La Rabouilleuse (Barnes & Noble Digital Library)

This is the tale of the Bridau family as they try to regain their rightful inheritance after a series of unfortunate setbacks. Agathe Rouget is sent to live in Paris with relatives, where she meets and marries a man named Bridau. They raise two sons—but Agathe runs into trouble when the costs of living rise too high. The title of this novel is often translated as The Black Sheep.