"Hewilltellyouallthetruth，——howitallis，"saidLaMere。"Wewilldoallwecan，youknow，tomakeyouhappy，Marie。ButyoumustrememberwhatMonsieurleCuretoldustheotherday。Inthisvaleoftearswecannothaveeverything；asweshallhavesomeday，whenourpoorwickedsoulshavebeenpurgedofalltheirwickedness。Nowgo，dear，andtakeyourcloak。"
　　"Yes，maman。"
　　"AndAdolphewillcometoyou。Andtryandbehavewell，likeasensiblegirl。"
　　"Yes，maman，"——andsoshewent，bearingonherbrowanothersacrificialkiss——andbearinginherheartsuchanunutterableloadofwoe！
　　Adolphehadgoneoutofthehousebeforeher；butstandinginthestableyard，wellwithinthegatesothatsheshouldnotseehim，hewatchedherslowlycrossingthebridgeandmountingthefirstflightofthesteps。Hehadoftenseenhertrippingupthosestairs，andhad，almostasoften，followedherwithhisquickerfeet。Andshe，whenshewouldhearhim，wouldrun；andthenhewouldcatchherbreathlessatthetop，andstealkissesfromherwhenallpowerofrefusingthemhadbeenrobbedfromherbyhereffortsatescape。
　　Therewasnosuchrunningnow，nosuchfollowing，nothoughtofsuchkisses。
　　Asforhim，hewouldfainhaveskulkedoffandshirkedtheinterviewhadhedared。Buthedidnotdare；sohewaitedthere，outofheart，forsometenminutes，speakingawordnowandthentothebath—man，whowasstandingby，justtoshowthathewasathisease。Butthebath—manknewthathewasnotathisease。Suchwould—beliesasthoserarelyachievedeception；——arerarelybelieved。Andthen，attheendofthetenminutes，withstepsasslowasMarie’shadbeen，healsoascendedtothegrotto。
　　Mariehadwatchedhimfromthetop，butsothatsheherselfshouldnotbeseen。Hehoweverhadnotoncelifteduphisheadtolookforher；butwitheyesturnedtothegroundhadploddedhiswayuptothecave。Whenheenteredshewasstandinginthemiddle，withhereyesdowncastandherhandsclaspedbeforeher。Shehadretiredsomewayfromthewall，sothatnoeyesmightpossiblyseeherbutthoseofherfalselover。Thereshestoodwhenheentered，strivingtostandmotionless，buttremblinglikealeafineverylimb。
　　Itwasonlywhenhereachedthetopstepthathemadeuphismindhowhewouldbehave。Perhapsafterall，thecapitainewasright；perhapsshewouldnotmindit。
　　"Marie，"saidhe，withavoicethatattemptedtobecheerful；"thisisanoddplacetomeetinaftersuchalongabsence，"andheheldouthishandtoher。Butonlyhishand！Heofferedhernosalute。
　　Hedidnotevenkisshercheekasabrotherwouldhavedone！OftherulesoftheoutsideworlditmustberememberedthatpoorMarieknewbutlittle。Hehadbeenabrothertoherbeforehehadbecomeherlover。
　　ButMarietookhishandsaying，"Yes，ithasbeenverylong。"
　　"AndnowthatIhavecomeback，"hewentontosay，"itseemsthatweareallinaconfusiontogether。Ineverknewsuchapieceofwork。
　　However，itisallforthebest，Isuppose。"
　　"Perhapsso，"saidMarie，stilltremblingviolently，andstilllookingupontheground。Andthentherewassilencebetweenthemforaminuteorso。
　　"Itellyouwhatitis，Marie，"saidAdolpheatlast，droppingherhandandmakingagreatefforttogetthroughtheworkbeforehim。
　　"Iamafraidwetwohavebeenveryfoolish。Don’tyouthinkwehavenow？Itseemsquiteclearthatwecannevergetourselvesmarried。
　　Don’tyouseeitinthatlight？"
　　Marie’sheadturnedroundandroundwithher，butshewasnotofthefaintingorder。Shetookthreestepsbackwardsandleantagainstthewallofthecave。Shealsowastryingtothinkhowshemightbestfightherbattle。Wastherenochanceforher？Couldnoeloquence，noloveprevail？Onherownbeautyshecountedbutlittle；butmightnotprayersdosomething，andareferencetothoseoldvowswhichhadbeensofrequent，soeager，sosolemnlypledgedbetweenthem？
