第4章
Whenshewasindoors，sheexplainedshehadcometobringthemoneyfortheboat，andtheyverypolitelyaskedhertositdown，toawaitthefather"sreturn，ashewastheonetosignthereceiptforher。
Amidstall，hereyessearchedforYann——butdidnotseehim。
Theywereverybusyinthehome。Alreadytheywerecuttingoutthenewwaterproofclothonthecleanwhitetable，andgettingitreadyfortheapproachingIcelandseason。
"Yousee，MademoiselleGaud，it"slikethis:everymanwantstwonewsuits。"
Theyexplainedtoherhowtheysettoworktomakethem，andtorendertheirseamswaterproofwithtar，fortheywereforwetweatherwear。
Andwhiletheyworked，GaudlookedattentivelyaroundthehomeoftheseGaoses。
ItwasfurnishedafterthetraditionalmannerofallBretoncottages；
animmensechimney-placetookuponewholeend，andonthesidesofthewallstheBretonbeds，bunks，asonshipboard，wereplacedoneaboveanother。Butitwasnotsosombreandsadasthecabinsofotherpeasants，whicharegenerallyhalf-hiddenbythewayside；itwasallfreshandclean，asthehomesofseamenusuallyare。SeverallittleGaoseswerethere，girlsandboys，allsistersandbrothersofYann；
withoutcountingtwobigones，whowerealreadyoutatsea。And，besides，therewasalittlefairgirl，neat，butsad，unliketheothers。
"Weadoptedherlastyear，"explainedthemother；"wehadenoughchildrenasitwas，ofcourse，butwhatelsecouldwedo，MademoiselleGaud，forherdaddybelongedtothe/Maria-Dieu-t"aime/，lostlastseasonoffIceland，asyouknow；sotheneighboursdividedthelittleonesbetweenthem，andthisonefelltoourlot。"
Hearingherselfspokenof，theadoptedchildhungherprettyheadandsmiled，hidingherselfbehindlittleLaumecGaos，herfavourite。
Therewasalookofcomfortallovertheplace，andradianthealthbloomedonallthechildren"srosycheeks。
TheyreceivedGaudveryprofusely，likeagreatladywhosevisitwasanhonourtothefamily。Shewastakenupstairs，upanewly-builtwoodenstaircase，toseetheroomabove，whichwasthegloryofthehome。Sherememberedthehistoryofitsconstruction；itwasafterthefindingofaderelictvesselinthechannel，whichluckhadbefallenYann"sfatherandhiscousinthepilot。
Theroomwasverygayandprettyinitswhiteness；thereweretwotownbedsinit，withpinkchintzcurtains，andalargetableinthemiddle。ThroughthewindowthewholeofPaimpolcouldbeseen，withtheIcelandersatanchoroffshore，andthechannelthroughwhichtheypassed。
Shedidnotdarequestion，butshewouldhavelikedtohaveknownwhereYannslept；probablyasachildhehadsleptdownstairsinoneoftheantiquecupboard-beds。Butperhapsnowhesleptunderthosepinkdraperies。Shewouldhavelovedtohaveknownallthedetailsofhislife，especiallywhathedidinthelongwinterevenings。
Aheavyfootsteponthestairsmadehertremble。ButitwasnotYann，thoughamanmuchlikehim；notwithstandinghiswhitehair，astallandasstraight。ItwasoldfatherGaosreturningfromfishing。
Afterhehadsalutedherandaskedhertheobjectofhervisit，hesignedherreceiptforherwhichwasratheralongoperation，ashishandwasnotverysteady，heexplained。
Buthewouldnotacceptthehundredfrancsasafinalpayment，butonlyasaninstalment；hewouldspeaktoM。Mevelagainaboutit。
WhereuponGaud，towhommoneywasnothing，smiledimperceptibly；shehadfanciedthebusinesswasnotquiteterminated，andthisjustsuitedher。
TheymadesomethinglikeexcusesforYann"sabsence；asiftheyfounditmoreorthodoxforthewholefamilytoassembletoreceiveher。
Perhapsthefatherhadguessed，withtheshrewdnessofanoldsalt，thathissonwasnotindifferenttothisbeautifulheiress；forheratherinsistedupontalkingabouthim。
"It"sveryqueer，"saidhe，"theboy"sneversolateout。HewentovertoLoguivy，MademoiselleGaud，tobuysomelobsterbaskets；asyouknow，lobster-catchingisourmainwinterfishery。"
Shedreamilylengthenedouthercall，althoughconsciousthatitwastoolongalready，andfeelingatugatherheartattheideathatshewouldnotseehimafterall。
"Awell-conductedyoungmanlikeYann——whatcanhebedoing？Surelyhe"snotattheinn。Wedon"tfearthatforourlad。Idon"tsaythatnowandthen，ofaSunday，withhismates——Youknow，MademoiselleGaud，whatthemsailorsare。Eh!yeknow，he"sbutayoungchap，andmusthavesomelibertynowandagain。Butit"sveryrarewithhimtobreakout，forhe"sastraight-goer；wecansaythat。"
