第7章
Atthedooroccurredoneofthosemomentsofindecisionwhentheheartseemstostopbeating。Thegrandamwentinwithoutturninground，thenGaud，hesitating，andYann，behind，entered，too。
Hewasintheirhouseforthefirsttimeinhislife——probablywithoutanyreason。Whatcouldhewant？Ashepassedoverthethresholdhetouchedhishat，andthenhiseyesfellanddweltuponSylvestre"sportraitinitssmallblack-beadedframe。Hewentslowlyuptoit，astoatomb。
Gaudremainedstandingwithherhandsrestingonthetable。Helookedaroundhim；shewatchedhimtakeasilentinspectionoftheirpoverty。
Verypoorlookedthiscottageofthetwoforsakenwomen。Atleasthemightfeelsomepityforher，seeingherreducedtothismiseryinsideitsplaingraniteandwhitewash。Onlythefinewhitebedremainedofallpastsplendour，andinvoluntarilyYann"seyesrestedthere。
Hesaidnothing。Whydidhenotgo？Theoldgrandmother，althoughstillsosharpinherlucidintervals，appearednottonoticehim。Howodd!Sotheyremainedoveragainstoneanother，seemingrespectivelytoquestionwithayearningdesire。Butthemomentswereflitting，andeachsecondseemedtoemphasizethesilencebetweenthem。Theygazedatoneanothermoreandmoresearchingly，asifinsolemnexpectationofsomewonderful，exquisiteevent，whichwastoolongincoming。
"Gaud，"hebegan，inalowgravevoice，"ifyou"restillofamindnow——"
Whatwashegoingtosay？Shefeltinstinctivelythathehadsuddenlytakenamightyresolution——rapidlyashealwaysdid，buthardlydaredwordit。
"Ifyoubestillofamind——d"yesee，thefishhassoldwellthisyear，andI"vealittlemoneyahead——"
"Ifshewerestillofamind!"Whatwasheaskingofher？Hadsheheardaright？Shefeltalmostcrushedundertheimmensityofwhatshethoughtshepremised。
Allthewhile，oldYvonne，inhercorner，prickedupherears，feelinghappinessapproach。
"Wecouldmakeaspliceonit——amarriage，rightoff，MademoiselleGaud，ifyouarestillofthesamemind？"
Helistenedhereforheranswer，whichdidnotcome。Whatcouldstopherfrompronouncingthat"yes？"Helookedastonishedandfrightened，shecouldseethat。Herhandsclutchedthetableedge。Shehadturnedquitewhiteandhereyesweremisty；shewasvoiceless，andlookedlikesomemaiddyinginherflower。
"Well，Gaud，whydon"tyouanswer？"saidGrannyYvonne，whohadrisenandcometowardsthem。"Don"tyousee，itrathersurprisesher，MonsieurYann。Youmustexcuseher。She"llthinkitoverandansweryoulateron。Sityoudownabit，MonsieurYann，andtakeaglassofciderwithus。"
Itwasnotthesurprise，butecstasythatpreventedGaudfromanswering；nowordsatallcametoherrelief。Soitreallywastruethathewasgoodandkind-hearted。Sheknewhimaright——thesametrueYann，herown，suchassheneverhadceasedtoseehim，notwithstandinghissternnessandhisroughrefusal。Foralongtimehehaddisdainedher，butnowheacceptedher，althoughshewaspoor。
Nodoubtithadbeenhiswishallthrough；hemayhavehadamotiveforsoacting，whichshewouldknowhereafter；but，forthepresent，shehadnointentionofaskinghimhismeaning，orofreproachinghimforhertwoyearsofpining。Besides，allthatwaspast，ay，andforgottennow；inonesinglemomenteverythingseemedcarriedawaybeforethedelightfulwhirlwindthatsweptoverherlife!
Stillspeechless，shetoldhimofhergreatloveandadorationforhimbyhersweetbrimmingeyesalone；shelookeddeeplyandsteadilyathim，whilethecopiousshowerofhappytearspouredadownherroseatecheeks。
"Welldone!andGodblessyou，mychildren，"saidGrannyMoan。"It"sthankfulIbetoHim，too，forI"mgladtohavebeenletgrowsooldtoseethishappythingaforeIgo。"
Stilltheretheyremained，standingbeforeoneanotherwithclaspedhands，findingnowordstoutter；knowingofnowordsweetenough，andnosentenceworthytobreakthatexquisitesilence。
"Whydon"tyekissoneanother，mychildren？Lor"!butthey"redumb!
Dearme，whatstrangegrandchildrenIhavehere!Pluckup，Gaud；saysome"attohim，mydear。Inmytimeloverskissedwhentheyplightedtheirtroth。"
Yannraisedhishat，asifsuddenlyseizedwithavast，heretoforeunfeltreverence，beforebendingdowntokissGaud。Itseemedtohimthatthiswasthefirstkissworthyofthenameheeverhadgiveninhislife。
Shekissedhimalso，pressingherfreshlips，unusedtorefinementsofcaresses，withherwholeheart，tohissea-bronzedcheek。
Amongthestonesthecricketsangofhappiness，beingrightforthistime。AndSylvestre"spitifulinsignificantportraitseemedtosmileonthemoutofitsblackframe。Allthings，infact，seemedsuddenlytothrobwithlifeandwithjoyintheblightedcottage。Theverysilenceapparentlyburstintoexquisitemusic；andthepalewintertwilight，creepinginatthenarrowwindow，becameawonderful，unearthlyglow。
"Sowe"llgototheweddingwhentheIcelandersreturn；eh，mydearchildren？"
Gaudhungherhead。"Iceland，"the"/Leopoldine/"——soitwasallreal!
whileshehadalreadyforgottentheexistenceofthoseterriblethingsthataroseintheirway。
"WhentheIcelandersreturn。"
Howlongthatanxioussummerwaitingwouldseem!
