第8章
Theyhadonespringdaytogether——onlyone。Itwasthedaybeforethesailing；allthestoreshadbeenshipped，andYannremainedthewholedaywithher。Theystrolledalong，arm-in-arm，throughthelanes，likesweetheartsagain，veryclosetooneanother，murmuringathousandtenderthings。Thegoodfolksmiled，astheysawthempass，saying:
"It"sGaud，withlongYannfromPors-Even。Theyweremarriedonlyt"otherday!"
Thislastdaywasreallyspring。Itwasstrangeandwonderfultobeholdthisuniversalserenity。Notasinglecloudmarredthelatelyfleckedsky。Thewinddidnotblowanywhere。Theseahadbecomequitetranquil，andwasofapale，evenbluetint。Thesunshonewithglaringwhitebrilliancy，andtheroughBretonlandseemedbathedinitslight，asinarare，delicateether；itseemedtobrightenandreviveevenintheutmostdistance。Theairhadadelicious，balmyscent，asofsummeritself，andseemedasifitwerealwaysgoingtoremainso，andneverknowanymoregloomy，thunderousdays。Thecapesandbaysoverwhichthechangefulshadowsofthecloudsnolongerpassed，wereoutlinedinstrongsteadylinesinthesunlight，andappearedtorestalsointhelong-duringcalm。Allthismadetheirlovingfestivalsweeterandlongerdrawnout。Theearlyflowersalreadyappeared:primroses，andfrail，scentlessvioletsgrewalongthehedgerows。
WhenGaudasked:"Howlongthenareyougoingtoloveme，Yann？"
Heanswered，surprisedly，lookingatherfullinthefacewithhisfrankeyes:"Why，forever，Gaud。"
Thatword，spokensosimplybyhisfiercelips，seemedtohaveitstruesenseofeternity。
Sheleanedonhisarm。Intheenchantmentofherrealizeddream，shepressedclosetohim，alwaysanxious，feelingthathewasasflightyasawildsea-bird。To-morrowhewouldtakehissoaringontheopensea。Anditwastoolatenow，shecoulddonothingtostophim。
Fromthecliff-pathswheretheywandered，theycouldseethewholeofthissea-boundcountry；whichseemsalmosttreeless，strewnwithlow，stuntedbushandboulders。Hereandtherefishers"hutswerescatteredovertherocks，theirhighbatteredthatchesmadegreenbythecroppingupofnewmosses；andintheextremedistance，thesea，likeaboundlesstransparency，stretchedoutinanever-endinghorizon，whichseemedtoencircleeverything。
SheenjoyedtellinghimaboutallthewonderfulthingsshehadseeninParis，buthewasverycontemptuous，andwasnotinterested。
"It"ssofarfromthecoast，"saidhe，"andthereissomuchlandbetween，thatitmustbeunhealthy。Somanyhousesandsomanypeople，too，about!Theremustbelotsofillsandailsinthosebigtowns；
no，Ishouldn"tliketolivethere，certainsure!"
Shesmiled，surprisedtoseethisgiantsosimpleafellow。
Sometimestheycameacrosshollowswheretreesgrewandseemedtodefythewinds。Therewasnoviewhere，onlydeadleavesscatteredbeneaththeirfeetandchillydampness；thenarrowway，borderedonbothsidesbygreenreeds，seemedverydismalundertheshadowofthebranches；
hemmedinbythewallsofsomedark，lonelyhamlet，rottingwitholdage，andslumberinginthishollow。
Acrucifixaroseinevitablybeforethem，amongthedeadbranches，withitscolossalimageofOurSaviourinweather-wornwood，itsfeatureswrungwithHisendlessagony。
Thenthepathwayroseagain，andtheyfoundthemselvescommandingtheviewofimmensehorizons——andbreathedthebracingairofsea-heightsoncemore。
He，tomatchher，spokeofIceland，itspale，nightlesssummersandsunthatneverset。Gauddidnotunderstandandaskedhimtoexplain。
"Thesungoesallround，"saidhe，wavinghisarminthedirectionofthedistantcircleofthebluewaters。"Italwaysremainsverylow，becauseithasnostrengthtorise；atmidnight，itdragsabitthroughthewater，butsoongetsupandbeginsitsjourneyroundagain。Sometimesthemoonappearstoo，attheothersideofthesky；
thentheymovetogether，andyoucan"tverywelltellonefromt"other，fortheyaremuchalikeinthatqueercountry。"
Toseethesunatmidnight!HowveryfaroffIcelandmustbeforsuchmarvelstohappen!Andthefjords？Gaudhadreadthatwordseveraltimeswrittenamongthenamesofthedeadinthechapeloftheshipwrecked，anditseemedtoportendsomegrislything。
"Thefjords，"saidYann，"theyarenotbroadbays，likePaimpol，forinstance；onlytheyaresurroundedbyhighmountains——sohighthattheyseemendless，becauseofthecloudsupontheirtops。It"sasorrycountry，Icantellyou，darling。Nothingbutstones。ThepeopleofIcelandknowofnosuchthingsastrees。InthemiddleofAugust，whenourfisheryisover，it"squitetimetoreturn，forthenightsbeginagainthen，andtheylengthenoutveryquickly；thesunfallsbelowtheearthwithoutbeingabletogetup，andthatnightlastsallthewinterthrough。Talkingofnight，"hecontinued，"there"salittleburying-groundonthecoastinoneofthefjords，forPaimpolmenwhohavediedduringtheseasonorwentdownatsea；it"sconsecratedearth，justlikeatPors-Even，andthedeadhavewoodencrossesjustlikeourshere，withtheirnamespaintedonthem。ThetwoGoazdiousfromPloubazlanecliethere，andGuillaumeMoan，Sylvestre"sgrandfather。"
Shecouldalmostseethelittlechurchyardatthefootofthesolitarycapes，underthepalerose-colouredlightofthosenever-endingdays，andshethoughtofthosedistantdead，undertheiceanddarkwindingsheetsofthelongnight-likewinters。
"Doyoufishthewholetime？"sheasked，"withouteverstopping？"
"Thewholetime，thoughwesomehowgetonwithworkondeck，fortheseaisn"talwaysfineoutthere。Well!ofcoursewe"redeadbeatwhenthenightcomes，butitgivesamananappetite——blessyou，dearest，weregularlygobbledownourmeals。"
"Doyouneverfeelsickofit？"
"Never，"returnedhe，withanairofunshakenfaithwhichpainedher；
"ondeck，ontheopensea，thetimeneverseemslongtoaman——never!"
