第5章

"Stay！yonderisthewayhewent。HejumpedoverintoCochefiletLane。Ah，theabomination！Hehasstolenoursilver！"

TheBishopremainedsilentforamoment；thenheraisedhisgraveeyes，andsaidgentlytoMadameMagloire:——

"And，inthefirstplace，wasthatsilverours？"

MadameMagloirewasspeechless。Anothersilenceensued；thentheBishopwenton:——

"MadameMagloire，Ihaveforalongtimedetainedthatsilverwrongfully。

Itbelongedtothepoor。Whowasthatman？Apoorman，evidently。"

"Alas！Jesus！"returnedMadameMagloire。"Itisnotformysake，norforMademoiselle’s。Itmakesnodifferencetous。ButitisforthesakeofMonseigneur。WhatisMonseigneurtoeatwithnow？"

TheBishopgazedatherwithanairofamazement。

"Ah，come！Aretherenosuchthingsaspewterforksandspoons？"

MadameMagloireshruggedhershoulders。

"Pewterhasanodor。"

"Ironforksandspoons，then。"

MadameMagloiremadeanexpressivegrimace。

"Ironhasataste。"

"Verywell，"saidtheBishop；"woodenonesthen。"

AfewmomentslaterhewasbreakfastingattheverytableatwhichJeanValjeanhadsatonthepreviousevening。Asheatehisbreakfast，MonseigneurWelcomeremarkedgaylytohissister，whosaidnothing，andtoMadameMagloire，whowasgrumblingunderherbreath，thatonereallydoesnotneedeitherforkorspoon，evenofwood，inordertodipabitofbreadinacupofmilk。

"Aprettyidea，truly，"saidMadameMagloiretoherself，asshewentandcame，"totakeinamanlikethat！andtolodgehimclosetoone’sself！Andhowfortunatethathedidnothingbutsteal！

Ah，monDieu！itmakesoneshuddertothinkofit！"

Asthebrotherandsisterwereabouttorisefromthetable，therecameaknockatthedoor。

"Comein，"saidtheBishop。

Thedooropened。Asingularandviolentgroupmadeitsappearanceonthethreshold。Threemenwereholdingafourthmanbythecollar。

Thethreemenweregendarmes；theotherwasJeanValjean。

Abrigadierofgendarmes，whoseemedtobeincommandofthegroup，wasstandingnearthedoor。HeenteredandadvancedtotheBishop，makingamilitarysalute。

"Monseigneur——"saidhe。

Atthisword，JeanValjean，whowasdejectedandseemedoverwhelmed，raisedhisheadwithanairofstupefaction。

"Monseigneur！"hemurmured。"Soheisnotthecure？"

"Silence！"saidthegendarme。"HeisMonseigneurtheBishop。"

Inthemeantime，MonseigneurBienvenuhadadvancedasquicklyashisgreatagepermitted。

"Ah！hereyouare！"heexclaimed，lookingatJeanValjean。

"Iamgladtoseeyou。Well，buthowisthis？Igaveyouthecandlestickstoo，whichareofsilverliketherest，andforwhichyoucancertainlygettwohundredfrancs。

Whydidyounotcarrythemawaywithyourforksandspoons？"

JeanValjeanopenedhiseyeswide，andstaredatthevenerableBishopwithanexpressionwhichnohumantonguecanrenderanyaccountof。

"Monseigneur，"saidthebrigadierofgendarmes，"sowhatthismansaidistrue，then？Wecameacrosshim。Hewaswalkinglikeamanwhoisrunningaway。Westoppedhimtolookintothematter。

Hehadthissilver——"

"Andhetoldyou，"interposedtheBishopwithasmile，"thatithadbeengiventohimbyakindoldfellowofapriestwithwhomhehadpassedthenight？Iseehowthematterstands。Andyouhavebroughthimbackhere？Itisamistake。"

"Inthatcase，"repliedthebrigadier，"wecanlethimgo？"

"Certainly，"repliedtheBishop。

ThegendarmesreleasedJeanValjean，whorecoiled。

"IsittruethatIamtobereleased？"hesaid，inanalmostinarticulatevoice，andasthoughheweretalkinginhissleep。

"Yes，thouartreleased；dostthounotunderstand？"saidoneofthegendarmes。

"Myfriend，"resumedtheBishop，"beforeyougo，hereareyourcandlesticks。Takethem。"

Hesteppedtothechimney—piece，tookthetwosilvercandlesticks，andbroughtthemtoJeanValjean。Thetwowomenlookedonwithoututteringaword，withoutagesture，withoutalookwhichcoulddisconcerttheBishop。

JeanValjeanwastremblingineverylimb。Hetookthetwocandlesticksmechanically，andwithabewilderedair。

"Now，"saidtheBishop，"goinpeace。Bytheway，whenyoureturn，myfriend，itisnotnecessarytopassthroughthegarden。

Youcanalwaysenteranddepartthroughthestreetdoor。Itisneverfastenedwithanythingbutalatch，eitherbydayorbynight。"

Then，turningtothegendarmes:——

"Youmayretire，gentlemen。"

Thegendarmesretired。

JeanValjeanwaslikeamanonthepointoffainting。

TheBishopdrewneartohim，andsaidinalowvoice:——

"Donotforget，neverforget，thatyouhavepromisedtousethismoneyinbecominganhonestman。"

JeanValjean，whohadnorecollectionofeverhavingpromisedanything，remainedspeechless。TheBishophademphasizedthewordswhenheutteredthem。Heresumedwithsolemnity:——

"JeanValjean，mybrother，younolongerbelongtoevil，buttogood。

ItisyoursoulthatIbuyfromyou；Iwithdrawitfromblackthoughtsandthespiritofperdition，andIgiveittoGod。"

CHAPTERXIII

LITTLEGERVAIS

JeanValjeanleftthetownasthoughhewerefleeingfromit。

Hesetoutataveryhastypacethroughthefields，takingwhateverroadsandpathspresentedthemselvestohim，withoutperceivingthathewasincessantlyretracinghissteps。Hewanderedthusthewholemorning，withouthavingeatenanythingandwithoutfeelinghungry。

Hewasthepreyofathrongofnovelsensations。Hewasconsciousofasortofrage；hedidnotknowagainstwhomitwasdirected。

Hecouldnothavetoldwhetherhewastouchedorhumiliated。

Therecameoverhimatmomentsastrangeemotionwhichheresistedandtowhichheopposedthehardnessacquiredduringthelasttwentyyearsofhislife。Thisstateofmindfatiguedhim。Heperceivedwithdismaythatthesortoffrightfulcalmwhichtheinjusticeofhismisfortunehadconferreduponhimwasgivingwaywithinhim。

Heaskedhimselfwhatwouldreplacethis。Attimeshewouldhaveactuallypreferredtobeinprisonwiththegendarmes，andthatthingsshouldnothavehappenedinthisway；itwouldhaveagitatedhimless。

Althoughtheseasonwastolerablyfaradvanced，therewerestillafewlateflowersinthehedge—rowshereandthere，whoseodorashepassedthroughtheminhismarchrecalledtohimmemoriesofhischildhood。Thesememorieswerealmostintolerabletohim，itwassolongsincetheyhadrecurredtohim。

Unutterablethoughtsassembledwithinhiminthismanneralldaylong。

Asthesundeclinedtoitssetting，castinglongshadowsathwartthesoilfromeverypebble，JeanValjeansatdownbehindabushuponalargeruddyplain，whichwasabsolutelydeserted。TherewasnothingonthehorizonexcepttheAlps。Noteventhespireofadistantvillage。

JeanValjeanmighthavebeenthreeleaguesdistantfromD————

Apathwhichintersectedtheplainpassedafewpacesfromthebush。

Inthemiddleofthismeditation，whichwouldhavecontributednotalittletorenderhisragsterrifyingtoanyonewhomighthaveencounteredhim，ajoyoussoundbecameaudible。

HeturnedhisheadandsawalittleSavoyard，abouttenyearsofage，comingupthepathandsinging，hishurdy—gurdyonhiship，andhismarmot—boxonhisback，Oneofthosegayandgentlechildren，whogofromlandtolandaffordingaviewoftheirkneesthroughtheholesintheirtrousers。

