Earlier: As the two were walking out of Sunday mass, they were spotted by a skinny street urchin named Eponine. They didn't recognise her-how could they have- but she knew both of them right away. She'd inherited a few talents from her father. One was her memory. The other was the cunning ability to get what one could out of any situation.
As she ran towards them, white and thin as a skeleton, both father and daughter regretted pouring their purses onto the donation tray.
"Mamselle, Monsieur!" Eponine called.
"I'm very sorry Mademuaselle, but we have nothing to give you," Jean Valjean addressed her in such a respectful tone that it threw Eponine off guard, but only for a second.
"I'm afraid you're mistaken my good Monsieur. It is I who have something for you." The words sounded much too refined coming from this scratchy voice of the gutter. Jean Valjeans surprise showed clearly on his face. It had been a long time since he had been taken for a beggar. What could this poor creature have to offer him?
Eponine fished out a crumpled envelope from the folds of her chemise, and presented it as if it were the crown jewels.
"It's an invitation. A letter from my father, Monsieur Jondrette. He needs your help, and requests your presence any time you can manage it."
This was clearly a beggar's letter. Cosette had read and answered enough of these to know one when she saw one, no matter how cleverly disguised. But there was something about this girl, maybe the fact that, had it not been for her benevolent father, she, Cosette, would have been in her exact position...or worse, that made Cosette speak up.
"We would be honored." She did her best to make it sound true. "I believe we are available tomorrow night, is that right papa?" Jean Valjean blinked, surprised yet again, and nodded, dumbly.
"Good," continued Cosette, "I always wanted a friend," She looked at Eponine who was, at the moment, questioning Cosette's sanity, "I'm Cosette Fauchelevent. And you?"
"Eva Jondrette," Eponine lied.
"Eva Jondrette," Cosette repeated, nodding. She then proceeded to drape her lavender silk shawl around her new friend's naked shoulders. Telling her how nice it looked with her dark hair. Jean Valjean beamed. Eponine was so stunned, she simply thanked Cosette, and hurried away.
But it was good she went so quickly. She had urgent business with the police.