Letanotarytransfigurehimselfintoadeputy:letafalseCorneillecomposeTiridate；letaeunuchcometopossessaharem；
letamilitaryPrudhommeaccidentallywinthedecisivebattleofanepoch；letanapothecaryinventcardboardshoe—solesforthearmyoftheSambre—and—Meuse，andconstructforhimself，outofthiscardboard，soldasleather，fourhundredthousandfrancsofincome；
letapork—packerespouseusury，andcauseittobringforthsevenoreightmillions，ofwhichheisthefatherandofwhichitisthemother；letapreacherbecomeabishopbyforceofhisnasaldrawl；
letthestewardofafinefamilybesorichonretiringfromservicethatheismadeministeroffinances，——andmencallthatGenius，justastheycallthefaceofMousquetonBeauty，andthemienofClaudeMajesty。Withtheconstellationsofspacetheyconfoundthestarsoftheabysswhicharemadeinthesoftmireofthepuddlebythefeetofducks。
CHAPTERXIII
WHATHEBELIEVED
WearenotobligedtosoundtheBishopofD————onthescoreoforthodoxy。Inthepresenceofsuchasoulwefeelourselvesinnomoodbutrespect。Theconscienceofthejustmanshouldbeacceptedonhisword。Moreover，certainnaturesbeinggiven，weadmitthepossibledevelopmentofallbeautiesofhumanvirtueinabeliefthatdiffersfromourown。
Whatdidhethinkofthisdogma，orofthatmystery？Thesesecretsoftheinnertribunaloftheconscienceareknownonlytothetomb，wheresoulsenternaked。Thepointonwhichwearecertainis，thatthedifficultiesoffaithneverresolvedthemselvesintohypocrisyinhiscase。Nodecayispossibletothediamond。
Hebelievedtotheextentofhispowers。"CredoinPatrem，"
heoftenexclaimed。Moreover，hedrewfromgoodworksthatamountofsatisfactionwhichsufficestotheconscience，andwhichwhisperstoaman，"ThouartwithGod！"
Thepointwhichweconsideritourdutytonoteis，thatoutsideofandbeyondhisfaith，asitwere，theBishoppossessedanexcessoflove。Inwasinthatquarter，quiamultumamavit，——becausehelovedmuch——thathewasregardedasvulnerableby"seriousmen，"
"gravepersons"and"reasonablepeople"；favoritelocutionsofoursadworldwhereegotismtakesitswordofcommandfrompedantry。
Whatwasthisexcessoflove？Itwasaserenebenevolencewhichoverflowedmen，aswehavealreadypointedout，andwhich，onoccasion，extendedeventothings。Helivedwithoutdisdain。
HewasindulgenttowardsGod’screation。Everyman，eventhebest，haswithinhimathoughtlessharshnesswhichhereservesforanimals。
TheBishopofD————hadnoneofthatharshness，whichispeculiartomanypriests，nevertheless。HedidnotgoasfarastheBrahmin，butheseemedtohaveweighedthissayingofEcclesiastes:"Whoknowethwhitherthesouloftheanimalgoeth？"Hideousnessofaspect，deformityofinstinct，troubledhimnot，anddidnotarousehisindignation。Hewastouched，almostsoftenedbythem。
Itseemedasthoughhewentthoughtfullyawaytoseekbeyondtheboundsoflifewhichisapparent，thecause，theexplanation，ortheexcuseforthem。HeseemedattimestobeaskingGodtocommutethesepenalties。Heexaminedwithoutwrath，andwiththeeyeofalinguistwhoisdecipheringapalimpsest，thatportionofchaoswhichstillexistsinnature。Thisreverysometimescausedhimtoutteroddsayings。Onemorninghewasinhisgarden，andthoughthimselfalone，buthissisterwaswalkingbehindhim，unseenbyhim:suddenlyhepausedandgazedatsomethingontheground；
itwasalarge，black，hairy，frightfulspider。Hissisterheardhimsay:——
"Poorbeast！Itisnotitsfault！"
Whynotmentionthesealmostdivinelychildishsayingsofkindness？
Pueriletheymaybe；butthesesublimepuerilitieswerepeculiartoSaintFrancisd’AssisiandofMarcusAurelius。Onedayhesprainedhisankleinhisefforttoavoidsteppingonanant。
Thuslivedthisjustman。Sometimeshefellasleepinhisgarden，andthentherewasnothingmorevenerablepossible。
MonseigneurBienvenuhadformerlybeen，ifthestoriesanenthisyouth，andeveninregardtohismanhood，weretobebelieved，apassionate，and，possibly，aviolentman。Hisuniversalsuavitywaslessaninstinctofnaturethantheresultofagrandconvictionwhichhadfilteredintohisheartthroughthemediumoflife，andhadtrickledthereslowly，thoughtbythought；for，inacharacter，asinarock，theremayexistaperturesmadebydropsofwater。
Thesehollowsareuneffaceable；theseformationsareindestructible。
In1815，aswethinkwehavealreadysaid，hereachedhisseventy—fifthbirthday，buthedidnotappeartobemorethansixty。Hewasnottall；hewasratherplump；and，inordertocombatthistendency，hewasfondoftakinglongstrollsonfoot；hisstepwasfirm，andhisformwasbutslightlybent，adetailfromwhichwedonotpretendtodrawanyconclusion。GregoryXVI。，attheageofeighty，heldhimselferectandsmiling，whichdidnotpreventhimfrombeingabadbishop。MonseigneurWelcomehadwhatthepeopleterma"finehead，"butsoamiablewashethattheyforgotthatitwasfine。
Whenheconversedwiththatinfantilegayetywhichwasoneofhischarms，andofwhichwehavealreadyspoken，peoplefeltattheireasewithhim，andjoyseemedtoradiatefromhiswholeperson。Hisfreshandruddycomplexion，hisverywhiteteeth，allofwhichhehadpreserved，andwhichweredisplayedbyhissmile，gavehimthatopenandeasyairwhichcausetheremarktobemadeofaman，"He’sagoodfellow"；
andofanoldman，"Heisafineman。"That，itwillberecalled，wastheeffectwhichheproduceduponNapoleon。Onthefirstencounter，andtoonewhosawhimforthefirsttime，hewasnothing，infact，butafineman。Butifoneremainednearhimforafewhours，andbeheldhimintheleastdegreepensive，thefinemanbecamegraduallytransfigured，andtookonsomeimposingquality，Iknownotwhat；hisbroadandseriousbrow，renderedaugustbyhiswhitelocks，becameaugustalsobyvirtueofmeditation；
majestyradiatedfromhisgoodness，thoughhisgoodnessceasednottoberadiant；oneexperiencedsomethingoftheemotionwhichonewouldfeelonbeholdingasmilingangelslowlyunfoldhiswings，withoutceasingtosmile。Respect，anunutterablerespect，penetratedyoubydegreesandmountedtoyourheart，andonefeltthatonehadbeforehimoneofthosestrong，thoroughlytried，andindulgentsoulswherethoughtissograndthatitcannolongerbeanythingbutgentle。
Aswehaveseen，prayer，thecelebrationoftheofficesofreligion，alms—giving，theconsolationoftheafflicted，thecultivationofabitofland，fraternity，frugality，hospitality，renunciation，confidence，study，work，filledeverydayofhislife。Filledisexactlytheword；certainlytheBishop’sdaywasquitefulltothebrim，ofgoodwordsandgooddeeds。Nevertheless，itwasnotcompleteifcoldorrainyweatherpreventedhispassinganhourortwoinhisgardenbeforegoingtobed，andafterthetwowomenhadretired。
