第3章

II……Shebegantolearnthelifeofthecoast。

Withheracquisitionofanothertongue，therecametoheralsotheunderstandingofmanythingsrelatingtotheworldoftheseaShememorizedwithnoveldelightmuchthatwastoldherdaybydayconcerningthenaturesurroundingher，——manysecretsoftheair，manyofthosesignsofheavenwhichthedwellersincitiescannotcomprehendbecausetheatmosphereisthickenedandmadestagnantabovethem——cannotevenwatchbecausethehorizonishiddenfromtheireyesbywalls，andbywearyavenuesoftreeswithwhitewashedtrunks。Shelearned，bylistening，byasking，byobservingalso，howtoknowthesignsthatforetellwildweather：——tremendoussunsets，scuddingsandbridgingsofcloud，——sharpeninganddarkeningofthesea—line，——andtheshriekofgullsflashingtolandinlevelflight，outofastilltransparentsky，——andhalosaboutthemoon。

Shelearnedwherethesea—birds，withwhitebosomsandbrownwings，madetheirhiddennestsofsand，——andwherethecraneswadedfortheirprey，——andwherethebeautifulwild—ducks，plumagedinsatinylilacandsilkengreen，foundtheirfood，——andwherethebestreedsgrewtofurnishstemsforFeliu’sred—claypipe，——andwheretheruddysea—beansweremostoftentossedupontheshore，——andhowthegraypelicansfishedalltogether，likemen——movinginfar—extendingsemicircles，beatingthefloodwiththeirwingstodrivethefishbeforethem。

AndfromCarmenshelearnedthefablesandthesayingsofthesea，——theproverbsaboutitsdeafness，itsavarice，itstreachery，itsterrificpower，——especiallyonethathauntedherforalltimethereafter：Siquieresaprenderaorar，entraenelmar（Ifthouwouldstlearntopray，gotothesea）。Shelearnedwhytheseaissalt，——how\"thetearsofwomenmadethewavesofthesea，\"——andhowtheseahasiinofriends，\"——andhowthecat’seyeschangewiththetides。

Whathadshelostoflifebyherswifttranslationfromthedustyexistenceofcitiestotheopenimmensityofnature’sfreedom？

Whatdidshegain？

Doubtlessshewassavedfrommanyofthoselittlebitternessesandrestraintsanddisappointmentswhichallwell—bredcitychildrenmustsufferinthecourseoftheirtrainingforthemoreorlessfactitiouslifeofsociety：——obligationstoremainverystillwitheverynimblenervequiveringindumbrevolt；——theinjusticeofbeingfoundtroublesomeandbeingsenttobedearlyforthecomfortofherelders；——thecruelnecessityofstrainingherprettyeyes，formanylonghoursatatime，overgrimydesksingloomyschool—rooms，thoughbirdsmighttwitterandbrightwindsflutterinthetreeswithout；——theaustereconstrainsandheavydrowsinessofwarmchurches，filledwiththedroningechoesofavoicepreachingincomprehensiblethings；——theprogressivelyaugmentingwearinessoflessonsindeportment，indancing，inmusic，intheimpossibleartofkeepingherdressesunruffledandunsoiled。Perhapssheneverhadanyreasontoregretallthese。

Shewenttosleepandawakenedwiththewildbirds；——herliferemainedasunfetteredbyformalitiesasherfinefeetbyshoes。

ExceptingCarmen’soldprayer—book，——inwhichshelearnedtoreadalittle，——herchildhoodpassedwithoutbooks，——alsowithoutpictures，withoutdainties，withoutmusic，withouttheatricalamusements。Butshesawandheardandfeltmuchofthatwhich，thougholdastheheavensandtheearth，isyeteternallynewandeternallyyoungwiththeholinessofbeauty，——eternallymysticalanddivine，———eternallyweird：theunveiledmagnificenceofNature’smoods，——theperpetualpoemhymnedbywindandsurge，——theeverlastingsplendorofthesky。

Shesawthequiveringpinknessofwaterscurledbythebreathofthemorning——underthedeepeningofthedawn——likeafarflutteringandscatteringofrose—leavesoffire；——

Sawtheshoreless，cloudless，marvellousdouble—circlingazureofperfectsummerdays——twingloriesofinfinitedeepsinter。

reflected，whiletheSouloftheWorldlaystill，suffusedwithajewel—light，asofvaporizedsapphire；——

SawtheSeashiftcolor，——\"changesheets，\"——whentheviewlessWizardoftheWindbreatheduponitsface，andmadeitgreen；——

Sawtheimmeasurablepanics，——noiseless，scintillant，——whichsilver，summeraftersummer，curvedleaguesofbeachwithbodiesoflittlefish——theyearlymassacreofmigratingpopulations，nationsofsea—trout，drivenfromtheirelementbyterror；——andthewinnowingofshark—fins，——andtherushingofporpoises，——andtherisingofthegrande—ecaille，likeapillarofflame，——andthedivingandpitchingandfightingofthefrigatesandthegulls，——andthearmoredhordesofcrabsswarmingouttocleartheslopeafterthecarnageandthegorginghadbeendone；——

SawtheDreamsoftheSky，——scuddingmockeriesofridgedfoam，——andshadowystratificationofcapesandcoastsandpromontorieslong—drawnout，——andimageries，multicolored，ofmountainfrondage，andsierraswhiteningabovesierras，——andphantomislandsringedaroundwithlagoonsofglory；———

Sawthetopplingandsmoulderingofcloud—worldsaftertheenormousconflagrationofsunsets，——incandescenceruiningintodarkness；andafteritamovingandclimbingofstarsamongtheblacknesses，——likesearchinglamps；——

Sawthedeepkindlecountlessghostlycandlesasformysteriousnight—festival，——andaluminousbillowingunderablacksky，andeffervescencesoffire，andthetwirlingandcrawlingofphosphoricfoam；——

SawthemesmerismoftheMoon；——sawtheenchantedtidesself—heapedinmutteringobeisancebeforeher。

OftensheheardtheMusicoftheMarshthroughthenight：aninfinityofflutingsandtinklingsmadebytinyamphibia，——likethelowblowingofnumberlesslittletinhorns，theclankingofbillionsoflittlebells；——and，atintervals，profoundtones，vibrantandheavy，asofabassviol——theorchestraofthegreatfrogs!Andinterweavingwithitall，onecontinuousshrilling，——keenasthesteelspeechofasaw，——thestriduloustelegraphyofcrickets。

