"I am not stupid!" she snaps, annoyance flaring in her tone. But just as quickly as it comes, so it dies away too. "Sorry, Monsieur."

But Eponine grins properly for the first time since Joscelin has met her: she can understand threats of violence much more than kind words. It makes her feel comfortable, at home in this strange city.

"So I am not his type? He does not want scum like me, this grand Jean-Claude. Well, that is okay. It saves me a bit of time. I wonder, then, that 'Parnasse has sent me to him? It makes no sense. And if he doesn't want me, how will I eat?"

Maybe that's Montparnasse's point. He has sent her somewhere to starve slowly into madness. Oh well. There's not much to be done, and it seems as if this child vampire will not let her go too hungry for too long.

"What is your name, Monsieur?" If you please?"