第4章

CHAPTERIV

DETAILSCONCERNINGTHECHEESE—DAIRIESOFPONTARLIER。

Now，inordertoconveyanideaofwhatpassedatthattable，wecannotdobetterthantotranscribehereapassagefromoneofMademoiselleBaptistine’sletterstoMadameBoischevron，whereintheconversationbetweentheconvictandtheBishopisdescribedwithingeniousminuteness。

"……Thismanpaidnoattentiontoanyone。Heatewiththevoracityofastarvingman。However，aftersupperhesaid:

"`MonsieurleCureofthegoodGod，allthisisfartoogoodforme；

butImustsaythatthecarterswhowouldnotallowmetoeatwiththemkeepabettertablethanyoudo。’

"Betweenourselves，theremarkrathershockedme。Mybrotherreplied:——

"`TheyaremorefatiguedthanI。’

"`No，’returnedtheman，`theyhavemoremoney。Youarepoor；

Iseethatplainly。Youcannotbeevenacurate。Areyoureallyacure？Ah，ifthegoodGodwerebutjust，youcertainlyoughttobeacure！’

"`ThegoodGodismorethanjust，’saidmybrother。

"Amomentlaterheadded:——

"`MonsieurJeanValjean，isittoPontarlierthatyouaregoing？’

"`Withmyroadmarkedoutforme。’

"Ithinkthatiswhatthemansaid。Thenhewenton:——

"`Imustbeonmywaybydaybreakto—morrow。Travellingishard。

Ifthenightsarecold，thedaysarehot。’

"`Youaregoingtoagoodcountry，’saidmybrother。`DuringtheRevolutionmyfamilywasruined。ItookrefugeinFranche—Comteatfirst，andthereIlivedforsometimebythetoilofmyhands。

Mywillwasgood。Ifoundplentytooccupyme。Onehasonlytochoose。

Therearepapermills，tanneries，distilleries，oilfactories，watchfactoriesonalargescale，steelmills，copperworks，twentyironfoundriesatleast，fourofwhich，situatedatLods，atChatillon，atAudincourt，andatBeure，aretolerablylarge。’

"IthinkIamnotmistakeninsayingthatthosearethenameswhichmybrothermentioned。Thenheinterruptedhimselfandaddressedme:——

"`Havewenotsomerelativesinthoseparts，mydearsister？’

"Ireplied，——

"`Wedidhavesome；amongothers，M。deLucenet，whowascaptainofthegatesatPontarlierundertheoldregime。’

"`Yes，’resumedmybrother；`butin’93，onehadnolongeranyrelatives，onehadonlyone’sarms。Iworked。Theyhave，inthecountryofPontarlier，whitheryouaregoing，MonsieurValjean，atrulypatriarchalandtrulycharmingindustry，mysister。

Itistheircheese—dairies，whichtheycallfruitieres。’

"Thenmybrother，whileurgingthemantoeat，explainedtohim，withgreatminuteness，whatthesefruitieresofPontarlierwere；

thattheyweredividedintotwoclasses:thebigbarnswhichbelongtotherich，andwheretherearefortyorfiftycowswhichproducefromseventoeightthousandcheeseseachsummer，andtheassociatedfruitieres，whichbelongtothepoor；thesearethepeasantsofmid—mountain，whoholdtheircowsincommon，andsharetheproceeds。

`Theyengagetheservicesofacheese—maker，whomtheycallthegrurin；

thegrurinreceivesthemilkoftheassociatesthreetimesaday，andmarksthequantityonadoubletally。ItistowardstheendofAprilthattheworkofthecheese—dairiesbegins；itistowardsthemiddleofJunethatthecheese—makersdrivetheircowstothemountains。’

"Themanrecoveredhisanimationasheate。MybrothermadehimdrinkthatgoodMauveswine，whichhedoesnotdrinkhimself，becausehesaysthatwineisexpensive。Mybrotherimpartedallthesedetailswiththateasygayetyofhiswithwhichyouareacquainted，interspersinghiswordswithgracefulattentionstome。Herecurredfrequentlytothatcomfortabletradeofgrurin，asthoughhewishedthemantounderstand，withoutadvisinghimdirectlyandharshly，thatthiswouldaffordhimarefuge。Onethingstruckme。

ThismanwaswhatIhavetoldyou。Well，neitherduringsupper，norduringtheentireevening，didmybrotherutterasingleword，withtheexceptionofafewwordsaboutJesuswhenheentered，whichcouldremindthemanofwhathewas，norofwhatmybrotherwas。

Toallappearances，itwasanoccasionforpreachinghimalittlesermon，andofimpressingtheBishopontheconvict，sothatamarkofthepassagemightremainbehind。Thismighthaveappearedtoanyoneelsewhohadthis，unfortunatemaninhishandstoaffordachancetonourishhissoulaswellashisbody，andtobestowuponhimsomereproach，seasonedwithmoralizingandadvice，oralittlecommiseration，withanexhortationtoconducthimselfbetterinthefuture。

Mybrotherdidnotevenaskhimfromwhatcountryhecame，norwhatwashishistory。Forinhishistorythereisafault，andmybrotherseemedtoavoideverythingwhichcouldremindhimofit。Tosuchapointdidhecarryit，thatatonetime，whenmybrotherwasspeakingofthemountaineersofPontarlier，whoexerciseagentlelabornearheaven，andwho，headded，arehappybecausetheyareinnocent，hestoppedshort，fearinglestinthisremarktheremighthaveescapedhimsomethingwhichmightwoundtheman。

Bydintofreflection，IthinkIhavecomprehendedwhatwaspassinginmybrother’sheart。Hewasthinking，nodoubt，thatthisman，whosenameisJeanValjean，hadhismisfortuneonlytoovividlypresentinhismind；thatthebestthingwastodiverthimfromit，andtomakehimbelieve，ifonlymomentarily，thathewasapersonlikeanyother，bytreatinghimjustinhisordinaryway。Isnotthisindeed，tounderstandcharitywell？Istherenot，dearMadame，somethingtrulyevangelicalinthisdelicacywhichabstainsfromsermon，frommoralizing，fromallusions？andisnotthetruestpity，whenamanhasasorepoint，nottotouchitatall？Ithasseemedtomethatthismighthavebeenmybrother’sprivatethought。

Inanycase，whatIcansayisthat，ifheentertainedalltheseideas，hegavenosignofthem；frombeginningtoend，eventomehewasthesameasheiseveryevening，andhesuppedwiththisJeanValjeanwiththesameairandinthesamemannerinwhichhewouldhavesuppedwithM。GedeonleProvost，orwiththecurateoftheparish。

"Towardstheend，whenhehadreachedthefigs，therecameaknockatthedoor。ItwasMotherGerbaud，withherlittleoneinherarms。

Mybrotherkissedthechildonthebrow，andborrowedfifteensouswhichIhadaboutmetogivetoMotherGerbaud。Themanwasnotpayingmuchheedtoanythingthen。Hewasnolongertalking，andheseemedverymuchfatigued。AfterpooroldGerbaudhadtakenherdeparture，mybrothersaidgrace；thenheturnedtothemanandsaidtohim，`Youmustbeingreatneedofyourbed。’MadameMagloireclearedthetableverypromptly。Iunderstoodthatwemustretire，inordertoallowthistravellertogotosleep，andwebothwentupstairs。Nevertheless，IsentMadameMagloiredownamomentlater，tocarrytotheman’sbedagoatskinfromtheBlackForest，whichwasinmyroom。Thenightsarefrigid，andthatkeepsonewarm。

Itisapitythatthisskinisold；allthehairisfallingout。

MybrotherboughtitwhilehewasinGermany，atTottlingen，nearthesourcesoftheDanube，aswellasthelittleivory—handledknifewhichIuseattable。

"MadameMagloirereturnedimmediately。Wesaidourprayersinthedrawing—room，wherewehangupthelinen，andthenweeachretiredtoourownchambers，withoutsayingawordtoeachother。"

CHAPTERV

TRANQUILLITY

Afterbiddinghissistergoodnight，MonseigneurBienvenutookoneofthetwosilvercandlesticksfromthetable，handedtheothertohisguest，andsaidtohim，——

"Monsieur，Iwillconductyoutoyourroom。"

