In August, the store is closed for inventory. Denise sprained her ankle but wants to help. The housekeeper comes to her room with a message from Mouret inviting her to dinner. Denise believes that Mouret wishes to make her his lover. She is overwhelmed, as she recently realized that she loves Mouret. Denise tells Pauline about Mouret’s invitation. Pauline reveals that Mouret is no longer visiting Madame Desforges or Clara. Denise reiterates her belief in the importance of marriage, holding up Pauline and Bauge as exemplars. Pauline points out that it would be difficult for Mouret to marry one of his salesgirls since he is from a higher social class. When Denise cries, Pauline points out that many working-class women would love the chance to be a rich man’s lover. Besides, she adds, Denise may be fired if she turns Mouret down.

The staff in the ladieswear department are now much nicer to Denise. Clara, however, continues to resent Denise, whom she believes stole her promotion. A male sales assistant named Mignot enters. He asks Clara for 10 francs. Then, he borrows 10 more francs from Lhomme. Clara gossips and teases, focusing on Joseph’s apparent affection for Mademoiselle Fontenailles (Madame Desforges’s protegee, hired as a favor to her by Mouret).