f. He was the owner of an old cottage, which Claude Lantier
and Christine rented from him for two hundred and fifty francs a year.
L'Oeuvre.

POISSON (M.), who was originally a cabinet-maker, served his time as a
soldier, and ultimately got a place as a policeman, which he considered
more certain and respectable. He married Virginie, who afterwards
went into business as a dealer in groceries and sweetmeats in the shop
previously occupied by Gervaise Coupeau. Auguste Lantier, who had for
some time lodged with the Coupeaus, remained with the Poissons, and
lived at their expense. M. Poisson affected not to observe the resulting
liaison between his wife and Lantier. L'Assommoir.

POISSON (MADAME), wife of the preceding. See Virginie. L'Assommoir.

POLAND, a pet rabbit which belonged to Rasseneur, and was a favourite of
Souvarine. Germinal.

POMARE (LA REINE), a rag-picker, who had formerly been one of the
handsomest women in Paris. Now, for the sake of a laugh, the women of
the district made her drink absinthe, after which the street boys would
chase her and throw stones. Nana.

PORQUIER (DR.) the fashionable medical man of Plassans. He had
considerable influence, and this was secured by Abbe Faujas on behalf
of the Government's candidate for the representation of Plassans by the
promise of an appointment for his son, Guillaume, a young man who had
hitherto given him much trouble. La Conquete de Plassans.

PORQUIER (GUILLAUME), son of Dr. Porquier, had been sent to Paris to
study, but did nothing there but get into debt. He caused his father
much distress, and was supposed to afford the worst possible example to
the youth of Plassans, whom he was believed to lead into all kinds
of mischief. Ultimately, as a reward to his father, who had supported
Delangre as representative of Plassans, Porquier was appointed chief
clerk at the post office. La Conquete de Plassans.

POUILLAUD, a fellow-pupil of Claude Lantier and Pierre Sandoz at the
college of Plassans. While there he was an inveterate practical joker,
one of his escapades being the transformation of Professor Lalubie's
room into a _chapelle ardente_. L'Oeuvre.

POWELL (MISS), second assistant in the corset department at _Au Bonheur
des Dames_. She was able to play the piano, a talent of which the other
assistants were jealous. Au Bonheur des Dames.

POZZO (LUIGI), Secretary to the Sardinian Minister at Paris.
"Diplomatist, painter, musician, and lover." A friend