Withoutstoppinghissong，theladhaltedinhismarchfromtimetotime，andplayedatknuckle—boneswithsomecoinswhichhehadinhishand——hiswholefortune，probably。

Amongthismoneytherewasoneforty—soupiece。

Thechildhaltedbesidethebush，withoutperceivingJeanValjean，andtosseduphishandfulofsous，which，uptothattime，hehadcaughtwithagooddealofadroitnessonthebackofhishand。

Thistimetheforty—soupieceescapedhim，andwentrollingtowardsthebrushwooduntilitreachedJeanValjean。

JeanValjeansethisfootuponit。

Inthemeantime，thechildhadlookedafterhiscoinandhadcaughtsightofhim。

Heshowednoastonishment，butwalkedstraightuptotheman。

Thespotwasabsolutelysolitary。Asfarastheeyecouldseetherewasnotapersonontheplainoronthepath。Theonlysoundwasthetiny，feeblecriesofaflockofbirdsofpassage，whichwastraversingtheheavensatanimmenseheight。Thechildwasstandingwithhisbacktothesun，whichcastthreadsofgoldinhishairandempurpledwithitsblood—redgleamthesavagefaceofJeanValjean。

"Sir，"saidthelittleSavoyard，withthatchildishconfidencewhichiscomposedofignoranceandinnocence，"mymoney。"

"Whatisyourname？"saidJeanValjean。

"LittleGervais，sir。"

"Goaway，"saidJeanValjean。

"Sir，"resumedthechild，"givemebackmymoney。"

JeanValjeandroppedhishead，andmadenoreply。

Thechildbeganagain，"Mymoney，sir。"

JeanValjean’seyesremainedfixedontheearth。

"Mypieceofmoney！"criedthechild，"mywhitepiece！mysilver！"

ItseemedasthoughJeanValjeandidnothearhim。Thechildgraspedhimbythecollarofhisblouseandshookhim。Atthesametimehemadeanefforttodisplacethebigiron—shodshoewhichrestedonhistreasure。

"Iwantmypieceofmoney！mypieceoffortysous！"

Thechildwept。JeanValjeanraisedhishead。Hestillremainedseated。Hiseyesweretroubled。Hegazedatthechild，inasortofamazement，thenhestretchedouthishandtowardshiscudgelandcriedinaterriblevoice，"Who’sthere？"

"I，sir，"repliedthechild。"LittleGervais！I！Givemebackmyfortysous，ifyouplease！Takeyourfootaway，sir，ifyouplease！"

Thenirritated，thoughhewassosmall，andbecomingalmostmenacing:——

"Comenow，willyoutakeyourfootaway？Takeyourfootaway，orwe’llsee！"

"Ah！It’sstillyou！"saidJeanValjean，andrisingabruptlytohisfeet，hisfootstillrestingonthesilverpiece，headded:——

"Willyoutakeyourselfoff！"

Thefrightenedchildlookedathim，thenbegantotremblefromheadtofoot，andafterafewmomentsofstuporhesetout，runningatthetopofhisspeed，withoutdaringtoturnhisneckortoutteracry。

Nevertheless，lackofbreathforcedhimtohaltafteracertaindistance，andJeanValjeanheardhimsobbing，inthemidstofhisownrevery。

Attheendofafewmomentsthechildhaddisappeared。

Thesunhadset。

TheshadowsweredescendingaroundJeanValjean。Hehadeatennothingallday；itisprobablethathewasfeverish。

Hehadremainedstandingandhadnotchangedhisattitudeafterthechild’sflight。Thebreathheavedhischestatlongandirregularintervals。Hisgaze，fixedtenortwelvepacesinfrontofhim，seemedtobescrutinizingwithprofoundattentiontheshapeofanancientfragmentofblueearthenwarewhichhadfalleninthegrass。

Allatonceheshivered；hehadjustbeguntofeelthechillofevening。

Hesettledhiscapmorefirmlyonhisbrow，soughtmechanicallytocrossandbuttonhisblouse，advancedastepandstoppedtopickuphiscudgel。

Atthatmomenthecaughtsightoftheforty—soupiece，whichhisfoothadhalfgroundintotheearth，andwhichwasshiningamongthepebbles。Itwasasthoughhehadreceivedagalvanicshock。

"Whatisthis？"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth。Herecoiledthreepaces，thenhalted，withoutbeingabletodetachhisgazefromthespotwhichhisfoothadtroddenbutaninstantbefore，asthoughthethingwhichlayglitteringthereinthegloomhadbeenanopeneyeriveteduponhim。

Attheexpirationofafewmomentshedartedconvulsivelytowardsthesilvercoin，seizedit，andstraightenedhimselfupagainandbegantogazeafaroffovertheplain，atthesametimecastinghiseyestowardsallpointsofthehorizon，ashestoodthereerectandshivering，likeaterrifiedwildanimalwhichisseekingrefuge。

Hesawnothing。Nightwasfalling，theplainwascoldandvague，greatbanksofviolethazewererisinginthegleamofthetwilight。

Hesaid，"Ah！"andsetoutrapidlyinthedirectioninwhichthechildhaddisappeared。Afteraboutthirtypaceshepaused，lookedabouthimandsawnothing。

Thenheshoutedwithallhismight:——

"LittleGervais！LittleGervais！"

Hepausedandwaited。

Therewasnoreply。

Thelandscapewasgloomyanddeserted。Hewasencompassedbyspace。

Therewasnothingaroundhimbutanobscurityinwhichhisgazewaslost，andasilencewhichengulfedhisvoice。

Anicynorthwindwasblowing，andimpartedtothingsaroundhimasortoflugubriouslife。Thebushesshooktheirthinlittlearmswithincrediblefury。Onewouldhavesaidthattheywerethreateningandpursuingsomeone。

Hesetoutonhismarchagain，thenhebegantorun；andfromtimetotimehehaltedandshoutedintothatsolitude，withavoicewhichwasthemostformidableandthemostdisconsolatethatitwaspossibletohear，"LittleGervais！LittleGervais！"

Assuredly，ifthechildhadheardhim，hewouldhavebeenalarmedandwouldhavetakengoodcarenottoshowhimself。Butthechildwasnodoubtalreadyfaraway。

Heencounteredapriestonhorseback。Hesteppeduptohimandsaid:——

"MonsieurleCure，haveyouseenachildpass？"

"No，"saidthepriest。

"OnenamedLittleGervais？"

"Ihaveseennoone。"

Hedrewtwofive—francpiecesfromhismoney—bagandhandedthemtothepriest。

"MonsieurleCure，thisisforyourpoorpeople。MonsieurleCure，hewasalittlelad，abouttenyearsold，withamarmot，Ithink，andahurdy—gurdy。OneofthoseSavoyards，youknow？"

"Ihavenotseenhim。"

"LittleGervais？Therearenovillageshere？Canyoutellme？"

"Ifheislikewhatyousay，myfriend，heisalittlestranger。

Suchpersonspassthroughtheseparts。Weknownothingofthem。"

JeanValjeanseizedtwomorecoinsoffivefrancseachwithviolence，andgavethemtothepriest。

"Foryourpoor，"hesaid。

Thenheadded，wildly:——

"Monsieurl’Abbe，havemearrested。Iamathief。"

Thepriestputspurstohishorseandfledinhaste，muchalarmed。

JeanValjeansetoutonarun，inthedirectionwhichhehadfirsttaken。

Inthiswayhetraversedatolerablylongdistance，gazing，calling，shouting，buthemetnoone。Twoorthreetimesheranacrosstheplaintowardssomethingwhichconveyedtohimtheeffectofahumanbeingrecliningorcrouchingdown；itturnedouttobenothingbutbrushwoodorrocksnearlyonalevelwiththeearth。

Atlength，ataspotwherethreepathsintersectedeachother，hestopped。Themoonhadrisen。Hesenthisgazeintothedistanceandshoutedforthelasttime，"LittleGervais！LittleGervais！

