To have Cosette!
To leave this life of infamy.
To live free, rich, happy, respectable with Cosette; to see all these realities of paradise blossom of a sudden in the midst of her misery.
She stared stupidly at this man who was talking to her, and could only give vent to two or three sobs, "Oh!
Oh!
Oh!"
Her limbs gave way beneath her, she knelt in front of M. Madeleine, and before he could prevent her he felt her grasp his hand and press her lips to it.
Then she fainted.
BOOK SIXTH.--JAVERT
CHAPTER I
THE BEGINNING OF REPOSE
M. Madeleine had Fantine removed to that infirmary which he had established in his own house.
He confided her to the sisters, who put her to bed.
A burning fever had come on.
She passed a part of the night in delirium and raving.
At length, however, she fell asleep.
On the morrow, towards midday, Fantine awoke.
She heard some one breathing close to her bed; she drew aside the curtain and saw M. Madeleine standing there and looking at something over her head. His gaze was full of pity, anguish, and supplication.