第16章

CHAPTERVI

WHICHPOSSIBLYPROVESBOULATRUELLE’SINTELLIGENCE

OntheafternoonofthatsameChristmasDay，1823，amanhadwalkedforratheralongtimeinthemostdesertedpartoftheBoulevarddel’HopitalinParis。Thismanhadtheairofapersonwhoisseekinglodgings，andheseemedtohalt，bypreference，atthemostmodesthousesonthatdilapidatedborderofthefaubourgSaint—Marceau。

Weshallseefurtheronthatthismanhad，infact，hiredachamberinthatisolatedquarter。

Thisman，inhisattire，asinallhisperson，realizedthetypeofwhatmaybecalledthewell—bredmendicant，——extremewretchednesscombinedwithextremecleanliness。Thisisaveryraremixturewhichinspiresintelligentheartswiththatdoublerespectwhichonefeelsforthemanwhoisverypoor，andforthemanwhoisveryworthy。

Heworeaveryoldandverywellbrushedroundhat；acoarsecoat，wornperfectlythreadbare，ofanochreyellow，acolorthatwasnotintheleasteccentricatthatepoch；alargewaistcoatwithpocketsofavenerablecut；blackbreeches，worngrayattheknee，stockingsofblackworsted；andthickshoeswithcopperbuckles。

Hewouldhavebeenpronouncedapreceptorinsomegoodfamily，returnedfromtheemigration。Hewouldhavebeentakenformorethansixtyyearsofage，fromhisperfectlywhitehair，hiswrinkledbrow，hislividlips，andhiscountenance，whereeverythingbreatheddepressionandwearinessoflife。Judgingfromhisfirmtread，fromthesingularvigorwhichstampedallhismovements，hewouldhavehardlybeenthoughtfifty。Thewrinklesonhisbrowwerewellplaced，andwouldhavedisposedinhisfavoranyonewhoobservedhimattentively。Hislipcontractedwithastrangefoldwhichseemedsevere，andwhichwashumble。Therewasinthedepthofhisglanceanindescribablemelancholyserenity。

Inhislefthandhecarriedalittlebundletiedupinahandkerchief；

inhisrightheleanedonasortofacudgel，cutfromsomehedge。

Thisstickhadbeencarefullytrimmed，andhadanairthatwasnottoothreatening；themosthadbeenmadeofitsknots，andithadreceivedacoral—likehead，madefromredwax:itwasacudgel，anditseemedtobeacane。

Therearebutfewpassers—byonthatboulevard，particularlyinthewinter。Themanseemedtoavoidthemratherthantoseekthem，butthiswithoutanyaffectation。

Atthatepoch，KingLouisXVIII。wentnearlyeverydaytoChoisy—le—Roi:itwasoneofhisfavoriteexcursions。Towardstwoo’clock，almostinvariably，theroyalcarriageandcavalcadewasseentopassatfullspeedalongtheBoulevarddel’Hopital。

Thisservedinlieuofawatchorclocktothepoorwomenofthequarterwhosaid，"Itistwoo’clock；thereheisreturningtotheTuileries。"

Andsomerushedforward，andothersdrewupinline，forapassingkingalwayscreatesatumult；besides，theappearanceanddisappearanceofLouisXVIII。producedacertaineffectinthestreetsofParis。

Itwasrapidbutmajestic。Thisimpotentkinghadatasteforafastgallop；ashewasnotabletowalk，hewishedtorun:thatcripplewouldgladlyhavehadhimselfdrawnbythelightning。Hepassed，pacificandsevere，inthemidstofnakedswords。Hismassivecouch，allcoveredwithgilding，withgreatbranchesofliliespaintedonthepanels，thunderednoisilyalong。Therewashardlytimetocastaglanceuponit。Intherearangleontherighttherewasvisibleontuftedcushionsofwhitesatinalarge，firm，andruddyface，abrowfreshlypowderedal’oiseauroyal，aproud，hard，craftyeye，thesmileofaneducatedman，twogreatepauletswithbullionfringefloatingoverabourgeoiscoat，theGoldenFleece，thecrossofSaintLouis，thecrossoftheLegionofHonor，thesilverplaqueoftheSaint—Esprit，ahugebelly，andawideblueribbon:

itwastheking。OutsideofParis，heheldhishatdeckedwithwhiteostrichplumesonhiskneesenwrappedinhighEnglishgaiters；

whenhere—enteredthecity，heputonhishatandsalutedrarely；

hestaredcoldlyatthepeople，andtheyreturneditinkind。

WhenheappearedforthefirsttimeintheSaint—Marceauquarter，thewholesuccesswhichheproducediscontainedinthisremarkofaninhabitantofthefaubourgtohiscomrade，"Thatbigfellowyonderisthegovernment。"

Thisinfalliblepassageofthekingatthesamehourwas，therefore，thedailyeventoftheBoulevarddel’Hopital。

Thepromenaderintheyellowcoatevidentlydidnotbelonginthequarter，andprobablydidnotbelonginParis，forhewasignorantastothisdetail。When，attwoo’clock，theroyalcarriage，surroundedbyasquadronofthebody—guardallcoveredwithsilverlace，debouchedontheboulevard，afterhavingmadetheturnoftheSalpetriere，heappearedsurprisedandalmostalarmed。

Therewasnoonebuthimselfinthiscross—lane。Hedrewuphastilybehindthecornerofthewallofanenclosure，thoughthisdidnotpreventM。leDucdeHavrefromspyinghimout。

M。leDucdeHavre，ascaptainoftheguardondutythatday，wasseatedinthecarriage，oppositetheking。HesaidtohisMajesty，"Yonderisanevil—lookingman。"Membersofthepolice，whowereclearingtheking’sroute，tookequalnoteofhim:

oneofthemreceivedanordertofollowhim。Butthemanplungedintothedesertedlittlestreetsofthefaubourg，andastwilightwasbeginningtofall，theagentlosttraceofhim，asisstatedinareportaddressedthatsameeveningtoM。leComted’Angles，MinisterofState，PrefectofPolice。

Whenthemanintheyellowcoathadthrowntheagentoffhistrack，heredoubledhispace，notwithoutturningroundmanyatimetoassurehimselfthathewasnotbeingfollowed。Ataquarter—pastfour，thatistosay，whennightwasfullycome，hepassedinfrontofthetheatreofthePorteSaint—Martin，whereTheTwoConvictswasbeingplayedthatday。Thisposter，illuminatedbythetheatrelanterns，struckhim；for，althoughhewaswalkingrapidly，hehaltedtoreadit。

AninstantlaterhewasintheblindalleyofLaPlanchette，andheenteredthePlatd’Etain[thePewterPlatter]，wheretheofficeofthecoachforLagnywasthensituated。Thiscoachsetoutathalf—pastfour。Thehorseswereharnessed，andthetravellers，summonedbythecoachman，werehastilyclimbingtheloftyironladderofthevehicle。