Butnightwasfalling，andtheworkhadbeenfoldedup。Thelittleonesonthebenchesarounddrewclosertooneanother，saddenedbythegreydismalgloaming，andeyedGaudhard，seemingtosay——
"Whydoesn"tshegonow？"
Onthehearth，theflamesburnedredderinthemidstofthefallingshadows。
"Yououghttostayandhaveabito"supperwithus，MademoiselleGaud。"
"Oh，no!Icouldn"tthinkofit!"Thebloodrushedtoherfaceattheideaofhavingremainedsolate。Shegotupandtookherleave。
Yann"sfatheralsorosetoaccompanyherpartoftheway，anyhowasfarasalonelynookwheretheoldtreesmakeadarklane。
Astheywalkedalongtogether，shefeltasuddensympathyofrespectandtendernesstowardshim；shewouldhavelikedtohavespokenastoafatherinthesuddengushesoffeelingthatcameoverher；butthewordswerestifledinherthroat，andshesaidnotaword。
Andsotheywenttheirway，inthecoldeveningwind，fulloftheodourofthesea，passinghereandthere，onthebarrenheath，somepoorhovels，wherebeach-combersdweltandhadalreadysealedthemselvesupforthenight；darkandneglectedtheylookedundertheweather-beatenroofs；thesecrosses，clumpsofreeds，andboulderstheyleftbehind。
WhatagreatwayoffPors-Evenwas，andwhatatimeshehadremained!
NowandthentheymetfolksreturningfromPaimpolorLoguivy；andasshewatchedtheshadowsapproach，eachtimeshethoughtitwasYann；
butitwaseasytorecognisehimatagooddistanceoff，andsoshewasquicklyundeceived。Everymomentherfeetcaughtinthebrowntrailingplants，tangledlikehair，whichweresea-weedslitteringthepathway。
AttheCrossofPlouezoc"hshebadegood-byetotheoldman，andbeggedhimtoreturn。ThelightsofPaimpolwerealreadyinview，andtherewasnomoreoccasiontobeafraid。
Sohopewasoverforthistime。WhocouldtellherwhenshemightseeYannagain？
AnexcusetoreturntoPors-Evenwouldhavebeeneasy；butitwouldreallylooktoobadtobeginherquestalloveragain。Shewouldhavetobebraverandprouderthanthat。IfonlyherlittleconfidantSylvestrehadbeenthere，shemighthaveaskedhimtogoandfetchYann，sothattherecouldbesomeexplanation。Buthewasgonenow，andforhowmanyyears？
CHAPTERIV
HISRELUCTANCE
"Megetmarried？"saidYanntohisparentsthatsameevening。"Megetmarried？Goodheavens，whyshouldI？ShallIeverbeashappyasherewithye？notroubles，notiffswithanyone，andwarmsoupreadyformeeverynightwhenIcomehomefromsea。Oh!Iquiteunderstandthatyoumeanthegirlthatcamehereto-day，butwhat"ssucharichgirltodowithus？"Tisn"tcleartomythinking。Andit"llbeneitherher，noranyother。It"sallsettled，Iwon"tmarry——itain"ttomyliking。"
ThetwooldGaoseslookedatoneanotherinsilence，deeplydisappointed，for，afterhavingtalkeditovertogether，theywereprettywellsurethatthisyoungladywouldnotrefusetheirhandsomeYann。Buttheydidnottrytoargue，knowinghowuselessthatwouldbe。Themotherloweredherhead，andsaidnomore；sherespectedthewillofherson，hereldestborn，whowasallbuttheheadofthefamily；althoughhewasalwaystenderandgentlewithher，moreobedientthanachildinthepettythingsoflife，helongagohadbeenherabsolutemasterforthegreatones，eludingallrestraintwithaquietthoughsavageindependence。Heneversatuplate，beinginthehabit，likeotherfishermen，ofrisingbeforebreakofday。Andaftersupperateighto"clock，hehadgivenanothersatisfactorylooktohisbasketsandnewnetsfromLoguivy，andbegantoundress——calmtoallappearances，andwentuptosleepinthepink-curtainedbed，whichhesharedwithhislittlebrotherLaumec。
CHAPTERV
SAILORSATTHEPLAY
ForthelastfortnightGaud"slittleconfidant，Sylvestre，hadbeenquarteredinBrest；verymuchoutofhiselement，butveryquietandobedienttodiscipline。Heworehisopenbluesailor-collarandred-
balled，flat，woollencap，withafrank，fearlesslook，andwasnobleanddignifiedinhissailorgarb，withhisfreestepandtallfigure，butatthebottomofhishearthewasstillthesameinnocentboyasever，andthinkingofhisdearoldgrandam。
Oneeveninghehadgottipsytogetherwithsomeladsfromhisparts，simplybecauseitisthecustom；andtheyhadallreturnedtothebarrackstogetherarm-in-arm，singingoutaslustilyastheycould。
AndoneSunday，too，theyhadallgonetothetheatre，intheuppergalleries。Amelodramawasbeingplayed，andthesailors，exasperatedagainstthevillain，greetedhimwithahowl，whichtheyallroaredtogether，likeablastoftheAtlanticcyclones。
