書蟲1級《悲慘世界》7. 愛與死

7. Love and Death

FOREWORD

Marius lies for a long time between life and death, but months later, he is well again. Cosette visits him every day, and this of course helps him a lot. His grandfather is happy to have his grandson back, and is happy to have a new granddaughter in Cosette. The two young people marry, and live in the house of Marius's grandfather in the Marais.

There is a surprise for the young people. Cosette has money, a lot of money, Valjean tells them. She has six hundred thousand francs. This pleases Marius's grandfather very much, but the young people are only interested in love, not in money.

Where does it come from, this money? Years ago, when Valjean was Monsieur Madeleine with a factory, he was a rich man. Before he left Montreuil, he took his money and the bishop's candlesticks to a secret place. When he needs money, he goes back there.

Now this money is for Cosette, and the candlesticks stand in Valjean's house in the Rue de l'Homme-Armé. They look very fine, and Toussaint cleans them every day.

A new life begins for everybody, but there are still secrets from the past, and Valjean wants to tell them. He feels old and tired. Death is coming for him at last, he feels. He calls Cosette and Marius to his bedside.

Listen, dearest Cosette, to the story of your mother,' he says. Cosette hears the story of Fantine's sad life. She learns that Valjean is not her real father, but in her life there is only one father, and that is Valjean, she tells him.

Come closer, my children,' he says. 'I love you dearly, and I die happy. Come closer, and take my hands.'

Cosette and Marius are by his bed, holding his hands and crying. His great hands are still, and do not move again. He lies with his head turned up to the sky, and the light from the bishop's candlesticks falls upon his face.