Itwasevidentthat，forthisenergeticandenthusiasticnature，thiscouldonlybeatransitorystate，andthat，atthefirstshockagainsttheinevitablecomplicationsofdestiny，Mariuswouldawaken。
　　Inthemeantime，althoughhewasalawyer，andwhateverFatherGillenormandthoughtaboutthematter，hewasnotpractising，hewasnotevenpettifogging。Meditationhadturnedhimasidefrompleading。
　　Tohauntattorneys，tofollowthecourt，tohuntupcases——
　　whatabore！Whyshouldhedoit？Hesawnoreasonforchangingthemannerofgaininghislivelihood！Theobscureandill—paidpublishingestablishmenthadcometomeanforhimasuresourceofworkwhichdidnotinvolvetoomuchlabor，aswehaveexplained，andwhichsufficedforhiswants。
　　Oneofthepublishersforwhomheworked，M。Magimel，Ithink，offeredtotakehimintohisownhouse，tolodgehimwell，tofurnishhimwithregularoccupation，andtogivehimfifteenhundredfrancsayear。Tobewelllodged！Fifteenhundredfrancs！Nodoubt。
　　Butrenouncehisliberty！Beonfixedwages！Asortofhiredmanofletters！AccordingtoMarius’opinion，ifheaccepted，hispositionwouldbecomebothbetterandworseatthesametime，heacquiredcomfort，andlosthisdignity；itwasafineandcompleteunhappinessconvertedintoarepulsiveandridiculousstateoftorture:
　　somethinglikethecaseofablindmanwhoshouldrecoverthesightofoneeye。Herefused。
　　Mariusdweltinsolitude。Owingtohistasteforremainingoutsideofeverything，andthroughhavingbeentoomuchalarmed，hehadnotentereddecidedlyintothegrouppresidedoverbyEnjolras。
　　Theyhadremainedgoodfriends；theywerereadytoassisteachotheronoccasionineverypossibleway；butnothingmore。
　　Mariushadtwofriends:oneyoung，Courfeyrac；andoneold，M。Mabeuf。Heinclinedmoretotheoldman。Inthefirstplace，heowedtohimtherevolutionwhichhadtakenplacewithinhim；
　　tohimhewasindebtedforhavingknownandlovedhisfather。
　　"Heoperatedonmeforacataract，"hesaid。
　　Thechurchwardenhadcertainlyplayedadecisivepart。
　　Itwasnot，however，thatM。MabeufhadbeenanythingbutthecalmandimpassiveagentofProvidenceinthisconnection。HehadenlightenedMariusbychanceandwithoutbeingawareofthefact，asdoesacandlewhichsomeonebrings；hehadbeenthecandleandnotthesomeone。
　　AsforMarius’inwardpoliticalrevolution，M。Mabeufwastotallyincapableofcomprehendingit，ofwillingorofdirectingit。
　　AsweshallseeM。Mabeufagain，lateron，afewwordswillnotbesuperfluous。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　M。MABEUF
　　OnthedaywhenM。MabeufsaidtoMarius:"CertainlyIapproveofpoliticalopinions，"heexpressedtherealstateofhismind。
　　Allpoliticalopinionsweremattersofindifferencetohim，andheapprovedthemall，withoutdistinction，providedtheylefthiminpeace，astheGreekscalledtheFuries"thebeautiful，thegood，thecharming，"theEumenides。M。Mabeuf’spoliticalopinionconsistedinapassionateloveforplants，and，aboveall，forbooks。
　　Likealltherestoftheworld，hepossessedtheterminationinist，withoutwhichnoonecouldexistatthattime，buthewasneitheraRoyalist，aBonapartist，aChartist，anOrleanist，noranAnarchist；
　　hewasabouquinist，acollectorofoldbooks。Hedidnotunderstandhowmencouldbusythemselveswithhatingeachotherbecauseofsillystufflikethecharter，democracy，legitimacy，monarchy，therepublic，etc。，whentherewereintheworldallsortsofmosses，grasses，andshrubswhichtheymightbelookingat，andheapsoffolios，andevenof32mos，whichtheymightturnover。Hetookgoodcarenottobecomeuseless；havingbooksdidnotpreventhisreading，beingabotanistdidnotpreventhisbeingagardener。WhenhemadePontmercy’sacquaintance，thissympathyhadexistedbetweenthecolonelandhimself——thatwhatthecoloneldidforflowers，hedidforfruits。M。MabeufhadsucceededinproducingseedlingpearsassavoryasthepearsofSt。Germain；itisfromoneofhiscombinations，apparently，thattheOctoberMirabelle，nowcelebratedandnolessperfumedthanthesummerMirabelle，owesitsorigin。Hewenttomassratherfromgentlenessthanfrompiety，andbecause，ashelovedthefacesofmen，buthatedtheirnoise，hefoundthemassembledandsilentonlyinchurch。
　　FeelingthathemustbesomethingintheState，hehadchosenthecareerofwarden。However，hehadneversucceededinlovinganywomanasmuchasatulipbulb，noranymanasmuchasanElzevir。
　　Hehadlongpassedsixty，when，oneday，someoneaskedhim:
　　"Haveyouneverbeenmarried？""Ihaveforgotten，"saidhe。
　　Whenitsometimeshappenedtohim——andtowhomdoesitnothappen？——
　　tosay:"Oh！ifIwereonlyrich！"itwasnotwhenoglingaprettygirl，aswasthecasewithFatherGillenormand，butwhencontemplatinganoldbook。Helivedalonewithanoldhousekeeper。
　　Hewassomewhatgouty，andwhenhewasasleep，hisagedfingers，stiffenedwithrheumatism，laycrookedupinthefoldsofhissheets。
　　HehadcomposedandpublishedaFloraoftheEnvironsofCauteretz，withcoloredplates，aworkwhichenjoyedatolerablemeasureofesteemandwhichsoldwell。Peopleranghisbell，intheRueMesieres，twoorthreetimesaday，toaskforit。Hedrewasmuchastwothousandfrancsayearfromit；thisconstitutednearlythewholeofhisfortune。Althoughpoor，hehadhadthetalenttoformforhimself，bydintofpatience，privations，andtime，apreciouscollectionofrarecopiesofeverysort。Heneverwentoutwithoutabookunderhisarm，andheoftenreturnedwithtwo。Thesoledecorationofthefourroomsonthegroundfloor，whichcomposedhislodgings，consistedofframedherbariums，andengravingsoftheoldmasters。
　　Thesightofaswordoragunchilledhisblood。Hehadneverapproachedacannoninhislife，evenattheInvalides。Hehadapassablestomach，abrotherwhowasacure，perfectlywhitehair，noteeth，eitherinhismouthorhismind，atremblingineverylimb，aPicardaccent，aninfantilelaugh，theairofanoldsheep，andhewaseasilyfrightened。Addtothis，thathehadnootherfriendship，nootheracquaintanceamongtheliving，thananoldbooksellerofthePorte—Saint—Jacques，namedRoyal。HisdreamwastonaturalizeindigoinFrance。
　　Hisservantwasalsoasortofinnocent。Thepoorgoodoldwomanwasaspinster。Sultan，hercat，whichmighthavemewedAllegri’smiserereintheSixtineChapel，hadfilledherheartandsufficedforthequantityofpassionwhichexistedinher。Noneofherdreamshadeverproceededasfarasman。Shehadneverbeenabletogetfurtherthanhercat。Likehim，shehadamustache。Hergloryconsistedinhercaps，whichwerealwayswhite。Shepassedhertime，onSundays，aftermass，incountingoverthelineninherchest，andinspreadingoutonherbedthedressesinthepiecewhichsheboughtandneverhadmadeup。Sheknewhowtoread。M。MabeufhadnicknamedherMotherPlutarque。
　　M。MabeufhadtakenafancytoMarius，becauseMarius，beingyoungandgentle，warmedhisagewithoutstartlinghistimidity。
　　Youthcombinedwithgentlenessproducesonoldpeopletheeffectofthesunwithoutwind。WhenMariuswassaturatedwithmilitaryglory，withgunpowder，withmarchesandcountermarches，andwithallthoseprodigiousbattlesinwhichhisfatherhadgivenandreceivedsuchtremendousblowsofthesword，hewenttoseeM。Mabeuf，andM。Mabeuftalkedtohimofhisherofromthepointofviewofflowers。
　　Hisbrotherthecurediedabout1830，andalmostimmediately，aswhenthenightisdrawingon，thewholehorizongrewdarkforM。Mabeuf。