Itseemedtobeasortofritewithhim，topreparehimselfforslumberbymeditationinthepresenceofthegrandspectaclesofthenocturnalheavens。Sometimes，ifthetwooldwomenwerenotasleep，theyheardhimpacingslowlyalongthewalksataveryadvancedhourofthenight。Hewastherealone，communingwithhimself，peaceful，adoring，comparingtheserenityofhisheartwiththeserenityoftheether，movedamidthedarknessbythevisiblesplendoroftheconstellationsandtheinvisiblesplendorofGod，openinghishearttothethoughtswhichfallfromtheUnknown。
Atsuchmoments，whileheofferedhisheartatthehourwhennocturnalflowersoffertheirperfume，illuminatedlikealampamidthestarrynight，ashepouredhimselfoutinecstasyinthemidstoftheuniversalradianceofcreation，hecouldnothavetoldhimself，probably，whatwaspassinginhisspirit；hefeltsomethingtakeitsflightfromhim，andsomethingdescendintohim。Mysteriousexchangeoftheabyssesofthesoulwiththeabyssesoftheuniverse！
HethoughtofthegrandeurandpresenceofGod；ofthefutureeternity，thatstrangemystery；oftheeternitypast，amysterystillmorestrange；ofalltheinfinities，whichpiercedtheirwayintoallhissenses，beneathhiseyes；and，withoutseekingtocomprehendtheincomprehensible，hegazeduponit。HedidnotstudyGod；
hewasdazzledbyhim。Heconsideredthosemagnificentconjunctionsofatoms，whichcommunicateaspectstomatter，revealforcesbyverifyingthem，createindividualitiesinunity，proportionsinextent，theinnumerableintheinfinite，and，throughlight，producebeauty。
Theseconjunctionsareformedanddissolvedincessantly；
hencelifeanddeath。
Heseatedhimselfonawoodenbench，withhisbackagainstadecrepitvine；hegazedatthestars，pastthepunyandstuntedsilhouettesofhisfruit—trees。Thisquarterofanacre，sopoorlyplanted，soencumberedwithmeanbuildingsandsheds，wasdeartohim，andsatisfiedhiswants。
Whatmorewasneededbythisoldman，whodividedtheleisureofhislife，wheretherewassolittleleisure，betweengardeninginthedaytimeandcontemplationatnight？Wasnotthisnarrowenclosure，withtheheavensforaceiling，sufficienttoenablehimtoadoreGodinhismostdivineworks，inturn？Doesnotthiscomprehendall，infact？andwhatistherelefttodesirebeyondit？
Alittlegardeninwhichtowalk，andimmensityinwhichtodream。
Atone’sfeetthatwhichcanbecultivatedandplucked；overheadthatwhichonecanstudyandmeditateupon:someflowersonearth，andallthestarsinthesky。
CHAPTERXIV
WHATHETHOUGHT
Onelastword。
Sincethissortofdetailsmight，particularlyatthepresentmoment，andtouseanexpressionnowinfashion，givetotheBishopofD————
acertain"pantheistical"physiognomy，andinducethebelief，eithertohiscreditordiscredit，thatheentertainedoneofthosepersonalphilosophieswhicharepeculiartoourcentury，whichsometimesspringupinsolitaryspirits，andtheretakeonaformandgrowuntiltheyusurptheplaceofreligion，weinsistuponit，thatnotoneofthosepersonswhoknewMonseigneurWelcomewouldhavethoughthimselfauthorizedtothinkanythingofthesort。
Thatwhichenlightenedthismanwashisheart。Hiswisdomwasmadeofthelightwhichcomesfromthere。
Nosystems；manyworks。Abstrusespeculationscontainvertigo；no，thereisnothingtoindicatethatheriskedhismindinapocalypses。
Theapostlemaybedaring，butthebishopmustbetimid。Hewouldprobablyhavefeltascrupleatsoundingtoofarinadvancecertainproblemswhichare，inamanner，reservedforterriblegreatminds。
Thereisasacredhorrorbeneaththeporchesoftheenigma；
thosegloomyopeningsstandyawningthere，butsomethingtellsyou，you，apasser—byinlife，thatyoumustnotenter。
Woetohimwhopenetratesthither！
Geniusesintheimpenetrabledepthsofabstractionandpurespeculation，situated，sotospeak，abovealldogmas，proposetheirideastoGod。Theirprayeraudaciouslyoffersdiscussion。
Theiradorationinterrogates。Thisisdirectreligion，whichisfullofanxietyandresponsibilityforhimwhoattemptsitssteepcliffs。
Humanmeditationhasnolimits。Athisownriskandperil，itanalyzesanddigsdeepintoitsownbedazzlement。Onemightalmostsay，thatbyasortofsplendidreaction，itwithitdazzlesnature；
themysteriousworldwhichsurroundsusrendersbackwhatithasreceived；itisprobablethatthecontemplatorsarecontemplated。
Howeverthatmaybe，thereareonearthmenwho——aretheymen？——
perceivedistinctlyatthevergeofthehorizonsofreverytheheightsoftheabsolute，andwhohavetheterriblevisionoftheinfinitemountain。MonseigneurWelcomewasoneofthesemen；
MonseigneurWelcomewasnotagenius。Hewouldhavefearedthosesublimitieswhencesomeverygreatmeneven，likeSwedenborgandPascal，haveslippedintoinsanity。Certainly，thesepowerfulreverieshavetheirmoralutility，andbythesearduouspathsoneapproachestoidealperfection。Asforhim，hetookthepathwhichshortens，——
theGospel’s。
HedidnotattempttoimparttohischasublethefoldsofElijah’smantle；
heprojectednorayoffutureuponthedarkgroundswellofevents；
hedidnotseetocondenseinflamethelightofthings；hehadnothingoftheprophetandnothingofthemagicianabouthim。
Thishumblesoulloved，andthatwasall。
Thathecarriedprayertothepitchofasuperhumanaspirationisprobable:butonecannomorepraytoomuchthanonecanlovetoomuch；andifitisaheresytopraybeyondthetexts，SaintTheresaandSaintJeromewouldbeheretics。
Heinclinedtowardsallthatgroansandallthatexpiates。
Theuniverseappearedtohimlikeanimmensemalady；everywherehefeltfever，everywhereheheardthesoundofsuffering，and，withoutseekingtosolvetheenigma，hestrovetodressthewound。
Theterriblespectacleofcreatedthingsdevelopedtendernessinhim；
hewasoccupiedonlyinfindingforhimself，andininspiringotherswiththebestwaytocompassionateandrelieve。Thatwhichexistswasforthisgoodandrarepriestapermanentsubjectofsadnesswhichsoughtconsolation。
Therearemenwhotoilatextractinggold；hetoiledattheextractionofpity。Universalmiserywashismine。Thesadnesswhichreignedeverywherewasbutanexcuseforunfailingkindness。Loveeachother；
hedeclaredthistobecomplete，desirednothingfurther，andthatwasthewholeofhisdoctrine。Oneday，thatmanwhobelievedhimselftobea"philosopher，"thesenatorwhohasalreadybeenalludedto，saidtotheBishop:"Justsurveythespectacleoftheworld:
allwaragainstall；thestrongesthasthemostwit。Yourloveeachotherisnonsense。"——"Well，"repliedMonseigneurWelcome，withoutcontestingthepoint，"ifitisnonsense，thesoulshouldshutitselfupinit，asthepearlintheoyster。"Thusheshuthimselfup，helivedthere，hewasabsolutelysatisfiedwithit，leavingononesidetheprodigiousquestionswhichattractandterrify，thefathomlessperspectivesofabstraction，theprecipicesofmetaphysics——allthoseprofunditieswhichconverge，fortheapostleinGod，fortheatheistinnothingness；destiny，goodandevil，thewayofbeingagainstbeing，theconscienceofman，thethoughtfulsomnambulismoftheanimal，thetransformationindeath，therecapitulationofexistenceswhichthetombcontains，theincomprehensiblegraftingofsuccessivelovesonthepersistent_I_，theessence，thesubstance，theNile，andtheEns，thesoul，nature，liberty，necessity；perpendicularproblems，sinisterobscurities，whereleanthegiganticarchangelsofthehumanmind；formidableabysses，whichLucretius，Manou，SaintPaul，Dante，contemplatewitheyesflashinglightning，whichseemsbyitssteadygazeontheinfinitetocausestarstoblazeforththere。
