第7章

CHAPTERIII

THELARK

Itisnotallinallsufficienttobewickedinordertoprosper。

Thecook—shopwasinabadway。

Thankstothetraveller’sfifty—sevenfrancs，Thenardierhadbeenabletoavoidaprotestandtohonorhissignature。Onthefollowingmonththeywereagaininneedofmoney。ThewomantookCosette’soutfittoParis，andpawneditatthepawnbroker’sforsixtyfrancs。

Assoonasthatsumwasspent，theThenardiersgrewaccustomedtolookonthelittlegirlmerelyasachildwhomtheywerecaringforoutofcharity；andtheytreatedheraccordingly。Asshehadnolongeranyclothes，theydressedherinthecast—offpetticoatsandchemisesoftheThenardierbrats；thatistosay，inrags。

Theyfedheronwhatalltheresthadleft——alittlebetterthanthedog，alittleworsethanthecat。Moreover，thecatandthedogwereherhabitualtable—companions；Cosetteatewiththemunderthetable，fromawoodenbowlsimilartotheirs。

Themother，whohadestablishedherself，asweshallseelateron，atM。surM。，wrote，or，morecorrectly，causedtobewritten，alettereverymonth，thatshemighthavenewsofherchild。

TheThenardiersrepliedinvariably，"Cosetteisdoingwonderfullywell。"

Attheexpirationofthefirstsixmonthsthemothersentsevenfrancsfortheseventhmonth，andcontinuedherremittanceswithtolerableregularityfrommonthtomonth。TheyearwasnotcompletedwhenThenardiersaid:"Afinefavorsheisdoingus，insooth！Whatdoessheexpectustodowithhersevenfrancs？"

andhewrotetodemandtwelvefrancs。Themother，whomtheyhadpersuadedintothebeliefthatherchildwashappy，"andwascomingonwell，"submitted，andforwardedthetwelvefrancs。

Certainnaturescannotloveontheonehandwithouthatingontheother。MotherThenardierlovedhertwodaughterspassionately，whichcausedhertohatethestranger。

Itissadtothinkthattheloveofamothercanpossessvillainousaspects。LittleaswasthespaceoccupiedbyCosette，itseemedtoherasthoughitweretakenfromherown，andthatthatlittlechilddiminishedtheairwhichherdaughtersbreathed。

Thiswoman，likemanywomenofhersort，hadaloadofcaressesandaburdenofblowsandinjuriestodispenseeachday。

IfshehadnothadCosette，itiscertainthatherdaughters，idolizedastheywere，wouldhavereceivedthewholeofit；

butthestrangerdidthemtheservicetodiverttheblowstoherself。

Herdaughtersreceivednothingbutcaresses。Cosettecouldnotmakeamotionwhichdidnotdrawdownuponherheadaheavyshowerofviolentblowsandunmeritedchastisement。Thesweet，feeblebeing，whoshouldnothaveunderstoodanythingofthisworldorofGod，incessantlypunished，scolded，ill—used，beaten，andseeingbesidehertwolittlecreatureslikeherself，wholivedinarayofdawn！

MadameThenardierwasviciouswithCosette。EponineandAzelmawerevicious。Childrenatthatageareonlycopiesoftheirmother。

Thesizeissmaller；thatisall。

Ayearpassed；thenanother。

Peopleinthevillagesaid:——

"ThoseThenardiersaregoodpeople。Theyarenotrich，andyettheyarebringingupapoorchildwhowasabandonedontheirhands！"

TheythoughtthatCosette’smotherhadforgottenher。

Inthemeanwhile，Thenardier，havinglearned，itisimpossibletosaybywhatobscuremeans，thatthechildwasprobablyabastard，andthatthemothercouldnotacknowledgeit，exactedfifteenfrancsamonth，sayingthat"thecreature"wasgrowingand"eating，"andthreateningtosendheraway。"Lethernotbotherme，"heexclaimed，"orI’llfireherbratrightintothemiddleofhersecrets。

Imusthaveanincrease。"Themotherpaidthefifteenfrancs。

Fromyeartoyearthechildgrew，andsodidherwretchedness。

AslongasCosettewaslittle，shewasthescape—goatofthetwootherchildren；assoonasshebegantodevelopalittle，thatistosay，beforeshewasevenfiveyearsold，shebecametheservantofthehousehold。

Fiveyearsold！thereaderwillsay；thatisnotprobable。

Alas！itistrue。Socialsufferingbeginsatallages。

HavewenotrecentlyseenthetrialofamannamedDumollard，anorphanturnedbandit，who，fromtheageoffive，astheofficialdocumentsstate，beingaloneintheworld，"workedforhislivingandstole"？

Cosettewasmadetorunonerrands，tosweeptherooms，thecourtyard，thestreet，towashthedishes，toevencarryburdens。TheThenardiersconsideredthemselvesallthemoreauthorizedtobehaveinthismanner，sincethemother，whowasstillatM。surM。，hadbecomeirregularinherpayments。Somemonthsshewasinarrears。

IfthismotherhadreturnedtoMontfermeilattheendofthesethreeyears，shewouldnothaverecognizedherchild。Cosette，soprettyandrosyonherarrivalinthathouse，wasnowthinandpale。

Shehadanindescribablyuneasylook。"Theslycreature，"

saidtheThenardiers。

Injusticehadmadeherpeevish，andmiseryhadmadeherugly。

Nothingremainedtoherexceptherbeautifuleyes，whichinspiredpain，because，largeastheywere，itseemedasthoughonebeheldinthemastilllargeramountofsadness。

Itwasaheart—breakingthingtoseethispoorchild，notyetsixyearsold，shiveringinthewinterinheroldragsoflinen，fullofholes，sweepingthestreetbeforedaylight，withanenormousbroominhertinyredhands，andatearinhergreateyes。

ShewascalledtheLarkintheneighborhood。Thepopulace，whoarefondofthesefiguresofspeech，hadtakenafancytobestowthisnameonthistrembling，frightened，andshiveringlittlecreature，nobiggerthanabird，whowasawakeeverymorningbeforeanyoneelseinthehouseorthevillage，andwasalwaysinthestreetorthefieldsbeforedaybreak。

Onlythelittlelarkneversang。

BOOKFIFTH。——THEDESCENT。

CHAPTERI

THEHISTORYOFAPROGRESSINBLACKGLASSTRINKETS

Andinthemeantime，whathadbecomeofthatmotherwhoaccordingtothepeopleatMontfermeil，seemedtohaveabandonedherchild？

Wherewasshe？Whatwasshedoing？

AfterleavingherlittleCosettewiththeThenardiers，shehadcontinuedherjourney，andhadreachedM。surM。

This，itwillberemembered，wasin1818。

Fantinehadquittedherprovincetenyearsbefore。M。surM。hadchangeditsaspect。WhileFantinehadbeenslowlydescendingfromwretchednesstowretchedness，hernativetownhadprospered。

Abouttwoyearspreviouslyoneofthoseindustrialfactswhicharethegrandeventsofsmalldistrictshadtakenplace。

Thisdetailisimportant，andweregarditasusefultodevelopitatlength；weshouldalmostsay，tounderlineit。

Fromtimeimmemorial，M。surM。hadhadforitsspecialindustrytheimitationofEnglishjetandtheblackglasstrinketsofGermany。

Thisindustryhadalwaysvegetated，onaccountofthehighpriceoftherawmaterial，whichreactedonthemanufacture。

AtthemomentwhenFantinereturnedtoM。surM。，anunheard—oftransformationhadtakenplaceintheproductionof"blackgoods。"

Towardsthecloseof1815aman，astranger，hadestablishedhimselfinthetown，andhadbeeninspiredwiththeideaofsubstituting，inthismanufacture，gum—lacforresin，and，forbraceletsinparticular，slidesofsheet—ironsimplylaidtogether，forslidesofsolderedsheet—iron。

