第9章

Youcanimaginewhetherthissurprisedme，whenIthoughtthatI

hadthatsameJeanValjeanhere。Iwritetotheexaminingjudge；

hesendsforme；Champmathieuisconductedtome——"

[4]Anex—convict。

"Well？"interposedM。Madeleine。

Javertreplied，hisfaceincorruptible，andasmelancholyasever:——

"Mr。Mayor，thetruthisthetruth。Iamsorry；butthatmanisJeanValjean。Irecognizedhimalso。"

M。Madeleineresumedin，averylowvoice:——

"Youaresure？"

Javertbegantolaugh，withthatmournfullaughwhichcomesfromprofoundconviction。

"O！Sure！"

Hestoodtherethoughtfullyforamoment，mechanicallytakingpinchesofpowderedwoodforblottinginkfromthewoodenbowlwhichstoodonthetable，andheadded:——

"AndevennowthatIhaveseentherealJeanValjean，IdonotseehowIcouldhavethoughtotherwise。Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Mayor。"

Javert，asheaddressedthesegraveandsupplicatingwordstotheman，whosixweeksbeforehadhumiliatedhiminthepresenceofthewholestation—house，andbadehim"leavetheroom，"——Javert，thathaughtyman，wasunconsciouslyfullofsimplicityanddignity，——M。Madeleinemadenootherreplytohisprayerthantheabruptquestion:——

"Andwhatdoesthismansay？"

"Ah！Indeed，Mr。Mayor，it’sabadbusiness。IfheisJeanValjean，hehashispreviousconvictionagainsthim。Toclimbawall，tobreakabranch，topurloinapples，isamischievoustrickinachild；

foramanitisamisdemeanor；foraconvictitisacrime。

Robbingandhousebreaking——itisallthere。Itisnolongeraquestionofcorrectionalpolice；itisamatterfortheCourtofAssizes。

Itisnolongeramatterofafewdaysinprison；itisthegalleysforlife。Andthen，thereistheaffairwiththelittleSavoyard，whowillreturn，Ihope。Thedeuce！thereisplentytodisputeinthematter，istherenot？Yes，foranyonebutJeanValjean。

ButJeanValjeanisaslydog。ThatisthewayIrecognizedhim。

Anyothermanwouldhavefeltthatthingsweregettinghotforhim；

hewouldstruggle，hewouldcryout——thekettlesingsbeforethefire；

hewouldnotbeJeanValjean，etcetera。Buthehasnottheappearanceofunderstanding；hesays，`IamChampmathieu，andIwon’tdepartfromthat！’Hehasanastonishedair，hepretendstobestupid；

itisfarbetter。Oh！therogueisclever！Butitmakesnodifference。

Theproofsarethere。Hehasbeenrecognizedbyfourpersons；

theoldscampwillbecondemned。ThecasehasbeentakentotheAssizesatArras。Ishallgotheretogivemytestimony。Ihavebeensummoned。"

M。Madeleinehadturnedtohisdeskagain，andtakenuphisdocket，andwasturningovertheleavestranquilly，readingandwritingbyturns，likeabusyman。HeturnedtoJavert:——

"Thatwilldo，Javert。Intruth，allthesedetailsinterestmebutlittle。Wearewastingourtime，andwehavepressingbusinessonhand。Javert，youwillbetakeyourselfatoncetothehouseofthewomanBuseaupied，whosellsherbsatthecorneroftheRueSaint—Saulve。YouwilltellherthatshemustenterhercomplaintagainstcarterPierreChesnelong。Themanisabrute，whocamenearcrushingthiswomanandherchild。Hemustbepunished。YouwillthengotoM。Charcellay，RueMontre—de—Champigny。Hecomplainedthatthereisagutterontheadjoininghousewhichdischargesrain—wateronhispremises，andisunderminingthefoundationsofhishouse。

Afterthat，youwillverifytheinfractionsofpoliceregulationswhichhavebeenreportedtomeintheRueGuibourg，atWidowDoris’s，andRueduGarraud—Blanc，atMadameReneeleBosse’s，andyouwillpreparedocuments。ButIamgivingyouagreatdealofwork。

Areyounottobeabsent？DidyounottellmethatyouweregoingtoArrasonthatmatterinaweekortendays？"

"Soonerthanthat，Mr。Mayor。"

"Onwhatday，then？"

"Why，IthoughtthatIhadsaidtoMonsieurleMairethatthecasewastobetriedto—morrow，andthatIamtosetoutbydiligenceto—night。"

M。Madeleinemadeanimperceptiblemovement。

"Andhowlongwillthecaselast？"

"Oneday，atthemost。Thejudgmentwillbepronouncedto—morroweveningatlatest。ButIshallnotwaitforthesentence，whichiscertain；

Ishallreturnhereassoonasmydepositionhasbeentaken。"

"Thatiswell，"saidM。Madeleine。

AndhedismissedJavertwithawaveofthehand。

Javertdidnotwithdraw。

"Excuseme，Mr。Mayor，"saidhe。

"Whatisitnow？"demandedM。Madeleine。

"Mr。Mayor，thereisstillsomethingofwhichImustremindyou。"

"Whatisit？"

"ThatImustbedismissed。"

M。Madeleinerose。

"Javert，youareamanofhonor，andIesteemyou。Youexaggerateyourfault。Moreover，thisisanoffencewhichconcernsme。

Javert，youdeservepromotioninsteadofdegradation。Iwishyoutoretainyourpost。"

JavertgazedatM。Madeleinewithhiscandideyes，inwhosedepthshisnotveryenlightenedbutpureandrigidconscienceseemedvisible，andsaidinatranquilvoice:——

"Mr。Mayor，Icannotgrantyouthat。"

"Irepeat，"repliedM。Madeleine，"thatthematterconcernsme。"

ButJavert，heedinghisownthoughtonly，continued:——

"Sofarasexaggerationisconcerned，Iamnotexaggerating。ThisisthewayIreason:Ihavesuspectedyouunjustly。Thatisnothing。

Itisourrighttocherishsuspicion，althoughsuspiciondirectedaboveourselvesisanabuse。Butwithoutproofs，inafitofrage，withtheobjectofwreakingmyvengeance，Ihavedenouncedyouasaconvict，you，arespectableman，amayor，amagistrate！

Thatisserious，veryserious。Ihaveinsultedauthorityinyourperson，I，anagentoftheauthorities！IfoneofmysubordinateshaddonewhatIhavedone，Ishouldhavedeclaredhimunworthyoftheservice，andhaveexpelledhim。Well？Stop，Mr。Mayor；onewordmore。

Ihaveoftenbeensevereinthecourseofmylifetowardsothers。

Thatisjust。Ihavedonewell。Now，ifIwerenotseveretowardsmyself，allthejusticethatIhavedonewouldbecomeinjustice。

OughtItosparemyselfmorethanothers？No！What！Ishouldbegoodfornothingbuttochastiseothers，andnotmyself！Why，Ishouldbeablackguard！Thosewhosay，`ThatblackguardofaJavert！’

wouldbeintheright。Mr。Mayor，Idonotdesirethatyoushouldtreatmekindly；yourkindnessrousedsufficientbadbloodinmewhenitwasdirectedtoothers。Iwantnoneofitformyself。

Thekindnesswhichconsistsinupholdingawomanofthetownagainstacitizen，thepoliceagentagainstthemayor，themanwhoisdownagainstthemanwhoisupintheworld，iswhatIcallfalsekindness。

