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。