LittleGervais！"Hisshoutdiedawayinthemist，withoutevenawakeninganecho。Hemurmuredyetoncemore，"LittleGervais！"

butinafeebleandalmostinarticulatevoice。Itwashislasteffort；

hislegsgavewayabruptlyunderhim，asthoughaninvisiblepowerhadsuddenlyoverwhelmedhimwiththeweightofhisevilconscience；

hefellexhausted，onalargestone，hisfistsclenchedinhishairandhisfaceonhisknees，andhecried，"Iamawretch！"

Thenhisheartburst，andhebegantocry。Itwasthefirsttimethathehadweptinnineteenyears。

WhenJeanValjeanlefttheBishop’shouse，hewas，aswehaveseen，quitethrownoutofeverythingthathadbeenhisthoughthitherto。

Hecouldnotyieldtotheevidenceofwhatwasgoingonwithinhim。

Hehardenedhimselfagainsttheangelicactionandthegentlewordsoftheoldman。"Youhavepromisedmetobecomeanhonestman。

Ibuyyoursoul。Itakeitawayfromthespiritofperversity；

IgiveittothegoodGod。"

Thisrecurredtohismindunceasingly。Tothiscelestialkindnessheopposedpride，whichisthefortressofevilwithinus。

Hewasindistinctlyconsciousthatthepardonofthispriestwasthegreatestassaultandthemostformidableattackwhichhadmovedhimyet；thathisobduracywasfinallysettledifheresistedthisclemency；thatifheyielded，heshouldbeobligedtorenouncethathatredwithwhichtheactionsofothermenhadfilledhissoulthroughsomanyyears，andwhichpleasedhim；

thatthistimeitwasnecessarytoconquerortobeconquered；

andthatastruggle，acolossalandfinalstruggle，hadbeenbegunbetweenhisviciousnessandthegoodnessofthatman。

Inthepresenceoftheselights，heproceededlikeamanwhoisintoxicated。Ashewalkedthuswithhaggardeyes，didhehaveadistinctperceptionofwhatmightresulttohimfromhisadventureatD————？Didheunderstandallthosemysteriousmurmurswhichwarnorimportunethespiritatcertainmomentsoflife？

Didavoicewhisperinhisearthathehadjustpassedthesolemnhourofhisdestiny；thattherenolongerremainedamiddlecourseforhim；thatifhewerenothenceforththebestofmen，hewouldbetheworst；thatitbehoovedhimnow，sotospeak，tomounthigherthantheBishop，orfalllowerthantheconvict；

thatifhewishedtobecomegoodbemustbecomeanangel；thatifhewishedtoremainevil，hemustbecomeamonster？

Here，again，somequestionsmustbeput，whichwehavealreadyputtoourselveselsewhere:didhecatchsomeshadowofallthisinhisthought，inaconfusedway？Misfortunecertainly，aswehavesaid，doesformtheeducationoftheintelligence；nevertheless，itisdoubtfulwhetherJeanValjeanwasinaconditiontodisentangleallthatwehavehereindicated。Iftheseideasoccurredtohim，hebutcaughtglimpsesof，ratherthansawthem，andtheyonlysucceededinthrowinghimintoanunutterableandalmostpainfulstateofemotion。Onemergingfromthatblackanddeformedthingwhichiscalledthegalleys，theBishophadhurthissoul，astoovividalightwouldhavehurthiseyesonemergingfromthedark。Thefuturelife，thepossiblelifewhichoffereditselftohimhenceforth，allpureandradiant，filledhimwithtremorsandanxiety。Henolongerknewwherehereallywas。Likeanowl，whoshouldsuddenlyseethesunrise，theconvicthadbeendazzledandblinded，asitwere，byvirtue。

Thatwhichwascertain，thatwhichhedidnotdoubt，wasthathewasnolongerthesameman，thateverythingabouthimwaschanged，thatitwasnolongerinhispowertomakeitasthoughtheBishophadnotspokentohimandhadnottouchedhim。

InthisstateofmindhehadencounteredlittleGervais，andhadrobbedhimofhisfortysous。Why？Hecertainlycouldnothaveexplainedit；

wasthisthelasteffectandthesupremeeffort，asitwere，oftheevilthoughtswhichhehadbroughtawayfromthegalleys，——

aremnantofimpulse，aresultofwhatiscalledinstatics，acquiredforce？Itwasthat，anditwasalso，perhaps，evenlessthanthat。Letussayitsimply，itwasnothewhostole；

itwasnottheman；itwasthebeast，who，byhabitandinstinct，hadsimplyplacedhisfootuponthatmoney，whiletheintelligencewasstrugglingamidsomanynovelandhithertounheard—ofthoughtsbesettingit。

Whenintelligencere—awakenedandbeheldthatactionofthebrute，JeanValjeanrecoiledwithanguishandutteredacryofterror。

Itwasbecause，——strangephenomenon，andonewhichwaspossibleonlyinthesituationinwhichhefoundhimself，——instealingthemoneyfromthatchild，hehaddoneathingofwhichhewasnolongercapable。

Howeverthatmaybe，thislastevilactionhadadecisiveeffectonhim；itabruptlytraversedthatchaoswhichheboreinhismind，anddispersedit，placedononesidethethickobscurity，andontheotherthelight，andactedonhissoul，inthestateinwhichitthenwas，ascertainchemicalreagentsactuponatroubledmixturebyprecipitatingoneelementandclarifyingtheother。

Firstofall，evenbeforeexamininghimselfandreflecting，allbewildered，likeonewhoseekstosavehimself，hetriedtofindthechildinordertoreturnhismoneytohim；then，whenherecognizedthefactthatthiswasimpossible，hehaltedindespair。

Atthemomentwhenheexclaimed"Iamawretch！"hehadjustperceivedwhathewas，andhewasalreadyseparatedfromhimselftosuchadegree，thatheseemedtohimselftobenolongeranythingmorethanaphantom，andasifhehad，therebeforehim，infleshandblood，thehideousgalley—convict，JeanValjean，cudgelinhand，hisblouseonhiships，hisknapsackfilledwithstolenobjectsonhisback，withhisresoluteandgloomyvisage，withhisthoughtsfilledwithabominableprojects。

Excessofunhappinesshad，aswehaveremarked，madehiminsomesortavisionary。This，then，wasinthenatureofavision。

HeactuallysawthatJeanValjean，thatsinisterface，beforehim。

Hehadalmostreachedthepointofaskinghimselfwhothatmanwas，andhewashorrifiedbyhim。

Hisbrainwasgoingthroughoneofthoseviolentandyetperfectlycalmmomentsinwhichreveryissoprofoundthatitabsorbsreality。

Onenolongerbeholdstheobjectwhichonehasbeforeone，andonesees，asthoughapartfromone’sself，thefigureswhichonehasinone’sownmind。

Thushecontemplatedhimself，sotospeak，facetoface，andatthesametime，athwartthishallucination，heperceivedinamysteriousdepthasortoflightwhichheatfirsttookforatorch。Onscrutinizingthislightwhichappearedtohisconsciencewithmoreattention，herecognizedthefactthatitpossessedahumanformandthatthistorchwastheBishop。

Hisconscienceweighedinturnthesetwomenthusplacedbeforeit，——

theBishopandJeanValjean。Nothinglessthanthefirstwasrequiredtosoftenthesecond。Byoneofthosesingulareffects，whicharepeculiartothissortofecstasies，inproportionashisreverycontinued，astheBishopgrewgreatandresplendentinhiseyes，sodidJeanValjeangrowlessandvanish。Afteracertaintimehewasnolongeranythingmorethanashade。Allatoncehedisappeared。

TheBishopaloneremained；hefilledthewholesoulofthiswretchedmanwithamagnificentradiance。

JeanValjeanweptforalongtime。Heweptburningtears，hesobbedwithmoreweaknessthanawoman，withmorefrightthanachild。

Ashewept，daylightpenetratedmoreandmoreclearlyintohissoul；

anextraordinarylight；alightatonceravishingandterrible。

Hispastlife，hisfirstfault，hislongexpiation，hisexternalbrutishness，hisinternalhardness，hisdismissaltoliberty，rejoicinginmanifoldplansofvengeance，whathadhappenedtohimattheBishop’s，thelastthingthathehaddone，thattheftoffortysousfromachild，acrimeallthemorecowardly，andallthemoremonstroussinceithadcomeaftertheBishop’spardon，——allthisrecurredtohismindandappearedclearlytohim，butwithaclearnesswhichhehadneverhithertowitnessed。Heexaminedhislife，anditseemedhorribletohim；hissoul，anditseemedfrightfultohim。

