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 Virgin.  La Faute de l’Abbe Mouret.

MIGNON, a man who, beginning life as a bricklayer, had amassed a fortune by speculations in building land during the early days of the Second Empire.  Along with Charrier, his partner, he had many business dealings with Aristide Saccard.  La Curee.

MIGNON, husband of an actress at the Theatre des Varietes.  When Rose married him he was leader of the orchestra at a cafe concert where she sang.  They were the best of friends, and lived together on the earnings of the wife, who exploited her beauty not less than her talents.  Mignon was always on the best of terms with his wife’s lovers, even assisting them occasionally to deceive her, with the view of bringing them back in penitence later on.  Nana.

MIGNON (CHARLES), younger son of the preceding.  Nana.

MIGNON (HENRI), elder son of Mignon.  Along with his brother Charles he was educated at a boarding-school.  Nana.

MIGNON (ROSE), wife of Mignon, was a star actress at the Theatre des Varietes, being a fine comedienne and an admirable singer.  She was dark and thin with that charming ugliness which is peculiar to the gamins of Paris.  It was she who, annoyed by the rivalry of Nana, one day made Comte de Muffat aware of the liaison between his wife and Fauchery.  She was, however, a good-hearted woman, and when she learned that Nana had contracted small-pox she arranged for her removal to the Grand Hotel, and nursed her there till she died.  Nana.