Heletgotherevolveraltogether，stoodhesitating，thenthrowinghishandsout，strodeforward——andeverythingpassedfromhissight。Hecouldnotseetheman，thewoman，theearth，thesky——sawnothing，asifinthatonestridehehadleftthevisibleworldbehindtostepintoablackanddesertedspace。Heheardscreamsroundhiminthatobscurity，screamslikethemelancholyandpitifulcriesofsea-birdsthatdwellonthelonelyreefsofgreatoceans。Thensuddenlyafaceappearedwithinafewinchesofhisown。Hisface。Hefeltsomethinginhislefthand。Histhroat……Ah！thethinglikeasnake’sheadthatdartsupanddown……Hesqueezedhard。Hewasbackintheworld。Hecouldseethequickbeatingofeyelidsoverapairofeyesthatwereallwhites，thegrinofadrawn-uplip，arowofteethgleamingthroughthedroopinghairofamoustache……Strongwhiteteeth。Knockthemdownhislyingthroat……
Hedrewbackhisrighthand，thefistuptotheshoulder，knucklesout。Fromunderhisfeetrosethescreamsofsea-birds。
Thousandsofthem。Somethingheldhislegs……Whatthedevil……Hedeliveredhisblowstraightfromtheshoulder，feltthejarrightuphisarm，andrealizedsuddenlythathewasstrikingsomethingpassiveandunresisting。Hisheartsankwithinhimwithdisappointment，withrage，withmortification。Hepushedwithhisleftarm，openingthehandwithhaste，asifhehadjustperceivedthathegotholdbyaccidentofsomethingrepulsive——
andhewatchedwithstupefiedeyesWillemstotteringbackwardsingropingstrides，thewhitesleeveofhisjacketacrosshisface。
Hewatchedhisdistancefromthatmanincrease，whileheremainedmotionless，withoutbeingabletoaccounttohimselfforthefactthatsomuchemptyspacehadcomeinbetweenthem。Itshouldhavebeentheotherway。Theyoughttohavebeenveryclose，and……Ah！Hewouldn’tfight，hewouldn’tresist，hewouldn’tdefendhimself！Acur！Evidentlyacur！……Hewasamazedandaggrieved——profoundly——bitterly——withtheimmenseandblankdesolationofasmallchildrobbedofatoy。Heshouted——
unbelieving:
\"Willyoubeacheattotheend？\"
Hewaitedforsomeanswer。Hewaitedanxiouslywithanimpatiencethatseemedtolifthimoffhisfeet。Hewaitedforsomeword，somesign；forsomethreateningstir。Nothing！Onlytwounwinkingeyesglitteredintentlyathimabovethewhitesleeve。Hesawtheraisedarmdetachitselffromthefaceandsinkalongthebody。Awhitecladarm，withabigstainonthewhitesleeve。Aredstain。Therewasacutonthecheek。Itbled。Thenosebledtoo。Thebloodrandown，madeonemoustachelooklikeadarkragstuckoverthelip，andwentoninawetstreakdowntheclippedbeardononesideofthechin。Adropofbloodhungontheendofsomehairsthatweregluedtogether；ithungforawhileandtookaleapdownontheground。Manymorefollowed，leapingoneafteranotherinclosefile。Onealightedonthebreastandglideddowninstantlywithdeviousvivacity，likeasmallinsectrunningaway；itleftanarrowdarktrackonthewhiteskin。Helookedatit，lookedatthetinyandactivedrops，lookedatwhathehaddone，withobscuresatisfaction，withanger，withregret。Thiswasn’tmuchlikeanactofjustice。Hehadadesiretogoupnearertotheman，tohearhimspeak，tohearhimsaysomethingatrociousandwickedthatwouldjustifytheviolenceoftheblow。Hemadeanattempttomove，andbecameawareofacloseembraceroundbothhislegs，justabovetheankles。