Butalways，——always，dreamingorawake，sheheardthehugeblindSeachantingthatmysticandeternalhymn，whichnonemayhearwithoutawe，whichnomusiciancanlearn，——

HeardthehoaryPreacher，——ElPregonador，——preachingtheancientWord，theword\"asafire，andasahammerthatbreakeththerockinpieces，\"——theElohim——WordoftheSea!……

UnknowinglyshecametoknowtheimmemorialsympathyofthemindwiththeSouloftheWorld，——themelancholywroughtbyitsmoodsofgray，thereverieresponsivetoitsvagariesofmist，theexhilarationofitsvastexultings——daysofwindyjoy，hoursoftransfiguredlight。

Shefelt，——evenwithoutknowingit，——theweightoftheSilences，thesolemnitiesofskyandseaintheselowregionswhereallthingsseemtodream——watersandgrasseswiththeirmomentarywavings，——woodsgray—webbedwithmossesthatdripanddrool，——horizonswiththeirdelusionsofvapor，——cranesmeditatingintheirmarshes，——kitesfloatinginthehighblue……

Eventhechildrenweresingularlyquiet；andtheirplaylessnoisy——thoughshecouldnothavelearnedthedifference——thantheplayofcitychildren。Hourafterhour，thewomensewedorwoveinsilence。Andthebrownmen，——alwaysbarefooted，alwayswearingroughblueshirts，——seemed，whentheyloungedaboutthewharfonidledays，asiftheyhadtoldeachotherlongagoalltheykneworcouldeverknow，andhadnothingmoretosay。Theywouldstareattheflickeringofthecurrent，atthedriftingofcloudsandbuzzard：——seldomlookingateachother，andalwaysturningtheirblackeyesagain，inawearyway，toskyorsea。

Eventhusoneseesthehorsesandthecattleofthecoast，seekingthebeachtoescapethewhizzingflies；——allwatchthelongwavesrollingin，andsometimesturntheirheadsamomenttolookatoneanother，butalwayslookbacktothewavesagain，asifwonderingatamystery……

Howoftensheherselfhadwondered——wonderedatthemultiformchangesofeachswellasitcamein——transformationsoftint，ofshape，ofmotion，thatseemedtobetokenalifeinfinitelymoresubtlethanthestrangecoldlifeoflizardsandoffishes，——andsinister，andspectral。Thentheyallappearedtomoveinorder，——accordingtoonelaworimpulse；——eachhaditsownvoice，yetallsangoneandthesameeverlastingsong。Vaguely，asshewatchedthemandlistenedtothem，therecametohertheideaofaunityofwillintheirmotion，aunityofmenaceintheirutterance——theideaofonemonstrousandcomplexlife!Thesealived：itcouldcrawlbackwardandforward；itcouldspeak!——itonlyfeigneddeafnessandsightlessnessforsomemalevolentend。

Thenceforwardshefearedtofindherselfalonewithit。Wasitnotatherthatitstrovetorush，muttering，andshowingitswhiteteeth，……justbecauseitknewthatshewasallbyherself？……Siquieresaprenderaorar，entraenelmar!AndConchahadwelllearnedtopray。ButtheseaseemedtohertheonePowerwhichGodcouldnotmaketoobeyHimasHepleased。

Sayingthecreedoneday，sherepeatedveryslowlytheopeningwords，——\"CreoenunDios，padretodopoderoso，Criadordecieloydelatierra，\"——andpausedandthought。CreatorofHeavenandEarth？\"MadrecitaCarmen，\"sheasked，——\"quienentonceshizoelmar？\"（whothenmadethesea？）。

——\"Dios，miquerida，\"answeredCarmen。——\"God，mydarling……

AllthingsweremadebyHim\"（todaslascosasfueronhechasporEl）。

EventhewickedSea!AndHehadsaiduntoit：\"Thusfar，andnofarther。\"……Wasthatwhyithadnotovertakenanddevouredherwhensheranbackinfearfromthesuddenreachingoutofitswaves？Thusfar……？Butthereweretimeswhenitdisobeyed——whenitrushedfurther，shakingtheworld!WasitbecauseGodwasthenasleep——couldnothear，didnotsee，untiltoolate？

Andthetumultuousoceanterrifiedhermoreandmore：itfilledhersleepwithenormousnightmare；——itcameuponherindreams，mountain—shadowing，——holdingherwithitsspell，smotheringherpowerofoutcry，heapingitselftothestars。

Carmenbecamealarmed；——shefearedthatthenervousanddelicatechildmightdieinoneofthosemoaningdreamsoutofwhichshehadtoarouseher，nightafternight。ButFeliu，answeringheranxietywithoneofhisfavoriteproverbs，suggestedaheroicremedy：——

——\"Theworldislikethesea：thosewhodonotknowhowtoswiminitaredrowned；——andtheseaisliketheworld，\"headded……

\"Chitamustlearntoswim!\"

Andhefoundthetimetoteachher。Eachmorning，atsunrise，hetookherintothewater。ShewaslessterrifiedthefirsttimethanCarmenthoughtshewouldbe；——sheseemedtofeelconfidenceinFeliu；althoughshescreamedpiteouslybeforeherfirstduckingathishands。Histeachingwasnotgentle。Hewouldcarryherout，percheduponhisshoulder，untilthewaterrosetohisownneck；andtherehewouldthrowherfromhim，andletherstruggletoreachhimagainasbestshecould。Thefirstfewmorningsshehadtobepulledoutalmostatonce；butafterthatFeliushowedherlessmercy，andhelpedheronlywhenhesawshewasreallyindanger。Heattemptednootherinstructionuntilshehadlearnedthatinordertosaveherselffrombeinghalfchokedbythesaltwater，shemustnotscream；andbythetimeshebecamehabituatedtotheseaustereexperiences，shehadalreadylearnedbyinstinctalonehowtokeepherselfafloatforawhile，howtopaddlealittlewithherhands。Thenhecommencedtotrainhertousethem，——toliftthemwelloutandthrowthemforwardasifreaching，todipthemasthebladeofanoarisdippedatanangle，withoutloudsplashing；——andheshowedheralsohowtouseherfeet。Shelearnedrapidlyandastonishinglywell。InlessthantwomonthsFeliufeltreallyproudattheprogressmadebyhistinypupil：itwasadelighttowatchherliftingherslenderarmsabovethewaterinswift，easycurves，withthesamefinegracethatmarkedallherothernaturalmotions。Lateronhetaughthernottofeartheseaevenwhenitgrowledalittle，——howtorideaswell，howtofaceabreaker，howtodive。Sheonlyneededpracticethereafter；andCarmen，whocouldalsoswim，findingthechild’shealthimprovingmarvellouslyunderthisnewdiscipline，tookgoodcarethatChitashouldpracticewheneverthemorningswerenottoocold，orthewatertoorough。

