第15章

Asallthreemethodsareattendedwiththeirspecialinconveniences，thesecond，whichatallevents，presentssomeadvantages，amongothersthatofpossessingatreasure，ifonlyforamonth，istheonemostgenerallyadopted。Soboldmen，whoaretemptedbyeverychance，havequitefrequently，asweareassured，openedtheholesexcavatedbytheblackman，andtriedtorobthedevil。

Thesuccessoftheoperationappearstobebutmoderate。Atleast，ifthetraditionistobebelieved，andinparticularthetwoenigmaticallinesinbarbarousLatin，whichanevilNormanmonk，abitofasorcerer，namedTryphonhasleftonthissubject。

ThisTryphonisburiedattheAbbeyofSaint—GeorgesdeBocherville，nearRouen，andtoadsspawnonhisgrave。

Accordingly，enormouseffortsaremade。Suchtrenchesareordinarilyextremelydeep；amansweats，digs，toilsallnight——

foritmustbedoneatnight；hewetshisshirt，burnsouthiscandle，breakshismattock，andwhenhearrivesatthebottomofthehole，whenhelayshishandonthe"treasure，"whatdoeshefind？

Whatisthedevil’streasure？Asou，sometimesacrown—piece，astone，askeleton，ableedingbody，sometimesaspectrefoldedinfourlikeasheetofpaperinaportfolio，sometimesnothing。

ThisiswhatTryphon’sversesseemtoannouncetotheindiscreetandcurious:——

"Fodit，etinfossathesaurosconditopaca，As，nummas，lapides，cadaver，simulacra，nihilque。"

Itseemsthatinourdaythereissometimesfoundapowder—hornwithbullets，sometimesanoldpackofcardsgreasyandworn，whichhasevidentlyservedthedevil。Tryphondoesnotrecordthesetwofinds，sinceTryphonlivedinthetwelfthcentury，andsincethedevildoesnotappeartohavehadthewittoinventpowderbeforeRogerBacon’stime，andcardsbeforethetimeofCharlesVI。

Moreover，ifoneplaysatcards，oneissuretoloseallthatonepossesses！andasforthepowderinthehorn，itpossessesthepropertyofmakingyourgunburstinyourface。

Now，averyshorttimeaftertheepochwhenitseemedtotheprosecutingattorneythattheliberatedconvictJeanValjeanduringhisflightofseveraldayshadbeenprowlingaroundMontfermeil，itwasremarkedinthatvillagethatacertainoldroad—laborer，namedBoulatruelle，had"peculiarways"intheforest。PeoplethereaboutsthoughttheyknewthatthisBoulatruellehadbeeninthegalleys。

Hewassubjectedtocertainpolicesupervision，and，ashecouldfindworknowhere，theadministrationemployedhimatreducedratesasaroad—menderonthecross—roadfromGagnytoLagny。

ThisBoulatruellewasamanwhowasviewedwithdisfavorbytheinhabitantsofthedistrictastoorespectful，toohumble，toopromptinremovinghiscaptoeveryone，andtremblingandsmilinginthepresenceofthegendarmes，——probablyaffiliatedtorobberbands，theysaid；suspectedoflyinginambushatvergeofcopsesatnightfall。

Theonlythinginhisfavorwasthathewasadrunkard。

Thisiswhatpeoplethoughttheyhadnoticed:——

Oflate，Boulatruellehadtakentoquittinghistaskofstone—breakingandcareoftheroadataveryearlyhour，andtobetakinghimselftotheforestwithhispickaxe。Hewasencounteredtowardseveninginthemostdesertedclearings，inthewildestthickets；

andhehadtheappearanceofbeinginsearchofsomething，andsometimeshewasdiggingholes。ThegoodwiveswhopassedtookhimatfirstforBeelzebub；thentheyrecognizedBoulatruelle，andwerenotintheleastreassuredthereby。TheseencountersseemedtocauseBoulatruellealivelydispleasure。Itwasevidentthathesoughttohide，andthattherewassomemysteryinwhathewasdoing。

Itwassaidinthevillage:"Itisclearthatthedevilhasappeared。

Boulatruellehasseenhim，andisonthesearch。Insooth，heiscunningenoughtopocketLucifer’shoard。"

TheVoltairiansadded，"WillBoulatruellecatchthedevil，orwillthedevilcatchBoulatruelle？"Theoldwomenmadeagreatmanysignsofthecross。

Inthemeantime，Boulatruelle’smanoeuvresintheforestceased；

andheresumedhisregularoccupationofroadmending；andpeoplegossipedofsomethingelse。

Somepersons，however，werestillcurious，surmisingthatinallthistherewasprobablynofabuloustreasureofthelegends，butsomefinewindfallofamoreseriousandpalpablesortthanthedevil’sbank—bills，andthattheroad—menderhadhalfdiscoveredthesecret。Themost"puzzled"weretheschool—masterandThenardier，theproprietorofthetavern，whowaseverybody’sfriend，andhadnotdisdainedtoallyhimselfwithBoulatruelle。

"Hehasbeeninthegalleys，"saidThenardier。"Eh！GoodGod！

nooneknowswhohasbeenthereorwillbethere。"

OneeveningtheschoolmasteraffirmedthatinformertimesthelawwouldhaveinstitutedaninquiryastowhatBoulatruelledidintheforest，andthatthelatterwouldhavebeenforcedtospeak，andthathewouldhavebeenputtothetortureincaseofneed，andthatBoulatruellewouldnothaveresistedthewatertest，forexample。"Letusputhimtothewinetest，"saidThenardier。

Theymadeaneffort，andgottheoldroad—mendertodrinking。

Boulatruelledrankanenormousamount，butsaidverylittle。

Hecombinedwithadmirableart，andinmasterlyproportions，thethirstofagormandizerwiththediscretionofajudge。

Nevertheless，bydintofreturningtothechargeandofcomparingandputtingtogetherthefewobscurewordswhichhedidallowtoescapehim，thisiswhatThenardierandtheschoolmasterimaginedthattheyhadmadeout:——

Onemorning，whenBoulatruellewasonhiswaytohiswork，atdaybreak，hehadbeensurprisedtosee，atanookoftheforestintheunderbrush，ashovelandapickaxe，concealed，asonemightsay。

However，hemighthavesupposedthattheywereprobablytheshovelandpickofFatherSix—Fours，thewater—carrier，andwouldhavethoughtnomoreaboutit。But，ontheeveningofthatday，hesaw，withoutbeingseenhimself，ashewashiddenbyalargetree，"apersonwhodidnotbelonginthoseparts，andwhomhe，Boulatruelle，knewwell，"directinghisstepstowardsthedensestpartofthewood。TranslationbyThenardier:Acomradeofthegalleys。

Boulatruelleobstinatelyrefusedtorevealhisname。Thispersoncarriedapackage——somethingsquare，likealargeboxorasmalltrunk。

SurpriseonthepartofBoulatruelle。However，itwasonlyaftertheexpirationofsevenoreightminutesthattheideaoffollowingthat"person"hadoccurredtohim。Butitwastoolate；

thepersonwasalreadyinthethicket，nighthaddescended，andBoulatruellehadnotbeenabletocatchupwithhim。Thenhehadadoptedthecourseofwatchingforhimattheedgeofthewoods。

"Itwasmoonlight。"Twoorthreehourslater，Boulatruellehadseenthispersonemergefromthebrushwood，carryingnolongerthecoffer，butashovelandpick。Boulatruellehadallowedthepersontopass，andhadnotdreamedofaccostinghim，becausehesaidtohimselfthattheothermanwasthreetimesasstrongashewas，andarmedwithapickaxe，andthathewouldprobablyknockhimovertheheadonrecognizinghim，andonperceivingthathewasrecognized。

Touchingeffusionoftwooldcomradesonmeetingagain。ButtheshovelandpickhadservedasarayoflighttoBoulatruelle；hehadhastenedtothethicketinthemorning，andhadfoundneithershovelnorpick。Fromthishehaddrawntheinferencethatthisperson，onceintheforest，haddugaholewithhispick，buriedthecoffer，andreclosedtheholewithhisshovel。Now，thecofferwastoosmalltocontainabody；thereforeitcontainedmoney。Hencehisresearches。

Boulatruellehadexplored，sounded，searchedtheentireforestandthethicket，andhaddugwherevertheearthappearedtohimtohavebeenrecentlyturnedup。Invain。

