PREFACE
Solongasthereshallexist，byvirtueoflawandcustom，decreesofdamnationpronouncedbysociety，artificiallycreatinghellsamidthecivilizationofearth，andaddingtheelementofhumanfatetodivinedestiny；solongasthethreegreatproblemsofthecentury——
thedegradationofmanthroughpauperism，thecorruptionofwomanthroughhunger，thecripplingofchildrenthroughlackoflight——
areunsolved；solongassocialasphyxiaispossibleinanypartoftheworld；——inotherwords，andwithastillwidersignificance，solongasignoranceandpovertyexistonearth，booksofthenatureofLesMiserablescannotfailtobeofuse。
HAUTEVILLEHOUSE，1862。
BOOKFIRST——AJUSTMAN
CHAPTERI
M。MYRIEL
In1815，M。Charles—Francois—BienvenuMyrielwasBishopofD————
Hewasanoldmanofaboutseventy—fiveyearsofage；hehadoccupiedtheseeofD————since1806。
Althoughthisdetailhasnoconnectionwhateverwiththerealsubstanceofwhatweareabouttorelate，itwillnotbesuperfluous，ifmerelyforthesakeofexactnessinallpoints，tomentionherethevariousrumorsandremarkswhichhadbeenincirculationabouthimfromtheverymomentwhenhearrivedinthediocese。Trueorfalse，thatwhichissaidofmenoftenoccupiesasimportantaplaceintheirlives，andaboveallintheirdestinies，asthatwhichtheydo。
M。MyrielwasthesonofacouncilloroftheParliamentofAix；
hencehebelongedtothenobilityofthebar。Itwassaidthathisfather，destininghimtobetheheirofhisownpost，hadmarriedhimataveryearlyage，eighteenortwenty，inaccordancewithacustomwhichisratherwidelyprevalentinparliamentaryfamilies。
Inspiteofthismarriage，however，itwassaidthatCharlesMyrielcreatedagreatdealoftalk。Hewaswellformed，thoughrathershortinstature，elegant，graceful，intelligent；thewholeofthefirstportionofhislifehadbeendevotedtotheworldandtogallantry。
TheRevolutioncame；eventssucceededeachotherwithprecipitation；
theparliamentaryfamilies，decimated，pursued，hunteddown，weredispersed。M。CharlesMyrielemigratedtoItalyattheverybeginningoftheRevolution。Therehiswifediedofamaladyofthechest，fromwhichshehadlongsuffered。Hehadnochildren。
WhattookplacenextinthefateofM。Myriel？TheruinoftheFrenchsocietyoftheoldendays，thefallofhisownfamily，thetragicspectaclesof’93，whichwere，perhaps，evenmorealarmingtotheemigrantswhoviewedthemfromadistance，withthemagnifyingpowersofterror，——didthesecausetheideasofrenunciationandsolitudetogerminateinhim？Washe，inthemidstofthesedistractions，theseaffectionswhichabsorbedhislife，suddenlysmittenwithoneofthosemysteriousandterribleblowswhichsometimesoverwhelm，bystrikingtohisheart，amanwhompubliccatastropheswouldnotshake，bystrikingathisexistenceandhisfortune？Noonecouldhavetold:allthatwasknownwas，thatwhenhereturnedfromItalyhewasapriest。
In1804，M。MyrielwastheCureofB————[Brignolles]。Hewasalreadyadvancedinyears，andlivedinaveryretiredmanner。
Abouttheepochofthecoronation，somepettyaffairconnectedwithhiscuracy——justwhat，isnotpreciselyknown——tookhimtoParis。AmongotherpowerfulpersonstowhomhewenttosolicitaidforhisparishionerswasM。leCardinalFesch。Oneday，whentheEmperorhadcometovisithisuncle，theworthyCure，whowaswaitingintheanteroom，foundhimselfpresentwhenHisMajestypassed。Napoleon，onfindinghimselfobservedwithacertaincuriositybythisoldman，turnedroundandsaidabruptly:——
"Whoisthisgoodmanwhoisstaringatme？"
"Sire，"saidM。Myriel，"youarelookingatagoodman，andI
atagreatman。Eachofuscanprofitbyit。"
Thatveryevening，theEmperoraskedtheCardinalthenameoftheCure，andsometimeafterwardsM。MyrielwasutterlyastonishedtolearnthathehadbeenappointedBishopofD————
Whattruthwasthere，afterall，inthestorieswhichwereinventedastotheearlyportionofM。Myriel’slife？Nooneknew。
VeryfewfamilieshadbeenacquaintedwiththeMyrielfamilybeforetheRevolution。
M。Myrielhadtoundergothefateofeverynewcomerinalittletown，wheretherearemanymouthswhichtalk，andveryfewheadswhichthink。
Hewasobligedtoundergoitalthoughhewasabishop，andbecausehewasabishop。Butafterall，therumorswithwhichhisnamewasconnectedwererumorsonly，——noise，sayings，words；lessthanwords——
palabres，astheenergeticlanguageoftheSouthexpressesit。
Howeverthatmaybe，afternineyearsofepiscopalpowerandofresidenceinD————，allthestoriesandsubjectsofconversationwhichengrosspettytownsandpettypeopleattheoutsethadfallenintoprofoundoblivion。Noonewouldhavedaredtomentionthem；
noonewouldhavedaredtorecallthem。
M。MyrielhadarrivedatD————accompaniedbyanelderlyspinster，MademoiselleBaptistine，whowashissister，andtenyearshisjunior。
TheironlydomesticwasafemaleservantofthesameageasMademoiselleBaptistine，andnamedMadameMagloire，who，afterhavingbeentheservantofM。leCure，nowassumedthedoubletitleofmaidtoMademoiselleandhousekeepertoMonseigneur。
MademoiselleBaptistinewasalong，pale，thin，gentlecreature；
sherealizedtheidealexpressedbytheword"respectable"；foritseemsthatawomanmustneedsbeamotherinordertobevenerable。
Shehadneverbeenpretty；herwholelife，whichhadbeennothingbutasuccessionofholydeeds，hadfinallyconferreduponherasortofpallorandtransparency；andassheadvancedinyearsshehadacquiredwhatmaybecalledthebeautyofgoodness。
Whathadbeenleannessinheryouthhadbecometransparencyinhermaturity；andthisdiaphaneityallowedtheangeltobeseen。
Shewasasoulratherthanavirgin。Herpersonseemedmadeofashadow；therewashardlysufficientbodytoprovideforsex；
alittlematterenclosingalight；largeeyesforeverdrooping；——
amerepretextforasoul’sremainingontheearth。
MadameMagloirewasalittle，fat，whiteoldwoman，corpulentandbustling；alwaysoutofbreath，——inthefirstplace，becauseofheractivity，andinthenext，becauseofherasthma。
Onhisarrival，M。MyrielwasinstalledintheepiscopalpalacewiththehonorsrequiredbytheImperialdecrees，whichclassabishopimmediatelyafteramajor—general。Themayorandthepresidentpaidthefirstcallonhim，andhe，inturn，paidthefirstcallonthegeneralandtheprefect。
Theinstallationover，thetownwaitedtoseeitsbishopatwork。
CHAPTERII
M。MYRIELBECOMESM。WELCOME
TheepiscopalpalaceofD————adjoinsthehospital。
Theepiscopalpalacewasahugeandbeautifulhouse，builtofstoneatthebeginningofthelastcenturybyM。HenriPuget，DoctorofTheologyoftheFacultyofParis，AbbeofSimore，whohadbeenBishopofD————in1712。Thispalacewasagenuineseignorialresidence。
Everythingaboutithadagrandair，——theapartmentsoftheBishop，thedrawing—rooms，thechambers，theprincipalcourtyard，whichwasverylarge，withwalksencirclingitunderarcadesintheoldFlorentinefashion，andgardensplantedwithmagnificenttrees。