Shehungherhead，feelingsadderthanever，andmoreandmorevanquishedbyheronlyenemy，thesea。
PARTV
THESECONDWEDDING
CHAPTERI
THESTART
Afterthespringdaytheyhadenjoyed，thefallingnightbroughtbacktheimpressionofwinter，andtheyreturnedtodinebeforetheirfire，whichwasflamingwithnewbranches。Itwastheirlastmealtogether；
buttheyhadsomehoursyet，andwerenotsaddened。
Afterdinner，theyrecoveredthesweetimpressionofspringagain，outonthePors-Evenroad；fortheairwascalm，almostgenial，andthetwilightstilllingeredovertheland。
Theywenttoseethefamily——forYanntobidgood-bye——andreturnedearly，astheywishedtorisewithbreakofday。
ThenextmorningthequayofPaimpolwascrowdedwithpeople。ThedeparturesforIcelandhadbegunthedaybefore，andwitheachtidetherewasafreshfleetoff。Onthisparticularmorning，fifteenvesselsweretostartwiththe/Leopoldine/，andthewivesormothersofthesailorswereallpresentatthegettingundersail。
Gaud，whowasnowthewifeofanIcelander，wasmuchsurprisedtofindherselfamongthemall，andbroughtthitherforthesamefatefulpurpose。Herpositionseemedtohavebecomesointensifiedwithinthelastfewdays，thatshehadbarelyhadtimetorealizethingsastheywere；glidingirresistiblydownanincline，shehadarrivedatthisinexorableconclusionthatshemustbearupforthepresent，anddoastheothersdid，whowereaccustomedtoit。
Sheneverbeforehadbeenpresentatthesefarewells；henceallwasnewtoher。Amongthesewomenwasnonelikeher，andshefeltherdifferenceandisolation。Herpastlife，asalady，wasstillremembered，andcausedhertobesetasideasoneapart。
Theweatherhadremainedfineonthisparting-day；butoutatseaaheavyswellcamefromthewest，foretellingwind，andthesea，lyinginwaitforthesenewadventurers，burstitscrestsafar。
AroundGaudstoodmanygood-lookingwiveslikeher，andtouching，withtheireyesbigwithtears；otherswerethoughtlessandlively；thesehadnoheartorwerenotinlove。Oldwomen，threatenednearlybydeath，weptastheyclungtotheirsons；sweetheartskissedeachother；half-maudlinsailorssangtocheerthemselvesup，whileotherswentonboardwithgloomylooksastotheirexecution。
Manysadincidentscouldbemarked；therewerepoorlucklessfellowswhohadsignedtheircontractsunconsciously，wheninliquorinthegrog-shop，andtheyhadtobedraggedonboardbyforce；theirownwiveshelpingthegendarmes。Others，notedfortheirgreatstrength，hadbeendruggedindrinkbeforehand，andwerecarriedlikecorpsesonstretchers，andflungdownintheforecastles。
Gaudwasfrightenedbyallthis；whatcompanionsweretheseforherYann？andwhatafearfulthingwasthisIceland，toinspiremenwithsuchterrorofit？
Yetthereweresailorswhosmiled，andwerehappy；who，doubtless，likeYann，lovedtheuntrammelledlifeandhardfishingwork；thosewerethesound，ableseamen，whohadfinenoblecountenances；iftheywereunmarriedtheywentoffrecklessly，merelycastingalastlookonthelasses；andiftheyweremarried，theykissedtheirwivesandlittleones，withferventsadnessanddeephopefulnessastoreturninghomeallthericher。
Gaudwasalittlecomfortedwhenshesawthatallthe/Leopoldines/
wereofthelatterclass，formingreallyapickedcrew。
Thevesselssetofftwobytwo，orfourbyfour，drawnoutbythetugs。Assoonastheymovedthesailorsraisedtheircapsand，full-
voiced，struckupthehymntotheVirgin:"/Salut，Etoile-de-la-Mer/!"
