"Tomorrow," said Valjean, "I will not be here, but neither will I be in your house." “

"What do you mean by that?" Marius asked, "Ah, now we don't allow you to travel anymore. Don't leave us again, you are our people, and we won't let you go. “

"This time, it's going to count." Cosette added. "We've got the car down there, we're going to take you away, and if necessary, I'm going to use force!"

So she smiled and made a gesture of holding the old man with her arms.

"You've always kept your room in the house," she continued, "and you know how beautiful the garden is now!" Rhododendron blooms luxuriantly. The path was paved with river sand, and there were small purple shells in the sand. You're about to eat my strawberries, which I watered and planted myself. There is no Madame, there is no Mr. Jean, we all live in the republic, and we all refer to 'you'. Is that right? Marius? The laws of life have also changed. You don't know, father, I have a sad thing about a robin who made a nest in a hole in the wall, and a hateful cat ate it. My poor beautiful little robin stuck its head in its window and looked at me! I cried for it, I wanted to kill that cat! But now no one is crying. Everyone laughs, everyone is happy. You go back with us. How happy my grandfather would be! In the garden you will have your little plot, you cultivate it yourself, and we will see if your strawberries grow as well as mine. Also, I obey you in every way, and you have to listen to me. “

Valjean listened, but did not hear, he listened to her voice like music, not to understand what she meant; A big tear, a dark pearl in his soul, slowly appeared in his eyes, and he whispered:

"It's enough to prove that God is merciful, she's here."

"Father!" Cosette called.

Valjean continues:

"Yes, it's nice to be able to live together. There are a lot of birds in the trees. Cosette and I went for a walk, and like the living, we greeted each other and called each other in the garden, how sweet it was. We can see each other from early in the morning. We each have a plot of land. She planted strawberries for me to eat, and I asked her to pick my roses, how nice it would be. But ......"

He paused and said mildly:

"It's a pity."

The tears did not fall, they were withdrawn, and Valjean replaced them with a smile.

Cosette took the old man's hands in hers.

"My God!" She said, "Your hands are colder." Are you sick? Are you feeling unwell? “

"I'm not sick," Valjean replied, "I'm comfortable, but ......"

He stopped again.

"But how?"

"I'm going to die soon."

Cosette and Marius shuddered when they heard this.

"I'm going to die!" Marius shouted.

"yes, but it's nothing." Valjean said.

He took a breath, smiled, and continued: "Cosette, you were talking to me just now, go on, say more, then say that your little robin is dead, speak, let me hear your voice!" “

Marius was stunned, and he looked at the old man.

Cosette let out a terrible scream.

"Father! My father! You want to live, you will live, I want you to live, hear me! “

Valjean raised his head to her with a look of love: "Oh, yes, forbid me to die." Who knows? I'll probably listen. I was dying when you came, and I stopped, and I felt like I was alive again. “

"You are full of life and life," exclaimed Marius, "do you think that a man would die like this?" You've been in pain, and you'll never have it again. I'm begging for your forgiveness, and I'm begging for your forgiveness on my knees! You will live, live with us, and live a long life. We'll pick you up. The two of us have only one wish from now on, and that is your happiness! “

"You see," said Cosette, with tears on her face, "Marius says you won't die. “

Valjean smiled and continued:

"Mr. Peng Meixu, if you take me back, won't I be the person I am now? No, God thinks the same as you and me, and He won't change his opinion, so I'd better leave. Death is a proper arrangement. God knows better than we do what we need. I wish you happiness, I wish Mr. Peng Meixu a Cosette, youth to be with the morning, my children, you are surrounded by lilacs, and there are yellow warblers, your life is like a beautiful lawn under the rising sun, the joy of heaven fills your heart, now I am useless, let me die, surely all will be fine. You see, you have to be reasonable, now everything is irretrievable, and I feel that I am absolutely finished. An hour ago, I fainted once. And last night, I drank this can of water. Your husband is so nice, Cosette! It's much better for you to follow him than to follow me. “