下载辰思小说免费APP
WhataplacethatMontfermeilis！Itookthatjourneyonfootonce；
itwasverylongforme，butthediligencesgoveryquickly！hewillbehereto—morrowwithCosette:howfarisitfromheretoMontfermeil？"
Thesister，whohadnoideaofdistances，replied，"Oh，Ithinkthatbewillbehereto—morrow。"
"To—morrow！to—morrow！"saidFantine，"IshallseeCosetteto—morrow！
yousee，goodsisterofthegoodGod，thatIamnolongerill；
Iammad；Icoulddanceifanyonewishedit。"
Apersonwhohadseenheraquarterofanhourpreviouslywouldnothaveunderstoodthechange；shewasallrosynow；shespokeinalivelyandnaturalvoice；herwholefacewasonesmile；
nowandthenshetalked，shelaughedsoftly；thejoyofamotherisalmostinfantile。
"Well，"resumedthenun，"nowthatyouarehappy，mindme，anddonottalkanymore。"
Fantinelaidherheadonherpillowandsaidinalowvoice:
"Yes，liedownagain；begood，foryouaregoingtohaveyourchild；
SisterSimpliceisright；everyonehereisright。"
Andthen，withoutstirring，withoutevenmovingherhead，shebegantostareallaboutherwithwide—openeyesandajoyousair，andshesaidnothingmore。
Thesisterdrewthecurtainstogetheragain，hopingthatshewouldfallintoadoze。Betweensevenandeighto’clockthedoctorcame；
nothearinganysound，hethoughtFantinewasasleep，enteredsoftly，andapproachedthebedontiptoe；heopenedthecurtainsalittle，and，bythelightofthetaper，hesawFantine’sbigeyesgazingathim。
Shesaidtohim，"Shewillbeallowedtosleepbesidemeinalittlebed，willshenot，sir？"
Thedoctorthoughtthatshewasdelirious。Sheadded:——
"See！thereisjustroom。"
ThedoctortookSisterSimpliceaside，andsheexplainedmatterstohim；thatM。Madeleinewasabsentforadayortwo，andthatintheirdoubttheyhadnotthoughtitwelltoundeceivetheinvalid，whobelievedthatthemayorhadgonetoMontfermeil；
thatitwaspossible，afterall，thatherguesswascorrect:
thedoctorapproved。
HereturnedtoFantine’sbed，andshewenton:——
"Yousee，whenshewakesupinthemorning，Ishallbeabletosaygoodmorningtoher，poorkitten，andwhenIcannotsleepatnight，Icanhearherasleep；herlittlegentlebreathingwilldomegood。"
"Givemeyourhand，"saidthedoctor。
Shestretchedoutherarm，andexclaimedwithalaugh:——
"Ah，hold！intruth，youdidnotknowit；Iamcured；Cosettewillarriveto—morrow。"
Thedoctorwassurprised；shewasbetter；thepressureonherchesthaddecreased；herpulsehadregaineditsstrength；asortoflifehadsuddenlysupervenedandreanimatedthispoor，worn—outcreature。
"Doctor，"shewenton，"didthesistertellyouthatM。leMairehasgonetogetthatmiteofachild？"
Thedoctorrecommendedsilence，andthatallpainfulemotionsshouldbeavoided；heprescribedaninfusionofpurechinchona，and，incasethefevershouldincreaseagainduringthenight，acalmingpotion。
Ashetookhisdeparture，hesaidtothesister:——
"Sheisdoingbetter；ifgoodluckwilledthatthemayorshouldactuallyarriveto—morrowwiththechild，whoknows？therearecrisessoastounding；greatjoyhasbeenknowntoarrestmaladies；
Iknowwellthatthisisanorganicdisease，andinanadvancedstate，butallthosethingsaresuchmysteries:wemaybeabletosaveher。"
CHAPTERVII
THETRAVELLERONHISARRIVALTAKESPRECAUTIONSFORDEPARTURE
Itwasnearlyeighto’clockintheeveningwhenthecart，whichweleftontheroad，enteredtheporte—cochereoftheHoteldelaPosteinArras；themanwhomwehavebeenfollowinguptothismomentalightedfromit，respondedwithanabstractedairtotheattentionsofthepeopleoftheinn，sentbacktheextrahorse，andwithhisownhandsledthelittlewhitehorsetothestable；thenheopenedthedoorofabilliard—roomwhichwassituatedonthegroundfloor，satdownthere，andleanedhiselbowsonatable；hehadtakenfourteenhoursforthejourneywhichhehadcountedonmakinginsix；
hedidhimselfthejusticetoacknowledgethatitwasnothisfault，butatbottom，hewasnotsorry。
Thelandladyofthehotelentered。
"DoesMonsieurwishabed？DoesMonsieurrequiresupper？"
Hemadeasignoftheheadinthenegative。
"ThestablemansaysthatMonsieur’shorseisextremelyfatigued。"
Herehebrokehissilence。
"Willnotthehorsebeinaconditiontosetoutagainto—morrowmorning？"
"Oh，Monsieur！hemustrestfortwodaysatleast。"
Heinquired:——
"Isnottheposting—stationlocatedhere？"
"Yes，sir。"
Thehostessconductedhimtotheoffice；heshowedhispassport，andinquiredwhethertherewasanywayofreturningthatsamenighttoM。surM。bythemail—wagon；theseatbesidethepost—boychancedtobevacant；heengageditandpaidforit。"Monsieur，"saidtheclerk，"donotfailtobeherereadytostartatpreciselyoneo’clockinthemorning。"
Thisdone，heleftthehotelandbegantowanderaboutthetown。
HewasnotacquaintedwithArras；thestreetsweredark，andhewalkedonatrandom；butheseemedbentuponnotaskingthewayofthepassers—by。HecrossedthelittleriverCrinchon，andfoundhimselfinalabyrinthofnarrowalleyswherehelosthisway。
Acitizenwaspassingalongwithalantern。Aftersomehesitation，hedecidedtoapplytothisman，notwithouthavingfirstglancedbehindandinfrontofhim，asthoughhefearedlestsomeoneshouldhearthequestionwhichhewasabouttoput。
"Monsieur，"saidhe，"whereisthecourt—house，ifyouplease。"
"Youdonotbelongintown，sir？"repliedthebourgeois，whowasanoldishman；"well，followme。Ihappentobegoinginthedirectionofthecourt—house，thatistosay，inthedirectionofthehoteloftheprefecture；forthecourt—houseisundergoingrepairsjustatthismoment，andthecourtsareholdingtheirsittingsprovisionallyintheprefecture。"
"IsittherethattheAssizesareheld？"heasked。
"Certainly，sir；yousee，theprefectureofto—daywasthebishop’spalacebeforetheRevolution。M。deConzie，whowasbishopin’82，builtagrandhallthere。Itisinthisgrandhallthatthecourtisheld。"
Ontheway，thebourgeoissaidtohim:——
"IfMonsieurdesirestowitnessacase，itisratherlate。
Thesittingsgenerallycloseatsixo’clock。"
Whentheyarrivedonthegrandsquare，however，themanpointedouttohimfourlongwindowsalllightedup，inthefrontofavastandgloomybuilding。
"Uponmyword，sir，youareinluck；youhavearrivedinseason。
Doyouseethosefourwindows？ThatistheCourtofAssizes。
Thereislightthere，sotheyarenotthrough。Themattermusthavebeengreatlyprotracted，andtheyareholdinganeveningsession。
Doyoutakeaninterestinthisaffair？Isitacriminalcase？
Areyouawitness？"
Hereplied:——
"Ihavenotcomeonanybusiness；Ionlywishtospeaktooneofthelawyers。"
"Thatisdifferent，"saidthebourgeois。"Stop，sir；hereisthedoorwherethesentrystands。Youhaveonlytoascendthegrandstaircase。"
Heconformedtothebourgeois’sdirections，andafewminuteslaterhewasinahallcontainingmanypeople，andwheregroups，intermingledwithlawyersintheirgowns，werewhisperingtogetherhereandthere。
