Itwashishabit，asthereaderwillremember，toalwayshavesomemoneyabouthim。Themournfullifeofexpedientstowhichhehadbeencondemnedimposedthisasalawuponhim。Onthisoccasion，however，hehadbeencaughtunprepared。WhendonninghisuniformofaNationalGuardsmanontheprecedingevening，hehadforgotten，dolefullyabsorbedashewas，totakehispocket—book。Hehadonlysomesmallchangeinhisfob。Heturnedouthispocket，allsoakedwithooze，andspreadoutonthebanquetteofthevaultonelouisd’or，twofive—francpieces，andfiveorsixlargesous。
　　Thenardierthrustouthislowerlipwithasignificanttwistoftheneck。
　　"Youknockedhimovercheap，"saidhe。
　　HesettofeelingthepocketsofJeanValjeanandMarius，withthegreatestfamiliarity。JeanValjean，whowaschieflyconcernedinkeepinghisbacktothelight，lethimhavehisway。
　　WhilehandlingMarius’coat，Thenardier，withtheskillofapickpocket，andwithoutbeingnoticedbyJeanValjean，toreoffastripwhichheconcealedunderhisblouse，probablythinkingthatthismorselofstuffmightserve，lateron，toidentifytheassassinatedmanandtheassassin。However，hefoundnomorethanthethirtyfrancs。
　　"That’strue，"saidhe，"bothofyoutogetherhavenomorethanthat。"
　　And，forgettinghismotto:"halfshares，"hetookall。
　　Hehesitatedalittleoverthelargesous。Afterduereflection，hetookthemalso，muttering:
　　"Nevermind！Youcutfolks’throatstoocheapaltogether。"
　　Thatdone，heoncemoredrewthebigkeyfromunderhisblouse。
　　"Now，myfriend，youmustleave。It’slikethefairhere，youpaywhenyougoout。Youhavepaid，nowclearout。"
　　Andhebegantolaugh。
　　Hadhe，inlendingtothisstrangertheaidofhiskey，andinmakingsomeothermanthanhimselfemergefromthatportal，thepureanddisinterestedintentionofrescuinganassassin？
　　Wemaybepermittedtodoubtthis。
　　ThenardierhelpedJeanValjeantoreplaceMariusonhisshoulders，thenhebetookhimselftothegratingontiptoe，andbarefooted，makingJeanValjeanasigntofollowhim，lookedout，laidhisfingeronhismouth，andremainedforseveralseconds，asthoughinsuspense；
　　hisinspectionfinished，heplacedthekeyinthelock。Theboltslippedbackandthegateswungopen。Itneithergratednorsqueaked。
　　Itmovedverysoftly。
　　Itwasobviousthatthisgateandthosehinges，carefullyoiled，wereinthehabitofopeningmorefrequentlythanwassupposed。
　　Thissoftnesswassuspicious；ithintedatfurtivegoingsandcomings，silententrancesandexitsofnocturnalmen，andthewolf—liketreadofcrime。
　　Thesewerwasevidentlyanaccompliceofsomemysteriousband。
　　Thistaciturngratingwasareceiverofstolengoods。
　　Thenardieropenedthegatealittleway，allowingjustsufficientspaceforJeanValjeantopassout，closedthegratingagain，gavethekeyadoubleturninthelockandplungedbackintothedarkness，withoutmakinganymorenoisethanabreath。
　　Heseemedtowalkwiththevelvetpawsofatiger。
　　Amomentlater，thathideousprovidencehadretreatedintotheinvisibility。
　　JeanValjeanfoundhimselfintheopenair。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　MARIUSPRODUCESONSOMEONEWHOISAJUDGEOFTHEMATTER，THEEFFECT
　　OFBEINGDEAD
　　HeallowedMariustoslidedownupontheshore。
　　Theywereintheopenair！
　　Themiasmas，darkness，horrorlaybehindhim。Thepure，healthful，living，joyousairthatwaseasytobreatheinundatedhim。
　　Everywherearoundhimreignedsilence，butthatcharmingsilencewhenthesunhassetinanuncloudedazuresky。Twilighthaddescended；
　　nightwasdrawingon，thegreatdeliverer，thefriendofallthosewhoneedamantleofdarknessthattheymayescapefromananguish。
　　Theskypresenteditselfinalldirectionslikeanenormouscalm。
　　Theriverflowedtohisfeetwiththesoundofakiss。TheaerialdialogueofthenestsbiddingeachothergoodnightintheelmsoftheChamps—Elyseeswasaudible。Afewstars，daintilypiercingthepaleblueofthezenith，andvisibletoreveryalone，formedimperceptiblelittlesplendorsamidtheimmensity。EveningwasunfoldingovertheheadofJeanValjeanallthesweetnessoftheinfinite。
　　Itwasthatexquisiteandundecidedhourwhichsaysneitheryesnorno。
　　Nightwasalreadysufficientlyadvancedtorenderitpossibletoloseoneselfatalittledistanceandyettherewassufficientdaylighttopermitofrecognitionatclosequarters。
　　Forseveralseconds，JeanValjeanwasirresistiblyovercomebythataugustandcaressingserenity；suchmomentsofobliviondocometomen；sufferingrefrainsfromharassingtheunhappywretch；
　　everythingiseclipsedinthethoughts；peacebroodsoverthedreamerlikenight；and，beneaththetwilightwhichbeamsandinimitationoftheskywhichisilluminated，thesoulbecomesstuddedwithstars。
　　JeanValjeancouldnotrefrainfromcontemplatingthatvast，clearshadowwhichrestedoverhim；thoughtfullyhebathedintheseaofecstasyandprayerinthemajesticsilenceoftheeternalheavens。
　　ThenhebentdownswiftlytoMarius，asthoughthesentimentofdutyhadreturnedtohim，and，dippingupwaterinthehollowofhishand，hegentlysprinkledafewdropsonthelatter’sface。
　　Marius’eyelidsdidnotopen；buthishalf—openmouthstillbreathed。
　　JeanValjeanwasonthepointofdippinghishandintheriveroncemore，when，allatonce，heexperiencedanindescribableembarrassment，suchasapersonfeelswhenthereissomeonebehindhimwhomhedoesnotsee。
　　Wehavealreadyalludedtothisimpression，withwhicheveryoneisfamiliar。
　　Heturnedround。
　　Someonewas，infact，behindhim，astherehadbeenashortwhilebefore。
　　Amanofloftystature，envelopedinalongcoat，withfoldedarms，andbearinginhisrightfistabludgeonofwhichtheleadenheadwasvisible，stoodafewpacesintherearofthespotwhereJeanValjeanwascrouchingoverMarius。
　　Withtheaidofthedarkness，itseemedasortofapparition。
　　Anordinarymanwouldhavebeenalarmedbecauseofthetwilight，athoughtfulmanonaccountofthebludgeon。JeanValjeanrecognizedJavert。
　　Thereaderhasdivined，nodoubt，thatThenardier’spursuerwasnootherthanJavert。Javert，afterhisunlooked—forescapefromthebarricade，hadbetakenhimselftotheprefectureofpolice，hadrenderedaverbalaccounttothePrefectinpersoninabriefaudience，hadthenimmediatelygoneondutyagain，whichimplied——
　　thenote，thereaderwillrecollect，whichhadbeencapturedonhisperson——acertainsurveillanceoftheshoreontherightbankoftheSeineneartheChamps—Elysees，whichhad，forsometimepast，arousedtheattentionofthepolice。TherehehadcaughtsightofThenardierandhadfollowedhim。Thereaderknowstherest。
　　Thusitwillbeeasilyunderstoodthatthatgrating，soobliginglyopenedtoJeanValjean，wasabitofclevernessonThenardier’spart。
　　ThenardierintuitivelyfeltthatJavertwasstillthere；
　　themanspieduponhasascentwhichneverdeceiveshim；itwasnecessarytoflingabonetothatsleuth—hound。Anassassin，whatagodsend！Suchanopportunitymustneverbeallowedtoslip。Thenardier，byputtingJeanValjeanoutsideinhisstead，providedapreyforthepolice，forcedthemtorelinquishhisscent，madethemforgethiminabiggeradventure，repaidJavertforhiswaiting，whichalwaysflattersaspy，earnedthirtyfrancs，andcountedwithcertainty，sofarashehimselfwasconcerned，onescapingwiththeaidofthisdiversion。
　　JeanValjeanhadfallenfromonedangeruponanother。
　　Thesetwoencounters，thisfallingoneaftertheother，fromThenardieruponJavert，wasarudeshock。
　　JavertdidnotrecognizeJeanValjean，who，aswehavestated，nolongerlookedlikehimself。Hedidnotunfoldhisarms，hemadesureofhisbludgeoninhisfist，byanimperceptiblemovement，andsaidinacurt，calmvoice:
　　"Whoareyou？"
　　"I。"
　　"Whois`I’？"
　　"JeanValjean。"
　　Javertthrusthisbludgeonbetweenhisteeth，benthisknees，inclinedhisbody，laidhistwopowerfulhandsontheshouldersofJeanValjean，whichwereclampedwithinthemasinacoupleofvices，scrutinizedhim，andrecognizedhim。Theirfacesalmosttouched。
　　Javert’slookwasterrible。
　　JeanValjeanremainedinertbeneathJavert’sgrasp，likealionsubmittingtotheclawsofalynx。
　　"InspectorJavert，"saidhe，"youhavemeinyourpower。Moreover，Ihaveregardedmyselfasyourprisonereversincethismorning。
　　Ididnotgiveyoumyaddresswithanyintentionofescapingfromyou。
　　Takeme。Onlygrantmeonefavor。"
　　Javertdidnotappeartohearhim。HekepthiseyesrivetedonJeanValjean。Hischinbeingcontracted，thrusthislipsupwardstowardshisnose，asignofsavagerevery。AtlengthhereleasedJeanValjean，straightenedhimselfstifflyupwithoutbending，graspedhisbludgeonagainfirmly，and，asthoughinadream，hemurmuredratherthanutteredthisquestion:
　　"Whatareyoudoinghere？Andwhoisthisman？"
　　HestillabstainedfromaddressingJeanValjeanasthou。
　　JeanValjeanreplied，andthesoundofhisvoiceappearedtorouseJavert:
　　"ItiswithregardtohimthatIdesiretospeaktoyou。
　　Disposeofmeasyouseefit；butfirsthelpmetocarryhimhome。
　　ThatisallthatIaskofyou。"
　　Javert’sfacecontractedaswasalwaysthecasewhenanyoneseemedtothinkhimcapableofmakingaconcession。Nevertheless，hedidnotsay"no。"
　　Againhebentover，drewfromhispocketahandkerchiefwhichhemoistenedinthewaterandwithwhichhethenwipedMarius’
　　blood—stainedbrow。
　　"Thismanwasatthebarricade，"saidheinalowvoiceandasthoughspeakingtohimself。"HeistheonetheycalledMarius。"
　　Aspyofthefirstquality，whohadobservedeverything，listenedtoeverything，andtakenineverything，evenwhenhethoughtthathewastodie；whohadplayedthespyeveninhisagony，andwho，withhiselbowsleaningonthefirststepofthesepulchre，hadtakennotes。
　　HeseizedMarius’handandfelthispulse。
　　"Heiswounded，"saidJeanValjean。
　　"Heisadeadman，"saidJavert。
　　JeanValjeanreplied:
　　"No。Notyet。"
　　"Soyouhavebroughthimthitherfromthebarricade？"remarkedJavert。
　　Hispreoccupationmustindeedhavebeenveryprofoundforhimnottoinsistonthisalarmingrescuethroughthesewer，andforhimnottoevennoticeJeanValjean’ssilenceafterhisquestion。
　　JeanValjean，onhisside，seemedtohavebutonethought。
　　Heresumed:
　　"HelivesintheMarais，RuedesFilles—du—Calvaire，withhisgrandfather。Idonotrecollecthisname。"
　　JeanValjeanfumbledinMarius’coat，pulledouthispocket—book，openeditatthepagewhichMariushadpencilled，andhelditouttoJavert。
　　Therewasstillsufficientlighttoadmitofreading。Besidesthis，Javertpossessedinhiseyethefelinephosphorescenceofnightbirds。
　　HedecipheredthefewlineswrittenbyMarius，andmuttered:
　　"Gillenormand，RuedesFilles—duCalvaire，No。6。"
　　Thenheexclaimed:"Coachman！"
　　Thereaderwillrememberthatthehackney—coachwaswaitingincaseofneed。
　　JavertkeptMarius’pocket—book。
　　Amomentlater，thecarriage，whichhaddescendedbytheinclinedplaneofthewatering—place，wasontheshore。Mariuswaslaiduponthebackseat，andJavertseatedhimselfonthefrontseatbesideJeanValjean。
　　Thedoorslammed，andthecarriagedroverapidlyaway，ascendingthequaysinthedirectionoftheBastille。
　　Theyquittedthequaysandenteredthestreets。Thecoachman，ablackformonhisbox，whippeduphisthinhorses。Aglacialsilencereignedinthecarriage。Marius，motionless，withhisbodyrestinginthecorner，andhisheaddroopingonhisbreast，hisarmshanging，hislegsstiff，seemedtobeawaitingonlyacoffin；
　　JeanValjeanseemedmadeofshadow，andJavertofstone，andinthatvehiclefullofnight，whoseinterior，everytimethatitpassedinfrontofastreetlantern，appearedtobeturnedlividlywan，asbyanintermittentflashoflightning，chancehadunitedandseemedtobebringingfacetofacethethreeformsoftragicimmobility，thecorpse，thespectre，andthestatue。
　　CHAPTERX
　　RETURNOFTHESONWHOWASPRODIGALOFHISLIFE
　　Ateveryjoltoverthepavement，adropofbloodtrickledfromMarius’hair。
　　NighthadfullyclosedinwhenthecarriagearrivedatNo。6，RuedesFilles—du—Calvaire。
　　Javertwasthefirsttoalight；hemadesurewithoneglanceofthenumberonthecarriagegate，and，raisingtheheavyknockerofbeateniron，embellishedintheoldstyle，withamalegoatandasatyrconfrontingeachother，hegaveaviolentpeal。
　　ThegateopenedalittlewayandJavertgaveitapush。Theporterhalfmadehisappearanceyawning，vaguelyawake，andwithacandleinhishand。
　　Everyoneinthehousewasasleep。PeoplegotobedbetimesintheMarais，especiallyondayswhenthereisarevolt。Thisgood，oldquarter，terrifiedattheRevolution，takesrefugeinslumber，aschildren，whentheyheartheBugaboocoming，hidetheirheadshastilyundertheircoverlet。
　　InthemeantimeJeanValjeanandthecoachmanhadtakenMariusoutofthecarriage，JeanValjeansupportinghimunderthearmpits，andthecoachmanundertheknees。
　　AstheythusboreMarius，JeanValjeanslippedhishandunderthelatter’sclothes，whichwerebroadlyrent，felthisbreast，andassuredhimselfthathisheartwasstillbeating。Itwasevenbeatingalittlelessfeebly，asthoughthemovementofthecarriagehadbroughtaboutacertainfreshaccessoflife。
　　Javertaddressedtheporterinatonebefittingthegovernment，andthepresenceoftheporterofafactiousperson。
　　"SomepersonwhosenameisGillenormand？"
　　"Here。Whatdoyouwantwithhim？"
　　"Hissonisbroughtback。"
　　"Hisson？"saidtheporterstupidly。
　　"Heisdead。"
　　JeanValjean，who，soiledandtattered，stoodbehindJavert，andwhomtheporterwassurveyingwithsomehorror，madeasigntohimwithhisheadthatthiswasnotso。
　　TheporterdidnotappeartounderstandeitherJavert’swordsorJeanValjean’ssign。
　　Javertcontinued:
　　"Hewenttothebarricade，andhereheis。"
　　"Tothebarricade？"ejaculatedtheporter。
　　"Hehasgothimselfkilled。Gowakenhisfather。"
　　Theporterdidnotstir。
　　"Goalongwithyou！"repeatedJavert。
　　Andheadded:
　　"Therewillbeafuneralhereto—morrow。"
　　ForJavert，theusualincidentsofthepublichighwaywerecategoricallyclassed，whichisthebeginningofforesightandsurveillance，andeachcontingencyhaditsowncompartment；allpossiblefactswerearrangedindrawers，asitwere，whencetheyemergedonoccasion，invariablequantities；inthestreet，uproar，revolt，carnival，andfuneral。
　　TheportercontentedhimselfwithwakingBasque。BasquewokeNicolette；
　　Nicoletterousedgreat—auntGillenormand。
　　Asforthegrandfather，theylethimsleepon，thinkingthathewouldhearaboutthematterearlyenoughinanycase。
　　Mariuswascarrieduptothefirstfloor，withoutanyoneintheotherpartsofthehousebeingawareofthefact，anddepositedonanoldsofainM。Gillenormand’santechamber；andwhileBasquewentinsearchofaphysician，andwhileNicoletteopenedthelinen—presses，JeanValjeanfeltJaverttouchhimontheshoulder。
　　Heunderstoodanddescendedthestairs，havingbehindhimthestepofJavertwhowasfollowinghim。
　　Theporterwatchedthemtaketheirdepartureashehadwatchedtheirarrival，interrifiedsomnolence。
　　Theyenteredthecarriageoncemore，andthecoachmanmountedhisbox。
　　"InspectorJavert，"saidJean，"grantmeyetanotherfavor。"
　　"Whatisit？"demandedJavertroughly。
　　"Letmegohomeforoneinstant。Thenyoushalldowhateveryoulikewithme。"
　　Javertremainedsilentforafewmoments，withhischindrawnbackintothecollarofhisgreat—coat，thenheloweredtheglassandfront:
　　"Driver，"saidhe，"Ruedel’HommeArme，No。7。"
　　CHAPTERXI
　　CONCUSSIONINTHEABSOLUTE
　　Theydidnotopentheirlipsagainduringthewholespaceoftheirride。
　　WhatdidJeanValjeanwant？Tofinishwhathehadbegun；towarnCosette，totellherwhereMariuswas，togiveher，possibly，someotherusefulinformation，totake，ifhecould，certainfinalmeasures。
　　Asforhimself，sofarashewaspersonallyconcerned，allwasover；
　　hehadbeenseizedbyJavertandhadnotresisted；anyothermanthanhimselfinlikesituationwould，perhaps，havehadsomevaguethoughtsconnectedwiththeropewhichThenardierhadgivenhim，andofthebarsofthefirstcellthatheshouldenter；but，letusimpressituponthereader，aftertheBishop，therehadexistedinJeanValjeanaprofoundhesitationinthepresenceofanyviolence，evenwhendirectedagainsthimself。
　　Suicide，thatmysteriousactofviolenceagainsttheunknownwhichmaycontain，inameasure，thedeathofthesoul，wasimpossibletoJeanValjean。
　　AttheentrancetotheRuedel’HommeArme，thecarriagehalted，thewaybeingtoonarrowtoadmitoftheentranceofvehicles。
　　JavertandJeanValjeanalighted。
　　Thecoachmanhumblyrepresentedto"monsieurl’Inspecteur，"
　　thattheUtrechtvelvetofhiscarriagewasallspottedwiththebloodoftheassassinatedman，andwithmirefromtheassassin。Thatisthewayheunderstoodit。Headdedthatanindemnitywasduehim。
　　Atthesametime，drawinghiscertificatebookfromhispocket，hebeggedtheinspectortohavethegoodnesstowritehim"abitofanattestation。"
　　Javertthrustasidethebookwhichthecoachmanheldouttohim，andsaid:
　　"Howmuchdoyouwant，includingyourtimeofwaitingandthedrive？"
　　"Itcomestosevenhoursandaquarter，"repliedtheman，"andmyvelvetwasperfectlynew。Eightyfrancs，Mr。Inspector。"
　　Javertdrewfournapoleonsfromhispocketanddismissedthecarriage。
　　JeanValjeanfanciedthatitwasJavert’sintentiontoconducthimonfoottothepostoftheBlancs—ManteauxortothepostoftheArchives，bothofwhicharecloseathand。
　　Theyenteredthestreet。Itwasdesertedasusual。JavertfollowedJeanValjean。TheyreachedNo。7。JeanValjeanknocked。
　　Thedooropened。
　　"Itiswell，"saidJavert。"Goupstairs。"
　　Headdedwithastrangeexpression，andasthoughhewereexertinganeffortinspeakinginthismanner:
　　"Iwillwaitforyouhere。"
　　JeanValjeanlookedatJavert。ThismodeofprocedurewasbutlittleinaccordwithJavert’shabits。However，hecouldnotbegreatlysurprisedthatJavertshouldnowhaveasortofhaughtyconfidenceinhim，theconfidenceofthecatwhichgrantsthemouselibertytothelengthofitsclaws，seeingthatJeanValjeanhadmadeuphismindtosurrenderhimselfandtomakeanendofit。
　　Hepushedopenthedoor，enteredthehouse，calledtotheporterwhowasinbedandwhohadpulledthecordfromhiscouch:"ItisI！"
　　andascendedthestairs。
　　Onarrivingatthefirstfloor，hepaused。Allsorrowfulroadshavetheirstations。Thewindowonthelanding—place，whichwasasash—window，wasopen。Asinmanyancienthouses，thestaircasegotitslightfromwithoutandhadaviewonthestreet。
　　Thestreet—lantern，situateddirectlyopposite，castsomelightonthestairs，andthuseffectedsomeeconomyinillumination。
　　JeanValjean，eitherforthesakeofgettingtheair，ormechanically，thrusthisheadoutofthiswindow。Heleanedoutoverthestreet。
　　Itisshort，andthelanternlighteditfromendtoend。
　　JeanValjeanwasoverwhelmedwithamazement；therewasnolongeranyonethere。
　　Javerthadtakenhisdeparture。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　THEGRANDFATHER
　　BasqueandtheporterhadcarriedMariusintothedrawing—room，ashestilllaystretchedout，motionless，onthesofauponwhichhehadbeenplacedonhisarrival。Thedoctorwhohadbeensentforhadhastenedthither。AuntGillenormandhadrisen。
　　AuntGillenormandwentandcame，inaffright，wringingherhandsandincapableofdoinganythingbutsaying:"Heavens！isitpossible？"
　　Attimessheadded:"Everythingwillbecoveredwithblood。"
　　Whenherfirsthorrorhadpassedoff，acertainphilosophyofthesituationpenetratedhermind，andtookformintheexclamation:
　　"Itwasboundtoendinthisway！"Shedidnotgosofaras:
　　"Itoldyouso！"whichiscustomaryonthissortofoccasion。
　　Atthephysician’sorders，acampbedhadbeenpreparedbesidethesofa。
　　ThedoctorexaminedMarius，andafterhavingfoundthathispulsewasstillbeating，thatthewoundedmanhadnoverydeepwoundonhisbreast，andthatthebloodonthecornersofhislipsproceededfromhisnostrils，hehadhimplacedflatonthebed，withoutapillow，withhisheadonthesamelevelashisbody，andevenatriflelower，andwithhisbustbareinordertofacilitaterespiration。
　　MademoiselleGillenormand，onperceivingthattheywereundressingMarius，withdrew。Shesetherselftotellingherbeadsinherownchamber。
　　Thetrunkhadnotsufferedanyinternalinjury；abullet，deadenedbythepocket—book，hadturnedasideandmadethetourofhisribswithahideouslaceration，whichwasofnogreatdepth，andconsequently，notdangerous。Thelong，undergroundjourneyhadcompletedthedislocationofthebrokencollar—bone，andthedisordertherewasserious。Thearmshadbeenslashedwithsabrecuts。
　　Notasinglescardisfiguredhisface；buthisheadwasfairlycoveredwithcuts；whatwouldbetheresultofthesewoundsonthehead？
　　Wouldtheystopshortatthehairycuticle，orwouldtheyattackthebrain？Asyet，thiscouldnotbedecided。Agravesymptomwasthattheyhadcausedaswoon，andthatpeopledonotalwaysrecoverfromsuchswoons。Moreover，thewoundedmanhadbeenexhaustedbyhemorrhage。Fromthewaistdown，thebarricadehadprotectedthelowerpartofthebodyfrominjury。
　　BasqueandNicolettetoreuplinenandpreparedbandages；Nicolettesewedthem，Basquerolledthem。Aslintwaslacking，thedoctor，forthetimebeing，arrestedthebleedingwithlayersofwadding。
　　Besidethebed，threecandlesburnedonatablewherethecaseofsurgicalinstrumentslayspreadout。ThedoctorbathedMarius’
　　faceandhairwithcoldwater。Afullpailwasreddenedinaninstant。
　　Theporter，candleinhand，lightedthem。
　　Thedoctorseemedtobeponderingsadly。Fromtimetotime，hemadeanegativesignwithhishead，asthoughreplyingtosomequestionwhichhehadinwardlyaddressedtohimself。
　　Abadsignforthesickmanarethesemysteriousdialoguesofthedoctorwithhimself。
　　AtthemomentwhenthedoctorwaswipingMarius’face，andlightlytouchinghisstillclosedeyeswithhisfinger，adooropenedattheendofthedrawing—room，andalong，pallidfiguremadeitsappearance。
　　Thiswasthegrandfather。
　　Therevolthad，forthepasttwodays，deeplyagitated，enragedandengrossedthemindofM。Gillenormand。Hehadnotbeenabletosleeponthepreviousnight，andhehadbeeninafeveralldaylong。
　　Intheevening，hehadgonetobedveryearly，recommendingthateverythinginthehouseshouldbewellbarred，andhehadfallenintoadozethroughsheerfatigue。
　　Oldmensleeplightly；M。Gillenormand’schamberadjoinedthedrawing—room，andinspiteofalltheprecautionsthathadbeentaken，thenoisehadawakenedhim。Surprisedattheriftoflightwhichhesawunderhisdoor，hehadrisenfromhisbed，andhadgropedhiswaythither。
　　Hestoodastonishedonthethreshold，onehandonthehandleofthehalf—opendoor，withhisheadbentalittleforwardandquivering，hisbodywrappedinawhitedressing—gown，whichwasstraightandasdestituteoffoldsasawinding—sheet；andhehadtheairofaphantomwhoisgazingintoatomb。
　　Hesawthebed，andonthemattressthatyoungman，bleeding，whitewithawaxenwhiteness，withclosedeyesandgapingmouth，andpallidlips，strippedtothewaist，slashedalloverwithcrimsonwounds，motionlessandbrilliantlylightedup。
　　Thegrandfathertrembledfromheadtofootaspowerfullyasossifiedlimbscantremble，hiseyes，whosecorneaewereyellowonaccountofhisgreatage，wereveiledinasortofvitreousglitter，hiswholefaceassumedinaninstanttheearthyanglesofaskull，hisarmsfellpendent，asthoughaspringhadbroken，andhisamazementwasbetrayedbytheoutspreadingofthefingersofhistwoagedhands，whichquiveredallover，hiskneesformedanangleinfront，allowing，throughtheopeninginhisdressing—gown，aviewofhispoorbarelegs，allbristlingwithwhitehairs，andhemurmured:
　　"Marius！"
　　"Sir，"saidBasque，"Monsieurhasjustbeenbroughtback。
　　Hewenttothebarricade，and……"
　　"Heisdead！"criedtheoldmaninaterriblevoice。"Ah！Therascal！"
　　Thenasortofsepulchraltransformationstraightenedupthiscentenarianaserectasayoungman。
　　"Sir，"saidhe，"youarethedoctor。Beginbytellingmeonething。
　　Heisdead，ishenot？"
　　Thedoctor，whowasatthehighestpitchofanxiety，remainedsilent。
　　M。Gillenormandwrunghishandswithanoutburstofterriblelaughter。
　　"Heisdead！Heisdead！Heisdead！Hehasgothimselfkilledonthebarricades！Outofhatredtome！Hedidthattospiteme！Ah！Youblood—drinker！Thisisthewayhereturnstome！
　　Miseryofmylife，heisdead！"
　　Hewenttothewindow，threwitwideopenasthoughhewerestifling，and，erectbeforethedarkness，hebegantotalkintothestreet，tothenight:
　　"Pierced，sabred，exterminated，slashed，hackedinpieces！Justlookatthat，thevillain！HeknewwellthatIwaswaitingforhim，andthatIhadhadhisroomarranged，andthatIhadplacedattheheadofmybedhisportraittakenwhenhewasalittlechild！
　　Heknewwellthathehadonlytocomeback，andthatIhadbeenrecallinghimforyears，andthatIremainedbymyfireside，withmyhandsonmyknees，notknowingwhattodo，andthatIwasmadoverit！Youknewwell，thatyouhadbuttoreturnandtosay:
　　`ItisI，’andyouwouldhavebeenthemasterofthehouse，andthatI
　　shouldhaveobeyedyou，andthatyoucouldhavedonewhateveryoupleasedwithyouroldnumskullofagrandfather！youknewthatwell，andyousaid:
　　"No，heisaRoyalist，Iwillnotgo！Andyouwenttothebarricades，andyougotyourselfkilledoutofmalice！TorevengeyourselfforwhatIsaidtoyouaboutMonsieurleDucdeBerry。
　　Itisinfamous！Gotobedthenandsleeptranquilly！heisdead，andthisismyawakening。"
　　Thedoctor，whowasbeginningtobeuneasyinbothquarters，quittedMariusforamoment，wenttoM。Gillenormand，andtookhisarm。
　　Thegrandfatherturnedround，gazedathimwitheyeswhichseemedexaggeratedinsizeandbloodshot，andsaidtohimcalmly:
　　"Ithankyou，sir。Iamcomposed，Iamaman，IwitnessedthedeathofLouisXVI。，Iknowhowtobearevents。Onethingisterribleandthatistothinkthatitisyournewspaperswhichdoallthemischief。
　　Youwillhavescribblers，chatterers，lawyers，orators，tribunes，discussions，progress，enlightenment，therightsofman，thelibertyofthepress，andthisisthewaythatyourchildrenwillbebroughthometoyou。Ah！Marius！Itisabominable！Killed！Deadbeforeme！
　　Abarricade！Ah，thescamp！Doctor，youliveinthisquarter，Ibelieve？Oh！Iknowyouwell。Iseeyourcabrioletpassmywindow。Iamgoingtotellyou。YouarewrongtothinkthatI
　　amangry。Onedoesnotflyintoarageagainstadeadman。
　　Thatwouldbestupid。ThisisachildwhomIhavereared。
　　Iwasalreadyoldwhilehewasveryyoung。HeplayedintheTuileriesgardenwithhislittleshovelandhislittlechair，andinorderthattheinspectorsmightnotgrumble，Istoppeduptheholesthathemadeintheearthwithhisshovel，withmycane。
　　Onedayheexclaimed:DownwithLouisXVIII。！andoffhewent。
　　Itwasnofaultofmine。Hewasallrosyandblond。Hismotherisdead。Haveyouevernoticedthatalllittlechildrenareblond？
　　Whyisitso？HeisthesonofoneofthosebrigandsoftheLoire，butchildrenareinnocentoftheirfathers’crimes。Irememberwhenhewasnohigherthanthat。HecouldnotmanagetopronouncehisDs。
　　Hehadawayoftalkingthatwassosweetandindistinctthatyouwouldhavethoughtitwasabirdchirping。Irememberthatonce，infrontoftheHerculesFarnese，peopleformedacircletoadmirehimandmarvelathim，hewassohandsome，wasthatchild！
　　Hehadaheadsuchasyouseeinpictures。Italkedinadeepvoice，andIfrightenedhimwithmycane，butheknewverywellthatitwasonlytomakehimlaugh。Inthemorning，whenheenteredmyroom，Igrumbled，buthewaslikethesunlighttome，allthesame。
　　Onecannotdefendoneselfagainstthosebrats。Theytakeholdofyou，theyholdyoufast，theyneverletyougoagain。Thetruthis，thatthereneverwasacupidlikethatchild。Now，whatcanyousayforyourLafayettes，yourBenjaminConstants，andyourTirecuirdeCorcelleswhohavekilledhim？Thiscannotbeallowedtopassinthisfashion。"
　　HeapproachedMarius，whostilllaylividandmotionless，andtowhomthephysicianhadreturned，andbeganoncemoretowringhishands。Theoldman’spallidlipsmovedasthoughmechanically，andpermittedthepassageofwordsthatwerebarelyaudible，likebreathsinthedeathagony:
　　"Ah！heartlesslad！Ah！clubbist！Ah！wretch！Ah！Septembrist！"
　　Reproachesinthelowvoiceofanagonizingman，addressedtoacorpse。
　　Littlebylittle，asitisalwaysindispensablethatinternaleruptionsshouldcometothelight，thesequenceofwordsreturned，butthegrandfatherappearednolongertohavethestrengthtoutterthem，hisvoicewassoweak，andextinct，thatitseemedtocomefromtheothersideofanabyss:
　　"Itisallthesametome，Iamgoingtodietoo，thatIam。
　　AndtothinkthatthereisnotahussyinPariswhowouldnothavebeendelightedtomakethiswretchhappy！Ascampwho，insteadofamusinghimselfandenjoyinglife，wentofftofightandgethimselfshotdownlikeabrute！Andforwhom？Why？FortheRepublic！
　　InsteadofgoingtodanceattheChaumiere，asitisthedutyofyoungfolkstodo！What’stheuseofbeingtwentyyearsold？TheRepublic，acursedprettyfolly！Poormothers，begetfineboys，do！Come，heisdead。Thatwillmaketwofuneralsunderthesamecarriagegate。
　　SoyouhavegotyourselfarrangedlikethisforthesakeofGeneralLamarque’shandsomeeyes！WhathadthatGeneralLamarquedonetoyou？
　　Aslasher！Achatter—box！Togetoneselfkilledforadeadman！
　　Ifthatisn’tenoughtodriveanyonemad！Justthinkofit！
　　Attwenty！Andwithoutsomuchasturninghisheadtoseewhetherhewasnotleavingsomethingbehindhim！That’sthewaypoor，goodoldfellowsareforcedtodiealone，now—adays。Perishinyourcorner，owl！Well，afterall，somuchthebetter，thatiswhatIwashopingfor，thiswillkillmeonthespot。Iamtooold，Iamahundredyearsold，Iamahundredthousandyearsold，Iought，byrights，tohavebeendeadlongago。Thisblowputsanendtoit。
　　Soallisover，whathappiness！Whatisthegoodofmakinghiminhaleammoniaandallthatparcelofdrugs？Youarewastingyourtrouble，youfoolofadoctor！Come，he’sdead，completelydead。
　　Iknowallaboutit，Iamdeadmyselftoo。Hehasn’tdonethingsbyhalf。Yes，thisageisinfamous，infamousandthat’swhatI
　　thinkofyou，ofyourideas，ofyoursystems，ofyourmasters，ofyouroracles，ofyourdoctors，ofyourscape—gracesofwriters，ofyourrascallyphilosophers，andofalltherevolutionswhich，forthelastsixtyyears，havebeenfrighteningtheflocksofcrowsintheTuileries！Butyouwerepitilessingettingyourselfkilledlikethis，Ishallnotevengrieveoveryourdeath，doyouunderstand，youassassin？"
　　Atthatmoment，Mariusslowlyopenedhiseyes，andhisglance，stilldimmedbylethargicwonder，restedonM。Gillenormand。
　　"Marius！"criedtheoldman。"Marius！MylittleMarius！mychild！mywell—belovedson！Youopenyoureyes，yougazeuponme，youarealive，thanks！"
　　Andhefellfainting。
　　BOOKFOURTH。——JAVERTDERAILED
　　CHAPTERI
　　JavertpassedslowlydowntheRuedel’HommeArme。
　　Hewalkedwithdroopingheadforthefirsttimeinhislife，andlikewise，forthefirsttimeinhislife，withhishandsbehindhisback。
　　Uptothatday，JaverthadborrowedfromNapoleon’sattitudes，onlythatwhichisexpressiveofresolution，witharmsfoldedacrossthechest；thatwhichisexpressiveofuncertainty——withthehandsbehindtheback——hadbeenunknowntohim。Now，achangehadtakenplace；
　　hiswholeperson，slowandsombre，wasstampedwithanxiety。
　　Heplungedintothesilentstreets。
　　Nevertheless，hefollowedonegivendirection。
　　HetooktheshortestcuttotheSeine，reachedtheQuaidesOrmes，skirtedthequay，passedtheGreve，andhaltedatsomedistancefromthepostofthePlaceduChatelet，attheangleofthePontNotre—Dame。There，betweentheNotre—DameandthePontauChangeontheonehand，andtheQuaidelaMegisserieandtheQuaiauxFleursontheother，theSeineformsasortofsquarelake，traversedbyarapid。
　　ThispointoftheSeineisdreadedbymariners。Nothingismoredangerousthanthisrapid，hemmedin，atthatepoch，andirritatedbythepilesofthemillonthebridge，nowdemolished。
　　Thetwobridges，situatedthusclosetogether，augmenttheperil；
　　thewaterhurriesinformidablewisethroughthearches。Itrollsinvastandterriblewaves；itaccumulatesandpilesupthere；
　　thefloodattacksthepilesofthebridgesasthoughinanefforttopluckthemupwithgreatliquidropes。Menwhofallinthereneverre—appear；thebestofswimmersaredrownedthere。
　　Javertleanedbothelbowsontheparapet，hischinrestinginbothhands，and，whilehisnailsweremechanicallytwinedintheabundanceofhiswhiskers，hemeditated。
　　Anovelty，arevolution，acatastrophehadjusttakenplaceinthedepthsofhisbeing；andhehadsomethinguponwhichtoexaminehimself。
　　Javertwasundergoinghorriblesuffering。
　　Forseveralhours，Javerthadceasedtobesimple。Hewastroubled；
　　thatbrain，solimpidinitsblindness，hadlostitstransparency；
　　thatcrystalwasclouded。Javertfeltdutydividedwithinhisconscience，andhecouldnotconcealthefactfromhimself。WhenhehadsounexpectedlyencounteredJeanValjeanonthebanksoftheSeine，therehadbeeninhimsomethingofthewolfwhichregainshisgriponhisprey，andofthedogwhofindshismasteragain。
　　Hebeheldbeforehimtwopaths，bothequallystraight，buthebeheldtwo；andthatterrifiedhim；him，whohadneverinallhislifeknownmorethanonestraightline。And，thepoignantanguishlayinthis，thatthetwopathswerecontrarytoeachother。
　　Oneofthesestraightlinesexcludedtheother。Whichofthetwowasthetrueone？
　　Hissituationwasindescribable。
　　Toowehislifetoamalefactor，toacceptthatdebtandtorepayit；
　　tobe，inspiteofhimself，onalevelwithafugitivefromjustice，andtorepayhisservicewithanotherservice；toallowittobesaidtohim，"Go，"andtosaytothelatterinhisturn:"Befree"；
　　tosacrificetopersonalmotivesduty，thatgeneralobligation，andtobeconscious，inthosepersonalmotives，ofsomethingthatwasalsogeneral，and，perchance，superior，tobetraysocietyinordertoremaintruetohisconscience；thatalltheseabsurditiesshouldberealizedandshouldaccumulateuponhim，——thiswaswhatoverwhelmedhim。
　　Onethinghadamazedhim，——thiswasthatJeanValjeanshouldhavedonehimafavor，andonethingpetrifiedhim，——
　　thathe，Javert，shouldhavedoneJeanValjeanafavor。
　　Wheredidhestand？Hesoughttocomprehendhisposition，andcouldnolongerfindhisbearings。
　　Whatwashetodonow？TodeliverupJeanValjeanwasbad；
　　toleaveJeanValjeanatlibertywasbad。Inthefirstcase，themanofauthorityfelllowerthanthemanofthegalleys，inthesecond，aconvictroseabovethelaw，andsethisfootuponit。Inbothcases，dishonorforhim，Javert。Therewasdisgraceinanyresolutionatwhichhemightarrive。Destinyhassomeextremitieswhichriseperpendicularlyfromtheimpossible，andbeyondwhichlifeisnolongeranythingbutaprecipice。
　　Javerthadreachedoneofthoseextremities。
　　Oneofhisanxietiesconsistedinbeingconstrainedtothink。
　　Theveryviolenceofalltheseconflictingemotionsforcedhimtoit。
　　Thoughtwassomethingtowhichhewasunused，andwhichwaspeculiarlypainful。
　　Inthoughttherealwaysexistsacertainamountofinternalrebellion；
　　anditirritatedhimtohavethatwithinhim。
　　Thoughtonanysubjectwhatever，outsideoftherestrictedcircleofhisfunctions，wouldhavebeenforhiminanycaseuselessandafatigue；
　　thoughtonthedaywhichhadjustpassedwasatorture。Nevertheless，itwasindispensablethatheshouldtakealookintohisconscience，aftersuchshocks，andrendertohimselfanaccountofhimself。
