第7章

Atthedooroccurredoneofthosemomentsofindecisionwhentheheartseemstostopbeating。Thegrandamwentinwithoutturninground，thenGaud，hesitating，andYann，behind，entered，too。 Hewasintheirhouseforthefirsttimeinhislife——probablywithoutanyreason。Whatcouldhewant？Ashepassedoverthethresholdhetouchedhishat，andthenhiseyesfellanddweltuponSylvestre\'sportraitinitssmallblack-beadedframe。Hewentslowlyuptoit，astoatomb。 Gaudremainedstandingwithherhandsrestingonthetable。Helookedaroundhim；shewatchedhimtakeasilentinspectionoftheirpoverty。 Verypoorlookedthiscottageofthetwoforsakenwomen。Atleasthemightfeelsomepityforher，seeingherreducedtothismiseryinsideitsplaingraniteandwhitewash。Onlythefinewhitebedremainedofallpastsplendour，andinvoluntarilyYann\'seyesrestedthere。 Hesaidnothing。Whydidhenotgo？Theoldgrandmother，althoughstillsosharpinherlucidintervals，appearednottonoticehim。Howodd!Sotheyremainedoveragainstoneanother，seemingrespectivelytoquestionwithayearningdesire。Butthemomentswereflitting，andeachsecondseemedtoemphasizethesilencebetweenthem。Theygazedatoneanothermoreandmoresearchingly，asifinsolemnexpectationofsomewonderful，exquisiteevent，whichwastoolongincoming。 \"Gaud，\"hebegan，inalowgravevoice，\"ifyou\'restillofamindnow——\" Whatwashegoingtosay？Shefeltinstinctivelythathehadsuddenlytakenamightyresolution——rapidlyashealwaysdid，buthardlydaredwordit。 \"Ifyoubestillofamind——d\'yesee，thefishhassoldwellthisyear，andI\'vealittlemoneyahead——\" \"Ifshewerestillofamind!\"Whatwasheaskingofher？Hadsheheardaright？Shefeltalmostcrushedundertheimmensityofwhatshethoughtshepremised。 Allthewhile，oldYvonne，inhercorner，prickedupherears，feelinghappinessapproach。 \"Wecouldmakeaspliceonit——amarriage，rightoff，MademoiselleGaud，ifyouarestillofthesamemind？\" Helistenedhereforheranswer，whichdidnotcome。Whatcouldstopherfrompronouncingthat\"yes？\"Helookedastonishedandfrightened，shecouldseethat。Herhandsclutchedthetableedge。Shehadturnedquitewhiteandhereyesweremisty；shewasvoiceless，andlookedlikesomemaiddyinginherflower。 \"Well，Gaud，whydon\'tyouanswer？\"saidGrannyYvonne，whohadrisenandcometowardsthem。\"Don\'tyousee，itrathersurprisesher，MonsieurYann。Youmustexcuseher。She\'llthinkitoverandansweryoulateron。Sityoudownabit，MonsieurYann，andtakeaglassofciderwithus。\" Itwasnotthesurprise，butecstasythatpreventedGaudfromanswering；nowordsatallcametoherrelief。Soitreallywastruethathewasgoodandkind-hearted。Sheknewhimaright——thesametrueYann，herown，suchassheneverhadceasedtoseehim，notwithstandinghissternnessandhisroughrefusal。Foralongtimehehaddisdainedher，butnowheacceptedher，althoughshewaspoor。 Nodoubtithadbeenhiswishallthrough；hemayhavehadamotiveforsoacting，whichshewouldknowhereafter；but，forthepresent，shehadnointentionofaskinghimhismeaning，orofreproachinghimforhertwoyearsofpining。Besides，allthatwaspast，ay，andforgottennow；inonesinglemomenteverythingseemedcarriedawaybeforethedelightfulwhirlwindthatsweptoverherlife! Stillspeechless，shetoldhimofhergreatloveandadorationforhimbyhersweetbrimmingeyesalone；shelookeddeeplyandsteadilyathim，whilethecopiousshowerofhappytearspouredadownherroseatecheeks。 \"Welldone!andGodblessyou，mychildren，\"saidGrannyMoan。\"It\'sthankfulIbetoHim，too，forI\'mgladtohavebeenletgrowsooldtoseethishappythingaforeIgo。\" Stilltheretheyremained，standingbeforeoneanotherwithclaspedhands，findingnowordstoutter；knowingofnowordsweetenough，andnosentenceworthytobreakthatexquisitesilence。 \"Whydon\'tyekissoneanother，mychildren？Lor\'!butthey\'redumb! Dearme，whatstrangegrandchildrenIhavehere!Pluckup，Gaud；saysome\'attohim，mydear。Inmytimeloverskissedwhentheyplightedtheirtroth。\" Yannraisedhishat，asifsuddenlyseizedwithavast，heretoforeunfeltreverence，beforebendingdowntokissGaud。Itseemedtohimthatthiswasthefirstkissworthyofthenameheeverhadgiveninhislife。 Shekissedhimalso，pressingherfreshlips，unusedtorefinementsofcaresses，withherwholeheart，tohissea-bronzedcheek。 Amongthestonesthecricketsangofhappiness，beingrightforthistime。AndSylvestre\'spitifulinsignificantportraitseemedtosmileonthemoutofitsblackframe。Allthings，infact，seemedsuddenlytothrobwithlifeandwithjoyintheblightedcottage。