第12章

Thedistrict—attorneyknowswhoIam；heknowswhitherIamgoing；

hecanhavemearrestedwhenhelikes。"

Hedirectedhisstepstowardsthedoor。Notavoicewasraised，notanarmextendedtohinderhim。Allstoodaside。Atthatmomenttherewasabouthimthatdivinesomethingwhichcausesmultitudestostandasideandmakewayforaman。Hetraversedthecrowdslowly。

Itwasneverknownwhoopenedthedoor，butitiscertainthathefoundthedooropenwhenhereachedit。Onarrivingthereheturnedroundandsaid:——

"Iamatyourcommand，Mr。District—Attorney。"

Thenheaddressedtheaudience:——

"Allofyou，allwhoarepresent——considermeworthyofpity，doyounot？GoodGod！WhenIthinkofwhatIwasonthepointofdoing，IconsiderthatIamtobeenvied。Nevertheless，Ishouldhavepreferrednottohavehadthisoccur。"

Hewithdrew，andthedoorclosedbehindhimasithadopened，forthosewhodocertainsovereignthingsarealwayssureofbeingservedbysomeoneinthecrowd。

Lessthananhourafterthis，theverdictofthejuryfreedthesaidChampmathieufromallaccusations；andChampmathieu，beingatoncereleased，wentoffinastateofstupefaction，thinkingthatallmenwerefools，andcomprehendingnothingofthisvision。

BOOKEIGHTH。——ACOUNTER—BLOW

CHAPTERI

INWHATMIRRORM。MADELEINECONTEMPLATESHISHAIR

Thedayhadbeguntodawn。Fantinehadpassedasleeplessandfeverishnight，filledwithhappyvisions；atdaybreakshefellasleep。

SisterSimplice，whohadbeenwatchingwithher，availedherselfofthisslumbertogoandprepareanewpotionofchinchona。

Theworthysisterhadbeeninthelaboratoryoftheinfirmarybutafewmoments，bendingoverherdrugsandphials，andscrutinizingthingsveryclosely，onaccountofthedimnesswhichthehalf—lightofdawnspreadsoverallobjects。Suddenlysheraisedherheadandutteredafaintshriek。M。Madeleinestoodbeforeher；

hehadjustenteredsilently。

"Isityou，Mr。Mayor？"sheexclaimed。

Herepliedinalowvoice:——

"Howisthatpoorwoman？"

"Notsobadjustnow；butwehavebeenveryuneasy。"

Sheexplainedtohimwhathadpassed:thatFantinehadbeenveryillthedaybefore，andthatshewasbetternow，becauseshethoughtthatthemayorhadgonetoMontfermeiltogetherchild。

Thesisterdarednotquestionthemayor；butsheperceivedplainlyfromhisairthathehadnotcomefromthere。

"Allthatisgood，"saidhe；"youwererightnottoundeceiveher。"

"Yes，"respondedthesister；"butnow，Mr。Mayor，shewillseeyouandwillnotseeherchild。Whatshallwesaytoher？"

Hereflectedforamoment。

"Godwillinspireus，"saidhe。

"Butwecannottellalie，"murmuredthesister，halfaloud。

Itwasbroaddaylightintheroom。ThelightfellfullonM。Madeleine’sface。Thesisterchancedtoraisehereyestoit。

"GoodGod，sir！"sheexclaimed；"whathashappenedtoyou？

Yourhairisperfectlywhite！"

"White！"saidhe。

SisterSimplicehadnomirror。Sherummagedinadrawer，andpulledoutthelittleglasswhichthedoctoroftheinfirmaryusedtoseewhetherapatientwasdeadandwhetherhenolongerbreathed。

M。Madeleinetookthemirror，lookedathishair，andsaid:——

"Well！"

Heutteredthewordindifferently，andasthoughhismindwereonsomethingelse。

Thesisterfeltchilledbysomethingstrangeofwhichshecaughtaglimpseinallthis。

Heinquired:——

"CanIseeher？"

"IsnotMonsieurleMairegoingtohaveherchildbroughtbacktoher？"

saidthesister，hardlyventuringtoputthequestion。

"Ofcourse；butitwilltaketwoorthreedaysatleast。"

"IfshewerenottoseeMonsieurleMaireuntilthattime，"wentonthesister，timidly，"shewouldnotknowthatMonsieurleMairehadreturned，anditwouldbeeasytoinspireherwithpatience；

andwhenthechildarrived，shewouldnaturallythinkMonsieurleMairehadjustcomewiththechild。Weshouldnothavetoenactalie。"

M。Madeleineseemedtoreflectforafewmoments；thenhesaidwithhiscalmgravity:——

"No，sister，Imustseeher。Imay，perhaps，beinhaste。"

Thenundidnotappeartonoticethisword"perhaps，"whichcommunicatedanobscureandsingularsensetothewordsofthemayor’sspeech。

Shereplied，loweringhereyesandhervoicerespectfully:——

"Inthatcase，sheisasleep；butMonsieurleMairemayenter。"

Hemadesomeremarksaboutadoorwhichshutbadly，andthenoiseofwhichmightawakenthesickwoman；thenheenteredFantine’schamber，approachedthebedanddrewasidethecurtains。Shewasasleep。

Herbreathissuedfromherbreastwiththattragicsoundwhichispeculiartothosemaladies，andwhichbreakstheheartsofmotherswhentheyarewatchingthroughthenightbesidetheirsleepingchildwhoiscondemnedtodeath。Butthispainfulrespirationhardlytroubledasortofineffableserenitywhichoverspreadhercountenance，andwhichtransfiguredherinhersleep。

Herpallorhadbecomewhiteness；hercheekswerecrimson；herlonggoldenlashes，theonlybeautyofheryouthandhervirginitywhichremainedtoher，palpitated，thoughtheyremainedclosedanddrooping。Herwholepersonwastremblingwithanindescribableunfoldingofwings，allreadytoopenwideandbearheraway，whichcouldbefeltastheyrustled，thoughtheycouldnotbeseen。

Toseeherthus，onewouldneverhavedreamedthatshewasaninvalidwhoselifewasalmostdespairedof。Sheresembledrathersomethingonthepointofsoaringawaythansomethingonthepointofdying。

Thebranchtrembleswhenahandapproachesittopluckaflower，andseemstobothwithdrawandtoofferitselfatoneandthesametime。

ThehumanbodyhassomethingofthistremorwhentheinstantarrivesinwhichthemysteriousfingersofDeathareabouttopluckthesoul。

M。Madeleineremainedforsometimemotionlessbesidethatbed，gazinginturnuponthesickwomanandthecrucifix，ashehaddonetwomonthsbefore，onthedaywhenhehadcomeforthefirsttimetoseeherinthatasylum。Theywerebothstillthereinthesameattitude——

shesleeping，hepraying；onlynow，afterthelapseoftwomonths，herhairwasgrayandhiswaswhite。

Thesisterhadnotenteredwithhim。Hestoodbesidethebed，withhisfingeronhislips，asthoughthereweresomeoneinthechamberwhomhemustenjointosilence。

Sheopenedhereyes，sawhim，andsaidquietly，withasmile:——

"AndCosette？"

CHAPTERII

FANTINEHAPPY

Shemadenomovementofeithersurpriseorofjoy；shewasjoyitself。

Thatsimplequestion，"AndCosette？"wasputwithsoprofoundafaith，withsomuchcertainty，withsuchacompleteabsenceofdisquietandofdoubt，thathefoundnotawordofreply。

