Chapter 21: On Truces and the Lack Thereof

"The question is if we will even be allowed in the meeting to observe the proceedings."

Feuilly only smiled cryptically at Courfeyrac as they, along with Enjolras, walked up the street towards the Cafe Bon Vivant. "That depends on how well we present our arguments at the door. Besides I believe they have word, or rumors that some officials will be visiting."

"They will be expecting Lafayette, not a deputy," Enjolras pointed out in a terse undertone. He had not originally expected to be headed to the assembly; he had much to do now that the papers he had requested from Toulon had finally arrived. However at the last minute Lafayette had been summoned home by his wife, while some of Enjolras' other colleagues had other matters to attend to such as dinner, letters, other meetings, or the sudden appearances of relatives from outside Paris. 'Let every man to his excuses,' he thought as he adjusted the cuffs of his coat.

"But what deputies though!" Courfeyrac said, sounding a little more chipper now. "Enjolras, you need to only speak to whichever lady is at the door and she will let us in, certainly!"

"There are better ways of gaining admittance," Enjolras pointed out.

"Well we can see if Combeferre and Claudine are present. They told me to look for them when I arrived," Feuilly suggested. "Musichetta might be there; Joly mentioned it today. I don't know if Bahorel's mistress is interested in politics but maybe she might make an appearance soon. "

Enjolras saw a small smile cross Courfeyrac's face. "I may as well tell you; Paulette will be there," the younger man announced. "Finally you will make her acquaintance."

"You are in a better accord with her now?" Enjolras asked dryly.

"It's an uneasy truce but a truce nonetheless," Courfeyrac said.

"I didn't know you were avidly supporting this issue of women's suffrage," Enjolras said to Feuilly.

Feuilly adjusted his grubby cap. "I believe that the question of liberation is for all persons in any oppressed country—and that women are essential in this struggle. Therefore they deserve more than just representation," the fanmaker answered as they neared the cafe door. Some women were milling about there, chatting rather raucously as they distributed some leaflets to passers-by. A few of these ladies had puce ribbons decorating their sleeves and bonnets. At the sight of the three men, the younger girls in the group blushed and began tittering among themselves, only to receive sharp looks and upbraiding from their elders.

"Citizens. What is your business here?" one of the more matronly looking women greeted harshly.

"Observing the meeting, Citizenness. I understand that there was an invitation extended to the Hotel de Ville to send observers," Enjolras said cordially, refusing to be unruffled by this cold reception.

"The invitation was for Lafayette," the woman snapped. "Not for his lackeys."

It was just as well that right then, Claudine emerged from the cafe. "Madame Renault, they are friends,' she said calmly to the matron who'd accosted the young men. She smiled warmly at the newcomers. "I was expecting you'd be here, Feuilly, but not you two," she said, indicating Enjolras and Courfeyrac.

"Enjolras here is the observer. I'm here by Paulette's invitation," Courfeyrac replied.

"Ah yes, of course. She isn't here yet though. Combeferre can't make it tonight; he and Joly are taking over for some colleagues at this evening's shift," Claudine said, ushering them indoors. "Come on, I think the meeting will be called to order soon."

The Cafe Bon Vivant's front room was so full such that most of the cafe's tables had to be cleared away, and all the newcomers had to be content with standing at the periphery of the room. The din was almost deafening in that rather small space; in fact Enjolras could feel the beginnings of a headache coming on as he and Courfeyrac tried to make small talk with various ladies of the latter's acquaintance. Feuilly on the other hand had quickly found a few neighbours of his and was now quietly listening to some of their harangues. There were a few other men present, but they mostly kept to themselves in the corners of the cafe.

After a brief but rather engaging conversation with a few charming grisettes, Courfeyrac surreptitiously elbowed Enjolras. "After all this time, you're still so reserved!"

"Anything wrong with it?" Enjolras asked.

"Well any woman here would be thrilled for you to initiate a conversation," Courfeyrac chided lightly. "There must be someone here aside from Claudine who you can hold discourse with for longer than a minute at a time!"

"Perhaps with practice," the older lawyer quipped dryly.

Courfeyrac made a frustrated noise. "Any woman-well there are the Thenardier girls, but I doubt even the elder one would catch your fancy."

