Oneofwoman’smagnanimitiesistoyield。Love，attheheightwhereitisabsolute，iscomplicatedwithsomeindescribablycelestialblindnessofmodesty。Butwhatdangersyourun，Onoblesouls！
　　Oftenyougivetheheart，andwetakethebody。Yourheartremainswithyou，yougazeuponitinthegloomwithashudder。Lovehasnomiddlecourse；iteitherruinsoritsaves。Allhumandestinyliesinthisdilemma。Thisdilemma，ruin，orsafety，issetforthnomoreinexorablybyanyfatalitythanbylove。Loveislife，ifitisnotdeath。Cradle；alsocoffin。Thesamesentimentsays"yes"and"no"inthehumanheart。OfallthethingsthatGodhasmade，thehumanheartistheonewhichshedsthemostlight，alas！andthemostdarkness。
　　GodwilledthatCosette’sloveshouldencounteroneoftheloveswhichsave。
　　ThroughoutthewholeofthemonthofMayofthatyear1832，therewerethere，ineverynight，inthatpoor，neglectedgarden，beneaththatthicketwhichgrewthickerandmorefragrantdaybyday，twobeingscomposedofallchastity，allinnocence，overflowingwithallthefelicityofheaven，nearertothearchangelsthantomankind，pure，honest，intoxicated，radiant，whoshoneforeachotheramidtheshadows。ItseemedtoCosettethatMariushadacrown，andtoMariusthatCosettehadanimbus。Theytouchedeachother，theygazedateachother，theyclaspedeachother’shands，theypressedclosetoeachother；buttherewasadistancewhichtheydidnotpass。
　　Notthattheyrespectedit；theydidnotknowofitsexistence。
　　Mariuswasconsciousofabarrier，Cosette’sinnocence；andCosetteofasupport，Marius’loyalty。Thefirstkisshadalsobeenthelast。Marius，sincethattime，hadnotgonefurtherthantotouchCosette’shand，orherkerchief，oralockofherhair，withhislips。
　　Forhim，Cosettewasaperfumeandnotawoman。Heinhaledher。
　　Sherefusednothing，andheaskednothing。Cosettewashappy，andMariuswassatisfied。Theylivedinthisecstaticstatewhichcanbedescribedasthedazzlingofonesoulbyanothersoul。
　　Itwastheineffablefirstembraceoftwomaidensoulsintheideal。
　　TwoswansmeetingontheJungfrau。
　　Atthathouroflove，anhourwhenvoluptuousnessisabsolutelymute，beneaththeomnipotenceofecstasy，Marius，thepureandseraphicMarius，wouldratherhavegonetoawomanofthetownthanhaveraisedCosette’srobetotheheightofherankle。Once，inthemoonlight，Cosettestoopedtopickupsomethingontheground，herbodicefellapartandpermittedaglimpseofthebeginningofherthroat。
　　Mariusturnedawayhiseyes。
　　Whattookplacebetweenthesetwobeings？Nothing。Theyadoredeachother。
　　Atnight，whentheywerethere，thatgardenseemedalivingandasacredspot。Allflowersunfoldedaroundthemandsentthemincense；
　　andtheyopenedtheirsoulsandscatteredthemovertheflowers。
　　Thewantonandvigorousvegetationquivered，fullofstrengthandintoxication，aroundthesetwoinnocents，andtheyutteredwordsoflovewhichsetthetreestotrembling。
　　Whatwordswerethese？Breaths。Nothingmore。Thesebreathssufficedtotroubleandtotouchallnatureroundabout。
　　Magicpowerwhichweshouldfinditdifficulttounderstandwerewetoreadinabooktheseconversationswhicharemadetobeborneawayanddispersedlikesmokewreathsbythebreezebeneaththeleaves。
　　Takefromthosemurmursoftwoloversthatmelodywhichproceedsfromthesoulandwhichaccompaniesthemlikealyre，andwhatremainsisnothingmorethanashade；yousay:"What！isthatall！"
　　eh！yes，childishprattle，repetitions，laughteratnothing，nonsense，everythingthatisdeepestandmostsublimeintheworld！
　　Theonlythingswhichareworththetroubleofsayingandhearing！
　　Themanwhohasneverheard，themanwhohasneverutteredtheseabsurdities，thesepaltryremarks，isanimbecileandamaliciousfellow。CosettesaidtoMarius:——
　　"Dostthouknow？——"
　　[Inallthisandathwartthiscelestialmaidenliness，andwithouteitherofthembeingabletosayhowithadcomeabout，theyhadbeguntocalleachotherthou。]
　　"Dostthouknow？MynameisEuphrasie。"
　　"Euphrasie？Why，no，thynameisCosette。"
　　"Oh！CosetteisaveryuglynamethatwasgiventomewhenI
　　wasalittlething。ButmyrealnameisEuphrasie。Dostthoulikethatname——Euphrasie？"
　　"Yes。ButCosetteisnotugly。"
　　"DoyoulikeitbetterthanEuphrasie？"
　　"Why，yes。"
　　"ThenIlikeitbettertoo。Truly，itispretty，Cosette。
　　CallmeCosette。"
　　Andthesmilethatsheaddedmadeofthisdialogueanidylworthyofagrovesituatedinheaven。Onanotheroccasionshegazedintentlyathimandexclaimed:——
　　"Monsieur，youarehandsome，youaregood—looking，youarewitty，youarenotatallstupid，youaremuchmorelearnedthanIam，butIbidyoudefiancewiththisword:Iloveyou！"
　　AndMarius，intheveryheavens，thoughtheheardastrainsungbyastar。
　　Orshebestowedonhimagentletapbecausehecoughed，andshesaidtohim:——
　　"Don’tcough，sir；Iwillnothavepeoplecoughonmydomainwithoutmypermission。It’sverynaughtytocoughandtodisturbme。
　　Iwantyoutobewell，because，inthefirstplace，ifyouwerenotwell，Ishouldbeveryunhappy。WhatshouldIdothen？"
　　Andthiswassimplydivine。
　　OnceMariussaidtoCosette:——
　　"Justimagine，IthoughtatonetimethatyournamewasUrsule。"
　　Thismadebothofthemlaughthewholeevening。
　　Inthemiddleofanotherconversation，hechancedtoexclaim:——
　　"Oh！Oneday，attheLuxembourg，Ihadagoodmindtofinishbreakingupaveteran！"Buthestoppedshort，andwentnofurther。
　　HewouldhavebeenobligedtospeaktoCosetteofhergarter，andthatwasimpossible。Thisborderedonastrangetheme，theflesh，beforewhichthatimmenseandinnocentloverecoiledwithasortofsacredfright。
　　MariuspicturedlifewithCosettetohimselflikethis，withoutanythingelse；tocomeeveryeveningtotheRuePlumet，todisplacetheoldandaccommodatingbarofthechief—justice’sgate，tositelbowtoelbowonthatbench，togazethroughthetreesatthescintillationoftheon—comingnight，tofitafoldofthekneeofhistrousersintotheamplefallofCosette’sgown，tocaressherthumb—nail，tocallherthou，tosmellofthesameflower，oneaftertheother，forever，indefinitely。Duringthistime，cloudspassedabovetheirheads。Everytimethatthewindblowsitbearswithitmoreofthedreamsofmenthanofthecloudsofheaven。
　　Thischaste，almostshylovewasnotdevoidofgallantry，byanymeans。Topaycomplimentstothewomanwhomamanlovesisthefirstmethodofbestowingcaresses，andheishalfaudaciouswhotriesit。Acomplimentissomethinglikeakissthroughaveil。
