LES M I S ER AB LE S .

( THE W RETCHED ) .

V I C TO R H U G O .

A NE W T RA NS L A T I O N , RE VI S E D .

IN FIVE PARTS
III . M A RI U S .

IV . ST DE N I S .

v
.
. JE AN V A LJE A N .

PA RT I I .

C O S E T T E .

RI C H M OND
-
W ES T & JO H N S TO N
. .

1863 .
 N O T E TO r m; P la s ma — T he la st t hree p a r ts o f “LB S M i se m n nns
”
viz ,

M a rita S l D em) a n d Jea n Vu b c a n wi l l b e i ssu e d i n o n e vo lu m e S h o ul d t h e

’

t .
, .
,

P ub l ishers succee d in ob ta ini n g a su ffi c ien t su p p ly o f sea m i t y h a vi n g

gre a t l y d e la y ed a ll t he i r l a te i ssues , ) t hey h o w t o

’
co mp l e t e the w h o le w o r k
ea rly in th e m o n t h o f A u gus t .
 “
F m/’
I

CON TEN T S .

BOO K F I RS T .

W A TE R LOO

I —W ha t y ou mee t i n comin g f r o m
.

II “

III .
-
Th e 1 8 th of June ,

V .
’

—Th e Qu i d O b sc u ru rn of Ba t t l es .

V I —F o ur o c l oc k i n t h e A ftern o o n
.
’

V I I — N a p ole o n I n go o d h u m o r
V I II — Th e Emp er o r p u ts a Ques t io n to t he G u id e L a cos te
. .

I X — I h e U n lo o k ed F or :
'‘
. m

X —T he Pl a t e a u o f M o n t S a i n t Je a n
. . .

X I — I3a d G u i d e fo r N a po l eon ; G o o d G u i d e fo x
.

X II I he G u a rd
' ‘
-
.

X I I I _ Th e oooo o
‘

. O O O O O O O O O O O Q O O
QO C Q O O O c o c o o o v v o c o - O

XIV . Th e L a st
XV
D
.

X VI —Quo t L ibr a s in uce

“
. .

X V II —M ust we a pprove
. W a t er l o o ?
XV I I I .
-
R ecrudescence o f D iv ine R igh t
XIX — T he F i e ld of Ba t t l e a t Ni g t h
BO O K S E CO N D .

TH E S H I P O RI O N

I — N u mb er 2 4 6 0 1
. beco me s 9 4 3 0 .
I I —I n w h ich a Cou p le o f L i nes w i l l b e Re a d w h ich c a m e p erh a ps
.
, , ,

from t h e E v il
I I I — S h o w in g t h a t th e Ch a i n o f t h e I ron R in g m u st nee d s h a ve un d er
.

g o ne a Cer ta i n P re p a r a t i o n t o b e t hus B r o k e n b y one B l o w o f

t he

O
B O K T H I RD .

F U LFI LM E N I‘ O F
‘
TH E P n o m s f To TH E DE P A R T E D
I .
—T he W a ter Ques t io n a t
I I — T wo P o r t r a i t s
.

I I I — M e n mu st h a ve W i ne a n d H o rses W a ter
.

IV — A D o l l en t ers upon t h e
.

V — Th e L it t l e G ir l a ll
V I — W h i ch p erh a ps pr o ves t h e In t e l l ig en ce o f B o u la tr n e lle
.

V IL —Cos e t t e S ide b y S id e w i t h t h e U n k nown I n t h e ,

V I I I —l n c o n ven ien c e o f E n t erta i n in g a P oor M a n wh o is perh a p s

~

I X —T hen a r dier M a n oeuvr in g

. .
 CO N T ENTS .

X .
—W h o see k s t h eBes t m a y fi n d t h e
XL —N n mb er 9 4 30 c o mes up a ga i n , a n d Cose t t e d ra ws it
'

BO O K r ous T II .

Tm: om G o n n s s u ll o r a s

I — M a ster
I I — A Rest f r O wl a n d
.
o

I l l — T wo M is for t unes m i n g l e d m a k e H a pp i ne ss
.

l V —W h a t t h e L a nd l a d y
.

V —A F ive F r a nc P iece fa l l i n g on t h e F l o or m a k es
. a

BO O K F I FT H .

A D A R K CH A S E N E EDS A S I LE N T H o ux n

I .
—Th c Z igz n gs of S t r a te gy
I I —lt
. F or t un a t e
is t h a t V eh i c l es
c a n cr o ss t h e Br id ge o f A us t er l i t z

I ll —
S ee t h e Pl a n o f P a I i s o f
.

I V — G rop in g fo r E sc a p e
. .

V — W h ich wou l d be i mpos si b l e were t h e S t ree ts l igh te d w i t h

.

V I —Co mme nce men t o f a n E n i g ma

. .

V I L —Th e E n ig ma Co n t i n u d e

V l l I —Th c E n i g ma
.

I X —I h e M a n w i t h t h e
’

X — I n wh ich i s exp l a i ne d h o w Ja ver t l os t t h e G a me

.

BO O K S I X T H .

P srrr P i c r r s
I — P c t i tc R ue Pic p u s N o 6 2
.
, .

IL— T he O be d i ence o f M a r t i n Ver g e

I l l — S ever i t ies
.

IV — G a i e t ie s
f
.

V — D is t r a c t ions
.

V I —T h c L i t t l e Conven t
—A f
. .

Vl l . ew O u t l i nes i n t h is S h a de
V II I —En d
. o f the P e t it P ic p u s .

BO O K S E V E N T H .

Cs n z r s n x s s TAKE wna r I s G IV EN TH EM
I .
—W h ich T re a ts o f t he M a nne r o f E n ter in g t h e
I I — Fa n c h ele ven t F a c in g t h e Difli c u lty
.

I l I —hl o t h er I nn o cen t
.

I V — I n w h ich Je a n Va lj ea n h a s q u i te t h e A p pe a r a nce o f h a v i n g re a d
.

A u t in Ca s t i l l ej o
s

V —I t is n o t S u flic ie n t t o he a D r u n k a r d t o be I mm or t a l
.

V ] —I n t h e N a rr o w H o use
.

Vl l — .I n wh ich w i l l b e f oun d t h e O r ig in o f t h e S a y i n g Do n t lose your .

’

V II I —S u c c ess tu l E xa m i n a t ion
.
‘

m _Th e c o o . 0 0 0 0 0 0 t o o n . . o n
 L E s M I S ERA B LE S .

CO S ET T E .

a i
l a s f i rs t .

W AT E RL O O .

W H A T/ i OU
’

a
’

M E ET IN C O MI NG F RO M N I V EL L E S .

On be a u t i ful morn i n g i n M a y l a s t ye a r
a a t r a ve l ler h e who
, , ,

te l l s t h i s st O I y/ wa s j ou rn ey i n g f ro m N i ve l les t ow a rd s La H u l pe He .

t r a ve l led a fo» t H e wa s fol l ow i n g be t wee n t h e rows ,

l oa d u ,
nd u l a t i ng ove r h i l l s w h ,

i t fa l l a g a i n l i k e e n or m o us w a
,

S e ign e u r Isa a c H e sa w t o t h
.

l eu d whi ch h a s the form o f a n i n ver ted v a se H e ha d .

w oo d u pon a h i l l a n d a t t h e cor ner Of a cross r oa d b e

’

,
-
,

w o rm e a te n si g n p os t be a ri n g t h e i nscri p t i on O ld To ll
-
,

f lee F o u r Wm a s
’
a t a I e I n w i t h t h i s s ig n : E sc h a lc a u P r i va te Ca f é .
,
.

H a l f a m i le fro m t his ta vern h e re a ch e d th e bo t to m O f a l i t t l e v a l l ey ,

,

w h ere a strea m fl owe d ben e a t h a n a rc h I n t h e e m b a n k m e n t o f t h e ro a d .

The cl us te r of t rees t h i n sow n b u t very g ree n w h i c h fi l ls t he v a le o n

, ,

me si de o f t he ro a d o n t h e o t her sp re a ds o u t i n t o m e a d ows a n d sweep s

[fl
, ,
’
wa y i n gr a ce fu l d isorder t ow a rds B r a i ne l A lle u d
A t t h i s po i n t t h e re w a s a t t h e ri gh t a n d i m m ed i a tely o n t h e ro ad a n
.

i n n wit h a fo u r w h eel ed c a r t before t h e door a gre a t b u n dle O f liop

, ,

, ,

po l es b p l ough a pi le of d ry b rus h n e a r a q u i ck set h edge som e

‘

, .
, ,

w h i c h wa s s moki ng In a sq u a re h ol e i n t he grou n d a nd a l a dd er ,

a lon g a n ol d sh ed w i t h m a ng e rs fo r
'

w eeds i n a fi el d , w h ere a l a r g e gre

sh o w a t som e a n n u a l fa i r fl u t tered i n t h e ,

in n be side a pond i n wh i c h a flo t i l l a of d u cks wa s n a v iga t i ng , a difii

, ,

c ult foo t p a t h l os t i tse lf I n t he s h ru bbery T he t ra vel l er t ook t h is p a t h

- .

A t t he e n d of a h u nd r ed p a c es p a ssi ng a w a l l of t he fift ee n t h c en t u ry ,
,

surmou n ted by a sh a rp ga b le of c ro ssed b ric k s , h e foun d h i msel f op p o

‘

2 .
10 L ES M I sEa A BI Es .

si te a ch ed s to n e d o orw a y w i t h rec t i l i n e a r i m p os t, i n th e sol e m n

gr a
e t a r ,

s tyle o f Lo u is X IV a n d p l a i n m ed a l l i on s o n t he si d es O ve r t h e e n
.
,
.

t ra n ce wa s a severe ( h a nds a n d a w a l l perpe nd i cu l a r t o t h e fa ca de a l m os t

,

t ouc h ed t h e d oorw a y fl a n k i ng i t a t a n a bru p t ri gh t a n g le

,
O n t he m ea .

do w be fore th e d oor la y t h ree h a rrows t h rough w h i ch were b l oom i n g a s

'

, ,

best t hey co uld a ll t h e fl owers o f M a y

. ,
Th e d eo rwa y w a c l osed I t .
s .

wa s sh u t by t wo d ecrep i d fo ld i n g doors decor a te d w i t h a n ol d r us t y ,

ha oc her .

The su nsh i n e e n ch a n t i n g ; t h e br a n ch es of t h e t rees h a d t h a t

wa s
en t le t remu lo u snc ss O f t h e m o n t h o f M a y w h i c h see m s t o co m e fro m
g
t he bi rds n es t s r a t h e r t h a n t h e w i n d A sp r uce l i t t l e bi rd p rob a bl y i n
’
.

love wa s si n gi n g d esper a t ely i n a t a l l t ree

,
.

The t r a vel ler p a used a n d e x a m i n ed i n t h e s t on e a t th e l eft of t h e d oor ,

nea r t he grou n d a l a rge c i rc u l a r e x ca v a t i on l i k e t h e h ol l ow O f a sp h ere
,
. .

J ust t h e n t h e fol d i n g d oors o pen ed a n d a pe a s a nt wo m a n c a m e o u t , .

Sh e sa w t he t ra ve l le r a n d p erec i ved w h a t h e wa s e x a m i n i n g, .

“I t wa s a Fre n ch b a l l w h ic h d id th a t s a i d sh e “a n d ” s h e a d d ed
; , , ,
“wh a t you see th ere h i gh er u p i n th e d oor n e a r a n a i l i s t he h ol e
. , , , ,
”
ma de by a c a n non b a l l T h e b a ll h a s n ot gon e t h roug h t h e w ood
. .

? ”
W h a t i s t he n a m e of t h i s pl a ce a ske d t h e t ra ve ller . .

”
Hou go m o n t t h e w om a n a n swered
,
.

Th e t ra vel ler ra i sed h i s h ea d H e t ook a few s t eps a n d look ed ov e r .

t he h ed ges H e sa w i n t h e h o ri zon t h rough th e rees a sor t of h i l l ock

.
,
‘
, ,

a n d on t h i s h i l l oc k som e t h i n g w h i ch i n t he d i s t a n c e rese m bl ed a l i o n ; , ,

H e wa s O n t h e b a t t le fi eld of W a t er loo -
.

' ‘
II O U G O M O N I .

H ou gomon t— tb is w a s th e fa t a l
spo t t h e begi n n i n g of t he re nc e ,

th e fi rst ch eck e n cou n te red a t W a t erl oo by t h is gre a t bu t ch e r of Eu rope ,

c a l l ed N a pol eo n ; t he fi rs t k n o t u n de r t h e a x e .

I t wa s a ch a te a u ; i t i s n ow n o t h i n g m ore t h a n a fa rm H o ugo men t

'

t o t h e a n t i q u a ry , i s H ug o mo n s Th i s m a n or w a s b u i l t by H ugo s i re do .

So merel t h e s a m e w h o e ndowed t he si x t h ch a pla i n sh ip of t he a bbey O I

''

,
V i l l e rs Th e t ra v el l er p ush ed O pe n t he d o o r e lbowed
.
,

un der t h e porch a n d e n t ered t h e cou r t ,

Th e fi rs t t h i n g .

in t h is y a rd wa s a door of t h e si x t ee n t h ce n t u ry w h ich ,

a rch eve ry t h i ng h a v i n g fa l le n d o w n a rou n d i t

,
Ne a r .

a n o t he r door i n t h e w a l l w i t h k eys tones of t he t i m e '

,

wh ich d iscloses the t rees of a n orch a rd , B esi de t h is d o

h i l l ma t to ck s a n d sh o vel s , some c a r ts a n ol d w el l w i t h i ts fl a g s t on e
, ,
-

a n d i ron p u lley , a s k i p pi n g col t a s tru t ti n g t u rkey , a ch a pe l su rm ou n t ed ,

b y a li t t le s teep le a p e a r t ree i n b l oom t r a i n ed in esp a l ie r o n t he wa ll

“
- .

, ,

of th e ch a pe l ; t h is wa s t he cou rt, t h e con ques t of w h ich wa s

ra t i on of N a poleg n T h i s b it of e a rt h ; cou l d h e h a ve t a ke n
.
-

e rh a ps h a ve gi ve n him t he world h
'

Th e ens a re sc a t t erin g t h e d us t
p .
- ~

wit h t he ir b ea ks Yo u h ea r a g row l in g : it is a g re a t dog, who sho ws

. .

his teet h , a n d ta kes th e pla ce of the English .

 C OS E TT E .

T h e E n gl i sh fough t a d m i r a bl y t h ere Th e fou r com p a n ies o f G u a rd s.

u n de r Cook e h el d t h e i r g rOu n d fo t seve n h ou rs a g a i n s t t h e fu ry of a n ,

a ss a u lt i n g 111 m y

H o u gc mo n t see n o n t h e m a p , on a geo m e t ri c a l pl a n com pris i n g b u i ld

, ,

i n gs a n d i n c losu re , p 1 esen ts a sor t o f i rreg ul a r rec ta n gl e on e cor n er o f ,

w h i ch 1 3 c u t o il A t t h is cor n e r i s t h e so dt hem e n t r a n ce gua 1 d ed by

”
.
,

.
t h i s w a l l , w h i ch c o m m a n ds i t a t t hp sh or t es t m usk e t r a nge H o ng o .

m on t h a s t wo e n t ra n ces : t h e sou t h er n t h a t o f t h e ch a te a u a n d th e , ,

n or t h e 1 n , th a t o f t he fa r m N a pol eo n se n t a g a i ns t H o u go m on t h i s b ro
.

t he r Jerome T h e d i v isi on s o f G u illemi no t Fey a n d B a ch el u w ere

.
,

h u rl ed a ga i n st it ; n e a rly t he w h ol e corp s of Reille wa s t h e 1 e e m p l oye d

’

a n d t h ere de fe a t ed a nd t h e b u l l e t s o f K el lerm a n n were e x h a u st e d

,

a g a i ns t t h e h eroi c w a l l fron t I t wa s t oo m uch for t h e brig a de of B a n

.

d u i n t o force H o u go mo n t o n th e n or t h a n d t h e bri g a de c t Soye cou l d ,

on ly b a tt er i t 0 11 t h e so ut h — i t cou l d n o t t a k e i t
The b u i l d i n gs o f t h e fa r m a re o n t h e so u t h e1 n si de o f t h e cou r t A .

,
s m a ll p or t io n o f t he n or t h er n d o c 1 b rok e n by t h e Fre n ch h a n gs d a n g
, ,

l i n g fro m t he w a l l I t i s co m posed o f fou r p l a n k s n a i l ed t o t wo c ros s

.
,

p ieces a n d m it ma y be see n t h e sc a r s of t h e a t t a ck
,
.

Th e n or t h er n d oor , forced by t h e F ren ch a n d t o w h i ch a p iece ha s ,

b ee n a d ded t o repl a ce t h e p a n n e l su spe n ded f1 o m t h e w a l l s ta n ds h a l f ,

o p e n a t t h e foo t of t h e cou 1 t ya 1 d i t i s c u t sq u a rel y 1 a a w a l l of s t on e

‘

bel o w a n d b ri ck a bov e a n d c loses t h e cou r t o n t he n or t h I t I S a si m

, , .

p l e c a r t door s u ch a s a re fo u n d o n a ll s m a l l fa rm s co m pose d o f t wo
, ,

l a r ge fol d i n g doo 1 s m a d e o f r us t i c pl a n k s ; beyo n d t h i s a re t h e m ea

’

dows T h is e n t ra n ce wa s furi ou sl y co n t es t ed For a l on g t i m e t h e re

.

cou l d be se en u po n t h e d oo r a ll sor ts o f p ri n t s o f b l oody h a n ds I t .

w a s t h ere t h a t B a ud ui n w a s k i ll ed
”
.
.

T h e s t or m o f t h e co m b a t i s s t i l l i n t h is co u r t ; th e h o rro r i s vi si bl e
t h e re t he o ver t u r n o f t h e con fl ic t i s t h ere pe t ri fi ed , i t l i ves i t d i es ; i t
, ,

w a s b u t yes terd a y Th e w a l ls a re s t i l l i n d ea t h a gon i es ; t h e s t one s

.

fa l l t he b re a ch es c ry o u t ; t h e h ol es a re w ou nd s ; t h e t rees be n d a n d
,

sh u d der a s if m a k i n g a n e ffor t t o esc a p e Th i s c 0 u 1 t in 18 1 5 wa s i n

,
.
, ,

be t ter cond i t i on t h a n i t is t o da y S t 1 u c t u res w h i ch h a v e si n ce bee n

‘

p u lled dow n for m ed red a ns a n gles a n d sq u a res Th e E n tg l is h w e i s

,
.
D

b a r1 1c a d ed t h ere t h e Fre n c h e ff ec t ed a n e n t ra n ce b u t cou l d n o t m a i n ‘

~

t a i n t h ei r p o sit ioh
, ,

A t t h e si de of t h e c h a pe l , o n e w i n g o f t h e ch a t e a u ,
.

t h e o n ly 1 e mn a n t w h i c h e x i s t s o f t h e m a n o r o f H o u go m o n t s t a n d s ,

cr u m bl i ngb o n e migh t a l m os t sa y d i se m bo wel l ed Th e c h a t e a u serve d

,

a s d o nj on ; t h e ch a pe l ser ve d a s b lock h ou se T h ere w a s work of e x .

t er m i n a ti o n The F re n c h , sh o t d ow n f rom a ll si des fro m beh i n d t he

.
~

w a lls, fro m th e roofs of t h e b a r n s , fro m t h e bo t t o m o f t h e cel la rs,

r b ol e , t h rough every ch i n k i n o

wa l l s a n d t h e m e n : t he s torm
fla m e .
'

w i n g t h rou gh t he iro n ba r re d ,

win dow s, of t h e d is m a n t l ed ch a m bers of a m a i n b ui ld i n g t he E n gl i s h

u a rds la 1a a m b us h in t h ese ch a m bers ; t h e sp ira l s t a i rc a se , b ro k e n
g y
fro m fo un d a t io n to roof, a p p ea rs li k e t h e i n t erio r of a bro ke n sh el l The .

sta irc a se h a s t wo la n d i ngs ; t he E n glish , be sieged in t he st a irc a se , a n d

c ro wded up o n t he u p pe r ste ps , ha d c u t a wa y the lo wer on es T h e se a re .
12 LB S M i ssa s a s .

l a r ge a l a lia o f bl u e sto n e n ow h e a ped toge th e r a m on g t h e n e t tl es A

, .

d oz e n st e ps sti l l cl i n g t o t h e W a l l ; o n t h e firs t is c u t th e i ma ge o f a
'

tri d en t Th ese i n a ccessi bl e s t eps a re fi rm i n th ei r s ock ets ; a ll th e

.

res e m bl es a t oot h l ess j a w bo n e Two ol d t rees a re t h e re ; o n e is d

-
.

th e o t h e r i s wou nd ed a t t h e root a n d does n ot l e a f o u t u n ti l A ,

S i nce i t ha s begu n to g ro w a c ro ss th e st a i rc a se .

Th ere wa s a m a s sa cre i n t h e c h a p el T h e i n teri o r a ga i n restored to .

,
q u i e t is stra n ge No ma ss h a s bee n s a i d th e re si n c e th e c a r na ge The
,
. .

a lta r re m a i ns h owe v e r a cl u m sy woode n a l t a r b a cked by a w a l l o f

,
-f
,

cru cifi x a sq u a re op e n i n g i n w h i c h i s stu ff ed a b u n d le of s t r a w ; l n a

co rn e r o n th e g rou n d a n ol d gl a z ed s a sh a ll brok e n s uc h i s th i s ch a pel
, ,
, .

Ne a r t h e a l t a r h a n gs a wood en st a tu e o f St A n n e of t h e fi fteen th ce n
: .

t u ry ; t he h e a d of t h e i n fa n t J esu s h a s bee n y by a m uske t

sh o t . T h e Fre n ch ma ste rs fo r a m o men t of
,
th e n d isl odged ,
fired i t Th e fl a m es fil l ed th i s ru i n ; i t w a s a fu rn a ce ; th e d oo r w a s
.

b u rn ed t he fl oor wa s b u rn ed b u t th e woode n C h ris t w a s n o t b u rn ed

, , .

T h e fire a t e i ts wa y to h i s fe et t h e u mps o f w h i c h o n ly a re
,
~

v isi bl e ; t he n i t sto pp ed . ou n t r
y p eopl e Th e ia .

fa n t J es us d ec a p it a ted wa s n o t so fortu n a te a s th e C h rist

, , .

T h e w a l ls a re covere d w it h i n scri p t i o n s Ne a r t he fee t of t h .

we re a d th is n a m e : If n gu i c z T he n th ese oth e rs : Co mi cc
u .

M a t e r M a rq u es y M a r q u esa d c {l lma g r o ( N e w m a n ) Th ere a re Fre n c h

n a m es w i t h e x cl a ma ti o n p oi n ts sign s of a n ger Th e w a l l wa s w h i te
,
.

w a sh ed i n T h e n a t i on s we re i n su l ti n g e a ch o th er o n i t .

A t th e doo r o f t h is c h a pel a body wa s p icked u p h ol di ng a n a x e i n its

'

b a nd T h i s body wa s th a t of seco n d l i e u te n a n t Legros

.
-
.

O n co m i n g o u t of th e c h a pel a wel l i s see n a t t he l eft T h e re a re ,

.

t wo i n t h is y rd a a . h a
Yo u sk : w hy i s t e re n o bu cke t n d n o p u l l ey t o “
th is on e ? B ec a u se n o w a te r i s d r a w n fro m i t n ow W h y i s n o more .

w a ter dr a w n fro m i t ? Bec a us e i t i s ful l o f sk el eton s Th e l a s t ma n .

w h o d rew w a ter fro m t h a t w el l wa s G u i l l a u me Va n K ylso m He wa s .

a pe a s a n t w h o l i v e d i n H o u go m o n t a n d w a s g a rde n e r t h ere O n th e
, ,
.
.

1 8 t h of J u n e 1 8 15 h i s fa m i ly fled a n d h i d i n t h e w oods
, ,
T h e fores t .

a bou t th e Abbey of V i l l i e rs con ce a l ed fo r sev er a l d a ys a n d sev er a l n i gh ts

a ll th a t sc a t te red a n d d istressed popu l a t i on E ve n n o w cert a i n

‘

m a y b e d is t i ngu ish ed s u ch a s ol d t ru n ks o f scorch ed t ree

,

t h e pl a ce o f th ese poo r t re m bl i n g b i vou a cs i n th e depth s of t he th ickets .

G u i l l a u e Va Kylse m re ma i n ed a t Ho n go
m n m o n t “ to t a ke c a re of t h e .

”
ch a t e a u a n d h i d i n t h e cel l a r Th e En gl is h d i scove red h
,
.

H e wa s t orn f ro m h i s h i di ng pl a ce ; a n d wi t h bl ows of t h e fl u
‘

-
, .

th iswel l th a t h e d re w th e w a te r .

wel l wh ere dr a n k so ma ny of th e d
,

Afte r th e h ere wa s h a ste

p est i l e n ce Typh us is th e Successo

.

it wa s ma de a sep u l ch re T h ree .
 CO S E TT E .

Perh a ps w i th t oo much h a s t e W ere t h ey a ll d e a d ? Tr a d i tio n s a y s .

no . I t a p p ea rs th a t o n th e n igh t a fte r t he b u r ia l , feebl e v oi ces wer e

he a rd c a l l i n bg o u t fro m th e wel l .

T h is w e l l i s i sol a ted i n t he m i dd l e o f th e co u rt y a rd Th ree w a l ls ,

h a l f b 1 ick a n d h a l f ston e fol d ed b a ck l i k e th e le a v es o f a sc re en a n d

, ,

i m i t a t i ng a sq u a re tu rret su n o u u d i t o n t h ree sid es T h e fou 1 th sid e

.
, .

i s O pe n 0 11 th a t s id e t he w a te r w a s d ra w n Th e b a ck w a l l ha s a so rt
.

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of s h a pel ess b u l l s ey e p e 1 h a ps a h o le m a d e by a sh el l Th is tu rre t ha d
,
.

a roo f o f w hic li on l y t he be a m s 1 c 111 a i n

,
T h e i ro n th a t sus ta i n s t h e .

w a l l o n t h c righ t is i n t he sh a pe o f a cross Yo u be n d o v e r t h e wel l ,

'
.
.

t h e ey e i s l o t i n a d ee p brick cy l i nd e r w h i c h is fil led w ith a n a c c u mu

s
,

la t i o n o f s h a do ws A ll a rou n d i t th e b o t t o m o f th e w a l ls i s cov ere d

.

by n e ttl es
Th i s w el l h a s n o t i n fro n t t h e l a rge bl ue fl a ggi n g sto n e w h i c h ser ve s r
,

a s c u i b fo i a ll t h e wel ls o f i3el i u 111 T h c bl ue st o n e i s repl a c e d by a

g .

cros s b a r o n w h i ch res t fi v e o r s i x m is sh a pe n w oode n s tu m ps k n ot ty

- -
,

a n d h a rde ned t h a t rese m b l e h uge bo n es T h e re i s n o l o n ge r ei th e r

,
« .

b u c k e t o r ch a i n o r p u l l e y ; bu t t h e sto n e b a si n is Sti l l t he re w h ic h
, ,

ser ve d for t h e w a ste w a te r Th e ra w w a te r g a th ers th ere a n d fro m .

,

ti m e to t i m e a b i rd fro m t h e n eig h bori n g fo rest co m es to dri n k a n d fl ie s .

a wa y .

O n e h ou se a mon g th e e ru i ns t h e fl n m h ou se i s sti l l i n h a b i t ed Th e
s
, ,
.

d 0 0 1 o f th i s h ouse ope n s u p o n th e c e n i t y e i d By th e s id e of a p re tty

G ot h i c k ey hol e pl a te t here is U po n t h e d oo r a h i n d fu l of i r on i n t re
-

foi l sl a n ti n g forw a rd A t th e mo me n t th a t t h e H a n o veri a n l i e ute n a n t

,
.

I Vi ld a w a s sei z i n g th i s t o t a k e refu ge i n th e f a r m h ou sc , a I 1 e n c h sa p ‘

e i struck o f f h i s h a n d w i th th e bl ow of a n a x e
p
T h e fa m i ly w h i c h occ u pi es th e h ouse c a l l s t h e fo r me r g a rde n er Va u
‘ ‘

Kylso m lon g si n ce d e a d i ts g 1 1i n d fa t h e 1
, A grey h a i red wo m a n s a i d
,
.
-

t o us : “ I wa s t he re I w a s t h i ee y e a rs o ld M y sist c 1 la 1 ger w a s , ,

a fi a i d a n d c 1 ied
,
T h ey c a rri e d u s a w a y i n to t h e w oods ; I wa s i n my
m oth er s a r ms Th ey l a i d t h e w e a rs t o t h e grou n d to l i ste n Fo i my
’
.

”
p a rt I mi mi ck ed th e c a n n o n a n d I we n t bo o m bo o m
, , ,
.

O n e of th e ya a ve s a id o pe ns 1 11 to t h e o rch a rd ,
.

T h e orch a rd is p a rts o n e m i gh t a lmo stf sa y i n ,

»

t h re e a cts Th th c sc oo n d i s th e o rch a r d t h e
'

.
,

the
side of t he e n tr a n ce t he b ui ld i ngs o f t hc c h a tea u a n d t he fa r m o n th e
, . ,

the
i s e n te re d
first : I t i s mpi n g pl n ted w i th i
,
a w i ld voge
t a t io n a n d ter mi n a ted by a te 1 r
,
ers wi t h a
do ub l e swel l I t i s a seign ori a l ga r . yl e wh ic h ‘

p reced e d t he m oder n ; n o w ru i n s a n d bri e rs T he p i l a s ter s a re su r .

k e sto n e c a n n on b a l ls W e cou n t fo rt y -
.

ccs ; th e o th ers a re l y i n g 1 11 t he gra s s ,

m u sk c t 1 y A .

l ow er th a n th e
fi rst L igh t V ol ti geu rs , ha v i ng pe n etr a t e d t hit h
.
14 LE S nt rsfi a a s Ls s .

es ac pe ca ugh t a n d tr a ppe d l i k e be a rs i n a p i t e n ga ged 1n 9 b a t t l e w i t h

, ,
.

t w o H a n ove ri a n c o mp a n i es o n e o f w h ic h wa s a r m e d wi t h c a rbi n es ,
.

T h e H a n o vc ria n s we re ra n ged a l on g th ese b a l us te rs a n d fired fro m a b ove ,

.

T h ese V ol t igeu rs a n sweri n g fro m bel ow s1x a ga 1n st t w o h un dred i n tre pid

, , ,

w i t h cu rra n t bush es o n ly for a sh e l te r took a q u a 1 ter of a n h ou r to d i e ,

.

Yo n rise a fe w steps a n d fro m t h e g a rd e n p a ss i n to t h e orch a rd p repe r

, .

T h ere , 1n t hese fe w squ a re y a 1 ds fiftee n b u nd 1 e d men fel l i n l ess t h a n a n ,

~

h ou r Th e w a l l see ms re a dy to reco m me n ce t h e co mb a t Th e th i rty

. .

e igh t l oop h oles p i erced by t he E n gl ish a t i rregu l a r h ei gh ts m e t here

, ,

y et I n fro n t o f th e si x t ee n th l i e t w e Ln glish to mbs of gr a n i te T h e re

. .
‘
.
~

a re n o l ooph oles e xcept i n th e sou t h w a l l th e p ri n ci p a l a tt a ck c a m e fro m ,

t h a t side Th i s w a l l i s con ce a l ed o n t h e o u tsid e by a l a rge q u i ckse t

.

h edge ; th e I re n c h c a m e u p t h i n k i n g th ere w a s n oth i n g i n th ei r wa y

t
,

b u t t h e h edge crossed i t a n d fo u n d t h e w a l l a n ob st a cl e a n d a n a m bush

t h e Engl is h G n a t d s b eh i hd t he t h i rty eigh t l ooph o l es p ou ri n g forth t h eii
D , , , ,
‘ ‘
r
,

fi re a t o n ce a sto r m o f gr a pe a n d o f b a lls ; a n d Scye s brig a de brok e

’

t h ere . lVa t erlo o c o mm e n ced th u s .

T h e orc h a rd h owe ve r w a s t a k e n T h ey h a d n o sc a l i n g l a dders b u t

‘

.
, , ,

t h e Fre n c h c l i mb ed t h e w a l l w i th t h e i r h a n ds T h ey fough t h a n d to .

h a n d u n de r t h e trees A l l t h e gra ss wa s soa k e d w i th blood A b a tt a l

. .
~

i o n fro m N a ss a u s ev e n h u n d re d me n w a s a n n i h i l a ted th ere

, O n th e ,
.

o utside t h e w a l l a g a i n st w h ic h t he t wo b a tteri es o f K el l er ma n n w ere

, ,

d i rec t ed i s gn a wed by gr a pe
,
.

T h i s orch a rd i s a s respon si v e a s a n y o th er to t h e m o n th o f M a y I t .

h a s i ts gol de n b losso ms a n d i ts d a isi es th e gr a ss is h igh , fa 1 l11 h o mes ,

a re gr a zi n g l m es o n w h i c h cl oth es a re d ryi n g c ross t h e i n t e1 va ls b e

, ,

t wee n th e trees m a k i n g t r a vel l er s be n d th e i r h e a d s ; y o u w a l k o ve i th a t

,

a wa rd a n d you r foot si n k s i n th e p a t h o f t he m ol e
,
I n t h em ids t of t h e .

g ra ss you n oti ce a n u p rooted t ru n k ly i n g o n t he g rou n d b u t still g row i n g

, , ,

ree n M a j or B l a ck ma n l e a n ed b a ck a g a i n s t i t t o d i e U nd e 1 a l a 1 ge
g . .

t 1 ee n ea 1 by fel l t h e G e r ma ri G e n er a l Du p la t of a I re n ch f a mi ly w h i c h
, , ,
1

fl ed o n t h e re voca tio n of t h e ed i ct of N a n tes Cl ose besid e i t l e a n s a .

,

d ise a sed ol d a ppl e tree sw a th ed i n a b a nd a ge o f stra w a n d lo a m Ne a rl y .

a ll t h e a p pl e tr ees a re fa l l i n g fro m ol d a T h e re i s n ot o n e w h i c h d oes

ge .

n o t sh ow i ts c a n no n b a l l o r i ts m usk e t s h o t S k el eton s o f de a d trees

-
.

a b o u n d 1 n th i s orch a rd C rows fl y i n i ts bra nch es ; bey on d i t is a w oo d

.

f ul l of v i ol ets .

Ba n d u in k i l l ed Fey wo u n ded fire sl a ugh t e r c a rn a ge a b rook m a de

, , , , ,

o f Engl i s h bl oo d o f G e r ma n bl ood a n d o f Fre n c h bl ood

, m i n gl e d i n , ,

fu ry ; a w el l fil l ed corpses th e re g i m e n t o f N a ss a u , a n d th e regi ,

o f B r u n swi ck dest k i lled B la c k ma n n k i l led th e E ngl is h , ,

G u a rds c ri pp l ed t we n ty
’
b a tt a l io n s o u t of th e forty of Hei l l e s
, ,

o ur men , i n th is o n e w i n o f Il o u go mo n t ,

sa bred sl a sh ed s l a u g h tered s h ot bu rn ed
, , ; a n d a ll th is 1 n ord er th a t to da y
, ,

a pe a s a n t m a y sa y to a tra vel l er M o nsieu r g a t e m e th r ee f ra n cs ; tf

-
.
,

yo u lik e, I wi ll ex p la in ( 0 y ou the a fi u r of Wa terlo o .

 CO S E TT E .

THE 1 8 1 11 on u n s, 1 81 5
r .

Let us go b a ck for su c h i s t h e story tel l e 1 s p ri v i l ege a n d pl a ce our

,
-
’

sel ves 1n t h e yea 1 18 1 5 a l i ttl e before t h e d a te of th e co mme n c e men t of

,
.

th e a cti on n a rr a ted 1 n t h e firs t p a rt of th is book

H a d i t n o t 1 a i n ed o n th e n ig h t o f th e 1 7 t h of J u n e 1 8 1 5 th e futu re , ,

o f E u rope wo ul d h a v e bee n c h a n ged A few d rops of w a te l m ore or .

,

l e ss pros tr a te d N a pol eo n Th a t W a terl oo s h o ul d b e th e e n d of Auster

,
.

l i t z P 1 o vid en c e n eed ed o n ly a l i ttl e r a i n a n d a n u n se a son a ble clo ud

, ,
'

e i o ssi n t h e sky su fli c ed for t h e o ver th ro w of a w o 1 l d

“

tg
. .
D ,

Th e ba t t le of W a t e1 loo — a n d th is ga v e B l uch e r t im e t o co m e u p
cou l d n o t be c o mm en ced b e fo 1 e h a l f p a s t el e v en W hy ? B ec a u se the -
.

grou n d w a s so ft It w a s n eces sa ry to w a i t fo r i t to a c q u i1 e so me li t tle

fir m n ess so t h a t th e a 1 t 1llery co u l d m a noe u v re
N a pol eo n wa s a n a rt i lle t y o ffic ei a n d h e n ev e r forgot i t T h e fou n ,
.

d a tio n o f th i s p 1 o d igio us c a p ta i n w a s th e ma n w h o i n h is l epo rt to th e ,

Dit ec t o ry u pon A bou k i r s a i d S uc h of o u r b a lls k illed six m en A ll .

h is p l a n s of b a ttl e w e re in a d e fo r p 1 oj ec t i les
.
, .

To c o n ve1 ge t h e a 1 t illery
. .

u po n a gi ve n poi n t w a s l is k ey of v i cto ry H e tre a te d t h e str a tegy of

,
.

th e h os t i l e gen ei a l a s a c i t a d el a n d b a ttered i t to a bre a ch H e ove r

,

w h el med t h e we a k poi n t w it h g 1 a pe ; h e j o i n ed a n d 1 esolvc d b a t t le w i th

p
c a n no n Th ere wa s m a 1 k sma n sh ip 1 11 h is ge n i us To dest i oy s q u a res
. .
,

to pu l veri se regi me n ts t o b 1 e a k l i n es to c rus h a n d disperse m a sses a ll

, , ,

t hi s wa s for hi m to st ri ke st t ik e st 1 i k e i n c ess a n tl y a n d h e i n trusted

, , , ,

t h i s d u ty to th e c a n n on b a ll A fo 1 mid a b le m e th od w h i c h j oi n ed t o
.
, ,

g e n i us m a de th i s so m b 1 e a t hl e t e o f t h e p ugi l is m of wa r i n vi nc i bl e fo r
, ,

fi ftee n ye a rs .

O n t h e 1 8 t h o f J u n e 1 8 1 5 b e co u n ted o n his a rt i l l ery th e more b e

, ,

c a use h e h a d th e a d v a n t a ge 1 11 n um bers lVelli n gt on h a d o n ly a h u ndre d .

a n d fifty n i n e gu n s
; N a pol eo nh a d t w o h u n d red a n d fo rty
[l a d t h e bgro u n d bee n d ry a n d th e a rti l l ery bee n a b l e t o mov e th e
, ,
a ctio n w o u ld h a v e b ee n co m m en ced a t s i x o cl ock i n t h e m orn i n g Th e ’
.

b a ttl e wou l d h a v e bee n wo n a n d fi n ish ed a t t wo o cl ock , t h ree h o urs he ’

t o re t h e Prussi a n s t u t u e d t h e sc a l e o f for t u n e .

H o w m uc h fa u l t i s t h ere o n t h e p a rt o f Na pol eo n i n t h e loss of t h is

b a ttl e ? I s th e sh i p w reck to be i mp u ted to t h e p i l o t ? .

W a s th e e vi d e nt , p hy8 1c a l d ecl i n e of N a poleo n a cco m p a n i ed a t t h is

ti m e by a co rrespo n d i n g me n t a l decl i n e ? H a d h i s t we n ty y e a rs of wa r
.

w o m o u t th e sword a s wel l a s t h e sh e a t h — t h e sou l a s w el l a s t h e body ?

'

W a s th e ve ter a n i nj ur iousl y fel t i n t h e c a p t a i n 7 I n a w ord wa s t h a t .

, .

g e n i u s a s ma ny c o n sid er a bl e his t m ia n s h a v e t h ou gh t u n d e 1 a n ecl ipse ?

, ,

H a d h e pu t o n a fre n z y to d i sgu ise h is e n feebl e m e n t f1 o m h i msel f ? Di d

h e be gi n to w a v er, a n d b e be w i ld ered by a ra n do m b l a s t ? W a s h e be
co m i n g — a gr a ve fa ul t i n a ge n er a l — c a rel ess o f d a n ger ? I n t h a t
cl a ss o f ma ter i a l gre a t m e n w h o m a y b e c a l l ed th e gi a n ts of a ction is ,

t h e 1 e a n y a ge w h e n the i r ge n i us beco m es sh or t sig h ted ? Old a ge ha s -

n o h ol d o n t he gen i uses o f th e i de a l , for th e Da n tes a n d th e M i ch a el

A n gel os to grow ol d i s to gro w gre a t ; for t h e H a n n ib a l s a n d t h e Bon a
,

p a rtes , is i t t o gro w l ess ? H a d N a p ol eo n lo st h is cl e a r sen se of v ictory ?

16 LB S t i rssa s e t s s .

C ou ld he n o longer recogn i se th e sh o a l n o l o n ger d i vi n e th e s n a re , n o ,

lo n ge r d isc ern th e c ru m bl i ng edge of t h e a byss ? H a d h e l os t t h e

.

ns
i t i nct o f d is a ster ? W a s h e w h o for m erly k n e w a ll t he p a t hs b f t ri
,

u mphs a n d w h o fro m th e h e igh t of h is fl a sh i n g c a r poi n ted t he m o u t

, , ,

w i th so v ereign fi nge r n o w u n de r suc h d a rk h a l l uci n a ti o n a s to d ri ve h i s

,

t u multuous l eg io n s o ve r th e p rec i pices ? W a s h e s ei zed a t forty si x .

-

y ea r s wit h a su p re m e ma d ness ? W a s t h i s t i ta n i c d ri ve r o f Desti ny

, ,

n ow only a m on strous bre k n e ck

a
? W e th i n k n o t
-
.

H is pl a n of ba t t l e w a s a ll co n fes s a m a sterpi ec e To ma rc h s t ra i g h t
,
‘

, .

t o t he ce n tre of th e a l l i ed l i n e p i erce th e e n e my c u t t h e m i n t wo p ush

, , ,

t he B ri tis h h a l f u pon ll a l a n d t h e Prussi a n h a l f u po n To n gres ma k e o f ,

W el l i ngto n a n d B l uch e r t w o fr a g m e n ts c a rry M on t S a in t J e a n sei ze , ,

Bru ssels th ro w th e G er ma n i n to th e R h i n e a n d th e E n gl i sh m a n i n t o
, ,

th e sea . Al l t h is for N a p ol eo n , wa s i n th is b a ttl e W h a t wo u l d fol l o w

,
.
,
‘

a n body c a n see
{Vs d o n ot o f c ou rse p ro fess to gi ve h ere th e h istory o f W a terl oo ;
.

, ,
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o n e o f th e scen es t h a t g a ve rise t o t he d r a ma w h ic h we a re d escri bi n g ,

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l a t e a u wa s t h e w h ol e o f th e b a t tl e
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s ti l l m ore t h a n for t he Fre il c h .

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som e poi n ts th e w heel s s a n k m to t h e a x l es ; t h e ho rses gi r t hs d ri ppe d ’

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t it u d e c l a d v a n ci n g c a rts fi l l ed t he 1 a t e a n d m a d e a bed u nder th e w h eel s ,

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wa s ca rri ed .

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 C O S E TT E .

T h e re 11 i n th i s da y fr om n oon t ot fo u r o cl ock a n obs cu re i n terv a l ; ’

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a re obl iged to po u r O t m ore sol d i e rs th ere th a n y o u t h ou gh t

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PO UR o c no c x IN T HE A F T E RN OO N .

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,

cep t fi ve we re de a d o r p ri so n e rs T h re e t h o us a n d c om b a t a nt s were
, .

m a ss a c red i n t h a t gra n ge A serge a n t o f t h e E ngl i s h G u a rds th e bes t .

,

boxe r i n E n gla n d re p u ted i n v ul n era bl e by h i s com ra des h a d b ee n k i l l ed

'

, ,

by a l i tt l e I rc n c h d ru m m er B a ri n g h a d b ee n d isl odged ; Al te n p u t t o
‘

t h e s wo rd Se ver a l col o rs h a d bee n l ost o n e bel o n gi n g t o Al te n s d i ’

.
,

v isi o n a n d on e t o t he Lu n eb u rg b a tt a l io n born e by a Pri n ce o f t h e

, ,

fa m i ly o f De u x Po n ts T h e Scotch G ra ys w e re n o m ore ; Po nso n by 3 .

’

h e a vy d ra e o o u s ha d b een cu t to pi eces I l i a t v a l i a n t c a v a l ry h a d
'
.

gi ve n wa y be fore t he l a n ce rs o f B ro a n d t h e cu i ra ssi ers o f T ra ve rs ; of

t h e i r twe l ve h u nd red h o rses t h e re rem a i n ed si x lru 11d 1 ed ; of th re e l ie u °

t e n a n t col o n el s tw o la y o n th e grou n d H a m i l to n w ou nd ed M a t h e r
k i l led l o n so hhy h a d fa l l e n pi e rced w i t h se ve n th rus t s of a l a n ce
, , ,
’
.
,
.

G o rd o n w a s d e a d M a rs h wa s de a d T wo d i v isio n s t h e fi fth a n d t h e
, .
,

si xth we re destroyed
,

U e u go mo n t yiel d i n g La H a i e S a i n t c t a k e n th e re wa s b u t o n e k n o t ,

l e ft t he ce n tre
,
. l ha t s t i l l h el d . W el l i ngto n rei n f rced i t
'
. H e c a l l ed
. o .

t h it h e r H i l l w h o wa s a t M erb e B ra i n e , a n d C h a s e, wh o wa s a t B r a i n e
,
s

l A llc u d
’
-
.

T h e ce n tre o f th e E ngl is h a rm y sl i gh tly co n c a ve v ery d en se a n d

'

, , .

v ery com p a c t h el d a s tro ng posi t io n I t oc c u pi ed t h e pl a te a u of M on t

,
.

S a i n t J e a n w i th t he v i l l 1ge be h i n d i t a n d i n fron t t h e d ecl i v i ty w h i ch

, , ,

a t t h a t t i me w a s s teep A t th e I 1 r i t rested o n th i s s t ron g sto n e h o use ‘ °

. ( .
,

th en a n ou tlyi n g p rope rty o f Ni vel les w h ic h m a rk s th e i n ters ec t i on of ,

th e rea d s a si x tee n th 1 e n t u ry p il e so sol id th a t t h e b a l l s r icoch e ted

,

a g a i n s t i t wi t ho u t 1 rj u 1 i n g i t
, A ll a bou t th e pl a te a u t h e E ngl is h h a d
°

c u t a w a y t h e h ed g es h e re a n d t lrer1
,

rn a d e c n rb ra su rc s rn th e h a w t h o rn s - h

, ,

t h ru st t h e nro u t lr o f a c a n n o n be twee n two b ra n ch es m a de l oop h ol e s in ,

t h e t h i c k ets Th ei r a rti l l ery wa s i n a m bu sh u n der t he sh r ubbe ry T hi s

. .

p u n i c la b o r u n d ou bted ly fa i r i n wa r w h i ch a l l ows sn a res w a s so wel l

, , ,

d o n e th a t Il a x o sen t by th e E m pero r a t n i n e ocl ock i n th e m orn i n g to

,

rc c e n n o i t re t h e e n emy s b a tte ri es s a w n o th i n g o f i t a n d re t u rn ed to
’

, ,

t el l N a pol eo n th a t t h ere wa s n o o bs ta cle , except th e t wo b a rri c a de s

a cross t h e Ni ve l l es a n d G e n a p pe ro a ds I t wa s t h e se a so n w h en gra i n .

i s a t i ts h eigh t ; u po n t he v erge o f t h e p l a te a u a b a tta l io n o f Ke m p t s ’

'

b ri ga d e t h e 9 5 t h a rm ed wi th c a rbi nes wa s ly i ng i n t he t a l l wh e a t
, , , ,
.

T h us su p ported a n d p rotected , th e ce n tre of t h e A ngl e D u tc h a rm y -

22 LB S M I S E RA B L E S .

1 8 15 t h a so u l m a sk ed i n m a rbl e sh on e obscu rely forth

t ro fo u n d Th e
p
.
, ,

da rk b ro wed ma n of A ust erl i t z wa s ga y a t W a te rloo Th e gre a test .

,

w h e n fo red o o med p rese n t th ese co n tr a d ict i on s O u r j oys a re sh a d ed

'

.
.
,

Th e per fec t sm i l e be l o ngs t o G od a l on e .

It v l t Pa rse r I mp m us fl eb i t sa i d t h e l egi on a ries o f th e F u l m i n a

'

’ ' ’
c r o
, ,

t ri x Legion Po m pey a t th i s ti me wa s n o t to wee p b u t i t i s cert a i n

.
,

t h a t ( m a r l a ug hed
‘
s .

Fro m t he prev i ou s e ve n i n g a n d i n t h e n i g h t a t n e o cl ock e X plor , ,

o
’

i ng on h orseb a ck i n th e t e m pes t a n d t h e r a i n w i t h Bert ra n d t he h i l l s

, , ,

n e a r Ro sso m me a n d gr a t i fied to see th e l on g l i n e of t he E n gl ish fi res

,

i l l u mi n a t i n g a ll t h e h ori zo n fro m F risc h emo n t t o B ra i n e l A lle u l i t h a d ’

'

see med t o h im t h a t d esti n y for w h i ch hc h a d m a de a n a ppoi n t me n t for ,

‘

a cert a i n d a y u pon t he fiel d of W a terloo W s p u n ct u a l ; h e stop p ed his ,

a

h o rs e a n d re ma i n ed so m e t i me m oti o n l ess w a tch i ng t he l i gh tn i n g a n d

, ,

li t e n i n g t o t h e t h u n der ; a n d t h i s fa t a l is t w a s h e a rd to u tter i n t h e
s

d a rk n ess th ese myste rio us w ords “ W e a x e i n a ccord N a pol eo n wa s .

d ecei ved Th ey were n o l on g er in a c c o rd

.
.

H e h a d n ot t a k e n a m o me n t s sl eep ; e very i n s ta n t o f th a t n i gh t h a d
’

brou g h t hi m a n e w j oy H e p a ssed a l o ng t h e w h ol e l i n e of t h e a d v a n c ed
.

g u a rds stoppi n g h ere a n d t h e re t o spe a k to th e p i ck ets A t h a lf p a st ’

~
.

t wo n ea r t he w ood o f H o n go mo n t h e h e a rd t h e tre a d o f a col u m n i n

.
.
,

m a rch ; h e th o u g h t for a m o m e n t t h a t
’
e llin t b n w a s fa l l i n g b a ck He
g .

s a i d I t i s the E n g lish r ea r g u a r d sta r t i ng to g et a w a y I sha ll ta h c

.

'
.

th e s ix th u sa n d E n g lishm en w ho h a z e j u st m r i red a t O sten rt p r i son er s

'

f
'
o .

‘ '

H e ch a tted freely ; h e ha d recove red t h a t a n i ma ti o n o f t h e d ise m b a rk a

t i on of t he fi rs t of M a rch w h e n he s h owed to th e G r a n d M a rsh a l t h e ,

e n th usi a sti c pe a s a n t of Gu l f J u a n , cryi n g : We ll B er tr a n d ther e i s a , ,

r e i n o rc m en t a lr e
f e
a O n th e n i gh t o f th e 1 7 t h of J u n e h e m a de ,

f u n of W el l i ngto n : Th i s lit tle E ng li shm a n m u st h a ve

N a pol eon T h e r a i n redou bl ed ; i t th u n dered w h i l e t h e E m peror wa s
.

spe a k i n g .

A t lmlfi p a st t h ree i n t he m or n i n g on e i l l usio n w a s gon e ; o ffice rs sen t

o u t o n a rc e o n n o iséa n c e a n n ou n ced to him th a t th e e n e my w a s m a k i n g

n o mov e me n t Noth i ng wa s sti rr i n g n o t a b i vou a c fi re wa e x ti n gui sh ed

.
,
s .

T he E n gl is h a r my w a s a sl eep Dee p si l en ce w a s u po n t he e a rth ; th ere.

w a s n o n oi se s a ve i n t h e sky A t fo u r o c loc k a pe a s a n t wa s b rough t t o ’

.
,

h i m by th e scou ts ; th i s pe a s a n t h a d a cted a s g u i d e to a bri ga d e of E n g .

l i sh c a v a l ry prob a bly V ivia n fs b ri g a de o n i ts wa y to ta k e posi ti o n a t t h e

,

v i l l a g e o f C ha in a t th e ex tre m e l eft A t fi ve o clock tw o B e lgi a n d e

, .
’

so r te rs reported to h im th a t th ey h a d j us t l eft thei r regi m en t a n d t h a t ,

th e E ngl ish a r my w a s e x pecti n g a b a t tle S o muc h the better ! ex ,

.

cl a i med N a pol eo n , wo u ld m u ch ra ther c u t them to p ieces tha n r ep u lse

them .

I n th e m orn i ng h e a l igh te d i n th e mu d u po n th e h i gh ba n k a t t h e
,
.

corner o f th e ro a d fro m F la u c hen o it , ha d a k i tch en ta b l e a n d a pe a s a n t s ’

ch a i r brough t fro m th e fa r m o f Rosso mme sa t d ow n , w i t h a bu n c h of ,

st ra w for a c a rpet a n d sp re a d o u t up o n t he t a bl e t he p la n of th e ba t t l e
,

fi el d sa y i ng to Sou l t : P r etty ch eq ue r bo a rd !
,
-

I n conseq uen ce of th e n i gh t s r a i n th e co n voys cf provi si on s m i re d ’

, ,

in th e softe ned roa ds , h a d n ot a rri ved a t d a w n ; the sold ier s h a d n o t

‘ '

sl ep t, a n d were wet a n d fa s t i n g b t f a ll th is, N a p o leo n c ri e d o ut;

°

; u or ~
 c o ss rr s . 23 '

j oyful l y t o N e y : We ha ve n in ety c ha n c es i n a h u n d r ed A t ei g h t .

’
o cl ock t h e E m peror s bre a k fa s t w a s brough t H e h a d i n v i ted se vera l
’
,
.

g en er a ls W h i l.e b re a k fa st i n g i t wa s re l a ted th a t o n th e n ig h t b u t o n e , ,
.

before W el l i n g t on wa s a t a b a l l i n B russel s g i ve n by t h e D u ch ess o f

, ,
’
So m erse t ; a n d Sou l t rou gh sold i e r th a t h e w a s w i t h h i s a rch b i sh op s
,
‘

fa ce s a i d : Th e ba ll i s f o r to d a y Th e E m peror j ested w i t h Ney , w h o

,
-
.

s a i d : ll’ellzrtg to n w ill n o t he s s i mp le a s to w a i t f or g o u r m a j esty

’
’

o .

Th i s wa s h i s m a n n er u su a l l y H e w a s f on d o f j o h ing s a ys F leury d e .
.
,

"
,

Cha b o u lo n f l is c h a r a c te r a t bo tto m w a s a p lug /t i l h u m o r , s a ys G ou r

.

a ud H e a bo u n d ed i n l r o tes u e t h a n w i t ty s a ys
f
c a sa n t r i es o ten e r
' '

g .
p g q , ,

Be nj a m i n C onst a n t T h ese g a i eti es o f a gi a n t a re w orth y o f re me m '

b r a n ce H e c a l led his gren a d iers t h e gro w l e rs ; h e w ou l d p i n ch

.

t h ei r e a rs a n d w o u l d p u l l thei r m ou st a ch es Th e E mp ero r d i d n o th i ng . ,

bu t p la g/ t r i c k s o n u s ; so on e of t h e m s a i d D u ri n g t h e m ysteri ou s .

v oy a ge fro m th e i sl a n d of E l b a to Fr a n ce o n t h e 2 7 t h of Febru a ry , i n ,

t h e Ope n sea t h e F re n ch brig o f wa r Z p hg r h a vi n g m et th e bri g I a

,
-

,
-
,
e
,

c o n sta n t o n w h i ch N a poleon w a s co nce a l ed a n d h a v i n g a sk ed th e I n c o re

, ,

sta n t for n ews o f N a pol eon t h e Emperor , w h o sti l l h a d o n h i s h a t t h e

,

w h i te a n d a m a ra n th cock a de spri n k l ed w i t h bees a d op ted by hi m i n t h e ,

i sl a n d o f E l b a took th e spea k i n g t ru mp e t w i t h a l a u gh a n d a n s wered

,
s
, ' ,

h i msel f : T he E mp ero r is g ett ing o n fi n elg H e w h o l a u gh s i n t h i s wa y .

i s o n fa m i l i a r ter ms w i th e ve nts ; N a p o l eon h a d sever a l o f t h ese b u rsts

o f l a u gh ter d u ri n g h i s W a terl oo bre a k fa st A fter bre a k fa st fo r a q u a r .
,

t er o f a n h ou r h e col lecte d h i s th ough ts ; t h en t w o ge n er a l s took th ei r

' ‘

s e a t on th e b u n d l e of s tr a w pe n i n h a n d , a n d p a per o n k nee , a n d th e ,

Em peror d ic t a ted th e ord er o f b a ttl e .

A t n i n e o cl ock a t th e i n st a n t w h e n t he Fren ch a r my , d r a w n u p a n d
’
,

set i n mot io n i n fi ve col u m n s wa s d eplo yed th e d i v i si on s u po n tw o l i n es , , ,

t h e a rti l l ery be twee n t h e bri g a d es , musi c a t th e h e a d p l a y i ng ma rc h es , ,

w i t h th e ro l l i n g of d r u ms a n d the so u n d i n g o f trum p ets — m i gh ty v a s t , ,

j o yous — a sea o f c a sq ues s a bres a n d b a y on e t s i n t h e h o riz o n t h e Em

'

, ,
”
pore r e xc i ted cri ed o u t a n d re pe a ted :
, . M a gn i fice n t ! ma gn i ficen t !
,

B e t w een n i n e o cl ock a n d ha lf p a st ten th e wh ole a r my — w h ich see m s

’
'

i n cred i bl e — h a d t a k e n posi ti on , a n d w a s r a n ged i n si x l i n es for m i n g t o

,

, , ,
”
repe a t t h e e x pressi on o f th e E m peror t h e figu re o f si x V s
,
A fe w ,
’
.

m o m e n ts a ft e r t h e for ma t i o n o f th e l i n e o f ha t t le i n th e m i dst o f t h i s , .
-

p rofou n d si l e n ce l i k e th a t a t t h e co m me n ce m e n t of a s tor m w h ich p re

, ,

c edes th e figh t seei ng a s t h ey fi l ed by th e t h ree b a tteri es o f twe l v e

'
‘

, , ,

p ou n d ers d e t a ch ed by h i s ord ers fro m th e t h ree corps o f D E rlon Reillc

,
’

a n d Lob a u to co mme n ce th e a cti on by a t t a ck i n g M on t S a i n t Je a n a t th e

,

i n tersecti o n of th e ro a d s fro m N i vel les a n d G e n a p pe t h e Emp eror s t ru ck ,

H a x o o n t h e sh ou lder sa yi n g : Th ere a re t wen ty fl u e p r etty g i rls, ,

-

G en e ra l .

S u re o f th e even t h e e n cou r a ged w i th a s mi l e a s th ey p a ssed be for e

, ,

him th e co m p a n y of s a ppers of th e fi rs t corps w h i ch h e h a d d esign a te d

, ,

t o erect b a rri ca des i n M o n t Sa i n t J e a n a s soo n a s th e v i l l a ge wa s c a rri ed , .

A ll th is se re n i ty w a s d i stu rbed by b u t a word o f h a ugh ty p i ty ; o n see

i n g ma ssed a t h is left , a t a p l a ce w h ere th ere i s t o d a y a gre a t tomb
, ,

t h ose w on derfu l S co tc h G ra y s, w i th thei r su perb h o rses , h e s a i d : “ I t is

”
a
p i ty .

T h e n h e mou n t e d h is h orse, r ode for wa r d fro m Rossomme, a nd ch os e

l
 L ES '

M XS ERA B LES .

To r hi fi r s t poi n t o f v iew a n a rrow gra ssy ri dge , a t th e ri gh t of th e ro a d

s

fr o m ( i t ll il 'pé t o B r usse l s , w h ic h wa s h i s secon d sta t i o n d u ri ng t he b a t tl e

'
.

'

Th e t h i rd S t a t i o n , t h a t of se ve n o cl o ck , be twee n La Be l le A l l i a n c e a n d
In H a i e S a iu t e , i s terri bl e ; i t i s a v ery l a rge b ill w h i c h c a n sti l l be
so o n , a n d b eh i n d w h ich th e gu a rd wa s m a sse d i n a d ep ressi o n of t h e
t h e b a l s ri coch eted ove r t h e
p la in .A bou t t h i s h i l l , l p a v ed rea d

u p t o N a poleon A s a t Brien n ep h e h a d ove r h i s h e a d th e w histJ

.

l i ng o f bu lls a n d b u l lets T h e re h a ve bee n g a t h ered , a l most u pon th e

. .

’
s po t p ressed by h i s h orse s fee t , cr ush ed bu l l ets , ol d s a bre bl a des , a n d ‘

s h a pc les s proj ecti les e a t e n w i th , ru st : S c a b m r n lu jq fn c So me ye a rs .

o a s i x ty pou nd s h e l l w a s d u g u p th ere , s ti l l lo a ded th e fuse h a v i n g

g
-
a , ,

brok en o ff eve n w it h t h e bo m b I t wa s a t t h i s l a s t st a tio n t h a t t h e Em

.

ro r s a id t o h i s g u i d e , La c o s t e , a h os t i le pe a sa n t , fri h te n ed , t i e d to a
’

p e g
h uss a r s s a dd le , t u rn i n g a rou n d a t e very v ol ley o f gra p e, a n d t i'yi ug to
’

h i d e beh i n d N a poleon : Do ll, t h is ns sha m qf u l , y o u w ill g et y o u rse lf

'
‘

sh u t i n t h e hm hz H e w h o w ri tes th ese l i n es , h a s h i msel f fo u n d i n th e

'

l oose sl ope o f t h a t b i ll, by t u rn i n g u p th e e a r th , t h e re ma i ns of a bo m b ,

d i si n te g ra ted by th e r ust of forty si x y e a rs , a n d so me o ld bi ts o f i ro n
-

w h i c h broke l i k e a lder t w igs i n h is li ng '

T h e u n d u l a t i on s of t h e d i verse ly i ncl i n ed pl a i n s , w h i ch w ere t h e th e a

t re o f th e e n cou n ter o f N a poleo n a n d W e l l i n gton , a re , a s every bod y
’

k n ows , n o l onge r w h a t t h ey we re o n th e 18 t h of J u n e , 1 8 15 I n ta k i n g .

fro m th a t fa ta l fiel d w h ere wi t h t o m a k e i ts m on u me n t , i ts re a l for m wa s

.

d e s troyed ; h i story , d iscon ce rted , n o l on ger recogn ises h e rsel f u po n i t .

To gl o ri fy i t, i t h a s bee n d i sfi gu red W e l l i ngto n , t wo ye a rs a fte rw a rds ,

.

o n seei n g lVa t e rloo , e x cl a i med : Th q/ h a uc c h a ng ed my ba ttle fi eld -

.

W here t o d a y i s th e gre a t pyr a mi d of e a rt h s u r m o un ted by t h e l i o n ,

‘

th ere wa s a ridge w h i c h s a n k a wa y tow a rds t h e N i ve l les ro a d i n a p ra c

t ic a b le sl ope , b u t w h ich , a bove the G e n a ppe ro a d , wa s a l m ost a n esc a rp

me n t . Th e e l e v a t i on o f t h is esc a rp men t m a y be me a s u red t o d a y by th e

'

h ei gh t o f t lne j W o gre a t b u ri a l m oh n ds w h i c h e m b a n k t h e ro a d fro m ,

G e n a pp e to B russel s ; th e E ngl is h t o mb a t th e l e ft , th e G er ma n to m b a t '

th e righ t T h ere i s n o Fre n c h to m b For Fr a n ce , th a t wh o le p la in i s

. .

u sep u lch re Th a n ks to t he t h o u s a n ds a n d t h ous a nds o f l o a d s o f e a rt h

.

us ed i n t he mo u n d of a h u n d red a n d fi fty fee t h i gh a n d h a l f a m i l e i n

ci rc u i t , th e p l a te a u of M on t S t Je a n i s a cc essi b l e by a ge n tl e sle pe ; o n
.

t h e d a y o f t h e b a t tl e , es peci a l l y o n t h e si de of La H a i e S a i n t s, th e d e ‘

e livit y wa s s tee p a n d a bru pt T he desce n t wa s th e re so p reci p i tous t h a t

.

t h e E ngl i sh a rti l l e ry d i d n o t see th e fo rm bel ow th e m a t t h e botto m o f

:

t h e v a l l ey , th e cen t re o f th e co mb a t O n th e 1 8 t h of J u n e , 1 8 15 , t he
. .

ra i n h a d
g u llic d o u t th s stee p d e scen t s ti l l m ore
i ; th e m u d m a de th e

a sce n t sti l l m ore d i ffi cu l t

; i t wa s n ot me r e l y l a borious , b u t men a ctua l ly ,

st u ck i n th e m i re A l on g t h e crest o f t h e pl a te a u ra n a sor t o f d i t c h ,
.

'
.

w h i ch cou l d n ot p ossi bly h a ve bee n su spec ted by a d ist a n t observe r .

W h a t wa s t h i s d i tc h ? we wi ll te l l B t a i n e l A lleu d i s a v i ll a ge of
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.

Belgi u m , O h a i n is a noth e r T hese villa ges, b o t h h i d de n by th e c urv

.
'

i ng o f th e grou nd , a re con n ected by a rea d a bo u t fou r mi l es l ong w h i c h

c ro sse s a n u n d u l a ti n p l a i n , oft en b u ry i ng i tsel f i n th e h i l l s l ik e a fur
g
ro w , se th a t a t ce rt a i n poi n ts i t i s h r a v i n e I n 18 15 , a s n o w, th is rea d .

o ut th e crest o f th e pl a te a u o f M on t S a i n t Je a n betwee n t h e two roa ds

fro m G e n a ppe a n d N ivelles o n ly , t o d ay i t is o n a leve l w i t h t he p l a i n ;
'
 C O S E TT E .

w h ere a s th e n i t w a s su nk be twee n h igh b a n ks Its two s lopes were

'

t a k e n a w a y fo r t h e m o n u m e n t a l m ou n d Th a t ro a d wa s a nd is sti l l a .

tre nc h for t h e gre a te r p a rt of i ts l e n gth ; a tren ch 1n som e p a rts a d oze n

fee t d eep th e sl opes o f w h i c h m e s o steep a s to sl ide dow n h ere a n d
,

t h ere es peci a l ly i n w i n te r a fter sh o wers Accid e n ts h a ppe n t h ere

, ,
.

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‘
1
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is 1 wa s o n ce crush e d by a w a go n a s 18 a t teste d by a ston e cross st a n d , ,

i n g n ea r th e cem etery w h ic h g i ves th e n a m e o f t h e de a d , M o n sie u r

'

.Deb y e m erc h a n t of B r u ssels a n d th e d a te of t h e a cci d en t , Febru a ry,

r
, ,

I t wa s so d e p a t th e pl a t ea u of M o n t S a i n t Je a n th a t a p ea
e
,

ca n t M a tth e w N ic a i se h a d b ee n c rush ed th ere i n 1 7 8 3 by t h e fa l l ing

, ,

o f t h e b a n k a s a n o th e r s to n e cross a tte sted ; t h e top of t h is ha s disa p

,
‘

p ea re d 1n th e ch a n ges bu t i ts overtu rn ed pedes ta l i s stil l v isibl e u p on

,

t h e sl op i n g b a n k a t th e l eft o f t he ro a d betwee n La H a i e S a n te a nd the

fa rm o f M o n t S a i n t Je a n
O n T h e d a1 y of t h e b a ttle th i s su n k e n ro a d of wh ich n oth i n g ga v e
, ,

. w zu n in g a l o n g th e c rest of M on t S a i n t Je a n a d i tch a t th e su m m i t of
, ,

th e esea 1 p em en t a tre n c h co n ce a l ed by t he grou n d , wa s i n v isibl e, t h a t

1

i s t o sa y terri bl e .

o T 1113 .
E MP E RO R P uT s A QU E S TI O N TO TH E G U ID E L A C O S TE .

O n th e m orn i n bg o f l Va t erloo t h en N a poleon wa s s a ti s fi e d , ,

H e w a s righ t ; th e pl a n of b a t t le w h i c h h e h a d con ce i ved , a s we ha v e

-

sh ow n w a s i n deed a d mi r a bl e
,

A fter th e b a t tl e wa s on ce co m m e n ced i ts very d i v e rse for t u n e th e , ,

r esist a n ce o f H o ugo m on t t h e ten a city of La H a i e S a i n te B a u d ui n

, ,

k i l led Fey p u t [t o rs d e c o mb a t t h e u n e x pected w a l l a g a i n st w h ic h

, ,

Soye s b ri g a de wa s b rok e n t h e fa t a l b l u n de r of G u ille min o t in h a v i n g

’

n ei th er gre n a des n or po wd er th e m iri n g o f t h e b a tteries t he fi ftee n , ,

i eces wi th o u t escort cu t ff b U x b 1 id e i n a dee p cu t o f a m a d t h e

p o y g . ,

sl igh t e ff ect o f t h e b o m bs th a t fel l w i th i n t h e E ngl ish l i n es bu ry i ng c ,

l
t he m sel ves l l] th e soi l s ofte n ed by t h e r a i n a n d o n l y su c c eed in g 1n m a k ~

i ng vo l c a n oe s of m ud so th a t t h e e x pl osio n wa s ch a n bged i n to a spl a sh ,

,
th e use l ess n ess of P iré s d em on str a ti o n u po n B ra i me l A llc u d a ll th is
’ ’

c a v a l ry fi ftee n sq u a d 1 o n s a l m ost d estroy ed th e En gl is h righ t w i n g

, , ,

h a rdl y d i stu rbed th e l e ft w i n g h a rd ly m o v ed t h e st 1 a n ge m ista k e o f

,

N ey i n m a s si n g i n ste a d o f d r a wi n g o u t th e fou r d 1visi o n s of the firs t

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, ,

co rp s th e d ep t h of twe n ty se v e n r a n k s a n d the fl ou t of two h u n d re d

, .

Th e in sc ri p ti o n i s a s fo ll o ws
11 0 111

CY A ET E R CRA S E
O

PAB mu rm u r .

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s us U N o n a n xor

M O NS EU R I
nu B B YE M A RC H A N D

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r nnv m n n 16 3 7
 Lx s M IS ER A B LES .

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(15 0 e i t h i m n r to ra e , t l1e frigh t fu l g a ps m a d e by th e
M p n us a ne g p
i n t hg e ma sses , t h e l a c k o f c o n n ect i o n be twee n t he a t ta ck i n g col
u mn , t h e sl a n ti ng b a t t e ry su dden l y u n m a sk e d u po n th e i r fl a n k , B ou r

oia , Do n zc lo t a n d B a r a tte e n ta n gl ed Qui e t re pu l sed , Li eu te n a n t

V
,

ieu x , t ha t H ercu l es sp ru n g fro m t he P o ly te c h n ig Sch ool , w ou n de d a t

the mo men t when h e w a s be a t i n g d own w i t h th e bl o ws o f a n a x e t h e .

d o“o f La H a i e Sa i n ts u n d e r th e pl u ngi n g fi re o f t h e E ngl i s h b a r ri

ca d e ba r ri ng t he tu rn o f th e ro a d fro m G e n a p pe t o B russel s , M a re eg

net s d i v is ion , c a ugh t be tw e e n i n fa n try a n d c a v a l ry , sh o t d o w n a t a rm s

’
'

leng th i n th e wh e a t fi el d by B es t a n d P a c k s a bre d by Po n so n by , h i s .

ba tt ery of seve n pi eces S pi k ed , th e Pri nce o f S a xe W c im a r hol d i n g a n d

keepi n g Frisc h emo n t a n d S mo h a i n i n spi te of C ou n t D E rlo n , th e col ors
' ’

of th e l 0 5 t h t a ke n , t h e col o rs o f th e 4 3 d t a k e n , t h is Prussi a n B l a ck

H ussa r , brough t i n by th e sco u ts o f t h e fly i n g col u m n o f th ree h u n dred

Ch a sse u rs scou ri n g t h e co u n try bet wee n W a v re a n d l la n eh e n o it , t h e
’

disq u ieti ng th i ngs th a t t h i s p ri son e r ha d s a i d , G r ou chy s d e la y f t h e fi f

’

te en h u n d red m e n k i ll ed i n less th a n a n h o u r i n t h e o rch a r d o f H o u go

m o n t , th e eight ee n h u n d red m e n fa l le n i n s ti l l l ess ti m e a rou n d La
'

H a i e S a i n te — a ll t h ese s t or m y e ve n ts , p a ss i n g l i k e b a ttl e cl ou ds before -

’
N a pol eon , h a d h a rd ly d is tu rbed h i s cou n te n a n ce , a n d h a d n o t d a rk en e d
i ts i mperi a l ex pressio n o f ce rt a i n ty N a po l eo n w a s a ccusto m ed to l ook
.

u po n wa r fi xedly ; h e n eve r m a d e fig u re by fi g u re th e ted i o u s a dd i ti o n o f

d e ta i ls ; th e fi gures m a tte red l i tt l e to h i m , p ro v i de d t h ey g a v e t h is tot a l

V ic tory ! th ou gh begi n n i n gs we n t w ro n g h e w a s n o t a l a rm ed a t i t h e
?
who bel ie ved h i m sel f m a ster a n d possessor of th e e n d ; h e k n e w h o w to
w a i t , bel ie vi ng h i msel f beyo n d co n t i n ge n cy , a n d h e tre a ted d esti ny a s
a n equ a l tre a ts a n e qu a l H e a ppe a red to sa y to F a te : th o u w o u l ds t
.

n ot d a re .

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,
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righ t a n d tol er a t ed i n t h e w ron g

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c on n i v a n ce o n e m igh t a l m os t sa y a com pl ici ty w i th e ve n ts eq u i v a l e n t

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t o th e a n ci en t i n v ul n e r a bi l i ty H owev e r w h e n o n e h a s Be resi n a L ei p
.
, ,

eic a n d Fon ta in hlea u beh i n d h i m i t see m s a s i i h e m i gh t d istrus t W a

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t erl oo -A mys t eri ous frow n i s becom i n g v i si bl e i n t h e d ep th s o f th e

.

ck
in th e m é men t
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w h e n W el l i n g to n d rew b a ck N a pol eo n st a rte d u p
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°

.
,
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H e sa w th e p l a te a u o f M o n t S a i n t Je a n su dde n ly l a i d b a re a p d t h e ,

f ron t o f t h e E n lish a rm y d i s a p pe a r
a I t ra l l i ed bu t k ep t con ce a l e d
.
,
.

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t

h is eyes .

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was th e fi n a l o ver th ro w of
E n gl a n d by Fr a nce
; i t w a s Cressy Poi ti ers .
, ,

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’

o u t Agi n court . 1
1

The Em eror t h en co n t e m p l a t i ng t h is t e rri bl e t ur n o f fort un e swep t

h is gl a ss (h
, ,

r t h e l a st ti m e o ve r e very
p oi n t of t h e b a ttl e field
,
H i s -
.

G ua rd sta n d i ng beh i n d w i t h gro u n ded a rms l ooked u p to h i m w i th a

, ,
sort of rel i i on H e wa s reflecti n g ; h e wa s e x a m i n i n g t h e sl opes ,
g .

n o ti ng the a cce n t s scru ti n i z i n g t h e t u ft of t rees th e sq u a re rye fi el d .

