"Then I shall want thirty francs a month," replied Madame
Vantrasson, promptly.
Pascal and his mother exchanged glances. They were both
unfavorably impressed by this woman, and were equally determined
to rid themselves of her, which it was easy enough to do. "Too
dear!" said Madame Ferailleur; "I have never given over fifteen
francs."
But Madame Vantrasson was not the woman to be easily discouraged,
especially as she knew that if she failed to obtain this
situation, she might have considerable difficulty in finding
another one. She could only hope to obtain employment from
strangers and newcomers, who were ignorant of the reputation of
the model lodging-house. So in view of softening the hearts of
Pascal and his mother, she began to relate the history of her
life, skilfully mingling the false with the true, and representing
herself as an unfortunate victim of circumstances, and the inhuman
cruelty of relatives. For she belonged, like her husband, to a
very respectable family, as the Maumejans might easily ascertain
by inquiry. Vantrasson's sister was the wife of a man named
Greloux, who had once been a bookbinder in the Rue Saint-Denis,
but who had now retired from business with a competency. "Why had
this Greloux refused to save them from bankruptcy? Because one
could never hope for a favor from relatives," she groaned; "they
are jealous if you succeed; and if you are unfortunate, they cast
you off.
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