Shecontinued:——

"Iknewthatyouwerethere。Iwasasleep，butIsawyou。

Ihaveseenyouforalong，longtime。Ihavebeenfollowingyouwithmyeyesallnightlong。Youwereinaglory，andyouhadaroundyouallsortsofcelestialforms。"

Heraisedhisglancetothecrucifix。

"But，"sheresumed，"tellmewhereCosetteis。Whydidnotyouplaceheronmybedagainstthemomentofmywaking？"

Hemadesomemechanicalreplywhichhewasneverafterwardsabletorecall。

Fortunately，thedoctorhadbeenwarned，andhenowmadehisappearance。

HecametotheaidofM。Madeleine。

"Calmyourself，mychild，"saidthedoctor；"yourchildishere。"

Fantine’seyesbeamedandfilledherwholefacewithlight。

Sheclaspedherhandswithanexpressionwhichcontainedallthatispossibletoprayerinthewayofviolenceandtenderness。

"Oh！"sheexclaimed，"bringhertome！"

Touchingillusionofamother！Cosettewas，forher，stillthelittlechildwhoiscarried。

"Notyet，"saidthedoctor，"notjustnow。Youstillhavesomefever。

Thesightofyourchildwouldagitateyouanddoyouharm。

Youmustbecuredfirst。"

Sheinterruptedhimimpetuously:——

"ButIamcured！Oh，ItellyouthatIamcured！Whatanassthatdoctoris！Theidea！Iwanttoseemychild！"

"Yousee，"saidthedoctor，"howexcitedyoubecome。SolongasyouareinthisstateIshallopposeyourhavingyourchild。Itisnotenoughtoseeher；itisnecessarythatyoushouldliveforher。

Whenyouarereasonable，Iwillbringhertoyoumyself。"

Thepoormotherbowedherhead。

"Ibegyourpardon，doctor，Ireallybegyourpardon。FormerlyI

shouldneverhavespokenasIhavejustdone；somanymisfortuneshavehappenedtome，thatIsometimesdonotknowwhatIamsaying。

Iunderstandyou；youfeartheemotion。Iwillwaitaslongasyoulike，butIsweartoyouthatitwouldnothaveharmedmetoseemydaughter。Ihavebeenseeingher；Ihavenottakenmyeyesfromhersinceyesterdayevening。Doyouknow？

Ifshewerebroughttomenow，Ishouldtalktoherverygently。

Thatisall。IsitnotquitenaturalthatIshoulddesiretoseemydaughter，whohasbeenbroughttomeexpresslyfromMontfermeil？

Iamnotangry。IknowwellthatIamabouttobehappy。AllnightlongIhaveseenwhitethings，andpersonswhosmiledatme。

WhenMonsieurleDocteurpleases，heshallbringmeCosette。

Ihavenolongeranyfever；Iamwell。Iamperfectlyconsciousthatthereisnothingthematterwithmeanymore；butIamgoingtobehaveasthoughIwereill，andnotstir，topleasetheseladieshere。

WhenitisseenthatIamverycalm，theywillsay，`Shemusthaveherchild。’"

M。Madeleinewassittingonachairbesidethebed。Sheturnedtowardshim；shewasmakingavisibleefforttobecalmand"verygood，"

assheexpresseditinthefeeblenessofillnesswhichresemblesinfancy，inorderthat，seeinghersopeaceable，theymightmakenodifficultyaboutbringingCosettetoher。ButwhileshecontrolledherselfshecouldnotrefrainfromquestioningM。Madeleine。

"Didyouhaveapleasanttrip，MonsieurleMaire？Oh！howgoodyouweretogoandgetherforme！Onlytellmehowsheis。

Didshestandthejourneywell？Alas！shewillnotrecognizeme。

Shemusthaveforgottenmebythistime，poordarling！Childrenhavenomemories。Theyarelikebirds。Achildseesonethingto—dayandanotherthingto—morrow，andthinksofnothinganylonger。

Anddidshehavewhitelinen？DidthoseThenardierskeepherclean？

Howhavetheyfedher？Oh！ifyouonlyknewhowIhavesuffered，puttingsuchquestionsasthattomyselfduringallthetimeofmywretchedness。Now，itisallpast。Iamhappy。Oh，howIshouldliketoseeher！Doyouthinkherpretty，MonsieurleMaire？Isnotmydaughterbeautiful？Youmusthavebeenverycoldinthatdiligence！

Couldshenotbebroughtforjustonelittleinstant？Shemightbetakenawaydirectlyafterwards。Tellme；youarethemaster；

itcouldbesoifyouchose！"

Hetookherhand。"Cosetteisbeautiful，"hesaid，"Cosetteiswell。

Youshallseehersoon；butcalmyourself；youaretalkingwithtoomuchvivacity，andyouarethrowingyourarmsoutfromundertheclothes，andthatmakesyoucough。"

Infact，fitsofcoughinginterruptedFantineatnearlyeveryword。

Fantinedidnotmurmur；shefearedthatshehadinjuredbyhertoopassionatelamentationstheconfidencewhichshewasdesirousofinspiring，andshebegantotalkofindifferentthings。

"Montfermeilisquitepretty，isitnot？Peoplegothereonpleasurepartiesinsummer。AretheThenardiersprosperous？

Therearenotmanytravellersintheirparts。Thatinnoftheirsisasortofacook—shop。"

M。Madeleinewasstillholdingherhand，andgazingatherwithanxiety；itwasevidentthathehadcometotellherthingsbeforewhichhismindnowhesitated。Thedoctor，havingfinishedhisvisit，retired。SisterSimpliceremainedalonewiththem。

ButinthemidstofthispauseFantineexclaimed:——

"Ihearher！monDieu，Ihearher！"

Shestretchedoutherarmtoenjoinsilenceabouther，heldherbreath，andbegantolistenwithrapture。

Therewasachildplayingintheyard——thechildoftheportressorofsomework—woman。Itwasoneofthoseaccidentswhicharealwaysoccurring，andwhichseemtoformapartofthemysteriousstage—settingofmournfulscenes。Thechild——alittlegirl——

wasgoingandcoming，runningtowarmherself，laughing，singingatthetopofhervoice。Alas！inwhataretheplaysofchildrennotintermingled。ItwasthislittlegirlwhomFantineheardsinging。

"Oh！"sheresumed，"itismyCosette！Irecognizehervoice。"

Thechildretreatedasithadcome；thevoicediedaway。

Fantinelistenedforawhilelonger，thenherfacecloudedover，andM。Madeleineheardhersay，inalowvoice:"Howwickedthatdoctorisnottoallowmetoseemydaughter！Thatmanhasanevilcountenance，thathehas。"

Butthesmilingbackgroundofherthoughtscametothefrontagain。

Shecontinuedtotalktoherself，withherheadrestingonthepillow:

"Howhappywearegoingtobe！Weshallhavealittlegardentheveryfirstthing；M。Madeleinehaspromisedittome。Mydaughterwillplayinthegarden。Shemustknowherlettersbythistime。

Iwillmakeherspell。Shewillrunoverthegrassafterbutterflies。

Iwillwatchher。Thenshewilltakeherfirstcommunion。Ah！whenwillshetakeherfirstcommunion？"