, , ,
t h e fo o t pa th ; h e see me d to cou n t e very bu sh H e l o o k ed for som e
t ime a t t he E ng l ish b a rric a d es on t he t wo roa ds, t wo l a rge a b a tt i s o f
1
 c osa rr s . 27

t rees , t h a t on th e G en a pp e ro a d a bov e La H a i e S a i n t e , a rm ed w ith two

c a n n o n w h i ch a lon e of a ll the E n gl i sh a rt i l l ery bore u pon th e bo t to m
,
‘

, , ,

of t h e fi eld of b a t t l e a n d th a t o f th e N i vel l es ro a d w h ere gl isten ed th e

'

Du tc h b a yon ets of C ha ss é s brig a de H e n o ti ced n e a r th a t b a rric a de

’
.

t h e ol d c h a pe l of S a i n t N ich ol a s p a i n ted w h i te , w h i ch i s a t t h e cor n e r ,

o f t h e cross ro a d to w a rd B r a i n e l A lleu d H e b en t o v er a n d spok e i n

-
’
.

Th e gu id e m a d e a n eg a ti ve sig n
.

a n u n d e r ton e to t h e gu i de L a coste .

o f t h e h e a d p rob a bl y tre a ch erou s

,
.

Th e E m pero r rose u p a n d reflecte d W el l i ngto n h a d fa l l e n b a ck I t . .

rem a i n e d o n l y to com pl e te t h i s rep u l se by a c rush i n g ch a r ge N a p o .

l eo n tu rn i n g a b ru ptly sen t o ff a c ou r ier a t fu l l speed to P a ri s to a n

, , .

n ou nc e th a t t h e b a ttl e w a s wo n N a pol eo n wa s o n e of th ose gen i use s .

w h o ru l e t h e t h u n de r H e h a d fo u n d h i s th u n derbol t H e order ed
. .

M ilha u d s c u i r a ssi ers to c a rry th e p l a te a u o f M o n t S a i n t J ea n

’
.

THE U N LO C K E D F O R .

Th ey w e re t h ree th ous a n d fi ve h u n d red Th ey form ed a l i n e of h a l f .

mi l e T h ey we re gi g a n ti c m en o n tc olossa l h ors es T h ere w er e

’

a . .

twen ty si x sq u a dron s a n d th ey h a d be h i n d th e m a s a su pp ort , t he d i v i

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, , ,
'

si o n o f Le feb v re Desn o u ett es th e h u n d red a n d s i x ge nd a r m es d él i te , , ,

’

th e Ch a sseu rs o f th e G u a rd h e le ven h u n dred a n d n i n ety s ev e n m e n a n d -

,

t h e L a n cers o f th e G u a rd eigh t h u n d re d a n d e i gh ty l a n ces Th ey ,

.

w e re ga sq u es w i t h o u t pl u m es a n d cu i r a sses o f w rou gh t i ron w i th h ors e

, ,

p i stols i n t h ei r h ol sters a n d l o n g s a bre s word s I n t h e m orn i n g t h ey

,
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.
,

h a d bee n t h e a dm i r a ti o n of th e w h ol e a rm y, w h e n a t n i n e o cl ock w i t h
’

, ,

tru m pets so u n d i n g a n d a ll th e b a nds p la yi n g Vet llo n s o u sa lu t d c l em ’

'

, ,
'

p i rc t h ey c a m e
, i n h e a vy col u m n o ne o f t h ei r b a tteri e s o n t h ei r fl a n k ,
, ,

t h e oth er a t t h ei r c en tre a n d d ep l oy ed i n tw o r a n ks b etwee n th e G e

, ,

n a ppe ro a d a n d F risc h e m o n t a n d too k t h e i r pos i ti o n o f b a ttl e i n th i s

,

powe rfu l seco n d l i n e so w isel y m a d e u p by N a pol eon w hic h / ha vin g a t

, ‘ ,

i ts e x tre m e left th e cu i r a ssi ers o f Kel lerm a n , a n d a t i ts e x tre m e righ t

t h e cu i r a ssi ers o f M illi a u d h a d so to sp e a k two w i n gs of i ro n , , ,
.

A idel de c a m p B ern a rd b rough t th e m t h e E m peror s orde r

-
Ney ’

d re w h is sw ord a nd p l a ced h i m sel f a t th ei r h e a d The e n orm ous squ a d .

ron s beg a n to m ove .

T he n wa s s ee n a fe a rful si gh t A ll s a bres d r a w n ,
.

b a n n e rs w a v i n g a nd tru m pe ts so u nd i n g
,
n by d m sio n ,
d esce n de d w i th a n e ven m ov em e n t a n d th e p rc msi o n
of a b ron ze b a t t eri n g ra m op e n i n g a bre a ch — th e h i l l of La B el l e A l l i
- . -

a n ce , s a n k i n to t h a t form i d a b l e dep th wh ere so m a n y m e n h a d a l re a d y

’

fa l l e n , d i s a ppe a red i n th e s m oke , the n risin g fro m t h is v a l l ey o f sha ,

dow re a pp ea red o n th e oth e r si d e sti l l co m p a c t a nd serri ed , m ou n ti n g

,
-
,

a t ful l tro t , th rough a cl oud o f gra pe em p ty i n g i ts el f u po n t he m t h e ,

frigh tfu l a ccl i v i ty of m ud of th e pl a tea u o f M on t S a i n t Jea n Th ey .

r ose , s erio us, m e n a c i n g i mp c rt u rb a ble ; in th e i n te rv a ls of th e mus

,

k etry a n d a rt i l l e ry cou l d b e h e a rd t he sou nd o f t h is co l ossa l tra m p .

Bei n g in two d iv i si o n s , t h ey form e d t wo c o l umns ; W a thier s d i visi o n

‘ ’
’ ‘

,
 LES a t t sfsa a s t s s .

h a d t he righ t Delo rd s t he l eft Fro m a d ist a n he t h ey wo u ld be ta k e n

,
'
. .

for t wo i m m en se se rpen ts o f s t ee l stre t c h i n g th emse l ves tow a rds t he

cres t o f t he pl a te a u T h a t ra n th rough th e b a t t l e l i ke a prod igy . .
.

N o t h i n g l i ke it ha d bee n se e n si n ce th e t a k i n g o f t he gr a n d redoub t
a t La M o sc o ws by t he h e a vy c a v a l ry ; M u r a t w a s n o t t h ere bu t N ey
I t see m ed a s i f t h i s m a s ha d beco me a mons t e r a n d h a d
,

w a s t he r e .
s
,

b u t a si n g l e m i nd E a ch sq u a d ro n u n d u l a ted a n d swel l e d l i k e th e ri n g '

.
.

o f a p o ly p T hey c o it lJ b e seen t h rough t he th i ck s m o k e a s i t wa s

.
,

b ro ken he re a n d the re It W a s o n e p elt mell o f c a q ues c ries s a bres ; .

s
, ,

a furiou s b o u nd i n g of h orses a mo n g t h e c a n n on a n d th e flou ris h of

'

t ru m pets a t erri bl e a n d d isci pl i ne d tu m u l t ; o ver a ll t h e c u i r a ses l ik e

, ,
s
,

t h e s ca l es of a hyd r a . 0
T hese recit a l s a ppe a r to b elo n g to a n oth e r a ge S om e t h i ng l i k e t h is .

7 15 10 0 a ppe a r ed dou btl es s i n th e ol d O rp h i c e pics w h ic h te l l of ec u

, ,

ta u rs a n t i qu e hip p a n t h ro p es th ose Ti t a n s w i th h u m
,
a n fa c es a n d ch ests , ,

li k e h orses w h ose g a l l op sc a l e d Oly m p us h o rri bl e i n vu lu era ble, s u b

, , ,

li m e ; a t on ce gods a n d be a s ts “
A n od d n u m eri c a l coi n ci de n ce t wen ty si x b a t t a l i o ns we re to re cei ve ,
-

t h e se twe n ty si x sq u a d ro ns -
B e h i n d th e crest o f th e p l a t e a u u n der .
,

c o ver of t h e m a sk ed b a tte ry t h e E ngl is h i n fa n try form ed i n th i rtee n , ,

sq u a res t wo b a tt a l io ns to t h e sq u a re a n d u po n t wo l i n es — seve n o n t h e
'

, , .

fi rs t a n d si x o n th e secon d — wi th m usket to t h e s h ou ld e r a n d eye u po n

c

, ,

t h ei r sigh ts , w a i ti ng c a l m s il e n t a n d i m m ov a b le T h ey cou l d no t see ‘

,
.

t he c u i r a ss iers a n d th e cu i r a ssiers cou l d n o t se e th e m

,
Th ey l iste n e d .

t o th e risi ng of th is t id e of m e n Th ey h e a rd th e i n cre a si ng sou n d of .

t h ree th ous a n d h orses th e a l tern a te a n d m e a su red s tri k i ng o f t h ei r

,

h oofs a t ful l trot t h e r a ttl i n g of th e cu i ra sses t h e cl i c k i ng o f t he sa b rc s

, , ,

a n d a sort of fi e rce ro a r of th e co m i n g h ost T h e re wa s a m o m e n t o f,

.

fe a rful s il e n ce t h en; sud de n l y a l o n g l i n e of r a ised a rm s br a nd ish i n g

, , ,

sa bres a ppe a re d a bove t he c rest w i th c a sq ues tru m pe t s a n d s t a n d a r d s , , ,

a n d th ree th o us a n d fa ces w i t h grey m ou st a c hes cry i n g V i v e l E mp e

’

, .

reu r ! Al l th is c a v a l ry d ebouch ed o n t h e pl a te a u , a n d i t wa s l i ke t h e
b egi n n i ng of a n e a rth q u a k e .

A l l a t on ce t ra gic to re l a te a t th e l e ft o f t h e E ngl ish a n d o n ou r

, , ,

r i gh t ,
t he h ea d o f th e col u m n o f cu i r a ss iers re a red w i th a frigh t fu l
,

c l a m or Ar ri ved a t th e c u l m i n a ti n g poi n t of th e cres t u n m a n a ge a bl e ,

.
,

f u l l o f fu ry a n d be n t u po n t h e ex ter m i n a t io n o f th e sq u a res a n d c a n
'

n on s t h e c u i ra ssre rs sa w bet wee n t h e msel ves a n d th e E n gl is h a d i tch a

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, ,

g r a ve I
. t w a s t h e su n k en ro a d o f C ha i n .

I t wa s a frigh tfu l m o m e n t T h ere wa s t h e r a v i n e , u n l ook ed fo r .

,

y a w n i n g a t t h e very fe et o f th e h orses, two fa t h o ms deep be twee n its

d oubl e sl ope Th e seco n d ra n k p us hed i n th e fi rst th e t h i rd p ushe d i n
.

,
t he secon d ; th e h orses re a re d th re w th e m sel ves over fel l u po n th ei r , ,

b a cks a n d struggled w i th th ei r fee t i n th e a ir pi l i ng u p a n d o vert urn

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tn
g th ei r rid ers ; n o power to retre a t ; th e w h ole col u mn wa s n oth i ng
b u t a proj ecti l e Th e force a cq u i red to crus h th e En gl ish c rus h ed th e
.

F re n ch Th e i n e x or a bl e r a v i n e cou l d n ot y iel d u n t i l i t wa s fil l ed ;
.

ri d er s a n d h orse s rol l ed i n t ogeth e r pe l l mc ll gri nd i n g e a c h oth e r ‘

-
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ma k i n g eommon fles h i n t h is d re a dfu l gul f, a nd w he n th e gra ve wa s .

full o f l m ng m en th e res t ma rche d o v

.

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e r th e m a n d p a ssed on A lmost
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a t h i r d of t he Dn b ois bri ga de su n k i n to t h is a b s s
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y .
 L ES M i sfi a a s t ss .

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A t fu ll w i th free rei n th e 1 r s a b res i n th e i r t ee th , a n d t h e i r

sto l s i n 15 2
,

i 1: b a n ds t h e a tt a ck beg a n
p
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,

T h ere a re m om e n t s i n b a t t le w h en t h e so u l h a rde n s a ma n e ve n to
c ha n gi n g th e sol d ie r i n to a st a tu e a n d a ll h is fles h be com es gr a n i t e ,
.

T he 'E nglish b a t ta l ion s d esp er a tely a s sa i l ed d i d n o t y ie l d a n i n c h

, ,
.

T h en i t wa s frigh tful .

'

A ll sides o f th e E n glish sq u a res were a tt a ck e d a t on ce A w h i rl

’
. ~
.

w i n d of fren zy e n vel ope d th e m T h is frigi d i n fa n try rem a i n ed i m p a s .

s a bl e Th e fi rst ra n k w it h k n ee o n th e grou n d recei ved th e c u i r a ssiers

.
, ,

on th ei r b a yon e ts th e seco n d s h o t t h em do w n ; beh i n d th e secon d r a n k

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t he c a n non eers l o a d ed t h ei r gu ns th e fron t o f t h e sq u a re o pen e d m a de , ,

wa y fo r a n eru p ti o n of gr a p e a n d cl osed a g a i n T h e cu i ra ssiers a n

, .

swered by rush i n g u po n t h e nr w i t h c rush i n g force T h e i r gre a t h orses .

r ea red t r a m p l ed u po n t h e ra n k s l e a ped ov e r t h e b a yon ets a n d fel l

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-
.
,

giga n tic i n t he m i d s t o f t h ese fo u r l iv i n g w a l l s The b a l l s m a de g a ps

, ‘

i n th e ra n k s of th e c u1ra ssiers, th e c u i ra ssie rs m a de b re a ch es i n th e

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s qu a res Fi l es of m e n d is a ppe a red gro u n d d ow n b en e a t h t h e h orses

.
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fee t . B a yon ets w e re b u ri ed i n t h e bel l ies o f t h ese ce n t a u rs H én ee a .

m o nstrosi ty o f w ou n ds n e v er pe rh a ps see n elsew h ere Th e sq u a res .

,

c on su m ed by th is fu ri ous c a v a l ry cl ose d u p w ith ou t w a v eri n g I n ex ? ,

.

h a u stible i n gr a pe th ey k e p t u p a n ex pl osi o n i n t h e m ids t o f t h eir a s

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.

sa ila n ts I t wa s a m o nstro us sigh t T h ese squ a res were b a tt a l io n s n o

. .

l o nger th ey w ere c r a ters ; t h ese c u i r a ssi e r s we re c a va l y n o l on ge r t h ey

,
r
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w ere a te m pest E a ch squ a re w a s a v ol c a n o a tt a cked by a t h u n d e r

.

cl o ud ; th e l a v a fough t w i th t h e l igh tn i n g .

T h e squ a re o n th e e x tre m e ri gh t th e m os t e x posed o f a ll b ei n g i n , ,

t h e O pe n fi el d w a s a l m os t a n n i h i l a ted a t t h e fi rs t s h ock
,
I t wa s for m e d .

o f th e 7 5 th regi m e n t o f H igh l a nders T h e p i p er i n t h e ce n tr e w h i l e .

,

t he work o f e x term i n a ti o n w a s go i n g o n p ro fou n d ly ob l i v i o us o f a ll ,

a bo u t h i m ca sti ng d o w n h i s m e l a nch ol y eye ful l o f th e sh a d ow s of

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forests a n d l a kes se a te d u p o n a d ru m his b a gpi pe u n de r h is a r m w a s

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.
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p l a y i n g h is m ou n t a i n a i rs Th ese Scotch m e n d i ed t h i n.k i n g o f B en

Loth i a n a s t h e G reek s d ied rem e m beri n g A rgos Th e s a bre of a en i

,
.

r a ssi e r strik i ng d ow n t h e p i broch a nd th e a rm w h i c h bore i t , c a used t h e

, '

s tra i n t o ec a se by k i l l i n g t he pl a yer .

T h e c u i r a ssi ers rel a ti vel y fe w in nu m be r l esse n ed by t h e c a t a stroph e

, ,

c f t he r a vi ne ha d to co n ten d w i t h a hn o st th e w h ol e of t h e E n gl is h
,

a rm y b u t t h ey m u l t i pl i e d t h e m se l ves e a c h m a n bec a m e equ a l to t en

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.

Ne verth el es s som e H a n o v eri a n b a tt a l ion s fel l b a c k l l elli n g to n sa w i t

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'

.
,

H a d N a p ol eo n a t th a t ve ry m o m e n t fe
'

a n d re m em bered h i s c a v a l ry
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m em be red h i s i n fa n try h e w oul d h a v e wo n th e b a ttl e Th is fo rget fuh

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.

n ess wa s h is gre a t fa t a l bl u nder .

S udde n ly t he a ss a i l i n g cu i r a ss iers p ercei ved th a t th ey w ere a ss a il ed .

T h e En gl ish c a v a l ry w a s u po n th ei r b a ck B e fore the m t h e sq u a res , .

b eh i n d th e m Som erset ; Som erse t w it h th e fou rtee n h u n d red d r a g oo n , .

gu a rds So m erse t h a d o n h is righ t Dor n berg w i th h is Ge rm a n l igh t

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. ~

h orse a n d o n h is l e ft T ri p w i t h t lfe B el gi a n c a rbi neers T h e eui ra s

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s iers a tt a cked fro n t fl a n k a n d re a r by i n fa n try a n d c a v a l ry w e re c o m

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elled to fa ce i n a ll d i recti on s W h a t w a s th a t to th e m ? T h ey w e re a
‘

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w h i rl wi n d T hei r v a l or bec a m e u n spe a k a b l e B es ides th ey h a d b e ?

.
.
,

h i n d t h e m th e e ver t h u n deri ng a r ti ll ery All t h a t wa s n ecess a ry i n

-
.
 CO S E TTE .

orde r t o wou n d such m en i n th e b a ck O n e of t h ei r c u rra sses, w i th a .

h ol e 1n t he left s h o u ld er p l a t em a de by a m usk e t b a ll , is in the col l ec tion

o f th e W a t erlo o M useu m ‘
.

W i th such Fren ch m e n o n l y s u ch E n gli sh m e n cou l d cope .

I t wa s n o l o n ge r a con fl ict i t wa s d a 1 k n ess, a f u ry a giddy vor t e x of

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sou l s a n d cou ra ge a h u rri c a n e of sword d a sh es I n a n i nsta n t th e fo ur

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-
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tee n h u n d red h orse g u a rds we re b u t eigh t h u nd red ; Fu l l er, th ei r li e u

te n a n t colon e l fel l de a d N ey rush ed u p w i th th e l a n cers a n d ch a sse urs
-
, .

of Lefe bv re Desn o u e t tc s T h e p l a te a u o f M o n t S a i n t Je a n wa s t a ke n ,
-

l et a k eu t a k e n a g a i n Th e c u i 1 a ssiers l e ft th e c a v a l ry to re tur n to th e
’

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i n fa n try o r m o re c o rrec tly a ll th is te r ri bl e m u l ti tud e w restl ed w i th ea c h
,
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o the r Wi tho u t l etti n g go t h ei r h ol d T h e sq u a res sti l l h e l d Ther e . .

w ere t wel v e a ss a ul ts N ey h a d fou r h orses k il l ed u nder hi m H a l f of

. .

t h e cu i r a ss i ers la y o n th e p l a te a u Th e stru g gl e l a sted two h ou rs The .

E ngl i sh a rm y w a s terri bly s h a k e n Th e re 18 n o d o ub t i f th ey h a d n o t .

,

b e e n cri pp led i n th ei 1 fi rs t sh dc k by th e d is a st e r of t h e s u n k e n ro a d th e ,

c u i i a ssi e rs w ou l d h a v e o verw h el m ed th e ce n tre a ri d d eci ded th e v ictor

.

y ,
.

T h i s wo n derfu l c a v a l ry a sto u n d ed C l i n ton w h o h a d seen T a l a ver a a nti

B a d a j os W el l i n gto n th ough th 1 ee fo u 1 t lis co n q u er ed W a s s t ruck w i th
,

-
,
.
,
“
h eroi c a d m i ra tio n H e s a i d m a l ow vo i ce : Sp l e nd i d !
.
”

T h e c u i ra ssi ers a n n i h il a te d se v e n s q u a res ou t o f t hic teen t ook or ,

s pi k ed si xty p i eces of c a n n o n a n d took fro m th e E nglis h regi m en ts six ,

colo rs w h i c h t h ree cu i r a ssi ers a n d t h ree c h a sse u rs o f th e gu a rd c a rrie d

,

to t h e E m per or be fore th e f a r m of la B el l e A l l i a n ce -
.

T h e si tu a tio n of W el l i ngto n w a s gro w i n g w orse T h is s tr a n ge b a t .

tl e wa s l i k e a d uel be twee n t wo wou n de d i n fu ri a tes w h o ; w h i l e yet fi gh t

i n g a n d resi sti n g , l ose a ll t h ei r b l ood W h ic h of t h e two s h a l l fa ll .
'

fi l st ?
T he struggl e o f th e p l a te a u co n ti n ued .

H o w fa r d i d t he cu i r a ssiers p e n et ra te ? N o n e c a n te l l O n e th i ng is .

ce 1 t 1 i n : t h e d a y a fte r t he b a t tl e a c u i ra ssi er a n d h is h orse w e re fou n d

:
,

d e a d u nde r t h e f1 a n1 e o f th e h a y sc a l es a t M on t S a i n t Je a n a t t he poi n t ,

w h ere th e fo u r ro a ds fro m N i ve l l es G e n a p pe La H ul p e a n d B russels , ,

m ee t . T h is h ors em a n h a d p i e rced t h e E ngl i s h l i n es O n e of th e men .

w h o took a w a y th e body s ti l l l i ves a t M o n t S a i n t J ea n H is n a m e is .

Deh a z e ; h e w a s t h e n e igh tee n ye a rs ol d .

il elli n gt o n fel t t h a t h e a va s g i v i ng w a y
‘’
l
T h e cri si s w a s u po n h i m .
.

T h e c u i r a ssi er s ha d n o t su cceed ed i n th is se n se th a t th e co n t i e wa s n o t , ,

b rok e n A ll h ol di ng th e pl a te a u n obody h el d i t a n d in fa c t i t re ma i n e d
for t h e mos t p a 1 t w it h th e E n gl i sh W el l i ngto n h el d th e v il l a ge a n d
.
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b

t h e cro w n i n g pl a i n ; Ney h e ld ou l y t h e m ost a n d t he sl op e O n bo t h .

sid es t h ey se em e d rooted I n th is fu n ere a l soi l .

B u t t h e e n feebl em e n t of th e E ngl is h a p pe a red i rre m ed i a bl e Th e

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.

h a e m orrh a ge of th is a rmy w a s h orri b l e Ke m p t o n th e l eft w in g .

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c a l l e d fo r rei n force m e n ts “I mp ossi bl a n swere d W el l i n gto n ;

.
“w e e
,
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m u st d i e o n t he sp o t w e n o w o cc up y A l m os t a t th e s a m e m om en t .

si n gu l a r coi n ci de n ce w h i c h d ep icts th e ex h a u sti o n o f bo th a rm ies — Ney

‘

se n t to N a pol eo n for i n fa n try a n d N a pol e o n e x cl a i m ed : “L! a n t ry ! ,

w her e d o es h e ex ec t m e to t a k e them ?
p D oes he ex
p ec t m e to m a k e

t hem »
.

H o we ver , t he E ngl is h a rm y wa s fa rth es t gon e . T h e furi ous ou

 LES u rsEn A B Ls s .

sla u
g h ts o f th ese gre a t sq u a d ro n s w i th i ro n cu i r a s ses a n d stee l b re a st ~

p la te s h a d grou nd u p th e i n fa n try A few m e n a bo u t a fl a g ma rk ed th e .

.

pl a ce o f a regi men t ; b a tt a l io n s we re n o w c om m a nded b y _c a p t a i n s o r

’
l ieu ten a n ts Al te n s d i v ision a l re a dy so cu t u p a t La H a i e S a i n te w a s
.
, ,

a l most destroyed ; th e i n trepi d B el gi a n s o f Va n K lu z e s brig a d e stre we d

’

th e rye fi eld a l on g th e N i vel l es ro a d ; th ere we re h a rd ly a n y l e ft o f th ose

Du tc h gren a d i ers w ho i n 1 8 1 1 j oi n ed t o ou r r a n ks i n Sp a i n fough t
, , ,

a ga i nst W el l i ngton a nd w h o i n 1 8 15 r a l l ied o n th e E ngl i s h sid e

, , , ,
~

fough t a ga i nst N a pol eon T h e l oss i n o fli c ers wa s h e a vy Lord U x . .

bri dge w ho bu ri ed h is l eg n e x t d a y ha d a k n ee fr a ctu re d I f o n t h e

, ,
.
,

side of th e Fre n ch i n th is s tru g gl e of t h e c u ira ssie rs Delo rd l II e ri

, , .
,
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t ie r Col bert Duo p Tr a ve rs a n d B l a n c a rd w e re ho rs d c co m ba t o n t h e

, , , , .
,

side of th e E ngl ish A l te n w a s w o u n d ed B a r n e w a s wou n ded De l a n cey

, , ,

wa s k il led , V a n llleeren w a s k i l l ed O m p ted a w a s k i l led th e e nti re s t a ff , ,

of W el l i ngto n wa s deci m a ted a n d E n gl a n d h a d th e worst sh a re i n t h i s ,

b a l a n ce of bl ood T h e se co n d regi m e n t of foo t gu a rd s h a d l os t fi ve

.

li eu te n a n t co l o n el s fo u r c a p t a i n s a n d th ree e n si gn s ; th e fi rst b a tt a l io n
-
.
,

o f t he th i rti e th i nfa n t ry h a d l ost t we n ty fou r o ffi cers a n d o n e h u n d re d

‘

a n d tw el ve sol d i ers ; t he seven ty n i n t h H igh l a n ders ha d tw e n ty fou r - -

o ffi cers wo u n ded eigh tee n o ffi cers k i l l ed a n d fo u r h u n d red a n d fi fty sol

, ,
’
d iers sl a i n C u m berl a n d s H a n overi a n h uss a rs a n e n ti re regi m e n t
.
, ,

h a v i n g a t i ts h e a d Col on e l H a ck e w h o w a s a fterw a rds co u rt m a rti a le d

'

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,

a n d brok e n h a d d r a w n rei n befo re t h e fi gh t a n d w ere i n fligh t i n th e

'

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Fores t o f Soign es sp re a d i hg t he p a n i c a s fa r a s B russel s Ca r ts a m

, .
,

m u n i tio n w a g on s b a gg a ge w a gon s a m b u l a n c es fu l l o f wo u n d ed seei n g

‘
- -
, , ,

the F re n ch g a i n grou n d a n d a p pro a ch t he fo rest fl ed p reci p i t a t e ly ; t h e ’

,
'

D utch s a b red by th e b re a ch c a v a l ry c ri ed m u rd er ! F ro m Vert Co u

, ,

cou to G roe n e n d a el fo r a d ist a n ce of n e a rly si x m iles d n th e d i rec t io n

,

tow a rd s B ru ssels t h e ro a ds a cc ord i n g to th e t esti m o ny of w i t n esses

, ,

s ti l l a l i ve we re c hok ed w i t h fugit i ves Th is p a n i c wa s s uc h t h a t i t

,
.

re a ch ed th e Pri n ce of C on d é a t M a l i nes a n d Lou i s X V II I a t G h e n t ,

. .

W i th t he e x cep ti o n of th e sm a l l reserv e d r a w n u p i n ec h el on beh i n d t h e

.

h ospi ta l esta bl is h ed a t t he fa rm o f M on t S a i n t J e a n a n d t h e brig a des ,

o f V i v i a n a n d V a nd ele u r o n t h e fl a n k of th e l eft w i ng W el l i n gto n s

, ,
’

ca v a l ry w a s ex h a usted A n u m be r o f b a tteri es la y d is m ou n ted T h ese

. .

fa cts a re co n fessed by S ib o rn e ; a n d Pri ngl e ex a gge r a ti n g t h e d is a ster , ,

sa ys th a t e ve n th a t t h e A n gl o Dutc h a r my wa s red uced t o th i rty fou r - -

th o us a n d men Th e I ro n Du ke re m a i n ed c a l m bu t h i s l i ps w e re p a l e
.

,
.

« Th e A u stri a n Co m m i ss a ry V i n ce n t t h e S p a n is h Com m iss a ry O l a v a

, , , ,

p rese n t a t t h e b a ttl e i n th e E n gl is h sta fl th ough t th e Du ke wa s beyo n d

'

h ope A t fi ve o cl ock W el l i ngto n d rew c a t h is w a tch , a n d wzls h e a rd to

'
’
.

m u rm u r th ese so m bre words : B la c k er o r n ig ht ! ,

I t wa s a bou t t h is ti m e t h a t a dista r t l i n e o f b a yo n e ts glist en ed o n t h e

'
'

heigh ts beyon d FriSc hemo n t

‘

H ere is t h e t u rn ing po in t i n th i s col oss a l d r a m a ;

o

I 0
 .
. C O S ETT E .

BAD G UIDE ro e N APOLEO N ; G o on -

e uro s FO R .
B U Lo w .

W e u n dersta n d th e b i tte r m ist a k e of N a p ol eo n ,

G ro uch y h oped f or

B l uch e r a rri v i ng ; d e a t h i n stea l o f l ife Des ti ny h a s s uc h t u r n i n g s : .

A w a i ti n g th e W 0 1 ld s t h 1 o n e , S a i n t H el e n a bec a m e v i si bl e I f t h e li t
’
.

tl e cow boy , wh o a cted a s gu i d e to B ul ow , B l uch er s lieu t e 11 a n t , h a d a d

’

v ised h i m to d ebo u c h fro m t h e fi nest a bov e F risc h e m o n t 1 a th e r t h a n

b elow P la n c h en oi t , th e sh a pi n g o f t h e n i n e tee n t h ce n tu ry wo u l d p er
h a ps ha v e bee n d i ffe re n t N a pol eo n w ou l d h a v e w o n th e b a ttl e o f W a
.

t erl oo By a n y ot h e r m a d t h a n bel ow P la n c h en o i t , th e Pru ssi a n a rm y

w ou l d h a v e brough t u p a t a ra v i n e i m p a ss a bl e for a rti llery , a n d B ul o w
wo u l d n o t h a v e 1 1 r1 r e d N o w , a n h ou r o f d e l a y , a s t h e Prussi a n gen o
..

ra l Wl I u flli n g d ec la 1 e s, a n d B lii e h e i wo u l d n o t h a v e fou n d W el l i ngto n i n

p osi ti o n “th e
b a tt l e wa s l ost
; .

, I t w a s ti m e w e h a v e see n th a t B u lo w sh o u l d a r ri v e
,
He h a d
,
.

b i v o u a ck ed a t Dio n le M o n t a n d s ta rted o n a t d a w n B u t th e ro a ds
,
.

w ere i m pr a ct i c a bl e a n d h i s d i v isio n st uc k in t h e m i re T h e c a nn o n
,
. .

s a n k to th e h u bs i n th e ruts F u rth erm ore h e h a d to c ross t h e Dyl e 0 11

.
,

t h e n a rro w bridge o f W a v re ; t h e stre e t l e a d i n g to t h e b ridge h a d bee n

fi red by t h e Fre n ch ; th e c a i sson s a n d a rti l l e ry wa go n sh b e i n g u n a b l e t o
p a ss betwee n tw o rows o f b u rn i n g h o uses h a d to w a i t til l th e fi re w a s ,

e xt in gu is h ed I t wa s n oo n be fo re B u lo w c o u ld re a c h C h a pe l le S a i n t
.

L a m bert .

'
H a d t h e a c t i o n co m m e n ced t wo h ou rs e a rl i e r i t wou l d h a v e b ee n ,

fi n ish ed a t fou 1 o cl ock a n d B lii c he r w ou ld h a v e fa l l e n u po n a fi el d a ]

’

re a dy wo n by N a po l eo n S uch a re th ese 1 m men se c h a n c es , p1 o p o rt io n ed

.

to a n i n fi n i ty w h i ch w e c a n n ot g r a sp
.
,
.

As e a rly a s m id da y th e E m p ero r fi rst of a ll w i th h is fi el d gl a ss

, , , ,

e1 c e ivc d 1n t he e x t i e m c hori zo n so m eth i n g w h i ch fi xed h is a tten t io n

p .

“
H e s a i d : I se e yo nde r a cl ou d w hi c h a p p e a rs to m e t o b e troops ”
.

T h e n h e a sk ed t h e Du k e of D a l m a t i a “So u l t w h a t do y o u see to .
,
”
w a rds C h a pel l e S a i n t L a m bert ? Th e m a rsh a l tu r n i n g h is gl a ss th a t ,
w ya a n sw ere d : “ Fo u r o r fi ve th o us a n d m e n Si re G rou c hy o f
‘

, ,
.
,

co u 1 se M e a n wh i le i t re m a i n ed m otio n l ess i n t h e h a z e Th e g l a sses

. t

“ ”
o f t h e w h ol e st a ff studi ed th e cl ou d po i n te d o u t by th e E m pero r .

So m e s i d a
“ T hey a re col u m n s h a l t i n g h
T e m ost s a i d :
“ It i s . .

'
t rees . l he fa c t i s th a t t h e cl ou d d i d n o t s ti r
, Th e E n1 pere 1 d e .

t a c h ed D e m o n s d i vi sio n o f l igh t c a va h y to reco n n o itre th is obsc ure

’

p oi n t .

B ul o w in fi o t ha d n o t m o v ed H i s v a n gu a rd w a s v ery we a k a n d
, ,
.
,

c ou l d do n oth i n g H e h a d to w a i t fo r t h e bu l k o f h i s c o rp s d a r m ec
.
’ ’

a n d h e w a s ord ered to co n ce n tr a te h is forc e before e n teri n g i nto l i n e ;

b u t a t fi ve o cl oc k se ei n g W el l i ngto n s p eri l B lij c h er o rdered B ul ow
’

,
’

to a t t a ck a n d u ttered t hese re m a rk a bl e w ords : “W e m us t gi ve t h e

,

E ngl ish a rm y a b re a th i n g spel l .

S ee n a fte r th e d i v i si on s o f Loa th i n H i l l er H a ck e a n d
, yssel de , ,

p loy ed i n fro n t o f Lob a u s corps th e c a v a l ry of Pri n c e W i ll i a m o f

'

Pr ussi a debou c h ed fro m th e w oo d o f P a ri s, Pla n c h en oi t wa s i n fl a m es ,

 L ES M I S E RA B LE S .

a n d t hePrussi a n b a l ls b ega n to r a i n dow n e ve n i n th e r a n k s of .

th e
G u a rd i n rese rve be h i n d N a pol eo n .

TH E G UAR D .

The r est i s k n ow n ; th e i rrup tio n o f a t h i rd _ a

rm y t h e b a ttl e ,

t h row n ou t of j oi n t e ig h ty si x p i eces of a rt i lle ry su dd e n ly th u n d eri n g

‘
-

, .

forth Pi rc h th e F i rst co m i n g u p w i th B u l o w Z ie t h e n s c a v a l ry l ed by
, , ,
’

Blii c her i n p er so n , th e Fre n c h c ro wd ed b a ck M a rc o g n et s wep t fro m t h e ,

p l a te a u of C ha i n Duru t te d i sl odged from P a pelo t t e Don z olo t a n d Qu iot

, ,

recoi li n g Lob a u t a k e n o n e ch a rpe a n e w b a ttl e fa l l i n g a t n igh t fa l l u po n

, , ,

o u r d ism a n tl ed regi m e n ts t h e w h ol e E ngl i sh l i n e a ssu m i n g t h e o ffen si v e

,

a n d p u sh ed forw a rd th e gig a n ti c ga p m a d e i n t h e Fren c h a r my t h e

, ,

E n gl is h gr a pe a n d th e Prussi a n gra p e l e n di n g m u tu a l a id e x te rm i n a .

t i o n dis a ste r i n fro n t d is a ster i n fl a n k t h e G u a r d e n teri n g i nto l i n e

'

, , ,

a m i d t h is terri bl e cru m bl i n g .

Fee l i n g t h a t th ey w ere go i n g to t h e i r de a th th ey c ri e d o u t : Vin e

'

T h e re i s n oth i n g m o re t ou c h i n g i n h is tory th a n th i s
d e a th a go n y b u rsti n g fort h i n a c cl a m a tio n s
-
.

Th e sky h a d bee n o ve rc a s t a ll d a y A l l a t o n ce a t th i s v ery m o .

,

m e n t — i t wa s e i gh t o clock a t n i gh t — th e cl ou ds i n th e h ori zo n brok e

’

a n d t h rough th e el ms o n t h e N i vel l es ro a d s tre a m ed th e si n iste r re d ,

l ig h t o f t h e se tti n g s u n T h e risi ng su n sh o n e u po n A usterl i tz

. .
‘

Ea ch b a t t a lio u o f th e gu a rd for th is fi n a l e ff ort wa s co m m a n de d by

'
, ,

a ge n er a l F ri a n t M ic h el Ro g u e t H a rl ot M a l l et Pore t d e M o rv a n
.
, ,
.
, , , ,

w ere th ere W h e n t h e t a l l c a ps of t h e G re n a d i e rs of t h e G u a r d w i t h
’

.
.

’
t h ei r l a rge e a gl e p l a tes a ppe a red symm e tric a l d ra w n u p i n l i n e c a lm , , , ,

i n t he s mok e o i t h a t co n fl ict th e e n e m y fe l t respec t fo r F r a n ce ; th ey

'

t h ou gh t th ey sa w tw e n ty v i ctori es e n te ri ng u p o n t h e fi e l d of b a t tl e ,

w i th w i ngs e x te n ded a n d t h ose w h o w ere co n q uero rs t h i n k i n g t h e m

, ,

s e l ves co nq u ered recoi l ed ; b u t W el l i n gto n cri ed Up G ua r d s a n d a t

'

, ,

t h em T h e red regi m e n t of E ngl i sh G u a rds ly i n g be h i n d th e h ed ges , ,

rose up a sh owe r of gr a pe ri dd l ed t h e tri col ore d fl a g fl u tteri ng a bo ut;

, ‘
-

o u r e a gl es a ll hurl ed t h e m se lv es forwa rd a n d t h e fi n a l c a rn a ge beg a n

, ,
.

T he I m peri a l G u a rd fel t t h e a rmy sl i p p i n g a w a y a ro u n d th e m i n th e

’

gl oom a n d t he v a s t o vert h ro w of t h e rou t ; th ey h e a rd t h e sa u c e gu t

w h ic h h a d repl a c ed th e n i n e Z E m er c u r ’ a n d w it h fl igh t beh i n d
’
en t
p p .
,

t h em t h ey h el d o n th e i r cou rse b a ttered m ore -a n d m o re a n d dy i ng

, ,
s

fa ster a n d fa ste r a t e very step Th e re w ere n o we a k sou l s or co w a rd s .

t h ere Th e p ri v a tes of th a t b a n d were a s h eroi c a s t hei r ge n er a l N o t

. .

a m a n fi i n c hed fro m th e sui cide .

N ey g d esp era t e gre a t i n a ll th e gr a nde u r of a ccep te d d e a th b a red

‘

, ,
.

h i m sel f to e v ery b l o w i n th is t em pes t H e h a d h is h orse k i l l ed u n de r .

hi m . i ee ki n g w i th swe a t fi re i n h is eyes , fro t h u pon h is l i ps h is u n i

, ,

form u n bu tton ed o n e of h i s ep a ul e ts h a l f cu t a w a y by t h e s a b re stroke

’

'
,
o f a h o rse
g u a rd h is b a dge o f th e gr a n d e a gl e pi erced by a b a l l bl oody ,
’
‘ , ,

c overed w i th m ud m a gn i fi ce n t a b rok en swo rd i n h is h a n d , h e s a i d :

, ,
.

Co me a n d see h o w a M a r sh a l of F r a n c e d i es up o n the fi elcl of ba ttle '

.
 C O S ETT E .

'

Bu t d i e H e w a s h a gga rd a n d e x a sp er a ted H e
i n va i n ; h e d i d n ot .
.

fl u n g t his q u estio n a t D ro u e t D Erlo u : W ha t a r e y o u n o t g o in g to

a
’

d ie H e c ried o u t i n t h e m idst of a ll t h is a r ti l l ery w h ich w a s m o w i n g

d ow n a h a n dfu l o f m e n I s ther e no thi ng , then f o r m e 9 0 h I wo u ld
' ‘
,
.

tha t a ll these E ng li sh b a lls w er e b u r i ed i n my bo dy U n h a p py m a n !

t ho u w a st r es er ve d for F re n ch b u l l e ts !

XIII .

T IIE CA T A S T R O P I I E .

T h e rou t b e h i n d th e G u a rd w a s d ism a l T h e a rm y fel l b a c k r a p i dl y

‘

fro m a ll si d es a t o n ce fro m H o u go m o n t fro m La H a i e S a i n te fro m

, , ,

P a p elo t te, fro m P la n c hen o i t T h e cry : Trea c h ery/ f w a s fol lo wed by .

fi e c ry : sa u t e g u i p eu t ! A d i sb a n d i n g a rm y is a th a w Th e Wh ol e .

be n d s cra ck s s n a ps flo a ts rol ls fa l ls cr a sh es h u rr ies , p l u n ges

, , , ,
M ys , , ,
.

t erio u s d is i n tegr a tio n ! Ne y borrows a h orse l e a ps u p o n h i m a n d

'

, ,

w i th o u t h a t c r a v a t o r s w o rd p l a n ts h i m se lf i n t h e B russel s ro a d
, , , ,

a rresti n g a t o nce t h e E ngl is h a n d t he Fre n ch H e e n de a v ors to h o ld .

t h e a rm y h e c a l l s th e m b a c k h e repro a c h es t h em h e gr a ppl es w i th t h e
‘

, , ,

rou t H e i s s wep t a w a y T h e sol di e rs flee fro m h i m c ry i ng : vi ve M a r

. .
,
’
B a r a tte s two regim e n ts com e a n d go fri gh ten ed a n d , ,

t ossed betwee n th e s a b res o f t h e U hla us a n d th e fi re o f t h e brig a d es o f

Ke m p t B es t P a ck a n d Ryla n d t ; a ro u t i s t h e w ors t of a ll co n fl i cts ;
' ‘

.
, , ,

frie n ds sl a y e a ch o th er i n th ei r fl i ght ; sq u a d ro n s a n d _ba tta lion s a re

‘

c ru sh ed a n d d ispe rsed a ga i n st e a ch oth e r en or m o us fo a m of t h e b a ttl e ,

.

L ob a u , a t o n e e x tre m i ty l ik e Reille a t t h e o t h e r is rol l ed a w a y i n t h e

, ,

fl ood I n v a i n does N a pol eo n m a k e w a l l s wi t h t h e re m a i ns o f th e

.

G u a rd ; i n v a i n d oes h e ex pe n d h is reser v e sq u a d ron s i n a l a st e ffort .

Qu ie t gi ves w a y b efore V i vi a n Kel l er m a n b e to re V a n del e u r Lob a u

' '

-
, ,
‘

b efo re B ul o w, M or a n d b efore P i rch Do m o n a n d S u b c rvic be fore Pri n ce ,

-

\Villi a m o f P russi a G uy o t w h o h a d led th e E m peror s sq u a dron s to

.
,
’

t h e c h a rge fa l l s u n de r th e fee t o f th e E ngl is h h orse N a po l eo n g a l

‘

, .

lops a l o n g th e fugi ti ves h a r a n gues t h e m u rges th re a te n s e n tre a ts T h e

, , , ,
.

“
m o n t h s wh ic h i n th e m orn i n g were c ry i n g vi ve l E mp er eu r , a ro n ow
,
’

a g a p e i h e is h a rd ly nec e u ised T h e P russi a n c a v a l ry , j ust co m e u p

g .
,

sp ri n g forw a rd fl i ng th em se l ves u po n t h e e n e my s a b re cu t b a c k k i l l ,
, , , , ,

e x term i n a te Te a ms rus h o ff th e gu n s a re l e ft to t h e c a re of th e mse l ves ;

.

t h e sol d i e rs o f th e tr a i n u n h i tc h t h e c a isso n s a n d t a k e t h e h orses to

’

esc a p e ; w a go n s u pset w i th th e i r fou r w h ee ls i n t h e a i r b lo c k u p t h e

, , ,

ro a d? a n d a re a ccessories of m a ss a c re T h ey crus h a n d th ey crow d ; .

th ey tra m p l e u po n t h e l i v i n g a n d th e d e a d A rm s a re b ro ke n A m u l . .

t i tu d e fi l l s ro a ds p a th s b ridges pl a i n s h i l l s v a l l eys w ood s ch ok ed u p

, , , , , , ,

by th i s fl igh t of forty t h o us a n d m en Cri es d esp a i r k n a psa cks a n d .

, ,

m usk ets c a s t i n to th e ry e p a ss a ges force d a t t h e p i n t o f t h e sword ;

,
’
,
o .

n o m ore co m r a des n e m ore o fli c ers n o m ore ge n e r a l s ; i n ex p ressibl e

, . ,

d ism a y Z i et h e n sa bri ng Fr a n ce a t h is e a se L i o n s b eco m e k ids S uc h

. .
,
.

wa s th i s fl igh t .

A t Ge n a p e th ere w a s a n efl o rt to tu r n b a ck t o fo rm a l i n e t o m a k e , ,

a s ta n d Lo e u r a l l i ed th ree h u nd re d men
. T h e e n tr a n ce t o t he v i l l a ge .
 Ls s m sfi a a sw s .

web r ri ca d ed bu t a t th e fi rs t v ol l ey of Pru ssi a n gra p e a ll took t o

ba , ,

fl igh t a ga i n a n d Loba u wa s c a p tu red T h e m a rk s o f th a t v ol ley o f

‘

.
,

ra pe a re s t i l l t o be see n n th e o l d g a b l e o f a b rick ru i n a t th e righ t

g 'u po
o f t he r o a d a sh or t d is t a nce be fore e n t e ri n g G e n a ppe
,
Th e Prussi a n s .

r us h ed i n to G e n a ppe fu ri ous do u btl ess a t h a v i n g co n q u ered so l i ttl e

, , ,
.

T he p u rsu i t w a s m o ns tro us B lu e h e r g a v e o rde rs to k ill a ll

. Ro guet .

h a d se t th is sa d e x a m p l e by t h re a te n i n g w it h de a t h e v e ry F re n ch gre n a
d i e r w ho sh ou ld b ri n g h i m a Prussi a n p rison e r Bliic h er su rp a s sed .

Rog ue t The ge n e ra l of t he Y ou n g G u a rd Du ltesme c a ugh t a t t h e

.

, ,

d oo r o f a t a ve r n i n G e n a p pe g a v e u p h is sword to a H u ssa r o f De a th
'

l
, ,

w h o took t h e sw ord a n d k i l l ed th e p riso n erf Th e v i ctory wa s com ple t ed

by th e a ss a ssi n a ti o n of t h e v a n q u i sh ed Let us p u n ish si n ce w e a re .
,

h i s tory ol d B l uch e r d isgr a ced h i msel f Th is feroci ty fi l l ed th e d i s a s t e r .

to t h e bri m T h e despe ra te rou t p a ssed th ro ugh G en a p pe p a sse d th ro ug h

.
‘

Qu a tre B r a s p a ssed t h rough S o m b refl e p a ssed th ro ugh Fr a s n es p a ssed

'

, , ,

t h ro ug h T h n in p a ssed th ro ugh C h a rl e roi a n d st o p p cd o n ly a t t h e fro m

, ,
»

tie r A l a s ! w h o n o w wa s fly i n g i n su c h w ise ? T h e G r a n d A rmy

. .

Th is m a d n ess t h i s te rror th is fa l l i n g to ru i n o f th e h igh est br a very

, ,
“
w h i ch e ve r a s t o n is h ed h is tory c a n th a t be wi th ou t c a u se ? No The
,
.

sh a do w o f a n e n o rm ou s righ t h a n d rests o n W a terl oo I t i s th e d a y of .

d est i ny A p o we r a bo v e ma n co n trol l ed t h a t da y H e n ce th e l oss o f

. .
,

m i n d i n d i sm a y ; h e nce a ll th ese gre a t sou l s y i el di n g u p t h ei r sw ords

,
.

T h ose w h o h a d co n q u ered Eu rope fel l to th e gro u n d h a v i n g n o th i n g ,

m o re to sa y o r t o do feel i n g a terri bl e prese nce i n th e d a rk n ess H o e

,
.

er a t i n
f u t i s T h a t d a y th e p ers pec t ivc o f t h e h u m a n r a ce c h a n ged
' '

. .
,

W a te rl oo is t h e h i n ge o t t h e n in e t e u t li ce n tu ry Th e d i sa p pe a r a n ce o f
’

g
.

th e grea t ma n wa s n eces sa ry fo r t h e a dve n t of th e gre a t cen tu ry O n e .

,

to w ho m th ere i s n o re ply took i t i n c h a rge T h e p a n i c of h eroes i s , .

e x pl a i n ed I n t h e ba t t le o f W a te rl oo th e re i s m ore t h a n a cl o ud , th e r e
.
,

i s a m e teo r G od p a ssed o ve r i t
. .

I n t he g a th eri n g n igh t o n a fi el d n e a r G e n a ppe B e rn a rd a n d Bertr a n d

, ,

sei zed by a fl a p of h i s co a t a n d st o pped a h a gg a rd t h oug h tfu l gl oo m y , ,

ma n w h o f d ra g ge d t h us fa r by t h e cu rre n t of t h e re n t ha d d i s m o u n ted ;
, ,

p a ssed th e b ri d l e o f h is h orse u nde r h i s a rm a n d w i th bew i l de red eye

‘

, , ,

wa s re t u rn i n g a l on e tow a rds Wa te rl oo I t wa s N a pol eo n e n d e a vori n g .

,

to a d v a n ce a g a i n , m igh ty som n a m b u l ist of a v a n ish e d d re a m .

THE L AST SQ U A RE .

A fe w sq u a res of t he G u a rd i m m o ve a bl e i n t h e flow o f th e ren t a s ,

rocks i n ru n n i n g w a te r h el d o u t u n ti l n igh t Ni gh t a pp ro a ch i n g a n d
,
.
,

d ea th a lso t h ey a w a i te d th i s dou bl e sh a do w a n d y i eld ed , u n fa l te ri n g to

, , ,

i ts e m br a ce E a c h reg i m e n t i sol a ted fro m th e o th ers a n d h a v i n g

.
, ,

fu rthe r com m u ni c a ti o n wi th th e a rm y w h ich wa s b rok e n i n a ll d i rce ,

-
o

ti on s wa s dy i n g a l o n e T h ey h a d t a k e n p os i ti o n for t h i s l a st s t ru ggl e
, .
,

som e u po n th e h eigh ts o f Rosso m me oth ers i n th e p l a i n of M on t Sa i n t

.

Je a n Th ere a b a n don ed co n uered , te rri bl e th ese som bre squ a res suf
q
.
, :
, ,
fe rc d for mi d a b le m a rty rdo m
dy i n g in t h e m
U lm,
.
W a gr a m
,
Je n a , Fr i ed la n d , w ere
.
 LBS M i ssa a a t s s .

'
h a ve fa l l e n to d row n i n t wo syl lab les th e E u ropea n c oa l i tio n to c fi er to
'

, ,

k i n gs th ese p ri vi ties a lrea dy k n ow n to th e Ca sa rs to m ak e th e l as t o f e

,

w o rd s t he fi rs t by a sso ci ati ng w i t h i t t he gl ory o f Fra n ce to cl ose

, ,

W a t erl oo i n so l e n tly by a M a rd i G ra s t o co m p le te Leo n ida by Ra bel ais .

,
s
,

to su m u p t h i s v i ctory i n a su pre me word w h i c h ca n no t be pron ou n ced ,

t o l o se t h e fiel d a n d to prese rve h is to ry , a ft e r th i s carn age to h a ve th e
,

la u g h on h i s si de i s i m m e nse ,
.

I t i s a n i ns u l t to t h e t h u n derbol t T ha t a t ta i ns t h e g ra n d e u r o f .

. E sehylus
‘
.

’
T hi s word of Ca mb ro n n e s gi ves t he e ffec t of a fractu re I t i s th e . .

break i ng of a h eart by scor n ; i t i s a n o ve r pl us of agon y i n e x pl osi o n

,
.

W ho con q uered ? W el l i ngto n N o W i th o u t B liic her h e wou l d h av e .

bee n l os t B l uch e r ? N o I f W e l l i n gton h ad n o t com me n ced B lii

. .
,

ch e r cou l d h ot h av e fi n i sh ed T h is Ca m b ro n n e t h is passe r a t t h e .
,

l ast h ou r th i s u n k n ow n soldi er t h i s i n fi n i tesi ma l o f wa r fee l s th at

, , ,

t he re i s t h ere a lie i n a ca ta strop h e d ou bly bi t ter ; a n d a t t h e m o me n t ,

w h e n h e i s b u rs ti n g w i t h rage h e is o ffere d t h i s m ock ery — l i fe , How

c a n h e restrai n h i m se l f ? T hey are t h e re al l th e Ki n gs o f E u rope th e , ,

fortu n a te gen eral s t h e th u n d eri n g Joves t h ey h a ve a h u n d re d t h o usa n d

, ,

v i ctori ous so l d iers a n d beh i n d t h e h u n d red th o usa n d a m i l l i on ; t h ei r

, ,

gu ns w i th m atch es l i gh ted a re a ga pe ; th ey h av e t h e I m pe ri al G ua rd
, ,

a n d t h e G ra n d A r m y u n d e r th e i r feet ; they h a ve crus h ed Na pol eon ,

an d Ca m b ro n n e on l y re m a in s : t h e re i s n o n e b u t th i s w or m of th e ear th
to p rotes t H e w i l l protest T h e n h e seek s for a word as o n e seek s fo r
a W or d H e froth s a t th e mou th a n d t h i s froth i s t h e w ord B efore
. .

.
, .

t h i s m ea n a n d m o n strou s vi c tory b e fo re t h i s v i c tory w i th ou t vi ctor , s

,

th i s d es pe ra te ma n s trai gh ten s h i mse l f u p h e s u ffers i ts e n orm i ty b u t , ,

h e es ta bl i sh es i t s n ot h i ng ness ; a n d h e d o es m ore t h a n spi t u p on i t ;

a n d o v er w h el m ed i n n u m bers a n d m a teri al st re ngth h e fi nds i n t h e sou l ,

a n e x pressi o n — e nd u re lve repeat i t to say t hat to d o t h at t o fi n d

.
, , ,

t ha t i s t o he t h e co n q ueror
,
.

T h e so u l of great d ays e n tered i n to t h i s u n k n ow n m an a t t h at m o

m e n t o f dea th Cam b ron n e fi nds t h e word o f W aterl oo as Ro gu e t d e
.
,

l Isle fi n ds th e M arse i l l a ise th rou gh a su perio r i nsp i ra t i o n A n e ffl u

'

,
.

e n c e fro m th e d i vi h e a flla t u s d etach es i ts e l f a n d passes o ve r th e se m e n , ,

a n d th ey t rem bl e a n d th e o n e si ngs th e s u p re m e son g a n d t h e othe r

, ,

u t te rs t h e te rri b l e cry Th i s word o f tita n i c sc orn Ca mb ro rtn e t h rows

.

d ow n n ot m ere l y t o E u rope i n th e n a m e o f th e E m pi re th at w ou l d be
, ,

b u t l i ttl e ; h e th rows i t dow n to t h e pas t i n th e n a m e o f t h e Revol u ti on .

“
I t i s h eard a n d m e n recogn i ze i n Ca m bro n n e t h e o ld sou l o f th e g ia n ts
,
.

I t seem s as i f i t were a speech o f Dan to n or a rea r o f K l eber .

To th i s w ord o f Ca mb ro n n e th e E n gl ish v oi ce repl i ed : Fi re th e

’ ’

b a tteri es fl am ed th e h i l l t re m b le d fro m a l l _
, th ose braze n t h roats we n t ,

for th a fi nal v o m i ti n g o f grape te rri fic ; a vas t s m oke , d usk y w h i te i n ,

th e ligh t of t h e ri si n g m oon rol l ed o u t an d w h e n th e s m ok e w as d i ssi

, ,

pa ted th ere was n oth i n g l eft Th a t for m i d a b l e rem n an t w as a n n ih i

, .
'
.

l a ted ; th e G u ard was d ead Th e fo u r wa lls o f t h e l i v i n g red ou b t h ad

. .

fa lle n hard ly cou l d a q u i ve ri n g be d isti ng ui sh ed h ere a n d t h e re a m o n g

, .

t he corpses ; a n d t h u s th e Fre n ch l egi o ns , gra n der t h a n t he Rom a n

legi o n s , e x i red a t M o n t S ai n t Jea n on gro u n d soa k ed in rai n a n d bl o od ,
i n the so rn p re w h ea t fields a t th e sp ot w he re n ew a t fou r o cloc k in the
’
-
, ,
 C O S ET TE .
-
89

m orn i n g , w h i stli n g a n d gai l y w h i pp i n g u p h i s h orse , Josep h p asses , w h o

d ri ves t h e m ai l fro m N i v e l les .

X VI .

Q UO T LI B R A S IN D U CE ?

T h e battl e o f W a terl oo i s a n e n i gm a I t i s as obscu re to th ose w h o :

“

w o n i t as t o h i m w h o l ost i t To Na pol eo n i t is a pa n i c . B l uch er sees

i n i t o n ly fi re ; VVc llin gto u c o rn p re h c n ds n oth i n g o f i t Look at th e
'
‘

.
o
reports T h e h u lletin s are con fused t h e co m m e n ta ri es are foggy T h e
’

.
,
.

for m er s ta m m er t h e l atte r f i l te r Jo m i n i sepa rates th e ba ttl e o f

,
.

W ate rloo i n to fo u r pe ri ods M u ffi in g d i vi des i t i n to t h ree t ides o f fo r

t u n e ; Ch ar ras al on e t h ou g h u po n som e p oi n ts o u r a p preci ati on d i ffers
,

fro m h i s , h as sei zed w i t h h i s k ee n gl a n ce t h e ch aracte ri sti c li n ea rn en t s

o f th at catastrop h e o f h u m a n g en i u s s t rn gglin g w i t h d i v i n e desti n y
.
.

A l l th e o t he r h i stori ans are bl i n de d by t h e gl are a n d are g 1 op i n g a bou t ,

i n t h a t b l i n d ness A day o f l i gh tn i n gs i n deed , th e d ow n fa l l o f th e

.
,

m i l i tary m o narch y w h i ch to th e great a m azem en t o f k i n gs h as d ragged

, , ,

w i t h i t a ll k i ngd om s t h e fal l o f force t h e o verth row o f w ar

, ,
.

’
I n th i s e ve n t, beari n g t h e i m p ress of s u p e rh u m a n n ecessi ty m a n s ,

part i s n oth i ng .

Does ta k i n g a way W ater l oo fro m W el l i n g to n a n d fro m B lii c h c r, de t rac t

a ny th i n g fro m 1] ugl a n d an d G ei ma n y 7 No Nei th e r i l l ust ri ou s E n g
'

. .

l a n d n or a ugus t G er m an y i s in q u esti o n i n t h e p robl e m o f W a ter l oo .

T ha n k H eave n n at io n s are great asi de f ro m t h e d is m al ch an c es o f t h e

, ,

sword Nei th er G er m a n y n or E n gl an d n or Fran ce i s h el d i n a scab

.
‘

, , ,

b ard A t t h i s d ay w h e n W a te rloo i s on l y a cl i ck i n g o f sab res above

.
, ,

B lu c lrer, G er m a ny h as G oeth e a n d abov e W el l i ng ton E n gl a n d h as , ,

B y ron : A v as t u pri si n g o f i deas rs pec u l ia r to ou r ce n tu ry a n d rn th i s ,

a u rora E ng l a n d an d G e r m an y h a ve a m ag n i fi ce n t sh are T h ey are m a .

j esti n beca use t h ey th i n k Th e h i gh e r p la n e w h i c h th ey b ri n g to c i v i l i

.

z a t io n i s i n tri nsi c to th e m
; i t co m es fro m t h e msel ves a n d n ot fro m a n ,

ac c i d e n t T h e ad va n ce m e n t w h ich t h ey h a ve m ad e i n th e n i n etee n t h
.

ce n tu ry d oes n ot spr i n g fro m W at erl oo I t i s on l y ba rbarou s n ati on s .

w h o h av e a s u dde n grow t h a fte r a v i cto ry I t 1s t h e fl eeti n g v a n i ty o f .

th e s tre a m l e t sw el le d by t h e stor m Ci v i l i zed n at i on s especi al l y rn ou r .

,

t i m es , are n ot e x al t e d n or a base d by th e good or b a d fortu n e o f a cap

, Q

t ai n T h e i r spec i fic grav i i n t h e h u m a n race resu l ts fro m som et h i n g

.

m ore th a n a co m ba t Th e r h on or th a n k G od th e i r d i gn i ty , th ei r l i gh t
.
, , ,

th ei r gen i us are n o t n u m be rs tha t h eroes an d con q uerors t h ose ga m

, ,

h l ers ca n cast i n to th e l ottery o f battles O ften ti m es a ba t tl e l os t i s

,
.

p rogress attai n ed Less gl ory m ore l i berty T h e d ru m i s si l e n t , rea

.
,
.

so n speak s I t i s th e gam e a t w h i c h h e w h o l oses gai n s Le t ris speak

.
,
.
,

t h e n coo l l y of W a te rl oo o n both si des Le t u s ren d er u n to Fortu n e

,
.
,
’
t h e t h i ngs th a t a re Fortu n e s , a n d u n to G od , th e th i n gs th at a re G od s
’
 Lss a rsfi a a nt a s .

W hat in W a te rl oo ? A v i ctory ? No . A p ri se . A p ri ze W on by
Eu ro pe p a i d by Fra n c e
,
.

It wa s n o t m uch to p u t a l i on th e re .

W a te rl o o moreo ver , i s t he stranges t e nco u n t e r i n h i story

.
N a pol e o n .

n l W e llin gu n
i t h ey a re n o t e n e ru ies th ey are op p os i t es Ne ve r h as .
,
.
.

( Ind wh o nuke s pl eas u re i n a n t i th es es m a d e a m ore stri k i ng c on t ra st a nd

. ,

a m o re e x t ra o rd i na ry mee ti n g O n on e sid e p rec isio n foresig h t , geo m

'

.
, ,

. g, v p ru d e n ce
-
.
,
retreat as su red rese rves e c o n o n riz c d obsti n ate co m po
, , ,

s ure i mpe rt u rb a blc m e t h od st ra tegy t o p ro fi t by t he gro u n d tac ti cs t o

, , ,

ba la nce bat ta l i on s ca rn a g e d ra w n t o t h e l i n e wa r d i rec te d w a tc h i n

, ,

h a nd no t h in g l eft v ol u n tari ly to c h a n ce a n c ie n t c la ss ic co u rage absol u te

'
, , ,

c u rr tness ; o n t he o t her i n t rrit io n i nsp i ra t i o n 11 m i l itary m arvel a

en .
, , , ,

u pe rb h u ma n i n st i n c t ; a fl ash i ng gl a nce a m ysteri ou s som eth i n g Wh i c h ,

a z es l i k e t he eagle a n d stri k es l i k e th e t h u nd e rbol t p rodi gi ous a rt i n ,

d i sdai n fu l i mpe tu osi ty a ll t he m yste ri es o f a d ee p so ul i n ti macy w i t h

, ,

ri ve r p la i n , forest h i l l c om m a n d ed a n d i n som e sort fo rc ed to

, , , ,

o be y t h e d es pot goi ng e ve n so fa r as to ty ra n n i ze ove r th e ba ttl e field ;

,
-

fai t h i n a sta r j oi ned t o strateg i c scie n ce i n creasi ng i t b u t d i st u rbi n g i t , , .

W e l l i n gt o n wa s th e Ba rem e o f W a r Na pol eo n was i t s M ic h ae l A n ge lo , ,

an d th is ti m e ge n i u s was va n q u is h ed by ca l c u lati o n .

O n both si d es th ey were e x pect i n g som e body

-
I t was th e e x act c a l .

e u la t o r w h o s u cc eed ed N a pol eo n e x pected G rouchy ; h e d i d n ot co m e

. .

W el l i ngton e x pecte d Blu eb e r ; h e c a rrre .

W el l i n gton i s cl assi c wa r t a k i ng h e r re ve n ge B ona pa rte , i n h i s .

daw n h ad m e t h er i n Ita l y a n d d e fea ted her su perbl y T h e ol d ow l

, , .

fled be fore t he y ou ng v ul tu re A n cie n t tac t i c s had bee n n o t o n l y t h u n .

“

d er st ru c k b u t had rece i ved ruo rta l o fl e n ee W h a t was t h i s Cor si ca n o f

'

~
.
,

t wen ty si x W h at m ea n t t h i s bri l l ia n t n ov ice w h o ha v i n g e ve ry th i n g

-
, ,

. a gai ns t h i m n oth i ng fo r h i m w i t h n o prov isi on s n o m u n i ti on s , n o enn

, , ,

n on o n sh oes a l m os t w i th ou t a n a rm y w i t h a h a n d fu l o f m e n a ga i n s t
, , ,

m u l ti t udes , r ushed u pon a l l i ed E u rope a n d absu rd ly gai n ed v i ctori es ,

t h a t w e re i m possi bl e ? t n c e c a n re t h i s th u n deri n g m ad m a n w ho ,

a l m os t w i th ou t tak i ng b rea th a n d w i th t h e sam e se t of c om ba ta n ts i n ,

h a nd pu l veri sed on e a fter t he ot h e r t he fi ve arm ies of th e E m peror o f

,

G erm a ny ove rth row i ng Beu ulie u u po n A lvi n z i W u rmsc r u po n B ea u l ie u ,

, ,

M c la s u po n W o r m se r M ack u po n M ela s ? W ho w as th i s n e w c o me r i n
,
.

wa r w i th th e con fi de n ce of d esti ny ? T h e a cad em i c rrrilita ry sch ool ex

ro m mu n ic a t c d h i m a s i t ra n a way Th e nce a n i m placabl e h a tred of th e .

ol d syste m of wa r a gai n s t th e n e w o f t he c or re ct sa b re agai n s t th e

'

fl as h i n g sw ord a n d of t he c h e q u e r boa rd aga i n s t ge n i us

, O n th e 18 th -
.

of Ju n e 1 8 15 th i s h a tred h ad t he las t d , a n d u n de r Lod i M o n te

, , ,

bel lo M on ten ot te M a n t na M drc n go A rcola i t w rote W a te rl oo Tri

, , , , , .

u m ph o f t he co m m o n place gra tefu l to m aj ori t ies Desti n y co nse n te d

'
- .
.
,

to t h is i rony : I n h is decl i n e , Na pol eo n agai n fo u n d W n rrnse r be fo re

h i m bu t you n g I ndeed to prod uce W o rmser n oth in g was re q u i re d
, .
, ,

b u t to w h i t n W el l i ngto n s h a i r e
'
.

e te rloo i s a battl e o f th e first ra n k

dec l a red in a
 c o ssr rs . 41

l e tter to Lord B at h u rst th at h is a r m y th e ar m y t ha t fough t o n th e 18 th, ,

”
o f Ju n e 1 8 1 5 was a ,
de tes t ab l e a r m y
,
WVh a t d oes th is da rk asse m .

blage o f bones b u ri ed b en c a t h t h e f u rrows o f W a terl oo th i n k o f th at ?

, , ,

E nglan d h a s bee n t o o m odest i n regard to W e l l i ngton

‘
To m ak e W e l .
,

li n g to n so grea t i s to bel i ttl e E n gla nd W el l i ngto n i s b u t a h e re l i k e .

t h e rest T hese S cotc h G r a y s t h ese H orse G ua rd

. t h ese regi me n ts o f ,
s
,

M a i tla n d a n d o f M i tch el l th i s i n f a nt ry o f P a c k a n d K e m pt t h i s cav a lry

, ,

o f P ons n by a n d S o m e rse t th ese H i h la n d e rs p lay i ng th e bag pi pe u n de r

o ,
c

t h e stor m o f g ra pe th ese bat t al i on s o f Ry la n d t t h ese ra w r e c rui ts w h o

, ,

hard ly k n e w h o w to h a n d le a m usk e t h old i n g o u t a ga i n s t t h e vete ra n

, ,

ba n ds o f E ss l i n g a n d R i vol i — al l t h a t i s gra n d W el l i ngto n was te n a .

c io u s th a t w a s h i s m er i t an d w e d o n ot u n d erva l ue i t
,
bu t t h e lea st of
, ,
.

h i s foot sold i ers o r h i s h orse m e n wa s q u i te as fi rm as h e T he i ron so l

- .

d i e r i s a s good as t h e I ro n Du k e Fo r ou r p a rt a l l o ur glori fi cati o n

'
‘

,
.

go es to t h e E n g lish so ld ier t h e E n gl i s h a rm y th e En lish peopl e I f

‘

,
c

trop h y t h ere be , to E ngla n d th e t roph y i s d u e Th e Waterl oo col u m n

. .
,

w ou l d be m o re j us t i f i n stead o f th e fig u re of a m an i t l i fte d to t h e
, ,

cl ou ds t h e stat ue o f a n a t i on .

B u t t h i s great E n gla n d w i l l be o ffe n ded a t w h a t w e say h ere She .

h as st i l l a fte r h e r 1 6 8 8 an d o n r 1 7 8 9 t h e fe ud a l il l usi on S h e bel i eves

,
'
‘

,
.

i n h e red i ta ry righ t a n d i n t h e h i erarc h y Th i s peop l e s u rpassed by

,
.
,

n on e i n m i gh t a n d glo ry es te em s i tse l f a s a n a ti on n ot as 3 peopl e s , ,

.

S o m uc h so t h at as a peopl e th ey s u bo rd i n ate th e m se l ves w i l l i n gl y

, , , ,

a n d ta k e a Lord fo r a h ea d W o rk m e n t h ey su b m i t t o be desp i sed ; .

,

sol diers t h ey s u b m i t t o b e w h i p ped W e re m e m be r th a t a t th e bat tl e

,
.

o f I n k er ma n a s ergea n t w h o as i t ap peared h ad sa ved t h e a r m y cou l d

, , , ,

n ot be m e n ti o n e d by Lord Ra gl a n th e E n gl i s h m i l i tary h i era rchy n o t

, ,

perm i tt i n g a ny h ero b el ow th e ra n k o f a n o fii c er to be spok e n o f i n a

report .

W h a t w e ad m i re a b o ve a ll i n a n e n cou n te r l i k e th a t o f lVa terloo i s

.

, ,

th e p rod igi ou s sk i l l o f fortu n e Th e nig h t s ra i n t h e w a l l of H ou go .

’
.
,

m e n t t he s u n k e n roa d of C h a i n G rou c h y dea f to ca n n o n , Na po leo n s

'

'
, ,

g ui d e w h o d eee i ves h i m B u low s gu id e w h o l ead s h i m righ t ; a l l th i s

'

ca tacl ysm i s wo nder fu l ly ca rri ed o u t

Ta k e n a s a w h ol e l e t us say W a terl oo was m ore of a m assacre th a n
'

, ,

a battl e O f a ll gre at battl es W aterloo i s t ha t w hi c h h as th e sh ortes t

.
,

l i n e i n p r e por t i on to th e n u m ber e ngaged N a pol eo n tw o m i l es W e b .

, , ,

l i n gtou a m i l e a n d a h a l f ; se ve n ty tw o th ousa n d m e n o n each si d e

,
-
.

F rom t h i s d en si ty ca m e t he ca rn age .
‘
t

Th e ca lcu lat io n has bee n m a d e a n d t h i s p roporti o n establ ish ed Loss ,

o f m e n a t A us te rl i tz F re n ch f o u rtee n pe r ce n t ; Russian s th i rty per

, , .
,

ce n t ; A u st rian s forty fou r pe r ce n t A t W agra m F ren ch t h i rteen

. ,
-
.
, ,

per ce n t ; A ustri a n s fourte e n A t La M osc o wa Fre n ch t h i rty seve n

. , .
, ,
-

per ce n t t ussia n s forty fou r

. A t B a u tze n Fr en c h th i rte en per ce n t ;
,
-
.
, , .

Russia ns a n d P russi a n s fou r te e n A t W a te rl oo F re n ch fi fty si x pe r

,
.
, ,
-

cen t ; A l l i es t h i rty on e A ve rage fo r W a t erloo , forty o n e pe r ce n t

.
,
-
.
'
-
.

A h u n d red a n d for ty fou r t h ou sa n d m e n ; sii ty th ousa nd d ead 0

-
.

Th e fi el d of Wa te rl oo t o da y h as tha t ca l m w h i ch b el ongs to th e ea rth ,

i m pa s i ve s u p port o f m an
s i t rese m b l es a n y o th er p la ifi .

A t n ig ht h ow e ver , a sea t of v isio n ary m i st ari ses from i t an d i f a m e

, ,

t ra vel ler be wa l k i ng th ere , i f h e l oo ks , i f h e l iste n s, i f h e d rea ms ke

 L ES M I S E R A B L ES .

V i rg i l i n t he fa ta l pl a i n o f Ph i l i p p i h e be o m es possessed by t h e h a l l u c

l l1e t e rri bl e 13 t h o f J u n e i s a g a i n he fo i e
'

c i na m o n o f t he d i s a s t e r
‘

. .

h im ; t he a r t i fic i a l h ill o f t h e m o n u m e n t fa d es a w a y t h i s li n w h a te ve r ,
o
,
“
it be is ( l i pe llc t h t h e hc ld o f b t t l e r es u m es i t s re a li t 1 ; t he l i n es o f
.
-
t
~
u

i n fa n t ry u ii d u la t e 1n t he p l a i n fu ri o u s ga l l ops t r a 1 erse t he h ori zon ; t h e

be w i ld re d d re a m e r sees t h c tla s h o i sa b rc s t he glis t e n i n w d t li : 11 on e t s
’

t , ,

t h e bu rs t i ng o f s h el l s t h e a w f u l i n t e rtn i n g li n g o f t h e t h u n ders ; h e
,

h e a rs l i k e a d e a t h ra t t le f ro m t h e d e p t h s o f a t om b t he v a g u e cl a m o r o f
, ,

t h e p h a n t o m b a t t l e ; t h es e s h a d ows a re g1 e n a d ie rs ; t h ese g lea t n s a re

c n i ra t sie rs ; t h i s sk e le to n i s N po ! eo n ; t h a t sk ele t o n 13 W el l i n g t n : a ll
- a
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t h i s 113 u n re a l a n d ye i t c l a sh es a n d co m b a t s ; a n d t ho r a v i nes ru h red

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d a rk n e ss a ll t h ose s a v a ge h e i g h t s M on t S a i n t Je a n H o u g 111o 1it Fris

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w i n ds o t spec t res e x term i n a t i ng e a c h o t h e r .

XV I I .

M OS T 11 s.
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a r m o r }; W A T ER L O O ?

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. T o u s W a t e rl oo i s b u t t he u n c o n . ,

sc i ou s d a t e of lib e t t 1 T h a t s u c h a n e a g l e s h ou l d com e fro m su c h a n

egg i s cer ta i n l y a n u n lo c k ed for t 1i 11g
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,

t h e q ues t i on i s i n te 11 tio n a l| 1 a cou n t e r re 1 o lu t io n a 1 1 1 ic t o ry

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r op e a g a i ns t I i a n c e ; i t i s l et e rs b u rp B e rl i n a n d V i en n a a g a i n s t P a ris ;
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i t i s t h e s ta t us q u o a g a i n s t t h e 1 u i 1i 11 i 1 e ; i t is t he 1 4 111 0 1 J11 1i e ] 7 8 0
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a t ta ck ed by t h e 2 0 : h M a rc h 18 15 ; i t i s t h e m on a rch i es e lc m m t h e :

deck s fo r a c t i o n a g a i ns t t h e i n d mn i t a hlc l reu c h u p risi ng 1 h e fi n a l e x 1

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t i n c t ion o f t h i s v a s t peop le for t w o n i 1 si x y e a 1 s i n e ru p t i o n s u c h w a s

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t h e d re a m I t w a s t h e so lida 1 i t1 o f t h e B ru ns w i c ks t h c N :1ssa u s t h c
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Di vi n e ri g h t rid es be h i n d w i t h 1 t e 1 lo o I t i s 1 1 110 t h a t t h e Em p i 1 e .

h a v i ng bee n d espo t ic , 1 o 1 a lty , by t he n a t u1 a l re a c t io n o f t h i ngs , w a s

for c e d t o becom e l i be r a l , a n d a l so t h a t a con s t i t u t i o n a l o rde r ha s i n d i n
reo t l
y s p ru ng fro m W a i e rloo , t o t h e g 1 e a t re re t of t h e con q u erors
g .

