Part 284 (1/2)
”There,” said she, ”I am going to install myself near you in an easy-chair, we breakfast in half an hour, you shall say anything you like, I know well that men must talk, and I will be very good.”
Marius took her by the arm and said lovingly to her:
”We are talking business.”
”By the way,” said Cosette, ”I have opened my window, a flock of pierrots has arrived in the garden,--Birds, not maskers. To-day is Ash-Wednesday; but not for the birds.”
”I tell you that we are talking business, go, my little Cosette, leave us alone for a moment. We are talking figures. That will bore you.”
”You have a charming cravat on this morning, Marius. You are very dandified, monseigneur. No, it will not bore me.”
”I a.s.sure you that it will bore you.”
”No. Since it is you. I shall not understand you, but I shall listen to you. When one hears the voices of those whom one loves, one does not need to understand the words that they utter. That we should be here together--that is all that I desire. I shall remain with you, bah!”
”You are my beloved Cosette! Impossible.”
”Impossible!”
”Yes.”
”Very good,” said Cosette. ”I was going to tell you some news. I could have told you that your grandfather is still asleep, that your aunt is at ma.s.s, that the chimney in my father Fauchelevent's room smokes, that Nicolette has sent for the chimney-sweep, that Toussaint and Nicolette have already quarrelled, that Nicolette makes sport of Toussaint's stammer. Well, you shall know nothing. Ah! it is impossible? you shall see, gentlemen, that I, in my turn, can say: It is impossible. Then who will be caught? I beseech you, my little Marius, let me stay here with you two.”
”I swear to you, that it is indispensable that we should be alone.”
”Well, am I anybody?”
Jean Valjean had not uttered a single word. Cosette turned to him:
”In the first place, father, I want you to come and embrace me. What do you mean by not saying anything instead of taking my part? who gave me such a father as that? You must perceive that my family life is very unhappy. My husband beats me. Come, embrace me instantly.”
Jean Valjean approached.
Cosette turned toward Marius.
”As for you, I shall make a face at you.”
Then she presented her brow to Jean Valjean.
Jean Valjean advanced a step toward her.
Cosette recoiled.
”Father, you are pale. Does your arm hurt you?”
”It is well,” said Jean Valjean.
”Did you sleep badly?”
”No.”