Chapter 10
"Well, what did you think?" questioned Marius as he and his friends re-entered their room.
"She's not bad, Marius. Not bad at all. I can see that you don't have bad taste," said Feuilly as he took his jacket off.
"I admit, she is much more than I expected. In a good way, of course. Why, she can carry out an intelligent conversation. Tell me, how many women can you talk to about science or Latin? Most women are more interested in the latest fashions or gossip."
"Not her, Enjolras. Not Eponine. She's lead a simple life, yet she knows so much. In fact, she said she liked you all as well. She'd be honored to see us again."
"If there's gonna be drinks, I'll make myself there." Grantaire stumbled about the room, until Joly and Marius grabbed him and put him to bed.
"Rotten, he is. Almost thought that toast was a disaster," said Joly.
"We can never do that again," laughed Enjolras. "No more meeting Eponine in the cafe." He turned serious. "She didn't feel comfortable around him. I could see it in her eyes. Surely you did as well, Marius."
"Yes I did," sighed Marius.
"Don't take it the wrong way, Marius. We all loved her," said Feuilly patting Marius on the back.
"Good. She's going to be around a lot more. She needs friends, especially at a time like this. France is not at its best."
"We all know that Marius. But the hour is late, and we need to rest."
As the men readied themselves for sleep, Marius drifted into a daydream. Staring out the window again, he recalled the first time he had ever met the mysterious Eponine. He rattled his brain for anything that might give him a better picture to what Eponine's life was really like. He climbed into his bed and closed his eyes. What was Eponine doing at this very moment while he slept here in the comfort of the university?
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"There you are! I've missed you all day!" Eponine ran into Montparnasse the second she saw him. "What have you been up to?"
"Looking for you mostly. Your father said he hadn't seen you and he got a little worried. I told him not to, though. I'd knew I'd find you. And look! I did."
"So, that's what you did all day? Look for me? That was perfectly stupid of you. Since when do I need a babysitter?"
"Since you've promised yourself to me."
She gave him a cold stare. "What is this now?"
Montparnasse pulled her into an alleyway and pushed her against the wall. "Do you think I'm stupid? Do you think that, 'Ponine? I did look for you all day, and I found you! Where, you ask? At the cafe. Living the high life with some of those students."
"I can't believe this, 'Parnasse!" she screamed trying to push him back. "You said that you were sorry that you were jealous!"
"But I never said I was over it! You expect me to trust you when you disappear and then I find you with five men!"
"We were talking! Now let me go!" She kicked him where it hurt, and he recoiled backwards. "You don't own me, Montparnasse! How dare you follow me and accuse me of such things! I don't know why I've been with you for so long! All you do is nag and accuse! You've almost gotten me in trouble with the law. And..."
She sunk down to the ground and pulled her knees to her face as she began to sob. Montparnasse moved towards her and draped his arm around her shoulder. She looked up at him, and then stood up.
"I can't be with someone who doesn't respect me. And that is you."
He stood up and put his hand around her waist. "Tell me what I need to do," he pleaded pulling her into a hug.
"You need to trust me. You need to give me space! You can't follow me anymore."
"I'll do that and more," he stated leaning in for a kiss.
She pulled back. "Don't say it. Do it." She leaned forward again and he kissed her. He pulled her down to the ground and began to laugh.
"Now I'm sure we've broken every law that Paris has set before us."
Montparnasse smiled. "We haven't done anything yet."
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A few weeks later, Eponine was walking down the street on a sunny morning in late February. The snow had melted and there was not a cloud in sight. She passed stands selling ripe melons and fine jewelry. Children ran through the crowd chasing one another, while their parents ran behind them.
As Eponine rounded a corner, she passed Enjolras. They both backtracked and greeted one another.
"Good morning, Enjolras."
"Same to you, Eponine." He looked up at the sky. "Lovely weather. I haven't seen a nicer day yet."
"I haven't any complaints," smiled Eponine.
Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit Eponine in the stomach. She looked ahead and saw Enjolras' mouth moving, yet she heard no sound. She took a step back and took hold of herself.
