CHAPTERIV
　　DETAILSCONCERNINGTHECHEESE—DAIRIESOFPONTARLIER。
　　Now，inordertoconveyanideaofwhatpassedatthattable，wecannotdobetterthantotranscribehereapassagefromoneofMademoiselleBaptistine’sletterstoMadameBoischevron，whereintheconversationbetweentheconvictandtheBishopisdescribedwithingeniousminuteness。
　　"……Thismanpaidnoattentiontoanyone。Heatewiththevoracityofastarvingman。However，aftersupperhesaid:
　　"`MonsieurleCureofthegoodGod，allthisisfartoogoodforme；
　　butImustsaythatthecarterswhowouldnotallowmetoeatwiththemkeepabettertablethanyoudo。’
　　"Betweenourselves，theremarkrathershockedme。Mybrotherreplied:——
　　"`TheyaremorefatiguedthanI。’
　　"`No，’returnedtheman，`theyhavemoremoney。Youarepoor；
　　Iseethatplainly。Youcannotbeevenacurate。Areyoureallyacure？Ah，ifthegoodGodwerebutjust，youcertainlyoughttobeacure！’
　　"`ThegoodGodismorethanjust，’saidmybrother。
　　"Amomentlaterheadded:——
　　"`MonsieurJeanValjean，isittoPontarlierthatyouaregoing？’
　　"`Withmyroadmarkedoutforme。’
　　"Ithinkthatiswhatthemansaid。Thenhewenton:——
　　"`Imustbeonmywaybydaybreakto—morrow。Travellingishard。
　　Ifthenightsarecold，thedaysarehot。’
　　"`Youaregoingtoagoodcountry，’saidmybrother。`DuringtheRevolutionmyfamilywasruined。ItookrefugeinFranche—Comteatfirst，andthereIlivedforsometimebythetoilofmyhands。
　　Mywillwasgood。Ifoundplentytooccupyme。Onehasonlytochoose。
　　Therearepapermills，tanneries，distilleries，oilfactories，watchfactoriesonalargescale，steelmills，copperworks，twentyironfoundriesatleast，fourofwhich，situatedatLods，atChatillon，atAudincourt，andatBeure，aretolerablylarge。’
　　"IthinkIamnotmistakeninsayingthatthosearethenameswhichmybrothermentioned。Thenheinterruptedhimselfandaddressedme:——
　　"`Havewenotsomerelativesinthoseparts，mydearsister？’
　　"Ireplied，——
　　"`Wedidhavesome；amongothers，M。deLucenet，whowascaptainofthegatesatPontarlierundertheoldregime。’
　　"`Yes，’resumedmybrother；`butin’93，onehadnolongeranyrelatives，onehadonlyone’sarms。Iworked。Theyhave，inthecountryofPontarlier，whitheryouaregoing，MonsieurValjean，atrulypatriarchalandtrulycharmingindustry，mysister。
　　Itistheircheese—dairies，whichtheycallfruitieres。’
　　"Thenmybrother，whileurgingthemantoeat，explainedtohim，withgreatminuteness，whatthesefruitieresofPontarlierwere；
　　thattheyweredividedintotwoclasses:thebigbarnswhichbelongtotherich，andwheretherearefortyorfiftycowswhichproducefromseventoeightthousandcheeseseachsummer，andtheassociatedfruitieres，whichbelongtothepoor；thesearethepeasantsofmid—mountain，whoholdtheircowsincommon，andsharetheproceeds。
　　`Theyengagetheservicesofacheese—maker，whomtheycallthegrurin；
　　thegrurinreceivesthemilkoftheassociatesthreetimesaday，andmarksthequantityonadoubletally。ItistowardstheendofAprilthattheworkofthecheese—dairiesbegins；itistowardsthemiddleofJunethatthecheese—makersdrivetheircowstothemountains。’
　　"Themanrecoveredhisanimationasheate。MybrothermadehimdrinkthatgoodMauveswine，whichhedoesnotdrinkhimself，becausehesaysthatwineisexpensive。Mybrotherimpartedallthesedetailswiththateasygayetyofhiswithwhichyouareacquainted，interspersinghiswordswithgracefulattentionstome。Herecurredfrequentlytothatcomfortabletradeofgrurin，asthoughhewishedthemantounderstand，withoutadvisinghimdirectlyandharshly，thatthiswouldaffordhimarefuge。Onethingstruckme。
　　ThismanwaswhatIhavetoldyou。Well，neitherduringsupper，norduringtheentireevening，didmybrotherutterasingleword，withtheexceptionofafewwordsaboutJesuswhenheentered，whichcouldremindthemanofwhathewas，norofwhatmybrotherwas。
　　Toallappearances，itwasanoccasionforpreachinghimalittlesermon，andofimpressingtheBishopontheconvict，sothatamarkofthepassagemightremainbehind。Thismighthaveappearedtoanyoneelsewhohadthis，unfortunatemaninhishandstoaffordachancetonourishhissoulaswellashisbody，andtobestowuponhimsomereproach，seasonedwithmoralizingandadvice，oralittlecommiseration，withanexhortationtoconducthimselfbetterinthefuture。
　　Mybrotherdidnotevenaskhimfromwhatcountryhecame，norwhatwashishistory。Forinhishistorythereisafault，andmybrotherseemedtoavoideverythingwhichcouldremindhimofit。Tosuchapointdidhecarryit，thatatonetime，whenmybrotherwasspeakingofthemountaineersofPontarlier，whoexerciseagentlelabornearheaven，andwho，headded，arehappybecausetheyareinnocent，hestoppedshort，fearinglestinthisremarktheremighthaveescapedhimsomethingwhichmightwoundtheman。
　　Bydintofreflection，IthinkIhavecomprehendedwhatwaspassinginmybrother’sheart。Hewasthinking，nodoubt，thatthisman，whosenameisJeanValjean，hadhismisfortuneonlytoovividlypresentinhismind；thatthebestthingwastodiverthimfromit，andtomakehimbelieve，ifonlymomentarily，thathewasapersonlikeanyother，bytreatinghimjustinhisordinaryway。Isnotthisindeed，tounderstandcharitywell？Istherenot，dearMadame，somethingtrulyevangelicalinthisdelicacywhichabstainsfromsermon，frommoralizing，fromallusions？andisnotthetruestpity，whenamanhasasorepoint，nottotouchitatall？Ithasseemedtomethatthismighthavebeenmybrother’sprivatethought。
　　Inanycase，whatIcansayisthat，ifheentertainedalltheseideas，hegavenosignofthem；frombeginningtoend，eventomehewasthesameasheiseveryevening，andhesuppedwiththisJeanValjeanwiththesameairandinthesamemannerinwhichhewouldhavesuppedwithM。GedeonleProvost，orwiththecurateoftheparish。
　　"Towardstheend，whenhehadreachedthefigs，therecameaknockatthedoor。ItwasMotherGerbaud，withherlittleoneinherarms。
　　Mybrotherkissedthechildonthebrow，andborrowedfifteensouswhichIhadaboutmetogivetoMotherGerbaud。Themanwasnotpayingmuchheedtoanythingthen。Hewasnolongertalking，andheseemedverymuchfatigued。AfterpooroldGerbaudhadtakenherdeparture，mybrothersaidgrace；thenheturnedtothemanandsaidtohim，`Youmustbeingreatneedofyourbed。’MadameMagloireclearedthetableverypromptly。Iunderstoodthatwemustretire，inordertoallowthistravellertogotosleep，andwebothwentupstairs。Nevertheless，IsentMadameMagloiredownamomentlater，tocarrytotheman’sbedagoatskinfromtheBlackForest，whichwasinmyroom。Thenightsarefrigid，andthatkeepsonewarm。
　　Itisapitythatthisskinisold；allthehairisfallingout。
　　MybrotherboughtitwhilehewasinGermany，atTottlingen，nearthesourcesoftheDanube，aswellasthelittleivory—handledknifewhichIuseattable。
　　"MadameMagloirereturnedimmediately。Wesaidourprayersinthedrawing—room，wherewehangupthelinen，andthenweeachretiredtoourownchambers，withoutsayingawordtoeachother。"
　　CHAPTERV
　　TRANQUILLITY
　　Afterbiddinghissistergoodnight，MonseigneurBienvenutookoneofthetwosilvercandlesticksfromthetable，handedtheothertohisguest，andsaidtohim，——
　　"Monsieur，Iwillconductyoutoyourroom。"
　　Themanfollowedhim。
