CHAPTERIII
APPARITIONTOFATHERMABEUF
Mariusnolongerwenttoseeanyone，buthesometimesencounteredFatherMabeufbychance。
WhileMariuswasslowlydescendingthosemelancholystepswhichmaybecalledthecellarstairs，andwhichleadtoplaceswithoutlight，wherethehappycanbeheardwalkingoverhead，M。Mabeufwasdescendingonhisside。
TheFloraofCauteretznolongersoldatall。TheexperimentsonindigohadnotbeensuccessfulinthelittlegardenofAusterlitz，whichhadabadexposure。M。Mabeufcouldcultivatethereonlyafewplantswhichloveshadeanddampness。Nevertheless，hedidnotbecomediscouraged。HehadobtainedacornerintheJardindesPlantes，withagoodexposure，tomakehistrialswithindigo\"athisownexpense。\"ForthispurposehehadpawnedhiscopperplatesoftheFlora。Hehadreducedhisbreakfasttotwoeggs，andheleftoneoftheseforhisoldservant，towhomhehadpaidnowagesforthelastfifteenmonths。Andoftenhisbreakfastwashisonlymeal。
Henolongersmiledwithhisinfantilesmile，hehadgrownmoroseandnolongerreceivedvisitors。Mariusdidwellnottodreamofgoingthither。Sometimes，atthehourwhenM。MabeufwasonhiswaytotheJardindesPlantes，theoldmanandtheyoungmanpassedeachotherontheBoulevarddel’Hopital。Theydidnotspeak，andonlyexchangedamelancholysignofthehead。Aheart—breakingthingitisthattherecomesamomentwhenmiseryloosesbonds！
Twomenwhohavebeenfriendsbecometwochancepassers—by。
Royalthebooksellerwasdead。M。Mabeufnolongerknewhisbooks，hisgarden，orhisindigo:thesewerethethreeformswhichhappiness，pleasure，andhopehadassumedforhim。Thissufficedhimforhisliving。Hesaidtohimself:\"WhenIshallhavemademyballsofblueing，Ishallberich，Iwillwithdrawmycopperplatesfromthepawn—shop，IwillputmyFlorainvogueagainwithtrickery，plentyofmoneyandadvertisementsinthenewspapersandIwillbuy，Iknowwellwhere，acopyofPierredeMedine’sArtdeNaviguer，withwood—cuts，editionof1655。\"Inthemeantime，hetoiledalldayoverhisplotofindigo，andatnighthereturnedhometowaterhisgarden，andtoreadhisbooks。Atthatepoch，M。Mabeufwasnearlyeightyyearsofage。
Oneeveninghehadasingularapparition。
Hehadreturnedhomewhileitwasstillbroaddaylight。
MotherPlutarque，whosehealthwasdeclining，wasillandinbed。
Hehaddinedonabone，onwhichalittlemeatlingered，andabitofbreadthathehadfoundonthekitchentable，andhadseatedhimselfonanoverturnedstonepost，whichtooktheplaceofabenchinhisgarden。
Nearthisbenchthererose，afterthefashioninorchard—gardens，asortoflargechest，ofbeamsandplanks，muchdilapidated，arabbit—hutchonthegroundfloor，afruit—closetonthefirst。
Therewasnothinginthehutch，buttherewereafewapplesinthefruit—closet，——theremainsofthewinter’sprovision。
M。Mabeufhadsethimselftoturningoverandreading，withtheaidofhisglasses，twobooksofwhichhewaspassionatelyfondandinwhich，aseriousthingathisage，hewasinterested。
Hisnaturaltimidityrenderedhimaccessibletotheacceptanceofsuperstitionsinacertaindegree。ThefirstofthesebookswasthefamoustreatiseofPresidentDelancre，Del’inconstancedesDemons；
theotherwasaquartobyMutordelaRubaudiere，SurlesDiablesdeVauvertetlesGobelinsdelaBievre。Thislast—mentionedoldvolumeinterestedhimallthemore，becausehisgardenhadbeenoneofthespotshauntedbygoblinsinformertimes。Thetwilighthadbeguntowhitenwhatwasonhighandtoblackenallbelow。
Asheread，overthetopofthebookwhichheheldinhishand，FatherMabeufwassurveyinghisplants，andamongothersamagnificentrhododendronwhichwasoneofhisconsolations；
fourdaysofheat，wind，andsunwithoutadropofrain，hadpassed；
thestalkswerebending，thebudsdrooping，theleavesfalling；
allthisneededwater，therhododendronwasparticularlysad。
FatherMabeufwasoneofthosepersonsforwhomplantshavesouls。
Theoldmanhadtoiledalldayoverhisindigoplot，hewaswornoutwithfatigue，butherose，laidhisbooksonthebench，andwalked，allbentoverandwithtotteringfootsteps，tothewell，butwhenhehadgraspedthechain，hecouldnotevendrawitsufficientlytounhookit。Thenheturnedroundandcastaglanceofanguishtowardheavenwhichwasbecomingstuddedwithstars。
Theeveninghadthatserenitywhichoverwhelmsthetroublesofmanbeneathanindescribablymournfulandeternaljoy。Thenightpromisedtobeasaridasthedayhadbeen。
\"Starseverywhere！\"thoughttheoldman；\"notthetiniestcloud！
Notadropofwater！\"
Andhishead，whichhadbeenupraisedforamoment，fellbackuponhisbreast。
Heraiseditagain，andoncemorelookedatthesky，murmuring:——
\"Atearofdew！Alittlepity！\"
Hetriedagaintounhookthechainofthewell，andcouldnot。
Atthatmoment，heheardavoicesaying:——
\"FatherMabeuf，wouldyouliketohavemewateryourgardenforyou？\"
Atthesametime，anoiseasofawildanimalpassingbecameaudibleinthehedge，andhebeheldemergingfromtheshrubberyasortoftall，slendergirl，whodrewherselfupinfrontofhimandstaredboldlyathim。Shehadlesstheairofahumanbeingthanofaformwhichhadjustblossomedforthfromthetwilight。
BeforeFatherMabeuf，whowaseasilyterrified，andwhowas，aswehavesaid，quicktotakealarm，wasabletoreplybyasinglesyllable，thisbeing，whosemovementshadasortofoddabruptnessinthedarkness，hadunhookedthechain，plungedinandwithdrawnthebucket，andfilledthewatering—pot，andthegoodmanbeheldthisapparition，whichhadbarefeetandatatteredpetticoat，runningaboutamongtheflower—bedsdistributinglifearoundher。Thesoundofthewatering—potontheleavesfilledFatherMabeuf’ssoulwithecstasy。
Itseemedtohimthattherhododendronwashappynow。
Thefirstbucketfulemptied，thegirldrewasecond，thenathird。
Shewateredthewholegarden。
Therewassomethingabouther，asshethusranaboutamongpaths，whereheroutlineappearedperfectlyblack，wavingherangulararms，andwithherfichuallinrags，thatresembledabat。
Whenshehadfinished，FatherMabeufapproachedherwithtearsinhiseyes，andlaidhishandonherbrow。
\"Godwillblessyou，\"saidhe，\"youareanangelsinceyoutakecareoftheflowers。\"
\"No，\"shereplied。\"Iamthedevil，butthat’sallthesametome。\"
Theoldmanexclaimed，withouteitherwaitingfororhearingherresponse:——
\"WhatapitythatIamsounhappyandsopoor，andthatIcandonothingforyou！\"
\"Youcandosomething，\"saidshe。
\"What？\"
\"TellmewhereM。Mariuslives。\"
Theoldmandidnotunderstand。\"WhatMonsieurMarius？\"
Heraisedhisglassyeyesandseemedtobeseekingsomethingthathadvanished。
\"Ayoungmanwhousedtocomehere。\"
Inthemeantime，M。Mabeufhadsearchedhismemory。
\"Ah！yes——\"heexclaimed。\"Iknowwhatyoumean。Wait！
MonsieurMarius——theBaronMariusPontmercy，parbleu！Helives，——
orrather，henolongerlives，——ahwell，Idon’tknow。\"
Ashespoke，hehadbentovertotrainabranchofrhododendron，andhecontinued:——
\"Hold，Iknownow。Heveryoftenpassesalongtheboulevard，andgoesinthedirectionoftheGlaciere，RueCroulebarbe。
ThemeadowoftheLark。Gothere。Itisnothardtomeethim。\"