Hehad"ferretedout"nothing。NooneinMontfermeilthoughtanymoreaboutit。Therewereonlyafewbravegossips，whosaid，"YoumaybecertainthatthemenderontheGagnyroaddidnottakeallthattroublefornothing；hewassurethatthedevilhadcome。"

CHAPTERIII

THEANKLE—CHAINMUSTHAVEUNDERGONEACERTAINPREPARATORYMANIPULATION

TOBETHUSBROKENWITHABLOWFROMAHAMMER

TowardstheendofOctober，inthatsameyear，1823，theinhabitantsofToulonbeheldtheentryintotheirport，afterheavyweather，andforthepurposeofrepairingsomedamages，oftheshipOrion，whichwasemployedlateratBrestasaschool—ship，andwhichthenformedapartoftheMediterraneansquadron。

Thisvessel，batteredasitwas，——fortheseahadhandleditroughly，——

producedafineeffectasitenteredtheroads。Itflewsomecolorswhichprocuredforittheregulationsaluteofelevenguns，whichitreturned，shotforshot；total，twenty—two。Ithasbeencalculatedthatwhatwithsalvos，royalandmilitarypolitenesses，courteousexchangesofuproar，signalsofetiquette，formalitiesofroadsteadsandcitadels，sunrisesandsunsets，salutedeverydaybyallfortressesandallshipsofwar，openingsandclosingsofports，etc。，thecivilizedworld，dischargedallovertheearth，inthecourseoffourandtwentyhours，onehundredandfiftythousanduselessshots。Atsixfrancstheshot，thatcomestoninehundredthousandfrancsaday，threehundredmillionsayear，whichvanishinsmoke。Thisisameredetail。Allthistimethepoorweredyingofhunger。

Theyear1823waswhattheRestorationcalled"theepochoftheSpanishwar。"

Thiswarcontainedmanyeventsinone，andaquantityofpeculiarities。

AgrandfamilyaffairforthehouseofBourbon；thebranchofFrancesuccoringandprotectingthebranchofMadrid，thatistosay，performinganactdevolvingontheelder；anapparentreturntoournationaltraditions，complicatedbyservitudeandbysubjectiontothecabinetsoftheNorth；M。leDucd’Angouleme，surnamedbytheliberalsheetstheheroofAndujar，compressinginatriumphalattitudethatwassomewhatcontradictedbyhispeaceableair，theancientandverypowerfulterrorismoftheHolyOfficeatvariancewiththechimericalterrorismoftheliberals；thesansculottesresuscitated，tothegreatterrorofdowagers，underthenameofdescamisados；

monarchyopposinganobstacletoprogressdescribedasanarchy；

thetheoriesof’89roughlyinterruptedinthesap；aEuropeanhalt，calledtotheFrenchidea，whichwasmakingthetouroftheworld；

besidethesonofFranceasgeneralissimo，thePrincedeCarignan，afterwardsCharlesAlbert，enrollinghimselfinthatcrusadeofkingsagainstpeopleasavolunteer，withgrenadierepauletsofredworsted；

thesoldiersoftheEmpiresettingoutonafreshcampaign，butaged，saddened，aftereightyearsofrepose，andunderthewhitecockade；

thetricoloredstandardwavedabroadbyaheroichandfulofFrenchmen，asthewhitestandardhadbeenthirtyyearsearlieratCoblentz；

monksmingledwithourtroops；thespiritoflibertyandofnoveltybroughttoitssensesbybayonets；principlesslaughteredbycannonades；

Franceundoingbyherarmsthatwhichshehaddonebyhermind；

inadditiontothis，hostileleaderssold，soldiershesitating，citiesbesiegedbymillions；nomilitaryperils，andyetpossibleexplosions，asineveryminewhichissurprisedandinvaded；

butlittlebloodshed，littlehonorwon，shameforsome，gloryfornoone。

Suchwasthiswar，madebytheprincesdescendedfromLouisXIV。，andconductedbygeneralswhohadbeenunderNapoleon。Itssadfatewastorecallneitherthegrandwarnorgrandpolitics。

Somefeatsofarmswereserious；thetakingoftheTrocadero，amongothers，wasafinemilitaryaction；butafterall，werepeat，thetrumpetsofthiswargivebackacrackedsound，thewholeeffectwassuspicious；historyapprovesofFranceformakingadifficultyaboutacceptingthisfalsetriumph。ItseemedevidentthatcertainSpanishofficerschargedwithresistanceyieldedtooeasily；theideaofcorruptionwasconnectedwiththevictory；

itappearsasthoughgeneralsandnotbattleshadbeenwon，andtheconqueringsoldierreturnedhumiliated。Adebasingwar，inshort，inwhichtheBankofFrancecouldbereadinthefoldsoftheflag。

Soldiersofthewarof1808，onwhomSaragossahadfalleninformidableruin，frownedin1823attheeasysurrenderofcitadels，andbegantoregretPalafox。ItisthenatureofFrancetoprefertohaveRostopchineratherthanBallesterosinfrontofher。

Fromastillmoreseriouspointofview，andonewhichitisalsopropertoinsistuponhere，thiswar，whichwoundedthemilitaryspiritofFrance，enragedthedemocraticspirit。Itwasanenterpriseofinthralment。Inthatcampaign，theobjectoftheFrenchsoldier，thesonofdemocracy，wastheconquestofayokeforothers。

Ahideouscontradiction。Franceismadetoarousethesoulofnations，nottostifleit。AlltherevolutionsofEuropesince1792aretheFrenchRevolution:libertydartsraysfromFrance。Thatisasolarfact。Blindishewhowillnotsee！ItwasBonapartewhosaidit。

Thewarof1823，anoutrageonthegenerousSpanishnation，wasthen，atthesametime，anoutrageontheFrenchRevolution。

ItwasFrancewhocommittedthismonstrousviolence；byfoulmeans，for，withtheexceptionofwarsofliberation，everythingthatarmiesdoisbyfoulmeans。Thewordspassiveobedienceindicatethis。

Anarmyisastrangemasterpieceofcombinationwhereforceresultsfromanenormoussumofimpotence。Thusiswar，madebyhumanityagainsthumanity，despitehumanity，explained。

AsfortheBourbons，thewarof1823wasfataltothem。Theytookitforasuccess。Theydidnotperceivethedangerthatliesinhavinganideaslaintoorder。Theywentastray，intheirinnocence，tosuchadegreethattheyintroducedtheimmenseenfeeblementofacrimeintotheirestablishmentasanelementofstrength。Thespiritoftheambushenteredintotheirpolitics。1830haditsgermin1823。

TheSpanishcampaignbecameintheircounselsanargumentforforceandforadventuresbyrightDivine。France，havingre—establishedelreynettoinSpain，mightwellhavere—establishedtheabsolutekingathome。Theyfellintothealarmingerroroftakingtheobedienceofthesoldierfortheconsentofthenation。Suchconfidenceistheruinofthrones。Itisnotpermittedtofallasleep，eitherintheshadowofamachineeltree，norintheshadowofanarmy。

LetusreturntotheshipOrion。

Duringtheoperationsofthearmycommandedbytheprincegeneralissimo，asquadronhadbeencruisingintheMediterranean。WehavejuststatedthattheOrionbelongedtothisfleet，andthataccidentsoftheseahadbroughtitintoportatToulon。

Thepresenceofavesselofwarinaporthassomethingaboutitwhichattractsandengagesacrowd。Itisbecauseitisgreat，andthecrowdloveswhatisgreat。

Ashipofthelineisoneofthemostmagnificentcombinationsofthegeniusofmanwiththepowersofnature。

Ashipofthelineiscomposed，atthesametime，oftheheaviestandthelightestofpossiblematter，foritdealsatoneandthesametimewiththreeformsofsubstance，——solid，liquid，andfluid，——

anditmustdobattlewithallthree。Ithaselevenclawsofironwithwhichtoseizethegraniteonthebottomofthesea，andmorewingsandmoreantennaethanwingedinsects，tocatchthewindintheclouds。Itsbreathpoursoutthroughitshundredandtwentycannonsasthroughenormoustrumpets，andrepliesproudlytothethunder。Theoceanseekstoleaditastrayinthealarmingsamenessofitsbillows，butthevesselhasitssoul，itscompass，whichcounselsitandalwaysshowsitthenorth。