Shebegantoreckononherfingers。

"One，two，three，four——sheissevenyearsold。Infiveyearsshewillhaveawhiteveil，andopenworkstockings；shewilllooklikealittlewoman。Omygoodsister，youdonotknowhowfoolishIbecomewhenIthinkofmydaughter’sfirstcommunion！"

Shebegantolaugh。

HehadreleasedFantine’shand。Helistenedtoherwordsasonelistenstothesighingofthebreeze，withhiseyesontheground，hismindabsorbedinreflectionwhichhadnobottom。Allatoncesheceasedspeaking，andthiscausedhimtoraisehisheadmechanically。

Fantinehadbecometerrible。

Shenolongerspoke，shenolongerbreathed；shehadraisedherselftoasittingposture，herthinshoulderemergedfromherchemise；

herface，whichhadbeenradiantbutamomentbefore，wasghastly，andsheseemedtohavefixedhereyes，renderedlargewithterror，onsomethingalarmingattheotherextremityoftheroom。

"GoodGod！"heexclaimed；"whatailsyou，Fantine？"

Shemadenoreply；shedidnotremovehereyesfromtheobjectwhichsheseemedtosee。Sheremovedonehandfromhisarm，andwiththeothermadehimasigntolookbehindhim。

Heturned，andbeheldJavert。

CHAPTERIII

JAVERTSATISFIED

Thisiswhathadtakenplace。

Thehalf—houraftermidnighthadjuststruckwhenM。MadeleinequittedtheHallofAssizesinArras。Heregainedhisinnjustintimetosetoutagainbythemail—wagon，inwhichhehadengagedhisplace。

Alittlebeforesixo’clockinthemorninghehadarrivedatM。surM。，andhisfirstcarehadbeentopostalettertoM。Laffitte，thentoentertheinfirmaryandseeFantine。

However，hehadhardlyquittedtheaudiencehalloftheCourtofAssizes，whenthedistrict—attorney，recoveringfromhisfirstshock，hadtakenthewordtodeplorethemaddeedofthehonorablemayorofM。surM。，todeclarethathisconvictionshadnotbeenintheleastmodifiedbythatcuriousincident，whichwouldbeexplainedthereafter，andtodemand，inthemeantime，thecondemnationofthatChampmathieu，whowasevidentlytherealJeanValjean。

Thedistrict—attorney’spersistencewasvisiblyatvariancewiththesentimentsofeveryone，ofthepublic，ofthecourt，andofthejury。Thecounselforthedefencehadsomedifficultyinrefutingthisharangueandinestablishingthat，inconsequenceoftherevelationsofM。Madeleine，thatistosay，oftherealJeanValjean，theaspectofthematterhadbeenthoroughlyaltered，andthatthejuryhadbeforetheireyesnowonlyaninnocentman。

Thencethelawyerhaddrawnsomeepiphonemas，notveryfresh，unfortunately，uponjudicialerrors，etc。，etc。；thePresident，inhissummingup，hadjoinedthecounselforthedefence，andinafewminutesthejuryhadthrownChampmathieuoutofthecase。

Nevertheless，thedistrict—attorneywasbentonhavingaJeanValjean；

andashehadnolongerChampmathieu，hetookMadeleine。

ImmediatelyafterChampmathieuhadbeensetatliberty，thedistrict—attorneyshuthimselfupwiththePresident。

Theyconferred"astothenecessityofseizingthepersonofM。leMaireofM。surM。"Thisphrase，inwhichtherewasagreatdealofof，isthedistrict—attorney’s，writtenwithhisownhand，ontheminutesofhisreporttotheattorney—general。Hisfirstemotionhavingpassedoff，thePresidentdidnotoffermanyobjections。

Justicemust，afterall，takeitscourse。Andthen，whenallwassaid，althoughthePresidentwasakindlyandatolerablyintelligentman，hewas，atthesametime，adevotedandalmostanardentroyalist，andhehadbeenshockedtoheartheMayorofM。surM。saytheEmperor，andnotBonaparte，whenalludingtothelandingatCannes。

Theorderforhisarrestwasaccordinglydespatched。

Thedistrict—attorneyforwardedittoM。surM。byaspecialmessenger，atfullspeed，andentrusteditsexecutiontoPoliceInspectorJavert。

ThereaderknowsthatJaverthadreturnedtoM。surM。immediatelyafterhavinggivenhisdeposition。

Javertwasjustgettingoutofbedwhenthemessengerhandedhimtheorderofarrestandthecommandtoproducetheprisoner。

Themessengerhimselfwasaveryclevermemberofthepolice，who，intwowords，informedJavertofwhathadtakenplaceatArras。

Theorderofarrest，signedbythedistrict—attorney，wascouchedinthesewords:"InspectorJavertwillapprehendthebodyoftheSieurMadeleine，mayorofM。surM。，who，inthisday’ssessionofthecourt，wasrecognizedastheliberatedconvict，JeanValjean。"

AnyonewhodidnotknowJavert，andwhohadchancedtoseehimatthemomentwhenhepenetratedtheantechamberoftheinfirmary，couldhavedivinednothingofwhathadtakenplace，andwouldhavethoughthisairthemostordinaryintheworld。Hewascool，calm，grave，hisgrayhairwasperfectlysmoothuponhistemples，andhehadjustmountedthestairswithhishabitualdeliberation。

Anyonewhowasthoroughlyacquaintedwithhim，andwhohadexaminedhimattentivelyatthemoment，wouldhaveshuddered。Thebuckleofhisleatherstockwasunderhisleftearinsteadofatthenapeofhisneck。Thisbetrayedunwontedagitation。

Javertwasacompletecharacter，whoneverhadawrinkleinhisdutyorinhisuniform；methodicalwithmalefactors，rigidwiththebuttonsofhiscoat。

Thatheshouldhavesetthebuckleofhisstockawry，itwasindispensablethatthereshouldhavetakenplaceinhimoneofthoseemotionswhichmaybedesignatedasinternalearthquakes。

Hehadcomeinasimpleway，hadmadearequisitionontheneighboringpostforacorporalandfoursoldiers，hadleftthesoldiersinthecourtyard，hadhadFantine’sroompointedouttohimbytheportress，whowasutterlyunsuspicious，accustomedasshewastoseeingarmedmeninquiringforthemayor。

OnarrivingatFantine’schamber，Javertturnedthehandle，pushedthedooropenwiththegentlenessofasick—nurseorapolicespy，andentered。

Properlyspeaking，hedidnotenter。Hestooderectinthehalf—opendoor，hishatonhisheadandhislefthandthrustintohiscoat，whichwasbuttoneduptothechin。Inthebendofhiselbowtheleadenheadofhisenormouscane，whichwashiddenbehindhim，couldbeseen。

Thusheremainedfornearlyaminute，withouthispresencebeingperceived。AllatonceFantineraisedhereyes，sawhim，andmadeM。Madeleineturnround。

TheinstantthatMadeleine’sglanceencounteredJavert’sglance，Javert，withoutstirring，withoutmovingfromhispost，withoutapproachinghim，becameterrible。Nohumansentimentcanbeasterribleasjoy。