"Eponine. Are you well? What's the matter?"
She dashed ahead of him and around the corner into an alleyway. She started to become so sick that she had to prop herself up against the wall with one hand. As soon as she was finished, she felt a hand grab her shoulder.
"Eponine, you're sick. I'll get Marius. I just saw him in the square."
"No! Please don't get Marius!"
"Eponine, you are not well. I cannot leave you this way without a doctor's care."
She grabbed his hand and pulled him down. "Enjolras, listen to me. Please don't tell Marius. If he finds out, he'll never..."
"If he finds out what? What is going on Eponine! You have me scared to death!"
"Promise me that you won't tell a single soul."
"I swear to you, Eponine. I will not tell anyone."
"Especially not Marius."
"Eponine," he growled growing impatient.
She began to cry and looked into Enjolras' eyes. "Enjolras," she sobbed. "I'm with child."
"What did you say?"
"I said I'm pregnant. I'm going to have a baby."
"Who? How?"
"Never mind."
"To hell with that! Eponine, you tell me who it was that raped you, and I swear that justice will be done! I'll get a policeman now. Sir, excuse me!"
"Enjolras! No! You swore to me..."
"Can I help you, Monsieur?"
"Inspector, this woman here..."
"Ah, yes. My old friend," smiled Inspector Javeret. "How are you this day, Mademoiselle?"
"She is not well, Inspector. Eponine, tell him."
She looked longingly into Javeret's face and then into Enjolras'.
"Would you excuse me a moment, Inspector?" asked Eponine pulling Enjolras towards her.
"Of course," he said, stepping out into the street.
"He will help you, Eponine! We will all help you! That's what friends do!"
"You aren't listening to me! I wasn't raped! It was...of my own free will."
Enjolras stood in disbelief. He then turned to Javeret.
"Thank you, Inspector. I am sorry to have bothered you."
"No bother. Are you certain you are all right, Mademoiselle?"
"Indeed, Inspector. Thank you."
Javeret tipped his hat and walked down the street. Enjolras walked back and stood in front of Eponine.
"What do you mean of your own free will?" He emphasized the last four words.
"I freely gave myself to a man, who happens to be my fiancee." She stuck her ring in his face as if it were confirmation enough.
"What, may I ask, is so wonderful about this man that you are having his child before you get married to him?"
Eponine paused and then looked up into Enjolras' face.
"Nothing is wonderful about him," she said solemnly.
"Why are you engaged to this man if there isn't a single thing you can name that is a good quality about him?"
"Because I love him. I know it's foolish, but no matter how many times he does wrong, I need to take him back. I know it isn't a scientific or philosophical reason, but that's why. Now, you swore that you would tell no one, and I'm holding you to it. And if Marius finds out, I will hold you personally responsible."
"Eponine, I can't hide this. Especially from Marius, who gave you a chance when anyone else would have given not even a second glance."
"Then tell Marius. But then I'll have not a friend in the world and I'll be alone, unmarried and with a baby. Or you could tell no one, and my life will go on as planned."
"I won't tell anyone. For now. But you had better figure this out with that fiancee of yours, Eponine. There's only so much a friend can do."
"You've done more than enough, Enjolras. Thank you."
He left her and made his way down the street. He ran into Marius, causing Marius to stumble backwards.
"Careful, Enjolras! You should be more aware walking down the street," laughed Marius.
"Yes, indeed. More careful," muttered Enjolras sarcastically. He walked away without another word. As he left, Eponine approached Marius.
"What's the matter with him, 'Ponine?"
"I haven't a clue," Eponine offered weakly.
"Eponine, what's that?" She realized that he was pointing to her ring.
"This? Oh, it's my engagement ring." Eponine gave a delighted smile.
"Oh, Eponine!" Marius' face brightened as he pulled her close for a hug. "I am so happy for you," he said pulling back. "I must meet the lucky man!"
"That would be me, I presume."
"Montparnasse, I didn't know you were coming into town today."