Thatisthesortofkindnesswhichdisorganizessociety。GoodGod！

itisveryeasytobekind；thedifficultyliesinbeingjust。

Come！ifyouhadbeenwhatIthoughtyou，Ishouldnothavebeenkindtoyou，notI！Youwouldhaveseen！Mr。Mayor，ImusttreatmyselfasIwouldtreatanyotherman。WhenIhavesubduedmalefactors，whenIhaveproceededwithvigoragainstrascals，Ihaveoftensaidtomyself，`Ifyouflinch，ifIevercatchyouinfault，youmayrestatyourease！’Ihaveflinched，Ihavecaughtmyselfinafault。

Somuchtheworse！Come，discharged，cashiered，expelled！Thatiswell。

Ihavearms。Iwilltillthesoil；itmakesnodifferencetome。

Mr。Mayor，thegoodoftheservicedemandsanexample。IsimplyrequirethedischargeofInspectorJavert。"

Allthiswasutteredinaproud，humble，despairing，yetconvincedtone，whichlentindescribablegrandeurtothissingular，honestman。

"Weshallsee，"saidM。Madeleine。

Andheofferedhimhishand。

Javertrecoiled，andsaidinawildvoice:——

"Excuseme，Mr。Mayor，butthismustnotbe。Amayordoesnotofferhishandtoapolicespy。"

Headdedbetweenhisteeth:——

"Apolicespy，yes；fromthemomentwhenIhavemisusedthepolice。

Iamnomorethanapolicespy。"

Thenhebowedprofoundly，anddirectedhisstepstowardsthedoor。

Therehewheeledround，andwitheyesstilldowncast:——

"Mr。Mayor，"hesaid，"IshallcontinuetoserveuntilIamsuperseded。"

Hewithdrew。M。Madeleineremainedthoughtfullylisteningtothefirm，surestep，whichdiedawayonthepavementofthecorridor。

BOOKSEVENTH。——THECHAMPMATHIEUAFFAIR

CHAPTERI

SISTERSIMPLICE

TheincidentsthereaderisabouttoperusewerenotallknownatM。surM。Butthesmallportionofthemwhichbecameknownleftsuchamemoryinthattownthataseriousgapwouldexistinthisbookifwedidnotnarratethemintheirmostminutedetails。

Amongthesedetailsthereaderwillencountertwoorthreeimprobablecircumstances，whichwepreserveoutofrespectforthetruth。

OntheafternoonfollowingthevisitofJavert，M。MadeleinewenttoseeFantineaccordingtohiswont。

BeforeenteringFantine’sroom，hehadSisterSimplicesummoned。

Thetwonunswhoperformedtheservicesofnurseintheinfirmary，Lazaristeladies，likeallsistersofcharity，borethenamesofSisterPerpetueandSisterSimplice。

SisterPerpetuewasanordinaryvillager，asisterofcharityinacoarsestyle，whohadenteredtheserviceofGodasoneentersanyotherservice。Shewasanunasotherwomenarecooks。

Thistypeisnotsoveryrare。Themonasticordersgladlyacceptthisheavypeasantearthenware，whichiseasilyfashionedintoaCapuchinoranUrsuline。Theserusticsareutilizedfortheroughworkofdevotion。ThetransitionfromadrovertoaCarmeliteisnotintheleastviolent；theoneturnsintotheotherwithoutmucheffort；

thefundofignorancecommontothevillageandthecloisterisapreparationreadyathand，andplacesthebooratonceonthesamefootingasthemonk:alittlemoreamplitudeinthesmock，anditbecomesafrock。SisterPerpetuewasarobustnunfromMarinesnearPontoise，whochatteredherpatois，droned，grumbled，sugaredthepotionaccordingtothebigotryorthehypocrisyoftheinvalid，treatedherpatientsabruptly，roughly，wascrabbedwiththedying，almostflungGodintheirfaces，stonedtheirdeathagonywithprayersmumbledinarage；wasbold，honest，andruddy。

SisterSimplicewaswhite，withawaxenpallor。BesideSisterPerpetue，shewasthetaperbesidethecandle。VincentdePaulhasdivinelytracedthefeaturesoftheSisterofCharityintheseadmirablewords，inwhichheminglesasmuchfreedomasservitude:"Theyshallhavefortheirconventonlythehouseofthesick；forcellonlyahiredroom；

forchapelonlytheirparishchurch；forcloisteronlythestreetsofthetownandthewardsofthehospitals；forenclosureonlyobedience；

forgratingsonlythefearofGod；forveilonlymodesty。"ThisidealwasrealizedinthelivingpersonofSisterSimplice:shehadneverbeenyoung，anditseemedasthoughshewouldnevergrowold。

NoonecouldhavetoldSisterSimplice’sage。Shewasaperson——

wedarenotsayawoman——whowasgentle，austere，well—bred，cold，andwhohadneverlied。Shewassogentlethatsheappearedfragile；

butshewasmoresolidthangranite。Shetouchedtheunhappywithfingersthatwerecharminglypureandfine。Therewas，sotospeak，silenceinherspeech；shesaidjustwhatwasnecessary，andshepossessedatoneofvoicewhichwouldhaveequallyedifiedaconfessionalorenchantedadrawing—room。Thisdelicacyaccommodateditselftothesergegown，findinginthisharshcontactacontinualreminderofheavenandofGod。Letusemphasizeonedetail。

Nevertohavelied，nevertohavesaid，foranyinterestwhatever，eveninindifference，anysinglethingwhichwasnotthetruth，thesacredtruth，wasSisterSimplice’sdistinctivetrait；

itwastheaccentofhervirtue。Shewasalmostrenownedinthecongregationforthisimperturbableveracity。TheAbbeSicardspeaksofSisterSimpliceinalettertothedeaf—muteMassieu。

Howeverpureandsincerewemaybe，weallbearuponourcandorthecrackofthelittle，innocentlie。Shedidnot。Littlelie，innocentlie——doessuchathingexist？Tolieistheabsoluteformofevil。Toliealittleisnotpossible:hewholies，liesthewholelie。Tolieistheveryfaceofthedemon。Satanhastwonames；heiscalledSatanandLying。Thatiswhatshethought；

andasshethought，soshedid。Theresultwasthewhitenesswhichwehavementioned——awhitenesswhichcoveredevenherlipsandhereyeswithradiance。Hersmilewaswhite，herglancewaswhite。

Therewasnotasinglespider’sweb，notagrainofdust，ontheglasswindowofthatconscience。OnenteringtheorderofSaintVincentdePaul，shehadtakenthenameofSimplicebyspecialchoice。

SimpliceofSicily，asweknow，isthesaintwhopreferredtoallowbothherbreaststobetornoffratherthantosaythatshehadbeenbornatSegestawhenshehadbeenbornatSyracuse——

aliewhichwouldhavesavedher。Thispatronsaintsuitedthissoul。

SisterSimplice，onherentranceintotheorder，hadhadtwofaultswhichshehadgraduallycorrected:shehadatastefordainties，andshelikedtoreceiveletters。SheneverreadanythingbutabookofprayersprintedinLatin，incoarsetype。

ShedidnotunderstandLatin，butsheunderstoodthebook。

ThispiouswomanhadconceivedanaffectionforFantine，probablyfeelingalatentvirtuethere，andshehaddevotedherselfalmostexclusivelytohercare。

M。MadeleinetookSisterSimpliceapartandrecommendedFantinetoherinasingulartone，whichthesisterrecalledlateron。

Onleavingthesister，heapproachedFantine。

FantineawaitedM。Madeleine’sappearanceeverydayasoneawaitsarayofwarmthandjoy。Shesaidtothesisters，"IonlylivewhenMonsieurleMaireishere。"

Shehadagreatdealoffeverthatday。AssoonasshesawM。Madeleinesheaskedhim:——

"AndCosette？"

