I found her wandering in the woods,
This little child.
I found her trembling in the shadows
And I am here to help Cosette
I will settle any debt you may think proper
I will pay What I must pay
To take Cosette away.
There is a duty I must heed,
There is a promise I have made.
For I was blind to one in need,
I did not see what stood before me.
Now her mother is with God.
Fantine's suffering is over.
And I speak here in her voice,
And I stand here in her place.
And from this day, and ever more
Mme. Thenardier
May I take your coat M'sieur?
Valjean
Cosette will live in my protection
Thenardier
You are very welcome here
Valjean
And I will not forsake my vow
Thenardiers
Take a glass, take a chair
Valjean
Cosette will have a father now
Thenardier
What to do? What to say?
Shall you carry our treasure away?
What a gem! What a pearl!
Beyond rubies is our little girl!
How can we speak of debt?
Let's not haggle for darling Colette!
Dear Fantine, gone to rest
Have we done for her child what is best?
Shared our bread, shared each bone
Treated her like she's one of our own!
Like our own, Monsieur!
Valjean
Your feelings do you credit, sir
And I will ease the parting blow
Let us not talk of bargains or bones or greed
Now, may I say, we are agreed?
Mme. Thenardier
That would quite fit the bill
If she hadn't so often been ill
Little dear, cost us dear
Medicines are expensive, M'sieur
Not that we begrudged a sou
It's no more than we Christians must do!
Thenardiers
One thing more, one small doubt
There are treacherous people about
No offense, please reflect
Your intentions may not be correct?
Valjean
No more words, here's your price.
Fifteen hundred for your "sacrifice"
Come, Cosette, say goodbye,
Let us seek out some friendlier sky.
Thank you both for Cosette
It won't take you too long to forget.
Interlude
Valjean
Come, Cosette, come, my dear
From now on I will always be here
Where I go, you will be.
Cosette
Will there be castles,
And children to see?
Valjean
Yes, Cosette,
Yes, it's true
There's a castle just waiting for you
Outro