Itisalwaysaheart—breakingthingtoseethesecongregationsofmenrobedinblack，murmuringtogetherinlowvoices，onthethresholdofthehallsofjustice。Itisrarethatcharityandpityaretheoutcomeofthesewords。Condemnationspronouncedinadvancearemorelikelytobetheresult。Allthesegroupsseemtothepassingandthoughtfulobserversomanysombrehiveswherebuzzingspiritsconstructinconcertallsortsofdarkedifices。
Thisspacioushall，illuminatedbyasinglelamp，wastheoldhalloftheepiscopalpalace，andservedasthelargehallofthepalaceofjustice。Adouble—leaveddoor，whichwasclosedatthatmoment，separateditfromthelargeapartmentwherethecourtwassitting。
Theobscuritywassuchthathedidnotfeartoaccostthefirstlawyerwhomhemet。
"Whatstagehavetheyreached，sir？"heasked。
"Itisfinished，"saidthelawyer。
"Finished！"
Thiswordwasrepeatedinsuchaccentsthatthelawyerturnedround。
"Excusemesir；perhapsyouarearelative？"
"No；Iknownoonehere。Hasjudgmentbeenpronounced？"
"Ofcourse。Nothingelsewaspossible。"
"Topenalservitude？"
"Forlife。"
Hecontinued，inavoicesoweakthatitwasbarelyaudible:——
"Thenhisidentitywasestablished？"
"Whatidentity？"repliedthelawyer。"Therewasnoidentitytobeestablished。Thematterwasverysimple。Thewomanhadmurderedherchild；theinfanticidewasproved；thejurythrewoutthequestionofpremeditation，andshewascondemnedforlife。"
"Soitwasawoman？"saidhe。
"Why，certainly。TheLimosinwoman。Ofwhatareyouspeaking？"
"Nothing。Butsinceitisallover，howcomesitthatthehallisstilllighted？"
"Foranothercase，whichwasbegunabouttwohoursago。
"Whatothercase？"
"Oh！thisoneisaclearcasealso。Itisaboutasortofblackguard；
amanarrestedforasecondoffence；aconvictwhohasbeenguiltyoftheft。Idon’tknowhisnameexactly。There’sabandit’sphizforyou！I’dsendhimtothegalleysonthestrengthofhisfacealone。"
"Isthereanywayofgettingintothecourt—room，sir？"saidhe。
"Ireallythinkthatthereisnot。Thereisagreatcrowd。
However，thehearinghasbeensuspended。Somepeoplehavegoneout，andwhenthehearingisresumed，youmightmakeaneffort。"
"Whereistheentrance？"
"Throughyonderlargedoor。"
Thelawyerlefthim。Inthecourseofafewmomentshehadexperienced，almostsimultaneously，almostintermingledwitheachother，allpossibleemotions。Thewordsofthisindifferentspectatorhad，inturn，piercedhisheartlikeneedlesoficeandlikebladesoffire。
Whenhesawthatnothingwassettled，hebreathedfreelyoncemore；
buthecouldnothavetoldwhetherwhathefeltwaspainorpleasure。
Hedrewneartomanygroupsandlistenedtowhattheyweresaying。
Thedocketofthesessionwasveryheavy；thepresidenthadappointedforthesamedaytwoshortandsimplecases。Theyhadbegunwiththeinfanticide，andnowtheyhadreachedtheconvict，theoldoffender，the"returnhorse。"Thismanhadstolenapples，butthatdidnotappeartobeentirelyproved；whathadbeenprovedwas，thathehadalreadybeeninthegalleysatToulon。
Itwasthatwhichlentabadaspecttohiscase。However，theman’sexaminationandthedepositionsofthewitnesseshadbeencompleted，butthelawyer’splea，andthespeechofthepublicprosecutorwerestilltocome；itcouldnotbefinishedbeforemidnight。Themanwouldprobablybecondemned；theattorney—generalwasveryclever，andnevermissedhisculprits；hewasabrilliantfellowwhowroteverses。
AnusherstoodatthedoorcommunicatingwiththehalloftheAssizes。
Heinquiredofthisusher:——
"Willthedoorbeopenedsoon，sir？"
"Itwillnotbeopenedatall，"repliedtheusher。
"What！Itwillnotbeopenedwhenthehearingisresumed？
Isnotthehearingsuspended？"
"Thehearinghasjustbeenbegunagain，"repliedtheusher，"butthedoorwillnotbeopenedagain。"
"Why？"
"Becausethehallisfull。"
"What！Thereisnotroomforonemore？"
"Notanotherone。Thedoorisclosed。Noonecanenternow。"
Theusheraddedafterapause:"Thereare，totellthetruth，twoorthreeextraplacesbehindMonsieurlePresident，butMonsieurlePresidentonlyadmitspublicfunctionariestothem。"
Sosaying，theusherturnedhisback。
Heretiredwithbowedhead，traversedtheantechamber，andslowlydescendedthestairs，asthoughhesitatingateverystep。
Itisprobablethathewasholdingcounselwithhimself。
Theviolentconflictwhichhadbeengoingonwithinhimsincetheprecedingeveningwasnotyetended；andeverymomentheencounteredsomenewphaseofit。Onreachingthelanding—place，heleanedhisbackagainstthebalustersandfoldedhisarms。Allatonceheopenedhiscoat，drewouthispocket—book，tookfromitapencil，toreoutaleaf，anduponthatleafhewroterapidly，bythelightofthestreetlantern，thisline:M。Madeleine，MayorofM。surM。；
thenheascendedthestairsoncemorewithgreatstrides，madehiswaythroughthecrowd，walkedstraightuptotheusher，handedhimthepaper，andsaidinanauthoritativemanner:——
"TakethistoMonsieurlePresident。"
Theushertookthepaper，castaglanceuponit，andobeyed。
CHAPTERVIII
ANENTRANCEBYFAVOR
Althoughhedidnotsuspectthefact，themayorofM。surM。enjoyedasortofcelebrity。ForthespaceofsevenyearshisreputationforvirtuehadfilledthewholeofBasBoulonnais；ithadeventuallypassedtheconfinesofasmalldistrictandhadbeenspreadabroadthroughtwoorthreeneighboringdepartments。Besidestheservicewhichhehadrenderedtothechieftownbyresuscitatingtheblackjetindustry，therewasnotoneoutofthehundredandfortycommunesofthearrondissementofM。surM。whichwasnotindebtedtohimforsomebenefit。Hehadevenatneedcontrivedtoaidandmultiplytheindustriesofotherarrondissements。Itwasthusthathehad，whenoccasionoffered，supportedwithhiscreditandhisfundsthelinenfactoryatBoulogne，theflax—spinningindustryatFrevent，andthehydraulicmanufactureofclothatBoubers—sur—Canche。
EverywherethenameofM。Madeleinewaspronouncedwithveneration。
ArrasandDouaienviedthehappylittletownofM。surM。itsmayor。
TheCouncilloroftheRoyalCourtofDouai，whowaspresidingoverthissessionoftheAssizesatArras，wasacquainted，incommonwiththerestoftheworld，withthisnamewhichwassoprofoundlyanduniversallyhonored。Whentheusher，discreetlyopeningthedoorwhichconnectedthecouncil—chamberwiththecourt—room，bentoverthebackofthePresident’sarm—chairandhandedhimthepaperonwhichwasinscribedthelinewhichwehavejustperused，adding:"Thegentlemandesirestobepresentatthetrial，"thePresident，withaquickanddeferentialmovement，seizedapenandwroteafewwordsatthebottomofthepaperandreturnedittotheusher，saying，"Admithim。"
Theunhappymanwhosehistorywearerelatinghadremainednearthedoorofthehall，inthesameplaceandthesameattitudeinwhichtheusherhadlefthim。Inthemidstofhisreveryheheardsomeonesayingtohim，"WillMonsieurdomethehonortofollowme？"
Itwasthesameusherwhohadturnedhisbackuponhimbutamomentpreviously，andwhowasnowbowingtotheearthbeforehim。
