliketoknowwhatthereisbehindallthis。"
　　Theodulerepliedwiththecomposureofamanofbronze:——
　　"Somepetticoatorother。"
　　Andwiththatinwardlaughwhichdenotescertainty，headded:——
　　"Alass。"
　　"Thatisevident，"exclaimedhisaunt，whothoughtsheheardM。Gillenormandspeaking，andwhofeltherconvictionbecomeirresistibleatthatwordfillette，accentuatedinalmosttheverysamefashionbythegranduncleandthegrandnephew。Sheresumed:——
　　"Dousafavor。FollowMariusalittle。Hedoesnotknowyou，itwillbeeasy。Sincealassthereis，trytogetasightofher。
　　Youmustwriteusthetale。Itwillamusehisgrandfather。"
　　Theodulehadnoexcessivetasteforthissortofspying；buthewasmuchtouchedbythetenlouis，andhethoughthesawachanceforapossiblesequel。Heacceptedthecommissionandsaid:
　　"Asyouplease，aunt。"
　　Andheaddedinanaside，tohimself:"HereIamaduenna。"
　　MademoiselleGillenormandembracedhim。
　　"Youarenotthemantoplaysuchpranks，Theodule。Youobeydiscipline，youaretheslaveoforders，youareamanofscruplesandduty，andyouwouldnotquityourfamilytogoandseeacreature。"
　　ThelancermadethepleasedgrimaceofCartouchewhenpraisedforhisprobity。
　　Marius，ontheeveningfollowingthisdialogue，mountedthediligencewithoutsuspectingthathewaswatched。Asforthewatcher，thefirstthinghedidwastofallasleep。Hisslumberwascompleteandconscientious。Argussnoredallnightlong。
　　Atdaybreak，theconductorofthediligenceshouted:"Vernon！relayofVernon！TravellersforVernon！"AndLieutenantTheodulewoke。
　　"Good，"hegrowled，stillhalfasleep，"thisiswhereIgetout。"
　　Then，ashismemoryclearedbydegrees，theeffectofwaking，herecalledhisaunt，thetenlouis，andtheaccountwhichhehadundertakentorenderofthedeedsandproceedingsofMarius。
　　Thissethimtolaughing。
　　"Perhapsheisnolongerinthecoach，"hethought，asherebuttonedthewaistcoatofhisundressuniform。"HemayhavestoppedatPoissy；
　　hemayhavestoppedatTriel；ifhedidnotgetoutatMeulan，hemayhavegotoutatMantes，unlesshegotoutatRolleboise，orifhedidnotgoonasfarasPacy，withthechoiceofturningtotheleftatEvreus，ortotherightatLaroche—Guyon。Runafterhim，aunty。WhatthedevilamItowritetothatgoodoldsoul？"
　　Atthatmomentapairofblacktrousersdescendingfromtheimperial，madeitsappearanceatthewindowofthecoupe。
　　"CanthatbeMarius？"saidthelieutenant。
　　ItwasMarius。
　　Alittlepeasantgirl，allentangledwiththehorsesandthepostilionsattheendofthevehicle，wasofferingflowerstothetravellers。
　　"Giveyourladiesflowers！"shecried。
　　Mariusapproachedherandpurchasedthefinestflowersinherflatbasket。
　　"Comenow，"saidTheodule，leapingdownfromthecoupe，"thispiquesmycuriosity。Whothedeuceishegoingtocarrythoseflowersto？
　　Shemustbeasplendidlyhandsomewomanforsofineabouquet。
　　Iwanttoseeher。"
　　Andnolongerinpursuanceoforders，butfrompersonalcuriosity，likedogswhohuntontheirownaccount，hesetouttofollowMarius。
　　MariuspaidnoattentiontoTheodule。Elegantwomendescendedfromthediligence；hedidnotglanceatthem。Heseemedtoseenothingaroundhim。
　　"Heisprettydeeplyinlove！"thoughtTheodule。
　　Mariusdirectedhisstepstowardsthechurch。
　　"Capital，"saidTheoduletohimself。"Rendezvousseasonedwithabitofmassarethebestsort。NothingissoexquisiteasanoglewhichpassesoverthegoodGod’shead。"
　　Onarrivingatthechurch，Mariusdidnotenterit，butskirtedtheapse。Hedisappearedbehindoneoftheanglesoftheapse。
　　"Therendezvousisappointedoutside，"saidTheodule。"Let’shavealookatthelass。"
　　AndheadvancedonthetipsofhisbootstowardsthecornerwhichMariushadturned。
　　Onarrivingthere，hehaltedinamazement。
　　Marius，withhisforeheadclaspedinhishands，waskneelinguponthegrassonagrave。Hehadstrewnhisbouquetthere。Attheextremityofthegrave，onalittleswellingwhichmarkedthehead，therestoodacrossofblackwoodwiththisnameinwhiteletters:
　　COLONELBARONPONTMERCY。Marius’sobswereaudible。
　　The"lass"wasagrave。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　MARBLEAGAINSTGRANITE
　　ItwashitherthatMariushadcomeonthefirstoccasionofhisabsentinghimselffromParis。ItwashitherthathehadcomeeverytimethatM。Gillenormandhadsaid:"Heissleepingout。"
　　LieutenantTheodulewasabsolutelyputoutofcountenancebythisunexpectedencounterwithasepulchre；heexperiencedasingularanddisagreeablesensationwhichhewasincapableofanalyzing，andwhichwascomposedofrespectforthetomb，mingledwithrespectforthecolonel。Heretreated，leavingMariusaloneinthecemetery，andtherewasdisciplineinthisretreat。Deathappearedtohimwithlargeepaulets，andhealmostmadethemilitarysalutetohim。
　　Notknowingwhattowritetohisaunt，hedecidednottowriteatall；
　　anditisprobablethatnothingwouldhaveresultedfromthediscoverymadebyTheoduleastotheloveaffairsofMarius，if，byoneofthosemysteriousarrangementswhicharesofrequentinchance，thesceneatVernonhadnothadanalmostimmediatecounter—shockatParis。
　　MariusreturnedfromVernononthethirdday，inthemiddleofthemorning，descendedathisgrandfather’sdoor，and，weariedbythetwonightsspentinthediligence，andfeelingtheneedofrepairinghislossofsleepbyanhourattheswimming—school，hemountedrapidlytohischamber，tookmerelytimeenoughtothrowoffhistravelling—coat，andtheblackribbonwhichheworeroundhisneck，andwentofftothebath。
　　M。Gillenormand，whohadrisenbetimeslikealloldmeningoodhealth，hadheardhisentrance，andhadmadehastetoclimb，asquicklyashisoldlegspermitted，thestairstotheupperstorywhereMariuslived，inordertoembracehim，andtoquestionhimwhilesodoing，andtofindoutwherehehadbeen。
　　Buttheyouthhadtakenlesstimetodescendthantheoldmanhadtoascend，andwhenFatherGillenormandenteredtheattic，Mariuswasnolongerthere。
　　Thebedhadnotbeendisturbed，andonthebedlay，outspread，butnotdefiantlythegreat—coatandtheblackribbon。
