In the days following her immurement in the dreadful sub-cellar, Louise became the Frochards’ breadwinner. Her pathetic blindness, lovely face and form, and sweet young voice attracted sympathy from each passer-by. The offerings all went into the capacious pocket of La Frochard, whence indeed most of them were stolen or cajoled by her worthless scamp of a Jacques.
The old hag feared only lest she lose her precious acquisition of the blind girl. She guarded her ceaselessly, and warded off dangerous questioners.
It was not easy, however, to avoid the good Doctor from La Force, who gave them a donative and looked at the girl with deep professional interest. Despite the beggar’s tactics, he insisted on examining the pupils, then called La Frochard aside.
“Don’t encourage her too much,” said the old gentlemen kindly, “but bring her to me. I am quite sure that she can be cured.”
Rejoining Louise and smiling her wheedling 68 beggar’s smile at the departing Doctor, the features of Widow Frochard suddenly contorted in black rage––she shook her fist at the physician directly his back was turned. Monstrous––to restore sight, and thus make the girl worthless as object of charity! La Frochard felt she had good reason for her rage.
“Can the Doctor do anything?” ventured Louise to the hag, timidly.
“No, he said your case is hopeless.”
They were standing now near the snowy steps of Notre Dame, awaiting worshippers whose pity would be stirred by the girl’s misfortune. Half-drunken Jacques had reeled out of a cabaret to exact his share of the plunder. Mother and first-born cursed heartily the scissors-grinder Pierre who came limping up, saying he could get no jobs on account of the bitter cold, wintry day. Kicking the cripple and twisting Louise’s arm were the favorite pastimes of Jacques and the Widow.
On this occasion the hag snatched the covering from the wretched girl’s shoulders and put it around her own. “You’ll shiver better without that shawl!” she said, brutally 69 setting the scene for the worshippers’ charity.
“Jacques and I,” she continued, “are going to get a little drink to warm our frozen bodies.