Atthesametime，theusherhandedhimthepaper。Heunfoldedit，andashechancedtobenearthelight，hecouldreadit。
"ThePresidentoftheCourtofAssizespresentshisrespectstoM。Madeleine。"
Hecrushedthepaperinhishandasthoughthosewordscontainedforhimastrangeandbitteraftertaste。
Hefollowedtheusher。
Afewminuteslaterhefoundhimselfaloneinasortofwainscotedcabinetofsevereaspect，lightedbytwowaxcandles，placeduponatablewithagreencloth。Thelastwordsoftheusherwhohadjustquittedhimstillranginhisears:"Monsieur，youarenowinthecouncil—chamber；
youhaveonlytoturnthecopperhandleofyonderdoor，andyouwillfindyourselfinthecourt—room，behindthePresident’schair。"
Thesewordsweremingledinhisthoughtswithavaguememoryofnarrowcorridorsanddarkstaircaseswhichhehadrecentlytraversed。
Theusherhadlefthimalone。Thesuprememomenthadarrived。
Hesoughttocollecthisfaculties，butcouldnot。Itischieflyatthemomentwhenthereisthegreatestneedforattachingthemtothepainfulrealitiesoflife，thatthethreadsofthoughtsnapwithinthebrain。Hewasintheveryplacewherethejudgesdeliberatedandcondemned。Withstupidtranquillityhesurveyedthispeacefulandterribleapartment，wheresomanyliveshadbeenbroken，whichwassoontoringwithhisname，andwhichhisfatewasatthatmomenttraversing。Hestaredatthewall，thenhelookedathimself，wonderingthatitshouldbethatchamberandthatitshouldbehe。
Hehadeatennothingforfourandtwentyhours；hewaswornoutbythejoltsofthecart，buthewasnotconsciousofit。
Itseemedtohimthathefeltnothing。
Heapproachedablackframewhichwassuspendedonthewall，andwhichcontained，underglass，anancientautographletterofJeanNicolasPache，mayorofParisandminister，anddated，throughanerror，nodoubt，the9thofJune，oftheyearII。，andinwhichPacheforwardedtothecommunethelistofministersanddeputiesheldinarrestbythem。Anyspectatorwhohadchancedtoseehimatthatmoment，andwhohadwatchedhim，wouldhaveimagined，doubtless，thatthisletterstruckhimasverycurious，forhedidnottakehiseyesfromit，andhereadittwoorthreetimes。
Hereaditwithoutpayinganyattentiontoit，andunconsciously。
HewasthinkingofFantineandCosette。
Ashedreamed，heturnedround，andhiseyesfelluponthebrassknobofthedoorwhichseparatedhimfromtheCourtofAssizes。
Hehadalmostforgottenthatdoor。Hisglance，calmatfirst，pausedthere，remainedfixedonthatbrasshandle，thengrewterrified，andlittlebylittlebecameimpregnatedwithfear。Beadsofperspirationburstforthamonghishairandtrickleddownuponhistemples。
Atacertainmomenthemadethatindescribablegestureofasortofauthoritymingledwithrebellion，whichisintendedtoconvey，andwhichdoessowellconvey，"Pardieu！whocompelsmetothis？"
Thenhewheeledbrisklyround，caughtsightofthedoorthroughwhichhehadenteredinfrontofhim，wenttoit，openedit，andpassedout。
Hewasnolongerinthatchamber；hewasoutsideinacorridor，along，narrowcorridor，brokenbystepsandgratings，makingallsortsofangles，lightedhereandtherebylanternssimilartothenighttaperofinvalids，thecorridorthroughwhichhehadapproached。
Hebreathed，helistened；notasoundinfront，notasoundbehindhim，andhefledasthoughpursued。
Whenhehadturnedmanyanglesinthiscorridor，hestilllistened。
Thesamesilencereigned，andtherewasthesamedarknessaroundhim。
Hewasoutofbreath；hestaggered；heleanedagainstthewall。
Thestonewascold；theperspirationlayice—coldonhisbrow；
hestraightenedhimselfupwithashiver。
Then，therealoneinthedarkness，tremblingwithcoldandwithsomethingelse，too，perchance，hemeditated。
Hehadmeditatedallnightlong；hehadmeditatedalltheday:
heheardwithinhimbutonevoice，whichsaid，"Alas！"
Aquarterofanhourpassedthus。Atlengthhebowedhishead，sighedwithagony，droppedhisarms，andretracedhissteps。
Hewalkedslowly，andasthoughcrushed。Itseemedasthoughsomeonehadovertakenhiminhisflightandwasleadinghimback。
Here—enteredthecouncil—chamber。Thefirstthinghecaughtsightofwastheknobofthedoor。Thisknob，whichwasroundandofpolishedbrass，shonelikeaterriblestarforhim。
Hegazedatitasalambmightgazeintotheeyeofatiger。
Hecouldnottakehiseyesfromit。Fromtimetotimeheadvancedastepandapproachedthedoor。
Hadhelistened，hewouldhaveheardthesoundoftheadjoininghalllikeasortofconfusedmurmur；buthedidnotlisten，andhedidnothear。
Suddenly，withouthimselfknowinghowithappened，hefoundhimselfnearthedoor；hegraspedtheknobconvulsively；thedooropened。
Hewasinthecourt—room。
CHAPTERIX
APLACEWHERECONVICTIONSAREINPROCESSOFFORMATION
Headvancedapace，closedthedoormechanicallybehindhim，andremainedstanding，contemplatingwhathesaw。
Itwasavastandbadlylightedapartment，nowfullofuproar，nowfullofsilence，wherealltheapparatusofacriminalcase，withitspettyandmournfulgravityinthemidstofthethrong，wasinprocessofdevelopment。
Attheoneendofthehall，theonewherehewas，werejudges，withabstractedair，inthreadbarerobes，whoweregnawingtheirnailsorclosingtheireyelids；attheotherend，araggedcrowd；
lawyersinallsortsofattitudes；soldierswithhardbuthonestfaces；ancient，spottedwoodwork，adirtyceiling，tablescoveredwithsergethatwasyellowratherthangreen；doorsblackenedbyhandmarks；tap—roomlampswhichemittedmoresmokethanlight，suspendedfromnailsinthewainscot；onthetablescandlesinbrasscandlesticks；darkness，ugliness，sadness；andfromallthistherewasdisengagedanaustereandaugustimpression，foronetherefeltthatgrandhumanthingwhichiscalledthelaw，andthatgranddivinethingwhichiscalledjustice。
Nooneinallthatthrongpaidanyattentiontohim；allglancesweredirectedtowardsasinglepoint，awoodenbenchplacedagainstasmalldoor，inthestretchofwallonthePresident’sleft；
onthisbench，illuminatedbyseveralcandles，satamanbetweentwogendarmes。
Thismanwastheman。
Hedidnotseekhim；hesawhim；hiseyeswentthithernaturally，asthoughtheyhadknownbeforehandwherethatfigurewas。
Hethoughthewaslookingathimself，grownold；notabsolutelythesameinface，ofcourse，butexactlysimilarinattitudeandaspect，withhisbristlinghair，withthatwildanduneasyeye，withthatblouse，justasitwasonthedaywhenheenteredD————，fullofhatred，concealinghissoulinthathideousmassoffrightfulthoughtswhichhehadspentnineteenyearsincollectingontheflooroftheprison。
Hesaidtohimselfwithashudder，"GoodGod！shallIbecomelikethatagain？"
Thiscreatureseemedtobeatleastsixty；therewassomethingindescribablycoarse，stupid，andfrightenedabouthim。
