第19章

Heturned。Arayofmoonlightoutlinedhisprofile，andJeanValjeanrecognizedoldFauchelevent。

"Ah！"saidJeanValjean，"soitisyou？Yes，Irecollectyou。"

"Thatisverylucky，"saidtheoldman，inareproachfultone。

"Andwhatareyoudoinghere？"resumedJeanValjean。

"Why，Iamcoveringmymelons，ofcourse！"

Infact，atthemomentwhenJeanValjeanaccostedhim，oldFaucheleventheldinhishandtheendofastrawmatwhichhewasoccupiedinspreadingoverthemelonbed。Duringthehourorthereaboutsthathehadbeeninthegardenhehadalreadyspreadoutanumberofthem。

ItwasthisoperationwhichhadcausedhimtoexecutethepeculiarmovementsobservedfromtheshedbyJeanValjean。

Hecontinued:——

"Isaidtomyself，`Themoonisbright:itisgoingtofreeze。

WhatifIweretoputmymelonsintotheirgreatcoats？’And，"headded，lookingatJeanValjeanwithabroadsmile，——"pardieu！yououghttohavedonethesame！Buthowdoyoucomehere？"

JeanValjean，findinghimselfknowntothisman，atleastonlyunderthenameofMadeleine，thenceforthadvancedonlywithcaution。

Hemultipliedhisquestions。Strangetosay，theirrolesseemedtobereversed。Itwashe，theintruder，whointerrogated。

"Andwhatisthisbellwhichyouwearonyourknee？"

"This，"repliedFauchelevent，"issothatImaybeavoided。"

"What！sothatyoumaybeavoided？"

OldFaucheleventwinkedwithanindescribableair。

"Ah，goodness！thereareonlywomeninthishouse——manyyounggirls。

ItappearsthatIshouldbeadangerouspersontomeet。Thebellgivesthemwarning。WhenIcome，theygo。

"Whathouseisthis？"

"Come，youknowwellenough。"

"ButIdonot。"

"Notwhenyougotmetheplacehereasgardener？"

"AnswermeasthoughIknewnothing。"

"Well，then，thisisthePetit—Picpusconvent。"

MemoriesrecurredtoJeanValjean。Chance，thatistosay，Providence，hadcasthimintopreciselythatconventintheQuartierSaint—AntoinewhereoldFauchelevent，crippledbythefallfromhiscart，hadbeenadmittedonhisrecommendationtwoyearspreviously。

Herepeated，asthoughtalkingtohimself:——

"ThePetit—Picpusconvent。"

"Exactly，"returnedoldFauchelevent。"Buttocometothepoint，howthedeucedidyoumanagetogetinhere，you，FatherMadeleine？

Nomatterifyouareasaint；youareamanaswell，andnomanentershere。"

"Youcertainlyarehere。"

"Thereisnoonebutme。"

"Still，"saidJeanValjean，"Imuststayhere。"

"Ah，goodGod！"criedFauchelevent。

JeanValjeandrewneartotheoldman，andsaidtohiminagravevoice:——

"FatherFauchelevent，Isavedyourlife。"

"Iwasthefirsttorecallit，"returnedFauchelevent。

"Well，youcandoto—dayformethatwhichIdidforyouintheoldendays。"

Faucheleventtookinhisaged，trembling，andwrinkledhandsJeanValjean’stworobusthands，andstoodforseveralminutesasthoughincapableofspeaking。Atlengthheexclaimed:——

"Oh！thatwouldbeablessingfromthegoodGod，ifIcouldmakeyousomelittlereturnforthat！Saveyourlife！MonsieurleMaire，disposeoftheoldman！"

Awonderfuljoyhadtransfiguredthisoldman。Hiscountenanceseemedtoemitarayoflight。

"Whatdoyouwishmetodo？"heresumed。

"ThatIwillexplaintoyou。Youhaveachamber？"

"Ihaveanisolatedhovelyonder，behindtheruinsoftheoldconvent，inacornerwhichnooneeverlooksinto。Therearethreeroomsinit。"

Thehutwas，infact，sowellhiddenbehindtheruins，andsocleverlyarrangedtopreventitbeingseen，thatJeanValjeanhadnotperceivedit。

"Good，"saidJeanValjean。"NowIamgoingtoasktwothingsofyou。"

"Whatarethey，Mr。Mayor？"

"Inthefirstplace，youarenottotellanyonewhatyouknowaboutme。

Inthesecond，youarenottotrytofindoutanythingmore。"

"Asyouplease。Iknowthatyoucandonothingthatisnothonest，thatyouhavealwaysbeenamanafterthegoodGod’sheart。

Andthen，moreover，youitwaswhoplacedmehere。Thatconcernsyou。

Iamatyourservice。"

"Thatissettledthen。Now，comewithme。Wewillgoandgetthechild。"

"Ah！"saidFauchelevent，"sothereisachild？"

Headdednotawordfurther，andfollowedJeanValjeanasadogfollowshismaster。

LessthanhalfanhourafterwardsCosette，whohadgrownrosyagainbeforetheflameofagoodfire，waslyingasleepintheoldgardener’sbed。JeanValjeanhadputonhiscravatandcoatoncemore；hishat，whichhehadflungoverthewall，hadbeenfoundandpickedup。WhileJeanValjeanwasputtingonhiscoat，Faucheleventhadremovedthebellandkneecap，whichnowhungonanailbesideavintagebasketthatadornedthewall。ThetwomenwerewarmingthemselveswiththeirelbowsrestingonatableuponwhichFaucheleventhadplacedabitofcheese，blackbread，abottleofwine，andtwoglasses，andtheoldmanwassayingtoJeanValjean，ashelaidhishandonthelatter’sknee:"Ah！FatherMadeleine！

Youdidnotrecognizemeimmediately；yousavepeople’slives，andthenyouforgetthem！Thatisbad！Buttheyrememberyou！

Youareaningrate！"

CHAPTERX

WHICHEXPLAINSHOWJAVERTGOTONTHESCENT

Theeventsofwhichwehavejustbeheldthereverseside，sotospeak，hadcomeaboutinthesimplestpossiblemanner。

WhenJeanValjean，ontheeveningoftheverydaywhenJaverthadarrestedhimbesideFantine’sdeath—bed，hadescapedfromthetownjailofM。surM。，thepolicehadsupposedthathehadbetakenhimselftoParis。Parisisamaelstromwhereeverythingislost，andeverythingdisappearsinthisbellyoftheworld，asinthebellyofthesea。Noforesthidesamanasdoesthatcrowd。

Fugitivesofeverysortknowthis。TheygotoParisastoanabyss；

therearegulfswhichsave。Thepoliceknowitalso，anditisinParisthattheyseekwhattheyhavelostelsewhere。

Theysoughttheex—mayorofM。surM。JavertwassummonedtoParistothrowlightontheirresearches。Javerthad，infact，renderedpowerfulassistanceintherecaptureofJeanValjean。

Javert’szealandintelligenceonthatoccasionhadbeenremarkedbyM。Chabouillet，secretaryofthePrefectureunderComteAngles。

M。Chabouillet，whohad，moreover，alreadybeenJavert’spatron，hadtheinspectorofM。surM。attachedtothepoliceforceofParis。

ThereJavertrenderedhimselfusefulindiversand，thoughthewordmayseemstrangeforsuchservices，honorablemanners。

HenolongerthoughtofJeanValjean，——thewolfofto—daycausesthesedogswhoarealwaysonthechasetoforgetthewolfofyesterday，——when，inDecember，1823，hereadanewspaper，hewhoneverreadnewspapers；

butJavert，amonarchicalman，hadadesiretoknowtheparticularsofthetriumphalentryofthe"PrinceGeneralissimo"intoBayonne。

Justashewasfinishingthearticle，whichinterestedhim；aname，thenameofJeanValjean，attractedhisattentionatthebottomofapage。ThepaperannouncedthattheconvictJeanValjeanwasdead，andpublishedthefactinsuchformaltermsthatJavertdidnotdoubtit。Heconfinedhimselftotheremark，"That’sagoodentry。"