Themaninquired:——

"Haveyouaplace？"

"Onlyone——besidemeonthebox，"saidthecoachman。

"Iwilltakeit。"

"Climbup。"

Nevertheless，beforesettingout，thecoachmancastaglanceatthetraveller’sshabbydress，atthediminutivesizeofhisbundle，andmadehimpayhisfare。

"AreyougoingasfarasLagny？"demandedthecoachman。

"Yes，"saidtheman。

ThetravellerpaidtoLagny。

Theystarted。Whentheyhadpassedthebarrier，thecoachmantriedtoenterintoconversation，butthetravelleronlyrepliedinmonosyllables。Thecoachmantooktowhistlingandswearingathishorses。

Thecoachmanwrappedhimselfupinhiscloak。Itwascold。

Themandidnotappeartobethinkingofthat。ThustheypassedGournayandNeuilly—sur—Marne。

Towardssixo’clockintheeveningtheyreachedChelles。Thecoachmandrewupinfrontofthecarters’inninstalledintheancientbuildingsoftheRoyalAbbey，togivehishorsesabreathingspell。

"Igetdownhere，"saidtheman。

Hetookhisbundleandhiscudgelandjumpeddownfromthevehicle。

Aninstantlaterhehaddisappeared。

Hedidnotentertheinn。

WhenthecoachsetoutforLagnyafewminuteslater，itdidnotencounterhimintheprincipalstreetofChelles。

Thecoachmanturnedtotheinsidetravellers。

"There，"saidhe，"isamanwhodoesnotbelonghere，forIdonotknowhim。Hehadnottheairofowningasou，buthedoesnotconsidermoney；hepaystoLagny，andhegoesonlyasfarasChelles。

Itisnight；allthehousesareshut；hedoesnotentertheinn，andheisnottobefound。Sohehasdivedthroughtheearth。"

Themanhadnotplungedintotheearth，buthehadgonewithgreatstridesthroughthedark，downtheprincipalstreetofChelles，thenhehadturnedtotherightbeforereachingthechurch，intothecross—roadleadingtoMontfermeil，likeapersonwhowasacquaintedwiththecountryandhadbeentherebefore。

Hefollowedthisroadrapidly。Atthespotwhereitisintersectedbytheancienttree—borderedroadwhichrunsfromGagnytoLagny，heheardpeoplecoming。Heconcealedhimselfprecipitatelyinaditch，andtherewaiteduntilthepassers—bywereatadistance。

Theprecautionwasnearlysuperfluous，however；for，aswehavealreadysaid，itwasaverydarkDecembernight。Notmorethantwoorthreestarswerevisibleinthesky。

Itisatthispointthattheascentofthehillbegins。ThemandidnotreturntotheroadtoMontfermeil；hestruckacrossthefieldstotheright，andenteredtheforestwithlongstrides。

Onceintheforestheslackenedhispace，andbeganacarefulexaminationofallthetrees，advancing，stepbystep，asthoughseekingandfollowingamysteriousroadknowntohimselfalone。

Therecameamomentwhenheappearedtolosehimself，andhepausedinindecision。Atlasthearrived，bydintoffeelinghiswayinchbyinch，ataclearingwheretherewasagreatheapofwhitishstones。

Hesteppedupbrisklytothesestones，andexaminedthemattentivelythroughthemistsofnight，asthoughhewerepassingtheminreview。

Alargetree，coveredwiththoseexcrescenceswhicharethewartsofvegetation，stoodafewpacesdistantfromthepileofstones。

Hewentuptothistreeandpassedhishandoverthebarkofthetrunk，asthoughseekingtorecognizeandcountallthewarts。

Oppositethistree，whichwasanash，therewasachestnut—tree，sufferingfromapeelingofthebark，towhichabandofzinchadbeennailedbywayofdressing。Heraisedhimselfontiptoeandtouchedthisbandofzinc。

Thenhetrodaboutforawhileonthegroundcomprisedinthespacebetweenthetreeandtheheapofstones，likeapersonwhoistryingtoassurehimselfthatthesoilhasnotrecentlybeendisturbed。

Thatdone，hetookhisbearings，andresumedhismarchthroughtheforest。

ItwasthemanwhohadjustmetCosette。

AshewalkedthroughthethicketinthedirectionofMontfermeil，hehadespiedthattinyshadowmovingwithagroan，depositingaburdenontheground，thentakingitupandsettingoutagain。

Hedrewnear，andperceivedthatitwasaveryyoungchild，ladenwithanenormousbucketofwater。Thenheapproachedthechild，andsilentlygraspedthehandleofthebucket。

CHAPTERVII

COSETTESIDEBYSIDEWITHTHESTRANGERINTHEDARK

Cosette，aswehavesaid，wasnotfrightened。

Themanaccostedher。Hespokeinavoicethatwasgraveandalmostbass。

"Mychild，whatyouarecarryingisveryheavyforyou。"

Cosetteraisedherheadandreplied:——

"Yes，sir。"

"Giveittome，"saidtheman；"Iwillcarryitforyou。"

Cosetteletgoofthebucket—handle。Themanwalkedalongbesideher。

"Itreallyisveryheavy，"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth。

Thenheadded:——

"Howoldareyou，littleone？"

"Eight，sir。"

"Andhaveyoucomefromfarlikethis？"

"Fromthespringintheforest。"

"Areyougoingfar？"

"Agoodquarterofanhour’swalkfromhere。"

Themansaidnothingforamoment；thenheremarkedabruptly:——

"Soyouhavenomother。"

"Idon’tknow，"answeredthechild。

Beforethemanhadtimetospeakagain，sheadded:——

"Idon’tthinkso。Otherpeoplehavemothers。Ihavenone。"

Andafterasilenceshewenton:——

"IthinkthatIneverhadany。"

Themanhalted；hesetthebucketontheground，bentdownandplacedbothhandsonthechild’sshoulders，makinganefforttolookatherandtoseeherfaceinthedark。

Cosette’sthinandsicklyfacewasvaguelyoutlinedbythelividlightinthesky。

"Whatisyourname？"saidtheman。

"Cosette。"

Themanseemedtohavereceivedanelectricshock。Helookedatheroncemore；thenheremovedhishandsfromCosette’sshoulders，seizedthebucket，andsetoutagain。

Afteramomentheinquired:——

"Wheredoyoulive，littleone？"

"AtMontfermeil，ifyouknowwherethatis。"

"Thatiswherewearegoing？"

"Yes，sir。"

Hepaused；thenbeganagain:——

"Whosentyouatsuchanhourtogetwaterintheforest？"

"ItwasMadameThenardier。"

Themanresumed，inavoicewhichhestrovetorenderindifferent，butinwhichtherewas，nevertheless，asingulartremor:——

"WhatdoesyourMadameThenardierdo？"

"Sheismymistress，"saidthechild。"Shekeepstheinn。"

"Theinn？"saidtheman。"Well，Iamgoingtolodgethereto—night。

Showmetheway。"