MonseigneurBienvenuwassimplyamanwhotooknoteoftheexteriorofmysteriousquestionswithoutscrutinizingthem，andwithouttroublinghisownmindwiththem，andwhocherishedinhisownsoulagraverespectfordarkness。
BOOKSECOND——THEFALL
CHAPTERI
THEEVENINGOFADAYOFWALKING
EarlyinthemonthofOctober，1815，aboutanhourbeforesunset，amanwhowastravellingonfootenteredthelittletownofD————
Thefewinhabitantswhowereattheirwindowsorontheirthresholdsatthemomentstaredatthistravellerwithasortofuneasiness。
Itwasdifficulttoencounterawayfarerofmorewretchedappearance。
Hewasamanofmediumstature，thicksetandrobust，intheprimeoflife。Hemighthavebeenforty—sixorforty—eightyearsold。
Acapwithadroopingleathervisorpartlyconcealedhisface，burnedandtannedbysunandwind，anddrippingwithperspiration。
Hisshirtofcoarseyellowlinen，fastenedattheneckbyasmallsilveranchor，permittedaviewofhishairybreast:hehadacravattwistedintoastring；trousersofbluedrilling，wornandthreadbare，whiteononekneeandtornontheother；anoldgray，tatteredblouse，patchedononeoftheelbowswithabitofgreenclothsewedonwithtwine；atightlypackedsoldierknapsack，wellbuckledandperfectlynew，onhisback；anenormous，knottystickinhishand；
iron—shodshoesonhisstockinglessfeet；ashavedheadandalongbeard。
Thesweat，theheat，thejourneyonfoot，thedust，addedIknownotwhatsordidqualitytothisdilapidatedwhole。Hishairwascloselycut，yetbristling，forithadbeguntogrowalittle，anddidnotseemtohavebeencutforsometime。
Nooneknewhim。Hewasevidentlyonlyachancepasser—by。Whencecamehe？Fromthesouth；fromtheseashore，perhaps，forhemadehisentranceintoD————bythesamestreetwhich，sevenmonthspreviously，hadwitnessedthepassageoftheEmperorNapoleononhiswayfromCannestoParis。Thismanmusthavebeenwalkingallday。
Heseemedverymuchfatigued。SomewomenoftheancientmarkettownwhichissituatedbelowthecityhadseenhimpausebeneaththetreesoftheboulevardGassendi，anddrinkatthefountainwhichstandsattheendofthepromenade。Hemusthavebeenverythirsty:
forthechildrenwhofollowedhimsawhimstopagainforadrink，twohundredpacesfurtheron，atthefountaininthemarket—place。
OnarrivingatthecorneroftheRuePoichevert，heturnedtotheleft，anddirectedhisstepstowardthetown—hall。Heentered，thencameoutaquarterofanhourlater。Agendarmewasseatednearthedoor，onthestonebenchwhichGeneralDrouothadmountedonthe4thofMarchtoreadtothefrightenedthrongoftheinhabitantsofD————
theproclamationoftheGulfJuan。Themanpulledoffhiscapandhumblysalutedthegendarme。
Thegendarme，withoutreplyingtohissalute，staredattentivelyathim，followedhimforawhilewithhiseyes，andthenenteredthetown—hall。
TherethenexistedatD————afineinnatthesignoftheCrossofColbas。ThisinnhadforalandlordacertainJacquinLabarre，amanofconsiderationinthetownonaccountofhisrelationshiptoanotherLabarre，whokepttheinnoftheThreeDauphinsinGrenoble，andhadservedintheGuides。AtthetimeoftheEmperor’slanding，manyrumorshadcirculatedthroughoutthecountrywithregardtothisinnoftheThreeDauphins。ItwassaidthatGeneralBertrand，disguisedasacarter，hadmadefrequenttripsthitherinthemonthofJanuary，andthathehaddistributedcrossesofhonortothesoldiersandhandfulsofgoldtothecitizens。Thetruthis，thatwhentheEmperorenteredGrenoblehehadrefusedtoinstallhimselfatthehoteloftheprefecture；hehadthankedthemayor，saying，"Iamgoingtothehouseofabravemanofmyacquaintance"；
andhehadbetakenhimselftotheThreeDauphins。ThisgloryoftheLabarreoftheThreeDauphinswasreflectedupontheLabarreoftheCrossofColbas，atadistanceoffiveandtwentyleagues。
Itwassaidofhiminthetown，"ThatisthecousinofthemanofGrenoble。"
Themanbenthisstepstowardsthisinn，whichwasthebestinthecountry—side。Heenteredthekitchen，whichopenedonalevelwiththestreet。Allthestoveswerelighted；ahugefireblazedgaylyinthefireplace。Thehost，whowasalsothechiefcook，wasgoingfromonestew—pantoanother，verybusilysuperintendinganexcellentdinnerdesignedforthewagoners，whoseloudtalking，conversation，andlaughterwereaudiblefromanadjoiningapartment。
Anyonewhohastravelledknowsthatthereisnoonewhoindulgesinbettercheerthanwagoners。Afatmarmot，flankedbywhitepartridgesandheather—cocks，wasturningonalongspitbeforethefire；onthestove，twohugecarpsfromLakeLauzetandatroutfromLakeAllozwerecooking。
Thehost，hearingthedooropenandseeinganewcomerenter，said，withoutraisinghiseyesfromhisstoves:——
"Whatdoyouwish，sir？"
"Foodandlodging，"saidtheman。
"Nothingeasier，"repliedthehost。Atthatmomentheturnedhishead，tookinthetraveller’sappearancewithasingleglance，andadded，"Bypayingforit。"
Themandrewalargeleatherpursefromthepocketofhisblouse，andanswered，"Ihavemoney。"
"Inthatcase，weareatyourservice，"saidthehost。
Themanputhispursebackinhispocket，removedhisknapsackfromhisback，putitonthegroundnearthedoor，retainedhisstickinhishand，andseatedhimselfonalowstoolclosetothefire。
D————isinthemountains。TheeveningsarecoldthereinOctober。
Butasthehostwentbackandforth，hescrutinizedthetraveller。
"Willdinnerbereadysoon？"saidtheman。
"Immediately，"repliedthelandlord。
Whilethenewcomerwaswarminghimselfbeforethefire，withhisbackturned，theworthyhost，JacquinLabarre，drewapencilfromhispocket，thentoreoffthecornerofanoldnewspaperwhichwaslyingonasmalltablenearthewindow。Onthewhitemarginhewrotealineortwo，foldeditwithoutsealing，andthenintrustedthisscrapofpapertoachildwhoseemedtoservehiminthecapacitybothofscullionandlackey。Thelandlordwhisperedawordinthescullion’sear，andthechildsetoffonaruninthedirectionofthetown—hall。
Thetravellersawnothingofallthis。
Oncemoreheinquired，"Willdinnerbereadysoon？"
"Immediately，"respondedthehost。
Thechildreturned。Hebroughtbackthepaper。Thehostunfoldediteagerly，likeapersonwhoisexpectingareply。Heseemedtoreaditattentively，thentossedhishead，andremainedthoughtfulforamoment。Thenhetookastepinthedirectionofthetraveller，whoappearedtobeimmersedinreflectionswhichwerenotveryserene。
"Icannotreceiveyou，sir，"saidhe。