Inthemeantimeagentlelightrestedoverthislifeandthissoul。

ItseemedtohimthathebeheldSatanbythelightofParadise。

Howmanyhoursdidheweepthus？Whatdidhedoafterhehadwept？

Whitherdidhego！Nooneeverknew。TheonlythingwhichseemstobeauthenticatedisthatthatsamenightthecarrierwhoservedGrenobleatthatepoch，andwhoarrivedatD————aboutthreeo’clockinthemorning，saw，ashetraversedthestreetinwhichtheBishop’sresidencewassituated，amanintheattitudeofprayer，kneelingonthepavementintheshadow，infrontofthedoorofMonseigneurWelcome。

BOOKTHIRD。——INTHEYEAR1817

CHAPTERI

THEYEAR1817

1817istheyearwhichLouisXVIII。，withacertainroyalassurancewhichwasnotwantinginpride，entitledthetwenty—secondofhisreign。

ItistheyearinwhichM。BruguieredeSorsumwascelebrated。

Allthehairdressers’shops，hopingforpowderandthereturnoftheroyalbird，werebesmearedwithazureanddeckedwithfleurs—de—lys。

ItwasthecandidtimeatwhichCountLynchsateverySundayaschurch—wardeninthechurch—warden’spewofSaint—Germain—des—Pres，inhiscostumeofapeerofFrance，withhisredribbonandhislongnoseandthemajestyofprofilepeculiartoamanwhohasperformedabrilliantaction。ThebrilliantactionperformedbyM。Lynchwasthis:beingmayorofBordeaux，onthe12thofMarch，1814，hehadsurrenderedthecityalittletoopromptlytoM。theDuked’Angouleme。Hencehispeerage。In1817fashionswalloweduplittleboysoffromfourtosixyearsofageinvastcapsofmoroccoleatherwithear—tabsresemblingEsquimauxmitres。

TheFrencharmywasdressedinwhite，afterthemodeoftheAustrian；

theregimentswerecalledlegions；insteadofnumberstheyborethenamesofdepartments；NapoleonwasatSt。Helena；andsinceEnglandrefusedhimgreencloth，hewashavinghisoldcoatsturned。

In1817Pelligrinisang；MademoiselleBigottinidanced；Potierreigned；

Odrydidnotyetexist。MadameSaquihadsucceededtoForioso。

TherewerestillPrussiansinFrance。M。Delalotwasapersonage。

Legitimacyhadjustasserteditselfbycuttingoffthehand，thenthehead，ofPleignier，ofCarbonneau，andofTolleron。

ThePrincedeTalleyrand，grandchamberlain，andtheAbbeLouis，appointedministeroffinance，laughedastheylookedateachother，withthelaughofthetwoaugurs；bothofthemhadcelebrated，onthe14thofJuly，1790，themassoffederationintheChampdeMars；

Talleyrandhadsaiditasbishop，Louishadserveditinthecapacityofdeacon。In1817，intheside—alleysofthissameChampdeMars，twogreatcylindersofwoodmighthavebeenseenlyingintherain，rottingamidthegrass，paintedblue，withtracesofeaglesandbees，fromwhichthegildingwasfalling。ThesewerethecolumnswhichtwoyearsbeforehadupheldtheEmperor’splatformintheChampdeMai。

TheywereblackenedhereandtherewiththescorchesofthebivouacofAustriansencampednearGros—Caillou。Twoorthreeofthesecolumnshaddisappearedinthesebivouacfires，andhadwarmedthelargehandsoftheImperialtroops。TheFieldofMayhadthisremarkablepoint:thatithadbeenheldinthemonthofJuneandintheFieldofMarch（Mars）。Inthisyear，1817，twothingswerepopular:theVoltaire—Touquetandthesnuff—boxalaCharter。

ThemostrecentParisiansensationwasthecrimeofDautun，whohadthrownhisbrother’sheadintothefountainoftheFlower—Market。

TheyhadbeguntofeelanxiousattheNavalDepartment，onaccountofthelackofnewsfromthatfatalfrigate，TheMedusa，whichwasdestinedtocoverChaumareixwithinfamyandGericaultwithglory。

ColonelSelveswasgoingtoEgypttobecomeSoliman—Pasha。ThepalaceofThermes，intheRuedeLaHarpe，servedasashopforacooper。

OntheplatformoftheoctagonaltoweroftheHoteldeCluny，thelittleshedofboards，whichhadservedasanobservatorytoMessier，thenavalastronomerunderLouisXVI。，wasstilltobeseen。

TheDuchessedeDurasreadtothreeorfourfriendsherunpublishedOurika，inherboudoirfurnishedbyX。insky—bluesatin。TheN’swerescratchedofftheLouvre。ThebridgeofAusterlitzhadabdicated，andwasentitledthebridgeoftheKing’sGarden[duJardinduRoi]，adoubleenigma，whichdisguisedthebridgeofAusterlitzandtheJardindesPlantesatonestroke。LouisXVIII。，muchpreoccupiedwhileannotatingHoracewiththecornerofhisfinger—nail，heroeswhohavebecomeemperors，andmakersofwoodenshoeswhohavebecomedauphins，hadtwoanxieties，——NapoleonandMathurinBruneau。

TheFrenchAcademyhadgivenforitsprizesubject，TheHappinessprocuredthroughStudy。M。Bellartwasofficiallyeloquent。

Inhisshadowcouldbeseengerminatingthatfutureadvocate—generalofBroe，dedicatedtothesarcasmsofPaul—LouisCourier。

TherewasafalseChateaubriand，namedMarchangy，intheinterim，untilthereshouldbeafalseMarchangy，namedd’Arlincourt。

Claired’AlbeandMalek—Adelweremasterpieces；MadameCottinwasproclaimedthechiefwriteroftheepoch。TheInstitutehadtheacademician，NapoleonBonaparte，strickenfromitslistofmembers。AroyalordinanceerectedAngoulemeintoanavalschool；

fortheDucd’Angouleme，beinglordhighadmiral，itwasevidentthatthecityofAngoulemehadallthequalitiesofaseaport；

otherwisethemonarchicalprinciplewouldhavereceivedawound。

IntheCouncilofMinistersthequestionwasagitatedwhethervignettesrepresentingslack—ropeperformances，whichadornedFranconi’sadvertisingposters，andwhichattractedthrongsofstreeturchins，shouldbetolerated。M。Paer，theauthorofAgnese，agoodsortoffellow，withasquarefaceandawartonhischeek，directedthelittleprivateconcertsoftheMarquisedeSasenayeintheRueVillel’Eveque。AlltheyounggirlsweresingingtheHermitofSaint—Avelle，withwordsbyEdmondGeraud。TheYellowDwarfwastransferredintoMirror。TheCafeLemblinstoodupfortheEmperor，againsttheCafeValois，whichupheldtheBourbons。

TheDucdeBerri，alreadysurveyedfromtheshadowbyLouvel，hadjustbeenmarriedtoaprincessofSicily。MadamedeStaelhaddiedayearpreviously。Thebody—guardhissedMademoiselleMars。

Thegrandnewspaperswereallverysmall。Theirformwasrestricted，buttheirlibertywasgreat。TheConstitutionnelwasconstitutional。

LaMinervecalledChateaubriandChateaubriant。Thattmadethegoodmiddle—classpeoplelaughheartilyattheexpenseofthegreatwriter。

Injournalswhichsoldthemselves，prostitutedjournalists，insultedtheexilesof1815。Davidhadnolongeranytalent，Arnaulthadnolongeranywit，Carnotwasnolongerhonest，Soulthadwonnobattles；itistruethatNapoleonhadnolongeranygenius。

