He, of course, was never going to bring up such a delicate subject, and now it has been broached he finds his mind swimming with the implications. Cosette will know he lied again, and yes, she is the sweetest girl, but he has been careful to ensure that she should not come into contact with darkness - no more since her time with the Thenardiers, at least - and then, there is Marius.
'She knows I am not, but I had told her that it was old Fauchelevent - I had to fabricate...it does not matter, but you see, she-'
He breaks off, and tries to calm his thoughts. Little of the internal turmoil shows on his face, but he cannot find the right words. No one seems to understand.
'Fantine, society is not kind to people who do not fit. Not mothers who find themselves alone, not convicts who have stolen and hidden their name, not to many others. Do you think it would be kind to Cosette? Whether she minded or not, do you think she would be accepted into the respectable houses in Paris, if people knew? They are a young couple, just starting out in life, and I do not want their chances blighted.'
He could also explain that Marius's reaction to the news had not been very good, but he cannot bring himself to dare impugn the name of that good young man, and then, Fantine might tell Cosette. No, the best thing to do is to take himself away and hope that this place influences his life no more.
no subject
He, of course, was never going to bring up such a delicate subject, and now it has been broached he finds his mind swimming with the implications. Cosette will know he lied again, and yes, she is the sweetest girl, but he has been careful to ensure that she should not come into contact with darkness - no more since her time with the Thenardiers, at least - and then, there is Marius.
'She knows I am not, but I had told her that it was old Fauchelevent - I had to fabricate...it does not matter, but you see, she-'
He breaks off, and tries to calm his thoughts. Little of the internal turmoil shows on his face, but he cannot find the right words. No one seems to understand.
'Fantine, society is not kind to people who do not fit. Not mothers who find themselves alone, not convicts who have stolen and hidden their name, not to many others. Do you think it would be kind to Cosette? Whether she minded or not, do you think she would be accepted into the respectable houses in Paris, if people knew? They are a young couple, just starting out in life, and I do not want their chances blighted.'
He could also explain that Marius's reaction to the news had not been very good, but he cannot bring himself to dare impugn the name of that good young man, and then, Fantine might tell Cosette. No, the best thing to do is to take himself away and hope that this place influences his life no more.