第8章

CHAPTERX

RESULTOFTHESUCCESS

Shehadbeendismissedtowardstheendofthewinter；thesummerpassed，butwintercameagain。Shortdays，lesswork。Winter:nowarmth，nolight，nonoonday，theeveningjoiningontothemorning，fogs，twilight；thewindowisgray；itisimpossibletoseeclearlyatit。Theskyisbutavent—hole。Thewholedayisacavern。Thesunhastheairofabeggar。Afrightfulseason！

Winterchangesthewaterofheavenandtheheartofmanintoastone。

Hercreditorsharrassedher。

Fantineearnedtoolittle。Herdebtshadincreased。TheThenardiers，whowerenotpromptlypaid，wrotetoherconstantlyletterswhosecontentsdrovehertodespair，andwhosecarriageruinedher。

OnedaytheywrotetoherthatherlittleCosettewasentirelynakedinthatcoldweather，thatsheneededawoollenskirt，andthathermothermustsendatleasttenfrancsforthis。

Shereceivedtheletter，andcrusheditinherhandsalldaylong。

Thateveningshewentintoabarber’sshopatthecornerofthestreet，andpulledouthercomb。Heradmirablegoldenhairfelltoherknees。

"Whatsplendidhair！"exclaimedthebarber。

"Howmuchwillyougivemeforit？"saidshe。

"Tenfrancs。"

"Cutitoff。"

ShepurchasedaknittedpetticoatandsentittotheThenardiers。

ThispetticoatmadetheThenardiersfurious。Itwasthemoneythattheywanted。TheygavethepetticoattoEponine。ThepoorLarkcontinuedtoshiver。

Fantinethought:"Mychildisnolongercold。Ihaveclothedherwithmyhair。"Sheputonlittleroundcapswhichconcealedhershornhead，andinwhichshewasstillpretty。

DarkthoughtsheldpossessionofFantine’sheart。

Whenshesawthatshecouldnolongerdressherhair，shebegantohateeveryoneabouther。ShehadlongsharedtheuniversalvenerationforFatherMadeleine；yet，bydintofrepeatingtoherselfthatitwashewhohaddischargedher，thathewasthecauseofherunhappiness，shecametohatehimalso，andmostofall。

Whenshepassedthefactoryinworkinghours，whentheworkpeoplewereatthedoor，sheaffectedtolaughandsing。

Anoldworkwomanwhooncesawherlaughingandsinginginthisfashionsaid，"There’sagirlwhowillcometoabadend。

Shetookalover，thefirstwhooffered，amanwhomshedidnotlove，outofbravadoandwithrageinherheart。Hewasamiserablescamp，asortofmendicantmusician，alazybeggar，whobeather，andwhoabandonedherasshehadtakenhim，indisgust。

Sheadoredherchild。

Thelowershedescended，thedarkereverythinggrewabouther，themoreradiantshonethatlittleangelatthebottomofherheart。

Shesaid，"WhenIgetrich，IwillhavemyCosettewithme；"

andshelaughed。Hercoughdidnotleaveher，andshehadsweatsonherback。

OnedayshereceivedfromtheThenardiersalettercouchedinthefollowingterms:"Cosetteisillwithamaladywhichisgoingtheroundsoftheneighborhood。Amiliaryfever，theycallit。

Expensivedrugsarerequired。Thisisruiningus，andwecannolongerpayforthem。Ifyoudonotsendusfortyfrancsbeforetheweekisout，thelittleonewillbedead。"

Sheburstoutlaughing，andsaidtoheroldneighbor:"Ah！theyaregood！Fortyfrancs！theidea！Thatmakestwonapoleons！

WheredotheythinkIamtogetthem？Thesepeasantsarestupid，truly。"

Neverthelessshewenttoadormerwindowinthestaircaseandreadtheletteroncemore。Thenshedescendedthestairsandemerged，runningandleapingandstilllaughing。

Someonemetherandsaidtoher，"Whatmakesyousogay？"

Shereplied:"Afinepieceofstupiditythatsomecountrypeoplehavewrittentome。Theydemandfortyfrancsofme。Somuchforyou，youpeasants！"

Asshecrossedthesquare，shesawagreatmanypeoplecollectedaroundacarriageofeccentricshape，uponthetopofwhichstoodamandressedinred，whowasholdingforth。Hewasaquackdentistonhisrounds，whowasofferingtothepublicfullsetsofteeth，opiates，powdersandelixirs。

Fantinemingledinthegroup，andbegantolaughwiththerestattheharangue，whichcontainedslangforthepopulaceandjargonforrespectablepeople。Thetooth—pullerespiedthelovely，laughinggirl，andsuddenlyexclaimed:"Youhavebeautifulteeth，yougirlthere，whoarelaughing；ifyouwanttosellmeyourpalettes，Iwillgiveyouagoldnapoleonapieceforthem。"

"Whataremypalettes？"askedFantine。

"Thepalettes，"repliedthedentalprofessor，"arethefrontteeth，thetwoupperones。"

"Howhorrible！"exclaimedFantine。

"Twonapoleons！"grumbledatoothlessoldwomanwhowaspresent。

"Here’saluckygirl！"

Fantinefledandstoppedherearsthatshemightnothearthehoarsevoiceofthemanshoutingtoher:"Reflect，mybeauty！twonapoleons；

theymayproveofservice。Ifyourheartbidsyou，comethiseveningtotheinnoftheTillacd’Argent；youwillfindmethere。"

Fantinereturnedhome。Shewasfurious，andrelatedtheoccurrencetohergoodneighborMarguerite:"Canyouunderstandsuchathing？

Ishenotanabominableman？Howcantheyallowsuchpeopletogoaboutthecountry！Pulloutmytwofrontteeth！Why，Ishouldbehorrible！

Myhairwillgrowagain，butmyteeth！Ah！whatamonsterofaman！

Ishouldprefertothrowmyselfheadfirstonthepavementfromthefifthstory！HetoldmethatheshouldbeattheTillacd’Argentthisevening。"

"Andwhatdidheoffer？"askedMarguerite。

"Twonapoleons。"

"Thatmakesfortyfrancs。"

"Yes，"saidFantine；"thatmakesfortyfrancs。"

Sheremainedthoughtful，andbeganherwork。AttheexpirationofaquarterofanhourshelefthersewingandwenttoreadtheThenardiers’letteroncemoreonthestaircase。

Onherreturn，shesaidtoMarguerite，whowasatworkbesideher:——

"Whatisamiliaryfever？Doyouknow？"

"Yes，"answeredtheoldspinster；"itisadisease。"

"Doesitrequiremanydrugs？"

"Oh！terribledrugs。"

"Howdoesonegetit？"

"Itisamaladythatonegetswithoutknowinghow。"

"Thenitattackschildren？"

"Childreninparticular。"

"Dopeopledieofit？"

"Theymay，"saidMarguerite。

Fantinelefttheroomandwenttoreadherletteroncemoreonthestaircase。

Thateveningshewentout，andwasseentoturnherstepsinthedirectionoftheRuedeParis，wheretheinnsaresituated。

Thenextmorning，whenMargueriteenteredFantine’sroombeforedaylight，——fortheyalwaysworkedtogether，andinthismannerusedonlyonecandleforthetwo，——shefoundFantineseatedonherbed，paleandfrozen。Shehadnotlaindown。

Hercaphadfallenonherknees。Hercandlehadburnedallnight，andwasalmostentirelyconsumed。Margueritehaltedonthethreshold，petrifiedatthistremendouswastefulness，andexclaimed:——

"Lord！thecandleisallburnedout！Somethinghashappened。"

