第10章

Hefumbledinhispocket，drewouthispurse，openedit，andtookoutasmallkey；heinsertedthekeyinalockwhoseaperturecouldhardlybeseen，sohiddenwasitinthemostsombretonesofthedesignwhichcoveredthewall—paper；asecretreceptacleopened，asortoffalsecupboardconstructedintheanglebetweenthewallandthechimney—piece；inthishiding—placethereweresomerags——

abluelinenblouse，anoldpairoftrousers，anoldknapsack，andahugethorncudgelshodwithironatbothends。ThosewhohadseenJeanValjeanattheepochwhenhepassedthroughD————

inOctober，1815，couldeasilyhaverecognizedallthepiecesofthismiserableoutfit。

Hehadpreservedthemashehadpreservedthesilvercandlesticks，inordertoremindhimselfcontinuallyofhisstarting—point，buthehadconcealedallthatcamefromthegalleys，andhehadallowedthecandlestickswhichcamefromtheBishoptobeseen。

Hecastafurtiveglancetowardsthedoor，asthoughhefearedthatitwouldopeninspiteoftheboltwhichfastenedit；then，withaquickandabruptmovement，hetookthewholeinhisarmsatonce，withoutbestowingsomuchasaglanceonthethingswhichhehadsoreligiouslyandsoperilouslypreservedforsomanyyears，andflungthemall，rags，cudgel，knapsack，intothefire。

Heclosedthefalsecupboardagain，andwithredoubledprecautions，henceforthunnecessary，sinceitwasnowempty，heconcealedthedoorbehindaheavypieceoffurniture，whichhepushedinfrontofit。

Afterthelapseofafewseconds，theroomandtheoppositewallwerelightedupwithafierce，red，tremulousglow。Everythingwasonfire；thethorncudgelsnappedandthrewoutsparkstothemiddleofthechamber。

Astheknapsackwasconsumed，togetherwiththehideousragswhichitcontained，itrevealedsomethingwhichsparkledintheashes。

Bybendingover，onecouldhavereadilyrecognizedacoin，——nodoubttheforty—soupiecestolenfromthelittleSavoyard。

Hedidnotlookatthefire，butpacedbackandforthwiththesamestep。

Allatoncehiseyefellonthetwosilvercandlesticks，whichshonevaguelyonthechimney—piece，throughtheglow。

"Hold！"hethought；"thewholeofJeanValjeanisstillinthem。

Theymustbedestroyedalso。"

Heseizedthetwocandlesticks。

Therewasstillfireenoughtoallowoftheirbeingputoutofshape，andconvertedintoasortofunrecognizablebarofmetal。

Hebentoverthehearthandwarmedhimselfforamoment。Hefeltasenseofrealcomfort。"Howgoodwarmthis！"saidhe。

Hestirredthelivecoalswithoneofthecandlesticks。

Aminutemore，andtheywerebothinthefire。

Atthatmomentitseemedtohimthatheheardavoicewithinhimshouting:"JeanValjean！JeanValjean！"

Hishairroseupright:hebecamelikeamanwhoislisteningtosometerriblething。

"Yes，that’sit！finish！"saidthevoice。"Completewhatyouareabout！Destroythesecandlesticks！Annihilatethissouvenir！

ForgettheBishop！Forgeteverything！DestroythisChampmathieu，do！

Thatisright！Applaudyourself！Soitissettled，resolved，fixed，agreed:hereisanoldmanwhodoesnotknowwhatiswantedofhim，whohas，perhaps，donenothing，aninnocentman，whosewholemisfortuneliesinyourname，uponwhomyournameweighslikeacrime，whoisabouttobetakenforyou，whowillbecondemned，whowillfinishhisdaysinabjectnessandhorror。Thatisgood！

Beanhonestmanyourself；remainMonsieurleMaire；remainhonorableandhonored；enrichthetown；nourishtheindigent；reartheorphan；

livehappy，virtuous，andadmired；and，duringthistime，whileyouarehereinthemidstofjoyandlight，therewillbeamanwhowillwearyourredblouse，whowillbearyournameinignominy，andwhowilldragyourchaininthegalleys。Yes，itiswellarrangedthus。Ah，wretch！"

Theperspirationstreamedfromhisbrow。Hefixedahaggardeyeonthecandlesticks。Butthatwithinhimwhichhadspokenhadnotfinished。Thevoicecontinued:——

"JeanValjean，therewillbearoundyoumanyvoices，whichwillmakeagreatnoise，whichwilltalkveryloud，andwhichwillblessyou，andonlyonewhichnoonewillhear，andwhichwillcurseyouinthedark。Well！listen，infamousman！Allthosebenedictionswillfallbackbeforetheyreachheaven，andonlythemaledictionwillascendtoGod。"

Thisvoice，feebleatfirst，andwhichhadproceededfromthemostobscuredepthsofhisconscience，hadgraduallybecomestartlingandformidable，andhenowhearditinhisveryear。Itseemedtohimthatithaddetacheditselffromhim，andthatitwasnowspeakingoutsideofhim。Hethoughtthatheheardthelastwordssodistinctly，thatheglancedaroundtheroominasortofterror。

"Isthereanyonehere？"hedemandedaloud，inutterbewilderment。

Thenheresumed，withalaughwhichresembledthatofanidiot:——

"HowstupidIam！Therecanbenoone！"

Therewassomeone；butthepersonwhowastherewasofthosewhomthehumaneyecannotsee。

Heplacedthecandlesticksonthechimney—piece。

Thenheresumedhismonotonousandlugubrioustramp，whichtroubledthedreamsofthesleepingmanbeneathhim，andawokehimwithastart。

Thistrampingtoandfrosoothedandatthesametimeintoxicatedhim。

Itsometimesseems，onsupremeoccasions，asthoughpeoplemovedaboutforthepurposeofaskingadviceofeverythingthattheymayencounterbychangeofplace。Afterthelapseofafewminuteshenolongerknewhisposition。

Henowrecoiledinequalterrorbeforeboththeresolutionsatwhichhehadarrivedinturn。Thetwoideaswhichcounselledhimappearedtohimequallyfatal。Whatafatality！WhatconjunctionthatthatChampmathieushouldhavebeentakenforhim；tobeoverwhelmedbypreciselythemeanswhichProvidenceseemedtohaveemployed，atfirst，tostrengthenhisposition！