Intheblackestnights，itslanternssupplytheplaceofthestars。

Thus，againstthewind，ithasitscordageanditscanvas；

againstthewater，wood；againsttherocks，itsiron，brass，andlead；

againsttheshadows，itslight；againstimmensity，aneedle。

Ifonewishestoformanideaofallthosegiganticproportionswhich，takenasawhole，constitutetheshipoftheline，onehasonlytoenteroneofthesix—storycoveredconstructionstocks，intheportsofBrestorToulon。Thevesselsinprocessofconstructionareunderabell—glassthere，asitwere。Thiscolossalbeamisayard；

thatgreatcolumnofwoodwhichstretchesoutontheearthasfarastheeyecanreachisthemain—mast。Takingitfromitsrootinthestockstoitstipintheclouds，itissixtyfathomslong，anditsdiameteratitsbaseisthreefeet。TheEnglishmain—mastrisestoaheightoftwohundredandseventeenfeetabovethewater—line。

Thenavyofourfathersemployedcables，oursemployschains。

Thesimplepileofchainsonashipofahundredgunsisfourfeethigh，twentyfeetinbreadth，andeightfeetindepth。Andhowmuchwoodisrequiredtomakethisship？Threethousandcubicmetres。

Itisafloatingforest。

Andmoreover，letthisbeborneinmind，itisonlyaquestionhereofthemilitaryvesseloffortyyearsago，ofthesimplesailing—vessel；steam，theninitsinfancy，hassinceaddednewmiraclestothatprodigywhichiscalledawarvessel。

Atthepresenttime，forexample，themixedvesselwithascrewisasurprisingmachine，propelledbythreethousandsquaremetresofcanvasandbyanengineoftwothousandfivehundredhorse—power。

Nottomentionthesenewmarvels，theancientvesselofChristopherColumbusandofDeRuyterisoneofthemasterpiecesofman。

ItisasinexhaustibleinforceasistheInfiniteingales；

itstoresupthewindinitssails，itispreciseintheimmensevaguenessofthebillows，itfloats，anditreigns。

Therecomesanhour，nevertheless，whenthegalebreaksthatsixty—footyardlikeastraw，whenthewindbendsthatmastfourhundredfeettall，whenthatanchor，whichweighstensofthousands，istwistedinthejawsofthewaveslikeafisherman’shookinthejawsofapike，whenthosemonstrouscannonsutterplaintiveandfutileroars，whichthehurricanebearsforthintothevoidandintonight，whenallthatpowerandallthatmajestyareengulfedinapowerandmajestywhicharesuperior。

Everytimethatimmenseforceisdisplayedtoculminateinanimmensefeeblenessitaffordsmenfoodforthought，Henceintheportscuriouspeopleaboundaroundthesemarvellousmachinesofwarandofnavigation，withoutbeingabletoexplainperfectlytothemselveswhy。Everyday，accordingly，frommorninguntilnight，thequays，sluices，andthejettiesoftheportofToulonwerecoveredwithamultitudeofidlersandloungers，astheysayinParis，whosebusinessconsistedinstaringattheOrion。

TheOrionwasashipthathadbeenailingforalongtime；

inthecourseofitspreviouscruisesthicklayersofbarnacleshadcollectedonitskeeltosuchadegreeastodepriveitofhalfitsspeed；ithadgoneintothedrydocktheyearbeforethis，inordertohavethebarnaclesscrapedoff，thenithadputtoseaagain；butthiscleaninghadaffectedtheboltsofthekeel:

intheneighborhoodoftheBalearicIslesthesideshadbeenstrainedandhadopened；and，astheplatinginthosedayswasnotofsheetiron，thevesselhadsprungaleak。Aviolentequinoctialgalehadcomeup，whichhadfirststavedinagratingandaportholeonthelarboardside，anddamagedtheforetop—gallant—shrouds；

inconsequenceoftheseinjuries，theOrionhadrunbacktoToulon。

ItanchoredneartheArsenal；itwasfullyequipped，andrepairswerebegun。Thehullhadreceivednodamageonthestarboard，butsomeoftheplankshadbeenunnailedhereandthere，accordingtocustom，topermitofairenteringthehold。

Onemorningthecrowdwhichwasgazingatitwitnessedanaccident。

Thecrewwasbusybendingthesails；thetopman，whohadtotaketheuppercornerofthemain—top—sailonthestarboard，losthisbalance；hewasseentowaver；themultitudethrongingtheArsenalquayutteredacry；theman’sheadoverbalancedhisbody；

themanfellaroundtheyard，withhishandsoutstretchedtowardstheabyss；onhiswayheseizedthefootrope，firstwithonehand，thenwiththeother，andremainedhangingfromit:thesealaybelowhimatadizzydepth；theshockofhisfallhadimpartedtothefoot—ropeaviolentswingingmotion；themanswayedbackandforthattheendofthatrope，likeastoneinasling。

Itwasincurringafrightfulrisktogotohisassistance；notoneofthesailors，allfishermenofthecoast，recentlyleviedfortheservice，daredtoattemptit。Inthemeantime，theunfortunatetopmanwaslosinghisstrength；hisanguishcouldnotbediscernedonhisface，buthisexhaustionwasvisibleineverylimb；hisarmswerecontractedinhorribletwitchings；everyeffortwhichhemadetore—ascendservedbuttoaugmenttheoscillationsofthefoot—rope；hedidnotshout，forfearofexhaustinghisstrength。Allwereawaitingtheminutewhenheshouldreleasehisholdontherope，and，frominstanttoinstant，headswereturnedasidethathisfallmightnotbeseen。

Therearemomentswhenabitofrope，apole，thebranchofatree，islifeitself，anditisaterriblethingtoseealivingbeingdetachhimselffromitandfalllikearipefruit。

Allatonceamanwasseenclimbingintotheriggingwiththeagilityofatiger—cat；thismanwasdressedinred；hewasaconvict；

heworeagreencap；hewasalifeconvict。Onarrivingonalevelwiththetop，agustofwindcarriedawayhiscap，andallowedaperfectlywhiteheadtobeseen:hewasnotayoungman。

Aconvictemployedonboardwithadetachmentfromthegalleyshad，infact，attheveryfirstinstant，hastenedtotheofficerofthewatch，and，inthemidstoftheconsternationandthehesitationofthecrew，whileallthesailorsweretremblinganddrawingback，hehadaskedtheofficer’spermissiontoriskhislifetosavethetopman；atanaffirmativesignfromtheofficerhehadbrokenthechainrivetedtohisanklewithoneblowofahammer，thenhehadcaughtuparope，andhaddashedintotherigging:

noonenoticed，attheinstant，withwhateasethatchainhadbeenbroken；itwasonlylateronthattheincidentwasrecalled。

Inatwinklinghewasontheyard；hepausedforafewsecondsandappearedtobemeasuringitwithhiseye；theseseconds，duringwhichthebreezeswayedthetopmanattheextremityofathread，seemedcenturiestothosewhowerelookingon。

Atlast，theconvictraisedhiseyestoheavenandadvancedastep:

thecrowddrewalongbreath。Hewasseentorunoutalongtheyard:

onarrivingatthepoint，hefastenedtheropewhichhehadbroughttoit，andallowedtheotherendtohangdown，thenhebegantodescendtherope，handoverhand，andthen，——andtheanguishwasindescribable，——insteadofonemansuspendedoverthegulf，thereweretwo。

Onewouldhavesaiditwasaspidercomingtoseizeafly，onlyherethespiderbroughtlife，notdeath。Tenthousandglanceswerefastenedonthisgroup；notacry，notaword；thesametremorcontractedeverybrow；allmouthsheldtheirbreathasthoughtheyfearedtoaddtheslightestpufftothewindwhichwasswayingthetwounfortunatemen。

Inthemeantime，theconvicthadsucceededinloweringhimselftoapositionnearthesailor。Itwashightime；oneminutemore，andtheexhaustedanddespairingmanwouldhaveallowedhimselftofallintotheabyss。Theconvicthadmooredhimsecurelywiththecordtowhichheclungwithonehand，whilehewasworkingwiththeother。Atlast，hewasseentoclimbbackontheyard，andtodragthesailorupafterhim；heheldhimthereamomenttoallowhimtorecoverhisstrength，thenhegraspedhiminhisarmsandcarriedhim，walkingontheyardhimselftothecap，andfromtheretothemain—top，wherehelefthiminthehandsofhiscomrades。

Atthatmomentthecrowdbrokeintoapplause:oldconvict—sergeantsamongthemwept，andwomenembracedeachotheronthequay，andallvoiceswereheardtocrywithasortoftenderrage，"Pardonforthatman！"

