Apoignantemotioncloudedthejoyofthedisencumberedbarricade。
　　Therollwascalled。Oneoftheinsurgentswasmissing。Andwhowasit？
　　Oneofthedearest。Oneofthemostvaliant。JeanProuvaire。
　　Hewassoughtamongthewounded，hewasnotthere。Hewassoughtamongthedead，hewasnotthere。Hewasevidentlyaprisoner。
　　CombeferresaidtoEnjolras:——
　　"Theyhaveourfriend；wehavetheiragent。Areyousetonthedeathofthatspy？"
　　"Yes，"repliedEnjolras；"butlesssothanonthelifeofJeanProuvaire。"
　　Thistookplaceinthetap—roomnearJavert’spost。
　　"Well，"resumedCombeferre，"Iamgoingtofastenmyhandkerchieftomycane，andgoasaflagoftruce，tooffertoexchangeourmanfortheirs。"
　　"Listen，"saidEnjolras，layinghishandonCombeferre’sarm。
　　Attheendofthestreettherewasasignificantclashofarms。
　　Theyheardamanlyvoiceshout:——
　　"VivelaFrance！LongliveFrance！Longlivethefuture！"
　　TheyrecognizedthevoiceofProuvaire。
　　Aflashpassed，areportrangout。
　　Silencefellagain。
　　"Theyhavekilledhim，"exclaimedCombeferre。
　　EnjolrasglancedatJavert，andsaidtohim:——
　　"Yourfriendshavejustshotyou。"
　　CHAPTERVI
　　THEAGONYOFDEATHAFTERTHEAGONYOFLIFE
　　Apeculiarityofthisspeciesofwaris，thattheattackofthebarricadesisalmostalwaysmadefromthefront，andthattheassailantsgenerallyabstainfromturningtheposition，eitherbecausetheyfearambushes，orbecausetheyareafraidofgettingentangledinthetortuousstreets。Theinsurgents’wholeattentionhadbeendirected，therefore，tothegrandbarricade，whichwas，evidently，thespotalwaysmenaced，andtherethestrugglewouldinfalliblyrecommence。
　　ButMariusthoughtofthelittlebarricade，andwentthither。
　　Itwasdesertedandguardedonlybythefire—potwhichtrembledbetweenthepaving—stones。Moreover，theMondetouralley，andthebranchesoftheRuedelaPetiteTruanderieandtheRueduCygnewereprofoundlycalm。
　　AsMariuswaswithdrawing，afterconcludinghisinspection，heheardhisnamepronouncedfeeblyinthedarkness。
　　"MonsieurMarius！"
　　Hestarted，forherecognizedthevoicewhichhadcalledtohimtwohoursbeforethroughthegateintheRuePlumet。
　　Only，thevoicenowseemedtobenothingmorethanabreath。
　　Helookedabouthim，butsawnoone。
　　Mariusthoughthehadbeenmistaken，thatitwasanillusionaddedbyhismindtotheextraordinaryrealitieswhichwereclashingaroundhim。Headvancedastep，inordertoquitthedistantrecesswherethebarricadelay。
　　"MonsieurMarius！"repeatedthevoice。
　　Thistimehecouldnotdoubtthathehadhearditdistinctly；
　　helookedandsawnothing。
　　"Atyourfeet，"saidthevoice。
　　Hebentdown，andsawinthedarknessaformwhichwasdraggingitselftowardshim。
　　Itwascrawlingalongthepavement。Itwasthisthathadspokentohim。
　　Thefire—potallowedhimtodistinguishablouse，torntrousersofcoarsevelvet，barefeet，andsomethingwhichresembledapoolofblood。Mariusindistinctlymadeoutapaleheadwhichwasliftedtowardshimandwhichwassayingtohim:——
　　"Youdonotrecognizeme？"
　　"No。"
　　"Eponine。"
　　Mariusbenthastilydown。Itwas，infact，thatunhappychild。
　　Shewasdressedinmen’sclothes。
　　"Howcomeyouhere？Whatareyoudoinghere？"
　　"Iamdying，"saidshe。
　　Therearewordsandincidentswhicharousedejectedbeings。
　　Mariuscriedoutwithastart:——
　　"Youarewounded！Wait，Iwillcarryyouintotheroom！Theywillattendtoyouthere。Isitserious？HowmustItakeholdofyouinordernottohurtyou？Wheredoyousuffer？Help！MyGod！
　　Butwhydidyoucomehither？"
　　Andhetriedtopasshisarmunderher，inordertoraiseher。
　　Sheutteredafeeblecry。
　　"HaveIhurtyou？"askedMarius。
　　"Alittle。"
　　"ButIonlytouchedyourhand。"
　　SheraisedherhandtoMarius，andinthemiddleofthathandMariussawablackhole。
　　"Whatisthematterwithyourhand？"saidhe。
　　"Itispierced。"
　　"Pierced？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Whatwith？"
　　"Abullet。"
　　"How？"
　　"Didyouseeagunaimedatyou？"
　　"Yes，andahandstoppingit。"
　　"Itwasmine。"
　　Mariuswasseizedwithashudder。
　　"Whatmadness！Poorchild！Butsomuchthebetter，ifthatisall，itisnothing，letmecarryyoutoabed。Theywilldressyourwound；
　　onedoesnotdieofapiercedhand。"
　　Shemurmured:——
　　"Thebullettraversedmyhand，butitcameoutthroughmyback。
　　Itisuselesstoremovemefromthisspot。Iwilltellyouhowyoucancareformebetterthananysurgeon。Sitdownnearmeonthisstone。"
　　Heobeyed；shelaidherheadonMarius’knees，and，withoutlookingathim，shesaid:——
　　"Oh！Howgoodthisis！Howcomfortablethisis！There；Inolongersuffer。"
　　Sheremainedsilentforamoment，thensheturnedherfacewithaneffort，andlookedatMarius。
　　"Doyouknowwhat，MonsieurMarius？Itpuzzledmebecauseyouenteredthatgarden；itwasstupid，becauseitwasIwhoshowedyouthathouse；andthen，Ioughttohavesaidtomyselfthatayoungmanlikeyou——"
　　Shepaused，andoversteppingthesombretransitionsthatundoubtedlyexistedinhermind，sheresumedwithaheartrendingsmile:——
　　"Youthoughtmeugly，didn’tyou？"
　　Shecontinued:——
　　"Yousee，youarelost！Now，noonecangetoutofthebarricade。
　　ItwasIwholedyouhere，bytheway！Youaregoingtodie，Icountuponthat。Andyet，whenIsawthemtakingaimatyou，Iputmyhandonthemuzzleofthegun。Howqueeritis！ButitwasbecauseIwantedtodiebeforeyou。WhenIreceivedthatbullet，Idraggedmyselfhere，noonesawme，noonepickedmeup，Iwaswaitingforyou，Isaid:`Soheisnotcoming！’Oh，ifyouonlyknew。Ibitmyblouse，Isufferedso！NowIamwell。
　　DoyourememberthedayIenteredyourchamberandwhenIlookedatmyselfinyourmirror，andthedaywhenIcametoyouontheboulevardnearthewasherwomen？Howthebirdssang！Thatwasalongtimeago。Yougavemeahundredsous，andIsaidtoyou:
　　`Idon’twantyourmoney。’Ihopeyoupickedupyourcoin？
　　Youarenotrich。Ididnotthinktotellyoutopickitup。
　　Thesunwasshiningbright，anditwasnotcold。Doyouremember，MonsieurMarius？Oh！HowhappyIam！Everyoneisgoingtodie。"
　　Shehadamad，grave，andheart—breakingair。Hertornblousedisclosedherbarethroat。
　　Asshetalked，shepressedherpiercedhandtoherbreast，wheretherewasanotherhole，andwhencetherespurtedfrommomenttomomentastreamofblood，likeajetofwinefromanopenbung—hole。
　　Mariusgazedatthisunfortunatecreaturewithprofoundcompassion。