Yanndrummedonthefloorwithhisfootfeverishlyandrapidly。Heseemedtobeinagreathurrytobeoffandback，andwastellingthedaystoknowif，withoutlosingtime，theywouldbeabletogetmarriedbeforehissailing。Somanydaystogettheofficialpapersfilledandsigned；somanyforthebanns:thatwouldonlybringthemuptothetwentiethortwenty-fifthofthemonthforthewedding，andifnothingroseintheway，theycouldhaveawholehoneymoonweektogetherbeforehesailed。
"I"mgoingtostartbytellingmyfather，"saidhe，withasmuchhasteasifeachmomentoftheirliveswerenownumberedandprecious。
PARTIV
YANN"SFIRSTWEDDING
CHAPTERI
THECOURTINGBYTHESEA
Allsweetheartsliketositonthebenchattheircottagedoor，whennightfalls。
YannandGauddidthatlikewise。EveryeveningtheysatouttogetherbeforetheMoans"cottage，ontheoldgraniteseat，andtalkedlove。
Othershavethespring-time，thesoftshadowofthetrees，balmyevenings，andfloweringrosebushes；theyhadonlytheFebruarytwilight，whichfelloverthesea-beatenland，strewnwitheel-grassandstones。Therewasnobranchofverdureabovetheirheadsoraroundthem；nothingbuttheimmensesky，overwhichpassedtheslowlywanderingmists。Andtheirflowerswerebrownsea-weeds，drawnupfromthebeachbythefishers，astheydraggedtheirnetsalong。
Thewintersarenotverysevereinthispartofthecountry，beingtemperedbycurrentsofthesea；but，notwithstandingthat，thegloamingwasoftenladenwithinvisibleicyrain，whichfellupontheirshouldersastheysattogether。Buttheyremainedthere，feelingwarmandhappy。Thebench，whichwasmorethanahundredyearsold，didnotseemintheleastsurprisedattheirlove，havingseenmanyotherpairsinitstime；ithadlistenedtomanysoftwords，whicharealwaysthesameonthelipsoftheyoung，fromgenerationtogeneration；andithadbecomeusedtoseeingloverssituponitagain，whentheyreturnedtoitoldandtrembling；butinthebroadday，thistime，towarmthemselvesinthelastsuntheywouldsee。
FromtimetotimeGrannyMoanwouldputherheadoutatthedoortohavealookatthem，andtrytoinducethemtocomein。"You"llcatchcold，mygoodchildren，"saidshe，"andthenyou"llfallill——Lordknows，itreallyisn"tsensibletoremainoutsolate。"
Cold!theycold？Weretheyconsciousofanythingelsebesidestheblissofbeingtogether。
Thepassers-byintheeveningdowntheirpathway，heardthesoftmurmuroftwovoicesminglingwiththevoiceofthesea，downbelowatthefootofthecliffs。Itwasamostharmoniousmusic；Gaud"ssweet，freshvoicealternatedwithYann"s，whichhadsoft，caressingnotesinthelowertones。Theirprofilescouldbeclearlydistinguishedonthegranitewallagainstwhichtheyreclined；Gaudwithherwhiteheadgearandslenderblack-robedfigure，andbesideherthebroad，squareshouldersofherbeloved。Behindandaboverosetheraggeddomeofthestrawthatch，andthedarkening，infinite，andcolourlesswasteoftheseaandskyfloatedoverall。
Finally，theydidgointositdownbythehearth，whereuponoldYvonneimmediatelynoddedofftosleep，anddidnottroublethetwoloversverymuch。Sotheywentoncommuninginalowvoice，havingtomakeupfortwoyearsofsilence；theyhadtohurryontheircourtshipbecauseitwastolastsoshortatime。
ItwasarrangedthattheyweretolivewithGrannyMoan，whowouldleavethemthecottageinherwill；forthepresent，theymadenoalterationsinit，forwantoftime，andputofftheirplanforembellishingtheirpoorlonelyhomeuntilthefisherman"sreturnfromIceland。
CHAPTERII
THESEAMAN"SSECRET
OneeveningYannamusedhimselfbyrelatingtohisaffiancedathousandthingsshehaddone，orwhichhadhappenedtohersincetheirfirstmeeting；heevenenumeratedtoherthedifferentdressesshehadhad，andthejollificationstowhichshehadbeen。
Shelistenedingreatsurprise。Howdidheknowallthis？Whowouldhavethoughtofamaneverpayinganyattentiontosuchmatters，andbeingcapableofrememberingsoclearly？
Butheonlysmiledatherinamysteriousway，andwentonmentioningotherfactstoherthatshehadaltogetherforgotten。
Shedidnotinterrupthim；nay，shebutlethimcontinue，whileanunexpecteddeliciousjoywelledupinherheart；shebegan，atlength，todivineandunderstandeverything。He，too，hadloved——lovedher，throughthatwearytime。Shehadbeenhisconstantthought，ashewasguilelesslyconfessing。But，inthiscase，whathadbeenhisreasonforrepellingheratfirstandmakinghersuffersolong？
Therealwaysremainedthismysterythathehadpromisedtoexplaintoher——yetstillseemedtoelude——withaconfused，incomprehensiblesmile。
CHAPTERIII
THEOMINOUSWEDDING-DRESS
Onefineday，thelovingpairwentovertoPaimpol，withGrannyMoan，tobuythewedding-dress。
Gaudcouldveryeasilyhavedoneoveroneofherformertown-lady"sdressesfortheoccasion。ButYannhadwantedtomakeherthispresent，andshehadnotresistedtoolongthehavingadressgivenbyherbetrothed，andpaidforbythemoneyhehadearnedathisfishing；
itseemedasifshewerealreadyhiswifebythisact。
Theychoseblack，forGaudhadnotyetleftoffmourningforherfather；butYanndidnotfindanyofthestuffstheyplacedbeforethemgoodenough。Hewasnotalittleoverbearingwiththeshopman；
he，whoformerlyneverwouldhavesethisfootinsideashop，wantedtomanageeverythinghimself，eventotheveryfashionofthedress。
Hewisheditadornedwithbroadbeadsofvelvet，sothatitwouldbeveryfine，inhismind。
CHAPTERIV
FLOWEROFTHETHORN
Oneeveningastheseloverssatoutontheirstonebenchinthesolitudeoverwhichthenightfell，theysuddenlyperceivedahawthornbush，whichgrewsolitarilybetweentherocks，bythesideoftheroad，coveredwithtinyfloweredtufts。
"Itlooksasif"twasinbloom，"saidYann。
Theydrewneartoinspectit。Itwasinfullflower，indeed。Astheycouldnotseeverywellinthetwilight，theytouchedthetinyblooms，wetwithmist。Thenthefirstimpressionofspringcametothematthesametimetheynoticedthis；thedayshadalreadylengthened，theairwaswarmer，andthenightmoreluminous。Buthowforwardthisparticularbushwas!Theycouldnotfindanotherlikeitanywherearound，notone!Ithadblossomed，yousee，expresslyforthem，forthecelebrationoftheirlovingplight。
"Oh!letusgathersomemore，"saidYann。
Gropinginthedark，hecutanosegaywiththestoutsailor"sknifethathealwaysworeinhisbelt，andparingoffallthethorns，heplaceditinGaud"sbosom。
"Youlooklikeabridenow，"saidhe，steppingbacktojudgeoftheeffect，notwithstandingthedeepeningdusk。
Attheirfeetthecalmsearoseandfellovertheshinglewithanintermittentswash，regularasthebreathingofasleeper；foritseemedindifferentoreverfavourabletothelove-makinggoingonhardby。
Inexpectationoftheseeveningsthedaysappearedlongtothem，andwhentheybadeeachothergood-byeatteno"clock，theyfeltakindofdiscouragement，becauseitwasallsosoonover。
Theyhadtohurrywiththeofficialdocumentsforfearofnotbeingreadyintime，andoflettingtheirhappinessslipbyuntiltheautumn，orevenuncertainty。
Theireveningcourtshipinthatmournfulspot，lulledbythecontinualevenwashofthesea，withthatfeverishimpressionoftheflightoftime，wasalmostgloomyandominous。Theywerelikenolovers；moreseriousandrestlessweretheyintheirlovethanthecommonrun。
YetYannnevertoldherwhatmysteriousthinghadkepthimawayfromherforthesetwolonelyyears；andafterhereturnedhomeofanight，Gaudgrewuneasyasbefore，althoughhelovedherperfectly——thissheknew。Itistruethathehadlovedherallalong，butnotasnow；lovegrewstrongerinhisheartandmind，likeatiderisingandoverbrimming。Heneverhadknownthiskindoflovebefore。
Sometimesontheirstoneseathelaydown，restinghisheadinGaud"slaplikeacaressingchild，till，suddenlyrememberingpropriety，hewoulddrawhimselfuperect。Hewouldhavelikedtolieontheverygroundatherfeet，andremaintherewithhisbrowpressedtothehemofhergarments。Exceptingthebrotherlykisshegaveherwhenhecameandwent，hedidnotdaretoembraceher。Headoredthatinvisiblespiritinher，whichappearedintheverysoundofherpure，tranquilvoice，theexpressionofhersmile，andinhercleareye。
CHAPTERV
THECOSTOFOBSTINACY
Onerainyeveningtheyweresittingsidebysidenearthehearth，andGrannyMoanwasasleepoppositethem。Thefireflames，dancingoverthebranchesonthehearth，projectedtheirmagnifiedshadowsonthebeamsoverhead。
Theyspoketooneanotherinthatlowvoiceofalllovers。Butuponthisparticulareveningtheirconversationwasnowandagainbrokenbylongtroubledsilence。He，inparticular，saidverylittleandloweredhisheadwithafaintsmile，avoidingGaud"sinquiringeyes。Forshehadbeenpressinghimwithquestionsalltheeveningconcerningthatmysterythathepositivelywouldnotdivulge；andthistimehefelthimselfcornered。Shewastooquickforhim，andhadfullymadeuphermindtolearn；nopossibleshiftscouldgethimoutoftellinghernow。