　　"Nevergetourselvesmarried！"shesaid，repeatinghiswords。
　　"Never，Adolphe？Canweneverbemarried？"
　　"Uponmyword，mydeargirl，Ifearnot。Youseemymotherissodeadagainstit。"
　　"Butwecouldwait；couldwenot？"
　　"Ah，butthat’sjustit，Marie。Wecannotwait。Wemustdecidenow，——to—day。YouseeIcandonothingwithoutmoneyfromher——andasforyou，youseeshewon’tevenletyoustayinthehouseunlessyoumarryoldCampanatonce。He’saverygoodsortoffellowthough，oldasheis。Andifyoudomarryhim，whyyouseeyou’llstayhere，andhaveitallyourownwayineverything。Asforme，I
　　shallcomeandseeyouallfromtimetotime，andshallbeabletopushmywayasIoughttodo。"
　　"Then，Adolphe，youwishmetomarrythecapitaine？"
　　"UponmyhonourIthinkitisthebestthingyoucando；Idoindeed。"
　　"Oh，Adolphe！"
　　"WhatcanIdoforyou，youknow？SupposeIwastogodowntomymotherandtellherthatIhaddecidedtokeepyoumyself；whatwouldcomeofit？Lookatitinthatlight，Marie。"
　　"Shecouldnotturnyouout——youherownson！"
　　"Butshewouldturnyouout；anddeucedquick，too，Icanassureyouofthat；Ican，uponmyhonour。"
　　"Ishouldnotcarethat，"andshemadeamotionwithherhandtoshowhowindifferentshewouldbetosuchtreatmentasregardedherself。
　　"Notthat——；ifIstillhadthepromiseofyourlove。"
　　"Butwhatwouldyoudo？"
　　"Iwouldwork。Thereareotherhousesbesidethatone，"andshepointedtotheslateroofoftheBaucheestablishment。
　　"Andforme——Ishouldnothaveapennyintheworld，"saidtheyoungman。
　　Shecameuptohimandtookhisrighthandbetweenbothofhersandpresseditwarmly，oh，sowarmly。"Youwouldhavemylove，"saidshe；"mydeepest，warmestbestheart’sloveshouldwantnothingmore，nothingonearth，ifIcouldstillhaveyours。"Andsheleanedagainsthisshoulderandlookedwithallhereyesintohisface。
　　"But，Marie，that’snonsense，youknow。"
　　"No，Adolphe，itisnotnonsense。Donotletthemteachyouso。
　　Whatdoeslovemean，ifitdoesnotmeanthat？Oh，Adolphe，youdoloveme，youdoloveme，youdoloveme？"
　　"Yes；——Iloveyou，"hesaidslowly；——asthoughhewouldnothavesaidit，ifhecouldhavehelpedit。Andthenhisarmcreptslowlyroundherwaist，asthoughinthatalsohecouldnothelphimself。
　　"AnddonotIloveyou？"saidthepassionategirl。"Oh，Ido，sodearly；withallmyheart，withallmysoul。Adolphe，Isoloveyou，thatIcannotgiveyouup。HaveInotsworntobeyours；sworn，swornathousandtimes？HowcanImarrythatman！OhAdolphehowcanyouwishthatIshouldmarryhim？"Andsheclungtohim，andlookedathim，andbesoughthimwithhereyes。
　　"Ishouldn’twishit；——only——"andthenhepaused。Itwashardtotellherthathewaswillingtosacrificehertotheoldmanbecausehewantedmoneyfromhismother。
　　"Onlywhat！ButAdolphe，donotwishitatall！HaveyounotswornthatIshouldbeyourwife？Lookhere，lookatthis；"andshebroughtoutfromherbosomalittlecharmthathehadgivenherinreturnforthatcross。"DidyounotkissthatwhenyousworebeforethefigureoftheVirginthatIshouldbeyourwife？AnddoyounotrememberthatIfearedtosweartoo，becauseyourmotherwassoangry；andthenyoumademe？Afterthat，Adolphe！Oh，Adolphe！
　　TellmethatImayhavesomehope。Iwillwait；oh，Iwillwaitsopatiently。"
　　Heturnedhimselfawayfromherandwalkedbackwardsandforwardsuneasilythroughthegrotto。Hedidloveher；——loveherassuchmendolovesweet，prettygirls。Thewarmthofherhand，theaffectionofhertouch，thepurebrightpassionofhertear—ladeneyehadre—