　　"Oh！"sheresumed，"itiscomingagain，Iamstifling！"
　　Shecaughtupherblouseandbitit，andherlimbsstiffenedonthepavement。
　　Atthatmomenttheyoungcock’scrowexecutedbylittleGavrocheresoundedthroughthebarricade。
　　Thechildhadmountedatabletoloadhisgun，andwassinginggaylythesongthensopopular:——
　　"EnvoyantLafayette，"OnbeholdingLafayette，Legendarmerepete:——Thegendarmerepeats:——
　　Sauvonsnous！sauvonsnous！Letusflee！letusflee！
　　sauvonsnous！"letusflee！
　　Eponineraisedherselfandlistened；thenshemurmured:——
　　"Itishe。"
　　AndturningtoMarius:——
　　"Mybrotherishere。Hemustnotseeme。Hewouldscoldme。"
　　"Yourbrother？"inquiredMarius，whowasmeditatinginthemostbitterandsorrowfuldepthsofhisheartonthedutiestotheThenardierswhichhisfatherhadbequeathedtohim；"whoisyourbrother？"
　　"Thatlittlefellow。"
　　"Theonewhoissinging？"
　　"Yes。"
　　Mariusmadeamovement。
　　"Oh！don’tgoaway，"saidshe，"itwillnotbelongnow。"
　　Shewassittingalmostupright，buthervoicewasverylowandbrokenbyhiccoughs。
　　Atintervals，thedeathrattleinterruptedher。SheputherfaceasnearthatofMariusaspossible。Sheaddedwithastrangeexpression:——
　　"Listen，Idonotwishtoplayyouatrick。Ihavealetterinmypocketforyou。Iwastoldtoputitinthepost。Ikeptit。
　　Ididnotwanttohaveitreachyou。Butperhapsyouwillbeangrywithmeforitwhenwemeetagainpresently？Takeyourletter。"
　　ShegraspedMarius’handconvulsivelywithherpiercedhand，butshenolongerseemedtofeelhersufferings。SheputMarius’
　　handinthepocketofherblouse。There，infact，Mariusfeltapaper。
　　"Takeit，"saidshe。
　　Mariustooktheletter。
　　Shemadeasignofsatisfactionandcontentment。
　　"Now，formytrouble，promiseme——"
　　Andshestopped。
　　"What？"askedMarius。
　　"Promiseme！"
　　"Ipromise。"
　　"PromisetogivemeakissonmybrowwhenIamdead。——Ishallfeelit。"
　　ShedroppedherheadagainonMarius’knees，andhereyelidsclosed。
　　Hethoughtthepoorsoulhaddeparted。Eponineremainedmotionless。
　　Allatonce，attheverymomentwhenMariusfanciedherasleepforever，sheslowlyopenedhereyesinwhichappearedthesombreprofundityofdeath，andsaidtohiminatonewhosesweetnessseemedalreadytoproceedfromanotherworld:——
　　"Andbytheway，MonsieurMarius，IbelievethatIwasalittlebitinlovewithyou。"
　　Shetriedtosmileoncemoreandexpired。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　GAVROCHEASAPROFOUNDCALCULATOROFDISTANCES
　　Mariuskepthispromise。Hedroppedakissonthatlividbrow，wheretheicyperspirationstoodinbeads。
　　ThiswasnoinfidelitytoCosette；itwasagentleandpensivefarewelltoanunhappysoul。
　　ItwasnotwithoutatremorthathehadtakentheletterwhichEponinehadgivenhim。Hehadimmediatelyfeltthatitwasaneventofweight。Hewasimpatienttoreadit。
　　TheheartofmanissoconstitutedthattheunhappychildhadhardlyclosedhereyeswhenMariusbegantothinkofunfoldingthispaper。
　　Helaidhergentlyontheground，andwentaway。Somethingtoldhimthathecouldnotperusethatletterinthepresenceofthatbody。
　　Hedrewneartoacandleinthetap—room。Itwasasmallnote，foldedandsealedwithawoman’selegantcare。Theaddresswasinawoman’shandandran:——
　　"ToMonsieur，MonsieurMariusPontmercy，atM。Courfeyrac’s，RuedelaVerrerie，No。16。"
　　Hebrokethesealandread:——
　　"Mydearest，alas！myfatherinsistsonoursettingoutimmediately。
　　WeshallbethiseveningintheRuedel’HommeArme，No。7。
　　InaweekweshallbeinEngland。COSETTE。June4th。"
　　SuchwastheinnocenceoftheirlovethatMariuswasnotevenacquaintedwithCosette’shandwriting。
　　Whathadtakenplacemayberelatedinafewwords。Eponinehadbeenthecauseofeverything。Aftertheeveningofthe3dofJuneshehadcherishedadoubleidea，todefeattheprojectsofherfatherandtheruffiansonthehouseoftheRuePlumet，andtoseparateMariusandCosette。Shehadexchangedragswiththefirstyoungscampshecameacrosswhohadthoughtitamusingtodresslikeawoman，whileEponinedisguisedherselflikeaman。
　　ItwasshewhohadconveyedtoJeanValjeanintheChampdeMarstheexpressivewarning:"Leaveyourhouse。"JeanValjeanhad，infact，returnedhome，andhadsaidtoCosette:"WesetoutthiseveningandwegototheRuedel’HommeArmewithToussaint。
　　Nextweek，weshallbeinLondon。"Cosette，utterlyoverwhelmedbythisunexpectedblow，hadhastilypennedacoupleoflinestoMarius。Buthowwasshetogetthelettertothepost？
　　Sheneverwentoutalone，andToussaint，surprisedatsuchacommission，wouldcertainlyshowthelettertoM。Fauchelevent。
　　Inthisdilemma，CosettehadcaughtsightthroughthefenceofEponineinman’sclothes，whonowprowledincessantlyaroundthegarden。
　　Cosettehadcalledto"thisyoungworkman"andhadhandedhimfivefrancsandtheletter，saying:"Carrythisletterimmediatelytoitsaddress。"Eponinehadputtheletterinherpocket。Thenextday，onthe5thofJune，shewenttoCourfeyrac’squarterstoinquireforMarius，notforthepurposeofdeliveringtheletter，but，——athingwhicheveryjealousandlovingsoulwillcomprehend，——"tosee。"
　　ThereshehadwaitedforMarius，oratleastforCourfeyrac，stillforthepurposeofseeing。WhenCourfeyrachadtoldher:
　　"Wearegoingtothebarricades，"anideaflashedthroughhermind，toflingherselfintothatdeath，asshewouldhavedoneintoanyother，andtothrustMariusintoitalso。ShehadfollowedCourfeyrac，hadmadesureofthelocalitywherethebarricadewasinprocessofconstruction；and，quitecertain，sinceMariushadreceivednowarning，andsinceshehadinterceptedtheletter，thathewouldgoatdusktohistrystingplaceforeveryevening，shehadbetakenherselftotheRuePlumet，hadthereawaitedMarius，andhadsenthim，inthenameofhisfriends，theappealwhichwould，shethought，leadhimtothebarricade。ShereckonedonMarius’
　　despairwhenheshouldfailtofindCosette；shewasnotmistaken。
　　ShehadreturnedtotheRuedelaChanvrerieherself。Whatshedidtherethereaderhasjustseen。Shediedwiththetragicjoyofjealousheartswhodragthebelovedbeingintotheirowndeath，andwhosay:
　　"Nooneshallhavehim！"
　　MariuscoveredCosette’sletterwithkisses。Soshelovedhim！
　　Foronemomenttheideaoccurredtohimthatheoughtnottodienow。
　　Thenhesaidtohimself:"Sheisgoingaway。HerfatheristakinghertoEngland，andmygrandfatherrefuseshisconsenttothemarriage。
