第4章

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