"I decided to check up on some things." Eponine frowned to herself.
"Montparnasse, this is my friend Marius. Marius, this is Montparnasse, my fiancee."
"A pleasure."
"Delighted."
"Odd. Have we met before, Monseiour?"
"Have we, 'Ponine?"
"No. No, you have not."
"Strangest thing. I remember you from somewhere."
"Are you sure, 'Ponine?"
"I am sure! Alright!" She smiled after she realized that they were staring at her. "I'm sorry. I've been under some stress lately." She emphasized stress without meaning to.
"I must take my leave," Marius informed them. "Nice to meet you. Again."
"Same to you." He watched Marius walk into the cafe around the corner. "Eponine, I did meet him before. Why did you lie?"
"Because last time I introduced you to him as my guardian. This time it was as my fiancee. I couldn't have him remember that. It would be mortifying."
"Are you feeling alright? You look pale."
"I'm just fine."
"Alright. Your father wants me around. So, I'll see you soon."
"Okay." She kissed him and watched him walk away.
She started to walk in the other direction as her mind began to ache. She couldn't possibly tell Montparnasse that she was having a baby. If he followed her now, he sure wouldn't let her do anything now. Besides, already one person too many had found out; Enjolras. She did trust him with her secret, but he would be now the overprotective burden in the group she had come to love so dearly.
Love could not even describe what she had come to feel. Not only for Montparnasse, but for Marius as well. She had felt herself of the past weeks spending more and more time with him. She had grown to love his company and the conversations that they always had. When she found that she was carrying a child, she had tried extremely hard to keep it a secret by doing all the normal things she did with Marius and the other students, but she had restrained from such things as drinking at the cafe (something which Grantaire took as a personal insult).
No, it was decided. Marius was never to know of this. If he found out that she was to have a child out of wedlock, he would discontinue their friendship as fast as he could. Besides, she could only have him as a friend now. Now that she was emotionally and physically bound to Montparnasse, all she could do was stand back and smile at him.
"Well, what did you think?" questioned Marius as he and his friends re-entered their room.
"She's not bad, Marius. Not bad at all. I can see that you don't have bad taste," said Feuilly as he took his jacket off.
"I admit, she is much more than I expected. In a good way, of course. Why, she can carry out an intelligent conversation. Tell me, how many women can you talk to about science or Latin? Most women are more interested in the latest fashions or gossip."
"Not her, Enjolras. Not Eponine. She's lead a simple life, yet she knows so much. In fact, she said she liked you all as well. She'd be honored to see us again."
"If there's gonna be drinks, I'll make myself there." Grantaire stumbled about the room, until Joly and Marius grabbed him and put him to bed.
"Rotten, he is. Almost thought that toast was a disaster," said Joly.
"We can never do that again," laughed Enjolras. "No more meeting Eponine in the cafe." He turned serious. "She didn't feel comfortable around him. I could see it in her eyes. Surely you did as well, Marius."
"Yes I did," sighed Marius.
"Don't take it the wrong way, Marius. We all loved her," said Feuilly patting Marius on the back.
"Good. She's going to be around a lot more. She needs friends, especially at a time like this. France is not at its best."
"We all know that Marius. But the hour is late, and we need to rest."
As the men readied themselves for sleep, Marius drifted into a daydream. Staring out the window again, he recalled the first time he had ever met the mysterious Eponine. He rattled his brain for anything that might give him a better picture to what Eponine's life was really like. He climbed into his bed and closed his eyes. What was Eponine doing at this very moment while he slept here in the comfort of the university?
**************************************************************************
"There you are! I've missed you all day!" Eponine ran into Montparnasse the second she saw him. "What have you been up to?"
"Looking for you mostly. Your father said he hadn't seen you and he got a little worried. I told him not to, though. I'd knew I'd find you. And look! I did."
"So, that's what you did all day? Look for me? That was perfectly stupid of you. Since when do I need a babysitter?"
"Since you've promised yourself to me."
She gave him a cold stare. "What is this now?"
