第2章

Thehourspassedmonotonously，whileintheimmeasurablyemptyregionsbeyondthelightslowlychangedtillitgrewlessunreal。Whatatfirsthadappearedalividgloaming，likeanorthernsummer\'seve，becamenow，withoutanyintervening\"darkhourbeforedawn，\"somethinglikeasmilingmorn，reflectedbyallthefacetsoftheoceansinfading，roseate-edgedstreaks。 \"Youreallyoughttomarry，Yann，\"saidSylvestre，suddenlyandveryseriouslythistime，stilllookingintothewater。(HeseemedtoknowsomebodyinBrittany，whohadallowedherselftobecaptivatedbythebrowneyesofhis\"bigbrother，\"buthefeltshyuponsosolemnasubject。) \"Me!Lor\'，yes，somedayIwillmarry。\"Hesmiled，didthealwayscontemptuousYann，rollinghispassionateeyes。\"ButI\'llhavenoneofthelassesathome；no，I\'llwedthesea，andIinviteyeallinthebarkeynow，totheballI\'llgiveatmywedding。\" Theykeptonhaulingin，fortheirtimecouldnotbelostinchatting； theyhadanimmensequantityoffishinatravelingshoal，whichhadnotceasedpassingforthelasttwodays。 Theyhadbeenupallnight，andinthirtyhourshadcaughtmorethanathousandprimecods；sothateventheirstrongarmsweretiredandtheywerehalfasleep。Buttheirbodiesremainedactiveandtheycontinuedtheirtoil，thoughoccasionallytheirmindsfloatedoffintoregionsofprofoundsleep。Butthefreeairtheybreathedwasaspureasthatofthefirstyoungdaysoftheworld，andsobracing，thatnotwithstandingtheirwearinesstheyfelttheirchestsexpandandtheircheeksglowasatarising。 Morning，thetruemorninglight，atlengthcame；asinthedaysofGenesis，ithad\"dividedfromthedarkness，\"whichhadsettleduponthehorizonandrestedthereingreatheavymasses；andbytheclearnessofvisionnow，itwasseennighthadpassed，andthatthatfirstvaguestrangeglimmerwasonlyaforerunner。Inthethickly- veiledheavens，brokeoutrentshereandthere，likesideskylightsinadome，throughwhichpiercedgloriousraysoflight，silverandrosy。 Thelower-lyingcloudsweregroupedroundinabeltofintenseshadow，encirclingthewatersandscreeningthefar-offdistanceindarkness。 Theyhintedasofaspaceinaboundary；theywereascurtainsveilingtheinfinite，orasdraperiesdrawntohidethetoomajesticmysteries，whichwouldhaveperturbedtheimaginationofmortals。 Onthisspecialmorning，aroundthesmallplankplatformoccupiedbyYannandSylvestre，theshiftingouterworldhadanappearanceofdeepmeditation，asthoughthiswereanaltarrecentlyraised；andthesheavesofsun-rays，whichdartedlikearrowsunderthesacredarch，spreadinalongglimmeringstreamoverthemotionlesswaves，asoveramarblefloor。Then，slowlyandmoreslowlyyetloomedstillanotherwonder；ahigh，majestic，pinkprofile——itwasapromontoryofgloomyIceland。 Yann\'sweddingwiththesea？Sylvestrewasstillthinkingofit——afterresuminghisfishingwithoutdaringtosayanythingmore。Hehadfeltquitesadwhenhisbigbrotherhadsoturnedtheholysacramentofmarriageintoridicule；anditparticularlyhadfrightenedhim，ashewassuperstitious。 Forsolong，too，hehadmusedonYann\'smarriage!HehadthoughtthatitmighttakeplacewithGaudMevel，ablondelassfromPaimpol；andthathewouldhavethehappinessofbeingpresentatthemarriage- feastbeforestartingforthenavy，thatlongfiveyears\'exile，withitsdubiousreturn，thethoughtofwhichalreadypluckedathisheart- strings。 Fouro\'clockinthemorningnow。Thewatchbelowcameup，allthree，torelievetheothers。Stillrathersleepy，drinkinginchestfulsofthefresh，chillair，theysteppedup，drawingtheirlongsea-bootshigher，andhavingtoshuttheireyes，dazzledatfirstbyalightsopale，yetinsuchabundance。 YannandSylvestretooktheirbreakfastofbiscuits，whichtheyhadtobreakwithamallet，andbegantomunchnoisily，laughingattheirbeingsoveryhard。Theyhadbecomequitemerryagainattheideaofgoingdowntosleep，snuglyandwarmlyintheirberths；andclaspingeachotherroundthewaisttheydanceduptothehatchwaytoanoldsong-tune。 BeforedisappearingthroughtheaperturetheystoppedtoplaywithTurc，theship\'sdog，ayoungNewfoundlandwithgreatclumsypaws。 Theysparredathim，andhepretendedtobitethemlikeayoungwolf，untilhebittoohardandhurtthem，whereuponYann，withafrownandangerinhisquick-changingeyes，pushedhimasidewithanimpatientblowthatsenthimflyingandmadehimhowl。Yannhadakindheartenough，buthisnatureremainedratheruntamed，andwhenhisphysicalbeingwastouched，atendercaresswasoftenmorelikeamanifestationofbrutalviolence。 CHAPTERII ICELANDERS Theirsmackwasnamed/LaMarie/，andhermasterwasCaptainGuermeur。 Everyyearshesetsailforthebigdangerousfisheries，inthefrigidregionswherethesummershavenonight。