usiness was not
prosperous. Meantime, Colomban had become infatuated by Clara Prunaire,
a girl employed in "The Ladies' Paradise," and his affection for
Genevieve rapidly cooled. Ultimately he went off with Clara, thereby
hastening the death of Genevieve, who had been in bad health for some
time. Au Bonheur des Dames.

COLOMBE. See Pere Colombe.

COMBELOT (M. DE), an Imperial Chamberlain whom the Department of the
Landes had chosen as deputy upon the formally expressed desire of the
Emperor. He was a tall, handsome man, with a very white skin, and an
inky black beard, which had been the means of winning him great
favour among the ladies. He was married to a sister of Delestang. Son
Excellence Eugene Rougon.

COMBELOT (MADAME DE), see Henriette Delestang.

COMBETTE, a chemist at Chene-Populeux. He was assessor to the mayor,
and the information which he received on the night of 27th August, 1870,
satisfied him of the unhappy state of the Army of Chalons, which was
then on its way to the front. La Debacle.

COMBETTE (MADAME), wife of the preceding. It was she who on the evening
of 27th August, 1870, offered hospitality to the soldier Maurice
Levasseur, who was worn out with fatigue and with the pain of his foot,
which had been injured by the long march. La Debacle.

COMBEVILLE (DUCHESSE DE), mother of Princess d'Orviedo. L'Argent.

COMBOREL ET CIE, a firm of ship-owners who entered into the great
transport syndicate founded by Aristide Saccard. L'Argent.

COMPAN (ABBE), vicar of the church of Saint-Saturnin at Plassans. He was
on bad terms with Abbe Fenil, and consequently the other priests were
afraid to have any intercourse with him, Abbe Bourrette alone visiting
him during his last illness. La Conquete de Plassans.

CONDAMIN (M. DE), commissioner of woods and rivers for the district of
Plassans. He was an elderly man, whose morality was looked upon with
some suspicion by the respectable inhabitants of Plassans. He married
a young wife, whom he brought from no one knew where, but who had
evidently influential friends at Paris, as it was she who got her
husband and Dr. Porquier decorated. La Conquete de Plassans.

CONDAMIN (MADAME DE), wife of the preceding. She was at first received
with some suspicion at Plassans, nothing being known of her past
history, but by the charm of her manner she soon overcame prejudice.
Madame Mouret having asked her assistance in connection with the Home
for Girls proposed by Abbe