Page 1502 - les-miserables

CHAPTER IV

CHANGE OF GATE

It seemed that this garden, created in olden days to con-
ceal wanton mysteries, had been transformed and become
fitted to shelter chaste mysteries. There were no longer ei-
ther arbors, or bowling greens, or tunnels, or grottos; there
was a magnificent, dishevelled obscurity falling like a veil
over all. Paphos had been made over into Eden. It is impos-
sible to say what element of repentance had rendered this
retreat wholesome. This flower-girl now offered her blossom
to the soul. This coquettish garden, formerly decidedly com-
promised, had returned to virginity and modesty. A justice
assisted by a gardener, a goodman who thought that he was
a continuation of Lamoignon, and another goodman who
thought that he was a continuation of Lenotre, had turned
it about, cut, ruffled, decked, moulded it to gallantry; na-
ture had taken possession of it once more, had filled it with
shade, and had arranged it for love.
There was, also, in this solitude, a heart which was quite
ready. Love had only to show himself; he had here a temple
composed of verdure, grass, moss, the sight of birds, tender
shadows, agitated branches, and a soul made of sweetness,

1502 Les Miserables