BOURDEU (M.), formerly Prefect of the Drome, but turned out of office by the Revolution of 1848.  Politically he was a Legitimist, and he was a friend of M. Rastoil, at whose house his party was in the habit of meeting.  At one time he was suggested as a likely candidate for the representation of Plassans, but he retired after Delangre had been brought forward through the machinations of Abbe Faujas.  Madame de Condamin promised him, however, that through her influence he would be rewarded with a prefecture.  La Conquete de Plassans.

BOURDONCLE, the son of a poor farmer near Limoges, started at “The Ladies’ Paradise” at the same time as Octave Mouret.  He was very active and intelligent, but he lacked that touch of genius possessed by his companion, before whom he had bowed from the first.  Acting on Mouret’s advice, he put all his savings into the business, and, after passing through the various grades, he became in time one of the six persons who assisted Mouret to govern “The Ladies’ Paradise,” exercising a general control of the whole staff.  Au Bonheur des Dames.

BOURGAIN-DESFEUILLES (GENERAL).  During the war of 1870 he was at the head of a brigade of infantry, of which the 106th regiment of the line, commanded by Colonel de Vineuil, formed part.  Like so many other officers he proved himself incompetent, and after the capitulation he, alone among the generals, took advantage of the pretext of illness to sign an undertaking to the Germans not to take any further part in the war.  La Debacle.

BOURGUIGNON, a master zinc-worker from whom Coupeau got employment.  L’Assommoir.

BOUROCHE (SURGEON-MAJOR), of the 106th regiment of the line, commanded by Colonel Vineuil.  During the battle of Sedan he installed an ambulance in a factory belonging to Jules Delaherche, where he was soon overwhelmed with work.  With untiring energy he performed one operation after another until the place became like a slaughter-house.  Behind a clump of trees were thrown the bodies of the dead, and the limbs amputated from the living.  Depressed for a moment by the vastness of his task, Bouroche nearly lost heart, exclaiming, “What is the use?” but his instincts of discipline recalled him to work, and he continued to operate even after the supply of chloroform was exhausted.  During the insurrection at Paris he served with the army of Versailles, but consented to treat one of his old soldiers, Maurice Levasseur, who had been mortally wounded in the ranks of the Commune.  La Debacle.

BOURRAS, an old man who sold umbrellas and walking-sticks in a tumble-down house which adjoined “The Ladies’ Paradise.”  His business was ruined by the growth of that concern, and he expressed bitter hatred towards Octave Mouret, its proprietor.  Denise Baudu rented a room from him after her dismissal from “The Ladies’ Paradise,” and he showed much kindness to her and Pepe, her young brother.  He refused several offers by Mouret, who wished to purchase his lease in order to extend his own shop, and ultimately, having become bankrupt, was forced to leave without a penny.  Au Bonheur des Dames.