One evening as these lovers sat out on their stone bench in thesolitude over which the night fell, they suddenly perceived a hawthornbush, which grew solitarily between the rocks, by the side of theroad, covered with tiny flowered tufts.

　　"It looks as if 'twas in bloom," said Yann.

　　They drew near to inspect it. It was in full flower, indeed. As theycould not see very well in the twilight, they touched the tiny blooms,wet with mist. Then the first impression of spring came to them at thesame time they noticed this; the days had already lengthened, the airwas warmer, and the night more luminous. But how forward thisparticular bush was! They could not find another like it anywherearound, not one! It had blossomed, you see, expressly for them, forthe celebration of their loving plight.

　　"Oh! let us gather some more," said Yann.

　　Groping in the dark, he cut a nosegay with the stout sailor's knifethat he always wore in his belt, and paring off all the thorns, heplaced it in Gaud's bosom.

　　"You look like a bride now," said he, stepping back to judge of theeffect, notwithstanding the deepening dusk.

　　At their feet the calm sea rose and fell over the shingle with anintermittent swash, regular as the breathing of a sleeper; for itseemed indifferent or ever favourable to the love-making going on hardby.

　　In expectation of these evenings the days appeared long to them, andwhen they bade each ot............