　　awakenedwhatpoweroflovetherewaswithinhim。Butwhatwashetodo？Evenifhewerewillingtogiveuptheimmediategoldenhopeswhichhismotherheldouttohim，howwashetobegin，andthenhowcarryoutthisworkofself—devotion？Mariewouldbeturnedaway，andhewouldbeleftavictiminthehandsofhismother，andofthatstiff，wooden—leggedmilitaire；——apennilessvictim，lefttomopeabouttheplacewithoutagrainofinfluenceoramorselofpleasure。
　　"Butwhatcanwedo？"heexclaimedagain，asheoncemoremetMarie’ssearchingeye。
　　"Wecanbetrueandhonest，andwecanwait，"shesaid，comingcloseuptohimandtakingholdofhisarm。"Idonotfearit；andsheisnotmymother，Adolphe。Youneednotfearyourownmother。"
　　"Fear！no，ofcourseIdon’tfear。ButIdon’tseehowtheverydevilwecanmanageit。"
　　"WillyouletmetellherthatIwillnotmarrythecapitaine；thatI
　　willnotgiveupyourpromises；andthenIamreadytoleavethehouse？"
　　"Itwoulddonogood。"
　　"Itwoulddoeverygood，Adolphe，ifIhadyourpromisedwordoncemore；ifIcouldhearfromyourownvoiceonemoretoneoflove。Doyounotrememberthisplace？ItwasherethatyouforcedmetosaythatIlovedyou。ItisherealsothatyouwilltellmethatIhavebeendeceived。"
　　"ItisnotIthatwoulddeceiveyou，"hesaid。"Iwonderthatyoushouldbesoharduponme。GodknowsthatIhavetroubleenough。"
　　"Well，ifIamatroubletoyou，beitso。Beitasyouwish，"andsheleanedbackagainstthewalloftherock，andcrossingherarmsuponherbreastlookedawayfromhimandfixedhereyesuponthesharpgranitepeaksofCanigou。
　　Heagainbetookhimselftowalkbackwardsandforwardsthroughthecave。Hehadquiteenoughofloveforhertomakehimwishtomarryher；quiteenoughnow，atthismoment，tomaketheideaofhermarriagewiththecapitaineverydistastefultohim；enoughprobablytomakehimbecomeadecentlygoodhusbandtoher，shouldfateenablehimtomarryher；butnotenoughtoenablehimtosupportallthepunishmentwhichwouldbethesureeffectsofhismother’sdispleasure。Besides，hehadpromisedhismotherthathewouldgiveupMarie；——hadentirelygiveninhisadhesiontothatplanofthemarriagewiththecapitaine。Hehadownedthatthepathoflifeasmarkedoutforhimbyhismotherwastheonewhichitbehovedhim，asaman，tofollow。ItwasthisviewofhisdutiesasamanwhichhadIbeenspeciallyurgedonhimwithallthecapitaine’seloquence。
　　AndoldCampanhadentirelysucceeded。Itissoeasytogettheassentofsuchyoungmen，soweakinmindandsoweakinpocket，whentheargumentsarebackedbyapromiseoftwothousandfrancsayear。
　　"I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo，"atlasthesaid。"I’llgetmymotherbyherself，andwillaskhertoletthematterremainasitisforthepresent。"
　　"Notifitbeatrouble，M。Adolphe；"andtheproudgirlstillheldherhandsuponherbosom，andstilllookedtowardsthemountain。
　　"YouknowwhatImean，Marie。Youcanunderstandhowsheandthecapitaineareworryingme。"
　　"Buttellme，Adolphe，doyouloveme？"
　　"YouknowIloveyou，only。"
　　"Andyouwillnotgivemeup？"
　　"Iwillaskmymother。Iwilltryandmakeheryield。"
　　Mariecouldnotfeelthatshereceivedmuchconfidencefromherlover’spromise；butstill，eventhat，weakandunsteadyasitwas，eventhatwasbetterthanabsolutefixedrejection。Soshethankedhim，promisedhimwithtearsinhereyesthatshewouldalways，alwaysbefaithfultohim，andthenbadehimgodowntothehouse。
　　Shewouldfollow，shesaid，assoonashispassinghadceasedtobeobserved。
　　Thenshelookedathimasthoughsheexpectedsomesignofrenewedlove。Butnosuchsignwasvouchsafedtoher。Nowthatshethirstedforthetouchofhislipuponhercheck，itwasdeniedtoher。Hedidasshebadehim；hewentdown，slowlyloitering，byhimself；andinabouthalfanhourshefollowedhim，andunobservedcrepttoherchamber。