　　Whathehadjustdonemadehimshudder。He，Javert，hadseenfittodecide，contrarytoalltheregulationsofthepolice，contrarytothewholesocialandjudicialorganization，contrarytotheentirecode，uponarelease；thishadsuitedhim；hehadsubstitutedhisownaffairsfortheaffairsofthepublic；wasnotthisunjustifiable？
　　Everytimethathebroughthimselffacetofacewiththisdeedwithoutanamewhichhehadcommitted，hetrembledfromheadtofoot。
　　Uponwhatshouldhedecide？Onesoleresourceremainedtohim；
　　toreturninallhastetotheRuedel’HommeArme，andcommitJeanValjeantoprison。Itwasclearthatthatwaswhatheoughttodo。
　　Hecouldnot。
　　Somethingbarredhiswayinthatdirection。
　　Something？What？Isthereintheworld，anythingoutsideofthetribunals，executorysentences，thepoliceandtheauthorities？
　　Javertwasoverwhelmed。
　　Agalley—slavesacred！Aconvictwhocouldnotbetouchedbythelaw！
　　AndthatthedeedofJavert！
　　WasitnotafearfulthingthatJavertandJeanValjean，themanmadetoproceedwithvigor，themanmadetosubmit，——thatthesetwomenwhowereboththethingsofthelaw，shouldhavecometosuchapass，thatbothofthemhadsetthemselvesabovethelaw？Whatthen！suchenormitiesweretohappenandnoonewastobepunished！JeanValjean，strongerthanthewholesocialorder，wastoremainatliberty，andhe，Javert，wastogooneatingthegovernment’sbread！
　　Hisreverygraduallybecameterrible。
　　Hemight，athwartthisrevery，havealsoreproachedhimselfonthesubjectofthatinsurgentwhohadbeentakentotheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire；buthenevereventhoughtofthat。
　　Thelesserfaultwaslostinthegreater。Besides，thatinsurgentwas，obviously，adeadman，and，legally，deathputsanendtopursuit。
　　JeanValjeanwastheloadwhichweigheduponhisspirit。
　　JeanValjeandisconcertedhim。Alltheaxiomswhichhadservedhimaspointsofsupportallhislifelong，hadcrumbledawayinthepresenceofthisman。JeanValjean’sgenerositytowardshim，Javert，crushedhim。Otherfactswhichhenowrecalled，andwhichhehadformerlytreatedasliesandfolly，nowrecurredtohimasrealities。M。Madeleinere—appearedbehindJeanValjean，andthetwofiguresweresuperposedinsuchfashionthattheynowformedbutone，whichwasvenerable。Javertfeltthatsomethingterriblewaspenetratinghissoul——admirationforaconvict。
　　Respectforagalley—slave——isthatapossiblething？Heshudderedatit，yetcouldnotescapefromit。Invaindidhestruggle，hewasreducedtoconfess，inhisinmostheart，thesublimityofthatwretch。Thiswasodious。
　　Abenevolentmalefactor，merciful，gentle，helpful，clement，aconvict，returninggoodforevil，givingbackpardonforhatred，preferringpitytovengeance，preferringtoruinhimselfratherthantoruinhisenemy，savinghimwhohadsmittenhim，kneelingontheheightsofvirtue，morenearlyakintoanangelthantoaman。
　　Javertwasconstrainedtoadmittohimselfthatthismonsterexisted。
　　Thingscouldnotgooninthismanner。
　　Certainly，andweinsistuponthispoint，hehadnotyieldedwithoutresistancetothatmonster，tothatinfamousangel，tothathideoushero，whoenragedalmostasmuchasheamazedhim。
　　Twentytimes，ashesatinthatcarriagefacetofacewithJeanValjean，thelegaltigerhadroaredwithinhim。AscoreoftimeshehadbeentemptedtoflinghimselfuponJeanValjean，toseizehimanddevourhim，thatistosay，toarresthim。Whatmoresimple，infact？Tocryoutatthefirstpostthattheypassed:——"Hereisafugitivefromjustice，whohasbrokenhisban！"tosummonthegendarmesandsaytothem:"Thismanisyours！"thentogooff，leavingthatcondemnedmanthere，toignoretherestandnottomeddlefurtherinthematter。Thismanisforeveraprisonerofthelaw；
　　thelawmaydowithhimwhatitwill。Whatcouldbemorejust？
　　Javerthadsaidallthistohimself；hehadwishedtopassbeyond，toact，toapprehendtheman，andthen，asatpresent，hehadnotbeenabletodoit；andeverytimethathisarmhadbeenraisedconvulsivelytowardsJeanValjean’scollar，hishandhadfallenbackagain，asbeneathanenormousweight，andinthedepthsofhisthoughthehadheardavoice，astrangevoicecryingtohim:——"Itiswell。
　　Deliverupyoursavior。ThenhavethebasinofPontiusPilatebroughtandwashyourclaws。"
　　ThenhisreflectionsrevertedtohimselfandbesideJeanValjeanglorifiedhebeheldhimself，Javert，degraded。
　　Aconvictwashisbenefactor！
　　Butthen，whyhadhepermittedthatmantoleavehimalive？
　　Hehadtherighttobekilledinthatbarricade。Heshouldhaveassertedthatright。ItwouldhavebeenbettertosummontheotherinsurgentstohissuccoragainstJeanValjean，togethimselfshotbyforce。
　　Hissupremeanguishwasthelossofcertainty。Hefeltthathehadbeenuprooted。Thecodewasnolongeranythingmorethanastumpinhishand。Hehadtodealwithscruplesofanunknownspecies。
　　Therehadtakenplacewithinhimasentimentalrevelationentirelydistinctfromlegalaffirmation，hisonlystandardofmeasurementhitherto。Toremaininhisformeruprightnessdidnotsuffice。
　　Awholeorderofunexpectedfactshadcroppedupandsubjugatedhim。
　　Awholenewworldwasdawningonhissoul:kindnessacceptedandrepaid，devotion，mercy，indulgence，violencescommittedbypityonausterity，respectforpersons，nomoredefinitivecondemnation，nomoreconviction，thepossibilityofatearintheeyeofthelaw，nooneknowswhatjusticeaccordingtoGod，runningininversesensetojusticeaccordingtomen。Heperceivedamidtheshadowstheterriblerisingofanunknownmoralsun；ithorrifiedanddazzledhim。
　　Anowlforcedtothegazeofaneagle。
　　Hesaidtohimselfthatitwastruethattherewereexceptionalcases，thatauthoritymightbeputoutofcountenance，thattherulemightbeinadequateinthepresenceofafact，thateverythingcouldnotbeframedwithinthetextofthecode，thattheunforeseencompelledobedience，thatthevirtueofaconvictmightsetasnareforthevirtueofthefunctionary，thatdestinydidindulgeinsuchambushes，andhereflectedwithdespairthathehimselfhadnotevenbeenfortifiedagainstasurprise。
　　Hewasforcedtoacknowledgethatgoodnessdidexist。Thisconvicthadbeengood。Andhehimself，unprecedentedcircumstance，hadjustbeengoodalso。Sohewasbecomingdepraved。
　　Hefoundthathewasacoward。Heconceivedahorrorofhimself。
　　Javert’sideal，wasnottobehuman，tobegrand，tobesublime；
　　itwastobeirreproachable。
　　Now，hehadjustfailedinthis。
　　Howhadhecometosuchapass？Howhadallthishappened？
　　Hecouldnothavetoldhimself。Heclaspedhisheadinbothhands，butinspiteofallthathecoulddo，hecouldnotcontrivetoexplainittohimself。
　　HehadcertainlyalwaysentertainedtheintentionofrestoringJeanValjeantothelawofwhichJeanValjeanwasthecaptive，andofwhichhe，Javert，wastheslave。Notforasingleinstantwhileheheldhiminhisgrasphadheconfessedtohimselfthatheentertainedtheideaofreleasinghim。Itwas，insomesort，withouthisconsciousness，thathishandhadrelaxedandhadlethimgofree。
　　Allsortsofinterrogationpointsflashedbeforehiseyes。Heputquestionstohimself，andmaderepliestohimself，andhisrepliesfrightenedhim。Heaskedhimself:"Whathasthatconvictdone，thatdesperatefellow，whomIhavepursuedeventopersecution，andwhohashadmeunderhisfoot，andwhocouldhaveavengedhimself，andwhooweditbothtohisrancorandtohissafety，inleavingmemylife，inshowingmercyuponme？Hisduty？No。Somethingmore。
　　AndIinshowingmercyuponhiminmyturn——whathaveIdone？
　　Myduty？No。Somethingmore。Sothereissomethingbeyondduty？"
　　Herehetookfright；hisbalancebecamedisjointed；oneofthescalesfellintotheabyss，theotherroseheavenward，andJavertwasnolessterrifiedbytheonewhichwasonhighthanbytheonewhichwasbelow。WithoutbeingintheleastintheworldwhatiscalledVoltairianoraphilosopher，orincredulous，being，onthecontrary，respectfulbyinstinct，towardstheestablishedchurch，heknewitonlyasanaugustfragmentofthesocialwhole；orderwashisdogma，andsufficedforhim；eversincehehadattainedtoman’sestateandtherankofafunctionary，hehadcentrednearlyallhisreligioninthepolice。Being，——andhereweemploywordswithouttheleastironyandintheirmostseriousacceptation，being，aswehavesaid，aspyasothermenarepriests。Hehadasuperior，M。Gisquet；
　　uptothatdayhehadneverdreamedofthatothersuperior，God。
　　Thisnewchief，God，hebecameunexpectedlyconsciousof，andhefeltembarrassedbyhim。Thisunforeseenpresencethrewhimoffhisbearings；
　　hedidnotknowwhattodowiththissuperior，he，whowasnotignorantofthefactthatthesubordinateisboundalwaystobow，thathemustnotdisobey，norfindfault，nordiscuss，andthat，inthepresenceofasuperiorwhoamazeshimtoogreatly，theinferiorhasnootherresourcethanthatofhandinginhisresignation。
　　ButhowwashetosetabouthandinginhisresignationtoGod？
　　Howeverthingsmightstand，——anditwastothispointthatherevertedconstantly，——onefactdominatedeverythingelseforhim，andthatwas，thathehadjustcommittedaterribleinfractionofthelaw。Hehadjustshuthiseyesonanescapedconvictwhohadbrokenhisban。Hehadjustsetagalley—slaveatlarge。
　　Hehadjustrobbedthelawsofamanwhobelongedtothem。
　　Thatwaswhathehaddone。Henolongerunderstoodhimself。
　　Theveryreasonsforhisactionescapedhim；onlytheirvertigowasleftwithhim。Uptothatmomenthehadlivedwiththatblindfaithwhichgloomyprobityengenders。Thisfaithhadquittedhim，thisprobityhaddesertedhim。Allthathehadbelievedinmeltedaway。Truthswhichhedidnotwishtorecognizewerebesieginghim，inexorably。Henceforth，hemustbeadifferentman。
　　Hewassufferingfromthestrangepainsofaconscienceabruptlyoperatedonforthecataract。Hesawthatwhichitwasrepugnanttohimtobehold。Hefelthimselfemptied，useless，putoutofjointwithhispastlife，turnedout，dissolved。Authoritywasdeadwithinhim。Hehadnolongeranyreasonforexisting。
　　Aterriblesituation！tobetouched。
　　Tobegraniteandtodoubt！tobethestatueofChastisementcastinonepieceinthemouldofthelaw，andsuddenlytobecomeawareofthefactthatonecherishesbeneathone’sbreastofbronzesomethingabsurdanddisobedientwhichalmostresemblesaheart！
　　Tocometothepassofreturninggoodforgood，althoughonehassaidtooneselfuptothatdaythatthatgoodisevil！tobethewatch—dog，andtolicktheintruder’shand！tobeiceandmelt！
　　tobethepincersandtoturnintoahand！tosuddenlyfeelone’sfingersopening！torelaxone’sgrip，——whataterriblething！
　　Theman—projectilenolongeracquaintedwithhisrouteandretreating！
　　Tobeobligedtoconfessthistooneself:infallibilityisnotinfallible，theremayexisterrorinthedogma，allhasnotbeensaidwhenacodespeaks，societyisnotperfect，authorityiscomplicatedwithvacillation，acrackispossibleintheimmutable，judgesarebutmen，thelawmayerr，tribunalsmaymakeamistake！
　　tobeholdariftintheimmensebluepaneofthefirmament！
　　ThatwhichwaspassinginJavertwastheFampouxofarectilinearconscience，thederailmentofasoul，thecrushingofaprobitywhichhadbeenirresistiblylaunchedinastraightlineandwasbreakingagainstGod。Itcertainlywassingularthatthestokeroforder，thattheengineerofauthority，mountedontheblindironhorsewithitsrigidroad，couldbeunseatedbyaflashoflight！
　　thattheimmovable，thedirect，thecorrect，thegeometrical，thepassive，theperfect，couldbend！thatthereshouldexistforthelocomotivearoadtoDamascus！
　　God，alwayswithinman，andrefractory，He，thetrueconscience，tothefalse；aprohibitiontothesparktodieout；anordertotheraytorememberthesun；aninjunctiontothesoultorecognizetheveritableabsolutewhenconfrontedwiththefictitiousabsolute，humanitywhichcannotbelost；thehumanheartindestructible；
　　thatsplendidphenomenon，thefinest，perhaps，ofallourinteriormarvels，didJavertunderstandthis？DidJavertpenetrateit？
　　DidJavertaccountforittohimself？Evidentlyhedidnot。
　　Butbeneaththepressureofthatincontestableincomprehensibilityhefelthisbrainbursting。
　　Hewaslessthemantransfiguredthanthevictimofthisprodigy。
　　Inallthisheperceivedonlythetremendousdifficultyofexistence。
　　Itseemedtohimthat，henceforth，hisrespirationwasrepressedforever。
　　Hewasnotaccustomedtohavingsomethingunknownhangingoverhishead。
　　Uptothispoint，everythingabovehimhadbeen，tohisgaze，merelyasmooth，limpidandsimplesurface；therewasnothingincomprehensible，nothingobscure；nothingthatwasnotdefined，regularlydisposed，linked，precise，circumscribed，exact，limited，closed，fullyprovidedfor；authoritywasaplanesurface；therewasnofallinit，nodizzinessinitspresence。Javerthadneverbeheldtheunknownexceptfrombelow。Theirregular，theunforeseen，thedisorderedopeningofchaos，thepossibleslipoveraprecipice——
　　thiswastheworkofthelowerregions，ofrebels，ofthewicked，ofwretches。NowJavertthrewhimselfback，andhewassuddenlyterrifiedbythisunprecedentedapparition:agulfonhigh。
　　What！onewasdismantledfromtoptobottom！onewasdisconcerted，absolutely！Inwhatcouldonetrust！Thatwhichhadbeenagreeduponwasgivingway！What！thedefectinsociety’sarmorcouldbediscoveredbyamagnanimouswretch！What！anhonestservitorofthelawcouldsuddenlyfindhimselfcaughtbetweentwocrimes——
　　thecrimeofallowingamantoescapeandthecrimeofarrestinghim！everythingwasnotsettledintheordersgivenbytheStatetothefunctionary！Theremightbeblindalleysinduty！What，——
　　allthiswasreal！wasittruethatanex—ruffian，weigheddownwithconvictions，couldriseerectandendbybeingintheright？
　　Wasthiscredible？weretherecasesinwhichthelawshouldretirebeforetransfiguredcrime，andstammeritsexcuses？——Yes，thatwasthestateofthecase！andJavertsawit！andJaverthadtouchedit！
　　andnotonlycouldhenotdenyit，buthehadtakenpartinit。
　　Thesewererealities。Itwasabominablethatactualfactscouldreachsuchdeformity。Iffactsdidtheirduty，theywouldconfinethemselvestobeingproofsofthelaw；facts——itisGodwhosendsthem。
　　Wasanarchy，then，onthepointofnowdescendingfromonhigh？
