[Jean Valjean lowers himself carefully into the water, keeping a firm grip of her with one hand and the edge of the hatch with the other. The chill of the water bites through his clothing, but he must ignore this if he wishes to succeed in this gamble.]
I will be all right.
[He reassures her because what point is there in the contrary, in worrying her? His clothes are heavy in the water, like so many slippery hands tangling his limbs and holding him back, but he has done this before, when he had thrown himself from the quay to escape the brand of a lifelong convict. Then he had not an overcoat, nor had he a girl in his grasp. Nevertheless, he puts his faith in his strength, and moreover in the strength of God to guide him through this.
And so, Jean Valjean kicks off from the side of the sinking ship and begins to swim.]
sorry for the delay
I will be all right.
[He reassures her because what point is there in the contrary, in worrying her? His clothes are heavy in the water, like so many slippery hands tangling his limbs and holding him back, but he has done this before, when he had thrown himself from the quay to escape the brand of a lifelong convict. Then he had not an overcoat, nor had he a girl in his grasp. Nevertheless, he puts his faith in his strength, and moreover in the strength of God to guide him through this.
And so, Jean Valjean kicks off from the side of the sinking ship and begins to swim.]