Worth of a Man

8/11/2019 Worth of a Man

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Worth of a Man

by storytellers

CHAPTER ONE

Paris, 1832

" is not eno!h# We nee$ %ore &ea'ons( The ti%e is $ra&in near to"

There &as a lo!$ )rash fro% a)ross the roo%( En*olras, irritate$ that his s'ee)h ha$ been interr!'te$,shifte$ his a+e fro% the eaer fa)es of the yo!n reol!tionaries to a )ertain table in the )orner( There,

a fa%iliar $r!n-ar$ &ho they ha$ all ass!%e$ to be aslee' &as no& s!$$enly on his feet( He s!reye$

his s!rro!n$ins &ith &i$e eyes( There &as a bro-en bottle of absinth on the floor ne.t to hi%( He ha$-no)-e$ it oer &hen he ha$ &o-en !' &ith a *olt, res!ltin in the noise &hi)h ha$ )a!se$ En*olras to

sto' in %i$ senten)e(

The yo!n lea$er lare$ at the %ess on the floor an$ the 'erson res'onsible an$ his fa)e )ontorte$ in ari%a)e so%e&here bet&een aner an$ $is!st(

"/f yo! insist on bein 'resent at these %eetins, &inesa)-, yo! &ill -in$ly refrain fro% %a-inyo!rself noti)eable("

0rantaire blin-e$ a fe& ti%es as if en!inely s!r'rise$ by the fero)io!sness of the )o%%ent( Hesee%e$ tr!ly offen$e$ &hi)h &as a noelty to the others( He nor%ally re%aine$ !naffe)te$ by s!)h

re%ar-s(

"En*olras Where What are &e all $oin he Mon ie!, a% / really ba)-"

There &as a )h!)-le a%on the st!$ents(

"4es, &ell, &el)o%e ba)- to o!r 'lanet, frien$," 5e!illy reete$ hi% %errily(

En*olras, )hoosin to inore the $ist!rban)e, t!rne$ resol!tely ba)- to fa)e his a!$ien)e(

"As / &as sayin"

"What year is it" 0rantaire as-e$, on)e aain interr!'tin(

There &as a )olle)tie sih( The lea$er of the A6C )lose$ his eyes an$ a loo- of )on)entration

a''eare$ on his fa)e, as if he &as refrainin fro% lashin o!t at &hat he )onsi$ere$ to be an intr!$er totheir %eetin(

"/t7s 1832, 0rantaire," Co%beferre ans&ere$ )al%ly, "an$ / really a$i)e yo! not to interr!'t any%ore(En*olras is not in the %oo$ for it toniht( An$ yo!, En*olras, sae yo!r aner for the barri)a$e

to%orro&("

"To to%orro&" 0rantaire !ttere$( "6!t"

Co%beferre '!t a finer to his li's, silen)in hi%(


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0rantaire7s eyes re%aine$ &i$e an$ astonishe$, as if he )o!l$ not beliee his 're$i)a%ent, b!t he

slo&ly san- ba)- to his )hair &itho!t another &or$(

"As / &as sayin," En*olras bean aain, "no& that a%ar9!e is $ea$, the 'eo'le of Paris &ill reali+e

it7s ti%e to rise"

0rantaire listene$ &ith an e.'ression of !tter be&il$er%ent as 'lans of the !')o%in reol!tion &ere

lai$, $is)!sse$ an$ re'eate$( 5or as lon as t&enty %in!tes he staye$ 9!iet( Then a see%inly inno)ent

'hrase fro% En*olras see%e$ to '!ll hi% fro% a $a+e(

"Co!rae %y frien$s# 6y this ti%e to%orro& &e &ill be at the barri)a$e#"

"No#" 0rantaire sho!te$, *!%'in !' an$ this ti%e oert!rnin the table( "No, this isn7t ho& it7s

s!''ose$ to o# 4o! )an7t really thin- that yo! )an start a riot no& an$ be s!))essf!l# /t too- !s t&o

%ore years to orani+e eerythin# on7t yo! re%e%ber"

To his )re$it, 0rantaire $i$n7t shrin- a&ay &hen his blon$ A'ollo )rosse$ the roo% in &i$e stri$es to

stan$ before hi% an$ rabbe$ his )ollar( En*olras7 fa)e no& e.'resse$ rae &orthy of a 0ree- o$(

"O!t# O!t of here, yo! &orthless $r!n-# / a% in no &ay oblie$ to listen to yo!r 'atheti) rains# 0o

ho%e to slee' it off an$ leae !s be("

"No, En*olras, hear %e o!t, / a% not $r!n-# / hae not been $r!n- in years#"

This )a!se$ another b!rst of la!hter fro% the st!$ents( At the sa%e %o%ent 0rantaire ha''ene$ to

loo- at his feet an$ &hen he sa& the%, he 'ro%'tly $ro''e$ ba)- into his )hair( :ha-in his hea$Co%beferre ste''e$ in, ently '!shin En*olras a&ay an$ s&inin 0rantaire7s ar% aro!n$ his

sho!l$ers to lift hi% !'(

"Co%e, %y frien$( /7ll ta-e yo! ho%e("

0rantaire &rile$ free an$ ba)-e$ a&ay a fe& ste's( He &as ei$ently )a'able of stan$in on his o&nt&o feet b!t, *!$in by the $isbeliein a+e he &as $ire)tin at his shoes, that fa)t s!r'rise$ hi%( He

ae the roo% an$ the 'eo'le in it one last &il$ loo- an$ e.ite$ the )af; in a r!sh(

5e!illy s)rat)he$ his hea$(

"What7s the %atter &ith hi%"

"The !s!al," En*olras sai$ $is%issiely( "His reen fairy is %a-in hi% hall!)inate("

"/t7s strane tho!h" Co%beferre %!ttere$(

"What is"

"i$ yo! s%ell any al)ohol on his breath"

En*olras tho!ht abo!t it(


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"No( An$ / &as in)hes a&ay fro% his fa)e( We %!st hae otten so !se$ to the s%ell that &e $on7t feel

it any%ore( 0oo$ ri$$an)e( No& )o%e ba)- to the table("

CHAPTER TWO

Paris, 1832

eft( Riht( eft( Riht( The sensation of his %!s)les %oin, the feel of )obblestones beneath his

feet Ho& strane it &as to &al- aain( Only no& $i$ 0rantaire start to f!lly )o%'rehen$ that he &asin$ee$ &al-in on his o&n( That this &as no $rea% or, if it &as a $rea%, it &as a s!'ernat!rally ii$

one(

He &on$ere$ if he &as )!rrently in sho)- an$ if that &as &hat it &as s!''ose$ to feel li-e(

