"Would he to the barricade, either?" Eponine demanded as she pushed and shoved at whomever was around her. Combeferre had finally let go of her and she dashed to Marius' side, wrapping her arms around him.

"No! He cared little for your cause! He was there to die, same as I was! I lead him there!" Marius did not seem even to register this, and held Eponine closer to him, his arms around her waist. Eponine smiled at this, though there was no warmth radiating from him as it should have been. But this thought was short-lived as, just as Combeferre ran to them, Marius used Eponine as a shield, the chair catching Eponine at her shoulder and sending her to the ground, tearing her dress.