CHAPTERIII
　　APPARITIONTOFATHERMABEUF
　　Mariusnolongerwenttoseeanyone，buthesometimesencounteredFatherMabeufbychance。
　　WhileMariuswasslowlydescendingthosemelancholystepswhichmaybecalledthecellarstairs，andwhichleadtoplaceswithoutlight，wherethehappycanbeheardwalkingoverhead，M。Mabeufwasdescendingonhisside。
　　TheFloraofCauteretznolongersoldatall。TheexperimentsonindigohadnotbeensuccessfulinthelittlegardenofAusterlitz，whichhadabadexposure。M。Mabeufcouldcultivatethereonlyafewplantswhichloveshadeanddampness。Nevertheless，hedidnotbecomediscouraged。HehadobtainedacornerintheJardindesPlantes，withagoodexposure，tomakehistrialswithindigo"athisownexpense。"ForthispurposehehadpawnedhiscopperplatesoftheFlora。Hehadreducedhisbreakfasttotwoeggs，andheleftoneoftheseforhisoldservant，towhomhehadpaidnowagesforthelastfifteenmonths。Andoftenhisbreakfastwashisonlymeal。
　　Henolongersmiledwithhisinfantilesmile，hehadgrownmoroseandnolongerreceivedvisitors。Mariusdidwellnottodreamofgoingthither。Sometimes，atthehourwhenM。MabeufwasonhiswaytotheJardindesPlantes，theoldmanandtheyoungmanpassedeachotherontheBoulevarddel’Hopital。Theydidnotspeak，andonlyexchangedamelancholysignofthehead。Aheart—breakingthingitisthattherecomesamomentwhenmiseryloosesbonds！
　　Twomenwhohavebeenfriendsbecometwochancepassers—by。
　　Royalthebooksellerwasdead。M。Mabeufnolongerknewhisbooks，hisgarden，orhisindigo:thesewerethethreeformswhichhappiness，pleasure，andhopehadassumedforhim。Thissufficedhimforhisliving。Hesaidtohimself:"WhenIshallhavemademyballsofblueing，Ishallberich，Iwillwithdrawmycopperplatesfromthepawn—shop，IwillputmyFlorainvogueagainwithtrickery，plentyofmoneyandadvertisementsinthenewspapersandIwillbuy，Iknowwellwhere，acopyofPierredeMedine’sArtdeNaviguer，withwood—cuts，editionof1655。"Inthemeantime，hetoiledalldayoverhisplotofindigo，andatnighthereturnedhometowaterhisgarden，andtoreadhisbooks。Atthatepoch，M。Mabeufwasnearlyeightyyearsofage。
　　Oneeveninghehadasingularapparition。
　　Hehadreturnedhomewhileitwasstillbroaddaylight。
　　MotherPlutarque，whosehealthwasdeclining，wasillandinbed。
　　Hehaddinedonabone，onwhichalittlemeatlingered，andabitofbreadthathehadfoundonthekitchentable，andhadseatedhimselfonanoverturnedstonepost，whichtooktheplaceofabenchinhisgarden。
　　Nearthisbenchthererose，afterthefashioninorchard—gardens，asortoflargechest，ofbeamsandplanks，muchdilapidated，arabbit—hutchonthegroundfloor，afruit—closetonthefirst。
　　Therewasnothinginthehutch，buttherewereafewapplesinthefruit—closet，——theremainsofthewinter’sprovision。
　　M。Mabeufhadsethimselftoturningoverandreading，withtheaidofhisglasses，twobooksofwhichhewaspassionatelyfondandinwhich，aseriousthingathisage，hewasinterested。
　　Hisnaturaltimidityrenderedhimaccessibletotheacceptanceofsuperstitionsinacertaindegree。ThefirstofthesebookswasthefamoustreatiseofPresidentDelancre，Del’inconstancedesDemons；
　　theotherwasaquartobyMutordelaRubaudiere，SurlesDiablesdeVauvertetlesGobelinsdelaBievre。Thislast—mentionedoldvolumeinterestedhimallthemore，becausehisgardenhadbeenoneofthespotshauntedbygoblinsinformertimes。Thetwilighthadbeguntowhitenwhatwasonhighandtoblackenallbelow。
　　Asheread，overthetopofthebookwhichheheldinhishand，FatherMabeufwassurveyinghisplants，andamongothersamagnificentrhododendronwhichwasoneofhisconsolations；
　　fourdaysofheat，wind，andsunwithoutadropofrain，hadpassed；
　　thestalkswerebending，thebudsdrooping，theleavesfalling；
　　allthisneededwater，therhododendronwasparticularlysad。
　　FatherMabeufwasoneofthosepersonsforwhomplantshavesouls。
　　Theoldmanhadtoiledalldayoverhisindigoplot，hewaswornoutwithfatigue，butherose，laidhisbooksonthebench，andwalked，allbentoverandwithtotteringfootsteps，tothewell，butwhenhehadgraspedthechain，hecouldnotevendrawitsufficientlytounhookit。Thenheturnedroundandcastaglanceofanguishtowardheavenwhichwasbecomingstuddedwithstars。
　　Theeveninghadthatserenitywhichoverwhelmsthetroublesofmanbeneathanindescribablymournfulandeternaljoy。Thenightpromisedtobeasaridasthedayhadbeen。
　　"Starseverywhere！"thoughttheoldman；"notthetiniestcloud！
　　Notadropofwater！"
　　Andhishead，whichhadbeenupraisedforamoment，fellbackuponhisbreast。
　　Heraiseditagain，andoncemorelookedatthesky，murmuring:——
　　"Atearofdew！Alittlepity！"
　　Hetriedagaintounhookthechainofthewell，andcouldnot。
　　Atthatmoment，heheardavoicesaying:——
　　"FatherMabeuf，wouldyouliketohavemewateryourgardenforyou？"
　　Atthesametime，anoiseasofawildanimalpassingbecameaudibleinthehedge，andhebeheldemergingfromtheshrubberyasortoftall，slendergirl，whodrewherselfupinfrontofhimandstaredboldlyathim。Shehadlesstheairofahumanbeingthanofaformwhichhadjustblossomedforthfromthetwilight。
　　BeforeFatherMabeuf，whowaseasilyterrified，andwhowas，aswehavesaid，quicktotakealarm，wasabletoreplybyasinglesyllable，thisbeing，whosemovementshadasortofoddabruptnessinthedarkness，hadunhookedthechain，plungedinandwithdrawnthebucket，andfilledthewatering—pot，andthegoodmanbeheldthisapparition，whichhadbarefeetandatatteredpetticoat，runningaboutamongtheflower—bedsdistributinglifearoundher。Thesoundofthewatering—potontheleavesfilledFatherMabeuf’ssoulwithecstasy。
　　Itseemedtohimthattherhododendronwashappynow。
　　Thefirstbucketfulemptied，thegirldrewasecond，thenathird。
　　Shewateredthewholegarden。
　　Therewassomethingabouther，asshethusranaboutamongpaths，whereheroutlineappearedperfectlyblack，wavingherangulararms，andwithherfichuallinrags，thatresembledabat。
　　Whenshehadfinished，FatherMabeufapproachedherwithtearsinhiseyes，andlaidhishandonherbrow。
　　"Godwillblessyou，"saidhe，"youareanangelsinceyoutakecareoftheflowers。"
　　"No，"shereplied。"Iamthedevil，butthat’sallthesametome。"
　　Theoldmanexclaimed，withouteitherwaitingfororhearingherresponse:——
　　"WhatapitythatIamsounhappyandsopoor，andthatIcandonothingforyou！"
　　"Youcandosomething，"saidshe。
　　"What？"
　　"TellmewhereM。Mariuslives。"
　　Theoldmandidnotunderstand。"WhatMonsieurMarius？"
　　Heraisedhisglassyeyesandseemedtobeseekingsomethingthathadvanished。
　　"Ayoungmanwhousedtocomehere。"
　　Inthemeantime，M。Mabeufhadsearchedhismemory。
　　"Ah！yes——"heexclaimed。"Iknowwhatyoumean。Wait！
　　MonsieurMarius——theBaronMariusPontmercy，parbleu！Helives，——
　　orrather，henolongerlives，——ahwell，Idon’tknow。"
　　Ashespoke，hehadbentovertotrainabranchofrhododendron，andhecontinued:——
　　"Hold，Iknownow。Heveryoftenpassesalongtheboulevard，andgoesinthedirectionoftheGlaciere，RueCroulebarbe。
　　ThemeadowoftheLark。Gothere。Itisnothardtomeethim。"