"Weareonthewaythere，"saidthechild。

Themanwalkedtolerablyfast。Cosettefollowedhimwithoutdifficulty。

Shenolongerfeltanyfatigue。Fromtimetotimesheraisedhereyestowardstheman，withasortoftranquillityandanindescribableconfidence。ShehadneverbeentaughttoturntoProvidenceandtopray；nevertheless，shefeltwithinhersomethingwhichresembledhopeandjoy，andwhichmountedtowardsheaven。

Severalminuteselapsed。Themanresumed:——

"IstherenoservantinMadameThenardier’shouse？"

"No，sir。"

"Areyoualonethere？"

"Yes，sir。"

Anotherpauseensued。Cosettelifteduphervoice:——

"Thatistosay，therearetwolittlegirls。"

"Whatlittlegirls？"

"PonineandZelma。"

ThiswasthewaythechildsimplifiedtheromanticnamessodeartothefemaleThenardier。

"WhoarePonineandZelma？"

"TheyareMadameThenardier’syoungladies；herdaughters，asyouwouldsay。"

"Andwhatdothosegirlsdo？"

"Oh！"saidthechild，"theyhavebeautifuldolls；thingswithgoldinthem，allfullofaffairs。Theyplay；theyamusethemselves。"

"Alldaylong？"

"Yes，sir。"

"Andyou？"

"I？Iwork。"

"Alldaylong？"

Thechildraisedhergreateyes，inwhichhungatear，whichwasnotvisiblebecauseofthedarkness，andrepliedgently:——

"Yes，sir。"

Afteranintervalofsilenceshewenton:——

"Sometimes，whenIhavefinishedmyworkandtheyletme，Iamusemyself，too。"

"Howdoyouamuseyourself？"

"InthebestwayIcan。Theyletmealone；butIhavenotmanyplaythings。PonineandZelmawillnotletmeplaywiththeirdolls。Ihaveonlyalittleleadsword，nolongerthanthat。"

Thechildhelduphertinyfinger。

"Anditwillnotcut？"

"Yes，sir，"saidthechild；"itcutssaladandtheheadsofflies。"

Theyreachedthevillage。Cosetteguidedthestrangerthroughthestreets。Theypassedthebakeshop，butCosettedidnotthinkofthebreadwhichshehadbeenorderedtofetch。Themanhadceasedtoplyherwithquestions，andnowpreservedagloomysilence。

Whentheyhadleftthechurchbehindthem，theman，onperceivingalltheopen—airbooths，askedCosette:——

"Sothereisafairgoingonhere？"

"No，sir；itisChristmas。"

Astheyapproachedthetavern，Cosettetimidlytouchedhisarm:——

"Monsieur？"

"What，mychild？"

"Wearequitenearthehouse。"

"Well？"

"Willyouletmetakemybucketnow？"

"Why？"

"IfMadameseesthatsomeonehascarrieditforme，shewillbeatme。"

Themanhandedherthebucket。Aninstantlatertheywereatthetaverndoor。

CHAPTERVIII

THEUNPLEASANTNESSOFRECEIVINGINTOONE’SHOUSEAPOORMANWHO

MAYBEARICHMAN

Cosettecouldnotrefrainfromcastingasidelongglanceatthebigdoll，whichwasstilldisplayedatthetoy—merchant’s；thensheknocked。

Thedooropened。TheThenardierappearedwithacandleinherhand。

"Ah！soit’syou，youlittlewretch！goodmercy，butyou’vetakenyourtime！Thehussyhasbeenamusingherself！"

"Madame，"saidCosette，tremblingallover，"here’sagentlemanwhowantsalodging。"

TheThenardierspeedilyreplacedhergruffairbyheramiablegrimace，achangeofaspectcommontotavern—keepers，andeagerlysoughtthenew—comerwithhereyes。

"Thisisthegentleman？"saidshe。

"Yes，Madame，"repliedtheman，raisinghishandtohishat。

Wealthytravellersarenotsopolite。Thisgesture，andaninspectionofthestranger’scostumeandbaggage，whichtheThenardierpassedinreviewwithoneglance，causedtheamiablegrimacetovanish，andthegruffmientoreappear。Sheresumeddryly:——

"Enter，mygoodman。"

The"goodman"entered。TheThenardiercastasecondglanceathim，paidparticularattentiontohisfrock—coat，whichwasabsolutelythreadbare，andtohishat，whichwasalittlebattered，and，tossingherhead，wrinklinghernose，andscrewinguphereyes，sheconsultedherhusband，whowasstilldrinkingwiththecarters。

Thehusbandrepliedbythatimperceptiblemovementoftheforefinger，which，backedupbyaninflationofthelips，signifiesinsuchcases:

Aregularbeggar。Thereupon，theThenardierexclaimed:——

"Ah！seehere，mygoodman；Iamverysorry，butIhavenoroomleft。"

"Putmewhereyoulike，"saidtheman；"intheattic，inthestable。

IwillpayasthoughIoccupiedaroom。"

"Fortysous。"

"Fortysous；agreed。"

"Verywell，then！"

"Fortysous！"saidacarter，inalowtone，totheThenardierwoman；

"why，thechargeisonlytwentysous！"

"Itisfortyinhiscase，"retortedtheThenardier，inthesametone。

"Idon’tlodgepoorfolksforless。"

"That’strue，"addedherhusband，gently；"itruinsahousetohavesuchpeopleinit。"

Inthemeantime，theman，layinghisbundleandhiscudgelonabench，hadseatedhimselfatatable，onwhichCosettemadehastetoplaceabottleofwineandaglass。Themerchantwhohaddemandedthebucketofwatertookittohishorsehimself。

Cosetteresumedherplaceunderthekitchentable，andherknitting。

Theman，whohadbarelymoistenedhislipsinthewinewhichhehadpouredoutforhimself，observedthechildwithpeculiarattention。

Cosettewasugly。Ifshehadbeenhappy，shemighthavebeenpretty。

Wehavealreadygivenasketchofthatsombrelittlefigure。

Cosettewasthinandpale；shewasnearlyeightyearsold，butsheseemedtobehardlysix。Herlargeeyes，sunkeninasortofshadow，werealmostputoutwithweeping。Thecornersofhermouthhadthatcurveofhabitualanguishwhichisseenincondemnedpersonsanddesperatelysickpeople。Herhandswere，ashermotherhaddivined，"ruinedwithchilblains。"Thefirewhichilluminatedheratthatmomentbroughtintoreliefalltheanglesofherbones，andrenderedherthinnessfrightfullyapparent。Asshewasalwaysshivering，shehadacquiredthehabitofpressingherkneesoneagainsttheother。

Herentireclothingwasbutaragwhichwouldhaveinspiredpityinsummer，andwhichinspiredhorrorinwinter。Allshehadonwashole—riddenlinen，notascrapofwoollen。Herskinwasvisiblehereandthereandeverywhereblackandbluespotscouldbedescried，whichmarkedtheplaceswheretheThenardierwomanhadtouchedher。

