Hefumbledinhispocket，drewouthispurse，openedit，andtookoutasmallkey；heinsertedthekeyinalockwhoseaperturecouldhardlybeseen，sohiddenwasitinthemostsombretonesofthedesignwhichcoveredthewall—paper；asecretreceptacleopened，asortoffalsecupboardconstructedintheanglebetweenthewallandthechimney—piece；inthishiding—placethereweresomerags——
　　abluelinenblouse，anoldpairoftrousers，anoldknapsack，andahugethorncudgelshodwithironatbothends。ThosewhohadseenJeanValjeanattheepochwhenhepassedthroughD————
　　inOctober，1815，couldeasilyhaverecognizedallthepiecesofthismiserableoutfit。
　　Hehadpreservedthemashehadpreservedthesilvercandlesticks，inordertoremindhimselfcontinuallyofhisstarting—point，buthehadconcealedallthatcamefromthegalleys，andhehadallowedthecandlestickswhichcamefromtheBishoptobeseen。
　　Hecastafurtiveglancetowardsthedoor，asthoughhefearedthatitwouldopeninspiteoftheboltwhichfastenedit；then，withaquickandabruptmovement，hetookthewholeinhisarmsatonce，withoutbestowingsomuchasaglanceonthethingswhichhehadsoreligiouslyandsoperilouslypreservedforsomanyyears，andflungthemall，rags，cudgel，knapsack，intothefire。
　　Heclosedthefalsecupboardagain，andwithredoubledprecautions，henceforthunnecessary，sinceitwasnowempty，heconcealedthedoorbehindaheavypieceoffurniture，whichhepushedinfrontofit。
　　Afterthelapseofafewseconds，theroomandtheoppositewallwerelightedupwithafierce，red，tremulousglow。Everythingwasonfire；thethorncudgelsnappedandthrewoutsparkstothemiddleofthechamber。
　　Astheknapsackwasconsumed，togetherwiththehideousragswhichitcontained，itrevealedsomethingwhichsparkledintheashes。
　　Bybendingover，onecouldhavereadilyrecognizedacoin，——nodoubttheforty—soupiecestolenfromthelittleSavoyard。
　　Hedidnotlookatthefire，butpacedbackandforthwiththesamestep。
　　Allatoncehiseyefellonthetwosilvercandlesticks，whichshonevaguelyonthechimney—piece，throughtheglow。
　　"Hold！"hethought；"thewholeofJeanValjeanisstillinthem。
　　Theymustbedestroyedalso。"
　　Heseizedthetwocandlesticks。
　　Therewasstillfireenoughtoallowoftheirbeingputoutofshape，andconvertedintoasortofunrecognizablebarofmetal。
　　Hebentoverthehearthandwarmedhimselfforamoment。Hefeltasenseofrealcomfort。"Howgoodwarmthis！"saidhe。
　　Hestirredthelivecoalswithoneofthecandlesticks。
　　Aminutemore，andtheywerebothinthefire。
　　Atthatmomentitseemedtohimthatheheardavoicewithinhimshouting:"JeanValjean！JeanValjean！"
　　Hishairroseupright:hebecamelikeamanwhoislisteningtosometerriblething。
　　"Yes，that’sit！finish！"saidthevoice。"Completewhatyouareabout！Destroythesecandlesticks！Annihilatethissouvenir！
　　ForgettheBishop！Forgeteverything！DestroythisChampmathieu，do！
　　Thatisright！Applaudyourself！Soitissettled，resolved，fixed，agreed:hereisanoldmanwhodoesnotknowwhatiswantedofhim，whohas，perhaps，donenothing，aninnocentman，whosewholemisfortuneliesinyourname，uponwhomyournameweighslikeacrime，whoisabouttobetakenforyou，whowillbecondemned，whowillfinishhisdaysinabjectnessandhorror。Thatisgood！
　　Beanhonestmanyourself；remainMonsieurleMaire；remainhonorableandhonored；enrichthetown；nourishtheindigent；reartheorphan；
　　livehappy，virtuous，andadmired；and，duringthistime，whileyouarehereinthemidstofjoyandlight，therewillbeamanwhowillwearyourredblouse，whowillbearyournameinignominy，andwhowilldragyourchaininthegalleys。Yes，itiswellarrangedthus。Ah，wretch！"
　　Theperspirationstreamedfromhisbrow。Hefixedahaggardeyeonthecandlesticks。Butthatwithinhimwhichhadspokenhadnotfinished。Thevoicecontinued:——
　　"JeanValjean，therewillbearoundyoumanyvoices，whichwillmakeagreatnoise，whichwilltalkveryloud，andwhichwillblessyou，andonlyonewhichnoonewillhear，andwhichwillcurseyouinthedark。Well！listen，infamousman！Allthosebenedictionswillfallbackbeforetheyreachheaven，andonlythemaledictionwillascendtoGod。"
　　Thisvoice，feebleatfirst，andwhichhadproceededfromthemostobscuredepthsofhisconscience，hadgraduallybecomestartlingandformidable，andhenowhearditinhisveryear。Itseemedtohimthatithaddetacheditselffromhim，andthatitwasnowspeakingoutsideofhim。Hethoughtthatheheardthelastwordssodistinctly，thatheglancedaroundtheroominasortofterror。
　　"Isthereanyonehere？"hedemandedaloud，inutterbewilderment。
　　Thenheresumed，withalaughwhichresembledthatofanidiot:——
　　"HowstupidIam！Therecanbenoone！"
　　Therewassomeone；butthepersonwhowastherewasofthosewhomthehumaneyecannotsee。
　　Heplacedthecandlesticksonthechimney—piece。
　　Thenheresumedhismonotonousandlugubrioustramp，whichtroubledthedreamsofthesleepingmanbeneathhim，andawokehimwithastart。
　　Thistrampingtoandfrosoothedandatthesametimeintoxicatedhim。
　　Itsometimesseems，onsupremeoccasions，asthoughpeoplemovedaboutforthepurposeofaskingadviceofeverythingthattheymayencounterbychangeofplace。Afterthelapseofafewminuteshenolongerknewhisposition。
　　Henowrecoiledinequalterrorbeforeboththeresolutionsatwhichhehadarrivedinturn。Thetwoideaswhichcounselledhimappearedtohimequallyfatal。Whatafatality！WhatconjunctionthatthatChampmathieushouldhavebeentakenforhim；tobeoverwhelmedbypreciselythemeanswhichProvidenceseemedtohaveemployed，atfirst，tostrengthenhisposition！
　　Therewasamomentwhenhereflectedonthefuture。Denouncehimself，greatGod！Deliverhimselfup！Withimmensedespairhefacedallthatheshouldbeobligedtoleave，allthatheshouldbeobligedtotakeuponcemore。Heshouldhavetobidfarewelltothatexistencewhichwassogood，sopure，soradiant，totherespectofall，tohonor，toliberty。Heshouldnevermorestrollinthefields；