　　Voluptuousnessminglestherewithitssweettinypoint，whileithidesitself。Theheartdrawsbackbeforevoluptuousnessonlytolovethemore。Marius’blandishments，allsaturatedwithfancy，were，sotospeak，ofazurehue。Thebirdswhentheyflyupyonder，inthedirectionoftheangels，musthearsuchwords。Thereweremingledwiththem，nevertheless，life，humanity，allthepositivenessofwhichMariuswascapable。Itwaswhatissaidinthebower，apreludetowhatwillbesaidinthechamber；alyricaleffusion，stropheandsonnetintermingled，pleasinghyperbolesofcooing，alltherefinementsofadorationarrangedinabouquetandexhalingacelestialperfume，anineffabletwitterofhearttoheart。
　　"Oh！"murmuredMarius，"howbeautifulyouare！Idarenotlookatyou。
　　ItisalloverwithmewhenIcontemplateyou。Youareagrace。
　　Iknownotwhatisthematterwithme。Thehemofyourgown，whenthetipofyourshoepeepsfrombeneath，upsetsme。Andthen，whatanenchantedgleamwhenyouopenyourthoughtevenbutalittle！
　　Youtalkastonishinglygoodsense。Itseemstomeattimesthatyouareadream。Speak，Ilisten，Iadmire。OhCosette！
　　howstrangeitisandhowcharming！Iamreallybesidemyself。
　　Youareadorable，Mademoiselle。Istudyyourfeetwiththemicroscopeandyoursoulwiththetelescope。"
　　AndCosetteanswered:——
　　"Ihavebeenlovingalittlemoreallthetimethathaspassedsincethismorning。"
　　Questionsandrepliestookcareofthemselvesinthisdialogue，whichalwaysturnedwithmutualconsentuponlove，asthelittlepithfiguresalwaysturnontheirpeg。
　　Cosette’swholepersonwasingenuousness，ingenuity，transparency，whiteness，candor，radiance。ItmighthavebeensaidofCosettethatshewasclear。SheproducedonthosewhosawherthesensationofAprilanddawn。Therewasdewinhereyes。
　　Cosettewasacondensationoftheaurorallightintheformofawoman。
　　ItwasquitesimplethatMariusshouldadmireher，sinceheadoredher。
　　Butthetruthis，thatthislittleschool—girl，freshfromtheconvent，talkedwithexquisitepenetrationanduttered，attimes，allsortsoftrueanddelicatesayings。Herprattlewasconversation。
　　Shenevermadeamistakeaboutanything，andshesawthingsjustly。
　　Thewomanfeelsandspeakswiththetenderinstinctoftheheart，whichisinfallible。
　　Nooneunderstandssowellasawoman，howtosaythingsthatare，atonce，bothsweetanddeep。Sweetnessanddepth，theyarethewholeofwoman；inthemliesthewholeofheaven。
　　Inthisfullfelicity，tearswelleduptotheireyeseveryinstant。
　　Acrushedlady—bug，afeatherfallenfromanest，abranchofhawthornbroken，arousedtheirpity，andtheirecstasy，sweetlymingledwithmelancholy，seemedtoasknothingbetterthantoweep。
　　Themostsovereignsymptomofloveisatendernessthatis，attimes，almostunbearable。
　　And，inadditiontothis，——allthesecontradictionsarethelightningplayoflove，——theywerefondoflaughing，theylaughedreadilyandwithadeliciousfreedom，andsofamiliarlythattheysometimespresentedtheairoftwoboys。
　　Still，thoughunknowntoheartsintoxicatedwithpurity，natureisalwayspresentandwillnotbeforgotten。Sheistherewithherbrutalandsublimeobject；andhowevergreatmaybetheinnocenceofsouls，onefeelsinthemostmodestprivateinterview，theadorableandmysteriousshadewhichseparatesacoupleofloversfromapairoffriends。
　　Theyidolizedeachother。
　　Thepermanentandtheimmutablearepersistent。Peoplelive，theysmile，theylaugh，theymakelittlegrimaceswiththetipsoftheirlips，theyinterlacetheirfingers，theycalleachotherthou，andthatdoesnotpreventeternity。
　　Twolovershidethemselvesintheevening，inthetwilight，intheinvisible，withthebirds，withtheroses；theyfascinateeachotherinthedarknesswiththeirheartswhichtheythrowintotheireyes，theymurmur，theywhisper，andinthemeantime，immenselibrationsoftheplanetsfilltheinfiniteuniverse。
　　CHAPTERII
　　THEBEWILDERMENTOFPERFECTHAPPINESS
　　Theyexistedvaguely，frightenedattheirhappiness。TheydidnotnoticethecholerawhichdecimatedParispreciselyduringthatverymonth。
　　Theyhadconfidedineachotherasfaraspossible，butthishadnotextendedmuchfurtherthantheirnames。MariushadtoldCosettethathewasanorphan，thathisnamewasMariusPontmercy，thathewasalawyer，thathelivedbywritingthingsforpublishers，thathisfatherhadbeenacolonel，thatthelatterhadbeenahero，andthathe，Marius，wasonbadtermswithhisgrandfatherwhowasrich。Hehadalsohintedatbeingabaron，butthishadproducednoeffectonCosette。Shedidnotknowthemeaningoftheword。
　　MariuswasMarius。Onherside，shehadconfidedtohimthatshehadbeenbroughtupatthePetit—Picpusconvent，thathermother，likehisown，wasdead，thatherfather’snamewasM。Fauchelevent，thathewasverygood，thathegaveagreatdealtothepoor，butthathewaspoorhimself，andthathedeniedhimselfeverythingthoughhedeniedhernothing。
　　Strangetosay，inthesortofsymphonywhichMariushadlivedsincehehadbeeninthehabitofseeingCosette，thepast，eventhemostrecentpast，hadbecomesoconfusedanddistanttohim，thatwhatCosettetoldhimsatisfiedhimcompletely。
　　Itdidnotevenoccurtohimtotellheraboutthenocturnaladventureinthehovel，aboutThenardier，abouttheburn，andaboutthestrangeattitudeandsingularflightofherfather。
　　Mariushadmomentarilyforgottenallthis；intheeveninghedidnotevenknowthattherehadbeenamorning，whathehaddone，wherehehadbreakfasted，norwhohadspokentohim；hehadsongsinhisearswhichrenderedhimdeaftoeveryotherthought；
　　heonlyexistedatthehourswhenhesawCosette。Then，ashewasinheaven，itwasquitenaturalthatheshouldforgetearth。
　　Bothborelanguidlytheindefinableburdenofimmaterialpleasures。
　　Thuslivedthesesomnambulistswhoarecalledlovers。
　　Alas！Whoistherewhohasnotfeltallthesethings？Whydoestherecomeanhourwhenoneemergesfromthisazure，andwhydoeslifegoonafterwards？
　　Lovingalmosttakestheplaceofthinking。Loveisanardentforgetfulnessofalltherest。Thenasklogicofpassionifyouwill。
　　Thereisnomoreabsolutelogicalsequenceinthehumanheartthanthereisaperfectgeometricalfigureinthecelestialmechanism。
　　ForCosetteandMariusnothingexistedexceptMariusandCosette。
　　Theuniversearoundthemhadfallenintoahole。Theylivedinagoldenminute。Therewasnothingbeforethem，nothingbehind。
　　IthardlyoccurredtoMariusthatCosettehadafather。Hisbrainwasdazzledandobliterated。Ofwhatdidtheseloverstalkthen？