Enjolras gave his friend an exasperated look just as he saw Claudine rush again towards the doorway. He didn't have to crane his neck to get a good look at what was happening; more people had arrived, friends of Claudine's judging by the woman's enthusiastic greeting. 'Of course she invited Citizenness Laurain,' he thought, recognizing Musichetta's melodious chatter in the din.

Courfeyrac grinned widely and quickly made his way towards the door. "Paulette!" he greeted rather broad-shouldered woman with long chestnut hair. She and another girl were being introduced by Feuilly and Musichetta to some other women. The young lawyer took Paulette's arm and gently drew her aside to where Enjolras was still waiting. "Enjolras, meet Paulette Vigny. Paulette, my friend Enjolras. You have heard of him; he works with Lafayette."

"For once you are early, Maurice," the woman greeted, giving Courfeyrac a pinch on his arm. She smiled cordially at Enjolras. "It is good to finally meet you in person."

"I could say the same for you, Citizenness," Enjolras said, making a slight bow.

Paulette's cheeks turned pink for a moment before she smiled affectionately at Courfeyrac. "I know I promised to keep you company at this gathering, but I must also entertain a friend of mine," she said, indicating her friend, who had silently walked up to them.

Enjolras' eyes widened with astonishment when he realized who Paulette had brought with her. 'What finally prompted Eponine to come here?' he wondered silently as he nodded to this other newcomer. "Good evening Citizenness Thenardier."

"And to you too, Enjolras. When Paulette said that there'd be officials here, I didn't know she was referring to you," Eponine replied with an amused grin. She fiddled with the collar of her green dress. "I didn't think I'd end up here this evening."

"Actually I did not originally intend to be present either," Enjolras admitted. "Where are Azelma and your brothers?"

"At home. Azelma didn't want to come and besides the boys cannot stay up late. Well maybe Gavroche can but he has to go to classes tomorrow. So Azelma said she'd watch the boys," Eponine said.

"Are you sure she can manage herself?" Enjolras asked sceptically, remembering the sisters' row the night before.

Eponine shrugged. "Who else can I trust? Besides our concierge, Citizenness Leclair, is home tonight. That makes them all a little safer, doesn't it?"

"Perhaps," Enjolras said. It was clear though from Eponine's tone that she still had little confidence in her sister. "She's quite a sensible woman and I think your sister will not make trouble on her watch."

"Madame Leclair is quite formidable to keep up with you and Combeferre," Eponine remarked. "Maybe some time, I can arrange so that she and maybe even Azelma can see something like this too."

"That is a good idea," Enjolras concurred. 'I am not sure what Citizenness Leclair thinks of these matters, but at least it would be a good diversion for Azelma,' he thought. He saw that Eponine had brought out a book, specifically the one he had just lent to her. "How much of it have you finished reading?" he asked her curiously.

"A little. I only read when there are no customers about, which doesn't happen very often since everyone comes in for textbooks and those books by de Gouges," Eponine said. "It's confusing though, and I'm writing down words I don't really know so I can borrow one of Citizen Ravigard's primers and find out what they mean."

Enjolras had to hide a smile at the idea of Eponine thumbing through the books at the shop when her employer wasn't looking. "That is ingenious."

"You think so? I didn't read that much today either since I had to bring Azelma to the dressmaker's. And I visited Citizen Valjean too. Cosette was so kind to let me in." She looked down and bit her lip, as if unsure how to continue. "I didn't know he was so ill. I hope he won't die like my mother did because of being in prison."

"He has a better chance now that he is home with his family," Enjolras pointed out. He looked to where Musichetta, Paulette, Claudine, Courfeyrac, and Feuilly had now found some seats. "You should join them," he said, lightly touching Eponine's arm to guide her to the rest of the group.

She glanced at where his hand had rested, and for a moment a surprised smile crossed her face. "They'll be talking politics. I don't know enough about it yet," she said after a moment.

"You'll learn from listening to them. I'm sure Feuilly would be glad to answer some of your questions," Enjolras advised. He knew that his friend would not pass up an opportunity to be a teacher of sorts. "I'm certain that Citizenness Vigny and Citizenness Laurain also have a lot to say."

