1706 Les Miserables
forgets to be bad, but he also forgets to be good. Gratitude,
duty, matters essential and important to be remembered,
vanish. At any other time, Marius would have behaved quite
differently to Eponine. Absorbed in Cosette, he had not even
clearly put it to himself that this Eponine was named Epo-
nine Thenardier, and that she bore the name inscribed in his
father’s will, that name, for which, but a few months before,
he would have so ardently sacrificed himself. We show Mar-
ius as he was. His father himself was fading out of his soul to
some extent, under the splendor of his love.
He replied with some embarrassment:—
‘Ah! so it’s you, Eponine?’
‘Why do you call me you? Have I done anything to you?’
‘No,’ he answered.
Certainly, he had nothing against her. Far from it. Only,
he felt that he could not do otherwise, now that he used thou
to Cosette, than say you to Eponine.
As he remained silent, she exclaimed:—
‘Say—‘
Then she paused. It seemed as though words failed that
creature formerly so heedless and so bold. She tried to smile
and could not. Then she resumed:—
‘Wel l? ’
Then she paused again, and remained with downcast
eyes.
‘Good evening, Mr. Marius,’ said she suddenly and
abruptly; and away she went.