WhenM。Mabeufstraightenedhimselfup，therewasnolongeranyonethere；thegirlhaddisappeared。
Hewasdecidedlyterrified。
\"Really，\"hethought，\"ifmygardenhadnotbeenwatered，Ishouldthinkthatshewasaspirit。\"
Anhourlater，whenhewasinbed，itcamebacktohim，andashefellasleep，atthatconfusedmomentwhenthought，likethatfabulousbirdwhichchangesitselfintoafishinordertocrossthesea，littlebylittleassumestheformofadreaminordertotraverseslumber，hesaidtohimselfinabewilderedway:——
\"Insooth，thatgreatlyresembleswhatRubaudierenarratesofthegoblins。Couldithavebeenagoblin？\"
CHAPTERIV
ANAPPARITIONTOMARIUS
Somedaysafterthisvisitofa\"spirit\"toFarmerMabeuf，onemorning，——
itwasonaMonday，thedaywhenMariusborrowedthehundred—soupiecefromCourfeyracforThenardier——Mariushadputthiscoininhispocket，andbeforecarryingittotheclerk’soffice，hehadgone\"totakealittlestroll，\"inthehopethatthiswouldmakehimworkonhisreturn。Itwasalwaysthus，however。Assoonasherose，heseatedhimselfbeforeabookandasheetofpaperinordertoscribblesometranslation；histaskatthatepochconsistedinturningintoFrenchacelebratedquarrelbetweenGermans，theGansandSavignycontroversy；hetookSavigny，hetookGans，readfourlines，triedtowriteone，couldnot，sawastarbetweenhimandhispaper，androsefromhischair，saying:\"Ishallgoout。
Thatwillputmeinspirits。\"
AndoffhewenttotheLark’smeadow。
Therehebeheldmorethaneverthestar，andlessthaneverSavignyandGans。
Hereturnedhome，triedtotakeuphisworkagain，anddidnotsucceed；
therewasnomeansofre—knottingasingleoneofthethreadswhichwerebrokeninhisbrain；thenhesaidtohimself:\"Iwillnotgooutto—morrow。Itpreventsmyworking。\"Andhewentouteveryday。
HelivedintheLark’smeadowmorethaninCourfeyrac’slodgings。
Thatwashisrealaddress:BoulevarddelaSante，attheseventhtreefromtheRueCroulebarbe。
ThatmorninghehadquittedtheseventhtreeandhadseatedhimselfontheparapetoftheRiverdesGobelins。Acheerfulsunlightpenetratedthefreshlyunfoldedandluminousleaves。
Hewasdreamingof\"Her。\"Andhismeditationturningtoareproach，fellbackuponhimself；hereflecteddolefullyonhisidleness，hisparalysisofsoul，whichwasgainingonhim，andofthatnightwhichwasgrowingmoredenseeverymomentbeforehim，tosuchapointthathenolongerevensawthesun。
Nevertheless，athwartthispainfulextricationofindistinctideaswhichwasnotevenamonologue，sofeeblehadactionbecomeinhim，andhehadnolongertheforcetocaretodespair，athwartthismelancholyabsorption，sensationsfromwithoutdidreachhim。
Heheardbehindhim，beneathhim，onbothbanksoftheriver，thelaundressesoftheGobelinsbeatingtheirlinen，andabovehishead，thebirdschatteringandsingingintheelm—trees。
Ontheonehand，thesoundofliberty，thecarelesshappinessoftheleisurewhichhaswings；ontheother，thesoundoftoil。
Whatcausedhimtomeditatedeeply，andalmostreflect，weretwocheerfulsounds。
Allatonce，inthemidstofhisdejectedecstasy，heheardafamiliarvoicesaying:——
\"Come！Hereheis！\"
Heraisedhiseyes，andrecognizedthatwretchedchildwhohadcometohimonemorning，theelderoftheThenardierdaughters，Eponine；heknewhernamenow。Strangetosay，shehadgrownpoorerandprettier，twostepswhichithadnotseemedwithinherpowertotake。
Shehadaccomplishedadoubleprogress，towardsthelightandtowardsdistress。Shewasbarefootedandinrags，asonthedaywhenshehadsoresolutelyenteredhischamber，onlyherragsweretwomonthsoldernow，theholeswerelarger，thetattersmoresordid。
Itwasthesameharshvoice，thesamebrowdimmedandwrinkledwithtan，thesamefree，wild，andvacillatingglance。Shehadbesides，morethanformerly，inherfacethatindescribablyterrifiedandlamentablesomethingwhichsojourninaprisonaddstowretchedness。
Shehadbitsofstrawandhayinherhair，notlikeOpheliathroughhavinggonemadfromthecontagionofHamlet’smadness，butbecauseshehadsleptintheloftofsomestable。
Andinspiteofitall，shewasbeautiful。Whatastarartthou，Oyouth！
Inthemeantime，shehadhaltedinfrontofMariuswithatraceofjoyinherlividcountenance，andsomethingwhichresembledasmile。
Shestoodforseveralmomentsasthoughincapableofspeech。
\"SoIhavemetyouatlast！\"shesaidatlength。\"FatherMabeufwasright，itwasonthisboulevard！HowIhavehuntedforyou！
Ifyouonlyknew！Doyouknow？Ihavebeeninthejug。Afortnight！
Theyletmeout！seeingthattherewasnothingagainstme，andthat，moreover，Ihadnotreachedyearsofdiscretion。Ilacktwomonthsofit。Oh！howIhavehuntedforyou！Thesesixweeks！
Soyoudon’tlivedownthereanymore？\"
\"No，\"saidMarius。
\"Ah！Iunderstand。Becauseofthataffair。Thosetake—downsaredisagreeable。Youclearedout。Comenow！Whydoyouwearoldhatslikethis！Ayoungmanlikeyououghttohavefineclothes。
Doyouknow，MonsieurMarius，FatherMabeufcallsyouBaronMarius，Idon’tknowwhat。Itisn’ttruethatyouareabaron？Baronsareoldfellows，theygototheLuxembourg，infrontofthechateau，wherethereisthemostsun，andtheyreadtheQuotidienneforasou。
Ioncecarriedalettertoabaronofthatsort。Hewasoverahundredyearsold。Say，wheredoyoulivenow？\"
Mariusmadenoreply。
\"Ah！\"shewenton，\"youhaveaholeinyourshirt。Imustsewitupforyou。\"
Sheresumedwithanexpressionwhichgraduallycloudedover:——
\"Youdon’tseemgladtoseeme。\"
Mariusheldhispeace；sheremainedsilentforamoment，thenexclaimed:——
\"ButifIchoose，nevertheless，Icouldforceyoutolookglad！\"
\"What？\"demandedMarius。\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Ah！youusedtocallmethou，\"sheretorted。
\"Well，then，whatdostthoumean？\"
Shebitherlips；sheseemedtohesitate，asthoughapreytosomesortofinwardconflict。Atlastsheappearedtocometoadecision。
\"Somuchtheworse，Idon’tcare。Youhaveamelancholyair，Iwantyoutobepleased。Onlypromisemethatyouwillsmile。
Iwanttoseeyousmileandhearyousay:`Ah，well，that’sgood。’
PoorMr。Marius！youknow？YoupromisedmethatyouwouldgivemeanythingIlike——\"
\"Yes！Onlyspeak！\"
ShelookedMariusfullintheeye，andsaid:——
\"Ihavetheaddress。\"
Mariusturnedpale。Allthebloodflowedbacktohisheart。
\"Whataddress？\"
\"Theaddressthatyouaskedmetoget！\"
Sheadded，asthoughwithaneffort:——
\"Theaddress——youknowverywell！\"
\"Yes！\"stammeredMarius。
\"Ofthatyounglady。\"
Thisworduttered，shesigheddeeply。
Mariussprangfromtheparapetonwhichhehadbeensittingandseizedherhanddistractedly。
\"Oh！Well！leadmethither！Tellme！Askofmeanythingyouwish！
Whereisit？\"
\"Comewithme，\"sheresponded。\"Idon’tknowthestreetornumberverywell；itisinquitetheotherdirectionfromhere，butIknowthehousewell，Iwilltakeyoutoit。\"
Shewithdrewherhandandwenton，inatonewhichcouldhaverenttheheartofanobserver，butwhichdidnotevengrazeMariusinhisintoxicatedandecstaticstate:——
\"Oh！howgladyouare！\"
AcloudsweptacrossMarius’brow。HeseizedEponinebythearm:——
\"Swearonethingtome！\"