Withthefirstthrillofdelightatfindingherselfabletoglideoverthewaterunassisted，thechild’ssuperstitiousterroroftheseapassedaway。Evenfortheadulttherearefewphysicaljoyskeenerthantheexultationoftheswimmer；——howmuchgreaterthesamegleeasnewlyfeltbyanimaginativechild，——achild，whosevividfancycanlendunutterablevaluetothemostinsignificanttrifles，cantransformaweed—patchtoanEden!……

Ofherownaccordshewouldaskforhermorningbath，assoonassheopenedhereyes；——itevenrequiredsomeseveritytopreventherfromremaininginthewatertoolong。Theseaappearedtoherassomethingthathadbecometameforhersake，somethingthatlovedherinahugeroughway；atremendousplaymate，whomshenolongerfearedtoseecomeboundingandbarkingtolickherfeet。And，littlebylittle，shealsolearnedthewonderfulhealingandcaressingpowerofthemonster，whosecoolembraceatoncedispelledalldrowsiness，feverishness，weariness，——evenafterthesultriestnightswhentheairhadseemedtoburn，andthemosquitoeshadfilledthechamberwithasoundasofwaterboilinginmanykettles。Andonmorningswhentheseawasintoowickedahumortobeplayedwith，howshefeltthelossofherlovedsport，andprayedforcalm!Herdelicateconstitutionchanged；——thesoft，palefleshbecamefirmandbrown，themeagrelimbsroundedintorobustsymmetry，thethincheeksgrewpeachywithricherlife；forthestrengthoftheseahadenteredintoher；thesharpbreathoftheseahadrenewedandbrightenedheryoungblood……ThouprimordialSea，theawfulnessofwhoseantiquityhathstrickenallmythologydumb；——thoumostwrinkleddivingSea，themillionsofwhoseyearsoutnumbereventhemultitudeofthyhoarymotions；——thouomniformandmostmysteriousSea，motherofthemonstersandthegods，——whenceshineeternalyouth？StilldothywatersholdtheinfinitethrillofthatSpiritwhichbroodedabovetheirfaceintheBeginning!——stillisthyquickeningbreathanelixiruntothemthatfleetotheeforlife，——likethebreathofyounggirls，likethebreathofchildren，prescribedforthesenescentbymagiciansofold，——prescribeduntoweazenedeldersinthebooksoftheWizards。

III……Eighteenhundredandsixty—seven；——midsummerinthepest—smittencityofNewOrleans。

Heatmotionlessandponderous。Thesteel—blueoftheskybleachedfromthefurnace—circleofthehorizon；——thelukewarmriverranyellowandnoiselessasatorrentoffluidwax。Evensoundsseemedbluntedbytheheavinessoftheair；——therumblingofwheels，thereverberationoffootsteps，fellhalf—tonedupontheear，likesoundsthatvisitadozingbrain。

Daily，almostatthesamehour，thecontinuoussenseofatmosphericoppressionbecamethickened；——apackedherdoflow—bellyingcloudslumberedupfromtheGulf；crowdedblacklyagainstthesun；flickered，thundered，andburstintorrentialrain——tepid，perpendicular——andvanishedutterlyaway。Then，morefuriouslythanbefore，thesunflameddown；——roofsandpavementssteamed；thestreetsseemedtosmoke；theairgrewsuffocatingwithvapor；andtheluminouscityfilledwithafaint，sicklyodor，——astalesmell，asofdeadleavessuddenlydisinterredfromwetmould，——asofgrassesdecomposingafteraflood。Somethingsaffronspeckledtheslimywaterofthegutters；sulphursomecalledit；othersfearedeventogiveitaname!Wasitonlythewind—blownpollenofsomeinnocuousplant？

Idonotknow；buttomanyitseemedasiftheInvisibleDestructionwerescatteringvisibleseed!……Suchwerethedays；andeachdaytheterror—strickencityofferedupitshecatombtodeath；andthefacesofallthedeadwereyellowasflame!

\"DECEDE——；\"DECEDEE——；\"FALLECIO；\"——\"DIED。\"……Onthedoor—posts，thetelegraph—poles，thepillarsofverandas，thelamps，——overthegovernmentletter—boxes，——everywhereglimmeredthewhiteannunciationsofdeath。Allthecitywasspottedwiththem。Andlimewaspouredintothegutters；andhugepurifyingfireswerekindledaftersunset。

Thenightsbeganwithablackheat；——therewerehourswhentheacridairseemedtofermentforstagnation，andtoburnthebronchialtubing；——then，towardmorning，itwouldgrowchillwithvenomousvapors，withmorbificdews，——tillthesuncameuptoliftthetorpidmoisture，andtofillthebuildingswithoven—glow。Andtheinterminableprocessionofmournersandhearsesandcarriagesagainbegantocirculatebetweenthecentresoflifeandofdeath；——andlongtrainsandsteamshipsrushedfromtheport，withheavyburdenoffugitives。

Wealthmightflee；yeteveninflighttherewasperil。Men，whomighthavebeensavedbythecraftofexperiencednursesathome，hurriedlydepartedinapparenthealth，unconsciouslycarryingintheirbloodthetoxicprincipleofamaladyunfamiliartophysiciansoftheWestandNorth；——andtheydiedupontheirway，bytheroad—side，bytheriver—banks，inwoods，indesertedstations，onthecotsofquarantinehospitals。Wiserthosewhosoughtrefugeinthepurityofthepineforests，orinthosenearGulfIslands，whencethebrightsea—breathkepteversweepingbacktheexpandingpoisonintothefunerealswamps，intothemistylowlands。Thewatering—resortsbecameovercrowded；——thenthefishingvillageswerethronged，——atleastallwhichwereeasytoreachbysteamboatorbylugger。Andatlast，evenViosca’sPoint，——remoteandunfamiliarasitwas，——hadastrangertoshelter：agoodoldgentlemannamedEdwards，ratherbrokendowninhealth——whocameasmuchforquietasforsea—air，andwhohadbeenwarmlyrecommendedtoFeliubyCaptainHarris。Forsomeyearshehadbeentroubledbyadiseaseoftheheart。