Shewasaveryoldship，asoldasthestatuetteofherpatronsaintitself。Herheavy，oakenplankswereroughandworn，impregnatedwithoozeandbrine，butstillstrongandstout，andsmellingstronglyoftar。Atanchorshelookedanoldunwieldytubfromhersomassivebuild，butwhenblewthemightywesterngales，herlightnessreturned，likeasea-gullawakenedbythewind。Thenshehadherownstyleoftumblingovertherollers，andreboundingmorelightlythanmanynewerones，launchedwithallyournewfangles。 Asforthecrewofsixmenandtheboy，theywere\"Icelanders，\"thevaliantraceofseafarerswhosehomesareatPaimpolandTreguier，andwhofromfathertosonaredestinedforthecodfisheries。 TheyhardlyeverhadseenasummerinFrance。Attheendofeachwinterthey，withotherfishers，receivedthepartingblessingintheharbourofPaimpol。Andforthatfete-dayanaltar，alwaysthesame，andimitatingarockygrotto，waserectedonthequay；andoverit，inthemidstofanchors，oarsandnets，wasenthronedtheVirginMary，calm，andbeamingwithaffection，thepatronessofsailors；shewouldbebroughtfromherchapelfortheoccasion，andhadlookedupongenerationaftergenerationwithhersamelifelesseyes，blessingthehappyforwhomtheseasonwouldbelucky，andtheotherswhonevermorewouldreturn。 TheHost，followedbyaslowprocessionofwives，mothers，sweethearts，andsisters，wasborneroundtheharbour，wheretheboatsboundforIceland，bedeckedinallcolours，saluteditonitsway。Thepriesthaltedbeforeeach，givingthemhisholyblessing；andthenthefleetstarted，leavingthecountrydesolateofhusbands，lovers，andsons；andastheshoresfadedfromtheirview，thecrewssangtogetherinlow，fullvoices，thehymnssacredto\"theStaroftheOcean。\"Andeveryyearsawthesameceremonies，andheardthesamegood-byes。 Thenbeganthelifeoutupontheopensea，inthesolitudeofthreeorfourroughcompanions，onthemovingthinplanksinthemidstoftheseethingwatersofthenorthernseas。 Untilnow/LaMarie/followedthecustomofmanyIcelanders，whichismerelytotouchatPaimpol，andthentosaildowntotheGulfofGascony，wherefishfetcheshighprices，orfartherontotheSandyIsles，withtheirsaltyswamps，wheretheybuythesaltforthenextexpedition。Thecrewsoflustyfellowsstayafewdaysinthesouthern，sun-kissedharbour-towns，intoxicatedbythelastraysofsummer，bythesweetnessofthebalmyair，andbythedownrightjollityofyouth。 WiththemistsofautumntheyreturnhometoPaimpol，ortothescatteredhutsofthelandofGoelo，toremainsometimeintheirfamilies，inthemidstoflove，marriages，andbirths。Veryoftentheyfindunseenbabiesupontheirreturn，waitingforgodfatherseretheycanbebaptized，formanychildrenareneededtokeepupthisraceoffishermen，whichtheIcelandicMolochdevours。 CHAPTERIII THEWOMENATHOME AtPaimpol，onefineeveningofthissameyear，uponaSundayinJune，twowomenweredeeplybusyinwritingaletter。Thistookplacebeforealargeopenwindow，witharowofflowerpotsonitsheavyoldgranitesill。 Aswellascouldbeseenfromtheirbendingoverthetable，bothwereyoung。Onceworeaverylargeold-fashionedcap；theotherquiteasmallone，inthenewstyleadoptedbythewomenofPaimpol。TheymighthavebeentakenfortwolovinglasseswritingatendermissivetosomehandsomeIcelander。 Theonewhodictated——theonewiththelargehead-dress——drewupherhead，wool-gathering。Oh，shewasold，veryold，notwithstandingherlookfrombehind，inhersmallbrownshawl——wemeandownrightold。A sweetoldgranny，seventyatleast。Verypretty，though，andstillfresh-coloured，withtherosycheekssomeoldpeoplehave。Her/coiffe/wasdrawnlowupontheforeheadanduponthetopofthehead，wascomposedoftwoorthreelargerollsofmuslinthatseemedtotelescopeoutofoneanother，andfellontothenape。Hervenerableface，framedinthepurewhitepleats，hadalmostaman\'slook，whilehersoft，tendereyesworeakindlyexpression。Shehadnotthevestigeofatoothleft，andwhenshelaughedsheshowedherroundgums，whichhadstillthefreshnessofyouth。 Althoughherchinhadbecomeaspointed\"asthetoeofa/sabot/\"(asshewasinthehabitofsaying)，herprofilewasnotspoiledbytime； anditwaseasilyimaginedthatinheryouthithadbeenregularandpure，likethesaints\'adorningachurch。 Shelookedthroughthewindow，tryingtothinkofnewsthatmightamusehergrandsonatsea。ThereexistednotinthewholecountryofPaimpolanotherdearoldbodylikeher，toinventsuchfunnystoriesuponeverybody，andevenuponnothing。Alreadyinthislettertherewerethreeorfourmerrytales，butwithouttheslightestmischief，forshehadnothingill-naturedabouther。 