　　WhenM。Mabeufstraightenedhimselfup，therewasnolongeranyonethere；thegirlhaddisappeared。
　　Hewasdecidedlyterrified。
　　"Really，"hethought，"ifmygardenhadnotbeenwatered，Ishouldthinkthatshewasaspirit。"
　　Anhourlater，whenhewasinbed，itcamebacktohim，andashefellasleep，atthatconfusedmomentwhenthought，likethatfabulousbirdwhichchangesitselfintoafishinordertocrossthesea，littlebylittleassumestheformofadreaminordertotraverseslumber，hesaidtohimselfinabewilderedway:——
　　"Insooth，thatgreatlyresembleswhatRubaudierenarratesofthegoblins。Couldithavebeenagoblin？"
　　CHAPTERIV
　　ANAPPARITIONTOMARIUS
　　Somedaysafterthisvisitofa"spirit"toFarmerMabeuf，onemorning，——
　　itwasonaMonday，thedaywhenMariusborrowedthehundred—soupiecefromCourfeyracforThenardier——Mariushadputthiscoininhispocket，andbeforecarryingittotheclerk’soffice，hehadgone"totakealittlestroll，"inthehopethatthiswouldmakehimworkonhisreturn。Itwasalwaysthus，however。Assoonasherose，heseatedhimselfbeforeabookandasheetofpaperinordertoscribblesometranslation；histaskatthatepochconsistedinturningintoFrenchacelebratedquarrelbetweenGermans，theGansandSavignycontroversy；hetookSavigny，hetookGans，readfourlines，triedtowriteone，couldnot，sawastarbetweenhimandhispaper，androsefromhischair，saying:"Ishallgoout。
　　Thatwillputmeinspirits。"
　　AndoffhewenttotheLark’smeadow。
　　Therehebeheldmorethaneverthestar，andlessthaneverSavignyandGans。
　　Hereturnedhome，triedtotakeuphisworkagain，anddidnotsucceed；
　　therewasnomeansofre—knottingasingleoneofthethreadswhichwerebrokeninhisbrain；thenhesaidtohimself:"Iwillnotgooutto—morrow。Itpreventsmyworking。"Andhewentouteveryday。
　　HelivedintheLark’smeadowmorethaninCourfeyrac’slodgings。
　　Thatwashisrealaddress:BoulevarddelaSante，attheseventhtreefromtheRueCroulebarbe。
　　ThatmorninghehadquittedtheseventhtreeandhadseatedhimselfontheparapetoftheRiverdesGobelins。Acheerfulsunlightpenetratedthefreshlyunfoldedandluminousleaves。
　　Hewasdreamingof"Her。"Andhismeditationturningtoareproach，fellbackuponhimself；hereflecteddolefullyonhisidleness，hisparalysisofsoul，whichwasgainingonhim，andofthatnightwhichwasgrowingmoredenseeverymomentbeforehim，tosuchapointthathenolongerevensawthesun。
　　Nevertheless，athwartthispainfulextricationofindistinctideaswhichwasnotevenamonologue，sofeeblehadactionbecomeinhim，andhehadnolongertheforcetocaretodespair，athwartthismelancholyabsorption，sensationsfromwithoutdidreachhim。
　　Heheardbehindhim，beneathhim，onbothbanksoftheriver，thelaundressesoftheGobelinsbeatingtheirlinen，andabovehishead，thebirdschatteringandsingingintheelm—trees。
　　Ontheonehand，thesoundofliberty，thecarelesshappinessoftheleisurewhichhaswings；ontheother，thesoundoftoil。
　　Whatcausedhimtomeditatedeeply，andalmostreflect，weretwocheerfulsounds。
　　Allatonce，inthemidstofhisdejectedecstasy，heheardafamiliarvoicesaying:——
　　"Come！Hereheis！"
　　Heraisedhiseyes，andrecognizedthatwretchedchildwhohadcometohimonemorning，theelderoftheThenardierdaughters，Eponine；heknewhernamenow。Strangetosay，shehadgrownpoorerandprettier，twostepswhichithadnotseemedwithinherpowertotake。
　　Shehadaccomplishedadoubleprogress，towardsthelightandtowardsdistress。Shewasbarefootedandinrags，asonthedaywhenshehadsoresolutelyenteredhischamber，onlyherragsweretwomonthsoldernow，theholeswerelarger，thetattersmoresordid。
　　Itwasthesameharshvoice，thesamebrowdimmedandwrinkledwithtan，thesamefree，wild，andvacillatingglance。Shehadbesides，morethanformerly，inherfacethatindescribablyterrifiedandlamentablesomethingwhichsojourninaprisonaddstowretchedness。
　　Shehadbitsofstrawandhayinherhair，notlikeOpheliathroughhavinggonemadfromthecontagionofHamlet’smadness，butbecauseshehadsleptintheloftofsomestable。
　　Andinspiteofitall，shewasbeautiful。Whatastarartthou，Oyouth！
　　Inthemeantime，shehadhaltedinfrontofMariuswithatraceofjoyinherlividcountenance，andsomethingwhichresembledasmile。
　　Shestoodforseveralmomentsasthoughincapableofspeech。
　　"SoIhavemetyouatlast！"shesaidatlength。"FatherMabeufwasright，itwasonthisboulevard！HowIhavehuntedforyou！
　　Ifyouonlyknew！Doyouknow？Ihavebeeninthejug。Afortnight！
　　Theyletmeout！seeingthattherewasnothingagainstme，andthat，moreover，Ihadnotreachedyearsofdiscretion。Ilacktwomonthsofit。Oh！howIhavehuntedforyou！Thesesixweeks！
　　Soyoudon’tlivedownthereanymore？"
　　"No，"saidMarius。
　　"Ah！Iunderstand。Becauseofthataffair。Thosetake—downsaredisagreeable。Youclearedout。Comenow！Whydoyouwearoldhatslikethis！Ayoungmanlikeyououghttohavefineclothes。
　　Doyouknow，MonsieurMarius，FatherMabeufcallsyouBaronMarius，Idon’tknowwhat。Itisn’ttruethatyouareabaron？Baronsareoldfellows，theygototheLuxembourg，infrontofthechateau，wherethereisthemostsun，andtheyreadtheQuotidienneforasou。
　　Ioncecarriedalettertoabaronofthatsort。Hewasoverahundredyearsold。Say，wheredoyoulivenow？"
　　Mariusmadenoreply。
　　"Ah！"shewenton，"youhaveaholeinyourshirt。Imustsewitupforyou。"
　　Sheresumedwithanexpressionwhichgraduallycloudedover:——
　　"Youdon’tseemgladtoseeme。"
　　Mariusheldhispeace；sheremainedsilentforamoment，thenexclaimed:——
　　"ButifIchoose，nevertheless，Icouldforceyoutolookglad！"
　　"What？"demandedMarius。"Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Ah！youusedtocallmethou，"sheretorted。
　　"Well，then，whatdostthoumean？"
　　Shebitherlips；sheseemedtohesitate，asthoughapreytosomesortofinwardconflict。Atlastsheappearedtocometoadecision。
　　"Somuchtheworse，Idon’tcare。Youhaveamelancholyair，Iwantyoutobepleased。Onlypromisemethatyouwillsmile。
　　Iwanttoseeyousmileandhearyousay:`Ah，well，that’sgood。’
　　PoorMr。Marius！youknow？YoupromisedmethatyouwouldgivemeanythingIlike——"
　　"Yes！Onlyspeak！"
　　ShelookedMariusfullintheeye，andsaid:——
　　"Ihavetheaddress。"
　　Mariusturnedpale。Allthebloodflowedbacktohisheart。
　　"Whataddress？"
　　"Theaddressthatyouaskedmetoget！"
　　Sheadded，asthoughwithaneffort:——
　　"Theaddress——youknowverywell！"
　　"Yes！"stammeredMarius。
　　"Ofthatyounglady。"
　　Thisworduttered，shesigheddeeply。
　　Mariussprangfromtheparapetonwhichhehadbeensittingandseizedherhanddistractedly。
　　"Oh！Well！leadmethither！Tellme！Askofmeanythingyouwish！
　　Whereisit？"
　　"Comewithme，"sheresponded。"Idon’tknowthestreetornumberverywell；itisinquitetheotherdirectionfromhere，butIknowthehousewell，Iwilltakeyoutoit。"
　　Shewithdrewherhandandwenton，inatonewhichcouldhaverenttheheartofanobserver，butwhichdidnotevengrazeMariusinhisintoxicatedandecstaticstate:——
　　"Oh！howgladyouare！"
　　AcloudsweptacrossMarius’brow。HeseizedEponinebythearm:——
　　"Swearonethingtome！"
