Chita—A Memory of Last Island_第3章_无广告免费看-丁香书院

　　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!"

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