Nooneisignorantofthefactthatletterssenttoanexilebypostveryrarelyreachedhim，asthepolicemadeittheirreligiousdutytointerceptthem。Thisisnonewfact；Descartescomplainedofitinhisexile。NowDavid，having，inaBelgianpublication，shownsomedispleasureatnotreceivingletterswhichhadbeenwrittentohim，itstrucktheroyalistjournalsasamusing；

andtheyderidedtheprescribedmanwellonthisoccasion。

Whatseparatedtwomenmorethananabysswastosay，theregicides，ortosaythevoters；tosaytheenemies，ortosaytheallies；

tosayNapoleon，ortosayBuonaparte。AllsensiblepeoplewereagreedthattheeraofrevolutionhadbeenclosedforeverbyKingLouisXVIII。，surnamed"TheImmortalAuthoroftheCharter。"

OntheplatformofthePont—Neuf，thewordRedivivuswascarvedonthepedestalthatawaitedthestatueofHenryIV。M。Piet，intheRueTherese，No。4，wasmakingtheroughdraftofhisprivyassemblytoconsolidatethemonarchy。TheleadersoftheRightsaidatgraveconjunctures，"WemustwritetoBacot。"MM。Canuel，O’Mahoney，andDeChappedelainewerepreparingthesketch，tosomeextentwithMonsieur’sapproval，ofwhatwastobecomelateron"TheConspiracyoftheBorddel’Eau"——ofthewaterside。

L’EpingleNoirewasalreadyplottinginhisownquarter。

DelaverderiewasconferringwithTrogoff。M。Decazes，whowasliberaltoadegree，reigned。ChateaubriandstoodeverymorningathiswindowatNo。27RueSaint—Dominique，cladinfootedtrousers，andslippers，withamadraskerchiefknottedoverhisgrayhair，withhiseyesfixedonamirror，acompletesetofdentist’sinstrumentsspreadoutbeforehim，cleaninghisteeth，whichwerecharming，whilehedictatedTheMonarchyaccordingtotheChartertoM。Pilorge，hissecretary。Criticism，assuminganauthoritativetone，preferredLafontoTalma。M。deFeletezsignedhimselfA。；

M。HoffmannsignedhimselfZ。CharlesNodierwroteThereseAubert。

Divorcewasabolished。Lyceumscalledthemselvescolleges。

Thecollegians，decoratedonthecollarwithagoldenfleur—de—lys，foughteachotheraproposoftheKingofRome。Thecounter—policeofthechateauhaddenouncedtoherRoyalHighnessMadame，theportrait，everywhereexhibited，ofM。theDucd’Orleans，whomadeabetterappearanceinhisuniformofacolonel—generalofhussarsthanM。theDucdeBerri，inhisuniformofcolonel—generalofdragoons——

aseriousinconvenience。ThecityofPariswashavingthedomeoftheInvalidesregildedatitsownexpense。SeriousmenaskedthemselveswhatM。deTrinquelaguewoulddoonsuchorsuchanoccasion；

M。ClauseldeMontalsdifferedondiverspointsfromM。ClauseldeCoussergues；M。deSalaberrywasnotsatisfied。ThecomedianPicard，whobelongedtotheAcademy，whichthecomedianMolierehadnotbeenabletodo，hadTheTwoPhilibertsplayedattheOdeon，uponwhosepedimenttheremovalofthelettersstillallowedTHEATREOFTHE

EMPRESStobeplainlyread。PeopletookpartfororagainstCugnetdeMontarlot。Fabvierwasfactious；Bavouxwasrevolutionary。

TheLiberal，Pelicier，publishedaneditionofVoltaire，withthefollowingtitle:WorksofVoltaire，oftheFrenchAcademy。

"Thatwillattractpurchasers，"saidtheingeniouseditor。ThegeneralopinionwasthatM。CharlesLoysonwouldbethegeniusofthecentury；

envywasbeginningtognawathim——asignofglory；andthisversewascomposedonhim:——

"EvenwhenLoysonsteals，onefeelsthathehaspaws。"

AsCardinalFeschrefusedtoresign，M。dePins，ArchbishopofAmasie，administeredthedioceseofLyons。ThequarreloverthevalleyofDappeswasbegunbetweenSwitzerlandandFrancebyamemoirfromCaptain，afterwardsGeneralDufour。Saint—Simon，ignored，waserectinghissublimedream。TherewasacelebratedFourierattheAcademyofScience，whomposterityhasforgotten；andinsomegarretanobscureFourier，whomthefuturewillrecall。

LordByronwasbeginningtomakehismark；anotetoapoembyMillevoyeintroducedhimtoFranceintheseterms:acertainLordBaron。Davidd’Angerswastryingtoworkinmarble。TheAbbeCaronwasspeaking，intermsofpraise，toaprivategatheringofseminaristsintheblindalleyofFeuillantines，ofanunknownpriest，namedFelicite—Robert，who，atalatterdate，becameLamennais。

AthingwhichsmokedandclatteredontheSeinewiththenoiseofaswimmingdogwentandcamebeneaththewindowsoftheTuileries，fromthePontRoyaltothePontLouisXV。；itwasapieceofmechanismwhichwasnotgoodformuch；asortofplaything，theidledreamofadream—riddeninventor；anutopia——asteamboat。TheParisiansstaredindifferentlyatthisuselessthing。M。deVaublanc，thereformeroftheInstitutebyacoupd’etat，thedistinguishedauthorofnumerousacademicians，ordinances，andbatchesofmembers，afterhavingcreatedthem，couldnotsucceedinbecomingonehimself。

TheFaubourgSaint—GermainandthepaviliondeMarsanwishedtohaveM。Delaveauforprefectofpolice，onaccountofhispiety。

DupuytrenandRecamierenteredintoaquarrelintheamphitheatreoftheSchoolofMedicine，andthreatenedeachotherwiththeirfistsonthesubjectofthedivinityofJesusChrist。Cuvier，withoneeyeonGenesisandtheotheronnature，triedtopleasebigotedreactionbyreconcilingfossilswithtextsandbymakingmastodonsflatterMoses。

M。FrancoisdeNeufchateau，thepraiseworthycultivatorofthememoryofParmentier，madeathousandeffortstohavepommedeterre[potato]pronouncedparmentiere，andsucceededthereinnotatall。

TheAbbeGregoire，ex—bishop，ex—conventionary，ex—senator，hadpassed，intheroyalistpolemics，tothestateof"InfamousGregoire。"

Thelocutionofwhichwehavemadeuse——passedtothestateof——hasbeencondemnedasaneologismbyM。RoyerCollard。UnderthethirdarchofthePontdeJena，thenewstonewithwhich，thetwoyearspreviously，theminingaperturemadebyBluchertoblowupthebridgehadbeenstoppedup，wasstillrecognizableonaccountofitswhiteness。

Justicesummonedtoitsbaramanwho，onseeingtheComted’ArtoisenterNotreDame，hadsaidaloud:"Sapristi！IregretthetimewhenIsawBonaparteandTalmaentertheBelSauvage，arminarm。"

Aseditiousutterance。Sixmonthsinprison。Traitorsshowedthemselvesunbuttoned；menwhohadgoneovertotheenemyontheeveofbattlemadenosecretoftheirrecompense，andstruttedimmodestlyinthelightofday，inthecynicismofrichesanddignities；

desertersfromLignyandQuatre—Bras，inthebrazennessoftheirwell—paidturpitude，exhibitedtheirdevotiontothemonarchyinthemostbarefacedmanner。

Thisiswhatfloatsupconfusedly，pell—mell，fortheyear1817，andisnowforgotten。Historyneglectsnearlyalltheseparticulars，andcannotdootherwise；theinfinitywouldoverwhelmit。

Nevertheless，thesedetails，whicharewronglycalledtrivial，——

therearenotrivialfactsinhumanity，norlittleleavesinvegetation，——areuseful。Itisofthephysiognomyoftheyearsthatthephysiognomyofthecenturiesiscomposed。

Inthisyearof1817fouryoungParisiansarranged"afinefarce。"