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r
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de n t i a l a n d ab sol u t el y d ee m ed i t re a ppe a rs con t i n u a l l y b e fm c W a t er , ,

loo i a Bon a p a rte t h 1 o 1vin g d ow n t h e old t h ron es a ft e r W a t erl oo i n

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. B o n a pa r t e .

la ces a p os t i l l i on 0 11 t h e t h ron e o f N a p l es a n d a ser ge a n t o n t h e t h ro n e

p
o f Swed e n e 111 lo i n i n e u a lln t o d e mo n s t r a t e e q u a l i ty ; Lo u is X VI I I
p 1 g w q ,
.

a t Sa i n t O uc n c o u n t e 1 si n s t he d e nla ra t io u o f t h e righ ts of ma n
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you re a l i ze w h a t re vol u t i on i s c a l l i t P rogress ; a n d wou l d yo u re a l i z e ,

w h a t Prog ress t s, c a l l i t To m orro w To mon o w pe rforms it s w o rk 1rre .

,

bly a n d i t pe rfo rm s i t fro m t o d a y I t a l w a ys re a c hes i ts a im

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t h rough u ne x pec t ed m e a n s I t e m p l oys W el l i ng to n t o m a k e Boy, w h o

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wo o n ly a sol d ier a n or a to r Foy fa l l s a t H o ugo mo n t a n d rises a g a i n

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a t b c rost ru m T h us p regrc ss goes on N o too l c o m es a m is s to t h i s

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w ork m a n . dj us t s t o i ts d i v i n e work , w i th ou t bei n g d isco n c e r te d

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t h e m a n w h o s t rod e ov er t h e A l ps a n d t h e good o ld t o t t eri ng i n v a l i d of ‘

t h e H re E lys ee
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I t m a kes u se of t h e cri pp l e a s we l l a s t h e c c u o u c ro r ;
.

t h e co n q u e ror w i t h ou t t he si i p p le w i t h i n W a t et lo o by cu t t i n g sh or i
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t h e d e m ol i t i o n of E u rope a n t h rones b y t h e sword ha s h a d n o o t h er ,

e ffec t t h a n t o c on t i n ue t h e revolu tio n a 1 y w et k i n a n o t h e r wa 1 T h e '

sa b erc rs h a ve g o n e o u t t he t i m e of t h e t h i n k e rs h a s co m e ,
The a ge .

w h i c h 1Va t er l oo w o u l d h a v e c h ec k ed h a s m a rc he d o n a n d p u r sue d i ts ,

cou rse Th i s i n a u spi c i ous v i c t ory ha s bee n con q u ered by l i ber ty

. .

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,

w h i c h s m i l ed be h i n d W e l l i n g t o n ; t h a t w h i ch bro u g h t h i m a ll t he m a r
sh a ls b a t o n s o f E u t o p e a m on g tlie m i t i s s :1 i d th e b a t o n of m a rs h a l
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of F r a n ce ; t h a w h i c h io y a hy r eli ed b u i ro n s o f e a r t h fu l l o f b o n es to
t f

r e a r t h e uio u n d o f t h e l i o n ; t h a t w h ich h a s m i t t en t ri u m ph a n t l y o n

t h a t pedes t a l t h i s d a t e : J u n e 1 8 t h 1 8 1 5 ; t h a t w h i c h e n cou r a ge d B tu ,

c h e r s a beri n g t h e f ugi t i v e ; t h a t w h i c h fro m t h e h ei gh t o f t he p l a t e a u

s
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ot M o n t Sa i n t J ea n h u n g over Fra n ce a s o wn a p rey , w a s Co u n t e r

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re vol u t i o n I t wa s Cou n t e r re vol u t i o n w hic h m u r mu i ed t h i s i n ta mo ea

w ord — d is me m be rm e n t A rr i v i n g a t P a ris i t h a d a n e a r v i e w o f t he
.

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c ra t e r ; i t fel t t h a t t h ese a shes w e re b u rn i n g its fee t, a n d t ook a se co nd

t h o u g lit I t c a m e b a ck l isp i n g o f a c h a t t et
. .

Le t u s see i n W a t er l oo on ly w h a t t h e 1 e I S i n W a te rl oo O f i n t ou .

t io n a l l i ber t y , n o t h i n g Th e Uo u n t er re v ol u t io n wa s i n volu n t a i i ly l i be
ra l, a s by a correspo n di n g p h e n om en o n N a pol eo n w a s i n volu n t a rilv
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w a s t h ro w n fro m t h e s a d d le .

XV I I I .

a r o n t n s sén n c s or D IVI N E a xo n r
'

End of t he di c ta t orsh i p T h e w h ole E u rope a n sys te m fe l l . .

t h e e m pi re s a n k i n to d a rk n e ss w h i c h rese m b l ed t h a t o f t h e c a p irin g
Ro m a n w erld I t rose a g a i n fro m t h e de p th s a s i n t he t i m e o f t he
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sw ord t h e e m pi re h a d bee n g l ory i t se l f I t h a d sp t ea d o ver t he ea r t h
,
.

a ll t h e l i gh t w h i c h t y r a n ny c a n gi ve — a som bre l i g h t Le t us sa y fu r . .

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.

t)

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d i s a ppe a r a n ce of n ig h t h a d t h e e ffec t of a n ec lipse .

Lou i s X V I I I re t u r n ed t o P a ris Th e d a n ci n g i n a ri n g o f t he 8 111

. .

of J u l y efl a c ed t he e n t h usi a s m of t he ZOt h of M a rch T h e Cors i c a n

bec a m e the a n t i t h esi s of t h e Bea rn o is Th e fl a g o f t he d o m
.

e o f t he .

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. .

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ll O n e of t he m os t u n q u e stio n a b ly sa fe fo rms of so ci e t y i n
j es t ica y .

O
 L ES M IS ERAB L ES .

t h e n i uete e n cen t u ry w a s es ta b l i sh ed i n F ra n ce a nd on th e con t i n e n t

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. T he
d e vi ce l u r i b u s z m u r re a p pe a red i n t h e r a d i a t i on s of t h e fa 1d e
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o f t he b a rra cks o f t he q u a y o f O rs a y h e re t h ere h a d bee n a n i m
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w i t h a w k wa rd l y g a i n ed v ic t 0 1 ies — d iso w n ed by t h ese n e w t iin es a n d a

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l i t t l e. a sh a med pe rh a ps o f M a re n g o a n d A rc o la e x t 1 iea t ed i t se l f fro m

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t h e a ffa i r by t h e s t a t u e of t h e D u ke of A n e o u ld mc T h e ce m e t ery d e .

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th i s d u t s I n the d i
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t he g rou n d d ied i n t h e
s a m e m on t h i n w h i c h N a pol eo n w a s crow n ed l ope Pi us V I I w h o . .
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q u i lly blessed t h e fa l l a s h e h a d b l ess ed t h e e le 1 11 tio n A t S el1mn b 1 u n n .

t h ere w a s a l i t t l e sh a d ow fou r y e a rs ol d w h i ch i t w a s sed i t i o u s t o c a l l t he

K i n g o f Ho m e A n d t h ese t h i n g s were do n e a n d t h ese k i n gs res u m e d
.
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t h ei r t h ron es a n d t he m a st e rp f E u rope w a s p u t i n a c a ge a n d t h e ol d
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r e i me bec a m e t he n e w a n d a ll t h e l ig h t a n d s h a de o f t h e e a r t h ch a n ged
g ,

h a ft e rn oo n of a
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p l a ce ,
bec a use i n t e ,
s u m m e r s d a y a cowboy s a i d t o a ,
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P 1 ussi a n i n a wood : P a ss t h i s w a y a n d n o t t h a t ! ”

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‘

. .

son d us re a l i t i es t oo k o n n e w sh a pes F a l seh ood es poused 1 7 8 9 d i v i n e

.

ri gh t m a sk ed i t se l f u n d e r a c h a r t e r fi c t i on s bec a m e cons t i t u t i on a l p i e
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t h e h e a r t p ut o n a v a rn is h o f l i ber a l is m
,
Se rpe n t s c h a n g in g t h eir . .

sk i n s .

M a n ha d bee n a t o n ce m a de gre a t e r a n d m a de l ess by N a p ol e on The .

i d e a l u n d er t his s pl e n d i d m a t eri a l rei gn h a d recei ve d t he stra n ge n a m e

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t h e c a n n on ee r l ook e d for h i m ,
W h ei e i s b e ?. W h a t i s h e d oi ng .

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,
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loo . e d e a d c 1 e t. e sol d ier ,
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f t ha t Im .

a in a t ion dei fied t h is p ros r t e m T he h e r o f E u rop e a ft e r W a

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t a a n a t
g .

t er loo w s gl oo m y A 11 e no r m o us v oi d re ma i ne d l on g a ft er th e d isa p -
,a .

ea ra n c e of N a pole o n
p
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.

a ss u m e a n ew form Th e re wa s a H ol y A l l i a nce B el le A l l i a n c e t h e
. .

fa t a l fiel d of W a terl oo ha d s a i d i n a d v a n ce .

t I n p rese n ce o f a n d p o n fro n t i ng t h i s a nci e n t E u rope m a d e o ver th e ,

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,

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.
, .

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t el l m e n bec a m e e n a m ored a t t h e s a m e t i m e o f t h i s fu t u re , Li be r t y
, ,

a n d o f t h is p a s t, N a pol eo n De fe a t h a d m a g n i fi ed t he v a n q ui sh ed
. .

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h a d t ri u mph ed , w ere s t ru ck w i th fe a r E ngl a n d g u a rde d h i m t h rough

.

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fol ded a rm s b ec a m e t h e a n x ie ty of t hi on es A l e x a n de r c a l l ed h i m , M y .

W a k eful ness T h is te rror a rose from th e a m o u n t o f re vol u t io n he ha d

.

0
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sh o e s Ho 11 a d e a d m a n , see m s t o u s i m possi bl e to t h e sa m e h a n d
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.

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c h a r ge .

l i v er y a rm y h a s a tr a i n a n d th e re th e a ccus a t io n sh o u l d lie B a ts .
,

h a l f b 1 1ga n d a n d h a l f v a l et a ll spec ms o f n i gh t bi rd e n ge n de r ed by
°

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th i t wi 1i h t w h i ch i s c a l l ed w a r be a rers o f u n i forms w h o n e ve r figh t

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ti m es wi t h t hei r w i ves 0 11 l i ttl e c a rts a n d s e a Jin g w h a t th ey se ll b eg , , ,.

ga rs o e i ri g th e m sel ves a s gu ides to m a r a u d ers ;

°

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a rm i es o n t he m a rc h fo rm e rl y— w e do n o t spe a k of th e p rese n t ti m e

wa s fo l l m ed by a ll th ese to s uch a n e x ten t th a t i n tech n i c a l l a n gu a ge , , ,

th ey a r e er l l e d “c a m p fol l o wers No a r my a n d n o n a t io n wa s rosp o h .

si bl e f or t h ese be i ngs th ey s p ok e I t a l i a n a n d fol l owed t h e G erm a n s ;

l 1 e n e l 1 a rid fol l o w e d th e E ngl is h
,

th ey It w a s by o n e (i f t h ese
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o n e of u wa s t re a ch erously k i l l ed a n d robbed o n t h e b a tt l e fi el d d u ri n g
th e fl i gh t w h i ch fol l ow ed th e v icto ry o f Ce riso les F ro m m a ra u di n g
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by h i s so iers bec a use h e tol e r a ted p i l l a ge ; th e p er m issio n to d o w ron g

. .

fo r um 1 11 o f k i n d n ess , 1 u 1 e n 11e wa s so k i n d th a t h e a llo wed t b e P a l a

‘ ' °
°

t i n a te 1 1 c b u rn ed a n d pu t t o t h e s word
a T h e re w ere see n i n th e wa ke .

o f a rm i m o re o r l ess o f m a r a ud ers a ccord i n g a s t h e co m m a n d e r w a s

.

mo re o r l e s s ve re li ne h e a n d M a rce a u h a d n o c a m p fol l ow ers ; W el

s e .
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l i ngt o u — we gl a d ly d o h i m t h i s j usti ce — ha d fe w .

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, ,

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.

t h e a c t 1 1 be u t to d e a th ; bu t ra pin c i s p e rse veri n g T h e 1n a 1 a u de i s

p
.

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w e 1 c ro l n g i n o n e corn e r o f t h e b a ttle fi el d w h i l e t h ey were s h ooti n g
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t b e 1n 1 1 11 0 1h e r . 1 . . c

T h e 111 3 11 wa s a n e v i l gen i us o n th is p l a i n 11 .

o wzn ls m id n igh t 1 ma n wa s p rowl i ng or r a th er c r a wl i n g a l o n g th e

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1 . 1

su n k e n w a d of 0 l1a in l l e w a s to a ll a p p e a r a n ce o n e of th ose w h o m .
,
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 C O S E TT E . 49

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a n d a w a tc h . T a ke th em Th i s h a d a l re a dy bee n do n e
. .

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gu i l ty w a s co n dem n ed t o d e a t h Th e ei i m in a l 1 efu se d to a p pe a l to t h e
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h ig h e r cou rts a n d th e Ki ng i n b i s i n ex h a u sti bl e cl e m en cy d eig n e d t o

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j e a n w a s i m m e di a tely forw a rded to t h e g a l l ey s a t Tou l o n

. .

I t w i l l n ot be o rg o tte n t h a t Je a n V a lj e a n h a d a t M
1 sur M
c e rt a i n rel igi o us h a bi ts Som e of t h e n e wsp a p ers a n d a m on g th em , .
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t h e Co n st i t u t zo u n c l, h e l d u p t h is co m m u t a t i on a s a tri u m p h o f th e c leri .

c a l p a 1 ty .
0

J e a n V a lj ea n ch a n ged h is n u mb e1 a t t li c g a l l eys H e bec a m e 9 4 30 rr

. .

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w it h M , 5 11 1 D 1 d is a p pe a red ;
a ll t h a t h e h a d fo resee n i n th a t n igh t o f fev e 1 a n d i 1 reselu ti on wa s l e a l ,

i z o d ; b e gon e th e 3 0 1i! wa s gon e A fter h i s dow n fa l l

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,
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M sur i f th a t egotisti c d ist 1 ib u tio n of w h a t i s is

m en h a ve fa l l e n — t h a t fa t a l c a rv i ng u p of p rospc t o u s c ute
i s d a i ly goi ng ou o u t of si gh t i n h u m a n socie ty a n d w h i o
t
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n o ted bu t o n ce a n d th e n , b ec a use i t t oo k pl a ce a fte r th e

,

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a ud c r . G e n era l s c ro w n t h em sel ves k i n gs t h e f0 1 e m en ,

a ss u m ed th e posi tio n of m a n u fa c t u r
 C O S E TT E .

sp a ciou s w ork sh ops of M M a del ei n e w ere c los ed ; th e b u i ld i ngs fe l l i n t o

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m i n th e work me n d i spe rsed

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t h e b usi ness F ro m t h a t t i m e forth e v ery th i n g wa s d on e o n a s m a l l

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a n y ce n tre ; co m peti tio n o n a ll si d es a n d o n a ll s id es v e n o m M Mad

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e le in e h a d rul ed a hd d i rected e ver th i n g H e f a l len e v ery m a n st ro v e

y .
,

for h i m se l f ; th e s pii i t o f stri fe s u cceede d to th e spi i it o f or g a n i z a t i o n ,

b i ttern ess to cord i a l i ty h a t i e d of e a c h a g a i n st e a ch i n ste a d of t h e goo d

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w i l l o f t h e fou n d er to w a rd s a ll ; t h e t h 1 ea d s k n i tted by M M a del ei n ehe

c a m e e n ta ngl ed a n d w e t e b rok e n ; th e wo rk m
.

a n sh i p w a s d eb a sed the
m a n u fa c t u rers were d egr a ded con fi de nc e w a s k i l l ed ; c us to m ers d iin i n
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i eh ed t h e re were fewe r o rd e rs 11 a ges de cre a sed t h e s h ops bec a m e i d l e

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b a n k ru ptcy fol lo wed A n d t h e n th e re wa s n oth i ng l eft for t h e p oo r

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A ll t h a t w a s th e i c d is a p pe a re d .

E ve n t he S t a te n o ti ced t h a t so m e o n e h a d b ee n ei u sh ed i n som e ,

di re cti o n Less t h a n t o u r ye a rs a tte r th e d ecree o f t h e co ur t of a ssi zes

es t a bl is h i n g th e ide n t i t y of M M a del ei n e a n d Je a n V a lj e a n 0 1 t h e h en ,
1

e fi t o f the a l l eys t h e e x pe nse o f col l ecti n g th e t a xes w a s d o u bl ed 111 t h e

g , c

d ist 1 ic t o f M s u r iVl — a nd M O d e V i llele 1 e m a 1 k e d th e fa c t , o n .

t h e floo r of th e Asse m bl y i n t h e m o n t h o f Fe br u a ry
, ,

IN W H I CH
'

A C O U P LE O F LI N E S W I L L B E RE A D , “
( H I G H C A M E P E R H A PS , ,
F RO M TH E EV I L O N E .

B efore proce ed i n g fu rth er i t w i l l n o t b e a m 1s a t o rel a t e 1 n s o m e d e

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t a i l a si n g ul a r i n ci d e n t w h i c h too k pl a ce a b ou t th e sa me t i me a t M o n t
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fer mc il a n d w h i c h , perh a ps does n o t fa l l i n b a dly w i th c e rt a i n conj ee

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t u res o f t h e p ub l i c a u t hori ti es .

Th e re e xis ts i n t h e n eigt rh oo d o f M o n tfe rm ei l a very a n ci e n t

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s u p ersti t i o n a ll th e m 0 1 e ra w a n d p reci ou s f ro m th e fa c t t h a t a pop u l a r

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s u pe rsti ti o n i n th e v ici n i ty of P a 1 is 1s li ke a n a l oe t 1 ee i n S i beri a Now ,

w e a re o f t h os ew h o i espec tn n yt h in g 1 n th e w a y o f 1 a rily He re t h e n . .
, ,

i s th e su pers t i ti o n o i M o n tfe : m ei l : t h ey b el i e ve th e re th a t t h e E vi l O n e
h a s,fro m t i m e i m me mm ia l c h ose n t h e fo 1 es t a s th e hi d i n g p l a ce fo r h i s
,

tre a s u re Th e good w i ves o f t h e v ic i n i ty a lii n n t h a t i t i s n o u n usu a l

.

t h i n g to m eet a t su n do w n i n t h e s ecl u ded p o 1 t i o n s of t h e woods a bl a ck

look i n g m a n iese m blin g a w 1 go n e 1 o r wood c u tte r sh o d 1 n woode n s h oes
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cl a d 111 breech es a n d s a ck o f co a rse l i n e n a n d recogn i z a bl e fro m th e c i r , c

c u m st a n c e th a t i nste a d of a c a p or h a t h e ha s t wo i m m en se h or n s
, ,

u po n h is h e a d T h a t cert a i n ly o ugh t to re n de r li i m reco gn i z a bl e T h is .

m a n i s con s ta n tly occu pi e d i n d i ggi n g ho les T h ere a re t h ree w a ys of .

d e a l i n g w i th h i m w h e n y ou m ee t h i m
m m
.

T h e fi rs t ode 13 to a p p m a c h th e m a n a n d spe a k to h i T h e n yo u .

p erc e i ve th a t th e m a n is n oth i n g bu t a pe a s a nt th a t h e l ook s bl a c k b e ,

c a u se i t i s twi l igh t th a t h e 15 d i ggi n g n o h o l e w ha te ve 1 b ut 13 m e rely

, ,

c u tti n g gr a ss fot h is cows ; a n d t h a t w h a t h a d bee n t ak e n for h or n s a re

n oth i ng b u t h is p i tc h fo rk w h i ch h e c a rri es o n h is b a ck a n d t h e p ro n gs ,

o f w h i ch , t ha n ks to t h e n igh t pe rsp ecti ve , see m ed to ri se fro m h is h e a d .

 LE S M I S fCRA B LES .

You go h o me a n d d i e w i t h i n t h e w eek Th e seco n d me t h od I S to w a t c h

'
.

h i m to w a i t u n ti l h e h a s d ug th e h o le cl ose d i t u p a n d g on e a w a y ;
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t h en to r u n q ui ck l y to t h e spot t o Ope n i t a n d ge t t h e t i ea su re w l1 ic h
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th e bl a ck l ook i n g m a n h a s o f co u rse b ur i ed t h ere I n th is c a se yo u , , ,

d i e w i th i n th e m on t h Th e t h i rd m a n ne r i s n ot to spe a k t o th e d a rk
.

m a n n or e ve n to look a t h i m a n d t o ru n a w a y a s fa st a s yo u c a n Yo u ,
.

d i e w i th i n t h e ye a r
A s a ll t h 1 ee o f t h ese meth od s ha ve t h ei 1 d i a wb a c k s t h e seco n d , ,

w h i ch a t l e a st o fl e 1 s so m e a d v a n t a ges a m on g ot h ers t h a t o f p ossessi n g

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a t re nsm e t h ou g h i t be b u t fo r a m o n th
, i s the o n e gen er a l ly a d opted ,
.

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ti m es it 1s a sse ver a ted re Open ed t h e h oles th us d u g by t h e b l a ck l oo k

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i n g m a n a n d trie d to rob t h e D ev i l
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i s n o t a x ery good b usi n ess — a t l e a st i f w e a re t o bel i e ve tr a d i t i o n a n d , , ,

m o re es pec ia lly t wo e n ig ma ti c l i nes 1 11 b a rb a x o n s La t i n le ft u s o n t h i s

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s ubj ect by a ro g u ish Nor ma n m on k n a m ed Tryp h o n w h o d a bbl ed i n

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th e b l a ck a rt T h is Tryp h o n w a s bu 1 i ed i n th e a bbey o f St G em ges d e

. .

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W el l t h e n th e me a s u re seek er m a k es t 1 em e n d o u s e fl 0 1 t s fo 1 th e h oles
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re ferred to m e d u g ge n er a l ly v ery d ee p ; h e sw e a ts h e d i g s h e w ork s

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a w a y a ll n i gh t fo r t h is i s d on e i n th e n i gh t t i me
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w h en a t l e n gth he h a s 1 ea c h ed t h e botto m o f t h e h ol e w h e n h e h a s
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p u t h is h a n d u po n th e “tre a sur e w h a t d oes h e fi n d ? W h a t 1 s t h i s ,

t re a su re o f th e E v i l (Jn c ? A p e n ny — so m eti mes a c 1 o w n ; a ston e a ,

sk e l e ton a bl eed i n g co 1 pse s o m eti m es a spectre tw i ce fol d ed l i k e a sh ee t

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o f p a pe r i n a p ort fol io so meti m es n ot h i n g Th i s i s w h a t see m s to b e ,

h e l d for t h t o t h e i n d iscreet a n d p i y i n g by th e l i nes o f T 1 yph on z -

F o d it i n f o a t h esa
. et ss pa ca
u r o s c o n t li t o ,

A s, n u m m o s, la
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n i h ilq u e .

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b o rn w i th b u l l ets so me t i mes a n ol d p a ck o f b l ow n a n d g 1 e 1sy c a i d s

,
1

w h i c h h a ve e v i de n tly be en u s ed by t h e Dev i l T 1 y p h o n ma k es n o m en .

t i o n o f t h ese a r t i cl es a s T ry p h o n l i ved i n t h e t Wellt h ce n t u ry a n d i t

, ,

does n o t a p pea 1 t h a t th e E v i l O n e h a d w i t e n o ugh t o i n ve n t p o wde r 1 11

a d va n c e o f H o e i B a co n o r c a rd s before C h a rl es V I
1
g .

M oreove r w h oever p l a ys w i t h t h e se c a rds 1s sm e t o l ose a ll h e h a s ;

,

a n d a s t o t he pow der 1 11 t e fl a sk i t h a s t h e
h p ec u lia 1 i ty of b u 1 st i n g y ou r ,

gu n i n you r fa ce
N o w ve ry s h ortl y a fter t h e ti me w
.

,
h e n t h e a u t h m it ies t ook i t i n t o
t h ei r h e a ds th a t t he lib ei a t ed co n vi c t Je a n V a lj e a n h a d d uri n g h i s es ,
~

c a pe o f a fe w d a ys d u ra ti on bee n p row l i n g a bou t M o n tfe r mei l i t w a s

’

, ,

re ma rk ed i n t h a t v i l l a g e t h a t a cer t a i n o ld ro a d l a bore r n a m ed B e u l a
, ,
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”
true l l e h a d a fa n cy fo r t h e w oo ds Peop l e i n th e n ei g h borh ood .

c l a i med t o k n ow t h a t Bou la tu ielle h a d b een d n t h e g a l ley s ; h e wa s u n

d e r pol ice s u rve i l l a n ce a n d a s h e cou l d fi n d n o w ork a n y w h ere t h e , , ,

govern me n t e m p l oye d hi m a t h a l f w a ges a s a me n de r o n t h e 0 1 0 5 3 ma d

f ro m G a g ny to La gn y .

Th i s B o u la tru elle w a s a ma n i n b a d odor w i th th e peopl e o f t h e n ei gh

b o rh oo d , h e wa s t o o resp ect fu l , t oo h u mb l e , p ro m p t to doh h is c a p t o
'
 LE S a m
r a m en t s .

beh i n d a l a rge tree “a pe rso n w h o d i d n ot be l o n g a t a ll t o th a t regi on ,

,

a nd w h o m h e B o u la t r u e lle k n e w v e ry we l l ”
— o r a s Th en a rd ie r t r a n s
, , ,

l a te d i t ( A: ld c o mr a d e a t th e g a l’y s
,
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tu r n o ff from th e h i g h ro a d : -

t ow a rd s t h e’ t h ic k est p a rt of t h e w oo d B o u ln trn c lle obsti n a te l y re fu sed .

to te l l t he st ra nger s n a m e Th i s pe rso n c a rried a p a ck a ge so me th i n g

’
.
,

sq u a re l i ke a l a r ge bo x o r a s ma l l t ru n k Bo u ia tru elle w a s s u rp ri sed

,
. .

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, ,

fo l l ow t h e “ pe rso n B ut h e w a s t o o l a te Th e perso n wa s a l r ea d y i n .

t h e t h ic k w oods n igh t h a d co m e o n a n d B o u la ti u elle d i d n o t s n c c ee d

’

, ,

i n o ve rt a k i n g h im Th ere upo n h e m a d e u p hi s m i n d to w a tc h th e o u t
.

sk i rts o f th e w ood “ Th ere w a s a m oo n

.
”
T wo or th ree h o u rs l a te r .
’

B ou la t rn elle sa w th i s perso n co m e fo rt h a ga i n fro m th e wo o d fit his t i m e

'
' '

c a rry i n g n o w n o t t h e l i ttl e tru n k b u t a p i ck a n d sp a de B o u la t ru elle

'

l e t th e p e rso n p a ss u n mol ested bec a use a s h e t hou g h t t o h i n i self t h e , , ,

.

oth e r vva s t h re e ti m es a s stron g a s h e w a s a r m ed w i th a p i ck a x e a n d ,

-
,

w ou ld p ro b a b ly m u rd e r h i m o n reco g n i zi ng h i s co u n ten a n ce a n d seei n g

.
,

th a t h e i n t u r n w a s recogn i zed To u c h i n g d isp l a y o f feel i n g i n t wo

, ,
.
‘

o ld co m p a n i on s u n e x pec te dl y mee t i n g ! B u t t h e p i ck a n d t h e sp a d e
w ere a ra y of l i g h t to B o u la t ru c lle ; h e h a ste n ed t o th e b u sh es i n t h e ‘

m or n i n g a n d fou n d n ei th e r o n e n or th e oth e r
,
H e t b erfe e co n cl u d ed
‘

‘
.

t h a t t h i s person on e n te ri n g t h e w ood h a d d ug a h ol e w i th h i s p i ck
, ,
. , ,

h a d bu ried th e c h es t a n d h a d t h en fi l l ed u p t h e h ol e w i t h h i s sp a d e
, , ,
.

N o w a s the c h es t w a s too s ma l l t o con t a i n a corpse i t m ust co n t a i n

, ,
-

mo n ey ; hen ce h is co n ti n ue d se a rch es B o u la t ru elle h a d e x pl ored .

,
'

sou n ded a n d r a n s a ck e d t h e w h ol e fores t a n d h a d ru m ni a g e d e very sp ot

, ,

w h e re t he e a rth see m ed to h a ve bee n fresh l y d istu rbed B u t a ll i n v a i n

‘
. .

H e h a d t ur n ed u p n ot h i n g N obod y t h o u g h t a ny m ore a bo u t i t a t
‘

-
.

.
,

M on tfe r me i l e xce p ti n g a fe w g o od gossi ps w h o s a id :

,
B e s u re th e ,
’
roa d l a b orer o f G a gn y d i d n t m a k e a ll th a t fuss for n oth i ng : t h e De v i l
-

”
wa s cert a i n ly t h ere .

S H O W I N G T HA T T H E C H A I N O F T H E I R O N ‘

R ING M UST N E E DS H A V E
U N D E RG O N E A C E R T A I N P R E P A R A T I O N TO BE THU S B RO K E N B Y
O N E B LO W O F T H E H A M M E R .

Tow a rd s th e en d of O c tobe r i n t h a t s a me y e a r , 1 8 2 3 t h e i n h a b i t a n t s , ,

of Tou lon sa w co m i ng b a c k i n to t h e ir p ort i n co nseq ue n ce o f h e a v y ,

w e a th er , a n d i n orde r to rep a i r so m e d a m a ges th e sh i p O r io n w h i c h ,

‘

w a s a t a l a te r pe ri od e m p l oye d a t B rest a s a v ess el of i n str ucti o n a n d ,

w h i c h th e n f or m e d a p a r t of t h e M ed i te rr a n e a n sq u a d ro n Th isl sliip ,
‘

c ri ppled a s s h e w a s for t h e sea ha d u sed h er roug h l y prod uced so m e

, . ,

sen s a tion o n e n teri n g t h e ro a dste a d S h e fl e w I forge t w h a t pe n n a n t , .

b u t i t e n ti tl ed h er to a reg u l a r s a l u t e of el eve n gu n s, w h i c h sh e retu rn e d

.

sh ot for sh o t : i n a ll t we n ty two I t h a s bee n es t i ma t ed t h a t i n

-
.

r oy a l a n d m i l i t a ry co mpl i men ts ex ch a n ges of c ou rt eo u s h u b b u b , ,

o f et i q ue tte ro a ds te a d a n d c i t a de l for ma l i ties

, risi n gs a n d se t t
,
t h e s u n s a l uted d a i ly b y a ll fortresses a n d a ll vesse l s of wa r, th
i n g a n d closi ng of ga tes , et c , e tc : , the c i v i l i ze d world , ia ev ery
'

.
 COS E T T E . 55

th e gl ob e fi res o ff d a i l y o n e h u n d red a n d fi fty th ou s a n d u sel ess c a n n o n

, , ,

sh ots A t si x f1 a n cs p e1 s h ot t h a t wo ul d a m o u n t to n in e h u n d1 e d
.
,

th ou s a n d ft a n c s p e r d a y o r t b 1 ee h u n d red t i l l i o n s p er ye a r bl ow n o ff
i n s mok e T h i s i s on l y a n i te m I n t h e i n fin while t h e poor a re dy i n g
, ,

. .
,

w i t h h u n ge 1 . r
T h e ye a i 1 8 3 w a s w h a t th e R est o m t io n h a s c a l l e d th e
7 “ ti me of t h e
‘

Sp a n is h W a r .

D 11 1 i ng t h e o per a t i on s o f t h e a r m y of t he Pri n ce 0 0 111 m a n din g i n ‘

-

ch i e f a sq u a d ro n e t u ised I ] t he M e di e 1 1 a n ea n W e l ia 1 e s a i d t h a t t h e
,

t 1
,
.

0 1 10 31 be lon ged to t h a t o u 1d ron a n d th a t sh e h a d bee n d r i ve n b a c k by

s

st i ess o f w e a t h er to t he p o 1 t of Tou l o n
T h e p resen ce of a v ess e l o f wa 1 i n p o i t h a s_11 b o u t i t a c ert in i n fl ue n ce ,
a

w h i ch a t tra c t s a n d e n g a ges t h e m u l t i t u de I t i s bec a u se i t i s S o m e th i n g .

gr a n d a n d t h e m u l ti tu de l i k e w h a t 13 1 m p os 1 n g
, .

A s h i p of t h e lin e i s o n e o f t h e mo s t m a g n i fi ce n t s t ru ggles of h u ma n
ge n i u s w i t h t h e forces o f n a tu re .

A vesse l of t he l i n e i s co m pose d o f t h e h e a v i es t a n d a t th e s a me t i me ,

t h e l ig h tes t m a t e1 ia ls be c a use sh e h es t o co n ten d a t o n e a n d t h e s a m e

,
i
,
.

t i m e w i th t h e th 1 ee for ms o f m a tte 1 t h e sol i d th e l i q u id 11 n d t h e fl u i d

, , , ,
.

S h e h a s e l eve n c l a ws of h en to g i nep th e 1 oc k a t th e botto m o f th e sea ,

a n d m ore w i n gs a n d fee l ers th a n t h e b u t t e 1 fi y t o c a tch t h e breeze s l n t h e

cl o u ds H er bre a t h goes fo 1 t l1 t h ro u h her h u nd red a n d t we n ty g u n s a s

.
rr

th ro u g h e n o 1 m o u s t i u m p c ts a n d h a u g h ti ly a n sw e 1 s t h e t h u n derbol t
,
.

O ce a n st 1 i ves to le a d h er a str a y i n th e i i igh t fu l s a m e n ess o f h i s bi llo u s ,

b u t t h e sh i p h a s h e r co m p a ss w h i c h i s h er so u l a l w a y s cou n se l l i n g h e1
, , ,

a n d a l w a ys poi n t i ng t o wa 1 ds t h e No rth I n d a r k n i ghts h e r l a n ter n s .

,

t a k e t h e pla ee o f t h e st a rs T h u s t h e n to o ppose t h e w i nd sh e h a s
'

.
, , ,

h er ropes a n d c a n v a s ; a g a i ns t t h e w a te r h er t i m be r ; a g a i n st t h e roc k

hm men
er i ron h e r cop per a n d h er l e a d
’

a i nst t h e d a rk n ess l ig h t a ga i n s t
, ; a
g , ; ,

1 s1t y a n eed l e, .

W h oe v e r w o u l d for m a n i d e a o f a ll t h ese g i g a n ti c p roporti ons th e ,

a ggreg a te o f w h i c h con sti t u tes a s h i p o f t h e l i n e

-
h a s bu t to p a ss u n de r - - -

o n e of t h e cov ered sh i p h ouses s i x sto r ies h i gh a t B res t o r Tou l on

-
.
, ,

T h e vessel s i n p roc ess o f con str ucti on a re 8 ee n t h e 1 e u n de r gl a ss c a ses , ,

so t o s pe a k T ha t col oss a l be a m i s a y a rd , t h a t h uge col u m n o f t i m be r

’

l y in g o n th e grou n d a n d re a ch i n g o u t o f si gh t 1s th e m i i n m a s t Ta k i n g .

i t fi o m i ts root i n th e h ol d to i ts su m mi t i n t h e c l ouds , i t i s si xty f th o m s a

l o n g a n d I S t l1 1 ec fee t i n d i a m ete r a t i ts ba se T h e E ng l i sh ma i n ma st
i

0 , .

r i ses t wo h u n d red a n d sev e n tee n fee t a bove t h e w a ter l i n e Th e n a 1 y o f .

o u r fa th e rs u se d c a b l es ou 1 s u ses ch a i n s No w t h e m e t e coi l o f c h a i n s
,
.

o f a h u n d red gu n sh i p i s fou r fee t h igh twe n ty fee t b 1 o a d a n d ei h t fee t

t h i ck A n d fo r t h e c on st ru c ti o n o f th i s v essel h o w m uc h ti m
g
, ,

. ber i s ,

req u i red I t 13 a flo a ti n g forest .

A n d yet be i t re m e m bered t h a t w e a re h ere s pe a k i n g on l y of th e

, ,

w a r vesse l o f so m e forty ye a rs a go — th e m e re s a i l i n g cr a ft ; ste a m th e n ,

i n i ts i n fa n cy h a s si n ce th a t t i me a d d e d n e w w on ders to t h i s p rod ig y
, , ,

c a lle d a m a n of w a r
,
A t t h e p rese n t d a y for e x a m p l e th e m i xed vesse l
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.
, , ,

t h e screw propel l e r i s a su rp risin g p i ece of m ech a n i s m m ove d by a sp re a d

,

o f c a n v a s me a s u ri ng fo u r th ou s a n d sq u a re y a rd s o f s ur fa ce , a n d b
y a
s te a m e ngi n e o f t we n ty fi ve h u n d red h orse p ower .

W i th o u t re fe rri n g to t h ese fresh e r ma 1 vels, t h e ol d fa sh i o ned sh i p o f

C h ris top he r Col u mb us a nd of De Ruy te r, 15 on e of t h e no b lest w orks of
y
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L ES M I S IERA B L E S .

ma I t rs a s e x h a ustl ess 1 11 fo rce a s t h e bre a t h o f i n fi n i tu de i t g a t h ers

'

n .

u p t h e w i n d i n i ts c a n v a s i t i s fi r m l y fi xed i n t h e i mmmen se c ha os of
,

t h e w a ves i t flo a ts a n d i t i gu s
B u t a mo me n t co mes v’ iien th e w h i te sq u a l l b re a k s t h a t si x ty foo t
.

, c
-
, ,

y a rd l i ke a st ra w ; a n d w h e n t he w i n d fl a w be n ds t h a t fou r h u n d re d foot
m us t l i ke a reed ; w h e n th a t a n chor w ei gh i n g i ts ton s u pon ton s i s , ,
’
t w : st c d 1 11 t h e i n a w of t h e w a ve l i k e th e a n g le r s h ook i n t h e j a ws o f a .
'

p i k e ; w h e n t h ose m on ste r g u n s u tte r p l a i n t i ve a n d fu ti l e ro a ri n gs w h i ch

t he t e m pest w h i rl s a w a y i n to s p a ce a n d n i g h t ; w h e n a ll th is m i g h t a nd
a ll th is m a j esty a re e n g u l fed i n a s u peri o r m i g h t a n d m a j esty .

W he n e ve r i m m e nse stre n gth rs p u t fo rth on ly t o e n d i n i mme n se w e a k

n ess i t m a k es m e n m ed i t a te
,
H e n ce i t i s t h a t i n se a po rts th e c u ri , , , ,
a

o urs w i th o u t th e mse l ves k n ow i n g e x a c tl y w h y , t h ron g a bo u t t h ese

, o

w on de rfu l i nst ru me n ts of wa r a n d na v i g a t i on .

1] ve ry d a y t h e n fro m m o r n i n g ti l l n i gh t t h e q u a ys th e w h a r ves a n d
, , , , ,

t h e p i ers o f t h e po rt o f Tou l o n w e re cov er ed w i th a t h ron g o f s a u n ter '

e rs a n d i d l ers w h ose o c c u pa t ,
1 co nsis ted i n
ga z i n g a t th e O r io n .

Th e O r i o n W a s a sh i p th a t h a d l on g be en i n a b a d con d i t i o n D u ri n g .

h er p rev i ous v oy a ge s th i ck l a ye rs o f sh el l fish h a d g a th ered o n h e r botto m

,

t o s uch a n e x te n t a s t o se ri o usl y i mped e h e r p rogress ; sh e h a d bee n p u t

u po n t h e d ry d e c k th e ye a r before to b e sc ra p ed a n d th e n sh e h a d gon e , ,

t o sea a g a i n B u t t h i s sc ra p i n g b a d i nj ured h er fa sten i n g .

I n t h e l a ti tu d e o f t h e B a l e a ri c I sles h e r p l a n k i n g h a d loosen ed a n d
'
‘

Open ed a n d a s th ere w a s i n th o se d a ys n o copper s h e n ti n g t h e s h i p h a d

’

, ,

l e a k ed A fi erc e eq u i n octi a l ca m e o n w h i c h h a d s tov e i n t h e l a rbo a rd

.
,
‘
bows a n d a p o rt n o le a n d d a ma ged t h e fore c ha i n w a l es I n con sequ e n ce
, .

o f th ese 1 n j u ries th e 0 1 1 0 71 h a d p u t b a ck t o T o u l o n
,
.

S h e wa s m oore d n e a r t he A rse n a l S h e wa s i n co m m i ssi o n a n d t h ey .

,

w ere rep a i ri n g h e r T h e h u ll h a d n o t bee n i nj ured o n t h e st a rb oa rd

.
.
~

si de b u t a fe w p la n k s h a d bee n t a k e n o ff h ere a n d t h ere a cc ord i n g t o

,
’

c u sto m t o a d mi t t h e a i r to h er fr a me w o rk
,

O n e m orn i n g t h e t h ron g w h i ch w a s g a z i n g a t h e r w i t n esse d a n a cc i

,

den t
Th e crew w e re e n g a ged i n fu rl in g s a i l T h e t o p m a n wh ose d u t y i t .
,

w a s to t a k e rn t h e st a rbo a rd u p pe r corn e r o f th e m a i n t o p s a i l l os t h i s ,

b a l a n ce H e wa s see n t o tte ri n g ; t h e de n se th ron g a sse m b l ed o n t h e

.
0

’
w h a rf of t h e A rse n a l , u tte red a c ry th e m a n s h e a d ov e rb a l a n ced h i s ,
‘
b od y a n d h e w h i rl ed o ve r th e y a rd h i s a r ms o u tstre tch ed tow a rd s t h e Q
, ,

d ee p ; a s h e w e n t o v er b e gr a sped t h e m a n — ropes fi rst w i th o n e h a n d

, , ,

a n d th e n w i th t h e ot h er a n d h u n g s uspen ded i n th a t m a n n er
, The sea . .

la y fa r be l ow h i m a t a gid dy d ept h Th e s h ock o f t h e fa l l h a d g i ve n to .

t h e ma n ropes a v i ol e n t s w i ng i n g m o t ion a n d th e p oor fe l lo w h u ng d a n g

-

lin to a n d fro a t th e e n d o f t h i s l i n e l i ke a ston e i n a sl i n g

<r
,
.

To go t o h i s a id wa s to a ru n fri gh tfu l r isk Non e o f th e cre w wh o ,

w ere a ll fish er me n o f t h e coa st rec eiitly t a k e n i nt o servi ce , d a red a t te m p t

i t I n th e me a n ti me th e p oor t o p ma n Wa s beco mi n g e x h a usted ; h i s
.
,
-

a g on y cou l d n ot be see n i n h i s c ou n te n a n ce b u h i s i n cre a si n g w e a k n ess

t ,

cou l d be dete c ted i n th e m ove me nt s o f a ll his l i mbs H is a r m s tw i s t e d

’

a bou t i n h or ri ble con t or tion s E ve ry a tte m p t h e ma d e t o re a sce n d o n l y

.

i n c re a sed th e osci l l a ti on s o f t h e m a n rope s H e did n o t cry o u t , fo r

rd t o t h e mom
.

ggW é
fe a r of l osi n g h i s s t ren g t h A l l w ere n ow lo . ent
I
 CO S E TT E .

w h en h e sh ou ld let go o f t h e rope a n d, a t i n st a n ts a ll tu rn e d t h ei r ,
-
,

h e a ds a w a y th a t t hey m i gh t n ot see h im fa l l T here a re m o m e n ts w h e n .

a rope s e n d a p e ie t h e br a n c h o f a tree i s li fe i tsel f a n d i t i s a fri g h t

’ ‘

r ,
, , ,

fu l t h i n g to see a l i v i n g be i ng lose h is h ol d upo n i t, a nd fa l l li k e a ri pe

fru i t .

S udd e n ly a ma n wa s d isco ve re d cl a m beri ng u p t h e riggi n g w i th t he .

k
a gi l i ty of a wild ea t T h i s ma n wa s c l a d i n red it wa s a con v ict ; he
. . -
-

w o re a gree n ea p i t wa s a co n v i ct for l i fe A s h e re a ch ed th e ro u n d
-
.

top a g u st o f w in d bl e w o ff h is c a p a n d re v e a led a h e a d e n ti rely w h ite ;

, ,
'

it wa s n o t a y ou ng m a n .

I n fa c t o n e o f t h e c o n vret s e m pl oyed o n bo a rd i n s o me p r i son t a s k ,

,

h a d a t t h e firs t a l a r m ru n to t h e o fli c e r o f t he wa tch a n d a m i d t he
, , , ,

e on fusio n a n d h esi t a t io n o f th e cre w w h il e a ll th e s a i l ors tre m bl e d a n d

‘

,
’
s h r a n k b a c k , ha d a sk ed per m i ssi o n to s a ve t h e to pma n s l i fe a t th e ri s k
o f h is o w n A Si g n of a sse n t bei n g gi ve n w i th o n e b l o w of a ha mmer
. .

, h

h e b rok e t h e c h a i n r i ve ted to t h e i ro n ri ng ia t his a n k l e t h en took a ro pe

-
, ,

i n h i s h a n d a n d fl u n g h i msel f i n to t h e shr wi s Nobody a t th e mo me n t,

n ot iced w i th w h a t e a se t h e c h a i n wa s milieu I t wa s o n ly so me t i me
, , ,
g

a fte rw a rds t ha t a ny bod y r e m e m be red i t

In a t wi n k l i n g h e wa s u po n t he y a rd H e p a used a few seco nds a n d

,
.
,

se e m ed to me a s ure i t wi t h h is gl a n ce Th ose seco n ds d uri n g w h ich t h e .

,

w i n d sw a yed t he s a i l or to a hd f ro a t t h e e n d o f t h e r0 pe , see m ed a ges to

t he l o c k e rs o u A t l en gth t he co n v i c t r a i sed his ey es to he a ve n a n d
-
.
,
‘

to ok a ste p forw a rd The crow d dr e w a lo n g bre a th H e wa s seen t o

. .

ru n a l on g t he y a rd O n re a ch i n g i ts e xtre me t ip h e fa ste n e d o n e e nd
‘
.
,

c t} t h e rop e h e ha d w i t h h i m a n d le t t h e o t h er h a n g a t fu l l l e ngt h
,
.
, .

Tli e rei i pon h e beg a n to l et h i ms e l f d o w n by h is h a n d s a l o n g t h is rope ,

,

a n d th e n th ere Wa s a n i n e x pressi bl e se ns a ti o n of te rro r i n stea d of

; o ne
m a n , t wo we re see n d a n gl i n g a t t h a t gi dd y h eigh t ,

Yo u w ou l d h a ve s a i d i t wa s a sp ide r Se i zi n g a fly ; o n l y i n th is c a s e, ,

t h e spide r w a s bri ngi n g l i fe a n d n o t d e a t h Te n t ho us a n d ey es we re ,

.
,

fi x ed u pon th e grou p .
N o t a c ry n o t a w ord w a s u tte red ; th e s a me
.
,
g

e motio n co n tr a cted e very b ro w E v e ry m a n h el d h is bre a th a s if a fra id .

, g
to a dd t h e l e a s t w h ispe r t o t he w i n d w h ic h wa s s w a y i ng t h e t wo u n fo rtu
n a te me n .

H o we ver th e con v i c t h a d , a t l e n gth ma n a ged t o m a k e h is wa y dow n

, ,

t o th e se a ma n I t wa s t i me ; o n e m i n u te mo re a n d th e m a n ; ex h a usted
.
,

a n d d eS pa irin g wo u ld h a v e fa l l e n i n t o t h e deep
,
*

T h e con v ict fir m l y
'
'
.

secu red h i m to th e rop e to w hi c h h e cl u n g wi t h o n e h a n d wh i l e h e work ed

~

w id t h t he o t h e r Fi n a l ly , h e wa s see n r e a sce n d i n g t o th e y a rd a n d h a u l
.
,

i ng th e s a i lor a fter h i m ; h e su p p orted h i m t h e re fo r a n i nsta n t to let ,

h im rec o ve r his s trength , a n d t he n li fti n g h im i n h is a r ms , c a rri ed h i m,

~

a s h e wa l k ed a l o ng t he y a rd to t h e c ro ss trees du d fro m t h ere to t he ,

-
,

rou n d to p w h ere h e l e ft h im i n th e h a n ds o f h is m ess ma tes

-
, .

T he n th e t h ron g a p pl a uded ; o l d g a l l ey s erg ea n ts w ep t ,

e a ch oth er o n th e w h a rves a n d o n a ll sides v oi ces we re , , ,

i n g w i th a sort of te n derly su bd u ed e n t husi a s m : “Thi

,
”
p a rd o n e 1
'

H e , howev e r ha d ma de i t a p oi n t o f d u ty to des c en d a in immedi

, .

a t el y , a n d go ba c k to h is work I n orde r t o a r ri v e mor e q u i ck ly he sl i d .

,

d o wn t he rigg i n g, a n d st a rte d to ru n a l on g a l ower ya rd

'

T h e re wa s a .

5
 68 w e m sfi a a st z s .

c erta i n m o me n t w h e n e very o n e fel t a l a r m ed ; wh e th e r it wa s th a t h e

Wit fa tig u ed o r bec a use h i s h e a d s w a m peopl e th o ugh t th ey sa w h im
,
'
,

hesi t a te a n d st a gg e r S ud le n ly th e th ron g u ttered a th ri l l i n g o u tcry ;

.
,

th e c o n v ict ha d fa l l e n i n to t h e sea .

Th e fa l l w a s peri l o us Th e fri ga t e A lg es z a s w a s m oored cl ose t o th e

'

. r

O r t o n a n d t h e p oor con v ict h a d pl u n ged be twee n t he two sh i ps

,
It .

h e fea red th a t h e wou l d be d ra w n u n d e r o n e or t h e o th e r Fou i me n

spr ng a t o n ce i n to a bo a t T he peopl e c h ered th eui o n a n d a n x iety e

a ,
.
,

a ga i n t o ok pos ess i o n o f a ll m i nd s ~
t he m a n h a d n t a g a i n rise n to th e 1

su rfa ce H e h a d d i s a ppe a re d i n t he sea w i th ou t ma k i n g e 1 c n a ri ppl e

.
, ,

a s t ho u g h h e h a d fa l l e n i n to a c a s k o f oi l T hey sou n ded a n d d ra gge d

th e p la ce I t w a s i n v a i n Th e s ea rch wa s co n ti n u ed u n t i l n igh t b u t
. .
,

n o t e 1 e n t h e body w a s fo u n d .

T h e n ex t m or n i n g t h e To u lo n J ou r na l p u bl ish e d th e fol l ow i n g li n es
“No ve m b e r 1 7 1 8 2 8 Yes t er da y 3 co n v i ct a t w ork o n bo a rd of t he
,

.
, ,

O r i o n o n h is re tu r n fro m r es cu i n g a s a i l o r fe l l i n to t h e sea a n d w a s
, ,

d ro w n ed H is body w xs n ot re cove red I t 1s p resu med th a t i t h s bee n

. . a

c a ug h t u n de r t h e pi les a t t h e pi er h e a d o f t h e A rse n a l T h i s m a n wa s .

”
re ist ere d by th e n u m be r 9 4 8 0 , a n d h is n a m e wa s J e a n V a l j e a n
g .
.

at o o a a 1) 1 1 11

FULFILMENTOF THE PROMISE TO THE DEiARTBD ’

.

I .

m n w u sa o h s sr i o x AT M O NT F E R M E I L
’
.

M o n tfer m e i l i s si tu a ted bet wee n Li v ry a n d C h el l es ,up on t h e so uth er n

slo p e o f th e h igh pla te a u wh i ch se pm a t e s th e O m eq fro m t h e M am i e
“
'
'

A t pr ese n t i t i s a con si der a bl e t o w n a d o rn ed a ll t h e y e a r ro u n d w i t h

, ,

stu ccoed vil l a s a n d o n S un d a ys w i t h c i t im n s i n ful l bl osso m

, ,
I n 18 2 3,
.
,

t h e re we re a t M o n tfer m e i l n ei t h er so ma ny w h i te h o uses n or s o m a n y
c o m fort a b l e c iti zen s ; i t w a s n ot h i n g bu t a v i l l a ge 1n th e w oods Yo u o
.

w oul d fin d i nd eed h ere a n d th e re a fe w c o u n t ry se a ts o f t h e l a st c en

, ,

tn ry recogn i z a bl e by th e i r gra n d a ppe a r a n ce , t h ei r b a l co n i es o f tw isted

,

i ro n a n d th ose l on g w i n do ws t h e l i t tl e p a nes of w h i c h s h o w a ll 8 0 1 ts o f
, ,

d i ff ere n t gree ns n p o n th e w h i te of th e cl osed s h utte rs B u t M o n t fe r .

~

me i l wa s n on e t h e less a v i l l a ge R e t i red d ry goo ds me rch a n ts a n d e 1m .

a te ur v i l l a gers h a d n ot y e t d isc o vere d i t I t wa s a pe a cefu l a n d c h a r mi n g .

sp ot ,
a n d n ot u po n t h e ro a d to a n y pl a ce ; t h e i n h a b i t a n ts c h e a pl y
.
'

en j oyed th a t ru r a l l i fe w h i c h i s so l u xu ri a n t a n d e a sy o f enj oy me n t .

B u t w a ter wa s sc a rce th e re o n a ccou n t of th e h ei h t of t h e pl at e a u rr .

T h ey h a d t o go a co nsi de ra bl e d ist a n ce for i t The e n d of t he v i l l a ge .

1
.

To w a rds G a gny d re w i ts wa ter fro m t he m a gn i fice n t p on ds i n t he fores t

o n t h a t side ; t he ot h ere nd wh i c h Su rro u n d s t h e c h urc h a n d w h i ch i s
,

to wa rds C he l les fou n d d ri n k i n g w a te r o n l y a t a l i t tl e spr i n g on the si de

,
. .

bf th e h il l n ea r t h e ro a d to C h el les, a bo u t fi ftee n mi n u tes wa l k fro m

’

M o n t fe rmei l .
 c osm r n . ,
1 59

I t w a s th erefore a ser io u s ma t te r f r e a c h h o useh old to ob ta i n it s su p o a

ply o f w a te r T h e gre a t h ou s s th e a ri stocra cy th e Th en a rd i e r ta v er n

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i n cl u ded p a i d a p en ny a buc ket ful l to a n ol d m a n w h o ma de it h is

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b u si ness a n d w h ose i n co me fro m t h e w a te r work s wa s a bou t ei gh t so u s

,
-
.

m o c l ock i n su mmer a n d ’
er d a bu t th i s a n work ed o n ly ti l l se ve n
p y ; ,

fi ve i n t h e wi nte r a n d w h e n n i gh t h a d co me o n a n d th e fi rst flo or sh u t
,
.
,
-

ters we re c losed wh oever h a d n o d ri n k i n g wa t c r wen t a ft e r itf o r we nt

,
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w i th ou t i t .
1

Th is wa s t h e t e rror o f th e poo r bei n g w h o mt h e re a d er h a s no t per -

~

h a ps fo rgo t t e n — l ittl e Cosette

i
I t wi l l be re me m bered th a t Cosette wa s . .

u s e fu l to t h e T ll é n a rd iers i n tw o w a ys — t hey got pa y fro m the m o th e r

a n d wor
k fro m th e c h i l d Th u s w h e n t he mot her ce a se d e n ti rely to p a y,
.

w e h a ve see n why i n th e p recedi n g ch a p t ers t h e Thé n a rdiers ke pt Co

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sett e S h e s a v ed t h e m a serv a n t I h th a t c a p a ci ty sh e ra n for w a t e r

. .

w he n i t W w a n ted S o t h e c i l é lw ys h o ri l ed a t th e i de a of go i n g
h d i
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a s a r
,
.

to th e s p ri ng a t n i gh t too k good c a r e th a t w a ter sho u l d n e ve r be w a n t"

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i ng a t t h e ho use . 1

C h ri st ma s i n t h e y e a r w a s a rt ic h la rly b rillia n t a t M on tfer m ei l

p
t

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Th e ea r ly p a rt o f t h e w i n te r h a d bee n mil d; So fa r th ere ha d bee n n ei th e r

fros t n o r s no w So m e j uggl e rs fro m P a ris ha d obt a i ne d pe rm issio n fro m
.

t h e M a y or t o set u p th e i r st a l ls i n t h e ma i n st re et of t h e v i ll a ge a n d a ,

c o mwn of p ed l a rs h a d u n d r t h e s a me l ice n se p u t u p th i r b o th s i n
’

y e , e o ,

th e sq u a re before th e Ch u rc h a n d e v e n i n t h e l a n e d u Bou l a nge r u po n , ,

w h ich a s t h e re a d e r perh a ps re m e mbers t he Th en a rd ier c h O p hous ewa s

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si t u a t ed Th i sfil l ed u p th e t a vern s a n d pot h ouses a s d ga ve to t h is l ittl e

.
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q u i et p l a ce a h o isy a n d j oy ous a p pe a r a n c e W e o ugh t a l so to sa y t o be .

,

a fa i t h fu l 11 ist o r ia n t h a t a mo n g th e c ur i osi ti es di spl a y ed i n th e squ a r e,

'

, ,

th ere wa s a m e n a gerie i n w h ic h fri g h tfu l cl ow n s , cl a d i n r a gs a n d co me ,

n obody k no ws wh e n ce w e re e x h i bi ti n g i n 18 2 3 to th e pe a s a n ts of M on t
,
~

fe r me i l o n e of those h orr id B ra zi l i a n v ul tu res a speci me n o f wh ic h o ur ,

M u sé u nr Ro ya l d i d n o t obt a i n u n ti l 1 8 4 5 a n d t h e eye of w h ic h i s t ri , ‘
~

col ored c ock a d e Na t u ra l is ts c a l l t h is bi rd I be l ieve C a r a c a r a P o lybo f

.
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r us ; i t b e lo ngs to t h e ord e r of t h e A p ic id se a n d t he fa mi ly of v ul tu re s ,
.

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So me good o l d re ti red B o n a p a rtis t sold i ers i n t h e v i l l a ge we n t t o s ee t he
h i rd a s a ma tt e r o f fa i t h The j u gglers pro n ou n ced t he tri col ored cock s
' '

-
.

a d e a u n i q u e p h e no m e n o n ma de e x p ressly by God fo r t h e i r me n a gei i e

.
.
.

O n th a t C h ri st ma s e ve n i n g se ve r a l me n w a g o n e rs a nd p edl a rs were
se a ted a t t a b l e a n d d ri n k i n g a rou n d fou r o r fi ve c a n dles i n t h e l ow h a ll ”
, , ,

. .

o f th e T h en a rd ie r ta ve rn T h i s roo m rese mbl ed a ll ba r roo ms : t a bl e s, .

-

p e wt r m ugs bot tl es , d ri n ke rs s mok e rs ; l i ttl e l igh t, a n d m uc h n oi se

e -
, ,
.

T he d a te 1 8 2 3 W a s h o wev e r i n d i c a ted by t he t wo t h i ngs t h e n in

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vogue w i th t he m idd l e cl ue es w h i c h were on t he t a bl e a k a l e i dosco pe -

r
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a n d a fl ute d ti n l a m p T h ena rd i e r th e wi fe wa s l ook i ng to th e suppe r,

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w h i c h wa s coo k i n g b efore a b ri gh t bl a zi ng fi re ; t h e h usb a nd , Th é n a r

d ie r wa s d ri n k i ng w i t h h i s gues ts a n d ta l ki n g pol i tics
,
.

Co se tte wa s a t h er us u a l pl a c e , sea t ed on t he cross pi ece of th e k i tche n - '

ta bl e n e a r t h e fir e pl a c e ; sh e wa s c l a d i n ra ge ; h e r b a re fe e t were i n
, ,
.

woode n sh o es a n d by th e l i g h t of th e fire shewa s k n i t ti ng woo len st Oc k

,

i n gs for t he l i ttle T hé n a rdie rs A y o u n g k 1 t t e n wa s pl a y i n g u nder t he

ch a i rs In a n ei g h bor i n g ro o m t he fr esh vo ice s of t wo c hildren were
.
‘
.

h ea rd la ug h i n ga n d pra ttl i ng ; i t wa s Epo n i n e a n d A zelma u

 Ls s a t t enu a t es .

ch i m n ey corn er a co w h id e h u n g u po n a n a i l
I n th e ,
.

A t i n t e rv a ls t h e c ry o f a v ery you n g c h i ld w h ic h wa s som ew h e re 111

, ,

t h e h o use w a s h e a rd a bov e th e n o i se o f t h e b a r room

,
T h i s wa s a l i ttl e .

b o y w hi ch t h e wo m a n ha d som e w i n t e rs be fore S h e d id n t k n o w ’

"
a
“
w hy s h e s i d ; i t w a s th e co ld w e a th er —
a n d w h i c h wa s a l i ttl e ’

, ,

m ore th a n th ree y ea rs ol d T h e m ot h er h a d n u rsed h i m b u t d i d n ot

.

lo v e h i m W h e n t h e h u n gry c l a m o r o f t h e bra t bec a m e to o m uc h t o

.

“ a
”
a l “
be a r : You r boy i s sq u l l i n g s i d T i é na rd ie r w hy do n t y o u g o ,
'

Ba h l a nsw ered th e m o th e r ; “I a m s i c k
”
a n d se e w h a t he w a n ts ?
’

”
o f h im A n d t h e poo r l it t le fe l lo w co n ti n u ed to cry i n th e d a rk n es s
. .

'

TW O P o a r a a rr s CO M P L E T E D
'

T h e Th én a rd iers h a ve h i th er to b ee n see n i n th is h ook i n profil e on l y ;

th e t i m e h a s com e to tu rn t h is co u p le a bou t a n d l ook a t th e m o n a ll
sides .

T h en a rd i er h a d j u st p a ss ed h is fifti et h y e a r; M a d a m e Th en a rd ie r h a d
r e a c hed h er forti e t h w h i ch 1s th e fifti et h for wo m a n,
so th a t t h ere wa s
u i l i bri u m o f e be tw ee n t h e h us b a n d a n d w i fe
'
a
an e q g
T h e re a de 1 h a s p erh a ps si n ce h er fi rst a pp e a r a n ce p res e r ved som e
, , ,

rem e m br a n ce of t h is h uge T hé n a rdiess for su c h w e sh a l l c a l l t h e fe m a le -

of t h is sp ec ies — l a 1 ge b l o nd : red fa t bra w n y sq u a 1 e e n orm ou s a n d

, , , , ,

a gi l e ; sh e bel on ged a s w e h a v e s a id t o t h e r a ce o f th ose col o ss a l wil d

, ,

wo m e n wh o postu ri z e a t fa i rs w i th p a v i n g ston es h u n g i n thei 1 h a i r .

S h e d i d eve1 yt h in g a bou t t h e h o u se , t h e c h a m be r w o rk th e wa sh i n g th e , ,

co ok i n g a ny th i n g sh e p le a sed a n d pl a ye d t h e d e u ce gen er a l l y
, ,
Cose tt e .

w a s h er o n ly serv a n t 3 a m o use i n t h e ser v ice of a n e l eph a n t E very . .

u

t h i n g trem bl e d a t th e sou n d of her v o 1 ce ; w i nd ows a n d fu rn i t u re a s

w elt a s eopl e H er b ro a d fa ce cov ered w i th freck l es h a d t h e a pp e a r
p , ,
.

a n ce o f a sk i m m e r
1
S h e ha d hea rd S h e w a s t h e i d e a l of a bu tc h er 3
. .
'

boy d res se d 1n petti co a ts S h e swore spl e n di d ly ; s h e p rid e d h erse l f o n

.

bei n og a b le to cr a c k a n u t w i th h er fist A p a rt f rom th e n o v el s sh e h a d .

re a d w h ieb a t ti m es ga v e y ou a n odd gl i m pse of th e a ffecte d l a dy u n de r

,

th e egress t he ide a of c a l l i n g he r a w o m a n n eve r w ou l d h a v e occu rr ed

,

t o a nybody
‘

T h i s Th é n a rd iess see m ed l i ke a m ess be twee n a wen c h a n d

.

a fi sh w oma n
. I f yo u h e a rd h er spe a k y ou wo u l d sa y i t i s a gen d a r m e ;
.
,

i f you sa w h e r d ri nk y ou w oul d sa y i t i s a c a rtm a n ; i f y o u sa w her

,

h a nd l e Cosette yo u wou ld sa y i t is t h e ha ngm a n W h e n a t rest, a toot h

, .

p rotruded from h er m out h .

T h e o ther T h é n a rdier wa s a l i ttl e ma n , m e a gre p al e a n g ul a r b oh y , , , ,

a n d le a n w h o a ppe a red to be sick a n d w hose h e a l t h wa s e xcel l e n t

, , ,

h ere h is k n a ve ry bega n H e s m il ed h a bi tu a l ly a s a m a tte r of busi ne ss,

.
'

a n d tried t o be p ol i te to ev e rybody e ve n to t he begg a r to w h o m h e re ,

fu se d a pen ny H e ha d t he look o f a wea z el a n d t h e m ien of a ma n

‘

.
,

o f l etters H e h a d a stron g rese m bl a n ce to t h e po rtr a i ts 0 6 th e Ab bé

.

Delillc H e a ff ec ted d ri nk i ng with w a g on ers N obody e ve r sa w h im

. . .

H e smoked a l a rge pi pe H e wore a bl o use, a n d u n der i t a n .

 LES M XBERA B LES .

up i n to his m o u th a n d eyes h e w a s frigh tful \V0 to h i m w h o c a m e , .

wit h i n re a ch o f h is fu ry th e n ! ,

Ba d lea a ll h is o t h e r q u a l i ti es , Th en a rd i e r w a s a t te n t i ve a n d p en e t t a t
e

i n g s i len t o r t a l k a ti v e a s occ a si o n req u i t e d a n d a l w a ys w it h gre a t

, ,

i nt l l ige nce
e He h a d s o m ew h a t t h e l oo k o f s a i l o rs a ccust o m ed to
.

ug u i nt i n g t he ey e i n l ook i n g th ro ug h spy gl a sses Th en a rd ier wa s a .

s t a te ma n
s

Eve ry n ew com e r who e n tered t h e ch o p h ouse s a i d o n s e e i ng t h e Th e

-
, ,

l i a rd ie ss : T h ere i t t h e m a s t er o f t h e h o use I t wa s a n e rr o r S h e wa s . .

n o t ev e n t h e m i st re ss
- T h e h u sh a n d w a s b o t h m a ste r a n d m istress
. .

S he pe rfo rmed h e c re a ted ,H e d i rected e ve ryt h i ng by a so rt o f i n v i s i

. . ~

b le a n d c o ti n uous m a gn t i c a c t i o n
n A w e t d su fli c ed S o m e ti mt s a si g n
e .

th e m a st o d o n o bey ed T l é n a t dio r w a s t o hc 1 wi t ho ht h e r b t o g re a l ly
, ,
t 1
,

a w a re o f i t a se t t o f bei n g a p a r t a n d so vc 1 e ign
, S h e ha d t h e vit t u es .

o f he r ord e r of cre a ti on ; n e ve r wou l d sh e h a ve d i li e re d i n a n y d eta i l

“—
w i th “ M onsieu r T lré n a rd ier n o r —1 m po ss1b le su pp o i t i o n — w o u ld she s

h a ve p ubl i cl y q u a rr llc d w i t h h e r h usb a n d ; o n a n y m a t t e r w h a te ve r

r .

”
N eve r h a d sh e co m m it ted b e fore Co m p a ny th a t fa u l t o f w h i ch wo m e n
a re s o often gu i l ty a n d w h ic h is c a l l ed i n p a rlia m en t m y l a ngu a g e d is
, , ,

c o ve ri ng t h e c row n A l t h o u g h th e i r a cc o rd ha d n o ot h e r resu l t th a n
is fo od fo r c o n te mpl a tio n 1 11 t h e s u b m iss io n o f t he l hé n a r
.

e v i l t here w z
'

d ic es t o h er h ix sba n d
,

T h is bustli ng m o u nt a i n o f fl e sh m o ved u nd e r
.

t h e li t tl e fi nge r o f th i s f ra i l d es p o t I t wa s v i e wed l ro m i ts d w a r fed ,

a n d g ro te sq ire sid e t h is gre a t u n i vers a l fa ct : t h e h o m a g e o f m a tt e r to

,

spi ri t ; fo r ce rta i n d e fo rm it i es h a ve t h e i r o t ig i n i n t h e d epth s e ve n o f

‘

et ern a l b e a u ty
‘

Th e re w a s s o m ew h a t of t h e u n k n o w n i n T é n a rd ie r ;
.

h ence t h e a bs o l u te e m p i re o f th is m a n o v e r t h i s w o m a n A t t i m es sh e ,

lo o k ed up on h i m a s u po n a l ig h ted c a nd l e : a t ot h ers s h e fe l t h i m li li e ,

l cl a w
Th is wom a n wa s a fo rm i d ab e cr a tio n w
.

l
h o l o v ed n oth i n g b u t h er e ,

c h i ld re n a n d fe a red n ot h i ng t u t h er h usb a n d
, S h e w a s a mo t h r b e . 1

m u se sh e wa a m a mma l s l l e t m a te rn a l f ee l i ngs st o pped wi t h he r gi rls ,

.

a n d a s w e sh a l l se e d id n o t e x te n d t o bo ys
, ,
T h e m a n ha d bu t o n e
t h o u g h t — to e t ri ch H G e d i d n o t s uc c e e d
. H is gr e a t t a l e n ts h a d o n .

a d e q u a te o p p o rtu n i ty T h en a rd i e r a t M o n t fe rm ei l wa s ru i n i ng h i m sel f,
. .

i f ru i n i s possi bl e a t z e ro I n S w i t z e rl a nd o r i n t he Py re n e es t h i s .
, ,

e n n i le s r e gu e wou l d h a ve b e co m e a m i l l i o n a i re B u t w h e re f a t e p l ces
p
s . a

t h e i n n k ee e r h e m u st bro w se I t i s und e rsto o d t h a t t he w ord i n n

. .

k e e r is e m pl oy ed h a t e t o a res t ricte d se nse a n d d oes n o t e x te n d to a n

p
p
,

en t t re c l a ss .

I n th is s a m e ye a r 1 8 23 Th en a rd ier owed a bo u t fi fteen h u n d red fr n cs

, , a
,

( f p ressi n g d e b ts w h i h t e nd e red h i m m oody H o we ver ob st i n t c lyj '

t a
,
.

u nj u st d st i ny w a s to h i m T hé n a rd i r wa s o n e o f th ose m e n w h o best
’

e e
,

U n d l st O O d to t h e g re a test d epth a n d i n th e m ost m o d ern st y l e t h a t

t'
, ,

wh ic h i s a vir t u e a m o n g t he b a 1 ha 1 0 us a n d a su b ic c t o f m e rc h a n d ise
t h e c i v i l i z ed —h o spi t a l i ty
,

a mong H e wa s b sides a n a d m i r a b le .
,
e ,

o a ch e r a n d w a s cou n ted a n e xce l l e n t sh ot H e ha d a ce rt a i n co o l a n d

'

p , .

q u iet l a u g h w h i ch w a s p a rticul a r ly d a n g rou s

, His t h eori es o f i n n e .
~

k e epi ng s o m e t i m es spr a n g fro m h i m by fl a s h es H e ha d c et t a in .

Oio n a l a ph n ris m s w hi ch h e i n c lnlc a t e d i n t h e m i n d o f h is wi fe .

d u ty o f t he ru n keep er , s a id h e to h e r o n e da y, em p h a ti c a l ly a n d in a ,
 60 3 111 1 11 1
. 6&

lo w voi ce “i s t o sel l to t h e fi rst co me r, fo od rest ligh t fi re d i rty

'

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, ,

li n e n se rv a n ts fle a s a n d s m i l es ; to ste p t r a ve l l ers e m pty s m l l pu rs es,

, , , .
,
a

a n d l i gh te n l a 1 ge o nes ; to r e cei ve fa m i l ies w h o a re tr a vel li n g w i th ,

i ns pect ; scr a p e th e m a n pl uck th e wo m a n a n d pi ck th e c h i ld ; to , ,

c h a rge for t he o pe n W i n dhw th e c lose d w i ndo w t h e c h i m ney corn er t ho , , , ,

so fa th e c h a i r t h e stool th e be n c h th e fe a th e r bed th e ma ttress a n d

, , , , , ,

th e s t r a w b i d ; t o k n o w h o w m uc h t h e 1_ 11 i 1 r o r i s w orn a n d to t a x th a t ; ,

a n d by th e fi ve h u n dred t h ous a n d dev i ls to ma ke t h e tr a ve l ler

, p a
y f or ,
l ”
e ve 1 vt l1 i11 e ve n t o th e fl i es t h a t l1i 1 d o e a ts
-
. 1r
,
n1 .

T hi s m a n a n d th i s wo ma n we re c u n n i n g a n d r a ge ma rri ed —11 h ideo us .

a n d 1e r1 i b le p i 1 W h i le th e h usb a n d c a l c u l a ted a n d sc he m ed th e Thé

1 .
,

n a 1 d ie s s t h u h t n ot o f a bse n t c re l i t o rs took n o c a re o i th e 1 for ye ter

o sr
, s

da y o r th e 1n 0 1 1 o w a n d l i ved p a S i n t U lJ i n t he p re sen t m o m
,
ent b U il .

S u c h w e 1 e t h o se t o o be i n gs Cos e tte W a s bet wee n the m u nde rgoi ng .

,

th ei r d ou bl e p r ssm e l i k e a c re a t u re w h o is a t t he s a me t i m e b e i n g
t ,

b ru ised by a m i l lsto n e a n d l a ce ra ted w i t h p in c c l s T h e m n a n d t he ,

a

w o ma n ha d e a ch a d i ffe re n t wa y Co ss t te w a s be a te n u n mc rc ifn lly f,

th a t c a me fro m th e wo ma n Sh e w en t b a re foot i n w i n te r ; t h a t c a me .

fro m th e m a n Cose tte ra n up s t a i t s a n d dow n sta i 1 s ; w a sh ed b 1 us h e d,

sc 1 a bbed s we pt 1 a n t i 1 ed h e 1 s lf got ou t o f b re a t h l i fted hea iy t hi n ws,
,
.

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a n d p u ny a s s h e wa s d i d t h e ro u g h wo 1 k
,
No pi ty a feroci o us m ie
, r-
.

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t ress a ma l ig n a n t ma ste r i 11 l l é 111rd ie r ch o p h ouse w a s l i k e a sn a re,
,
. .
r
. t
b
1 :

i n w h i c h Co sc t t c h a d b een c a n h t a n d w a s t re m b ll n g T h e i de a l of
’

w .
,

o p 1 c ss io n w a s re a l i zed by t h i s d is ma l se rv i tu d e
p I t wa s so me t h i n g l i ke .

11 fly s o r t i ng s pi de rs
. T h e p 0 1 c h i ld wa s p a ssi ve a n d si l e n t o .

W h e n t h ey fi n d t h e 11 1se lve s i n s uc h con d i ti o n a t th e d a w n of e x i st ,

e n ce so y o u n g 3 0 feeb l e a m o ng me n w h a t p a sses i n t h ese sou ls fresh

, , , ,

fro m G o d ' ,

“
i

M EN M U ST HAVE VH N E A N D H QR S ES HA TE R .

Fou r n e w g uests h a d j u st co me i n Coset te w a s m usi n s a d l y ; for,

‘

t h o u h sh e w a s o n ly e ig h t y e a rs ol d sh e h a d a lw a d s u ffe red so nf u c h
fl
y ,

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.

d iess sa y fro m ti m e t o ti me “ H w o l y s h e i s w i t h h er p a tch o n her ,

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ey e Cosette w a s the n th i n k i n g t h a t i t wa s e ve n i n l a te i n t h e eve n rr

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t h e ci ste r n .

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th e T h en a r d ie r t a v e n Th e re we re p l e nty of peop l e th ere w ho were
r .

t h i rsty ; b u t i t wa s t h a t k i n d o f th i r t w h i ch re a c h es r a t h e r tow a r ds t he s

J u
g th a n th e p i tc h ix H a d a n body a s k ed t o r a
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c h i l d ha d ra ise d h er h e a d a n d fol l owed a ll he r m ove m en ts A t hi u . . ~

st rea m o f wa te r ra n f ro m t he fa u ce t a n d fi l led t he gl a ss h a l f fu l l , .

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.

