Finding herself married to a fool, she never allowed herself to think that life might have gone better with her, she only imagined the possibility of better things without expecting or wishing to attain them.

All her best affections found their vocation in her love for her daughter, to whom she spared the pains and privations she had borne in her own childhood; she believed that in this affection she had her full share in the world of feeling.

Solely for her daughter's sake she had persuaded her father to take the important step of going into partnership with Falleix.

Falleix had been brought to the Saillard's house by old Bidault, who lent him money on his merchandise.

Falleix thought his old countryman extortionate, and complained to the Saillards that Gigonnet demanded eighteen per cent from an Auvergnat.