When"hisUrsule，"afterhavingreachedtheendofthewalk，retracedherstepswithM。Leblanc，andpassedinfrontofthebenchonwhichMariushadseatedhimselfoncemore，Mariusdartedasullenandferociousglanceather。Theyounggirlgavewaytothatslightstraighteningupwithabackwardmovement，accompaniedbyaraisingoftheeyelids，whichsignifies:"Well，whatisthematter？"
　　Thiswas"theirfirstquarrel。"
　　Mariushadhardlymadethissceneatherwithhiseyes，whensomeonecrossedthewalk。Itwasaveteran，verymuchbent，extremelywrinkled，andpale，inauniformoftheLouisXV。
　　pattern，bearingonhisbreastthelittleovalplaqueofredcloth，withthecrossedswords，thesoldier’scrossofSaint—Louis，andadorned，inaddition，withacoat—sleeve，whichhadnoarmwithinit，withasilverchinandawoodenleg。Mariusthoughtheperceivedthatthismanhadanextremelywellsatisfiedair。
　　Itevenstruckhimthattheagedcynic，ashehobbledalongpasthim，addressedtohimaveryfraternalandverymerrywink，asthoughsomechancehadcreatedanunderstandingbetweenthem，andasthoughtheyhadsharedsomepieceofgoodlucktogether。
　　WhatdidthatrelicofMarsmeanbybeingsocontented？Whathadpassedbetweenthatwoodenlegandtheother？Mariusreachedaparoxysmofjealousy。——"Perhapshewasthere！"hesaidtohimself；
　　"perhapshesaw！"——Andhefeltadesiretoexterminatetheveteran。
　　Withtheaidoftime，allpointsgrowdull。Marius’wrathagainst"Ursule，"justandlegitimateasitwas，passedoff。Hefinallypardonedher；butthiscosthimagreateffort；hesulkedforthreedays。
　　Nevertheless，inspiteofallthis，andbecauseofallthis，hispassionaugmentedandgrewtomadness。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　ECLIPSE
　　ThereaderhasjustseenhowMariusdiscovered，orthoughtthathediscovered，thatShewasnamedUrsule。
　　Appetitegrowswithloving。ToknowthathernamewasUrsulewasagreatdeal；itwasverylittle。Inthreeorfourweeks，Mariushaddevouredthisbliss。Hewantedanother。Hewantedtoknowwhereshelived。
　　Hehadcommittedhisfirstblunder，byfallingintotheambushofthebenchbytheGladiator。Hehadcommittedasecond，bynotremainingattheLuxembourgwhenM。Leblanccamethitheralone。
　　Henowcommittedathird，andanimmenseone。Hefollowed"Ursule。"
　　ShelivedintheRuedel’Ouest，inthemostunfrequentedspot，inanew，three—storyhouse，ofmodestappearance。
　　Fromthatmomentforth，MariusaddedtohishappinessofseeingherattheLuxembourgthehappinessoffollowingherhome。
　　Hishungerwasincreasing。Heknewherfirstname，atleast，acharmingname，agenuinewoman’sname；heknewwhereshelived；
　　hewantedtoknowwhoshewas。
　　Oneevening，afterhehadfollowedthemtotheirdwelling，andhadseenthemdisappearthroughthecarriagegate，heenteredintheirtrainandsaidboldlytotheporter:——
　　"Isthatthegentlemanwholivesonthefirstfloor，whohasjustcomein？"
　　"No，"repliedtheporter。"Heisthegentlemanonthethirdfloor。"
　　Anotherstepgained。ThissuccessemboldenedMarius。
　　"Onthefront？"heasked。
　　"Parbleu！"saidtheporter，"thehouseisonlybuiltonthestreet。"
　　"Andwhatisthatgentleman’sbusiness？"beganMariusagain。
　　"Heisagentlemanofproperty，sir。Averykindmanwhodoesgoodtotheunfortunate，thoughnotrichhimself。"
　　"Whatishisname？"resumedMarius。
　　Theporterraisedhisheadandsaid:——
　　"Areyouapolicespy，sir？"
　　Mariuswentoffquiteabashed，butdelighted。Hewasgettingon。
　　"Good，"thoughthe，"IknowthathernameisUrsule，thatsheisthedaughterofagentlemanwholivesonhisincome，andthatshelivesthere，onthethirdfloor，intheRuedel’Ouest。"
　　Onthefollowingday，M。LeblancandhisdaughtermadeonlyaverybriefstayintheLuxembourg；theywentawaywhileitwasstillbroaddaylight。MariusfollowedthemtotheRuedel’Ouest，ashehadtakenupthehabitofdoing。OnarrivingatthecarriageentranceM。Leblancmadehisdaughterpassinfirst，thenpaused，beforecrossingthethreshold，andstaredintentlyatMarius。
　　OnthenextdaytheydidnotcometotheLuxembourg。Mariuswaitedforthemalldayinvain。
　　Atnightfall，hewenttotheRuedel’Ouest，andsawalightinthewindowsofthethirdstory。
　　Hewalkedaboutbeneaththewindowsuntilthelightwasextinguished。
　　Thenextday，nooneattheLuxembourg。Mariuswaitedallday，thenwentanddidsentineldutyundertheirwindows。Thiscarriedhimontoteno’clockintheevening。
　　Hisdinnertookcareofitself。Fevernourishesthesickman，andlovethelover。
　　Hespentaweekinthismanner。M。LeblancnolongerappearedattheLuxembourg。
　　Mariusindulgedinmelancholyconjectures；hedarednotwatchtheportecochereduringtheday；hecontentedhimselfwithgoingatnighttogazeupontheredlightofthewindows。Attimeshesawshadowsflitacrossthem，andhisheartbegantobeat。
　　Ontheeighthday，whenhearrivedunderthewindows，therewasnolightinthem。
　　"Hello！"hesaid，"thelampisnotlightedyet。Butitisdark。
　　Cantheyhavegoneout？"Hewaiteduntilteno’clock。Untilmidnight。
　　Untiloneinthemorning。Notalightappearedinthewindowsofthethirdstory，andnooneenteredthehouse。
　　Hewentawayinaverygloomyframeofmind。
　　Onthemorrow，——forheonlyexistedfrommorrowtomorrow，therewas，sotospeak，noto—dayforhim，——onthemorrow，hefoundnooneattheLuxembourg；hehadexpectedthis。Atdusk，hewenttothehouse。
　　Nolightinthewindows；theshadesweredrawn；thethirdfloorwastotallydark。
　　Mariusrappedattheportecochere，entered，andsaidtotheporter:——
　　"Thegentlemanonthethirdfloor？"
　　"Hasmovedaway，"repliedtheporter。
　　Mariusreeledandsaidfeebly:——
　　"Howlongago？"
　　"Yesterday。"
　　"Whereishelivingnow？"
　　"Idon’tknowanythingaboutit。"
　　"Sohehasnotlefthisnewaddress？"
　　"No。"
　　Andtheporter，raisinghiseyes，recognizedMarius。
　　"Come！Soit’syou！"saidhe；"butyouaredecidedlyaspythen？"
　　BOOKSEVENTH。——PATRONMINETTE
　　CHAPTERI
　　MINESANDMINERS
　　Humansocietiesallhavewhatiscalledintheatricalparlance，athirdlowerfloor。Thesocialsoiliseverywhereundermined，sometimesforgood，sometimesforevil。Theseworksaresuperposedoneupontheother。Therearesuperiorminesandinferiormines。
　　Thereisatopandabottominthisobscuresub—soil，whichsometimesgiveswaybeneathcivilization，andwhichourindifferenceandheedlessnesstrampleunderfoot。TheEncyclopedia，inthelastcentury，wasaminethatwasalmostopentothesky。Theshades，thosesombrehatchersofprimitiveChristianity，onlyawaitedanopportunitytobringaboutanexplosionundertheCaesarsandtoinundatethehumanracewithlight。Forinthesacredshadowstherelieslatentlight。
　　Volcanoesarefullofashadowthatiscapableofflashingforth。
　　Everyformbeginsbybeingnight。Thecatacombs，inwhichthefirstmasswassaid，werenotalonethecellarofRome，theywerethevaultsoftheworld。
