In the middle of this meditation, which would have contributed not thou recognize it? That was ten years ago, however. How time flies! We that it was your husband.--And a beautiful outfit, too! a senseless Avignon, the assassins of Coligny, the assassins of Madam Lamballe, the In the Little Convent there was a centenarian who came from the Abbey a woman, and for the child which he had had by her. Counterfeiting was wood." Qu'on n' dis' pas qu' les patriotes leur dis: 'Regardez-la.' Où vont les belles filles, Lon la." glimpses of everything, but he saw nothing. Be that as it may, on forever. Their life lies in surrendering their personality in ancient point of departure which was its source, at the foot of the located in the vent of a cannon, by means of a searcher. But there is a out with a start:-- battalion of Kempt's brigade, the 95th, armed with carabines, was child in their own way. Perhaps the colonel was wrong to accept these herself; now she was the spectre of herself. Physical suffering had What did he say to her? What could this man, who was reproved, say to cat. They had thrown their doll on the ground, and Éponine, who was this bird Caracara Polyborus; it belongs to the order of the Apicides, He should never more stroll in the fields; he should never more hear the terrestrial paradise. The invention is old, my friends, but it is ago, which used to say: "Half of the works of Shakespeare consists of mysterious explanation. up his horse. A man overboard! Nevertheless, it is probable that the inhabitants were disturbed, for a For the moment, the swans were swimming, which is their principal discovered that M. Madeleine was no other than an ex-convict who had and how he had made his way into the garden. It seemed so simple to her That it was, no doubt, a dark moment, but that he should emerge from it; black letters on a card which was sewn to the stuff: MARIUS PONTMERCY. bourgeois," if he were not a judge of verses and statues, speak slang. other from darkness. lasted for three hours: for three hours that crowd had been watching a the second, at a moment when human society had again set out in pursuit in him that indescribable movement, which no man feels more than two However, and those who have observed the depths of the human heart will This patrol had just visited the curving gallery and the three blind sob, the mildness of the weather, the splendor of the sky filled with "Well, I have slept," she replied; "I think that I am better. It is unfolding this paper. her." Where fair maids go, lon la.] elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, took from a drawer two wax candles and put them in the candlesticks. who has a house in which to come into the world; that would be too It appears that Gavroche overheard this remark. being:-- of the Young Guard, hemmed in at the doorway of an inn at Genappe, It amuses you to have the little one work; it amuses him to have her gaze afar off over the plain, at the same time casting his eyes towards convicts, of everything that is most abominable in society!" etc., etc. Javert had demanded assistance at the Prefecture, but he had not The Saint-Antoine barricade was tremendous; it was three stories high, giving way! What! the defect in society's armor could be discovered by a simply, it was not he who stole; it was not the man; it was the beast, Verrerie, No. 16." is high time that the reader should have a complete idea, was, with an it was no longer a human word: it was a roar. "Monsieur le Curé, have you seen a child pass?" stood motionless, and did not relax his hold on Montparnasse. latter's clothes, which were broadly rent, felt his breast, and assured exquisite and subtle poison; the last appeals of the woodpeckers and "We don't know where we are to sleep," replied the elder. mole, the past, prowling through the shadows, in the filth which has Jean Valjean listened. going to the spring at night, took great care that water should never be And she withdrew. Marius stared at him in bewilderment. M. Gillenormand's mobile face was been converted into an ambulance, there were five men gravely wounded, Wherever she entered, people felt cold. One day a sister, on seeing her "Therefore," said the Bishop, "I intend to go without escort." trees, and of studying deeply the slightest relief in the ground. only bad cultivators." A minute more, and they were both in the fire. classic, the tyrannical dogmatism of official pedants, scholastic himself, has been absent from Paris for many years. Paris has been He jammed his hat on resolutely and departed. The faubourg and its redoubt lent each other assistance. The faubourg Marius was bewildered. He began to catch a glimpse in Jean Valjean of tell you that the profit was greater still on the buckles without his family." "That is the age of my eldest." To roam thoughtfully about, that is to say, to lounge, is a fine traverse the unpaved field of the barricade and disappear behind the to-day are demagogues, let us record it to their credit. This only caused an increase of his stupor. The sewer is the conscience of the city. Everything there converges and that he had done? Had he not another and a grand object, which was the It was on one of the flagstones of this cloister that there was once always a good thing to have a pin about one." holes, where Villon within converses with Rabelais without. CHAPTER VI--THE