FERNAND, a student of chemistry with Combette at Chene Populeux. He was a cowardly lad, whom fear of the Prussians drove into a fever. La Debacle.
FERNANDE, a chorus-girl at the Theatre des Varietes. Nana.
FETU (MERE), an old woman whom Helene Grandjean visited at the request of Abbe Jouve. At her house Helen frequently met Dr. Deberle, who was attending her professionally at the same time. Below this house was the flat taken by M. Malignon, who had appointed Mere Fetu caretaker, and it was through her that Helene came to know of the assignation between Malignon and Madame Deberle. Une Page d’Amour.
FIFI, the sobriquet of Fanny Menu, q.v. Pot-Bouille.
FINE, the sobriquet of Josephine Gavaudan. La Fortune des Rougon.
FINET (ARISTIDE), the founder of the drapery business known as the _Vieil Elbeuf_, in Paris. He was the father-in-law and predecessor of Hauchecorne. Au Bonheur des Dames.
FINET (DESIREE), daughter of the preceding. She married Hauchecorne, her father’s principal salesman, who carried on the business. Au Bonheur des Dames.
FINET, a doctor of medicine who resided at Cloyes. He was disgusted by the brutality of his patients, whom he accused of always sending for him when it was too late. His indifference became such that he did not make any inquiries about the death of Rose Fouan, whose end was hastened by her son Buteau, or that of Pere Fouan, who was burned alive. La Terre.
FIRMIN, chief huntsman to Napoleon III at Compiegne. Son Excellence Eugene Rougon.
FLAMINIO, the Comtesse Balbi’s man-servant, “with a face like a brigand’s, and a long black beard.” Son Excellence Eugene Rougon.
FLEUR D’EPINE, a celebrated chief of brigands who preceded Beau-Francois. La Terre.
FLEURANCE, a putter in the Voreux pit who worked along with the Maheus. She was found dead in her bed, and the vacancy created in the pit was filled by Etienne Lantier. Germinal.
FLORE, the elder daughter of Madame Misard (Aunt Phasie). After illness rendered her mother unfit for work, Flore replaced her as gatekeeper at the railway crossing at Croix-de-Maufras. She was a tall and strong girl of eighteen, with a magnificent head of fair hair; disdainful of the male, she had thrashed at least one would-be lover. When she was quite little she had loved Jacques Lantier, and now it was to him alone she would have given herself. Jacques did not care for her, however, and she came to know that he had a mistress, Severine Roubaud. Convinced of her own right to be loved, for she was stronger and handsomer than the other, the girl was tortured by jealousy; and each Friday, as she saw the express rush past, bearing the two lovers to Paris, was seized with an imperious desire to end everything, and by causing their death prevent them from passing any more. She accordingly brought about a terrible railway accident, in which a large number of persons were killed; but the crime was useless, for Severine and Jacques escaped with trifling injuries. The thought that Jacques knew her guilt, and must in future regard her as a monster, rendered life hateful to Flore, and to meet death she set out on a walk of heroic determination through the tunnel of Malaunay, allowing herself to be cut in pieces by an express train. La Bete Humaine.