Thenhethrewasidethepaper，andthoughtnomoreaboutit。

Sometimeafterwards，itchancedthatapolicereportwastransmittedfromtheprefectureoftheSeine—et—OisetotheprefectureofpoliceinParis，concerningtheabductionofachild，whichhadtakenplace，underpeculiarcircumstances，asitwassaid，inthecommuneofMontfermeil。Alittlegirlofsevenoreightyearsofage，thereportsaid，whohadbeenintrustedbyhermothertoaninn—keeperofthatneighborhood，hadbeenstolenbyastranger；thischildansweredtothenameofCosette，andwasthedaughterofagirlnamedFantine，whohaddiedinthehospital，itwasnotknownwhereorwhen。

ThisreportcameunderJavert’seyeandsethimtothinking。

ThenameofFantinewaswellknowntohim。HerememberedthatJeanValjeanhadmadehim，Javert，burstintolaughter，byaskinghimforarespiteofthreedays，forthepurposeofgoingtofetchthatcreature’schild。HerecalledthefactthatJeanValjeanhadbeenarrestedinParisattheverymomentwhenhewassteppingintothecoachforMontfermeil。Somesignshadmadehimsuspectatthetimethatthiswasthesecondoccasionofhisenteringthatcoach，andthathehadalready，onthepreviousday，madeanexcursiontotheneighborhoodofthatvillage，forhehadnotbeenseeninthevillageitself。

WhathadhebeenintendingtodointhatregionofMontfermeil？

Itcouldnotevenbesurmised。Javertunderstooditnow。

Fantine’sdaughterwasthere。JeanValjeanwasgoingthereinsearchofher。Andnowthischildhadbeenstolenbyastranger！

Whocouldthatstrangerbe？CoulditbeJeanValjean？ButJeanValjeanwasdead。Javert，withoutsayinganythingtoanybody，tookthecoachfromthePewterPlatter，Cul—de—SacdelaPlanchette，andmadeatriptoMontfermeil。

Heexpectedtofindagreatdealoflightonthesubjectthere；

hefoundagreatdealofobscurity。

ForthefirstfewdaystheThenardiershadchatteredintheirrage。

ThedisappearanceoftheLarkhadcreatedasensationinthevillage。

Heimmediatelyobtainednumerousversionsofthestory，whichendedintheabductionofachild。Hencethepolicereport。Buttheirfirstvexationhavingpassedoff，Thenardier，withhiswonderfulinstinct，hadveryquicklycomprehendedthatitisneveradvisabletostiruptheprosecutoroftheCrown，andthathiscomplaintswithregardtotheabductionofCosettewouldhaveastheirfirstresulttofixuponhimself，anduponmanydarkaffairswhichhehadonhand，theglitteringeyeofjustice。Thelastthingthatowlsdesireistohaveacandlebroughttothem。Andinthefirstplace，howexplainthefifteenhundredfrancswhichhehadreceived？

Heturnedsquarelyround，putagagonhiswife’smouth，andfeignedastonishmentwhenthestolenchildwasmentionedtohim。

Heunderstoodnothingaboutit；nodoubthehadgrumbledforawhileathavingthatdearlittlecreature"takenfromhim"sohastily；

heshouldhavelikedtokeephertwoorthreedayslonger，outoftenderness；buther"grandfather"hadcomeforherinthemostnaturalwayintheworld。Headdedthe"grandfather，"whichproducedagoodeffect。ThiswasthestorythatJaverthituponwhenhearrivedatMontfermeil。ThegrandfathercausedJeanValjeantovanish。

Nevertheless，Javertdroppedafewquestions，likeplummets，intoThenardier’shistory。"Whowasthatgrandfather？andwhatwashisname？"Thenardierrepliedwithsimplicity:"Heisawealthyfarmer。

Isawhispassport。IthinkhisnamewasM。GuillaumeLambert。"

Lambertisarespectableandextremelyreassuringname。

ThereuponJavertreturnedtoParis。

"JeanValjeaniscertainlydead，"saidhe，"andIamaninny。"

Hehadagainbeguntoforgetthishistory，when，inthecourseofMarch，1824，heheardofasingularpersonagewhodweltintheparishofSaint—Medardandwhohadbeensurnamed"themendicantwhogivesalms。"Thisperson，thestoryran，wasamanofmeans，whosenamenooneknewexactly，andwholivedalonewithalittlegirlofeightyears，whoknewnothingaboutherself，savethatshehadcomefromMontfermeil。Montfermeil！thatnamewasalwayscomingup，anditmadeJavertprickuphisears。Anoldbeggarpolicespy，anex—beadle，towhomthispersonhadgivenalms，addedafewmoredetails。Thisgentlemanofpropertywasveryshy，——

nevercomingoutexceptintheevening，speakingtonoone，except，occasionallytothepoor，andneverallowinganyonetoapproachhim。

Heworeahorribleoldyellowfrock—coat，whichwasworthmanymillions，beingallwaddedwithbank—bills。ThispiquedJavert’scuriosityinadecidedmanner。Inordertogetacloselookatthisfantasticgentlemanwithoutalarminghim，heborrowedthebeadle’soutfitforaday，andtheplacewheretheoldspywasinthehabitofcrouchingeveryevening，whiningorisonsthroughhisnose，andplayingthespyundercoverofprayer。

"Thesuspectedindividual"didindeedapproachJavertthusdisguised，andbestowalmsonhim。AtthatmomentJavertraisedhishead，andtheshockwhichJeanValjeanreceivedonrecognizingJavertwasequaltotheonereceivedbyJavertwhenhethoughtherecognizedJeanValjean。

However，thedarknessmighthavemisledhim；JeanValjean’sdeathwasofficial；Javertcherishedverygravedoubts；andwhenindoubt，Javert，themanofscruples，neverlaidafingeronanyone’scollar。

HefollowedhismantotheGorbeauhouse，andgot"theoldwoman"

totalking，whichwasnodifficultmatter。Theoldwomanconfirmedthefactregardingthecoatlinedwithmillions，andnarratedtohimtheepisodeofthethousand—francbill。Shehadseenit！

Shehadhandledit！Javerthiredaroom；thateveningheinstalledhimselfinit。Hecameandlistenedatthemysteriouslodger’sdoor，hopingtocatchthesoundofhisvoice，butJeanValjeansawhiscandlethroughthekey—hole，andfoiledthespybykeepingsilent。

OnthefollowingdayJeanValjeandecamped；butthenoisemadebythefallofthefive—francpiecewasnoticedbytheoldwoman，who，hearingtherattlingofcoin，suspectedthathemightbeintendingtoleave，andmadehastetowarnJavert。Atnight，whenJeanValjeancameout，Javertwaswaitingforhimbehindthetreesoftheboulevardwithtwomen。

JaverthaddemandedassistanceatthePrefecture，buthehadnotmentionedthenameoftheindividualwhomhehopedtoseize；

thatwashissecret，andhehadkeptitforthreereasons:

inthefirstplace，becausetheslightestindiscretionmightputJeanValjeanonthealert；next，because，tolayhandsonanex—convictwhohadmadehisescapeandwasreputeddead，onacriminalwhomjusticehadformerlyclassedforeverasamongmalefactorsofthemostdangeroussort，wasamagnificentsuccesswhichtheoldmembersoftheParisianpolicewouldassuredlynotleavetoanew—comerlikeJavert，andhewasafraidofbeingdeprivedofhisconvict；

andlastly，becauseJavert，beinganartist，hadatastefortheunforeseen。Hehatedthosewell—heraldedsuccesseswhicharetalkedoflonginadvanceandhavehadthebloombrushedoff。

Hepreferredtoelaboratehismasterpiecesinthedarkandtounveilthemsuddenlyatthelast。

JaverthadfollowedJeanValjeanfromtreetotree，thenfromcornertocornerofthestreet，andhadnotlostsightofhimforasingleinstant；evenatthemomentswhenJeanValjeanbelievedhimselftobethemostsecureJavert’seyehadbeenonhim。