　　heshouldnevermorehearthebirdssinginthemonthofMay；
　　heshouldnevermorebestowalmsonthelittlechildren；
　　heshouldnevermoreexperiencethesweetnessofhavingglancesofgratitudeandlovefixeduponhim；heshouldquitthathousewhichhehadbuilt，thatlittlechamber！Everythingseemedcharmingtohimatthatmoment。Neveragainshouldhereadthosebooks；
　　nevermoreshouldhewriteonthatlittletableofwhitewood；
　　hisoldportress，theonlyservantwhomhekept，wouldnevermorebringhimhiscoffeeinthemorning。GreatGod！insteadofthat，theconvictgang，theironnecklet，theredwaistcoat，thechainonhisankle，fatigue，thecell，thecampbedallthosehorrorswhichheknewsowell！Athisage，afterhavingbeenwhathewas！
　　Ifhewereonlyyoungagain！buttobeaddressedinhisoldageas"thou"byanyonewhopleased；tobesearchedbytheconvict—guard；
　　toreceivethegalley—sergeant’scudgellings；toweariron—boundshoesonhisbarefeet；tohavetostretchouthislegnightandmorningtothehammeroftheroundsmanwhovisitsthegang；
　　tosubmittothecuriosityofstrangers，whowouldbetold:"ThatmanyonderisthefamousJeanValjean，whowasmayorofM。surM。"；
　　andatnight，drippingwithperspiration，overwhelmedwithlassitude，theirgreencapsdrawnovertheireyes，toremount，twobytwo，theladderstaircaseofthegalleysbeneaththesergeant’swhip。
　　Oh，whatmisery！Candestiny，then，beasmaliciousasanintelligentbeing，andbecomeasmonstrousasthehumanheart？
　　Anddowhathewould，healwaysfellbackupontheheartrendingdilemmawhichlayatthefoundationofhisrevery:"Shouldheremaininparadiseandbecomeademon？Shouldhereturntohellandbecomeanangel？"
　　Whatwastobedone？GreatGod！whatwastobedone？
　　Thetormentfromwhichhehadescapedwithsomuchdifficultywasunchainedafreshwithinhim。Hisideasbegantogrowconfusedoncemore；theyassumedakindofstupefiedandmechanicalqualitywhichispeculiartodespair。ThenameofRomainvillerecurredincessantlytohismind，withthetwoversesofasongwhichhehadheardinthepast。HethoughtthatRomainvillewasalittlegrovenearParis，whereyoungloversgotoplucklilacsinthemonthofApril。
　　Hewaveredoutwardlyaswellasinwardly。Hewalkedlikealittlechildwhoispermittedtotoddlealone。
　　Atintervals，ashecombatedhislassitude，hemadeanefforttorecoverthemasteryofhismind。Hetriedtoputtohimself，forthelasttime，anddefinitely，theproblemoverwhichhehad，inamanner，fallenprostratewithfatigue:Oughthetodenouncehimself？Oughthetoholdhispeace？Hecouldnotmanagetoseeanythingdistinctly。Thevagueaspectsofallthecoursesofreasoningwhichhadbeensketchedoutbyhismeditationsquiveredandvanished，oneaftertheother，intosmoke。Heonlyfeltthat，towhatevercourseofactionhemadeuphismind，somethinginhimmustdie，andthatofnecessity，andwithouthisbeingabletoescapethefact；thathewasenteringasepulchreontherighthandasmuchasontheleft；thathewaspassingthroughadeathagony，——
　　theagonyofhishappiness，ortheagonyofhisvirtue。
　　Alas！allhisresolutionhadagaintakenpossessionofhim。
　　Hewasnofurtheradvancedthanatthebeginning。
　　Thusdidthisunhappysoulstruggleinitsanguish。
　　Eighteenhundredyearsbeforethisunfortunateman，themysteriousBeinginwhomaresummedupallthesanctitiesandallthesufferingsofhumanityhadalsolongthrustasidewithhishand，whiletheolive—treesquiveredinthewildwindoftheinfinite，theterriblecupwhichappearedtoHimdrippingwithdarknessandoverflowingwithshadowsinthedepthsallstuddedwithstars。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　FORMSASSUMEDBYSUFFERINGDURINGSLEEP
　　Threeo’clockinthemorninghadjuststruck，andhehadbeenwalkingthusforfivehours，almostuninterruptedly，whenheatlengthallowedhimselftodropintohischair。
　　Therehefellasleepandhadadream。
　　Thisdream，likethemajorityofdreams，borenorelationtothesituation，exceptbyitspainfulandheart—rendingcharacter，butitmadeanimpressiononhim。Thisnightmarestruckhimsoforciblythathewroteitdownlateron。Itisoneofthepapersinhisownhandwritingwhichhehasbequeathedtous。Wethinkthatwehaveherereproducedthethinginstrictaccordancewiththetext。
　　Ofwhatevernaturethisdreammaybe，thehistoryofthisnightwouldbeincompleteifweweretoomitit:itisthegloomyadventureofanailingsoul。
　　Hereitis。Ontheenvelopewefindthislineinscribed，"TheDreamIhadthatNight。"
　　"Iwasinaplain；avast，gloomyplain，wheretherewasnograss。
　　Itdidnotseemtometobedaylightnoryetnight。
　　"Iwaswalkingwithmybrother，thebrotherofmychildishyears，thebrotherofwhom，Imustsay，Ineverthink，andwhomInowhardlyremember。
　　"Wewereconversingandwemetsomepassers—by。Weweretalkingofaneighborofoursinformerdays，whohadalwaysworkedwithherwindowopenfromthetimewhenshecametoliveonthestreet。
　　Aswetalkedwefeltcoldbecauseofthatopenwindow。
　　"Therewerenotreesintheplain。Wesawamanpassingclosetous。
　　Hewasentirelynude，ofthehueofashes，andmountedonahorsewhichwasearthcolor。Themanhadnohair；wecouldseehisskullandtheveinsonit。Inhishandheheldaswitchwhichwasassuppleasavine—shootandasheavyasiron。Thishorsemanpassedandsaidnothingtous。
　　"Mybrothersaidtome，`Letustaketothehollowroad。’
　　"Thereexistedahollowwaywhereinonesawneitherasingleshrubnoraspearofmoss。Everythingwasdirt—colored，eventhesky。
　　Afterproceedingafewpaces，IreceivednoreplywhenIspoke:
　　Iperceivedthatmybrotherwasnolongerwithme。
　　"IenteredavillagewhichIespied。IreflectedthatitmustbeRomainville。（WhyRomainville？）[5]
　　[5]ThisparenthesisisduetoJeanValjean。
　　"ThefirststreetthatIenteredwasdeserted。Ienteredasecondstreet。Behindtheangleformedbythetwostreets，amanwasstandingerectagainstthewall。IsaidtothisMan:——
