CHAPTERIII
　　THELARK
　　Itisnotallinallsufficienttobewickedinordertoprosper。
　　Thecook—shopwasinabadway。
　　Thankstothetraveller’sfifty—sevenfrancs，Thenardierhadbeenabletoavoidaprotestandtohonorhissignature。Onthefollowingmonththeywereagaininneedofmoney。ThewomantookCosette’soutfittoParis，andpawneditatthepawnbroker’sforsixtyfrancs。
　　Assoonasthatsumwasspent，theThenardiersgrewaccustomedtolookonthelittlegirlmerelyasachildwhomtheywerecaringforoutofcharity；andtheytreatedheraccordingly。Asshehadnolongeranyclothes，theydressedherinthecast—offpetticoatsandchemisesoftheThenardierbrats；thatistosay，inrags。
　　Theyfedheronwhatalltheresthadleft——alittlebetterthanthedog，alittleworsethanthecat。Moreover，thecatandthedogwereherhabitualtable—companions；Cosetteatewiththemunderthetable，fromawoodenbowlsimilartotheirs。
　　Themother，whohadestablishedherself，asweshallseelateron，atM。surM。，wrote，or，morecorrectly，causedtobewritten，alettereverymonth，thatshemighthavenewsofherchild。
　　TheThenardiersrepliedinvariably，"Cosetteisdoingwonderfullywell。"
　　Attheexpirationofthefirstsixmonthsthemothersentsevenfrancsfortheseventhmonth，andcontinuedherremittanceswithtolerableregularityfrommonthtomonth。TheyearwasnotcompletedwhenThenardiersaid:"Afinefavorsheisdoingus，insooth！Whatdoessheexpectustodowithhersevenfrancs？"
　　andhewrotetodemandtwelvefrancs。Themother，whomtheyhadpersuadedintothebeliefthatherchildwashappy，"andwascomingonwell，"submitted，andforwardedthetwelvefrancs。
　　Certainnaturescannotloveontheonehandwithouthatingontheother。MotherThenardierlovedhertwodaughterspassionately，whichcausedhertohatethestranger。
　　Itissadtothinkthattheloveofamothercanpossessvillainousaspects。LittleaswasthespaceoccupiedbyCosette，itseemedtoherasthoughitweretakenfromherown，andthatthatlittlechilddiminishedtheairwhichherdaughtersbreathed。
　　Thiswoman，likemanywomenofhersort，hadaloadofcaressesandaburdenofblowsandinjuriestodispenseeachday。
　　IfshehadnothadCosette，itiscertainthatherdaughters，idolizedastheywere，wouldhavereceivedthewholeofit；
　　butthestrangerdidthemtheservicetodiverttheblowstoherself。
　　Herdaughtersreceivednothingbutcaresses。Cosettecouldnotmakeamotionwhichdidnotdrawdownuponherheadaheavyshowerofviolentblowsandunmeritedchastisement。Thesweet，feeblebeing，whoshouldnothaveunderstoodanythingofthisworldorofGod，incessantlypunished，scolded，ill—used，beaten，andseeingbesidehertwolittlecreatureslikeherself，wholivedinarayofdawn！
　　MadameThenardierwasviciouswithCosette。EponineandAzelmawerevicious。Childrenatthatageareonlycopiesoftheirmother。
　　Thesizeissmaller；thatisall。
　　Ayearpassed；thenanother。
　　Peopleinthevillagesaid:——
　　"ThoseThenardiersaregoodpeople。Theyarenotrich，andyettheyarebringingupapoorchildwhowasabandonedontheirhands！"
　　TheythoughtthatCosette’smotherhadforgottenher。
　　Inthemeanwhile，Thenardier，havinglearned，itisimpossibletosaybywhatobscuremeans，thatthechildwasprobablyabastard，andthatthemothercouldnotacknowledgeit，exactedfifteenfrancsamonth，sayingthat"thecreature"wasgrowingand"eating，"andthreateningtosendheraway。"Lethernotbotherme，"heexclaimed，"orI’llfireherbratrightintothemiddleofhersecrets。
　　Imusthaveanincrease。"Themotherpaidthefifteenfrancs。
　　Fromyeartoyearthechildgrew，andsodidherwretchedness。
　　AslongasCosettewaslittle，shewasthescape—goatofthetwootherchildren；assoonasshebegantodevelopalittle，thatistosay，beforeshewasevenfiveyearsold，shebecametheservantofthehousehold。
　　Fiveyearsold！thereaderwillsay；thatisnotprobable。
　　Alas！itistrue。Socialsufferingbeginsatallages。
　　HavewenotrecentlyseenthetrialofamannamedDumollard，anorphanturnedbandit，who，fromtheageoffive，astheofficialdocumentsstate，beingaloneintheworld，"workedforhislivingandstole"？
　　Cosettewasmadetorunonerrands，tosweeptherooms，thecourtyard，thestreet，towashthedishes，toevencarryburdens。TheThenardiersconsideredthemselvesallthemoreauthorizedtobehaveinthismanner，sincethemother，whowasstillatM。surM。，hadbecomeirregularinherpayments。Somemonthsshewasinarrears。
　　IfthismotherhadreturnedtoMontfermeilattheendofthesethreeyears，shewouldnothaverecognizedherchild。Cosette，soprettyandrosyonherarrivalinthathouse，wasnowthinandpale。
　　Shehadanindescribablyuneasylook。"Theslycreature，"
　　saidtheThenardiers。
　　Injusticehadmadeherpeevish，andmiseryhadmadeherugly。
　　Nothingremainedtoherexceptherbeautifuleyes，whichinspiredpain，because，largeastheywere，itseemedasthoughonebeheldinthemastilllargeramountofsadness。
　　Itwasaheart—breakingthingtoseethispoorchild，notyetsixyearsold，shiveringinthewinterinheroldragsoflinen，fullofholes，sweepingthestreetbeforedaylight，withanenormousbroominhertinyredhands，andatearinhergreateyes。
　　ShewascalledtheLarkintheneighborhood。Thepopulace，whoarefondofthesefiguresofspeech，hadtakenafancytobestowthisnameonthistrembling，frightened，andshiveringlittlecreature，nobiggerthanabird，whowasawakeeverymorningbeforeanyoneelseinthehouseorthevillage，andwasalwaysinthestreetorthefieldsbeforedaybreak。
　　Onlythelittlelarkneversang。
　　BOOKFIFTH。——THEDESCENT。
　　CHAPTERI
　　THEHISTORYOFAPROGRESSINBLACKGLASSTRINKETS
　　Andinthemeantime，whathadbecomeofthatmotherwhoaccordingtothepeopleatMontfermeil，seemedtohaveabandonedherchild？
　　Wherewasshe？Whatwasshedoing？
　　AfterleavingherlittleCosettewiththeThenardiers，shehadcontinuedherjourney，andhadreachedM。surM。
　　This，itwillberemembered，wasin1818。
　　Fantinehadquittedherprovincetenyearsbefore。M。surM。hadchangeditsaspect。WhileFantinehadbeenslowlydescendingfromwretchednesstowretchedness，hernativetownhadprospered。
　　Abouttwoyearspreviouslyoneofthoseindustrialfactswhicharethegrandeventsofsmalldistrictshadtakenplace。
　　Thisdetailisimportant，andweregarditasusefultodevelopitatlength；weshouldalmostsay，tounderlineit。
　　Fromtimeimmemorial，M。surM。hadhadforitsspecialindustrytheimitationofEnglishjetandtheblackglasstrinketsofGermany。
　　Thisindustryhadalwaysvegetated，onaccountofthehighpriceoftherawmaterial，whichreactedonthemanufacture。
　　AtthemomentwhenFantinereturnedtoM。surM。，anunheard—oftransformationhadtakenplaceintheproductionof"blackgoods。"
　　Towardsthecloseof1815aman，astranger，hadestablishedhimselfinthetown，andhadbeeninspiredwiththeideaofsubstituting，inthismanufacture，gum—lacforresin，and，forbraceletsinparticular，slidesofsheet—ironsimplylaidtogether，forslidesofsolderedsheet—iron。
　　Thisverysmallchangehadeffectedarevolution。
