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.