　　"Ilikethisbetter，"saidM。Gillenormand。
　　Andamomentlater，hemadehisentranceintothesalon，whereMademoiselleGillenormandwasalreadyseated，busilyembroideringhercart—wheels。
　　Theentrancewasatriumphantone。
　　M。Gillenormandheldinonehandthegreat—coat，andintheothertheneck—ribbon，andexclaimed:——
　　"Victory！Weareabouttopenetratethemystery！Wearegoingtolearnthemostminutedetails；wearegoingtolayourfingeronthedebaucheriesofourslyfriend！Herewehavetheromanceitself。
　　Ihavetheportrait！"
　　Infact，acaseofblackshagreen，resemblingamedallionportrait，wassuspendedfromtheribbon。
　　Theoldmantookthiscaseandgazedatitforsometimewithoutopeningit，withthatairofenjoyment，rapture，andwrath，withwhichapoorhungryfellowbeholdsanadmirabledinnerwhichisnotforhim，passunderhisverynose。
　　"Forthisevidentlyisaportrait。Iknowallaboutsuchthings。
　　Thatisworntenderlyontheheart。Howstupidtheyare！
　　Someabominablefrightthatwillmakeusshudder，probably！Youngmenhavesuchbadtastenowadays！"
　　"Letussee，father，"saidtheoldspinster。
　　Thecaseopenedbythepressureofaspring。Theyfoundinitnothingbutacarefullyfoldedpaper。
　　"Fromthesametothesame，"saidM。Gillenormand，burstingwithlaughter。"Iknowwhatitis。Abillet—doux。"
　　"Ah！letusreadit！"saidtheaunt。
　　Andsheputonherspectacles。Theyunfoldedthepaperandreadasfollows:——
　　"Formyson。——TheEmperormademeaBarononthebattlefieldofWaterloo。SincetheRestorationdisputesmyrighttothistitlewhichIpurchasedwithmyblood，mysonshalltakeitandbearit。
　　Thathewillbeworthyofitisamatterofcourse。"
　　Thefeelingsoffatheranddaughtercannotbedescribed。Theyfeltchilledasbythebreathofadeath’s—head。Theydidnotexchangeaword。
　　Only，M。Gillenormandsaidinalowvoiceandasthoughspeakingtohimself:——
　　"Itistheslasher’shandwriting。"
　　Theauntexaminedthepaper，turneditaboutinalldirections，thenputitbackinitscase。
　　Atthesamemomentalittleoblongpacket，envelopedinbluepaper，fellfromoneofthepocketsofthegreat—coat。MademoiselleGillenormandpickeditupandunfoldedthebluepaper。
　　ItcontainedMarius’hundredcards。ShehandedoneofthemtoM。Gillenormand，whoread:LeBaronMariusPontmercy。
　　Theoldmanrangthebell。Nicolettecame。M。Gillenormandtooktheribbon，thecase，andthecoat，flungthemallonthefloorinthemiddleoftheroom，andsaid:——
　　"Carrythosedudsaway。"
　　Afullhourpassedinthemostprofoundsilence。Theoldmanandtheoldspinsterhadseatedthemselveswiththeirbackstoeachother，andwerethinking，eachonhisownaccount，thesamethings，inallprobability。
　　Attheexpirationofthishour，AuntGillenormandsaid:——"Aprettystateofthings！"
　　Afewmomentslater，Mariusmadehisappearance。Heentered。
　　Evenbeforehehadcrossedthethreshold，hesawhisgrandfatherholdingoneofhisowncardsinhishand，andoncatchingsightofhim，thelatterexclaimedwithhisairofbourgeoisandgrinningsuperioritywhichwassomethingcrushing:——
　　"Well！well！well！well！well！soyouareabaronnow。Ipresentyoumycompliments。Whatisthemeaningofthis？"
　　Mariusreddenedslightlyandreplied:——
　　"ItmeansthatIamthesonofmyfather。"
　　M。Gillenormandceasedtolaugh，andsaidharshly:——
　　"Iamyourfather。"
　　"Myfather，"retortedMarius，withdowncasteyesandasevereair，"wasahumbleandheroicman，whoservedtheRepublicandFrancegloriously，whowasgreatinthegreatesthistorythatmenhaveevermade，wholivedinthebivouacforaquarterofacentury，beneathgrape—shotandbullets，insnowandmudbyday，beneathrainatnight，whocapturedtwoflags，whoreceivedtwentywounds，whodiedforgottenandabandoned，andwhonevercommittedbutonemistake，whichwastolovetoofondlytwoingrates，hiscountryandmyself。"
　　ThiswasmorethanM。Gillenormandcouldbeartohear。Atthewordrepublic，herose，or，tospeakmorecorrectly，hesprangtohisfeet。EverywordthatMariushadjustutteredproducedonthevisageoftheoldRoyalisttheeffectofthepuffsofairfromaforgeuponablazingbrand。Fromadullhuehehadturnedred，fromred，purple，andfrompurple，flame—colored。
　　"Marius！"hecried。"Abominablechild！Idonotknowwhatyourfatherwas！Idonotwishtoknow！Iknownothingaboutthat，andIdonotknowhim！ButwhatIdoknowis，thatthereneverwasanythingbutscoundrelsamongthosemen！Theywereallrascals，assassins，red—caps，thieves！Isayall！Isayall！
　　Iknownotone！Isayall！Doyouhearme，Marius！Seehere，youarenomoreabaronthanmyslipperis！TheywereallbanditsintheserviceofRobespierre！AllwhoservedB—u—o—napartewerebrigands！Theywerealltraitorswhobetrayed，betrayed，betrayedtheirlegitimateking！AllcowardswhofledbeforethePrussiansandtheEnglishatWaterloo！ThatiswhatIdoknow！
　　WhetherMonsieuryourfathercomesinthatcategory，Idonotknow！
　　Iamsorryforit，somuchtheworse，yourhumbleservant！"
　　Inhisturn，itwasMariuswhowasthefirebrandandM。Gillenormandwhowasthebellows。Mariusquiveredineverylimb，hedidnotknowwhatwouldhappennext，hisbrainwasonfire。Hewasthepriestwhobeholdsallhissacredwaferscasttothewinds，thefakirwhobeholdsapasser—byspituponhisidol。Itcouldnotbethatsuchthingshadbeenutteredinhispresence。
　　Whatwashetodo？Hisfatherhadjustbeentrampledunderfootandstampeduponinhispresence，butbywhom？Byhisgrandfather。
　　Howwashetoavengetheonewithoutoutragingtheother？
　　Itwasimpossibleforhimtoinsulthisgrandfatheranditwasequallyimpossibleforhimtoleavehisfatherunavenged。
　　Ontheonehandwasasacredgrave，ontheotherhoarylocks。
　　Hestoodthereforseveralmoments，staggeringasthoughintoxicated，withallthiswhirlwinddashingthroughhishead；thenheraisedhiseyes，gazedfixedlyathisgrandfather，andcriedinavoiceofthunder:——
　　"DownwiththeBourbons，andthatgreathogofaLouisXVIII。！"
　　LouisXVIII。hadbeendeadforfouryears；butitwasallthesametohim。
