Chapter 1 Summary

Denise and her brothers come to Paris a year after their parents' death, hoping for help from their uncle. Their uncle, however, is suffering from the competition of the growing shop Au Bonheur des Dames across the street. As the shop seduces Denise and consumes the neighborhood, its owner, Octave Mouret is finally conquered himself.

Denise and her brothers Pépé and Jean arrive in Paris after an exhausting trip. They are looking for their uncle's shop when they become entranced by Au Bonheur des Dames. The three children present an odd sight to the neighborhood as they stand gawking at the extravagant and luring displays. One of the neighbors is watching the three strangers. He turns out to be their uncle. Denise is repulsed by his small, dreary shop. Denise greets her uncle, who had written her after her parents' deaths that...