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she felt he r he a r t l ea p ing i n t o h e r t h ro a t l i k e a g re a t b a l l S h e cou n t e d .

t he m i nu t es a s t hey t h us r o ll ed a w a y a n d e a gerly w ish ed it w ere m o rn ,

ing . From t i m e t o t i me o n e o f t he d ri n k e rs wo u l d l o o k o u t i n t o t h e .

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stree t a n d e x ela i m :
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c a t t o go a lo n g t h e s t ree t w i t h o u t a l a n t ern t o n i gh t A n d Co se tt e -
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f t of t he d r i n k e r s “ A rn t yo u co m i ng . cri ed t h e Thé n a rd ie sa
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.

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so me d ri o k t o t h i s h orse '

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e m p t y bu ck e t t h a t w a s by t he c h i m n ey corn e r Th e b uck e t wa s l a r ge r - .

t h a n s h e a n d t h e c h i l d cou l d h a ve s a t d o w n i n i t c o i n fh rt a b ly
,
T he .

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‘

wt i h a w o o de n s p oo n gru m bl i n g t he w h i l e “ Th e re i s som e a t t h e
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spr i n g S h e i s t h e w ors t gi rl t h a t eve r wa s I t h i nk t wou l d h a ve bee n
. .

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.

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a lo ng 1 cried t he Thé a a d iess Cose t t e we n t o u t T h e d oo r c l osed
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 CGBETTE.

A D O LL E N T ERS U PO N T H E S CE N E .

Th e row of bo o t h s e x t e n d e d a l o ng t h e s t ree t fro m th e ch u rch th e

‘

re a der w i l l re m em be r a s f a r a s t h e Th en a rd i e r t a ve rn,
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,

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,
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.

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wa s a v isi o n I t w a s j oy sp l e n d or rich es h a pp i n ess a n d i t a p pe a re d

.
, , , ,

i n a sor t of ch i m eri c a l r a d i a n ce t o t h i s u n for t u n a t e l i t t l e bei n g bu ri ed ,

so d eep ly i n a col d a n d d i s m a l m i sery C o se t t e wa s m e a s u ri n g w i t h t h e .

sa d a n d S i m pl e s a a ci t y of ch i l d h ood t h e a byss w h i c h se p a r a t ed h e r fro m

g
-

t h a t d ol l .S h e wa s s a y i n g t o h erse l f t h a t o n e m us t be a q uee n or a t ,

le a s t a pri n ce s t o h a ve a s “ th i ng li ke t h a t S h e g a zed U pon t h i s

, .

be a u t i fu l pi n k d ress t h i s be a u t i fu l s m oo t h ha i r a n d s h e wa s t h i n k i n g
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"
H ow h a ppy m u s t be t h a t d o l l 1 H er eye co u l d n o t t u r n a w a y f ro m
'
t h i s fa n ta s t i c b o t h T he l on g er sh e l ooked t h e m ore s h e w a s d a zzl ed
o . , .

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la rger o n e t h a t a ppe a red t o h e r to be fa i rie s a n d ge n i i T h e me rch a n t .

w a l k i n g to a n d lie i n t he b a c k p a r t of h i s s ta l l s ugges t e d t he E t e rn a l ,

Fa t h er .

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, ,

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h er b a ck t o t he re a l i t y :
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l l o w j a d e h a ve n t you go n e ye t ? H old o u ; , ,
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’ ’
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m on s t e r be o ff !
.

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ec sta sy Cose t t e Hed w i t h her b ucke t , ru n n i n g a s fa s t a s s h e c o uld
.
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0 1 11 1
. A L L A LO N E .
°

A s t h e Th en a rd i e r t a ver n w a s i n t:ha t p a r t of t h e v i l l a ge w hi ch i s n e a r .
-
‘

t h e c h u rc h C ose t t e ha d t o g o t o t he s pri n g i n t h e w ee d s t ow a rds C h e l l es

,

t o d ra w w t e r S h e l ooked n o mo re a t t h e d i spl a ys in t h e boo th s so

a .
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‘
l on g a s sh e w a s i n t he l a n e Bo u l a ng e r ; a n d i n t h e 1 i1 i n i t y o f t he -

c h u rch t he i l l u m i n a t ed s ta lls l igh t ed t h e wa y bu t so o n t h e l a s t g le a m

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fro m t h e l a s t s t a l l d i s a p pe a re d T h e poor c h i ld lo n n d h e rself i n d a rk

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n 13o 1
S h e bec a m e h u r t ed i n i t O n ly a s sh e bec a m e t he p rey o f a .
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cer t a i n se n s a t i on sh e sh o o k t h e h a n d l e o f t he b uck e t a s to u c h a s sh e
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cou l d o n he r W a y T h a t m a de a n oise w h i c h k ep t h e r C o m p a ny T he
.
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fu r t h er s h e w e n t t he t h i c ke r b ec a m e t he d a t k n ess T he re wa s n o
,

lo n ge r a n y body i n t h e s t ree t H o we ve r s he me t a wom a n w h o t urn ed .

,

a t o u n d o n see i n g h er p a ss a n d re m a i n ed m o t i on l es s m u t t eri n g be t w ee n

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h e r t ee t h : h o t s i n t he w m ld c a n t h a t c h i l o be g oi n g ? Is i t a
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p h a n t o m c h i l d ? T h e n t h e wo m a n 1 c c og n ise d Cose t t e Oh sa i d s h e .
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lo se t t e t h us p a ssed t h ro ug h t h e l a by ri n t h o f c rook ed a n d d es erte d
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’

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A s l o ng a s s he ha d h o uses o r e ve n w a l ls o n t he s ides o f t he ro a d s h e , , ,

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,

c a nd l e t h rou g h t he C i nc h s of a s h u t t e r ; i t wa s l ig h t a n d l i fe t o h e r ;
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a d v a n ced l i er s p de d sla c k e n c d a s i f 111ec h a n ic a lly

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t h e c o r n er o f t he l a t h o u se Cose t t e s t o pped To g o beyon d t he l a s t '

s . v
,
.

boo t h ha d lo w d itlieu lt ; t o go fu r t h e r t h a n t h e l a s t h o use be c a m e

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i m po ssi ble S h e p u t t he b uck e t o n t he g rou n d b u ri ed h er h a nd s 1 11 h e r

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,

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co u n t ry ; d a rk a n d d eset t c d s p a ce wa s be fo re h er S h e l ook ed w i t h .

d esp a i r i n t o t h is d a rk n ess w h ere n obody wa s “h ere t h e re we re be a s t s , ,

w here t h 1 e we re pe t h a p s g h os t s S he l ook ed i n t e nse l y a n d s h e h e a rd

e
’

t h e a n i m a ls W a l k i ng i n t h e g l a ss a n d s he d i s t i n c t l y sa w t h e g h os t s
.
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,

m o vi n g i n t he t rees T h e n s he sei zed he 1 b u cke t a ga i u ; fe a r ga ve h e1

.

bol d ness : s a i d s h e I w i l l t e l l h e r t h e re i s n t a n y m ore ,

‘ '

A nd she resol u te l y we n t b a c k i n t o M o n t le rme il

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w a te r .

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e .
g
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b eg a n t o scra t c h h e r h e a d N o w it wa s t he t h t a p pe a re d ,
a

t o h e r ; t he h i deo u s Th é ua rd iess w i t h h e r h ye n a m o u t h a n d w ra t h , ,

fl a sh i n g fro m h er eyes T he c h i l d c a s t a pi t i fu l g l a nc e be fore h e r a n d

‘

b eh i n d h er W h a t cou. l
1
d sh e d o ? W h a t wo u ld beco m e of h er ? W h ere
sh o u l l s h e o ? B e fore h e1 t h e s pec t re h f t he T h e n a t diess ; beh i n d
g ,

11 r a | l t h e p h a n t o m s o f t he n i h t a n d o f t h e lo res t I t w a s a t t he
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,

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a n d beg a n t o r u n S he ra n o u t o f t h e v i l l a ge s h e m u i n t o t h e wood s
.
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seei n g n o t h i n g h e a ri ng n o t hi 11g S h e d i d h o t st op br u n n i n g u n t i l o u t
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. .
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o f b re a t h a n d e ve n t h e u s h e s t a g g e re d o n
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ra t e E ve n w h i l e 1 u n u in
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le us uess of t h e fores t w ra p ped he r a bou t com p le tely S he t h o ugh t n o .

 C O S ETT E .

mor e ; sh e sa w n o t h i n g m ore Th i m me n i ty of n igh t con fron ted t h i s

’

.
e s

l i t t l e c rea t m e O n o n e s i la t h e i n fi n i te sh a d o w ; o n th e o t h e r a n a t o m
. .

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,

11

t o t h e sp i in g Co e tte k ne w th e ro a d from t ra Ve lli n w i t seve ra l t i m e s

s
,

a da y S tra n g e t h i n g sh e d i d n o t l ose he t w y A re m n a n t o f i n s t i n c t
.
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a .

gu i d e d h e r bl i n d ly B u t sh e n e it h e 1 t u r i ed h e r ey es to t he l l ill l n o r
. l i
’

to t h e l eft fo r f a r of seei n g t h i ngs i n t h e t t c es a n d i n t h e bush es

e
.

Th us s he a iri ve d a t t he sp ri n g
,

I t 11 13 a s m a l l n a t u t a l b a in m a d e by t h e w a te r i n t h e l o a m y soi l s , ,

a bou t t w o fe e t d c p su rro u nded w i t h ro w s a nd w i t h t h 1 t l on g: fi g u re d

t
, ,
. :

gr a s c a li e d He n ry Fo m t h s col l a 1 s a n d p a v ed w it h a few l a 1 ge S t o n es
s
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,

a fe w m i n utes a fter w a rd s th e s t a g e s i t o ff for L a gny i t d id n o t t '

1
, ,

o vert a k e h i m i n th e m a i n s treet o f C he l l es T h e d ri 1 e r t u rn ed t o t he ’

- .

i nsi de p a sse n gers : “Th e re, s a i d he “is a m a n w h o does n t bel o n g ,

o

h ere fo r I don t k n ow hi m H e ha s a n a p pe a ra n ce o f n ot h a vin a so n ;

'
, .
cr

’
h o we 1 e r h e d o n t s tick a bo u t m o n ey ; h e p a ys to L a gny a n d h e on ly
, ,
-

goes to C h el l es I t i s n ig h t a ll t h e h o uses a re s h u t h e d o n t go to t h e ’ '

.
, ,

t a ve rn a n d we do n t o ve rta k e him H e m u st t he n h a v e s u n k i n to th e
,
’
.
, ,
” fiq
grou n d .

Th e m a n h a d n o t su n k i ht o t h e gro u n d b u t h e h a d hu i ried r a pidl y i n ,

t h e d a rk n ess a l on g t h e m a i n stree t 0 1 C hel les ; t h en he ha d tu rn ed t o

t h e lef t b e to re re a ch i ng t h e c h u rch i n to t h e c ross ro a d l e a d i n g to M o n t
, ,

fe r me il l i kc o n e w h o k n e w the co u n t ry a n d h a d b ee n t h a t wa y b e fo re
,
.

H e fol lo wed th i s ro a d ra pid ly A t th e s po t w h e re i t i n terse c t s t he o l d .

ro a d bo rd e red w i t h tre s t h a t goes fro m G a gn y t o L a u y h e h e a rd foot

e ct
g ,

s te ps a p pro a ch i n g He co n ce a l ed h i m sel f h a s ti ly i n a d i tch a n d w a i ted

.
,

th e re ti l l th e p eopl e w h o w ere p a ssi n g were a good d is t a n ce o ff Th e .

p rec a ut i o n wa s i n deed a l m ost s u pe rfl uo us fo r a s we h a v e a l re a dy s a i d i t , , ,

w a s a ve ry d a r k De c em b er h ig ht T h e e we re sc a rc e ly tw o o r th ree st a rs .
r

t o b e see n i n th e s ky .

I t is a t t h is poi n t t h a t t h e a scen t of th e h i l l b egi ns Th e m a n d irl n o t .

1

retur n to th e M o n t feri n e il ro a d ; h e tu rn ed to t h e ri gh t a cross th e fi elds , ,

"

a n d g a i n ed th e woods w i th r a pi d strid es W h e n h e re a c he d th e weed .

,

h e sl a c k e n ed h is pa ce a n d b ga n t o loo k c a re fu l ly a t t h e tr ees p a usi n g

,
e
,

a t ev er y ste p a s i f h e were seek in g a n d fol l owi n g a mys t er iou s ro u te

,

k n o w p on ly t o h i m sel f T here wa s a m o m en t w h e n h e a p pe a red to l ose

h i ms e l f, a nd whe n h e st op ped, u n d ec id ed Fi n a l ly h e a rri ved , by c on .
 LES m sfi a a nt ss .

ti n n e l g mp in g a t a g l a de w h ere t h ere w a s a h ea p o f l a rge w h i t ish

,
.

st one s l l e m a d e h i s w a y q u ic k ly t o w a rd s t hese s t on es a n d e x a m i ne d
.
,
‘
t he m w i t h a t t e n t id n i n t he d sk o f t he n i g h t a s if he w e re p a ssi n g t h e m
-
u
,

i n re v i e w A l a rge t ree covered w i t h t h ese e x c reseen c es w h i ch a re t he

.
,

w a r t s of vege ta t i o n wa s a fe w s t e ps fro m t he h e a p of s t on es H e w e n t
, .

t o t h i s t ree a n d p a sse d h i s h a n d o ver t h e b a rk of t he t r u n k , a s i f h e

, ,

w ere seek i n g t o recogn i ze a n d t o cou n t a ll t he w a r ts .

O pposi t e t h i s t ree w h i c h wa s a n a sh t h ere w a s a ches t n u t t ree w oun d ed

, ,

i n t he b a rk w h i ch h a d bee n s ta u n ch ed w i t h a b a n d a ge of zi n c n a i le d o n
,
’
.

H e rose o n t ip t o e a n d t o u c he d t h a t b a n d of zi n c
-
.

T he n h e s t a m ped for so m e t i m e u pon t he g ro u nd i n th e sp a ce b e t wee n

t h e t ree a n d t he s t o n es l i k e o n e w h o w o u l d be s u re t h a t t h e e a r t h h a d
,

n o t bee n fres h ly s t i rred T h i s d o n e h e took h is co u rse , a rid res u m ed h i s

.
,

w a l k t h rough t h e W oods . .

T h is wa s t he m a n w h o ha d fa l l e n i n w i t h Cose t t e .

A s h e m a de h i s wa y t h rou gh t he copse i n t he d i rec t io n of M on t fer

m ei l h e h a d percei ved t h a t l i t t l e s h a do w st ru ggli ng a lo n g w i t h a gro a n
, , ,

se t t i n g h e r bu rde n o n t h e g rou n d t h e n t a k i n g i t u p a n d goi ng on a g a in ,

.

H e h a d a pp ro a c hed h er a n d see n t h a t i t wa s a ve ry you ng c h i l d c a r ryi n g

a n e n orm ous b uck e t o f w a t e r T h e n h e h a d go n e t o t h e c h i l d , a n d .
-

si l en t ly t a ke n h old of t h e h a n d l e of t h e b uck e t .

C O S ET I E S I DR B Y S
‘ ‘
‘
I DE “I T H
'

T lh l ‘
.
UN K NO W N, IN TH E D A R K N E SS .

Cose t t e w e h a ve s a i d wa s n o t a fra id Th e ma n s po ke t o h e r H i s
,
.
,
. .

voi ce wa s seri ous a n d w a s a l m os t a w h i spe r , M y c h i ld t h a t i s v e ry .

,

h e a vy for yo u w h ic h y o u a re c a rryi ng t h ere Cose t t e r a i sed h e r h e a d .

a n d a n swe red : Yes M o n s i eu r ”

G i ve i t t o me t he ma n c on t i n ued
”
,
.
, ,
”
‘
5 I w i l l c a r ry it for y o u Cose t te le t go t he b ucke t T h e ma n w a l k ed . .

a l on g W i l l i h e r
“ I t is v ery h e a vy i nd e e d .
"
s a i d h e t o h i m sel f T h e n ,
.
,
” ” '

h e a d d ed : Li t t l e gi rl h ow old a re yo u 1 E ig h t ye a rs M onsi e u r
, ,
.

“A n d h a ve you c om fa r i n t h i s w a “F ro m t he s ri n g i n t he
e y p
woods “ .A n d a re y ou goi n g fa r Y
”
A good q u a r t e r o f a n h o u r fro m .

”
h e re . T h e m a n re m a i n ed a m om en t w i t ho u t spe a k i n g t h e n h e s a i d .
,

a b rn t l You h a ve n o m o t h er t he n ? ” “ ”
I d o n t k n ow a ns we re d ’ '

p y , ,

t he c h i l d B e fore t he ma n h a d ha d t i mo t e sa y a w ord , sh e a dde d : “I

.
‘

d on t be l iev e I h a v e A l l t h e r est h a ve on e Fo r my p a rt I h a v e n o n e
’
. .
,
.

A n d a fte r a si l e n ce sh e a d ded “ I be l i e v e I n e ver h a d a ny ”

,
.

T h e ma n s t ep ped p u t t h e b u ck e t on t h e grou n d s t e e ped d ow n a n d

'

, ,

pl a ced h i s h a n ds u pon t h e ch i l d s sh ou lders , m a k i n g a n e ffo r t t o loo k a t ’

h er a n d see h er fa ce i n t h e d a rk n ess .

T h e t h i n a n d p un y fa ce o f C os e tt e wa s va gu ely o n tlin ed i n t he livid n

”
ligh t of t he sky W h a t is you r n a m e . C ose t t e I t see m e d a s .

i f t h e ma n h a d a n e l ec t ri c sh ock H e l ook ed a t h e r a g a i n t h e n l e t t i n g .
,

go of h e r s h o u l de rs took u p t h e b u cke t a n d wa iked o n A m o m e nt ,

.

a fter h e a sk ed : Li t t l e gi rl w h e re do yo u l i ve
, A t M o d t fe rmeil, ,
“
Yes M on sie u r
” ” ”
if yo u k n w it I t i s t he re t h a t w e a re go i ng l
o .

'
-
, .

H e ma d e a n o t h e r pa use, t h e n he b e ga n : W h o is it t h a t h a s se n t you
 CO S ETI E
' ‘
.

”
ou t i n to th e w oods a fte r w a t e r a t t h is t i m e of n igh t ? M a da m e T hé
n a 1 d 1er Th e m a n re su m ed w i t h a t on e o f v oi ce w h i ch h e t ried to
re n der i n d i ffere n t b u t m w h i ch t h ere wa s n e ver t h e less a s i n gu la r tre
,
“
m or : W h does sh e do , yo u 1 M a d a m e T h en a rd i e r
a t ? “ Sh e is m y
‘
"

m i st ress s a i d t h e c h i l d “Sh e k ee ps t h e t a ve r n Th e t a ve rn .
,
’

s id
a t h e m a n
“ W el l I a m goi n g t h e re t o l od ge to n igh t
.
S how m e .
,
”
t he wa y . W e a re goi n g t h e 1 c s a id t h e c h i l d ,
.

Th e m a n w a l k ed ve i y fa s t Cose t t e fol l owed h i m w i th ou t di fficu l ty . .

Sh e fe l t fa t i g ue n o m ore F ro m t i m e t o t i me sh e ra ised h er eyes to

.
,

w a 1 ds t h is m a n w i t h a sor t o f t r a n q u i l l i ty a n d i nex pre ssi b l e con fi de n ce .

S he ha d n e t e r bee n t a u g h t to t u r n t ow a rds P 1 o viden c e a n d t o p ra y .

H oweve r sh e fel t i n her boso m som e t h i n g t h a t 1 esemb led h ope a n d Joy,

,

a nd w h i c h rose t ow a rds h e a ve n .

A fe w m i n u tes p a sse d T h e m a n spok e : “Is t h ere n o serv a n t a t

'

M d me
a a T h e n a rdi er s “ l
N o i o n sieu r ’ ” “ A re y ou “ Yes,1
.
,

M o nsi eu r Th e re w a s a n o t he r i n t erv a l of si l e nce Cose t t e r a ised her .

v oi ce : “ Th a t i s t h ere a re t w o li t t lb g i rl s ” “ W h a t l i t t le gir ls ?
”
.
,
“P o n in e a n d Z e l m a ” T h e c h i l d s i m pl i fied i n t h i s w a y t h e rom a n t i c
.

n a m es d e a r to t h e m o t h er “ W h a t a re I o n in e a n d Z el m a.
“Th ey ’

”
a re M a d a m e Th e n a rd i er s you n g l a d i es yo u m i gh t sa
y h er d a u gh t ers
’
.
,
"
A n d w h a t d o t h ey d o O h 1 sa i d t h e ch i l d t h ey h a v e b ea u ti ,
s

fu l d ol l s t h i n gs w h ich t he re s go l d i n ; t h ey a re fu l l o f b usi ness

’

,
Th ey .

p l a y t h ey a m use t h e m se l ves
,
”
A l l d a y l on g ? ”
Yes M on si e u r
.
”
, ,
.

“A n d y o u i ” ’
M e ! I w ork A l l d a y lon g ? ”
T h e ch i l d r a ised
.
' '

h en la rge eyes i n w h i ch t h ere w a s a t e a r w h i c h co ul d n o t be see n i n t he

, ,

“
d a rk ness ; a n d a n swered so ft l y : Yes M o nsie u r ”
S h e con t i n u ed a f ter ,
.

a n i n t erv a l of si l e nce : S om e t i m es w h e n I h a v e fi n i sh ed my work a n d , ,

”
t h ey a re wi l l i ng I a m use m ysel f a lso , H o w d o yo u a m use your .

se l ?f
” “ Th e best I c a n T hey let me a l on e B u t I h a ve n o t m a n y. .

l a y t h i n gs P o ni n e a n d Z el m a a re n o t w i l l i n g fo1 m e t o p l a y w i th
p .

t h e i r d ol ls I h a ve o n l y a l i t t l e l e a d sword n o t l on ger t h a n t h a t , .

T h e ch i ld sh owed h e r l i t t le fi n ge r “ A n d w h i c h d oes n o t c u t Yes, . .

“
M on sie u r s a id t h e ch i l d i t cu t s l e tt u c e a n d fl i es h e a ds ” '
’
.
, ,

Th ey re a ch ed t h e v i l l a ge ; Cose t t e gu ided t he s t r a n ger t h rough the

s t ree t s They p a ssed by t h e b a k ery b u t Cose t te d i d n o t t h i n k of t he
.
,

b re a d t h a t sh e wa s t o h a ve broug h t b a ck Th e m a n q u es t i on ed h er n o .

mo r a n d n o w m a i n t a i ne d a m o u rn fu l s il en ce
e
,
W h en t h ey h a d p a sse d .

t h e c h u rch t h e m a n seei n g a ll t h ese boo t h s i n t h e s t ree t a sked Cose tt e :

, ,
” ”
I s it fa i r t i m e h ere i -
No M onsi eu r i t i s C h r is t m a s , , .

As t h ey d re w ne a r t h e t a v ern Cose t t e t i m id l y t ou ch e d his a rm

.
,
.
'

“ M on sie u r ? ” “W h a t m y c h i l d 2”
‘

”
He re we a re close Ly t he h ouse
,
. .

W el l l” .
“ W i l l y ou le t m e t a k e t he b ucke t n ow “ W h a t fio r ?
Beca use i f M a d a m e sees t h a t a n ybody b rough t i t fo r m e she wi ll
, ,
”

f
be a t m e T h e ma n g a ve h e r t h e bu cke t A mom en t a fter t h ey we .

a t t h e doo r of t he c h o p house -
.
 LE S M I S fi R A BLES .

VIII .

I N OO N V EN I EN C E O F E N T E RTA I N I N G A P OO R M AN W HO IS P ER H A PS
R ICH .

Cose t te cou l d n o t h el p c a s t i n g o n e l ook t ow a rds t h e gra n d d o ll s t i l l '

‘

d isp l a yed i n t h e -to y sh op t h en s h e r a pped Th e d w r open ed Th e

-
,
. .

Th e n a rd iess a p pe a red w i t h a c a n d le i n h e r h a n d
'

“O h ! it i s you y o u l i t t l e b egg a r l Lud a m a ssy ! y o u h a v e t a k e n

,
'

- -

” ”
y ou r t i me ! sh e h a s bee n pl a y i n g t he we n ch l
‘
M a d a m e s a i d Cc , ,

t re mb l i n g
“ h ere i s a ge n t l e m a n w h o i s com i n g t o l od ge The
se t t
c
, , \

The n a rd iess vc ry q u i ck ly re pl a ced h er fierce a ir by h e r a m i a b l e gri m a ce ,

a ch a nge a t si g h t pecu l i a r t o i n n k eepers a n d look ed fo r t h e n e w co m

’

-
er ,
-

wi t h e a ger eyes : ti
“I s i t M o nsie u r ? ” sa i d sh e “Y es M a d a me a n sw ered th e m a n .
, , ,

to uc h i ng h i s h a t R i c h t ra vel le rs a re n o t so pol i t e T h i s g es t u re a n d
. .

’
t h e si g h t o f t h e s t r a nge r s cos t u m e a n d b a gga ge w h i c h t h e Th e n a rd ie ss '

a ssed i n rev i e w a t a gl a n c e m a d e t h e a m ia b l e g ri m a ce d is a p p ea r a n d
p
t he fier ce a i r i s a ppe a r S h e a d ded d ri l y : E n te r good m a n
‘
- .
,
.

“ ”
T h e good m a n e ntered Th e T hen a rd iess c a s t a secon d gl a n ce a t .

h im, e x a mi n ed p a r t icu l a rly h i s lo n g co a t w h i c h w a s a bsol u t ely t h re a d

'

b a re a n d h i s h a t w h i c h wa s so m ew h a t b rok e n a n d w i t h a n od a w i n k
, , , , ,

a n d a t u rn o f h er n ose c ons u l t ed h er h usb a n d w h o w a s s t i l l d ri n k i n g

, ,

w i t h t h e w a gon ers T h e h usb a n d a n swe red by t h a t i m perce p t i bl e sh a ke

.

'

of t h e forefi nger w h i ch s u ppor ted by a p ro t rusi on o t t h e l i ps si g n i fies

, ,

i n su c h a c a se : “ com ple t e des t i t u t io n U po n t h i s t h e T hen a rdiess .

,

e x cl a i med : “A h ! m y bra ve ma n I a m v e ry sorry b u t I h a v e n o

'

, ,

oom ” “ P ut m w h e re w i l l s i d t h m “ i n t h e g a rre t i n t h e
r . e yo u a e n
a , , ,

s ta ble I w i l l p a y a s i f I a d roo m
. h a
“ For ty sous ” “ For t y sous . . .

W el l “ I n a d v a n ce For t y sous w h i spered a w a gon e r t o t h e T h e

. .
,

n a rd iess b u t it i s on ly w n y sou s
t e t “ I t i s fo rt y so n s for h i m re
, ,
.

l i ed e T h c n a rd ic ss i n t h e s a m e t on e I d on t l odge poor peop l e for

’
p t h .
.

l ess “ T h a t i s t rue ”
a dd ed h er h usb a n d sof t l y “ i t ru i n s a h ouse to
.
, ,
”
h a ve th is sor t of peop le .

hilc t he ma n a f ter l e a v i n g h i s s t i ck a n d b u n d l e on a b en c h
, ,

h a d sea t c d h i msel f a t a t a b le o n w h i c h Cose t t e h a d b ee n q u i ck t o p l a ce

.

a bot t l e of w i ne a n d a gl a ss T h e p ed l a r w h o h a d a sk ed for t h e bu ck e t
.
,
'

of w a t er h a d gone h i m se l f t o c a rry i t t o h i s h orse Cose tt e h a d re ‘

.
,

s u m ed her p la c e u n de r t he k i t ch e n t a bl e a n d h e r k n i t t i n g .

Th e ma n w h o h a rd l y t ou c h ed h i s l i ps t o t he w i n e l1e h a d pou red o u t,

'

'

wa s con te m pl a t i ng t h e c h i l d w i t h a s t r a n ge a t t en t i on .

Cose t te wa s ugl y H a ppy sh; m i gh t perh a p s h a ve b een pre t ty

.
, , , .

W e ha ve a l re a d y sk e t ch ed t h i s l i t t le pi t i fu l fa ce Cose t te wa s t h i n a n d .

p a le
; sh e w a s n e a rly eigh t ye a rs o ld b u t o n e wou l d h a rd l y ha ve t h oug h t ,

h er si x H er l a rge eyes s u n k i n a sor t o f sh a d ow were a l mos t pu t ou t

.
, ,

b y con ti n u a l weep i ng T h e corn ers of h er m ou t h h a d t h a t c u rve o f

.

h a bi tu a l a n g u ish w h i ch i s see n i n t h e condem ned a n d i n t h e h opelessly

,

s ick H er h a n ds w ere a s he r m o t h er h a d g uessed

.
,
covered w i t h c h i l ,

b l a i ns The l i gh t of t he fi re w h i ch wa s sh i n i n g upon h er , m a d e her

.
,

b ones s ta nd o u t a n d ren dered h er t h i n n ess fe a rfu l ly v isi bl e As she ‘

,
.

wa s a l w a ys sh i ve ri n g, sh e ha d a cqui red t he h a b i t of d ra wi ng her k nee s

 CO S E T T E .

t o get h e1 . w h ole d ress wa s n ot h i ng b u t a ra g wh i ch w ou l d ha ve

H e1 ,

e xci t ed pi ty i n th e su m me r a n d w h i c h e xci te d h o n o r i n t h e w i n te r .

S h e h a d o n n oth i n g b u t cot ton a n d t h a t fu l l o f h ol e s ; n o t a ra g of

tD ,

w ool l e n H er sk i n sh o wed h ere a n d t h e 1 e a n d bl a ck a n d bl u e s p ot s ,

cou l d be d i s t i ng ui sh ed w h i c h i n d ic a ted th e p la ces w h ere th e Th e n a rd iess

,

h a d touch ed h e 1 Her n a k ed l egs we re 1 c d a n d rough T h e h ol l ow s

. .

u n d e r h e r col l a r bon es w o ul d m a k e o n e w ee p T h e w h ol e p erso n o f .

th i s c h i l d h er g a i t h er a tti tud e th e sou n d of h e r v oi ce t h e i n te rva ls

, , , , .

betwee n on e w ord a n d a n o t h er h er l ook s h e r si le n ce , h e r le a s t mo t i on , , ,

e x pressed a n d u ttered a si n g le i d e a : fe a r .

Fe a r w a s s p re a d a ll o ve r h e r ; sh e w a s so to sa y covered wi t h i t ; fe a r , ,

d re w b a ck h e r e l bows a g a i n s t h e r si des d re w h e r h eel s u n de r h e r sk i rt, ,

m a d e h e r t a k e th e l e a s t p ossi bl e roo m pre ven ted h e r f 1 o u1 b re a th i n g ,

more th a n w a s a bso l u tely n ecess a ry a n d h a d bec om e w h a t mi gh t b e ,

c a l l ed h e 1 bod i l y h a bi t w i t h ou t possi bl e v a ri a t i o n e x cep t of i n cre a se

, , .

There wa s i n th e d ept h o f h e r eye a n ex pressi o n o t a sto n i sh m e n t m i n

gled wi th te 1 ror .

T h i s fe a r wa s suc h th a t o n co m i n g i n a ll wet a s she W a s Coset te , , ,

h a d n ot d a red go a n d d ry h e rsel f by th e fi re b u t h a d gon e si len t ly t o ,

h e r w ork .

'

Th e e x p ress i on of th e cou n ten a n ce o f th i s ch i l d of ei gh t ye a rs wa s

h a b i tu a l ly so sa d a n d so m eti m es so tr a gi c a l t h a t i t see med a t cert a i n , ,

m o me n ts a s i f sh e were i n t h e w a y t r be co m i n g a n i d i ot or a de m o n
, .

N e ve r a s we h a ve s a i d h a d sh e k n ow n u h a t i t i s to p ra y n e ve r h a d she
, , ,

se t foot w i th i n a c h a i c h
, H o w c a n I sp a t e t h e ti m e ? s a i d t h e The ’

n a rdiess .Th e m a n i n th e ye l l ow co a t d i d n ot t a k e h i s eyes f1 o m Co

sette S udde n l y th e Then a rd iess e x cl a i me d :

.
“ O h ! I forgo t ! th a t
,
”
b rea d l Cose tte a c om d in g t o h er cu sto m w h en ev e r th e Th e n a rdiess
’

, r

r a ised h e r voi ce spr a n g o u t u ic kly fro m u n d e r t h e t a bl e S h e h a d en

,
.

t i 1 e ly forgot t e n th e bre a d S h e h a d reco u rse to t h e ex p ed ien t p f ch i l

. .

d re n w h o a re a l w a y s terri fied S he l ied “ M a d a me th e b a k er wa s

’
. .
,

sh u t ” “ Yo u o ug h t to h a ve k n ock e d ”
I d i d k n o ck M a d a m e ,
.

“l Vell ! ” “H e d i d n t ope n ” “I l l fi n d o u t to morro w i f t h a t is

.

’ ’
.

tru e s a i d th e T h e n a rd iess “a n d i f you m e lyi n g yo u w i l l le a d a

,
”
, ,

re tty d a n ce M e a n ti m e gi ve m e b a ck t h e fifteen s ous p i ece Co

p .
, C
.

sette pl u nge d h er h a n d i n to h er a pro n pock et a n d t u rned w h i te The , .

'

fi ftee n sous pi ece w s n ot th ere

a
“ m
”
Co e s i d a t h e T h e n a rd i ess
“didn t ’
.
, ,
”
yo u h e a r m e 7 Cosette t u rn ed h er pock e t i n si d e o u t ; th e re wa s n o
th i n g t h ere W h a t cou ld h a ve beco m e of t h a t m on ey ? Th e l i ttle u n
.

fortu n a te cou l d n ot u tte r a w ord S h e w a s pe tri fied H a ve yo u l os t .

“
.

”
i t , th e fi ft ee n sous p i ece ? scre a med t h e T e h n a r d iess or d o you w a n t ,

t o ste a l i t fro m m e A t th e s a m e ti m e sh e re a ch ed h e r a rm tow a rd s

th e cow h i d e h a n gi n g i n th e ch i m n ey corn er 1 h i s me n a ci n g mo ve me n t .
'

g a v e Co e t te th e stren gth to cry ou t : Forgi ve me M a d a m e ! M a d a me !

s
,
”
I w on t d o so a n y more
’ l T h e Then a rd iess took d ow n th e w h i p
. .

M e a n w h i le th e ma n i n t h e ye l l ow co a t ha d been fu m bl i ng 1 0 h is w a is t
co a t pocket w i t h ou t bei n g n o t i ced T h e ot h er tra ve l lers were d ri n k i n g
,
.

'
o r p l a y i n g c a rd s, a n d p a id n o a tte n t i on to a ny th i n g .

Cosette wa s w ri th i ng w i t h a n gu i sh i n th e ch i mn ey corn er t ryi n g to -

,

g a th e r u p a n d h i de h er poor, h a lf na k ed li mb s The Then a rdiess r a ise d .

he r a rm .
 Lss M I S ER A BLBS
‘

I beg y o u r p a rd on M a d sa i d t h e ma n a me ,
a t I j us t n ow sa w ,
‘

so m et h i n g ta l l ou t of t h e po cke t of t h a t l i t tl e gi rl s
'

n a n d rol l a w a y .

T h a t ma y be it A t t he s a m e t i me h e stooped dow n a n d a p pe a red to

'

“
se a rc h o n t h e floor for a n i nst n t
a J ust so h e re i t is sa id h e risi ng .
, , , .

A n d he h a n de d a s i l ver p iece to t h e The n a rd ie ss Y es t ha t i s i t , .

,

S a i d s he .

Tha t w a s n ot i t for i t wa s a t wen ty so u s p i ece b ut th e T h e n a rd iess

, ,

fo u nd h e : profi t i n i t S h e p u t th e p i ece i n h e r pock e t a n d co nte n ted

?

l1e 1 se lf w i t h c a sti ng a fe roci o u s l oo k a t th e c h i l d a n d sa y i ng :

.
Do n t
l et t h a t h a ppe n a ga i n e ve 1 Cose t te we n t b a ck t o wh t t h e l h e n a r
, .
a
'

“ ”
h er h ol e a n d h e r l a rge eye fi xed u pon t h e u n k n ow n
d i e ss c a l l ed , ,

t ra vd le r beg a n t o a ss u me a n e x p ressi o n t h a t i t h a d n eve r k n o w n before

, .

I t w a s sti l l on ly a n a rtless a sto n is h m e n t b u t a sort of b l i n d con fiden ce ,

‘

wa s a ssoci a ted w i th i t .

“O h ! o u w a n t s u pper a sk ed th e Th en a rd iess of th e t r a vel le r

y .

H e d i i n o t ns wer H see ed to be th i n k i ng d ee pl y
m “ W h o is th a t
a e .
_ .

ma n s a i d sh e betwee n h er teet h “ I t i s so m e fri g h t fu l p a u per H e . .

'

h a s n t a p e n n y fo r h i s s u ppe r Is h e go i ng t o pa y me for h i s l odgi n g

’
.

’
o n ly I t 1s very l uc k y a n y w a y th a t h e d id n t t h i n k to s te a l t h e 111 0
, ,
”
n ey th a t w a s o n t h e floor .

A d oor n o w open ed a n d E pon i n e a n d A zel m a c a m e i n T h ey w e re

, .

re a l ly t wo p retty l i tt l e gi rls r a the r c i t y g i 1 l s t h l l] pe a s a n t s ve ry c h a r m

, ,

i n g o n e w i th h e r we l l pol ish ed a ub u rn t re sses t h e o th er w i t h he i l on g

, ,

b l a c k br a ids fa l l i n g d o w n h e r b a c k a n d bo t h so l i vel y n e a t p l u m p , , , ,

fresh a n d h e a l thy th a t i t w a s a p l e a s u re to see th e 11 Th ey w ere

,
. .

W a r ml y cl a d b u t w i th s uc h ma te rn a l a rt th a t t h e th i c k n ess o f t h e st u d
, ,

d e tra c t ed n oth i n g fro m t he c oq ue try of t h e fi t i n te r w a s prov i d ed .

a g a i ns t w i th ou t e ffa ci n g spri ng These tw o l i ttle gi rl s s h ed l i gh t a l o u n d

.

th em . M oreove r, th ey we re regn a n t I n t h e i r toi l e t i n t h e i r g a i ety .

, ,

i n th e n oi se th ey m a de th ere wa s so x ereig n ty ,
W h e n t h ey e n te red .
,

t he T he n a rd iess s a i d to th e m i n a scol d i n g tone w h i ch wa s fu ll of a dor a ,

t i on : A h y o u a re he re th en yo u c h i ldre n
.
, ,
.

T h e n t a k i ng th em u po n h e r k nees o n e a fter th e o the 1 smo o th in g

, ,

t h e i r h a i r ty i ng o ve r t h ei r ri bbons a n d fi n a l l y l ett i ng t h e m go w i t h
, , 0

t h a t g e n tle sort o f sh a k e w h i ch i s pecu li a r to mot he 1 s : A re t h ey d ow ‘

d ies ! ”
T h ey we n t a n d sa t d ow n by t he fi re Th ey ha d a d ol l w h i c h
t h ey tu rn ed b a ck w a rds a n d forw a rd s U po n th e i r k n ees w i th ma ny p re tty
p ra ttl i n gs Fro m ti me to ti me Cosette r a i sed h e r eyes fro m h er k n i t ,
'
-1

t i n g a n d l ook ed s a d ly a t t h e m a s th ey we re p l a y i ng
,
.

E pon i ne a n d Azel ma d i d n ot n oti ce Cosette l o t h e m sh e w a s l i ke

C .

t h e dog . T h ese th ree l i ttl e g i rl s coul d n ot cou n t tw en ty fou r yéa 1 s -

“
a mon g th e m a ll a n d th ey a h ea d y rep rese n ted a ll h u ma n soc iety , o n
,

o n e sid e e n vy on t he o t h e i d isd a i n
,
.

Th e d ol l of th e T h e n a rd i e r siét ers wa s very mu ch fa ded a n d very ol d ,

a n d brok e n , b u t i t a ppe a red n on e t he less wo n der fu l t o Cosette w h o ,

h a d n ever iii h er l i fe ha d a d ol l , a r ea l d o ll, t o use a n e x p ressi on t h a t

a ll ch i l d re n w i l l u n d ers t a n d .

A l l a t once th e Thena rd iesla w h o wa s co nt i n u a l ly goi n g a n d comi ng

, ,
’

a bout th e roo m n oticed th a t Cosette s a t t en t ion wa s d istr a cted a n d th a t

’ '

, ,

i n s t ea d of work i ng sh e wa s b usied w ith th e l i t tle gi rls w h o we re p l a y

A h l I ve c a ugh t you cri ed sh e “Th a t i s t h e wa y yen work !
’
.

I ll ma ke yo u work wi th a cow h i de, I w i l l

’ '

.
 LES u rsfi a a a ia s .

a nd c h a r mi n g l a n gu a ge o f ch i l d ren t h e g ra ce of w h i ch l i k e th e spl e n , ,

d o r o f t he b u t te rfl y s w i n g s esc a pes w h e n we t ry t o preserve it

’
.
,

o k si s e h i d ol l i s 1110 10 a mus i n She

L ! l k t t g t h a n t he o t he r
°

o e r a
, ,
s .

mo ves she c ri es sh e is w a 1 111

,
Co m e siste r let us pl a y w i t h h e r S h e
,
. .
. .

’
sh a ll b e my l i t t le gi rl ; I w i l l be a l a d y I l l com e to see you a n d y o u .
,

m us t l o k a t h e r o By a n d by yo u m us t see h e r w h i sk e rs a n d yo u m us t
.
,

b e s u rprised A n d t h e n yo u m us t see h er e a rs a n d t he n you m us t see

.
,
t

h e r t a i l a n d t h a t w i l l a st o rfi h y o u
'

,
A n d yo u m us t shy t o m e : O h ! s
‘

my s ta rs ! a n d I w i l l sa y t o y o u : Yes ma d a n 1e it i s a l i t tl e g i rl t h a t
’
‘
, .

I h a ve l i ke t h a t ’
Li t t l e g i rl s-a re l i k e t h a t n o w
. 0 .
’

Azel ma l i s te n ed t o E po n i ne w i t h w o n d er M e a n wh i le t h e d ri n k ers ,

we re si n g i ng a n obsce n e so ng a t w h i c h t h ey l a u g hed e n ou g h t o sh a k e ,

t h e roo m T he n a rd i er e n co u r a ged a n d a cco m p a n i ed t h e m

. .
‘

A s bi rds m a k e a n es t of a ny t h i n g c h i ld re n m a k e a dol l o f n o ma tt e r
“
,
’
wl1a t . hilc E pon i ne a n d A z el m a we re d ressi n g u p t h e c a t C ose t t e , ,

fo r h e r p a r t ha d d ressed u p t he sw m d
, T h a t d o n e s he h a d la i d it u po n .
,

h e r a rm a n d wa s s i ngi n g i t soft ly t o slee p

,
.

T he d ol l i s o n e of t h e m os t i m peri ous n ecessi t ies a n d a t t h e sa m e ,

t i m e on e of t h e m os t c l1a r111in g i ns t i nc ts o f fe m a l e ch i l d h ood To c a re .

for to c lo t h e t o a d orn t o d ress t o u nd ress t o d ress over a ga i n to t e a ch

, , , , , , ,

t o scol d a l i t t l e t o rock t o c ud dle t o p u t t o sl ee p t o i m a g i n e t h a t som e

, , ,
i
,

t h i n g 18 som ebody — a ll t he fu t u re o f w om a n i s t h ere

c
Eve n w h i l e mu .

si n g h n d ra t t l i n g w h i le m a k i n g l i t t l e w a r d robes a n d l i t t le ba h cl o t h es
p , y ,

w h i l e sew i n g l i t t l e d re sses l i t t l e b o dd ic c s a n d l i t t l e j a cke t s t he ch i l d , , ,

b ec omes a l i t l e g i rl t he l i t t le g i 1 l beco m es a g re a t g i zl t he g lw
t
, e i t,
g i r l ,

b eco me a wo m a n s T h e fi rs t b a by t a kes t h e p l a ce o f t he l a s t d ol l A
. .

li t t l e g i rl w i t h o u t a d l l 1s a l mos t a s u n for t u n a te a n d q u i t e a s i m possi ble

u

a s a wo m a n w i t h ou t ch i l d re n Cose t te ha d t h ere fore m a de a d ol l of her .

a w a rd .

T he T he n a rd ic ss o n her p a r t a ppro a c h ed t he y llo w 1111 1 11

,
My ,
e .

h u sb a n d is rig h t t h o ug h t s h e ; i t ma y he M o nsi e u r La fli t te Som e

"
,
.
~

"
r i c h m e n a re so odd .

S h e c a m e a n d re ted he r el bow on t h e ta bl e a t w h i c h h e wa s si t t i ng
s .

"
M on sie u r s a i d s h e ,

A t t h is word Mo n sie u r t he ma n t u r n e d T h e The n a rdiess h a d c a l led

,
.

hi m before on ly b r a ve j l llo w o r g o d ma n . o . .

“You see M o nsie u r " sh e p u rs ued p ut t i n on h er s wee t es t l ook

, , g , ,
wh i c h wa s s t i l l 111o 1 c u n e n d u ra hlc h a n l1e le 1 1 1 o
t 1 i us a
“
m r ne r I a m
i °
1
,

v e ry w i l l i n g t h e ch i l d s h o u ld p la y, I a m n o t opposed t o it ; it i s we l l to r
O nc e b ec a use y ou a re ge n ero us
,
Bh t yo u see sh e i s poo r ; s h e m us t .
,

W ork T h e ch i l d 1 1 n o t you rs t he n 1”
a sk ed t h e ma n 1
“ O h d ea r ! .
,
. .

n o,
M onsi e u r '
I t i s a l i t t l e p a u pe r t h a t w e h a v e t a k e n i n t h rou g h
c h a ri t y A sor t of i m beci le c h i l d S h e m u s t h a ve 11 a t er o n h er b r a i n
. . .

H e r h e a d 13 big a s y u see W e d o a ll we c a n to r h er, b u t we a re n o t

,
o .

rich W e w 1 i te i n r at i o t o h e r co u n t ry ; for s i x m o n t h s we h a t e h a d n o
'

a nswer W e t h i n k t h a t h e r m o t h e r m us t be d e a d
.
“ ”
A h ! s a i d t he .

ma n a n d h e fel l ba k i n t o h i s 1 e ve ry “T h is me t het wa s n o gre a t

c
, .

t h i n gs a d ded t he T he n a 1 d iess
’ “S h e a b a nd on ed her c h i l d .
,
.

Du ri ng a ll t h is c o n ve i sa tio n Cose tte a s i f a n i ns t i n c t ha d w a rn ed h er , ,

t h a t t h ey were t a lk i ng a bou t h e r h a d n o t ta k e n h e r eyes fro m t he Th e ,

Sh e list e ned S h e h e a rd a few wordsh e re a n d t he re . .

 COS E TT E .

M e a n wh i le t h e d ri nk e rs a ll t h ree q u a r ters d ru nk w e re repe a t i ng t h ei r

,
-

fou l ch orus w i t h red oubled g a ie t y I t wa s h igh ly sp i ce d w i t h j es ts i n .

,
'

w h i ch t he n a m es o f t he V i rg i n a n d t h e c h i l d J e s u s w ere o fte n h e a rd
, .

Th e T hen a rd iess h a d g o n e t o t a k e h er p a r t i n t he h i l a ri t y Cose t te , .

u nder th e t a bl e wa s l ook i ng i n t o t h e fir e, w h i ch w a s r e flec t e d fro m her

,

fi x ed eye ; sh e w a s a g t h e sor t of ra g b a b y t h a t sh e ha d m a de ,

a n d a s s h e rocked i t n a lo w voice : M y m o t her is de a d ! my -

”
m o t her i s de a d ! my dea d l ‘

A t t h e re pe a t ed o f t he h os te ss t h e ye l l ow ma n , “the
”
m i l l i on a i re fi n a l l y ,
t o su p
“W hart w ill M on ‘
Som e bre a d a n d ch eese s a id th e ’
,
”
ma n . Deci ded ly h e i s a be gg a r t h ough t t he The n a rd ic ss
, , .

Th e re v el le rs co n t i n ued to si ng t h ei r songs a n d t h e c h i ldp u n der th e , .

t a bl e a lso sa ng h er s
. .

A l l a t on ce Cose t te s t opped Sh e h a d j us t t u rn ed a n d see n th e l i ttle

.

Th e n a rd iers d ol l w h i ch t h e y h a d fors a k e n for t h e c a t a n d l eft on t he

’ ‘
,

floor a fe w s t e p s fro m t h e k it ch e n t a b l e T h e n sh e let t h e b u n d led u p

, i
.
-

sw ord t h a t o n l y h a l f s a t i s fied her fa ll a n d ra n h er eyes sl owly a rou nd

, , ,

t he roo m T h e Th e n a rd ies w a s wh i spe ri n g t o h er h usb a n d a n d cou n t

.
s

i n g som e m oney E poni n e a n d A zel m a were p l a y i n g w i t h t h e c a t; t he

,

t r a ve l lers were e a ting o r d ri n k i n g or si n gi n g n obody w a s look i ng a t h er , .

'

S h e h a d n o t a n io m c n t t o lose S h e c rep t o u t from u n d er t h e t a bl e o n .

h e r h a nds a n d k n ees m a de s u re on ce m ore t h a t n obody wa s w a tch i n g

,

h e r t h e n d a r ted q u ick ly t o t h e dol l a n d sei zed i t A n i n sta n t a fte r

, ,
.

'

w a rds sh e w a s a t h e r p la c e se a t ed m e t io n less o nly t u rned ia suc h a , ,

-
,
'

w a y a s t o k eep t h e d ol l t h a t s h e h e l d i n h er a rm s i n t h e sh a dow The . .

h a pp i ness of p l a y i ng w it h a dol l wa s so r a re t o h er t h a t i t h a d a ll t he
v i ol e nce of r a p t u re .

Nobody h a d see n h e r e xcep t t he t ra vel l er w h o wa s sl owl y e a t i ng his

, ,

m e a g re su ppe r T h i s j oy l a s ted for n e a rl y a q u a r t e r of a n h ou r

.
'
.

’
B u t i n spi t e of Co se t t c s p r ec a u t i ons s h e d i d n o t percei ve t h a t one o f ,

t h e d ol l s fee t st u c k o u t a n d t h a t t he fi re of t h e fi re p l a ce l i g h ted i t u p
'
-
,

v ery v iv id ly The rosy 11 n d l u m i n o us foo t w h i c h p ro t r uded fro m t he

.
'

sh a d ow s udde n ly c a ugh t A z elm a s ( ye a n d sh e s a i d t o Epo n in c : “Oh ’

,
”
s is ter I
T he t wo l i t t l e gi rl s st op ped stu p efie d ; Cose t te h a d d a re d t o ta k e th e dol l !
,

E pon i n e g o t u p a n d w i t h ou t l e t t i n g go o f t h e c a t wen t t o h er mo t h er
a n d beg a n t o p u l l a t h er s h i i t
“,

Le t m e a l one s a i d t h e m o t her ;
.
”
.
,
,

“w h a t d o you w a n t ? ” “ M o t h er s a i d t h e ch i l d “ ook t h ere ” A n d

, l ,
.

sh e poi n t e d a t Cose t t e .

Cose t t e w h ol ly a bsorbed i n t h e e cs ta sy o f h e r possessi on , sa w a nd

,

h e a rd n o t h i n g e lse .

The fa ce o f t h e Then a rdiess a ssu m ed t h e pecul i a r ex pressi on w h i ch is

com posed of t he t e rri fi c m i ngl ed w i t h t he com m on pl a ce a n d w h ich ha s -
,
‘
gi ve n t h i s cl a ss o f wom e n t he n m e of furies Th i s t me w ou n d ed pri d e
a
i
.

e x a sper a t ed h er a nger s t i l l m ore Cose t te ha d l e a ped ove r a ll ba rriers . .

"
Cose t t e ha d l a i d h e r h a n ds o pe n t h e dol l of t h ose y ou n g l a di es A .

c z a ri n a w h o h a d see n a mu gic k t ryi n g on t h e gra nd cord on of her i m p e

r i a l son woul d h a v e h a d t h e s a m e ex p ress ion S he c ri ed wi th a voi ce .

h a rsh w i t h i n d ign a t i on
Co se t te
 Lss u rsfi a a nt ss .
‘

Cose t te sh uddered a s i f t he ea r t h ha d q u a k ed be n ea t h h er » .

tu rn ed a ro u nd . C ose t t e repe a t e d t he T he n a rd iese C ose t te

.

t he d ol l a n d pl a ced i t g e n t l y o n t he fl oo r w i t h a k i n d o f v e n e ra t i o n
”

mi ngled w i t h desp a i r T he n w i t ho u t ta k i n g a w a y h e r eyes sh e j oi n ed

.
, ,

h e r h a nds a n d w h a t 13 frigh t l ul t o t el l 1n a c h i ld of t h a t a ge
, ,

t he m ; t h e n w h a t n on e o f t he e m o t ion s of t he da y ha d d ra w n fro m
,

n ei t her t he r u n i n t h e w ood n or t he weigh t of t h e bu ck e t of w a t er n o r

, ,

t he l o ss a t t he m on ey n or t h e sig h t of t h e c owh i de n or e ve n t h e s t er n
, ,

w ords s he ha d h e a rd from t he Th e n a rd iess sh e b u rst i n t o t e a rs She , .

sobbed . M e a n w h i le t he t ra vel ler a ro se “ W h a t is t he m a t t e r 7 ”

sa i d . .

”
Don t y o u see 7 s a i d t h e Then a rdiess p oi n t
’
h e t o t he Th en a pd ic ss .
,

i ng w i t h h er fi nge r t o t h e co pr u s ( Ic l u l t ly i n g t C ose te 8 fee t

a t “ W ell,
'

“
.

“”
w h a t is t h a t 3 sa i d t h e ma n
“ T h a t be gg a r a nswe red t h e Th e
.
,

“ “
,

”
h
’
na rd e i s s ,
h a s d a red t o t o u ch t e ch i ld re n s dol l A l l t h is n oi se .

a bou t t h a t s a id t he m a n W el l w h a t i f s h e d i d p l a y w i t h t h a t
. .

dol l ? ” “ ”
Sh e ha s t ou ch e d i t w i t h h e r d i r t y h a n d s ! con t i n ued t he
Then a rdi ss “ w i t h her h orri d h a n ds ! ”
IIere Cose t te red ou bled her
,

nobs .
“ B e sti l l " cri ed t he Then a rd iess
. .

The ma n w a l ked s t r a i gh t t o t h e s t ree t d oor O pe ned it a n d we n t o u t , ,

.

As soon a s h e h a d go n e t h e Th c n a rd iess pro fi te d by h is a bse n ce t o

,
.

i ve Cose t t e u n d e r t h e t a bl e a se ve re k ick w h i c h m a d e t h e c h i l d s h riek

g ,
.

The d oor opened a ga i n a n d t he ma n re a ppe a red h ol d i n g i n h i s

, ,

h a nds t he fa bu l ou s dol l o f w h i c h w e h a ve spok e n a n d w h i ch h a d bee n .

,

t he a d m i ra ti o n o f a ll t h e m u n g ste rs of t h e \ i lla ge si n ce m o t n i n g , h e
st ood i t u p be fore Cose t t e s a yi ng He re t h is i s fo r you
’
, ,
.

I t i s prob a bl e t h a t d u ri ng t he t i me h e h a d bee n t h e r e— m ere t h a n a n

h o u r—i a t h e m ids t o f h i s revc ry h e ha d c a u g h t con fused g l i m pses of ,

t h i s t o ysh o p l ig h t ed u p w i t h l a m ps a n d c a nd les so spl e n d id ly t h a t i t

o

shon e t h rou g h t he b a r roo m w i nd ow l i k e a n i l l u m i n a t i on

-
.

Coset tc ra ised h e r eyes ; sh e sa w t he ma n a p pro a ch h e i w i t h t h a t d oll ~

a s sh e wou l d h a ve see n t he su n a ppro a ch s h e h e a rd t hese a s to u n d i n g ,

wo rd s : Th is is f o r y o u S h e l ooked a t h i m sh e l ook ed a t t he d ol l ,
.

t h e n sh e d re w ba c k sl owl y a n d we n t a n d h i d a s fa r a s s h e cou l d u n de r
,

t he ta ble i n t he corner of t he r oo m .

She wep t n o m ore s h e c ried n o mo re, s he ha d t he a pp ea r a n ce o f n o

,

lon er d a ri ng to b 1 e a t he .

h e Then a rd ic ss ll p o 11i n c a n d A z el m a w e re so m a n y s ta tues E ve n

, , .

th e d ri nkers s topped Th e re wa s a sol em n si len ce 1 11 t h e w h ol e ba r roo m

. .

Th e Then a rd iess pe t ri fied a n d m u t e re c o mme uged h e r conj ec t u res

, ,

a n ew :
“W h a t 13 t h is old fel l o w i s he a p a u per ? 13 h e a m i l l i on a i re ?
’ ”
P erh a ps h e s bo t h t h a t robber .

The fa ce of t he h usbii n d 1 hen a rd 1er represe n ted t h a t e x pressi ve

,
'

wri n k le w h i ch m a rks t he h u m a n cou n te n a n ce w h e ne ve r t he do mi n a n t

i ns t i n c t a ppe a rs i n it w i t h a ll i ts bru ta l powe r T he 1n n ke eper con te m .

pla ted by t urn s t he d ol l a n d t he t r a ve l le r h e seem ed t o be scen t i ng t h i s

ma n a s h e wou l d h a ve scen ted a ba g o f money Th is on ly l a s t ed for a .

mome n t H e a ppr oa ch ed h is wi te a n d wh i spe red t o he r

.
“T h a t
ma ch i ne cos t a t l e a s t t h i r ty fr a n cs N o n onse nse Dow n o n y ou r k nees . .

”
b efore t h a t ma n l .

C oa rse n a t u res h a ve t h i s i n com m o n w i th a r t l ess n a t u res t h a t they

.

h a ve n o tra nsi t ions “ ”

W el l , Cose t te , s a i d the Then a rdiess m a v o ic e
.
 C OS ETTE .

w h ich wa s m e a n t to b e swee t a n d w h i ch wa s e n ti rel y com posed o f t lfe

,
,
. -

“ '

sou r h o n ey of v i ciou s wo me n a n t yo u goi n g to t a k e you r dol l ? ” ’ ’

C ose tte ve n tu red to co m e ou t of h er h ol e “ M y l i ttl e C osette s a i d .

.

T h en a d e g w
r i r i t h a c a ressi ng a i r
“ M onsi eu r gi ves yo u a dol l T a k e i t .
,
. .

”
I t is you rs .

‘
Cose tte l ook ed u p on t h e won de rful d ol l w i th a sor t o f t error H er .

fa ce wa s sti l l floode d w i th te a rs b u t h e r ey es b eg a n to fi ll l ik e t h e sk y
'

, ,

i n th e bre a k i ng o f th e d a wn w ith s tra n ge ra di a t i on s o f j oy W h a t s h e

, .

ex perien ce d a t th a t m om e n t w a s a l m ost l i k e wh a t sh e wou l d h a ve fel t i f

so m e o n e ha d s a i d to h er sud d e n ly : Li ttl e g i rl yo u a re Quee n of Fr a n ce ,
.

It see m ed to h e r t h a t i f sh e tou ch ed th a t d o l l th u n de r woul d s pri n g ,

fort h fro m i t W h i ch w a s t ru e to so me ex ten t for sh e th ou gh t th a t t h e

.

T he n a rd iesfi wo ul d scol d a n d be a t h e n H owe ve r th e a ttra c tio n o ver

c a m e h e r S h e fi n a l l y a pp ro a ch ed , a n d ti m idly m
,
.

. u rm ured , tu rn i ng -

t ow a rds th e T h e n a rd iess
Ca n I m a d a m e
,

No ex pres si on c a n descri be h er l ook a t on ce ful l of desp a i r d i sm a y , , ,

‘
a n d tr a nspor t G ood Lord ! s a i d t h e Th e n a rdiess “i t i s yo u rs
.
”
,
.

S i n ce M o nsieu r gi ves i t to yo u .

7 ” “
Is i t tru e i s i t tru e M o nsi eu r s a i d Cosette ; i s th e l a dy for m e .
, ,

T h e str a n ge r a ppe a re d to h a ve h is eyes ful l o f te a rs He see m ed to .

b e a t th a t st a g e o f e m ot i o n in wh i ch on e d o es n ot spe a k for fe a r o f wee p

i ng H e n odded a ssen t to Cosette a n d p u t th e b a n d o f th e la dy i n “ ”
,

h e r l i ttl e h a n d Cose tte w i t hd re w h e r h a n d h a sti ly a s i f th a t o f th e

.
,

la dy b u r n ed h er a n d l ooke d do w n a t th e floor
, W e a re com pel l ed to .

a d d th a t a t th a t i ns t a n t sh e t h rus t o u t h e r t o n u e e n orm ously A ll a t '

, g .

o n ce sh e tu r ned ; a n d sei ze d th e d ol l e a gerly I w il l c a l l h er C a th a .

”
ri ne s a i d sh e
,
.

’
I t w a s ae stra n ge m om e n t w h e n C osette s r a gs m e t a n d p ressed a ga 1 n st
t h e ri bbon s a n d th e fres h p i n k m usl i ns o f t h e d ol l .

“M a d a m e ” s a i d sh e “ma ”
Yes m y
, y I p u t h er i n a ch a i r ?
, ,
”
c h i l d a n swered th e T he n a rd iess I t wa s E po n i n e a n d A zel ma n o w
,
.

w h o l ooked u po n C osette w it h e n vy 0 .

Cose tte pl a ced C a th a ri n e o n a c h a i r th e n sa t do w n o n t h e fl o w befo re ,

h e r a n d re m a i n ed m o ti o n l ess , w i thou t s a y i ng a w ord i n th e a ttitude o f

, ,

c o n te m pl a ti o n .

W hy do n t yo u pl a y Cosette
’
7 ”
s a i d th e s t r a n ger “ Oh ! I a m
,
. .

p l a y i ng a n swered th e c h i l d
,
.

Th is str a n ger t h is u n k no w n m a n w h o seem ed l i k e a v isi t from Prov i

, ,

d e ng e to Cosette wa s a t th a t m om e nt th e bei n g w h i ch th e T he n a rd iess

,

h a ted m ore th a n a ugh t else i n t h e worl d How e ve r sh e w a s c m pel led .

,
o

to restr a i n h ersel f He r e m oti ons w ere m ore th a n sh e co ul d e nd u re

.
,

a c c usto m ed a s she w a s to di ssi m u l a ti on by e n de a vori n g t o copy h e r ,

h usb a nd i n a ll h er a ct io n s Sh e se n t h er d a ugh ters to bed i m medi a t el y

.
,

t h e n a sk ed th e ye l l o w m a n s p er m i ssi o n to se n d Cose t t e to bed — who is

'

w a ry t i r ed to d a / a dded sh e w i th a m otherl y a ir
,
Cose tte w e n t to bed ,
,
.

h old i ng C a th a ri n e 1 n h e r a rms .

Th e T hen a rd iess we n t fro m ti m e to ti m e to t h e ot her en d of th e ro o m ,

w h e re he r h u sba n d wa s to so o the her so u l she s a id S h e exch a n g d a

, ,
. e

fe w word s w i th h i m w h i ch W ere t he m or e fu riou s t h a t sh e d id n ot d a r e

,

t o sp ea k th e m a lou d
“ The old fe el ! w h a t ha s h e g o t i nto his h ea d ,
 LES M IS fi B AB LES .

to co me h e re t o d istu rb u s ! to w a n t th a t l i tt l e m o n s te r to pl a y !
he r d o l ls to g i v e forty fr a n c d ol l s t o a sl u t t h a t I wou ld n t gi
'

so n s fo r A l i t t l e m ore a n d h e wo ul d sa y y ou r m a j esty t o h e r
. , ,

d o to t h e Du ch es s o f Ber ry Is h e t n h i se n ses ? he . s

t he s t ra n g e old fe l l ow .

W hy I t is v ery s i m pl e repl i ed T h en rd i e r a
“ I f i t a m uses
.
, .

h i m ! I t a m u ses yo u fo r t h e gi rl to work ; i t a m uses h i m for h er to

p l a y H e ha s t he righ t to do i t A tra ve l l e r c a n do a s h e l i kes i f h e
.
‘

.
,

n s fo r i t I f t h i s ol d fel l ow is a ph i l a n t h ropist w h a t is th a t t o y ou ?
'

p y ,

i f h e is c t a zy i t d o n t concern yo u W h a t d o yo u i n t erfe re for a s lo ng

,
’
.

,
"
a s h e h a s mo n ey ? L a n gu a ge o f a m a st e r a n d re a so n i ng o f a n i n n
k ee per w h i t h n ei th e r t o o n e c a se n o r t h e o t h e r a d m i ts of repl y
,
.

T h e m e n h a d l e a n e d h i s el bo ws o n t h e t a ble a n d re su m ed h l a a t t i t u d e ,
t

o f rev e ry A l l t h e o t he rs , tra v e l l e rs pedl a rs a n d wa go u c rs ha d d r a w n

.
-
, , , ,

h a ck a l i t t l e a n d s un g n o m e t e T h ey l ook e d u pon h i m fl o w a d i s t a n c e
, .

w it h a s e t t o f t esp c t fu l fe a r T h is sol i t a ry 111a n so poorly cl a d w h o

e
.
, ,

took fi t e t ra u c pi eces fro m h is pocke t w i th so m u ch i n d i ffe re n ce a n d ,

w h o la x ishc d gi ga n t i c dol l s o n l i t t l e b ra ts 1 n woode n sh oes wa s cert a i n ly ,

a m a gn i fi cen t a n d form id a b l e goo d m a n .

S e vc w l h o u rs p a ssed a w a y T he m id n igh t m a ss wa s s a i d th e re ve l ,

wa s fi n i sh ed t he d ri n kers h a d go n e t he h o use wa s cl osed t h e room wa s

, , ,

d e se r t e d t h e ti re h a d gon e o u t the stra n ger sti l l re m a i ned i n t h e s a m e

, ,

p os t u re F ro m t i m e to ti m e he e ha n ged th e el bo w o n w h i c h h e rest ed
.
‘

T h a t wa s a ll B u t h e ha d n o t s pok e n a wo rd si nce C osette wa s gone

. .

T h e Then a t d ie rs a l o n e ou t 0 1 p t o p t ie ty a n d c u riosity h a d rem a i n e d

, ,

i n t h e ro m “ I s h e goi n g to spe n d t h e n i "

?
’
o h t li ke h i s
t gru m ble d u

th e Thqn m d iess W h e n t he c lo c k s t ru c k t wo i n t he 1110 1 m ng s h e

.

k
a c no w e h dl t e h e t sc lf b
v e a te n a n d sa id t o h e r h usb a n d “ I n tn g oi n g
,
'
to bed yo u ma y do us v ou l i k e
,
l he h usb a n d sa t d ow n a t 1 ta bl e i n a .
'

c o rn e r l i g h ted a c a nd l e a n d be w a n to re a d t he Cw u r w r F ru n ga is
, ,
.

A g ood h ou r p a ssed th us Th e wa rt hy t a n keepe r ha d re a d t he Co u r .

f t e r Fr it z 9 1 1s a t l e a st t h ree ti m es fro m th e d a te of t h e n u m be r to t he
’ '

/ 1
,

n a m e of t he pri n ter T h e stra n g r d id no t sti r . e .

T h en a rd i er m o ved cough ed S pi t ble w h is nose a n d cre a ked h is ch a i r

, , , ,
.

Th e ma n d id n o t s t i r “ "
I s h e a s l eep ? t h o ug h t T he n a rd i e r T h e
. .
'

m a n wa s n ot a sl eep hu t n o th i n g cou l d a rou se h i m

.
, ,
r
.

Fi n a l ly Th e n a rd ie r took o ff h is c a p a ppro a c hed so ftly a nd v e n t u re d

, , ,
f

t o sa y Is M o ns ie u r no t goi ng to repose A t g o i ng to bed wo u l d u

'

h a v e seem ed to 111 111 too m uc h a n d too fa m i l i a r To rep o se i m pl ie d .

l u x u ry a nd th e re wa s respec t in i t Suc h w ord s h a ve th e myst egous

,
.

a n d wo n det fu l p ro pe t ty of s wel l i n g th e b i l l t o th e m orn i n g A roo m m .

w h ich y ou g o t o bed costs twen ty sous a roo m i n w h ich yo u rep ose c osts
twe n ty fr a n cs .

” “
Y es s a id th e s tr a nger yo u a re righ t W h ere is you r s ta bl e ? . .

, ,
“
M o nsieu r s a i d The n a rd ie r w i th a sm il e I w i l l c n d uc t M o n sieu t i ” '

o
, , ,
”
H e took th e c a nd l e th e ma n t oo k h i s bu n d le a n d h is s t a ll a n d Th e ‘
, ,
'
n urdi er l ed h i m i n to a roo m o n th e fi rs t fl oo r w h i ch wa s v ery s h o wy, ,

f u rn i s h ed a ll i n m a hog a ny w 1t h a h igh post bedst ea d a n d red c a l i c o .

c ur ta i ns . ha t i s th is ?
"
s a id t h e t 1 a vc l ler
“ l t i s p ro pet ly o u r .

”
b rida l ch a m be r s a id t he i n n k ee per ,
W e occu py a n oth e r l i ke th is -
.
,

my sp o use a n d I ; t h is is n ot O pe n m ore t h a n t h t ee or fo u r ti m es in a
 C OS ETTE .

y ea r .
“I sh ou l d ha ve lik ed
t h e s t a bl e a s wel l sa i d th e ma n b l u n tl y
'

,
’t’
,
.

T h en a rd ier d id n o t a p pea 1 to h e a r th i s n ot v e ry c i v i l a n swe r H e .

l ig h ted two e u t it ely new wa x c a n d l es w h ic h w ere d ispl a yed u po n th e

’

m a n tel a good fi re wa s bl a z i ng i n th e fi re pl a ce T h ere wa s o n th e

,
.

m a n tel un der a gl a s s c se a w om a n s he a d d ress o f s i l ver th re a d a n d

’
a
, ,

o ra nge fl o wers-
“ W h t i s th is
a ?
”
s i d t h e str a nge r
a
“ M on si eu r
s a i d The n a rd ier “i t is my w i fes b ri d a l c a p
,
. .

,
Th e tr a vel le r l ook ed a t ’
.

t h e obj ec t w i t h a l ook w h i ch see m ed t o sa y; “t h ere wa s a m o m e n t,

”
t he n w h e n th i s m o n ster wa s a v i rgi n
,

T h en a rd ie r l ied h owe ver W h e n h e h i red th i s sh a n ty t o tu rn i t i n t o

,
.

a c h o p h ouse h e fou n d t h e i c e m th u s fn 1 n ish e d a n d bo ugh t th i s f n t n i

, , o

t u re a n d p u 1 c h a sed a t seco n d h a n d th ese o ra nge flowers t hi n k in g th a t

, ,
“
t h is wo u l d c a st a bg 1 a c efu l l igh t o ver h is spouse a n d th a t t he ho use .

w o u ld d eri ve f ro m t h e m w h a t th e E ngl is h c a l l respect a bi l i ty .

W h e n t h e tr a v e l ler tu rn ed a ga i n t he h o st ha d d is a p pe a red Thena r , .

d ie r ha d d iscreetly t a k e n h i mse l f ou t o f th e w a y w i thou t d a ri ng to sa y

good n ig h t n o t desi ri ng to tre a t w i th a: d is respectfu l cordi a l i ty a ma n
-

w h o m h e proposed to sk i n roy a l ly i n th e m orn i ng .

T h e i n n l c e p e1 re ti red to h is ro o m ; h is w i l e w a s i n b e d b u t n ot
1
,
.

a sl ee p ll h e n sh e h e a rd h e r h usb a n d s ste p sh e tu rn ed to wa rd s h i m ,
’
s
,

a n d sa i d : You k n o w th a t I a m goi n g to k i ck Cose tte ou t d o o rs to

111 0 1 ro w l ”
T h en a rd ier cool ly a n swe red “Yo u a re i ndeed l”
Th ey ‘
.
,

e xch a n ge d n o fu rth e r w ords , a n d i n a few m om e n ts t he i r c a n d l e wa s

b lo w n ou t .

Fo r h is p a rt th e tr a vel l er h a d p u t h is st af f a n d b u nd l e i n a corn er
,
.

Th e h ost g on e h e sa t dow n i n a n a rm ch a i r a n d re m a i n e d so me ti m e
, ,

t h i n k i ng Th e n h e d re w 0 5 h is s h oes t ook o n e of t h e two c a n dl es ,

.
,

b l ew o u t th e oth er push e d ope n t h e d o or a n d w e n t o u t o f th e roo m

, , ,
’

l o ok in g a bou t h i m a s i f h e were se a rch i ng fo r som e th i n g H e p a ssed .

th rou gh a h a l l a n d c a m e to th e st a i r wa y There h e h e a rd a very so ft

,
.

l i ttl e sou n d w h ic h resem bl e d th e b re a t h i n g of a ch i l d G u id ed by th is

,

so u nd h e c a m e to a sor t o f t t ia n g u la t n ook bu i l t u nder th e St a i rs 0 1

, , ,

r a t h e r form ed by th e st a i rc a s e i tse l f T h is ho l e wa s n oth i n g b u t th e

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sp a ce ben e a t h th e st a i rs Thc i e a m o ng a ll sorts of ol d b a sk e ts a n d ol d

.
,

1 u b b ish i n th e d u st a n d a m on g th e cob webs t h e m w a s a

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m a t t ra ss so ful l of h ol es a s to s h o w th e str a w a n d a co ve ri ng so ful l o f ,

h ol es a s to sho w t h e m a t t re ss c a n be c a l l ed a bed T h e re we re n o ,
.

sh eet s . T h is wa s pl a ced o n th e floo r i m med i a tely o n th e ti les I n th i s .

bed Coset t e w a s sl eepin g .

Th e ma n a ppro a ch ed a n d l ook ed a t h e r .

C oset te wa s sl eep i ng sou nd l y ; sh e wa s d ress ed I n th e wi n te r sh e .

d id n o t u nd ress o n a ccou n t o f th e col d S h e h el d th e d ol l cl a s ped i n

’

h e r a rm s ; i ts l a rg e o pe n eyes sho n e i n th e obscu ri ty Fro m ti m e to .

t i m e s h e h e a ved a d ee p sigh a s i f sh e w e re a bou t t o w a k e a n d sh e , ,

h ugged th e dol l a l m ost c e n vu lsive ly T he re wa s on l y o n e o f her w ood e n

-
.

she es a t t h e side of he r b ed A n o pe n door n ea r Ce se t t e s n ook d is '

.

cl osed a l a rge d a rk roo m T h e s tra n ger e n tered A t th e fu rthe r e nd.

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t h 1 e u gfi a gl a ss wi n dow h e percei ved t wo l it tl e beds wi t h v ery w h i t e

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s pre a ds T hey were t hose o f A zel m a a n d E po ni n e H a lf h i d be h i n d

. .

t h ese beds w a s a w i l l o w cr a d le w i th u t cu rt a i n s, i n w h ic h t he l i t tl e b oy o

w ho ha d cri ed a ll t h e ev e n i n g wa s sle ep i ng .
 L ss m sfsa s st a s .

Th e s t ra n ger j c o n ec fl i red
h a t t h i s room co m m u n i ca ted w i t h t h a t o f
t
t h e T h en a r dt c rs l i e w a s a bou t t o w i t h d r a w w h e n h is eye fel l u po n t he
.

fi re pl a ce o n e of t h ose h u ge ta ver n fi r e pl a ces w h e re t h e re i s a l w a ys s o

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,

li t t l e fi re w he n t h e re i s a fi re a n d w h i c h a re so col d t o l ook u pon

, , In .

t h i s o n e t here wa s n o fi re t h ere w a s n o t e ve n a n y a sh es
, W h a t t h e re .

w a s h o weve r a t t r a c t ed t he t ra ve l le r s a t t en t i on :
’

, , I t wa s t w o l i t t l e ch i l .

d ren s s h oes of c o q u e t t i sh sh a pe a n d o f d i ffe re n t si z es T he t ra v el le r

'

, .

re m e m be red t h e g r a efu l a n d i m m e m ori a l c u s t om of c h i ld re n

c p u t t i ng ,

t hei r sh oes i n t he fi re pl a ce o n C h ris t m a s n ig h t t o w a i t t h ere i n t he

-
,

d a rk ness i n e x pec ta t i o n o f so m e s h i n i n g gi ft from t h ei r g o l d fa i ry

'

E p o n i n e a n d A ze l m a ha d t a k e n good c a re n o t t o forge t t h i s a n d e a c h ,

h a d p u t o n e o f h e r s h oes i n t he fi re pl a ce -
.