Itwasthevisageofademonwhohasjustfoundhisdamnedsoul。

ThesatisfactionofatlastgettingholdofJeanValjeancausedallthatwasinhissoultoappearinhiscountenance。Thedepthshavingbeenstirredup，mountedtothesurface。Thehumiliationofhaving，insomeslightdegree，lostthescent，andofhavingindulged，forafewmoments，inanerrorwithregardtoChampmathieu，waseffacedbyprideathavingsowellandaccuratelydivinedinthefirstplace，andofhavingforsolongcherishedajustinstinct。

Javert’scontentshoneforthinhissovereignattitude。Thedeformityoftriumphoverspreadthatnarrowbrow。Allthedemonstrationsofhorrorwhichasatisfiedfacecanaffordwerethere。

Javertwasinheavenatthatmoment。Withoutputtingthethingclearlytohimself，butwithaconfusedintuitionofthenecessityofhispresenceandofhissuccess，he，Javert，personifiedjustice，light，andtruthintheircelestialfunctionofcrushingoutevil。

Behindhimandaroundhim，ataninfinitedistance，hehadauthority，reason，thecasejudged，thelegalconscience，thepublicprosecution，allthestars；hewasprotectingorder，hewascausingthelawtoyieldupitsthunders，hewasavengingsociety，hewaslendingahelpinghandtotheabsolute，hewasstandingerectinthemidstofaglory。Thereexistedinhisvictoryaremnantofdefianceandofcombat。Erect，haughty，brilliant，heflauntedabroadinopendaythesuperhumanbestialityofaferociousarchangel。

Theterribleshadowoftheactionwhichhewasaccomplishingcausedthevagueflashofthesocialswordtobevisibleinhisclenchedfist；

happyandindignant，heheldhisheeluponcrime，vice，rebellion，perdition，hell；hewasradiant，heexterminated，hesmiled，andtherewasanincontestablegrandeurinthismonstrousSaintMichael。

Javert，thoughfrightful，hadnothingignobleabouthim。

Probity，sincerity，candor，conviction，thesenseofduty，arethingswhichmaybecomehideouswhenwronglydirected；

butwhich，evenwhenhideous，remaingrand:theirmajesty，themajestypeculiartothehumanconscience，clingstotheminthemidstofhorror；theyarevirtueswhichhaveonevice，——error。

Thehonest，pitilessjoyofafanaticinthefullfloodofhisatrocitypreservesacertainlugubriouslyvenerableradiance。

Withouthimselfsuspectingthefact，Javertinhisformidablehappinesswastobepitied，asiseveryignorantmanwhotriumphs。

Nothingcouldbesopoignantandsoterribleasthisface，whereinwasdisplayedallthatmaybedesignatedastheevilofthegood。

CHAPTERIV

AUTHORITYREASSERTSITSRIGHTS

FantinehadnotseenJavertsincethedayonwhichthemayorhadtornherfromtheman。Herailingbraincomprehendednothing，buttheonlythingwhichshedidnotdoubtwasthathehadcometogether。

Shecouldnotendurethatterribleface；shefeltherlifequittingher；

shehidherfaceinbothhands，andshriekedinheranguish:——

"MonsieurMadeleine，saveme！"

JeanValjean——weshallhenceforthnotspeakofhimotherwise——

hadrisen。HesaidtoFantineinthegentlestandcalmestofvoices:——

"Beatease；itisnotforyouthatheiscome。"

ThenheaddressedJavert，andsaid:——

"Iknowwhatyouwant。"

Javertreplied:——

"Bequickaboutit！"

Therelayintheinflectionofvoicewhichaccompaniedthesewordssomethingindescribablyfierceandfrenzied。Javertdidnotsay，"Bequickaboutit！"hesaid"Bequiabouit。"

Noorthographycandojusticetotheaccentwithwhichitwasuttered:

itwasnolongerahumanword:itwasaroar。

Hedidnotproceedaccordingtohiscustom，hedidnotenterintothematter，heexhibitednowarrantofarrest。Inhiseyes，JeanValjeanwasasortofmysteriouscombatant，whowasnottobelaidhandsupon，awrestlerinthedarkwhomhehadhadinhisgraspforthelastfiveyears，withoutbeingabletothrowhim。

Thisarrestwasnotabeginning，butanend。Heconfinedhimselftosaying，"Bequickaboutit！"

Ashespokethus，hedidnotadvanceasinglestep；hehurledatJeanValjeanaglancewhichhethrewoutlikeagrappling—hook，andwithwhichhewasaccustomedtodrawwretchesviolentlytohim。

ItwasthisglancewhichFantinehadfeltpenetratingtotheverymarrowofherbonestwomonthspreviously。

AtJavert’sexclamation，Fantineopenedhereyesoncemore。

Butthemayorwasthere；whathadshetofear？

Javertadvancedtothemiddleoftheroom，andcried:——

"Seeherenow！Artthoucoming？"

Theunhappywomanglancedabouther。Noonewaspresentexceptingthenunandthemayor。Towhomcouldthatabjectuseof"thou"

beaddressed？Toheronly。Sheshuddered。

Thenshebeheldamostunprecedentedthing，athingsounprecedentedthatnothingequaltoithadappearedtoherevenintheblackestdeliriumsoffever。

ShebeheldJavert，thepolicespy，seizethemayorbythecollar；

shesawthemayorbowhishead。Itseemedtoherthattheworldwascomingtoanend。

Javerthad，infact，graspedJeanValjeanbythecollar。

"MonsieurleMaire！"shriekedFantine。

Javertburstoutlaughingwiththatfrightfullaughwhichdisplayedallhisgums。

"ThereisnolongeranyMonsieurleMairehere！"

JeanValjeanmadenoattempttodisengagethehandwhichgraspedthecollarofhiscoat。Hesaid:——

"Javert——"

Javertinterruptedhim:"CallmeMr。Inspector。"

"Monsieur，"saidJeanValjean，"Ishouldliketosayawordtoyouinprivate。"

"Aloud！Sayitaloud！"repliedJavert；"peopleareinthehabitoftalkingaloudtome。"

JeanValjeanwentoninalowertone:——

"Ihavearequesttomakeofyou——"

"Itellyoutospeakloud。"

"Butyoualoneshouldhearit——"

"Whatdifferencedoesthatmaketome？Ishallnotlisten。"

JeanValjeanturnedtowardshimandsaidveryrapidlyandinaverylowvoice:——

"Grantmethreedays’grace！threedaysinwhichtogoandfetchthechildofthisunhappywoman。Iwillpaywhateverisnecessary。

Youshallaccompanymeifyouchoose。"

"Youaremakingsportofme！"criedJavert。"Comenow，Ididnotthinkyousuchafool！Youaskmetogiveyouthreedaysinwhichtorunaway！Yousaythatitisforthepurposeoffetchingthatcreature’schild！Ah！Ah！That’sgood！That’sreallycapital！"

Fantinewasseizedwithafitoftrembling。

"Mychild！"shecried，"togoandfetchmychild！Sheisnothere，then！Answerme，sister；whereisCosette？Iwantmychild！

MonsieurMadeleine！MonsieurleMaire！"

Javertstampedhisfoot。

"Andnowthere’stheotherone！Willyouholdyourtongue，youhussy？

It’saprettysortofaplacewhereconvictsaremagistrates，andwherewomenofthetownarecaredforlikecountesses！Ah！Butwearegoingtochangeallthat；itishightime！"

