第6章

CHAPTERV

ATBOMBARDA’S

TheRussianmountainshavingbeenexhausted，theybegantothinkaboutdinner；andtheradiantpartyofeight，somewhatwearyatlast，becamestrandedinBombarda’spublichouse，abranchestablishmentwhichhadbeensetupintheChamps—Elyseesbythatfamousrestaurant—keeper，Bombarda，whosesigncouldthenbeseenintheRuedeRivoli，nearDelormeAlley。

Alargebutuglyroom，withanalcoveandabedattheend（theyhadbeenobligedtoputupwiththisaccommodationinviewoftheSundaycrowd）；twowindowswhencetheycouldsurveybeyondtheelms，thequayandtheriver；amagnificentAugustsunlightlightlytouchingthepanes；twotables；upononeofthematriumphantmountainofbouquets，mingledwiththehatsofmenandwomen；

attheotherthefourcouplesseatedroundamerryconfusionofplatters，dishes，glasses，andbottles；jugsofbeermingledwithflasksofwine；verylittleorderonthetable，somedisorderbeneathit；

"TheymadebeneaththetableAnoise，aclatterofthefeetthatwasabominable，"

saysMoliere。

Thiswasthestatewhichtheshepherdidyl，begunatfiveo’clockinthemorning，hadreachedathalf—pastfourintheafternoon。

Thesunwassetting；theirappetitesweresatisfied。

TheChamps—Elysees，filledwithsunshineandwithpeople，werenothingbutlightanddust，thetwothingsofwhichgloryiscomposed。

ThehorsesofMarly，thoseneighingmarbles，wereprancinginacloudofgold。Carriagesweregoingandcoming。Asquadronofmagnificentbody—guards，withtheirclarionsattheirhead，weredescendingtheAvenuedeNeuilly；thewhiteflag，showingfaintlyrosyinthesettingsun，floatedoverthedomeoftheTuileries。

ThePlacedelaConcorde，whichhadbecomethePlaceLouisXV。

oncemore，waschokedwithhappypromenaders。Manyworethesilverfleur—de—lyssuspendedfromthewhite—wateredribbon，whichhadnotyetwhollydisappearedfrombutton—holesintheyear1817。

Hereandtherechorusesoflittlegirlsthrewtothewinds，amidthepassersby，whoformedintocirclesandapplauded，thethencelebratedBourbonair，whichwasdestinedtostriketheHundredDayswithlightning，andwhichhadforitsrefrain:——

"Rendez—nousnotreperedeGand，Rendez—nousnotrepere。"

"GiveusbackourfatherfromGhent，Giveusbackourfather。"

Groupsofdwellersinthesuburbs，inSundayarray，sometimesevendecoratedwiththefleur—de—lys，likethebourgeois，scatteredoverthelargesquareandtheMarignysquare，wereplayingatringsandrevolvingonthewoodenhorses；otherswereengagedindrinking；

somejourneymanprintershadonpapercaps；theirlaughterwasaudible。

Everythingwasradiant。Itwasatimeofundisputedpeaceandprofoundroyalistsecurity；itwastheepochwhenaspecialandprivatereportofChiefofPoliceAngelestotheKing，onthesubjectofthesuburbsofParis，terminatedwiththeselines:——

"Takingallthingsintoconsideration，Sire，thereisnothingtobefearedfromthesepeople。Theyareasheedlessandasindolentascats。

Thepopulaceisrestlessintheprovinces；itisnotinParis。

Theseareveryprettymen，Sire。Itwouldtakealloftwoofthemtomakeoneofyourgrenadiers。ThereisnothingtobefearedonthepartofthepopulaceofParisthecapital。Itisremarkablethatthestatureofthispopulationshouldhavediminishedinthelastfiftyyears；andthepopulaceofthesuburbsisstillmorepunythanatthetimeoftheRevolution。Itisnotdangerous。

Inshort，itisanamiablerabble。"

Prefectsofthepolicedonotdeemitpossiblethatacatcantransformitselfintoalion；thatdoeshappen，however，andinthatliesthemiraclewroughtbythepopulaceofParis。Moreover，thecatsodespisedbyCountAnglespossessedtheesteemoftherepublicsofold。

Intheireyesitwaslibertyincarnate；andasthoughtoserveaspendanttotheMinervaApteraofthePiraeus，therestoodonthepublicsquareinCorinththecolossalbronzefigureofacat。

TheingenuouspoliceoftheRestorationbeheldthepopulaceofParisintoo"rose—colored"alight；itisnotsomuchof"anamiablerabble"

asitisthought。TheParisianistotheFrenchmanwhattheAthenianwastotheGreek:noonesleepsmoresoundlythanhe，nooneismorefranklyfrivolousandlazythanhe，noonecanbetterassumetheairofforgetfulness；lethimnotbetrustednevertheless；

heisreadyforanysortofcooldeed；butwhenthereisgloryattheendofit，heisworthyofadmirationineverysortoffury。

Givehimapike，hewillproducethe10thofAugust；givehimagun，youwillhaveAusterlitz。HeisNapoleon’sstayandDanton’sresource。

Isitaquestionofcountry，heenlists；isitaquestionofliberty，hetearsupthepavements。Beware！hishairfilledwithwrath，isepic；

hisblousedrapesitselflikethefoldsofachlamys。Takecare！hewillmakeofthefirstRueGrenetatwhichcomestohandCaudineForks。

Whenthehourstrikes，thismanofthefaubourgswillgrowinstature；

thislittlemanwillarise，andhisgazewillbeterrible，andhisbreathwillbecomeatempest，andtherewillissueforthfromthatslenderchestenoughwindtodisarrangethefoldsoftheAlps。

Itis，thankstothesuburbanmanofParis，thattheRevolution，mixedwitharms，conquersEurope。Hesings；itishisdelight。

Proportionhissongtohisnature，andyouwillsee！AslongashehasforrefrainnothingbutlaCarmagnole，heonlyoverthrowsLouisXVI。；makehimsingtheMarseillaise，andhewillfreetheworld。

ThisnotejotteddownonthemarginofAngles’report，wewillreturntoourfourcouples。Thedinner，aswehavesaid，wasdrawingtoitsclose。

CHAPTERVI

ACHAPTERINWHICHTHEYADOREEACHOTHER

Chatattable，thechatoflove；itisasimpossibletoreproduceoneastheother；thechatofloveisacloud；thechatattableissmoke。

FameuilandDahliawerehumming。Tholomyeswasdrinking。

Zephinewaslaughing，Fantinesmiling，ListolierblowingawoodentrumpetwhichhehadpurchasedatSaint—Cloud。

FavouritegazedtenderlyatBlachevelleandsaid:——

"Blachevelle，Iadoreyou。"

ThiscalledforthaquestionfromBlachevelle:——

"Whatwouldyoudo，Favourite，ifIweretoceasetoloveyou？"

"I！"criedFavourite。"Ah！Donotsaythateveninjest！

Ifyouweretoceasetoloveme，Iwouldspringafteryou，Iwouldscratchyou，Ishouldrendyou，Iwouldthrowyouintothewater，Iwouldhaveyouarrested。"

Blachevellesmiledwiththevoluptuousself—conceitofamanwhoistickledinhisself—love。Favouriteresumed:——

"Yes，Iwouldscreamtothepolice！Ah！Ishouldnotrestrainmyself，notatall！Rabble！"

