It was an admirable investment for his few bank-notes.
When the oil-dealer understood what a foolish bargain he had made he was not in a position to rid himself of Aristide; Angele's dowry was involved in speculations which were turning out unfavourably.

He was exasperated, stung to the heart, at having to provide for his daughter-in-law's voracious appetite and keep his son in idleness.

Had he been able to buy them out of the business he would twenty times have shut his doors on those bloodsuckers, as he emphatically expressed it.
Felicite secretly defended them; the young man, who had divined her dreams of ambition, would every evening describe to her the elaborate plans by which he would shortly make a fortune.

By a rare chance she had remained on excellent terms with her daughter-in-law.

It must be confessed that Angele had no will of her own--she could be moved and disposed of like a piece of furniture.
Meantime Pierre became enraged whenever his wife spoke to him of the success their youngest son would ultimately achieve; he declared that he would really bring them to ruin.