And he knows Cosette will not grieve separation from him. She has Marius, and nothing else matters. It is as it should be - and he is glad because he would not wish grief on her for anything, and especially not on his account.
As for not being barred from love - no, that is true enough. Under certain conditions, none of which are met in this case. If he lived under the stricture of his yellow passport, he could love all he liked so long as he kept to the law. But as a parole breaker? With her future riding on the reputation he has falsified for her? No. No, not at all.
'It is hard for you to understand, I know.'
But he does not feel the need to explain, nor does he have the capability. It is what it is, and in any case, it is too late now. He has told Marius, and he can recall the look on the man's face when he confessed every time he closes his eyes. There can be no reconciliation with that.
no subject
And he knows Cosette will not grieve separation from him. She has Marius, and nothing else matters. It is as it should be - and he is glad because he would not wish grief on her for anything, and especially not on his account.
As for not being barred from love - no, that is true enough. Under certain conditions, none of which are met in this case. If he lived under the stricture of his yellow passport, he could love all he liked so long as he kept to the law. But as a parole breaker? With her future riding on the reputation he has falsified for her? No. No, not at all.
'It is hard for you to understand, I know.'
But he does not feel the need to explain, nor does he have the capability. It is what it is, and in any case, it is too late now. He has told Marius, and he can recall the look on the man's face when he confessed every time he closes his eyes. There can be no reconciliation with that.