To take Max's place with the Rabouilleuse would be as odious on his part as on hers.

He could, without discredit and by the laws of nepotism, live in his uncle's house and at his uncle's expense; but he could not have Flore unless her character were whitewashed.

Hampered by this difficulty, and stimulated by the hope of finally getting hold of the property, the idea came into his head of making his uncle marry the Rabouilleuse.

With this in view he requested his mother to go and see the girl and treat her in a sisterly manner.
"I must confess, my dear mother," he said, in a canting tone, looking at Monsieur and Madame Hochon who accompanied her, "that my uncle's way of life is not becoming; he could, however, make Mademoiselle Brazier respected by the community if he chose.

Wouldn't it be far better for her to be Madame Rouget than the servant-mistress of an old bachelor?
She had better obtain a definite right to his property by a marriage contract then threaten a whole family with disinheritance.