　　Nothingischangedinourfates。"DreamerslikeMariusaresubjecttosupremeattacksofdejection，anddesperateresolvesaretheresult。
　　Thefatigueoflivingisinsupportable；deathissooneroverwith。
　　Thenhereflectedthathehadstilltwodutiestofulfil:toinformCosetteofhisdeathandsendherafinalfarewell，andtosavefromtheimpendingcatastrophewhichwasinpreparation，thatpoorchild，Eponine’sbrotherandThenardier’sson。
　　Hehadapocket—bookabouthim；thesameonewhichhadcontainedthenote—bookinwhichhehadinscribedsomanythoughtsofloveforCosette。Hetoreoutaleafandwroteonitafewlinesinpencil:——
　　"Ourmarriagewasimpossible。Iaskedmygrandfather，herefused；
　　Ihavenofortune，neitherhastthou。Ihastenedtothee，thouwertnolongerthere。ThouknowestthepromisethatIgavethee，Ishallkeepit。Idie。Ilovethee。Whenthoureadestthis，mysoulwillbenearthee，andthouwiltsmile。"
　　Havingnothingwherewithtosealthisletter，hecontentedhimselfwithfoldingthepaperinfour，andaddedtheaddress:——
　　"ToMademoiselleCosetteFauchelevent，atM。Fauchelevent’s，Ruedel’HommeArme，No。7。"
　　Havingfoldedtheletter，hestoodinthoughtforamoment，drewouthispocket—bookagain，openedit，andwrote，withthesamepencil，thesefourlinesonthefirstpage:——
　　"MynameisMariusPontmercy。Carrymybodytomygrandfather，M。Gillenormand，RuedesFilles—du—Calvaire，No。6，intheMarais。"
　　Heputhispocketbookbackinhispocket，thenhecalledGavroche。
　　Thegamin，atthesoundofMarius’voice，ranuptohimwithhismerryanddevotedair。
　　"Willyoudosomethingforme？"
　　"Anything，"saidGavroche。"GoodGod！ifithadnotbeenforyou，Ishouldhavebeendonefor。"
　　"Doyouseethisletter？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Takeit。Leavethebarricadeinstantly"（Gavrochebegantoscratchhisearuneasily）"andto—morrowmorning，youwilldeliveritatitsaddresstoMademoiselleCosette，atM。Fauchelevent’s，Ruedel’HommeArme，No。7。"
　　Theheroicchildreplied"Well，but！inthemeanwhilethebarricadewillbetaken，andI
　　shallnotbethere。"
　　"Thebarricadewillnotbeattackeduntildaybreak，accordingtoallappearances，andwillnotbetakenbeforeto—morrownoon。"
　　Thefreshrespitewhichtheassailantsweregrantingtothebarricadehad，infact，beenprolonged。Itwasoneofthoseintermissionswhichfrequentlyoccurinnocturnalcombats，whicharealwaysfollowedbyanincreaseofrage。
　　"Well，"saidGavroche，"whatifIweretogoandcarryyourletterto—morrow？"
　　"Itwillbetoolate。Thebarricadewillprobablybeblockaded，allthestreetswillbeguarded，andyouwillnotbeabletogetout。
　　Goatonce。"
　　Gavrochecouldthinkofnoreplytothis，andstoodthereinindecision，scratchinghisearsadly。
　　Allatonce，hetooktheletterwithoneofthosebirdlikemovementswhichwerecommonwithhim。
　　"Allright，"saidhe。
　　AndhestartedoffatarunthroughMondetourlane。
　　AnideahadoccurredtoGavrochewhichhadbroughthimtoadecision，buthehadnotmentioneditforfearthatMariusmightoffersomeobjectiontoit。
　　Thiswastheidea:——
　　"Itisbarelymidnight，theRuedel’HommeArmeisnotfaroff；
　　Iwillgoanddelivertheletteratonce，andIshallgetbackintime。"
　　BOOKFIFTEENTH。——THERUEDEL’HOMMEARME
　　CHAPTERI
　　ADRINKERISABABBLER
　　Whataretheconvulsionsofacityincomparisonwiththeinsurrectionsofthesoul？Manisadepthstillgreaterthanthepeople。
　　JeanValjeanatthatverymomentwasthepreyofaterribleupheaval。
　　Everysortofgulfhadopenedagainwithinhim。Healsowastrembling，likeParis，onthebrinkofanobscureandformidablerevolution。
　　Afewhourshadsufficedtobringthisabout。Hisdestinyandhisconsciencehadsuddenlybeencoveredwithgloom。Ofhimalso，aswellasofParis，itmighthavebeensaid:"Twoprinciplesarefacetoface。Thewhiteangelandtheblackangelareabouttoseizeeachotheronthebridgeoftheabyss。Whichofthetwowillhurltheotherover？Whowillcarrytheday？"
　　Ontheeveningprecedingthissame5thofJune，JeanValjean，accompaniedbyCosetteandToussainthadinstalledhimselfintheRuedel’HommeArme。Achangeawaitedhimthere。
　　CosettehadnotquittedtheRuePlumetwithoutmakinganeffortatresistance。Forthefirsttimesincetheyhadlivedsidebyside，Cosette’swillandthewillofJeanValjeanhadprovedtobedistinct，andhadbeeninopposition，atleast，iftheyhadnotclashed。
　　Therehadbeenobjectionsononesideandinflexibilityontheother。
　　Theabruptadvice:"Leaveyourhouse，"hurledatJeanValjeanbyastranger，hadalarmedhimtotheextentofrenderinghimperemptory。
　　Hethoughtthathehadbeentracedandfollowed。Cosettehadbeenobligedtogiveway。
　　BothhadarrivedintheRuedel’HommeArmewithoutopeningtheirlips，andwithoututteringaword，eachbeingabsorbedinhisownpersonalpreoccupation；JeanValjeansouneasythathedidnotnoticeCosette’ssadness，CosettesosadthatshedidnotnoticeJeanValjean’suneasiness。
　　JeanValjeanhadtakenToussaintwithhim，athingwhichhehadneverdoneinhispreviousabsences。HeperceivedthepossibilityofnotreturningtotheRuePlumet，andhecouldneitherleaveToussaintbehindnorconfidehissecrettoher。Besides，hefeltthatshewasdevotedandtrustworthy。Treacherybetweenmasterandservantbeginsincuriosity。NowToussaint，asthoughshehadbeendestinedtobeJeanValjean’sservant，wasnotcurious。
　　ShestammeredinherpeasantdialectofBarneville:"Iammadeso；
　　Idomywork；therestisnoaffairofmine。"
　　InthisdeparturefromtheRuePlumet，whichhadbeenalmostaflight，JeanValjeanhadcarriedawaynothingbutthelittleembalmedvalise，baptizedbyCosette"theinseparable。"
　　Fulltrunkswouldhaverequiredporters，andportersarewitnesses。
　　AfiacrehadbeensummonedtothedoorontheRuedeBabylone，andtheyhadtakentheirdeparture。
　　ItwaswithdifficultythatToussainthadobtainedpermissiontopackupalittlelinenandclothesandafewtoiletarticles。
　　Cosettehadtakenonlyherportfolioandherblotting—book。
　　JeanValjean，withaviewtoaugmentingthesolitudeandthemysteryofthisdeparture，hadarrangedtoquitthepavilionoftheRuePlumetonlyatdusk，whichhadallowedCosettetimetowritehernotetoMarius。
　　TheyhadarrivedintheRuedel’HommeArmeafternighthadfullyfallen。
　　Theyhadgonetobedinsilence。