　　Theoldman，whohadbeencrimson，turnedwhiterthanhishair。
　　HewheeledroundtowardsabustofM。leDucdeBerry，whichstoodonthechimney—piece，andmadeaprofoundbow，withasortofpeculiarmajesty。Thenhepacedtwice，slowlyandinsilence，fromthefireplacetothewindowandfromthewindowtothefireplace，traversingthewholelengthoftheroom，andmakingthepolishedfloorcreakasthoughhehadbeenastonestatuewalking。
　　Onhissecondturn，hebentoverhisdaughter，whowaswatchingthisencounterwiththestupefiedairofanantiquatedlamb，andsaidtoherwithasmilethatwasalmostcalm:"Abaronlikethisgentleman，andabourgeoislikemyselfcannotremainunderthesameroof。"
　　Anddrawinghimselfup，allatonce，pallid，trembling，terrible，withhisbrowrenderedmoreloftybytheterribleradianceofwrath，heextendedhisarmtowardsMariusandshoutedtohim:——
　　"Beoff！"
　　Mariusleftthehouse。
　　Onthefollowingday，M。Gillenormandsaidtohisdaughter:
　　"Youwillsendsixtypistoleseverysixmonthstothatblood—drinker，andyouwillnevermentionhisnametome。"
　　Havinganimmensereservefundofwrathtogetridof，andnotknowingwhattodowithit，hecontinuedtoaddresshisdaughterasyouinsteadofthouforthenextthreemonths。
　　Marius，onhisside，hadgoneforthinindignation。Therewasonecircumstancewhich，itmustbeadmitted，aggravatedhisexasperation。
　　Therearealwayspettyfatalitiesofthesortwhichcomplicatedomesticdramas。Theyaugmentthegrievancesinsuchcases，although，inreality，thewrongsarenotincreasedbythem。
　　WhilecarryingMarius’"duds"precipitatelytohischamber，athisgrandfather’scommand，Nicolettehad，inadvertently，letfall，probably，ontheatticstaircase，whichwasdark，thatmedallionofblackshagreenwhichcontainedthepaperpennedbythecolonel。
　　Neitherpapernorcasecouldafterwardsbefound。Mariuswasconvincedthat"MonsieurGillenormand"——fromthatdayforthheneveralludedtohimotherwise——hadflung"hisfather’stestament"
　　inthefire。Heknewbyheartthefewlineswhichthecolonelhadwritten，and，consequently，nothingwaslost。Butthepaper，thewriting，thatsacredrelic，——allthatwashisveryheart。
　　Whathadbeendonewithit？
　　Mariushadtakenhisdeparturewithoutsayingwhitherhewasgoing，andwithoutknowingwhere，withthirtyfrancs，hiswatch，andafewclothesinahand—bag。Hehadenteredahackney—coach，hadengageditbythehour，andhaddirectedhiscourseathap—hazardtowardstheLatinquarter。
　　WhatwastobecomeofMarius？
　　BOOKFOURTH。——THEFRIENDSOFTHEABC
　　CHAPTERI
　　AGROUPWHICHBARELYMISSEDBECOMINGHISTORIC
　　Atthatepoch，whichwas，toallappearancesindifferent，acertainrevolutionaryquiverwasvaguelycurrent。Breathswhichhadstartedforthfromthedepthsof’89and’93wereintheair。Youthwasonthepoint，maythereaderpardonustheword，ofmoulting。
　　Peoplewereundergoingatransformation，almostwithoutbeingconsciousofit，throughthemovementoftheage。Theneedlewhichmovesroundthecompassalsomovesinsouls。Eachpersonwastakingthatstepinadvancewhichhewasboundtotake。
　　TheRoyalistswerebecomingliberals，liberalswereturningdemocrats。
　　Itwasafloodtidecomplicatedwithathousandebbmovements；
　　thepeculiarityofebbsistocreateintermixtures；hencethecombinationofverysingularideas；peopleadoredbothNapoleonandliberty。
　　Wearemakinghistoryhere。Thesewerethemiragesofthatperiod。
　　Opinionstraversephases。Voltairianroyalism，aquaintvariety，hadanolesssingularsequel，Bonapartistliberalism。
　　Othergroupsofmindsweremoreserious。Inthatdirection，theysoundedprinciples，theyattachedthemselvestotheright。
　　Theygrewenthusiasticfortheabsolute，theycaughtglimpsesofinfiniterealizations；theabsolute，byitsveryrigidity，urgesspiritstowardstheskyandcausesthemtofloatinillimitablespace。
　　Thereisnothinglikedogmaforbringingforthdreams。Andthereisnothinglikedreamsforengenderingthefuture。Utopiato—day，fleshandbloodto—morrow。
　　Theseadvancedopinionshadadoublefoundation。Abeginningofmysterymenaced"theestablishedorderofthings，"whichwassuspiciousandunderhand。Asignwhichwasrevolutionarytothehighestdegree。Thesecondthoughtsofpowermeetthesecondthoughtsofthepopulaceinthemine。Theincubationofinsurrectionsgivestheretorttothepremeditationofcoupsd’etat。
　　Theredidnot，asyet，existinFranceanyofthosevastunderlyingorganizations，liketheGermantugendbundandItalianCarbonarism；
　　buthereandtherethereweredarkunderminings，whichwereinprocessofthrowingoffshoots。TheCougourdewasbeingoutlinedatAix；
　　thereexistedatParis，amongotheraffiliationsofthatnature，thesocietyoftheFriendsoftheABC。
　　WhatweretheseFriendsoftheABC？Asocietywhichhadforitsobjectapparentlytheeducationofchildren，inrealitytheelevationofman。
　　TheydeclaredthemselvestheFriendsoftheABC，——theAbaisse，——
　　thedebased，——thatistosay，thepeople。Theywishedtoelevatethepeople。Itwasapunwhichweshoulddowrongtosmileat。
　　Punsaresometimesseriousfactorsinpolitics；witnesstheCastratusadcastra，whichmadeageneralofthearmyofNarses；witness:
　　BarbarietBarberini；witness:TuesPetrusetsuperhancpetram，etc。，etc。
　　TheFriendsoftheABCwerenotnumerous，itwasasecretsocietyinthestateofembryo，wemightalmostsayacoterie，ifcoteriesendedinheroes。TheyassembledinParisintwolocalities，nearthefish—market，inawine—shopcalledCorinthe，ofwhichmorewillbeheardlateron，andnearthePantheoninalittlecafeintheRueSaint—MichelcalledtheCafeMusain，nowtorndown；
　　thefirstofthesemeeting—placeswasclosetotheworkingman，thesecondtothestudents。
　　TheassembliesoftheFriendsoftheABCwereusuallyheldinabackroomoftheCafeMusain。
　　Thishall，whichwastolerablyremotefromthecafe，withwhichitwasconnectedbyanextremelylongcorridor，hadtwowindowsandanexitwithaprivatestairwayonthelittleRuedesGres。Theretheysmokedanddrank，andgambledandlaughed。Theretheyconversedinveryloudtonesabouteverything，andinwhispersofotherthings。