CHAPTERII

ADOUBLEQUARTETTE

TheseParisianscame，onefromToulouse，anotherfromLimoges，thethirdfromCahors，andthefourthfromMontauban；buttheywerestudents；andwhenonesaysstudent，onesaysParisian:

tostudyinParisistobeborninParis。

Theseyoungmenwereinsignificant；everyonehasseensuchfaces；

fourspecimensofhumanitytakenatrandom；neithergoodnorbad，neitherwisenorignorant，neithergeniusesnorfools；handsome，withthatcharmingAprilwhichiscalledtwentyyears。TheywerefourOscars；for，atthatepoch，Arthursdidnotyetexist。

BurnforhimtheperfumesofAraby！exclaimedromance。

Oscaradvances。Oscar，Ishallbeholdhim！PeoplehadjustemergedfromOssian；elegancewasScandinavianandCaledonian；

thepureEnglishstylewasonlytoprevaillater，andthefirstoftheArthurs，Wellington，hadbutjustwonthebattleofWaterloo。

TheseOscarsborethenames，oneofFelixTholomyes，ofToulouse；

thesecond，Listolier，ofCahors；thenext，Fameuil，ofLimoges；

thelast，Blachevelle，ofMontauban。Naturally，eachofthemhadhismistress。BlachevellelovedFavourite，sonamedbecauseshehadbeeninEngland；ListolieradoredDahlia，whohadtakenforhernicknamethenameofaflower；FameuilidolizedZephine，anabridgmentofJosephine；TholomyeshadFantine，calledtheBlonde，becauseofherbeautiful，sunnyhair。

Favourite，Dahlia，Zephine，andFantinewerefourravishingyoungwomen，perfumedandradiant，stillalittlelikeworking—women，andnotyetentirelydivorcedfromtheirneedles；somewhatdisturbedbyintrigues，butstillretainingontheirfacessomethingoftheserenityoftoil，andintheirsoulsthatflowerofhonestywhichsurvivesthefirstfallinwoman。Oneofthefourwascalledtheyoung，becauseshewastheyoungestofthem，andonewascalledtheold；

theoldonewastwenty—three。Nottoconcealanything，thethreefirstweremoreexperienced，moreheedless，andmoreemancipatedintothetumultoflifethanFantinetheBlonde，whowasstillinherfirstillusions。

Dahlia，Zephine，andespeciallyFavourite，couldnothavesaidasmuch。

Therehadalreadybeenmorethanoneepisodeintheirromance，thoughhardlybegun；andtheloverwhohadbornethenameofAdolphinthefirstchapterhadturnedouttobeAlphonseinthesecond，andGustaveinthethird。Povertyandcoquetryaretwofatalcounsellors；

onescoldsandtheotherflatters，andthebeautifuldaughtersofthepeoplehavebothofthemwhisperingintheirear，eachonitsownside。Thesebadlyguardedsoulslisten。Hencethefallswhichtheyaccomplish，andthestoneswhicharethrownatthem。

Theyareoverwhelmedwithsplendorofallthatisimmaculateandinaccessible。Alas！whatiftheJungfrauwerehungry？

FavouritehavingbeeninEngland，wasadmiredbyDahliaandZephine。

Shehadhadanestablishmentofherownveryearlyinlife。

Herfatherwasanoldunmarriedprofessorofmathematics，abrutalmanandabraggart，whowentouttogivelessonsinspiteofhisage。

Thisprofessor，whenhewasayoungman，hadonedayseenachambermaid’sgowncatchonafender；hehadfalleninloveinconsequenceofthisaccident。TheresulthadbeenFavourite。Shemetherfatherfromtimetotime，andhebowedtoher。Onemorninganoldwomanwiththeairofadevotee，hadenteredherapartments，andhadsaidtoher，"Youdonotknowme，Mamemoiselle？""No。""Iamyourmother。"

Thentheoldwomanopenedthesideboard，andateanddrank，hadamattresswhichsheownedbroughtin，andinstalledherself。

ThiscrossandpiousoldmotherneverspoketoFavourite，remainedhourswithoututteringaword，breakfasted，dined，andsuppedforfour，andwentdowntotheporter’squartersforcompany，whereshespokeillofherdaughter。

ItwashavingrosynailsthatweretooprettywhichhaddrawnDahliatoListolier，toothersperhaps，toidleness。Howcouldshemakesuchnailswork？Shewhowishestoremainvirtuousmustnothavepityonherhands。AsforZephine，shehadconqueredFameuilbyherroguishandcaressinglittlewayofsaying"Yes，sir。"

Theyoungmenwerecomrades；theyounggirlswerefriends。

Suchlovesarealwaysaccompaniedbysuchfriendships。

Goodnessandphilosophyaretwodistinctthings；theproofofthisisthat，aftermakingalldueallowancesfortheselittleirregularhouseholds，Favourite，Zephine，andDahliawerephilosophicalyoungwomen，whileFantinewasagoodgirl。

Good！someonewillexclaim；andTholomyes？Solomonwouldreplythatloveformsapartofwisdom。WewillconfineourselvestosayingthattheloveofFantinewasafirstlove，asolelove，afaithfullove。

Shealone，ofallthefour，wasnotcalled"thou"byasingleoneofthem。

Fantinewasoneofthosebeingswhoblossom，sotospeak，fromthedregsofthepeople。Thoughshehademergedfromthemostunfathomabledepthsofsocialshadow，sheboreonherbrowthesignoftheanonymousandtheunknown。ShewasbornatM。surM。Ofwhatparents？Whocansay？Shehadneverknownfatherormother。

ShewascalledFantine。WhyFantine？Shehadneverborneanyothername。AttheepochofherbirththeDirectorystillexisted。

Shehadnofamilyname；shehadnofamily；nobaptismalname；

theChurchnolongerexisted。Sheborethenamewhichpleasedthefirstrandompasser—by，whohadencounteredher，whenaverysmallchild，runningbare—leggedinthestreet。Shereceivedthenameasshereceivedthewaterfromthecloudsuponherbrowwhenitrained。

ShewascalledlittleFantine。Nooneknewmorethanthat。Thishumancreaturehadenteredlifeinjustthisway。Attheageoften，Fantinequittedthetownandwenttoservicewithsomefarmersintheneighborhood。AtfifteenshecametoParis"toseekherfortune。"

Fantinewasbeautiful，andremainedpureaslongasshecould。

Shewasalovelyblonde，withfineteeth。Shehadgoldandpearlsforherdowry；buthergoldwasonherhead，andherpearlswereinhermouth。

Sheworkedforherliving；then，stillforthesakeofherliving，——

fortheheart，also，hasitshunger，——sheloved。

ShelovedTholomyes。

Anamourforhim；passionforher。ThestreetsoftheLatinquarter，filledwiththrongsofstudentsandgrisettes，sawthebeginningoftheirdream。FantinehadlongevadedTholomyesinthemazesofthehillofthePantheon，wheresomanyadventurerstwineanduntwine，butinsuchawayasconstantlytoencounterhimagain。

Thereisawayofavoidingwhichresemblesseeking。Inshort，theecloguetookplace。

Blachevelle，Listolier，andFameuilformedasortofgroupofwhichTholomyeswasthehead。Itwashewhopossessedthewit。

Tholomyeswastheantiqueoldstudent；hewasrich；hehadanincomeoffourthousandfrancs；fourthousandfrancs！asplendidscandalonMountSainte—Genevieve。Tholomyeswasafastmanofthirty，andbadlypreserved。Hewaswrinkledandtoothless，andhehadthebeginningofabaldspot，ofwhichhehimselfsaidwithsadness，theskullatthirty，thekneeatforty。Hisdigestionwasmediocre，andhehadbeenattackedbyawateringinoneeye。Butinproportionashisyouthdisappeared，gayetywaskindled；hereplacedhisteethwithbuffooneries，hishairwithmirth，hishealthwithirony，hisweepingeyelaughedincessantly。Hewasdilapidatedbutstillinflower。

Hisyouth，whichwaspackingupfordeparturelongbeforeitstime，beataretreatingoodorder，burstingwithlaughter，andnoonesawanythingbutfire。HehadhadapiecerejectedattheVaudeville。

Hemadeafewversesnowandthen。Inadditiontothishedoubtedeverythingtothelastdegree，whichisavastforceintheeyesoftheweak。Beingthusironicalandbald，hewastheleader。