Thisverysmallchangehadeffectedarevolution。

Thisverysmallchangehad，infact，prodigiouslyreducedthecostoftherawmaterial，whichhadrendereditpossibleinthefirstplace，toraisethepriceofmanufacture，abenefittothecountry；

inthesecondplace，toimprovetheworkmanship，anadvantagetotheconsumer；inthethirdplace，tosellatalowerprice，whiletreblingtheprofit，whichwasabenefittothemanufacturer。

Thusthreeresultsensuedfromoneidea。

Inlessthanthreeyearstheinventorofthisprocesshadbecomerich，whichisgood，andhadmadeeveryoneabouthimrich，whichisbetter。HewasastrangerintheDepartment。Ofhisorigin，nothingwasknown；ofthebeginningofhiscareer，verylittle。

Itwasrumoredthathehadcometotownwithverylittlemoney，afewhundredfrancsatthemost。

Itwasfromthisslendercapital，enlistedintheserviceofaningeniousidea，developedbymethodandthought，thathehaddrawnhisownfortune，andthefortuneofthewholecountryside。

OnhisarrivalatM。surM。hehadonlythegarments，theappearance，andthelanguageofaworkingman。

ItappearsthatontheverydaywhenhemadehisobscureentryintothelittletownofM。surM。，justatnightfall，onaDecemberevening，knapsackonbackandthornclubinhand，alargefirehadbrokenoutinthetown—hall。Thismanhadrushedintotheflamesandsaved，attheriskofhisownlife，twochildrenwhobelongedtothecaptainofthegendarmerie；thisiswhytheyhadforgottentoaskhimforhispassport。Afterwardstheyhadlearnedhisname。

HewascalledFatherMadeleine。

CHAPTERII

MADELEINE

Hewasamanaboutfiftyyearsofage，whohadapreoccupiedair，andwhowasgood。Thatwasallthatcouldbesaidabouthim。

Thankstotherapidprogressoftheindustrywhichhehadsoadmirablyre—constructed，M。surM。hadbecomearatherimportantcentreoftrade。Spain，whichconsumesagooddealofblackjet，madeenormouspurchasesthereeachyear。M。surM。almostrivalledLondonandBerlininthisbranchofcommerce。FatherMadeleine’sprofitsweresuch，thatattheendofthesecondyearhewasabletoerectalargefactory，inwhichthereweretwovastworkrooms，oneforthemen，andtheotherforwomen。Anyonewhowashungrycouldpresenthimselfthere，andwassureoffindingemploymentandbread。FatherMadeleinerequiredofthemengoodwill，ofthewomenpuremorals，andofall，probity。Hehadseparatedthework—roomsinordertoseparatethesexes，andsothatthewomenandgirlsmightremaindiscreet。Onthispointhewasinflexible。

Itwastheonlythinginwhichhewasinamannerintolerant。

Hewasallthemorefirmlysetonthisseverity，sinceM。surM。，beingagarrisontown，opportunitiesforcorruptionabounded。

However，hiscominghadbeenaboon，andhispresencewasagodsend。

BeforeFatherMadeleine’sarrival，everythinghadlanguishedinthecountry；noweverythinglivedwithahealthylifeoftoil。

Astrongcirculationwarmedeverythingandpenetratedeverywhere。

Slackseasonsandwretchednesswereunknown。Therewasnopocketsoobscurethatithadnotalittlemoneyinit；nodwellingsolowlythattherewasnotsomelittlejoywithinit。

FatherMadeleinegaveemploymenttoeveryone。Heexactedbutonething:Beanhonestman。Beanhonestwoman。

Aswehavesaid，inthemidstofthisactivityofwhichhewasthecauseandthepivot，FatherMadeleinemadehisfortune；butasingularthinginasimplemanofbusiness，itdidnotseemasthoughthatwerehischiefcare。Heappearedtobethinkingmuchofothers，andlittleofhimself。In1820hewasknowntohaveasumofsixhundredandthirtythousandfrancslodgedinhisnamewithLaffitte；

butbeforereservingthesesixhundredandthirtythousandfrancs，hehadspentmorethanamillionforthetownanditspoor。

Thehospitalwasbadlyendowed；hefoundedsixbedsthere。M。surM。isdividedintotheupperandthelowertown。Thelowertown，inwhichhelived，hadbutoneschool，amiserablehovel，whichwasfallingtoruin:heconstructedtwo，oneforgirls，theotherforboys。

Heallottedasalaryfromhisownfundstothetwoinstructors，asalarytwiceaslargeastheirmeagreofficialsalary，andonedayhesaidtosomeonewhoexpressedsurprise，"Thetwoprimefunctionariesofthestatearethenurseandtheschoolmaster。"

Hecreatedathisownexpenseaninfantschool，athingthenalmostunknowninFrance，andafundforaidingoldandinfirmworkmen。

Ashisfactorywasacentre，anewquarter，inwhichtherewereagoodmanyindigentfamilies，roserapidlyaroundhim；heestablishedthereafreedispensary。

Atfirst，whentheywatchedhisbeginnings，thegoodsoulssaid，"He’sajollyfellowwhomeanstogetrich。"Whentheysawhimenrichingthecountrybeforeheenrichedhimself，thegoodsoulssaid，"Heisanambitiousman。"Thisseemedallthemoreprobablesincethemanwasreligious，andevenpractisedhisreligiontoacertaindegree，athingwhichwasveryfavorablyviewedatthatepoch。HewentregularlytolowmasseverySunday。

Thelocaldeputy，whonosedoutallrivalryeverywhere，soonbegantogrowuneasyoverthisreligion。ThisdeputyhadbeenamemberofthelegislativebodyoftheEmpire，andsharedthereligiousideasofafatheroftheOratoire，knownunderthenameofFouche，Ducd’Otrante，whosecreatureandfriendhehadbeen。HeindulgedingentlerailleryatGodwithcloseddoors。ButwhenhebeheldthewealthymanufacturerMadeleinegoingtolowmassatseveno’clock，heperceivedinhimapossiblecandidate，andresolvedtooutdohim；

hetookaJesuitconfessor，andwenttohighmassandtovespers。

Ambitionwasatthattime，inthedirectacceptationoftheword，aracetothesteeple。ThepoorprofitedbythisterroraswellasthegoodGod，forthehonorabledeputyalsofoundedtwobedsinthehospital，whichmadetwelve。

Nevertheless，in1819arumoronemorningcirculatedthroughthetowntotheeffectthat，ontherepresentationsoftheprefectandinconsiderationoftheservicesrenderedbyhimtothecountry，FatherMadeleinewastobeappointedbytheKing，mayorofM。surM。Thosewhohadpronouncedthisnew—comertobe"anambitiousfellow，"

seizedwithdelightonthisopportunitywhichallmendesire，toexclaim，"There！whatdidwesay！"AllM。surM。wasinanuproar。

Therumorwaswellfounded。SeveraldayslatertheappointmentappearedintheMoniteur。OnthefollowingdayFatherMadeleinerefused。

Inthissameyearof1819theproductsofthenewprocessinventedbyMadeleinefiguredintheindustrialexhibition；whenthejurymadetheirreport，theKingappointedtheinventorachevalieroftheLegionofHonor。Afreshexcitementinthelittletown。

Well，soitwasthecrossthathewanted！FatherMadeleinerefusedthecross。

Decidedlythismanwasanenigma。Thegoodsoulsgotoutoftheirpredicamentbysaying，"Afterall，heissomesortofanadventurer。"

Wehaveseenthatthecountryowedmuchtohim；thepoorowedhimeverything；hewassousefulandhewassogentlethatpeoplehadbeenobligedtohonorandrespecthim。Hisworkmen，inparticular，adoredhim，andheenduredthisadorationwithasortofmelancholygravity。

Whenhewasknowntoberich，"peopleinsociety"bowedtohim，andhereceivedinvitationsinthetown；hewascalled，intown，MonsieurMadeleine；hisworkmenandthechildrencontinuedtocallhimFatherMadeleine，andthatwaswhatwasmostadaptedtomakehimsmile。

Inproportionashemounted，throve，invitationsraineddownuponhim。

"Society"claimedhimforitsown。Theprimlittledrawing—roomsonM。surM。，which，ofcourse，hadatfirstbeenclosedtotheartisan，openedbothleavesoftheirfolding—doorstothemillionnaire。