Certainlytheoldinvalidcouldnothavefoundamoresuitableplacesofarasrestandquietwereconcerned。TheseasonhadearlygivensuchlittlepromisethatseveralmenofthePointbetookthemselveselsewhere；andtheagedvisitorhadtwoorthreevacantcabinsfromamongwhichtoselectadwelling—place。

Hechosetooccupythemostremoteofall，whichCarmenfurnishedforhimwithacoolmossbedandsomenecessaryfurniture，——includingabigwoodenrocking—chair。Itseemedtohimverycomfortablethus。Hetookhismealswiththefamily，spentmostofthedayinhisownquarters，spokeverylittle，andlivedsounobtrusivelyandinconspicuouslythathispresenceinthesettlementwasfeltscarcelymorethanthatofsomedumbcreature，——somedomesticanimal，——somehumblepetwhoserelationtothefamilyisonlyfullycomprehendedafterithasfailedtoappearforseveraldaysinitsaccustomedplaceofpatientwaiting，——andweknowthatitisdead。

IV。

Persistentlyandfuriously，athalf—pasttwoo’clockofanAugustmorning，SpariciorangDr。LaBrierre’snight—bell。Hehadfiftydollarsinhispocket，andalettertodeliver。Hewastoearnanotherfiftydollars——depositedinFeliu’shands，——bybringingtheDoctortoViosca’sPoint。Hehadriskedhislifeforthatmoney，——andwasterriblyinearnest。

Juliendescendedinhisunder—clothing，andopenedtheletterbythelightofthehalllamp。Itenclosedacheckforalargerfeethanhehadeverbeforereceived，andcontainedanurgentrequestthathewouldatonceaccompanySpariciotoViosca’sPoint，——asthesenderwasinhourlydangerofdeath。Theletter，pennedinalong，quaveringhand，wassigned，——\"HenryEdwards。\"

Hisfather’sdearoldfriend!Juliencouldnotrefusetogo，——thoughhefeareditwasahopelesscase。Anginapectoris，——andathirdattackatseventyyearsofage!Woulditevenbepossibletoreachthesufferer’sbedsideintime？\"Duegiorno，——convento，\"——saidSparicio。Still，hemustgo；andatonce。ItwasFridaymorning；——mightreachthePointSaturdaynight，withagoodwind……Herousedhishousekeeper，gaveallneedfulinstructions，preparedhislittlemedicine—chest；——andlongbeforethefirstrose—goldfireofdayhadflashedtothecityspires，hewassleepingthesleepofexhaustioninthetinycabinofafishing—sloop……ForelevenyearsJulienhaddevotedhimself，heartandsoul，totheexerciseofthatprofessionhehadfirststudiedratherasapoliteaccomplishmentthanasafuturecalling。Intheunselfishpursuitofdutyhehadfoundtheonlypossibleconsolationforhisirreparableloss；andwhenthewarcametosweepawayhiswealth，heenteredthestrugglevalorously，nottostriveagainstmen，buttousehisscienceagainstdeath。Afterthepassingofthathugeshock，whichleftalltheimposingandsplendidfabricofSouthernfeudalismwreckedforever，hisprofessionstoodhimingoodstead；——hefoundhimselfnotonlyabletosupplythosepersonalwantshecaredtosatisfy，butalsotoalleviatethemiseryofmanywhomhehadknownindaysofopulence；——theprincelymiserythatneverdoffeditssmilingmask，thoughlivinginsecret，fromweektoweek，onbreadandorange—leaftea；——themiserythataffectedcondescensioninacceptinganinvitationtodine，——staringatthefaceofawatch（refusedbytheMont—de—Piete）witheyeshalfblindedbystarvation；——themiserywhichcouldaffordbutonerobeforthreemarriageabledaughters，——oneplaindresstobeworninturnbyeachofthem，onvisitingdays；——theprettymisery——young，brave，sweet，——askingfora\"treat\"ofcakestoojocoselytohaveitsaskinganswered，——laughingandcoquettingwithitswell—fedwooers，andcryingforhungeraftertheyweregone。Oftenandoften，hishearthadpleadedagainsthispurseforsuchasthese，andwonitscaseinthesilentcourtsofSelf。Butevermysteriouslythegiftcame，——sometimesasiffromthehandofaformerslave；sometimesasfromaremorsefulcreditor，ashamedtowritehisname。OnlyyellowVictorineknew；buttheDoctor’shousekeeperneveropenedthosesphinx—lipsofhers，untilyearsaftertheDoctor’snamehaddisappearedfromtheCityDirectory……

Hehadgrownquitethin，——alittlegray。Theepidemichadburthenedhimwithresponsibilitiestoomultifariousandponderousforhisslenderstrengthtobear。Thecontinualnervousstrainofabnormallyprotractedduty，theperpetualinterruptionofsleep，hadalmostprostratedevenhiswill。Nowheonlyhopedthat，duringthisbriefabsencefromthecity，hemightfindrenewedstrengthtodohisterribletask。

Mosquitoesbitsavagely；andtheheatbecamethicker；——andtherewasyetnowind。SparicioandhishiredboyCarmelohadbeenwalkingbackwardandforwardforhoursoverhead，——urgingthevesselyardbyyard，withlongpoles，throughtheslimeofcanalsandbayous。Witheveryheavypush，thewearyboywouldsighout，——\"SantoAntonio!——SantoAntonio!\"SullenSpariciohimselfatlastburstintovociferationsofill—humor：——\"SantoAntonio？——Ah!santissimuesantudiavulu!……Sacramentupaescitevegnuunasidente!——malidittuluSignuri!\"Allthroughthemorningtheywalkedandpushed，trudgedandsighedandswore；andtheminutesdraggedbymorewearilythantheshufflingoftheirfeet。\"ManaggiaCristocotuttaacroce!\"……\"Santissimuesantudiavulu!\"……

Butastheyreachedatlastthefirstofthebroadbrightlakes，theheatlifted，thebreezeleapedup，theloosesailflappedandfilled；and，bendinggraciouslyasaskater，theoldSanMarcobegantoshootinastraightlineovertheblueflood。Then，whiletheboysatatthetiller，Spariciolightedhistinycharcoalfurnacebelow，andpreparedasimplemeal，——deliciousyellowmacaroni，flavoredwithgoats’cheese；somefriedfish，thatsmelledappetizingly；andrichblackcoffee，ofOrientalfragranceandthickness。Julienatealittle，andlaydowntosleepagain。Thistimehisrestwasundisturbedbythemosquitoes；andwhenhewoke，inthecoolingevening，hefeltalmostrefreshed。TheSanMarcowasflyingintoBaratariaBay。

