Cosette sighed as she scrubbed the floors of the inn. Madame had beaten her just one hour before for daydreaming and she hoped not to have to endure that again. She suddenly heard talking from the back of the room and raced there to hear the commotion. Madame was talking to a well dressed woman who appeared to be rich. Cosette timidly touched Madame's skirts.

''What the hell do you want''? She asked her angrily. ''M-Madame, who is this lady''? Cosette barely talked above a whisper. ''It is none of your concern but she will be staying at the inn tonight. Come here now''. Madame grabbed Cosette hard by the arm and dragged the little girl into another room. She knelt down to her face and slapped her. ''If you cause any trouble while she is her I will tan you so bad you can dig your own grave you little slut''. Cosette gulped. ''Oui, I won't cause any trouble I promise, Madame''. The Thenardier women shoved her back and went out to talking some more. Cosette went back out to her work. She saw Madame and the woman come into the room and watched as Madame showed her the rooms up the stairs.'' Cosette''! ''Coming''! Cosette had the woman's luggage shoved onto her skinny arms. 'Take this up for the lady', Madame ordered her. 'O-Oui'' Cosette walked up the stairs with the guest behind her. The lady looked at the barefoot, dirty child covered in bruises before talking to her.

''What is your name''? She asked the little girl. ''Cosette, Madame'' Cosette said. The lady was silent for a minute until she stopped at a room. 'This is where I am staying' she said. Cosette dropped the heavy bags on the floor. ''Is that woman your mother''? The woman asked Cosette. Cosette shook her head.

"No Madame. She is my mistress. She and her husband took me in when I was young''.

"Oh". The woman was silent and then walked into her room with Cosette behind. She then took a coin out of her pocket and handed it to Cosette. "Here, she said. "This is for your good service". She put it in the pocket of Cosette's dirty apron. "Merci, Madame, Merci," the happy child said. "you are welcome, dear," the lady said," It was my pleasure". As Cosette left the room the lady smiled at her and Cosette felt good inside. This may turn out well for her.

To be continued…