WhyhadnotJavertarrestedJeanValjean？Becausehewasstillindoubt。

Itmustberememberedthatatthatepochthepolicewasnotpreciselyatitsease；thefreepressembarrassedit；severalarbitraryarrestsdenouncedbythenewspapers，hadechoedevenasfarastheChambers，andhadrenderedthePrefecturetimid。Interferencewithindividuallibertywasagravematter。Thepoliceagentswereafraidofmakingamistake；theprefectlaidtheblameonthem；amistakemeantdismissal。

Thereadercanimaginetheeffectwhichthisbriefparagraph，reproducedbytwentynewspapers，wouldhavecausedinParis:

"Yesterday，anagedgrandfather，withwhitehair，arespectableandwell—to—dogentleman，whowaswalkingwithhisgrandchild，agedeight，wasarrestedandconductedtotheagencyofthePrefectureasanescapedconvict！"

LetusrepeatinadditionthatJaverthadscruplesofhisown；

injunctionsofhisconsciencewereaddedtotheinjunctionsoftheprefect。Hewasreallyindoubt。

JeanValjeanturnedhisbackonhimandwalkedinthedark。

Sadness，uneasiness，anxiety，depression，thisfreshmisfortuneofbeingforcedtofleebynight，toseekachancerefugeinParisforCosetteandhimself，thenecessityofregulatinghispacetothepaceofthechild——allthis，withouthisbeingawareofit，hadalteredJeanValjean’swalk，andimpressedonhisbearingsuchsenility，thatthepolicethemselves，incarnateinthepersonofJavert，might，anddidinfact，makeamistake。Theimpossibilityofapproachingtooclose，hiscostumeofanemigrepreceptor，thedeclarationofThenardierwhichmadeagrandfatherofhim，and，finally，thebeliefinhisdeathinprison，addedstillfurthertotheuncertaintywhichgatheredthickinJavert’smind。

Foraninstantitoccurredtohimtomakeanabruptdemandforhispapers；butifthemanwasnotJeanValjean，andifthismanwasnotagood，honestoldfellowlivingonhisincome，hewasprobablysomemerrybladedeeplyandcunninglyimplicatedintheobscurewebofParisianmisdeeds，somechiefofadangerousband，whogavealmstoconcealhisothertalents，whichwasanolddodge。

Hehadtrustyfellows，accomplices’retreatsincaseofemergencies，inwhichhewould，nodoubt，takerefuge。Alltheseturnswhichhewasmakingthroughthestreetsseemedtoindicatethathewasnotasimpleandhonestman。Toarresthimtoohastilywouldbe"tokillthehenthatlaidthegoldeneggs。"Wherewastheinconvenienceinwaiting？Javertwasverysurethathewouldnotescape。

Thusheproceededinatolerablyperplexedstateofmind，puttingtohimselfahundredquestionsaboutthisenigmaticalpersonage。

ItwasonlyquitelateintheRuedePontoise，that，thankstothebrilliantlightthrownfromadram—shop，hedecidedlyrecognizedJeanValjean。

Thereareinthisworldtwobeingswhogiveaprofoundstart，——

themotherwhorecoversherchildandthetigerwhorecovershisprey。

Javertgavethatprofoundstart。

AssoonashehadpositivelyrecognizedJeanValjean，theformidableconvict，heperceivedthattherewereonlythreeofthem，andheaskedforreinforcementsatthepolicestationoftheRuedePontoise。

Oneputsonglovesbeforegraspingathorncudgel。

ThisdelayandthehaltattheCarrefourRollintoconsultwithhisagentscamenearcausinghimtolosethetrail。

Hespeedilydivined，however，thatJeanValjeanwouldwanttoputtheriverbetweenhispursuersandhimself。Hebenthisheadandreflectedlikeablood—houndwhoputshisnosetothegroundtomakesurethatheisontherightscent。Javert，withhispowerfulrectitudeofinstinct，wentstraighttothebridgeofAusterlitz。

Awordwiththetoll—keeperfurnishedhimwiththeinformationwhichherequired:"Haveyouseenamanwithalittlegirl？"

"Imadehimpaytwosous，"repliedthetoll—keeper。JavertreachedthebridgeinseasontoseeJeanValjeantraversethesmallilluminatedspotontheothersideofthewater，leadingCosettebythehand。

HesawhimentertheRueduChemin—Vert—Saint—Antoine；herememberedtheCul—de—SacGenrotarrangedtherelikeatrap，andofthesoleexitoftheRueDroit—MurintotheRuePetit—Picpus。Hemadesureofhisbackburrows，ashuntsmensay；hehastilydespatchedoneofhisagents，byaroundaboutway，toguardthatissue。

ApatrolwhichwasreturningtotheArsenalposthavingpassedhim，hemadearequisitiononit，andcausedittoaccompanyhim。

Insuchgamessoldiersareaces。Moreover，theprincipleis，thatinordertogetthebestofawildboar，onemustemploythescienceofveneryandplentyofdogs。Thesecombinationshavingbeeneffected，feelingthatJeanValjeanwascaughtbetweentheblindalleyGenrotontheright，hisagentontheleft，andhimself，Javert，intherear，hetookapinchofsnuff。

Thenhebeganthegame。Heexperiencedoneecstaticandinfernalmoment；

heallowedhismantogoonahead，knowingthathehadhimsafe，butdesirousofpostponingthemomentofarrestaslongaspossible，happyatthethoughtthathewastakenandyetatseeinghimfree，gloatingoverhimwithhisgaze，withthatvoluptuousnessofthespiderwhichallowstheflytoflutter，andofthecatwhichletsthemouserun。Clawsandtalonspossessamonstroussensuality，——

theobscuremovementsofthecreatureimprisonedintheirpincers。

Whatadelightthisstranglingis！

Javertwasenjoyinghimself。Themeshesofhisnetwerestoutlyknotted。

Hewassureofsuccess；allhehadtodonowwastoclosehishand。

Accompaniedashewas，theveryideaofresistancewasimpossible，howevervigorous，energetic，anddesperateJeanValjeanmightbe。

Javertadvancedslowly，sounding，searchingonhiswayallthenooksofthestreetlikesomanypocketsofthieves。

Whenhereachedthecentreofthewebhefoundtheflynolongerthere。

Hisexasperationcanbeimagined。

HeinterrogatedhissentineloftheRuesDroit—MurandPetit—Picpus；

thatagent，whohadremainedimperturbablyathispost，hadnotseenthemanpass。

Itsometimeshappensthatastagislostheadandhorns；

thatistosay，heescapesalthoughhehasthepackonhisveryheels，andthentheoldesthuntsmenknownotwhattosay。

Duvivier，Ligniville，andDesprezhaltshort。Inadiscomfitureofthissort，Artongeexclaims，"Itwasnotastag，butasorcerer。"

Javertwouldhavelikedtoutterthesamecry。

Hisdisappointmentborderedforamomentondespairandrage。

ItiscertainthatNapoleonmademistakesduringthewarwithRussia，thatAlexandercommittedblundersinthewarinIndia，thatCaesarmademistakesinthewarinAfrica，thatCyruswasatfaultinthewarinScythia，andthatJavertblunderedinthiscampaignagainstJeanValjean。Hewaswrong，perhaps，inhesitatinginhisrecognitionoftheexconvict。Thefirstglanceshouldhavesufficedhim。

Hewaswronginnotarrestinghimpurelyandsimplyintheoldbuilding；

hewaswronginnotarrestinghimwhenhepositivelyrecognizedhimintheRuedePontoise。HewaswrongintakingcounselwithhisauxiliariesinthefulllightofthemoonintheCarrefourRollin。

Adviceiscertainlyuseful；itisagoodthingtoknowandtointerrogatethoseofthedogswhodeserveconfidence；butthehuntercannotbetoocautiouswhenheischasinguneasyanimalslikethewolfandtheconvict。Javert，bytakingtoomuchthoughtastohowheshouldsetthebloodhoundsofthepackonthetrail，alarmedthebeastbygivinghimwindofthedart，andsomadehimrun。

Aboveall，hewaswronginthatafterhehadpickedupthescentagainonthebridgeofAusterlitz，heplayedthatformidableandpuerilegameofkeepingsuchamanattheendofathread。

