Chapter 6
"I have a letter from Paris for you, Monsieur Pontmercy."
"Thank you, Philippe. Would you kindly shut the door on your way out?"
"Certainly, Monsieur." Philippe did as he was instructed.
"What is it?" asked Cosette, who was in Marius' office. "Is it about our case?"
"Yes, it's the date for our case to appear in Court. Monday the 27th of June. Oh dear..."
"What's wrong?"
"My son is getting married that Saturday afternoon."
"And?"
"Nobody knows how long the trial could go on for. Sometimes it takes days, even weeks."
"But that's your job! To leave them without a doubt in their mind so they won't take weeks!"
"I can't guarantee anything, Cosette. We have one witness and the word of the defendant. We don't have a lot to go on."
"So, if worse comes to worse, you're going to abandon my husband and go to your son's wedding?"
"Which do you think is more important?"
"Marius, the wedding of course is more important to you than this case. But I know in my heart that if you go into that courtroom believing we will win, we will. I know that my husband is not guilty, and that's what you should believe, too!"
Marius paused and sat down at his desk. "Cosette, how long will it take you to realize that you are one of the most gullible people I have ever met? If anyone convinces you of anything, you'll take that belief and run with it until the day you die!"
"Give me an example. What beliefs do I run with?"
"For one, this idea that your husband is a virtuous man."
"He is!"
"This is what I'm talking about! And this idea that perhaps you and I will fall in love."
"Excuse me?"
"I know what you're up to, but it's not going to work because unlike your husband, I love my wife more than anything in the world, and I would never do anything to compromise that happiness!"
"Excuse me," said Gavroche, sticking his head in the door. "I would advise you to lower your voice, Marius. Everyone is a little concerned."
"I'm sorry, Gavroche." He left, but Cosette did nothing but throw daggers at Marius.
"You think the only reason I hired you was so I could attempt to win you back?"
"That seems like logical reasoning to me."
"Well, do more research on the matter. I chose you as my husband's lawyer because even though we didn't work out, I trust you. I wouldn't hire some lawyer from England because they would treat my husband like...like you are. Honestly, I didn't expect you to take out your anger on my husband's case. You can take it out on me like you just did, but Marius, I swear that my husband would not do anything that he is accused of doing. I've been married to him for ten years. Don't you think that after ten years you'd know a person well enough?"
"Yes..."
Cosette brushed away a tear. "Besides that, I'm pregnant."
"You?"
"It's my husband's child, rest assured of that. But I have to believe that my husband wouldn't travel to France just to have an affair when I'm having his child."
"How far along are you?"
"Only three months. I became pregnant just before he left for France in the beginning of February."
"Cosette, I do hope you forgive me for my outburst, but for a while I did believe that your only cause for being here was to get me back."
Cosette smiled. "It's not that you're a fine man, Marius, but I have gotten over you. That's why I married someone else. I love both of the men I married. Although some thought it was just to get married, but it wasn't. It was love, and I'm sure you can relate to that. Eponine must be extremely happy with you."
"And I with her. But now we're getting a little personal."
"I understand."
"My attitude has completely changed now, Cosette. Let's work this out."
************************************************************************
"When do classes finally let out?"
"In the middle of May. When Gustave will graduate and become a lawyer, just like his father."
Gustave turned around and heard his Uncle and Godfather talking. He went over and joined their conversation.
"It was only on my father's insistence that I became a lawyer."
"You're not one yet."
"I will be come May, Enjolras."
"Darling, do you remember that girl we were talking to?"
"Who? Claire?" shouted Azelma from the other room.
"Yes, Claire. Now, that's a sweet girl."
"I was meaning to ask you about that, Gustave," said Enjolras. "What made you think of 'Merle' when you introduced Claire to Brigitte?"
"It's just the first name that came to mind. I didn't want to attach her to anyone with the last name of 'Thenardier' or 'Enjolras', and I know that Aunt Laetitia has no extended family anymore."
"His mind works far too fast for me," grumbled Grantaire.
"You only say that because you spent your years at university drinking and swooning over your wife."
"I'll ask you to leave me out of this conversation, thank you," said Azelma.
"Gustave, tell me. What do you think of this Claire?"
"Well, I honestly didn't recognize her when I saw her at the party," Gustave said. "When I saw her in March, she looked awful. She had been bruised and beaten, and it just pained me to look at someone like that. But, when I saw her in that dress, with her hair pulled back like that..."
"Steady there," warned Grantaire. "You're getting married to Brigitte, not Claire."
"I'm well aware of that. But she looks one hundred percent better, and she obviously is great for Charlotte and the twins."
"Sounds like she may never leave that house until every last Pontmercy is married off," smirked Azelma.
"I thought you weren't part of this conversation."
"I thought I was the one in charge of placing meals in front of you."
"You know, I think I'm going to make sure that my wife hasn't decided to poison my dinner. Excuse me." Grantaire left and Enjolras looked sternly at his godson.
"Gustave, are you becoming attracted to Claire?"
"No, I love Brigitte."