　　"Swear！"saidshe，"whatdoesthatmean？Come！Youwantmetoswear？"
　　Andshelaughed。
　　"Yourfather！promiseme，Eponine！Sweartomethatyouwillnotgivethisaddresstoyourfather！"
　　Sheturnedtohimwithastupefiedair。
　　"Eponine！HowdoyouknowthatmynameisEponine？"
　　"PromisewhatItellyou！"
　　Butshedidnotseemtohearhim。
　　"That’snice！YouhavecalledmeEponine！"
　　Mariusgraspedbothherarmsatonce。
　　"Butanswerme，inthenameofHeaven！payattentiontowhatIamsayingtoyou，sweartomethatyouwillnottellyourfatherthisaddressthatyouknow！"
　　"Myfather！"saidshe。"Ahyes，myfather！Beatease。
　　He’sincloseconfinement。Besides，whatdoIcareformyfather！"
　　"Butyoudonotpromiseme！"exclaimedMarius。
　　"Letgoofme！"shesaid，burstingintoalaugh，"howyoudoshakeme！
　　Yes！Yes！Ipromisethat！Iswearthattoyou！Whatisthattome？
　　Iwillnottellmyfathertheaddress。There！Isthatright？
　　Isthatit？"
　　"Nortoanyone？"saidMarius。
　　"Nortoanyone。"
　　"Now，"resumedMarius，"takemethere。"
　　"Immediately？"
　　"Immediately。"
　　"Comealong。Ah！howpleasedheis！"saidshe。
　　Afterafewstepsshehalted。
　　"Youarefollowingmetooclosely，MonsieurMarius。Letmegoonahead，andfollowmeso，withoutseemingtodoit。Aniceyoungmanlikeyoumustnotbeseenwithawomanlikeme。"
　　Notonguecanexpressallthatlayinthatword，woman，thuspronouncedbythatchild。
　　Sheproceededadozenpacesandthenhaltedoncemore；Mariusjoinedher。
　　Sheaddressedhimsideways，andwithoutturningtowardshim:——
　　"Bytheway，youknowthatyoupromisedmesomething？"
　　Mariusfumbledinhispocket。AllthatheownedintheworldwasthefivefrancsintendedforThenardierthefather。HetookthemandlaidtheminEponine’shand。
　　Sheopenedherfingersandletthecoinfalltotheground，andgazedathimwithagloomyair。
　　"Idon’twantyourmoney，"saidshe。
　　BOOKTHIRD。——THEHOUSEINTHERUEPLUMET
　　CHAPTERI
　　THEHOUSEWITHASECRET
　　Aboutthemiddleofthelastcentury，achiefjusticeintheParliamentofParishavingamistressandconcealingthefact，foratthatperiodthegrandseignorsdisplayedtheirmistresses，andthebourgeoisconcealedthem，had"alittlehouse"builtintheFaubourgSaint—Germain，inthedesertedRueBlomet，whichisnowcalledRuePlumet，notfarfromthespotwhichwasthendesignatedasCombatdesAnimaux。
　　Thishousewascomposedofasingle—storiedpavilion；tworoomsonthegroundfloor，twochambersonthefirstfloor，akitchendownstairs，aboudoirupstairs，anatticundertheroof，thewholeprecededbyagardenwithalargegateopeningonthestreet。
　　Thisgardenwasaboutanacreandahalfinextent。Thiswasallthatcouldbeseenbypassers—by；butbehindthepaviliontherewasanarrowcourtyard，andattheendofthecourtyardalowbuildingconsistingoftworoomsandacellar，asortofpreparationdestinedtoconcealachildandnurseincaseofneed。Thisbuildingcommunicatedintherearbyamaskeddoorwhichopenedbyasecretspring，withalong，narrow，pavedwindingcorridor，opentothesky，hemmedinwithtwoloftywalls，which，hiddenwithwonderfulart，andlostasitwerebetweengardenenclosuresandcultivatedland，allofwhoseanglesanddetoursitfollowed，endedinanotherdoor，alsowithasecretlockwhichopenedaquarterofaleagueaway，almostinanotherquarter，atthesolitaryextremityoftheRueduBabylone。
　　Throughthisthechiefjusticeentered，sothateventhosewhowerespyingonhimandfollowinghimwouldmerelyhaveobservedthatthejusticebetookhimselfeverydayinamysteriouswaysomewhere，andwouldneverhavesuspectedthattogototheRuedeBabylonewastogototheRueBlomet。Thankstocleverpurchasersofland，themagistratehadbeenabletomakeasecret，sewer—likepassageonhisownproperty，andconsequently，withoutinterference。Lateron，hehadsoldinlittleparcels，forgardensandmarketgardens，thelotsofgroundadjoiningthecorridor，andtheproprietorsoftheselotsonbothsidesthoughttheyhadapartywallbeforetheireyes，anddidnotevensuspectthelong，pavedribbonwindingbetweentwowallsamidtheirflower—bedsandtheirorchards。
　　Onlythebirdsbeheldthiscuriosity。Itisprobablethatthelinnetsandtomtitsofthelastcenturygossipedagreatdealaboutthechiefjustice。
　　Thepavilion，builtofstoneinthetasteofMansard，wainscotedandfurnishedintheWatteaustyle，rocailleontheinside，old—fashionedontheoutside，walledinwithatriplehedgeofflowers，hadsomethingdiscreet，coquettish，andsolemnaboutit，asbefitsacapriceofloveandmagistracy。
　　Thishouseandcorridor，whichhavenowdisappeared，wereinexistencefifteenyearsago。In’93acoppersmithhadpurchasedthehousewiththeideaofdemolishingit，buthadnotbeenabletopaytheprice；thenationmadehimbankrupt。Sothatitwasthehousewhichdemolishedthecoppersmith。Afterthat，thehouseremaineduninhabited，andfellslowlytoruin，asdoeseverydwellingtowhichthepresenceofmandoesnotcommunicatelife。
　　Ithadremainedfittedwithitsoldfurniture，wasalwaysforsaleortolet，andthetenoradozenpeoplewhopassedthroughtheRuePlumetwerewarnedofthefactbyayellowandillegiblebitofwritingwhichhadhungonthegardenwallsince1819。
　　TowardstheendoftheRestoration，thesesamepassers—bymighthavenoticedthatthebillhaddisappeared，andeventhattheshuttersonthefirstfloorwereopen。Thehousewasoccupied，infact。
　　Thewindowshadshortcurtains，asignthattherewasawomanabout。
　　InthemonthofOctober，1829，amanofacertainagehadpresentedhimselfandhadhiredthehousejustasitstood，including，ofcourse，thebackbuildingandthelanewhichendedintheRuedeBabylone。
　　Hehadhadthesecretopeningsofthetwodoorstothispassagerepaired。
　　Thehouse，aswehavejustmentioned，wasstillverynearlyfurnishedwiththejustice’soldfitting；thenewtenanthadorderedsomerepairs，hadaddedwhatwaslackinghereandthere，hadreplacedthepaving—stonesintheyard，bricksinthefloors，stepsinthestairs，missingbitsintheinlaidfloorsandtheglassinthelatticewindows，andhadfinallyinstalledhimselftherewithayounggirlandanelderlymaid—servant，withoutcommotion，ratherlikeapersonwhoisslippinginthanlikeamanwhoisenteringhisownhouse。Theneighborsdidnotgossipabouthim，forthereasonthattherewerenoneighbors。
　　ThisunobtrusivetenantwasJeanValjean，theyounggirlwasCosette。
　　TheservantwasawomannamedToussaint，whomJeanValjeanhadsavedfromthehospitalandfromwretchedness，andwhowaselderly，astammerer，andfromtheprovinces，threequalitieswhichhaddecidedJeanValjeantotakeherwithhim。HehadhiredthehouseunderthenameofM。Fauchelevent，independentgentleman。
　　Inallthathasbeenrelatedheretofore，thereaderhas，doubtless，beennolesspromptthanThenardiertorecognizeJeanValjean。
　　WhyhadJeanValjeanquittedtheconventofthePetit—Picpus？Whathadhappened？
　　Nothinghadhappened。