CHAPTERVI
ORDEREDONFOREIGNSERVICE
OnedaySylvestrewassummonedbeforetheofficerofhiscompany；andtheytoldhimhewasamongthoseorderedouttoChina——inthesquadronforFormosa。Hehadbeenprettywellexpectingitforsometime，ashehadheardthosewhoreadthepaperssaythatouttherethewarseemednever-ending。
Andbecauseoftheurgencyofthedeparture，hewasinformedatthesametimethathewouldnotbeabletohavethecustomaryleaveforhishomefarewells；infivedays"timehewouldhavetopackupandbeoff。
Thenabitterpaincameoverhim；thoughcharmedattheideaoffar-
offtravelsamidtheunknownandofthewar。Therealsowasagonyatthethoughtofleavingallheknewandloved，withthevagueapprehensionthathemightnevermorereturn。
Athousandnoisesranginhishead。Aroundwasthebustleofthebarrack-rooms，wherehundredsofotherswerecalledup，likehimself，chosenfortheChinesesquadron。Andrapidlyhewrotetohisoldgrandmother，withastumpofpencil，crouchingonthefloor，aloneinhisownfeverishdream，thoughinthethickofthecontinualhurryandhubbubamidstalltheyoungsailorshurriedawaylikehimself。
CHAPTERVII
MOAN"SSWEETHEART
"Hissweetheart"satrifleold!"saidtheothers，acoupleofdayslater，astheylaughedafterSylvestreandhisgrandmother，"buttheyseemtogetonfinetogetherallthesame。"
Itamusedthemtoseetheboy，forthefirsttime，walkthroughthestreetsofRecouvrance，withawomanathisside，liketherestofthem；and，bendingtowardsherwithatenderlook，whisperwhatseemedtobeverysoftnothings。
Shewasaveryquick，diminutivepersonseenfrombehind，withrathershortskirtsforthefashionoftheday；andascantybrownshawl，andahighPaimpol/coiffe/。She，too，hangingonhisarm，turnedtowardshimwithanaffectionateglance。
"Atrifleoldwashissweetheart!"
That"swhattheotherscalledafterhim，wesay，butwithoutspite，foranyonecouldseethatshewashisoldgranny，comeupfromthecountry。Shehadcome，too，inahurry，suddenlyterrifiedatthenewsofhissuddendeparture；forthisChinesewarhadalreadycostPaimpolmanysailors。Soshehadscrapedtogetherallherpoorlittlesavings，putherbestSundaydressandafreshclean/coiffe/inabox，andhadsetouttokisshimonceagain。
Shehadgonestraighttothebarrackstoaskforhim；atfirsthisadjutanthadrefusedtolethimgoout。
"Ifyou"veanythingtosay，mygoodwoman，goandspeaktothecaptainyourself。Thereheis，passing。"
Soshecalmlywalkeduptohim，andheallowedhimselftobewonover。
"SendMoantochangehisclothes，togoout，"saidhe。
AllinhothasteMoanhadgonetorigupinhisbestattire，whilethegoodoldlady，tomakehimlaugh，ofcourse，madeamostinimitablydrollfaceandamockcurtseyattheadjutantbehindhisback。
Butwhenthegrandsonappearedinhisfulluniform，withtheinevitableturned-downcollar，leavinghisthroatbare，shewasquitestruckwithhisbeauty；hisblackbeardwascutintoaseamanlyfashionablepointbythebarber，andhiscapwasdeckedoutwithlongfloatingribbons，withagoldenanchorateachend。ForthemomentshealmostsawinhimhersonPierre，who，twentyyearsbefore，hadalsobeenasailorinthenavy，andtheremembranceofthefarpast，withallitsdead，stealthilyshadowedthepresenthour。
Butthesadnesssoonpassedaway。Arm-in-armtheystrolledon，happytobetogether；anditwasthenthattheothershadpretendedtoseeinherhissweetheart，andvotedher"atrifleold。"
Shehadtakenhim，foratreat，todineinaninnkeptbysomepeoplefromPaimpol，whichhadbeenrecommendedtoherasrathercheap。Andthen，stillarm-in-arm，theyhadsaunteredthroughBrest，lookingattheshop-windows。Thereneverweresuchfunnystoriestoldasthoseshetoldhergrandsontomakehimlaugh；ofcourseallinPaimpolBreton，sothatthepassers-bymightnotunderstand。
CHAPTERVIII
OLDANDYOUNG
Shestayedthreedayswithhim，threehappydays，thoughoverthemhungadarkandominousforecast；onemightaswellcallthemthreedaysofrespite。
AtlastshewasforcedtoreturntoPloubazlanec，forshehadcometotheendofherlittlesavings，andSylvestrewastoembarkthedayafterward。Thesailorsarealwaysinexorablykeptinbarracksthedaybeforeforeigncruises(acustomthatseemsratherbarbarousatfirst，butwhichisanecessaryprecautionagainstthe"flings"theywouldhavebeforeleavingdefinitely)。
