He replied with some embarrassment:—
“Ah! so it’s you, Éponine?”
“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 Éponine.
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:—
“Well?”
Then she paused again, and remained with downcast eyes.
“Good evening, Mr. Marius,” said she suddenly and abruptly; and away she went.