He，inthemeantime，hadimmediatelybeguntomakehisdescenttorejoinhisdetachment。Inordertoreachthemthemorespeedily，hedroppedintotherigging，andranalongoneoftheloweryards；

alleyeswerefollowinghim。Atacertainmomentfearassailedthem；

whetheritwasthathewasfatigued，orthathisheadturned，theythoughttheysawhimhesitateandstagger。Allatoncethecrowdutteredaloudshout:theconvicthadfallenintothesea。

Thefallwasperilous。ThefrigateAlgesiraswasanchoredalongsidetheOrion，andthepoorconvicthadfallenbetweenthetwovessels:

itwastobefearedthathewouldslipunderoneortheotherofthem。

Fourmenflungthemselveshastilyintoaboat；thecrowdcheeredthemon；anxietyagaintookpossessionofallsouls；themanhadnotrisentothesurface；hehaddisappearedintheseawithoutleavingaripple，asthoughhehadfallenintoacaskofoil:theysounded，theydived。Invain。Thesearchwascontinueduntiltheevening:

theydidnotevenfindthebody。

OnthefollowingdaytheToulonnewspaperprintedtheselines:——

"Nov。17，1823。Yesterday，aconvictbelongingtothedetachmentonboardoftheOrion，onhisreturnfromrenderingassistancetoasailor，fellintotheseaandwasdrowned。Thebodyhasnotyetbeenfound；itissupposedthatitisentangledamongthepilesoftheArsenalpoint:thismanwascommittedunderthenumber9，430，andhisnamewasJeanValjean。"

BOOKTHIRD。——ACCOMPLISHMENTOFTHEPROMISEMADETOTHEDEADWOMAN

CHAPTERI

THEWATERQUESTIONATMONTFERMEIL

MontfermeilissituatedbetweenLivryandChelles，onthesouthernedgeofthatloftytable—landwhichseparatestheOurcqfromtheMarne。

Atthepresentdayitisatolerablylargetown，ornamentedalltheyearthroughwithplastervillas，andonSundayswithbeamingbourgeois。

In1823therewereatMontfermeilneithersomanywhitehousesnorsomanywell—satisfiedcitizens:itwasonlyavillageintheforest。

Somepleasure—housesofthelastcenturyweretobemetwiththere，tobesure，whichwererecognizablebytheirgrandair，theirbalconiesintwistediron，andtheirlongwindows，whosetinypanescastallsortsofvaryingshadesofgreenonthewhiteoftheclosedshutters；

butMontfermeilwasnonethelessavillage。Retiredcloth—merchantsandrusticatingattorneyshadnotdiscovereditasyet；itwasapeacefulandcharmingplace，whichwasnotontheroadtoanywhere:

therepeoplelived，andcheaply，thatpeasantrusticlifewhichissobounteousandsoeasy；only，waterwasrarethere，onaccountoftheelevationoftheplateau。

Itwasnecessarytofetchitfromaconsiderabledistance；

theendofthevillagetowardsGagnydrewitswaterfromthemagnificentpondswhichexistinthewoodsthere。Theotherend，whichsurroundsthechurchandwhichliesinthedirectionofChelles，founddrinking—wateronlyatalittlespringhalf—waydowntheslope，neartheroadtoChelles，aboutaquarterofanhourfromMontfermeil。

Thuseachhouseholdfoundithardworktokeepsuppliedwithwater。

Thelargehouses，thearistocracy，ofwhichtheThenardiertavernformedapart，paidhalfafarthingabucketfultoamanwhomadeabusinessofit，andwhoearnedabouteightsousadayinhisenterpriseofsupplyingMontfermeilwithwater；butthisgoodmanonlyworkeduntilseveno’clockintheeveninginsummer，andfiveinwinter；

andnightoncecomeandtheshuttersonthegroundflooronceclosed，hewhohadnowatertodrinkwenttofetchitforhimselfordidwithoutit。

Thisconstitutedtheterrorofthepoorcreaturewhomthereaderhasprobablynotforgotten，——littleCosette。ItwillberememberedthatCosettewasusefultotheThenardiersintwoways:

theymadethemotherpaythem，andtheymadethechildservethem。

Sowhenthemotherceasedtopayaltogether，thereasonforwhichwehavereadinprecedingchapters，theThenardierskeptCosette。

Shetooktheplaceofaservantintheirhouse。Inthiscapacitysheitwaswhorantofetchwaterwhenitwasrequired。Sothechild，whowasgreatlyterrifiedattheideaofgoingtothespringatnight，tookgreatcarethatwatershouldneverbelackinginthehouse。

Christmasoftheyear1823wasparticularlybrilliantatMontfermeil。

Thebeginningofthewinterhadbeenmild；therehadbeenneithersnownorfrostuptothattime。SomemountebanksfromParishadobtainedpermissionofthemayortoerecttheirboothsintheprincipalstreetofthevillage，andabandofitinerantmerchants，underprotectionofthesametolerance，hadconstructedtheirstallsontheChurchSquare，andevenextendedthemintoBoulangerAlley，where，asthereaderwillperhapsremember，theThenardiers’hostelrywassituated。

Thesepeoplefilledtheinnsanddrinking—shops，andcommunicatedtothattranquillittledistrictanoisyandjoyouslife。Inordertoplaythepartofafaithfulhistorian，weoughteventoaddthat，amongthecuriositiesdisplayedinthesquare，therewasamenagerie，inwhichfrightfulclowns，cladinragsandcomingnooneknewwhence，exhibitedtothepeasantsofMontfermeilin1823oneofthosehorribleBrazilianvultures，suchasourRoyalMuseumdidnotpossessuntil1845，andwhichhaveatricoloredcockadeforaneye。

IbelievethatnaturalistscallthisbirdCaracaraPolyborus；

itbelongstotheorderoftheApicides，andtothefamilyofthevultures。SomegoodoldBonapartistsoldiers，whohadretiredtothevillage，wenttoseethiscreaturewithgreatdevotion。

ThemountebanksgaveoutthatthetricoloredcockadewasauniquephenomenonmadebyGodexpresslyfortheirmenagerie。

OnChristmaseveitself，anumberofmen，carters，andpeddlers，wereseatedattable，drinkingandsmokingaroundfourorfivecandlesinthepublicroomofThenardier’shostelry。Thisroomresembledalldrinking—shoprooms，——tables，pewterjugs，bottles，drinkers，smokers；butlittlelightandagreatdealofnoise。

Thedateoftheyear1823wasindicated，nevertheless，bytwoobjectswhichwerethenfashionableinthebourgeoisclass:towit，akaleidoscopeandalampofribbedtin。ThefemaleThenardierwasattendingtothesupper，whichwasroastinginfrontofaclearfire；

herhusbandwasdrinkingwithhiscustomersandtalkingpolitics。

BesidespoliticalconversationswhichhadfortheirprincipalsubjectstheSpanishwarandM。leDucd’Angouleme，strictlylocalparentheses，likethefollowing，wereaudibleamidtheuproar:——

"AboutNanterreandSuresnesthevineshaveflourishedgreatly。

Whentenpieceswerereckonedontherehavebeentwelve。

Theyhaveyieldedagreatdealofjuiceunderthepress。"

"Butthegrapescannotberipe？""Inthosepartsthegrapesshouldnotberipe；thewineturnsoilyassoonasspringcomes。"

"Thenitisverythinwine？""Therearewinespoorereventhanthese。

Thegrapesmustbegatheredwhilegreen。"Etc。

Oramillerwouldcallout:——

"Areweresponsibleforwhatisinthesacks？Wefindinthemaquantityofsmallseedwhichwecannotsiftout，andwhichweareobligedtosendthroughthemill—stones；therearetares，fennel，vetches，hempseed，fox—tail，andahostofotherweeds，nottomentionpebbles，whichaboundincertainwheat，especiallyinBretonwheat。IamnotfondofgrindingBretonwheat，anymorethanlong—sawyersliketosawbeamswithnailsinthem。Youcanjudgeofthebaddustthatmakesingrinding。Andthenpeoplecomplainoftheflour。Theyareinthewrong。Theflourisnofaultofours。"

Inaspacebetweentwowindowsamower，whowasseatedattablewithalandedproprietorwhowasfixingonapriceforsomemeadowworktobeperformedinthespring，wassaying:——

