Section I,Next Section

Part 1

he ceremony ended. The new Mr. and Mrs. Darcy ran out of the church followed by the new Mr. and Mrs. Bingley. Outside, the crowd showered them with rice and rose petals. The four newlyweds headed for their carriages, which would take each couple to their own honeymoon destination. Mr. and Mrs. Bingley had opted for a "quiet honeymoon" at home, but Mrs. Darcy wanted to get as far away from home as possible, and convinced her husband to take her to Paris for their honeymoon. So, after a night at Pemberley to rest up for the long trip, they were on their way to the City of Romance.

On their way, they had little conversation. They were too busy contemplating what the next fortnight would be like. Finally, Elizabeth said,

"My dear Mr. Darcy, where will we be staying?"

"At my estate in Paris, of course."

"You have an estate in Paris?" she asked, feigning shock.

"Yes, my dear. I call it Little Pemberley."

"Oh, then it must be quite grand!"

"Not quite as grand as Pemberley, but it's perfect for us."

They smiled at each other.

When they got to the dock, Darcy went to fetch a sailor to take them across the Channel. He found one in almost no time at all. In the boat, the boatsman said to Darcy,

"I hope you know what's going on in France right now."

Looking at Elizabeth fondly, Darcy said,

"I've been a little busy lately for political affairs."

"There's a big fuss. It seems as though the police in Paris are having a difficult time keeping a certain group of students under control."

"Why?" asked Elizabeth.

"They want their rights, the government won't give them their rights, so they have decided they want a new government. Also, they're expecting a ruckus because the people's favorite, General Lamarque, is sick."

"Lamarque?"

"Aye. He's the only one who'll stand up for the little people."

"It seems, darling," said Darcy, "we will have to take extra precautions not to get involved."

Elizabeth was too busy looking at the fish to notice what he was saying. The boatsman watched them with some amusement as they talked and teased. He shook his head and said to himself,

"What a nice looking couple.";

When they got to shore, Darcy and Elizabeth paid and thanked the boatsman for bringing them and jumped into the carriage they had waiting for them.

As they were nearing the house, they started to notice many people running wildly through the streets.

"What's going on, William?" asked Elizabeth.

"I'm not sure," he replied.

They saw a man standing on a table that had been dragged out into the market. He was a handsome man who looked as if he should have belonged to a noble family despite his ragged clothes. He seemed angry about something, but Elizabeth couldn't understand a word. Because Darcy could understand French, she asked him if he knew what the man was saying. Darcy shook his head grimly and replied:

"I wouldn't dare repeat it."

Elizabeth asked Darcy if they could stop and listen, and not being able to refuse her anything, they stopped. They noticed a bunch of young men standing near the main speaker and cheering him on. One of them kept sneezing. Another looked as if he would pass out any minute from too much liquor, but wouldn't. He just kept staring at the man on the table with admiration. When the man was done with his speech, the drunk jumped on the table with him and, much to his chagrin, raised his arm and shouted:

"Vive la Republique!"

The crowd cheered.

As the crowd broke up, Elizabeth was flabbergasted. She had just witnessed a revolutionary speech! It was exhilerating. Pulling her new husband by the arm, she practically flew to the boy who had been speaking, for he was really not much more than a boy. She said to Darcy,

"William, dear, please tell him that we enjoyed his speech."

He grudgingly did as he was told. The boy whirled around, surprised at the foreign accent. He said,

"Merci."

Elizabeth looked at Darcy, wanting to say more. Darcy sighed.

"If you want me to act as translator, go ahead."

She grinned.

"Thank you. Can you please introduce myself for me?"

"Certainly." and he proceeded.

The young man smiled and shook Darcy's hand.

"Enjolras," he said. Then, in almost perfect English, he said,

"I am pleased to meet you, Madame Darcy."

"Likewise."

"Hm?"

"I mean, I am pleased to meet you, as well."

He and Darcy then got into a long conversation, half in English, half in French. He asked Darcy if he was an English revolutionary, to which Darcy replied,

"Oh! No. I am here for a....vacation...with my wife. Elizabeth was highly interested by your speech."

"One moment," said Enjolras. He beckoned to one of his friends. When he came over, he introduced him as Courfeyrac.

"Courfeyrac can speak better English than I," he said. "You three can talk."

And he left. Courfeyrac looked quite put out with suddenly being called upon to know English perfectly. But, being polite, he smiled and pulled up a chair. They were sitting in the Cafe le Musain. Courfeyrac and Darcy chatted pleasantly for a few hours. They were introduced to each of the friends, one by one. There was Combeferre, Feuilly, Grantaire (he was the drunken one), Joly (the sneezing one), Bahorel, Lesgles, and Jean Prouvaire. Then Courfeyrac's conversation took a more personal turn. He talked of one of his new friends, who wasn't there today.

"Apparently, he's, uh, how do you say, depressed?" here he waited for a nod of approval. "He is depressed over a lady friend."

Darcy and Elizabeth gave each other knowing looks.

"We are expecting a change in the health of General Lamarque. Either he will live or he will die. I expect Enjolras has a plan for either one."

"What do you think he'll do?" asked Elizabeth, more than a little frightened.

He answered in French, obviously leaving it to Darcy's discretion whether or not he wanted his wife to know about such things.

"What?" asked Elizabeth, laughingly. "What did he say?"

"He said they'll most likely fight."

Her eyes widened.

"Why?" she asked.

"Madame," said Courfeyrac, "that is the question. We will fight because that is how freedom is won. We are the Republic. If we want the Republic to be adopted in France, we must fight for it."

Elizabeth still did not understand.

Part 2

The next day, after a long, pleasant evening with her husband, Elizabeth went out for a walk to get away from the many servants despite her the fact that Darcy begged her not to go. SHe walked down the street thinking how much she loved married life. Suddenly, a young man in a panic bumped into her. He didn't even bother to apologize! Indignant, Elizabeth tried to find a Frenchman who could speak English. She didn't have much success. All she could make out was that it wassomething about General Lamarque. Just then, she saw Courfeyrac, Enjolras, Feuiily, and Combeferre. They were all carrying rifles. Courfeyrac recognized her and said,

"Madame Darcy, what are you doing outside? Are you going to help us at the barricade?"