Themanfollowedhim。

Asmighthavebeenobservedfromwhathasbeensaidabove，thehousewassoarrangedthatinordertopassintotheoratorywherethealcovewassituated，ortogetoutofit，itwasnecessarytotraversetheBishop’sbedroom。

Atthemomentwhenhewascrossingthisapartment，MadameMagloirewasputtingawaythesilverwareinthecupboardneartheheadofthebed。

Thiswasherlastcareeveryeveningbeforeshewenttobed。

TheBishopinstalledhisguestinthealcove。Afreshwhitebedhadbeenpreparedthere。Themansetthecandledownonasmalltable。

"Well，"saidtheBishop，"mayyoupassagoodnight。To—morrowmorning，beforeyousetout，youshalldrinkacupofwarmmilkfromourcows。"

"Thanks，Monsieurl’Abbe，"saidtheman。

Hardlyhadhepronouncedthesewordsfullofpeace，whenallofasudden，andwithouttransition，hemadeastrangemovement，whichwouldhavefrozenthetwosaintedwomenwithhorror，hadtheywitnessedit。Evenatthisdayitisdifficultforustoexplainwhatinspiredhimatthatmoment。Didheintendtoconveyawarningortothrowoutamenace？Washesimplyobeyingasortofinstinctiveimpulsewhichwasobscureeventohimself？

Heturnedabruptlytotheoldman，foldedhisarms，andbendinguponhishostasavagegaze，heexclaimedinahoarsevoice:——

"Ah！really！Youlodgemeinyourhouse，closetoyourselflikethis？"

Hebrokeoff，andaddedwithalaughinwhichtherelurkedsomethingmonstrous:——

"Haveyoureallyreflectedwell？HowdoyouknowthatIhavenotbeenanassassin？"

TheBishopreplied:——

"ThatistheconcernofthegoodGod。"

Thengravely，andmovinghislipslikeonewhoisprayingortalkingtohimself，heraisedtwofingersofhisrighthandandbestowedhisbenedictionontheman，whodidnotbow，andwithoutturninghisheadorlookingbehindhim，hereturnedtohisbedroom。

Whenthealcovewasinuse，alargesergecurtaindrawnfromwalltowallconcealedthealtar。TheBishopkneltbeforethiscurtainashepassedandsaidabriefprayer。Amomentlaterhewasinhisgarden，walking，meditating，conteplating，hisheartandsoulwhollyabsorbedinthosegrandandmysteriousthingswhichGodshowsatnighttotheeyeswhichremainopen。

Asfortheman，hewasactuallysofatiguedthathedidnotevenprofitbythenicewhitesheets。Snuffingouthiscandlewithhisnostrilsafterthemannerofconvicts，hedropped，alldressedashewas，uponthebed，whereheimmediatelyfellintoaprofoundsleep。

MidnightstruckastheBishopreturnedfromhisgardentohisapartment。

Afewminuteslaterallwereasleepinthelittlehouse。

CHAPTERVI

JEANVALJEAN

TowardsthemiddleofthenightJeanValjeanwoke。

JeanValjeancamefromapoorpeasantfamilyofBrie。Hehadnotlearnedtoreadinhischildhood。Whenhereachedman’sestate，bebecameatree—pruneratFaverolles。HismotherwasnamedJeanneMathieu；

hisfatherwascalledJeanValjeanorVlajean，probablyasobriquet，andacontractionofviolaJean，"here’sJean。"

JeanValjeanwasofthatthoughtfulbutnotgloomydispositionwhichconstitutesthepeculiarityofaffectionatenatures。

Onthewhole，however，therewassomethingdecidedlysluggishandinsignificantaboutJeanValjeaninappearance，atleast。

Hehadlosthisfatherandmotherataveryearlyage。Hismotherhaddiedofamilkfever，whichhadnotbeenproperlyattendedto。

Hisfather，atree—pruner，likehimself，hadbeenkilledbyafallfromatree。AllthatremainedtoJeanValjeanwasasisterolderthanhimself，——awidowwithsevenchildren，boysandgirls。

ThissisterhadbroughtupJeanValjean，andsolongasshehadahusbandshelodgedandfedheryoungbrother。

Thehusbanddied。Theeldestofthesevenchildrenwaseightyearsold。Theyoungest，one。

JeanValjeanhadjustattainedhistwenty—fifthyear。Hetookthefather’splace，and，inhisturn，supportedthesisterwhohadbroughthimup。ThiswasdonesimplyasadutyandevenalittlechurlishlyonthepartofJeanValjean。Thushisyouthhadbeenspentinrudeandill—paidtoil。Hehadneverknowna"kindwomanfriend"

inhisnativeparts。Hehadnothadthetimetofallinlove。

Hereturnedatnightweary，andatehisbrothwithoututteringaword。

Hissister，motherJeanne，oftentookthebestpartofhisrepastfromhisbowlwhilehewaseating，——abitofmeat，asliceofbacon，theheartofthecabbage，——togivetooneofherchildren。

Ashewentoneating，withhisheadbentoverthetableandalmostintohissoup，hislonghairfallingabouthisbowlandconcealinghiseyes，hehadtheairofperceivingnothingandallowingit。

TherewasatFaverolles，notfarfromtheValjeanthatchedcottage，ontheothersideofthelane，afarmer’swifenamedMarie—Claude；

theValjeanchildren，habituallyfamished，sometimeswenttoborrowfromMarie—Claudeapintofmilk，intheirmother’sname，whichtheydrankbehindahedgeorinsomealleycorner，snatchingthejugfromeachothersohastilythatthelittlegirlsspilleditontheirapronsanddowntheirnecks。Iftheirmotherhadknownofthismarauding，shewouldhavepunishedthedelinquentsseverely。

JeanValjeangrufflyandgrumblinglypaidMarie—Claudeforthepintofmilkbehindtheirmother’sback，andthechildrenwerenotpunished。

Inpruningseasonheearnedeighteensousaday；thenhehiredoutasahay—maker，aslaborer，asneat—herdonafarm，asadrudge。

Hedidwhateverhecould。Hissisterworkedalsobutwhatcouldshedowithsevenlittlechildren？Itwasasadgroupenvelopedinmisery，whichwasbeinggraduallyannihilated。Averyhardwintercame。

Jeanhadnowork。Thefamilyhadnobread。Nobreadliterally。

Sevenchildren！

OneSundayevening，MaubertIsabeau，thebakerontheChurchSquareatFaverolles，waspreparingtogotobed，whenheheardaviolentblowonthegratedfrontofhisshop。Hearrivedintimetoseeanarmpassedthroughaholemadebyablowfromafist，throughthegratingandtheglass。Thearmseizedaloafofbreadandcarrieditoff。Isabeauranoutinhaste；therobberfledatthefullspeedofhislegs。Isabeauranafterhimandstoppedhim。

Thethiefhadflungawaytheloaf，buthisarmwasstillbleeding。

ItwasJeanValjean。

Thistookplacein1795。JeanValjeanwastakenbeforethetribunalsofthetimefortheftandbreakingandenteringaninhabitedhouseatnight。Hehadagunwhichheusedbetterthananyoneelseintheworld，hewasabitofapoacher，andthisinjuredhiscase。Thereexistsalegitimateprejudiceagainstpoachers。

Thepoacher，likethesmuggler，smackstoostronglyofthebrigand。

Nevertheless，wewillremarkcursorily，thereisstillanabyssbetweentheseracesofmenandthehideousassassinofthetowns。

Thepoacherlivesintheforest，thesmugglerlivesinthemountainsoronthesea。Thecitiesmakeferociousmenbecausetheymakecorruptmen。Themountain，thesea，theforest，makesavagemen；

theydevelopthefierceside，butoftenwithoutdestroyingthehumaneside。

JeanValjeanwaspronouncedguilty。ThetermsoftheCodewereexplicit。Thereoccurformidablehoursinourcivilization；

therearemomentswhenthepenallawsdecreeashipwreck。

Whatanominousminuteisthatinwhichsocietydrawsbackandconsummatestheirreparableabandonmentofasentientbeing！

