except when blindfold

[Anon Oby]

“During all these tests Vera was blindfolded; and, indeed, except when blindfolded she lacked the ability to perceive things with her skin.”
Source: https://m.kekenet.com/nce/119794.shtml

I am a little confused about the green part. Does she have or have not this ability, when she is blindfold?

 

[5jj]

She has it.

 

[jutfrank]

She has the ability only when blindfolded. When she's not blindfolded, she can't do it.

 

[emsr2d2]

She has the ability only when blindfolded. When she's not blindfolded, she can't do it.

Note jutfrank's use of the correct form. The original should have said "blindfolded" both times.

 

[Anon Oby]

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/except

I have found that the word "except" has this archaic use as a conjunction, meaning "unless". It's in the page given, right below the pronunciation videos.