In Which Henri Flies into a Little Temper.

"Why, if it isn't little Henri!"

Henri stopped his slow trudge and turned swiftly round as the familiar voice reached his ears. A tall young man was smiling gravely at him, books in one arm and even more books in the other! He was standing a few feet away, and Henri thought he looked like an angel from heaven as he walked towards him in the sunshine.

The smile had not disappeared as the newcomer continued: "I was wondering where you were. You know I am a keen observer, Henri," said he with a laugh, "Didn't you think I'd notice you weren't listening to my 'lectures' any more?"

Henri, whose little face had begun to shine with pleasure, replied with a rather warm flush to his cheeks, "I was busy, Monsieur Enjolras. That is all. But why are you in such good spirits? That's a rare bright look in your eyes, monsieur."

Another laugh escaped the young man, which was rather sharp and hurt Henri's ears, if not his tender heart, for unknown to Enjolras, the little child was one of his greatest admirers. "Do you think you're going to sway me by changing the subject? Well! I'll find out what you've been up to, little urchin!"

"No, you shan't," said the boy boldly, "I'll never tell anyone, and you'll have to be satisfied with that. Come; tell me why you're in such a fine mood."

But the former words of the gamin were useless, for behind him a breathless voice cried, in a chagrined yet obviously relieved, tone, "Where have you been, Henri? You worried me to death! Don't you go running of like that again. Promise me!" Eponine, for it was indeed the gamine, took his hand with obvious tender affection.

At once Enjolras's smile disappeared and he looked at this newcomer in a peculiar way Henri did not understand. The young boy sighed, but as he looked up at the girl's relieved, happy eyes, he couldn't help but press her hand and smile reassuringly, added with a gentle, "Oh, I never shall again!"

Her confidence restored, she realized that they were not alone and her eyes met with the young man in front of them. Immediately, the same guarded expression Enjolras was wearing, the girl asked in her low voice,

"Who is he, Henri?"

"That's Monsieur Enjolras," said the child carelessly, "he is a student who meets with others at the ABC café."

"One of the revolutionists?"

He replied in the affirmative. Eponine observed the young man boldly. He returned the stare proudly but could not help admiring the girl's courage—"if that is what you call courage," thought Enjolras.

Finally, he could stand her mistrustful glance no longer and said in a loud, clear voice, "Who is your friend, Henri?"

"She's my sister."

"Of course not," retorted the other, "I am well aware you are an only child."

"Yes, but that was before. But this is now. And now, I have a sister."

"May I talk with you alone?"

He caught sight of the sudden grasp of the girl's hand on the child's. Despite the girl's warning glances, Henri eyed the young student and asked, "Will you tell me why you were in such high spirits?"

"Yes."

Henri exchanged a long look with Eponine, while Enjolras stood, bewildered, a few feet away, completely in the dark as to what they were saying with their large clear eyes. With an assuring nod to Eponine, the boy moved closer to Enjolras and said, "Here then! I'm alone."

"But that girl is still…" He had glanced towards the gamine but to his great astonishment, found she was no longer there. She must have crept away while Henri had his attention.

"Come!" began Henri impatiently.

"You look better than last I saw you," was the other's remark.

"Yes, but what were you going to tell me?"

"More skin on your bones, and there's a healthy tint in those cheeks," continued Enjolras, studying his young friend.

With a sigh, Henri glanced around him, hoping to catch sight of the familiar brown cap, patched coat, and small frame of Eponine. "You shouldn't have made her go away," said he. "Never mind. I will find her."

He made as if to go, but Enjolras quickly grasped his arm. "I only meant to ask you if she is taking care of you," began the student quietly.

By his grave tone, Henri knew Enjolras was serious. "Yes, she is. There! I've told you, so let me go." He struggled to release himself.

"Do you know who she is? Henri, are you sure she's to be trusted?" Here, the child began to speak but the young man continued: "I've seen this girl before. Here, in the ABC café. She wanders about and of late, I've seen her watching one of our men closely. This is no normal matter, Henri. She might be a thief, or who knows what in this city!"

Finally, Henri was able to extricate himself from the man's tight grasp. He looked up so that his face shone clearly in the day and Enjolras was surprised to see there were tears in his eyes.

"Since when did you care?" he cried. "Since when did you care where I lived or who took care of me? Eponine is a wonderful, gentle, caring girl who took notice of me like you did, but unlike you, she took me in and cared for me!" His breathing slowed and his trembling frame calmed. "Good day, monsieur," said he gravely and was gone.