\"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？