　　AnoldmapofFranceundertheRepublicwasnailedtothewall，——
　　asignquitesufficienttoexcitethesuspicionofapoliceagent。
　　ThegreaterpartoftheFriendsoftheABCwerestudents，whowereoncordialtermswiththeworkingclasses。Herearethenamesoftheprincipalones。Theybelong，inacertainmeasure，tohistory:Enjolras，Combeferre，JeanProuvaire，Feuilly，Courfeyrac，Bahorel，LesgleorLaigle，Joly，Grantaire。
　　Theseyoungmenformedasortoffamily，throughthebondoffriendship。All，withtheexceptionofLaigle，werefromtheSouth。
　　Thiswasaremarkablegroup。Itvanishedintheinvisibledepthswhichliebehindus。Atthepointofthisdramawhichwehavenowreached，itwillnotperhapsbesuperfluoustothrowarayoflightupontheseyouthfulheads，beforethereaderbeholdsthemplungingintotheshadowofatragicadventure。
　　Enjolras，whosenamewehavementionedfirstofall，——thereadershallseewhylateron，——wasanonlysonandwealthy。
　　Enjolraswasacharmingyoungman，whowascapableofbeingterrible。
　　Hewasangelicallyhandsome。HewasasavageAntinous。Onewouldhavesaid，toseethepensivethoughtfulnessofhisglance，thathehadalready，insomepreviousstateofexistence，traversedtherevolutionaryapocalypse。Hepossessedthetraditionofitasthoughhehadbeenawitness。Hewasacquaintedwithalltheminutedetailsofthegreataffair。Apontificalandwarlikenature，asingularthinginayouth。Hewasanofficiatingpriestandamanofwar；
　　fromtheimmediatepointofview，asoldierofthedemocracy；
　　abovethecontemporarymovement，thepriestoftheideal。Hiseyesweredeep，hislidsalittlered，hislowerlipwasthickandeasilybecamedisdainful，hisbrowwaslofty。Agreatdealofbrowinafaceislikeagreatdealofhorizoninaview。Likecertainyoungmenatthebeginningofthiscenturyandtheendofthelast，whobecameillustriousatanearlyage，hewasendowedwithexcessiveyouth，andwasasrosyasayounggirl，althoughsubjecttohoursofpallor。
　　Alreadyaman，hestillseemedachild。Histwoandtwentyyearsappearedtobebutseventeen；hewasserious，itdidnotseemasthoughhewereawaretherewasonearthathingcalledwoman。
　　Hehadbutonepassion——theright；butonethought——tooverthrowtheobstacle。OnMountAventine，hewouldhavebeenGracchus；
　　intheConvention，hewouldhavebeenSaint—Just。Hehardlysawtheroses，heignoredspring，hedidnothearthecarollingofthebirds；thebarethroatofEvadnewouldhavemovedhimnomorethanitwouldhavemovedAristogeiton；he，likeHarmodius，thoughtflowersgoodfornothingexcepttoconcealthesword。
　　Hewassevereinhisenjoyments。HechastelydroppedhiseyesbeforeeverythingwhichwasnottheRepublic。Hewasthemarbleloverofliberty。Hisspeechwasharshlyinspired，andhadthethrillofahymn。Hewassubjecttounexpectedoutburstsofsoul。
　　Woetothelove—affairwhichshouldhaveriskeditselfbesidehim！
　　IfanygrisetteofthePlaceCambraiortheRueSaint—Jean—de—Beauvais，seeingthatfaceofayouthescapedfromcollege，thatpage’smien，thoselong，goldenlashes，thoseblueeyes，thathairbillowinginthewind，thoserosycheeks，thosefreshlips，thoseexquisiteteeth，hadconceivedanappetiteforthatcompleteaurora，andhadtriedherbeautyonEnjolras，anastoundingandterribleglancewouldhavepromptlyshownhertheabyss，andwouldhavetaughthernottoconfoundthemightycherubofEzekielwiththegallantCherubinoofBeaumarchais。
　　BythesideofEnjolras，whorepresentedthelogicoftheRevolution，Combeferrerepresenteditsphilosophy。BetweenthelogicoftheRevolutionanditsphilosophythereexiststhisdifference——thatitslogicmayendinwar，whereasitsphilosophycanendonlyinpeace。
　　CombeferrecomplementedandrectifiedEnjolras。Hewaslesslofty，butbroader。Hedesiredtopourintoallmindstheextensiveprinciplesofgeneralideas:hesaid:"Revolution，butcivilization"；
　　andaroundthemountainpeakheopenedoutavastviewofthebluesky。
　　TheRevolutionwasmoreadaptedforbreathingwithCombeferrethanwithEnjolras。Enjolrasexpresseditsdivineright，andCombeferreitsnaturalright。ThefirstattachedhimselftoRobespierre；
　　thesecondconfinedhimselftoCondorcet。CombeferrelivedthelifeofalltherestoftheworldmorethandidEnjolras。
　　Ifithadbeengrantedtothesetwoyoungmentoattaintohistory，theonewouldhavebeenthejust，theotherthewiseman。
　　Enjolraswasthemorevirile，Combeferrethemorehumane。Homoandvir，thatwastheexacteffectoftheirdifferentshades。CombeferrewasasgentleasEnjolraswassevere，throughnaturalwhiteness。
　　Helovedthewordcitizen，buthepreferredthewordman。Hewouldgladlyhavesaid:Hombre，liketheSpanish。Hereadeverything，wenttothetheatres，attendedthecoursesofpubliclecturers，learnedthepolarizationoflightfromArago，grewenthusiasticoveralessoninwhichGeoffreySainte—Hilaireexplainedthedoublefunctionoftheexternalcarotidartery，andtheinternal，theonewhichmakestheface，andtheonewhichmakesthebrain；
　　hekeptupwithwhatwasgoingon，followedsciencestepbystep，comparedSaint—SimonwithFourier，decipheredhieroglyphics，brokethepebblewhichhefoundandreasonedongeology，drewfrommemoryasilkwormmoth，pointedoutthefaultyFrenchintheDictionaryoftheAcademy，studiedPuysegurandDeleuze，affirmednothing，notevenmiracles；deniednothing，notevenghosts；
　　turnedoverthefilesoftheMoniteur，reflected。Hedeclaredthatthefutureliesinthehandoftheschoolmaster，andbusiedhimselfwitheducationalquestions。Hedesiredthatsocietyshouldlaborwithoutrelaxationattheelevationofthemoralandintellectuallevel，atcoiningscience，atputtingideasintocirculation，atincreasingthemindinyouthfulpersons，andhefearedlestthepresentpovertyofmethod，thepaltrinessfromaliterarypointofviewconfinedtotwoorthreecenturiescalledclassic，thetyrannicaldogmatismofofficialpedants，scholasticprejudicesandroutinesshouldendbyconvertingourcollegesintoartificialoysterbeds。Hewaslearned，apurist，exact，agraduateofthePolytechnic，aclosestudent，andatthesametime，thoughtful"eventochimaeras，"sohisfriendssaid。