　　Asmighthavebeenobservedfromwhathasbeensaidabove，thehousewassoarrangedthatinordertopassintotheoratorywherethealcovewassituated，ortogetoutofit，itwasnecessarytotraversetheBishop’sbedroom。
　　Atthemomentwhenhewascrossingthisapartment，MadameMagloirewasputtingawaythesilverwareinthecupboardneartheheadofthebed。
　　Thiswasherlastcareeveryeveningbeforeshewenttobed。
　　TheBishopinstalledhisguestinthealcove。Afreshwhitebedhadbeenpreparedthere。Themansetthecandledownonasmalltable。
　　"Well，"saidtheBishop，"mayyoupassagoodnight。To—morrowmorning，beforeyousetout，youshalldrinkacupofwarmmilkfromourcows。"
　　"Thanks，Monsieurl’Abbe，"saidtheman。
　　Hardlyhadhepronouncedthesewordsfullofpeace，whenallofasudden，andwithouttransition，hemadeastrangemovement，whichwouldhavefrozenthetwosaintedwomenwithhorror，hadtheywitnessedit。Evenatthisdayitisdifficultforustoexplainwhatinspiredhimatthatmoment。Didheintendtoconveyawarningortothrowoutamenace？Washesimplyobeyingasortofinstinctiveimpulsewhichwasobscureeventohimself？
　　Heturnedabruptlytotheoldman，foldedhisarms，andbendinguponhishostasavagegaze，heexclaimedinahoarsevoice:——
　　"Ah！really！Youlodgemeinyourhouse，closetoyourselflikethis？"
　　Hebrokeoff，andaddedwithalaughinwhichtherelurkedsomethingmonstrous:——
　　"Haveyoureallyreflectedwell？HowdoyouknowthatIhavenotbeenanassassin？"
　　TheBishopreplied:——
　　"ThatistheconcernofthegoodGod。"
　　Thengravely，andmovinghislipslikeonewhoisprayingortalkingtohimself，heraisedtwofingersofhisrighthandandbestowedhisbenedictionontheman，whodidnotbow，andwithoutturninghisheadorlookingbehindhim，hereturnedtohisbedroom。
　　Whenthealcovewasinuse，alargesergecurtaindrawnfromwalltowallconcealedthealtar。TheBishopkneltbeforethiscurtainashepassedandsaidabriefprayer。Amomentlaterhewasinhisgarden，walking，meditating，conteplating，hisheartandsoulwhollyabsorbedinthosegrandandmysteriousthingswhichGodshowsatnighttotheeyeswhichremainopen。
　　Asfortheman，hewasactuallysofatiguedthathedidnotevenprofitbythenicewhitesheets。Snuffingouthiscandlewithhisnostrilsafterthemannerofconvicts，hedropped，alldressedashewas，uponthebed，whereheimmediatelyfellintoaprofoundsleep。
　　MidnightstruckastheBishopreturnedfromhisgardentohisapartment。
　　Afewminuteslaterallwereasleepinthelittlehouse。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　JEANVALJEAN
　　TowardsthemiddleofthenightJeanValjeanwoke。
　　JeanValjeancamefromapoorpeasantfamilyofBrie。Hehadnotlearnedtoreadinhischildhood。Whenhereachedman’sestate，bebecameatree—pruneratFaverolles。HismotherwasnamedJeanneMathieu；
　　hisfatherwascalledJeanValjeanorVlajean，probablyasobriquet，andacontractionofviolaJean，"here’sJean。"
　　JeanValjeanwasofthatthoughtfulbutnotgloomydispositionwhichconstitutesthepeculiarityofaffectionatenatures。
　　Onthewhole，however，therewassomethingdecidedlysluggishandinsignificantaboutJeanValjeaninappearance，atleast。
　　Hehadlosthisfatherandmotherataveryearlyage。Hismotherhaddiedofamilkfever，whichhadnotbeenproperlyattendedto。
　　Hisfather，atree—pruner，likehimself，hadbeenkilledbyafallfromatree。AllthatremainedtoJeanValjeanwasasisterolderthanhimself，——awidowwithsevenchildren，boysandgirls。
　　ThissisterhadbroughtupJeanValjean，andsolongasshehadahusbandshelodgedandfedheryoungbrother。
　　Thehusbanddied。Theeldestofthesevenchildrenwaseightyearsold。Theyoungest，one。
　　JeanValjeanhadjustattainedhistwenty—fifthyear。Hetookthefather’splace，and，inhisturn，supportedthesisterwhohadbroughthimup。ThiswasdonesimplyasadutyandevenalittlechurlishlyonthepartofJeanValjean。Thushisyouthhadbeenspentinrudeandill—paidtoil。Hehadneverknowna"kindwomanfriend"
　　inhisnativeparts。Hehadnothadthetimetofallinlove。
　　Hereturnedatnightweary，andatehisbrothwithoututteringaword。
　　Hissister，motherJeanne，oftentookthebestpartofhisrepastfromhisbowlwhilehewaseating，——abitofmeat，asliceofbacon，theheartofthecabbage，——togivetooneofherchildren。
　　Ashewentoneating，withhisheadbentoverthetableandalmostintohissoup，hislonghairfallingabouthisbowlandconcealinghiseyes，hehadtheairofperceivingnothingandallowingit。
　　TherewasatFaverolles，notfarfromtheValjeanthatchedcottage，ontheothersideofthelane，afarmer’swifenamedMarie—Claude；
　　theValjeanchildren，habituallyfamished，sometimeswenttoborrowfromMarie—Claudeapintofmilk，intheirmother’sname，whichtheydrankbehindahedgeorinsomealleycorner，snatchingthejugfromeachothersohastilythatthelittlegirlsspilleditontheirapronsanddowntheirnecks。Iftheirmotherhadknownofthismarauding，shewouldhavepunishedthedelinquentsseverely。
　　JeanValjeangrufflyandgrumblinglypaidMarie—Claudeforthepintofmilkbehindtheirmother’sback，andthechildrenwerenotpunished。
　　Inpruningseasonheearnedeighteensousaday；thenhehiredoutasahay—maker，aslaborer，asneat—herdonafarm，asadrudge。
　　Hedidwhateverhecould。Hissisterworkedalsobutwhatcouldshedowithsevenlittlechildren？Itwasasadgroupenvelopedinmisery，whichwasbeinggraduallyannihilated。Averyhardwintercame。
　　Jeanhadnowork。Thefamilyhadnobread。Nobreadliterally。
　　Sevenchildren！
　　OneSundayevening，MaubertIsabeau，thebakerontheChurchSquareatFaverolles，waspreparingtogotobed，whenheheardaviolentblowonthegratedfrontofhisshop。Hearrivedintimetoseeanarmpassedthroughaholemadebyablowfromafist，throughthegratingandtheglass。Thearmseizedaloafofbreadandcarrieditoff。Isabeauranoutinhaste；therobberfledatthefullspeedofhislegs。Isabeauranafterhimandstoppedhim。
　　Thethiefhadflungawaytheloaf，buthisarmwasstillbleeding。
　　ItwasJeanValjean。
　　Thistookplacein1795。JeanValjeanwastakenbeforethetribunalsofthetimefortheftandbreakingandenteringaninhabitedhouseatnight。Hehadagunwhichheusedbetterthananyoneelseintheworld，hewasabitofapoacher，andthisinjuredhiscase。Thereexistsalegitimateprejudiceagainstpoachers。
　　Thepoacher，likethesmuggler，smackstoostronglyofthebrigand。
　　Nevertheless，wewillremarkcursorily，thereisstillanabyssbetweentheseracesofmenandthehideousassassinofthetowns。
　　Thepoacherlivesintheforest，thesmugglerlivesinthemountainsoronthesea。Thecitiesmakeferociousmenbecausetheymakecorruptmen。Themountain，thesea，theforest，makesavagemen；
　　theydevelopthefierceside，butoftenwithoutdestroyingthehumaneside。
　　JeanValjeanwaspronouncedguilty。ThetermsoftheCodewereexplicit。Thereoccurformidablehoursinourcivilization；
　　therearemomentswhenthepenallawsdecreeashipwreck。
　　Whatanominousminuteisthatinwhichsocietydrawsbackandconsummatestheirreparableabandonmentofasentientbeing！
　　JeanValjeanwascondemnedtofiveyearsinthegalleys。