Themanhalfrose。
"What！AreyouafraidthatIwillnotpayyou？Doyouwantmetopayyouinadvance？Ihavemoney，Itellyou。"
"Itisnotthat。"
"Whatthen？"
"Youhavemoney——"
"Yes，"saidtheman。
"AndI，"saidthehost，"havenoroom。"
Themanresumedtranquilly，"Putmeinthestable。"
"Icannot。"
"Why？"
"Thehorsestakeupallthespace。"
"Verywell！"retortedtheman；"acorneroftheloftthen，atrussofstraw。Wewillseeaboutthatafterdinner。"
"Icannotgiveyouanydinner。"
Thisdeclaration，madeinameasuredbutfirmtone，struckthestrangerasgrave。Herose。
"Ah！bah！ButIamdyingofhunger。Ihavebeenwalkingsincesunrise。
Ihavetravelledtwelveleagues。Ipay。Iwishtoeat。"
"Ihavenothing，"saidthelandlord。
Themanburstoutlaughing，andturnedtowardsthefireplaceandthestoves:"Nothing！andallthat？"
"Allthatisengaged。"
"Bywhom？"
"Bymessieursthewagoners。"
"Howmanyarethereofthem？"
"Twelve。"
"Thereisenoughfoodtherefortwenty。"
"Theyhaveengagedthewholeofitandpaidforitinadvance。"
Themanseatedhimselfagain，andsaid，withoutraisinghisvoice，"Iamataninn；Iamhungry，andIshallremain。"
Thenthehostbentdowntohisear，andsaidinatonewhichmadehimstart，"Goaway！"
Atthatmomentthetravellerwasbendingforwardandthrustingsomebrandsintothefirewiththeiron—shodtipofhisstaff；
heturnedquicklyround，andasheopenedhismouthtoreply，thehostgazedsteadilyathimandadded，stillinalowvoice:
"Stop！there’senoughofthatsortoftalk。Doyouwantmetotellyouyourname？YournameisJeanValjean。Nowdoyouwantmetotellyouwhoyouare？WhenIsawyoucomeinIsuspectedsomething；
Isenttothetown—hall，andthiswasthereplythatwassenttome。
Canyouread？"
Sosaying，heheldouttothestranger，fullyunfolded，thepaperwhichhadjusttravelledfromtheinntothetown—hall，andfromthetown—halltotheinn。Themancastaglanceuponit。
Thelandlordresumedafterapause。
"Iaminthehabitofbeingpolitetoeveryone。Goaway！"
Themandroppedhishead，pickeduptheknapsackwhichhehaddepositedontheground，andtookhisdeparture。
Hechosetheprincipalstreet。Hewalkedstraightonataventure，keepingclosetothehouseslikeasadandhumiliatedman。
Hedidnotturnroundasingletime。Hadhedoneso，hewouldhaveseenthehostoftheCrossofColbasstandingonhisthreshold，surroundedbyalltheguestsofhisinn，andallthepassers—byinthestreet，talkingvivaciously，andpointinghimoutwithhisfinger；
and，fromtheglancesofterroranddistrustcastbythegroup，hemighthavedivinedthathisarrivalwouldspeedilybecomeaneventforthewholetown。
Hesawnothingofallthis。Peoplewhoarecrusheddonotlookbehindthem。Theyknowbuttoowelltheevilfatewhichfollowsthem。
Thusheproceededforsometime，walkingonwithoutceasing，traversingatrandomstreetsofwhichheknewnothing，forgetfulofhisfatigue，asisoftenthecasewhenamanissad。Allatoncehefeltthepangsofhungersharply。Nightwasdrawingnear。
Heglancedabouthim，toseewhetherhecouldnotdiscoversomeshelter。
Thefinehostelrywasclosedtohim；hewasseekingsomeveryhumblepublichouse，somehovel，howeverlowly。
Justthenalightflashedupattheendofthestreets；apinebranchsuspendedfromacross—beamofironwasoutlinedagainstthewhiteskyofthetwilight。Heproceededthither。
Itprovedtobe，infact，apublichouse。ThepublichousewhichisintheRuedeChaffaut。
Thewayfarerhaltedforamoment，andpeepedthroughthewindowintotheinteriorofthelow—studdedroomofthepublichouse，illuminatedbyasmalllamponatableandbyalargefireonthehearth。Somemenwereengagedindrinkingthere。Thelandlordwaswarminghimself。
Anironpot，suspendedfromacrane，bubbledovertheflame。
Theentrancetothispublichouse，whichisalsoasortofaninn，isbytwodoors。Oneopensonthestreet，theotheruponasmallyardfilledwithmanure。Thetravellerdarenotenterbythestreetdoor。
Heslippedintotheyard，haltedagain，thenraisedthelatchtimidlyandopenedthedoor。
"Whogoesthere？"saidthemaster。
"Someonewhowantssupperandbed。"
"Good。Wefurnishsupperandbedhere。"
Heentered。Allthemenwhoweredrinkingturnedround。
Thelampilluminatedhimononeside，thefirelightontheother。
Theyexaminedhimforsometimewhilehewastakingoffhisknapsack。
Thehostsaidtohim，"Thereisthefire。Thesupperiscookinginthepot。Comeandwarmyourself，comrade。"
Heapproachedandseatedhimselfnearthehearth。Hestretchedouthisfeet，whichwereexhaustedwithfatigue，tothefire；
afineodorwasemittedbythepot。Allthatcouldbedistinguishedofhisface，beneathhiscap，whichwaswellpulleddown，assumedavagueappearanceofcomfort，mingledwiththatotherpoignantaspectwhichhabitualsufferingbestows。
Itwas，moreover，afirm，energetic，andmelancholyprofile。
Thisphysiognomywasstrangelycomposed；itbeganbyseeminghumble，andendedbyseemingsevere。Theeyeshonebeneathitslasheslikeafirebeneathbrushwood。
Oneofthemenseatedatthetable，however，wasafishmongerwho，beforeenteringthepublichouseoftheRuedeChaffaut，hadbeentostablehishorseatLabarre’s。ItchancedthathehadthatverymorningencounteredthisunprepossessingstrangerontheroadbetweenBrasd’Asseand——Ihaveforgottenthename。
IthinkitwasEscoublon。Now，whenhemethim，theman，whothenseemedalreadyextremelyweary，hadrequestedhimtotakehimonhiscrupper；towhichthefishmongerhadmadenoreplyexceptbyredoublinghisgait。ThisfishmongerhadbeenamemberhalfanhourpreviouslyofthegroupwhichsurroundedJacquinLabarre，andhadhimselfrelatedhisdisagreeableencounterofthemorningtothepeopleattheCrossofColbas。Fromwherehesathemadeanimperceptiblesigntothetavern—keeper。Thetavern—keeperwenttohim。Theyexchangedafewwordsinalowtone。Themanhadagainbecomeabsorbedinhisreflections。
Thetavern—keeperreturnedtothefireplace，laidhishandabruptlyontheshoulderoftheman，andsaidtohim:——
"Youaregoingtogetoutofhere。"
Thestrangerturnedroundandrepliedgently，"Ah！Youknow？——"
"Yes。"
"Iwassentawayfromtheotherinn。"
"Andyouaretobeturnedoutofthisone。"
"Wherewouldyouhavemego？"
"Elsewhere。"
Themantookhisstickandhisknapsackanddeparted。
Ashewentout，somechildrenwhohadfollowedhimfromtheCrossofColbas，andwhoseemedtobelyinginwaitforhim，threwstonesathim。Heretracedhisstepsinanger，andthreatenedthemwithhisstick:thechildrendispersedlikeaflockofbirds。
Hepassedbeforetheprison。Atthedoorhunganironchainattachedtoabell。Herang。
Thewicketopened。
"Turnkey，"saidhe，removinghiscappolitely，"willyouhavethekindnesstoadmitme，andgivemealodgingforthenight？"
Avoicereplied:——
"Theprisonisnotaninn。Getyourselfarrested，andyouwillbeadmitted。"
Thewicketclosedagain。
Heenteredalittlestreetinwhichthereweremanygardens。
