A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters here. They all belong to Victor Hugo. This is merely for appreciative purposes.

Gallantry

Valjean had practiced whatever gallantry he had on Cosette.

It definitely was not of the romantic sort, nothing in the line of grand gestures or starlit promises. In other circumstances, it would have been written off as "doting", or "gentlemanliness". Yet Cosette was all that was left to Valjean in this life, and she being a lady, deserved all the best he could give in materials and manners.

So Valjean thought when once again he gave Cosette his arm during their daily strolls. It was a breezy day on the Luxembourg; he had buttoned up his coat almost to the chin, and insisted that Cosette wear a thicker mantle. As they went towards their usual bench in the park, a rogue gust rose up, knocking off Cosette's hat.

"Oh no!" the girl cried even as she hurried to retrieve it before it could fall into some bushes, or worse, be trampled underfoot. Valjean went to assist her, but stopped short when he saw a young gentleman walk up briskly, delicately holding Cosette's white bonnet. His hair was carefully curled, as judging by what could be seen under the slightly turned up brim of his hat.

"I believe this belongs to you, Mademoiselle," he said in a low voice as he handed the hat to the girl. Cosette blushed faintly at this, and her hand shook slightly as she accepted the wayward bonnet.

"Thank you very much Monsieur," she said as primly as she could. Had any painter walked by at that moment, he might have been tempted to depict the scene as it seemed: two young people dressed in the height of fashion, yet still knowing of the old art of chivalry.

However Valjean saw through this. "Come now, we must go," he said, walking up to the side of his adopted daughter. His eyes, which missed nothing, moved from the flower in the stranger's buttonhole to his dark, glittering gaze. "Thank you once again."

The gentleman, who had seemed more than ready to carry on a conversation with the daughter, now blanched at the sight of the father. With a nod, he retreated back down the promenade.

Cosette glanced after him even as she and Valjean went to their usual spot. "He seemed awfully nice, didn't he, Papa?" she said, almost gushing. "Such a gentleman!"

"Seemed!" Valjean said in an undertone.