"Very good," Cosette remarked; "I should have told you some news. I should have told you that grandpapa is still asleep, that your aunt is at Mass, that the chimney of my papa Fauchelevent's room smokes, that Nicolette has sent for the chimney-sweep, that Nicolette and Toussaint have already quarrelled, and that Nicolette ridicules Toussaint's stammering. Well, you shall know nothing. Ah, it is impossible? You shall see, sir, that in my turn I shall say, 'It is impossible.' Who will be caught then? I implore you, my little Marius, to let me stay with you two." "I assure you that we must be alone." "Well, am I anybody?" Jean Valjean did not utter a word, and Cosette turned to him. "In the first place, father, I insist on your coming and kissing me. What do you mean by saying nothing, instead of taking my part? Did one ever see a father like that? That will show you how unhappy my marriage is, for my husband beats me. Come and kiss me at once." Jean Valjean approached her, and Cosette turned to Marius. "I make a face at you." Then she offered her forehead to Jean Valjean, who moved a step towards her. All at once Cosette recoiled. "Father, you are pale; does your arm pain you?" "It is cured," said Jean Valjean. "Have you slept badly?" "No." "Are you sad?" "No." "Kiss me. If you are well, if you sleep soundly, if you are happy, I will not scold you." And she again offered him her forehead, and Jean Valjean set a kiss on this forehead, upon which there was a heavenly reflection. "Smile." Jean Valjean obeyed, but it was the smile of a ghost. "Now, defend me against my husband." "Cosette--" said Marius. "Be angry, father, and tell him I am to remain. You can talk before me. You must think me very foolish. What you are saying is very astonishing, then! Business,--placing money in a bank,--that is a great thing. Men make mysteries of nothing. I mean to say I am very pretty this morning. Marius, look at me." And with an adorable shrug of the shoulders and an exquisite pout she looked at Marius. Something like a flash passed between these two beings, and they cared little about a third party being present. "I love you," said Marius. "I adore you," said Cosette. And they irresistibly fell into each other's arms. "And now," Cosette continued, as she smoothed a crease in her dressing-gown, with a little triumphant pout, "I remain." "No," Marius replied imploringly, "we have something to finish." "Again, no?" Marius assumed a serious tone. "I assure you, Cosette, that it is impossible." "Ah, you are putting on your man's voice, sir; very good, I will go. You did not support me, father; and so you, my hard husband, and you, my dear papa, are tyrants. I shall go and tell grandpapa. If you believe that I intend to return and talk platitudes to you, you are mistaken. I am proud, and I intend to wait for you at present. You will see how wearisome it will be without me. I am going, very good."