Blachevellethrewhimselfbackinhischair，inanecstasy，andclosedbotheyesproudly。

Dahlia，assheate，saidinalowvoicetoFavourite，amidtheuproar:——

"Soyoureallyidolizehimdeeply，thatBlachevelleofyours？"

"I？Idetesthim，"repliedFavouriteinthesametone，seizingherforkagain。"Heisavaricious。Ilovethelittlefellowoppositemeinmyhouse。Heisverynice，thatyoungman；doyouknowhim？

Onecanseethatheisanactorbyprofession。Iloveactors。

Assoonashecomesin，hismothersaystohim:`Ah！monDieu！mypeaceofmindisgone。Therehegoeswithhisshouting。But，mydear，youaresplittingmyhead！’Sohegoesuptorat—riddengarrets，toblackholes，ashighashecanmount，andtherehesetstosinging，declaiming，howdoIknowwhat？sothathecanbehearddownstairs！

Heearnstwentysousadayatanattorney’sbypenningquibbles。

HeisthesonofaformerprecentorofSaint—Jacques—du—Haut—Pas。

Ah！heisverynice。Heidolizesmeso，thatonedaywhenhesawmemakingbatterforsomepancakes，hesaidtome:`Mamselle，makeyourglovesintofritters，andIwilleatthem。’Itisonlyartistswhocansaysuchthingsasthat。Ah！heisverynice。

Iaminafairwaytogooutofmyheadoverthatlittlefellow。

Nevermind；ItellBlachevellethatIadorehim——howIlie！Hey！HowI

dolie！"

Favouritepaused，andthenwenton:——

"Iamsad，yousee，Dahlia。Ithasdonenothingbutrainallsummer；

thewindirritatesme；thewinddoesnotabate。Blachevelleisverystingy；therearehardlyanygreenpeasinthemarket；

onedoesnotknowwhattoeat。Ihavethespleen，astheEnglishsay，butterissodear！andthenyouseeitishorrible，herewearedininginaroomwithabedinit，andthatdisgustsmewithlife。"

CHAPTERVII

THEWISDOMOFTHOLOMYES

Inthemeantime，whilesomesang，theresttalkedtogethertumultuouslyallatonce；itwasnolongeranythingbutnoise。

Tholomyesintervened。

"Letusnottalkatrandomnortoofast，"heexclaimed。

"Letusreflect，ifwewishtobebrilliant。Toomuchimprovisationemptiesthemindinastupidway。Runningbeergathersnofroth。

Nohaste，gentlemen。Letusminglemajestywiththefeast。Letuseatwithmeditation；letusmakehasteslowly。Letusnothurry。

Considerthespringtime；ifitmakeshaste，itisdonefor；

thatistosay，itgetsfrozen。Excessofzealruinspeach—treesandapricot—trees。Excessofzealkillsthegraceandthemirthofgooddinners。Nozeal，gentlemen！GrimoddelaReyniereagreeswithTalleyrand。"

Ahollowsoundofrebellionrumbledthroughthegroup。

"Leaveusinpeace，Tholomyes，"saidBlachevelle。

"Downwiththetyrant！"saidFameuil。

"Bombarda，Bombance，andBambochel！"criedListolier。

"Sundayexists，"resumedFameuil。

"Wearesober，"addedListolier。

"Tholomyes，"remarkedBlachevelle，"contemplatemycalmness[moncalme]。"

"YouaretheMarquisofthat，"retortedTholomyes。

Thismediocreplayuponwordsproducedtheeffectofastoneinapool。

TheMarquisdeMontcalmwasatthattimeacelebratedroyalist。

Allthefrogsheldtheirpeace。

"Friends，"criedTholomyes，withtheaccentofamanwhohadrecoveredhisempire，"Cometoyourselves。Thispunwhichhasfallenfromtheskiesmustnotbereceivedwithtoomuchstupor。

Everythingwhichfallsinthatwayisnotnecessarilyworthyofenthusiasmandrespect。Thepunisthedungofthemindwhichsoars。

Thejestfalls，nomatterwhere；andthemindafterproducingapieceofstupidityplungesintotheazuredepths。Awhitishspeckflattenedagainsttherockdoesnotpreventthecondorfromsoaringaloft。

Farbeitfrommetoinsultthepun！Ihonoritinproportiontoitsmerits；nothingmore。Allthemostaugust，themostsublime，themostcharmingofhumanity，andperhapsoutsideofhumanity，havemadepuns。JesusChristmadeapunonSt。Peter，MosesonIsaac，AEschylusonPolynices，CleopatraonOctavius。AndobservethatCleopatra’spunprecededthebattleofActium，andthathaditnotbeenforit，noonewouldhaverememberedthecityofToryne，aGreeknamewhichsignifiesaladle。Thatonceconceded，Ireturntomyexhortation。Irepeat，brothers，Irepeat，nozeal，nohubbub，noexcess；eveninwitticisms，gayety，jollities，orplaysonwords。

Listentome。IhavetheprudenceofAmphiarausandthebaldnessofCaesar。Theremustbealimit，eventorebuses。Estmodusinrebus。

"Theremustbealimit，eventodinners。Youarefondofappleturnovers，ladies；donotindulgeinthemtoexcess。

Eveninthematterofturnovers，goodsenseandartarerequisite。

Gluttonychastisestheglutton，GulapunitGulax。IndigestionischargedbythegoodGodwithpreachingmoralitytostomachs。

Andrememberthis:eachoneofourpassions，evenlove，hasastomachwhichmustnotbefilledtoofull。Inallthingsthewordfinismustbewritteningoodseason；self—controlmustbeexercisedwhenthematterbecomesurgent；theboltmustbedrawnonappetite；

onemustsetone’sownfantasytotheviolin，andcarryone’sselftothepost。Thesageisthemanwhoknowshow，atagivenmoment，toeffecthisownarrest。Havesomeconfidenceinme，forIhavesucceededtosomeextentinmystudyofthelaw，accordingtotheverdictofmyexaminations，forIknowthedifferencebetweenthequestionputandthequestionpending，forIhavesustainedathesisinLatinuponthemannerinwhichtorturewasadministeredatRomeattheepochwhenMunatiusDemenswasquaestoroftheParricide；

becauseIamgoingtobeadoctor，apparentlyitdoesnotfollowthatitisabsolutelynecessarythatIshouldbeanimbecile。

Irecommendyoutomoderationinyourdesires。ItistruethatmynameisFelixTholomyes；Ispeakwell。Happyishewho，whenthehourstrikes，takesaheroicresolve，andabdicateslikeSyllaorOrigenes。"

Favouritelistenedwithprofoundattention。

"Felix，"saidshe，"whataprettyword！Ilovethatname。

ItisLatin；itmeansprosper。"

Tholomyeswenton:——

"Quirites，gentlemen，caballeros，myfriends。Doyouwishnevertofeeltheprick，todowithoutthenuptialbed，andtobravelove？

Nothingmoresimple。Hereisthereceipt:lemonade，excessiveexercise，hardlabor；workyourselftodeath，dragblocks，sleepnot，holdvigil，gorgeyourselfwithnitrousbeverages，andpotionsofnymphaeas；

drinkemulsionsofpoppiesandagnuscastus；seasonthiswithastrictdiet，starveyourself，andaddtheretocoldbaths，girdlesofherbs，theapplicationofaplateoflead，lotionsmadewiththesubacetateoflead，andfomentationsofoxycrat。"

"Ipreferawoman，"saidListolier。

"Woman，"resumedTholomyes；"distrusther。Woetohimwhoyieldshimselftotheunstableheartofwoman！Womanisperfidiousanddisingenuous。Shedeteststheserpentfromprofessionaljealousy。