Elizabeth must have looked totally confused, because Courfeyrac added:

"General Lamarque is dead and Enjolras has chosen this time to start a revolution. We are on our way to the Rue de la Chanvrerie."

He ran after Enjolras and the rest of them shouting "Vive la Republique!"

For some reason Elizabeth could not find her way back to Little Pemberley. She wandered around forabout an hour not knowing which way was up. She was too dazed. Of all the times to pick to come to Paris, they had to come during a revolution. Finally she stopped on a little street behind the Cafe le Musain. Knowing she would never be able to find her way home by herself, she sat down to wait for her husband to find her. In a few minutes, she realized she was sitting int he exact place where the students wanted to build their barricade. She watched as they stacked chairs, tables, buggies, anything they could find to build an enormous barricade. Enjolras came over to her and said,

"You should go home, Madame, there is going to be a lot of people killed."

"I can't find my home." she said with a shrug.

He handed her a rifle. She shook her head and said,

"I don't know howto fire it."

He mumbled something in Frenh that sounded like,

"Stubborn foreign women."

Elizabeth watched him with some amusement. Suddenly, she heard a shot from inside the inn. She saw a man with long, shaggy hair bending down. At first, she thought he was the one who had been shot, but then she saw Enjolras descend on him like a eagle on a mouse. She saw him take a pistol out of its holder and point it at the man's head. The man bowed his head muttered something unintelligible. A few seconds later, the man was dead.

*Author's note: for more details on this incident, see part VIII of the chapter "Corinth" in Les MIserables*

After Enjolras made another speech, Elizabeth got to ask Courfeyrac why he killed that man. He said,

"Le Cabuc killed the porter of the house, so Enjolras executed him. It makes me tremble, Madame, whe I think of that boy is caapable of."

To change the subject, Elizabeth said,

"Who is that over there?" and pointed to a man sitting with his arms behind his back inside the inn.

"He is a spy. Little Gavroche discovered him for us."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. Why were these schoolboys so wild about revolution? She was getting uncomfortable. When would William come and take her home? She didn't want to stay in a barricade all night and run the risk of being shot on her third day of being married. Just then, to her great relief and joy, she saw the Darcy carriage drive up. William ran over to her and asked, half in panic,

"What are you doing here?"

"I got lost."

"You don't know how lost you are. You'rein the middle of an inserrection!"

"I'm sorry," she said, teary eyed. "I couldn't find my way back home. I just sat down here to wait for you, and all this happened since I've been here."

They emraced, and after a while, Darcy said,

"Elizabeth, promise me never to get lost again."

At this absurd proposal, Elizabeth regained her good humor and asked,

"And would you have me stay inside all day, sir?"

"No, it's just that..." he was interrupted by Enjolras who came up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder, and said,

"I beg your pardon, but I thought you should know that you are now trapped here."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow and said, " And how are we trapped here?"

"The National Guards saw you come in. If you were to leave they would shoot you on the spot."

Elizabeth gasped. She looked at Darcy, who had turned pale. Enjolras continued,

"If you like you can go in the inn and wait out the battle. If not you may help us fight."

Elizabeth turned to Darcy as if to say "Do what you think is right."

Darcy said "I don't think I'll be able to sit still for so long as to wait out a battle."

"Alright. The guns are in there." he answered pointing to a room in the back. And he left to help one of his friends put a table back where it was supposed to be. Darcy walked over to where Enjolras had pointed him. Elizabeth followed at a short distance.

"William," she said furtively. He turned around rifle in hand. "You really don't have to."

"There's no choice."

"Yes, there is. We could sneak out tonight, after it's dark."

"No, Enjolras is right. We're cut off. There's no way getting out."

"But, you got in."

"He smiled at her, amused. "You might not realize it, Elizabeth, but it has been an hour since I arrived."

"Really?" He nodded. "Oh. You'll be careful, won't you?"

"Of course. Why do you think I'd go and get myself killed after being married for only four days?"

"Three."

"Four if you count the ceremony."

"But you can't count the ceremony. We weren't officially married until the minister pronounced us man and wife."

They leaned in for a kiss, but just before their lips touched, there was a shot and Enjolras shouted something that sounded like "Fire!"

Elizabeth cautiously crept behind a wagon as Darcy had ordered her. As she watched the battle, she saw a gun being carefully aimed at the young man Enjolras had called Marius. She saw a young man leap out and hurl his body in front of the musket. Elizabeth watched in horror as the bullet passed through his thin body. As the boy slumped to the ground, Elizabeth ran to him to see if she could help him. She called her husband.

Darcy looked over at her and saw what was going on. He ran to her.

"What's the matter?"

"He's hurt."

"He! It looks more like she to me."

"Poor boy."

After a closer inspection, Darcy said, "Poor girl, Elizabeth."

"What?!"

The girl murmered: "Monsieur Marius,"

"What did she say?"

"She's calling for Marius."

"Marius!" she turned to the girl and said, "William, I think I can save her."

"You do that. I'll bring Marius when he can come."

Elizabeth noticed with some wonder that her husband seemed to be enjoying himself. Shaking her head, she dragged the girl into the inn. she decided that if she could dress the wound the right way and the girl didn't develop gangrene, ahe would be alright. She silently thanked God for the experience she recieved whe Kitty accidentally gotten in the in officer's archery practice and received an arrow in the foot. She got to work, and in a half hour the girl was breathing normally again.

Part 3

After the fighting had cooled off for the night, Darcy returned with Marius. The girl saw him and whispered,

"Monsieur Marius..."

He looked positively aghast.

"Eponine!" Then he said something which Darcy translated as, "What are you doing here?"