　　Hebelievedinalldreams，railroads，thesuppressionofsufferinginchirurgicaloperations，thefixingofimagesinthedarkchamber，theelectrictelegraph，thesteeringofballoons。Moreover，hewasnotmuchalarmedbythecitadelserectedagainstthehumanmindineverydirection，bysuperstition，despotism，andprejudice。
　　Hewasoneofthosewhothinkthatsciencewilleventuallyturntheposition。Enjolraswasachief，Combeferrewasaguide。
　　Onewouldhavelikedtofightundertheoneandtomarchbehindtheother。ItisnotthatCombeferrewasnotcapableoffighting，hedidnotrefuseahand—to—handcombatwiththeobstacle，andtoattackitbymainforceandexplosively；butitsuitedhimbettertobringthehumanraceintoaccordwithitsdestinygradually，bymeansofeducation，theinculcationofaxioms，thepromulgationofpositivelaws；and，betweentwolights，hispreferencewasratherforilluminationthanforconflagration。
　　Aconflagrationcancreateanaurora，nodoubt，butwhynotawaitthedawn？Avolcanoilluminates，butdaybreakfurnishesastillbetterillumination。Possibly，Combeferrepreferredthewhitenessofthebeautifultotheblazeofthesublime。Alighttroubledbysmoke，progresspurchasedattheexpenseofviolence，onlyhalfsatisfiedthistenderandseriousspirit。Theheadlongprecipitationofapeopleintothetruth，a’93，terrifiedhim；nevertheless，stagnationwasstillmorerepulsivetohim，inithedetectedputrefactionanddeath；onthewhole，hepreferredscumtomiasma，andhepreferredthetorrenttothecesspool，andthefallsofNiagaratothelakeofMontfaucon。Inshort，hedesiredneitherhaltnorhaste。Whilehistumultuousfriends，captivatedbytheabsolute，adoredandinvokedsplendidrevolutionaryadventures，Combeferrewasinclinedtoletprogress，goodprogress，takeitsowncourse；
　　hemayhavebeencold，buthewaspure；methodical，butirreproachable；
　　phlegmatic，butimperturbable。Combeferrewouldhavekneltandclaspedhishandstoenablethefuturetoarriveinallitscandor，andthatnothingmightdisturbtheimmenseandvirtuousevolutionoftheraces。Thegoodmustbeinnocent，herepeatedincessantly。
　　Andinfact，ifthegrandeuroftheRevolutionconsistsinkeepingthedazzlingidealfixedlyinview，andofsoaringthitherathwartthelightnings，withfireandbloodinitstalons，thebeautyofprogressliesinbeingspotless；andthereexistsbetweenWashington，whorepresentstheone，andDanton，whoincarnatestheother，thatdifferencewhichseparatestheswanfromtheangelwiththewingsofaneagle。
　　JeanProuvairewasastillsoftershadethanCombeferre。HisnamewasJehan，owingtothatpettymomentaryfreakwhichmingledwiththepowerfulandprofoundmovementwhencesprangtheveryessentialstudyoftheMiddleAges。JeanProuvairewasinlove；
　　hecultivatedapotofflowers，playedontheflute，madeverses，lovedthepeople，pitiedwoman，weptoverthechild，confoundedGodandthefutureinthesameconfidence，andblamedtheRevolutionforhavingcausedthefallofaroyalhead，thatofAndreChenier。
　　Hisvoicewasordinarilydelicate，butsuddenlygrewmanly。
　　Hewaslearnedeventoerudition，andalmostanOrientalist。
　　Aboveall，hewasgood；and，averysimplethingtothosewhoknowhownearlygoodnessbordersongrandeur，inthematterofpoetry，hepreferredtheimmense。HeknewItalian，Latin，Greek，andHebrew；
　　andtheseservedhimonlyfortheperusaloffourpoets:
　　Dante，Juvenal，AEschylus，andIsaiah。InFrench，hepreferredCorneilletoRacine，andAgrippad’AubignetoCorneille。
　　Helovedtosaunterthroughfieldsofwildoatsandcorn—flowers，andbusiedhimselfwithcloudsnearlyasmuchaswithevents。
　　Hismindhadtwoattitudes，oneonthesidetowardsman，theotheronthattowardsGod；hestudiedorhecontemplated。Alldaylong，heburiedhimselfinsocialquestions，salary，capital，credit，marriage，religion，libertyofthought，education，penalservitude，poverty，association，property，productionandsharing，theenigmaofthislowerworldwhichcoversthehumanant—hillwithdarkness；
　　andatnight，hegazedupontheplanets，thoseenormousbeings。
　　LikeEnjolras，hewaswealthyandanonlyson。Hespokesoftly，bowedhishead，loweredhiseyes，smiledwithembarrassment，dressedbadly，hadanawkwardair，blushedatamerenothing，andwasverytimid。Yethewasintrepid。
　　Feuillywasaworkingman，afan—maker，orphanedbothoffatherandmother，whoearnedwithdifficultythreefrancsaday，andhadbutonethought，todelivertheworld。Hehadoneotherpreoccupation，toeducatehimself；hecalledthisalso，deliveringhimself。
　　Hehadtaughthimselftoreadandwrite；everythingthatheknew，hehadlearnedbyhimself。Feuillyhadagenerousheart。Therangeofhisembracewasimmense。Thisorphanhadadoptedthepeoples。
　　Ashismotherhadfailedhim，hemeditatedonhiscountry。
　　Hebroodedwiththeprofounddivinationofthemanofthepeople，overwhatwenowcalltheideaofthenationality，hadlearnedhistorywiththeexpressobjectofragingwithfullknowledgeofthecase。
　　InthisclubofyoungUtopians，occupiedchieflywithFrance，herepresentedtheoutsideworld。HehadforhisspecialtyGreece，Poland，Hungary，Roumania，Italy。Heutteredthesenamesincessantly，appropriatelyandinappropriately，withthetenacityofright。
　　TheviolationsofTurkeyonGreeceandThessaly，ofRussiaonWarsaw，ofAustriaonVenice，enragedhim。Aboveallthings，thegreatviolenceof1772arousedhim。Thereisnomoresovereigneloquencethanthetrueinindignation；hewaseloquentwiththateloquence。Hewasinexhaustibleonthatinfamousdateof1772，onthesubjectofthatnobleandvaliantracesuppressedbytreason，andthatthree—sidedcrime，onthatmonstrousambush，theprototypeandpatternofallthosehorriblesuppressionsofstates，which，sincethattime，havestruckmanyanoblenation，andhaveannulledtheircertificateofbirth，sotospeak。
