Éponine is a character in Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables. Novel Éponine's role in the novel centers on Cosette. As a child, she is spoiled, while Cosette is treated miserably. As a young adult, she brings Marius and Cosette together. She becomes obsessed with Marius. Early life Éponine is the elder daughter of M. and Mme Thénardier, who run an inn in the town of Montfermeil. A woman named Fantine who has an illegitimate daughter, Cosette, arrives and upon seeing Éponine and her younger sister Azelma she asks the Thénardiers to take care of Cosette while she goes to look for work. The Thénardiers agree on the condition that Fantine sends them money to pay for the child. However, the Thénardiers abuse Cosette and use her as forced labor while spoiling Éponine and Azelma. Jean Valjean eventually arrives and whisks Cosette away. Life in Paris Éponine is not seen again for n