Instinctively，hekickedoutwithhisfoot，brokethroughtheclosebondandfeltatoncetheclasptransferredtohisotherleg；theclaspwarm，desperateandsoft，ofhumanarms。Helookeddownbewildered。Hesawthebodyofthewomanstretchedatlength，flattenedonthegroundlikeadarkbluerag。Shetrailedfacedownwards，clingingtohislegwithbotharmsinatenacioushug。Hesawthetopofherhead，thelongblackhairstreamingoverhisfoot，alloverthebeatenearth，aroundhisboot。Hecouldn’tseehisfootforit。Heheardtheshortandrepeatedmoaningofherbreath。Heimaginedtheinvisiblefaceclosetohisheel。Withonekickintothatfacehecouldfreehimself。Hedarednotstir，andshouteddown——
\"Letgo！Letgo！Letgo！\"
Theonlyresultofhisshoutingwasatighteningofthepressureofherarms。Withatremendousefforthetriedtobringhisrightfootuptohisleft，andsucceededpartly。Hehearddistinctlytherubofherbodyonthegroundashejerkedheralong。Hetriedtodisengagehimselfbydrawinguphisfoot。Hestamped。Heheardavoicesayingsharply——
\"Steady，CaptainLingard，steady！\"
HiseyesflewbacktoWillemsatthesoundofthatvoice，and，inthequickawakeningofsleepingmemories，Lingardstoodsuddenlystill，appeasedbytheclearringoffamiliarwords。Appeasedasindaysofold，whentheyweretradingtogether，whenWillemswashistrustedandhelpfulcompanioninout-of-the-wayanddangerousplaces；whenthatfellow，whocouldkeephistempersomuchbetterthanhecouldhimself，hadsparedhimmanyadifficulty，hadsavedhimfrommanyanactofhastyviolencebythetimelyandgood-humouredwarning，whisperedorshouted，\"Steady，CaptainLingard，steady。\"Asmartfellow。Hehadbroughthimup。Thesmartestfellowintheislands。Ifhehadonlystayedwithhim，thenallthis……HecalledouttoWillems——
\"Tellhertoletmegoor……\"
HeheardWillemsshoutingsomething，waitedforawhile，thenglancedvaguelydownandsawthewomanstillstretchedoutperfectlymuteandunstirring，withherheadathisfeet。Hefeltanervousimpatiencethat，somehow，resembledfear。
\"Tellhertoletgo，togoaway，Willems，Itellyou。I’vehadenoughofthis，\"hecried。
\"Allright，CaptainLingard，\"answeredthecalmvoiceofWillems，\"shehasletgo。Takeyourfootoffherhair；shecan’tgetup。\"
Lingardleapedaside，cleanaway，andspunroundquickly。Hesawhersitupandcoverherfacewithbothhands，thenheturnedslowlyonhisheelandlookedattheman。Willemsheldhimselfverystraight，butwasunsteadyonhisfeet，andmovedaboutnearlyonthesamespot，likeatipsymanattemptingtopreservehisbalance。Aftergazingathimforawhile，Lingardcalled，rancorousandirritable——
\"Whathaveyougottosayforyourself？\"
Willemsbegantowalktowardshim。Hewalkedslowly，reelingalittlebeforehetookeachstep，andLingardsawhimputhishandtohisface，thenlookatitholdingituptohiseyes，asifhehadthere，concealedinthehollowofthepalm，somesmallobjectwhichhewantedtoexaminesecretly。Suddenlyhedrewit，withabrusquemovement，downthefrontofhisjacketandleftalongsmudge。
\"That’safinethingtodo，\"saidWillems。
HestoodinfrontofLingard，oneofhiseyessunkdeepintheincreasingswellingofhischeek，stillrepeatingmechanicallythemovementoffeelinghisdamagedface；andeverytimehedidthishepressedthepalmtosomecleanspotonhisjacket，coveringthewhitecottonwithbloodyimprintsasofsomedeformedandmonstroushand。Lingardsaidnothing，lookingon。