He ha$ &o-en !' at the Caf; M!sain &hi)h he -ne& to hae been $estroye$ $!rin the reol!tion( A

reol!tion that ha$ not only not o))!rre$ yet b!t &as abo!t to o))!r the ne.t $ay( T&o years earlierthan he -ne& it sho!l$( /t &as in$ee$ 1832( A 'a'er he ha$ fo!n$ $ro''e$ on the street ha$ )onfir%e$

it( /t s'o-e of a%ar9!e7s f!neral( An$ if that ha$ not been eno!h, he -ne& for a fa)t that the En*olras

he ha$ seen toniht &as not the one he -ne& ba)- in 183


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yet( 0rantaire $i$n7t 'arti)!larly %in$ rain b!t he fo!n$ this $ry loo%y &eather a&f!lly $e'ressin( /t

$i$ not see% to hae a better effe)t on En*olras either( His )o%'anion ha$ been sna''y all $ay( /t &as

ei$ent he )o!l$ har$ly &ait for the Co!n)il of Ministers7 %eetin to be oer so he )o!l$ %eet

Co%beferre an$ learn the ne&est $eelo'%ents(

0rantaire, as al&ays, felt !ilty( En*olras sho!l$ hae been 'art of the Co!n)il( Hell, for all the

'o'!larity he ha$ ha$ after the Reol!tion, he )o!l$ hae be)o%e Presi$ent# /nstea$, the ery %an &hoha$ %a$e the re'!bli) 'ossible &as for)e$ to s!ffer a selfinfli)te$ ho!se arrest be)a!se his 'artner ha$

otten in*!re$ eno!h to nee$ $aily )are an$ )o%'any( :!bse9!ently, sai$ 'artner )o!l$ not bla%e the

blon$ for sho!tin at hi% on re!lar basis for not tryin har$ eno!h to et &ell( 6!t it &as easier sai$than $one( 5or one thin, 0rantaire )o!l$ not %a-e hi%self beliee in the 'ossibility that he &o!l$

&al- aain( /f it &as to ha''en, it &o!l$ hae ha''ene$ by no&( /t ha$ been t&o years sin)e the in*!ry(

/t %a$e hi% feel !seless b!t that &as no noelty( There ha$ been other ti%es in his life &hen he ha$ felt

li-e there &as not %!)h 'oint in anythin( He -ne& ho& to s!rie the%( 6!t the &orst 'art &as that

his )on$ition &as h!rtin En*olras( The $ashin, slihtly ro&n!' boy=lea$er of the Reol!tion ha$

t!rne$ hi%self into a n!rse( He ha$ ref!se$ to leae 0rantaire7s si$e an$ t!rne$ $o&n a n!%ber of'o&erf!l 'ositions in faor of stayin ho%e to ta-e )are of hi%( While this &as $ee'ly to!)hin, it &as

not e.a)tly &hat 0rantaire ha$ i%aine$ their relationshi' &o!l$ be(

They ha$ ha$ al%ost three years toether before the Reol!tion( Three &on$erf!l years in &hi)h thins

&ere slo&ly b!t s!rely sna''in into 'la)e( 0rantaire ha$ been &innin both his ory fiht &ith the

reen fairy an$ a )ertain battle of &ills he ha$ starte$ &ith En*olras( Orestes, slo&ly an$ rel!)tantly,ha$ starte$ to sho& %!)h %ore )onsi$eration to Pyla$es, 'roi$e$ that Pyla$es sho&e$ no

)onsi$eration to the &ine an$ absinth bottles(

Then, as 0rantaire7s )riti)is% for En*olras7 )aref!llylai$ 'lans ha$ ra$!ally be)o%e less %o)-in an$%ore )onstr!)tie, he ha$ fo!n$ hi%self %ore an$ %ore at the )enter of attention $!rin %eetins(

6efore lon, he ha$ t!rne$ into a sort of 'la!sibility test for the st!$ents( They &o!l$ r!n a )ertain i$ea

thro!h hi% an$ if he $i$n7t %anae to say it &as one h!n$re$ 'er)ent silly, na>e an$ i%'ossible to '!tto a)tion, they &o!l$ )onsi$er it brilliant( En*olras ha$ fo!n$ hi%self in a 'osition &here it ha$

s!$$enly be)o%e i%'ortant for hi% to earn the )yni)7s a''roal of his s)he%es( /t &as no %ore a

%atter of inorin the 'atheti) $r!n- &ho $i$ not beliee in their )a!se( /t &as a %atter of )onin)inso%eone &ho &as rational an$ )leer eno!h to 'oint o!t all of the a'in holes in their loi) an$

s!''ort the 'oint &ith both ar!%ents an$ histori)al referen)es( The yo!n lea$er ha$ fo!n$ o!t that he

&as a)t!ally 9!ite !n!se$ to $ealin &ith o''osition in &ays other than inorin it( An$ he ha$ striento re%e$y that( He ha$ be)o%e so $eter%ine$ to )o%e !' &ith 'lans that &o!l$ )onin)e een his

s-e'ti) )o%'anion of their 'la!sibility that any ste' he !n$ertoo- &as nothin short of fool'roof( He

ha$ aban$one$ '!ttin his faith in 7the 'eo'le7 in faor of trainin )ertain 'eo'le to the 'oint of

'rofessionalis%( He ha$ starte$ a n!%ber of se)ret reol!tionary )o%%ittees ? first in Paris, thenthro!ho!t 5ran)e( They &ere $eote$ to fin$in &ea'ons an$ trainin real fihters(

An$ so, !ne.'e)te$ly, &hat 0rantaire ha$ initially )onsi$ere$ a na>e $rea% ha$ ra$!ally ro&n intoa f!lly orani+e$ reol!tion( An$ &hen the sinal ha$ been finally ien, st!$ents, &or-ers an$ other

re'!bli)ans ha$ tr!ly risen as one an$ for%e$ an ar%y( At that 'oint een 0rantaire ha$ been )onin)e$

that the re'!bli) stoo$ a )han)e(

An$ they ha$ &on(


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@nfort!nately, he ha$ 'ai$ a 'ri)e( A b!llet ha$ -no)-e$ hi% $o&n fro% his 'osition on the bal)ony of

a b!il$in $!rin the final battle( The b!llet &o!n$ &as lon heale$ b!t the $a%ae infli)te$ by the fall

ha$ left his les 'araly+e$( En*olras, alon &ith Co%beferre an$ oly still $i$ not &ant to lose ho'e(