Theserpentistheshopovertheway。"

"Tholomyes！"criedBlachevelle，"youaredrunk！"

"Pardieu，"saidTholomyes。

"Thenbegay，"resumedBlachevelle。

"Iagreetothat，"respondedTholomyes。

And，refillinghisglass，herose。

"Glorytowine！Nuncte，Bacche，canam！Pardonmeladies；

thatisSpanish。Andtheproofofit，senoras，isthis:likepeople，likecask。ThearrobeofCastilecontainssixteenlitres；thecantaroofAlicante，twelve；thealmudeoftheCanaries，twenty—five；

thecuartinoftheBalearicIsles，twenty—six；thebootofTzarPeter，thirty。LonglivethatTzarwhowasgreat，andlonglivehisboot，whichwasstillgreater！Ladies，taketheadviceofafriend；makeamistakeinyourneighborifyouseefit。

Thepropertyofloveistoerr。AloveaffairisnotmadetocrouchdownandbrutalizeitselflikeanEnglishserving—maidwhohascallousesonherkneesfromscrubbing。Itisnotmadeforthat；

iterrsgayly，ourgentlelove。Ithasbeensaid，errorishuman；

Isay，errorislove。Ladies，Iidolizeyouall。OZephine，OJosephine，facemorethanirregular，youwouldbecharmingwereyounotallaskew。Youhavetheairofaprettyfaceuponwhichsomeonehassatdownbymistake。AsforFavourite，Onymphsandmuses！onedaywhenBlachevellewascrossingthegutterintheRueGuerin—Boisseau，heespiedabeautifulgirlwithwhitestockingswelldrawnup，whichdisplayedherlegs。Thisprologuepleasedhim，andBlachevellefellinlove。TheonehelovedwasFavourite。OFavourite，thouhastIonianlips。TherewasaGreekpainternamedEuphorion，whowassurnamedthepainterofthelips。ThatGreekalonewouldhavebeenworthytopaintthymouth。Listen！beforethee，therewasneveracreatureworthyofthename。ThouwertmadetoreceivetheapplelikeVenus，ortoeatitlikeEve；beautybeginswiththee。

IhavejustreferredtoEve；itisthouwhohastcreatedher。

Thoudeservesttheletters—patentofthebeautifulwoman。OFavourite，Iceasetoaddressyouas`thou，’becauseIpassfrompoetrytoprose。

Youwerespeakingofmynamealittlewhileago。Thattouchedme；

butletus，whoeverwemaybe，distrustnames。Theymaydeludeus。

IamcalledFelix，andIamnothappy。Wordsareliars。Letusnotblindlyaccepttheindicationswhichtheyaffordus。ItwouldbeamistaketowritetoLiege[2]forcorks，andtoPauforgloves。

MissDahlia，wereIinyourplace，IwouldcallmyselfRosa。

Aflowershouldsmellsweet，andwomanshouldhavewit。IsaynothingofFantine；sheisadreamer，amusing，thoughtful，pensiveperson；

sheisaphantompossessedoftheformofanymphandthemodestyofanun，whohasstrayedintothelifeofagrisette，butwhotakesrefugeinillusions，andwhosingsandpraysandgazesintotheazurewithoutverywellknowingwhatsheseesorwhatsheisdoing，andwho，withhereyesfixedonheaven，wandersinagardenwheretherearemorebirdsthanareinexistence。OFantine，knowthis:

I，Tholomyes，Iamallillusion；butshedoesnotevenhearme，thatblondmaidofChimeras！asfortherest，everythingaboutherisfreshness，suavity，youth，sweetmorninglight。OFantine，maidworthyofbeingcalledMargueriteorPearl，youareawomanfromthebeauteousOrient。Ladies，asecondpieceofadvice:

donotmarry；marriageisagraft；ittakeswellorill；

avoidthatrisk。Butbah！whatamIsaying？Iamwastingmywords。

Girlsareincurableonthesubjectofmarriage，andallthatwewisemencansaywillnotpreventthewaistcoat—makersandtheshoe—stitchersfromdreamingofhusbandsstuddedwithdiamonds。

Well，sobeit；but，mybeauties，rememberthis，youeattoomuchsugar。

Youhavebutonefault，Owoman，andthatisnibblingsugar。

Onibblingsex，yourprettylittlewhiteteethadoresugar。

Now，heedmewell，sugarisasalt。Allsaltsarewithering。

Sugaristhemostdesiccatingofallsalts；itsuckstheliquidsofthebloodthroughtheveins；hencethecoagulation，andthenthesolidificationoftheblood；hencetuberclesinthelungs，hencedeath。

Thatiswhydiabetesbordersonconsumption。Then，donotcrunchsugar，andyouwilllive。Iturntothemen:gentlemen，makeconquest，robeachotherofyourwell—belovedwithoutremorse。Chassezacross。

Inlovetherearenofriends。Everywherewherethereisaprettywomanhostilityisopen。Noquarter，wartothedeath！aprettywomanisacasusbelli；aprettywomanisflagrantmisdemeanor。

Alltheinvasionsofhistoryhavebeendeterminedbypetticoats。

Womanisman’sright。RomuluscarriedofftheSabines；WilliamcarriedofftheSaxonwomen；CaesarcarriedofftheRomanwomen。Themanwhoisnotlovedsoarslikeavultureoverthemistressesofothermen；

andformyownpart，toallthoseunfortunatemenwhoarewidowers，IthrowthesublimeproclamationofBonapartetothearmyofItaly:

"Soldiers，youareinneedofeverything；theenemyhasit。"

[2]Liege:acork—tree。Pau:ajestonpeau，skin。

Tholomyespaused。

"Takebreath，Tholomyes，"saidBlachevelle。

AtthesamemomentBlachevelle，supportedbyListolierandFameuil，struckuptoaplaintiveair，oneofthosestudiosongscomposedofthefirstwordswhichcometohand，rhymedrichlyandnotatall，asdestituteofsenseasthegestureofthetreeandthesoundofthewind，whichhavetheirbirthinthevaporofpipes，andaredissipatedandtaketheirflightwiththem。ThisisthecoupletbywhichthegrouprepliedtoTholomyes’harangue:——

"Thefatherturkey—cockssograveSomemoneytoanagentgave，ThatmastergoodClermont—TonnerreMightbemadepopeonSaintJohns’dayfair。

ButthisgoodClermontcouldnotbeMadepope，becausenopriestwashe；

Andthentheiragent，whosewrathburned，Withalltheirmoneybackreturned。"

ThiswasnotcalculatedtocalmTholomyes’improvisation；heemptiedhisglass，filled，refilledit，andbeganagain:——

"Downwithwisdom！ForgetallthatIhavesaid。Letusbeneitherprudesnorprudentmennorprudhommes。Iproposeatoasttomirth；

bemerry。Letuscompleteourcourseoflawbyfollyandeating！

Indigestionandthedigest。LetJustinianbethemale，andFeasting，thefemale！Joyinthedepths！Live，Ocreation！Theworldisagreatdiamond。Iamhappy。Thebirdsareastonishing。

Whatafestivaleverywhere！ThenightingaleisagratuitousElleviou。

Summer，Isalutethee！OLuxembourg！OGeorgicsoftheRueMadame，andoftheAlleedel’Observatoire！Opensiveinfantrysoldiers！