Th e t r a vel le r ben t over t h e m .

Th e fa i ry — t h a t i s t o sa y t he m o t h e r —h a d a l re a dy m a de h er v isi t,
,

a n d sh i n i ng i n e a ch sh oe w a s a be a u t i fu l n e w t e n sous pi ece -
.

T h e m a n ro se up a n d w a s o n t he poi nt of goi ng a w a y w h e n h e per ,

c ei ve d fu r t h e r a l on g by i t sel f i n t he d a rk es t corn e r o f t h e fi re p l a ce
, , ,
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a n o t h e r obj ec t H e l ook ed a t a n d reeo g n ize d a sh oe a h orri d w ood e n

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,

sh oe of t h e c l u ms i es t sort h a l f brok e n a n d co vered w i t h a sh es a n d d ri ed

,
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’
m u d I t wa s C ose t t e s s h oe Cose tt e w i t h t h a t t ouch i n g con fi de n ce o f
. .
,

ch i l d h ood w h i ch c a n a l w a ys be d ecei ved w i t h ou t e ve r bei ng d iscou ra ged ,

h a d a l so pl a ced h e r sh oe i n t he fi re l a ce
p
-
.

W h a t a su bl i m e a n d s wee t t h i n g is h ope i n a ch i l d w h o ha s n eve r

k n ow n a ny t h i ng b ut d esp i r a
'

T here wa s n o t h i n g i n t h e w oode n sh oe .

Th e s t r a n ger fu m bl ed i n h i s w a is tco a t be n t o ve r a n d d ropped i n t o

-
, ,

Cose t t e s s h oe a gol d Lou i s

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.

-Th e n h e we n t b a ck t o h i s roo m w i t h s te a l t h y t re a d .

T H E N A RD I ER M A w
a zo v o .

O n th e fol l ow i n g m orn i ng a t l e a s t t wo h ou rs be fore ( la y T he n a rd i e r

, , ,

se a ted a t a ta b le i n t he b a r room a c a n d l e by h i s si d e w i t h pe n i n h a nd ,
-
, ,

wa s m a k i n g o u t t he bi l l o f t h e t r a vel l e r i n t he y el l o w co a t .

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, ,

eyes N o t a word p a ssed be t w ee n t h e m I t wa s o n on e sid e a p ro

. .
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fou n d m ed i ta t i o n o n t he o t h e r t h a t re l i gi ous a d m i ra t io n w i t h w h i ch we
,

observe a m a rve l of t he h u m a n m i nd spri ng u p a n d ex p a n d A n oi s e .

wa s he a rd i n t h e h ouse ; i t wa s t h e L a rk swee pi ng t h e s t a i rs ,
.

A ft er a good q u a r te r o f a n h o ur, a n d som e er a su res , T h e n a rd ie r p ro

d uc ed t h i s m a s t e rpi ece
B ill of M o nsieu r i n N o 1 . .

O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
 LB S m sfsa a fst ss .

T he ma n re p l i ed i n a vo ic e whic h h e e n de a vor ed t o re nd e r i n d iffer

t a nd i n w h i ch t h e r e w a s a sl i h t t r e m u lo n sn e ss
“ S u p pose ou
en , g y .

w e re re l i vede o f h er ? ”
W h o ? J ose t t e ?
” “ Yes Th e red a n d .

v i o l e n t fa ce of t he wo m a n bec a m e i l l u m i n ed w i t h a h ideo u s e x press i on

. .

A h M on sie u r ! m y good M o n si e u r ! t a k e h er k eep h er t a k e her

, , ,
'

a wa y c a rry h e r o ff s u ga r h e r s t u ff he r d ri n k h er ; c a t l1c r a n d be
, , , , ,
”
ble sed by t h e h o l y V i r gi n a n d a ll t h e s a i n ts i n P a ra d i se
s A greed .

Re a l l y ! y ou w i l l t a k e h e r a w a y ? ” “I w i l l “ I m m ed i a t ely ? .
"

“ I m med i a t e ly h
C l l e c h i ld
a t.
” “ Cos et t e ! crie d h e T hen a rdiess .
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t

“I n t he m e a n t i m e con t i n u ed t h e m a n “I w il l a m y bi l l Ho w
, p y , .

? ”
m u c h i s it H e c a s t a g l a n c e a t t h e h i l l a n d co u l d n o t re press a .
,

m ove me n t o f s u rp ri se. Twe n t y t h ree fr a n cs . Ile l ook ed a t t h e -

”
h os tess a n d repe a t ed T we n t y t h ree f ra n cs ? Th ere w a s i n t he p ro - ’
,

n u n c ia t io n o f t h ese t w o se n t e n c es t h us repe a t ed t h e a cce n t w h i c h l i es , ,

be t wee n t he poi n t o f e xcl a m a t i o n a n d t h e p o in t o f i n t e rrog a t i on T h e . .

T h e n a rd ic ss ha d h a d t i m e t o p rep a re h ersel f fo r t h e sh oc k S h e rep l i ed

”
w i t h a s u r a n ce : f Yes of co u rse M on si e r ! i t i s t w e n t y t h re e fra n cs
s
‘
, ,
u -
.

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-
.

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t le gi rl sa i d be
,
.

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“ “ ”
a nd sa i d : M on si e u r o wes t we n t y si x sous Twe n t y si x so n s l -
.
-

e xcl a i med t h e w om a n “ Twe n ty so n s for t he room con t i n u ed T he

.
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,

n a rdie r a n d si x fo r s u p pe r A s t o t h e l i t t l e gi rl , I m u s t h a v e .

”
som e t a l k w i t h M o n sip u r a bou t t h a t Le a ve u s w i fe .

,
.

Th e The n a rd ic ss wa s d a z z led by o n e o f t h ose u n ex pect e d fla sh es w h i ch

e m a n a t e fro m t a le n t S h e fel t t h a t t h e g re a t a c t or h a d e n t er ed u p on
.

t h e sce ne a n swe re d n o t a word a n d we n t o u t

, ,
, .

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-
,
.

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, ,

a ssu m ed a si n u l a r e x press i o n o f good n a t u re a n d si m pl i ci t y

“ M o n
g
-
.

“
.
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si e u r s a id h e
,
li st e n I m u s t sa y t h a t I a dore t h i s ch i l d
, ,
Th e .

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s t ra n ge r l ooked a t h i m s te a d i l y W h a t ch i l d ? T hen a rd i e r con t i n .

u ed : l i e w s t ra n g el y w e becom e a t fi c hed ! W ha t i s a ll t h i s si l ve r ?
” ’
T a k e b a ck you r m on ey Th i s ch i l d I a d ore . ho i s t h a t a sk d .
e

t he s t r a n ge r
a w a y f ro m us ?
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.
, y
I n deed I spe a k fr a nk ly a s t rue a s y o u a re a n h on or
, ,

a ble m a n I c a n n o t conse n t t o i t I s h o u ld m i ss h e r I h a v e ha d h e r
,
. .

si n c e s he wa s very s m a l l
~
I t i s t rue sh e cos t s u s m on ey ; i t i s t r ue s h e
.

h a s h er fa u l t s i t i s t rue we a re n o t ri ch i t i s t ru e I p a i d fou r h u n d red

, ,

fra n cs for m ed i ci nes a t o n e t i m e w h e n sh e wa s si ck B u t we m us t d o .

.

som e t h i n g for God S h e ha s nei t he r fa t h e r nor m o t h er ; I h a ve brou gh t

.

h e r u p I h a ve bre a d e n oug h for h er a n d fo r mysel f I n f a c t I m u s t

. .
,

k ee p t h i s ch i l d Yo u u nders ta nd we h a ve a ff ec t i on s ; I a m a goo d
.
,

be a s t my sel f ; I d o n o t re a son I l ove t h i s l i tt le gi rl m y wi fe i s h a s t y

, ,

b u t sh e l oves her a l so Yo u see sh e i s l i ke o u r o wn ch i ld I fee l th e

. .

n eed of h er p ra t t l e i n t he h ouse .

Th e s t r a n ge r wa s look i ng s te a d i l y a t h i m a ll the w h i l e H e c on .

t i n ned
Pa rd o n me e x c use m e M onsieu r , b ut on e does n ot g i ve his c h i ld
, ,
'

lik e t h a t t o a t ra vel le r Is n t i t t rue t h a t I a m ri gh t ? A ft e r t h a t, I ’

d o n t sa y—yo u a re ric h a n d h a v e th e a ppe a ra n ce of a very fi ne ma n —if

.

’
 CO S E TT E .

it i s for d v a n t a g e— h u t I m u s t k n ow a bou t it You u n ders ta n d 7

h er a .

O n t h e su ppo si t i on t h a t I sh o u l d let h er go a n d s a c ri fice m y o w n fee l

i ngs I sh ou ld w a n t t o k n o w w h ere sh e i s goi n g
,
I wou l d n o t w a n t t o .

l o see sig h t o f h er I sh ou l d w a n t t o k no w w h o sh e w a s w i t h t ha t I m i gh t ,

com e a n d see h er n o w a n d t h e n a n d t h a t sh e m igh t k n ow t h a t h e r g ood ,

‘

fo st et fa t h er w a s s t i l l w a t c h i n o vet h e r h i n a l ly t h ere a re t h i n g s
cr .
,

w h i c h a t e n o t p ssi ble I d o n o t k n ow e ve n y ou r n a m e I f you sh o u l d

o . .

t a k e h er a w a y I b ou l d s a
‘

a l a s fo r t h e l i t t le l a rk w h ere ha s sh e
5 c1
on e 7
g
y , .
, ,

I m us t a t l e a s t see so m e poor ra g o f p a pe 1 a bi t o f a p a ssp o 1 t so me

, , , ,

t h i ng
’
.

'
I h e s t r a n ger w i t h ou t re m ov i n g f ro m h i m t h is g a ze w h i ch wen t so t o
, , ,

spe a k t o t h e bo t t om of h i s co nsc i e n ce a n s wered i n a se vere a n d fi rm

, ,

to n e .

‘
M o n sic m T h e11 a 1 d ier peopl e d o n o t t a k e a p a ssp or t t o com e fi ve
,

le a gues fi o m Pa i is I f I t a ke Cose t t e I t a k e h er t h a t i s a ll Yo u , , .

w i l l n o t k n ow my n a m e yo u w i l l n o t k n o w m y a bod e yo u w i l l n o t k n ow
, ,

w h e re sh e goes a n d m y i n t e n t i o n i s t h a t sh e sh a l l n ever see yo u a ga i n

,

i n h er l i fe Do y o u a g ree t o t h a t ? Yes or n o 3
.

A s d e m on s a n d g e n i i reco g n i ze by ce 1 ta 1 n s i g n s t h e p resen ce o f a su
peri or G od Th en a rd ie r com pre h en ded t h a t h e ha d t o de a l w i t h o n e w h o
,

w a s very powe rfu l I t c a m e l i k e a n i n t u i t i o n , h e u n d et st oo d i t w i t h h i s

.

c le a r a n d q u i c k s a ga ci t y ; a l t h ou g h d u ri n g t he e ve n i n g h e ha d bee n
d t in ki n g w i t h t h e w a g on e rs s m ok i n g a n d si n g i n g b a w d y so n gs s t i l l h e
, ,

w a s observ i ng t h e s t ra n ge i a ll t h e w h i le w a t ch i n g h im l i k e a c a t a n d , ,

s t udy i n g h i m l i ke a ma t he m t ic ia n H e h a d bee n obse rv i ng h i m on h i s .. .

o w n a ccou n t for p l e a su re a n d by i n s t i nc t a n d a t t h e s a m e t i m e ly i ng 111

, ,

w a i t a s i f h e ha d bee n p a i d fo 1 i t N o t a ges t u re n o t a m ove m e n t o f .

,

t h e m a n i n t he yel l ow co a t h a d esc a pe d h i m Before e ve n t h e s t ra nge r .

h a d so cle a rly sh ow n h i s i n t eres t i n Co se t te T h e n a rd i e r h a d d i v i n e d i t ,

.

H e h a d s u i p rised t h e se a rch i n g g l a n ces o f t h e old ma n con st a n t ly re

t u rn i n g t o t he c h i l d W hy t h is i n t e1 est ? W h a t wa s t h i s m a n 3 W hy
.
,

w i t h so m u c h m o n ey i n h is p u rse t h is m i s s1 a b l e d 1 ess ? Th ese were

'

q u es ti on s w h ic h h e p u t t o h i m sel f w i t h ou t bei n g a b l e t o a n swe r t h e m ,

a n d t h ey i rri ta t e d h i m H e h a d bee n t h i n k i n g i t o ve r a ll n i g h t
. Th i s .

W a s i t a gi a n d fa t he1
’
cou l d n o t be Cose t t e s fa t h e r .
Th e n w h y
.

d i d h e n o t m a k e h i mse l f k n ow n a t once ? W h e n a ui a n h a s a ri g h t h e
'

sh ows it T h i s ma n ev ide n tl y h a d n o ri gh t t o Cose tt e Th e n w h o wa s

. .

h e ? T hen a rd i er wa s l os t i n conj ec t u res II e c a ug h t gl i m pses of e very .

t h i n g , b u t sa w n o t h i n g H ow e ve r i t m igh t be w h e n h e com me n c ed t h e
.
,

co n ve rs a t i on w i t h t h i s ma n su re t h a t t he re wa s a secre t i n a ll t h is su re
, ,

t h a t t h e m a n ha d a n i n te res t i n re m a i n i n g u n k now n h e fel t h i msel f ,

’
s t r on g a t t he s t ra nger s cl e a r a n d fi r m a n swe r w h e n h e sa w t h a t t h i s
, ,

mys t eri ou s person a ge wa s mys te ri ou s a n d n o t h i n g more , h e fel t we a k . .

H e wa s ex pec t i ng n o t h i ng o f t h e k i nd His conj ec t u res wer e p u t t o .

fl i gh t H e ra l l ied h is i de a s H e wei g hed a ll t o a secon d Th en a rd i e r

. . .

wa s o n e of t h ose m en w h o com pre h e n d a si t u a t i o n a t a gl a n c e H e de

c ided t h a t t h i s wa s t h e m o m e n t t o a d v a n ce s t r a i gh t forw a rd a n d swi ft l y .

H e did w h a t gr ea t c a p ta i n s d o a t t h a t d eci si v e i n s ta n t w h i c h t hey a l on e

c a n recogn i se , h e u n m a s ked h i s b a t te ry a t on ce .

’
M on sieu r, sa i d h e I m us t h a v e fi ft ee n h u n d red fr a n cs
‘ ’
,
‘
.

The st ra nge r t oo k fro m h i s a i d e p ocke t a n old b l a c k le a t h e r po c k e t -

88 LBS n t sfi a a n nss .

bo o k , 0 ned d re w for t h t h ree ba n k h i l l s w h i ch b e p la c ed u po n

it , a nd

t he tu b e H e t he n res ted h i s l a rge t h u m b o n t h ese bi l ls a n d sa id t o ,

t he ta ver n kee pe r
‘
B' i n w lo sc t t c f
W h i le t h i s wa s goi n g on w h a t w a s C ose t te d oi n g ?
Co se t t e a s soon a s s h e a wok e h a d ru n to her woode n s h oe S h e h a d
, , .

fo u nd t he gol d p ie c e i n i t I t wa s n o t a N a poleo n b u t on e o i t h ose new

.
,

t we n t y fr a n c pi ec es of t he Re t or a t i o n o n t he fa ce of w h i ch t h e l i t t l e
-
s
,

P ru ssi a n q ue ue h a d rep l a ced t h e la u re l c row n Cose t t e wa s d a zz led . .

I l c r des t i ny be ga n t o i n t ox ic a t e h e r S h e d i d n ot k n ow t h a t it wa s a .

p i ece of g old ; s h e ha d n eve r see n o ne b e fore ; s h e h a s t i l y con ce a l ed i t

i n h er p e c l t e t a s i f s h e h a d s t ol e n i t N e t e rt he less sh e fel t i t bod ed
go od t o he r S h e d i v i ned w h en ce t he gi ft ca m e b u t sh e ex peri e n ce d a
.
,

t h a t wa s fi l le d w i t h a we S h e wa s gra t i fied s h e wa s m ore ove r st u

j yo .

p e fie d S uc h m a g n i fi ce n t a n d be a u t i ful t h i n g s see med u n re a l t o h e r

Th e dol l m a de h er a f1 a 1d t h e gol d p iece ma de h er a fra id S he t re m
.

bl e d .

wi t h w on d e r be lo re t h ese m a g n ilic en c es T h e s t ra n ger h i mse l f did n o t

’

ma ke 110 1 a f1 11tl O n t he c o n t 1 a ry h e re a ssu red her S i n ce t he p re

.

. .
,

vio us e ve n i n g a m i d a ll h e r a s t o n ish m e n t a n d i n h er sl eep

, sh e wa s , ,

t h i n k i ng i n h e r l i t t l e c hild s ni i n d o f t h i s m a n w h o ha d s u c h a n ol d , a n d
'

oor a n d sa d a ppe a r a n ce a n d w h o wa s so ri c h a n d so k i n d S i n ce sh e
pa d met t h is good m a n i n t he w ood it see m ed a s t h oug h a ll t h i n gs were
, , .

ch a nged a bou t h e r Cose t te less h a p py t h a n t h e s m a l les t sw a l l ow o f

.
,

t he sky h a d n e ve r k n o w n w h a t i t i s he t a k e 1 e fug e u n d e r a m o t h er s
'
,

w i n g l e r li t e ye rs t h a t 15 t o s y a s f a r ba c k a s s he cou l d re m e mb er
t a
,
a .

t h e poo r c h i ld ha d s h i v ere d a n d s h ud d c rc d 8 | 1e h a d a l w a y s bee n n a k ed .

u n de r t h e bi t i ng n or t h w i n d o f 111 isl0 1 t u n e a n d n ow it see m ed to h e r

'
‘
,

t h a t s h e wa s cl o t hed B efore h er sou l wa s cold n e w it wa s w a r m Co

.
,
.

se t t e w a s n o l ong er a fra i d o f t he Th ena rd ie rs ; sh e wa s n o l onge r a l on e ;

s h e h a d so me bod y t o l ook to .

S he h u 1 riedly set h e rsel f t o her m orn i n g ta sk Th is l o ui s w h i ch sh e .

,

h a d pl a ced 1 11 t he s a m e pocke t of h er a pro n f1 o m w h i c h t he fi ft ee n sou s

p i ec e ha d fa lle n t he n ig h t helo rc d is t ra c t e d h e r a t t e n t i o n f1 o m her ,

w ork S h e d i d n o t d a re to t ouch i t b u t she spe n t li ve m i n u t es a t a

.
,

t i m e con t e m pl a t i n g i t a n d w e m u s t co n fess w i t h her t on g ue t h rus t o u t

, ,
.

W h i l e sw ee pi n g t he s ta irs sh e s t op p ed a n d s to o d t here m o t ion l ess for

, , ,

ge tt i n g h er broom ,a n d t he w h ol e W orl d besi d es occu p ied i n l ook i n g a t ,

t h is s h i ni n g sta r a t t he bo t t om of he r pock e t I t wa s i n o n e of t h ese -

.

reveri es t ha t t he T hen a rd iess fo u nd h e r A t t h e co m m a n d o f h e r hn s . .

ha n d sh e ha d gon e t o loo k for h er W on d e rfu l t o t el l s h e d i d n o t gi ve

. .
,
’
h er a sl a p n or e ve n c a l l h er a h a rd n a m e Coset te s a i d sh e , a l mos t .
,

gen t l y com e q u ic k
,
‘
A n i ns ta n t a fter , Cose t t e e n te red t he b a r roo m
. .

T h e s t r a nge r t ook th e b u n d l e h e ha d brough t a nd un t ie d i t T h i s .

b u n d le co n ta i n ed a l i t tle wool l e n froc k a n a p1 on , a c o a rse co t t on u n de r ,

g a rmen t a pe t t i co a t , a sc a rf, w o ol l e n s t ock i ngs a n d sh oe s— a com ple te

, ,

my c h i ld , Sa i d
.

’
d ress for a g i rl of se ve n ye a rs I t wa s a ll n bl a ck (
'

t . .

t he ma n
’
t a k e t h is a n d go a n d d ress you rsel f q u ick
,
.

. The da y wa s bre a k i ng w h e n t h ose o f t he i n h a bi ta n ts o f M on t fe rm e i l

w ho were begi n n i n g t o o pe n t h e i r d oors sa w p a ss o n t he ro a d t o P a ris a ,

poorl y cla d go od ma a l e a d i n g a l i tt l e gi 1 l d ressed t n m ou rn i ng w h o ha d a

‘

p i n k d o l l in h er a r ms Th ey we re g oi ng t o wa rds l ry I t wa s the
.
‘

st ra nge r a nd Cose t te .
 0
Q

COS E TT E .

Cdse ttc wa s
'

n ise d t h e ma n
'

No o n e 0 rc co
g a s n ot n ow 1a ta t ters , few
re cogn ised h e r .
.

V
C se t t e w a s goi n g a w a y W it h w h o m
o
Sh e w a s i gn or a n t W h ere 3 . .

S h e ne w n o t A l l sh e u n d e rs t ood wa s t h a t sh e w a s l ea v i n g beh i n d
'

.
, .

t h e l 1 e n a rd ier ch op h ouse
'
N ob ody h a d t h ou gh t of bi d d i n g h er gop d
-
.

by n or h a d sh e o f bi dd i n g good by t o a nybody Sh e w e n t ou t from

,
-
.

t h a t h o use h a t ed a n d b at t i ng
.

Poor g en t l e bei ng w h ose h e a r t h a d on l y ,

1
"
,

b ee n c au sh ed h i t h er t o
'
’

‘
.

Cose t t e w a l k ed serio u sly a l on g open i n g h e r l a rge eyes ; a n d l ook i ng a t , .

t h e sk y S h e h a d p u t h e r l ou i s i n t h e pock e t o f h er n ew a pron
. Fro m .

t i me t o t i m e s h e ben t ove r a n d c a s t a gl a n ce a t i t n p d t h e n look ed a t ,

t h e g ood m a n She fe l t s om e w h a t a i f s he w ere n e a r G od

.
s
. 1

.
0

W HO
'

SEE K S TH E B E ST M AY FI N D -
T H E W O R ST .

Th e Then a rd iess, a ccord i n g to h er c n sto m ha d l eft h er h usb a n d a l on e

‘

, .

S h e w a s e x pec t i ng g re a t e ve nt s W h e n t he ma n a nd Cose t te Were go ne .

.

Th en a rd ie ry a lt e r a good q u a r t er o f a n h ou r t ook he r a side , a n d s h owed ,

W h a t s t h a t Sa i d sh e
’
h e r t h e fi ft ee n h u nd red fr a n cs ‘
. .

I t w a s t h e fi rs t t i m e si n c e t h e mb eg i n n i n g of t he ir h o usek ee pin g t h a t ,
»
,

sh e h d d a red t o c ri t ici se t h e a c t o f h er m a s t er H e fe l t t he bl ow
a
. . .

Tme you a re righ t s a i d h e I a m a fool Gi ve m e m y ha t ’ ’

‘
,
. .
,

H e folded t he t h ree b a nk b i l l s t h rus t t h e m i n t o h i s pock e t a n d , ,

s t a r t ed in a ll h a s te b u t h e m isse d t he d i rec t i on a nd t o o k t h e rea d t o t he

,
.

ri gh t Som e n eig h bors of w h o m h e i n q u i red pu t hi m o n t h e t r a c k ; t he

.

1 L a r k a n d t h e m a n ha d bee n see n t o go in t h e d i rec t i o n of Li v ry H e .

fol l owed t h i s i nd i c a t i on w a l k i n g r a pid ly a n d ta lkin g t o h i mse l f '

T h is ma n i s ev i de n t l y a mi l l i on a i re d ressed i n ye l l ow a n d a s for m e ,
,
.

‘
,

I a m a bru t e H e fi rs t g a ve t we n ty so us t he n fi ve fra n cs t he n fi ft y
.
, ,

fra ncs t h en fi ftee n h u n d red fra n c s a ll so re a d i ly H e wou ld h a ve gi ve n

,
‘

, .

Bu t I sh a l l c a t ch h i m
’
fi ft ee n t h ous a n d fr a n cs . . .

A n d t h e n t h i s bu n dl e of cl ot h es m a d e re a dy b eforeh zfnd fo r t he l i t t l e
'

g i rl ; a li t h a t wa s s t r a n e
g t h ere
v
w a s a good d e a l of mys t e ry u nd e r i t , .
o

W h e n o n c ge t s h ol d o f a m y t ery h e does n o t let go of i t

o
Th e secre ts s
,
.

o f t h e ri ch a re S po nges fu l l o f gol d ; 11 m a n ough t t o k n o w h nw to

’
‘

s q u eeze t he m Al l t h ese t h ough t s were w h i rl i n g i n h is b ra i n

. 1 am .
‘

’
a bru t e s a id h e ,
.

O n l e a v i n g M on t fe rmei l a n d re a ch i ng t h e t u rn m a d e by t he ro a d to
L ivry t he rou te m a y be see n for a l on g d i s t a n ce on t he pl a t e a u O n
,
.

re a ch i n g t h i s poi n t h e cou n t ed on bei n g a bl e t. see t h e m a n a n d t he .

l i t t le gi rl H e l ook ed a s fa r a s h i s ey e cou l d re a ch bu t sa w n o t h i ng
.
, .

H e i n q u i red a ga i n I n th e m e an wh i l e h e wa s l osi ng t i m e Th e pa s . .

s rs by t ol d h i m t h a t t h e ma n a n d ch i l d w h om h e sou g h t ha d t ra vel l ed
.

a -

t o w a rds t h e woo d i n the d i rec t i on of G a gny II e h a st e n ed i n t h i s d i .

rec t i on .

They h a d t he s t r t of h i m bu t a ch i l d w a l k s sl ow l y , a n d h e wen t a
,

ra pid ly A n d t h en t h e cou n t ry wa s wel f k n ow n to h i m

. .

S ud deDQy h e s to pped a n d st iu ck h is fore h ea d li ke a ma n who ha s for

‘ '
'

7
 Lss a t t enu a t es .

o tt e n th e m a i n t h i n g a n d w h o t h i n k s of re t ra ci ng h i s s teps I ou g h t
g
.
, ,

t o h a ve ta ken m y g u n ! s a i d h e
0 Th e na rd i er w a s on e of t h os d o ubl e n a t u res w h o om e t i m es a p pe a r
e s

g w o g u s w i t h ou t o u r k n ow led g
n a n d d i s a p pe a r w i t h ou t e ve r
e
,
h i n g t

k n ow n ht ca u se d e t i ny ha s sh ow n us b u t on e id e o f t h e m
,
s I t t s t he n .

fa t e of m a ny m n t o l i v e t h us h“a l f su bm erg ed
u I n a q ui e t ord i n a ry .
,

si t u a t i on T he n a rd i e r ha d a ll t h a t t s n ec ssa ry t o m a ke — we d o no t sa y e

to be —w h a t p a sses for sin h on es t t ra d t soi a n a g ood ci t i z e n

,

A t t he ,

sa me t i me u nd er cer t a i n ci rc u ms ta n c es u n de r t h e oper a t i o n o f cer t a i n

, ,

occ u rre n ces c Xt it i ng h i s b a ser n a t u re he ha d i n hi m a ll t h a t Wa s n ec es ,

sa ry t o be a v i l l :t in H e wa s a sh o p kee pe r i n w h i ch la y h i dd e n e m o n ,

s t er S a ta n ou g h t for a m o me n t to h a ve s q u a t t ed t o so m e corne r o f t he
ho le t o w h i ch Th en a rd ie r l i ved a n d s t ud i ed t h i s h i d eous m a t er pi ece s “

A ft er h esi ta t i n g o n i n s t a n t ba h t h ou g h t h e t h ey wo ul d ha ve t i me
,
‘
,
‘

t o es c a p e A nd h e con t i n ued on h i s wa y goi n g ra pid ly f rw a rd a n d

. . ,
o
,

a l m os t a s i f h e were cer t a i n w i t h t he s a g a c i t y of t h e fo x
“
,
sce n t i n g a
fl oc k of pa rt rid g .

l o fa c t w h e n he h a d p a ssed t he pon ds a n d crossed obl i q uel y t h e la rge

,
.
,

m e a dow a t t he ri gh t of t he a ve n u e d e Be l l e v ue a s h e re a ched t he
g ra ss y .

p t h w h i ch n e a rly e nci rc les t he h i l l a n d w h i c h covers t he a rch o f t he

a ,

ol d a q ued u c t o f t he a bbey o f C h e l les h e p rcei ved a b n vti a bush t he ,

e
,

h ot o n w h i ch h e ha d a l re a d y b u i l t so m a ny conj ec t u res I t wa s t he .

ma n 8 h o t Th e bush es were lo w T h e n a rd ier percei v ed t h a t t he ma n

. .

a nd Co se t te w ere se a t ed t here T h e ch i l d co u l d n o t be see n s h e wa s so , ,

sh o r t b u t h e c u ld see t he h e a d of t he d o l l
,
o .

Then a rd ie r wa s n e t d ecei ved The ma n ha d se t dow n t he re t o g i ve

C o se t t e a l i t t l e res t Th e ch oph ou se k ee per t u rned a side t he b u sh es,
.
'

a n d s u dde n ly a p pt a red before t he eyes o f t h ose w ho m he sou g h t .

"
Pa rd on me e x c use to e M on sieu r sa i d h e a ll o u t o f bre a t h ; bu t
, , . 0
”
h ere a re you r fi lt oe n h u nd red fr a n cs So s a yi n g h e h el d o u t t he t h re e
.
,

ba n k bi l ls t o t he s t ra n g e r .

T h e ma n r a i sed h i s eyes : w h o i d oes t h a t m e a n ?

Th e n a rd i er a nswered respec t fu l ly : H o n sleu r, t h a t m e a n s t h a t I ta ke
"
ba ck Cose t t e .

"
Cose tte sh udde red a nd h ugged cl ose t o t he good m a n .

H e a nswered , look i ng T h en a rd ie r s t r a i g h t t n t he eye , a n d spa ci ng h i s .

sy l l a bl es
Yo u—ta ke b a c k Cose t t e ?-

“Ye s m onsieu r I ta ke h e r ba c k
, ,
I t el l you I h a ve reflec ted I n
. .

deed , I h a ve n t t h e ri gh t to gi ve h er t o yo u I a m a n h on est ma n , you

’
.

see Thi s l i t t l eg i rl i s n o t m i n e ; s he be lo ngs to he r m o t he r Her

m o t he r ha s con fin ed h e r t o me , l e a n on ly g i ve her u p t o h er m o t he r .

v
Y ou w i l l t el l me b u t r m o t h er i s d e a d
,
W el l I n t h a t c a se I c a n .

on ly gi ve u p t he ch i l d o n pe rson w h o s h a l l bri n g me a w ri t t e n o rder,

si g ned by t he m o t h e r s ta t i ng I sh ou l d del i v er t he ch i l d t o hi m
, T ha t .

is cle a r .

The ma n wi t h ou t a nswe ri ng fel t i n h i s pocke t a nd Then a rd ie r sa w

, ,

t he pock e t book co n ta i n i ng t he ba n k bi l ls re a ppe a r .

Th e ta ve rn k eepe r fel t a t h ri l l o f Jo y G ood , t h o ugh t h e ; hold

.

'

ou He ts goi ng to co rru p t me
B efo re ope n i ng t he pocke t boo k , the t ra ve l le r ca s t a loo k a boutJt i tn
“ -
.
 CO S ET T E.

Th e pl a ce wa e n t i r deser t ed T here wa s n ot a sou l e i th er i n t h e

s .

w ood or i n th e v a l ee y Th e ma n ope n e d the pock et book a n d d r e w

'

,
.

fro m i t n o t th e h a n d fu l of b a n k hills w h i ch Th e n a rd i e r ex pected b u t a

,

l it t le piece of p a per , w h i c h h e u n folded a n d pre se n ted ope n to th e m u d

k ee pe r sa y1 n g
,
i
You a re righ t R e a d th a t .
'
.

T h e n a rd ie r took t h e p a pe r a n d re a d .

0 .

sur 111 M a rch 25,

M o n sw ur Th en a rd i er
Yo u w i l l de l i ver Cosette to th e be a re r H e w i ll se t tl e a ll s ma l l debts
'
. .

I h a ve th e h on o r to s a l ute yo u wi t h c onsi dera t io n

' ‘

FA N T I N E .

You k n ow th a t si gn a tu re ? re pl i e d the ma n ”
.

I t w a s i n dee d th e s i gn a tu re o f Fa n ti n e T he n a rd i e r recogn i sed it . .

.

T h ere wa s n oth i n g t o sa y H e fel t d ou bly e n ra g d en r a ged a t be i n g

. e

co m pe l led to g i v e u p t he bri be w h i c h h e h oped for n d e n r a ged a t bei n

g
a
,

be a t e n Th e m a n a dded
.
“ yo u c a n k eep th i s p a per a s yo u r rece i p t "
,

T h e n a rd i r ret re a ted i n good orde r

e
“ Th i s s i g na t u re i s very wel l .

i mit a ted ” h e g ru mb l ed bet ween h is t eet h W e l l so be i t ”

T he n
, , ,

h e ma de a desper a te efl o rt “ M on sieu r sa i d h e
'
“ i t i s ll righ t
a
.
, ,
.

Th e n you a re t h e pe rson Bu t y o u m ust set tl e a ll s ma l l d ebts

. T h ere ‘
.

i s a l a rge a mou n t d ue to m e
.
.
.
’

l h e ma n rose to h i s fee t a n d s a i d a t t h e s a me t i me sn a ppi n g w i t h

,
-

h is th u m b a n d fi ng e r so m e d u t fro m h i s t h re a d b a r e sl eeve : “ M on si eu r
,
s

The n a rd i er i n J n u a ry th e m oth er reck oned th a t s h e o wed y ou a b u n

,
a

d r d a n d twen ty fr a n cs ; you se n t h e r i n Fe bru a ry a me mor a n d u m of

e

fi ve h u n d red fra n cs ; yo u recei ved t h ree h u n d 1 ed fr a n c s a t t h e e n d o f

'

F e bru a ry a n d l h ree h u n d red a t th e begi n n i n g of M a rc h Th e l e h a s

, .

s i nce e l a pse d n i n e mo n t h s w h i c h a t fi ft t e n fr a n cs pe r m on th t h e p 1 i c e
, , ,

a greed u po n a m o u n ts t o a
,
h u nd re d a n d th i rty fi ve fr a n cs Yo u ha d -
.

recei ved a h u nd red fr a n cs i n a d v a n ce T h ere re m a i ned t h i rty fi ve fra n c s .

-

If feel s t he m o me n t w h en h e fi nds h im
d
crush ed by t he stee l j a ws of th e t ra p
a n .
“W h a t i s th i s dev i l
a n t h ou g h t h e
,
fl 1

d i d w h a t t he wol f fl ees , h e g i ve a sp ri n g A uda ci ty h a d su c .

c eede d w i th h i m on ce a l re a dy .

“ M on si e u r I d o n t k n ow you r —n a m e sa i d h e resol u te l y
’
a nd
pu t
- - -
.
, ,

ti n g a sid e th i s ti me a ll sh ow of respect I sh a l l ta k e b a pk t e t l e o r .

y ou m ust gi ve me a th ous a n d crow n s T he stra nger sa i d q uietly , .

’
o

”
co me C o set t e .

He took Co se tte w i th h i s l e ft h a nd a n d wi th th e rig h t pi ck ed u p his ,

a fi w h i ch wa s on t he grou n d
'

stw .

The n a rd i er n o te d th e e nor mou s si ze o f th e c ud gel , a n d t h e sol i t u d e o f

t he p la c e .

T h e ma d i sa p ea red 1 n th e wood w i t h th e ch i l d, l ea vi n g th e c h o p:
n
p
h ou se k ee pe r mo u o n less a n d n o n pl u ssed
-

A s th ey wa l ke d a w a y Th n a rd ie r o bse rv ed hia b roa d sh o u l de rs a

,
e .

l i t t l e ro u n d ed a nd his bi g fis t s Then h is eyes fe ll ba t h u po n h is o wn

n y a rms u h t h in ha n ds
,
“ I mu st ha ve been a fo o l i n d eed
"
t h o ugh t
p u
g .
, .
 LE S H I S ER ABLES .

h e “n o t l o h nvc b rdu gh t my g u n a s I wa s goi n o n a h u n t H ow

' '

e ve r t he i n n k eep e r d i d uht a b a n don t h e p u rsu i t g I mu s t k n o w wh ere

.
,
,
'
‘
- .
,
,

be h e ; a n d h e bega n t o fol l ow t h e m a t a d ist a n ce T h ere .

re ma i n ed t wo t h i ngs _ i n h is possessi on , o ne a b i tt er mock e ry t h e p ie ce of ,

a p e r s igned F a mi n e a n d t h e ot h er a con sol a t ion , th e fi t t e c n h u n d rdd

’

p ,

fra ncs .

T h ma n w a s l e a d i ng Cose t te i n t h e d i rect ion of Li v ry a n d B o ndy

e .

He wa s w a l k i n g sl ow ly h i s h e a d ben t dow n i n a n a t t itu de o f reflectio n , ,

l h c w i n t er ha d bere ft t h e wood o f fol i a ge s o t h a t T h e

'
'
a nd a d nc s
s s .
. ,

n u rd i e r did n ot lo se sigh t o f th e m th oug h re ma i n i ng a t a consi de ra ble .

,

d i t a n ce be h in d Fro m t i m e to ti me t h e ma n t u rn ed a n d l ook ed t o see

s .

i f h e we re fol l owed S u dd e n ly h e percei ved T h e na rd i e r Il e a t on ce

.
‘

“
‘

e ntered a coppi ce w i h t a n d both i s ppe re d fro m sig h t

d a a T he -
.

T h e n a rd i er a n d h e red ou bled h is p a ce ,
.

W hen
’

T he d en si ty o f th e th i cket co m pe l l e d h i m to a p proa ch th e m . .

t h c ma n rc dc hc d t h e th i ck es t p a rt of t h e w ood he t urned a g a i n
'
Th e ,
.

n e rd i er h a d e n de a vore d t o con ce a l h i msel f i n th e b ra n c hes i n v a in h e

'

cou l d n ot pre ve nt t he ma n fro m seei n g h im T h e ma n c a st a n u n e a sy .

gl a n ce a t hi m t h e n sh a nk h is h e a d , a n d res u med h is j o u rn ey T h e i n n
,
.

k ee pe r a g a i n took up t he p u rs u i t They w a l k ed th us tw o or t h ree b li n .

d red p a ce s S udden l y th e ma n t u rn e d a g a i n H e percei v ed t h e i n n

. .

k ee pc r Th i s ti me h e l ook ed a t h im so forbid d i n gl y th a t T he na rd ie r
.

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ud b d i t u n profi ta b l e to go fu rt h er T he n a rd ie r w e n t h o me
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c o ss rrn .

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W h e n h e fel l i n to t he sea or r a t h e r w h e n h e th re w h i msel f i nto i t h e , ,

wa s a s we h a ve see n free fro m h is i ron s

,
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.

sh i p a t a nch or to w h i c h a bo a t w a s fa sten ed .

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. .

n i gh t h e be took h i msel f a ga i n to t h e w a ter a n d rc a c h ed t h e l a n d a ,

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sh ort d i sta n ce fro m C a p e B ru n .

id n ot la c l: for mon ey h e cou l d procu re cl o t hes

M
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l i ttle pu bl ic i n th e e n v i ron s o f B a l a g uier wa s th n th e pla c e w h ic h e

s u ppl ied c l oth i n g for esc a ped con vi ct s a l u c ra ti ve b usin ess T h e n Je a n , .

V a lj e a n l i k e a ll th ose j oyless fu g i ti v es w h o a re e nde a vori n g to th r ow

,
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o ff th e t ra c k t h e spy of t h e la w a n d soci a l fa ta l i t y fol l owed a n obsc u re ,

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.
,

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.

m ol e w h ose w i n d i n gs a re u nk n ow n Th e re wa s a fterw a rds fou n d so me .

t ra ce of h i s p a ss a ge i n A i n on ,
'

n ee s a t Accon s a t a pl a ce ca l led ,

o f Ch a va ilic s a n d in th e e n vir ,

of C h a pel l e G on a guet H e fi na .

a t M on tfer mei l .
 LB S m sfi a a nne s .

t h en a tudd ed w i th s tic k s o f ta n ba rk t h a t l oo k ed l i ke gi
mea d o w s

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w h i c h cou ld be rea d i n l a rge lette rs : PO ST NO BI L L S ; t h i s bol d

p ro me n a d e r wia sa y w ou ld re a c h th e corn e r of t he R ue d es V ign es
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, ,

to w a rds t he h i g h w a y a n d h e n ce its a p p a re n t d i m i n u ti ve n e ss Ne a rl y
,

t h e w h ol e h ou se w a s h i dde n O n ly t he door a n d on e w i nd ow cou ld be .

se ep T h i s ol d d we l l i n g h a d b a t o n e sto ry O n ex a m in in g i t t he pe
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c u lia ri ty th a t fi rst stru c k t he be h o ld e r wa s t h a t t he d oor co u ld ne ver

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'

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b e e n o u t i n free sto ne a n d o ut i n ro ugh ma te ri a l , m i g h t h a v e b ee n th e

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ea se m en t of a l ord ly resi d e n ce .

The doo r wa s merely a col lec t i on of w or m e a te n bo a rds ru de l y ta ck ed .

-

t oge ther w i th cross pi eces th a t l o ok ed l i k e p i eces o f fi rewood cl u msi l y

.
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sp l i t o u t I t op e ned di rectly o n a stee p s ta i rca se w i th h i gh s te ps cove red

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w h i c h see m ed fro m th e st ree t to ri se pe rpe n di c u l a rly like a l a d d er a n d ,

d i s ppea r i n t he sh a d ow bet w ee n t wo w a l l s T h e to p o f t he sh a pe l ess

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a .

open i ng w h i c h th i s d o r c l osed u pon wa s d i sg u ised by a n a rro w t o p o

,

sc rp e n in th e mid d le of w h i c h h a d b e e n s a wed 11 t h ree corn e red ori fic e

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t h a t se rv ed bo t h fo rekylig h t a n d ve n t i l a t o r wh e n t he d o o r w s s h u t O n a .

t he in sid e o f t he door a br us h d i pped i n i n k b a d i n a cou pl e of st rok e s

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o f th e h a nd tra ced t he n u mber 5 2 a n d a bove t he sc ree n t h e s a me bru sh

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p l i e s No ! a t n u mber 25 ! T h e d u s t col ore d r ug s t h a t h u n g i n g

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c u rta i n s a bo u t t he th ree cornered ve n ti l a to r we wi d no t a t te m p t -

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wou n ds w h i c h w re a t o n c e con ce a le d a n d ma de e
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ma n i feht by i nge n ious stri ps a n d b a n d a ges of p11 po r a n d t h c s lt u t t e rs

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t h a n th ey sh ie l ded t he occ u p a n ts w i t h i n "T h e h ori z o n ta l sl a ts w e r e

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l a ck i ng h e re a n d there a n d ha d bee n ve ry si m pl y re pl a ced w i th bo a rds

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n a i led a cross so t h a t w h a t ha d bee n a V en e ria n i n th e th a t

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e nd ed a s a re g u l a r c lose s h u tte r
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l h is d oo r w i t h i ts d i rty l ook . .

w i nd o w wit h i ts decen t th ou g h d i l a pid a te d a p pe a ra n c e se wn t h ,

a n d t he s a m e b ui ld i ng p rod uced t he e ffec t o f t wo ra gged b egg a rs

‘

, .

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t he sa me r a gs o n e h a vi ng a l wa ys bee n a p a u per w h i l e t h e o t h er ha
,

a gen tle ma n :

The sta i r c a se l ed u p to a v ery s pa c iou s i n terior, w h i c h l ook ed l i ke a

 C O S E TT E .

b a rn c on ver ted i nto a h ouse Th i s structu re h a d for its m a i n ch a n n el of

'
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.

com mu n i c a ti on a lo n g b a ll on w h i ch th e re ope n ed on ei th e r si de a p a rt
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. o

grou nds of th e n eigh bo r hoo d Al toge th er i t w a s d a rk a n d d u l l a n d .

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, ,

h a d bee n w a l l ed u p form ed a sq u a re n i ch e so m e si x feet fro m th e grou nd ,

w h ic h W 1s fi l led w it li s t o n es th a t p a s i n g u rch i n s h a d th row n i n to i t 1 =

A por t io n of th is bu i ld i n g h a s rece n tly b ee n p ul le d dow n b u t w h a t: O ,

re m a ms a t th e p rese n t da y s t ill con veys a n ide a of w h a t i t w a s T he

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st ru c t u l e t a ke n a s a w hol e 13 n ot m o re th a n a h u n d red ye a rs o ld
,
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.

Hun d red ye a rs i s you th to a c h u rc h bu t ol d a ge t o a pri v a te m a n si o n ,

.

I t wo ul d see m th a t th e d wel l i n g: of ma n p a 1 ta k es of h i s bri ef ex isten ce ,

a n d t h e d wel li n g of G od o f H is eterni ty ,
.

Th e le t t e r c a rriers c a l l ed th e h o use No 5 0—5 2 ; b u t it wa s k n ow n , 1n

'

th e q u a rte r a s G o 1 b ea u fl n se , Q o .

O pposi te No 5 0 5 2 s ta nds, a m o n w th e sh a de trees th a t l i n e th e Bou

leva rd a t a l l e 1 m th re e q u a rters de a d a n d a l most d i1 e c t ly 1 n fro n t o pe n s
'

, , , ,

t h e Ru e d o la B a n i ere d es G obel i ns — a st 1 ee t a t th a t ti m e, wi th ou t ,

h ouses u n p a ved bordered w i th scru bby trees gra ss gi o wn or mu d ly,

, , ,

a cco rd i ng to th e se a s o n a n d 1 u n n i n g sq u a u ly u p to t h e w a ll e n ci rcl i n g

P a ri s A n odor o f vit iio l a scen d ed 1 n p u ffs fro m t h e roo fs o f a n eig h

,
a
.

b fl in g fa ct ry o .

T h e Ba rri ere w a s q u i te n e a r I n 18 2 3 t he e nci rcl i ng Wa l l yet ex isted .

,
.

T h is Ba iruere i t selt fi lled th e m i n d w i th glo o mf i ma ge s I t w a s o n

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th e wa y to t he B ic etre I t w a s th ere th a t u nd e r t he Em pi re a n d th e .
,

Restora t io n co nde m n ed cri m i n a ls re e n te red Pa ris o n th e d a y of th ei r

,

exec u tio n I t w a s th ere t h a t a bou t th e ye a r 1 8 2 9 wa s c o mm it t d t he , , ,

” f

m ysteri ous a ss a ssi n a t io n c a l l ed “ th e m u rd e r o f th e B a rri ere d e Fon ,

t a i n e b lea u t h e perpetr a tors of wh ich th e a u t h ori ti es h a ve n ever d is

,

cove red — a som b re pro bl e m w h i ch h a s n ot yet b '

e n igm a n o t y et u n r a ve l l ed G o a fe w steps fu t .

fa ta l Rue Crtmle ba rb e w h ere U lb a e h st a bbed th e

i n a th u n de r storm i n t h e sty l e of a m el o dra ma ,
. .

o u co m e to th o se d e t e s t a bl e cl i pped e lma ree s

y
J a cq ues th a t ex pedi e n t o f p hila n t h r p ists t o h i d e th e sc a ff ol d th a t pi ti l
,
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ful a n d sh a mefu l Pl a ce d é G r eve of a c o ek n ey s h o p k eepi n g soc i e ty ,

w h i c h recoi l s fro m c a pi ta l p u is h n 1e nt ye t d a res n ei ther to a bol i sh it 1 ,

with l oft y d i g n i ty n or to m a i n t a i n i t w i t h fi r m a u th ori ty

,

Th i rty se ve n ye a rs a o e xce p t i ng th i s p l a c e S a i n t J a cq ue s w h i c h rr
, ,

see m e d fo re d oom ed a n d a l w a y s wa s h orri ble t he gl oo m i e s t o f a ll thi s

, ,

l o o my Bou le v a rd wa s th e s pot sti l l so u n a t t ra c ti ve wh e re sto od t li e o ld

g , ,

b u i ld i n g 5 0 5 2 -
.

,
The ci ty dw el l i ng h o uses d id n ot be g i n to sta r t u p th e re un til som e
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-
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. .

me l a n c ho ly th ough ts t h a t se i zed y o u th e re , yo u fe l t co n sc i o us o f b ei n g be .
n
 L ES m sfi a a nm s .

t w ee n a th e c u pol a o f w hi ch wa s i n ei gh t a n d B ic et re
La S a lpé t n e re,
t he b a rri er of wh ich w a s cl osed by —t h a t is to sa y bet we e n th e w ick ed
.
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fol ly o f w o m a n a n d th a t o f
.
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W a s noth i n g to b e see n b u t t h e p u bl i c s h a m bl es th e c i ty w a l l a n d h ere , ,

a n d t h ere t he s ide of a fa c t o ry resc mb li n g a b a r ra ck or 11 m on a stery; f

o n a ll sides m iser a ble b o w ls a n d h e a ps of ru bbish o td W a l l s a s bl a ck a s

, ,
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w id o ws weeds a n d n w w a l l s a s w h i te a s w i n d i ng shgets ; o n a li sid es,
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u ra lic l rows of t rees bu ild i n gs i n st ra igh t l i nes ld w fl a t tructu res ,

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o ng cold pers p ecti ves a n d t h e gloomy s a m e n ess of r i gh t a n gl es

. , No t .

a v a ri a tio n of th e s ur f a ce o f t h e gro u nd no t a c a price o f n1 c l1 it eet u rc , ,

n ot a c urve Al togethe r i t wa s c h i l ly reg ul a r a n d h id eou s N o t h i n g

'
.
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st ifl t s o n e l i ke th i s pe rpe tu a l sy m me try Sy m m etry is e n n u i a n d e n n u i .

,
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i s th e very esse nce o f grief a n d me la n c h o ly,

’
Des p a i r y a w n s So m e
‘

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. .
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th i n g m ore te rri bl e th a n a h el l of s a il o ri ng ma y be con ce i ved ; t o w i t a

'

, .

h el l of e n n ui W er e th ere su ch a h ei l i n e x i s te nce t his sectio n of t h e

.
,

Bb u leva rd d e l H Gp ita l m igh t we ll serve a s t h e a pp ro a ch to it

’
-
.

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, , ,

i n wi n ter a t th a t h ou r w he n t he e v e n i n g bre eze te a rs from th e el m s th e i r

,

fa d ed a n d w i th ered l e a v es w h e n th e gl oom i s deep w i th ou t a si n gl e s t a r , , ,

o r w h e n th e m o on a n d th e w i n d m a k e O pe n i ngs i n the cl o uds , t hi s Ro u

leva rd bec a m e posi ti vely terri fyi n g Thc d mk % u t lin es sh ra n k to ge th e r , .
.
‘

a n d e ve n los t t h em sel v es i n t he o bscu ri ty l k e fra 1n en ts o f th e i n fi ni te

i g ,
.

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-

t ra d it io n smf the s pot Th e sol it ud e of th is n eigh b orh ood in w h i ch so .

ma ny cri mes h z i d bee n com m i tted h a d som et h i n g fe a rfu l a he nt i t O n e ,

.

fel t prese n t im e nts of s n a res i n thi s o bscu ri ty ; a ll t h e co n fused ou tl i n es

visi bl e th rough th e gl o om were eyed s usp i c iously a n d th e oblong c a v i , ,
'
ti es be twee n t he t rees s ee m ed l i k e gra v es I n t h e d a y t i m e i t w a s u gly ;
'
.
'

i n th e e ven i ngfl t w a s dism a l ; a t n igh t i t wa s om i n us of ev i l I u su m o .

’

m er i n t h e t wii igh t so ure ol d wo m a n m igh t b e see n -se a t ed h ere a n d

,
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.

t here u n d e r t he el ms o n b en ch es m a d e m o u ldy by th e r a i n Th ese

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go od old d a mes we re a d d ic t ed t o be g g i ng
'
.

I n c o n cl usi o n t h is q u zyrter, w h i c h wa s r a t h e r su per a n n u a ted t h a n

,
.
-

a n ci e n t fro m t h a t ti m e beg a n to u n de r g o a t r a nsform a ti o n T h e n c e to r t h ,

’

.
,

w h ee sten E a ch d a y som e o f its d et a i ls w h ol ly .

,

h a s bee n th e e a se fo r t we n ty y e a rs p a st , t h e ter
r a i l ro a d l i e s j us t ou tsi de o f th e o ld s u bu rb a n d .
,

IVh e re ver yo u m a y l o c a te i n th e Ou t sk i r ts o f a
‘

-
.
,

t i t is th e d e a t h of a s ub u rb a n d th e bi rth o f a , ,

t h ou g h a rou n d th ese gre a t ce nt res o f th e a cti vi ty

of n a ti ons a t t he ru m bl i ng of th ese mig h ty en gi n es a t t he s n o rti ng of
, ,

th ese gi a n t d r a ugh t l1 orsc s o f c i v i l i sa ti o n, wh ich d evou r c -

.
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forth fi re t he e a rth te em i n g w i th ge rms . o f l i fe t re m b les

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bl e n e w ho use ssp r1ng u p
, .

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Sa lpetriere th e old n a rro w street , q

a n d th e J a rdi n des Pl a n tes a re gi vi n w v i ol en tly tr a ve rsed a s t hey

g a
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Bi c etre is a n i n s a n e a sy l u m fo r ma les,
’

a nd La S a lp etriere b o n es o f c or
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. a
m oti o n for a b a n d on ed w o men —En . .
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or fou r t i m es a da y by th ose stre a m s o f

t h ree h a ck s
'

a re, ,

a n d om n i buses w h ich i n cou rse o f ti m e p ush b a ck , ,

8 rig h t ,

a n d l e ft ; for t h erc a re th i n g s th a t sou n d st ra n e l h a re

.
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,

p recisely co rrect a n d j us t a s t h e re m a rk i s t ru e; th a t m l a rge ci ties ,

t h e s u n c a uses tiie fro n ts mf h ouses l ook i n g sou th to veget a te a n d gr o w,
, ,
‘

so is i t u nde n i a bl e th a t t he fi eq u en t p a fseng e o f v e h icles w i d en s t h e

stree ts T h e sy m ptom s of a n e w l i fe a re e x id c n t I n th a t ol d prov i n
. .

ci u l q u a 1 ter a n d 1 11 i ts w il des t c e rn oi s p a v em e n t i s b eg i n n i ng to a ppe a r

, , ,

si d ew a l ks a re spri ngi n g u p a n d stre tc h i n g to l on ge 1 a n d lo n g er dist a nc es ,

e ve n in t hose pa 1 ts w h ere th e 1 e a re a s ye t n o p a ssers by On e m o rn i n g .

a m emo r a bl e m orn i n i n Jp l 1 8 1 5 bl a ck k et tl es fi l l ed w i t h bi tu m e n
g y , ,

we 1 e s ee n sm ok i n g t h ere , o n th a t d a y o n e co u l d egc la i m th a t ci v i l i z a s
,
4

t io n h a d re a ch ed t he Ru e d e l O m c i n e a n d th a t P a 1 is h a d step ped a c ross ,

i n to t h e F a ubou rg S a i n t M a rce a u .

.
A N E ST FO R OWL AND WR EN .
’

B efore th e G e rbe a u te n em e n t Je a n V a lj elin st obped Li k e th e bi rd s '

.

o f p rey h e h a d ch ose n th is l on e l y pl a ce to m a k e h is n est

,
.

H e fu m bl ed i n h i s w a istc oa t a n d took f1 o m i t a sort of nigh t k ey ,

ope n e d t h e door e ntered th e n c a refu l l y clo se d i t a g a i n a n d a sce n ded t he

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st a i rw a y sti l l c a rt y in g C oset te
,
.

At th e top of th e sta ir w a y h e d 1 c w from h is pocke t s n e th e n kg yg w ith

w h i ch h e ope n ed a n ot her d oor T h e c h a m ber w h i ch h e e n tere d a n d .

c lo sed a g a i n i m m edi a tel y wa s a se t t of g a 1 ret r a t her sp a cio us furn i sh e d , ,

o n ly w i t h a m a ttr ess spre a d o n t he floor a t a bl e a n d a few ch a i 1 s A , ,

st o s e co n t a i n i n g a fi re t h e co a l s o f w h i ch were v isi bl e stood 1 11 o n e cor

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n e r T h e street l a m p o f th e B o ule vm d sh e d a d i m l igh t t hro ugh t h i s

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p oo r i n te rio r A t t h e fu rt h e t e xt re m i ty t h e re wa s a l i ttl e room con t a i n

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i n g a co t bed 0 11 th i s Je a n Va liea n l a i d th e ch i l d w i th o u t w a k i ng h e r
. .

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t i n d er box stood re a dy be fore h a n d o n th e t a

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o n t h e precedi ng e ve n i ng h e beg l ook o f

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e cst a cy in w h i c h th e e x pre ssi o n

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t o t h e ve rge o f i n s a n i ty T he l i ttle gi .

wh ic h bel o n gs o n ly to e x tre m e st reng t h

a sl eep w i t h ou t k n ow i n g w i th w h om s he w a s a n d
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w ith ou t kn ow i n g w h ere sh e w a s J e a n V a lj e a n b en t d o w n a n d k i ssed

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t h e ch i l d s h a n d Ni n e mo n ths bef re h e h a d k is sed th e h a n d of th e

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m oth e r wh o a l so ha d j ust fa l l e n sl eep T b e sa m e 11 r11 fn l

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n iz in g fe eli n g n ow fi l l ed h i s h ea rt He k n el t do w n t h e bedsid e of Co
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sette .

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t h e Det c m ber su n st r u ggl ed th rough t h e ga rret wi ndo w a n d tr a c ed u po n

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t h e ce il i n g l ong stre a k s o f l i g h t a n d sh a de S udde n l y a c a rrier 8 w a go n .

h e a v i l y l a den t ru n d l ed p ve r t he c ob bl e ston es of t h e Bo u le v a rd a n d
, ,

s h ook th e ol d bu i l
d i n g l ik e t he r u m b l i n g of a t e m es t, j a rri n
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c oll a r to ro of tree .
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t he 0 m a o f t he w a l l 0 h w h a t sh a l l I do ? W h e re 18 m y b roo m .

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By thi s t i me h er eyes we re fu l l y ope n a n d sh e sa w t h e s m i l i n g fa ce of ,

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i n g t h e mse lve n a t u r a l l y a ll h a p pi n ess a nd j oy

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t ose tte n o t i ced ( a t ha ri n e a t t h e foo t of t h e b ed l a id h ol d o f he r a t

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on ce a n d p l a yi n g the w h i l e a sk ed Je a n V a lj e a n a t h o u sa nd Qu e t i on s
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s .

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1 a a

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o n ce sh e e x c l a i med [l o w p t e t ty i t i s h e re
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\ l tist I wee ?
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s he con t i ed t le ng t h “Pl a y repl i ed Je a n
p s n u a .

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. .
,

sa lt w i t h t r i ng t o u n d e 1 sta n d a ny t h i ng a bo u t i t wa s i n ex p ressi ly na ppy

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w i t h h er d o l l a n d he r good ft ic n d .

TWO M I S FO RTU N E S M I N G L ED M AKE H A PPI N E SS .

The d a w n o f t lio ne x t d a y fou nd J e a n V a l j e a n a g a i n 11 c a r t h e bed of ‘

C ose t t e Ho W n ed t he re mo t i on less, to see h e r a w a ke So m e t h i n g

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n e w wa s e n te ri n g h i s so u l

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a nd i n t r a c t a ble T h e h a r t of t he ol d con vi c t wa s fu l l o f fresh n ess

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di st a n t h i c h h a d fi n a l ly a l mos t e n t i1 e | y v a n i s h e d H e ha d .

ma d e e t o fi nd t he m a g a i n a n d n o t s ucceed i n g h a d for , , ,

n a t u rc i s t h us cons t i t u t ed T h e ot h er tende r .

f suc h h e h a d were l os t i n a n a byss ,

w h e n h e ha d t a k e n h er c a r ri ed he r a w a y a n d , ,

he a r t mo ved A l l t h a t h e ha d"of fee l i n g a n d

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.
.

a fi e t io n wa s m o used a n d ve h e me n t l y a t t r a c t ed te wa rd s t l1 is c hi ld ll e
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e .

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d e l i g h t ; he fel t i n a r il ye a rn i n gs l i ke a m o t h e r a n d h o u r n o t w h a t , ,

t h ey we 1 e ; fo r i t 1 ‘ so m et h i n g ve ry i ncom pre he nsi bl e a n d ve ry s wee t,

t h is g r a nd a nd st a n w e e m o t i o n o f 11 h e a r t i n i t s fi rs t l ove
t
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. .

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B u t a s he wa s fi ft y li ve a n d Co se t t e w a s b u t 1 1igh t ye a rs ,
1

h e m i gh t h a ve fel t of love 111 h i s e n t i re l i fe me l ted 111 t o a so r 1

ra d i a nce T h is wa s t he second w h i t e v isi on he ha d see n

. .

ha d c a used t h e d a w n of vi r t ue i n his hori zon ; Cose t t e W olf '

o f l o ve The fi rst few d a ys roll ed by a m id t h is bewil derm e n t O u her

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p a r t Cose t te t o o u n con sci ousl y u n derwe n t a ch a n ge poor li t t le c 1 ea

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t u re l S he w a s so s m l l w h e n h e r m o t h e r l e ft h1 r t h a t sh e cou ld n o t
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recol lec t h e r n ow As a ll c h i ld re n do l i k e t h e yo u n shoo t s of t he v i n e ,

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t h a t cl i n g t o e very t h i n g sh e ha d t rie d t o l ove Sh e h a d n o t bee n a b le

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t o succe ed E ve1 yb o dy h a d repel led h er— t h e T h e n a rd ie rs t h ei r ch i l

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d re n o t h er ch i ld r e n S h e h a d loved t he dog i t ha d d i ed a n d a ft er
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t h a t n o perso n a n d n o t h i n g wou ld h a ve a u h t t o d o w i t h h e r ow n w

fu l t h i n " t o t e l l a n d o n e w h i c h we h a ve a l re a dy h i n ted a t t h o a ge of
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e ig h t hei h t a rt wa s ol d Th i s wa s n o t h e r fa u l t ; i t wa s n o t t he fa 1 u l t y
c . .

of l o v e t h a t sh e l a ck ed a l a s ! i t w a s t he possi bi l i t y A n d so frol n t he ,

ve ry fi rs t d a y a ll t h a t t h ou g h t a n d fe l t l n h e r be ga n to l o ve t h i s k i n d ol d
,

fri e n d S h e n ow fel t se n s a t i n s u t fe rly u n k n ow n to b e t before — a se n

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s a t i o n o f b udd i ng a n d of grow t h .

H e r k i n d f 1 i n d n o lo n ge r i mp c ssed h er a s ol d a nd poor I n h er
t
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eyes Je a n V a l je a n wa s h a n d so m e j us t a s t h e g a rre t ha d se e m ed pre t t y ,

.

S uc h a re t he e ffec t s o f t h e a u rm a l g l ow o f c h i l d h ood you t h a n d j oy ,

.

Th e n e w n ess o f e a r t h a n d o f l i fe h a s som e t h i n g to d o w i t h i t N o th i n g .

i s so c l1 a 1 n 1in a s t h e 1 a ddy t i n t s t h a t h a p pi n ess c a n sh ed a rou d 11 u r

1r n o

re t room
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W c a ll in t h e Cou rse of ou r l i ves h a ve ha d o u r rose col ore d
, ,

sky pa 1 l0 1
N a t u re ha d pl a ced a w i de c h a s m —fi fty ye a rs i n t e rv a l o f a ge— be ’

t wee n Je a n V a l j e a n a n d C ose tt e Th i s ch a s m fa t e fi l l ed u p F a te a h . .

1 u pt l brou h o e h e r a n d w ed d ed wi t h i ts resis t l e ss owe r h e se t w o

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y g t t g t , p t .

sh a t t e red liy e s d issi m i l a r i n ye a rs b u t si m i l a r i n so rrow Th e on e ,

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i n deed wa s t h e co m p l e m e n t o f t h e o t h e r T he i n s t i n c t of Ct $ t t e
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sou g h t for a fa t h er a s t h e i ns t i n c t o f J e a n _ , V a
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t h ei r b i n ds t o u ch ed t h ey we re w ed d e d t o g e t he r W h e n t h ei r t w o so u ls u
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sa w e a e h o t h e r t h ey recog n i sed t h a t t h ey w ere m u t ua lly n ec d ed a n d
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t h ey closely e m br a ced .

Ta k i n g t he word s ia t h e i r m os t com preh en si v e a n d m os t a bsol u te

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se n se i t m i gh t be s a i d t h a t se p a r a t ed fro m e ve ry t h i n g by t he w a l ls of
, ,

t h e t o m b J e a n V a lj e a n W a s t h e h u sh m d b e rea V d a s Cose t t e w a s t h e
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o rph a n T h is posi tio n cma d e J e a n V a lj e a n becom e i n a cel es t i a l s ense ,

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t h e fa t h e 1 o f C ose t t e .

A n d i n t rti t h t he myst erio u s i m p ressi on p rod a

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t h e d e p t h s o f t h e woods a t C h el l es by t he h a n d of
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i n g h er ow n i n t he d rk n ess wa s n o t a n i l l usi on a
,

co m i n g o f t h i s ma n a n d h is pa t t ic ipa t io n i n t he
h a d bee n t h e a d ve n t of G od 0 .

I n t he m e a n w h i l e J e a n V a l j e a n h a d wel l ch ose n h i s h i di ng pl a ce
, .

H e w a s t h ere 1a a st a te of sec u ri t y t h a t seem ed t o be co m pl e t e

The a pa r t m e n t w i t h t he si d e 1 h 1 mi er w h i ch b e occ u pi ed w i t h C ose t t e , . t

w a s t h e on e w h ose w i nd ow 1 0 11 d u t u pon t he Bou l e v a rd Th is wi n

11 1 o

d ow b eihg t he on l y on e i n t he h ouse t h ere wa s n o n e ig h bor s pr yi n g

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e e t o f e a r e i t he r from t h a t s i d e o r O pp o i t e s
y
The l ow er floo r o f No 50 5 2 w a s a sor t of di la p i d a t ed sh e d i t se rved
a s a sor t of st a ble fo r m a rk e t g a rd e ner s; a n d ha d n o co m
,
.

m u n i c a t i o n wi t h
t h e u pp e r floo r It w a s se p a ra t e d fro m it by th e fl o o ri n g w h i c h h a d
.
,

n ei t h e r sta irtva y n or t ra p d oor a n d wa s a s i t we re t h e d i a ph ra g m o f -

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t he o ld b u i ld i n g The u p pe r fl oo r c o n ta in ed , a s we h a v e sa id , se ve ra l
.
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LES n rsxza a a t a s .

r oo m s a n d a fe w l o fts on l y on e of w h i ch wa s occ u pied — b y a n old

,

W o m a n w ho wa s m a i d o f a ll w ork to J ea n V a lj ea n A l l t he res t we re .

u n i n h a bi t d e
.

I t w a s t h i s o ld wom a n h o n ored w i t h t h e t i t l e of l a n dl a dy b u t i n , , ,

rc a lit y i n t r11s t e d w i t h t h e fu n c t i ons o f p r t r ess wh o h l t l re n t e d h i m

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141 0 13 l o l _
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1 1 1- 11
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o ll o h a d p a ssed h i mse l f o ff t o h e r a s 1 .

a g e n t l e m a n u t me a ns rui ned by t h e Sp a n is h b a n ds w h o w a s goi n g t o

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l i v e t he re wi t h h i s ra n d d a u g h t er H e h a d pa id hei for s
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a d v a nce a n d e ng a ged t h e ol d d a m e to fu r nis h t he c h a m ber t h e l i t tle .

b ed ro b n i a s we h a ve d escri be d t h e m
, ,

, T h is o l d 11 0 1111111 it w h o 1 1d .
‘
.

k i nd l ed t he fi re 1n t he s t o ve a n d m a de e ve ry t h i n g re a d y fo r t h e m o n t he ,

eve n i n g o i t h ei r a rri v 1] 1 .

W 0 0 11 3 1 o lled by T h ese t wo be i ngs led i n t h a t w re tc h ed sh elter a

.
’

h a ppy l i fe .

From t he e a rl ies t d a w n Coset t le l augh ed p r a t t l ed a n d s a n g C h i l d re n ,

.

h a ve t h i r mo rn in song l i k e bi rds
e w
, .

So me t i mes it ha ppe nt d t h a t Je a n V a lj ea n w ou l d ta k e h er l i t t l e red

h a n d a ll c h o p pe d a n d fros t bi t te n a s it wa s a n d k iss it Th poor ch i l d
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,

a cc us t om ed o n ly t o blow s ha d n o ide a w h a t t h is m e a n t a n d w ou ld d ra w
, ,

b a ck a h a med s .

A t t i m es sh e g re w se ri ou s a n d l ook ed m us i ngl y a t her l i t t l e b l a c k ,

d ress Cose t t e wa s n o lo : 1ge r i n ra gs ; she wa s in mo u i n in g S h e wa s

. .

i ss u i ng fro m u t te r p ove r t y a n d wa s c ritc rin g u pon l i fe

cz c

.
,

J e a n V a lj e a n ha d be g u n t o te a ch he r t o re a d Som et i m es w h il e
.
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t e a ch i ng t h e ch i l d t o s pel l he wou l d re m e m ber t h a t i t wa s w i t h t h e i n

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t e n t i on of a c c o mp lis hi m e v i l t h a t h e ha d le a rn ed t re a d i n t he ga llc ys
Th i s i n tep t io n h a d 11 11 been c h a n ged i n t o t e a ch i n g ag
r .
,

11 c hild t o re a d Then .

t h e ol d con vi c t wou l d s m i l e w i t h t h e p e nsi ve s m i le o f a n g el s .

H e fe l t t n t h is a pre ord i n a t i on t ro m o n M h 11 v ol i t i o n o t som e o n e a t

,
.

m ore t h a n 11111 11 a n d h e wo ul d l o se h i m sel f i n re veri e G ood t h ou g h t s

,
.

a s we l l a s ba d h a ve t h ei r a b sses
y .

To te a c h t ose t te t o 1 e 11 d a n d t o w a t c h he r p la yi n g wa s n ea rl y a ll
‘
.
, p
‘
wh e n Va lie a n 8 l i fe A n d t h e n h e wOu ld t a l k t o h er a bo u t h er mo t h er ,
’

,
.

a n d t ea c h he r t o 111 a y
.

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S h e c a l led h i m F a ther a n d h n ew h i m by n o o t h e r n a m e ,
. .

in g hc 1 1l1 c ss a n d u nd ress hc o d ll a n d fi sh n i n g to 1 '

o
,

h er son g Fro m t h a t t i m e o n l i fe see m ed l ul l of i n te l est , ,

to h i m ; good a n d j u st ; h e no l ong e r i n h i s t h oug h ts i a ,

p ro a c h e d b a n y w ron g ; h e sa w n o t ea so n n ow w hy h e h o u l d s

n o t l i ve 1 o ld si nce h issc h ild l o ved h i m H e l ooked fo rw a rd .

,

t o a lun g l a m i n a t d by Cose tt e wit h ch a rm i n g l i g h t The ve ry

e - .

bes t of 11s a re n o t a l t o ge t h er e xe m p t fro m so m e t i nge o f 0 ,

t i m es h e t h ou g h t w i t h a sor t of q u i e t s a t is fa c t io n , t h a t s h e
,
.

n o m e a n s h a ndsom e
T h i s i s b u t a pe rson a l o pi n i on ; b u t i n ord e r to e x pr
.

t h o ro u hly a t t h e poi n t Je a n Va lj 1 a n ha d re a ch ed wh e n
u
, ,

l ove C o se t t e it i s n o t c le a r to u s t h a t h e d i d n o t re q ui re t h i
,

py l of g ood ness t o e n a b l e h i m t o pe rsevere i n t h e ri g h t p a

‘

see n t he w i ck ed n ess of m e n a n d t he m i sery of so c 1et y u nde

— a spc c ts i n com ple t e a n d u n fo r t d n a t e ly sh ow i n g fe l t h on ] ,

the t ru t h — the lo t of w o m a n s u m m e d u p i n Fa iit inc , p u b

, ,
 LES m sEa A BL s s .

M o n t ferm e i l m orn i n g t h i s old fe m a l e spy sa w Je a n a lj ea n go

. O ne ,

w i t h mt p pea ra n ce w h i ch se med pecu l i a r to th e ol d b u syb

a t i n to o n e
o f t h e u n in lt a b i t c d a pa rt nw n t s o f th e b u i ld i ng S he fol lowed w i th t he
‘
.

ste p s o f a n o ld c a t a n d co u ld se e h i tu w i thou t h e rst i t b i n g see n th rough

, e ,

t h c c h i n k o f t h e d oo r di rec t ly opposi te J e a n V a lj e a n hud , dou b t less -

.

fo r gre a te r c a u ti on t u rn ed h i s b a c k u po n t h e d oor i n q ues t i o n The

, .

old wo m a n sa w h i m fu m bl e i n h i s po c k e t a n d ta ke fro m it a n eed l e c a se , ,

s i sors a n d t h re a d a n d t h e n p roce e d t o ri p ope n t he l i n i n g o f o n e la p

c
s ,

e l o f h is c o a t a n d t a k e fro m u n d er i t a ie c e of y el lo w is h p a per w h ic h
p
lie u n fold ed T h e be ld a m e rem a rked w it h d ism a y t h a t it w a s a ba t k
,

bi l l fo r a t h ous a n d fra n cs I t w a s t he seco n d or t h i rd o n e on ly t ha t slit:

.

S h e ra n a w
.

ha d e ve r s t e n a y very m uch f ri h t t n ed
g .

A m o me n t a ft e rw a rds J e a n V a lj e a n a ccost d h e r a n d a sk ed h e r to get i

,

t h i s t h ous a n d fr a n c bi l l c h a n ged fo r h i m a dd i ng th a t i t wa s t h e b o l t? ,

y e rly i n te res t o n h is p rope rty w h i ch h e h a d recei ved o n th e pre v io us

a

”
da y . W h e re t h ough t t he old wo m a n [10 d id n o t go o u t u n ti l si x
,
.

o cl ock a n d th e govern m e n t tre a su ry i s cert a i n ly n ot o pe n a t t h a t h o u r

'
, .

T he old wom a n got t h e n o t e ch a n g e d a ll t he w h i l e fo r tn i n w h er co nj ee

tu res Th i s bi l l o f a th o us a n d fra ncs co m mn t ed u po n a n d m u l ti pl ied
,

,
e ,

g a ve rise t a h os t o f bre a t h l e ss co n fe re nces a m on g th e gos si ps o f th e

o

Rue dc s V tg n c s S a in t M a rcel .

So m e da yzfia fte rwa rds i t ch a n ced t h a t Je a n V a lj e a n i n h is s h i rt sl eev es

, , ,

wa s s a w ing wood t n t he e n t ry I h e o l d w om a n w a s i n h i s room d oi n g

'
.

t h e c h a m be rwo rk S he w a s a l o ne Cosette wa s i n t en t u pon th e wo d

. .
o

hé wa s s a w i n g The o ld wo m a n sa w t h e c o a t h a n gi n g on a n a i l a n d ex
.

a mi n e d i t T h e l i n i n g ha d b ee n sewe d ov e r S he fe l t i t c a re fu l ly a n d
though t sh e co ul d d e tect i n t he l a p pels a n d int ho p a dd i ng th i ck n esse s
.

o f pa p er O t h e r t hous a nd fra n c bi ll s beyo n d a dou b t !

.