　　ItwillberememberedthatJeanValjeanwashappyintheconvent，sohappythathisconsciencefinallytookthealarm。HesawCosetteeveryday，hefeltpaternityspringupanddevelopwithinhimmoreandmore，hebroodedoverthesoulofthatchild，hesaidtohimselfthatshewashis，thatnothingcouldtakeherfromhim，thatthiswouldlastindefinitely，thatshewouldcertainlybecomeanun，beingtheretogentlyincitedeveryday，thatthustheconventwashenceforththeuniverseforherasitwasforhim，thatheshouldgrowoldthere，andthatshewouldgrowupthere，thatshewouldgrowoldthere，andthatheshoulddiethere；that，inshort，delightfulhope，noseparationwaspossible。Onreflectinguponthis，hefellintoperplexity。Heinterrogatedhimself。Heaskedhimselfifallthathappinesswerereallyhis，ifitwerenotcomposedofthehappinessofanother，ofthehappinessofthatchildwhichhe，anoldman，wasconfiscatingandstealing；ifthatwerenottheft？
　　Hesaidtohimself，thatthischildhadarighttoknowlifebeforerenouncingit，thattodepriveherinadvance，andinsomesortwithoutconsultingher，ofalljoys，underthepretextofsavingherfromalltrials，totakeadvantageofherignoranceofherisolation，inordertomakeanartificialvocationgerminateinher，wastorobahumancreatureofitsnatureandtolietoGod。
　　Andwhoknowsif，whenshecametobeawareofallthissomeday，andfoundherselfanuntohersorrow，Cosettewouldnotcometohatehim？Alast，almostselfishthought，andlessheroicthantherest，butwhichwasintolerabletohim。Heresolvedtoquittheconvent。
　　Heresolvedonthis；herecognizedwithanguish，thefactthatitwasnecessary。Asforobjections，therewerenone。
　　Fiveyears’sojournbetweenthesefourwallsandofdisappearancehadnecessarilydestroyedordispersedtheelementsoffear。
　　Hecouldreturntranquillyamongmen。Hehadgrownold，andallhadundergoneachange。Whowouldrecognizehimnow？
　　Andthen，tofacetheworst，therewasdangeronlyforhimself，andhehadnorighttocondemnCosettetothecloisterforthereasonthathehadbeencondemnedtothegalleys。Besides，whatisdangerincomparisonwiththeright？Finally，nothingpreventedhisbeingprudentandtakinghisprecautions。
　　AsforCosette’seducation，itwasalmostfinishedandcomplete。
　　Hisdeterminationoncetaken，heawaitedanopportunity。
　　Itwasnotlonginpresentingitself。OldFaucheleventdied。
　　JeanValjeandemandedanaudiencewiththereveredprioressandtoldherthat，havingcomeintoalittleinheritanceatthedeathofhisbrother，whichpermittedhimhenceforthtolivewithoutworking，heshouldleavetheserviceoftheconventandtakehisdaughterwithhim；butthat，asitwasnotjustthatCosette，sinceshehadnottakenthevows，shouldhavereceivedhereducationgratuitously，hehumblybeggedtheReverendPrioresstoseefitthatheshouldoffertothecommunity，asindemnity，forthefiveyearswhichCosettehadspentthere，thesumoffivethousandfrancs。
　　ItwasthusthatJeanValjeanquittedtheconventofthePerpetualAdoration。
　　Onleavingtheconvent，hetookinhisownarmsthelittlevalisethekeytowhichhestillworeonhisperson，andwouldpermitnoportertotouchit。ThispuzzledCosette，becauseoftheodorofembalmingwhichproceededfromit。
　　Letusstateatonce，thatthistrunkneverquittedhimmore。
　　Healwayshaditinhischamber。Itwasthefirstandonlythingsometimes，thathecarriedoffinhismovingwhenhemovedabout。
　　Cosettelaughedatit，andcalledthisvalisehisinseparable，saying:
　　"Iamjealousofit。"
　　Nevertheless，JeanValjeandidnotreappearintheopenairwithoutprofoundanxiety。
　　HediscoveredthehouseintheRuePlumet，andhidhimselffromsightthere。Henceforthhewasinthepossessionofthename:——
　　UltimeFauchelevent。
　　AtthesametimehehiredtwootherapartmentsinParis，inorderthathemightattractlessattentionthanifheweretoremainalwaysinthesamequarter，andsothathecould，atneed，takehimselfoffattheslightestdisquietudewhichshouldassailhim，andinshort，sothathemightnotagainbecaughtunprovidedasonthenightwhenhehadsomiraculouslyescapedfromJavert。
　　Thesetwoapartmentswereverypitiable，poorinappearance，andintwoquarterswhichwerefarremotefromeachother，theoneintheRuedel’Ouest，theotherintheRuedel’HommeArme。
　　Hewentfromtimetotime，nowtotheRuedel’HommeArme，nowtotheRuedel’Ouest，topassamonthorsixweeks，withouttakingToussaint。Hehadhimselfservedbytheporters，andgavehimselfoutasagentlemanfromthesuburbs，livingonhisfunds，andhavingalittletemporaryresting—placeintown。
　　ThisloftyvirtuehadthreedomicilesinParisforthesakeofescapingfromthepolice。
　　CHAPTERII
　　JEANVALJEANASANATIONALGUARD
　　However，properlyspeaking，helivedintheRuePlumet，andhehadarrangedhisexistencethereinthefollowingfashion:——
　　Cosetteandtheservantoccupiedthepavilion；shehadthebigsleeping—roomwiththepaintedpier—glasses，theboudoirwiththegildedfillets，thejustice’sdrawing—roomfurnishedwithtapestriesandvastarm—chairs；shehadthegarden。JeanValjeanhadacanopiedbedofantiquedamaskinthreecolorsandabeautifulPersianrugpurchasedintheRueduFiguier—Saint—PaulatMotherGaucher’s，putintoCosette’schamber，and，inordertoredeemtheseverityofthesemagnificentoldthings，hehadamalgamatedwiththisbric—a—bracallthegayandgracefullittlepiecesoffurnituresuitabletoyounggirls，anetagere，abookcasefilledwithgilt—edgedbooks，aninkstand，ablotting—book，paper，awork—tableincrustedwithmotherofpearl，asilver—giltdressing—case，atoiletserviceinJapaneseporcelain。
　　Longdamaskcurtainswitharedfoundationandthreecolors，likethoseonthebed，hungatthewindowsofthefirstfloor。
　　Onthegroundfloor，thecurtainswereoftapestry。Allwinterlong，Cosette’slittlehousewasheatedfromtoptobottom。JeanValjeaninhabitedthesortofporter’slodgewhichwassituatedattheendofthebackcourtyard，withamattressonafolding—bed，awhitewoodtable，twostrawchairs，anearthenwarewater—jug，afewoldvolumesonashelf，hisbelovedvaliseinonecorner，andneveranyfire。HedinedwithCosette，andhehadaloafofblackbreadonthetableforhisownuse。
　　WhenToussaintcame，hehadsaidtoher:"Itistheyoungladywhoisthemistressofthishouse。"——"Andyou，monsieur？"Toussaintrepliedinamazement。——"Iamamuchbetterthingthanthemaster，Iamthefather。"
　　Cosettehadbeentaughthousekeepingintheconvent，andsheregulatedtheirexpenditure，whichwasverymodest。Everyday，JeanValjeanputhisarmthroughCosette’sandtookherforawalk。
　　HeledhertotheLuxembourg，totheleastfrequentedwalk，andeverySundayhetookhertomassatSaint—Jacques—du—Haut—Pas，becausethatwasalongwayoff。Asitwasaverypoorquarter，hebestowedalmslargelythere，andthepoorpeoplesurroundedhiminchurch，whichhaddrawndownuponhimThenardier’sepistle:
　　"TothebenevolentgentlemanofthechurchofSaint—Jacques—du—Haut—Pas。"
　　HewasfondoftakingCosettetovisitthepoorandthesick。
　　NostrangereverenteredthehouseintheRuePlumet。Toussaintbroughttheirprovisions，andJeanValjeanwenthimselfforwatertoafountainnearbyontheboulevard。Theirwoodandwinewereputintoahalf—subterraneanhollowlinedwithrock—workwhichlayneartheRuedeBabyloneandwhichhadformerlyservedthechief—justiceasagrotto；forattheepochoffolliesand"LittleHouses"nolovewaswithoutagrotto。
