He does not put his feet on it. In truth, he does not need the quilt either; Milliways is adequately heated even for a man who has been ill. But he would not object to her fussing for the world, it fills his heart with such joy.

'I would never grow sick of you Cosette, nor Marius either.'

He takes her hand, because he can. And what a marvellous thing that is.

'I will be a father to you always, if it is what you want. I have no right to it but you are very kind, you and your husband allow it, and I will not try to leave again.'

If anything is clear - to him, to all - it is that he cannot survive being without her.