S h e n oti ced be s id es t h a t t h e re we re a ll sort s of th i ngs i n t lt eqi oekets

, ,
.

N ot on ly we re t he re t he n ee d l es sc i ss ors a n d t h re a d w h i h sh e ha d , ,
c

a lre a d y see n bu t a l a rge pock e t bo o k a v ery b ig k n if e n d wors t sy ru p :

'
a
, , , ,

t o m of a ll se v er a l w i gs of d i lfc re n t colors
,
E very pocke t o f t h i s co a t
ha d th e a ppe a ra n e of co n t a i n i n g so m et h i ng t o be p ro v ide d w i t h a g a i n st
c

a n de n e m er g e n c ies .

'

h a s, the occu p a n ts o f t h e ol d b ui ld in g rea c he d th e cl osi ng d a y s of

W i n ter .

0
A r t v n r n a n o P I EC E F
‘

A L LI N G on Tu e s no on M A K ES -A s o res .

Th ere wa s i n t h e n eigh borh ood o f S t M ed a rd a n en dic a n t, w h o sa t

c rouch i n g over t h e edge o f u co n dem n ed pu bl i c w ell n e a r by a n d to
'
.

wh om Je a n Va lj e a n ofte n ga v e a ltn s He n e ve r p a sse d th is ma n wit h

'

o u t gi v i n h i m a fe w pen n i es So m eti m es he s ok e to h i m T hose w h o

g p .

were ou v i ms of th i s } oor cre a tu re s a id h e wa s i l! th e pa y of t he pol i ce

H e wa s a n ol d c h urc ii b e a dl e o f se ve n ty fi ve , who wa s a l w a ys m u mbl i ng
.
.

pra y e rs .

O ge even i ng a s Je an wa s p a ss i n g th a t wa y a ccom p a n ie d by ,

Cose tte , h e n o tic ed t h e begg a r si tti ng in h is usu a l p l a ce , u nde r the

 C O S E TT E . 103

s treet l a m p w h i ch h a d j u s t bee n l igh ted Th e ma n a ccord i n g t o e n s .

,
-

t e tn seem ed to be p r a yi n g a n d w a s be n t ov e r Je a n V a lj e a n w a l k e d
‘

,
. .
,

u p to h i m a n d pu t a p i ece of m o n ey i n h i h a n d a s u u a l
,
Th e begg a r s s

sua d en ly r t ise d h i s eyes g a zed i nte n tl y a t Je a n V a lj e a n a n d t ln n

, ,

q ui c kly d ropp ed h is h e a d Th i s m ov e m e n t w a s l i ke a fl a s h Je a n V a l .

j e a n sh u dd e re d ; i t seem ed t o h i m th a t h e ha d in t see n by t h e l igh t of s

t h e s tre et l a m p n o t th e c a l m s a n ct i mon io u s fa ce o f t h e a ged he a dl e ,

.

.
, ,

b u t a t e r t ib le a n d wel l k n ow n cou n t e n a n c e H e ex pe ri en ced th e se n s a .

t i o n o n e wou ld feel o n fi ndi n g h i msel f su dde n ly fa ce to fa ce i n t h e ,

0 10 m w it h a tige r H e rec o ile d l1 1 r0 r st rit k e n a n d petri fied d a ri n g

.
,
o -
,

n ei th e r t o br a t h e n or t o spe a k t o st a y n or to fly bu t g a zi n g u po n t h e
‘
e
, ,

begg a r; w h o h a d o n ce m ore be n t d ow n hish e a d w i t h i ts t a t tered co v e r ,

i n g a n d see m ed to be n o lo n gei co n sci ous o f h is prese n ce A t t h i s si n

, . .

gu l a r mo m e n t a n i ns t i n c t perh a ps t h e mysteri ou s i n st in c t o f sel f p re

,
’

se rv a t i on p re v e n ed Je a n V a lj a n fro m u tte ri ng a w ord Th e begg a r

,
e
c

h a d t he s a m e fo rm th e s a m e t a gs th e s a in e gc n e i a l a p pe a r a nce a s o n , ,

e very o th e r d a y Psh a w sa ijd Je a n va lj e a n to h i m sel f I a m ma d !

.
, ,
”
I a m d re a m i ng ! I t ca n n ot b e I A n d h e wen t h om e a n xi ou s a nd i l l a t
e a se
H e sc a rcely d a re d to a d m i t e v en t o h i m sel f th a t th e cou n te n a n c eh e , ,

t h ou gh t h e ha d see n wa s t h e fa c e o f J a vert
T h a t n ig ht u po n refl c ti o n h e regre tted th a t h e h a d n ot q u esti on ed
,
e
,

t h e m a n so a s to co m pel h i m to r a i se h is h e a d a sec o n d ti m e 0 11 th e .

m o t ro w a t n igh t fa l l h e wen t t h ith er a ga i n

,
T h e be g g a r wa s i n h i s
,
.

pl a ce “ G ood d gy ! g ood d a y
‘

l ”
s a id Je a n V a lj e a n w ith fi rm n ess a s
.
, ,

h e ga ve h im t he a ccustom ed a l m s Th e begg a r ra i s d h i s h e a d a n d . e .

a n wered i n a
s
“
w h i n i ng v oi ce : Th a n ks k i n d s i r t h a n ks ! ”
I t wa s, , ,

i nd eed o n ly-th e old be a d l e

,

c a n n o w fe lt fu
“
Je a n Va lJ j lly re a ssu red H e ev e n beg a n t o l a ugh . .

”
W h a t t he d e uce w a s I a bou t to fa n cy th a t I sa w J a vert t h ough t he ,
“is my sig h t growi n g poo r a l re a d y ? ” A n d h e th o ugh t n o m ore a bou t

So m e d a ys a fter i t m igh t he eigh t o cl ock t n th e eV e n in g h e W a s in

,
t
’

h is room gi v i ng Coset t e h e r spe llm g less o n w h i ch th e ch ild wa s re

, .
,
.

ea t in g i n a l ou d voi ce wh e n h e h e a rd th e doo r o f t h e bu i l d i ng ope n a n d

p ,

c l os e a ga i n Th a t seem ed odd to h i m Th e old wom a n t h e on ly o c c u

. .
,

p a n t) of th e h ouse besi des h i m sel f a n d Coset t e, a l w a ys we n t to ha d a t "

d a rk to s a ve c a nd les ,
Je a n V a lj e a n m a de a si gn t o Cosette to be si l en t
. . .

H e he a rd som e o n e com i n g u p st a i rs Possi bly i t m i gh t be th e ol d .

- '

’
w o m a n wh o ha d fel t u n wel l a n d ha d bee n to t he d ruggi t s Je n Va l s a

j ea n l i s te n ed T h e foots t e p w a s h e a vy a n d sou n ded l i k e a m a n s ; b u t

.
’

t h e ol d wo ma n w ere h e a vy sh oes a n d t here 13 n o t h i n g so m uch l ik e t h e ,

step o f a ma n a s t he s te p of a n ol d wom a n H oweve r , Je a n V a lj e a n .

b le w o u t the c a nd l e .

He se n t Cose t te to bed tellln g h er m a su ppressed v oi ce to lie dow n

very q ui etly—a n d a s h e -k issed her fore h e a d th e foo tste ps stopped
,

, . .

Je a n V a lj ea n rem a i n ed s i l en t a n d m otion less h is b a ck tu rn ed tow a rd s ,

t h e door sti l l sea t ed o n his ch a i r fro m w h i c h h e h a d n ot m o ve d a n d

, ,

h ol d i n g hi s bre a th t n th e da rk n e sss Aft e r a co ns i d era bl e i n te rv a l , n o t .

h e a ri n g a n y t h i ng m ore h e tu rn ed ro u nd w i thou t m a k i ng a n y noise a n d

, ,

a s h e r a ised h i s ey es to w a rd s t h e d oo r o f h is r oo m , h e sa w a l i gh t t h ro u g h
 Lss n rssa A B Ls s .

t he k eyh ole T h i s my of l i g h t w a s a n ev i l s ta r i n the bl a ck b a ckg rou n d

.

of t he d oo r a n d t h e w a l l T h ere wa s , e v i de n t l y so m ebody ou ts ide w i t h

.
,

a ca n d l e w h o w a s lis t e n id g

A few m i n u t es el a p ed a n d t he l i gh t d i s a p pe a red B u t h e h e a rd n o
s
, .

so un d of foo t s te p s w h ic h see m ed t o i n d i ca te t h a t w h oev e r wa s l i st e n i n g

,

a t t h e door ha d t a ke n o ff h is sh oes .

Je a n a lj e a n t h rew h i m sel f o n h i s bed w i t h o u t u n d ressi n g , b u t co uld

n o t s h o t h i s eyes t h a t n i g h t . 0

A 1 d a yb re a k a s h e W a s si n k i ng i n t o sl u m ber fro m fa t igu e h e wa s

,
'

a rou ed a ga i n by t h e cre a k i n g o f t he 110 0 1 of som e roo m a t t h e e n d o f

s

t he h a l l a n d t h e n he h e a rd t h e s a me foo ts t e p w h i ch h a d a sce n d ed t he
‘
,

s ta i rs on t he preced i n g n igh t Th e s t ep a p pro a ch ed H e s ta r t ed fro m . .

h i s bed a n d pl a ced h is ey e to t he k ey h ol e w h i c h wa s q u i t e a l a r ge o n e
, , ,

h op i n g t o ge t a gl i m pse o f t h e person w h oev er it m i g h t be w h o h a d

'

, ,

m a de h i s wa y i n t o t he b u i l d i ng t o t he n i g h t t i me a n d ha d l is t e n ed a t lu s
d oor I t w a s a ma n i nd eed w h o p a ssed by Je a n V a lj ea n s room t h i s
.
, ,
’
,

t i me w i t h ou t s t oppi n g
, Th e h a l l wa s s t i l l t o o d a t k for h i m t o m a ke o u t
h is fe a t u r es ; b u t w h en t h e ma n rea c h t d t he st a i1 s a ra y of l i g h t from , .

w i t h o u t m a de h i s figu re s t a n d o u t l i ke a p 1 oh le a n d Je a n V a l y a n ha d ,
1

a F ul l v i ew of h i s b a c k T he ma n wa s t a l l w ore a lo n g frock co a t a n d
.
, ,

h a d t e n d gel u n de 1 h is a rm
a I t w s t he red o u b ta b le fo 1 rn o f J a v er t
.
'
.

Jedn V a lj e a n m igh t h a ve t 1 i ed t o ge t a n o t he r l ook a t hi m t h roug h h i s

w in dow t h a t ope n ed on t h e B o ul ev a rd b u t h e wou ld h a ve h a d to r a ise ,

t h e s a sh a n d t h a t h e d a red n o t d o
,
.

I t wa s e v i den t t h a t t h e ma n ha d e n te re d by m ea n s o f a k ey a s i f a t ,

h om e .
“ W ho , t h en , h a d gi ve n h i m t he key — t1u d wha t wa s t he m e a n .

i n g o f t h is .

A t se v en i n t h e m orn i n g w h e n th e o l l l a dy c a m e to cl e a r u p th e ,

roo m s
,
Je a n V a lj e a n eyed h er s h a rpl y b u t a s ked h e r n o q ues t ion s T he , .

good d a m e a ppe a red a s us u a l .

Wh i l e s he w a s doi n h e r s weepi n sh e s i d :
“ Pe rh a p s, M onsi e u r
g g a ,
"
h e a rd s o m e o n e com e i n l a s t n i g h t ?
'

A t 11111 a ge a n d o n t h a t Bo u let a rd, eig ht i n t h e e ve n i n g i s t he vet y

.

d a rk es t of t he n i gh t .

A h l yes by t he wa y I d id h e a n swe red 111 t he m os t n a t u ra l ton e

, , , .

It s a n ew l odger ” w h o ha s
? ” ’
W ho w a 3 1i t s a id t h e ol d w om a n ,
’
,
“A n d h i s n a me i s “W el l I h a rd ly '

ecol l ec n o t D u mon t Som e h n m e "A n d ‘

‘

r t w o u o,
r a s u c a a s .

w h a t 18 he t — D a u mon t ? ”

Th e ol d wo m a n s t ud ied h i m a m om en t t h rough h e r l i t tl e fox y eyes , , , .

a nd a n sw ered : ll e s a gen t l em a n l i vi n g o n his i n com e l i k e you

’

S h e ma y h a ve i n te nded n o t h i ng by t h i s b u t Je a n V a lj e a n t h o ug ht ,

h e cou l d m a ke o u t t h a t s h e d id .

W h en t h e ol d wo m a n wa s gon e h e m a de a ro ll o f a h u n dred fr a nc s ,

h e ha d i n a d ra we r a n d pu t i t i n t o h is pock e t Do w h a t he wo ul d to
.

m a n a ge t h i s so t h a t t he cl i n k i ng of t h e si l ve r sh o pld n o t be h e a rd a fi ve ,

fra n e pi ece esc a ped h is gra sp a n d ro lled' j i ngling a w a y o vet t he fl oo r ,

.

A t d usk h e we n t t o t he s t ree t door a n d looked c a re t u lly u p a n d dow n

,

t h e Bou lev a rd N o o n e wa s t o b e see n T he Bou lev a rd seem ed t o be

u t te rly deser t ed I t is true t h a t t h e re m ig h t h a ve been s ome on e h idd en
.

be h i nd a tree 0 .
 LES ht IS S RA BL ES .

th e st r e ts , e
m a k i ng a s m a n y t u r ns a s h e cou l d re tu rn i n g som e t i m es u po n .

his t ra t o m k e su re t h t he w a s n o t fol l owed

a a .

Th i s ma u mn vre is pecu l i a r t o t he hu n t e d st t g O n grou n d w here t he

’

foo t le a ves 11 m11rlt it h a s a m o ng o t h e r a d v a n t a ges t h a t of dec i vi n g t he

, , .
e

h u n te rs n d t h e d o s by t h e cou n t er s t ep
a I t is w h a t is c a l led i n ve n e ry
e -
.

m r m b u sh m c n l
fi l o'

T he m oon wa s ful l J ea n V alj e a n w a s n o t sorry for t h a t T h e m oo n ;

.

s t i l l n ea r t h e hori z o n c u t l a rge 1 1 i ms of l i 1 t a n d sh a d e t o t he s t ree t s

,
1 1 r
‘
.

J ea n a Jea n cou ld gl i d e a lo n g t h e h ou ses a n d t h w a l l s o n t he d a rk s id e e

a n d ob e rve t h e l i gh t si d e
s He d id n t per h a ps s n lfi c ie n t ly re a l i z e t h a t
. o , .

t h e ob cu re side esc a ped h i m

s H owe ver 1 11 a | l t hc deser ted l i t t le t ree ts . ~ . s

i n t he n t ig h b o rh o o d of 0 1 0 o d o P o lt ve a u h e l i l t s u re t h a t n o o n e
'

w a s beh i n d h i m
Cose t te w a l k ed w
.

‘
i t h ou t a sk i n a n y q u es t i on s Th e s u fferi n gs o f t h e o .

fi rst si x ye a rs o f h er li te ha d i n t rod u ced s om e t h i n g of t h e p a s s i ve i n t o

h e r n a t u re Be sid es a n d t h i s i s a re m a rk t o w h ic h we s h a ll h a ve m o re
~

t h a n o n e n t c a sio n t o r t u t n — sh e h a d beco m e fa m i l i a r w i t h o u t b i ng
o e

f u l ly con sci ous of t h e m w i t h t he pecu l i a ri t ies o f h e r ood M o d a n d ,

w o

th e e c c e n ric it ies o i d e st in v
. A nd bei ng w i t h h i n t . .

J e a n Va lj eit n k n o w 110 m ore t h a n C o se t t e w here h e w a s g oi ng Il e ,

11 ‘
,
.

trus te d i n G o dw in; sh e t rus t ed i n h i m I t see med to h i m t h a t h e a l s o .

h e l d som e on e g re a t e r t h a n h i tn s e f by t he h a n d ; h e bel i eved h e fel t a

‘
.

b i ng l ea d i ng h i m i n vi si bl e
e Fi n l ly h e h a d n o d e fi n i t e ide a n o p l a n
,
. a , , ,

no proj ec t H e wa s n o t e ve n 11h iU i ly s u re t h a t t h i s wa s J a ver t a n d

. (l L
,

t h e n it m i h t he J a v e r t a n d i a ve rt n o t k n o w t h a t h e w a s l e a n Va lj e t n
“ “
a . . t
, .

h e d i sgu ised " l a st h e n o t su p posed t b e d ea d ? N e vc t t h e

1 3
'

11 n t o . o

less t i n u u ltt r t h i n gs h a d h a pp n ed wi t h i n t he l a s t fe w d a ys
,
l i e w a n t ed e .

" more of t h e m Il e wa s d e t e r m i n e d n o t t o e n t e r t l o rb eu u ll o tt so
.

1 e t h e a n i m a l h u u tt d i ru t u h i 1 d e n
'

o
g .
i1n l fl
. . h e wa s lo ok i ng fo r a h o l e .
,

to h i d e i n u n t i l h e co u l d fi n d o ne t o re m a i n i tt .

J ea n V a l j e a n d Ct C I ib c d n t a it y a n d v a ri e d l a by ri n t h s i n t h o Qu a r t i e r
M o u tfeta rd w h i c h wa s 11 let p a l re a d y a s i f it w e re s t i l l u n d er t h e d isc i
.

l i n e of t h e m i dd l ea e a n d t h e y ok e o f t h e c u r fe w ; h e p rod uced d i ff e r
p g
en t com bi n a t i on s i n w i se s t r a t e g y w i t h t he li n e ( Je u s ie r a n d t h e li n e
, ,

Co pe a u t h e Rue d u B a t t oi r S a i n t V ic to r a n d t he Ru e d u l u i t s l E r
'
’
,

mi t e l he r s a re l odgi n gs t o t h a t t e i n t b u t h e d id n o t e ve n e n t e r t h e m,
'
11 1
.
,

no t fi nd i n g w h a t s u i t ed h i m He h a d n o d ou b t w h a t e ver t h a t i f, p er .

ch a nce t h ey ha d sou gh t h i s t ra c k t hey ha d l os t it

, . ,
.

'
As ele ve n o clock st rti c lt i n t he t owe r o f S i n t E t i en n e d u M on t h e a
,

c rossed t h e Ru e d e l o n to ise t o fro n t o f t h e bu re a u o f t h e Com m i s a ry

’
s

o f Pol ice w h ic h 18 a t N o 1 l S om e m o m e n t s a ft erw a rds t h e i ns t i n c t -

. .
, ,

of wh ic h w e h a v e a l re a dy s pok e n ma d e hi tn t u rn h i s h e a d A t t h is .

'
mome n t h e sa w dist inc t lt lt u nk s t o t he c o m m issa t y s la w w h i c h re
vea led t he m — t h ree me n fol low i n g h i m q ui t e n e a r p a ss o n e a t c r a no t h e r
'

u n der t h i s la m p o n t he d a rk sid e o t t he s t ree t O n e o f t h ese men

’

i c hee
'

'
n t ered t h p ssa ge -le a d i n g to t h e c 0 1 1 1 1 issa r s I T he o n e in a d
e e a
11 y .

Va n c e a ppe a red t o h i m d ec idedly s usp i c i o ns .

Co me ch i l d s a id h e t o Cose t t e a n d h e m a de h a s te to get o u t of
, .
,

the Rue de Po n t ois e .

1

H e m a de a c i rcu i t w en t rou n d t h e a rc a de d es Pa tri a rch es w h i ch wa s

, ,

c lose d on a cc ou n t o f t he la te n ess o f t he h ou r, wa l ked ra p i dly t h ro ugh .

 c o sn rr nfi

t he R u e d e l Ep ee de B ois a n d th e Rue d e I A rb a lete, a n d p l u n ged i n t o

’ ’

th e R u e d c s P o stes .

T het e wa s a s q u a re th ere wh e re th e Col l ege R o l li n n o w is a n d fro m , ,

w h i c h br a n c hes o ti t he ll ue Ne u ve S a i n te G en e v iev e .
-

W 0 n eed n ot sa y th a t t h e R ue N eu v e S a i n te G e n evier e is a n o ld stree t ,

a n d th a t th e 1 e a p o stch a ise d i d n ot p a ss o nce i n t en y e a rs t h rough t h e

l e e de s P a stes l h is Ru e des P o st c s wa s i n t h e t h i rt ee n t h c en t u 1 y i h
'
. .

h a bi t ed by potte rs a n d it s t ru e n a m e i s R u e ( 10 8 Pet s
.

, .

T he m o o n l igh ted u p th i s sq u a re brigh tly Je a n V a lj e a n co n ce a l e d .

h i m sel f i n a d o m wa y c a l cu l a ti n g t h a t i f t h e se m e n were sti l l fo l l owi n g

,

h im h e cou l d n o t fa i l to ge t a g ood V i e w o f th e m w h e n t h ey crosse d

,

th is l i gh ted s p a ce .

I n ta ct t h ree m i n utes h a d n ot el a psed w h e n t h e m e n a p pe a red

, Th er e .

we re n o w fo u r o f t h e m ; a ll were t a l l d ressed i n l o ng br o w n c o a ts wi t h , ,

ro u n i h a t a n d g 1 e a t c l u bs i n t h ei 1 h a nds T h ey we 1 e n ot l ess fea t fn lly

'

s
,

fo rbid di n g by t h ei r si z e a n d t he i r l a rge fis ts th a n by th ei r s te a l thy tr e a d

i n th e d a rk n ess O n e wo ul d h a ve t a k e n t h e m fo r fou r spect res i n c i t i
.

z e n s dr
'

ess .

T h ey stopped i n t h e ce n tre of th e sq u a re a n d form ed a grou p l i k e pe o

p le c o nsu lti ng T hey a p pe a re d u n dec id ed T h e n i a n w h o see m ed t o b e
. .

t h e l e a d e r tu rn e d a n d e n e rg ti c a l ly poi n t ed i n t h e d ir ec t io n i n w h ic h
’
‘

e
,

Je a n V a lj ea n wa s ; o n e o f t h e o th e rs se em ed to i n sist w i th so m e c h et i
‘

n a cy o n t h e co n t ra ry d i re ct io n A t th i s i n st a n t w he n t h e le a d er tu r n e d , .

t h e m oo n s h o n e f u ll i n h is fa ce Je a n V a l j e a n recogn i sed Ja vert p er

'

fe ct ly;

IT IS FO R T U N A T E THA T VE H I CL E S CAN C RO S S TH E B R I DG E OF AU S
T E R LI T Z .

U n cert a i n t y e n d fo r J e a n Va lj ea ri ; h a ppi ly i t sti l l c on

wa s a t a n ,

ti n n ed w i th t h es e m e n H e t o ok a d v a n t a ge o f thei r h e si t a ti on ; i t wa s
.

ti me l o st fo r t h e m ga i ned fo r h i m H e c a m e ou t from t h e d o o rw a y i n
,
.

w h i c h h e wa s co n c ea l ed a n d m a d e h i s w a y i n to t h e Ru e d es P o stc s ,
.

tow a rd s t h e regi o n o f t h e J a rd i n d es P l a n tes Cose t t e b eg a n to be .

ti red ; h e t ook h e r i n h i s a rm s a n d c a rri e d h e r Th ere w a s n obody i n .

t h e stre ets a n d t h e l a m ps h a d n o t b een l i gh ted O n a ccou n t o f th e m oo n

,
.

H e d ou bl ed h i s p a ce .

I n a fe w ste ps h e re a ch ed th e Gobl e t P otte ry , o n th e fa c a de of w h ic h

,

t h e o l d i n scri pti o n s t o od o u t d i sti n c t ly l egi bl e i n t h e l igh t o f t h e m oo n .

H e p a ss ed t h 1 ough t he R u e d e la Cl e f th e n by t he Font a i n e d e S a i n t ,

V ict o r a l on g t h e Ja rd i n des P la n tc s by the l owe r st reets a n d r ea che d ,

th e q ua y l he re h e l o o k ed a rou nd T h e q u a y w a s deserte d The

.
'
.

stree ts were d es erte d N o body be h i n d h i m H e took bre a t h

. .

H e a rri ved a t th e brid ge o f A u st erl i t z I t wa s st i l l a to l l bridge a t

th is pe ri od H e pres e n t ed h i msel f a t th e tol l ho u se a n d g a ve a c o n e
. .

”
I t 111 two so n s s a i d t he tol l k ee pe r,
You a re c a rryin g a c h ild wh o .

”
c a n wa l k Pa y fo r two
. H e p a id a n n o y ed th a t h is p a ssa ge sh oul d
.
.
,

ha v e a tt ra c te d o b ser v a ti o n A l l fl i gh t sh o u l d be a gl idi ng . .
 '

a rrsfsn a nn ss .

A la rge c a rt wa s pa ss i ng t h e Sei n e a t t he s a m e ti m e a n d l i k e h im wa s ,

o i n t o w a rds t he rig h t b a n k Th i s cou l d he m a d e o f u se H e co ul

1
d
g g . .

o t he w h o l e l e n gt h o f th e bridge t n th e sh a d e o f th i s ca rt
g
Tow a rds the m idd l e of th e bri dge C o s ette he r feet be com i n g n u m b , , ,

d es i r ed to wa lk H e p u t h e r d o w n a n d took h e r by th e ha n d
. .

T he bridge p a ssed h e p ercei v e d s o m e w o o i y a rds a l i tt l e to t heni gh t

,
u

a n d w a l ke d t n t h a t d i rect i o n T o ge t th e re h e m ust ve nt u re i n t o a l a rge ,

'
c le a r o pen sp a ce Jhose w h o fo l l o wed h i m w e re e v ide n t ly t h r o w n o ff
.

h is t ra ck a n d Je a n V a lj e a n bt lie ved hi n t selt ou t o f du n e r

, S o u gh t '

fo r h e m ight be b u t fo l l o wed h e wa s n ot
, 0 , .

A l i tt l e st reet th e R u e d n C h e m i n Vert S a i n t A n toi n e ope n ed be

, ,

twee n two wood y a rd s i ncl o sed by w a l l s T h i s stre e t wa s n a rr o w o h

-
.
,

s c u re , a n d s ee m ed m a de e x p ressly fo r hi m
. B e fo re e n te ri n g i t h e l ooke d .
,

ba ck .

11 mm t h e poi n t w here h e wa s h e cou l d see th e w hol e l e ngt h of t h e ,

bridge o f A usterlit z .

F o u r s h a dows a t th a t m o me n t e n tered u po n th e b ri dge

, , .

T h ese sh a dows were com i ng i t e m th e J a rd i n d c s P la n tc s tow a rds t h e

righ t b a n k .

Th ese fo u r sh a d o w s were th e fo u r m e n . .

Je a n V a lj e a n fel t a s h udd e r l i k e th a t o f th e dee r w he n h e sees the

ho ti n d s a g a i n u p Jn h is t ruc k .

O n e h ope wa s l e f t h i m i t wa s th a t th ese m e n h a d n o t e n tered u p o n

,

t h e bridge a n d ha d n o t p e rc c i 1 e d h i m w h e n h e crossed t h e l a rge c l e a r

,

sp a c e l e a d i n g C o se tte by t h e h a n d .

I n th a t c a se by pl u n gi n g i n t o t h e l i ttle stre e t b efore h i m i f h e

, ,

co uld s ucc e ed i n re a c h i n g t h e w ood y a rds , t he m a rsh es th e fiel ds , t he -

,

ope n grou nds h e c o u ld esc a pe , .

I t se e m ed t o h i m th a t h e m igh t tr ust h i m sel f to th i s s il e n t l i ttl e s t ree t .

H e e n tered i t .

S EE T H E P LA N or P A RI S or 1727 .

S o m e t h ree h u n dred p a ces o n h e re a ch ed a p o i n t w h ere t he s tree t ,

fork ed I t di v id ed i n to t w o stree ts t he o n e tu rn i n g o ff ob l i q u e ly t o t h e
. .
,

l e ft th e oth e r to th e righ t Je n n V a lj e a n ha d before h i m t he two

,
.

b ra n ches of a Y W h ic h sh ou l d h e c h oo s e ?
.

H e d i d no t h es it a te , b u t too k t h e ri g h t .

W hy ?
B ec a use t h e l eft br a n c h led tow a rd s t h e fa ub ou rg — th a t i s to sa y,
tow a rds th e i n h a bi ted re io n a nd th e righ t br a n c h to wa rds th e co u n try
e

—th a t 18 t o w a rds t h e u n i n h a bi te d regi o n

,
’
.
,

B u t n ow t h ey n o l on ge r w a l ke d very fa s t Cos ette s step sl a ck en e d

'

.
,

Je a n V a lj e a n s p a ce
’
.

H e t ook h er u p a n d c a rri e d h e r a ga i n Cosette rested h er h e a d u po n .

1

t h e g o od ma n s sh ou lder a n d d i d n ot sa y a wo rd
’

,
.

H e tu rned fro m ti m e to ti me a n d l ook ed b a ck H e took c a re to k e ep

,
.

,
.

a l w a ys o n th e d a rk side o f t h e street The stree t wa s str a ig h t beh in d .

 LES 1115 3 11 1 111 8 3 .

i ngs ru n s t ree ts i n to a n d t h rough i t De p osi tori es o f r ub bi sh h a d

a nd .

be e n es t a bl i sh ed t h e re T h i rt y y ea rs a go t h i q u a r t e r w a s bei n g g ra d
.
,
s

n a l ly e ra ed by t he c o n st r u c t i o n of n e w bu i ld i n g s
s I t 13 n w com pl e t e l y . o

b l o t te d o u t T he Pe t i t Piep u s o f w h i c h n o prese n t p l a n re t a i ns a t r a c e
.
, .
,

is cle a rl y e n ough i nd i c a t ed t n t h e pl a n of 17 2 7 p u bl i h e d a t Pa r i s by , s

De n i s Th i rry li n e S a i n t J a c q ue s opposi t e t h e Rue d a Pl a t re ; 11 n d a t

1~
°

, ,

Ly on s by J e a n G i ri n R ue M e re iere a la Pru d e n c e T h e l e t i t P ie p us
, , .
’

h a d wh a t w e h a t e j us t c a l led Y of s t ree t fo r med by t he Rue d a C he 11 s

,

mi n Ver t S a i n t A n t oi n e d i v i d i n g i n t o t wo b r a n ches a n d t a k i ng o n t h e ’
,

le f t t he n a m e Pe t i t e l i ne P ie pu s-a u d o n t he ri h t t he n a me o f t he R110 w

P o lo n eea u Th e t wo h : a n ch es o f t he Y we re j oi ned a t t he t o p a by a
.
s

ba r . T h i s b a r w a s c a l led t h e P n e Droi t M u r I h e R ue P lo n e a u .
'
o e

e n ded t h ere ; t h e l bt i t e Ru e P11 pus p a ssed bey on d ri si ng t ow a rd s t h e

’
,

N a rc hé Len oi r Il e w h o c o 1n i ng fro m t h e S t i n e re a c h ed t h e e x t t e m ity

.
, ,

o f t he R ue P o lo nc c a u h a d o n h i s le ft t he Ru e Droi t M a r t u rn i n g s h a rply
,

a t a righ t a ngle be fore h i m t h e side w a l l of t h a t s t ree t , a n d o n h i s t i gh t

,

a t ru n c a t ed prolo ng a t i o n of t he l i n e Droi t M u r , w i t h o u t t h orou g h fa re ,

ca l l ed t h e C u l d e sa c G e n fi t t .

J e a n V a lj e a n w a s i n t his pl a ce .

A s we h a ve sa i d o n p ercei vi n g t h e bl a ck f rm sta n d i n g se n t ry a t t h e
,
o

co rn er of t h e Bee Droi t H e r a n d t h e Pe t i t e ltu e P ie p u s h e wa s s t a r t l ed ,

.

T he re wa s n o d ou b t I l e wa s w a tc h ed by t h i s s h a d ow W h a t s ho u l d
. .

h e ( ll) ? 0

T h ere w a s n ew n o t i me t o t ur n b a c k W h a t h e ha d see n mo vi ng i n .

t h e obsc u ri t y so me d i t m ee beh i nd h i m t he m om e n t be for s Wa s un ,

e
,

d o u b te d ly J a ver t a n d h i s s q u a d J11 v rt p rob a bly h a d a l re a dy re a c h e d . 1

t h e co m me nce m e n t of t he s t ree t o f w h i ch Je a n V a l j e a n w a s a t t he n d e .

J a ver t t o n ll a pp a ra n c e W a s a c lua i n ted w i t h t h i s l i t t l e t ra p a n d ha d

,
’

e
,
‘

'
,

t a k e n h i s p nc e t ut io ns by 8 1 n 1li 11 o ne o f h i s m e n t o g u a t d t he e x i t
H 11
.

T hese c o nyc et u res so l i ke ce r ta i n t i es w hirle l a bou t w i ld ly i n l e a n V a l

, ,

j e a n ! t ro u l lc d bra i n a s 11 h a nd fu l o f d us t Hi 8 b e fo re 11 sn d d 1 n b a s t
'

,
1
.

H e t e ru t i n iz d t he C u l d e sa c C n ro t t he re we re l1 i h w a l l s
e ” sc ru e
°

,
11
°
.
1
1

t i n iz ed t he Pe t i t e Ru e l i e p u s ; t l1 re wa s a sc ll t i 111 l
’
He s a w l h a t d a rk
’
°
1 .

for m repe a t ed i n b l a ck u po n t e w h i t e p w e me n t flood ed w i t h t he 111 m u . 1

ligh t .To a d v a n ce wa s to fa l l u pon t h a t ma n

,
b a ck wa s t o t h ro w .
.

h i msel f i n t o Ja r e rt s h a n d s Je a n V a lj e a n fe l t a s i f c a u g h t by a c h a i n
'
.

t h a t wa s sl ow ly w i n d i ng u p H e l ook ed u p i n t o t h e sky i n d e s p a i r . .

G RQl ’l N O FO R ESCA P E .

I n orde r to u n de r sta n d w h a t fol l ows it i s n ecess a ry to for m a n e x a c t ,

i de a of t h e l i t t l e h a s Dr i t M u r a n d p a r t i c u l a rly t he c r 11er w h i c h i t
o
,
1

ma k es a t t he l eft a s y u l e a ve t he Rue P o lo n c c a u t o e n t er t h i s a l l ey
o .

T h e l i t t l e Ru e Droi t M a r wa s a l m os t e n t i re ly l i ned 0 11 t he ri g h t a s fa r
a s t he Pe t i t e lt u c P iep us hy h o uses of poor a ppe a r a n ce ; o n t he l e ft t y
,

a si n g l e b u ildi n of severe o u t l i n e c mn po se d o f se ve ra l s t ruc t u res w l i1 h

11
c’
.
1

ro e g r a d u a l ly a a t ery or t wo o n e a bo ve a n o t h e r a s t h e y a p p r a c h d t he
'
°
s o e
,

P e t i te Rue Pic p us, s o t h a t t he b u i ldi ng , very h ig h o n t he si d e o f t he

 C OS ETTE .

P e ti te R ue Pic p us wa s q u i te l ow on t h e sid e of th e Rue P o lon c ea u

, .

Th e r e a t th e corn e r o f w h i ch we h a ve spok e n i t bec a me so lo w a s to be

, ,

n o t h i n g m ore th a n a w a l l T h i s w a ll d i d n ot a bu t sq u a rely o n th e c or
.

n er w h ich w a s cu t o ff d ia
, o n a lly l e a vi n g: a con sider a b l e sp a c e th a t wa s
'r
,

sh iel led by th e t wo a n g les th us f r med f1 o n1 o bse i ve rs a t ,a d ista n ce 1 11 o

, e i th er t he R ue Po lo n c ea u 0 1 th e Ru e D roi t M u r , .

Fro m t h ese t w o a n gles of th e tr u nc a ted co m er th e w a l l ex ten d ed ,

a l o ng t h e Ru e x P o lon c e a u a s f 1 r a s a h ouse n u m bered 4 9 a n d a l o ng t he

1
,

I
Ru e Di o i t M m W here i ts h e igh t wa s m uch l ess to th e so mbre d o c k ing ,

b u i ldi n g of w h i ch we h a ve sp k e n c ut t i n g i ts g a ble a n d th us ma k i n g o
,

Th i s g a ble h a il a gl oomy a spect ;

,

a n e w t e e n teri n g a n gl e 111 th e st 1 ee t
. .

th ere wa s b u t o ne w i n d o w to be see n or r a th er t wo s h u tte rs cov ered w it h

.

,
‘

a sh ee t o f z i n c a n d a l w a ys closed .

Th e sit u a ti o n of t h e pl a ces w e d escri be h ere i s ri g oro us ly e x a ct a n d ,

W i l l c e 1 t a i 11ly a w a k e n a v ery pi e c ise re m e m br a n ce i n t h e m i n d s of t h e

o l d i n h a b i t a n ts of t h e loc a l i ty .

Th i s tru n c a ted corn e r wa s e n t i i ely fi l led by a th i n g w h i c h see me d l i k e

a c o lo Sslt l a n d m i se r a bl e d oor I t w a s a v a st sh a peless a sse mbl a ge o f
pe rpe nd i c u l a r pl a n ks b 1 o a d e r a b ove th a n bel o w bou n d to gethe r by l on g
,

t ra n s ve 1 sc i ro n b a n ds A t t h e sid e th e re h a s a p o i te c o ehei e of t he
.

o r d i n a ry d i m e nsi o ns , w h ic h h a d ev iden tl y bee n c u t i n wi t h i n th e la st

fi ft y y ea rs .

A l i me t ree l i fted i ts br a nch es a b ove t h i s cor ner , a n d th e w a l l wa s

covered w i t h 1 vy tow a rd s th e R u e l o lo nc ea u ’
.

I n t h e i m m i ne n t p m il o f J e a n V a lj e a n t h i s so m b re b u i l di n g h a d a sol
‘

i ta ry a n d u n i n h a bi ted 1 p pea 1 a n ee w h ic h a t t r a c ted h i m

1 H e g l a nc ed ove r
it r a pid l y H e t h oug h t i f h e co u l d o n l y s ucce ed i n g etti ng i nto i t h e
.
,

w o u l d pt 1 h a ps be sa fe H ope c a me t o h im n i t h t h e i de a
.

M i dw a y o f t he l ro n t of th i s b u ild im o n t h e R ue Droi t M u r t h e re r
,

we re a t a ll t h e w i n d ows of t he tl1li re o t stori es o ld lea d c n w a ste pi pe 8 1 -

.

T h e v a ried b ra n ch i ngs o f t h e t ubi n g w h i ch w a s con ti n ued fro m a cen tra l '

cond u i t to e a c h of th e s e w a ste pi p e s ou tl i ned o n t he fa c t1de a sort of -

,

t ree fl hesc r a m i fic a ti on s of t h e pi p e s w i th t h e i r h u n d red e l b w s see med

‘
.
o

l i ke th ose ol d cl osel y pr u n ed g r a p e v i n es w h ic h t w is t a bou t over t h e fron t

-

of a n eien t fa r m h o uses -
.

T h i g ro tesq u e esp a l ie r w i t h i ts sh ee t i ron b ra n c hes W a s th e fi rst o b

s
, ,

c t w h i ch Je n V a lj e a n sa w I l e se a ted Coset t e w i t h h er b a ck a a i n st
j e a .
g
a p ost a n d ,
tel l i ng h er to be q u i e t ra n t o th e spot w h ere th e co nd ui t
, ,

c a m e to th e p a v e me n t Perh a ps t he m wa s so me m e a n s of sc a l i n g t he
.

w a l l by th a t a n d e n t e rm g th e h ou e B a t t he cond ui t wa s d i l a pi d a te d ~

a n d o u t of u se a n d sc a rce l y h e l o
,
b y i ts fa sten i n g Besi des a ll the '

w i n d ows of th i s si l e n t h o use were prote ct ed by th i ck b a rs of i ron e ven ,

t he do r m e r w i nd ow s A nd th e n t h e m oon sh o ne fu l l u pon t h i s fa c a d e,
a n d t h e ma n w h o w a s w a t e h i n fro m th e e n d of t he stree t wo u ld ha verr

seen l e a n V a lj e a n 11 1a ki n p; th e esc a l a de A n d the n w h a t sh ou l d h e do .

"

w i th Cose tte ? H ow cou l d h e r a i s h e r t o t h e top of a th ree s tory h ou se ? e

H e g a v e u p cl i m bi ng by the co nd ui t a n d c rep t a long the w a l l to t he ,

Ru e Po lo n c e a u .

W h e n h e re a ch ed th i s fl a t t e ned corne r w h ere h e ha d l eft P e se tte he ,

n o ti ced t h a t t hw re n o o n e co u ld see h i m H e esc a ped a s we h a ve j ust .

,
'

e x pl a i ned a ll observ a tion fro m eve ry si de

,
Be sid es, he wa s in t he sh a do . .
 M IS ER A B L E S
'

LES .

Th en t h ere were two d oors Perh a ps t h ey m i g h t be f orced Th ew a l l . .

a bove w h ic h h e s 1 w t he l i me a n d t h e 1 vy e v ide n t ly su rrou nded a g a rden , ,

w h ere h e cou l d a t l e a s t con ce a l h i m sel f a l t h ou g h t he 1 e we 1 e n o l e a v es ,

on t he t rees ye t a nd p a ss t he res t of 1 h e n igh t

,
.

Ti me wa s p a ssi n g He m us t a c t q u i ck ly He t ri ed t h e c a i ria ge d oo 1 ,
. .

a n d fou nd a t o nce t h a t i t W 1s fa st e n e o w i t h i n a n d w i t h ou t .

[l o 11 1 pre a ch ed t he o t he r o l a i go d oo 1 w i t h m ore ho pe I t w a s fri g h t

f ul ly decrepi t i t s i m m en se s i ze e ve n 1 e n d e in g i t l e ss so li d ; t h e p l a n k s
,
r 1

were ro t t e n t he n o n fas te n i n g s of w l1 ic i1 t he1 e were t h ree we re ru s ted

, , .
,
.

I t see med po ssi bl e t o pi e rce t h i s w e 0 1 e a t e n s t ruc t u re .

O n e x a m i n i n g i t h e sa w t h a t t h1s d oor w a s n o t a d oor

, I t ha d n e i t he r .

h i n ges bra ces l ock n or ei a c k i n t h e m idd le T he i ron b a nd s c rosse d

, , , .

fro m o n e sid e t o t h e o t h e r w i t h ou t a bre a k Th rou w h t he C l c ‘ ices o t t he .

‘
‘

p l a nk s h e sa w t he
‘

ly ce m e n t ed w h i c h ,

p a ss e1 s by co u l d h a ve se e n w i t h i n 111 H e w a s com pel l e d .

t o a d mi t w i t h con s t ern a t i o n t h a t 111 i f a d oo r w a s si m p l y

a n or n a m e n t a t i on i n wood o f a w a l l u pon w h i c h i t w a s p la ced .
I t wa s ,

e a sy t o t e a r o ff a bo a rd b u t t he n h e w ou l d fi n d h i msel f fa ce t o T
Q

, a ce wi th

a whll .

W H ICH W O U LD B E I M P O S S I B LE “ERE’
TH E S TR E E T S LIG HTE D I H
W T
G AS .

At l
t i is mom e n t m u ffl ed a n d regu l a r sou n d beg a n to m a k e i tsel f
a
‘
-

h e a rd a t som e d is t a nce Je a n V a lj e a n ve n t u red t o t h ru s t h i s h e a d a

.

dit e t l w a
y 11 o u
1 n d t h e corn er o f t h e s h ee t Se ve n 0 1 e i h t so l d i e rs zr
,

form ed i n t o pl a t oo n h a d j us t t u r ned i n t o t h e Rue P o lo n eea u Il e sa w

, .

t he g l e a m o f t hei r b a yo n e t s Th ey w e 1 e co m i n t o w a rds h i m
.
o .

T he sol d ie rs a t w h ose h e a d h e d is t in u ish edi t h e t a l l f orm o f J a v er t ,

3
fl
,

d i " h ey t op ed f1 e u c n t l ‘

a d v a n ced s lo w l y a n w i t h p 1 e c :1 u t o n s p q y I t wa s
.

p l a i n t he y we 1 e ex pl ori ng a ll t he recesses o t t h e w a l l s a n d a ll t h e e n t 1 a n
ces o f doors a n d a l ley s .

I t w a s— a n d h e re conj ec t ure c u l d n o t b e d ec e i ved — so m e p a t rol w h ic h

o

J a ve r t h a d me t a n d w h i c h h e h a d p u t i n re q u i si t ion .

Ja vert s t wo a ss is t a n t s m a rc h ed i n t he r a nk s
’
.

A t t he r a t a t w h i c h t h ey we l e 1n a rc l1 i n
e a n d wi t h t h e s t ops t h ey 1'
,

w ere m a k i n g i t wou l d t a k e t h e m a bo u t 11 111 11 1 11 1 o f a n h o u r to 11 1 1 i v e a t

,
1
1

t h e spo t w here J a n V a lic a n wa s I t ws 11 f1 i it fu l m o me nt A few

' ’

e a 1r 1 .

m i n u t es se p a r a t ed Je a n V a lj e a n f1 o m t h 1t a w fu l p i ec ip ic e w h i ch wa s - 1

ope n in 11
be fore h i m fo r t he t h i1 d t i m e A n d t he g a l l eys n o w were n o .

lon g er si m p l y t h e g a l l eys t h ey were Cose t t e l os t for eve r t h a t i s t o sa y

, ,

a l i fe i n de a t h The re wa s n o w o n ly o n e t liin w possi bl e Je a n V a lj e a n

. .

ha d t h i s pecu l i a ri t y, t h a t h e m i g h t be s a i d t o c a rry t wo k n a ps a cks i n

o n e h e ha d t h e t h ough t s o f a s a i n t 1 n t h e o t h e 1 t he for m i d a bl e t a le n t s of
He hel ped h i m sel f fro ni o ne o r t he ot her a s occ a si on re q u i red
,
.

a con v i c t .

A m on g o t her reso urce s t h a n ks t o h is n u mei o u s esc a pes fro m t he ga l leys

,
.

a t Tou lon h e h a d i t w i l l be 1 eme mb e 1 ed beco me m a st er o f t h a t i a

, , ,

c redi ble a rt o f _ ra isi n h i msel f i n t h e ri h t a ngle of a w a l l , i f n eed b e

g , g ,
 ’

LE S M I S EJR A BLES .

C ose t te sh uddere d H e a d d ed : Don t s a y a w o rd ; I l l t a k e c a re o f ’ ’

.

h er If y o u c ry i f y ou m a k e a n y n oi se , t h e Th e n a rd iess w i l l h e a r yo u
’

.
,
”
S h e i s c o mi n g to c a tch y u o .

T h en w i t h ou t a n y h a ste b u t W i th ou t d o in g a nyth i ng a se c o n d ti me , ,

w i th a fi rm a n d t u pi d precisi on so m u c h t he m o re re 1ri 1 k a bl e a t s uc h a ,
-
1 1 .

m o m en t w h e n th e p a t ro l a nd J a v e r t mi g h t co in e u p n hi ma t a n i n s t a n t
h e t ook o ff h is cr a v a t p a ssed i t a rou n d Cose tte s body n ud e l 31 0 a r m s ,
o
,
’
‘
, ,

t a k i n g c a re t h a t i t s h o u l d n o t h u rt th e ch i l d a t t a c h d t h i s c r a v a t to a n ,
e

e n d o f t h e rope by m e w s o f th e k not w h i c h se a m e n ca l l a
’

t o ok t h e o t h e 1 e nd o f t h e 1 t p e i n h i s t t e t h took ff h is s h o es a n stock '

1
,
o d

i n g s a n d t h i e vv th e m ove r t h e w a l l cl i m bed u pon t h e pi l e of 111 son 1 y a n d ,

1

beg a n t o w i se h i m sel f i n th e a n gl e c l t he w a l l a nd th e g a bl e w i 1 h a s
m u ch s l id i ty a n d c e 1 t a i u ty a s i f h e h a d t h e r ou n d s of a la dd e r u n de r
o

h i s h e ls a n d h i s el b ows H a l f a m i n u t e h a d n o t we e d b efore h e wa s
“ ’
'
e
. s
‘

o n h i s kn ees o n th e w a l l
‘
.

C os e tte w a tch ed h i m st u pt fi ed w i t h ou t s a y i n g a w 0 1 d J a n Va l
, ,
. . e

j e a n s c h a 1 g a n d t h e n a me o f th e hé n a rd iess h a d ma d e h e 1 d u m b
’
11

«
A l l a t o n ce she h e a rd J e a n V a lj e a n s v oi c e c a l l i n g to h er m a lo w
, .
’

w h is p e i : “ P ut you r b a c k a g a i n st t h e w a l l ”
.

Sh e obeye J
d .

”
Do n t spc a k a n d d on t be a fr a i d A n d sh e
’
a dde d Je a n V a lj e a n
’
.
, ,
'
‘
fel t l1e self ift ed h o w t h e gro un d
r .

Be fo x e sh e h a d ti m e t o t h i n k w h e re sh e w a s sh e w a s a t t h e t o p of th e
w a ll .

J e a n V a liea n sei zed h e r p u t h e 1 o n h i s b a ck took h er t W 1 l i t tl e h a n ds

, ,

i n h is l e ft h a nd la y d ow n fl a t a n d c t w i ed a l n g t h e to p o f t h w a l l a s
,
1 o e .

fa r a s t h e c u t o ff cor n e1 A s h e h a d s u p p o s e d t lie l e w a s a h u 1 d 1 m
. .
r

t h ere t h e roo r o f w h i c h sl oped l 1 o 111 t h e t o p o f th e wood en c a si n g w e

,

h a v e m e nt io n ed ve ry n e 1 1 ly t o t he 1 u 11d w i t h a ge n tle i n c l i n a t i o n ,
1 11 11
,

a nd J us t rea c h i n : to 1 h e l i m e t ree r

A for tun a te c i rc u n 1st a n c e f r t h e w a l l w a s m u ch h igh er o n t h i s si d e

’

o
1 ,

th a n o n t h e stree t Jea n V a lj ea n sa w t he grou n d be ne a t h hi m a t a gre a t

.

d ept h .

H e h a d inst re ch e d t h e i n c li n ed p l a n e o f t h e i o f a n d h a d n o t yet
'

a o
,

left t h e e l e st o f th e w a l l w h e n a vi ol en t u p i o a t p r e e l 1i 1n d t h e a rri v a l
,
1 1

o f t he p h d t h e t h u n d e1 i oi ce f J i “ S e 1 c h t he
n el He ea 1 v t '

a 1 V : r :1
g o a e

3111 d e 11c l Th e R ue Droi t M m 1 s g u a i l ed t h e Pe t i t e Hu

- -»
e P le p a s a l so ,
.

I l l a n sw e 1 f or i t h e i s i n th e C u l d e m e
’
Th e sp ld h rs nu sh e l i n t o t h e
C a l d e sa c G e n i o t V11lj a 11 sl i d d o wi i th e w e t k ee pi n g h ld of
. 1 ,
~
1

C ose t te re a c h e d t h e l i me t 1 ee a n d Ju m pe d t o th e g i o u n d W h e t her
, ,

fro m terro r o r fr 1 m co ur a ge ; Co se tte h a d n ot u tte re d a w h is per H er ‘

h a n ds were a l i t t l e sc ra ped .

C O M M E N CE M E N T or AN ENIG MA .

Je a n V a lj e a n fo u n d h i msel f i n a sort o f g a rde n; very hu ge a n d o f a

“

si ng ul a r a p oe a ra n c e ; o n e of t h ose gl oo my g n d en s w h i I1 see m ma de to z o

b e see n i n th e win t e1 a n d a t n ig h t T h i s g a rde n w a s o b lon g wi t h 11 1 0 1? . .

,
 ' ‘

of la rge p o pla rs fur th e r e n d so me ta l l fores t t rees i n th e cor n ers ,

a t t he ,
'

a nd a cl ea r sp a ce i n t h e c en t i e w h e re st od a ve ry la rgq e i so la ted t ree ,

'
'

,
o v

t h e n a fe w fi n i t t ree s con torted a n d s ha w gy l i k e b ig b u sh es s o m e v o ge , , ,

t b l e beds 11 me lo n p a tc h t h e gl a ss cove rs of w h i c h s h o n e 1 11 t h e m oo n
a , b

li h t a n d a n o l l w e l l
o
-

,
T here we re [1 0 1 0 a n d t l1 e 1 e s t en e ben ch es w h i c h .

see m ed bl a ck w i th moss lie w a l k s w e1 e bord ered w i th so n y l i t tl e

‘
.

sh m b s p e nfec t ly t ra ig h t T h e gr a ss co vered h a l f o f th e m a n d a gr e e n
'

a .
,

m oss c o vm e d t h e res t .

J e a n V a lj e a n h a d o n o n e si d e t h e b u i l d i n g d ow n th e roof o f w h i c h ,

h e h a d co m e a w ood pi l e ; a n d b eh i n d th e wood a g a i ns t th e w a l l a s ton e

,
-
, ,

st a t ue th e m u ti l a ted fa ce o f w h i c h w a s n o w n o t h i n g b u t a s ha pel e ss ma s k
,

w h i ch wa s see n d i m l y t h ro u gh th e o b sc u rit J .

The b u i ld in w 11 1s i n 1 ui 11 s b u t so m e d is m a n tl ed ro 11 n1 s cou l d be d is
‘

1
l ) ,
..

t in g u is h c d m i t o n e o i w h i c h wa s we l l fi l led a n d a ppe a red to s erve a s a

, ,

sh ed
T he la m e b u i l di n g o f t h e Du e Di o i t M u r w h i c h ra n b a ck o n t h e P e
ti te R u e l i ep a s p r se n ted u po n t h is g a rd e n t wo sq u a i e f ca d es T h ese
’
,
e a

i n i d e 11 9 11 3 we re s till n 1o 1 e l o mJ t h a n th ose o n t he o u ts1d e A l l th e

1 11 1 u o

11 i r1 l ws w e 1 e g 1 a t e d N o l igh t wa s to b e see n 0 11 th e u pper s t o ri es ‘

1 1 . .

t h e re w n re s l1 u t t e 1 s a s i n p 1 i o n s 1 h e s ha d ow of o n e o f th es e fa ca des
‘

s
'

w a s p 1 j c t e d u po n t h e o th e r a n d fe l l o n t h e ga 1 d c u l i k e a n i m me n se
o <1
,

b l a t h pa l l .

N o o t h er h o u se cou l d b e _ see n T h e fu 1 t l1 er e n d o f th e g a rde n w a s .

l os t i n m i s t a n d d a rk n ess S t i l l h e co u l d m a k e o u t w a l l s i n tersect i ng
.
,

a s i t t h 1 e w e 1 e o th e r c u l ti v a ted t o u n d s b e o n d a s w e l l a s t h e l w l O O lS
e
g J ,
o

ot Rue l o lo m ea u
t he
’
.

. N o t h i n c a n b e i m a gi n ed m o 1 e ‘
ow i l d a n d m o m sol i t a ry t h a n t h i s ga r
den T he 1 e w a s n o o n e t h e re w h i ch w a s 1 e 1 y n a t u r d o n a c c u n t: o f th e
.
,
'
z o

h 1 a r ; b u t i t d id n o t see m a s i f t he p l a ce we 1 e ma de fo 1 a n Jbody to W a l k
i n e 1 1 n in bt o a d no n
,
'
o

Je a n V a lj e a n s fi t st c a re h a d bee n to fi n d h i s s h o es a n d p u t t h e m o n
'

t h e n h e e 11 t 1 1 e l t h e sh ed w i th C sette X m a n t 1 yi n to esc a pe n ev e r
‘
1
1 o .
1r

,
t h i n k s h i m s e l f su lli ie n t ly c o n ce d e d Th e c h i l d t h i n k i n g i nst a n t ly o f e
,
'
t h e l l1e11a 1 die ss sh a 1 ed h i s i n sti n c t a n d c owere d d w n a s e ose lJ a s sh e
, ,
o

co u l d .

Cose t t e t r o m b ile d a n d presse d cl osel y t o h i s si d e T h ey h e a rd t h e ,

.

t u m u l tuou s c l a m o r o f t h e p a tr l 1 a n sa c k in g t he c u l d e sa c a n d t he street ”
'

o t

t h e c l a tte r f t h ei 1 m uskets a g a i n st th e st n es th e c a l l s o f J a ve r t t o t he
o o
,

W a t c ln n c n h e h 1d s t a t i oned a n d h i s i m prec a ti on s m i ngl e d w i th words

,
:
,

w h i c h t h ey c u ld n o t d i s t i n g u i sh o .

A t t h e 1 n d o f a q u a rte r o f a h ou r i t see m ed a s th ou g h t h is stor m y

1
,

r 11 1 b li 11 1: b g m to recede Je a n V a l je a n d i d n ot bre a th e H e h a d
'
1 1 . .

p l a ed h i s h a nd ge n t ly u po n C e t te s m o n t h
c -
t 1e
’
.

B u t t h e s lit u le a bou t hi m wa s so s tra n g el y c a l m th a t th a t fri g h t fu l

o

d i n so fu 1 i u s a n d s n ea r d id n o t e v e n c a s t 0 1 0 1 i t a sh a do w of d i s
o o

It see med a s i i th ese w a l l s we re b u i l t of th e de a f s tones

, ,
‘

t u rb a n c e .

s pok e n of i n Scri pt u re .

S ud d en l y i n th e m idst o f th i s d ee p c a l m a n ew sou n d a rose ; a ce l es

, ,

t i a l d i v i n e i n c ii a b le sou n d a s r a vi sh i n g 11 t he oth e r w a s l1 r1 ib le lt
‘
1 o .
, , ,

11 1 c h c a me fo rth fro m t h e d a rk n ess a bew i l de ri n g mi ngl i n g

1
,

d h a r mony in t h e obsc u re a n d fe a rfu l si le n c e of the n i g h t ;

 L s s M i ssa A s Lss .

v oi c es o f w o m en b u t voi ces w i t h t h e p u re a cce n ts o f v i rg i ns a nd a rt

, ,
~

l e ss a cc en t; o f c h ild ren t h ose voi ces w h i ch a re n o t o f e a r t h a n d w h i c h ,

res e m ble t h ose t h a t he n e w born s t i l l hea r a n d t he d yi n g h e a r a l rea dy

t , .

T h i s son g c a m e fro m t he gl oo m y bu i l d i n g w h ic h ove rl oo ked t he ga rde n .

A t t he m o m e n t w h e n t he u pro a r of t h e de m o ns reced ed o n e wo u ld h a v e ,

s a i d it wa s a ch oi r of a n g e l s a pp ro a ch i n g 1 n t he d a rk n ess .

Cose t t e a n d J e a n V a lj ea n fe l l o n t he i r k nees Th e y k n e w n o t w h a t
i t wa s ; t h ey k n e w n o t w h e re t h ey were ; b u t t h ey bo t h fe l t t he ma n a n d .

t he c h i ld t he p e n i t e n t a n d t h e i n n oce n t t h a t t h ey o ugh t t o he o n t h e i r
, ,

k n ees .

T hese voi ces h a d t h i s s t ra n ge e ffec t ; t h ey d i d n o t p re ve n t t he bu ild

i n g fro m a p pe a ri n g de > e t c d It w a s l i k e a su pe rn a t u ra l son g i n a n u n
t .

i n h a b i t ed d we l l i n g W h i l e t h ese voi ces we re si ng i n g J e a n V a lj e a n w a s

.
,

e n t ire l a bso rb e d i n t h e m H e n o l o n er a w t h e n i h t — hp sa w a bl u e
fi g s g .

sky H e see med t o feel t he S pre a d i n g of t h es e w i n g s w h ic h w e a ll h a v e

'

w i t h i n us .
l -

T h e c h a n t ce a sed Pe rh a ps it h a d l a s ted a l on g t i m e Je a n V a lj e a n
.
. .

c oh ld n o t h a ve t o l d t ms of ecs ta cy a re n e 1 e 1 m ore t h a n a m om e n t
. .

A l l h a d a g a i n 1 e l a psed i n t o si le n ce Th e re w a s n o t h i n g m ore i n t h e .

s t ree t n o t h i n g m ore i n t he g a rd e n Th a t w h ic h t h rea t en ed t h t t w h i c h

, .
,
'

re a ssh e d a ll ha d v a n i sh ed
- r
Th e wi n d r a t t l ed t h e d ry gra ss o n t he t op ~

, .

o f th e w a l l w h i c h m a d e a l ow , soft a n d m ou rn fu l n oise
, .

THE EN IG M A C O N TI N U E D .

Th e n ig h t w i n d ha d rise n w h i ch i n d icht c d t h a t i t m u t he b e t wee n ,

. s .

l oor C o s t t e d i d n o t spe a k
'

o n e a n d t wo o cl oc k i n t h e m orn i n g As ’
. e .

sh e h a d sa t d ow n a t h i s si de a n d l e a n d h e r h e a d o n h i m Je a n V a lj e a n e
,

t h ough t t h a t s h e w a s a s l eep I l e be n t o ve r a n d l ook ed a t h e r H e r . .

eyes we re w id e ope n a n d s h e h a d a l ook t h a t ga ve J e a n V a lic a n p a i n

,
.

S h e w a s s i l l t 1 c mbliu g “A re you s l eep y

t s a i d l e a n V a lj e a n “I
. .

s h e a n swe red A m om n a f e r sh e dd ed : Is s h e “
a m ve ry c ol d t t a . e

“
‘

t h ere ye t ? "
s a i d Je a n V a lj e a n M a d a m e T hé ua rdier "
. .

Je a n V a lj e a n h a d a l re a dy for g o t t e n t he m e a n s h e h a d e m pl oy ed t o se
‘

c u rc Cose t t e s si l n ee
“’
Oh !
”
sa i d h et-
“s h e h a s go n e Don t be .
'

ti m
,
.

y l onge r
'
a n .

T h e c h i l d si hc d a s i f a w ei gh t were l i fted fro m h e r bre a s t T h e

w .

grou nd wa s d a m p t h e s hed open o n a ll s i l es t h e w i nd fresh e ned e ve1 y

, ,

m o me n t T h e good ma n t ook o ff h i s co a t a n d w r a pped Cose t t i n i t

o

. e .

“A re o u w a rm er s o ? ” “O h ! yes fa t hc r l
'

W e l l w a i t h ere a
f’

y , , ,
”
m o m e n t for m e I s h a l l soon be b a c k. .

H e we n t o u t of t h e ra in a n d a l ong by t he hu ge b ui l d i ng i n se a rc h of , ,

som e be t t e r sh el te r H e fou n d d oors b u t t hey we re a ll c losed A l l t he

.
,
.
"

w i n do ws o f t h e gro u n d floor w ere b a rred As h e p a ssed t he i n teri o r .

a n g le of t he bu i td in g h e n o t i ced seve1 a l a rch ed w i n d o ws be fore h i m ,

,

w h e re b e percei ve d so m e l i g h t H e rose o n t i p t oe a n d l ook e d m a t o n e

o f t h ese w i n dows T h ey a ll ope ned i n t o a l a rge h a l l p a ved w i t h br oa d
.
,

s la bs , a n d i n t e rsec t ed by a rc hes a n d pi l l a rs ; h e cou l d d is t i ngu i sh no t h i n g

 LES 11 115 6 11 11a 3 .

for s m e t i m e a si n g u l a r n oi s e I t sou n d ed l i k e a l i t t l e di d ] t h a t so m e
o .

on e w 1s sh t h i n g Th i s n o ise w a s i n t he ga rde n I t w a s h e a rd dis t i n c t ly

1 : s
,

t h ou g h lc e hly I t rese m bled t h e d i m l y h e a rd t i n k l i n g o f c w hel l s i n

. o

" ’

t h e p t u res a t n i g h t
ts i h i a n oise m a d e Je a n V a lj e a n t u rn
. He l ook ed .
,

a nd . M ? t h a t t h ere w a s o me o n e i n t he a rde n s
So m e t h i ng w h i c h rc 1r
.

se m bl e d a m a n wa s w a l k i n g a m ou t h e g l a ss e a ses o f t h e me l n p a t c h nt
.
o
,

ri si n g -p s t o mp in g d o w n s t o p pi n g w i t h a re g u l a r m o t i o n a s i f h e we r e
1 , , , ,

d ra w i n w o r s t re t c h i ng so me t h i n g u po n t h e g mu n d T h i s be mg a p p ea r e d .

to l i m p
J a n V a lj e a n sh u dd e1 ed w i t h t h e c n t i n u a l t re m o r o f t he ou t a s t ;
r o c

t o t h e m e very t h i n g 1s h os ile a n d s uspici o u s Th ey d i t rus t t he d 1y he s

c a u se i t h l t s t o d ise o ve r t he m m a n d t he n i g h t hee ruse i t he l p s to s m p ri e

'

1 s
,

the m J us t n ow h e w a s sh udderi n g he a u se t h e g a rde n wa s e m p t y n o w

.
1
,

h e s hu dd e t e d b c a use t h e re wa s so m e o n e i n i t
e

H e l l ll a ga i n fro m c h i m e t ic a l t e rro rs i n t o re a l t errors H e s a i d t d

-
.

h i m sel f t h a t perh a p s J a v e r t a n d h i s s pi es h a d n t gon e a w a y t h a t t hey o

,

h a d d ou b t l ess l e l t so me b ody o n t he w t c h i n t he s t re et ; t h a t i f t h e
'

a ,

ma n s h o u ld d iscov e r h i m i n t h e g a i d e n h e w o u l d m y t h i l a n d w ou l d
'

t
,

d e l i ver h i m 11 p H e t ook t he sle e p i ng C ose t t e g e n t l y i n h i s a r m s a n d

'

c a rr ied h e r i n t o t h e fu rt hes t corn e r o t t h e s h ed be h i n d a h e a p o i o l d f u t .

n i t e ro t h a t wa s o u t o f use Cose t t e d i d n o t s t i r .
.

Fro m t h ere h e wa t c h ed t h e s t ra n g e m o t i o n s o f t h e m a n i n t h e m el n o

p a tc h .It s e e m e d ve ry si n g ul a r b u t t h e so u nd of t h e be l l Fo llJ Wt d e v e ry ,
-

m ove m e n t o f t he m a n W h e n t he m a n a p p o a c hed t h e m u n d a p
.
r
,

ro a c hed ; w h e n h e m o ve d a w a y t h e sou nd m o ved a w a y ; i f i e m a d e

p ,

som e s udd e n m o t i on a t t i ll a ccom p a n i e d h i s m o t i on ; w hc n h e s t o pped

,
‘

t h e n oi se c e se d I t see m ed e vi d e n t t h a t t h e b e l l w a s f a s t e n ed t o t h i s
ht

ma n ; b u t t he n w h a t co u l d t h a t In e t n l w h a t wa s t h i s ma n t o w h o m a
’
z

he ll w a s h u n g a s t o a ra m or 1 c w 7 1 o .

h i le h e wa s re vol v i n g t h ese q ues t ion s h e t o uch ed Co e t t e 9 h a n d s ,

s
'
.

O h ! G od
‘
Th ey we re i cy s a i d n o li e c a lle l t o h e r 1 11 1 l w voi _e : 1 o 1

S lic d i d n o t o pe n h e r e yes H e sh o ok h e r s m a r t l y S h e
. . .

“Cose t te ! "

"
d id n o t w a k e Cou l d s h e be d e a d i s a i d h e a n d h e s p r a n g u p s h ud , ,

d e ri n g fro m h e a d t o foo t
T h e i n s t trig h t ful t h o ugh ts r ush ed t h roug h h i s in i n d l n con fusi o n
. o .

T h e t e a re m o me n t s w he n h i d eous s u pposi t i on s be si e g e u s l i k e a t h ro n g
o f fu 1 i es a n d \ io le n t ly fo rc e t h e p r t a l 3 of o u r h t e i n W he n t h o s e o .

w h o m we l ove a re i n d a n ge r o u r s o l i ci t ude i n ve n t s a ll s or t s o f fo l l es
,
~
.

H e re me m be red t h a t sl e e p m a y be fa t a l i n t h e o pe n a i r i n a col d e i n h t .

C ose t te Wa s p a l l i d ; sh e h a d l a l l e n pros t ra t e on t he grou nd a t h is li e t ,

’

m a k i n g n o si g n H e li s t e ned for h e r b re a t h i n g ; s h e w a s b 1 e a t h i ng ;
t .

b u t w i t h a 1 es p ira t io n t h a t a ppe a red fee bl e a n d a bou t t o s t op Ho w

s h o u l d h e get h e r w a r m a g a i n ‘ h o w ro use h e r ? A l l e l e w a s b a n ish e d s

f ro m hi s t h oug h ts H e r ush e d desper a t e l y o u t o f t he ru i n I t wa s a h

. .

eo lu t e ly n e cess a ry t h a t i n l ess t h a n a q u a rt e r of a n ho u r Cose t t e sh o u l d

b e i n be d a n d be fo re a fi re .
 c o ssr r m 1 19

I H T H E 13 15121
TH E MA N W T 1
1 .

H e W a lk ed s t ra i h t t o t h e m a n w h o m h e sa w i n th e ga rde n
n H e ha d
ta k e n 1 11 h i s h a n d t h e t o l l o f m o n ey w h i c h i n h i s v es t p oc k e t Th i s
m a n h a d I1i l 1 e 1 1 d o w n a n d d i d n o t see hi m C O U l i Db
<
1 1 A fe w s t r i de s ’
1
.
,

J e a n Va lj e a n wa s a t h i s s i d e
”
J e a n V a lj e a n a p p ro a c h e d h i m e x c l a i m i n g A h u n d red fr a n c s !
,

T he m a n s t a i red a n d ra i se d h i s ey e s “ A h u n d red f1 11 n es fo r yo u
”
co n ,
.

”
t i n n ed Je a n Va l j ea n i f y o u w i l l g i ve m e 1 l u ne t o n i g h t
. T h e m oo n 1,
-
.

s h o n e f u l l 1 11 Je n V a l j ea n s b e wi l d e r e d t a c o
t W h a t i s i t y o u fa t h e r , ,
7 ”
M a d el e i n e s a i d t h e ma n
.

T h i s n a m e t h u s p r o n o u n ced a t th i s d a r k h o u r i n t his u n k n o w n p l ace

, , , ,

b y t h i s u n k n o w n 1 11 m a d e J e a n V a l j e a n 11 111 1 1 b a c k
1 1 11
,
H e w s t e a dy .
~

f or a n y t h i n g b u t t h a t T h e s p e a k e r wa s a n o l d ma n be n t a n d l a m e
d re ss ed m
, ,

u c h l i k e a p ea s a n t w h o h a d o n h i s l e ft k n e e a le a t h e t k n e e
,

c a p fr o m w h i c h h u n g a b e l l H is fa c e wa s i n t h e s h a d e a n d co u ld n o t
.
,

b e d ist i n w n is h e d
W 115 e x c la i mm g ,
'

M e a n wh i l e t he g oo d m a n h a d ta k e n ofi h i s ca p a n d ,

t rc t n u lo u s ly :
“A h ! m y G od ! ho w
d i d y o u c o m e h e re , fa t h e r M a tlt lein e ? H o w
d i d y o u get i n , 0 Lo rd ? Did yo u f a ll ft o m t i e shy 7 1 h e re 1s n o d o u b t , i .
'

if y o u e v l d o fa l l , y o u w i l l fa l l fr o m t h e re
r
‘ '

A nd w h a t h a s h a p pe n e d . .

t o y o u ? Yo u h a ve n o cra va t , y o u h a ve n o h a t y o u h a v e n o c o a t ! Do '

.
'

y o u k n o w t h a t yo u Wo u l d h a ve f ri gh t e n e d a n y b o dy w h o d i d n o t k n o w
,

?
y o u ? N o c o a t ? M e r c i f u l h ea ve n s ! A re t h e s a i nt s a l l cr a z y n o w
”
.

3
‘

B u t h o w d i d y o u f re t t n .

O n e w o rd d i d n o t w a i t f0 1 a n o t h e r Th e ol d ma n spo k e w i th a r u s t i c
.

vol u b i l i t y i n w h i t h th e re wa s n o t h i n g d i s q u i e t i n g A l l t h i s wa s sa i d .

w i t h a m i x t u re o f a s t o n i s h m e n t a n d fra n k w oo d n a t u re -
\ Vl1o a re .

y o u a n d w h a t i s t h i s l1 o tt s e ? a slt e d Je a n V a lj e a
’’
n “ O h ! i n de e d , t h a t
o o d no w, e x cl a i m ed t h e o ld 11111 11 1 11 111 t h e o n e y o u n ot t h e

“
is
g .
h

l a c e o r h e re , a n d t h i s h o use 111 t he o n e y o u n o t m e t h e p l a c e 1 n
'
i
p f na t .

o u d o n t 1 e 1n 1 1 b er m e 7 ”
N ,o
”
s a i d J e a n V a l j e a n “ A n d h o w d oe s
y
e 1 . .

i t h a p pe n t h a t yo u k n tiw m e
”
Yo u s a v ed m y l i fe , S a i d th e 11111 11
”
'
7 . .

Il e t a m e ] , a r a y o f t he moo h l i g h t e d u p h i s s i de fa ce , a n d J e a n Va l
j ea n rec o n n iz e d o l l Fa uc h ele ve n t .

“A h l " s a i d J e 11 n Va l j ea n , “i t i s yo u
.
; y e s , I re m e m b er yo u .

T h a t i s v e ry fo r t u n a t e , sa i d th e o l d m a n i n a r e p r o a c h f u l t o n e
’
r
’ “ And .

7 ”
w h a t a re y o u d o i n g h e re a dd e d J e a n Va lj e a n
. O h ! I a m c o ver i n g .

"
m y m e lo n s .

O ld Fa u c heleve n t h a d i n h i s h a n d , i nd eed , a t th e m o m en t wh e n Jea n

“
V a l j e a n a cc os t ed h i m , t h e e n d o f a p i ece o f a w n in g w h i c h h e wa s s tr e t c h
i n g o u t o v e r t h e m el o n p a tc h Ile h a d a lread y s p r e a d o u t s e ve ra l i n
t h i s w a y d u r i n g t h e h o u r h e ha d b e e n i n t h e g a rd e n It w a s t h i s w o r k .

w h i c h m ad e h i m g o t h r o u gh t he pecu l i a r m o t i o n s o bs e r ved by J e a n Va l
j ea n fr o m th e s h e d ll e c o n ti n n .

“ I s-a i d t o m y s e l f th e m oo n i s b r i h t t h ere is g o i n g t o b o a fr o s t
, g , .

S u pp os e I p u t t he i r j ac ke ts o n m y m e lo n s ? A n d , a d d e d b e, l oo k i n g
 L ES mrsé a a nt ss .

a t J ea n V a lj e a n w i t h a l ou d l a ugh , yo u wou ld h a ve don e we l l to d o a s ,

"
m u c h for yo u rsel f ; b u t h o w d i d y ou com e he re ?
,

J e a n V a lj e a n fi nd i n g t h a t h e w a k n w n by t h i s ma n a t l e a s t u n der
,
s o
,

h is to n n e o f M a d e lei n e w e n t n o fu r t h e r w i t h h i s p re c a u t i on s , H e mul .

t ip li d q ues t i o n s
t-
-
O dd ly e n ou g h t h ei r p a rt s see med reve rsed
.
I t wa s .

h e t he i n ruder w h o p q ues on s
.
t u t t i ,
“ A n d w h a t i s t h i s h e ll yo u h a v e .

“
,

"
o n you r li n e c Th a t ! a nswered Fa u e he ie vc n t t ha t i s so t h a t ,
f [l o w l k e e a w a y fro m y o u i
”
t h e y m a y k ee p a w a y O ld ‘
p
Fa u c he le ve n t w i n k ed i n a n i ndescr i b a ble m a n n er .

u t ir o m c n i n t h i s h o u se : p l e n t y of
" A li 1 bl ess m e ! t h e re s n o t h i n
‘
b
’

g
y ou n g gi rl s I t a t o m s t h a t 1 a m d a ngerous t o me t The be l l w a rn s
. t .

“W h
0
”
them W h e n I c om e t h ey go a w a y W h a t i s t h i s h o u se y .

,
” ”
yo u k n ow ve ry we l l “ N I d on t W hy y o u g o t m e t h i s pl a ce
’
. o
, ,
.

