"Bahorel seems very energetic, yes," says Fantine. She smiles. She had liked Bahorel. "And I'm glad there are others from Paris in our time, or close enough. It's been thrilling meeting people from strange places--do you know, I even met a woman soldier? She even commanded men! But it's comforting to see people from home."

She takes a sip of tea, and a breath, and summons up her courage and wits. "As it would be a comfort to Cosette if she saw you more often, monsieur. It hurts her so that you've been keeping away, being so cold and remote. My poor child, she told me all about it! You must stop it, monsieur. It makes her very sad."