　　Beneaththesocialconstruction，thatcomplicatedmarvelofastructure，thereareexcavationsofallsorts。Thereisthereligiousmine，thephilosophicalmine，theeconomicmine，therevolutionarymine。
　　Suchandsuchapick—axewiththeidea，suchapickwithciphers。
　　Suchanotherwithwrath。Peoplehailandanswereachotherfromonecatacombtoanother。Utopiastravelaboutunderground，inthepipes。
　　Theretheybranchoutineverydirection。Theysometimesmeet，andfraternizethere。Jean—JacqueslendshispicktoDiogenes，wholendshimhislantern。Sometimestheyenterintocombatthere。
　　CalvinseizesSociniusbythehair。Butnothingarrestsnorinterruptsthetensionofalltheseenergiestowardthegoal，andthevast，simultaneousactivity，whichgoesandcomes，mounts，descends，andmountsagainintheseobscurities，andwhichimmenseunknownswarmingslowlytransformsthetopandthebottomandtheinsideandtheoutside。Societyhardlyevensuspectsthisdiggingwhichleavesitssurfaceintactandchangesitsbowels。Thereareasmanydifferentsubterraneanstagesastherearevaryingworks，asthereareextractions。Whatemergesfromthesedeepexcavations？
　　Thefuture。
　　Thedeeperonegoes，themoremysteriousarethetoilers。
　　Theworkisgood，uptoadegreewhichthesocialphilosophiesareabletorecognize；beyondthatdegreeitisdoubtfulandmixed；
　　lowerdown，itbecomesterrible。Atacertaindepth，theexcavationsarenolongerpenetrablebythespiritofcivilization，thelimitbreathablebymanhasbeenpassed；abeginningofmonstersispossible。
　　Thedescendingscaleisastrangeone；andeachoneoftherungsofthisladdercorrespondstoastagewherephilosophycanfindfoothold，andwhereoneencountersoneoftheseworkmen，sometimesdivine，sometimesmisshapen。BelowJohnHuss，thereisLuther；belowLuther，thereisDescartes；belowDescartes，thereisVoltaire；belowVoltaire，thereisCondorcet；belowCondorcet，thereisRobespierre；
　　belowRobespierre，thereisMarat；belowMaratthereisBabeuf。
　　Andsoitgoeson。Lowerdown，confusedly，atthelimitwhichseparatestheindistinctfromtheinvisible，oneperceivesothergloomymen，whoperhapsdonotexistasyet。Themenofyesterdayarespectres；
　　thoseofto—morrowareforms。Theeyeofthespiritdistinguishesthembutobscurely。Theembryonicworkofthefutureisoneofthevisionsofphilosophy。
　　Aworldinlimbo，inthestateoffoetus，whatanunheard—ofspectre！
　　Saint—Simon，Owen，Fourier，aretherealso，inlateralgalleries。
　　Surely，althoughadivineandinvisiblechainunknowntothemselves，bindstogetherallthesesubterraneanpioneerswho，almostalways，thinkthemselvesisolated，andwhoarenotso，theirworksvarygreatly，andthelightofsomecontrastswiththeblazeofothers。Thefirstareparadisiacal，thelastaretragic。Nevertheless，whatevermaybethecontrast，allthesetoilers，fromthehighesttothemostnocturnal，fromthewisesttothemostfoolish，possessonelikeness，andthisisit:disinterestedness。MaratforgetshimselflikeJesus。
　　Theythrowthemselvesononeside，theyomitthemselves，theythinknotofthemselves。Theyhaveaglance，andthatglanceseekstheabsolute。Thefirsthasthewholeheavensinhiseyes；thelast，enigmaticalthoughhemaybe，hasstill，beneathhiseyelids，thepalebeamoftheinfinite。Veneratetheman，whoeverhemaybe，whohasthissign——thestarryeye。
　　Theshadowyeyeistheothersign。
　　Withit，evilcommences。Reflectandtrembleinthepresenceofanyonewhohasnoglanceatall。Thesocialorderhasitsblackminers。
　　Thereisapointwheredepthistantamounttoburial，andwherelightbecomesextinct。
　　Belowallthesemineswhichwehavejustmentioned，belowallthesegalleries，belowthiswholeimmense，subterranean，venoussystemofprogressandutopia，muchfurtheronintheearth，muchlowerthanMarat，lowerthanBabeuf，lower，muchlower，andwithoutanyconnectionwiththeupperlevels，thereliesthelastmine。
　　Aformidablespot。Thisiswhatwehavedesignatedastheletroisiemedessous。Itisthegraveofshadows。Itisthecellaroftheblind。Inferi。
　　Thiscommunicateswiththeabyss。
　　CHAPTERII
　　THELOWESTDEPTHS
　　Theredisinterestednessvanishes。Thedemonisvaguelyoutlined；
　　eachoneisforhimself。The_I_intheeyeshowls，seeks，fumbles，andgnaws。ThesocialUgolinoisinthisgulf。
　　Thewildspectreswhoroaminthisgrave，almostbeasts，almostphantoms，arenotoccupiedwithuniversalprogress；theyareignorantbothoftheideaandoftheword；theytakenothoughtforanythingbutthesatisfactionoftheirindividualdesires。
　　Theyarealmostunconscious，andthereexistswithinthemasortofterribleobliteration。Theyhavetwomothers，bothstep—mothers，ignoranceandmisery。Theyhaveaguide，necessity；andforallformsofsatisfaction，appetite。Theyarebrutallyvoracious，thatistosay，ferocious，notafterthefashionofthetyrant，butafterthefashionofthetiger。Fromsufferingthesespectrespasstocrime；fatalaffiliation，dizzycreation，logicofdarkness。
　　Thatwhichcrawlsinthesocialthirdlowerlevelisnolongercomplaintstifledbytheabsolute；itistheprotestofmatter。
　　Mantherebecomesadragon。Tobehungry，tobethirsty——thatisthepointofdeparture；tobeSatan——thatisthepointreached。
　　FromthatvaultLacenaireemerges。
　　Wehavejustseen，inBookFourth，oneofthecompartmentsoftheuppermine，ofthegreatpolitical，revolutionary，andphilosophicalexcavation。There，aswehavejustsaid，allispure，noble，dignified，honest。There，assuredly，onemightbemisled；
　　buterrorisworthyofvenerationthere，sothoroughlydoesitimplyheroism。Theworkthereeffected，takenasawholehasaname:Progress。
　　Themomenthasnowcomewhenwemusttakealookatotherdepths，hideousdepths。Thereexistsbeneathsociety，weinsistuponthispoint，andtherewillexist，untilthatdaywhenignoranceshallbedissipated，thegreatcavernofevil。
　　Thiscavernisbelowall，andisthefoeofall。Itishatred，withoutexception。Thiscavernknowsnophilosophers；itsdaggerhasnevercutapen。Itsblacknesshasnoconnectionwiththesublimeblacknessoftheinkstand。Neverhavethefingersofnightwhichcontractbeneaththisstiflingceiling，turnedtheleavesofabooknorunfoldedanewspaper。BabeufisaspeculatortoCartouche；
　　MaratisanaristocrattoSchinderhannes。Thiscavernhasforitsobjectthedestructionofeverything。
　　Ofeverything。Includingtheuppersuperiormines，whichitexecrates。
　　Itnotonlyundermines，initshideousswarming，theactualsocialorder；
　　itunderminesphilosophy，itundermineshumanthought，itunderminescivilization，itunderminesrevolution，itunderminesprogress。
　　Itsnameissimplytheft，prostitution，murder，assassination。
　　Itisdarkness，anditdesireschaos。Itsvaultisformedofignorance。
