They Recall the Garden of the Rue Plumet — Les Misérables

This was the last time. After that last flash of light, complete extinction ensued. No more familiarity, no more good-morning with a kiss, never more that word so profoundly sweet: My father. He was at his own request and through his own complicity driven out of all his happinesses one after the other. He had this sorrow, that after having lost Cosette wholly in one day, he was afterwards obliged to lose her again in detail. The eye eventually becomes accustomed to the light of a cellar. It sufficed for him to have an apparition of Cosette every day. His whole life was concentrated in that one hour. One afternoon in early April, already warm and fresh, Marius said they would go back to look at their garden in the Rue Plumet. They must not be ungrateful. Away they flitted, like two swallows towards the spring. That evening, at the usual hour, Jean Valjean came. Madame went out with Monsieur and has not yet returned, Basque said. He seated himself in silence and waited an hour. Cosette did not return. He departed with drooping head. On the morrow she talked of nothing else. She did not notice that she had not seen Jean Valjean.

He asked how they had gone and how they had returned. On foot, then in a hackney carriage. He was troubled by their economy. Why not a carriage of your own. You are rich. Why not a maid. Have I not Marius. Wealth adds to happiness. Cosette made no reply. When Jean Valjean wished to prolong his visit he sang the praises of Marius. Cosette outdid him. They were never weary. It frequently happened that Basque came twice to announce that dinner was served. One day he remained still longer than usual. On the following day there was no fire on the hearth. He furnished the explanation for himself. It is April. The cold weather has ceased. Heavens, how cold it is here, Cosette exclaimed. The following day there was a fire, but the two armchairs were arranged near the door. He restored them to the hearth. This fire lighted once more encouraged him. As he rose to leave, Cosette said her husband had asked whether she would have the courage to live on the three thousand. Jean Valjean found not a word to answer. He mistook the door of his own house. His mind was swarming with conjectures. Marius had his doubts as to the origin of the six hundred thousand francs. Moreover, Jean Valjean began vaguely to surmise that he was being shown the door.

On the following day he underwent something like a shock. The armchairs had disappeared. There was not a single chair of any sort. He stammered that it was he who had told Basque to remove them. He had only a few minutes to stay. A brief stay is no reason for remaining standing. Cosette shrugged her shoulders. To have the chairs carried off. The other day you had the fire put out. How odd you are. Adieu, murmured Jean Valjean. He did not say Adieu, Cosette. He had not the strength to say Adieu, Madame. He went away utterly overwhelmed. This time he had understood. On the following day he did not come. Cosette only observed the fact in the evening and felt a slight twinge, being immediately diverted by a kiss from Marius. On the following day he did not come. She was so happy. She despatched Nicolette to inquire whether he were ill. Nicolette brought back that he was not ill, he was busy, he would come soon, he was on the point of taking a little journey. They were not to think of him. Nicolette repeated her mistress's very words. It is two days since I have been there, said Jean Valjean gently. But the remark passed unnoticed by Nicolette, who did not report it to Cosette.