Inthedining—room，alongandsuperbgallerywhichwassituatedontheground—floorandopenedonthegardens，M。HenriPugethadentertainedinstate，onJuly29，1714，MyLordsCharlesBrulartdeGenlis，archbishop；Princed’Embrun；AntoinedeMesgrigny，thecapuchin，BishopofGrasse；PhilippedeVendome，GrandPriorofFrance，AbbeofSaintHonoredeLerins；FrancoisdeBertondeCrillon，bishop，BarondeVence；CesardeSabrandeForcalquier，bishop，SeignorofGlandeve；andJeanSoanen，PriestoftheOratory，preacherinordinarytotheking，bishop，SeignorofSenez。
Theportraitsofthesesevenreverendpersonagesdecoratedthisapartment；
andthismemorabledate，the29thofJuly，1714，wasthereengravedinlettersofgoldonatableofwhitemarble。
Thehospitalwasalowandnarrowbuildingofasinglestory，withasmallgarden。
Threedaysafterhisarrival，theBishopvisitedthehospital。
Thevisitended，hehadthedirectorrequestedtobesogoodastocometohishouse。
"Monsieurthedirectorofthehospital，"saidhetohim，"howmanysickpeoplehaveyouatthepresentmoment？"
"Twenty—six，Monseigneur。"
"ThatwasthenumberwhichIcounted，"saidtheBishop。
"Thebeds，"pursuedthedirector，"areverymuchcrowdedagainsteachother。"
"ThatiswhatIobserved。"
"Thehallsarenothingbutrooms，anditiswithdifficultythattheaircanbechangedinthem。"
"Soitseemstome。"
"Andthen，whenthereisarayofsun，thegardenisverysmallfortheconvalescents。"
"ThatwaswhatIsaidtomyself。"
"Incaseofepidemics，——wehavehadthetyphusfeverthisyear；
wehadthesweatingsicknesstwoyearsago，andahundredpatientsattimes，——weknownotwhattodo。"
"Thatisthethoughtwhichoccurredtome。"
"Whatwouldyouhave，Monseigneur？"saidthedirector。"Onemustresignone’sself。"
Thisconversationtookplaceinthegallerydining—roomontheground—floor。
TheBishopremainedsilentforamoment；thenheturnedabruptlytothedirectorofthehospital。
"Monsieur，"saidhe，"howmanybedsdoyouthinkthishallalonewouldhold？"
"Monseigneur’sdining—room？"exclaimedthestupefieddirector。
TheBishopcastaglanceroundtheapartment，andseemedtobetakingmeasuresandcalculationswithhiseyes。
"Itwouldholdfulltwentybeds，"saidhe，asthoughspeakingtohimself。Then，raisinghisvoice:——
"Hold，Monsieurthedirectorofthehospital，Iwilltellyousomething。
Thereisevidentlyamistakehere。Therearethirty—sixofyou，infiveorsixsmallrooms。Therearethreeofushere，andwehaveroomforsixty。Thereissomemistake，Itellyou；
youhavemyhouse，andIhaveyours。Givemebackmyhouse；
youareathomehere。"
Onthefollowingdaythethirty—sixpatientswereinstalledintheBishop’spalace，andtheBishopwassettledinthehospital。
M。Myrielhadnoproperty，hisfamilyhavingbeenruinedbytheRevolution。Hissisterwasinreceiptofayearlyincomeoffivehundredfrancs，whichsufficedforherpersonalwantsatthevicarage。M。MyrielreceivedfromtheState，inhisqualityofbishop，asalaryoffifteenthousandfrancs。Ontheverydaywhenhetookuphisabodeinthehospital，M。Myrielsettledonthedispositionofthissumonceforall，inthefollowingmanner。
Wetranscribehereanotemadebyhisownhand:——
NOTEONTHEREGULATIONOFMYHOUSEHOLDEXPENSES。
Forthelittleseminary……1，500livresSocietyofthemission……100"
FortheLazaristsofMontdidier……100"
SeminaryforforeignmissionsinParis……200"
CongregationoftheHolySpirit……150"
ReligiousestablishmentsoftheHolyLand……100"
Charitablematernitysocieties……300"
Extra，forthatofArles……50"
Workfortheameliorationofprisons……400"
Workforthereliefanddeliveryofprisoners……500"
Toliberatefathersoffamiliesincarceratedfordebt1，000"
Additiontothesalaryofthepoorteachersofthediocese……2，000"
PublicgranaryoftheHautes—Alpes……100"
CongregationoftheladiesofD————，ofManosque，andofSisteron，forthegratuitousinstructionofpoorgirls……1，500"
Forthepoor……6，000"
Mypersonalexpenses……1，000"
——————
Total……15，000"
M。MyrielmadenochangeinthisarrangementduringtheentireperiodthatheoccupiedtheseeofD————Ashasbeenseen，hecalleditregulatinghishouseholdexpenses。
ThisarrangementwasacceptedwithabsolutesubmissionbyMademoiselleBaptistine。ThisholywomanregardedMonseigneurofD————
asatoneandthesametimeherbrotherandherbishop，herfriendaccordingtothefleshandhersuperioraccordingtotheChurch。
Shesimplylovedandveneratedhim。Whenhespoke，shebowed；
whenheacted，sheyieldedheradherence。Theironlyservant，MadameMagloire，grumbledalittle。ItwillbeobservedthatMonsieurtheBishophadreservedforhimselfonlyonethousandlivres，which，addedtothepensionofMademoiselleBaptistine，madefifteenhundredfrancsayear。Onthesefifteenhundredfrancsthesetwooldwomenandtheoldmansubsisted。
AndwhenavillagecuratecametoD————，theBishopstillfoundmeanstoentertainhim，thankstothesevereeconomyofMadameMagloire，andtotheintelligentadministrationofMademoiselleBaptistine。
Oneday，afterhehadbeeninD————aboutthreemonths，theBishopsaid:——
"AndstillIamquitecrampedwithitall！"
"Ishouldthinkso！"exclaimedMadameMagloire。"Monseigneurhasnotevenclaimedtheallowancewhichthedepartmentoweshimfortheexpenseofhiscarriageintown，andforhisjourneysaboutthediocese。Itwascustomaryforbishopsinformerdays。"
"Hold！"criedtheBishop，"youarequiteright，MadameMagloire。"
Andhemadehisdemand。
SometimeafterwardstheGeneralCounciltookthisdemandunderconsideration，andvotedhimanannualsumofthreethousandfrancs，underthisheading:AllowancetoM。theBishopforexpensesofcarriage，expensesofposting，andexpensesofpastoralvisits。
Thisprovokedagreatoutcryamongthelocalburgesses；
andasenatoroftheEmpire，aformermemberoftheCounciloftheFiveHundredwhichfavoredthe18Brumaire，andwhowasprovidedwithamagnificentsenatorialofficeinthevicinityofthetownofD————，wrotetoM。BigotdePreameneu，theministerofpublicworship，averyangryandconfidentialnoteonthesubject，fromwhichweextracttheseauthenticlines:——
"Expensesofcarriage？Whatcanbedonewithitinatownoflessthanfourthousandinhabitants？Expensesofjourneys？Whatistheuseofthesetrips，inthefirstplace？Next，howcanthepostingbeaccomplishedinthesemountainousparts？Therearenoroads。
Noonetravelsotherwisethanonhorseback。EventhebridgebetweenDuranceandChateau—Arnouxcanbarelysupportox—teams。
Thesepriestsareallthus，greedyandavaricious。Thismanplayedthegoodpriestwhenhefirstcame。Nowhedoesliketherest；
hemusthaveacarriageandaposting—chaise，hemusthaveluxuries，likethebishopsoftheoldendays。Oh，allthispriesthood！
Thingswillnotgowell，M。leComte，untiltheEmperorhasfreedusfromtheseblack—cappedrascals。DownwiththePope！[MattersweregettingembroiledwithRome。]Formypart，IamforCaesaralone。"
Etc。，etc。
Ontheotherhand，thisaffairaffordedgreatdelighttoMadameMagloire。
"Good，"saidshetoMademoiselleBaptistine；"Monseigneurbeganwithotherpeople，buthehashadtowindupwithhimself，afterall。
Hehasregulatedallhischarities。Nowherearethreethousandfrancsforus！Atlast！"
ThatsameeveningtheBishopwroteoutandhandedtohissisteramemorandumconceivedinthefollowingterms:——
EXPENSESOFCARRIAGEANDCIRCUIT。
Forfurnishingmeatsouptothepatientsinthehospital。1，500livresForthematernitycharitablesocietyofAix……250"
ForthematernitycharitablesocietyofDraguignan……250"
Forfoundlings……500"
Fororphans……500"
—————
Total……3，000"
SuchwasM。Myriel’sbudget。
Asforthechanceepiscopalperquisites，thefeesformarriagebans，dispensations，privatebaptisms，sermons，benedictions，ofchurchesorchapels，marriages，etc。，theBishopleviedthemonthewealthywithallthemoreasperity，sincehebestowedthemontheneedy。
Afteratime，offeringsofmoneyflowedin。ThosewhohadandthosewholackedknockedatM。Myriel’sdoor，——thelatterinsearchofthealmswhichtheformercametodeposit。InlessthanayeartheBishophadbecomethetreasurerofallbenevolenceandthecashierofallthoseindistress。Considerablesumsofmoneypassedthroughhishands，butnothingcouldinducehimtomakeanychangewhateverinhismodeoflife，oraddanythingsuperfluoustohisbarenecessities。
Farfromit。Asthereisalwaysmorewretchednessbelowthanthereisbrotherhoodabove，allwasgivenaway，sotospeak，beforeitwasreceived。Itwaslikewaterondrysoil；nomatterhowmuchmoneyhereceived，heneverhadany。Thenhestrippedhimself。
Theusagebeingthatbishopsshallannouncetheirbaptismalnamesattheheadoftheirchargesandtheirpastoralletters，thepoorpeopleofthecountry—sidehadselected，withasortofaffectionateinstinct，amongthenamesandprenomensoftheirbishop，thatwhichhadameaningforthem；andtheynevercalledhimanythingexceptMonseigneurBienvenu[Welcome]。Wewillfollowtheirexample，andwillalsocallhimthuswhenwehaveoccasiontonamehim。Moreover，thisappellationpleasedhim。
"Ilikethatname，"saidhe。"BienvenumakesupfortheMonseigneur。"
Wedonotclaimthattheportraitherewithpresentedisprobable；
weconfineourselvestostatingthatitresemblestheoriginal。
CHAPTERIII
AHARDBISHOPRICFORAGOODBISHOP
TheBishopdidnotomithispastoralvisitsbecausehehadconvertedhiscarriageintoalms。ThedioceseofD————isafatiguingone。
Thereareveryfewplainsandagreatmanymountains；hardlyanyroads，aswehavejustseen；thirty—twocuracies，forty—onevicarships，andtwohundredandeighty—fiveauxiliarychapels。Tovisitalltheseisquiteatask。
TheBishopmanagedtodoit。Hewentonfootwhenitwasintheneighborhood，inatiltedspring—cartwhenitwasontheplain，andonadonkeyinthemountains。Thetwooldwomenaccompaniedhim。
Whenthetripwastoohardforthem，hewentalone。
OnedayhearrivedatSenez，whichisanancientepiscopalcity。
Hewasmountedonanass。Hispurse，whichwasverydryatthatmoment，didnotpermithimanyotherequipage。Themayorofthetowncametoreceivehimatthegateofthetown，andwatchedhimdismountfromhisass，withscandalizedeyes。Someofthecitizenswerelaughingaroundhim。"MonsieurtheMayor，"saidtheBishop，"andMessieursCitizens，IperceivethatIshockyou。YouthinkitveryarrogantinapoorpriesttorideananimalwhichwasusedbyJesusChrist。Ihavedonesofromnecessity，Iassureyou，andnotfromvanity。"
Inthecourseofthesetripshewaskindandindulgent，andtalkedratherthanpreached。Heneverwentfarinsearchofhisargumentsandhisexamples。Hequotedtotheinhabitantsofonedistricttheexampleofaneighboringdistrict。Inthecantonswheretheywereharshtothepoor，hesaid:"LookatthepeopleofBriancon！
Theyhaveconferredonthepoor，onwidowsandorphans，therighttohavetheirmeadowsmownthreedaysinadvanceofeveryoneelse。
Theyrebuildtheirhousesforthemgratuitouslywhentheyareruined。
ThereforeitisacountrywhichisblessedbyGod。Forawholecentury，therehasnotbeenasinglemurdereramongthem。"
Invillageswhichweregreedyforprofitandharvest，hesaid:
"LookatthepeopleofEmbrun！If，attheharvestseason，thefatherofafamilyhashissonawayonserviceinthearmy，andhisdaughtersatserviceinthetown，andifheisillandincapacitated，thecurerecommendshimtotheprayersofthecongregation；andonSunday，afterthemass，alltheinhabitantsofthevillage——men，women，andchildren——gotothepoorman’sfieldanddohisharvestingforhim，andcarryhisstrawandhisgraintohisgranary。"
Tofamiliesdividedbyquestionsofmoneyandinheritancehesaid:
"LookatthemountaineersofDevolny，acountrysowildthatthenightingaleisnotheardthereonceinfiftyyears。Well，whenthefatherofafamilydies，theboysgoofftoseektheirfortunes，leavingthepropertytothegirls，sothattheymayfindhusbands。"
Tothecantonswhichhadatasteforlawsuits，andwherethefarmersruinedthemselvesinstampedpaper，hesaid:"LookatthosegoodpeasantsinthevalleyofQueyras！Therearethreethousandsoulsofthem。
MonDieu！itislikealittlerepublic。Neitherjudgenorbailiffisknownthere。Themayordoeseverything。Heallotstheimposts，taxeseachpersonconscientiously，judgesquarrelsfornothing，dividesinheritanceswithoutcharge，pronouncessentencesgratuitously；
andheisobeyed，becauseheisajustmanamongsimplemen。"
Tovillageswherehefoundnoschoolmaster，hequotedoncemorethepeopleofQueyras:"Doyouknowhowtheymanage？"hesaid。"Sincealittlecountryofadozenorfifteenhearthscannotalwayssupportateacher，theyhaveschool—masterswhoarepaidbythewholevalley，whomaketheroundofthevillages，spendingaweekinthisone，tendaysinthat，andinstructthem。Theseteachersgotothefairs。
Ihaveseenthemthere。Theyaretoberecognizedbythequillpenswhichtheywearinthecordoftheirhat。Thosewhoteachreadingonlyhaveonepen；thosewhoteachreadingandreckoninghavetwopens；thosewhoteachreading，reckoning，andLatinhavethreepens。Butwhatadisgracetobeignorant！DolikethepeopleofQueyras！"
Thushediscoursedgravelyandpaternally；indefaultofexamples，heinventedparables，goingdirectlytothepoint，withfewphrasesandmanyimages，whichcharacteristicformedtherealeloquenceofJesusChrist。Andbeingconvincedhimself，hewaspersuasive。
CHAPTERIV
WORKSCORRESPONDINGTOWORDS
Hisconversationwasgayandaffable。Heputhimselfonalevelwiththetwooldwomenwhohadpassedtheirlivesbesidehim。
Whenhelaughed，itwasthelaughofaschoolboy。MadameMagloirelikedtocallhimYourGrace[VotreGrandeur]。Onedayherosefromhisarm—chair，andwenttohislibraryinsearchofabook。
Thisbookwasononeoftheuppershelves。Asthebishopwasrathershortofstature，hecouldnotreachit。"MadameMagloire，"saidhe，"fetchmeachair。Mygreatness[grandeur]doesnotreachasfarasthatshelf。"
Oneofhisdistantrelatives，MadamelaComtessedeLo，rarelyallowedanopportunitytoescapeofenumerating，inhispresence，whatshedesignatedas"theexpectations"ofherthreesons。