Alreadythelanterninthelighthousetowerhadbeguntoglowlikealittlemoon；andrightontherimofthesea，avastandvermilionsunseemedtoresthischin。Graypelicanscameflappingaroundthemast；——sea—birdsspedhurtlingby，theirwhitebosomsrose—flushedbythewesternglow……AgainSparicio’slittlefurnacewasatwork，——morefish，moremacaroni，moreblackcoffee；alsoasquare—shoulderedbottleofginmadeitsappearance。Julienatelesssparinglyatthissecondmeal；

andsmokedalongtimeondeckwithSparicio，whosuddenlybecameverygood—humored，andchattedvolublyinbadSpanish，andinmuchworseEnglish。Thenwhiletheboytookafewhours’sleep，theDoctorhelpeddelightedlyinmaneuveringthelittlevessel。

Hehadbeenagoodyachtsmaninotheryears；andSpariciodeclaredhewouldmakeagoodfisherman。BymidnighttheSanMarcobegantorunwithalong，swinginggait；——shehadreacheddeepwater。Juliensleptsoundly；thesteadyrockingofthesloopseemedtosoothehisnerves。

——\"Afterall，\"hethoughttohimself，asherosefromhislittlebunknextmorning，——\"somethinglikethisisjustwhatI

needed。\"……Thepleasantscentofhotcoffeegreetedhim；——Carmelowashandinghimthetincupcontainingit，downthroughthehatchway。Afterdrinkingithefeltreallyhungry；——heatemoremacaronithanhehadevereatenbefore。

Then，whileSparicioslept，heaidedCarmelo；andduringthemiddleofthedayherestedagain。Hehadnothadsomuchuninterruptedreposeformanyaweek。Hefanciedhecouldfeelhimselfgettingstrong。Atsupper—timeitseemedtohimhecouldnotgetenoughtoeat，——althoughtherewasplentyforeverybody。

Alldaylongtherehadbeenexactlythesamewave—creasedistortingthewhiteshadowoftheSanMarco’ssailuponthebluewater；——alldaylongtheyhadbeenskimmingovertheliquidlevelofaworldsojewel—bluethatthelowgreenribbon—stripsofmarshland，thefar—offfleeinglinesofpine—yellowsandbeach，seemedflawsorbreaksintheperfectedcoloroftheuniverse；——alldaylonghadthecloudlessskyrevealedthroughallitsexquisitetransparencythatinexpressibletendernesswhichnopainterandnopoetcaneverreimage，——thatunutterablesweetnesswhichnoartofmanmayevershadowforth，andwhichnonemayevercomprehend，——thoughwefeelittobeinsomestrangewayakintotheluminousandunspeakablecharmthatmakesuswonderattheeyesofawomanwhensheloves。

Eveningcame；andthegreatdominantcelestialtonedeepened；——thecirclinghorizonfilledwithghostlytints，——spectralgreensandgrays，andpearl—lightsandfish—colors……Carmelo，ashecrouchedatthetiller，wassinging，inalow，clearalto，sometristfullittlemelody。Overthesea，behindthem，lay，black—stretching，alonglowarmofisland—shore；——beforethemflamedthesplendorofsun—death；theyweresailingintoamightyglory，——intoavastandawfullightofgold。

Shadinghisvisionwithhisfingers，Spariciopointedtothelongleanlimboflandfromwhichtheywerefleeing，andsaidtoLaBrierre：——

——\"Look—a，Doct—a!Last—aIslan’!\"

Julienknewit；——heonlynoddedhisheadinreply，andlookedtheotherway，——intothegloryofGod。Then，wishingtodivertthefisherman’sattentiontoanothertheme，heaskedwhatwasCarmelosinging。Sparicioatonceshoutedtothelad：——

——\"Ha!……ho!Carmelo!——Santudiavulu!……Sing—aloud—a!

Doct—alik—a!Sing—a!sing!\"……\"Hesing—anicee，\"——addedtheboatman，withhispeculiardarksmile。AndthenCarmelosang，loudandclearly，thesonghehadbeensingingbefore，——oneofthoseartlessMediterraneanballads，fullofcaressingvowel—sounds，andyoungpassion，andmelancholybeauty：——

\"M’amaancor，beltafulgente，Cometum’amastiallor；——

Ascoltarnondeigente，Solointerrogailtuocor。\"……

——\"Hesing—anicee，——muchabueno!\"murmuredthefisherman。Andthen，suddenly，——witharichandsplendidbassothatseemedtothrilleveryfibreoftheplanking，——Spariciojoinedinthesong：——

\"M’amapurd’amoreeterno，Nedeilittosembriate；

T’assicurochel’infernoUnafavolasole。\"……

Alltheroughnessofthemanwasgone!ToJulien’sstartledfancy，thefishershadceasedtobe；——lo!Carmelowasaprincelypage；Sparicio，aking!Howperfectlytheirvoicesmarriedtogether!——theysangwithpassion，withpower，withtruth，withthatwondrousnaturalartwhichisthebirthrightoftherudestItaliansoul。Andthestarsthrobbedoutintheheaven；andtheglorydiedinthewest；andthenightopeneditsheart；andthesplendoroftheeternitiesfellallaboutthem。Stilltheysang；

andtheSanMarcospedonthroughthesoftgloom，everslightlyswervedbythesteadyblowingofthesoutheastwindinhersail；——alwayswearingthesamecrimpling—frillofwave—sprayaboutherprow，——alwaysaccompaniedbythesamesmooth—backedswells，——alwaysspinningoutbehindherthesamelongtrailofinterwovenfoam。AndJulienlookedup。Everthenightthrilledmoreandmorewithsilenttwinklings；——moreandmoremultitudinouslylightspointedintheeternities；——theEveningStarquiveredlikeagreatdropofliquidwhitefirereadytofall；——Vegaflamedasapharoslightingthecoursesethereal，——toguidethesailingofthesuns，andtheswarmingoffleetsofworlds。Thenthevastsweetnessofthatvioletnightenteredintohisblood，——filledhimwiththatawfuljoy，sonearakintosadness，whichthesenseoftheInfinitebrings，——whenonefeelsthepoetryoftheMostAncientandMostExcellentofPoets，andthenissmittenatoncewiththecontrast—thoughtofthesicklinessandselfishnessofMan，——oftheblindnessandbrutalityofcities，whereintothedivinebluelightneverpurelycomes，andthesanctificationoftheSilencesneverdescends……

furiouscities，walledawayfromheaven……Oh!ifonecouldonlysailonthusalways，alwaysthroughsuchanight——throughsuchastar—sprinkledvioletlight，andhearSparicioandCarmelosing，eventhoughitwerethesamemelodyalways，alwaysthesamesong!……\"Scuza，Doct—a!——look—aout!\"Julienbentdown，asthebigboom，loosened，swungoverhishead。TheSanMarcowasroundingintoshore，——headingforherhome。Sparicioliftedahugeconch—shellfromthedeck，putittohislips，filledhisdeeplungs，andflungoutintothenight——thrice——aprofound，mellifluent，boominghorn—tone。Aminutepassed。Then，ghostlyfaint，asanechofromveryfaraway，atripleblowingresponded……