Hethoughthimselfstrongerthanhewas，andbelievedthathecouldplayatthegameofthemouseandthelion。Atthesametime，hereckonedhimselfastooweak，whenhejudgeditnecessarytoobtainreinforcement。Fatalprecaution，wasteofprecioustime！

Javertcommittedalltheseblunders，andnonethelesswasoneofthecleverestandmostcorrectspiesthateverexisted。Hewas，inthefullforceoftheterm，whatiscalledinveneryaknowingdog。

Butwhatistherethatisperfect？

Greatstrategistshavetheireclipses。

Thegreatestfolliesareoftencomposed，likethelargestropes，ofamultitudeofstrands。Takethecablethreadbythread，takeallthepettydeterminingmotivesseparately，andyoucanbreakthemoneaftertheother，andyousay，"Thatisallthereisofit！"

Braidthem，twistthemtogether；theresultisenormous:itisAttilahesitatingbetweenMarcianontheeastandValentinianonthewest；

itisHannibaltarryingatCapua；itisDantonfallingasleepatArcis—sur—Aube。

Howeverthatmaybe，evenatthemomentwhenhesawthatJeanValjeanhadescapedhim，Javertdidnotlosehishead。

Surethattheconvictwhohadbrokenhisbancouldnotbefaroff，heestablishedsentinels，heorganizedtrapsandambuscades，andbeatthequarterallthatnight。Thefirstthinghesawwasthedisorderinthestreetlanternwhoseropehadbeencut。

Aprecioussignwhich，however，ledhimastray，sinceitcausedhimtoturnallhisresearchesinthedirectionoftheCul—de—SacGenrot。

Inthisblindalleythereweretolerablylowwallswhichabuttedongardenswhoseboundsadjoinedtheimmensestretchesofwasteland。

JeanValjeanevidentlymusthavefledinthatdirection。Thefactis，thathadhepenetratedalittlefurtherintheCul—de—SacGenrot，hewouldprobablyhavedonesoandhavebeenlost。Javertexploredthesegardensandthesewastestretchesasthoughhehadbeenhuntingforaneedle。

Atdaybreakhelefttwointelligentmenontheoutlook，andreturnedtothePrefectureofPolice，asmuchashamedasapolicespywhohadbeencapturedbyarobbermighthavebeen。

BOOKSIXTH。——LEPETIT—PICPUS

CHAPTERI

NUMBER62RUEPETIT—PICPUS

Nothing，halfacenturyago，moreresembledeveryothercarriagegatethanthecarriagegateofNumber62RuePetit—Picpus。Thisentrance，whichusuallystoodajarinthemostinvitingfashion，permittedaviewoftwothings，neitherofwhichhaveanythingveryfunerealaboutthem，——acourtyardsurroundedbywallshungwithvines，andthefaceofaloungingporter。Abovethewall，atthebottomofthecourt，talltreeswerevisible。Whenarayofsunlightenlivenedthecourtyard，whenaglassofwinecheereduptheporter，itwasdifficulttopassNumber62LittlePicpusStreetwithoutcarryingawayasmilingimpressionofit。Nevertheless，itwasasombreplaceofwhichonehadhadaglimpse。

Thethresholdsmiled；thehouseprayedandwept。

Ifonesucceededinpassingtheporter，whichwasnoteasy，——

whichwasevennearlyimpossibleforeveryone，fortherewasanopensesame！whichitwasnecessarytoknow，——if，theporteroncepassed，oneenteredalittlevestibuleontheright，onwhichopenedastaircaseshutinbetweentwowallsandsonarrowthatonlyonepersoncouldascenditatatime，ifonedidnotallowone’sselftobealarmedbyadaubingofcanaryyellow，withadadoofchocolatewhichclothedthisstaircase，ifoneventuredtoascendit，onecrossedafirstlanding，thenasecond，andarrivedonthefirststoryatacorridorwheretheyellowwashandthechocolate—huedplinthpursuedonewithapeaceablepersistency。

Staircaseandcorridorwerelightedbytwobeautifulwindows。

Thecorridortookaturnandbecamedark。Ifonedoubledthiscape，onearrivedafewpacesfurtheron，infrontofadoorwhichwasallthemoremysteriousbecauseitwasnotfastened。Ifoneopenedit，onefoundone’sselfinalittlechamberaboutsixfeetsquare，tiled，well—scrubbed，clean，cold，andhungwithnankinpaperwithgreenflowers，atfifteensoustheroll。Awhite，dulllightfellfromalargewindow，withtinypanes，ontheleft，whichusurpedthewholewidthoftheroom。Onegazedabout，butsawnoone；

onelistened，oneheardneitherafootstepnorahumanmurmur。

Thewallswerebare，thechamberwasnotfurnished；therewasnotevenachair。

Onelookedagain，andbeheldonthewallfacingthedooraquadrangularhole，aboutafootsquare，withagratingofinterlacingironbars，black，knotted，solid，whichformedsquares——

Ihadalmostsaidmeshes——oflessthananinchandahalfindiagonallength。Thelittlegreenflowersofthenankinpaperraninacalmandorderlymannertothoseironbars，withoutbeingstartledorthrownintoconfusionbytheirfunerealcontact。

Supposingthatalivingbeinghadbeensowonderfullythinastoessayanentranceoranexitthroughthesquarehole，thisgratingwouldhavepreventedit。Itdidnotallowthepassageofthebody，butitdidallowthepassageoftheeyes；thatistosay，ofthemind。

Thisseemstohaveoccurredtothem，forithadbeenre—enforcedbyasheetoftininsertedinthewallalittleintherear，andpiercedwithathousandholesmoremicroscopicthantheholesofastrainer。Atthebottomofthisplate，anaperturehadbeenpiercedexactlysimilartotheorificeofaletterbox。Abitoftapeattachedtoabell—wirehungattherightofthegratedopening。

Ifthetapewaspulled，abellrang，andoneheardavoiceverynearathand，whichmadeonestart。

"Whoisthere？"thevoicedemanded。

Itwasawoman’svoice，agentlevoice，sogentlethatitwasmournful。

Here，again，therewasamagicalwordwhichitwasnecessarytoknow。

Ifonedidnotknowit，thevoiceceased，thewallbecamesilentoncemore，asthoughtheterrifiedobscurityofthesepulchrehadbeenontheothersideofit。

Ifoneknewthepassword，thevoiceresumed，"Enterontheright。"

Onethenperceivedontheright，facingthewindow，aglassdoorsurmountedbyaframeglazedandpaintedgray。Onraisingthelatchandcrossingthethreshold，oneexperiencedpreciselythesameimpressionaswhenoneentersatthetheatreintoagratedbaignoire，beforethegratingisloweredandthechandelierislighted。

Onewas，infact，inasortoftheatre—box，narrow，furnishedwithtwooldchairs，andamuch—frayedstrawmatting，sparelyilluminatedbythevaguelightfromtheglassdoor；aregularbox，withitsfrontjustofaheighttoleanupon，bearingatabletofblackwood。

Thisboxwasgrated，onlythegratingofitwasnotofgildedwood，asattheopera；itwasamonstrouslatticeofironbars，hideouslyinterlacedandrivetedtothewallbyenormousfasteningswhichresembledclenchedfists。

Thefirstminutespassed；whenone’seyesbegantogrowusedtothiscellar—likehalf—twilight，onetriedtopassthegrating，butgotnofurtherthansixinchesbeyondit。Thereheencounteredabarrierofblackshutters，re—enforcedandfortifiedwithtransversebeamsofwoodpaintedagingerbreadyellow。Theseshuttersweredividedintolong，narrowslats，andtheymaskedtheentirelengthofthegrating。

Theywerealwaysclosed。Attheexpirationofafewmomentsoneheardavoiceproceedingfrombehindtheseshutters，andsaying:——

"Iamhere。Whatdoyouwishwithme？"

Itwasabeloved，sometimesanadored，voice。Noonewasvisible。

Hardlythesoundofabreathwasaudible。Itseemedasthoughitwereaspiritwhichhadbeenevoked，thatwasspeakingtoyouacrossthewallsofthetomb。