Shehadnumerousrelatives，whowereveryoldandneartodeath，andofwhomhersonswerethenaturalheirs。Theyoungestofthethreewastoreceivefromagrand—auntagoodhundredthousandlivresofincome；thesecondwastheheirbyentailtothetitleoftheDuke，hisuncle；theeldestwastosucceedtothepeerageofhisgrandfather。TheBishopwasaccustomedtolisteninsilencetotheseinnocentandpardonablematernalboasts。Ononeoccasion，however，heappearedtobemorethoughtfulthanusual，whileMadamedeLowasrelatingonceagainthedetailsofalltheseinheritancesandallthese"expectations。"Sheinterruptedherselfimpatiently:
"MonDieu，cousin！Whatareyouthinkingabout？""Iamthinking，"
repliedtheBishop，"ofasingularremark，whichistobefound，Ibelieve，inSt。Augustine，——`Placeyourhopesinthemanfromwhomyoudonotinherit。’"
Atanothertime，onreceivinganotificationofthedeceaseofagentlemanofthecountry—side，whereinnotonlythedignitiesofthedeadman，butalsothefeudalandnoblequalificationsofallhisrelatives，spreadoveranentirepage:"WhatastoutbackDeathhas！"heexclaimed。"Whatastrangeburdenoftitlesischeerfullyimposedonhim，andhowmuchwitmustmenhave，inorderthustopressthetombintotheserviceofvanity！"
Hewasgifted，onoccasion，withagentleraillery，whichalmostalwaysconcealedaseriousmeaning。InthecourseofoneLent，ayouthfulvicarcametoD————，andpreachedinthecathedral。
Hewastolerablyeloquent。Thesubjectofhissermonwascharity。
Heurgedtherichtogivetothepoor，inordertoavoidhell，whichhedepictedinthemostfrightfulmannerofwhichhewascapable，andtowinparadise，whichherepresentedascharminganddesirable。
Amongtheaudiencetherewasawealthyretiredmerchant，whowassomewhatofausurer，namedM。Geborand，whohadamassedtwomillionsinthemanufactureofcoarsecloth，serges，andwoollengalloons。
NeverinhiswholelifehadM。Geborandbestowedalmsonanypoorwretch。
Afterthedeliveryofthatsermon，itwasobservedthathegaveasoueverySundaytothepooroldbeggar—womenatthedoorofthecathedral。
Thereweresixofthemtoshareit。OnedaytheBishopcaughtsightofhimintheactofbestowingthischarity，andsaidtohissister，withasmile，"ThereisM。Geborandpurchasingparadiseforasou。"
Whenitwasaquestionofcharity，hewasnottoberebuffedevenbyarefusal，andonsuchoccasionshegaveutterancetoremarkswhichinducedreflection。Oncehewasbeggingforthepoorinadrawing—roomofthetown；therewaspresenttheMarquisdeChamptercier，awealthyandavariciousoldman，whocontrivedtobe，atoneandthesametime，anultra—royalistandanultra—Voltairian。Thisvarietyofmanhasactuallyexisted。WhentheBishopcametohim，hetouchedhisarm，"Youmustgivemesomething，M。leMarquis。"
TheMarquisturnedroundandanswereddryly，"Ihavepoorpeopleofmyown，Monseigneur。""Givethemtome，"repliedtheBishop。
Onedayhepreachedthefollowingsermoninthecathedral:——
"Myverydearbrethren，mygoodfriends，therearethirteenhundredandtwentythousandpeasants’dwellingsinFrancewhichhavebutthreeopenings；eighteenhundredandseventeenthousandhovelswhichhavebuttwoopenings，thedoorandonewindow；andthreehundredandforty—sixthousandcabinsbesideswhichhavebutoneopening，thedoor。Andthisarisesfromathingwhichiscalledthetaxondoorsandwindows。Justputpoorfamilies，oldwomenandlittlechildren，inthosebuildings，andbeholdthefeversandmaladieswhichresult！Alas！Godgivesairtomen；thelawsellsittothem。
Idonotblamethelaw，butIblessGod。InthedepartmentoftheIsere，intheVar，inthetwodepartmentsoftheAlpes，theHautes，andtheBasses，thepeasantshavenotevenwheelbarrows；
theytransporttheirmanureonthebacksofmen；theyhavenocandles，andtheyburnresinoussticks，andbitsofropedippedinpitch。
ThatisthestateofaffairsthroughoutthewholeofthehillycountryofDauphine。Theymakebreadforsixmonthsatonetime；
theybakeitwithdriedcow—dung。Inthewintertheybreakthisbreadupwithanaxe，andtheysoakitfortwenty—fourhours，inordertorenderiteatable。Mybrethren，havepity！beholdthesufferingonallsidesofyou！"
BornaProvencal，heeasilyfamiliarizedhimselfwiththedialectofthesouth。Hesaid，"Enbe！moussu，sessage？"asinlowerLanguedoc；
"Onteanaraspassa？"asintheBasses—Alpes；"Puerteunbouenmoutuembeunbouenfromagegrase，"asinupperDauphine。Thispleasedthepeopleextremely，andcontributednotalittletowinhimaccesstoallspirits。Hewasperfectlyathomeinthethatchedcottageandinthemountains。Heunderstoodhowtosaythegrandestthingsinthemostvulgarofidioms。Ashespokealltongues，heenteredintoallhearts。
Moreover，hewasthesametowardspeopleoftheworldandtowardsthelowerclasses。Hecondemnednothinginhasteandwithouttakingcircumstancesintoaccount。Hesaid，"Examinetheroadoverwhichthefaulthaspassed。"
Being，ashedescribedhimselfwithasmile，anex—sinner，hehadnoneoftheasperitiesofausterity，andheprofessed，withagooddealofdistinctness，andwithoutthefrownoftheferociouslyvirtuous，adoctrinewhichmaybesummedupasfollows:——
"Manhasuponhimhisflesh，whichisatoncehisburdenandhistemptation。Hedragsitwithhimandyieldstoit。
Hemustwatchit，cheekit，repressit，andobeyitonlyatthelastextremity。Theremaybesomefaulteveninthisobedience；
butthefaultthuscommittedisvenial；itisafall，butafallonthekneeswhichmayterminateinprayer。
"Tobeasaintistheexception；tobeanuprightmanistherule。
Err，fall，sinifyouwill，butbeupright。
"Theleastpossiblesinisthelawofman。Nosinatallisthedreamoftheangel。Allwhichisterrestrialissubjecttosin。
Sinisagravitation。"
Whenhesaweveryoneexclaimingveryloudly，andgrowingangryveryquickly，"Oh！oh！"hesaid，withasmile；"toallappearance，thisisagreatcrimewhichalltheworldcommits。Thesearehypocrisieswhichhavetakenfright，andareinhastetomakeprotestandtoputthemselvesundershelter。"
Hewasindulgenttowardswomenandpoorpeople，onwhomtheburdenofhumansocietyrest。Hesaid，"Thefaultsofwomen，ofchildren，ofthefeeble，theindigent，andtheignorant，arethefaultofthehusbands，thefathers，themasters，thestrong，therich，andthewise。"
Hesaid，moreover，"Teachthosewhoareignorantasmanythingsaspossible；societyisculpable，inthatitdoesnotaffordinstructiongratis；itisresponsibleforthenightwhichitproduces。
Thissoulisfullofshadow；sinisthereincommitted。Theguiltyoneisnotthepersonwhohascommittedthesin，butthepersonwhohascreatedtheshadow。"
Itwillbeperceivedthathehadapeculiarmannerofhisownofjudgingthings:IsuspectthatheobtaineditfromtheGospel。
Onedayheheardacriminalcase，whichwasinpreparationandonthepointoftrial，discussedinadrawing—room。Awretchedman，beingattheendofhisresources，hadcoinedcounterfeitmoney，outofloveforawoman，andforthechildwhichhehadhadbyher。
Counterfeitingwasstillpunishablewithdeathatthatepoch。
Thewomanhadbeenarrestedintheactofpassingthefirstfalsepiecemadebytheman。Shewasheld，buttherewerenoproofsexceptagainsther。Shealonecouldaccuseherlover，anddestroyhimbyherconfession。Shedenied；theyinsisted。Shepersistedinherdenial。Thereuponanideaoccurredtotheattorneyforthecrown。