They 'ro%'te$ hi% to e.er)ise re!larly an$ to atte%'t &al-in( 6!t 0rantaire hi%self ha$ neer beenone for e%'ty ho'es( En*olras &as really anry &ith hi% for it lately( He ha$ barely s'o-en a &or$ to

hi% all $ay to$ay( An$ no&, after settlin hi% at his faorite s'ot by the be$roo% &in$o&, he ha$

$isa''eare$ so%e&here(

0rantaire loo-e$ thro!h the &in$o& at the a''le tree that re& o!tsi$e( An$, to his !t%ost s!r'rise, he

&as reete$ by the siht of a rinnin fa)e(

CHAPTER 5O@R

Paris, 183e an$ inorant of%e an$, aain, / a'oloi+e( No& that / -no& &hat yo!7re tryin to $o an$ )onsi$erin the fa)t that it

)an be $anero!s, there is no &ay /7% leain yo! alone( On to' of that, yo! nee$ a )hane of s)enery,

'referably to a 'la)e that $oesn7t ree- of absinth( Hen)e the )ab &hi)h is &aitin $o&nstairs to ta-e !sto %y a'art%ent( There is an e.tra roo% &ith a be$ there an$ sin)e / a% not obsessiely st!$io!s,

$on7t ie %e that loo-, Co%beferre, it7s not an ins!ltF, / )an affor$ to s-i' a $ay or t&o of le)t!res( :o

there( / ho'e that )larifies &hy / a% not, in fa)t, anry at yo! an$ / &o!l$ really li-e yo! to )lose yo!r%o!th, et !', et yo!r )oat an$ et into that )ab &hile yo! )an still &al-( An$, honestly, /7% startin to

et offen$e$ by eeryone a)tin so s!r'rise$ &hen / $o anythin re%otely h!%an"


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CHAPTER 5O@RTEEN

1831, the !nierse 0rantaire a))e'ts for real

En*olras7 s'ee)h ha$ ha$ an al%ost %ai)al healin infl!en)e on 0rantaire7s rather beaten$o&n sense

of self &orth( He ha$ een s!$$enly re%e%bere$ he ha$ so%e $inity if only he )o!l$ fin$ &here he

ha$ '!t itF an$ he ha$ ref!se$ to o any&here in the state he &as in( En*olras rolle$ his eyes b!t it &asei$ent he &as la$ to see the %an %a-e an effort to '!ll hi%self toether( The )ab $rier &as tol$ to

o an$ )o%e ba)- in an ho!r( Mean&hile, the t&o st!$ents &aite$ 'atiently as 0rantaire too- a bath

an$ ot $resse$ in so%ethin %ore a))e'table than his )lothes fro% t&o $ays ao(

When they finally set off, he loo-e$ al%ost nor%al( En*olras, sittin on the o''osite seat, stole lan)es

at hi% &ith a 'e)!liar little tihtli''e$ s%ile that loo-e$ al%ost 'aine$( Half&ay thro!h the ri$e,after they ha$ $ro''e$ Co%beferre at his lo$ins, 0rantaire )o!l$ no loner resist as-in &hat he &as

thin-in(

"/ a% tryin to fi!re o!t &hat / $i$ &ron," En*olras sai$ in re'ly(

"Why in the eil7s na%e &o!l$ yo! thin- yo! $i$ so%ethin &ron"

"We7e -no&n ea)h other for years( / tho!ht / ha$ $one eerythin that )o!l$ be e.'e)te$ of %e to try

an$ %a-e yo! a %ore !sef!l 'art of so)iety( 6!t ei$ently, / oerloo-e$ so%ethin("

0rantaire barely flin)he$ at the 7%ore !sef!l 'art of so)iety7 line( This &as En*olras after all( 4o! )o!l$

not )o!nt on hi% to be ni)e all the ti%e(

The st!$ent ae hi% an a''raisin loo-(

"An$ no& yo! see% to hae otten a ri' on yo!rself, &hi)h 'roes to %e that it &as 'ossible all

alon( /7% )ertain there %!st hae been &ays to trier this )hane in yo! earlier( 6etter &ays than theones / &as !sin, a''arently( /t stri-es %e that / $on7t !n$erstan$ or, 'erha's, )are abo!t %y %en as /

sho!l$( Co%beferre -no&s %e best an$ een he $o!bte$ %y ability to sho& any !n$erstan$in to&ar$s

yo!( / &on$er if there7s real ro!n$ for his fears( /t7s an alar%in $is)oery to %a-e abo!t one7s o&nnat!re &hen one is tryin to be a oo$ lea$er("

"A oo$ lea$er, En*olras is not al&ays the sa%e as a oo$ frien$," 0rantaire sai$( "5orie %e, /$on7t %ean it as )riti)is%( 6!t it is har$ to see- sy%'athy or reass!ran)e fro% yo! &hen one has to

stan$ in line &ith all of 5ran)e for yo!r attention( 4o! sai$ it yo!rself, it )o%es &ith the *ob( 6!t yo!

are a oo$ lea$er("

"4o! are so )onin)e$("

0rantaire la!he$(

"6!t that7s so%ethin that7s easy for eeryone to see#"

6lon$ eyebro&s f!rro&e$ in tho!ht(

"H%( / hae hear$ yo! say that yo! beliee$ in %e( @ntil re)ently, / tho!ht that %eant nothin b!t /


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reali+e no& that at )ertain ti%es in life one $oes nee$ so%eone else to beliee in the%( That7s &hat yo!

&ante$ fro% %e, &asn7t it"

0rantaire '!r'osef!lly loo-e$ thro!h the &in$o& b!t no$$e$(

"/7% sorry," En*olras sai$(

"5or &hat / ha$ no riht to $e%an$ it( 4o! ha$ no reason to beliee in %e, A'ollo( / let yo! $o&n ti%e

an$ aain("

"That yo! $i$( 6!t $o yo! -no& &hy / -e't iin yo! )han)es to let %e $o&n / &at)he$ yo! an$ sa&

all that 'otential that &as neer reali+e$( /t $roe %e %a$ b!t / neer tol$ yo! &hy( / sho!l$ hae(

6e)a!se, yo! see, that7s the thin ? / $i$ beliee( That7s &hy / let yo! stay &ith !s all this ti%e( /)o!l$n7t et ri$ of the ho'e that yo! &o!l$ one $ay see the %an yo! )o!l$ be an$ be)o%e that %an( /

sho!l$ hae trie$ to e.'lain this to yo!("