"Itdoesnoharmtohavethegrasswet。Itcutsbetter。

Dewisagoodthing，sir。Itmakesnodifferencewiththatgrass。

Yourgrassisyoungandveryhardtocutstill。It’sterriblytender。

Ityieldsbeforetheiron。"Etc。

Cosettewasinherusualplace，seatedonthecross—barofthekitchentablenearthechimney。Shewasinrags；herbarefeetwerethrustintowoodenshoes，andbythefirelightshewasengagedinknittingwoollenstockingsdestinedfortheyoungThenardiers。Averyyoungkittenwasplayingaboutamongthechairs。Laughterandchatterwereaudibleintheadjoiningroom，fromtwofreshchildren’svoices:

itwasEponineandAzelma。

Inthechimney—corneracat—o’—nine—tailswashangingonanail。

Atintervalsthecryofaveryyoungchild，whichwassomewhereinthehouse，rangthroughthenoiseofthedram—shop。ItwasalittleboywhohadbeenborntotheThenardiersduringoneoftheprecedingwinters，——"shedidnotknowwhy，"shesaid，"theresultofthecold，"——andwhowasalittlemorethanthreeyearsold。Themotherhadnursedhim，butshedidnotlovehim。

Whenthepersistentclamorofthebratbecametooannoying，"Yoursonissqualling，"Thenardierwouldsay；"dogoandseewhathewants。""Bah！"themotherwouldreply，"hebothersme。"

Andtheneglectedchildcontinuedtoshriekinthedark。

CHAPTERII

TWOCOMPLETEPORTRAITS

SofarinthisbooktheThenardiershavebeenviewedonlyinprofile；

themomenthasarrivedformakingthecircuitofthiscouple，andconsideringitunderallitsaspects。

Thenardierhadjustpassedhisfiftiethbirthday；MadameThenardierwasapproachingherforties，whichisequivalenttofiftyinawoman；

sothatthereexistedabalanceofagebetweenhusbandandwife。

OurreadershavepossiblypreservedsomerecollectionofthisThenardierwoman，eversinceherfirstappearance，——tall，blond，red，fat，angular，square，enormous，andagile；shebelonged，aswehavesaid，totheraceofthosecolossalwildwomen，whocontortthemselvesatfairswithpaving—stoneshangingfromtheirhair。

Shedideverythingaboutthehouse，——madethebeds，didthewashing，thecooking，andeverythingelse。Cosettewasheronlyservant；

amouseintheserviceofanelephant。Everythingtrembledatthesoundofhervoice，——windowpanes，furniture，andpeople。

Herbigface，dottedwithredblotches，presentedtheappearanceofaskimmer。Shehadabeard。Shewasanidealmarket—porterdressedinwoman’sclothes。Shesworesplendidly；sheboastedofbeingabletocrackanutwithoneblowofherfist。Exceptfortheromanceswhichshehadread，andwhichmadetheaffectedladypeepthroughtheogressattimes，inaveryqueerway，theideawouldneverhaveoccurredtoanyonetosayofher，"Thatisawoman。"

ThisThenardierfemalewasliketheproductofawenchengraftedonafishwife。Whenoneheardherspeak，onesaid，"Thatisagendarme"；whenonesawherdrink，onesaid，"Thatisacarter"；

whenonesawherhandleCosette，onesaid，"Thatisthehangman。"

Oneofherteethprojectedwhenherfacewasinrepose。

Thenardierwasasmall，thin，pale，angular，bony，feebleman，whohadasicklyairandwhowaswonderfullyhealthy。Hiscunningbeganhere；

hesmiledhabitually，bywayofprecaution，andwasalmostpolitetoeverybody，eventothebeggartowhomherefusedhalfafarthing。

Hehadtheglanceofapole—catandthebearingofamanofletters。

HegreatlyresembledtheportraitsoftheAbbeDelille。

Hiscoquetryconsistedindrinkingwiththecarters。Noonehadeversucceededinrenderinghimdrunk。Hesmokedabigpipe。

Heworeablouse，andunderhisblouseanoldblackcoat。Hemadepretensionstoliteratureandtomaterialism。Therewerecertainnameswhichheoftenpronouncedtosupportwhateverthingshemightbesaying，——Voltaire，Raynal，Parny，and，singularlyenough，SaintAugustine。Hedeclaredthathehad"asystem。"Inaddition，hewasagreatswindler。Afilousophe[philosophe]，ascientificthief。

Thespeciesdoesexist。Itwillberememberedthathepretendedtohaveservedinthearmy；hewasinthehabitofrelatingwithexuberance，how，beingasergeantinthe6thorthe9thlightsomethingorother，atWaterloo，hehadalone，andinthepresenceofasquadronofdeath—dealinghussars，coveredwithhisbodyandsavedfromdeath，inthemidstofthegrape—shot，"ageneral，whohadbeendangerouslywounded。"Thencearoseforhiswalltheflaringsign，andforhisinnthenamewhichitboreintheneighborhood，of"thecabaretoftheSergeantofWaterloo。"Hewasaliberal，aclassic，andaBonapartist。HehadsubscribedfortheChampd’Asile。Itwassaidinthevillagethathehadstudiedforthepriesthood。

WebelievethathehadsimplystudiedinHollandforaninn—keeper。

Thisrascalofcompositeorderwas，inallprobability，someFlemingfromLille，inFlanders，aFrenchmaninParis，aBelgianatBrussels，beingcomfortablyastrideofbothfrontiers。

AsforhisprowessatWaterloo，thereaderisalreadyacquaintedwiththat。Itwillbeperceivedthatheexaggerateditatrifle。

Ebbandflow，wandering，adventure，wasthelevenofhisexistence；

atatteredconscienceentailsafragmentarylife，and，apparentlyatthestormyepochofJune18，1815，Thenardierbelongedtothatvarietyofmaraudingsutlersofwhichwehavespoken，beatingaboutthecountry，sellingtosome，stealingfromothers，andtravellinglikeafamilyman，withwifeandchildren，inaricketycart，intherearoftroopsonthemarch，withaninstinctforalwaysattachinghimselftothevictoriousarmy。Thiscampaignended，andhaving，ashesaid，"somequibus，"hehadcometoMontfermeilandsetupaninnthere。

Thisquibus，composedofpursesandwatches，ofgoldringsandsilvercrosses，gatheredinharvest—timeinfurrowssownwithcorpses，didnotamounttoalargetotal，anddidnotcarrythissutlerturnedeating—house—keeperveryfar。

Thenardierhadthatpeculiarrectilinearsomethingabouthisgestureswhich，accompaniedbyanoath，recallsthebarracks，andbyasignofthecross，theseminary。Hewasafinetalker。

Heallowedittobethoughtthathewasaneducatedman。Nevertheless，theschoolmasterhadnoticedthathepronouncedimproperly。[12]

[12]Literally"madecuirs"；i。e。，pronouncedatoransattheendofwordswheretheoppositelettershouldoccur，orusedeitheroneofthemwhereneitherexists。

Hecomposedthetravellers’tariffcardinasuperiormanner，butpractisedeyessometimesspiedoutorthographicalerrorsinit。

Thenardierwascunning，greedy，slothful，andclever。Hedidnotdisdainhisservants，whichcausedhiswifetodispensewiththem。

Thisgiantesswasjealous。Itseemedtoherthatthatthinandyellowlittlemanmustbeanobjectcovetedbyall。

Thenardier，whowas，aboveall，anastuteandwell—balancedman，wasascampofatemperatesort。Thisistheworstspecies；

hypocrisyentersintoit。

ItisnotthatThenardierwasnot，onoccasion，capableofwrathtoquitethesamedegreeashiswife；butthiswasveryrare，andatsuchtimes，sincehewasenragedwiththehumanraceingeneral，asheborewithinhimadeepfurnaceofhatred。Andsincehewasoneofthosepeoplewhoarecontinuallyavengingtheirwrongs，whoaccuseeverythingthatpassesbeforethemofeverythingwhichhasbefallenthem，andwhoarealwaysreadytocastuponthefirstpersonwhocomestohand，asalegitimategrievance，thesumtotalofthedeceptions，thebankruptcies，andthecalamitiesoftheirlives，——whenallthisleavenwasstirredupinhimandboiledforthfromhismouthandeyes，hewasterrible。

Woetothepersonwhocameunderhiswrathatsuchatime！

Inadditiontohisotherqualities，Thenardierwasattentiveandpenetrating，silentortalkative，accordingtocircumstances，andalwayshighlyintelligent。Hehadsomethingofthelookofsailors，whoareaccustomedtoscrewuptheireyestogazethroughmarineglasses。Thenardierwasastatesman。

Everynew—comerwhoenteredthetavernsaid，oncatchingsightofMadameThenardier，"Thereisthemasterofthehouse。"

Amistake。Shewasnoteventhemistress。Thehusbandwasbothmasterandmistress。Sheworked；hecreated。Hedirectedeverythingbyasortofinvisibleandconstantmagneticaction。