Theymadeathousandadvancestohim。Herefused。

Thistimethegoodgossipshadnotrouble。"Heisanignorantman，ofnoeducation。Nooneknowswherehecamefrom。Hewouldnotknowhowtobehaveinsociety。Ithasnotbeenabsolutelyprovedthatheknowshowtoread。"

Whentheysawhimmakingmoney，theysaid，"Heisamanofbusiness。"

Whentheysawhimscatteringhismoneyabout，theysaid，"Heisanambitiousman。"Whenhewasseentodeclinehonors，theysaid，"Heisanadventurer。"Whentheysawhimrepulsesociety，theysaid，"Heisabrute。"

In1820，fiveyearsafterhisarrivalinM。surM。，theserviceswhichhehadrenderedtothedistrictweresodazzling，theopinionofthewholecountryroundaboutwassounanimous，thattheKingagainappointedhimmayorofthetown。Heagaindeclined；

buttheprefectresistedhisrefusal，allthenotabilitiesoftheplacecametoimplorehim，thepeopleinthestreetbesoughthim；

theurgingwassovigorousthatheendedbyaccepting。

Itwasnoticedthatthethingwhichseemedchieflytobringhimtoadecisionwasthealmostirritatedapostropheaddressedtohimbyanoldwomanofthepeople，whocalledtohimfromherthreshold，inanangryway:"Agoodmayorisausefulthing。Ishedrawingbackbeforethegoodwhichhecando？"

Thiswasthethirdphaseofhisascent。FatherMadeleinehadbecomeMonsieurMadeleine。MonsieurMadeleinebecameMonsieurleMaire。

CHAPTERIII

SUMSDEPOSITEDWITHLAFFITTE

Ontheotherhand，heremainedassimpleasonthefirstday。

Hehadgrayhair，aseriouseye，thesunburnedcomplexionofalaborer，thethoughtfulvisageofaphilosopher。Hehabituallyworeahatwithawidebrim，andalongcoatofcoarsecloth，buttonedtothechin。

Hefulfilledhisdutiesasmayor；but，withthatexception，helivedinsolitude。Hespoketobutfewpeople。Heavoidedpoliteattentions；

heescapedquickly；hesmiledtorelievehimselfofthenecessityoftalking；hegave，inordertogetridofthenecessityforsmiling，Thewomensaidofhim，"Whatagood—naturedbear！"Hispleasureconsistedinstrollinginthefields。

Healwaystookhismealsalone，withanopenbookbeforehim，whichheread。Hehadawell—selectedlittlelibrary。Helovedbooks；

booksarecoldbutsafefriends。Inproportionasleisurecametohimwithfortune，heseemedtotakeadvantageofittocultivatehismind。Ithadbeenobservedthat，eversincehisarrivalatM。surM……hislanguagehadgrownmorepolished，morechoice，andmoregentlewitheverypassingyear。Helikedtocarryagunwithhimonhisstrolls，butherarelymadeuseofit。

Whenhedidhappentodoso，hisshootingwassomethingsoinfallibleastoinspireterror。Heneverkilledaninoffensiveanimal。

Henevershotatalittlebird。

Althoughhewasnolongeryoung，itwasthoughtthathewasstillprodigiouslystrong。Heofferedhisassistancetoanyonewhowasinneedofit，liftedahorse，releasedawheelcloggedinthemud，orstoppedarunawaybullbythehorns。Healwayshadhispocketsfullofmoneywhenhewentout；buttheywereemptyonhisreturn。

Whenhepassedthroughavillage，theraggedbratsranjoyouslyafterhim，andsurroundedhimlikeaswarmofgnats。

Itwasthoughtthathemust，inthepast，havelivedacountrylife，sinceheknewallsortsofusefulsecrets，whichhetaughttothepeasants。Hetaughtthemhowtodestroyscurfonwheat，bysprinklingitandthegranaryandinundatingthecracksinthefloorwithasolutionofcommonsalt；andhowtochaseawayweevilsbyhanginguporviotinbloomeverywhere，onthewallsandtheceilings，amongthegrassandinthehouses。

Hehad"recipes"forexterminatingfromafield，blight，tares，foxtail，andallparasiticgrowthswhichdestroythewheat。

Hedefendedarabbitwarrenagainstrats，simplybytheodorofaguinea—pigwhichheplacedinit。

Onedayhesawsomecountrypeoplebusilyengagedinpullingupnettles；

heexaminedtheplants，whichwereuprootedandalreadydried，andsaid:"Theyaredead。Nevertheless，itwouldbeagoodthingtoknowhowtomakeuseofthem。Whenthenettleisyoung，theleafmakesanexcellentvegetable；whenitisolder，ithasfilamentsandfibreslikehempandflax。Nettleclothisasgoodaslinencloth。

Choppedup，nettlesaregoodforpoultry；pounded，theyaregoodforhornedcattle。Theseedofthenettle，mixedwithfodder，givesglosstothehairofanimals；theroot，mixedwithsalt，producesabeautifulyellowcoloring—matter。Moreover，itisanexcellenthay，whichcanbecuttwice。Andwhatisrequiredforthenettle？Alittlesoil，nocare，noculture。Onlytheseedfallsasitisripe，anditisdifficulttocollectit。Thatisall。

Withtheexerciseofalittlecare，thenettlecouldbemadeuseful；

itisneglectedanditbecomeshurtful。Itisexterminated。Howmanymenresemblethenettle！"Headded，afterapause:"Rememberthis，myfriends:therearenosuchthingsasbadplantsorbadmen。

Thereareonlybadcultivators。"

Thechildrenlovedhimbecauseheknewhowtomakecharminglittletriflesofstrawandcocoanuts。

Whenhesawthedoorofachurchhunginblack，heentered:

hesoughtoutfuneralsasothermenseekchristenings。Widowhoodandthegriefofothersattractedhim，becauseofhisgreatgentleness；

hemingledwiththefriendscladinmourning，withfamiliesdressedinblack，withthepriestsgroaningaroundacoffin。

Heseemedtoliketogivetohisthoughtsfortextthesefunerealpsalmodiesfilledwiththevisionoftheotherworld。Withhiseyesfixedonheaven，helistenedwithasortofaspirationtowardsallthemysteriesoftheinfinite，thosesadvoiceswhichsingonthevergeoftheobscureabyssofdeath。

Heperformedamultitudeofgoodactions，concealinghisagencyinthemasamanconcealshimselfbecauseofevilactions。Hepenetratedhousesprivately，atnight；heascendedstaircasesfurtively。

Apoorwretchonreturningtohisatticwouldfindthathisdoorhadbeenopened，sometimesevenforced，duringhisabsence。

Thepoormanmadeaclamoroverit:somemalefactorhadbeenthere！

Heentered，andthefirstthinghebeheldwasapieceofgoldlyingforgottenonsomepieceoffurniture。The"malefactor"whohadbeentherewasFatherMadeleine。

Hewasaffableandsad。Thepeoplesaid:"Thereisarichmanwhohasnotahaughtyair。Thereisahappymanwhohasnotacontentedair。"

Somepeoplemaintainedthathewasamysteriousperson，andthatnooneeverenteredhischamber，whichwasaregularanchorite’scell，furnishedwithwingedhour—glassesandenlivenedbycross—bonesandskullsofdeadmen！Thiswasmuchtalkedof，sothatoneoftheelegantandmaliciousyoungwomenofM。surM。cametohimoneday，andasked:"MonsieurleMaire，prayshowusyourchamber。

Itissaidtobeagrotto。"Hesmiled，andintroducedtheminstantlyintothis"grotto。"Theywerewellpunishedfortheircuriosity。

Theroomwasverysimplyfurnishedinmahogany，whichwasratherugly，likeallfurnitureofthatsort，andhungwithpaperworthtwelvesous。

Theycouldseenothingremarkableaboutit，excepttwocandlesticksofantiquepatternwhichstoodonthechimney—pieceandappearedtobesilver，"fortheywerehall—marked，"anobservationfullofthetypeofwitofpettytowns。