"/ $on7t -no& if it &o!l$ hae &or-e$( / still / still $on7t -no& if this &ill &or-, En*olras( / $on7t&ant to lie to yo!( / a% not s!re / )an be the %an yo! i%aine( :o $on7t feel sorry for not han$in

en)o!rae%ents left an$ riht in the 'ast( /t %ost 'robably &o!l$ hae been f!tile("

"/ sho!l$ hae trie$ any&ay( 6!t it7s not too late for it no&, is it :o here it oesD / $o beliee in yo!,

0rantaire("

0rantaire stare$ resol!tely at his -nees an$ blin-e$ 9!i)-ly(

"/ &ish yo! &o!l$n7t $o this to %e," he %!ttere$( "/t7s e%barrassin("

En*olras7 la!hter, s!)h a rare thin to be hear$, &as s!r'risinly soft(

"4o! &ill $o *!st fine("

Of )o!rse, this &as easier sai$ than $one(

The eniron%ent $i$ hel'( The roo% he &as -in$ly inite$ to &as nothin l!.!rio!s b!t it &as )lean

an$ neat an$ la)-e$ the s%ell of s'ilt $rin-( /n a$$ition, it ha$ a)9!ire$ an air of A Roo% in Whi)h a

ife of P!r'ose /s 6ein e$ *!st by bein asso)iate$ &ith En*olras( Een so, shortly after they arrie$at the 'la)e, the %ai) that ha$ -e't any &ith$ra&al sy%'to%s to a %ini%!% for the 'ast t&o ho!rs

$issi'ate$ an$ 0rantaire7s bo$y insiste$ on re%in$in hi% that En*olras7 &or$s, ho&eer $i++y they

%a$e hi% feel, &ere not a)t!al al)ohol(

An$ then it &as a niht fro% hell(

/nitially, 0rantaire7s intention ha$ been to et thro!h it as 9!ietly as he )o!l$, &itho!t ettin his hostinole$ at all(

/t $i$n7t &or- o!t li-e that(

On)e or t&i)e it ot to the 'oint &here En*olras ha$ to 'hysi)ally -ee' hi% 'inne$ to the be$ an$ tal-

nonsto' to 'reent hi% fro% r!nnin off to et a bottle of absinth( 6e)a!se &ine &as o!t of the


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9!estion no& ? it &as too %il$( He nee$e$ so%ethin stroner to )o%'ensate for the lon abstinen)e(

An$ if he ha$n7t ha$ a yo!n reol!tionary 'ra)ti)ally on to' of hi% for 'art of the niht, he $i$n7t

-no& to &hat lenths he &o!l$ hae one to et it( 5ort!nately, if there &as a )reat!re %ore 'o&erf!l

than the 0reen 5airy, it &as A'ollo( While 0rantaire, $es'ite hatin hi%self for it, &as %ore than on)ere$!)e$ to a shierin, sobbin &re)-, either bein to be let o or $es'erately a'oloi+in for

)a!sin so %!)h tro!ble, En*olras too- it all )al%ly, -e't a han$ on his sho!l$er to '!sh hi% $o&n

&hen he trie$ to et !' an$ tal-e$ nonsense abo!t the ne& 'lay they ha$ been inten$in to see at thetheatre an$ oly7s )onstant )ol$s an$ Co%beferre7s obsessin oer so%e 'a'er( :o%e s%all 'art of

0rantaire7s %in$ not 'reo))!'ie$ &ith feelin a&f!l note$ that it &as a)t!ally so%ethin of a noelty

to hear their fearless lea$er say %ore than t&o senten)es of s!)h triial thins(

He $i$n7t -no& &hen he ha$ %anae$ to fall aslee'( He &as &o-en by the sensation of so%ethin

bein 'resse$ to his forehea$( The ba)- of a han$( Pres!%ably to )he)- his te%'erat!re( He ha$ ha$ abit of a feer last niht altho!h it ha$ felt li-e the least of his 'roble%s( The han$ sli$ a&ay in a

%otion that &as not 9!ite a )aress b!t )lose eno!h for his heart to beat a little faster for a fe& se)on$s(

He o'ene$ his eyes(

"Ah, oo$, yo!7re a&a-e," En*olras obsere$ in a bris-, b!sinessli-e %anner an$ a little too lo!$ly(

":orry," he a'oloi+e$ 9!i)-ly !'on seein 0rantaire &in)e at the ol!%e( "/ &as *!st abo!t to &a-e

yo! any&ay( 4o! really nee$ to eat so%ethin( /7ll *!st o an$ brin"

6efore the senten)e &as een finishe$, 0rantaire &as alrea$y ettin !'(

"En*olras, 'lease, for the loe of 0o$, / hae ha$ eno!h h!%iliation last niht to last %e a lifeti%e, /

a% not eatin in be$# /f yo! allo& %e to !se yo!r bathroo% an$ ie %e so%e ti%e to start loo-in li-e

a h!%an, &e )an hae brea-fast li-e nor%al 'eo'le("

"!n)h," En*olras )orre)te$( "ate l!n)h( /t7s t&o in the afternoon( An$ fine then, as yo! &ish( 6!t /

&ill hae yo! -no& that there is nothin h!%iliatin abo!t -ee'in oneself fro% s!))!%bin to

$r!n-enness("

"4o! -e't %e fro% s!))!%bin to $r!n-enness( / %erely -e't yo! a&a-e all niht("

"4o!7re i%'ossible("

"A'oloies( /7% less f!n &hen /7% not $r!n-("

"Nonsense( / %aintain that yo! are *!st )ran-y be)a!se yo! hae not eaten( There7s a $efinite

)onne)tion( 5or e.a%'le, Co%beferre tells %e that %ost of the fihts 6ahorel ets into are a $ire)t

res!lt of his e%'ty sto%a)h("

That a)t!ally )a!se$ 0rantaire to s%ile(

"/%'ossible# 6ahorel is a %an of reasonably oo$ %eans( / )annot beliee he oes h!nry that often#"

"Then / &ill hae to reassert %y )lai% that Co%beferre is an oeranalyti)al boo-&or%," En*olras)on)l!$e$ an$ left for the -it)hen(

0rantaire )h!)-le$ an$ stare$ after hi% for a fe& %o%ents( Chil$ish bi)-erin bet&een frien$s(


31/44

Whateer ha$ ha''ene$ to the fearso%e A'ollo Oh, he &as still there, it &as )lear, b!t

