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