Complete Works of Emile Zola (1884 page)

FANNY (MADEMOISELLE), a work-girl in the neighbourhood of Octave Mouret’s shop, who was sent there by her employer to match some merinos. Au Bonheur des Dames.

FAUCHERY (LEON), a journalist and dramatic author, who wrote a piece for the Theatre des Varietes called
La Petite Duchesse
. After numerous liaisons he became for a time the lover of Comtesse Sabine Muffat, and under the pressure of Comte Muffat was forced to give to Nana a leading part in
La Petite Duchesse
. Fauchery’s liaison with the Comtesse Muffat merely interrupted for a time one of older standing with Rose Mignon, whose husband appeared to be content with the position of major-domo in a
menage a trois
. Nana.

FAUCHEUR (LE PERE) kept at Bennecourt a small country inn much frequented by artists. In connection with the tavern he carried on a small business in groceries. After the death of the Faucheurs the inn was carried on by their niece Melie. L’Oeuvre.

FAUCHEUR (LA MERE), wife of the preceding. She was a daughter of old Poirette. L’Oeuvre.

FAUCONNIER (MADAME), carried on a laundry business in Paris, and gave employment to Gervaise Macquart after her desertion by Lantier. She continued on friendly terms with Gervaise after the latter’s marriage to Coupeau, at which she was present. When drink had brought about the Coupeaus’ ruin, Madame Fauconnier again took Gervaise into her employment, giving her work until her increasing carelessness and intemperance made her dismissal necessary. L’Assommoir.

FAUCONNIER (VICTOR), the young son of Madame Fauconnier. He was an idle scamp about four years older than Nana Coupeau, and was her constant playfellow and companion in all kinds of mischief. L’Assommoir.

Nana, in talking over with Satin the events of her childhood, referred to Victor as a youth who had always shown vicious tendencies. Nana.

FAUJAS (ABBE), a priest of Besancon who, having got into some trouble there, was sent to Plassans by the Government with the view of undermining the political influence of the clergy, who were strongly Legitimist in their views. At Plassans he took up his residence, along with his mother, in the house of Francois Mouret. At first he kept entirely in the background, but assisted by Madame Mouret, who had fallen in love with him, and by Madame Felicite Rougon, acting under instructions from her son Eugene, the Minister of State, Faujas soon began to make himself felt in Plassans. He appeared to take no interest in politics, but little by little he gained power, until “the conquest of Plassans” was accomplished and a supporter of the Government was elected as deputy. Meantime his influence over Madame Mouret had become complete, and he had practically taken possession of the Mourets’ house, his sister and her husband, as well as his mother, living there with him. Thrust aside and neglected, Francois Mouret was wrongfully removed to the asylum at Les Tulettes, where confinement soon unhinged his not over-strong intellect. The Abbe now became even more arrogant, and Madame Mouret was barely tolerated in her own house. Ultimately Francois Mouret escaped from the asylum, and returning by night to his home, set fire to it; along with him, the Abbe Faujas and all his relations perished in the flames. La Conquete de Plassans.

FAUJAS (MADAME), mother of the preceding. She accompanied the Abbe to Plassans and took up house with him there. Absolutely devoted to her son, she made herself his slave, and sacrificed everything and every one to his interests. It was largely through her that the gradual ousting of the Mourets from their own home became possible; and to accomplish her ends she stopped short at nothing; seldom speaking, but always watching, she was ready to grasp each opportunity as it arose. Retribution came with the escape of Francois Mouret from the asylum, and Madame Faujas perished along with the other members of her family in the conflagration raised by him. La Conquete de Plassans.

FAUJAS (OLYMPE). See Madame Olympe Trouche.

FAUQUENOIX, an associate of Baron Desrumaux in the department of the mines of Montsou. Germinal.

FAUVELLE, a sugar-refinery at Montsou, which suffered on account of the strike of miners. Germinal.

FAVIER, a salesman in the silk department of “The Ladies’ Paradise.” He had for some reason an ill-will towards Denise Baudu and spread scandalous stories about her. Henri Deloche, her friend, hearing him do so on one occasion, threw a glass of wine in his face. Au Bonheur des Dames.

FAYEUX, a collector of rents at Vendome. He did business in connection with Busch, and also with La Mechain, whose cousin he was said to be. He speculated on the bourse through Mazaud, and after the downfall of the Universal Bank it was found that he had embezzled large sums from persons employing him. L’Argent.