Oallthosecharmingnurseswho，whiletheyguardthechildren，amusethemselves！ThepampasofAmericawouldpleasemeifIhadnotthearcadesoftheOdeon。Mysoulflitsawayintothevirginforestsandtothesavannas。Allisbeautiful。Thefliesbuzzinthesun。

Thesunhassneezedoutthehummingbird。Embraceme，Fantine！"

HemadeamistakeandembracedFavourite。

CHAPTERVIII

THEDEATHOFAHORSE

"ThedinnersarebetteratEdon’sthanatBombarda’s，"exclaimedZephine。

"IpreferBombardatoEdon，"declaredBlachevelle。"Thereismoreluxury。ItismoreAsiatic。Lookattheroomdownstairs；

therearemirrors[glaces]onthewalls。"

"Ipreferthem[glaces，ices]onmyplate，"saidFavourite。

Blachevellepersisted:——

"Lookattheknives。ThehandlesareofsilveratBombarda’sandofboneatEdon’s。Now，silverismorevaluablethanbone。"

"Exceptforthosewhohaveasilverchin，"observedTholomyes。

HewaslookingatthedomeoftheInvalides，whichwasvisiblefromBombarda’swindows。

Apauseensued。

"Tholomyes，"exclaimedFameuil，"ListolierandIwerehavingadiscussionjustnow。"

"Adiscussionisagoodthing，"repliedTholomyes；"aquarrelisbetter。"

"Weweredisputingaboutphilosophy。"

"Well？"

"Whichdoyouprefer，DescartesorSpinoza？"

"Desaugiers，"saidTholomyes。

Thisdecreepronounced，hetookadrink，andwenton:——

"Iconsenttolive。Allisnotatanendonearthsincewecanstilltalknonsense。ForthatIreturnthankstotheimmortalgods。

Welie。Onelies，butonelaughs。Oneaffirms，butonedoubts。

Theunexpectedburstsforthfromthesyllogism。Thatisfine。

Therearestillhumanbeingsherebelowwhoknowhowtoopenandclosethesurpriseboxoftheparadoxmerrily。This，ladies，whichyouaredrinkingwithsotranquilanairisMadeirawine，youmustknow，fromthevineyardofCouraldasFreiras，whichisthreehundredandseventeenfathomsabovethelevelofthesea。

Attentionwhileyoudrink！threehundredandseventeenfathoms！

andMonsieurBombarda，themagnificenteating—housekeeper，givesyouthosethreehundredandseventeenfathomsforfourfrancsandfiftycentimes。"

AgainFameuilinterruptedhim:——

"Tholomyes，youropinionsfixthelaw。Whoisyourfavoriteauthor？"

"Ber——"

"Quin？"

"No；Choux。"

AndTholomyescontinued:——

"HonortoBombarda！HewouldequalMunophisofElephantaifhecouldbutgetmeanIndiandancing—girl，andThygelionofChaeroneaifhecouldbringmeaGreekcourtesan；for，oh，ladies！therewereBombardasinGreeceandinEgypt。Apuleiustellsusofthem。

Alas！alwaysthesame，andnothingnew；nothingmoreunpublishedbythecreatorincreation！Nilsubsolenovum，saysSolomon；

amoromnibusidem，saysVirgil；andCarabinemountswithCarabinintothebarkatSaint—Cloud，asAspasiaembarkedwithPericlesuponthefleetatSamos。Onelastword。DoyouknowwhatAspasiawas，ladies？

Althoughshelivedatanepochwhenwomenhad，asyet，nosoul，shewasasoul；asoulofarosyandpurplehue，moreardenthuedthanfire，fresherthanthedawn。Aspasiawasacreatureinwhomtwoextremesofwomanhoodmet；shewasthegoddessprostitute；

SocratesplusManonLescaut。AspasiawascreatedincaseamistressshouldbeneededforPrometheus。"

Tholomyes，oncestarted，wouldhavefoundsomedifficultyinstopping，hadnotahorsefallendownuponthequayjustatthatmoment。

Theshockcausedthecartandtheoratortocometoadeadhalt。

ItwasaBeauceronmare，oldandthin，andonefitfortheknacker，whichwasdraggingaveryheavycart。OnarrivinginfrontofBombarda’s，theworn—out，exhaustedbeasthadrefusedtoproceedanyfurther。

Thisincidentattractedacrowd。Hardlyhadthecursingandindignantcarterhadtimetoutterwithproperenergythesacramentalword，Matin（thejade），backedupwithapitilesscutofthewhip，whenthejadefell，nevertoriseagain。Onhearingthehubbubmadebythepassersby，Tholomyes’merryauditorsturnedtheirheads，andTholomyestookadvantageoftheopportunitytobringhisallocutiontoaclosewiththismelancholystrophe:——

"Elleetaitdecemondeoucoucousetcarrosses[3]

Ontlememedestin；

Et，rosse，elleavecucequevivantlesrosses，L’espaced’unmatin！"

[3]Shebelongedtothatcirclewherecuckoosandcarriagessharethesamefate；andajadeherself，shelived，asjadeslive，forthespaceofamorning（orjade）。

"Poorhorse！"sighedFantine。

AndDahliaexclaimed:——

"ThereisFantineonthepointofcryingoverhorses。Howcanonebesuchapitifulfoolasthat！"

AtthatmomentFavourite，foldingherarmsandthrowingherheadback，lookedresolutelyatTholomyesandsaid:——

"Come，now！thesurprise？"

"Exactly。Themomenthasarrived，"repliedTholomyes。

"Gentlemen，thehourforgivingtheseladiesasurprisehasstruck。

Waitforusamoment，ladies。"

"Itbeginswithakiss，"saidBlachevelle。

"Onthebrow，"addedTholomyes。

Eachgravelybestowedakissonhismistress’sbrow；thenallfourfiledoutthroughthedoor，withtheirfingersontheirlips。

Favouriteclappedherhandsontheirdeparture。

"Itisbeginningtobeamusingalready，"saidshe。

"Don’tbetoolong，"murmuredFantine；"wearewaitingforyou。"

CHAPTERIX

AMERRYENDTOMIRTH

Whentheyounggirlswereleftalone，theyleanedtwobytwoonthewindow—sills，chatting，craningouttheirheads，andtalkingfromonewindowtotheother。

TheysawtheyoungmenemergefromtheCafeBombardaarminarm。

Thelatterturnedround，madesignstothem，smiled，anddisappearedinthatdustySundaythrongwhichmakesaweeklyinvasionintotheChamps—Elysees。

"Don’tbelong！"criedFantine。

"Whataretheygoingtobringus？"saidZephine。

"Itwillcertainlybesomethingpretty，"saidDahlia。

"Formypart，"saidFavourite，"Iwantittobeofgold。"

Theirattentionwassoondistractedbythemovementsontheshoreofthelake，whichtheycouldseethroughthebranchesofthelargetrees，andwhichdivertedthemgreatly。

Itwasthehourforthedepartureofthemail—coachesanddiligences。

Nearlyallthestage—coachesforthesouthandwestpassedthroughtheChamps—Elysees。ThemajorityfollowedthequayandwentthroughthePassyBarrier。Frommomenttomoment，somehugevehicle，paintedyellowandblack，heavilyloaded，noisilyharnessed，renderedshapelessbytrunks，tarpaulins，andvalises，fullofheadswhichimmediatelydisappeared，rushedthroughthecrowdwithallthesparksofaforge，withdustforsmoke，andanairoffury，grindingthepavements，changingallthepaving—stonesintosteels。

