The New Student's Reference Work/Valjean, Jean

Val′jean′, Jean, the hero of Les Miserables, one of the best known and loved of the romances of Victor Hugo, is a former galley-slave whose life becomes changed through the goodness and kindness of a bishop. The bishop entertains Valjean, who escapes with the precious candlesticks of his host! Valjean is captured and brought back; but the bishop declares he has given him the candlesticks, and makes him a convert. Hereafter, Jean Valjean becomes the guardian of a beautiful girl, Cosette, to whom he devotes his life. The story of Jean Valjean is that love begets love and works miracles. "His whole heart melted in gratitude, and he loved more and more."