"I know. They've told me a lot while we were walking here and it's all been fascinating. Still, you're the one who is in the thick of things the most and I want to hear more about what you think of it," Eponine pointed out. "Won't you join us?"

"In a while," Enjolras replied, having just spotted in a nearby corner an acquaintance of his from the Courgarde. Before he could go over and greet his comrade, one of the matrons called the meeting to order, forcing Enjolras to find an inconspicuous spot near the cafe's stairwell, rather far from his friends. 'At least I won't miss much from here,' he decided, realizing that his vantage point gave him a good view of the proceedings at the front of the room, as well as of the doorway just a few paces off.

He was pleasantly surprised to find that the flow of the meeting was quite organized; Claudine and her companions had done their work well by designating particular persons to speak up and represent the group instead of giving the floor for anyone to speak as she pleased. 'Hopefully all of these ladies approve of this sort of parliament,' he thought as he brought out his pocketbook and a pencil to take his own notes of the proceedings. He knew it would be a good observation to make in their favour; with this and other good reports, the other officials of the provisional commissions would be more inclined to believe in the capacity of women to participate calmly and rationally in politics.

In the middle of a rousing debate about the minimum age required for voting, Enjolras noticed one of the girls standing next to the door step out and speak to someone standing in the street. The young woman ducked back into the cafe after a few moments and slipped over to where Eponine and her friends were seated. Enjolras felt an odd sense of disquiet as he saw Eponine's brow furrow while she began fidgeting again, but this time with the hem of her glove. At last she nodded and got up from her seat and headed outside despite some protestations from Claudine and Feuilly. Courfeyrac moved as if to follow her or at least eavesdrop at the door, but Enjolras caught his gaze and shook his head. "Leave her be," he mouthed.

Courfeyrac shook his head and made his way over to where Enjolras was seated. "She's meeting with Marius' cousin, that lancer Gillenormand."

"And what of it?"

"Enjolras, you know that even Madame Pontmercy, sweet and kind creature as she is, once told the ladies and in my hearing no less, that she would like to pelt a rock at him?" Courfeyrac glanced over his shoulder at where Eponine had gone. "Does Citizenness Thenardier know that?"

"Not that particular bit, but perhaps the impression," Enjolras answered. By this time the argument outside the door was growing audible enough for words to be distinguished even from where he was seated. 'That cannot be good,' Enjolras decided as he and Courfeyrac made their way to the door.

Eponine's voice was still low enough to pass for a whisper but her tone was definitely taut and terse. "It was Musichetta and Paulette who invited me here. They-the gentlemen I mean, have nothing to do with it, I promise!"

"And what about me? You know we meet, and I came tonight to your house and found out from your sister you weren't home. You don't have to take up every invitation that comes your way," Theodule retorted. His voice was soft too, but now sounded a shade more imperious.

"It's only just once! They are my friends, we aren't doing anything wrong." The light sound of scuffing boots was just distinguishable beyond this heated exchange. "Now please I have to go back inside, we can meet tomorrow-"

"Eponine, you have to stop this foolishness. All this talk of women actually being able to vote is not going to amount to much, you know how the government thinks."

"It's not a silly idea, as you keep telling me. There are so many people here, not just the ladies. That has to count for something!"

"It's not respectable!"

"There are ladies there, bourgeoisie like Madame Pontmercy. Of course it's respectable!"

"Because-it's not what's done, you know there are better things you can be doing. Not these ideas of reading, attending meetings when you have to be practical. "

"I take care of my sister and my brothers, and I have been doing just fine at the bookshop, so I'm not being impractical!"

"Eponine, this is no place for us to argue, let's go elsewhere-"

"I'm staying."

"What? Come on, we can get dinner—"

"Let go of me!"

The sound of someone falling hard against the pavement was enough for Enjolras and Courfeyrac to rush out into the street to break up the fight. When they stepped out, they found Theodule half-sitting in the gutter while Eponine stood a few paces away, with her back to the wall and her face indignant. Her right hand was clenched into a fist, as if she was preparing to ward him off. Some passers-by were staring at them but no one dared to go near.

The lancer muttered something and got to his feet, dusting mud off his now soiled uniform. "You have been giving her ideas." His eyes narrowed accusingly at Enjolras. "You have been lending her books, I know it."