　　ThelodgingsintheRuedel’HommeArmeweresituatedonabackcourt，onthesecondfloor，andwerecomposedoftwosleeping—rooms，adining—roomandakitchenadjoiningthedining—room，withagarretwheretherewasafolding—bed，andwhichfelltoToussaint’sshare。
　　Thedining—roomwasanantechamberaswell，andseparatedthetwobedrooms。Theapartmentwasprovidedwithallnecessaryutensils。
　　Peoplere—acquireconfidenceasfoolishlyastheyloseit；humannatureissoconstituted。HardlyhadJeanValjeanreachedtheRuedel’HommeArmewhenhisanxietywaslightenedandbydegreesdissipated。
　　Therearesoothingspotswhichactinsomesortmechanicallyonthemind。Anobscurestreet，peaceableinhabitants。JeanValjeanexperiencedanindescribablecontagionoftranquillityinthatalleyofancientParis，whichissonarrowthatitisbarredagainstcarriagesbyatransversebeamplacedontwoposts，whichisdeafanddumbinthemidstoftheclamorouscity，dimlylightedatmid—day，andis，sotospeak，incapableofemotionsbetweentworowsofloftyhousescenturiesold，whichholdtheirpeacelikeancientsastheyare。
　　Therewasatouchofstagnantoblivioninthatstreet。JeanValjeandrewhisbreathoncemorethere。Howcouldhebefoundthere？
　　Hisfirstcarewastoplacetheinseparablebesidehim。
　　Hesleptwell。Nightbringswisdom；wemayadd，nightsoothes。
　　Onthefollowingmorningheawokeinamoodthatwasalmostgay。
　　Hethoughtthedining—roomcharming，thoughitwashideous，furnishedwithanoldroundtable，alongsideboardsurmountedbyaslantingmirror，adilapidatedarm—chair，andseveralplainchairswhichwereencumberedwithToussaint’spackages。InoneofthesepackagesJeanValjean’suniformofaNationalGuardwasvisiblethrougharent。
　　AsforCosette，shehadhadToussainttakesomebrothtoherroom，anddidnotmakeherappearanceuntilevening。
　　Aboutfiveo’clock，Toussaint，whowasgoingandcomingandbusyingherselfwiththetinyestablishment，setonthetableacoldchicken，whichCosette，outofdeferencetoherfather，consentedtoglanceat。
　　Thatdone，Cosette，underthepretextofanobstinatesickheadache，hadbadeJeanValjeangoodnightandhadshutherselfupinherchamber。
　　JeanValjeanhadeatenawingofthechickenwithagoodappetite，andwithhiselbowsonthetable，havinggraduallyrecoveredhisserenity，hadregainedpossessionofhissenseofsecurity。
　　Whilehewasdiscussingthismodestdinner，hehad，twiceorthrice，noticedinaconfusedway，Toussaint’sstammeringwordsasshesaidtohim:"Monsieur，thereissomethinggoingon，theyarefightinginParis。"Butabsorbedinathrongofinwardcalculations，hehadpaidnoheedtoit。Totellthetruth，hehadnotheardher。
　　Heroseandbegantopacefromthedoortothewindowandfromthewindowtothedoor，growingevermoreserene。
　　Withthiscalm，Cosette，hissoleanxiety，recurredtohisthoughts。
　　Notthathewastroubledbythisheadache，alittlenervouscrisis，ayounggirl’sfitofsulks，thecloudofamoment，therewouldbenothingleftofitinadayortwo；buthemeditatedonthefuture，and，aswashishabit，hethoughtofitwithpleasure。Afterall，hesawnoobstacletotheirhappyliferesumingitscourse。
　　Atcertainhours，everythingseemsimpossible，atotherseverythingappearseasy；JeanValjeanwasinthemidstofoneofthesegoodhours。
　　Theygenerallysucceedthebadones，asdayfollowsnight，byvirtueofthatlawofsuccessionandofcontrastwhichliesattheveryfoundationofnature，andwhichsuperficialmindscallantithesis。
　　Inthispeacefulstreetwherehehadtakenrefuge，JeanValjeangotridofallthathadbeentroublinghimforsometimepast。
　　Thisveryfact，thathehadseenmanyshadows，madehimbegintoperceivealittleazure。TohavequittedtheRuePlumetwithoutcomplicationsorincidentswasonegoodstepalreadyaccomplished。
　　Perhapsitwouldbewisetogoabroad，ifonlyforafewmonths，andtosetoutforLondon。Well，theywouldgo。WhatdifferencediditmaketohimwhetherhewasinFranceorinEngland，providedhehadCosettebesidehim？Cosettewashisnation。Cosettesufficedforhishappiness；theideathathe，perhaps，didnotsufficeforCosette’shappiness，thatideawhichhadformerlybeenthecauseofhisfeverandsleeplessness，didnotevenpresentitselftohismind。
　　Hewasinastateofcollapsefromallhispastsufferings，andhewasfullyenteredonoptimism。Cosettewasbyhisside，sheseemedtobehis；anopticalillusionwhicheveryonehasexperienced。
　　Hearrangedinhisownmind，withallsortsoffelicitousdevices，hisdepartureforEnglandwithCosette，andhebeheldhisfelicityreconstitutedwhereverhepleased，intheperspectiveofhisrevery。
　　Ashepacedtoandfrowithlongstrides，hisglancesuddenlyencounteredsomethingstrange。
　　Intheinclinedmirrorfacinghimwhichsurmountedthesideboard，hesawthefourlineswhichfollow:——
　　"Mydearest，alas！myfatherinsistsonoursettingoutimmediately。
　　WeshallbethiseveningintheRuedel’HommeArme，No。7。
　　InaweekweshallbeinEngland。COSETTE。June4th。"
　　JeanValjeanhalted，perfectlyhaggard。
　　Cosetteonherarrivalhadplacedherblotting—bookonthesideboardinfrontofthemirror，and，utterlyabsorbedinheragonyofgrief，hadforgottenitandleftitthere，withoutevenobservingthatshehadleftitwideopen，andopenatpreciselythepageonwhichshehadlaidtodrythefourlineswhichshehadpenned，andwhichshehadgiveninchargeoftheyoungworkmanintheRuePlumet。
　　Thewritinghadbeenprintedoffontheblotter。
　　Themirrorreflectedthewriting。
　　Theresultwas，whatiscalledingeometry，thesymmetricalimage；
　　sothatthewriting，reversedontheblotter，wasrightedinthemirrorandpresenteditsnaturalappearance；andJeanValjeanhadbeneathhiseyestheletterwrittenbyCosettetoMariusontheprecedingevening。
　　Itwassimpleandwithering。
　　JeanValjeansteppeduptothemirror。Hereadthefourlinesagain，buthedidnotbelievethem。Theyproducedonhimtheeffectofappearinginaflashoflightning。Itwasahallucination，itwasimpossible。Itwasnotso。
　　Littlebylittle，hisperceptionsbecamemoreprecise；helookedatCosette’sblotting—book，andtheconsciousnessoftherealityreturnedtohim。Hecaughtuptheblotterandsaid:"Itcomesfromthere。"Hefeverishlyexaminedthefourlinesimprintedontheblotter，thereversalofthelettersconvertedintoanoddscrawl，andhesawnosenseinit。Thenhesaidtohimself:
　　"Butthissignifiesnothing；thereisnothingwrittenhere。"