HestaredintentlyatFantine，andadded，oncemoretakingintohisgraspJeanValjean’scravat，shirtandcollar:——

"ItellyouthatthereisnoMonsieurMadeleineandthatthereisnoMonsieurleMaire。Thereisathief，abrigand，aconvictnamedJeanValjean！AndIhavehiminmygrasp！That’swhatthereis！"

Fantineraisedherselfinbedwithabound，supportingherselfonherstiffenedarmsandonbothhands:shegazedatJeanValjean，shegazedatJavert，shegazedatthenun，sheopenedhermouthasthoughtospeak；arattleproceededfromthedepthsofherthroat，herteethchattered；shestretchedoutherarmsinheragony，openingherhandsconvulsively，andfumblingaboutherlikeadrowningperson；thensuddenlyfellbackonherpillow。

Herheadstruckthehead—boardofthebedandfellforwardsonherbreast，withgapingmouthandstaring，sightlesseyes。

Shewasdead。

JeanValjeanlaidhishanduponthedetaininghandofJavert，andopeneditashewouldhaveopenedthehandofababy；thenhesaidtoJavert:——

"Youhavemurderedthatwoman。"

"Let’shaveanendofthis！"shoutedJavert，inafury；"Iamnotheretolistentoargument。Letuseconomizeallthat；theguardisbelow；marchoninstantly，oryou’llgetthethumb—screws！"

Inthecorneroftheroomstoodanoldironbedstead，whichwasinadecidedlydecrepitstate，andwhichservedthesistersasacamp—bedwhentheywerewatchingwiththesick。JeanValjeansteppeduptothisbed，inatwinklingwrenchedoffthehead—piece，whichwasalreadyinadilapidatedcondition，aneasymattertomuscleslikehis，graspedtheprincipalrodlikeabludgeon，andglancedatJavert。

Javertretreatedtowardsthedoor。JeanValjean，armedwithhisbarofiron，walkedslowlyuptoFantine’scouch。WhenhearrivedthereheturnedandsaidtoJavert，inavoicethatwasbarelyaudible:——

"Iadviseyounottodisturbmeatthismoment。"

Onethingiscertain，andthatis，thatJaverttrembled。

Itdidoccurtohimtosummontheguard，butJeanValjeanmightavailhimselfofthatmomenttoeffecthisescape；soheremained，graspedhiscanebythesmallend，andleanedagainstthedoor—post，withoutremovinghiseyesfromJeanValjean。

JeanValjeanrestedhiselbowontheknobattheheadofthebed，andhisbrowonhishand，andbegantocontemplatethemotionlessbodyofFantine，whichlayextendedthere。Heremainedthus，mute，absorbed，evidentlywithnofurtherthoughtofanythingconnectedwiththislife。Uponhisfaceandinhisattitudetherewasnothingbutinexpressiblepity。AfterafewmomentsofthismeditationhebenttowardsFantine，andspoketoherinalowvoice。

Whatdidhesaytoher？Whatcouldthisman，whowasreproved，saytothatwoman，whowasdead？Whatwordswerethose？Nooneonearthheardthem。Didthedeadwomanhearthem？Therearesometouchingillusionswhichare，perhaps，sublimerealities。

Thepointastowhichthereexistsnodoubtis，thatSisterSimplice，thesolewitnessoftheincident，oftensaidthatatthemomentthatJeanValjeanwhisperedinFantine’sear，shedistinctlybeheldanineffablesmiledawnonthosepalelips，andinthosedimeyes，filledwiththeamazementofthetomb。

JeanValjeantookFantine’sheadinbothhishands，andarrangeditonthepillowasamothermighthavedoneforherchild；thenhetiedthestringofherchemise，andsmoothedherhairbackunderhercap。

Thatdone，heclosedhereyes。

Fantine’sfaceseemedstrangelyilluminatedatthatmoment。

Death，thatsignifiesentranceintothegreatlight。

Fantine’shandwashangingoverthesideofthebed。JeanValjeankneltdownbeforethathand，lifteditgently，andkissedit。

Thenherose，andturnedtoJavert。

"Now，"saidhe，"Iamatyourdisposal。"

CHAPTERV

ASUITABLETOMB

JavertdepositedJeanValjeaninthecityprison。

ThearrestofM。Madeleineoccasionedasensation，orrather，anextraordinarycommotioninM。surM。Wearesorrythatwecannotconcealthefact，thatatthesingleword，"Hewasaconvict，"

nearlyeveryonedesertedhim。Inlessthantwohoursallthegoodthathehaddonehadbeenforgotten，andhewasnothingbuta"convictfromthegalleys。"ItisjusttoaddthatthedetailsofwhathadtakenplaceatArraswerenotyetknown。Alldaylongconversationslikethefollowingweretobeheardinallquartersofthetown:——

"Youdon’tknow？Hewasaliberatedconvict！""Who？""Themayor。"

"Bah！M。Madeleine？""Yes。""Really？""HisnamewasnotMadeleineatall；hehadafrightfulname，Bejean，Bojean，Boujean。""Ah！

GoodGod！""Hehasbeenarrested。""Arrested！""Inprison，inthecityprison，whilewaitingtobetransferred。""Untilheistransferred！""Heistobetransferred！""Whereishetobetaken？""HewillbetriedattheAssizesforahighwayrobberywhichhecommittedlongago。""Well！Isuspectedasmuch。

Thatmanwastoogood，tooperfect，tooaffected。Herefusedthecross；hebestowedsousonallthelittlescampshecameacross。

Ialwaysthoughttherewassomeevilhistorybackofallthat。"

The"drawing—rooms"particularlyaboundedinremarksofthisnature。

Oneoldlady，asubscribertotheDrapeauBlanc，madethefollowingremark，thedepthofwhichitisimpossibletofathom:——

"Iamnotsorry。ItwillbealessontotheBonapartists！"

ItwasthusthatthephantomwhichhadbeencalledM。MadeleinevanishedfromM。surM。Onlythreeorfourpersonsinallthetownremainedfaithfultohismemory。Theoldportresswhohadservedhimwasamongthenumber。

Ontheeveningofthatdaytheworthyoldwomanwassittinginherlodge，stillinathoroughfright，andabsorbedinsadreflections。

Thefactoryhadbeenclosedallday，thecarriagegatewasbolted，thestreetwasdeserted。Therewasnooneinthehousebutthetwonuns，SisterPerpetueandSisterSimplice，whowerewatchingbesidethebodyofFantine。

TowardsthehourwhenM。Madeleinewasaccustomedtoreturnhome，thegoodportressrosemechanically，tookfromadrawerthekeyofM。Madeleine’schamber，andtheflatcandlestickwhichheusedeveryeveningtogouptohisquarters；thenshehungthekeyonthenailwhencehewasaccustomedtotakeit，andsetthecandlestickononeside，asthoughshewasexpectinghim。Thenshesatdownagainonherchair，andbecameabsorbedinthoughtoncemore。

Thepoor，goodoldwomanbaddoneallthiswithoutbeingconsciousofit。

Itwasonlyattheexpirationoftwohoursthatsherousedherselffromherrevery，andexclaimed，"Hold！MygoodGodJesus！

AndIhunghiskeyonthenail！"

Atthatmomentthesmallwindowinthelodgeopened，ahandpassedthrough，seizedthekeyandthecandlestick，andlightedthetaperatthecandlewhichwasburningthere。