(AllHail!StaroftheSea!)，whileonthequay，thewomenwavedtheirhandsforalastfarewell，andtearsfelluponthelacestringsofthecaps。
Assoonasthe/Leopoldine/started，GaudquicklysetofftowardsthehouseoftheGaoses。Afteranhourandahalf"swalkalongthecoast，throughthefamiliarpathsofPloubazlanec，shearrivedthere，attheveryland"send，withinthehomeofhernewfamily。
The/Leopoldine/wastocastanchoroffPors-Evenbeforestartingdefinitelyintheevening，sothemarriedpairhadmadealastappointmenthere。Yanncametolandintheyawl，andstayedanotherthreehourswithhertobidhergood-byeonfirmland。Theweatherwasstillbeautifulandspring-like，andtheskyserene。
Theywalkedoutonthehighroadarm-in-arm，anditremindedthemoftheirwalkthedaybefore。TheystrolledontowardsPaimpolwithoutanyapparentobjectinview，andsooncametotheirownhouse，asifunconsciouslydrawnthere；theyenteredtogetherforthelasttime。
GrandamMoanwasquiteamazedatseeingthemtogetheragain。
YannleftmanyinjunctionswithGaudconcerningseveralofhisthingsinhiswardrobe，especiallyabouthisfineweddingclothes；shewastotakethemoutoccasionallyandairtheminthesun，andsoon。Onboardshipthesailorslearnallthesehousehold-likematters；butGaudwasamusedtohearit。Herhusbandmighthavebeensure，though，thatallhisthingswouldbekeptandattendedto，withlovingcare。
Butallthesematterswereverysecondaryforthem；theyspokeofthemonlytohavesomethingtotalkabout，andtohidetheirrealfeelings。
Theywentonspeakinginlow，softtones，asiffearingtofrightenawaythemomentsthatremained，andsomaketimeflitbymoreswiftlystill。Theirconversationwasasathingthathadinexorablytocometoanend；andthemostinsignificantthingsthattheysaidseemed，onthisday，tobecomewondrous，mysterious，andimportant。
AttheverylastmomentYanncaughtuphiswifeinhisarms，andwithoutsayingaword，theywereenfoldedinalongandsilentembrace。
Heembarked；thegraysailswereunfurledandspreadouttothelightwindthatrosefromthewest。He，whomshestillcoulddistinguish，wavedhiscapinaparticularwayagreedonbetweenthem。Andwithherfigureoutlinedagainstthesea，shegazedforalong，longtimeuponherdepartinglove。
Thattiny，human-shapedspeck，appearingblackagainstthebluishgrayofthewaters，wasstillherhusband，eventhoughalreadyitbecamevagueandindefinable，lostinthedistance，wherepersistentsightbecomesbaffled，andcanseenolonger。
Asthe/Leopoldine/fadedoutofvision，Gaud，asifdrawnbyamagnet，followedthepathwayallalongthecliffstillshehadtostop，becausethelandcametoanend；shesatdownatthefootofatallcross，whichrisesamidstthegorseandstones。Asitwasratheranelevatedspot，thesea，asseenfromthere，appearedtoberimmed，asinabowl，andthe/Leopoldine/，nowamerepoint，appearedsailinguptheinclineofthatimmensecircle。Thewaterroseingreatslowundulations，liketheupheavalsofasubmarinecombatgoingonsomewherebeyondthehorizon；butoverthegreatspacewhereYannstillwas，alldweltcalm。
Gaudstillgazedattheship，tryingtofixitsimagewellinherbrain，sothatshemightrecogniseitagainfromafar，whenshereturnedtothesameplacetowatchforitshome-coming。
Greatswellsnowrolledinfromthewest，oneafteranother，withoutcessation，renewingtheiruselessefforts，andeverbreakingoverthesamerocks，foamingoverthesameplaces，towashthesamestones。Thestifledfuryoftheseaappearedstrange，consideringtheabsolutecalmnessoftheairandsky；itwasasifthebedoftheseaweretoofullandwouldoverflowandswallowupthestrand。
The/Leopoldine/hadgrownsmallerandsmaller，andwaslostinthedistance。Doubtlesstheunder-towcarriedheralong，forshemovedswiftlyandyettheeveningbreezeswereveryfaint。Nowshewasonlyatiny，graytouch，andwouldsoonreachtheextremehorizonofallvisiblethings，andenterthoseinfiniteregions，whencedarknesswasbeginningtocome。
Goingonseveno"clock，nightclosed，andtheboathaddisappeared。
Gaudreturnedhome，feelingwithalratherbrave，notwithstandingthetearsthatuncontainablyfell。Whatadifferenceitwouldhavebeen，andwhatstillgreaterpain，ifhehadgoneaway，asinthetwoprecedingyears，withoutevenagood-bye!Whilenoweverythingwassoftenedandbetteredbetweenthem。HewasreallyherownYann，andsheknewherselftobesotrulyloved，notwithstandingthisseparation，that，asshereturnedhomealone，shefeltatleastconsoledbythethoughtofthedelightfulwaitingforthat"soonagain!"toberealizedtowhichtheyhadpledgedthemselvesfortheautumn。
CHAPTERII
THEFIRSTOFTHEFLEET