　　Andhedrewalongbreathwithinexpressiblerelief。Whohasnotexperiencedthosefoolishjoysinhorribleinstants？Thesouldoesnotsurrendertodespairuntilithasexhaustedallillusions。
　　Heheldtheblotterinhishandandcontemplateditinstupiddelight，almostreadytolaughatthehallucinationofwhichhehadbeenthedupe。Allatoncehiseyesfelluponthemirroragain，andagainhebeheldthevision。Therewerethefourlinesoutlinedwithinexorableclearness。Thistimeitwasnomirage。
　　Therecurrenceofavisionisareality；itwaspalpable，itwasthewritingrestoredinthemirror。Heunderstood。
　　JeanValjeantottered，droppedtheblotter，andfellintotheoldarm—chairbesidethebuffet，withdroopinghead，andglassyeyes，inutterbewilderment。Hetoldhimselfthatitwasplain，thatthelightoftheworldhadbeeneclipsedforever，andthatCosettehadwrittenthattosomeone。Thenheheardhissoul，whichhadbecometerribleoncemore，giveventtoadullroarinthegloom。
　　Trythentheeffectoftakingfromthelionthedogwhichhehasinhiscage！
　　Strangeandsadtosay，atthatverymoment，MariushadnotyetreceivedCosette’sletter；chancehadtreacherouslycarriedittoJeanValjeanbeforedeliveringittoMarius。Uptothatday，JeanValjeanhadnotbeenvanquishedbytrial。Hehadbeensubjectedtofearfulproofs；noviolenceofbadfortunehadbeensparedhim；
　　theferocityoffate，armedwithallvindictivenessandallsocialscorn，hadtakenhimforherpreyandhadragedagainsthim。
　　Hehadacceptedeveryextremitywhenithadbeennecessary；
　　hehadsacrificedhisinviolabilityasareformedman，hadyieldeduphisliberty，riskedhishead，losteverything，sufferedeverything，andhehadremaineddisinterestedandstoicaltosuchapointthathemighthavebeenthoughttobeabsentfromhimselflikeamartyr。
　　Hisconscienceinuredtoeveryassaultofdestiny，mighthaveappearedtobeforeverimpregnable。Well，anyonewhohadbeheldhisspiritualselfwouldhavebeenobligedtoconcedethatitweakenedatthatmoment。Itwasbecause，ofallthetortureswhichhehadundergoneinthecourseofthislonginquisitiontowhichdestinyhaddoomedhim，thiswasthemostterrible。Neverhadsuchpincersseizedhimhitherto。Hefeltthemysteriousstirringofallhislatentsensibilities。Hefeltthepluckingatthestrangechord。
　　Alas！thesupremetrial，letussayrather，theonlytrial，isthelossofthebelovedbeing。
　　PooroldJeanValjeancertainlydidnotloveCosetteotherwisethanasafather；butwehavealreadyremarked，above，thatintothispaternitythewidowhoodofhislifehadintroducedalltheshadesoflove；
　　helovedCosetteashisdaughter，andhelovedherashismother，andhelovedherashissister；and，ashehadneverhadeitherawomantoloveorawife，asnatureisacreditorwhoacceptsnoprotest，thatsentimentalso，themostimpossibletolose，wasmingledwiththerest，vague，ignorant，purewiththepurityofblindness，unconscious，celestial，angelic，divine；lesslikeasentimentthanlikeaninstinct，lesslikeaninstinctthanlikeanimperceptibleandinvisiblebutrealattraction；andlove，properlyspeaking，was，inhisimmensetendernessforCosette，likethethreadofgoldinthemountain，concealedandvirgin。
　　Letthereaderrecallthesituationofheartwhichwehavealreadyindicated。Nomarriagewaspossiblebetweenthem；
　　noteventhatofsouls；andyet，itiscertainthattheirdestinieswerewedded。WiththeexceptionofCosette，thatistosay，withtheexceptionofachildhood，JeanValjeanhadnever，inthewholeofhislonglife，knownanythingofthatwhichmaybeloved。
　　Thepassionsandloveswhichsucceedeachotherhadnotproducedinhimthosesuccessivegreengrowths，tendergreenordarkgreen，whichcanbeseeninfoliagewhichpassesthroughthewinterandinmenwhopassfifty。Inshort，andwehaveinsistedonitmorethanonce，allthisinteriorfusion，allthiswhole，ofwhichthesumtotalwasaloftyvirtue，endedinrenderingJeanValjeanafathertoCosette。
　　Astrangefather，forgedfromthegrandfather，theson，thebrother，andthehusband，thatexistedinJeanValjean；afatherinwhomtherewasincludedevenamother；afatherwholovedCosetteandadoredher，andwhoheldthatchildashislight，hishome，hisfamily，hiscountry，hisparadise。
　　Thuswhenhesawthattheendhadabsolutelycome，thatshewasescapingfromhim，thatshewasslippingfromhishands，thatshewasglidingfromhim，likeacloud，likewater，whenhehadbeforehiseyesthiscrushingproof:"anotheristhegoalofherheart，anotheristhewishofherlife；thereisadearestone，Iamnolongeranythingbutherfather，Inolongerexist"；whenhecouldnolongerdoubt，whenhesaidtohimself:"Sheisgoingawayfromme！"
　　thegriefwhichhefeltsurpassedtheboundsofpossibility。
　　Tohavedoneallthathehaddoneforthepurposeofendinglikethis！
　　Andtheveryideaofbeingnothing！Then，aswehavejustsaid，aquiverofrevoltranthroughhimfromheadtofoot。Hefelt，evenintheveryrootsofhishair，theimmensereawakeningofegotism，andthe_I_inthisman’sabysshowled。
　　Thereissuchathingasthesuddengivingwayoftheinwardsubsoil。
　　Adespairingcertaintydoesnotmakeitswayintoamanwithoutthrustingasideandbreakingcertainprofoundelementswhich，insomecases，aretheverymanhimself。Grief，whenitattainsthisshape，isaheadlongflightofalltheforcesoftheconscience。
　　Thesearefatalcrises。Fewamongusemergefromthemstilllikeourselvesandfirminduty。Whenthelimitofenduranceisoverstepped，themostimperturbablevirtueisdisconcerted。
　　JeanValjeantooktheblotteragain，andconvincedhimselfafresh；
　　heremainedbowedandasthoughpetrifiedandwithstaringeyes，overthosefourunobjectionablelines；andtherearosewithinhimsuchacloudthatonemighthavethoughtthateverythinginthissoulwascrumblingaway。
　　Heexaminedthisrevelation，athwarttheexaggerationsofrevery，withanapparentandterrifyingcalmness，foritisafearfulthingwhenaman’scalmnessreachesthecoldnessofthestatue。
　　Hemeasuredtheterriblestepwhichhisdestinyhadtakenwithouthishavingasuspicionofthefact；herecalledhisfearsoftheprecedingsummer，sofoolishlydissipated；herecognizedtheprecipice，itwasstillthesame；only，JeanValjeanwasnolongeronthebrink，hewasatthebottomofit。
　　Theunprecedentedandheart—rendingthingaboutitwasthathehadfallenwithoutperceivingit。Allthelightofhislifehaddeparted，whilehestillfanciedthathebeheldthesun。