Theotherwoman，findingthattheideasweregettingscarce，begantowritetheaddresscarefully: \"TOMONSIEURMOAN，SYLVESTRE，ABOARDTHE/MARIE/，c/oCAPTAINGUERMEUR，INTHESEAOFICELAND，NEARRYKAWYK。\" Heresheliftedherheadtoask:\"Isthatall，GrannyMoan？\" Thequeristwasyoung，adorablyyoung，agirloftwentyinfact；veryfair——ararecomplexioninthiscornerofBrittany，wheretheracerunsswarthy——veryfair，wesay，withgreatgreyeyesbetweenalmostblacklashes；herbrows，asfairasthehair，seemedasiftheyhadadarkerstreakintheirmidst，whichgaveawonderfulexpressionofstrengthandwilltothebeautifulface。Therathershortprofilewasverydignified，thenosecontinuingthelineofthebrowwithabsoluterectitude，asinaGreekstatue。Adeepdimpleunderthelowerlipfoileditupdelightfully；andfromtimetotime，whenshewasabsorbedbyaparticularidea，shebitthislowerlipwithherwhiteupperteeth，makingthebloodrunintinyredveinsunderthedelicateskin。Inhersuppleformtherewasnolittlepride，withgravityalso，whichsheinheritedfromtheboldIcelandicsailors，herancestors。 Theexpressionofhereyeswasbothsteadyandgentle。 Hercapwasintheshapeofacockle-shell，wornlowonthebrow，anddrawnbackoneitherside，showingthicktressesofhairabouttheears，ahead-dressthathasremainedfromremotetimesandgivesquiteanoldenlooktothewomenofPaimpol。 Onefeltinstinctivelythatshehadbeenreareddifferentlythanthepooroldwomantowhomshegavethenameofgrandmother，butwhoisrealitywasbutadistantgreat-aunt。 ShewasthedaughterofM。Mevel，aformerIcelander，abitofafreebooter，whohadmadeafortunebyboldundertakingsoutatsea。 Thefineroomwheretheletterhadbeenjustwrittenwashers；anewbed，suchastownspeoplehave，withmuslinlace-edgedcurtains，andonthestonewallsalight-colouredpaper，toningdowntheirregularitiesofthegranite；overheadacoatingofwhitewashcoveredthegreatbeamsthatrevealedtheantiquityoftheabode；itwasthehomeofwell-to-dofolk，andthewindowslookedoutupontheoldgraymarket- placeofPaimpol，wherethe/pardons/areheld。 \"Isitdone，GrannyYvonne？Haveyounothingelsetotellhim？\" \"No，mylass，onlyIwouldlikeyoutoaddawordofgreetingtoyoungGaos。\" \"YoungGaos\"wasotherwisecalledYann。Theproudbeautifulgirlhadblushedveryredwhenshewrotethosewords。Andassoonastheywereaddedatthebottomofthepage，inarunninghand，sheroseandturnedherheadasideasiftolookatsomeveryinterestingobjectoutonthemarket-place。 Standing，shewasrathertall；herwaistwasmodelledinaclingingbodice，asperfectlyfittingasthatofafashionabledame。Inspiteofhercap，shelookedlikeareallady。Evenherhands，withoutbeingconventionallysmall，werewhiteanddelicate，neverhavingtouchedroughwork。 True，shehadbeenatfirstlittle/Gaud/(Daisy)，paddlingbare- footedinthewater，motherless，almostwhollyneglectedduringtheseasonofthefisheries，whichherfatherspentinIceland；apretty，untidy，obstinategirl，butgrowingvigorousandstronginthebracingsea-breeze。Inthosedaysshehadbeensheltered，duringthefinesummers，bypoorGrannyMoan，whousedtogiveherSylvestretomindduringherdaysofhardworkinPaimpol。Gaudfelttheadorationofayoungmotherforthechildconfidedtohertendercare。Shewashiselderbyabouteighteenmonths。Hewasasdarkasshewasfair，asobedientandcaressingasshewashastyandcapricious。Shewellrememberedthatpartofherlife；neitherwealthnortownlifehadalteredit；andlikeafar-offdreamofwildfreedomitcamebacktoher，orastheremembranceofanundefinedandmysteriouspreviousexistence，wherethesandyshoresseemedlonger，andthecliffshigherandnobler。 Towardstheageoffiveorsix，whichseemedlongagotoher，wealthhadbefallenherfather，whobegantobuyandsellthecargoesofships。ShehadbeentakentoSaint-Brieuc，andlatertoParis。Andfrom/lapetiteGaud/shehadbecomeMademoiselleMarguerite，tallandserious，withearnesteyes。Alwayslefttoherself，inanotherkindofsolitudethanthatoftheBretoncoast，shestillretainedtheobstinatenatureofherchildhood。 Livinginlargetowns，herdresshadbecomemoremodifiedthanherself。Althoughshestillworethe/coiffe/thatBretonwomendiscardsoseldom，shehadlearnedtodressherselfinanotherway。 EveryyearshehadreturnedtoBrittanywithherfather——inthesummeronly，likeafashionable，comingtobatheinthesea——andlivedagaininthemidstofoldmemories，delightedtohearherselfcalledGaud，rathercurioustoseetheIcelandersofwhomsomuchwassaid，whowereneverathome，andofwhom，eachyear，someweremissing；onallsidessheheardthenameofIceland，whichappearedtoherasadistantinsatiableabyss。