　　Thisverysmallchangehad，infact，prodigiouslyreducedthecostoftherawmaterial，whichhadrendereditpossibleinthefirstplace，toraisethepriceofmanufacture，abenefittothecountry；
　　inthesecondplace，toimprovetheworkmanship，anadvantagetotheconsumer；inthethirdplace，tosellatalowerprice，whiletreblingtheprofit，whichwasabenefittothemanufacturer。
　　Thusthreeresultsensuedfromoneidea。
　　Inlessthanthreeyearstheinventorofthisprocesshadbecomerich，whichisgood，andhadmadeeveryoneabouthimrich，whichisbetter。HewasastrangerintheDepartment。Ofhisorigin，nothingwasknown；ofthebeginningofhiscareer，verylittle。
　　Itwasrumoredthathehadcometotownwithverylittlemoney，afewhundredfrancsatthemost。
　　Itwasfromthisslendercapital，enlistedintheserviceofaningeniousidea，developedbymethodandthought，thathehaddrawnhisownfortune，andthefortuneofthewholecountryside。
　　OnhisarrivalatM。surM。hehadonlythegarments，theappearance，andthelanguageofaworkingman。
　　ItappearsthatontheverydaywhenhemadehisobscureentryintothelittletownofM。surM。，justatnightfall，onaDecemberevening，knapsackonbackandthornclubinhand，alargefirehadbrokenoutinthetown—hall。Thismanhadrushedintotheflamesandsaved，attheriskofhisownlife，twochildrenwhobelongedtothecaptainofthegendarmerie；thisiswhytheyhadforgottentoaskhimforhispassport。Afterwardstheyhadlearnedhisname。
　　HewascalledFatherMadeleine。
　　CHAPTERII
　　MADELEINE
　　Hewasamanaboutfiftyyearsofage，whohadapreoccupiedair，andwhowasgood。Thatwasallthatcouldbesaidabouthim。
　　Thankstotherapidprogressoftheindustrywhichhehadsoadmirablyre—constructed，M。surM。hadbecomearatherimportantcentreoftrade。Spain，whichconsumesagooddealofblackjet，madeenormouspurchasesthereeachyear。M。surM。almostrivalledLondonandBerlininthisbranchofcommerce。FatherMadeleine’sprofitsweresuch，thatattheendofthesecondyearhewasabletoerectalargefactory，inwhichthereweretwovastworkrooms，oneforthemen，andtheotherforwomen。Anyonewhowashungrycouldpresenthimselfthere，andwassureoffindingemploymentandbread。FatherMadeleinerequiredofthemengoodwill，ofthewomenpuremorals，andofall，probity。Hehadseparatedthework—roomsinordertoseparatethesexes，andsothatthewomenandgirlsmightremaindiscreet。Onthispointhewasinflexible。
　　Itwastheonlythinginwhichhewasinamannerintolerant。
　　Hewasallthemorefirmlysetonthisseverity，sinceM。surM。，beingagarrisontown，opportunitiesforcorruptionabounded。
　　However，hiscominghadbeenaboon，andhispresencewasagodsend。
　　BeforeFatherMadeleine’sarrival，everythinghadlanguishedinthecountry；noweverythinglivedwithahealthylifeoftoil。
　　Astrongcirculationwarmedeverythingandpenetratedeverywhere。
　　Slackseasonsandwretchednesswereunknown。Therewasnopocketsoobscurethatithadnotalittlemoneyinit；nodwellingsolowlythattherewasnotsomelittlejoywithinit。
　　FatherMadeleinegaveemploymenttoeveryone。Heexactedbutonething:Beanhonestman。Beanhonestwoman。
　　Aswehavesaid，inthemidstofthisactivityofwhichhewasthecauseandthepivot，FatherMadeleinemadehisfortune；butasingularthinginasimplemanofbusiness，itdidnotseemasthoughthatwerehischiefcare。Heappearedtobethinkingmuchofothers，andlittleofhimself。In1820hewasknowntohaveasumofsixhundredandthirtythousandfrancslodgedinhisnamewithLaffitte；
　　butbeforereservingthesesixhundredandthirtythousandfrancs，hehadspentmorethanamillionforthetownanditspoor。
　　Thehospitalwasbadlyendowed；hefoundedsixbedsthere。M。surM。isdividedintotheupperandthelowertown。Thelowertown，inwhichhelived，hadbutoneschool，amiserablehovel，whichwasfallingtoruin:heconstructedtwo，oneforgirls，theotherforboys。
　　Heallottedasalaryfromhisownfundstothetwoinstructors，asalarytwiceaslargeastheirmeagreofficialsalary，andonedayhesaidtosomeonewhoexpressedsurprise，"Thetwoprimefunctionariesofthestatearethenurseandtheschoolmaster。"
　　Hecreatedathisownexpenseaninfantschool，athingthenalmostunknowninFrance，andafundforaidingoldandinfirmworkmen。
　　Ashisfactorywasacentre，anewquarter，inwhichtherewereagoodmanyindigentfamilies，roserapidlyaroundhim；heestablishedthereafreedispensary。
　　Atfirst，whentheywatchedhisbeginnings，thegoodsoulssaid，"He’sajollyfellowwhomeanstogetrich。"Whentheysawhimenrichingthecountrybeforeheenrichedhimself，thegoodsoulssaid，"Heisanambitiousman。"Thisseemedallthemoreprobablesincethemanwasreligious，andevenpractisedhisreligiontoacertaindegree，athingwhichwasveryfavorablyviewedatthatepoch。HewentregularlytolowmasseverySunday。
　　Thelocaldeputy，whonosedoutallrivalryeverywhere，soonbegantogrowuneasyoverthisreligion。ThisdeputyhadbeenamemberofthelegislativebodyoftheEmpire，andsharedthereligiousideasofafatheroftheOratoire，knownunderthenameofFouche，Ducd’Otrante，whosecreatureandfriendhehadbeen。HeindulgedingentlerailleryatGodwithcloseddoors。ButwhenhebeheldthewealthymanufacturerMadeleinegoingtolowmassatseveno’clock，heperceivedinhimapossiblecandidate，andresolvedtooutdohim；
　　hetookaJesuitconfessor，andwenttohighmassandtovespers。
　　Ambitionwasatthattime，inthedirectacceptationoftheword，aracetothesteeple。ThepoorprofitedbythisterroraswellasthegoodGod，forthehonorabledeputyalsofoundedtwobedsinthehospital，whichmadetwelve。
　　Nevertheless，in1819arumoronemorningcirculatedthroughthetowntotheeffectthat，ontherepresentationsoftheprefectandinconsiderationoftheservicesrenderedbyhimtothecountry，FatherMadeleinewastobeappointedbytheKing，mayorofM。surM。Thosewhohadpronouncedthisnew—comertobe"anambitiousfellow，"
　　seizedwithdelightonthisopportunitywhichallmendesire，toexclaim，"There！whatdidwesay！"AllM。surM。wasinanuproar。
　　Therumorwaswellfounded。SeveraldayslatertheappointmentappearedintheMoniteur。OnthefollowingdayFatherMadeleinerefused。
　　Inthissameyearof1819theproductsofthenewprocessinventedbyMadeleinefiguredintheindustrialexhibition；whenthejurymadetheirreport，theKingappointedtheinventorachevalieroftheLegionofHonor。Afreshexcitementinthelittletown。
　　Well，soitwasthecrossthathewanted！FatherMadeleinerefusedthecross。
　　Decidedlythismanwasanenigma。Thegoodsoulsgotoutoftheirpredicamentbysaying，"Afterall，heissomesortofanadventurer。"
　　Wehaveseenthatthecountryowedmuchtohim；thepoorowedhimeverything；hewassousefulandhewassogentlethatpeoplehadbeenobligedtohonorandrespecthim。Hisworkmen，inparticular，adoredhim，andheenduredthisadorationwithasortofmelancholygravity。
　　Whenhewasknowntoberich，"peopleinsociety"bowedtohim，andhereceivedinvitationsinthetown；hewascalled，intown，MonsieurMadeleine；hisworkmenandthechildrencontinuedtocallhimFatherMadeleine，andthatwaswhatwasmostadaptedtomakehimsmile。
　　Inproportionashemounted，throve，invitationsraineddownuponhim。