JeanValjeanwascondemnedtofiveyearsinthegalleys。

Onthe22dofApril，1796，thevictoryofMontenotte，wonbythegeneral—in—chiefofthearmyofItaly，whomthemessageoftheDirectorytotheFiveHundred，ofthe2dofFloreal，yearIV。，callsBuona—Parte，wasannouncedinParis；onthatsamedayagreatgangofgalley—slaveswasputinchainsatBicetre。JeanValjeanformedapartofthatgang。Anoldturnkeyoftheprison，whoisnownearlyeightyyearsold，stillrecallsperfectlythatunfortunatewretchwhowaschainedtotheendofthefourthline，inthenorthangleofthecourtyard。Hewasseatedonthegroundliketheothers。

Hedidnotseemtocomprehendhisposition，exceptthatitwashorrible。

Itisprobablethathe，also，wasdisentanglingfromamidthevagueideasofapoorman，ignorantofeverything，somethingexcessive。

Whiletheboltofhisironcollarwasbeingrivetedbehindhisheadwithheavyblowsfromthehammer，hewept，histearsstifledhim，theyimpededhisspeech；heonlymanagedtosayfromtimetotime，"Iwasatree—pruneratFaverolles。"Thenstillsobbing，heraisedhisrighthandandlowereditgraduallyseventimes，asthoughheweretouchinginsuccessionsevenheadsofunequalheights，andfromthisgestureitwasdivinedthatthethingwhichhehaddone，whateveritwas，hehaddoneforthesakeofclothingandnourishingsevenlittlechildren。

HesetoutforToulon。Hearrivedthere，afterajourneyoftwenty—sevendays，onacart，withachainonhisneck。AtToulonhewasclothedintheredcassock。Allthathadconstitutedhislife，eventohisname，waseffaced；hewasnolongerevenJeanValjean；hewasnumber24，601。Whatbecameofhissister？

Whatbecameofthesevenchildren？Whotroubledhimselfaboutthat？

Whatbecomesofthehandfulofleavesfromtheyoungtreewhichissawedoffattheroot？

Itisalwaysthesamestory。Thesepoorlivingbeings，thesecreaturesofGod，henceforthwithoutsupport，withoutguide，withoutrefuge，wanderedawayatrandom，——whoevenknows？——

eachinhisowndirectionperhaps，andlittlebylittleburiedthemselvesinthatcoldmistwhichengulfssolitarydestinies；

gloomyshades，intowhichdisappearinsuccessionsomanyunluckyheads，inthesombremarchofthehumanrace。Theyquittedthecountry。

Theclock—towerofwhathadbeentheirvillageforgotthem；theboundarylineofwhathadbeentheirfieldforgotthem；afterafewyears’

residenceinthegalleys，JeanValjeanhimselfforgotthem。

Inthatheart，wheretherehadbeenawound，therewasascar。

Thatisall。Onlyonce，duringallthetimewhichhespentatToulon，didhehearhissistermentioned。Thishappened，Ithink，towardstheendofthefourthyearofhiscaptivity。Iknownotthroughwhatchannelsthenewsreachedhim。Someonewhohadknownthemintheirowncountryhadseenhissister。ShewasinParis。

ShelivedinapoorstreetRearSaint—Sulpice，intheRueduGindre。

Shehadwithheronlyonechild，alittleboy，theyoungest。

Whereweretheothersix？Perhapsshedidnotknowherself。

Everymorningshewenttoaprintingoffice，No。3RueduSabot，whereshewasafolderandstitcher。Shewasobligedtobethereatsixo’clockinthemorning——longbeforedaylightinwinter。

Inthesamebuildingwiththeprintingofficetherewasaschool，andtothisschoolshetookherlittleboy，whowassevenyearsold。

Butassheenteredtheprintingofficeatsix，andtheschoolonlyopenedatseven，thechildhadtowaitinthecourtyard，fortheschooltoopen，foranhour——onehourofawinternightintheopenair！

Theywouldnotallowthechildtocomeintotheprintingoffice，becausehewasintheway，theysaid。Whentheworkmenpassedinthemorning，theybeheldthispoorlittlebeingseatedonthepavement，overcomewithdrowsiness，andoftenfastasleepintheshadow，croucheddownanddoubledupoverhisbasket。Whenitrained，anoldwoman，theportress，tookpityonhim；shetookhimintoherden，wheretherewasapallet，aspinning—wheel，andtwowoodenchairs，andthelittleoneslumberedinacorner，pressinghimselfclosetothecatthathemightsufferlessfromcold。Atseveno’clocktheschoolopened，andheentered。ThatiswhatwastoldtoJeanValjean。

Theytalkedtohimaboutitforoneday；itwasamoment，aflash，asthoughawindowhadsuddenlybeenopeneduponthedestinyofthosethingswhomhehadloved；thenallclosedagain。Heheardnothingmoreforever。Nothingfromthemeverreachedhimagain；

heneverbeheldthem；henevermetthemagain；andinthecontinuationofthismournfulhistorytheywillnotbemetwithanymore。

TowardstheendofthisfourthyearJeanValjean’sturntoescapearrived。Hiscomradesassistedhim，asisthecustominthatsadplace。

Heescaped。Hewanderedfortwodaysinthefieldsatliberty，ifbeingatlibertyistobehunted，toturntheheadeveryinstant，toquakeattheslightestnoise，tobeafraidofeverything，——ofasmokingroof，ofapassingman，ofabarkingdog，ofagallopinghorse，ofastrikingclock，ofthedaybecauseonecansee，ofthenightbecauseonecannotsee，ofthehighway，ofthepath，ofabush，ofsleep。Ontheeveningoftheseconddayhewascaptured。

Hehadneithereatennorsleptforthirty—sixhours。Themaritimetribunalcondemnedhim，forthiscrime，toaprolongationofhistermforthreeyears，whichmadeeightyears。Inthesixthyearhisturntoescapeoccurredagain；heavailedhimselfofit，butcouldnotaccomplishhisflightfully。Hewasmissingatroll—call。Thecannonwerefired，andatnightthepatrolfoundhimhiddenunderthekeelofavesselinprocessofconstruction；

heresistedthegalleyguardswhoseizedhim。Escapeandrebellion。

Thiscase，providedforbyaspecialcode，waspunishedbyanadditionoffiveyears，twooftheminthedoublechain。Thirteenyears。

Inthetenthyearhisturncameroundagain；heagainprofitedbyit；

hesucceedednobetter。Threeyearsforthisfreshattempt。

Sixteenyears。Finally，Ithinkitwasduringhisthirteenthyear，hemadealastattempt，andonlysucceededingettingretakenattheendoffourhoursofabsence。Threeyearsforthosefourhours。

Nineteenyears。InOctober，1815，hewasreleased；hehadenteredtherein1796，forhavingbrokenapaneofglassandtakenaloafofbread。

Roomforabriefparenthesis。Thisisthesecondtime，duringhisstudiesonthepenalquestionanddamnationbylaw，thattheauthorofthisbookhascomeacrossthetheftofaloafofbreadasthepointofdepartureforthedisasterofadestiny。

ClaudeGauxhadstolenaloaf；JeanValjeanhadstolenaloaf。

EnglishstatisticsprovethefactthatfourtheftsoutoffiveinLondonhavehungerfortheirimmediatecause。

JeanValjeanhadenteredthegalleyssobbingandshuddering；

heemergedimpassive。Hehadenteredindespair；heemergedgloomy。

Whathadtakenplaceinthatsoul？

CHAPTERVII

THEINTERIOROFDESPAIR

Letustrytosayit。

Itisnecessarythatsocietyshouldlookatthesethings，becauseitisitselfwhichcreatesthem。

Hewas，aswehavesaid，anignorantman，buthewasnotafool。

Thelightofnaturewasignitedinhim。Unhappiness，whichalsopossessesaclearnessofvisionofitsown，augmentedthesmallamountofdaylightwhichexistedinthismind。Beneaththecudgel，beneaththechain，inthecell，inhardship，beneaththeburningsunofthegalleys，upontheplankbedoftheconvict，hewithdrewintohisownconsciousnessandmeditated。