Herepliedwithasmile:——

"Soon。"

M。MadeleinewasthesameasusualwithFantine。Onlyheremainedanhourinsteadofhalfanhour，toFantine’sgreatdelight。

Heurgedeveryonerepeatedlynottoallowtheinvalidtowantforanything。Itwasnoticedthattherewasamomentwhenhiscountenancebecameverysombre。Butthiswasexplainedwhenitbecameknownthatthedoctorhadbentdowntohisearandsaidtohim，"Sheislosinggroundfast。"

Thenhereturnedtothetown—hall，andtheclerkobservedhimattentivelyexaminingaroadmapofFrancewhichhunginhisstudy。

Hewroteafewfiguresonabitofpaperwithapencil。

CHAPTERII

THEPERSPICACITYOFMASTERSCAUFFLAIRE

Fromthetown—hallhebetookhimselftotheextremityofthetown，toaFlemingnamedMasterScaufflaer，FrenchScaufflaire，wholetout"horsesandcabrioletsasdesired。"

InordertoreachthisScaufflaire，theshortestwaywastotakethelittle—frequentedstreetinwhichwassituatedtheparsonageoftheparishinwhichM。Madeleineresided。Thecurewas，itwassaid，aworthy，respectable，andsensibleman。AtthemomentwhenM。Madeleinearrivedinfrontoftheparsonagetherewasbutonepasser—byinthestreet，andthispersonnoticedthis:Afterthemayorhadpassedthepriest’shousehehalted，stoodmotionless，thenturnedabout，andretracedhisstepstothedooroftheparsonage，whichhadanironknocker。Helaidhishandquicklyontheknockerandliftedit；thenhepausedagainandstoppedshort，asthoughinthought，andafterthelapseofafewseconds，insteadofallowingtheknockertofallabruptly，heplaceditgently，andresumedhiswaywithasortofhastewhichhadnotbeenapparentpreviously。

M。MadeleinefoundMasterScaufflaireathome，engagedinstitchingaharnessover。

"MasterScaufflaire，"heinquired，"haveyouagoodhorse？"

"Mr。Mayor，"saidtheFleming，"allmyhorsesaregood。Whatdoyoumeanbyagoodhorse？"

"Imeanahorsewhichcantraveltwentyleaguesinaday。"

"Thedeuce！"saidtheFleming。"Twentyleagues！"

"Yes。"

"Hitchedtoacabriolet？"

"Yes。"

"Andhowlongcanherestattheendofhisjourney？"

"Hemustbeabletosetoutagainonthenextdayifnecessary。"

"Totraversethesameroad？"

"Yes。"

"Thedeuce！thedeuce！Anditistwentyleagues？"

M。Madeleinedrewfromhispocketthepaperonwhichhehadpencilledsomefigures。HeshowedittotheFleming。Thefigureswere5，6，81/2。

"Yousee，"hesaid，"total，nineteenandahalf；aswellsaytwentyleagues。"

"Mr。Mayor，"returnedtheFleming，"Ihavejustwhatyouwant。

Mylittlewhitehorse——youmayhaveseenhimpassoccasionally；

heisasmallbeastfromLowerBoulonnais。Heisfulloffire。

Theywantedtomakeasaddle—horseofhimatfirst。Bah！Hereared，hekicked，helaideverybodyflatontheground。Hewasthoughttobevicious，andnooneknewwhattodowithhim。Iboughthim。

Iharnessedhimtoacarriage。Thatiswhathewanted，sir；heisasgentleasagirl；hegoeslikethewind。Ah！indeedhemustnotbemounted。Itdoesnotsuithisideastobeasaddle—horse。Everyonehashisambition。`Draw？Yes。Carry？No。’Wemustsupposethatiswhathesaidtohimself。"

"Andhewillaccomplishthetrip？"

"Yourtwentyleaguesallatafulltrot，andinlessthaneighthours。

Butherearetheconditions。"

"Statethem。"

"Inthefirstplace。youwillgivehimhalfanhour’sbreathingspellmidwayoftheroad；hewilleat；andsomeonemustbebywhileheiseatingtopreventthestableboyoftheinnfromstealinghisoats；forIhavenoticedthatininnstheoatsaremoreoftendrunkbythestablementhaneatenbythehorses。"

"Someonewillbeby。"

"Inthesecondplace——isthecabrioletforMonsieurleMaire？"

"Yes。"

"DoesMonsieurleMaireknowhowtodrive？"

"Yes。"

"Well，MonsieurleMairewilltravelaloneandwithoutbaggage，inordernottooverloadthehorse？"

"Agreed。"

"ButasMonsieurleMairewillhavenoonewithhim，hewillbeobligedtotakethetroublehimselfofseeingthattheoatsarenotstolen。"

"Thatisunderstood。"

"Iamtohavethirtyfrancsaday。Thedaysofresttobepaidforalso——notafarthingless；andthebeast’sfoodtobeatMonsieurleMaire’sexpense。"

M。Madeleinedrewthreenapoleonsfromhispurseandlaidthemonthetable。

"Hereisthepayfortwodaysinadvance。"

"Fourthly，forsuchajourneyacabrioletwouldbetooheavy，andwouldfatiguethehorse。MonsieurleMairemustconsenttotravelinalittletilburythatIown。"

"Iconsenttothat。"

"Itislight，butithasnocover。"

"Thatmakesnodifferencetome。"

"HasMonsieurleMairereflectedthatweareinthemiddleofwinter？"

M。Madeleinedidnotreply。TheFlemingresumed:——

"Thatitisverycold？"

M。Madeleinepreservedsilence。

MasterScaufflairecontinued:——

"Thatitmayrain？"

M。Madeleineraisedhisheadandsaid:——

"Thetilburyandthehorsewillbeinfrontofmydoorto—morrowmorningathalf—pastfouro’clock。"

"Ofcourse，MonsieurleMaire，"repliedScaufflaire；then，scratchingaspeckinthewoodofthetablewithhisthumb—nail，heresumedwiththatcarelessairwhichtheFlemingsunderstandsowellhowtominglewiththeirshrewdness:——

"ButthisiswhatIamthinkingofnow:MonsieurleMairehasnottoldmewhereheisgoing。WhereisMonsieurleMairegoing？"

Hehadbeenthinkingofnothingelsesincethebeginningoftheconversation，buthedidnotknowwhyhehadnotdaredtoputthequestion。

"Areyourhorse’sforelegsgood？"saidM。Madeleine。

"Yes，MonsieurleMaire。Youmustholdhiminalittlewhengoingdownhill。Aretheremanydescendsbetweenhereandtheplacewhitheryouaregoing？"

"Donotforgettobeatmydooratpreciselyhalf—pastfouro’clockto—morrowmorning，"repliedM。Madeleine；andhetookhisdeparture。

TheFlemingremained"utterlystupid，"ashehimselfsaidsometimeafterwards。

Themayorhadbeengonetwoorthreeminuteswhenthedooropenedagain；

itwasthemayoroncemore。

Hestillworethesameimpassiveandpreoccupiedair。

"MonsieurScaufflaire，"saidhe，"atwhatsumdoyouestimatethevalueofthehorseandtilburywhichyouaretolettome，——

theonebearingtheother？"

"Theonedraggingtheother，MonsieurleMaire，"saidtheFleming，withabroadsmile。

"Sobeit。Well？"

"DoesMonsieurleMairewishtopurchasethemorme？"

"No；butIwishtoguaranteeyouinanycase。Youshallgivemebackthesumatmyreturn。Atwhatvaluedoyouestimateyourhorseandcabriolet？"