　　"Society"claimedhimforitsown。Theprimlittledrawing—roomsonM。surM。，which，ofcourse，hadatfirstbeenclosedtotheartisan，openedbothleavesoftheirfolding—doorstothemillionnaire。
　　Theymadeathousandadvancestohim。Herefused。
　　Thistimethegoodgossipshadnotrouble。"Heisanignorantman，ofnoeducation。Nooneknowswherehecamefrom。Hewouldnotknowhowtobehaveinsociety。Ithasnotbeenabsolutelyprovedthatheknowshowtoread。"
　　Whentheysawhimmakingmoney，theysaid，"Heisamanofbusiness。"
　　Whentheysawhimscatteringhismoneyabout，theysaid，"Heisanambitiousman。"Whenhewasseentodeclinehonors，theysaid，"Heisanadventurer。"Whentheysawhimrepulsesociety，theysaid，"Heisabrute。"
　　In1820，fiveyearsafterhisarrivalinM。surM。，theserviceswhichhehadrenderedtothedistrictweresodazzling，theopinionofthewholecountryroundaboutwassounanimous，thattheKingagainappointedhimmayorofthetown。Heagaindeclined；
　　buttheprefectresistedhisrefusal，allthenotabilitiesoftheplacecametoimplorehim，thepeopleinthestreetbesoughthim；
　　theurgingwassovigorousthatheendedbyaccepting。
　　Itwasnoticedthatthethingwhichseemedchieflytobringhimtoadecisionwasthealmostirritatedapostropheaddressedtohimbyanoldwomanofthepeople，whocalledtohimfromherthreshold，inanangryway:"Agoodmayorisausefulthing。Ishedrawingbackbeforethegoodwhichhecando？"
　　Thiswasthethirdphaseofhisascent。FatherMadeleinehadbecomeMonsieurMadeleine。MonsieurMadeleinebecameMonsieurleMaire。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　SUMSDEPOSITEDWITHLAFFITTE
　　Ontheotherhand，heremainedassimpleasonthefirstday。
　　Hehadgrayhair，aseriouseye，thesunburnedcomplexionofalaborer，thethoughtfulvisageofaphilosopher。Hehabituallyworeahatwithawidebrim，andalongcoatofcoarsecloth，buttonedtothechin。
　　Hefulfilledhisdutiesasmayor；but，withthatexception，helivedinsolitude。Hespoketobutfewpeople。Heavoidedpoliteattentions；
　　heescapedquickly；hesmiledtorelievehimselfofthenecessityoftalking；hegave，inordertogetridofthenecessityforsmiling，Thewomensaidofhim，"Whatagood—naturedbear！"Hispleasureconsistedinstrollinginthefields。
　　Healwaystookhismealsalone，withanopenbookbeforehim，whichheread。Hehadawell—selectedlittlelibrary。Helovedbooks；
　　booksarecoldbutsafefriends。Inproportionasleisurecametohimwithfortune，heseemedtotakeadvantageofittocultivatehismind。Ithadbeenobservedthat，eversincehisarrivalatM。surM……hislanguagehadgrownmorepolished，morechoice，andmoregentlewitheverypassingyear。Helikedtocarryagunwithhimonhisstrolls，butherarelymadeuseofit。
　　Whenhedidhappentodoso，hisshootingwassomethingsoinfallibleastoinspireterror。Heneverkilledaninoffensiveanimal。
　　Henevershotatalittlebird。
　　Althoughhewasnolongeryoung，itwasthoughtthathewasstillprodigiouslystrong。Heofferedhisassistancetoanyonewhowasinneedofit，liftedahorse，releasedawheelcloggedinthemud，orstoppedarunawaybullbythehorns。Healwayshadhispocketsfullofmoneywhenhewentout；buttheywereemptyonhisreturn。
　　Whenhepassedthroughavillage，theraggedbratsranjoyouslyafterhim，andsurroundedhimlikeaswarmofgnats。
　　Itwasthoughtthathemust，inthepast，havelivedacountrylife，sinceheknewallsortsofusefulsecrets，whichhetaughttothepeasants。Hetaughtthemhowtodestroyscurfonwheat，bysprinklingitandthegranaryandinundatingthecracksinthefloorwithasolutionofcommonsalt；andhowtochaseawayweevilsbyhanginguporviotinbloomeverywhere，onthewallsandtheceilings，amongthegrassandinthehouses。
　　Hehad"recipes"forexterminatingfromafield，blight，tares，foxtail，andallparasiticgrowthswhichdestroythewheat。
　　Hedefendedarabbitwarrenagainstrats，simplybytheodorofaguinea—pigwhichheplacedinit。
　　Onedayhesawsomecountrypeoplebusilyengagedinpullingupnettles；
　　heexaminedtheplants，whichwereuprootedandalreadydried，andsaid:"Theyaredead。Nevertheless，itwouldbeagoodthingtoknowhowtomakeuseofthem。Whenthenettleisyoung，theleafmakesanexcellentvegetable；whenitisolder，ithasfilamentsandfibreslikehempandflax。Nettleclothisasgoodaslinencloth。
　　Choppedup，nettlesaregoodforpoultry；pounded，theyaregoodforhornedcattle。Theseedofthenettle，mixedwithfodder，givesglosstothehairofanimals；theroot，mixedwithsalt，producesabeautifulyellowcoloring—matter。Moreover，itisanexcellenthay，whichcanbecuttwice。Andwhatisrequiredforthenettle？Alittlesoil，nocare，noculture。Onlytheseedfallsasitisripe，anditisdifficulttocollectit。Thatisall。
　　Withtheexerciseofalittlecare，thenettlecouldbemadeuseful；
　　itisneglectedanditbecomeshurtful。Itisexterminated。Howmanymenresemblethenettle！"Headded，afterapause:"Rememberthis，myfriends:therearenosuchthingsasbadplantsorbadmen。
　　Thereareonlybadcultivators。"
　　Thechildrenlovedhimbecauseheknewhowtomakecharminglittletriflesofstrawandcocoanuts。
　　Whenhesawthedoorofachurchhunginblack，heentered:
　　hesoughtoutfuneralsasothermenseekchristenings。Widowhoodandthegriefofothersattractedhim，becauseofhisgreatgentleness；
　　hemingledwiththefriendscladinmourning，withfamiliesdressedinblack，withthepriestsgroaningaroundacoffin。
　　Heseemedtoliketogivetohisthoughtsfortextthesefunerealpsalmodiesfilledwiththevisionoftheotherworld。Withhiseyesfixedonheaven，helistenedwithasortofaspirationtowardsallthemysteriesoftheinfinite，thosesadvoiceswhichsingonthevergeoftheobscureabyssofdeath。
　　Heperformedamultitudeofgoodactions，concealinghisagencyinthemasamanconcealshimselfbecauseofevilactions。Hepenetratedhousesprivately，atnight；heascendedstaircasesfurtively。
　　Apoorwretchonreturningtohisatticwouldfindthathisdoorhadbeenopened，sometimesevenforced，duringhisabsence。
　　Thepoormanmadeaclamoroverit:somemalefactorhadbeenthere！
　　Heentered，andthefirstthinghebeheldwasapieceofgoldlyingforgottenonsomepieceoffurniture。The"malefactor"whohadbeentherewasFatherMadeleine。
　　Hewasaffableandsad。Thepeoplesaid:"Thereisarichmanwhohasnotahaughtyair。Thereisahappymanwhohasnotacontentedair。"
　　Somepeoplemaintainedthathewasamysteriousperson，andthatnooneeverenteredhischamber，whichwasaregularanchorite’scell，furnishedwithwingedhour—glassesandenlivenedbycross—bonesandskullsofdeadmen！Thiswasmuchtalkedof，sothatoneoftheelegantandmaliciousyoungwomenofM。surM。cametohimoneday，andasked:"MonsieurleMaire，prayshowusyourchamber。
　　Itissaidtobeagrotto。"Hesmiled，andintroducedtheminstantlyintothis"grotto。"Theywerewellpunishedfortheircuriosity。
　　Theroomwasverysimplyfurnishedinmahogany，whichwasratherugly，likeallfurnitureofthatsort，andhungwithpaperworthtwelvesous。
　　Theycouldseenothingremarkableaboutit，excepttwocandlesticksofantiquepatternwhichstoodonthechimney—pieceandappearedtobesilver，"fortheywerehall—marked，"anobservationfullofthetypeofwitofpettytowns。