　　Hisinstinctdidnothesitate。Heputtogethercertaincircumstances，certaindates，certainblushesandcertainpallorsonCosette’spart，andhesaidtohimself:"Itishe。"
　　Thedivinationofdespairisasortofmysteriousbowwhichnevermissesitsaim。HestruckMariuswithhisfirstconjecture。
　　Hedidnotknowthename，buthefoundthemaninstantly。
　　Hedistinctlyperceived，inthebackgroundoftheimplacableconjurationofhismemories，theunknownprowleroftheLuxembourg，thatwretchedseekerofloveadventures，thatidlerofromance，thatidiot，thatcoward，foritiscowardlytocomeandmakeeyesatyounggirlswhohavebesidethemafatherwholovesthem。
　　Afterhehadthoroughlyverifiedthefactthatthisyoungmanwasatthebottomofthissituation，andthateverythingproceededfromthatquarter，he，JeanValjean，theregeneratedman，themanwhohadsolaboredoverhissoul，themanwhohadmadesomanyeffortstoresolvealllife，allmisery，andallunhappinessintolove，lookedintohisownbreastandtherebeheldaspectre，Hate。
　　Greatgriefscontainsomethingofdejection。Theydiscourageonewithexistence。Themanintowhomtheyenterfeelssomethingwithinhimwithdrawfromhim。Inhisyouth，theirvisitsarelugubrious；
　　laterontheyaresinister。Alas，ifdespairisafearfulthingwhenthebloodishot，whenthehairisblack，whentheheadiserectonthebodyliketheflameonthetorch，whentherollofdestinystillretainsitsfullthickness，whentheheart，fullofdesirablelove，stillpossessesbeatswhichcanbereturnedtoit，whenonehastimeforredress，whenallwomenandallsmilesandallthefutureandallthehorizonarebeforeone，whentheforceoflifeiscomplete，whatisitinoldage，whentheyearshastenon，growingeverpaler，tothattwilighthourwhenonebeginstobeholdthestarsofthetomb？
　　Whilehewasmeditating，Toussaintentered。JeanValjeanroseandaskedher:——
　　"Inwhatquarterisit？Doyouknow？"
　　Toussaintwasstruckdumb，andcouldonlyanswerhim:——
　　"Whatisit，sir？"
　　JeanValjeanbeganagain:"Didyounottellmethatjustnowthatthereisfightinggoingon？"
　　"Ah！yes，sir，"repliedToussaint。"ItisinthedirectionofSaint—Merry。"
　　Thereisamechanicalmovementwhichcomestous，unconsciously，fromthemostprofounddepthsofourthought。Itwas，nodoubt，undertheimpulseofamovementofthissort，andofwhichhewashardlyconscious，thatJeanValjean，fiveminuteslater，foundhimselfinthestreet。
　　Bareheaded，hesatuponthestonepostatthedoorofhishouse。
　　Heseemedtobelistening。
　　Nighthadcome。
　　CHAPTERII
　　THESTREETURCHINANENEMYOFLIGHT
　　Howlongdidheremainthus？Whatwastheebbandflowofthistragicmeditation？Didhestraightenup？Didheremainbowed？
　　Hadhebeenbenttobreaking？Couldhestillriseandregainhisfootinginhisconscienceuponsomethingsolid？Heprobablywouldnothavebeenabletotellhimself。
　　Thestreetwasdeserted。Afewuneasybourgeois，whowererapidlyreturninghome，hardlysawhim。Eachoneforhimselfintimesofperil。Thelamp—lightercameasusualtolightthelanternwhichwassituatedpreciselyoppositethedoorofNo。7，andthenwentaway。JeanValjeanwouldnothaveappearedlikealivingmantoanyonewhohadexaminedhiminthatshadow。
　　Hesatthereonthepostofhisdoor，motionlessasaformofice。
　　Thereiscongealmentindespair。Thealarmbellsandavagueandstormyuproarwereaudible。Inthemidstofalltheseconvulsionsofthebellmingledwiththerevolt，theclockofSaint—Paulstruckeleven，gravelyandwithouthaste；forthetocsinisman；
　　thehourisGod。ThepassageofthehourproducednoeffectonJeanValjean；JeanValjeandidnotstir。Still，ataboutthatmoment，abrusquereportburstforthinthedirectionoftheHalles，asecondyetmoreviolentfollowed；itwasprobablythatattackonthebarricadeintheRuedelaChanvreriewhichwehavejustseenrepulsedbyMarius。Atthisdoubledischarge，whosefuryseemedaugmentedbythestuporofthenight，JeanValjeanstarted；
　　herose，turningtowardsthequarterwhencethenoiseproceeded；
　　thenhefellbackuponthepostagain，foldedhisarms，andhisheadslowlysankonhisbosomagain。
　　Heresumedhisgloomydialoguewithhimself。
　　Allatonce，heraisedhiseyes；someonewaswalkinginthestreet，heheardstepsnearhim。Helooked，andbythelightofthelanterns，inthedirectionofthestreetwhichranintotheRue—aux—Archives，heperceivedayoung，livid，andbeamingface。
　　GavrochehadjustarrivedintheRuel’HommeArme。
　　Gavrochewasstaringintotheair，apparentlyinsearchofsomething。
　　HesawJeanValjeanperfectlywellbuthetooknonoticeofhim。
　　Gavrocheafterstaringintotheair，staredbelow；heraisedhimselfontiptoe，andfeltofthedoorsandwindowsofthegroundfloor；
　　theywereallshut，bolted，andpadlocked。Afterhavingauthenticatedthefrontsoffiveorsixbarricadedhousesinthismanner，theurchinshruggedhisshoulders，andtookhimselftotaskintheseterms:——
　　"Pardi！"
　　Thenhebegantostareintotheairagain。
　　JeanValjean，who，aninstantpreviously，inhisthenstateofmind，wouldnothavespokentoorevenansweredanyone，feltirresistiblyimpelledtoaccostthatchild。
　　"Whatisthematterwithyou，mylittlefellow？"hesaid。
　　"ThematterwithmeisthatIamhungry，"repliedGavrochefrankly。
　　Andheadded:"Littlefellowyourself。"
　　JeanValjeanfumbledinhisfobandpulledoutafive—francpiece。
　　ButGavroche，whowasofthewagtailspecies，andwhoskippedvivaciouslyfromonegesturetoanother，hadjustpickedupastone。
　　Hehadcaughtsightofthelantern。
　　"Seehere，"saidhe，"youstillhaveyourlanternshere。
　　Youaredisobeyingtheregulations，myfriend。Thisisdisorderly。
　　Smashthatforme。"
　　Andheflungthestoneatthelantern，whosebrokenglassfellwithsuchaclatterthatthebourgeoisinhidingbehindtheircurtainsintheoppositehousecried:"Thereis`Ninety—three’comeagain。"
　　Thelanternoscillatedviolently，andwentout。Thestreethadsuddenlybecomeblack。
　　"That’sright，oldstreet，"ejaculatedGavroche，"putonyournight—cap。"
　　AndturningtoJeanValjean:——
　　"Whatdoyoucallthatgiganticmonumentthatyouhavethereattheendofthestreet？It’stheArchives，isn’tit？Imustcrumbleupthosebigstupidsofpillarsabitandmakeanicebarricadeoutofthem。"
　　JeanValjeansteppeduptoGavroche。
　　"Poorcreature，"hesaidinalowtone，andspeakingtohimself，"heishungry。"
　　Andhelaidthehundred—soupieceinhishand。