Atthesoundmadebytheopeningdoor，peoplehaddrawnasidetomakewayforhim；thePresidenthadturnedhishead，and，understandingthatthepersonagewhohadjustenteredwasthemayorofM。surM。，hehadbowedtohim；theattorney—general，whohadseenM。MadeleineatM。surM。，whitherthedutiesofhisofficehadcalledhimmorethanonce，recognizedhimandsalutedhimalso:hehadhardlyperceivedit；
hewasthevictimofasortofhallucination；hewaswatching。
Judges，clerks，gendarmes，athrongofcruellycuriousheads，allthesehehadalreadybeheldonce，indaysgoneby，twenty—sevenyearsbefore；
hehadencounteredthosefatalthingsoncemore；theretheywere；
theymoved；theyexisted；itwasnolongeraneffortofhismemory，amirageofhisthought；theywererealgendarmesandrealjudges，arealcrowd，andrealmenoffleshandblood:itwasallover；
hebeheldthemonstrousaspectsofhispastreappearandliveoncemorearoundhim，withallthatthereisformidableinreality。
Allthiswasyawningbeforehim。
Hewashorrifiedbyit；heshuthiseyes，andexclaimedinthedeepestrecessesofhissoul，"Never！"
Andbyatragicplayofdestinywhichmadeallhisideastremble，andrenderedhimnearlymad，itwasanotherselfofhisthatwasthere！allcalledthatmanwhowasbeingtriedJeanValjean。
Underhisveryeyes，unheard—ofvision，hehadasortofrepresentationofthemosthorriblemomentofhislife，enactedbyhisspectre。
Everythingwasthere；theapparatuswasthesame，thehourofthenight，thefacesofthejudges，ofsoldiers，andofspectators；allwerethesame，onlyabovethePresident’sheadtherehungacrucifix，somethingwhichthecourtshadlackedatthetimeofhiscondemnation:
Godhadbeenabsentwhenhehadbeenjudged。
Therewasachairbehindhim；hedroppedintoit，terrifiedatthethoughtthathemightbeseen；whenhewasseated，hetookadvantageofapileofcardboardboxes，whichstoodonthejudge’sdesk，toconcealhisfacefromthewholeroom；
hecouldnowseewithoutbeingseen；hehadfullyregainedconsciousnessoftherealityofthings；graduallyherecovered；
heattainedthatphaseofcomposurewhereitispossibletolisten。
M。Bamataboiswasoneofthejurors。
HelookedforJavert，butdidnotseehim；theseatofthewitnesseswashiddenfromhimbytheclerk’stable，andthen，aswehavejustsaid，thehallwassparelylighted。
Atthemomentofthisentrance，thedefendant’slawyerhadjustfinishedhisplea。
Theattentionofallwasexcitedtothehighestpitch；theaffairhadlastedforthreehours:forthreehoursthatcrowdhadbeenwatchingastrangeman，amiserablespecimenofhumanity，eitherprofoundlystupidorprofoundlysubtle，graduallybendingbeneaththeweightofaterriblelikeness。Thisman，asthereaderalreadyknows，wasavagabondwhohadbeenfoundinafieldcarryingabranchladenwithripeapples，brokenintheorchardofaneighbor，calledthePierronorchard。Whowasthisman？anexaminationhadbeenmade；witnesseshadbeenheard，andtheywereunanimous；
lighthadaboundedthroughouttheentiredebate；theaccusationsaid:
"Wehaveinourgraspnotonlyamarauder，astealeroffruit；
wehavehere，inourhands，abandit，anoldoffenderwhohasbrokenhisban，anex—convict，amiscreantofthemostdangerousdescription，amalefactornamedJeanValjean，whomjusticehaslongbeeninsearchof，andwho，eightyearsago，onemergingfromthegalleysatToulon，committedahighwayrobbery，accompaniedbyviolence，onthepersonofachild，aSavoyardnamedLittleGervais；acrimeprovidedforbyarticle383ofthePenalCode，therighttotryhimforwhichwereservehereafter，whenhisidentityshallhavebeenjudiciallyestablished。Hehasjustcommittedafreshtheft；
itisacaseofasecondoffence；condemnhimforthefreshdeed；
lateronhewillbejudgedfortheoldcrime。"Inthefaceofthisaccusation，inthefaceoftheunanimityofthewitnesses，theaccusedappearedtobeastonishedmorethananythingelse；
hemadesignsandgestureswhichweremeanttoconveyNo，orelsehestaredattheceiling:hespokewithdifficulty，repliedwithembarrassment，buthiswholeperson，fromheadtofoot，wasadenial；hewasanidiotinthepresenceofallthesemindsrangedinorderofbattlearoundhim，andlikeastrangerinthemidstofthissocietywhichwasseizingfastuponhim；
nevertheless，itwasaquestionofthemostmenacingfutureforhim；
thelikenessincreasedeverymoment，andtheentirecrowdsurveyed，withmoreanxietythanhedidhimself，thatsentencefreightedwithcalamity，whichdescendedevercloseroverhishead；therewasevenaglimpseofapossibilityafforded；besidesthegalleys，apossibledeathpenalty，incasehisidentitywereestablished，andtheaffairofLittleGervaisweretoendthereafterincondemnation。
Whowasthisman？whatwasthenatureofhisapathy？wasitimbecilityorcraft？Didheunderstandtoowell，ordidhenotunderstandatall？thesewerequestionswhichdividedthecrowd，andseemedtodividethejury；therewassomethingbothterribleandpuzzlinginthiscase:thedramawasnotonlymelancholy；itwasalsoobscure。
Thecounselforthedefencehadspokentolerablywell，inthatprovincialtonguewhichhaslongconstitutedtheeloquenceofthebar，andwhichwasformerlyemployedbyalladvocates，atParisaswellasatRomorantinoratMontbrison，andwhichto—day，havingbecomeclassic，isnolongerspokenexceptbytheofficialoratorsofmagistracy，towhomitissuitedonaccountofitsgravesonorousnessanditsmajesticstride；atongueinwhichahusbandiscalledaconsort，andawomanaspouse；Paris，thecentreofartandcivilization；
theking，themonarch；MonseigneurtheBishop，asaintedpontiff；
thedistrict—attorney，theeloquentinterpreterofpublicprosecution；
thearguments，theaccentswhichwehavejustlistenedto；theageofLouisXIV。，thegrandage；atheatre，thetempleofMelpomene；
thereigningfamily，theaugustbloodofourkings；aconcert，amusicalsolemnity；theGeneralCommandantoftheprovince，theillustriouswarrior，who，etc。；thepupilsintheseminary，thesetenderlevities；errorsimputedtonewspapers，theimposturewhichdistillsitsvenomthroughthecolumnsofthoseorgans；etc。
Thelawyerhad，accordingly，begunwithanexplanationastothetheftoftheapples，——anawkwardmattercouchedinfinestyle；
butBenigneBossuethimselfwasobligedtoalludetoachickeninthemidstofafuneraloration，andheextricatedhimselffromthesituationinstatelyfashion。Thelawyerestablishedthefactthatthetheftoftheappleshadnotbeencircumstantiallyproved。
Hisclient，whomhe，inhischaracterofcounsel，persistedincallingChampmathieu，hadnotbeenseenscalingthatwallnorbreakingthatbranchbyanyone。Hehadbeentakenwiththatbranch（whichthelawyerpreferredtocallabough）inhispossession；
buthesaidthathehadfounditbrokenoffandlyingontheground，andhadpickeditup。Wherewasthereanyprooftothecontrary？
Nodoubtthatbranchhadbeenbrokenoffandconcealedafterthescalingofthewall，thenthrownawaybythealarmedmarauder；
therewasnodoubtthattherehadbeenathiefinthecase。
ButwhatproofwastherethatthatthiefhadbeenChampmathieu？
