le menu peuple : The humble folks

52.5. There is a State System of funeral undertaking, with a number of * classes ' according to the amount of pomp displayed — and paid for.

52.6. la mise en scène : ' Staging,' ' arranging for efîect.'

52.7. la chapelle ardente : The room in which the body lies in state. The term is appropriate because of the burning tapers.

52.8. béguines : Hère équivalent to ' religieuses,' nuns. Originally the name was given to a certain order of heretical begging sisters from the Low Countries.