Cosette was so intoxicated with her walk to "their garden," and so joyous at having "lived a whole day in her past," that she talked of nothing else on the morrow.
She did not notice that she had not seen Jean Valjean.
"In what way did you go thither?"
Jean Valjean asked her."
"On foot."
"And how did you return?"
"In a hackney carriage."
For some time, Jean Valjean had noticed the economical life led by the young people.
He was troubled by it.
Marius'' economy was severe, and that word had its absolute meaning for Jean Valjean. He hazarded a query:
"Why do you not have a carriage of your own?
A pretty coupe would only cost you five hundred francs a month.
You are rich."
"I don''t know," replied Cosette.
"It is like Toussaint," resumed Jean Valjean.
"She is gone. You have not replaced her.
Why?"
"Nicolette suffices."
"But you ought to have a maid."
"Have I not Marius?"
"You ought to have a house of your own, your own servants, a carriage, a box at the theatre.
There is nothing too fine for you. Why not profit by your riches?
Wealth adds to happiness."
Cosette made no reply.
Jean Valjean''s visits were not abridged.
Far from it.
When it is the heart which is slipping, one does not halt on the downward slope.