Therewasamomentwhenhereflectedonthefuture。Denouncehimself，greatGod！Deliverhimselfup！Withimmensedespairhefacedallthatheshouldbeobligedtoleave，allthatheshouldbeobligedtotakeuponcemore。Heshouldhavetobidfarewelltothatexistencewhichwassogood，sopure，soradiant，totherespectofall，tohonor，toliberty。Heshouldnevermorestrollinthefields；

heshouldnevermorehearthebirdssinginthemonthofMay；

heshouldnevermorebestowalmsonthelittlechildren；

heshouldnevermoreexperiencethesweetnessofhavingglancesofgratitudeandlovefixeduponhim；heshouldquitthathousewhichhehadbuilt，thatlittlechamber！Everythingseemedcharmingtohimatthatmoment。Neveragainshouldhereadthosebooks；

nevermoreshouldhewriteonthatlittletableofwhitewood；

hisoldportress，theonlyservantwhomhekept，wouldnevermorebringhimhiscoffeeinthemorning。GreatGod！insteadofthat，theconvictgang，theironnecklet，theredwaistcoat，thechainonhisankle，fatigue，thecell，thecampbedallthosehorrorswhichheknewsowell！Athisage，afterhavingbeenwhathewas！

Ifhewereonlyyoungagain！buttobeaddressedinhisoldageas"thou"byanyonewhopleased；tobesearchedbytheconvict—guard；

toreceivethegalley—sergeant’scudgellings；toweariron—boundshoesonhisbarefeet；tohavetostretchouthislegnightandmorningtothehammeroftheroundsmanwhovisitsthegang；

tosubmittothecuriosityofstrangers，whowouldbetold:"ThatmanyonderisthefamousJeanValjean，whowasmayorofM。surM。"；

andatnight，drippingwithperspiration，overwhelmedwithlassitude，theirgreencapsdrawnovertheireyes，toremount，twobytwo，theladderstaircaseofthegalleysbeneaththesergeant’swhip。

Oh，whatmisery！Candestiny，then，beasmaliciousasanintelligentbeing，andbecomeasmonstrousasthehumanheart？

Anddowhathewould，healwaysfellbackupontheheartrendingdilemmawhichlayatthefoundationofhisrevery:"Shouldheremaininparadiseandbecomeademon？Shouldhereturntohellandbecomeanangel？"

Whatwastobedone？GreatGod！whatwastobedone？

Thetormentfromwhichhehadescapedwithsomuchdifficultywasunchainedafreshwithinhim。Hisideasbegantogrowconfusedoncemore；theyassumedakindofstupefiedandmechanicalqualitywhichispeculiartodespair。ThenameofRomainvillerecurredincessantlytohismind，withthetwoversesofasongwhichhehadheardinthepast。HethoughtthatRomainvillewasalittlegrovenearParis，whereyoungloversgotoplucklilacsinthemonthofApril。

Hewaveredoutwardlyaswellasinwardly。Hewalkedlikealittlechildwhoispermittedtotoddlealone。

Atintervals，ashecombatedhislassitude，hemadeanefforttorecoverthemasteryofhismind。Hetriedtoputtohimself，forthelasttime，anddefinitely，theproblemoverwhichhehad，inamanner，fallenprostratewithfatigue:Oughthetodenouncehimself？Oughthetoholdhispeace？Hecouldnotmanagetoseeanythingdistinctly。Thevagueaspectsofallthecoursesofreasoningwhichhadbeensketchedoutbyhismeditationsquiveredandvanished，oneaftertheother，intosmoke。Heonlyfeltthat，towhatevercourseofactionhemadeuphismind，somethinginhimmustdie，andthatofnecessity，andwithouthisbeingabletoescapethefact；thathewasenteringasepulchreontherighthandasmuchasontheleft；thathewaspassingthroughadeathagony，——

theagonyofhishappiness，ortheagonyofhisvirtue。

Alas！allhisresolutionhadagaintakenpossessionofhim。

Hewasnofurtheradvancedthanatthebeginning。

Thusdidthisunhappysoulstruggleinitsanguish。

Eighteenhundredyearsbeforethisunfortunateman，themysteriousBeinginwhomaresummedupallthesanctitiesandallthesufferingsofhumanityhadalsolongthrustasidewithhishand，whiletheolive—treesquiveredinthewildwindoftheinfinite，theterriblecupwhichappearedtoHimdrippingwithdarknessandoverflowingwithshadowsinthedepthsallstuddedwithstars。

CHAPTERIV

FORMSASSUMEDBYSUFFERINGDURINGSLEEP

Threeo’clockinthemorninghadjuststruck，andhehadbeenwalkingthusforfivehours，almostuninterruptedly，whenheatlengthallowedhimselftodropintohischair。

Therehefellasleepandhadadream。

Thisdream，likethemajorityofdreams，borenorelationtothesituation，exceptbyitspainfulandheart—rendingcharacter，butitmadeanimpressiononhim。Thisnightmarestruckhimsoforciblythathewroteitdownlateron。Itisoneofthepapersinhisownhandwritingwhichhehasbequeathedtous。Wethinkthatwehaveherereproducedthethinginstrictaccordancewiththetext。

Ofwhatevernaturethisdreammaybe，thehistoryofthisnightwouldbeincompleteifweweretoomitit:itisthegloomyadventureofanailingsoul。

Hereitis。Ontheenvelopewefindthislineinscribed，"TheDreamIhadthatNight。"

"Iwasinaplain；avast，gloomyplain，wheretherewasnograss。

Itdidnotseemtometobedaylightnoryetnight。

"Iwaswalkingwithmybrother，thebrotherofmychildishyears，thebrotherofwhom，Imustsay，Ineverthink，andwhomInowhardlyremember。

"Wewereconversingandwemetsomepassers—by。Weweretalkingofaneighborofoursinformerdays，whohadalwaysworkedwithherwindowopenfromthetimewhenshecametoliveonthestreet。

Aswetalkedwefeltcoldbecauseofthatopenwindow。

"Therewerenotreesintheplain。Wesawamanpassingclosetous。

Hewasentirelynude，ofthehueofashes，andmountedonahorsewhichwasearthcolor。Themanhadnohair；wecouldseehisskullandtheveinsonit。Inhishandheheldaswitchwhichwasassuppleasavine—shootandasheavyasiron。Thishorsemanpassedandsaidnothingtous。

"Mybrothersaidtome，`Letustaketothehollowroad。’

"Thereexistedahollowwaywhereinonesawneitherasingleshrubnoraspearofmoss。Everythingwasdirt—colored，eventhesky。

Afterproceedingafewpaces，IreceivednoreplywhenIspoke:

Iperceivedthatmybrotherwasnolongerwithme。

"IenteredavillagewhichIespied。IreflectedthatitmustbeRomainville。（WhyRomainville？）[5]

[5]ThisparenthesisisduetoJeanValjean。

"ThefirststreetthatIenteredwasdeserted。Ienteredasecondstreet。Behindtheangleformedbythetwostreets，amanwasstandingerectagainstthewall。IsaidtothisMan:——