Heinventedaninfidelityonthepartofthelover，andsucceeded，bymeansoffragmentsofletterscunninglypresented，inpersuadingtheunfortunatewomanthatshehadarival，andthatthemanwasdeceivingher。Thereupon，exasperatedbyjealousy，shedenouncedherlover，confessedall，provedall。
Themanwasruined。HewasshortlytobetriedatAixwithhisaccomplice。Theywererelatingthematter，andeachonewasexpressingenthusiasmovertheclevernessofthemagistrate。
Bybringingjealousyintoplay，hehadcausedthetruthtoburstforthinwrath，hehadeducedthejusticeofrevenge。TheBishoplistenedtoallthisinsilence。Whentheyhadfinished，heinquired，——
"Wherearethismanandwomantobetried？"
"AttheCourtofAssizes。"
Hewenton，"Andwherewilltheadvocateofthecrownbetried？"
AtragiceventoccurredatD————Amanwascondemnedtodeathformurder。Hewasawretchedfellow，notexactlyeducated，notexactlyignorant，whohadbeenamountebankatfairs，andawriterforthepublic。Thetowntookagreatinterestinthetrial。
Ontheeveofthedayfixedfortheexecutionofthecondemnedman，thechaplainoftheprisonfellill。Apriestwasneededtoattendthecriminalinhislastmoments。Theysentforthecure。
Itseemsthatherefusedtocome，saying，"Thatisnoaffairofmine。Ihavenothingtodowiththatunpleasanttask，andwiththatmountebank:I，too，amill；andbesides，itisnotmyplace。"
ThisreplywasreportedtotheBishop，whosaid，"MonsieurleCureisright:itisnothisplace；itismine。"
Hewentinstantlytotheprison，descendedtothecellofthe"mountebank，"calledhimbyname，tookhimbythehand，andspoketohim。
Hepassedtheentiredaywithhim，forgetfuloffoodandsleep，prayingtoGodforthesoulofthecondemnedman，andprayingthecondemnedmanforhisown。Hetoldhimthebesttruths，whicharealsothemostsimple。Hewasfather，brother，friend；hewasbishoponlytobless。Hetaughthimeverything，encouragedandconsoledhim。
Themanwasonthepointofdyingindespair。Deathwasanabysstohim。
Ashestoodtremblingonitsmournfulbrink，herecoiledwithhorror。
Hewasnotsufficientlyignoranttobeabsolutelyindifferent。
Hiscondemnation，whichhadbeenaprofoundshock，had，inamanner，brokenthrough，hereandthere，thatwallwhichseparatesusfromthemysteryofthings，andwhichwecalllife。Hegazedincessantlybeyondthisworldthroughthesefatalbreaches，andbeheldonlydarkness。TheBishopmadehimseelight。
Onthefollowingday，whentheycametofetchtheunhappywretch，theBishopwasstillthere。Hefollowedhim，andexhibitedhimselftotheeyesofthecrowdinhispurplecamailandwithhisepiscopalcrossuponhisneck，sidebysidewiththecriminalboundwithcords。
Hemountedthetumbrilwithhim，hemountedthescaffoldwithhim。
Thesufferer，whohadbeensogloomyandcastdownontheprecedingday，wasradiant。Hefeltthathissoulwasreconciled，andhehopedinGod。TheBishopembracedhim，andatthemomentwhentheknifewasabouttofall，hesaidtohim:"Godraisesfromthedeadhimwhommanslays；hewhomhisbrothershaverejectedfindshisFatheroncemore。Pray，believe，enterintolife:theFatheristhere。"
Whenhedescendedfromthescaffold，therewassomethinginhislookwhichmadethepeopledrawasidetolethimpass。Theydidnotknowwhichwasmostworthyofadmiration，hispallororhisserenity。
Onhisreturntothehumbledwelling，whichhedesignated，withasmile，ashispalace，hesaidtohissister，"Ihavejustofficiatedpontifically。"
Sincethemostsublimethingsareoftenthosewhicharetheleastunderstood，therewerepeopleinthetownwhosaid，whencommentingonthisconductoftheBishop，"Itisaffectation。"
This，however，wasaremarkwhichwasconfinedtothedrawing—rooms。
Thepopulace，whichperceivesnojestinholydeeds，wastouched，andadmiredhim。
AsfortheBishop，itwasashocktohimtohavebeheldtheguillotine，anditwasalongtimebeforeherecoveredfromit。
Infact，whenthescaffoldisthere，allerectedandprepared，ithassomethingaboutitwhichproduceshallucination。
Onemayfeelacertainindifferencetothedeathpenalty，onemayrefrainfrompronouncinguponit，fromsayingyesorno，solongasonehasnotseenaguillotinewithone’sowneyes:
butifoneencountersoneofthem，theshockisviolent；
oneisforcedtodecide，andtotakepartfororagainst。
Someadmireit，likedeMaistre；othersexecrateit，likeBeccaria。
Theguillotineistheconcretionofthelaw；itiscalledvindicte；
itisnotneutral，anditdoesnotpermityoutoremainneutral。
Hewhoseesitshiverswiththemostmysteriousofshivers。
Allsocialproblemserecttheirinterrogationpointaroundthischopping—knife。Thescaffoldisavision。Thescaffoldisnotapieceofcarpentry；thescaffoldisnotamachine；
thescaffoldisnotaninertbitofmechanismconstructedofwood，ironandcords。
Itseemsasthoughitwereabeing，possessedofIknownotwhatsombreinitiative；onewouldsaythatthispieceofcarpenter’sworksaw，thatthismachineheard，thatthismechanismunderstood，thatthiswood，thisiron，andthesecordswerepossessedofwill。
Inthefrightfulmeditationintowhichitspresencecaststhesoulthescaffoldappearsinterribleguise，andasthoughtakingpartinwhatisgoingon。Thescaffoldistheaccompliceoftheexecutioner；
itdevours，iteatsflesh，itdrinksblood；thescaffoldisasortofmonsterfabricatedbythejudgeandthecarpenter，aspectrewhichseemstolivewithahorriblevitalitycomposedofallthedeathwhichithasinflicted。
Therefore，theimpressionwasterribleandprofound；onthedayfollowingtheexecution，andonmanysucceedingdays，theBishopappearedtobecrushed。Thealmostviolentserenityofthefunerealmomenthaddisappeared；thephantomofsocialjusticetormentedhim。He，whogenerallyreturnedfromallhisdeedswitharadiantsatisfaction，seemedtobereproachinghimself。
Attimeshetalkedtohimself，andstammeredlugubriousmonologuesinalowvoice。Thisisonewhichhissisteroverheardoneeveningandpreserved:"Ididnotthinkthatitwassomonstrous。
Itiswrongtobecomeabsorbedinthedivinelawtosuchadegreeasnottoperceivehumanlaw。DeathbelongstoGodalone。
Bywhatrightdomentouchthatunknownthing？"
Incourseoftimetheseimpressionsweakenedandprobablyvanished。
Nevertheless，itwasobservedthattheBishopthenceforthavoidedpassingtheplaceofexecution。
M。Myrielcouldbesummonedatanyhourtothebedsideofthesickanddying。Hedidnotignorethefactthatthereinlayhisgreatestdutyandhisgreatestlabor。Widowedandorphanedfamilieshadnoneedtosummonhim；hecameofhisownaccord。Heunderstoodhowtositdownandholdhispeaceforlonghoursbesidethemanwhohadlostthewifeofhislove，ofthemotherwhohadlostherchild。Asheknewthemomentforsilenceheknewalsothemomentforspeech。Oh，admirableconsoler！Hesoughtnottoeffacesorrowbyforgetfulness，buttomagnifyanddignifyitbyhope。Hesaid:——
"Haveacareofthemannerinwhichyouturntowardsthedead。