"Fivehundredfrancs，MonsieurleMaire。"

"Hereitis。"

M。Madeleinelaidabank—billonthetable，thenlefttheroom；

andthistimehedidnotreturn。

MasterScaufflaireexperiencedafrightfulregretthathehadnotsaidathousandfrancs。Besidesthehorseandtilburytogetherwereworthbutahundredcrowns。

TheFlemingcalledhiswife，andrelatedtheaffairtoher。

"WherethedevilcouldMonsieurleMairebegoing？"Theyheldcounseltogether。"HeisgoingtoParis，"saidthewife。"Idon’tbelieveit，"saidthehusband。

M。Madeleinehadforgottenthepaperwiththefiguresonit，anditlayonthechimney—piece。TheFlemingpickeditupandstudiedit。

"Five，six，eightandahalf？Thatmustdesignatethepostingrelays。"

Heturnedtohiswife:——

"Ihavefoundout。"

"What？"

"ItisfiveleaguesfromheretoHesdin，sixfromHesdintoSaint—Pol，eightandahalffromSaint—PoltoArras。HeisgoingtoArras。"

Meanwhile，M。Madeleinehadreturnedhome。HehadtakenthelongestwaytoreturnfromMasterScaufflaire’s，asthoughtheparsonagedoorhadbeenatemptationforhim，andhehadwishedtoavoidit。Heascendedtohisroom，andthereheshuthimselfup，whichwasaverysimpleact，sincehelikedtogotobedearly。Nevertheless，theportressofthefactory，whowas，atthesametime，M。Madeleine’sonlyservant，noticedthatthelatter’slightwasextinguishedathalf—pasteight，andshementionedittothecashierwhenhecamehome，adding:——

"IsMonsieurleMaireill？Ithoughthehadarathersingularair。"

ThiscashieroccupiedaroomsituateddirectlyunderM。Madeleine’schamber。Hepaidnoheedtotheportress’swords，butwenttobedandtosleep。Towardsmidnighthewokeupwithastart；

inhissleephehadheardanoiseabovehishead。Helistened；

itwasafootsteppacingbackandforth，asthoughsomeonewerewalkingintheroomabovehim。Helistenedmoreattentively，andrecognizedM。Madeleine’sstep。Thisstruckhimasstrange；

usually，therewasnonoiseinM。Madeleine’schamberuntilheroseinthemorning。Amomentlaterthecashierheardanoisewhichresembledthatofacupboardbeingopened，andthenshutagain；

thenapieceoffurniturewasdisarranged；thenapauseensued；

thenthestepbeganagain。Thecashiersatupinbed，quiteawakenow，andstaring；andthroughhiswindow—paneshesawthereddishgleamofalightedwindowreflectedontheoppositewall；

fromthedirectionoftherays，itcouldonlycomefromthewindowofM。Madeleine’schamber。Thereflectionwavered，asthoughitcameratherfromafirewhichhadbeenlightedthanfromacandle。

Theshadowofthewindow—framewasnotshown，whichindicatedthatthewindowwaswideopen。Thefactthatthiswindowwasopeninsuchcoldweatherwassurprising。Thecashierfellasleepagain。

Anhourortwolaterhewakedagain。Thesamestepwasstillpassingslowlyandregularlybackandforthoverhead。

Thereflectionwasstillvisibleonthewall，butnowitwaspaleandpeaceful，likethereflectionofalamporofacandle。

Thewindowwasstillopen。

ThisiswhathadtakenplaceinM。Madeleine’sroom。

CHAPTERIII

ATEMPESTINASKULL

Thereaderhas，nodoubt，alreadydivinedthatM。MadeleineisnootherthanJeanValjean。

Wehavealreadygazedintothedepthsofthisconscience；

themomenthasnowcomewhenwemusttakeanotherlookintoit。

Wedosonotwithoutemotionandtrepidation。Thereisnothingmoreterribleinexistencethanthissortofcontemplation。

Theeyeofthespiritcannowherefindmoredazzlingbrillianceandmoreshadowthaninman；itcanfixitselfonnootherthingwhichismoreformidable，morecomplicated，moremysterious，andmoreinfinite。Thereisaspectaclemoregrandthanthesea；

itisheaven:thereisaspectaclemoregrandthanheaven；itistheinmostrecessesofthesoul。

Tomakethepoemofthehumanconscience，wereitonlywithreferencetoasingleman，wereitonlyinconnectionwiththebasestofmen，wouldbetoblendallepicsintoonesuperioranddefinitiveepic。

Conscienceisthechaosofchimeras，oflusts，andoftemptations；

thefurnaceofdreams；thelairofideasofwhichweareashamed；

itisthepandemoniumofsophisms；itisthebattlefieldofthepassions。

Penetrate，atcertainhours，pastthelividfaceofahumanbeingwhoisengagedinreflection，andlookbehind，gazeintothatsoul，gazeintothatobscurity。There，beneaththatexternalsilence，battlesofgiants，likethoserecordedinHomer，areinprogress；

skirmishesofdragonsandhydrasandswarmsofphantoms，asinMilton；

visionarycircles，asinDante。Whatasolemnthingisthisinfinitywhicheverymanbearswithinhim，andwhichhemeasureswithdespairagainstthecapricesofhisbrainandtheactionsofhislife！

Alighierionedaymetwithasinister—lookingdoor，beforewhichhehesitated。Hereisonebeforeus，uponwhosethresholdwehesitate。

Letusenter，nevertheless。

WehavebutlittletoaddtowhatthereaderalreadyknowsofwhathadhappenedtoJeanValjeanaftertheadventurewithLittleGervais。

Fromthatmomentforthhewas，aswehaveseen，atotallydifferentman。

WhattheBishophadwishedtomakeofhim，thathecarriedout。

Itwasmorethanatransformation；itwasatransfiguration。

Hesucceededindisappearing，soldtheBishop’ssilver，reservingonlythecandlesticksasasouvenir，creptfromtowntotown，traversedFrance，cametoM。surM。，conceivedtheideawhichwehavementioned，accomplishedwhatwehaverelated，succeededinrenderinghimselfsafefromseizureandinaccessible，and，thenceforth，establishedatM。surM。，happyinfeelinghisconsciencesaddenedbythepastandthefirsthalfofhisexistencebeliedbythelast，helivedinpeace，reassuredandhopeful，havinghenceforthonlytwothoughts，——toconcealhisnameandtosanctifyhislife；toescapemenandtoreturntoGod。

Thesetwothoughtsweresocloselyintertwinedinhismindthattheyformedbutasingleonethere；bothwereequallyabsorbingandimperativeandruledhisslightestactions。Ingeneral，theyconspiredtoregulatetheconductofhislife；theyturnedhimtowardsthegloom；theyrenderedhimkindlyandsimple；

theycounselledhimtothesamethings。Sometimes，however，theyconflicted。Inthatcase，asthereaderwillremember，themanwhomallthecountryofM。surM。calledM。Madeleinedidnothesitatetosacrificethefirsttothesecond——hissecuritytohisvirtue。Thus，inspiteofallhisreserveandallhisprudence，hehadpreservedtheBishop’scandlesticks，wornmourningforhim，summonedandinterrogatedallthelittleSavoyardswhopassedthatway，collectedinformationregardingthefamiliesatFaverolles，andsavedoldFauchelevent’slife，despitethedisquietinginsinuationsofJavert。Itseemed，aswehavealreadyremarked，asthoughhethought，followingtheexampleofallthosewhohavebeenwise，holy，andjust，thathisfirstdutywasnottowardshimself。