　　Anotary’sfailuredeprivedhimofthesumoftenthousandfrancs，whichwasallthathepossessedinhisbrother’srightandhisown。
　　TheRevolutionofJulybroughtacrisistopublishing。Inaperiodofembarrassment，thefirstthingwhichdoesnotsellisaFlora。
　　TheFloraoftheEnvironsofCauteretzstoppedshort。Weekspassedbywithoutasinglepurchaser。SometimesM。Mabeufstartedatthesoundofthebell。"Monsieur，"saidMotherPlutarquesadly，"itisthewater—carrier。"Inshort，oneday，M。MabeufquittedtheRueMesieres，abdicatedthefunctionsofwarden，gaveupSaint—Sulpice，soldnotapartofhisbooks，butofhisprints，——
　　thattowhichhewastheleastattached，——andinstalledhimselfinalittlehouseontheRueMontparnasse，where，however，heremainedbutonequarterfortworeasons:inthefirstplace，thegroundfloorandthegardencostthreehundredfrancs，andhedarednotspendmorethantwohundredfrancsonhisrent；inthesecond，beingnearFaton’sshooting—gallery，hecouldhearthepistol—shots；
　　whichwasintolerabletohim。
　　HecarriedoffhisFlora，hiscopper—plates，hisherbariums，hisportfolios，andhisbooks，andestablishedhimselfneartheSalpetriere，inasortofthatchedcottageofthevillageofAusterlitz，where，forfiftycrownsayear，hegotthreeroomsandagardenenclosedbyahedge，andcontainingawell。Hetookadvantageofthisremovaltoselloffnearlyallhisfurniture。
　　Onthedayofhisentranceintohisnewquarters，hewasverygay，anddrovethenailsonwhichhisengravingsandherbariumsweretohang，withhisownhands，duginhisgardentherestoftheday，andatnight，perceivingthatMotherPlutarquehadamelancholyair，andwasverythoughtful，hetappedherontheshoulderandsaidtoherwithasmile:"Wehavetheindigo！"
　　Onlytwovisitors，thebooksellerofthePorte—Saint—JacquesandMarius，wereadmittedtoviewthethatchedcottageatAusterlitz，abrawlingnamewhichwas，totellthetruth，extremelydisagreeabletohim。
　　However，aswehavejustpointedout，brainswhichareabsorbedinsomebitofwisdom，orfolly，or，asitoftenhappens，inbothatonce，arebutslowlyaccessibletothethingsofactuallife。
　　Theirowndestinyisafar—offthingtothem。Thereresultsfromsuchconcentrationapassivity，which，ifitweretheoutcomeofreasoning，wouldresemblephilosophy。Onedeclines，descends，tricklesaway，evencrumblesaway，andyetishardlyconsciousofitone’sself。
　　Italwaysends，itistrue，inanawakening，buttheawakeningistardy。
　　Inthemeantime，itseemsasthoughweheldourselvesneutralinthegamewhichisgoingonbetweenourhappinessandourunhappiness。
　　Wearethestake，andwelookonatthegamewithindifference。
　　Itisthusthat，athwartthecloudwhichformedabouthim，whenallhishopeswereextinguishedoneaftertheother，M。Mabeufremainedratherpuerilely，butprofoundlyserene。Hishabitsofmindhadtheregularswingofapendulum。Oncemountedonanillusion，hewentforaverylongtime，evenaftertheillusionhaddisappeared。
　　Aclockdoesnotstopshortattheprecisemomentwhenthekeyislost。
　　M。Mabeufhadhisinnocentpleasures。Thesepleasureswereinexpensiveandunexpected；themerestchancefurnishedthem。Oneday，MotherPlutarquewasreadingaromanceinonecorneroftheroom。
　　Shewasreadingaloud，findingthatsheunderstoodbetterthus。
　　Toreadaloudistoassureone’sselfofwhatoneisreading。
　　Therearepeoplewhoreadveryloud，andwhohavetheappearanceofgivingthemselvestheirwordofhonorastowhattheyareperusing。
　　ItwaswiththissortofenergythatMotherPlutarquewasreadingtheromancewhichshehadinhand。M。Mabeufheardherwithoutlisteningtoher。
　　Inthecourseofherreading，MotherPlutarquecametothisphrase。
　　Itwasaquestionofanofficerofdragoonsandabeauty:——
　　"——Thebeautypouted，andthedragoon——"
　　Heresheinterruptedherselftowipeherglasses。
　　"BouddhaandtheDragon，"struckinM。Mabeufinalowvoice。
　　"Yes，itistruethattherewasadragon，which，fromthedepthsofitscave，spoutedflamethroughhismawandsettheheavensonfire。
　　Manystarshadalreadybeenconsumedbythismonster，which，besides，hadtheclawsofatiger。Bouddhawentintoitsdenandsucceededinconvertingthedragon。Thatisagoodbookthatyouarereading，MotherPlutarque。Thereisnomorebeautifullegendinexistence。"
　　AndM。Mabeuffellintoadeliciousrevery。
　　CHAPTERV
　　POVERTYAGOODNEIGHBORFORMISERY
　　Mariuslikedthiscandidoldmanwhosawhimselfgraduallyfallingintotheclutchesofindigence，andwhocametofeelastonishment，littlebylittle，without，however，beingmademelancholybyit。
　　MariusmetCourfeyracandsoughtoutM。Mabeuf。Veryrarely，however；
　　twiceamonthatmost。
　　Marius’pleasureconsistedintakinglongwalksaloneontheouterboulevards，orintheChamps—de—Mars，orintheleastfrequentedalleysoftheLuxembourg。Heoftenspenthalfadayingazingatamarketgarden，thebedsoflettuce，thechickensonthedung—heap，thehorseturningthewater—wheel。Thepassers—bystaredathiminsurprise，andsomeofthemthoughthisattiresuspiciousandhismiensinister。
　　Hewasonlyapooryoungmandreaminginanobjectlessway。
　　ItwasduringoneofhisstrollsthathehadhitupontheGorbeauhouse，and，temptedbyitsisolationanditscheapness，hadtakenuphisabodethere。HewasknownthereonlyunderthenameofM。Marius。
　　Someofhisfather’soldgeneralsoroldcomradeshadinvitedhimtogoandseethem，whentheylearnedabouthim。Mariushadnotrefusedtheirinvitations。Theyaffordedopportunitiesoftalkingabouthisfather。Thushewentfromtimetotime，toComtePajol，toGeneralBellavesne，toGeneralFririon，totheInvalides。
　　Therewasmusicanddancingthere。Onsuchevenings，Mariusputonhisnewcoat。Butheneverwenttotheseeveningpartiesorballsexceptondayswhenitwasfreezingcold，becausehecouldnotaffordacarriage，andhedidnotwishtoarrivewithbootsotherwisethanlikemirrors。
　　Hesaidsometimes，butwithoutbitterness:"Menaresomadethatinadrawing—roomyoumaybesoiledeverywhereexceptonyourshoes。
　　Inordertoinsureagoodreceptionthere，onlyoneirreproachablethingisaskedofyou；yourconscience？No，yourboots。"
　　Allpassionsexceptthoseoftheheartaredissipatedbyrevery。
　　Marius’politicalfeversvanishedthus。TheRevolutionof1830
　　assistedintheprocess，bysatisfyingandcalminghim。
　　Heremainedthesame，settingasidehisfitsofwrath。
　　Hestillheldthesameopinions。Only，theyhadbeentempered。
　　Tospeakaccurately，hehadnolongeranyopinions，hehadsympathies。
　　Towhatpartydidhebelong？Tothepartyofhumanity。OutofhumanityhechoseFrance；outoftheNationhechosethepeople；
　　outofthepeoplehechosethewoman。Itwastothatpointaboveall，thathispitywasdirected。Nowhepreferredanideatoadeed，apoettoahero，andheadmiredabooklikeJobmorethananeventlikeMarengo。Andthen，when，afteradayspentinmeditation，hereturnedintheeveningthroughtheboulevards，andcaughtaglimpsethroughthebranchesofthetreesofthefathomlessspacebeyond，thenamelessgleams，theabyss，theshadow，themystery，allthatwhichisonlyhumanseemedveryprettyindeedtohim。
　　Hethoughtthathehad，andhereallyhad，infact，arrivedatthetruthoflifeandofhumanphilosophy，andhehadendedbygazingatnothingbutheaven，theonlythingwhichTruthcanperceivefromthebottomofherwell。