\"Swear！\"saidshe，\"whatdoesthatmean？Come！Youwantmetoswear？\"
Andshelaughed。
\"Yourfather！promiseme，Eponine！Sweartomethatyouwillnotgivethisaddresstoyourfather！\"
Sheturnedtohimwithastupefiedair。
\"Eponine！HowdoyouknowthatmynameisEponine？\"
\"PromisewhatItellyou！\"
Butshedidnotseemtohearhim。
\"That’snice！YouhavecalledmeEponine！\"
Mariusgraspedbothherarmsatonce。
\"Butanswerme，inthenameofHeaven！payattentiontowhatIamsayingtoyou，sweartomethatyouwillnottellyourfatherthisaddressthatyouknow！\"
\"Myfather！\"saidshe。\"Ahyes，myfather！Beatease。
He’sincloseconfinement。Besides，whatdoIcareformyfather！\"
\"Butyoudonotpromiseme！\"exclaimedMarius。
\"Letgoofme！\"shesaid，burstingintoalaugh，\"howyoudoshakeme！
Yes！Yes！Ipromisethat！Iswearthattoyou！Whatisthattome？
Iwillnottellmyfathertheaddress。There！Isthatright？
Isthatit？\"
\"Nortoanyone？\"saidMarius。
\"Nortoanyone。\"
\"Now，\"resumedMarius，\"takemethere。\"
\"Immediately？\"
\"Immediately。\"
\"Comealong。Ah！howpleasedheis！\"saidshe。
Afterafewstepsshehalted。
\"Youarefollowingmetooclosely，MonsieurMarius。Letmegoonahead，andfollowmeso，withoutseemingtodoit。Aniceyoungmanlikeyoumustnotbeseenwithawomanlikeme。\"
Notonguecanexpressallthatlayinthatword，woman，thuspronouncedbythatchild。
Sheproceededadozenpacesandthenhaltedoncemore；Mariusjoinedher。
Sheaddressedhimsideways，andwithoutturningtowardshim:——
\"Bytheway，youknowthatyoupromisedmesomething？\"
Mariusfumbledinhispocket。AllthatheownedintheworldwasthefivefrancsintendedforThenardierthefather。HetookthemandlaidtheminEponine’shand。
Sheopenedherfingersandletthecoinfalltotheground，andgazedathimwithagloomyair。
\"Idon’twantyourmoney，\"saidshe。
BOOKTHIRD。——THEHOUSEINTHERUEPLUMET
CHAPTERI
THEHOUSEWITHASECRET
Aboutthemiddleofthelastcentury，achiefjusticeintheParliamentofParishavingamistressandconcealingthefact，foratthatperiodthegrandseignorsdisplayedtheirmistresses，andthebourgeoisconcealedthem，had\"alittlehouse\"builtintheFaubourgSaint—Germain，inthedesertedRueBlomet，whichisnowcalledRuePlumet，notfarfromthespotwhichwasthendesignatedasCombatdesAnimaux。
Thishousewascomposedofasingle—storiedpavilion；tworoomsonthegroundfloor，twochambersonthefirstfloor，akitchendownstairs，aboudoirupstairs，anatticundertheroof，thewholeprecededbyagardenwithalargegateopeningonthestreet。
Thisgardenwasaboutanacreandahalfinextent。Thiswasallthatcouldbeseenbypassers—by；butbehindthepaviliontherewasanarrowcourtyard，andattheendofthecourtyardalowbuildingconsistingoftworoomsandacellar，asortofpreparationdestinedtoconcealachildandnurseincaseofneed。Thisbuildingcommunicatedintherearbyamaskeddoorwhichopenedbyasecretspring，withalong，narrow，pavedwindingcorridor，opentothesky，hemmedinwithtwoloftywalls，which，hiddenwithwonderfulart，andlostasitwerebetweengardenenclosuresandcultivatedland，allofwhoseanglesanddetoursitfollowed，endedinanotherdoor，alsowithasecretlockwhichopenedaquarterofaleagueaway，almostinanotherquarter，atthesolitaryextremityoftheRueduBabylone。
Throughthisthechiefjusticeentered，sothateventhosewhowerespyingonhimandfollowinghimwouldmerelyhaveobservedthatthejusticebetookhimselfeverydayinamysteriouswaysomewhere，andwouldneverhavesuspectedthattogototheRuedeBabylonewastogototheRueBlomet。Thankstocleverpurchasersofland，themagistratehadbeenabletomakeasecret，sewer—likepassageonhisownproperty，andconsequently，withoutinterference。Lateron，hehadsoldinlittleparcels，forgardensandmarketgardens，thelotsofgroundadjoiningthecorridor，andtheproprietorsoftheselotsonbothsidesthoughttheyhadapartywallbeforetheireyes，anddidnotevensuspectthelong，pavedribbonwindingbetweentwowallsamidtheirflower—bedsandtheirorchards。
Onlythebirdsbeheldthiscuriosity。Itisprobablethatthelinnetsandtomtitsofthelastcenturygossipedagreatdealaboutthechiefjustice。
Thepavilion，builtofstoneinthetasteofMansard，wainscotedandfurnishedintheWatteaustyle，rocailleontheinside，old—fashionedontheoutside，walledinwithatriplehedgeofflowers，hadsomethingdiscreet，coquettish，andsolemnaboutit，asbefitsacapriceofloveandmagistracy。
Thishouseandcorridor，whichhavenowdisappeared，wereinexistencefifteenyearsago。In’93acoppersmithhadpurchasedthehousewiththeideaofdemolishingit，buthadnotbeenabletopaytheprice；thenationmadehimbankrupt。Sothatitwasthehousewhichdemolishedthecoppersmith。Afterthat，thehouseremaineduninhabited，andfellslowlytoruin，asdoeseverydwellingtowhichthepresenceofmandoesnotcommunicatelife。
Ithadremainedfittedwithitsoldfurniture，wasalwaysforsaleortolet，andthetenoradozenpeoplewhopassedthroughtheRuePlumetwerewarnedofthefactbyayellowandillegiblebitofwritingwhichhadhungonthegardenwallsince1819。
TowardstheendoftheRestoration，thesesamepassers—bymighthavenoticedthatthebillhaddisappeared，andeventhattheshuttersonthefirstfloorwereopen。Thehousewasoccupied，infact。
Thewindowshadshortcurtains，asignthattherewasawomanabout。
InthemonthofOctober，1829，amanofacertainagehadpresentedhimselfandhadhiredthehousejustasitstood，including，ofcourse，thebackbuildingandthelanewhichendedintheRuedeBabylone。
Hehadhadthesecretopeningsofthetwodoorstothispassagerepaired。
Thehouse，aswehavejustmentioned，wasstillverynearlyfurnishedwiththejustice’soldfitting；thenewtenanthadorderedsomerepairs，hadaddedwhatwaslackinghereandthere，hadreplacedthepaving—stonesintheyard，bricksinthefloors，stepsinthestairs，missingbitsintheinlaidfloorsandtheglassinthelatticewindows，andhadfinallyinstalledhimselftherewithayounggirlandanelderlymaid—servant，withoutcommotion，ratherlikeapersonwhoisslippinginthanlikeamanwhoisenteringhisownhouse。Theneighborsdidnotgossipabouthim，forthereasonthattherewerenoneighbors。
ThisunobtrusivetenantwasJeanValjean，theyounggirlwasCosette。
TheservantwasawomannamedToussaint，whomJeanValjeanhadsavedfromthehospitalandfromwretchedness，andwhowaselderly，astammerer，andfromtheprovinces，threequalitieswhichhaddecidedJeanValjeantotakeherwithhim。HehadhiredthehouseunderthenameofM。Fauchelevent，independentgentleman。
Inallthathasbeenrelatedheretofore，thereaderhas，doubtless，beennolesspromptthanThenardiertorecognizeJeanValjean。
WhyhadJeanValjeanquittedtheconventofthePetit—Picpus？Whathadhappened？
Nothinghadhappened。