Ifonechancedtobewithincertainprescribedandveryrareconditions，theslatofoneoftheshuttersopenedoppositeyou；theevokedspiritbecameanapparition。Behindthegrating，behindtheshutter，oneperceivedsofarasthegratingpermittedsight，ahead，ofwhichonlythemouthandthechinwerevisible；therestwascoveredwithablackveil。Onecaughtaglimpseofablackguimpe，andaformthatwasbarelydefined，coveredwithablackshroud。

Thatheadspokewithyou，butdidnotlookatyouandneversmiledatyou。

Thelightwhichcamefrombehindyouwasadjustedinsuchamannerthatyousawherinthewhite，andshesawyouintheblack。

Thislightwassymbolical。

Nevertheless，youreyesplungedeagerlythroughthatopeningwhichwasmadeinthatplaceshutofffromallglances。Aprofoundvaguenessenvelopedthatformcladinmourning。Youreyessearchedthatvagueness，andsoughttomakeoutthesurroundingsoftheapparition。

Attheexpirationofaveryshorttimeyoudiscoveredthatyoucouldseenothing。Whatyoubeheldwasnight，emptiness，shadows，awintrymistmingledwithavaporfromthetomb，asortofterriblepeace，asilencefromwhichyoucouldgathernothing，notevensighs，agloominwhichyoucoulddistinguishnothing，notevenphantoms。

Whatyoubeheldwastheinteriorofacloister。

ItwastheinteriorofthatsevereandgloomyedificewhichwascalledtheConventoftheBernardinesofthePerpetualAdoration。

Theboxinwhichyoustoodwastheparlor。Thefirstvoicewhichhadaddressedyouwasthatoftheportresswhoalwayssatmotionlessandsilent，ontheothersideofthewall，nearthesquareopening，screenedbytheirongratingandtheplatewithitsthousandholes，asbyadoublevisor。Theobscuritywhichbathedthegratedboxarosefromthefactthattheparlor，whichhadawindowonthesideoftheworld，hadnoneonthesideoftheconvent。Profaneeyesmustseenothingofthatsacredplace。

Nevertheless，therewassomethingbeyondthatshadow；therewasalight；therewaslifeinthemidstofthatdeath。Althoughthiswasthemoststrictlywalledofallconvents，weshallendeavortomakeourwayintoit，andtotakethereaderin，andtosay，withouttransgressingtheproperbounds，thingswhichstory—tellershaveneverseen，andhave，therefore，neverdescribed。

CHAPTERII

THEOBEDIENCEOFMARTINVERGA

Thisconvent，whichin1824hadalreadyexistedformanyalongyearintheRuePetit—Picpus，wasacommunityofBernardinesoftheobedienceofMartinVerga。

TheseBernardineswereattached，inconsequence，nottoClairvaux，liketheBernardinemonks，buttoCiteaux，liketheBenedictinemonks。

Inotherwords，theywerethesubjects，notofSaintBernard，butofSaintBenoit。

AnyonewhohasturnedoveroldfoliostoanyextentknowsthatMartinVergafoundedin1425acongregationofBernardines—Benedictines，withSalamancafortheheadoftheorder，andAlcalaasthebranchestablishment。

ThiscongregationhadsentoutbranchesthroughoutalltheCatholiccountriesofEurope。

ThereisnothingunusualintheLatinChurchinthesegraftsofoneorderonanother。TomentiononlyasingleorderofSaint—Benoit，whichishereinquestion:thereareattachedtothisorder，withoutcountingtheobedienceofMartinVerga，fourcongregations，——

twoinItaly，Mont—CassinandSainte—JustineofPadua；twoinFrance，ClunyandSaint—Maur；andnineorders，——Vallombrosa，Granmont，theCelestins，theCamaldules，theCarthusians，theHumilies，theOlivateurs，theSilvestrins，andlastly，Citeaux；forCiteauxitself，atrunkforotherorders，isonlyanoffshootofSaint—Benoit。

CiteauxdatesfromSaintRobert，AbbedeMolesme，inthedioceseofLangres，in1098。Nowitwasin529thatthedevil，havingretiredtothedesertofSubiaco——hewasold——hadheturnedhermit？——

waschasedfromtheancienttempleofApollo，wherehedwelt，bySaint—Benoit，thenagedseventeen。

AftertheruleoftheCarmelites，whogobarefoot，wearabitofwillowontheirthroats，andneversitdown，theharshestruleisthatoftheBernardines—BenedictinesofMartinVerga。

Theyareclothedinblack，withaguimpe，which，inaccordancewiththeexpresscommandofSaint—Benoit，mountstothechin。

Arobeofsergewithlargesleeves，alargewoollenveil，theguimpewhichmountstothechincutsquareonthebreast，thebandwhichdescendsovertheirbrowtotheireyes，——thisistheirdress。

Allisblackexcepttheband，whichiswhite。Thenoviceswearthesamehabit，butallinwhite。Theprofessednunsalsoweararosaryattheirside。

TheBernardines—BenedictinesofMartinVergapractisethePerpetualAdoration，liketheBenedictinescalledLadiesoftheHolySacrament，who，atthebeginningofthiscentury，hadtwohousesinParis，——

oneattheTemple，theotherintheRueNeuve—Sainte—Genevieve。However，theBernardines—BenedictinesofthePetit—Picpus，ofwhomwearespeaking，wereatotallydifferentorderfromtheLadiesoftheHolySacrament，cloisteredintheRueNeuve—Sainte—GenevieveandattheTemple。

Therewerenumerousdifferencesintheirrule；thereweresomeintheircostume。TheBernardines—BenedictinesofthePetit—Picpusworetheblackguimpe，andtheBenedictinesoftheHolySacramentandoftheRueNeuve—Sainte—Genevieveworeawhiteone，andhad，besides，ontheirbreasts，aHolySacramentaboutthreeincheslong，insilvergiltorgildedcopper。ThenunsofthePetit—PicpusdidnotwearthisHolySacrament。ThePerpetualAdoration，whichwascommontothehouseofthePetit—PicpusandtothehouseoftheTemple，leavesthosetwoordersperfectlydistinct。TheironlyresemblanceliesinthispracticeoftheLadiesoftheHolySacramentandtheBernardinesofMartinVerga，justasthereexistedasimilarityinthestudyandtheglorificationofallthemysteriesrelatingtotheinfancy，thelife，anddeathofJesusChristandtheVirgin，betweenthetwoorders，whichwere，nevertheless，widelyseparated，andonoccasionevenhostile。TheOratoryofItaly，establishedatFlorencebyPhilipdeNeri，andtheOratoryofFrance，establishedbyPierredeBerulle。TheOratoryofFranceclaimedtheprecedence，sincePhilipdeNeriwasonlyasaint，whileBerullewasacardinal。

LetusreturntotheharshSpanishruleofMartinVerga。

TheBernardines—Benedictinesofthisobediencefastalltheyearround，abstainfrommeat，fastinLentandonmanyotherdayswhicharepeculiartothem，risefromtheirfirstsleep，fromonetothreeo’clockinthemorning，toreadtheirbreviaryandchantmatins，sleepinallseasonsbetweensergesheetsandonstraw，makenouseofthebath，neverlightafire，scourgethemselveseveryFriday，observetheruleofsilence，speaktoeachotheronlyduringtherecreationhours，whichareverybrief，andweardruggetchemisesforsixmonthsintheyear，fromSeptember14th，whichistheExaltationoftheHolyCross，untilEaster。

Thesesixmonthsareamodification:therulesaysalltheyear，butthisdruggetchemise，intolerableintheheatofsummer，producedfeversandnervousspasms。Theuseofithadtoberestricted。

Evenwiththispalliation，whenthenunsputonthischemiseonthe14thofSeptember，theysufferfromfeverforthreeorfourdays。

Obedience，poverty，chastity，perseveranceintheirseclusion，——

thesearetheirvows，whichtherulegreatlyaggravates。

Theprioressiselectedforthreeyearsbythemothers，whoarecalledmeresvocalesbecausetheyhaveavoiceinthechapter。

Aprioresscanonlybere—electedtwice，whichfixesthelongestpossiblereignofaprioressatnineyears。

