"M'sieur - well, he has paid the police to let me out. Fifty thousand dollers, Madame. And now I must pay him back a little. So he has already paid my wages one hundred times and more."

She gives Hattie a surprised look. Is she really asking? She manages, "Unwilling-" before Hattie cuts her off. If there's enough money, though, 'Ponine will do it.

"A paying job? Madame, would you really?" a paying job. A real paid job! Never has she had one. "I can fo as you ask. You can pay me now. I will he good."

She adds with a laugh, "And if 'Parnasse were to come, I could stop him killing you by saying, 'No. This lady is good and I will not have you hurt her. He is handsome, though."