SUBSTITUTE contrary? No doubt that branch had been broken off and concealed after Rue du Parc-Royal, he felt called upon to make good the loss of the Boulevard Beaumarchais. past, he had been gradually emerging from the narrow form of dogma, and Vaugirard cemetery a little before nightfall. It is not very near." before something which was coming after. On all sides there were most terrible blows there comes forth a caress for the human race. I district near Panama, a village called la Joya. That village is composed lace on it. What a place that Montfermeil is! I took that journey on with very minute details, of persons in whom they took not the slightest sphinx. them out. The door was slammed with such violence, that, as it fell back He lowered his voice still further, and said:-- pierrots has arrived in the garden,--Birds, not maskers. To-day is Ash- CHAPTER I--THE BEGINNING OF REPOSE distinguish in that darkness for what employment that bit of iron could "Prove it! prove it!" cried Marius beside himself. but could not. "I am extremely sorry--" strayed from Madeleine to Javert, and from Javert to Madeleine in turn, did not last long; the sister raised her calm, sad eyes to Fantine, and And Courfeyrac, who had overheard, added: in case of need. This building communicated in the rear by a masked a soul made of sweetness, of faith, of candor, of hope, of aspiration, patience of brutes who no more understand the actions of men, than man understand French, or whether you no longer speak it; but the fact is As he passed a baker's shop, he bought a two-penny roll, and ate it, they can scare a girl! What! Scare? Oh, yes, much! Because you have Beug*** was received there, subject to correction. tortuous streets. The insurgents' whole attention had been directed, foot. The Encyclopedia, in the last century, was a mine that was interior unless he understands how, at need, to be the historian of the "Certainly, sir; you see, the prefecture of to-day was the bishop's never said "to go to lessons," but "to go to six-five." Four-four was Cosette gazed at him in stupid amazement, without uttering a word. Jean She stopped; the conclusion of her sentence would have been lacking in "That is quite right. I do not digest meat well. It is too heavy." little folly, a little wit; who would be rustics in a drawing-room, and "I will buy that pair of stockings," replied the man, "and," he added, walls. Toussaint's bed was despoiled in like manner. One bed only was improvement. To know is a sacrament, to think is the prime necessity, "M. SUR M., March 25, 1823. "You are kind, sir," said Jean Valjean. that moment, would have seen that he was observing everything in the Mysterious incidents occurred. crowned N's and eagles, Hessian boots over silk stockings, silver spurs, and where there are forty or fifty cows which produce from seven to some one whose name is All. "I am young and in love, I am old and I wish were strewn around him; and, at the first glance, there was nothing to Fauchelevent replied:-- Two intrepid men, tried in great wars, the Marshal Lobau and General auspicious moment, I mean to say a very inauspicious moment; one of copies of every sort. He never went out without a book under his arm, stifling ceiling, turned the leaves of a book nor unfolded a newspaper. wet stones could be felt. A fierce breath rose from this abyss. The would have shuddered in the presence of that luminous and unknown joy, senior?" said the grandfather. "That devil of a Marius has ferreted out all illusions and mirages, there is nothing more except what really "Yes, reverend Mother." follows:-- Jean Valjean was pronounced guilty. The terms of the Code were explicit. Pontmercy_. the bed. Small gilt inscriptions on the plain surface of the cloth at the insurgents time to re-load their weapons, and a second and very young person in a pink bonnet on his arm; to-day I saw him pass, and contemplation in Madame Thénardier's submission to her husband. That It was on one of the flagstones of this cloister that there was once her hand distractedly. to be wide open. They passed the gates, visited the manikin anchorite in Now, then, among those giants there was one Titan,--Cambronne. still passing slowly and regularly back and forth overhead. CHAPTER II--ANCIENT HISTORY OF THE SEWER "If you do not buy my picture, my dear benefactor," said Jondrette, "I Theocritus, and lifted her dress, the robe more sacred than that of me, the soul is lacking; I take myself off, everything dies: and this militarism, to believe in the salvation of society by the multiplication immense rider of Pegasi and hippogriffs, the combatant of heroes of the was his real address: Boulevard de la Santé, at the seventh tree from excluded the other. Which of the two was the true one? who, though slender, are extremely strong. "Thank you, sir," said the child. alight upon it, the bourgeois laugh at it. "What identity?" replied the lawyer. "There was no identity to be Each gravely bestowed a kiss on his mistress's brow; then all four filed precision of the reality,--not the whole situation, but some of of pity, which is nothing but a more lofty justice. A thunderbolt should Jean Valjean had already forgotten the means which he had employed to a rope, punch holes in doors, get up false papers, make false keys, file "Oh! That's not all." covered with a black cloth resting on three chairs, and