# II: It Is Lucky That the Pont d’Austerlitz Bears Carriages explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

Jean Valjean, carrying Cosette, escapes through the streets of Paris, crosses the Pont d'Austerlitz, and enters a dark little street, believing he has lost his pursuers but then spotting four shadows on the bridge.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Sacrifice

Jean Valjean's desperate flight, carrying the exhausted Cosette, underscores his sacrifice and endurance for her safety.

## Character check-ins

### Jean Valjean

Flees with Cosette, carries her when she tires, pays toll on the bridge, and enters a dark street to evade pursuit.

### Cosette

Begins to tire, is carried by Jean Valjean, then walks briefly on the bridge before being taken into a dark street.

## Key lines

> He took advantage of their hesitation. It was time lost for them, but gained for him.

He used their moment of indecision to his advantage; their delay was his opportunity.

_Highlights Valjean's tactical use of his pursuers' hesitation._

> Every flight should be an imperceptible slipping away.

A successful escape must go unnoticed.

_Reflects Valjean's mindset of stealth and evasion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-it-is-lucky-that-the-pont-d-austerlitz-bears-carriages
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters