ThePyreneeanvalleyinwhichthebathsofVernetaresituatedisnotmuchknowntoEnglish，orindeedtoanytravellers。Touristsinsearchofgoodhotelsandpicturesquebeautycombined，donotgenerallyextendtheirjourneystotheEasternPyrenees。TheyrarelygetbeyondLuchon；andinthistheyareright，astheythusendtheirperegrinationsatthemostlovelyspotamongthesemountains，andareasarulesodeceived，imposedon，andbewilderedbyguides，innkeepers，andhorse—owners，atthisotherwisedelightfulplace，astobecomeundesirousoffurthertravel。NordoinvalidsfromdistantpartsfrequentVernet。PeopleoffashiongototheEauxBonnesandtoLuchon，andpeoplewhoarereallyilltoBaregesandCauterets。
　　ItisattheseplacesthatonemeetscrowdsofParisians，andthedaughtersandwivesofrichmerchantsfromBordeaux，withanadmixture，nowbynomeansinconsiderable，ofEnglishmenandEnglishwomen。ButtheEasternPyreneesarestillunfrequented。Andprobablytheywillremainso；forthoughthereareamongthemlovelyvalleys——andofallsuchthevalleyofVernetisperhapsthemostlovely——theycannotcompetewiththemountainsceneryofothertourists—lovedregionsinEurope。AtthePortdeVenasquezandtheBrechedeRolandintheWesternPyrenees，orrather，tospeakmoretruly，atspotsintheclosevicinityofthesefamousmountainentrancesfromFranceintoSpain，onecanmakecomparisonswithSwitzerland，NorthernItaly，theTyrol，andIreland，whichwillnotbeinjurioustothescenesthenunderview。Butamongtheeasternmountainsthiscanrarelybedone。Thehillsdonotstandthicklytogethersoastogroupthemselves；thepassesfromonevalleytoanother，thoughnotwantinginaltitude，arenotclosepressedtogetherwithoverhangingrocks，andaredeficientingrandeuraswellasloveliness。Andthen，asanaturalconsequenceofallthis，thehotels——arenotquiteasgoodastheyshouldbe。
　　ButthereisonemountainamongthemwhichcanclaimtorankwiththePicduMidiortheMaledetta。Noonecanpooh—poohthesternoldCanigou，standinghighandsolitary，solemnandgrand，betweenthetworoadswhichrunfromPerpignanintoSpain，theonebyPradesandtheotherbyLeBoulon。UndertheCanigou，towardsthewest，liethehotbathsofVernet，inaclosesecludedvalley，which，asIhavesaidbefore，is，asfarasIknow，thesweetestspotintheseEasternPyrenees。
　　Thefrequentersofthesebathswereafewyearsbackgatheredalmostentirelyfromtownsnotveryfardistant，fromPerpignan，Narbonne，Carcassonne，andBezieres，andthebathswerenotthereforefamous，expensive，orluxurious；butthosewhobelievedinthembelievedwithgreatfaith；anditwascertainlythefactthatmenandwomenwhowentthitherwornwithtoil，sickwithexcesses，andnervousthroughover—care，camebackfreshandstrong，fitoncemoretoattacktheworldwithallitswoes。Theircharacterinlatterdaysdoesnotseemtohavechanged，thoughtheircircleofadmirersmayperhapsbesomewhatextended。
　　Inthosedays，byfarthemostnotedandillustriouspersoninthevillageofVernetwasLaMereBauche。ThattherehadoncebeenaPereBauchewasknowntotheworld，fortherewasaFilsBauchewholivedwithhismother；butnooneseemedtoremembermoreofhimthanthathehadonceexisted。AtVernethehadneverbeenknown。LaMereBauchewasanativeofthevillage，buthermarriedlifehadbeenpassedawayfromit，andshehadreturnedinherearlywidowhoodtobecomeproprietressandmanager，or，asonemaysay，theheartandsouloftheHotelBaucheatVernet。
　　Thishotelwasalargeandsomewhatroughestablishment，intendedfortheaccommodationofinvalidswhocametoVernetfortheirhealth。
　　Itwasbuiltimmediatelyoveroneofthethermalsprings，sothatthewaterflowedfromthebowelsoftheearthdirectlyintothebaths。
　　Therewasaccommodationforseventypeople，andduringthesummerandautumnmonthstheplacewasalwaysfull。Notafewalsoweretobefoundthereduringthewinterandspring，forthechargesofMadameBauchewerelow，andtheaccommodationreasonablygood。
　　Andinthisrespect，asindeedinallothers，MadameBauchehadthereputationofbeinganhonestwoman。Shehadacertainprice，fromwhichnoearthlyconsiderationwouldinducehertodepart；andtherewerecertainreturnsforthispriceintheshapeofdejeunersanddinners，bathsandbeds，whichsheneverfailedtogiveinaccordancewiththedictatesofastrictconscience。Theseweretraitsinthecharacterofanhotel—keeperwhichcannotbepraisedtoohighly，andwhichhadmettheirduerewardinthecustomofthepublic。ButneverthelesstherewerethosewhothoughtthattherewasoccasionallygroundforcomplaintintheconductevenofMadameBauche。
　　Inthefirstplaceshewasdeficientinthatpleasantsmilingsoftnesswhichshouldbelongtoanykeeperofahouseofpublicentertainment。Inhergeneralmodeoflifeshewassternandsilentwithherguests，autocratic，authoritativeandsometimescontradictoryinherhouse，andaltogetherirrationalandunconciliatorywhenanychangeevenforadaywasproposedtoher，orwhenanyshadowofacomplaintreachedherears。
　　Indeedofcomplaint，asmadeagainsttheestablishment，shewasaltogetherintolerant。Tosuchshehadbutoneanswer。Heorshewhocomplainedmightleavetheplaceatamoment’snoticeifitsopleasedthem。Therewerealwaysothersreadytotaketheirplaces。
　　Thepowerofmakingthisanswercametoherfromthelownessofherprices；anditwasapowerwhichwasverydeartoher。
　　Thebathsweretakenatdifferenthoursaccordingtomedicaladvice，buttheusualtimewasfromfivetoseveninthemorning。Thedejeunerorearlymealwasatnineo’clock，thedinnerwasatfour。
　　Afterthat，noeatingordrinkingwasallowedintheHotelBauche。
　　Therewasacafeinthevillage，atwhichladiesandgentlemencouldgetacupofcoffeeoraglassofeausucre；butnosuchaccommodationwastobehadintheestablishment。Notbyanypossiblebriberyorpersuasioncouldanymealbeprocuredatanyotherthantheauthorisedhours。AvisitorwhoshouldenterthesalleamangermorethantenminutesafterthelastbellwouldbelookedatverysourlybyMadameBauche，whoonalloccasionssatatthetopofherowntable。Shouldanyoneappearasmuchashalfanhourlate，hewouldreceiveonlyhisshareofwhathadnotbeenhandedround。Butafterthelastdishhadbeensohanded，itwasutterlyuselessforanyonetoentertheroomatall。
　　Herappearanceattheperiodofourtalewasperhapsnotaltogetherinherfavour。Shewasaboutsixtyyearsofageandwasverystoutandshortintheneck。Sheworeherowngrayhair，whichatdinnerwasalwaystidyenough；butduringthe’wholedayprevioustothathourshemightbeseenwithitescapingfromunderhercapinextremedisorder。Hereyebrowswerelargeandbushy，butthosealonewouldnothavegiventoherfacethatlookofindomitablesternnesswhichitpossessed。Hereyebrowswereseriousintheireffect，butnotsoseriousasthepairofgreenspectacleswhichshealwaysworeunderthem。ItwasthoughtbythosewhohadanalysedthesubjectthatthegreatsecretofMadameBauche’spowerlayinhergreenspectacles。
　　Hercustomwastomoveaboutandthroughthewholeestablishmenteverydayfrombreakfasttilltheperiodcameforhertodressfordinner。Shewouldvisiteverychamberandeverybath，walkonceortwiceroundthesalleamanger，andveryrepeatedlyroundthekitchen；shewouldgointoeveryholeandcorner，andpeerintoeverythingthroughhergreenspectacles：andinthesewalksitwasnotalwaysthoughtpleasanttomeether。Hercustomwastomoveveryslowly，withherhandsgenerallyclaspedbehindherback：sherarelyspoketotheguestsunlessshewasspokento，andonsuchoccasionsshewouldnotoftendivergeintogeneralconversation。Ifanyonehadaughttosayconnectedwiththebusinessoftheestablishment，shewouldlisten，andthenshewouldmakeheranswers，——oftennotpleasantinthehearing。
　　Andthusshewalkedherpaththroughtheworld，astern，hard，solemnoldwoman，notwithoutgustsofpassionateexplosion；buthonestwithal，andnotwithoutsomeinwardbenevolenceandtruetendernessofheart。Childrenshehadhadmany，somesevenoreight。Oneortwohaddied，othershadbeenmarried；shehadsonssettledfarawayfromhome，andatthetimeofwhichwearenowspeakingbutonewasleftinanywaysubjecttomaternalauthority。
　　AdolpheBauchewastheonlyoneofherchildrenofwhommuchwasrememberedbythepresentdenizensandhangers—onofthehotel，hewastheyoungestofthenumber，andhavingbeenbornonlyveryshortlybeforethereturnofMadameBauchetoVernet，hadbeenaltogetherrearedthere。Itwasthoughtbytheworldofthoseparts，andrightlythought，thathewashismother’sdarling——moresothanhadbeenanyofhisbrothersandsisters，——theveryappleofhereyeandgemofherlife。Atthistimehewasabouttwenty—fiveyearsofage，andforthelasttwoyearshadbeenabsentfromVernet——forreasonswhichwillshortlybemadetoappear。HehadbeensenttoParistoseesomethingoftheworld，andlearntotalkFrenchinsteadofthepatoisofhisvalley；andhavingleftParishadcomedownsouthintoLanguedoc，andremainedtherepickingupsomeagriculturallorewhichitwasthoughtmightproveusefulinthevalleyfarmsofVernet。Hewasnowexpectedhomeagainveryspeedily，muchtohismother’sdelight。