” ’
h ere a s ga rd e n er A n swe r m e a s i f I d id n t k n ow W e l l i t is .
,

t he Co n v n t of t h e Pet i t Fi l p us t he i r ;
e
,

Je a n V a lj a n rem e m bered C h a n ce t h a t i s to sa y P rdr ide n ee ha d

e .
, , ,

t h row n h i m p recise ly i n t o t h i s c n v en t o f t he Qu a r t i e r S i n t A n t oi n e
'

o a
,

t o w h ie h o ld Fa u c he le ve o t c ri p pl ed by h is fa l l f ro m h i s c a r t h a d bee n
'

, ,

a d m i t t ed u p on h i s reco m me n d a t i on t w o y e a rs b fore H e re pe a te d a s
, , e .

”
i f h e w e r e t a l k i n g t o h i msel f : T h e co n ve n t o f t h e Pe t i t Pit p u s -
.

B t n ow re a l ly
u
"
resu med Fa u c he le ve n t “h o w t he d e u c e d id y ou
, , ,

ma n a g e t o ge t i n yo u , fa t h er M a de lei n e ?
sa i n t y o u a re a ma n ; a n d n o m e n c o me i n h ere
,
, I t i s n o u se fo r yo u t o b e a
” ”
l lu t yo u a re h ere . .

“T h ere i s n on e b u t m e Bu t
”
res u m e d J e a n V a lj e a n “I m us t.
,
,

s ta y h e re “ O h ! m y God e xcl a i m ed l a n c he le ve n t '

t
.
, ,

J e a n V a lj e a n a ppro a ch ed t he ol d ma n a n d s a i d t o h i m i n a g r a ve ,
"
v oi ce : Fa t he r Fg u e he le ve n t 1 s a ved yo u r l i fe I wa s fi rs t to re ,
.

m e m be r i r a ii swé c d Fa u e he lc ve n t W el l y o u c a n n ow d o for m e
" '

.
,
”
w h a t I on ce d i d fo r yo u Fa u c he le ven t gra p ed i n h i s o ld w ri n lt led
’

. s

a n d t re m b li ng h a n ds t he rob u t h a nds of J e a n V a l j e a n a n d i t wa s s o me s
,
.

secon d s be fore h e co u l d spe a k a t _ l a s t h e e x cl a i m ed : O h t h a t w o u l d

be a blessi n g o f G o d i f I co ul d d o so m e t h i n g fo r y o u i n re t u rn for t h a t !
”
I s a ve yo u r l i l e ! M on si e u r M a y or t he old ma n is a t y o u r d i pos a l
'

,
s .

A w onde rfu l j oy h a d a s i t we re t ra n sfig ured t he o l d g a rde n e r A ra ’

~
, ,
.

d ia n ee see med t o s h i ne for t h fro m h i s f a ce W ha t d o yo u w a n t m e to .

”
do i a d ded h e “ I w i l l e x p l a i n Yo u h a ve a roo m I
.
f ” “I h a ve a .

sol i t a ry sh a n ty o ve r t h e r e b h i n d t he rui n s o f t he o l d co n ve n t i n a
, , e
,
”
c orn er t h a t n obody ev er see. T h ere a re t h r e room s e .

T h e s h a n t y wa s i n fa c t so we l l con ce a l ed be h i nd t he ru i n s a n d so
w el l a rr a nged , t h a t n o o ne s h ou l d see it—t h a t J e a n V a lj e a n h a d n o t
,

see n it .

“G ood s a i d Je a n V a lj ea n N o w I a sk of yo u t wo t h i ngs‘ "

. .
,
“W h a t a re t h ey M on si e u r M a y o r “Fi rs t t h a t yo u w i l l n o t t el l
‘

.
, ,

a ny body w h a t y ou k n o w-a bou t me Secon d t h a t y ou wi l l n o t a t t e m p t .

,
“
.

”
t o le a r n a ny t h i n g m or e
- A s yo u p l e a se I k n o w t h a t yo u c a n d o
.
‘
.

n o t h i n g d i s hon ora bl e a n d t h a t y ou h a ve a l w a ys bee n a ma n of G od

,
.

A n d t he n , besi des i t wa s yo u t h a t p u t m e h e re I t i s you r pl a ce 1 a m

,
.
,

y ou rs “Very w el l
. Bu t n ow com e w i t h m e W e w i l l go fo r th e . .

” ”
child .A h l s a i d Fa u c he le vc n tr t h ere i s a ch i l d 1 W

Il e s a id n ot a word m ore , b u t fol lowe d Je a n V a lj e a n a s a dog fol lo ws

his m a s t er .
 m stss a nt s s
’

Lss .

i n rela t i o n to t h e k id n a p pi ng of a c h i ld w h i ch ha d ta k e n p la cc it wa s
"

, , ,

sa i d u nder pecu l i a r ci rc u ms t a n ces i n t he com m u n e o f M on t fer m ei l

,
A ,

li t t l e g i rl seve n or ei g h t ye a rs ol d t h e n o t c s a id w h o ha d been c o n
, , ,

fi dc d by h er m o t h er to a n i n n k ee pe r of t h e cou n t ry h a d bee n s t ol en by
-

a n u n k n ow n m a n ; t h i s l i t t le g i rl a n s we red t o t h e n a m e o f Cose t t e a n d ,

wa s t he c h ild of a y ou n g W bma n n a med Fa n t i ttc w h o hgd d i e d a t t h e

‘

H ospi t a l n obody k n e w w he n or w h e re T h i s n o t i ce c a m e u n d er t he
,
.

eyes of J a ver t a nd se t h i m t o t h i n k i n g ,
.

T he n a m e o f F a n t i n e wa s we l l k n o w n t h i m H e reme mbc gc d t h a t o .

Je a n V a lj e a n h a d a c t u a l ly m a de h i n t — J a ve r t — la o g h a l oud b v a sk i ng
'

of h i m a re spi t e of t h ree d a y s i n ord e r ft) go for t he ch i ld of th i s c rea ,

t u re . H e rec a l led t he fa c t t h a t Je a n V a l j e a n h a d bee n a rr s ted a t. a

P a ri s a t t he m o m e n t h e w a s ge t t i ng i n t o t he M on t fer mei l d i l i g e n ce
,
.

So m e i n d i c a t i on s ha d e ve n led h i m t o t h i n k t h e n t h a t i w a s t h s econ d t . e

t i m e t h a t h e wa s en t eri n g t h is d i l i ge nce a n d t h a t h e h d a l re a dy t he ,
a
,

n i gh t p rev i ou s m a d e a n o t h e r em u rs io n o t h e e n v i ron s of t h is v i l l a e
'

t
-
, g ,

for h e h a d n o t bee n see n i n t he v i l l a ge i ts e l f W ha t w a s h e do in g in

'

t h is regi o n of M on t fer m ei l ? N o body c o u ld‘ d ivi n c

'
J a ve r t u nd e r t ood . . s

T h e d a u g h ter o f F a n t i n e w a s t h ere Je a n V a lj ea n wa s goi n g a fte r

'

it.
.

h er N e w t h is c h ild h a d bee n s t ol e n by a n u n k n ow n m a n I W h o
° ‘
.

cou l d t h i s ma n be ? Cou l d it he Je a n V a lj e a n ? Bu t J ea n V a lj e a n
wa s d ea d a t w i t h ou t s a y i ng a w ord t o a n y o n e t oo k t h e d i l i ge n c e
J ver .

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a n d o n m a ny bu si n ess t rou b les w h i c h h e h a d t h e k ee n e ye o f j us t i ce , .

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u po n t h i s s t or y t h a t J a ve r t fe l l o n re a ch i n g M on t ferm e i l Th e gr a n d,
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fe w q ues t i on s l i ke tu mmc ts, i n t o T he

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J a ver t , h oweve r, d r oppe d ,

n a rd ier s s to ry W h o Wa s t i s gra n d fa t he r a n d h a t wa s h i s n a m e
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he n rd ier n swered w i t h s i m pl i c i t y “H e i s a ri ch fa rmer , I sa w h is

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a ss por t I b e li e ve h is n a m e is M G u i l l a u m e L a m ber t
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Pa rt s .
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h is o 1 iso ns a n d p l a yi n g t h e spy a s h e pr a yed

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t h e s h oc k wh i c h J e a n V a l j e a n recei ved t h i n k i n g t h a t h e recogn i ze d

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J a 1 e 1 t J a 1 e t rece i ved t h i n k i n g th a t h e recogn i zed Jéa n Va lj c a n

“
1 .

ll o w e 1 er t he obsc u ri ty m i gh t h a v e d ecei ved h i m t h e de a th of Je a n

'

,
.
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V a lj e a n w a s o ffi ci a l l y certi fied , J a r e 1 t lia d sti l l seri ou s dou bts ; a n d i n ‘

c a s e of do ubt J a ver t , sc ru p u l ou s a s h e w a s, n ever sei ze d a n y ma n by

,
‘

t h e col l a r .

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,

m a n t a l k i n g w h i ch wa s n o t a t a ll d ifii c u lt Th e old wo ma n con fir me d

’’
.

th e s to ry o f t h e coa t l i n ed w i t h m i l l i on s a n d rel a ted to h i m t h e e pisode ,

o f t h e th ou a n d fra n c 1ote S h e h a d seen i t ! sh e h a d touch ed it ! Ja

vert h i red a 1 oom T
s
. .

ha t v ery n i gh t h e i n st a l l ed h i msel f m i t H e
. .

l isten ed a t th e d oor o f th e myst c i io u s l odg er h op i n g t o be en t h e s ou n d c ,

o f h i s voi c e b u t Je a n l a lj c a n percei ved h is c a n d l e t h o u gh t h e k ey

'
.
,

h ole a n d b a u l k e d th e spy by h oe p i n g si l e n ce
T h e n e x t da y J e a n Va liea n dec a m pe d B u t th e n oi se of t hefi ve
fi a n c p i ece w h ic h h e drdp p ed w a s n oti ced by th e o ld w o ma n w h o h e a r ,

i n g m o n e y m o vin g suspected th a t h e w a s g oi n g to m ove a n d h a stened

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t o forew a rn J a v ert A t n igh t , w h en J e a n V a lj e a n we v ou t Ja 1 ert

.

o ,

W a s w a i t i n g fo r him be h i n th e trees o f th e B ou l e v a rd w 1t h t w o me n
d .

J a vert ha d c a l l ed for a ssi sta n ce fro m th e P refectur e b u t h e ha d ,

n o t gi ve n th e n a m e o f t h e perso n h e h oped to sei ze T h a t wa s h is .

secre t ; a n d h e k e pt i t for th ree r e a so n s : fi rs t , bec a u se t h e l e a s t i n »

d i s re ti o n mi gh t gi ve th e a l a r m t o J e a n V a lj e a n ; ne x t , bec a use th e a r
c

re st o f a n old esc a ped con v ic t w h o wa s 1 e p u te d de a d a cri mi n a l w h o m ,

th e records of j usti ce h a d a l re a dy c la ssed for e ve r a mong m a lef a c to rs of

t he mo st d a n ge r o us lewd , th e ol d
me m be rs of t he P a risi a n a n ew

co mer l i ke J v ert a n d b e a
,

f ro m hi m ; fi n a l l y b eca u s ,

r is es H e h a ted
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i n g o f th e m l o n g i n a d v a n ce H e l ik ed to el a b ora t e h is m a sterpi eces .

i n t h e sh a d e, a n d t h e n to u n ve i l rh e m sudd e n ly a ft erw a rd s .

J a vert b a d fo llo wed Je a n V a lj e a n fro m t ree to t re e t he n from street

°

c o r ner to st re e t c o rn er a n d h a d n ot l os t s igh t o f h i m a s i ngle i nst a n t ;

‘
o
, .

e v e n i n th e m o m en ts wh e n Jc a n V a lj e a n fel t h i mse lf m o st secu re t h e

' '

“
,
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h im d d i d n ot J ver t rrest J e n l ?
e ye of J vert
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Beca use h e w a s st ill i n d ou b

’ ° ‘

I t m ust b e re mem b ered t h a t a t t h a t t i m e t h e pol i ce w a s n o t e x a c tl y

‘

n t i ts c a se ; i t w és c r a mped by a free p re s S a m e a rbi tr a ry a rrests

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s .
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d en ou nced b t h e n e w s a pe re h a d bee n re ech oed o w n in t he ( ha m
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.

wa s a serious th i n g T he o ffi cers w ere a fr a i d o f m a k i ng m ist a kes ; th e

’
.

P refect h eld th e m r es pon si bl e ; a n e rro r w a s t he l oss of t lu ir pl a c e

'

I m a gi n e t h e e ffec t w h ic h th is b ri e f p a r a gr a ph re pe a te d i n t we n t y pa ,
~

fp e rs w ou ld h a ve p rod u ced i n P a ri s :
“ Yes t e rd a y a n ol d w h i te h a i re d -
, ,

ra n da sirc a resp c t a bl e pe rso n l i v i ng o n h is i n co m e w ho w a s t a k i ng a

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w a l k w i t h h is gr a n d d a ugh t e r e i gh t ye a rs o l d w a s a rre sted a n d t a k en

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t o t h e S ta tion o f t h e Pre fectu re a s a n esc a ped con v i c t l
L et u s sa y i n a dd it io n l ha t J a ver t ha d h is ow n person a l scru pl es ;
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it h o i nj u n cti o n s
f h i s c on scie n ce we re a dd e d to t he i nj u n c t io n s hf t he
c .

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P re fcc t H e wa s re a l ly i n d o u bt
. .

J e a n V a lj e a n t u rn ed h is b a ck a n d w a l ke d a w a y i n t he d a rk n es s ,
.

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”o bl iged to fly by h igh t a n d to seek a ch n ce a s l u m i n Pa ris for C S c t t e
. , y a o

a n d h i m sel f t h e n ec rssi ty o f a d a p t i n g h i s p a ce t o t h e p a ce of a c h i l d a ll
' '

,
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t h is wi t h o u t h is k nowi n g i t e v e n ha d ch a n g ed J e a n Vo lj ea n s g a i t nd
'

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i m pre ssed u po n h i s ca rri a ge s uch a n a pp e a ra n ce o f old a g e th a t t h e pol ice
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i ts e l f i nc a rn a t c d i n J a ve rt co ul d be d ecei v ed
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T h e i m p ssi bi l ity o f
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a p pro a ch i n g too n e a his d ress of a n ol d Prece pto r o f t he E m igr a ti o n

‘

,
'

t h e d e cl a ra t io n of hc na rd ic r w h o m a d e h i m a gra n d fa t h e r ; fi n a l l y ,
-
,

t h e bel i ef i n h i s de a t h a t t he ga l l eys a dded yet m ore t o th e uncer t a i n ty

‘

,
'
’
w h ic h wa s i n cre a si n g i n Ja ve rt s m i n d .

Fo r a m ome n t he ha d a n id ea of a sk i ng h i m a b ru p tly f or h is p a pers

'

.
’
B u t i f t he ma n we re n o t Je a n V a lj e a n a n d i f t h e ma n w ere n ot a good
'

.
,

o ld h on es t m a n o f m e a ns h e wa s pro b a bly sp i n e sh a rpe r p ro f ou ndl y

,

a n d sk i l fu l ly a de pt i n t h e o b scu re we b of P a ri i a n C ri m e som e d a n g e r
'

s
,

ous c h i ef of b a n d i ts gi v i n g a l m s to con ce a l h i s ot he r t a l e n ts a n ol d
, ,

t ri ck H e h a d co mr a des a c c o m pl ices ret re a t s o n a ll h a nds i n w h i c h

.
, , ,

he co ul d t a k e re fuge w i thou t d ou bt A l l Ui ese w i n d i n gs w h i ch b e wa s .

ma k i ng i n t he st rec ts seem ed to i n d ic a te th a t h e wa s n o t a si m pl e ho n
.
'

e st ma n .
“
To a rres t h i m t oo soo n wou l d be to k i l l t h e goose th a t l a i d
”
t he gol de n egg W h a t i ncon v e n i e n ce wa s th ere i n w a i t i ng ? Ja v ert
.
.

was vc ry s ure th a t h e wou ld n o t esc a pe

' ‘

H e wa l ked o n th e refore i n so m e perpl ex it y , qu estio n i n g h i msel f eo n

, ,

t in u a lly i n reg a rd t o t liis myster ious p e rson a ge

°
'

I t wa s n o t u n ti l q u i te l a te i n t he Rue d e P ontoi se t h a t th a n k s to , , ,

th e brigh t l i h t wh ic h st rea med frO m a b a r i o o m, h e deci ded ly rec og ‘ '

n i zed Je a n filj ea n
-
’

j
’

There a re in t h is w orl d t wo bei n gs w ho c a n be deeply th ri l l ed : t he

mot he r w ho fi nds her c h i ld , a n d t he tige r, w ho fi n ds h i s p rey
, J a ve rt .

fe l t t is p ro fou n d th ril l
h .
 LES m sfi n a s mzs .

I t is ce rta i n t h a t Na po l eo n bl u n de red i n t h e ca mp a i gn i n Russia tha t

°

Al e x a nder bl u nd ered i n t he w a r in I nd i a , th a t Czc sa r b l u nd ered i n t h e ‘

A fri c a n wa r th a t Cy ru s bl u ndered i n t he w a r i n S yc t hia a n d t h a t Ja

, .

v ert bl u nde red i n th is ca m pa i gn a ga i n st Je a n V a lj e a n H e d i d w ron g .

erh a ps i n he si ta ti n g to reco gn i ze t he o l d g a l l ey sl a ve T h e fi rst g l a n ce

p .

s h ou l d h a v e bee n e n ough for h i m H e d i d w ron g i n n ot sei z i n g h i m .

-

w ith ou t c ere m o ny i n t h e ol d b ui l di n g H e d i d w ro ng i n n o t a rresti n g

. .

h i m wh e n h e p osi ti vely reco g n i zed h i m i n t he Rue d g l p n t o ise He ,

’
.

d i d wr on g to h ol d a c ou n ci l w it h h i s a ids i n ful l m oo n l igh t in t h e Rol , .

l i n sq u a re Ce rt a i n ly a d v i c e i s use fu l a n d i t is w el l to k h ow a n d to
°

.
,

q uesti on t h ose of th e dogs w h i c h a re worthy of c red i t ; b u t t h e h u n te r ‘

.

c a n n ot t a k e too m a n y p rec a u ti on s w h e n h e i s e
’

l ik e th e wol f a n d th e co n v ict J a ver t by to

‘
.
,

ti ng h is b lo odh o u p ds o n th e t ra ck a l a rm e d h is p r ri m w i n d ,

of th e pu rsu i t a n d a l l ow ed h i m t h e st a r t H e bov e a ll,

w h e n h e h a d reg a i n ed t h e scen t a t th e ”
,

rid ge o f A u sterl itz t o pl a y t h e .

fo rm i d a bl e a n d p u eri l e ga m e o f h ol d i n g su ch a m a n a t t h e e n d o f a
"

t hre a d H e though t h i m se l f st ron ger t h a n h e w a s a n d bel i ev d h e

.
,
e
.
coul d pl a y m o use wi t h a li on A t th e s a m e t i m e , h e estee m ed h i m sel f
’

t o o w e a k wh e n h e de e m ed i t n ecess a ry t o o bt a i n a rei nforce m e n t F a ta l .

p rec a uti o n l oss of precious ti m e J a ver t ma d e a ll th ese b lh n ders a n d

,
‘
.
,

ye t h e wa s n o ne th e l ess o n e o f t h e w ises t a n d m ost c orrec t de t ec t i ves

th a t ever e xisted H e w a s i n t h e ful l fo rc e of th e t fi m, w h a t i n ve
,
.
,
' ‘

n c ry i s c a l l ed a ge n tle d a y B u t w b n i s pe rfect ? .

G re a t str a t eg i sts h a ve th ei r ecl i pses .

G rea t bl u nd e rs a re ofte n m a d e l i k e l a rge rop e o f a m u l t i tud e of ,

s
,

fi bres T a ke the c a bl e th re a d by th re a d, t a ke sep a ra tely a ll th e l i ttl e

.

d e termi n i n g m o t i ves yo u h rc a k t h em O n e a l t e r a n oth er a n d y ou sa y

,
‘

th a t i s a ll ! \Vi nd the m a n d t w ist th e m t og e th e r t h ey b eco m e a n e nor ,

m i t y ; Atti l a h esi t a ti n g bet wee n M u t e ia n i h t he E a s t a n d Va len t i uia n

'

i n t he W est ; H a n n i ba l d e l a yi n g a t C a pu a ; D a n to n fa l l i ng t o sl e p a t e

A rci s s u r A u b c ’

H weve r t h i s ma y he e ve n a t t he mo mc n t w h e n h e percei ved t h a t

‘

o
,

Je a n V a lj e a n ha d e sc a ped h i m J a v er t d i d n ot lose h i s presen ce o f m i n d

‘ ,
.

Su re th a t t he con vi c t w h o h a d b ro k en h i s ba n co ul d n ot be fa r a w a y he '
,

Be t w a tc h es a rr a n ged tra ps a n d a m bush es a n d be a t t h e q u a r ter t h e n igh t

, ,

th rough T h e fi rst th i n g th a t h e sa w wa s t he d ispla c e rn e n t o f? th e l a m p ,

.
‘

t h e re e o f w hielm va s c u t Prec i ou s i nd ic a t io n w h i ch l e d h i m a s t ra y
p , ,

h oweve r by d i recti n g a ll his resea rch es tow a rd t h e C o li d e sa o G n ro t

,
s - o .

Th ere a re i n t h a t cu l — de sa c som e r a th er lo w wa lls w h ic h fa ce u po n ga r

-
'

d e n s t he l i m i t s f w h i ch e xte n d t o e o me very l a rge u n c u l t i va ted grou nds

o .

Je a n V a lj e a n e vi den t ly m us t h a v e fl ed th a t wa y The fa c t is t h a t , i f .

h e h a d penet ra ted i n to t h e Cu l de sa c G c n ro t a l i t tl e fu rth er ; he wo ul d

‘
- -

h a v e done so a n d woul d h a ve bee n lost Ja vert ex plo rc d th ese ga rde n s

'

.
,

a n d t h es e gro u n ds a i f he w ere se a rch i n g for a n eed l e

,
s. . .

A t d a y b r ea k h e left two i n tel l ige n t me n o n th e w a tc h a n d ret u rne d

, ,

t o th e Pre fec tu re o f Pol ice , ore st ftillen a s a spy w h o ha s b een c a ugh t

,

by a t h ief .
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P ET I T P I CP U S .

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P ETI T E RU E m en u s, N0 .
,
62 .

Noth i n g rese mbl e d mo 1 e cl osel y h a l f a ce n tu ry a go, th e co mmon es t ,

0 1 t6 ( 0 ( ] é 6 of t h e ti m e t h a n th e o r t s c o o /1 c m of No 6 2 Peti te R ue
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d a y th e A rch bis ho p ma k ip g h is p a s t o ra l v isi t sa w e n te r th e c l a ss w hi c h

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h e W a s p a ssi ng a pretty l i ttl e bl us hi ng gi rl wi th be a u ti fu l fa i r h a i r ; a n d

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vh e a sk ed a n othe r sch ol a r a ch a r mi n g fresh c h eck ed bru n e t t e w h o w a s -

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W h a t i s th i s l i ttl e g i rl '

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“l s ha w l a n d th i s othe r o n e ? ”
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S h e i s n c ri cke t o
.

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S h e is a c a terpi l l a r .

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I 11 111 a wood l ouse M o n sei gn eu r
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E very h ouse o f th is k in d ha s i ts p ec u l i a ri t ies .

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m e n t o f th is c en t u ryg iflc o n e n wa s 0 n e o f t h ose sere n e a nd gra cefu l

p l a ces w here i n a sh a d e w h i c h l os t ugust th e ch i ld hood o f
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you n g gi rls wa s p a sse d A t Ecou e n by wa y o f ra n lt i n th e p rocessi o n .

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of the H oly S a cr a men t t hey 1rra le a d isti ncti o n be twee n th e v i rgi n s ,

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a n d th e fl o rist s Th e re were a l so
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t he c a n o p iés
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t he do rm e r c a rry i ng the cor ds o f th e c a n opy the l a tter sw i ngi n g censer s

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b e fore t h e Holy S a cra me nt T h e flo we rs r et ur ned o f ri gh t to th e so: .

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 L ES M I S ER A B L E S .

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frui t t rees I n spi t e of t he c l ose w a t c h a n d t h e seve ri t y of t he p u n i h s

m e n t w h e n t h e w i nd h a d sh 1 k c n t he t rees t h ey so me t i mes s ucceed ed

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s : ,

iti fu r t i ve l y pi ck i n g u p a g re en a p pl e a ha lf ro t t e n a pri co t or a wor m , ,

ca n 11 pe a r T h i s wa s on e 0 1 t h e it m os t v i v i d ple a s u res
A t a n o t h e r t i m e a l so o n t h e occ a i on 0 1 a v i si t o f t h e A rch bi sh op t o
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t h e con ve n t on e of t h e yo u n g g i rl s M a d e m oisel le Bou ch a rd a d esce n d

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a n t of t h e M o n t m o rc n c ic s w a g e red t h a t s h e w ou l d a k for a ho lid a y a

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d re a d fu l t h i n g i n a com m u n i t y so a us t e re T h e w a e r w a s a cce p t ed .
v
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b u t n o o n e of t h ose w h o t ook i t be l ie ved s h e w ou l d d a re d o i t hen .

t h e O ppor t u n i t y c a m e a s t h e A rch bi s h o p w a s p a ssi n g before t h e sc h o

,

la rs M a de m oi sel l e Bo u ch a rd , t o t h e i n d e sc ri b a bl e d i s m a y of h e r co i n
,
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p a n i on s l eft t h e r a n k s a n d s a i d
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M a d e moi sel l e B ou ch a rd wa s t a l l a n d fres h l ook i n g w i t h t h e p re t t i es t .

li t t l e rosy fa ce i n t h e w orl d M DeQu ele n s m i led a n d s a id : [10 10 .

n o w my «f a r c h i ld o n e Ja y 3 7 0 11 1 i
e Th r ee y o u li k e 1 1 1 1

r u n “o u th ree d a
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s T h e p r io 1 ess cou l d d o n o t h i n ; t h e A rc h bi s h o p

i nd sp oke n A sc a n d a l to t he co nv e n t b u t a j oy fu l t h i n g to t he scho o l
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T h i s ri g i d c l ois t e r w a s n o t h owe ve r so wel l w a l l ed i n t h a t t h e l i fe o f

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t he p a ssi o ns o f t h e o u t si de worl d t ha t d ra m a t h a t ro m a n ce e ve n d i d
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n o t p e n e t r t e it To prove t h i s w e w i ll m e rel y s t a t e bri efly a n a c t u a l

a .
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i n con t es t a bl e fa c t w h i ch h owe v e r h a s i n i t sel f n o re l a t i on t o o u r s t ory

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n o t bei n g a t t a h e d t o i t e v e n by 1 t h 1 ea d W e m e n t i o n t h i s m erel y t o
c
. .

c o mp le t e t h e p i c t u re o f t h e c o n v e n t i n t h e m i n d o f t he t e n de r .

T h ere wa s a b ou t t h a t t i m e t h e n i n t h e con ve n t a mys t eri ou s p e rso n , , ,

n o t a n u n wh o W a s h e a t ed w i t h g i ea t res pec t a n d w h o w a s c a l led M u d

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a mc A l b e r t i n e No t h i n g wa s k n ow n o f h e r ex c p t t h a t sh e wa s i n s a n e
.
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a n d t h a t 1 11 t h e w 0 1 ld s he w a s s u p pose d t o be d e a d T h ere we re i t wa s ,

sa i d i n vol ved i n h er s t ory som e p ec u n i a ry a rra iw c me n t s n ecess a ry fo r

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a g re a t m a rri a ge .

Th is w o m a n h a rd l y t h i r ty ye a t s old a b e a u t i fu l b ru ne t te s ta red
,
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W i ld l y w i t h hc r l a rge bl a ck eyes W ea s s h e look i n g a t a ny t h i n g ? It

wa s do u b t fu l S h e g l i ded a l on g r a t he r t h a n w a l k ed ; s h e n e ver spok e ;
.

i t w a s n o t q u itc ce r t a i n t h a t she bre a t h ed

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. l l er nos t ri l s w ere a s t h i n .

a n d l i vi d a s i f s h e h a d h e a ved h e r l a s t sigh
, To t o uc h h er h a n d W a s .

lik e t ouc h i n g s n o w Sh e ha d a s t 1 a n w e sn ec t ra l gr a c e W he re ve r sh e .

c a m e a ll w e re col d O n e d a y, a si s te r seei n g h e r p a ss s a i d t o a n o t h e r,
,
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,

S he p a sses for de a d 1 e 1 l1 a ps s hc i s
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a n sw e 1 e d t h e o t h er
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M a n y s t ories were t ol d a bou t i l a da mc Al ber t i n e S h e wa s t he e t e r .

n a l su bj ec t o f c u riosi t y o f t h e bo a rders T h ere wa s i n t h e c h a pe l a ,

.

n t h i s g a l lery
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a s c a l led l U l ( i e b w uf
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‘ a l lery h i c h I w h i ch h a d
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g ,
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o n ly a ci rc u la r o pe n i n g a n a il < le A l be r t i n e a t t en d ed t he
: -
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o fii c es . S he wa s u su a l ly a lon e t l1e 1 e bec a use fro m t h is g a l l e ry wh i c h , ,

W a s e le v a t ed t he p re a c h er or t he o ffi c i a t i n g p ri est cou l d be see n w h i c h

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w a s fo rbi d de n t o t h e n u n s O n e d a y t he p u l pi t wa s occ u p ied by a . -

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y ou n g p ri es t of h igh ra n k t h e Du k e dc l to h 1n pe e r of I ra n c e w h o ,
-
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w a s a n o fli c er of t h e M o us q ue t a i res Ro uge s i n 1 8 15 w h e n h e wa s Pri n c e ,

d e L éon a nd w h o d i ed a ft e r wa rds i n 1 8 30 a c a rd i n a l , a n d A rc h bis h op

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,

o f Besa n eo n Th is wa s t he fi rs t t i m e t h a t M d e Rob a n h a d p re a ch e d
. .

i n t he c o n ve n t o f t he Pe t i t Pic p us M a d a m e A l be rt i ne o rd i n a ri ly a t .
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t e n ded t h e ser mo n s a n d th e o fii c es w i th p erfect c a lin p ess a n d co m ple te

si le n c e O n th a t d a y a s soon a s sh e sa w M d e Roh a n sh e h a l f ros e,
,
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a n d i n a ll t h e sti l l n ess of t h e ch a p e l
,
e xcl a i m ed : W h a t ! A ug u ste 9 , .

T h e w h ol e com m un i ty were a sto u n de d a n d tu r n e d t heir h e a ds ; t he ,

p re a ch e r r a ised h i s ey es b u t M a d a m e Al berti n e h a d fa l l e n b a ck i n to her

A b re a t h fro m th e w o rl d w i th ou t a g l i m
,

m oti o n l ess si l e n ce m er o f life, '

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,

h a d p a sse d for a m om en t ove r t h a t de a d a n d i cy for m t h c n a ll h a d va n , ‘

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i s h o d a n d t h e l u n a ti c h a d a ga i n b ecom e a corpse
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These two w o rd s h owev e r se t e very body i n t h e con v en t wh o c oul d

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spe a k to c h a tteri ng H o w m a ny th i ngs th er e w e re i n th a t W h a t ?

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,

A u g uste f I t w a s cl e a r th a t M a da m e Al be rt in e c a m e fro m th e .
,

socie ty s i n ce sh e k n e w M d e Roh a n ; t h a t s h e h a d occ u pied

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.

p os i tio n h e rse l f si n ce s h e spok e o f so gre a t a n o bl e so fa m i l i a r ]

,

t h a t sh e h a d so me co n n ecti o n w i th h i m of rel a tio nsh i p perh a ps , bu t b e ,

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y o n d a l d o u b t v e ry i n ti m a te si n ce s he k n e w h is pe t n a m e
l
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.

M d c Rob a n wa s in o rc o ver wi t h o u t k n owi ng i t t h e o bj ec t o f t h a

, h ,
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a tt e n t i o n of th e sc h oo l gi rls
.

H e h a d j us t a t t h a t t in fe bee n m a d e,
-
. .

w h i l e w a i ti n g for th e e pi scop a cy gr a n d v ic a r o f th e A rc h bish o p o f ,

P a ri s H e wa s i n th e h a bi t o f com i n g ra t h e r freq u e n tly to ch a n t t he

.
o
.
.

o ffi ces i n t h e c h a pel of t h e n u n s o f th e Peti t P ic p us Non e o f t h e .

y ou n g re cl u s es cou l d se e h i m o n a ccou n t o f th e serge c u rt a i n , b u t he ,

h a d a g e n t le p en e tr a t i n g voi ce w h i ch t hey c a m e to recogn i ze a n d d isl

, , ,

t i n g u ish H e h a d bee n a m o us que t a i re; a n d th en h e wa s s a i d to b e

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v ery pl e a i ng ; w i th b e a u ti fu l ch est n u t h a i r wh i c h h e wo re i n cu rl s
s
, ,

a n d a l a rge gi rd l e of m a gn i fi ce n t m oi re w
.
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h i l e h i s bl a c k c a ssoc lb w a s o f ,

t h e m ost el eg a n t c u t i n t h e worl d Al l th ese gi rl i s h i m a gi n a t ion s wer e '

'

. .

v ery m u c h o c cu pi ed w i t h h i m 0 .

No so u nd fro m w i tho u t pe n e tra ted th e con ve n t Th ere wa s h o weve r, .

,

o n e ye a r w h e n th e sou n d o f a fl u te wa s h e a rd Th i s wa s a n e v en t a nd
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.
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t h e p u p ils o f t h e t i me re m e m b er i t yet .

I t W s, a fl ute o n wh i c h s om ebody in th e n ei gh bor h ood wa s pl a y

a

T hi s fl u t e a l w a y s pl a ye d t h e sa m e a ir a n a ir l on g si n c e forgotte n ,
‘

t a lZa c m e r e ig n o er my so u l a n d t h ey h e a rd i t tw o or t h ree t i mes

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e T h e y ou n g gi rls p a sed h ou rs i n lis t e n i n g _th e m ot hers were
. s ,

d istr a cted h e a ds g rew g iddy p u n i sh m e n ts were e x h a u sted T h is l a sted ’

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, ,

fo r sever a l m on t h s T he pu p i l s w e re a ll m ore o r l ess i n lo ve w it h t he

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u n k n ow n m u i ci a n E a c h o n e i m a gi n ed h ers e l f Z e t u lb a
s . . Th e seu n d .

o f t h e fl n t e c a m e fro m th e d i rec t i o n o f th e Ru e Dro i g M u r ; th ey wo ul d

’

h a v e gi ve n e very th i ng s a cri ficed e ve ry t h i n g d a red e very th i n g to see ,

-
, , ,

Were i t on ly fo r a seco n d to c a t c h a g li m pse o f t h e you ng m a n“ ”

wh o
, ,

pl a yed so d el i ci ously o n t h a t fl u te a n d w h o w i t h o u t s uspe c ti n g i t wa b , , ,

p l a y i n g a t th e som e ti m e u po n a ll th e i r h e a r t s T hfire were som e w h o . ‘

esc a ped by a b a ck d oor a n d c li m bed u p t o t h e t h i rd st ry o n th e Ru e ,

.
o

D ro i t M u r i n c u rri n g da ys o f su ff e ri ng i n th e e n de a vor t o see h i m I n) : ’

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,

o ssi ble O n e w en t so fa r a s to re a c h h e r a rm a bo ve h er hea d t h roug h

p
t h e gra t e a n d w a v e h er w h i te h a n d k erc h i ef Two were b old e r st ilh .

T h ey fo u n d m e a ns to cl i m b to th e top o f a roof a n d risk i n g th e mse l ve s

, ,

t l nre t h ey fi n a l l y su cce ed ed i n se ei n g th e
“ yo u n g m a n ”
H e wa s a n .
,

o ld g e n t l e ma n o f h e Em i gra ti o n r o in ed u n d bl i nd w h o , wa s p l a yi n
t g , ,

u po n t h e fl u te i n his ga rret , t o w h i l e a w a y t he ti me .
 L ES m sé a a nnss .

T H E L I TT L E C O N V EN T .

T h ere we re i n t h i s e n cl os u re o f t h e Pe ti t Pl ep a s t h ree perfec tl y d is

t i nct b ui l d i n s th e G re a t C o n ve n t i n w h i c h t h e n u n s l i ved t h e Sc h ool
g .
,

b u i ldi n g i n w h ich th e p u p i l s l odged a n d fi n a l ly w h a t wa s c a l l e d t he

, ,

Li ttle Co n v e n t T h is wa s a de t a c h ed bu i ld i ng w i th a g a rd e n i n w h ic h
‘

.
,

dwel t 111 co m m on m a ny ol d n u ns of va 1 i o u s o rders re m n a n t s o f c lo isters ,

d est roy e d by th e Re vol ut i on ; a g a t h eri n g o f a ll sh a de s bl a ck grey a n d , ,

w hi te , fro m a ll t h e com m u n i ti es a n d o f a ll t h e v a ri et i es poss i ble wha t

migh t b e -c a l l ed i f suc h a c ouplin g o l n a m es were n o t d isrespectfu l , a
,
'

Be rt o f in o tlc y con ve n t .

F ro m t h e ti m e o f t h e Em pi re a ll th ese p oor sc a tt ered a n d d esol a t e

,

ma de ns h a d bee n per m i t te d to t a k e sh e l ter u n de 1 t h e w i n gs of t h e B e n e

d ichme B er n a rd i n es Th e gov er nm e n t m a d e t h e m a s m a l l a l l ow a n ce ;
.

t h e l a d i es of t h e Peti t Pl ep a s h a d rece i ved t h e m w i t h e a g er n ess It

wa s a g ro t esq u e m i xtu re E a c h fol l owe d h e r o w n rul es T h e sc h oo l
.

i rl s we re s om et i m es per mi tted a s a gre a t re m e a t io n t o m a k e th e m a

g , ,

v isi t ; so t ha t t hc se yo u n g m e m or i es h a ve 1 e t a i n c d a m o n g ot h ers a re m i ,

liiseen ce of h ol y M ot h e r B a z il e , o f h oly M o th e r S ch ol a sti q ue

,
a nd o f ,

M othe rJ a cob .

O n e o f th ese re fugees fou n d h ersel f a ga i n a l m os t 1n h er o w n h om e .

S h e wa s a mil e o f S a i n te A u re t h e o n ly o n e of h er o 1 d e 1 w h o s u1 vi ve d
.
, . .

T h e a nci e n t co n v en t o f t h e L a d ies of S a i nt s A m e occu p i ed a t t h e b e

i n n i n g o f th e ei g h tee n t h een t u 1 t h is s a m e h o use o f t h e Peti t P ic p u s
g y
w h i c h a fter wa rds bel on ged to t h e Be n ed i cti n es o f M a 1 ti n V e rg a T h is .

m to o poo r to w e a n th e m a gn i fi c e n t d ress o f h er orde 1 w h i c h

h o l y a i de n , ,

wa s a w h i te robe w i t h a sc a 1 l e t sc a p ul a r h a d pi ousl y c l o t h ed a l i ttl e ,

i m a ge w it h i t w hi c h s h e s h ow ed co m pl a ce n t ly a n d w h ic h a t h er d e a t h
, ,

she beq ue a th ed to th e h ouse I n l 8 2 t t h erc re m a i n e d o f th is o rder

.

only on e n u n to d a y t hc re re m a i n s o n ly a d ol l
-
. .

I n a d d i ti o n to th ese wo rth y me t h ers a fe w ol d w om e n o f fa sh i o n ha d

.
,

o b t a i n e d perm i ssion of th e p rioress a s h a d M a d a m e Al berti n e to re ti re .

,

i n t o th e Li t tl e C o n ven t A m on g t h e n u m ber were M esd a m es d e Be a u fort

'

,
.

d H a u t p ou l a n d M a d a m e la M m q u ise Du h esn e A n o t h e1 wa s k n o wn
’
- '

1
, .

i n t t h e Co n v e n t o n l y by th e h o 1 rib le n oise s h e m a d e 1 11 bl ow i ng her n ose .

T h e p u pi l s c a l l e d h er Ra e k e t i n i .

Abo u t 1 8 0 o r 1 8 2 1 M a d a m e d c Ge n l i s w h o a t th a t t i m e wa s ed iti n g
’
, ,

a l i ttl em a g a zi n e c a l led t he I t / 619 1 18 a ske d p e1 missio n to occ u py a roo m

n 4
,

a t t h e co nv e n t o t c Peti t P ic p u s M on 1e u r t h e Duk e of Orl e a ns re

n s

c om m e n d ed h er A b u zz i n g 1 n t h e h i 1 e t he m oth e rs we 1 e a ll 1 0 a t 1 e
.

( n or ; M a d a m e d e Gren lis h a d m i t te n ro m a n c es ; b u t sh e d e cl a red th a t

sh e wa s t h e fi rst to d etest the m a nd th e n s h e ha d a rr i ved a t h e r p h a s e
,

o f fi erce d e voti on G od a id i n g a n d 1h e p ri n ce a l so sh e en te1 ed

.
, ,
.

S h e wen t a w a y a t t he en d o f si x or e igh t m on ths g iv i n g a s a re a so n ,

t h a t th e ga rd en h a d n o s ha de T he n u n s were i n r a ptu res

.
‘
A l th ou gh .

very old sh e sti l l pl a yed o n t h e h a rp a n d th a t ve ry w el l

, ,
.

T he c h u rch of th e co n ve n t, w h i c h wa s bu il t 1n suc h a m a n n er a s to
 LES a t t enu a t es .

s ev er e o nly to th e m sel v es T h e o n l y fi res w ere i n th e sc h rb l b ui ld i n g , .

a n d th e fa re c om p a re d w i th th a t of t h e con ve n t wa s c ho ice B es id e s . .

t h a t they recei v ed a t h ous a n d l i ttl e a t t e n tion s

,
O n ly w h en a c h i l d .

a ss d n e a r a n u n a n d s po ke to h e r t h e n u n n ever a ns we re d
p e ,
.

Th is r u le of s i l e n ce h a d ha d t h i s e ffec t th a t i n t he wh ol e co n v e n t , ,
‘

spee c h wa s w i th d r a w n fro m h u m a n cre a t u res a n d gi vc n to i n a n i m a te

‘

o bj ects Som eti mes i t wa s t h e el1 n rc h b ell t h a t spok e som et i m es t h e

.
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a rden er s A ve ry son o rous b el l p l a ce d besi de t he p o rt rc ss a n d w h ic h
'

g .
,

w a s h e a rd a ll o ve r t h e h o u se i nd ic a ted by i fs v a ri a t i o ns w h ic h we re a , ,

k i n d o f a co usti c tel e g r a p h a ll t h e a ct s o f m a te ri a l l i fe to b e pe rform ed, ,

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.

A n d a lt e i w a i t i ng for a sou nd i ro n) t he t ol l i n g hell t o d ie a n a y l a uc he ,

t

le ve rit pu 1 su ed : “I t w ou l d n o t d o t o h a ve y ou fou n d h er e li ke t h i s
,

n ce d o yo u co m e ? fo r m e yo u h a ve fa l len lmm h ea r n bec a use I

'

t e
,
”
k n w yo u ; b u t fo r t h e n u n s yo u m us t co m e i n a t t h e d oo r
o
,
.

S udde nly t h ey h eut d a com p l ic a t ed rin i ng u pon a n o t h e r bel l Oh e

. .
 c ess r rs . 14 7

s a i d Fa u c h eleven t “ t h a t i s t h e ri n g fer t he 111 0 1110 19

, Th ey a re goi n g .

t o t h e ch a p t e r Th ey a l w a ys h old a ch a p t e r w h en a n yho dy d t t s S h e ’
.

d ied a t d a yb 1 e a k I t i s u su a l ly a t d a ybre a k t h a t pe p l e d ie B u t c a n n o t
‘ ’

. o

you go ou t t he w a y you c i m e i n 17 Le t us see ; t h is i s n o t t o q ues t i o n

. 1

o u h u t w h et c d i d o u com e i n 7
y ,
y n .

Je a n V a lj e a n bec a m e p a le ; t he b a re i de a o f cl i m b i n g d ow n a ga i n i n t o
t h a t form i d a b l e st t eet m a d e h i m s h udde r M a k e yo u r wa y o u t of a
, .

fores t fu l l o f t ige t s a n d 11 he n o u t fa n cy yourse l f a d v ise d by a fri en d t o

, ,

1 m 1 1n ed a ll t h e pol i ce s t i l l sw m m i n g i n t h e
‘
r e t a i n : Je a .n v a lj e a n
g
q u a r ter o fii c et s o n t h e w a t c h sen t 1 i es e1 e1 y w h e 1 e h igh t fu l fi t s st 1 c t c hed
, , ,

o u t fi t o wa rds h is col l a r J 1ve1 t p c t ha p s a t t h e corn e r o f t h c sq u a re 1

,
.
.
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.
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o n h i gh A h ! I b elie 1 e i t I bel ie ve i t
.
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repl i ed Fa n c h e le w n t , ,
.

Yo u h a ve 11 0 n ee d t o t e l l m e so G od m us t h a 1 e t a k e n yo u i n t o h i s . '

h a n d t o h a ve a c l ose l ook a t yo u a n d t h e n pu t yo u d o w n O n l y h e
, ,

m e a nt t o pu t yo u i n to a m on a s te ry he m a de a 111ista k c H a rk l a n o t he r .

r i n g ; t h a t i s t o w a r n t he por t e t to g o a n d n o t i fy t he m u n i ci p a l i t y so
.
,

t h a t t h e y m a y go a n d n o t i fy t h e d e a t h p hysi ci a n so t h a t h e ma y co m e ,

a n d see t h a t t h e re i s re a l ly a d e a d w om a n A l l t h a t i s t h e cere mon y of .

dy i n g Th ese good l a d ies do n t l i ke t h i s v i si t ve ry m u c h

. A p hy si . .

c ia n bel i eves 1 n n o t h i n g Il e h i t s t he ve i l H e e ve n l i ft s so m t t h i n g
t
. .

e l se So m e t i m es H ow sec ti t hey h a ve n o t ified t h e ii n spec t or t h i s t i me !

,
.
‘

W h a t c a n be t h e m a t t e r ? Y ou r l i t t l e o n e i s a sl ee p ye t W h a t i s her
n a me ? ”
Cose t t e ” “ S h e i s y o u r g i rl t h a t i s t o sa
.
y y ou s h ou l d b e ,
”
h e r g ra n dfzt t h e r f Yes Fo i h e1 t o ge t o u t wi l l b e e a sy I ha ve . .
,

m y d oor w h i c h open s i n t o t h e c o u t t I k n ock t he po 1 t e 1 O pe n s I

,
.
,
.
'

l vc m y b a sk e t o n my b a ck t h e l i t t l e g i1 l i s i n si d e I go o u t h a t h e r
f ja u c h e le ve n t oes o u t w i t h h is b a ske t — t h a t t s a ll siin le Yo u wi l l t e l l , ,

g p .

t he l i t t l e g i r l t o k ee p v e l y S t i l l h e w i l l be u n de r c h ve r I w i l l l e a ve
§
'

. .

h er a s soo n a s I c a n w i t h a g ood o ld i t ic n d of m i n e a f1 u 1 t e 1 ess i n t h e

, ,

R ue d u C he m i n Ver t w h o i s d e a f a n d 11 11 0 ha s a l i t t l e bed I w i l l , ,
. .

s c re a m i n t o t h e fru i t eress s c a r t h a t s h e i s m y n i ec e a n d she m us t k ee p ’

T h e n t he l i t t l e g i1 l w i l l c mi e b a ck wi t h yo u ;
'
h e1 fo r m e t i l l t o m orro w .

for I sh a l l bri n g yo u b a c k I t m us t be d o ne B u t h o wa re yo u goi ng . .

t o m a n a g e t o ge t o u t .

J e a n Va lj ea n sh o o k h i s h e a d Let n obody see m e t h a t i s a ll Fa t he r

o
.
,

Fa u c h e le ve n t Fi nd som e me a n s t o get m e n u t l i k e Co se t t e i n a ha s ’
.
, ,
”
k e t a n d u nde r cover
,
.

Fa u c h e lc ve n t s c ra tc h ed t h e t i p of h i s c a r w i t h t h e m i dd le fi nge r of
h is l e ft h a nd — a si g n of seri ou s e mb a rr a ss m e n t .

A t h i rd ri n g m a de a d i ve rsi o n Th a t i s t he d e a t h ph y si ci a n g oi n g .

a wa y s a i d l a n c hele ve n t
,
i
‘
He h a s l ooked a n d s a i d sh e i s d ea d ; i t .
, ,

i s ri g h t W h e n t h e i nspec t or h a s 1 iscd t he p a ss por t f or P a r a d i se t h e

.
,

u n der t a k er se n ds a co ffi n If i t i s a m o t h e r t h e m o t h e rs la y h e r o u t ; .
,

i t i t i s a si s t er t he sis t e rs la y he r o u t ,
A fte r w h i ch I n a i l it u p , .

T h a t s a p a r t o f m y g a rden i n g A ga t de n er i s so me t h i n g o f a g r a v e
’
.

d i g ger They p u t ho t i n a lo w room i n t h e c h u rch w h i ch com m u n i c a t es

w i t h t h e s t ree t a n d w h ere n o m a n c a n e n t e r e x ce p t t he d e a t h physi c i a n
,
. .

I do n o t co u n t t he be a re rs a n l myse l f fo r m en I n t h a t roo m I n a i l .

t h e co ffi n l he he a rers com e a n d t a ke h e r a n d w h i p u p d ri ve r , t h a t is
’
. , ,

t h e wa y t hey go t o h e a ve n Th ey bri ng i n a bb x w i t h n o t h i n i n it ,
g
.
 LE S M I S fi lt A B L it s .

t h ey c a r y r it . a wa y wi t h so m e t h i n g i nsi d e . Tha t i s wh a t a n i n t erm e n t is .

Dr
A r v o f t he ri si n g su n b ea m ed u pon t h e f a ce o f t h e sl ee pi ng Co se t t e
a
,

w h o h l l open ed h r rrro n t h d re a m i ly see m i ng l i k e a n a n e l d i n k i n g 1 11

a e
,
v

t he l i g h t J e a n V a lj e a n wa s l ook i ng a t he r H e n o l o nge r h e a rd Fa u n .

c h e le vt t t
- .

N o t he rn g h e a rd i s n o re a son f or si l e n ce The b ra ve o l l p rt de n er ’

.
-

q u i t l y co n t i n u ed h i s g a rru l ou s re h e a rs a l : The g ra ve i s a t t he a n g i
e
o

m rd ( lo n e te ry T h ey p re t e n d t h a t t h i s Va n ira rd Ce m e t e ry i
i . in g t o w s 1 ro
c

be s tt pp t e s ed I t i s a n a n ci e n t ce m e t e ry w h i c h t s n t a ccord i n g t o Th e
s . o

re g u l a t i n s w hi c h d o es n o t we a r t he uni fo rm a n d w h i c h i s g i n w 11? be’

o o

re t i red I a m sorry fo r it for i t i s c o n v en i e n t I ha ve a fri e n d t h e re —

, ,

F a t h e r M c st ic n n e t h e g rzivc d i ge r T h e n irn s h ere h a ve t he p t i t i lege

,
. .

o
,
.

of bei n g c a r ri e d to t h a t ce m e t e ry a t n i g h t fa l l T h e re rs a n i t he o

P ré f c t n re e x pressly for t h e m
t
, B u t w h a t e ve n t s s i n c e ye t erd a y ? . s

M o t h e r Cru ci fi x i on i s d e a d a n d F a t h e r M a d e l ei n e ,
"
l s bu ri e d s a id Je a n a liea rr sa lly s m i l i n g
, ,
1
.

Fa n c h e le vc n t e c hoed t h e word “Re a l l y i t yo u we re h ere fo r good .

, ,
”
i t w o u ld be 1 g e n u i n e bu ri a l 1 .

A to u t t h t i n re t h e hel l ra n g o n t F t u e h e le ve 11 t q u i ck y t ook d o w n . :

t h e k nee pi ece a n d be l l fro m t h e n a i l a n d b u ck led it o n h i s k ie e Th i s ,

t
‘1

t i m e i t i s fo r m e
, T h e ri o t h r p ri rl e ss w a n is nre \Vel l I m p ri ck
. t
e
t .
,
a

i n g n ry t lf w i t h t h e t on g ue o f m y bu kle
~
1
M n si e u r M a d e li n o d o n o t r o o t
,

s t i r b u t W ri t fo r m e T he re rs som e t h i n g n e w I f yo u a e h n g ry,
,
. .
t
'

n
"
t h e re i s w i ne a n d bre 1d a n d c h ee e A n d h e we n t o u t f t h e h u t
,
s o
,

s a y i n g “ I a m c o uri n I a m c o rn i rr
'
rr rr

Je a n V a lj e a n sa w Irrtir ha sten a c ross t h e g a rde n a s fa s t a s h i s e r o k a l

,

1
,

leg w ou l d le t h i m w i t h si d e g la m c s a t h i s m e l on s t lt c w h i l e ,

I n l e s t h a n t en m i n u t es Fa t h er I a u c h e lc ve n t w h ose b e l l p u t t h e
s ,
‘
t
,

n u n s t o fli gh t a s h e we n t a lo n g r a pped so ft l y a t a d oor a n d 1 ge n t l e .

, ,
1

v oi ce a n swe re l m r r Fo rm e r ' t ha t i s t s a y m m i n 1 - 1
,
o
,
e .

Th i s d oo r wa s t h a t of t h e p a rlor a l l o t t ed t o t h cg a rd e n e r fo r o w h e n e
,
‘
s 1

i t w a s n cess a ry t o co m m u n i c a t e w i t h h i m T h e p 1 rlo r w a s ne a r t h e
‘

e . 1

li nll of t h e c h a p t e r T he p ri oress sea tt d rn t h e on ly c h a i r i n me p a r ,

lor, wa s w a i t i n g for l a u c he lc ven t r .

F A U C II EL EV E N T F ACI N G T H E Dl l
‘
-F I C U LT Y .

A se ri o us a n d t rou bl ed be a ri n g is p ec n li t r o n cri t i c a l o cc a si o ns to 1
, ,

c er ta i n h a ra e t e rs a n d ce r t a i n p ro fe si n es peci a l ly p ri es t s a n d m o n a s
1 ~ 11 ~1
,

t ics . A t t h e m om e n t w h e n Fa n c h ele t e n t e n t e red t h i s do u b l e s h o t o f ,

r occu p a t i o n m a rk e d t h e cou n t e n a n ce o f t h e pri oress t h e 1 h 1n i 11

g
p e : 1
o ~

a n d l e a rn ed M a de m oi se l l e d c li lc rn c ur M o t he r I n n ocen t w h wa s o rd i . , ,
o -
t

n nrily ch eer fu l

T he g a rde ne r nra d e a t i m i d b ow a n d s t opped a t t h e t hresh ol d o f t h e ,

cel l l h pri ores s wh o w a s a nyi n h e r ros a ry r a i sed he r ey s a n d sa i d

'
e o 1
.
,

“A h “
.
,

l h is a b b re vi a t i o n h a d h c n a d op te d
'
! i t i s y ou F a t h e r b o u ve n t ,
1

t o t he o u ven t Fa uc h e le vc n t a g a i n b g a n h i s bow F a t h er It a u ve n t e
b ,
. .
‘
 L ES ar ma m e n t s .

W he n h e h a d fi n ish ed th e p ri o re ss st o p ped th e sl i d i n g o f h e r r o a ry
, s

th rou g h h e r fi nge rs a n d s a i d : Ca n y o u be twee n n o w n p d n igh t p ro

, , ,
” ” ”
cu re a st r o n g i r o n b 1 r 7 F o r w h a t w o rk 7 . To be u sed a s a l ev e r .

Ye s re ve l e n d m o t h er a n s we red l a u c he lc vc n t
, ,
t

T h e wi t ness w i tho u t a dd i n g a w0 1 d a ro se a n d we n t i nto th e n e x t

, .
, ,

room w h i c h w a s t h e h a l l o f th e ch a pte r w a ero th e voc a l m ot h ers we r e

, ,

p ro ba bly a ss e m bl ed , l a u c hele ve n t rem a i n ed a l o n e

v t
.

N o r ma n

Abou t a q u a rte r dl n u h a el a pse d T h e pri o ress retur n ed a n d re

' -
.

su m ed h e r se a t

“
.

B o t h se e m e d p re occu p ie d T
e re port a s we l l a s we c a n t h e d i a l ogu e
.

th a t fo l l o wed
Fa t h r Fa u ven te
“R evere n d m oth e r
. You a re fa m il i a r w it h .

t h e c h a pel ? I h a v e a lit t le b o x t h e re t o g o to m a s s a n d t he e lli c es

.
,
“A n d y o u ha ve be e n i n t h c h o i r a b o u t y o u r w o rk 7 ” “ l w o or t h re e
e
' ' ‘

t i m es .
“ A sto n e i s to b e r a ise d l l o a vy ?
”
Th e sl a b or t h e '
‘

p a v e me n t a t th e sid e o f t h e a l t a r ”
T he st o n e t ha t c o ve rs t he v a ul t ? "
.

Yes “T h a t i s a p i ece o f work w h e r e i t w o u l d be W e l l t o h a ve two

.

me n M o th e r A sce nsi o n wh o l a a s st r o n g a s 1 m : 1n w i l l h e l p yo u
’
1
, ,
.

“A w o m a n is n e ve r a \Ve h a v e o n l y a w o m a n t o h el p y o u .
,

E ve ry b o dy d oes w h a t h e c a n B ec a use Do m M a b llo n gi ves f 11 r h a m 0

. .
i . 1

d red a n d se v e n tee n ep i st les o f S t B e rn a rd a n d M e rl i n ns Ho rs t i u s gi ves .

,
”
o n l y t h re e h u nd red a n d si x ty se ve n l do n o t d es pi s e M o rl e n a s ll o rs t i us
-
,
.

“N o r I e it he r ” “M er i t c o nsists i n work a cc o rd i n g t o ou r s t ren gt h

. .

A cl o iste r i s n o t a s h i p y a rd ” “ A n d a w o m a n is n o t a m a n M y b ro
.

th e r i s ve ry st r o n g ” “ A n d t h e n y o u wi l l h a v e a l e ve r
.
” “ Th a t i s t h e .

o n ly k i n d o f k ey th a t fits th a t k i n d o f d u -r T he re 19 a ri ng i n th e
s to n e . I w i l l p a ss th e l e v e r t h rough i t
’ “A nd t he sto n e i s a rra n ged .

“V e ry w el l re ve re n
to turn on a pi vot d mo t he r l w i l l op e n t h b
’
.

“A n d t h e f ou r m o t h e r c h o iist c rs w i l l a ssi s t y o u
, ,
.

va u l t “A n d w h n '

. e

th e v a u l t i s o pe n ed ? ” “ l t n 1 us t b e sh u t a g a i n “ Is th a t a ll ? ”
’

“N o ”
.

. G ive me yo ur orde rs m os t re v e re n d m o t h e r Fa u ven t , .

,

w e h a ve c o n fi d en ce i n y ou I a m h e re t o d o a n y th i n g A n d to ’

k e p si l en t a bou t e very th i n g
e Yes re ve ren d 1110 th e 1 “ W h en t h e ,
. .

v a u l t is o pe n ed “ I w il l s h u t i t a g a i n B u t be fw e .
’

” ”
W h a t re ve re n d m oth e r t
,
S o m et h i n g m ust be l e t d o w n
. .

Th ere w a s si l e n ce T h e prioress a fte r a q ui veri n g o f t he u n d e r l i p , ,

w h i c h resem bl ed hesit a ti on sp ok e : Fa h e r F u v“ t a e n t ? ” “ R e v ere n d

,

mo th e r “Yo u k no w t h a t a m o t n er d i ed th is m orn i n g No
' ' '
.

"
Y o u h a v e n o t h c a rd th e bel l th e n 7 N o t hiu g is he a rd a t th e fu rth e r
'

” ”
e n d o f th e ga rde n R e a l ly
.
7 I c a n h a r dly d ist i n u ish my ri n g .
rr .

S h e d i ed a t d a ybre a k “A n d th e n t h is m or n i n g t he wi n d d i dn t ’
.
, ,

bl ow my wa y ” “I t 13 mot h e r C ruc ifix i o n

. O ne of t h e b lc st .

The pr i oress w a s si le n t m o ved h er l i p s a m om en t a s i n a m e n t a l ori

,

so n a n d resu m ed :
“T h ree ye a rs a o m e rely fro m h a v i n g see n M ot h e r
, g ,

C r u ci fi x io n a t p ra y er, a Ja n se n ist, M a d a m e de Bé t hu n e, be ca m e ort h o

’
 CO SETT E .

(10 3 . Ah ! yes, Iv
h e a r th e k n el l n ow re vere n d m o th er Th e , .
.

me t h e rs ha ve c a rri ed h e r i n to th e r o om (i f th e de a d w h i ch o pe n s i n to ,
“
,

” ”
the c h urch I k no w
. N o othe r ma n th a n you c a n or m us t e n te r
.

th a t r o o m B e w a tch fu l I t wo u l d l oo k w e l l fo r a ma n to e n ter t he
. .

r oo m o f th e d e a d !
" “ O ften e r
” “ Eh ?
” “ O ft e n er
”
W ha t do .

ye p sa y I_ sa
y O ft e ne r t h a n w h a t ? e ve re n d
’
t
’
m ot h er I do n t sa y o f ten er th a n w h a t ; 3 I sa y o tte n e r
, I do n o t ‘
.

u n d e rst a n d yo u W hy d o yo u sa y o ften e r ? ” T8 sa y a s you do re ve ,

”
re n d m o the r B u t I d id n ot sa y o tte n e r Yo u d id n o t sa y i t ,
'

- ' o
.

”
b u t I s a i d i t to sa y a s yo u d i d .

T h e cl o c k struck n i n e “At n i n e o cl ock i n t h e m o rn i n g a n d a t a ll ,

’
,
”
h o u rs p ra ise a n d a d o r a tio n to th e m e t h o ly s a cre m e n t o t t h e a lt a r
’

e
, ‘ ,

sa id th e p rio ress
“ ”
A m e n l s a i d Fa u c h e le ven t
. .

Th e c l o ck struck in g oo d ti m e I t c u t s h ort t h a t O tten er I t i s pro . .

-

b a lgle th a t wi t h ou t i t t h e p r io r e ss a n d Fa n c hele ve n t w oul d n eve rh a v e

, ,

o t o u t o f th a t sn a rl F a n c h e le vep t w i p e d h is fo re h e a d
g .
.
.

-
Th e p ri oress a ga i n m a de a l it t l e l o w m u rm u r prob a bly s a cred t h e n
.
, ,

ra i se d h er voi ce : Da ri n g h e r l i fe M o th e C ruci fi xio n w o rk ed c o n v e r ,

r

s i o n s ; a fte r h e r d e a th sh e w ill w o rk m i r a c les S h e w i l l I a n s w e re d

’

, ,

“
Fa u c he le ven t c o rre cti ng h i s ste p a n d m a ki ng a n e ff ort n o t to bl u n de r
, ,

a ga i n
“ F a t h e r F o u ven t t h e c o mm u n i ty ha s bee n bles sed i n M o t h e r
.
,

C ruci fix io n Do u btl e ss i t i s n o t gi v en t o e v e ry b ody to d i e l i k e C a rd i n a l

.
,

d o li é ru lle s a yi n g t h e h o l y m a s s a nd t o bre a t h e o u t h i s s o u l t o G o d
’

0 , , ,

p ro n o u n ci n g these w o rds : [lo 1c {g i t w ( 1 /fi ea m ; Bu t W i t h ou t / 1 1 r r

a tt a i n in g to so gre a t h a ppi n ess M o t h e r C ru c ifi x io n h a d a ver p reci o us

y ,

d e a th S h e h a d h e r co n scio usn ess to th e l a st

.
’
S h e s poke t o us t h e n .
,

sh e s po k e to t h e a ngel s he g a v e us h e r l a s t com m a n d s . If y ou ha d .

l i tt le m ore fa i th a n d ii y o u co ul d h a v e bee n i n h e r cel l sh e wo ul d

'

a , ,

h a v e c ured y o u r log by tou ch in g i t S h e s m i l ed W e fel t th a t sh e w a s .

r etu rn i n g to life i n G od T he re w a s s o m e t h i n g o f Pa r a d i se i n th a t
”
d e a th Fa u c h e leve n t th ough t th a t h e h a d bee n l is te n in g to a p r a y e r
. .

“A m e n 1” s a i d h e
' “ F a th er Fa u ve n t W e m ust d o w h a t t h e d e a d w i sh ”
.
,
'

T h e p ri oress cou n ted a fe w be a ds o n h e r C h a pl e t Fa u h ele ve n t wa s ,

. c

s il e n t S h e co n ti n u ed “ I h a ve c o ns u lted u p o n th is q uest i o n se v e r a l
'

"

ec c le s ia st i e s l a b ori ng i n o u r Lo rd w h o a re e n g a ged i n t h e e x ercise of

'

,
”
c l eric a l t u n c t io n s a n d wi t h a dm i r a bl e resu l ts ,
.

A fe w be a d s o f h er c h a pl e t w ere t o l d o v e r si l e ntl y T h e pri o re ss .

we n t on Fa t h e r Fa u ven t M o t h e r C ruci fixi o n w il l be bu ri ed i n t h e ,

“
.
” ”
co di a i n w h ic h sh e h a s s l e p t fo r twe n ty y e a rs Th a t i s righ t It .

i s a c o n ti n u a t io n o f s l ee p ” “ I sh a l l h a v e to n a i l he r u p th e n i n th a t
“
.

c o fli n
” “ Yes
.
”
A n d w e w i l l pu t a si de th e u n dert a ke r s c o fii u
.
‘ ’

P reci sel y ” “ I a m a t th e d ispos a l o f t h e m os t re ve ren d co m m u n i ty

.
.

T h e f ou r mo th e r c h o rist c rs w i l l h el p yo u To n a i l u p t h e w ith I ,

do n t n eed th e m
’ ”
No n To l e t i t d o w n . W h ere ? “ I n to t h e .
"

va u l t ”
W h a t va u l t ?
.
" “U nde r t h e a l t a r Fa n c h elc vc n t g a ve a
T h e v a u l t u nde r th e a l t a r 1 ” “ U nde r th e a l t a r
”
Bu t
sta rt .
.

Y ou w i l l h a v e a n i ro n h a r z " “ Yes bu t “ Yo u w i l l li ft th e ,

st o n e w i th t he ba r by m e a n s o f th e ri ng "
Bu t “ W e m ust .

o bey t h e d e a d T o be bu ri ed i n th e v a u l t u n de r the a l ta r of th e c ha pe l
. ,

n o t to go i n to p rofa n e gro u n d , to r e m a i n i n d ea t h w her e she p ra y ed in

 L s s M IS fi RA BLES .

l i fe ; t h i s wa s th e l a s t req uest o f M oth er Cruci fix i o n S h e h a s a sk e d .

.

”
i t, t h a t is to sa y co m m a nded i t ,
.

l o t i t i s fo rbid d e n “Forbi dde n by ma n e n oi n d by G od

j ”
,
e .
,

I it s h o u l d com e to be k n o w n ? W e h a ve co n fide nce i n you .

O h ! a s fo r me I a m l i k e a ston e i n y o ur , T h e ch a pte r h a s
a sse mbl ed l he v oc a l m o t h e rs w ho m I h a v e us t co nsu l ted a g a i n a n d
' ‘ °
’

w h o a re n o w d el i be ra t i n g h a v e d e c idt d th a t Blo t her Cru c li x io n s h oul d

.
, ,
'

, .

be: a ccord i ng to h e r ni esire Pu rie d j n h er C o lli n u n de r ou r a l ta r T h i n k , , .

Fa t h er Fa u ven t i f t h e r e s h o ul d be m i ra cl es pe rfo rm e d h ere ! wh a t

‘

, .

gl ory u n der G od f or t h e co m m u n i ty M ir a cl es s pri ng fro m t o m bs .

B u t re vere n d M o t h e r i f th e A ge n t o f t h e H e a l th Co n n n i sio n
, , >

" ‘
S t B e n ed ict I I i n t h e m a t t e r o f b u ri a l re s isted Const a n t i n e I o go n a
‘
‘
, , ,
”
tus . H o we ver th e Co m m issa ry of Pol i c e , Cho n o d e ma i re ,
o ne of th e seve n G e r m a n k i ngs w h o e n t e re d G a u l i n t h e rei g n of Co n

s ta n t in s ex p ressly recog n ise d th e ri gh t of co n ve n t u a l s to be i n h u m e ia

d
'

-
.
,
'

r el ig i o n t h a t i s to sa y u nd e r t he a l t a r
,
B u t t h e I n spec t o r o f t h e
, .

Prefect u re T h e w orl d i s n o t h i n g be fore th e cro ss M a r t i n .

,

el e ve n th ge ne r a l of th e C a rth usi a n s g a v e to h is o rd er t h is d e v ice : S l a t ,

c r u x d a m v le o t l u r o rb i s
" “ A m e n , s a i d P n eh ele ve n t i m pe i t u rb a b le
'

a
. ,

i n t h i s m et h od ( i f e xt ri c a t i n g h i mse l f wh e n e v e r h e h e a rd a n y La t i n ,

T h e pr io re ss d re w br e t h t h e n tu r n i n g to wa rds Fa u c h e le e n t F a t h e r
a v “
,

F o u ve n t is i t set t l ed 7 “ I t i s se t t l ed re vere n d m oth er ” “Ca n w e

"
, , .

c uo n t u po n y o u Y I s h a l l n h ey
” “ I t is "
w e l l ” “ I a m e nti rely . .

d e vot ed to t h e c o e n v fl
t “ I t i s u n ders t ood yo u w i l l cl ose t h e co lli e .
" ’

.
.

Th e si s t e rs w i l l c a rry i t i n to t he ch a pel T h e othee fo r the ( l e a d w i l l he

'
.
’

sa i d T h en th ey w i l l re t u rn to th e cl oi ste r Be tw ee n cl e vey o c l oc k
' ’

. .

a n d m i d n igh t yo u w i l l com e w i th y ou r i r n ha r A ll w i l l b e d on e w i th
’

.
o .

.
t h e gre a te t secrecy T h e re w i l l be i n t he c impel o n ly t h e fo u r mo t h e r
s .
o

c ho ri s te rs m o th e r Asce ns io n a n d y u
,
A n d th e s ist er w h o w i l l be o

a t th e po t
"
S e w i l l n o t tu rn
h s .
”
B ut s h e w i l l h e r a
” “ She wil l . .

n ot l is te n ; mo reov e r w h a t t he cloiste r k no ws t he W orl d d o es n o t k n o w ,

.

T h ere wa s a p a use a ga i n T h e p ri o ress co n ti n u ed : Yo u w i l l t a ke .

o ff yo u r be l l I t i s n eed l es s t h a t t he sis t e r a t th e post s h ou ld percei ve

.

t h a t yo u a re th e re "
Re ve re n d tii o t h e r “ W h a t F a t h er F o uv e n t
.
? "
,
"
H a s t h e de a th p hysi ci a n m a d e hi v isi t ? li e i s go i n g to m a k e i t
'

s
“
a t fo u r o cl ock t o d a y
’
h e hel l ha s been sou n d ed w h i c h su m m o n s th e.

“
p
”
d e a t h p hysi c i n B u t y
-
a o u d o n ot he a r.a n
y r i~
n g th e n I o n ly a
y . .

“ “Re ve re n d
‘

a t t e n tio n to m y Th a t is righ t Fa t he r F o u v en t ,
. .
”
m o t h e r I sh a l l n eed a lc ve r a t l e a st s i x fee t l o ng 2 W h e re w i l l you
' ‘
. .
,

ge t i t “ W h ere th ere a re gra ti ngs there a re a liv a

ys i ro n b a rs I ha ve .

”
m y h e a p o f ol d i ro n a t t he b a ck of t h e ga rde n A bou t t h ree q u a rt e rs
.
.
-

o f a n hou r b efore m id n igh t ; d o n o t fo rge t “ It eve t e n d m o the r

”
.
'

“W h a t ? ” I f yo u s h ou l d e ve r h a v e a ny o th e r w o rk li ke t h is m y ,
”
b roth e r is ve ry strong A T u rk You w i l l d o i t a s q u ic k ly a s pos
. .
.

si bl e ” “I ea n n o t go ve ry fa s t
. I a m i n fi rm ; i t i s o n t h t a cco un t I . :
‘

-
‘

” “To l i m p i s n ot a c ri m e a n d i t ma be a ble ss
‘

n ee d h el p I l i m p . .
y ,
.

F a th er l a n y ea t no w I t h in k o f it W e w i ll t a k e a w h ol e h ou r
t
i
'

a .

/
, ,
'
'
I t is n o t to o m u ch B e a t t h e h i gh a l t a r w i th t h e i ron ba r a t le ven
. .
' e

T h e o iii ee co m m e n ces a t; m id n ig h t I t m ust a ll b e fi n ish ed a

'

o clock
‘

. . . .

”
g ood q u a rt er of a n h ou r be fore .

“I w i l l do e ve ry th i ng to p rov e my ze a l fo r t h e co m m u n i ty
”

-
Th i s is . .

d
 Lss arma m en t s .

c he leven t O pe n i n g t h e d oo r Je a n V a lj e a n tu rn ed , W el l Al l is .
‘

a rra n ge d a n d
"
n o h i n g is s id
t a F a u c h e le
,
v e n t “ I h a v e pe rm i ssio n t o .
,

b ri ng yo u i n bu t b e fo re br i ngi n g yo u i n i t i s n ece ssa ry to ge t yo u o u t , .

T h a t i s w h ere th e c a rt i s bl ock ed ! Fo r t h e l i t t l e gi rl i t i s e a sy e n ou gh .

Y u w i l l c a rr h e r o u t ? ”
A n d sh e w i l l k ee p q u i e t ? “I w i l l
a n swe r for i t
g B u t yo u F a t h e r M a del ei n e
.
‘
,
? ”
A n d a ft er a n a n x i ou s
si l en ce Fa u c he le ve n t ex cl a i m ed : B u t w h y n ot go o u t t he w a y yo u
,

ca m e i n 7
1
”
Je a n V a lj e a n a s before m e re ly a n s w ered “ i m possi bl e
,

Fa u c h c le vc n t , ta l k i ng m ore t o h i n ise lf th a n t o Je a n V a lj e a n gru m

, ,
.

b l ed :
Th e re 18 a n o ih e r t h i n g t h a t to rrn en t s m e I s a i d I w ou l d p u t i n .

som e e a r th B u t I t h i n k t h a t e a r t h i n s i d e i n s t e a d o f a bod y w i l l n o t
.
, ,

be l i k e i t ; t h a t w i l l n o t d o i t w i l l sh a k e a bou t ; i t w i l l m o ve T h e m e n
Yo u u n d e rstzin d, F a t h e r M a d e l ei n e t he gove rn m e n t w i l l
,

w i l l fee l i t .
,
”
fi n d i t ou t .

J ea n V a lj e a n s t a red a t h i m a n d t h ough t t h a t h e wa s ra vi n g Fa u
, .

c h ele ve n t resu m ed : How the d ick e n s a re yo u goi n g t o ge t o u t ?

,

Fo r a ll th i s m us t be do n e to m orro w T o m orro w I a m to bri n g yo u i n . .

”
T h e p ri o ress e x pe cts yo u .

T h e n h e ex pl a i n e d to Je a n V a lj e a n t h a t th i s wa s a rew a rd for a se r
v i ce t h a t h e Fa u c he le ven t w a s re nderi n g to th e co m m u n i ty T h a t i t
, ,
.

w a s a p a rt o f h i s d u t ies to a ssis t i n b u ri a l s , t h a t h e n a i l e d u p th e c o f
fin s a n d a t te n d ed t h e g ra ve d igge r a t th e ce m ete ry
,
l h a t th e n u n w h o .
'

died t h a t m or n i n g h a d req u ested to be bu ri ed i n t he c o fli n w h ich sh e h a d

u s ed a s a bed a n d i n te rred i n t h e v a u l t u nd er t he a l t a r o f t h e c h a pel
, .