ThenshelookedatFantine，whoturnedtowardherherheadbereftofitshair。

Fantinehadgrowntenyearsoldersincetheprecedingnight。

"Jesus！"saidMarguerite，"whatisthematterwithyou，Fantine？"

"Nothing，"repliedFantine。"Quitethecontrary。Mychildwillnotdieofthatfrightfulmalady，forlackofsuccor。Iamcontent。"

Sosaying，shepointedouttothespinstertwonapoleonswhichwereglitteringonthetable。

"Ah！JesusGod！"criedMarguerite。"Why，itisafortune！

Wheredidyougetthoselouisd’or？"

"Igotthem，"repliedFantine。

Atthesametimeshesmiled。Thecandleilluminatedhercountenance。

Itwasabloodysmile。Areddishsalivasoiledthecornersofherlips，andshehadablackholeinhermouth。

Thetwoteethhadbeenextracted。

ShesentthefortyfrancstoMontfermeil。

AfterallitwasaruseoftheThenardierstoobtainmoney。

Cosettewasnotill。

Fantinethrewhermirroroutofthewindow。Shehadlongsincequittedhercellonthesecondfloorforanatticwithonlyalatchtofastenit，nexttheroof；oneofthoseatticswhoseextremityformsananglewiththefloor，andknocksyouontheheadeveryinstant。

Thepooroccupantcanreachtheendofhischamberashecantheendofhisdestiny，onlybybendingovermoreandmore。

Shehadnolongerabed；aragwhichshecalledhercoverlet，amattressonthefloor，andaseatlesschairstillremained。

Alittlerosebushwhichshehad，haddriedup，forgotten，inonecorner。

Intheothercornerwasabutter—pottoholdwater，whichfrozeinwinter，andinwhichthevariouslevelsofthewaterremainedlongmarkedbythesecirclesofice。Shehadlosthershame；

shelosthercoquetry。Afinalsign。Shewentout，withdirtycaps。

Whetherfromlackoftimeorfromindifference，shenolongermendedherlinen。Astheheelsworeout，shedraggedherstockingsdownintohershoes。Thiswasevidentfromtheperpendicularwrinkles。

Shepatchedherbodice，whichwasoldandwornout，withscrapsofcalicowhichtoreattheslightestmovement。Thepeopletowhomshewasindebtedmade"scenes"andgavehernopeace。

Shefoundtheminthestreet，shefoundthemagainonherstaircase。

Shepassedmanyanightweepingandthinking。Hereyeswereverybright，andshefeltasteadypaininhershouldertowardsthetopoftheleftshoulder—blade。Shecoughedagreatdeal。

ShedeeplyhatedFatherMadeleine，butmadenocomplaint。Shesewedseventeenhoursaday；butacontractorfortheworkofprisons，whomadetheprisonersworkatadiscount，suddenlymadepricesfall，whichreducedthedailyearningsofworking—womentoninesous。

Seventeenhoursoftoil，andninesousaday！Hercreditorsweremorepitilessthanever。Thesecond—handdealer，whohadtakenbacknearlyallhisfurniture，saidtoherincessantly，"Whenwillyoupayme，youhussy？"Whatdidtheywantofher，goodGod！Shefeltthatshewasbeinghunted，andsomethingofthewildbeastdevelopedinher。

Aboutthesametime，Thenardierwrotetoherthathehadwaitedwithdecidedlytoomuchamiabilityandthathemusthaveahundredfrancsatonce；otherwisehewouldturnlittleCosetteoutofdoors，convalescentasshewasfromherheavyillness，intothecoldandthestreets，andthatshemightdowhatshelikedwithherself，anddieifshechose。"Ahundredfrancs，"thoughtFantine。

"Butinwhattradecanoneearnahundredsousaday？"

"Come！"saidshe，"letussellwhatisleft。"

Theunfortunategirlbecameawomanofthetown。

CHAPTERXI

CHRISTUSNOSLIBERAVIT

WhatisthishistoryofFantine？Itissocietypurchasingaslave。

Fromwhom？Frommisery。

Fromhunger，cold，isolation，destitution。Adolorousbargain。

Asoulforamorselofbread。Miseryoffers；societyaccepts。

ThesacredlawofJesusChristgovernsourcivilization，butitdoesnot，asyet，permeateit；itissaidthatslaveryhasdisappearedfromEuropeancivilization。Thisisamistake。Itstillexists；

butitweighsonlyuponthewoman，anditiscalledprostitution。

Itweighsuponthewoman，thatistosay，upongrace，weakness，beauty，maternity。Thisisnotoneoftheleastofman’sdisgraces。

Atthepointinthismelancholydramawhichwehavenowreached，nothingislefttoFantineofthatwhichshehadformerlybeen。

Shehasbecomemarbleinbecomingmire。Whoevertouchesherfeelscold。

Shepasses；sheenduresyou；sheignoresyou；sheisthesevereanddishonoredfigure。Lifeandthesocialorderhavesaidtheirlastwordforher。Allhashappenedtoherthatwillhappentoher。

Shehasfelteverything，borneeverything，experiencedeverything，sufferedeverything，losteverything，mournedeverything。

Sheisresigned，withthatresignationwhichresemblesindifference，asdeathresemblessleep。Shenolongeravoidsanything。

Letallthecloudsfalluponher，andalltheoceansweepoverher！

Whatmattersittoher？Sheisaspongethatissoaked。

Atleast，shebelievesittobeso；butitisanerrortoimaginethatfatecanbeexhausted，andthatonehasreachedthebottomofanythingwhatever。

Alas！Whatareallthesefates，drivenonpell—mell？Whitheraretheygoing？Whyaretheythus？

Hewhoknowsthatseesthewholeoftheshadow。

Heisalone。HisnameisGod。

CHAPTERXII

M。BAMATABOIS’SINACTIVITY

Thereisinallsmalltowns，andtherewasatM。surM。inparticular，aclassofyoungmenwhonibbleawayanincomeoffifteenhundredfrancswiththesameairwithwhichtheirprototypesdevourtwohundredthousandfrancsayearinParis。Thesearebeingsofthegreatneuterspecies:impotentmen，parasites，cyphers，whohavealittleland，alittlefolly，alittlewit；whowouldberusticsinadrawing—room，andwhothinkthemselvesgentlemeninthedram—shop；whosay，"Myfields，mypeasants，mywoods"；

whohissactressesatthetheatretoprovethattheyarepersonsoftaste；quarrelwiththeofficersofthegarrisontoprovethattheyaremenofwar；hunt，smoke，yawn，drink，smelloftobacco，playbilliards，stareattravellersastheydescendfromthediligence，liveatthecafe，dineattheinn，haveadogwhicheatsthebonesunderthetable，andamistresswhoeatsthedishesonthetable；

whostickatasou，exaggeratethefashions，admiretragedy，despisewomen，wearouttheiroldboots，copyLondonthroughParis，andParisthroughthemediumofPont—A—Mousson，growoldasdullards，neverwork，servenouse，anddonogreatharm。

M。FelixTholomyes，hadheremainedinhisownprovinceandneverbeheldParis，wouldhavebeenoneofthesemen。

Iftheywerericher，onewouldsay，"Theyaredandies；"iftheywerepoorer，onewouldsay，"Theyareidlers。"Theyaresimplymenwithoutemployment。Amongtheseunemployedtherearebores，thebored，dreamers，andsomeknaves。