"Wasitanybadtalestoldaboutme？"sheasked。
Hetriedtoanswer"yes，"andfaltered:"Oh!therewasalwaysplentyofrubbishbabbledinPaimpolandPloubazlanec。"
Sheaskedwhat，buthecouldnotanswerher；sothenshethoughtofsomethingelse。"Wasitaboutmystyleofdress，Yann？"
Yes，ofcourse，thathadhadsomethingtodowithit；atonetimeshehaddressedtoograndlytobethewifeofasimplefisherman。Buthewasobligedtoacknowledgethatthatwasnotall。
"Wasitbecauseatthattimewepassedforveryrichpeople，andyouwereafraidofbeingrefused？"
"Oh，no!notthat。"HesaidthiswithsuchsimpleconfidencethatGaudwasamused。
Thenfellanothersilence，duringwhichthemoaningofthesea-windswasheardoutside。Lookingattentivelyathim，afreshideastruckher，andherexpressionchanged。
"Ifnotanythingofthatsort，Yann，/what/wasit？"demandedshe，suddenly，lookingathimfairintheeyes，withtheirresistiblequestioninglookofonewhoguessesthetruth，andcoulddispensewithconfirmation。
Heturnedaside，laughingoutright。
Soatlastshehad，indeed，guessedaright；henevercouldgiveherarealreason，becausetherewasnonetogive。Hehadsimply"playedthemule"(asSylvestrehadsaidlongago)。ButeverybodyhadteasedhimsomuchaboutthatGaud，hisparents，Sylvestre，hisIcelandmates，andevenGaudherself。Hencehehadstubbornlysaid"no，"butknewwellenoughinthebottomofhisheartthatwhennobodythoughtanymoreaboutthehollowmysteryitwouldbecome"yes。"
SoitwasonaccountofYann"schildishnessthatGaudhadbeenlanguishing，forsakenfortwolongyears，andhadlongedtodie。
AtfirstYannlaughed，butnowhelookedatGaudwithkindeyes，questioningdeeply。Wouldsheforgivehim？Hefeltsuchremorseforhavingmadehersuffer。Wouldsheforgivehim？
"It"smytemperthatdoesit，Gaud，"saidhe。"Athomewithmyfolks，it"sthesamething。Sometimes，whenI"mstubborn，Iremainawholeweekangeredagainstthem，withoutspeakingtoanybody。YetyouknowhowIlovethem，andIalwaysendbydoingwhattheywish，likeaboy。
IfyouthinkthatIwashappytoliveunmarried，you"remistaken。No，itcouldn"thavelastedanyway，Gaud，youmaybesure。"
Ofcourse，sheforgavehim。Asshefeltthesofttearsfall，sheknewtheyweretheoutflowofherlastpangsvanishingbeforeYann"sconfession。Besides，thepresentneverwouldhavebeensohappywithoutallhersuffering；thatbeingover，shewasalmostpleasedathavinggonethroughthattimeoftrial。
Everythingwasfinallyclearedupbetweenthem，inaveryunexpectedthoughcompletemanner；thereremainednocloudsbetweentheirsouls。
Hedrewhertowardshim，andtheyremainedsometimewiththeircheekspressedclose，requiringnofurtherexplanations。Sochastewastheirembrace，thattheoldgrandamsuddenlyawaking，theyremainedbeforeherastheywerewithoutanyconfusionorembarrassment。
CHAPTERVI
THEBRIDAL
ItwassixdaysbeforethesailingforIceland。TheirweddingprocessionwasreturningfromPloubazlanecChurch，drivenbeforeafuriouswind，underasombre，rain-ladensky。
Theylookedveryhandsome，nevertheless，astheywalkedalongasinadream，arm-in-arm，likekingandqueenleadingalongcortege。Calm，reserved，andgrave，theyseemedtoseenothingaboutthem；asiftheywereaboveordinarylifeandeverybodyelse。Theverywindseemedtorespectthem，whilebehindthemtheir"train"wasajollymedleyoflaughingcouples，tumbledandbuffetedbytheangrywesterngale。
Manypeoplewerepresent，overflowingwithyounglife；othersturninggray，butthesestillsmiledastheythoughtof/their/wedding-dayandyoungeryears。GrannyYvonnewasthereandfollowing，too，pantingalittle，butsomethinglikehappy，hangingonthearmofanolduncleofYann"s，whowaspayingherold-fashionedcompliments。Sheworeagrandnewcap，boughtfortheoccasion，andhertinyshawl，whichhadbeendyedathirdtime，andblack，becauseofSylvestre。
Thewindworriedeverybody；dressesandskirts，bonnetsand/coiffes/，weresimilarlytossedaboutmercilessly。