Nevertheless，peoplecontinuedtosaythatnooneevergotintotheroom，andthatitwasahermit’scave，amysteriousretreat，ahole，atomb。

Itwasalsowhisperedaboutthathehad"immense"sumsdepositedwithLaffitte，withthispeculiarfeature，thattheywerealwaysathisimmediatedisposal，sothat，itwasadded，M。MadeleinecouldmakehisappearanceatLaffitte’sanymorning，signareceipt，andcarryoffhistwoorthreemillionsintenminutes。Inreality，"thesetwoorthreemillions"werereducible，aswehavesaid，tosixhundredandthirtyorfortythousandfrancs。

CHAPTERIV

M。MADELEINEINMOURNING

Atthebeginningof1820thenewspapersannouncedthedeathofM。Myriel，BishopofD————，surnamed"MonseigneurBienvenu，"

whohaddiedintheodorofsanctityattheageofeighty—two。

TheBishopofD——————tosupplyhereadetailwhichthepapersomitted——

hadbeenblindformanyyearsbeforehisdeath，andcontenttobeblind，ashissisterwasbesidehim。

Letusremarkbytheway，thattobeblindandtobeloved，is，infact，oneofthemoststrangelyexquisiteformsofhappinessuponthisearth，wherenothingiscomplete。Tohavecontinuallyatone’ssideawoman，adaughter，asister，acharmingbeing，whoistherebecauseyouneedherandbecauseshecannotdowithoutyou；

toknowthatweareindispensabletoapersonwhoisnecessarytous；

tobeabletoincessantlymeasureone’saffectionbytheamountofherpresencewhichshebestowsonus，andtosaytoourselves，"Sincesheconsecratesthewholeofhertimetome，itisbecauseI

possessthewholeofherheart"；tobeholdherthoughtinlieuofherface；tobeabletoverifythefidelityofonebeingamidtheeclipseoftheworld；toregardtherustleofagownasthesoundofwings；tohearhercomeandgo，retire，speak，return，sing，andtothinkthatoneisthecentreofthesesteps，ofthisspeech；

tomanifestateachinstantone’spersonalattraction；tofeelone’sselfallthemorepowerfulbecauseofone’sinfirmity；

tobecomeinone’sobscurity，andthroughone’sobscurity，thestararoundwhichthisangelgravitates，——fewfelicitiesequalthis。

Thesupremehappinessoflifeconsistsintheconvictionthatoneisloved；lovedforone’sownsake——letussayrather，lovedinspiteofone’sself；thisconvictiontheblindmanpossesses。

Tobeservedindistressistobecaressed。Doeshelackanything？

No。Onedoesnotlosethesightwhenonehaslove。Andwhatlove！

Alovewhollyconstitutedofvirtue！Thereisnoblindnesswherethereiscertainty。Soulseekssoul，gropingly，andfindsit。

Andthissoul，foundandtested，isawoman。Ahandsustainsyou；

itishers:amouthlightlytouchesyourbrow；itishermouth:

youhearabreathverynearyou；itishers。Tohaveeverythingofher，fromherworshiptoherpity，nevertobeleft，tohavethatsweetweaknessaidingyou，toleanuponthatimmovablereed，totouchProvidencewithone’shands，andtobeabletotakeitinone’sarms，——Godmadetangible，——whatbliss！Theheart，thatobscure，celestialflower，undergoesamysteriousblossoming。

Onewouldnotexchangethatshadowforallbrightness！

Theangelsoulisthere，uninterruptedlythere；ifshedeparts，itisbuttoreturnagain；shevanisheslikeadream，andreappearslikereality。Onefeelswarmthapproaching，andbehold！sheisthere。

Oneoverflowswithserenity，withgayety，withecstasy；oneisaradianceamidthenight。Andthereareathousandlittlecares。

Nothings，whichareenormousinthatvoid。Themostineffableaccentsofthefemininevoiceemployedtolullyou，andsupplyingthevanisheduniversetoyou。Oneiscaressedwiththesoul。

Oneseesnothing，butonefeelsthatoneisadored。Itisaparadiseofshadows。

ItwasfromthisparadisethatMonseigneurWelcomehadpassedtotheother。

TheannouncementofhisdeathwasreprintedbythelocaljournalofM。surM。Onthefollowingday，M。Madeleineappearedcladwhollyinblack，andwithcrapeonhishat。

Thismourningwasnoticedinthetown，andcommentedon。ItseemedtothrowalightonM。Madeleine’sorigin。ItwasconcludedthatsomerelationshipexistedbetweenhimandthevenerableBishop。"HehasgoneintomourningfortheBishopofD————"saidthedrawing—rooms；

thisraisedM。Madeleine’screditgreatly，andprocuredforhim，instantlyandatoneblow，acertainconsiderationinthenobleworldofM。surM。ThemicroscopicFaubourgSaint—GermainoftheplacemeditatedraisingthequarantineagainstM。Madeleine，theprobablerelativeofabishop。M。Madeleineperceivedtheadvancementwhichhehadobtained，bythemorenumerouscourtesiesoftheoldwomenandthemoreplentifulsmilesoftheyoungones。

Oneevening，arulerinthatpettygreatworld，whowascuriousbyrightofseniority，venturedtoaskhim，"M。leMaireisdoubtlessacousinofthelateBishopofD————？"

Hesaid，"No，Madame。"

"But，"resumedthedowager，"youarewearingmourningforhim。"

Hereplied，"ItisbecauseIwasaservantinhisfamilyinmyyouth。"

Anotherthingwhichwasremarked，was，thateverytimethatheencounteredinthetownayoungSavoyardwhowasroamingaboutthecountryandseekingchimneystosweep，themayorhadhimsummoned，inquiredhisname，andgavehimmoney。ThelittleSavoyardstoldeachotheraboutit:agreatmanyofthempassedthatway。

CHAPTERV

VAGUEFLASHESONTHEHORIZON

Littlebylittle，andinthecourseoftime，allthisoppositionsubsided。TherehadatfirstbeenexercisedagainstM。Madeleine，invirtueofasortoflawwhichallthosewhorisemustsubmitto，blackeningandcalumnies；thentheygrewtobenothingmorethanill—nature，thenmerelymaliciousremarks，theneventhisentirelydisappeared；respectbecamecomplete，unanimous，cordial，andtowards1821themomentarrivedwhentheword"MonsieurleMaire"

waspronouncedatM。surM。withalmostthesameaccentas"MonseigneurtheBishop"hadbeenpronouncedinD————in1815。PeoplecamefromadistanceoftenleaguesaroundtoconsultM。Madeleine。Heputanendtodifferences，hepreventedlawsuits，hereconciledenemies。

Everyonetookhimforthejudge，andwithgoodreason。

Itseemedasthoughhehadforasoulthebookofthenaturallaw。

Itwaslikeanepidemicofveneration，whichinthecourseofsixorsevenyearsgraduallytookpossessionofthewholedistrict。

Onesinglemaninthetown，inthearrondissement，absolutelyescapedthiscontagion，and，whateverFatherMadeleinedid，remainedhisopponentasthoughasortofincorruptibleandimperturbableinstinctkepthimonthealertanduneasy。Itseems，infact，asthoughthereexistedincertainmenaveritablebestialinstinct，thoughpureandupright，likeallinstincts，whichcreatesantipathiesandsympathies，whichfatallyseparatesonenaturefromanothernature，whichdoesnothesitate，whichfeelsnodisquiet，whichdoesnotholditspeace，andwhichneverbeliesitself，clearinitsobscurity，infallible，imperious，intractable，stubborntoallcounselsoftheintelligenceandtoallthedissolventsofreason，andwhich，inwhatevermannerdestiniesarearranged，secretlywarnstheman—dogofthepresenceoftheman—cat，andtheman—foxofthepresenceoftheman—lion。