Theverysilenceapparentlyburstintoexquisitemusic；andthepalewintertwilight，creepinginatthenarrowwindow，becameawonderful，unearthlyglow。 \"Sowe\'llgototheweddingwhentheIcelandersreturn；eh，mydearchildren？\" Gaudhungherhead。\"Iceland，\"the\"/Leopoldine/\"——soitwasallreal! whileshehadalreadyforgottentheexistenceofthoseterriblethingsthataroseintheirway。 \"WhentheIcelandersreturn。\" Howlongthatanxioussummerwaitingwouldseem! Yanndrummedonthefloorwithhisfootfeverishlyandrapidly。Heseemedtobeinagreathurrytobeoffandback，andwastellingthedaystoknowif，withoutlosingtime，theywouldbeabletogetmarriedbeforehissailing。Somanydaystogettheofficialpapersfilledandsigned；somanyforthebanns:thatwouldonlybringthemuptothetwentiethortwenty-fifthofthemonthforthewedding，andifnothingroseintheway，theycouldhaveawholehoneymoonweektogetherbeforehesailed。 \"I\'mgoingtostartbytellingmyfather，\"saidhe，withasmuchhasteasifeachmomentoftheirliveswerenownumberedandprecious。 PARTIV YANN\'SFIRSTWEDDING CHAPTERI THECOURTINGBYTHESEA Allsweetheartsliketositonthebenchattheircottagedoor，whennightfalls。 YannandGauddidthatlikewise。EveryeveningtheysatouttogetherbeforetheMoans\'cottage，ontheoldgraniteseat，andtalkedlove。 Othershavethespring-time，thesoftshadowofthetrees，balmyevenings，andfloweringrosebushes；theyhadonlytheFebruarytwilight，whichfelloverthesea-beatenland，strewnwitheel-grassandstones。Therewasnobranchofverdureabovetheirheadsoraroundthem；nothingbuttheimmensesky，overwhichpassedtheslowlywanderingmists。Andtheirflowerswerebrownsea-weeds，drawnupfromthebeachbythefishers，astheydraggedtheirnetsalong。 Thewintersarenotverysevereinthispartofthecountry，beingtemperedbycurrentsofthesea；but，notwithstandingthat，thegloamingwasoftenladenwithinvisibleicyrain，whichfellupontheirshouldersastheysattogether。Buttheyremainedthere，feelingwarmandhappy。Thebench，whichwasmorethanahundredyearsold，didnotseemintheleastsurprisedattheirlove，havingseenmanyotherpairsinitstime；ithadlistenedtomanysoftwords，whicharealwaysthesameonthelipsoftheyoung，fromgenerationtogeneration；andithadbecomeusedtoseeingloverssituponitagain，whentheyreturnedtoitoldandtrembling；butinthebroadday，thistime，towarmthemselvesinthelastsuntheywouldsee。 FromtimetotimeGrannyMoanwouldputherheadoutatthedoortohavealookatthem，andtrytoinducethemtocomein。\"You\'llcatchcold，mygoodchildren，\"saidshe，\"andthenyou\'llfallill——Lordknows，itreallyisn\'tsensibletoremainoutsolate。\" Cold!theycold？Weretheyconsciousofanythingelsebesidestheblissofbeingtogether。 Thepassers-byintheeveningdowntheirpathway，heardthesoftmurmuroftwovoicesminglingwiththevoiceofthesea，downbelowatthefootofthecliffs。Itwasamostharmoniousmusic；Gaud\'ssweet，freshvoicealternatedwithYann\'s，whichhadsoft，caressingnotesinthelowertones。Theirprofilescouldbeclearlydistinguishedonthegranitewallagainstwhichtheyreclined；Gaudwithherwhiteheadgearandslenderblack-robedfigure，andbesideherthebroad，squareshouldersofherbeloved。Behindandaboverosetheraggeddomeofthestrawthatch，andthedarkening，infinite，andcolourlesswasteoftheseaandskyfloatedoverall。 Finally，theydidgointositdownbythehearth，whereuponoldYvonneimmediatelynoddedofftosleep，anddidnottroublethetwoloversverymuch。Sotheywentoncommuninginalowvoice，havingtomakeupfortwoyearsofsilence；theyhadtohurryontheircourtshipbecauseitwastolastsoshortatime。 ItwasarrangedthattheyweretolivewithGrannyMoan，whowouldleavethemthecottageinherwill；forthepresent，theymadenoalterationsinit，forwantoftime，andputofftheirplanforembellishingtheirpoorlonelyhomeuntilthefisherman\'sreturnfromIceland。 CHAPTERII THESEAMAN\'SSECRET OneeveningYannamusedhimselfbyrelatingtohisaffiancedathousandthingsshehaddone，orwhichhadhappenedtohersincetheirfirstmeeting；heevenenumeratedtoherthedifferentdressesshehadhad，andthejollificationstowhichshehadbeen。 Shelistenedingreatsurprise。Howdidheknowallthis？Whowouldhavethoughtofamaneverpayinganyattentiontosuchmatters，andbeingcapableofrememberingsoclearly？ Butheonlysmiledatherinamysteriousway，andwentonmentioningotherfactstoherthatshehadaltogetherforgotten。 Shedidnotinterrupthim；nay，shebutlethimcontinue，whileanunexpecteddeliciousjoywelledupinherheart；shebegan，atlength，todivineandunderstandeverything。