　　"`Whatcountryisthis？WhereamI？’Themanmadenoreply。
　　Isawthedoorofahouseopen，andIentered。
　　"Thefirstchamberwasdeserted。Ienteredthesecond。Behindthedoorofthischamberamanwasstandingerectagainstthewall。
　　Iinquiredofthisman，`Whosehouseisthis？WhereamI？’
　　Themanrepliednot。
　　"Thehousehadagarden。Iquittedthehouseandenteredthegarden。
　　Thegardenwasdeserted。BehindthefirsttreeIfoundamanstandingupright。Isaidtothisman，`Whatgardenisthis？
　　WhereamI？’Themandidnotanswer。
　　"Istrolledintothevillage，andperceivedthatitwasatown。
　　Allthestreetsweredeserted，allthedoorswereopen。Notasinglelivingbeingwaspassinginthestreets，walkingthroughthechambersorstrollinginthegardens。Butbehindeachangleofthewalls，behindeachdoor，behindeachtree，stoodasilentman。Onlyonewastobeseenatatime。Thesemenwatchedmepass。
　　"Ileftthetownandbegantorambleaboutthefields。
　　"AfterthelapseofsometimeIturnedbackandsawagreatcrowdcomingupbehindme。IrecognizedallthemenwhomIhadseeninthattown。
　　Theyhadstrangeheads。Theydidnotseemtobeinahurry，yettheywalkedfasterthanIdid。Theymadenonoiseastheywalked。
　　Inaninstantthiscrowdhadovertakenandsurroundedme。
　　Thefacesofthesemenwereeartheninhue。
　　"ThenthefirstonewhomIhadseenandquestionedonenteringthetownsaidtome:——
　　"`Whitherareyougoing！Doyounotknowthatyouhavebeendeadthislongtime？’
　　"Iopenedmymouthtoreply，andIperceivedthattherewasnoonenearme。"
　　Hewoke。Hewasicycold。Awindwhichwaschilllikethebreezeofdawnwasrattlingtheleavesofthewindow，whichhadbeenleftopenontheirhinges。Thefirewasout。Thecandlewasnearingitsend。Itwasstillblacknight。
　　Herose，hewenttothewindow。Therewerenostarsintheskyevenyet。
　　Fromhiswindowtheyardofthehouseandthestreetwerevisible。
　　Asharp，harshnoise，whichmadehimdrophiseyes，resoundedfromtheearth。
　　Belowhimheperceivedtworedstars，whoserayslengthenedandshortenedinasingularmannerthroughthedarkness。
　　Ashisthoughtswerestillhalfimmersedinthemistsofsleep，"Hold！"saidhe，"therearenostarsinthesky。Theyareonearthnow。"
　　Butthisconfusionvanished；asecondsoundsimilartothefirstrousedhimthoroughly；helookedandrecognizedthefactthatthesetwostarswerethelanternsofacarriage。Bythelightwhichtheycasthewasabletodistinguishtheformofthisvehicle。
　　Itwasatilburyharnessedtoasmallwhitehorse。Thenoisewhichhehadheardwasthetramplingofthehorse’shoofsonthepavement。
　　"Whatvehicleisthis？"hesaidtohimself。"Whoiscomingheresoearlyinthemorning？"
　　Atthatmomenttherecamealighttaponthedoorofhischamber。
　　Heshudderedfromheadtofoot，andcriedinaterriblevoice:——
　　"Whoisthere？"
　　Someonesaid:——
　　"I，MonsieurleMaire。"
　　Herecognizedthevoiceoftheoldwomanwhowashisportress。
　　"Well！"hereplied，"whatisit？"
　　"MonsieurleMaire，itisjustfiveo’clockinthemorning。"
　　"Whatisthattome？"
　　"Thecabrioletishere，MonsieurleMaire。"
　　"Whatcabriolet？"
　　"Thetilbury。"
　　"Whattilbury？"
　　"DidnotMonsieurleMaireorderatilbury？"
　　"No，"saidhe。
　　"ThecoachmansaysthathehascomeforMonsieurleMaire。"
　　"Whatcoachman？"
　　"M。Scaufflaire’scoachman。"
　　"M。Scaufflaire？"
　　Thatnamesentashudderoverhim，asthoughaflashoflightninghadpassedinfrontofhisface。
　　"Ah！yes，"heresumed；"M。Scaufflaire！"
　　Iftheoldwomancouldhaveseenhimatthatmoment，shewouldhavebeenfrightened。
　　Atolerablylongsilenceensued。Heexaminedtheflameofthecandlewithastupidair，andfromaroundthewickhetooksomeoftheburningwax，whichherolledbetweenhisfingers。Theoldwomanwaitedforhim。Sheevenventuredtouplifthervoiceoncemore:——
　　"WhatamItosay，MonsieurleMaire？"
　　"Saythatitiswell，andthatIamcomingdown。"
　　CHAPTERV
　　HINDRANCES
　　ThepostingservicefromArrastoM。surM。wasstilloperatedatthisperiodbysmallmail—wagonsofthetimeoftheEmpire。
　　Thesemail—wagonsweretwo—wheeledcabriolets，upholsteredinsidewithfawn—coloredleather，hungonsprings，andhavingbuttwoseats，oneforthepostboy，theotherforthetraveller。Thewheelswerearmedwiththoselong，offensiveaxleswhichkeepothervehiclesatadistance，andwhichmaystillbeseenontheroadinGermany。
　　Thedespatchbox，animmenseoblongcoffer，wasplacedbehindthevehicleandformedapartofit。Thiscofferwaspaintedblack，andthecabrioletyellow。
　　Thesevehicles，whichhavenocounterpartsnowadays，hadsomethingdistortedandhunchbackedaboutthem；andwhenonesawthempassinginthedistance，andclimbingupsomeroadtothehorizon，theyresembledtheinsectswhicharecalled，Ithink，termites，andwhich，thoughwithbutlittlecorselet，dragagreattrainbehindthem。
　　Buttheytravelledataveryrapidrate。Thepost—wagonwhichsetoutfromArrasatoneo’clockeverynight，afterthemailfromParishadpassed，arrivedatM。surM。alittlebeforefiveo’clockinthemorning。
　　ThatnightthewagonwhichwasdescendingtoM。surM。bytheHesdinroad，collidedatthecornerofastreet，justasitwasenteringthetown，withalittletilburyharnessedtoawhitehorse，whichwasgoingintheoppositedirection，andinwhichtherewasbutoneperson，amanenvelopedinamantle。Thewheelofthetilburyreceivedquiteaviolentshock。Thepostmanshoutedtothemantostop，butthetravellerpaidnoheedandpursuedhisroadatfullgallop。
　　"Thatmanisinadevilishhurry！"saidthepostman。
　　Themanthushasteningonwastheonewhomwehavejustseenstrugglinginconvulsionswhicharecertainlydeservingofpity。
　　Whitherwashegoing？Hecouldnothavetold。Whywashehastening？
　　Hedidnotknow。Hewasdrivingatrandom，straightahead。Whither？
　　ToArras，nodoubt；buthemighthavebeengoingelsewhereaswell。