"What hae yo! otten yo!rself into, 0rantaire" he %!ttere$ !n$er his breath(

A''arently, &hat he ha$ otten hi%self into &as a 'ile of ras'berries( En*olras ha$ 'ro$!)e$ the% fro%

so%e&here &hen his !est ha$ $e)lare$ he $i$ not thin- he &as able to sto%a)h anythin at the

%o%ent(

"/ )an only ho'e the tri)- &ill &or- on yo! too( That7s &hat %y %other !se$ to brin %e &hen / $i$ not

feel &ell as a boy," En*olras e.'laine$( ":ee, / &o!l$ ref!se to eat absol!tely anythin else ifras'berries &ere in season( / &as a st!bborn )hil$("

"/ &o!l$ hae neer !esse$("

"Mo)- %e all yo! &ant after yo! eat("

There really %!st hae been so%ethin s'e)ial abo!t those ras'berries be)a!se, after a fe&, 0rantairesto''e$ &antin to stay a&ay fro% any sort of foo$, reali+e$ that he &as a)t!ally starin an$ they

eent!ally %oe$ on to real l!n)h( Conersation see%e$ to o easy eno!h that he sto''e$ 'ayin too

%!)h attention to &hat he &as sayin an$ en$e$ !' a))i$entally a$$ressin En*olras by his first na%efor the se)on$ ti%e in his life( The st!$ent sto''e$ &ith a for- half&ay to his %o!th an$ 0rantaire half

e.'e)te$ to be s)ol$e$( A'ollo=En*olras=A$rien= &hoeer he really &as to hi% no& ae hi% an

in)re$!lo!s stare(

"4o! -no&, R, / )an7t beliee this b!t / $on7t thin- / a)t!ally -no& yo!r Christian na%e at all( Co!l$ /

hae really forotten it"

0rantaire shoo- his hea$ an$ la!he$ a little(

"/7e neer tol$ it to yo! an$ /7% not s!re Co!rfeyra) or any of the others -no& it either("

"Why"

"6e)a!se een )yni)s )an7t stan$ this %!)h irony("

"/ )an7t i%aine &hat yo! %ean( No& yo! hae to tell %e("

"Ho& is yo!r 0ree-, Monsie!r En*olras"

"Reasonably oo$( Why"

"Ni)olas Phile%on 0rantaire, 'lease$ to %eet yo!("

En*olras stare$ at hi% blan-ly for a se)on$ an$ then reali+ation hit(

"Oh," the st!$ent sai$( "Oh, $ear( Ni)olas( 7Bi)tory of the 'eo'le7 Who &o!l$ hae tho!ht"

He rinne$( 0rantaire shoo- his hea$(


32/44

"i-e / sai$, too %!)h irony een for %e( An$ $on7t een et %e starte$ on 7Phile%on7("

En*olras loo-e$ li-e he $i$n7t -no& &hether to la!h b!t then a $eio!s little s%ile )re't on his li's(

"Who -no&s Maybe yo!7ll lie !' to it("

An$, aainst all o$$s, he $i$( When the A%is finally ot their Re'!bli), 0rantaire ha$ been one of theinstr!%ents to brin it abo!t(

Paris, 1832, the !nierse 0rantaire is tryin to )hane

The %ornin liht filtere$ thro!h the &in$o&( The bir$s )hir'e$, obliio!s to 'oerty, )holera, bro-en

hearts an$ !')o%in rebellions( /t &as *!st a bea!tif!l !ly %ornin to the%(

En*olras &as shr!in his )oat on(

"/t7s a oo$ story, 0rantaire b!t !nfort!nately it $i$n7t ha''en li-e that( Who -no&s, %aybe / really)o!l$ hae !se$ yo!r hel' if yo! ha$ offere$ it( Maybe after &e &in Either &ay, the ti%e has )o%e(

5ran)e )annot &ait a $ay loner("

"Then let %e )o%e &ith yo!#"

"/ )an7t( 4o! $on7t beliee in o!r i)tory an$ / )annot hae anyone &ho $oesn7t beliee *oin o!r ran-s(4o! &ill *!st $a%'en eeryone7s enth!sias%( 6esi$es, / $on7t -no& &hat to e.'e)t of yo!( 4o! )o%e to

%y a'art%ent, yo! be %e not to o to the barri)a$es, yo! )!t yo!rself &ith a -nife, yo! tell %e

fairytales / )an i%aine to so%e e.tent &hat %iht hae bro!ht yo! here b!t it7s too late for this(

Maybe &e )o!l$ tal- aain &hen this is oer("

An$ &ith that, he &as o!t the $oor(

CHAPTER 5/5TEEN

1832, the !nierse 0rantaire is tryin to )hane

There is al&ays so%ethin to be $one( /sn7t that &hat En*olras ha$ ta!ht hi%

As lon as yo! breathe, there is al&ays one %ore thin yo! )an $o( An$ it *!st %iht %a-e a $ifferen)e(

A )hoi)e, a sol!tion, an a)tion( 6e)a!se life is a)tion( As lon as yo! are $oin so%ethin, as lon as

yo! are thin-in of a 'lan, yo! are not $ea$ yet( An$ so%eti%es it h!rts, b!t if yo! learn to re)oni+e

the -in$ of 'ain yo! are feelin, yo! &ill -no& &hen it %eans yo! are a))o%'lishin so%ethin(:o%eti%es 'ain is only a si$e effe)t of the &orl$ that is an$ the &orl$ that sho!l$ be )olli$in(

Patien)e( Patien)e( /t &ill feel li-e aes b!t yo! hae to -ee' oin( /nore the 'ain, yo! -no& it &on7t-ill yo!( This is i%'ortant( This is so%ethin yo! %!st $o( 5or yo!, for so%eone else on7t let

yo!rself thin- it &ill be f!tile(

The 'ie)e of lass &as )!ttin into his han$ %ore than it &as )!ttin into the bon$s b!t he 'ersiste$( He

)o!l$n7t sit an$ &ait for so%eone to sho& !' an$ set hi% free as En*olras ha$ 'ro%ise$( He )o!l$ hear

the noise of the !'risin alrea$y( 0!nshots &ere rinin on the streets( An$ &hat of the others His


33/44

heart )len)he$ as he i%aine$ ea)h of his frien$s $ea$( Whateer he $i$ no&, he )o!l$n7t sae the% all(

5or all he -ne&, it )o!l$ be too late for any of the%( En*olras )o!l$ be one of the first shot(

No( He banishe$ the tho!ht( Not En*olras( He &as too s%art, too oo$ to o $o&n so 9!i)-ly(

0rantaire re%e%bere$ the !'risin( /t ha$ been the reatest trial for their relationshi'( At the ti%e,

