[His eyes follow her gaze and he realizes just then that he might be hurting her, so he releases his hold; there are red marks on her skin and he appears as if he is to apologize.
But her words strike him like an accusation and the guilt dissipates, because Eponine might be right there before him but nothing has ever been as real, as tangible to this daydreamer as Cosette and her love, even if she is not around. So what comes tumbling out of his mouth instead, in an unyielding tone of voice that surprises even himself,]
She was taken from me; it is not of her own doing, I am sure of it.
[Because he proposed to her and she said yes, and they were supposed to be married, and it was supposed to continue loving each other for the rest of their lives. No one willingly walks away from a happiness such as that.]
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But her words strike him like an accusation and the guilt dissipates, because Eponine might be right there before him but nothing has ever been as real, as tangible to this daydreamer as Cosette and her love, even if she is not around. So what comes tumbling out of his mouth instead, in an unyielding tone of voice that surprises even himself,]
She was taken from me; it is not of her own doing, I am sure of it.
[Because he proposed to her and she said yes, and they were supposed to be married, and it was supposed to continue loving each other for the rest of their lives. No one willingly walks away from a happiness such as that.]