Atthechurchdoor，thenewlymarriedcouple，pursuanttocustom，hadboughttwonosegaysofartificialflowers，tocompletetheirbridalattire。Yannhadfastenedhisonanyhowuponhisbroadchest，buthewasoneofthosemenwhomanythingbecomes。AsforGaud，therewasstillsomethingoftheladyaboutthemannerinwhichshehadplacedtherudeflowersinherbodice，asofoldveryclosefittingtoherunrivalledform。
Theviolinplayer，wholedthewholeband，bewilderedbythewind，playedatrandom；histuneswereheardbyfitsandstartsbetwixtthenoisygusts，androseasshrillasthescreamingofasea-gull。AllPloubazlanechadturnedouttolookatthem。Thismarriageseemedtoexcitepeople"ssympathy，andmanyhadcomefromfararound；ateachturnoftheroadthereweregroupsstationedtoseethempass。NearlyallYann"smates，theIcelandersofPaimpol，werethere。Theycheeredthebrideandbridegroomastheypassed；Gaudreturnedtheirgreeting，bowingslightlylikeatownlady，withseriousgrace；andallalongthewayshewasgreatlyadmired。
Thedarkestandmostsecludedhamletsaround，eventhoseinthewoods，hadbeenemptiedofalltheirbeggars，cripples，wastrels，poor，andidiotsoncrutches；thesewretchesscatteredalongtheroad，withaccordionsandhurdy-gurdies；theyheldouttheirhandsandhatstoreceivethealmsthatYannthrewtothemwithhisownnoblelookandGaudwithherbeautifulqueenlysmile。Someofthesepoorwaifswereveryoldandworegraylocksonheadsthathadneverheldmuch；
crouchinginthehollowsoftheroadside，theywereofthesamecolourastheearthfromwhichtheyseemedtohavesprung，butsounformedassoontobereturnedwithouteverhavinghadanyhumanthoughts。Theirwanderingglanceswereasindecipherableasthemysteryoftheirabortiveanduselessexistences。Withoutcomprehending，theylookedatthemerrymakers"linepassby。ItwentonbeyondPors-EvenandtheGaoses"home。TheymeanttofollowtheancientbridaltraditionofPloubazlanecandgotothechapelofLaTrinite，whichissituatedattheveryendoftheBretoncountry。
Atthefootoftheoutermostcliff，itrestsonathresholdoflow-
lyingrocksclosetothewater，andseemsalmosttobelongtotheseaalready。Anarrowgoat"spathleadsdowntoitthroughmassesofgranite。
Theweddingpartyspreadovertheinclineoftheforsakencapehead；
andamongtherocksandstones，happywordswerelostintheroarofthewindandthesurf。
Itwasuselesstotryandreachthechapel；inthisboisterousweatherthepathwasnotsafe，theseacametooclosewithitshighrollers。
Itswhite-crestedspoutssprangupintheair，soastobreakovereverythinginaceaselessshower。
Yann，whohadadvancedthefarthestwithGaudonhisarm，wasthefirsttoretreatbeforethespray。Behind，hisweddingpartyhadremainedstrewnabouttherocks，inasemicircle；itseemedasifhehadcometopresenthiswifetothesea，whichreceivedherwithscowling，ill-bodingaspect。
Turninground，hecaughtsightoftheviolinistperchedonagrayrock，tryingvainlytoplayhisdancetunesbetweengustsofwind。
"Putupyourmusic，mylad，"saidYann；"oldNeptuneisplayingusaliveliertunethanyours。"
Aheavilybeatingshower，whichhadthreatenedsincemorning，begantofall。Therewasamadrushthen，accompaniedbyoutcriesandlaughter，toclimbupthebluffandtakerefugeattheGaoses"。
CHAPTERVII
THEDISCORDANTNOTE
TheweddingbreakfastwasgivenatYann"sparents"，becauseGaud"shomewassopoor。Ittookplaceupstairsinthegreatnewroom。Five-
and-twentyguestssatdownroundthenewlymarriedpair——sistersandbrothers，cousinGaosthepilot，Guermeur，Keraez，YvonDuff，alloftheold/Marie"s/crew，whowerenowthe/Leopoldine"s/；fourveryprettybridesmaids，withtheirhair-plaitswoundroundtheirears，liketheempresses"inancientByzantium，andtheirmodernwhitecaps，shapedlikesea-shells；andfourbestmen，allbroad-shoulderedIcelanders，withlargeproudeyes。
Downstairs，ofcourse，therewaseatingandcookinggoingon；thewholetrainoftheweddingprocessionhadgatheredthereindisorder；
andtheextraservants，hiredfromPaimpol，well-nighlosttheirsensesbeforethemightylumberingupofthecapacioushearthwithpotsandpans。
Yann"sparentswouldhavewishedaricherwifefortheirson，naturally，butGaudwasknownnowasagood，courageousgirl；andthen，inspiteofherlostfortune，shewasthegreatestbeautyinthecountry，anditflatteredthemtoseethecouplesowellmatched。
Theoldfatherwasinclinedtobemerryafterthesoup，andspokeofthebringingupofhisfourteenlittleGaoses；buttheywerealldoingwell，thankstothetenthousandfrancsthathadmadethemwelloff。