Theportressraisedhereyes，andstoodtherewithgapingmouth，andashriekwhichsheconfinedtoherthroat。

Sheknewthathand，thatarm，thesleeveofthatcoat。

ItwasM。Madeleine。

Itwasseveralsecondsbeforeshecouldspeak；shehadaseizure，asshesaidherself，whensherelatedtheadventureafterwards。

"GoodGod，MonsieurleMaire，"shecriedatlast，"Ithoughtyouwere——"

Shestopped；theconclusionofhersentencewouldhavebeenlackinginrespecttowardsthebeginning。JeanValjeanwasstillMonsieurleMairetoher。

Hefinishedherthought。

"Inprison，"saidhe。"Iwasthere；Ibrokeabarofoneofthewindows；Iletmyselfdropfromthetopofaroof，andhereIam。

Iamgoinguptomyroom；goandfindSisterSimpliceforme。

Sheiswiththatpoorwoman，nodoubt。"

Theoldwomanobeyedinallhaste。

Hegavehernoorders；hewasquitesurethatshewouldguardhimbetterthanheshouldguardhimself。

Nooneeverfoundouthowhehadmanagedtogetintothecourtyardwithoutopeningthebiggates。Hehad，andalwayscarriedabouthim，apass—keywhichopenedalittleside—door；buthemusthavebeensearched，andhislatch—keymusthavebeentakenfromhim。

Thispointwasneverexplained。

Heascendedthestaircaseleadingtohischamber。Onarrivingatthetop，helefthiscandleonthetopstepofhisstairs，openedhisdoorwithverylittlenoise，wentandclosedhiswindowandhisshuttersbyfeeling，thenreturnedforhiscandleandre—enteredhisroom。

Itwasausefulprecaution；itwillberecollectedthathiswindowcouldbeseenfromthestreet。

Hecastaglanceabouthim，athistable，athischair，athisbedwhichhadnotbeendisturbedforthreedays。Notraceofthedisorderofthenightbeforelastremained。Theportresshad"doneup"

hisroom；onlyshehadpickedoutoftheashesandplacedneatlyonthetablethetwoironendsofthecudgelandtheforty—soupiecewhichhadbeenblackenedbythefire。

Hetookasheetofpaper，onwhichhewrote:"Thesearethetwotipsofmyiron—shodcudgelandtheforty—soupiecestolenfromLittleGervais，whichImentionedattheCourtofAssizes，"

andhearrangedthispieceofpaper，thebitsofiron，andthecoininsuchawaythattheywerethefirstthingstobeseenonenteringtheroom。Fromacupboardhepulledoutoneofhisoldshirts，whichhetoreinpieces。Inthestripsoflinenthuspreparedhewrappedthetwosilvercandlesticks。Hebetrayedneitherhastenoragitation；andwhilehewaswrappinguptheBishop’scandlesticks，henibbledatapieceofblackbread。Itwasprobablytheprison—breadwhichhehadcarriedwithhiminhisflight。

Thiswasprovedbythecrumbswhichwerefoundontheflooroftheroomwhentheauthoritiesmadeanexaminationlateron。

Therecametwotapsatthedoor。

"Comein，"saidhe。

ItwasSisterSimplice。

Shewaspale；hereyeswerered；thecandlewhichshecarriedtrembledinherhand。Thepeculiarfeatureoftheviolencesofdestinyis，thathoweverpolishedorcoolwemaybe，theywringhumannaturefromourverybowels，andforceittoreappearonthesurface。

Theemotionsofthatdayhadturnedthenunintoawomanoncemore。

Shehadwept，andshewastrembling。

JeanValjeanhadjustfinishedwritingafewlinesonapaper，whichhehandedtothenun，saying，"Sister，youwillgivethistoMonsieurleCure。"

Thepaperwasnotfolded。Shecastaglanceuponit。

"Youcanreadit，"saidhe。

Sheread:——

"IbegMonsieurleCuretokeepaneyeonallthatIleavebehindme。

Hewillbesogoodastopayoutofittheexpensesofmytrial，andofthefuneralofthewomanwhodiedyesterday。Therestisforthepoor。"

Thesistertriedtospeak，butsheonlymanagedtostammerafewinarticulatesounds。Shesucceededinsaying，however:——

"DoesnotMonsieurleMairedesiretotakealastlookatthatpoor，unhappywoman？"

"No，"saidhe；"Iampursued；itwouldonlyendintheirarrestingmeinthatroom，andthatwoulddisturbher。"

Hehadhardlyfinishedwhenaloudnoisebecameaudibleonthestaircase。

Theyheardatumultofascendingfootsteps，andtheoldportresssayinginherloudestandmostpiercingtones:——

"Mygoodsir，IsweartoyoubythegoodGod，thatnotasoulhasenteredthishouseallday，noralltheevening，andthatI

havenotevenleftthedoor。"

Amanresponded:——

"Butthereisalightinthatroom，nevertheless。"

TheyrecognizedJavert’svoice。

Thechamberwassoarrangedthatthedoorinopeningmaskedthecornerofthewallontheright。JeanValjeanblewoutthelightandplacedhimselfinthisangle。SisterSimplicefellonherkneesnearthetable。

Thedooropened。

Javertentered。

Thewhispersofmanymenandtheprotestationsoftheportresswereaudibleinthecorridor。

Thenundidnotraisehereyes。Shewaspraying。

Thecandlewasonthechimney—piece，andgavebutverylittlelight。

Javertcaughtsightofthenunandhaltedinamazement。

ItwillberememberedthatthefundamentalpointinJavert，hiselement，theveryairhebreathed，wasvenerationforallauthority。

Thiswasimpregnable，andadmittedofneitherobjectionnorrestriction。

Inhiseyes，ofcourse，theecclesiasticalauthoritywasthechiefofall；hewasreligious，superficialandcorrectonthispointasonallothers。Inhiseyes，apriestwasamind，whonevermakesamistake；anunwasacreaturewhoneversins；theyweresoulswalledinfromthisworld，withasingledoorwhichneveropenedexcepttoallowthetruthtopassthrough。

Onperceivingthesister，hisfirstmovementwastoretire。

Buttherewasalsoanotherdutywhichboundhimandimpelledhimimperiouslyintheoppositedirection。Hissecondmovementwastoremainandtoventureonatleastonequestion。

ThiswasSisterSimplice，whohadnevertoldalieinherlife。

Javertknewit，andheldherinspecialvenerationinconsequence。

"Sister，"saidhe，"areyoualoneinthisroom？"

Aterriblemomentensued，duringwhichthepoorportressfeltasthoughsheshouldfaint。

Thesisterraisedhereyesandanswered:——

"Yes。"

"Then，"resumedJavert，"youwillexcusemeifIpersist；itismyduty；youhavenotseenacertainperson——aman——thisevening？

Hehasescaped；weareinsearchofhim——thatJeanValjean；

youhavenotseenhim？"

Thesisterreplied:——

"No。"

Shelied。Shehadliedtwiceinsuccession，oneaftertheother，withouthesitation，promptly，asapersondoeswhensacrificingherself。

"Pardonme，"saidJavert，andheretiredwithadeepbow。

Osaintedmaid！youleftthisworldmanyyearsago；youhaverejoinedyoursisters，thevirgins，andyourbrothers，theangels，inthelight；maythisliebecountedtoyourcreditinparadise！