　　Wehaveseen，oftheflowers，andtheswallows，thesettingsunandtherisingmoon，andallsortsofimportantthings。Theyhadtoldeachothereverythingexcepteverything。Theeverythingofloversisnothing。Butthefather，therealities，thatlair，theruffians，thatadventure，towhatpurpose？Andwasheverysurethatthisnightmarehadactuallyexisted？Theyweretwo，andtheyadoredeachother，andbeyondthattherewasnothing。Nothingelseexisted。
　　Itisprobablethatthisvanishingofhellinourrearisinherenttothearrivalofparadise。Havewebehelddemons？Arethereany？
　　Havewetrembled？Havewesuffered？Wenolongerknow。Arosycloudhangsoverit。
　　Sothesetwobeingslivedinthismanner，highaloft，withallthatimprobabilitywhichisinnature；neitheratthenadirnoratthezenith，betweenmanandseraphim，abovethemire，belowtheether，intheclouds；hardlyfleshandblood，soulandecstasyfromheadtofoot；alreadytoosublimetowalktheearth，stilltooheavilychargedwithhumanitytodisappearintheblue，suspendedlikeatomswhicharewaitingtobeprecipitated；apparentlybeyondtheboundsofdestiny；ignorantofthatrut；yesterday，to—day，to—morrow；
　　amazed，rapturous，floating，soaring；attimessolightthattheycouldtaketheirflightoutintotheinfinite；almostpreparedtosoarawaytoalleternity。Theysleptwide—awake，thussweetlylulled。
　　Oh！splendidlethargyoftherealoverwhelmedbytheideal。
　　Sometimes，beautifulasCosettewas，Mariusshuthiseyesinherpresence。Thebestwaytolookatthesoulisthroughclosedeyes。
　　MariusandCosetteneveraskedthemselveswhitherthiswastoleadthem。
　　Theyconsideredthattheyhadalreadyarrived。Itisastrangeclaimonman’sparttowishthatloveshouldleadtosomething。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THEBEGINNINGOFSHADOW
　　JeanValjeansuspectednothing。
　　Cosette，whowasratherlessdreamythanMarius，wasgay，andthatsufficedforJeanValjean’shappiness。ThethoughtswhichCosettecherished，hertenderpreoccupations，Marius’imagewhichfilledherheart，tookawaynothingfromtheincomparablepurityofherbeautiful，chaste，andsmilingbrow。Shewasattheagewhenthevirginbearsherloveastheangelhislily。SoJeanValjeanwasatease。Andthen，whentwolovershavecometoanunderstanding，thingsalwaysgowell；thethirdpartywhomightdisturbtheirloveiskeptinastateofperfectblindnessbyarestrictednumberofprecautionswhicharealwaysthesameinthecaseofalllovers。
　　Thus，CosetteneverobjectedtoanyofJeanValjean’sproposals。
　　Didshewanttotakeawalk？"Yes，dearlittlefather。"Didshewanttostayathome？Verygood。DidhewishtopasstheeveningwithCosette？Shewasdelighted。Ashealwayswenttobedatteno’clock，Mariusdidnotcometothegardenonsuchoccasionsuntilafterthathour，when，fromthestreet，heheardCosetteopenthelongglassdoorontheveranda。Ofcourse，nooneevermetMariusinthedaytime。JeanValjeanneverevendreamedanylongerthatMariuswasinexistence。Onlyonce，onemorning，hechancedtosaytoCosette:"Why，youhavewhitewashonyourback！"Onthepreviousevening，Marius，inatransport，hadpushedCosetteagainstthewall。
　　OldToussaint，whoretiredearly，thoughtofnothingbuthersleep，andwasasignorantofthewholematterasJeanValjean。
　　Mariusneversetfootinthehouse。WhenhewaswithCosette，theyhidthemselvesinarecessnearthesteps，inorderthattheymightneitherbeseennorheardfromthestreet，andtheretheysat，frequentlycontentingthemselves，bywayofconversation，withpressingeachother’shandstwentytimesaminuteastheygazedatthebranchesofthetrees。Atsuchtimes，athunderboltmighthavefallenthirtypacesfromthem，andtheywouldnothavenoticedit，sodeeplywasthereveryoftheoneabsorbedandsunkinthereveryoftheother。
　　Limpidpurity。Hourswhollywhite；almostallalike。Thissortofloveisarecollectionoflilypetalsandtheplumageofthedove。
　　Thewholeextentofthegardenlaybetweenthemandthestreet。
　　EverytimethatMariusenteredandleft，hecarefullyadjustedthebarofthegateinsuchamannerthatnodisplacementwasvisible。
　　Heusuallywentawayaboutmidnight，andreturnedtoCourfeyrac’slodgings。CourfeyracsaidtoBahorel:——
　　"Wouldyoubelieveit？Mariuscomeshomenowadaysatoneo’clockinthemorning。"
　　Bahorelreplied:——
　　"Whatdoyouexpect？There’salwaysapetardinaseminaryfellow。"
　　Attimes，Courfeyracfoldedhisarms，assumedaseriousair，andsaidtoMarius:——
　　"Youaregettingirregularinyourhabits，youngman。"
　　Courfeyrac，beingapracticalman，didnottakeingoodpartthisreflectionofaninvisibleparadiseuponMarius；hewasnotmuchinthehabitofconcealedpassions；itmadehimimpatient，andnowandthenhecalleduponMariustocomebacktoreality。
　　Onemorning，hethrewhimthisadmonition:——
　　"Mydearfellow，youproduceuponmetheeffectofbeinglocatedinthemoon，therealmofdreams，theprovinceofillusions，capital，soap—bubble。Come，beagoodboy，what’shername？"
　　ButnothingcouldinduceMarius"totalk。"Theymighthavetornouthisnailsbeforeoneofthetwosacredsyllablesofwhichthatineffablename，Cosette，wascomposed。Trueloveisasluminousasthedawnandassilentasthetomb。Only，CourfeyracsawthischangeinMarius，thathistaciturnitywasofthebeamingorder。
　　DuringthissweetmonthofMay，MariusandCosettelearnedtoknowtheseimmensedelights。Todisputeandtosayyouforthou，simplythattheymightsaythouthebetterafterwards。Totalkatgreatlengthwithveryminutedetails，ofpersonsinwhomtheytooknottheslightestinterestintheworld；anotherproofthatinthatravishingoperacalledlove，thelibrettocountsforalmostnothing；
　　ForMarius，tolistentoCosettediscussingfinery；
　　ForCosette，tolistentoMariustalkinpolitics；
　　Tolisten，kneepressedtoknee，tothecarriagesrollingalongtheRuedeBabylone；
　　Togazeuponthesameplanetinspace，oratthesameglowwormgleaminginthegrass；
　　Toholdtheirpeacetogether；astillgreaterdelightthanconversation；
　　Etc。，etc。
　　Inthemeantime，diverscomplicationswereapproaching。
　　Oneevening，Mariuswasonhiswaytotherendezvous，bywayoftheBoulevarddesInvalides。Hehabituallywalkedwithdroopinghead。
　　AshewasonthepointofturningthecorneroftheRuePlumet，heheardsomeonequiteclosetohimsay:——
　　"Goodevening，MonsieurMarius。"
　　HeraisedhisheadandrecognizedEponine。
　　Thisproducedasingulareffectuponhim。HehadnotthoughtofthatgirlasingletimesincethedaywhenshehadconductedhimtotheRuePlumet，hehadnotseenheragain，andshehadgonecompletelyoutofhismind。Hehadnoreasonsforanythingbutgratitudetowardsher，heowedherhishappiness，andyet，itwasembarrassingtohimtomeether。
