The Devil’s Pool · Chapter
XVI: Little Marie explained
Germain, urged by his mother-in-law, finally speaks to Little Marie about marriage.
What happens
Germain, urged by his mother-in-law, finally speaks to Little Marie about marriage. Despite his fears of rejection, Marie reveals her love for him, and they embrace just as Petit-Pierre arrives.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
The chapter centers on Germain's proposal to Little Marie and the mutual confession of love, leading to a marriage agreement.
Family and Parenthood
Mother Maurice's involvement and Petit-Pierre's arrival highlight the role of family in Germain's romantic life.
Characters to notice
- Germain
Germain, encouraged by his mother-in-law, goes to speak with Little Marie about marriage, expressing his love and fear of rejection.
- Marie
Little Marie, initially thoughtful and trembling, eventually confesses her love for Germain and embraces him.
- Petit-Pierre
Petit-Pierre arrives on a stick horse with his little sister, interrupting Germain and Marie's embrace.
- Mother Maurice
Mother Maurice urges Germain to speak to Little Marie, giving her approval and insisting he resolve the uncertainty.
Key passages
“Little Marie,” said he, sitting down near her, “I come to trouble you and to give you pain. I know it very well, but the man and his wife at home wish me to speak to you, and beg you to marry me. You don’t care for me. I am prepared for it.”
Germain tells Marie he knows his proposal will upset her, but his in-laws insist he ask her to marry him, and he expects her refusal.
Germain's reluctant and self-deprecating approach to proposing.
“Oh, Germain,” she sobbed, “didn’t you feel that I loved you?””
Marie cries and asks Germain how he could not realize she loved him.
Marie's emotional confession of love.