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。