Atthesametime，itmustbeconfessed，nothingjustlikethishadyetpresenteditself。

Neverhadthetwoideaswhichgovernedtheunhappymanwhosesufferingswearenarrating，engagedinsoseriousastruggle。

HeunderstoodthisconfusedlybutprofoundlyattheveryfirstwordspronouncedbyJavert，whenthelatterenteredhisstudy。Atthemomentwhenthatname，whichhehadburiedbeneathsomanylayers，wassostrangelyarticulated，hewasstruckwithstupor，andasthoughintoxicatedwiththesinistereccentricityofhisdestiny；

andthroughthisstuporhefeltthatshudderwhichprecedesgreatshocks。Hebentlikeanoakattheapproachofastorm，likeasoldierattheapproachofanassault。Hefeltshadowsfilledwiththundersandlightningsdescendinguponhishead。

AshelistenedtoJavert，thefirstthoughtwhichoccurredtohimwastogo，torunanddenouncehimself，totakethatChampmathieuoutofprisonandplacehimselfthere；thiswasaspainfulandaspoignantasanincisioninthelivingflesh。Thenitpassedaway，andhesaidtohimself，"Wewillsee！Wewillsee！"Herepressedthisfirst，generousinstinct，andrecoiledbeforeheroism。

Itwouldbebeautiful，nodoubt，aftertheBishop’sholywords，aftersomanyyearsofrepentanceandabnegation，inthemidstofapenitenceadmirablybegun，ifthismanhadnotflinchedforaninstant，eveninthepresenceofsoterribleaconjecture，buthadcontinuedtowalkwiththesamesteptowardsthisyawningprecipice，atthebottomofwhichlayheaven；thatwouldhavebeenbeautiful；

butitwasnotthus。Wemustrenderanaccountofthethingswhichwentoninthissoul，andwecanonlytellwhattherewasthere。

Hewascarriedaway，atfirst，bytheinstinctofself—preservation；

heralliedallhisideasinhaste，stifledhisemotions，tookintoconsiderationJavert’spresence，thatgreatdanger，postponedalldecisionwiththefirmnessofterror，shookoffthoughtastowhathehadtodo，andresumedhiscalmnessasawarriorpicksuphisbuckler。

Heremainedinthisstateduringtherestoftheday，awhirlwindwithin，aprofoundtranquillitywithout。Hetookno"preservativemeasures，"

astheymaybecalled。Everythingwasstillconfused，andjostlingtogetherinhisbrain。Histroublewassogreatthathecouldnotperceivetheformofasingleideadistinctly，andhecouldhavetoldnothingabouthimself，exceptthathehadreceivedagreatblow。

HerepairedtoFantine’sbedofsuffering，asusual，andprolongedhisvisit，throughakindlyinstinct，tellinghimselfthathemustbehavethus，andrecommendherwelltothesisters，incaseheshouldbeobligedtobeabsenthimself。HehadavaguefeelingthathemightbeobligedtogotoArras；andwithouthavingtheleastintheworldmadeuphismindtothistrip，hesaidtohimselfthatbeing，ashewas，beyondtheshadowofanysuspicion，therecouldbenothingoutofthewayinbeingawitnesstowhatwastotakeplace，andheengagedthetilburyfromScaufflaireinordertobepreparedinanyevent。

Hedinedwithagooddealofappetite。

Onreturningtohisroom，hecommunedwithhimself。

Heexaminedthesituation，andfounditunprecedented；

sounprecedentedthatinthemidstofhisreveryherosefromhischair，movedbysomeinexplicableimpulseofanxiety，andboltedhisdoor。Hefearedlestsomethingmoreshouldenter。

Hewasbarricadinghimselfagainstpossibilities。

Amomentlaterheextinguishedhislight；itembarrassedhim。

ltseemedtohimasthoughhemightbeseen。

Bywhom？

Alas！Thatonwhichhedesiredtoclosethedoorhadalreadyentered；

thatwhichhedesiredtoblindwasstaringhimintheface，——

hisconscience。

Hisconscience；thatistosay，God。

Nevertheless，hedeludedhimselfatfirst；hehadafeelingofsecurityandofsolitude；theboltoncedrawn，hethoughthimselfimpregnable；

thecandleextinguished，hefelthimselfinvisible。Thenhetookpossessionofhimself:hesethiselbowsonthetable，leanedhisheadonhishand，andbegantomeditateinthedark。

"WheredoIstand？AmnotIdreaming？WhathaveIheard？IsitreallytruethatIhaveseenthatJavert，andthathespoketomeinthatmanner？WhocanthatChampmathieube？Soheresemblesme！

Isitpossible？WhenIreflectthatyesterdayIwassotranquil，andsofarfromsuspectinganything！WhatwasIdoingyesterdayatthishour？Whatisthereinthisincident？Whatwilltheendbe？

Whatistobedone？"

Thiswasthetormentinwhichhefoundhimself。Hisbrainhadlostitspowerofretainingideas；theypassedlikewaves，andheclutchedhisbrowinbothhandstoarrestthem。

Nothingbutanguishextricateditselffromthistumultwhichoverwhelmedhiswillandhisreason，andfromwhichhesoughttodrawproofandresolution。

Hisheadwasburning。Hewenttothewindowandthrewitwideopen。

Therewerenostarsinthesky。Hereturnedandseatedhimselfatthetable。

Thefirsthourpassedinthismanner。

Gradually，however，vagueoutlinesbegantotakeformandtofixthemselvesinhismeditation，andhewasabletocatchaglimpsewithprecisionofthereality，——notthewholesituation，butsomeofthedetails。Hebeganbyrecognizingthefactthat，criticalandextraordinaryaswasthissituation，hewascompletelymasterofit。

Thisonlycausedanincreaseofhisstupor。

Independentlyofthesevereandreligiousaimwhichhehadassignedtohisactions，allthathehadmadeuptothatdayhadbeennothingbutaholeinwhichtoburyhisname。Thatwhichhehadalwaysfearedmostofallinhishoursofself—communion，duringhissleeplessnights，wastoeverhearthatnamepronounced；

hehadsaidtohimself，thatthatwouldbetheendofallthingsforhim；thatonthedaywhenthatnamemadeitsreappearanceitwouldcausehisnewlifetovanishfromabouthim，and——whoknows？——

perhapsevenhisnewsoulwithinhim，also。Heshudderedattheverythoughtthatthiswaspossible。Assuredly，ifanyonehadsaidtohimatsuchmomentsthatthehourwouldcomewhenthatnamewouldringinhisears，whenthehideouswords，JeanValjean，wouldsuddenlyemergefromthedarknessandriseinfrontofhim，whenthatformidablelight，capableofdissipatingthemysteryinwhichhehadenvelopedhimself，wouldsuddenlyblazeforthabovehishead，andthatthatnamewouldnotmenacehim，thatthatlightwouldbutproduceanobscuritymoredense，thatthisrentveilwouldbutincreasethemystery，thatthisearthquakewouldsolidifyhisedifice，thatthisprodigiousincidentwouldhavenootherresult，sofarashewasconcerned，ifsoitseemedgoodtohim，thanthatofrenderinghisexistenceatonceclearerandmoreimpenetrable，andthat，outofhisconfrontationwiththephantomofJeanValjean，thegoodandworthycitizenMonsieurMadeleinewouldemergemorehonored，morepeaceful，andmorerespectedthanever——ifanyonehadtoldhimthat，hewouldhavetossedhisheadandregardedthewordsasthoseofamadman。Well，allthiswaspreciselywhathadjustcometopass；allthataccumulationofimpossibilitieswasafact，andGodhadpermittedthesewildfanciestobecomerealthings！