Thesister’saffirmationwasforJavertsodecisiveathingthathedidnotevenobservethesingularityofthatcandlewhichhadbutjustbeenextinguished，andwhichwasstillsmokingonthetable。

Anhourlater，aman，marchingamidtreesandmists，wasrapidlydepartingfromM。surM。inthedirectionofParis。ThatmanwasJeanValjean。Ithasbeenestablishedbythetestimonyoftwoorthreecarterswhomethim，thathewascarryingabundle；

thathewasdressedinablouse。Wherehadheobtainedthatblouse？

Nooneeverfoundout。Butanagedworkmanhaddiedintheinfirmaryofthefactoryafewdaysbefore，leavingbehindhimnothingbuthisblouse。Perhapsthatwastheone。

OnelastwordaboutFantine。

Weallhaveamother，——theearth。Fantinewasgivenbacktothatmother。

Thecurethoughtthathewasdoingright，andperhapshereallywas，inreservingasmuchmoneyaspossiblefromwhatJeanValjeanhadleftforthepoor。Whowasconcerned，afterall？Aconvictandawomanofthetown。ThatiswhyhehadaverysimplefuneralforFantine，andreducedittothatstrictlynecessaryformknownasthepauper’sgrave。

SoFantinewasburiedinthefreecornerofthecemeterywhichbelongstoanybodyandeverybody，andwherethepoorarelost。Fortunately，Godknowswheretofindthesoulagain。

Fantinewaslaidintheshade，amongthefirstbonesthatcametohand；shewassubjectedtothepromiscuousnessofashes。

Shewasthrownintothepublicgrave。Hergraveresembledherbed。

[TheendofVolumeI。"Fantine"]

VOLUMEII。COSETTE

BOOKFIRST。——WATERLOO

CHAPTERI

WHATISMETWITHONTHEWAYFROMNIVELLES

Lastyear（1861），onabeautifulMaymorning，atraveller，thepersonwhoistellingthisstory，wascomingfromNivelles，anddirectinghiscoursetowardsLaHulpe。Hewasonfoot。Hewaspursuingabroadpavedroad，whichundulatedbetweentworowsoftrees，overthehillswhichsucceedeachother，raisetheroadandletitfallagain，andproducesomethinginthenatureofenormouswaves。

HehadpassedLilloisandBois—Seigneur—Isaac。Inthewestheperceivedtheslate—roofedtowerofBraine—l’Alleud，whichhastheformofareversedvase。Hehadjustleftbehindawooduponaneminence；andattheangleofthecross—road，bythesideofasortofmouldygibbetbearingtheinscriptionAncientBarrierNo。4，apublichouse，bearingonitsfrontthissign:

AttheFourWinds（AuxQuatreVents）。Echabeau，PrivateCafe。

Aquarterofaleaguefurtheron，hearrivedatthebottomofalittlevalley，wherethereiswaterwhichpassesbeneathanarchmadethroughtheembankmentoftheroad。Theclumpofsparselyplantedbutverygreentrees，whichfillsthevalleyononesideoftheroad，isdispersedoverthemeadowsontheother，anddisappearsgracefullyandasinorderinthedirectionofBraine—l’Alleud。

Ontheright，closetotheroad，wasaninn，withafour—wheeledcartatthedoor，alargebundleofhop—poles，aplough，aheapofdriedbrushwoodnearaflourishinghedge，limesmokinginasquarehole，andaladdersuspendedalonganoldpenthousewithstrawpartitions。

Ayounggirlwasweedinginafield，whereahugeyellowposter，probablyofsomeoutsidespectacle，suchasaparishfestival，wasflutteringinthewind。Atonecorneroftheinn，besideapoolinwhichaflotillaofduckswasnavigating，abadlypavedpathplungedintothebushes。Thewayfarerstruckintothis。

Aftertraversingahundredpaces，skirtingawallofthefifteenthcentury，surmountedbyapointedgable，withbrickssetincontrast，hefoundhimselfbeforealargedoorofarchedstone，witharectilinearimpost，inthesombrestyleofLouisXIV。，flankedbytwoflatmedallions。Aseverefacaderoseabovethisdoor；

awall，perpendiculartothefacade，almosttouchedthedoor，andflankeditwithanabruptrightangle。Inthemeadowbeforethedoorlaythreeharrows，throughwhich，indisorder，grewalltheflowersofMay。Thedoorwasclosed。Thetwodecrepitleaveswhichbarreditwereornamentedwithanoldrustyknocker。

Thesunwascharming；thebrancheshadthatsoftshiveringofMay，whichseemstoproceedratherfromtheneststhanfromthewind。

Abravelittlebird，probablyalover，wascarollinginadistractedmannerinalargetree。

Thewayfarerbentoverandexaminedaratherlargecircularexcavation，resemblingthehollowofasphere，inthestoneontheleft，atthefootofthepierofthedoor。

Atthismomenttheleavesofthedoorparted，andapeasantwomanemerged。

Shesawthewayfarer，andperceivedwhathewaslookingat。

"ItwasaFrenchcannon—ballwhichmadethat，"shesaidtohim。

Andsheadded:——

"Thatwhichyouseethere，higherupinthedoor，nearanail，istheholeofabigironbulletaslargeasanegg。Thebulletdidnotpiercethewood。"

"Whatisthenameofthisplace？"inquiredthewayfarer。

"Hougomont，"saidthepeasantwoman。

Thetravellerstraightenedhimselfup。Hewalkedonafewpaces，andwentofftolookoverthetopsofthehedges。Onthehorizonthroughthetrees，heperceivedasortoflittleelevation，andonthiselevationsomethingwhichatthatdistanceresembledalion。

Hewasonthebattle—fieldofWaterloo。

CHAPTERII

HOUGOMONT

Hougomont，——thiswasafunerealspot，thebeginningoftheobstacle，thefirstresistance，whichthatgreatwood—cutterofEurope，calledNapoleon，encounteredatWaterloo，thefirstknotundertheblowsofhisaxe。

Itwasachateau；itisnolongeranythingbutafarm。Fortheantiquary，HougomontisHugomons。ThismanorwasbuiltbyHugo，SireofSomerel，thesamewhoendowedthesixthchaplaincyoftheAbbeyofVilliers。

Thetravellerpushedopenthedoor，elbowedanancientcalashundertheporch，andenteredthecourtyard。

Thefirstthingwhichstruckhiminthispaddockwasadoorofthesixteenthcentury，whichheresimulatesanarcade，everythingelsehavingfallenprostratearoundit。Amonumentalaspectoftenhasitsbirthinruin。Inawallnearthearcadeopensanotherarcheddoor，ofthetimeofHenryIV。，permittingaglimpseofthetreesofanorchard；besidethisdoor，amanure—hole，somepickaxes，someshovels，somecarts，anoldwell，withitsflagstoneanditsironreel，achickenjumping，andaturkeyspreadingitstail，achapelsurmountedbyasmallbell—tower，ablossomingpear—treetrainedinespalieragainstthewallofthechapel——beholdthecourt，theconquestofwhichwasoneofNapoleon’sdreams。Thiscornerofearth，couldhebuthaveseizedit，would，perhaps，havegivenhimtheworldlikewise。Chickensarescatteringitsdustabroadwiththeirbeaks。Agrowlisaudible；itisahugedog，whoshowshisteethandreplacestheEnglish。