Atthatperiodadandywascomposedofatallcollar，abigcravat，awatchwithtrinkets，threevestsofdifferentcolors，wornoneontopoftheother——theredandblueinside；ofashort—waistedolivecoat，withacodfishtail，adoublerowofsilverbuttonssetclosetoeachotherandrunninguptotheshoulder；andapairoftrousersofalightershadeofolive，ornamentedonthetwoseamswithanindefinite，butalwaysuneven，numberoflines，varyingfromonetoeleven——alimitwhichwasneverexceeded。

Addtothis，highshoeswithlittleironsontheheels，atallhatwithanarrowbrim，hairworninatuft，anenormouscane，andconversationsetoffbypunsofPotier。Overall，spursandamustache。Atthatepochmustachesindicatedthebourgeois，andspursthepedestrian。

Theprovincialdandyworethelongestofspursandthefiercestofmustaches。

ItwastheperiodoftheconflictoftherepublicsofSouthAmericawiththeKingofSpain，ofBolivaragainstMorillo。

Narrow—brimmedhatswereroyalist，andwerecalledmorillos；

liberalsworehatswithwidebrims，whichwerecalledbolivars。

Eightortenmonths，then，afterthatwhichisrelatedintheprecedingpages，towardsthefirstofJanuary，1823，onasnowyevening，oneofthesedandies，oneoftheseunemployed，a"rightthinker，"

forheworeamorillo，andwas，moreover，warmlyenvelopedinoneofthoselargecloakswhichcompletedthefashionablecostumeincoldweather，wasamusinghimselfbytormentingacreaturewhowasprowlingaboutinaball—dress，withneckuncoveredandflowersinherhair，infrontoftheofficers’cafe。Thisdandywassmoking，forhewasdecidedlyfashionable。

Eachtimethatthewomanpassedinfrontofhim，hebestowedonher，togetherwithapufffromhiscigar，someapostrophewhichheconsideredwittyandmirthful，suchas，"Howuglyyouare！——

Willyougetoutofmysight？——Youhavenoteeth！"etc。，etc。

ThisgentlemanwasknownasM。Bamatabois。Thewoman，amelancholy，decoratedspectrewhichwentandcamethroughthesnow，madehimnoreply，didnotevenglanceathim，andneverthelesscontinuedherpromenadeinsilence，andwithasombreregularity，whichbroughthereveryfiveminuteswithinreachofthissarcasm，likethecondemnedsoldierwhoreturnsundertherods。Thesmalleffectwhichheproducednodoubtpiquedthelounger；andtakingadvantageofamomentwhenherbackwasturned，hecreptupbehindherwiththegaitofawolf，andstiflinghislaugh，bentdown，pickedupahandfulofsnowfromthepavement，andthrustitabruptlyintoherback，betweenherbareshoulders。Thewomanutteredaroar，whirledround，gavealeaplikeapanther，andhurledherselfupontheman，buryinghernailsinhisface，withthemostfrightfulwordswhichcouldfallfromtheguard—roomintothegutter。Theseinsults，pouredforthinavoiceroughenedbybrandy，did，indeed，proceedinhideouswisefromamouthwhichlackeditstwofrontteeth。

ItwasFantine。

Atthenoisethusproduced，theofficersranoutinthrongsfromthecafe，passers—bycollected，andalargeandmerrycircle，hootingandapplauding，wasformedaroundthiswhirlwindcomposedoftwobeings，whomtherewassomedifficultyinrecognizingasamanandawoman:themanstruggling，hishatontheground；

thewomanstrikingoutwithfeetandfists，bareheaded，howling，minushairandteeth，lividwithwrath，horrible。

Suddenlyamanofloftystatureemergedvivaciouslyfromthecrowd，seizedthewomanbyhersatinbodice，whichwascoveredwithmud，andsaidtoher，"Followme！"

Thewomanraisedherhead；herfuriousvoicesuddenlydiedaway。

Hereyeswereglassy；sheturnedpaleinsteadoflivid，andshetrembledwithaquiverofterror。ShehadrecognizedJavert。

Thedandytookadvantageoftheincidenttomakehisescape。

CHAPTERXIII

THESOLUTIONOFSOMEQUESTIONSCONNECTEDWITHTHEMUNICIPALPOLICE

Javertthrustasidethespectators，brokethecircle，andsetoutwithlongstridestowardsthepolicestation，whichissituatedattheextremityofthesquare，draggingthewretchedwomanafterhim。

Sheyieldedmechanically。Neitherhenorsheutteredaword。

Thecloudofspectatorsfollowed，jesting，inaparoxysmofdelight。

Suprememiseryanoccasionforobscenity。

Onarrivingatthepolicestation，whichwasalowroom，warmedbyastove，withaglazedandgrateddooropeningonthestreet，andguardedbyadetachment，Javertopenedthedoor，enteredwithFantine，andshutthedoorbehindhim，tothegreatdisappointmentofthecurious，whoraisedthemselvesontiptoe，andcranedtheirnecksinfrontofthethickglassofthestation—house，intheirefforttosee。

Curiosityisasortofgluttony。Toseeistodevour。

Onentering，Fantinefelldowninacorner，motionlessandmute，crouchingdownlikeaterrifieddog。

Thesergeantoftheguardbroughtalightedcandletothetable。

Javertseatedhimself，drewasheetofstampedpaperfromhispocket，andbegantowrite。

Thisclassofwomenisconsignedbyourlawsentirelytothediscretionofthepolice。Thelatterdowhattheyplease，punishthem，asseemsgoodtothem，andconfiscateattheirwillthosetwosorrythingswhichtheyentitletheirindustryandtheirliberty。

Javertwasimpassive；hisgravefacebetrayednoemotionwhatever。

Nevertheless，hewasseriouslyanddeeplypreoccupied。Itwasoneofthosemomentswhenhewasexercisingwithoutcontrol，butsubjecttoallthescruplesofasevereconscience，hisredoubtablediscretionarypower。Atthatmomenthewasconsciousthathispoliceagent’sstoolwasatribunal。Hewasenteringjudgment。

Hejudgedandcondemned。Hesummonedalltheideaswhichcouldpossiblyexistinhismind，aroundthegreatthingwhichhewasdoing。

Themoreheexaminedthedeedofthiswoman，themoreshockedhefelt。

Itwasevidentthathehadjustwitnessedthecommissionofacrime。

Hehadjustbeheld，yonder，inthestreet，society，inthepersonofafreeholderandanelector，insultedandattackedbyacreaturewhowasoutsideallpales。Aprostitutehadmadeanattemptonthelifeofacitizen。Hehadseenthat，he，Javert。Hewroteinsilence。

Whenhehadfinishedhesignedthepaper，foldedit，andsaidtothesergeantoftheguard，ashehandedittohim，"Takethreemenandconductthiscreaturetojail。"

Then，turningtoFantine，"Youaretohavesixmonthsofit。"

Theunhappywomanshuddered。

"Sixmonths！sixmonthsofprison！"sheexclaimed。"Sixmonthsinwhichtoearnsevensousaday！ButwhatwillbecomeofCosette？

Mydaughter！mydaughter！ButIstillowetheThenardiersoverahundredfrancs；doyouknowthat，MonsieurInspector？"

Shedraggedherselfacrossthedampfloor，amongthemuddybootsofallthosemen，withoutrising，withclaspedhands，andtakinggreatstridesonherknees。

"MonsieurJavert，"saidshe，"Ibeseechyourmercy。IassureyouthatIwasnotinthewrong。Ifyouhadseenthebeginning，youwouldhaveseen。IsweartoyoubythegoodGodthatIwasnottoblame！Thatgentleman，thebourgeois，whomIdonotknow，putsnowinmyback。Hasanyonetherighttoputsnowdownourbackswhenwearewalkingalongpeaceably，anddoingnoharmtoanyone？