He，too，hadloved——lovedher，throughthatwearytime。Shehadbeenhisconstantthought，ashewasguilelesslyconfessing。But，inthiscase，whathadbeenhisreasonforrepellingheratfirstandmakinghersuffersolong？ Therealwaysremainedthismysterythathehadpromisedtoexplaintoher——yetstillseemedtoelude——withaconfused，incomprehensiblesmile。 CHAPTERIII THEOMINOUSWEDDING-DRESS Onefineday，thelovingpairwentovertoPaimpol，withGrannyMoan，tobuythewedding-dress。 Gaudcouldveryeasilyhavedoneoveroneofherformertown-lady\'sdressesfortheoccasion。ButYannhadwantedtomakeherthispresent，andshehadnotresistedtoolongthehavingadressgivenbyherbetrothed，andpaidforbythemoneyhehadearnedathisfishing； itseemedasifshewerealreadyhiswifebythisact。 Theychoseblack，forGaudhadnotyetleftoffmourningforherfather；butYanndidnotfindanyofthestuffstheyplacedbeforethemgoodenough。Hewasnotalittleoverbearingwiththeshopman； he，whoformerlyneverwouldhavesethisfootinsideashop，wantedtomanageeverythinghimself，eventotheveryfashionofthedress。 Hewisheditadornedwithbroadbeadsofvelvet，sothatitwouldbeveryfine，inhismind。 CHAPTERIV FLOWEROFTHETHORN Oneeveningastheseloverssatoutontheirstonebenchinthesolitudeoverwhichthenightfell，theysuddenlyperceivedahawthornbush，whichgrewsolitarilybetweentherocks，bythesideoftheroad，coveredwithtinyfloweredtufts。 \"Itlooksasif\'twasinbloom，\"saidYann。 Theydrewneartoinspectit。Itwasinfullflower，indeed。Astheycouldnotseeverywellinthetwilight，theytouchedthetinyblooms，wetwithmist。Thenthefirstimpressionofspringcametothematthesametimetheynoticedthis；thedayshadalreadylengthened，theairwaswarmer，andthenightmoreluminous。Buthowforwardthisparticularbushwas!Theycouldnotfindanotherlikeitanywherearound，notone!Ithadblossomed，yousee，expresslyforthem，forthecelebrationoftheirlovingplight。 \"Oh!letusgathersomemore，\"saidYann。 Gropinginthedark，hecutanosegaywiththestoutsailor\'sknifethathealwaysworeinhisbelt，andparingoffallthethorns，heplaceditinGaud\'sbosom。 \"Youlooklikeabridenow，\"saidhe，steppingbacktojudgeoftheeffect，notwithstandingthedeepeningdusk。 Attheirfeetthecalmsearoseandfellovertheshinglewithanintermittentswash，regularasthebreathingofasleeper；foritseemedindifferentoreverfavourabletothelove-makinggoingonhardby。 Inexpectationoftheseeveningsthedaysappearedlongtothem，andwhentheybadeeachothergood-byeatteno\'clock，theyfeltakindofdiscouragement，becauseitwasallsosoonover。 Theyhadtohurrywiththeofficialdocumentsforfearofnotbeingreadyintime，andoflettingtheirhappinessslipbyuntiltheautumn，orevenuncertainty。 Theireveningcourtshipinthatmournfulspot，lulledbythecontinualevenwashofthesea，withthatfeverishimpressionoftheflightoftime，wasalmostgloomyandominous。Theywerelikenolovers；moreseriousandrestlessweretheyintheirlovethanthecommonrun。 YetYannnevertoldherwhatmysteriousthinghadkepthimawayfromherforthesetwolonelyyears；andafterhereturnedhomeofanight，Gaudgrewuneasyasbefore，althoughhelovedherperfectly——thissheknew。Itistruethathehadlovedherallalong，butnotasnow；lovegrewstrongerinhisheartandmind，likeatiderisingandoverbrimming。Heneverhadknownthiskindoflovebefore。 Sometimesontheirstoneseathelaydown，restinghisheadinGaud\'slaplikeacaressingchild，till，suddenlyrememberingpropriety，hewoulddrawhimselfuperect。Hewouldhavelikedtolieontheverygroundatherfeet，andremaintherewithhisbrowpressedtothehemofhergarments。Exceptingthebrotherlykisshegaveherwhenhecameandwent，hedidnotdaretoembraceher。Headoredthatinvisiblespiritinher，whichappearedintheverysoundofherpure，tranquilvoice，theexpressionofhersmile，andinhercleareye。 CHAPTERV THECOSTOFOBSTINACY Onerainyeveningtheyweresittingsidebysidenearthehearth，andGrannyMoanwasasleepoppositethem。Thefireflames，dancingoverthebranchesonthehearth，projectedtheirmagnifiedshadowsonthebeamsoverhead。 Theyspoketooneanotherinthatlowvoiceofalllovers。Butuponthisparticulareveningtheirconversationwasnowandagainbrokenbylongtroubledsilence。He，inparticular，saidverylittleandloweredhisheadwithafaintsmile，avoidingGaud\'sinquiringeyes。Forshehadbeenpressinghimwithquestionsalltheeveningconcerningthatmysterythathepositivelywouldnotdivulge；andthistimehefelthimselfcornered。Shewastooquickforhim，andhadfullymadeuphermindtolearn；nopossibleshiftscouldgethimoutoftellinghernow。 \"Wasitanybadtalestoldaboutme？\"sheasked。 Hetriedtoanswer\"yes，\"andfaltered:\"Oh!therewasalwaysplentyofrubbishbabbledinPaimpolandPloubazlanec。\" Sheaskedwhat，buthecouldnotanswerher；sothenshethoughtofsomethingelse。\"Wasitaboutmystyleofdress，Yann？\" Yes，ofcourse，thathadhadsomethingtodowithit；atonetimeshehaddressedtoograndlytobethewifeofasimplefisherman。Buthewasobligedtoacknowledgethatthatwasnotall。 \"Wasitbecauseatthattimewepassedforveryrichpeople，andyouwereafraidofbeingrefused？\" \"Oh，no!notthat。\"HesaidthiswithsuchsimpleconfidencethatGaudwasamused。 Thenfellanothersilence，duringwhichthemoaningofthesea-windswasheardoutside。Lookingattentivelyathim，afreshideastruckher，andherexpressionchanged。 \"Ifnotanythingofthatsort，Yann，/what/wasit？\"demandedshe，suddenly，lookingathimfairintheeyes，withtheirresistiblequestioninglookofonewhoguessesthetruth，andcoulddispensewithconfirmation。 Heturnedaside，laughingoutright。 Soatlastshehad，indeed，guessedaright；henevercouldgiveherarealreason，becausetherewasnonetogive。Hehadsimply\"playedthemule\"(asSylvestrehadsaidlongago)。ButeverybodyhadteasedhimsomuchaboutthatGaud，hisparents，Sylvestre，hisIcelandmates，andevenGaudherself。Hencehehadstubbornlysaid\"no，\"butknewwellenoughinthebottomofhisheartthatwhennobodythoughtanymoreaboutthehollowmysteryitwouldbecome\"yes。\" SoitwasonaccountofYann\'schildishnessthatGaudhadbeenlanguishing，forsakenfortwolongyears，andhadlongedtodie。 AtfirstYannlaughed，butnowhelookedatGaudwithkindeyes，questioningdeeply。Wouldsheforgivehim？Hefeltsuchremorseforhavingmadehersuffer。Wouldsheforgivehim？ \"It\'smytemperthatdoesit，Gaud，\"saidhe。\"Athomewithmyfolks，it\'sthesamething。Sometimes，whenI\'mstubborn，Iremainawholeweekangeredagainstthem，withoutspeakingtoanybody。YetyouknowhowIlovethem，andIalwaysendbydoingwhattheywish，likeaboy。 IfyouthinkthatIwashappytoliveunmarried，you\'remistaken。No，itcouldn\'thavelastedanyway，Gaud，youmaybesure。\" Ofcourse，sheforgavehim。Asshefeltthesofttearsfall，sheknewtheyweretheoutflowofherlastpangsvanishingbeforeYann\'sconfession。Besides，thepresentneverwouldhavebeensohappywithoutallhersuffering；thatbeingover，shewasalmostpleasedathavinggonethroughthattimeoftrial。 Everythingwasfinallyclearedupbetweenthem，inaveryunexpectedthoughcompletemanner；thereremainednocloudsbetweentheirsouls。 Hedrewhertowardshim，andtheyremainedsometimewiththeircheekspressedclose，requiringnofurtherexplanations。Sochastewastheirembrace，thattheoldgrandamsuddenlyawaking，theyremainedbeforeherastheywerewithoutanyconfusionorembarrassment。 CHAPTERVI THEBRIDAL ItwassixdaysbeforethesailingforIceland。TheirweddingprocessionwasreturningfromPloubazlanecChurch，drivenbeforeafuriouswind，underasombre，rain-ladensky。 Theylookedveryhandsome，nevertheless，astheywalkedalongasinadream，arm-in-arm，likekingandqueenleadingalongcortege。Calm，reserved，andgrave，theyseemedtoseenothingaboutthem；asiftheywereaboveordinarylifeandeverybodyelse。Theverywindseemedtorespectthem，whilebehindthemtheir\"train\"wasajollymedleyoflaughingcouples，tumbledandbuffetedbytheangrywesterngale。 Manypeoplewerepresent，overflowingwithyounglife；othersturninggray，butthesestillsmiledastheythoughtof/their/wedding-dayandyoungeryears。GrannyYvonnewasthereandfollowing，too，pantingalittle，butsomethinglikehappy，hangingonthearmofanolduncleofYann\'s，whowaspayingherold-fashionedcompliments。Sheworeagrandnewcap，boughtfortheoccasion，andhertinyshawl，whichhadbeendyedathirdtime，andblack，becauseofSylvestre。 Thewindworriedeverybody；dressesandskirts，bonnetsand/coiffes/，weresimilarlytossedaboutmercilessly。 Atthechurchdoor，thenewlymarriedcouple，pursuanttocustom，hadboughttwonosegaysofartificialflowers，tocompletetheirbridalattire。Yannhadfastenedhisonanyhowuponhisbroadchest，buthewasoneofthosemenwhomanythingbecomes。AsforGaud，therewasstillsomethingoftheladyaboutthemannerinwhichshehadplacedtherudeflowersinherbodice，asofoldveryclosefittingtoherunrivalledform。 Theviolinplayer，wholedthewholeband，bewilderedbythewind，playedatrandom；histuneswereheardbyfitsandstartsbetwixtthenoisygusts，androseasshrillasthescreamingofasea-gull。AllPloubazlanechadturnedouttolookatthem。