Hernakedlegswerethinandred。Thehollowsinherneckwereenoughtomakeoneweep。Thischild’swholeperson，hermien，herattitude，thesoundofhervoice，theintervalswhichsheallowedtoelapsebetweenonewordandthenext，herglance，hersilence，herslightestgesture，expressedandbetrayedonesoleidea，——fear。

Fearwasdiffusedalloverher；shewascoveredwithit，sotospeak；

feardrewherelbowsclosetoherhips，withdrewherheelsunderherpetticoat，madeheroccupyaslittlespaceaspossible，allowedheronlythebreaththatwasabsolutelynecessary，andhadbecomewhatmightbecalledthehabitofherbody，admittingofnopossiblevariationexceptanincrease。Inthedepthsofhereyestherewasanastonishednookwhereterrorlurked。

Herfearwassuch，thatonherarrival，wetasshewas，Cosettedidnotdaretoapproachthefireanddryherself，butsatsilentlydowntoherworkagain。

Theexpressionintheglanceofthatchildofeightyearswashabituallysogloomy，andattimessotragic，thatitseemedatcertainmomentsasthoughshewereonthevergeofbecominganidiotorademon。

Aswehavestated，shehadneverknownwhatitistopray；shehadneversetfootinachurch。"HaveIthetime？"saidtheThenardier。

ThemanintheyellowcoatnevertookhiseyesfromCosette。

Allatonce，theThenardierexclaimed:——

"Bytheway，where’sthatbread？"

Cosette，accordingtohercustomwhenevertheThenardierupliftedhervoice，emergedwithgreathastefrombeneaththetable。

Shehadcompletelyforgottenthebread。Shehadrecoursetotheexpedientofchildrenwholiveinaconstantstateoffear。

Shelied。

"Madame，thebaker’sshopwasshut。"

"Youshouldhaveknocked。"

"Ididknock，Madame。"

"Well？"

"Hedidnotopenthedoor。"

"I’llfindoutto—morrowwhetherthatistrue，"saidtheThenardier；

"andifyouaretellingmealie，I’llleadyouaprettydance。

Inthemeantime，givemebackmyfifteen—soupiece。"

Cosetteplungedherhandintothepocketofherapron，andturnedgreen。

Thefifteen—soupiecewasnotthere。

"Ah，comenow，"saidMadameThenardier，"didyouhearme？"

Cosetteturnedherpocketinsideout；therewasnothinginit。

Whatcouldhavebecomeofthatmoney？Theunhappylittlecreaturecouldnotfindawordtosay。Shewaspetrified。

"Haveyoulostthatfifteen—soupiece？"screamedtheThenardier，hoarsely，"ordoyouwanttorobmeofit？"

Atthesametime，shestretchedoutherarmtowardsthecat—o’—nine—tailswhichhungonanailinthechimney—corner。

ThisformidablegesturerestoredtoCosettesufficientstrengthtoshriek:——

"Mercy，Madame，Madame！Iwillnotdosoanymore！"

TheThenardiertookdownthewhip。

Inthemeantime，themanintheyellowcoathadbeenfumblinginthefobofhiswaistcoat，withoutanyonehavingnoticedhismovements。

Besides，theothertravellersweredrinkingorplayingcards，andwerenotpayingattentiontoanything。

Cosettecontractedherselfintoaball，withanguish，withintheangleofthechimney，endeavoringtogatherupandconcealherpoorhalf—nudelimbs。TheThenardierraisedherarm。

"Pardonme，Madame，"saidtheman，"butjustnowIcaughtsightofsomethingwhichhadfallenfromthislittleone’sapronpocket，androlledaside。Perhapsthisisit。"

Atthesametimehebentdownandseemedtobesearchingonthefloorforamoment。

"Exactly；hereitis，"hewenton，straighteninghimselfup。

AndheheldoutasilvercointotheThenardier。

"Yes，that’sit，"saidshe。

Itwasnotit，foritwasatwenty—soupiece；buttheThenardierfoundittoheradvantage。Sheputthecoininherpocket，andconfinedherselftocastingafierceglanceatthechild，accompaniedwiththeremark，"Don’tletthiseverhappenagain！"

CosettereturnedtowhattheThenardiercalled"herkennel，"

andherlargeeyes，whichwererivetedonthetraveller，begantotakeonanexpressionsuchastheyhadneverwornbefore。

Thusfaritwasonlyaninnocentamazement，butasortofstupefiedconfidencewasmingledwithit。

"Bytheway，wouldyoulikesomesupper？"theThenardierinquiredofthetraveller。

Hemadenoreply。Heappearedtobeabsorbedinthought。

"Whatsortofamanisthat？"shemutteredbetweenherteeth。

"He’ssomefrightfullypoorwretch。Hehasn’tasoutopayforasupper。Willheevenpaymeforhislodging？It’sverylucky，allthesame，thatitdidnotoccurtohimtostealthemoneythatwasonthefloor。"

Inthemeantime，adoorhadopened，andEponineandAzelmaentered。

Theyweretworeallyprettylittlegirls，morebourgeoisthanpeasantinlooks，andverycharming；theonewithshiningchestnuttresses，theotherwithlongblackbraidshangingdownherback，bothvivacious，neat，plump，rosy，andhealthy，andadelighttotheeye。Theywerewarmlyclad，butwithsomuchmaternalartthatthethicknessofthestuffsdidnotdetractfromthecoquetryofarrangement。Therewasahintofwinter，thoughthespringtimewasnotwhollyeffaced。Lightemanatedfromthesetwolittlebeings。

Besidesthis，theywereonthethrone。Intheirtoilettes，intheirgayety，inthenoisewhichtheymade，therewassovereignty。

Whentheyentered，theThenardiersaidtotheminagrumblingtonewhichwasfullofadoration，"Ah！thereyouare，youchildren！"

Thendrawingthem，oneaftertheothertoherknees，smoothingtheirhair，tyingtheirribbonsafresh，andthenreleasingthemwiththatgentlemannerofshakingoffwhichispeculiartomothers，sheexclaimed，"Whatfrightstheyare！"

Theywentandseatedthemselvesinthechimney—corner。Theyhadadoll，whichtheyturnedoverandoverontheirkneeswithallsortsofjoyouschatter。FromtimetotimeCosetteraisedhereyesfromherknitting，andwatchedtheirplaywithamelancholyair。

EponineandAzelmadidnotlookatCosette。Shewasthesameasadogtothem。Thesethreelittlegirlsdidnotyetreckonupfourandtwentyyearsbetweenthem，buttheyalreadyrepresentedthewholesocietyofman；envyontheoneside，disdainontheother。

ThedolloftheThenardiersisterswasverymuchfaded，veryold，andmuchbroken；butitseemednonethelessadmirabletoCosette，whohadneverhadadollinherlife，arealdoll，tomakeuseoftheexpressionwhichallchildrenwillunderstand。