　　Attimeshewasconsciousofit，andheshuddered。Heplungedintothenightasintoagulf。Somethingurgedhimforward；somethingdrewhimon。Noonecouldhavetoldwhatwastakingplacewithinhim；
　　everyonewillunderstandit。Whatmanistherewhohasnotentered，atleastonceinhislife，intothatobscurecavernoftheunknown？
　　However，hehadresolvedonnothing，decidednothing，formednoplan，donenothing。Noneoftheactionsofhisconsciencehadbeendecisive。
　　Hewas，morethanever，ashehadbeenatthefirstmoment。
　　WhywashegoingtoArras？
　　HerepeatedwhathehadalreadysaidtohimselfwhenhehadhiredScaufflaire’scabriolet:that，whatevertheresultwastobe，therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldnotseewithhisowneyes，andjudgeofmattersforhimself；thatthiswasevenprudent；
　　thathemustknowwhattookplace；thatnodecisioncouldbearrivedatwithouthavingobservedandscrutinized；thatonemademountainsoutofeverythingfromadistance；that，atanyrate，whenheshouldhaveseenthatChampmathieu，somewretch，hisconsciencewouldprobablybegreatlyrelievedtoallowhimtogotothegalleysinhisstead；thatJavertwouldindeedbethere；andthatBrevet，thatChenildieu，thatCochepaille，oldconvictswhohadknownhim；
　　buttheycertainlywouldnotrecognizehim；——bah！whatanidea！
　　thatJavertwasahundredleaguesfromsuspectingthetruth；
　　thatallconjecturesandallsuppositionswerefixedonChampmathieu，andthatthereisnothingsoheadstrongassuppositionsandconjectures；
　　thataccordinglytherewasnodanger。
　　Thatitwas，nodoubt，adarkmoment，butthatheshouldemergefromit；that，afterall，heheldhisdestiny，howeverbaditmightbe，inhisownhand；thathewasmasterofit。Heclungtothisthought。
　　Atbottom，totellthewholetruth，hewouldhavepreferrednottogotoArras。
　　Nevertheless，hewasgoingthither。
　　Ashemeditated，hewhippeduphishorse，whichwasproceedingatthatfine，regular，andeventrotwhichaccomplishestwoleaguesandahalfanhour。
　　Inproportionasthecabrioletadvanced，hefeltsomethingwithinhimdrawback。
　　Atdaybreakhewasintheopencountry；thetownofM。surM。layfarbehindhim。Hewatchedthehorizongrowwhite；hestaredatallthechillyfiguresofawinter’sdawnastheypassedbeforehiseyes，butwithoutseeingthem。Themorninghasitsspectresaswellastheevening。Hedidnotseethem；butwithouthisbeingawareofit，andbymeansofasortofpenetrationwhichwasalmostphysical，theseblacksilhouettesoftreesandofhillsaddedsomegloomyandsinisterqualitytotheviolentstateofhissoul。
　　Eachtimethathepassedoneofthoseisolateddwellingswhichsometimesborderonthehighway，hesaidtohimself，"Andyettherearepeopletherewithinwhoaresleeping！"
　　Thetrotofthehorse，thebellsontheharness，thewheelsontheroad，producedagentle，monotonousnoise。Thesethingsarecharmingwhenoneisjoyous，andlugubriouswhenoneissad。
　　ItwasbroaddaylightwhenhearrivedatHesdin。Hehaltedinfrontoftheinn，toallowthehorseabreathingspell，andtohavehimgivensomeoats。
　　Thehorsebelonged，asScaufflairehadsaid，tothatsmallraceoftheBoulonnais，whichhastoomuchhead，toomuchbelly，andnotenoughneckandshoulders，butwhichhasabroadchest，alargecrupper，thin，finelegs，andsolidhoofs——ahomely，butarobustandhealthyrace。Theexcellentbeasthadtravelledfiveleaguesintwohours，andhadnotadropofsweatonhisloins。
　　Hedidnotgetoutofthetilbury。Thestablemanwhobroughttheoatssuddenlybentdownandexaminedtheleftwheel。
　　"Areyougoingfarinthiscondition？"saidtheman。
　　Hereplied，withanairofnothavingrousedhimselffromhisrevery:——
　　"Why？"
　　"Haveyoucomefromagreatdistance？"wentontheman。
　　"Fiveleagues。"
　　"Ah！"
　　"Whydoyousay，`Ah？’"
　　Themanbentdownoncemore，wassilentforamoment，withhiseyesfixedonthewheel；thenheroseerectandsaid:——
　　"Because，thoughthiswheelhastravelledfiveleagues，itcertainlywillnottravelanotherquarterofaleague。"
　　Hesprangoutofthetilbury。
　　"Whatisthatyousay，myfriend？"
　　"Isaythatitisamiraclethatyoushouldhavetravelledfiveleagueswithoutyouandyourhorserollingintosomeditchonthehighway。
　　Justseehere！"
　　Thewheelreallyhadsufferedseriousdamage。Theshockadministeredbythemail—wagonhadsplittwospokesandstrainedthehub，sothatthenutnolongerheldfirm。
　　"Myfriend，"hesaidtothestableman，"isthereawheelwrighthere？"
　　"Certainly，sir。"
　　"Dometheservicetogoandfetchhim。"
　　"Heisonlyastepfromhere。Hey！MasterBourgaillard！"
　　MasterBourgaillard，thewheelwright，wasstandingonhisownthreshold。
　　Hecame，examinedthewheelandmadeagrimacelikeasurgeonwhenthelatterthinksalimbisbroken。
　　"Canyourepairthiswheelimmediately？"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"WhencanIsetoutagain？"
　　"To—morrow。"
　　"To—morrow！"
　　"Thereisalongday’sworkonit。Areyouinahurry，sir？"
　　"Inaverygreathurry。Imustsetoutagaininanhouratthelatest。"
　　"Impossible，sir。"
　　"Iwillpaywhateveryouask。"
　　"Impossible。"
　　"Well，intwohours，then。"
　　"Impossibleto—day。Twonewspokesandahubmustbemade。
　　Monsieurwillnotbeabletostartbeforeto—morrowmorning。"
　　"Themattercannotwaituntilto—morrow。Whatifyouweretoreplacethiswheelinsteadofrepairingit？"
　　"Howso？"
　　"Youareawheelwright？"
　　"Certainly，sir。"
　　"Haveyounotawheelthatyoucansellme？ThenIcouldstartagainatonce。"
　　"Asparewheel？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Ihavenowheelonhandthatwouldfityourcabriolet。Twowheelsmakeapair。Twowheelscannotbeputtogetherhap—hazard。"
　　"Inthatcase，sellmeapairofwheels。"
　　"Notallwheelsfitallaxles，sir。"
　　"Try，nevertheless。"
　　"Itisuseless，sir。Ihavenothingtosellbutcart—wheels。Wearebutapoorcountryhere。"
　　"Haveyouacabrioletthatyoucanletmehave？"