　　Againwewillpassoverwhattookplacebetweenthemotherandtheson；butlateinthatevening，aftertheguestshadgonetobed，Mariereceivedamessage，desiringhertowaitonMadameBaucheinasmallsalonwhichlookedoutfromoneendofthehouse。Itwasintendedasaprivatesitting—roomshouldanyspecialstrangerarrivewhorequiredsuchaccommodation，andthereforewasbutseldomused。
　　HereshefoundLaMereBauchesittinginanarm—chairbehindasmalltableonwhichstoodtwocandles；andonasofaagainstthewallsatAdolphe。Thecapitainewasnotintheroom。
　　"Shutthedoor，Marie，andcomeinandsitdown，"saidMadameBauche。
　　Itwaseasytounderstandfromthetoneofhervoicethatshewasangryandstern，inanunbendingmood，andresolvedtocarryouttotheveryletterallthethreatsconveyedbythoseterriblespectacles。
　　Mariedidasshewasbid。Sheclosedthedoorandsatdownonthechairthatwasnearesttoher。
　　"Marie，"saidLaMereBauche——andthevoicesoundedfierceinthepoorgirl’sears，andanangryfireglimmeredthroughthegreenglasses——"whatisallthisaboutthatIhear？Doyoudaretosaythatyouholdmysonboundtomarryyou？"Andthentheaugustmotherpausedforananswer。
　　ButMariehadnoanswertogive。Seelookedsuppliantlytowardsherlover，asthoughbeseechinghimtocarryonthefightforher。Butifshecouldnotdobattleforherself，certainlyhecouldnotdoitforher。Whatlittleamountoffightinghehadhadinhim，hadbeenthoroughlyvanquishedbeforeherarrival。
　　"Iwillhaveananswer，andthatimmediately，"saidMadameBauche。
　　"Iamnotgoingtobebetrayedintoignominyanddisgracebytheobjectofmyowncharity。Whopickedyououtofthegutter，miss，andbroughtyouupandfedyou，whenyouwouldotherwisehavegonetothefoundling？Andthisisyourgratitudeforitall？Youarenotsatisfiedwithbeingfedandclothedandcherishedbyme，butyoumustrobmeofmyson！Knowthisthen，Adolpheshallnevermarryachildofcharitysuchasyouare。"
　　Mariesatstill，stunnedbytheharshnessofthesewords。LaMereBauchehadoftenscoldedher；indeed，shewasgiventomuchscolding；
　　butshehadscoldedherasamothermayscoldachild。AndwhenthisstoryofMarie’slovefirstreachedherears，shehadbeenveryangry；butherangerhadneverbroughthertosuchapassasthis。
　　Indeed，Mariehadnothithertobeentaughttolookatthematterinthislight。Noonehadheretoforetwittedherwitheatingthebreadofcharity。IthadnotoccurredtoherthatonthisaccountshewasunfittobeAdolphe’swife。There，inthatvalley，theywereallsonearlyequal，thatnoideaofherowninferiorityhadeverpresseditselfuponhermind。Butnow——！
　　Whenthevoiceceasedsheagainlookedathim；butitwasnolongerabeseechinglook。Didhealsoaltogetherscornher？Thatwasnowtheinquirywhichhereyeswerecalledupontomake。No；shecouldnotsaythathedid。Itseemedtoherthathisenergieswerechieflyoccupiedinpullingtopiecesthetasselonthesofacushion。
　　"Andnow，miss，letmeknowatoncewhetherthisnonsenseistobeoverornot，"continuedLaMereBauche；"andIwilltellyouatonce，Iamnotgoingtomaintainyouhere，inmyhouse，toplotagainstourwelfareandhappiness。AsMarieClavertyoushallnotstayhere。
　　CapitaineCampaniswillingtomarryyou；andashiswifeIwillkeepmywordtoyou，thoughyoulittledeserveit。Ifyourefusetomarryhim，youmustgo。Astomyson，heisthere；andhewilltellyounow，inmypresence，thathealtogetherdeclinesthehonouryouproposeforhim。"