*Author's note: from this moment on, nothing will be true to the book Les Miserables. Also, Darcy is translating the conversation between Marius and Eponine.*

"I am dying," she replied.

Marius looked at Darcy inquisitively, who, in turn, looked at Elizabeth, who shook her head.

"You are wounded! Where are you hurt? My God! But what did you come here for? Have I hurt you?"

"A little. Did you see a musket aimed at you?"

"Yes, and something that stopped it."

"That was me."

"What on earth possessed you to do a crazy thing like that?! But they will take good care of you. Just sit down beside me. That will be better than a surgeon."

He did. After a pause, she continued,

"Do you know, Monsieur Marius, it made me jealous for you to go into that garden. I know I was the one who showed you the house, but I was jealous all the same. I should've known.....You thought I was ugly, didn't you?"

Here, Elizabeth noticed that if she had been properly nourished and clothed, she would have been a very handsome young woman. After a gloomy pause, Eponine continued:

"See, you are lost. You cannot get out. I brought you here to die. I know I jumped in front of the bullet, but I wanted to die with you. Do you remember when I refused your money? You tried to pay me to give you Cosette's address. I did not want your money. I am so happy. We are all going to die."

Elizabeth was not one bit happy with the turn the monologue was taking. She told Darcy,

"Please don't translate anymore. I can't take it."

After they left the room, Elizabeth said,

"Can you imagine? That girl tried to sacrifice herself for love! She's desperately in love with him. Can't he see that?"

"I think he has caught on by now. But, see, he's in love with a person named Cosette." Here he paused as if trying to grasp the concept of a girl named Cosette.

"William, I want to take her home so we can properly nourish her."

Startled, William said,

"What?"

"Can't we take her to Pemberley with us?"

"Elizabeth, she's a waif! An orphan, probably. What will we do with a half-grown, malnourished orphan?"

"We could give her an education, adopt her, give her a dowry, give her love, give her shelter...."

Realizing she could go on and on and on, Darcy stopped her prattling by saying,

"And why would she want to go?"

"Well, if I loved somebody and he didn't return my love, I wouldn't want to stay on the same continent as him, let alone the same country!"

"What if she dies?"

"She's not going to die," she said, straightening up. "She's not even going to be paralyzed. I believe, with the right treatment, she could be a very proper young lady. Handsome, too."

Marius came out of the room clutching a piece of paper in his hand, which he gave to the imp Gavroche. Gavroche immediately scampered out of the barricades singing an irresistable tune.

"Alright, Elizabeth, I've decided that if she lives, you may keep her."

"William, you make her sound like she's an animal. I think she and Georgiana will be just like sisters."

Darcy stopped short in his tracks. He turned around and said,

"Sisters who can't communicate because one speaks French and the other English?"

"Oh, don't be silly! Of course we can teach her English."

"Either that or she'll teach us French."

"You already know French."

"So I do." and, reaching his arm around her waist, he said, "Elizabeth, what am I going to do with you? You won't be satisfied until we have all these little warriors adopted and living at Pemberley."

"I suppose, William, that you'll just have to live with them," she said, teasingly.

Part 4

During the battle that commenced, Darcy noticed that Marius was shot in the shoulder, and, falling down, fell into the hands of one of the insurgents, who immediately dragged him into the sewers. Wondering what was going on, he followed. He didn't feel guilty leaving the rest of them because it was clear that they were all going to die, and where would Elizabeth be without him? Either way, they would not benefit from his company. He was completely out of bullets and his sword was broken. However, once he got into the sewers, he realized he had left Elizabeth all alone in the inn. Rolling his eyes at himself, he headed back.

"I wish Aunt Catherine could see me now, knee deep in sewage." he thought, wrinkling his nose.

As he climbed out of the manhole, he could hear the ceasing of fire. Little by little, it completely stopped. About thirty men marched past his head, which they obviously didn't notice, and into the room opposite the inn. They started sifting through the bodies. All the rebels were dead. No, there was Enjolras still standing. But he'd be dead in a minute. Elizabeth ran over to him and said,

"Do something! They'll shoot him."

"Elizabeth..."

"Do something!"

Darcy was a quick thinker, as was evidenced by what he did next. He grabbed the vest off a dead soldier, and, putting it on, ran to the top of the barricade and shouted, in French,

"One's getting away!"

Two thirds of the company that had started after Enjolras ran after the "one that was getting away." Darcy grabbed Elizabeth, handed her a musket and took one for himself. He then proceeded to start a free-for-all with the guards, hitting them one by one over the heads, with Elizabeth's help, of course. In the corner, someyhing started to stir. It was Grantaire. He had been sleeping through everything, the drunk. Grantaire was, as anybody could see, entirely in awe of Enjolras, having wated his own life on drink. When he saw that the guards were trying to kill his "baby," something erupted in him, and he leapt on the guards, sending them all to the ground. Enjolras, dazed by the turn of events, joined him. Elizabeth couldn't be happier, and, trying to clap her hands for joy, instead ended up boxingthe ears of a soldier. Darcy, realizing that the other guards would be coming back soon, stole the bayonet from the soldier he was fighting and stuck him. Elizabeth cracked her musket over the next soldiers head, and kicked the next one inthe groin, sending him catapulting over what was left of the barricade. The sight of a woman fighting so valiantly (and fiercely to boot) sent the other soldiers into panic. Darcy stood with his mouth open, sporting a slight scratch on the hand and small hole in the ankle. Enjolras's knuckles were bleeding and his shirt was torn, but other than that, he was alright. Grantaire, on the other hand, had passed out again as soon as he had jumped on the guards. Elizabeth's hair was sticking to her forehead, and her eyes had a new brightness. As she helped Enjolras up, he said,

"Thank you."

She grinned and said,

"What a thrill!"

Darcy said,

"Let's go, I know a way out." and he led them to the sewers. Just at this time, one of the soldiers turned around, not wanting to leave them all there unwounded. He aimed carefully at Darcy, the one who had started it all. However, this was not that particular soldiers day. Enjolras saw him and just as the soldier pulled the trigger, pushed Darcy out of the way. Elizabeth watched in horror as he fell to the ground.