　　Thisdidnotpreventhimfrommultiplyinghisplans，hiscombinations，hisscaffoldings，hisprojectsforthefuture。Inthisstateofrevery，aneyewhichcouldhavecastaglanceintoMarius’
　　interiorwouldhavebeendazzledwiththepurityofthatsoul。
　　Infact，haditbeengiventooureyesofthefleshtogazeintotheconsciencesofothers，weshouldbeabletojudgeamanmuchmoresurelyaccordingtowhathedreams，thanaccordingtowhathethinks。Thereiswillinthought，thereisnoneindreams。
　　Revery，whichisutterlyspontaneous，takesandkeeps，eveninthegiganticandtheideal，theformofourspirit。Nothingproceedsmoredirectlyandmoresincerelyfromtheverydepthofoursoul，thanourunpremeditatedandboundlessaspirationstowardsthesplendorsofdestiny。Intheseaspirations，muchmorethanindeliberate，rationalcoordinatedideas，istherealcharacterofamantobefound。Ourchimerasarethethingswhichthemostresembleus。
　　Eachoneofusdreamsoftheunknownandtheimpossibleinaccordancewithhisnature。
　　Towardsthemiddleofthisyear1831，theoldwomanwhowaitedonMariustoldhimthathisneighbors，thewretchedJondrettefamily，hadbeenturnedoutofdoors。Marius，whopassednearlythewholeofhisdaysoutofthehouse，hardlyknewthathehadanyneighbors。
　　"Whyaretheyturnedout？"heasked。
　　"Becausetheydonotpaytheirrent；theyowefortwoquarters。"
　　"Howmuchisit？"
　　"Twentyfrancs，"saidtheoldwoman。
　　Mariushadthirtyfrancssavedupinadrawer。
　　"Here，"hesaidtotheoldwoman，"takethesetwenty—fivefrancs。
　　Payforthepoorpeopleandgivethemfivefrancs，anddonottellthemthatitwasI。"
　　CHAPTERVI
　　THESUBSTITUTE
　　ItchancedthattheregimenttowhichLieutenantTheodulebelongedcametoperformgarrisondutyinParis。ThisinspiredAuntGillenormandwithasecondidea。Shehad，onthefirstoccasion，hitupontheplanofhavingMariusspieduponbyTheodule；nowsheplottedtohaveTheoduletakeMarius’place。
　　Atalleventsandincasethegrandfathershouldfeelthevagueneedofayoungfaceinthehouse，——theseraysofdawnaresometimessweettoruin，——itwasexpedienttofindanotherMarius。"Takeitasasimpleerratum，"shethought，"suchasoneseesinbooks。
　　ForMarius，readTheodule。"
　　Agrandnephewisalmostthesameasagrandson；indefaultofalawyeronetakesalancer。
　　Onemorning，whenM。GillenormandwasabouttoreadsomethingintheQuotidienne，hisdaughterenteredandsaidtohiminhersweetestvoice；forthequestionconcernedherfavorite:——
　　"Father，Theoduleiscomingtopresenthisrespectstoyouthismorning。"
　　"Who’sTheodule？"
　　"Yourgrandnephew。"
　　"Ah！"saidthegrandfather。
　　Thenhewentbacktohisreading，thoughtnomoreofhisgrandnephew，whowasmerelysomeTheoduleorother，andsoonflewintoarage，whichalmostalwayshappenedwhenheread。The"sheet"whichheheld，althoughRoyalist，ofcourse，announcedforthefollowingday，withoutanysofteningphrases，oneoftheselittleeventswhichwereofdailyoccurrenceatthatdateinParis:"ThatthestudentsoftheschoolsoflawandmedicineweretoassembleonthePlaceduPantheon，atmidday，——todeliberate。"Thediscussionconcernedoneofthequestionsofthemoment，theartilleryoftheNationalGuard，andaconflictbetweentheMinisterofWarand"thecitizen’smilitia，"
　　onthesubjectofthecannonparkedinthecourtyardoftheLouvre。
　　Thestudentswereto"deliberate"overthis。ItdidnottakemuchmorethanthistoswellM。Gillenormand’srage。
　　HethoughtofMarius，whowasastudent，andwhowouldprobablygowiththerest，to"deliberate，atmidday，onthePlaceduPantheon。"
　　Ashewasindulginginthispainfuldream，LieutenantTheoduleenteredcladinplainclothesasabourgeois，whichwascleverofhim，andwasdiscreetlyintroducedbyMademoiselleGillenormand。
　　Thelancerhadreasonedasfollows:"Theolddruidhasnotsunkallhismoneyinalifepension。Itiswelltodisguiseone’sselfasacivilianfromtimetotime。"
　　MademoiselleGillenormandsaidaloudtoherfather:——
　　"Theodule，yourgrandnephew。"
　　Andinalowvoicetothelieutenant:——
　　"Approveofeverything。"
　　Andshewithdrew。
　　Thelieutenant，whowasbutlittleaccustomedtosuchvenerableencounters，stammeredwithsometimidity:"Goodday，uncle，"——
　　andmadeasalutecomposedoftheinvoluntaryandmechanicaloutlineofthemilitarysalutefinishedoffasabourgeoissalute。
　　"Ah！soit’syou；thatiswell，sitdown，"saidtheoldgentleman。
　　Thatsaid，hetotallyforgotthelancer。
　　Theoduleseatedhimself，andM。Gillenormandrose。
　　M。Gillenormandbegantopacebackandforth，hishandsinhispockets，talkingaloud，andtwitching，withhisirritatedoldfingers，atthetwowatcheswhichheworeinhistwofobs。
　　"Thatpackofbrats！theyconveneonthePlaceduPantheon！
　　bymylife！urchinswhowerewiththeirnursesbutyesterday！
　　Ifoneweretosqueezetheirnoses，milkwouldburstout。
　　Andtheydeliberateto—morrow，atmidday。Whatarewecomingto？
　　Whatarewecomingto？Itisclearthatwearemakingfortheabyss。
　　Thatiswhatthedescamisadoshavebroughtusto！Todeliberateonthecitizenartillery！TogoandjabberintheopenairoverthejibesoftheNationalGuard！Andwithwhomaretheytomeetthere？
　　JustseewhitherJacobinismleads。Iwillbetanythingyoulike，amillionagainstacounter，thattherewillbenoonetherebutreturnedconvictsandreleasedgalley—slaves。TheRepublicansandthegalley—slaves，——theyformbutonenoseandonehandkerchief。
　　Carnotusedtosay:`Wherewouldyouhavemego，traitor？’
　　Fouchereplied:`Whereveryouplease，imbecile！’That’swhattheRepublicansarelike。"
　　"Thatistrue，"saidTheodule。
　　M。Gillenormandhalfturnedhishead，sawTheodule，andwenton:——
　　"Whenonereflectsthatthatscoundrelwassovileastoturncarbonaro！
　　Whydidyouleavemyhouse？TogoandbecomeaRepublican！Pssst！
　　Inthefirstplace，thepeoplewantnoneofyourrepublic，theyhavecommonsense，theyknowwellthattherealwayshavebeenkings，andthattherealwayswillbe；theyknowwellthatthepeopleareonlythepeople，afterall，theymakesportofit，ofyourrepublic——
　　doyouunderstand，idiot？Isitnotahorriblecaprice？TofallinlovewithPereDuchesne，tomakesheep’s—eyesattheguillotine，tosingromances，andplayontheguitarunderthebalconyof’93——it’senoughtomakeonespitonalltheseyoungfellows，suchfoolsarethey！Theyareallalike。Notoneescapes。
　　Itsufficesforthemtobreathetheairwhichblowsthroughthestreettolosetheirsenses。Thenineteenthcenturyispoison。
　　Thefirstscampthathappensalongletshisbeardgrowlikeagoat’s，thinkshimselfarealscoundrel，andabandonshisoldrelatives。
　　He’saRepublican，he’saromantic。Whatdoesthatmean，romantic？
　　Domethefavortotellmewhatitis。Allpossiblefollies。
　　Ayearago，theyrantoHernani。Now，Ijustaskyou，Hernani！
　　antitheses！abominationswhicharenotevenwritteninFrench！
　　Andthen，theyhavecannonsinthecourtyardoftheLouvre。
　　Sucharetherascalitiesofthisage！"
　　"Youareright，uncle，"saidTheodule。
　　M。Gillenormandresumed:——
　　"CannonsinthecourtyardoftheMuseum！Forwhatpurpose？
　　Doyouwanttofiregrape—shotattheApolloBelvedere？WhathavethosecartridgestodowiththeVenusdeMedici？Oh！theyoungmenofthepresentdayareallblackguards！WhataprettycreatureistheirBenjaminConstant！Andthosewhoarenotrascalsaresimpletons！
