'Hugo!?'

Courfeyrac snorts at once.

'That old Romantic? I saw a photograph of him in a book the other day, he looked as if he were in a swoon - though I will say, he improves in the face with age, largely because he grows a beard. But-'

He moves on hurriedly, because of course Enjolras does not care about the hair arrangements of other men.

'-I saw that name a number of times, and assumed he had written a social treatise of the time. It was on my list to read. You say it includes us - and Marius? Here-' he comes to his knees on the sofa, and stretches a hand forward, '-may I? Thank you. I should think-'

He riffles through pages, reaching the latter half before stopping, reading a few lines, and letting out a bark of a laugh. '-so that is why he only went out in the evening. Ah, dear Marius. I do wish he would join us.'