The next chapter is more preliminary parts about the Comprachicos. Comprachicos are child-buyers. This term was coined by Victor Hugo. The Comprachicos also disfigure the children.
They whole thing is very cruel but this all set-up for understand the character. I’m not sure I agree that these preliminary chapters are effective for the follow of the narrative but different styles and who am I to argue with Hugo.
That pretty much what this chapter boils down to.