NeighbourGuermeurrelatedthetricksheplayedinthenavy，yarnsaboutChina，theWestIndies，andBrazil，makingtheyoungoneswhowouldbeoffsomeday，opentheireyesinwonderment。
"Thereisacryagainstthesea-service，"saidtheoldsailor，laughing，"butamancanhavefinefuninit。"
Theweatherdidnotclearup；onthecontrary，thewindandrainragedthroughthegloomynight；andinspiteofthecaretaken，someoftheguestswerefidgetyabouttheirsmacksanchoredintheharbour，andspokeofgettinguptogoandseeifallwasright。Buthereamorejovialsoundthaneverwasheardfromdownstairs，wheretheyoungermembersofthepartyweresuppingtogether；cheersofjoyandpealsoflaughterascended。Thelittlecousinswerebeginningtofeelexhilaratedbythecider。
Boiledandroastedmeatshadbeenservedupwithpoultry，differentkindsoffish，omeletsandpancakes。
Thedebatehadturneduponfisheryandsmuggling，andthebestmeansoffoolingthecoast-guardsmen，who，asweallknow，aretheswornenemiesofhonestseafarers。
Upstairs，atthegrandtable，oldcircumnavigatorswentsofarastorelatedrollstories，inthevernacular。
Butthewindwasragingaltogethertoostrong；forthewindowsshookwithaterribleclatter，andthemantellingthetalehadhurriedlyendedtogoandseetohissmack。
Thenanotherwenton:"WhenIwasbo"s"n"smateaboardofthe/Zenobie/，a-lyingatAden，anda-doingthedutyofacorporalofmarines，bythesametoken，yououghttoha"seentheostridgefeathertradersa-tryingtoscrambleupovertheside。[/Imitatingthebrokentalk/]"Bon-joo，cap"n!we"renotthiefs——we"rehonestmerchants"——
Honest，myeye!withasweepofthebucket，apurtendingtodrawsomewaterup，Isent"emallflyingbackanoar"slength。"Honestmerchants，areye，"saysI，"thensendusupabunchofhonestfeathersfirst——withaharddollarortwointhecoreofit，d"yesee，andthenI"llbelieveinyourhonesty!"Why，Icouldha"mademyfortun"outofthembeggars，ifIhadn"tbeenbornandbroughtuphonestmyself，andbutasucking-doveinwisdom，sayingnothingofmyhavingasweetheartatTouloninthemillineryline，whocouldhaveusedanyquantityoffeathers——"
Ha!here"soneofYann"slittlebrothers，afutureIcelandfisherman，withafreshpinkfaceandbrighteyes，whoissuddenlytakenillfromhavingdrunktoomuchcider。SolittleLaumechastobecarriedoff，whichcutsshortthestoryofthemillinerandthefeathers。
Thewindwailedinthechimneylikeanevilspiritintorment；withfearfulstrength，itshookthewholehouseonitsstonefoundation。
"Itstrikesmethewindisstirredup，acoswe"reenjoyingofourselves，"saidthepilotcousin。
"No，it"stheseathat"swrathy，"correctedYann，smilingatGaud，"becauseI"dpromisedI"dbeweddedto/her/。"
Astrangelanguorseemedtoenvelopthemboth；theyspoketooneanotherinalowvoice，apart，inthemidstofthegeneralgaiety。
Yann，knowingthoroughlytheeffectofwine，didnotdrinkatall。Nowandthenheturneddulltoo，thinkingofSylvestre。Itwasanunderstoodthingthattherewastobenodancing，onaccountofhimandofGaud"sdeadfather。
Itwasthedessertnow；thesingingwouldsoonbegin。Butfirstthereweretheprayerstosay，forthedeadofthefamily；thisformisneveromitted，atallwedding-feasts，andisasolemnduty。SowhenoldGaosroseanduncoveredhiswhitehead，therewasadeadsilencearound。
"This，"saidhe，"isforGuillaumeGaos，myfather。"Makingthesignofthecross，hebegantheLord"sprayerinLatin:"/Paternoster，quiesincoelis，sanctificeturnomentumm/——"
Thesilenceincludedall，eventothejoyfullittleonesdownstairs，andeveryvoicewasrepeatinginanundertonethesameeternalwords。
"ThisisforYvesandJeanGaos，mytwobrothers，whowerelostintheSeaofIceland。ThisisforPierreGaos，myson，shipwreckedaboardthe/Zelie/。"WhenallthedeadGaoseshadhadtheirprayers，heturnedtowardsgrandmotherMoan，saying，"ThisoneisforSylvestreMoan。"
Yannweptasherecitedanotherprayer。
"/Sedliberanosamalo。Amen/!"
Thenthesongsbegan；sea-songslearnedinthenavy，ontheforecastle，whereweallknowthereareraregoodvocalists。
"/Unnoblecorps，pasmoinsqueceluidesZouaves/，"etc。
AnobleandagallantladTheZouaveis，weknow，But，cappinghimforbravery，Thesailorstands，Itrow。
Hurrah，hurrah!longlifetohim，Whoseglorynevercangrowdim!
