to inform Cosette of his death and send her a final farewell, and to save from the impending catastrophe which was in preparation, that poor child, Eponine''s brother and Thenardier''s son.
He had a pocket-book about him; the same one which had contained the note-book in which he had inscribed so many thoughts of love for Cosette.
He tore out a leaf and wrote on it a few lines in pencil:--
"Our marriage was impossible.
I asked my grandfather, he refused; I have no fortune, neither hast thou.
I hastened to thee, thou wert no longer there.
Thou knowest the promise that I gave thee, I shall keep it.
I die.
I love thee.
When thou readest this, my soul will be near thee, and thou wilt smile."
Having nothing wherewith to seal this letter, he contented himself with folding the paper in four, and added the address:--
"To Mademoiselle Cosette Fauchelevent, at M. Fauchelevent''s, Rue de l''Homme Arme, No. 7."
Having folded the letter, he stood in thought for a moment, drew out his pocket-book again, opened it, and wrote, with the same pencil, these four lines on the first page:--
"My name is Marius Pontmercy.
Carry my body to my grandfather, M. Gillenormand, Rue des Filles-du-Calvaire, No. 6, in the Marais."