Combeferre

[followedmyheart]

Combeferre,
Papa is ill with summer fever and cannot leave bed. Could you possibly assist me in giving out alms tomorrow morning? It shant take long and I would be grateful for the company.
- Cosette

[Deleted]

Mademoiselle Fauchelevant,

I would be more than happy to assist you in giving alms to the poor tomorrow morning. I tend to pass through the area on my way to class, so it should not be a problem at all. Your good deeds do you credit, not many people show such compassion for their neighbor.

- Combeferre

[followedmyheart]

Monsieur,
Oh will it interfere with your classes? Don't trouble yourself! I do not wish to interrupt your learning, if it is a conflict I can manage on my own!
Thank you for your kind words. I do not focus on my appearance to others, I merely with to please God and pass on his blessings.
Let me know about your classes, so that I may be prepared. I hope you are having a cheerful day!

xxx
- Cosette

P.S. ..............................Do you have class with Marius?

[Deleted]

Mademoiselle,

No, no, it is no trouble at all, really. My education is secondary to helping others in need, and since the area which you speak of is on the way to the university, it should not conflict with my classes either way.

A noble gesture all the same. I am studying to become a doctor and hope to do just that through my work. Until then I am handing out alms to do what I can to help the poor. It upsets me how little many have, and how little is being done to help them--but don't let me bore you with my criticisms of the workings of society. I tend to get a little long-winded on the subject.

My first class is in the afternoon, so there should not be a scheduling conflict at all, mademoiselle. Thank you for your consideration, and the same to you.

- Combeferre

P.S. I do not have many classes with Marius as he is studying law and couple years below me. I only have one--why do you ask?

[followedmyheart]

Combeferre,
That is glad news to my ears. I am glad that you shall not be missing your studies. What a productive day you shall have!

A doctor? How very giving of you! Doctors donate all their time, skills and lives to their work. It is very trying to become one; I am in awe.

I am sure that as much as you speak of your views of the state of France, Enjolras has more to say. What pretty words he spoke at the parade! I have never before heard someone string together a finer speech together in such short time (or in any time!).

Are there any spots around the city that you need assistance passing alms out? I would happy to return the favor!

I was merely wondering...there are parts of his life that I do not get to see. For instance class or when he's at home. I suppose that I am jealous of those who do get to share time with him, such as yourself. What class do you share?

- Cosette

[Deleted]

Mademoiselle,
It is very trying, but then I remember how many people my work will reach, and I do not seem to mind it at all. I believe that God gives us all a purpose, and for now I am almost completely certain that this is mine, so I do not see it as a sacrifice. Speaking of medicine, how is your father? You mentioned he had summer fever.

Yes, Enjolras is a very gifted orator to be sure. I will admit that sometimes I envy his ability to find just the right words at just the right time. It is not a skill we are all blessed with, and he uses it very well.

I usually pass them out around the Rue Saint-Denis—you don’t have to join me if you don’t wish to, mademoiselle, I couldn’t ask a lady such as yourself to accompany me. It was no favor at all, we were there in common cause, and it was my duty to escort you. Truth be told, I was also hoping to run into someone there, but it wasn’t to be.

We both take a philosophy class. I heartily enjoy philosophy—in fact after a few years of medical practice I would very much love to teach the subject at the university level. Education, I think, is the key to solving many of France’s problems. If we give the poor the educational opportunities people like you and I have been given, then I do think they we could do an awful lot of good by allowing them to have access to careers. That's why I really would like to set up a sort of reading clinic for the poor to teach them at least the skills of reading and writing.

Marius is a very lucky man to warrant such devotion. My best wishes to the two of you.

-Combeferre 

[followedmyheart]

Papa is doing much better. Joly called on him earlier. His fear of catching anything keeps him up to date of curing even the simplest of colds! Thankfully Papa's fever merely left him tired and hot. He life was not in danger. I fear it is his age; his immune system is not what it used to be, despite his enormous strength. Thank you for your inquiries! It is quite kind.