Thesummerpassedsadly，beinghotanduneventful。Shewatchedanxiouslyforthefirstyellowedleaves，andthefirstgatheringoftheswallows，andbloomingofthechrysanthemums。ShewrotetoYannseveraltimesbytheboatsboundforRykawyk，andbythegovernmentcruisers，butonenevercanbesureofsuchlettersreachingtheirdestination。
TowardstheendofJuly，shereceivedaletterfromhim，however。Hetoldherthathishealthwasgood，thatthefishingseasonpromisedtobeexcellent，andthathealreadyhad1500fishforhisshare。Frombeginningtoend，itwaswritteninthesimpleconventionalwayofalltheseIcelanders"homeletters。MeneducatedlikeYanncompletelyignorehowtowritethethousandthingstheythink，feel，orfancy。
Beingmorecultivatedthanhe，Gaudcouldunderstandthis，andreadbetweenthelinesthatdeepaffectionthatwasunexpressed。Severaltimesinthefour-pagedletter，hecalledherbythetitleof"wife，"
asifhappyinrepeatingtheword。Andtheaddressabove:"/AMadameMargueriteGaos，maisonMoan，enPloubazlanec/"——shewas"MadameMargueriteGaos"sincesoshortatime。
Sheworkedhardduringthesesummermonths。TheladiesofPaimpolhad，atfirst，hardlybelievedinhertalentasanamateurdressmaker，sayingherhandsweretoofine-ladyish；buttheysoonperceivedthatsheexcelledinmakingdressesthatwereverynice-fitting，soshehadbecomealmostafamousdressmaker。
Shespentallherearningsinembellishingtheirhomeagainsthisreturn。Thewardrobeandold-shelvedbedswerealldoneupafresh，waxedover，andbrightnewfasteningsputon；shehadputapaneofglassintotheirlittlewindowtowardsthesea，andhungupapairofcurtains；andshehadboughtanewcounterpaneforthewinter，withnewchairsandtable。
ShehadkeptthemoneyuntouchedthatherYannhadlefther，carefullyputbyinasmallChinesebox，toshowhimwhenhereturned。Duringthesummerevenings，bythefadinglight，shesatoutbeforethecottagedoorwithGrannyMoan，whoseheadwasmuchbetterinthewarmweather，andknittedafinenewbluewooljerseyforherYann；roundthecollarandcuffswerewonderfulopen-workembroideries。GrannyYvonnehadbeenaverycleverknitterinherday，andnowshetaughtallsheknewtoGaud。Theworktookagreatdealofwool；forithadtobealargejerseytofitYann。
Butsoon，especiallyintheevenings，theshorteningofthedayscouldbeperceived。Someplants，whichhadputforthalltheirblossomsinJuly，begantolookyellowanddying，andthevioletscabiousbythewaysidebloomedforthesecondtime，smallernow，andlonger-stalked；
thelastdaysofAugustdrewnigh，andthefirstreturn-shipfromIcelandhoveinsightoneeveningatthecapeofPors-Even。Thefeastofthereturnersbegan。
Everyonepressedinacrowdontheclifftowelcomeit。Whichonewasit？
Itwasthe/Samuel-Azenide/，alwaysthefirsttoreturn。
"Surely，"saidYann"soldfather，"the/Leopoldine/won"tbelongnow；
Iknowhow"tisoutyonder:whenoneof"embeginstostarthomeward，theotherscan"thangbackinanypeace。"
CHAPTERIII
ALLBUTTWO
TheIcelanderswereallreturningnow。Twoshipscameinthesecondday，fourthenext，andtwelveduringthefollowingweek。And，allthroughthecountry，joyreturnedwiththem，andtherewashappinessforthewivesandmothers；andjunketsinthetavernswherethebeautifulbarmaidsofPaimpolservedoutdrinktothefishers。
The/Leopoldine/wasamongthebelated；therewereyetanothertenexpected。Theywouldnotbelongnow，andallowingaweek"sdelaysoasnottobedisappointed，Gaudwaitedinhappy，passionatejoyforYann，keepingtheirhomebrightandtidyforhisreturn。Wheneverythingwasingoodordertherewasnothingleftforhertodo，andbesidesshecouldthinkofnothingelsebutherhusbandinherimpatience。
Threemoreshipsappeared；thenanotherfive。Therewereonlytwolackingnow。
"Come，come，"theysaidtohercheerily，"thisyearthe/Leopoldine/
andthe/Marie-Jeanne/willbethelast，topickupallthebroomsfallenoverboardfromtheothercraft。"
Gaudlaughedalso。Shewasmoreanimatedandbeautifulthanever，inhergreatjoyofexpectancy。
CHAPTERIV
STILLATSEA
Butthedayssucceededoneanotherwithoutresult。Shestilldressedherselfeveryday，andwithajoyfullook，wentdowntotheharbourtogossipwiththeotherwives。Shesaidthatthisdelaywasbutnatural；
wasitnotthesameeventeveryyear？Theseweresuchsafeboats，andhadsuchcapitalsailors。
Butwhenathomealone，atnight，anervous，anxiousshiverofanguishwouldrunthroughherwholeframe。
Wasitrighttobefrightenedalready？Wasthereevenasinglereasontobeso？Butshebegantotrembleatthemereideaofgroundsforbeingafraid。
CHAPTERV
SHARINGTHEDREAD
ThetenthofSeptembercame。Howswiftlythedaysflewby!