*Author's note: in knife fighting being "stuck" means you are stabbed, but not to death. By the way, I don't mean to be too violent, but it's a revolution!*

Part 5

Elizabeth held her breath. And her honeymoon had been going so well! Imagine her relief when he sat up. She said to him,

"I thought you were hit!"

"I was." he replied grinding his teeth in pain.

"Oh. Well, where is it? Maybe I can dress it and we can get out of here before the reinforcements come."

"Here." and he pointed to his left hip.

Elizabeth's cheeks reddened slightly, and she looked at Darcy asking permission with her eyes. Darcy was speechless. Literally. He shook his head wildly, sputtering things that amounted to "Just get it over with."

Elizabeth said,

"Well, let's go somewhere where I can have the proper time and not be rushed. William, dear, you go get Eponine."

"Eponine? Oh! Eponine. Yes, dear."

And he left. He was gone. Nobody there but Elizabeth, Enjolras, and the practically dead Grantaire. All of a sudden, well, maybe not as sudden as heaven-sent, but anyway, Grantaire snorted. This little snort gave Elizabeth an idea. She went over to Grantaire, and shook him. Enjolras watched her curiously. She yelled in Grantaire's ear, "Wake up!" then she pleadingly looked at Enjolras, the only bilingual left. Enjolras obligingly yelled at Grantaire, but to no avail. Frustrated, Elizabeth kicked him in the rear end. This did the trick. Grantaire blinked his eyes, and said something that didn't sound too flattering. She decided that she did not like Grantaire. She pointed at Enjolras. Grantaire started wailing like little baby. Enjolras looked at Elizabeth in horror, as he realized what she was doing. Elizabeth shrugged, and proceeded to show Grantaire how to dress a wound using signs and sounds and talking very slowly. She ended up doing most of it herself, as Grantaire passed out very frequently, but it was much less embarrassing.

After everything was "made better," Darcy arrived carrying Eponine over his shoulder. Elizabeth looked at him scoldingly , but he protested,

"She wouldn't come! I had to chloroform her!"

Elizabeth's look changed from scolding to pitying. Darcy asked,

"Is she all fixed up?" she nodded to the affirmative.

"So, where are we going to go?" Darcy asked after a while.

"I say we go home." Elizabeth replied. Darcy looked at their two wounded friends. Elizabeth saw the dilemma. How were they going to escort two wounded rebels past all the soldiers? Darcy got an idea. He set Eponine gently on the ground. Then went over to what was left of the barricades and retrieved a wagon. He then put Eponine in the wagon and covered her with a blanket. He then proceeded to splotch her face with red dye. Elizabeth was very curious.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Eponine has the small pox, can't you see that?"

Elizabeth's eyes flashed knowingly.

"Brilliant." she said.

He smiled at the comment. And so, the four of them walked through the streets of Paris, Elizabeth pushing the cart and Darcy yelling "Small pox!" It was slightly embarrassing for Darcy, but he had to do it. Enjolras obviously wasn't enjoying himself, but when Darcy threatened to put him in the cart, too, he walked quite obligingly. As much as Elizabeth admired Enjolras for walking wounded in the hip, she couldn't understand why he refused to ride in the cart. If she could, she would've ridden in the cart rather than walking three miles very slowly to Little Pemberley after spending all night fighting a regiment of well - trained soldiers.

"Well, to each his own, I guess." she said to herself. "Masculine pride is a funny thing."

Finally, they arrived at Little Pemberley.

Part 6

Once in the house, Elizabeth told Rosalia to send for the surgeon while Enjolras collapsed on to the sofa in the parlor. She then took Eponine upstairs and laid her on a bed in the guest room. She instructed Louise to prepare some broth for her. When all this was done, she wnt to her room to change her clothes. Darcy came in and stood behind her while she arranged her hair.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied. "Why wouldn't I be?"

He looked at her bewildered.

"Well," he said, "we've just been through twenty-four hours worth of fighting. Are you telling me you're not fazed?"

"No, of course not. I'm fazed. To a degree. I found it to be the most exciting thing I ever did. Why don'twe have these things in England?"

"You're teasing me." he said poutingly, with a twinkle in his eye.

"Of course I am, darling," she said with a smile. "Now," she saidturning serious, "we have to entrust this surgeon with an enormous secret, don't we?"

"Yes. I hope he can be trusted."

"But if we don't get a surgeon,his wound will fester."

"I know. So, we will get the surgeon, and if we feel he can't be trusted, we will go to England."

"You mean take them both to England? Pemberley? Will Enjolras go?"

"Well, I don't think he will have much of a choice if his wound festers. Also, I think if I tell him about the pretty ladies in England..."

Here Elizabeth cut him off.

"No, I don't think Enjolras is very much interested in women. He never talked about them, did he?"

"No, that's an excellent point. Well, if he won't come, we'll leave him here. That's all we can do."

"He'll come. I'm sure of it."

"Alright. You're sure of Enjolras. What about Eponine?"

"Like I said, I don't think Eponine will want to stay, poor girl."

"Oh, right. Her unrequited love."

"Don't make fun of her, sir! She's heartbroken. You were once afflicted with unrequited love, remember?"

"Yes, I remember. What tortures!"

"There! Now, please, try to make her comfortable."

He agreed.

An hour or so later, the surgeon arrived. When he saw Elizabeth he thought that she was his patient, for reasons that were lost on all except the surgeon. But when he learned that the real patient was upstairs, bleeding to death, he became hysterical. He said,

"I know of only one place where that kind of injury could have happened. And I know well enough that the police are looking throughout the city for a rebel that escaped! And I will not perform anything on a fugitive. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go to my hospital. There is a man there that has got the most strange thing sticking out of his neck."