Thisuproardelightedtheyounggirls。Favouriteexclaimed:——

"Whatarow！Onewouldsaythatitwasapileofchainsflyingaway。"

Itchancedthatoneofthesevehicles，whichtheycouldonlyseewithdifficultythroughthethickelms，haltedforamoment，thensetoutagainatagallop。ThissurprisedFantine。

"That’sodd！"saidshe。"Ithoughtthediligenceneverstopped。"

Favouriteshruggedhershoulders。

"ThisFantineissurprising。Iamcomingtotakealookatheroutofcuriosity。Sheisdazzledbythesimplestthings。Supposeacase:

Iamatraveller；Isaytothediligence，`Iwillgooninadvance；

youshallpickmeuponthequayasyoupass。’Thediligencepasses，seesme，halts，andtakesme。Thatisdoneeveryday。Youdonotknowlife，mydear。"

Inthismanneracertaintimeelapsed。AllatonceFavouritemadeamovement，likeapersonwhoisjustwakingup。

"Well，"saidshe，"andthesurprise？"

"Yes，bytheway，"joinedinDahlia，"thefamoussurprise？"

"Theyareaverylongtimeaboutit！"saidFantine。

AsFantineconcludedthissigh，thewaiterwhohadservedthematdinnerentered。Heheldinhishandsomethingwhichresembledaletter。

"Whatisthat？"demandedFavourite。

Thewaiterreplied:——

"Itisapaperthatthosegentlemenleftfortheseladies。"

"Whydidyounotbringitatonce？"

"Because，"saidthewaiter，"thegentlemenorderedmenottodeliverittotheladiesforanhour。"

Favouritesnatchedthepaperfromthewaiter’shand。Itwas，infact，aletter。

"Stop！"saidshe；"thereisnoaddress；butthisiswhatiswrittenonit——"

"THISISTHESURPRISE。"

Shetoretheletteropenhastily，openedit，andread[sheknewhowtoread]:——

"OURBELOVED:——

"Youmustknowthatwehaveparents。Parents——youdonotknowmuchaboutsuchthings。Theyarecalledfathersandmothersbythecivilcode，whichispuerileandhonest。Now，theseparentsgroan，theseoldfolksimploreus，thesegoodmenandthesegoodwomencallusprodigalsons；theydesireourreturn，andoffertokillcalvesforus。

Beingvirtuous，weobeythem。Atthehourwhenyoureadthis，fivefieryhorseswillbebearingustoourpapasandmammas。Wearepullingupourstakes，asBossuetsays。Wearegoing；wearegone。

WefleeinthearmsofLafitteandonthewingsofCaillard。

TheToulousediligencetearsusfromtheabyss，andtheabyssisyou，Oourlittlebeauties！Wereturntosociety，toduty，torespectability，atfulltrot，attherateofthreeleaguesanhour。

Itisnecessaryforthegoodofthecountrythatweshouldbe，liketherestoftheworld，prefects，fathersoffamilies，ruralpolice，andcouncillorsofstate。Venerateus。Wearesacrificingourselves。

Mournforusinhaste，andreplaceuswithspeed。Ifthisletterlaceratesyou，dothesamebyit。Adieu。

"Forthespaceofnearlytwoyearswehavemadeyouhappy。

Webearyounogrudgeforthat。

"Signed:

BLACHEVELLE。

FAMUEIL。

LISTOLIER。

FELIXTHOLOMYES。

"Postscriptum。Thedinnerispaidfor。"

Thefouryoungwomenlookedateachother。

Favouritewasthefirsttobreakthesilence。

"Well！"sheexclaimed，"it’saveryprettyfarce，allthesame。"

"Itisverydroll，"saidZephine。

"ThatmusthavebeenBlachevelle’sidea，"resumedFavourite。

"Itmakesmeinlovewithhim。Nosoonerishegonethanheisloved。

Thisisanadventure，indeed。"

"No，"saidDahlia；"itwasoneofTholomyes’ideas。Thatisevident。

"Inthatcase，"retortedFavourite，"deathtoBlachevelle，andlongliveTholomyes！"

"LongliveTholomyes！"exclaimedDahliaandZephine。

Andtheyburstoutlaughing。

Fantinelaughedwiththerest。

Anhourlater，whenshehadreturnedtoherroom，shewept。

Itwasherfirstloveaffair，aswehavesaid；shehadgivenherselftothisTholomyesastoahusband，andthepoorgirlhadachild。

BOOKFOURTH。——TOCONFIDEISSOMETIMESTODELIVERINTOAPERSON’SPOWER

CHAPTERI

ONEMOTHERMEETSANOTHERMOTHER

Therewas，atMontfermeil，nearParis，duringthefirstquarterofthiscentury，asortofcook—shopwhichnolongerexists。

Thiscook—shopwaskeptbysomepeoplenamedThenardier，husbandandwife。ItwassituatedinBoulangerLane。Overthedoortherewasaboardnailedflatagainstthewall。Uponthisboardwaspaintedsomethingwhichresembledamancarryinganothermanonhisback，thelatterwearingthebiggiltepaulettesofageneral，withlargesilverstars；redspotsrepresentedblood；therestofthepictureconsistedofsmoke，andprobablyrepresentedabattle。

Belowranthisinscription:ATTHESIGNOFSERGEANTOFWATERLOO

（AuSargentdeWaterloo）。

Nothingismorecommonthanacartoratruckatthedoorofahostelry。Nevertheless，thevehicle，or，tospeakmoreaccurately，thefragmentofavehicle，whichencumberedthestreetinfrontofthecook—shopoftheSergeantofWaterloo，oneeveninginthespringof1818，wouldcertainlyhaveattracted，byitsmass，theattentionofanypainterwhohadpassedthatway。

Itwasthefore—carriageofoneofthosetruckswhichareusedinwoodedtractsofcountry，andwhichservetotransportthickplanksandthetrunksoftrees。Thisfore—carriagewascomposedofamassiveironaxle—treewithapivot，intowhichwasfittedaheavyshaft，andwhichwassupportedbytwohugewheels。

Thewholethingwascompact，overwhelming，andmisshapen。

Itseemedlikethegun—carriageofanenormouscannon。Therutsoftheroadhadbestowedonthewheels，thefellies，thehub，theaxle，andtheshaft，alayerofmud，ahideousyellowishdaubinghue，tolerablylikethatwithwhichpeoplearefondofornamentingcathedrals。

Thewoodwasdisappearingundermud，andtheironbeneathrust。

Undertheaxle—treehung，likedrapery，ahugechain，worthyofsomeGoliathofaconvict。Thischainsuggested，notthebeams，whichitwasitsofficetotransport，butthemastodonsandmammothswhichitmighthaveservedtoharness；ithadtheairofthegalleys，butofcyclopeanandsuperhumangalleys，anditseemedtohavebeendetachedfromsomemonster。HomerwouldhaveboundPolyphemuswithit，andShakespeare，Caliban。

Whywasthatfore—carriageofatruckinthatplaceinthestreet？

Inthefirstplace，toencumberthestreet；next，inorderthatitmightfinishtheprocessofrusting。Thereisathrongofinstitutionsintheoldsocialorder，whichonecomesacrossinthisfashionasonewalksaboutoutdoors，andwhichhavenootherreasonsforexistencethantheabove。

Thecentreofthechainswungverynearthegroundinthemiddle，andintheloop，asintheropeofaswing，therewereseatedandgrouped，onthatparticularevening，inexquisiteinterlacement，twolittlegirls；oneabouttwoyearsandahalfold，theother，eighteenmonths；theyoungerinthearmsoftheother。Ahandkerchief，cleverlyknottedaboutthem，preventedtheirfallingout。

