Fantine bowed and ran off to find a suitable container for Chloe's milk.  Eponine loosened up a bit once Fantine left the room, but immediately tightened up again, even started fidgeting restlessly when Maria started talking about overthrowing the Queen.  Eponine wanted to speak out, to object, to remind Maria of her loyalties and the severe punishments for treason, but a few factors prevented her from doing so.  The first factor was that Eponine did not want to show weakness to Chloe, nor undermine the appearance of power that Maria had; if Chloe saw Eponine contradict Maria, Chloe might think that Maria couldn't even control her own subordinates.  The second factor was that it was entirely possible that Maria was playing a ruse, trying to trick Chloe into divulging some sort of information.  Still, Eponine was extremely uncomfortable, and gripped the armrests of her chair tightly, her wide eyes darting back and forth between Maria and Chloe.  Despite her efforts, her nervousness showed through; such expression of emotion that she had not shown in a long time.

Fantine returned shortly holding a tray with a pewter beer stein and a large glass jug of cold milk.  She placed the stein in front of Chloe and poured some milk out for her, before retreating back into her waiting position behind Maria's wheelchair.