Thinknotofthatwhichperishes。Gazesteadily。Youwillperceivethelivinglightofyourwell—beloveddeadinthedepthsofheaven。"
Heknewthatfaithiswholesome。Hesoughttocounselandcalmthedespairingman，bypointingouttohimtheresignedman，andtotransformthegriefwhichgazesuponagravebyshowinghimthegriefwhichfixesitsgazeuponastar。
CHAPTERV
MONSEIGNEURBIENVENUMADEHISCASSOCKSLASTTOOLONG
TheprivatelifeofM。Myrielwasfilledwiththesamethoughtsashispubliclife。ThevoluntarypovertyinwhichtheBishopofD————lived，wouldhavebeenasolemnandcharmingsightforanyonewhocouldhavevieweditcloseathand。
Likealloldmen，andlikethemajorityofthinkers，hesleptlittle。
Thisbriefslumberwasprofound。Inthemorninghemeditatedforanhour，thenhesaidhismass，eitheratthecathedralorinhisownhouse。
Hismasssaid，hebrokehisfastonryebreaddippedinthemilkofhisowncows。Thenhesettowork。
ABishopisaverybusyman:hemusteverydayreceivethesecretaryofthebishopric，whoisgenerallyacanon，andnearlyeverydayhisvicars—general。Hehascongregationstoreprove，privilegestogrant，awholeecclesiasticallibrarytoexamine，——
prayer—books，diocesancatechisms，booksofhours，etc。，——chargestowrite，sermonstoauthorize，curesandmayorstoreconcile，aclericalcorrespondence，anadministrativecorrespondence；
ononesidetheState，ontheothertheHolySee；andathousandmattersofbusiness。
Whattimewaslefttohim，afterthesethousanddetailsofbusiness，andhisofficesandhisbreviary，hebestowedfirstonthenecessitous，thesick，andtheafflicted；thetimewhichwaslefttohimfromtheafflicted，thesick，andthenecessitous，hedevotedtowork。
Sometimesheduginhisgarden；again，hereadorwrote。Hehadbutonewordforboththesekindsoftoil；hecalledthemgardening。
"Themindisagarden，"saidhe。
Towardsmid—day，whentheweatherwasfine，hewentforthandtookastrollinthecountryorintown，oftenenteringlowlydwellings。
Hewasseenwalkingalone，buriedinhisownthoughts，hiseyescastdown，supportinghimselfonhislongcane，cladinhiswaddedpurplegarmentofsilk，whichwasverywarm，wearingpurplestockingsinsidehiscoarseshoes，andsurmountedbyaflathatwhichallowedthreegoldentasselsoflargebulliontodroopfromitsthreepoints。
Itwasaperfectfestivalwhereverheappeared。Onewouldhavesaidthathispresencehadsomethingwarmingandluminousaboutit。
ThechildrenandtheoldpeoplecameouttothedoorstepsfortheBishopasforthesun。Hebestowedhisblessing，andtheyblessedhim。
Theypointedouthishousetoanyonewhowasinneedofanything。
Hereandtherehehalted，accostedthelittleboysandgirls，andsmileduponthemothers。Hevisitedthepoorsolongashehadanymoney；whenhenolongerhadany，hevisitedtherich。
Ashemadehiscassockslastalongwhile，anddidnotwishtohaveitnoticed，heneverwentoutinthetownwithouthiswaddedpurplecloak。Thisinconveniencedhimsomewhatinsummer。
Onhisreturn，hedined。Thedinnerresembledhisbreakfast。
Athalf—pasteightintheeveninghesuppedwithhissister，MadameMagloirestandingbehindthemandservingthemattable。
Nothingcouldbemorefrugalthanthisrepast。If，however，theBishophadoneofhiscurestosupper，MadameMagloiretookadvantageoftheopportunitytoserveMonseigneurwithsomeexcellentfishfromthelake，orwithsomefinegamefromthemountains。Everycurefurnishedthepretextforagoodmeal:theBishopdidnotinterfere。
Withthatexception，hisordinarydietconsistedonlyofvegetablesboiledinwater，andoilsoup。Thusitwassaidinthetown，whentheBishopdoesnotindulgeinthecheerofacure，heindulgesinthecheerofatrappist。
AftersupperheconversedforhalfanhourwithMademoiselleBaptistineandMadameMagloire；thenheretiredtohisownroomandsettowriting，sometimesonloosesheets，andagainonthemarginofsomefolio。
Hewasamanoflettersandratherlearned。Heleftbehindhimfiveorsixverycuriousmanuscripts；amongothers，adissertationonthisverseinGenesis，Inthebeginning，thespiritofGodfloateduponthewaters。Withthisversehecomparesthreetexts:
theArabicversewhichsays，ThewindsofGodblew；FlaviusJosephuswhosays，Awindfromabovewasprecipitatedupontheearth；
andfinally，theChaldaicparaphraseofOnkelos，whichrendersit，AwindcomingfromGodblewuponthefaceofthewaters。
Inanotherdissertation，heexaminesthetheologicalworksofHugo，BishopofPtolemais，great—grand—uncletothewriterofthisbook，andestablishesthefact，thattothisbishopmustbeattributedthediverslittleworkspublishedduringthelastcentury，underthepseudonymofBarleycourt。
Sometimes，inthemidstofhisreading，nomatterwhatthebookmightbewhichhehadinhishand，hewouldsuddenlyfallintoaprofoundmeditation，whenceheonlyemergedtowriteafewlinesonthepagesofthevolumeitself。Theselineshaveoftennoconnectionwhateverwiththebookwhichcontainsthem。WenowhaveunderoureyesanotewrittenbyhimonthemarginofaquartoentitledCorrespondenceofLordGermainwithGeneralsClinton，Cornwallis，andtheAdmiralsontheAmericanstation。Versailles，Poincot，book—seller；andParis，Pissot，bookseller，QuaidesAugustins。
Hereisthenote:——
"Oh，youwhoare！
"EcclesiastescallsyoutheAll—powerful；theMaccabeescallyoutheCreator；theEpistletotheEphesianscallsyouliberty；
BaruchcallsyouImmensity；thePsalmscallyouWisdomandTruth；
JohncallsyouLight；theBooksofKingscallyouLord；ExoduscallsyouProvidence；Leviticus，Sanctity；Esdras，Justice；thecreationcallsyouGod；mancallsyouFather；butSolomoncallsyouCompassion，andthatisthemostbeautifulofallyournames。"
Towardnineo’clockintheeveningthetwowomenretiredandbetookthemselvestotheirchambersonthefirstfloor，leavinghimaloneuntilmorningonthegroundfloor。
Itisnecessarythatweshould，inthisplace，giveanexactideaofthedwellingoftheBishopofD————
CHAPTERVI
WHOGUARDEDHISHOUSEFORHIM
Thehouseinwhichhelivedconsisted，aswehavesaid，ofagroundfloor，andonestoryabove；threeroomsonthegroundfloor，threechambersonthefirst，andanatticabove。Behindthehousewasagarden，aquarterofanacreinextent。Thetwowomenoccupiedthefirstfloor；
theBishopwaslodgedbelow。Thefirstroom，openingonthestreet，servedhimasdining—room，thesecondwashisbedroom，andthethirdhisoratory。Therewasnoexitpossiblefromthisoratory，exceptbypassingthroughthebedroom，norfromthebedroom，withoutpassingthroughthedining—room。Attheendofthesuite，intheoratory，therewasadetachedalcovewithabed，foruseincasesofhospitality。TheBishopofferedthisbedtocountrycurateswhombusinessortherequirementsoftheirparishesbroughttoD————
Thepharmacyofthehospital，asmallbuildingwhichhadbeenaddedtothehouse，andabuttedonthegarden，hadbeentransformedintoakitchenandcellar。Inadditiontothis，therewasinthegardenastable，whichhadformerlybeenthekitchenofthehospital，andinwhichtheBishopkepttwocows。Nomatterwhatthequantityofmilktheygave，heinvariablysenthalfofiteverymorningtothesickpeopleinthehospital。"Iampayingmytithes，"