　　Onthe22dofApril，1796，thevictoryofMontenotte，wonbythegeneral—in—chiefofthearmyofItaly，whomthemessageoftheDirectorytotheFiveHundred，ofthe2dofFloreal，yearIV。，callsBuona—Parte，wasannouncedinParis；onthatsamedayagreatgangofgalley—slaveswasputinchainsatBicetre。JeanValjeanformedapartofthatgang。Anoldturnkeyoftheprison，whoisnownearlyeightyyearsold，stillrecallsperfectlythatunfortunatewretchwhowaschainedtotheendofthefourthline，inthenorthangleofthecourtyard。Hewasseatedonthegroundliketheothers。
　　Hedidnotseemtocomprehendhisposition，exceptthatitwashorrible。
　　Itisprobablethathe，also，wasdisentanglingfromamidthevagueideasofapoorman，ignorantofeverything，somethingexcessive。
　　Whiletheboltofhisironcollarwasbeingrivetedbehindhisheadwithheavyblowsfromthehammer，hewept，histearsstifledhim，theyimpededhisspeech；heonlymanagedtosayfromtimetotime，"Iwasatree—pruneratFaverolles。"Thenstillsobbing，heraisedhisrighthandandlowereditgraduallyseventimes，asthoughheweretouchinginsuccessionsevenheadsofunequalheights，andfromthisgestureitwasdivinedthatthethingwhichhehaddone，whateveritwas，hehaddoneforthesakeofclothingandnourishingsevenlittlechildren。
　　HesetoutforToulon。Hearrivedthere，afterajourneyoftwenty—sevendays，onacart，withachainonhisneck。AtToulonhewasclothedintheredcassock。Allthathadconstitutedhislife，eventohisname，waseffaced；hewasnolongerevenJeanValjean；hewasnumber24，601。Whatbecameofhissister？
　　Whatbecameofthesevenchildren？Whotroubledhimselfaboutthat？
　　Whatbecomesofthehandfulofleavesfromtheyoungtreewhichissawedoffattheroot？
　　Itisalwaysthesamestory。Thesepoorlivingbeings，thesecreaturesofGod，henceforthwithoutsupport，withoutguide，withoutrefuge，wanderedawayatrandom，——whoevenknows？——
　　eachinhisowndirectionperhaps，andlittlebylittleburiedthemselvesinthatcoldmistwhichengulfssolitarydestinies；
　　gloomyshades，intowhichdisappearinsuccessionsomanyunluckyheads，inthesombremarchofthehumanrace。Theyquittedthecountry。
　　Theclock—towerofwhathadbeentheirvillageforgotthem；theboundarylineofwhathadbeentheirfieldforgotthem；afterafewyears’
　　residenceinthegalleys，JeanValjeanhimselfforgotthem。
　　Inthatheart，wheretherehadbeenawound，therewasascar。
　　Thatisall。Onlyonce，duringallthetimewhichhespentatToulon，didhehearhissistermentioned。Thishappened，Ithink，towardstheendofthefourthyearofhiscaptivity。Iknownotthroughwhatchannelsthenewsreachedhim。Someonewhohadknownthemintheirowncountryhadseenhissister。ShewasinParis。
　　ShelivedinapoorstreetRearSaint—Sulpice，intheRueduGindre。
　　Shehadwithheronlyonechild，alittleboy，theyoungest。
　　Whereweretheothersix？Perhapsshedidnotknowherself。
　　Everymorningshewenttoaprintingoffice，No。3RueduSabot，whereshewasafolderandstitcher。Shewasobligedtobethereatsixo’clockinthemorning——longbeforedaylightinwinter。
　　Inthesamebuildingwiththeprintingofficetherewasaschool，andtothisschoolshetookherlittleboy，whowassevenyearsold。
　　Butassheenteredtheprintingofficeatsix，andtheschoolonlyopenedatseven，thechildhadtowaitinthecourtyard，fortheschooltoopen，foranhour——onehourofawinternightintheopenair！
　　Theywouldnotallowthechildtocomeintotheprintingoffice，becausehewasintheway，theysaid。Whentheworkmenpassedinthemorning，theybeheldthispoorlittlebeingseatedonthepavement，overcomewithdrowsiness，andoftenfastasleepintheshadow，croucheddownanddoubledupoverhisbasket。Whenitrained，anoldwoman，theportress，tookpityonhim；shetookhimintoherden，wheretherewasapallet，aspinning—wheel，andtwowoodenchairs，andthelittleoneslumberedinacorner，pressinghimselfclosetothecatthathemightsufferlessfromcold。Atseveno’clocktheschoolopened，andheentered。ThatiswhatwastoldtoJeanValjean。
　　Theytalkedtohimaboutitforoneday；itwasamoment，aflash，asthoughawindowhadsuddenlybeenopeneduponthedestinyofthosethingswhomhehadloved；thenallclosedagain。Heheardnothingmoreforever。Nothingfromthemeverreachedhimagain；
　　heneverbeheldthem；henevermetthemagain；andinthecontinuationofthismournfulhistorytheywillnotbemetwithanymore。
　　TowardstheendofthisfourthyearJeanValjean’sturntoescapearrived。Hiscomradesassistedhim，asisthecustominthatsadplace。
　　Heescaped。Hewanderedfortwodaysinthefieldsatliberty，ifbeingatlibertyistobehunted，toturntheheadeveryinstant，toquakeattheslightestnoise，tobeafraidofeverything，——ofasmokingroof，ofapassingman，ofabarkingdog，ofagallopinghorse，ofastrikingclock，ofthedaybecauseonecansee，ofthenightbecauseonecannotsee，ofthehighway，ofthepath，ofabush，ofsleep。Ontheeveningoftheseconddayhewascaptured。
　　Hehadneithereatennorsleptforthirty—sixhours。Themaritimetribunalcondemnedhim，forthiscrime，toaprolongationofhistermforthreeyears，whichmadeeightyears。Inthesixthyearhisturntoescapeoccurredagain；heavailedhimselfofit，butcouldnotaccomplishhisflightfully。Hewasmissingatroll—call。Thecannonwerefired，andatnightthepatrolfoundhimhiddenunderthekeelofavesselinprocessofconstruction；
　　heresistedthegalleyguardswhoseizedhim。Escapeandrebellion。
　　Thiscase，providedforbyaspecialcode，waspunishedbyanadditionoffiveyears，twooftheminthedoublechain。Thirteenyears。
　　Inthetenthyearhisturncameroundagain；heagainprofitedbyit；
　　hesucceedednobetter。Threeyearsforthisfreshattempt。
　　Sixteenyears。Finally，Ithinkitwasduringhisthirteenthyear，hemadealastattempt，andonlysucceededingettingretakenattheendoffourhoursofabsence。Threeyearsforthosefourhours。
　　Nineteenyears。InOctober，1815，hewasreleased；hehadenteredtherein1796，forhavingbrokenapaneofglassandtakenaloafofbread。
　　Roomforabriefparenthesis。Thisisthesecondtime，duringhisstudiesonthepenalquestionanddamnationbylaw，thattheauthorofthisbookhascomeacrossthetheftofaloafofbreadasthepointofdepartureforthedisasterofadestiny。
　　ClaudeGauxhadstolenaloaf；JeanValjeanhadstolenaloaf。
　　EnglishstatisticsprovethefactthatfourtheftsoutoffiveinLondonhavehungerfortheirimmediatecause。
　　JeanValjeanhadenteredthegalleyssobbingandshuddering；
　　heemergedimpassive。Hehadenteredindespair；heemergedgloomy。
　　Whathadtakenplaceinthatsoul？
　　CHAPTERVII
　　THEINTERIOROFDESPAIR
　　Letustrytosayit。
　　Itisnecessarythatsocietyshouldlookatthesethings，becauseitisitselfwhichcreatesthem。
　　Hewas，aswehavesaid，anignorantman，buthewasnotafool。
　　Thelightofnaturewasignitedinhim。Unhappiness，whichalsopossessesaclearnessofvisionofitsown，augmentedthesmallamountofdaylightwhichexistedinthismind。Beneaththecudgel，beneaththechain，inthecell，inhardship，beneaththeburningsunofthegalleys，upontheplankbedoftheconvict，hewithdrewintohisownconsciousnessandmeditated。
　　Heconstitutedhimselfthetribunal。
　　Hebeganbyputtinghimselfontrial。
　　Herecognizedthefactthathewasnotaninnocentmanunjustlypunished。
　　Headmittedthathehadcommittedanextremeandblameworthyact；
　　thatthatloafofbreadwouldprobablynothavebeenrefusedtohimhadheaskedforit；that，inanycase，itwouldhavebeenbettertowaituntilhecouldgetitthroughcompassionorthroughwork；