　　Alltheothers，thoseaboveit，havebutoneobject——tosuppressit。
　　Itistothispointthatphilosophyandprogresstend，withalltheirorganssimultaneously，bytheirameliorationofthereal，aswellasbytheircontemplationoftheabsolute。DestroythecavernIgnoranceandyoudestroythelairCrime。
　　Letuscondense，inafewwords，apartofwhatwehavejustwritten。
　　Theonlysocialperilisdarkness。
　　Humanityisidentity。Allmenaremadeofthesameclay。
　　Thereisnodifference，herebelow，atleast，inpredestination。
　　Thesameshadowinfront，thesamefleshinthepresent，thesameashesafterwards。Butignorance，mingledwiththehumanpaste，blackensit。Thisincurableblacknesstakespossessionoftheinteriorofamanandisthereconvertedintoevil。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　BABET，GUEULEMER，CLAQUESOUS，ANDMONTPARNASSE
　　Aquartetteofruffians，Claquesous，Gueulemer，Babet，andMontparnassegovernedthethirdlowerfloorofParis，from1830to1835。
　　GueulemerwasaHerculesofnodefinedposition。ForhislairhehadtheseweroftheArche—Marion。Hewassixfeethigh，hispectoralmuscleswereofmarble，hisbicepsofbrass，hisbreathwasthatofacavern，historsothatofacolossus，hisheadthatofabird。OnethoughtonebeheldtheFarneseHerculescladinducktrousersandacottonvelvetwaistcoat。Gueulemer，builtafterthissculpturalfashion，mighthavesubduedmonsters；hehadfounditmoreexpeditioustobeone。Alowbrow，largetemples，lessthanfortyyearsofage，butwithcrow’s—feet，harsh，shorthair，cheekslikeabrush，abeardlikethatofawildboar；thereadercanseethemanbeforehim。
　　Hismusclescalledforwork，hisstupiditywouldhavenoneofit。
　　Hewasagreat，idleforce。Hewasanassassinthroughcoolness。
　　Hewasthoughttobeacreole。Hehad，probably，somewhattodowithMarshalBrune，havingbeenaporteratAvignonin1815。
　　Afterthisstage，hehadturnedruffian。
　　ThediaphaneityofBabetcontrastedwiththegrossnessofGueulemer。
　　Babetwasthinandlearned。Hewastransparentbutimpenetrable。
　　Daylightwasvisiblethroughhisbones，butnothingthroughhiseyes。
　　Hedeclaredthathewasachemist。Hehadbeenajackofalltrades。
　　HehadplayedinvaudevilleatSaint—Mihiel。Hewasamanofpurpose，afinetalker，whounderlinedhissmilesandaccentuatedhisgestures。
　　Hisoccupationconsistedinselling，intheopenair，plasterbustsandportraitsof"theheadoftheState。"Inadditiontothis，heextractedteeth。Hehadexhibitedphenomenaatfairs，andhehadownedaboothwithatrumpetandthisposter:
　　"Babet，DentalArtist，MemberoftheAcademies，makesphysicalexperimentsonmetalsandmetalloids，extractsteeth，undertakesstumpsabandonedbyhisbrotherpractitioners。Price:onetooth，onefranc，fiftycentimes；twoteeth，twofrancs；threeteeth，twofrancs，fifty。Takeadvantageofthisopportunity。"
　　ThisTakeadvantageofthisopportunitymeant:Haveasmanyteethextractedaspossible。Hehadbeenmarriedandhadhadchildren。
　　Hedidnotknowwhathadbecomeofhiswifeandchildren。Hehadlostthemasoneloseshishandkerchief。Babetreadthepapers，astrikingexceptionintheworldtowhichhebelonged。Oneday，attheperiodwhenhehadhisfamilywithhiminhisboothonwheels，hehadreadintheMessager，thatawomanhadjustgivenbirthtoachild，whowasdoingwell，andhadacalf’smuzzle，andheexclaimed:
　　"There’safortune！mywifehasnotthewittopresentmewithachildlikethat！"
　　Lateronhehadabandonedeverything，inorderto"undertakeParis。"
　　Thiswashisexpression。
　　WhowasClaquesous？Hewasnight。Hewaiteduntiltheskywasdaubedwithblack，beforeheshowedhimself。Atnightfallheemergedfromtheholewhitherhereturnedbeforedaylight。Wherewasthishole？
　　Nooneknew。Heonlyaddressedhisaccomplicesinthemostabsolutedarkness，andwithhisbackturnedtothem。WashisnameClaquesous？
　　Certainlynot。Ifacandlewasbrought，heputonamask。
　　Hewasaventriloquist。Babetsaid:"Claquesousisanocturnefortwovoices。"Claquesouswasvague，terrible，andaroamer。
　　Noonewassurewhetherhehadaname，Claquesousbeingasobriquet；
　　nonewassurethathehadavoice，ashisstomachspokemorefrequentlythanhisvoice；noonewassurethathehadaface，ashewasneverseenwithouthismask。Hedisappearedasthoughhehadvanishedintothinair；whenheappeared，itwasasthoughhesprangfromtheearth。
　　AlugubriousbeingwasMontparnasse。Montparnassewasachild；
　　lessthantwentyyearsofage，withahandsomeface，lipslikecherries，charmingblackhair，thebrilliantlightofspringtimeinhiseyes；
　　hehadallvicesandaspiredtoallcrimes。
　　Thedigestionofevilarousedinhimanappetiteforworse。Itwasthestreetboyturnedpickpocket，andapickpocketturnedgarroter。
　　Hewasgenteel，effeminate，graceful，robust，sluggish，ferocious。
　　Therimofhishatwascurledupontheleftside，inordertomakeroomforatuftofhair，afterthestyleof1829。Helivedbyrobberywithviolence。Hiscoatwasofthebestcut，butthreadbare。
　　Montparnassewasafashion—plateinmiseryandgiventothecommissionofmurders。Thecauseofallthisyouth’scrimeswasthedesiretobewell—dressed。Thefirstgrisettewhohadsaidtohim:
　　"Youarehandsome！"hadcastthestainofdarknessintohisheart，andhadmadeaCainofthisAbel。Findingthathewashandsome，hedesiredtobeelegant:now，theheightofeleganceisidleness；
　　idlenessinapoormanmeanscrime。FewprowlersweresodreadedasMontparnasse。Ateighteen，hehadalreadynumerouscorpsesinhispast。Morethanonepasser—bylaywithoutstretchedarmsinthepresenceofthiswretch，withhisfaceinapoolofblood。
　　Curled，pomaded，withlacedwaist，thehipsofawoman，thebustofaPrussianofficer，themurmurofadmirationfromtheboulevardwenchessurroundinghim，hiscravatknowinglytied，abludgeoninhispocket，aflowerinhisbuttonhole；suchwasthisdandyofthesepulchre。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　COMPOSITIONOFTHETROUPE
　　ThesefourruffiansformedasortofProteus，windinglikeaserpentamongthepolice，andstrivingtoescapeVidocq’sindiscreetglances"underdiversforms，tree，flame，fountain，"lendingeachothertheirnamesandtheirtraps，hidingintheirownshadows，boxeswithsecretcompartmentsandrefugesforeachother，strippingofftheirpersonalities，asoneremoveshisfalsenoseatamaskedball，sometimessimplifyingmatterstothepointofconsistingofbutoneindividual，sometimesmultiplyingthemselvestosuchapointthatCoco—Latourhimselftookthemforawholethrong。
　　Thesefourmenwerenotfourmen；theywereasortofmysteriousrobberwithfourheads，operatingonagrandscaleonParis；
　　theywerethatmonstrouspolypofevil，whichinhabitsthecryptofsociety。