　　Thatshewaskindandgracioustoherfavouritechilddoesnotperhapsgivemuchproofofherbenevolence；butshehadalsobeenkindandgracioustotheorphanchildofaneighbour；nay，totheorphanchildofarivalinnkeeper。AtVernettherehadbeenmorethanonewaterestablishment，buttheproprietorofthesecondhaddiedsomefewyearsafterMadameBauchehadsettledherselfattheplace。Hishousehadnotthrived，andhisonlychild，alittlegirl，wasleftaltogetherwithoutprovision。
　　Thislittlegirl，MarieClavert，LaMereBauchehadtakenintoherownhouseimmediatelyafterthefather’sdeath，althoughshehadmostcordiallyhatedthatfather。Mariewasthenaninfant，andMadameBauchehadacceptedthechargewithoutmuchthought，perhaps，astowhatmightbethechild’sultimatedestiny。Butsincethenshehadthoroughlydonethedutyofamotherbythelittlegirl，whohadbecomethepetofthewholeestablishment，thefavouriteplaythingofAdolpheBauche，andatlastofcoursehisearlysweetheart。
　　AndthenandthereforetherehadcometroublesatVernet。Ofcoursealltheworldofthevalleyhadseenwhatwastakingplaceandwhatwaslikelytotakeplace，longbeforeMadameBaucheknewanythingaboutit。Butatlastitbrokeuponhersensesthatherson，AdolpheBauche，theheirtoallhervirtuesandallherriches，thefirstyoungmaninthatoranyneighbouringvalley，wasabsolutelycontemplatingtheideaofmarryingthatpoorlittleorphan，MarieClavert！
　　ThatanyoneshouldeverfallinlovewithMarieClaverthadneveroccurredtoMadameBauche。Shehadalwaysregardedthechildasachild，astheobjectofhercharity，andasalittlethingtobelookedonaspoorMariebyalltheworld。She，lookingthroughhergreenspectacles，hadneverseenthatMarieClavertwasabeautifulcreature，fullofripeningcharms，suchasyoungmenlovetolookon。
　　MariewasofinfinitedailyusetoMadameBaucheinahundredlittlethingsaboutthehouse，andtheoldladythoroughlyrecognisedandappreciatedherability。ButforthisveryreasonshehadnevertaughtherselftoregardMarieotherwisethanasausefuldrudge。
　　Shewasveryfondofherprotegee——somuchsothatshewouldlistentoherinaffairsaboutthehousewhenshewouldlistentonooneelse；——butMarie’sprettinessandgraceandsweetnessasagirlhadallbeenthrownawayuponMamanBauche，asMarieusedtocallher。
　　ButunluckilyithadnotbeenthrownawayuponAdolphe。Hehadappreciated，asitwasnaturalthatheshoulddo，allthathadbeensoutterlyindifferenttohismother；andconsequentlyhadfalleninlove。Consequentlyalsohehadtoldhislove；andconsequentlyalsoMariehadreturnedhislove。
　　Adolphehadbeenhithertocontradictedbutinfewthings，andthoughtthatalldifficultywouldbepreventedbyhisinforminghismotherthathewishedtomarryMarieClavert。ButMarie，withawoman’sinstinct，hadknownbetter。Shehadtrembledandalmostcrouchedwithfearwhensheconfessedherlove；andhadabsolutelyhidherselffromsightwhenAdolphewentforth，preparedtoaskhismother’sconsenttohismarriage。
　　TheindignationandpassionatewrathofMadameBauchewerepastandgonetwoyearsbeforethedateofthisstory，andIneednotthereforemuchenlargeuponthatsubject。Shewasatfirstabusiveandbitter，whichwasbadforMarie；andafterwardsbitterandsilent，whichwasworse。ItwasofcoursedeterminedthatpoorMarieshouldbesentawaytosomeasylumfororphansorpennilesspaupers——
　　inshortanywhereoutoftheway。Whatmatteredheroutlookintotheworld，herhappiness，orindeedherveryexistence？TheoutlookandhappinessofAdolpheBauche，——wasnotthattobeconsideredaseverythingatVernet？
　　Butthisterriblesharpaspectofaffairsdidnotlastverylong。InthefirstplaceLaMereBauchehadunderthosegreenspectaclesaheartthatintruthwastenderandaffectionate，andafterthefirsttwodaysofangersheadmittedthatsomethingmustbedoneforMarieClavert；andafterthefourthdaysheacknowledgedthattheworldofthehotel，herworld，wouldnotgoaswellwithoutMarieClavertasitwouldwithher。AndinthenextplaceMadameBauchehadafriendwhoseadviceingravemattersshewouldsometimestake。ThisfriendhadtoldherthatitwouldbemuchbettertosendawayAdolphe，sinceitwassonecessarythatthereshouldbeasendingawayofsomeone；
　　thathewouldbemuchbenefitedbypassingsomemonthsofhislifeawayfromhisnativevalley；andthatanabsenceofayearortwowouldteachhimtoforgetMarie，evenifitdidnotteachMarietoforgethim。