Theyneverseetheofficiatingpriest，whoisalwayshiddenfromthembyasergecurtainninefeetinheight。Duringthesermon，whenthepreacherisinthechapel，theydroptheirveilsovertheirfaces。

Theymustalwaysspeaklow，walkwiththeireyesonthegroundandtheirheadsbowed。Onemanonlyisallowedtoentertheconvent，——

thearchbishopofthediocese。

Thereisreallyoneother，——thegardener。Butheisalwaysanoldman，and，inorderthathemayalwaysbealoneinthegarden，andthatthenunsmaybewarnedtoavoidhim，abellisattachedtohisknee。

Theirsubmissiontotheprioressisabsoluteandpassive。

Itisthecanonicalsubjectioninthefullforceofitsabnegation。

AsatthevoiceofChrist，utvociChristi，atagesture，atthefirstsign，adnutum，adprimumsignum，immediately，withcheerfulness，withperseverance，withacertainblindobedience，prompte，hilariter，perseveranteretcaecaquadamobedientia，asthefileinthehandoftheworkman，quasilimaminmanibusfabri，withoutpowertoreadortowritewithoutexpresspermission，legerevelscriberenonaddisceritsineexpressasuperiorislicentia。

Eachoneoftheminturnmakeswhattheycallreparation。

Thereparationistheprayerforallthesins，forallthefaults，forallthedissensions，foralltheviolations，foralltheiniquities，forallthecrimescommittedonearth。Forthespaceoftwelveconsecutivehours，fromfouro’clockintheafternoontillfouro’clockinthemorning，orfromfouro’clockinthemorninguntilfouro’clockintheafternoon，thesisterwhoismakingreparationremainsonherkneesonthestonebeforetheHolySacrament，withhandsclasped，aropearoundherneck。Whenherfatiguebecomesunendurable，sheprostratesherselfflatonherfaceagainsttheearth，withherarmsoutstretchedintheformofacross；thisisheronlyrelief。

Inthisattitudeshepraysforalltheguiltyintheuniverse。

Thisisgreattosublimity。

Asthisactisperformedinfrontofapostonwhichburnsacandle，itiscalledwithoutdistinction，tomakereparationortobeatthepost。Thenunsevenprefer，outofhumility，thislastexpression，whichcontainsanideaoftortureandabasement。

Tomakereparationisafunctioninwhichthewholesoulisabsorbed。

Thesisteratthepostwouldnotturnroundwereathunderbolttofalldirectlybehindher。

Besidesthis，thereisalwaysasisterkneelingbeforetheHolySacrament。Thisstationlastsanhour。Theyrelieveeachotherlikesoldiersonguard。ThisisthePerpetualAdoration。

Theprioressesandthemothersalmostalwaysbearnamesstampedwithpeculiarsolemnity，recalling，notthesaintsandmartyrs，butmomentsinthelifeofJesusChrist:asMotherNativity，MotherConception，MotherPresentation，MotherPassion。Butthenamesofsaintsarenotinterdicted。

Whenoneseesthem，oneneverseesanythingbuttheirmouths。

Alltheirteethareyellow。Notooth—brusheverenteredthatconvent。

Brushingone’steethisatthetopofaladderatwhosebottomisthelossofone’ssoul。

Theyneversaymy。Theypossessnothingoftheirown，andtheymustnotattachthemselvestoanything。Theycalleverythingour；thus:ourveil，ourchaplet；iftheywerespeakingoftheirchemise，theywouldsayourchemise。Sometimestheygrowattachedtosomepettyobject，——

toabookofhours，arelic，amedalthathasbeenblessed。Assoonastheybecomeawarethattheyaregrowingattachedtothisobject，theymustgiveitup。TheyrecallthewordsofSaintTherese，towhomagreatladysaid，asshewasonthepointofenteringherorder，"Permitme，mother，tosendforaBibletowhichI

amgreatlyattached。""Ah，youareattachedtosomething！

Inthatcase，donotenterourorder！"

Everypersonwhateverisforbiddentoshutherselfup，tohaveaplaceofherown，achamber。Theylivewiththeircellsopen。

Whentheymeet，onesays，"BlessedandadoredbethemostHolySacramentofthealtar！"Theotherresponds，"Forever。"Thesameceremonywhenonetapsattheother’sdoor。Hardlyhasshetouchedthedoorwhenasoftvoiceontheothersideisheardtosayhastily，"Forever！"Likeallpractices，thisbecomesmechanicalbyforceofhabit；andonesometimessaysforeverbeforetheotherhashadtimetosaytheratherlongsentence，"PraisedandadoredbethemostHolySacramentofthealtar。"

AmongtheVisitandinestheonewhoenterssays:"AveMaria，"

andtheonewhosecellisenteredsays，"Gratiaplena。"Itistheirwayofsayinggoodday，whichisinfactfullofgrace。

Ateachhourofthedaythreesupplementarystrokessoundfromthechurchbelloftheconvent。Atthissignalprioress，vocalmothers，professednuns，lay—sisters，novices，postulants，interruptwhattheyaresaying，whattheyaredoing，orwhattheyarethinking，andallsayinunisonifitisfiveo’clock，forinstance，"Atfiveo’clockandatallhourspraisedandadoredbethemostHolySacramentofthealtar！"Ifitiseighto’clock，"Ateighto’clockandatallhours！"andsoon，accordingtothehour。

Thiscustom，theobjectofwhichistobreakthethreadofthoughtandtoleaditbackconstantlytoGod，existsinmanycommunities；

theformulaalonevaries。ThusatTheInfantJesustheysay，"AtthishourandateveryhourmaytheloveofJesuskindlemyheart！"

TheBernardines—BenedictinesofMartinVerga，cloisteredfiftyyearsagoatPetit—Picpus，chanttheofficestoasolemnpsalmody，apureGregorianchant，andalwayswithfullvoiceduringthewholecourseoftheoffice。Everywhereinthemissalwhereanasteriskoccurstheypause，andsayinalowvoice，"Jesus—Marie—Joseph。"Fortheofficeofthedeadtheyadoptatonesolowthatthevoicesofwomencanhardlydescendtosuchadepth。Theeffectproducedisstrikingandtragic。

ThenunsofthePetit—Picpushadmadeavaultundertheirgrandaltarfortheburialoftheircommunity。TheGovernment，astheysay，doesnotpermitthisvaulttoreceivecoffinssotheyleavetheconventwhentheydie。Thisisanafflictiontothem，andcausesthemconsternationasaninfractionoftherules。

Theyhadobtainedamediocreconsolationatbest，——permissiontobeinterredataspecialhourandinaspecialcornerintheancientVaugirardcemetery，whichwasmadeoflandwhichhadformerlybelongedtotheircommunity。

OnFridaysthenunshearhighmass，vespers，andalltheoffices，asonSunday。Theyscrupulouslyobserveinadditionallthelittlefestivalsunknowntopeopleoftheworld，ofwhichtheChurchofFrancewassoprodigalintheoldendays，andofwhichitisstillprodigalinSpainandItaly。Theirstationsinthechapelareinterminable。

Asforthenumberanddurationoftheirprayerswecanconveynobetterideaofthemthanbyquotingtheingenuousremarkofoneofthem:

"Theprayersofthepostulantsarefrightful，theprayersofthenovicesarestillworse，andtheprayersoftheprofessednunsarestillworse。"

Onceaweekthechapterassembles:theprioresspresides；

thevocalmothersassist。Eachsisterkneelsinturnonthestones，andconfessesaloud，inthepresenceofall，thefaultsandsinswhichshehascommittedduringtheweek。Thevocalmothersconsultaftereachconfessionandinflictthepenancealoud。

Besidesthisconfessioninaloudtone，forwhichallfaultsintheleastseriousarereserved，theyhavefortheirvenialoffenceswhattheycallthecoulpe。Tomakeone’scoulpemeanstoprostrateone’sselfflatonone’sfaceduringtheofficeinfrontoftheprioressuntilthelatter，whoisnevercalledanythingbutourmother，notifiestheculpritbyaslighttapofherfootagainstthewoodofherstallthatshecanrise。

