Cossette, knowing that he was beautiful, lost the grace to ignore him; Exquisite grace, because beauty enhanced by simplicity is ineffable, and there is nothing more worthy of worship than a dazzling innocence that carries in hand, without knowing it, the key of a paradise.
In Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," the character Cossette is entranced by beauty, which brings about a change in her demeanor. Her awareness of beauty stirs a graceful response within her, revealing how deep and overwhelming an attraction can be. This reaction highlights the profound charm that comes when beauty is paired with simplicity, suggesting that such purity holds an unexplainable allure.
The quote emphasizes that true beauty, characterized by innocence and simplicity, is deserving of reverence. It positions this innocence as a gateway to a paradise, indicating that those who possess it carry an intrinsic value without even realizing it. This idea speaks to the transformative power of beauty and the deep emotional responses it can evoke in others.