Iamratherill，asyousee。Andthen，hehadbeensayingimpertinentthingstomeforalongtime:`Youareugly！youhavenoteeth！’

IknowwellthatIhavenolongerthoseteeth。Ididnothing；

Isaidtomyself，`Thegentlemanisamusinghimself。’Iwashonestwithhim；Ididnotspeaktohim。Itwasatthatmomentthatheputthesnowdownmyback。MonsieurJavert，goodMonsieurInspector！istherenotsomepersonherewhosawitandcantellyouthatthisisquitetrue？PerhapsIdidwrongtogetangry。

Youknowthatoneisnotmasterofone’sselfatthefirstmoment。

Onegiveswaytovivacity；andthen，whensomeoneputssomethingcolddownyourbackjustwhenyouarenotexpectingit！Ididwrongtospoilthatgentleman’shat。Whydidhegoaway？Iwouldaskhispardon。Oh，myGod！ItmakesnodifferencetomewhetherIaskhispardon。Domethefavorto—day，forthisonce，MonsieurJavert。

Hold！youdonotknowthatinprisononecanearnonlysevensousaday；

itisnotthegovernment’sfault，butsevensousisone’searnings；

andjustfancy，Imustpayonehundredfrancs，ormylittlegirlwillbesenttome。Oh，myGod！Icannothaveherwithme。

WhatIdoissovile！Oh，myCosette！Oh，mylittleangeloftheHolyVirgin！whatwillbecomeofher，poorcreature？Iwilltellyou:

itistheThenardiers，inn—keepers，peasants；andsuchpeopleareunreasonable。Theywantmoney。Don’tputmeinprison！

Yousee，thereisalittlegirlwhowillbeturnedoutintothestreettogetalongasbestshemay，intheveryheartofthewinter；

andyoumusthavepityonsuchabeing，mygoodMonsieurJavert。

Ifshewereolder，shemightearnherliving；butitcannotbedoneatthatage。Iamnotabadwomanatbottom。ItisnotcowardlinessandgluttonythathavemademewhatIam。IfIhavedrunkbrandy，itwasoutofmisery。Idonotloveit；butitbenumbsthesenses。

WhenIwashappy，itwasonlynecessarytoglanceintomyclosets，anditwouldhavebeenevidentthatIwasnotacoquettishanduntidywoman。Ihadlinen，agreatdealoflinen。Havepityonme，MonsieurJavert！"

Shespokethus，rentintwain，shakenwithsobs，blindedwithtears，herneckbare，wringingherhands，andcoughingwithadry，shortcough，stammeringsoftlywithavoiceofagony。Greatsorrowisadivineandterribleray，whichtransfigurestheunhappy。

AtthatmomentFantinehadbecomebeautifuloncemore。Fromtimetotimeshepaused，andtenderlykissedthepoliceagent’scoat。

Shewouldhavesoftenedaheartofgranite；butaheartofwoodcannotbesoftened。

"Come！"saidJavert，"Ihaveheardyouout。Haveyouentirelyfinished？

Youwillgetsixmonths。Nowmarch！TheEternalFatherinpersoncoulddonothingmore。"

Atthesesolemnwords，"theEternalFatherinpersoncoulddonothingmore，"sheunderstoodthatherfatewassealed。

Shesankdown，murmuring，"Mercy！"

Javertturnedhisback。

Thesoldiersseizedherbythearms。

Afewmomentsearlieramanhadentered，butnoonehadpaidanyheedtohim。Heshutthedoor，leanedhisbackagainstit，andlistenedtoFantine’sdespairingsupplications。

Attheinstantwhenthesoldierslaidtheirhandsupontheunfortunatewoman，whowouldnotrise，heemergedfromtheshadow，andsaid:——

"Onemoment，ifyouplease。"

JavertraisedhiseyesandrecognizedM。Madeleine。Heremovedhishat，and，salutinghimwithasortofaggrievedawkwardness:——

"Excuseme，Mr。Mayor——"

Thewords"Mr。Mayor"producedacuriouseffectuponFantine。

Sherosetoherfeetwithonebound，likeaspectrespringingfromtheearth，thrustasidethesoldierswithbotharms，walkedstraightuptoM。Madeleinebeforeanyonecouldpreventher，andgazingintentlyathim，withabewilderedair，shecried:——

"Ah！soitisyouwhoareM。leMaire！"

Thensheburstintoalaugh，andspitinhisface。

M。Madeleinewipedhisface，andsaid:——

"InspectorJavert，setthiswomanatliberty。"

Javertfeltthathewasonthevergeofgoingmad。Heexperiencedatthatmoment，blowuponblowandalmostsimultaneously，themostviolentemotionswhichhehadeverundergoneinallhislife。

Toseeawomanofthetownspitinthemayor’sfacewasathingsomonstrousthat，inhismostdaringflightsoffancy，hewouldhaveregardeditasasacrilegetobelieveitpossible。

Ontheotherhand，attheverybottomofhisthought，hemadeahideouscomparisonastowhatthiswomanwas，andastowhatthismayormightbe；andthenhe，withhorror，caughtaglimpseofI

knownotwhatsimpleexplanationofthisprodigiousattack。

Butwhenhebeheldthatmayor，thatmagistrate，calmlywipehisfaceandsay，"Setthiswomanatliberty，"heunderwentasortofintoxicationofamazement；thoughtandwordfailedhimequally；

thesumtotalofpossibleastonishmenthadbeenexceededinhiscase。

Heremainedmute。

ThewordshadproducednolessstrangeaneffectonFantine。

Sheraisedherbarearm，andclungtothedamperofthestove，likeapersonwhoisreeling。Nevertheless，sheglancedabouther，andbegantospeakinalowvoice，asthoughtalkingtoherself:——

"Atliberty！Iamtobeallowedtogo！Iamnottogotoprisonforsixmonths！Whosaidthat？Itisnotpossiblethatanyonecouldhavesaidthat。Ididnotheararight。Itcannothavebeenthatmonsterofamayor！Wasityou，mygoodMonsieurJavert，whosaidthatIwastobesetfree？Oh，seehere！Iwilltellyouaboutit，andyouwillletmego。Thatmonsterofamayor，thatoldblackguardofamayor，isthecauseofall。Justimagine，MonsieurJavert，heturnedmeout！allbecauseofapackofrascallywomen，whogossipintheworkroom。Ifthatisnotahorror，whatis？Todismissapoorgirlwhoisdoingherworkhonestly！

ThenIcouldnolongerearnenough，andallthismiseryfollowed。

Inthefirstplace，thereisoneimprovementwhichthesegentlemenofthepoliceoughttomake，andthatis，topreventprisoncontractorsfromwrongingpoorpeople。Iwillexplainittoyou，yousee:youareearningtwelvesousatshirt—making，thepricefallstoninesous；anditisnotenoughtoliveon。

Thenonehastobecomewhateveronecan。Asforme，IhadmylittleCosette，andIwasactuallyforcedtobecomeabadwoman。

Nowyouunderstandhowitisthatthatblackguardofamayorcausedallthemischief。AfterthatIstampedonthatgentleman’shatinfrontoftheofficers’cafe；buthehadspoiledmywholedresswithsnow。Wewomenhavebutonesilkdressforeveningwear。

YouseethatIdidnotdowrongdeliberately——truly，MonsieurJavert；

andeverywhereIbeholdwomenwhoarefarmorewickedthanI，andwhoaremuchhappier。OMonsieurJavert！itwasyouwhogaveordersthatIamtobesetfree，wasitnot？Makeinquiries，speaktomylandlord；Iampayingmyrentnow；theywilltellyouthatIamperfectlyhonest。Ah！myGod！Ibegyourpardon；

