Certain observations which he had made with respect to himself and his relatives had been, so to say, the starting-point of his studies.

The common people, with their natural intuition, so well understood that he was quite different from the other Rougons, that they invariably called him Monsieur Pascal, without ever adding his family name.
Three years prior to the Revolution of 1848 Pierre and Felicite retired from business.

Old age was coming on apace; they were both past fifty and were weary enough of the struggle.

In face of their ill fortune, they were afraid of being ultimately ruined if they obstinately persisted in the fight.

Their sons, by disappointing their expectations, had dealt them the final blow.