Andthere，now，wasthemansheloved! Onefinedayshehadreturnedtoliveinthemidstofthesefishers，throughawhimofherfather，whohadwishedtoendhisdaysthere，andlivelikealandsmaninthemarket-placeofPaimpol。 Thegoodolddame，poorbuttidy，leftGaudwithcordialthanksassoonastheletterhadbeenreadagainandtheenvelopeclosed。Shelivedratherfaraway，attheotherendofPloubazlanec，inahamletonthecoast，inthesamecottagewhereshefirsthadseenthelightofday，andwherehersonsandgrandsonshadbeenborn。Inthetown，asshepassedalong，sheansweredmanyfriendlynods；shewasoneoftheoldestinhabitantsofthecountry，thelastofaworthyandhighlyesteemedfamily。 Withgreatcareandgoodmanagementshemanagedtoappearprettywelldressed，althoughhergownsweremuchdarned，andhardlyheldtogether。ShealwaysworethetinybrownPaimpolshawl，whichwasforbest，anduponwhichthelongmuslinrollsofherwhitecapshadfallenforpastsixtyyears；herownmarriageshawl，formerlyblue，hadbeendyedfortheweddingofhersonPierre，andsincethenwornonlyonSundays，lookedquitenice。 Shestillcarriedherselfverystraight，notatalllikeanoldwoman； and，inspiteofherpointedchin，hersofteyesanddelicateprofilemadeallthinkherstillverycharming。Shewasheldingreatrespect——onecouldseethatifonlybythenodsthatpeoplegaveher。 Onherwayshepassedbeforethehouseofhergallant，thesweetheartofformerdays，acarpenterbytrade；nowanoctogenarian，whosatoutsidehisdoorallthelivelongday，whiletheyoungones，hissons，workedintheshop。Itwassaidthatheneverhadconsoledhimselfforherloss，forneitherinfirstorsecondmarriagewouldshehavehim； butwitholdagehisfeelingforherhadbecomeasortofcomicalspite，halffriendlyandhalfmischievous，andhealwayscalledouttoher: \"Aha，/labelle/，whenmustIcalltotakeyourmeasure？\" Butshedeclinedwiththanks；shehadnotyetquitedecidedtohavethatdressmade。Thetruthis，thattheoldman，withratherquestionabletaste，spokeofthesuitindealplanks，whichisthelastofallourterrestrialgarments。 \"Well，wheneveryoulike；butdon\'tbeshyinaskingforit，youknow，oldlady。\" Hehadmadethisjokeseveraltimes；but，to-day，shecouldscarcelytakeitgood-naturedly。Shefeltmoretiredthaneverofherhard- workinglife，andherthoughtsflewbacktoherdeargrandson——thelastofthemall，who，uponhisreturnfromIceland，wastoenterthenavyforfiveyears!PerhapshemighthavetogotoChina，tothewar! Wouldshestillbeabout，uponhisreturn？Thethoughtalonewasagonytoher。No，shewassurelynotsohappyasshelooked，pooroldgranny! Andwasitreallypossibleandtrue，thatherlastdarlingwastobetornfromher？She，perhaps，mightdiealone，withoutseeinghimagain!Certainly，somegentlemenofthetown，whomsheknew，haddonealltheycouldtokeephimfromhavingtostart，urgingthathewasthesolesupportofanoldandalmostdestitutegrandmother，whocouldnolongerwork。Buttheyhadnotsucceeded——becauseofJeanMoan，thedeserter，anelderbrotherofSylvestre\'s，whomnooneinthefamilyevermentionednow，butwhostilllivedsomewhereoverinAmerica，thusdeprivinghisyoungerbrotherofthemilitaryexemption。 Moreover，ithadbeenobjectedthatshehadhersmallpension，allowedtothewidowsofsailors，andtheAdmiraltycouldnotdeemherpoorenough。 Whenshereturnedhome，shesaidherprayersatlengthforallherdeadones，sonsandgrandsons；thensheprayedagainwithrenewedstrengthandconfidenceforherSylvestre，andtriedtosleep—— thinkingofthe\"suitofwood，\"herheartsadlyachingatthethoughtofbeingsoold，whenthisnewpartingwasimminent。 Meanwhile，theothervictimofseparation，thegirl，hadremainedseatedatherwindow，gazinguponthegoldenraysofthesettingsun，reflectedonthegranitewalls，andtheblackswallowswheelingacrosstheskyabove。PaimpolwasalwaysquietontheselongMayevenings，evenonSundays；thelasses，whohadnotasingleladtomakelovetothem，saunteredalong，incouplesorthreetogether，broodingoftheirloversinIceland。 \"AwordofgreetingtoyoungGaos!\"Shehadbeengreatlyaffectedinwritingthatsentence，andthatname，whichnowshecouldnotforget。 Sheoftenspenthereveningshereatthewindow，likeagrandlady。 Herfatherdidnotapproveofherwalkingwiththeothergirlsofherage，whohadbeenherearlyplaymates。Andasheleftthecafe，andwalkedupanddown，smokinghispipewitholdseamenlikehimself，hewashappytolookupathisdaughteramongherflowers，inhisgrandhouse。 \"YoungGaos!\"Againstherwillshegazedseaward；itcouldnotbeseen，butshefeltitwasnigh，attheendofthetinystreetcrowdedwithfishermen。Andherthoughtstravelledthroughafascinatinganddelightfulinfinite，far，farawaytothenorthernseas，where\"/LaMarie/，CaptainGuermeur，\"wassailing。