Heconstitutedhimselfthetribunal。

Hebeganbyputtinghimselfontrial。

Herecognizedthefactthathewasnotaninnocentmanunjustlypunished。

Headmittedthathehadcommittedanextremeandblameworthyact；

thatthatloafofbreadwouldprobablynothavebeenrefusedtohimhadheaskedforit；that，inanycase，itwouldhavebeenbettertowaituntilhecouldgetitthroughcompassionorthroughwork；

thatitisnotanunanswerableargumenttosay，"Canonewaitwhenoneishungry？"That，inthefirstplace，itisveryrareforanyonetodieofhunger，literally；andnext，that，fortunatelyorunfortunately，manissoconstitutedthathecansufferlongandmuch，bothmorallyandphysically，withoutdying；thatitisthereforenecessarytohavepatience；thatthatwouldevenhavebeenbetterforthosepoorlittlechildren；thatithadbeenanactofmadnessforhim，amiserable，unfortunatewretch，totakesocietyatlargeviolentlybythecollar，andtoimaginethatonecanescapefrommiserythroughtheft；

thatthatisinanycaseapoordoorthroughwhichtoescapefrommiserythroughwhichinfamyenters；inshort，thathewasinthewrong。

Thenheaskedhimself——

Whetherhehadbeentheonlyoneinfaultinhisfatalhistory。

Whetheritwasnotaseriousthing，thathe，alaborer，outofwork，thathe，anindustriousman，shouldhavelackedbread。Andwhether，thefaultoncecommittedandconfessed，thechastisementhadnotbeenferociousanddisproportioned。Whethertherehadnotbeenmoreabuseonthepartofthelaw，inrespecttothepenalty，thantherehadbeenonthepartoftheculpritinrespecttohisfault。Whethertherehadnotbeenanexcessofweightsinonebalanceofthescale，intheonewhichcontainsexpiation。Whethertheover—weightofthepenaltywasnotequivalenttotheannihilationofthecrime，anddidnotresultinreversingthesituation，ofreplacingthefaultofthedelinquentbythefaultoftherepression，ofconvertingtheguiltymanintothevictim，andthedebtorintothecreditor，andofrangingthelawdefinitelyonthesideofthemanwhohadviolatedit。

Whetherthispenalty，complicatedbysuccessiveaggravationsforattemptsatescape，hadnotendedinbecomingasortofoutrageperpetratedbythestrongeruponthefeebler，acrimeofsocietyagainsttheindividual，acrimewhichwasbeingcommittedafresheveryday，acrimewhichhadlastednineteenyears。

Heaskedhimselfwhetherhumansocietycouldhavetherighttoforceitsmemberstosufferequallyinonecaseforitsownunreasonablelackofforesight，andintheothercaseforitspitilessforesight；

andtoseizeapoormanforeverbetweenadefectandanexcess，adefaultofworkandanexcessofpunishment。

Whetheritwasnotoutrageousforsocietytotreatthuspreciselythoseofitsmemberswhoweretheleastwellendowedinthedivisionofgoodsmadebychance，andconsequentlythemostdeservingofconsideration。

Thesequestionsputandanswered，hejudgedsocietyandcondemnedit。

Hecondemnedittohishatred。

Hemadeitresponsibleforthefatewhichhewassuffering，andhesaidtohimselfthatitmightbethatonedayheshouldnothesitatetocallittoaccount。Hedeclaredtohimselfthattherewasnoequilibriumbetweentheharmwhichhehadcausedandtheharmwhichwasbeingdonetohim；hefinallyarrivedattheconclusionthathispunishmentwasnot，intruth，unjust，butthatitmostassuredlywasiniquitous。

Angermaybebothfoolishandabsurd；onecanbeirritatedwrongfully；

oneisexasperatedonlywhenthereissomeshowofrightonone’ssideatbottom。JeanValjeanfelthimselfexasperated。

Andbesides，humansocietyhaddonehimnothingbutharm；hehadneverseenanythingofitsavethatangryfacewhichitcallsJustice，andwhichitshowstothosewhomitstrikes。Menhadonlytouchedhimtobruisehim。Everycontactwiththemhadbeenablow。

Never，sincehisinfancy，sincethedaysofhismother，ofhissister，hadheeverencounteredafriendlywordandakindlyglance。

Fromsufferingtosuffering，hehadgraduallyarrivedattheconvictionthatlifeisawar；andthatinthiswarhewastheconquered。

Hehadnootherweaponthanhishate。Heresolvedtowhetitinthegalleysandtobearitawaywithhimwhenhedeparted。

TherewasatToulonaschoolfortheconvicts，keptbytheIgnorantinfriars，wherethemostnecessarybranchesweretaughttothoseoftheunfortunatemenwhohadamindforthem。Hewasofthenumberwhohadamind。Hewenttoschoolattheageofforty，andlearnedtoread，towrite，tocipher。Hefeltthattofortifyhisintelligencewastofortifyhishate。Incertaincases，educationandenlightenmentcanservetoekeoutevil。

Thisisasadthingtosay；afterhavingjudgedsociety，whichhadcausedhisunhappiness，hejudgedProvidence，whichhadmadesociety，andhecondemneditalso。

Thusduringnineteenyearsoftortureandslavery，thissoulmountedandatthesametimefell。Lightentereditononeside，anddarknessontheother。

JeanValjeanhadnot，aswehaveseen，anevilnature。Hewasstillgoodwhenhearrivedatthegalleys。Hetherecondemnedsociety，andfeltthathewasbecomingwicked；hetherecondemnedProvidence，andwasconsciousthathewasbecomingimpious。

Itisdifficultnottoindulgeinmeditationatthispoint。

Doeshumannaturethuschangeutterlyandfromtoptobottom？

CanthemancreatedgoodbyGodberenderedwickedbyman？

Canthesoulbecompletelymadeoverbyfate，andbecomeevil，fatebeingevil？Cantheheartbecomemisshapenandcontractincurabledeformitiesandinfirmitiesundertheoppressionofadisproportionateunhappiness，asthevertebralcolumnbeneathtoolowavault？Istherenotineveryhumansoul，wastherenotinthesoulofJeanValjeaninparticular，afirstspark，adivineelement，incorruptibleinthisworld，immortalintheother，whichgoodcandevelop，fan，ignite，andmaketoglowwithsplendor，andwhichevilcanneverwhollyextinguish？

Graveandobscurequestions，tothelastofwhicheveryphysiologistwouldprobablyhaverespondedno，andthatwithouthesitation，hadhebeheldatToulon，duringthehoursofrepose，whichwereforJeanValjeanhoursofrevery，thisgloomygalley—slave，seatedwithfoldedarmsuponthebarofsomecapstan，withtheendofhischainthrustintohispockettopreventitsdragging，serious，silent，andthoughtful，apariahofthelawswhichregardedthemanwithwrath，condemnedbycivilization，andregardingheavenwithseverity。

Certainly，——andwemakenoattempttodissimulatethefact，——

theobservingphysiologistwouldhavebeheldanirremediablemisery；

hewould，perchance，havepitiedthissickman，ofthelaw’smaking；

buthewouldnothaveevenessayedanytreatment；hewouldhaveturnedasidehisgazefromthecavernsofwhichhewouldhavecaughtaglimpsewithinthissoul，and，likeDanteattheportalsofhell，hewouldhaveeffacedfromthisexistencethewordwhichthefingerofGodhas，nevertheless，inscribeduponthebrowofeveryman，——hope。

Wasthisstateofhissoul，whichwehaveattemptedtoanalyze，asperfectlycleartoJeanValjeanaswehavetriedtorenderitforthosewhoreadus？DidJeanValjeandistinctlyperceive，aftertheirformation，andhadheseendistinctlyduringtheprocessoftheirformation，alltheelementsofwhichhismoralmiserywascomposed？Hadthisroughandunletteredmangatheredaperfectlyclearperceptionofthesuccessionofideasthroughwhichhehad，bydegrees，mountedanddescendedtothelugubriousaspectswhichhad，forsomanyyears，formedtheinnerhorizonofhisspirit？