　　Itisanerrortothinkthatpassion，whenitispureandhappy，leadsmantoastateofperfection；itsimplyleadshim，aswehavenoted，toastateofoblivion。Inthissituation，manforgetstobebad，buthealsoforgetstobegood。Gratitude，duty，mattersessentialandimportanttoberemembered，vanish。Atanyothertime，MariuswouldhavebehavedquitedifferentlytoEponine。
　　AbsorbedinCosette，hehadnotevenclearlyputittohimselfthatthisEponinewasnamedEponineThenardier，andthatsheborethenameinscribedinhisfather’swill，thatname，forwhich，butafewmonthsbefore，hewouldhavesoardentlysacrificedhimself。
　　WeshowMariusashewas。Hisfatherhimselfwasfadingoutofhissoultosomeextent，underthesplendorofhislove。
　　Herepliedwithsomeembarrassment:——
　　"Ah！soit’syou，Eponine？"
　　"Whydoyoucallmeyou？HaveIdoneanythingtoyou？"
　　"No，"heanswered。
　　Certainly，hehadnothingagainsther。Farfromit。Only，hefeltthathecouldnotdootherwise，nowthatheusedthoutoCosette，thansayyoutoEponine。
　　Asheremainedsilent，sheexclaimed:——
　　"Say——"
　　Thenshepaused。Itseemedasthoughwordsfailedthatcreatureformerlysoheedlessandsobold。Shetriedtosmileandcouldnot。
　　Thensheresumed:——
　　"Well？"
　　Thenshepausedagain，andremainedwithdowncasteyes。
　　"Goodevening，Mr。Marius，"saidshesuddenlyandabruptly；
　　andawayshewent。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　ACABRUNSINENGLISHANDBARKSINSLANG
　　Thefollowingdaywasthe3dofJune，1832，adatewhichitisnecessarytoindicateonaccountofthegraveeventswhichatthatepochhungonthehorizonofParisinthestateoflightning—chargedclouds。Marius，atnightfall，waspursuingthesameroadasontheprecedingevening，withthesamethoughtsofdelightinhisheart，whenhecaughtsightofEponineapproaching，throughthetreesoftheboulevard。Twodaysinsuccession——
　　thiswastoomuch。Heturnedhastilyaside，quittedtheboulevard，changedhiscourseandwenttotheRuePlumetthroughtheRueMonsieur。
　　ThiscausedEponinetofollowhimtotheRuePlumet，athingwhichshehadnotyetdone。Uptothattime，shehadcontentedherselfwithwatchinghimonhispassagealongtheboulevardwithouteverseekingtoencounterhim。Itwasonlyontheeveningbeforethatshehadattemptedtoaddresshim。
　　SoEponinefollowedhim，withouthissuspectingthefact。
　　Shesawhimdisplacethebarandslipintothegarden。
　　Sheapproachedtherailing，feltofthebarsoneaftertheother，andreadilyrecognizedtheonewhichMariushadmoved。
　　Shemurmuredinalowvoiceandingloomyaccents:——
　　"Noneofthat，Lisette！"
　　Sheseatedherselfontheunderpinningoftherailing，closebesidethebar，asthoughshewereguardingit。Itwaspreciselyatthepointwheretherailingtouchedtheneighboringwall。
　　Therewasadimnookthere，inwhichEponinewasentirelyconcealed。
　　Sheremainedthusformorethananhour，withoutstirringandwithoutbreathing，apreytoherthoughts。
　　Towardsteno’clockintheevening，oneofthetwoorthreepersonswhopassedthroughtheRuePlumet，anold，belatedbourgeoiswhowasmakinghastetoescapefromthisdesertedspotofevilrepute，asheskirtedthegardenrailingsandreachedtheanglewhichitmadewiththewall，heardadullandthreateningvoicesaying:——
　　"I’mnolongersurprisedthathecomeshereeveryevening。"
　　Thepasser—bycastaglancearoundhim，sawnoone，darednotpeerintotheblackniche，andwasgreatlyalarmed。Heredoubledhispace。
　　Thispasser—byhadreasontomakehaste，foraveryfewinstantslater，sixmen，whoweremarchingseparatelyandatsomedistancefromeachother，alongthewall，andwhomighthavebeentakenforagraypatrol，enteredtheRuePlumet。
　　Thefirsttoarriveatthegardenrailinghalted，andwaitedfortheothers；asecondlater，allsixwerereunited。
　　Thesemenbegantotalkinalowvoice。
　　"Thisistheplace，"saidoneofthem。
　　"Isthereacab[dog]inthegarden？"askedanother。
　　"Idon’tknow。Inanycase，Ihavefetchedaballthatwe’llmakehimeat。"
　　"Haveyousomeputtytobreakthepanewith？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Therailingisold，"interpolatedafifth，whohadthevoiceofaventriloquist。
　　"Somuchthebetter，"saidthesecondwhohadspoken。"Itwon’tscreechunderthesaw，anditwon’tbehardtocut。"
　　Thesixth，whohadnotyetopenedhislips，nowbegantoinspectthegate，asEponinehaddoneanhourearlier，graspingeachbarinsuccession，andshakingthemcautiously。
　　ThushecametothebarwhichMariushadloosened。Ashewasonthepointofgraspingthisbar，ahandemergedabruptlyfromthedarkness，felluponhisarm；hefelthimselfvigorouslythrustasidebyapushinthemiddleofhisbreast，andahoarsevoicesaidtohim，butnotloudly:——
　　"There’sadog。"
　　Atthesamemoment，heperceivedapalegirlstandingbeforehim。
　　Themanunderwentthatshockwhichtheunexpectedalwaysbrings。
　　Hebristledupinhideouswise；nothingissoformidabletobeholdasferociousbeastswhoareuneasy；theirterrifiedairevokesterror。
　　Herecoiledandstammered:——
　　"Whatjadeisthis？"
　　"Yourdaughter。"
　　Itwas，infact，Eponine，whohadaddressedThenardier。
　　AttheapparitionofEponine，theotherfive，thatistosay，Claquesous，Guelemer，Babet，Brujon，andMontparnassehadnoiselesslydrawnnear，withoutprecipitation，withoututteringaword，withthesinisterslownesspeculiartothesemenofthenight。
　　Someindescribablebuthideoustoolswerevisibleintheirhands。
　　Guelemerheldoneofthosepairsofcurvedpincerswhichprowlerscallfanchons。
　　"Ah，seehere，whatareyouaboutthere？Whatdoyouwantwithus？
　　Areyoucrazy？"exclaimedThenardier，asloudlyasonecanexclaimandstillspeaklow；"whathaveyoucomeheretohinderourworkfor？"
　　Eponineburstoutlaughing，andthrewherselfonhisneck。
　　"Iamhere，littlefather，becauseIamhere。Isn’tapersonallowedtositonthestonesnowadays？It’syouwhooughtnottobehere。Whathaveyoucomeherefor，sinceit’sabiscuit？
　　ItoldMagnonso。There’snothingtobedonehere。Butembraceme，mygoodlittlefather！It’salongtimesinceI’veseenyou！
　　Soyou’reout？"
　　ThenardiertriedtodisentanglehimselffromEponine’sarms，andgrumbled:——
　　"That’sgood。You’veembracedme。Yes，I’mout。I’mnotin。
　　Now，getawaywithyou。"
　　ButEponinedidnotreleaseherhold，andredoubledhercaresses。
　　"Buthowdidyoumanageit，littlepa？Youmusthavebeenveryclevertogetoutofthat。Tellmeaboutit！Andmymother？
　　Whereismother？Tellmeaboutmamma。"
　　Thenardierreplied:——
　　"She’swell。Idon’tknow，letmealone，andbeoff，Itellyou。
　　"Iwon’tgo，sotherenow，"poutedEponinelikeaspoiledchild；