En*olras ha$ alrea$y been )onin)e$ that 5ran)e &as not rea$y( As a strane 'ara$o., the %ost$eter%ine$ reol!tionary of all an$ his fatef!l lie!tenants ha$ been oin aro!n$ $oin their best to

)al% the s'irits an$ )onin)e %ore 'eo'le to &ait, not to thro& their lies a&ay in a fiht that &as

$estine$ to be lost( They ha$ ha$ so%e s!))ess b!t at a reat 'ri)e( They ha$ felt they &ere betrayintheir o&n ? those &ho ha$ athere$ on the streets an$ ha$ been syste%ati)ally sla!htere$( To stay at

ho%e an$ listen to the so!n$s of the battles ha$ been )r!)ifyin(

5inally, En*olras ha$ not been able to stan$ it( The yo!n lea$er ha$ been )o%'letely o!t of his %in$

&hen 0rantaire ha$ )o%e banin on his $oor, le$ by so%e %orbi$ 're%onition( He ha$ let hi% in

rel!)tantly( /t &as ei$ent the st!$ent ha$ been 're'arin to o o!tsi$e( He ha$ shoe$ so%e 'a'ers in

0rantaire7s han$s an$ sai$ they &ere instr!)tions to Co%beferre in )ase anythin ha''ene$ to hi%( Atfirst 0rantaire ha$ been too sho)-e$ to een rea)t( Then he ha$ trie$ to reason &ith the boy( /t ha$ lea$

to nothin En*olras ha$ $e)lare$ he !n$erstoo$ the loi) b!t &as !nable to follo& it( 6efore he -ne&

it, his A$rien, his frien$, the 'erson he loe$ aboe anyone else, ha$ been al%ost o!t the $oor, abo!t toenter a &orl$ of flyin b!llets( 0rantaire ha$ lost any se%blan)e of 'atien)e( He ha$ yan-e$ hi% ba)-

into the roo% an$ threatene$ to tie hi% !'( En*olras, of )o!rse, ha$ resiste$( There ha$ been a str!le

an$ in the en$ 0rantaire ha$ $one so%ethin !nthin-able( He ha$ sla''e$ none other than A'olloa)ross the fa)e, sla%%e$ hi% aainst the &all an$ bello&e$ 7on7t yo! $are %oe# 4o! &ill )o%e to

yo!r senses riht no 6e)a!se / a% not lettin yo! o o!t there# o yo! hear %e, A$rien 4o! are not

leain this roo% !ntil there is not a sinle National 0!ar$s%an to be fo!n$ on the streets of Paris#7

En*olras ha$ fro+en in 'la)e( The s!$$en silen)e ha$ stret)he$ bet&een the% &ith only 0rantaire

breathin heaily fro% the fiht an$ fro% the sho)- of &hat he ha$ *!st $one( 5or &hat see%e$ li-e

ho!rs, he ha$ stare$ al%ost !nblin-inly into the bl!e $e'ths, as if loo-in a&ay &o!l$ hae )a!se$the other %an to $isa''ear(

Then En*olras ha$ slo&ly e.tri)ate$ his ar%s fro% his )a'tor7s no& &ea-ene$ ri', &ra''e$ the%aro!n$ his ne)- instea$ an$ -isse$ hi% on the li's lihtly, ten$erly( 0rantaire ha$ stoo$ there,

th!n$erstr!)- an$ !ns!re &hat &as oin on, !ntil En*olras ha$ finally s'o-en(

"/t7s f!nny( 5inally / !n$erstan$ &hat the f!ss is all abo!t &ith loe an$ eerythin( /t has little to $o

&ith &hat Co!rfeyra) an$ ehan an$ een Mari!s %a-e of it( No one in %y life has eer )are$ eno!h

to $o &hat yo! *!st $i$( No one in yo!r life ha$ eer )are$ eno!h to %a-e yo! sto' $rin-in( An$

eeryone nee$s at least one 'erson to sho!t at the% for their o&n oo$, a% / riht / thin- no& / )ansafely say that / loe yo!, Ni)olas( An$ / &ill $o eerythin in %y 'o&er to neer leae yo!, if yo!

'ro%ise to $o the sa%e("

An$ that ha$ been it( They &ere toether( 6y nee$, by )hoi)e an$ 'erha's, as ehan &o!l$ say, by

$estiny( Ho& )o!l$ he hae eer &ishe$ to ie !' that %o%ent En*olras &o!l$ 'robably hae $ie$

that $ay if not for hi%# 0rantaire ha$ -no&n that &hen he ha$ state$ his &ish, an$ yet he ha$n7t really-no&n it( He ha$ been )ertain that thins &o!l$ hae &or-e$ the%seles o!t &itho!t hi% in the

'i)t!re( He ha$ been !nable to tr!ly beliee that anythin &as really be)a!se of hi%(


34/44

No&, for the first ti%e, there &as not a $o!bt in his heart that they both nee$e$ ea)h other( En*olras ha$

nee$e$ hi% then an$ he still $i$(

The ho!rs that ha$ follo&e$ that )onfession of loe ha$ been har$, as har$ as the niht of 0rantaire7s&ith$ra&al( 6!t the roles ha$ been reerse$ this ti%e( He ha$ stro-e$ the blon$ hea$ on his sho!l$er

for ho!rs, tal-in abo!t the Re'!bli) ? the real one that they &o!l$ be able to b!il$ &hen the ti%e

)a%e( O$$ly, the &or$s ha$ )o%e &itho!t bein for)e$(

/n the en$, they ha$ s!rie$ another horrible niht an$ e%ere$ fro% it on e9!al ro!n$ this ti%e(

ebts ha$ been 'ai$, e$es softene$, 'ositions bro!ht )loser toether( An$ &ith a little 'atien)e an$'ersisten)e

The bon$s finally ae &ay )o%'letely an$ 0rantaire breathe$ a s%all sih of relief as he free$ hishan$s of the re%nants of the ro'e( He $ro''e$ the bloo$y lass'ie)e fro% the bro-en &in$o&, too- a

breath to )o%'ose hi%self an$ bolte$ o!t of the a'art%ent(

CHAPTER :/TEEN


/t &as al%ost niht no&(

En*olras sat on a 'ile of 'ain stones an$ )onte%'late$ the !n in his han$s(

6ahorel &as $ea$ an$ so &as ehan Pro!aire( T&o of his frien$s alrea$y fallen( An$ %any other oo$