Allatonce，theThenardier，whohadbeengoingbackandforthintheroom，perceivedthatCosette’smindwasdistracted，andthat，insteadofworking，shewaspayingattentiontothelittleonesattheirplay。

"Ah！I’vecaughtyouatit！"shecried。"Sothat’sthewayyouwork！

I’llmakeyouworktothetuneofthewhip；thatIwill。"

ThestrangerturnedtotheThenardier，withoutquittinghischair。

"Bah，Madame，"hesaid，withanalmosttimidair，"letherplay！"

Suchawishexpressedbyatravellerwhohadeatenasliceofmuttonandhaddrunkacoupleofbottlesofwinewithhissupper，andwhohadnottheairofbeingfrightfullypoor，wouldhavebeenequivalenttoanorder。Butthatamanwithsuchahatshouldpermithimselfsuchadesire，andthatamanwithsuchacoatshouldpermithimselftohaveawill，wassomethingwhichMadameThenardierdidnotintendtotolerate。Sheretortedwithacrimony:——

"Shemustwork，sincesheeats。Idon’tfeedhertodonothing。"

"Whatisshemaking？"wentonthestranger，inagentlevoicewhichcontrastedstrangelywithhisbeggarlygarmentsandhisporter’sshoulders。

TheThenardierdeignedtoreply:——

"Stockings，ifyouplease。Stockingsformylittlegirls，whohavenone，sotospeak，andwhoareabsolutelybarefootjustnow。"

ThemanlookedatCosette’spoorlittleredfeet，andcontinued:——

"Whenwillshehavefinishedthispairofstockings？"

"Shehasatleastthreeorfourgooddays’workonthemstill，thelazycreature！"

"Andhowmuchwillthatpairofstockingsbeworthwhenshehasfinishedthem？"

TheThenardiercastaglanceofdisdainonhim。

"Thirtysousatleast。"

"Willyousellthemforfivefrancs？"wentontheman。

"Goodheavens！"exclaimedacarterwhowaslistening，withaloudlaugh；

"fivefrancs！thedeuce，Ishouldthinkso！fiveballs！"

Thenardierthoughtittimetostrikein。

"Yes，sir；ifsuchisyourfancy，youwillbeallowedtohavethatpairofstockingsforfivefrancs。Wecanrefusenothingtotravellers。"

"Youmustpayonthespot，"saidtheThenardier，inhercurtandperemptoryfashion。

"Iwillbuythatpairofstockings，"repliedtheman，"and，"headded，drawingafive—francpiecefromhispocket，andlayingitonthetable，"Iwillpayforthem。"

ThenheturnedtoCosette。

"NowIownyourwork；play，mychild。"

Thecarterwassomuchtouchedbythefive—francpiece，thatheabandonedhisglassandhastenedup。

"Butit’strue！"hecried，examiningit。"Arealhindwheel！

andnotcounterfeit！"

Thenardierapproachedandsilentlyputthecoininhispocket。

TheThenardierhadnoreplytomake。Shebitherlips，andherfaceassumedanexpressionofhatred。

Inthemeantime，Cosettewastrembling。Sheventuredtoask:——

"Isittrue，Madame？MayIplay？"

"Play！"saidtheThenardier，inaterriblevoice。

"Thanks，Madame，"saidCosette。

AndwhilehermouththankedtheThenardier，herwholelittlesoulthankedthetraveller。

Thenardierhadresumedhisdrinking；hiswifewhisperedinhisear:——

"Whocanthisyellowmanbe？"

"Ihaveseenmillionaireswithcoatslikethat，"repliedThenardier，inasovereignmanner。

Cosettehaddroppedherknitting，buthadnotleftherseat。

Cosettealwaysmovedaslittleaspossible。Shepickedupsomeoldragsandherlittleleadswordfromaboxbehindher。

EponineandAzelmapaidnoattentiontowhatwasgoingon。

Theyhadjustexecutedaveryimportantoperation；theyhadjustgotholdofthecat。Theyhadthrowntheirdollontheground，andEponine，whowastheelder，wasswathingthelittlecat，inspiteofitsmewinganditscontortions，inaquantityofclothesandredandbluescraps。Whileperformingthisseriousanddifficultworkshewassayingtohersisterinthatsweetandadorablelanguageofchildren，whosegrace，likethesplendorofthebutterfly’swing，vanisheswhenoneessaystofixitfast。

"Yousee，sister，thisdollismoreamusingthantheother。

Shetwists，shecries，sheiswarm。See，sister，letusplaywithher。

Sheshallbemylittlegirl。Iwillbealady。Iwillcometoseeyou，andyoushalllookather。Gradually，youwillperceiveherwhiskers，andthatwillsurpriseyou。Andthenyouwillseeherears，andthenyouwillseehertailanditwillamazeyou。

Andyouwillsaytome，`Ah！MonDieu！’andIwillsaytoyou:

`Yes，Madame，itismylittlegirl。Littlegirlsaremadelikethatjustatpresent。’"

AzelmalistenedadmiringlytoEponine。

Inthemeantime，thedrinkershadbeguntosinganobscenesong，andtolaughatituntiltheceilingshook。Thenardieraccompaniedandencouragedthem。

Asbirdsmakenestsoutofeverything，sochildrenmakeadolloutofanythingwhichcomestohand。WhileEponineandAzelmawerebundlingupthecat，Cosette，onherside，haddresseduphersword。

Thatdone，shelaiditinherarms，andsangtoitsoftly，tolullittosleep。

Thedollisoneofthemostimperiousneedsand，atthesametime，oneofthemostcharminginstinctsoffemininechildhood。

Tocarefor，toclothe，todeck，todress，toundress，toredress，toteach，scoldalittle，torock，todandle，tolulltosleep，toimaginethatsomethingissomeone，——thereinliesthewholewoman’sfuture。Whiledreamingandchattering，makingtinyoutfits，andbabyclothes，whilesewinglittlegowns，andcorsagesandbodices，thechildgrowsintoayounggirl，theyounggirlintoabiggirl，thebiggirlintoawoman。Thefirstchildisthecontinuationofthelastdoll。

Alittlegirlwithoutadollisalmostasunhappy，andquiteasimpossible，asawomanwithoutchildren。

SoCosettehadmadeherselfadolloutofthesword。

MadameThenardierapproachedtheyellowman；"Myhusbandisright，"

shethought；"perhapsitisM。Laffitte；therearesuchqueerrichmen！"

Shecameandsetherelbowsonthetable。

"Monsieur，"saidshe。Atthisword，Monsieur，themanturned；

uptothattime，theThenardierhadaddressedhimonlyasbravehommeorbonhomme。

"Yousee，sir，"shepursued，assumingasweetishairthatwasevenmorerepulsivetobeholdthanherfiercemien，"Iamwillingthatthechildshouldplay；Idonotopposeit，butitisgoodforonce，becauseyouaregenerous。Yousee，shehasnothing；

shemustneedswork。"