Ihaveunintentionallytouchedthedamperofthestove，andithasmadeitsmoke。"

M。Madeleinelistenedtoherwithprofoundattention。Whileshewasspeaking，hefumbledinhiswaistcoat，drewouthispurseandopenedit。Itwasempty。Heputitbackinhispocket。

HesaidtoFantine，"Howmuchdidyousaythatyouowed？"

Fantine，whowaslookingatJavertonly，turnedtowardshim:——

"WasIspeakingtoyou？"

Then，addressingthesoldiers:——

"Say，youfellows，didyouseehowIspitinhisface？

Ah！youoldwretchofamayor，youcameheretofrightenme，butI’mnotafraidofyou。IamafraidofMonsieurJavert。

IamafraidofmygoodMonsieurJavert！"

Sosaying，sheturnedtotheinspectoragain:——

"Andyet，yousee，Mr。Inspector，itisnecessarytobejust。

Iunderstandthatyouarejust，Mr。Inspector；infact，itisperfectlysimple:amanamuseshimselfbyputtingsnowdownawoman’sback，andthatmakestheofficerslaugh；onemustdivertthemselvesinsomeway；andwe——well，wearehereforthemtoamusethemselveswith，ofcourse！Andthen，you，youcome；youarecertainlyobligedtopreserveorder，youleadoffthewomanwhoisinthewrong；butonreflection，sinceyouareagoodman，yousaythatIamtobesetatliberty；itisforthesakeofthelittleone，forsixmonthsinprisonwouldpreventmysupportingmychild。

`Only，don’tdoitagain，youhussy！’Oh！Iwon’tdoitagain，MonsieurJavert！Theymaydowhatevertheypleasetomenow；

Iwillnotstir。Butto—day，yousee，Icriedbecauseithurtme。

Iwasnotexpectingthatsnowfromthegentlemanatall；andthenasItoldyou，Iamnotwell；Ihaveacough；Iseemtohaveaburningballinmystomach，andthedoctortellsme，`Takecareofyourself。’Here，feel，givemeyourhand；don’tbeafraid——

itishere。"

Shenolongerwept，hervoicewascaressing；sheplacedJavert’scoarsehandonherdelicate，whitethroatandlookedsmilinglyathim。

Allatoncesherapidlyadjustedherdisorderedgarments，droppedthefoldsofherskirt，whichhadbeenpushedupasshedraggedherselfalong，almosttotheheightofherknee，andsteppedtowardsthedoor，sayingtothesoldiersinalowvoice，andwithafriendlynod:——

"Children，Monsieurl’InspecteurhassaidthatIamtobereleased，andIamgoing。"

Shelaidherhandonthelatchofthedoor。Onestepmoreandshewouldbeinthestreet。

Javertuptothatmomenthadremainederect，motionless，withhiseyesfixedontheground，castathwartthisscenelikesomedisplacedstatue，whichiswaitingtobeputawaysomewhere。

Thesoundofthelatchrousedhim。Heraisedhisheadwithanexpressionofsovereignauthority，anexpressionallthemorealarminginproportionastheauthorityrestsonalowlevel，ferociousinthewildbeast，atrociousinthemanofnoestate。

"Sergeant！"hecried，"don’tyouseethatthatjadeiswalkingoff！

Whobadeyoulethergo？"

"I，"saidMadeleine。

FantinetrembledatthesoundofJavert’svoice，andletgoofthelatchasathiefrelinquishesthearticlewhichhehasstolen。

AtthesoundofMadeleine’svoicesheturnedaround，andfromthatmomentforthsheutterednoword，nordaredsomuchastobreathefreely，butherglancestrayedfromMadeleinetoJavert，andfromJaverttoMadeleineinturn，accordingtowhichwasspeaking。

ItwasevidentthatJavertmusthavebeenexasperatedbeyondmeasurebeforehewouldpermithimselftoapostrophizethesergeantashehaddone，afterthemayor’ssuggestionthatFantineshouldbesetatliberty。Hadhereachedthepointofforgettingthemayor’spresence？Hadhefinallydeclaredtohimselfthatitwasimpossiblethatany"authority"shouldhavegivensuchanorder，andthatthemayormustcertainlyhavesaidonethingbymistakeforanother，withoutintendingit？Or，inviewoftheenormitiesofwhichhehadbeenawitnessforthepasttwohours，didhesaytohimself，thatitwasnecessarytorecurtosupremeresolutions，thatitwasindispensablethatthesmallshouldbemadegreat，thatthepolicespyshouldtransformhimselfintoamagistrate，thatthepolicemanshouldbecomeadispenserofjustice，andthat，inthisprodigiousextremity，order，law，morality，government，societyinitsentirety，waspersonifiedinhim，Javert？

Howeverthatmaybe，whenM。Madeleineutteredthatword，_I_，aswehavejustheard，PoliceInspectorJavertwasseentoturntowardthemayor，pale，cold，withbluelips，andalookofdespair，hiswholebodyagitatedbyanimperceptiblequiverandanunprecedentedoccurrence，andsaytohim，withdowncasteyesbutafirmvoice:——

"Mr。Mayor，thatcannotbe。"

"Whynot？"saidM。Madeleine。

"Thismiserablewomanhasinsultedacitizen。"

"InspectorJavert，"repliedthemayor，inacalmandconciliatingtone，"listen。Youareanhonestman，andIfeelnohesitationinexplainingmatterstoyou。Hereisthetruestateofthecase:

Iwaspassingthroughthesquarejustasyouwereleadingthiswomanaway；therewerestillgroupsofpeoplestandingabout，andImadeinquiriesandlearnedeverything；itwasthetownsmanwhowasinthewrongandwhoshouldhavebeenarrestedbyproperlyconductedpolice。"

Javertretorted:——

"ThiswretchhasjustinsultedMonsieurleMaire。"

"Thatconcernsme，"saidM。Madeleine。"Myowninsultbelongstome，Ithink。IcandowhatIpleaseaboutit。"

"IbegMonsieurleMaire’spardon。Theinsultisnottohimbuttothelaw。"

"InspectorJavert，"repliedM。Madeleine，"thehighestlawisconscience。Ihaveheardthiswoman；IknowwhatIamdoing。"

"AndI，Mr。Mayor，donotknowwhatIsee。"

"Thencontentyourselfwithobeying。"

"Iamobeyingmyduty。Mydutydemandsthatthiswomanshallservesixmonthsinprison。"

M。Madeleinerepliedgently:——

"Heedthiswell；shewillnotserveasingleday。"

Atthisdecisiveword，Javertventuredtofixasearchinglookonthemayorandtosay，butinatoneofvoicethatwasstillprofoundlyrespectful:——

"IamsorrytoopposeMonsieurleMaire；itisforthefirsttimeinmylife，buthewillpermitmetoremarkthatIamwithintheboundsofmyauthority。Iconfinemyself，sinceMonsieurleMairedesiresit，tothequestionofthegentleman。Iwaspresent。

ThiswomanflungherselfonMonsieurBamatabnois，whoisanelectorandtheproprietorofthathandsomehousewithabalcony，whichformsthecorneroftheesplanade，threestorieshighandentirelyofcutstone。Suchthingsasthereareintheworld！

Inanycase，MonsieurleMaire，thisisaquestionofpoliceregulationsinthestreets，andconcernsme，andIshalldetainthiswomanFantine。"

ThenM。Madeleinefoldedhisarms，andsaidinaseverevoicewhichnooneinthetownhadheardhitherto:——