Thismarriageseemedtoexcitepeople\'ssympathy，andmanyhadcomefromfararound；ateachturnoftheroadthereweregroupsstationedtoseethempass。NearlyallYann\'smates，theIcelandersofPaimpol，werethere。Theycheeredthebrideandbridegroomastheypassed；Gaudreturnedtheirgreeting，bowingslightlylikeatownlady，withseriousgrace；andallalongthewayshewasgreatlyadmired。 Thedarkestandmostsecludedhamletsaround，eventhoseinthewoods，hadbeenemptiedofalltheirbeggars，cripples，wastrels，poor，andidiotsoncrutches；thesewretchesscatteredalongtheroad，withaccordionsandhurdy-gurdies；theyheldouttheirhandsandhatstoreceivethealmsthatYannthrewtothemwithhisownnoblelookandGaudwithherbeautifulqueenlysmile。Someofthesepoorwaifswereveryoldandworegraylocksonheadsthathadneverheldmuch； crouchinginthehollowsoftheroadside，theywereofthesamecolourastheearthfromwhichtheyseemedtohavesprung，butsounformedassoontobereturnedwithouteverhavinghadanyhumanthoughts。Theirwanderingglanceswereasindecipherableasthemysteryoftheirabortiveanduselessexistences。Withoutcomprehending，theylookedatthemerrymakers\'linepassby。ItwentonbeyondPors-EvenandtheGaoses\'home。TheymeanttofollowtheancientbridaltraditionofPloubazlanecandgotothechapelofLaTrinite，whichissituatedattheveryendoftheBretoncountry。 Atthefootoftheoutermostcliff，itrestsonathresholdoflow- lyingrocksclosetothewater，andseemsalmosttobelongtotheseaalready。Anarrowgoat\'spathleadsdowntoitthroughmassesofgranite。 Theweddingpartyspreadovertheinclineoftheforsakencapehead； andamongtherocksandstones，happywordswerelostintheroarofthewindandthesurf。 Itwasuselesstotryandreachthechapel；inthisboisterousweatherthepathwasnotsafe，theseacametooclosewithitshighrollers。 Itswhite-crestedspoutssprangupintheair，soastobreakovereverythinginaceaselessshower。 Yann，whohadadvancedthefarthestwithGaudonhisarm，wasthefirsttoretreatbeforethespray。Behind，hisweddingpartyhadremainedstrewnabouttherocks，inasemicircle；itseemedasifhehadcometopresenthiswifetothesea，whichreceivedherwithscowling，ill-bodingaspect。 Turninground，hecaughtsightoftheviolinistperchedonagrayrock，tryingvainlytoplayhisdancetunesbetweengustsofwind。 \"Putupyourmusic，mylad，\"saidYann；\"oldNeptuneisplayingusaliveliertunethanyours。\" Aheavilybeatingshower，whichhadthreatenedsincemorning，begantofall。Therewasamadrushthen，accompaniedbyoutcriesandlaughter，toclimbupthebluffandtakerefugeattheGaoses\'。 CHAPTERVII THEDISCORDANTNOTE TheweddingbreakfastwasgivenatYann\'sparents\'，becauseGaud\'shomewassopoor。Ittookplaceupstairsinthegreatnewroom。Five- and-twentyguestssatdownroundthenewlymarriedpair——sistersandbrothers，cousinGaosthepilot，Guermeur，Keraez，YvonDuff，alloftheold/Marie\'s/crew，whowerenowthe/Leopoldine\'s/；fourveryprettybridesmaids，withtheirhair-plaitswoundroundtheirears，liketheempresses\'inancientByzantium，andtheirmodernwhitecaps，shapedlikesea-shells；andfourbestmen，allbroad-shoulderedIcelanders，withlargeproudeyes。 Downstairs，ofcourse，therewaseatingandcookinggoingon；thewholetrainoftheweddingprocessionhadgatheredthereindisorder； andtheextraservants，hiredfromPaimpol，well-nighlosttheirsensesbeforethemightylumberingupofthecapacioushearthwithpotsandpans。 Yann\'sparentswouldhavewishedaricherwifefortheirson，naturally，butGaudwasknownnowasagood，courageousgirl；andthen，inspiteofherlostfortune，shewasthegreatestbeautyinthecountry，anditflatteredthemtoseethecouplesowellmatched。 Theoldfatherwasinclinedtobemerryafterthesoup，andspokeofthebringingupofhisfourteenlittleGaoses；buttheywerealldoingwell，thankstothetenthousandfrancsthathadmadethemwelloff。 NeighbourGuermeurrelatedthetricksheplayedinthenavy，yarnsaboutChina，theWestIndies，andBrazil，makingtheyoungoneswhowouldbeoffsomeday，opentheireyesinwonderment。 \"Thereisacryagainstthesea-service，\"saidtheoldsailor，laughing，\"butamancanhavefinefuninit。\" Theweatherdidnotclearup；onthecontrary，thewindandrainragedthroughthegloomynight；andinspiteofthecaretaken，someoftheguestswerefidgetyabouttheirsmacksanchoredintheharbour，andspokeofgettinguptogoandseeifallwasright。Buthereamorejovialsoundthaneverwasheardfromdownstairs，wheretheyoungermembersofthepartyweresuppingtogether；cheersofjoyandpealsoflaughterascended。