VALJEAN I found her wandering in the wood This little child, I found her trembling in the shadows And I am here to help Cosette And I will settle any debt you may think proper I will pay what I must pay To take Cosette away. There is a duty I must heed, There is a promise I have made For I was blind to one in need I did not see what stood before me Now her mother is with God Fantine's suffering is over And I speak here with her voice And I stand here in her place
And from this day and evermore
MME. THENARDIER Let me have your coat, M'sieur
VALJEAN Cosette shall live in my protection
THENARDIER You are very welcome here
VALJEAN I will not forsake my vow
THENARDIER Take a glass
MME. THENARDIER Take a chair
VALJEAN Cosette shall have a father now!
THENARDIER What to do? What to say? Shall you carry our treasure away? What a gem! What a pearl! Beyond rubies is our little girl! How can we speak of debt? Let's not haggle for darling Cosette!
Dear Fantine, gone to rest... Have we done for her child what is best? Shared our bread. Shared each bone. Treated her like she's one of our own! Like our own, Monsieur!
VALJEAN Your feelings do you credit, sir And I will ease the parting blow He pays them. Let us not talk of bargains or bones or greed Now, may I say, we are agreed?
MME. THENARDIER That would quite fit the bill If she hadn't so often been ill Little dear, cost us dear Medicines are expensive, M'sieur Not that we begrudged a sou It's no more than we Christians must do!
M. & MME. THENARDIER One thing more, one small doubt There are treacherous people about No offense. Please reflect. Your intentions may not be correct?
VALJEAN No more words. Here's your price. Fifteen hundred for your sacrifice. Come, Cosette, say goodbye Let us seek out some friendlier sky. Thank you both for Cosette It won't take you too long to forget.
(Valjean and Cosette leave the inn)
Come, Cosette, come, my dear From now on I will always be here Where I go, you will be.
YOUNG COSETTE Will there be children and castles to see?
VALJEAN Yes, Cosette, yes, it's true. There's a castle just waiting for you.