FENIL (ABBE), head of the theological seminary at Plassans. He was a keen ecclesiastic, with strong Legitimist principles, and from the first took up a position antagonistic to Abbe Faujas. Having great influence with the Bishop of Plassans, he was for some time able to prevent Faujas from receiving preferment; a hint from Government, however, caused the Bishop to change his views, and Abbe Fenil was for the time routed. It was suspected that he ultimately induced Antoine Macquart to plan the escape of Francois Mouret from the asylum at Les Tulettes; an escape which led to the death of Abbe Faujas. La Conquete de Plassans.

FERAUD-GIRAUD FRERES, a firm of ship-owners who joined the great transport syndicate formed by Aristide Saccard. L’Argent.

FERNAND, a student of chemistry with Combette at Chene Populeux. He was a cowardly lad, whom fear of the Prussians drove into a fever. La Debacle.

FERNANDE, a chorus-girl at the Theatre des Varietes. Nana.

FETU (MERE), an old woman whom Helene Grandjean visited at the request of Abbe Jouve. At her house Helen frequently met Dr. Deberle, who was attending her professionally at the same time. Below this house was the flat taken by M. Malignon, who had appointed Mere Fetu caretaker, and it was through her that Helene came to know of the assignation between Malignon and Madame Deberle. Une Page d’Amour.

FIFI, the sobriquet of Fanny Menu, q.v. Pot-Bouille.

FINE, the sobriquet of Josephine Gavaudan. La Fortune des Rougon.

FINET (ARISTIDE), the founder of the drapery business known as the
Vieil Elbeuf
, in Paris. He was the father-in-law and predecessor of Hauchecorne. Au Bonheur des Dames.

FINET (DESIREE), daughter of the preceding. She married Hauchecorne, her father’s principal salesman, who carried on the business. Au Bonheur des Dames.

FINET, a doctor of medicine who resided at Cloyes. He was disgusted by the brutality of his patients, whom he accused of always sending for him when it was too late. His indifference became such that he did not make any inquiries about the death of Rose Fouan, whose end was hastened by her son Buteau, or that of Pere Fouan, who was burned alive. La Terre.

FIRMIN, chief huntsman to Napoleon III at Compiegne. Son Excellence Eugene Rougon.

FLAMINIO, the Comtesse Balbi’s man-servant, “with a face like a brigand’s, and a long black beard.” Son Excellence Eugene Rougon.

FLEUR D’EPINE, a celebrated chief of brigands who preceded Beau-Francois. La Terre.

FLEURANCE, a putter in the Voreux pit who worked along with the Maheus. She was found dead in her bed, and the vacancy created in the pit was filled by Etienne Lantier. Germinal.

FLORE, the elder daughter of Madame Misard (Aunt Phasie). After illness rendered her mother unfit for work, Flore replaced her as gatekeeper at the railway crossing at Croix-de-Maufras. She was a tall and strong girl of eighteen, with a magnificent head of fair hair; disdainful of the male, she had thrashed at least one would-be lover. When she was quite little she had loved Jacques Lantier, and now it was to him alone she would have given herself. Jacques did not care for her, however, and she came to know that he had a mistress, Severine Roubaud. Convinced of her own right to be loved, for she was stronger and handsomer than the other, the girl was tortured by jealousy; and each Friday, as she saw the express rush past, bearing the two lovers to Paris, was seized with an imperious desire to end everything, and by causing their death prevent them from passing any more. She accordingly brought about a terrible railway accident, in which a large number of persons were killed; but the crime was useless, for Severine and Jacques escaped with trifling injuries. The thought that Jacques knew her guilt, and must in future regard her as a monster, rendered life hateful to Flore, and to meet death she set out on a walk of heroic determination through the tunnel of Malaunay, allowing herself to be cut in pieces by an express train. La Bete Humaine.

FLORENCE, an actress at the variety theatres. Marsy offered her a valuable house. Son Excellence Eugene Rougon.

Pauline Letellier met her one day on the boulevards accompanied by Malignon. Juliette Deberle, who was a little jealous, assured her that Florence was at least forty and very plain-looking. Une Page d’Amour.