Thelittlecousinswerebeginningtofeelexhilaratedbythecider。 Boiledandroastedmeatshadbeenservedupwithpoultry，differentkindsoffish，omeletsandpancakes。 Thedebatehadturneduponfisheryandsmuggling，andthebestmeansoffoolingthecoast-guardsmen，who，asweallknow，aretheswornenemiesofhonestseafarers。 Upstairs，atthegrandtable，oldcircumnavigatorswentsofarastorelatedrollstories，inthevernacular。 Butthewindwasragingaltogethertoostrong；forthewindowsshookwithaterribleclatter，andthemantellingthetalehadhurriedlyendedtogoandseetohissmack。 Thenanotherwenton:\"WhenIwasbo\'s\'n\'smateaboardofthe/Zenobie/，a-lyingatAden，anda-doingthedutyofacorporalofmarines，bythesametoken，yououghttoha\'seentheostridgefeathertradersa-tryingtoscrambleupovertheside。[/Imitatingthebrokentalk/]\'Bon-joo，cap\'n!we\'renotthiefs——we\'rehonestmerchants\'—— Honest，myeye!withasweepofthebucket，apurtendingtodrawsomewaterup，Isent\'emallflyingbackanoar\'slength。\'Honestmerchants，areye，\'saysI，\'thensendusupabunchofhonestfeathersfirst——withaharddollarortwointhecoreofit，d\'yesee，andthenI\'llbelieveinyourhonesty!\'Why，Icouldha\'mademyfortun\'outofthembeggars，ifIhadn\'tbeenbornandbroughtuphonestmyself，andbutasucking-doveinwisdom，sayingnothingofmyhavingasweetheartatTouloninthemillineryline，whocouldhaveusedanyquantityoffeathers——\" Ha!here\'soneofYann\'slittlebrothers，afutureIcelandfisherman，withafreshpinkfaceandbrighteyes，whoissuddenlytakenillfromhavingdrunktoomuchcider。SolittleLaumechastobecarriedoff，whichcutsshortthestoryofthemillinerandthefeathers。 Thewindwailedinthechimneylikeanevilspiritintorment；withfearfulstrength，itshookthewholehouseonitsstonefoundation。 \"Itstrikesmethewindisstirredup，acoswe\'reenjoyingofourselves，\"saidthepilotcousin。 \"No，it\'stheseathat\'swrathy，\"correctedYann，smilingatGaud，\"becauseI\'dpromisedI\'dbeweddedto/her/。\" Astrangelanguorseemedtoenvelopthemboth；theyspoketooneanotherinalowvoice，apart，inthemidstofthegeneralgaiety。 Yann，knowingthoroughlytheeffectofwine，didnotdrinkatall。Nowandthenheturneddulltoo，thinkingofSylvestre。Itwasanunderstoodthingthattherewastobenodancing，onaccountofhimandofGaud\'sdeadfather。 Itwasthedessertnow；thesingingwouldsoonbegin。Butfirstthereweretheprayerstosay，forthedeadofthefamily；thisformisneveromitted，atallwedding-feasts，andisasolemnduty。SowhenoldGaosroseanduncoveredhiswhitehead，therewasadeadsilencearound。 \"This，\"saidhe，\"isforGuillaumeGaos，myfather。\"Makingthesignofthecross，hebegantheLord\'sprayerinLatin:\"/Paternoster，quiesincoelis，sanctificeturnomentumm/——\" Thesilenceincludedall，eventothejoyfullittleonesdownstairs，andeveryvoicewasrepeatinginanundertonethesameeternalwords。 \"ThisisforYvesandJeanGaos，mytwobrothers，whowerelostintheSeaofIceland。ThisisforPierreGaos，myson，shipwreckedaboardthe/Zelie/。\"WhenallthedeadGaoseshadhadtheirprayers，heturnedtowardsgrandmotherMoan，saying，\"ThisoneisforSylvestreMoan。\" Yannweptasherecitedanotherprayer。 \"/Sedliberanosamalo。Amen/!\" Thenthesongsbegan；sea-songslearnedinthenavy，ontheforecastle，whereweallknowthereareraregoodvocalists。 \"/Unnoblecorps，pasmoinsqueceluidesZouaves/，\"etc。 AnobleandagallantladTheZouaveis，weknow，But，cappinghimforbravery，Thesailorstands，Itrow。 Hurrah，hurrah!longlifetohim，Whoseglorynevercangrowdim! Thiswassungbyoneofthebride\'ssupporters，inafeelingtonethatwenttothesoul；andthechoruswastakenupbyotherfine，manlyvoices。 Butthenewlyweddedpairseemedtolistenasfromadistance。Whentheylookedatoneanother，theireyesshonewithdulledbrilliance，likethatoftransparentlyshadedlamps。Theyspokeinevenalowervoice，andstillheldeachother\'shands。Gaudbentherhead，too，graduallyovercomebyavast，delightfulterror，beforehermaster。 Thepilotcousinwentaroundthetable，servingoutawineofhisown； hehadbroughtitwithmuchcare，huggingandpattingthebottle，whichoughtnottobeshaken，hesaid。Hetoldthestoryofit。Onedayoutfishingtheysawacaska-floating；itwastoobigtohaulonboard，sotheyhadstoveintheheadandfilledallthepotsandpanstheyhad，withmostofitscontents。Itwasimpossibletotakeall，sotheyhadsignalledtootherpilotsandfishers，andallthesailsinsighthadflockedroundtheflotsam。 \"AndIknowmorethanoneoldsobersideswhowasgloriouslytopheavywhenwegotbacktoPors-Evenatnight!