Onemorning，atrueautumnmorning，withcoldmistfallingovertheearth，intherisingsun，shesatundertheporchofthechapeloftheshipwreckedmariners，wherethewidowsgotopray，witheyesfixedandglassy，throbbingtemplestightenedasbyanironhand。
Thesesadmorningmistshadbeguntwodaysbefore，andonthisparticulardayGaudhadawakenedwithastillmorebitteruneasiness，causedbytheforecastofadvancingwinter。Whydidthisday，thishour，thisverymoment，seemtohermorepainfulthanthepreceding？
Oftenshipsaredelayedafortnight，evenamonth，forthatmatter。
Butsurelytherewassomethingdifferentaboutthisparticularmorning，forshehadcometo-dayforthefirsttimetositintheporchofthischapelandreadthenamesofthedeadsailors，perishedintheirprime。
"InmemoryofGAOS，YVON，LostatseaNeartheNorden-Fjord。"
Likeagreatshudder，agustofwindrosefromthesea，andatthesametimesomethingfelllikerainupontheroofabove。Itwasonlythedeadleavesthough；manywereblowninattheporch；theoldwind-
tossedtreesofthegraveyardwerelosingtheirfoliageinthisrisinggale，andwinterwasmarchingnearer。
"Lostatsea，NeartheNorden-Fjord，Inthestormofthe4thand5thofAugust，1880。"
Shereadmechanicallyunderthearchofthedoorway；hereyessoughttopiercethedistanceoverthesea。Thatmorningitwasuntraceableunderthegraymist，andadraggingdraperyofcloudsoverhungthehorizonlikeamourningveil。
Anothergustofwind，andotherleavesdancedininwhirls。Astrongerguststill，asifthewesternstormthathadstrewnthosedeadoverthesea，wishedtodefacetheveryinscriptionsthatrememberedtheirnamestotheliving。
Gaudlookedwithinvoluntarypersistencyatanemptyspaceuponthewallthatseemedtoyawnexpectant。Byaterribleimpressionshewaspursued，thethoughtofafreshslabwhichmightsoon，perhaps，beplacedthere，withanothernamewhichshedidnotevendaretothinkofinsuchaspot。
Shefeltcold，andremainedseatedonthegranitebench，herheadrecliningagainstthestonewall。
"neartheNorden-Fjord，Inthestormofthe4thand5thofAugust，Attheageof23years，/Requiescatinpace/!"
ThenIcelandloomedupbeforeher，withitslittlecemeterylightedupfrombelowthesea-linebythemidnightsunSuddenlyinthesameemptyspaceonthewall，withhorrifyingclearnessshesawthefreshslabshewasthinkingof；aclearwhiteone，withaskullandcross-
bones，andinaflashofforesight，aname——theworshippednameof"YannGaos!"Thenshesuddenlyandfearfullydrewherselfupstraightandstiff，withahoarse，wildcryinherthroatlikeamadcreature。
Outsidethegraymistofthedawnfellovertheland，andthedeadleaveswereagainblowndancinglyintotheporch。
Stepsonthefootpath？Somebodywascoming？Sheroseandquicklysmootheddownhercapandcomposedherface。Nearerdrewthesteps。
Sheassumedtheairofonewhomightbetherebychance；for，aboveall，shedidnotwishtoappearyet，likethewidowofashipwreckedmariner。
IthappenedtobeFanteFloury，thewifeofthesecondmateofthe/Leopoldine/。SheunderstoodimmediatelywhatGaudwasdoingthere；itwasuselesstodissemblewithher。Atfirsteachwomanstoodspeechlessbeforetheother。Theywereangryandalmosthatedeachotherforhavingmetwithalikesentimentofapprehension。
"AllthemenofTreguierandSaintBrieuchavebeenbackthisweek，"
saidFanteatlast，inapitiless，muffled，half-irritatedvoice。
Shecarriedablessedtaperinherhand，toofferupaprayer。Gauddidnotwishyettoresorttothatextremeresourceofdespairingwives。YetsilentlysheenteredthechapelbehindFante，andtheykneltdowntogethersidebyside，liketwosisters。
Tothe"StaroftheSea"theyofferedardentimploringprayers，withtheirwholesoulinthem。Asoundofsobbingwasaloneheard，astheirrapidtearsswiftlyfelluponthefloor。Theyrosetogether，moreconfidentandsoftened。FanteheldupGaud，whostaggered，andtakingherinherarms，kissedher。
Wipingtheireyes，andsmoothingtheirdishevelledhair，theybrushedoffthesaltdustfromtheflagstones，soilingtheirgowns，andtheywentawayinoppositedirections，withoutanotherword。
CHAPTERVI
ALLBUTONE
ThisendofSeptemberwaslikeanothersummer，onlyalittlelesslively。Theweatherwassobeautiful，thathaditnotbeenforthedeadleavesthatfellupontheroads，onemighthavethoughtthatJunehadcomebackagain。Husbandsandsweetheartshadallreturned，andeverywherewasthejoyofasecondspring-timeoflove。
Atlast，oneday，oneofthemissingshipswassignalled。Whichonewasit？