　　InthedooropeningontheRuedeBabylone，therewasaboxdestinedforthereceptionoflettersandpapers；only，asthethreeinhabitantsofthepavilionintheRuePlumetreceivedneitherpapersnorletters，theentireusefulnessofthatbox，formerlythego—betweenofaloveaffair，andtheconfidantofalove—lornlawyer，wasnowlimitedtothetax—collector’snotices，andthesummonsoftheguard。
　　ForM。Fauchelevent，independentgentleman，belongedtothenationalguard；hehadnotbeenabletoescapethroughthefinemeshesofthecensusof1831。ThemunicipalinformationcollectedatthattimehadevenreachedtheconventofthePetit—Picpus，asortofimpenetrableandholycloud，whenceJeanValjeanhademergedinvenerableguise，and，consequently，worthyofmountingguardintheeyesofthetownhall。
　　Threeorfourtimesayear，JeanValjeandonnedhisuniformandmountedguard；hedidthiswillingly，however；itwasacorrectdisguisewhichmixedhimwitheveryone，andyetlefthimsolitary。
　　JeanValjeanhadjustattainedhissixtiethbirthday，theageoflegalexemption；buthedidnotappeartobeoverfifty；
　　moreover，hehadnodesiretoescapehissergeant—majornortoquibblewithComtedeLobau；hepossessednocivilstatus，hewasconcealinghisname，hewasconcealinghisidentity，soheconcealedhisage，heconcealedeverything；and，aswehavejustsaid，hewillinglydidhisdutyasanationalguard；thesumofhisambitionlayinresemblinganyothermanwhopaidhistaxes。
　　Thismanhadforhisideal，within，theangel，without，thebourgeois。
　　Letusnoteonedetail，however；whenJeanValjeanwentoutwithCosette，hedressedasthereaderhasalreadyseen，andhadtheairofaretiredofficer。Whenhewentoutalone，whichwasgenerallyatnight，hewasalwaysdressedinaworkingman’strousersandblouse，andworeacapwhichconcealedhisface。Wasthisprecautionorhumility？
　　Both。Cosettewasaccustomedtotheenigmaticalsideofherdestiny，andhardlynoticedherfather’speculiarities。AsforToussaint，sheveneratedJeanValjean，andthoughteverythinghedidright。
　　Oneday，herbutcher，whohadcaughtaglimpseofJeanValjean，saidtoher:"That’saqueerfish。"Shereplied:"He’sasaint。"
　　NeitherJeanValjeannorCosettenorToussainteverenteredoremergedexceptbythedoorontheRuedeBabylone。UnlessseenthroughthegardengateitwouldhavebeendifficulttoguessthattheylivedintheRuePlumet。Thatgatewasalwaysclosed。JeanValjeanhadleftthegardenuncultivated，inordernottoattractattention。
　　Inthis，possibly，hemadeamistake。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　FOLIISACFRONDIBUS
　　Thegardenthuslefttoitselfformorethanhalfacenturyhadbecomeextraordinaryandcharming。Thepassers—byoffortyyearsagohaltedtogazeatit，withoutasuspicionofthesecretswhichithidinitsfreshandverdantdepths。Morethanonedreamerofthatepochoftenallowedhisthoughtsandhiseyestopenetrateindiscreetlybetweenthebarsofthatancient，padlockedgate，twisted，tottering，fastenedtotwogreenandmoss—coveredpillars，andoddlycrownedwithapedimentofundecipherablearabesque。
　　Therewasastonebenchinonecorner，oneortwomouldystatues，severallatticeswhichhadlosttheirnailswithtime，wererottingonthewall，andtherewerenowalksnorturf；buttherewasenoughgrasseverywhere。Gardeninghadtakenitsdeparture，andnaturehadreturned。Weedsabounded，whichwasagreatpieceofluckforapoorcornerofland。Thefestivalofgilliflowerswassomethingsplendid。Nothinginthisgardenobstructedthesacredeffortofthingstowardslife；venerablegrowthreignedthereamongthem。Thetreeshadbentovertowardsthenettles，theplanthadsprungupward，thebranchhadinclined，thatwhichcrawlsontheearthhadgoneinsearchofthatwhichexpandsintheair，thatwhichfloatsonthewindhadbentovertowardsthatwhichtrailsinthemoss；trunks，boughs，leaves，fibres，clusters，tendrils，shoots，spines，thorns，hadmingled，crossed，married，confoundedthemselvesineachother；vegetationinadeepandcloseembrace，hadcelebratedandaccomplishedthere，underthewell—pleasedeyeoftheCreator，inthatenclosurethreehundredfeetsquare，theholymysteryoffraternity，symbolofthehumanfraternity。
　　Thisgardenwasnolongeragarden，itwasacolossalthicket，thatistosay，somethingasimpenetrableasaforest，aspeopledasacity，quiveringlikeanest，sombrelikeacathedral，fragrantlikeabouquet，solitaryasatomb，livingasathrong。
　　InFloreal[34]thisenormousthicket，freebehinditsgateandwithinitsfourwalls，entereduponthesecretlaborofgermination，quiveredintherisingsun，almostlikeananimalwhichdrinksinthebreathsofcosmiclove，andwhichfeelsthesapofAprilrisingandboilinginitsveins，andshakestothewinditsenormouswonderfulgreenlocks，sprinkledonthedampearth，onthedefacedstatues，onthecrumblingstepsofthepavilion，andevenonthepavementofthedesertedstreet，flowerslikestars，dewlikepearls，fecundity，beauty，life，joy，perfumes。Atmidday，athousandwhitebutterfliestookrefugethere，anditwasadivinespectacletoseethatlivingsummersnowwhirlingaboutthereinflakesamidtheshade。There，inthosegayshadowsofverdure，athrongofinnocentvoicesspokesweetlytothesoul，andwhatthetwitteringforgottosaythehummingcompleted。Intheevening，adreamyvaporexhaledfromthegardenandenvelopedit；ashroudofmist，acalmandcelestialsadnesscoveredit；theintoxicatingperfumeofthehoneysucklesandconvolvuluspouredoutfromeverypartofit，likeanexquisiteandsubtlepoison；thelastappealsofthewoodpeckersandthewagtailswereaudibleastheydozedamongthebranches；onefeltthesacredintimacyofthebirdsandthetrees；
　　bydaythewingsrejoicetheleaves，bynighttheleavesprotectthewings。
　　[34]FromApril19toMay20。
　　Inwinterthethicketwasblack，dripping，bristling，shivering，andallowedsomeglimpseofthehouse。Insteadofflowersonthebranchesanddewintheflowers，thelongsilverytracksofthesnailswerevisibleonthecold，thickcarpetofyellowleaves；butinanyfashion，underanyaspect，atallseasons，spring，winter，summer，autumn，thistinyenclosurebreathedforthmelancholy，contemplation，solitude，liberty，theabsenceofman，thepresenceofGod；andtherustyoldgatehadtheairofsaying:"Thisgardenbelongstome。"
　　ItwasofnoavailthatthepavementsofPariswerethereoneveryside，theclassicandsplendidhotelsoftheRuedeVarennesacoupleofpacesaway，thedomeoftheInvalidescloseathand，theChamberofDeputiesnotfaroff；thecarriagesoftheRuedeBourgogneandoftheRueSaint—Dominiquerumbledluxuriously，invain，inthevicinity，invaindidtheyellow，brown，white，andredomnibusescrosseachother’scourseattheneighboringcross—roads；
　　theRuePlumetwasthedesert；andthedeathoftheformerproprietors，therevolutionwhichhadpassedoverit，thecrumblingawayofancientfortunes，absence，forgetfulness，fortyyearsofabandonmentandwidowhood，hadsufficedtorestoretothisprivilegedspotferns，mulleins，hemlock，yarrow，tallweeds，greatcrimpedplants，withlargeleavesofpalegreencloth，lizards，beetles，uneasyandrapidinsects；tocausetospringforthfromthedepthsoftheearthandtoreappearbetweenthosefourwallsacertainindescribableandsavagegrandeur；andfornature，whichdisconcertsthepettyarrangementsofman，andwhichshedsherselfalwaysthoroughlywhereshediffusesherselfatall，intheantaswellasintheeagle，toblossomoutinapettylittleParisiangardenwithasmuchrudeforceandmajestyasinavirginforestoftheNewWorld。
　　Nothingissmall，infact；anyonewhoissubjecttotheprofoundandpenetratinginfluenceofnatureknowsthis。Althoughnoabsolutesatisfactionisgiventophilosophy，eithertocircumscribethecauseortolimittheeffect，thecontemplatorfallsintothoseunfathomableecstasiescausedbythesedecompositionsofforceterminatinginunity。Everythingtoilsateverything。
　　Algebraisappliedtotheclouds；theradiationofthestarprofitstherose；nothinkerwouldventuretoaffirmthattheperfumeofthehawthornisuselesstotheconstellations。Who，then，cancalculatethecourseofamolecule？Howdoweknowthatthecreationofworldsisnotdeterminedbythefallofgrainsofsand？Whoknowsthereciprocalebbandflowoftheinfinitelygreatandtheinfinitelylittle，thereverberationsofcausesintheprecipicesofbeing，andtheavalanchesofcreation？Thetiniestwormisofimportance；
　　thegreatislittle，thelittleisgreat；everythingisbalancedinnecessity；alarmingvisionforthemind。Therearemarvellousrelationsbetweenbeingsandthings；inthatinexhaustiblewhole，fromthesuntothegrub，nothingdespisestheother；allhaveneedofeachother。Thelightdoesnotbearawayterrestrialperfumesintotheazuredepths，withoutknowingwhatitisdoing；
　　thenightdistributesstellaressencestothesleepingflowers。
　　Allbirdsthatflyhaveroundtheirlegthethreadoftheinfinite。
　　Germinationiscomplicatedwiththeburstingforthofameteorandwiththepeckofaswallowcrackingitsegg，anditplacesononelevelthebirthofanearthwormandtheadventofSocrates。
　　Wherethetelescopeends，themicroscopebegins。Whichofthetwopossessesthelargerfieldofvision？Choose。Abitofmouldisapleiadofflowers；anebulaisanant—hillofstars。
　　Thesamepromiscuousness，andyetmoreunprecedented，existsbetweenthethingsoftheintelligenceandthefactsofsubstance。
　　Elementsandprinciplesmingle，combine，wed，multiplywitheachother，tosuchapointthatthematerialandthemoralworldarebroughteventuallytothesameclearness。Thephenomenonisperpetuallyreturninguponitself。Inthevastcosmicexchangestheuniversallifegoesandcomesinunknownquantities，rollingentirelyintheinvisiblemysteryofeffluvia，employingeverything，notlosingasingledream，notasingleslumber，sowingananimalculehere，crumblingtobitsaplanetthere，oscillatingandwinding，makingoflightaforceandofthoughtanelement，disseminatedandinvisible，dissolvingall，exceptthatgeometricalpoint，theI；bringingeverythingbacktothesoul—atom；expandingeverythinginGod，entanglingallactivity，fromsummittobase，intheobscurityofadizzymechanism，attachingtheflightofaninsecttothemovementoftheearth，subordinating，whoknows？Wereitonlybytheidentityofthelaw，theevolutionofthecometinthefirmamenttothewhirlingoftheinfusoriainthedropofwater。Amachinemadeofmind。
　　Enormousgearing，theprimemotorofwhichisthegnat，andwhosefinalwheelisthezodiac。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　CHANGEOFGATE
　　Itseemedthatthisgarden，createdinoldendaystoconcealwantonmysteries，hadbeentransformedandbecomefittedtoshelterchastemysteries。Therewerenolongereitherarbors，orbowlinggreens，ortunnels，orgrottos；therewasamagnificent，dishevelledobscurityfallinglikeaveiloverall。PaphoshadbeenmadeoverintoEden。
　　Itisimpossibletosaywhatelementofrepentancehadrenderedthisretreatwholesome。Thisflower—girlnowofferedherblossomtothesoul。Thiscoquettishgarden，formerlydecidedlycompromised，hadreturnedtovirginityandmodesty。Ajusticeassistedbyagardener，agoodmanwhothoughtthathewasacontinuationofLamoignon，andanothergoodmanwhothoughtthathewasacontinuationofLenotre，hadturneditabout，cut，ruffled，decked，mouldedittogallantry；
　　naturehadtakenpossessionofitoncemore，hadfilleditwithshade，andhadarrangeditforlove。
　　Therewas，also，inthissolitude，aheartwhichwasquiteready。
　　Lovehadonlytoshowhimself；hehadhereatemplecomposedofverdure，grass，moss，thesightofbirds，tendershadows，agitatedbranches，andasoulmadeofsweetness，offaith，ofcandor，ofhope，ofaspiration，andofillusion。
　　Cosettehadlefttheconventwhenshewasstillalmostachild；
　　shewasalittlemorethanfourteen，andshewasatthe"ungratefulage"；
　　wehavealreadysaid，thatwiththeexceptionofhereyes，shewashomelyratherthanpretty；shehadnoungracefulfeature，butshewasawkward，thin，timidandboldatonce，agrown—uplittlegirl，inshort。
　　Hereducationwasfinished，thatistosay，shehasbeentaughtreligion，andevenandaboveall，devotion；then"history，"thatistosaythethingthatbearsthatnameinconvents，geography，grammar，theparticiples，thekingsofFrance，alittlemusic，alittledrawing，etc。；butinallotherrespectsshewasutterlyignorant，whichisagreatcharmandagreatperil。Thesoulofayounggirlshouldnotbeleftinthedark；lateron，miragesthataretooabruptandtoolivelyareformedthere，asinadarkchamber。
　　Sheshouldbegentlyanddiscreetlyenlightened，ratherwiththereflectionofrealitiesthanwiththeirharshanddirectlight。
　　Ausefulandgraciouslyausterehalf—lightwhichdissipatespuerilefearsandobviatesfalls。Thereisnothingbutthematernalinstinct，thatadmirableintuitioncomposedofthememoriesofthevirginandtheexperienceofthewoman，whichknowshowthishalf—lightistobecreatedandofwhatitshouldconsist。
　　Nothingsuppliestheplaceofthisinstinct。Allthenunsintheworldarenotworthasmuchasonemotherintheformationofayounggirl’ssoul。
　　Cosettehadhadnomother。Shehadonlyhadmanymothers，intheplural。
　　AsforJeanValjean，hewas，indeed，alltenderness，allsolicitude；
　　buthewasonlyanoldmanandheknewnothingatall。
　　Now，inthisworkofeducation，inthisgravematterofpreparingawomanforlife，whatscienceisrequiredtocombatthatvastignorancewhichiscalledinnocence！
　　Nothingpreparesayounggirlforpassionsliketheconvent。
　　Theconventturnsthethoughtsinthedirectionoftheunknown。
　　Theheart，thusthrownbackuponitself，worksdownwardwithinitself，sinceitcannotoverflow，andgrowsdeep，sinceitcannotexpand。
　　Hencevisions，suppositions，conjectures，outlinesofromances，adesireforadventures，fantasticconstructions，edificesbuiltwhollyintheinnerobscurityofthemind，sombreandsecretabodeswherethepassionsimmediatelyfindalodgementassoonastheopengatepermitsthemtoenter。Theconventisacompressionwhich，inordertotriumphoverthehumanheart，shouldlastduringthewholelife。
　　Onquittingtheconvent，CosettecouldhavefoundnothingmoresweetandmoredangerousthanthehouseintheRuePlumet。
　　Itwasthecontinuationofsolitudewiththebeginningofliberty；
