Following Fantine’s descent into prostitution, Bamatabois tries to sleep with her. She refuses him, and subsequently he calls Inspector Javert. He does not want to hear the full story, and he’s fully prepared to send her to jail. But, Valjean shows up and extends mercy to her. Fantine, thinking he’s mocking her, yells and pleads with him. He then promises to find and protect her daughter, Cosette, whom Fantine believes to be close to death.