AstrangemanwasyoungGaos! retiringandalmostincomprehensiblenow，afterhavingcomeforwardsoaudaciously，yetsolovingly。 Inherlongreverie，sherememberedherreturntoBrittany，whichhadtakenplacetheyearbefore。OneDecembermorningafteranightoftravelling，thetrainfromParishaddepositedherfatherandherselfatGuingamp。Itwasadamp，foggymorning，coldandalmostdark。Shehadbeenseizedwithapreviouslyunknownfeeling；shecouldscarcelyrecognisethequaintlittletown，whichshehadonlyseenduringthesummer——oh，thatgladoldtime，thedearoldtimesofthepast!Thissilence，afterParis!Thisquietlifeofpeople，whoseemedofanotherworld，goingabouttheirsimplebusinessinthemistymorning。Butthesombregranitehouses，withtheirdark，dampwalls，andtheBretoncharmuponallthings， whichfascinatedhernowthatshelovedYann，hadseemedparticularlysaddeninguponthatmorning。Earlyhousewiveswerealreadyopeningtheirdoors，andasshepassedshecouldglanceintotheold-fashionedhouses，withtheirtallchimney-pieces，wheresattheoldgrandmothers，intheirwhitecaps，quietanddignified。Assoonasdaylighthadbeguntoappear，shehadenteredthechurchtosayherprayers，andthegrandoldaislehadappearedimmenseandshadowytoher——quitedifferentfromalltheParisianchurches——withitsroughpillarswornatthebasebythechafingofcenturies，anditsdamp，earthysmellofageandsaltpetre。 Inadamprecess，behindthecolumns，ataperwasburning，beforewhichkneltawoman，makingavow；thedimflameseemedlostinthevaguenessofthearches。Gaudexperiencedtherethefeelingofalong- forgottenimpression:thatkindofsadnessandfearthatshehadfeltwhenquiteyoungatbeingtakentomassatPaimpolChurchonraw，wintrymornings。 ButshehardlyregrettedParis，althoughthereweremanysplendidandamusingsightsthere。Inthefirstplaceshefeltalmostcrampedfromhavingthebloodofthevikingsinherveins。Andthen，inParis，shefeltlikeastrangerandanintruder。The/Parisiennes/weretight- laced，artificialwomen，whohadapeculiarwayofwalking；andGaudwastoointelligenteventohaveattemptedtoimitatethem。Inherhead-dress，orderedeveryyearfromthemakerinPaimpol，shefeltoutofherelementinthecapital；anddidnotunderstandthatifthewayfarersturnedroundtolookather，itwasonlybecauseshemadeaverycharmingpicture。 SomeoftheseParisianladiesquitewonherbytheirhigh-bredanddistinguishedmanners，butsheknewthemtobeinaccessibletoher，whilefromothersofalowercastewhowouldhavebeengladtomakefriendswithher，shekeptproudlyaloof，judgingthemunworthyofherattention。Thusshehadlivedalmostwithoutfriends，withoutothersocietythanherfather\'s，whowasengagedinbusinessandoftenaway。 Soshedidnotregretthatlifeofestrangementandsolitude。 But，nonetheless，onthatdayofarrivalshehadbeenpainfullysurprisedbythebitternessofthisBrittany，seeninfullwinter。Andherheartsickenedatthethoughtofhavingtotravelanotherfiveorsixhoursinajoltingcar——topenetratestillfartherintotheblank，desolatecountrytoreachPaimpol。 Allthroughtheafternoonofthatsamegrislyday，herfatherandherselfhadjourneyedinalittleoldramshacklevehicle，opentoallthewinds；passing，withthefallingnight，throughdullvillages，underghostlytrees，black-pearledwithmistindrops。Anderelonglanternshadtobelit，andshecouldperceivenothingelsebutwhatseemedtwotrailsofgreenBengallights，runningoneachsidebeforethehorses，andwhichweremerelythebeamsthatthetwolanternsprojectedonthenever-endinghedgesoftheroadway。ButhowwasitthattreesweresogreeninthemonthofDecember？Astonishedatfirst，shebenttolookout，andthensherememberedhowthegorse，theevergreengorseofthepathsandthecliffs，neverfadesinthecountryofPaimpol。Atthesametimeawarmerbreezebegantoblow，whichsheknewagainandwhichsmeltofthesea。 Towardstheendofthejourneyshehadbeenquiteawakenedandamusedbythenewnotionthatstruckher，namely:\"Asthisiswinter，IshallseethefamousfishermenofIceland。\" ForinDecembertheyweretoreturn，thebrothers，cousins，andloversofwhomallherfriends，greatandsmall，hadspokentoherduringthelongsummereveningwalksinherholidaytrips。Andthethoughthadhauntedher，thoughshefeltchilledintheslow-goingvehicle。 Nowshehadseenthem，andherhearthadbeencapturedbyoneofthemtoo。 CHAPTERIV FIRSTLOVE Thefirstdayshehadseenhim，thisYann，wasthedayafterhisarrival，atthe\"/PardondesIslandais/，\"whichisontheeighthofDecember，thefete-dayofOurLadyofBonne-Nouvelle，thepatronessoffishers——alittlebeforetheprocession，withthegraystreets，stilldrapedinwhitesheets，onwhichwerestrewnivyandhollyandwintryblossomswiththeirleaves。 