IronisanEnglishword。Isitpossiblethatironyisderivedfromit？

OnedayTholomyestookthethreeothersaside，withthegestureofanoracle，andsaidtothem:——

"Fantine，Dahlia，Zephine，andFavouritehavebeenteasingusfornearlyayeartogivethemasurprise。Wehavepromisedthemsolemnlythatwewould。Theyareforevertalkingaboutittous，tomeinparticular，justastheoldwomeninNaplescrytoSaintJanuarius，`Facciagialluta，faomiracolo，Yellowface，performthymiracle，’

soourbeautiessaytomeincessantly，`Tholomyes，whenwillyoubringforthyoursurprise？’Atthesametimeourparentskeepwritingtous。

Pressureonbothsides。Themomenthasarrived，itseemstome；

letusdiscussthequestion。"

Thereupon，Tholomyesloweredhisvoiceandarticulatedsomethingsomirthful，thatavastandenthusiasticgrinbrokeoutuponthefourmouthssimultaneously，andBlachevelleexclaimed，"Thatisanidea。"

Asmokytap—roompresenteditself；theyentered，andtheremainderoftheirconfidentialcolloquywaslostinshadow。

TheresultoftheseshadeswasadazzlingpleasurepartywhichtookplaceonthefollowingSunday，thefouryoungmeninvitingthefouryounggirls。

CHAPTERIII

FOURANDFOUR

Itishardnowadaystopicturetoone’sselfwhatapleasure—tripofstudentsandgrisettestothecountrywaslike，forty—fiveyearsago。

ThesuburbsofParisarenolongerthesame；thephysiognomyofwhatmaybecalledcircumparisianlifehaschangedcompletelyinthelasthalf—century；wheretherewasthecuckoo，thereistherailwaycar；

wheretherewasatender—boat，thereisnowthesteamboat；peoplespeakofFecampnowadaysastheyspokeofSaint—Cloudinthosedays。

TheParisof1862isacitywhichhasFranceforitsoutskirts。

Thefourcouplesconscientiouslywentthroughwithallthecountryfolliespossibleatthattime。Thevacationwasbeginning，anditwasawarm，bright，summerday。Ontheprecedingday，Favourite，theonlyonewhoknewhowtowrite，hadwrittenthefollowingtoTholomyesinthenameofthefour:"Itisagoodhourtoemergefromhappiness。"Thatiswhytheyroseatfiveo’clockinthemorning。

ThentheywenttoSaint—Cloudbythecoach，lookedatthedrycascadeandexclaimed，"Thismustbeverybeautifulwhenthereiswater！"

TheybreakfastedattheTete—Noir，whereCastainghadnotyetbeen；

theytreatedthemselvestoagameofring—throwingunderthequincunxoftreesofthegrandfountain；theyascendedDiogenes’

lantern，theygambledformacaroonsattherouletteestablishmentofthePontdeSevres，pickedbouquetsatPateaux，boughtreed—pipesatNeuilly，ateappletartseverywhere，andwereperfectlyhappy。

Theyounggirlsrustledandchattedlikewarblersescapedfromtheircage。Itwasaperfectdelirium。Fromtimetotimetheybestowedlittletapsontheyoungmen。Matutinalintoxicationoflife！

adorableyears！thewingsofthedragonflyquiver。Oh，whoeveryoumaybe，doyounotremember？Haveyourambledthroughthebrushwood，holdingasidethebranches，onaccountofthecharmingheadwhichiscomingonbehindyou？Haveyouslid，laughing，downaslopeallwetwithrain，withabelovedwomanholdingyourhand，andcrying，"Ah，mynewboots！whatastatetheyarein！"

Letussayatoncethatthatmerryobstacle，ashower，waslackinginthecaseofthisgood—humoredparty，althoughFavouritehadsaidastheysetout，withamagisterialandmaternaltone，"Theslugsarecrawlinginthepaths，——asignofrain，children。"

Allfourweremadlypretty。Agoodoldclassicpoet，thenfamous，agoodfellowwhohadanEleonore，M。leChevalierdeLabouisse，ashestrolledthatdaybeneaththechestnut—treesofSaint—Cloud，sawthempassaboutteno’clockinthemorning，andexclaimed，"Thereisonetoomanyofthem，"ashethoughtoftheGraces。

Favourite，Blachevelle’sfriend，theoneagedthreeandtwenty，theoldone，ranoninfrontunderthegreatgreenboughs，jumpedtheditches，stalkeddistractedlyoverbushes，andpresidedoverthismerry—makingwiththespiritofayoungfemalefaun。

ZephineandDahlia，whomchancehadmadebeautifulinsuchawaythattheyseteachoffwhentheyweretogether，andcompletedeachother，neverlefteachother，morefromaninstinctofcoquetrythanfromfriendship，andclingingtoeachother，theyassumedEnglishposes；thefirstkeepsakeshadjustmadetheirappearance，melancholywasdawningforwomen，aslateron，Byronismdawnedformen；

andthehairofthetendersexbegantodroopdolefully。ZephineandDahliahadtheirhairdressedinrolls。ListolierandFameuil，whowereengagedindiscussingtheirprofessors，explainedtoFantinethedifferencethatexistedbetweenM。DelvincourtandM。Blondeau。

BlachevelleseemedtohavebeencreatedexpresslytocarryFavourite’ssingle—bordered，imitationIndiashawlofTernaux’smanufacture，onhisarmonSundays。

Tholomyesfollowed，dominatingthegroup。Hewasverygay，butonefelttheforceofgovernmentinhim；therewasdictationinhisjoviality；

hisprincipalornamentwasapairoftrousersofelephant—legpatternofnankeen，withstrapsofbraidedcopperwire；hecarriedastoutrattanworthtwohundredfrancsinhishand，and，ashetreatedhimselftoeverything，astrangethingcalledacigarinhismouth。

Nothingwassacredtohim；hesmoked。

"ThatTholomyesisastounding！"saidtheothers，withveneration。

"Whattrousers！Whatenergy！"

AsforFantine，shewasajoytobehold。HersplendidteethhadevidentlyreceivedanofficefromGod，——laughter。Shepreferredtocarryherlittlehatofsewedstraw，withitslongwhitestrings，inherhandratherthanonherhead。Herthickblondhair，whichwasinclinedtowave，andwhicheasilyuncoiled，andwhichitwasnecessarytofastenupincessantly，seemedmadefortheflightofGalateaunderthewillows。Herrosylipsbabbledenchantingly。

Thecornersofhermouthvoluptuouslyturnedup，asintheantiquemasksofErigone，hadanairofencouragingtheaudacious；butherlong，shadowylashesdroopeddiscreetlyoverthejollityofthelowerpartofthefaceasthoughtocallahalt。Therewassomethingindescribablyharmoniousandstrikingaboutherentiredress。

Sheworeagownofmauvebarege，littlereddishbrownbuskins，whoseribbonstracedanXonherfine，white，open—workedstockings，andthatsortofmuslinspencer，aMarseillesinvention，whosename，canezou，acorruptionofthewordsquinzeaout，pronouncedafterthefashionoftheCanebiere，signifiesfineweather，heat，andmidday。

Thethreeothers，lesstimid，aswehavealreadysaid，worelow—neckeddresseswithoutdisguise，whichinsummer，beneathflower—adornedhats，areverygracefulandenticing；butbythesideoftheseaudaciousoutfits，blondFantine’scanezou，withitstransparencies，itsindiscretion，anditsreticence，concealinganddisplayingatoneandthesametime，seemedanalluringgodsendofdecency，andthefamousCourtofLove，presidedoverbytheVicomtessedeCette，withthesea—greeneyes，would，perhaps，haveawardedtheprizeforcoquetrytothiscanezou，inthecontestfortheprizeofmodesty。