　　"yousendmeoff，andit’sfourmonthssinceIsawyou，andI’vehardlyhadtimetokissyou。"
　　Andshecaughtherfatherroundtheneckagain。
　　"Come，now，thisisstupid！"saidBabet。
　　"Makehaste！"saidGuelemer，"thecopsmaypass。"
　　Theventriloquist’svoicerepeatedhisdistich:——
　　"Nousn’sommespaslejourdel’an，"Thisisn’tNewYear’sdayAbecoterpapa，maman。"Topeckatpaandma。"
　　Eponineturnedtothefiveruffians。
　　"Why，it’sMonsieurBrujon。Goodday，MonsieurBabet。Goodday，MonsieurClaquesous。Don’tyouknowme，MonsieurGuelemer？
　　Howgoesit，Montparnasse？"
　　"Yes，theyknowyou！"ejaculatedThenardier。"Butgoodday，goodevening，sheeroff！leaveusalone！"
　　"It’sthehourforfoxes，notforchickens，"saidMontparnasse。
　　"Youseethejobwehaveonhandhere，"addedBabet。
　　EponinecaughtMontparnasse’shand。
　　"Takecare，"saidhe，"you’llcutyourself，I’veaknifeopen。"
　　"MylittleMontparnasse，"respondedEponineverygently，"youmusthaveconfidenceinpeople。Iamthedaughterofmyfather，perhaps。
　　MonsieurBabet，MonsieurGuelemer，I’mthepersonwhowaschargedtoinvestigatethismatter。"
　　ItisremarkablethatEponinedidnottalkslang。ThatfrightfultonguehadbecomeimpossibletohersinceshehadknownMarius。
　　Shepressedinherhand，small，bony，andfeebleasthatofaskeleton，Guelemer’shuge，coarsefingers，andcontinued:——
　　"YouknowwellthatI’mnofool。Ordinarily，Iambelieved。
　　Ihaverenderedyouserviceonvariousoccasions。Well，Ihavemadeinquiries；youwillexposeyourselvestonopurpose，yousee。
　　Isweartoyouthatthereisnothinginthishouse。"
　　"Therearelonewomen，"saidGuelemer。
　　"No，thepersonshavemovedaway。"
　　"Thecandleshaven’t，anyway！"ejaculatedBabet。
　　AndhepointedouttoEponine，acrossthetopsofthetrees，alightwhichwaswanderingaboutinthemansardroofofthepavilion。
　　ItwasToussaint，whohadstayeduptospreadoutsomelinentodry。
　　Eponinemadeafinaleffort。
　　"Well，"saidshe，"they’reverypoorfolks，andit’sahovelwherethereisn’tasou。"
　　"Gotothedevil！"criedThenardier。"Whenwe’veturnedthehouseupsidedownandputthecellaratthetopandtheatticbelow，we’lltellyouwhatthereisinside，andwhetherit’sfrancsorsousorhalf—farthings。"
　　Andhepushedherasidewiththeintentionofentering。
　　"Mygoodfriend，Mr。Montparnasse，"saidEponine，"Ientreatyou，youareagoodfellow，don’tenter。"
　　"Takecare，you’llcutyourself，"repliedMontparnasse。
　　Thenardierresumedinhisdecidedtone:——
　　"Decamp，mygirl，andleavementotheirownaffairs！"
　　EponinereleasedMontparnasse’shand，whichshehadgraspedagain，andsaid:——
　　"Soyoumeantoenterthishouse？"
　　"Rather！"grinnedtheventriloquist。
　　Thenshesetherbackagainstthegate，facedthesixruffianswhowerearmedtotheteeth，andtowhomthenightlentthevisagesofdemons，andsaidinafirm，lowvoice:——
　　"Well，Idon’tmeanthatyoushall。"
　　Theyhaltedinamazement。Theventriloquist，however，finishedhisgrin。
　　Shewenton:——
　　"Friends！Listenwell。Thisisnotwhatyouwant。NowI’mtalking。
　　Inthefirstplace，ifyouenterthisgarden，ifyoulayahandonthisgate，I’llscream，I’llbeatonthedoor，I’llrouseeverybody，I’llhavethewholesixofyouseized，I’llcallthepolice。"
　　"She’ddoit，too，"saidThenardierinalowtonetoBrujonandtheventriloquist。
　　Sheshookherheadandadded:——
　　"Beginningwithmyfather！"
　　Thenardiersteppednearer。
　　"Notsoclose，mygoodman！"saidshe。
　　Heretreated，growlingbetweenhisteeth:——
　　"Why，what’sthematterwithher？"
　　Andheadded:——
　　"Bitch！"
　　Shebegantolaughinaterribleway:——
　　"Asyoulike，butyoushallnotenterhere。I’mnotthedaughterofadog，sinceI’mthedaughterofawolf。Therearesixofyou，whatmattersthattome？Youaremen。Well，I’mawoman。
　　Youdon’tfrightenme。Itellyouthatyoushan’tenterthishouse，becauseitdoesn’tsuitme。Ifyouapproach，I’llbark。Itoldyou，I’mthedog，andIdon’tcareastrawforyou。Goyourway，youboreme！Gowhereyouplease，butdon’tcomehere，Iforbidit！
　　Youcanuseyourknives。I’llusekicks；it’sallthesametome，comeon！"
　　Sheadvancedapacenearertheruffians，shewasterrible，sheburstoutlaughing:——
　　"Pardine！I’mnotafraid。Ishallbehungrythissummer，andIshallbecoldthiswinter。Aren’ttheyridiculous，theseninniesofmen，tothinktheycanscareagirl！What！Scare？Oh，yes，much！
　　Becauseyouhavefinicalpoppetsofmistresseswhohideunderthebedwhenyouputonabigvoice，forsooth！Iain’tafraidofanything，thatIain’t！"
　　ShefastenedherintentgazeuponThenardierandsaid:——
　　"Notevenofyou，father！"
　　Thenshecontinued，asshecastherblood—shot，spectre—likeeyesupontheruffiansinturn:——
　　"WhatdoIcareifI’mpickedupto—morrowmorningonthepavementoftheRuePlumet，killedbytheblowsofmyfather’sclub，orwhetherI’mfoundayearfromnowinthenetsatSaint—CloudortheIsleofSwansinthemidstofrottenoldcorksanddrowneddogs？"
　　Shewasforcedtopause；shewasseizedbyadrycough，herbreathcamefromherweakandnarrowchestlikethedeath—rattle。
　　Sheresumed:——
　　"Ihaveonlytocryout，andpeoplewillcome，andthenslap，bang！
　　Therearesixofyou；Irepresentthewholeworld。"
　　Thenardiermadeamovementtowardsher。
　　"Don’tapproach！"shecried。
　　Hehalted，andsaidgently:——
　　"Well，no；Iwon’tapproach，butdon’tspeaksoloud。Soyouintendtohinderusinourwork，mydaughter？Butwemustearnourlivingallthesame。Haveyounolongeranykindfeelingforyourfather？"
　　"Youbotherme，"saidEponine。
　　"Butwemustlive，wemusteat——"
　　"Burst！"
　　Sosaying，sheseatedherselfontheunderpinningofthefenceandhummed:——
　　"Monbrassidodu，"Myarmsoplump，MajambebienfaiteMylegwellformed，Etletempsperdu。"Andtimewasted。"
　　Shehadsetherelbowonherkneeandherchininherhand，andsheswungherfootwithanairofindifference。Hertatteredgownpermittedaviewofherthinshoulder—blades。Theneighboringstreetlanternilluminatedherprofileandherattitude。
　　Nothingmoreresoluteandmoresurprisingcouldbeseen。
　　Thesixrascals，speechlessandgloomyatbeingheldincheckbyagirl，retreatedbeneaththeshadowcastbythelantern，andheldcounselwithfuriousandhumiliatedshrugs。
　　Inthemeantimeshestaredatthemwithasternbutpeacefulair。
　　"There’ssomethingthematterwithher，"saidBabet。"Areason。
　　Issheinlovewiththedog？It’sashametomissthis，anyway。
　　Twowomen，anoldfellowwholodgesintheback—yard，andcurtainsthatain’tsobadatthewindows。TheoldcovemustbeaJew。
　　Ithinkthejob’sagoodone。"
　　"Well，goin，then，therestofyou，"exclaimedMontparnasse。
