crossing.  It was a miserable existence, without neighbours or any one to speak to, without even anything to look at, except the trains constantly rushing past.  Aunt Phasie, as she had always been called by Jacques Lantier, was a tall, handsome woman, but since her second marriage she had aged so rapidly that at forty-five she looked over sixty.  The truth was that between her and Misard there was going on a duel to the death; Aunt Phasie had received a legacy of a thousand francs from her father, and this she obstinately refused to allow her husband to share, having indeed hidden the money to prevent him from taking it.  Misard, overcome by avarice, slowly killed his wife with poison placed in the salt, but, though she had the strongest suspicions, she would nether take action against him nor tell him the hiding-place of her little hoard.  And so she died, carrying the secret with her; but in the end she triumphed, for search as he might, Misard never discovered the hidden treasure.  La Bete Humaine.

PICHINETTE, a horse entered for the Grand Prix de Paris.  It was withdrawn before the race.  Nana.

PICHON (JULES), a clerk who lived in the house in Rue de Choiseul occupied also by Octave Mouret.  His means were small, and he was obliged to work hard, frequently till late at night, his wife being necessarily left much alone.  Pot-Bouille.

PICHON (MARIE), wife of the preceding.  She was a daughter of M. and Madame Vuillaume, by whom she was strictly brought up.  A dreamy unpractical woman, she fell under the influence of Octave Mouret, her next-door neighbour, and a liaison existed between them for a considerable time, with results which caused much annoyance to her parents.  Pot-Bouille.

PICHON (LILITTE), infant daughter of the preceding.  Pot-Bouille.

PICHON (ROSALIE), Madame Helene Grandjean’s maid-servant.  She was an honest country girl who had been brought to Paris by Abbe Jouve on the recommendation of a village priest, in whose house she had been brought up.  She served her mistress faithfully, and ruled Zephyrin Lacour, her sweetheart, with a hand of iron.  Une Page d’Amour.

PICOT, a soldier of infantry who belonged to the first division of the seventh Army Corps.  After the defeats of Wissenbourg and Froeschwiller, Picot, half dead with fatigue and slightly wounded, was left behind in a ditch with his comrade Coutard of the first corps.  They were only able to rejoin the army at Rheims on 22nd August, 1870, arriving with their clothes worn out and covered with mud, and having more the appearance of bandits than of soldiers.  La Debacle.

PICOU (M.), a townsman of Plassans who expressed disbelief in the success of the Coup d’Etat.  La Fortune des Rougon.

PIED-DE-CELERI, a friend of Coupeau.  He had a wooden leg, from which he received his nickname.  L’Assommoir.

PIEDEFER (LAURE), kept a cheap restaurant in Rue des Martyrs, which was much frequented by a certain class of demi-mondaines.  Laure appeared to be on intimate terms with her customers, as they usually kissed her when they entered.  Nana.