Chapter 14 Summary

Au Bonheur des Dames is ready for its Great White Sale to celebrate the completion of the final expansion. Madame de Boves and Madame Guibal meet Madame Desforges, who has only come out of jealous curiosity about the rumors that Mouret will marry Denise. When the ladies go in, Inspector Jouve keeps his eyes on Madame de Boves. To escape the rumors, Denise has given her notice and is planning to leave after the sale for a month in Valgones. Bourdoncle finds Mouret in his office crying. Bourdoncle and Mouret go on their tour of the store during the sale. Jean and Pépé arrive to finish some purchases and exchanges for Jean's new wife before they leave with Denise the next day. Mouret comes by while Denise is mothering her brothers. He remembers seeing a much younger Pépé on their walk...