AtlastWillemsleftoffstaunchingthebloodandstood，hisarmshangingbyhisside，withhisfacestiffanddistortedunderthepatchesofcoagulatedblood；andheseemedasthoughhehadbeensetupthereforawarning:anincomprehensiblefiguremarkedalloverwithsomeawfulandsymbolicsignsofdeadlyimport。
Speakingwithdifficulty，herepeatedinareproachfultone——
\"Thatwasafinethingtodo。\"
\"Afterall，\"answeredLingard，bitterly，\"Ihadtoogoodanopinionofyou。\"
\"AndIofyou。Don’tyouseethatIcouldhavehadthatfoolovertherekilledandthewholethingburnttotheground，sweptoffthefaceoftheearth。Youwouldn’thavefoundasmuchasaheapofasheshadIliked。Icouldhavedoneallthat。AndI
wouldn’t。\"
\"You——could——not。Youdarednot。Youscoundrel！\"criedLingard。
\"What’stheuseofcallingmenames？\"
\"True，\"retortedLingard——\"there’snonamebadenoughforyou。\"
Therewasashortintervalofsilence。Atthesoundoftheirrapidlyexchangedwords，Aissahadgotupfromthegroundwhereshehadbeensitting，inasorrowfulanddejectedpose，andapproachedthetwomen。Shestoodononesideandlookedoneagerly，inadesperateeffortofherbrain，withthequickanddistractedeyesofapersontryingforherlifetopenetratethemeaningofsentencesutteredinaforeigntongue:themeaningportentousandfatefulthatlurksinthesoundsofmysteriouswords；inthesoundssurprising，unknownandstrange。
WillemsletthelastspeechofLingardpassby；seemedbyaslightmovementofhishandtohelpitonitswaytojointheothershadowsofthepast。Thenhesaid——
\"Youhavestruckme；youhaveinsultedme……\"
\"Insultedyou！\"interruptedLingard，passionately。\"Who——whatcaninsultyou……you……\"
Hechoked，advancedastep。
\"Steady！steady！\"saidWillemscalmly。\"ItellyouIsha’n’tfight。IsitclearenoughtoyouthatIsha’n’t？
I——shall——not——lift——a——finger。\"
Ashespoke，slowlypunctuatingeachwordwithaslightjerkofhishead，hestaredatLingard，hisrighteyeopenandbig，theleftsmallandnearlyclosedbytheswellingofonehalfofhisface，thatappearedalldrawnoutononesidelikefacesseeninaconcaveglass。Andtheystoodexactlyoppositeeachother:onetall，slightanddisfigured；theothertall，heavyandsevere。
Willemswenton——
\"IfIhadwantedtohurtyou——ifIhadwantedtodestroyyou，itwaseasy。Istoodinthedoorwaylongenoughtopullatrigger——andyouknowIshootstraight。\"
\"Youwouldhavemissed，\"saidLingard，withassurance。\"Thereis，underheaven，suchathingasjustice。\"
Thesoundofthatwordonhisownlipsmadehimpause，confused，likeanunexpectedandunanswerablerebuke。Theangerofhisoutragedpride，theangerofhisoutragedheart，hadgoneoutintheblow；andthereremainednothingbutthesenseofsomeimmenseinfamy——ofsomethingvague，disgustingandterrible，whichseemedtosurroundhimonallsides，hoverabouthimwithshadowyandstealthymovements，likeabandofassassinsinthedarknessofvastandunsafeplaces。Wasthere，underheaven，suchathingasjustice？Helookedatthemanbeforehimwithsuchanintensityofprolongedglancethatheseemedtoseerightthroughhim，thatatlasthesawbutafloatingandunsteadymistinhumanshape。Woulditblowawaybeforethefirstbreathofthebreezeandleavenothingbehind？
ThesoundofWillems’voicemadehimstartviolently。Willemswassaying——
