Cosette beams at the well-wishing. She's never doubted it: whatever the distance and coldness he gives her now, whatever is going on in his head, whatever she's done or whatever marriage means to him (or to all of fine society?) that means he won't be anything but a formal Monsieur Jean to her -- in spite of all that, she's always known that he only wants the best for her. It makes everything bearable.

But it's always wealth and fripperies with him: he wants her to have everything fine, even when it's silly, even when she doesn't need it. Expensive presents from Grandfather Gillenormand, and urgings to buy anything he thinks a fine lady might like from Monsieur Jean, while he tells her household not to light the fire she wants lit. She finds a laugh: "We never had a carriage, monsieur! I like to walk. I like to see the city, on my husband's arm. Why should I shut such a fine fellow away in a carriage, when I can walk arm in arm with him in the sun?"

She finds a laugh, but it's tiring. Perhaps Basque will call her soon to dinner. Marius is quiet, and dear, like her father, and unlike her father she doesn't have to work to remind him to love her.