　　Thus，——andintheexaggerationofanguish，andtheopticalillusionofconsternation，allthatmighthavecorrectedandrestrainedthisimpressionwaseffaced，andsociety，andthehumanrace，andtheuniversewere，henceforth，summedupinhiseyes，inonesimpleandterriblefeature，——thusthepenallaws，thethingjudged，theforceduetolegislation，thedecreesofthesovereigncourts，themagistracy，thegovernment，prevention，repression，officialcruelty，wisdom，legalinfallibility，theprincipleofauthority，allthedogmasonwhichrestpoliticalandcivilsecurity，sovereignty，justice，publictruth，allthiswasrubbish，ashapelessmass，chaos；hehimself，Javert，thespyoforder，incorruptibilityintheserviceofthepolice，thebull—dogprovidenceofsociety，vanquishedandhurledtoearth；and，erect，atthesummitofallthatruin，amanwithagreencaponhisheadandahaloroundhisbrow；thiswastheastoundingconfusiontowhichhehadcome；thiswasthefearfulvisionwhichheborewithinhissoul。
　　Wasthistobeendured？No。
　　Aviolentstate，ifeversuchexisted。Therewereonlytwowaysofescapingfromit。OnewastogoresolutelytoJeanValjean，andrestoretohiscelltheconvictfromthegalleys。Theother……
　　Javertquittedtheparapet，and，withheaderectthistime，betookhimself，withafirmtread，towardsthestation—houseindicatedbyalanternatoneofthecornersofthePlaceduChatelet。
　　Onarrivingthere，hesawthroughthewindowasergeantofpolice，andheentered。Policemenrecognizeeachotherbytheverywayinwhichtheyopenthedoorofastation—house。Javertmentionedhisname，showedhiscardtothesergeant，andseatedhimselfatthetableofthepostonwhichacandlewasburning。Onatablelayapen，aleadeninkstandandpaper，providedintheeventofpossiblereportsandtheordersofthenightpatrols。Thistable，stillcompletedbyitsstraw—seatedchair，isaninstitution；
　　itexistsinallpolicestations；itisinvariablyornamentedwithabox—woodsaucerfilledwithsawdustandawaferboxofcardboardfilledwithredwafers，anditformstheloweststageofofficialstyle。
　　ItistherethattheliteratureoftheStatehasitsbeginning。
　　Javerttookapenandasheetofpaper，andbegantowrite。
　　Thisiswhathewrote:
　　AFEWOBSERVATIONSFORTHEGOODOFTHESERVICE。
　　"Inthefirstplace:IbegMonsieurlePrefettocasthiseyesonthis。
　　"Secondly:prisoners，onarrivingafterexamination，takeofftheirshoesandstandbarefootontheflagstoneswhiletheyarebeingsearched。Manyofthemcoughontheirreturntoprison。
　　Thisentailshospitalexpenses。
　　"Thirdly:themodeofkeepingtrackofamanwithrelaysofpoliceagentsfromdistancetodistance，isgood，but，onimportantoccasions，itisrequisitethatatleasttwoagentsshouldneverlosesightofeachother，sothat，incaseoneagentshould，foranycause，growweakinhisservice，theothermaysupervisehimandtakehisplace。
　　"Fourthly:itisinexplicablewhythespecialregulationoftheprisonoftheMadelonettesinterdictstheprisonerfromhavingachair，evenbypayingforit。
　　"Fifthly:intheMadelonettesthereareonlytwobarstothecanteen，sothatthecanteenwomancantouchtheprisonerswithherhand。
　　"Sixthly:theprisonerscalledbarkers，whosummontheotherprisonerstotheparlor，forcetheprisonertopaythemtwosoustocallhisnamedistinctly。Thisisatheft。
　　"Seventhly:forabrokenthreadtensousarewithheldintheweavingshop；thisisanabuseofthecontractor，sincetheclothisnonetheworseforit。
　　"Eighthly:itisannoyingforvisitorstoLaForcetobeobligedtotraversetheboys’courtinordertoreachtheparlorofSainte—Marie—l’Egyptienne。
　　"Ninthly:itisafactthatanydaygendarmescanbeoverheardrelatinginthecourt—yardoftheprefecturetheinterrogationsputbythemagistratestoprisoners。Foragendarme，whoshouldbesworntosecrecy，torepeatwhathehasheardintheexaminationroomisagravedisorder。
　　"Tenthly:Mme。Henryisanhonestwoman；hercanteenisveryneat；
　　butitisbadtohaveawomankeepthewickettothemouse—trapofthesecretcells。ThisisunworthyoftheConciergerieofagreatcivilization。"
　　Javertwrotetheselinesinhiscalmestandmostcorrectchirography，notomittingasinglecomma，andmakingthepaperscreechunderhispen。
　　Belowthelastlinehesigned:
　　"JAVERT，"Inspectorofthe1stclass。
　　"ThePostofthePlaceduChatelet。
　　"June7th，1832，aboutoneo’clockinthemorning。"
　　Javertdriedthefreshinkonthepaper，foldeditlikealetter，sealedit，wroteontheback:Notefortheadministration，leftitonthetable，andquittedthepost。Theglazedandgrateddoorfelltobehindhim。
　　AgainhetraversedthePlaceduChateletdiagonally，regainedthequay，andreturnedwithautomaticprecisiontotheverypointwhichhehadabandonedaquarterofanhourpreviously，leanedonhiselbowsandfoundhimselfagaininthesameattitudeonthesamepaving—stoneoftheparapet。Hedidnotappeartohavestirred。
　　Thedarknesswascomplete。Itwasthesepulchralmomentwhichfollowsmidnight。Aceilingofcloudsconcealedthestars。Notasinglelightburnedinthehousesofthecity；noonewaspassing；
　　allofthestreetsandquayswhichcouldbeseenweredeserted；
　　Notre—DameandthetowersoftheCourt—Houseseemedfeaturesofthenight。Astreetlanternreddenedthemarginofthequay。
　　Theoutlinesofthebridgeslayshapelessinthemistonebehindtheother。Recentrainshadswollentheriver。
　　ThespotwhereJavertwasleaningwas，itwillberemembered，situatedpreciselyovertherapidsoftheSeine，perpendicularlyabovethatformidablespiralofwhirlpoolswhichlooseandknotthemselvesagainlikeanendlessscrew。
　　Javertbenthisheadandgazed。Allwasblack。Nothingwastobedistinguished。Asoundoffoamwasaudible；buttherivercouldnotbeseen。Atmoments，inthatdizzydepth，agleamoflightappeared，andundulatedvaguely，waterpossessingthepoweroftakinglight，nooneknowswhence，andconvertingitintoasnake。Thelightvanished，andallbecameindistinctoncemore。Immensityseemedthrownopenthere。Whatlaybelowwasnotwater，itwasagulf。
　　Thewallofthequay，abrupt，confused，mingledwiththevapors，instantlyconcealedfromsight，producedtheeffectofanescarpmentoftheinfinite。Nothingwastobeseen，butthehostilechillofthewaterandthestaleodorofthewetstonescouldbefelt。
　　Afiercebreathrosefromthisabyss。Thefloodintheriver，divinedratherthanperceived，thetragicwhisperingofthewaves，themelancholyvastnessofthearchesofthebridge，theimaginablefallintothatgloomyvoid，intoallthatshadowwasfullofhorror。
　　Javertremainedmotionlessforseveralminutes，gazingatthisopeningofshadow；heconsideredtheinvisiblewithafixitythatresembledattention。Thewaterroared。Allatoncehetookoffhishatandplaceditontheedgeofthequay。Amomentlater，atallblackfigure，whichabelatedpasser—byinthedistancemighthavetakenforaphantom，appearederectupontheparapetofthequay，bentovertowardstheSeine，thendrewitselfupagain，andfellstraightdownintotheshadows；adullsplashfollowed；
　　andtheshadowalonewasinthesecretoftheconvulsionsofthatobscureformwhichhaddisappearedbeneaththewater。