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。