Fantine followed her instinct, especially as her daughter edged closer. "I know I'm sorry is inadequate," she said, trying to keep her calm, "but I didn't want to intrude. I had thought that you would want to make a life without the woman who could not afford to keep you." And yet she'd thought of her daughter, wondered so long. She just ... if it had been roles reversed, a strange woman walking back into her life would have been confusing.
"Your papa looks to have given you everything I couldn't," she finally said. "I'm so glad."