　　agardenthatwasclosed，butanaturethatwasacrid，rich，voluptuous，andfragrant；thesamedreamsasintheconvent，butwithglimpsesofyoungmen；agrating，butonethatopenedonthestreet。
　　Still，whenshearrivedthere，werepeat，shewasonlyachild。
　　JeanValjeangavethisneglectedgardenovertoher。"Dowhatyoulikewithit，"hesaidtoher。ThisamusedCosette；sheturnedoveralltheclumpsandallthestones，shehuntedfor"beasts"；sheplayedinit，whileawaitingthetimewhenshewoulddreaminit；
　　shelovedthisgardenfortheinsectsthatshefoundbeneathherfeetamidthegrass，whileawaitingthedaywhenshewouldloveitforthestarsthatshewouldseethroughtheboughsaboveherhead。
　　Andthen，shelovedherfather，thatistosay，JeanValjean，withallhersoul，withaninnocentfilialpassionwhichmadethegoodmanabelovedandcharmingcompaniontoher。ItwillberememberedthatM。Madeleinehadbeeninthehabitofreadingagreatdeal。JeanValjeanhadcontinuedthispractice；hehadcometoconversewell；hepossessedthesecretrichesandtheeloquenceofatrueandhumblemindwhichhasspontaneouslycultivateditself。
　　Heretainedjustenoughsharpnesstoseasonhiskindness；hismindwasroughandhisheartwassoft。DuringtheirconversationsintheLuxembourg，hegaveherexplanationsofeverything，drawingonwhathehadread，andalsoonwhathehadsuffered。
　　Asshelistenedtohim，Cosette’seyeswanderedvaguelyabout。
　　ThissimplemansufficedforCosette’sthought，thesameasthewildgardensufficedforhereyes。Whenshehadhadagoodchaseafterthebutterflies，shecamepantinguptohimandsaid:"Ah！HowI
　　haverun！"Hekissedherbrow。
　　Cosetteadoredthegoodman。Shewasalwaysathisheels。
　　WhereJeanValjeanwas，therehappinesswas。JeanValjeanlivedneitherinthepavilionnorthegarden；shetookgreaterpleasureinthepavedbackcourtyard，thanintheenclosurefilledwithflowers，andinhislittlelodgefurnishedwithstraw—seatedchairsthaninthegreatdrawing—roomhungwithtapestry，againstwhichstoodtuftedeasy—chairs。JeanValjeansometimessaidtoher，smilingathishappinessinbeingimportuned:"Dogotoyourownquarters！
　　Leavemealonealittle！"
　　Shegavehimthosecharmingandtenderscoldingswhicharesogracefulwhentheycomefromadaughtertoherfather。
　　"Father，Iamverycoldinyourrooms；whydon’tyouhaveacarpethereandastove？"
　　"Dearchild，therearesomanypeoplewhoarebetterthanI
　　andwhohavenotevenaroofovertheirheads。"
　　"Thenwhyisthereafireinmyrooms，andeverythingthatisneeded？"
　　"Becauseyouareawomanandachild。"
　　"Bah！mustmenbecoldandfeeluncomfortable？"
　　"Certainmen。"
　　"Thatisgood，Ishallcomeheresooftenthatyouwillbeobligedtohaveafire。"
　　Andagainshesaidtohim:——
　　"Father，whydoyoueathorriblebreadlikethat？"
　　"Because，mydaughter。"
　　"Well，ifyoueatit，Iwilleatittoo。"
　　Then，inordertopreventCosetteeatingblackbread，JeanValjeanatewhitebread。
　　Cosettehadbutaconfusedrecollectionofherchildhood。Sheprayedmorningandeveningforhermotherwhomshehadneverknown。
　　TheThenardiershadremainedwithherastwohideousfiguresinadream。Sherememberedthatshehadgone"oneday，atnight，"
　　tofetchwaterinaforest。ShethoughtthatithadbeenveryfarfromParis。Itseemedtoherthatshehadbeguntoliveinanabyss，andthatitwasJeanValjeanwhohadrescuedherfromit。
　　Herchildhoodproduceduponhertheeffectofatimewhentherehadbeennothingaroundherbutmillepeds，spiders，andserpents。
　　Whenshemeditatedintheevening，beforefallingasleep，asshehadnotaveryclearideathatshewasJeanValjean’sdaughter，andthathewasherfather，shefanciedthatthesoulofhermotherhadpassedintothatgoodmanandhadcometodwellnearher。
　　Whenhewasseated，sheleanedhercheekagainsthiswhitehair，anddroppedasilenttear，sayingtoherself:"Perhapsthismanismymother。"
　　Cosette，althoughthisisastrangestatementtomake，intheprofoundignoranceofagirlbroughtupinaconvent，——
　　maternitybeingalsoabsolutelyunintelligibletovirginity，——
　　hadendedbyfancyingthatshehadhadaslittlemotheraspossible。
　　Shedidnotevenknowhermother’sname。WheneversheaskedJeanValjean，JeanValjeanremainedsilent。Ifsherepeatedherquestion，herespondedwithasmile。Oncesheinsisted；thesmileendedinatear。
　　ThissilenceonthepartofJeanValjeancoveredFantinewithdarkness。
　　Wasitprudence？Wasitrespect？Wasitafearthatheshoulddeliverthisnametothehazardsofanothermemorythanhisown？
　　SolongasCosettehadbeensmall，JeanValjeanhadbeenwillingtotalktoherofhermother；whenshebecameayounggirl，itwasimpossibleforhimtodoso。Itseemedtohimthathenolongerdared。WasitbecauseofCosette？WasitbecauseofFantine？HefeltacertainreligioushorroratlettingthatshadowenterCosette’sthought；
　　andofplacingathirdintheirdestiny。Themoresacredthisshadewastohim，themorediditseemthatitwastobefeared。
　　HethoughtofFantine，andfelthimselfoverwhelmedwithsilence。
　　Throughthedarkness，hevaguelyperceivedsomethingwhichappearedtohaveitsfingeronitslips。HadallthemodestywhichhadbeeninFantine，andwhichhadviolentlyquittedherduringherlifetime，returnedtorestuponherafterherdeath，towatchinindignationoverthepeaceofthatdeadwoman，andinitsshyness，tokeepherinhergrave？WasJeanValjeanunconsciouslysubmittingtothepressure？
　　Wewhobelieveindeath，arenotamongthenumberwhowillrejectthismysteriousexplanation。
　　Hencetheimpossibilityofuttering，evenforCosette，thatnameofFantine。
　　OnedayCosettesaidtohim:——
　　"Father，Isawmymotherinadreamlastnight。Shehadtwobigwings。
　　Mymothermusthavebeenalmostasaintduringherlife。"
　　"Throughmartyrdom，"repliedJeanValjean。
　　However，JeanValjeanwashappy。
　　WhenCosettewentoutwithhim，sheleanedonhisarm，proudandhappy，intheplenitudeofherheart。JeanValjeanfelthisheartmeltwithinhimwithdelight，atallthesesparksofatendernesssoexclusive，sowhollysatisfiedwithhimselfalone。Thepoormantrembled，inundatedwithangelicjoy；hedeclaredtohimselfecstaticallythatthiswouldlastalltheirlives；hetoldhimselfthathereallyhadnotsufferedsufficientlytomeritsoradiantabliss，andhethankedGod，inthedepthsofhissoul，forhavingpermittedhimtobelovedthus，he，awretch，bythatinnocentbeing。
　　CHAPTERV
　　THEROSEPERCEIVESTHATITISANENGINEOFWAR
　　Oneday，Cosettechancedtolookatherselfinhermirror，andshesaidtoherself:"Really！"Itseemedtoheralmostthatshewaspretty。Thisthrewherinasingularlytroubledstateofmind。Uptothatmomentshehadneverthoughtofherface。
　　Shesawherselfinhermirror，butshedidnotlookatherself。
　　Andthen，shehadsooftenbeentoldthatshewashomely；
　　JeanValjeanalonesaidgently:"Noindeed！noindeed！"
　　Atallevents，Cosettehadalwaysthoughtherselfhomely，andhadgrownupinthatbeliefwiththeeasyresignationofchildhood。
　　Andhere，allatonce，washermirrorsayingtoher，asJeanValjeanhadsaid:"Noindeed！"Thatnight，shedidnotsleep。"WhatifI
　　werepretty！"shethought。"HowodditwouldbeifIwerepretty！"
　　Andsherecalledthoseofhercompanionswhosebeautyhadproducedasensationintheconvent，andshesaidtoherself:"What！AmItobelikeMademoiselleSo—and—So？"