%en as &ell(

When it ha$ been $is)oere$ that Pro!aire &as a 'risoner, they ha$ been &illin to e.)hane the s'y

aert for hi%( En*olras ha$ &ante$ hi% ba)- &ith all his heart( At this %o%ent, stratei)ally !n&ise as

it &o!l$ hae been, he &o!l$ hae offere$ hi%self *!st as easily if they ha$ not ha$ aert( Co%beferreha$ %anae$ to )oney their offer to their ene%ies &itho!t bein shot hi%self only to be ans&ere$

that the reol!tionary that ha$ been )a't!re$ &as alrea$y $ea$(

En*olras ha$ re%aine$ stoi) !'on learnin this ne&s b!t his heart ha$ tre%ble$( Those &or$s, those

$a%ne$ &or$s 0rantaire ha$ s'o-en to hi% the 'reio!s niht, ha$ )o%e ba)- to ha!nt hi%( No& that

it &as 9!iet, he )o!l$n7t een try to silen)e the%( Those tales that hinte$ at a brihter f!t!re, een ifthey &ere tine$ &ith 0rantaire7s o&n bitterness( Those tales that tol$ of the% &innin, s!riin(

Well, they &ere losin no& an$ they &ere all oin to $ie( An$ &hile he $i$ not fear for hi%self, the

tho!ht of seein the briht yo!thf!l fa)es of Co%beferre, oly, 6oss!et, Co!rfeyra), still alie no&,'ale an$ lifeless &as terrible(

All of those boys yo! are oin to lea$ into battle to%orro&, $on7t they %atter to yo! as in$ii$!als

6ea!tif!l thins are too 're)io!s an$ rare to let $ie, En*olras(

4es b!t Pro!aire &as $ea$( Nothin )o!l$ )hane that(

What )o!l$ 'ossibly be %ore trai) than ta-in the life fro% so%eone &ho loes it so %!)h


35/44

4es, trai)( 6ahorel7s $eath an$ the $eath of all that &o!l$ follo&( Een the $eath of the %en they &ere

fihtin aainst( There ha$ been yo!n boys a%on the% too( Maybe so%e of the% ha$ loe$ life *!st

as %!)h as his frien$(

An$ yo! 4o!, A$rien, yo! /f yo! o to that barri)a$e to%orro&, yo! &ill neer be)o%e the %an

yo! &ere %eant to be( A %an &ho sees f!rther than to%orro&( :o%eone &ho )an lie as a hero ratherthan *!st $ie as one( :o%eone &ho )an really b!il$ a re'!bli) rather than *!st start a reol!tion(

"/ a% sorry, %es a%is," he &his'ere$ to the 'ae%ent( "/ a% not that %an( An$ forie %e, 0rantaire,for $isa''ointin yo!( That is the tro!ble &hen yo! beliee in 'eo'le rather than i$eals( /$eals are

i%%ortal an$ they neer $isa''oint( 6!t yo! &ill lie an$ for that / a% la$"

Al%ost t&entyfo!r ho!rs ha$ 'asse$ sin)e last niht7s %eetin( /t felt li-e a lifeti%e( He re)alle$ the

e.)ite%ent, the ho'e, the )oni)tion that there &as a &orl$ of 'ossibilities before the%(

No& there &as only one 'ossibility an$ it &as $eath(

His %orbi$ tho!hts &ere interr!'te$ by s!$$en sho!ts )o%in fro% a little far off $o&n the street( He

lan)e$ !' an$ fro+e( He ha$ neer in his life hall!)inate$ b!t no& he blin-e$ a fe& ti%es to %a-e s!re&hat he &as seein &as not an a''arition(

There stoo$ 0rantaire, isibly e.ha!ste$ an$ )oere$ in bloo$( He &as leanin heaily on the sho!l$erof none other than ehan Pro!aire(

CHAPTER :EBENTEEN


"Co%beferre# H!rry !', he7s shot#"

ehan7s oi)e )arrie$ oer the athere$ reol!tionaries &ho ha$ en)lose$ the t&o ne& arrials into a

s%all b!t thi)- )ir)le( En*olras &as still blin-in in be&il$er%ent &hen Co%beferre ran 'ast hi%(:ha-in hi%self, the blon$ *!%'e$ !' an$ follo&e$ hi%( The )ir)le 'arte$ to let the% both thro!h an$

he fo!n$ hi%self stan$in in front of ehan( Co%beferre &as alrea$y -neelin oer 0rantaire &ho ha$

)olla'se$ al%ost i%%e$iately !'on arrial( En*olras $i$n7t -no& &ho% to stare at first b!t &ith the$o)tor 'ra)ti)ally blo)-in his ie& of the $r!n-ar$, he fi.e$ his eyes on his !ne.'e)te$ly res!rre)te$

)o%ra$e(

"Than- 0o$, Pro!aire, &e tho!ht yo! &ere"

The 'oet no$$e$ ri%ly(

"0o$ an$ 0rantaire both( He let %e loose &hile they &ere $istra)te$ by one of yo!r atta)-s( They &ere

're'arin to shoot %e("

"They sai$ they ha$#"

"My !ess &o!l$ be that they $i$n7t &ant to let yo! -no& they ha$ allo&e$ a 'risoner to es)a'e( /t


36/44

&o!l$ hae booste$ yo!r %orale("

"An$ yo! say that 0rantaire What &as he een $oin there"

"Tryin to et to yo!( They shot hi% a )o!'le of ti%es &hile &e &ere ettin a&ay fro% the troo's( /

&ante$ to ta-e hi% so%e&here safe b!t he insiste$ on )o%in &ith %e to loo- for a &ay ba)- here(

An$ then / tho!ht, no $o)tor &o!l$ treat a reol!tionary any&ay, an$ they &o!l$ !ess &here &e ha$)o%e fro%( :o / $e)i$e$ o!r best shot &as ettin to Co%beferre("

"Ho& $i$ yo! %anae to rea)h !s There are !ar$s eery&here, as far as / -no&("

"The se&ers( An$, tr!st %e, it &asn7t 'leasant( Es'e)ially &ith 0rantaire in this state( He &as &al-in

on his o&n for a &hile b!t he7s been ettin &orse( He7s loosin a lot of bloo$("

En*olras lan)e$ si$e&ays to &here Co%beferre an$ 0rantaire &ere( Co%beferre )a!ht his eyes an$

the lea$er $i$n7t li-e &hat he sa& on the $o)tor7s fa)e(

"et7s et hi% to the a%b!latory," En*olras sai$ 9!ietly an$ %oe$ to e.e)!te his o&n or$er(