Washeconsciousofallthatpassedwithinhim，andofallthatwasworkingthere？Thatissomethingwhichwedonotpresumetostate；

itissomethingwhichwedonotevenbelieve。TherewastoomuchignoranceinJeanValjean，evenafterhismisfortune，topreventmuchvaguenessfromstilllingeringthere。Attimeshedidnotrightlyknowhimselfwhathefelt。JeanValjeanwasintheshadows；hesufferedintheshadows；hehatedintheshadows；onemighthavesaidthathehatedinadvanceofhimself。Hedwelthabituallyinthisshadow，feelinghiswaylikeablindmanandadreamer。Only，atintervals，theresuddenlycametohim，fromwithoutandfromwithin，anaccessofwrath，asurchargeofsuffering，alividandrapidflashwhichilluminatedhiswholesoul，andcausedtoappearabruptlyallaroundhim，infront，behind，amidthegleamsofafrightfullight，thehideousprecipicesandthesombreperspectiveofhisdestiny。

Theflashpassed，thenightclosedinagain；andwherewashe？

Henolongerknew。Thepeculiarityofpainsofthisnature，inwhichthatwhichispitiless——thatistosay，thatwhichisbrutalizing——predominates，istotransformaman，littlebylittle，byasortofstupidtransfiguration，intoawildbeast；

sometimesintoaferociousbeast。

JeanValjean’ssuccessiveandobstinateattemptsatescapewouldalonesufficetoprovethisstrangeworkingofthelawuponthehumansoul。JeanValjeanwouldhaverenewedtheseattempts，utterlyuselessandfoolishastheywere，asoftenastheopportunityhadpresenteditself，withoutreflectingforaninstantontheresult，norontheexperienceswhichhehadalreadygonethrough。

Heescapedimpetuously，likethewolfwhofindshiscageopen。

Instinctsaidtohim，"Flee！"Reasonwouldhavesaid，"Remain！"

Butinthepresenceofsoviolentatemptation，reasonvanished；

nothingremainedbutinstinct。Thebeastaloneacted。Whenhewasrecaptured，thefreshseveritiesinflictedonhimonlyservedtorenderhimstillmorewild。

Onedetail，whichwemustnotomit，isthathepossessedaphysicalstrengthwhichwasnotapproachedbyasingleoneofthedenizensofthegalleys。Atwork，atpayingoutacableorwindingupacapstan，JeanValjeanwasworthfourmen。Hesometimesliftedandsustainedenormousweightsonhisback；andwhentheoccasiondemandedit，hereplacedthatimplementwhichiscalledajack—screw，andwasformerlycalledorgueil[pride]，whence，wemayremarkinpassing，isderivedthenameoftheRueMontorgueil，neartheHalles[Fishmarket]

inParis。HiscomradeshadnicknamedhimJeantheJack—screw。Once，whentheywererepairingthebalconyofthetown—hallatToulon，oneofthoseadmirablecaryatidsofPuget，whichsupportthebalcony，becameloosened，andwasonthepointoffalling。JeanValjean，whowaspresent，supportedthecaryatidwithhisshoulder，andgavetheworkmentimetoarrive。

Hissupplenessevenexceededhisstrength。Certainconvictswhowereforeverdreamingofescape，endedbymakingaveritablescienceofforceandskillcombined。Itisthescienceofmuscles。

Anentiresystemofmysteriousstaticsisdailypractisedbyprisoners，menwhoareforeverenviousofthefliesandbirds。

Toclimbaverticalsurface，andtofindpointsofsupportwherehardlyaprojectionwasvisible，wasplaytoJeanValjean。

Anangleofthewallbeinggiven，withthetensionofhisbackandlegs，withhiselbowsandhisheelsfittedintotheunevennessofthestone，heraisedhimselfasifbymagictothethirdstory。

Hesometimesmountedthuseventotheroofofthegalleyprison。

Hespokebutlittle。Helaughednotatall。Anexcessiveemotionwasrequiredtowringfromhim，onceortwiceayear，thatlugubriouslaughoftheconvict，whichisliketheechoofthelaughofademon。

Toallappearance，heseemedtobeoccupiedintheconstantcontemplationofsomethingterrible。

Hewasabsorbed，infact。

Athwarttheunhealthyperceptionsofanincompletenatureandacrushedintelligence，hewasconfusedlyconsciousthatsomemonstrousthingwasrestingonhim。Inthatobscureandwanshadowwithinwhichhecrawled，eachtimethatheturnedhisneckandessayedtoraisehisglance，heperceivedwithterror，mingledwithrage，asortoffrightfulaccumulationofthings，collectingandmountingabovehim，beyondtherangeofhisvision，——

laws，prejudices，men，anddeeds，——whoseoutlinesescapedhim，whosemassterrifiedhim，andwhichwasnothingelsethanthatprodigiouspyramidwhichwecallcivilization。Hedistinguished，hereandthereinthatswarmingandformlessmass，nownearhim，nowafaroffandoninaccessibletable—lands，somegroup，somedetail，vividlyilluminated；herethegalley—sergeantandhiscudgel；

therethegendarmeandhissword；yonderthemitredarchbishop；

awayatthetop，likeasortofsun，theEmperor，crownedanddazzling。

Itseemedtohimthatthesedistantsplendors，farfromdissipatinghisnight，rendereditmorefunerealandmoreblack。Allthis——

laws，prejudices，deeds，men，things——wentandcameabovehim，overhishead，inaccordancewiththecomplicatedandmysteriousmovementwhichGodimpartstocivilization，walkingoverhimandcrushinghimwithIknownotwhatpeacefulnessinitscrueltyandinexorabilityinitsindifference。Soulswhichhavefallentothebottomofallpossiblemisfortune，unhappymenlostinthelowestofthoselimbosatwhichnooneanylongerlooks，thereprovedofthelaw，feelthewholeweightofthishumansociety，soformidableforhimwhoiswithout，sofrightfulforhimwhoisbeneath，restingupontheirheads。

InthissituationJeanValjeanmeditated；andwhatcouldbethenatureofhismeditation？

Ifthegrainofmilletbeneaththemillstonehadthoughts，itwould，doubtless，thinkthatsamethingwhichJeanValjeanthought。

Allthesethings，realitiesfullofspectres，phantasmagoriesfullofrealities，hadeventuallycreatedforhimasortofinteriorstatewhichisalmostindescribable。

Attimes，amidhisconvicttoil，hepaused。Hefelltothinking。

Hisreason，atoneandthesametimeriperandmoretroubledthanofyore，roseinrevolt。Everythingwhichhadhappenedtohimseemedtohimabsurd；everythingthatsurroundedhimseemedtohimimpossible。Hesaidtohimself，"Itisadream。"

Hegazedatthegalley—sergeantstandingafewpacesfromhim；

thegalley—sergeantseemedaphantomtohim。Allofasuddenthephantomdealthimablowwithhiscudgel。

Visiblenaturehardlyexistedforhim。ItwouldalmostbetruetosaythatthereexistedforJeanValjeanneithersun，norfinesummerdays，norradiantsky，norfreshAprildawns。

Iknownotwhatvent—holedaylighthabituallyilluminedhissoul。

Tosumup，inconclusion，thatwhichcanbesummedupandtranslatedintopositiveresultsinallthatwehavejustpointedout，wewillconfineourselvestothestatementthat，inthecourseofnineteenyears，JeanValjean，theinoffensivetree—prunerofFaverolles，theformidableconvictofToulon，hadbecomecapable，thankstothemannerinwhichthegalleyshadmouldedhim，oftwosortsofevilaction:firstly，ofevilactionwhichwasrapid，unpremeditated，dashing，entirelyinstinctive，inthenatureofreprisalsfortheevilwhichhehadundergone；secondly，ofevilactionwhichwasserious，grave，consciouslyarguedoutandpremeditated，withthefalseideaswhichsuchamisfortunecanfurnish。Hisdeliberatedeedspassedthroughthreesuccessivephases，whichnaturesofacertainstampcanalonetraverse，——reasoning，will，perseverance。

Hehadformovingcauseshishabitualwrath，bitternessofsoul，aprofoundsenseofindignitiessuffered，thereactionevenagainstthegood，theinnocent，andthejust，ifthereareanysuch。

Thepointofdeparture，likethepointofarrival，forallhisthoughts，washatredofhumanlaw；thathatredwhich，ifitbenotarrestedinitsdevelopmentbysomeprovidentialincident，becomes，withinagiventime，thehatredofsociety，thenthehatredofthehumanrace，thenthehatredofcreation，andwhichmanifestsitselfbyavague，incessant，andbrutaldesiretodoharmtosomelivingbeing，nomatterwhom。ItwillbeperceivedthatitwasnotwithoutreasonthatJeanValjean’spassportdescribedhimasaverydangerousman。

