Marius shut the door behind him, too guilty to even say a word. Monsieur Fauchelevent just looked at him coldly for a long time, until Marius couldn't take it anymore.
"I'm sorry," he offered.
"I told you not to meddle," Valjean said shortly. Marius cringed.
"Did you hear the whole story?" he asked, hoping to maybe explain his way out.
"I did. Your grandfather just filled me in on your arrest," he said spitting out the last word like it was a curse, making it clear he didn't want to hear a word from Marius. "I never told you why you couldn't report this affair to the police- and maybe that was a mistake. However, it still must remain a secret, at least for now. Currently, we have more important business to discuss. Sit down."
Marius did as he was told, wondering what he could be talking about. However, Monsieur Fauchelevent's face did him no favors- it was cold and unreadable.
"Cosette is very upset," he said, laying down the phrase heavily. Marius' insides twisted with guilt, and he looked down, unable to meet Monsieur Fauchelevent's gaze. This altercation would have been awkward and uncomfortable in any situation- he'd never really been alone with the man before. Now, when he was here being told off for his mistake, he was feeling thoroughly pained. After a few moments of agony on Marius' part, Monsieur Fauchelevent continued. "I am going away today."
Marius blanched. He looked up, and his heart skipped a beat in terror. Cosette is very upset. I am going away today. He didn't comprehend the difference that the pronoun 'I' made. He only heard 'Cosette... upset... going away.'
"After how upset she was yesterday," Monsieur Fauchelevent continued, and Marius buried his face in his hands, unable to even think about the blank road that lay ahead of him. There was too much pain for him to bear- she was gone! She was leaving! How could he live without her? "She was so distraught. So I asked her if she wanted to come with me."
Marius sat up. What was this?
"She was even more offended by that. She said no, she is staying. So you will be married today, Monsieur Pontmercy."
Marius breathed a sigh of relief that seemed to come form deep inside. The day before, he knew positively that he was going to be married the next day. Those ten seconds of terror were enough to make him appreciate the event all the more.
"Why are you leaving?" he asked, now curious. Curious, but not terrified anymore. He felt incredibly guilty about it, but he felt a bit of relief in hearing that Monsieur Fauchelevent was going away. As long as he did not leave permanently, Marius thought a few weeks away from the man could do them both good. "Where are you going?"
"It is not serious," he replied evasively. "And I am going away on business, but I do not know for how long."
Well, that settles things, Marius thought, slightly annoyed now. Didn't he deserve to know at least a little of the details? But then he flushed- Cosette probably thought like this yesterday when he did not show up all day.
"Does Cosette know?" he asked.
"She does," he said, with a scornful look. Marius read his annoyance instantly. Why was this man so cold to him, but so warm to Cosette? It was hard to believe that this hard, angry man was the same benevolent, loving father to Cosette. He shivered as Monsieur Fauchelevent gave him another of his stares. Without another word, Monsieur Fauchelevent stood and made his way to the door.
"I shall not see you again until after your marriage," he said, turning and looking back at Marius. "So good luck to you. Best wishes," he said distantly, and left.
Marius stood, confused and staring stupidly, until long after the man had left.
She needed to talk to Marius. She knew customs dictated otherwise, but she would have to throw those aside. Papa had left, and that alone was enough to send her into a depression. If the depression hadn't been mixed with anger and confusion, she could fully organize her emotions. Anger towards Marius, confusion about events from the day before, all mixed in with customary pre-wedding jitters. There were so many mixed up inside of her that she needed to sort a few out. And to do that, she needed to speak to Marius.
She covered her wedding dress in a garment bag and put her little white silk shoes in a leather bag along with all the necessary undergarments she woudl need to wear with the formal gown. She passively thought of how she dreaded putting those on- they seemed only to be fussy and time-consuming.
"Toussaint!" she called down the stairs of the little house when her belongings were ready. The stout woman ran up the stairs.
"I need to go to Monsieur Gillenormond's. I left the pearls behind. The ones he gave me yesterday," she said. "I need them for the wedding. I can dress there," she explained, gesturing to the pile of wedding necessities beside her. Toussaint looked at her warily, but obliged.
"I'll get a fiacre for you, Mademouiselle, and we'll leave in a few minutes."
Cosette thanked her, and found the very pearls that she had lied about and slipped them into the pocket of her skirt. Gathering everything she would need, she went downstairs. Together she and Toussaint loaded the fiacre and made their way to the Rue des Filles-du-Calvaire.
Once they made it there, Nicolette took her upstairs, near the bedrooms. Cosette had never been upstairs before, she realized, now feeling worried. How would she find Marius? She had no idea where to look. What if she knocked on Grandfather's door instead? No one would let her see Marius. But she looked around, and saw all the doors open but one. That must be where Marius was.
"Here, Mademoiselle- you can dress in this guest room," Nicolette said. Toussaint followed the two of them inside.
"I'll help you dress," Nicolette offered.
"It's my job," Toussaint snipped.
"Well, I'm sure you have a lot to take care of-"
"It's alright," Cosette said, breaking up the argument. "I would actually like a few minutes alone. To... collect myself. You understand?"
"Oh, yes," Nicolette said, backing off. "Just let me know if you need me, Mademoiselle."
"Or I," Toussaint said, giving Nicolette a look. They left the room, and Cosette, rolling her eyes, sat on the bed. She waited a few minutes for them to go back downstairs before daring to venture out of the room.
Finally, she slipped out and sneaked across the hallway. Taking a deep breath and hoping this was the right door, she knocked.
Marius was pacing in his bedroom, thinking deeply about his confrontation with Monsieur Fauchelevent. When a knock sounded on his door, Marius presumed it was Basque or someone of the like, with some bit of useless information.
"Enter," he said, not ceasing his pacing in front of the fireplace. He looked up in shock to see Cosette standing in his doorway.
"I know customs say it is bad luck to see your intended on the day of your wedding," she began, closing the door. "But I happen to think it's much worse to marry someone you're angry with."
She walked further in and sat down in the chair, gesturing to the one facing hers directly. He sat, wondering how on earth she got here without anyone noticing.
"I told Toussaint I left my pearls here," she explained as though she could read his mind. "But I really needed to talk to you. Please explain what happened yesterday- I had no idea where you were, and then all the sudden the police showed up. Then my father tells me this morning that he's leaving! You both have been keeping something from me- Marius, please tell me. I'm feeling bitter, and that is the last thing I want to feel today. So now. Explain," she said clearly, and he did as he was told.
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