"Hello, A'ollo," 0rantaire %!ttere$ &hen they 'i)-e$ hi% !'( "/ ot o!r little 'oet ba)- &here hebelons("

"4es( Than- yo!("

"0ot %yself &here / belon too("

"Wo!n$e$, on a table in a %a-eshift a%b!latory"

0rantaire )h!)-le$ a bit(

"6y yo!r si$e, fearless lea$er( An$ sin)e yo! %ention it, not %!)h 'oint in )ro&$in the a%b!latory( /f

it7s not too %!)h tro!ble, ho& abo!t !'stairs instea$"

En*olras sai$ nothin b!t no$$e$ to the others(

As soon as they 'la)e$ their loa$ on a table Co%beferre sh!ffle$ the rest of the boys o!t of the roo%(ehan &as the last to $e'art, lettin o of 0rantaire7s han$ rel!)tantly an$ &his'erin 7/7ll see yo!7 as he

&ent o!t( To En*olras7 s!r'rise, Co%beferre %oe$ to leae as &ell( The lea$er )a!ht !' &ith hi% *!st

o!t of the $oor, rabbin his sleee an$ iin hi% a 9!estionin loo-( Co%beferre sihe$(

"He7s lost too %!)h bloo$ En*olras an$ the &o!n$s are serio!s( / &o!l$ *!st be slo&in thins $o&n if /

interene$("

"/ !esse$ that %!)h 6!t &on7t yo! at least / $on7t -no&, ie hi% so%ethin :tay &ith hi% for a

%o%ent"

"That7s &hat / &as oin to leae yo! there for( There7s ery little / )an $o("

"6!t if there is little yo! )an $o, there is nothin / )an $o("


37/44

"That7s not tr!e an$ yo! -no& it( He &ants yo!("

"6!t &hat a% / s!''ose$ to 0o$, Co%beferre, yo! -no& yo! are %!)h better at this than / a%# An$the %en nee$ %e("

"The %en &ill %anae( An$ tal-in to a frien$ is not a %atter of s-ill("

En*olras ae hi% an al%ost i%'lorin loo- b!t finally no$$e$ an$ ret!rne$ to the roo%( 0rantaire

o'ene$ his eyes &hen he hear$ hi% a''roa)h(

"o o yo! nee$ anythin" the st!$ent in9!ire$ a bit a&-&ar$ly(

A s%all s%ile an$ a sha-e(

":ho!l$n7t yo! be o!tsi$e" 0rantaire as-e$ softly(

"No( Not riht no&(" He ste''e$ )loser an$ sat on the e$e of the table( "Why Why $i$ yo! $o this

4o! $on7t thin- &hat &e7re $oin here %atters, so &hy"

"/ thin- Pro!aire7s life $oes( An$ all of yo!rs( 4o! )an still et o!t of here( ehan )an sho& yo! the

&ay thro!h the se&ers( /f yo! ie the% the or$er, they &ill follo& yo!( They &on7t thin- it7s

)o&ar$i)e if yo! say it isn7t( An$ it isn7t#"

En*olras shoo- his hea$(

"4o! -no& / )an7t( /f that7s &hat yo! )a%e here for, yo! sho!l$n7t hae( 4o! %!st hae -no&n it &asf!tile to try an$ )onin)e %e to leae the barri)a$e( An$ yo! sho!l$n7t hae ris-e$ yo!r life hel'in !s(

Pro!aire" he 'a!se$ to ta-e a breath an$ e.hale( When he s'o-e aain his oi)e &as )ho-e$(

"Pro!aire, as %!)h as / loe hi%, &ill li-ely $ie in a %atter of ho!rs any&ay( /7% afrai$ it7s ineitable(6!t if &e all $ie, let it be in an atte%'t to sae o!r )o!ntry("

0rantaire &as loo-in at hi% &ith half a s%ile on his !nnat!rally 'ale li's( Not really )yni)al this ti%e,%ore ironi)(

"Then if / $ie," he sai$ slo&ly, "let it be in an atte%'t to sae %y frien$s( An$ %y notso)ol$ %arblestat!e("

En*olras %et his eyes aain, s!$$enly )o%'rehen$in, s!$$enly re)oni+in that sa%e %i.t!re of

)o!rae, 'assion an$ $eotion that he so!ht for an$ a$%ire$ in his )o%ra$es( With this %an, hesi%'ly ha$n7t been loo-in in the riht 'la)e(

As if rea$in his %in$, 0rantaire no$$e$(

"4o! are %y 5ran)e," he sai$ si%'ly( "4o! an$ the%( An$ / -no& that eerythin yo! hae, yo! &ill

ie to the Peo'le, b!t not this( This is all yo!rs( This heart, this %in$, this %an, s!)h as he is, belonsto yo! an$ yo! )an7t ie that a&ay( An$ :to' )ryin no&, A$rien, it7s )o%'letely %is'la)e$( What

life &o!l$ / hae any&ay &itho!t %y frien$s on7t &ish that !'on %e("


38/44

En*olras &i'e$ his )hee- anrily(

"4o!7re ins!fferable#"

:o%eone o!tsi$e )alle$ En*olras7 na%e( The blon$7s eyes $arte$ to the $oor b!t he staye$ &here he

&as( 0rantaire n!$e$ his han$ ently(

"0o on( /7e sai$ &hat / nee$e$ to say("

En*olras ot off the table b!t sto''e$ aain, !n)ertain( He bent $o&n an$ 'resse$ a -iss to the other%an7s forehea$(

"/7ll be ba)-("

"/ )an7t 'ro%ise /7ll still be here &hen yo! are( Hae an a''oint%ent to -ee', yo! see, &ith a fair la$y

$resse$ in bla)-("

"Tell her to &ait("

":he7s not the 'atient -in$, /7% s!re yo! -no&( 6!t that7s all riht( We7e sai$ o!r oo$byes("

"Mine &asn7t a 'ro'er one("

"What &o!l$ be a 'ro'er one"

En*olras bent $o&n aain an$ -isse$ hi% on the li's this ti%e(

/ loe yo!(

!ieter than a &his'er( En*olras hi%self &asn7t entirely s!re he ha$ sai$ it(

When he %oe$ a&ay, 0rantaire &as loo-in at hi% &ith a s%ile so 're)isely balan)e$ bet&een

ha''iness an$ sa$ness that he $i$n7t -no& &hat to %a-e of it(

"/ &ish yo! ha$ $one that abo!t seenteen %in!tes ao," 0rantaire sai$(

CHAPTER E/0HTEEN

0rantaire an$ En*olras7 ar$en, 183

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Worth of a Man