...Yeah, Valjean's a terrible liar. About this, at least.
"Monsieur, you have nothing of the air of the proud father watching a child begin her life, and everything of the bereaved parent. You are trying to mislead me; perhaps you think you have reason. Very well; I will be direct with you. I have reason to believe you are holding yourself apart from her; that you are distancing yourself, for reasons you will not tell her, reasons I know pain you; Monsieur, I would not speak of it if I did not know you love her. Anyone who met her would know it; she had the courage of knowing it herself; and you, I think, will not deny that at least. And I think you would rather face anything than hurt her-- so for that, for your daughter, I must speak of it.
"If I'm wrong, if all is peace in your house; good! Consider me a madman and go back and laugh with your family. But if it's true--if you have any idea of stepping away from her--then I must tell you: You are wrong; you are a good man, but you are wrong in this."
...It would be a rather hopeful sign, all things considered, if Valjean were to argue with him now. It just doesn't seem likely.
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Date: 2015-11-14 11:21 pm (UTC)From:"Monsieur, you have nothing of the air of the proud father watching a child begin her life, and everything of the bereaved parent. You are trying to mislead me; perhaps you think you have reason. Very well; I will be direct with you. I have reason to believe you are holding yourself apart from her; that you are distancing yourself, for reasons you will not tell her, reasons I know pain you; Monsieur, I would not speak of it if I did not know you love her. Anyone who met her would know it; she had the courage of knowing it herself; and you, I think, will not deny that at least. And I think you would rather face anything than hurt her-- so for that, for your daughter, I must speak of it.
"If I'm wrong, if all is peace in your house; good! Consider me a madman and go back and laugh with your family. But if it's true--if you have any idea of stepping away from her--then I must tell you: You are wrong; you are a good man, but you are wrong in this."
...It would be a rather hopeful sign, all things considered, if Valjean were to argue with him now. It just doesn't seem likely.