"Never mind who is talking to him," said Marie; "go away, and leave
me--you are wanted for your work." Why before this was he not
talking to her? Why not, if he were really true to her? Alas, it
began to fall upon her mind that he would be false! And what then?
What should she do then? She sat still gloomily, thinking of that
other spouse that had been promised to her.

As speedily after breakfast as was possible Adolphe was invited to a
conference in his mother's private room. She had much debated in her
own mind whether the capitaine should be invited to this conference
or no. For many reasons she would have wished to exclude him. She
did not like to teach her son that she was unable to manage her own
affairs, and she would have been well pleased to make the capitaine
understand that his assistance was not absolutely necessary to her.
But then she had an inward fear that her green spectacles would not
now be as efficacious on Adolphe, as they had once been, in old days,
before he had seen the world and become a man. It might be necessary
that her son, being a man, should be opposed by a man. So the
capitaine was invited to the conference.

What took place there need not be described at length. The three
were closeted for two hours, at the end of which time they came forth
together. The countenance of Madame Bauche was serene and
comfortable; her hopes of ultimate success ran higher than ever. The
face of the capitaine was masked, as are always the faces of great
diplomatists; he walked placid and upright, raising his wooden leg
with an ease and skill that was absolutely marvellous. But poor
Adolphe's brow was clouded. Yes, poor Adolphe! for he was poor in
spirit, he had pledged himself to give up Marie, and to accept the
liberal allowance which his mother tendered him; but it remained for