　　Gavrocheraisedhisface，astonishedatthesizeofthissou；
　　hestaredatitinthedarkness，andthewhitenessofthebigsoudazzledhim。Heknewfive—francpiecesbyhearsay；theirreputationwasagreeabletohim；hewasdelightedtoseeonecloseto。
　　Hesaid:——
　　"Letuscontemplatethetiger。"
　　Hegazedatitforseveralminutesinecstasy；then，turningtoJeanValjean，heheldoutthecointohim，andsaidmajesticallytohim:——
　　"Bourgeois，Iprefertosmashlanterns。Takebackyourferociousbeast。
　　Youcan’tbribeme。Thathasgotfiveclaws；butitdoesn’tscratchme。"
　　"Haveyouamother？"askedJeanValjean。
　　Gavrochereplied:——
　　"Morethanyouhave，perhaps。"
　　"Well，"returnedJeanValjean，"keepthemoneyforyourmother！"
　　Gavrochewastouched。Moreover，hehadjustnoticedthatthemanwhowasaddressinghimhadnohat，andthisinspiredhimwithconfidence。
　　"Truly，"saidhe，"soitwasn’ttokeepmefrombreakingthelanterns？"
　　"Breakwhateveryouplease。"
　　"You’reafineman，"saidGavroche。
　　Andheputthefive—francpieceintooneofhispockets。
　　Hisconfidencehavingincreased，headded:——
　　"Doyoubelonginthisstreet？"
　　"Yes，why？"
　　"CanyoutellmewhereNo。7is？"
　　"WhatdoyouwantwithNo。7？"
　　Herethechildpaused，hefearedthathehadsaidtoomuch；
　　hethrusthisnailsenergeticallyintohishairandcontentedhimselfwithreplying:——
　　"Ah！Hereitis。"
　　AnideaflashedthroughJeanValjean’smind。Anguishdoeshavethesegleams。Hesaidtothelad:——
　　"AreyouthepersonwhoisbringingaletterthatIamexpecting？"
　　"You？"saidGavroche。"Youarenotawoman。"
　　"TheletterisforMademoiselleCosette，isitnot？"
　　"Cosette，"mutteredGavroche。"Yes，Ibelievethatisthequeername。"
　　"Well，"resumedJeanValjean，"Iamthepersontowhomyouaretodelivertheletter。Giveithere。"
　　"Inthatcase，youmustknowthatIwassentfromthebarricade。"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidJeanValjean。
　　Gavrocheengulfedhishandinanotherofhispocketsanddrewoutapaperfoldedinfour。
　　Thenhemadethemilitarysalute。
　　"Respectfordespatches，"saidhe。"ItcomesfromtheProvisionalGovernment。"
　　"Giveittome，"saidJeanValjean。
　　Gavrocheheldthepaperelevatedabovehishead。
　　"Don’tgoandfancyit’saloveletter。Itisforawoman，butit’sforthepeople。Wemenfightandwerespectthefairsex。
　　Wearenotastheyareinfinesociety，wheretherearelionswhosendchickens[55]tocamels。"
　　[55]Loveletters。
　　"Giveittome。"
　　"Afterall，"continuedGavroche，"youhavetheairofanhonestman。"
　　"Giveittomequick。"
　　"Catchholdofit。"
　　AndhehandedthepapertoJeanValjean。
　　"Andmakehaste，MonsieurWhat’s—your—name，forMamselleCosetteiswaiting。"
　　Gavrochewassatisfiedwithhimselfforhavingproducedthisremark。
　　JeanValjeanbeganagain:——
　　"IsittoSaint—Merrythattheansweristobesent？"
　　"Thereyouaremakingsomeofthosebitsofpastryvulgarlycalledbrioches[blunders]。ThislettercomesfromthebarricadeoftheRuedelaChanvrerie，andI’mgoingbackthere。Goodevening，citizen。"
　　Thatsaid，Gavrochetookhimselfoff，or，todescribeitmoreexactly，flutteredawayinthedirectionwhencehehadcomewithaflightlikethatofanescapedbird。Heplungedbackintothegloomasthoughhemadeaholeinit，withtherigidrapidityofaprojectile；
　　thealleyofl’HommeArmebecamesilentandsolitaryoncemore；
　　inatwinkling，thatstrangechild，whohadabouthimsomethingoftheshadowandofthedream，hadburiedhimselfinthemistsoftherowsofblackhouses，andwaslostthere，likesmokeinthedark；
　　andonemighthavethoughtthathehaddissipatedandvanished，hadtherenottakenplace，afewminutesafterhisdisappearance，astartlingshiverofglass，andhadnotthemagnificentcrashofalanternrattlingdownonthepavementoncemoreabruptlyawakenedtheindignantbourgeois。ItwasGavrocheuponhiswaythroughtheRueduChaume。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　WHILECOSETTEANDTOUSSAINTAREASLEEP
　　JeanValjeanwentintothehousewithMarius’letter。
　　Hegropedhiswayupthestairs，aspleasedwiththedarknessasanowlwhogripshisprey，openedandshuthisdoorsoftly，listenedtoseewhetherhecouldhearanynoise，——madesurethat，toallappearances，CosetteandToussaintwereasleep，andplungedthreeorfourmatchesintothebottleoftheFumadelighterbeforehecouldevokeaspark，sogreatlydidhishandtremble。
　　Whathehadjustdonesmackedoftheft。Atlastthecandlewaslighted；heleanedhiselbowsonthetable，unfoldedthepaper，andread。
　　Inviolentemotions，onedoesnotread，oneflingstotheearth，sotospeak，thepaperwhichoneholds，oneclutchesitlikeavictim，onecrushesit，onedigsintoitthenailsofone’swrath，orofone’sjoy；onehastenstotheend，oneleapstothebeginning；
　　attentionisatfeverheat；ittakesupinthegross，asitwere，theessentialpoints；itseizesononepoint，andtherestdisappears。
　　InMarius’notetoCosette，JeanValjeansawonlythesewords:——
　　"Idie。Whenthoureadestthis，mysoulwillbenearthee。"
　　Inthepresenceofthesetwolines，hewashorriblydazzled；
　　heremainedforamoment，crushed，asitwere，bythechangeofemotionwhichwastakingplacewithinhim，hestaredatMarius’
　　notewithasortofintoxicatedamazement，hehadbeforehiseyesthatsplendor，thedeathofahatedindividual。
　　Heutteredafrightfulcryofinwardjoy。Soitwasallover。
　　Thecatastrophehadarrivedsoonerthanhehaddaredtohope。
　　Thebeingwhoobstructedhisdestinywasdisappearing。Thatmanhadtakenhimselfoffofhisownaccord，freely，willingly。Thismanwasgoingtohisdeath，andhe，JeanValjean，hadhadnohandinthematter，anditwasthroughnofaultofhis。Perhaps，even，heisalreadydead。Herehisfeverenteredintocalculations。
　　No，heisnotdeadyet。TheletterhadevidentlybeenintendedforCosettetoreadonthefollowingmorning；afterthetwodischargesthatwereheardbetweeneleveno’clockandmidnight，nothingmorehastakenplace；thebarricadewillnotbeattackedseriouslyuntildaybreak；butthatmakesnodifference，fromthemomentwhen"thatman"isconcernedinthiswar，heislost；
　　heiscaughtinthegearing。JeanValjeanfelthimselfdelivered。
　　SohewasabouttofindhimselfalonewithCosetteoncemore。
　　Therivalrywouldcease；thefuturewasbeginningagain。Hehadbuttokeepthisnoteinhispocket。Cosettewouldneverknowwhathadbecomeofthatman。Allthatthererequirestobedoneistoletthingstaketheirowncourse。Thismancannotescape。
