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f this man had not flinched for an instant； even in the presence of so terrible a conjecture； but had continued to walk with the same step towards this yawning precipice； at the bottom of which lay heaven； that would have been beautiful； but it was not thus。
We must render an account of the things which went on in this soul； and we can only tell what there was there。 He was carried away； at first； by the instinct of self…preservation； he rallied all his ideas in haste； stifled his emotions； took into consideration Javert's presence； that great danger； postponed all decision with the firmness of terror； shook off thought as to what he had to do； and resumed his calmness as a warrior picks up his buckler。
He remained in this state during the rest of the day； a whirlwind within； a profound tranquillity without。
He took no 〃preservative measures；〃 as they may be called。
Everything was still confused； and jostling together in his brain。
His trouble was so great that he could not perceive the form of a single idea distinctly； and he could have told nothing about himself； except that he had received a great blow。
He repaired to Fantine's bed of suffering； as usual； and prolonged his visit； through a kindly instinct； telling himself that he must behave thus； and remend her well to the sisters； in case he should be obliged to be absent himself。
He had a vague feeling that he might be obliged to go to Arras； and without having the least in the world made up his mind to this trip； he said to himself that being； as he was； beyond the shadow of any suspicion； there could be nothing out of the way in being a witness to what was to take place； and he engaged the tilbury from Scaufflaire in order to be prepared in any event。
He dined with a good deal of appetite。
On returning to his room； he muned with himself。
He examined the situation； and found it unprecedented； so unprecedented that in the midst of his revery he rose from his chair； moved by some inexplicable impulse of anxiety； and bolted his door。
He feared lest something more should enter。 He was barricading himself against possibilities。
A moment later he extinguished his light； it embarrassed him。
lt seemed to him as though he might be seen。
By whom？
Alas！
That on which he desired to close the door had already entered； that which he desired to blind was staring him in the face； his conscience。
His conscience； that is to say； God。
Nevertheless； he deluded himself at first； he had a feeling of security and of solitude； the bolt once drawn； he thought himself impregnable； the candle extinguished； he felt himself invisible。
Then he took possession of himself：
he set his elbows on the table； leaned his head on his hand； and began to meditate in the dark。
〃Where do I stand？
Am not I dreaming？
What have I heard？
Is it really true that I have seen that Javert； and that he spoke to me in that manner？
Who can that Champmathieu be？
So he resembles me！ Is it possible？
When I reflect that yesterday I was so tranquil； and so far from suspecting anything！
What was I doing yesterday at this hour？
What is there in this incident？
What will the end be？ What is to be done？〃
This was the torment in which he found himself。
His brain had lost its power of retaining ideas； they passed like waves； and he clutched his brow in both hands to arrest them。
Nothing but anguish extricated itself from this tumult which overwhelmed his will and his reason； and from which he sought to draw proof and resolution。
His head was burning。
He went to the window and threw it wide open。 There were no stars in the sky。
He returned and seated himself at the table。
The first hour passed in this manner。
Gradually； however； vague outlines began to take form and to fix themselves in his meditation； and he was able to catch a glimpse with precision of the reality；not the whole situation； but some of the details。
He began by recognizing the fact that； critical and extraordinary as was this situation； he was pletely master of it。
This only caused an increase of his stupor。
Independently of the severe and religious aim which he had assigned to his actions； all that he had made up to that day had been nothing but a hole in which to bury his name。
That which he had always feared most of all in his hours of self…munion； during his sleepless nights； was to ever hear that name pronounced； he had said to himself； that that would be the end of all things for him； that on the day when that name made its reappearance it would cause his new life to vanish from about him； andwho knows？ perhaps even his new soul within him； also。
He shuddered at the very thought that this was possible。
Assuredly； if any one had said to him at such moments that the hour would e when that name would ring in his ears； when the hideous words； Jean Valjean； would suddenly emerge from the darkness and rise in front of him； when that formidable light； capable of dissipating the mystery in which he had enveloped himself； would suddenly blaze forth above his head； and that that name would not menace him； that that light would but produce an obscurity more dense； that this rent veil would but increase the mystery； that this earthquake would solidify his edifice； that this prodigious incident would have no other result； so far as he was concerned； if so it seemed good to him； than that of rendering his existence at once clearer and more impenetrable； and that； out of his confrontation with the phantom of Jean Valjean； the good and worthy citizen Monsieur Madeleine would emerge more honored； more peaceful； and more respected than everif any one had told him that； he would have tossed his head and regarded the words as those of a madman。
Well； all this was precisely what had just e to pass； all that accumulation of impossibilities was a fact； and God had permitted these wild fancies to bee real things！
His revery continued to grow clearer。
He came more and more to an understanding of his position。
It seemed to him that he had but just waked up from some inexplicable dream； and that he found himself slipping down a declivity in the middle of the night； erect； shivering； holding back all in vain； on the very brink of the abyss。
He distinctly perceived in the darkness a stranger； a man unknown to him； whom destiny had mistaken for him； and whom she was thrusting into the gulf in his stead； in order that the gulf might close once more； it was necessary that some one； himself or that other man； should fall into it： he had only let things take their course。
The light became plete； and he acknowledged this to himself： That his place was empty in the galleys； that do what he would； it was still awaiting him； that the theft from little Gervais had led him back to it； that this vacant place would await him； and draw him on until he filled it； that this was inevitable and fatal； and then he said to himself； 〃that； at this moment； be had a substitute； that it appeared that a certain Champmathieu had that ill luck； and that； as regards himself； being present in the galleys in the person of that Champmathieu； present in society under the name of M。 Madeleine； he had nothing more to fear； provided that he did not prevent men from sealing over the head of that Champmathieu this stone of infamy which； like the stone of the sepulchre； falls once； never to rise again。〃
All this was so strange and so violent； that there suddenly took place in him that indescribable movement； which no man feels more than two or three times in the course of his life； a sort of convulsion of the conscience which stirs up all that there is doubtful in the heart； which is posed of irony； of joy； and of despair； and which may be called an outburst of inward laughter。
He hastily relighted his candle。
〃Well； what then？〃 he said to himself； 〃what am I afraid of？ What is there in all that for me to think about？
I am safe； all is over。
I had but one partly open door through which my past might invade my life； and behold that door is walled up forever！ That Javert