\"hechuckledliquorishly。 Thewindstillwentonwithitsfearfuldin。 Downstairsthechildrenweredancinginrings；exceptsomeoftheyoungest，senttobed；buttheothers，whowererompingabout，ledbylittleFantec(Francis)andLaumec(Guillaume)，wantedtogoandplayoutside。Everyminutetheywereopeningthedoorandlettinginfuriousgusts，whichblewoutthecandles。 Thepilotcousinwentonwithhisstory。Fortybottleshadfallentohislot，hesaid。Hebeggedthemalltosaynothingaboutit，becauseof\"/MonsieurleCommissairedel\'InscriptionMaritime/，\"whowouldsurelymakeafussovertheundeclaredfind。 \"But，d\'yesee，\"hewenton，\"itsarvedthelubbersrighttoheaveoversuchavallyblecaskorletit\'scapethelashings，forit\'ssuperiorquality，withsartinlymorejinywinegrape-juiceinitthaninallthewine-merchants\'cellarsofPaimpol。Goodnessknowswhenceitcame——thisherecastawayliquor。\" Itwasverystrongandrichincolour，dashedwithsea-water，andhadtheflavourofcod-pickle，butinspiteofthat，relishable；andseveralbottleswereemptied。 Someheadsbegantospin；theBabelofvoicesbecamemoreconfused，andtheladskissedthelasseslesssurreptitiously。 Thesongsjoyouslycontinued；butthewindswouldnotmoderate，andtheseamenexchangedtokensofapprehensionaboutthebadweatherincreasing。 Thesinisterclamourwithoutwasindeedworsethanever。Ithadbecomeonecontinuoushowl，deepandthreatening，asifathousandmadcreatureswereyellingwithfullthroatsandout-stretchednecks。 Onemightimagineheavysea-gunsshootingouttheirdeafeningboominthedistance，butthatwasonlytheseahammeringthecoastofPloubazlaneconallpoints；undoubtedlyitdidnotappearcontented，andGaudfeltherheartshrinkatthisdismalmusic，whichnoonehadorderedfortheirwedding-feast。 Towardsmidnight，duringacalm，Yann，whohadrisensoftly，beckonedhiswifetocometospeakwithhim。 Itwastogohome。Sheblushed，filledwithshame，andconfusedathavingleftherseatsopromptly。Shesaiditwouldbeimpolitetogoawaydirectlyandleavetheothers。 \"Notabitonit，\"repliedYann，\"myfatherallowsit；wemaygo，\"andawayhecarriedher。 Theyhurriedawaystealthily。Outsidetheyfoundthemselvesinthecold，thebitterwind，andthemiserable，agitatednight。Theybegantorunhand-in-hand。 Fromtheheightofthecliff-path，onecouldimagine，withoutseeingit，thefuriousopensea，whencearoseallthishubbub。Theyranalong，thewindcuttingtheirfaces，bothbowedbeforetheangrygusts，andobligedtoputtheirhandsovertheirmouthstocovertheirbreathing，whichthewindhadcompletelytakenawayatfirst。 Heheldherupbythewaistattheoutset，tokeepherdressfromtrailingontheground，andherfinenewshoesfrombeingspoiledinthewater，whichstreamedabouttheirfeet，andnextheheldherroundtheneck，too，andcontinuedtorunonstillfaster。Hecouldhardlyrealizethathelovedhersomuch!Tothinkthatshewasnowtwenty- threeandhenearlytwenty-eight；thattheymighthavebeenmarriedtwoyearsago，andashappythenasto-night! Atlasttheyarrivedathome，thatpoorlodging，withitsdampflooringandmoss-grownroof。Theylitthecandle，whichthewindblewouttwice。 OldgrandamMoan，whohadbeentakenhomebeforethesingingbegan，wasthere。Shehadbeensleepingforthelasttwohoursinherbunk，theflapsofwhichwereshut。Theydrewnearwithrespectandpeepedthroughthefretworkofherpress，tobidhergood-night，ifbychanceshewerenotasleep。Buttheyonlyperceivedherstillvenerablefaceandclosedeyes；sheslept，orshefeignedtodoso，nottodisturbthem。 Theyfelttheywerealonethen。Bothtrembledastheyclaspedhands。 Hebentforwardtokissherlips；butGaudturnedthemaside，throughignoranceofthatkindofkiss；andaschastelyasontheeveningoftheirbetrothal，shepressedherstoYann\'scheek，whichwaschilled，almostfrozen，bythewind。 Itwasbitterlycoldintheirpoor，low-roofedcottage。IfGaudhadonlyremainedrich，whathappinessshewouldhavefeltinarrangingaprettyroom，notlikethisoneonthebareground!Shewasscarcelyyetusedtotheseruggedgranitewalls，andtheroughlookofallthingsaround；butherYannwastherenow，andbyhispresenceeverythingwaschangedandtransfigured。Shesawonlyherhusband。 Theirlipsmetnow；noturningaside。Stillstandingwiththeirarmsintertwinedtightlytodrawthemselvestogether，theyremaineddumb，intheperfectecstasyofanever-endingkiss。Theirflutteringbreathcommingled，andbothquiveredasifinaburningfever。Theyseemedwithoutpowertotearthemselvesapart，andknewnothinganddesirednothingbeyondthatlongkissofconsecratedlove。 Shedrewherselfaway，suddenlyagitated。