LEVASSEUR (MAURICE), twin brother of the preceding.  Everything was sacrificed by his father and sister in order that he might become an advocate, but when he went to Paris to complete his education he took part in every kind of foolishness and dissipation.  In July, 1870, he had just been admitted to the Bar, when the outbreak of war found him full of enthusiasm, and he at once enlisted in the 106th Regiment of the line, commanded by Colonel de Vineuil.  He was put into the squad of Jean Macquart, against whom he had at first an aversion.  Later, the kindness of Jean when he was worn out with fatigue practically saved his life, and they became close comrades, Maurice in turn saving Jean by carrying him, severely wounded, from the battlefield of Sedan.  Maurice was of a highly strung, nervous temperament, and the repeated disasters of the campaign drove him to madness.  He threw himself into the Communist struggle, and sought for death when defeat became certain.  It was Jean Macquart, his old comrade, who, by an extraordinary chance, was fated to deliver the fatal blow.  La Debacle.

LEVEQUE (MADAME), sister-in-law of Durieu, the brewer.  L’Argent.

LEVEQUE, a solicitor at Plassans.  He interested himself in the affairs of Dr. Pascal Rougon after Grandguillot absconded and was able to recover a considerable sum which Pascal had believed to be entirely lost.  Le Docteur Pascal.

LEVEQUE (MADEMOISELLE), daughter of the preceding, was an old friend of Clotilde Rougon, who was three years older than her.  She married Dr. Ramond.  Le Docteur Pascal.

LHOMME (M.), chief cashier at “The Ladies’ Paradise.”  “Son of a tax-collector at Chablis, he came to Paris as a clerk in the office of a merchant of the Port-aux-Vins.  Then, while lodging in Rue Cuvier, he married the daughter of his concierge, and from that day he bowed submissively before his wife, whose commercial ability filled him with respect.  She earned more than twenty thousand francs a year in the dress department of ‘The Ladies’ Paradise,’ whilst he only drew a fixed salary of five thousand francs.”  The loss of his right arm in an omnibus accident did not interfere with his work, and did not prevent him from playing upon a specially constructed French horn, an instrument of which he was passionately fond.  Au Bonheur des Dames.

LHOMME (MADAME AURELIE), wife of the preceding.  The daughter of a small tailor, she had keen business instincts, and, as head of the dress department at “The Ladies’ Paradise,” was able to make a large income.  She was far from friendly to Denise Baudu, but seeing ultimately that Mouret was in love with the girl, she changed her methods in the hope of rendering her own position more secure.  Au Bonheur des Dames.

LHOMME (ALBERT), son of the preceding.  He was an idle and vicious youth, who could keep no position, and only got a post in the pay-desk of “The Ladies’ Paradise” through the influence of his mother.  He was careless in his work, and was repeatedly reprimanded, causing his parents much anxiety; ultimately it was discovered that he had conspired with some of the salesmen in a long series of frauds, and his dismissal followed.  Au Bonheur des Dames.