　　"Dothejob。I’llstayherewiththegirl，andifshefailsus——"
　　Heflashedtheknife，whichheheldopeninhishand，inthelightofthelantern。
　　Thenardiersaidnotaword，andseemedreadyforwhatevertherestpleased。
　　Brujon，whowassomewhatofanoracle，andwhohad，asthereaderknows，"putupthejob，"hadnotasyetspoken。Heseemedthoughtful。
　　Hehadthereputationofnotstickingatanything，anditwasknownthathehadplunderedapolicepostsimplyoutofbravado。
　　Besidesthishemadeversesandsongs，whichgavehimgreatauthority。
　　Babetinterrogatedhim:——
　　"Yousaynothing，Brujon？"
　　Brujonremainedsilentaninstantlonger，thenheshookhisheadinvariousways，andfinallyconcludedtospeak:——
　　"Seehere；thismorningIcameacrosstwosparrowsfighting，thiseveningIjostledawomanwhowasquarrelling。Allthat’sbad。
　　Let’squit。"
　　Theywentaway。
　　Astheywent，Montparnassemuttered:——
　　"Nevermind！iftheyhadwanted，I’dhavecutherthroat。"
　　Babetresponded"Iwouldn’t。Idon’thitalady。"
　　Atthecornerofthestreettheyhaltedandexchangedthefollowingenigmaticaldialogueinalowtone:——
　　"Whereshallwegotosleepto—night？"
　　"UnderPantin[Paris]。"
　　"Haveyouthekeytothegate，Thenardier？"
　　"Pardi。"
　　Eponine，whonevertookhereyesoffofthem，sawthemretreatbytheroadbywhichtheyhadcome。Sheroseandbegantocreepafterthemalongthewallsandthehouses。Shefollowedthemthusasfarastheboulevard。
　　Theretheyparted，andshesawthesesixmenplungeintothegloom，wheretheyappearedtomeltaway。
　　CHAPTERV
　　THINGSOFTHENIGHT
　　Afterthedepartureoftheruffians，theRuePlumetresumeditstranquil，nocturnalaspect。Thatwhichhadjusttakenplaceinthisstreetwouldnothaveastonishedaforest。Theloftytrees，thecopses，theheaths，thebranchesrudelyinterlaced，thetallgrass，existinasombremanner；thesavageswarmingtherecatchesglimpsesofsuddenapparitionsoftheinvisible；thatwhichisbelowmandistinguishes，throughthemists，thatwhichisbeyondman；
　　andthethingsofwhichwelivingbeingsareignoranttheremeetfacetofaceinthenight。Nature，bristlingandwild，takesalarmatcertainapproachesinwhichshefanciesthatshefeelsthesupernatural。Theforcesofthegloomknoweachother，andarestrangelybalancedbyeachother。Teethandclawsfearwhattheycannotgrasp。Blood—drinkingbestiality，voraciousappetites，hungerinsearchofprey，thearmedinstinctsofnailsandjawswhichhaveforsourceandaimthebelly，glareandsmelloutuneasilytheimpassivespectralformsstrayingbeneathashroud，erectinitsvagueandshudderingrobe，andwhichseemtothemtolivewithadeadandterriblelife。Thesebrutalities，whichareonlymatter，entertainaconfusedfearofhavingtodealwiththeimmenseobscuritycondensedintoanunknownbeing。
　　Ablackfigurebarringthewaystopsthewildbeastshort。
　　Thatwhichemergesfromthecemeteryintimidatesanddisconcertsthatwhichemergesfromthecave；theferociousfearthesinister；
　　wolvesrecoilwhentheyencounteraghoul。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　MARIUSBECOMESPRACTICALONCEMORETOTHEEXTENTOFGIVINGCOSETTE
　　HISADDRESS
　　Whilethissortofadogwithahumanfacewasmountingguardoverthegate，andwhilethesixruffianswereyieldingtoagirl，MariuswasbyCosette’sside。
　　Neverhadtheskybeenmorestuddedwithstarsandmorecharming，thetreesmoretrembling，theodorofthegrassmorepenetrating；
　　neverhadthebirdsfallenasleepamongtheleaveswithasweeternoise；
　　neverhadalltheharmoniesofuniversalserenityrespondedmorethoroughlytotheinwardmusicoflove；neverhadMariusbeenmorecaptivated，morehappy，moreecstatic。
　　ButhehadfoundCosettesad；Cosettehadbeenweeping。Hereyeswerered。
　　Thiswasthefirstcloudinthatwonderfuldream。
　　Marius’firstwordhadbeen:"Whatisthematter？"
　　Andshehadreplied:"This。"
　　Thenshehadseatedherselfonthebenchnearthesteps，andwhilehetremblinglytookhisplacebesideher，shehadcontinued:——
　　"Myfathertoldmethismorningtoholdmyselfinreadiness，becausehehasbusiness，andwemaygoawayfromhere。"
　　Mariusshiveredfromheadtofoot。
　　Whenoneisattheendofone’slife，todiemeanstogoaway；
　　whenoneisatthebeginningofit，togoawaymeanstodie。
　　Forthelastsixweeks，Mariushadlittlebylittle，slowly，bydegrees，takenpossessionofCosetteeachday。Aswehavealreadyexplained，inthecaseoffirstlove，thesoulistakenlongbeforethebody；
　　lateron，onetakesthebodylongbeforethesoul；sometimesonedoesnottakethesoulatall；theFaublasandthePrudhommesadd:
　　"Becausethereisnone"；butthesarcasmis，fortunately，ablasphemy。
　　SoMariuspossessedCosette，asspiritspossess，butheenvelopedherwithallhissoul，andseizedherjealouslywithincredibleconviction。
　　Hepossessedhersmile，herbreath，herperfume，theprofoundradianceofherblueeyes，thesweetnessofherskinwhenhetouchedherhand，thecharmingmarkwhichshehadonherneck，allherthoughts。
　　Therefore，hepossessedallCosette’sdreams。
　　Heincessantlygazedat，andhesometimestouchedlightlywithhisbreath，theshortlocksonthenapeofherneck，andhedeclaredtohimselfthattherewasnotoneofthoseshorthairswhichdidnotbelongtohim，Marius。Hegazeduponandadoredthethingsthatshewore，herknotofribbon，hergloves，hersleeves，hershoes，hercuffs，assacredobjectsofwhichhewasthemaster。
　　Hedreamedthathewasthelordofthoseprettyshellcombswhichsheworeinherhair，andheevensaidtohimself，inconfusedandsuppressedstammeringsofvoluptuousnesswhichdidnotmaketheirwaytothelight，thattherewasnotaribbonofhergown，notameshinherstockings，notafoldinherbodice，whichwasnothis。BesideCosettehefelthimselfbesidehisownproperty，hisownthing，hisowndespotandhisslave。Itseemedasthoughtheyhadsointermingledtheirsouls，thatitwouldhavebeenimpossibletotellthemaparthadtheywishedtotakethembackagain。——"Thisismine。""No，itismine。""Iassureyouthatyouaremistaken。
　　Thisismyproperty。""Whatyouaretakingasyourownismyself。"——
　　MariuswassomethingthatmadeapartofCosette，andCosettewassomethingwhichmadeapartofMarius。MariusfeltCosettewithinhim。TohaveCosette，topossessCosette，this，tohim，wasnottobedistinguishedfrombreathing。Itwasinthemidstofthisfaith，ofthisintoxication，ofthisvirginpossession，unprecedentedandabsolute，ofthissovereignty，thatthesewords:
　　"Wearegoingaway，"fellsuddenly，atablow，andthattheharshvoiceofrealitycriedtohim:"Cosetteisnotyours！"