TheEnglishbehavedadmirablythere。Cooke’sfourcompaniesofguardsthereheldoutforsevenhoursagainstthefuryofanarmy。

Hougomontviewedonthemap，asageometricalplan，comprisingbuildingsandenclosures，presentsasortofirregularrectangle，oneangleofwhichisnickedout。Itisthisanglewhichcontainsthesoutherndoor，guardedbythiswall，whichcommandsitonlyagun’slengthaway。Hougomonthastwodoors，——thesoutherndoor，thatofthechateau；andthenortherndoor，belongingtothefarm。

NapoleonsenthisbrotherJeromeagainstHougomont；thedivisionsofFoy，Guilleminot，andBacheluhurledthemselvesagainstit；

nearlytheentirecorpsofReillewasemployedagainstit，andmiscarried；

Kellermann’sballswereexhaustedonthisheroicsectionofwall。

Bauduin’sbrigadewasnotstrongenoughtoforceHougomontonthenorth，andthebrigadeofSoyecouldnotdomorethaneffectthebeginningofabreachonthesouth，butwithouttakingit。

Thefarmbuildingsborderthecourtyardonthesouth。Abitofthenorthdoor，brokenbytheFrench，hangssuspendedtothewall。

Itconsistsoffourplanksnailedtotwocross—beams，onwhichthescarsoftheattackarevisible。

Thenortherndoor，whichwasbeateninbytheFrench，andwhichhashadapieceappliedtoittoreplacethepanelsuspendedonthewall，standshalf—openatthebottomofthepaddock；itiscutsquarelyinthewall，builtofstonebelow，ofbrickabovewhichclosesinthecourtyardonthenorth。Itisasimpledoorforcarts，suchasexistinallfarms，withthetwolargeleavesmadeofrusticplanks:

beyondliethemeadows。Thedisputeoverthisentrancewasfurious。

Foralongtime，allsortsofimprintsofbloodyhandswerevisibleonthedoor—posts。ItwastherethatBauduinwaskilled。

Thestormofthecombatstilllingersinthiscourtyard；itshorrorisvisiblethere；theconfusionofthefraywaspetrifiedthere；

itlivesanditdiesthere；itwasonlyyesterday。Thewallsareinthedeathagony，thestonesfall；thebreachescryaloud；

theholesarewounds；thedrooping，quiveringtreesseemtobemakinganefforttoflee。

Thiscourtyardwasmorebuiltupin1815thanitisto—day。Buildingswhichhavesincebeenpulleddownthenformedredansandangles。

TheEnglishbarricadedthemselvesthere；theFrenchmadetheirwayin，butcouldnotstandtheirground。Besidethechapel，onewingofthechateau，theonlyruinnowremainingofthemanorofHougomont，risesinacrumblingstate，——disembowelled，onemightsay。

Thechateauservedforadungeon，thechapelforablock—house。

Theremenexterminatedeachother。TheFrench，firedonfromeverypoint，——frombehindthewalls，fromthesummitsofthegarrets，fromthedepthsofthecellars，throughallthecasements，throughalltheair—holes，througheverycrackinthestones，——

fetchedfagotsandsetfiretowallsandmen；thereplytothegrape—shotwasaconflagration。

Intheruinedwing，throughwindowsgarnishedwithbarsofiron，thedismantledchambersofthemainbuildingofbrickarevisible；

theEnglishguardswereinambushintheserooms；thespiralofthestaircase，crackedfromthegroundfloortotheveryroof，appearsliketheinsideofabrokenshell。Thestaircasehastwostories；

theEnglish，besiegedonthestaircase，andmassedonitsuppersteps，hadcutoffthelowersteps。Theseconsistedoflargeslabsofbluestone，whichformaheapamongthenettles。Halfascoreofstepsstillclingtothewall；onthefirstiscutthefigureofatrident。Theseinaccessiblestepsaresolidintheirniches。

Alltherestresemblesajawwhichhasbeendenudedofitsteeth。

Therearetwooldtreesthere:oneisdead；theotheriswoundedatitsbase，andisclothedwithverdureinApril。Since1815ithastakentogrowingthroughthestaircase。

Amassacretookplaceinthechapel。Theinterior，whichhasrecovereditscalm，issingular。Themasshasnotbeensaidtheresincethecarnage。Nevertheless，thealtarhasbeenleftthere——

analtarofunpolishedwood，placedagainstabackgroundofroughhewnstone。Fourwhitewashedwalls，adooroppositethealtar，twosmallarchedwindows；overthedooralargewoodencrucifix，belowthecrucifixasquareair—holestoppedupwithabundleofhay；

ontheground，inonecorner，anoldwindow—framewiththeglassallbrokentopieces——suchisthechapel。NearthealtarthereisnailedupawoodenstatueofSaintAnne，ofthefifteenthcentury；

theheadoftheinfantJesushasbeencarriedoffbyalargeball。

TheFrench，whoweremastersofthechapelforamoment，andwerethendislodged，setfiretoit。Theflamesfilledthisbuilding；

itwasaperfectfurnace；thedoorwasburned，thefloorwasburned，thewoodenChristwasnotburned。Thefirepreyeduponhisfeet，ofwhichonlytheblackenedstumpsarenowtobeseen；thenitstopped，——

amiracle，accordingtotheassertionofthepeopleoftheneighborhood。

TheinfantJesus，decapitated，waslessfortunatethantheChrist。

Thewallsarecoveredwithinscriptions。NearthefeetofChristthisnameistoberead:Henquinez。Thentheseothers:

CondedeRioMaiorMarquesyMarquesadeAlmagro（Habana）。ThereareFrenchnameswithexclamationpoints，——asignofwrath。

Thewallwasfreshlywhitewashedin1849。Thenationsinsultedeachotherthere。

Itwasatthedoorofthischapelthatthecorpsewaspickedupwhichheldanaxeinitshand；thiscorpsewasSub—LieutenantLegros。

Onemergingfromthechapel，awellisvisibleontheleft。

Therearetwointhiscourtyard。Oneinquires，Whyistherenobucketandpulleytothis？Itisbecausewaterisnolongerdrawnthere。

Whyiswaternotdrawnthere？Becauseitisfullofskeletons。

ThelastpersonwhodrewwaterfromthewellwasnamedGuillaumevanKylsom。HewasapeasantwholivedatHougomont，andwasgardenerthere。Onthe18thofJune，1815，hisfamilyfledandconcealedthemselvesinthewoods。

TheforestsurroundingtheAbbeyofVilliersshelteredtheseunfortunatepeoplewhohadbeenscatteredabroad，formanydaysandnights。

Thereareatthisdaycertaintracesrecognizable，suchasoldbolesofburnedtrees，whichmarkthesiteofthesepoorbivouacstremblinginthedepthsofthethickets。

GuillaumevanKylsomremainedatHougomont，"toguardthechateau，"

andconcealedhimselfinthecellar。TheEnglishdiscoveredhimthere。Theytorehimfromhishiding—place，andthecombatantsforcedthisfrightenedmantoservethem，byadministeringblowswiththeflatsoftheirswords。Theywerethirsty；thisGuillaumebroughtthemwater。Itwasfromthiswellthathedrewit。

Manydranktheretheirlastdraught。Thiswellwheredranksomanyofthedeadwasdestinedtodieitself。