Well see this is what he gets for trying to adhere to social niceties.

"I killed you because I wanted to save another." Maximus said flatly. Sure, he hadn't exactly liked her after that conversation, and had certainly assured her death, but in the end it had hardly been about her at all.

"I am no night watchman, Eponine," He said, frowning deeply though he did still keep trying to dance. "I killed many valiant men with whom otherwise I would have been brother."