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had told her that it would be much better to send away Adolphe； since
it was so necessary that there should be a sending away of some one；
that he would be much benefited by passing some months of his life
away from his native valley； and that an absence of a year or two
would teach him to forget Marie； even if it did not teach Marie to
forget him。
And we must say a word or two about this friend。 At Vernet he was
usually called M。 le Capitaine； though in fact he had never reached
that rank。 He had been in the army； and having been wounded in the
leg while still a sous…lieutenant； had been pensioned； and had thus
been interdicted from treading any further the thorny path that leads
to glory。 For the last fifteen years he had resided under the roof
of Madame Bauche； at first as a casual visitor； going and coming； but
now for many years as constant there as she was herself。
He was so constantly called Le Capitaine that his real name was
seldom heard。 It may however as well be known to us that this was
Theodore Campan。 He was a tall； well…looking man； always dressed in
black garments； of a coarse description certainly； but scrupulously
clean and well brushed； of perhaps fifty years of age； and
conspicuous for the rigid uprightness of his backand for a black
wooden leg。
This wooden leg was perhaps the most remarkable trait in his
character。 It was always jet black； being painted； or polished； or
japanned； as occasion might require； by the hands of the capitaine
himself。 It was longer than ordinary wooden legs； as indeed the
capitaine was longer than ordinary men； but nevertheless it never
seemed in any way to impede the rigid punctilious propriety of his
movements。 It was never in his way as wooden legs usually are in the
way of their wearers。 And then to render it more illustrious it had
round its middle； round the calf of the leg we may so say； a band of
bright brass which shone like burnished gold。
It had been the capitaine's custom； now for some years past； to
retire every evening at about seven o'clock into the sanctum
sanctorum of Madame Bauche's habitation； the dark little private
sitting…room in which she made out her bills and calculated her
profits； and there regale himself in her presenceand indeed at her
expense； for the items never appeared in the billwith coffee and
cognac。 I have said that there was never eating or drinking at the
establishment after the regular dinner…hours； but in so saying I
spoke of the world at large。 Nothing further was allowed in the way
of trade； but in the way of friendship so much was now…a…days always
allowed to the capitaine。
It was at these moments that Madame Bauche discussed her private
affairs； and asked for and received advice。 For even Madame Bauche
was mortal； nor could her green spectacles without other aid carry
her through all the troubles of life。 It was now five years since
the world of Vernet discovered that La Mere Bauche was going to marry
the capitaine； and for eighteen months the world of Vernet had been
full of this matter： but any amount of patience is at last
exhausted； and as no further steps in that direction were ever taken
beyond the daily cup of coffee； that subject died awayvery much
unheeded by La Mere Bauche。
But she； though she thought of no matrimony for herself； thought much
of matrimony for other people； and over most of those cups of evening
coffee and cognac a matrimonial project was discussed in these latter
days。 It has been seen that the capitaine pleaded in Marie's favour
when the fury of Madame Bauche's indignation broke forth； and that
ultimately Marie was kept at home； and Adolphe sent away by his
advice。
〃But Adolphe cannot always stay away；〃 Madame Bauche had pleaded in
her difficulty。 The truth of this the capitaine had admitted； but
Marie； he said； might be married to some one else before two years
were over。 And so the matter had commenced。
But to whom should she be married？ To this question the capitaine
had answered in perfect innocence of heart； that La Mere Bauche would
be much better able to make such a choice than himself。 He did not
know how Marie might stand with regard to money。 If madame would
give some little 〃dot；〃 the affair； the capitaine thought； would be
more easily arranged。
All these things took months to say； during which period Marie went
on with her work in melancholy listlessness。 One comfort she had。
Adolphe； before he went； had promised to her； holding in his hand as
he did so a little cross which she had given him； that no earthly
consideration should sever them；that sooner or later he would
certainly be her husband。 Marie felt that her limbs could not work
nor her tongue speak were it not for this one drop of water in her
cup。
And then； deeply meditating； La Mere Bauche hit upon a plan； and
herself communicated it to the capitaine over a second cup of coffee
into which she poured a full teaspoonful more than the usual
allowance of cognac。 Why should not he； the capitaine himself； be
the man to marry Marie Clavert？
It was a very startling proposal； the idea of matrimony for himself
never having as yet entered into the capitaine's head at any period
of his life； but La Mere Bauche did contrive to make it not
altogether unacceptable。 As to that matter of dowry she was prepared
to be more than generous。 She did love Marie well； and could find it
in her heart to give her anythingany thing except her son； her own
Adolphe。 What she proposed was this。 Adolphe； himself； would never
keep the baths。 If the capitaine would take Marie for his wife；
Marie； Madame Bauche declared； should be the mistress after her
death； subject of course to certain settlements as to Adolphe's
pecuniary interests。
The plan was discussed a thousand times； and at last so far brought
to bear that Marie was made acquainted with ithaving been called in
to sit in presence with La Mere Bauche and her future proposed
husband。 The poor girl manifested no disgust to the stiff ungainly
lover whom they assigned to her；who through his whole frame was in
appearance almost as wooden as his own leg。 On the whole； indeed；
Marie liked the capitaine； and felt that he was her friend； and in
her country such marriages were not uncommon。 The capitaine was
perhaps a little beyond the age at which a man might usually be
thought justified in demanding the services of a young girl as his
nurse and wife； but then Marie of herself had so little to give
except her youth； and beauty； and goodness。
But yet she could not absolutely consent； for was she not absolutely
pledged to her own Adolphe？ And therefore； when the great pecuniary
advantages were； one by one； displayed before her； and when La Mere
Bauche； as a last argument； informed her that as wife of the
capitaine she would be regarded as second mistress in the
establishment and not as a servant； she could only burst out into
tears； and say that she did not know。
〃I will be very kind to you；〃 said the capitaine； 〃as kind as a man
can be。〃
Marie took his hard withered hand and kissed it； and then looked up
into his face with beseeching eyes which were not w