　　Theydoalltheycantomakethemselvesugly，theyarebadlydressed，theyareafraidofwomen，inthepresenceofpetticoatstheyhaveamendicantairwhichsetsthegirlsintofitsoflaughter；onmywordofhonor，onewouldsaythepoorcreatureswereashamedoflove。
　　Theyaredeformed，andtheycompletethemselvesbybeingstupid；
　　theyrepeatthepunsofTiercelinandPotier，theyhavesackcoats，stablemen’swaistcoats，shirtsofcoarselinen，trousersofcoarsecloth，bootsofcoarseleather，andtheirrigmaroleresemblestheirplumage。
　　Onemightmakeuseoftheirjargontoputnewsolesontheiroldshoes。
　　Andallthisawkwardbatchofbratshaspoliticalopinions，ifyouplease。Politicalopinionsshouldbestrictlyforbidden。
　　Theyfabricatesystems，theyrecastsociety，theydemolishthemonarchy，theyflingalllawstotheearth，theyputtheatticinthecellar’splaceandmyporterintheplaceoftheKing，theyturnEuropetopsy—turvy，theyreconstructtheworld，andalltheirloveaffairsconsistinstaringslilyattheanklesofthelaundressesasthesewomenclimbintotheircarts。Ah！Marius！Ah！youblackguard！togoandvociferateonthepublicplace！todiscuss，todebate，totakemeasures！Theycallthatmeasures，justGod！
　　Disorderhumblesitselfandbecomessilly。Ihaveseenchaos，Inowseeamess。StudentsdeliberatingontheNationalGuard，——
　　suchathingcouldnotbeseenamongtheOgibewasnortheCadodaches！
　　Savageswhogonaked，withtheirnoddlesdressedlikeashuttlecock，withaclubintheirpaws，arelessofbrutesthanthosebachelorsofarts！Thefour—pennymonkeys！Andtheysetupforjudges！
　　Thosecreaturesdeliberateandratiocinate！Theendoftheworldiscome！Thisisplainlytheendofthismiserableterraqueousglobe！
　　Afinalhiccoughwasrequired，andFrancehasemittedit。
　　Deliberate，myrascals！SuchthingswillhappensolongastheygoandreadthenewspapersunderthearcadesoftheOdeon。
　　Thatcoststhemasou，andtheirgoodsense，andtheirintelligence，andtheirheartandtheirsoul，andtheirwits。Theyemergethence，anddecampfromtheirfamilies。Allnewspapersarepests；all，eventheDrapeauBlanc！Atbottom，MartainvillewasaJacobin。Ah！justHeaven！youmayboastofhavingdrivenyourgrandfathertodespair，thatyoumay！"
　　"Thatisevident，"saidTheodule。
　　AndprofitingbythefactthatM。Gillenormandwastakingbreath，thelanceraddedinamagisterialmanner:——
　　"ThereshouldbenoothernewspaperthantheMoniteur，andnootherbookthantheAnnuaireMilitaire。"
　　M。Gillenormandcontinued:——
　　"ItisliketheirSieyes！Aregicideendinginasenator；
　　forthatisthewaytheyalwaysend。Theygivethemselvesascarwiththeaddressofthouascitizens，inordertogetthemselvescalled，eventually，MonsieurleComte。MonsieurleComteasbigasmyarm，assassinsofSeptember。ThephilosopherSieyes！
　　Iwilldomyselfthejusticetosay，thatIhaveneverhadanybetteropinionofthephilosophiesofallthosephilosophers，thanofthespectaclesofthegrimacerofTivoli！OnedayIsawtheSenatorscrosstheQuaiMalplaquetinmantlesofvioletvelvetsownwithbees，withhatsalaHenriIV。Theywerehideous。Onewouldhavepronouncedthemmonkeysfromthetiger’scourt。Citizens，Ideclaretoyou，thatyourprogressismadness，thatyourhumanityisadream，thatyourrevolutionisacrime，thatyourrepublicisamonster，thatyouryoungandvirginFrancecomesfromthebrothel，andI
　　maintainitagainstall，whoeveryoumaybe，whetherjournalists，economists，legists，orevenwereyoubetterjudgesofliberty，ofequality，andfraternitythantheknifeoftheguillotine！
　　AndthatIannouncetoyou，myflnefellows！"
　　"Parbleu！"criedthelieutenant，"thatiswonderfullytrue。"
　　M。Gillenormandpausedinagesturewhichhehadbegun，wheeledround，staredLancerTheoduleintentlyintheeyes，andsaidtohim:——
　　"Youareafool。"
　　BOOKSIXTH。——THECONJUNCTIONOFTWOSTARS
　　CHAPTERI
　　THESOBRIQUET:MODEOFFORMATIONOFFAMILYNAMES
　　Mariuswas，atthisepoch，ahandsomeyoungman，ofmediumstature，withthickandintenselyblackhair，aloftyandintelligentbrow，well—openedandpassionatenostrils，anairofcalmnessandsincerity，andwithsomethingindescribablyproud，thoughtful，andinnocentoverhiswholecountenance。Hisprofile，allofwhoselineswererounded，withouttherebylosingtheirfirmness，hadacertainGermanicsweetness，whichhasmadeitswayintotheFrenchphysiognomybywayofAlsaceandLorraine，andthatcompleteabsenceofangleswhichrenderedtheSicambressoeasilyrecognizableamongtheRomans，andwhichdistinguishestheleoninefromtheaquilinerace。
　　Hewasatthatperiodoflifewhenthemindofmenwhothinkiscomposed，innearlyequalparts，ofdepthandingenuousness。
　　Agravesituationbeinggiven，hehadallthatisrequiredtobestupid:onemoreturnofthekey，andhemightbesublime。
　　Hismannerswerereserved，cold，polished，notverygenial。
　　Ashismouthwascharming，hislipsthereddest，andhisteeththewhitestintheworld，hissmilecorrectedtheseverityofhisface，asawhole。Atcertainmoments，thatpurebrowandthatvoluptuoussmilepresentedasingularcontrast。Hiseyesweresmall，buthisglancewaslarge。
　　Attheperiodofhismostabjectmisery，hehadobservedthatyounggirlsturnedroundwhenhepassedby，andhefledorhid，withdeathinhissoul。Hethoughtthattheywerestaringathimbecauseofhisoldclothes，andthattheywerelaughingatthem；
　　thefactis，thattheystaredathimbecauseofhisgrace，andthattheydreamedofhim。
　　Thismutemisunderstandingbetweenhimandtheprettypassers—byhadmadehimshy。Hechosenoneofthemfortheexcellentreasonthathefledfromallofthem。Helivedthusindefinitely，——
　　stupidly，asCourfeyracsaid。
　　Courfeyracalsosaidtohim:"Donotaspiretobevenerable"
　　[theycalledeachotherthou；itisthetendencyofyouthfulfriendshipstoslipintothismodeofaddress]。"Letmegiveyouapieceofadvice，mydearfellow。Don’treadsomanybooks，andlookalittlemoreatthelasses。Thejadeshavesomegoodpointsaboutthem，OMarius！Bydintoffleeingandblushing，youwillbecomebrutalized。"
　　Onotheroccasions，Courfeyracencounteredhimandsaid:——"Goodmorning，Monsieurl’Abbe！"
　　WhenCourfeyrachadaddressedtohimsomeremarkofthisnature，Mariusavoidedwomen，bothyoungandold，morethaneverforaweektocome，andheavoidedCourfeyractoboot。
　　Nevertheless，thereexistedinalltheimmensityofcreation，twowomenwhomMariusdidnotflee，andtowhomhepaidnoattentionwhatever。
　　Intruth，hewouldhavebeenverymuchamazedifhehadbeeninformedthattheywerewomen。Onewasthebeardedoldwomanwhosweptouthischamber，andcausedCourfeyractosay:"Seeingthathisservantwomanwearshisbeard，Mariusdoesnotwearhisownbeard。"
　　Theotherwasasortoflittlegirlwhomhesawveryoften，andwhomheneverlookedat。
　　Formorethanayear，MariushadnoticedinoneofthewalksoftheLuxembourg，theonewhichskirtstheparapetofthePepiniere，amanandaveryyounggirl，whowerealmostalwaysseatedsidebysideonthesamebench，atthemostsolitaryendofthealley，ontheRuedel’Ouestside。Everytimethatthatchancewhichmeddleswiththestrollsofpersonswhosegazeisturnedinwards，ledMariustothatwalk，——anditwasnearlyeveryday，——hefoundthiscouplethere。Themanappearedtobeaboutsixtyyearsofage；
　　heseemedsadandserious；hiswholepersonpresentedtherobustandwearyaspectpeculiartomilitarymenwhohaveretiredfromtheservice。Ifhehadwornadecoration，Mariuswouldhavesaid:
　　"Heisanex—officer。"Hehadakindlybutunapproachableair，andheneverlethisglancelingerontheeyesofanyone。
　　Heworebluetrousers，abluefrockcoatandabroad—brimmedhat，whichalwaysappearedtobenew，ablackcravat，aquakershirt，thatistosay，itwasdazzlinglywhite，butofcoarselinen。Agrisettewhopassednearhimoneday，said:"Here’saverytidywidower。"
　　Hishairwasverywhite。
　　Thefirsttimethattheyounggirlwhoaccompaniedhimcameandseatedherselfonthebenchwhichtheyseemedtohaveadopted，shewasasortofchildthirteenorfourteenyearsofage，sothinastobealmosthomely，awkward，insignificant，andwithapossiblepromiseofhandsomeeyes。Only，theywerealwaysraisedwithasortofdispleasingassurance。Herdresswasbothagedandchildish，likethedressofthescholarsinaconvent；itconsistedofabadlycutgownofblackmerino。Theyhadtheairofbeingfatheranddaughter。
　　Mariusscannedthisoldman，whowasnotyetaged，andthislittlegirl，whowasnotyetaperson，forafewdays，andthereafterpaidnoattentiontothem。They，ontheirside，didnotappeareventoseehim。
　　Theyconversedtogetherwithapeacefulandindifferentair。Thegirlchatteredincessantlyandmerrily。Theoldmantalkedbutlittle，and，attimes，hefixedonhereyesoverflowingwithanineffablepaternity。
　　Mariushadacquiredthemechanicalhabitofstrollinginthatwalk。
　　Heinvariablyfoundthemthere。
　　Thisisthewaythingswent:——
　　Mariuslikedtoarrivebytheendofthealleywhichwasfurthestfromtheirbench；hewalkedthewholelengthofthealley，passedinfrontofthem，thenreturnedtotheextremitywhencehehadcome，andbeganagain。Thishedidfiveorsixtimesinthecourseofhispromenade，andthepromenadewastakenfiveorsixtimesaweek，withoutitshavingoccurredtohimortothesepeopletoexchangeagreeting。Thatpersonage，andthatyounggirl，althoughtheyappeared，——andperhapsbecausetheyappeared，——
　　toshunallglances，had，naturally，causedsomeattentiononthepartofthefiveorsixstudentswhostrolledalongthePepinierefromtimetotime；thestudiousaftertheirlectures，theothersaftertheirgameofbilliards。Courfeyrac，whowasamongthelast，hadobservedthemseveraltimes，but，findingthegirlhomely，hehadspeedilyandcarefullykeptoutoftheway。Hehadfled，dischargingatthemasobriquet，likeaParthiandart。
　　Impressedsolelywiththechild’sgownandtheoldman’shair，hehaddubbedthedaughterMademoiselleLanoire，andthefather，MonsieurLeblanc，sothatasnooneknewthemunderanyothertitle，thisnicknamebecamealawinthedefaultofanyothername。
　　Thestudentssaid:"Ah！MonsieurLeblancisonhisbench。"
　　AndMarius，liketherest，hadfounditconvenienttocallthisunknowngentlemanMonsieurLeblanc。
　　Weshallfollowtheirexample，andweshallsayM。Leblanc，inordertofacilitatethistale。
　　SoMariussawthemnearlyeveryday，atthesamehour，duringthefirstyear。Hefoundthemantohistaste，butthegirlinsipid。
　　CHAPTERII
　　LUXFACTAEST
　　Duringthesecondyear，preciselyatthepointinthishistorywhichthereaderhasnowreached，itchancedthatthishabitoftheLuxembourgwasinterrupted，withoutMariushimselfbeingquiteawarewhy，andnearlysixmonthselapsed，duringwhichhedidnotsetfootinthealley。Oneday，atlast，hereturnedthitheroncemore；
　　itwasaserenesummermorning，andMariuswasinjoyousmood，asoneiswhentheweatherisfine。Itseemedtohimthathehadinhisheartallthesongsofthebirdsthathewaslisteningto，andallthebitsofblueskyofwhichhecaughtglimpsesthroughtheleavesofthetrees。
　　Hewentstraightto"hisalley，"andwhenhereachedtheendofitheperceived，stillonthesamebench，thatwell—knowncouple。
　　Only，whenheapproached，itcertainlywasthesameman；butitseemedtohimthatitwasnolongerthesamegirl。Thepersonwhomhenowbeheldwasatallandbeautifulcreature，possessedofallthemostcharminglinesofawomanattheprecisemomentwhentheyarestillcombinedwithallthemostingenuousgracesofthechild；apureandfugitivemoment，whichcanbeexpressedonlybythesetwowords，——
　　"fifteenyears。"Shehadwonderfulbrownhair，shadedwiththreadsofgold，abrowthatseemedmadeofmarble，cheeksthatseemedmadeofrose—leaf，apaleflush，anagitatedwhiteness，anexquisitemouth，whencesmilesdartedlikesunbeams，andwordslikemusic，aheadsuchasRaphaelwouldhavegiventoMary，setuponaneckthatJeanGoujonwouldhaveattributedtoaVenus。And，inorderthatnothingmightbelackingtothisbewitchingface，hernosewasnothandsome——
　　itwaspretty；neitherstraightnorcurved，neitherItaliannorGreek；
　　itwastheParisiannose，thatistosay，spiritual，delicate，irregular，pure，——whichdrivespainterstodespair，andcharmspoets。
　　WhenMariuspassednearher，hecouldnotseehereyes，whichwereconstantlylowered。Hesawonlyherlongchestnutlashes，permeatedwithshadowandmodesty。
　　Thisdidnotpreventthebeautifulchildfromsmilingasshelistenedtowhatthewhite—hairedoldmanwassayingtoher，andnothingcouldbemorefascinatingthanthatfreshsmile，combinedwiththosedroopingeyes。
　　Foramoment，Mariusthoughtthatshewasanotherdaughterofthesameman，asisteroftheformer，nodoubt。Butwhentheinvariablehabitofhisstrollbroughthim，forthesecondtime，nearthebench，andhehadexaminedherattentively，herecognizedherasthesame。
　　Insixmonthsthelittlegirlhadbecomeayoungmaiden；thatwasall。
　　Nothingismorefrequentthanthisphenomenon。Thereisamomentwhengirlsblossomoutinthetwinklingofaneye，andbecomerosesallatonce。Oneleftthemchildrenbutyesterday；today，onefindsthemdisquietingtothefeelings。
　　Thischildhadnotonlygrown，shehadbecomeidealized。
　　AsthreedaysinAprilsufficetocovercertaintreeswithflowers，sixmonthshadsufficedtoclotheherwithbeauty。HerAprilhadarrived。
　　Onesometimesseespeople，who，poorandmean，seemtowakeup，passsuddenlyfromindigencetoluxury，indulgeinexpendituresofallsorts，andbecomedazzling，prodigal，magnificent，allofasudden。Thatistheresultofhavingpocketedanincome；anotefelldueyesterday。Theyounggirlhadreceivedherquarterlyincome。
　　Andthen，shewasnolongertheschool—girlwithherfelthat，hermerinogown，herscholar’sshoes，andredhands；tastehadcometoherwithbeauty；shewasawell—dressedperson，cladwithasortofrichandsimpleelegance，andwithoutaffectation。
　　Sheworeadressofblackdamask，acapeofthesamematerial，andabonnetofwhitecrape。Herwhiteglovesdisplayedthedelicacyofthehandwhichtoyedwiththecarved，Chineseivoryhandleofaparasol，andhersilkenshoeoutlinedthesmallnessofherfoot。
　　Whenonepassednearher，herwholetoiletteexhaledayouthfulandpenetratingperfume。
　　Asfortheman，hewasthesameasusual。
　　ThesecondtimethatMariusapproachedher，theyounggirlraisedhereyelids；hereyeswereofadeep，celestialblue，butinthatveiledazure，therewas，asyet，nothingbuttheglanceofachild。
　　ShelookedatMariusindifferently，asshewouldhavestaredatthebratrunningbeneaththesycamores，orthemarblevasewhichcastashadowonthebench，andMarius，onhisside，continuedhispromenade，andthoughtaboutsomethingelse。
　　Hepassednearthebenchwheretheyounggirlsat，fiveorsixtimes，butwithouteventurninghiseyesinherdirection。
　　Onthefollowingdays，hereturned，aswashiswont，totheLuxembourg；
