You lost your husband during the Napoleonic Wars. You mourned him with pain and sorrow, but you were not just a young widow, but you also carried the child of your fallen husband under your heart. You loved him very much, although he had many lovers and did not treat you well. This unborn child was a memento of her beloved (though in reality, nasty) husband.

You returned to your parents, and your widow's pension was barely enough to feed the whole family, because your father had been living in debt for a long time. There was no way out. You were still stunningly beautiful, and although you were pregnant, your child had a corporal for a father, so despite the whole situation, everything was maintained in decency. You had many offers to remarry. Your dead husband hadn't had time to cool down when, overwhelmed with offers, you didn't know whether you should give in to give your child a good life, or stay faithful (to the one who was never faithful to you). And although most of the people who wanted to marry were old men or pastors, a lord soon appeared! A young man with a considerable fortune (or rather, one that had been promised to him). He needed a wife, honestly, any kind of one, because that was the will of his disgustingly rich aunt and patroness. The young man was supposed to settle down, stop messing around with actresses and tavern girls. So hearing about the corporal's wife, who had her back to the wall (and was used to being treated badly), he made his proposal. The decision was made by your indebted father, who wanted the money, no matter what.

The wedding took place quickly and without much ceremony. Before you knew it, you were already at the lord's residence, but your husband disappeared with the first money paid by his aunt. He returned only after a week of revelry. Still dazed by his pleasant adventures, he was surprised to find a young, visibly pregnant woman sitting in the parlor. It was only after a while that he remembered that it was his new wife.