"Themattertowhichyoureferisoneconnectedwiththemunicipalpolice。Accordingtothetermsofarticlesnine，eleven，fifteen，andsixty—sixofthecodeofcriminalexamination，Iamthejudge。Iorderthatthiswomanshallbesetatliberty。"

Javertventuredtomakeafinaleffort。

"But，Mr。Mayor——"

"Ireferyoutoarticleeighty—oneofthelawofthe13thofDecember，1799，inregardtoarbitrarydetention。"

"MonsieurleMaire，permitme——"

"Notanotherword。"

"But——"

"Leavetheroom，"saidM。Madeleine。

Javertreceivedtheblowerect，fullintheface，inhisbreast，likeaRussiansoldier。Hebowedtotheveryearthbeforethemayorandlefttheroom。

Fantinestoodasidefromthedoorandstaredathiminamazementashepassed。

Nevertheless，shealsowasthepreytoastrangeconfusion。Shehadjustseenherselfasubjectofdisputebetweentwoopposingpowers。

Shehadseentwomenwhoheldintheirhandsherliberty，herlife，hersoul，herchild，incombatbeforeherveryeyes；oneofthesemenwasdrawinghertowardsdarkness，theotherwasleadingherbacktowardsthelight。Inthisconflict，viewedthroughtheexaggerationsofterror，thesetwomenhadappearedtoherliketwogiants；

theonespokelikeherdemon，theotherlikehergoodangel。

Theangelhadconqueredthedemon，and，strangetosay，thatwhichmadehershudderfromheadtofootwasthefactthatthisangel，thisliberator，wastheverymanwhomsheabhorred，thatmayorwhomshehadsolongregardedastheauthorofallherwoes，thatMadeleine！

Andattheverymomentwhenshehadinsultedhiminsohideousafashion，hehadsavedher！Hadshe，then，beenmistaken？

Mustshechangeherwholesoul？Shedidnotknow；shetrembled。

Shelistenedinbewilderment，shelookedoninaffright，andateverywordutteredbyM。Madeleineshefeltthefrightfulshadesofhatredcrumbleandmeltwithinher，andsomethingwarmandineffable，indescribable，whichwasbothjoy，confidenceandlove，dawninherheart。

WhenJaverthadtakenhisdeparture，M。Madeleineturnedtoherandsaidtoherinadeliberatevoice，likeaseriousmanwhodoesnotwishtoweepandwhofindssomedifficultyinspeaking:——

"Ihaveheardyou。Iknewnothingaboutwhatyouhavementioned。

Ibelievethatitistrue，andIfeelthatitistrue。Iwasevenignorantofthefactthatyouhadleftmyshop。Whydidyounotapplytome？Buthere；Iwillpayyourdebts，Iwillsendforyourchild，oryoushallgotoher。Youshalllivehere，inParis，orwhereyouplease。Iundertakethecareofyourchildandyourself。Youshallnotworkanylongerifyoudonotlike。Iwillgiveallthemoneyyourequire。Youshallbehonestandhappyoncemore。Andlisten！

Ideclaretoyouthatifallisasyousay，——andIdonotdoubtit，——

youhaveneverceasedtobevirtuousandholyinthesightofGod。

Oh！poorwoman。"

ThiswasmorethanFantinecouldbear。TohaveCosette！Toleavethislifeofinfamy。Tolivefree，rich，happy，respectablewithCosette；

toseealltheserealitiesofparadiseblossomofasuddeninthemidstofhermisery。Shestaredstupidlyatthismanwhowastalkingtoher，andcouldonlygiveventtotwoorthreesobs，"Oh！Oh！Oh！"

Herlimbsgavewaybeneathher，shekneltinfrontofM。Madeleine，andbeforehecouldpreventherhefelthergrasphishandandpressherlipstoit。

Thenshefainted。

BOOKSIXTH。——JAVERT

CHAPTERI

THEBEGINNINGOFREPOSE

M。MadeleinehadFantineremovedtothatinfirmarywhichhehadestablishedinhisownhouse。Heconfidedhertothesisters，whoputhertobed。Aburningfeverhadcomeon。Shepassedapartofthenightindeliriumandraving。Atlength，however，shefellasleep。

Onthemorrow，towardsmidday，Fantineawoke。Sheheardsomeonebreathingclosetoherbed；shedrewasidethecurtainandsawM。Madeleinestandingthereandlookingatsomethingoverherhead。

Hisgazewasfullofpity，anguish，andsupplication。Shefolloweditsdirection，andsawthatitwasfixedonacrucifixwhichwasnailedtothewall。

Thenceforth，M。MadeleinewastransfiguredinFantine’seyes。Heseemedtohertobeclothedinlight。Hewasabsorbedinasortofprayer。

Shegazedathimforalongtimewithoutdaringtointerrupthim。

Atlastshesaidtimidly:——

"Whatareyoudoing？"

M。Madeleinehadbeenthereforanhour。HehadbeenwaitingforFantinetoawake。Hetookherhand，feltofherpulse，andreplied:——

"Howdoyoufeel？"

"Well，Ihaveslept，"shereplied；"IthinkthatIambetter，Itisnothing。"

Heanswered，respondingtothefirstquestionwhichshehadputtohimasthoughhehadjustheardit:——

"Iwasprayingtothemartyrthereonhigh。"

Andheaddedinhisownmind，"Forthemartyrherebelow。"

M。Madeleinehadpassedthenightandthemorninginmakinginquiries。Heknewallnow。

HeknewFantine’shistoryinallitsheart—rendingdetails。Hewenton:——

"Youhavesufferedmuch，poormother。Oh！donotcomplain；younowhavethedowryoftheelect。Itisthusthatmenaretransformedintoangels。Itisnottheirfaulttheydonotknowhowtogotoworkotherwise。Youseethishellfromwhichyouhavejustemergedisthefirstformofheaven。Itwasnecessarytobeginthere。"

Hesigheddeeply。Butshesmiledonhimwiththatsublimesmileinwhichtwoteethwerelacking。

Thatsamenight，Javertwrotealetter。ThenextmorningbepostedithimselfattheofficeofM。surM。ItwasaddressedtoParis，andthesuperscriptionran:ToMonsieurChabouillet，SecretaryofMonsieurlePrefetofPolice。Astheaffairinthestation—househadbeenbruitedabout，thepost—mistressandsomeotherpersonswhosawtheletterbeforeitwassentoff，andwhorecognizedJavert’shandwritingonthecover，thoughtthathewassendinginhisresignation。

M。MadeleinemadehastetowritetotheThenardiers。Fantineowedthemonehundredandtwentyfrancs。Hesentthemthreehundredfrancs，tellingthemtopaythemselvesfromthatsum，andtofetchthechildinstantlytoM。surM。，wherehersickmotherrequiredherpresence。

ThisdazzledThenardier。"Thedevil！"saidthemantohiswife；

"don’tlet’sallowthechildtogo。Thislarkisgoingtoturnintoamilchcow。Iseethroughit。Someninnyhastakenafancytothemother。"

Herepliedwithaverywelldrawn—upbillforfivehundredandsomeoddfrancs。Inthismemorandumtwoindisputableitemsfiguredupoverthreehundredfrancs，——oneforthedoctor，theotherfortheapothecarywhohadattendedandphysickedEponineandAzelmathroughtwolongillnesses。Cosette，aswehavealreadysaid，hadnotbeenill。

Itwasonlyaquestionofatriflingsubstitutionofnames。

AtthefootofthememorandumThenardierwrote，Receivedonaccount，threehundredfrancs。

M。Madeleineimmediatelysentthreehundredfrancsmore，andwrote，"MakehastetobringCosette。"

