As he had no patrons, he found his claims were always disregarded.

They preferred before him those who were better able to make themselves agreeable, and seemed to be granting him a favor when letting him keep the humble office which enabled him to live.

Uncle Maurice bore injustice as he had borne contempt; unfairly treated by men, he raised his eyes higher, and trusted in the justice of Him who cannot be deceived.
He lived in an old house in the suburb, where many work-people, as poor but not as forlorn as he, also lodged.

Among these neighbors there was a single woman, who lived by herself in a little garret, into which came both wind and rain.

She was a young girl, pale, silent, and with nothing to recommend her but her wretchedness and her resignation to it.