ItfrequentlyhappenedthatwhenM。Madeleinewaspassingalongastreet，calm，affectionate，surroundedbytheblessingsofall，amanofloftystature，cladinaniron—grayfrock—coat，armedwithaheavycane，andwearingabatteredhat，turnedroundabruptlybehindhim，andfollowedhimwithhiseyesuntilhedisappeared，withfoldedarmsandaslowshakeofthehead，andhisupperlipraisedincompanywithhislowertohisnose，asortofsignificantgrimacewhichmightbetranslatedby:"Whatisthatman，afterall？

Icertainlyhaveseenhimsomewhere。Inanycase，Iamnothisdupe。"

Thisperson，gravewithagravitywhichwasalmostmenacing，wasoneofthosemenwho，evenwhenonlyseenbyarapidglimpse，arrestthespectator’sattention。

HisnamewasJavert，andhebelongedtothepolice。

AtM。surM。heexercisedtheunpleasantbutusefulfunctionsofaninspector。HehadnotseenMadeleine’sbeginnings。JavertowedthepostwhichheoccupiedtotheprotectionofM。Chabouillet，thesecretaryoftheMinisterofState，ComteAngeles，thenprefectofpoliceatParis。WhenJavertarrivedatM。surM。thefortuneofthegreatmanufacturerwasalreadymade，andFatherMadeleinehadbecomeMonsieurMadeleine。

Certainpoliceofficershaveapeculiarphysiognomy，whichiscomplicatedwithanairofbasenessmingledwithanairofauthority。

Javertpossessedthisphysiognomyminusthebaseness。

Itisourconvictionthatifsoulswerevisibletotheeyes，weshouldbeabletoseedistinctlythatstrangethingthateachoneindividualofthehumanracecorrespondstosomeoneofthespeciesoftheanimalcreation；andwecouldeasilyrecognizethistruth，hardlyperceivedbythethinker，thatfromtheoystertotheeagle，fromthepigtothetiger，allanimalsexistinman，andthateachoneofthemisinaman。Sometimesevenseveralofthematatime。

Animalsarenothingelsethanthefiguresofourvirtuesandourvices，strayingbeforeoureyes，thevisiblephantomsofoursouls。

Godshowsthemtousinordertoinduceustoreflect。Onlysinceanimalsaremereshadows，Godhasnotmadethemcapableofeducationinthefullsenseoftheword；whatistheuse？Onthecontrary，oursoulsbeingrealitiesandhavingagoalwhichisappropriatetothem，Godhasbestowedonthemintelligence；thatistosay，thepossibilityofeducation。Socialeducation，whenwelldone，canalwaysdrawfromasoul，ofwhateversortitmaybe，theutilitywhichitcontains。

This，beitsaid，isofcoursefromtherestrictedpointofviewoftheterrestriallifewhichisapparent，andwithoutprejudgingtheprofoundquestionoftheanteriororulteriorpersonalityofthebeingswhicharenotman。Thevisible_I_innowiseauthorizesthethinkertodenythelatent_I_。Havingmadethisreservation，letuspasson。

Now，ifthereaderwilladmit，foramoment，withus，thatineverymanthereisoneoftheanimalspeciesofcreation，itwillbeeasyforustosaywhattherewasinPoliceOfficerJavert。

ThepeasantsofAsturiasareconvincedthatineverylitterofwolvesthereisonedog，whichiskilledbythemotherbecause，otherwise，ashegrewup，hewoulddevourtheotherlittleones。

Givetothisdog—sonofawolfahumanface，andtheresultwillbeJavert。

Javerthadbeenborninprison，ofafortune—teller，whosehusbandwasinthegalleys。Ashegrewup，hethoughtthathewasoutsidethepaleofsociety，andhedespairedofeverre—enteringit。

Heobservedthatsocietyunpardoninglyexcludestwoclassesofmen，——

thosewhoattackitandthosewhoguardit；hehadnochoiceexceptbetweenthesetwoclasses；atthesametime，hewasconsciousofanindescribablefoundationofrigidity，regularity，andprobity，complicatedwithaninexpressiblehatredfortheraceofbohemianswhencehewassprung。Heenteredthepolice；hesucceededthere。

Atfortyyearsofagehewasaninspector。

DuringhisyouthhehadbeenemployedintheconvictestablishmentsoftheSouth。

Beforeproceedingfurther，letuscometoanunderstandingastothewords，"humanface，"whichwehavejustappliedtoJavert。

ThehumanfaceofJavertconsistedofaflatnose，withtwodeepnostrils，towardswhichenormouswhiskersascendedonhischeeks。

Onefeltillateasewhenhesawthesetwoforestsandthesetwocavernsforthefirsttime。WhenJavertlaughed，——andhislaughwasrareandterrible，——histhinlipspartedandrevealedtoviewnotonlyhisteeth，buthisgums，andaroundhisnosethereformedaflattenedandsavagefold，asonthemuzzleofawildbeast。

Javert，serious，wasawatchdog；whenhelaughed，hewasatiger。

Asfortherest，hehadverylittleskullandagreatdealofjaw；

hishairconcealedhisforeheadandfelloverhiseyebrows；

betweenhiseyestherewasapermanent，centralfrown，likeanimprintofwrath；hisgazewasobscure；hismouthpursedupandterrible；

hisairthatofferociouscommand。

Thismanwascomposedoftwoverysimpleandtwoverygoodsentiments，comparatively；butherenderedthemalmostbad，bydintofexaggeratingthem，——respectforauthority，hatredofrebellion；

andinhiseyes，murder，robbery，allcrimes，areonlyformsofrebellion。Heenvelopedinablindandprofoundfaitheveryonewhohadafunctioninthestate，fromtheprimeministertotheruralpoliceman。Hecoveredwithscorn，aversion，anddisgusteveryonewhohadoncecrossedthelegalthresholdofevil。

Hewasabsolute，andadmittednoexceptions。Ontheonehand，hesaid，"Thefunctionarycanmakenomistake；themagistrateisneverthewrong。"Ontheotherhand，hesaid，"Thesemenareirremediablylost。Nothinggoodcancomefromthem。"HefullysharedtheopinionofthoseextrememindswhichattributetohumanlawIknownotwhatpowerofmaking，or，ifthereaderwillhaveitso，ofauthenticating，demons，andwhoplaceaStyxatthebaseofsociety。Hewasstoical，serious，austere；amelancholydreamer，humbleandhaughty，likefanatics。Hisglancewaslikeagimlet，coldandpiercing。Hiswholelifehungonthesetwowords:

watchfulnessandsupervision。Hehadintroducedastraightlineintowhatisthemostcrookedthingintheworld；hepossessedtheconscienceofhisusefulness，thereligionofhisfunctions，andhewasaspyasothermenarepriests。Woetothemanwhofellintohishands！Hewouldhavearrestedhisownfather，ifthelatterhadescapedfromthegalleys，andwouldhavedenouncedhismother，ifshehadbrokenherban。Andhewouldhavedoneitwiththatsortofinwardsatisfactionwhichisconferredbyvirtue。And，withal，alifeofprivation，isolation，abnegation，chastity，withneveradiversion。Itwasimplacableduty；thepoliceunderstood，astheSpartansunderstoodSparta，apitilesslyinginwait，aferocioushonesty，amarbleinformer，BrutusinVidocq。

Javert’swholepersonwasexpressiveofthemanwhospiesandwhowithdrawshimselffromobservation。ThemysticalschoolofJosephdeMaistre，whichatthatepochseasonedwithloftycosmogonythosethingswhichwerecalledtheultranewspapers，wouldnothavefailedtodeclarethatJavertwasasymbol。

Hisbrowwasnotvisible；itdisappearedbeneathhishat:

hiseyeswerenotvisible，sincetheywerelostunderhiseyebrows:

hischinwasnotvisible，foritwasplungedinhiscravat:

hishandswerenotvisible；theyweredrawnupinhissleeves:

andhiscanewasnotvisible；hecarrieditunderhiscoat。

Butwhentheoccasionpresenteditself，therewassuddenlyseentoemergefromallthisshadow，asfromanambuscade，anarrowandangularforehead，abalefulglance，athreateningchin，enormoushands，andamonstrouscudgel。