ItwillberememberedthatJeanValjeanwashappyintheconvent，sohappythathisconsciencefinallytookthealarm。HesawCosetteeveryday，hefeltpaternityspringupanddevelopwithinhimmoreandmore，hebroodedoverthesoulofthatchild，hesaidtohimselfthatshewashis，thatnothingcouldtakeherfromhim，thatthiswouldlastindefinitely，thatshewouldcertainlybecomeanun，beingtheretogentlyincitedeveryday，thatthustheconventwashenceforththeuniverseforherasitwasforhim，thatheshouldgrowoldthere，andthatshewouldgrowupthere，thatshewouldgrowoldthere，andthatheshoulddiethere；that，inshort，delightfulhope，noseparationwaspossible。Onreflectinguponthis，hefellintoperplexity。Heinterrogatedhimself。Heaskedhimselfifallthathappinesswerereallyhis，ifitwerenotcomposedofthehappinessofanother，ofthehappinessofthatchildwhichhe，anoldman，wasconfiscatingandstealing；ifthatwerenottheft？
Hesaidtohimself，thatthischildhadarighttoknowlifebeforerenouncingit，thattodepriveherinadvance，andinsomesortwithoutconsultingher，ofalljoys，underthepretextofsavingherfromalltrials，totakeadvantageofherignoranceofherisolation，inordertomakeanartificialvocationgerminateinher，wastorobahumancreatureofitsnatureandtolietoGod。
Andwhoknowsif，whenshecametobeawareofallthissomeday，andfoundherselfanuntohersorrow，Cosettewouldnotcometohatehim？Alast，almostselfishthought，andlessheroicthantherest，butwhichwasintolerabletohim。Heresolvedtoquittheconvent。
Heresolvedonthis；herecognizedwithanguish，thefactthatitwasnecessary。Asforobjections，therewerenone。
Fiveyears’sojournbetweenthesefourwallsandofdisappearancehadnecessarilydestroyedordispersedtheelementsoffear。
Hecouldreturntranquillyamongmen。Hehadgrownold，andallhadundergoneachange。Whowouldrecognizehimnow？
Andthen，tofacetheworst，therewasdangeronlyforhimself，andhehadnorighttocondemnCosettetothecloisterforthereasonthathehadbeencondemnedtothegalleys。Besides，whatisdangerincomparisonwiththeright？Finally，nothingpreventedhisbeingprudentandtakinghisprecautions。
AsforCosette’seducation，itwasalmostfinishedandcomplete。
Hisdeterminationoncetaken，heawaitedanopportunity。
Itwasnotlonginpresentingitself。OldFaucheleventdied。
JeanValjeandemandedanaudiencewiththereveredprioressandtoldherthat，havingcomeintoalittleinheritanceatthedeathofhisbrother，whichpermittedhimhenceforthtolivewithoutworking，heshouldleavetheserviceoftheconventandtakehisdaughterwithhim；butthat，asitwasnotjustthatCosette，sinceshehadnottakenthevows，shouldhavereceivedhereducationgratuitously，hehumblybeggedtheReverendPrioresstoseefitthatheshouldoffertothecommunity，asindemnity，forthefiveyearswhichCosettehadspentthere，thesumoffivethousandfrancs。
ItwasthusthatJeanValjeanquittedtheconventofthePerpetualAdoration。
Onleavingtheconvent，hetookinhisownarmsthelittlevalisethekeytowhichhestillworeonhisperson，andwouldpermitnoportertotouchit。ThispuzzledCosette，becauseoftheodorofembalmingwhichproceededfromit。
Letusstateatonce，thatthistrunkneverquittedhimmore。
Healwayshaditinhischamber。Itwasthefirstandonlythingsometimes，thathecarriedoffinhismovingwhenhemovedabout。
Cosettelaughedatit，andcalledthisvalisehisinseparable，saying:
\"Iamjealousofit。\"
Nevertheless，JeanValjeandidnotreappearintheopenairwithoutprofoundanxiety。
HediscoveredthehouseintheRuePlumet，andhidhimselffromsightthere。Henceforthhewasinthepossessionofthename:——
UltimeFauchelevent。
AtthesametimehehiredtwootherapartmentsinParis，inorderthathemightattractlessattentionthanifheweretoremainalwaysinthesamequarter，andsothathecould，atneed，takehimselfoffattheslightestdisquietudewhichshouldassailhim，andinshort，sothathemightnotagainbecaughtunprovidedasonthenightwhenhehadsomiraculouslyescapedfromJavert。
Thesetwoapartmentswereverypitiable，poorinappearance，andintwoquarterswhichwerefarremotefromeachother，theoneintheRuedel’Ouest，theotherintheRuedel’HommeArme。
Hewentfromtimetotime，nowtotheRuedel’HommeArme，nowtotheRuedel’Ouest，topassamonthorsixweeks，withouttakingToussaint。Hehadhimselfservedbytheporters，andgavehimselfoutasagentlemanfromthesuburbs，livingonhisfunds，andhavingalittletemporaryresting—placeintown。
ThisloftyvirtuehadthreedomicilesinParisforthesakeofescapingfromthepolice。
CHAPTERII
JEANVALJEANASANATIONALGUARD
However，properlyspeaking，helivedintheRuePlumet，andhehadarrangedhisexistencethereinthefollowingfashion:——
Cosetteandtheservantoccupiedthepavilion；shehadthebigsleeping—roomwiththepaintedpier—glasses，theboudoirwiththegildedfillets，thejustice’sdrawing—roomfurnishedwithtapestriesandvastarm—chairs；shehadthegarden。JeanValjeanhadacanopiedbedofantiquedamaskinthreecolorsandabeautifulPersianrugpurchasedintheRueduFiguier—Saint—PaulatMotherGaucher’s，putintoCosette’schamber，and，inordertoredeemtheseverityofthesemagnificentoldthings，hehadamalgamatedwiththisbric—a—bracallthegayandgracefullittlepiecesoffurnituresuitabletoyounggirls，anetagere，abookcasefilledwithgilt—edgedbooks，aninkstand，ablotting—book，paper，awork—tableincrustedwithmotherofpearl，asilver—giltdressing—case，atoiletserviceinJapaneseporcelain。
Longdamaskcurtainswitharedfoundationandthreecolors，likethoseonthebed，hungatthewindowsofthefirstfloor。
Onthegroundfloor，thecurtainswereoftapestry。Allwinterlong，Cosette’slittlehousewasheatedfromtoptobottom。JeanValjeaninhabitedthesortofporter’slodgewhichwassituatedattheendofthebackcourtyard，withamattressonafolding—bed，awhitewoodtable，twostrawchairs，anearthenwarewater—jug，afewoldvolumesonashelf，hisbelovedvaliseinonecorner，andneveranyfire。HedinedwithCosette，andhehadaloafofblackbreadonthetableforhisownuse。
WhenToussaintcame，hehadsaidtoher:\"Itistheyoungladywhoisthemistressofthishouse。\"——\"Andyou，monsieur？\"Toussaintrepliedinamazement。——\"Iamamuchbetterthingthanthemaster，Iamthefather。\"
Cosettehadbeentaughthousekeepingintheconvent，andsheregulatedtheirexpenditure，whichwasverymodest。Everyday，JeanValjeanputhisarmthroughCosette’sandtookherforawalk。
HeledhertotheLuxembourg，totheleastfrequentedwalk，andeverySundayhetookhertomassatSaint—Jacques—du—Haut—Pas，becausethatwasalongwayoff。Asitwasaverypoorquarter，hebestowedalmslargelythere，andthepoorpeoplesurroundedhiminchurch，whichhaddrawndownuponhimThenardier’sepistle:
\"TothebenevolentgentlemanofthechurchofSaint—Jacques—du—Haut—Pas。\"
HewasfondoftakingCosettetovisitthepoorandthesick。
NostrangereverenteredthehouseintheRuePlumet。Toussaintbroughttheirprovisions，andJeanValjeanwenthimselfforwatertoafountainnearbyontheboulevard。Theirwoodandwinewereputintoahalf—subterraneanhollowlinedwithrock—workwhichlayneartheRuedeBabyloneandwhichhadformerlyservedthechief—justiceasagrotto；forattheepochoffolliesand\"LittleHouses\"nolovewaswithoutagrotto。