"Thenthischildisnotyours？"demandedtheman。

"Oh！monDieu！no，sir！sheisalittlebeggarwhomwehavetakeninthroughcharity；asortofimbecilechild。Shemusthavewateronthebrain；shehasalargehead，asyousee。Wedowhatwecanforher，forwearenotrich；wehavewritteninvaintohernativeplace，andhavereceivednoreplythesesixmonths。

Itmustbethathermotherisdead。"

"Ah！"saidtheman，andfellintohisreveryoncemore。

"Hermotherdidn’tamounttomuch，"addedtheThenardier；

"sheabandonedherchild。"

DuringthewholeofthisconversationCosette，asthoughwarnedbysomeinstinctthatshewasunderdiscussion，hadnottakenhereyesfromtheThenardier’sface；shelistenedvaguely；shecaughtafewwordshereandthere。

Meanwhile，thedrinkers，allthree—quartersintoxicated，wererepeatingtheiruncleanrefrainwithredoubledgayety；itwasahighlyspicedandwantonsong，inwhichtheVirginandtheinfantJesuswereintroduced。TheThenardierwentofftotakepartintheshoutsoflaughter。Cosette，fromherpostunderthetable，gazedatthefire，whichwasreflectedfromherfixedeyes。Shehadbeguntorockthesortofbabywhichshehadmade，and，assherockedit，shesanginalowvoice，"Mymotherisdead！mymotherisdead！mymotherisdead！"

Onbeingurgedafreshbythehostess，theyellowman，"themillionaire，"

consentedatlasttotakesupper。

"WhatdoesMonsieurwish？"

"Breadandcheese，"saidtheman。

"Decidedly，heisabeggar"thoughtMadameThenardier。

Thedrunkenmenwerestillsingingtheirsong，andthechildunderthetablewassinginghers。

Allatonce，Cosettepaused；shehadjustturnedroundandcaughtsightofthelittleThenardiers’doll，whichtheyhadabandonedforthecatandhadleftonthefloorafewpacesfromthekitchentable。

Thenshedroppedtheswaddledsword，whichonlyhalfmetherneeds，andcasthereyesslowlyroundtheroom。MadameThenardierwaswhisperingtoherhusbandandcountingoversomemoney；

PonineandZelmawereplayingwiththecat；thetravellerswereeatingordrinkingorsinging；notaglancewasfixedonher。

Shehadnotamomenttolose；shecreptoutfromunderthetableonherhandsandknees，madesureoncemorethatnoonewaswatchingher；

thensheslippedquicklyuptothedollandseizedit。Aninstantlatershewasinherplaceagain，seatedmotionless，andonlyturnedsoastocastashadowonthedollwhichsheheldinherarms。

Thehappinessofplayingwithadollwassorareforherthatitcontainedalltheviolenceofvoluptuousness。

Noonehadseenher，exceptthetraveller，whowasslowlydevouringhismeagresupper。

Thisjoylastedaboutaquarterofanhour。

ButwithalltheprecautionsthatCosettehadtakenshedidnotperceivethatoneofthedoll’slegsstuckoutandthatthefireonthehearthlighteditupveryvividly。Thatpinkandshiningfoot，projectingfromtheshadow，suddenlystrucktheeyeofAzelma，whosaidtoEponine，"Look！sister。"

Thetwolittlegirlspausedinstupefaction；Cosettehaddaredtotaketheirdoll！

Eponinerose，and，withoutreleasingthecat，sherantohermother，andbegantotugatherskirt。

"Letmealone！"saidhermother；"whatdoyouwant？"

"Mother，"saidthechild，"lookthere！"

AndshepointedtoCosette。

Cosette，absorbedintheecstasiesofpossession，nolongersaworheardanything。

MadameThenardier’scountenanceassumedthatpeculiarexpressionwhichiscomposedoftheterriblemingledwiththetriflesoflife，andwhichhascausedthisstyleofwomantobenamedmegaeras。

Onthisoccasion，woundedprideexasperatedherwrathstillfurther。

Cosettehadoversteppedallbounds；Cosettehadlaidviolenthandsonthedollbelongingto"theseyoungladies。"Aczarinawhoshouldseeamuzhiktryingonherimperialson’sblueribbonwouldwearnootherface。

Sheshriekedinavoicerenderedhoarsewithindignation:——

"Cosette！"

Cosettestartedasthoughtheearthhadtrembledbeneathher；

sheturnedround。

"Cosette！"repeatedtheThenardier。

Cosettetookthedollandlaiditgentlyonthefloorwithasortofveneration，mingledwithdespair；then，withouttakinghereyesfromit，sheclaspedherhands，and，whatisterribletorelateofachildofthatage，shewrungthem；then——notoneoftheemotionsoftheday，neitherthetriptotheforest，northeweightofthebucketofwater，northelossofthemoney，northesightofthewhip，noreventhesadwordswhichshehadheardMadameThenardierutterhadbeenabletowringthisfromher——

shewept；sheburstoutsobbing。

Meanwhile，thetravellerhadrisentohisfeet。

"Whatisthematter？"hesaidtotheThenardier。

"Don’tyousee？"saidtheThenardier，pointingtothecorpusdelictiwhichlayatCosette’sfeet。

"Well，whatofit？"resumedtheman。

"Thatbeggar，"repliedtheThenardier，"haspermittedherselftotouchthechildren’sdoll！"

"Allthisnoiseforthat！"saidtheman；"well，whatifshedidplaywiththatdoll？"

"Shetoucheditwithherdirtyhands！"pursuedtheThenardier，"withherfrightfulhands！"

HereCosetteredoubledhersobs。

"Willyoustopyournoise？"screamedtheThenardier。

Themanwentstraighttothestreetdoor，openedit，andsteppedout。

Assoonashehadgone，theThenardierprofitedbyhisabsencetogiveCosetteaheartykickunderthetable，whichmadethechildutterloudcries。

Thedooropenedagain，themanre—appeared；hecarriedinbothhandsthefabulousdollwhichwehavementioned，andwhichallthevillagebratshadbeenstaringateversincethemorning，andhesetituprightinfrontofCosette，saying:——

"Here；thisisforyou。"

Itmustbesupposedthatinthecourseofthehourandmorewhichhehadspenttherehehadtakenconfusednoticethroughhisreveryofthattoyshop，lightedupbyfire—potsandcandlessosplendidlythatitwasvisiblelikeanilluminationthroughthewindowofthedrinking—shop。

Cosetteraisedhereyes；shegazedatthemanapproachingherwiththatdollasshemighthavegazedatthesun；sheheardtheunprecedentedwords，"Itisforyou"；shestaredathim；

shestaredatthedoll；thensheslowlyretreated，andhidherselfattheextremeend，underthetableinacornerofthewall。

