Oh, Adolphe, Adolphe! But, alas,
alas! is not such the way of most men's hearts--and of the hearts of
some women?
This letter was read to Marie, but it had no more effect upon her
than would have had some dry legal document. In those days and in
those places men and women did not depend much upon letters; nor when
they were written, was there expressed in them much of heart or of
feeling. Marie would understand, as she was well aware, the glance
of Adolphe's eye and the tone of Adolphe's voice; she would perceive
at once from them what her lover really meant, what he wished, what
in the innermost corner of his heart he really desired that she
should do. But from that stiff constrained written document she
could understand nothing.
It was agreed therefore that Adolphe should return, and that she
would accept her fate from his mouth. The capitaine, who knew more
of human nature than poor Marie, felt tolerably sure of his bride.
Adolphe, who had seen something of the world, would not care very
much for the girl of his own valley. Money and pleasure, and some
little position in the world, would soon wean him from his love; and
then Marie would accept her destiny--as other girls in the same
position had done since the French world began.
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