\"Nay，Yann!GrannyYvonnemightseeus，\"shefaltered。 Buthe，withasmile，soughthiswife\'slipsagainandfastenedhisownuponthem，likeathirstymanwhosecupoffreshwaterhadbeentakenfromhim。 Themovementtheyhadmadebrokethecharmofdelightfulhesitation。 Yann，who，atthefirst，wasgoingtokneeltoherasbeforeasaint，felthimselffiredagain。Heglancedstealthilytowardstheoldoakenbunk，irritatedatbeingsoclosetotheoldwoman，andseekingsomewaynottobespiedupon，buteverwithoutbreakingawayfromthoseexquisitelips。 Hestretchedforthhisarmbehindhim，andwiththebackofhishanddashedoutthelight，asifthewindhaddoneit。Thenhesnatchedherupinhisarms。Stillholdingherclose，withhismouthcontinuallypressedtohers，heseemedlikeawildlionwithhisteethembeddedinhisprey。Forherpartshegaveherselfupentirely，tothatbodyandsoulseizurethatwasimperiousandwithoutpossibleresistance，eventhoughitremainedsoftasagreatall-comprisingembrace。 Aroundthem，fortheirweddinghymn，thesameinvisibleorchestra，playedon——\"Hoo-ooh-hoo!\"Attimesthewindbellowedoutinitsdeepnoise，witha/tremolo/ofrage；andagainrepeateditsthreats，asifwithrefinedcruelty，inlowsustainedtones，flute-likeasthehootofanowl。 Thebroad，fathomlessgraveofallsailorslaynightothem，restlessandravenous，drummingagainstthecliffswithitsmuffledboom。 OnenightoranotherYannwouldhavetobecaughtinthatmaw，andbattlewithitinthemidstoftheterroroficeaswell。Bothknewthisplainly。 Butwhatmatteredthatnowtothemonland，shelteredfromthesea\'sfutilefury。Intheirpoorgloomycottage，overwhichtempestrushed，theyscornedallthatwashostile，intoxicatedanddelightfullyfortifiedagainstthewholebytheeternalmagicoflove。 CHAPTERVIII THEBLISSFULWEEK Forsixdaystheywerehusbandandwife。Inthistimeofleave-takingthepreparationsfortheIcelandseasonoccupiedeverybody。Thewomenheapedupthesaltforthepickleintheholdsofthevessels；themensawtothemastsandrigging。Yann\'smotherandsistersworkedfrommorningtillnightatthemakingofthesou\'westersandoilskinwaterproofs。 Theweatherwasdull，andthesea，forefeelingtheapproachoftheequinoctialgales，wasrestlessandheaving。 Gaudwentthroughtheseinexorablepreparationswithagony；countingthefleetinghoursoftheday，andlookingforwardtothenight，whentheworkwasover，andshewouldhaveherYanntoherself。 Wouldheleavehereveryyearinthisway？ Shehopedtobeabletokeephimback，butshedidnotdaretospeaktohimaboutthiswishasyet。Helovedherpassionately，too；heneverhadknownanythinglikethisaffectionbefore；itwassuchafresh，trustingtendernessthatthesamecaressesandfondlingsalwaysseemedasifnovelandunknownheretofore；andtheirintoxicationoflovecontinuedtoincrease，andneverseemed——neverwassatiated。 Whatcharmedandsurprisedherinhermatewashistendernessandboyishness。ThistheYanninlove，whomshehadsometimesseenatPaimpolmostcontemptuoustowardsthegirls。Onthecontrary，toherhealwaysmaintainedthatkindlycourtesythatseemednaturaltohim，andsheadoredthatbeautifulsmilethatcametohimwhenevertheireyesmet。Amongthesesimplefolkthereexiststhefeelingofabsoluterespectforthedignityofthewife；thereisanoceanbetweenherandthesweetheart。Gaudwasessentiallythewife。Shewassorelytroubledinherhappiness，however，foritseemedsomethingtoounhopedfor，asunstableasajoyfuldream。Besides，wouldthislovebelastinginYann？Sherememberedsometimeshisformerflames，hisfanciesanddifferentloveadventures，andthenshegrewfearful。Wouldhealwayscherishthatinfinitetendernessandsweetrespectforher？ Sixdaysofaweddedlife，forsuchaloveastheirs，wasnothing； onlyafeveredinstalmenttakenfromthemarriedlifeterm，whichmightbesolongbeforethemyet!Theyhadscarcelyhadleisuretobetogetheratallandunderstandthattheyreallybelongedtooneanother。Alltheirplansoflifetogether，ofpeacefuljoy，andsettlingdown，wasforcedlyputofftillthefisherman\'sreturn。 No!atanypriceshewouldstophimfromgoingtothisdreadfulIcelandanotheryear!Buthowshouldshemanage？Andwhatcouldtheydoforalivelihood，beingbothsopoor？Thenagainhesodearlylovedthesea。Butinspiteofall，shewouldtryandkeephimhomeanotherseason；shewoulduseallherpower，intelligence，andhearttodoso。 WasshetobethewifeofanIcelander，towatcheachspring-tideapproachwithsadness，andpassthewholesummerinpainfulanxiety？ no，nowthatshelovedhim，aboveeverythingthatshecouldimagine，shefeltseizedwithanimmenseterroratthethoughtofyearstocomethusrobbedofthebetterpart。