2.8.5 Chapter Discussion (Spoilers up to 2.8.5)

Note that spoiler markings don't appear on mobile, so please use the weekly spoiler topic, which will be posted every Saturday, if you would like to discuss later events.

Link to chapter

Discussion prompts - I have taken them directly from last year's discussion because of a family health emergency:

1. A little time jump here: “everything had gone smoothly and there had been no mishaps.” Were you surprised not to get more detail about the day between the last chapter and this one?
2. “Fauchelevent felt utterly confident.” Fate was tempted and things have now gone wrong! How do you think Valjean and Fauchelevent are going to get out of this?
3. What do you think of the new gravedigger?
4. Other points of discussion? Favorite lines?

Last line

‘What a joke!’ Fauchelevent repeated in dismay.

Link to the 2020 discussion