　　thatitisnotanunanswerableargumenttosay，"Canonewaitwhenoneishungry？"That，inthefirstplace，itisveryrareforanyonetodieofhunger，literally；andnext，that，fortunatelyorunfortunately，manissoconstitutedthathecansufferlongandmuch，bothmorallyandphysically，withoutdying；thatitisthereforenecessarytohavepatience；thatthatwouldevenhavebeenbetterforthosepoorlittlechildren；thatithadbeenanactofmadnessforhim，amiserable，unfortunatewretch，totakesocietyatlargeviolentlybythecollar，andtoimaginethatonecanescapefrommiserythroughtheft；
　　thatthatisinanycaseapoordoorthroughwhichtoescapefrommiserythroughwhichinfamyenters；inshort，thathewasinthewrong。
　　Thenheaskedhimself——
　　Whetherhehadbeentheonlyoneinfaultinhisfatalhistory。
　　Whetheritwasnotaseriousthing，thathe，alaborer，outofwork，thathe，anindustriousman，shouldhavelackedbread。Andwhether，thefaultoncecommittedandconfessed，thechastisementhadnotbeenferociousanddisproportioned。Whethertherehadnotbeenmoreabuseonthepartofthelaw，inrespecttothepenalty，thantherehadbeenonthepartoftheculpritinrespecttohisfault。Whethertherehadnotbeenanexcessofweightsinonebalanceofthescale，intheonewhichcontainsexpiation。Whethertheover—weightofthepenaltywasnotequivalenttotheannihilationofthecrime，anddidnotresultinreversingthesituation，ofreplacingthefaultofthedelinquentbythefaultoftherepression，ofconvertingtheguiltymanintothevictim，andthedebtorintothecreditor，andofrangingthelawdefinitelyonthesideofthemanwhohadviolatedit。
　　Whetherthispenalty，complicatedbysuccessiveaggravationsforattemptsatescape，hadnotendedinbecomingasortofoutrageperpetratedbythestrongeruponthefeebler，acrimeofsocietyagainsttheindividual，acrimewhichwasbeingcommittedafresheveryday，acrimewhichhadlastednineteenyears。
　　Heaskedhimselfwhetherhumansocietycouldhavetherighttoforceitsmemberstosufferequallyinonecaseforitsownunreasonablelackofforesight，andintheothercaseforitspitilessforesight；
　　andtoseizeapoormanforeverbetweenadefectandanexcess，adefaultofworkandanexcessofpunishment。
　　Whetheritwasnotoutrageousforsocietytotreatthuspreciselythoseofitsmemberswhoweretheleastwellendowedinthedivisionofgoodsmadebychance，andconsequentlythemostdeservingofconsideration。
　　Thesequestionsputandanswered，hejudgedsocietyandcondemnedit。
　　Hecondemnedittohishatred。
　　Hemadeitresponsibleforthefatewhichhewassuffering，andhesaidtohimselfthatitmightbethatonedayheshouldnothesitatetocallittoaccount。Hedeclaredtohimselfthattherewasnoequilibriumbetweentheharmwhichhehadcausedandtheharmwhichwasbeingdonetohim；hefinallyarrivedattheconclusionthathispunishmentwasnot，intruth，unjust，butthatitmostassuredlywasiniquitous。
　　Angermaybebothfoolishandabsurd；onecanbeirritatedwrongfully；
　　oneisexasperatedonlywhenthereissomeshowofrightonone’ssideatbottom。JeanValjeanfelthimselfexasperated。
　　Andbesides，humansocietyhaddonehimnothingbutharm；hehadneverseenanythingofitsavethatangryfacewhichitcallsJustice，andwhichitshowstothosewhomitstrikes。Menhadonlytouchedhimtobruisehim。Everycontactwiththemhadbeenablow。
　　Never，sincehisinfancy，sincethedaysofhismother，ofhissister，hadheeverencounteredafriendlywordandakindlyglance。
　　Fromsufferingtosuffering，hehadgraduallyarrivedattheconvictionthatlifeisawar；andthatinthiswarhewastheconquered。
　　Hehadnootherweaponthanhishate。Heresolvedtowhetitinthegalleysandtobearitawaywithhimwhenhedeparted。
　　TherewasatToulonaschoolfortheconvicts，keptbytheIgnorantinfriars，wherethemostnecessarybranchesweretaughttothoseoftheunfortunatemenwhohadamindforthem。Hewasofthenumberwhohadamind。Hewenttoschoolattheageofforty，andlearnedtoread，towrite，tocipher。Hefeltthattofortifyhisintelligencewastofortifyhishate。Incertaincases，educationandenlightenmentcanservetoekeoutevil。
　　Thisisasadthingtosay；afterhavingjudgedsociety，whichhadcausedhisunhappiness，hejudgedProvidence，whichhadmadesociety，andhecondemneditalso。
　　Thusduringnineteenyearsoftortureandslavery，thissoulmountedandatthesametimefell。Lightentereditononeside，anddarknessontheother。
　　JeanValjeanhadnot，aswehaveseen，anevilnature。Hewasstillgoodwhenhearrivedatthegalleys。Hetherecondemnedsociety，andfeltthathewasbecomingwicked；hetherecondemnedProvidence，andwasconsciousthathewasbecomingimpious。
　　Itisdifficultnottoindulgeinmeditationatthispoint。
　　Doeshumannaturethuschangeutterlyandfromtoptobottom？
　　CanthemancreatedgoodbyGodberenderedwickedbyman？
　　Canthesoulbecompletelymadeoverbyfate，andbecomeevil，fatebeingevil？Cantheheartbecomemisshapenandcontractincurabledeformitiesandinfirmitiesundertheoppressionofadisproportionateunhappiness，asthevertebralcolumnbeneathtoolowavault？Istherenotineveryhumansoul，wastherenotinthesoulofJeanValjeaninparticular，afirstspark，adivineelement，incorruptibleinthisworld，immortalintheother，whichgoodcandevelop，fan，ignite，andmaketoglowwithsplendor，andwhichevilcanneverwhollyextinguish？
　　Graveandobscurequestions，tothelastofwhicheveryphysiologistwouldprobablyhaverespondedno，andthatwithouthesitation，hadhebeheldatToulon，duringthehoursofrepose，whichwereforJeanValjeanhoursofrevery，thisgloomygalley—slave，seatedwithfoldedarmsuponthebarofsomecapstan，withtheendofhischainthrustintohispockettopreventitsdragging，serious，silent，andthoughtful，apariahofthelawswhichregardedthemanwithwrath，condemnedbycivilization，andregardingheavenwithseverity。
　　Certainly，——andwemakenoattempttodissimulatethefact，——
　　theobservingphysiologistwouldhavebeheldanirremediablemisery；
　　hewould，perchance，havepitiedthissickman，ofthelaw’smaking；
　　buthewouldnothaveevenessayedanytreatment；hewouldhaveturnedasidehisgazefromthecavernsofwhichhewouldhavecaughtaglimpsewithinthissoul，and，likeDanteattheportalsofhell，hewouldhaveeffacedfromthisexistencethewordwhichthefingerofGodhas，nevertheless，inscribeduponthebrowofeveryman，——hope。
　　Wasthisstateofhissoul，whichwehaveattemptedtoanalyze，asperfectlycleartoJeanValjeanaswehavetriedtorenderitforthosewhoreadus？DidJeanValjeandistinctlyperceive，aftertheirformation，andhadheseendistinctlyduringtheprocessoftheirformation，alltheelementsofwhichhismoralmiserywascomposed？Hadthisroughandunletteredmangatheredaperfectlyclearperceptionofthesuccessionofideasthroughwhichhehad，bydegrees，mountedanddescendedtothelugubriousaspectswhichhad，forsomanyyears，formedtheinnerhorizonofhisspirit？
　　Washeconsciousofallthatpassedwithinhim，andofallthatwasworkingthere？Thatissomethingwhichwedonotpresumetostate；
　　itissomethingwhichwedonotevenbelieve。TherewastoomuchignoranceinJeanValjean，evenafterhismisfortune，topreventmuchvaguenessfromstilllingeringthere。Attimeshedidnotrightlyknowhimselfwhathefelt。JeanValjeanwasintheshadows；hesufferedintheshadows；hehatedintheshadows；onemighthavesaidthathehatedinadvanceofhimself。Hedwelthabituallyinthisshadow，feelinghiswaylikeablindmanandadreamer。Only，atintervals，theresuddenlycametohim，fromwithoutandfromwithin，anaccessofwrath，asurchargeofsuffering，alividandrapidflashwhichilluminatedhiswholesoul，andcausedtoappearabruptlyallaroundhim，infront，behind，amidthegleamsofafrightfullight，thehideousprecipicesandthesombreperspectiveofhisdestiny。
　　Theflashpassed，thenightclosedinagain；andwherewashe？
　　Henolongerknew。Thepeculiarityofpainsofthisnature，inwhichthatwhichispitiless——thatistosay，thatwhichisbrutalizing——predominates，istotransformaman，littlebylittle，byasortofstupidtransfiguration，intoawildbeast；
　　sometimesintoaferociousbeast。
　　JeanValjean’ssuccessiveandobstinateattemptsatescapewouldalonesufficetoprovethisstrangeworkingofthelawuponthehumansoul。JeanValjeanwouldhaverenewedtheseattempts，utterlyuselessandfoolishastheywere，asoftenastheopportunityhadpresenteditself，withoutreflectingforaninstantontheresult，norontheexperienceswhichhehadalreadygonethrough。
　　Heescapedimpetuously，likethewolfwhofindshiscageopen。
　　Instinctsaidtohim，"Flee！"Reasonwouldhavesaid，"Remain！"
　　Butinthepresenceofsoviolentatemptation，reasonvanished；
　　nothingremainedbutinstinct。Thebeastaloneacted。Whenhewasrecaptured，thefreshseveritiesinflictedonhimonlyservedtorenderhimstillmorewild。
　　Onedetail，whichwemustnotomit，isthathepossessedaphysicalstrengthwhichwasnotapproachedbyasingleoneofthedenizensofthegalleys。Atwork，atpayingoutacableorwindingupacapstan，JeanValjeanwasworthfourmen。Hesometimesliftedandsustainedenormousweightsonhisback；andwhentheoccasiondemandedit，hereplacedthatimplementwhichiscalledajack—screw，andwasformerlycalledorgueil[pride]，whence，wemayremarkinpassing，isderivedthenameoftheRueMontorgueil，neartheHalles[Fishmarket]
　　inParis。HiscomradeshadnicknamedhimJeantheJack—screw。Once，whentheywererepairingthebalconyofthetown—hallatToulon，oneofthoseadmirablecaryatidsofPuget，whichsupportthebalcony，becameloosened，andwasonthepointoffalling。JeanValjean，whowaspresent，supportedthecaryatidwithhisshoulder，andgavetheworkmentimetoarrive。
　　Hissupplenessevenexceededhisstrength。Certainconvictswhowereforeverdreamingofescape，endedbymakingaveritablescienceofforceandskillcombined。Itisthescienceofmuscles。
　　Anentiresystemofmysteriousstaticsisdailypractisedbyprisoners，menwhoareforeverenviousofthefliesandbirds。
　　Toclimbaverticalsurface，andtofindpointsofsupportwherehardlyaprojectionwasvisible，wasplaytoJeanValjean。
　　Anangleofthewallbeinggiven，withthetensionofhisbackandlegs，withhiselbowsandhisheelsfittedintotheunevennessofthestone，heraisedhimselfasifbymagictothethirdstory。
　　Hesometimesmountedthuseventotheroofofthegalleyprison。
　　Hespokebutlittle。Helaughednotatall。Anexcessiveemotionwasrequiredtowringfromhim，onceortwiceayear，thatlugubriouslaughoftheconvict，whichisliketheechoofthelaughofademon。
　　Toallappearance，heseemedtobeoccupiedintheconstantcontemplationofsomethingterrible。
　　Hewasabsorbed，infact。
　　Athwarttheunhealthyperceptionsofanincompletenatureandacrushedintelligence，hewasconfusedlyconsciousthatsomemonstrousthingwasrestingonhim。Inthatobscureandwanshadowwithinwhichhecrawled，eachtimethatheturnedhisneckandessayedtoraisehisglance，heperceivedwithterror，mingledwithrage，asortoffrightfulaccumulationofthings，collectingandmountingabovehim，beyondtherangeofhisvision，——
　　laws，prejudices，men，anddeeds，——whoseoutlinesescapedhim，whosemassterrifiedhim，andwhichwasnothingelsethanthatprodigiouspyramidwhichwecallcivilization。Hedistinguished，hereandthereinthatswarmingandformlessmass，nownearhim，nowafaroffandoninaccessibletable—lands，somegroup，somedetail，vividlyilluminated；herethegalley—sergeantandhiscudgel；
　　therethegendarmeandhissword；yonderthemitredarchbishop；
　　awayatthetop，likeasortofsun，theEmperor，crownedanddazzling。
　　Itseemedtohimthatthesedistantsplendors，farfromdissipatinghisnight，rendereditmorefunerealandmoreblack。Allthis——
　　laws，prejudices，deeds，men，things——wentandcameabovehim，overhishead，inaccordancewiththecomplicatedandmysteriousmovementwhichGodimpartstocivilization，walkingoverhimandcrushinghimwithIknownotwhatpeacefulnessinitscrueltyandinexorabilityinitsindifference。Soulswhichhavefallentothebottomofallpossiblemisfortune，unhappymenlostinthelowestofthoselimbosatwhichnooneanylongerlooks，thereprovedofthelaw，feelthewholeweightofthishumansociety，soformidableforhimwhoiswithout，sofrightfulforhimwhoisbeneath，restingupontheirheads。
　　InthissituationJeanValjeanmeditated；andwhatcouldbethenatureofhismeditation？
　　Ifthegrainofmilletbeneaththemillstonehadthoughts，itwould，doubtless，thinkthatsamethingwhichJeanValjeanthought。
　　Allthesethings，realitiesfullofspectres，phantasmagoriesfullofrealities，hadeventuallycreatedforhimasortofinteriorstatewhichisalmostindescribable。
　　Attimes，amidhisconvicttoil，hepaused。Hefelltothinking。
　　Hisreason，atoneandthesametimeriperandmoretroubledthanofyore，roseinrevolt。Everythingwhichhadhappenedtohimseemedtohimabsurd；everythingthatsurroundedhimseemedtohimimpossible。Hesaidtohimself，"Itisadream。"
　　Hegazedatthegalley—sergeantstandingafewpacesfromhim；
　　thegalley—sergeantseemedaphantomtohim。Allofasuddenthephantomdealthimablowwithhiscudgel。
　　Visiblenaturehardlyexistedforhim。ItwouldalmostbetruetosaythatthereexistedforJeanValjeanneithersun，norfinesummerdays，norradiantsky，norfreshAprildawns。
　　Iknownotwhatvent—holedaylighthabituallyilluminedhissoul。
　　Tosumup，inconclusion，thatwhichcanbesummedupandtranslatedintopositiveresultsinallthatwehavejustpointedout，wewillconfineourselvestothestatementthat，inthecourseofnineteenyears，JeanValjean，theinoffensivetree—prunerofFaverolles，theformidableconvictofToulon，hadbecomecapable，thankstothemannerinwhichthegalleyshadmouldedhim，oftwosortsofevilaction:firstly，ofevilactionwhichwasrapid，unpremeditated，dashing，entirelyinstinctive，inthenatureofreprisalsfortheevilwhichhehadundergone；secondly，ofevilactionwhichwasserious，grave，consciouslyarguedoutandpremeditated，withthefalseideaswhichsuchamisfortunecanfurnish。Hisdeliberatedeedspassedthroughthreesuccessivephases，whichnaturesofacertainstampcanalonetraverse，——reasoning，will，perseverance。
　　Hehadformovingcauseshishabitualwrath，bitternessofsoul，aprofoundsenseofindignitiessuffered，thereactionevenagainstthegood，theinnocent，andthejust，ifthereareanysuch。
　　Thepointofdeparture，likethepointofarrival，forallhisthoughts，washatredofhumanlaw；thathatredwhich，ifitbenotarrestedinitsdevelopmentbysomeprovidentialincident，becomes，withinagiventime，thehatredofsociety，thenthehatredofthehumanrace，thenthehatredofcreation，andwhichmanifestsitselfbyavague，incessant，andbrutaldesiretodoharmtosomelivingbeing，nomatterwhom。ItwillbeperceivedthatitwasnotwithoutreasonthatJeanValjean’spassportdescribedhimasaverydangerousman。
　　Fromyeartoyearthissoulhaddriedawayslowly，butwithfatalsureness。Whentheheartisdry，theeyeisdry。Onhisdeparturefromthegalleysithadbeennineteenyearssincehehadshedatear。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　BILLOWSANDSHADOWS
　　Amanoverboard！
　　Whatmattersit？Thevesseldoesnothalt。Thewindblows。
　　Thatsombreshiphasapathwhichitisforcedtopursue。
　　Itpasseson。
　　Themandisappears，thenreappears；heplunges，herisesagaintothesurface；hecalls，hestretchesouthisarms；heisnotheard。
　　Thevessel，tremblingunderthehurricane，iswhollyabsorbedinitsownworkings；thepassengersandsailorsdonotevenseethedrowningman；
　　hismiserableheadisbutaspeckamidtheimmensityofthewaves。
　　Hegivesventtodesperatecriesfromoutofthedepths。Whataspectreisthatretreatingsail！Hegazesandgazesatitfrantically。
　　Itretreats，itgrowsdim，itdiminishesinsize。Hewastherebutjustnow，hewasoneofthecrew，hewentandcamealongthedeckwiththerest，hehadhispartofbreathandofsunlight，hewasalivingman。Now，whathastakenplace？Hehasslipped，hehasfallen；allisatanend。
　　Heisinthetremendoussea。Underfoothehasnothingbutwhatfleesandcrumbles。Thebillows，tornandlashedbythewind，encompasshimhideously；thetossingsoftheabyssbearhimaway；
　　allthetonguesofwaterdashoverhishead；apopulaceofwavesspitsuponhim；confusedopeningshalfdevourhim；everytimethathesinks，hecatchesglimpsesofprecipicesfilledwithnight；
　　frightfulandunknownvegetationsseizehim，knotabouthisfeet，drawhimtothem；heisconsciousthatheisbecominganabyss，thatheformspartofthefoam；thewavestosshimfromonetoanother；
　　hedrinksinthebitterness；thecowardlyoceanattackshimfuriously，todrownhim；theenormityplayswithhisagony。Itseemsasthoughallthatwaterwerehate。
　　Nevertheless，hestruggles。
　　Hetriestodefendhimself；hetriestosustainhimself；hemakesaneffort；heswims。He，hispettystrengthallexhaustedinstantly，combatstheinexhaustible。
　　Where，then，istheship？Yonder。Barelyvisibleinthepaleshadowsofthehorizon。
　　Thewindblowsingusts；allthefoamoverwhelmshim。
　　Heraiseshiseyesandbeholdsonlythelividnessoftheclouds。
　　Hewitnesses，amidhisdeath—pangs，theimmensemadnessofthesea。
　　Heistorturedbythismadness；hehearsnoisesstrangetoman，whichseemtocomefrombeyondthelimitsoftheearth，andfromoneknowsnotwhatfrightfulregionbeyond。
　　Therearebirdsintheclouds，justasthereareangelsabovehumandistresses；butwhatcantheydoforhim？Theysingandflyandfloat，andhe，herattlesinthedeathagony。
　　Hefeelshimselfburiedinthosetwoinfinities，theoceanandthesky，atoneandthesametime:theoneisatomb；theotherisashroud。
　　Nightdescends；hehasbeenswimmingforhours；hisstrengthisexhausted；thatship，thatdistantthinginwhichthereweremen，hasvanished；heisaloneintheformidabletwilightgulf；
　　hesinks，hestiffenshimself，hetwistshimself；hefeelsunderhimthemonstrousbillowsoftheinvisible；heshouts。
　　Therearenomoremen。WhereisGod？
　　Heshouts。Help！Help！Hestillshoutson。
　　Nothingonthehorizon；nothinginheaven。
　　Heimplorestheexpanse，thewaves，theseaweed，thereef；
　　theyaredeaf。Hebeseechesthetempest；theimperturbabletempestobeysonlytheinfinite。
　　Aroundhimdarkness，fog，solitude，thestormyandnonsentienttumult，theundefinedcurlingofthosewildwaters。Inhimhorrorandfatigue。
　　Beneathhimthedepths。Notapointofsupport。Hethinksofthegloomyadventuresofthecorpseinthelimitlessshadow。
　　Thebottomlesscoldparalyzeshim。Hishandscontractconvulsively；
　　theyclose，andgraspnothingness。Winds，clouds，whirlwinds，gusts，uselessstars！Whatistobedone？Thedesperatemangivesup；
　　heisweary，hechoosesthealternativeofdeath；heresistsnot；
　　heletshimselfgo；heabandonshisgrip；andthenhetossesforevermoreinthelugubriousdrearydepthsofengulfment。
　　Oh，implacablemarchofhumansocieties！Oh，lossesofmenandofsoulsontheway！Oceanintowhichfallsallthatthelawletsslip！
　　Disastrousabsenceofhelp！Oh，moraldeath！
　　Theseaistheinexorablesocialnightintowhichthepenallawsflingtheircondemned。Theseaistheimmensityofwretchedness。
　　Thesoul，goingdownstreaminthisgulf，maybecomeacorpse。
　　Whoshallresuscitateit？
　　CHAPTERIX
　　NEWTROUBLES
　　Whenthehourcameforhimtotakehisdeparturefromthegalleys，whenJeanValjeanheardinhisearthestrangewords，Thouartfree！
　　themomentseemedimprobableandunprecedented；arayofvividlight，arayofthetruelightoftheliving，suddenlypenetratedwithinhim。
　　Butitwasnotlongbeforethisraypaled。JeanValjeanhadbeendazzledbytheideaofliberty。Hehadbelievedinanewlife。
　　Heveryspeedilyperceivedwhatsortoflibertyitistowhichayellowpassportisprovided。
　　Andthiswasencompassedwithmuchbitterness。Hehadcalculatedthathisearnings，duringhissojourninthegalleys，oughttoamounttoahundredandseventy—onefrancs。ItisbutjusttoaddthathehadforgottentoincludeinhiscalculationstheforcedreposeofSundaysandfestivaldaysduringnineteenyears，whichentailedadiminutionofabouteightyfrancs。Atallevents，hishoardhadbeenreducedbyvariouslocalleviestothesumofonehundredandninefrancsfifteensous，whichhadbeencountedouttohimonhisdeparture。
　　Hehadunderstoodnothingofthis，andhadthoughthimselfwronged。
　　Letussaytheword——robbed。
　　Onthedayfollowinghisliberation，hesaw，atGrasse，infrontofanorange—flowerdistillery，somemenengagedinunloadingbales。
　　Heofferedhisservices。Businesswaspressing；theywereaccepted。
　　Hesettowork。Hewasintelligent，robust，adroit；hedidhisbest；
　　themasterseemedpleased。Whilehewasatwork，agendarmepassed，observedhim，anddemandedhispapers。Itwasnecessarytoshowhimtheyellowpassport。Thatdone，JeanValjeanresumedhislabor。
　　Alittlewhilebeforehehadquestionedoneoftheworkmenastotheamountwhichtheyearnedeachdayatthisoccupation；
　　hehadbeentoldthirtysous。Wheneveningarrived，ashewasforcedtosetoutagainonthefollowingday，hepresentedhimselftotheownerofthedistilleryandrequestedtobepaid。Theownerdidnotutteraword，buthandedhimfifteensous。Heobjected。
　　Hewastold，"Thatisenoughforthee。"Hepersisted。Themasterlookedhimstraightbetweentheeyes，andsaidtohim"Bewareoftheprison。"
　　There，again，heconsideredthathehadbeenrobbed。
　　Society，theState，bydiminishinghishoard，hadrobbedhimwholesale。
　　Nowitwastheindividualwhowasrobbinghimatretail。
　　Liberationisnotdeliverance。Onegetsfreefromthegalleys，butnotfromthesentence。
　　ThatiswhathappenedtohimatGrasse。WehaveseeninwhatmannerhewasreceivedatD————
　　CHAPTERX
　　THEMANAROUSED
　　AstheCathedralclockstrucktwointhemorning，JeanValjeanawoke。
　　Whatwokehimwasthathisbedwastoogood。Itwasnearlytwentyyearssincehehadsleptinabed，and，althoughhehadnotundressed，thesensationwastoonovelnottodisturbhisslumbers。
　　Hehadsleptmorethanfourhours。Hisfatiguehadpassedaway。
