The Ladies' Paradise

In February, the renovated store opens. The Ladies’ Paradise now occupies the entire Rue du Dix-Decembre. A sale is being held to celebrate, and a large crowd is gathered outside. Mouret spent a huge amount on the refurbishment and advertising, while the rival store opened by Bouthemont burned down. The reopening is like a festival as Madame de Boves and Madame Guibal gaze through the windows. Madame Desforges steps out of her carriage, affecting an air of nonchalance as she greets her friends. The women pass into the vast store. They are bewitched by Mouret’s decorations and displays. As they pass through the store, they overhear employees gossiping about a potential marriage between Mouret and Denise, causing Madame Desforges to maintain her air of nonchalance. Jouve walks behind them, following Madame de Boves closely. The interior amazes them. The Ladies’ Paradise has 50 departments and more than 3,000 employees.

Denise told Mouret that she plans to leave her job after the reopening. She wants to return to the provinces, but her departure only increased the rumors about her. She worries about what might happen if she becomes Mouret’s lover and then regrets her actions. Only by leaving, she believes, will she have peace of mind. Mouret pleaded with her not to go, offering her promotions and money. He convinced himself that she must love someone else. Now, he walks through the store and feels powerless, despite his vast wealth. Fear has prevented him from proposing to Denise. He is concerned that she might turn him down. On the day of the reopening, Bourdoncle enters Mouret’s office and finds him in tears. He encourages Mouret to propose to Denise. This is part of his scheme to usurp Mouret’s power.

Denise runs the children’s department. Jean recently married a woman named Therese, and he visits the store to exchange some items. He wants to go back to Valognes with Denise. Pepe is with him, and Denise is reminded of how much she loves her brothers. Mouret passes, spotting Denise with her brothers. Inspired by this scene, Mouret asks Denise to visit him in his office once the day is over. Denise gives her brothers a tour of The Ladies’ Paradise, passing through the various departments until they reach the linen department, where Pauline begs Denise to help her with a promotion. Amused, Denise promises to see what she can do. The massive store intimidates Jean and Pepe as the tour resumes.

Madame Desforges complains to a friend about Mouret as they visit the silk department, where Hutin and Favier are still working. Hutin’s performance in this department has been criticized. He fears losing his job. He gossips with Favier about Denise and then spots Madame Desforges, who privately assures Hutin that she can find him a job in a rival store. She reunites with Madame Guibal, Madame Marty, and Valentine, who have all spent a great deal of money. They proceed through the store, purchasing flowers and perfume. Madame Desforges quietly buys a piece of carved ivory and then goes to the reading room with Madame Guibal, where Vallagnosc offers to fetch Madame de Boves and Blanche from the lace department.

In the lace department, Blanche sees her mother stealing lace. Jouve approaches immediately and asks Madame de Boves to come with him. Adopting a haughty demeanor, Madame de Boves goes with Jouve to Bourdoncle’s office. When Bourdoncle asks her to return the lace, she acts indignantly and threatens to sue the store. Bourdoncle has her searched. Madame de Boves is found to have stolen goods worth 14,000 francs. For the past year, the thrill of her crimes has been matched only by the threat of ruining her husband’s reputation. She claims angrily that she has been set up. Bourdoncle wants her to sign a confession, which will be published unless she pays him a 2,000 franc fine. Reluctantly, Madame de Boves signs the paper and leaves. Bourdoncle resolves to fire Deloche.

Blanche tells Vallagnosc that her mother was accused of theft. Shocked, Vallagnosc is concerned that his wife might be considered an accomplice. Mouret assures his friend that the De Boves family’s reputation will not be impugned. Vallagnosc breaks from his typical attitude of bored disaffection to complain that he “married into a family of thieves” (424). Outside, Madame de Boves takes Vallagnosc’s arm and leads him away. She lies, claiming that the store apologized to her.

Mouret observes the women shopping in his store. At closing time, the customers begin to leave. Mouret feels as though they belong to him. He senses that he conquered the idea of woman in some fashion. Now, he feels a strange need to be conquered. Later, he waits for Denise in his office. He feels excited and anxious. Lhomme and Joseph drag in bags laden with the day’s revenue, which amounts to more than a million francs. Bourdoncle is impressed, but Mouret is indifferent. Bourdoncle repeats his suggestion that Mouret propose to Denise. Mouret speaks positively about marriage, acknowledging that Bourdoncle is desperate to take his job.

Denise arrives. She is saddened that Deloche has been fired and concerned that she will give up on her plan and agree to marry Mouret. Taking her hand, he proposes to her. Denise asks him to stop. She cites her commitment to her brothers, who Mouret insists will become his brothers. Denise refuses his proposal. As the million francs lie on his desk, Mouret is astonished that he can have so much but not the one thing that will make him happy. When he tells Denise to go and be with whomever she truly loves, she is shocked that he is so distraught. She embraces Mouret, revealing that she truly loves him. Mouret falls back on his desk. In each other’s arms, Mouret and Denise plan their future. Above them, Madame Hedouin’s portrait smiles down on her widowed husband and his new bride-to-be.