　　Andthensheceased，waitingforananswer，drummingthetablewithawaferstampwhichhappenedtobereadytoherhand；butMariesaidnothing。Adolphehadbeenappealedto；butAdolphehadnotyetspoken。
　　"Well，miss？"saidLaMereBaucheThenMarierosefromherseat，andwalkingroundshetouchedAdolphelightlyontheshoulder。"Adolphe，"shesaid，"itisforyoutospeaknow。Iwilldoasyoubidme。"
　　Hegavealongsigh，lookedfirstatMarieandthenathismother，shookhimselfslightly，andthenspoke："Uponmyword，Marie，I
　　thinkmotherisright。Itwouldneverdoforustomarry；itwouldnotindeed。"
　　"Thenitisdecided，"saidMarie，returningtoherchair。
　　"Andyouwillmarrythecapitaine？"saidLaMereBauche。
　　Mariemerelybowedherheadintokenofacquiescence。"Thenwearefriendsagain。Comehere，Marie，andkissme。Youmustknowthatitismydutytotakecareofmyownson。ButIdon’twanttobeangrywithyouifIcanhelpit；Idon’tindeed。WhenonceyouareMadameCampan，youshallbemyownchild；andyoushallhaveanyroominthehouseyouliketochoose——there！"AndsheoncemoreimprintedakissonMarie’scoldforehead。
　　Howtheyallgotoutoftheroom，andofftotheirownchambers，I
　　canhardlytell。Butinfiveminutesfromthetimeofthislastkisstheyweredivided。LaMereBauchehadpattedMarie，andsmiledonher，andcalledherherdeargoodlittleMadameCampan，heryounglittleMistressoftheHotelBauche；andhadthengotherselfintoherownroom，satisfiedwithherownvictory。
　　NormustmyreadersbetoosevereonMadameBauche。ShehadalreadydonemuchforMarieClavert；andwhenshefoundherselfoncemorebyherownbedside，sheprayedtobeforgivenforthecrueltywhichshefeltthatshehadshowntotheorphan。Butinmakingthisprayer，withherfavouritecrucifixinherhandandthelittleimageoftheVirginbeforeher，shepleadedherdutytoherson。Wasitnotright，sheaskedtheVirgin，thatsheshouldsavehersonfromabadmarriage？Andthenshepromisedeversomuchofrecompense，bothtotheVirginandtoMarie；anewtrousseauforeach，withcandlestotheVirgin，withagoldwatchandchainforMarie，assoonassheshouldbeMarieCampan。Shehadbeencruel；sheacknowledgedit。
　　Butatsuchacrisiswasitnotdefensible？Andthentherecompenseshouldbesofull！
　　Buttherewasoneothermeetingthatnight，veryshortindeed，butnotthelesssignificant。Notlongaftertheyhadallseparated，justsolongastoallowofthehousebeingquiet，Adolphe，stillsittinginhisroom，meditatingonwhatthedayhaddoneforhim，heardalowtapathisdoor。"Comein，"hesaid，asmenalwaysdosay；andMarieopeningthedoor，stoodjustwithinthevergeofhischamber。Shehadonhercountenanceneitherthesoftlookofentreatinglovewhichshehadwornupthereinthegrotto，nordidsheappearcrushedandsubduedasshehaddonebeforehismother。
　　Shecarriedherheadsomewhatmoreerectthanusual，andlookedboldlyoutathimfromunderhersofteyelashes。Theremightstillbelovethere，butitwasloveproudlyresolvingtoquellitself。
　　Adolphe，ashelookedather，feltthathewasafraidofher。
　　"Itisalloverthenbetweenus，M。Adolphe？"shesaid。
　　"Well，yes。Don’tyouthinkithadbetterbeso，eh，Marie？"
　　"Andthisisthemeaningofoathsandvows，sworntoeachothersosacredly？"
　　"But，Marie，youheardwhatmymothersaid。"
　　"Oh，sir！Ihavenotcometoaskyouagaintoloveme。Ohno！Iamnotthinkingofthat。Butthis，thiswouldbealieifIkeptitnow；itwouldchokemeifIworeitasthatman’swife。Takeitback；"andshetenderedtohimthelittlecharmwhichshehadalwayswornroundhernecksincehehadgivenittoher。Hetookitabstractedly，withoutthinkingwhathedid，andplaceditonhisdressing—table。
