the smoke of his cigar, "Adolphe will not turn against us." It had
been somewhat remarked by many that the capitaine was more at home in
the house, and somewhat freer in his manner of talking with Madame
Bauche, since this matrimonial alliance had been on the tapis than he
had ever been before. La Mere herself observed it, and did not quite
like it; but how could she prevent it now? When the capitaine was
once married she would make him know his place, in spite of all her
promises to Marie.

"But if he says he likes the girl?" continued Madame Bauche.

"My friend, you may be sure that he will say nothing of the kind. He
has not been away two years without seeing girls as pretty as Marie.
And then you have his letter."

"That is nothing, capitaine; he would eat his letter as quick as you
would eat an omelet aux fines herbes."

Now the capitaine was especially quick over an omelet aux fines
herbes.

"And, Mere Bauche, you also have the purse; he will know that he
cannot eat that, except with your good will."

"Ah!" exclaimed Madame Bauche, "poor lad! He has not a sous in the
world unless I give it to him." But it did not seem that this
reflection was in itself displeasing to her.

"Adolphe will now be a man of the world," continued the capitaine.
"He will know that it does not do to throw away everything for a pair