Onethingonly。Hischaracterasanex—convict。Thelawyerdidnotdenythatthatcharacterappearedtobe，unhappily，wellattested；
theaccusedhadresidedatFaverolles；theaccusedhadexercisedthecallingofatree—prunerthere；thenameofChampmathieumightwellhavehaditsorigininJeanMathieu；allthatwastrue，——
inshort，fourwitnessesrecognizeChampmathieu，positivelyandwithouthesitation，asthatconvict，JeanValjean；tothesesigns，tothistestimony，thecounselcouldopposenothingbutthedenialofhisclient，thedenialofaninterestedparty；butsupposingthathewastheconvictJeanValjean，didthatprovethathewasthethiefoftheapples？thatwasapresumptionatthemost，notaproof。
Theprisoner，itwastrue，andhiscounsel，"ingoodfaith，"
wasobligedtoadmitit，hadadopted"abadsystemofdefence。"
Heobstinatelydeniedeverything，thetheftandhischaracterofconvict。
Anadmissionuponthislastpointwouldcertainlyhavebeenbetter，andwouldhavewonforhimtheindulgenceofhisjudges；thecounselhadadvisedhimtodothis；buttheaccusedhadobstinatelyrefused，thinking，nodoubt，thathewouldsaveeverythingbyadmittingnothing。
Itwasanerror；butoughtnotthepaucityofthisintelligencetobetakenintoconsideration？Thismanwasvisiblystupid。
Long—continuedwretchednessinthegalleys，longmiseryoutsidethegalleys，hadbrutalizedhim，etc。Hedefendedhimselfbadly；
wasthatareasonforcondemninghim？AsfortheaffairwithLittleGervais，thecounselneednotdiscussit；itdidnotenterintothecase。Thelawyerwoundupbybeseechingthejuryandthecourt，iftheidentityofJeanValjeanappearedtothemtobeevident，toapplytohimthepolicepenaltieswhichareprovidedforacriminalwhohasbrokenhisban，andnotthefrightfulchastisementwhichdescendsupontheconvictguiltyofasecondoffence。
Thedistrict—attorneyansweredthecounselforthedefence。
Hewasviolentandflorid，asdistrict—attorneysusuallyare。
Hecongratulatedthecounselforthedefenceonhis"loyalty，"andskilfullytookadvantageofthisloyalty。Hereachedtheaccusedthroughalltheconcessionsmadebyhislawyer。TheadvocatehadseemedtoadmitthattheprisonerwasJeanValjean。Hetooknoteofthis。
SothismanwasJeanValjean。Thispointhadbeenconcededtotheaccusationandcouldnolongerbedisputed。Here，bymeansofacleverautonomasiawhichwentbacktothesourcesandcausesofcrime，thedistrict—attorneythunderedagainsttheimmoralityoftheromanticschool，thendawningunderthenameoftheSatanicschool，whichhadbeenbestoweduponitbythecriticsoftheQuotidienneandtheOriflamme；heattributed，notwithoutsomeprobability，totheinfluenceofthisperverseliteraturethecrimeofChampmathieu，orrather，tospeakmorecorrectly，ofJeanValjean。Havingexhaustedtheseconsiderations，hepassedontoJeanValjeanhimself。
WhowasthisJeanValjean？DescriptionofJeanValjean:amonsterspewedforth，etc。ThemodelforthissortofdescriptioniscontainedinthetaleofTheramene，whichisnotusefultotragedy，butwhicheverydayrendersgreatservicestojudicialeloquence。
Theaudienceandthejury"shuddered。"Thedescriptionfinished，thedistrict—attorneyresumedwithanoratoricalturncalculatedtoraisetheenthusiasmofthejournaloftheprefecturetothehighestpitchonthefollowingday:Anditissuchaman，etc。，etc。，etc。，vagabond，beggar，withoutmeansofexistence，etc。，etc。，inuredbyhispastlifetoculpabledeeds，andbutlittlereformedbyhissojourninthegalleys，aswasprovedbythecrimecommittedagainstLittleGervais，etc。，etc。；itissuchaman，caughtuponthehighwayintheveryactoftheft，afewpacesfromawallthathadbeenscaled，stillholdinginhishandtheobjectstolen，whodeniesthecrime，thetheft，theclimbingthewall；denieseverything；deniesevenhisownidentity！
Inadditiontoahundredotherproofs，towhichwewillnotrecur，fourwitnessesrecognizehim——Javert，theuprightinspectorofpolice；Javert，andthreeofhisformercompanionsininfamy，theconvictsBrevet，Chenildieu，andCochepaille。Whatdoesheofferinoppositiontothisoverwhelmingunanimity？Hisdenial。
Whatobduracy！Youwilldojustice，gentlemenofthejury，etc。，etc。
Whilethedistrict—attorneywasspeaking，theaccusedlistenedtohimopen—mouthed，withasortofamazementinwhichsomeadmirationwasassuredlyblended。Hewasevidentlysurprisedthatamancouldtalklikethat。Fromtimetotime，atthose"energetic"momentsoftheprosecutor’sspeech，wheneloquencewhichcannotcontainitselfoverflowsinafloodofwitheringepithetsandenvelopstheaccusedlikeastorm，hemovedhisheadslowlyfromrighttoleftandfromlefttorightinthesortofmuteandmelancholyprotestwithwhichhehadcontentedhimselfsincethebeginningoftheargument。
Twoorthreetimesthespectatorswhowerenearesttohimheardhimsayinalowvoice，"ThatiswhatcomesofnothavingaskedM。Baloup。"
Thedistrict—attorneydirectedtheattentionofthejurytothisstupidattitude，evidentlydeliberate，whichdenotednotimbecility，butcraft，skill，ahabitofdeceivingjustice，andwhichsetforthinallitsnakednessthe"profoundperversity"ofthisman。
HeendedbymakinghisreservesontheaffairofLittleGervaisanddemandingaseveresentence。
Atthattime，asthereaderwillremember，itwaspenalservitudeforlife。
Thecounselforthedefencerose，beganbycomplimentingMonsieurl’Avocat—Generalonhis"admirablespeech，"thenrepliedasbesthecould；butheweakened；thegroundwasevidentlyslippingawayfromunderhisfeet。
CHAPTERX
THESYSTEMOFDENIALS
Themomentforclosingthedebatehadarrived。ThePresidenthadtheaccusedstandup，andaddressedtohimthecustomaryquestion，"Haveyouanythingtoaddtoyourdefence？"
Themandidnotappeartounderstand，ashestoodthere，twistinginhishandsaterriblecapwhichhehad。
ThePresidentrepeatedthequestion。
Thistimethemanheardit。Heseemedtounderstand。Hemadeamotionlikeamanwhoisjustwakingup，casthiseyesabouthim，staredattheaudience，thegendarmes，hiscounsel，thejury，thecourt，laidhismonstrousfistontherimofwoodworkinfrontofhisbench，tookanotherlook，andallatonce，fixinghisglanceuponthedistrict—attorney，hebegantospeak。Itwaslikeaneruption。
Itseemed，fromthemannerinwhichthewordsescapedfromhismouth，——
incoherent，impetuous，pell—mell，tumblingovereachother，——
asthoughtheywereallpressingforwardtoissueforthatonce。
Hesaid:——
"ThisiswhatIhavetosay。ThatIhavebeenawheelwrightinParis，andthatitwaswithMonsieurBaloup。Itisahardtrade。
Inthewheelwright’stradeoneworksalwaysintheopenair，incourtyards，undershedswhenthemastersaregood，neverinclosedworkshops，becausespaceisrequired，yousee。Inwinteronegetssocoldthatonebeatsone’sarmstogethertowarmone’sself；butthemastersdon’tlikeit；theysayitwastestime。
Handlingironwhenthereisicebetweenthepaving—stonesishardwork。