Andalongpurplemassloomedandswelledintosight，heightened，approached——landandtreesblack—shadowing，andlightsthatswung……TheSanMarcoglidedintoabayou，——underahighwharfingoftimbers，whereabeardedfishermanwaited，andawoman。Sparicioflunguparope。

Thebeardedmancaughtitbythelantern—light，andtetheredtheSanMarcotoherp]ace。Thenheasked，inadeepvoice：

—\"HastraidoalDoctor？\"

—\"Si，si!\"answeredSparicio……\"Yelviejo？\"

—\"Aye!pobre!\"respondedFeliu，——\"hacetresdiasqueestamuerto。\"

HenryEdwardswasdead!

Hehaddiedverysuddenly，withoutacryoraword，whilerestinginhisrocking—chair，——theverydayafterSpariciohadsailed。

Theyhadmadehimagraveinthemarsh，——amongthehighweeds，notfarfromtheruinedtomboftheSpanishfisherman。ButSpariciohadfairlyearnedhishundreddollars。

V。

SotherewasnothingtodoatViosca’sPointexcepttorest。

FeliuandallhismenweregoingtoBaratariainthemorningonbusiness；——theDoctorcouldaccompanythemthere，andtaketheGrandIslandsteamerMondayforNewOrleans。WiththisintentionJulienretired，——notsorryforbeingabletostretchhimselfatfulllengthonthegoodbedpreparedforhim，inoneoftheunoccupiedcabins。Buthewokebeforedaywithafeelingofintenseprostration，aviolentheadache，andsuchanaversionforthemereideaoffoodthatFeliu’sinvitationtobreakfastatfiveo’clockgavehimaninternalqualm。Perhapsatouchofmalaria。Inanycasehefeltitwouldbebothdangerousanduselesstoreturntotownunwell；andFeliu，observinghiscondition，himselfadvisedagainstthejourney。Wednesdayhewouldhaveanotheropportunitytoleave；andinthemeanwhileCarmenwouldtakegoodcareofhim……Theboatsdeparted，andJuliensleptagain。

Thesunwashighwhenheroseupanddressedhimself，feelingnobetter。Hewouldhavelikedtowalkabouttheplace，butfeltnervouslyafraidofthesun。Hedidnotrememberhavingeverfeltsobrokendownbefore。Hepulledarocking—chairtothewindow，triedtosmokeacigar。Itcommencedtomakehimfeelstillsicker，andheflungitaway。Itseemedtohimthecabinwasswaying，astheSanMarcoswayedwhenshefirstreachedthedeepwater。

Alightrustlingsoundapproached，——asoundofquickfeettreadingthegrass：thenashadowslantedoverthethreshold。

Intheglowoftheopendoorwaystoodayounggirl，——gracile，tall，——withsingularlysplendideyes，——browneyespeepingathimfrombeneathagoldenriotofloosehair。

——\"M’sieu—le—Docteur，mamand’mandesivousn’avezbesoind’que’quechose？\"……ShespoketherudeFrenchofthefishingvillages，wherethelanguageliveschieflyasabaragouin，mingledoftenwithwordsandformsbelongingtomanyothertongues。Sheworealoose—fallingdressofsomelightstuff，steel—grayincolor；——boys’shoeswereonherfeet。

Hedidnotreply；——andherlargeeyesgrewlargerforwonderatthestrangefixedgazeofthephysician，whosefacehadvisiblybleached，——blanchedtocorpse—pallor。Silentsecondspassed；andstilltheeyesstared——flamedasifthelifeofthemanhadcentralizedandfocussedwithinthem。

Hisvoicehadrisentoacryinhisthroat，quiveredandswelledonepassionateinstant，andfailed——asinadreamwhenonestrivestocall，andyetcanonlymoan……She!Herunforgotteneyes，herbrows，herlips!——theovalofherface!——thedawn—lightofherhair!……Adele’sownpoise，——herowngrace!——eventheveryturnofherneck，eventhebird—toneofherspeech!……HadthegravesentforthaShadowtohaunthim？——couldtheperfidiousSeahaveyieldedupitsdead？Foroneterriblefractionofaminute，memories，doubts，fears，madfancies，wentpulsingthroughhisbrainwitharushliketherhythmicthrobbingofanelectricstream；——thentheshockpassed，theReasonspoke：——\"Fool!——countthelongyearssinceyoufirstsawherthus!——counttheyearsthathavegonesinceyoulookeduponherlast!AndTimehasneverhalted，sillyheart!——neitherhasDeathstoodstill!\"……\"Plait—il？\"——theclearvoiceoftheyounggirlasked。Shethoughthehadmadesomeresponseshecouldnotdistinctlyhear。

Masteringhimselfaninstant，astheheartfalteredbacktoitsduty，andthecolorremountedtohislips，heansweredherinFrench：——

\"Pardonme!——Ididnothear……yougavemesuchastart!\"……

Buteventhenanotherextraordinaryfancyflashedthroughhisthought；——andwiththetutoiementofaparenttoachild，withanirresistibleoutburstofsuchtendernessasalmostfrightenedher，hecried：\"Oh!mercifulGod!——howlikeher!……Tellme，darling，yourname；……tellmewhoyouare？\"（Dis—moiquitues，mignonne；——dis—moitonnom。）……Whowasithadaskedherthesamequestion，inanotheridiomeversolongago？Themanwiththeblackeyesandnoselikeaneagle’sbeak，——theonewhogaveherthecompass。Notthisman——no!