　　Nevertheless，peoplecontinuedtosaythatnooneevergotintotheroom，andthatitwasahermit’scave，amysteriousretreat，ahole，atomb。
　　Itwasalsowhisperedaboutthathehad"immense"sumsdepositedwithLaffitte，withthispeculiarfeature，thattheywerealwaysathisimmediatedisposal，sothat，itwasadded，M。MadeleinecouldmakehisappearanceatLaffitte’sanymorning，signareceipt，andcarryoffhistwoorthreemillionsintenminutes。Inreality，"thesetwoorthreemillions"werereducible，aswehavesaid，tosixhundredandthirtyorfortythousandfrancs。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　M。MADELEINEINMOURNING
　　Atthebeginningof1820thenewspapersannouncedthedeathofM。Myriel，BishopofD————，surnamed"MonseigneurBienvenu，"
　　whohaddiedintheodorofsanctityattheageofeighty—two。
　　TheBishopofD——————tosupplyhereadetailwhichthepapersomitted——
　　hadbeenblindformanyyearsbeforehisdeath，andcontenttobeblind，ashissisterwasbesidehim。
　　Letusremarkbytheway，thattobeblindandtobeloved，is，infact，oneofthemoststrangelyexquisiteformsofhappinessuponthisearth，wherenothingiscomplete。Tohavecontinuallyatone’ssideawoman，adaughter，asister，acharmingbeing，whoistherebecauseyouneedherandbecauseshecannotdowithoutyou；
　　toknowthatweareindispensabletoapersonwhoisnecessarytous；
　　tobeabletoincessantlymeasureone’saffectionbytheamountofherpresencewhichshebestowsonus，andtosaytoourselves，"Sincesheconsecratesthewholeofhertimetome，itisbecauseI
　　possessthewholeofherheart"；tobeholdherthoughtinlieuofherface；tobeabletoverifythefidelityofonebeingamidtheeclipseoftheworld；toregardtherustleofagownasthesoundofwings；tohearhercomeandgo，retire，speak，return，sing，andtothinkthatoneisthecentreofthesesteps，ofthisspeech；
　　tomanifestateachinstantone’spersonalattraction；tofeelone’sselfallthemorepowerfulbecauseofone’sinfirmity；
　　tobecomeinone’sobscurity，andthroughone’sobscurity，thestararoundwhichthisangelgravitates，——fewfelicitiesequalthis。
　　Thesupremehappinessoflifeconsistsintheconvictionthatoneisloved；lovedforone’sownsake——letussayrather，lovedinspiteofone’sself；thisconvictiontheblindmanpossesses。
　　Tobeservedindistressistobecaressed。Doeshelackanything？
　　No。Onedoesnotlosethesightwhenonehaslove。Andwhatlove！
　　Alovewhollyconstitutedofvirtue！Thereisnoblindnesswherethereiscertainty。Soulseekssoul，gropingly，andfindsit。
　　Andthissoul，foundandtested，isawoman。Ahandsustainsyou；
　　itishers:amouthlightlytouchesyourbrow；itishermouth:
　　youhearabreathverynearyou；itishers。Tohaveeverythingofher，fromherworshiptoherpity，nevertobeleft，tohavethatsweetweaknessaidingyou，toleanuponthatimmovablereed，totouchProvidencewithone’shands，andtobeabletotakeitinone’sarms，——Godmadetangible，——whatbliss！Theheart，thatobscure，celestialflower，undergoesamysteriousblossoming。
　　Onewouldnotexchangethatshadowforallbrightness！
　　Theangelsoulisthere，uninterruptedlythere；ifshedeparts，itisbuttoreturnagain；shevanisheslikeadream，andreappearslikereality。Onefeelswarmthapproaching，andbehold！sheisthere。
　　Oneoverflowswithserenity，withgayety，withecstasy；oneisaradianceamidthenight。Andthereareathousandlittlecares。
　　Nothings，whichareenormousinthatvoid。Themostineffableaccentsofthefemininevoiceemployedtolullyou，andsupplyingthevanisheduniversetoyou。Oneiscaressedwiththesoul。
　　Oneseesnothing，butonefeelsthatoneisadored。Itisaparadiseofshadows。
　　ItwasfromthisparadisethatMonseigneurWelcomehadpassedtotheother。
　　TheannouncementofhisdeathwasreprintedbythelocaljournalofM。surM。Onthefollowingday，M。Madeleineappearedcladwhollyinblack，andwithcrapeonhishat。
　　Thismourningwasnoticedinthetown，andcommentedon。ItseemedtothrowalightonM。Madeleine’sorigin。ItwasconcludedthatsomerelationshipexistedbetweenhimandthevenerableBishop。"HehasgoneintomourningfortheBishopofD————"saidthedrawing—rooms；
　　thisraisedM。Madeleine’screditgreatly，andprocuredforhim，instantlyandatoneblow，acertainconsiderationinthenobleworldofM。surM。ThemicroscopicFaubourgSaint—GermainoftheplacemeditatedraisingthequarantineagainstM。Madeleine，theprobablerelativeofabishop。M。Madeleineperceivedtheadvancementwhichhehadobtained，bythemorenumerouscourtesiesoftheoldwomenandthemoreplentifulsmilesoftheyoungones。
　　Oneevening，arulerinthatpettygreatworld，whowascuriousbyrightofseniority，venturedtoaskhim，"M。leMaireisdoubtlessacousinofthelateBishopofD————？"
　　Hesaid，"No，Madame。"
　　"But，"resumedthedowager，"youarewearingmourningforhim。"
　　Hereplied，"ItisbecauseIwasaservantinhisfamilyinmyyouth。"
　　Anotherthingwhichwasremarked，was，thateverytimethatheencounteredinthetownayoungSavoyardwhowasroamingaboutthecountryandseekingchimneystosweep，themayorhadhimsummoned，inquiredhisname，andgavehimmoney。ThelittleSavoyardstoldeachotheraboutit:agreatmanyofthempassedthatway。
　　CHAPTERV
　　VAGUEFLASHESONTHEHORIZON
　　Littlebylittle，andinthecourseoftime，allthisoppositionsubsided。TherehadatfirstbeenexercisedagainstM。Madeleine，invirtueofasortoflawwhichallthosewhorisemustsubmitto，blackeningandcalumnies；thentheygrewtobenothingmorethanill—nature，thenmerelymaliciousremarks，theneventhisentirelydisappeared；respectbecamecomplete，unanimous，cordial，andtowards1821themomentarrivedwhentheword"MonsieurleMaire"
　　waspronouncedatM。surM。withalmostthesameaccentas"MonseigneurtheBishop"hadbeenpronouncedinD————in1815。PeoplecamefromadistanceoftenleaguesaroundtoconsultM。Madeleine。Heputanendtodifferences，hepreventedlawsuits，hereconciledenemies。
　　Everyonetookhimforthejudge，andwithgoodreason。
　　Itseemedasthoughhehadforasoulthebookofthenaturallaw。
　　Itwaslikeanepidemicofveneration，whichinthecourseofsixorsevenyearsgraduallytookpossessionofthewholedistrict。
　　Onesinglemaninthetown，inthearrondissement，absolutelyescapedthiscontagion，and，whateverFatherMadeleinedid，remainedhisopponentasthoughasortofincorruptibleandimperturbableinstinctkepthimonthealertanduneasy。Itseems，infact，asthoughthereexistedincertainmenaveritablebestialinstinct，thoughpureandupright，likeallinstincts，whichcreatesantipathiesandsympathies，whichfatallyseparatesonenaturefromanothernature，whichdoesnothesitate，whichfeelsnodisquiet，whichdoesnotholditspeace，andwhichneverbeliesitself，clearinitsobscurity，infallible，imperious，intractable，stubborntoallcounselsoftheintelligenceandtoallthedissolventsofreason，andwhich，inwhatevermannerdestiniesarearranged，secretlywarnstheman—dogofthepresenceoftheman—cat，andtheman—foxofthepresenceoftheman—lion。