Inhisleisuremoments，whichwerefarfromfrequent，heread，althoughhehatedbooks；thiscausedhimtobenotwhollyilliterate。

Thiscouldberecognizedbysomeemphasisinhisspeech。

Aswehavesaid，hehadnovices。Whenhewaspleasedwithhimself，hepermittedhimselfapinchofsnuff。Thereinlayhisconnectionwithhumanity。

ThereaderwillhavenodifficultyinunderstandingthatJavertwastheterrorofthatwholeclasswhichtheannualstatisticsoftheMinistryofJusticedesignatesundertherubric，Vagrants。

ThenameofJavertroutedthembyitsmereutterance；thefaceofJavertpetrifiedthematsight。

Suchwasthisformidableman。

JavertwaslikeaneyeconstantlyfixedonM。Madeleine。Aneyefullofsuspicionandconjecture。M。Madeleinehadfinallyperceivedthefact；butitseemedtobeofnoimportancetohim。HedidnotevenputaquestiontoJavert；heneithersoughtnoravoidedhim；

heborethatembarrassingandalmostoppressivegazewithoutappearingtonoticeit。HetreatedJavertwitheaseandcourtesy，ashedidalltherestoftheworld。

Itwasdivined，fromsomewordswhichescapedJavert，thathehadsecretlyinvestigated，withthatcuriositywhichbelongstotherace，andintowhichthereentersasmuchinstinctaswill，alltheanteriortraceswhichFatherMadeleinemighthaveleftelsewhere。

Heseemedtoknow，andhesometimessaidincovertwords，thatsomeonehadgleanedcertaininformationinacertaindistrictaboutafamilywhichhaddisappeared。Oncehechancedtosay，ashewastalkingtohimself，"IthinkIhavehim！"

Thenheremainedpensiveforthreedays，andutterednotaword。

Itseemedthatthethreadwhichhethoughtheheldhadbroken。

Moreover，andthisfurnishesthenecessarycorrectiveforthetooabsolutesensewhichcertainwordsmightpresent，therecanbenothingreallyinfallibleinahumancreature，andthepeculiarityofinstinctisthatitcanbecomeconfused，thrownoffthetrack，anddefeated。Otherwise，itwouldbesuperiortointelligence，andthebeastwouldbefoundtobeprovidedwithabetterlightthanman。

JavertwasevidentlysomewhatdisconcertedbytheperfectnaturalnessandtranquillityofM。Madeleine。

Oneday，nevertheless，hisstrangemannerappearedtoproduceanimpressiononM。Madeleine。Itwasonthefollowingoccasion。

CHAPTERVI

FATHERFAUCHELEVENT

OnemorningM。MadeleinewaspassingthroughanunpavedalleyofM。surM。；heheardanoise，andsawagroupsomedistanceaway。

Heapproached。AnoldmannamedFatherFaucheleventhadjustfallenbeneathhiscart，hishorsehavingtumbleddown。

ThisFaucheleventwasoneofthefewenemieswhomM。Madeleinehadatthattime。WhenMadeleinearrivedintheneighborhood，Fauchelevent，anex—notaryandapeasantwhowasalmosteducated，hadabusinesswhichwasbeginningtobeinabadway。Faucheleventhadseenthissimpleworkmangrowrich，whilehe，alawyer，wasbeingruined。

Thishadfilledhimwithjealousy，andhehaddoneallhecould，oneveryoccasion，toinjureMadeleine。Thenbankruptcyhadcome；

andastheoldmanhadnothingleftbutacartandahorse，andneitherfamilynorchildren，hehadturnedcarter。

Thehorsehadtwobrokenlegsandcouldnotrise。Theoldmanwascaughtinthewheels。Thefallhadbeensounluckythatthewholeweightofthevehiclerestedonhisbreast。Thecartwasquiteheavilyladen。FatherFaucheleventwasrattlinginthethroatinthemostlamentablemanner。Theyhadtried，butinvain，todraghimout。Anunmethodicaleffort，aidawkwardlygiven，awrongshake，mightkillhim。Itwasimpossibletodisengagehimotherwisethanbyliftingthevehicleoffofhim。Javert，whohadcomeupatthemomentoftheaccident，hadsentforajack—screw。

M。Madeleinearrived。Peoplestoodasiderespectfully。

"Help！"criedoldFauchelevent。"Whowillbegoodandsavetheoldman？"

M。Madeleineturnedtowardsthosepresent:——

"Isthereajack—screwtobehad？"

"Onehasbeensentfor，"answeredthepeasant。

"Howlongwillittaketogetit？"

"Theyhavegoneforthenearest，toFlachot’splace，wherethereisafarrier；butitmakesnodifference；itwilltakeagoodquarterofanhour。"

"Aquarterofanhour！"exclaimedMadeleine。

Ithadrainedontheprecedingnight；thesoilwassoaked。

Thecartwassinkingdeeperintotheeartheverymoment，andcrushingtheoldcarter’sbreastmoreandmore。

Itwasevidentthathisribswouldbebrokeninfiveminutesmore。

"Itisimpossibletowaitanotherquarterofanhour，"saidMadeleinetothepeasants，whowerestaringathim。

"Wemust！"

"Butitwillbetoolatethen！Don’tyouseethatthecartissinking？"

"Well！"

"Listen，"resumedMadeleine；"thereisstillroomenoughunderthecarttoallowamantocrawlbeneathitandraiseitwithhisback。

Onlyhalfaminute，andthepoormancanbetakenout。Isthereanyoneherewhohasstoutloinsandheart？Therearefivelouisd’ortobeearned！"

Notamaninthegroupstirred。

"Tenlouis，"saidMadeleine。

Thepersonspresentdroppedtheireyes。Oneofthemmuttered:

"Amanwouldneedtobedevilishstrong。Andthenherunstheriskofgettingcrushed！"

"Come，"beganMadeleineagain，"twentylouis。"

Thesamesilence。

"Itisnotthewillwhichislacking，"saidavoice。

M。Madeleineturnedround，andrecognizedJavert。Hehadnotnoticedhimonhisarrival。

Javertwenton:——

"Itisstrength。Onewouldhavetobeaterriblemantodosuchathingasliftacartlikethatonhisback。"

Then，gazingfixedlyatM。Madeleine，hewenton，emphasizingeverywordthatheuttered:——

"MonsieurMadeleine，Ihaveneverknownbutonemancapableofdoingwhatyouask。"

Madeleineshuddered。

Javertadded，withanairofindifference，butwithoutremovinghiseyesfromMadeleine:——

"Hewasaconvict。"

"Ah！"saidMadeleine。

"InthegalleysatToulon。"

Madeleineturnedpale。

Meanwhile，thecartcontinuedtosinkslowly。FatherFaucheleventrattledinthethroat，andshrieked:——

"Iamstrangling！Myribsarebreaking！ascrew！something！Ah！"

Madeleineglancedabouthim。

"Isthere，then，noonewhowishestoearntwentylouisandsavethelifeofthispooroldman？"

Noonestirred。Javertresumed:——

"Ihaveneverknownbutonemanwhocouldtaketheplaceofascrew，andhewasthatconvict。"

"Ah！Itiscrushingme！"criedtheoldman。

Madeleineraisedhishead，metJavert’sfalconeyestillfixeduponhim，lookedatthemotionlesspeasants，andsmiledsadly。

Then，withoutsayingaword，hefellonhisknees，andbeforethecrowdhadevenhadtimetoutteracry，hewasunderneaththevehicle。

Aterriblemomentofexpectationandsilenceensued。

TheybeheldMadeleine，almostflatonhisstomachbeneaththatterribleweight，maketwovaineffortstobringhiskneesandhiselbowstogether。Theyshoutedtohim，"FatherMadeleine，comeout！"

OldFaucheleventhimselfsaidtohim，"MonsieurMadeleine，goaway！

YouseethatIamfatedtodie！Leaveme！Youwillgetyourselfcrushedalso！"Madeleinemadenoreply。