　　Thewheelwrighthadseenatthefirstglancethatthetilburywasahiredvehicle。Heshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Youtreatthecabrioletsthatpeopleletyousowell！IfIhadone，Iwouldnotletittoyou！"
　　"Well，sellittome，then。"
　　"Ihavenone。"
　　"What！notevenaspring—cart？Iamnothardtoplease，asyousee。"
　　"Weliveinapoorcountry。Thereis，intruth，"addedthewheelwright，"anoldcalashundertheshedyonder，whichbelongstoabourgeoisofthetown，whogaveittometotakecareof，andwhoonlyusesitonthethirty—sixthofthemonth——never，thatistosay。Imightletthattoyou，forwhatmattersittome？Butthebourgeoismustnotseeitpass——andthen，itisacalash；itwouldrequiretwohorses。"
　　"Iwilltaketwopost—horses。"
　　"WhereisMonsieurgoing？"
　　"ToArras。"
　　"AndMonsieurwishestoreachthereto—day？"
　　"Yes，ofcourse。"
　　"Bytakingtwopost—horses？"
　　"Whynot？"
　　"DoesitmakeanydifferencewhetherMonsieurarrivesatfouro’clockto—morrowmorning？"
　　"Certainlynot。"
　　"Thereisonethingtobesaidaboutthat，yousee，bytakingpost—horses——
　　Monsieurhashispassport？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Well，bytakingpost—horses，MonsieurcannotreachArrasbeforeto—morrow。Weareonacross—road。Therelaysarebadlyserved，thehorsesareinthefields。Theseasonforploughingisjustbeginning；heavyteamsarerequired，andhorsesareseizeduponeverywhere，fromthepostaswellaselsewhere。Monsieurwillhavetowaitthreeorfourhoursattheleastateveryrelay。
　　And，then，theydriveatawalk。Therearemanyhillstoascend。"
　　"Comethen，Iwillgoonhorseback。Unharnessthecabriolet。
　　Someonecansurelysellmeasaddleintheneighborhood。"
　　"Withoutdoubt。Butwillthishorsebearthesaddle？"
　　"Thatistrue；youremindmeofthat；hewillnotbearit。"
　　"Then——"
　　"ButIcansurelyhireahorseinthevillage？"
　　"AhorsetotraveltoArrasatonestretch？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Thatwouldrequiresuchahorseasdoesnotexistintheseparts。
　　Youwouldhavetobuyittobeginwith，becausenooneknowsyou。
　　Butyouwillnotfindoneforsalenortolet，forfivehundredfrancs，orforathousand。"
　　"WhatamItodo？"
　　"Thebestthingistoletmerepairthewheellikeanhonestman，andsetoutonyourjourneyto—morrow。"
　　"To—morrowwillbetoolate。"
　　"Thedeuce！"
　　"Istherenotamail—wagonwhichrunstoArras？Whenwillitpass？"
　　"To—night。Boththepostspassatnight；theonegoingaswellastheonecoming。"
　　"What！Itwilltakeyouadaytomendthiswheel？"
　　"Aday，andagoodlongone。"
　　"Ifyousettwomentowork？"
　　"IfIsettenmentowork。"
　　"Whatifthespokesweretobetiedtogetherwithropes？"
　　"Thatcouldbedonewiththespokes，notwiththehub；andthefellyisinabadstate，too。"
　　"Isthereanyoneinthisvillagewholetsoutteams？"
　　"No。"
　　"Isthereanotherwheelwright？"
　　Thestablemanandthewheelwrightrepliedinconcert，withatossofthehead"No。"
　　Hefeltanimmensejoy。
　　ItwasevidentthatProvidencewasintervening。Thatitwasitwhohadbrokenthewheelofthetilburyandwhowasstoppinghimontheroad。Hehadnotyieldedtothissortoffirstsummons；
　　hehadjustmadeeverypossibleefforttocontinuethejourney；
　　hehadloyallyandscrupulouslyexhaustedallmeans；hehadbeendeterredneitherbytheseason，norfatigue，norbytheexpense；
　　hehadnothingwithwhichtoreproachhimself。Ifhewentnofurther，thatwasnofaultofhis。Itdidnotconcernhimfurther。
　　Itwasnolongerhisfault。Itwasnottheactofhisownconscience，buttheactofProvidence。
　　Hebreathedagain。HebreathedfreelyandtothefullextentofhislungsforthefirsttimesinceJavert’svisit。Itseemedtohimthatthehandofironwhichhadheldhisheartinitsgraspforthelasttwentyhourshadjustreleasedhim。
　　ItseemedtohimthatGodwasforhimnow，andwasmanifestingHimself。
　　Hesaidhimselfthathehaddoneallhecould，andthatnowhehadnothingtodobutretracehisstepsquietly。
　　Ifhisconversationwiththewheelwrighthadtakenplaceinachamberoftheinn，itwouldhavehadnowitnesses，noonewouldhaveheardhim，thingswouldhaverestedthere，anditisprobablethatweshouldnothavehadtorelateanyoftheoccurrenceswhichthereaderisabouttoperuse；butthisconversationhadtakenplaceinthestreet。
　　Anycolloquyinthestreetinevitablyattractsacrowd。Therearealwayspeoplewhoasknothingbetterthantobecomespectators。
　　Whilehewasquestioningthewheelwright，somepeoplewhowerepassingbackandforthhaltedaroundthem。Afterlisteningforafewminutes，ayounglad，towhomnoonehadpaidanyheed，detachedhimselffromthegroupandranoff。
　　Atthemomentwhenthetraveller，aftertheinwarddeliberationwhichwehavejustdescribed，resolvedtoretracehissteps，thischildreturned。Hewasaccompaniedbyanoldwoman。
　　"Monsieur，"saidthewoman，"myboytellsmethatyouwishtohireacabriolet。"
　　Thesesimplewordsutteredbyanoldwomanledbyachildmadetheperspirationtrickledownhislimbs。Hethoughtthathebeheldthehandwhichhadrelaxeditsgraspreappearinthedarknessbehindhim，readytoseizehimoncemore。
　　Heanswered:——
　　"Yes，mygoodwoman；IaminsearchofacabrioletwhichIcanhire。"
　　Andhehastenedtoadd:——
　　"Butthereisnoneintheplace。"
　　"Certainlythereis，"saidtheoldwoman。
　　"Where？"interpolatedthewheelwright。
　　"Atmyhouse，"repliedtheoldwoman。
　　Heshuddered。Thefatalhandhadgraspedhimagain。
　　Theoldwomanreallyhadinhershedasortofbasketspring—cart。
　　Thewheelwrightandthestable—man，indespairattheprospectofthetravellerescapingtheirclutches，interfered。
　　"Itwasafrightfuloldtrap；itrestsflatontheaxle；itisanactualfactthattheseatsweresuspendedinsideitbyleatherthongs；
　　theraincameintoit；thewheelswererustedandeatenwithmoisture；
　　itwouldnotgomuchfurtherthanthetilbury；aregularramshackleoldstage—wagon；thegentlemanwouldmakeagreatmistakeifhetrustedhimselftoit，"etc。，etc。
