It was a night like any other in Paris of 1832; the it was gloomy, the air was stale, and the beggars wailed for a spare sou.
Éponine traversed the street grime and arrived at the building of the Friends of the ABC. As always, the windows were covered. When Éponine entered the room, the air was hot with conversation and the familiar scents of chestnuts and beer wafted about.
"The rebellion is coming," Bahorel said excitedly. Beer bottles clinked.
"It's bound to come soon," Feuilly echoed. "Paris suffers to the very edge of death. Something must be done or we're all good as dead."
Éponine spied a curly mop of hair, and knew it belonged to her friend Enjolras. She made her way to the stool beside him and sat down. "Enjolras," she said, laying a hand on his arm.
He turned to face her, a beer in his hand. "Ah, Éponine!" he said cheerfully. His eyes twinkling with excitement. "What are you up to?" He clapped a hand on her bony shoulder.
"Is Marius here? I need to see him."
"Of course you do," Enjolras replied playfully. "Can't stay away from that boy, eh?" Enjolras knew how Éponine felt for Marius. It seemed like everyone did, all except the boy himself.
Éponine blushed. "No," she said. "I could stay away from Marius... if I wanted to." Éponine tried to sound like she was speaking the truth, but her cover was poor. Éponine couldn't stay away from Marius even if she wanted to. Somehow, Marius had a certain magnetic charm that drew her in. He had a sort of vitality that empowered Éponine's tired soul and brought her to bliss. Whenever she was around him, Éponine felt happy, and she never wanted to leave.
Enjolras pointed to the stairway and the end of the room. "Well whatever you need him right for, you're in luck. Looks like he just got in."
Éponine stood. "Marius!" she called, raising a hand above her head.
She caught Marius' eye, and he smiled and made her way toward her.
"Éponine!" he said when he reached her. He gave her a quick hug, then greeted Enjolras. "Good to see you, mate."
Enjolras nodded. "Good to see you. I was just speaking to Éponine, and she told me she had something very important to tell you." He winked at Éponine and turned to talk to Bahorel, his dark curls bouncing.
"Yes Éponine? What is it?" Marius said. He placed his hands on the sides of her arms and looked into her brown eyes.
Éponine cheeks warmed. She couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked in his blue buttoned flannel. "Yes, I have something for you." She turned quickly to remove a parchment letter from her petticoat. "Your grandfather has sent you a telegram."
"Grandfather," Marius muttered. He took the letter. "Thank you, Éponine." He turned and left the room, leaving Éponine watching as he left. She clutched the table for support.
Enjolras, who had been eavesdropping, turned around back to Éponine. "A letter from M. Gillenormand?" he inquired. "What does his grandfather want?"
Éponine shrugged, and got up. "Maybe I should see Marius and find out."
Enjolras nodded. Poor girl, he thought. She couldn't even go a minute without that Marius.
Other students in the building also noticed her leave after Marius. Marius really is stupid, one thought. Many students thought Marius a lucky man. With Éponine's grounded charm and sweet looks, she had already caught the eye of many boys. Marius was blind for not seeing how beautiful Éponine was.