　　Thankstotheirramifications，andtothenetworkunderlyingtheirrelations，Babet，Gueulemer，Claquesous，andMontparnassewerechargedwiththegeneralenterpriseoftheambushesofthedepartmentoftheSeine。Theinventorsofideasofthatnature，menwithnocturnalimaginations，appliedtothemtohavetheirideasexecuted。Theyfurnishedthecanvastothefourrascals，andthelatterundertookthepreparationofthescenery。Theylaboredatthestagesetting。Theywerealwaysinaconditiontolendaforceproportionedandsuitabletoallcrimeswhichdemandedaliftoftheshoulder，andwhichweresufficientlylucrative。
　　Whenacrimewasinquestofarms，theyunder—lettheiraccomplices。
　　Theykeptatroupeofactorsoftheshadowsatthedispositionofallundergroundtragedies。
　　Theywereinthehabitofassemblingatnightfall，thehourwhentheywokeup，ontheplainswhichadjointheSalpetriere。Theretheyheldtheirconferences。Theyhadtwelveblackhoursbeforethem；
　　theyregulatedtheiremploymentaccordingly。
　　Patron—Minette，——suchwasthenamewhichwasbestowedinthesubterraneancirculationontheassociationofthesefourmen。
　　Inthefantastic，ancient，popularparlance，whichisvanishingdaybyday，Patron—Minettesignifiesthemorning，thesameasentrechienetloup——betweendogandwolf——signifiestheevening。Thisappellation，Patron—Minette，wasprobablyderivedfromthehouratwhichtheirworkended，thedawnbeingthevanishingmomentforphantomsandfortheseparationofruffians。Thesefourmenwereknownunderthistitle。
　　WhenthePresidentoftheAssizesvisitedLacenaireinhisprison，andquestionedhimconcerningamisdeedwhichLacenairedenied，"Whodidit？"demandedthePresident。Lacenairemadethisresponse，enigmaticalsofarasthemagistratewasconcerned，butcleartothepolice:"PerhapsitwasPatron—Minette。"
　　Apiececansometimesbedivinedontheenunciationofthepersonages；
　　inthesamemannerabandcanalmostbejudgedfromthelistofruffianscomposingit。HerearetheappellationstowhichtheprincipalmembersofPatron—Minetteanswered，——forthenameshavesurvivedinspecialmemoirs。
　　Panchaud，aliasPrintanier，aliasBigrenaille。
　　Brujon。[TherewasaBrujondynasty；wecannotrefrainfrominterpolatingthisword。]
　　Boulatruelle，theroad—menderalreadyintroduced。
　　Laveuve。
　　Finistere。
　　Homere—Hogu，anegro。
　　Mardisoir。（Tuesdayevening。）
　　Depeche。（Makehaste。）
　　Fauntleroy，aliasBouquetiere（theFlowerGirl）。
　　Glorieux，adischargedconvict。
　　Barrecarrosse（Stop—carriage），calledMonsieurDupont。
　　L’Esplanade—du—Sud。
　　Poussagrive。
　　Carmagnolet。
　　Kruideniers，calledBizarro。
　　Mangedentelle。（Lace—eater。）
　　Les—pieds—en—l’Air。（Feetintheair。）
　　Demi—Liard，calledDeux—Milliards。
　　Etc。，etc。
　　Wepassoversome，andnottheworstofthem。Thesenameshavefacesattached。Theydonotexpressmerelybeings，butspecies。
　　Eachoneofthesenamescorrespondstoavarietyofthosemisshapenfungifromtheundersideofcivilization。
　　Thosebeings，whowerenotverylavishwiththeircountenances，werenotamongthemenwhomoneseespassingalongthestreets。
　　Fatiguedbythewildnightswhichtheypassed，theywentoffbydaytosleep，sometimesinthelime—kilns，sometimesintheabandonedquarriesofMontmatreorMontrouge，sometimesinthesewers。
　　Theyrantoearth。
　　Whatbecameofthesemen？Theystillexist。Theyhavealwaysexisted。
　　Horacespeaksofthem:Ambubaiarumcollegia，pharmacopolae，mendici，mimae；andsolongassocietyremainswhatitis，theywillremainwhattheyare。Beneaththeobscureroofoftheircavern，theyarecontinuallybornagainfromthesocialooze。
　　Theyreturn，spectres，butalwaysidentical；only，theynolongerbearthesamenamesandtheyarenolongerinthesameskins。
　　Theindividualsextirpated，thetribesubsists。
　　Theyalwayshavethesamefaculties。Fromthevagranttothetramp，theraceismaintainedinitspurity。Theydivinepursesinpockets，theyscentoutwatchesinfobs。Goldandsilverpossessanodorforthem。Thereexistingenuousbourgeois，ofwhomitmightbesaid，thattheyhavea"stealable"air。Thesemenpatientlypursuethesebourgeois。Theyexperiencethequiversofaspideratthepassageofastrangerorofamanfromthecountry。
　　Thesemenareterrible，whenoneencountersthem，orcatchesaglimpseofthem，towardsmidnight，onadesertedboulevard。
　　Theydonotseemtobemenbutformscomposedoflivingmists；
　　onewouldsaythattheyhabituallyconstituteonemasswiththeshadows，thattheyareinnowisedistinctfromthem，thattheypossessnoothersoulthanthedarkness，andthatitisonlymomentarilyandforthepurposeoflivingforafewminutesamonstrouslife，thattheyhaveseparatedfromthenight。
　　Whatisnecessarytocausethesespectrestovanish？Light。
　　Lightinfloods。Notasinglebatcanresistthedawn。
　　Lightupsocietyfrombelow。
　　BOOKEIGHTH。——THEWICKEDPOORMAN
　　CHAPTERI
　　MARIUS，WHILESEEKINGAGIRLINABONNET，ENCOUNTERSAMANINACAP
　　Summerpassed，thentheautumn；wintercame。NeitherM。LeblancnortheyounggirlhadagainsetfootintheLuxembourggarden。
　　Thenceforth，Mariushadbutonethought，——togazeoncemoreonthatsweetandadorableface。Hesoughtconstantly，hesoughteverywhere；
　　hefoundnothing。HewasnolongerMarius，theenthusiasticdreamer，thefirm，resolute，ardentman，thebolddefieroffate，thebrainwhicherectedfutureonfuture，theyoungspiritencumberedwithplans，withprojects，withpride，withideasandwishes；hewasalostdog。
　　Hefellintoablackmelancholy。Allwasover。Workdisgustedhim，walkingtiredhim。Vastnature，formerlysofilledwithforms，lights，voices，counsels，perspectives，horizons，teachings，nowlayemptybeforehim。Itseemedtohimthateverythinghaddisappeared。
　　Hethoughtincessantly，forhecouldnotdootherwise；buthenolongertookpleasureinhisthoughts。Toeverythingthattheyproposedtohiminawhisper，herepliedinhisdarkness:
　　"Whatistheuse？"
　　Heheapedahundredreproachesonhimself。"WhydidIfollowher？
　　Iwassohappyatthemeresightofher！Shelookedatme；
　　wasnotthatimmense？Shehadtheairoflovingme。Wasnotthateverything？Iwishedtohave，what？Therewasnothingafterthat。Ihavebeenabsurd。Itismyownfault，"etc。，etc。
　　Courfeyrac，towhomheconfidednothing，——itwashisnature，——
　　butwhomadesomelittleguessateverything，——thatwashisnature，——
　　hadbegunbycongratulatinghimonbeinginlove，thoughhewasamazedatit；then，seeingMariusfallintothismelancholystate，heendedbysayingtohim:"Iseethatyouhavebeensimplyananimal。Here，cometotheChaumiere。"
　　Once，havingconfidenceinafineSeptembersun，MariushadallowedhimselftobetakentotheballatSceauxbyCourfeyrac，Bossuet，andGrantaire，hoping，whatadream！thathemight，perhaps，findherthere。Ofcoursehedidnotseetheonehesought。——"Butthisistheplace，allthesame，wherealllostwomenarefound，"