And with that, he tried to leave, but Elizabeth pleaded with him to help their friend. He looked as if he would not listen to any more entreaties, until Darcy started fiddling with his wallet. The surgeon's eyes lit up, expecting a big pay-off. Darcy said,

"Monsieur, I can see that your mind is made up. Are you sure you do not want to help us?"

The surgeon nodded his head vigorously, his mouth practically drooling with anticipation of a few francs. Darcy shrugged and said,

"Well, then, I suppose I won't have to pay you. It's a mercy, anyhow, forI expected your fee to be very large, indeed."

The doctor became livid. He stampered,

"Uh, well, if you really need me to, I guess I can't betray the Republic."

Elizabeth was appalled at the money grubbing nature of this little, sweaty, balding man. But, disgusted as she was, she did want him tosave Enjolras's life. So she led him to the parlor, where he promptly began to make preparations. Enjolras was barely awake, but what consciousness he had was used to observe this wily doctor. It was obvious Enjolras did not trust him.

When the surgeon began to undress Enjolras, Elizabeth backed out of the room politely, leaving Darcy in there to watch the doctor.

When the surgeon came out an hour later, he said,

"I am sorry to say that he will live."

"Why are you sorry?" asked Elizabeth.

He only glared at her and took her husband's money.

Part 7

For the next week, the surgeon came by every couple days to check up on his patient. Eponine was healing nicely on her own, as Elizabeth and Darcy each watched the doctor very carefully and copied his treatments onto her. One day, Elizabeth was sitting in Eponine's room, talking with her. She and Eponine were getting along fine. It turned out that Eponine's mother had seen to it that Eponine learn a few things. She spoke broken English before this little incident, and now, being in the company of English people every day was improving her skills. Anyway, on this day, Elizabeth decided to tell Eponine a secret she had been keeping from her husband. She said,

"Eponine, can you keep a secret?"

Thinking, for a minute, she replied,

"Yes, ma'am."

"You don't have to call me ma'am, Eponine. We are to be like sisters."

"Yes, I keep forgetting. What is your secret?"

Looking down at her hands for a minute, she said,

"I am going to have a baby."

Eponine gasped with pleasure.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, well, almost. I haven't told William yet."

"Why not?"

"Because he would make us stay here until our baby is born. We have to get back to England as soon as we can."

"Oh, yes, of course. Please, tell me more about England," Eponine begged.

Elizabeth smiled casting aside her seriousness.

"Well, where we live, there are rolling hills, and tall trees. We don't much go into the city. It's too crowded. But where we live, in Pemberley, it is almost as if we were the only ones in the world. Unless we have a visitor, of course."

Here they giggled like schoolgirls. They were both in a mood where everything seemed funny. At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Elizabeth straighened up and said,

"Come in."

Darcy walked into the room. Eponine bit her lower lip, bursting at the seams with their secret. Darcy motioned for his wife to step outside with him for a moment. When they were out in the hall, he said,

"Elizabeth, pack your things. We must leave as soon as possible."

"What? Why?"

"That toad of a doctor was here this morning, and I think he finally had enough. He told me he was going to the police."

"Oh, dear." Elizabeth felt as though she would faint. "Is Enjolras awake?"

"Yes, fortunately. Well, as awake as he could be. He should be able to make the trip safely."

"Well, I will get everything together that we will need."

"You do that. And get Eponine ready."

"Oh! I forgot she couldn't get herself ready. Yes. I'll do that, too."

In twenty minutes, they were all packed and ready to go. Darcy and Elizabeth helped Enjolras and Eponine down the stairs. They could both stand pretty well, but stairs were still a trial. When their carriage was just about to turn the corner, Elizabeth saw two policemen charge up their front porch and barge into their little house.

Part 8

They were well on their way. They were halfway to the Channel. There was not a policeman in sight. Elizabeth sat back and relaxed. She smiled at Eponine, who was smothered by Enjolras's sleeping form. Suddenly, she sat bolt upright. What was that she heard? It sounded like galloping horses. She looked out the window. She could see them, their police uniforms blending with the black horses. She said, quietly,

"Here they come."

Darcy understood. He told the driver to pick up speed, which he did, most happily, for he was a bored fellow. Eponine said worriedly,

"He feels warm."

"What?" Elizabeth asked, just as worriedly.

"His forehead, it feels warm."

"Oh, dear. And everything was going so well two minutes ago. Now we're being chased and Enjolras has a fever."

"Don't worry. We'll get him to England as soon as we can," said Darcy.

When they got to the dock, however, none of the sailors would take them across.

"Why not?" demanded Darcy.

"There's a storm brewing, monsieur," said a sailor that looked like he would pass out any minute.

"There's no such thing!" said Darcy. "The sky's as blue s it was on the day I was born."

"Pardon?"

"Never mind. Who will take us?"

After a couple minutes' dead silence, a little man stood up in the back of the room. It was the boatsman who had brought them there in the first place. Darcy went over to him and said,

"Will you take us across, please?"

"I would, honestly, but there's an aweful storm brewing. I can't risk my boat."

"I'll buy the boat, if you'll take us."

He spat. "How much?"

"It's not really worth more than twenty pounds."

"Twenty pounds it is, and you've got your sailor. I'll be ready in a second, just let me finish my drink."

Darcy sat down and waited inpatiently for him to finish. When he was finally done, the Darcys and the Republic were taken across the Channel.

Part 9

As they arrived at Pemberley, they could hear somebody playing the piano-forte very well. Elizabeth heard it, and finally felt at home. Elizabeth went to help Eponine out of the carriage, but she refused it.

"I think I can make it on my own," she said.

Enjolras, on the other hand, had a bad fever, and was just about delirious. Darcy helped him up the stairs that led to the front door. As they opened the door, they heard a bang on the piano. Apparently, the player wasn't expecting them. A minute later, Darcy was assaulted by by his sister. Georgiana flew at him, hugged him aroung the neck and said,

"You frightened me! What are you doing back so soon? Who is this? Is he hurt?"

"He is sick," Darcy replied.

