By a man of such a disposition, it is not surprising that the virtues of St.Aubert should be overlooked; or that his pure taste, simplicity, and moderated wishes, were considered as marks of a weak intellect, and of confined views.

The marriage of his sister with St.Aubert had been mortifying to his ambition, for he had designed that the matrimonial connection she formed should assist him to attain the consequence which he so much desired; and some offers were made her by persons whose rank and fortune flattered his warmest hope.
But his sister, who was then addressed also by St.Aubert, perceived, or thought she perceived, that happiness and splendour were not the same, and she did not hesitate to forego the last for the attainment of the former.

Whether Monsieur Quesnel thought them the same, or not, he would readily have sacrificed his sister's peace to the gratification of his own ambition; and, on her marriage with St.Aubert, expressed in private his contempt of her spiritless conduct, and of the connection which it permitted.

Madame St.Aubert, though she concealed this insult from her husband, felt, perhaps, for the first time, resentment lighted in her heart; and, though a regard for her own dignity, united with considerations of prudence, restrained her expression of this resentment, there was ever after a mild reserve in her manner towards M.
Quesnel, which he both understood and felt.
In his own marriage he did not follow his sister's example.

His lady was an Italian, and an heiress by birth; and, by nature and education, was a vain and frivolous woman.
They now determined to pass the night with St.Aubert; and as the chateau was not large enough to accommodate their servants, the latter were dismissed to the neighbouring village.