　　ItfrequentlyhappenedthatwhenM。Madeleinewaspassingalongastreet，calm，affectionate，surroundedbytheblessingsofall，amanofloftystature，cladinaniron—grayfrock—coat，armedwithaheavycane，andwearingabatteredhat，turnedroundabruptlybehindhim，andfollowedhimwithhiseyesuntilhedisappeared，withfoldedarmsandaslowshakeofthehead，andhisupperlipraisedincompanywithhislowertohisnose，asortofsignificantgrimacewhichmightbetranslatedby:"Whatisthatman，afterall？
　　Icertainlyhaveseenhimsomewhere。Inanycase，Iamnothisdupe。"
　　Thisperson，gravewithagravitywhichwasalmostmenacing，wasoneofthosemenwho，evenwhenonlyseenbyarapidglimpse，arrestthespectator’sattention。
　　HisnamewasJavert，andhebelongedtothepolice。
　　AtM。surM。heexercisedtheunpleasantbutusefulfunctionsofaninspector。HehadnotseenMadeleine’sbeginnings。JavertowedthepostwhichheoccupiedtotheprotectionofM。Chabouillet，thesecretaryoftheMinisterofState，ComteAngeles，thenprefectofpoliceatParis。WhenJavertarrivedatM。surM。thefortuneofthegreatmanufacturerwasalreadymade，andFatherMadeleinehadbecomeMonsieurMadeleine。
　　Certainpoliceofficershaveapeculiarphysiognomy，whichiscomplicatedwithanairofbasenessmingledwithanairofauthority。
　　Javertpossessedthisphysiognomyminusthebaseness。
　　Itisourconvictionthatifsoulswerevisibletotheeyes，weshouldbeabletoseedistinctlythatstrangethingthateachoneindividualofthehumanracecorrespondstosomeoneofthespeciesoftheanimalcreation；andwecouldeasilyrecognizethistruth，hardlyperceivedbythethinker，thatfromtheoystertotheeagle，fromthepigtothetiger，allanimalsexistinman，andthateachoneofthemisinaman。Sometimesevenseveralofthematatime。
　　Animalsarenothingelsethanthefiguresofourvirtuesandourvices，strayingbeforeoureyes，thevisiblephantomsofoursouls。
　　Godshowsthemtousinordertoinduceustoreflect。Onlysinceanimalsaremereshadows，Godhasnotmadethemcapableofeducationinthefullsenseoftheword；whatistheuse？Onthecontrary，oursoulsbeingrealitiesandhavingagoalwhichisappropriatetothem，Godhasbestowedonthemintelligence；thatistosay，thepossibilityofeducation。Socialeducation，whenwelldone，canalwaysdrawfromasoul，ofwhateversortitmaybe，theutilitywhichitcontains。
　　This，beitsaid，isofcoursefromtherestrictedpointofviewoftheterrestriallifewhichisapparent，andwithoutprejudgingtheprofoundquestionoftheanteriororulteriorpersonalityofthebeingswhicharenotman。Thevisible_I_innowiseauthorizesthethinkertodenythelatent_I_。Havingmadethisreservation，letuspasson。
　　Now，ifthereaderwilladmit，foramoment，withus，thatineverymanthereisoneoftheanimalspeciesofcreation，itwillbeeasyforustosaywhattherewasinPoliceOfficerJavert。
　　ThepeasantsofAsturiasareconvincedthatineverylitterofwolvesthereisonedog，whichiskilledbythemotherbecause，otherwise，ashegrewup，hewoulddevourtheotherlittleones。
　　Givetothisdog—sonofawolfahumanface，andtheresultwillbeJavert。
　　Javerthadbeenborninprison，ofafortune—teller，whosehusbandwasinthegalleys。Ashegrewup，hethoughtthathewasoutsidethepaleofsociety，andhedespairedofeverre—enteringit。
　　Heobservedthatsocietyunpardoninglyexcludestwoclassesofmen，——
　　thosewhoattackitandthosewhoguardit；hehadnochoiceexceptbetweenthesetwoclasses；atthesametime，hewasconsciousofanindescribablefoundationofrigidity，regularity，andprobity，complicatedwithaninexpressiblehatredfortheraceofbohemianswhencehewassprung。Heenteredthepolice；hesucceededthere。
　　Atfortyyearsofagehewasaninspector。
　　DuringhisyouthhehadbeenemployedintheconvictestablishmentsoftheSouth。
　　Beforeproceedingfurther，letuscometoanunderstandingastothewords，"humanface，"whichwehavejustappliedtoJavert。
　　ThehumanfaceofJavertconsistedofaflatnose，withtwodeepnostrils，towardswhichenormouswhiskersascendedonhischeeks。
　　Onefeltillateasewhenhesawthesetwoforestsandthesetwocavernsforthefirsttime。WhenJavertlaughed，——andhislaughwasrareandterrible，——histhinlipspartedandrevealedtoviewnotonlyhisteeth，buthisgums，andaroundhisnosethereformedaflattenedandsavagefold，asonthemuzzleofawildbeast。
　　Javert，serious，wasawatchdog；whenhelaughed，hewasatiger。
　　Asfortherest，hehadverylittleskullandagreatdealofjaw；
　　hishairconcealedhisforeheadandfelloverhiseyebrows；
　　betweenhiseyestherewasapermanent，centralfrown，likeanimprintofwrath；hisgazewasobscure；hismouthpursedupandterrible；
　　hisairthatofferociouscommand。
　　Thismanwascomposedoftwoverysimpleandtwoverygoodsentiments，comparatively；butherenderedthemalmostbad，bydintofexaggeratingthem，——respectforauthority，hatredofrebellion；
　　andinhiseyes，murder，robbery，allcrimes，areonlyformsofrebellion。Heenvelopedinablindandprofoundfaitheveryonewhohadafunctioninthestate，fromtheprimeministertotheruralpoliceman。Hecoveredwithscorn，aversion，anddisgusteveryonewhohadoncecrossedthelegalthresholdofevil。
　　Hewasabsolute，andadmittednoexceptions。Ontheonehand，hesaid，"Thefunctionarycanmakenomistake；themagistrateisneverthewrong。"Ontheotherhand，hesaid，"Thesemenareirremediablylost。Nothinggoodcancomefromthem。"HefullysharedtheopinionofthoseextrememindswhichattributetohumanlawIknownotwhatpowerofmaking，or，ifthereaderwillhaveitso，ofauthenticating，demons，andwhoplaceaStyxatthebaseofsociety。Hewasstoical，serious，austere；amelancholydreamer，humbleandhaughty，likefanatics。Hisglancewaslikeagimlet，coldandpiercing。Hiswholelifehungonthesetwowords:
　　watchfulnessandsupervision。Hehadintroducedastraightlineintowhatisthemostcrookedthingintheworld；hepossessedtheconscienceofhisusefulness，thereligionofhisfunctions，andhewasaspyasothermenarepriests。Woetothemanwhofellintohishands！Hewouldhavearrestedhisownfather，ifthelatterhadescapedfromthegalleys，andwouldhavedenouncedhismother，ifshehadbrokenherban。Andhewouldhavedoneitwiththatsortofinwardsatisfactionwhichisconferredbyvirtue。And，withal，alifeofprivation，isolation，abnegation，chastity，withneveradiversion。Itwasimplacableduty；thepoliceunderstood，astheSpartansunderstoodSparta，apitilesslyinginwait，aferocioushonesty，amarbleinformer，BrutusinVidocq。
　　Javert’swholepersonwasexpressiveofthemanwhospiesandwhowithdrawshimselffromobservation。ThemysticalschoolofJosephdeMaistre，whichatthatepochseasonedwithloftycosmogonythosethingswhichwerecalledtheultranewspapers，wouldnothavefailedtodeclarethatJavertwasasymbol。
　　Hisbrowwasnotvisible；itdisappearedbeneathhishat:
　　hiseyeswerenotvisible，sincetheywerelostunderhiseyebrows:
　　hischinwasnotvisible，foritwasplungedinhiscravat:
　　hishandswerenotvisible；theyweredrawnupinhissleeves:
　　andhiscanewasnotvisible；hecarrieditunderhiscoat。
