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。