　　grumbledGrantaireinanaside。Mariuslefthisfriendsattheballandreturnedhomeonfoot，alone，throughthenight，weary，feverish，withsadandtroubledeyes，stunnedbythenoiseanddustofthemerrywagonsfilledwithsingingcreaturesontheirwayhomefromthefeast，whichpassedclosetohim，ashe，inhisdiscouragement，breathedintheacridscentofthewalnut—trees，alongtheroad，inordertorefreshhishead。
　　Hetooktolivingmoreandmorealone，utterlyoverwhelmed，whollygivenuptohisinwardanguish，goingandcominginhispainlikethewolfinthetrap，seekingtheabsentoneeverywhere，stupefiedbylove。
　　Onanotheroccasion，hehadanencounterwhichproducedonhimasingulareffect。Hemet，inthenarrowstreetsinthevicinityoftheBoulevarddesInvalides，amandressedlikeaworkingmanandwearingacapwithalongvisor，whichallowedaglimpseoflocksofverywhitehair。Mariuswasstruckwiththebeautyofthiswhitehair，andscrutinizedtheman，whowaswalkingslowlyandasthoughabsorbedinpainfulmeditation。Strangetosay，hethoughtthatherecognizedM。Leblanc。Thehairwasthesame，alsotheprofile，sofarasthecappermittedaviewofit，themienidentical，onlymoredepressed。Butwhytheseworkingman’sclothes？
　　Whatwasthemeaningofthis？Whatsignifiedthatdisguise？
　　Mariuswasgreatlyastonished。Whenherecoveredhimself，hisfirstimpulsewastofollowtheman；whoknowswhetherhedidnotholdatlastthecluewhichhewasseeking？Inanycase，hemustseethemannearathand，andclearupthemystery。
　　Buttheideaoccurredtohimtoolate，themanwasnolongerthere。
　　Hehadturnedintosomelittlesidestreet，andMariuscouldnotfindhim。Thisencounteroccupiedhismindforthreedaysandthenwaseffaced。"Afterall，"hesaidtohimself，"itwasprobablyonlyaresemblance。"
　　CHAPTERII
　　TREASURETROVE
　　MariushadnotlefttheGorbeauhouse。Hepaidnoattentiontoanyonethere。
　　Atthatepoch，totellthetruth，therewerenootherinhabitantsinthehouse，excepthimselfandthoseJondretteswhoserenthehadoncepaid，without，moreover，everhavingspokentoeitherfather，mother，ordaughters。Theotherlodgershadmovedawayorhaddied，orhadbeenturnedoutindefaultofpayment。
　　Onedayduringthatwinter，thesunhadshownitselfalittleintheafternoon，butitwasthe2dofFebruary，thatancientCandlemasdaywhosetreacheroussun，theprecursorofasixweeks’
　　coldspell，inspiredMathieuLaensbergwiththesetwolines，whichhavewithjusticeremainedclassic:——
　　Qu’illuiseouqu’illuiserne，L’oursrentredansensacaverne。[26]
　　[26]Whetherthesunshinesbrightlyordim，thebearreturnstohiscave。
　　Mariushadjustemergedfromhis:nightwasfalling。Itwasthehourforhisdinner；forhehadbeenobligedtotaketodiningagain，alas！oh，infirmitiesofidealpassions！
　　Hehadjustcrossedhisthreshold，whereMa’amBougonwassweepingatthemoment，assheutteredthismemorablemonologue:——
　　"Whatistherethatischeapnow？Everythingisdear。
　　Thereisnothingintheworldthatischeapexcepttrouble；
　　youcangetthatfornothing，thetroubleoftheworld！"
　　Mariusslowlyascendedtheboulevardtowardsthebarrier，inordertoreachtheRueSaint—Jacques。Hewaswalkingalongwithdroopinghead。
　　Allatonce，hefeltsomeoneelbowhiminthedusk；hewheeledround，andsawtwoyounggirlscladinrags，theonetallandslim，theotheralittleshorter，whowerepassingrapidly，alloutofbreath，interror，andwiththeappearanceoffleeing；theyhadbeencomingtomeethim，hadnotseenhim，andhadjostledhimastheypassed。
　　Throughthetwilight，Mariuscoulddistinguishtheirlividfaces，theirwildheads，theirdishevelledhair，theirhideousbonnets，theirraggedpetticoats，andtheirbarefeet。Theyweretalkingastheyran。Thetallersaidinaverylowvoice:——
　　"Thebobbieshavecome。Theycamenearnabbingmeatthehalf—circle。"
　　Theotheranswered:"Isawthem。Ibolted，bolted，bolted！"
　　Throughthisrepulsiveslang，Mariusunderstoodthatgendarmesorthepolicehadcomenearapprehendingthesetwochildren，andthatthelatterhadescaped。
　　Theyplungedamongthetreesoftheboulevardbehindhim，andtherecreated，forafewminutes，inthegloom，asortofvaguewhitespot，thendisappeared。
　　Mariushadhaltedforamoment。
　　Hewasabouttopursuehisway，whenhiseyelightedonalittlegrayishpackagelyingonthegroundathisfeet。Hestoopedandpickeditup。Itwasasortofenvelopewhichappearedtocontainpapers。
　　"Good，"hesaidtohimself，"thoseunhappygirlsdroppedit。"
　　Heretracedhissteps，hecalled，hedidnotfindthem；hereflectedthattheymustalreadybefaraway，putthepackageinhispocket，andwentofftodine。
　　Ontheway，hesawinanalleyoftheRueMouffetard，achild’scoffin，coveredwithablackclothrestingonthreechairs，andilluminatedbyacandle。Thetwogirlsofthetwilightrecurredtohismind。
　　"Poormothers！"hethought。"Thereisonethingsadderthantoseeone’schildrendie；itistoseethemleadinganevillife。"
　　Thenthoseshadowswhichhadvariedhismelancholyvanishedfromhisthoughts，andhefellbackoncemoreintohishabitualpreoccupations。Hefelltothinkingoncemoreofhissixmonthsofloveandhappinessintheopenairandthebroaddaylight，beneaththebeautifultreesofLuxembourg。
　　"Howgloomymylifehasbecome！"hesaidtohimself。"Younggirlsarealwaysappearingtome，onlyformerlytheywereangelsandnowtheyareghouls。"
　　CHAPTERIII
　　QUADRIFRONS
　　Thatevening，ashewasundressingpreparatorytogoingtobed，hishandcameincontact，inthepocketofhiscoat，withthepacketwhichhehadpickedupontheboulevard。Hehadforgottenit。
　　Hethoughtthatitwouldbewelltoopenit，andthatthispackagemightpossiblycontaintheaddressoftheyounggirls，ifitreallybelongedtothem，and，inanycase，theinformationnecessarytoarestitutiontothepersonwhohadlostit。
　　Heopenedtheenvelope。
　　Itwasnotsealedandcontainedfourletters，alsounsealed。
　　Theyboreaddresses。
　　Allfourexhaledahorribleodoroftobacco。
　　Thefirstwasaddressed:"ToMadame，MadamelaMarquisedeGrucheray，theplaceoppositetheChamberofDeputies，No。——"
　　Mariussaidtohimself，thatheshouldprobablyfindinittheinformationwhichhesought，andthat，moreover，theletterbeingopen，itwasprobablethatitcouldbereadwithoutimpropriety。
　　Itwasconceivedasfollows:——
　　MadamelaMarquise:Thevirtueofclemencyandpietyisthatwhichmostcloselyunitessosiety。TurnyourChristianspiritandcastalookofcompassiononthisunfortunateSpanishvictimofloyaltyandattachmenttothesacredcauseoflegitimacy，whohasgivenwithhisblood，consecratedhisfortune，evverything，todefendthatcause，andto—dayfindshimselfinthegreatestmissery。
