That which had attracted her in Rougon was his broad chest, his heavy frame, which was not altogether wanting in elegance.

A man thus built would bear with ease and sprightliness the mass of intrigues which she dreamt of placing on his shoulders.

However, while she appreciated her husband's strength and vigour, she also perceived that he was far from being a fool; under his coarse flesh she had divined the cunning suppleness of his mind.

Still she was a long way from really knowing her Rougon; she thought him far stupider than he was.

A few days after her marriage, as she was by chance fumbling in the drawer of a secretaire, she came across the receipt for fifty thousand francs which Adelaide had signed.