　　Allthiswastrue；butthistrap，thisramshackleoldvehicle，thisthing，whateveritwas，ranonitstwowheelsandcouldgotoArras。
　　Hepaidwhatwasasked，leftthetilburywiththewheelwrighttoberepaired，intendingtoreclaimitonhisreturn，hadthewhitehorseputtothecart，climbedintoit，andresumedtheroadwhichhehadbeentravellingsincemorning。
　　Atthemomentwhenthecartmovedoff，headmittedthathehadfelt，amomentpreviously，acertainjoyinthethoughtthatheshouldnotgowhitherhewasnowproceeding。Heexaminedthisjoywithasortofwrath，andfounditabsurd。Whyshouldhefeeljoyatturningback？
　　Afterall，hewastakingthistripofhisownfreewill。
　　Noonewasforcinghimtoit。
　　Andassuredlynothingwouldhappenexceptwhatheshouldchoose。
　　AsheleftHesdin，heheardavoiceshoutingtohim:"Stop！Stop！"
　　Hehaltedthecartwithavigorousmovementwhichcontainedafeverishandconvulsiveelementresemblinghope。
　　Itwastheoldwoman’slittleboy。
　　"Monsieur，"saidthelatter，"itwasIwhogotthecartforyou。"
　　"Well？"
　　"Youhavenotgivenmeanything。"
　　Hewhogavetoallsoreadilythoughtthisdemandexorbitantandalmostodious。
　　"Ah！it’syou，youscamp？"saidhe；"youshallhavenothing。"
　　Hewhippeduphishorseandsetoffatfullspeed。
　　HehadlostagreatdealoftimeatHesdin。Hewantedtomakeitgood。
　　Thelittlehorsewascourageous，andpulledfortwo；butitwasthemonthofFebruary，therehadbeenrain；theroadswerebad。
　　Andthen，itwasnolongerthetilbury。Thecartwasveryheavy，andinaddition，thereweremanyascents。
　　HetooknearlyfourhourstogofromHesdintoSaint—Pol；fourhoursforfiveleagues。
　　AtSaint—Polhehadthehorseunharnessedatthefirstinnhecametoandledtothestable；ashehadpromisedScaufflaire，hestoodbesidethemangerwhilethehorsewaseating；hethoughtofsadandconfusingthings。
　　Theinn—keeper’swifecametothestable。
　　"DoesnotMonsieurwishtobreakfast？"
　　"Come，thatistrue；Ievenhaveagoodappetite。"
　　Hefollowedthewoman，whohadarosy，cheerfulface；sheledhimtothepublicroomwherethereweretablescoveredwithwaxedcloth。
　　"Makehaste！"saidhe；"Imuststartagain；Iaminahurry。"
　　AbigFlemishservant—maidplacedhisknifeandforkinallhaste；
　　helookedatthegirlwithasensationofcomfort。
　　"Thatiswhatailedme，"hethought；"Ihadnotbreakfasted。"
　　Hisbreakfastwasserved；heseizedthebread，tookamouthful，andthenslowlyreplaceditonthetable，anddidnottouchitagain。
　　Acarterwaseatingatanothertable；hesaidtothisman:——
　　"Whyistheirbreadsobitterhere？"
　　ThecarterwasaGermananddidnotunderstandhim。
　　Hereturnedtothestableandremainednearthehorse。
　　AnhourlaterhehadquittedSaint—PolandwasdirectinghiscoursetowardsTinques，whichisonlyfiveleaguesfromArras。
　　Whatdidhedoduringthisjourney？Ofwhatwashethinking？
　　Asinthemorning，hewatchedthetrees，thethatchedroofs，thetilledfieldspassby，andthewayinwhichthelandscape，brokenateveryturnoftheroad，vanished；thisisasortofcontemplationwhichsometimessufficestothesoul，andalmostrelievesitfromthought。Whatismoremelancholyandmoreprofoundthantoseeathousandobjectsforthefirstandthelasttime？
　　Totravelistobebornandtodieateveryinstant；perhaps，inthevaguestregionofhismind，bedidmakecomparisonsbetweentheshiftinghorizonandourhumanexistence:allthethingsoflifeareperpetuallyfleeingbeforeus；thedarkandbrightintervalsareintermingled；afteradazzlingmoment，aneclipse；welook，wehasten，westretchoutourhandstograspwhatispassing；
　　eacheventisaturnintheroad，and，allatonce，weareold；
　　wefeelashock；allisblack；wedistinguishanobscuredoor；
　　thegloomyhorseoflife，whichhasbeendrawingushalts，andweseeaveiledandunknownpersonunharnessingamidtheshadows。
　　TwilightwasfallingwhenthechildrenwhowerecomingoutofschoolbeheldthistravellerenterTinques；itistruethatthedayswerestillshort；hedidnothaltatTinques；asheemergedfromthevillage，alaborer，whowasmendingtheroadwithstones，raisedhisheadandsaidtohim:——
　　"Thathorseisverymuchfatigued。"
　　Thepoorbeastwas，infact，goingatawalk。
　　"AreyougoingtoArras？"addedtheroad—mender。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Ifyougoonatthatrateyouwillnotarriveveryearly。"
　　Hestoppedhishorse，andaskedthelaborer:——
　　"HowfarisitfromheretoArras？"
　　"Nearlysevengoodleagues。"
　　"Howisthat？thepostingguideonlysaysfiveleaguesandaquarter。"
　　"Ah！"returnedtheroad—mender，"soyoudon’tknowthattheroadisunderrepair？Youwillfinditbarredaquarterofanhourfurtheron；thereisnowaytoproceedfurther。"
　　"Really？"
　　"Youwilltaketheroadontheleft，leadingtoCarency；youwillcrosstheriver；whenyoureachCamblin，youwillturntotheright；
　　thatistheroadtoMont—Saint—EloywhichleadstoArras。"
　　"Butitisnight，andIshalllosemyway。"
　　"Youdonotbelongintheseparts？"
　　"No。"
　　"And，besides，itisallcross—roads；stop！sir，"resumedtheroad—mender；
　　"shallIgiveyouapieceofadvice？yourhorseistired；
　　returntoTinques；thereisagoodinnthere；sleepthere；
　　youcanreachArrasto—morrow。"
　　"Imustbetherethisevening。"
　　"Thatisdifferent；butgototheinnallthesame，andgetanextrahorse；thestable—boywillguideyouthroughthecross—roads。"
　　Hefollowedtheroad—mender’sadvice，retracedhissteps，and，halfanhourlater，hepassedthesamespotagain，butthistimeatfullspeed，withagoodhorsetoaid；astable—boy，whocalledhimselfapostilion，wasseatedontheshaftofthecariole。
　　Still，hefeltthathehadlosttime。
　　Nighthadfullycome。
　　Theyturnedintothecross—road；thewaybecamefrightfullybad；
　　thecartlurchedfromoneruttotheother；hesaidtothepostilion:——
　　"Keepatatrot，andyoushallhaveadoublefee。"
　　Inoneofthejolts，thewhiffle—treebroke。
　　"There’sthewhiffle—treebroken，sir，"saidthepostilion；"Idon’tknowhowtoharnessmyhorsenow；thisroadisverybadatnight；