Thegroupsofspeechlessandanxiouswomenhadrapidlyformedonthecliff。Gaud，paleandtrembling，wasthere，bythesideofherYann"sfather。
"I"malmostsure，"saidtheoldfisher，"I"malmostsureit"sthem!A
redrailandatopsailthatclewsup——it"sverylikethemanyhow。Whatdoyoumakeit，Gaud？
"No，itisn"t，"hewenton，withsuddendiscouragement；"we"vemadeamistakeagain，theboomisn"tthesame，andourshasajiggersail。
Well，well，itisn"tourboatthistime，it"sonlythe/Marie-Jeanne/。
Nevermind，mylass，surelythey"llnotbelongnow。"
Butdayfollowedday，andnightsucceedednight，withuninterruptedserenity。
Gaudcontinuedtodresseverydaylikeapoorcrazedwoman，alwaysinfearofbeingtakenforthewidowofashipwreckedsailor，feelingexasperatedwhenotherslookedfurtivelyandcompassionatelyather，andglancingasidesothatshemightnotmeetthoseglancesthatfrozeherveryblood。
Shehadfallenintothehabitofgoingintheearlymorningrighttotheendoftheheadland，onthehighcliffsofPors-Even，passingbehindYann"soldhome，soasnottobeseenbyhismotherorlittlesisters。ShewenttotheextremepointofthePloubazlanecland，whichisoutlinedintheshapeofareindeer"shornuponthegraywatersofthechannel，andsattherealldaylongatthefootofthelonelycross，whichriseshighabovetheimmensewasteoftheocean。Therearemanyofthesecrosseshereabout；theyaresetuponthemostadvancedcliffsoftheseaboundland，asiftoimploremercyandtocalmthatrestlessmysteriouspowerthatdrawsmenaway，nevertogivethemback，andinpreferenceretainsthebravestandnoblest。
Aroundthiscrossstretchestheever-greenwaste，strewnwithshortrushes。Atthisgreatheighttheseaairwasverypure；itscarcelyretainedthebrinyodouroftheweeds，butwasperfumedwithalltheexquisiteripenessofSeptemberflowers。
Faraway，allthebaysandinletsofthecoastwerefirmlyoutlined，risingoneaboveanother；thelandofBrittanyterminatedinraggededges，whichspreadoutfarintothetranquilsurface。
Nearathandthereefswerenumerous，butoutbeyondnothingbrokeitspolishedmirror，fromwhicharoseasoft，caressingripple，lightandintensifiedfromthedepthsofitsmanybays。Itshorizonseemedsocalm，anditsdepthssosoft!ThegreatbluesepulchreofmanyGaoseshiditsinscrutablemystery，whilethebreezes，faintashumanbreath，waftedtoandfrotheperfumeofthestuntedgorse，whichhadbloomedagaininthelastestautumnsun。
Atregularhoursthesearetreated，andgreatspaceswereleftuncoveredeverywhere，asiftheChannelwasslowlydryingup；thenwiththesamelazyslowness，thewatersroseagain，andcontinuedtheireverlastingcomingandgoing，withoutanyheedofthedead。
Atthefootofthecross，Gaudremained，surroundedbythesetranquilmysteries，gazingeverbeforeher，untilthenightfellandshecouldseenomore。
CHAPTERVII
THEMOURNER"SVISION
Septemberhadpassed。Thesorrowingwifetookscarcelyanynourishment，andcouldnolongersleep。Sheremainedathomenow，crouchinglowwithherhandsbetweenherknees，herheadthrownbackandrestingagainstthewallbehind。Whatwasthegoodofgettinguporgoingtobednow？Whenshewasthoroughlyexhaustedshethrewherself，dressed，uponherbed。Otherwisesheremainedinthesameposition，chilledandbenumbed；inherquiescentstate，onlyherteethchatteredwiththecold；shehadthatcontinualimpressionofabandofironroundherbrows；hercheekslookedwasted；hermouthwasdry，withafeverishtaste，andattimesapainfulhoarsecryrosefromherthroat，andwasrepeatedinspasms，whileherheadbeatbackwardagainstthegranitewall。OrelseshecalledYannbyhisnameinalow，tendervoice，asifhewerequietclosetoher，whisperingwordsoflovetoher。
Sometimessheoccupiedherbrainwiththoughtsofquiteinsignificantthings；forinstance，sheamusedherselfbywatchingtheshadowofthechinaVirginlengthenslowlyoverthehighwoodworkofthebed，asthesunwentdown。Andthentheagonizedthoughtsreturnedmorehorrible，andherwailingcrybrokeoutagainasshebeatherheadagainstthewall。
Allthehoursofthedaypassed，andallthehoursofevening，andofnight，andthenthehoursofthemorning。Whenshereckonedthetimeheoughttohavebeenback，shewasseizedwithastillgreaterterror；shewishedtoforgetalldatesandtheverynamesofthedays。
UsuallythereissomeinformationconcerningthewrecksoffIceland；