　　"Andyou，"shecontinued，"canyoustillkeepthatcross？Oh，no！
　　youmustgivemebackthat。Itwouldremindyoutoooftenofvowsthatwereuntrue。"
　　"Marie，"hesaid，"donotbesoharshtome。"
　　"Harsh！"saidshe，"no；therehasbeenenoughofharshness。Iwouldnotbeharshtoyou，Adolphe。Butgivemethecross；itwouldproveacursetoyouifyoukeptit。"
　　Hethenopenedalittleboxwhichstooduponthetable，andtakingoutthecrossgaveittoher。
　　"Andnowgood—bye，"shesaid。"Weshallhavebutlittlemoretosaytoeachother。Iknowthisnow，thatIwaswrongevertohavelovedyou。Ishouldhavebeentoyouasoneoftheotherpoorgirlsinthehouse。But，oh！howwasItohelpit？"Tothishemadenoanswer，andshe，closingthedoorsoftly，wentbacktoherchamber。AndthusendedthefirstdayofAdolpheBauche’sreturntohisownhouse。
　　OnthenextmorningthecapitaineandMariewereformallybetrothed。
　　Thiswasdonewithsomelittleceremony，inthepresenceofalltheguestswhowerestayingattheestablishment，andwithallmannerofgraciousacknowledgmentsofMarie’svirtues。ItseemedasthoughLaMereBauchecouldnotbecourteousenoughtoher。Therewasnomoretalkofherbeingachildofcharity；nomoreallusionnowtothegutter。LaMereBauchewithherownhandbroughthercakewithaglassofwineafterherbetrothalwasover，andpattedheronthecheek，andcalledherherdearlittleMarieCampan。Andthenthecapitainewasmadeupofinfinitepoliteness，andtheguestsallwishedherjoy，andtheservantsofthehousebegantoperceivethatshewasapersonentitledtorespect。Howdifferentwasallthisfromthatharshattackthatwasmadeonhertheprecedingevening！
　　OnlyAdolphe，——healonekeptaloof。Thoughhewaspresenttherehesaidnothing。He，andheonly，offerednocongratulations。
　　InthemidstofallthesegaladoingsMarieherselfsaidlittleornothing。LaMereBaucheperceivedthis，butsheforgaveit。AngrilyasshehadexpressedherselfattheideaofMarie’sdaringtoloveherson，shehadstillacknowledgedwithinherownheartthatsuchlovehadbeennatural。ShecouldfeelnopityforMarieaslongasAdolphewasindanger；butnowsheknewhowtopityher。SoMariewasstillpettedandstillencouraged，thoughshewentthroughtheday’sworksullenlyandinsilence。
　　Astothecapitaineitwasallonetohim。Hewasamanoftheworld。Hedidnotexpectthatheshouldreallybepreferred，conamore，toayoungfellowlikeAdolphe。ButhedidexpectthatMarie，likeothergirls，woulddoasshewasbid；andthatinafewdaysshewouldregainhertemperandbereconciledtoherlife。
　　Andthenthemarriagewasfixedforaveryearlyday；forasLaMeresaid，"Whatwastheuseofwaiting？Alltheirmindsweremadeupnow，andthereforethesoonerthetwoweremarriedthebetter。Didnotthecapitainethinkso？"
　　Thecapitainesaidthathedidthinkso。
　　AndthenMariewasasked。Itwasallonetoher，shesaid。WhateverMamanBaucheliked，thatshewoulddo；onlyshewouldnotnameadayherself。Indeedshewouldneitherdonorsayanythingherselfwhichtendedinanywaytoafurtheranceofthesematrimonials。Butthensheacquiesced，quietlyenoughifnotreadily，inwhatotherpeopledidandsaid；andsothemarriagewasfixedforthedayweekafterAdolphe’sreturn。
　　Thewholeofthatweekpassedmuchinthesameway。TheservantsabouttheplacespokeamongthemselvesofMarie’sperverseness，obstinacy，andingratitude，becauseshewouldnotlookpleased，oranswerMadameBauche’scourtesieswithgratitude；butLaMereherselfshowednosignsofanger。Mariehadyieldedtoher，andsherequirednomore。Andsherememberedalsotheharshwordsshehadusedtogainherpurpose；andshereflectedonallthatMariehadlost。Ontheseaccountsshewasforbearingandexactednothing——nothingbutthatonesacrificewhichwastobemadeinaccordancetoherwishes。