　　Mariusawoke。ForsixweeksMariushadbeenliving，aswehavesaid，outsideoflife；thosewords，goingaway！causedhimtore—enteritharshly。
　　Hefoundnotawordtosay。Cosettemerelyfeltthathishandwasverycold。Shesaidtohiminherturn:"Whatisthematter？"
　　HerepliedinsolowatonethatCosettehardlyheardhim:——
　　"Ididnotunderstandwhatyousaid。"
　　Shebeganagain:——
　　"Thismorningmyfathertoldmetosettleallmylittleaffairsandtoholdmyselfinreadiness，thathewouldgivemehislinentoputinatrunk，thathewasobligedtogoonajourney，thatweweretogoaway，thatitisnecessarytohavealargetrunkformeandasmalloneforhim，andthatallistobereadyinaweekfromnow，andthatwemightgotoEngland。"
　　"Butthisisoutrageous！"exclaimedMarius。
　　Itiscertain，that，atthatmoment，noabuseofpower，noviolence，notoneoftheabominationsoftheworsttyrants，noactionofBusiris，ofTiberius，orofHenryVIII。，couldhaveequalledthisinatrocity，intheopinionofMarius；M。FaucheleventtakinghisdaughterofftoEnglandbecausehehadbusinessthere。
　　Hedemandedinaweakvoice:——
　　"Andwhendoyoustart？"
　　"Hedidnotsaywhen。"
　　"Andwhenshallyoureturn？"
　　"Hedidnotsaywhen。"
　　Mariusroseandsaidcoldly:——
　　"Cosette，shallyougo？"
　　Cosetteturnedtowardhimherbeautifuleyes，allfilledwithanguish，andrepliedinasortofbewilderment:——
　　"Where？"
　　"ToEngland。Shallyougo？"
　　"Whydoyousayyoutome？"
　　"Iaskyouwhetheryouwillgo？"
　　"Whatdoyouexpectmetodo？"shesaid，claspingherhands。
　　"So，youwillgo？"
　　"Ifmyfathergoes。"
　　"So，youwillgo？"
　　CosettetookMarius’hand，andpresseditwithoutreplying。
　　"Verywell，"saidMarius，"thenIwillgoelsewhere。"
　　Cosettefeltratherthanunderstoodthemeaningofthesewords。
　　Sheturnedsopalethatherfaceshonewhitethroughthegloom。
　　Shestammered:——
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"
　　Mariuslookedather，thenraisedhiseyestoheaven，andanswered:"Nothing。"
　　Whenhiseyesfellagain，hesawCosettesmilingathim。
　　Thesmileofawomanwhomonelovespossessesavisibleradiance，evenatnight。
　　"Howsillyweare！Marius，Ihaveanidea。"
　　"Whatisit？"
　　"Ifwegoaway，doyougotoo！Iwilltellyouwhere！ComeandjoinmewhereverIam。"
　　Mariuswasnowathoroughlyrousedman。Hehadfallenbackintoreality。HecriedtoCosette:——
　　"Goawaywithyou！Areyoumad？Why，Ishouldhavetohavemoney，andIhavenone！GotoEngland？ButIamindebtnow，Iowe，Idon’tknowhowmuch，morethantenlouistoCourfeyrac，oneofmyfriendswithwhomyouarenotacquainted！Ihaveanoldhatwhichisnotworththreefrancs，Ihaveacoatwhichlacksbuttonsinfront，myshirtisallragged，myelbowsaretorn，mybootsletinthewater；forthelastsixweeksIhavenotthoughtaboutit，andIhavenottoldyouaboutit。Youonlyseemeatnight，andyougivemeyourlove；ifyouweretoseemeinthedaytime，youwouldgivemeasou！GotoEngland！Eh！Ihaven’tenoughtopayforapassport！"
　　Hethrewhimselfagainstatreewhichwascloseathand，erect，hisbrowpressedclosetothebark，feelingneitherthewoodwhichflayedhisskin，northefeverwhichwasthrobbinginhistemples，andtherehestoodmotionless，onthepointoffalling，likethestatueofdespair。
　　Heremainedalongtimethus。Onecouldremainforeternityinsuchabysses。Atlastheturnedround。Heheardbehindhimafaintstiflednoise，whichwassweetyetsad。
　　ItwasCosettesobbing。
　　ShehadbeenweepingformorethantwohoursbesideMariusashemeditated。
　　Hecametoher，fellatherknees，andslowlyprostratinghimself，hetookthetipofherfootwhichpeepedoutfrombeneathherrobe，andkissedit。
　　Shelethimhavehiswayinsilence。Therearemomentswhenawomanaccepts，likeasombreandresignedgoddess，thereligionoflove。
　　"Donotweep，"hesaid。
　　Shemurmured:——
　　"NotwhenImaybegoingaway，andyoucannotcome！"
　　Hewenton:——
　　"Doyouloveme？"
　　Shereplied，sobbing，bythatwordfromparadisewhichisnevermorecharmingthanamidtears:——
　　"Iadoreyou！"
　　Hecontinuedinatonewhichwasanindescribablecaress:——
　　"Donotweep。Tellme，willyoudothisforme，andceasetoweep？"
　　"Doyouloveme？"saidshe。
　　Hetookherhand。
　　"Cosette，Ihavenevergivenmywordofhonortoanyone，becausemywordofhonorterrifiesme。Ifeelthatmyfatherisbymyside。Well，Igiveyoumymostsacredwordofhonor，thatifyougoawayIshalldie。"
　　Inthetonewithwhichheutteredthesewordstherelayamelancholysosolemnandsotranquil，thatCosettetrembled。Shefeltthatchillwhichisproducedbyatrueandgloomythingasitpassesby。
　　Theshockmadeherceaseweeping。
　　"Now，listen，"saidhe，"donotexpectmeto—morrow。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Donotexpectmeuntilthedayafterto—morrow。"
　　"Oh！Why？"
　　"Youwillsee。"
　　"Adaywithoutseeingyou！Butthatisimpossible！"
　　"Letussacrificeonedayinordertogainourwholelives，perhaps。"
　　AndMariusaddedinalowtoneandinanaside:——
　　"Heisamanwhoneverchangeshishabits，andhehasneverreceivedanyoneexceptintheevening。"
　　"Ofwhatmanareyouspeaking？"askedCosette。
　　"I？Isaidnothing。"
　　"Whatdoyouhope，then？"
　　"Waituntilthedayafterto—morrow。"
　　"Youwishit？"
　　"Yes，Cosette。"
　　Shetookhisheadinbothherhands，raisingherselfontiptoeinordertobeonalevelwithhim，andtriedtoreadhishopeinhiseyes。
　　Mariusresumed:——
　　"NowthatIthinkofit，yououghttoknowmyaddress:
　　somethingmighthappen，oneneverknows；IlivewiththatfriendnamedCourfeyrac，RuedelaVerrerie，No。16。"
　　Hesearchedinhispocket，pulledouthispenknife，andwiththebladehewroteontheplasterofthewall:——
　　"16RuedelaVerrerie。"
　　Inthemeantime，Cosettehadbeguntogazeintohiseyesoncemore。
　　"Tellmeyourthought，Marius；youhavesomeidea。Tellittome。
　　Oh！tellme，sothatImaypassapleasantnight。"
　　"Thisismyidea:thatitisimpossiblethatGodshouldmeantopartus。Wait；expectmethedayafterto—morrow。"
　　"WhatshallIdountilthen？"saidCosette。
　　"Youareoutside，yougo，andcome！Howhappymenare！
　　Ishallremainentirelyalone！Oh！HowsadIshallbe！Whatisitthatyouaregoingtodoto—morrowevening？tellme。"
　　"Iamgoingtotrysomething。"
　　"ThenIwillpraytoGodandIwillthinkofyouhere，sothatyoumaybesuccessful。Iwillquestionyounofurther，sinceyoudonotwishit。Youaremymaster。Ishallpasstheeveningto—morrowinsingingthatmusicfromEuryanthethatyoulove，andthatyoucameoneeveningtolistento，outsidemyshutters。
　　Butdayafterto—morrowyouwillcomeearly。Ishallexpectyouatdusk，atnineo’clockprecisely，Iwarnyou。MonDieu！