InthedooropeningontheRuedeBabylone，therewasaboxdestinedforthereceptionoflettersandpapers；only，asthethreeinhabitantsofthepavilionintheRuePlumetreceivedneitherpapersnorletters，theentireusefulnessofthatbox，formerlythego—betweenofaloveaffair，andtheconfidantofalove—lornlawyer，wasnowlimitedtothetax—collector’snotices，andthesummonsoftheguard。
ForM。Fauchelevent，independentgentleman，belongedtothenationalguard；hehadnotbeenabletoescapethroughthefinemeshesofthecensusof1831。ThemunicipalinformationcollectedatthattimehadevenreachedtheconventofthePetit—Picpus，asortofimpenetrableandholycloud，whenceJeanValjeanhademergedinvenerableguise，and，consequently，worthyofmountingguardintheeyesofthetownhall。
Threeorfourtimesayear，JeanValjeandonnedhisuniformandmountedguard；hedidthiswillingly，however；itwasacorrectdisguisewhichmixedhimwitheveryone，andyetlefthimsolitary。
JeanValjeanhadjustattainedhissixtiethbirthday，theageoflegalexemption；buthedidnotappeartobeoverfifty；
moreover，hehadnodesiretoescapehissergeant—majornortoquibblewithComtedeLobau；hepossessednocivilstatus，hewasconcealinghisname，hewasconcealinghisidentity，soheconcealedhisage，heconcealedeverything；and，aswehavejustsaid，hewillinglydidhisdutyasanationalguard；thesumofhisambitionlayinresemblinganyothermanwhopaidhistaxes。
Thismanhadforhisideal，within，theangel，without，thebourgeois。
Letusnoteonedetail，however；whenJeanValjeanwentoutwithCosette，hedressedasthereaderhasalreadyseen，andhadtheairofaretiredofficer。Whenhewentoutalone，whichwasgenerallyatnight，hewasalwaysdressedinaworkingman’strousersandblouse，andworeacapwhichconcealedhisface。Wasthisprecautionorhumility？
Both。Cosettewasaccustomedtotheenigmaticalsideofherdestiny，andhardlynoticedherfather’speculiarities。AsforToussaint，sheveneratedJeanValjean，andthoughteverythinghedidright。
Oneday，herbutcher，whohadcaughtaglimpseofJeanValjean，saidtoher:\"That’saqueerfish。\"Shereplied:\"He’sasaint。\"
NeitherJeanValjeannorCosettenorToussainteverenteredoremergedexceptbythedoorontheRuedeBabylone。UnlessseenthroughthegardengateitwouldhavebeendifficulttoguessthattheylivedintheRuePlumet。Thatgatewasalwaysclosed。JeanValjeanhadleftthegardenuncultivated，inordernottoattractattention。
Inthis，possibly，hemadeamistake。
CHAPTERIII
FOLIISACFRONDIBUS
Thegardenthuslefttoitselfformorethanhalfacenturyhadbecomeextraordinaryandcharming。Thepassers—byoffortyyearsagohaltedtogazeatit，withoutasuspicionofthesecretswhichithidinitsfreshandverdantdepths。Morethanonedreamerofthatepochoftenallowedhisthoughtsandhiseyestopenetrateindiscreetlybetweenthebarsofthatancient，padlockedgate，twisted，tottering，fastenedtotwogreenandmoss—coveredpillars，andoddlycrownedwithapedimentofundecipherablearabesque。
Therewasastonebenchinonecorner，oneortwomouldystatues，severallatticeswhichhadlosttheirnailswithtime，wererottingonthewall，andtherewerenowalksnorturf；buttherewasenoughgrasseverywhere。Gardeninghadtakenitsdeparture，andnaturehadreturned。Weedsabounded，whichwasagreatpieceofluckforapoorcornerofland。Thefestivalofgilliflowerswassomethingsplendid。Nothinginthisgardenobstructedthesacredeffortofthingstowardslife；venerablegrowthreignedthereamongthem。Thetreeshadbentovertowardsthenettles，theplanthadsprungupward，thebranchhadinclined，thatwhichcrawlsontheearthhadgoneinsearchofthatwhichexpandsintheair，thatwhichfloatsonthewindhadbentovertowardsthatwhichtrailsinthemoss；trunks，boughs，leaves，fibres，clusters，tendrils，shoots，spines，thorns，hadmingled，crossed，married，confoundedthemselvesineachother；vegetationinadeepandcloseembrace，hadcelebratedandaccomplishedthere，underthewell—pleasedeyeoftheCreator，inthatenclosurethreehundredfeetsquare，theholymysteryoffraternity，symbolofthehumanfraternity。
Thisgardenwasnolongeragarden，itwasacolossalthicket，thatistosay，somethingasimpenetrableasaforest，aspeopledasacity，quiveringlikeanest，sombrelikeacathedral，fragrantlikeabouquet，solitaryasatomb，livingasathrong。
InFloreal[34]thisenormousthicket，freebehinditsgateandwithinitsfourwalls，entereduponthesecretlaborofgermination，quiveredintherisingsun，almostlikeananimalwhichdrinksinthebreathsofcosmiclove，andwhichfeelsthesapofAprilrisingandboilinginitsveins，andshakestothewinditsenormouswonderfulgreenlocks，sprinkledonthedampearth，onthedefacedstatues，onthecrumblingstepsofthepavilion，andevenonthepavementofthedesertedstreet，flowerslikestars，dewlikepearls，fecundity，beauty，life，joy，perfumes。Atmidday，athousandwhitebutterfliestookrefugethere，anditwasadivinespectacletoseethatlivingsummersnowwhirlingaboutthereinflakesamidtheshade。There，inthosegayshadowsofverdure，athrongofinnocentvoicesspokesweetlytothesoul，andwhatthetwitteringforgottosaythehummingcompleted。Intheevening，adreamyvaporexhaledfromthegardenandenvelopedit；ashroudofmist，acalmandcelestialsadnesscoveredit；theintoxicatingperfumeofthehoneysucklesandconvolvuluspouredoutfromeverypartofit，likeanexquisiteandsubtlepoison；thelastappealsofthewoodpeckersandthewagtailswereaudibleastheydozedamongthebranches；onefeltthesacredintimacyofthebirdsandthetrees；
bydaythewingsrejoicetheleaves，bynighttheleavesprotectthewings。
[34]FromApril19toMay20。
Inwinterthethicketwasblack，dripping，bristling，shivering，andallowedsomeglimpseofthehouse。Insteadofflowersonthebranchesanddewintheflowers，thelongsilverytracksofthesnailswerevisibleonthecold，thickcarpetofyellowleaves；butinanyfashion，underanyaspect，atallseasons，spring，winter，summer，autumn，thistinyenclosurebreathedforthmelancholy，contemplation，solitude，liberty，theabsenceofman，thepresenceofGod；andtherustyoldgatehadtheairofsaying:\"Thisgardenbelongstome。\"
ItwasofnoavailthatthepavementsofPariswerethereoneveryside，theclassicandsplendidhotelsoftheRuedeVarennesacoupleofpacesaway，thedomeoftheInvalidescloseathand，theChamberofDeputiesnotfaroff；thecarriagesoftheRuedeBourgogneandoftheRueSaint—Dominiquerumbledluxuriously，invain，inthevicinity，invaindidtheyellow，brown，white，andredomnibusescrosseachother’scourseattheneighboringcross—roads；
theRuePlumetwasthedesert；andthedeathoftheformerproprietors，therevolutionwhichhadpassedoverit，thecrumblingawayofancientfortunes，absence，forgetfulness，fortyyearsofabandonmentandwidowhood，hadsufficedtorestoretothisprivilegedspotferns，mulleins，hemlock，yarrow，tallweeds，greatcrimpedplants，withlargeleavesofpalegreencloth，lizards，beetles，uneasyandrapidinsects；tocausetospringforthfromthedepthsoftheearthandtoreappearbetweenthosefourwallsacertainindescribableandsavagegrandeur；andfornature，whichdisconcertsthepettyarrangementsofman，andwhichshedsherselfalwaysthoroughlywhereshediffusesherselfatall，intheantaswellasintheeagle，toblossomoutinapettylittleParisiangardenwithasmuchrudeforceandmajestyasinavirginforestoftheNewWorld。
