In Brittany, towards the end of September, on an already chilly day,Gaud was walking alone across the common of Ploubazlanec, in thedirection of Pors-Even.

　　The Icelanders had returned a month back, except two, which hadperished in that June gale. But the /Marie/ had held her own, and Yannand all her crew were peacefully at home.

　　Gaud felt very troubled at the idea of going to Yann's house. She hadseen him once since the return from Iceland, when they had all gonetogether to see poor little Sylvestre off to the navy. Theyaccompanied him to the coaching-house, he blubbering a little and hisgrandmother weeping, and he had started to join the fleet at Brest.

　　Yann, who had come also to bid good-bye to his little friend, hadfeigned to look aside when Gaud looked at him, and as there were manypeople round the coach to see the other sailors off, and parentsassembled to say good-bye, the pair had not a chance to speak. So, atlast, she had formed a strong resolution, and rather timidly wendedher way towards the Gaos's home.

　　Her father had formerly had mutual interests with Yann's father(complicated business, which............