Combeferre helped Éponine back to Jehan's apartment, one arm wrapped around her to support her, his hands gripping her elbows lest she fall. Éponine was silent, a few stray tears still running down her sallow cheeks. Combeferre glanced at her occasionally. He was thankful that he had caught her before she had taken the diachylon. The base of diachylon was lead and if Éponine had downed the entire bottle as had been her plan, she would have died from lead poisoning. Diachylon, in small amounts, certainly could cause miscarriage while not killing the mother, but Éponine had nearly consumed a lethal amount. What was worrying was that she was not fazed by this in the slightest. Combeferre worried she might make more attempts on her own life. Marius's interest in this new girl had clearly been a blow, but Combeferre was determined to help her find reason to go on living. He was determined to make her see that her life held intrinsic value that had nothing to do with how Marius felt about her.

For now, however, he knew that what she needed was a friend. While he was more than willing to listen to her should she need a sympathetic ear, he knew that Jehan would be much better suited for the task. Jean Prouvaire was most definitely a people person and Combeferre knew that he would be much more comforting. So, he helped Éponine into the apartment building and up the set of stairs that led to Jehan's floor. He knocked on Prouvaire's door and it was almost instantly flung open by an excited Prouvaire, who was eager to hear how things had gone with Marius. When he saw Éponine's dejected figure, however, his expression fell.

"Oh, flower," he murmured, pulling Éponine into a hug. Éponine flung her arms around his neck and dissolved into tears once more. "Mon petit chou, come inside. Tell me all about it." And he led her over to the sofa. She sat down and Prouvaire returned to the door to bid Combeferre farewell. Combeferre gestured for him to follow him into the hallway and Jehan obliged.

"Keep an eye on her," said Combeferre quietly. "She tried to drink an entire bottle of diachylon to induce abortion and it would have killed her. She told me she wants to die."

Prouvaire's eyes widened. "What on earth happened?"

"From what she told me, it would appear that just as she was about to tell Marius her feelings for him, Marius became enamoured with another girl. I don't think he heard her confession, and I don't think she told him the baby is his."

"The poor dear," said Jehan sympathetically. "I'll look after her," he promised. "I'll keep her company."

"She couldn't be in better hands," replied Combeferre. "I'm afraid I have a class to get to. I'll check on her tomorrow."

"All right, I'll see you then."

"See you." With that, Combeferre left and Jehan went back inside.

Jehan approached the sofa where Éponine had curled up into a ball. He sat down next to her and rubbed soothing circles into her back. She didn't look up, but merely continued to cry. Gone were the days when she could wait until she was alone to cry. She was no longer in control of her emotions and she felt ashamed.

"Marius Pontmercy is a complete ass," Jehan told her. "And he isn't worth your tears."

Éponine sat up quickly. "Don't say that about him! He... H-He... didn't hear me. I-It's my fault."

"No, it most certainly is not," he told her firmly. "He should have been listening to you and not looking at other girls. Today was supposed to be about helping you feel better and Marius's focus should have been on you. Don't make excuses for him, Éponine. Be angry and I promise you'll feel at least a little better."

She shook her head. "I can't be angry with him. I... I'm not capable of it."

"Éponine, what exactly happened?"

"I... I was talking to him and... and I was starting to tell him how I felt. I was about to say the words when... wh-when I noticed he wasn't there. He had stopped a little while back and he... h-he was staring at her..."

"Did he talk to her?"

"No, they just... They were just looking at each other."

Prouvaire nearly laughed in relief. "Then I'm sure it's probably nothing. He just happened to see a pretty girl. You've still got a chance."

She shook her head. "No. No, you don't understand. You didn't see the looks on their faces. I know that look. I know what it means. I'm sure it's the look I have on my face when I look at him. It's the way I wish he would look at me. There was this... this burning look in his eyes. It looked as though he could see his entire future in her face, and she was looking at him the exact same way."

"But if they didn't talk, how will he even find her again? No name, no address. Paris is a big city, Éponine."

Éponine laughed miserably. "He asked me to find her."

Prouvaire stared at her for a moment. "Surely, you didn't—"

"I told him I would," and she laughed again. "I'm pathetic. I love him so much and... and I'll do anything to see him happy. This girl... She's his path to happiness. Even if it destroys me, I'm going to help him be with her. I... God, what is wrong with me?"

"Nothing is wrong with you," said Prouvaire gently. "You might just be the most generous, self-sacrificing person I know. But Éponine, you deserve happiness too. You're a good person."

"I'm not."

"You are, and I still think you should tell Marius how you feel."

"I won't."

"Éponine..."

"No, Jehan," she said firmly. "You can't convince me this time. I'm not telling him how I feel and he need never know that the baby is his. I'll take the secret to my grave. I... I can't take more heartbreak. I will not be able to withstand it."

"Oh, Éponine," he murmured, and he pulled her into his arms once more. She allowed him to do so and closed her eyes for a long moment.

"I wish... but it will never be..."

"Maybe it could be."

She shook her head. "You didn't see them. You don't understand..."