　　AllcontemporarysocialcrimeshavetheirorigininthepartitionofPoland。ThepartitionofPolandisatheoremofwhichallpresentpoliticaloutragesarethecorollaries。Therehasnotbeenadespot，noratraitorfornearlyacenturyback，whohasnotsigned，approved，counter—signed，andcopied，nevariatur，thepartitionofPoland。
　　Whentherecordofmoderntreasonswasexamined，thatwasthefirstthingwhichmadeitsappearance。ThecongressofViennaconsultedthatcrimebeforeconsummatingitsown。1772soundedtheonset；
　　1815wasthedeathofthegame。SuchwasFeuilly’shabitualtext。
　　ThispoorworkingmanhadconstitutedhimselfthetutorofJustice，andsherecompensedhimbyrenderinghimgreat。Thefactis，thatthereiseternityinright。WarsawcannomorebeTartarthanVenicecanbeTeuton。Kingslosetheirpainsandtheirhonorintheattempttomakethemso。Soonerorlater，thesubmergedpartfloatstothesurfaceandreappears。GreecebecomesGreeceagain，ItalyisoncemoreItaly。Theprotestofrightagainstthedeedpersistsforever。Thetheftofanationcannotbeallowedbyprescription。Theseloftydeedsofrascalityhavenofuture。
　　Anationcannothaveitsmarkextractedlikeapockethandkerchief。
　　CourfeyrachadafatherwhowascalledM。deCourfeyrac。OneofthefalseideasofthebourgeoisieundertheRestorationasregardsaristocracyandthenobilitywastobelieveintheparticle。
　　Theparticle，aseveryoneknows，possessesnosignificance。
　　ButthebourgeoisoftheepochoflaMinerveestimatedsohighlythatpoorde，thattheythoughtthemselvesboundtoabdicateit。
　　M。deChauvelinhadhimselfcalledM。Chauvelin；M。deCaumartin，M。Caumartin；M。deConstantdeRobecque，BenjaminConstant；
　　M。deLafayette，M。Lafayette。Courfeyrachadnotwishedtoremainbehindtherest，andcalledhimselfplainCourfeyrac。
　　Wemightalmost，sofarasCourfeyracisconcerned，stophere，andconfineourselvestosayingwithregardtowhatremains:
　　"ForCourfeyrac，seeTholomyes。"
　　Courfeyrachad，infact，thatanimationofyouthwhichmaybecalledthebeautedudiableofthemind。Lateron，thisdisappearsliketheplayfulnessofthekitten，andallthisgraceends，withthebourgeois，ontwolegs，andwiththetomcat，onfourpaws。
　　Thissortofwitistransmittedfromgenerationtogenerationofthesuccessiveleviesofyouthwhotraversetheschools，whopassitfromhandtohand，quasicursores，andisalmostalwaysexactlythesame；sothat，aswehavejustpointedout，anyonewhohadlistenedtoCourfeyracin1828wouldhavethoughtheheardTholomyesin1817。Only，Courfeyracwasanhonorablefellow。
　　Beneaththeapparentsimilaritiesoftheexteriormind，thedifferencebetweenhimandTholomyeswasverygreat。Thelatentmanwhichexistedinthetwowastotallydifferentinthefirstfromwhatitwasinthesecond。TherewasinTholomyesadistrictattorney，andinCourfeyracapaladin。
　　Enjolraswasthechief，Combeferrewastheguide，Courfeyracwasthecentre。Theothersgavemorelight，heshedmorewarmth；
　　thetruthis，thathepossessedallthequalitiesofacentre，roundnessandradiance。
　　BahorelhadfiguredinthebloodytumultofJune，1822，ontheoccasionoftheburialofyoungLallemand。
　　Bahorelwasagood—naturedmortal，whokeptbadcompany，brave，aspendthrift，prodigal，andtothevergeofgenerosity，talkative，andattimeseloquent，boldtothevergeofeffrontery；thebestfellowpossible；hehaddaringwaistcoats，andscarletopinions；
　　awholesaleblusterer，thatistosay，lovingnothingsomuchasaquarrel，unlessitwereanuprising；andnothingsomuchasanuprising，unlessitwerearevolution；alwaysreadytosmashawindow—pane，thentotearupthepavement，thentodemolishagovernment，justtoseetheeffectofit；astudentinhiseleventhyear。
　　Hehadnosedaboutthelaw，butdidnotpractiseit。Hehadtakenforhisdevice:"Neveralawyer，"andforhisarmorialbearingsanightstandinwhichwasvisibleasquarecap。Everytimethathepassedthelaw—school，whichrarelyhappened，hebuttoneduphisfrock—coat，——thepaletothadnotyetbeeninvented，——andtookhygienicprecautions。Oftheschoolporterhesaid:"Whatafineoldman！"andofthedean，M。Delvincourt:"Whatamonument！"
　　Inhislecturesheespiedsubjectsforballads，andinhisprofessorsoccasionsforcaricature。Hewastedatolerablylargeallowance，somethinglikethreethousandfrancsayear，indoingnothing。
　　Hehadpeasantparentswhomhehadcontrivedtoimbuewithrespectfortheirson。
　　Hesaidofthem:"Theyarepeasantsandnotbourgeois；thatisthereasontheyareintelligent。"
　　Bahorel，amanofcaprice，wasscatteredovernumerouscafes；
　　theothershadhabits，hehadnone。Hesauntered。Tostrayishuman。
　　TosaunterisParisian。Inreality，hehadapenetratingmindandwasmoreofathinkerthanappearedtoview。
　　HeservedasaconnectinglinkbetweentheFriendsoftheABC
　　andotherstillunorganizedgroups，whichweredestinedtotakeformlateron。
　　Inthisconclaveofyoungheads，therewasonebaldmember。
　　TheMarquisd’Avaray，whomLouisXVIII。madeadukeforhavingassistedhimtoenterahackney—coachonthedaywhenheemigrated，waswonttorelate，thatin1814，onhisreturntoFrance，astheKingwasdisembarkingatCalais，amanhandedhimapetition。
　　"Whatisyourrequest？"saidtheKing。
　　"Sire，apost—office。"
　　"Whatisyourname？"
　　"L’Aigle。"
　　TheKingfrowned，glancedatthesignatureofthepetitionandbeheldthenamewrittenthus:LESGLE。Thisnon—BonoparteorthographytouchedtheKingandhebegantosmile。"Sire，"resumedthemanwiththepetition，"IhadforancestorakeeperofthehoundssurnamedLesgueules。Thissurnamefurnishedmyname。IamcalledLesgueules，bycontractionLesgle，andbycorruptionl’Aigle。"
　　ThiscausedtheKingtosmilebroadly。LateronhegavethemanthepostingofficeofMeaux，eitherintentionallyoraccidentally。
　　ThebaldmemberofthegroupwasthesonofthisLesgle，orLegle，andhesignedhimself，Legle[deMeaux]。Asanabbreviation，hiscompanionscalledhimBossuet。
　　Bossuetwasagaybutunluckyfellow。Hisspecialtywasnottosucceedinanything。Asanoffset，helaughedateverything。
