After a hectic chase and imminent capture, he finds a miraculous refuge in a convent. In spite of his precautions, however, Javert manages to track him down. In Paris, he lives like a recluse in a dilapidated tenement, the Gorbeau House, in an outlying district. After burying his money in the woods, he frees Cosette from the Thénardiers' abominable guardianship and takes her into the protective anonymity of Paris. He uses his precarious freedom to go to Montfermeil, the location of the Thénardiers' inn. He plunges into the sea and manages to escape by establishing the belief that he has drowned. One day he saves a sailor about to fall from the rigging. That same night Valjean escapes, but he is quickly recaptured and sent to Toulon, a military port. The shocking scene kills the young woman.

A few days later, he is arrested by Javert at Fantine's bedside. At Arras, the seat of the trial, he dramatically exonerates the accused. After a night of agonizing moral conflict, Madeleine decides to confess his past. A man has been arrested as Jean Valjean and is about to be condemned for his crimes. Madeleine, however, is faced with serious problems. Madeleine promises to bring her daughter, Cosette, to her. She catches a fever, however, and her health deteriorates dangerously. Only Madeleine's forceful intervention keeps her out of jail. Tormented by a local idler, she causes a disturbance and is arrested by Inspector Javert.

Defeated by her difficulties, Fantine turns to prostitution. Unfortunately she is fired and, at the same time, must meet increasing financial demands by the Thénardiers. In Montreuil, Fantine finds a job in Madeleine's factory and attains a modicum of prosperity. On the road, she entrusts her daughter to an innkeeper and his wife, the Thénardiers. Alone and burdened with an illegitimate child, she is on the way back to her hometown of Montreuil, to find a job. Next, Hugo introduces the pathetic young girl Fantine. Madeleine he starts a factory and brings prosperity to the town of Montreuil. After one more theft, Jean Valjean does indeed repent. With a pious lie, he convinces them that the convict has promised to reform.

When the police bring him back, the bishop protects his errant guest by pretending that the silverware is a gift. Valjean repays his host's hospitality by stealing his silverware. Only the saintly bishop, Monseigneur Myriel, welcomes him. At Digne, he is repeatedly refused shelter for the night. Jean Valjean, after spending nineteen years in jail and in the galleys for stealing a loaf of bread and for several attempts to escape, is finally released, but his past keeps haunting him.

Part 5: Jean Valjean: Book III, Chapters 10-12, Book IV.

Part 5: Jean Valjean: Book II-Book III, Chapters 1-9.

Part 5: Jean Valjean: Book I, Chapters 11-24.

Part 5: Jean Valjean: Book I, Chapters 1-10.

Part 2: Cosette: Book IV-Book V, Chapters 1-5.

Abridged les miserables