I have never seen you lack for words. Are there times? I suppose mine are with Marius. My heart becomes too full and my thoughts so rushed with words that nothing sounds quite right. Perhaps it is a girl of whom you have trouble speaking to.

Ah, I am sorry you did not meet whomever it was you had hoped to on our little escapade. Perhaps you will next time? I shall pray for it. I certainly know how it feels to be denied the absence of one I hope to spot on the streets. Whenever I am in the square I always expect to see Marius on the opposite street smiling at me.

Ah! That makes sense. Marius is quite the philosopher. He also loves to read. That was what he was always doing at the gardens when I saw him. I think you would make an excellent teacher. You are a compass that points north; many students would be lucky to have you to teach them.
Not just France, but the world in general would benefit from such education! The poor need guidance and love, but also an understanding that they do not need to steal or cheat to succeed in life. If this is all they are taught then of coarse they will follow that example. If they are taught differently however, then maybe they would not act so just to survive. It is terribly cruel of the King to hate his people for their crimes when he himself is to blame for their desperation.

A reading clinic would be lovely! I would love to volunteer there if you'll have me!

Thank you for your wishes. It means a great deal, considering I know I can be taxing at time. I mean to Marius in general, Courfeyrac says he is quite distracted at meetings and such because he is daydreaming. I told him that I would speak with Marius and force him to find focus!

- Cos

[Deleted]

That is wonderful news. I'm very glad to know that he has made a full recovery. Don't hesitate to ask if anything else ever comes up--you know I'm in the area and always ready to offer my expertise to one in need.

There are...I daresay they've been more frequent of late. Forgive me for burdening you with my problems, but I've experienced something similar with a girl I am tutoring. I don't really know if I should say anything about it because...well I'm sure you've been told of what our leader plans to do.

Hopefully--I see her quite often for our lessons, but for some reason it doesn't feel like I see her enough. She lives in that part of town and I suppose I worry about her because as you know it's not the safest place in Paris to find oneself after dark. I always ask if she needs an escort home, but she always insists that she's fine. Forgive me for saying this mademoiselle, but women are the most complicated creatures to walk the face of the earth. I could live a hundred years and still not be able to unravel the mystery of what goes on inside your heads.

Thank you for the compliment--I only hope I live up to it. Are you sure you're not the philosopher, mademoiselle? If it weren't so dangerous, I would extend to you an invitation to join our ranks--I couldn't have put it better myself.

That's very kind of you to volunteer--I will need all the help I can get when I do start the clinic.

- Combeferre

[followedmyheart]

Thank you so much. It is nice to have friends upon which I can call. I never really had those growing up.

Not at all mon amie! Your problems are my problems. It's nice to fill my head with something other than the empty thoughts of this empty house. These letters and your friendship give me something to look forward to during the day. Yes...Marius has spoken to me of Enjolras' plans of building a barricade. I understand your tentativeness to profess feelings to girl for whom you may not be able to return. I do not like to personally dwell on the thought of Marius' part in all of that. It saddens me.

Oh, you make me laugh. It seems that each gender finds the other more confusing! We are sorry to rattle your mind monsieur; I'm sure she does not do it intentionally! No doubt this young lady is not rejecting your offer of walking her home to spite you, but merely for her own purposes. She may not want to intrude on your time and also considers herself resourceful enough to make it home on her own.

One is always a better philosopher of someone else's life than their own. If Papa even thought of me among the barricades...I'm am certain he would ascend to Heaven on the spot!

Best wishes.
- C.F.

[Deleted]

I'm at a lost as to what I should do. I don't like being dishonest--it feels wrong to keep this from her but cruel to share it, in the event that she feels the same way for me. I can't pretend to know what will happen at the barricades, but I promise that I will do my best to make sure Marius doesn't get into too much trouble.

I never thought of it like that--perhaps that's why she always refuses to dine with me, because she thinks it's an intrusion...but surely she must know that she could never be a bother! Or perhaps she doesn't--perhaps I should tell her. If only I knew how, and if only I had the courage.

Heavens no, the barricades are far too dangerous a place for any lady.

- Combeferre