"I don't deny it," Enjolras said mildly. "Nevertheless this does not change the fact that if Citizenness Thenardier wishes to finish this meeting, you are in no position to hinder her," he added, looking straight at the lancer.

Theodule's mustache twitched as he regarded Enjolras for a long moment, during which it seemed as if he would either turn on his heel or actually hit the other young man. "You're bringing her away from her place. Into danger. I will not let you do this to her," he growled.

Before Enjolras could say anything, Eponine had stepped away from the wall and was now standing between them. "Theodule, that is not the way it is," she said clearly. She was standing up straight, taller than Enjolras had ever seen her before. "I'm not afraid of what you can say or of what you can do to me. I've faced more dangerous men than you."

"Stop being so stubborn!" Theodule said exasperatedly. "Why can't you be like other girls—"

"What, fine and respectable and following you every which way?" Eponine laughed bitterly as she looked up at Theodule. "You're a funny man, Theodule. You knew who I am, and yet you still expect me to be something different?"

Theodule's expression was unreadable as he regarded the girl. "I simply do not expect any respectable woman to hold on so strongly about things that shouldn't be her business."

Enjolras cleared his throat to catch their attention even as he noticed out of the corner of his eye that Courfeyrac had gone back inside the cafe and was now waiting at the door with Feuilly and another friend in tow. "I'll leave you two to settle this," Enjolras said firmly to Eponine and Theodule. "Let me make one thing clear though, Citizen Gillenormand: if you lay a hand on Citizenness Thenardier, I will not hesitate to intervene as well as make this matter known even to your commanding officer."

Theodule blanched momentarily at this warning but he looked Enjolras in the face. "I would never do such a thing," he muttered.

"I will hold you to that," Enjolras replied sternly before going back inside the cafe. "We'd better leave them alone," he said to the men, motioning for them to step away from the door.

"But not too far though-" Feuilly cautioned. He sighed at the questioning looks that Musichetta, Paulette and Claudine gave them. "A disagreement," he said.

Claudine rolled her eyes. "The only way there will be any lasting peace with those two is if Eponine keeps her opinions to herself, which is not something she is inclined to."

"He didn't do anything to her, did he?" Musichetta asked Enjolras.

"No, it was the other way around," Enjolras replied before listening once again to the debate. Some accord was rapidly being reached regarding the point that the age could be lowered to seventeen-the same age when a young woman could be held accountable for a misdeed and be sentenced to an actual prison term at Saint Lazare. 'An ironic precedent, he thought.

At length, the cafe door creaked open and Eponine slipped in. Her face wasn't pale or wan, but she was biting her lip. Musichetta immediately drew her down to sit beside her and clasped her wrist. The younger girl sighed before murmuring something that had Musichetta and the other women nodding. "There, there, it could come right if you give him enough time," Paulette was heard to say.

"I s'pose it was silly for me to think he'd understand. Cosette warned me so already," Eponine said as she smoothed out her skirt. "Well he's gone on home to the barracks now. I don't know if he'll want to see me tomorrow."

"If he stays away because of this it is his problem, not yours," Musichetta said seriously.

Eponine sighed. "I like him. I thought that he could like me too."

Fortunately for Enjolras it was at that moment that the sound of applause came from the front of the room, signalling the end of the debate. 'Of all times to be distracted,' he chided himself, wishing he'd thought of jotting down more of the goings-on instead of eavesdropping on his friend. However he could see that Eponine was still perturbed, if the way she picked at her gloves was any indication. 'Maybe she'll have something more to say about it later or tomorrow,' he thought as he brought out his pocketbook again to continue making notes.

The rest of the evening was lively, from the continuing debates onto the actual drafting of a petition to bring to Lafayette. "It has to be delivered by tomorrow; there is no time to lose," Claudine informed Enjolras towards the end of the meeting while some of the women present affixed their signatures or marks to the document.

"Perhaps you can see to that personally, young man?" a crone crooned.

Enjolras paused, knowing instantly that he'd been pretty much trammelled into this errand and that outright refusal was out of the question. "I will do my best," he said diplomatically.

"Not just to Lafayette. The others on the constitutional committee should know too," Feuilly suggested.