　　Butwhentheoccasionpresenteditself，therewassuddenlyseentoemergefromallthisshadow，asfromanambuscade，anarrowandangularforehead，abalefulglance，athreateningchin，enormoushands，andamonstrouscudgel。
　　Inhisleisuremoments，whichwerefarfromfrequent，heread，althoughhehatedbooks；thiscausedhimtobenotwhollyilliterate。
　　Thiscouldberecognizedbysomeemphasisinhisspeech。
　　Aswehavesaid，hehadnovices。Whenhewaspleasedwithhimself，hepermittedhimselfapinchofsnuff。Thereinlayhisconnectionwithhumanity。
　　ThereaderwillhavenodifficultyinunderstandingthatJavertwastheterrorofthatwholeclasswhichtheannualstatisticsoftheMinistryofJusticedesignatesundertherubric，Vagrants。
　　ThenameofJavertroutedthembyitsmereutterance；thefaceofJavertpetrifiedthematsight。
　　Suchwasthisformidableman。
　　JavertwaslikeaneyeconstantlyfixedonM。Madeleine。Aneyefullofsuspicionandconjecture。M。Madeleinehadfinallyperceivedthefact；butitseemedtobeofnoimportancetohim。HedidnotevenputaquestiontoJavert；heneithersoughtnoravoidedhim；
　　heborethatembarrassingandalmostoppressivegazewithoutappearingtonoticeit。HetreatedJavertwitheaseandcourtesy，ashedidalltherestoftheworld。
　　Itwasdivined，fromsomewordswhichescapedJavert，thathehadsecretlyinvestigated，withthatcuriositywhichbelongstotherace，andintowhichthereentersasmuchinstinctaswill，alltheanteriortraceswhichFatherMadeleinemighthaveleftelsewhere。
　　Heseemedtoknow，andhesometimessaidincovertwords，thatsomeonehadgleanedcertaininformationinacertaindistrictaboutafamilywhichhaddisappeared。Oncehechancedtosay，ashewastalkingtohimself，"IthinkIhavehim！"
　　Thenheremainedpensiveforthreedays，andutterednotaword。
　　Itseemedthatthethreadwhichhethoughtheheldhadbroken。
　　Moreover，andthisfurnishesthenecessarycorrectiveforthetooabsolutesensewhichcertainwordsmightpresent，therecanbenothingreallyinfallibleinahumancreature，andthepeculiarityofinstinctisthatitcanbecomeconfused，thrownoffthetrack，anddefeated。Otherwise，itwouldbesuperiortointelligence，andthebeastwouldbefoundtobeprovidedwithabetterlightthanman。
　　JavertwasevidentlysomewhatdisconcertedbytheperfectnaturalnessandtranquillityofM。Madeleine。
　　Oneday，nevertheless，hisstrangemannerappearedtoproduceanimpressiononM。Madeleine。Itwasonthefollowingoccasion。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　FATHERFAUCHELEVENT
　　OnemorningM。MadeleinewaspassingthroughanunpavedalleyofM。surM。；heheardanoise，andsawagroupsomedistanceaway。
　　Heapproached。AnoldmannamedFatherFaucheleventhadjustfallenbeneathhiscart，hishorsehavingtumbleddown。
　　ThisFaucheleventwasoneofthefewenemieswhomM。Madeleinehadatthattime。WhenMadeleinearrivedintheneighborhood，Fauchelevent，anex—notaryandapeasantwhowasalmosteducated，hadabusinesswhichwasbeginningtobeinabadway。Faucheleventhadseenthissimpleworkmangrowrich，whilehe，alawyer，wasbeingruined。
　　Thishadfilledhimwithjealousy，andhehaddoneallhecould，oneveryoccasion，toinjureMadeleine。Thenbankruptcyhadcome；
　　andastheoldmanhadnothingleftbutacartandahorse，andneitherfamilynorchildren，hehadturnedcarter。
　　Thehorsehadtwobrokenlegsandcouldnotrise。Theoldmanwascaughtinthewheels。Thefallhadbeensounluckythatthewholeweightofthevehiclerestedonhisbreast。Thecartwasquiteheavilyladen。FatherFaucheleventwasrattlinginthethroatinthemostlamentablemanner。Theyhadtried，butinvain，todraghimout。Anunmethodicaleffort，aidawkwardlygiven，awrongshake，mightkillhim。Itwasimpossibletodisengagehimotherwisethanbyliftingthevehicleoffofhim。Javert，whohadcomeupatthemomentoftheaccident，hadsentforajack—screw。
　　M。Madeleinearrived。Peoplestoodasiderespectfully。
　　"Help！"criedoldFauchelevent。"Whowillbegoodandsavetheoldman？"
　　M。Madeleineturnedtowardsthosepresent:——
　　"Isthereajack—screwtobehad？"
　　"Onehasbeensentfor，"answeredthepeasant。
　　"Howlongwillittaketogetit？"
　　"Theyhavegoneforthenearest，toFlachot’splace，wherethereisafarrier；butitmakesnodifference；itwilltakeagoodquarterofanhour。"
　　"Aquarterofanhour！"exclaimedMadeleine。
　　Ithadrainedontheprecedingnight；thesoilwassoaked。
　　Thecartwassinkingdeeperintotheeartheverymoment，andcrushingtheoldcarter’sbreastmoreandmore。
　　Itwasevidentthathisribswouldbebrokeninfiveminutesmore。
　　"Itisimpossibletowaitanotherquarterofanhour，"saidMadeleinetothepeasants，whowerestaringathim。
　　"Wemust！"
　　"Butitwillbetoolatethen！Don’tyouseethatthecartissinking？"
　　"Well！"
　　"Listen，"resumedMadeleine；"thereisstillroomenoughunderthecarttoallowamantocrawlbeneathitandraiseitwithhisback。
　　Onlyhalfaminute，andthepoormancanbetakenout。Isthereanyoneherewhohasstoutloinsandheart？Therearefivelouisd’ortobeearned！"
　　Notamaninthegroupstirred。
　　"Tenlouis，"saidMadeleine。
　　Thepersonspresentdroppedtheireyes。Oneofthemmuttered:
　　"Amanwouldneedtobedevilishstrong。Andthenherunstheriskofgettingcrushed！"
　　"Come，"beganMadeleineagain，"twentylouis。"
　　Thesamesilence。
　　"Itisnotthewillwhichislacking，"saidavoice。
　　M。Madeleineturnedround，andrecognizedJavert。Hehadnotnoticedhimonhisarrival。
　　Javertwenton:——
　　"Itisstrength。Onewouldhavetobeaterriblemantodosuchathingasliftacartlikethatonhisback。"
　　Then，gazingfixedlyatM。Madeleine，hewenton，emphasizingeverywordthatheuttered:——
　　"MonsieurMadeleine，Ihaveneverknownbutonemancapableofdoingwhatyouask。"
　　Madeleineshuddered。
　　Javertadded，withanairofindifference，butwithoutremovinghiseyesfromMadeleine:——
　　"Hewasaconvict。"
　　"Ah！"saidMadeleine。
　　"InthegalleysatToulon。"
　　Madeleineturnedpale。
　　Meanwhile，thecartcontinuedtosinkslowly。FatherFaucheleventrattledinthethroat，andshrieked:——
　　"Iamstrangling！Myribsarebreaking！ascrew！something！Ah！"
　　Madeleineglancedabouthim。
　　"Isthere，then，noonewhowishestoearntwentylouisandsavethelifeofthispooroldman？"
　　Noonestirred。Javertresumed:——
　　"Ihaveneverknownbutonemanwhocouldtaketheplaceofascrew，andhewasthatconvict。"
　　"Ah！Itiscrushingme！"criedtheoldman。
　　Madeleineraisedhishead，metJavert’sfalconeyestillfixeduponhim，lookedatthemotionlesspeasants，andsmiledsadly。
　　Then，withoutsayingaword，hefellonhisknees，andbeforethecrowdhadevenhadtimetoutteracry，hewasunderneaththevehicle。
　　Aterriblemomentofexpectationandsilenceensued。
　　TheybeheldMadeleine，almostflatonhisstomachbeneaththatterribleweight，maketwovaineffortstobringhiskneesandhiselbowstogether。Theyshoutedtohim，"FatherMadeleine，comeout！"
　　OldFaucheleventhimselfsaidtohim，"MonsieurMadeleine，goaway！
　　YouseethatIamfatedtodie！Leaveme！Youwillgetyourselfcrushedalso！"Madeleinemadenoreply。
　　Allthespectatorswerepanting。Thewheelshadcontinuedtosink，andithadbecomealmostimpossibleforMadeleinetomakehiswayfromunderthevehicle。