　　Hewasaccustomednottodevotemanyhourstorepose。
　　Heopenedhiseyesandstaredintothegloomwhichsurroundedhim；
　　thenheclosedthemagain，withtheintentionofgoingtosleeponcemore。
　　Whenmanyvariedsensationshaveagitatedtheday，whenvariousmatterspreoccupythemind，onefallsasleeponce，butnotasecondtime。
　　Sleepcomesmoreeasilythanitreturns。ThisiswhathappenedtoJeanValjean。Hecouldnotgettosleepagain，andhefelltothinking。
　　Hewasatoneofthosemomentswhenthethoughtswhichonehasinone’smindaretroubled。Therewasasortofdarkconfusioninhisbrain。
　　Hismemoriesoftheoldentimeandoftheimmediatepresentfloatedtherepell—mellandmingledconfusedly，losingtheirproperforms，becomingdisproportionatelylarge，thensuddenlydisappearing，asinamuddyandperturbedpool。Manythoughtsoccurredtohim；
　　buttherewasonewhichkeptconstantlypresentingitselfafresh，andwhichdroveawayallothers。Wewillmentionthisthoughtatonce:
　　hehadobservedthesixsetsofsilverforksandspoonsandtheladlewhichMadameMagloirehadplacedonthetable。
　　Thosesixsetsofsilverhauntedhim。——Theywerethere。——Afewpacesdistant。——Justashewastraversingtheadjoiningroomtoreachtheoneinwhichhethenwas，theoldservant—womanhadbeenintheactofplacingtheminalittlecupboardneartheheadofthebed。——
　　Hehadtakencarefulnoteofthiscupboard。——Ontheright，asyouenteredfromthedining—room。——Theyweresolid。——Andoldsilver。——
　　Fromtheladleonecouldgetatleasttwohundredfrancs。——
　　Doublewhathehadearnedinnineteenyears。——Itistruethathewouldhaveearnedmoreif"theadministrationhadnotrobbedhim。"
　　Hismindwaveredforawholehourinfluctuationswithwhichtherewascertainlymingledsomestruggle。Threeo’clockstruck。Heopenedhiseyesagain，drewhimselfupabruptlyintoasittingposture，stretchedouthisarmandfeltofhisknapsack，whichhehadthrowndownonacornerofthealcove；thenhehunghislegsovertheedgeofthebed，andplacedhisfeetonthefloor，andthusfoundhimself，almostwithoutknowingit，seatedonhisbed。
　　Heremainedforatimethoughtfullyinthisattitude，whichwouldhavebeensuggestiveofsomethingsinisterforanyonewhohadseenhimthusinthedark，theonlypersonawakeinthathousewhereallweresleeping。Allofasuddenhestoopeddown，removedhisshoesandplacedthemsoftlyonthematbesidethebed；thenheresumedhisthoughtfulattitude，andbecamemotionlessoncemore。
　　Throughoutthishideousmeditation，thethoughtswhichwehaveaboveindicatedmovedincessantlythroughhisbrain；entered，withdrew，re—entered，andinamanneroppressedhim；andthenhethought，also，withoutknowingwhy，andwiththemechanicalpersistenceofrevery，ofaconvictnamedBrevet，whomhehadknowninthegalleys，andwhosetrousershadbeenupheldbyasinglesuspenderofknittedcotton。
　　Thecheckeredpatternofthatsuspenderrecurredincessantlytohismind。
　　Heremainedinthissituation，andwouldhavesoremainedindefinitely，evenuntildaybreak，hadnottheclockstruckone——thehalforquarterhour。Itseemedtohimthatthatstrokesaidtohim，"Comeon！"
　　Herosetohisfeet，hesitatedstillanothermoment，andlistened；
　　allwasquietinthehouse；thenhewalkedstraightahead，withshortsteps，tothewindow，ofwhichhecaughtaglimpse。
　　Thenightwasnotverydark；therewasafullmoon，acrosswhichcoursedlargecloudsdrivenbythewind。Thiscreated，outdoors，alternateshadowandgleamsoflight，eclipses，thenbrightopeningsoftheclouds；andindoorsasortoftwilight。Thistwilight，sufficienttoenableapersontoseehisway，intermittentonaccountoftheclouds，resembledthesortoflividlightwhichfallsthroughanair—holeinacellar，beforewhichthepassersbycomeandgo。Onarrivingatthewindow，JeanValjeanexaminedit。
　　Ithadnograting；itopenedinthegardenandwasfastened，accordingtothefashionofthecountry，onlybyasmallpin。
　　Heopenedit；butasarushofcoldandpiercingairpenetratedtheroomabruptly，hecloseditagainimmediately。Hescrutinizedthegardenwiththatattentivegazewhichstudiesratherthanlooks。
　　Thegardenwasenclosedbyatolerablylowwhitewall，easytoclimb。
　　Faraway，attheextremity，heperceivedtopsoftrees，spacedatregularintervals，whichindicatedthatthewallseparatedthegardenfromanavenueorlaneplantedwithtrees。
　　Havingtakenthissurvey，heexecutedamovementlikethatofamanwhohasmadeuphismind，strodetohisalcove，graspedhisknapsack，openedit，fumbledinit，pulledoutofitsomethingwhichheplacedonthebed，puthisshoesintooneofhispockets，shutthewholethingupagain，threwtheknapsackonhisshoulders，putonhiscap，drewthevisordownoverhiseyes，feltforhiscudgel，wentandplaceditintheangleofthewindow；thenreturnedtothebed，andresolutelyseizedtheobjectwhichhehaddepositedthere。
　　Itresembledashortbarofiron，pointedlikeapikeatoneend。
　　Itwouldhavebeendifficulttodistinguishinthatdarknessforwhatemploymentthatbitofironcouldhavebeendesigned。
　　Perhapsitwasalever；possiblyitwasaclub。
　　Inthedaytimeitwouldhavebeenpossibletorecognizeitasnothingmorethanaminer’scandlestick。Convictswere，atthatperiod，sometimesemployedinquarryingstonefromtheloftyhillswhichenvironToulon，anditwasnotrareforthemtohaveminers’toolsattheircommand。Theseminers’candlesticksareofmassiveiron，terminatedatthelowerextremitybyapoint，bymeansofwhichtheyarestuckintotherock。
　　Hetookthecandlestickinhisrighthand；holdinghisbreathandtryingtodeadenthesoundofhistread，hedirectedhisstepstothedooroftheadjoiningroom，occupiedbytheBishop，aswealreadyknow。
　　Onarrivingatthisdoor，hefounditajar。TheBishophadnotclosedit。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　WHATHEDOES
　　JeanValjeanlistened。Notasound。
　　Hegavethedoorapush。
　　Hepusheditgentlywiththetipofhisfinger，lightly，withthefurtiveanduneasygentlenessofacatwhichisdesirousofentering。
　　Thedooryieldedtothispressure，andmadeanimperceptibleandsilentmovement，whichenlargedtheopeningalittle。
　　Hewaitedamoment；thengavethedoorasecondandabolderpush。
　　Itcontinuedtoyieldinsilence。Theopeningwasnowlargeenoughtoallowhimtopass。Butnearthedoortherestoodalittletable，whichformedanembarrassinganglewithit，andbarredtheentrance。
　　JeanValjeanrecognizedthedifficulty。Itwasnecessary，atanycost，toenlargetheaperturestillfurther。
　　Hedecidedonhiscourseofaction，andgavethedoorathirdpush，moreenergeticthanthetwopreceding。Thistimeabadlyoiledhingesuddenlyemittedamidthesilenceahoarseandprolongedcry。
　　JeanValjeanshuddered。ThenoiseofthehingeranginhisearswithsomethingofthepiercingandformidablesoundofthetrumpoftheDayofJudgment。
　　Inthefantasticexaggerationsofthefirstmomenthealmostimaginedthatthathingehadjustbecomeanimated，andhadsuddenlyassumedaterriblelife，andthatitwasbarkinglikeadogtoarouseeveryone，andwarnandtowakethosewhowereasleep。Hehalted，shuddering，bewildered，andfellbackfromthetipsofhistoesuponhisheels。
　　Heheardthearteriesinhistemplesbeatingliketwoforgehammers，anditseemedtohimthathisbreathissuedfromhisbreastwiththeroarofthewindissuingfromacavern。Itseemedimpossibletohimthatthehorribleclamorofthatirritatedhingeshouldnothavedisturbedtheentirehousehold，liketheshockofanearthquake；
