::Cosette::

Cosette smiled cheerfully at Eponine, but her mind raced. Maybe she wasn't ready to be a wife yet. What Eponine had said before about men and boundaries had got her thinking. Maybe a life without a husband would be better right now. Accepting his proposal had been very impulsive, to say the least. She had a restless sleep that night, dreaming, but still half awake. She twisted and turned, pondering over her decision.

When the first few rays of sunlight danced across the Café walls, she jumped out of her makeshift bed and searched the room for stationary. She rummaged around, but it didn't take her long. In a small table in the corner was a drawer filled with inkwells, paper, and fountain pens. She collected them and sat down at the table, trying to think of something to write.

It was hard to know that what she was writing might hurt Marius, her only love, but she felt she was doing this for the better.

Dear Marius, -the letter began.

I must confess that I love you as much as you love me, but I have been thinking on your recent marriage proposal.

I don't think I made the right decision by accepting. I've thought it over numerous times, and I'm staying with my decision this time. My father would never agree to this marriage, as he doesn't know who you are. If you are willing to wait for me, I'll gladly marry you when the time comes. Until then, we should remain unengaged.


A heart full of love,


Cosette


She thought it sounded convincing enough not to hurt his feelings too much. She read it back to herself and folded it up. Making sure Eponine was still asleep, she crept downstairs. Down on the main floor of the Café, the men were asleep in their chairs, waiting for tomorrow's fight to arrive. Cosette snuck over to Marius and slid the letter into his vest pocket without making a sound.

A slight pang of regret stuck in the back of her mind, but no matter how hard she tried to shake it off, it remained. She couldn't help wondering if she had done the right thing, but soon enough she had fallen asleep on her cot.