Shenolongercried；shenolongerwept；shehadtheappearanceofnolongerdaringtobreathe。

TheThenardier，Eponine，andAzelmawerelikestatuesalso；

theverydrinkershadpaused；asolemnsilencereignedthroughthewholeroom。

MadameThenardier，petrifiedandmute，recommencedherconjectures:

"Whoisthatoldfellow？Isheapoorman？Isheamillionaire？

Perhapsheisboth；thatistosay，athief。"

ThefaceofthemaleThenardierpresentedthatexpressivefoldwhichaccentuatesthehumancountenancewheneverthedominantinstinctappearsthereinallitsbestialforce。Thetavern—keeperstaredalternatelyatthedollandatthetraveller；heseemedtobescentingouttheman，ashewouldhavescentedoutabagofmoney。

Thisdidnotlastlongerthanthespaceofaflashoflightning。

Hesteppeduptohiswifeandsaidtoherinalowvoice:——

"Thatmachinecostsatleastthirtyfrancs。Nononsense。

Downonyourbellybeforethatman！"

Grossnatureshavethisincommonwithnaivenatures，thattheypossessnotransitionstate。

"Well，Cosette，"saidtheThenardier，inavoicethatstrovetobesweet，andwhichwascomposedofthebitterhoneyofmaliciouswomen，"aren’tyougoingtotakeyourdoll？"

Cosetteventuredtoemergefromherhole。

"Thegentlemanhasgivenyouadoll，mylittleCosette，"

saidThenardier，withacaressingair。"Takeit；itisyours。"

Cosettegazedatthemarvellousdollinasortofterror。

Herfacewasstillfloodedwithtears，buthereyesbegantofill，liketheskyatdaybreak，withstrangebeamsofjoy。Whatshefeltatthatmomentwasalittlelikewhatshewouldhavefeltifshehadbeenabruptlytold，"Littleone，youaretheQueenofFrance。"

Itseemedtoherthatifshetouchedthatdoll，lightningwoulddartfromit。

Thiswastrue，uptoacertainpoint，forshesaidtoherselfthattheThenardierwouldscoldandbeather。

Nevertheless，theattractioncarriedtheday。SheendedbydrawingnearandmurmuringtimidlyassheturnedtowardsMadameThenardier:——

"MayI，Madame？"

Nowordscanrenderthatair，atoncedespairing，terrified，andecstatic。

"Pardi！"criedtheThenardier，"itisyours。Thegentlemanhasgivenittoyou。"

"Truly，sir？"saidCosette。"Isittrue？Isthe`lady’mine？"

Thestranger’seyesseemedtobefulloftears。Heappearedtohavereachedthatpointofemotionwhereamandoesnotspeakforfearlestheshouldweep。HenoddedtoCosette，andplacedthe"lady’s"handinhertinyhand。

Cosettehastilywithdrewherhand，asthoughthatofthe"lady"

scorchedher，andbegantostareatthefloor。Weareforcedtoaddthatatthatmomentshestuckouthertongueimmoderately。

Allatonceshewheeledroundandseizedthedollinatransport。

"IshallcallherCatherine，"shesaid。

ItwasanoddmomentwhenCosette’sragsmetandclaspedtheribbonsandfreshpinkmuslinsofthedoll。

"Madame，"sheresumed，"mayIputheronachair？"

"Yes，mychild，"repliedtheThenardier。

ItwasnowtheturnofEponineandAzelmatogazeatCosettewithenvy。

CosetteplacedCatherineonachair，thenseatedherselfonthefloorinfrontofher，andremainedmotionless，withoututteringaword，inanattitudeofcontemplation。

"Play，Cosette，"saidthestranger。

"Oh！Iamplaying，"returnedthechild。

Thisstranger，thisunknownindividual，whohadtheairofavisitwhichProvidencewasmakingonCosette，wasthepersonwhomtheThenardierhatedworsethananyoneintheworldatthatmoment。However，itwasnecessarytocontrolherself。

Habituatedasshewastodissimulationthroughendeavoringtocopyherhusbandinallhisactions，theseemotionsweremorethanshecouldendure。Shemadehastetosendherdaughterstobed，thensheaskedtheman’spermissiontosendCosetteoffalso；

"forshehasworkedhardallday，"sheaddedwithamaternalair。

Cosettewentofftobed，carryingCatherineinherarms。

FromtimetotimetheThenardierwenttotheotherendoftheroomwhereherhusbandwas，torelievehersoul，asshesaid。

Sheexchangedwithherhusbandwordswhichwereallthemorefuriousbecauseshedarednotutterthemaloud。

"Oldbeast！Whathashegotinhisbelly，tocomeandupsetusinthismanner！Towantthatlittlemonstertoplay！togiveawayforty—francdollstoajadethatIwouldsellforfortysous，soIwould！AlittlemoreandhewillbesayingYourMajestytoher，asthoughtotheDuchessdeBerry！Isthereanysenseinit？

Ishemad，then，thatmysteriousoldfellow？"

"Why！itisperfectlysimple，"repliedThenardier，"ifthatamuseshim！

Itamusesyoutohavethelittleonework；itamuseshimtohaveherplay。He’sallright。Atravellercandowhathepleaseswhenhepaysforit。Iftheoldfellowisaphilanthropist，whatisthattoyou？Ifheisanimbecile，itdoesnotconcernyou。

Whatareyouworryingfor，solongashehasmoney？"

Thelanguageofamaster，andthereasoningofaninnkeeper，neitherofwhichadmittedofanyreply。

Themanhadplacedhiselbowsonthetable，andresumedhisthoughtfulattitude。Alltheothertravellers，bothpedlersandcarters，hadwithdrawnalittle，andhadceasedsinging。

Theywerestaringathimfromadistance，withasortofrespectfulawe。

Thispoorlydressedman，whodrew"hind—wheels"fromhispocketwithsomuchease，andwholavishedgiganticdollsondirtylittlebratsinwoodenshoes，wascertainlyamagnificentfellow，andonetobefeared。

Manyhourspassed。Themidnightmasswasover，thechimeshadceased，thedrinkershadtakentheirdeparture，thedrinking—shopwasclosed，thepublicroomwasdeserted，thefireextinct，thestrangerstillremainedinthesameplaceandthesameattitude。Fromtimetotimehechangedtheelbowonwhichheleaned。Thatwasall；

buthehadnotsaidawordsinceCosettehadlefttheroom。

TheThenardiersalone，outofpolitenessandcuriosity，hadremainedintheroom。

"Ishegoingtopassthenightinthatfashion？"grumbledtheThenardier。

Whentwoo’clockinthemorningstruck，shedeclaredherselfvanquished，andsaidtoherhusband，"I’mgoingtobed。Doasyoulike。"

Herhusbandseatedhimselfatatableinthecorner，lightedacandle，andbegantoreadtheCourrierFrancais。

Agoodhourpassedthus。Theworthyinn—keeperhadperusedtheCourrierFrancaisatleastthreetimes，fromthedateofthenumbertotheprinter’sname。Thestrangerdidnotstir。

