Dinner Arrangements

"Of all awkward things..." Eponine thought as she feverishly ran from one end of the house to another. Despite the inclement weather, it seemed as if her family was still up to playing host to a whole crowd of people. In the front room, Azelma and her mother chatted with Courfeyrac, Combeferre, Jehan, Bossuet, and Enjolras. In the kitchen, however, her father was deep in discussion with Patron-Minette.

"You sent for me, mon pere?" she asked her father as she opened the kitchen door.

"Oui, we need you to answer some things," Thenardier said. "But that all depends, fee, on what you know, about that Baron Pontmercy's situation."

"I know a good deal."

"Do you know where he lives, and what he's been doing?"

Eponine glanced to the front room. "He lives with his friends---well, he was supposed to be renting a place with M. Lesgle, but M. Courfeyrac's taken him in. 16 Rue de la Verrerie. He works translating books, and he comes by Les Halles often, and sometimes works with those Republicans," she recited, ticking off information on her fingers.

Babet whistled. "That's a good deal to remember about one young lawyer."

"Ah oui. I'll have a hard time remembering it all," Thenardier laughed. "Perhaps, fee, you'd like to call on the Gillenormands for me tonight, as far as the front room, and tell the old man what he wants to know. He misses his grandson dearly, to cheer him up."

Eponine paused, as if considering this offer. She was all too-familiar with these frontroom chats, and their consequences. However, above all of this, she was aware as well of the consequences. "Non, Papa. I think I shan't tonight. I cannot do it," she said.

"And why not?" Brujon asked testily.

"Because Marius won't approve if I tell his grandpere what he's been doing." Eponine thought indignantly. She bit her lip as she glanced towards the door. "I think I heard talk of Zelma and me being invited to dinner tonight," she said.

Montparnasse gave her a sideways glance. "With who?"

"M. Courfeyrac, and possibly some other young men." Eponine said. She dared to only drop one name; that of the man who she did not want, and was obviously not interested in her.

However, Thenardier grinned at the other men. "She's warming up to that gentleman."

Eponine took the opportunity to flee the room and reenter the parlor. "Azelma! What are we doing later?" she asked breathlessly.

Azelma looked up. "Nothing, why?"

Eponine took a seat. "If the weather is better, can we go out for dinner, sil vous plait? Maman, I know you're tired, so you can rest. We'll be alright, you see," she said quickly.

"It's New Year's Eve, I don't see why not?" Bossuet said. "What do you say, mes amis?"

Enjolras raised an eyebrow. "Why the sudden enthusiasm, Mlle. Thenardier?" he asked Eponine.

Eponine turned to him and smiled. "You'll see, cher. Oh don't be disagreeable, I think it should be fun to not worry for a change."

"You're stating the obvious," Combeferre said. "Well, if it is fine with everyone..."

"Not the Depardieu, I beg you." Courfeyrac said. "The food there---"

"The Musain then," Jehan suggested.

"Well, no harm in old haunts...unless the gendarmes are still watching." Combeferre said. "We should find Grantaire. He usually knows the best places to go."

'And he'll insist on coming along?" Enjolras asked.

Eponine and Azelma exchanged a knowing look. "It shouldn't be so bad..." Eponine teased.

"Grantaire mentioned the Bon Vivant," Jehan said. "We can meet there, at seven. Or we can go directly there..."

Mme. Thenardier got up. "I'll tell the servants to get your dresses ready," she said to Eponine and Azelma. "I'm sure you'll all have a lovely time."

Enjolras bit his lip as he watched the overblown woman leave the room. "Indeed." he muttered, noting the suddenly gleeful look on Eponine's face. Obviously, it was not because he would be coming along.