Les Misérables Ch. 172: The Utility of Going

Summary

Marius had preserved the religious habits of his childhood. One Sunday, when he went to hear mass at Saint-Sulpice, at that same chapel of the Virgin whither his aunt had led him as a small lad, he placed himself behind a pillar, more absent-minded than usual, and knelt upon a chair of Utrecht velvet on the back of which was inscribed this name: Monsieur Mabeuf, warden. Mass had hardly begun when an old man presented himself and said, This is my place, sir. Marius stepped aside promptly. The old man took possession of his chair.

The mass concluded, Marius still stood thoughtfully a few paces distant. The old man approached again and begged pardon for having disturbed him. He did not wish to be thought intrusive. He was attached to this place. It seemed to him that the mass was better from here. It is from this place that I have watched a poor, brave father come regularly, every two or three months, for the last ten years, since he had no other opportunity and no other way of seeing his child, because he was prevented by family arrangements. The little one never suspected that his father was there. Perhaps he did not even know that he had a father, poor innocent. The father kept behind a pillar, so that he might not be seen. He gazed at his child and he wept. He adored that little fellow. This spot has become sanctified in my sight. I knew that unhappy gentleman a little too. Relatives threatened to disinherit the child if the father saw him. He sacrificed himself in order that his son might be rich and happy some day. He was separated from him because of political opinions. A man is not a monster because he was at Waterloo. He was one of Bonaparte's colonels. He lived at Vernon, where I have a brother who is a curé, and his name was something like Pontmarie or Montpercy. He had a fine sword-cut, on my honour.

Pontmercy, suggested Marius, turning pale. Precisely, Pontmercy. Did you know him? Sir, said Marius, he was my father. The old warden clasped his hands. Ah! you are the child! Well! poor child, you may say that you had a father who loved you dearly. Marius offered his arm to the old man and conducted him to his lodgings. On the following day he said to Gillenormand that he had arranged a hunting-party with some friends, and asked to be absent for three days. Four, replied his grandfather. Go and amuse yourself. And he said to his daughter in a low tone, with a wink: Some love affair.

In this chapter: Terms Key Quotes

Why This Matters

Keep the love a stranger is finally naming

A stranger can still tell you the love you were never allowed to see. At Saint-Sulpice an old warden claims his chair and tells Marius that a poor brave father used to weep behind that pillar, and that he may say he had a father who loved him dearly.

This week, if the true sentence is coming from outside the house, keep it, and do not wait for the house to say it first.

This chapter

Inside the Mind: Mabeuf

Mabeuf claims his chair of Utrecht velvet, then stays to say what the house would not: a poor brave father used to weep behind that pillar, and you may say you had a father who loved you dearly. The true name arrives from a warden, not from the salon.

Continue this thoughtThe Name Spoken, Then Learned Too Late

Coming Up in Chapter 173

Where it was that Marius went will be disclosed a little further on. He was absent for three days, then returned to Paris, went straight to the library of the law-school, and asked for the files of the Moniteur.

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Original text

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Chapter 172

The Utility of Going to Mass, in Order to Become a Revolutionist

Marius had preserved the religious habits of his childhood. One Sunday, when he went to hear mass at Saint-Sulpice, at that same chapel of the Virgin whither his aunt had led him when a small lad, he placed himself behind a pillar, being more absent-minded and thoughtful than usual on that occasion, and knelt down, without paying any special heed, upon a chair of Utrecht velvet, on the back of which was inscribed this name: Monsieur Mabeuf, warden. Mass had hardly begun when an old man presented himself and said to Marius:— “This is my place, sir.” Marius stepped aside…

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The Utility of Going to Mass, in Order to Become a Revolutionist

Summary

Why This Matters