　　Anditwasmade。Theyweremarriedinthegreatsalon，thedining—
　　room，immediatelyafterbreakfast。MadameBauchewasdressedinanewpucesilkdress，andlookedverymagnificentontheoccasion。
　　Shesimperedandsmiled，andlookedgayeveninspiteofherspectacles；andastheceremonywasbeingperformed，sheheldfastclutchedinherhandthegoldwatchandchainwhichwereintendedforMarieassoonaseverthemarriageshouldbecompleted。
　　Thecapitainewasdressedexactlyasusual，onlythatallhisclotheswerenew。MadameBauchehadendeavouredtopersuadehimtowearabluecoat；butheansweredthatsuchachangewouldnot，hewassure，betoMarie’staste。Totellthetruth，Mariewouldhardlyhaveknownthedifferencehadhepresentedhimselfinscarletvestments。
　　Adolphe，however，wasdressedveryfinely，buthedidnotmakehimselfprominentontheoccasion。Mariewatchedhimclosely，thoughnonesawthatshedidso；andofhisgarmentsshecouldhavegivenanaccountwithmuchaccuracy——ofhisgarments，ay！andofeverylook。
　　"Isheaman，"shesaidatlasttoherself，"thathecanstandbyandseeallthis？"
　　Shetoowasdressedinsilk。Theyhadputonherwhattheypleased，andsheboretheburdenofherweddingfinerywithoutcomplaintandwithoutpride。Therewasnoblushonherfaceasshewalkeduptothetableatwhichtheprieststood，norhesitationinherlowvoiceasshemadethenecessaryanswers。Sheputherhandintothatofthecapitainewhenrequiredtodoso；andwhentheringwasputonherfingersheshuddered，buteversoslightly。NooneobserveditbutLaMereBauche。"Inoneweekshewillbeusedtoit，andthenweshallallbehappy，"saidLaMeretoherself。"AndI，——Iwillbesokindtoher！"
　　Andsothemarriagewascompleted，andthewatchwasatoncegiventoMarie。"Thankyou，maman，"saidshe，asthetrinketwasfastenedtohergirdle。Haditbeenapincushionthathadcostthreesous，itwouldhaveaffectedherasmuch。
　　Andthentherewascakeandwineandsweetmeats；andafterafewminutesMariedisappeared。Foranhourorsothecapitainewastakenupwiththecongratulatingofhisfriends，andwiththeeffortsnecessarytothewearingofhisnewhonourswithanairofease；butafterthattimehebegantobeuneasybecausehiswifedidnotcometohim。AttwoorthreeintheafternoonhewenttoLaMereBauchetocomplain。"Thislackadaisicalnonsenseisnogood，"hesaid。"Atanyrateitistoolatenow。Mariehadbettercomedownamongusandshowherselfsatisfiedwithherhusband。"
　　ButMadameBauchetookMarie’spart。"YoumustnotbetoohardonMarie，"shesaid。"Shehasgonethroughagooddealthisweekpast，andisveryyoung；whereas，capitaine，youarenotveryyoung。"
　　Thecapitainemerelyshruggedhisshoulders。InthemeantimeMereBauchewentuptovisitherprotegeeinherownroom，andcamedownwithareportthatshewassufferingfromaheadache。Shecouldnotappearatdinner，MadameBauchesaid；butwouldmakeoneatthelittlepartywhichwastobegivenintheevening。Withthisthecapitainewasforcedtobecontent。
　　Thedinnerthereforewentonquietlywithouther，muchasitdidonotherordinarydays。Andthentherewasalittletimeforvacancy，duringwhichthegentlemendranktheircoffeeandsmokedtheircigarsatthecafe，talkingovertheeventthathadtakenplacethatmorning，andtheladiesbrushedtheirhairandaddedsomeribbonorsomebroochtotheirusualapparel。TwiceduringthistimedidMadameBauchegouptoMarie’sroomwithofferstoassisther。"Notyet，maman；notquiteyet，"saidMariepiteouslythroughhertears，andthentwicedidthegreenspectaclesleavetheroom，coveringeyeswhichalsowerenotdry。Ah！whathadshedone？Whathadshedaredtotakeuponherselftodo？Shecouldnotundoitnow。