　　Andwemustsayawordortwoaboutthisfriend。AtVernethewasusuallycalledM。leCapitaine，thoughinfacthehadneverreachedthatrank。Hehadbeeninthearmy，andhavingbeenwoundedinthelegwhilestillasous—lieutenant，hadbeenpensioned，andhadthusbeeninterdictedfromtreadinganyfurtherthethornypaththatleadstoglory。ForthelastfifteenyearshehadresidedundertheroofofMadameBauche，atfirstasacasualvisitor，goingandcoming，butnowformanyyearsasconstantthereasshewasherself。
　　HewassoconstantlycalledLeCapitainethathisrealnamewasseldomheard。ItmayhoweveraswellbeknowntousthatthiswasTheodoreCampan。Hewasatall，well—lookingman；alwaysdressedinblackgarments，ofacoarsedescriptioncertainly，butscrupulouslycleanandwellbrushed；ofperhapsfiftyyearsofage，andconspicuousfortherigiduprightnessofhisback——andforablackwoodenleg。
　　Thiswoodenlegwasperhapsthemostremarkabletraitinhischaracter。Itwasalwaysjetblack，beingpainted，orpolished，orjapanned，asoccasionmightrequire，bythehandsofthecapitainehimself。Itwaslongerthanordinarywoodenlegs，asindeedthecapitainewaslongerthanordinarymen；butneverthelessitneverseemedinanywaytoimpedetherigidpunctiliousproprietyofhismovements。Itwasneverinhiswayaswoodenlegsusuallyareinthewayoftheirwearers。Andthentorenderitmoreillustriousithadrounditsmiddle，roundthecalfofthelegwemaysosay，abandofbrightbrasswhichshonelikeburnishedgold。
　　Ithadbeenthecapitaine’scustom，nowforsomeyearspast，toretireeveryeveningataboutseveno’clockintothesanctumsanctorumofMadameBauche’shabitation，thedarklittleprivatesitting—roominwhichshemadeoutherbillsandcalculatedherprofits，andthereregalehimselfinherpresence——andindeedatherexpense，fortheitemsneverappearedinthebill——withcoffeeandcognac。Ihavesaidthattherewasnevereatingordrinkingattheestablishmentaftertheregulardinner—hours；butinsosayingI
　　spokeoftheworldatlarge。Nothingfurtherwasallowedinthewayoftrade；butinthewayoffriendshipsomuchwasnow—a—daysalwaysallowedtothecapitaine。
　　ItwasatthesemomentsthatMadameBauchediscussedherprivateaffairs，andaskedforandreceivedadvice。ForevenMadameBauchewasmortal；norcouldhergreenspectacleswithoutotheraidcarryherthroughallthetroublesoflife。ItwasnowfiveyearssincetheworldofVernetdiscoveredthatLaMereBauchewasgoingtomarrythecapitaine；andforeighteenmonthstheworldofVernethadbeenfullofthismatter：butanyamountofpatienceisatlastexhausted，andasnofurtherstepsinthatdirectionwereevertakenbeyondthedailycupofcoffee，thatsubjectdiedaway——verymuchunheededbyLaMereBauche。
　　Butshe，thoughshethoughtofnomatrimonyforherself，thoughtmuchofmatrimonyforotherpeople；andovermostofthosecupsofeveningcoffeeandcognacamatrimonialprojectwasdiscussedintheselatterdays。IthasbeenseenthatthecapitainepleadedinMarie’sfavourwhenthefuryofMadameBauche’sindignationbrokeforth；andthatultimatelyMariewaskeptathome，andAdolphesentawaybyhisadvice。
　　"ButAdolphecannotalwaysstayaway，"MadameBauchehadpleadedinherdifficulty。Thetruthofthisthecapitainehadadmitted；butMarie，hesaid，mightbemarriedtosomeoneelsebeforetwoyearswereover。Andsothematterhadcommenced。
　　Buttowhomshouldshebemarried？Tothisquestionthecapitainehadansweredinperfectinnocenceofheart，thatLaMereBauchewouldbemuchbetterabletomakesuchachoicethanhimself。HedidnotknowhowMariemightstandwithregardtomoney。Ifmadamewouldgivesomelittle"dot，"theaffair，thecapitainethought，wouldbemoreeasilyarranged。
　　Allthesethingstookmonthstosay，duringwhichperiodMariewentonwithherworkinmelancholylistlessness。Onecomfortshehad。
　　Adolphe，beforehewent，hadpromisedtoher，holdinginhishandashedidsoalittlecrosswhichshehadgivenhim，thatnoearthlyconsiderationshouldseverthem；——thatsoonerorlaterhewouldcertainlybeherhusband。Mariefeltthatherlimbscouldnotworknorhertonguespeakwereitnotforthisonedropofwaterinhercup。
　　Andthen，deeplymeditating，LaMereBauchehituponaplan，andherselfcommunicatedittothecapitaineoverasecondcupofcoffeeintowhichshepouredafullteaspoonfulmorethantheusualallowanceofcognac。Whyshouldnothe，thecapitainehimself，bethemantomarryMarieClavert？