Sheanswered，withthetimidgravityofsurprise：——

——\"ChitaViosca\"

Hestillwatchedherface，andrepeatedthenameslowly，——reiterateditinatoneofwonderment：——\"ChitaViosca？——ChitaViosca!\"

——\"C’estadire……\"shesaid，lookingdownatherfeet，——\"Concha——Conchita。\"Hisstrangesolemnitymadehersmile，——thesmileofshynessthatknowsnotwhatelsetodo。ButitwasthesmileofdeadAdele。

——\"Thanks，mychild，\"heexclaimedofasudden，——inaquick，hoarse，changedtone。（Hefeltthathisemotionwouldbreaklooseinsomewildway，ifhelookeduponherlonger。）\"Iwouldliketoseeyourmotherthisevening；butInowfeeltooilltogoout。Iamgoingtotrytorestalittle。\"

——\"NothingIcanbringyou？\"sheasked，——\"somefreshmilk？\"

——\"Nothingnow，dear：ifIneedanythinglater，Iwilltellyourmotherwhenshecomes。\"

——\"MammadoesnotunderstandFrenchverywell。\"

——\"Noimporta，Conchita；——lehablareenEspanol。\"

——\"Bien，entonces!\"sheresponded，withthesameexquisitesmile。\"Adios，senor!\"……

Butassheturnedingoing，hispiercingeyediscernedalittlebrownspeckbelowtheprettylobeofherrightear，——justinthepeachycurvebetweenneckandcheek……HisownlittleZouzounehadabirthmarklikethat!———herememberedthefaintpinktraceleftbyhisfingersaboveandbelowitthedayhehadslappedherforoverturninghisinkbottle……\"Tolaiminmoin？———tobattemoin!\"

\"Chita!———Chita!\"

Shedidnothear……Afterall，whatamistakehemighthavemade!WerenotNature’scoincidencesmorewonderfulthanfiction？Bettertowait，——toquestionthemotherfirst，andthusmakesure。

Still——thereweresomanycoincidences!Theface，thesmile，theeyes，thevoice，thewholecharm；———thenthatmark，———andthefairhair。ZouzounehadalwaysresembledAdelesostrangely!

ThatgoldenhairwasaScandinavianbequesttotheFloranefamily；———thetalldaughterofaNorwegianseacaptainhadoncebecomethewifeofaFlorane。Viosca？———whoeverknewaVioscawithsuchhair？Yetagain，theseSpanishemigrantssometimesmarriedblondeGermangirls……Mightbeacaseofatavism，too。

WhowasthisViosca？Ifthatwashiswife，———thelittlebrownCarmen，———whenceChita’ssunnyhair？……

AndthiswaspartofthatsamedesolateshorewhithertheLastIslanddeadhadbeendriftedbythattremendoussurge!Onaclearday，withagoodglass，onemightdiscernfromherethelongbluestreakofthatghastlycoast……Somewhere——betweenhereandthere……MercifulGod!……Butagain!Thatbivouac—nightbeforethefightatChancellorsville，Larousselhadbeguntotellhimsuchasingularstory……Chancehadbroughtthem，——theoldenemies，——together；

madethemdearfriendsinthefaceofDeath。Howlittlehehadcomprehendedtheman!———whatabrave，true，simplesoulwentupthatdaytotheLordofBattles!……Whatwasit——thatstoryaboutthelittleCreolegirlsavedfromLastIsland，——thatstorywhichwasneverfinished？……Eh!whatapain!

Evidentlyhehadworkedtoomuch，slepttoolittle。Adecidedcaseofnervousprostration。Hemustliedown，andtrytosleep。

Thesepainsintheheadandbackwerebecomingunbearable。

Nothingbutrestcouldavailhimnow。

Hestretchedhimselfunderthemosquitocurtain。Itwasverystill，breath。less，hot!Thevenomousinsectswerethick；———theyfilledtheroomwithacontinuousebullientsound，asifinvisiblekettleswereboilingoverhead。Asignofstorm……Still，itwasstrange!———hecouldnotperspire……

ThenitseemedtohimthatLarousselwasbendingoverhim———Larousselinhiscavalryuniform。\"Bonjour，camarade!———nousallonsavoirunbienmauvaistemps，monpauvreJulien。\"How!badweather？———\"Commentunmauvaistemps？\"……

HelookedinLaroussel’sface。Therewassomethingsosingularinhissmile。Ah!yes，———herememberednow：itwasthewound!……\"Unvilaintemps!\"whisperedLaroussel。Thenhewasgone……Whither？

———\"Cheri!\"……

Thewhisperrousedhimwithafearfulstart……Adele’swhisper!

Soshewaswonttorousehimsometimesintheoldsweetnights，——tocravesomelittleattentionforailingEulalie，———tomakesomelittleconfidenceshehadforgottentoutterduringthehappyevening……No，no!Itwasonlythetrees。Theskywascloudingover。Thewindwasrising……Howhisheartbeat!howhistemplespulsed!Why，thiswasfever!Suchpainsinthebackandhead!

Stillhisskinwasdry，——dryasparchment，——burning。Heroseup；

andaburstingweightofpainatthebaseoftheskullmadehimreellikeadrunkenman。Hestaggeredtothelittlemirrornaileduponthewall，andlooked。Howhiseyesglowed；———andtherewasbloodinhismouth!Hefelthispulsespasmodic，terriblyrapid。Coulditpossibly———？……No：thismustbesomeperniciousmalarialfever!TheCreoledoesnoteasilyfallapreytothegreattropicalmalady，———unlessafteralongabsenceinotherclimates。True!hehadbeenfouryearsinthearmy!Butthiswas1867……Hehesitatedamoment；

then，——openinghismedicinechest，hemeasuredoutandswallowedthirtygrainsofquinine。

Thenhelaydownagain。Hisheadpainedmoreandmore；———itseemedasifthecervicalvertebraewerefilledwithfluidiron。

Andstillhisskinremaineddryasiftanned。Thentheanguishgrewsointenseastoforceagroanwithalmosteveryaspiration……Nausea，——andthestingingbitternessofquininerisinginhisthroat；———dizziness，andabrutalwrenchingwithinhisstomach。

Everythingbegantolookpink；———thelightwasrose—colored。Itdarkenedmore，———kindledwithdeepeningtint。Somethingkeptsparklingandspinningbeforehissight，likeafirework……Thenaburstofbloodmixedwithchemicalbitternessfilledhismouth；

thelightbecamescarletasclaret……This——thiswas……notmalaria……

VI……Carmenknewwhatitwas；butthebravelittlewomanwasnotafraidofit。Manyatimebeforeshehadmetitfacetoface，inHavanesesummers；sheknewhowtowrestlewithit；shehadtornFeliu’slifeawayfromitsyellowclutch，afteroneofthoselongstrugglesthatstraineventhestrengthoflove。NowshefearedmostlyforChita。Shehadorderedthegirlundernocircumstancestoapproachthecabin。