Allthespectatorswerepanting。Thewheelshadcontinuedtosink，andithadbecomealmostimpossibleforMadeleinetomakehiswayfromunderthevehicle。

Suddenlytheenormousmasswasseentoquiver，thecartroseslowly，thewheelshalfemergedfromtheruts。Theyheardastifledvoicecrying，"Makehaste！Help！"ItwasMadeleine，whohadjustmadeafinaleffort。

Theyrushedforwards。Thedevotionofasinglemanhadgivenforceandcouragetoall。Thecartwasraisedbytwentyarms。

OldFaucheleventwassaved。

Madeleinerose。Hewaspale，thoughdrippingwithperspiration。

Hisclothesweretornandcoveredwithmud。Allwept。TheoldmankissedhiskneesandcalledhimthegoodGod。Asforhim，heboreuponhiscountenanceanindescribableexpressionofhappyandcelestialsuffering，andhefixedhistranquileyeonJavert，whowasstillstaringathim。

CHAPTERVII

FAUCHELEVENTBECOMESAGARDENERINPARIS

Faucheleventhaddislocatedhiskneepaninhisfall。FatherMadeleinehadhimconveyedtoaninfirmarywhichhehadestablishedforhisworkmeninthefactorybuildingitself，andwhichwasservedbytwosistersofcharity。Onthefollowingmorningtheoldmanfoundathousand—francbank—noteonhisnight—stand，withthesewordsinFatherMadeleine’swriting:"Ipurchaseyourhorseandcart。"

Thecartwasbroken，andthehorsewasdead。Faucheleventrecovered，buthiskneeremainedstiff。M。Madeleine，ontherecommendationofthesistersofcharityandofhispriest，gotthegoodmanaplaceasgardenerinafemaleconventintheRueSaint—AntoineinParis。

Sometimeafterwards，M。Madeleinewasappointedmayor。ThefirsttimethatJavertbeheldM。Madeleineclothedinthescarfwhichgavehimauthorityoverthetown，hefeltthesortofshudderwhichawatch—dogmightexperienceonsmellingawolfinhismaster’sclothes。

Fromthattimeforthheavoidedhimasmuchashepossiblycould。

Whentherequirementsoftheserviceimperativelydemandedit，andhecouldnotdootherwisethanmeetthemayor，headdressedhimwithprofoundrespect。

ThisprosperitycreatedatM。surM。byFatherMadeleinehad，besidesthevisiblesignswhichwehavementioned，anothersymptomwhichwasnonethelesssignificantfornotbeingvisible。

Thisneverdeceives。Whenthepopulationsuffers，whenworkislacking，whenthereisnocommerce，thetax—payerresistsimpoststhroughpenury，heexhaustsandoverstepshisrespite，andthestateexpendsagreatdealofmoneyinthechargesforcompellingandcollection。Whenworkisabundant，whenthecountryisrichandhappy，thetaxesarepaideasilyandcostthestatenothing。

Itmaybesaid，thatthereisoneinfalliblethermometerofthepublicmiseryandriches，——thecostofcollectingthetaxes。

Inthecourseofsevenyearstheexpenseofcollectingthetaxeshaddiminishedthree—fourthsinthearrondissementofM。surM。，andthisledtothisarrondissementbeingfrequentlycitedfromalltherestbyM。deVillele，thenMinisterofFinance。

SuchwastheconditionofthecountrywhenFantinereturnedthither。

Noonerememberedher。Fortunately，thedoorofM。Madeleine’sfactorywaslikethefaceofafriend。Shepresentedherselfthere，andwasadmittedtothewomen’sworkroom。ThetradewasentirelynewtoFantine；shecouldnotbeveryskilfulatit，andshethereforeearnedbutlittlebyherday’swork；butitwassufficient；

theproblemwassolved；shewasearningherliving。

CHAPTERVIII

MADAMEVICTURNIENEXPENDSTHIRTYFRANCSONMORALITY

WhenFantinesawthatshewasmakingherliving，shefeltjoyfulforamoment。Tolivehonestlybyherownlabor，whatmercyfromheaven！Thetasteforworkhadreallyreturnedtoher。

Sheboughtalooking—glass，tookpleasureinsurveyinginitheryouth，herbeautifulhair，herfineteeth；sheforgotmanythings；shethoughtonlyofCosetteandofthepossiblefuture，andwasalmosthappy。

Shehiredalittleroomandfurnishedoncreditonthestrengthofherfuturework——alingeringtraceofherimprovidentways。

Asshewasnotabletosaythatshewasmarriedshetookgoodcare，aswehaveseen，nottomentionherlittlegirl。

Atfirst，asthereaderhasseen，shepaidtheThenardierspromptly。

Assheonlyknewhowtosignhername，shewasobligedtowritethroughapublicletter—writer。

Shewroteoften，andthiswasnoticed。Itbegantobesaidinanundertone，inthewomen’sworkroom，thatFantine"wroteletters"

andthat"shehadwaysabouther。"

Thereisnooneforspyingonpeople’sactionslikethosewhoarenotconcernedinthem。Whydoesthatgentlemannevercomeexceptatnightfall？WhydoesMr。So—and—SoneverhanghiskeyonitsnailonTuesday？Whydoeshealwaystakethenarrowstreets？

WhydoesMadamealwaysdescendfromherhackney—coachbeforereachingherhouse？Whydoesshesendouttopurchasesixsheetsofnotepaper，whenshehasa"wholestationer’sshopfullofit？"

etc。Thereexistbeingswho，forthesakeofobtainingthekeytotheseenigmas，whichare，moreover，ofnoconsequencewhatevertothem，spendmoremoney，wastemoretime，takemoretrouble，thanwouldberequiredfortengoodactions，andthatgratuitously，fortheirownpleasure，withoutreceivinganyotherpaymentfortheircuriositythancuriosity。Theywillfollowupsuchandsuchamanorwomanforwholedays；theywilldosentrydutyforhoursatatimeonthecornersofthestreets，underalley—waydoorsatnight，incoldandrain；theywillbribeerrand—porters，theywillmakethedriversofhackney—coachesandlackeystipsy，buyawaiting—maid，subornaporter。Why？Fornoreason。

Apurepassionforseeing，knowing，andpenetratingintothings。

Apureitchfortalking。Andoftenthesesecretsonceknown，thesemysteriesmadepublic，theseenigmasilluminatedbythelightofday，bringoncatastrophies，duels，failures，theruinoffamilies，andbrokenlives，tothegreatjoyofthosewhohave"foundouteverything，"withoutanyinterestinthematter，andbypureinstinct。Asadthing。

Certainpersonsaremalicioussolelythroughanecessityfortalking。

Theirconversation，thechatofthedrawing—room，gossipoftheanteroom，islikethosechimneyswhichconsumewoodrapidly；

theyneedagreatamountofcombustibles；andtheircombustiblesarefurnishedbytheirneighbors。

SoFantinewaswatched。

Inaddition，manyaonewasjealousofhergoldenhairandofherwhiteteeth。

Itwasremarkedthatintheworkroomsheoftenturnedaside，inthemidstoftherest，towipeawayatear。Thesewerethemomentswhenshewasthinkingofherchild；perhaps，also，ofthemanwhomshehadloved。

Breakingthegloomybondsofthepastisamournfultask。

Itwasobservedthatshewrotetwiceamonthatleast，andthatshepaidthecarriageontheletter。Theymanagedtoobtaintheaddress:

Monsieur，MonsieurThenardier，inn—keeperatMontfermeil。

Thepublicwriter，agoodoldmanwhocouldnotfillhisstomachwithredwinewithoutemptyinghispocketofsecrets，wasmadetotalkinthewine—shop。Inshort，itwasdiscoveredthatFantinehadachild。

"Shemustbeaprettysortofawoman。"Anoldgossipwasfound，whomadethetriptoMontfermeil，talkedtotheThenardiers，andsaidonherreturn:"FormyfiveandthirtyfrancsIhavefreedmymind。

Ihaveseenthechild。"

ThegossipwhodidthisthingwasagorgonnamedMadameVicturnien，theguardiananddoor—keeperofeveryone’svirtue。

