Marius crumpled the moment the bit of chair hit him, sprawling indignantly on the floor. Eponine shrieked, and, though her arm was bleeding, moved over to his side.

"Marius! Sweet, sweet Marius! I took a bullet for you at the barricade, only to see you die here!" Or be knocked out. "Please- live! Live so that I may see you here again. May you die at the barricade with the rest of us!" She reached out, stroking his hair, touching his face, holding him to her breast. She did not look at Combeferre. Not now.