324 Les Miserables
the social order have said their last word for her. All has
happened to her that will happen to her. She has felt every-
thing, borne everything, experienced everything, suffered
everything, lost everything, mourned everything. She is re-
signed, with that resignation which resembles indifference,
as death resembles sleep. She no longer avoids anything. Let
all the clouds fall upon her, and all the ocean sweep over
her! What matters it to her? She is a sponge that is soaked.
At least, she believes it to be so; but it is an error to imag-
ine that fate can be exhausted, and that one has reached the
bottom of anything whatever.
Alas! What are all these fates, driven on pell-mell?
Whither are they going? Why are they thus?
He who knows that sees the whole of the shadow.
He is alone. His name is God.