FLORENT, elder son of a widow who took as her second husband M. Quenu, who, however, died three years later, leaving a son. Florent was a gentle, studious youth, and his mother lavished all her affection on him, dying in the end from hardships endured in her struggle to keep him at college in Paris. After her death Florent took young Quenu, his half-brother, to live with him in Paris, giving up all thought of continuing to attend the Law School, and taking pupils in order to find means of sustenance. Years of hardship followed, and Florent became imbued with Republican ideas. Two days after the
Coup d’Etat
of 1851, while the military were firing on the mob in the Boulevard Montmartre, he was knocked down and stunned. When he recovered, he found that he was lying beside the body of a young woman, whose blood had oozed from her wounds on to his hands. He was horrified at the sight, and rushed away to join a party of men who were throwing up barricades in an adjoining street. Worn out with fatigue, he fell asleep, and on awakening found himself in the hands of the police. His hands were still stained with the blood of the young woman, and the authorities assumed that he was a dangerous character. The semblance of a trial followed; he was condemned and transported to Cayenne. After incredible hardships and sufferings, he escaped and returned to France. Famished and exhausted, he tramped towards Paris, and had fallen in a faint on the road when he was overtaken by Madame Francois, who took him the rest of the journey on her cart. During his long absence his brother Quenu had at first been taken in by Gradelle, a brother of his mother, to whose business of pork-butcher he ultimately succeeded. Florent on his return from exile was warmly received by his brother and Madame Quenu, who told him that Gradelle, his uncle, had died, leaving a considerable sum, and that as there was no will he was entitled to a half-share. He refused to accept this, but agreed to live with the Quenus. This arrangement answered well at first, but Madame Quenu got tired of seeing him always about the house, and let him see that he must secure employment. After some time he got an appointment as deputy inspector at the Fish Market. He was introduced by Gavard to a small revolutionary circle which met nightly in a cafe kept by M. Lebigre, and of which he soon became the leader. Meantime, Mlle. Saget, who from a chance word of Pauline, the little daughter of Quenu, had learned Florent’s past history, spread the story in the markets, and a strong feeling was awakened against him. His sister-in-law, Lisa, alarmed lest her husband should be compromised by the revolutionary conspiracy, thought it her duty to inform the police. She learned, however, that Florent’s history had all along been known, Lebigre being a police spy, and that only a favourable opportunity was being awaited to arrest the whole gang of conspirators. The blow fell soon afterwards, and Florent was again sentenced to transportation to Cayenne. Le Ventre de Paris.

FLORY was born at Saintes, his father being employed in the local registry office. He came to Paris and entered the office of Mazaud, the stockbroker. At first he did his duties well, but was soon led astray and got into debt. Having started speculation on his own account, he became deeply involved in the Universal bank, and on the failure of that concern was left with a liability of a hundred thousand francs, to meet which he had not a single sou. Subsequently he was arrested and imprisoned for embezzling a large sum from Mazaud, his employer. L’Argent.

FONTAN (ACHILLE), an actor at the Theatre des Varietes who played parts in
La Blonde Venus
and
La Petite Duchesse
. He became for a time the lover of Nana, but treated her so abominably that she left him. Nana.

FONTENAILLES (MLLE. DE), was descended from an aristocratic family, but was in great poverty when a situation was found for her in “The Ladies’ Paradise” through the influence of Madame Desforges. She proved incapable of anything but the most menial work, and ultimately married Joseph, one of the porters in the establishment. Au Bonheur des Dames.

FOUAN, alias BUTEAU. See Buteau.

FOUAN (FANNY). See Madame Delhomme.

FOUAN (HYACINTHE), the elder son of Pere Fouan and Rose Maliverne, his wife. He was an idler and drunkard, who, when he had left the army, after having seen service in Africa, had taken to tramp the fields, refusing to do any regular work, but living by theft and poaching, as though he were still looting a trembling nation of Bedouins. Withal there looked out of his fine, sunken eyes a merriment that was not altogether evil, the open heart of good-humoured drunkenness. He lived with his daughter in a ruined hut amongst some rocks near Rognes. After the division of land by his father, Hyacinthe soon mortgaged his share and drank the proceeds, never paying to his parents any part of the rent which had been agreed upon. For a time he sheltered his father, but frightened the old man by searching for some bonds which he had concealed. He had, however, neither the cold rapacity of his sister Fanny nor the murderous instincts of his brother Buteau. La Terre.

FOUAN (JOSEPH CASIMIR), the father of Marianne, Louis, Michel, and Laure. Born in 1766, he belonged to a family of peasant proprietors which for centuries had owned land, in varying quantities, in the neighbourhood of Rognes. They were originally serfs of the Roques-Bouqueval family. Bit by bit they acquired their land, until, when the Revolution of 1789 arrived, the Fouan of that day, Joseph Casimir, was the owner of twenty-one acres — the conquest of four centuries from the seigneurial territory. When, in 1793, the rest of the estate was declared national property and sold in lots by auction, he was too timid to purchase any, and had the mortification to see La Borderie sold to Isidore Hourdequin, a citizen of Chateaudun, for a fifth of its value. When he became old he divided his twenty-one acres between three of his family, Marianne, Louis, and Michel, and gave a corresponding sum of money to his younger daughter Laure, who had been brought up as a sempstress and was in service at Chateaudun. La Terre.