"`Whatcountryisthis？WhereamI？’Themanmadenoreply。

Isawthedoorofahouseopen，andIentered。

"Thefirstchamberwasdeserted。Ienteredthesecond。Behindthedoorofthischamberamanwasstandingerectagainstthewall。

Iinquiredofthisman，`Whosehouseisthis？WhereamI？’

Themanrepliednot。

"Thehousehadagarden。Iquittedthehouseandenteredthegarden。

Thegardenwasdeserted。BehindthefirsttreeIfoundamanstandingupright。Isaidtothisman，`Whatgardenisthis？

WhereamI？’Themandidnotanswer。

"Istrolledintothevillage，andperceivedthatitwasatown。

Allthestreetsweredeserted，allthedoorswereopen。Notasinglelivingbeingwaspassinginthestreets，walkingthroughthechambersorstrollinginthegardens。Butbehindeachangleofthewalls，behindeachdoor，behindeachtree，stoodasilentman。Onlyonewastobeseenatatime。Thesemenwatchedmepass。

"Ileftthetownandbegantorambleaboutthefields。

"AfterthelapseofsometimeIturnedbackandsawagreatcrowdcomingupbehindme。IrecognizedallthemenwhomIhadseeninthattown。

Theyhadstrangeheads。Theydidnotseemtobeinahurry，yettheywalkedfasterthanIdid。Theymadenonoiseastheywalked。

Inaninstantthiscrowdhadovertakenandsurroundedme。

Thefacesofthesemenwereeartheninhue。

"ThenthefirstonewhomIhadseenandquestionedonenteringthetownsaidtome:——

"`Whitherareyougoing！Doyounotknowthatyouhavebeendeadthislongtime？’

"Iopenedmymouthtoreply，andIperceivedthattherewasnoonenearme。"

Hewoke。Hewasicycold。Awindwhichwaschilllikethebreezeofdawnwasrattlingtheleavesofthewindow，whichhadbeenleftopenontheirhinges。Thefirewasout。Thecandlewasnearingitsend。Itwasstillblacknight。

Herose，hewenttothewindow。Therewerenostarsintheskyevenyet。

Fromhiswindowtheyardofthehouseandthestreetwerevisible。

Asharp，harshnoise，whichmadehimdrophiseyes，resoundedfromtheearth。

Belowhimheperceivedtworedstars，whoserayslengthenedandshortenedinasingularmannerthroughthedarkness。

Ashisthoughtswerestillhalfimmersedinthemistsofsleep，"Hold！"saidhe，"therearenostarsinthesky。Theyareonearthnow。"

Butthisconfusionvanished；asecondsoundsimilartothefirstrousedhimthoroughly；helookedandrecognizedthefactthatthesetwostarswerethelanternsofacarriage。Bythelightwhichtheycasthewasabletodistinguishtheformofthisvehicle。

Itwasatilburyharnessedtoasmallwhitehorse。Thenoisewhichhehadheardwasthetramplingofthehorse’shoofsonthepavement。

"Whatvehicleisthis？"hesaidtohimself。"Whoiscomingheresoearlyinthemorning？"

Atthatmomenttherecamealighttaponthedoorofhischamber。

Heshudderedfromheadtofoot，andcriedinaterriblevoice:——

"Whoisthere？"

Someonesaid:——

"I，MonsieurleMaire。"

Herecognizedthevoiceoftheoldwomanwhowashisportress。

"Well！"hereplied，"whatisit？"

"MonsieurleMaire，itisjustfiveo’clockinthemorning。"

"Whatisthattome？"

"Thecabrioletishere，MonsieurleMaire。"

"Whatcabriolet？"

"Thetilbury。"

"Whattilbury？"

"DidnotMonsieurleMaireorderatilbury？"

"No，"saidhe。

"ThecoachmansaysthathehascomeforMonsieurleMaire。"

"Whatcoachman？"

"M。Scaufflaire’scoachman。"

"M。Scaufflaire？"

Thatnamesentashudderoverhim，asthoughaflashoflightninghadpassedinfrontofhisface。

"Ah！yes，"heresumed；"M。Scaufflaire！"

Iftheoldwomancouldhaveseenhimatthatmoment，shewouldhavebeenfrightened。

Atolerablylongsilenceensued。Heexaminedtheflameofthecandlewithastupidair，andfromaroundthewickhetooksomeoftheburningwax，whichherolledbetweenhisfingers。Theoldwomanwaitedforhim。Sheevenventuredtouplifthervoiceoncemore:——

"WhatamItosay，MonsieurleMaire？"

"Saythatitiswell，andthatIamcomingdown。"

CHAPTERV

HINDRANCES

ThepostingservicefromArrastoM。surM。wasstilloperatedatthisperiodbysmallmail—wagonsofthetimeoftheEmpire。

Thesemail—wagonsweretwo—wheeledcabriolets，upholsteredinsidewithfawn—coloredleather，hungonsprings，andhavingbuttwoseats，oneforthepostboy，theotherforthetraveller。Thewheelswerearmedwiththoselong，offensiveaxleswhichkeepothervehiclesatadistance，andwhichmaystillbeseenontheroadinGermany。

Thedespatchbox，animmenseoblongcoffer，wasplacedbehindthevehicleandformedapartofit。Thiscofferwaspaintedblack，andthecabrioletyellow。

Thesevehicles，whichhavenocounterpartsnowadays，hadsomethingdistortedandhunchbackedaboutthem；andwhenonesawthempassinginthedistance，andclimbingupsomeroadtothehorizon，theyresembledtheinsectswhicharecalled，Ithink，termites，andwhich，thoughwithbutlittlecorselet，dragagreattrainbehindthem。

Buttheytravelledataveryrapidrate。Thepost—wagonwhichsetoutfromArrasatoneo’clockeverynight，afterthemailfromParishadpassed，arrivedatM。surM。alittlebeforefiveo’clockinthemorning。

ThatnightthewagonwhichwasdescendingtoM。surM。bytheHesdinroad，collidedatthecornerofastreet，justasitwasenteringthetown，withalittletilburyharnessedtoawhitehorse，whichwasgoingintheoppositedirection，andinwhichtherewasbutoneperson，amanenvelopedinamantle。Thewheelofthetilburyreceivedquiteaviolentshock。Thepostmanshoutedtothemantostop，butthetravellerpaidnoheedandpursuedhisroadatfullgallop。

"Thatmanisinadevilishhurry！"saidthepostman。

Themanthushasteningonwastheonewhomwehavejustseenstrugglinginconvulsionswhicharecertainlydeservingofpity。

Whitherwashegoing？Hecouldnothavetold。Whywashehastening？

Hedidnotknow。Hewasdrivingatrandom，straightahead。Whither？

ToArras，nodoubt；buthemighthavebeengoingelsewhereaswell。

Attimeshewasconsciousofit，andheshuddered。Heplungedintothenightasintoagulf。Somethingurgedhimforward；somethingdrewhimon。Noonecouldhavetoldwhatwastakingplacewithinhim；

everyonewillunderstandit。Whatmanistherewhohasnotentered，atleastonceinhislife，intothatobscurecavernoftheunknown？