Ohthatlastday!Shehaddoneherverybesttohatchupsomemorefunnystoriesinherhead，totellherboyjustattheparting；butshehadrememberednothing——no；onlytearshadwelledup，andateverymomentsobschokedher。Hangingonhisarm，sheremindedhimofathousandthingshewasnottoforgettodo，andhealsotriedhardtorepresshistears。Theyhadendedbygoingintoachurchtosaytheirprayerstogether。
Itwasbythenighttrainthatshewent。Tosaveafewpence，theyhadgoneonfoottothestation；hecarryingherbox，andholdingheronhisstrongarm，uponwhichsheweighedheavily。
Shewassovery，verytired——pooroldlady!Shehadscarcelyanystrengthleftaftertheexertionofthelastthreeorfourdays。Hershoulderswerebentunderherbrownshawl，andshehadnoforcetobearherselfup；heryoungishlookwasgone，andshefelttheweightofherseventy-sixyears。
Oh!howherheartachedatthethoughtthatitwasallover，andthatinafewmomentsshemustleavehim!Washereallytogooutsofar，toChina，perhapstoslaughter。Shestillhadhimtherewithher，quiteclose，herpoorhandscouldyetgrasphim——andyethemustgo；
allthestrengthofherwill，allhertears，andallhergreatheartrendingdespair——all!wouldnothingbeofavailtokeephimback？
Withherticket，andherlunch-basket，andhermittensinhergrasp，agitated，shegavehimherlastblessingandadvice，andheansweredherwithanobedient"Ay，ay，"bendinghisheadtenderlytowardsherandgazinglovinglyather，inhissoftchildishway。
"Nowthen，oldlady，youmustmakeupyourmindplagueyquickifyouwanttogobythistrain!"
Theenginewhistled。Suddenlyterrifiedattheideaoflosingthetrain，sheboreherboxfromSylvestre"sgrasp，andflingingitdown，threwherarmsroundhisneckinalastandsupremeembrace。
Manypeopleontheplatformstaredatthem，butnotonesmiled。
Hustledaboutbytheporters，wornoutandfullofpain，shepressedintothefirstcarriagenear；thedoorwasbangedquicklyuponher，whileSylvestre，withallthespeedofayoungsailor，rushedoutofthestationtotherailsbesidethelinetoseethetrainpass。
Ashrillscreechingwhistle，anoisygrindingofthewheels，andhisgrandmotherpassedaway，leavinghimleaningagainstthegateandswinginguphiscapwithitsflyingribbons，whileshe，hangingoutofthewindowofherthird-classcarriage，madeanansweringsignalwithherhandkerchief；andforaslongasshecouldseethedarkblue-cladfigure，thatwasherchild，followedhimwithhereyes，throwingherwholesoulintothat"good-bye!"keptbacktothelast，andalwaysuncertainofrealizationwhensailorsareconcerned。
LooklongatyourlittleSylvestre，pooroldwoman；untiltheverylatestmoment，donotlosesightofhisfleetingshadow，whichisfadingawayforever。
Whenshecouldseehimnolonger，shefellback，completelycrushingherstillcleanunrumpledcap，weepingandsobbingintheagonyofdeathitself。
Hehadturnedawayslowly，withhisheadbent，andbigtearsfallingdownhischeeks。Theautumnnighthadclosedin；everywherethegaswasflaring，andthesailors"riotousfeastshadbegunanew。Payingnoheedtoanythingabouthim，hepassedthroughBrestandovertheRecouvranceBridge，tothebarracks。
"Whist!here，youdarlingboy!"calledoutsomenocturnalprowlerstohim；buthepassedon，andenteringthebarracks，flunghimselfdowninhishammock，weeping，allalone，andhardlysleepinguntildawn。
CHAPTERIX
THEEASTERNVOYAGE
Sylvestrewassoonoutontheocean，rapidlywhiskedawayovertheunknownseas，farmorebluethanIceland"s。TheshipthatcarriedhimofftotheconfinesofAsiawasorderedtogoatfullspeedandstopnowhere。Erelonghefeltthathewasfaraway，forthespeedwasunceasing，andevenwithoutacarefortheseaorthewind。Ashewasatopman，helivedperchedaloft，likeabird，avoidingthesoldierscrowdeduponthedeck。
Twicetheystopped，however，onthecoastofTunis，totakeupmoreZouavesandmules；fromafarhehadperceivedthewhitecitiesamidsandsandaridhills。Hehadevencomedownfromhistoptolookatthedark-brownmendrapedintheirwhiterobeswhocameoffinsmallboatstopeddlefruit；hismatestoldhimthatthesewereBedouins。
Theheatandthesun，whichwereunlessenedbytheautumnseason，madehimfeeloutofhiselement。
OnedaytheytouchedatPortSaid。AlltheflagsofEuropewavedoverheadfromlongstaves，whichgaveitanaspectofBabelonafeast-day，andtheglisteningsandssurroundedthetownlikeamovingsea。
