# Tariff of Licensed Cabs: Two Francs an Hour explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

Marius, having rediscovered the young woman he adores (Cosette) in the Jondrette garret, desperately tries to follow her departing fiacre but fails because he lacks the fare for a cab. He bitterly regrets giving away five francs earlier that morning. Meanwhile, he observes Jondrette conversing with a dangerous prowler named Panchaud (alias Printanier, alias Bigrenaille).

## Themes in this chapter

### The Human Condition and Fate

Marius's fate hinges on a lack of twenty-four sous, illustrating how small material circumstances can alter the course of love and happiness.

### Social Injustice and Poverty

Marius's poverty prevents him from following the woman he loves, while Jondrette's schemes and the presence of dangerous prowlers underscore the desperation of the poor.

## Character check-ins

### Marius Pontmercy

Desperate to follow the fiacre carrying Cosette and M. Leblanc, but lacks the fare; regrets giving away five francs.

### Cosette

The young girl in the garret who brings clothing and blankets; Marius is captivated by her presence.

### Thénardier

Disguised as Jondrette, seen conversing with Panchaud on the boulevard.

### M. Leblanc

Father of the young girl; departs in the fiacre that Marius fails to follow.

### Panchaud

Alias Printanier, alias Bigrenaille; a dangerous nocturnal roamer conversing with Jondrette.

## Key lines

> For the lack of four and twenty sous, he was losing his joy, his happiness, his love!

Because he was short by twenty-four sous, Marius was losing everything that brought him joy, happiness, and love.

_Highlights the cruel irony of Marius's situation._

> He might have told himself that M. Leblanc had promised to return in the evening, and that all he had to do was to set about the matter more skilfully, so that he might follow him on that occasion; but, in his contemplation, it is doubtful whether he had heard this.

Marius could have reminded himself that M. Leblanc said he would return that evening, and that he only needed to plan better to follow him then, but he was so absorbed in his thoughts that he probably didn't hear the promise.

_Shows Marius's distracted and obsessive state of mind._

## Links

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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters