Two of them devoted themselves to the study of law, and the third passed through the School of Medicine.

Then, when they were men, and had exhausted the resources of the Rougon family and were obliged to return and establish themselves in the provinces, their parents' disenchantment began.

They idled about and grew fat.

And Felicite again felt all the bitterness of her ill-luck.

Her sons were failing her.