"I didn't ask who you loved, I asked if you were attracted to Claire."
"Attracted in what way?"
"When her name comes up in conversation, is she all you can think about for a while afterwards?"
"Well, perhaps. But it doesn't matter because the same thing happens with Brigitte, and she's going to be my wife."
"Just don't get yourself into something."
"I won't. I promise."
"So, where is the happy couple going to be living?" asked Grantaire coming back to his seat.
"Brigitte and I were talking about living in Lille, and I could set up my own small firm. It won't be much, but we can only hope it will grow."
"It seems like you have everything figured out, then," said Enjolras.
"Yes," sighed Gustave. "I believe I have."
************************************************************************
"Wasn't that party wonderful?"
"Yes. You were right. Your Uncle and Aunt are a pleasure to talk to. So is Enjolras."
"I knew you'd like them."
"I hardly met your cousin, though, since you seemed to whisk her away the second she got there."
"We hardly see one another. We're best friends, so we had to leave you alone. I'm sorry."
"I understand," grinned Claire. "I did meet your brother's fiancee, however."
Charlotte looked up. "You met Brigitte? What did you think of her?"
"You were right, she is pretty."
"But not as pretty as you."
"Stop that."
"It's true. When I told you about Brigitte that first night you came here, I didn't know how bad the bruises were. But since they're gone, you look so much lovelier."
"Thank you very much. But Brigitte is perfect for your brother."
"Yes, they are going to be together for the rest of their lives."
"Too bad for all the rest of the women in France. From what your Uncle told me, Gustave is quite a catch."
Charlotte rolled her eyes. "We like to let him think so." She studied Claire for a moment. "Wait, there's something going on inside that head of yours, Claire Merle."
Claire laughed at the usage of the false last name. "What?"
"Something about my brother." Claire blushed a little and turned her head the other way. "It is about Gustave! What? You can tell me. Oh, please tell me!"
"Will you leave me alone?"
"You like him, don't you?"
"He's a very likable person."
"That's not what I mean. You would like it if he asked to dance, or to take a walk in the gardens, wouldn't you?"
"Any girl would like it, but it's only going to happen to Brigitte."
"I knew it! You're stuck on Gustave!"
"Maybe I am, but maybe I'm not!"
"Oh, trust me. You are," confirmed Charlotte.
'Maybe I am,' thought Claire, 'but he's getting married. It does no good to dwell on things that can never happen. Besides, you know what it's like to have your heart broken. Why would you put yourself through that again?'
Claire heard Benjamin wake from his nap, and didn't think about the subject for the rest of the day.
"I have a letter from Paris for you, Monsieur Pontmercy."
"Thank you, Philippe. Would you kindly shut the door on your way out?"
"Certainly, Monsieur." Philippe did as he was instructed.
"What is it?" asked Cosette, who was in Marius' office. "Is it about our case?"
"Yes, it's the date for our case to appear in Court. Monday the 27th of June. Oh dear..."
"What's wrong?"
"My son is getting married that Saturday afternoon."
"And?"
"Nobody knows how long the trial could go on for. Sometimes it takes days, even weeks."
"But that's your job! To leave them without a doubt in their mind so they won't take weeks!"
"I can't guarantee anything, Cosette. We have one witness and the word of the defendant. We don't have a lot to go on."
"So, if worse comes to worse, you're going to abandon my husband and go to your son's wedding?"
"Which do you think is more important?"
"Marius, the wedding of course is more important to you than this case. But I know in my heart that if you go into that courtroom believing we will win, we will. I know that my husband is not guilty, and that's what you should believe, too!"
Marius paused and sat down at his desk. "Cosette, how long will it take you to realize that you are one of the most gullible people I have ever met? If anyone convinces you of anything, you'll take that belief and run with it until the day you die!"
"Give me an example. What beliefs do I run with?"
"For one, this idea that your husband is a virtuous man."
"He is!"
"This is what I'm talking about! And this idea that perhaps you and I will fall in love."
"Excuse me?"
"I know what you're up to, but it's not going to work because unlike your husband, I love my wife more than anything in the world, and I would never do anything to compromise that happiness!"
"Excuse me," said Gavroche, sticking his head in the door. "I would advise you to lower your voice, Marius. Everyone is a little concerned."
"I'm sorry, Gavroche." He left, but Cosette did nothing but throw daggers at Marius.
"You think the only reason I hired you was so I could attempt to win you back?"
"That seems like logical reasoning to me."
"Well, do more research on the matter. I chose you as my husband's lawyer because even though we didn't work out, I trust you. I wouldn't hire some lawyer from England because they would treat my husband like...like you are. Honestly, I didn't expect you to take out your anger on my husband's case. You can take it out on me like you just did, but Marius, I swear that my husband would not do anything that he is accused of doing. I've been married to him for ten years. Don't you think that after ten years you'd know a person well enough?"
"Yes..."
Cosette brushed away a tear. "Besides that, I'm pregnant."
"You?"
"It's my husband's child, rest assured of that. But I have to believe that my husband wouldn't travel to France just to have an affair when I'm having his child."