Enjolras nodded and clapped his friend on the shoulder. "That idea is far more feasible," he agreed. Lafayette had little time nowadays to personally look over petitions, and furthermore he was just one voice in the multitude. However the other men on the constitutional commissions were more accessible, at least to Enjolras. They too would have a say in the matter and their combined opinions could make or break the final decision.

He stepped to one side in order to let Eponine take her turn to sign the petition. He could not help but notice how Eponine gripped her pen; it was evident that at least she had been schooled enough to handle it properly instead of clumsily clutching it as some other men and women were wont to do. Her signature was smooth and flowing, the only embellishment being a slight flourish underneath the last r in 'Thenardier'.

"I used to make it look like a rose," Eponine confessed, realizing that Enjolras had seen how she wrote her name. "Then Papa told me it was silly and messy."

"It's not usual, at least," Enjolras said. After all who was he to argue; his own handwriting occasionally became illegible especially when he was tired. He waited for the ink on the petition to dry before helping to roll it up and seal it. By this time the familiar sounds of the night patrol had long left the streets, and most of the assembly-goers including Paulette, Courfeyrac, Claudine, Feuilly, and Musichetta had departed for their homes.

He noticed that Eponine had sat down at a table, apparently to continue reading through Rousseau, but she was so drowsy such that she was already resting her chin on the table and simply staring at the text. The very sight of her was quite odd; Enjolras knew that she was capable of going home by herself since she seemed to have little fear of the dark streets. Now he had no choice but to accompany her.

"It's time to go, Citizenness," he said, touching her shoulder to shake her awake.

She smiled sleepily and stretched before getting to her feet. "That took long."

"Maybe you should have gone on ahead," he said.

She shook her head as she picked up her shawl and threw it about her shoulders. "We live in the same building, it would only make sense to return home at the same time," she pointed out.

'Well it is not as if either of us object to the situation,' he thought as he held the door open for her as they left the cafe. Some of the lamps on the street were sputtering out, lending a slightly eerie light to the premises. Enjolras looked up and down for a fiacre, but Eponine ran on ahead. "Wait a moment!" he called to her.

"You're the one who's walking slowly!" she hollered. She stopped and looked up at the starlit sky. "Look, even the moon is about to set. I used to wait for this sort of hour."

"Why?"

"I'd go out. It would be dark and no one would see me. I liked it since I could see the stars much better that way. There are many more of them you can see when the moon isn't there; it's as if they are just waiting for the bright light to go away."

'Much like Patron-Minette?" Enjolras wondered as he walked up to her. "Weren't you ever afraid?"

She shook her head. "Do you think they will really allow it?" she asked more seriously. "I mean, could anything good happen with that petition?"

"I cannot predict the outcome, but it is good to see that there are many who sympathize with this cause," he said.

"Such as you?"

"I understand the merits of it," Enjolras replied.

Eponine looked down, as if she was struggling with something. "That is good to know, Enjolras," she finally said. She did not say anything more as they walked back to the Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, but the silence did not seem all that uncomfortable. In fact, Enjolras might have dared to think it was necessary, if only to prevent either of them from saying anything potentially upsetting.

It was only when they were at the doors of their respective rooms that Eponine let out a sigh."You know, Theodule would be furious if he saw us like this," she said.

"Perhaps next time you can remind him to accompany you instead?" Enjolras asked dryly.

"To where?" Eponine said wryly. She already had her key out but she made no effort to open her door. "Thank you for walking with me. Good night Enjolras."

"Good night Citizenness Thenardier," Enjolras replied as he began looking for his keys.

Eponine shook her head. "You could call me Eponine. It would be the same as calling Citizenness Combeferre 'Combeferre', I think."

'It was only a matter of time till she brought that up,' Enjolras thought. "I'm only trying to be courteous," he informed her. "A lot of people are also this way even when speaking to relatives."

"Maybe in the big houses and manors," Eponine retorted. "Could you please try saying my name?"

"Eponine." Surprisingly, the word felt rather easy on his lips. He looked her in the face, wondering what more she wanted him to say "Very well then. Good night, Eponine."

"There. I like hearing you say that," she said with a smile before letting herself into the room.