In the midst of all these gala doings Marie herself said little or nothing.La Mere Bauche perceived this,but she forgave it.Angrily as she had expressed herself at the idea of Marie's daring to love her son,she had still acknowledged within her own heart that such love had been natural.She could feel no pity for Marie as long as Adolphe was in danger;but now she knew how to pity her.So Marie was still petted and still encouraged,though she went through the day's work sullenly and in silence.
As to the capitaine it was all one to him.He was a man of the world.He did not expect that he should really be preferred,con amore,to a young fellow like Adolphe.But he did expect that Marie,like other girls,would do as she was bid;and that in a few days she would regain her temper and be reconciled to her life.
And then the marriage was fixed for a very early day;for as La Mere said,"What was the use of waiting?All their minds were made up now,and therefore the sooner the two were married the better.Did not the capitaine think so?"The capitaine said that he did think so.
And then Marie was asked.It was all one to her,she said.Whatever Maman Bauche liked,that she would do;only she would not name a day herself.Indeed she would neither do nor say anything herself which tended in any way to a furtherance of these matrimonials.But then she acquiesced,quietly enough if not readily,in what other people did and said;and so the marriage was fixed for the day week after Adolphe's return.
The whole of that week passed much in the same way.The servants about the place spoke among themselves of Marie's perverseness,obstinacy,and ingratitude,because she would not look pleased,or answer Madame Bauche's courtesies with gratitude;but La Mere herself showed no signs of anger.Marie had yielded to her,and she required no more.And she remembered also the harsh words she had used to gain her purpose;and she reflected on all that Marie had lost.On these accounts she was forbearing and exacted nothing--nothing but that one sacrifice which was to be made in accordance to her wishes.
And it was made.They were married in the great salon,the dining-room,immediately after breakfast.Madame Bauche was dressed in a new puce silk dress,and looked very magnificent on the occasion.
She simpered and smiled,and looked gay even in spite of her spectacles;and as the ceremony was being performed,she held fast clutched in her hand the gold watch and chain which were intended for Marie as soon as ever the marriage should be completed.
The capitaine was dressed exactly as usual,only that all his clothes were new.Madame Bauche had endeavoured to persuade him to wear a blue coat;but he answered that such a change would not,he was sure,be to Marie's taste.To tell the truth,Marie would hardly have known the difference had he presented himself in scarlet vestments.
Adolphe,however,was dressed very finely,but he did not make himself prominent on the occasion.Marie watched him closely,though none saw that she did so;and of his garments she could have given an account with much accuracy--of his garments,ay!and of every look.
"Is he a man,"she said at last to herself,"that he can stand by and see all this?"She too was dressed in silk.They had put on her what they pleased,and she bore the burden of her wedding finery without complaint and without pride.There was no blush on her face as she walked up to the table at which the priest stood,nor hesitation in her low voice as she made the necessary answers.She put her hand into that of the capitaine when required to do so;and when the ring was put on her finger she shuddered,but ever so slightly.No one observed it but La Mere Bauche."In one week she will be used to it,and then we shall all be happy,"said La Mere to herself."And I,--I will be so kind to her!"And so the marriage was completed,and the watch was at once given to Marie."Thank you,maman,"said she,as the trinket was fastened to her girdle.Had it been a pincushion that had cost three sous,it would have affected her as much.