Fromyeartoyearthissoulhaddriedawayslowly，butwithfatalsureness。Whentheheartisdry，theeyeisdry。Onhisdeparturefromthegalleysithadbeennineteenyearssincehehadshedatear。

CHAPTERVIII

BILLOWSANDSHADOWS

Amanoverboard！

Whatmattersit？Thevesseldoesnothalt。Thewindblows。

Thatsombreshiphasapathwhichitisforcedtopursue。

Itpasseson。

Themandisappears，thenreappears；heplunges，herisesagaintothesurface；hecalls，hestretchesouthisarms；heisnotheard。

Thevessel，tremblingunderthehurricane，iswhollyabsorbedinitsownworkings；thepassengersandsailorsdonotevenseethedrowningman；

hismiserableheadisbutaspeckamidtheimmensityofthewaves。

Hegivesventtodesperatecriesfromoutofthedepths。Whataspectreisthatretreatingsail！Hegazesandgazesatitfrantically。

Itretreats，itgrowsdim，itdiminishesinsize。Hewastherebutjustnow，hewasoneofthecrew，hewentandcamealongthedeckwiththerest，hehadhispartofbreathandofsunlight，hewasalivingman。Now，whathastakenplace？Hehasslipped，hehasfallen；allisatanend。

Heisinthetremendoussea。Underfoothehasnothingbutwhatfleesandcrumbles。Thebillows，tornandlashedbythewind，encompasshimhideously；thetossingsoftheabyssbearhimaway；

allthetonguesofwaterdashoverhishead；apopulaceofwavesspitsuponhim；confusedopeningshalfdevourhim；everytimethathesinks，hecatchesglimpsesofprecipicesfilledwithnight；

frightfulandunknownvegetationsseizehim，knotabouthisfeet，drawhimtothem；heisconsciousthatheisbecominganabyss，thatheformspartofthefoam；thewavestosshimfromonetoanother；

hedrinksinthebitterness；thecowardlyoceanattackshimfuriously，todrownhim；theenormityplayswithhisagony。Itseemsasthoughallthatwaterwerehate。

Nevertheless，hestruggles。

Hetriestodefendhimself；hetriestosustainhimself；hemakesaneffort；heswims。He，hispettystrengthallexhaustedinstantly，combatstheinexhaustible。

Where，then，istheship？Yonder。Barelyvisibleinthepaleshadowsofthehorizon。

Thewindblowsingusts；allthefoamoverwhelmshim。

Heraiseshiseyesandbeholdsonlythelividnessoftheclouds。

Hewitnesses，amidhisdeath—pangs，theimmensemadnessofthesea。

Heistorturedbythismadness；hehearsnoisesstrangetoman，whichseemtocomefrombeyondthelimitsoftheearth，andfromoneknowsnotwhatfrightfulregionbeyond。

Therearebirdsintheclouds，justasthereareangelsabovehumandistresses；butwhatcantheydoforhim？Theysingandflyandfloat，andhe，herattlesinthedeathagony。

Hefeelshimselfburiedinthosetwoinfinities，theoceanandthesky，atoneandthesametime:theoneisatomb；theotherisashroud。

Nightdescends；hehasbeenswimmingforhours；hisstrengthisexhausted；thatship，thatdistantthinginwhichthereweremen，hasvanished；heisaloneintheformidabletwilightgulf；

hesinks，hestiffenshimself，hetwistshimself；hefeelsunderhimthemonstrousbillowsoftheinvisible；heshouts。

Therearenomoremen。WhereisGod？

Heshouts。Help！Help！Hestillshoutson。

Nothingonthehorizon；nothinginheaven。

Heimplorestheexpanse，thewaves，theseaweed，thereef；

theyaredeaf。Hebeseechesthetempest；theimperturbabletempestobeysonlytheinfinite。

Aroundhimdarkness，fog，solitude，thestormyandnonsentienttumult，theundefinedcurlingofthosewildwaters。Inhimhorrorandfatigue。

Beneathhimthedepths。Notapointofsupport。Hethinksofthegloomyadventuresofthecorpseinthelimitlessshadow。

Thebottomlesscoldparalyzeshim。Hishandscontractconvulsively；

theyclose，andgraspnothingness。Winds，clouds，whirlwinds，gusts，uselessstars！Whatistobedone？Thedesperatemangivesup；

heisweary，hechoosesthealternativeofdeath；heresistsnot；

heletshimselfgo；heabandonshisgrip；andthenhetossesforevermoreinthelugubriousdrearydepthsofengulfment。

Oh，implacablemarchofhumansocieties！Oh，lossesofmenandofsoulsontheway！Oceanintowhichfallsallthatthelawletsslip！

Disastrousabsenceofhelp！Oh，moraldeath！

Theseaistheinexorablesocialnightintowhichthepenallawsflingtheircondemned。Theseaistheimmensityofwretchedness。

Thesoul，goingdownstreaminthisgulf，maybecomeacorpse。

Whoshallresuscitateit？

CHAPTERIX

NEWTROUBLES

Whenthehourcameforhimtotakehisdeparturefromthegalleys，whenJeanValjeanheardinhisearthestrangewords，Thouartfree！

themomentseemedimprobableandunprecedented；arayofvividlight，arayofthetruelightoftheliving，suddenlypenetratedwithinhim。

Butitwasnotlongbeforethisraypaled。JeanValjeanhadbeendazzledbytheideaofliberty。Hehadbelievedinanewlife。

Heveryspeedilyperceivedwhatsortoflibertyitistowhichayellowpassportisprovided。

Andthiswasencompassedwithmuchbitterness。Hehadcalculatedthathisearnings，duringhissojourninthegalleys，oughttoamounttoahundredandseventy—onefrancs。ItisbutjusttoaddthathehadforgottentoincludeinhiscalculationstheforcedreposeofSundaysandfestivaldaysduringnineteenyears，whichentailedadiminutionofabouteightyfrancs。Atallevents，hishoardhadbeenreducedbyvariouslocalleviestothesumofonehundredandninefrancsfifteensous，whichhadbeencountedouttohimonhisdeparture。

Hehadunderstoodnothingofthis，andhadthoughthimselfwronged。

Letussaytheword——robbed。

Onthedayfollowinghisliberation，hesaw，atGrasse，infrontofanorange—flowerdistillery，somemenengagedinunloadingbales。

Heofferedhisservices。Businesswaspressing；theywereaccepted。

Hesettowork。Hewasintelligent，robust，adroit；hedidhisbest；

themasterseemedpleased。Whilehewasatwork，agendarmepassed，observedhim，anddemandedhispapers。Itwasnecessarytoshowhimtheyellowpassport。Thatdone，JeanValjeanresumedhislabor。

Alittlewhilebeforehehadquestionedoneoftheworkmenastotheamountwhichtheyearnedeachdayatthisoccupation；

hehadbeentoldthirtysous。Wheneveningarrived，ashewasforcedtosetoutagainonthefollowingday，hepresentedhimselftotheownerofthedistilleryandrequestedtobepaid。Theownerdidnotutteraword，buthandedhimfifteensous。Heobjected。

Hewastold，"Thatisenoughforthee。"Hepersisted。Themasterlookedhimstraightbetweentheeyes，andsaidtohim"Bewareoftheprison。"

There，again，heconsideredthathehadbeenrobbed。

Society，theState，bydiminishinghishoard，hadrobbedhimwholesale。

Nowitwastheindividualwhowasrobbinghimatretail。

Liberationisnotdeliverance。Onegetsfreefromthegalleys，butnotfromthesentence。

ThatiswhathappenedtohimatGrasse。WehaveseeninwhatmannerhewasreceivedatD————

CHAPTERX

THEMANAROUSED

AstheCathedralclockstrucktwointhemorning，JeanValjeanawoke。

Whatwokehimwasthathisbedwastoogood。Itwasnearlytwentyyearssincehehadsleptinabed，and，althoughhehadnotundressed，thesensationwastoonovelnottodisturbhisslumbers。