Nothingissmall，infact；anyonewhoissubjecttotheprofoundandpenetratinginfluenceofnatureknowsthis。Althoughnoabsolutesatisfactionisgiventophilosophy，eithertocircumscribethecauseortolimittheeffect，thecontemplatorfallsintothoseunfathomableecstasiescausedbythesedecompositionsofforceterminatinginunity。Everythingtoilsateverything。
Algebraisappliedtotheclouds；theradiationofthestarprofitstherose；nothinkerwouldventuretoaffirmthattheperfumeofthehawthornisuselesstotheconstellations。Who，then，cancalculatethecourseofamolecule？Howdoweknowthatthecreationofworldsisnotdeterminedbythefallofgrainsofsand？Whoknowsthereciprocalebbandflowoftheinfinitelygreatandtheinfinitelylittle，thereverberationsofcausesintheprecipicesofbeing，andtheavalanchesofcreation？Thetiniestwormisofimportance；
thegreatislittle，thelittleisgreat；everythingisbalancedinnecessity；alarmingvisionforthemind。Therearemarvellousrelationsbetweenbeingsandthings；inthatinexhaustiblewhole，fromthesuntothegrub，nothingdespisestheother；allhaveneedofeachother。Thelightdoesnotbearawayterrestrialperfumesintotheazuredepths，withoutknowingwhatitisdoing；
thenightdistributesstellaressencestothesleepingflowers。
Allbirdsthatflyhaveroundtheirlegthethreadoftheinfinite。
Germinationiscomplicatedwiththeburstingforthofameteorandwiththepeckofaswallowcrackingitsegg，anditplacesononelevelthebirthofanearthwormandtheadventofSocrates。
Wherethetelescopeends，themicroscopebegins。Whichofthetwopossessesthelargerfieldofvision？Choose。Abitofmouldisapleiadofflowers；anebulaisanant—hillofstars。
Thesamepromiscuousness，andyetmoreunprecedented，existsbetweenthethingsoftheintelligenceandthefactsofsubstance。
Elementsandprinciplesmingle，combine，wed，multiplywitheachother，tosuchapointthatthematerialandthemoralworldarebroughteventuallytothesameclearness。Thephenomenonisperpetuallyreturninguponitself。Inthevastcosmicexchangestheuniversallifegoesandcomesinunknownquantities，rollingentirelyintheinvisiblemysteryofeffluvia，employingeverything，notlosingasingledream，notasingleslumber，sowingananimalculehere，crumblingtobitsaplanetthere，oscillatingandwinding，makingoflightaforceandofthoughtanelement，disseminatedandinvisible，dissolvingall，exceptthatgeometricalpoint，theI；bringingeverythingbacktothesoul—atom；expandingeverythinginGod，entanglingallactivity，fromsummittobase，intheobscurityofadizzymechanism，attachingtheflightofaninsecttothemovementoftheearth，subordinating，whoknows？Wereitonlybytheidentityofthelaw，theevolutionofthecometinthefirmamenttothewhirlingoftheinfusoriainthedropofwater。Amachinemadeofmind。
Enormousgearing，theprimemotorofwhichisthegnat，andwhosefinalwheelisthezodiac。
CHAPTERIV
CHANGEOFGATE
Itseemedthatthisgarden，createdinoldendaystoconcealwantonmysteries，hadbeentransformedandbecomefittedtoshelterchastemysteries。Therewerenolongereitherarbors，orbowlinggreens，ortunnels，orgrottos；therewasamagnificent，dishevelledobscurityfallinglikeaveiloverall。PaphoshadbeenmadeoverintoEden。
Itisimpossibletosaywhatelementofrepentancehadrenderedthisretreatwholesome。Thisflower—girlnowofferedherblossomtothesoul。Thiscoquettishgarden，formerlydecidedlycompromised，hadreturnedtovirginityandmodesty。Ajusticeassistedbyagardener，agoodmanwhothoughtthathewasacontinuationofLamoignon，andanothergoodmanwhothoughtthathewasacontinuationofLenotre，hadturneditabout，cut，ruffled，decked，mouldedittogallantry；
naturehadtakenpossessionofitoncemore，hadfilleditwithshade，andhadarrangeditforlove。
Therewas，also，inthissolitude，aheartwhichwasquiteready。
Lovehadonlytoshowhimself；hehadhereatemplecomposedofverdure，grass，moss，thesightofbirds，tendershadows，agitatedbranches，andasoulmadeofsweetness，offaith，ofcandor，ofhope，ofaspiration，andofillusion。
Cosettehadlefttheconventwhenshewasstillalmostachild；
shewasalittlemorethanfourteen，andshewasatthe\"ungratefulage\"；
wehavealreadysaid，thatwiththeexceptionofhereyes，shewashomelyratherthanpretty；shehadnoungracefulfeature，butshewasawkward，thin，timidandboldatonce，agrown—uplittlegirl，inshort。
Hereducationwasfinished，thatistosay，shehasbeentaughtreligion，andevenandaboveall，devotion；then\"history，\"thatistosaythethingthatbearsthatnameinconvents，geography，grammar，theparticiples，thekingsofFrance，alittlemusic，alittledrawing，etc。；butinallotherrespectsshewasutterlyignorant，whichisagreatcharmandagreatperil。Thesoulofayounggirlshouldnotbeleftinthedark；lateron，miragesthataretooabruptandtoolivelyareformedthere，asinadarkchamber。
Sheshouldbegentlyanddiscreetlyenlightened，ratherwiththereflectionofrealitiesthanwiththeirharshanddirectlight。
Ausefulandgraciouslyausterehalf—lightwhichdissipatespuerilefearsandobviatesfalls。Thereisnothingbutthematernalinstinct，thatadmirableintuitioncomposedofthememoriesofthevirginandtheexperienceofthewoman，whichknowshowthishalf—lightistobecreatedandofwhatitshouldconsist。
Nothingsuppliestheplaceofthisinstinct。Allthenunsintheworldarenotworthasmuchasonemotherintheformationofayounggirl’ssoul。
Cosettehadhadnomother。Shehadonlyhadmanymothers，intheplural。
AsforJeanValjean，hewas，indeed，alltenderness，allsolicitude；
buthewasonlyanoldmanandheknewnothingatall。
Now，inthisworkofeducation，inthisgravematterofpreparingawomanforlife，whatscienceisrequiredtocombatthatvastignorancewhichiscalledinnocence！
Nothingpreparesayounggirlforpassionsliketheconvent。
Theconventturnsthethoughtsinthedirectionoftheunknown。
Theheart，thusthrownbackuponitself，worksdownwardwithinitself，sinceitcannotoverflow，andgrowsdeep，sinceitcannotexpand。
Hencevisions，suppositions，conjectures，outlinesofromances，adesireforadventures，fantasticconstructions，edificesbuiltwhollyintheinnerobscurityofthemind，sombreandsecretabodeswherethepassionsimmediatelyfindalodgementassoonastheopengatepermitsthemtoenter。Theconventisacompressionwhich，inordertotriumphoverthehumanheart，shouldlastduringthewholelife。
Onquittingtheconvent，CosettecouldhavefoundnothingmoresweetandmoredangerousthanthehouseintheRuePlumet。
Itwasthecontinuationofsolitudewiththebeginningofliberty；