　　Hedoubtsnotthatyourhonorablepersonwillgrantsuccortopreserveanexistenceexteremelypainfulforamilitarymanofeducationandhonorfullofwounds，countsinadvanceonthehumanitywhichanimatesyouandontheinterestwhichMadamelaMarquisebearstoanationsounfortunate。Theirprayerwillnotbeinvain，andtheirgratitudewillpreservetheirscharmingsouvenir。
　　Myrespectfulsentiments，withwhichIhavethehonortobeMadame，DonAlvares，SpanishCaptainofCavalry，aroyalistwhohastakerefugeinFrance，whofindshimselfontravellsforhiscountry，andtheresourcesarelackinghimtocontinuehistravells。
　　Noaddresswasjoinedtothesignature。Mariushopedtofindtheaddressinthesecondletter，whosesuperscriptionread:
　　AMadame，MadamelaComtessedeMontvernet，RueCassette，No。9。
　　ThisiswhatMariusreadinit:——
　　MadamelaComtesse:Itisanunhappymotherofafamilyofsixchildrenthelastofwhichisonlyeightmonthsold。Isicksincemylastconfinement，abandonedbymyhusbandfivemonthsago，haveingnoresourcesintheworldthemostfrightfulindigance。
　　InthehopeofMadamelaComtesse，shehasthehonortobe，Madame，withprofoundrespect，MistressBalizard。
　　Mariusturnedtothethirdletter，whichwasapetitionlikethepreceding；heread:——
　　MonsieurPabourgeot，Elector，wholesalestockingmerchant，RueSaint—DenisonthecorneroftheRueauxFers。
　　IpermitmyselftoaddressyouthislettertobegyoutograntmethepretiousfavorofyoursimpatiesandtointerestyourselfinamanofletterswhohasjustsentadramatotheTheatre—Francais。Thesubjectishistorical，andtheactiontakesplaceinAuvergneinthetimeoftheEmpire；thestyle，Ithink，isnatural，laconic，andmayhavesomemerit。Therearecoupletstobesunginfourplaces。Thecomic，theserious，theunexpected，aremingledinavarietyofcharacters，andatingeofromanticismlightlyspreadthroughalltheintriguewhichproceedsmisteriously，andends，afterstrikingaltarations，inthemidstofmanybeautifulstrokesofbrilliantscenes。
　　Myprincipalobjectistosatisfithedesirewhichprogressivelyanimatesthemanofourcentury，thatistosay，thefashion，thatcapritiousandbizarreweathervanewhichchangesatalmosteverynewwind。
　　InspiteofthesequalitiesIhavereasontofearthatjealousy，theegotismofpriviligedauthors，mayobtainemyexclusionfromthetheatre，forIamnotignorantofthemortificationswithwhichnew—comersaretreated。
　　MonsiuerPabourgeot，yourjustreputationasanenlightenedprotectorofmenoflittersemboldensmetosendyoumydaughterwhowillexplainourindigantsituationtoyou，lackingbreadandfireinthiswynterseason。WhenIsaytoyouthatIbegyoutoacceptthededicationofmydramawhichIdesiretomaketoyouandofallthosethatIshallmake，istoprovetoyouhowgreatismyambitiontohavethehonorofshelteringmyselfunderyourprotection，andofadorningmywritingswithyourname。Ifyoudeigntohonormewiththemostmodestoffering，Ishallimmediatelyoccupymyselfinmakingapiesseofversetopayyoumytributeofgratitude。
　　WhichIshallendeavortorenderthispiesseasperfectaspossible，willbesenttoyoubeforeitisinsertedatthebeginningofthedramaanddeliveredonthestage。
　　ToMonsieurandMadamePabourgeot，Mymostrespectfulcomplements，Genflot，manofletters。
　　P。S。Evenifitisonlyfortysous。
　　Excusemeforsendingmydaughterandnotpresentingmyself，butsadmotivesconnectedwiththetoiletdonotpermitme，alas！togoout。
　　Finally，Mariusopenedthefourthletter。Theaddressran:
　　TothebenevolentGentlemanofthechurchofSaint—Jacquesdu—haut—Pas。
　　Itcontainedthefollowinglines:——
　　BenevolentMan:Ifyoudeigntoaccompanymydaughter，youwillbeholdamisserablecalamity，andIwillshowyoumycertificates。
　　Attheaspectofthesewritingsyourgeneroussoulwillbemovedwithasentimentofobviousbenevolence，fortruephilosophersalwaysfeellivelyemotions。
　　Admit，compassionateman，thatitisnecessarytosufferthemostcruelneed，andthatitisverypainful，forthesakeofobtainingalittlerelief，togetoneselfattestedbytheauthoritiesasthoughonewerenotfreetosufferandtodieofinanitionwhilewaitingtohaveourmiseryrelieved。Destiniesareveryfatalforseveralandtooprodigalortooprotectingforothers。
　　Iawaityourpresenceoryouroffering，ifyoudeigntomakeone，andIbeseechyoutoaccepttherespectfulsentimentswithwhichI
　　havethehonortobe，trulymagnanimousman，yourveryhumbleandveryobedientservant，P。Fabantou，dramaticartist。
　　Afterperusingthesefourletters，Mariusdidnotfindhimselfmuchfurtheradvancedthanbefore。
　　Inthefirstplace，notoneofthesignersgavehisaddress。
　　Then，theyseemedtocomefromfourdifferentindividuals，DonAlveras，MistressBalizard，thepoetGenflot，anddramaticartistFabantou；
　　butthesingularthingabouttheseletterswas，thatallfourwerewrittenbythesamehand。
　　Whatconclusionwastobedrawnfromthis，exceptthattheyallcomefromthesameperson？
　　Moreover，andthisrenderedtheconjectureallthemoreprobable，thecoarseandyellowpaperwasthesameinallfour，theodoroftobaccowasthesame，and，althoughanattempthadbeenmadetovarythestyle，thesameorthographicalfaultswerereproducedwiththegreatesttranquillity，andthemanoflettersGenflotwasnomoreexemptfromthemthantheSpanishcaptain。
　　Itwaswasteoftroubletotrytosolvethispettymystery。Haditnotbeenachancefind，itwouldhavebornetheairofamystification。
　　Mariuswastoomelancholytotakeevenachancepleasantrywell，andtolendhimselftoagamewhichthepavementofthestreetseemeddesirousofplayingwithhim。Itseemedtohimthathewasplayingthepartoftheblindmaninblindman’sbuffbetweenthefourletters，andthattheyweremakingsportofhim。
　　Nothing，however，indicatedthattheselettersbelongedtothetwoyounggirlswhomMariushadmetontheboulevard。Afterall，theywereevidentlypapersofnovalue。Mariusreplacedthemintheirenvelope，flungthewholeintoacornerandwenttobed。
　　Aboutseveno’clockinthemorning，hehadjustrisenandbreakfasted，andwastryingtosettledowntowork，whentherecameasoftknockathisdoor。
　　Asheownednothing，heneverlockedhisdoor，unlessoccasionally，thoughveryrarely，whenhewasengagedinsomepressingwork。
　　Evenwhenabsenthelefthiskeyinthelock。"Youwillberobbed，"
　　saidMa’amBougon。"Ofwhat？"saidMarius。Thetruthis，however，thathehad，oneday，beenrobbedofanoldpairofboots，tothegreattriumphofMa’amBougon。
　　Therecameasecondknock，asgentleasthefirst。
　　"Comein，"saidMarius。
　　Thedooropened。
　　"Whatdoyouwant，Ma’amBougon？"askedMarius，withoutraisinghiseyesfromthebooksandmanuscriptsonhistable。
　　AvoicewhichdidnotbelongtoMa’amBougonreplied:——
　　"Excuseme，sir——"
　　Itwasadull，broken，hoarse，strangledvoice，thevoiceofanoldman，roughenedwithbrandyandliquor。