　　asusual，hefoundthere"thefatheranddaughter；"buthepaidnofurtherattentiontothem。Hethoughtnomoreaboutthegirlnowthatshewasbeautifulthanhehadwhenshewashomely。
　　Hepassedverynearthebenchwhereshesat，becausesuchwashishabit。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　EFFECTOFTHESPRING
　　Oneday，theairwaswarm，theLuxembourgwasinundatedwithlightandshade，theskywasaspureasthoughtheangelshadwasheditthatmorning，thesparrowsweregivingventtolittletwittersinthedepthsofthechestnut—trees。Mariushadthrownopenhiswholesoultonature，hewasnotthinkingofanything，hesimplylivedandbreathed，hepassednearthebench，theyounggirlraisedhereyestohim，thetwoglancesmet。
　　Whatwasthereintheyounggirl’sglanceonthisoccasion？
　　Mariuscouldnothavetold。Therewasnothingandtherewaseverything。
　　Itwasastrangeflash。
　　Shedroppedhereyes，andhepursuedhisway。
　　Whathehadjustseenwasnolongertheingenuousandsimpleeyeofachild；itwasamysteriousgulfwhichhadhalfopened，thenabruptlyclosedagain。
　　Therecomesadaywhentheyounggirlglancesinthismanner。
　　Woetohimwhochancestobethere！
　　Thatfirstgazeofasoulwhichdoesnot，asyet，knowitself，islikethedawninthesky。Itistheawakeningofsomethingradiantandstrange。Nothingcangiveanyideaofthedangerouscharmofthatunexpectedgleam，whichflashessuddenlyandvaguelyforthfromadorableshadows，andwhichiscomposedofalltheinnocenceofthepresent，andofallthepassionofthefuture。
　　Itisasortofundecidedtendernesswhichrevealsitselfbychance，andwhichwaits。Itisasnarewhichtheinnocentmaidensetsunknowntoherself，andinwhichshecapturesheartswithouteitherwishingorknowingit。Itisavirginlookinglikeawoman。
　　Itisrarethataprofoundreverydoesnotspringfromthatglance，whereitfalls。Allpuritiesandallcandorsmeetinthatcelestialandfatalgleamwhich，morethanallthebest—plannedtenderglancesofcoquettes，possessesthemagicpowerofcausingthesuddenblossoming，inthedepthsofthesoul，ofthatsombreflower，impregnatedwithperfumeandwithpoison，whichiscalledlove。
　　Thatevening，onhisreturntohisgarret，Mariuscasthiseyesoverhisgarments，andperceived，forthefirsttime，thathehadbeensoslovenly，indecorous，andinconceivablystupidastogoforhiswalkintheLuxembourgwithhis"every—dayclothes，"thatistosay，withahatbatteredneartheband，coarsecarter’sboots，blacktrouserswhichshowedwhiteattheknees，andablackcoatwhichwaspaleattheelbows。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　BEGINNINGOFAGREATMALADY
　　Onthefollowingday，attheaccustomedhour，Mariusdrewfromhiswardrobehisnewcoat，hisnewtrousers，hisnewhat，andhisnewboots；
　　heclothedhimselfinthiscompletepanoply，putonhisgloves，atremendousluxury，andsetofffortheLuxembourg。
　　Onthewaythither，heencounteredCourfeyrac，andpretendednottoseehim。Courfeyrac，onhisreturnhome，saidtohisfriends:——
　　"IhavejustmetMarius’newhatandnewcoat，withMariusinsidethem。Hewasgoingtopassanexamination，nodoubt。
　　Helookedutterlystupid。"
　　OnarrivingattheLuxembourg，Mariusmadethetourofthefountainbasin，andstaredattheswans；thenheremainedforalongtimeincontemplationbeforeastatuewhoseheadwasperfectlyblackwithmould，andoneofwhosehipswasmissing。Nearthebasintherewasabourgeoisfortyyearsofage，withaprominentstomach，whowasholdingbythehandalittleurchinoffive，andsayingtohim:"Shunexcess，myson，keepatanequaldistancefromdespotismandfromanarchy。"Mariuslistenedtothisbourgeois。
　　Thenhemadethecircuitofthebasinoncemore。Atlasthedirectedhiscoursetowards"hisalley，"slowly，andasifwithregret。
　　Onewouldhavesaidthathewasbothforcedtogothereandwithheldfromdoingso。Hedidnotperceiveithimself，andthoughtthathewasdoingashealwaysdid。
　　Onturningintothewalk，hesawM。Leblancandtheyounggirlattheotherend，"ontheirbench。"Hebuttonedhiscoatuptotheverytop，pulleditdownonhisbodysothattheremightbenowrinkles，examined，withacertaincomplaisance，thelustrousgleamsofhistrousers，andmarchedonthebench。Thismarchsavoredofanattack，andcertainlyofadesireforconquest。SoIsaythathemarchedonthebench，asIshouldsay:"HannibalmarchedonRome。"
　　However，allhismovementswerepurelymechanical，andhehadinterruptednoneofthehabitualpreoccupationsofhismindandlabors。Atthatmoment，hewasthinkingthattheManuelduBaccalaureatwasastupidbook，andthatitmusthavebeendrawnupbyrareidiots，toallowofthreetragediesofRacineandonlyonecomedyofMolierebeinganalyzedthereinasmasterpiecesofthehumanmind。Therewasapiercingwhistlinggoingoninhisears。
　　Asheapproachedthebench，heheldfasttothefoldsinhiscoat，andfixedhiseyesontheyounggirl。Itseemedtohimthatshefilledtheentireextremityofthealleywithavaguebluelight。
　　Inproportionashedrewnear，hispaceslackenedmoreandmore。
　　Onarrivingatsomelittledistancefromthebench，andlongbeforehehadreachedtheendofthewalk，hehalted，andcouldnotexplaintohimselfwhyheretracedhissteps。Hedidnotevensaytohimselfthathewouldnotgoasfarastheend。Itwasonlywithdifficultythattheyounggirlcouldhaveperceivedhiminthedistanceandnotedhisfineappearanceinhisnewclothes。Nevertheless，heheldhimselfveryerect，incaseanyoneshouldbelookingathimfrombehind。
　　Heattainedtheoppositeend，thencameback，andthistimeheapproachedalittlenearertothebench。Heevengottowithinthreeintervalsoftrees，buttherehefeltanindescribableimpossibilityofproceedingfurther，andhehesitated。Hethoughthesawtheyounggirl’sfacebendingtowardshim。Butheexertedamanlyandviolenteffort，subduedhishesitation，andwalkedstraightahead。Afewsecondslater，herushedinfrontofthebench，erectandfirm，reddeningtotheveryears，withoutdaringtocastaglanceeithertotherightortotheleft，withhishandthrustintohiscoatlikeastatesman。Atthemomentwhenhepassed，——
　　underthecannonoftheplace，——hefelthisheartbeatwildly。
　　Asontheprecedingday，sheworeherdamaskgownandhercrapebonnet。
　　Heheardanineffablevoice，whichmusthavebeen"hervoice。"
　　Shewastalkingtranquilly。Shewasverypretty。Hefeltit，althoughhemadenoattempttoseeher。"Shecouldnot，however，"
　　hethought，"helpfeelingesteemandconsiderationforme，ifsheonlyknewthatIamtheveritableauthorofthedissertationonMarcosObregondelaRonde，whichM。FrancoisdeNeufchateauput，asthoughitwerehisown，attheheadofhiseditionofGilBlas。"
　　Hewentbeyondthebenchasfarastheextremityofthewalk，whichwasverynear，thenturnedonhisheelandpassedoncemoreinfrontofthelovelygirl。Thistime，hewasverypale。
　　Moreover，allhisemotionsweredisagreeable。Ashewentfurtherfromthebenchandtheyounggirl，andwhilehisbackwasturnedtoher，hefanciedthatshewasgazingafterhim，andthatmadehimstumble。
　　Hedidnotattempttoapproachthebenchagain；hehaltednearthemiddleofthewalk，andthere，athingwhichheneverdid，hesatdown，andreflectinginthemostprofoundlyindistinctdepthsofhisspirit，thatafterall，itwashardthatpersonswhosewhitebonnetandblackgownheadmiredshouldbeabsolutelyinsensibletohissplendidtrousersandhisnewcoat。
