Chapter 10 Summary

August brings stock-taking day. Denise is recuperating from a sprained ankle when she gets a letter from Mouret. The letter is for an innocent dinner, but full of implications. Denise realizes she loves Mouret. Pauline comes into her room and Denise reveals the letter to her. Everyone thinks Denise and Mouret are already together. Denise cries, and Pauline advises her to go to the dinner. Pauline is marrying Baugé, which Denise believes is the proper thing to do when you love someone. Pauline lectures her further as Denise cries more. After Pauline leaves, Madame Aurélie comes to check on Denise. Denise insists on helping with the stock-taking.

As the employees work on the inventory, everyone is gossiping and talking about raises. Liénard, having overheard Pauline tell Deloche, has spread the gossip about Mouret inviting Denise to dinner. The employees are all...