ThatwearsamanoutquicklyOneisoldwhileheisstillquiteyounginthattrade。Atfortyamanisdonefor。Iwasfifty—three。I
wasinabadstate。Andthen，workmenaresomean！Whenamanisnolongeryoung，theycallhimnothingbutanoldbird，oldbeast！
Iwasnotearningmorethanthirtysousaday。Theypaidmeaslittleaspossible。Themasterstookadvantageofmyage——
andthenIhadmydaughter，whowasalaundressattheriver。
Sheearnedalittlealso。Itsufficedforustwo。Shehadtrouble，also；alldaylonguptoherwaistinatub，inrain，insnow。
Whenthewindcutsyourface，whenitfreezes，itisallthesame；
youmuststillwash。Therearepeoplewhohavenotmuchlinen，andwaituntillate；ifyoudonotwash，youloseyourcustom。
Theplanksarebadlyjoined，andwaterdropsonyoufromeverywhere；
youhaveyourpetticoatsalldampaboveandbelow。Thatpenetrates。
ShehasalsoworkedatthelaundryoftheEnfants—Rouges，wherethewatercomesthroughfaucets。Youarenotinthetubthere；
youwashatthefaucetinfrontofyou，andrinseinabasinbehindyou。Asitisenclosed，youarenotsocold；butthereisthathotsteam，whichisterrible，andwhichruinsyoureyes。
Shecamehomeatseveno’clockintheevening，andwenttobedatonce，shewassotired。Herhusbandbeather。Sheisdead。
Wehavenotbeenveryhappy。Shewasagoodgirl，whodidnotgototheball，andwhowasverypeaceable。IrememberoneShrove—Tuesdaywhenshewenttobedateighto’clock。There，Iamtellingthetruth；
youhaveonlytoask。Ah，yes！howstupidIam！Parisisagulf。
WhoknowsFatherChampmathieuthere？ButM。Baloupdoes，Itellyou。
GoseeatM。Baloup’s；andafterall，Idon’tknowwhatiswantedofme。"
Themanceasedspeaking，andremainedstanding。Hehadsaidthesethingsinaloud，rapid，hoarsevoice，withasortofirritatedandsavageingenuousness。Oncehepausedtosalutesomeoneinthecrowd。
Thesortofaffirmationswhichheseemedtoflingoutbeforehimatrandomcamelikehiccoughs，andtoeachheaddedthegestureofawood—cutterwhoissplittingwood。Whenhehadfinished，theaudienceburstintoalaugh。Hestaredatthepublic，and，perceivingthattheywerelaughing，andnotunderstandingwhy，hebegantolaughhimself。
Itwasinauspicious。
ThePresident，anattentiveandbenevolentman，raisedhisvoice。
Hereminded"thegentlemenofthejury"that"thesieurBaloup，formerlyamaster—wheelwright，withwhomtheaccusedstatedthathehadserved，hadbeensummonedinvain。Hehadbecomebankrupt，andwasnottobefound。"Thenturningtotheaccused，heenjoinedhimtolistentowhathewasabouttosay，andadded:"Youareinapositionwherereflectionisnecessary。Thegravestpresumptionsrestuponyou，andmayinducevitalresults。Prisoner，inyourowninterests，Isummonyouforthelasttimetoexplainyourselfclearlyontwopoints。Inthefirstplace，didyouordidyounotclimbthewallofthePierronorchard，breakthebranch，andstealtheapples；thatistosay，committhecrimeofbreakinginandtheft？
Inthesecondplace，areyouthedischargedconvict，JeanValjean——
yesorno？"
Theprisonershookhisheadwithacapableair，likeamanwhohasthoroughlyunderstood，andwhoknowswhatanswerheisgoingtomake。
Heopenedhismouth，turnedtowardsthePresident，andsaid:——
"Inthefirstplace——"
Thenhestaredathiscap，staredattheceiling，andheldhispeace。
"Prisoner，"saidthedistrict—attorney，inaseverevoice；
"payattention。Youarenotansweringanythingthathasbeenaskedofyou。Yourembarrassmentcondemnsyou。ItisevidentthatyournameisnotChampmathieu；thatyouaretheconvict，JeanValjean，concealedfirstunderthenameofJeanMathieu，whichwasthenameofhismother；thatyouwenttoAuvergne；
thatyouwerebornatFaverolles，whereyouwereapruneroftrees。
Itisevidentthatyouhavebeenguiltyofentering，andofthetheftofripeapplesfromthePierronorchard。Thegentlemenofthejurywillformtheirownopinion。"
Theprisonerhadfinallyresumedhisseat；hearoseabruptlywhenthedistrict—attorneyhadfinished，andexclaimed:——
"Youareverywicked；thatyouare！ThiswhatIwantedtosay；
Icouldnotfindwordsforitatfirst。Ihavestolennothing。
Iamamanwhodoesnothavesomethingtoeateveryday。
IwascomingfromAilly；Iwaswalkingthroughthecountryafterashower，whichhadmadethewholecountryyellow:eventhepondswereoverflowed，andnothingsprangfromthesandanymorebutthelittlebladesofgrassatthewayside。Ifoundabrokenbranchwithapplesontheground；Ipickedupthebranchwithoutknowingthatitwouldgetmeintotrouble。Ihavebeeninprison，andtheyhavebeendraggingmeaboutforthelastthreemonths；
morethanthatIcannotsay；peopletalkagainstme，theytellme，`Answer！’Thegendarme，whoisagoodfellow，nudgesmyelbow，andsaystomeinalowvoice，`Come，answer！’Idon’tknowhowtoexplain；Ihavenoeducation；Iamapoorman；thatiswheretheywrongme，becausetheydonotseethis。Ihavenotstolen；
Ipickedupfromthegroundthingsthatwerelyingthere。
Yousay，JeanValjean，JeanMathieu！Idon’tknowthosepersons；
theyarevillagers。IworkedforM。Baloup，Boulevarddel’Hopital；
mynameisChampmathieu。YouareveryclevertotellmewhereI
wasborn；Idon’tknowmyself:it’snoteverybodywhohasahouseinwhichtocomeintotheworld；thatwouldbetooconvenient。
Ithinkthatmyfatherandmotherwerepeoplewhostrolledalongthehighways；Iknownothingdifferent。WhenIwasachild，theycalledmeyoungfellow；nowtheycallmeoldfellow；thosearemybaptismalnames；takethatasyoulike。IhavebeeninAuvergne；
IhavebeenatFaverolles。Pardi。Well！can’tamanhavebeeninAuvergne，oratFaverolles，withouthavingbeeninthegalleys？
ItellyouthatIhavenotstolen，andthatIamFatherChampmathieu；
IhavebeenwithM。Baloup；Ihavehadasettledresidence。
Youworrymewithyournonsense，there！Whyiseverybodypursuingmesofuriously？"
Thedistrict—attorneyhadremainedstanding；headdressedthePresident:——
"MonsieurlePresident，inviewoftheconfusedbutexceedinglycleverdenialsoftheprisoner，whowouldliketopasshimselfoffasanidiot，butwhowillnotsucceedinsodoing，——
weshallattendtothat，——wedemandthatitshallpleaseyouandthatitshallpleasethecourttosummononcemoreintothisplacetheconvictsBrevet，Cochepaille，andChenildieu，andPolice—InspectorJavert，andquestionthemforthelasttimeastotheidentityoftheprisonerwiththeconvictJeanValjean。"
"Iwouldremindthedistrict—attorney，"saidthePresident，"thatPolice—InspectorJavert，recalledbyhisdutiestothecapitalofaneighboringarrondissement，leftthecourt—roomandthetownassoonashehadmadehisdeposition；wehaveaccordedhimpermission，withtheconsentofthedistrict—attorneyandofthecounselfortheprisoner。"
"Thatistrue，Mr。President，"respondedthedistrict—attorney。
"IntheabsenceofsieurJavert，Ithinkitmydutytoremindthegentlemenofthejuryofwhathesaidhereafewhoursago。