　　Mariusturnedroundhastily，andbeheldayounggirl。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　AROSEINMISERY
　　Averyyounggirlwasstandinginthehalf—opendoor。Thedormerwindowofthegarret，throughwhichthelightfell，waspreciselyoppositethedoor，andilluminatedthefigurewithawanlight。
　　Shewasafrail，emaciated，slendercreature；therewasnothingbutachemiseandapetticoatuponthatchilledandshiveringnakedness。
　　Hergirdlewasastring，herheadribbonastring，herpointedshouldersemergedfromherchemise，ablondandlymphaticpallor，earth—coloredcollar—bones，redhands，ahalf—openanddegradedmouth，missingteeth，dull，bold，baseeyes；shehadtheformofayounggirlwhohasmissedheryouth，andthelookofacorruptoldwoman；
　　fiftyyearsmingledwithfifteen；oneofthosebeingswhicharebothfeebleandhorrible，andwhichcausethosetoshudderwhomtheydonotcausetoweep。
　　Mariushadrisen，andwasstaringinasortofstuporatthisbeing，whowasalmostliketheformsoftheshadowswhichtraversedreams。
　　Themostheart—breakingthingofallwas，thatthisyounggirlhadnotcomeintotheworldtobehomely。Inherearlychildhoodshemustevenhavebeenpretty。Thegraceofheragewasstillstrugglingagainstthehideous，prematuredecrepitudeofdebaucheryandpoverty。
　　Theremainsofbeautyweredyingawayinthatfaceofsixteen，likethepalesunlightwhichisextinguishedunderhideouscloudsatdawnonawinter’sday。
　　ThatfacewasnotwhollyunknowntoMarius。Hethoughtherememberedhavingseenitsomewhere。
　　"Whatdoyouwish，Mademoiselle？"heasked。
　　Theyounggirlrepliedinhervoiceofadrunkenconvict:——
　　"Hereisaletterforyou，MonsieurMarius。"
　　ShecalledMariusbyhisname；hecouldnotdoubtthathewasthepersonwhomshewanted；butwhowasthisgirl？Howdidsheknowhisname？
　　Withoutwaitingforhimtotellhertoadvance，sheentered。
　　Sheenteredresolutely，staring，withasortofassurancethatmadetheheartbleed，atthewholeroomandtheunmadebed。Herfeetwerebare。Largeholesinherpetticoatpermittedglimpsesofherlonglegsandherthinknees。Shewasshivering。
　　Sheheldaletterinherhand，whichshepresentedtoMarius。
　　Marius，asheopenedtheletter，noticedthattheenormouswaferwhichsealeditwasstillmoist。Themessagecouldnothavecomefromadistance。Heread:——
　　Myamiableneighbor，youngman:Ihavelearnedofyourgoodnesstome，thatyoupaidmyrentsixmonthsago。Iblessyou，youngman。
　　Myeldestdaughterwilltellyouthatwehavebeenwithoutamorselofbreadfortwodays，fourpersonsandmyspouseill。IfIamnotdeseavedinmyopinion，IthinkImayhopethatyourgenerousheartwillmeltatthisstatementandthedesirewillsubjugateyoutobepropitioustomebydaigningtolavishonmeaslightfavor。
　　Iamwiththedistinguishedconsiderationwhichisduetothebenefactorsofhumanity，——
　　Jondrette。
　　P。S。Myeldestdaughterwillawaityourorders，dearMonsieurMarius。
　　Thisletter，comingintheverymidstofthemysteriousadventurewhichhadoccupiedMarius’thoughtseversincetheprecedingevening，waslikeacandleinacellar。Allwassuddenlyilluminated。
　　Thislettercamefromthesameplaceastheotherfour。
　　Therewasthesamewriting，thesamestyle，thesameorthography，thesamepaper，thesameodoroftobacco。
　　Therewerefivemissives，fivehistories，fivesignatures，andasinglesigner。TheSpanishCaptainDonAlvares，theunhappyMistressBalizard，thedramaticpoetGenflot，theoldcomedianFabantou，wereallfournamedJondrette，if，indeed，JondrettehimselfwerenamedJondrette。
　　Mariushadlivedinthehouseforatolerablylongtime，andhehadhad，aswehavesaid，butveryrareoccasiontosee，toevencatchaglimpseof，hisextremelymeanneighbors。Hismindwaselsewhere，andwherethemindis，theretheeyesarealso。
　　HehadbeenobligedmorethanoncetopasstheJondrettesinthecorridororonthestairs；buttheyweremereformstohim；hehadpaidsolittleheedtothem，that，ontheprecedingevening，hehadjostledtheJondrettegirlsontheboulevard，withoutrecognizingthem，forithadevidentlybeenthey，anditwaswithgreatdifficultythattheonewhohadjustenteredhisroomhadawakenedinhim，inspiteofdisgustandpity，avaguerecollectionofhavingmetherelsewhere。
　　Nowhesaweverythingclearly。HeunderstoodthathisneighborJondrette，inhisdistress，exercisedtheindustryofspeculatingonthecharityofbenevolentpersons，thatheprocuredaddresses，andthathewroteunderfeignednamestopeoplewhomhejudgedtobewealthyandcompassionate，letterswhichhisdaughtersdeliveredattheirriskandperil，forthisfatherhadcometosuchapass，thatheriskedhisdaughters；hewasplayingagamewithfate，andheusedthemasthestake。Mariusunderstoodthatprobably，judgingfromtheirflightontheeveningbefore，fromtheirbreathlesscondition，fromtheirterrorandfromthewordsofslangwhichhehadoverheard，theseunfortunatecreatureswereplyingsomeinexplicablysadprofession，andthattheresultofthewholewas，inthemidstofhumansociety，asitisnowconstituted，twomiserablebeingswhowereneithergirlsnorwomen，aspeciesofimpureandinnocentmonstersproducedbymisery。
　　Sadcreatures，withoutname，orsex，orage，towhomneithergoodnorevilwereanylongerpossible，andwho，onemergingfromchildhood，havealreadynothinginthisworld，neitherliberty，norvirtue，norresponsibility。Soulswhichblossomedoutyesterday，andarefadedto—day，likethoseflowersletfallinthestreets，whicharesoiledwitheverysortofmire，whilewaitingforsomewheeltocrushthem。
　　Nevertheless，whileMariusbentapainedandastonishedgazeonher，theyounggirlwaswanderingbackandforthinthegarretwiththeaudacityofaspectre。Shekickedabout，withouttroublingherselfastohernakedness。Occasionallyherchemise，whichwasuntiedandtorn，fellalmosttoherwaist。Shemovedthechairsabout，shedisarrangedthetoiletarticleswhichstoodonthecommode，shehandledMarius’clothes，sherummagedabouttoseewhattherewasinthecorners。
　　"Hullo！"saidshe，"youhaveamirror！"
　　Andshehummedscrapsofvaudevilles，asthoughshehadbeenalone，frolicsomerefrainswhichherhoarseandgutturalvoicerenderedlugubrious。
　　Anindescribableconstraint，weariness，andhumiliationwereperceptiblebeneaththishardihood。Effronteryisadisgrace。
　　Nothingcouldbemoremelancholythantoseehersportabouttheroom，and，sotospeak，flitwiththemovementsofabirdwhichisfrightenedbythedaylight，orwhichhasbrokenitswing。
　　Onefeltthatunderotherconditionsofeducationanddestiny，thegayandover—freemienofthisyounggirlmighthaveturnedoutsweetandcharming。Never，evenamonganimals，doesthecreatureborntobeadovechangeintoanosprey。Thatisonlytobeseenamongmen。
　　Mariusreflected，andallowedhertohaveherway。