Atthis/Pardon/therejoicingwasheavyandwildunderthesadsky。 Joywithoutmerriment，composedchieflyofinsoucianceandcontempt； ofphysicalstrengthandalcohol；abovewhichfloated，lessdisguisedthanelsewhere，theuniversalwarningofdeath。 AgreatclamourinPaimpol；soundsofbellsmingledwiththechantsofthepriests。Roughandmonotonoussongsinthetaverns——oldsailorlullabies——songsofwoe，arisenfromthesea，drawnfromthedeepnightofbygoneages。Groupsofsailors，arm-in-arm，zigzaggingthroughthestreets，fromtheirhabitofrolling，andbecausetheywerehalf-drunk。Groupsofgirlsintheirnun-likewhitecaps。Oldgranitehousesshelteringtheseseethingcrowds；antiquatedroofstellingoftheirstruggles，throughmanycenturies，againstthewesternwinds，themist，andtherain；andrelating，too，manystoriesofloveandadventurethathadpassedundertheirprotection。 Andfloatingoverallwasadeepreligioussentiment，afeelingofbygonedays，withrespectforancientvenerationandthesymbolsthatprotectit，andforthewhite，immaculateVirgin。Sidebysidewiththetavernsrosethechurch，itsdeepsombreportalsthrownopen，andstepsstrewnwithflowers，withitsperfumeofincense，itslightedtapers，andthevotiveofferingsofsailorshungalloverthesacredarch。Andsidebysidealsowiththehappygirlswerethesweetheartsofdeadsailors，andthewidowsoftheshipwreckedfishers，quittingthechapelofthedeadintheirlongmourningshawlsandtheirsmoothtiny/coiffes/；witheyesdownwardbent，noiselesslytheypassedthroughthemidstofthisclamouringlife，likeasombrewarning。Andclosetoallwastheeverlastingsea，thehugenurseanddevourerofthesevigorousgenerations，becomefierceandagitatedasiftotakepartinthefete。 Gaudhadbutaconfusedimpressionofallthesethingstogether。 Excitedandmerry，yetwithherheartaching，shefeltasortofanguishseizeherattheideathatthiscountryhadnowbecomeherownagain。Onthemarket-place，wherethereweregamesandacrobats，shewalkedupanddownwithherfriends，whonamedandpointedouttoherfromtimetotimetheyoungmenofPaimpolorPloubazlanec。Agroupofthese\"Icelanders\"werestandingbeforethesingersof\"/complaintes/，\"(songsofwoe)withtheirbacksturnedtowardsthem。 AnddirectlyGaudwasstruckwithoneofthem，tallasagiant，withhugeshouldersalmosttoobroad；butshehadsimplysaid，perhapswithatouchofmockery:\"Thereisonewhoistall，tosaytheleast!\"Andthesentenceimpliedbeneaththiswas:\"Whatanincumbrancehe\'llbetothewomanhemarries，ahusbandofthatsize!\" Hehadturnedroundasifhehadheardher，andhadgivenheraquickglancefromtoptotoe，seemingtosay:\"Whoisthisgirlwhowearsthe/coiffe/ofPaimpol，whoissoelegant，andwhomIneverhaveseenbefore？\" Andhequicklybenthiseyestothegroundforpoliteness\'sake，andhadappearedtotakearenewedinterestinthesingers，onlyshowingthebackofhisheadandhisblackhairthatfellinratherlongcurlsuponhisneck。Andalthoughshehadaskedthenamesofseveralothers，shehadnotdaredaskhis。Thefineprofile，thegrandhalf-savagelook，thebrown，almosttawnypupilsmovingrapidlyonthebluishopaloftheeyes；allthishadimpressedherandmadehertimid。 Anditjusthappenedtobethat\"FilsGaos，\"ofwhomshehadheardtheMoansspeakasagreatfriendofSylvestre\'s。Ontheeveningofthissame/Pardon/，Sylvestreandhe，walkingarm-in-arm，hadcrossedherfatherandherself，andhadstoppedtowishthemgood-day。 AndyoungSylvestrehadbecomeagaintoherasasortofbrother。Astheywerecousinstheyhadcontinuedto/tutoyer/(usingthouforyou，asignoffamiliarity)eachother；true，shehadatfirsthesitateddoingsotothisgreatboyofseventeen，whoalreadyworeablackbeard，butashiskind，soft，childisheyeshadhardlychangedatall，sherecognizedhimsoonenoughtoimaginethatshehadneverlostsightofhim。 WhenheusedtocomeintoPaimpol，shekepthimtodinnerofanevening；itwaswithoutconsequencetoher，andhealwayshadaverygoodappetite，beingonrathershortrationsathome。 Tospeaktruly，Yannhadnotbeenverypolitetoheratthisfirstmeeting，whichtookplaceatthecornerofatinygraystreet，strewnwithgreenbranches。Hehadraisedhishattoher，withanoblethoughtimidgesture；andafterhavinggivenheranever-rapidglance，turnedhiseyesaway，asifhewerevexedwiththismeetingandinahurrytogo。Astrongwesternbreezethathadarisenduringtheprocession，hadscatteredbranchesofboxeverywhereandloadedtheskywithdarkgraydraperies。 