　　Attheexpirationofaquarterofanhour，herose，asthoughhewereonthepointofagainbeginninghismarchtowardsthatbenchwhichwassurroundedbyanaureole。Butheremainedstandingthere，motionless。Forthefirsttimeinfifteenmonths，hesaidtohimselfthatthatgentlemanwhosatthereeverydaywithhisdaughter，had，onhisside，noticedhim，andprobablyconsideredhisassiduitysingular。
　　Forthefirsttime，also，hewasconsciousofsomeirreverenceindesignatingthatstranger，eveninhissecretthoughts，bythesobriquetofM。leBlanc。
　　Hestoodthusforseveralminutes，withdroopinghead，tracingfiguresinthesand，withthecanewhichheheldinhishand。
　　Thenheturnedabruptlyinthedirectionoppositetothebench，toM。Leblancandhisdaughter，andwenthome。
　　Thatdayheforgottodine。Ateighto’clockintheeveningheperceivedthisfact，andasitwastoolatetogodowntotheRueSaint—Jacques，hesaid:"Nevermind！"andateabitofbread。
　　Hedidnotgotobeduntilhehadbrushedhiscoatandfoldeditupwithgreatcare。
　　CHAPTERV
　　DIVRSCLAPSOFTHUNDERFALLONMA’AMBOUGON
　　Onthefollowingday，Ma’amBougon，asCourfeyracstyledtheoldportress—principal—tenant，housekeeperoftheGorbeauhovel，Ma’amBougon，whosenamewas，inreality，MadameBurgon，aswehavefoundout，butthisiconoclast，Courfeyrac，respectednothing，——
　　Ma’amBougonobserved，withstupefaction，thatM。Mariuswasgoingoutagaininhisnewcoat。
　　HewenttotheLuxembourgagain，buthedidnotproceedfurtherthanhisbenchmidwayofthealley。Heseatedhimselfthere，asontheprecedingday，surveyingfromadistance，andclearlymakingout，thewhitebonnet，theblackdress，andaboveall，thatbluelight。
　　Hedidnotstirfromit，andonlywenthomewhenthegatesoftheLuxembourgclosed。HedidnotseeM。Leblancandhisdaughterretire。
　　HeconcludedthattheyhadquittedthegardenbythegateontheRuedel’Ouest。Lateron，severalweeksafterwards，whenhecametothinkitover，hecouldneverrecallwherehehaddinedthatevening。
　　Onthefollowingday，whichwasthethird，Ma’amBougonwasthunderstruck。Mariuswentoutinhisnewcoat。
　　"Threedaysinsuccession！"sheexclaimed。
　　Shetriedtofollowhim，butMariuswalkedbriskly，andwithimmensestrides；itwasahippopotamusundertakingthepursuitofachamois。
　　Shelostsightofhimintwominutes，andreturnedbreathless，three—quarterschokedwithasthma，andfurious。"Ifthereisanysense，"shegrowled，"inputtingonone’sbestclotheseveryday，andmakingpeoplerunlikethis！"
　　MariusbetookhimselftotheLuxembourg。
　　TheyounggirlwastherewithM。Leblanc。Mariusapproachedasnearashecould，pretendingtobebusyreadingabook，buthehaltedafaroff，thenreturnedandseatedhimselfonhisbench，wherehespentfourhoursinwatchingthehouse—sparrowswhowereskippingaboutthewalk，andwhoproducedonhimtheimpressionthattheyweremakingsportofhim。
　　Afortnightpassedthus。MariuswenttotheLuxembourgnolongerforthesakeofstrollingthere，buttoseathimselfalwaysinthesamespot，andthatwithoutknowingwhy。Oncearrivedthere，hedidnotstir。Heputonhisnewcoateverymorning，forthepurposeofnotshowinghimself，andhebeganalloveragainonthemorrow。
　　Shewasdecidedlyamarvellousbeauty。Theonlyremarkapproachingacriticism，thatcouldbemade，was，thatthecontradictionbetweenhergaze，whichwasmelancholy，andhersmile，whichwasmerry，gavearatherwildeffecttoherface，whichsometimescausedthissweetcountenancetobecomestrangewithoutceasingtobecharming。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　TAKENPRISONER
　　Ononeofthelastdaysofthesecondweek，Mariuswasseatedonhisbench，asusual，holdinginhishandanopenbook，ofwhichhehadnotturnedapageforthelasttwohours。Allatoncehestarted。
　　Aneventwastakingplaceattheotherextremityofthewalk。
　　Leblancandhisdaughterhadjustlefttheirseat，andthedaughterhadtakenherfather’sarm，andbothwereadvancingslowly，towardsthemiddleofthealleywhereMariuswas。Mariusclosedhisbook，thenopeneditagain，thenforcedhimselftoread；hetrembled；
　　theaureolewascomingstraighttowardshim。"Ah！goodHeavens！"
　　thoughthe，"Ishallnothavetimetostrikeanattitude。"
　　Stillthewhite—hairedmanandthegirladvanced。Itseemedtohimthatthislastedforacentury，andthatitwasbutasecond。
　　"Whataretheycominginthisdirectionfor？"heaskedhimself。
　　"What！Shewillpasshere？Herfeetwilltreadthissand，thiswalk，twopacesfromme？"Hewasutterlyupset，hewouldhavelikedtobeveryhandsome，hewouldhavelikedtoownthecross。
　　Heheardthesoftandmeasuredsoundoftheirapproachingfootsteps。
　　HeimaginedthatM。Leblancwasdartingangryglancesathim。
　　"Isthatgentlemangoingtoaddressme？"hethoughttohimself。
　　Hedroppedhishead；whenheraiseditagain，theywereverynearhim。
　　Theyounggirlpassed，andasshepassed，sheglancedathim。
　　Shegazedsteadilyathim，withapensivesweetnesswhichthrilledMariusfromheadtofoot。Itseemedtohimthatshewasreproachinghimforhavingallowedsolongatimetoelapsewithoutcomingasfarasher，andthatshewassayingtohim:"Iamcomingmyself。"Mariuswasdazzledbythoseeyesfraughtwithraysandabysses。
　　Hefelthisbrainonfire。Shehadcometohim，whatjoy！
　　Andthen，howshehadlookedathim！Sheappearedtohimmorebeautifulthanhehadeverseenheryet。Beautifulwithabeautywhichwaswhollyfeminineandangelic，withacompletebeautywhichwouldhavemadePetrarchsingandDantekneel。Itseemedtohimthathewasfloatingfreeintheazureheavens。Atthesametime，hewashorriblyvexedbecausetherewasdustonhisboots。
　　Hethoughthefeltsurethatshehadlookedathisbootstoo。
　　Hefollowedherwithhiseyesuntilshedisappeared。ThenhestartedupandwalkedabouttheLuxembourggardenlikeamadman。
　　Itispossiblethat，attimes，helaughedtohimselfandtalkedaloud。
　　Hewassodreamywhenhecamenearthechildren’snurses，thateachoneofthemthoughthiminlovewithher。
　　HequittedtheLuxembourg，hopingtofindheragaininthestreet。
　　HeencounteredCourfeyracunderthearcadesoftheOdeon，andsaidtohim:"Comeanddinewithme。"TheywentofftoRousseau’sandspentsixfrancs。Mariusatelikeanogre。Hegavethewaitersixsous。
　　Atdessert，hesaidtoCourfeyrac。"Haveyoureadthepaper？
　　WhatafinediscourseAudrydePuyraveaudelivered！"
　　Hewasdesperatelyinlove。
　　Afterdinner，hesaidtoCourfeyrac:"Iwilltreatyoutotheplay。"
　　TheywenttothePorte—Sainte—MartintoseeFrederickinl’AubergedesAdrets。Mariuswasenormouslyamused。
　　Atthesametime，hehadaredoubledattackofshyness。
　　Onemergingfromthetheatre，herefusedtolookatthegarterofamodistewhowassteppingacrossagutter，andCourfeyrac，whosaid:"Ishouldliketoputthatwomaninmycollection，"
　　almosthorrifiedhim。
　　CourfeyracinvitedhimtobreakfastattheCafeVoltaireonthefollowingmorning。Mariuswentthither，andateevenmorethanontheprecedingevening。Hewasverythoughtfulandverymerry。
　　Onewouldhavesaidthathewastakingadvantageofeveryoccasiontolaughuproariously。Hetenderlyembracedsomemanorotherfromtheprovinces，whowaspresentedtohim。Acircleofstudentsformedroundthetable，andtheyspokeofthenonsensepaidforbytheStatewhichwasutteredfromtherostrumintheSorbonne，thentheconversationfelluponthefaultsandomissionsinGuicherat’sdictionariesandgrammars。Mariusinterruptedthediscussiontoexclaim:"Butitisveryagreeable，allthesametohavethecross！"