Hehadsleptmorethanfourhours。Hisfatiguehadpassedaway。

Hewasaccustomednottodevotemanyhourstorepose。

Heopenedhiseyesandstaredintothegloomwhichsurroundedhim；

thenheclosedthemagain，withtheintentionofgoingtosleeponcemore。

Whenmanyvariedsensationshaveagitatedtheday，whenvariousmatterspreoccupythemind，onefallsasleeponce，butnotasecondtime。

Sleepcomesmoreeasilythanitreturns。ThisiswhathappenedtoJeanValjean。Hecouldnotgettosleepagain，andhefelltothinking。

Hewasatoneofthosemomentswhenthethoughtswhichonehasinone’smindaretroubled。Therewasasortofdarkconfusioninhisbrain。

Hismemoriesoftheoldentimeandoftheimmediatepresentfloatedtherepell—mellandmingledconfusedly，losingtheirproperforms，becomingdisproportionatelylarge，thensuddenlydisappearing，asinamuddyandperturbedpool。Manythoughtsoccurredtohim；

buttherewasonewhichkeptconstantlypresentingitselfafresh，andwhichdroveawayallothers。Wewillmentionthisthoughtatonce:

hehadobservedthesixsetsofsilverforksandspoonsandtheladlewhichMadameMagloirehadplacedonthetable。

Thosesixsetsofsilverhauntedhim。——Theywerethere。——Afewpacesdistant。——Justashewastraversingtheadjoiningroomtoreachtheoneinwhichhethenwas，theoldservant—womanhadbeenintheactofplacingtheminalittlecupboardneartheheadofthebed。——

Hehadtakencarefulnoteofthiscupboard。——Ontheright，asyouenteredfromthedining—room。——Theyweresolid。——Andoldsilver。——

Fromtheladleonecouldgetatleasttwohundredfrancs。——

Doublewhathehadearnedinnineteenyears。——Itistruethathewouldhaveearnedmoreif"theadministrationhadnotrobbedhim。"

Hismindwaveredforawholehourinfluctuationswithwhichtherewascertainlymingledsomestruggle。Threeo’clockstruck。Heopenedhiseyesagain，drewhimselfupabruptlyintoasittingposture，stretchedouthisarmandfeltofhisknapsack，whichhehadthrowndownonacornerofthealcove；thenhehunghislegsovertheedgeofthebed，andplacedhisfeetonthefloor，andthusfoundhimself，almostwithoutknowingit，seatedonhisbed。

Heremainedforatimethoughtfullyinthisattitude，whichwouldhavebeensuggestiveofsomethingsinisterforanyonewhohadseenhimthusinthedark，theonlypersonawakeinthathousewhereallweresleeping。Allofasuddenhestoopeddown，removedhisshoesandplacedthemsoftlyonthematbesidethebed；thenheresumedhisthoughtfulattitude，andbecamemotionlessoncemore。

Throughoutthishideousmeditation，thethoughtswhichwehaveaboveindicatedmovedincessantlythroughhisbrain；entered，withdrew，re—entered，andinamanneroppressedhim；andthenhethought，also，withoutknowingwhy，andwiththemechanicalpersistenceofrevery，ofaconvictnamedBrevet，whomhehadknowninthegalleys，andwhosetrousershadbeenupheldbyasinglesuspenderofknittedcotton。

Thecheckeredpatternofthatsuspenderrecurredincessantlytohismind。

Heremainedinthissituation，andwouldhavesoremainedindefinitely，evenuntildaybreak，hadnottheclockstruckone——thehalforquarterhour。Itseemedtohimthatthatstrokesaidtohim，"Comeon！"

Herosetohisfeet，hesitatedstillanothermoment，andlistened；

allwasquietinthehouse；thenhewalkedstraightahead，withshortsteps，tothewindow，ofwhichhecaughtaglimpse。

Thenightwasnotverydark；therewasafullmoon，acrosswhichcoursedlargecloudsdrivenbythewind。Thiscreated，outdoors，alternateshadowandgleamsoflight，eclipses，thenbrightopeningsoftheclouds；andindoorsasortoftwilight。Thistwilight，sufficienttoenableapersontoseehisway，intermittentonaccountoftheclouds，resembledthesortoflividlightwhichfallsthroughanair—holeinacellar，beforewhichthepassersbycomeandgo。Onarrivingatthewindow，JeanValjeanexaminedit。

Ithadnograting；itopenedinthegardenandwasfastened，accordingtothefashionofthecountry，onlybyasmallpin。

Heopenedit；butasarushofcoldandpiercingairpenetratedtheroomabruptly，hecloseditagainimmediately。Hescrutinizedthegardenwiththatattentivegazewhichstudiesratherthanlooks。

Thegardenwasenclosedbyatolerablylowwhitewall，easytoclimb。

Faraway，attheextremity，heperceivedtopsoftrees，spacedatregularintervals，whichindicatedthatthewallseparatedthegardenfromanavenueorlaneplantedwithtrees。

Havingtakenthissurvey，heexecutedamovementlikethatofamanwhohasmadeuphismind，strodetohisalcove，graspedhisknapsack，openedit，fumbledinit，pulledoutofitsomethingwhichheplacedonthebed，puthisshoesintooneofhispockets，shutthewholethingupagain，threwtheknapsackonhisshoulders，putonhiscap，drewthevisordownoverhiseyes，feltforhiscudgel，wentandplaceditintheangleofthewindow；thenreturnedtothebed，andresolutelyseizedtheobjectwhichhehaddepositedthere。

Itresembledashortbarofiron，pointedlikeapikeatoneend。

Itwouldhavebeendifficulttodistinguishinthatdarknessforwhatemploymentthatbitofironcouldhavebeendesigned。

Perhapsitwasalever；possiblyitwasaclub。

Inthedaytimeitwouldhavebeenpossibletorecognizeitasnothingmorethanaminer’scandlestick。Convictswere，atthatperiod，sometimesemployedinquarryingstonefromtheloftyhillswhichenvironToulon，anditwasnotrareforthemtohaveminers’toolsattheircommand。Theseminers’candlesticksareofmassiveiron，terminatedatthelowerextremitybyapoint，bymeansofwhichtheyarestuckintotherock。

Hetookthecandlestickinhisrighthand；holdinghisbreathandtryingtodeadenthesoundofhistread，hedirectedhisstepstothedooroftheadjoiningroom，occupiedbytheBishop，aswealreadyknow。

Onarrivingatthisdoor，hefounditajar。TheBishophadnotclosedit。

CHAPTERXI

WHATHEDOES

JeanValjeanlistened。Notasound。

Hegavethedoorapush。

Hepusheditgentlywiththetipofhisfinger，lightly，withthefurtiveanduneasygentlenessofacatwhichisdesirousofentering。

Thedooryieldedtothispressure，andmadeanimperceptibleandsilentmovement，whichenlargedtheopeningalittle。

Hewaitedamoment；thengavethedoorasecondandabolderpush。

Itcontinuedtoyieldinsilence。Theopeningwasnowlargeenoughtoallowhimtopass。Butnearthedoortherestoodalittletable，whichformedanembarrassinganglewithit，andbarredtheentrance。

JeanValjeanrecognizedthedifficulty。Itwasnecessary，atanycost，toenlargetheaperturestillfurther。

Hedecidedonhiscourseofaction，andgavethedoorathirdpush，moreenergeticthanthetwopreceding。Thistimeabadlyoiledhingesuddenlyemittedamidthesilenceahoarseandprolongedcry。

JeanValjeanshuddered。ThenoiseofthehingeranginhisearswithsomethingofthepiercingandformidablesoundofthetrumpoftheDayofJudgment。

Inthefantasticexaggerationsofthefirstmomenthealmostimaginedthatthathingehadjustbecomeanimated，andhadsuddenlyassumedaterriblelife，andthatitwasbarkinglikeadogtoarouseeveryone，andwarnandtowakethosewhowereasleep。Hehalted，shuddering，bewildered，andfellbackfromthetipsofhistoesuponhisheels。