Amotherhadcaughtsightofthatfrightfulchain，andhadsaid，"Come！there’saplaythingformychildren。"

Thetwochildren，whoweredressedprettilyandwithsomeelegance，wereradiantwithpleasure；onewouldhavesaidthattheyweretworosesamidoldiron；theireyeswereatriumph；theirfreshcheekswerefulloflaughter。Onehadchestnuthair；theother，brown。

Theirinnocentfacesweretwodelightedsurprises；ablossomingshrubwhichgrewnearwaftedtothepassers—byperfumeswhichseemedtoemanatefromthem；thechildofeighteenmonthsdisplayedherprettylittlebarestomachwiththechasteindecencyofchildhood。

Aboveandaroundthesetwodelicateheads，allmadeofhappinessandsteepedinlight，thegiganticfore—carriage，blackwithrust，almostterrible，allentangledincurvesandwildangles，roseinavault，liketheentranceofacavern。Afewpacesapart，crouchingdownuponthethresholdofthehostelry，themother，notaveryprepossessingwoman，bytheway，thoughtouchingatthatmoment，wasswingingthetwochildrenbymeansofalongcord，watchingthemcarefully，forfearofaccidents，withthatanimalandcelestialexpressionwhichispeculiartomaternity。Ateverybackwardandforwardswingthehideouslinksemittedastridentsound，whichresembledacryofrage；thelittlegirlswereinecstasies；

thesettingsunmingledinthisjoy，andnothingcouldbemorecharmingthanthiscapriceofchancewhichhadmadeofachainofTitanstheswingofcherubim。

Assherockedherlittleones，themotherhummedinadiscordantvoicearomancethencelebrated:——

"Itmustbe，saidawarrior。"

Hersong，andthecontemplationofherdaughters，preventedherhearingandseeingwhatwasgoingoninthestreet。

Inthemeantime，someonehadapproachedher，asshewasbeginningthefirstcoupletoftheromance，andsuddenlysheheardavoicesayingverynearherear:——

"Youhavetwobeautifulchildrenthere，Madame。"

"TothefairandtenderImogene——"

repliedthemother，continuingherromance；thensheturnedherhead。

Awomanstoodbeforeher，afewpacesdistant。Thiswomanalsohadachild，whichshecarriedinherarms。

Shewascarrying，inaddition，alargecarpet—bag，whichseemedveryheavy。

Thiswoman’schildwasoneofthemostdivinecreaturesthatitispossibletobehold。ltwasagirl，twoorthreeyearsofage。

Shecouldhaveenteredintocompetitionwiththetwootherlittleones，sofarasthecoquetryofherdresswasconcerned；sheworeacapoffinelinen，ribbonsonherbodice，andValencienneslaceonhercap。

Thefoldsofherskirtwereraisedsoastopermitaviewofherwhite，firm，anddimpledleg。Shewasadmirablyrosyandhealthy。

Thelittlebeautyinspiredadesiretotakeabitefromtheapplesofhercheeks。Ofhereyesnothingcouldbeknown，exceptthattheymustbeverylarge，andthattheyhadmagnificentlashes。

Shewasasleep。

Shesleptwiththatslumberofabsoluteconfidencepeculiartoherage。Thearmsofmothersaremadeoftenderness；inthemchildrensleepprofoundly。

Asforthemother，herappearancewassadandpoverty—stricken。

Shewasdressedlikeaworking—womanwhoisinclinedtoturnintoapeasantagain。Shewasyoung。Wasshehandsome？Perhaps；butinthatattireitwasnotapparent。Herhair，agoldenlockofwhichhadescaped，seemedverythick，butwasseverelyconcealedbeneathanugly，tight，close，nun—likecap，tiedunderthechin。Asmiledisplaysbeautifulteethwhenonehasthem；butshedidnotsmile。

Hereyesdidnotseemtohavebeendryforaverylongtime。

Shewaspale；shehadaverywearyandrathersicklyappearance。

Shegazeduponherdaughterasleepinherarmswiththeairpeculiartoamotherwhohasnursedherownchild。Alargebluehandkerchief，suchastheInvalidesuse，wasfoldedintoafichu，andconcealedherfigureclumsily。Herhandsweresunburntandalldottedwithfreckles，herforefingerwashardenedandlaceratedwiththeneedle；sheworeacloakofcoarsebrownwoollenstuff，alinengown，andcoarseshoes。

ItwasFantine。

ItwasFantine，butdifficulttorecognize。Nevertheless，onscrutinizingherattentively，itwasevidentthatshestillretainedherbeauty。

Amelancholyfold，whichresembledthebeginningofirony，wrinkledherrightcheek。Asforhertoilette，thataerialtoiletteofmuslinandribbons，whichseemedmadeofmirth，offolly，andofmusic，fullofbells，andperfumedwithlilacshadvanishedlikethatbeautifulanddazzlinghoar—frostwhichismistakenfordiamondsinthesunlight；itmeltsandleavesthebranchquiteblack。

Tenmonthshadelapsedsincethe"prettyfarce。"

Whathadtakenplaceduringthosetenmonths？Itcanbedivined。

Afterabandonment，straightenedcircumstances。FantinehadimmediatelylostsightofFavourite，ZephineandDahlia；thebondoncebrokenonthesideofthemen，itwasloosedbetweenthewomen；

theywouldhavebeengreatlyastonishedhadanyonetoldthemafortnightlater，thattheyhadbeenfriends；therenolongerexistedanyreasonforsuchathing。Fantinehadremainedalone。

Thefatherofherchildgone，——alas！suchrupturesareirrevocable，——

shefoundherselfabsolutelyisolated，minusthehabitofworkandplusthetasteforpleasure。DrawnawaybyherliaisonwithTholomyestodisdaintheprettytradewhichsheknew，shehadneglectedtokeephermarketopen；itwasnowclosedtoher。Shehadnoresource。

Fantinebarelyknewhowtoread，anddidnotknowhowtowrite；

inherchildhoodshehadonlybeentaughttosignhername；

shehadapublicletter—writerinditeanepistletoTholomyes，thenasecond，thenathird。Tholomyesrepliedtononeofthem。

Fantineheardthegossipssay，astheylookedatherchild:

"Whotakesthosechildrenseriously！Oneonlyshrugsone’sshouldersoversuchchildren！"ThenshethoughtofTholomyes，whohadshruggedhisshouldersoverhischild，andwhodidnottakethatinnocentbeingseriously；andherheartgrewgloomytowardthatman。

Butwhatwasshetodo？Shenolongerknewtowhomtoapply。

Shehadcommittedafault，butthefoundationofhernature，aswillberemembered，wasmodestyandvirtue。Shewasvaguelyconsciousthatshewasonthevergeoffallingintodistress，andofglidingintoaworsestate。Couragewasnecessary；

shepossessedit，andheldherselffirm。TheideaofreturningtohernativetownofM。surM。occurredtoher。There，someonemightpossiblyknowherandgiveherwork；yes，butitwouldbenecessarytoconcealherfault。Inaconfusedwaysheperceivedthenecessityofaseparationwhichwouldbemorepainfulthanthefirstone。