Montparnasse pulled her into an alleyway and pushed her against the wall. "Do you think I'm stupid? Do you think that, 'Ponine? I did look for you all day, and I found you! Where, you ask? At the cafe. Living the high life with some of those students."
"I can't believe this, 'Parnasse!" she screamed trying to push him back. "You said that you were sorry that you were jealous!"
"But I never said I was over it! You expect me to trust you when you disappear and then I find you with five men!"
"We were talking! Now let me go!" She kicked him where it hurt, and he recoiled backwards. "You don't own me, Montparnasse! How dare you follow me and accuse me of such things! I don't know why I've been with you for so long! All you do is nag and accuse! You've almost gotten me in trouble with the law. And..."
She sunk down to the ground and pulled her knees to her face as she began to sob. Montparnasse moved towards her and draped his arm around her shoulder. She looked up at him, and then stood up.
"I can't be with someone who doesn't respect me. And that is you."
He stood up and put his hand around her waist. "Tell me what I need to do," he pleaded pulling her into a hug.
"You need to trust me. You need to give me space! You can't follow me anymore."
"I'll do that and more," he stated leaning in for a kiss.
She pulled back. "Don't say it. Do it." She leaned forward again and he kissed her. He pulled her down to the ground and began to laugh.
"Now I'm sure we've broken every law that Paris has set before us."
Montparnasse smiled. "We haven't done anything yet."
**************************************************************************
A few weeks later, Eponine was walking down the street on a sunny morning in late February. The snow had melted and there was not a cloud in sight. She passed stands selling ripe melons and fine jewelry. Children ran through the crowd chasing one another, while their parents ran behind them.
As Eponine rounded a corner, she passed Enjolras. They both backtracked and greeted one another.
"Good morning, Enjolras."
"Same to you, Eponine." He looked up at the sky. "Lovely weather. I haven't seen a nicer day yet."
"I haven't any complaints," smiled Eponine.
Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit Eponine in the stomach. She looked ahead and saw Enjolras' mouth moving, yet she heard no sound. She took a step back and took hold of herself.
"Eponine. Are you well? What's the matter?"
She dashed ahead of him and around the corner into an alleyway. She started to become so sick that she had to prop herself up against the wall with one hand. As soon as she was finished, she felt a hand grab her shoulder.
"Eponine, you're sick. I'll get Marius. I just saw him in the square."
"No! Please don't get Marius!"
"Eponine, you are not well. I cannot leave you this way without a doctor's care."
She grabbed his hand and pulled him down. "Enjolras, listen to me. Please don't tell Marius. If he finds out, he'll never..."
"If he finds out what? What is going on Eponine! You have me scared to death!"
"Promise me that you won't tell a single soul."
"I swear to you, Eponine. I will not tell anyone."
"Especially not Marius."
"Eponine," he growled growing impatient.
She began to cry and looked into Enjolras' eyes. "Enjolras," she sobbed. "I'm with child."
"What did you say?"
"I said I'm pregnant. I'm going to have a baby."
"Who? How?"
"Never mind."
"To hell with that! Eponine, you tell me who it was that raped you, and I swear that justice will be done! I'll get a policeman now. Sir, excuse me!"
"Enjolras! No! You swore to me..."
"Can I help you, Monsieur?"
"Inspector, this woman here..."
"Ah, yes. My old friend," smiled Inspector Javeret. "How are you this day, Mademoiselle?"
"She is not well, Inspector. Eponine, tell him."
She looked longingly into Javeret's face and then into Enjolras'.
"Would you excuse me a moment, Inspector?" asked Eponine pulling Enjolras towards her.
"Of course," he said, stepping out into the street.
"He will help you, Eponine! We will all help you! That's what friends do!"
"You aren't listening to me! I wasn't raped! It was...of my own free will."
Enjolras stood in disbelief. He then turned to Javeret.
"Thank you, Inspector. I am sorry to have bothered you."
"No bother. Are you certain you are all right, Mademoiselle?"
