As a widow, Madame Bridau could live suitably on an income of six thousand francs.

With provincial good sense, she thought of changing her residence, dismissing the footman, and keeping no servant except a cook; but her intimate friend, Madame Descoings, who insisted on being considered her aunt, sold her own establishment and came to live with Agathe, turning the study of the late Bridau into her bedroom.
The two widows clubbed their revenues, and so were in possession of a joint income of twelve thousand francs a year.

This seems a very simple and natural proceeding.

But nothing in life is more deserving of attention than the things that are called natural; we are on our guard against the unnatural and extraordinary.

For this reason, you will find men of experience--lawyers, judges, doctors, and priests--attaching immense importance to simple matters; and they are often thought over-scrupulous.