thosewhoreturnhaveseenthetragedyfromafar，orelsehavefoundsomewreckageorbodies，orhaveanindicationtoguesstherest。Butofthe/Leopoldine/nothinghadbeenseen，andnothingwasknown。The/Marie-Jeanne/men，thelasttohaveseenher，onthe2dofAugust，saidthatshewastohavegoneonfishingfarthertowardsthenorth，and，beyondthat，thesecretwasunfathomable。
Waiting，alwayswaiting，andknowingnothing!Whenwouldthetimecomewhensheneedwaitnolonger？Shedidnotevenknowthat；and，now，shealmostwishedthatitmightbesoon。
Oh!ifheweredead；letthematleasthavepityenoughtotellherso!Oh!toseeherdarling，ashewasatthisverymoment，thatis，whatwaslefthim!Ifonlythemuch-imploredVirgin，orsomeotherpower，woulddohertheblessingtoshowher，bysecond-sight，herbeloved!eitherlivingandworkinghardtoreturnarichman，orelseasacorpse，surrenderedbythesea，sothatshemightatleastknowacertainty。
Sometimesshewasseizedwiththethoughtofashipappearingsuddenlyuponthehorizon；the/Leopoldine/hasteninghome。Thenshewouldsuddenlymakeanirreflectedmovementtorise，andrushtolookoutattheocean，toseewhetheritweretrue。
Butshewouldfallback。Alas!wherewasthis/Leopoldinenow？Wherecouldshebe？Outafar，atthatawfuldistanceofIceland，forsaken，crushed，andlost。
Allendedbyanever-fadingvisionappearingtoher——anempty，sea-
tossedwreck，slowlyandgentlyrockedbythesilentgrayandrose-
streakedsea；almostwithsoftmockery，inthemidstofthevastcalmofdeadenedwaters。
CHAPTERVIII
THEFALSEALARM
Twoo"clockinthemorning。
Itwasatnight，especially，thatshekeptattentivetoapproachingfootsteps；attheslightestrumourorunaccustomednoisehertemplesvibrated；bydintofbeingstrainedtooutwardthings，theyhadbecomefearfullysensitive。
Twoo"clockinthemorning。Onthisnightasonothers，withherhandsclaspedandhereyeswideopeninthedark，shelistenedtothewind，sweepinginnever-endingtumultovertheheath。
Suddenlyaman"sfootstepshurriedalongthepath!Atthishourwhowouldpassnow？Shedrewherselfup，stirredtotheverysoul，herheartceasingtobeat。
Someonestoppedbeforethedoor，andcameupthesmallstonesteps。
He!——OGod!——he!Someonehadknocked——itcouldbenootherthanhe!
Shewasupnow，barefooted；she，sofeebleforthelastfewdays，hadsprungupasnimblyasakitten，withherarmsoutstretchedtowindroundherdarling。Ofcoursethe/Leopoldine/hadarrivedatnight，andanchoredinPors-EvenBay，andhehadrushedhome；shearrangedallthisinhermindwiththeswiftnessoflightning。Shetorethefleshoffherfingersinherexcitementtodrawthebolt，whichhadstuck。
"Eh？"
Sheslowlymovedbackward，asifcrushed，herheadfallingonherbosom。Herbeautifulinsanedreamwasover。Shejustcouldgraspthatitwasnotherhusband，herYann，andthatnothingofhim，substantialorspiritual，hadpassedthroughtheair；shefeltplungedagainintoherdeepabyss，tothelowestdepthsofherterribledespair。
PoorFantec，foritwashe，stammeredmanyexcuses，hiswifewasveryill，andtheirchildwasstiflinginitscot，suddenlyattackedwithamalignantsorethroat；sohehadrunovertobegforassistanceontheroadtofetchthedoctorfromPaimpol。
Whatdidallthismattertoher？Shehadgonemadinherowndistress，andcouldgivenothoughtstothetroublesofothers。Huddledonabench，sheremainedbeforehimwithfixed，glazedeyes，likeadeadwoman"s；withoutlisteningtohimorevenansweringatrandomorlookingathim。Whattoherwasthespeechthemanwasmaking？
Heunderstooditall；andguessedwhythedoorhadbeenopenedsoquicklytohim，andfeelingpityforthepainhehadunwittinglycaused，hestammeredoutanexcuse。
"Justso；heneverhadoughttohavedisturbedher——herinparticular。"
"I!"ejaculatedGaud，quickly，"whyshouldInotbedisturbedparticularly，Fantec？"
Lifehadsuddenlycomebacktoher；forshedidnotwishtoappearindespairbeforeothers。Besides，shepitiedhimnow；shedressedtoaccompanyhim，andfoundthestrengthtogoandseetohislittlechild。
Atfouro"clockinthemorning，whenshereturnedtothrowherselfonthebed，sleepsubduedher，forshewastiredout。Butthatmomentofexcessivejoyhadleftanimpressiononhermind，which，inspiteofall，waspermanent；sheawokesoonwithashudder，risingalittleandpartiallyrecollecting——sheknewnotwhat。NewshadcometoherconcerningherYann。Inthemidstofherconfusionofideas，shesoughtrapidlyinhermindwhatitcouldbe，buttherewasnothingsaveFantec"sinterruption。
Forthesecondtimeshefellbackintoherterribleabyss，nothingchangedinhermorbid，hopelesswaiting。
