MAIGRAT, the principal shop-keeper in Montsou.  He was originally an overseer at the Voreux pit, but, assisted by the company, started a business which grew to such proportions that he ultimately crushed out most of the other retail traders.  He was a greedy, rapacious man, and during the strike made the women furious by refusing credit.  For other reasons also they hated him, and his shop was one of the first places attacked by the maddened strikers.  In terror Maigrat took refuge on the roof, but his foot slipped, and he was dashed to the ground, being killed on the spot.  Even this did not satisfy his assailants, for the frenzied women, led by La Brule, rushed forward and mutilated the still quivering body.  Germinal.

MAIGRAT (MADAME), wife of the preceding.  She was a pitiful creature who passed all her days over a ledger without even daring to lift her head.  On the day of the attack by the strikers she was a witness of the death of her husband and of the terrible events which followed.  Up at the window she stood motionless; but beneath the last gleams of the setting sun the confused faults of the window-panes deformed her white face, which looked as though it were laughing.  Germinal.

MALGRAS (LE PERE), a picture-dealer with whom Claude Lantier had frequent dealings.  He was a thick-set old man, with close-cropped white hair, and wore a dirty old coat that made him look like an untidy cabman.  Beneath this disguise was concealed a keen knowledge of art, combined with a ferocious skill in bargaining.  As a superb liar, moreover, he was without an equal.  He was satisfied with a small profit, but never purchased in the morning without knowing where to dispose of his purchase at night.  He viewed with disdain the modern methods of picture-dealing introduced by Naudet, and like a cautious man he retired with a modest fortune to a little house at Bois-Colombes.  L’Oeuvre.

MALIGNON (M.), a young stockbroker who was supposed to have a large fortune and accordingly was received everywhere in society.  He posed as a critic of art, literature, and the drama, and pretended to be bored with everything.  Madame Deberle, being carried away by his attentions, was foolish enough to promise to meet him at a flat which he had taken, but Madame Helene Grandjean having warned her that Dr. Deberle had got wind of the affair, the intended liaison came to nothing.  Une Page d’Amour.

MALIVERNE (ROSE).  See Madame Rose Fouan.

MALIVOIRE, a coach-hirer at Arromanches.  He was the owner of the omnibus which ran between Arromanches and Bayeux.  La Joie de Vivre.

MALOIR (MADAME), a respectable-looking elderly woman, was Nana’s friend, chaperone, and companion, writing for her such letters as she required.  She was always ready to receive the secrets of others, but never told anything about herself.  It was said that she lived upon a mysterious pension, but she never appeared to carry any money with her.  She had a mania for doing up all her hats afresh.  Nana.