Well, that first line punches me in the feels and gets right to the heart of something very true (and then twists it very sad and Not Right but ow, I can see how she gets there.) I like the juxtaposition you set up here: the arrival of this stranger and the color that comes with them in their coat that also opens up the vision that Cosette might get more than nothing, might yet steal herself a doll and hope and momentum to act on what she wants - this also opens her eyes up to tearing. It implies that she'd already got herself hope, enough to be vulnerable to feeling its loss.

And oh, that closing is very sweet: "leave together for a humble home where crying is permitted but neither of them need to" - oh yes.

Thank you for the gift of this. <3