However，hehadresolvedonnothing，decidednothing，formednoplan，donenothing。Noneoftheactionsofhisconsciencehadbeendecisive。

Hewas，morethanever，ashehadbeenatthefirstmoment。

WhywashegoingtoArras？

HerepeatedwhathehadalreadysaidtohimselfwhenhehadhiredScaufflaire’scabriolet:that，whatevertheresultwastobe，therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldnotseewithhisowneyes，andjudgeofmattersforhimself；thatthiswasevenprudent；

thathemustknowwhattookplace；thatnodecisioncouldbearrivedatwithouthavingobservedandscrutinized；thatonemademountainsoutofeverythingfromadistance；that，atanyrate，whenheshouldhaveseenthatChampmathieu，somewretch，hisconsciencewouldprobablybegreatlyrelievedtoallowhimtogotothegalleysinhisstead；thatJavertwouldindeedbethere；andthatBrevet，thatChenildieu，thatCochepaille，oldconvictswhohadknownhim；

buttheycertainlywouldnotrecognizehim；——bah！whatanidea！

thatJavertwasahundredleaguesfromsuspectingthetruth；

thatallconjecturesandallsuppositionswerefixedonChampmathieu，andthatthereisnothingsoheadstrongassuppositionsandconjectures；

thataccordinglytherewasnodanger。

Thatitwas，nodoubt，adarkmoment，butthatheshouldemergefromit；that，afterall，heheldhisdestiny，howeverbaditmightbe，inhisownhand；thathewasmasterofit。Heclungtothisthought。

Atbottom，totellthewholetruth，hewouldhavepreferrednottogotoArras。

Nevertheless，hewasgoingthither。

Ashemeditated，hewhippeduphishorse，whichwasproceedingatthatfine，regular，andeventrotwhichaccomplishestwoleaguesandahalfanhour。

Inproportionasthecabrioletadvanced，hefeltsomethingwithinhimdrawback。

Atdaybreakhewasintheopencountry；thetownofM。surM。layfarbehindhim。Hewatchedthehorizongrowwhite；hestaredatallthechillyfiguresofawinter’sdawnastheypassedbeforehiseyes，butwithoutseeingthem。Themorninghasitsspectresaswellastheevening。Hedidnotseethem；butwithouthisbeingawareofit，andbymeansofasortofpenetrationwhichwasalmostphysical，theseblacksilhouettesoftreesandofhillsaddedsomegloomyandsinisterqualitytotheviolentstateofhissoul。

Eachtimethathepassedoneofthoseisolateddwellingswhichsometimesborderonthehighway，hesaidtohimself，"Andyettherearepeopletherewithinwhoaresleeping！"

Thetrotofthehorse，thebellsontheharness，thewheelsontheroad，producedagentle，monotonousnoise。Thesethingsarecharmingwhenoneisjoyous，andlugubriouswhenoneissad。

ItwasbroaddaylightwhenhearrivedatHesdin。Hehaltedinfrontoftheinn，toallowthehorseabreathingspell，andtohavehimgivensomeoats。

Thehorsebelonged，asScaufflairehadsaid，tothatsmallraceoftheBoulonnais，whichhastoomuchhead，toomuchbelly，andnotenoughneckandshoulders，butwhichhasabroadchest，alargecrupper，thin，finelegs，andsolidhoofs——ahomely，butarobustandhealthyrace。Theexcellentbeasthadtravelledfiveleaguesintwohours，andhadnotadropofsweatonhisloins。

Hedidnotgetoutofthetilbury。Thestablemanwhobroughttheoatssuddenlybentdownandexaminedtheleftwheel。

"Areyougoingfarinthiscondition？"saidtheman。

Hereplied，withanairofnothavingrousedhimselffromhisrevery:——

"Why？"

"Haveyoucomefromagreatdistance？"wentontheman。

"Fiveleagues。"

"Ah！"

"Whydoyousay，`Ah？’"

Themanbentdownoncemore，wassilentforamoment，withhiseyesfixedonthewheel；thenheroseerectandsaid:——

"Because，thoughthiswheelhastravelledfiveleagues，itcertainlywillnottravelanotherquarterofaleague。"

Hesprangoutofthetilbury。

"Whatisthatyousay，myfriend？"

"Isaythatitisamiraclethatyoushouldhavetravelledfiveleagueswithoutyouandyourhorserollingintosomeditchonthehighway。

Justseehere！"

Thewheelreallyhadsufferedseriousdamage。Theshockadministeredbythemail—wagonhadsplittwospokesandstrainedthehub，sothatthenutnolongerheldfirm。

"Myfriend，"hesaidtothestableman，"isthereawheelwrighthere？"

"Certainly，sir。"

"Dometheservicetogoandfetchhim。"

"Heisonlyastepfromhere。Hey！MasterBourgaillard！"

MasterBourgaillard，thewheelwright，wasstandingonhisownthreshold。

Hecame，examinedthewheelandmadeagrimacelikeasurgeonwhenthelatterthinksalimbisbroken。

"Canyourepairthiswheelimmediately？"

"Yes，sir。"

"WhencanIsetoutagain？"

"To—morrow。"

"To—morrow！"

"Thereisalongday’sworkonit。Areyouinahurry，sir？"

"Inaverygreathurry。Imustsetoutagaininanhouratthelatest。"

"Impossible，sir。"

"Iwillpaywhateveryouask。"

"Impossible。"

"Well，intwohours，then。"

"Impossibleto—day。Twonewspokesandahubmustbemade。

Monsieurwillnotbeabletostartbeforeto—morrowmorning。"

"Themattercannotwaituntilto—morrow。Whatifyouweretoreplacethiswheelinsteadofrepairingit？"

"Howso？"

"Youareawheelwright？"

"Certainly，sir。"

"Haveyounotawheelthatyoucansellme？ThenIcouldstartagainatonce。"

"Asparewheel？"

"Yes。"

"Ihavenowheelonhandthatwouldfityourcabriolet。Twowheelsmakeapair。Twowheelscannotbeputtogetherhap—hazard。"

"Inthatcase，sellmeapairofwheels。"

"Notallwheelsfitallaxles，sir。"

"Try，nevertheless。"

"Itisuseless，sir。Ihavenothingtosellbutcart—wheels。Wearebutapoorcountryhere。"

"Haveyouacabrioletthatyoucanletmehave？"

Thewheelwrighthadseenatthefirstglancethatthetilburywasahiredvehicle。Heshruggedhisshoulders。

