clayforthedevil

But how can he change his course? He could explain to Bahorel that Marius would not permit it, except he will not because he will not dishonour the young man. He suspects that if Marius knew the truth about who brought him from the barricade, then he would not be so cold; he might insist Valjean bow to Cosette's wish, and have him come to live with them - and then, there he would be, a criminal eating from the same table as innocents, warming himself at their fire and bringing the shadow of the law to their door. A convict who steals food is not the same as a young man fighting for political beliefs; there is a distinction between these things, one is selfish and the other idealistic, one is dangerous to those who hold different views, the other is dangerous to everyone. A common thief is not the same as an educated young bourgeois. That Bahorel does not see this, or claims not to, speaks well of his ideas about equality - but society at large does not think the same way Bahorel does. If it did, there would have been no uprising, and Marius would not be a criminal at all.

None of this shows on Valjean's face. He is only silent for a time, and then takes a deep breath.

'Monsieur, Cosette is aware that I am not her father. You say I have raised her as a daughter; yes, it is true, I will not deny it. But this means she is quite aware of my peculiarities and singular ways, and when she encounters a new one she simply says, 'you are very strange, monsieur,' and thinks no more of it. It is our way, and this is no different. I speak with her, and see her, and while she thought it odd that I would not live with her at first, she is reconciled with it now. She knows my actions are no judgement on her.'

He is confident on this account. Cosette has never seemed to believe his odd behaviour is her fault.

'She is quite engaged with her new life, I can assure you.'