Georgiana helped Darcy take Enjolras to a guest room upstairs. When he was comfortably situated in bed, they wet a cloth and started keeping his head cool to get rid of the fever. Once they were back outside the room, Georgiana said,

"I had an unexpected visitor last night."

"Who is it?" asked Darcy.

"You'll see," she said. Then she went of to find Elizabeth.

Darcy prayed that the visitor wasn't Miss Bingley, although he doubted she would visit if he was not there. When he got downstairs, he was pleasantly surprised to find the `unexpected visitor' to be his cousin, Colonel Fiztwilliam, who said,

"Darcy, man, what is with your guests? They seem to be a little bit....gloomy."

"Fitzwilliam, you wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Tell me, anyway."

"Would you believe me if I said that they were French revolutionaries who were wounded in the fighting?"

"Maybe. Is that what they are?"

"Half."

"What do you mean, half?"

"One is. Well, thy're both wounded, but only one's a revolutionary. The other tried to commit suicide."

"Are you serious? Wait, that's the wrong question. Are you sure?"

"Quite. She jumped in front of a musket."

Fitzwilliam shook his head. He wondered what on earth got into people to make them want to die. He had no wish to die. He said,

"Darcy, you always have the most entertaining guests!"

"Well, Elizabeth wanted to adopt them."

"Adopt them? Aren't they capable of fending for themselves?"

"Quite."

"So?"

"I don't know, she just wanted to. And when she gets something in her head, it takes forever to get it out."

"And nobody would know that better than you."

"Indeed."

"William?" called Elizabeth.

Darcy excused himself.

"Yes, Elizabeth?" he asked her when he got to her room.

"There's something I have to tell you."

"What?"

"William,"

"Yes?"

"I'm going to have a baby."

Part 10

Georgiana did not know what to think. Elizabeth had described vividly what had happened a week before. She could not believe that people would do things like that. Imagine! These two people here in Pemberley now were just a week ago fighting in the streets of Paris! It was too fantastic! She could not wait to get to know them, and immediately fell to studying French harder than ever, just in case they could not speak English. And now, on top of it, there's news that Elizabeth is going to have a baby. She, Georgiana, would be an aunt in just a few months. She could scarcely breathe for happiness.

A week later, Enjolras was recuperating nicely, and things were finally looking up for him health-wise. Eponine was walking without a cane, and although she was obviously very grateful to Darcy and Elizabeth for saving her life, it was also obvious she missed France. Sometimes she sit at the window in her room and just stare out he window.

One day, Eponine couldn't stand it any longer. She was sitting at the table, eating dinner, and she decided she would run away. Sure, she would miss her new friends here, but she would miss her life in Paris, too. Except for the thieving part, of course, but she could certainly avoid her father well enough. That evening, she got her clothes together and started to climb out her window. Just as she was about to escape down the tall oak tree, she felt two strong hands grab around her waist. Startled, she turned around. It was Colonel Fitzwilliam. After a small struggle, she slapped him.

"What are you trying to do?" he demanded, rubbing his left cheek ruefully.

"I'm going home, if you must know," she retorted.

"Why?"

Frustrated, she turned around and started to climb down again. Unfortunately, he was quicker than she, and grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her back inside. He said to her,

"Why don't you like it here?"

"I do! It's wonderful here. And Miss Darcy has been so kind. But I miss Paris." She started to cry, startling Fitzwilliam even more than before. He patted her on the shoulder.

"There, there," he said. "What do you miss about Paris?"

"I don't know. The familiarity, I suppose."

"Is that all?"

"All?" she asked, confused. "It's enough, I wager."

"Don't bet, Mademoiselle. It's a filthy habit. But if you must bet, I'll bet you that if you stay here for one more month, you'll feel just as fond of Pemberley as you do Paris."

She sniffed and said,

"How much?"

He was surprised. He hadn't thought it would work. He said,

"Ten pounds."

"Twenty."

"Fifteen."

"Deal." They shook on it.

Part 11

Elizabeth walked into Enjolras's room, carrying a tray of delectable treats. She was disappointed to find him lying on his bed, his arms folded across his stomach, staring at the ceiling. It was obvious he was bored. She said,

"What's the matter?"

"I'll tell you," he replied. "There's nothing to do here! I'm bored out of my wits! I was just lying here, trying to make pictures out of the stucco on the ceiling. The only really amusing thing is watching the Colonel and Eponine together."

"What?" Elizabeth asked, startled.

"It's obvious they're falling for each other," he said. Elizabeth had not thought him such an expert on these things. She thought about it for a moment... Yes, it did seem possible, although why Richard would fall for a poor, French girl without connections after he had gone on and on about the importance of marrying well was beyond her. She told him, consolingly,

"Well, I know some nice girls. Would you like to meet one?"

He stared at her as if to say,

"I? Get married? Don't make me laugh."

"Why not? It proved diversion enough for Mr. Darcy."

"Mr. Darcy and I are two different kinds of men."

"Yes, I suppose you are right," she conceded. "But why don't you go to London tomorrow with Mr. Darcy? I'm sure you would like it there."

"Why? Is it like Paris?" he asked sarcastically.

"A little. It's dark and rainy. A bit foggy. But everything's expensive and the houses are close together, if that's what you mean."

"Then I don't think I'd like it," he said gloomily. Then he brightened. "Why don't youlet me start small and take a short walk?" He began to get out of bed.

Elizabeth shook her head and pushed him back.

"I'm sorry. The doctor said no extensive walking for at least another week."

He leaned back on his pillows and sighed.

Later that night, when Elizabeth, with the help of Colonel Fitzwilliam, convinced Enjolras and Eponine to join them in the drawing room, Miss Caroline Bingley descended on the household uninvited. Georgiana, at least, pretended to be glad to see her, but the same could not be said for the other members of Pemberley.

Caroline glided into the room, orange and black feathers heaped over her head and cascading over her eyes. She said,

"My dear Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, how nice to have you back in England! I was afraid those contemptible Frenchmen would have had a bad influence on you."