　　Andthenitbecamequitedarkinthepassagesandoutofdoors，andtheguestsassembledinthesalon。LaMerecameinandoutthreeorfourtimes，uneasyinhergaitandunpleasantinheraspect，andeverybodybegantoseethatthingswerewrong。"Sheisill，Iamafraid，"saidone。"Theexcitementhasbeentoomuch，"saidasecond；"andheissoold，"whisperedathird。Andthecapitainestalkedabouterectonhiswoodenleg，takingsnuff，andstrivingtolookindifferent；buthealsowasuneasyinhismind。
　　PresentlyLaMerecameinagain，withaquickerstepthanbefore，andwhisperedsomething，firsttoAdolpheandthentothecapitaine，whereupontheybothfollowedheroutoftheroom。
　　"Notinherchamber，"saidAdolphe。
　　"Thenshemustbeinyours，"saidthecapitaine。
　　"Sheisinneither，"saidLaMereBauche，withhersternestvoice；
　　"norissheinthehouse！"
　　Andnowtherewasnolongeranaffectationofindifferenceonthepartofanyofthem。Theywereanythingbutindifferent。Thecapitainewaseagerinhisdemandsthatthemattershouldstillbekeptsecretfromtheguests。Shehadalwaysbeenromantic，hesaid，andhadnowgoneouttowalkbytheriverside。Theythreeandtheoldbath—manwouldgooutandlookforher。
　　"Butitispitchdark，"saidLaMereBauche。
　　"Wewilltakelanterns，"saidthecapitaine。Andsotheysalliedforthwithcreepingstepsoverthegravel，sothattheymightnotbeheardbythosewithin，andproceededtosearchfortheyoungwife。
　　"Marie！Marie！"saidLaMereBauche，inpiteousaccents；"docometome；praydo！"
　　"Hush！"saidthecapitaine。"They’llhearyouifyoucall。"HecouldnotendurethattheworldshouldlearnthatamarriagewithhimhadbeensodistastefultoMarieClavert。
　　"Marie，dearMarie！"calledMadameBauche，louderthanbefore，quiteregardlessofthecapitaine’sfeelings；butnoMarieanswered。InherinnermostheartnowdidLaMereBauchewishthatthiscruelmarriagehadbeenleftundone。
　　Adolphewasforemostwithhislamp，buthehardlydaredtolookinthespotwherehefeltthatitwasmostlikelythatsheshouldhavetakenrefuge。Howcouldhemeetheragain，alone，inthatgrotto？
　　Yethealoneofthefourwasyoung。Itwasclearlyforhimtoascend。"Marie，"heshouted，"areyouthere？"asheslowlybeganthelongascentofthesteps。
　　Buthehadhardlybeguntomountwhenawhirringsoundstruckhisear，andhefeltthattheairnearhimwasmoved；andthentherewasacrashuponthelowerplatformofrock，andamoan，repeatedtwice，butsofaintly，andarustleofsilk，andaslightstrugglesomewhereasheknewwithintwentypacesofhim；andthenallwasagainquietandstillinthenightair。
　　"Whatwasthat？"askedthecapitaineinahoarsevoice。Hemadehiswayhalfacrossthelittlegarden，andhealsowaswithinfortyorfiftyyardsoftheflatrock。ButAdolphewasunabletoanswerhim。
　　Hehadfaintedandthelamphadfallenfromhishandsandrolledtothebottomofthesteps。
　　Butthecapitaine，thoughevenhisheartwasallbutquenchedwithinhim，hadstillstrengthenoughtomakehiswayuptotherock；andthere，holdingthelanternabovehiseyes，hesawallthatwasleftforhimtoseeofhisbride。
　　AsforLaMereBauche，sheneveragainsatattheheadofthattable，——neveragaindictatedtoguests，——neveragainlaiddownlawsforthemanagementofanyone。Apoorbedriddenoldwoman，shelaythereinherhouseatVernetforsomeseventediousyears，andthenwasgatheredtoherfathers。
　　Asforthecapitaine——butwhatmatters？Hewasmadeofsternerstuff。WhatmatterseitherthefateofsuchaoneasAdolpheBauche？