Javertisanestimableman，whodoeshonorbyhisrigorousandstrictprobitytoinferiorbutimportantfunctions。Thesearethetermsofhisdeposition:`Idonotevenstandinneedofcircumstantialproofsandmoralpresumptionstogivethelietotheprisoner’sdenial。
Irecognizehimperfectly。ThenameofthismanisnotChampmathieu；
heisanex—convictnamedJeanValjean，andisveryviciousandmuchtobefeared。Itisonlywithextremeregretthathewasreleasedattheexpirationofhisterm。Heunderwentnineteenyearsofpenalservitudefortheft。Hemadefiveorsixattemptstoescape。
BesidesthetheftfromLittleGervais，andfromthePierronorchard，IsuspecthimofatheftcommittedinthehouseofHisGracethelateBishopofD————IoftensawhimatthetimewhenIwasadjutantofthegalley—guardattheprisoninToulon。IrepeatthatIrecognizehimperfectly。’"
Thisextremelyprecisestatementappearedtoproduceavividimpressiononthepublicandonthejury。Thedistrict—attorneyconcludedbyinsisting，thatindefaultofJavert，thethreewitnessesBrevet，Chenildieu，andCochepailleshouldbeheardoncemoreandsolemnlyinterrogated。
ThePresidenttransmittedtheordertoanusher，and，amomentlater，thedoorofthewitnesses’roomopened。Theusher，accompaniedbyagendarmereadytolendhimarmedassistance，introducedtheconvictBrevet。Theaudiencewasinsuspense；
andallbreastsheavedasthoughtheyhadcontainedbutonesoul。
Theex—convictBrevetworetheblackandgraywaistcoatofthecentralprisons。Brevetwasapersonsixtyyearsofage，whohadasortofbusinessman’sface，andtheairofarascal。
Thetwosometimesgotogether。Inprison，whitherfreshmisdeedshadledhim，hehadbecomesomethinginthenatureofaturnkey。
Hewasamanofwhomhissuperiorssaid，"Hetriestomakehimselfofuse。"Thechaplainsboregoodtestimonyastohisreligioushabits。
ItmustnotbeforgottenthatthispassedundertheRestoration。
"Brevet，"saidthePresident，"youhaveundergoneanignominioussentence，andyoucannottakeanoath。"
Brevetdroppedhiseyes。
"Nevertheless，"continuedthePresident，"eveninthemanwhomthelawhasdegraded，theremayremain，whenthedivinemercypermitsit，asentimentofhonorandofequity。ItistothissentimentthatIappealatthisdecisivehour。Ifitstillexistsinyou，——andIhopeitdoes，——reflectbeforereplyingtome:
considerontheonehand，thisman，whomawordfromyoumayruin；
ontheotherhand，justice，whichawordfromyoumayenlighten。
Theinstantissolemn；thereisstilltimetoretractifyouthinkyouhavebeenmistaken。Rise，prisoner。Brevet，takeagoodlookattheaccused，recallyoursouvenirs，andtellusonyoursoulandconscience，ifyoupersistinrecognizingthismanasyourformercompanioninthegalleys，JeanValjean？"
Brevetlookedattheprisoner，thenturnedtowardsthecourt。
"Yes，Mr。President，Iwasthefirsttorecognizehim，andIsticktoit；
thatmanisJeanValjean，whoenteredatToulonin1796，andleftin1815。Ileftayearlater。Hehastheairofabrutenow；butitmustbebecauseagehasbrutalizedhim；hewasslyatthegalleys:
Irecognizehimpositively。"
"Takeyourseat，"saidthePresident。"Prisoner，remainstanding。"
Chenildieuwasbroughtin，aprisonerforlife，aswasindicatedbyhisredcassockandhisgreencap。HewasservingouthissentenceatthegalleysofToulon，whencehehadbeenbroughtforthiscase。
Hewasasmallmanofaboutfifty，brisk，wrinkled，frail，yellow，brazen—faced，feverish，whohadasortofsicklyfeeblenessaboutallhislimbsandhiswholeperson，andanimmenseforceinhisglance。
HiscompanionsinthegalleyshadnicknamedhimI—deny—God（Je—nieDieu，Chenildieu）。
ThePresidentaddressedhiminnearlythesamewordswhichhehadusedtoBrevet。Atthemomentwhenheremindedhimofhisinfamywhichdeprivedhimoftherighttotakeanoath，Chenildieuraisedhisheadandlookedthecrowdintheface。ThePresidentinvitedhimtoreflection，andaskedhimashehadaskedBrevet，ifhepersistedinrecognitionoftheprisoner。
Chenildieuburstoutlaughing。
"Pardieu，asifIdidn’trecognizehim！Wewereattachedtothesamechainforfiveyears。Soyouaresulking，oldfellow？"
"Gotakeyourseat，"saidthePresident。
TheusherbroughtinCochepaille。Hewasanotherconvictforlife，whohadcomefromthegalleys，andwasdressedinred，likeChenildieu，wasapeasantfromLourdes，andahalf—bearofthePyrenees。
Hehadguardedtheflocksamongthemountains，andfromashepherdhehadslippedintoabrigand。Cochepaillewasnolesssavageandseemedevenmorestupidthantheprisoner。Hewasoneofthosewretchedmenwhomnaturehassketchedoutforwildbeasts，andonwhomsocietyputsthefinishingtouchesasconvictsinthegalleys。
ThePresidenttriedtotouchhimwithsomegraveandpatheticwords，andaskedhim，ashehadaskedtheothertwo，ifhepersisted，withouthesitationortrouble，inrecognizingthemanwhowasstandingbeforehim。
"HeisJeanValjean，"saidCochepaille。"HewasevencalledJean—the—Screw，becausehewassostrong。"
Eachoftheseaffirmationsfromthesethreemen，evidentlysincereandingoodfaith，hadraisedintheaudienceamurmurofbadauguryfortheprisoner，——amurmurwhichincreasedandlastedlongereachtimethatafreshdeclarationwasaddedtotheproceeding。
Theprisonerhadlistenedtothem，withthatastoundedfacewhichwas，accordingtotheaccusation，hisprincipalmeansofdefence；
atthefirst，thegendarmes，hisneighbors，hadheardhimmutterbetweenhisteeth:"Ah，well，he’saniceone！"afterthesecond，hesaid，alittlelouder，withanairthatwasalmostthatofsatisfaction，"Good！"atthethird，hecried，"Famous！"
ThePresidentaddressedhim:——
"Haveyouheard，prisoner？Whathaveyoutosay？"
Hereplied:——
"Isay，`Famous！’"
Anuproarbrokeoutamongtheaudience，andwascommunicatedtothejury；itwasevidentthatthemanwaslost。
"Ushers，"saidthePresident，"enforcesilence！Iamgoingtosumupthearguments。"
AtthatmomenttherewasamovementjustbesidethePresident；
avoicewasheardcrying:——
"Brevet！Chenildieu！Cochepaille！lookhere！"
Allwhoheardthatvoicewerechilled，solamentableandterriblewasit；alleyeswereturnedtothepointwhenceithadproceeded。
Aman，placedamongtheprivilegedspectatorswhowereseatedbehindthecourt，hadjustrisen，hadpushedopenthehalf—doorwhichseparatedthetribunalfromtheaudience，andwasstandinginthemiddleofthehall；thePresident，thedistrict—attorney，M。Bamatabois，twentypersons，recognizedhim，andexclaimedinconcert:——
"M。Madeleine！"
CHAPTERXI
CHAMPMATHIEUMOREANDMOREASTONISHED
Itwashe，infact。Theclerk’slampilluminedhiscountenance。
Heheldhishatinhishand；therewasnodisorderinhisclothing；
hiscoatwascarefullybuttoned；hewasverypale，andhetrembledslightly；hishair，whichhadstillbeengrayonhisarrivalinArras，wasnowentirelywhite:ithadturnedwhiteduringthehourhehadsatthere。
Allheadswereraised:thesensationwasindescribable；