Thiswassungbyoneofthebride"ssupporters，inafeelingtonethatwenttothesoul；andthechoruswastakenupbyotherfine，manlyvoices。
Butthenewlyweddedpairseemedtolistenasfromadistance。Whentheylookedatoneanother，theireyesshonewithdulledbrilliance，likethatoftransparentlyshadedlamps。Theyspokeinevenalowervoice，andstillheldeachother"shands。Gaudbentherhead，too，graduallyovercomebyavast，delightfulterror，beforehermaster。
Thepilotcousinwentaroundthetable，servingoutawineofhisown；
hehadbroughtitwithmuchcare，huggingandpattingthebottle，whichoughtnottobeshaken，hesaid。Hetoldthestoryofit。Onedayoutfishingtheysawacaska-floating；itwastoobigtohaulonboard，sotheyhadstoveintheheadandfilledallthepotsandpanstheyhad，withmostofitscontents。Itwasimpossibletotakeall，sotheyhadsignalledtootherpilotsandfishers，andallthesailsinsighthadflockedroundtheflotsam。
"AndIknowmorethanoneoldsobersideswhowasgloriouslytopheavywhenwegotbacktoPors-Evenatnight!"hechuckledliquorishly。
Thewindstillwentonwithitsfearfuldin。
Downstairsthechildrenweredancinginrings；exceptsomeoftheyoungest，senttobed；buttheothers，whowererompingabout，ledbylittleFantec(Francis)andLaumec(Guillaume)，wantedtogoandplayoutside。Everyminutetheywereopeningthedoorandlettinginfuriousgusts，whichblewoutthecandles。
Thepilotcousinwentonwithhisstory。Fortybottleshadfallentohislot，hesaid。Hebeggedthemalltosaynothingaboutit，becauseof"/MonsieurleCommissairedel"InscriptionMaritime/，"whowouldsurelymakeafussovertheundeclaredfind。
"But，d"yesee，"hewenton，"itsarvedthelubbersrighttoheaveoversuchavallyblecaskorletit"scapethelashings，forit"ssuperiorquality，withsartinlymorejinywinegrape-juiceinitthaninallthewine-merchants"cellarsofPaimpol。Goodnessknowswhenceitcame——thisherecastawayliquor。"
Itwasverystrongandrichincolour，dashedwithsea-water，andhadtheflavourofcod-pickle，butinspiteofthat，relishable；andseveralbottleswereemptied。
Someheadsbegantospin；theBabelofvoicesbecamemoreconfused，andtheladskissedthelasseslesssurreptitiously。
Thesongsjoyouslycontinued；butthewindswouldnotmoderate，andtheseamenexchangedtokensofapprehensionaboutthebadweatherincreasing。
Thesinisterclamourwithoutwasindeedworsethanever。Ithadbecomeonecontinuoushowl，deepandthreatening，asifathousandmadcreatureswereyellingwithfullthroatsandout-stretchednecks。
Onemightimagineheavysea-gunsshootingouttheirdeafeningboominthedistance，butthatwasonlytheseahammeringthecoastofPloubazlaneconallpoints；undoubtedlyitdidnotappearcontented，andGaudfeltherheartshrinkatthisdismalmusic，whichnoonehadorderedfortheirwedding-feast。
Towardsmidnight，duringacalm，Yann，whohadrisensoftly，beckonedhiswifetocometospeakwithhim。
Itwastogohome。Sheblushed，filledwithshame，andconfusedathavingleftherseatsopromptly。Shesaiditwouldbeimpolitetogoawaydirectlyandleavetheothers。
"Notabitonit，"repliedYann，"myfatherallowsit；wemaygo，"andawayhecarriedher。
Theyhurriedawaystealthily。Outsidetheyfoundthemselvesinthecold，thebitterwind，andthemiserable，agitatednight。Theybegantorunhand-in-hand。
Fromtheheightofthecliff-path，onecouldimagine，withoutseeingit，thefuriousopensea，whencearoseallthishubbub。Theyranalong，thewindcuttingtheirfaces，bothbowedbeforetheangrygusts，andobligedtoputtheirhandsovertheirmouthstocovertheirbreathing，whichthewindhadcompletelytakenawayatfirst。
Heheldherupbythewaistattheoutset，tokeepherdressfromtrailingontheground，andherfinenewshoesfrombeingspoiledinthewater，whichstreamedabouttheirfeet，andnextheheldherroundtheneck，too，andcontinuedtorunonstillfaster。Hecouldhardlyrealizethathelovedhersomuch!Tothinkthatshewasnowtwenty-
threeandhenearlytwenty-eight；thattheymighthavebeenmarriedtwoyearsago，andashappythenasto-night!
Atlasttheyarrivedathome，thatpoorlodging，withitsdampflooringandmoss-grownroof。Theylitthecandle，whichthewindblewouttwice。
OldgrandamMoan，whohadbeentakenhomebeforethesingingbegan，wasthere。Shehadbeensleepingforthelasttwohoursinherbunk，theflapsofwhichwereshut。Theydrewnearwithrespectandpeepedthroughthefretworkofherpress，tobidhergood-night，ifbychanceshewerenotasleep。Buttheyonlyperceivedherstillvenerablefaceandclosedeyes；sheslept，orshefeignedtodoso，nottodisturbthem。
Theyfelttheywerealonethen。Bothtrembledastheyclaspedhands。
Hebentforwardtokissherlips；butGaudturnedthemaside，throughignoranceofthatkindofkiss；andaschastelyasontheeveningoftheirbetrothal，shepressedherstoYann"scheek，whichwaschilled，almostfrozen，bythewind。
Itwasbitterlycoldintheirpoor，low-roofedcottage。IfGaudhadonlyremainedrich，whathappinessshewouldhavefeltinarrangingaprettyroom，notlikethisoneonthebareground!Shewasscarcelyyetusedtotheseruggedgranitewalls，andtheroughlookofallthingsaround；butherYannwastherenow，andbyhispresenceeverythingwaschangedandtransfigured。Shesawonlyherhusband。