　　Ifheisnotalreadydead，itiscertainthatheisabouttodie。
　　Whatgoodfortune！
　　Havingsaidallthistohimself，hebecamegloomy。
　　Thenhewentdownstairsandwokeuptheporter。
　　Aboutanhourlater，JeanValjeanwentoutinthecompletecostumeofaNationalGuard，andwithhisarms。Theporterhadeasilyfoundintheneighborhoodthewherewithaltocompletehisequipment。
　　Hehadaloadedgunandacartridge—boxfilledwithcartridges。
　　Hestrodeoffinthedirectionofthemarkets。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　GAVROCHE’SEXCESSOFZEAL
　　Inthemeantime，Gavrochehadhadanadventure。
　　Gavroche，afterhavingconscientiouslystonedthelanternintheRueduChaume，enteredtheRuedesVielles—Haudriettes，andnotseeing"evenacat"there，hethoughttheopportunityagoodonetostrikeupallthesongofwhichhewascapable。Hismarch，farfrombeingretardedbyhissinging，wasacceleratedbyit。Hebegantosowalongthesleepingorterrifiedhousestheseincendiarycouplets:——
　　"L’oiseaumeditdanslescharmilles，Etpretendqu’hierAtalaAvecunRusses’enalla。
　　Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。
　　"MonamiPierrot，tubabilles，Parcequel’autrejourMilaCognasavitreetm’appela，Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。
　　"Lesdrolessessontfortgentilles，Leurpoisonquim’ensorcelaGriseraitMonsieurOrfila。
　　Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。
　　"J’aimel’amouretlesbisbilles，J’aimeAgnes，j’aimePamela，Lisaenm’allumantsebrula。
　　Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。
　　"Jadis，quandjevislesmantillesDeSuzetteetdeZeila，Monamealeursplissemela，Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。
　　"Amour，quanddansl’ombreoutubrilles，TucoiffesderosesLola，Jemedamneraispourcela。
　　Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。
　　"Jeanneatonmiroirtut’habilles！
　　Moncoeurunbeaujours’envola。
　　Jecroisquec’estJeannequil’a。
　　Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。
　　"Lesoir，ensortantdesquadrilles，JemontreauxetoilesStella，Etjeleurdis:’Regardez—la。’
　　Ouvontlesbellesfilles，Lonla。"[56]
　　[56]"Thebirdslandersintheelms，Andpretendsthatyesterday，AtalaWentoffwithaRussian，Wherefairmaidsgo。
　　Lonla。
　　MyfriendPierrot，thoupratest，becauseMilaknockedatherpanetheotherdayandcalledme。Thejadesareverycharming，theirpoisonwhichbewitchedmewouldintoxicateMonsieurOrfila。
　　I’mfondofloveanditsbickerings，IloveAgnes，IlovePamela，Liseburnedherselfinsettingmeaflame。InformerdayswhenI
　　sawthemantillasofSuzetteandofZeila，mysoulmingledwiththeirfolds。Love，whenthougleamestinthedarkthoucrownestLolawithroses，Iwouldlosemysoulforthat。Jeanne，atthymirrorthoudeckestthyself！Onefineday，myheartflewforth。
　　IthinkthatitisJeannewhohasit。Atnight，whenIcomefromthequadrilles，IshowStellatothestars，andIsaytothem:
　　"Beholdher。"Wherefairmaidsgo，lonla。
　　Gavroche，ashesang，waslavishofhispantomime。Gestureisthestrongpointoftherefrain。Hisface，aninexhaustiblerepertoryofmasks，producedgrimacesmoreconvulsingandmorefantasticthantherentsofaclothtorninahighgale。Unfortunately，ashewasalone，andasitwasnight，thiswasneitherseennorevenvisible。
　　Suchwastesofrichesdooccur。
　　Allatonce，hestoppedshort。
　　"Letusinterrupttheromance，"saidhe。
　　Hisfelineeyehadjustdescried，intherecessofacarriagedoor，whatiscalledinpainting，anensemble，thatistosay，apersonandathing；thethingwasahand—cart，thepersonwasamanfromAuvergenewhowassleepingtherein。
　　Theshaftsofthecartrestedonthepavement，andtheAuvergnat’sheadwassupportedagainstthefrontofthecart。Hisbodywascoileduponthisinclinedplaneandhisfeettouchedtheground。
　　Gavroche，withhisexperienceofthethingsofthisworld，recognizedadrunkenman。Hewassomecornererrand—manwhohaddrunktoomuchandwassleepingtoomuch。
　　"Therenow，"thoughtGavroche，"that’swhatthesummernightsaregoodfor。We’lltakethecartfortheRepublic，andleavetheAuvergnatfortheMonarchy。"
　　Hismindhadjustbeenilluminatedbythisflashoflight:——
　　"Howbullythatcartwouldlookonourbarricade！"
　　TheAuvergnatwassnoring。
　　Gavrochegentlytuggedatthecartfrombehind，andattheAuvergnatfromthefront，thatistosay，bythefeet，andattheexpirationofanotherminutetheimperturbableAuvergnatwasreposingflatonthepavement。
　　Thecartwasfree。
　　Gavroche，habituatedtofacingtheunexpectedinallquarters，hadeverythingabouthim。Hefumbledinoneofhispockets，andpulledfromitascrapofpaperandabitofredpencilfilchedfromsomecarpenter。
　　Hewrote:——
　　"FrenchRepublic。"
　　"Receivedthycart。"
　　Andhesignedit:"GAVROCHE。"
　　Thatdone，heputthepaperinthepocketofthestillsnoringAuvergnat’svelvetvest，seizedthecartshaftsinbothhands，andsetoffinthedirectionoftheHalles，pushingthecartbeforehimatahardgallopwithagloriousandtriumphantuproar。
　　Thiswasperilous。TherewasapostattheRoyalPrintingEstablishment。
　　Gavrochedidnotthinkofthis。ThispostwasoccupiedbytheNationalGuardsofthesuburbs。Thesquadbegantowakeup，andheadswereraisedfromcampbeds。Twostreetlanternsbrokeninsuccession，thatdittysungatthetopofthelungs。
　　Thiswasagreatdealforthosecowardlystreets，whichdesiretogotosleepatsunset，andwhichputtheextinguisherontheircandlesatsuchanearlyhour。Forthelasthour，thatboyhadbeencreatinganuproarinthatpeaceablearrondissement，theuproarofaflyinabottle。Thesergeantofthebanlieuelentanear。
　　Hewaited。Hewasaprudentman。
　　Themadrattleofthecart，filledtooverflowingthepossiblemeasureofwaiting，anddecidedthesergeanttomakeareconnaisance。
　　"There’sawholebandofthemthere！"saidhe，"letusproceedgently。"
　　Itwasclearthatthehydraofanarchyhademergedfromitsboxandthatitwasstalkingabroadthroughthequarter。
　　Andthesergeantventuredoutofthepostwithcautioustread。
　　Allatonce，Gavroche，pushinghiscartinfrontofhim，andattheverymomentwhenhewasabouttoturnintotheRuedesVielles—Haudriettes，foundhimselffacetofacewithauniform，ashako，aplume，andagun。