#fauchlevent

A peaceful life in Petit Picpus (to say nothing about an unexpected arrival of gardener’s unknown brother with his little daughter and some inconveniences related with this event).

Tenderly, Valjean tells Cosette their plan for her. Again, he threatens her with the fear of the Thenardiess, which is very effective. Is it okay for him to threaten her with this? He knows how abused she was, and this only further teaches her to constantly check her back. It is a desperate time though, and this desperate measure clearly works. What do you think?

Here's where they're at:

They've been granted permission to enter, but they have to leave first. Cosette is taken care of, but Valjean isn't. 

Fauchelevent gets distracted with another problem: he thinks dirt in the place of a body for the coffin won't suffice; it won't move the same. Valjean has a solution: put a body in it. Fauchelevent says he doesn't have one (thank goodness, though I wouldn't be surprised considering how odd Fauchelevent is) and Valjean offers himself. This would [figuratively] bury Monsieur Madeline, allowing Valjean to once again, become a new man. Fauchelevent has trouble accepting this idea. Good, there's something rational about him. Yet, Valjean has acquired the skill of persuasion and approaches each problem realistically (as realistic as one can be). The only problem Valjean sees is when they get to the cemetary, how does he get out? But thankfully Fauchelevent is confidant about that part. He knows the gravedigger who is a drunk and is easily distracted.