Theyhadstoppedthere，touchingthequays，almostinthemidstofthelongstreetsfullofwoodenshanties。Sincehisdeparture，Sylvestreneverhadseentheoutsideworldsoclosely，andthemovementandnumbersofboatsexcitedandamusedhim。
Withnever-endingscreechingfromtheirescape-pipes，alltheseboatscrowdedupinthelongcanal，asnarrowasaditch，whichwounditselfinasilverylinethroughtheinfinitesands。Fromhispostonhighhecouldseethemasinaprocessionunderawindow，tilldisappearingintheplain。
Onthecanalallkindsofcostumescouldbeseen；meninmany-colouredattire，busyandshoutinglikethunder。Andatnighttheclamourofconfusedbandsofmusicmingledwiththediabolicalscreamsofthelocomotives，playingnoisytunes，asiftodrowntheheart-breakingsorrowoftheexileswhoforeverpassedonward。
Thenextday，atsunrise，they，too，glidedintothenarrowribbonofwaterbetweenthesands。Fortwodaysthesteaminginthelongfilethroughthedesertlasted，thenanotherseaopenedbeforethem，andtheywereonceagainupontheopen。Theystillranatfullspeedthroughthiswarmerexpanse，stainedlikeredmarble，withtheirboilingwakelikeblood。Sylvestreremainedallthetimeupinhistop，wherehewouldhumhisoldsongof"Jean-FrancoisdeNantes，"toremindhimofhisdearbrotherYann，ofIceland，andthegoodoldbygonedays。
Sometimes，inthedepthsoftheshadowydistance，somewonderfullytintedmountainwouldarise。Notwithstandingthedistanceandthedimnessaround，thenamesofthoseprojectedcapesofcountriesappearedastheeternallandmarksonthegreatroadwaysoftheearthtothesteersmenofthisvessel；butatopmaniscarriedonlikeaninanimatething，knowingnothing，andunconsciousofthedistanceovertheeverlasting，endlesswaves。
Allhefeltwasaterribleestrangementfromthethingsofthisworld，whichgrewgreaterandgreater；andthefeelingwasverydefinedandexactashelookedupontheseethingfoambehind，andtriedtorememberhowlonghadlastedthispacethatneverslackenednightorday。Downondeck，thecrowdofmen，huddledtogetherintheshadowoftheawnings，pantedwithweariness。Thewaterandtheair，eventheverylightabove，hadadull，crushingsplendour；andthefadelessgloryofthoseelementswereasaverymockeryofthehumanbeingswhosephysicallivesaresoephemeral。
Once，upinhiscrow"snest，hewasgladdenedbythesightofflocksoftinybirds，ofanunknownspecies，whichfellupontheshiplikeawhirlwindofcoaldust。Theyallowedthemselvestobetakenandstroked，beingwornoutwithfatigue。Allthesailorshadthemaspetsupontheirshoulders。Butsoonthemostexhaustedamongthembegantodie，andbeforelongtheydiedbythousandsontherigging，yards，ports，andsails——poorlittlethings!——undertheblastingsunoftheRedSea。Theyhadcometodestruction，offtheGreatDesert，fleeingbeforeasandstorm。Andthroughfearoffallingintothebluewatersthatstretchedonallsides，theyhadendedtheirlastfeebleflightuponthepassingship。
Overyonder，insomedistantregionofLibya，theyhadbeenfledgedinmasses。Indeed，thereweresomanyofthem，thattheirblindandunkindmother，Nature，haddrivenawaybeforeherthissurplus，asunmovedasiftheyhadbeensuperabundantmen。Onthescorchingfunnelsandironworkoftheshiptheydiedaway；thedeckwasstrewnwiththeirpunyforms，onlyyesterdaysofulloflife，songs，andlove。Now，poorlittleblackdots，Sylvestreandtheotherspickedthemup，spreadingouttheirdelicatebluewings，withalookofpity，andsweptthemoverboardintotheabysmalsea。
Nextcamehostsoflocusts，thespawnofthoseconjuredupbyMoses，andtheshipwascoveredwiththem。Atlength，though，itsurgedonalifelessbluesea，wheretheysawnothingsaroundthem，exceptfromtimetotimetheflyingfishskimmingalongthelevelwater。
CHAPTERX
THEORIENT
Rainintorrents，underaheavyblacksky。ThiswasIndia。Sylvestrehadjustsetfootuponland，chanceselectinghimtocompletethecrewofawhaleboat。Hefeltthewarmshoweruponhimthroughthethickfoliage，andlookedaround，surprisedatthenovelsight。Allwasmagnificentlygreen；theleavesofthetreeswavedlikegiganticfeathers，andthepeoplewalkingbeneaththemhadlargevelvetyeyes，whichseemedtocloseundertheweightoftheirlashes。Theverywindthatbroughttherainhadtheodourofmuskandflowers。