　　Sheapproachedthetable。
　　"Ah！"saidshe，"books！"
　　Aflashpiercedherglassyeye。Sheresumed，andheraccentexpressedthehappinesswhichshefeltinboastingofsomething，towhichnohumancreatureisinsensible:——
　　"Iknowhowtoread，Ido！"
　　Sheeagerlyseizedabookwhichlayopenonthetable，andreadwithtolerablefluency:——
　　"——GeneralBauduinreceivedorderstotakethechateauofHougomontwhichstandsinthemiddleoftheplainofWaterloo，withfivebattalionsofhisbrigade。"
　　Shepaused。
　　"Ah！Waterloo！Iknowaboutthat。Itwasabattlelongago。
　　Myfatherwasthere。Myfatherhasservedinthearmies。WearefineBonapartistsinourhouse，thatweare！WaterloowasagainsttheEnglish。"
　　Shelaiddownthebook，caughtupapen，andexclaimed:——
　　"AndIknowhowtowrite，too！"
　　Shedippedherpenintheink，andturningtoMarius:——
　　"Doyouwanttosee？Lookhere，I’mgoingtowriteawordtoshowyou。"
　　Andbeforehehadtimetoanswer，shewroteonasheetofwhitepaper，whichlayinthemiddleofthetable:"Thebobbiesarehere。"
　　Thenthrowingdownthepen:——
　　"Therearenofaultsoforthography。Youcanlook。Wehavereceivedaneducation，mysisterandI。Wehavenotalwaysbeenaswearenow。
　　Wewerenotmade——"
　　Hereshepaused，fixedherdulleyesonMarius，andburstoutlaughing，saying，withanintonationwhichcontainedeveryformofanguish，stifledbyeveryformofcynicism:——
　　"Bah！"
　　Andshebegantohumthesewordstoagayair:——
　　"J’aifaim，monpere。"Iamhungry，father。
　　Pasdefricot。Ihavenofood。
　　J’aifroid，mamere。Iamcold，mother。
　　Pasdetricot。Ihavenoclothes。
　　Grelotte，Lolotte！
　　Lolotte！Shiver，Sanglote，Sob，Jacquot！"Jacquot！"
　　Shehadhardlyfinishedthiscouplet，whensheexexclaimed:——
　　"Doyouevergototheplay，MonsieurMarius？Ido。Ihavealittlebrotherwhoisafriendoftheartists，andwhogivesmeticketssometimes。ButIdon’tlikethebenchesinthegalleries。
　　Oneiscrampedanduncomfortablethere。Thereareroughpeopletheresometimes；andpeoplewhosmellbad。"
　　ThenshescrutinizedMarius，assumedasingularairandsaid:——
　　"Doyouknow，Mr。Marius，thatyouareaveryhandsomefellow？"
　　Andatthesamemomentthesameideaoccurredtothemboth，andmadehersmileandhimblush。Shesteppeduptohim，andlaidherhandonhisshoulder:"Youpaynoheedtome，butIknowyou，Mr。Marius。Imeetyouhereonthestaircase，andthenIoftenseeyougoingtoapersonnamedFatherMabeufwholivesinthedirectionofAusterlitz，sometimeswhenIhavebeenstrollinginthatquarter。
　　Itisverybecomingtoyoutohaveyourhairtumbledthus。"
　　Shetriedtorenderhervoicesoft，butonlysucceededinmakingitverydeep。Aportionofherwordswaslostinthetransitfromherlarynxtoherlips，asthoughonapianowheresomenotesaremissing。
　　Mariushadretreatedgently。
　　"Mademoiselle，"saidhe，withhiscoolgravity，"Ihavehereapackagewhichbelongstoyou，Ithink。Permitmetoreturnittoyou。"
　　Andheheldouttheenvelopecontainingthefourletters。
　　Sheclappedherhandsandexclaimed:——
　　"Wehavebeenlookingeverywhereforthat！"
　　Thensheeagerlyseizedthepackageandopenedtheenvelope，sayingasshedidso:——
　　"DieudeDieu！howmysisterandIhavehunted！Anditwasyouwhofoundit！Ontheboulevard，wasitnot？Itmusthavebeenontheboulevard？Yousee，weletitfallwhenwewererunning。
　　Itwasthatbratofasisterofminewhowassostupid。Whenwegothome，wecouldnotfinditanywhere。Aswedidnotwishtobebeaten，asthatisuseless，asthatisentirelyuseless，asthatisabsolutelyuseless，wesaidthatwehadcarriedtheletterstotheproperpersons，andthattheyhadsaidtous:
　　`Nix。’Soheretheyare，thosepoorletters！Andhowdidyoufindoutthattheybelongedtome？Ah！yes，thewriting。Soitwasyouthatwejostledaswepassedlastnight。Wecouldn’tsee。
　　Isaidtomysister:`Isitagentleman？’Mysistersaidtome:
　　`Ithinkitisagentleman。’"
　　Inthemeanwhileshehadunfoldedthepetitionaddressedto"thebenevolentgentlemanofthechurchofSaint—Jacquesdu—Haut—Pas。"
　　"Here！"saidshe，"thisisforthatoldfellowwhogoestomass。
　　Bytheway，thisishishour。I’llgoandcarryittohim。
　　Perhapshewillgiveussomethingtobreakfaston。"
　　Thenshebegantolaughagain，andadded:——
　　"Doyouknowwhatitwillmeanifwegetabreakfasttoday？
　　Itwillmeanthatweshallhavehadourbreakfastofthedaybeforeyesterday，ourbreakfastofyesterday，ourdinnerofto—day，andallthatatonce，andthismorning。Come！Parbleu！ifyouarenotsatisfied，dogs，burst！"
　　ThisremindedMariusofthewretchedgirl’serrandtohimself。
　　Hefumbledinhiswaistcoatpocket，andfoundnothingthere。
　　Theyounggirlwenton，andseemedtohavenoconsciousnessofMarius’presence。
　　"Ioftengooffintheevening。SometimesIdon’tcomehomeagain。
　　Lastwinter，beforewecamehere，welivedunderthearchesofthebridges。Wehuddledtogethertokeepfromfreezing。
　　Mylittlesistercried。Howmelancholythewateris！WhenI
　　thoughtofdrowningmyself，Isaidtomyself:`No，it’stoocold。’
　　Igooutalone，wheneverIchoose，Isometimessleepintheditches。
　　Doyouknow，atnight，whenIwalkalongtheboulevard，Iseethetreeslikeforks，Iseehouses，allblackandasbigasNotreDame，Ifancythatthewhitewallsaretheriver，Isaytomyself:`Why，there’swaterthere！’Thestarsarelikethelampsinilluminations，onewouldsaythattheysmokedandthatthewindblewthemout，Iambewildered，asthoughhorseswerebreathinginmyears；
　　althoughitisnight，Ihearhand—organsandspinning—machines，andI
　　don’tknowwhatall。Ithinkpeopleareflingingstonesatme，Ifleewithoutknowingwhither，everythingwhirlsandwhirls。
　　Youfeelveryqueerwhenyouhavehadnofood。"
　　Andthenshestaredathimwithabewilderedair。
　　Bydintofsearchingandransackinghispockets，Mariushadfinallycollectedfivefrancssixteensous。Thiswasallheownedintheworldforthemoment。"Atallevents，"hethought，"thereismydinnerforto—day，andto—morrowwewillsee。"Hekeptthesixteensous，andhandedthefivefrancstotheyounggirl。
　　Sheseizedthecoin。
　　"Good！"saidshe，"thesunisshining！"
　　And，asthoughthesunhadpossessedthepropertyofmeltingtheavalanchesofslanginherbrain，shewenton:——
　　"Fivefrancs！theshiner！amonarch！inthishole！Ain’tthisfine！
　　You’reajollythief！I’myourhumbleservant！Bravoforthegoodfellows！Twodays’wine！andmeat！andstew！we’llhavearoyalfeast！andagoodfill！"
　　Shepulledherchemiseuponhershoulders，madealowbowtoMarius，thenafamiliarsignwithherhand，andwenttowardsthedoor，saying:——
　　"Goodmorning，sir。It’sallright。I’llgoandfindmyoldman。"
　　Asshepassed，shecaughtsightofadrycrustofbreadonthecommode，whichwasmouldingthereamidthedust；sheflungherselfuponitandbitintoit，muttering:——
　　"That’sgood！it’shard！itbreaksmyteeth！"
　　Thenshedeparted。