Yetinthatshort，hopefulmomentshehadfelthimsoneartoher，thatitwasasifhisspirithadfloatedovertheseauntoher，whatiscalledaforetoken(/pressigne/)inBretonland；andshelistenedstillmoreattentivelytothestepsoutside，trustingthatsomeonemightcometohertospeakofhim。
JustasthedaybrokeYann"sfatherentered。Hetookoffhiscap，andpushedbackhissplendidwhitelocks，whichwereincurlslikeYann"s，andsatdownbyGaud"sbedside。
Hisheartachedfully，too，forYann，histall，handsomeYann，washisfirst-born，hisfavouriteandhispride；buthedidnotdespairyet。
HecomfortedGaudinhisownblunt，affectionateway；tobeginwith，thosewhohadlastreturnedfromIcelandspokeoftheincreasingdensefogsthatmightwellhavedelayedthevessel；andthen，too，anideastruckhim；theymightpossiblyhavestoppedatthedistantFaroeIslandsontheirhomewardcourse，whencelettersweresolongintravelling。Thishadhappenedtohimoncefortyyearsago，andhisownpoordeadandgonemotherhadhadamasssaidforhissoul。The/Leopoldine/wassuchagoodboat，nexttonew，andhercrewweresuchable-bodiedseamen。
GrannyMoanstoodbythemshakingherhead；thedistressofhergranddaughterhadalmostgivenherbackherownstrengthandreason；
shetidieduptheplace，glancingfromtimetotimeatthefadedportraitofSylvestre，whichhunguponthegranitewallwithitsanchoremblemsandmourning-wreathofblackbead-work。Eversincetheseahadrobbedherofherownlastoffspringshebelievednolongerinsafereturns；sheonlyprayedthroughfear，bearingHeavenagrudgeinthebottomofherheart。
ButGaudlistenedeagerlytotheseconsolingreasonings；herlargesunkeneyeslookedwithdeeptendernessoutuponthisoldsire，whosomuchresembledherbelovedone；merelytohavehimnearherwaslikeahostageagainstdeathhavingtakentheyoungerGaos；andshefeltreassured，nearertoherYann。Hertearsfellsoftlyandsilently，andsherepeatedagainherpassionateprayerstothe"StaroftheSea。"
Adelayoutatthoseislandstorepairdamageswasaverylikelyevent。Sheroseandbrushedherhair，andthendressedasifshemightfairlyexpecthim。Allthenwasnotlost，ifaseaman，hisownfather，didnotyetdespair。Andforafewdays，sheresumedlookingoutforhimagain。
Autumnatlastarrived，alateautumntoo，itsgloomyeveningsmakingallthingsappeardarkintheoldcottage，andallthelandlookedsombre，too。
Theverydaylightseemedcrepuscular；immeasurableclouds，passingslowlyoverhead，darkenedthewholecountryatbroadnoon。Thewindblewconstantlywiththesoundofagreatcathedralorganatadistance，butplayingprofane，despairingdirges；atothertimesthenoisecameclosetothedoor，likethehowlingofwildbeasts。
Shehadgrownpale，aye，blanched，andbentmorethanever，asifoldagehadalreadytouchedherwithitsfeatherlesswing。OftendidshefingertheweddingclothesofherYann，foldingandunfoldingthemagainandagainlikesomemaniac，especiallyoneofhisbluewoolenjerseys，whichstillhadpreservedhisshape；whenshethrewitgentlyonthetable，itfellwiththeshouldersandchestwelldefined；sosheplaceditbyitselfonashelfoftheirwardrobe，andleftitthere，sothatitmightforeverrestunaltered。
Everynightthecoldmistssankupontheland，asshegazedoverthedepressingheaththroughherlittlewindow，andwatchedthepaltrypuffsofwhitesmokearisefromthechimneysofothercottagesscatteredhereandthereonallsides。Therethehusbandshadreturned，likewanderingbirdsdrivenhomebythefrost。Beforetheirblazinghearthstheeveningspassed，cosyandwarm；forthespring-
timeoflovehadbegunagaininthislandofNorthSeafishermen。
Stillclingingtothethoughtofthoseislandswherehemightperhapshavelingered，shewasbuoyedupbyakindhopeandexpectedhimhomeanyday。
Butheneverreturned。OneAugustnight，outoffgloomyIceland，mingledwiththefuriousclamourofthesea，hisweddingwiththeseawasperformed。Ithadbeenhisnurse；ithadrockedhiminhisbabyhood，andhadafterwardmadehimbigandstrong；then，inhissuperbmanhood，ithadtakenhimbackagainforitselfalone。
Profoundestmysteryhadsurroundedthisunhallowedunion。Whileitwenton，darkcurtainshungpall-likeoveritasiftoconcealtheceremony，andtheghoulhowledinanawfuldeafeningvoicetostiflehiscries。He，thinkingofGaud，hissole，darlingwife，hadbattledwithgiantstrengthagainstthisdeathlyrival，untilheatlastsurrendered，withadeepdeath-cryliketheroarofadyingbull，throughamouthalreadyfilledwithwater；andhisarmswerestretchedapartandstiffenedforever。