Awordwassufficientforhim，sometimesasign；themastodonobeyed。

ThenardierwasasortofspecialandsovereignbeinginMadameThenardier’seyes，thoughshedidnotthoroughlyrealizeit。

Shewaspossessedofvirtuesafterherownkind；ifshehadeverhadadisagreementastoanydetailwith"MonsieurThenardier，"——whichwasaninadmissiblehypothesis，bytheway，——shewouldnothaveblamedherhusbandinpubliconanysubjectwhatever。Shewouldneverhavecommitted"beforestrangers"thatmistakesooftencommittedbywomen，andwhichiscalledinparliamentarylanguage，"exposingthecrown。"

Althoughtheirconcordhadonlyevilasitsresult，therewascontemplationinMadameThenardier’ssubmissiontoherhusband。

Thatmountainofnoiseandoffleshmovedunderthelittlefingerofthatfraildespot。Viewedonitsdwarfedandgrotesqueside，thiswasthatgrandanduniversalthing，theadorationofmindbymatter；forcertainuglyfeatureshaveacauseintheverydepthsofeternalbeauty。TherewasanunknownquantityaboutThenardier；

hencetheabsoluteempireofthemanoverthatwoman。Atcertainmomentsshebeheldhimlikealightedcandle；atothersshefelthimlikeaclaw。

Thiswomanwasaformidablecreaturewholovednooneexceptherchildren，andwhodidnotfearanyoneexceptherhusband。

Shewasamotherbecauseshewasmammiferous。Buthermaternitystoppedshortwithherdaughters，and，asweshallsee，didnotextendtoboys。Themanhadbutonethought，——howtoenrichhimself。

Hedidnotsucceedinthis。Atheatreworthyofthisgreattalentwaslacking。ThenardierwasruininghimselfatMontfermeil，ifruinispossibletozero；inSwitzerlandorinthePyreneesthispennilessscampwouldhavebecomeamillionaire；butaninn—keepermustbrowsewherefatehashitchedhim。

Itwillbeunderstoodthatthewordinn—keeperishereemployedinarestrictedsense，anddoesnotextendtoanentireclass。

Inthissameyear，1823，Thenardierwasburdenedwithaboutfifteenhundredfrancs’worthofpettydebts，andthisrenderedhimanxious。

Whatevermayhavebeentheobstinateinjusticeofdestinyinthiscase，Thenardierwasoneofthosemenwhounderstandbest，withthemostprofundityandinthemostmodernfashion，thatthingwhichisavirtueamongbarbarouspeoplesandanobjectofmerchandiseamongcivilizedpeoples，——hospitality。Besides，hewasanadmirablepoacher，andquotedforhisskillinshooting。Hehadacertaincoldandtranquillaugh，whichwasparticularlydangerous。

Histheoriesasalandlordsometimesburstforthinlightningflashes。

Hehadprofessionalaphorisms，whichheinsertedintohiswife’smind。

"Thedutyoftheinn—keeper，"hesaidtoheroneday，violently，andinalowvoice，"istoselltothefirstcomer，stews，repose，light，fire，dirtysheets，aservant，lice，andasmile；tostoppassers—by，toemptysmallpurses，andtohonestlylightenheavyones；

tosheltertravellingfamiliesrespectfully:toshavetheman，topluckthewoman，topickthechildclean；toquotethewindowopen，thewindowshut，thechimney—corner，thearm—chair，thechair，theottoman，thestool，thefeather—bed，themattressandthetrussofstraw；toknowhowmuchtheshadowusesupthemirror，andtoputapriceonit；and，byfivehundredthousanddevils，tomakethetravellerpayforeverything，evenfortheflieswhichhisdogeats！"

Thismanandthiswomanwereruseandragewedded——ahideousandterribleteam。

Whilethehusbandponderedandcombined，MadameThenardierthoughtnotofabsentcreditors，tooknoheedofyesterdaynorofto—morrow，andlivedinafitofanger，allinaminute。

Suchwerethesetwobeings。Cosettewasbetweenthem，subjectedtotheirdoublepressure，likeacreaturewhoisatthesametimebeinggroundupinamillandpulledtopieceswithpincers。Themanandthewomaneachhadadifferentmethod:Cosettewasoverwhelmedwithblows——thiswasthewoman’s；shewentbarefootedinwinter——

thatwastheman’sdoing。

Cosetteranupstairsanddown，washed，swept，rubbed，dusted，ran，flutteredabout，panted，movedheavyarticles，andweakasshewas，didthecoarsework。Therewasnomercyforher；afiercemistressandvenomousmaster。TheThenardierhostelrywaslikeaspider’sweb，inwhichCosettehadbeencaught，andwhereshelaytrembling。

Theidealofoppressionwasrealizedbythissinisterhousehold。

Itwassomethingliketheflyservingthespiders。

Thepoorchildpassivelyheldherpeace。

WhattakesplacewithinthesesoulswhentheyhavebutjustquittedGod，findthemselvesthus，attheverydawnoflife，verysmallandinthemidstofmenallnaked！

CHAPTERIII

MENMUSTHAVEWINE，ANDHORSESMUSTHAVEWATER

Fournewtravellershadarrived。

Cosettewasmeditatingsadly；for，althoughshewasonlyeightyearsold，shehadalreadysufferedsomuchthatshereflectedwiththelugubriousairofanoldwoman。HereyewasblackinconsequenceofablowfromMadameThenardier’sfist，whichcausedthelattertoremarkfromtimetotime，"Howuglysheiswithherfist—blowonhereye！"

Cosettewasthinkingthatitwasdark，verydark，thatthepitchersandcaraffesinthechambersofthetravellerswhohadarrivedmusthavebeenfilledandthattherewasnomorewaterinthecistern。

ShewassomewhatreassuredbecausenooneintheThenardierestablishmentdrankmuchwater。Thirstypeoplewereneverlackingthere；

buttheirthirstwasofthesortwhichappliestothejugratherthantothepitcher。Anyonewhohadaskedforaglassofwateramongallthoseglassesofwinewouldhaveappearedasavagetoallthesemen。Buttherecameamomentwhenthechildtrembled；

MadameThenardierraisedthecoverofastew—panwhichwasboilingonthestove，thenseizedaglassandbrisklyapproachedthecistern。

Sheturnedthefaucet；thechildhadraisedherheadandwasfollowingallthewoman’smovements。Athinstreamofwatertrickledfromthefaucet，andhalffilledtheglass。"Well，"saidshe，"thereisnomorewater！"Amomentarysilenceensued。Thechilddidnotbreathe。

"Bah！"resumedMadameThenardier，examiningthehalf—filledglass，"thiswillbeenough。"

Cosetteappliedherselftoherworkoncemore，butforaquarterofanhourshefeltherheartleapinginherbosomlikeabigsnow—flake。

Shecountedtheminutesthatpassedinthismanner，andwisheditwerethenextmorning。

Fromtimetotimeoneofthedrinkerslookedintothestreet，andexclaimed，"It’sasblackasanoven！"or，"Onemustneedsbeacattogoaboutthestreetswithoutalanternatthishour！"

AndCosettetrembled。

Allatonceoneofthepedlerswholodgedinthehostelryentered，andsaidinaharshvoice:——

"Myhorsehasnotbeenwatered。"

"Yes，ithas，"saidMadameThenardier。

"Itellyouthatithasnot，"retortedthepedler。

Cosettehademergedfromunderthetable。

"Oh，yes，sir！"saidshe，"thehorsehashadadrink；hedrankoutofabucket，awholebucketful，anditwasIwhotookthewatertohim，andIspoketohim。"

Itwasnottrue；Cosettelied。

"There’sabratasbigasmyfistwhotellsliesasbigasthehouse，"

exclaimedthepedler。"Itellyouthathehasnotbeenwatered，youlittlejade！Hehasawayofblowingwhenhehashadnowater，whichIknowwell。"

Cosettepersisted，andaddedinavoicerenderedhoarsewithanguish，andwhichwashardlyaudible:——

"Andhedrankheartily。"

"Come，"saidthepedler，inarage，"thiswon’tdoatall，letmyhorsebewatered，andletthatbetheendofit！"

Cosettecreptunderthetableagain。

"Intruth，thatisfair！"saidMadameThenardier，"ifthebeasthasnotbeenwatered，itmustbe。"

Thenglancingabouther:——

"Well，now！Where’sthatotherbeast？"

ShebentdownanddiscoveredCosettecoweringattheotherendofthetable，almostunderthedrinkers’feet。

