Les Miserables Page #5

saintly, forgiving Christian...

who forgave the poor, humble inspector

when he made a mistake.

Get on with you. Get on!

Is it because of this, Monsieur Madeleine?

- What do you got there?

- Money for Fantine and her child.

All money must be confiscated...

until it is settled

whether or not it is stolen property.

But I promised that they'd

both be provided for.

You promised?

Do what you like with me, but in common

humanity let her have this money.

I can't alter the law. You know that.

Javert, I gave myself up

to save a man from injustice.

Now you expect me to leave

these two people destitute.

There are institutions for such people.

- There's the child.

- Let her go back to the place she came from.

[ Murmuring, Slurred ]

Cosette. Cosette.

[ Nun Whispering Prayer ]

[ Nun Continues Whispering Prayer ]

You did it.

Your very presence killed her.

So, Cosette shall go

to an institution, eh?

It's the law, is it?

But there's an old law.

Older than yours!

Cosette.

- You ready, dear?

- Yes, I'm ready.

See if the carriage is at the back.

Yes, it's there.

[ Banging ]

Round the back way.

[ Banging Continues ]

Break it open!

- Where are we going?

- To Paris!

If we get there.

Get to the horses!

Take the other road!

Take the other road!

- [ Knocking ]

- Shh. Shh.

I don't like that old lady.

She asked me a lot of questions

this morning.

- She'd sell us out for a sou.

- I think so too.

Must be some way I can get you to a place

where you'll be safe and looked after.

There must be.

What'll I do if they find you?

They mustn't.

You're so kind, and I love you.

Well, then I'll find a way...

for both of us.

[ Bell Tolling ]

Cosette...

we have it at last.

[ Bell Continues Tolling ]

Monsieur Madeleine

has been most generous to us.

His last request was a godsend.

He asks us

to look after your little girl...

and to give you a position

as gardener here.

Is that possible?

We will do anything

for Monsieur Madeleine.

And in helping you...

we shall feel that in some way...

we are repaying him

for his goodness to us.

The gardener's cottage

is down the garden.

See him about it,

and I'll talk to him later.

Now, Cosette,

say good-bye to your father.

I- Please.

I shall be able to see him sometime,

shan't I?

During playtime, certainly.

- [ Sobbing ]

- Oh.

She's very fond of you, isn't she?

[ Sobbing Continues ]

Go along now, dear. Go along.

[ Organ ]

Confirmation day again.

Procession'll go by here.

Go on working, of course, but you'll be able

to get a glance at your daughter.

[ Continues ]

- You'll be taking her away soon.

- Yes, that's right.

She should have a chance in the world.

- [ Whispering Prayer]

- [ Continues ]

[ Girls Singing In Latin ]

Five years ago Monsieur Madeleine

gave me this package...

with instructions to give it to you

when my daughter left the convent.

It's for the expenses of her education.

Monsieur Madeleine

must be a very good man.

He asks us to do him a favor

and then pays us for it.

She's very beautiful.

- You must take good care of her.

- She's all I have.

Good-bye, Mother.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

God bless you, my child.

Good-bye.

- Where are we going? What are we going to do?

- You'll see.

I've planned everything.

- What are they?

- Convicts.

But where are they going?

To the galleys.

Poor, unfortunate wretches.

Must they treat them that way?

God is just...

but men, sometimes, are unjust.

- Cosette. Are you ready?

- Yes.

What? Another new cape?

- You're getting to be more

the boulevard dandy every day.

- What's more, I like it.

Has anyone ever told you

that you're very beautiful?

No. But I hope it's true.

Many people have told me

I have a very handsome escort.

What are you thinking?

May it go on and on like this forever.

[ Applause, Cheering ]

What's that?

We, too, are all

for law and order and justice.

But the government takes no heed of

the constant cry of the people for reform!

[ Applause, Cheering ]

Let's stop here.

Driver, stop here a moment.

Make no mistake, my friends.

We are not here advocating

unlimited freedom for criminals...

nor the abolishment

of a rigid penalty for the guilty.

Quite the contrary. We believe the guilty

should pay for their crimes.

We are even in favor of a more strict

control of crime than now exists.

But we do protest against

the monstrous sentences inflicted...

and the inhuman prison system

as it stands today.

Men are given life sentences

for stealing a sheep.

They are sent to the galleys

for thefts amounting to a few francs.

[ All Cheering ]

Let's get out and listen.

I wouldn't go too far

from the carriage if I were you.

There may be trouble.

- If you're interested, sir.

- Thank you.

We're not revolutionaries, sir.

Politics are not our business.

I myself am a student of the law.

I have known something of the horrible

sentences inflicted on young men.

On boys, even.

Every day we see them sent to the galleys.

It's all so senseless.

No man, once branded, has a chance

of becoming a good citizen again.

You won't believe that, sir, but it's true.

To degrade men and women to the level of

beasts, and then turn them loose without even a-

without even a chance to make good...

is neither good justice, good morals

or even good business...

because there's nothing left for these fellows

to do but commit further crimes in order to live.

You won't believe that. You're good people and

don't realize how these poor wretches suffer.

But we want your aid

and the aid of all good citizens.

Our address is there if you feel

you'd like to help. We need funds.

- Come on!

- [ All Shouting ]

Run away! You'll be hurt!

Driver.

Break it up! Come on!

It's a dangerous game

these young students are playing.

The government's very down on them.

- Two hundred enough?

- Oh, yes.

Still, I, uh-

I think they're sincere.

Well, I'm sure he is.

He looked sincere.

I'll post it right away.

[ Knocking Continues ]

[ People Conversing, Faint ]

Oh, I thought you were the police.

Is Monsieur Marius in?

Come in.

You have a letter. You may leave it.

I want to deliver it personally,

if I may.

Oh. All right, come on.

Don't keep him long. He's busy.

It's late, and we're all hungry.

[ All Laughing ]

[ Door Slams ]

[ Men Whistling Melodies ]

When will you be speaking again?

Tomorrow, in the park.

Will you be there?

I shall be there.

Good-bye.

Good-bye.

- Who was she?

- Oh, just a sympathizer.

Oh. I can see that.

Marius, listen.

I've had enough work for tonight.

I'm chock-full of it.

But I still have room for a good meal.

- Forget it for once and let's go out tonight.

- Sorry. Too busy.

Too busy?

[ Laughing ]

If that thing on your face is a smile,

take it off and get on with your work.

Another thousand to do before supper.

Tomorrow, mademoiselle?

Tomorrow, monsieur.

Tomorrow, Cosette?

Tomorrow, Marius.

Darling, may I speak

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