How we cite our quotes: (Section.Paragraph)
Quote #7
In order to make sure that he would not be conscripted, Théodore had married a very rich old woman named Madame Lehoussais in Toucques. (2.14)
Once again, wealth saves the wealthy. Unlike Madame Aubain, who married a poor guy she loved and ended up poor herself, Théodore marries an old, rich woman, leaving the woman he loves behind. It might save his life, since his sugar mama can afford to pay to get him out of duty.
Quote #8
From time to time, Madame Aubain would receive a visit from the Marquis de Gremanville, an uncle of hers who had been ruined by crooks and who lived at Falaise on what little remained of his land. (2.22)
Talk about decadence. Madame Aubain sells off all her family's properties, and her uncle has had all of his swindled out from under him. They're a family that holds on to the memory of their wealth, but in the present they're actually pretty poor. (Why do you think the uncle comes around at lunchtime, hm?)
Quote #9
As he managed Madame's properties, he would closet himself with her in Monsieur's study for hours on end. (2.24)
Madame and Monsieur Bourais had lots of private meetings where he was supposedly helping her to manage her wealth, but the narrator's tongue-in-cheek description make us wonder whether there isn't some hanky-panky happening alongside the cha-chings. After all, it's not like Madame Aubain has that much money left to being with.