"Areyoucoming？"shriekedMadameThenardier。

Cosettecrawledoutofthesortofholeinwhichshehadhiddenherself。

TheThenardierresumed:——

"MademoiselleDog—lack—name，goandwaterthathorse。"

"But，Madame，"saidCosette，feebly，"thereisnowater。"

TheThenardierthrewthestreetdoorwideopen:——

"Well，goandgetsome，then！"

Cosettedroppedherhead，andwentforanemptybucketwhichstoodnearthechimney—corner。

Thisbucketwasbiggerthanshewas，andthechildcouldhavesetdowninitatherease。

TheThenardierreturnedtoherstove，andtastedwhatwasinthestewpan，withawoodenspoon，grumblingthewhile:——

"There’splentyinthespring。Thereneverwassuchamaliciouscreatureasthat。IthinkIshouldhavedonebettertostrainmyonions。"

Thensherummagedinadrawerwhichcontainedsous，pepper，andshallots。

"Seehere，Mam’selleToad，"sheadded，"onyourwayback，youwillgetabigloaffromthebaker。Here’safifteen—soupiece。"

Cosettehadalittlepocketononesideofherapron；shetookthecoinwithoutsayingaword，andputitinthatpocket。

Thenshestoodmotionless，bucketinhand，theopendoorbeforeher。

Sheseemedtobewaitingforsomeonetocometoherrescue。

"Getalongwithyou！"screamedtheThenardier。

Cosettewentout。Thedoorclosedbehindher。

CHAPTERIV

ENTRANCEONTHESCENEOFADOLL

Thelineofopen—airboothsstartingatthechurch，extended，asthereaderwillremember，asfarasthehostelryoftheThenardiers。

Theseboothswereallilluminated，becausethecitizenswouldsoonpassontheirwaytothemidnightmass，withcandlesburninginpaperfunnels，which，astheschoolmaster，thenseatedatthetableattheThenardiers’observed，produced"amagicaleffect。"

Incompensation，notastarwasvisibleinthesky。

Thelastofthesestalls，establishedpreciselyoppositetheThenardiers’

door，wasatoy—shopallglitteringwithtinsel，glass，andmagnificentobjectsoftin。Inthefirstrow，andfarforwards，themerchanthadplacedonabackgroundofwhitenapkins，animmensedoll，nearlytwofeethigh，whowasdressedinarobeofpinkcrepe，withgoldwheat—earsonherhead，whichhadrealhairandenameleyes。Allthatday，thismarvelhadbeendisplayedtothewondermentofallpassers—byundertenyearsofage，withoutamotherbeingfoundinMontfermeilsufficientlyrichorsufficientlyextravaganttogiveittoherchild。

EponineandAzelmahadpassedhoursincontemplatingit，andCosetteherselfhadventuredtocastaglanceatit，onthesly，itistrue。

AtthemomentwhenCosetteemerged，bucketinhand，melancholyandovercomeasshewas，shecouldnotrefrainfromliftinghereyestothatwonderfuldoll，towardsthelady，asshecalledit。

Thepoorchildpausedinamazement。Shehadnotyetbeheldthatdollcloseto。Thewholeshopseemedapalacetoher:

thedollwasnotadoll；itwasavision。Itwasjoy，splendor，riches，happiness，whichappearedinasortofchimericalhalotothatunhappylittlebeingsoprofoundlyengulfedingloomyandchillymisery。Withthesadandinnocentsagacityofchildhood，Cosettemeasuredtheabysswhichseparatedherfromthatdoll。

Shesaidtoherselfthatonemustbeaqueen，oratleastaprincess，tohavea"thing"likethat。Shegazedatthatbeautifulpinkdress，thatbeautifulsmoothhair，andshethought，"Howhappythatdollmustbe！"Shecouldnottakehereyesfromthatfantasticstall。

Themoreshelooked，themoredazzledshegrew。Shethoughtshewasgazingatparadise。Therewereotherdollsbehindthelargeone，whichseemedtohertobefairiesandgenii。Themerchant，whowaspacingbackandforthinfrontofhisshop，producedonhersomewhattheeffectofbeingtheEternalFather。

Inthisadorationsheforgoteverything，eventheerrandwithwhichshewascharged。

AllatoncetheThenardier’scoarsevoicerecalledhertoreality:

"What，yousillyjade！youhavenotgone？Wait！I’llgiveittoyou！Iwanttoknowwhatyouaredoingthere！Getalong，youlittlemonster！"

TheThenardierhadcastaglanceintothestreet，andhadcaughtsightofCosetteinherecstasy。

Cosettefled，draggingherpail，andtakingthelongeststridesofwhichshewascapable。

CHAPTERV

THELITTLEONEALLALONE

AstheThenardierhostelrywasinthatpartofthevillagewhichisnearthechurch，itwastothespringintheforestinthedirectionofChellesthatCosettewasobligedtogoforherwater。

Shedidnotglanceatthedisplayofasingleothermerchant。SolongasshewasinBoulangerLaneandintheneighborhoodofthechurch，thelightedstallsilluminatedtheroad；butsoonthelastlightfromthelaststallvanished。Thepoorchildfoundherselfinthedark。

Sheplungedintoit。Only，asacertainemotionovercameher，shemadeasmuchmotionaspossiblewiththehandleofthebucketasshewalkedalong。Thismadeanoisewhichaffordedhercompany。

Thefurthershewent，thedenserthedarknessbecame。Therewasnooneinthestreets。However，shedidencounterawoman，whoturnedaroundonseeingher，andstoodstill，mutteringbetweenherteeth:

"Wherecanthatchildbegoing？Isitawerewolfchild？"ThenthewomanrecognizedCosette。"Well，"saidshe，"it’stheLark！"

InthismannerCosettetraversedthelabyrinthoftortuousanddesertedstreetswhichterminateinthevillageofMontfermeilonthesideofChelles。Solongasshehadthehousesoreventhewallsonlyonbothsidesofherpath，sheproceededwithtolerableboldness。Fromtimetotimeshecaughttheflickerofacandlethroughthecrackofashutter——thiswaslightandlife；

therewerepeoplethere，anditreassuredher。Butinproportionassheadvanced，herpaceslackenedmechanically，asitwere。

Whenshehadpassedthecornerofthelasthouse，Cosettepaused。

Ithadbeenhardtoadvancefurtherthanthelaststall；

itbecameimpossibletoproceedfurtherthanthelasthouse。

Shesetherbucketontheground，thrustherhandintoherhair，andbeganslowlytoscratchherhead，——agesturepeculiartochildrenwhenterrifiedandundecidedwhattodo。ItwasnolongerMontfermeil；

itwastheopenfields。Blackanddesertspacewasbeforeher。

Shegazedindespairatthatdarkness，wheretherewasnolongeranyone，wheretherewerebeasts，wheretherewerespectres，possibly。

Shetookagoodlook，andheardthebeastswalkingonthegrass，andshedistinctlysawspectresmovinginthetrees。Thensheseizedherbucketagain；fearhadlentheraudacity。"Bah！"saidshe；

"Iwilltellhimthattherewasnomorewater！"Andsheresolutelyre—enteredMontfermeil。

Hardlyhadshegoneahundredpaceswhenshepausedandbegantoscratchherheadagain。NowitwastheThenardierwhoappearedtoher，withherhideous，hyenamouth，andwrathflashinginhereyes。

Thechildcastamelancholyglancebeforeherandbehindher。

Whatwasshetodo？Whatwastobecomeofher？Wherewasshetogo？

InfrontofherwasthespectreoftheThenardier；behindherallthephantomsofthenightandoftheforest。ItwasbeforetheThenardierthatsherecoiled。Sheresumedherpathtothespring，andbegantorun。Sheemergedfromthevillage，sheenteredtheforestatarun，nolongerlookingatorlisteningtoanything。

Sheonlypausedinhercoursewhenherbreathfailedher；

butshedidnothaltinheradvance。Shewentstraightbeforeherindesperation。

Assheranshefeltlikecrying。

Thenocturnalquiveringoftheforestsurroundedhercompletely。

Shenolongerthought，shenolongersaw。Theimmensityofnightwasfacingthistinycreature。Ontheonehand，allshadow；

ontheother，anatom。

Itwasonlysevenoreightminutes’walkfromtheedgeofthewoodstothespring。Cosetteknewtheway，throughhavinggoneoveritmanytimesindaylight。Strangetosay，shedidnotgetlost。