Thenardierfidgeted，coughed，spit，blewhisnose，andcreakedhischair。Notamovementontheman’spart。"Isheasleep？"

thoughtThenardier。Themanwasnotasleep，butnothingcouldarousehim。

AtlastThenardiertookoffhiscap，steppedgentlyuptohim，andventuredtosay:——

"IsnotMonsieurgoingtohisrepose？"

Notgoingtobedwouldhaveseemedtohimexcessiveandfamiliar。

Toreposesmackedofluxuryandrespect。Thesewordspossessthemysteriousandadmirablepropertyofswellingthebillonthefollowingday。Achamberwhereonesleepscoststwentysous；

achamberinwhichonereposescoststwentyfrancs。

"Well！"saidthestranger，"youareright。Whereisyourstable？"

"Sir！"exclaimedThenardier，withasmile，"Iwillconductyou，sir。"

Hetookthecandle；themanpickeduphisbundleandcudgel，andThenardierconductedhimtoachamberonthefirstfloor，whichwasofraresplendor，allfurnishedinmahogany，withalowbedstead，curtainedwithredcalico。

"Whatisthis？"saidthetraveller。

"Itisreallyourbridalchamber，"saidthetavern—keeper。"MywifeandIoccupyanother。Thisisonlyenteredthreeorfourtimesayear。"

"Ishouldhavelikedthestablequiteaswell，"saidtheman，abruptly。

Thenardierpretendednottohearthisunamiableremark。

Helightedtwoperfectlyfreshwaxcandleswhichfiguredonthechimney—piece。Averygoodfirewasflickeringonthehearth。

Onthechimney—piece，underaglassglobe，stoodawoman’shead—dressinsilverwireandorangeflowers。

"Andwhatisthis？"resumedthestranger。

"That，sir，"saidThenardier，"ismywife’sweddingbonnet。"

Thetravellersurveyedtheobjectwithaglancewhichseemedtosay，"Therereallywasatime，then，whenthatmonsterwasamaiden？"

Thenardierlied，however。Whenhehadleasedthispaltrybuildingforthepurposeofconvertingitintoatavern，hehadfoundthischamberdecoratedinjustthismanner，andhadpurchasedthefurnitureandobtainedtheorangeflowersatsecondhand，withtheideathatthiswouldcastagracefulshadowon"hisspouse，"

andwouldresultinwhattheEnglishcallrespectabilityforhishouse。

Whenthetravellerturnedround，thehosthaddisappeared。

Thenardierhadwithdrawndiscreetly，withoutventuringtowishhimagoodnight，ashedidnotwishtotreatwithdisrespectfulcordialityamanwhomheproposedtofleeceroyallythefollowingmorning。

Theinn—keeperretiredtohisroom。Hiswifewasinbed，butshewasnotasleep。Whensheheardherhusband’sstepsheturnedoverandsaidtohim:——

"Doyouknow，I’mgoingtoturnCosetteoutofdoorsto—morrow。"

Thenardierrepliedcoldly:——

"Howyoudogoon！"

Theyexchangednofurtherwords，andafewmomentslatertheircandlewasextinguished。

Asforthetraveller，hehaddepositedhiscudgelandhisbundleinacorner。Thelandlordoncegone，hethrewhimselfintoanarm—chairandremainedforsometimeburiedinthought。

Thenheremovedhisshoes，tookoneofthetwocandles，blewouttheother，openedthedoor，andquittedtheroom，gazingabouthimlikeapersonwhoisinsearchofsomething。

Hetraversedacorridorandcameuponastaircase。Thereheheardaveryfaintandgentlesoundlikethebreathingofachild。

Hefollowedthissound，andcametoasortoftriangularrecessbuiltunderthestaircase，orratherformedbythestaircaseitself。

Thisrecesswasnothingelsethanthespaceunderthesteps。

There，inthemidstofallsortsofoldpapersandpotsherds，amongdustandspiders’webs，wasabed——ifonecancallbythenameofbedastrawpalletsofullofholesastodisplaythestraw，andacoverletsotatteredastoshowthepallet。Nosheets。

Thiswasplacedonthefloor。

InthisbedCosettewassleeping。

Themanapproachedandgazeddownuponher。

Cosettewasinaprofoundsleep；shewasfullydressed。Inthewintershedidnotundress，inorderthatshemightnotbesocold。

Againstherbreastwaspressedthedoll，whoselargeeyes，wideopen，glitteredinthedark。Fromtimetotimeshegaveventtoadeepsighasthoughshewereonthepointofwaking，andshestrainedthedollalmostconvulsivelyinherarms。Besideherbedtherewasonlyoneofherwoodenshoes。

AdoorwhichstoodopennearCosette’spalletpermittedaviewofaratherlarge，darkroom。Thestrangersteppedintoit。

Atthefurtherextremity，throughaglassdoor，hesawtwosmall，verywhitebeds。TheybelongedtoEponineandAzelma。

Behindthesebeds，andhalfhidden，stoodanuncurtainedwickercradle，inwhichthelittleboywhohadcriedalltheeveninglayasleep。

ThestrangerconjecturedthatthischamberconnectedwiththatoftheThenardierpair。Hewasonthepointofretreatingwhenhiseyefelluponthefireplace——oneofthosevasttavernchimneyswherethereisalwayssolittlefirewhenthereisanyfireatall，andwhicharesocoldtolookat。Therewasnofireinthisone，therewasnotevenashes；buttherewassomethingwhichattractedthestranger’sgaze，nevertheless。Itwastwotinychildren’sshoes，coquettishinshapeandunequalinsize。ThetravellerrecalledthegracefulandimmemorialcustominaccordancewithwhichchildrenplacetheirshoesinthechimneyonChristmaseve，theretoawaitinthedarknesssomesparklinggiftfromtheirgoodfairy。

EponineandAzelmahadtakencarenottoomitthis，andeachofthemhadsetoneofhershoesonthehearth。

Thetravellerbentoverthem。

Thefairy，thatistosay，theirmother，hadalreadypaidhervisit，andineachhesawabrand—newandshiningten—soupiece。

Themanstraightenedhimselfup，andwasonthepointofwithdrawing，whenfarin，inthedarkestcornerofthehearth，hecaughtsightofanotherobject。Helookedatit，andrecognizedawoodenshoe，afrightfulshoeofthecoarsestdescription，halfdilapidatedandallcoveredwithashesanddriedmud。ItwasCosette’ssabot。

Cosette，withthattouchingtrustofchildhood，whichcanalwaysbedeceivedyetneverdiscouraged，hadplacedhershoeonthehearth—stonealso。

Hopeinachildwhohasneverknownanythingbutdespairisasweetandtouchingthing。

Therewasnothinginthiswoodenshoe。

Thestrangerfumbledinhiswaistcoat，bentoverandplacedalouisd’orinCosette’sshoe。

Thenheregainedhisownchamberwiththestealthytreadofawolf。