It was six days before the sailing for Iceland. Their weddingprocession was returning from Ploubazlanec Church, driven before afurious wind, under a sombre, rain-laden sky.

　　They looked very handsome, nevertheless, as they walked along as in adream, arm-in-arm, like king and queen leading a long cortege. Calm,reserved, and grave, they seemed to see nothing about them; as if theywere above ordinary life and everybody else. The very wind seemed torespect them, while behind them their "train" was a jolly medley oflaughing couples, tumbled and buffeted by the angry western gale.

　　Many people were present, overflowing with young life; others turninggray, but these still smiled as they thought of /their/ wedding-dayand younger years. Granny Yvonne was there and following, too, pantinga little, but something like happy, hanging on the arm of an old uncleof Yann's, who was paying her old-fashioned compliments. She wore agrand new cap, bought for the occasion, and her tiny shawl, which hadbeen dyed a third time, and black, because of Sylvestre.

　　The wind worried everybody; dresses and skirts, bonnets and /coiffes/,were similarly tossed about mercilessly.

　　At the church door, the newly married couple, pursuant to custom, hadbought two nosegays of artificial flowers, to complete their bridalattire. Yann had fastened his on anyhow upon his broad chest, but hewas one of those men whom anything becomes. As for Gaud, there wasstill something of the lady about the manner in which she had placedthe rude flowers in her bodice, as of old very close fitting to herunrivalled form.

　　The violin player, who led the whole band, bewildered by the wind,played at random; his tunes were heard by fits and starts betwixt thenoisy gusts, and rose as shrill as the screaming of a sea-gull. AllPloubazlanec had turned out to look at them. This marriage seemed toexcite people's sympathy, and many had come from far around; at eachturn of the road there were groups stationed to see them pass. Nearlyall Yann's mates, the Icelanders of Paimpol, were there. They cheeredthe bride and bridegroom as they passed; Gaud returned their greeting,bowing slightly like a town lady, with serious grace; and all alongthe way she was greatly admired.

　　The darkest and most secluded hamlets around, even those in the woods,had been emptied ............