　　Atfiveandtwentyhewasbald。Hisfatherhadendedbyowningahouseandafield；buthe，theson，hadmadehastetolosethathouseandfieldinabadspeculation。Hehadnothingleft。
　　Hepossessedknowledgeandwit，butallhedidmiscarried。
　　Everythingfailedhimandeverybodydeceivedhim；whathewasbuildingtumbleddownontopofhim。Ifheweresplittingwood，hecutoffafinger。Ifhehadamistress，hespeedilydiscoveredthathehadafriendalso。Somemisfortunehappenedtohimeverymoment，hencehisjoviality。Hesaid:"Iliveunderfallingtiles。"
　　Hewasnoteasilyastonished，because，forhim，anaccidentwaswhathehadforeseen，hetookhisbadluckserenely，andsmiledattheteasingoffate，likeapersonwhoislisteningtopleasantries。
　　Hewaspoor，buthisfundofgoodhumorwasinexhaustible。
　　Hesoonreachedhislastsou，neverhislastburstoflaughter。
　　Whenadversityenteredhisdoors，hesalutedthisoldacquaintancecordially，hetappedallcatastrophesonthestomach；hewasfamiliarwithfatalitytothepointofcallingitbyitsnickname:
　　"Goodday，Guignon，"hesaidtoit。
　　Thesepersecutionsoffatehadrenderedhiminventive。Hewasfullofresources。Hehadnomoney，buthefoundmeans，whenitseemedgoodtohim，toindulgein"unbridledextravagance。"Onenight，hewentsofarastoeata"hundredfrancs"inasupperwithawench，whichinspiredhimtomakethismemorableremarkinthemidstoftheorgy:"Pulloffmyboots，youfive—louisjade。"
　　Bossuetwasslowlydirectinghisstepstowardstheprofessionofalawyer；hewaspursuinghislawstudiesafterthemannerofBahorel。Bossuethadnotmuchdomicile，sometimesnoneatall。
　　Helodgednowwithone，nowwithanother，mostoftenwithJoly。
　　Jolywasstudyingmedicine。HewastwoyearsyoungerthanBossuet。
　　Jolywasthe"maladeimaginaire"junior。Whathehadwoninmedicinewastobemoreofaninvalidthanadoctor。Atthreeandtwentyhethoughthimselfavaletudinarian，andpassedhislifeininspectinghistongueinthemirror。Heaffirmedthatmanbecomesmagneticlikeaneedle，andinhischamberheplacedhisbedwithitsheadtothesouth，andthefoottothenorth，sothat，atnight，thecirculationofhisbloodmightnotbeinterferedwithbythegreatelectriccurrentoftheglobe。Duringthunderstorms，hefelthispulse。Otherwise，hewasthegayestofthemall。
　　Alltheseyoung，maniacal，puny，merryincoherenceslivedinharmonytogether，andtheresultwasaneccentricandagreeablebeingwhomhiscomrades，whowereprodigalofwingedconsonants，calledJolllly。"YoumayflyawayonthefourL’s，"JeanProuvairesaidtohim。[23]
　　[23]L’Aile，wing。
　　Jolyhadatrickoftouchinghisnosewiththetipofhiscane，whichisanindicationofasagaciousmind。
　　Alltheseyoungmenwhodifferedsogreatly，andwho，onthewhole，canonlybediscussedseriously，heldthesamereligion:Progress。
　　AllwerethedirectsonsoftheFrenchRevolution。Themostgiddyofthembecamesolemnwhentheypronouncedthatdate:’89。Theirfathersinthefleshhadbeen，eitherroyalists，doctrinaires，itmattersnotwhat；thisconfusionanteriortothemselves，whowereyoung，didnotconcernthematall；thepurebloodofprincipleranintheirveins。Theyattachedthemselves，withoutintermediateshades，toincorruptiblerightandabsoluteduty。
　　Affiliatedandinitiated，theysketchedouttheidealunderground。
　　Amongalltheseglowingheartsandthoroughlyconvincedminds，therewasonesceptic。Howcamehethere？Byjuxtaposition。
　　Thissceptic’snamewasGrantaire，andhewasinthehabitofsigninghimselfwiththisrebus:R。Grantairewasamanwhotookgoodcarenottobelieveinanything。Moreover，hewasoneofthestudentswhohadlearnedthemostduringtheircourseatParis；
　　heknewthatthebestcoffeewastobehadattheCafeLemblin，andthebestbilliardsattheCafeVoltaire，thatgoodcakesandlassesweretobefoundattheErmitage，ontheBoulevardduMaine，spatchcockedchickensatMotherSauget’s，excellentmatelotesattheBarrieredelaCunette，andacertainthinwhitewineattheBarriereduCompat。Heknewthebestplaceforeverything；
　　inaddition，boxingandfoot—fencingandsomedances；andhewasathoroughsingle—stickplayer。Hewasatremendousdrinkertoboot。
　　Hewasinordinatelyhomely:theprettiestboot—stitcherofthatday，IrmaBoissy，enragedwithhishomeliness，pronouncedsentenceonhimasfollows:"Grantaireisimpossible"；butGrantaire’sfatuitywasnottobedisconcerted。Hestaredtenderlyandfixedlyatallwomen，withtheairofsayingtothemall:"IfIonlychose！"andoftryingtomakehiscomradesbelievethathewasingeneraldemand。
　　Allthosewords:rightsofthepeople，rightsofman，thesocialcontract，theFrenchRevolution，theRepublic，democracy，humanity，civilization，religion，progress，cameveryneartosignifyingnothingwhatevertoGrantaire。Hesmiledatthem。
　　Scepticism，thatcariesoftheintelligence，hadnotlefthimasinglewholeidea。Helivedwithirony。Thiswashisaxiom:
　　"Thereisbutonecertainty，myfullglass。"Hesneeredatalldevotioninallparties，thefatheraswellasthebrother，RobespierrejunioraswellasLoizerolles。"Theyaregreatlyinadvancetobedead，"
　　heexclaimed。Hesaidofthecrucifix:"Thereisagibbetwhichhasbeenasuccess。"Arover，agambler，alibertine，oftendrunk，hedispleasedtheseyoungdreamersbyhummingincessantly:
　　"J’aimonslesfilles，etj’aimonslebonvin。"Air:ViveHenriIV。
　　However，thissceptichadonefanaticism。Thisfanaticismwasneitheradogma，noranidea，noranart，norascience；itwasaman:Enjolras。Grantaireadmired，loved，andveneratedEnjolras。
　　Towhomdidthisanarchicalscofferunitehimselfinthisphalanxofabsoluteminds？Tothemostabsolute。InwhatmannerhadEnjolrassubjugatedhim？Byhisideas？No。Byhischaracter。
　　Aphenomenonwhichisoftenobservable。Ascepticwhoadherestoabelieverisassimpleasthelawofcomplementarycolors。Thatwhichwelackattractsus。Noonelovesthelightliketheblindman。
　　Thedwarfadoresthedrum—major。Thetoadalwayshashiseyesfixedonheaven。Why？Inordertowatchthebirdinitsflight。