"Youtreatthecabrioletsthatpeopleletyousowell！IfIhadone，Iwouldnotletittoyou！"

"Well，sellittome，then。"

"Ihavenone。"

"What！notevenaspring—cart？Iamnothardtoplease，asyousee。"

"Weliveinapoorcountry。Thereis，intruth，"addedthewheelwright，"anoldcalashundertheshedyonder，whichbelongstoabourgeoisofthetown，whogaveittometotakecareof，andwhoonlyusesitonthethirty—sixthofthemonth——never，thatistosay。Imightletthattoyou，forwhatmattersittome？Butthebourgeoismustnotseeitpass——andthen，itisacalash；itwouldrequiretwohorses。"

"Iwilltaketwopost—horses。"

"WhereisMonsieurgoing？"

"ToArras。"

"AndMonsieurwishestoreachthereto—day？"

"Yes，ofcourse。"

"Bytakingtwopost—horses？"

"Whynot？"

"DoesitmakeanydifferencewhetherMonsieurarrivesatfouro’clockto—morrowmorning？"

"Certainlynot。"

"Thereisonethingtobesaidaboutthat，yousee，bytakingpost—horses——

Monsieurhashispassport？"

"Yes。"

"Well，bytakingpost—horses，MonsieurcannotreachArrasbeforeto—morrow。Weareonacross—road。Therelaysarebadlyserved，thehorsesareinthefields。Theseasonforploughingisjustbeginning；heavyteamsarerequired，andhorsesareseizeduponeverywhere，fromthepostaswellaselsewhere。Monsieurwillhavetowaitthreeorfourhoursattheleastateveryrelay。

And，then，theydriveatawalk。Therearemanyhillstoascend。"

"Comethen，Iwillgoonhorseback。Unharnessthecabriolet。

Someonecansurelysellmeasaddleintheneighborhood。"

"Withoutdoubt。Butwillthishorsebearthesaddle？"

"Thatistrue；youremindmeofthat；hewillnotbearit。"

"Then——"

"ButIcansurelyhireahorseinthevillage？"

"AhorsetotraveltoArrasatonestretch？"

"Yes。"

"Thatwouldrequiresuchahorseasdoesnotexistintheseparts。

Youwouldhavetobuyittobeginwith，becausenooneknowsyou。

Butyouwillnotfindoneforsalenortolet，forfivehundredfrancs，orforathousand。"

"WhatamItodo？"

"Thebestthingistoletmerepairthewheellikeanhonestman，andsetoutonyourjourneyto—morrow。"

"To—morrowwillbetoolate。"

"Thedeuce！"

"Istherenotamail—wagonwhichrunstoArras？Whenwillitpass？"

"To—night。Boththepostspassatnight；theonegoingaswellastheonecoming。"

"What！Itwilltakeyouadaytomendthiswheel？"

"Aday，andagoodlongone。"

"Ifyousettwomentowork？"

"IfIsettenmentowork。"

"Whatifthespokesweretobetiedtogetherwithropes？"

"Thatcouldbedonewiththespokes，notwiththehub；andthefellyisinabadstate，too。"

"Isthereanyoneinthisvillagewholetsoutteams？"

"No。"

"Isthereanotherwheelwright？"

Thestablemanandthewheelwrightrepliedinconcert，withatossofthehead"No。"

Hefeltanimmensejoy。

ItwasevidentthatProvidencewasintervening。Thatitwasitwhohadbrokenthewheelofthetilburyandwhowasstoppinghimontheroad。Hehadnotyieldedtothissortoffirstsummons；

hehadjustmadeeverypossibleefforttocontinuethejourney；

hehadloyallyandscrupulouslyexhaustedallmeans；hehadbeendeterredneitherbytheseason，norfatigue，norbytheexpense；

hehadnothingwithwhichtoreproachhimself。Ifhewentnofurther，thatwasnofaultofhis。Itdidnotconcernhimfurther。

Itwasnolongerhisfault。Itwasnottheactofhisownconscience，buttheactofProvidence。

Hebreathedagain。HebreathedfreelyandtothefullextentofhislungsforthefirsttimesinceJavert’svisit。Itseemedtohimthatthehandofironwhichhadheldhisheartinitsgraspforthelasttwentyhourshadjustreleasedhim。

ItseemedtohimthatGodwasforhimnow，andwasmanifestingHimself。

Hesaidhimselfthathehaddoneallhecould，andthatnowhehadnothingtodobutretracehisstepsquietly。

Ifhisconversationwiththewheelwrighthadtakenplaceinachamberoftheinn，itwouldhavehadnowitnesses，noonewouldhaveheardhim，thingswouldhaverestedthere，anditisprobablethatweshouldnothavehadtorelateanyoftheoccurrenceswhichthereaderisabouttoperuse；butthisconversationhadtakenplaceinthestreet。

Anycolloquyinthestreetinevitablyattractsacrowd。Therearealwayspeoplewhoasknothingbetterthantobecomespectators。

Whilehewasquestioningthewheelwright，somepeoplewhowerepassingbackandforthhaltedaroundthem。Afterlisteningforafewminutes，ayounglad，towhomnoonehadpaidanyheed，detachedhimselffromthegroupandranoff。

Atthemomentwhenthetraveller，aftertheinwarddeliberationwhichwehavejustdescribed，resolvedtoretracehissteps，thischildreturned。Hewasaccompaniedbyanoldwoman。

"Monsieur，"saidthewoman，"myboytellsmethatyouwishtohireacabriolet。"

Thesesimplewordsutteredbyanoldwomanledbyachildmadetheperspirationtrickledownhislimbs。Hethoughtthathebeheldthehandwhichhadrelaxeditsgraspreappearinthedarknessbehindhim，readytoseizehimoncemore。

Heanswered:——

"Yes，mygoodwoman；IaminsearchofacabrioletwhichIcanhire。"

Andhehastenedtoadd:——

"Butthereisnoneintheplace。"

"Certainlythereis，"saidtheoldwoman。

"Where？"interpolatedthewheelwright。

"Atmyhouse，"repliedtheoldwoman。

Heshuddered。Thefatalhandhadgraspedhimagain。

Theoldwomanreallyhadinhershedasortofbasketspring—cart。

Thewheelwrightandthestable—man，indespairattheprospectofthetravellerescapingtheirclutches，interfered。

"Itwasafrightfuloldtrap；itrestsflatontheaxle；itisanactualfactthattheseatsweresuspendedinsideitbyleatherthongs；

theraincameintoit；thewheelswererustedandeatenwithmoisture；

itwouldnotgomuchfurtherthanthetilbury；aregularramshackleoldstage—wagon；thegentlemanwouldmakeagreatmistakeifhetrustedhimselftoit，"etc。，etc。