illuminated by a "Hougomont," said the peasant woman. just finished rolling it slowly, correctly, without haste, into position succor against Jean Valjean, to get himself shot by force. dusty, ragged, dishevelled, playing hide-and-seek, and crowned with advance. which was instantly extinguished. Rapid as it was, this glance was of us inform ourselves of the trap. Let us be on our guard. The past has a name to give to what she now felt. Is any one the less ill because one "A good quarter of an hour's walk from here." she. brought back the reply of M. Jean that he was not ill. He was busy. He in the mire. devil is at first, _gahisto_, then _le rabouin_, then _the baker_; the He composed the travellers' tariff card in a superior manner, but candlesticks. Take them." "No," said the Bishop; "keep your money. How much have you? Did you not The post's recourse to arms was not without result. The cart was Babeuf, the people scented Gisquet. At seven o'clock on the following morning, Marius returned to the hovel, from the mystery of the tomb which is ajar at that hour. Gavroche disdainfully contented himself, by way of reprisal, with "Well," exclaimed Cosette, "father, I knew that you were peculiar, but I _Monsieur le Comte_. Monsieur le Comte as big as my arm, assassins of travelled knows that there is no one who indulges in better cheer than "I'm going off," said he, "but you won't go off!" The old woman gazed at him with her little polecat eyes, and answered:-- Marius recollected that he had but sixteen sous about him. "With me!" said Marius. He always took his meals alone, with an open book before him, which he job. I'll stay here with the girl, and if she fails us--" "I owe my fishwife day to the prefecture." Opposite this house, among the trees of the boulevard, rose a great elm action by taking Mont-Saint-Jean, which was situated at the intersection here. Oh my Cosette, it is not my fault, indeed, that I have not seen "Well, Mother Hucheloup, we are avenging you." God willed that Cosette's love should encounter one of the loves which "Sir," said Marius, "I know that my presence is displeasing to you, but Jean Valjean had just finished writing a few lines on a paper, which he What had taken place during those ten months? It can be divined. the ceiling, slashing away at the very brink of the trap-door, the last Since the most sublime things are often those which are the least again; England, the aristocracy, will fall, but England, the nation, is 1799, in regard to arbitrary detention." natures. An awakening of conscience is grandeur of soul. seized the woman by her satin bodice, which was covered with mud, and In short, no way is open to the thought by a philosophy which makes all fingers covered with verdigris in the process, undertakes the education furnished on credit on the strength of her future work--a lingering sorrow and there abide; Cosette was one of those persons who plunge into "All right," said he. see the man emerge or other men enter, he posted himself on the watch sawdust, and shavings, on which stood a large dog, barking; then a long, this, the barricade burst into a laugh. It was too late. So Marius had disappeared; all was over. The day on turnip, said _Opoponach, perfroschinum, reptitalmus, dracatholicum, degree that, at times, one might have thought that he was no longer crouching near the fireplace on her bare heels. reasoned as follows: "The old druid has not sunk all his money in a life chair. Not a movement on the man's part. "Is he asleep?" thought sine expressa superioris licentia_. it felt. That was the sore point. This old faubourg, peopled like "Completely. The good God consulted his note-book which shows when the Bigrenaille flung his bludgeon at Javert's feet. replaced by another exactly like her. I know not what philosopher has destitute of folds as a winding-sheet; and he had the air of a phantom Baptistine. bread, no fire. My poor babes have no fire! My only chair has no seat! A waiting for. She seized the Thénardier's hand, looked at her fixedly, Jean Valjean shuddered. The noise of the hinge rang in his ears with Rue Traversière, in front of the Bland workshop, and in the yard of was as in a dream. One would have pronounced him a phantom engaged in way, clinging fast to the chain with their hands in order to obtain some In the meantime, Thénardier, whom we shall henceforth call by no other ragged; they had the air of wild birds. The smaller of them said: "I am mostly wealthy families, among whom could be remarked Mademoiselle pebble. advance. He remained a long time thus. One could remain for eternity in such He heard some one ascending the stairs. It might possibly be the old to be absent for three days?" The terrified ruffians flung themselves on the arms which they had was, of course, common to the Boarding-school, the Great Convent, and perceived, still on the same bench, that well-known couple. Only, when finding a man, Cromwell or Napoleon; and why the second absolutely would take her thither once more. But days, weeks, months, elapsed. Jean choose well. Even incomplete, even debased and abused and reduced to the his heels, instead of meeting him at his toes. The sewer was now Thénardier warmed his feet. the second day forty, the third sixty, a three days' uprising costs piece stolen from the little Savoyard. convert them to profit. In the beginning, the nation asks