Hisreverycontinuedtogrowclearer。Hecamemoreandmoretoanunderstandingofhisposition。

Itseemedtohimthathehadbutjustwakedupfromsomeinexplicabledream，andthathefoundhimselfslippingdownadeclivityinthemiddleofthenight，erect，shivering，holdingbackallinvain，ontheverybrinkoftheabyss。Hedistinctlyperceivedinthedarknessastranger，amanunknowntohim，whomdestinyhadmistakenforhim，andwhomshewasthrustingintothegulfinhisstead；

inorderthatthegulfmightcloseoncemore，itwasnecessarythatsomeone，himselforthatotherman，shouldfallintoit:

hehadonlyletthingstaketheircourse。

Thelightbecamecomplete，andheacknowledgedthistohimself:

Thathisplacewasemptyinthegalleys；thatdowhathewould，itwasstillawaitinghim；thatthetheftfromlittleGervaishadledhimbacktoit；thatthisvacantplacewouldawaithim，anddrawhimonuntilhefilledit；thatthiswasinevitableandfatal；andthenhesaidtohimself，"that，atthismoment，behadasubstitute；

thatitappearedthatacertainChampmathieuhadthatillluck，andthat，asregardshimself，beingpresentinthegalleysinthepersonofthatChampmathieu，presentinsocietyunderthenameofM。Madeleine，hehadnothingmoretofear，providedthathedidnotpreventmenfromsealingovertheheadofthatChampmathieuthisstoneofinfamywhich，likethestoneofthesepulchre，fallsonce，nevertoriseagain。"

Allthiswassostrangeandsoviolent，thattheresuddenlytookplaceinhimthatindescribablemovement，whichnomanfeelsmorethantwoorthreetimesinthecourseofhislife，asortofconvulsionoftheconsciencewhichstirsupallthatthereisdoubtfulintheheart，whichiscomposedofirony，ofjoy，andofdespair，andwhichmaybecalledanoutburstofinwardlaughter。

Hehastilyrelightedhiscandle。

"Well，whatthen？"hesaidtohimself；"whatamIafraidof？

Whatisthereinallthatformetothinkabout？Iamsafe；

allisover。Ihadbutonepartlyopendoorthroughwhichmypastmightinvademylife，andbeholdthatdooriswalledupforever！

ThatJavert，whohasbeenannoyingmesolong；thatterribleinstinctwhichseemedtohavedivinedme，whichhaddivinedme——

goodGod！andwhichfollowedmeeverywhere；thatfrightfulhunting—dog，alwaysmakingapointatme，isthrownoffthescent，engagedelsewhere，absolutelyturnedfromthetrail:henceforthheissatisfied；hewillleavemeinpeace；hehashisJeanValjean。

Whoknows？itisevenprobablethathewillwishtoleavetown！

Andallthishasbeenbroughtaboutwithoutanyaidfromme，andI

countfornothinginit！Ah！butwhereisthemisfortuneinthis？

Uponmyhonor，peoplewouldthink，toseeme，thatsomecatastrophehadhappenedtome！Afterall，ifitdoesbringharmtosomeone，thatisnotmyfaultintheleast:itisProvidencewhichhasdoneitall；itisbecauseitwishesitsotobe，evidently。HaveI

therighttodisarrangewhatithasarranged？WhatdoIasknow？

WhyshouldImeddle？Itdoesnotconcernme；what！Iamnotsatisfied:

butwhatmoredoIwant？ThegoaltowhichIhaveaspiredforsomanyyears，thedreamofmynights，theobjectofmyprayerstoHeaven，——security，——Ihavenowattained；itisGodwhowillsit；

IcandonothingagainstthewillofGod，andwhydoesGodwillit？

InorderthatImaycontinuewhatIhavebegun，thatImaydogood，thatImayonedaybeagrandandencouragingexample，thatitmaybesaidatlast，thatalittlehappinesshasbeenattachedtothepenancewhichIhaveundergone，andtothatvirtuetowhichI

havereturned。Really，IdonotunderstandwhyIwasafraid，alittlewhileago，toenterthehouseofthatgoodcure，andtoaskhisadvice；thisisevidentlywhathewouldhavesaidtome:

Itissettled；letthingstaketheircourse；letthegoodGoddoashelikes！"

Thusdidheaddresshimselfinthedepthsofhisownconscience，bendingoverwhatmaybecalledhisownabyss；herosefromhischair，andbegantopacetheroom:"Come，"saidhe，"letusthinknomoreaboutit；myresolveistaken！"buthefeltnojoy。

Quitethereverse。

Onecannomorepreventthoughtfromrecurringtoanideathanonecantheseafromreturningtotheshore:thesailorcallsitthetide；

theguiltymancallsitremorse；Godupheavesthesoulashedoestheocean。

Aftertheexpirationofafewmoments，dowhathewould，heresumedthegloomydialogueinwhichitwashewhospokeandhewholistened，sayingthatwhichhewouldhavepreferredtoignore，andlistenedtothatwhichhewouldhavepreferrednottohear，yieldingtothatmysteriouspowerwhichsaidtohim:"Think！"asitsaidtoanothercondemnedman，twothousandyearsago，"Marchon！"

Beforeproceedingfurther，andinordertomakeourselvesfullyunderstood，letusinsistupononenecessaryobservation。

Itiscertainthatpeopledotalktothemselves；thereisnolivingbeingwhohasnotdoneit。Itmayevenbesaidthatthewordisneveramoremagnificentmysterythanwhenitgoesfromthoughttoconsciencewithinaman，andwhenitreturnsfromconsciencetothought；itisinthissenseonlythatthewordssooftenemployedinthischapter，hesaid，heexclaimed，mustbeunderstood；

onespeakstoone’sself，talkstoone’sself，exclaimstoone’sselfwithoutbreakingtheexternalsilence；thereisagreattumult；

everythingaboutustalksexceptthemouth。Therealitiesofthesoularenonethelessrealitiesbecausetheyarenotvisibleandpalpable。

Soheaskedhimselfwherehestood。Heinterrogatedhimselfuponthat"settledresolve。"Heconfessedtohimselfthatallthathehadjustarrangedinhismindwasmonstrous，that"toletthingstaketheircourse，toletthegoodGoddoasheliked，"wassimplyhorrible；toallowthiserroroffateandofmentobecarriedout，nottohinderit，tolendhimselftoitthroughhissilence，todonothing，inshort，wastodoeverything！thatthiswashypocriticalbasenessinthelastdegree！thatitwasabase，cowardly，sneaking，abject，hideouscrime！

Forthefirsttimeineightyears，thewretchedmanhadjusttastedthebittersavorofanevilthoughtandofanevilaction。

Hespititoutwithdisgust。

Hecontinuedtoquestionhimself。Heaskedhimselfseverelywhathehadmeantbythis，"Myobjectisattained！"Hedeclaredtohimselfthathislifereallyhadanobject；butwhatobject？

Toconcealhisname？Todeceivethepolice？Wasitforsopettyathingthathehaddoneallthathehaddone？Hadhenotanotherandagrandobject，whichwasthetrueone——tosave，nothisperson，buthissoul；tobecomehonestandgoodoncemore；tobeajustman？

Wasitnotthataboveall，thatalone，whichhehadalwaysdesired，whichtheBishophadenjoineduponhim——toshutthedooronhispast？

Buthewasnotshuttingit！greatGod！hewasre—openingitbycommittinganinfamousaction！Hewasbecomingathiefoncemore，andthemostodiousofthieves！Hewasrobbinganotherofhisexistence，hislife，hispeace，hisplaceinthesunshine。