　　howsaditisthatthedaysaresolong！Onthestrokeofnine，doyouunderstand，Ishallbeinthegarden。"
　　"AndIalso。"
　　Andwithouthavingutteredit，movedbythesamethought，impelledbythoseelectriccurrentswhichplaceloversincontinualcommunication，bothbeingintoxicatedwithdelightevenintheirsorrow，theyfellintoeachother’sarms，withoutperceivingthattheirlipsmetwhiletheirupliftedeyes，overflowingwithraptureandfulloftears，gazeduponthestars。
　　WhenMariuswentforth，thestreetwasdeserted。ThiswasthemomentwhenEponinewasfollowingtheruffianstotheboulevard。
　　WhileMariushadbeendreamingwithhisheadpressedtothetree，anideahadcrossedhismind；anidea，alas！thathehimselfjudgedtobesenselessandimpossible。Hehadcometoadesperatedecision。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　THEOLDHEARTANDTHEYOUNGHEARTINTHEPRESENCEOFEACHOTHER
　　Atthatepoch，FatherGillenormandwaswellpasthisninety—firstbirthday。HestilllivedwithMademoiselleGillenormandintheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire，No。6，intheoldhousewhichheowned。
　　Hewas，asthereaderwillremember，oneofthoseantiqueoldmenwhoawaitdeathperfectlyerect，whomagebearsdownwithoutbending，andwhomevensorrowcannotcurve。
　　Still，hisdaughterhadbeensayingforsometime:"Myfatherissinking。"Henolongerboxedthemaids’ears；henolongerthumpedthelanding—placesovigorouslywithhiscanewhenBasquewasslowinopeningthedoor。TheRevolutionofJulyhadexasperatedhimforthespaceofbarelysixmonths。Hehadviewed，almosttranquilly，thatcouplingofwords，intheMoniteur:M。Humblot—Conte，peerofFrance。Thefactis，thattheoldmanwasdeeplydejected。
　　Hedidnotbend，hedidnotyield；thiswasnomoreacharacteristicofhisphysicalthanofhismoralnature，buthefelthimselfgivingwayinternally。ForfouryearshehadbeenwaitingforMarius，withhisfootfirmlyplanted，thatistheexactword，intheconvictionthatthatgood—for—nothingyoungscampwouldringathisdoorsomedayorother；nowhehadreachedthepoint，where，atcertaingloomyhours，hesaidtohimself，thatifMariusmadehimwaitmuchlonger——Itwasnotdeaththatwasinsupportabletohim；
　　itwastheideathatperhapsheshouldneverseeMariusagain。
　　TheideaofneverseeingMariusagainhadneverenteredhisbrainuntilthatday；nowthethoughtbegantorecurtohim，anditchilledhim。Absence，asisalwaysthecaseingenuineandnaturalsentiments，hadonlyservedtoaugmentthegrandfather’slovefortheungratefulchild，whohadgoneofflikeaflash。
　　ItisduringDecembernights，whenthecoldstandsattendegrees，thatonethinksoftenestoftheson。
　　M。Gillenormandwas，orthoughthimself，aboveallthings，incapableoftakingasinglestep，he——thegrandfather，towardshisgrandson；"Iwoulddierather，"hesaidtohimself。
　　Hedidnotconsiderhimselfastheleasttoblame；buthethoughtofMariusonlywithprofoundtenderness，andthemutedespairofanelderly，kindlyoldmanwhoisabouttovanishinthedark。
　　Hebegantolosehisteeth，whichaddedtohissadness。
　　M。Gillenormand，withouthoweveracknowledgingittohimself，foritwouldhaverenderedhimfuriousandashamed，hadneverlovedamistressashelovedMarius。
　　Hehadhadplacedinhischamber，oppositetheheadofhisbed，sothatitshouldbethefirstthingonwhichhiseyesfellonwaking，anoldportraitofhisotherdaughter，whowasdead，MadamePontmercy，aportraitwhichhadbeentakenwhenshewaseighteen。Hegazedincessantlyatthatportrait。Oneday，hehappenedtosay，ashegazeduponit:——
　　"Ithinkthelikenessisstrong。"
　　"Tomysister？"inquiredMademoiselleGillenormand。"Yes，certainly。"
　　"Theoldmanadded:——
　　"Andtohimalso。"
　　Onceashesatwithhiskneespressedtogether，andhiseyesalmostclosed，inadespondentattitude，hisdaughterventuredtosaytohim:——
　　"Father，areyouasangrywithhimasever？"
　　Shepaused，notdaringtoproceedfurther。
　　"Withwhom？"hedemanded。
　　"WiththatpoorMarius。"
　　Heraisedhisagedhead，laidhiswitheredandemaciatedfistonthetable，andexclaimedinhismostirritatedandvibratingtone:——
　　"PoorMarius，doyousay！Thatgentlemanisaknave，awretchedscoundrel，avainlittleingrate，aheartless，soulless，haughty，andwickedman！"
　　Andheturnedawaysothathisdaughtermightnotseethetearthatstoodinhiseye。
　　Threedayslaterhebrokeasilencewhichhadlastedfourhours，tosaytohisdaughterpoint—blank:——
　　"IhadthehonortoaskMademoiselleGillenormandnevertomentionhimtome。"
　　AuntGillenormandrenouncedeveryeffort，andpronouncedthisacutediagnosis:"Myfathernevercaredverymuchformysisterafterherfolly。ItisclearthathedetestsMarius。"
　　"Afterherfolly"meant:"aftershehadmarriedthecolonel。"
　　However，asthereaderhasbeenabletoconjecture，MademoiselleGillenormandhadfailedinherattempttosubstituteherfavorite，theofficeroflancers，forMarius。Thesubstitute，Theodule，hadnotbeenasuccess。M。Gillenormandhadnotacceptedthequidproquo。Avacancyintheheartdoesnotaccommodateitselftoastop—gap。Theodule，onhisside，thoughhescentedtheinheritance，wasdisgustedatthetaskofpleasing。Thegoodmanboredthelancer；
　　andthelancershockedthegoodman。LieutenantTheodulewasgay，nodoubt，butachatter—box，frivolous，butvulgar；ahighliver，butafrequenterofbadcompany；hehadmistresses，itistrue，andhehadagreatdealtosayaboutthem，itistruealso；
　　buthetalkedbadly。Allhisgoodqualitieshadadefect。
　　M。GillenormandwaswornoutwithhearinghimtellabouttheloveaffairsthathehadinthevicinityofthebarracksintheRuedeBabylone。Andthen，LieutenantGillenormandsometimescameinhisuniform，withthetricoloredcockade。Thisrenderedhimdownrightintolerable。Finally，FatherGillenormandhadsaidtohisdaughter:"I’vehadenoughofthatTheodule。Ihaven’tmuchtasteforwarriorsintimeofpeace。Receivehimifyouchoose。
　　Idon’tknowbutIpreferslasherstofellowsthatdragtheirswords。
　　Theclashofbladesinbattleislessdismal，afterall，thantheclankofthescabbardonthepavement。Andthen，throwingoutyourchestlikeabullyandlacingyourselflikeagirl，withstaysunderyourcuirass，isdoublyridiculous。Whenoneisaveritableman，oneholdsequallyalooffromswaggerandfromaffectedairs。Heisneitherablusterernorafinnicky—heartedman。KeepyourTheoduleforyourself。"
　　Itwasinvainthathisdaughtersaidtohim:"Butheisyourgrandnephew，nevertheless，"——itturnedoutthatM。Gillenormand，whowasagrandfathertotheveryfinger—tips，wasnotintheleastagrand—uncle。