"Christi！"saidThenardier，"let’snotgiveupthechild。"

Inthemeantime，Fantinedidnotrecover。Shestillremainedintheinfirmary。

Thesistershadatfirstonlyreceivedandnursed"thatwoman"

withrepugnance。Thosewhohaveseenthebas—reliefsofRheimswillrecalltheinflationofthelowerlipofthewisevirginsastheysurveythefoolishvirgins。Theancientscornofthevestalsfortheambubajaeisoneofthemostprofoundinstinctsoffemininedignity；thesistersfeltitwiththedoubleforcecontributedbyreligion。ButinafewdaysFantinedisarmedthem。

Shesaidallkindsofhumbleandgentlethings，andthemotherinherprovokedtenderness。Onedaythesistersheardhersayamidherfever:"Ihavebeenasinner；butwhenIhavemychildbesideme，itwillbeasignthatGodhaspardonedme。

WhileIwasleadingabadlife，IshouldnothavelikedtohavemyCosettewithme；Icouldnothavebornehersad，astonishedeyes。

ItwasforhersakethatIdidevil，andthatiswhyGodpardonsme。

IshallfeelthebenedictionofthegoodGodwhenCosetteishere。

Ishallgazeather；itwilldomegoodtoseethatinnocentcreature。

Sheknowsnothingatall。Sheisanangel，yousee，mysisters。

Atthatagethewingshavenotfallenoff。"

M。Madeleinewenttoseehertwiceaday，andeachtimesheaskedhim:——

"ShallIseemyCosettesoon？"

Heanswered:——

"To—morrow，perhaps。Shemayarriveatanymoment。Iamexpectingher。"

Andthemother’spalefacegrewradiant。

"Oh！"shesaid，"howhappyIamgoingtobe！"

Wehavejustsaidthatshedidnotrecoverherhealth。Onthecontrary，herconditionseemedtobecomemoregravefromweektoweek。

Thathandfulofsnowappliedtoherbareskinbetweenhershoulder—bladeshadbroughtaboutasuddensuppressionofperspiration，asaconsequenceofwhichthemaladywhichhadbeensmoulderingwithinherformanyyearswasviolentlydevelopedatlast。

AtthattimepeoplewerebeginningtofollowthefineLaennec’sfinesuggestionsinthestudyandtreatmentofchestmaladies。

ThedoctorsoundedFantine’schestandshookhishead。

M。Madeleinesaidtothedoctor:——

"Well？"

"Hasshenotachildwhichshedesirestosee？"saidthedoctor。

"Yes。"

"Well！Makehasteandgetithere！"

M。Madeleineshuddered。

Fantineinquired:——

"Whatdidthedoctorsay？"

M。Madeleineforcedhimselftosmile。

"Hesaidthatyourchildwastobebroughtspeedily。Thatthatwouldrestoreyourhealth。"

"Oh！"sherejoined，"heisright！ButwhatdothoseThenardiersmeanbykeepingmyCosettefromme！Oh！sheiscoming。AtlastI

beholdhappinessclosebesideme！"

InthemeantimeThenardierdidnot"letgoofthechild，"andgaveahundredinsufficientreasonsforit。Cosettewasnotquitewellenoughtotakeajourneyinthewinter。Andthen，therestillremainedsomepettybutpressingdebtsintheneighborhood，andtheywerecollectingthebillsforthem，etc。，etc。

"IshallsendsomeonetofetchCosette！"saidFatherMadeleine。

"Ifnecessary，Iwillgomyself。"

HewrotethefollowinglettertoFantine’sdictation，andmadehersignit:——

"MONSIEURTHENARDIER:——

YouwilldeliverCosettetothisperson。

Youwillbepaidforallthelittlethings。

Ihavethehonortosaluteyouwithrespect。

"FANTINE。"

Inthemeantimeaseriousincidentoccurred。Carveaswewillthemysteriousblockofwhichourlifeismade，theblackveinofdestinyconstantlyreappearsinit。

CHAPTERII

HOWJEANMAYBECOMECHAMP

OnemorningM。Madeleinewasinhisstudy，occupiedinarranginginadvancesomepressingmattersconnectedwiththemayor’soffice，incaseheshoulddecidetotakethetriptoMontfermeil，whenhewasinformedthatPoliceInspectorJavertwasdesirousofspeakingwithhim。Madeleinecouldnotrefrainfromadisagreeableimpressiononhearingthisname。Javerthadavoidedhimmorethaneversincetheaffairofthepolice—station，andM。Madeleinehadnotseenhim。

"Admithim，"hesaid。

Javertentered。

M。Madeleinehadretainedhisseatnearthefire，peninhand，hiseyesfixedonthedocketwhichhewasturningoverandannotating，andwhichcontainedthetrialsofthecommissiononhighwaysfortheinfractionofpoliceregulations。HedidnotdisturbhimselfonJavert’saccount。HecouldnothelpthinkingofpoorFantine，anditsuitedhimtobeglacialinhismanner。

Javertbestowedarespectfulsaluteonthemayor，whosebackwasturnedtohim。Themayordidnotlookathim，butwentonannotatingthisdocket。

Javertadvancedtwoorthreepacesintothestudy，andhalted，withoutbreakingthesilence。

IfanyphysiognomistwhohadbeenfamiliarwithJavert，andwhohadmadealengthystudyofthissavageintheserviceofcivilization，thissingularcompositeoftheRoman，theSpartan，themonk，andthecorporal，thisspywhowasincapableofalie，thisunspottedpoliceagent——ifanyphysiognomisthadknownhissecretandlong—cherishedaversionforM。Madeleine，hisconflictwiththemayoronthesubjectofFantine，andhadexaminedJavertatthatmoment，hewouldhavesaidtohimself，"Whathastakenplace？"

Itwasevidenttoanyoneacquaintedwiththatclear，upright，sincere，honest，austere，andferociousconscience，thatJaverthadbutjustgonethroughsomegreatinteriorstruggle。Javerthadnothinginhissoulwhichhehadnotalsoinhiscountenance。Likeviolentpeopleingeneral，hewassubjecttoabruptchangesofopinion。

Hisphysiognomyhadneverbeenmorepeculiarandstartling。

OnenteringhebowedtoM。Madeleinewithalookinwhichtherewasneitherrancor，anger，nordistrust；hehaltedafewpacesintherearofthemayor’sarm—chair，andtherehestood，perfectlyerect，inanattitudealmostofdiscipline，withthecold，ingenuousroughnessofamanwhohasneverbeengentleandwhohasalwaysbeenpatient；

hewaitedwithoututteringaword，withoutmakingamovement，ingenuinehumilityandtranquilresignation，calm，serious，hatinhand，witheyescastdown，andanexpressionwhichwashalf—waybetweenthatofasoldierinthepresenceofhisofficerandacriminalinthepresenceofhisjudge，untilitshouldpleasethemayortoturnround。Allthesentimentsaswellasallthememorieswhichonemighthaveattributedtohimhaddisappeared。Thatface，asimpenetrableandsimpleasgranite，nolongerboreanytraceofanythingbutamelancholydepression。Hiswholepersonbreathedlowlinessandfirmnessandanindescribablecourageousdespondency。

Atlastthemayorlaiddownhispenandturnedhalfround。

"Well！Whatisit？Whatisthematter，Javert？"

Javertremainedsilentforaninstantasthoughcollectinghisideas，thenraisedhisvoicewithasortofsadsolemnity，whichdidnot，however，precludesimplicity。

"Thisisthematter，Mr。Mayor；aculpableacthasbeencommitted。"

"Whatact？"

