Jean Valjean has just found Cosette in the forest on Christmas Eve. He is helping her carry her bucket back to the Thenardier inn.
V: No more talk of darkness. Forget these wide-eyed fears! I'm here. Nothing can harm you, my words will warm and calm you.
The Thenardiers have agreed to let Cosette go-at a very steep price of course-but the little girl is still afraid. He coaxes her out of the glare of her abusers and into the dawn of Christmas day.
V: Let me be your freedom. Let daylight dry your tears! I'm here. With you beside you; to guard you and to guide you.
They begin to walk through the forest, and find their way to a shabby apartment, which Cosette finds to be wonderfully cozy.
C: Say you'll love me every waking moment. Turn my head with talk of summertime! Say you need me with you now and always. Promise me that all you say is true. That's all I ask of you.
But the tiny tenement is not meant to be their home. Javert catches up with his long-time querry, and the two are forced to run to the convent where finally the father and his daughter are safe.
V: Let me be your shelter.
C: Let me be your light!
V: You're safe.
C: No one will find you.
Both: Your fears are far behind you.
Time passes, and Cosette is now a young woman. She strides gracefully over to her father, who is resting under his carefully tended apple tree. She asks him the question he has long been dreading, and offers an explanation.
C: All I want is freedom. A world with no more night, and you. Always beside me... to hold me and to hide me.
V: Say you'll share with me your love; in my lifetime.
C: Let me lead you from your solitude.
V: Say you need me with you here, beside you. Anywhere you go let me go too. Cosette, that's all I ask of you.
Cosette and Jean Valjean find the quaint chateau near the edge of town where they are very happy for a few years. They spend their time romping in the near-by wilderness and visiting the poor. They love each other very much indeed. And then one day Marius enters their lives. He and Cosette are conversing in the dark garden months later.
C: Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime.
M: Say the word and I will follow you.
C: Share each day with me each night each morning.
M: Say you love me
C: You know I do!
M: Anywhere you go let me go too.
Both: Love me. That's all I ask of you.
The two oblivious lovers have of course been watched, all this time by two sorrowful hearts. Jean Valjean from behind a darkened window, and Eponine Thenardeir from behind the gate.
V: I gave you your freedom. Made your song take wing! And now, how you've repaid me.
E: Denied me and betrayed me. He was bound to love her, when he heard her sing! [harshly; like a curse-word] Cosette!
V: [Tenderly, through tears] Cosette
Both: Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime.
E: [beginning to tail Marius silently on his way home] Say the word and I will follow you.
V: [pulling out Cosette's childhood things and reminiscing] Shared each day with me, each night. Each morning. Cosette, I will set you free my Lark.
E: He's gone; my light inside the dark.