Marius was smiling, at first, listening with great attention and nodding as if in complete understanding of Signless's emotions. And then that smile waned, the longer he spoke of his dear beloved, and by the end of it the smile had dissipated completely, his eyes grown large with horror. This monsieur before him... He dared love such a savage woman?

But perhaps there was something salvageable out of all this. Marius willed his mind to ignore the violence, forced himself to focus on the romantic. The notion that she could turn into something beautiful, in concept, was almost magnificent...

Still, terror undoubtedly prevailed in his heart.

He sputtered before he managed to spit out, eyes round and face blanched and sinking a little into his chair, "K-Kill a beast with her bare claws, monsieur?!"

Should Cosette ever display such viciousness, Marius's own heart would shred into pieces!