Hewasbecominganassassin。Hewasmurdering，morallymurdering，awretchedman。Hewasinflictingonhimthatfrightfullivingdeath，thatdeathbeneaththeopensky，whichiscalledthegalleys。

Ontheotherhand，tosurrenderhimselftosavethatman，struckdownwithsomelancholyanerror，toresumehisownname，tobecomeoncemore，outofduty，theconvictJeanValjean，thatwas，intruth，toachievehisresurrection，andtocloseforeverthathellwhencehehadjustemerged；tofallbackthereinappearancewastoescapefromitinreality。Thismustbedone！Hehaddonenothingifhedidnotdoallthis；hiswholelifewasuseless；

allhispenitencewaswasted。Therewasnolongeranyneedofsaying，"Whatistheuse？"HefeltthattheBishopwasthere，thattheBishopwaspresentallthemorebecausehewasdead，thattheBishopwasgazingfixedlyathim，thathenceforthMayorMadeleine，withallhisvirtues，wouldbeabominabletohim，andthattheconvictJeanValjeanwouldbepureandadmirableinhissight；

thatmenbeheldhismask，butthattheBishopsawhisface；

thatmensawhislife，butthattheBishopbeheldhisconscience。

SohemustgotoArras，deliverthefalseJeanValjean，anddenouncetherealone。Alas！thatwasthegreatestofsacrifices，themostpoignantofvictories，thelaststeptotake；butitmustbedone。

Sadfate！hewouldenterintosanctityonlyintheeyesofGodwhenhereturnedtoinfamyintheeyesofmen。

"Well，saidhe，"letusdecideuponthis；letusdoourduty；letussavethisman。"Heutteredthesewordsaloud，withoutperceivingthathewasspeakingaloud。

Hetookhisbooks，verifiedthem，andputtheminorder。

Heflunginthefireabundleofbillswhichhehadagainstpettyandembarrassedtradesmen。Hewroteandsealedaletter，andontheenvelopeitmighthavebeenread，hadtherebeenanyoneinhischamberatthemoment，ToMonsieurLaffitte，Banker，Rued’Artois，Paris。Hedrewfromhissecretaryapocket—bookwhichcontainedseveralbank—notesandthepassportofwhichhehadmadeusethatsameyearwhenhewenttotheelections。

Anyonewhohadseenhimduringtheexecutionofthesevariousacts，intowhichthereenteredsuchgravethought，wouldhavehadnosuspicionofwhatwasgoingonwithinhim。Onlyoccasionallydidhislipsmove；atothertimesheraisedhisheadandfixedhisgazeuponsomepointofthewall，asthoughthereexistedatthatpointsomethingwhichhewishedtoelucidateorinterrogate。

WhenhehadfinishedthelettertoM。Laffitte，heputitintohispocket，togetherwiththepocket—book，andbeganhiswalkoncemore。

Hisreveryhadnotswervedfromitscourse。Hecontinuedtoseehisdutyclearly，writteninluminousletters，whichflamedbeforehiseyesandchangeditsplaceashealteredthedirectionofhisglance:——

"Go！Tellyourname！Denounceyourself！"

Inthesamewayhebeheld，asthoughtheyhadpassedbeforehiminvisibleforms，thetwoideaswhichhad，uptothattime，formedthedoubleruleofhissoul，——theconcealmentofhisname，thesanctificationofhislife。Forthefirsttimetheyappearedtohimasabsolutelydistinct，andheperceivedthedistancewhichseparatedthem。Herecognizedthefactthatoneoftheseideaswas，necessarily，good，whiletheothermightbecomebad；

thatthefirstwasself—devotion，andthattheotherwaspersonality；

thattheonesaid，myneighbor，andthattheothersaid，myself；

thatoneemanatedfromthelight，andtheotherfromdarkness。

Theywereantagonistic。Hesawtheminconflict。Inproportionashemeditated，theygrewbeforetheeyesofhisspirit。

Theyhadnowattainedcolossalstatures，anditseemedtohimthathebeheldwithinhimself，inthatinfinityofwhichwewererecentlyspeaking，inthemidstofthedarknessandthelights，agoddessandagiantcontending。

Hewasfilledwithterror；butitseemedtohimthatthegoodthoughtwasgettingtheupperhand。

Hefeltthathewasonthebrinkoftheseconddecisivecrisisofhisconscienceandofhisdestiny；thattheBishophadmarkedthefirstphaseofhisnewlife，andthatChampmathieumarkedthesecond。

Afterthegrandcrisis，thegrandtest。

Butthefever，allayedforaninstant，graduallyresumedpossessionofhim。Athousandthoughtstraversedhismind，buttheycontinuedtofortifyhiminhisresolution。

Onemomenthesaidtohimselfthathewas，perhaps，takingthemattertookeenly；that，afterall，thisChampmathieuwasnotinteresting，andthathehadactuallybeenguiltyoftheft。

Heansweredhimself:"Ifthismanhas，indeed，stolenafewapples，thatmeansamonthinprison。Itisalongwayfromthattothegalleys。

Andwhoknows？Didhesteal？Hasitbeenproved？ThenameofJeanValjeanoverwhelmshim，andseemstodispensewithproofs。

DonottheattorneysfortheCrownalwaysproceedinthismanner？

Heissupposedtobeathiefbecauseheisknowntobeaconvict。"

Inanotherinstantthethoughthadoccurredtohimthat，whenhedenouncedhimself，theheroismofhisdeedmight，perhaps，betakenintoconsideration，andhishonestlifeforthelastsevenyears，andwhathehaddoneforthedistrict，andthattheywouldhavemercyonhim。

Butthissuppositionvanishedveryquickly，andhesmiledbitterlyasherememberedthatthetheftofthefortysousfromlittleGervaisputhiminthepositionofamanguiltyofasecondoffenceafterconviction，thatthisaffairwouldcertainlycomeup，and，accordingtotheprecisetermsofthelaw，wouldrenderhimliabletopenalservitudeforlife。

Heturnedasidefromallillusions，detachedhimselfmoreandmorefromearth，andsoughtstrengthandconsolationelsewhere。

Hetoldhimselfthathemustdohisduty；thatperhapsheshouldnotbemoreunhappyafterdoinghisdutythanafterhavingavoidedit；

thatifheallowedthingstotaketheirowncourse，ifheremainedatM。surM。，hisconsideration，hisgoodname，hisgoodworks，thedeferenceandvenerationpaidtohim，hischarity，hiswealth，hispopularity，hisvirtue，wouldbeseasonedwithacrime。

Andwhatwouldbethetasteofalltheseholythingswhenboundupwiththishideousthing？while，ifheaccomplishedhissacrifice，acelestialideawouldbemingledwiththegalleys，thepost，theironnecklet，thegreencap，unceasingtoil，andpitilessshame。

Atlengthhetoldhimselfthatitmustbeso，thathisdestinywasthusallotted，thathehadnotauthoritytoalterthearrangementsmadeonhigh，that，inanycase，hemustmakehischoice:virtuewithoutandabominationwithin，orholinesswithinandinfamywithout。

Thestirringupoftheselugubriousideasdidnotcausehiscouragetofail，buthisbraingrowweary。Hebegantothinkofotherthings，ofindifferentmatters，inspiteofhimself。

Theveinsinhistemplesthrobbedviolently；hestillpacedtoandfro；

midnightsoundedfirstfromtheparishchurch，thenfromthetown—hall；

hecountedthetwelvestrokesofthetwoclocks，andcomparedthesoundsofthetwobells；herecalledinthisconnectionthefactthat，afewdayspreviously，hehadseeninanironmonger’sshopanancientclockforsale，uponwhichwaswrittenthename，Antoine—AlbindeRomainville。

