le Maire is to go! it is very cold! it is true; he had on his cloak, at least? he will be here tomorrow, will he not? tomorrow will be a festival day; tomorrow morning, sister, you must remind me to put on my little cap that has lace on it. What a place that Montfermeil is! I took that journey on foot once; it was very long for me, but the diligences go very quickly! he will be here tomorrow with Cosette: how far is it from here to Montfermeil?”

The sister, who had no idea of distances, replied, “Oh, I think that he will be here tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow! tomorrow!” said Fantine, “I shall see Cosette tomorrow! you see, good sister of the good God, that I am no longer ill; I am mad; I could dance if anyone wished it.”

A person who had seen her a quarter of an hour previously would not have understood the change; she was all rosy now; she spoke in a lively and natural voice; her whole face was one smile; now and then she talked, she laughed softly; the joy of a mother is almost infantile.