Someofthemareenclosedonlybyhedges，whichlendsacheerfulaspecttothestreet。Inthemidstofthesegardensandhedgeshecaughtsightofasmallhouseofasinglestory，thewindowofwhichwaslightedup。Hepeeredthroughthepaneashehaddoneatthepublichouse。Withinwasalargewhitewashedroom，withabeddrapedinprintedcottonstuff，andacradleinonecorner，afewwoodenchairs，andadouble—barrelledgunhangingonthewall。
Atablewasspreadinthecentreoftheroom。Acopperlampilluminatedthetableclothofcoarsewhitelinen，thepewterjugshininglikesilver，andfilledwithwine，andthebrown，smokingsoup—tureen。Atthistablesatamanofaboutforty，withamerryandopencountenance，whowasdandlingalittlechildonhisknees。Closebyaveryyoungwomanwasnursinganotherchild。
Thefatherwaslaughing，thechildwaslaughing，themotherwassmiling。
Thestrangerpausedamomentinreverybeforethistenderandcalmingspectacle。Whatwastakingplacewithinhim？
Healonecouldhavetold。Itisprobablethathethoughtthatthisjoyoushousewouldbehospitable，andthat，inaplacewherehebeheldsomuchhappiness，hewouldfindperhapsalittlepity。
Hetappedonthepanewithaverysmallandfeebleknock。
Theydidnothearhim。
Hetappedagain。
Heheardthewomansay，"Itseemstome，husband，thatsomeoneisknocking。"
"No，"repliedthehusband。
Hetappedathirdtime。
Thehusbandrose，tookthelamp，andwenttothedoor，whichheopened。
Hewasamanofloftystature，halfpeasant，halfartisan。
Heworeahugeleatherapron，whichreachedtohisleftshoulder，andwhichahammer，aredhandkerchief，apowder—horn，andallsortsofobjectswhichwereupheldbythegirdle，asinapocket，causedtobulgeout。Hecarriedhisheadthrownbackwards；
hisshirt，widelyopenedandturnedback，displayedhisbullneck，whiteandbare。Hehadthickeyelashes，enormousblackwhiskers，prominenteyes，thelowerpartofhisfacelikeasnout；
andbesidesallthis，thatairofbeingonhisownground，whichisindescribable。
"Pardonme，sir，"saidthewayfarer，"Couldyou，inconsiderationofpayment，givemeaplateofsoupandacornerofthatshedyonderinthegarden，inwhichtosleep？Tellme；canyou？
Formoney？"
"Whoareyou？"demandedthemasterofthehouse。
Themanreplied:"IhavejustcomefromPuy—Moisson。Ihavewalkedalldaylong。Ihavetravelledtwelveleagues。Canyou？——
ifIpay？"
"Iwouldnotrefuse，"saidthepeasant，"tolodgeanyrespectablemanwhowouldpayme。Butwhydoyounotgototheinn？"
"Thereisnoroom。"
"Bah！Impossible。Thisisneitherafairnoramarketday。
HaveyoubeentoLabarre？"
"Yes。"
"Well？"
Thetravellerrepliedwithembarrassment:"Idonotknow。
Hedidnotreceiveme。"
"HaveyoubeentoWhat’s—his—name’s，intheRueChaffaut？"
Thestranger’sembarrassmentincreased；hestammered，"Hedidnotreceivemeeither。"
Thepeasant’scountenanceassumedanexpressionofdistrust；
hesurveyedthenewcomerfromheadtofeet，andsuddenlyexclaimed，withasortofshudder:——
"Areyoutheman？——"
Hecastafreshglanceuponthestranger，tookthreestepsbackwards，placedthelamponthetable，andtookhisgundownfromthewall。
Meanwhile，atthewords，Areyoutheman？thewomanhadrisen，hadclaspedhertwochildreninherarms，andhadtakenrefugeprecipitatelybehindherhusband，staringinterroratthestranger，withherbosomuncovered，andwithfrightenedeyes，asshemurmuredinalowtone，"Tso—maraude。"[1]
[1]PatoisoftheFrenchAlps:chatdemaraude，rascallymarauder。
Allthistookplaceinlesstimethanitrequirestopictureittoone’sself。Afterhavingscrutinizedthemanforseveralmoments，asonescrutinizesaviper，themasterofthehousereturnedtothedoorandsaid:——
"Clearout！"
"Forpity’ssake，aglassofwater，"saidtheman。
"Ashotfrommygun！"saidthepeasant。
Thenheclosedthedoorviolently，andthemanheardhimshoottwolargebolts。Amomentlater，thewindow—shutterwasclosed，andthesoundofabarofironwhichwasplacedagainstitwasaudibleoutside。
Nightcontinuedtofall。AcoldwindfromtheAlpswasblowing。
Bythelightoftheexpiringdaythestrangerperceived，inoneofthegardenswhichborderedthestreet，asortofhut，whichseemedtohimtobebuiltofsods。Heclimbedoverthewoodenfenceresolutely，andfoundhimselfinthegarden。Heapproachedthehut；itsdoorconsistedofaverylowandnarrowaperture，anditresembledthosebuildingswhichroad—laborersconstructforthemselvesalongtheroads。Hethoughtwithoutdoubt，thatitwas，infact，thedwellingofaroad—laborer；hewassufferingfromcoldandhunger，butthiswas，atleast，ashelterfromthecold。
Thissortofdwellingisnotusuallyoccupiedatnight。Hethrewhimselfflatonhisface，andcrawledintothehut。Itwaswarmthere，andhefoundatolerablygoodbedofstraw。Helay，foramoment，stretchedoutonthisbed，withoutthepowertomakeamovement，sofatiguedwashe。Then，astheknapsackonhisbackwasinhisway，andasitfurnished，moreover，apillowreadytohishand，hesetaboutunbucklingoneofthestraps。Atthatmoment，aferociousgrowlbecameaudible。Heraisedhiseyes。Theheadofanenormousdogwasoutlinedinthedarknessattheentranceofthehut。
Itwasadog’skennel。
Hewashimselfvigorousandformidable；hearmedhimselfwithhisstaff，madeashieldofhisknapsack，andmadehiswayoutofthekennelinthebestwayhecould，notwithoutenlargingtherentsinhisrags。
Heleftthegardeninthesamemanner，butbackwards，beingobliged，inordertokeepthedogrespectful，tohaverecoursetothatmanoeuvrewithhisstickwhichmastersinthatsortoffencingdesignateaslarosecouverte。
Whenhehad，notwithoutdifficulty，repassedthefence，andfoundhimselfoncemoreinthestreet，alone，withoutrefuge，withoutshelter，withoutaroofoverhishead，chasedevenfromthatbedofstrawandfromthatmiserablekennel，hedroppedratherthanseatedhimselfonastone，anditappearsthatapasser—byheardhimexclaim，"Iamnotevenadog！"
Hesoonroseagainandresumedhismarch。Hewentoutofthetown，hopingtofindsometreeorhaystackinthefieldswhichwouldaffordhimshelter。
Hewalkedthusforsometime，withhisheadstilldrooping。
Whenhefelthimselffarfromeveryhumanhabitation，heraisedhiseyesandgazedsearchinglyabouthim。Hewasinafield。
Beforehimwasoneofthoselowhillscoveredwithclose—cutstubble，which，aftertheharvest，resembleshavedheads。
Thehorizonwasperfectlyblack。Thiswasnotalonetheobscurityofnight；itwascausedbyverylow—hangingcloudswhichseemedtorestuponthehillitself，andwhichweremountingandfillingthewholesky。Meanwhile，asthemoonwasabouttorise，andastherewasstillfloatinginthezenitharemnantofthebrightnessoftwilight，thesecloudsformedatthesummitoftheskyasortofwhitisharch，whenceagleamoflightfellupontheearth。
Theearthwasthusbetterlightedthanthesky，whichproducesaparticularlysinistereffect，andthehill，whosecontourwaspoorandmean，wasoutlinedvagueandwanagainstthegloomyhorizon。
Thewholeeffectwashideous，petty，lugubrious，andnarrow。