Thecoulpeorpeccavi，ismadeforaverysmallmatter——abrokenglass，atornveil，aninvoluntarydelayofafewsecondsatanoffice，afalsenoteinchurch，etc。；thissuffices，andthecoulpeismade。

Thecoulpeisentirelyspontaneous；itistheculpablepersonherself（thewordisetymologicallyinitsplacehere）whojudgesherselfandinflictsitonherself。OnfestivaldaysandSundaysfourmotherprecentorsintonetheofficesbeforealargereading—deskwithfourplaces。OnedayoneofthemotherprecentorsintonedapsalmbeginningwithEcce，andinsteadofEccesheutteredaloudthethreenotesdosisol；forthispieceofabsent—mindednesssheunderwentacoulpewhichlastedduringthewholeservice:

whatrenderedthefaultenormouswasthefactthatthechapterhadlaughed。

Whenanunissummonedtotheparlor，evenwereittheprioressherself，shedropsherveil，aswillberemembered，sothatonlyhermouthisvisible。

Theprioressalonecanholdcommunicationwithstrangers。

Theotherscanseeonlytheirimmediatefamily，andthatveryrarely。

If，bychance，anoutsiderpresentsherselftoseeanun，oronewhomshehasknownandlovedintheouterworld，aregularseriesofnegotiationsisrequired。Ifitisawoman，theauthorizationmaysometimesbegranted；thenuncomes，andtheytalktoherthroughtheshutters，whichareopenedonlyforamotherorsister。

Itisunnecessarytosaythatpermissionisalwaysrefusedtomen。

SuchistheruleofSaint—Benoit，aggravatedbyMartinVerga。

Thesenunsarenotgay，rosy，andfresh，asthedaughtersofotherordersoftenare。Theyarepaleandgrave。Between1825and1830

threeofthemwentmad。

CHAPTERIII

AUSTERITIES

Oneisapostulantfortwoyearsatleast，oftenforfour；anoviceforfour。Itisrarethatthedefinitivevowscanbepronouncedearlierthantheageoftwenty—threeortwenty—fouryears。

TheBernardines—BenedictinesofMartinVergadonotadmitwidowstotheirorder。

Intheircells，theydeliverthemselvesuptomanyunknownmacerations，ofwhichtheymustneverspeak。

Onthedaywhenanovicemakesherprofession，sheisdressedinherhandsomestattire，sheiscrownedwithwhiteroses，herhairisbrusheduntilitshines，andcurled。Thensheprostratesherself；

agreatblackveilisthrownoverher，andtheofficeforthedeadissung。Thenthenunsseparateintotwofiles；onefilepassesclosetoher，sayinginplaintiveaccents，"Oursisterisdead"；

andtheotherfilerespondsinavoiceofecstasy，"OursisterisaliveinJesusChrist！"

Attheepochwhenthisstorytakesplace，aboarding—schoolwasattachedtotheconvent——aboarding—schoolforyounggirlsofnobleandmostlywealthyfamilies，amongwhomcouldberemarkedMademoiselledeSaint—AulaireanddeBelissen，andanEnglishgirlbearingtheillustriousCatholicnameofTalbot。Theseyounggirls，rearedbythesenunsbetweenfourwalls，grewupwithahorroroftheworldandoftheage。Oneofthemsaidtousoneday，"Thesightofthestreetpavementmademeshudderfromheadtofoot。"

Theyweredressedinblue，withawhitecapandaHolySpiritofsilvergiltorofcopperontheirbreast。Oncertaingrandfestivaldays，particularlySaintMartha’sday，theywerepermitted，asahighfavorandasupremehappiness，todressthemselvesasnunsandtocarryouttheofficesandpracticeofSaint—Benoitforawholeday。Intheearlydaysthenunswereinthehabitoflendingthemtheirblackgarments。Thisseemedprofane，andtheprioressforbadeit。Onlythenoviceswerepermittedtolend。

Itisremarkablethattheseperformances，toleratedandencouraged，nodoubt，intheconventoutofasecretspiritofproselytismandinordertogivethesechildrenaforetasteoftheholyhabit，wereagenuinehappinessandarealrecreationforthescholars。

Theysimplyamusedthemselveswithit。Itwasnew；itgavethemachange。Candidreasonsofchildhood，whichdonot，however，succeedinmakingusworldlingscomprehendthefelicityofholdingaholywatersprinklerinone’shandandstandingforhourstogethersinginghardenoughforfourinfrontofareading—desk。

Thepupilsconformed，withtheexceptionoftheausterities，toallthepracticesoftheconvent。Therewasacertainyoungwomanwhoenteredtheworld，andwhoaftermanyyearsofmarriedlifehadnotsucceededinbreakingherselfofthehabitofsayingingreathastewheneveranyoneknockedatherdoor，"forever！"

Likethenuns，thepupilssawtheirrelativesonlyintheparlor。

Theirverymothersdidnotobtainpermissiontoembracethem。

Thefollowingillustratestowhatadegreeseverityonthatpointwascarried。Onedayayounggirlreceivedavisitfromhermother，whowasaccompaniedbyalittlesisterthreeyearsofage。

Theyounggirlwept，forshewishedgreatlytoembracehersister。

Impossible。Shebeggedthat，atleast，thechildmightbepermittedtopassherlittlehandthroughthebarssothatshecouldkissit。

Thiswasalmostindignantlyrefused。

CHAPTERIV

GAYETIES

Nonetheless，theseyounggirlsfilledthisgravehousewithcharmingsouvenirs。

Atcertainhourschildhoodsparkledinthatcloister。Therecreationhourstruck。Adoorswungonitshinges。Thebirdssaid，"Good；herecomethechildren！"Anirruptionofyouthinundatedthatgardenintersectedwithacrosslikeashroud。Radiantfaces，whiteforeheads，innocenteyes，fullofmerrylight，allsortsofauroras，werescatteredaboutamidtheseshadows。Afterthepsalmodies，thebells，thepeals，andknellsandoffices，thesoundoftheselittlegirlsburstforthonasuddenmoresweetlythanthenoiseofbees。

Thehiveofjoywasopened，andeachonebroughtherhoney。

Theyplayed，theycalledtoeachother，theyformedintogroups，theyranabout；prettylittlewhiteteethchatteredinthecorners；

theveilssuperintendedthelaughsfromadistance，shadeskeptwatchofthesunbeams，butwhatmatteredit？Stilltheybeamedandlaughed。

Thosefourlugubriouswallshadtheirmomentofdazzlingbrilliancy。

Theylookedon，vaguelyblanchedwiththereflectionofsomuchjoyatthissweetswarmingofthehives。Itwaslikeashowerofrosesfallingathwartthishouseofmourning。Theyounggirlsfrolickedbeneaththeeyesofthenuns；thegazeofimpeccabilitydoesnotembarrassinnocence。Thankstothesechildren，therewas，amongsomanyausterehours，onehourofingenuousness。Thelittleonesskippedabout；theelderonesdanced。Inthiscloisterplaywasmingledwithheaven。Nothingissodelightfulandsoaugustasallthesefresh，expandingyoungsouls。HomerwouldhavecomethithertolaughwithPerrault；andtherewasinthatblackgarden，youth，health，noise，cries，giddiness，pleasure，happinessenoughtosmoothoutthewrinklesofalltheirancestresses，thoseoftheepicaswellasthoseofthefairy—tale，thoseofthethroneaswellasthoseofthethatchedcottagefromHecubatolaMere—Grand。

Inthathousemorethananywhereelse，perhaps，arisethosechildren’ssayingswhicharesogracefulandwhichevokeasmilethatisfullofthoughtfulness。Itwasbetweenthosefourgloomywallsthatachildoffiveyearsexclaimedoneday:

"Mother！oneofthebiggirlshasjusttoldmethatIhaveonlynineyearsandtenmonthslongertoremainhere。Whathappiness！"

Itwashere，too，thatthismemorabledialoguetookplace:——

AVocalMother。Whyareyouweeping，mychild？

Thechild（agedsix）。ItoldAlixthatIknewmyFrenchhistory。

ShesaysthatIdonotknowit，butIdo。

Alix，thebiggirl（agednine）。No；shedoesnotknowit。

TheMother。Howisthat，mychild？

Alix。Shetoldmetoopenthebookatrandomandtoaskheranyquestioninthebook，andshewouldanswerit。

