2394 Les Miserables
plish this. Without her knowing why herself, and without
his having any cause to accuse her of it, her soul had become
so wholly her husband’s that that which was shrouded in
gloom in Marius’ mind became overcast in hers.
Let us not go too far, however; in what concerns Jean
Valjean, this forgetfulness and obliteration were merely su-
perficial. She was rather heedless than forgetful. At bottom,
she was sincerely attached to the man whom she had so long
called her father; but she loved her husband still more dear-
ly. This was what had somewhat disturbed the balance of
her heart, which leaned to one side only.
It sometimes happened that Cosette spoke of Jean Valjean
and expressed her surprise. Then Marius calmed her: ‘He is
absent, I think. Did not he say that he was setting out on a
journey?’—‘That is true,’ thought Cosette. ‘He had a habit
of disappearing in this fashion. But not for so long.’ Two or
three times she despatched Nicolette to inquire in the Rue
de l’Homme Arme whether M. Jean had returned from his
journey. Jean Valjean caused the answer ‘no’ to be given.
Cosette asked nothing more, since she had but one need
on earth, Marius.
Let us also say that, on their side, Cosette and Marius
had also been absent. They had been to Vernon. Marius had
taken Cosette to his father’s grave.
Marius gradually won Cosette away from Jean Valjean.
Cosette allowed it.
Moreover that which is called, far too harshly in certain
cases, the ingratitude of children, is not always a thing so
deserving of reproach as it is supposed. It is the ingratitude