　　"That’squeer！"whisperedCourfeyractoJeanProuvaire。
　　"No，"respondedProuvaire，"that’sserious。"
　　Itwasserious；infact，Mariushadreachedthatfirstviolentandcharminghourwithwhichgrandpassionsbegin。
　　Aglancehadwroughtallthis。
　　Whenthemineischarged，whentheconflagrationisready，nothingismoresimple。Aglanceisaspark。
　　Itwasalloverwithhim。Mariuslovedawoman。Hisfatewasenteringtheunknown。
　　Theglanceofwomenresemblescertaincombinationsofwheels，whicharetranquilinappearanceyetformidable。Youpassclosetothemeveryday，peaceablyandwithimpunity，andwithoutasuspicionofanything。Amomentarriveswhenyouforgetthatthethingisthere。Yougoandcome，dream，speak，laugh。Allatonceyoufeelyourselfclutched；allisover。Thewheelsholdyoufast，theglancehasensnaredyou。Ithascaughtyou，nomatterwhereorhow，bysomeportionofyourthoughtwhichwasflutteringloose，bysomedistractionwhichhadattackedyou。Youarelost。Thewholeofyoupassesintoit。Achainofmysteriousforcestakespossessionofyou。Youstruggleinvain；nomorehumansuccorispossible。
　　Yougoonfallingfromgearingtogearing，fromagonytoagony，fromtorturetotorture，you，yourmind，yourfortune，yourfuture，yoursoul；and，accordingtowhetheryouareinthepowerofawickedcreature，orofanobleheart，youwillnotescapefromthisterrifyingmachineotherwisethandisfiguredwithshame，ortransfiguredbypassion。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　ADVENTURESOFTHELETTERUDELIVEREDOVERTOCONJECTURES
　　Isolation，detachment，fromeverything，pride，independence，thetasteofnature，theabsenceofdailyandmaterialactivity，thelifewithinhimself，thesecretconflictsofchastity，abenevolentecstasytowardsallcreation，hadpreparedMariusforthispossessionwhichiscalledpassion。Hisworshipofhisfatherhadgraduallybecomeareligion，and，likeallreligions，ithadretreatedtothedepthsofhissoul。Somethingwasrequiredintheforeground。Lovecame。
　　Afullmonthelapsed，duringwhichMariuswenteverydaytotheLuxembourg。Whenthehourarrived，nothingcouldholdhimback。——"Heisonduty，"saidCourfeyrac。Mariuslivedinastateofdelight。Itiscertainthattheyounggirldidlookathim。
　　Hehadfinallygrownbold，andapproachedthebench。Still，hedidnotpassinfrontofitanymore，inobediencetotheinstinctoftimidityandtotheinstinctofprudencecommontolovers。
　　Heconsidereditbetternottoattract"theattentionofthefather。"
　　Hecombinedhisstationsbehindthetreesandthepedestalsofthestatueswithaprofounddiplomacy，sothathemightbeseenasmuchaspossiblebytheyounggirlandaslittleaspossiblebytheoldgentleman。Sometimes，heremainedmotionlessbythehalf—hourtogetherintheshadeofaLeonidasoraSpartacus，holdinginhishandabook，abovewhichhiseyes，gentlyraised，soughtthebeautifulgirl，andshe，onherside，turnedhercharmingprofiletowardshimwithavaguesmile。Whileconversinginthemostnaturalandtranquilmannerintheworldwiththewhite—hairedman，shebentuponMariusallthereveriesofavirginalandpassionateeye。
　　Ancientandtime—honoredmanoeuvrewhichEveunderstoodfromtheveryfirstdayoftheworld，andwhicheverywomanunderstandsfromtheveryfirstdayofherlife！hermouthrepliedtoone，andherglancerepliedtoanother。
　　Itmustbesupposed，thatM。Leblancfinallynoticedsomething，foroften，whenMariusarrived，heroseandbegantowalkabout。
　　HehadabandonedtheiraccustomedplaceandhadadoptedthebenchbytheGladiator，neartheotherendofthewalk，asthoughwiththeobjectofseeingwhetherMariuswouldpursuethemthither。
　　Mariusdidnotunderstand，andcommittedthiserror。"Thefather"
　　begantogrowinexact，andnolongerbrought"hisdaughter"
　　everyday。Sometimes，hecamealone。ThenMariusdidnotstay。
　　Anotherblunder。
　　Mariuspaidnoheedtothesesymptoms。Fromthephaseoftimidity，hehadpassed，byanaturalandfatalprogress，tothephaseofblindness。Hisloveincreased。Hedreamedofiteverynight。
　　Andthen，anunexpectedblisshadhappenedtohim，oilonthefire，aredoublingoftheshadowsoverhiseyes。Oneevening，atdusk，hehadfound，onthebenchwhich"M。Leblancandhisdaughter"
　　hadjustquitted，ahandkerchief，averysimplehandkerchief，withoutembroidery，butwhite，andfine，andwhichseemedtohimtoexhaleineffableperfume。Heseizeditwithrapture。
　　ThishandkerchiefwasmarkedwiththelettersU。F。Mariusknewnothingaboutthisbeautifulchild，——neitherherfamilyname，herChristiannamenorherabode；thesetwoletterswerethefirstthingofherthathehadgainedpossessionof，adorableinitials，uponwhichheimmediatelybegantoconstructhisscaffolding。
　　UwasevidentlytheChristianname。"Ursule！"hethought，"whatadeliciousname！"Hekissedthehandkerchief，drankitin，placeditonhisheart，onhisflesh，duringtheday，andatnight，laiditbeneathhislipsthathemightfallasleeponit。
　　"Ifeelthatherwholesoullieswithinit！"heexclaimed。
　　Thishandkerchiefbelongedtotheoldgentleman，whohadsimplyletitfallfromhispocket。
　　Inthedayswhichfollowedthefindingofthistreasure，heonlydisplayedhimselfattheLuxembourgintheactofkissingthehandkerchiefandlayingitonhisheart。Thebeautifulchildunderstoodnothingofallthis，andsignifiedittohimbyimperceptiblesigns。
　　"Omodesty！"saidMarius。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　THEVETERANSTHEMSELVESCANBEHAPPY
　　Sincewehavepronouncedthewordmodesty，andsinceweconcealnothing，weoughttosaythatonce，nevertheless，inspiteofhisecstasies，"hisUrsule"causedhimveryseriousgrief。ItwasononeofthedayswhenshepersuadedM。Leblanctoleavethebenchandstrollalongthewalk。AbriskMaybreezewasblowing，whichswayedthecrestsoftheplaintain—trees。Thefatheranddaughter，arminarm，hadjustpassedMarius’bench。Mariushadrisentohisfeetbehindthem，andwasfollowingthemwithhiseyes，aswasfittinginthedesperatesituationofhissoul。
　　Allatonce，agustofwind，moremerrythantherest，andprobablychargedwithperformingtheaffairsofSpringtime，sweptdownfromthenursery，flungitselfonthealley，envelopedtheyounggirlinadeliciousshiver，worthyofVirgil’snymphs，andthefawnsofTheocritus，andliftedherdress，therobemoresacredthanthatofIsis，almosttotheheightofhergarter。Alegofexquisiteshapeappeared。Mariussawit。Hewasexasperatedandfurious。
　　Theyounggirlhadhastilythrustdownherdress，withadivinelytroubledmotion，buthewasnonethelessangryforallthat。Hewasaloneinthealley，itistrue。Buttheremighthavebeensomeonethere。
　　Andwhatiftherehadbeensomeonethere！Cananyonecomprehendsuchathing？Whatshehadjustdoneishorrible！——Alas，thepoorchildhaddonenothing；therehadbeenbutoneculprit，thewind；
　　butMarius，inwhomquiveredtheBartholowhoexistsinCherubin，wasdeterminedtobevexed，andwasjealousofhisownshadow。
　　Itisthus，infact，thattheharshandcapriciousjealousyofthefleshawakensinthehumanheart，andtakespossessionofit，evenwithoutanyright。Moreover，settingasideeventhatjealousy，thesightofthatcharmingleghadcontainednothingagreeableforhim；
　　thewhitestockingofthefirstwomanhechancedtomeetwouldhaveaffordedhimmorepleasure。