VENOT (THEOPHILE), an old lawyer who made a speciality of ecclesiastical cases, and had acquired a fortune by serving the Jesuits. He had retired with a comfortable sum, and led an existence slightly mysterious; received everywhere, saluted very low, even a little feared, as he represented a great and unknown force which he had behind him. An intimate friend of the Muffats, he did everything in his power to put an end to the liaison between the Comte and Nana, and, though no success attended his efforts for a considerable time, he was able when ruin seemed imminent to save Muffat from scandal and to console him by a return to the practice of religion. Nana.
VERDIER (BARON), proprietor of a racing-stable. Frangipane, one of his horses, ran in the Grand Prix de Paris. Nana.
VERDIER, a lawyer who had been for a long time engaged to Hortense Josserand. The marriage was put off from time to time, as he had got entangled with a woman from whom he found separation difficult. Pot-Bouille.
VERDONCK, a grocer at Montsou. His business was much affected by the competition of Maigrat, and he gave credit during the first week of the strike in the hope of getting back some of his old customers. Germinal.
VERLAQUE, an inspector in the fish-market at the Halles Centrales. Having fallen into bad health, he was allowed to find a substitute to keep the place open for him in case he should recover. Florent was appointed, and paid a considerable portion of the salary to Verlaque. Le Ventre de Paris.
VERLAQUE (MADAME), wife of the preceding. Florent assisted her after the death of her husband. Le Ventre de Paris.
VERNIER, an art critic who published an article on Fagerolles the artist. L’Oeuvre.
VERONIQUE, maid-servant to the Chanteau family, was a tall, stout young woman of unattractive appearance and uncertain temper. She had been in the service of the Chanteaus for twenty years, and having become necessary to them, took advantage of her position. From the first, Veronique resented Pauline Quenu’s presence in the Chanteau household, and treated her as an intruder. In course of time, however, she came to see that Pauline was being despoiled of her means by Madame Chanteau, and her sense of justice made her take the young girl’s part. The death of Madame Chanteau made a deep impression on Veronique whose ill-will towards Pauline gradually returned. Her mind, not strong at best, became unhinged, and in a fit of temper she went into the orchard and hanged herself. La Joie de Vivre.
VIAL (ABBE), one of the clergy of Plassans. When his appointment became vacant it was promised to Abbe Bourrette, but was eventually given to Abbe Faujas. La Conquete de Plassans.
VIAL (MELANIE), second wife of Jean Macquart, to whom she was married in 1871. She was the only daughter of a peasant in easy circumstances, and was of a fine robust physique. She had three healthy children in as many years. Le Docteur Pascal.