The Christmas Kalends of Provence by Thomas A. Janvier

In the dominion of Vielmur there is an inner empire. Nominally, the Vidame is the reigning sovereign; but the power behind his throne is Mise Fougueiroun. The term "Mise" is an old-fashioned Provencal title of respect for women of the little bourgeoisie -- tradesmen's and shopkeepers' wives and the like -- that has become obsolescent since the Revolution and very generally has given place to the fine-ladyish "Madamo. " With a little stretching, it may be rendered by our English old-fashioned title of "mistress"; and Mise Fougueiroun, who is the Vidame's housekeeper, is mistress over his household in a truly masterful way.

This personage is a little round woman, still plumply pleasing although she is rising sixty, who is arrayed always with an exquisite neatness in the dress -- the sober black-and-white of the elder women, not the gay colours worn by the young girls -- of the Pays d'Arles; and -- although shortness and plumpness are at odds with majesty of deportment -- she has, at least, the peremptory manner of one long accustomed to command. As is apt to be the way with little round women, her temper is of a brittle cast and her hasty rulings sometimes smack of injustice; but her nature (and this also is characteristic of her type) is so warmly generous that her heart easily can be caught into kindness on the rebound. The Vidame, who in spite of his antiquarian testiness is something of a philosopher, takes advantage of her peculiarities to compass such of his wishes as happen to run counter to her laws. His Machiavellian policy is to draw her fire by a demand of an extravagant nature; and then, when her lively refusal has set her a little in the wrong, handsomely to ask of her as a favour what he really requires -- a method that never fails of success.