　　Suddenlytheenormousmasswasseentoquiver，thecartroseslowly，thewheelshalfemergedfromtheruts。Theyheardastifledvoicecrying，"Makehaste！Help！"ItwasMadeleine，whohadjustmadeafinaleffort。
　　Theyrushedforwards。Thedevotionofasinglemanhadgivenforceandcouragetoall。Thecartwasraisedbytwentyarms。
　　OldFaucheleventwassaved。
　　Madeleinerose。Hewaspale，thoughdrippingwithperspiration。
　　Hisclothesweretornandcoveredwithmud。Allwept。TheoldmankissedhiskneesandcalledhimthegoodGod。Asforhim，heboreuponhiscountenanceanindescribableexpressionofhappyandcelestialsuffering，andhefixedhistranquileyeonJavert，whowasstillstaringathim。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　FAUCHELEVENTBECOMESAGARDENERINPARIS
　　Faucheleventhaddislocatedhiskneepaninhisfall。FatherMadeleinehadhimconveyedtoaninfirmarywhichhehadestablishedforhisworkmeninthefactorybuildingitself，andwhichwasservedbytwosistersofcharity。Onthefollowingmorningtheoldmanfoundathousand—francbank—noteonhisnight—stand，withthesewordsinFatherMadeleine’swriting:"Ipurchaseyourhorseandcart。"
　　Thecartwasbroken，andthehorsewasdead。Faucheleventrecovered，buthiskneeremainedstiff。M。Madeleine，ontherecommendationofthesistersofcharityandofhispriest，gotthegoodmanaplaceasgardenerinafemaleconventintheRueSaint—AntoineinParis。
　　Sometimeafterwards，M。Madeleinewasappointedmayor。ThefirsttimethatJavertbeheldM。Madeleineclothedinthescarfwhichgavehimauthorityoverthetown，hefeltthesortofshudderwhichawatch—dogmightexperienceonsmellingawolfinhismaster’sclothes。
　　Fromthattimeforthheavoidedhimasmuchashepossiblycould。
　　Whentherequirementsoftheserviceimperativelydemandedit，andhecouldnotdootherwisethanmeetthemayor，headdressedhimwithprofoundrespect。
　　ThisprosperitycreatedatM。surM。byFatherMadeleinehad，besidesthevisiblesignswhichwehavementioned，anothersymptomwhichwasnonethelesssignificantfornotbeingvisible。
　　Thisneverdeceives。Whenthepopulationsuffers，whenworkislacking，whenthereisnocommerce，thetax—payerresistsimpoststhroughpenury，heexhaustsandoverstepshisrespite，andthestateexpendsagreatdealofmoneyinthechargesforcompellingandcollection。Whenworkisabundant，whenthecountryisrichandhappy，thetaxesarepaideasilyandcostthestatenothing。
　　Itmaybesaid，thatthereisoneinfalliblethermometerofthepublicmiseryandriches，——thecostofcollectingthetaxes。
　　Inthecourseofsevenyearstheexpenseofcollectingthetaxeshaddiminishedthree—fourthsinthearrondissementofM。surM。，andthisledtothisarrondissementbeingfrequentlycitedfromalltherestbyM。deVillele，thenMinisterofFinance。
　　SuchwastheconditionofthecountrywhenFantinereturnedthither。
　　Noonerememberedher。Fortunately，thedoorofM。Madeleine’sfactorywaslikethefaceofafriend。Shepresentedherselfthere，andwasadmittedtothewomen’sworkroom。ThetradewasentirelynewtoFantine；shecouldnotbeveryskilfulatit，andshethereforeearnedbutlittlebyherday’swork；butitwassufficient；
　　theproblemwassolved；shewasearningherliving。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　MADAMEVICTURNIENEXPENDSTHIRTYFRANCSONMORALITY
　　WhenFantinesawthatshewasmakingherliving，shefeltjoyfulforamoment。Tolivehonestlybyherownlabor，whatmercyfromheaven！Thetasteforworkhadreallyreturnedtoher。
　　Sheboughtalooking—glass，tookpleasureinsurveyinginitheryouth，herbeautifulhair，herfineteeth；sheforgotmanythings；shethoughtonlyofCosetteandofthepossiblefuture，andwasalmosthappy。
　　Shehiredalittleroomandfurnishedoncreditonthestrengthofherfuturework——alingeringtraceofherimprovidentways。
　　Asshewasnotabletosaythatshewasmarriedshetookgoodcare，aswehaveseen，nottomentionherlittlegirl。
　　Atfirst，asthereaderhasseen，shepaidtheThenardierspromptly。
　　Assheonlyknewhowtosignhername，shewasobligedtowritethroughapublicletter—writer。
　　Shewroteoften，andthiswasnoticed。Itbegantobesaidinanundertone，inthewomen’sworkroom，thatFantine"wroteletters"
　　andthat"shehadwaysabouther。"
　　Thereisnooneforspyingonpeople’sactionslikethosewhoarenotconcernedinthem。Whydoesthatgentlemannevercomeexceptatnightfall？WhydoesMr。So—and—SoneverhanghiskeyonitsnailonTuesday？Whydoeshealwaystakethenarrowstreets？
　　WhydoesMadamealwaysdescendfromherhackney—coachbeforereachingherhouse？Whydoesshesendouttopurchasesixsheetsofnotepaper，whenshehasa"wholestationer’sshopfullofit？"
　　etc。Thereexistbeingswho，forthesakeofobtainingthekeytotheseenigmas，whichare，moreover，ofnoconsequencewhatevertothem，spendmoremoney，wastemoretime，takemoretrouble，thanwouldberequiredfortengoodactions，andthatgratuitously，fortheirownpleasure，withoutreceivinganyotherpaymentfortheircuriositythancuriosity。Theywillfollowupsuchandsuchamanorwomanforwholedays；theywilldosentrydutyforhoursatatimeonthecornersofthestreets，underalley—waydoorsatnight，incoldandrain；theywillbribeerrand—porters，theywillmakethedriversofhackney—coachesandlackeystipsy，buyawaiting—maid，subornaporter。Why？Fornoreason。
　　Apurepassionforseeing，knowing，andpenetratingintothings。
　　Apureitchfortalking。Andoftenthesesecretsonceknown，thesemysteriesmadepublic，theseenigmasilluminatedbythelightofday，bringoncatastrophies，duels，failures，theruinoffamilies，andbrokenlives，tothegreatjoyofthosewhohave"foundouteverything，"withoutanyinterestinthematter，andbypureinstinct。Asadthing。
　　Certainpersonsaremalicioussolelythroughanecessityfortalking。
　　Theirconversation，thechatofthedrawing—room，gossipoftheanteroom，islikethosechimneyswhichconsumewoodrapidly；
　　theyneedagreatamountofcombustibles；andtheircombustiblesarefurnishedbytheirneighbors。
　　SoFantinewaswatched。
　　Inaddition，manyaonewasjealousofhergoldenhairandofherwhiteteeth。
　　Itwasremarkedthatintheworkroomsheoftenturnedaside，inthemidstoftherest，towipeawayatear。Thesewerethemomentswhenshewasthinkingofherchild；perhaps，also，ofthemanwhomshehadloved。
　　Breakingthegloomybondsofthepastisamournfultask。
　　Itwasobservedthatshewrotetwiceamonthatleast，andthatshepaidthecarriageontheletter。Theymanagedtoobtaintheaddress:
　　Monsieur，MonsieurThenardier，inn—keeperatMontfermeil。
　　Thepublicwriter，agoodoldmanwhocouldnotfillhisstomachwithredwinewithoutemptyinghispocketofsecrets，wasmadetotalkinthewine—shop。Inshort，itwasdiscoveredthatFantinehadachild。
　　"Shemustbeaprettysortofawoman。"Anoldgossipwasfound，whomadethetriptoMontfermeil，talkedtotheThenardiers，andsaidonherreturn:"FormyfiveandthirtyfrancsIhavefreedmymind。
　　Ihaveseenthechild。"
　　ThegossipwhodidthisthingwasagorgonnamedMadameVicturnien，theguardiananddoor—keeperofeveryone’svirtue。