Therewasnothinginthefieldoronthehillexceptadeformedtree，whichwrithedandshiveredafewpacesdistantfromthewayfarer。
Thismanwasevidentlyveryfarfromhavingthosedelicatehabitsofintelligenceandspiritwhichrenderonesensibletothemysteriousaspectsofthings；nevertheless，therewassomethinginthatsky，inthathill，inthatplain，inthattree，whichwassoprofoundlydesolate，thatafteramomentofimmobilityandreveryheturnedbackabruptly。Thereareinstantswhennatureseemshostile。
Heretracedhissteps；thegatesofD————wereclosed。D————，whichhadsustainedsiegesduringthewarsofreligion，wasstillsurroundedin1815byancientwallsflankedbysquaretowerswhichhavebeendemolishedsince。Hepassedthroughabreachandenteredthetownagain。
Itmighthavebeeneighto’clockintheevening。Ashewasnotacquaintedwiththestreets，herecommencedhiswalkatrandom。
Inthiswayhecametotheprefecture，thentotheseminary。
AshepassedthroughtheCathedralSquare，heshookhisfistatthechurch。
Atthecornerofthissquarethereisaprintingestablishment。
ItistherethattheproclamationsoftheEmperorandoftheImperialGuardtothearmy，broughtfromtheIslandofElbaanddictatedbyNapoleonhimself，wereprintedforthefirsttime。
Wornoutwithfatigue，andnolongerentertaininganyhope，helaydownonastonebenchwhichstandsatthedoorwayofthisprintingoffice。
Atthatmomentanoldwomancameoutofthechurch。Shesawthemanstretchedoutintheshadow。"Whatareyoudoingthere，myfriend？"
saidshe。
Heansweredharshlyandangrily:"Asyousee，mygoodwoman，Iamsleeping。"Thegoodwoman，whowaswellworthythename，infact，wastheMarquisedeR————
"Onthisbench？"shewenton。
"Ihavehadamattressofwoodfornineteenyears，"saidtheman；
"to—dayIhaveamattressofstone。"
"Youhavebeenasoldier？"
"Yes，mygoodwoman，asoldier。"
"Whydoyounotgototheinn？"
"BecauseIhavenomoney。"
"Alas！"saidMadamedeR————，"Ihaveonlyfoursousinmypurse。"
"Giveittomeallthesame。"
Themantookthefoursous。MadamedeR————continued:"Youcannotobtainlodgingsinaninnforsosmallasum。Buthaveyoutried？
Itisimpossibleforyoutopassthenightthus。Youarecoldandhungry，nodoubt。Someonemighthavegivenyoualodgingoutofcharity。"
"Ihaveknockedatalldoors。"
"Well？"
"Ihavebeendrivenawayeverywhere。"
The"goodwoman"touchedtheman’sarm，andpointedouttohimontheothersideofthestreetasmall，lowhouse，whichstoodbesidetheBishop’spalace。
"Youhaveknockedatalldoors？"
"Yes。"
"Haveyouknockedatthatone？"
"No。"
"Knockthere。"
CHAPTERII
PRUDENCECOUNSELLEDTOWISDOM。
Thatevening，theBishopofD————，afterhispromenadethroughthetown，remainedshutupratherlateinhisroom。HewasbusyoveragreatworkonDuties，whichwasnevercompleted，unfortunately。HewascarefullycompilingeverythingthattheFathersandthedoctorshavesaidonthisimportantsubject。Hisbookwasdividedintotwoparts:firstly，thedutiesofall；secondly，thedutiesofeachindividual，accordingtotheclasstowhichhebelongs。
Thedutiesofallarethegreatduties。Therearefourofthese。
SaintMatthewpointsthemout:dutiestowardsGod（Matt。vi。）；
dutiestowardsone’sself（Matt。v。29，30）；dutiestowardsone’sneighbor（Matt。vii。12）；dutiestowardsanimals（Matt。vi。
20，25）。AsfortheotherdutiestheBishopfoundthempointedoutandprescribedelsewhere:tosovereignsandsubjects，intheEpistletotheRomans；tomagistrates，towives，tomothers，toyoungmen，bySaintPeter；tohusbands，fathers，childrenandservants，intheEpistletotheEphesians；tothefaithful，intheEpistletotheHebrews；tovirgins，intheEpistletotheCorinthians。
Outofthesepreceptshewaslaboriouslyconstructingaharmoniouswhole，whichhedesiredtopresenttosouls。
Ateighto’clockhewasstillatwork，writingwithagooddealofinconvenienceuponlittlesquaresofpaper，withabigbookopenonhisknees，whenMadameMagloireentered，accordingtoherwont，togetthesilver—warefromthecupboardnearhisbed。Amomentlater，theBishop，knowingthatthetablewasset，andthathissisterwasprobablywaitingforhim，shuthisbook，rosefromhistable，andenteredthedining—room。
Thedining—roomwasanoblongapartment，withafireplace，whichhadadooropeningonthestreet（aswehavesaid），andawindowopeningonthegarden。
MadameMagloirewas，infact，justputtingthelasttouchestothetable。
Assheperformedthisservice，shewasconversingwithMademoiselleBaptistine。
Alampstoodonthetable；thetablewasnearthefireplace。
Awoodfirewasburningthere。
Onecaneasilypicturetoone’sselfthesetwowomen，bothofwhomwereoversixtyyearsofage。MadameMagloiresmall，plump，vivacious；
MademoiselleBaptistinegentle，slender，frail，somewhattallerthanherbrother，dressedinagownofpuce—coloredsilk，ofthefashionof1806，whichshehadpurchasedatthatdateinParis，andwhichhadlastedeversince。Toborrowvulgarphrases，whichpossessthemeritofgivingutteranceinasinglewordtoanideawhichawholepagewouldhardlysufficetoexpress，MadameMagloirehadtheairofapeasant，andMademoiselleBaptistinethatofalady。
MadameMagloireworeawhitequiltedcap，agoldJeannettecrossonavelvetribbonuponherneck，theonlybitoffemininejewelrythattherewasinthehouse，averywhitefichupuffingoutfromagownofcoarseblackwoollenstuff，withlarge，shortsleeves，anapronofcottonclothinredandgreenchecks，knottedroundthewaistwithagreenribbon，withastomacherofthesameattachedbytwopinsattheuppercorners，coarseshoesonherfeet，andyellowstockings，likethewomenofMarseilles。MademoiselleBaptistine’sgownwascutonthepatternsof1806，withashortwaist，anarrow，sheath—likeskirt，puffedsleeves，withflapsandbuttons。
Sheconcealedhergrayhairunderafrizzedwigknownasthebabywig。
MadameMagloirehadanintelligent，vivacious，andkindlyair；
thetwocornersofhermouthunequallyraised，andherupperlip，whichwaslargerthanthelower，impartedtoherarathercrabbedandimperiouslook。SolongasMonseigneurheldhispeace，shetalkedtohimresolutelywithamixtureofrespectandfreedom；
butassoonasMonseigneurbegantospeak，aswehaveseen，sheobeyedpassivelylikehermistress。MademoiselleBaptistinedidnotevenspeak。Sheconfinedherselftoobeyingandpleasinghim。
Shehadneverbeenpretty，evenwhenshewasyoung；shehadlarge，blue，prominenteyes，andalongarchednose；butherwholevisage，herwholeperson，breathedforthanineffablegoodness，aswestatedinthebeginning。Shehadalwaysbeenpredestinedtogentleness；
butfaith，charity，hope，thosethreevirtueswhichmildlywarmthesoul，hadgraduallyelevatedthatgentlenesstosanctity。Naturehadmadeheralamb，religionhadmadeheranangel。Poorsaintedvirgin！
Sweetmemorywhichhasvanished！
MademoiselleBaptistinehassooftennarratedwhatpassedattheepiscopalresidencethatevening，thattherearemanypeoplenowlivingwhostillrecallthemostminutedetails。