Gaud，inherdreamlandofremembrances，sawallthisclearlyagain； thesadgloamingfallingupontheremainsofthe/Pardon/；thesheetsstrewnwithwhiteflowersfloatinginthewindalongthewalls；thenoisygroupsofIcelanders，otherwaifsofthegalesandtempestsflockingintothetaverns，singingtocheerthemselvesunderthegloomofthecomingrain；andaboveall，Gaudrememberedthegiantstandinginfrontofher，turningasideasifannoyed，andtroubledathavingmether。 Whatawonderfulchangehadcomeoverhersincethen；andwhatadifferencetherewasbetweenthathubbubandthepresenttranquility! HowquietandemptyPaimpolseemedto-nightinthewarmlongtwilightofMay，whichkeptherstillatherwindowalone，lulledinherlove\'syoungdream! CHAPTERV THESECONDMEETING Theirsecondmeetingwasatawedding-feast。YoungGaoshadbeenchosentoofferherhisarm。Atfirstshehadbeenrathervexed，notlikingtheideaofstrollingthroughthestreetswiththistallfellow，whomeverybodywouldstareat，onaccountofhisexcessiveheight，andwho，mostprobably，wouldnotknowwhattospeaktoherabout。Besides，hereallyfrightenedherwithhiswild，loftylook。 AttheappointedhourallwereassembledfortheweddingprocessionsaveYann，whohadnotappeared。Timepassed，yethedidnotcome，andtheytalkedofgivingupanyfurtherwaitingforhim。Thenitwasshediscoveredthatitwasforhispleasure，andhisalone，thatshehaddonnedherbestdress；withanyotheroftheyoungmenpresentattheball，theevening\'senjoymentwouldbespoiled。 Atlasthearrived，inhisbestclothesalso，apologizing，withoutanyembarrassment，tothebride\'sparty。Theexcusewas，thatsomeimportantshoalsoffish，notatallexpected，hadbeentelegraphedfromEngland，asboundtopassthatnightalittleoffAurigny；andsoalltheboatsofPloubazlanechastilyhadsetsail。Therewasgreatexcitementinthevillages，womenrushingabouttofindtheirhusbandsandurgingthemtoputoffquickly，andstrugglinghardthemselvestohoistthesailsandhelpinthelaunching；infact，aregular\"turnout\"throughouttheplaces，thoughinthemidstofthecompanyYannrelatedthisverysimply；hehadbeenobligedtolookoutforasubstituteandwarranthimtotheowneroftheboattowhichhebelongedforthewinterseason。Itwasthisthathadcausedhimtobelate，andinordernottomissthewedding，hehad\"turnedup\" (abandoned)hisshareintheprofitsofthecatch。Hispleawasperfectlywellunderstoodbyhishearers，noonethinkingofblaminghim；forwellallknowthat，inthiscoastlife，allaremoreorlessdependentupontheunforeseeneventsatsea，andthemysteriousmigrationsofthefishyregions。TheotherIcelandespresentweredisappointedatnothavingbeenwarnedintime，likethefishersofPloubazlanec，ofthefortunethatwasskirtingtheirveryshores。 Butitwastoolatenow，worseluck!Sotheygavetheirarmstothelasses，theviolinsbegantoplay，andjoyouslytheyalltrampedout。 AtfirstYannhadonlypaidherafewinnocentcompliments，suchasfalltoachancepartnermetatawedding，andofwhomoneknowsbutlittle。Amidstallthecouplesintheprocession，theyformedtheonlyoneofstrangers，theotherswereallrelativesorsweethearts。 Butduringtheeveningwhilethedancingwasgoingon，thetalkbetweenthemhadagainturnedtothesubjectofthefish，andlookingherstraightintheeyes，heroughlysaidtoher: \"YouaretheonlypersonaboutPaimpol，andevenintheworld，forwhomIwouldhavemissedawindfall；truly，fornobodyelsewouldI havecomebackfrommyfishing，MademoiselleGaud。\" Atfirstshewasratherastonishedthatthisfishermanshoulddaresotoaddressherwhohadcometothisballratherlikeayoungqueen，butthendelighted，shehadendedbyanswering: \"Thankyou，MonsieurYann；andI，too，wouldratherbewithyouthanwithanybodyelse。\" Thatwasall。Butfromthatmomentuntiltheendofthedancing，theykeptonchattinginadifferenttonethanbefore，lowandsoft-voiced。 Thedancingwastothesoundofahurdy-gurdyandviolin，thesamecouplesalmostalwaystogether。WhenYannreturnedtoinviteheragain，afterhavingdancedwithanothergirlforpoliteness\'sake，theyexchangedasmile，likefriendsmeetinganew，andcontinuedtheirinterruptedconversation，whichhadbecomeveryclose。Simplyenough，Yannspokeofhisfisherlife，itshardships，itswage，andofhisparents\'difficultiesinformeryears，whentheyhadfourteenlittleGaosestobringup，hebeingtheeldest。Now，theoldfolkswereoutofthereachofneed，becauseofawreckthattheirfatherhadfoundintheChannel，thesaleofwhichhadbroughtin10，000francs，omittingtheshareclaimedbytheTreasury。Withthemoneytheybuiltanupperstorytotheirhouse，whichwassituatedatthepointofPloubazlanec，attheveryland\'send，inthehamletofPors-Even，overlookingthesea，andhavingagrandoutlook。 \"Itismightytough，though，\"saidhe，\"thisherelifeofanIcelander，havingtostartinFebruaryforsuchacountry，whereitisawfulcoldandbleak，witharaging，foamingsea。