Themostingeniousis，attimes，thewisest。Thisdoeshappen。

Brilliantofface，delicateofprofile，witheyesofadeepblue，heavylids，feetarchedandsmall，wristsandanklesadmirablyformed，awhiteskinwhich，hereandthereallowedtheazurebranchingoftheveinstobeseen，joy，acheekthatwasyoungandfresh，therobustthroatoftheJunoofAEgina，astrongandsupplenapeoftheneck，shouldersmodelledasthoughbyCoustou，withavoluptuousdimpleinthemiddle，visiblethroughthemuslin；agayetycooledbydreaminess；sculpturalandexquisite——suchwasFantine；

andbeneaththesefeminineadornmentsandtheseribbonsonecoulddivineastatue，andinthatstatueasoul。

Fantinewasbeautiful，withoutbeingtooconsciousofit。

Thoseraredreamers，mysteriouspriestsofthebeautifulwhosilentlyconfronteverythingwithperfection，wouldhavecaughtaglimpseinthislittleworking—woman，throughthetransparencyofherParisiangrace，oftheancientsacredeuphony。Thisdaughteroftheshadowswasthoroughbred。Shewasbeautifulinthetwoways——

styleandrhythm。Styleistheformoftheideal；rhythmisitsmovement。

WehavesaidthatFantinewasjoy；shewasalsomodesty。

Toanobserverwhostudiedherattentively，thatwhichbreathedfromherathwartalltheintoxicationofherage，theseason，andherloveaffair，wasaninvincibleexpressionofreserveandmodesty。

Sheremainedalittleastonished。ThischasteastonishmentistheshadeofdifferencewhichseparatesPsychefromVenus。

Fantinehadthelong，white，finefingersofthevestalvirginwhostirstheashesofthesacredfirewithagoldenpin。AlthoughshewouldhaverefusednothingtoTholomyes，asweshallhavemorethanampleopportunitytosee，herfaceinreposewassupremelyvirginal；

asortofseriousandalmostausteredignitysuddenlyoverwhelmedheratcertaintimes，andtherewasnothingmoresingularanddisturbingthantoseegayetybecomesosuddenlyextinctthere，andmeditationsucceedtocheerfulnesswithoutanytransitionstate。

Thissuddenandsometimesseverelyaccentuatedgravityresembledthedisdainofagoddess。Herbrow，hernose，herchin，presentedthatequilibriumofoutlinewhichisquitedistinctfromequilibriumofproportion，andfromwhichharmonyofcountenanceresults；

intheverycharacteristicintervalwhichseparatesthebaseofthenosefromtheupperlip，shehadthatimperceptibleandcharmingfold，amysterioussignofchastity，whichmakesBarberoussefallinlovewithaDianafoundinthetreasuresofIconia。

Loveisafault；sobeit。Fantinewasinnocencefloatinghighoverfault。

CHAPTERIV

THOLOMYESISSOMERRYTHATHESINGSASPANISHDITTY

Thatdaywascomposedofdawn，fromoneendtotheother。

Allnatureseemedtobehavingaholiday，andtobelaughing。

Theflower—bedsofSaint—Cloudperfumedtheair；thebreathoftheSeinerustledtheleavesvaguely；thebranchesgesticulatedinthewind，beespillagedthejasmines；awholebohemiaofbutterfliesswoopeddownupontheyarrow，theclover，andthesterileoats；intheaugustparkoftheKingofFrancetherewasapackofvagabonds，thebirds。

Thefourmerrycouples，mingledwiththesun，thefields，theflowers，thetrees，wereresplendent。

AndinthiscommunityofParadise，talking，singing，running，dancing，chasingbutterflies，pluckingconvolvulus，wettingtheirpink，open—workstockingsinthetallgrass，fresh，wild，withoutmalice，allreceived，tosomeextent，thekissesofall，withtheexceptionofFantine，whowashedgedaboutwiththatvagueresistanceofherscomposedofdreaminessandwildness，andwhowasinlove。

"Youalwayshaveaqueerlookaboutyou，"saidFavouritetoher。

Suchthingsarejoys。Thesepassagesofhappycouplesareaprofoundappealtolifeandnature，andmakeacaressandlightspringforthfromeverything。Therewasonceafairywhocreatedthefieldsandforestsexpresslyforthoseinlove，——inthateternalhedge—schooloflovers，whichisforeverbeginninganew，andwhichwilllastaslongastherearehedgesandscholars。

Hencethepopularityofspringamongthinkers。Thepatricianandtheknife—grinder，thedukeandthepeer，thelimbofthelaw，thecourtiersandtownspeople，astheyusedtosayinoldentimes，allaresubjectsofthisfairy。Theylaughandhunt，andthereisintheairthebrillianceofanapotheosis——whatatransfigurationeffectedbylove！Notaries’clerksaregods。Andthelittlecries，thepursuitsthroughthegrass，thewaistsembracedonthefly，thosejargonswhicharemelodies，thoseadorationswhichburstforthinthemannerofpronouncingasyllable，thosecherriestornfromonemouthbyanother，——allthisblazesforthandtakesitsplaceamongthecelestialglories。Beautifulwomenwastethemselvessweetly。Theythinkthatthiswillnevercometoanend。

Philosophers，poets，painters，observetheseecstasiesandknownotwhattomakeofit，sogreatlyaretheydazzledbyit。ThedepartureforCythera！exclaimsWatteau；Lancret，thepainterofplebeians，contemplateshisbourgeois，whohaveflittedawayintotheazuresky；

Diderotstretchesouthisarmstoalltheseloveidyls，andd’Urfeminglesdruidswiththem。

AfterbreakfastthefourcoupleswenttowhatwasthencalledtheKing’sSquaretoseeanewlyarrivedplantfromIndia，whosenameescapesourmemoryatthismoment，andwhich，atthatepoch，wasattractingallParistoSaint—Cloud。Itwasanoddandcharmingshrubwithalongstem，whosenumerousbranches，bristlingandleaflessandasfineasthreads，werecoveredwithamilliontinywhiterosettes；

thisgavetheshrubtheairofaheadofhairstuddedwithflowers。

Therewasalwaysanadmiringcrowdaboutit。

Afterviewingtheshrub，Tholomyesexclaimed，"Iofferyouasses！"

andhavingagreeduponapricewiththeowneroftheasses，theyreturnedbywayofVanvresandIssy。AtIssyanincidentoccurred。

Thetrulynationalpark，atthattimeownedbyBourguinthecontractor，happenedtobewideopen。Theypassedthegates，visitedthemanikinanchoriteinhisgrotto，triedthemysteriouslittleeffectsofthefamouscabinetofmirrors，thewantontrapworthyofasatyrbecomeamillionaireorofTurcaretmetamorphosedintoaPriapus。

Theyhadstoutlyshakentheswingattachedtothetwochestnut—treescelebratedbytheAbbedeBernis。Asheswungthesebeauties，oneaftertheother，producingfoldsintheflutteringskirtswhichGreuzewouldhavefoundtohistaste，amidpealsoflaughter，theToulousanTholomyes，whowassomewhatofaSpaniard，ToulousebeingthecousinofTolosa，sang，toamelancholychant，theoldballadgallega，probablyinspiredbysomelovelymaiddashinginfullflightuponaropebetweentwotrees:——

"SoydeBadajoz，"Badajozismyhome，Amormellama，AndLoveismyname；

Todamialma，Tomyeyesinflame，Esenmiojos，Allmysouldothcome；

Porqueensenas，ForinstructionmeetAtuaspiernas。Ireceiveatthyfeet"

Fantinealonerefusedtoswing。

"Idon’tliketohavepeopleputonairslikethat，"mutteredFavourite，withagooddealofacrimony。

Afterleavingtheassestherewasafreshdelight；theycrossedtheSeineinaboat，andproceedingfromPassyonfoottheyreachedthebarrierofl’Etoile。Theyhadbeenupsincefiveo’clockthatmorning，asthereaderwillremember；butbah！thereisnosuchthingasfatigueonSunday，saidFavourite；onSundayfatiguedoesnotwork。

Aboutthreeo’clockthefourcouples，frightenedattheirhappiness，wereslidingdowntheRussianmountains，asingularedificewhichthenoccupiedtheheightsofBeaujon，andwhoseundulatinglinewasvisibleabovethetreesoftheChampsElysees。

FromtimetotimeFavouriteexclaimed:——

"Andthesurprise？Iclaimthesurprise。"

"Patience，"repliedTholomyes。