Hewascold；helightedasmallfire；itdidnotoccurtohimtoclosethewindow。

Inthemeantimehehadrelapsedintohisstupor；hewasobligedtomakeatolerablyvigorousefforttorecallwhathadbeenthesubjectofhisthoughtsbeforemidnighthadstruck；hefinallysucceededindoingthis。

"Ah！yes，"hesaidtohimself，"Ihadresolvedtoinformagainstmyself。"

Andthen，allofasudden，hethoughtofFantine。

"Hold！"saidhe，"andwhataboutthatpoorwoman？"

Hereafreshcrisisdeclareditself。

Fantine，byappearingthusabruptlyinhisrevery，producedtheeffectofanunexpectedrayoflight；itseemedtohimasthougheverythingabouthimwereundergoingachangeofaspect:heexclaimed:——

"Ah！butIhavehithertoconsiderednoonebutmyself；itisproperformetoholdmytongueortodenouncemyself，toconcealmypersonortosavemysoul，tobeadespicableandrespectedmagistrate，oraninfamousandvenerableconvict；itisI，itisalwaysI

andnothingbutI:but，goodGod！allthisisegotism；thesearediverseformsofegotism，butitisegotismallthesame。

WhatifIweretothinkalittleaboutothers？Thehighestholinessistothinkofothers；come，letusexaminethematter。

The_I_excepted，the_I_effaced，the_I_forgotten，whatwouldbetheresultofallthis？WhatifIdenouncemyself？Iamarrested；

thisChampmathieuisreleased；Iamputbackinthegalleys；thatiswell——

andwhatthen？Whatisgoingonhere？Ah！hereisacountry，atown，herearefactories，anindustry，workers，bothmenandwomen，agedgrandsires，children，poorpeople！AllthisIhavecreated；

alltheseIprovidewiththeirliving；everywherewherethereisasmokingchimney，itisIwhohaveplacedthebrandonthehearthandmeatinthepot；Ihavecreatedease，circulation，credit；

beforemetherewasnothing；Ihaveelevated，vivified，informedwithlife，fecundated，stimulated，enrichedthewholecountry—side；

lackingme，thesoulislacking；Itakemyselfoff，everythingdies:

andthiswoman，whohassufferedsomuch，whopossessessomanymeritsinspiteofherfall；thecauseofallwhosemiseryIhaveunwittinglybeen！AndthatchildwhomImeanttogoinsearchof，whomIhavepromisedtohermother；doInotalsoowesomethingtothiswoman，inreparationfortheevilwhichIhavedoneher？

IfIdisappear，whathappens？Themotherdies；thechildbecomeswhatitcan；thatiswhatwilltakeplace，ifIdenouncemyself。

IfIdonotdenouncemyself？come，letusseehowitwillbeifIdonotdenouncemyself。"

Afterputtingthisquestiontohimself，hepaused；heseemedtoundergoamomentaryhesitationandtrepidation；butitdidnotlastlong，andheansweredhimselfcalmly:——

"Well，thismanisgoingtothegalleys；itistrue，butwhatthedeuce！hehasstolen！Thereisnouseinmysayingthathehasnotbeenguiltyoftheft，forhehas！Iremainhere；Igoon:

intenyearsIshallhavemadetenmillions；Iscatterthemoverthecountry；Ihavenothingofmyown；whatisthattome？

ItisnotformyselfthatIamdoingit；theprosperityofallgoesonaugmenting；industriesarearousedandanimated；

factoriesandshopsaremultiplied；families，ahundredfamilies，athousandfamilies，arehappy；thedistrictbecomespopulated；

villagesspringupwheretherewereonlyfarmsbefore；

farmsrisewheretherewasnothing；wretchednessdisappears，andwithwretchednessdebauchery，prostitution，theft，murder；

allvicesdisappear，allcrimes:andthispoormotherrearsherchild；

andbeholdawholecountryrichandhonest！Ah！Iwasafool！

Iwasabsurd！whatwasthatIwassayingaboutdenouncingmyself？

Ireallymustpayattentionandnotbeprecipitateaboutanything。

What！becauseitwouldhavepleasedmetoplaythegrandandgenerous；

thisismelodrama，afterall；becauseIshouldhavethoughtofnoonebutmyself，theidea！forthesakeofsavingfromapunishment，atrifleexaggerated，perhaps，butjustatbottom，nooneknowswhom，athief，agood—for—nothing，evidently，awholecountry—sidemustperish！apoorwomanmustdieinthehospital！apoorlittlegirlmustdieinthestreet！likedogs；ah，thisisabominable！

Andwithoutthemotherevenhavingseenherchildoncemore，almostwithoutthechild’shavingknownhermother；andallthatforthesakeofanoldwretchofanapple—thiefwho，mostassuredly，hasdeservedthegalleysforsomethingelse，ifnotforthat；

finescruples，indeed，whichsaveaguiltymanandsacrificetheinnocent，whichsaveanoldvagabondwhohasonlyafewyearstoliveatmost，andwhowillnotbemoreunhappyinthegalleysthaninhishovel，andwhichsacrificeawholepopulation，mothers，wives，children。

ThispoorlittleCosettewhohasnooneintheworldbutme，andwhois，nodoubt，bluewithcoldatthismomentinthedenofthoseThenardiers；thosepeoplesarerascals；andIwasgoingtoneglectmydutytowardsallthesepoorcreatures；andIwasgoingofftodenouncemyself；andIwasabouttocommitthatunspeakablefolly！

Letusputitattheworst:supposethatthereisawrongactiononmypartinthis，andthatmyconsciencewillreproachmeforitsomeday，toaccept，forthegoodofothers，thesereproacheswhichweighonlyonmyself；thisevilactionwhichcompromisesmysoulalone；inthatliesself—sacrifice；inthatalonethereisvirtue。"

Heroseandresumedhismarch；thistime，heseemedtobecontent。

Diamondsarefoundonlyinthedarkplacesoftheearth；

truthsarefoundonlyinthedepthsofthought。Itseemedtohim，that，afterhavingdescendedintothesedepths，afterhavinglonggropedamongthedarkestoftheseshadows，hehadatlastfoundoneofthesediamonds，oneofthesetruths，andthathenowhelditinhishand，andhewasdazzledashegazeduponit。

"Yes，"hethought，"thisisright；Iamontherightroad；Ihavethesolution；Imustendbyholdingfasttosomething；myresolveistaken；letthingstaketheircourse；letusnolongervacillate；

letusnolongerhangback；thisisfortheinterestofall，notformyown；IamMadeleine，andMadeleineIremain。WoetothemanwhoisJeanValjean！Iamnolongerhe；Idonotknowthatman；

Inolongerknowanything；itturnsoutthatsomeoneisJeanValjeanatthepresentmoment；lethimlookoutforhimself；

thatdoesnotconcernme；itisafatalnamewhichwasfloatingabroadinthenight；ifithaltsanddescendsonahead，somuchtheworseforthathead。"

Helookedintothelittlemirrorwhichhungabovehischimney—piece，andsaid:——

"Hold！ithasrelievedmetocometoadecision；Iamquiteanothermannow。"

Heproceededafewpacesfurther，thenhestoppedshort。

"Come！"hesaid，"ImustnotflinchbeforeanyoftheconsequencesoftheresolutionwhichIhaveonceadopted；therearestillthreadswhichattachmetothatJeanValjean；theymustbebroken；

inthisveryroomthereareobjectswhichwouldbetrayme，dumbthingswhichwouldbearwitnessagainstme；itissettled；

allthesethingsmustdisappear。"