Allthiswastrue；butthistrap，thisramshackleoldvehicle，thisthing，whateveritwas，ranonitstwowheelsandcouldgotoArras。

Hepaidwhatwasasked，leftthetilburywiththewheelwrighttoberepaired，intendingtoreclaimitonhisreturn，hadthewhitehorseputtothecart，climbedintoit，andresumedtheroadwhichhehadbeentravellingsincemorning。

Atthemomentwhenthecartmovedoff，headmittedthathehadfelt，amomentpreviously，acertainjoyinthethoughtthatheshouldnotgowhitherhewasnowproceeding。Heexaminedthisjoywithasortofwrath，andfounditabsurd。Whyshouldhefeeljoyatturningback？

Afterall，hewastakingthistripofhisownfreewill。

Noonewasforcinghimtoit。

Andassuredlynothingwouldhappenexceptwhatheshouldchoose。

AsheleftHesdin，heheardavoiceshoutingtohim:"Stop！Stop！"

Hehaltedthecartwithavigorousmovementwhichcontainedafeverishandconvulsiveelementresemblinghope。

Itwastheoldwoman’slittleboy。

"Monsieur，"saidthelatter，"itwasIwhogotthecartforyou。"

"Well？"

"Youhavenotgivenmeanything。"

Hewhogavetoallsoreadilythoughtthisdemandexorbitantandalmostodious。

"Ah！it’syou，youscamp？"saidhe；"youshallhavenothing。"

Hewhippeduphishorseandsetoffatfullspeed。

HehadlostagreatdealoftimeatHesdin。Hewantedtomakeitgood。

Thelittlehorsewascourageous，andpulledfortwo；butitwasthemonthofFebruary，therehadbeenrain；theroadswerebad。

Andthen，itwasnolongerthetilbury。Thecartwasveryheavy，andinaddition，thereweremanyascents。

HetooknearlyfourhourstogofromHesdintoSaint—Pol；fourhoursforfiveleagues。

AtSaint—Polhehadthehorseunharnessedatthefirstinnhecametoandledtothestable；ashehadpromisedScaufflaire，hestoodbesidethemangerwhilethehorsewaseating；hethoughtofsadandconfusingthings。

Theinn—keeper’swifecametothestable。

"DoesnotMonsieurwishtobreakfast？"

"Come，thatistrue；Ievenhaveagoodappetite。"

Hefollowedthewoman，whohadarosy，cheerfulface；sheledhimtothepublicroomwherethereweretablescoveredwithwaxedcloth。

"Makehaste！"saidhe；"Imuststartagain；Iaminahurry。"

AbigFlemishservant—maidplacedhisknifeandforkinallhaste；

helookedatthegirlwithasensationofcomfort。

"Thatiswhatailedme，"hethought；"Ihadnotbreakfasted。"

Hisbreakfastwasserved；heseizedthebread，tookamouthful，andthenslowlyreplaceditonthetable，anddidnottouchitagain。

Acarterwaseatingatanothertable；hesaidtothisman:——

"Whyistheirbreadsobitterhere？"

ThecarterwasaGermananddidnotunderstandhim。

Hereturnedtothestableandremainednearthehorse。

AnhourlaterhehadquittedSaint—PolandwasdirectinghiscoursetowardsTinques，whichisonlyfiveleaguesfromArras。

Whatdidhedoduringthisjourney？Ofwhatwashethinking？

Asinthemorning，hewatchedthetrees，thethatchedroofs，thetilledfieldspassby，andthewayinwhichthelandscape，brokenateveryturnoftheroad，vanished；thisisasortofcontemplationwhichsometimessufficestothesoul，andalmostrelievesitfromthought。Whatismoremelancholyandmoreprofoundthantoseeathousandobjectsforthefirstandthelasttime？

Totravelistobebornandtodieateveryinstant；perhaps，inthevaguestregionofhismind，bedidmakecomparisonsbetweentheshiftinghorizonandourhumanexistence:allthethingsoflifeareperpetuallyfleeingbeforeus；thedarkandbrightintervalsareintermingled；afteradazzlingmoment，aneclipse；welook，wehasten，westretchoutourhandstograspwhatispassing；

eacheventisaturnintheroad，and，allatonce，weareold；

wefeelashock；allisblack；wedistinguishanobscuredoor；

thegloomyhorseoflife，whichhasbeendrawingushalts，andweseeaveiledandunknownpersonunharnessingamidtheshadows。

TwilightwasfallingwhenthechildrenwhowerecomingoutofschoolbeheldthistravellerenterTinques；itistruethatthedayswerestillshort；hedidnothaltatTinques；asheemergedfromthevillage，alaborer，whowasmendingtheroadwithstones，raisedhisheadandsaidtohim:——

"Thathorseisverymuchfatigued。"

Thepoorbeastwas，infact，goingatawalk。

"AreyougoingtoArras？"addedtheroad—mender。

"Yes。"

"Ifyougoonatthatrateyouwillnotarriveveryearly。"

Hestoppedhishorse，andaskedthelaborer:——

"HowfarisitfromheretoArras？"

"Nearlysevengoodleagues。"

"Howisthat？thepostingguideonlysaysfiveleaguesandaquarter。"

"Ah！"returnedtheroad—mender，"soyoudon’tknowthattheroadisunderrepair？Youwillfinditbarredaquarterofanhourfurtheron；thereisnowaytoproceedfurther。"

"Really？"

"Youwilltaketheroadontheleft，leadingtoCarency；youwillcrosstheriver；whenyoureachCamblin，youwillturntotheright；

thatistheroadtoMont—Saint—EloywhichleadstoArras。"

"Butitisnight，andIshalllosemyway。"

"Youdonotbelongintheseparts？"

"No。"

"And，besides，itisallcross—roads；stop！sir，"resumedtheroad—mender；

"shallIgiveyouapieceofadvice？yourhorseistired；

returntoTinques；thereisagoodinnthere；sleepthere；

youcanreachArrasto—morrow。"

"Imustbetherethisevening。"

"Thatisdifferent；butgototheinnallthesame，andgetanextrahorse；thestable—boywillguideyouthroughthecross—roads。"

Hefollowedtheroad—mender’sadvice，retracedhissteps，and，halfanhourlater，hepassedthesamespotagain，butthistimeatfullspeed，withagoodhorsetoaid；astable—boy，whocalledhimselfapostilion，wasseatedontheshaftofthecariole。

Still，hefeltthathehadlosttime。

Nighthadfullycome。

Theyturnedintothecross—road；thewaybecamefrightfullybad；

thecartlurchedfromoneruttotheother；hesaidtothepostilion:——

"Keepatatrot，andyoushallhaveadoublefee。"

Inoneofthejolts，thewhiffle—treebroke。

"There’sthewhiffle—treebroken，sir，"saidthepostilion；"Idon’tknowhowtoharnessmyhorsenow；thisroadisverybadatnight；

ifyouwishtoreturnandsleepatTinques，wecouldbeinArrasearlyto—morrowmorning。"

Hereplied，"Haveyouabitofropeandaknife？"

"Yes，sir。"

Hecutabranchfromatreeandmadeawhiffle—treeofit。

Thiscausedanotherlossoftwentyminutes；buttheysetoutagainatagallop。

Theplainwasgloomy；low—hanging，black，crispfogscreptoverthehillsandwrenchedthemselvesawaylikesmoke:therewerewhitishgleamsintheclouds；astrongbreezewhichblewinfromtheseaproducedasoundinallquartersofthehorizon，asofsomeonemovingfurniture；

everythingthatcouldbeseenassumedattitudesofterror。

Howmanythingsshiverbeneaththesevastbreathsofthenight！

Hewasstiffwithcold；hehadeatennothingsincethenightbefore；

hevaguelyrecalledhisothernocturnaltripinthevastplainintheneighborhoodofD————，eightyearspreviously，anditseemedbutyesterday。

Thehourstruckfromadistanttower；heaskedtheboy:——

"Whattimeisit？"

"Seveno’clock，sir；weshallreachArrasateight；wehavebutthreeleaguesstilltogo。"

Atthatmoment，heforthefirsttimeindulgedinthisreflection，thinkingitoddthewhilethatithadnotoccurredtohimsooner:

thatallthistroublewhichhewastakingwas，perhaps，useless；

thathedidnotknowsomuchasthehourofthetrial；thatheshould，atleast，haveinformedhimselfofthat；thathewasfoolishtogothusstraightaheadwithoutknowingwhetherhewouldbeofanyserviceornot；thenhesketchedoutsomecalculationsinhismind:

that，ordinarily，thesittingsoftheCourtofAssizesbeganatnineo’clockinthemorning；thatitcouldnotbealongaffair；

thatthetheftoftheappleswouldbeverybrief；thattherewouldthenremainonlyaquestionofidentity，fourorfivedepositions，andverylittleforthelawyerstosay；thatheshouldarriveafterallwasover。

Thepostilionwhippedupthehorses；theyhadcrossedtheriverandleftMont—Saint—Eloybehindthem。

Thenightgrewmoreprofound。

CHAPTERVI

SISTERSIMPLICEPUTTOTHEPROOF

ButatthatmomentFantinewasjoyous。

Shehadpassedaverybadnight；hercoughwasfrightful；herfeverhaddoubledinintensity；shehadhaddreams:inthemorning，whenthedoctorpaidhisvisit，shewasdelirious；heassumedanalarmedlook，andorderedthatheshouldbeinformedassoonasM。Madeleinearrived。

Allthemorningshewasmelancholy，saidbutlittle，andlaidplaitsinhersheets，murmuringthewhile，inalowvoice，calculationswhichseemedtobecalculationsofdistances。

Hereyeswerehollowandstaring。Theyseemedalmostextinguishedatintervals，thenlightedupagainandshonelikestars。

Itseemsasthough，attheapproachofacertaindarkhour，thelightofheavenfillsthosewhoarequittingthelightofearth。

EachtimethatSisterSimpliceaskedherhowshefelt，sherepliedinvariably，"Well。IshouldliketoseeM。Madeleine。"

Somemonthsbeforethis，atthemomentwhenFantinehadjustlostherlastmodesty，herlastshame，andherlastjoy，shewastheshadowofherself；nowshewasthespectreofherself。Physicalsufferinghadcompletedtheworkofmoralsuffering。Thiscreatureoffiveandtwentyhadawrinkledbrow，flabbycheeks，pinchednostrils，teethfromwhichthegumshadreceded，aleadencomplexion，abonyneck，prominentshoulder—blades，fraillimbs，aclayeyskin，andhergoldenhairwasgrowingoutsprinkledwithgray。

Alas！howillnessimprovisesold—age！

Atmid—daythephysicianreturned，gavesomedirections，inquiredwhetherthemayorhadmadehisappearanceattheinfirmary，andshookhishead。

M。Madeleineusuallycametoseetheinvalidatthreeo’clock。Asexactnessiskindness，hewasexact。

Abouthalf—pasttwo，Fantinebegantoberestless。Inthecourseoftwentyminutes，sheaskedthenunmorethantentimes，"Whattimeisit，sister？"

Threeo’clockstruck。Atthethirdstroke，Fantinesatupinbed；

shewhocould，ingeneral，hardlyturnover，joinedheryellow，fleshlesshandsinasortofconvulsiveclasp，andthenunheardherutteroneofthoseprofoundsighswhichseemtothrowoffdejection。

ThenFantineturnedandlookedatthedoor。

Nooneentered；thedoordidnotopen。

Sheremainedthusforaquarterofanhour，hereyesrivetedonthedoor，motionlessandapparentlyholdingherbreath。Thesisterdarednotspeaktoher。Theclockstruckaquarterpastthree。

Fantinefellbackonherpillow。

Shesaidnothing，butbegantoplaitthesheetsoncemore。

Halfanhourpassed，thenanhour，noonecame；everytimetheclockstruck，Fantinestartedupandlookedtowardsthedoor，thenfellbackagain。

Herthoughtwasclearlyperceptible，butsheutterednoname，shemadenocomplaint，sheblamednoone。Butshecoughedinamelancholyway。

Onewouldhavesaidthatsomethingdarkwasdescendinguponher。

Shewaslividandherlipswereblue。Shesmilednowandthen。

Fiveo’clockstruck。Thenthesisterheardhersay，verylowandgently，"Heiswrongnottocometo—day，sinceIamgoingawayto—morrow。"

SisterSimpliceherselfwassurprisedatM。Madeleine’sdelay。

Inthemeantime，Fantinewasstaringatthetesterofherbed。

Sheseemedtobeendeavoringtorecallsomething。Allatonceshebegantosinginavoiceasfeebleasabreath。Thenunlistened。

ThisiswhatFantinewassinging:——

"LovelythingswewillbuyAswestrollthefaubourgsthrough。

Rosesarepink，corn—flowersareblue，Ilovemylove，corn—flowersareblue。

"Yestere’entheVirginMarycamenearmystove，inabroideredmantleclad，andsaidtome，`Here，hide’neathmyveilthechildwhomyouonedaybeggedfromme。Hastetothecity，buylinen，buyaneedle，buythread。’

"LovelythingswewillbuyAswestrollthefaubourgsthrough。

"DearHolyVirgin，besidemystoveIhavesetacradlewithribbonsdecked。Godmaygivemehislovelieststar；

Ipreferthechildthouhastgrantedme。`Madame，whatshallIdowiththislinenfine？’——`Makeofitclothesforthynew—bornbabe。’

"Rosesarepinkandcorn—flowersareblue，Ilovemylove，andcorn—flowersareblue。

"`Washthislinen。’——`Where？’——`Inthestream。Makeofit，soilingnot，spoilingnot，apetticoatfairwithitsbodicefine，whichIwillembroiderandfillwithflowers。’——`Madame，thechildisnolongerhere；whatistobedone？’——`Thenmakeofitawinding—sheetinwhichtoburyme。’

"LovelythingswewillbuyAswestrollthefaubourgsthrough，Rosesarepink，corn—flowersareblue，Ilovemylove，corn—flowersareblue。"

Thissongwasanoldcradleromancewithwhichshehad，informerdays，lulledherlittleCosettetosleep，andwhichhadneverrecurredtohermindinallthefiveyearsduringwhichshehadbeenpartedfromherchild。Shesangitinsosadavoice，andtososweetanair，thatitwasenoughtomakeanyone，evenanun，weep。Thesister，accustomedasshewastoausterities，feltatearspringtohereyes。

Theclockstrucksix。Fantinedidnotseemtohearit。Shenolongerseemedtopayattentiontoanythingabouther。

SisterSimplicesentaserving—maidtoinquireoftheportressofthefactory，whetherthemayorhadreturned，andifhewouldnotcometotheinfirmarysoon。Thegirlreturnedinafewminutes。

Fantinewasstillmotionlessandseemedabsorbedinherownthoughts。

TheservantinformedSisterSimpliceinaverylowtone，thatthemayorhadsetoutthatmorningbeforesixo’clock，inalittletilburyharnessedtoawhitehorse，coldastheweatherwas；thathehadgonealone，withoutevenadriver；thatnooneknewwhatroadhehadtaken；

thatpeoplesaidhehadbeenseentoturnintotheroadtoArras；

thatothersassertedthattheyhadmethimontheroadtoParis。

Thatwhenhewentawayhehadbeenverygentle，asusual，andthathehadmerelytoldtheportressnottoexpecthimthatnight。

Whilethetwowomenwerewhisperingtogether，withtheirbacksturnedtoFantine’sbed，thesisterinterrogating，theservantconjecturing，Fantine，withthefeverishvivacityofcertainorganicmaladies，whichunitethefreemovementsofhealthwiththefrightfulemaciationofdeath，hadraisedherselftoherkneesinbed，withhershrivelledhandsrestingonthebolster，andherheadthrustthroughtheopeningofthecurtains，andwaslistening。

Allatonceshecried:——

"YouarespeakingofM。Madeleine！Whyareyoutalkingsolow？

Whatishedoing？Whydoeshenotcome？"

Hervoicewassoabruptandhoarsethatthetwowomenthoughttheyheardthevoiceofaman；theywheeledroundinaffright。

"Answerme！"criedFantine。

Theservantstammered:——

"Theportresstoldmethathecouldnotcometo—day。"

"Becalm，mychild，"saidthesister；"liedownagain。"

Fantine，withoutchangingherattitude，continuedinaloudvoice，andwithanaccentthatwasbothimperiousandheart—rending:——

"Hecannotcome？Whynot？Youknowthereason。Youarewhisperingittoeachotherthere。Iwanttoknowit。"

Theservant—maidhastenedtosayinthenun’sear，"Saythatheisbusywiththecitycouncil。"

SisterSimpliceblushedfaintly，foritwasaliethatthemaidhadproposedtoher。

Ontheotherhand，itseemedtoherthatthemerecommunicationofthetruthtotheinvalidwould，withoutdoubt，dealheraterribleblow，andthatthiswasaseriousmatterinFantine’spresentstate。

Herflushdidnotlastlong；thesisterraisedhercalm，sadeyestoFantine，andsaid，"MonsieurleMairehasgoneaway。"

Fantineraisedherselfandcrouchedonherheelsinthebed:

hereyessparkled；indescribablejoybeamedfromthatmelancholyface。

"Gone！"shecried；"hehasgonetogetCosette。"

Thensheraisedherarmstoheaven，andherwhitefacebecameineffable；

herlipsmoved；shewasprayinginalowvoice。

Whenherprayerwasfinished，"Sister，"shesaid，"Iamwillingtoliedownagain；Iwilldoanythingyouwish；Iwasnaughtyjustnow；

Ibegyourpardonforhavingspokensoloud；itisverywrongtotalkloudly；Iknowthatwell，mygoodsister，but，yousee，Iamveryhappy:thegoodGodisgood；M。Madeleineisgood；

justthink！hehasgonetoMontfermeiltogetmylittleCosette。"

Shelaydownagain，withthenun’sassistance，helpedthenuntoarrangeherpillow，andkissedthelittlesilvercrosswhichsheworeonherneck，andwhichSisterSimplicehadgivenher。

"Mychild，"saidthesister，"trytorestnow，anddonottalkanymore。"

Fantinetookthesister’shandinhermoisthands，andthelatterwaspainedtofeelthatperspiration。

"HesetoutthismorningforParis；infact，heneednotevengothroughParis；Montfermeilisalittletotheleftasyoucomethence。

Doyourememberhowhesaidtomeyesterday，whenIspoketohimofCosette，Soon，soon？Hewantstogivemeasurprise，youknow！hemademesignalettersothatshecouldbetakenfromtheThenardiers；theycannotsayanything，canthey？theywillgivebackCosette，fortheyhavebeenpaid；theauthoritieswillnotallowthemtokeepthechildsincetheyhavereceivedtheirpay。

DonotmakesignstomethatImustnottalk，sister！Iamextremelyhappy；Iamdoingwell；Iamnotillatallanymore；

IamgoingtoseeCosetteagain；Iamevenquitehungry；itisnearlyfiveyearssinceIsawherlast；youcannotimaginehowmuchattachedonegetstochildren，andthen，shewillbesopretty；

youwillsee！Ifyouonlyknewwhatprettylittlerosyfingersshehad！Inthefirstplace，shewillhaveverybeautifulhands；

shehadridiculoushandswhenshewasonlyayearold；likethis！

shemustbeabiggirlnow；sheissevenyearsold；sheisquiteayounglady；IcallherCosette，buthernameisreallyEuphrasie。

Stop！thismorningIwaslookingatthedustonthechimney—piece，andIhadasortofideacomeacrossme，likethat，thatIshouldseeCosetteagainsoon。MonDieu！howwrongitisnottoseeone’schildrenforyears！Oneoughttoreflectthatlifeisnoteternal。

Oh，howgoodM。leMaireistogo！itisverycold！itistrue；

hehadonhiscloak，atleast？hewillbehereto—morrow，willhenot？to—morrowwillbeafestivalday；to—morrowmorning，sister，youmustremindmetoputonmylittlecapthathaslaceonit。