agardenthatwasclosed，butanaturethatwasacrid，rich，voluptuous，andfragrant；thesamedreamsasintheconvent，butwithglimpsesofyoungmen；agrating，butonethatopenedonthestreet。
Still，whenshearrivedthere，werepeat，shewasonlyachild。
JeanValjeangavethisneglectedgardenovertoher。\"Dowhatyoulikewithit，\"hesaidtoher。ThisamusedCosette；sheturnedoveralltheclumpsandallthestones，shehuntedfor\"beasts\"；sheplayedinit，whileawaitingthetimewhenshewoulddreaminit；
shelovedthisgardenfortheinsectsthatshefoundbeneathherfeetamidthegrass，whileawaitingthedaywhenshewouldloveitforthestarsthatshewouldseethroughtheboughsaboveherhead。
Andthen，shelovedherfather，thatistosay，JeanValjean，withallhersoul，withaninnocentfilialpassionwhichmadethegoodmanabelovedandcharmingcompaniontoher。ItwillberememberedthatM。Madeleinehadbeeninthehabitofreadingagreatdeal。JeanValjeanhadcontinuedthispractice；hehadcometoconversewell；hepossessedthesecretrichesandtheeloquenceofatrueandhumblemindwhichhasspontaneouslycultivateditself。
Heretainedjustenoughsharpnesstoseasonhiskindness；hismindwasroughandhisheartwassoft。DuringtheirconversationsintheLuxembourg，hegaveherexplanationsofeverything，drawingonwhathehadread，andalsoonwhathehadsuffered。
Asshelistenedtohim，Cosette’seyeswanderedvaguelyabout。
ThissimplemansufficedforCosette’sthought，thesameasthewildgardensufficedforhereyes。Whenshehadhadagoodchaseafterthebutterflies，shecamepantinguptohimandsaid:\"Ah！HowI
haverun！\"Hekissedherbrow。
Cosetteadoredthegoodman。Shewasalwaysathisheels。
WhereJeanValjeanwas，therehappinesswas。JeanValjeanlivedneitherinthepavilionnorthegarden；shetookgreaterpleasureinthepavedbackcourtyard，thanintheenclosurefilledwithflowers，andinhislittlelodgefurnishedwithstraw—seatedchairsthaninthegreatdrawing—roomhungwithtapestry，againstwhichstoodtuftedeasy—chairs。JeanValjeansometimessaidtoher，smilingathishappinessinbeingimportuned:\"Dogotoyourownquarters！
Leavemealonealittle！\"
Shegavehimthosecharmingandtenderscoldingswhicharesogracefulwhentheycomefromadaughtertoherfather。
\"Father，Iamverycoldinyourrooms；whydon’tyouhaveacarpethereandastove？\"
\"Dearchild，therearesomanypeoplewhoarebetterthanI
andwhohavenotevenaroofovertheirheads。\"
\"Thenwhyisthereafireinmyrooms，andeverythingthatisneeded？\"
\"Becauseyouareawomanandachild。\"
\"Bah！mustmenbecoldandfeeluncomfortable？\"
\"Certainmen。\"
\"Thatisgood，Ishallcomeheresooftenthatyouwillbeobligedtohaveafire。\"
Andagainshesaidtohim:——
\"Father，whydoyoueathorriblebreadlikethat？\"
\"Because，mydaughter。\"
\"Well，ifyoueatit，Iwilleatittoo。\"
Then，inordertopreventCosetteeatingblackbread，JeanValjeanatewhitebread。
Cosettehadbutaconfusedrecollectionofherchildhood。Sheprayedmorningandeveningforhermotherwhomshehadneverknown。
TheThenardiershadremainedwithherastwohideousfiguresinadream。Sherememberedthatshehadgone\"oneday，atnight，\"
tofetchwaterinaforest。ShethoughtthatithadbeenveryfarfromParis。Itseemedtoherthatshehadbeguntoliveinanabyss，andthatitwasJeanValjeanwhohadrescuedherfromit。
Herchildhoodproduceduponhertheeffectofatimewhentherehadbeennothingaroundherbutmillepeds，spiders，andserpents。
Whenshemeditatedintheevening，beforefallingasleep，asshehadnotaveryclearideathatshewasJeanValjean’sdaughter，andthathewasherfather，shefanciedthatthesoulofhermotherhadpassedintothatgoodmanandhadcometodwellnearher。
Whenhewasseated，sheleanedhercheekagainsthiswhitehair，anddroppedasilenttear，sayingtoherself:\"Perhapsthismanismymother。\"
Cosette，althoughthisisastrangestatementtomake，intheprofoundignoranceofagirlbroughtupinaconvent，——
maternitybeingalsoabsolutelyunintelligibletovirginity，——
hadendedbyfancyingthatshehadhadaslittlemotheraspossible。
Shedidnotevenknowhermother’sname。WheneversheaskedJeanValjean，JeanValjeanremainedsilent。Ifsherepeatedherquestion，herespondedwithasmile。Oncesheinsisted；thesmileendedinatear。
ThissilenceonthepartofJeanValjeancoveredFantinewithdarkness。
Wasitprudence？Wasitrespect？Wasitafearthatheshoulddeliverthisnametothehazardsofanothermemorythanhisown？
SolongasCosettehadbeensmall，JeanValjeanhadbeenwillingtotalktoherofhermother；whenshebecameayounggirl，itwasimpossibleforhimtodoso。Itseemedtohimthathenolongerdared。WasitbecauseofCosette？WasitbecauseofFantine？HefeltacertainreligioushorroratlettingthatshadowenterCosette’sthought；
andofplacingathirdintheirdestiny。Themoresacredthisshadewastohim，themorediditseemthatitwastobefeared。
HethoughtofFantine，andfelthimselfoverwhelmedwithsilence。
Throughthedarkness，hevaguelyperceivedsomethingwhichappearedtohaveitsfingeronitslips。HadallthemodestywhichhadbeeninFantine，andwhichhadviolentlyquittedherduringherlifetime，returnedtorestuponherafterherdeath，towatchinindignationoverthepeaceofthatdeadwoman，andinitsshyness，tokeepherinhergrave？WasJeanValjeanunconsciouslysubmittingtothepressure？
Wewhobelieveindeath，arenotamongthenumberwhowillrejectthismysteriousexplanation。
Hencetheimpossibilityofuttering，evenforCosette，thatnameofFantine。
OnedayCosettesaidtohim:——
\"Father，Isawmymotherinadreamlastnight。Shehadtwobigwings。
Mymothermusthavebeenalmostasaintduringherlife。\"
\"Throughmartyrdom，\"repliedJeanValjean。
However，JeanValjeanwashappy。
WhenCosettewentoutwithhim，sheleanedonhisarm，proudandhappy，intheplenitudeofherheart。JeanValjeanfelthisheartmeltwithinhimwithdelight，atallthesesparksofatendernesssoexclusive，sowhollysatisfiedwithhimselfalone。Thepoormantrembled，inundatedwithangelicjoy；hedeclaredtohimselfecstaticallythatthiswouldlastalltheirlives；hetoldhimselfthathereallyhadnotsufferedsufficientlytomeritsoradiantabliss，andhethankedGod，inthedepthsofhissoul，forhavingpermittedhimtobelovedthus，he，awretch，bythatinnocentbeing。
CHAPTERV
THEROSEPERCEIVESTHATITISANENGINEOFWAR
Oneday，Cosettechancedtolookatherselfinhermirror，andshesaidtoherself:\"Really！\"Itseemedtoheralmostthatshewaspretty。Thisthrewherinasingularlytroubledstateofmind。Uptothatmomentshehadneverthoughtofherface。
Shesawherselfinhermirror，butshedidnotlookatherself。
Andthen，shehadsooftenbeentoldthatshewashomely；
JeanValjeanalonesaidgently:\"Noindeed！noindeed！\"
Atallevents，Cosettehadalwaysthoughtherselfhomely，andhadgrownupinthatbeliefwiththeeasyresignationofchildhood。
Andhere，allatonce，washermirrorsayingtoher，asJeanValjeanhadsaid:\"Noindeed！\"Thatnight，shedidnotsleep。\"WhatifI
werepretty！\"shethought。\"HowodditwouldbeifIwerepretty！\"
Andsherecalledthoseofhercompanionswhosebeautyhadproducedasensationintheconvent，andshesaidtoherself:\"What！AmItobelikeMademoiselleSo—and—So？\"