　　Itwasaverystartlingproposal，theideaofmatrimonyforhimselfneverhavingasyetenteredintothecapitaine’sheadatanyperiodofhislife；butLaMereBauchedidcontrivetomakeitnotaltogetherunacceptable。Astothatmatterofdowryshewaspreparedtobemorethangenerous。ShedidloveMariewell，andcouldfinditinherhearttogiveheranything——anythingexceptherson，herownAdolphe。Whatsheproposedwasthis。Adolphe，himself，wouldneverkeepthebaths。IfthecapitainewouldtakeMarieforhiswife，Marie，MadameBauchedeclared，shouldbethemistressafterherdeath；subjectofcoursetocertainsettlementsastoAdolphe’specuniaryinterests。
　　Theplanwasdiscussedathousandtimes，andatlastsofarbroughttobearthatMariewasmadeacquaintedwithit——havingbeencalledintositinpresencewithLaMereBaucheandherfutureproposedhusband。Thepoorgirlmanifestednodisgusttothestiffungainlyloverwhomtheyassignedtoher，——whothroughhiswholeframewasinappearancealmostaswoodenashisownleg。Onthewhole，indeed，Marielikedthecapitaine，andfeltthathewasherfriend；andinhercountrysuchmarriageswerenotuncommon。Thecapitainewasperhapsalittlebeyondtheageatwhichamanmightusuallybethoughtjustifiedindemandingtheservicesofayounggirlashisnurseandwife，butthenMarieofherselfhadsolittletogive——
　　exceptheryouth，andbeauty，andgoodness。
　　Butyetshecouldnotabsolutelyconsent；forwasshenotabsolutelypledgedtoherownAdolphe？Andtherefore，whenthegreatpecuniaryadvantageswere，onebyone，displayedbeforeher，andwhenLaMereBauche，asalastargument，informedherthataswifeofthecapitaineshewouldberegardedassecondmistressintheestablishmentandnotasaservant，shecouldonlyburstoutintotears，andsaythatshedidnotknow。
　　"Iwillbeverykindtoyou，"saidthecapitaine；"askindasamancanbe。"
　　Marietookhishardwitheredhandandkissedit；andthenlookedupintohisfacewithbeseechingeyeswhichwerenotwithoutavailuponhisheart。
　　"Wewillnotpresshernow，"saidthecapitaine。"Thereistimeenough。"
　　Butlethisheartbetouchedeversomuch，onethingwascertain。ItcouldnotbepermittedthatsheshouldmarryAdolphe。Tothatviewofthematterhehadgiveninhisunrestrictedadhesion；norcouldhebyanymeanswithdrawitwithoutlosingaltogetherhispositionintheestablishmentofMadameBauche。Norindeeddidhisconsciencetellhimthatsuchamarriageshouldbepermitted。Thatwouldbetoomuch。Ifeveryprettygirlwereallowedtomarrythefirstyoungmanthatmightfallinlovewithher，whatwouldtheworldcometo？
　　Anditsoonappearedthattherewasnottimeenough——thatthetimewasgrowingveryscant。InthreemonthsAdolphewouldbeback。Andifeverythingwasnotarrangedbythattime，mattersmightstillgoastray。
　　AndthenMadameBaucheaskedherfinalquestion："Youdonotthink，doyou，thatyoucanevermarryAdolphe？"Andassheaskedittheaccustomedterrorofhergreenspectaclesmagnifieditselftenfold。
　　Mariecouldonlyanswerbyanotherburstoftears。
　　Theaffairwasatlastsettledamongthem。MariesaidthatshewouldconsenttomarrythecapitainewhensheshouldhearfromAdolphe’sownmouththathe，Adolphe，lovedhernolonger。Shedeclaredwithmanytearsthathervowsandpledgespreventedherfrompromisingmorethanthis。Itwasnotherfault，atanyratenotnow，thatshelovedherlover。Itwasnotherfault——notnowatleast——thatshewasboundbythesepledges。Whensheheardfromhisownmouththathehaddiscardedher，thenshewouldmarrythecapitaine——orindeedsacrificeherselfinanyotherwaythatLaMereBauchemightdesire。
　　Whatwouldanythingsignifythen？
　　MadameBauche’sspectaclesremainedunmoved；butnotherheart。
　　Marie，shetoldthecapitaine，shouldbeequaltoherselfintheestablishment，whenonceshewasentitledtobecalledMadameCampan，andsheshouldbetoherquiteasadaughter。Sheshouldhavehercupofcoffeeeveryevening，anddineatthebigtable，andwearasilkgownatchurch，andtheservantsshouldallcallherMadame；agreatcareershouldbeopentoher，ifshewouldonlygiveupherfoolishgirlishchildishloveforAdolphe。AndallthesegreatpromiseswererepeatedtoMariebythecapitaine。
　　ButneverthelesstherewasbutonethingintheworldwhichinMarie’seyeswasofanyvalue；andthatonethingwastheheartofAdolpheBauche。Withoutthatshewouldbenothing；withthat，——withthatassured，shecouldwaitpatientlytilldoomsday。
