As they walked into the dining hall, Henri was careful to mind his manners. Still, he did not know what to do. The room was grand and elegant, like nothing Henri had ever seen. What if he made some grand faux pas in etiquette? They would surely think him but a poor country doctor's son, not well-bred enough to know basic manners. Thankfully, Julien was right there beside him to gesture him to his seat. When Henri moved to sit down, Julien whispered out of the corner of his mouth, "Don't sit yet. Wait for my mother and father to enter."

After a moment, a lordly man and a lovely lady entered the room. Henri immediately took a liking to Julien's mother. Bubbly, light, and beautiful, Madame Enjolras' demeanor could be described as nothing but infectious friendliness and warmth. And she looked so like his Julien. The man Henri assumed to be Julien's father was a bit forbidding. Dark and tall, he was not a particularly big man, but his presence could easily dominate a room.

"Mére, Pére. Ceci est mon bon ami, Henri Combeferre," said Julien, gesturing to his friend.

Henri gave a polite bow and said, "Thank you very much for having me, Monsieur et Madame Enjolras."

The man spoke first in response. "Je suis Le Marquis de Provence, Armand Enjolras." He bowed lightly. "And this is my wife, Clarice." Enjolras's mother curtsied.

"We are so pleased to have you in our home. Please feel free to ask for anything you need during your stay here," said Enjolras's mother in the most lovely and reassuring voice Henri had ever heard. He felt truly welcome by her.

"So, let's eat!" said Monsieur Enjolras robustly. He pulled out a chair for his wife, and she was seated, then the servants pulled out chairs for the men, and they sat. Henri wondered curiously at all the ceremony. The footmen began to serve. Though he had soup in his bowl, Henri wisely did not touch it yet, following Julien's example.

After everything was doled out, Monsieur Enjolras said, "Let us pray." Everyone bowed their heads and clasped their hands, so Henri did the same. He was, of course, Catholic, but his family rather nonchalantly practiced. Monsieur Enjolras presently finished his prayer, and all said "Amen." Then the head of the house tucked into his soup, and everyone, at last, followed suit.

The soup was wonderful. Tomato and basil, just right for summer. But in a moment, Henri's attention was drawn from his soup as Julien's father spoke.

"So, boys, how was the term? I trust the exams went well?"

"Oui, Pére, exams went well for us both."

"Good," Monsieur Enjolras nodded in approval. "Henri," he began, turning to his guest, "Julien hasn't been up to any more trouble, has he? I've had complaints a bit too often from frustrated schoolmasters in the past few years. They say he speaks out of turn." Though he smiled good naturedly, Henri somehow got the impression that this was no playful jibe at his son. Still, he answered as tactfully as he could.

"No, sir, Julien is a very good student." This was true, but Henri smiled fondly to himself at the memory of his last passionate political outburst in physics a few weeks ago. Something about Galileo's repression by the Church. "He just likes to speak his mind, that is all." He added, sharing a little grin with Julien.

"That's our Julien," interjected Madame Enjolras kindly, smiling at her son as if his troublemaking was the absolute joy of her heart. Henri got the impression that it actually was. He knew that Julien loved his mother better than his father, and he was beginning to see why.

"Yes, boy, you would do well to put that passion for arguing into the Law," said Julien's father gruffly. "Say, how would you like me to send you to university in Paris next autumn?"

Julien's eyes widened, and he imperceptibly glanced at Henri before replying, "Pére, so soon?"

"Nonsense, boy, you're already nearly fifteen, and you'll be sixteen by the time you attend. Time you started acting like a man."

Julien sat and pondered for a moment, ignoring his father's jibe at his manhood. He was well used to such disapproval by now. He would love to go to university, and get away from all he hated about boarding school. He would love to live in Paris. But what about Henri? Would he be able to come with him? For now, though, he needed to give his father an answer. "Yes, Pére, I would like that very much."

"Good, it's settled."

Unbeknownst to Julien, Henri's heart sank. What if I am unable to attend? What if my father won't let me? Then Julien and I will be separated.

The next course came in then, and Henri was broken out of his glum thoughts by a comment directed towards him. "I hope you like rabbit, Henri," said Julien's mother.

Henri stared hungrily at the delicious food being served. He never had such things at home. "Oh, I do Madame, yes."

"Oh, good," she said sincerely, and Henri was left with the feeling that she really did care. He liked Julien's mother very much.

"So, Henri, what would you like to study at university?"

"My father is a physician, Madame, and I would very much like to follow in his footsteps. I want to help people, and find a useful place in the world." Henri said this with much passion. He had wanted to be a doctor for his whole life, and whenever he spoke of it, his enthusiasm seemed to flow out into the room. Julien smiled to himself and thought: He is so beautiful when he speaks like that.

"That is wonderful, Henri. I wish you all the best in pursuing your dream. Julien is lucky to have found a friend like you," Madame Enjolras said. Henri was filled head to toe with the pleasure of her compliment. He could not help but think: This wonderful lady is all warmth, kindness and sincerity. However did she manage to marry a gruff old chanticleer like M. Enjolras?

The rest of the evening passed unremarkably. Further conversation with the Enjolrases only served to solidify his first impressions. Julien looked well enough, so Henri resolved not to worry about university until he had had a chance to write his father. Finally, it was time for bed. The boys retired to their rooms. When they had reached their doors, they faced each other in the corridor.

Julien looked around quickly, and then embraced Henri. "Goodnight, dear. Sleep well. I shall see you in the morning."

Henri smiled, cupped the blonde boy's cheek, and kissed him chastely but lovingly. "Goodnight, cheri."

Then they turned and opened their doors, and went to bed. Lying there alone in a grand four-poster, Henri missed Julien. Without the warmth of his body next to him, he felt alone. He drifted off to sleep with memories today's fierce, wonderful, golden kiss.