第6章
itbecameasubjectofconversation，asortofcompanyforthem；alllongingtoseeher，strainedtheireyesinvaineffortstopiercethoseimpalpablewhiteshrouds。
Thenthemysteriousconsortwoulddepart，thebellowingofhertrumpetfadingawayinthedistance，andtheywouldremainagaininthedeephush，amidtheinfinityofstagnantvapour。Everythingwasdrenchedwithsaltwater；thecoldbecamemorepenetrating；eachdaythesuntooklongertosinkbelowthehorizon；therewerenowrealnightsoneortwohourslong，andtheirgraygloamingwaschillyandweird。
Everymorningtheyheavedthelead，throughfearthatthe/Marie/
mighthaveruntooneartheIcelandiccoast。Butallthelinesonboard，fastenedendtoend，werepaidoutinvain——thebottomcouldnotbetouched。Sotheyknewthattheywerewelloutinbluewater。
Lifeonboardwasroughandwholesome；thecomfortinthesnugstrongoakencabinbelowwasenhancedbytheimpressionofthepiercingcoldoutside，whentheywentdowntosupperorforrest。
Inthedaytime，thesemen，whowereassecludedasmonks，spokebutlittleamongthemselves。Eachheldhisline，remainingforhoursandhoursinthesameimmovableposition。Theywereseparatedbysomethreeyardsofspace，butitendedinnotevenseeingoneanother。
Thecalmofthefogdulledthemind。Fishingsolonely，theyhummedhomesongs，soasnottoscarethefishaway。Ideascamemoreslowlyandseldom；theyseemedtoexpand，fillinginthespaceoftime，withoutleavinganyvacuum。Theydreamedofincoherentandmysteriousthings，asifinslumber，andthewoofoftheirdreamswasasairyasfogitself。
ThismistymonthofAugustusuallyterminatedtheIcelandseason，inaquiet，mournfulway。Otherwisethefullphysicallifewasthesame，fillingthesailors"lungswithrustlingairandhardeningtheiralreadystrongmuscles。
Yann"susualmannerhadreturned，asifhisgreatgriefhadnotcontinued；watchfulandactive，quickathisfishingwork，ahappy-go-
luckytemper，likeonewhohadnotroubles；communicativeattimes，butveryrarely——andalwayscarryinghisheaduphigh，withhisoldindifferent，domineeringlook。
Atsupperintheroughretreat，whentheywereallseatedattable，withtheirknivesbusyontheirhotplates，heoccasionallylaughedoutasheusedtodoatdrollremarksofhismates。InhisinnerselfheperhapsthoughtofGaud，towhom，doubtless，Sylvestrehadplightedhiminhislasthours；andshehadbecomeapoorgirlnow，aloneintheworld。Andaboveall，perhaps，themourningforhisbelovedbrotherstillpreyeduponhisheart。Butthisheartofhiswasavirginwilderness，difficulttoexploreandlittleknown，wheremanythingstookplaceunrevealedontheexterior。
CHAPTERXI
THESPECTRESHIP
Onemorning，goingonthreeo"clock，whileallweredreamingquietlyundertheirwinding-sheetoffog，theyheardsomethinglikeaclamourofvoices——voiceswhosetonesseemedstrangeandunfamiliar。Thoseondecklookedateachotherquestioningly。
"Who"sthattalking？"
Nobody。Nobodyhadsaidanything。Forthatmatter，thesoundshadseemedtocomefromtheoutervoid。Thenthemanwhohadchargeofthefog-horn，buthadbeenneglectinghisdutysinceovernight，rushedforit，andinflatinghislungstotheirutmost，soundedwithallhismightthelongbellowofalarm。Itwasenoughtomakeamanofironstart，insuchasilence。
Asifaspectrehadbeenevokedbythatthrilling，thoughdeep-tonedroar，ahugeunforeseengrayformsuddenlyaroseveryloftilyandtoweredthreateninglyrightbesidethem；masts，spars，rigging，alllikeashipthathadtakensuddenshapeintheairinstantly，justasasinglebeamofelectriclightevokesphantasmagoriaonthescreenofamagiclantern。
Menappeared，almostcloseenoughtotouchthem，leaningoverthebulwarks，staringatthemwitheyesdistendedintheawakeningofsurpriseanddread。
The/Marie"s/menrushedforoars，spars，boat-hooks，anythingtheycouldlaytheirhandsonforfenders，andheldthemouttoshoveoffthatgrislythinganditsimpendingvisitors。Lo!theseothers，terrifiedalso，putoutlargebeamstorepelthemlikewise。
Buttherecameonlyaveryfaintcreakinginthetopmasts，asbothstandinggearsmomentarilyentangledbecamedisentangledwithouttheleastdamage；theshock，verygentleinsuchacalmhadbeenalmostwhollydeadened；indeed，itwassofeeblethatitreallyseemedasiftheothershiphadnosubstance，thatitwasamerepulp，almostwithoutweight。
Whenthefrightwasover，themenbegantolaugh；theyhadrecognisedeachother。
"/LaMarie/，ahoy!howareye，lads？"
"Halloa!Gaos，Laumec，Guermeur!"
Thespectreshipwasthe/Reine-Berthe/，alsoofPaimpol，andsothesailorswerefromneighbouringvillages；thatthick，tallfellowwiththehuge，blackbeard，showinghisteethwhenhelaughed，wasKerjegou，oneofthePloudanielboys，theotherswerefromPlounesorPlounerin。
"Whydidn"tyoublowyourfog-horn，andbeblowedtoyou，youherdofsavages？"challengedLarvoerofthe/Reine-Berthe/。
"Ifitcomestothat，whydidn"tyoublowyours，youcrewofpirates——
yourankmessoftoad-fish？"
"Oh，no!withus，d"yesee，thesea-lawdiffers。/We"reforbiddentomakeanynoise!/"
Hemadethisreplywiththeairofgivingadarkhint，andaqueersmile，whichafterwardcamebacktothememoryofthemenofthe/Marie/，andcausedthemagreatdealofthinking。Then，asifhethoughthehadsaidtoomuch，heconcludedwithajoke:
"Ourfog-horn，d"yesee，wasburstbythisrogueherea-blowingtoohardintoit。"HepointedtoasailorwithafacelikeaTriton，amanallbull-neckandchest，extravagantlybroad-shouldered，low-setuponhislegs，withsomethingunspeakablygrotesqueandunpleasantinthedeformityofstrength。
Whiletheywerelookingateachother，waitingforbreezeorundercurrenttomoveonevesselfasterthantheotherandseparatethem，ageneralpalaverbegan。Leaningovertheside，butholdingeachotheroffatarespectabledistancewiththeirlongwoodenprops，likebesiegedpikemenrepellinganassault，theybegantochatabouthome，thelastlettersreceived，andsweetheartsandwives。
"Isay!myoldwoman，"saidKerjegou，"tellsmeshe"shadthelittleboywewerelookingfor；thatmakeshalf-score-twonow!"
Anotherhadfoundhimselfthefatheroftwins；andathirdannouncedthemarriageofprettyJennyCaroff，agirlwellknowntoalltheIcelanders，withsomerichandinfirmoldresidentoftheCommuneofPlourivo。Astheywereeyeingeachotherasifthroughwhitegauze，thisalsoappearedtoalterthesoundofthevoices，whichcameasifmuffledandfromfaraway。
MeanwhileYanncouldnottakehiseyesoffoneofthosebrotherfishermen，alittlegrizzledfellow，whomhewasquitesureheneverhadseenbefore，butwhohad，nevertheless，straightwaysaidtohim，"Howd"o，longYann？"withallthefamiliarityofbosomacquaintance。
Heworetheprovokinguglinessofamonkey，withanapishtwinklingofmischieftooinhispiercingeyes。
"Asforme，"saidLarvoer，ofthe/Reine-Berthe/，"I"vebeentoldofthedeathofthegrandsonofoldYvonneMoan，ofPloubazlanec——whowasservinghistimeinthenavy，youknow，intheChinesesquadron——averygreatpity。"
Onhearingthis，allthemenof/LaMarie/turnedtowardsYanntolearnifhealreadyknewanythingofthesadnews。
"Ay，"heansweredinalowvoice，butwithanindifferentandhaughtyair，"itwastoldmeinthelastlettermyfathersentme。"Theystillkeptonlookingathim，curiousatfindingoutthesecretofhisgrief，anditmadehimangry。
Thesequestionsandanswerswererapidlyexchangedthroughthepallidmists，sothemomentsofthispeculiarcolloquyskippedswiftlyby。
"Mywifewrotemeatthesametime，"continuedLarvoer，"thatMonsieurMevel"sdaughterhasleftthetowntoliveatPloubazlanecandtakecareofheroldgrand-aunt——GrannyMoan。Shegoesouttoneedleworkbythedaynow——toearnherliving。Anyhow，Ialwaysthought，Idid，thatshewasagood，bravegirl，inspiteofherfine-ladyairsandherfurbelows。"
ThenagaintheyallstaredatYann，whichmadehimstillmoreangry；aredflushmountedtohischeeks，undertheirtawnytan。
WithLarvoer"sexpressionofopinionaboutGaudendedthisparleywiththecrewofthe/Reine-Berthe/，noneofwhomwereeveragaintobeseenbyhumaneyes。Foramomenttheirfacesbecamemoredim，theirvesselbeingalreadyfartheraway；andthen，allatonce，themenofthe/Marie/foundtheyhadnothingtopushagainst，nothingattheendoftheirpoles——allspars，oars，oddsandendsofdeck-lumber，weregropingandquiveringinemptiness，tilltheyfellheavily，oneaftertheother，downintothesea，liketheirownarms，loppedoffandinert。
Theypulledalltheuselessdefencesonboard。The/Reine-Berthe/，meltingawayintothethickfog，haddisappearedassuddenlyasapaintedshipinadissolvingview。Theytriedtohailher，buttheonlyresponsewasasortofmockingclamour——asofmanyvoices——endinginamoan，thatmadethemallstareateachotherinsurprise。
This/Reine-Berthe/didnotcomebackwiththeotherIcelandicfishers；andasthemenofthe/Samuel-Azenide/afterwardpickedupinsomefjordanunmistakablewaif(partofhertaffrailwithabitofherkeel)，allceasedtohope；inthemonthofOctoberthenamesofallhercrewwereinscribeduponblackslabsinthechurch。
Fromtheverytimeofthatapparition——thedateofwhichwaswellrememberedbythemenofthe/Marie/——untilthetimeoftheirreturn，therehadbeennoreallydangerousweatherontheIcelandicseas，butagreatstormfromthewesthad，threeweeksbefore，sweptseveralsailorsoverboard，andswalloweduptwovessels。ThemenrememberedLarvoer"speculiarsmile，andputtingthingstogethermanystrangeconjecturesweremade。Inthedeadofnight，Yann，morethanonce，dreamedthatheagainsawthesailorwhoblinkedlikeanape，andsomeofthemenofthe/Marie/wonderedif，onthatrememberedmorning，theyhadnotbeentalkingwithghosts。
CHAPTERXII
THESTRANGECOUPLE
Summeradvanced，and，attheendofAugust，withthefirstautumnalmists，theIcelanderscamehome。
ForthelastthreemonthsthetwolonewomenhadlivedtogetheratPloubazlanecintheMoan"scottage。Gaudfilledadaughter"splaceinthepoorbirthplaceofsomanydeadsailors。Shehadsenthitherallthatremainedfromthesaleofherfather"shouse；hergrandbedinthetownfashion，andherfine，differentcoloureddresses。Shehadmadeherselfaplainerblackdress，andlikeoldYvonne，woreamourningcap，ofthickwhitemuslin，adornedmerelywithsimpleplaits。Everydayshewentoutsewingatthehousesoftherichpeopleinthetown，andreturnedeveryeveningwithoutbeingdetainedonherwayhomebyanysweetheart。Shehadremainedasproudasever，andwasstillrespectedasafinelady；andastheladsbadehergood-night，theyalwaysraisedahandtotheircaps。
Throughthesweeteveningtwilight，shewalkedhomefromPaimpol，allalongthecliffroadinhalingthefresh，comfortingseaair。Constantsittingatneedleworkhadnotdeformedherlikemanyothers，whoarealwaysbentintwoovertheirwork——andshedrewupherbeautifulsuppleformperfectlyerectinlookingoverthesea，fairlyacrosstowhereYannwasitseemed。
Thesameroadledtohishome。Hadshewalkedonmuchfarther，towardsawell-knownrockywindsweptnook，shewouldcometothathamletofPors-Even，wherethetrees，coveredwithgraymoss，grewcrampedlybetweenthestones，andareslantedoverlowlybythewesterngales。
Perhapsshemightnevermorereturnthere，althoughitwasonlyaleagueaway；butonceinherlifetimeshehadbeenthere，andthatwasenoughtocastacharmoverthewholeroad；and，besides，Yannwouldcertainlyoftenpassthatway，andshecouldfancyseeinghimuponthebaremoor，steppingbetweenthestumpyreeds。
ShelovedthewholeregionofPloubazlanec，andwasalmosthappythatfatehaddrivenherthere；shenevercouldhavebecomeresignedtoliveinanyotherplace。
TowardsthisendofAugust，asouthernwarmth，diffusinglanguor，risesandspreadstowardsthenorth，withluminousafterglowsandstrayraysfromadistantsun，whichfloatovertheBretonseas。Oftentheairiscalmandpellucid，withoutasinglecloudonhigh。
AtthehourofGaud"sreturnjourney，allthingshadalreadybeguntofadeinthenightfall，andbecomefusedintoclose，compactgroups。
Hereandthereaclumpofreedsstrovetomakewaybetweenstones，likeabattle-tornflag；inahollow，aclusterofgnarledtreesformedadarkmass，orelsesomestraw-thatchedhamletindentedthemoor。Atthecross-roadstheimagesofChristonthecross，whichwatchoverandprotectthecountry，stretchedouttheirblackarmsontheirsupportslikerealmenintorture；inthedistancetheChannelappearedfairandcalm，onevastgoldenmirror，underthealreadydarkenedskyandshade-ladenhorizon。
Inthiscountryeventhecalmfineweatherwasamelancholything；
notwithstanding，avagueuneasinessseemedtohoverabout；apalpabledreademanatingfromtheseatowhichsomanylivesareintrusted，andwhoseeverlastingthreatonlyslumbered。
Gaudsaunteredalongasinadream，andneverfoundthewaylongenough。Thebrinysmelloftheshore，andasweetodouroffloweretsgrowingalongthecliffsamidthornybushes，perfumedtheair。HaditnotbeenforGrannyYvonnewaitingforherathome，shewouldhaveloiteredalongthereed-strewnpaths，likethebeautifulladiesinstories，whodreamawaythesummereveningsintheirfineparks。
Manythoughtsofherearlychildhoodcamebacktoherasshepassedthroughthecountry；buttheyseemedsoeffacedandfarawaynow，eclipsedbyherloveloomingupbetween。
Inspiteofall，shewentonthinkingofYannasengagedinadegree——
arestless，scornfulbetrothed，whomsheneverwouldreallyhave，buttowhomshepersistedinbeingfaithfulinmind，withoutspeakingaboutittoanyone。Forthetime，shewashappytoknowthathewasoffIceland；forthere，atleast，theseawouldkeephimlonelyinherdeepcloisters，andhewouldbelongtonootherwoman。
True，hewouldreturnoneofthesedays，butshelookeduponthatreturnmorecalmlythanbefore。Sheinstinctivelyunderstoodthatherpovertywouldnotbeareasonforhimtodespiseher；forhewasnotasothermen。Moreover，thedeathofpoorSylvestrewoulddrawthemclosertogether。Uponhisreturn，hecouldnotdootherwisethancometoseehisfriend"soldgranny；andGaudhaddecidedtobepresentatthatvisit；foritdidnotseemtoherthatitwouldbeundignified。
Appearingtoremembernothing，shewouldtalktohimastoalong-
knownfriend；shewouldevenspeakwithaffection，aswasduetoSylvestre"sbrother，andtrytoseemeasyandnatural。Andwhoknows？
Perhapsitwouldnotbeimpossibletobeasasistertohim，nowthatshewassolonelyintheworld；torelyuponhisfriendship，eventoaskitasasupport，withenoughpreliminaryexplanationforhimnottoaccuseherofanyafter-thoughtofmarriage。
Shejudgedhimtobeuntamedandstubborninhisindependentideas，yettenderandloyal，andcapableofunderstandingthegoodnessthatcomesstraightfromtheheart。
Howwouldhefeelwhenhemetheragain，inherpoorruinedhome？
Very，verypoorshewas——forGrannyMoanwasnotstrongenoughnowtogooutwashing，andonlyhadhersmallwidow"spensionleft；granted，sheatebutlittle，andthetwocouldstillmanagetolive，notdependentuponothers。
Nightwasalwaysfallenwhenshearrivedhome；beforeshecouldentershehadtogodownalittleoverthewornrocks，forthecottagewasplacedonaninclinetowardsthebeach，belowthelevelofthePloubazlanecroadside。Itwasalmosthiddenunderitsthickbrownstrawthatch，andlookedlikethebackofsomehugebeast，shrunkdownunderitsbristlingfur。Itswallsweresombreandroughliketherocks，butwithtinytuftsofgreenmossandlichensoverthem。Therewerethreeunevenstepsbeforethethreshold，andtheinsidelatchwasopenedbyalengthofrope-yarnrunthroughahole。Uponentering，thefirstthingtobeseenwasthewindow，hollowedoutthroughthewallasinthesubstanceofarampart，andgivingviewofthesea，whenceinflowedadyingyellowlight。Onthehearthburnedbrightlythesweet-scentedbranchesofpineandbeechwoodthatoldYvonneusedtopickupalongtheway，andsheherselfwassittingthere，seeingtotheirbitofsupper；indoorssheworeakerchiefoverherheadtosavehercap。Herstillbeautifulprofilewasoutlinedintheredflameofherfire。ShelookedupatGaud。Hereyes，whichformerlywerebrown，hadtakenafadedlook，andalmostappearedblue；theyseemednolongertosee，andweretroubledanduncertainwitholdage。EachdayshegreetedGaudwiththesamewords:
"Oh，dearme!mygoodlass，howlateyouareto-night!"
"No，Granny，"answeredGaud，whowasusedtoit。"Thisisthesametimeasotherdays。"
"Eh？Itseemedtome，dear，laterthanusual。"
Theysatdowntosupperattheirtable，whichhadalmostbecomeshapelessfromconstantuse，butwasstillasthickasthegeneroussliceofahugeoak。Thecricketbeganitssilver-tonedmusicagain。
Oneofthesidesofthecottagewasfilledupbyroughlysculptured，worm-eatenwoodwork，whichhadanopeningwhereinweresetthesleepingbunks，wheregenerationsoffishershadbeenborn，andwheretheiragedmothershaddied。
Quaintoldkitchenutensilshungfromtheblackbeams，aswellasbunchesofsweetherbs，woodenspoons，andsmokedbacon；fishing-nets，whichhadbeenlefttheresincetheshipwreckofthelastMoans，theirmeshesnightlybittenbytherats。
Gaud"sbedstoodinanangleunderitswhitemuslindraperies；itseemedlikeaveryfreshandelegantmoderninventionbroughtintothehutofaCelt。
OnthegranitewallhungaphotographofSylvestreinhissailorclothes。Hisgrandmotherhadfixedhismilitarymedaltoit，withhisownpairofthoseredclothanchorsthatFrenchmen-of-wars-menwearontheirrightsleeve；Gaudhadalsobroughtoneofthosefunerealcrowns，ofblackandwhitebeads，placedroundtheportraitsofthedeadinBrittany。ThisrepresentedSylvestre"smausoleum，andwasallthatremainedtoconsecratehismemoryinhisownland。
Onsummereveningstheydidnotsituplate，tosavethelights；whentheweatherwasfine，theysatoutawhileonastonebenchbeforethedoor，andlookedatpassers-byintheroad，alittleovertheirheads。
ThenoldYvonnewouldliedownonhercupboardshelf；andGaudonherfinebed，wouldfallasleepprettysoon，beingtiredoutwithherday"swork，andwalking，anddreamingofthereturnoftheIcelanders。
Likeawise，resolutegirl，shewasnottoogreatlyapprehensive。
CHAPTERXIII
RENEWEDDISAPPOINTMENT
ButonedayinPaimpol，hearingthat/LaMarie/hadjustgotin，Gaudfeltpossessedwithakindoffever。Allherquietcomposuredisappeared；sheabruptlyfinishedupherwork，withoutquiteknowingwhy，andsetoffhomesoonerthanusual。
Upontheroad，asshehurriedon，sherecognised/him/，atsomedistanceoff，comingtowardsher。Shetrembledandfeltherstrengthgivingway。Hewasnowquiteclose，onlyabouttwentystepsoff，hisheaderectandhishaircurlingoutfrombeneathhisfisher"scap。Shewassotakenbysurpriseatthismeeting，thatshewasafraidshemightfall，andthenhewouldunderstandall；shewoulddieofveryshameatit。Shethought，too，shewasnotlookingwell，butweariedbythehurriedwork。Shewouldhavedoneanythingtobehiddenawayunderthereedsorinoneoftheferret-holes。
Healsohadtakenabackwardstep，asiftoturninanotherdirection。
Butitwastoolatenow。Bothmetinthenarrowpath。Nottotouchher，hedrewupagainstthebank，withasideswervelikeaskittishhorse，lookingatherinawild，stealthyway。
She，too，foronehalfsecondlookedup，andinspiteofherselfmutelyimploredhim，withanagonizedprayer。Inthatinvoluntarymeetingoftheireyes，swiftasthefiringofagun，thesegraypupilsofhershadappearedtodilateandlightupwithsomegrandnoblethought，whichflashedforthinablueflame，whilethebloodrushedcrimsoneventohertemplesbeneathhergoldentresses。
Ashetouchedhiscaphefaltered。"Wishyougood-day，MademoiselleGaud。"
"Good-day，MonsieurYann，"sheanswered。
Thatwasall。Hepassedon。Shewentonherway，stillquivering，butfeeling，ashedisappeared，thatherbloodwasslowlycirculatingagainandherstrengthreturning。
Athome，shefoundGrannyMoancrouchinginacornerwithherheadheldbetweenherhands，sobbingwithherchildish"he，he!"herhairdishevelledandfallingfrombeneathhercaplikethinskeinsofgrayhemp。
"Oh，mykindGaud!I"vejustmetyoungGaosdownbyPlouherzelasI
camebackfrommywood-gathering；wespokeofourpoorlad，ofcourse。
TheyarrivedthismorningfromIceland，andintheafternoonhecameovertoseemewhileIwasout。Poorlad，hehadtearsinhiseyes，too。Hecamerightuptomydoor，mykindGaud，tocarrymylittlefagot。"
Shelistened，standing，whileherheartseemedalmosttobreak；sothisvisitofYann"s，uponwhichshehadsomuchreliedforsayingsomanythings，wasalreadyover，andwoulddoubtlessnotoccuragain。Itwasalldone。Herpoorheartseemedmorelonelythanever。Hermiseryharder，andtheworldmoreempty；andshehungherheadwithawilddesiretodie。
CHAPTERXIV
THEGRANDAMBREAKINGUP
Slowlythewinterdrewnigh，andspreadoveralllikeashroudleisurelydrawn。Graydaysfollowedoneanother，butYannappearednomore，andthetwowomenlivedonintheirloneliness。Withthecold，theirdailyexistencebecameharderandmoreexpensive。
OldYvonnewasdifficulttotend，too；herpoormindwasgoing。Shegotintofitsoftempernow，andspokewicked，insultingspeechesonceortwiceeveryweek；ittookherso，likeachild，aboutmerenothings。
Pooroldgranny!Shewasstillsosweetinherluciddays，thatGauddidnotceasetorespectandcherishher。Tohavealwaysbeensogoodandtoendbybeingbad，andshowtowardsthecloseadepthofmaliceandspitefulnessthathadslumberedduringherwholelife，touseawholevocabularyofcoarsewordsthatshehadhidden；whatmockeryofthesoul!whataderisivemystery!Shebegantosing，too，whichwasstillmorepainfultohearthanherangrywords，forshemixedeverythinguptogether——the/oremus/ofamasswithrefrainsofloosesongsheardintheharbourfromwanderingsailors。Sometimesshesang"/LesFillettesdePaimpol/"(TheLassesofPaimpol)，or，noddingherheadandbeatingtimewithherfoot，shewouldmutter:
"Monmarivientdepartir；
Pourlapeched"Islande，monmarivientdepartir，Ilm"alaisseesanslesou，Mais——trala，tralalalou，J"engagne，j"engagne。"
(MyhusbandwentoffsailingUpontheIcelandcruise，Butneverleftmemoney，Note"enacouplesous。
But——ritooloo!ritooralloo!
Iknowwhattodo!)
Shealwaysstoppedshort，whilehereyesopenedwidewithalifelessexpression，likethosedyingflamesthatsuddenlyflashoutbeforefadingaway。Shehungherheadandremainedspeechlessforagreatlengthoftime，herlowerjawdroppingasinthedead。
Onedayshecouldremembernothingofhergrandson。"Sylvestre？
Sylvestre？"repeatedshe，wonderingwhomGaudmeant；"oh!mydear，d"yesee，I"vesomanyofthem，thatnowIcan"tremembertheirnames!"
Sosayingshethrewupherpoorwrinkledhands，withacareless，almostcontemptuoustoss。Butthenextdaysherememberedhimquitewell；mentioningseveralthingshehadsaidordone，andthatwholedaylongshewept。
Oh!thoselongwintereveningswhentherewasnotenoughwoodfortheirfire；toworkinthebittercoldforone"sdailybread，sewinghardtofinishtheclothesbroughtoverfromPaimpol。
GrannyYvonne，sittingbythehearth，remainedquietenough，herfeetstuckinamongthesmoulderingembers，andherhandsclaspedbeneathherapron。Butatthebeginningoftheevening，Gaudalwayshadtotalktohertocheerheralittle。
"Whydon"tyespeaktome，mygoodgirl？InmytimeI"veknownmanygirlswhohadplentytosayforthemselves。Idon"tthinkit"udseemsolonesome，ifye"donlytalkabit。"
SoGaudwouldtellherchit-chatshehadheardintown，orspokeofthepeopleshehadmetonherwayhome，talkingofthingsthatwerequiteindifferenttoher，asindeedallthingswerenow；andstoppinginthemidstofherstorieswhenshesawthepooroldwomanwasfallingasleep。
Thereseemednothinglivelyoryouthfularoundher，whosefreshyouthyearnedforyouth。Herbeautywouldfadeaway，lonelyandbarren。Thewindfromtheseacameinfromallsides，blowingherlampabout，andtheroarofthewavescouldbeheardasinaship。Listening，theever-presentsadmemoryofYanncametoher，themanwhosedominionwasthesebattlingelements；throughthelongterriblenights，whenallthingswereunbridledandhowlingintheouterdarkness，shethoughtofhimwithagony。
Alwaysaloneasshewas，withthesleepingoldgranny，shesometimesgrewfrightenedandlookedinalldarkcorners，thinkingofthesailors，herancestors，whohadlivedinthesenooks，butperishedintheseaonsuchnightsasthese。Theirspiritsmightpossiblyreturn；
andshedidnotfeelassuredagainstthevisitofthedeadbythepresenceofthepooroldwoman，whowasalmostasoneofthemherself。
Suddenlysheshiveredfromheadtofoot，assheheardathin，crackedvoice，asifstifledundertheearth，proceedfromthechimneycorner。
Inachirpingtone，whichchilledherverysoul，thevoicesang:
"Pourlapeched"Islande，monmarivientdepartir，Ilm"alaisseesanslesou，Mais——trala，tralalalou!"
Thenshewasseizedwiththatpeculiarterrorthatonehasofmadpeople。
Therainfellwithanunceasing，fountain-likegush，andstreameddownthewallsoutside。Therewereoozingsofwaterfromtheoldmoss-grownroof，whichcontinueddroppingontheself-samespotswithamonotonoussadsplash。Theyevensoakedthroughintothefloorinside，whichwasofhardenedearthstuddedwithpebblesandshells。
Dampnesswasfeltonallsides，wrappingthemupinitschillmasses；
anuneven，buffetingdampness，mistyanddark，andseemingtoisolatethescatteredhutsofPloubazlanecstillmore。
ButtheSundayeveningswerethesaddestofall，becauseoftherelativegaietyinotherhomesonthatday，fortherearejoyfuleveningsevenamongthoseforgottenhamletsofthecoast；hereandthere，fromsomeclosed-uphut，beatenaboutbytheinkyrains，ponderoussongsissued。Within，tableswerespreadfordrinkers；
sailorssatbeforethesmokingfire，theoldonesdrinkingbrandyandtheyoungonesflirtingwiththegirls；allmoreorlessintoxicatedandsingingtodeadenthought。Closetothem，thegreatsea，theirtombonthemorrow，sangalso，fillingthevacantnightwithitsimmenseprofoundvoice。
OnsomeSundays，partiesofyoungfellowswhocameoutofthetavernsorbackfromPaimpol，passedalongtheroad，nearthedooroftheMoans；theyweresuchaslivedattheland"sendofPors-Evenway。
Theypassedverylate，caringlittleforthecoldandwet，accustomedastheyweretofrostandtempests。Gaudlenthereartothemedleyoftheirsongsandshouts——soonlostintheuproarofthesquallsorthebreakers——tryingtodistinguishYann"svoice，andthenfeelingstrangelyperplexedifshethoughtshehadheardit。
ItreallywastoounkindofYannnottohavereturnedtoseethemagain，andtoleadsogayalifesosoonafterthedeathofSylvestre；
allthiswasunlikehim。No，shereallycouldnotunderstandhimnow，butinspiteofallshecouldnotforgethimorbelievehimtobewithoutheart。
Thefactwasthatsincehisreturnhehadbeenleadingamostdissipatedlifeindeed。Threeorfourtimes，onthePloubazlanecroad，shehadseenhimcomingtowardsher，butshewasalwaysquickenoughtoshunhim；andhe，too，inthosecases，tooktheoppositedirectionovertheheath。Asifbymutualunderstanding，now，theyfledfromeachother。
CHAPTERXV
THENEWSHIP
AtPaimpollivesalarge，stoutwomannamedMadameTressoleur。Inoneofthestreetsthatleadtotheharbourshekeepsatavern，wellknowntoalltheIcelanders，wherecaptainsandship-ownerscometoengagetheirsailors，andchoosethestrongestamongthem，menandmastersalldrinkingtogether。
Atonetimeshehadbeenbeautiful，andwasstilljollywiththefishers；shehasamustache，isasbroadbuiltasaDutchman，andasboldandreadyofspeechasaLevantine。Thereisalookofthedaughteroftheregimentabouther，notwithstandingheramplenun-likemuslinheadgear；forallthat，areligioushaloofitssortfloatsaroundher，forthesimplereasonthatsheisaBretonborn。
Thenamesofallthesailorsofthecountryarewritteninherheadasinaregister；sheknowsthemall，goodorbad，andknowsexactly，too，whattheyearnandwhattheyareworth。
OneJanuaryday，Gaud，whohadbeencalledintomakeadress，satdowntoworkinaroombehindthetap-room。
TogointotheabodeofourMadameTressoleur，youenterbyabroad，massive-pillareddoor，whichrecedesintheoldenstyleunderthefirstfloor。Whenyougotoopenthisdoor，thereisalwayssomeobliginggustofwindfromthestreetthatpushesitin，andthenew-
comersmakeanabruptentrance，asifcarriedinbyabeachroller。
Thehallisadornedbygiltframes，containingpicturesofshipsandwrecks。InanangleachinastatuetteoftheVirginisplacedonabracket，betweentwobunchesofartificialflowers。
Theseoldenwallsmusthavelistenedtomanypowerfulsongsofsailors，andwitnessedmanywildgayscenes，sincethefirstfar-offdaysofPaimpol——allthroughthelivelytimesoftheprivateers，uptotheseofthepresentIcelanders，soverylittledifferentfromtheirancestors。Manylivesofmenhavebeenangledforandhookedthere，ontheoakentables，betweentwodrunkenbouts。
Whileshewassewingthedress，GaudlenthereartotheconversationgoingonaboutIceland，behindthepartition，betweenMadameTressoleurandtwooldsailors，drinking。Theywerediscussinganewcraftthatwasbeingriggedintheharbour。Sheneverwouldbereadyforthenextseason，sotheysaidofthis/Leopoldine/。
"Oh，yes，tobesureshewill!"answeredthehostess。"Itell"eethecrewwasallmadeupyesterday——thewholeof"emoutoftheold/Marie/ofGuermeur"s，that"stobesoldforbreakingup；fiveyoungfellowssignedtheirengagementherebeforeme，atthisheretable，andwithmyownpen——soyesee，I"mright!Andfinefellows，too，I
cantell"ee；Laumec，TugdualCaroff，YvonDuff，youngKeraezfromTreguier，andlongYannGaosfromPors-Even，who"sworthanythreeon"em!"
The/Leopoldine/!Thehalf-heardnameoftheshipthatwastocarryYannawaybecamesuddenlyfixedinherbrain，asifithadbeenhammeredintoremainmoreineffaceablythere。
AtnightbackagainatPloubazlanec，andfinishingoffherworkbythelightofherpitifullamp，thatnamecamebacktohermind，anditsverysoundimpressedherasasadthing。Thenamesofvessels，asofthings，haveasignificanceinthemselves——almostaparticularmeaningoftheirown。Thenewandunusualwordhauntedherwithanunnaturalpersistency，likesomeghastlyandclingingwarning。ShehadexpectedtoseeYannstartoffagainonthe/Marie/，whichsheknewsowellandhadformerlyvisited，andwhoseVirginhadsolongprotecteditsdangerousvoyages；andthechangetothe/Leopoldine/increasedheranguish。
Butshetoldherselfthatthatwasnotherconcern，andnothingabouthimoughtevertoaffecther。Afterall，whatcoulditmattertoherwhetherhewerehereorthere，onthisshiporanother，ashoreornot？
WouldshefeellessmiserablewithhimbackinIceland，whenthesummerwouldreturnoverthedesertedcottages，andlonelyanxiouswomen——orwhenanewautumncameagain，bringinghomethefishersoncemore？Allthatwasalikeindifferenttoher，equallywithoutjoyorhope。Therewasnolinkbetweenthemnow，nothingevertobringthemtogether，forwashenotforgettingevenpoorlittleSylvestre？So，shehadplainlytounderstandthatthissoledreamofherlifewasoverforever；shehadtoforgetYann，andallthingsappertainingtohisexistence，eventheverynameofIceland，whichstillvibratedinherwithsopainfulacharm——becauseofhimallsuchthoughtsmustbesweptaway。Allwasindeedover，foreverandever。
Shetenderlylookedoveratthepooroldwomanasleep，whostillrequiredallherattention，butwhowouldsoondie。Then，whatwouldbethegoodoflivingandworkingafterthat；ofwhatusewouldshebe？
Outofdoors，thewesternwindhadagainrisen；and，notwithstandingitsdeepdistantsoughing，thesoftregularpatteroftheeaves-
droppingscouldbeheardastheydrippedfromtheroof。Andsothetearsoftheforsakenonebegantoflow——tearsrunningeventoherlipstoimparttheirbrinytaste，anddroppingsilentlyonherwork，likesummershowersbroughtbynobreeze，butsuddenlyfalling，hurriedandheavy，fromtheover-ladenclouds；asshecouldnolongerseetowork，andshefeltworkedoutanddiscouragedbeforethisgreathollownessofherlife，shefoldeduptheextra-sizedbodyofMadameTressoleurandwenttobed。
Sheshivereduponthatfine，grandbed，for，likeallthingsinthecottage，itseemedalsotobegettingcolderanddamper。Butasshewasveryyoung，althoughshestillcontinuedweeping，itendedbyhergrowingwarmandfallingasleep。
CHAPTERXVI
LONEANDLORN
Othersadweeksfollowedon，tillitwasearlyFebruary，fine，temperateweather。Yannhadjustcomefromhisshipowner"swherehehadreceivedhiswagesforthelastsummer"sfishery，fifteenhundredfrancs，which，accordingtothecustomofthefamily，hecarriedtohismother。Thecatchhadbeenagoodone，andhereturnedwellpleased。
NearingPloubazlanec，hespiedacrowdbythesideoftheroad。Anoldwomanwasgesticulatingwithherstick，whilethestreetboysmockedandlaughedaroundher。ItwasGrannyMoan。ThegoodoldgrannywhomSylvestrehadsotenderlyloved——herdresstornandbedraggled——hadnowbecomeoneofthosepooroldwomen，almostfallenbackinsecondchildhood，whoarefollowedandridiculedalongtheirroads。Thesighthurthimcruelly。
TheboysofPloubazlanechadkilledhercat，andsheangrilyanddespairinglythreatenedthemwithherstick。"Ah，ifmypoorladhadonlybeenhere!forsure，you"dneverdareddoit，youyoungrascals!"
Itappearedthatassheranafterthemtobeatthem，shehadfallendown；hercapwasawry，andherdresscoveredwithmud；theycalledoutthatshewastipsy(asoftenhappenstothosepoorold"grizzling"
peopleinthecountrywhohavemetmisfortune)。
ButYannclearlyknewthatthatwasnottrue，andthatshewasaveryrespectableoldwoman，whoonlydrankwater。
"Aren"tyouashamed？"roaredhetotheboys。
Hewasveryangry，andhisvoiceandtonefrightenedthem，sothatinthetwinklingofaneyetheyalltookflight，frightenedandconfusedbefore"LongGaos。"
Gaud，whowasjustreturningfromPaimpol，bringinghomeherworkfortheevening，hadseenallthisfromafar，andhadrecognisedGrannyinthegroup。Sheeagerlyrushedforwardtolearnwhatthematterwas，andwhattheyhaddonetoher；seeingthecat，sheunderstooditall。
SheliftedupherfrankeyestoYann，whodidnotlookaside；neitherthoughtofavoidingeachothernow；buttheybothblusheddeeplyandtheygazedratherstartledatbeingsonearoneanother；butwithouthatred，almostwithaffection，unitedastheywereinthiscommonimpulseofpityandprotection。
Theschool-childrenhadowedagrudgetothepoordeadgrimalkinforsometime，becausehehadablack，sataniclook；thoughhewasreallyaverygoodcat，andwhenonelookedcloselyathim，hewassoftandcaress-invitingofcoat。Theyhadstonedhimtodeath，andoneofhiseyeshungout。Thepooroldwomanwentongrumbling，shakingwithemotion，andcarryingherdeadcatbythetail，likeadeadrabbit。
"Oh，dear，oh，dear!mypoorboy，mypoorlad，ifhewereonlyhere；
forsure，they"dneverdareda-doit。"
Tearswerefallingdowninherpoorwrinkles；andherroughblue-
veinedhandstrembled。
Gaudhadputhercapstraightagain，andtriedtocomfortherwithsoothingwords。Yannwasquiteindignanttothinkthatlittlechildrencouldbesocruelastodosuchathingtoapooragedwomanandherpet。Tearsalmostcameintohiseyes，andhisheartachedforthepoorolddameashethoughtofSylvestre，whohadlovedhersodearly，andtheterriblepainitwouldhavebeentohimtoseeherthus，underderisionandinmisery。
Gaudexcusedherselfasifshewereresponsibleforherstate。"Shemusthavefallendown，"shesaidinalowvoice；""tistrueherdressisn"tnew，forwe"renotveryrich，MonsieurYann；butImendeditagainonlyyesterday，andthismorningwhenIlefthomeI"msureshewasneatandtidy。"
Helookedathersteadfastly，moredeeplytouchedbythatsimpleexcusethanbycleverphrasesorself-reproachesandtears。SidebysidetheywalkedontotheMoans"cottage。Healwayshadacknowledgedhertobelovelierthananyothergirl，butitseemedtohimthatshewasevenmorebeautifulnowinherpovertyandmourning。Sheworeagraverlook，andhergrayeyeshadamorereservedexpression，andneverthelessseemedtopenetratetotheinnerdepthofthesoul。Herfigure，too，wasthoroughlyformed。Shewastwenty-threenow，inthefullbloomofherloveliness。Shelookedlikeagenuinefisher"sdaughter，too，inherplainblackgownandcap；yetonecouldnotpreciselytellwhatgaveherthatunmistakabletokenofthelady；itwasinvoluntaryandconcealedwithinherself，andshecouldnotbeblamedforit；onlyperhapsherbodicewasatriflenicerfittingthantheothers，thoughfromsheerinborntaste，andshowedtoadvantageherroundedbustandperfectarms。But，no!themysterywasrevealedinherquietvoiceandlook。
CHAPTERXVII
THEESPOUSAL
ItwasmanifestthatYannmeanttoaccompanythem；perhapsallthewayhome。Theywalkedon，allthreetogether，asiffollowingthecat"sfuneralprocession；itwasalmostcomicaltowatchthempass；andtheoldfolksonthedoorstepsgrinnedatthesight。OldYvonne，inthemiddle，carriedthedeadpet；Gaudwalkedonherright，tremblingandblushing，andtallYannontheleft，graveandhaughty。
Theagedwomanhadbecomequietnow；shehadtidiedherhairupherselfandwalkedsilently，lookingalternatelyatthembothfromthetailofhereyes，whichhadbecomeclearagain。
GaudsaidnothingforfearofgivingYanntheopportunityoftakinghisleave；shewouldhavelikedtofeelhiskind，tendereyeseternallyonher，andtowalkalongwithherownclosedsoastothinkofnothingelse；towanderalongthusbyhissideinthedreamshewasweaving，insteadofarrivingsosoonattheirlonely，darkcottage，whereallmustfadeaway。