　　LetterswerewrittentoAdolpheduringalltheseeventfuldoings；andalettercamefromhimsayingthathegreatlyvaluedMarie’slove，butthatasithadbeenclearlyprovedtohimthattheirmarriagewouldbeneitherforheradvantage，norforhis，hewaswillingtogiveitup。Heconsentedtohermarriagewiththecapitaine，andexpressedhisgratitudetohismotherforthepecuniaryadvantageswhichshehadheldouttohim。Oh，Adolphe，Adolphe！But，alas，alas！isnotsuchthewayofmostmen’shearts——andoftheheartsofsomewomen？
　　ThisletterwasreadtoMarie，butithadnomoreeffectuponherthanwouldhavehadsomedrylegaldocument。Inthosedaysandinthoseplacesmenandwomendidnotdependmuchuponletters；norwhentheywerewritten，wasthereexpressedinthemmuchofheartoroffeeling。Mariewouldunderstand，asshewaswellaware，theglanceofAdolphe’seyeandthetoneofAdolphe’svoice；shewouldperceiveatoncefromthemwhatherloverreallymeant，whathewished，whatintheinnermostcornerofhishearthereallydesiredthatsheshoulddo。Butfromthatstiffconstrainedwrittendocumentshecouldunderstandnothing。
　　ItwasagreedthereforethatAdolpheshouldreturn，andthatshewouldacceptherfatefromhismouth。Thecapitaine，whoknewmoreofhumannaturethanpoorMarie，felttolerablysureofhisbride。
　　Adolphe，whohadseensomethingoftheworld，wouldnotcareverymuchforthegirlofhisownvalley。Moneyandpleasure，andsomelittlepositionintheworld，wouldsoonweanhimfromhislove；andthenMariewouldacceptherdestiny——asothergirlsinthesamepositionhaddonesincetheFrenchworldbegan。
　　AndnowitwastheeveningbeforeAdolphe’sexpectedarrival。LaMereBauchewasdiscussingthematterwiththecapitaineovertheusualcupofcoffee。MadameBauchehadoflatebecomerathernervousonthematter，thinkingthattheyhadbeensomewhatrashinaccedingsomuchtoMarie。Itseemedtoherthatitwasabsolutelynowlefttothetwoyoungloverstosaywhetherornotheywouldhaveeachotherornot。NownothingonearthcouldbefurtherfromMadameBauche’sintentionthanthis。Herdecreeandresolvewastoheapdownblessingsonallpersonsconcerned——providedalwaysthatshecouldhaveherownway；but，providedshedidnothaveherownway，toheapdown，——anythingbutblessings。Shehadhercodeofmoralityinthismatter。Shewoulddogoodifpossibletoeverybodyaroundher。ButshewouldnotonanyscorebeinducedtoconsentthatAdolpheshouldmarryMarieClavert。ShouldthatbeinthewindshewouldridthehouseofMarie，ofthecapitaine，andevenofAdolphehimself。
　　Shehadbecomethereforesomewhatquerulous，andself—opinionatedinherdiscussionswithherfriend。
　　"Idon’tknow，"shesaidontheeveninginquestion；"Idon’tknow。
　　Itmaybeallright；butifAdolpheturnsagainstme，whatarewetodothen？"
　　"MereBauche，"saidthecapitaine，sippinghiscoffeeandpuffingoutthesmokeofhiscigar，"Adolphewillnotturnagainstus。"Ithadbeensomewhatremarkedbymanythatthecapitainewasmoreathomeinthehouse，andsomewhatfreerinhismanneroftalkingwithMadameBauche，sincethismatrimonialalliancehadbeenonthetapisthanhehadeverbeenbefore。LaMereherselfobservedit，anddidnotquitelikeit；buthowcouldshepreventitnow？Whenthecapitainewasoncemarriedshewouldmakehimknowhisplace，inspiteofallherpromisestoMarie。
　　"Butifhesayshelikesthegirl？"continuedMadameBauche。
　　"Myfriend，youmaybesurethathewillsaynothingofthekind。HehasnotbeenawaytwoyearswithoutseeinggirlsasprettyasMarie。
　　Andthenyouhavehisletter。"
　　"Thatisnothing，capitaine；hewouldeathisletterasquickasyouwouldeatanomeletauxfinesherbes。"
　　Nowthecapitainewasespeciallyquickoveranomeletauxfinesherbes。
　　"And，MereBauche，youalsohavethepurse；hewillknowthathecannoteatthat，exceptwithyourgoodwill。"
　　"Ah！"exclaimedMadameBauche，"poorlad！HehasnotasousintheworldunlessIgiveittohim。"Butitdidnotseemthatthisreflectionwasinitselfdispleasingtoher。
　　"Adolphewillnowbeamanoftheworld，"continuedthecapitaine。
　　"Hewillknowthatitdoesnotdotothrowawayeverythingforapairofredlips。Thatisthefollyofaboy，andAdolphewillbenolongeraboy。Believeme，MereBauche，thingswillberightenough。"
　　"AndthenweshallhaveMariesickandillandhalfdyingonourhands，"saidMadameBauche。
　　Thiswasnotflatteringtothecapitaine，andsohefeltit。
　　"Perhapsso，perhapsnot，"hesaid。"Butatanyrateshewillgetoverit。Itisamaladywhichrarelykillsyoungwomen——especiallywhenanotherallianceawaitsthem。"
　　"Bah！"saidMadameBauche；andinsayingthatwordsheavengedherselfforthetoogreatlibertywhichthecapitainehadlatelytaken。Heshruggedhisshoulders，tookapinchofsnuffanduninvitedhelpedhimselftoateaspoonfulofcognac。Thentheconferenceended，andonthenextmorningbeforebreakfastAdolpheBauchearrived。