　　MadameVicturnienwasfifty—six，andre—enforcedthemaskofuglinesswiththemaskofage。Aquaveringvoice，awhimsicalmind。
　　Thisolddamehadoncebeenyoung——astonishingfact！Inheryouth，in’93，shehadmarriedamonkwhohadfledfromhiscloisterinaredcap，andpassedfromtheBernardinestotheJacobins。
　　Shewasdry，rough，peevish，sharp，captious，almostvenomous；
　　allthisinmemoryofhermonk，whosewidowshewas，andwhohadruledoverhermasterfullyandbenthertohiswill。
　　Shewasanettleinwhichtherustleofthecassockwasvisible。
　　AttheRestorationshehadturnedbigot，andthatwithsomuchenergythatthepriestshadforgivenherhermonk。Shehadasmallproperty，whichshebequeathedwithmuchostentationtoareligiouscommunity。
　　ShewasinhighfavorattheepiscopalpalaceofArras。SothisMadameVicturnienwenttoMontfermeil，andreturnedwiththeremark，"Ihaveseenthechild。"
　　Allthistooktime。Fantinehadbeenatthefactoryformorethanayear，when，onemorning，thesuperintendentoftheworkroomhandedherfiftyfrancsfromthemayor，toldherthatshewasnolongeremployedintheshop，andrequestedher，inthemayor’sname，toleavetheneighborhood。
　　ThiswastheverymonthwhentheThenardiers，afterhavingdemandedtwelvefrancsinsteadofsix，hadjustexactedfifteenfrancsinsteadoftwelve。
　　Fantinewasoverwhelmed。Shecouldnotleavetheneighborhood；
　　shewasindebtforherrentandfurniture。Fiftyfrancswasnotsufficienttocancelthisdebt。Shestammeredafewsupplicatingwords。
　　Thesuperintendentorderedhertoleavetheshopontheinstant。
　　Besides，Fantinewasonlyamoderatelygoodworkwoman。
　　Overcomewithshame，evenmorethanwithdespair，shequittedtheshop，andreturnedtoherroom。Soherfaultwasnowknowntoeveryone。
　　Shenolongerfeltstrongenoughtosayaword。Shewasadvisedtoseethemayor；shedidnotdare。Themayorhadgivenherfiftyfrancsbecausehewasgood，andhaddismissedherbecausehewasjust。
　　Shebowedbeforethedecision。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　MADAMEVICTURNIEN’SSUCCESS
　　Sothemonk’swidowwasgoodforsomething。
　　ButM。Madeleinehadheardnothingofallthis。Lifeisfullofjustsuchcombinationsofevents。M。Madeleinewasinthehabitofalmostneverenteringthewomen’sworkroom。
　　Attheheadofthisroomhehadplacedanelderlyspinster，whomthepriesthadprovidedforhim，andhehadfullconfidenceinthissuperintendent，——atrulyrespectableperson，firm，equitable，upright，fullofthecharitywhichconsistsingiving，butnothavinginthesamedegreethatcharitywhichconsistsinunderstandingandinforgiving。M。Madeleinereliedwhollyonher。Thebestmenareoftenobligedtodelegatetheirauthority。Itwaswiththisfullpower，andtheconvictionthatshewasdoingright，thatthesuperintendenthadinstitutedthesuit，judged，condemned，andexecutedFantine。
　　Asregardsthefiftyfrancs，shehadgiventhemfromafundwhichM。Madeleinehadintrustedtoherforcharitablepurposes，andforgivingassistancetotheworkwomen，andofwhichsherenderednoaccount。
　　Fantinetriedtoobtainasituationasaservantintheneighborhood；
　　shewentfromhousetohouse。Noonewouldhaveher。Shecouldnotleavetown。Thesecond—handdealer，towhomshewasindebtforherfurniture——andwhatfurniture！——saidtoher，"Ifyouleave，Iwillhaveyouarrestedasathief。"Thehouseholder，whomsheowedforherrent，saidtoher，"Youareyoungandpretty；
　　youcanpay。"Shedividedthefiftyfrancsbetweenthelandlordandthefurniture—dealer，returnedtothelatterthree—quartersofhisgoods，keptonlynecessaries，andfoundherselfwithoutwork，withoutatrade，withnothingbutherbed，andstillaboutfiftyfrancsindebt。
　　Shebegantomakecoarseshirtsforsoldiersofthegarrison，andearnedtwelvesousaday。Herdaughtercostherten。ItwasatthispointthatshebegantopaytheThenardiersirregularly。
　　However，theoldwomanwholightedhercandleforherwhenshereturnedatnight，taughthertheartoflivinginmisery。
　　Backoflivingonlittle，thereisthelivingonnothing。
　　Thesearethetwochambers；thefirstisdark，thesecondisblack。
　　Fantinelearnedhowtolivewithoutfireentirelyinthewinter；
　　howtogiveupabirdwhicheatsahalfafarthing’sworthofmilleteverytwodays；howtomakeacoverletofone’spetticoat，andapetticoatofone’scoverlet；howtosaveone’scandle，bytakingone’smealsbythelightoftheoppositewindow。
　　Nooneknowsallthatcertainfeeblecreatures，whohavegrownoldinprivationandhonesty，cangetoutofasou。Itendsbybeingatalent。Fantineacquiredthissublimetalent，andregainedalittlecourage。
　　Atthisepochshesaidtoaneighbor，"Bah！Isaytomyself，byonlysleepingfivehours，andworkingalltherestofthetimeatmysewing，Ishallalwaysmanagetonearlyearnmybread。And，then，whenoneissad，oneeatsless。Well，sufferings，uneasiness，alittlebreadononehand，troubleontheother，——allthiswillsupportme。"
　　Itwouldhavebeenagreathappinesstohaveherlittlegirlwithherinthisdistress。Shethoughtofhavinghercome。Butwhatthen！
　　Makehershareherowndestitution！Andthen，shewasindebttotheThenardiers！Howcouldshepaythem？Andthejourney！
　　Howpayforthat？
　　Theoldwomanwhohadgivenherlessonsinwhatmaybecalledthelifeofindigence，wasasaintedspinsternamedMarguerite，whowaspiouswithatruepiety，poorandcharitabletowardsthepoor，andeventowardstherich，knowinghowtowritejustsufficientlytosignherselfMarguerite，andbelievinginGod，whichisscience。
　　Therearemanysuchvirtuouspeopleinthislowerworld；somedaytheywillbeintheworldabove。Thislifehasamorrow。
　　Atfirst，Fantinehadbeensoashamedthatshehadnotdaredtogoout。
　　Whenshewasinthestreet，shedivinedthatpeopleturnedroundbehindher，andpointedather；everyonestaredatherandnoonegreetedher；thecoldandbitterscornofthepassers—bypenetratedherveryfleshandsoullikeanorthwind。
　　Itseemsasthoughanunfortunatewomanwereutterlybarebeneaththesarcasmandthecuriosityofallinsmalltowns。InParis，atleast，nooneknowsyou，andthisobscurityisagarment。
　　Oh！howshewouldhavelikedtobetakeherselftoParis！Impossible！
　　Shewasobligedtoaccustomherselftodisrepute，asshehadaccustomedherselftoindigence。Graduallyshedecidedonhercourse。
　　Attheexpirationoftwoorthreemonthssheshookoffhershame，andbegantogoaboutasthoughtherewerenothingthematter。
　　"Itisallthesametome，"shesaid。
　　Shewentandcame，bearingherheadwellup，withabittersmile，andwasconsciousthatshewasbecomingbrazen—faced。
　　MadameVicturniensometimessawherpassing，fromherwindow，noticedthedistressof"thatcreature"who，"thankstoher，"
　　hadbeen"putbackinherproperplace，"andcongratulatedherself。
　　Thehappinessoftheevil—mindedisblack。
　　ExcessoftoilworeoutFantine，andthelittledrycoughwhichtroubledherincreased。Shesometimessaidtoherneighbor，Marguerite，"Justfeelhowhotmyhandsare！"
　　Nevertheless，whenshecombedherbeautifulhairinthemorningwithanoldbrokencomb，anditflowedaboutherlikeflosssilk，sheexperiencedamomentofhappycoquetry。