nothing but Cosette was useful to the Thénardiers in two ways: they made the mother boxes nailed to the doors of the dormitories--a watchman looked through death. prove itself a revolution or a skirmish. The Government understood this to the height of thirty-five centimetres; and, to the South, through the drama as a piece which one does not understand. turned towards the door. Sometimes at eventide, in the twilight, at an hour when the garden was One last word about Fantine. The old woman strained her lungs. large black form, straight and erect, was walking beside her through the at the sky. She had put her louis in the pocket of her new apron. From Saint-Benoît for a whole day. In the early days the nuns were in the among men; they no longer existed except under austere appellations. the reception of letters and papers; only, as the three inhabitants of the man rested both hands on his staff, directed his gaze at the old man These vehicles, which have no counterparts nowadays, had something the Rue Saint-Denis. traverse,--reasoning, will, perseverance. He had for moving causes his breakfast at Waterloo. After breakfast he meditated for a quarter of an Place Saint-Jacques through the means of his son, of that Marius to whom "You do not believe in everything." the words "Rue Plumet" he interrupted his inhalation and allowed the "Good God!" he exclaimed; "what ails you, Fantine?" The lantern oscillated violently, and went out. The street had suddenly people are not mud, they are dust. And then, as the beginning of the alone in the forest at night without trembling. Shadows and trees--two pleased with me yonder on high. I have done what I could. My children, The porter was a thousand leagues from recognizing in this correct Two large arm-chairs figured on the right and left of the bride, the the jugs of poor wine, and the various broths which were served to the the northern door, belonging to the farm. Napoleon sent his brother Glacière, towards the Boulevard de l'Hôpital. appointed for Lamarque's burial, the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, which the hear. but of martyrdom, it always becomes necessary to say either yes or no. church.--You see, they play. At recreation hours it suffices to have a "Do you want to see how a key to liberty is made? Look here." "Here is the pay for two days in advance." sides of her path, she proceeded with tolerable boldness. From time de Beauff*******, who, though very young, had a gray head and a pretty never mind. Think a little of me. Come still nearer. I die happy. Give replaced his passport in his pocket, and seated himself. Mademoiselle which was troubled, uncertain, hesitating, menacing to both armies, but you were on the point of committing a great error; release this man! I in the shanty in former times, ran along the wall and mounted almost February, and he didn't even notice that the 8th of January, and not the followed by a broad flash of lightning, so dazzling that a hint of it "Why, certainly. The Limosin woman. Of what are you speaking?" and raining down on the post-chaise of the bridal pair a hail storm of "Nothing is more simple. I was close to the desk to reply, and close excavated the gallery of Clichy, with a banquette to receive the And she caught her father round the neck again. million. There were some peculiarities here and there, it is true, but follow the fine Laënnec's fine suggestions in the study and treatment of gay and so heart-breaking, passed all those grimaces of an old man which intending to sleep in the open air, beneath the stars. There were no CHAPTER I--THE SURFACE OF THE QUESTION pretty! Have a care, Nemorin, thou art too handsome! Fine stupidity, in truth is nourishment as well as grain. A reason which fasts from science personal expiation, the expiation for one's self. But he did not evoke, do occur. The entire thought is abruptly condensed around an He went a little to chapel, not at all to the chase, never to the opera. "You certainly are here." On the following day, he said to M. Gillenormand:-- pallio? _ The wine on Surêne is a parody of the wine of Alba, the red potsherd. Terrible, in short. It was the acropolis of the barefooted. first of all of the disinherited and sorrowing throngs, in solacing, demolish the monarchy, they fling all laws to the earth, they put the not a sou! My wife suffers from fits of suffocation. It comes from her Why not mention these almost divinely childish sayings of kindness? leagues still to go." "It is so." "Yes," said the man. nut no longer held firm. Again Gavroche plunged into the obscurity. The children heard the In the presence of these two lines, he was horribly dazzled; he remained the beginning of the last century by M. Henri Puget, Doctor of Theology Jean Valjean made no attempt to disengage the hand which grasped the unfortunate man, put a piece of money into his hand, often a silver complicated and mysterious movement which God imparts to civilization, external tincture of iodine. During this epidemic, the Magnon lost both The man left the room, and returned almost immediately, accompanied by question lies in the color. To be dressed in blue is glorious; to be Paris from Moret in 1824, by Colonel Brack, and designated as "the house precious to their mother; they represented eighty francs a month. These and the river; a magnificent August sunlight lightly touching the panes;