　　ifyouwishtoreturnandsleepatTinques，wecouldbeinArrasearlyto—morrowmorning。"
　　Hereplied，"Haveyouabitofropeandaknife？"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　Hecutabranchfromatreeandmadeawhiffle—treeofit。
　　Thiscausedanotherlossoftwentyminutes；buttheysetoutagainatagallop。
　　Theplainwasgloomy；low—hanging，black，crispfogscreptoverthehillsandwrenchedthemselvesawaylikesmoke:therewerewhitishgleamsintheclouds；astrongbreezewhichblewinfromtheseaproducedasoundinallquartersofthehorizon，asofsomeonemovingfurniture；
　　everythingthatcouldbeseenassumedattitudesofterror。
　　Howmanythingsshiverbeneaththesevastbreathsofthenight！
　　Hewasstiffwithcold；hehadeatennothingsincethenightbefore；
　　hevaguelyrecalledhisothernocturnaltripinthevastplainintheneighborhoodofD————，eightyearspreviously，anditseemedbutyesterday。
　　Thehourstruckfromadistanttower；heaskedtheboy:——
　　"Whattimeisit？"
　　"Seveno’clock，sir；weshallreachArrasateight；wehavebutthreeleaguesstilltogo。"
　　Atthatmoment，heforthefirsttimeindulgedinthisreflection，thinkingitoddthewhilethatithadnotoccurredtohimsooner:
　　thatallthistroublewhichhewastakingwas，perhaps，useless；
　　thathedidnotknowsomuchasthehourofthetrial；thatheshould，atleast，haveinformedhimselfofthat；thathewasfoolishtogothusstraightaheadwithoutknowingwhetherhewouldbeofanyserviceornot；thenhesketchedoutsomecalculationsinhismind:
　　that，ordinarily，thesittingsoftheCourtofAssizesbeganatnineo’clockinthemorning；thatitcouldnotbealongaffair；
　　thatthetheftoftheappleswouldbeverybrief；thattherewouldthenremainonlyaquestionofidentity，fourorfivedepositions，andverylittleforthelawyerstosay；thatheshouldarriveafterallwasover。
　　Thepostilionwhippedupthehorses；theyhadcrossedtheriverandleftMont—Saint—Eloybehindthem。
　　Thenightgrewmoreprofound。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　SISTERSIMPLICEPUTTOTHEPROOF
　　ButatthatmomentFantinewasjoyous。
　　Shehadpassedaverybadnight；hercoughwasfrightful；herfeverhaddoubledinintensity；shehadhaddreams:inthemorning，whenthedoctorpaidhisvisit，shewasdelirious；heassumedanalarmedlook，andorderedthatheshouldbeinformedassoonasM。Madeleinearrived。
　　Allthemorningshewasmelancholy，saidbutlittle，andlaidplaitsinhersheets，murmuringthewhile，inalowvoice，calculationswhichseemedtobecalculationsofdistances。
　　Hereyeswerehollowandstaring。Theyseemedalmostextinguishedatintervals，thenlightedupagainandshonelikestars。
　　Itseemsasthough，attheapproachofacertaindarkhour，thelightofheavenfillsthosewhoarequittingthelightofearth。
　　EachtimethatSisterSimpliceaskedherhowshefelt，sherepliedinvariably，"Well。IshouldliketoseeM。Madeleine。"
　　Somemonthsbeforethis，atthemomentwhenFantinehadjustlostherlastmodesty，herlastshame，andherlastjoy，shewastheshadowofherself；nowshewasthespectreofherself。Physicalsufferinghadcompletedtheworkofmoralsuffering。Thiscreatureoffiveandtwentyhadawrinkledbrow，flabbycheeks，pinchednostrils，teethfromwhichthegumshadreceded，aleadencomplexion，abonyneck，prominentshoulder—blades，fraillimbs，aclayeyskin，andhergoldenhairwasgrowingoutsprinkledwithgray。
　　Alas！howillnessimprovisesold—age！
　　Atmid—daythephysicianreturned，gavesomedirections，inquiredwhetherthemayorhadmadehisappearanceattheinfirmary，andshookhishead。
　　M。Madeleineusuallycametoseetheinvalidatthreeo’clock。Asexactnessiskindness，hewasexact。
　　Abouthalf—pasttwo，Fantinebegantoberestless。Inthecourseoftwentyminutes，sheaskedthenunmorethantentimes，"Whattimeisit，sister？"
　　Threeo’clockstruck。Atthethirdstroke，Fantinesatupinbed；
　　shewhocould，ingeneral，hardlyturnover，joinedheryellow，fleshlesshandsinasortofconvulsiveclasp，andthenunheardherutteroneofthoseprofoundsighswhichseemtothrowoffdejection。
　　ThenFantineturnedandlookedatthedoor。
　　Nooneentered；thedoordidnotopen。
　　Sheremainedthusforaquarterofanhour，hereyesrivetedonthedoor，motionlessandapparentlyholdingherbreath。Thesisterdarednotspeaktoher。Theclockstruckaquarterpastthree。
　　Fantinefellbackonherpillow。
　　Shesaidnothing，butbegantoplaitthesheetsoncemore。
　　Halfanhourpassed，thenanhour，noonecame；everytimetheclockstruck，Fantinestartedupandlookedtowardsthedoor，thenfellbackagain。
　　Herthoughtwasclearlyperceptible，butsheutterednoname，shemadenocomplaint，sheblamednoone。Butshecoughedinamelancholyway。
　　Onewouldhavesaidthatsomethingdarkwasdescendinguponher。
　　Shewaslividandherlipswereblue。Shesmilednowandthen。
　　Fiveo’clockstruck。Thenthesisterheardhersay，verylowandgently，"Heiswrongnottocometo—day，sinceIamgoingawayto—morrow。"
　　SisterSimpliceherselfwassurprisedatM。Madeleine’sdelay。
　　Inthemeantime，Fantinewasstaringatthetesterofherbed。
　　Sheseemedtobeendeavoringtorecallsomething。Allatonceshebegantosinginavoiceasfeebleasabreath。Thenunlistened。
　　ThisiswhatFantinewassinging:——
　　"LovelythingswewillbuyAswestrollthefaubourgsthrough。
　　Rosesarepink，corn—flowersareblue，Ilovemylove，corn—flowersareblue。
　　"Yestere’entheVirginMarycamenearmystove，inabroideredmantleclad，andsaidtome，`Here，hide’neathmyveilthechildwhomyouonedaybeggedfromme。Hastetothecity，buylinen，buyaneedle，buythread。’
　　"LovelythingswewillbuyAswestrollthefaubourgsthrough。
　　"DearHolyVirgin，besidemystoveIhavesetacradlewithribbonsdecked。Godmaygivemehislovelieststar；
　　Ipreferthechildthouhastgrantedme。`Madame，whatshallIdowiththislinenfine？’——`Makeofitclothesforthynew—bornbabe。’
