Book Eight: A Counter-Blow (Part One: Fantine)
Chapter 1: In what Mirror M. Madeleine contemplates his Hair, 19.60-19.77%
At dawn Sister Simplice gets a shock when Madeleine appears silently in the infirmary. He asks after Fantine, and Simplice tells him that she was very ill, but it a bit better now she thinks he's coming with Cosette. She then realises that his hair has turned white, and shows him in a mirror. She suggests he go and fetch Cosette quickly, so they don't have to diabuse Fantine of this belief, but he says he should see her now. She's asleep, clearly close to death, but as he watches her she wakes and says "And Cosette?"
Chapter 2: Fantine Happy, 19.77-20.02%
She tells him that she saw him in her dream, and asks why he hasn't brought Cosette to her bedside. Madeljean can't answer, but the doctor turns up and tells her that they have Cosette, but she's not allowed to see her until she's healthy. Fantine protests at first, but soon apologises and promises to "be good". She talks to Madeljean about Cosette. Then she suddenly stops, terrified by something behind him. It's Javert.
Chapter 3: Javert Satisfied, 20.02-20.26%
Valjean had left the courtroom at 12.30am, and got back to Montreuil sur Mer just before 6. Meanwhile, the prosecuting lawyer bloke had tried to claim that he still thought Champmathieu was Valjean, but clearly no-one agreed with him. They let Champmathieu go, and sent an order for Madeljean's arrest to Javert in M. sur M. It reached him just as he was getting out of bed, and now, although to the casual observer he would appear as composed as ever, he's actually freaking out. He's filled with a terrible joy.
Chapter 4: Authority reasserts its Rights, 20.26-20.51%
Fantine is sure Javert has come for her, but Valjean tells her that's not the case. Javert calls him "tu" and grabs him by the collar, and Fantine is totally shocked. Valjean asks for a word in private, but Javert says no. So Valjean tells him he needs three days to fetch Cosette, and Javert refuses. Fantine is again shocked, and Javert yells at her. She dies. "You have murdered that woman" says Valjean, but Javert doesn't care. Valjean tears an iron bar off a bed, and warns Javert not to disturb him while he whispers something to Fantine. Then he turns back to Javert and says "I am at your disposal."
Chapter 5: A Suitable Tomb, 20.51-20.86%
Javert puts Valjean in prison. As soon as the people of the town hear that their mayor was a convict, they almost all turn against him. His portress was one of the few that didn't, and that evening she automatically puts Valjean's key and candlestick in their usual place by the door. She's amazed when he comes to pick them up, having broken out of prison somehow. He tells her to fetch Sister Simplice, then goes up to his room and wraps up the bishop's candlesticks in an old shirt. Simplice comes in, and he gives her a letter for Monsieur le Curé, saying what's to be done with his money: paying the expenses of his trial and Fantine's funeral, and donating the rest to the poor. They hear Javert come in downstairs, because of the light in Valjean's room. Valjean hides, and Simplice pretends to be praying. Javert comes in and asks her if she's alone, and if she's seen Valjean. She lies. He leaves, because of course he trusts her absolutely. An hour later Valjean was heading for Paris. The cure, wanting more money left for the poor, gave Fantine a pauper's funeral, and an unmarked grave.