"And now, miss, let me know at once whether this nonsense is to be
over or not," continued La Mere Bauche; "and I will tell you at once,
I am not going to maintain you here, in my house, to plot against our
welfare and happiness. As Marie Clavert you shall not stay here.
Capitaine Campan is willing to marry you; and as his wife I will keep
my word to you, though you little deserve it. If you refuse to marry
him, you must go. As to my son, he is there; and he will tell you
now, in my presence, that he altogether declines the honour you
propose for him."

And then she ceased, waiting for an answer, drumming the table with a
wafer stamp which happened to be ready to her hand; but Marie said
nothing. Adolphe had been appealed to; but Adolphe had not yet
spoken.

"Well, miss?" said La Mere Bauche

Then Marie rose from her seat, and walking round she touched Adolphe
lightly on the shoulder. "Adolphe," she said, "it is for you to
speak now. I will do as you bid me."

He gave a long sigh, looked first at Marie and then at his mother,
shook himself slightly, and then spoke: "Upon my word, Marie, I
think mother is right. It would never do for us to marry; it would
not indeed."

"Then it is decided," said Marie, returning to her chair.

"And you will marry the capitaine?" said La Mere Bauche.