Herheartcontracted，butshetookherresolution。Fantine，asweshallsee，hadthefiercebraveryoflife。Shehadalreadyvaliantlyrenouncedfinery，haddressedherselfinlinen，andhadputallhersilks，allherornaments，allherribbons，andallherlacesonherdaughter，theonlyvanitywhichwaslefttoher，andaholyoneitwas。Shesoldallthatshehad，whichproducedforhertwohundredfrancs；herlittledebtspaid，shehadonlyabouteightyfrancsleft。Attheageoftwenty—two，onabeautifulspringmorning，shequittedParis，bearingherchildonherback。

Anyonewhohadseenthesetwopasswouldhavehadpityonthem。

Thiswomanhad，inalltheworld，nothingbutherchild，andthechildhad，inalltheworld，noonebutthiswoman。Fantinehadnursedherchild，andthishadtiredherchest，andshecoughedalittle。

WeshallhavenofurtheroccasiontospeakofM。FelixTholomyes。

Letusconfineourselvestosaying，that，twentyyearslater，underKingLouisPhilippe，hewasagreatprovinciallawyer，wealthyandinfluential，awiseelector，andaveryseverejuryman；

hewasstillamanofpleasure。

Towardsthemiddleoftheday，afterhaving，fromtimetotime，forthesakeofrestingherself，travelled，forthreeorfoursousaleague，inwhatwasthenknownasthePetitesVoituresdesEnvironsdeParis，the"littlesuburbancoachservice，"FantinefoundherselfatMontfermeil，inthealleyBoulanger。

AsshepassedtheThenardierhostelry，thetwolittlegirls，blissfulinthemonsterswing，haddazzledherinamanner，andshehadhaltedinfrontofthatvisionofjoy。

Charmsexist。Thesetwolittlegirlswereacharmtothismother。

Shegazedattheminmuchemotion。ThepresenceofangelsisanannouncementofParadise。Shethoughtthat，abovethisinn，shebeheldthemysteriousHEREofProvidence。Thesetwolittlecreatureswereevidentlyhappy。Shegazedatthem，sheadmiredthem，insuchemotionthatatthemomentwhentheirmotherwasrecoveringherbreathbetweentwocoupletsofhersong，shecouldnotrefrainfromaddressingtohertheremarkwhichwehavejustread:——

"Youhavetwoprettychildren，Madame。"

Themostferociouscreaturesaredisarmedbycaressesbestowedontheiryoung。

Themotherraisedherheadandthankedher，andbadethewayfarersitdownonthebenchatthedoor，sheherselfbeingseatedonthethreshold。Thetwowomenbegantochat。

"MynameisMadameThenardier，"saidthemotherofthetwolittlegirls。

"Wekeepthisinn。"

Then，hermindstillrunningonherromance，sheresumedhummingbetweenherteeth:——

"Itmustbeso；Iamaknight，AndIamofftoPalestine。"

ThisMadameThenardierwasasandy—complexionedwoman，thinandangular——

thetypeofthesoldier’swifeinallitsunpleasantness；

andwhatwasodd，withalanguishingair，whichsheowedtoherperusalofromances。Shewasasimpering，butmasculinecreature。

Oldromancesproducethateffectwhenrubbedagainsttheimaginationofcook—shopwoman。Shewasstillyoung；shewasbarelythirty。

Ifthiscrouchingwomanhadstoodupright，herloftystatureandherframeofaperambulatingcolossussuitableforfairs，mighthavefrightenedthetravellerattheoutset，troubledherconfidence，anddisturbedwhatcausedwhatwehavetorelatetovanish。

Apersonwhoisseatedinsteadofstandingerect——destinieshanguponsuchathingasthat。

Thetravellertoldherstory，withslightmodifications。

Thatshewasaworking—woman；thatherhusbandwasdead；

thatherworkinParishadfailedher，andthatshewasonherwaytoseekitelsewhere，inherownnativeparts；thatshehadleftParisthatmorningonfoot；that，asshewascarryingherchild，andfeltfatigued，shehadgotintotheVillemomblecoachwhenshemetit；thatfromVillemombleshehadcometoMontfermeilonfoot；

thatthelittleonehadwalkedalittle，butnotmuch，becauseshewassoyoung，andthatshehadbeenobligedtotakeherup，andthejewelhadfallenasleep。

Atthiswordshebestowedonherdaughterapassionatekiss，whichwokeher。Thechildopenedhereyes，greatblueeyeslikehermother’s，andlookedat——what？Nothing；withthatseriousandsometimessevereairoflittlechildren，whichisamysteryoftheirluminousinnocenceinthepresenceofourtwilightofvirtue。Onewouldsaythattheyfeelthemselvestobeangels，andthattheyknowustobemen。Thenthechildbegantolaugh；

andalthoughthemotherheldfasttoher，sheslippedtothegroundwiththeunconquerableenergyofalittlebeingwhichwishedtorun。

Allatonceshecaughtsightofthetwoothersintheswing，stoppedshort，andputouthertongue，insignofadmiration。

MotherThenardierreleasedherdaughters，madethemdescendfromtheswing，andsaid:——

"Nowamuseyourselves，allthreeofyou。"

Childrenbecomeacquaintedquicklyatthatage，andattheexpirationofaminutethelittleThenardierswereplayingwiththenew—comeratmakingholesintheground，whichwasanimmensepleasure。

Thenew—comerwasverygay；thegoodnessofthemotheriswritteninthegayetyofthechild；shehadseizedascrapofwoodwhichservedherforashovel，andenergeticallydugacavitybigenoughforafly。Thegrave—digger’sbusinessbecomesasubjectforlaughterwhenperformedbyachild。

Thetwowomenpursuedtheirchat。

"Whatisyourlittleone’sname？"

"Cosette。"

ForCosette，readEuphrasie。Thechild’snamewasEuphrasie。

ButoutofEuphrasiethemotherhadmadeCosettebythatsweetandgracefulinstinctofmothersandofthepopulacewhichchangesJosephaintoPepita，andFrancoiseintoSillette。Itisasortofderivativewhichdisarrangesanddisconcertsthewholescienceofetymologists。WehaveknownagrandmotherwhosucceededinturningTheodoreintoGnon。

"Howoldisshe？"

"Sheisgoingonthree。"

"Thatistheageofmyeldest。"

Inthemeantime，thethreelittlegirlsweregroupedinanattitudeofprofoundanxietyandblissfulness；aneventhadhappened；

abigwormhademergedfromtheground，andtheywereafraid；

andtheywereinecstasiesoverit。

Theirradiantbrowstouchedeachother；onewouldhavesaidthattherewerethreeheadsinoneaureole。

"Howeasilychildrengetacquaintedatonce！"exclaimedMotherThenardier；

"onewouldswearthattheywerethreesisters！"

Thisremarkwasprobablythesparkwhichtheothermotherhadbeenwaitingfor。SheseizedtheThenardier’shand，lookedatherfixedly，andsaid:——

"Willyoukeepmychildforme？"

TheThenardiermadeoneofthosemovementsofsurprisewhichsignifyneitherassentnorrefusal。

Cosette’smothercontinued:——

"Yousee，Icannottakemydaughtertothecountry。Myworkwillnotpermitit。Withachildonecanfindnosituation。

Peopleareridiculousinthecountry。ItwasthegoodGodwhocausedmetopassyourinn。WhenIcaughtsightofyourlittleones，sopretty，soclean，andsohappy，itoverwhelmedme。Isaid:

`Hereisagoodmother。Thatisjustthething；thatwillmakethreesisters。’Andthen，itwillnotbelongbeforeIreturn。

Willyoukeepmychildforme？"

