ter fed and consequently better tempered. La Bete Humane.

MELIE, niece of the Fancheurs. She was a girl from the village of
Bennecourt, who waited on Claude Lantier and Christine in their cottage
there, and greatly amused them by her stupidity. After the death of
the Fancheurs, the inn came into the possession of Melie, but soon lost
favour on account of its dirt and disorder. L'Oeuvre.

MENU (MADEMOISELLE), aunt of Fanny Menu, who lived with her. She had
been an embroideress for thirty years, but her sight failed and she was
obliged to give up work. Fortunately she received a small legacy from a
relative, and on this, added to the earnings of her niece, she was able
to live. Pot-Bouille.

MENU (FANNY), a young girl who was protected by Narcisse Bachelard.
As he on one occasion found her with Gueulin, his nephew, under
compromising circumstances, he insisted on their marriage, and gave her
a handsome dowry. Pot-Bouille.

MERLE, usher at the Council of State. He was appointed by Eugene Rougon,
through the influence of Madame Correur. Son Excellence Eugene Rougon.

MES BOTTES, the sobriquet of one of Coupeau's companions. He was a heavy
drinker and an enormous eater, and on account of the latter gift he was
occasionally asked by his friends to join such parties of pleasure as
paid by contract for their entertainment, in order that they might watch
the landlord's face lengthen at the rapid disappearance of food.
Chiefly for this reason, he was asked to the Coupeaus' wedding party.
L'Assommoir.

MEYER, owner of a Viennese bakery in Faubourg Poissonniere. The Coupeaus
bought their bread from him in order to please Lantier. L'Assommoir.

MICHELIN (M.), a surveyor of the Municipal Council. "His wife, a pretty
woman, occasionally called to apologize to her husband's chiefs for his
absence, when he stayed away through ill-health. He was often ill, but
he obtained promotion at each illness." In order to secure Saccard's
influence, Michelin assisted him in getting exorbitant prices for land
sold to the city. La Curee.

MICHELIN (MADAME), wife of the preceding. By means of her good looks and
a determination to get on at any cost, she secured the influence of her
husband's superiors, and got rapid promotion for him in the office of
the Municipal Council. La Curee.

MIETTE, the pet name of Marie Chantegreil. (q.v.).

MIETTE, one of the peasant girls of Les Artaud who assisted to decorate
the church for the festival of the