Aremnantofinstinctguidedhervaguely。Butshedidnotturnhereyeseithertorightortoleft，forfearofseeingthingsinthebranchesandinthebrushwood。Inthismannershereachedthespring。

Itwasanarrow，naturalbasin，hollowedoutbythewaterinaclayeysoil，abouttwofeetdeep，surroundedwithmossandwiththosetall，crimpedgrasseswhicharecalledHenryIV。’sfrills，andpavedwithseverallargestones。Abrookranoutofit，withatranquillittlenoise。

Cosettedidnottaketimetobreathe。Itwasverydark，butshewasinthehabitofcomingtothisspring。Shefeltwithherlefthandinthedarkforayoungoakwhichleanedoverthespring，andwhichusuallyservedtosupporther，foundoneofitsbranches，clungtoit，bentdown，andplungedthebucketinthewater。

Shewasinastateofsuchviolentexcitementthatherstrengthwastrebled。Whilethusbentover，shedidnotnoticethatthepocketofherapronhademptieditselfintothespring。Thefifteen—soupiecefellintothewater。Cosetteneithersawnorhearditfall。

Shedrewoutthebucketnearlyfull，andsetitonthegrass。

Thatdone，sheperceivedthatshewaswornoutwithfatigue。

Shewouldhavelikedtosetoutagainatonce，buttheeffortrequiredtofillthebuckethadbeensuchthatshefounditimpossibletotakeastep。Shewasforcedtositdown。Shedroppedonthegrass，andremainedcrouchingthere。

Sheshuthereyes；thensheopenedthemagain，withoutknowingwhy，butbecauseshecouldnotdootherwise。Theagitatedwaterinthebucketbesideherwasdescribingcircleswhichresembledtinserpents。

Overheadtheskywascoveredwithvastblackclouds，whichwerelikemassesofsmoke。Thetragicmaskofshadowseemedtobendvaguelyoverthechild。

Jupiterwassettinginthedepths。

Thechildstaredwithbewilderedeyesatthisgreatstar，withwhichshewasunfamiliar，andwhichterrifiedher。Theplanetwas，infact，verynearthehorizonandwastraversingadenselayerofmistwhichimpartedtoitahorribleruddyhue。Themist，gloomilyempurpled，magnifiedthestar。Onewouldhavecalleditaluminouswound。

Acoldwindwasblowingfromtheplain。Theforestwasdark，notaleafwasmoving；therewerenoneofthevague，freshgleamsofsummertide。Greatboughsupliftedthemselvesinfrightfulwise。

Slenderandmisshapenbusheswhistledintheclearings。Thetallgrassesundulatedlikeeelsunderthenorthwind。Thenettlesseemedtotwistlongarmsfurnishedwithclawsinsearchofprey。

Somebitsofdryheather，tossedbythebreeze，flewrapidlyby，andhadtheairoffleeinginterrorbeforesomethingwhichwascomingafter。

Onallsidestherewerelugubriousstretches。

Thedarknesswasbewildering。Manrequireslight。Whoeverburieshimselfintheoppositeofdayfeelshisheartcontract。Whentheeyeseesblack，theheartseestrouble。Inaneclipseinthenight，inthesootyopacity，thereisanxietyevenforthestoutestofhearts。

Noonewalksaloneintheforestatnightwithouttrembling。

Shadowsandtrees——twoformidabledensities。Achimericalrealityappearsintheindistinctdepths。Theinconceivableisoutlinedafewpacesdistantfromyouwithaspectralclearness。

Onebeholdsfloating，eitherinspaceorinone’sownbrain，oneknowsnotwhatvagueandintangiblething，likethedreamsofsleepingflowers。Therearefierceattitudesonthehorizon。

Oneinhalestheeffluviaofthegreatblackvoid。Oneisafraidtoglancebehindhim，yetdesirousofdoingso。Thecavitiesofnight，thingsgrownhaggard，taciturnprofileswhichvanishwhenoneadvances，obscuredishevelments，irritatedtufts，lividpools，thelugubriousreflectedinthefunereal，thesepulchralimmensityofsilence，unknownbutpossiblebeings，bendingsofmysteriousbranches，alarmingtorsosoftrees，longhandfulsofquiveringplants，——

againstallthisonehasnoprotection。Thereisnohardihoodwhichdoesnotshudderandwhichdoesnotfeelthevicinityofanguish。

Oneisconsciousofsomethinghideous，asthoughone’ssoulwerebecomingamalgamatedwiththedarkness。Thispenetrationoftheshadowsisindescribablysinisterinthecaseofachild。

Forestsareapocalypses，andthebeatingofthewingsofatinysoulproducesasoundofagonybeneaththeirmonstrousvault。

Withoutunderstandinghersensations，Cosettewasconsciousthatshewasseizeduponbythatblackenormityofnature；

itwasnolongerterroralonewhichwasgainingpossessionofher；

itwassomethingmoreterribleeventhanterror；sheshivered。

Therearenowordstoexpressthestrangenessofthatshiverwhichchilledhertotheverybottomofherheart；hereyegrewwild；

shethoughtshefeltthatsheshouldnotbeabletorefrainfromreturningthereatthesamehouronthemorrow。

Then，byasortofinstinct，shebegantocountaloud，one，two，three，four，andsoonuptoten，inordertoescapefromthatsingularstatewhichshedidnotunderstand，butwhichterrifiedher，and，whenshehadfinished，shebeganagain；

thisrestoredhertoatrueperceptionofthethingsabouther。

Herhands，whichshehadwetindrawingthewater，feltcold；

sherose；herterror，anaturalandunconquerableterror，hadreturned:shehadbutonethoughtnow，——tofleeatfullspeedthroughtheforest，acrossthefieldstothehouses，tothewindows，tothelightedcandles。Herglancefelluponthewaterwhichstoodbeforeher；suchwasthefrightwhichtheThenardierinspiredinher，thatshedarednotfleewithoutthatbucketofwater:

sheseizedthehandlewithbothhands；shecouldhardlyliftthepail。

Inthismannersheadvancedadozenpaces，butthebucketwasfull；

itwasheavy；shewasforcedtosetitonthegroundoncemore。

Shetookbreathforaninstant，thenliftedthehandleofthebucketagain，andresumedhermarch，proceedingalittlefurtherthistime，butagainshewasobligedtopause。Aftersomesecondsofreposeshesetoutagain。Shewalkedbentforward，withdroopinghead，likeanoldwoman；theweightofthebucketstrainedandstiffenedherthinarms。Theironhandlecompletedthebenumbingandfreezingofherwetandtinyhands；shewasforcedtohaltfromtimetotime，andeachtimethatshedidso，thecoldwaterwhichsplashedfromthepailfellonherbarelegs。Thistookplaceinthedepthsofaforest，atnight，inwinter，farfromallhumansight；

shewasachildofeight:noonebutGodsawthatsadthingatthemoment。

Andhermother，nodoubt，alas！

Fortherearethingsthatmakethedeadopentheireyesintheirgraves。

Shepantedwithasortofpainfulrattle；sobscontractedherthroat，butshedarednotweep，soafraidwassheoftheThenardier，evenatadistance:itwashercustomtoimaginetheThenardieralwayspresent。

However，shecouldnotmakemuchheadwayinthatmanner，andshewentonveryslowly。Inspiteofdiminishingthelengthofherstops，andofwalkingaslongaspossiblebetweenthem，shereflectedwithanguishthatitwouldtakehermorethananhourtoreturntoMontfermeilinthismanner，andthattheThenardierwouldbeather。

Thisanguishwasmingledwithherterroratbeingaloneinthewoodsatnight；shewaswornoutwithfatigue，andhadnotyetemergedfromtheforest。Onarrivingnearanoldchestnut—treewithwhichshewasacquainted，madealasthalt，longerthantherest，inorderthatshemightgetwellrested；thenshesummonedupallherstrength，pickedupherbucketagain，andcourageouslyresumedhermarch，butthepoorlittledesperatecreaturecouldnotrefrainfromcrying，"OmyGod！myGod！"

Atthatmomentshesuddenlybecameconsciousthatherbucketnolongerweighedanythingatall:ahand，whichseemedtoherenormous，hadjustseizedthehandle，andlifteditvigorously。Sheraisedherhead。Alargeblackform，straightanderect，waswalkingbesideherthroughthedarkness；itwasamanwhohadcomeupbehindher，andwhoseapproachshehadnotheard。Thisman，withoututteringaword，hadseizedthehandleofthebucketwhichshewascarrying。

Thereareinstinctsforalltheencountersoflife。

Thechildwasnotafraid。