Theirlipsmetnow；noturningaside。Stillstandingwiththeirarmsintertwinedtightlytodrawthemselvestogether，theyremaineddumb，intheperfectecstasyofanever-endingkiss。Theirflutteringbreathcommingled，andbothquiveredasifinaburningfever。Theyseemedwithoutpowertotearthemselvesapart，andknewnothinganddesirednothingbeyondthatlongkissofconsecratedlove。
Shedrewherselfaway，suddenlyagitated。"Nay，Yann!GrannyYvonnemightseeus，"shefaltered。
Buthe，withasmile，soughthiswife"slipsagainandfastenedhisownuponthem，likeathirstymanwhosecupoffreshwaterhadbeentakenfromhim。
Themovementtheyhadmadebrokethecharmofdelightfulhesitation。
Yann，who，atthefirst，wasgoingtokneeltoherasbeforeasaint，felthimselffiredagain。Heglancedstealthilytowardstheoldoakenbunk，irritatedatbeingsoclosetotheoldwoman，andseekingsomewaynottobespiedupon，buteverwithoutbreakingawayfromthoseexquisitelips。
Hestretchedforthhisarmbehindhim，andwiththebackofhishanddashedoutthelight，asifthewindhaddoneit。Thenhesnatchedherupinhisarms。Stillholdingherclose，withhismouthcontinuallypressedtohers，heseemedlikeawildlionwithhisteethembeddedinhisprey。Forherpartshegaveherselfupentirely，tothatbodyandsoulseizurethatwasimperiousandwithoutpossibleresistance，eventhoughitremainedsoftasagreatall-comprisingembrace。
Aroundthem，fortheirweddinghymn，thesameinvisibleorchestra，playedon——"Hoo-ooh-hoo!"Attimesthewindbellowedoutinitsdeepnoise，witha/tremolo/ofrage；andagainrepeateditsthreats，asifwithrefinedcruelty，inlowsustainedtones，flute-likeasthehootofanowl。
Thebroad，fathomlessgraveofallsailorslaynightothem，restlessandravenous，drummingagainstthecliffswithitsmuffledboom。
OnenightoranotherYannwouldhavetobecaughtinthatmaw，andbattlewithitinthemidstoftheterroroficeaswell。Bothknewthisplainly。
Butwhatmatteredthatnowtothemonland，shelteredfromthesea"sfutilefury。Intheirpoorgloomycottage，overwhichtempestrushed，theyscornedallthatwashostile，intoxicatedanddelightfullyfortifiedagainstthewholebytheeternalmagicoflove。
CHAPTERVIII
THEBLISSFULWEEK
Forsixdaystheywerehusbandandwife。Inthistimeofleave-takingthepreparationsfortheIcelandseasonoccupiedeverybody。Thewomenheapedupthesaltforthepickleintheholdsofthevessels；themensawtothemastsandrigging。Yann"smotherandsistersworkedfrommorningtillnightatthemakingofthesou"westersandoilskinwaterproofs。
Theweatherwasdull，andthesea，forefeelingtheapproachoftheequinoctialgales，wasrestlessandheaving。
Gaudwentthroughtheseinexorablepreparationswithagony；countingthefleetinghoursoftheday，andlookingforwardtothenight，whentheworkwasover，andshewouldhaveherYanntoherself。
Wouldheleavehereveryyearinthisway？
Shehopedtobeabletokeephimback，butshedidnotdaretospeaktohimaboutthiswishasyet。Helovedherpassionately，too；heneverhadknownanythinglikethisaffectionbefore；itwassuchafresh，trustingtendernessthatthesamecaressesandfondlingsalwaysseemedasifnovelandunknownheretofore；andtheirintoxicationoflovecontinuedtoincrease，andneverseemed——neverwassatiated。
Whatcharmedandsurprisedherinhermatewashistendernessandboyishness。ThistheYanninlove，whomshehadsometimesseenatPaimpolmostcontemptuoustowardsthegirls。Onthecontrary，toherhealwaysmaintainedthatkindlycourtesythatseemednaturaltohim，andsheadoredthatbeautifulsmilethatcametohimwhenevertheireyesmet。Amongthesesimplefolkthereexiststhefeelingofabsoluterespectforthedignityofthewife；thereisanoceanbetweenherandthesweetheart。Gaudwasessentiallythewife。Shewassorelytroubledinherhappiness，however，foritseemedsomethingtoounhopedfor，asunstableasajoyfuldream。Besides，wouldthislovebelastinginYann？Sherememberedsometimeshisformerflames，hisfanciesanddifferentloveadventures，andthenshegrewfearful。Wouldhealwayscherishthatinfinitetendernessandsweetrespectforher？
Sixdaysofaweddedlife，forsuchaloveastheirs，wasnothing；
onlyafeveredinstalmenttakenfromthemarriedlifeterm，whichmightbesolongbeforethemyet!Theyhadscarcelyhadleisuretobetogetheratallandunderstandthattheyreallybelongedtooneanother。Alltheirplansoflifetogether，ofpeacefuljoy，andsettlingdown，wasforcedlyputofftillthefisherman"sreturn。
No!atanypriceshewouldstophimfromgoingtothisdreadfulIcelandanotheryear!Buthowshouldshemanage？Andwhatcouldtheydoforalivelihood，beingbothsopoor？Thenagainhesodearlylovedthesea。Butinspiteofall，shewouldtryandkeephimhomeanotherseason；shewoulduseallherpower，intelligence，andhearttodoso。
WasshetobethewifeofanIcelander，towatcheachspring-tideapproachwithsadness，andpassthewholesummerinpainfulanxiety？
no，nowthatshelovedhim，aboveeverythingthatshecouldimagine，shefeltseizedwithanimmenseterroratthethoughtofyearstocomethusrobbedofthebetterpart。