　　OnthatmorningpoorMariehardlyknewhowtobearherself。Amonthortwoback，andevenuptothelastdayortwo，shehadfeltasortofconfidencethatAdolphewouldbetruetoher；butthenearercamethatfataldaythelessstrongwastheconfidenceofthepoorgirl。
　　Sheknewthatthosetwolong—headed，agedcounsellorswereplottingagainstherhappiness，andshefeltthatshecouldhardlydarehopeforsuccesswithsuchterriblefoesopposedtoher。OntheeveningbeforethedayMadameBauchehadmetherinthepassages，andkissedherasshewishedhergoodnight。Marieknewlittleaboutsacrifices，butshefeltthatitwasasacrificialkiss。
　　InthosedaysasortofdiligencewiththemailsforOlettepassedthroughPradesearlyinthemorning，andaconveyancewassentfromVernettobringAdolphetothebaths。Neverwasprinceorprincessexpectedwithmoreanxiety。MadameBauchewasupanddressedlongbeforethehour，andwasheardtosayfiveseveraltimesthatshewassurehewouldnotcome。Thecapitainewasoutandonthehighroad，movingaboutwithhiswoodenleg，asperpendicularasalamp—postandalmostasblack。Mariealsowasup，butnobodyhadseenher。Shewasupandhadbeenoutabouttheplacebeforeanyofthemwerestirring；butnowthattheworldwasonthemoveshelayhiddenlikeahareinitsform。
　　Andthentheoldchar—a—bancclattereduptothedoor，andAdolphejumpedoutofitintohismother’sarms。Hewasfatterandfairerthanshehadlastseenhim，hadalargerbeard，wasmorefashionablyclothed，andcertainlylookedmorelikeaman。Mariealsosawhimoutofherlittlewindow，andshethoughtthathelookedlikeagod。
　　Wasitprobable，shesaidtoherself，thatonesogodlikewouldstillcareforher？
　　Themotherwasdelightedwithherson，whorattledawayquiteathisease。Heshookhandsverycordiallywiththecapitaine——ofwhoseintendedalliancewithhisownsweethearthehadbeeninformed，andthenasheenteredthehousewithhishandunderhismother’sarm，heaskedonequestionabouther。"AndwhereisMarie？"saidhe。
　　"Marie！ohupstairs；youshallseeherafterbreakfast，"saidLaMereBauche。Andsotheyenteredthehouse，andwentintobreakfastamongtheguests。Everybodyhadheardsomethingofthestory，andtheywereallonthealerttoseetheyoungmanwhoseloveorwantoflovewasconsideredtobeofsomuchimportance。
　　"Youwillseethatitwillbeallright，"saidthecapitaine，carryinghisheadveryhigh。
　　"Ithinkso，Ithinkso，"saidLaMereBauche，who，nowthatthecapitainewasright，nolongerdesiredtocontradicthim。
　　"Iknowthatitwillbeallright，"saidthecapitaine。"ItoldyouthatAdolphewouldreturnaman；andheisaman。Lookathim；hedoesnotcarethisforMarieClavert；"andthecapitaine，withmucheloquenceinhismotion，pitchedoveraneighbouringwallasmallstonewhichheheldinhishand。
　　Andthentheyallwenttobreakfastwithmanysignsofoutwardjoy。
　　Andnotwithoutsomeinwardjoy；forMadameBauchethoughtshesawthathersonwascuredofhislove。InthemeantimeMariesatupstairsstillafraidtoshowherself。
　　"Hehascome，"saidayounggirl，aservantinthehouse，runninguptothedoorofMarie’sroom。
　　"Yes，"saidMarie；"Icouldseethathehascome。"
　　"And，oh，howbeautifulheis！"saidthegirl，puttingherhandstogetherandlookinguptotheceiling。Marieinherheartofheartswishedthathewasnothalfsobeautiful，asthenherchanceofhavinghimmightbegreater。
　　"Andthecompanyarealltalkingtohimasthoughheweretheprefet，"saidthegirl。
　　"Nevermindwhoistalkingtohim，"saidMarie；"goaway，andleaveme——youarewantedforyourwork。"Whybeforethiswashenottalkingtoher？Whynot，ifhewerereallytruetoher？Alas，itbegantofalluponhermindthathewouldbefalse！Andwhatthen？
　　Whatshouldshedothen？Shesatstillgloomily，thinkingofthatotherspousethathadbeenpromisedtoher。
　　AsspeedilyafterbreakfastaswaspossibleAdolphewasinvitedtoaconferenceinhismother’sprivateroom。Shehadmuchdebatedinherownmindwhetherthecapitaineshouldbeinvitedtothisconferenceorno。Formanyreasonsshewouldhavewishedtoexcludehim。Shedidnotliketoteachhersonthatshewasunabletomanageherownaffairs，andshewouldhavebeenwellpleasedtomakethecapitaineunderstandthathisassistancewasnotabsolutelynecessarytoher。
　　ButthenshehadaninwardfearthathergreenspectacleswouldnotnowbeasefficaciousonAdolphe，astheyhadoncebeen，inolddays，beforehehadseentheworldandbecomeaman。Itmightbenecessarythatherson，beingaman，shouldbeopposedbyaman。Sothecapitainewasinvitedtotheconference。