"Aninferioragentoftheauthoritieshasfailedinrespect，andinthegravestmanner，towardsamagistrate。Ihavecometobringthefacttoyourknowledge，asitismydutytodo。"

"Whoistheagent？"askedM。Madeleine。

"I，"saidJavert。

"You？"

"I。"

"Andwhoisthemagistratewhohasreasontocomplainoftheagent？"

"You，Mr。Mayor。"

M。Madeleinesaterectinhisarm—chair。Javertwenton，withasevereairandhiseyesstillcastdown。

"Mr。Mayor，Ihavecometorequestyoutoinstigatetheauthoritiestodismissme。"

M。Madeleineopenedhismouthinamazement。Javertinterruptedhim:——

"YouwillsaythatImighthavehandedinmyresignation，butthatdoesnotsuffice。Handinginone’sresignationishonorable。

Ihavefailedinmyduty；Ioughttobepunished；Imustbeturnedout。"

Andafterapauseheadded:——

"Mr。Mayor，youwereseverewithmetheotherday，andunjustly。

Besoto—day，withjustice。"

"Come，now！Why？"exclaimedM。Madeleine。"Whatnonsenseisthis？

Whatisthemeaningofthis？Whatculpableacthaveyoubeenguiltyoftowardsme？Whathaveyoudonetome？Whatareyourwrongswithregardtome？Youaccuseyourself；youwishtobesuperseded——"

"Turnedout，"saidJavert。

"Turnedout；soitbe，then。Thatiswell。Idonotunderstand。"

"Youshallunderstand，Mr。Mayor。"

Javertsighedfromtheverybottomofhischest，andresumed，stillcoldlyandsadly:——

"Mr。Mayor，sixweeksago，inconsequenceofthesceneoverthatwoman，Iwasfurious，andIinformedagainstyou。"

"Informedagainstme！"

"AtthePrefectureofPoliceinParis。"

M。Madeleine，whowasnotinthehabitoflaughingmuchoftenerthanJaverthimself，burstoutlaughingnow:——

"Asamayorwhohadencroachedontheprovinceofthepolice？"

"Asanex—convict。"

Themayorturnedlivid。

Javert，whohadnotraisedhiseyes，wenton:——

"Ithoughtitwasso。Ihadhadanideaforalongtime；

aresemblance；inquirieswhichyouhadcausedtobemadeatFaverolles；

thestrengthofyourloins；theadventurewitholdFauchelevant；

yourskillinmarksmanship；yourleg，whichyoudragalittle；——

Ihardlyknowwhatall，——absurdities！But，atallevents，ItookyouforacertainJeanValjean。"

"Acertain——Whatdidyousaythenamewas？"

"JeanValjean。HewasaconvictwhomIwasinthehabitofseeingtwentyyearsago，whenIwasadjutant—guardofconvictsatToulon。

Onleavingthegalleys，thisJeanValjean，asitappears，robbedabishop；

thenhecommittedanothertheft，accompaniedwithviolence，onapublichighwayonthepersonofalittleSavoyard。Hedisappearedeightyearsago，nooneknowshow，andhehasbeensought，Ifancied。

Inshort，Ididthisthing！Wrathimpelledme；IdenouncedyouatthePrefecture！"

M。Madeleine，whohadtakenupthedocketagainseveralmomentsbeforethis，resumedwithanairofperfectindifference:——

"Andwhatreplydidyoureceive？"

"ThatIwasmad。"

"Well？"

"Well，theywereright。"

"Itisluckythatyourecognizethefact。"

"Iamforcedtodoso，sincetherealJeanValjeanhasbeenfound。"

ThesheetofpaperwhichM。Madeleinewasholdingdroppedfromhishand；heraisedhishead，gazedfixedlyatJavert，andsaidwithhisindescribableaccent:——

"Ah！"

Javertcontinued:——

"Thisisthewayitis，Mr。Mayor。ItseemsthattherewasintheneighborhoodnearAilly—le—Haut—ClocheranoldfellowwhowascalledFatherChampmathieu。Hewasaverywretchedcreature。

Noonepaidanyattentiontohim。Nooneknowswhatsuchpeoplesubsiston。Lately，lastautumn，FatherChampmathieuwasarrestedforthetheftofsomeciderapplesfrom——Well，nomatter，athefthadbeencommitted，awallscaled，branchesoftreesbroken。

MyChampmathieuwasarrested。Hestillhadthebranchofapple—treeinhishand。Thescampislockedup。Uptothispointitwasmerelyanaffairofamisdemeanor。ButhereiswhereProvidenceintervened。

"Thejailbeinginabadcondition，theexaminingmagistratefindsitconvenienttotransferChampmathieutoArras，wherethedepartmentalprisonissituated。InthisprisonatArrasthereisanex—convictnamedBrevet，whoisdetainedforIknownotwhat，andwhohasbeenappointedturnkeyofthehouse，becauseofgoodbehavior。

Mr。Mayor，nosoonerhadChampmathieuarrivedthanBrevetexclaims:

`Eh！Why，Iknowthatman！Heisafagot！[4]Takeagoodlookatme，mygoodman！YouareJeanValjean！’`JeanValjean！who’sJeanValjean？’

Champmathieufeignsastonishment。`Don’tplaytheinnocentdodge，’

saysBrevet。`YouareJeanValjean！YouhavebeeninthegalleysofToulon；itwastwentyyearsago；weweretheretogether。’

Champmathieudeniesit。Parbleu！Youunderstand。Thecaseisinvestigated。Thethingwaswellventilatedforme。Thisiswhattheydiscovered:ThisChampmathieuhadbeen，thirtyyearsago，apruneroftreesinvariouslocalities，notablyatFaverolles。

Therealltraceofhimwaslost。AlongtimeafterwardshewasseenagaininAuvergne；theninParis，whereheissaidtohavebeenawheelwright，andtohavehadadaughter，whowasalaundress；

butthathasnotbeenproved。Now，beforegoingtothegalleysfortheft，whatwasJeanValjean？Apruneroftrees。Where？AtFaverolles。

Anotherfact。ThisValjean’sChristiannamewasJean，andhismother’ssurnamewasMathieu。Whatmorenaturaltosupposethanthat，onemergingfromthegalleys，heshouldhavetakenhismother’snameforthepurposeofconcealinghimself，andhavecalledhimselfJeanMathieu？HegoestoAuvergne。ThelocalpronunciationturnsJeanintoChan——heiscalledChanMathieu。Ourmanoffersnoopposition，andbeholdhimtransformedintoChampmathieu。Youfollowme，doyounot？InquiriesweremadeatFaverolles。ThefamilyofJeanValjeanisnolongerthere。Itisnotknownwheretheyhavegone。

Youknowthatamongthoseclassesafamilyoftendisappears。

Searchwasmade，andnothingwasfound。Whensuchpeoplearenotmud，theyaredust。Andthen，asthebeginningofthestorydatesthirtyyearsback，thereisnolongeranyoneatFaverolleswhoknewJeanValjean。InquiriesweremadeatToulon。BesidesBrevet，thereareonlytwoconvictsinexistencewhohaveseenJeanValjean；

theyareCochepailleandChenildieu，andaresentencedforlife。

TheyaretakenfromthegalleysandconfrontedwiththepretendedChampmathieu。Theydonothesitate；heisJeanValjeanforthemaswellasforBrevet。Thesameage，——heisfifty—four，——

thesameheight，thesameair，thesameman；inshort，itishe。

ItwaspreciselyatthismomentthatIforwardedmydenunciationtothePrefectureinParis。IwastoldthatIhadlostmyreason，andthatJeanValjeanisatArras，inthepoweroftheauthorities。