Julienfeltthatblanketshadbeenheapeduponhim，———thatsomegentlehandwasbathinghisscorchingfacewithvinegarandwater。Vaguelyalsotherecametohimtheideathatitwasnight。Hesawtheshadow—shapeofawomanmovingagainsttheredlightuponthewall；———hesawtherewasalampburning。

Thenthedeliriumseizedhim：hemoaned，sobbed，criedlikeachild，———talkedwildlyatintervalsinFrench，inEnglish，inSpanish。

———\"Mentira!———youcouldnotbehermother……Still，ifyouwere———Andshemustnotcomeinhere，———jamais!……Carmen，didyouknowAdele，———AdeleFlorane？Solikeher，———solike，———Godonlyknowshowlike!……PerhapsIthinkIknow；———butIdonot———donotknowjustly，fully———howlike!……Si!si!———eselvomito!———yoloconozco，Carmen!……Shemustnotdietwice……I

diedtwice……Iamgoingtodieagain。Sheonlyonce。Tilltheheavensbenomoreshewillnotrise……Moi，aucontraire，ilfautquejemelevetoujours!Theyneedmesomuch；———theslateisalwaysfull；thebellwillneverstop。TheywillringthatbellformewhenIamdead……SowillIriseagain!———resurgam!……HowcouldIsavehim？———couldnotsavemyself。Itwasabadcase，——atseventyyears!……There!Quica？\"……

HesawLarousselagain，——reachingoutahandtohimthroughawhirlofredsmoke。Hetriedtograspit，andcouldnot……

\"N’importe，monami，\"saidLaroussel，———\"tuvaslavoirbientot。\"

Whowashetoseesoon？———\"quidone，Laroussel？\"ButLarousseldidnotanswer。Throughtheredmistheseemedtosmile；———thenpassed。

ForsomehoursCarmenhadtrustedshecouldsaveherpatient，———desperateasthecaseappearedtobe。Hiswasoneofthoserapidandviolentattacks，suchasoftendespatchtheirvictimsinasingleday。IntheCubanhospitalsshehadseenmanyandmanyterribleexamples：strongyoungmen，———soldiersfreshfromSpain，———carriedpantingtothefeverwardsatsunrise；carriedtothecemeteriesatsunset。Eventroopersriddledwithrevolutionarybulletshadlingeredlonger……Still，shehadbelievedshemightsaveJulien’slife：theburningforeheadoncebegantobead，theburninghandsgrewmoist。

Butnowthewindwasmoaning；——theairhadbecomelighter，thinner，cooler。Astonewasgatheringintheeast；andtothefever—strickenmanthechangemeantdeath……ImpossibletobringthepriestoftheCaminadanow；andtherewasnootherwithinaday’ssail。Shecouldonlypray；shehadlostallhopeinherownpowertosave。

Stillthesickmanraved；buthetalkedtohimselfatlongerintervals，andwithlongerpausesbetweenhiswords；———hisvoicewasgrowingmorefeeble，hisspeechmoreincoherent。Histhoughtvacillatedanddistorted，likeflameinawind。

Weirdlythepastbecameconfoundedwiththepresent；impressionsofsightandofsoundinterlinkedinfastasticaffinity，———thefaceofChitaViosca，themurmuroftherisingstorm。Thenflickersofspectrallightningpassedthroughhiseyes，throughhisbrain，witheverythroboftheburningarteries；thenutterdarknesscame，———adarknessthatsurgedandmoaned，asthecircumfluenceofashadowedsea。Andthroughandoverthemoaningpealedonemultitudinoushumancry，onehideousinterblendingofshoutingsandshriekings……Awoman’shandwaslockedinhisown……\"Tighter，\"hemuttered，\"tighterstill，darling!holdaslongasyoucan!\"ItwasthetenthnightofAugust，eighteenhundredandfifty—six……

———\"Cheri!\"

Againthemysteriouswhisperstartledhimtoconsciousness，———thedimknowledgeofaroomfilledwithrubycoloredlight，———andthesharpodorofvinegar。Thehouseswungroundslowly；———thecrimsonflameofthelamplengthenedandbroadenedbyturns；———theneverythingturneddizzilyfast，———whirledasifspinninginavortex……Nauseaunutterable；andafrightfulanguishasofteethdevouringhimwithin，———tearingmoreandmorefuriouslyathisbreast。Thenoneatrociouswrenching，rending，burning，———andthegushofbloodburstfromlipsandnostrilsinasmotheringdeluge。Againthevisionoflightnings，theswaying，andthedarknessoflongago。\"Quick!———quick!———holdfasttothetable，Adele!———neverletgo!\"……Up，———up，———up!———what!higheryet？Uptotheredsky!

Red———black—red……heatedironwhenitsvermiliondies。So，too，thefrightfulflood!Andnoiseless。Noiselessbecauseheavy，clammy，———thick，warm，sickening———blood？Wellmightthelandquakefortheweightofsuchatide!———WhydidAdelespeakSpanish？Whoprayedforhim？……

———\"AlmadeCristosantisimasantificame!

\"SangredeCristo，embriagame!

\"ObuenJesus，oyeme!\"……

Outofthedarknessinto——suchalight!Anazurehaze!

Ah!———thedeliciousfrost!……Allthestreetswerefilledwiththesweetbluemist……VoicelesstheCityandwhite；———crookedandweedgrownitsnarrowways!……Oldstreetsoftombs，these……Eh!Howoddacustom!———aNight—bellateverydoor。Yes，ofcourse!———anight—bell!———theDeadarePhysiciansofSouls：theymaybesummonedonlybynight，———calledupfromthedarknessandsilence……Yetshe？———mighthenotdaretoringforherevenbyday？……Strangehehaddeemeditday!———why，itwasblack，starless……Anditwasgrowingqueerlycold……Howshouldheeverfindhernow？Itwassoblack……socold!……

———\"Cheri!\"

Allthedwellingquiveredwiththemightywhisper。

Outside，thegreatoaksweretremblingtotheirroots；———alltheshoreshookandblanchedbeforethecallingofthesea。

AndCarmen，kneelingatthefeetofthedead，criedout，aloneinthenight：———

———\"OJesusmisericordioso!———tenedcompasiondeel!\"