　　Whattookplacethereneednotbedescribedatlength。Thethreewereclosetedfortwohours，attheendofwhichtimetheycameforthtogether。ThecountenanceofMadameBauchewassereneandcomfortable；herhopesofultimatesuccessranhigherthanever。Thefaceofthecapitainewasmasked，asarealwaysthefacesofgreatdiplomatists；hewalkedplacidandupright，raisinghiswoodenlegwithaneaseandskillthatwasabsolutelymarvellous。ButpoorAdolphe’sbrowwasclouded。Yes，poorAdolphe！forhewaspoorinspirit，hehadpledgedhimselftogiveupMarie，andtoaccepttheliberalallowancewhichhismothertenderedhim；butitremainedforhimnowtocommunicatethesetidingstoMarieherself。
　　"Couldnotyoutellher？"hehadsaidtohismother，withverylittleofthatmanlinessinhisfaceonwhichhismothernowsopridedherself。ButLaMereBaucheexplainedtohimthatitwasapartofthegeneralagreementthatMariewastohearhisdecisionfromhisownmouth。
　　"Butyouneednotregardit，"saidthecapitaine，withthemostindifferentairintheworld。"Thegirlexpectsit。Onlyshehassomechildishideathatsheisboundtillyouyourselfreleaseher。
　　Idon’tthinkshewillbetroublesome。"Adolpheatthatmomentdidfeelthatheshouldhavelikedtokickthecapitaineoutofhismother’shouse。
　　Andwhereshouldthemeetingtakeplace？Inthehallofthebath—
　　house，suggestedMadameBauche；because，assheobserved，theycouldwalkroundandround，andnobodyeverwentthereatthattimeofday。
　　ButtothisAdolpheobjected；itwouldbesocoldanddismalandmelancholy。
　　ThecapitainethoughtthatMereBauche’slittleparlourwastheplace；butLaMereherselfdidnotlikethis。Theymightbeoverheard，asshewellknew；andsheguessedthatthemeetingwouldnotconcludewithoutsomesobsthatwouldcertainlybebitterandmightperhapsbeloud。
　　"Sendheruptothegrotto，andIwillfollowher，"saidAdolphe。Onthisthereforetheyagreed。Nowthegrottowasanaturalexcavationinahighrock，whichstoodprecipitouslyuprightovertheestablishmentofthebaths。Asteepzigzagpathwithalmostnever—
　　endingstepshadbeenmadealongthefaceoftherockfromalittleflowergardenattachedtothehousewhichlayimmediatelyunderthemountain。Closealongthefrontofthehotelranalittlebrawlingriver，leavingbarelyroomforaroadbetweenitandthedoor；overthistherewasawoodenbridgeleadingtothegarden，andsometwoorthreehundredyardsfromthebridgebeganthestepsbywhichtheascentwasmadetothegrotto。
　　Whentheseasonwasfullandtheweatherperfectlywarmtheplacewasmuchfrequented。Therewasagreentableinit，andfourorfivedealchairs；agreengardenseatalsowasthere，whichhoweverhadbeenremovedintotheinnermostbackcorneroftheexcavation，asitshinderlegsweresomewhatatfault。Awallabouttwofeethighranalongthefaceofit，guardingitsoccupantsfromtheprecipice。Infactitwasnogrotto，butalittlechasmintherock，suchasweoftenseeupaboveourheadsinrockyvalleys，andwhichbymeansofthesesteepstepshadbeenturnedintoasourceofexerciseandamusementforthevisitorsatthehotel。
　　Standingatthewallonecouldlookdownintothegarden，anddownalsoupontheshiningslateroofofMadameBauche’shouse；andtotheleftmightbeseenthesombre，silent，snow—cappedtopofsternoldCanigou，kingofmountainsamongthoseEasternPyrenees。
　　AndsoMadameBaucheundertooktosendMarieuptothegrotto，andAdolpheundertooktofollowherthither。Itwasnowspring；andthoughthewindshadfallenandthesnowwasnolongerlyingonthelowerpeaks，stilltheairwasfreshandcold，andtherewasnodangerthatanyofthefewguestsattheestablishmentwouldvisittheplace。
　　"Makeherputonhercloak，MereBauche，"saidthecapitaine，whodidnotwishthathisbrideshouldhaveacoldinherheadontheirwedding—day。LaMereBauchepishedandpshawed，asthoughshewerenotmindedtopayanyattentiontorecommendationsonsuchsubjectsfromthecapitaine。ButneverthelesswhenMariewasseenslowlytocreepacrossthelittlebridgeaboutfifteenminutesafterthistime，shehadahandkerchiefonherhead，andwascloselywrappedinadarkbrowncloak。
　　PoorMarieherselflittleheededthecoldfreshair，butshewasgladtoavailherselfofanymeansbywhichshemighthideherface。WhenMadameBauchesoughtheroutinherownlittleroom，andwithasmilingfaceandkindkissbadehergotothegrotto，sheknew，orfanciedthatsheknewthatitwasallover。