ful change had come over her since then; and what a
difference there was between that hubbub and the present tranquility!
How quiet and empty Paimpol seemed to-night in the warm long twilight
of May, which kept her still at her window alone, lulled in her love's
young dream!

CHAPTER V--THE SECOND MEETING

Their second meeting was at a wedding-feast. Young Gaos had been chosen
to offer her his arm. At first she had been rather vexed, not liking
the idea of strolling through the streets with this tall fellow, whom
everybody would stare at, on account of his excessive height, and who,
most probably, would not know what to speak to her about. Besides, he
really frightened her with his wild, lofty look.

At the appointed hour all were assembled for the wedding procession save
Yann, who had not appeared. Time passed, yet he did not come, and
they talked of giving up any further waiting for him. Then it was she
discovered that it was for his pleasure, and his alone, that she had
donned her best dress; with any other of the young men present at the
ball, the evening's enjoyment would be spoiled.

At last he arrived, in his best clothes also, apologizing, without any
embarrassment, to the bride's party. The excuse was, that some important
shoals of fish, not at all expected, had been telegraphed from England,
as bound to pass that night a little off Aurigny; and so all the boats
of Ploubazlanec hastily had set sail. There was great excitement in the
villages, women rushing about to find their husbands and urging them to
put off quickly, and struggling hard themselves to hoist the sails
and help in the launching; in fact, a regular "turnout" throughout
the places, though in the midst of the company Yann related this very
simply; he had been obliged to look out for a substitute and warrant him
to the owner of the boat to which he belonged for the winter season. It
was this that had caused him to be late, and in order not to miss the
wedding, he had "turned up" (abandoned) his share in the profits of the
catch. His plea was perfectly well understood by his hearers, no one
thinking of blaming him; for well all know that, in this coast life, all
are more or less dependent upon the unforeseen events at sea, and the
mysterious migrations of the fishy regions. The other Icelandes present
were disappointed at not having been warned in time, like the fishers of
Ploubazlanec, of the fortune that was skirting their very shores.

B