Atadistance，duskygirlsbeckonedhimtocometothem。Somehappystraintheysang，likethe"Whist!here，youdarlingboy!"sooftenheardatBrest。Butseductiveaswastheircountry，theircallwasimperiousandexasperating，makinghisveryfleshshudder。Theirperfectbosomsroseandfellundertransparentmuslin，inwhichtheyweresolelydraped；theywereglowingandpolishedasinbronzestatues。Hesitating，fascinatedbythem，hewaveredabout，followingthem；buttheboatswain"ssharpshrillwhistlerenttheairwithbird-
liketrills，summoninghimhurriedlybacktohisboat，abouttopushoff。
Hetookhisflight，andbadefarewelltoIndia"sbeauties。
Afterasecondweekofthebluesea，theypausedoffanotherlandofdewyverdure。Acrowdofyellowmenappeared，yellingoutandpressingondeck，bringingcoalinbaskets。
"AlreadyinChina？"askedSylvestre，atthesightofthosegrotesquefiguresinpigtails。
"Blessyou，no，notyet，"theytoldhim；"havealittlemorepatience。"
ItwasonlySingapore。Hewentupintohismast-topagain，toavoidtheblackdusttossedaboutbythebreeze，whilethecoalwasfeverishlyheapedupinthebunkersfromlittlebaskets。
Oneday，atlength，theyarrivedoffalandcalledTourane，wherethe/Circe/wasanchored，toblockadetheport。ThiswastheshiptowhichSylvestrehadbeenlongagoassigned，andhewaslefttherewithhisbag。
Onboardhemetwithtwomatesfromhome，Icelanders，whowerecaptainsofgunsforthetimebeing。Throughthelong，hot，stillevenings，whentherewasnoworktobedone，theyclusteredondeckapartfromtheothers，toformtogetheralittleBrittanyofremembrances。
Fivemonthshepassedthereininactionandexile，lockedupinthecheerlessbay，withthefeverishdesiretogooutandfightandslay，forchange"ssake。
CHAPTERXI
ACURIOUSRENCONTRE
InPaimpolagain，onthelastdayofFebruary，beforethesetting-outforIceland。Gaudwasstandingupagainstherroomdoor，paleandstill。ForYannwasbelow，chattingtoherfather。Shehadseenhimcomein，andindistinctlyheardhisvoice。
Allthroughthewintertheyneverhadmet，asifsomeinvinciblefatealwayshadkeptthemapart。
AfterthefailuretofindhiminherwalktoPors-Even，shehadplacedsomehopeonthe/PardondesIslandais/wheretherewouldbemanychancesforthemtoseeandtalktooneanother，inthemarket-placeatdusk，amongthecrowd。
Butontheverymorningoftheholiday，thoughthestreetswerealreadydrapedinwhiteandstrewnwithgreengarlands，ahardrainhadfallenintorrents，broughtfromthewestbyasoughingwind；
neverhadsoblackaskyshadowedPaimpol。"Whatapity!theboyswon"tcomeoverfromPloubazlanecnow，"hadmoanedthelasses，whosesweetheartsdweltthere。Andtheydidnotcome，orelsehadgonestraightintothetavernstodrinktogether。
Therehadbeennoprocessionsorstrolls，andshe，withherheartachingmorethanever，hadremainedatherwindowthewholeeveninglisteningtothewaterstreamingovertheroofs，andthefishers"
noisysongsrisingandfallingoutofthedepthsofthetaverns。
Forthelastfewdaysshehadbeenexpectingthisvisit，surmisingtrulythatoldGaoswouldsendhissontoterminatethebusinessconcerningthesaleoftheboat，ashedidnotcaretocomeintoPaimpolhimself。Shedeterminedthenthatshewouldgostraighttohim，and，unlikeothergirls，speakoutfrankly，tohaveherconscienceclearonthesubject。Shewouldreproachhimwithhavingsoughtheroutandhavingabandonedherlikeamanwithouthonour。Ifitwereonlystubbornness，timidity，hisgreatloveforhissailor-
life，orsimplythefearofarefusal，asSylvestrehadhinted，why，alltheseobjectionswoulddisappear，afterafrank，fairunderstandingbetweenthem。Hisfondsmilemightreturn，whichhadcharmedandwonherthewinterbefore，andallwouldbesettled。Thishopegaveherstrengthandcourage，andsweetenedherimpatience。Fromafar，thingsalwaysappearsoeasyandsimpletosayandtodo。
ThisvisitofYann"sfellbychanceataconvenienthour。Shewassurethatherfather，whowassittingandsmoking，wouldnotgetuptowalkpartofthewaywithhim；sointheemptypassageshemighthaveherexplanationoutwithhim。
Butnowthatthetimehadcome，suchboldnessseemedextreme。Thebareideaoflookinghimfacetofaceatthefootofthosestairs，madehertremble；andherheartbeatasifitwouldbreak。Atanymomentthedoorbelowmightopen，withthesqueaksheknewsowell，tolethimout!
"No，no，sheneverwoulddare；ratherwouldshedieoflongingandsorrow，thanattemptsuchanact。"Shealreadymadeafewreturnstepstowardsthebackofherroom，toregainherseatandwork。Butshestoppedagain，hesitatingandafraid，rememberingthatto-morrowwasthesailingdayforIceland，andthatthisoccasionstoodalone。Ifsheletitslipby，shewouldhavetowaitthroughmonthsuponmonthsofsolitudeanddespair，languishingforhisreturn——losinganotherwholesummerofherlife。
Below，thedooropened——Yannwascomingout!
Suddenlyresolute，sherusheddownstairs，andtremblinglystoodbeforehim。
"MonsieurYann，I——Iwishtospeaktoyou，please。"
"Tome，MademoiselleGaud？"queriedhe，loweringhisvoiceandsnatchingoffhishat。
Helookedatherfiercely，withahardexpressioninhisflashingeyes，andhisheadthrownback，seemingeventowonderifheoughttostopforheratall。Withonefootreadytostartaway，hestoodstraightupagainstthewall，asiftobeasfarapartfromheraspossible，inthenarrowpassage，wherehefeltimprisoned。
Paralyzed，shecouldremembernothingofwhatshehadwishedtosay；
shehadnotthoughthewouldtryandpassonwithoutlisteningtoher。
Whatanaffront!
"Doesourhousefrightenyou，MonsieurYann？"sheasked，inadry，oddtone——notatalltheoneshewishedtouse。
Heturnedhiseyesaway，lookingoutside；hischeeksblazedred，arushofbloodburnedallhisface，andhisquiveringnostrilsdilatedwitheverybreath，keepingtimewiththeheavingsofhischest，likeayoungbull"s。
"Thenightoftheball，"shetriedtocontinue，"whenweweretogether，youbademegood-bye，notasamanspeakstoanindifferentperson。MonsieurYann，haveyounomemory？WhathaveIdonetovexyou？"
ThenastywesternbreezeblowinginfromthestreetruffledhishairandthefrillsofGaud"s/coiffe/，andbehindthemadoorwasbangedfuriously。Thepassagewasnotmeetfortalkingofseriousmattersin。
Afterthesefirstphrases，choking，Gaudremainedspeechless，feelingherheadspin，andwithoutideas。Theystilladvancedtowardsthestreetdoor；heseemedsoanxioustogetaway，andshewassodeterminednottobeshakenoff。
Outsidethewindblewnoisilyandtheskywasblack。Asadlividlightfellupontheirfacesthroughtheopendoor。Andanoppositeneighbourlookedatthem:whatcouldthepairbesayingtooneanotherinthatpassagetogether，lookingsotroubled？WhatwaswrongoverattheMevel"s？
"Nay，MademoiselleGaud，"heansweredatlast，turningawaywiththepowerfulgraceofayounglion，"I"veheardfolkstalkaboutusquiteenoughalready!Nay，MademoiselleGaud，for，yousee，youarerich，andwearenotpeopleofthesameclass。Iamnotthefellowtocomeaftera"swell"lady。"
Hewentforthonhisway。Sonowallwasoverforeverandever。Shehadnotevensaidwhatshewishedinthatinterview，whichhadonlymadeherseemaveryboldgirlinhissight。WhatkindofafellowwasthisYann，withhiscontemptforwomen，hisscornformoney，andalldesirablethings？
Atfirstsheremainedfixedtothespot，sickwithgiddiness，asthingsswamaroundher。Oneintolerablypainfulthoughtsuddenlystruckherlikeaflashoflightning——Yann"scomrades，theIcelanders，werewaitingforhimbelowinthemarket-place。Whatifheweretotellthemthisasagoodjoke——whatastillmoreodiousaffrontuponher!Shequicklyreturnedtoherroomtowatchthemthroughherwindow-curtains。
Beforethehouse，indeed，shesawthemenassembled，buttheyweresimplycontemplatingtheweather，whichwasbecomingworseandworse，anddiscussedthethreateningrain。
"It"llonlybeashower。Let"sgoinanddrinkawaythetime，tillitpasses。"
