"You don't trick me, do you, Sir?' She started to bend herself backwards, awkward, but she was scared. She wanted to trust Courfeyrac - but perhaps it was a trick to make her sink so that he could win. Eponine wouldn't blame him for that. She would like to win as well.

"I don't want to drown, Sir. Honest. " She was beginning to cry as the water continued to rise. it was up to her bare knees already and rising fast. She was honestly completely petrified.

"Sir... God, Sir - please don't let me drown. I swear - anything you want when we leave here if you help me now. Sir, I'm... I'm afraid."

That is so hard for Eponine to admit - Eponine who laughs in the face of just about any danger, or tries to ignore it and bear it until it's over. But - "Sir - it's as cold as the Seine. Please - please, just kill me quick so I don't drown."