But it is easier for a woman to be a good wife than to be a good mother.

A widow has two tasks before her, whose duties clash: she is a mother, and yet she must exercise parental authority.

Few women are firm enough to understand and practise this double duty.

Thus it happened that Agathe, notwithstanding her many virtues, was the innocent cause of great unhappiness.

In the first place, through her lack of intelligence and the blind confidence to which such noble natures are prone, Agathe fell a victim to Madame Descoings, who brought a terrible misfortune on the family.