T h a t th i s wa s forbi d d e n by th e regu l a ti on s of t he Pol i ce b u t t h a t s h e ,

w a s o n e o f t h os e de p a rted on es t o w h o m n o t h i n g rs refused I b u t th e
'
.

p rio re ss 12n d th e v oc a l m oth e rs i n te n ded t o c a rry o u t th e w i l l of t h e d e

ce a s ed S o m u ch t h e w o rs e fo r th e go ve rn m e n t T h a t h e Fa u c he le
. .
,

ve n t ’ w on ld n a i l u p th e c o ili n i n th e cel l r a ise t h e sto ne i n t he ch a pel , ,

a n d l e t d o w n th e b od y i n to th e v a u l t A n d t h a t i n ret u r n for th is t h e
.
, ,

r10 ress wou l d a d m i t h is b roth e r i n t o th e h ou se a s g a rde n e r a n d h is

p ,

n i ec e a s bo a rde r T h a t h is b ro t h e r wa s M M a d el ei n e a n d t h a t h i s
. .
,

n i ece wa s Cose tte T h i t th e prio ress h a d tol d h i m to bri n g h i s bro th e r

.

t h e n e x t e ve n i n g a fte r t h e fi c ti ti ou s b u ri a l a t t h e ce m ete ry
, But t ha t .

h e c o u l d n ot bri n g M M a del e i n e fro m t h e o u t si de i f M M a d el e i n e

.
,
.

w e re n o t o u tsi de T h a t t h a t wa s th e fi rs t d ifli c u lty A n d t h e n th a t h e

. .

ha d a n oth e r d i ffi cu l ty ; t h e e m pty co fli n .

” '

W h a t i s th e e m pty co ffi n f a sked Je a n V a lj ea n .

Fa u c h c l e ve n t resu med T h e co ffi n fro m t h e a d m i n istr a ti o n ” “ W ha t .

”
c o flln a n d w h a t a d m i n istr a t io n ?
-
A n u n d i es The mu n ic i pa lty p hy .

si c ia n co m es a n d s a y s th e re i s a n u n d e a d The gov ern m e n t se nds a .

co fii n . T h e n e x t da y i t se n ds a h e a rse a n d som e be a re rs to ta k e th e c o f
'

fi n a n d ca rry i t to t h e ce m e te ry
. Th e be a re rs wi l l co m e a n d ta k e u p t h e
.

co ffi n ; t h e re w i l l be n o th i ng i t “ P u t so m e th i ng i n i t .
” “ A de a d
“
.

b odyy 7 I ha ve n o ne ” “ No ”
. W h a t th e n 7 .
” “A l i v i n g b ody ”
.

”
W ha t l i vi n g body Me .s a i d Je a n V a lj e a n,
.

Fa u ch e le ve n t w h o h a d t a k e n a se a t sp ra n g u p a s i f a c ra ck er ha d
, ,
”
b u rst u n de r h i s c h a i r Yo u . W hy n ot 7 .Je a n V a lj e a n ha d
o n e o f t h o se ra re smi l es w h ic h c a m e o ve r h i m l i k e th e a u ro ra i n a w i n t e r
sky .
 c c snrm . 15 5
' '

You k no w , Fa uc h eleven t t h a t yo u s a i d M ot h er C ru ci fix io n 13 d e a d ,
a n d t h a t I a dded a n d F a th e r M a d e le i n e i s hi
, ,

i
ir e d I t w i l l be so “ Ah l .
, .

’
good yo u a re l a u gh i n g yo u a re n o t t a l k i ng seri ousl y
, , Very seriou sly .

“
.

I m u st ge t ou t ! ”
U n d ou bt ed l y
” “A n d I tol d yo u to fi n d a b a sk et .
,
a n d a co v er fo r m e a lso
”
W e l l I
” “ .T h e b a sk et w i l l be o f p i n e a n d ,
”
th e co v e r of bl a c k c lo t h I n th e fi rs t p l a ce a w h i te c l ot h T h e
. .

”
n u n s a re bu ri ed i n w h i te W e l l , a w h i te c lot h
. Yo u a re n o t .
”
l ik e o th e r m en , F a th e r M a d el ei n e .

To see su c h d ev i ces w h i ch a re n oth i n g m ore t h a n t h e s a v a ge a nd fee l

,

h a 1 dy i n ve n tio n s of th e ga l l eys a p pe a r i n th e m ids t o f t h e pe a ce fu l ,

t h i n gs th a t s u rrou n d ed Di m a n d m i ngl e d w i th w h a t h e c a l l e d t h e “l i t tl e
,

j og j o g o f th e co n ven t
. w a s t o It a u c h e love n t a n a sto n ish m e n t co m p a r
,

a b le to th a t o f a p erso n w h o s h ou l d see a se a m a n fi sh i ng i n th e b roo k i n

“

th e R ue S t De n i s . .

Je a n V a lj e a n con ti n u ed : “T h e q u esti o n i s h o w to get o u t w i t h ou t

bei n g see n T hi s i s th e m e a n s B u t i n t h e fi rs t pl a ce t ell m e h o w i s i t
. .
'

do n e ? w h ere i s th i s co ffi n Th e e m pty o n e “ Yes ”

D ow n .

i n w h a t i s c a l l ed th e de a d room I t i s o n t wo trestl es a n d u n der t he .

pa l l. W h a t i s t h e l e n gt h o f th e co ffi n “ S i x feet ”
W h a t is .

t he de a d roo m - “ I t i s a roo m on t h e grou n d fl oor , w i th a gr a ted w i n

d o w tow a rds t h e g a rde n cl osed o n th e o u t sid e w i t h a s h u t t e r a n d t w o
,
.

”
doors ; on e le a d i ng to th e co n v e n t t h e o th e r t o th e c h u rch W ha t , .

c h u rch T h e c h u rc h o n th e stree t , th e c h u rc h for e ve ry body ” “H a v e .

”
yo u th e k eys of th ose two d oors ? N o I ha ve th e k ey o f t he d oor ‘
.

th a t ope n s i n to t h e co n v e n t t h e p o rtc r h a s th e k ey o f t h e d oo r t h a t
°

o pe n s i n to th e c h u rc h Wh n e d o es th e p orter ope n t h a t d o or l ”

“O nly to l et i n t h e be a re rs w ho c o me a fte r th e co ffi n a s soo n a s t h e '

, ;
”
c o tfi n g c es o u t t h e d oo r i s c losed a bga i n
V
I ho n a i l s u p t h e co ffi n 7
’
'

“W h o p u ts th e cl oth o n it 7 ” “I d o
.
, .

“I do “A re o u a l o n e ? '

y . .

“No o th er ma n e xcep t th e pol ice phys ici a n c a n e n te r t he d e a d ro o m -

,
“Co u ld you to n i gh t w h e n a ll
.

T h a t i s ev e n w ri tte n u po n t h e w a l l ,
.
,
”
a re a sl eep i n t h e co n v e n t h id e m e i n th a t roo m ? . No B u t I c a n .

b ide y u i n a li ttl e d a r k cl oset w h ich o pe ns i n to th e d e a d ro o m w he r e -

,
“A t
'
”
I kee p m y bu ri a l tool s a n d o f w h ic h I h a v e th e c a re a n d t h e k ey
, .

w h a t h ou r w i l l th e h e a rse co m e a fte r t h e c o fii n to m orro w 7 “A bou t .

t h ree o c l ock i n t h e a ft em o c n Th e bu ri a l t a k es pl a ce a t t h e V a n gi ra rd
’
.
‘

’
ce m ete ry a l i ttl e be fore n igh t I t is n o t v e ry n e a r L
v
. I sh a l l re m a i n .

h id de n i n you r tool close t a ll n i gh t a n d a ll t h e m o rn i n g A n d a bou t .

e a t i n g ? I sh a l l be h u n g y r
” “ I w i l l bri n g y o u som eth i n g
. Yo u .

”
ca n co m e a n d n a i l m e u p i n t he c o ffi n a t t wo o cl oc k
’
.

Fa u c h ele ve n t st a r te d b a ck a n d be g a n to sn a p his fi n ge rs , B u t i t is .

"
i m po ssi bl e l I sh a w ! to ta k e a h a m me r a n d d ri v e so m e n a i l s in t o a
’ ‘

. .

bo a rd Y ”

W h a t see m ed u n h e a rd of to Fa u c b c levc n t w a s we re pe a t si m p le , ,

J e a n V a lj e a n J e a n V a lj e a n ha d bee n i n wo rs t st ra i ts H e w ho h a s
. .

bee n a p riso n er k n o ws th e a rt o f ma ki n g h i m sel f sm a l l a cc o rd i n to t he

d i m e n si o n s o f th e pl a c e for e sca p e The pri so n e r is su bj ec t to g igh t a s
.

th e sick ma n is to t he c ri si s w h ic h c u res o r k i l l s h i m A n esca p e is a .

c u re W h a t d oes n o t on e u nd e r go to be c u red ? To be na i led up a n d

.

ca r ri ed o u t i n a ch est l i ke a h a nd le to l i ve a l o n g ti me in a bo x , to fi n d ,

a ir w h ere t h e re i s n on e , to eeo n c m ize th e b rea t h fo r e n t i re h o u rs , to k n o w

 0

L ES m sfi a a nw s .

h o w to he —
s ti fled w i th o u t dy i n g th a t wa s o n e o f th e gl oo m y ta
.
l e n ts of
J ea n V a lj ea n .

M oreov e r a c o ffi n i n w h i ch t h e re i s a l i v i n g b ei n g th a t co n v ict s ex pe
,
'
,
'

d i e nt i s a l so a n E m pero r s ex pe die n t I f w e c a n be l ie ve th e m on k A u s
,
.

t i n C a s t i l l ej o t h i s wa s t h e m e a ns w h i c h C h a rl es V d es i ri n g a ft e r h i s
, .
,

a bd ic a ti o n to see La l lo m b es a g a i n a l a st t i m e e m pl oyed to b ri ng h e r
'

i n to t he m on a s t e ry S t J uste a n d to ta ke h er o u t a g a i n .
.

F h c le v c n t reco veri n a l i t tl e e x cl i m ed “ Bu t h o w w i l l you

F
a ue , a : ,

m a n ge o br th e
a t -
ea
“ s h a l l brea t h e ” “ I n th a t box ? O n l y t o .

t h i n k of i t su fi o c a tc s m e Yo u s urely h a ve a gi m l e t y o u c a n m a k e
.

a fe w l i ttle h ol es a bo u t t h e m ou t h here a n d t ll zre a n d you c a n n a i l i t ,

w i th ou t d r w i n g t h e u p per h rd tigh t ” G oo d ? B u t i f yo u h a p pe n
a oa
“ .

to cou gh o r s n ee ze ? H e w h o i s es ca pi ng nbver coughs o r s n eezes

" ”
.

A n d J e a n V a lj e a n a d ded F a th e r Fa u c h e le ve n t I m us t d ec id e e i th e r ,
”
to be ta k e n h e re or t o be w i l l i n g to go o u t i n t h e h e a rse
, . .

Every b ody h a s n oticed t h e t a s te w h i c h c a t s h a ve for st e p p in g a n d

loi teri n g i n a h a l f O pe n do or, W ho ha s n o t sa i d to a c a t w hy d o n t y o u
-

,
’

co m e i n ? "The re a re me n w h o w i th a n op port u n i ty h a l f ope n b e fo re :

,
-

th e m , h a v e a s i m i la r te nde n cy to re m a i n u n decide d b e t ween t wo resol u ,

'

t io ns a t t h e r isk o f be i ng c rush ed by d esti ny a b ru p t ly c lo si ng t he o p

'

o rt u n i ty T h e o ve r p rude n t c a ts a s t h ey a re a n d bec a use th e a re

p .
y , ,

c a ts so m e ti m es r u n m ore d a n ge r t h a n th e bo l d l a u e hc le ve n t wa s of
‘
~
.
,

t h is h e si t a ti n g n a tu re H o we ve r J e a n Va lj c a u s cool n ess wo n h i m o ve r
.
,
’

“
i n spi te of h i msel f H e gru mbl ed : I t i s tr ue t here is n o ot h er wa y
.
”
.
,

J ea n V a lj e a n res u m ed : T he o n ly th i n g t h a t I a m a n x ious a bou t i s

”
w h a t w i l l be d o n e a t t h e cem e t ery Th a t i s j us t w h a t d oe s n o t e m .

b a r ra ss m e ”
e xcl a i m ed F a u h l
c e e ve n t
“ I f yo u a re s u re o f ge t ti ng
.

y our se l f o u t of t h e c o fl i n I a m su re o f ge t t i n g you o u t o f t h e g r a v e , .

T h e gra ve d igge r i s a d ru n k a rd a n d a frie n d of m i n e H e is F a th e r

- .

M e sti e n n e A n o ld son o f th e o ld vi n e T h e gr a v e d igger pu ts th e

. . .
~

d ea d i n the g ra ve a n d I p u t th e gr a v e digge r i n m y p ock et I w i ll tel l

,
~
.

y o u w h a t w i l l ta ke pl a ce \ Ve s h a l l a rri v e a l i ttl e b e fore d usk t h re e

.
.
,

q u a r te rs o f a n ho u r be fore th e cem e te ry g a tes a re cl ose d T h e h e a rse .

w i l l go to t h e gra ve I s h a l l fo l l o w ; t h a t i s m y b us in ess I w i l l h a ve
. .
-

a h a m m e r a c h isel a n d so m e p i n cers i n m y pocke t

, ,
T h e h e a rse s to ps , .

t h e be a re rs t ie a rope a rou n d yo u r c o fii n a n d l e t yo u dow n T h e p ri est .

sa ys th e p r a ye rs m a k es t h e s ig n o f t he cro ss s pri n k l es t he h o ly w a te r
°

, , ,

a nd is o ff I re m a i n a l o n e w i th F a t h er M est ie n n e H e is my frie n d I
.

°
.
,

t e ll yo u O n e of two t h i n gs ; e i th e r l1c w ill be d ru n k o r h e w ill h o t be

.
,

d ru n k . I f h e i s n o t d ru n k I sa y to h i m : com e a n d t a k e a d ri n k before
,
,

t h e G oo d Qu i n c e i s s h u t I se t hi m a w a y I fu dd le h i m ; F a t he r M es
t i e n n e is n ot l o n g i n getti n g ( add l ed ; h e is a l w a ys h a l f wa y I la y hi m
,
.

u n d e r t h e t a b l e I t a ke h is c a rd from hi m to retu rn to t h e ee mc t e ry w i t h ,
'

a n d I c om e b a c k w i th o u t h i m Yo u w i l l h a v e o n ly m e to d e a l w i th .

'
.

’
I f h e i s d ru n k I sa y t o h i m be o fl I ll d o yo u r w ork H e goes a w a y ,
, ,
. .

”
a n d I p u l l yo u o u t o f t he h o l e .

Je a n V a lj e a n e xte n de d h is h a nd u po n w h ic h Fa u c h c le ven t th rew h im ,

sel f w i th a rusti c o u tbu rs t of to uch i ng de v oti o n “ I t is se ttl ed , Fa t h e r .

Fa uc h ele ve n t A ll w i l l go w el l
.
“ P rovi ded no t h i ng goes a m iss , ”
.

”
t h o ugh t Fa u eh eleven t l Io w t e rr i bl e th a t wo ul d be I
.
15 8 L ES M i sfi a w ns s .

ta rd ; i t sou n d ed poo r P ere L a ch a i se i s very fi n e ! to be b u ri ed i n P é rc

.

La c h a i se i s l i k e h a v i ng m a h oga ny furn i tu re E l eg a n ce i s u nd e rs tood by .

t h a t T h e Va u gira rd C em etery wa s a ve ne ra bl e i n c l osu re l a i d o u t l i k e

.
,

a n ol d Fre nc h ga rd e n S t ra igh t w a lk s bo x e ve rgree ns h ol l ies ol d

.
, , , ,

t o m bs u nd e r ol d y e ws v ery h igh gr a ss N igh t the re wa s terri bl e

, . .

T h ere we re som e v e ry d i s m a l ou t l i n es th ere .

T he s u n h a d n o t y e t se t w h e n th e h e a rse w i th th e w h i te p ull a n d t h e
-

bl a ck c ross e n t e red t h e a v e nu e o f t h e V a u g ira rd Cem e te ry T h e l a m e .

ma n w h o fol lo we d i t w a s n o n e o th e r th a n Fa u c h ele ven t .

T h e bu ri a l o f M oth e r C ruci fi x i o n i n th e v a u l t u nd e r th e a l t a r t he d e ,

p a rtu re o f Cose tt e t h e i n trod u c tio n o f J e a n V a lj e a n i n to th e d e a d roo m

,
-
,

a ll ha d b ee n c a rrie d o u t w i th o u t obstructi o n , a n d n oth i n g h a d go n e

'

w ro n g .

Fa u eh ele vc n t l i m p ed beh i n d t h e he a rse v ery w el l s a t i s fi ed H i s t wo .

t w i n pl ots on e w i th t h e n u n s th e o th e r w i th M
, M a d e l ei n e o n e fo r t h e
,
.
,

c o n v e n t t h e oth er a ga i ns t i t h a d su cce ed e d eq u a l l y wel l Je a n V a l

, , .

j e a n s c a l m n ess h a d t h a t p o we rfu l tr a n q u i l ity w h ic h i s co n t a gi ou s Fa u

’
.

c h e le ve n t h a d n o w n o d ou bt o f s uccess W h a t re m a i n ed to be don e w a s .

n oth i n g W i t hi n t wo ye a rs h e ha d fud d l ed th e gr a v e d i gge r te n ti m es

.
~ -
,
‘
ood F a th e r M e st ie n n e a r u bicu n d o ld fel l o w F a t h er M e st ie n n e wa s
g ,
.

p l a y fo r h i m H e d i d w h a t h e l i ked w i th h i m H e go t h i m d ru n k a t
. . .

w i l l a n d a t h is fa n cy
’
M est ie n n e sa w t h ro ugh Fa u c he le ve n t s ey es
.

‘
.

’
Fa u eh e le ven t s sec uri ty w a s c o m p l et e .

A t t h e m o me n t t h e co n voy e n t ered th e a ve n u e l e a d i n g t o t he ce me
t e ry Fa u c h e le vc n t h a p py lo o k e d a t t h e h e a rse a n d ru b be d h is bi g h a n ds
‘

, , ,
’
t oge th e r s a y i n g i n a n u n derto n e :
,
H e re s a fa rce
.

S u dd e nl y t h e h e a rse stop ped ; th ey w ere a t t he ga t e I t wa s n ec es .

s a ry to e x h i bi t t h e b u ri a l pe rm i t T he u n der t a k e r w h is pere d w i t h t h e .

p orte r o f th e ce m e t e ry D u ri n g th is c ol l oq uy w h i c h a l w a ys c a u ses a
.
,

d el ay o f a m i n u te or two so m eb ody a n u n k n o w n ma n c a m e a n d pl a ce d
, , ,

h i m sel f beh i n d t h e h e a rse a t Fa u c he le ve n t s sid e H e wa s a work i n g '

.

ma n w h o w e re a v es t w i t h l a rge po c ke ts a n d ha d a p ick u n de r h is a rm
, ,
.

Fa u c he le ve n t l ook ed a t th i s u n k n o w n ma n W h o a re yo u h e a sked . .

“
T h e ma n a u sW e red : T h e gr a ve d igge r ”
-
.

S h oul d a ma n s u rv i v e a c a n n o n s h o t th rou gh h i s bre a st , h e w o ul d p re -

s e n t th e a p pe a r a n ce th a t I a u c h e leven t d i d
'
‘
t .

“T h e g r a ve d i g g e r ? -
Yes ”
Yo u 7 ”
M e . Th e gr “ .
'

”
d igge r i s F a th e r M est ien n e H e wa s H o w ! h e wa s . .

”
i s de a d .

Fa u c hele ve n t w a s re a dy for a nyth i n g b u t th is th a t a gra ve d i gge r ,

-

c ou l d d i e I t i s h o we ve r tru e ; g ra ve d iggers t h e m se l v es d ie By d in t
.
, ,
- .

(B f /d iggi n g gr a ves fo r o th ers t h ey O pe n t h e i r o w n ,

. 0

'
Fa u c he le vc n t re m a i ne d speec h l ess H e ha d h a rdl y th e s tren gt h to .

st a m m e r o u t
But i t i s n o t possi bl e I
" “ I t i s so But re pe a ted h e fc ebly , , ,

th e gr a v e d igge r i s F a t h er M st ie n ne
- e
“A fte r N a poleo n L o u i s .
,
”
XV I I I A fte r M c st ie n n e G rib ier Pe a s a n t m y n a m e i s G ri b ic r
.
,
.
,
.

Fa u c h ele ve n t gre w p a l c ; h e st a r te d a t G rib ie r .

H e wa s a l o n g t h i n l i v i d ma n , perfectly fu ne re a l H e h a d th e a p
, ,
.

I
ea ra n c e o f a b ro k e n dow n doc tor t urned gr a v e d igge r
-

p
- .

“
.

Fuuc he leven t b u rs t o u t l a ugh i ng A h ! w h a t d rol l th i n gs h a p pe n ! .

j
 i

c osa r r s .

F a th er M est ien n e i s de a d Li ttle Fa th e r M estien n e 13 d e a d b u t h u rra h

fo r l i ttle F a th er L e n oi r ! Yo u k no w w h a t l i t tl e F a th er Leho i1 I S 7 I t
.
,

i s th e m u g o f red fo r a s i x s po t I t 1 3 t h e m ug o f S a r ene zou nds ! .

,

re a l P a ris S a r en e So h e i s de a d ol d M est ie n n c ! I a m sorry fo r i t ;

.
,

h e wa s a j ol l y fe l l o w
’
B u t yo u too yo u a re a j ol ly fel lo w Is n t t h a t
.
,
.

s o com r a de ? w e w i l l go a n d t a k e a d ri n k to g e th e r righ t a w a y
, ,
.

Th e m a n a ns wered :
“ I h a v e stud ied , I h a ve gr a d u a ted I n e ver .

”
d ri n k . 0
T h e h ea rse h a d st a rte d , a n d w a s rol l i ng a l on g th e m a i n a ve n ue of th e
cem e t ery '

Fa u c h elet en t h a d sl a ck e n ed h i s p a ce H e l i m p ed sti l l m ore fro m a n x i .

e ty th a n fro m i n firm i ty .

T he g i a ve d igge r w a l k ed be fore h im .

Fa u e h ele ven t a ga i n scruti n i zed th e u n e x pecte d G rib ier .

H e wa s o n e of th ose m e n w h o tho ugh v ery yo u n g h a ve a n ol d a p , ,

“ ”
p ea ra n c e a n d w h o th ou gh th i n a re wa y st ro n g
, ,
Co m r a d e ! c l i e d
,
.

Fa u c hele ve n t T he ma n t u t n ed
.
“ I a m t h e g ra v e d igge r o f t h e con ;

vent ”
.
“ ”
M y col l e a gu e s a i d t h e ma n , .

F a u eh ele ve n t i l l i te r a te b u t v e ry k ee n u n de rs t oo d t h a t h e h a d to d o
, , ,

w i th a v ery form id a b l e sp eci es a good t a l ker H e m u m b led o u t : Is , .

i t so F a th er M est ien n e i § de a d
,

T h e ma n a n swe red
“Perfec tly T h e good G od con sul ted h i s l ist of b i l l s p a y a b l e I t
. .

wa s F a th er M c sti e n n e 3 t u r n F a th er M est ie n n e 1s de a d
’
Fa u c h ele .

“
v e n t repe a ted m ech a n ic a l ly : T h e good G od
.
” “ T h e good G od s a i d”
,
.

t h e m a n a u t ho t i ta t i ve ly W h a t t h e p h i losop h e rs c a l l th e E te rn a l Fa
.

t h e r ; th e J a co bi n s t h e S u pre m e B ei n g , .

g oi n g t o m a k e e a c h o t h er 3 a cq u a i n
“A re w e n o t ta n c e 7 ”
s ta m m e re d ’
.
’

Fa u c ele ve n t
h “ I t i s m a d e Yo u a re a p ea s:1 n t I a tn a P a ris i a n
. . .
,

W e a e n o t a cq u a i n te d a s l o n g a s W e h a ve n o t d ru n k togeth e r
r He .

w h o e m p ti es h is gl a ss e m pt ies h is h ea rt C o m e a n d d ri n k w i th m e . .

You c a n t re fu se ’
B usi n ess fi rst
. .

1 a u c h eleve n t s a i d t o h i m sel f I a m l ost

'
1
.
,

T hey we re n o w o n l y a fe w rods fro m th e p a th th a t led to t he n u n s

. a i “
corn e r T he g r v e d gger co n t i n ued : Pe a s a n t I h a ve se v e n you n g
-

st ers th a t I m ust fee d As th ey m ust e a t I m u s t n o t d ri n k A n d he ,

.

a dded w i th th e s a tis fa cti o n of a se rio us be i n g w h o i s m a k i ng a se n te n

“
ti ous p h ra se : T h e i r h un ge r t s th e e n e my o f my th i rst ”
.

T h e h e a rse tu rn ed a h uge cy p ress l eft t h e m a i n p a th took a l i ttl e on e , , ,

e n te re d u po n t h e g ro u n d s a n d wa s l ost i n a t h iek e t Th is i n di c a te d th e
,
.

i m m ed i a te p rox i m i ty o f th e gra ve Fa u c h c le ve n t sl a cke n ed h i s p a ce ,.

bu t cou l d n o t sl a ck e n th a t o f t h e h e a rse Luck ily t he m el l o w soi l wet .

,

by t h e w i n te r r a i ns stu ck t o t he w hc e ls a n d m a d e th e t r a ck h e a vy
, . , .

H e a p pro a ch ed t he gr a ve d igger T h ey h a t e s uc h a good l i ttle A r .

” ’

ge n te u l w i n e su ggested lu t uc h c le ve n t
,
Vi l l a ger co n ti n u ed t h e .
,

ma n
“ I ou gh t n o t to be a g ra v e d igge r M y fa the r wa s por t e r a t th e
-
.
,

Pry t a n é e IIc in ten de d m e fo r l i te r a t u re B u t he wa s u n fo rtu n a te

. .
,

m e t w i t h l osses a t t h e B o u rsc , I w a s obl iged to ren o u n ce t h e co n d i ti on

of a n a u th o r H ow ev er [ a m sti l l a p u bl i c sc ri b e “ B ut the n you .
"
.
,

a re n o t th e gr a v e d i gge r ? re pl i ed Fa u c hele ve n t c a tc h i ng a t a s t r a w
-
, ,
”
fee bl e a s i t wa s O n e d oes n ot p re v en t t he Oth er
. I c u m u l a te Fa u . .
 16 0 LES m sEa A B Ls s .

c h eley e n t d id n ot u n d e rs ta n d t h i s l a s t w o rd Le t us go a nd d ri n k ,

sa id h e .

m
He r e a n observ a ti o n i s n ecess a ry Fa u eheleven t w h a te v e r wa s his .
,

a ngu i sh p roposed t o d ri n k
,
b u t d id n ot ex pl a i n h i sel f o n o n e poi n t ;
,

w ho sh o u l d p a y O rd i n a ri l y l a u c heleven t p roposed a n d l a t her M es t i

.
f
,
i

e n n e p a id A p re posa l to d ri n k resu l te d e vi d e n tly fre tn t h e n e w s i t u

.

a ti o n t o d uce d by t h e fa c t of t he n ew gra 1 e di gge r a n d t h is

p p re po sa l h e ,

m ust m a k e b u t t he ol d g a rd e n e r l e ft n o fl u n i n tc n t io n a lly t he p ro ve rb i a l , ,

q ua rte r o f a n h ou r of Ra bel a i s t n t h e s h a d e A s fo r h i m Fa u c h c leven t, .

,

h owe ve r e xc i ted h e wa s h e d i d n o t c a re a bou t p a yi n g

“
, .

T h e g ra v e d igge r w e n t o n w i th a s m i l e of su pe riori ty e m us t ’
.

l i ve I a ccept ed t h e succe ss ion o f F a t h e r M est ic n n e W h e n o n e ha s

.
,
.

a l m os t fi n i s h e d h i s cl a sses h e i s a p h i l osoph e r To th e l a b or o f m y
. .

h a n d I h a v e a dded t h e l a bo r of m y a rm I h a ve m y l i ttl e w ri te r s .
’

S he a t th e m a rke t i n t h e R u e d e S t a vros Y o u k n ow ? t he m a rk e t o f ‘

p .

t he P a r a pl u i es A ll t h e cooks o f t h e Ct o ix Rouge c o m e to m e ; I p a tc h
.

u p t he i r decl a r a tio n s to t h ei r t ru e l ov es I n th e n i o rn in g I w ri te l o v e
. .

”
l e tt e rs ; i n t h e c 1 e 1 i n g I d ig 1 a vc s Su c h i s l i fe co u n try m a n
1 "
, .

T h e h e a rse a d v a n ced I a u c li c le ve n t fu l l of a n x i ety l ook ed a bo u t h i m

,
t
, ,

o n a ll s i des ( re a t d ro ps o f swe a t we re fa l li n g fro m h is foreh e a d

. T .

H o w e ve r co n ti n u ed t h e gr a v e d igge r
,
on e c a n n o t so m e t w o m i s ,

t resses ; I m us t c h oose be tw ee n t h e pe n a n d t h e pi c k T h e p i c k h u rts

’

my h a n d .

Th e h e a rse step ped The c h oi r b oy g o t o u t of th e m ou r n i n g c a rr i a ge

.
,

t h e n th e p 1 ic st O n e of t he fo rw a rd w h eel s of t h e h e a rse m o u n ted o n

.

a l i tt l e h e a p o f e a rth b ey on d w h i c h w a s see n a n o pe n gr a t e
,
.

H e i c 1s a fa rce repe a ted Fa u c h ele ven t 1 n co n s ter n a t i o n

. .

1 11 T 11 11 NA R R O W n o u ss .

W ho th e co lli e ? W e k n o w : Je a n V a lj e a n
wa s in .

I c a n V a lj e a n h a d m a n a ged i t so t ha t h e c o u l d l i ve i n i t a n d co u l d ,

b re a th e a v ery l i t tl e .

I t 1 8 a stra n ge t h i n " to w h a t e x t en t a n ea sy co n sci e n ce gi ves ca l m n ess

i n o th e r res pe c ts T lIb e n ti re co m bi n a t i o n p t-
. e a rr a n ged by Je a n V a l

Je a n ha d bee n e xec u ted a n d e x ecu te d w e l l s i n ce th e n igh t be fo re H e ,

.

a s d i d h a uc lie le ven t
,

c o u n ted ,
u po n I a t hei M esti c a n o H e h a d n o ,
t .

d ou b t o f th e resu lt N e ve r wa s a s i tu a t i o n m o re cri ti c a l , n e ve r c a l m
.

n ess m e t e co m pl e te .

T h e fo u r bo a rds o f th e co ffi n e x h a led a k i n d of t et rt b le pe a ce I t .

see med a s i f so m e th i n g of t he repose o i t h e de a d h a d e n te red i n to t h e

t r a n q u i l i ty of J e a n V a liea n .

11 1 0 11 1 w i th i n th a t c o fli n h e h a d bee n a bl e t o fol l o w a n d h e h a d fol ,

l o wed a ll th e p h a ses o f th e fe a r fu l d ra m a w h i c h h e wa s p l a y i n g w i t h
,

De a t h .

Soo n a fter Fa u c h elc ven t h a d fi n i sh ed n a i l i n g d o w n th e u ppe r bo a rd ,

Je a n V a lj e a n h a d fe l t h i msel f c a rr i e d ou t ; th e n w h e el ed a l o n g By th e .

d i m i n i shed j ol t i n g h e ha d fe l t th a t h e w a s p a ssi ng fro m th e p a ve m e n t to

 h s s M IS EBSrBLES .

v e d i gge r a n d fo ld i n g h is a rms h e s a i d : ’

Th e “I ll a fo r i t
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gra -
, , p y .

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g ra v e d ig ge r eyed h i m W i th a m a ze m e n t a n d repl i ed
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b a u c h e le ve n re pe a ted :
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t “ I ll p a y fo r i t “Fo r w h a t “For th e ’
.

wi n e .
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W ha t w i n e ? T h e A rge n te u i l W h e re s t h e A r ge n
'

.
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t e ui l “ A t t he G ood Qu i n c e " "

G o to t he d ev i l i s a i d th e gra v e .

d ig g e r A n d h e th re w a sp a de fu l o f iea rt h u po n t he c o ffi n
. .

T h e c o fli n g a v e b a ck a ho l l ow so u n d Fa u c hele ve n t fel t h i m el f .

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s

sta gge r a n d n e a rl y fel l i n t o t h e gr a v e I n a v oi ce i n w h i ch t h e st r a n g

, .

l i n g sou n d o f t h e d e a th r a t t l e b eg a n to be h e a rd h e c ri ed : Co m e co m ,
”
r a de befo re th e G ood Qu i n ce cl oses
, T h e gra ve d i gge r took u p a n o .
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a a a u h l
t h e r s p de fu l o f e rt h F c e evc n c on t i n u ed : I ll p a y a n d b e
t “ .
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sei zed t h e gra v e digge r by t he a rm -“ H a rk ye co m r a de b e s a id “I

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a m th e gr a ve d igge r o f t h e co n v e n t a n d h a ve c o m e to h el p y o u
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j ob we c a n d o a t n ig h t Le t u s ta k e a d ri n k fi rs t
'

. .

A n d a s h e spok e e ve n w h i le cl i ngi n g d espera tel y to t h i s u rge n t e ff ort

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h e a sk ed h i mse l f w it h som e m isgi v i n g “A n d e v e n s h o ul d h e d ri n k

,
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w i l l h e ge t t i psy ?
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G oo d r u s ti c s a i d th e gr a ved igge r ,
i f y o u i n sis t I conse n t
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h a v e a d ri n k b u t a fte r m y w ork n e ve r be fore i t

,
A n d h e t os s ed h is , .

s p a d e a g a i n Fa u c h elc ven t h el d him I t i s A rge n te u i l a t si x sous .

t h e pi n t !
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A h l b a h i s a i d th e gra ve d igge r “yo u re a bo re Di ng
”
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,
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.

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d o n g d i n g do n g t h e s a m e t h i ng ove r a n d o ve r a g a i n ; th a t s a ll y o u
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c a n sa y B e o ff, a bou t y o u r b usi n ess
. A n d h e t h re w i n t h e seco n d .

p a d e lu l
'

S .

Fa u c he le ve n t h a d re a ch e d th a t p oi n t w h e re a m a n k nows n o l o n ge r
w h a t he i s s a y i ng O h ! co m e o n a n d ta ke a gl a ss si n c I m t he o n e
.
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to p a y h e a g a i n re pe a ted “ W he n w e ve p u t t h e ch i l d to bed
”
sa i d
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t h e gr a ve d igge r H e tossed i n t he th i rd s p a defu l th e n pl u ngi n g h is

-
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s pa de i nt o t h e e a r t h , h e a dded : Yo u see n o w i t s goi n g t o be col d to , ,

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n ig h t a n d t h e de a d o n e wou l d c ry o u t a ft e r us , i f w e we re t o p la n t h er
,

t h ere w i th ou t good co v e ri n g .

A t t h i s m o m e n t i n t h e a c t o f fi l l ing h is s p a de th e gr a v e d igge r
, ,

stoo ped l o w a n d t h e pock e t o f h i s ves t ga pe d o p e n

,
‘

T h e bew i ld ere d eye o f Fa u c h ele ven t r es ted m ech a n i c a l ly o n t h i s ‘

pock et a n d re m a i n ed fi xed
,
.

T h e s u n vva s n o t ye t h id de n b eh i n d t h e h ori zo n a n d th ere wa s sti l l ,

l igh t e n ough to d isti ngu i sh so m e th i n g w h i te i n t he g a pi n g p ock et :

A ll t he l igh tn i n g w h ic h th e eye o f a Pi c a rdy p e a s a n t c a n con t a i n
fl a s h ed i n to t h e p u pi l s o f Fa u c hc le ven t A n e w i d e a h a d struck h i m . .

W i th o ut th e gr a ve di gge r w h o w a s occ u pi e d w i th h is sp a defu l of

. -
,
.

e a rth percei v i n g h i m h e sl i pped h is h a n d fro m be h i n d i n to t h e pock et ,

, ,

a n d too k fro m i t t h e w h i te o bj ec t i t co n t a i n ed .

T h e g r a v e digge r fl u n g i nt o t he gr a v e t h e fo u rth sp a de ful

- .

J ust a s h e w a s tu rn i n g to t a k e t h e fi fth Fa u c h elé vc n t l ook i n g a t h i m , ,

w i th i m p ertu rb a bl e c a l m n ess a sk ed :
“By th e w a m y n e w fri e nd
y , , ,

h a v e y o u y ou r c a rd i ”
T h e gr a v e d igge r s top ped “ W h a t c a rd i
”
.

T h e su n is se tti n g W e l l le t h i m p u t o n h is fl igh t c a p
.
” “ Th e - .

”
ce m etery g a te w i l l be cl osed f W e ll w h a t t h e n H a v e yo
u y o u r .
‘
,
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c a rd ? O h ! m y ca rd s a i d th e g ra ve digge r , a nd h e f el t i n h i s
,
- .

poc ke t
H a v i n g r u m m a ge d o n e pock e t, h e tried a no th er F ro m t h ese, h e p ro .
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1 63

d eeded t o try h i s w a tc h fobs ex pl ori n g th e fi rst a n d t u rn in g the seco n d , ,

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i n si de o u t N o 1 s a i d h e “n o ! I h a ve n t go t m y c a rd I m us t
”
.

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.
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h a v e forgot te n i t F i ftee n fra n cs fi n e s a i d Fa u c b e le ve n t
.
,
.

T h e” g ra ve d igge r t ur n ed gree n G ree n i s th e p a l en ess of p eopl e

-
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n a tu r a l ly l iv i d
“ Oh goo d ra c io u s G od w h a t a foo l I a m b e e x
.
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0 ”
’

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cl a i m ed .
“ F iftee n fra n cs fi n e ! ” “T h ree h u n d red so us p iec es sa i d -
,

Fa u c h c lc ve n
’
t Th e g i a v e d i gger d rop pe d h is sp a d e Fa u c h eleve n t s
. .

t u r n ha d com e .

“Co m e ! c om e ch eer u s a id Fa u eh e le ve n t
“n e ve r desp a i r t b e re s '
’

p ;
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n oth i n g to k i l l o n esel f a bo u t a n d fe ed th e wo rm s Fi ftee n fr a n cs a re .
,

fi ftee n fr a n cs a n d besides yo u m a y no t h a ve t h em to p a y
,
I a m a n old .

h a n d a n d yo u a re a n e w o n e
,
I k n ow a ll t he tr i ck s a n d tr a ps a n d tu rn s .

a n d t wi s ts o f t h e b usi n ess I l l g i ve yo u a fri e n d s a d v ice O n e t h i n g ’ ’

. .

i s c l e a r — th e su n i s se t t i n g — a n d th e gr a v e y a rd w i l l be c l o se d i n fi ve
-

m i n u tes .
“ Th a t s tru e re pl i ed t h e gr a ve d igge r “Fi v e m i n u t es is
’
.
,

n o t ti m e e n ough for yo u t o fill th e gr a ve — i t s a s d ee p a s t h e v e ry dev i l

’

— a u d ge t ou t o f th i s be fore t he g a te i s sh u t ” Yo u re ri gh t ”
In .
’
.

t h a t c a s e th ere is fi fte en fra n cs fi n e ” “ F i ftee n fra n cs ! ” “ B u t yo u

“h ere d o y o u l i ve “Ju st i n th e b“a rri ere F i ftee n
.

”
h a ve ti m e
’
7 . .

m i n u tes w a l’
N u m b er 8 7 , Ru e d e V a u gira rd
. Yo u h a v e ti m e .
,
”
i f y ou w i l l h a n g you r t O g e ry a bou t yo u r n eck t o get o u t a t o nc e cr
g ,
.

“T h a t s t r u e
’ ’
O n ce o u ts id e o f t h e g a te you sc a m p e r h o m e ge t , ,
.

y o u r c a rd com e b a ck a n d th e g a te keeper w il l l et you i n a g a i n H a v i n g

, ,
-
.

’
y o ur c a rd t h ere s n ot h i n g to p a y Th e n yo u c a n b u ry you r d ea d m a n
,
.

’ ’
I ll s t a y h ere a n d w a tc h h i m w h i le y o u a re gon e to see th a t h e does n t ,

r u n a wa y “ I o we y o u m y l i fe p e a s a n t
.
’ ” “ B e o ff th e n , q u i c k ”
, .
, ,

s a i d Fa u c h ele vc n t .

T h e g ra v e d igge r, o verco m e w i t h gra ti tude , shoo k h i s h a nds a n d

s t a i red a t a r u n .

W h e n th e gr a v e d i gge r h a d d isa p p eea red th ro ugh th e bush es Fa u c h e

-
,
o

l e ve n t l iste n ed u n ti l h is foo tste ps d i ed a w a y a n d t he n be nd i n g ove r t h e , ,

”
g r a v e c a l l ed o u t i n a lo w voi ce : Fa th e r M a d e l ei n e i
,

N o a n swe r .

h a u c he le ven t s h udd e red H e d 1 o p ped r a th er th a n c l a m bered d ow n .

i n to t h e gr a ve t h re w h i m sel f u po n t h e h e a d of t h e co ffi n , a n d cr i ed ou t :
,
7 "
{ re you th e re .

S i l e nce i n th e co ffi n .
l

Fa u c h e le ven t n o l on g e r a bl e to b re a th e for th e s h i v e r th a t wa s on
,

h i m took h is col d c h ise l a n d h a m m e r a n d W i e n c h c d o ff th e t 0 p b o a r d

, ,
.

T h e f a ce of Je a n Va liea n cou ld be see n i n t h e tw i l igh t h is ey es cl o se d ,

a n d h is ch eck s col orl ess .

Fa u ehe le ven t s h a i r stoo d e r ec t w i th a l a rm he a ro se to h i s fee t a n d

’

, ,

t h e n t o t t e ro d w i th h is ba c k a g a i nst t h e si de of t h e gra ve re a dy t o si n k ,

d ow n u pon th e co ffi n H e l o oked u po n J e a n V a lj e a n . .

Je a n V a lj e a n la y the re p a l l i d a n d m o t i o n less .

Fa u c h l ev e n t m u rm u red m a \ o ie e l ow a s a w h i sp e r
D

H e i s d ea d
Th e n s tra i gh te n i n g h i m se l f a n d c ross i n g his a r ms so vi o l e n t l y t h a t ,
“
h is c l e n ch ed fi s ts sou n d ed a ga i n s t h is sh ou ld e rs, he e x c l a i med : Th is is
”
t h e wa y I h a v e sa ve d h i m .

Th e n th e p oo r o ld ma n bega n to sob, ta lk ing a l o u d to h i msel f th e

 LES m sfi a a n t ss .

w h i l e , fo r i t is a m i sta k e to t h i n k t h a t ta l k i n g to o n esel f 13 n o t n a t u ra l .

Po we rfu l e m oti on s o fte n s pe a k a l oud

“
.

I t s Fa t he r M est ie n n e s fa u l t W h a t d i d h e d i e fo r th e fool 7 Wh a t
' ’
.

,
w a s t he u se o f i n g o ff i n th a t wa y j us t w he mn o o n e ex pecte d R 9 I t .

w a s h e w h o k i l ed poor M M a d el e i n e l a the r M a de l ei n e ! H e 18 i n
. .

’ '

t he co di a H e 8 se ttl ed T h e re s a n e n d o f i t N e w w h a t s th e sen se
’

.
.
,

o f su c h t h i ngs ? G ood G od ! h a s d e a d ! Yes a n d h i s l i t t l e gi rl — w h a t ,

a m I t o do w i th h e r W ha t‘ w i l l t h e fr u i t w om a n sa y ?
. 1 h a t su c h a
'

m a h c oul d d i e i n th a t wa y G ood H e a ve n i s i t p oss i bl e ! W h e n I .

,

t h i n k t h a t h e p u t h i m sel f u nd e r my c a re ! F a th e r M a de l e i n e ! F a th e r .

M a d el ei n e ! M e rcy h e s su ffoc a ted I s a i d se — b ut h e wou ld n t be

,
’
.
,
'

l ie ve m e No w h ere s a p re tty pi ece of b usi n ess ! H e s de a d — o n e of

.
,
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th e very b est m e n G od e ve r m a de ; a ye t h e best th e ve ry b es t ! A n d , ,

h is l i t tl e girl ! I m n ot goi n g b a ck th e re a ga i n I m goi n g to s t a y h e re

’
.
’
.

To h a ve do n e su c h a t h i n g a s t h i s ! I t s wel l wor th w hi l e to be two o l d ’

grey be a rds i n ord e r to be two ol d fool s B u t to begi n w i t h h o w d i d

,
.
, ,

h e m a n a ge t o ge t i n to t h e co n v e n t— th a t s w h e r e i t s ta rte d S u c h th i n gs ’
.

s h o ul d n t be d o n e F a t he r M a d e lei n e F a th e r M a del e i n e ! F a th e r
’
.

M a d el ei n e ! M a d el ei n e ! M o n si e u r M a del e i n e ! M o n sieu q a yo r ! He .
”
does n t h e a r m e ( l e t yo u rsel f o u t o f t h is n o w, i f yo u p l e a se
’
. .

A n d h e tore h is h a i r .

A t a d is ta n ce th rou gh th e t 1 ees a h a rsh gr a ti n g sou n d wa s h e a rd I t

, , .

wa s t he g a t e o f th e ce m etery cl osi n g .

Fa u c h e le ve n t a g a i n ben t o v e r J e a n V a lj e a n b u t su dde n l y st a r t ed ba c k , .

w i th a ll t he recoi l t h a t w a s p ossi bl e i n a gra v e Je a n Va lj ez1 n s eyes .

’

were o p en a n d ga zi n g a t h i m
,
.

To beh o l d de a t h is t e rri fyin g a n d to see a su dd e n resto r a t i o n is n e a rl y

o ,

a s m uc h so Fa u c h c lc ve n t beca m e col d a n d w h i te a s a ste m ha m a rd

.
.
,
r

a n d u t te rly d iscon ce rted by a ll t h ese p o we i fu l e m o t io n s a n d n o t k n o w i n

g ,

w h e t h e r h e h a d th e d e a d or th e li 1 iug to d e a l w i th , st a red a t Je a n r
. Va l
j ea n w h o i n t u rn st a red a t h i m
,
.

”
I wa s fa l l i ng a sl e e p s a id J e a n V a lj ea n l A n d h e a rose to a si tt i n g
,

pos t u re .

l a uc hele vc n t d rop pe d o n h is k n ees “O h bl essed V i rg i n ! H o w .

,
”
y o u frigh t e n ed m e !
'
’

“
Th e n sp rin gin g a ga in to h is fee t h e c r ied : T h a n k you F a t h e r , ,

M a d e le i n e 1

Je a n V a lj e a n h a d m erel y s woo n ed Th e o p en a ir h a d rev i v ed h i m . .

Joy i s th e refle x of te 1 ro r Fa u e h c lc ve n t h a d n e a rl y a s m u c h d iffi

’

' ’
c u l ty a s J e a n V a lj e a n i n co m i n g to h i mse l f l he n y o u re n o t de a d . .

O h w h a t g ood se n se yo u h a v e I c a l l ed y ou so l oud ly th a t yo u go t
,

ove r i t W he n I sa w y ou w i t h y o u r ey es sh u t I s a id “ W e l l th er e , , ,

I sho u ld h a ve gon e 1 a vi n g ma d — ma d e n ou gh
.

”
n o w h e s s u ffoc a te d
,
’
.

for a stra i gh t j a cket T h ey d h a ve p u t m e i n th e Bi c etre W h a t wo u l d

-
.
’
.

you h a ve h a d m e d o i f y o u ha d b ec n d ea d A n d yo u 1 l i t t l e g irl ! th e ,
.

'
fru i t wo ma n wo u ld h a v e u n d erstood n o t h i n g a bou t i t ! A c h i l d pl u m ped
i n to h e r la p a n d i t s gr a n d fa th e r de a d ! W h a t a story to t el l By a ll .

th e s a i nts i n H e a ve n , w h a t a st ory ! A h b u t yo u re a l i ve — th a t s the

,
' ’
.

bes t o f i t .

“I a m col d s a i d Je a n V a lj e a n T h es e w ords rec a l l ed Fa u c h eleven t .

, ’

co m p l e tel y to th e re a l s ta t e o f a ffa i rs , w h ic h we r e u rge n t T h ese t wo .

 Ls s m sé a a n ws .

pl a c e o f w a te r cool er a n d th e floor served a l i k e fo r ch a i rs a n d t a bl e I n

.
-
, .

0
o n e c o rn e r o n a r a gg ed o l d scr a p o f c a rpet, wa s a h a gga r d wom a n a n d
, ,

a n u m ber o f c h i ld re n we re h udd l ed togeth e r Th e w h ol e o f th i s .

w re t ch ed i n t e ri or bo re th e t r a ces o f rece n t o v e rtu rn ? O n e w o ul d h a v e

s a id t h a t t he re h a d bee n a n e a rth q u a k e se rved u p th ere fo r o n e T he .

c ov e rl ets w e re d ispl a ced t h e ta gge d ga rm e n ts we r e sc a t te red a bou t t h e

, ,

p itc h e r b roke n t h e m o th e r h a d bee n w ee pi ng a n d t h e ch i l d re n p ro b a bl y

, ,

be a te n ; a ll tr a ces o f a h e a d lo n g a n d v i ole n t se a rc h I t w a p l a i n t h a t .
s

t he gr a v e d igge r ha d b ee n l o ok i n g w i l d l y fo r h is ca rd a n d h a d m a d e
~

, , ,

e very th i n g i n t he a tti c fro m h i s p i tc h e r t o h i s w i f e res po n si bl e for th e

, ,

l oss Il e h a d a des pe ra te a p pe a r a n ce
. .

B u t Fa u c h ele ve n t wa s in to o gre a t a h u rry fo r t h e e n d o f h i s a d ve n

tu re to n o t i ce t h i s gl oo m y si de o f h i s t ri u m p h A s h e ca m e i n h e
, .
-
,
“ ’
sa i d : I v e broug h t y ou r sp a de a n d p i c k ”
G rib ier l ook ed a t h i m w i th .

s tu pe fa c ti o n W h a t i s i t yo u p e a s a n t ? “A n d to m orro w m o rn i n g
,
.
,
”
y o u w il l fi n d you r c a rd w i t h th e g a t e k ee pe r o f t h e ce m e t ery A nd h e -
.

se t do w n th e p ick a n d t h e sp a d e da t h e floo r “ W h a t d oe s a ll t hi s .

”
m e a n f a sk ed G rib ie r .

W hy i t m e a n s t h a t y o u l e t you r c a rd d rop o u t of yo u r pock et ; t h a t

,
"
I fo u n d i t o n t h e grou n d w h e n yo u ha d go n e ; t h a t I b u ri ed th e co rpse ;
t h a t I fi l le d i n t h e gr a v e ; t h a t I fi n is h ed y o u r j ob ; th a t t h e por t e r w i l l
gi v e yo u y ou r c rd a n d t h a t yo u w i l l n o t h a ve t o pa y t h e fi ftee n fr a n cs
a

e xcl a i m
, .

T h a t s w h t it m e n s recru i t !
’
a a
” “ T h a n ks v i l l a ge r ed G ri
, .
,

b ie r , i n a m a ze m e n t “ T h e n e x t ti m e I w i ll t re a t
.
”
.

V III .

S U CC E S S F U L E X ‘A M I N A T I O N .

A n h ou r l a te r i n t h e d e pt h of n i gh t two m e n a n d a ch i l d s tood i n
, ,

fron t o f No 0 2 Pe t i t e Ru e I ic p u s Th e el d e r o f t he me n l i fted t h e
.
,
’
.

k n ock er a n d r a p ped .

I t w a s Fa u c h e leve nt Je a n V a lj e a n a n d Cose t t e , ,
.

'

T h e tw o m e n h a d go n e to l ook fo r Cose t t e a t t h e sh o p of th e fru i te re ss

o f t h e Rue d u C h e m i n Ve rt w h e re Fa u c h e le ve n t h a d l e ft h e r o n t h e ,

p rece d i n g e ve n i n g Cose tte h a d p a ssed t h e twe n ty fo u r h o u rs wo nd eri ng

.
-

w h a t it a ll m e a n t a n d t re m bl i n g i n si l e n ce S h e tre m bl ed so m u c h th a t
,
.

s h e h a d n o t w e p t n o r h a d s h e t a s te d f oo d n o r sl e p t Th e w orthy fru i t
, .

w o m a n ha d a sk ed h e r a th o us a n d q u es t io n s w i th ou t ob ta i n i n g a n y ot h e r
a nswe r t h a n a sa d l ook th a t n e ve r v a ri ed C oset te d i d n o t l e t a w ord o f .

a ll s h e h a d h e a rd a n d see n i n th e l a st tw o d a ys esc a p e h e r S h e d i ‘

, , .

v i n ed th a t a c risi s h a d com e S h e fe l t i n h e r v e ry h e a rt th a t sh e m u s t .
, ,
“
be good ”
W ho h a s n ot ex pe rie n ced th e su pre m e e ff ec t o f th ese t wo
.

words p ron o u n ced i n a certa i n to n e i n t he ea r o f s om e l i ttl e fri gh t e n e d

c rea tu r e do n t s pe a k ” Fe a r i s m u te Besi des , n o o ne e ve r k eeps a
’
‘

. .
,

se c re t so w el l a s a ch i l d
‘

.
,

B u t w h e n a fter t hose m ou r n ful fo u r a n d tw e n ty h ou rs sh e a ga i n sa w

,
- -
,

Je a n V a lj e a n sh e u tte red su c h a c ry o f j oy th a t a n y th ough tfu l pe rso n

,

h e a ri n g he r wou l d h a v e di v i ned i n i t a n esc a pe from som e y a wn i n g gu l f .

 C OS ETT E .

Fa uc h elevent bel on ged to th e c on ve n t a n d k n e w a ll t h e p a ss w ords .

E ve ry d oor ope n ed be fore h i m .

T h us wa s t h a t d o u bl y fe a rfu l p robl e m sol ved of ge tti n g ou t a n d g e t ‘

ti n g in a g a i n .

T he porte r w h o h a d h is i n stru cti on s op e n ed th e l ittl e si de d oo r w h i c h

, ,

serv ed to co m m u n i c a t e be twe e n t h e cou rt a n d t h e g a rde n a n d w h i c h , ,

tw e n ty ye a rs a go co u l d sti l l be see n fro m t h e s treet i n th e w a l l a t t he

, ,

e xt re m i t y o f t h e cou rt fa ci n g th e p orte c o e h ere T h e porte r a d m i tte d

,
.

a ll th ree by t h is do o r a n d fro m th a t p oi n t t h e , y we n t to t h i s pri v a t e i n

n e r p a rl or w h e re Fa u c h eleve n t h a d o n th e p rev ious e ve n i n g rece i v e d
, , ,

th e orde rs o f th e p rioress .

Th e p rio ress ros a ry i n h a n d , w a s a w a i ti n g t h e m A m o t h e r w i t h

,
.
,

h e r vei l d o w n , sto o d n e a r h e r ,
A m odest t a per l igh ted or o n e m igh t .
,

a l m ost Sa y p rete nde d to l igh t u p t h e p a rl o r

, .

T h e p rioress sc ru ti n i z ed Je a n V a lj e a n N oth i n g sc a n s so c a reful ly .

«

a s a d ow n c a st ey e .

The n sh e p roceeded t o q u est i o n

Yo u a re th e broth e r ? ” “ Yes re v ere n d m oth e r rep l ied Fa u , ,

c hele e n t
v “ W h a t i s you r n a m e
. Fa u c h ele ve n t repl ied : U l ti m us .
'

”
Fa u c h e le ve n t ! H e h a d i n re a l i ty h a d a broth er n a m ed U l t i m u s
, , ,

w h o w a s d e a d “ F ro m w ha t p a r t of th e cou n try m e y o u
. Fa u
c h e le ven t a n s wered :
“ Fro m Picq u i gny n e a r A m i en s “ W ha t is ,
. .

y o u r a ge 7 Fa u c h ele ven t n swered :

’
a Fi fty ” “ W h a t i s y ou r bu si
Fa u c h ele ve n t a n s w
.
.

n ess ? ’
ered : “ G a rd e n e r “ Are yo u a t ru e .

C h ris ti a n ? ”
Fa uc h e le ve n t a n sw e red : “ A ll o f o u r fa m i ly a re su c h
”
.

“I s t h i s y ou r li t t le irl F a u c h e le ven t a nswe red :

“ Ye s re vere n d
g ,

m oth e r ”
.
“ f
Y o u a re h e r th er ?a Fa u c h ele ve n t a n sw e red : “ H er
gr a n dfa th e r T h e m o th e r s a i d to th e p ri o ress i n a n u n derto n e : Il e
.

a n sw e rs we l l J e a n V a lj e a n h a d n o t spok en a word
. .

T he p ri oress l ook ed a t C oset te a tte n ti vely a n d t h e n s a i d a si d e to th e ,

:
,

md h e r : “ S h e w i l l he h o m ely ”
T h e two m ot h ers t a l k ed toge th e r .

ve ry l o w for a fe w m i n u t es i n a corn e r o f th e p a rl or a n d t h e n t h e p ri ,

“
oress t u rn ed a n d s a i d : F a t h e r Fa u ve n t yo u w i l l h a v e a n o t h er k n ee ,

W e n eed t wo n o w
'

c a p a n d bel l .

'

S o n e x t mo rn i n w tw o l i ttl e bel l s we re h e a rd ti n k l i n g i n t h e ga rd e n
, : , ,

a n d th e n n s cou l d n o t k ee p fro m l i fti ng a co rn er of t h ei r ve zl s Th ey

u .

sa w two m e n d i ggi n g si de by side i n t h e l o we r p a rt o f th e g a rde n u n ,

d e r th e t re es — Fa u ve n t a n d a n o t h e r I m m e n se e ven t ! T h e sil e n ce .

wa s b rok e n so fa r a s to sa y : “ I t s a n a ssista n t g a rde n er l ”

T he m o ’
.

H e 19 I a t he r Fa u vc n t s b ro th er ’
’

t h e rs a dd e d : t .

I n fa c t Je a n V a lj e a n W a s regu l a rly i n s ta l l ed ; h e h a d th e l e a th e r ‘

-
,

k n ee c a p a n d th e bel l ; h en ce fo rt h h e tra d h i s co m m i ss io n is n a m e . “
wa s U l t i m us Fa u c h e le ve n t .

’
T h e st ro nges t reco m m en d a t i o n fo r Cose t t e s a d m i ssi o n h a d bee n t h e
rem a rk o f t h e p ri o ress : S he I0 ? ”be ho mely .

T h e p ri oress h a v i n g u tte red th i s p red icti on i m m ed ia t ely to o k Coset t e ,

i n to h e r fri e n ds h i p a n d g a v e h e r a p l a ce 10 t h e sch o o l b u i l d i n g a s a
ch a ri t y pu p i l .

T h ere t s n oth i ng n o t e n ti rely l ogi c a l 1n th is .

I t 1s a ll m v a i n to h a v e n o m i rro rs i n c o n ven ts ; wo m e n a re c o nsc i o u s

of t h e i r o wn a p p e a ra n ce ; y o u n g g i r ls w h o k n ow t h a t t h ey a re p re t ty do
.
 La s st rsfi a a nt s s .

no t r ea d i ly b eco m e n u n s : t h e i ncl i n a tio n to t h e ca l l i n g be i n g i n i n ve rse

.

proporti o n to good l ook s m ore i s ex pected fro m t he h o m ely th a n fro m

,

t h e h a n d so m e o n es H en ce a m a rk ed pre fe re nc e fo r t h e h o m ely
. .

T h i s w h ol e a ffa ir el e v a ted g oo d n ld Fa u c hele ve n t gre a tl y ; h e ha d

reh ie ve ti a t ri pl e s ucce ss : i n t h e eyes of J ea n V a l j e a n w h o m h e ha d ,

re cued a n d s h el te red ; w i t h th e gra ved igge r G ri b ie r, w h o s a i d h e ha d

s
,

s a ved h i m fro m a fi n e ; a n d, a t th e co n v e n t w h ic h th a n k s to h i m , i n , ,

re t a i n i n g t h e c o lli e of M ot h e r C ru c i fi x i o n u n d e r t h e a l ta r el ud ed t h e ,

la w a n d s a ti s fied G o d T h e re w a s a co ffi n w i th a b od y i n i t a t t h e Pet i t
.

l i ep n a a n d a c o fli n w i th ou t a body i n t he V a u ira rd Ce m etery

’
, P ubl i c n .

ord e r w a s gre a tl y d ist u rbed t h ereby u n do u b te dl b u t n obody p e rcei v e d ,

i t A s fo r th e co n v e nt i ts gra ti t ud e to Fa u c he le ve n t wa s d eep Fa u
.
, .

c hele ven t bec a m e t h e bes t o f se rv a n ts a n d t h e m ost p recio us o f ga r

dc n e rs .

TH E '

CLOS E .

C ose tte a t th e co n ve n t s ti l l k ep t si l e n t S h e v e ry n a t ur a l l y th ou gh t
, , .

’
h e rse l f Je a n V a lj c a n s da ug h t e r M ore o v e r k n ow i n g n o th i n g t h ere
.
, ,

w a s n oth i ng sh e cou l d t el l a n d t h e n i n a n y c a se sh e w ou l d n o t h a v e
, , ,

tol d a n y t h i n g As w e h a v e re m a rk ed , n o th i n g h a bi tu a t e, c h i l d re n t o
.
s

s i l e n ce l i k e m is fo rtu ne C oset te h a d su ffe red so mu ch th a t s h e wa s

.

a fr a i d o f e v ery th i n g e ve n t o spe a k e v e n t o b re a t h e A si n gl e wo rd
,
.
,

h a d so o fte n b roug h t d ow n a n a v a l a n ch e o n her h e a d ! S h e ha d h a rd ly

beg u n to feel rc a s s u red si n ce s h e ha d be e n w it h J e a n V a lj e a n S h e
-
.

s oo n beca m e a ccu s t o m ed to t h e co n v e n t S ti l l sh e l o nged for C a th a .

,

ri n e b u t d a red n o t sa y so m O n e d a y h owe ve r sh e s a i d t o Je a n Va l
, , ,
“ I f I ha d k n ow n i t fa th e r I w o u ld h a v e brough t h er w i th me
jc a n , , , .

Cose tte i n beco m i n g a p u pi l a t t he co n v e n t; ha d to a ss u m e t h e d wss

,

o f t h e sch oo l gi r ls J e a n V a lj e a n su cce ed ed i n h a v i n g t h e ga rm e n ts
.

w h ich s h e l a i d a si de gi ve n to h i m I t wa s t he s a m e m o u rn i n g su i t h e
,
.

'
h a d c a rri ed fo r h e r t o p u t o n w h en sh e l e ft th e T hen a rd ic rs I t wa s .

n ot m u c h w or n J ea n V a lj e a n rol l ed u p th es e g a r m e n ts a s w el l a s th e
.
,
’
w oo l l e n stock i n gs a n d sh oes w i th m uc h c a m p h or a n d o t h e r a ro m a ti c
,
,

'
s u b t a n ces o f w h i c h th ere i s su c h a n a b u n da n c e i a c o n re u t s a t 1d p a ck e d
s
Q
,

t he m i n a s m a l l v a l i se w h ic h h e m a n a e d to p ro c u re Il e p u t t h i s
'

va
g .

l ise i n a ch a i r n ea r h is b ed a n d a l w a ys k e pt t h e k ey o f i t in h i s poc ke t .
,
.
‘
'

”
Fa th er Cosette o n e d a y a sk ed h i m “ w h a t i s t h a t b o x th ere th a t
, ,

s m e l l s s o good
F a th e r Fa uc h ele ven t wa s reco m pen sed for h i s good deed ; i n t h e fi rs t
pl a ce i t m a de h im h a p py , a n d t h e n h e ha d less wo rk to do , a s i t wa s d i
vidc d ( Fi n a l l y
. a s h e wa s v ery fo n d o f t ob a cco
,
h e fou n d t h e p rese n c e ,

of M .
M a d e l i n e a d v a n t a ge ous i n a n oth er poi n t of v i e w : h e t ook t h ree
.

t i mes a s m u c h to ba cco a s b ef ore a n d th a t too , i n a m a n n e r i n fi n i t e l y

,
'

m ore v ol u p tuous si nce M M a d el e i n e p a id fo r i t T h e n u n s d id n o t

, . .

a dop t t h e n a m e o f U lt i m u s th ey c a l l ed Jc a n V a lj e a n the o the r I h u bc n t '

.

I f th os e h oly w om e n h a d p osses se d a ug h t of t he d isc ri m i n a tio n o f

J a ve rt t h ey m igh t h a v e re m a rk ed i n cou rse o f ti m e t h a t w h e n th ere
, , ,
-

wa s a n y l i ttl e e rra n d to ru n o utsi d e fo r o n a ccou n t of t h e g a rde n , i t wa s

17 0 Les m ea s u res .

be c o mpa r ed h i m se l f O n l y w i th the B ish op , h e fo u n d h i msel f u n w orth y

a n d rem a i ne d h u m b l e ; bu t , fo r so m e t i m e pa st; he h a d bee n com p a r i n g

hi ms el f w i t h th e M t of m e n a n d p rid e wa s sp ri n gi n g up i n him
, W ho .

k n ows ? H e m igh t h a ve fi n ish ed by goi n g gra d ua lly b a c k t o h a te .

Th e con ve n t stop ped h i m o n t h i s desc e n t .

I t wa s t h e secon d pl a ce o f c a pt i v i ty h e h a d seen I n h i s you t h in

.
.
,

wh a t h a d bee n for h i m th e co m m en cem e n t of l i fe a n d l a t e r , q u i te , ,

r ece n tly too h e ha d see n a n oth e r a fri gh tfu l p l a ce a t erri bl e pl a c e t he

, .
, , ,

severi t ies of w h i ch ha d a l wa y s see m ed to h i m to b e th e i n i q u i ty o f p u b

l i c j u sti ce a n d th e cri m e o f th e la w Now , a fte r h a v i n g see n t he g a l l eys ,

.

h e sa w th e cl oi s t e r a n d reflec ti ng th a t h e ha d b ee n a n i n m a te of t h e
,

ga l l eys a n d th a t he n o w wa s so to s p ea k , a s pe c ta tor of th e cl oi ster , h e

, ,

a n x i o u sl y co m p a red th e m i n h i s m ed i ta tio n s w i th a n x i e ty .

S om e tim es h e w ou l d le a n u po n h i s S p a d e a n d d esce n d s l o wl y a l o n g th e
en dle ss rou n ds o f re very .

H e re ca l l e d h i s for m e r com p a n io n s a n d h o w w retch e d t h ey w ere ,

.

Th ey rose a t d a w n a n d to i l e d u n ti l n i gh t Sc a rce l y a l lo w ed to sl e e p .
,

th ey la y o n c a m p beds a n d we re per m i tt e d t o h a ve m a tt resses b u t two

,

in ch es t h ic k i n h a l l s w h i ch w’ere w a r m e d o n ly d u ri n g t h e m ost i n cl e
,

m e n t m o n t hs T h ey were a tti re d i n h i deous red s a cks a n d h a d gi v en

.
,

t o th e m a s a f a vor a p a i r of c a n v a s p a nt a l oo n s i n th e h e a ts of m id su m
, ,

mer a n d a sq u a re of wool l e n st u ff to t h row o ver th ei r s h ou l d ers du r i n g

, ,

t h e bi t te rest fros ts o f w i n te r Th ey ha d n o w i n e to dri n k no m e a t fo r

.
,
”
fo od e x c ep ti n g w h e n se n t u po n e x t ra h a rd work T h ey l i ved w ith ou t .

n a m es d isti n gui sh ed sol ely by n u m be rs

,
a n d red u ce d a s i t were , to
, ,

c y h e rs lowe ri n g th ei r eyes l o weri n g t h ei r v oi ces , w i th th ei r h a i r crop

p , ,

ed clo se u n d er th e rod a n d p l u n ged 1n s h a m e

p , ,
.

Th e n , h is th o ugh ts rev erte d to t he bei n gs before h i s eyes .

T h ese bei n gs a lso l i ved w i th t h e i r h a ir c u t cl ose t h e i r ey es be a t

, , ,

down the i r v oices h u sh ed n o t i n sha m e i n deed , b u t a m i d th e sco ffs of

, ,
’
t he worl d ; n o t w i th th ei r b a ck s b ru i se d by t h e g a ol er s sta ll b u t w i th ,

t h e ir s h ou l d er s la c e r a te d by sel f in fl ic t ed p e na n ce T h ei r n a m es to o
-
.
, ,

ha d pe r is h ed fro m a m on g m e n a n d th ey n o w e x is te d u n d er a us t ere
,

design a ti o n s a l o n e T h ey n e ver a te m ea t a n d n ev e r d r a n k w i n e ; th ey
.

ofte n re ma rri ed u n ti l e ve n i n g w i th ou t food T h ey w ere a t t i red n o t i n .

,

red sa cks , b u t i n b l p k h a bits of wool le n , h e a vy i n s u m m e r , l igh t in

g .

wi n te r u n a bl e to i n c re a se o r d i m i n i sh t h e m w i th o u t e ve n th e p ri v il ege ,
, ,

a ccord i n g to th e s ea s on o f s u bs t i t u t i n g a l i n e n d ress o r a w oo l l e n c lo a k
, ,

a n d th e n , for si x m o n t hs i n th e ye a r , th ey were u n der cl oth i n g of ser e

g
w h ic h fev ered t h e m
. Th ey d we l t n o t i n dorm i tories w a rm
. ed o n l y i n
,

t h e b i t t erest fros t s o f w i n te r , b u t i n cel ls w h er e fi re wa s n ev e r k i n dl e d .

T h ey sl e p t , n o t o n m a t t resses tw o i n ch es th i ck b u t u p o n str a w M ore ,

.

ove r , t h ey w e r e n ot e v e n a l l ow ed to sl eep fo r , every n igh t , a fte r a d a y ,

‘

of la bor , t h ey w e re , Wh e n w h e l m ed be n ea t h t h e weigh t o f th e fi rs t sl eep

‘

a t t h e m om e n t w h en th ey w ere j us t be gi n n i ng t o sl u m ber , a n d , w i t h

difi cu lty, to col l ect a li ttl e w a rm th req u i red to w a ke n r ise a n d a sse m , ,

b le fo r p r a yers i n a n i cy co l d a n d gl oo my ch a p el , w i t h t h e i r k n ees on
t he sto n e p a v em en t .

O n cer ta i n d a ys , e a ch o n e of th ese bei n gs , 1n her t u rn , ha d to re m a i n

twelv e h o u rs 1n successi o n k n eel i n g u po n th e fl a gs, or p ros t ra te on h e r
fa ce, w i t h h er a rm s crossed .
 C OS E T TE .

-
‘

Th e o t h e rs w e re m en t h ese were w om e n W h a t h a d th ese m en ,

.
‘
'
d on e ? Th ey h a d robbed r a v i shed p l u n dered k i l l e d a ss a ssi n a t ed , , ,
.

T h ey w ere hi ghw a y m e n forgers po ison ers i n ce ndi a ri es , m u rderers ,

.

, , ,

p a r ri ci des W h a t h a d t hese w o m e n d o n e ? T h ey h a d don e n ot h i n g

'

. .

O n on e si d e robbery fra ud i m posi ti on v i ol e n ce l ust , h o m ici d e

, , , , ,

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t i o n , cl i n gi n g sti l l t o E a rt h t h rough v i rtue a l re a dy tou ch i ng H e a ve n ,
th rough h ol i n ess .

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b re a th ; o n t h e oth er fa u l ts con fe sse d a l ou d A n d o h l w h a t cri mes 1

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a n d o h ! w h a t fa u l ts !

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o n e si de a m or a l p esti le n ce w a t ch ed d a y a n d n igh t h el d i n su bj ect io n

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li gh t , a n d the l ig h t ful l of gl o w i n g r a d i a t i o n s .

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h ope a t t h e m ost d ist a n t bo u n d a ry o f th e fu ture , th a t gl ea m of l i berty

w h i ch m e n ca l l d e a th .

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o th er t hey w e re e n eh a i n ed by fa i th a l o n e
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h a tred desper a te d ep ra v i ty , a cry of r a ge a g a i ns t h u m a n soc ie ty , a sa r

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c a s m a g a i n st H e a ve n .

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A n d i n the se two p l a ces so a l ik e a n d y e t so d i ff ere n t t h ese two spe

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cies o f bei n gs so d issi m il a r were p erfo rm i ng th e s a m e work o f ex pi a tio n .

Je a n V a lj e a n t h orough l y com p re h e n d e d th e ex pi a tio n o f th e fi rst ;

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p e rso n a l ex p i a ti on e x pi a tio n for o n e s sel f B u t h e d id n o t u n d er sta n d

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t h a t of t h e o th ers of th ese bl a m el ess spotl ess cre a tu res , a n d h e a sk ed

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h i m sel f w i th a tre m or : Ex pi a ti o n of w h a t t e x pi a t i o n
A vo ice resp on d e d i n h i s c on sci en ce : t h e v i n e of a ll h u ma n
ge n eros i ty , e x pi a t i o n fo r oth ers :
H ere we w ith hol d a ll th eori es of o ur ow n b u t th e n a r ra tor ;
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a t Je a n V a lj ea n s p oi n t o f v i e w we p la c e o ursel v es , a n d we m e r e ly re
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p ro d uce
He h s th e su bl i m e su m m i t of sel f de ni a l th e l o fti est -
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i n n oce n ce forgi v i n g men th e i r si n s a n d ex pi o

serv i tud e e n d u red tor t u re a cc e p ted c h a sti se , ,

vo k ed by so ul s th a t h a d n o t si n n ed i n ord e r t ha t
u po n so u ls w h i c h h a d ; t h e l ove o f h u m a n i ty l os i ng
i tse l f i n t h e l o ve of G od b u t re m a i n i n g t he re d i sti n c t a n d su p p l ia n t ;
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swee t feebl e bei n gs , su p por ti n g a ll th e torm en ts o f th ose who a re pm

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t h e sm i l e of th ose w h o a re re w a r ded A nd t he n h e .

ha d d a red to com p la in .

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t en t o th e g r a te fu l a n th e m o f t h in n o c en t bei n gs th us o v erwh el med

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flec t ed t h a t th ey w ho we
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sca l i ng o f w a lls
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h a d m a d e to e n te r t h i s on e Was .

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I t wa s a p l a ce o f ex p ia h o n , n o t of p u n ish me n t ; a n d yet i t wa s st i l l
mo re a us te re mor e so m b re a n d mor e p i ti l ess t h a t th e o th e r T hese
virgi ns; were m o re h a rs hl y be n t do w n t h en th e co m ic “ A h a rsh , c ol d
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bl a s t, t he bl a s t t h a t h a d froz e n his y ou th , c a ree

m ea t a nd me n a c led th e v u l t u res ; b u t a w i n d still
c rue l be a t u po n t he do v e c a ge A n d why ? .

W h en h e tho ugh t o f th ese th i n gs, a ll t h a t wa s in hi m ga v e w a y b e

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fo re th i s mys ter o f su b lin1ity l n t h es e m e di t a ti o ns p ri d e va n i sh e d

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l a s t six mo n t h s led h i m ba c k to w a rd s th e h o ly ra j un c tio ns o f t he B is ho p ,

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C o se t te th rou g h l o ve , th e co n ve n t t h roug h h u m i l i ty .

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w a s so l i ta ry h e wa s se e n k n ee l i n g i n t he mi dd l e o f t he w a l k t h a t ra n
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g t he c h a p e l before t he w i n do w t h ro ugh w h i c h h e ha d
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t h e n ig h t o f h is fi rst a rri va l tu r n ed to wa rd s t he spot w h e re h e

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t h e si st e r wh o wa s pe r form i ng the rep a r a ti o n wa s p rostra te

T h us h e p ra y ed k n ee l i n g before th i s si ste r .

s u bsi d e d i n to si l e n ce l i k e t hi s cl o is te r , i n t o
i n t o p ea ce l ik e t h is g a rd e n ,

l i k e t h e se ch i ld r en’s A nd -

re c ei ve d h i m i n s eec cssion a t

w h en ev e ry do o r wa s c losed

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Sp vc ra l ye a rs p a sse d th us .