Enjolras stared at her, but she didn't notice. She kept talking.

"Oh! You have guests!" then, aside to Elizabeth, "Where do you find all your charming companions?"

"They're French. We thought we'd bring them home with us for a change of pace."

"Oh, how delightful! Do they speak English?"

Elizabeth faltered. She didn't know if her guests would want to be able to converse with Caroline. When Elizabeth didn't answer, Caroline went up to Eponine and said, in very bad French,

"Parley vousss Englies?"

Eponine looked at her, amused. She looked at Colonel Fitzwilliam, who answered for her,

"Miss Bingley, Mademoiselle Thenardier does not understand."

"Oh, well, I don't speak French, either."

Tiring of the tiresome Miss Bingley, Enjolras stalked out of the room. Caroline stared after him.

"Who was that?" she asked, suddenly breathless.

"Who?"

"That man who just walked out of the room, dear," she said patronizingly.

"Oh, that was M. Enjolras. He was, uh, growing rapidly tired of Paris, so he's here."

"And how do you know him?"

"We met at a ... party in Paris."

Caroline's eyebrows shot up. This was quite an opportunity.

"Oh, then he is wealthy?"

Elizabeth seemed to remember Courfeyrac, may he rest in peace, mentioning a fortune that belonged to Enjolras.

"I believe so, yes."

"Then you don't know?"

"I would say that yes, he is rich," Elizabeth specified for her greedy relation.

"Oh, how wonderful!" exclaimed Caroline.

"I'm sure," thought Elizabeth. "Poor Enjolras. If she fawns over him the way she did over William before we were married, he's in for some persecution. Of course, Enjolras isn't as polite as William, so it might be the other way around."

Part 12

Posted on Tuesday, 16 June 1998

Enjolras felt himself going crazy. Who was this blasted lady who burst in on his life and made it a living hell? Just now, she was prattling on about the contemptable manners of the Paris revolutionists, no doubt assuming he was a royalist. Colonel Fiztwilliam was sitting in the corner , doubled over with mirth. Georgiana was sitting at the piano-forte, tactfully listening to the conversation and wondering when Enjolras's head was going to burst. As for Enjolras himself, he had the unfortunate position of having to sit next to Caroline. Finally, altough some would say that this wasn't so fortunate, Caroline's subject changed and she started asking questions.

"Monsieur Enjolras ... that is such a formal name. What is your first name?"

Through clenched teeth, "Christian."

"Christian. How nice."

Colonel Fitzwilliam couldn't stand it anymore. He burst out laughing. Loudly. Caroline looked at him sharply and said,

"What are you laughing at?"

"Oh, nothing. I was reading a book of riddles my aunt sent me."

"Well, sir, I hope you can contain your laughter so as not to cause anymore offense."

"My most humble apologies, Miss Bingley." He looked pityingly at Enjolras and left.

She pursed her lips most uncharminglyand turned her attention back to Enjolras, who was dying of boredom.

"Well, Mr. Enjolras, what is your father's name?"

"Enjolras."

Puzzled, Caroline blinked. Then she realizedher blunder and laughed it off.

"I meant is first name."

"Richard."

She smiled pleasantly and tried to look demure, which made her bluntness stand out even more obviously.

Georgiana stopped playing. She stood up and said to Caroline,

"Miss Bingley, would you like to play something?"

"Oh, well, I don't pretend to be a great pianist, but, ifyou insist, very well. What shall I play?"

"Whatever you wish, I'm sure."

She smiled broadly and proceeded to play a very complicated, showy, and loud piece. Enjolras thankfully took the opportunity to escape to his room where he would be safe.

When he got to his room, he laid on his bed for a while. Then he got up and started rummaging though the few books om the bureau. He heard a noise outside the window. Looking out, he witnessed a scene between Colonel Fitzwilliam and Eponine which will take further explanation. It appeared to him that they were having a heated argument about something. He raised his eyebrows and strained to hear bits of their conversation. He heard Fitzwilliam say "Kent," and "urgent business." Then Eponine started crying.

Part 13

Posted on Tuesday, 16 June 1998

Eponine was angry. Not at the Colonel, though. At herself. She scolded herself.

"I fall in love for too easily," she thought miserably. "First Marius, and now Richard." Colonel Fitzwilliam turned away, his head buried in his hands. Then he looked up, turned around, and took her hand in his. He said,

"Eponine, darling," She looked up. "I'm not going to be gone that long. I'm only going to visit my aunt for a couple of weeks. It's expected of me."

"I know."

"And then I'll come back here."

"Did you call me darling?" she asked, looking up suddenly, as if it just occurred to her.

He let go of her hand and shifted his weight uncomfortably.

"Yes. I did." Eponine covered her mouth with her hands, scarcely able to believe it.

"Eponine," he began again, "These are hardly the perfect circumstances, but I would like to ask you a question."

"Yes, Richard?" she aked, not daring to breathe.

"I was wondering if you would consent to be my wife."

She fainted dead away. He caught her in his arms, and carried her into the house.

"Mrs. Reynolds!" he bellowed. "Come quick. Mademoiselle Thenardier has fainted!"

Enjolras ran down, having witnessed the whole thing. Unfortunately, as he arrived at the bottom of the stairs, Caroline caught sight of him. He noticed her. He looked away suddenly, and bolted down the hall, trying not to run. He thought to himself how ironic it was that when he was in battle, his courage never faltered, but now, when it comes to a lunatic woman, he was as scared as a rabbit running from a fox. He ran smack into Georgiana.

"Excuse me." she said, shyly.

"I beg your pardon," he returned.

"What's the matter? Why are you running?"

"Miss Bingley...."

She gave him a knowing look and said,

"Come with me." She led him to a secluded room in the back of the house. It was a beautiful room, but it had the air of not being lived in.

Enjolras said,

"Thank you for rescuing me earlier."

"Oh!" she said, surprised, "Don't mention it. I did the same for my brother many times."

"Your brother!"

"Before he was married."

