She hoped a little in the Emperor; but the Emperor at that time could do no more than he was already doing; he was giving three hundred francs a year to each child from his privy purse, besides the scholarships.
As for the brilliant Descoings, she occupied an _appartement_ on the second floor similar to that of her niece above her.

She had made Madame Bridau an assignment of three thousand francs out of her annuity.
Roguin, the notary, attended to this in Madame Bridau's interest; but it would take seven years of such slow repayment to make good the loss.
The Descoings, thus reduced to an income of twelve hundred francs, lived with her niece in a small way.

These excellent but timid creatures employed a woman-of-all-work for the morning hours only.

Madame Descoings, who liked to cook, prepared the dinner.

In the evenings a few old friends, persons employed at the ministry who owed their places to Bridau, came for a game of cards with the two widows.