Cosette will cling close, to stroke back his white hair while he swallows pills and water, and to hold his hand as he falls asleep, and to bend and kiss his forehead when he's only nearly asleep.

When she's quite, quite sure that he's sleeping -- only then does she draw away, just far enough to hide her face in Marius's shoulder. If he's still kneeling on the ground, so be it; she'll sink to the ground with him.

She'll speak to the doctor, her husband's dear friend -- their dear friend now, for she'll never forget this -- in just a moment or two. She'll be ready then. But for a little while, she only wants to be held.