"How far along are you?"
"Only three months. I became pregnant just before he left for France in the beginning of February."
"Cosette, I do hope you forgive me for my outburst, but for a while I did believe that your only cause for being here was to get me back."
Cosette smiled. "It's not that you're a fine man, Marius, but I have gotten over you. That's why I married someone else. I love both of the men I married. Although some thought it was just to get married, but it wasn't. It was love, and I'm sure you can relate to that. Eponine must be extremely happy with you."
"And I with her. But now we're getting a little personal."
"I understand."
"My attitude has completely changed now, Cosette. Let's work this out."
************************************************************************
"When do classes finally let out?"
"In the middle of May. When Gustave will graduate and become a lawyer, just like his father."
Gustave turned around and heard his Uncle and Godfather talking. He went over and joined their conversation.
"It was only on my father's insistence that I became a lawyer."
"You're not one yet."
"I will be come May, Enjolras."
"Darling, do you remember that girl we were talking to?"
"Who? Claire?" shouted Azelma from the other room.
"Yes, Claire. Now, that's a sweet girl."
"I was meaning to ask you about that, Gustave," said Enjolras. "What made you think of 'Merle' when you introduced Claire to Brigitte?"
"It's just the first name that came to mind. I didn't want to attach her to anyone with the last name of 'Thenardier' or 'Enjolras', and I know that Aunt Laetitia has no extended family anymore."
"His mind works far too fast for me," grumbled Grantaire.
"You only say that because you spent your years at university drinking and swooning over your wife."
"I'll ask you to leave me out of this conversation, thank you," said Azelma.
"Gustave, tell me. What do you think of this Claire?"
"Well, I honestly didn't recognize her when I saw her at the party," Gustave said. "When I saw her in March, she looked awful. She had been bruised and beaten, and it just pained me to look at someone like that. But, when I saw her in that dress, with her hair pulled back like that..."
"Steady there," warned Grantaire. "You're getting married to Brigitte, not Claire."
"I'm well aware of that. But she looks one hundred percent better, and she obviously is great for Charlotte and the twins."
"Sounds like she may never leave that house until every last Pontmercy is married off," smirked Azelma.
"I thought you weren't part of this conversation."
"I thought I was the one in charge of placing meals in front of you."
"You know, I think I'm going to make sure that my wife hasn't decided to poison my dinner. Excuse me." Grantaire left and Enjolras looked sternly at his godson.
"Gustave, are you becoming attracted to Claire?"
"No, I love Brigitte."
"I didn't ask who you loved, I asked if you were attracted to Claire."
"Attracted in what way?"
"When her name comes up in conversation, is she all you can think about for a while afterwards?"
"Well, perhaps. But it doesn't matter because the same thing happens with Brigitte, and she's going to be my wife."
"Just don't get yourself into something."
"I won't. I promise."
"So, where is the happy couple going to be living?" asked Grantaire coming back to his seat.
"Brigitte and I were talking about living in Lille, and I could set up my own small firm. It won't be much, but we can only hope it will grow."
"It seems like you have everything figured out, then," said Enjolras.
"Yes," sighed Gustave. "I believe I have."
************************************************************************
"Wasn't that party wonderful?"
"Yes. You were right. Your Uncle and Aunt are a pleasure to talk to. So is Enjolras."
"I knew you'd like them."
"I hardly met your cousin, though, since you seemed to whisk her away the second she got there."
"We hardly see one another. We're best friends, so we had to leave you alone. I'm sorry."
"I understand," grinned Claire. "I did meet your brother's fiancee, however."
Charlotte looked up. "You met Brigitte? What did you think of her?"
"You were right, she is pretty."
"But not as pretty as you."
"Stop that."
"It's true. When I told you about Brigitte that first night you came here, I didn't know how bad the bruises were. But since they're gone, you look so much lovelier."
"Thank you very much. But Brigitte is perfect for your brother."
"Yes, they are going to be together for the rest of their lives."
"Too bad for all the rest of the women in France. From what your Uncle told me, Gustave is quite a catch."
Charlotte rolled her eyes. "We like to let him think so." She studied Claire for a moment. "Wait, there's something going on inside that head of yours, Claire Merle."
Claire laughed at the usage of the false last name. "What?"
"Something about my brother." Claire blushed a little and turned her head the other way. "It is about Gustave! What? You can tell me. Oh, please tell me!"
"Will you leave me alone?"
"You like him, don't you?"
"He's a very likable person."
"That's not what I mean. You would like it if he asked to dance, or to take a walk in the gardens, wouldn't you?"
"Any girl would like it, but it's only going to happen to Brigitte."
"I knew it! You're stuck on Gustave!"
"Maybe I am, but maybe I'm not!"
"Oh, trust me. You are," confirmed Charlotte.
'Maybe I am,' thought Claire, 'but he's getting married. It does no good to dwell on things that can never happen. Besides, you know what it's like to have your heart broken. Why would you put yourself through that again?'
Claire heard Benjamin wake from his nap, and didn't think about the subject for the rest of the day.