therewasamomentaryhesitationintheaudience，thevoicehadbeensoheart—rending；themanwhostoodthereappearedsocalmthattheydidnotunderstandatfirst。Theyaskedthemselveswhetherhehadindeedutteredthatcry；theycouldnotbelievethatthattranquilmanhadbeentheonetogivethatterribleoutcry。
Thisindecisiononlylastedafewseconds。EvenbeforethePresidentandthedistrict—attorneycouldutteraword，beforetheushersandthegendarmescouldmakeagesture，themanwhomallstillcalled，atthatmoment，M。Madeleine，hadadvancedtowardsthewitnessesCochepaille，Brevet，andChenildieu。
"Doyounotrecognizeme？"saidhe。
Allthreeremainedspeechless，andindicatedbyasignoftheheadthattheydidnotknowhim。Cochepaille，whowasintimidated，madeamilitarysalute。M。Madeleineturnedtowardsthejuryandthecourt，andsaidinagentlevoice:——
"Gentlemenofthejury，ordertheprisonertobereleased！
Mr。President，havemearrested。Heisnotthemanwhomyouareinsearchof；itisI:IamJeanValjean。"
Notamouthbreathed；thefirstcommotionofastonishmenthadbeenfollowedbyasilencelikethatofthegrave；thosewithinthehallexperiencedthatsortofreligiousterrorwhichseizesthemasseswhensomethinggrandhasbeendone。
Inthemeantime，thefaceofthePresidentwasstampedwithsympathyandsadness；hehadexchangedarapidsignwiththedistrict—attorneyandafewlow—tonedwordswiththeassistantjudges；headdressedthepublic，andaskedinaccentswhichallunderstood:——
"Isthereaphysicianpresent？"
Thedistrict—attorneytooktheword:——
"Gentlemenofthejury，theverystrangeandunexpectedincidentwhichdisturbstheaudienceinspiresus，likeyourselves，onlywithasentimentwhichitisunnecessaryforustoexpress。
Youallknow，byreputationatleast，thehonorableM。Madeleine，mayorofM。surM。；ifthereisaphysicianintheaudience，wejointhePresidentinrequestinghimtoattendtoM。Madeleine，andtoconducthimtohishome。"
M。Madeleinedidnotallowthedistrict—attorneytofinish；
heinterruptedhiminaccentsfullofsuavityandauthority。
Thesearethewordswhichheuttered；heretheyareliterally，astheywerewrittendown，immediatelyafterthetrialbyoneofthewitnessestothisscene，andastheynowringintheearsofthosewhoheardthemnearlyfortyyearsago:——
"Ithankyou，Mr。District—Attorney，butIamnotmad；youshallsee；
youwereonthepointofcommittingagreaterror；releasethisman！
Iamfulfillingaduty；Iamthatmiserablecriminal。Iamtheonlyoneherewhoseesthematterclearly，andIamtellingyouthetruth。God，whoisonhigh，looksdownonwhatIamdoingatthismoment，andthatsuffices。Youcantakeme，forhereIam:
butIhavedonemybest；Iconcealedmyselfunderanothername；
Ihavebecomerich；Ihavebecomeamayor；Ihavetriedtore—entertheranksofthehonest。Itseemsthatthatisnottobedone。
Inshort，therearemanythingswhichIcannottell。Iwillnotnarratethestoryofmylifetoyou；youwillhearitoneofthesedays。
IrobbedMonseigneurtheBishop，itistrue；itistruethatI
robbedLittleGervais；theywererightintellingyouthatJeanValjeanwasaveryviciouswretch。Perhapsitwasnotaltogetherhisfault。Listen，honorablejudges！amanwhohasbeensogreatlyhumbledasIhavehasneitheranyremonstrancestomaketoProvidence，noranyadvicetogivetosociety；but，yousee，theinfamyfromwhichIhavetriedtoescapeisaninjuriousthing；thegalleysmaketheconvictwhatheis；reflectuponthat，ifyouplease。
Beforegoingtothegalleys，Iwasapoorpeasant，withverylittleintelligence，asortofidiot；thegalleyswroughtachangeinme。Iwasstupid；Ibecamevicious:Iwasablockofwood；
Ibecameafirebrand。Lateron，indulgenceandkindnesssavedme，asseverityhadruinedme。But，pardonme，youcannotunderstandwhatIamsaying。Youwillfindatmyhouse，amongtheashesinthefireplace，theforty—soupiecewhichIstole，sevenyearsago，fromlittleGervais。Ihavenothingfarthertoadd；takeme。
GoodGod！thedistrict—attorneyshakeshishead；yousay，’M。Madeleinehasgonemad！’youdonotbelieveme！thatisdistressing。Donot，atleast，condemnthisman！What！thesemendonotrecognizeme！
IwishJavertwerehere；hewouldrecognizeme。"
Nothingcanreproducethesombreandkindlymelancholyoftonewhichaccompaniedthesewords。
Heturnedtothethreeconvicts，andsaid:——
"Well，Irecognizeyou；doyouremember，Brevet？"
Hepaused，hesitatedforaninstant，andsaid:——
"Doyouremembertheknittedsuspenderswithacheckedpatternwhichyouworeinthegalleys？"
Brevetgaveastartofsurprise，andsurveyedhimfromheadtofootwithafrightenedair。Hecontinued:——
"Chenildieu，youwhoconferredonyourselfthenameof`Jenie—Dieu，’yourwholerightshoulderbearsadeepburn，becauseyouonedaylaidyourshoulderagainstthechafing—dishfullofcoals，inordertoeffacethethreelettersT。F。P。，whicharestillvisible，nevertheless；answer，isthistrue？"
"Itistrue，"saidChenildieu。
HeaddressedhimselftoCochepaille:——
"Cochepaille，youhave，nearthebendinyourleftarm，adatestampedinblueletterswithburntpowder；thedateisthatofthelandingoftheEmperoratCannes，March1，1815；pullupyoursleeve！"
Cochepaillepusheduphissleeve；alleyeswerefocusedonhimandonhisbarearm。
Agendarmeheldalightclosetoit；therewasthedate。
Theunhappymanturnedtothespectatorsandthejudgeswithasmilewhichstillrendstheheartsofallwhosawitwhenevertheythinkofit。Itwasasmileoftriumph；itwasalsoasmileofdespair。
"Youseeplainly，"hesaid，"thatIamJeanValjean。"
Inthatchambertherewerenolongereitherjudges，accusers，norgendarmes；therewasnothingbutstaringeyesandsympathizinghearts。Noonerecalledanylongerthepartthateachmightbecalledupontoplay；thedistrict—attorneyforgothewasthereforthepurposeofprosecuting，thePresidentthathewastheretopreside，thecounselforthedefencethathewastheretodefend。
Itwasastrikingcircumstancethatnoquestionwasput，thatnoauthorityintervened。Thepeculiarityofsublimespectaclesis，thattheycaptureallsoulsandturnwitnessesintospectators。
Noone，probably，couldhaveexplainedwhathefelt；noone，probably，saidtohimselfthathewaswitnessingthesplendidoutburstofagrandlight:allfeltthemselvesinwardlydazzled。
ItwasevidentthattheyhadJeanValjeanbeforetheireyes。
Thatwasclear。Theappearanceofthismanhadsufficedtosuffusewithlightthatmatterwhichhadbeensoobscurebutamomentpreviously，withoutanyfurtherexplanation:thewholecrowd，asbyasortofelectricrevelation，understoodinstantlyandatasingleglancethesimpleandmagnificenthistoryofamanwhowasdeliveringhimselfupsothatanothermanmightnotbecondemnedinhisstead。
Thedetails，thehesitations，littlepossibleoppositions，wereswallowedupinthatvastandluminousfact。
Itwasanimpressionwhichvanishedspeedily，butwhichwasirresistibleatthemoment。
"Idonotwishtodisturbthecourtfurther，"resumedJeanValjean。
"Ishallwithdraw，sinceyoudonotarrestme。Ihavemanythingstodo。
