CHAPTER XI--CHRISTUS NOS LIBERAVIT

  What is this history of Fantine? It is society purchasing a slave.

  From whom? From misery.

  From hunger, cold, isolation, destitution. A dolorous bargain. A soulfor a morsel of bread. Misery offers; society accepts.

  The sacred law of Jesus Christ governs our civilization, but it doesnot, as yet, permeate it; it is said that slavery has disappeared fromEuropean civilization. This is a mistake. It still exists; but it weighsonly upon the woman, and it is called prostitution.

  It weighs upon the woman, that is to say, upon grace, weakness, beauty,maternity. This is not one of the least of man's disgraces.

  At the point in this melancholy drama which we have now reached, nothingis left to Fantine of that which she had formerly been.

  She has become marble in becoming mire. Whoever touches her feels cold.She passes; she endures you; she ignores you; she is the severe anddishonored figure. Life and the social order have said their last wordfor her. All has happened to her that will happen to her. She hasfelt everything, borne everything, experienced everything, sufferedeverything, lost everything, mourned everything. She is resigned, withthat resignation which resembles indifference, as death resembles sleep.She no longer avoids anything. Let all the clouds fall upon her, and allthe ocean sweep over her! What matters it to her? She is a sponge thatis soaked.

  At least, she believes it to be so; but it is an error to imagine thatfate can be exhausted, and that one has reached the bottom of anythingwhatever.

  Alas! What are all these fates, driven on pell-mell? Whither are theygoing? Why are they thus?

  He who knows that sees the whole of the shadow.

  He is alone. His name is God.