hesaid。
Hisbedroomwastolerablylarge，andratherdifficulttowarminbadweather。AswoodisextremelydearatD————，hehitupontheideaofhavingacompartmentofboardsconstructedinthecow—shed。Herehepassedhiseveningsduringseasonsofseverecold:
hecalledithiswintersalon。
Inthiswintersalon，asinthedining—room，therewasnootherfurniturethanasquaretableinwhitewood，andfourstraw—seatedchairs。
Inadditiontothisthedining—roomwasornamentedwithanantiquesideboard，paintedpink，inwatercolors。Outofasimilarsideboard，properlydrapedwithwhitenaperyandimitationlace，theBishophadconstructedthealtarwhichdecoratedhisoratory。
HiswealthypenitentsandthesaintedwomenofD————hadmorethanonceassessedthemselvestoraisethemoneyforanewaltarforMonseigneur’soratory；oneachoccasionhehadtakenthemoneyandhadgivenittothepoor。"Themostbeautifulofaltars，"hesaid，"isthesoulofanunhappycreatureconsoledandthankingGod。"
Inhisoratorythereweretwostrawprie—Dieu，andtherewasanarm—chair，alsoinstraw，inhisbedroom。When，bychance，hereceivedsevenoreightpersonsatonetime，theprefect，orthegeneral，orthestaffoftheregimentingarrison，orseveralpupilsfromthelittleseminary，thechairshadtobefetchedfromthewintersaloninthestable，theprie—Dieufromtheoratory，andthearm—chairfromthebedroom:inthiswayasmanyaselevenchairscouldbecollectedforthevisitors。Aroomwasdismantledforeachnewguest。
Itsometimeshappenedthatthereweretwelveintheparty；
theBishopthenrelievedtheembarrassmentofthesituationbystandinginfrontofthechimneyifitwaswinter，orbystrollinginthegardenifitwassummer。
Therewasstillanotherchairinthedetachedalcove，butthestrawwashalfgonefromit，andithadbutthreelegs，sothatitwasofserviceonlywhenproppedagainstthewall。MademoiselleBaptistinehadalsoinherownroomaverylargeeasy—chairofwood，whichhadformerlybeengilded，andwhichwascoveredwithfloweredpekin；
buttheyhadbeenobligedtohoistthisbergereuptothefirststorythroughthewindow，asthestaircasewastoonarrow；itcouldnot，therefore，bereckonedamongthepossibilitiesinthewayoffurniture。
MademoiselleBaptistine’sambitionhadbeentobeabletopurchaseasetofdrawing—roomfurnitureinyellowUtrechtvelvet，stampedwitharosepattern，andwithmahoganyinswan’sneckstyle，withasofa。Butthiswouldhavecostfivehundredfrancsatleast，andinviewofthefactthatshehadonlybeenabletolaybyforty—twofrancsandtensousforthispurposeinthecourseoffiveyears，shehadendedbyrenouncingtheidea。However，whoistherewhohasattainedhisideal？
NothingismoreeasytopresenttotheimaginationthantheBishop’sbedchamber。Aglazeddooropenedonthegarden；oppositethiswasthebed，——ahospitalbedofiron，withacanopyofgreenserge；intheshadowofthebed，behindacurtain，weretheutensilsofthetoilet，whichstillbetrayedtheeleganthabitsofthemanoftheworld:
thereweretwodoors，onenearthechimney，openingintotheoratory；
theothernearthebookcase，openingintothedining—room。Thebookcasewasalargecupboardwithglassdoorsfilledwithbooks；thechimneywasofwoodpaintedtorepresentmarble，andhabituallywithoutfire。
Inthechimneystoodapairoffiredogsofiron，ornamentedabovewithtwogarlandedvases，andflutingswhichhadformerlybeensilveredwithsilverleaf，whichwasasortofepiscopalluxury；
abovethechimney—piecehungacrucifixofcopper，withthesilverwornoff，fixedonabackgroundofthreadbarevelvetinawoodenframefromwhichthegildinghadfallen；neartheglassdooralargetablewithaninkstand，loadedwithaconfusionofpapersandwithhugevolumes；beforethetableanarm—chairofstraw；
infrontofthebedaprie—Dieu，borrowedfromtheoratory。
Twoportraitsinovalframeswerefastenedtothewalloneachsideofthebed。Smallgiltinscriptionsontheplainsurfaceoftheclothatthesideofthesefiguresindicatedthattheportraitsrepresented，onetheAbbeofChaliot，bishopofSaintClaude；theother，theAbbeTourteau，vicar—generalofAgde，abbeofGrand—Champ，orderofCiteaux，dioceseofChartres。WhentheBishopsucceededtothisapartment，afterthehospitalpatients，hehadfoundtheseportraitsthere，andhadleftthem。Theywerepriests，andprobablydonors——tworeasonsforrespectingthem。Allthatheknewaboutthesetwopersonswas，thattheyhadbeenappointedbytheking，theonetohisbishopric，theothertohisbenefice，onthesameday，the27thofApril，1785。MadameMagloirehavingtakenthepicturesdowntodust，theBishophaddiscoveredtheseparticularswritteninwhitishinkonalittlesquareofpaper，yellowedbytime，andattachedtothebackoftheportraitoftheAbbeofGrand—Champwithfourwafers。
Athiswindowhehadanantiquecurtainofacoarsewoollenstuff，whichfinallybecamesoold，that，inordertoavoidtheexpenseofanewone，MadameMagloirewasforcedtotakealargeseamintheverymiddleofit。Thisseamtooktheformofacross。
TheBishopoftencalledattentiontoit:"Howdelightfulthatis！"
hesaid。
Alltheroomsinthehouse，withoutexception，thoseonthegroundflooraswellasthoseonthefirstfloor，werewhite—washed，whichisafashioninbarracksandhospitals。
However，intheirlatteryears，MadameMagloirediscoveredbeneaththepaperwhichhadbeenwashedover，paintings，ornamentingtheapartmentofMademoiselleBaptistine，asweshallseefurtheron。
Beforebecomingahospital，thishousehadbeentheancientparliamenthouseoftheBourgeois。Hencethisdecoration。
Thechamberswerepavedinredbricks，whichwerewashedeveryweek，withstrawmatsinfrontofallthebeds。Altogether，thisdwelling，whichwasattendedtobythetwowomen，wasexquisitelycleanfromtoptobottom。ThiswasthesoleluxurywhichtheBishoppermitted。
Hesaid，"Thattakesnothingfromthepoor。"
Itmustbeconfessed，however，thathestillretainedfromhisformerpossessionssixsilverknivesandforksandasoup—ladle，whichMadameMagloirecontemplatedeverydaywithdelight，astheyglistenedsplendidlyuponthecoarselinencloth。
AndsincewearenowpaintingtheBishopofD————ashewasinreality，wemustaddthathehadsaidmorethanonce，"Ifinditdifficulttorenounceeatingfromsilverdishes。"
Tothissilverwaremustbeaddedtwolargecandlesticksofmassivesilver，whichhehadinheritedfromagreat—aunt。Thesecandlesticksheldtwowaxcandles，andusuallyfiguredontheBishop’schimney—piece。Whenhehadanyonetodinner，MadameMagloirelightedthetwocandlesandsetthecandlesticksonthetable。
IntheBishop’sownchamber，attheheadofhisbed，therewasasmallcupboard，inwhichMadameMagloirelockedupthesixsilverknivesandforksandthebigspooneverynight。
Butitisnecessarytoadd，thatthekeywasneverremoved。