\" Gaudrememberedeveryphraseoftheirconversationattheball，asifithadallhappenedyesterday，anddetailscameregularlybacktohermind，asshelookeduponthenightfallingoverPaimpol。IfYannhadhadnoideaofmarriage，whyhadhetoldheralltheitemsofhisexistence，towhichshehadlistened，asonlyanengagedsweetheartwouldhavedone；hedidnotseemacommonplaceyoungman，pronetobabblinghisbusinesstoeverybodywhocamealong。 \"Theoccupationisprettygood，nevertheless，\"hesaid，\"andIshallneverchangemycareer。Someyearswemakeeighthundredfrancs，andotherstwelvehundred，whichIgetuponmyreturn，andhandovertotheoldlady。\" \"Toyourmother，MonsieurYann，eh？\" \"Yes，everypennyofit，always。It\'sthecustomwithusIcelanders，MademoiselleGaud。\"Hespokeofthisasaquiteordinaryandnaturalcourse。 \"Perhapsyou\'llhardlybelieveit，butIscarcelyeverhaveanypocket-money。OfaSundaymothergivesmealittlewhenIcomeintoPaimpol。Andsoitgoesallthetime。Why，look\'eehere，thisyearmyfatherhadtheseclothesmadeforme，withoutwhichtreatInevercouldhavecometothewedding；certainsure，forInevershouldhavedaredofferyoumyarminmyolddudsoflastyear。\" Foronelikeher，accustomedtoseeingParisians，Yann\'shabilimentswere，perhaps，notverystylish；ashortjacketopenovertheold- fashionedwaistcoat；butthebuildoftheirwearerwasirreproachablyhandsome，sothathehadanoblelookwithal。 Smiling，helookedatherstraightinthedepthsofhereyeseachtimehespoketoher，soastodivineheropinion。Andhowgoodandhonestwashislook，ashetoldheralltheseshort-comings，sothatshemightwellunderstandthathewasnotrich! Andshesmiledalso，asshegazedathimfullintheface；answeringseldom，butlisteningwithherwholesoul，moreandmoreastonishedandmoreandmoredrawntowardshim。Whatamixtureofuntamedroughnessandcaressingchildishnesshewas!Hisearnestvoice，shortandblunttowardsothers，becamesofterandmoreandmoretenderashespoketoher；andforheraloneheknewhowtomakeittrillwithextremesweetness，likethemusicofastringedinstrumentwiththemuteuponit。 Whatasingularandastonishingfactitwastoseethismanofbrawn，withhisfreeairandforbiddingaspect，alwaystreatedbyhisfamilylikeachild，anddeemingitquitenatural；havingtravelledoveralltheearth，metwithallsortsofadventures，incurredalldangers，andyetshowingthesamerespectfulandabsoluteobediencetohisparents。 Shecomparedhimtoothers，twoorthreedandiesinParis，clerks，quill-drivers，orwhatnot，who hadpesteredherwiththeirattentions，forthesakeofhermoney。Heseemedtobethebest，aswellasthemosthandsome，manshehadevermet。 Toputherselfmoreonanequalitywithhimsherelatedhow，inherownhome，shehadnotalwaysbeensowell-offasatpresent；thatherfatherhadbegunlifeasafishermanoffIceland，andalwaysheldtheIcelandersingreatesteem；andthatsheherselfcouldclearlyrememberasalittlechild，havingrunbarefooteduponthebeach，afterherpoormother\'sdeath。 Oh!theexquisitenightofthatball，uniqueinherlife!Itseemedfarawaynow，foritdatedbacktoDecember，andMayhadalreadyreturned。Allthesturdypartnersofthateveningwereoutfishingyondernow，scatteredoverthefarnorthernseas，intheclearpalesun，inintenseloneliness，whilethedustthickenedsilentlyonthelandofBrittany。 StillGaudremainedatherwindow。Themarket-placeofPaimpol，hedgedinonallsidesbytheold-fashionedhouses，becamesadderandsadderwiththedarkling；everywherereignedsilence。Abovethehousetopsthestillbrilliantspaceoftheheavensseemedtogrowmorehollow，toraiseitselfupandfinallyseparateitselffromallterrestrialthings:these，inthelasthourofday，wereentirelyblendedintothesingledarkoutlineofthegablesofoldenroofs。 Fromtimetotimeawindowordoorwouldbesuddenlyclosed；someoldsailor，shakyuponhislegs，wouldblunderoutofthetavernandplungeintothesmalldarkstreets；orgirlspassedby，returninghomelateaftertheirwalkandcarryingnosegaysofMay-flowers。OneofthemwhoknewGaud，callingoutgood-eveningtoher，heldupabranchofhawthornhightowardsherasiftoofferithertosmell；inthetransparentdarknessshecoulddistinguishtheairytuftsofitswhiteblossoms。Fromthegardensandcourtsfloatedanothersoftperfume，thatofthefloweringhoneysucklealongthegranitewalls，mingledwithavaguesmellofseaweedintheharbour。 Batsflewsilentlythroughtheairabove，likehideouscreaturesinadream。 ManyandmanyaneveninghadGaudpassedatherwindow，gazinguponthemelancholymarket-place，thinkingoftheIcelanderswhowerefaraway，andalwaysofthatsameball。