A Short Chapter In Which Henri Learns of Eponine's Love for a Young Revolutionist
Henri pulled Eponine out of the ABC café. She did not resist, and yet she did not relent; her large dark eyes never left young Marius's face. Once they had escaped to the dark streets of Paris, Henri's breathing returned to him.
"Well! What a stuffy little shop that was, wasn't it? So crowded!" remarked Henri, observing his companion's face.
She did not answer.
"And I didn't know Monsieur Marius was a revolutionist! After so many visits to that place, I never even recognized him! I hardly recognized anyone really, except for Monsieur Enjolras and that drunken Grantaire," continued the boy, watching Eponine's face carefully, "Is it true you've been visiting the revolutionists too?"
Eponine colored slightly. "Yes," she answered slowly.
Henri shrugged his little shoulders. "I'm sorry if you're offended. I don't mean to pry," he began, and though he said this with an affectation of carelessness, the honesty and concern in his magnificent eyes and quiet voice told Eponine he was in earnest.
"No, no," said she quickly, "you have a right to know all. I used to visit the ABC café often because," here a beautiful pink blush came to her cheeks and her explanation, at first hasty, grew slow and soft, "because I knew Monsieur Marius went there."
Henri could have laughed right there, but something mournful in his friend's voice and air stopped him, and instead of laughing, he thought he might have cried for her sake.
"But no matter," said Eponine suddenly, "he noticed me but never cared for me as I did for him."
"And instead used you like a dog running errands," muttered Henri angrily under his breath, but firmly, in a voice quite loud so that she could hear him: "Then he don't deserve you! Come on, 'Ponine, don't find that rich lady for him. He isn't worth it."
Eponine, who had been standing quite still beside him, shook her head violently. "No," was the decided reply, and though her voice quivered, Henri knew she was determined. "I will… I must find the girl. For him, you see, for him!"
These short murmurs continued for a while, and it seemed Eponine had forgotten all about her little companion; Henri shook his head sadly and, turning his head slightly, heard the door of the shop open and a hearty laugh from the revolutionists fill the silent air.
With alarmed urgency, Henri pulled Eponine to her feet and they both ran silently a mile further from the shop. Hidden behind an old black gate and covered by the quiet blackness of night, they watched as the young revolutionists poured out of the café, armed with torches and bright, shining eyes of hope and passion.
Thus, the students marched firmly out into the streets, crying of liberty and revolution. Further and further Eponine and her young friend ran, but Henri could still hear the eery sound of the revolutionary cry, "When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums, there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes!"
Sorry for writing such a short story... I couldn't help adding the "Do You Hear the People Sing" part. Just came back from playing tennis and I'll write the next chapter soon! I hope I'm going somewhere with this story... :D Oh, and sorry if I don't write that much; my school's been a rough one this week.