　　thedoor，pushedbyhim，hadtakenthealarm，andhadshouted；
　　theoldmanwouldriseatonce；thetwooldwomenwouldshriekout；
　　peoplewouldcometotheirassistance；inlessthanaquarterofanhourthetownwouldbeinanuproar，andthegendarmerieonhand。
　　Foramomenthethoughthimselflost。
　　Heremainedwherehewas，petrifiedlikethestatueofsalt，notdaringtomakeamovement。Severalminuteselapsed。Thedoorhadfallenwideopen。Heventuredtopeepintothenextroom。
　　Nothinghadstirredthere。Helentanear。Nothingwasmovinginthehouse。Thenoisemadebytherustyhingehadnotawakenedanyone。
　　Thisfirstdangerwaspast；buttherestillreignedafrightfultumultwithinhim。Nevertheless，hedidnotretreat。Evenwhenhehadthoughthimselflost，hehadnotdrawnback。Hisonlythoughtnowwastofinishassoonaspossible。Hetookastepandenteredtheroom。
　　Thisroomwasinastateofperfectcalm。Hereandtherevagueandconfusedformsweredistinguishable，whichinthedaylightwerepapersscatteredonatable，openfolios，volumespileduponastool，anarm—chairheapedwithclothing，aprie—Dieu，andwhichatthathourwereonlyshadowycornersandwhitishspots。JeanValjeanadvancedwithprecaution，takingcarenottoknockagainstthefurniture。
　　Hecouldhear，attheextremityoftheroom，theevenandtranquilbreathingofthesleepingBishop。
　　Hesuddenlycametoahalt。Hewasnearthebed。Hehadarrivedtheresoonerthanhehadthoughtfor。
　　Naturesometimesmingleshereffectsandherspectacleswithouractionswithsombreandintelligentappropriateness，asthoughshedesiredtomakeusreflect。Forthelasthalf—houralargecloudhadcoveredtheheavens。AtthemomentwhenJeanValjeanpausedinfrontofthebed，thiscloudparted，asthoughonpurpose，andarayoflight，traversingthelongwindow，suddenlyilluminatedtheBishop’spaleface。Hewassleepingpeacefully。Helayinhisbedalmostcompletelydressed，onaccountofthecoldoftheBasses—Alps，inagarmentofbrownwool，whichcoveredhisarmstothewrists。Hisheadwasthrownbackonthepillow，inthecarelessattitudeofrepose；hishand，adornedwiththepastoralring，andwhencehadfallensomanygooddeedsandsomanyholyactions，washangingovertheedgeofthebed。Hiswholefacewasilluminedwithavagueexpressionofsatisfaction，ofhope，andoffelicity。
　　Itwasmorethanasmile，andalmostaradiance。Heboreuponhisbrowtheindescribablereflectionofalightwhichwasinvisible。
　　Thesoulofthejustcontemplatesinsleepamysteriousheaven。
　　AreflectionofthatheavenrestedontheBishop。
　　Itwas，atthesametime，aluminoustransparency，forthatheavenwaswithinhim。Thatheavenwashisconscience。
　　Atthemomentwhentherayofmoonlightsuperposeditself，sotospeak，uponthatinwardradiance，thesleepingBishopseemedasinaglory。
　　Itremained，however，gentleandveiledinanineffablehalf—light。Thatmooninthesky，thatslumberingnature，thatgardenwithoutaquiver，thathousewhichwassocalm，thehour，themoment，thesilence，addedsomesolemnandunspeakablequalitytothevenerablereposeofthisman，andenvelopedinasortofsereneandmajesticaureolethatwhitehair，thoseclosedeyes，thatfaceinwhichallwashopeandallwasconfidence，thatheadofanoldman，andthatslumberofaninfant。
　　Therewassomethingalmostdivineinthisman，whowasthusaugust，withoutbeinghimselfawareofit。
　　JeanValjeanwasintheshadow，andstoodmotionless，withhisironcandlestickinhishand，frightenedbythisluminousoldman。
　　Neverhadhebeheldanythinglikethis。Thisconfidenceterrifiedhim。
　　Themoralworldhasnogranderspectaclethanthis:atroubledanduneasyconscience，whichhasarrivedonthebrinkofanevilaction，contemplatingtheslumberofthejust。
　　Thatslumberinthatisolation，andwithaneighborlikehimself，hadaboutitsomethingsublime，ofwhichhewasvaguelybutimperiouslyconscious。
　　Noonecouldhavetoldwhatwaspassingwithinhim，notevenhimself。
　　Inordertoattempttoformanideaofit，itisnecessarytothinkofthemostviolentofthingsinthepresenceofthemostgentle。
　　Evenonhisvisageitwouldhavebeenimpossibletodistinguishanythingwithcertainty。Itwasasortofhaggardastonishment。
　　Hegazedatit，andthatwasall。Butwhatwashisthought？
　　Itwouldhavebeenimpossibletodivineit。Whatwasevidentwas，thathewastouchedandastounded。Butwhatwasthenatureofthisemotion？
　　Hiseyeneverquittedtheoldman。Theonlythingwhichwasclearlytobeinferredfromhisattitudeandhisphysiognomywasastrangeindecision。
　　Onewouldhavesaidthathewashesitatingbetweenthetwoabysses，——
　　theoneinwhichonelosesone’sselfandthatinwhichonesavesone’sself。Heseemedpreparedtocrushthatskullortokissthathand。
　　Attheexpirationofafewminuteshisleftarmroseslowlytowardshisbrow，andhetookoffhiscap；thenhisarmfellbackwiththesamedeliberation，andJeanValjeanfelltomeditatingoncemore，hiscapinhislefthand，hisclubinhisrighthand，hishairbristlingalloverhissavagehead。
　　TheBishopcontinuedtosleepinprofoundpeacebeneaththatterrifyinggaze。
　　Thegleamofthemoonrenderedconfusedlyvisiblethecrucifixoverthechimney—piece，whichseemedtobeextendingitsarmstobothofthem，withabenedictionforoneandpardonfortheother。
　　SuddenlyJeanValjeanreplacedhiscaponhisbrow；thensteppedrapidlypastthebed，withoutglancingattheBishop，straighttothecupboard，whichhesawnearthehead；heraisedhisironcandlestickasthoughtoforcethelock；thekeywasthere；
　　heopenedit；thefirstthingwhichpresenteditselftohimwasthebasketofsilverware；heseizedit，traversedthechamberwithlongstrides，withouttakinganyprecautionsandwithouttroublinghimselfaboutthenoise，gainedthedoor，re—enteredtheoratory，openedthewindow，seizedhiscudgel，bestrodethewindow—silloftheground—floor，putthesilverintohisknapsack，threwawaythebasket，crossedthegarden，leapedoverthewalllikeatiger，andfled。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　THEBISHOPWORKS
　　ThenextmorningatsunriseMonseigneurBienvenuwasstrollinginhisgarden。MadameMagloireranuptohiminutterconsternation。
　　"Monseigneur，Monseigneur！"sheexclaimed，"doesyourGraceknowwherethebasketofsilveris？"
　　"Yes，"repliedtheBishop。
　　"JesustheLordbeblessed！"sheresumed；"Ididnotknowwhathadbecomeofit。"
　　TheBishophadjustpickedupthebasketinaflower—bed。HepresentedittoMadameMagloire。
　　"Hereitis。"
　　"Well！"saidshe。"Nothinginit！Andthesilver？"
　　"Ah，"returnedtheBishop，"soitisthesilverwhichtroublesyou？
　　Idon’tknowwhereitis。"
　　"Great，goodGod！Itisstolen！Thatmanwhowasherelastnighthasstolenit。"
　　Inatwinkling，withallthevivacityofanalertoldwoman，MadameMagloirehadrushedtotheoratory，enteredthealcove，andreturnedtotheBishop。TheBishophadjustbentdown，andwassighingasheexaminedaplantofcochleariadesGuillons，whichthebaskethadbrokenasitfellacrossthebed。HeroseupatMadameMagloire’scry。
　　"Monseigneur，themanisgone！Thesilverhasbeenstolen！"
　　Assheutteredthisexclamation，hereyesfelluponacornerofthegarden，wheretracesofthewallhavingbeenscaledwerevisible。
　　Thecopingofthewallhadbeentornaway。