Thegarden，whichhadbeenratherspoiledbytheuglybuildingswhichwehavementioned，wascomposedoffouralleysincross—form，radiatingfromatank。Anotherwalkmadethecircuitofthegarden，andskirtedthewhitewallwhichenclosedit。Thesealleysleftbehindthemfoursquareplotsrimmedwithbox。Inthreeofthese，MadameMagloirecultivatedvegetables；inthefourth，theBishophadplantedsomeflowers；hereandtherestoodafewfruit—trees。
MadameMagloirehadonceremarked，withasortofgentlemalice:
"Monseigneur，youwhoturneverythingtoaccount，have，nevertheless，oneuselessplot。Itwouldbebettertogrowsaladstherethanbouquets。"
"MadameMagloire，"retortedtheBishop，"youaremistaken。
Thebeautifulisasusefulastheuseful。"Headdedafterapause，"Moreso，perhaps。"
Thisplot，consistingofthreeorfourbeds，occupiedtheBishopalmostasmuchasdidhisbooks。Helikedtopassanhourortwothere，trimming，hoeing，andmakingholeshereandthereintheearth，intowhichhedroppedseeds。Hewasnotashostiletoinsectsasagardenercouldhavewishedtoseehim。Moreover，hemadenopretensionstobotany；heignoredgroupsandconsistency；hemadenottheslightestefforttodecidebetweenTournefortandthenaturalmethod；
hetookpartneitherwiththebudsagainstthecotyledons，norwithJussieuagainstLinnaeus。Hedidnotstudyplants；helovedflowers。
Herespectedlearnedmengreatly；herespectedtheignorantstillmore；
and，withouteverfailinginthesetworespects，hewateredhisflower—bedseverysummereveningwithatinwatering—potpaintedgreen。
Thehousehadnotasingledoorwhichcouldbelocked。Thedoorofthedining—room，which，aswehavesaid，openeddirectlyonthecathedralsquare，hadformerlybeenornamentedwithlocksandboltslikethedoorofaprison。TheBishophadhadallthisironworkremoved，andthisdoorwasneverfastened，eitherbynightorbyday，withanythingexceptthelatch。Allthatthefirstpasserbyhadtodoatanyhour，wastogiveitapush。Atfirst，thetwowomenhadbeenverymuchtriedbythisdoor，whichwasneverfastened，butMonsieurdeD————hadsaidtothem，"Haveboltsputonyourrooms，ifthatwillpleaseyou。"Theyhadendedbysharinghisconfidence，orbyatleastactingasthoughtheysharedit。MadameMagloirealonehadfrightsfromtimetotime。AsfortheBishop，histhoughtcanbefoundexplained，oratleastindicated，inthethreelineswhichhewroteonthemarginofaBible，"Thisistheshadeofdifference:thedoorofthephysicianshouldneverbeshut，thedoorofthepriestshouldalwaysbeopen。"
Onanotherbook，entitledPhilosophyoftheMedicalScience，hehadwrittenthisothernote:"AmnotIaphysicianlikethem？
Ialsohavemypatients，andthen，too，IhavesomewhomIcallmyunfortunates。"
Againhewrote:"Donotinquirethenameofhimwhoasksashelterofyou。Theverymanwhoisembarrassedbyhisnameistheonewhoneedsshelter。"
Itchancedthataworthycure，IknownotwhetheritwasthecureofCouloubrouxorthecureofPompierry，tookitintohisheadtoaskhimoneday，probablyattheinstigationofMadameMagloire，whetherMonsieurwassurethathewasnotcommittinganindiscretion，toacertainextent，inleavinghisdoorunfasteneddayandnight，atthemercyofanyonewhoshouldchoosetoenter，andwhether，inshort，hedidnotfearlestsomemisfortunemightoccurinahousesolittleguarded。TheBishoptouchedhisshoulder，withgentlegravity，andsaidtohim，"NisiDominuscustodieritdomum，invanumvigilantquicustodiunteam，"UnlesstheLordguardthehouse，invaindotheywatchwhoguardit。
Thenhespokeofsomethingelse。
Hewasfondofsaying，"Thereisabraveryofthepriestaswellasthebraveryofacolonelofdragoons，——only，"headded，"oursmustbetranquil。"
CHAPTERVII
CRAVATTE
Itisherethatafactfallsnaturallyintoplace，whichwemustnotomit，becauseitisoneofthesortwhichshowusbestwhatsortofamantheBishopofD————was。
AfterthedestructionofthebandofGaspardBes，whohadinfestedthegorgesofOllioules，oneofhislieutenants，Cravatte，tookrefugeinthemountains。Heconcealedhimselfforsometimewithhisbandits，theremnantofGaspardBes’stroop，inthecountyofNice；
thenhemadehiswaytoPiedmont，andsuddenlyreappearedinFrance，inthevicinityofBarcelonette。HewasfirstseenatJauziers，thenatTuiles。HehidhimselfinthecavernsoftheJoug—de—l’Aigle，andthencehedescendedtowardsthehamletsandvillagesthroughtheravinesofUbayeandUbayette。
HeevenpushedasfarasEmbrun，enteredthecathedralonenight，anddespoiledthesacristy。Hishighwayrobberieslaidwastethecountry—side。Thegendarmesweresetonhistrack，butinvain。
Healwaysescaped；sometimesheresistedbymainforce。Hewasaboldwretch。InthemidstofallthisterrortheBishoparrived。
HewasmakinghiscircuittoChastelar。Themayorcametomeethim，andurgedhimtoretracehissteps。CravattewasinpossessionofthemountainsasfarasArche，andbeyond；therewasdangerevenwithanescort；itmerelyexposedthreeorfourunfortunategendarmestonopurpose。
"Therefore，"saidtheBishop，"Iintendtogowithoutescort。"
"Youdonotreallymeanthat，Monseigneur！"exclaimedthemayor。
"IdomeanitsothoroughlythatIabsolutelyrefuseanygendarmes，andshallsetoutinanhour。"
"Setout？"
"Setout。"
"Alone？"
"Alone。"
"Monseigneur，youwillnotdothat！"
"Thereexistsyonderinthemountains，"saidtheBishop，atinycommunitynobiggerthanthat，whichIhavenotseenforthreeyears。
Theyaremygoodfriends，thosegentleandhonestshepherds。Theyownonegoatoutofeverythirtythattheytend。Theymakeveryprettywoollencordsofvariouscolors，andtheyplaythemountainairsonlittlefluteswithsixholes。TheyneedtobetoldofthegoodGodnowandthen。Whatwouldtheysaytoabishopwhowasafraid？
WhatwouldtheysayifIdidnotgo？"
"Butthebrigands，Monseigneur？"
"Hold，"saidtheBishop，"Imustthinkofthat。Youareright。
Imaymeetthem。They，too，needtobetoldofthegoodGod。"
"But，Monseigneur，thereisabandofthem！Aflockofwolves！"
"Monsieurlemaire，itmaybethatitisofthisveryflockofwolvesthatJesushasconstitutedmetheshepherd。WhoknowsthewaysofProvidence？"
"Theywillrobyou，Monseigneur。"
"Ihavenothing。"
"Theywillkillyou。"
"Anoldgoodmanofapriest，whopassesalongmumblinghisprayers？
Bah！Towhatpurpose？"
"Oh，monDieu！whatifyoushouldmeetthem！"
"Ishouldbegalmsofthemformypoor。"
"Donotgo，Monseigneur。InthenameofHeaven！Youareriskingyourlife！"
"Monsieurlemaire，"saidtheBishop，"isthatreallyall？
Iamnotintheworldtoguardmyownlife，buttoguardsouls。"
Theyhadtoallowhimtodoashepleased。Hesetout，accompaniedonlybyachildwhoofferedtoserveasaguide。Hisobstinacywasbruitedaboutthecountry—side，andcausedgreatconsternation。
HewouldtakeneitherhissisternorMadameMagloire。Hetraversedthemountainonmule—back，encounterednoone，andarrivedsafeandsoundattheresidenceofhis"goodfriends，"theshepherds。
Heremainedthereforafortnight，preaching，administeringthesacrament，teaching，exhorting。Whenthetimeofhisdepartureapproached，heresolvedtochantaTeDeumpontifically。Hementionedittothecure。Butwhatwastobedone？Therewerenoepiscopalornaments。
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