She was never seen speaking to any other woman, and no song cheered her garret.
She worked without interest and without relaxation; a depressing gloom seemed to envelop her like a shroud.

Her dejection affected Maurice; he attempted to speak to her; she replied mildly, but in few words.

It was easy to see that she preferred her silence and her solitude to the little hunchback's good-will; he perceived it, and said no more.
But Toinette's needle was hardly sufficient for her support, and presently work failed her! Maurice learned that the poor girl was in want of everything, and that the tradesmen refused to give her credit.
He immediately went to them privately and engaged to pay them for what they supplied Toinette with.
Things went on in this way for several months.

The young dressmaker continued out of work, until she was at last frightened at the bills she had contracted with the shopkeepers.

When she came to an explanation with them, everything was discovered.