　　Grantaire，inwhomwritheddoubt，lovedtowatchfaithsoarinEnjolras。
　　HehadneedofEnjolras。Thatchaste，healthy，firm，upright，hard，candidnaturecharmedhim，withouthisbeingclearlyawareofit，andwithouttheideaofexplainingittohimselfhavingoccurredtohim。Headmiredhisoppositebyinstinct。Hissoft，yielding，dislocated，sickly，shapelessideasattachedthemselvestoEnjolrasastoaspinalcolumn。Hismoralbackboneleanedonthatfirmness。
　　GrantaireinthepresenceofEnjolrasbecamesomeoneoncemore。
　　Hewas，himself，moreover，composedoftwoelements，whichwere，toallappearance，incompatible。Hewasironicalandcordial。
　　Hisindifferenceloved。Hismindcouldgetalongwithoutbelief，buthisheartcouldnotgetalongwithoutfriendship。
　　Aprofoundcontradiction；foranaffectionisaconviction。
　　Hisnaturewasthusconstituted。Therearemenwhoseemtobeborntobethereverse，theobverse，thewrongside。TheyarePollux，Patrocles，Nisus，Eudamidas，Ephestion，Pechmeja。Theyonlyexistonconditionthattheyarebackedupwithanotherman；theirnameisasequel，andisonlywrittenprecededbytheconjunctionand；
　　andtheirexistenceisnottheirown；itistheothersideofanexistencewhichisnottheirs。Grantairewasoneofthesemen。
　　HewastheobverseofEnjolras。
　　Onemightalmostsaythataffinitiesbeginwiththelettersofthealphabet。IntheseriesOandPareinseparable。Youcan，atwill，pronounceOandPorOrestesandPylades。
　　Grantaire，Enjolras’truesatellite，inhabitedthiscircleofyoungmen；helivedthere，hetooknopleasureanywherebutthere；
　　hefollowedthemeverywhere。Hisjoywastoseetheseformsgoandcomethroughthefumesofwine。Theytoleratedhimonaccountofhisgoodhumor。
　　Enjolras，thebeliever，disdainedthissceptic；and，asobermanhimself，scornedthisdrunkard。Heaccordedhimalittleloftypity。GrantairewasanunacceptedPylades。AlwaysharshlytreatedbyEnjolras，roughlyrepulsed，rejectedyeteverreturningtothecharge，hesaidofEnjolras:"Whatfinemarble！"
　　CHAPTERII
　　BLONDEAU’SFUNERALORATIONBYBOSSUET
　　Onacertainafternoon，whichhad，aswillbeseenhereafter，somecoincidencewiththeeventsheretoforerelated，LaigledeMeauxwastobeseenleaninginasensualmanneragainstthedoorpostoftheCafeMusain。Hehadtheairofacaryatidonavacation；
　　hecarriednothingbuthisrevery，however。HewasstaringatthePlaceSaint—Michel。Toleanone’sbackagainstathingisequivalenttolyingdownwhilestandingerect，whichattitudeisnothatedbythinkers。LaigledeMeauxwasponderingwithoutmelancholy，overalittlemisadventurewhichhadbefallenhimtwodayspreviouslyatthelaw—school，andwhichhadmodifiedhispersonalplansforthefuture，planswhichwereratherindistinctinanycase。
　　Reverydoesnotpreventacabfrompassingby，northedreamerfromtakingnoteofthatcab。LaigledeMeaux，whoseeyeswerestrayingaboutinasortofdiffuselounging，perceived，athwarthissomnambulism，atwo—wheeledvehicleproceedingthroughtheplace，atafootpaceandapparentlyinindecision。
　　Forwhomwasthiscabriolet？Whywasitdrivingatawalk？
　　Laigletookasurvey。Init，besidethecoachman，satayoungman，andinfrontoftheyoungmanlayaratherbulkyhand—bag。Thebagdisplayedtopassers—bythefollowingnameinscribedinlargeblacklettersonacardwhichwassewntothestuff:MARIUSPONTMERCY。
　　ThisnamecausedLaigletochangehisattitude。Hedrewhimselfupandhurledthisapostropheattheyoungmaninthecabriolet:——
　　"MonsieurMariusPontmercy！"
　　Thecabrioletthusaddressedcametoahalt。
　　Theyoungman，whoalsoseemeddeeplyburiedinthought，raisedhiseyes:——
　　"Hey？"saidhe。
　　"YouareM。MariusPontmercy？"
　　"Certainly。"
　　"Iwaslookingforyou，"resumedLaigledeMeaux。
　　"Howso？"demandedMarius；foritwashe:infact，hehadjustquittedhisgrandfather’s，andhadbeforehimafacewhichhenowbeheldforthefirsttime。"Idonotknowyou。"
　　"NeitherdoIknowyou，"respondedLaigle。
　　Mariusthoughthehadencounteredawag，thebeginningofamystificationintheopenstreet。Hewasnotinaverygoodhumoratthemoment。
　　Hefrowned。LaigledeMeauxwentonimperturbably:——
　　"Youwerenotattheschooldaybeforeyesterday。"
　　"Thatispossible。"
　　"Thatiscertain。"
　　"Youareastudent？"demandedMarius。
　　"Yes，sir。Likeyourself。Daybeforeyesterday，Ienteredtheschool，bychance。Youknow，onedoeshavesuchfreakssometimes。
　　Theprofessorwasjustcallingtheroll。Youarenotunawarethattheyareveryridiculousonsuchoccasions。Atthethirdcall，unanswered，yournameiserasedfromthelist。Sixtyfrancsinthegulf。"
　　Mariusbegantolisten。
　　"ItwasBlondeauwhowasmakingthecall。YouknowBlondeau，hehasaverypointedandverymaliciousnose，andhedelightstoscentouttheabsent。HeslylybeganwiththeletterP。Iwasnotlistening，notbeingcompromisedbythatletter。Thecallwasnotgoingbadly。
　　Noerasures；theuniversewaspresent。Blondeauwasgrieved。
　　Isaidtomyself:`Blondeau，mylove，youwillnotgettheverysmallestsortofanexecutionto—day。’AllatonceBlondeaucalls，`MariusPontmercy！’Nooneanswers。Blondeau，filledwithhope，repeatsmoreloudly:`MariusPontmercy！’Andhetakeshispen。
　　Monsieur，Ihavebowelsofcompassion。Isaidtomyselfhastily:
　　`Here’sabravefellowwhoisgoingtogetscratchedout。Attention。
　　Hereisaveritablemortalwhoisnotexact。He’snotagoodstudent。
　　Hereisnoneofyourheavy—sides，astudentwhostudies，agreenhornpedant，strongonletters，theology，science，andsapience，oneofthosedullwitscutbythesquare；apinbyprofession。
　　Heisanhonorableidlerwholounges，whopractisescountryjaunts，whocultivatesthegrisette，whopayscourttothefairsex，whoisatthisverymoment，perhaps，withmymistress。Letussavehim。DeathtoBlondeau！’Atthatmoment，Blondeaudippedhispenin，allblackwitherasuresintheink，casthisyelloweyesroundtheaudienceroom，andrepeatedforthethirdtime:
　　`MariusPontmercy！’Ireplied:`Present！’Thisiswhyyouwerenotcrossedoff。"
　　"Monsieur！——"saidMarius。