AtthemomentwhentheBishopentered，MadameMagloirewastalkingwithconsiderablevivacity。ShewasharanguingMademoiselleBaptistineonasubjectwhichwasfamiliartoherandtowhichtheBishopwasalsoaccustomed。Thequestionconcernedthelockupontheentrancedoor。
Itappearsthatwhileprocuringsomeprovisionsforsupper，MadameMagloirehadheardthingsindiversplaces。Peoplehadspokenofaprowlerofevilappearance；asuspiciousvagabondhadarrivedwhomustbesomewhereaboutthetown，andthosewhoshouldtakeitintotheirheadstoreturnhomelatethatnightmightbesubjectedtounpleasantencounters。Thepolicewasverybadlyorganized，moreover，becausetherewasnolovelostbetweenthePrefectandtheMayor，whosoughttoinjureeachotherbymakingthingshappen。
Itbehoovedwisepeopletoplaythepartoftheirownpolice，andtoguardthemselveswell，andcaremustbetakentodulyclose，barandbarricadetheirhouses，andtofastenthedoorswell。
MadameMagloireemphasizedtheselastwords；buttheBishophadjustcomefromhisroom，whereitwasrathercold。Heseatedhimselfinfrontofthefire，andwarmedhimself，andthenfelltothinkingofotherthings。HedidnottakeuptheremarkdroppedwithdesignbyMadameMagloire。Sherepeatedit。ThenMademoiselleBaptistine，desirousofsatisfyingMadameMagloirewithoutdispleasingherbrother，venturedtosaytimidly:——
"DidyouhearwhatMadameMagloireissaying，brother？"
"Ihaveheardsomethingofitinavagueway，"repliedtheBishop。
Thenhalf—turninginhischair，placinghishandsonhisknees，andraisingtowardstheoldservantwomanhiscordialface，whichsoeasilygrewjoyous，andwhichwasilluminatedfrombelowbythefirelight，——"Come，whatisthematter？Whatisthematter？
Areweinanygreatdanger？"
ThenMadameMagloirebeganthewholestoryafresh，exaggeratingitalittlewithoutbeingawareofthefact。ItappearedthataBohemian，abare—footedvagabond，asortofdangerousmendicant，wasatthatmomentinthetown。HehadpresentedhimselfatJacquinLabarre’stoobtainlodgings，butthelatterhadnotbeenwillingtotakehimin。HehadbeenseentoarrivebythewayoftheboulevardGassendiandroamaboutthestreetsinthegloaming。
Agallows—birdwithaterribleface。
"Really！"saidtheBishop。
ThiswillingnesstointerrogateencouragedMadameMagloire；
itseemedtohertoindicatethattheBishopwasonthepointofbecomingalarmed；shepursuedtriumphantly:——
"Yes，Monseigneur。Thatishowitis。Therewillbesomesortofcatastropheinthistownto—night。Everyonesaysso。Andwithal，thepoliceissobadlyregulated"（ausefulrepetition）。"Theideaoflivinginamountainouscountry，andnotevenhavinglightsinthestreetsatnight！Onegoesout。Blackasovens，indeed！
AndIsay，Monseigneur，andMademoiselletheresayswithme——"
"I，"interruptedhissister，"saynothing。Whatmybrotherdoesiswelldone。"
MadameMagloirecontinuedasthoughtherehadbeennoprotest:——
"Wesaythatthishouseisnotsafeatall；thatifMonseigneurwillpermit，IwillgoandtellPaulinMusebois，thelocksmith，tocomeandreplacetheancientlocksonthedoors；wehavethem，anditisonlytheworkofamoment；forIsaythatnothingismoreterriblethanadoorwhichcanbeopenedfromtheoutsidewithalatchbythefirstpasser—by；andIsaythatweneedbolts，Monseigneur，ifonlyforthisnight；moreover，Monseigneurhasthehabitofalwayssaying`comein’；andbesides，eveninthemiddleofthenight，OmonDieu！thereisnoneedtoaskpermission。"
Atthatmomenttherecameatolerablyviolentknockonthedoor。
"Comein，"saidtheBishop。
CHAPTERIII
THEHEROISMOFPASSIVEOBEDIENCE。
Thedooropened。
Itopenedwidewitharapidmovement，asthoughsomeonehadgivenitanenergeticandresolutepush。
Amanentered。
Wealreadyknowtheman。Itwasthewayfarerwhomwehaveseenwanderingaboutinsearchofshelter。
Heentered，advancedastep，andhalted，leavingthedooropenbehindhim。Hehadhisknapsackonhisshoulders，hiscudgelinhishand，arough，audacious，weary，andviolentexpressioninhiseyes。Thefireonthehearthlightedhimup。Hewashideous。
Itwasasinisterapparition。
MadameMagloirehadnoteventhestrengthtoutteracry。
Shetrembled，andstoodwithhermouthwideopen。
MademoiselleBaptistineturnedround，beheldthemanentering，andhalfstartedupinterror；then，turningherheadbydegreestowardsthefireplaceagain，shebegantoobserveherbrother，andherfacebecameoncemoreprofoundlycalmandserene。
TheBishopfixedatranquileyeontheman。
Asheopenedhismouth，doubtlesstoaskthenew—comerwhathedesired，themanrestedbothhandsonhisstaff，directedhisgazeattheoldmanandthetwowomen，andwithoutwaitingfortheBishoptospeak，hesaid，inaloudvoice:——
"Seehere。MynameisJeanValjean。Iamaconvictfromthegalleys。
Ihavepassednineteenyearsinthegalleys。Iwasliberatedfourdaysago，andamonmywaytoPontarlier，whichismydestination。
IhavebeenwalkingforfourdayssinceIleftToulon。Ihavetravelledadozenleaguesto—dayonfoot。Thisevening，whenI
arrivedintheseparts，Iwenttoaninn，andtheyturnedmeout，becauseofmyyellowpassport，whichIhadshownatthetown—hall。
Ihadtodoit。Iwenttoaninn。Theysaidtome，`Beoff，’
atbothplaces。Noonewouldtakeme。Iwenttotheprison；
thejailerwouldnotadmitme。Iwentintoadog’skennel；
thedogbitmeandchasedmeoff，asthoughhehadbeenaman。
OnewouldhavesaidthatheknewwhoIwas。Iwentintothefields，intendingtosleepintheopenair，beneaththestars。Therewerenostars。Ithoughtitwasgoingtorain，andIre—enteredthetown，toseektherecessofadoorway。Yonder，inthesquare，Imeanttosleeponastonebench。Agoodwomanpointedoutyourhousetome，andsaidtome，`Knockthere！’Ihaveknocked。
Whatisthisplace？Doyoukeepaninn？Ihavemoney——savings。
Onehundredandninefrancsfifteensous，whichIearnedinthegalleysbymylabor，inthecourseofnineteenyears。
Iwillpay。Whatisthattome？Ihavemoney。Iamveryweary；
twelveleaguesonfoot；Iamveryhungry。AreyouwillingthatI
shouldremain？"
"MadameMagloire，"saidtheBishop，"youwillsetanotherplace。"
Themanadvancedthreepaces，andapproachedthelampwhichwasonthetable。"Stop，"heresumed，asthoughhehadnotquiteunderstood；
"that’snotit。Didyouhear？Iamagalley—slave；aconvict。
Icomefromthegalleys。"Hedrewfromhispocketalargesheetofyellowpaper，whichheunfolded。"Here’smypassport。Yellow，asyousee。ThisservestoexpelmefromeveryplacewhereIgo。
Willyoureadit？Iknowhowtoread。Ilearnedinthegalleys。
Thereisaschoolthereforthosewhochoosetolearn。Hold，thisiswhattheyputonthispassport:`JeanValjean，dischargedconvict，nativeof’——thatisnothingtoyou——`hasbeennineteenyearsinthegalleys:fiveyearsforhouse—breakingandburglary；
fourteenyearsforhavingattemptedtoescapeonfouroccasions。
Heisaverydangerousman。’There！Everyonehascastmeout。
Areyouwillingtoreceiveme？Isthisaninn？Willyougivemesomethingtoeatandabed？Haveyouastable？"
