Frederic and Bernerette

In the midst of her disorder and tears, she told Frederic what she had always tried to hide from him. Her father was a carpenter and very poor and, after having horribly maltreated her during her childhood, they had sold her, at the age of sixteen, to a man no longer young. This man, wealthy and generous, had given her somewhat of an education. But he soon died and, being without means of sustaining herself, she had joined a troupe of comedians in the provinces. Her brother had followed from town to town, forcing her to give up to him whatever she made, and overwhelming her with blows and insults when she was unable to satisfy his demands.