MadameVicturnienwasfifty—six，andre—enforcedthemaskofuglinesswiththemaskofage。Aquaveringvoice，awhimsicalmind。

Thisolddamehadoncebeenyoung——astonishingfact！Inheryouth，in’93，shehadmarriedamonkwhohadfledfromhiscloisterinaredcap，andpassedfromtheBernardinestotheJacobins。

Shewasdry，rough，peevish，sharp，captious，almostvenomous；

allthisinmemoryofhermonk，whosewidowshewas，andwhohadruledoverhermasterfullyandbenthertohiswill。

Shewasanettleinwhichtherustleofthecassockwasvisible。

AttheRestorationshehadturnedbigot，andthatwithsomuchenergythatthepriestshadforgivenherhermonk。Shehadasmallproperty，whichshebequeathedwithmuchostentationtoareligiouscommunity。

ShewasinhighfavorattheepiscopalpalaceofArras。SothisMadameVicturnienwenttoMontfermeil，andreturnedwiththeremark，"Ihaveseenthechild。"

Allthistooktime。Fantinehadbeenatthefactoryformorethanayear，when，onemorning，thesuperintendentoftheworkroomhandedherfiftyfrancsfromthemayor，toldherthatshewasnolongeremployedintheshop，andrequestedher，inthemayor’sname，toleavetheneighborhood。

ThiswastheverymonthwhentheThenardiers，afterhavingdemandedtwelvefrancsinsteadofsix，hadjustexactedfifteenfrancsinsteadoftwelve。

Fantinewasoverwhelmed。Shecouldnotleavetheneighborhood；

shewasindebtforherrentandfurniture。Fiftyfrancswasnotsufficienttocancelthisdebt。Shestammeredafewsupplicatingwords。

Thesuperintendentorderedhertoleavetheshopontheinstant。

Besides，Fantinewasonlyamoderatelygoodworkwoman。

Overcomewithshame，evenmorethanwithdespair，shequittedtheshop，andreturnedtoherroom。Soherfaultwasnowknowntoeveryone。

Shenolongerfeltstrongenoughtosayaword。Shewasadvisedtoseethemayor；shedidnotdare。Themayorhadgivenherfiftyfrancsbecausehewasgood，andhaddismissedherbecausehewasjust。

Shebowedbeforethedecision。

CHAPTERIX

MADAMEVICTURNIEN’SSUCCESS

Sothemonk’swidowwasgoodforsomething。

ButM。Madeleinehadheardnothingofallthis。Lifeisfullofjustsuchcombinationsofevents。M。Madeleinewasinthehabitofalmostneverenteringthewomen’sworkroom。

Attheheadofthisroomhehadplacedanelderlyspinster，whomthepriesthadprovidedforhim，andhehadfullconfidenceinthissuperintendent，——atrulyrespectableperson，firm，equitable，upright，fullofthecharitywhichconsistsingiving，butnothavinginthesamedegreethatcharitywhichconsistsinunderstandingandinforgiving。M。Madeleinereliedwhollyonher。Thebestmenareoftenobligedtodelegatetheirauthority。Itwaswiththisfullpower，andtheconvictionthatshewasdoingright，thatthesuperintendenthadinstitutedthesuit，judged，condemned，andexecutedFantine。

Asregardsthefiftyfrancs，shehadgiventhemfromafundwhichM。Madeleinehadintrustedtoherforcharitablepurposes，andforgivingassistancetotheworkwomen，andofwhichsherenderednoaccount。

Fantinetriedtoobtainasituationasaservantintheneighborhood；

shewentfromhousetohouse。Noonewouldhaveher。Shecouldnotleavetown。Thesecond—handdealer，towhomshewasindebtforherfurniture——andwhatfurniture！——saidtoher，"Ifyouleave，Iwillhaveyouarrestedasathief。"Thehouseholder，whomsheowedforherrent，saidtoher，"Youareyoungandpretty；

youcanpay。"Shedividedthefiftyfrancsbetweenthelandlordandthefurniture—dealer，returnedtothelatterthree—quartersofhisgoods，keptonlynecessaries，andfoundherselfwithoutwork，withoutatrade，withnothingbutherbed，andstillaboutfiftyfrancsindebt。

Shebegantomakecoarseshirtsforsoldiersofthegarrison，andearnedtwelvesousaday。Herdaughtercostherten。ItwasatthispointthatshebegantopaytheThenardiersirregularly。

However，theoldwomanwholightedhercandleforherwhenshereturnedatnight，taughthertheartoflivinginmisery。

Backoflivingonlittle，thereisthelivingonnothing。

Thesearethetwochambers；thefirstisdark，thesecondisblack。

Fantinelearnedhowtolivewithoutfireentirelyinthewinter；

howtogiveupabirdwhicheatsahalfafarthing’sworthofmilleteverytwodays；howtomakeacoverletofone’spetticoat，andapetticoatofone’scoverlet；howtosaveone’scandle，bytakingone’smealsbythelightoftheoppositewindow。

Nooneknowsallthatcertainfeeblecreatures，whohavegrownoldinprivationandhonesty，cangetoutofasou。Itendsbybeingatalent。Fantineacquiredthissublimetalent，andregainedalittlecourage。

Atthisepochshesaidtoaneighbor，"Bah！Isaytomyself，byonlysleepingfivehours，andworkingalltherestofthetimeatmysewing，Ishallalwaysmanagetonearlyearnmybread。And，then，whenoneissad，oneeatsless。Well，sufferings，uneasiness，alittlebreadononehand，troubleontheother，——allthiswillsupportme。"

Itwouldhavebeenagreathappinesstohaveherlittlegirlwithherinthisdistress。Shethoughtofhavinghercome。Butwhatthen！

Makehershareherowndestitution！Andthen，shewasindebttotheThenardiers！Howcouldshepaythem？Andthejourney！

Howpayforthat？

Theoldwomanwhohadgivenherlessonsinwhatmaybecalledthelifeofindigence，wasasaintedspinsternamedMarguerite，whowaspiouswithatruepiety，poorandcharitabletowardsthepoor，andeventowardstherich，knowinghowtowritejustsufficientlytosignherselfMarguerite，andbelievinginGod，whichisscience。

Therearemanysuchvirtuouspeopleinthislowerworld；somedaytheywillbeintheworldabove。Thislifehasamorrow。

Atfirst，Fantinehadbeensoashamedthatshehadnotdaredtogoout。

Whenshewasinthestreet，shedivinedthatpeopleturnedroundbehindher，andpointedather；everyonestaredatherandnoonegreetedher；thecoldandbitterscornofthepassers—bypenetratedherveryfleshandsoullikeanorthwind。

Itseemsasthoughanunfortunatewomanwereutterlybarebeneaththesarcasmandthecuriosityofallinsmalltowns。InParis，atleast，nooneknowsyou，andthisobscurityisagarment。

Oh！howshewouldhavelikedtobetakeherselftoParis！Impossible！

Shewasobligedtoaccustomherselftodisrepute，asshehadaccustomedherselftoindigence。Graduallyshedecidedonhercourse。

Attheexpirationoftwoorthreemonthssheshookoffhershame，andbegantogoaboutasthoughtherewerenothingthematter。

"Itisallthesametome，"shesaid。

Shewentandcame，bearingherheadwellup，withabittersmile，andwasconsciousthatshewasbecomingbrazen—faced。

MadameVicturniensometimessawherpassing，fromherwindow，noticedthedistressof"thatcreature"who，"thankstoher，"

hadbeen"putbackinherproperplace，"andcongratulatedherself。

Thehappinessoftheevil—mindedisblack。

ExcessoftoilworeoutFantine，andthelittledrycoughwhichtroubledherincreased。Shesometimessaidtoherneighbor，Marguerite，"Justfeelhowhotmyhandsare！"

Nevertheless，whenshecombedherbeautifulhairinthemorningwithanoldbrokencomb，anditflowedaboutherlikeflosssilk，sheexperiencedamomentofhappycoquetry。