"MadameMagloire，"saidtheBishop，"youwillputwhitesheetsonthebedinthealcove。"Wehavealreadyexplainedthecharacterofthetwowomen’sobedience。
MadameMagloireretiredtoexecutetheseorders。
TheBishopturnedtotheman。
"Sitdown，sir，andwarmyourself。Wearegoingtosupinafewmoments，andyourbedwillbepreparedwhileyouaresupping。"
Atthispointthemansuddenlycomprehended。Theexpressionofhisface，uptothattimesombreandharsh，boretheimprintofstupefaction，ofdoubt，ofjoy，andbecameextraordinary。
Hebeganstammeringlikeacrazyman:——
"Really？What！Youwillkeepme？Youdonotdrivemeforth？
Aconvict！Youcallmesir！Youdonotaddressmeasthou？
`Getoutofhere，youdog！’iswhatpeoplealwayssaytome。Ifeltsurethatyouwouldexpelme，soItoldyouatoncewhoIam。Oh，whatagoodwomanthatwaswhodirectedmehither！Iamgoingtosup！
Abedwithamattressandsheets，liketherestoftheworld！abed！
ItisnineteenyearssinceIhavesleptinabed！Youactuallydonotwantmetogo！Youaregoodpeople。Besides，Ihavemoney。
Iwillpaywell。Pardonme，monsieurtheinn—keeper，butwhatisyourname？Iwillpayanythingyouask。Youareafineman。
Youareaninn—keeper，areyounot？"
"Iam，"repliedtheBishop，"apriestwholiveshere。"
"Apriest！"saidtheman。"Oh，whatafinepriest！Thenyouarenotgoingtodemandanymoneyofme？Youarethecure，areyounot？thecureofthisbigchurch？Well！Iamafool，truly！
Ihadnotperceivedyourskull—cap。"
Ashespoke，hedepositedhisknapsackandhiscudgelinacorner，replacedhispassportinhispocket，andseatedhimself。
MademoiselleBaptistinegazedmildlyathim。Hecontinued:
"Youarehumane，MonsieurleCure；youhavenotscornedme。
Agoodpriestisaverygoodthing。Thenyoudonotrequiremetopay？"
"No，"saidtheBishop；"keepyourmoney。Howmuchhaveyou？
Didyounottellmeonehundredandninefrancs？"
"Andfifteensous，"addedtheman。
"Onehundredandninefrancsfifteensous。Andhowlongdidittakeyoutoearnthat？"
"Nineteenyears。"
"Nineteenyears！"
TheBishopsigheddeeply。
Themancontinued:"Ihavestillthewholeofmymoney。
InfourdaysIhavespentonlytwenty—fivesous，whichIearnedbyhelpingunloadsomewagonsatGrasse。Sinceyouareanabbe，Iwilltellyouthatwehadachaplaininthegalleys。AndonedayIsawabishopthere。Monseigneuriswhattheycallhim。HewastheBishopofMajoreatMarseilles。Heisthecurewhorulesovertheothercures，youunderstand。Pardonme，Isaythatverybadly；
butitissuchafar—offthingtome！Youunderstandwhatweare！
Hesaidmassinthemiddleofthegalleys，onanaltar。Hehadapointedthing，madeofgold，onhishead；itglitteredinthebrightlightofmidday。Wewereallrangedinlinesonthethreesides，withcannonswithlightedmatchesfacingus。Wecouldnotseeverywell。Hespoke；buthewastoofaroff，andwedidnothear。
Thatiswhatabishopislike。"
Whilehewasspeaking，theBishophadgoneandshutthedoor，whichhadremainedwideopen。
MadameMagloirereturned。Shebroughtasilverforkandspoon，whichsheplacedonthetable。
"MadameMagloire，"saidtheBishop，"placethosethingsasnearthefireaspossible。"Andturningtohisguest:"ThenightwindisharshontheAlps。Youmustbecold，sir。"
Eachtimethatheutteredthewordsir，inhisvoicewhichwassogentlygraveandpolished，theman’sfacelightedup。MonsieurtoaconvictislikeaglassofwatertooneoftheshipwreckedoftheMedusa。
Ignominythirstsforconsideration。
"Thislampgivesaverybadlight，"saidtheBishop。
MadameMagloireunderstoodhim，andwenttogetthetwosilvercandlesticksfromthechimney—pieceinMonseigneur’sbed—chamber，andplacedthem，lighted，onthetable。
"MonsieurleCure，"saidtheman，"youaregood；youdonotdespiseme。
Youreceivemeintoyourhouse。Youlightyourcandlesforme。
YetIhavenotconcealedfromyouwhenceIcomeandthatIamanunfortunateman。"
TheBishop，whowassittingclosetohim，gentlytouchedhishand。
"Youcouldnothelptellingmewhoyouwere。Thisisnotmyhouse；
itisthehouseofJesusChrist。Thisdoordoesnotdemandofhimwhoenterswhetherhehasaname，butwhetherhehasagrief。
Yousuffer，youarehungryandthirsty；youarewelcome。
Anddonotthankme；donotsaythatIreceiveyouinmyhouse。
Nooneisathomehere，exceptthemanwhoneedsarefuge。
Isaytoyou，whoarepassingby，thatyouaremuchmoreathomeherethanIammyself。Everythinghereisyours。WhatneedhaveI
toknowyourname？Besides，beforeyoutoldmeyouhadonewhichIknew。"
Themanopenedhiseyesinastonishment。
"Really？YouknewwhatIwascalled？"
"Yes，"repliedtheBishop，"youarecalledmybrother。"
"Stop，MonsieurleCure，"exclaimedtheman。"IwasveryhungrywhenIenteredhere；butyouaresogood，thatInolongerknowwhathashappenedtome。"
TheBishoplookedathim，andsaid，——
"Youhavesufferedmuch？"
"Oh，theredcoat，theballontheankle，aplanktosleepon，heat，cold，toil，theconvicts，thethrashings，thedoublechainfornothing，thecellforoneword；evensickandinbed，stillthechain！Dogs，dogsarehappier！Nineteenyears！Iamforty—six。Nowthereistheyellowpassport。Thatiswhatitislike。"
"Yes，"resumedtheBishop，"youhavecomefromaverysadplace。
Listen。Therewillbemorejoyinheavenoverthetear—bathedfaceofarepentantsinnerthanoverthewhiterobesofahundredjustmen。
Ifyouemergefromthatsadplacewiththoughtsofhatredandofwrathagainstmankind，youaredeservingofpity；ifyouemergewiththoughtsofgood—willandofpeace，youaremoreworthythananyoneofus。"
Inthemeantime，MadameMagloirehadservedsupper:soup，madewithwater，oil，bread，andsalt；alittlebacon，abitofmutton，figs，afreshcheese，andalargeloafofryebread。Shehad，ofherownaccord，addedtotheBishop’sordinaryfareabottleofhisoldMauveswine。
TheBishop’sfaceatonceassumedthatexpressionofgayetywhichispeculiartohospitablenatures。"Totable！"hecriedvivaciously。
Aswashiscustomwhenastrangersuppedwithhim，hemadethemansitonhisright。MademoiselleBaptistine，perfectlypeaceableandnatural，tookherseatathisleft。
TheBishopaskedablessing；thenhelpedthesouphimself，accordingtohiscustom。Themanbegantoeatwithavidity。
AllatoncetheBishopsaid:"Itstrikesmethereissomethingmissingonthistable。"
MadameMagloirehad，infact，onlyplacedthethreesetsofforksandspoonswhichwereabsolutelynecessary。Now，itwastheusageofthehouse，whentheBishophadanyonetosupper，tolayoutthewholesixsetsofsilveronthetable—cloth——aninnocentostentation。
Thisgracefulsemblanceofluxurywasakindofchild’splay，whichwasfullofcharminthatgentleandseverehousehold，whichraisedpovertyintodignity。
MadameMagloireunderstoodtheremark，wentoutwithoutsayingaword，andamomentlaterthethreesetsofsilverforksandspoonsdemandedbytheBishopwereglitteringuponthecloth，symmetricallyarrangedbeforethethreepersonsseatedatthetable。
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