　　Thenextmorningshelookedatherselfagain，notbyaccidentthistime，andshewasassailedwithdoubts:"WheredidIgetsuchanidea？"
　　saidshe；"no，Iamugly。"Shehadnotsleptwell，thatwasall，hereyesweresunkenandshewaspale。Shehadnotfeltveryjoyousontheprecedingeveninginthebeliefthatshewasbeautiful，butitmadeherverysadnottobeabletobelieveinitanylonger。
　　Shedidnotlookatherselfagain，andformorethanafortnightshetriedtodressherhairwithherbackturnedtothemirror。
　　Intheevening，afterdinner，shegenerallyembroideredinwoolordidsomeconventneedleworkinthedrawing—room，andJeanValjeanreadbesideher。Oncesheraisedhereyesfromherwork，andwasrenderedquiteuneasybythemannerinwhichherfatherwasgazingather。
　　Onanotheroccasion，shewaspassingalongthestreet，anditseemedtoherthatsomeonebehindher，whomshedidnotsee，said:"Aprettywoman！butbadlydressed。"
　　"Bah！"shethought，"hedoesnotmeanme。Iamwelldressedandugly。"Shewasthenwearingaplushhatandhermerinogown。
　　Atlast，onedaywhenshewasinthegarden，sheheardpooroldToussaintsaying:"DoyounoticehowprettyCosetteisgrowing，sir？"
　　Cosettedidnothearherfather’sreply，butToussaint’swordscausedasortofcommotionwithinher。Shefledfromthegarden，ranuptoherroom，flewtothelooking—glass，——itwasthreemonthssinceshehadlookedatherself，——andgaveventtoacry。
　　Shehadjustdazzledherself。
　　Shewasbeautifulandlovely；shecouldnothelpagreeingwithToussaintandhermirror。Herfigurewasformed，herskinhadgrownwhite，herhairwaslustrous，anunaccustomedsplendorhadbeenlightedinherblueeyes。Theconsciousnessofherbeautyburstuponherinaninstant，likethesuddenadventofdaylight；
　　otherpeoplenoticeditalso，Toussainthadsaidso，itwasevidentlysheofwhomthepasser—byhadspoken，therecouldnolongerbeanydoubtofthat；shedescendedtothegardenagain，thinkingherselfaqueen，imaginingthatsheheardthebirdssinging，thoughitwaswinter，seeingtheskygilded，thesunamongthetrees，flowersinthethickets，distracted，wild，ininexpressibledelight。
　　JeanValjean，onhisside，experiencedadeepandundefinableoppressionatheart。
　　Infact，hehad，forsometimepast，beencontemplatingwithterrorthatbeautywhichseemedtogrowmoreradianteverydayonCosette’ssweetface。Thedawnthatwassmilingforallwasgloomyforhim。
　　Cosettehadbeenbeautifulforatolerablylongtimebeforeshebecameawareofitherself。But，fromtheveryfirstday，thatunexpectedlightwhichwasrisingslowlyandenvelopingthewholeoftheyounggirl’sperson，woundedJeanValjean’ssombreeye。
　　Hefeltthatitwasachangeinahappylife，alifesohappythathedidnotdaretomoveforfearofdisarrangingsomething。
　　Thisman，whohadpassedthroughallmannerofdistresses，whowasstillallbleedingfromthebruisesoffate，whohadbeenalmostwickedandwhohadbecomealmostasaint，who，afterhavingdraggedthechainofthegalleys，wasnowdraggingtheinvisiblebutheavychainofindefinitemisery，thismanwhomthelawhadnotreleasedfromitsgraspandwhocouldbeseizedatanymomentandbroughtbackfromtheobscurityofhisvirtuetothebroaddaylightofpublicopprobrium，thismanacceptedall，excusedall，pardonedall，andmerelyaskedofProvidence，ofman，ofthelaw，ofsociety，ofnature，oftheworld，onething，thatCosettemightlovehim！
　　ThatCosettemightcontinuetolovehim！ThatGodwouldnotpreventtheheartofthechildfromcomingtohim，andfromremainingwithhim！
　　BelovedbyCosette，hefeltthathewashealed，rested，appeased，loadedwithbenefits，recompensed，crowned。BelovedbyCosette，itwaswellwithhim！Heaskednothingmore！Hadanyonesaidtohim:"Doyouwantanythingbetter？"hewouldhaveanswered:
　　"No。"Godmighthavesaidtohim:"Doyoudesireheaven？"andhewouldhavereplied:"Ishouldlosebyit。"
　　Everythingwhichcouldaffectthissituation，ifonlyonthesurface，madehimshudderlikethebeginningofsomethingnew。Hehadneverknownverydistinctlyhimselfwhatthebeautyofawomanmeans；
　　butheunderstoodinstinctively，thatitwassomethingterrible。
　　Hegazedwithterroronthisbeauty，whichwasblossomingoutevermoretriumphantandsuperbbesidehim，beneathhisveryeyes，ontheinnocentandformidablebrowofthatchild，fromthedepthsofherhomeliness，ofhisoldage，ofhismisery，ofhisreprobation。
　　Hesaidtohimself:"Howbeautifulsheis！Whatistobecomeofme？"
　　There，moreover，laythedifferencebetweenhistendernessandthetendernessofamother。Whathebeheldwithanguish，amotherwouldhavegazeduponwithjoy。
　　Thefirstsymptomswerenotlonginmakingtheirappearance。
　　Ontheverymorrowofthedayonwhichshehadsaidtoherself:
　　"DecidedlyIambeautiful！"Cosettebegantopayattentiontohertoilet。Sherecalledtheremarkofthatpasser—by:"Pretty，butbadlydressed，"thebreathofanoraclewhichhadpassedbesideherandhadvanished，afterdepositinginherheartoneofthetwogermswhicharedestined，lateron，tofillthewholelifeofwoman，coquetry。Loveistheother。
　　Withfaithinherbeauty，thewholefemininesoulexpandedwithinher。
　　Sheconceivedahorrorforhermerinos，andshameforherplushhat。
　　Herfatherhadneverrefusedheranything。Sheatonceacquiredthewholescienceofthebonnet，thegown，themantle，theboot，thecuff，thestuffwhichisinfashion，thecolorwhichisbecoming，thatsciencewhichmakesoftheParisianwomansomethingsocharming，sodeep，andsodangerous。ThewordsheadywomanwereinventedfortheParisienne。
　　Inlessthanamonth，littleCosette，inthatThebaidoftheRuedeBabylone，wasnotonlyoneoftheprettiest，butoneofthe"bestdressed"womeninParis，whichmeansagreatdealmore。
　　Shewouldhavelikedtoencounterher"passer—by，"toseewhathewouldsay，andto"teachhimalesson！"Thetruthis，thatshewasravishingineveryrespect，andthatshedistinguishedthedifferencebetweenabonnetfromGerardandonefromHerbautinthemostmarvellousway。
　　JeanValjeanwatchedtheseravageswithanxiety。Hewhofeltthathecouldneverdoanythingbutcrawl，walkatthemost，beheldwingssproutingonCosette。
　　Moreover，fromthemereinspectionofCosette’stoilet，awomanwouldhaverecognizedthefactthatshehadnomother。
　　Certainlittleproprieties，certainspecialconventionalities，werenotobservedbyCosette。Amother，forinstance，wouldhavetoldherthatayounggirldoesnotdressindamask。
　　ThefirstdaythatCosettewentoutinherblackdamaskgownandmantle，andherwhitecrapebonnet，shetookJeanValjean’sarm，gay，radiant，rosy，proud，dazzling。"Father，"shesaid，"howdoyoulikemeinthisguise？"JeanValjeanrepliedinavoicewhichresembledthebittervoiceofanenviousman:"Charming！"Hewasthesameasusualduringtheirwalk。Ontheirreturnhome，heaskedCosette:——
　　"Won’tyouputonthatothergownandbonnetagain，——youknowtheonesImean？"
　　ThistookplaceinCosette’schamber。Cosetteturnedtowardsthewardrobewherehercast—offschoolgirl’sclotheswerehanging。
　　"Thatdisguise！"saidshe。"Father，whatdoyouwantmetodowithit？
　　Ohno，theidea！Ishallneverputonthosehorrorsagain。