　　"Rosesarepinkandcorn—flowersareblue，Ilovemylove，andcorn—flowersareblue。
　　"`Washthislinen。’——`Where？’——`Inthestream。Makeofit，soilingnot，spoilingnot，apetticoatfairwithitsbodicefine，whichIwillembroiderandfillwithflowers。’——`Madame，thechildisnolongerhere；whatistobedone？’——`Thenmakeofitawinding—sheetinwhichtoburyme。’
　　"LovelythingswewillbuyAswestrollthefaubourgsthrough，Rosesarepink，corn—flowersareblue，Ilovemylove，corn—flowersareblue。"
　　Thissongwasanoldcradleromancewithwhichshehad，informerdays，lulledherlittleCosettetosleep，andwhichhadneverrecurredtohermindinallthefiveyearsduringwhichshehadbeenpartedfromherchild。Shesangitinsosadavoice，andtososweetanair，thatitwasenoughtomakeanyone，evenanun，weep。Thesister，accustomedasshewastoausterities，feltatearspringtohereyes。
　　Theclockstrucksix。Fantinedidnotseemtohearit。Shenolongerseemedtopayattentiontoanythingabouther。
　　SisterSimplicesentaserving—maidtoinquireoftheportressofthefactory，whetherthemayorhadreturned，andifhewouldnotcometotheinfirmarysoon。Thegirlreturnedinafewminutes。
　　Fantinewasstillmotionlessandseemedabsorbedinherownthoughts。
　　TheservantinformedSisterSimpliceinaverylowtone，thatthemayorhadsetoutthatmorningbeforesixo’clock，inalittletilburyharnessedtoawhitehorse，coldastheweatherwas；thathehadgonealone，withoutevenadriver；thatnooneknewwhatroadhehadtaken；
　　thatpeoplesaidhehadbeenseentoturnintotheroadtoArras；
　　thatothersassertedthattheyhadmethimontheroadtoParis。
　　Thatwhenhewentawayhehadbeenverygentle，asusual，andthathehadmerelytoldtheportressnottoexpecthimthatnight。
　　Whilethetwowomenwerewhisperingtogether，withtheirbacksturnedtoFantine’sbed，thesisterinterrogating，theservantconjecturing，Fantine，withthefeverishvivacityofcertainorganicmaladies，whichunitethefreemovementsofhealthwiththefrightfulemaciationofdeath，hadraisedherselftoherkneesinbed，withhershrivelledhandsrestingonthebolster，andherheadthrustthroughtheopeningofthecurtains，andwaslistening。
　　Allatonceshecried:——
　　"YouarespeakingofM。Madeleine！Whyareyoutalkingsolow？
　　Whatishedoing？Whydoeshenotcome？"
　　Hervoicewassoabruptandhoarsethatthetwowomenthoughttheyheardthevoiceofaman；theywheeledroundinaffright。
　　"Answerme！"criedFantine。
　　Theservantstammered:——
　　"Theportresstoldmethathecouldnotcometo—day。"
　　"Becalm，mychild，"saidthesister；"liedownagain。"
　　Fantine，withoutchangingherattitude，continuedinaloudvoice，andwithanaccentthatwasbothimperiousandheart—rending:——
　　"Hecannotcome？Whynot？Youknowthereason。Youarewhisperingittoeachotherthere。Iwanttoknowit。"
　　Theservant—maidhastenedtosayinthenun’sear，"Saythatheisbusywiththecitycouncil。"
　　SisterSimpliceblushedfaintly，foritwasaliethatthemaidhadproposedtoher。
　　Ontheotherhand，itseemedtoherthatthemerecommunicationofthetruthtotheinvalidwould，withoutdoubt，dealheraterribleblow，andthatthiswasaseriousmatterinFantine’spresentstate。
　　Herflushdidnotlastlong；thesisterraisedhercalm，sadeyestoFantine，andsaid，"MonsieurleMairehasgoneaway。"
　　Fantineraisedherselfandcrouchedonherheelsinthebed:
　　hereyessparkled；indescribablejoybeamedfromthatmelancholyface。
　　"Gone！"shecried；"hehasgonetogetCosette。"
　　Thensheraisedherarmstoheaven，andherwhitefacebecameineffable；
　　herlipsmoved；shewasprayinginalowvoice。
　　Whenherprayerwasfinished，"Sister，"shesaid，"Iamwillingtoliedownagain；Iwilldoanythingyouwish；Iwasnaughtyjustnow；
　　Ibegyourpardonforhavingspokensoloud；itisverywrongtotalkloudly；Iknowthatwell，mygoodsister，but，yousee，Iamveryhappy:thegoodGodisgood；M。Madeleineisgood；
　　justthink！hehasgonetoMontfermeiltogetmylittleCosette。"
　　Shelaydownagain，withthenun’sassistance，helpedthenuntoarrangeherpillow，andkissedthelittlesilvercrosswhichsheworeonherneck，andwhichSisterSimplicehadgivenher。
　　"Mychild，"saidthesister，"trytorestnow，anddonottalkanymore。"
　　Fantinetookthesister’shandinhermoisthands，andthelatterwaspainedtofeelthatperspiration。
　　"HesetoutthismorningforParis；infact，heneednotevengothroughParis；Montfermeilisalittletotheleftasyoucomethence。
　　Doyourememberhowhesaidtomeyesterday，whenIspoketohimofCosette，Soon，soon？Hewantstogivemeasurprise，youknow！hemademesignalettersothatshecouldbetakenfromtheThenardiers；theycannotsayanything，canthey？theywillgivebackCosette，fortheyhavebeenpaid；theauthoritieswillnotallowthemtokeepthechildsincetheyhavereceivedtheirpay。
　　DonotmakesignstomethatImustnottalk，sister！Iamextremelyhappy；Iamdoingwell；Iamnotillatallanymore；
　　IamgoingtoseeCosetteagain；Iamevenquitehungry；itisnearlyfiveyearssinceIsawherlast；youcannotimaginehowmuchattachedonegetstochildren，andthen，shewillbesopretty；
　　youwillsee！Ifyouonlyknewwhatprettylittlerosyfingersshehad！Inthefirstplace，shewillhaveverybeautifulhands；
　　shehadridiculoushandswhenshewasonlyayearold；likethis！
　　shemustbeabiggirlnow；sheissevenyearsold；sheisquiteayounglady；IcallherCosette，buthernameisreallyEuphrasie。
　　Stop！thismorningIwaslookingatthedustonthechimney—piece，andIhadasortofideacomeacrossme，likethat，thatIshouldseeCosetteagainsoon。MonDieu！howwrongitisnottoseeone’schildrenforyears！Oneoughttoreflectthatlifeisnoteternal。
　　Oh，howgoodM。leMaireistogo！itisverycold！itistrue；
　　hehadonhiscloak，atleast？hewillbehereto—morrow，willhenot？to—morrowwillbeafestivalday；to—morrowmorning，sister，youmustremindmetoputonmylittlecapthathaslaceonit。