"Ah."

There was an uncomfortable pause. Georgiana looked around the room, as if looking for something to say.

"I haven't been in this room for a while. I don't think Miss Bingley even knows about it."

Talk of Caroline made Enjolras remember why he was there. He said,

"If only I could make her leave me in peace! How did your brother make her stop?"

"He got married."

Another uncomfortable pause. He said,

"That's actually a good idea. Do you know any elegible young ladies?"

Georgiana looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. All of a sudden, she burst out of the room, crying. She said, before she closed the door,

"Quite a few!"

Enjolras stared at the door, stunned.

Part 14

Posted on Wednesday, 17 June 1998

That night at dinner, Elizabeth and Darcy were quite puzzled as to the behavior of their guests. Eponine was staring at her food, a small smile on her lips. Fitzwilliam was staring at Eponine. Caroline was making futile attemps at conversation with Enjolras, who kept staring at Georgiana. Georgiana was staring at her food, not daring to look up. Caroline said,

"Mr. Enjolras, your wife must be very lucky."

"Wife?"

"Well, then, your lady friend. Don't you have one?"

"Lady friend?" he asked, not understanding. He thought he understood. "Oh! Yes. Chowder and Fricasee. They are twins we found, different as night and day. They couldn't remember their names, so Grantaire named them."

"Grantaire?"

"Yes. He was one of my ... acquaintances in Paris."

"Really?"

"Yes." Then an idea occured to him. He continued. "Yes, Grantaire is very wealthy."

"Indeed?" asked Caroline, beginning to purr like a cat.

They continued on in this fashion for some time. Enjolras, for once in his life, praising Grantaire to the sky, and Caroline responding exactly as he had planned. For a few minutes, Elizabeth could not place the name Grantaire. When it finally hit her what Enjolras was doing, she could scarcely contain herself. Darcy found himself taking a sip of wine whenever he thought he wouldn't be able to keep from laughing. This resulted in a very light-headed Darcy.

At the end of the evening, Miss Caroline Bingley was in a rage to meet Monsieur Grantaire of Paris.

Early the next morning, Colonel Fitzwilliam left for Kent. Eponine kept to herself most of that day, not wanting to speak to anyone. When she finally came down the stairs, she saw a familiar looking figure standing near the door. It took her a moment to recognize him, because he was wearing new clothes that almost fit him. As he was the last person in the world she wanted to see, she darted up the stairs as fast as she could without making any noise.

When she got back to her room, she slammed the door and stood for a moment against it, trying to make herself believe she didn't just see what she did. Why was he here? Why now of all times, when Richard wasn't here to protect her, did he have to show up? She had to get rid of him. But first, she'd have to know what he came for.

Part 15

Posted on Thursday, 18 June 1998

Thenardier stood at the base of the steps, wondering why that pretty girl had run from him as if he were the plague. He would have to get to know that one better. My! she certainly was pretty.

Mrs. Reynolds came back, followed by Enjolras.

"Monsieur Enjolras, sir.'

Enjolras could not think why this ruffian was looking for him.

"What do you want?" he asked gruffly, after Mrs. Reynolds had left. He folded his arms and leaned against a desk. Thenardier sat down neatly on a chair, clamped his hands together in his lap, and said,

"I am here to sell you something."

"To sell me something?"

"Yes. To sell you my silence."

"Pardon?"

"Surely you don't want all your generous friends to know who you are and where you came from and what you do?" Thenardier stated oily.

"They already know," replied Enjolras, moving across the room and staring at the book shelf.

"I'm sure. And perhaps they already know, too, of your criminal record in Paris."

Enjolras smiled warily.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

Thenardier reached in his coat pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. He read,

"Monsieur Christian Enjolras, arrested today for assaulting a police officer and injuring him to the point of needing medical help."

"And I was acquitted."

"Yes, but who was it who sent Inspector Javert to the hospital after breaking his nose and knocking out two of his teeth? And who was it who started an insurrection, causing the deaths of at least fifty soldiers, not to mention most of his own men? You cannot deny these facts, Monsieur. No matter how hard you try," Thenardier said in his sickly sweet, oily manner. His voice had come near to rising to a high-pitched shriek a couple times, but it retained its oiliness throughout the tirade. Now his words struck home with Enjolras. He stood up straight, and Thenardier thought he was going to repeat the damage he had done to Javert's face on Thenardier. However, Enjolras pulled himself together in time, though, to merely push him back down on the seat. He stood towering over him. Thenardier thought,

"He's going to pummel me. And after I had such luck with Monsieur the Baron."

Fortunately for him, though, Enjolras merely stared at him for a few moments, wondering where he had seen him before. Then he said,

"Out of curiosity, what do you want?"

Thenardier's eyes lit up. It looked as if he was going to get his way, after all.

"Well, you see, I want to take my little daughter to America. Unfortunately, I only had enough money to bring her this far. This is where you come in..."

"I?"

"Yes," he replied, matter-of-factly.

"I see. You though you could ... blackmail me into giving you the money, correct?"

"Well, I don't know if `blackmail' is the right word, ..."

"It is."

"Alright, then. Yes."

Enjolras nodded thoughtfully. Then he pulled Thenardier up by his arm and began to pull him towards the door.

"Well, Monsieur ...?"

"Fabantou, dramatic artist."

"Well, Monsieur Fabantou, I'll think about what you've told me, and you can come back later tonight. We'll have another talk."

"But ... but..."

"Au revoir. I'll see you later."

He slammed the door after him. After Thenardier was out of sight, Enjolras leaned his head against the door and let out a long sigh.

"Is something wrong, Monsieur Enjolras?" asked a female voice behind him.

He whirled around, expecting to find Caroline smirking at him. Imagine his relief when he saw it was only Georgiana.

"Oh! No, no. Don't mind me. I just had a visitor."

"Are you feeling well?" she asked, noting his pale face.

"I'm fine. Now, if you'll excuse me, Miss Darcy." He left.

Continued In Next Section