"Indeed, Inspector. Thank you."
Javeret tipped his hat and walked down the street. Enjolras walked back and stood in front of Eponine.
"What do you mean of your own free will?" He emphasized the last four words.
"I freely gave myself to a man, who happens to be my fiancee." She stuck her ring in his face as if it were confirmation enough.
"What, may I ask, is so wonderful about this man that you are having his child before you get married to him?"
Eponine paused and then looked up into Enjolras' face.
"Nothing is wonderful about him," she said solemnly.
"Why are you engaged to this man if there isn't a single thing you can name that is a good quality about him?"
"Because I love him. I know it's foolish, but no matter how many times he does wrong, I need to take him back. I know it isn't a scientific or philosophical reason, but that's why. Now, you swore that you would tell no one, and I'm holding you to it. And if Marius finds out, I will hold you personally responsible."
"Eponine, I can't hide this. Especially from Marius, who gave you a chance when anyone else would have given not even a second glance."
"Then tell Marius. But then I'll have not a friend in the world and I'll be alone, unmarried and with a baby. Or you could tell no one, and my life will go on as planned."
"I won't tell anyone. For now. But you had better figure this out with that fiancee of yours, Eponine. There's only so much a friend can do."
"You've done more than enough, Enjolras. Thank you."
He left her and made his way down the street. He ran into Marius, causing Marius to stumble backwards.
"Careful, Enjolras! You should be more aware walking down the street," laughed Marius.
"Yes, indeed. More careful," muttered Enjolras sarcastically. He walked away without another word. As he left, Eponine approached Marius.
"What's the matter with him, 'Ponine?"
"I haven't a clue," Eponine offered weakly.
"Eponine, what's that?" She realized that he was pointing to her ring.
"This? Oh, it's my engagement ring." Eponine gave a delighted smile.
"Oh, Eponine!" Marius' face brightened as he pulled her close for a hug. "I am so happy for you," he said pulling back. "I must meet the lucky man!"
"That would be me, I presume."
"Montparnasse, I didn't know you were coming into town today."
"I decided to check up on some things." Eponine frowned to herself.
"Montparnasse, this is my friend Marius. Marius, this is Montparnasse, my fiancee."
"A pleasure."
"Delighted."
"Odd. Have we met before, Monseiour?"
"Have we, 'Ponine?"
"No. No, you have not."
"Strangest thing. I remember you from somewhere."
"Are you sure, 'Ponine?"
"I am sure! Alright!" She smiled after she realized that they were staring at her. "I'm sorry. I've been under some stress lately." She emphasized stress without meaning to.
"I must take my leave," Marius informed them. "Nice to meet you. Again."
"Same to you." He watched Marius walk into the cafe around the corner. "Eponine, I did meet him before. Why did you lie?"
"Because last time I introduced you to him as my guardian. This time it was as my fiancee. I couldn't have him remember that. It would be mortifying."
"Are you feeling alright? You look pale."
"I'm just fine."
"Alright. Your father wants me around. So, I'll see you soon."
"Okay." She kissed him and watched him walk away.
She started to walk in the other direction as her mind began to ache. She couldn't possibly tell Montparnasse that she was having a baby. If he followed her now, he sure wouldn't let her do anything now. Besides, already one person too many had found out; Enjolras. She did trust him with her secret, but he would be now the overprotective burden in the group she had come to love so dearly.
Love could not even describe what she had come to feel. Not only for Montparnasse, but for Marius as well. She had felt herself of the past weeks spending more and more time with him. She had grown to love his company and the conversations that they always had. When she found that she was carrying a child, she had tried extremely hard to keep it a secret by doing all the normal things she did with Marius and the other students, but she had restrained from such things as drinking at the cafe (something which Grantaire took as a personal insult).
No, it was decided. Marius was never to know of this. If he found out that she was to have a child out of wedlock, he would discontinue their friendship as fast as he could. Besides, she could only have him as a friend now. Now that she was emotionally and physically bound to Montparnasse, all she could do was stand back and smile at him.