"Well？"

"Shedidnotanswerit。"

"Letusseeaboutit。Whatdidyouaskher？"

"Iopenedthebookatrandom，assheproposed，andIputthefirstquestionthatIcameacross。"

"Andwhatwasthequestion？"

"Itwas，`Whathappenedafterthat？’"

Itwastherethatthatprofoundremarkwasmadeanentarathergreedyparoquetwhichbelongedtoaladyboarder:——

"Howwellbred！iteatsthetopofthesliceofbreadandbutterjustlikeaperson！"

Itwasononeoftheflagstonesofthiscloisterthattherewasoncepickedupaconfessionwhichhadbeenwrittenoutinadvance，inorderthatshemightnotforgetit，byasinnerofsevenyears:——

"Father，Iaccusemyselfofhavingbeenavaricious。

"Father，Iaccusemyselfofhavingbeenanadulteress。

"Father，Iaccusemyselfofhavingraisedmyeyestothegentlemen。"

Itwasononeoftheturfbenchesofthisgardenthatarosymouthsixyearsofageimprovisedthefollowingtale，whichwaslistenedtobyblueeyesagedfourandfiveyears:——

"Therewerethreelittlecockswhoownedacountrywheretherewereagreatmanyflowers。Theypluckedtheflowersandputthemintheirpockets。Afterthattheypluckedtheleavesandputthemintheirplaythings。Therewasawolfinthatcountry；

therewasagreatdealofforest；andthewolfwasintheforest；

andheatethelittlecocks。"

Andthisotherpoem:——

"Therecameablowwithastick。

"ItwasPunchinellowhobestoweditonthecat。

"Itwasnotgoodforher；ithurther。

"ThenaladyputPunchinelloinprison。"

Itwastherethatalittleabandonedchild，afoundlingwhomtheconventwasbringingupoutofcharity，utteredthissweetandheart—breakingsaying。Sheheardtheotherstalkingoftheirmothers，andshemurmuredinhercorner:——

"Asforme，mymotherwasnottherewhenIwasborn！"

Therewasastoutportresswhocouldalwaysbeseenhurryingthroughthecorridorswithherbunchofkeys，andwhosenamewasSisterAgatha。Thebigbiggirls——thoseovertenyearsofage——

calledherAgathocles。

Therefectory，alargeapartmentofanoblongsquareform，whichreceivednolightexceptthroughavaultedcloisteronalevelwiththegarden，wasdarkanddamp，and，asthechildrensay，fullofbeasts。

Alltheplacesroundaboutfurnishedtheircontingentofinsects。

Eachofitsfourcornershadreceived，inthelanguageofthepupils，aspecialandexpressivename。TherewasSpidercorner，Caterpillarcorner，Wood—lousecorner，andCricketcorner。

Cricketcornerwasnearthekitchenandwashighlyesteemed。

Itwasnotsocoldthereaselsewhere。Fromtherefectorythenameshadpassedtotheboarding—school，andthereservedasintheoldCollegeMazarintodistinguishfournations。Everypupilbelongedtooneofthesefournationsaccordingtothecorneroftherefectoryinwhichshesatatmeals。OnedayMonseigneurtheArchbishopwhilemakinghispastoralvisitsawaprettylittlerosygirlwithbeautifulgoldenhairentertheclass—roomthroughwhichhewaspassing。

Heinquiredofanotherpupil，acharmingbrunettewithrosycheeks，whostoodnearhim:——

"Whoisthat？"

"Sheisaspider，Monseigneur。"

"Bah！Andthatoneyonder？"

"Sheisacricket。"

"Andthatone？"

"Sheisacaterpillar。"

"Really！andyourself？"

"Iamawood—louse，Monseigneur。"

Everyhouseofthissorthasitsownpeculiarities。AtthebeginningofthiscenturyEcouenwasoneofthosestrictandgracefulplaceswhereyounggirlspasstheirchildhoodinashadowthatisalmostaugust。

AtEcouen，inordertotakerankintheprocessionoftheHolySacrament，adistinctionwasmadebetweenvirginsandflorists。

Therewerealsothe"dais"andthe"censors，"——thefirstwhoheldthecordsofthedais，andtheotherswhocarriedincensebeforetheHolySacrament。Theflowersbelongedbyrighttotheflorists。

Four"virgins"walkedinadvance。Onthemorningofthatgreatdayitwasnorarethingtohearthequestionputinthedormitory，"Whoisavirgin？"

MadameCampanusedtoquotethissayingofa"littleone"ofsevenyears，toa"biggirl"ofsixteen，whotooktheheadoftheprocession，whileshe，thelittleone，remainedattherear，"Youareavirgin，butIamnot。"

CHAPTERV

DISTRACTIONS

Abovethedooroftherefectorythisprayer，whichwascalledthewhitePaternoster，andwhichpossessedthepropertyofbearingpeoplestraighttoparadise，wasinscribedinlargeblackletters:——

"LittlewhitePaternoster，whichGodmade，whichGodsaid，whichGodplacedinparadise。Intheevening，whenIwenttobed，Ifoundthreeangelssittingonmybed，oneatthefoot，twoatthehead，thegoodVirginMaryinthemiddle，whotoldmetoliedownwithouthesitation。ThegoodGodismyfather，thegoodVirginismymother，thethreeapostlesaremybrothers，thethreevirginsaremysisters。TheshirtinwhichGodwasbornenvelopesmybody；SaintMargaret’scrossiswrittenonmybreast。

MadametheVirginwaswalkingthroughthemeadows，weepingforGod，whenshemetM。SaintJohn。`MonsieurSaintJohn，whencecomeyou？’

`IcomefromAveSalus。’`YouhavenotseenthegoodGod；whereishe？’

`HeisonthetreeoftheCross，hisfeethanging，hishandsnailed，alittlecapofwhitethornsonhishead。’Whoevershallsaythisthriceateventide，thriceinthemorning，shallwinparadiseatthelast。"

In1827thischaracteristicorisonhaddisappearedfromthewallunderatriplecoatingofdaubingpaint。Atthepresenttimeitisfinallydisappearingfromthememoriesofseveralwhowereyounggirlsthen，andwhoareoldwomennow。

Alargecrucifixfastenedtothewallcompletedthedecorationofthisrefectory，whoseonlydoor，aswethinkwehavementioned，openedonthegarden。Twonarrowtables，eachflankedbytwowoodenbenches，formedtwolongparallellinesfromoneendtotheotheroftherefectory。Thewallswerewhite，thetableswereblack；thesetwomourningcolorsconstitutetheonlyvarietyinconvents。Themealswereplain，andthefoodofthechildrenthemselvessevere。Asingledishofmeatandvegetablescombined，orsaltfish——suchwastheirluxury。Thismeagrefare，whichwasreservedforthepupilsalone，was，nevertheless，anexception。

Thechildrenateinsilence，undertheeyeofthemotherwhoseturnitwas，who，ifaflytookanotiontoflyortohumagainsttherule，openedandshutawoodenbookfromtimetotime。

Thissilencewasseasonedwiththelivesofthesaints，readaloudfromalittlepulpitwithadesk，whichwassituatedatthefootofthecrucifix。Thereaderwasoneofthebiggirls，inweeklyturn。

Atregulardistances，onthebaretables，therewerelarge，varnishedbowlsinwhichthepupilswashedtheirownsilvercupsandknivesandforks，andintowhichtheysometimesthrewsomescrapoftoughmeatorspoiledfish；thiswaspunished。Thesebowlswerecalledrondsd’eau。Thechildwhobrokethesilence"madeacrosswithhertongue。"Where？Ontheground。Shelickedthepavement。

Thedust，thatendofalljoys，waschargedwiththechastisementofthosepoorlittlerose—leaveswhichhadbeenguiltyofchirping。

Therewasintheconventabookwhichhasneverbeenprintedexceptasauniquecopy，andwhichitisforbiddentoread。ItistheruleofSaint—Benoit。Anarcanumwhichnoprofaneeyemustpenetrate。