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'I have good clothes; I have saved my year's wages. I will put up at the inn. The wife of the innkeeper will be a mother to me now I can pay for my lodging. At which Madame Verine looked at the Russian lady, and that lady looked at her, and said behind her hand, 'Such a baby, and so clever! It is the mere instinct of wisdom; it cannot be called forethought.
'Mademoiselle, said the notary haughtily, 'I was proposing nothing but justice; but it is no affair of mine. And with that he went out brusquely very brusquely for a gentleman of such polite manners. 'I am astonished at you, Marie, said Madame Verine. This was true, but it was meant as a reproach.
'When the rejoicings of your wedding are over, said Madame Verine, 'and your husband brings you to town to claim the money, you may stay here in the upper room of this house it is an invitation. In a month came the wedding pair, joyful and blooming. The Russian lady made them a supper. They lodged in an attic room that Madame Verine rented.
'What a shame! cried Marie, when the brief facts were repeated. 'It is the way of the country, said the Russian lady. 'These Swiss peasants, who have so fair a reputation for sobriety, are mercenary above all: they have no heart. Céleste lived with Madame Verine for one year. At the end of that time Madame Verine arose one morning to find the breakfast was not cooked, nor the fire lit.
Now, they quickly found out that Céleste knew very little about the work she would have to do; it was because of this she had not yet found a mistress. 'I myself would delight to teach her, cried the Russian lady. 'And I, cried Marie. So Madame Verine took her home. They taught Céleste many things.
Madame Verine, in a voluminous silk gown, sat all attention, looking at the notary; she thought he was a very fine man, quite a great personage, and undoubtedly handsome. 'Madam, began he, 'I am, as you know, at middle age, yet a bachelor, and the reason, to be plain with you, is that I have not believed in women. Pardon me, I would not be rude, but I am a business man.
Madame Verine thought so too, and with great astonishment, and even some apologies, gave away her daughter with grateful smiles. Marie was married to the notary, and he made her very happy. At first she was happy because he had good manners and she had such a loving heart that she loved him. After a few years he found out that she was too good for him, and then he became a better man.
Many ladies of the town went about seeking servants: among them was Madame Verine, and the Russian lady and Marie were with her. When they came in front of Céleste they all stopped. 'Ah, what eyes! said the Russian lady 'what simple, innocent, trustful eyes! In these days how rare! 'She is like a flower, said Marie.
Marie had never acted for herself before. She began to speak to the notary simply, eagerly, as one who could no longer keep silence. 'It would be wrong to separate them, monsieur. Madame Verine chid Marie; the notary, no doubt just because he was a man and polite, answered her. 'This brave young fellow does not deserve to be thus fooled. I shall be glad to lend him my aid to extricate himself.
It is to be observed that, all the world over, however carefully a mistress may guard her maid-servant, no great responsibility is felt when the engagement is broken. Madame Verine shrugged her shoulders and got another servant. Céleste went down to her village.
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