Thenextmorningshelookedatherselfagain，notbyaccidentthistime，andshewasassailedwithdoubts:\"WheredidIgetsuchanidea？\"
saidshe；\"no，Iamugly。\"Shehadnotsleptwell，thatwasall，hereyesweresunkenandshewaspale。Shehadnotfeltveryjoyousontheprecedingeveninginthebeliefthatshewasbeautiful，butitmadeherverysadnottobeabletobelieveinitanylonger。
Shedidnotlookatherselfagain，andformorethanafortnightshetriedtodressherhairwithherbackturnedtothemirror。
Intheevening，afterdinner，shegenerallyembroideredinwoolordidsomeconventneedleworkinthedrawing—room，andJeanValjeanreadbesideher。Oncesheraisedhereyesfromherwork，andwasrenderedquiteuneasybythemannerinwhichherfatherwasgazingather。
Onanotheroccasion，shewaspassingalongthestreet，anditseemedtoherthatsomeonebehindher，whomshedidnotsee，said:\"Aprettywoman！butbadlydressed。\"
\"Bah！\"shethought，\"hedoesnotmeanme。Iamwelldressedandugly。\"Shewasthenwearingaplushhatandhermerinogown。
Atlast，onedaywhenshewasinthegarden，sheheardpooroldToussaintsaying:\"DoyounoticehowprettyCosetteisgrowing，sir？\"
Cosettedidnothearherfather’sreply，butToussaint’swordscausedasortofcommotionwithinher。Shefledfromthegarden，ranuptoherroom，flewtothelooking—glass，——itwasthreemonthssinceshehadlookedatherself，——andgaveventtoacry。
Shehadjustdazzledherself。
Shewasbeautifulandlovely；shecouldnothelpagreeingwithToussaintandhermirror。Herfigurewasformed，herskinhadgrownwhite，herhairwaslustrous，anunaccustomedsplendorhadbeenlightedinherblueeyes。Theconsciousnessofherbeautyburstuponherinaninstant，likethesuddenadventofdaylight；
otherpeoplenoticeditalso，Toussainthadsaidso，itwasevidentlysheofwhomthepasser—byhadspoken，therecouldnolongerbeanydoubtofthat；shedescendedtothegardenagain，thinkingherselfaqueen，imaginingthatsheheardthebirdssinging，thoughitwaswinter，seeingtheskygilded，thesunamongthetrees，flowersinthethickets，distracted，wild，ininexpressibledelight。
JeanValjean，onhisside，experiencedadeepandundefinableoppressionatheart。
Infact，hehad，forsometimepast，beencontemplatingwithterrorthatbeautywhichseemedtogrowmoreradianteverydayonCosette’ssweetface。Thedawnthatwassmilingforallwasgloomyforhim。
Cosettehadbeenbeautifulforatolerablylongtimebeforeshebecameawareofitherself。But，fromtheveryfirstday，thatunexpectedlightwhichwasrisingslowlyandenvelopingthewholeoftheyounggirl’sperson，woundedJeanValjean’ssombreeye。
Hefeltthatitwasachangeinahappylife，alifesohappythathedidnotdaretomoveforfearofdisarrangingsomething。
Thisman，whohadpassedthroughallmannerofdistresses，whowasstillallbleedingfromthebruisesoffate，whohadbeenalmostwickedandwhohadbecomealmostasaint，who，afterhavingdraggedthechainofthegalleys，wasnowdraggingtheinvisiblebutheavychainofindefinitemisery，thismanwhomthelawhadnotreleasedfromitsgraspandwhocouldbeseizedatanymomentandbroughtbackfromtheobscurityofhisvirtuetothebroaddaylightofpublicopprobrium，thismanacceptedall，excusedall，pardonedall，andmerelyaskedofProvidence，ofman，ofthelaw，ofsociety，ofnature，oftheworld，onething，thatCosettemightlovehim！
ThatCosettemightcontinuetolovehim！ThatGodwouldnotpreventtheheartofthechildfromcomingtohim，andfromremainingwithhim！
BelovedbyCosette，hefeltthathewashealed，rested，appeased，loadedwithbenefits，recompensed，crowned。BelovedbyCosette，itwaswellwithhim！Heaskednothingmore！Hadanyonesaidtohim:\"Doyouwantanythingbetter？\"hewouldhaveanswered:
\"No。\"Godmighthavesaidtohim:\"Doyoudesireheaven？\"andhewouldhavereplied:\"Ishouldlosebyit。\"
Everythingwhichcouldaffectthissituation，ifonlyonthesurface，madehimshudderlikethebeginningofsomethingnew。Hehadneverknownverydistinctlyhimselfwhatthebeautyofawomanmeans；
butheunderstoodinstinctively，thatitwassomethingterrible。
Hegazedwithterroronthisbeauty，whichwasblossomingoutevermoretriumphantandsuperbbesidehim，beneathhisveryeyes，ontheinnocentandformidablebrowofthatchild，fromthedepthsofherhomeliness，ofhisoldage，ofhismisery，ofhisreprobation。
Hesaidtohimself:\"Howbeautifulsheis！Whatistobecomeofme？\"
There，moreover，laythedifferencebetweenhistendernessandthetendernessofamother。Whathebeheldwithanguish，amotherwouldhavegazeduponwithjoy。
Thefirstsymptomswerenotlonginmakingtheirappearance。
Ontheverymorrowofthedayonwhichshehadsaidtoherself:
\"DecidedlyIambeautiful！\"Cosettebegantopayattentiontohertoilet。Sherecalledtheremarkofthatpasser—by:\"Pretty，butbadlydressed，\"thebreathofanoraclewhichhadpassedbesideherandhadvanished，afterdepositinginherheartoneofthetwogermswhicharedestined，lateron，tofillthewholelifeofwoman，coquetry。Loveistheother。
Withfaithinherbeauty，thewholefemininesoulexpandedwithinher。
Sheconceivedahorrorforhermerinos，andshameforherplushhat。
Herfatherhadneverrefusedheranything。Sheatonceacquiredthewholescienceofthebonnet，thegown，themantle，theboot，thecuff，thestuffwhichisinfashion，thecolorwhichisbecoming，thatsciencewhichmakesoftheParisianwomansomethingsocharming，sodeep，andsodangerous。ThewordsheadywomanwereinventedfortheParisienne。
Inlessthanamonth，littleCosette，inthatThebaidoftheRuedeBabylone，wasnotonlyoneoftheprettiest，butoneofthe\"bestdressed\"womeninParis，whichmeansagreatdealmore。
Shewouldhavelikedtoencounterher\"passer—by，\"toseewhathewouldsay，andto\"teachhimalesson！\"Thetruthis，thatshewasravishingineveryrespect，andthatshedistinguishedthedifferencebetweenabonnetfromGerardandonefromHerbautinthemostmarvellousway。
JeanValjeanwatchedtheseravageswithanxiety。Hewhofeltthathecouldneverdoanythingbutcrawl，walkatthemost，beheldwingssproutingonCosette。
Moreover，fromthemereinspectionofCosette’stoilet，awomanwouldhaverecognizedthefactthatshehadnomother。
Certainlittleproprieties，certainspecialconventionalities，werenotobservedbyCosette。Amother，forinstance，wouldhavetoldherthatayounggirldoesnotdressindamask。
ThefirstdaythatCosettewentoutinherblackdamaskgownandmantle，andherwhitecrapebonnet，shetookJeanValjean’sarm，gay，radiant，rosy，proud，dazzling。\"Father，\"shesaid，\"howdoyoulikemeinthisguise？\"JeanValjeanrepliedinavoicewhichresembledthebittervoiceofanenviousman:\"Charming！\"Hewasthesameasusualduringtheirwalk。Ontheirreturnhome，heaskedCosette:——
\"Won’tyouputonthatothergownandbonnetagain，——youknowtheonesImean？\"
ThistookplaceinCosette’schamber。Cosetteturnedtowardsthewardrobewherehercast—offschoolgirl’sclotheswerehanging。
\"Thatdisguise！\"saidshe。\"Father，whatdoyouwantmetodowithit？
Ohno，theidea！Ishallneverputonthosehorrorsagain。