TheypokedjokesandlaughedloudlyoverJeannieCaroffandotherbeauties；butnotevenoneofthemlookedupat/her/window。Theywerealljoyful，exceptYann，whosaidnothing，andremainedgraveandsad。Hedidnotgointodrinkwiththem；andwithoutnoticingeitherthemortherain，whichhadbeguntofall，heslowlywalkedawayundertheshower，asifabsorbedinhisthoughts，crossingthemarket-placetowardsPloubazlanec。
Thensheforgavehimall，andafeelingofhopelesstendernessforhimcame，insteadofthebitterdisappointmentthatpreviouslyhadfilledherheart。Shesatdownandheldherheadbetweenherhands。Whatcouldshedonow？
Oh!ifhehadlistenedonlyamomenttoher，orifhecouldcomeintothatroom，wheretheymightspeaktogetheralone，perhapsallmightyetbearranged。Shelovedhimenoughtotellhimsotohisface。Shewouldsaytohim:"YousoughtmeoutwhenIaskedyoufornothing；nowIamyourswithmywholesoul，ifyouwillhaveme。Idon"tmindabitbeingthewifeofafisherman，andyet，ifIliked，IneedbutchooseamongalltheyoungmenofPaimpol；butIdoloveyou，because，notwithstandingall，Ibelieveyoutobebetterthanothers。I"mtolerablywell-to-do，andIknowIampretty；althoughIhavelivedintowns，IamsurethatIamnotaspoiledgirl，asIneverhavedoneanythingwrong；then，ifIloveyouso，whyshouldn"tyoutakeme？"
Butallthisneverwouldbesaidexceptindreams；itwastoolate!
Yannwouldnothearher。Tryandtalktohimasecondtime？Oh，no!
whatkindofacreaturewouldhetakeherthentobe？Shewouldratherdie。
Yetto-morrowtheywouldallstartforIceland。ThewhitishFebruarydaylightstreamedintoherfineroom。Chillandlonelyshefellupononeofthechairsalongthewall。Itseemedtoherasifthewholeworldwerecrashingandfallinginaroundher。Allthingspastandpresentwereasifburiedinafearfulabyss，whichyawnedonallsidesofher。Shewishedherlifewouldend，andthatshewerelyingcalmbeneathsomecoldtombstone，wherenomorepainmighttouchher。
Butshehadsincerelyforgivenhim，andnohatredmingledwithherdesperatelove。
CHAPTERXII
STRIKINGTHEROCKUNKNOWN
Thesea，thegrayseaoncemore，whereYannwasgentlyglidingalongitsbroad，tracklessroad，thatleadsthefishermeneveryyeartotheLandofIce。
Thedaybefore，whentheyallhadsetofftothemusicoftheoldhymns，thereblewabriskbreezefromthesouth，andalltheshipswiththeiroutspreadsailshaddispersedlikesomanygulls；butthatbreezehadsuddenlysubsided，andspeedhaddiminished；greatfog-
bankscoveredthewaterysurface。
Yannwasperhapsquieterthanusual。Hesaidthattheweatherwastoocalm，andappearedtoexcitehimself，asifhewoulddriveawaysomecarethatweigheduponhim。Buthehadnothingtodobutbecarriedserenelyinthemidstofserenethings；onlytobreatheandlethimselflive。Onlookingout，onlythedeepgraymassesaroundcouldbeseen；onlistening，onlysilence。
Suddenlytherewasanalmostimperceptiblerumbling，whichcamefrombelow，accompaniedbyagrindingsensation，aswhenabrakecomesharddownoncarriagewheels。The/Marie/ceasedallmovement。Theyhadstruck。Where，andonwhat？SomebankofftheEnglishcoastprobably。
Forsinceovernighttheyhadbeenabletoseenothing，withthosecurtainsofmist。
Themenranandrushedabout，theirbustlecontrastingstronglywiththesuddenrigidityoftheirship。Howhadthe/Marie/cometoastopinthatspot？Inthemidstofthatimmensityoffluidinthisdullweather，seemingtobealmostwithoutconsistence，shehadbeenseizedbysomeresistlessimmovablepowerhiddenbeneaththewaves；shewastightinitsgrasp，andmightperishthere。