Marks of Shame
The chatter of the women could be heard even fifty paces away from the workshop door, but it died down as soon as Fantine entered with her daughter in tow.
The young woman knew all eyes were on her even as she stood in the doorway. She spied Louise in the throng, her face crinkled up with an expression of mortification.
"Good morning. Did I miss something?" Fantine asked, forcing some cheer into her voice.
"Nothing, Fantine. Who is the little girl again?" a woman asked.
"Her name is Cosette," Fantine replied more brightly. "Cosette, wave to them," she whispered in her child's ear.
Cosette anxiously obeyed, but not after staring at her mother with a fearful expression. "What will we do here?" she asked.
"I have to work, and you have to be quiet. Do it for me, please," Fantine said firmly. Cosette nodded, almost as if she felt the entire world was on her shoulders.
"Such a beautiful child!" one kindly-faced girl said, coming forward to pat Cosette's head. "Where's her father?"
"That's a very good question," Mme. Victurnien said nearby in an undertone.
At this moment, Fantine bit her tongue.
It seemed like an age till the last working bell rang. As men and women streamed out of M. Madeleine's factory, Fantine ambled over to where Cosette had fallen asleep in a chair. Gingerly, she picked up the girl, who murmured softly in her dreams.
Seeing Cosette's peaceful slumber sent a pang of guilt through Fantine's heart. "My own child is fine, but what of my friends'?" she realized. She had quite forgotten about Gilles in the last few hours, and now she had to go seek him before dark.
Out in the street, Fantine looked up and down hoping to see a familiar head of black hair or perhaps Gilles' serious but joyous grin. However, she caught sight of a prison wagon passing by.
The very sight of it was enough to make Fantine's hair stand on end, and to wake up Cosette, who shrieked with fright. As if the little girl's cry had started a storm, shouts emanated from the wagon. A thin hand was thrust out between the bars.
"Madame Fantine!' a voice cried out quickly.
Fantine felt as if her heart would stop. "Oh Dieu, why now, Gilles?" she murmured, turning around to follow the wagon to the local prefecture.