"Imustseeaboutit，"repliedtheThenardier。

"Iwillgiveyousixfrancsamonth。"

Hereaman’svoicecalledfromthedepthsofthecook—shop:——

"Notforlessthansevenfrancs。Andsixmonthspaidinadvance。"

"Sixtimessevenmakesforty—two，"saidtheThenardier。

"Iwillgiveit，"saidthemother。

"Andfifteenfrancsinadditionforpreliminaryexpenses，"

addedtheman’svoice。

"Total，fifty—sevenfrancs，"saidMadameThenardier。Andshehummedvaguely，withthesefigures:——

"Itmustbe，saidawarrior。"

"Iwillpayit，"saidthemother。"Ihaveeightyfrancs。Ishallhaveenoughlefttoreachthecountry，bytravellingonfoot。

Ishallearnmoneythere，andassoonasIhavealittleIwillreturnformydarling。"

Theman’svoiceresumed:——

"Thelittleonehasanoutfit？"

"Thatismyhusband，"saidtheThenardier。

"Ofcourseshehasanoutfit，thepoortreasure。——Iunderstoodperfectlythatitwasyourhusband。——Andabeautifuloutfit，too！asenselessoutfit，everythingbythedozen，andsilkgownslikealady。Itishere，inmycarpet—bag。"

"Youmusthanditover，"struckintheman’svoiceagain。

"OfcourseIshallgiveittoyou，"saidthemother。"ItwouldbeveryqueerifIweretoleavemydaughterquitenaked！"

Themaster’sfaceappeared。

"That’sgood，"saidhe。

Thebargainwasconcluded。Themotherpassedthenightattheinn，gaveuphermoneyandleftherchild，fastenedhercarpet—bagoncemore，nowreducedinvolumebytheremovaloftheoutfit，andlighthenceforthandsetoutonthefollowingmorning，intendingtoreturnsoon。Peoplearrangesuchdeparturestranquilly；

buttheyaredespairs！

AneighboroftheThenardiersmetthismotherasshewassettingout，andcamebackwiththeremark:——

"Ihavejustseenawomancryinginthestreetsothatitwasenoughtorendyourheart。"

WhenCosette’smotherhadtakenherdeparture，themansaidtothewoman:——

"Thatwillservetopaymynoteforonehundredandtenfrancswhichfallsdueto—morrow；Ilackedfiftyfrancs。DoyouknowthatIshouldhavehadabailiffandaprotestafterme？

Youplayedthemouse—trapnicelywithyouryoungones。"

"Withoutsuspectingit，"saidthewoman。

CHAPTERII

FIRSTSKETCHOFTWOUNPREPOSSESSINGFIGURES

Themousewhichhadbeencaughtwasapitifulspecimen；butthecatrejoicesevenoveraleanmouse。

WhoweretheseThenardiers？

Letussayawordortwoofthemnow。Wewillcompletethesketchlateron。

Thesebeingsbelongedtothatbastardclasscomposedofcoarsepeoplewhohavebeensuccessful，andofintelligentpeoplewhohavedescendedinthescale，whichisbetweentheclasscalled"middle"

andtheclassdenominatedas"inferior，"andwhichcombinessomeofthedefectsofthesecondwithnearlyallthevicesofthefirst，withoutpossessingthegenerousimpulseoftheworkingmannorthehonestorderofthebourgeois。

Theywereofthosedwarfednatureswhich，ifadullfirechancestowarmthemup，easilybecomemonstrous。Therewasinthewomanasubstratumofthebrute，andinthemanthematerialforablackguard。

Bothweresusceptible，inthehighestdegree，ofthesortofhideousprogresswhichisaccomplishedinthedirectionofevil。Thereexistcrab—likesoulswhicharecontinuallyretreatingtowardsthedarkness，retrogradinginliferatherthanadvancing，employingexperiencetoaugmenttheirdeformity，growingincessantlyworse，andbecomingmoreandmoreimpregnatedwithanever—augmentingblackness。

Thismanandwomanpossessedsuchsouls。

Thenardier，inparticular，wastroublesomeforaphysiognomist。

Onecanonlylookatsomementodistrustthem；foronefeelsthattheyaredarkinbothdirections。Theyareuneasyintherearandthreateninginfront。Thereissomethingoftheunknownaboutthem。

Onecannomoreanswerforwhattheyhavedonethanforwhattheywilldo。Theshadowwhichtheybearintheirglancedenouncesthem。

Frommerelyhearingthemutterawordorseeingthemmakeagesture，oneobtainsaglimpseofsombresecretsintheirpastandofsombremysteriesintheirfuture。

ThisThenardier，ifhehimselfwastobebelieved，hadbeenasoldier——

asergeant，hesaid。Hehadprobablybeenthroughthecampaignof1815，andhadevenconductedhimselfwithtolerablevalor，itwouldseem。

Weshallseelateronhowmuchtruththerewasinthis。Thesignofhishostelrywasinallusiontooneofhisfeatsofarms。

Hehadpaintedithimself；forheknewhowtodoalittleofeverything，andbadly。

Itwasattheepochwhentheancientclassicalromancewhich，afterhavingbeenClelie，wasnolongeranythingbutLodoiska，stillnoble，butevermoreandmorevulgar，havingfallenfromMademoiselledeScuderitoMadameBournon—Malarme，andfromMadamedeLafayettetoMadameBarthelemy—Hadot，wassettingthelovingheartsoftheportressesofParisaflame，andevenravagingthesuburbstosomeextent。

MadameThenardierwasjustintelligentenoughtoreadthissortofbooks。

Shelivedonthem。Inthemshedrownedwhatbrainsshepossessed。

Thishadgivenher，whenveryyoung，andevenalittlelater，asortofpensiveattitudetowardsherhusband，ascampofacertaindepth，aruffianletteredtotheextentofthegrammar，coarseandfineatoneandthesametime，but，sofarassentimentalismwasconcerned，giventotheperusalofPigault—Lebrun，and"inwhatconcernsthesex，"

ashesaidinhisjargon——adownright，unmitigatedlout。Hiswifewastwelveorfifteenyearsyoungerthanhewas。Lateron，whenherhair，arrangedinaromanticallydroopingfashion，begantogrowgray，whentheMagaerabegantobedevelopedfromthePamela，thefemaleThenardierwasnothingbutacoarse，viciouswoman，whohaddabbledinstupidromances。Now，onecannotreadnonsensewithimpunity。

TheresultwasthathereldestdaughterwasnamedEponine；asfortheyounger，thepoorlittlethingcamenearbeingcalledGulnare；

Iknownottowhatdiversion，effectedbyaromanceofDucray—Dumenil，sheowedthefactthatshemerelyborethenameofAzelma。

However，wewillremarkbytheway，everythingwasnotridiculousandsuperficialinthatcuriousepochtowhichwearealluding，andwhichmaybedesignatedastheanarchyofbaptismalnames。

Bythesideofthisromanticelementwhichwehavejustindicatedthereisthesocialsymptom。Itisnotrarefortheneatherd’sboynowadaystobearthenameofArthur，Alfred，orAlphonse，andforthevicomte——iftherearestillanyvicomtes——tobecalledThomas，Pierre，orJacques。Thisdisplacement，whichplacesthe"elegant"nameontheplebeianandtherusticnameonthearistocrat，isnothingelsethananeddyofequality。Theirresistiblepenetrationofthenewinspirationisthereaseverywhereelse。

Beneaththisapparentdiscordthereisagreatandaprofoundthing，——

theFrenchRevolution。