Gabriel and Lieutenant Bellard had the first watch. The others went to sleep, and Gabriel looked up to see Enjolras at the balcony of a building behind the barricade. He was looking directly at him, and then made a motion with his head. He wanted to talk.
"Bellard, wake Toussaint and tell him to watch with you. I have business to take care of."
"But sir..."
"Do as I say." Gabriel climbed up the barricade. The students made to strike, but Enjolras yelled out.
"Let him pass!"
The young men looked at him with menace, but let him through. He climbed the stairs to the upper room. Enjolras stood near the window.
"I assume you want to speak to me," Gabriel said. He kept the posture of a general. Now that he saw the other man up close, he could see that the burden behind his eyes was very great.
"Yes. I want you and your men to withdraw from this fight."
"We will do no such thing. What makes you think that you can defeat us?"
"What makes you think that you can defeat Patria? There are other barricades. Other cities. The people of Paris will come to our aid."
"The people of Paris will do no such thing. Mark my words, Enjolras, they will not come and help you."
"Have you no faith in your country, Dejardin?"
"I do. That is why I'm fighting for it."
"You are fighting for tyrants and gluttons."
"You will die! You will all die unless you withdraw. Abandon your weapons and flee."
"And be named coward for all the revolution? No."
"Then you will perish. And your precious Patria with you. We will hold fire until the first shot. I cannot say the same for the police. I beg you to reconsider, Enjolras."
"I will not."
"God have mercy on you." Gabriel left the room. He couldn't stand to be here.
