CHANTEAU (M.), a cousin of M. Quenu, by whom he was nominated guardian of his daughter Pauline Quenu.  On the death of his father, he succeeded to the timber business at Caen.  Being an inactive man, unaspiring and careful, he contented himself with putting his affairs on a safe basis, and living on a moderate but sure profit.  He married Eugenie de la Vigniere, who was an ambitious woman and hoped to rouse his indolent nature.  Her schemes were, however, frustrated by the ill-health of her husband, who suffered from gout to such a degree that he ultimately sold his business to Devoine, and retired to Bonneville, where he had a house.  His sufferings from gout gradually became more and more severe until he was a complete invalid.  His ward Pauline Quenu showed him much kindness, and the Abbe Horteur played draughts with him regularly.  La Joie de Vivre.

Until the end of his life he was taken care of by Pauline.  Le Docteur Pascal.

CHANTEAU (MADAME), wife of the preceding, nee Eugenie de la Vigniere, was the orphan of one of the ruined squireens of the Cotentin.  An ambitious woman, she hoped to induce her husband to overcome his indolent nature, but her plans were upset by the ill-health into which he fell, and she transferred to her son her hopes for the family’s rise in life.  From this source she had nothing but disappointment, as one after another of Lazare’s schemes failed.  To enable him to get money to start his chemical works, she encouraged the idea of marriage between him and Pauline Quenu, her husband’s ward, who thereupon lent him thirty thousand francs.  Little by little, Madame Chanteau got possession for the family use of nearly all Pauline’s fortunes, but with each fresh loan her feelings towards the girl became more embittered until her affection for her had turned to hate.  From this time, she discouraged her son’s marriage with Pauline, and endeavoured to turn his thoughts towards Louise Thibaudier, who had a considerable fortune.  She died of dropsy after a short illness.  La Joie de Vivre.

CHANTEAU (LAZARE), born 1844, son of M. Chanteau, was educated at the college of Caen, where he took his bachelor’s degree.  He was undecided as to what profession he would adopt, and for some time his inclination turned towards music.  Under the influence of Pauline Quenu he decided on medicine, and went to Paris, where at first he made good progress in his studies.  Unfortunately he tired of this, and led a life of extravagance and dissipation, failing to pass his examinations.  Having chanced to make the acquaintance of Herbelin, a celebrated chemist, Lazare entered his laboratory as an assistant.  From him he got the idea of turning seaweed to profitable account by the extraction of chemicals by a new method.  With a view to the commercial employment of this process he borrowed thirty thousand francs from Pauline Quenu, and entered into partnership with an old college friend named Boutigny who invested a similar sum in the business.