At first he kept
entirely in the background, but assisted by Madame Mouret, who had
fallen in love with him, and by Madame Felicite Rougon, acting under
instructions from her son Eugene, the Minister of State, Faujas soon
began to make himself felt in Plassans. He appeared to take no interest
in politics, but little by little he gained power, until "the conquest
of Plassans" was accomplished and a supporter of the Government was
elected as deputy. Meantime his influence over Madame Mouret had become
complete, and he had practically taken possession of the Mourets' house,
his sister and her husband, as well as his mother, living there with
him. Thrust aside and neglected, Francois Mouret was wrongfully removed
to the asylum at Les Tulettes, where confinement soon unhinged his
not over-strong intellect. The Abbe now became even more arrogant, and
Madame Mouret was barely tolerated in her own house. Ultimately Francois
Mouret escaped from the asylum, and returning by night to his home,
set fire to it; along with him, the Abbe Faujas and all his relations
perished in the flames. La Conquete de Plassans.
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