tempt the most rebellious appetite, and which, when in an artistically
folded damask napkin, set off a dinner-table.

About this time Madame Desvarennes, while calculating how much the
millers must gain on the flour they sell to the bakers, resolved, in
order to lessen expenses, to do without middlemen and grind her own corn.
Michel, naturally timid, was frightened when his wife disclosed to him
the simple project which she had formed. Accustomed to submit to the will
of her whom he respectfully called "the mistress," and of whom he was but
the head clerk, he dared not oppose her. But, a red-tapist by nature, and
hating innovations, owing to weakness of mind, he trembled inwardly and
cried in agony:

"Wife, you'll ruin us."

The mistress calmed the poor man's alarm; she tried to impart to him some
of her confidence, to animate him with her hope, but without success, so
she went on without him. A mill was for sale at Jouy, on the banks of the
Oise; she paid ready money for it, and a few weeks later the bakery in
the Rue Vivienne was independent of every one. She ground her own flour,
and from that time business increased considerably. Feeling capable of
carrying out large undertakings, and, moreover, desirous of giving up the
meannesses of retail trade, Madame Desvarennes, one fine day, sent in a
tender for supplying bread to the military hospitals. It was accepted,
and from that time the house ranked among the most important. On seeing
the Desvarennes take their daring flight, the leading men in the trade
had said:

"They have system and activity, and if they do not upset on the way, they
will attain a high position."