Heheardthearteriesinhistemplesbeatingliketwoforgehammers，anditseemedtohimthathisbreathissuedfromhisbreastwiththeroarofthewindissuingfromacavern。Itseemedimpossibletohimthatthehorribleclamorofthatirritatedhingeshouldnothavedisturbedtheentirehousehold，liketheshockofanearthquake；

thedoor，pushedbyhim，hadtakenthealarm，andhadshouted；

theoldmanwouldriseatonce；thetwooldwomenwouldshriekout；

peoplewouldcometotheirassistance；inlessthanaquarterofanhourthetownwouldbeinanuproar，andthegendarmerieonhand。

Foramomenthethoughthimselflost。

Heremainedwherehewas，petrifiedlikethestatueofsalt，notdaringtomakeamovement。Severalminuteselapsed。Thedoorhadfallenwideopen。Heventuredtopeepintothenextroom。

Nothinghadstirredthere。Helentanear。Nothingwasmovinginthehouse。Thenoisemadebytherustyhingehadnotawakenedanyone。

Thisfirstdangerwaspast；buttherestillreignedafrightfultumultwithinhim。Nevertheless，hedidnotretreat。Evenwhenhehadthoughthimselflost，hehadnotdrawnback。Hisonlythoughtnowwastofinishassoonaspossible。Hetookastepandenteredtheroom。

Thisroomwasinastateofperfectcalm。Hereandtherevagueandconfusedformsweredistinguishable，whichinthedaylightwerepapersscatteredonatable，openfolios，volumespileduponastool，anarm—chairheapedwithclothing，aprie—Dieu，andwhichatthathourwereonlyshadowycornersandwhitishspots。JeanValjeanadvancedwithprecaution，takingcarenottoknockagainstthefurniture。

Hecouldhear，attheextremityoftheroom，theevenandtranquilbreathingofthesleepingBishop。

Hesuddenlycametoahalt。Hewasnearthebed。Hehadarrivedtheresoonerthanhehadthoughtfor。

Naturesometimesmingleshereffectsandherspectacleswithouractionswithsombreandintelligentappropriateness，asthoughshedesiredtomakeusreflect。Forthelasthalf—houralargecloudhadcoveredtheheavens。AtthemomentwhenJeanValjeanpausedinfrontofthebed，thiscloudparted，asthoughonpurpose，andarayoflight，traversingthelongwindow，suddenlyilluminatedtheBishop’spaleface。Hewassleepingpeacefully。Helayinhisbedalmostcompletelydressed，onaccountofthecoldoftheBasses—Alps，inagarmentofbrownwool，whichcoveredhisarmstothewrists。Hisheadwasthrownbackonthepillow，inthecarelessattitudeofrepose；hishand，adornedwiththepastoralring，andwhencehadfallensomanygooddeedsandsomanyholyactions，washangingovertheedgeofthebed。Hiswholefacewasilluminedwithavagueexpressionofsatisfaction，ofhope，andoffelicity。

Itwasmorethanasmile，andalmostaradiance。Heboreuponhisbrowtheindescribablereflectionofalightwhichwasinvisible。

Thesoulofthejustcontemplatesinsleepamysteriousheaven。

AreflectionofthatheavenrestedontheBishop。

Itwas，atthesametime，aluminoustransparency，forthatheavenwaswithinhim。Thatheavenwashisconscience。

Atthemomentwhentherayofmoonlightsuperposeditself，sotospeak，uponthatinwardradiance，thesleepingBishopseemedasinaglory。

Itremained，however，gentleandveiledinanineffablehalf—light。Thatmooninthesky，thatslumberingnature，thatgardenwithoutaquiver，thathousewhichwassocalm，thehour，themoment，thesilence，addedsomesolemnandunspeakablequalitytothevenerablereposeofthisman，andenvelopedinasortofsereneandmajesticaureolethatwhitehair，thoseclosedeyes，thatfaceinwhichallwashopeandallwasconfidence，thatheadofanoldman，andthatslumberofaninfant。

Therewassomethingalmostdivineinthisman，whowasthusaugust，withoutbeinghimselfawareofit。

JeanValjeanwasintheshadow，andstoodmotionless，withhisironcandlestickinhishand，frightenedbythisluminousoldman。

Neverhadhebeheldanythinglikethis。Thisconfidenceterrifiedhim。

Themoralworldhasnogranderspectaclethanthis:atroubledanduneasyconscience，whichhasarrivedonthebrinkofanevilaction，contemplatingtheslumberofthejust。

Thatslumberinthatisolation，andwithaneighborlikehimself，hadaboutitsomethingsublime，ofwhichhewasvaguelybutimperiouslyconscious。

Noonecouldhavetoldwhatwaspassingwithinhim，notevenhimself。

Inordertoattempttoformanideaofit，itisnecessarytothinkofthemostviolentofthingsinthepresenceofthemostgentle。

Evenonhisvisageitwouldhavebeenimpossibletodistinguishanythingwithcertainty。Itwasasortofhaggardastonishment。

Hegazedatit，andthatwasall。Butwhatwashisthought？

Itwouldhavebeenimpossibletodivineit。Whatwasevidentwas，thathewastouchedandastounded。Butwhatwasthenatureofthisemotion？

Hiseyeneverquittedtheoldman。Theonlythingwhichwasclearlytobeinferredfromhisattitudeandhisphysiognomywasastrangeindecision。

Onewouldhavesaidthathewashesitatingbetweenthetwoabysses，——

theoneinwhichonelosesone’sselfandthatinwhichonesavesone’sself。Heseemedpreparedtocrushthatskullortokissthathand。

Attheexpirationofafewminuteshisleftarmroseslowlytowardshisbrow，andhetookoffhiscap；thenhisarmfellbackwiththesamedeliberation，andJeanValjeanfelltomeditatingoncemore，hiscapinhislefthand，hisclubinhisrighthand，hishairbristlingalloverhissavagehead。

TheBishopcontinuedtosleepinprofoundpeacebeneaththatterrifyinggaze。

Thegleamofthemoonrenderedconfusedlyvisiblethecrucifixoverthechimney—piece，whichseemedtobeextendingitsarmstobothofthem，withabenedictionforoneandpardonfortheother。

SuddenlyJeanValjeanreplacedhiscaponhisbrow；thensteppedrapidlypastthebed，withoutglancingattheBishop，straighttothecupboard，whichhesawnearthehead；heraisedhisironcandlestickasthoughtoforcethelock；thekeywasthere；

heopenedit；thefirstthingwhichpresenteditselftohimwasthebasketofsilverware；heseizedit，traversedthechamberwithlongstrides，withouttakinganyprecautionsandwithouttroublinghimselfaboutthenoise，gainedthedoor，re—enteredtheoratory，openedthewindow，seizedhiscudgel，bestrodethewindow—silloftheground—floor，putthesilverintohisknapsack，threwawaythebasket，crossedthegarden，leapedoverthewalllikeatiger，andfled。

CHAPTERXII

THEBISHOPWORKS

ThenextmorningatsunriseMonseigneurBienvenuwasstrollinginhisgarden。MadameMagloireranuptohiminutterconsternation。

"Monseigneur，Monseigneur！"sheexclaimed，"doesyourGraceknowwherethebasketofsilveris？"

"Yes，"repliedtheBishop。

"JesustheLordbeblessed！"sheresumed；"Ididnotknowwhathadbecomeofit。"

TheBishophadjustpickedupthebasketinaflower—bed。HepresentedittoMadameMagloire。

"Hereitis。"

"Well！"saidshe。"Nothinginit！Andthesilver？"

"Ah，"returnedtheBishop，"soitisthesilverwhichtroublesyou？

Idon’tknowwhereitis。"

"Great，goodGod！Itisstolen！Thatmanwhowasherelastnighthasstolenit。"

Inatwinkling，withallthevivacityofanalertoldwoman，MadameMagloirehadrushedtotheoratory，enteredthealcove，andreturnedtotheBishop。TheBishophadjustbentdown，andwassighingasheexaminedaplantofcochleariadesGuillons，whichthebaskethadbrokenasitfellacrossthebed。HeroseupatMadameMagloire’scry。

"Monseigneur，themanisgone！Thesilverhasbeenstolen！"

Assheutteredthisexclamation，hereyesfelluponacornerofthegarden，wheretracesofthewallhavingbeenscaledwerevisible。

Thecopingofthewallhadbeentornaway。