Chapter 12 Summary

Mouret gets Baron Hartman and the Crédit Immobilier to approve his expansion, but his triumph is empty. Clara decides to steal Colomban from his fiancée, which makes Denise angry. Denise realizes that her refusal of Mouret has given her power in the store, but she has no thoughts of marrying Mouret. Bourdoncle has Jouve looking for the slightest thing as reason to dismiss her. The store is still gossiping about Denise going with Hutin and Deloche. Mouret tours the entire store, feeling nothing but despair that Denise still says no to him.

One day, Bourdoncle tells Mouret about the gossip of Denise's lovers. Mouret starts firing people in his jealous rage. When an inspector finds Mignot, salesman in gloves, helping girls steal, Mouret loses his temper. Albert is also guilty. Mouret sees Favier lowering silk prices. Favier blames Hutin. Mouret yells...