\"Ihavealwaysledavirtuouslife；youknowIhave。Youalwayspraisedmeformysteadiness；youknowyouhave。YouknowalsoI
neverstole——ifthat’swhatyou’rethinkingof。Iborrowed。YouknowhowmuchIrepaid。Itwasanerrorofjudgment。Butthenconsidermypositionthere。Ihadbeenalittleunluckyinmyprivateaffairs，andhaddebts。CouldIletmyselfgounderbeforetheeyesofallthosemenwhoenviedme？Butthat’sallover。Itwasanerrorofjudgment。I’vepaidforit。Anerrorofjudgment。\"
Lingard，astoundedintoperfectstillness，lookeddown。HelookeddownatWillems’barefeet。Then，astheotherhadpaused，herepeatedinablanktone——
\"Anerrorofjudgment……\"
\"Yes，\"drawledoutWillems，thoughtfully，andwentonwithincreasinganimation:\"AsIsaid，Ihavealwaysledavirtuouslife。MoresothanHudig——thanyou。Yes，thanyou。Idrankalittle，Iplayedcardsalittle。Whodoesn’t？ButIhadprinciplesfromaboy。Yes，principles。Businessisbusiness，andIneverwasanass。Ineverrespectedfools。Theyhadtosufferfortheirfollywhentheydealtwithme。Theevilwasinthem，notinme。Butastoprinciples，it’sanothermatter。I
keptclearofwomen。It’sforbidden——Ihadnotime——andI
despisedthem。NowIhatethem！\"
Heputhistongueoutalittle；atonguewhosepinkandmoistendranhereandthere，likesomethingindependentlyalive，underhisswollenandblackenedlip；hetouchedwiththetipsofhisfingersthecutonhischeek，feltallrounditwithprecaution:
andtheunharmedsideofhisfaceappearedforamomenttobepreoccupiedanduneasyaboutthestateofthatothersidewhichwassoverysoreandstiff。
Herecommencedspeaking，andhisvoicevibratedasthoughwithrepressedemotionofsomekind。
\"Youaskmywife，whenyouseeherinMacassar，whetherIhavenoreasontohateher。Shewasnobody，andImadeherMrs。Willems。
Ahalf-castegirl！Youaskherhowsheshowedhergratitudetome。Youask……Nevermindthat。Well，youcameanddumpedmeherelikealoadofrubbish；dumpedmehereandleftmewithnothingtodo——nothinggoodtoremember——anddamnlittletohopefor。Youleftmehereatthemercyofthatfool，Almayer，whosuspectedmeofsomething。Ofwhat？Devilonlyknows。Buthesuspectedandhatedmefromthefirst；Isupposebecauseyoubefriendedme。Oh！Icouldreadhimlikeabook。Heisn’tverydeep，yourSambirpartner，CaptainLingard，butheknowshowtobedisagreeable。Monthspassed。IthoughtIwoulddieofsheerweariness，ofmythoughts，ofmyregretsAndthen……\"
HemadeaquickstepnearertoLingard，andasifmovedbythesamethought，bythesameinstinct，bytheimpulseofhiswill，Aissaalsosteppednearertothem。Theystoodinaclosegroup，andthetwomencouldfeelthecalmairbetweentheirfacesstirredbythelightbreathoftheanxiouswomanwhoenvelopedthembothintheuncomprehending，inthedespairingandwonderingglancesofherwildandmournfuleyes。
CHAPTERFIVE
Willemsturnedalittlefromherandspokelower。
\"Lookatthat，\"hesaid，withanalmostimperceptiblemovementofhisheadtowardsthewomantowhomhewaspresentinghisshoulder。\"Lookatthat！Don’tbelieveher！Whathasshebeensayingtoyou？What？Ihavebeenasleep。Hadtosleepatlast。
I’vebeenwaitingforyouthreedaysandnights。Ihadtosleepsometime。Hadn’tI？Itoldhertoremainawakeandwatchforyou，andcallmeatonce。Shedidwatch。Youcan’tbelieveher。
Youcan’tbelieveanywoman。Whocantellwhat’sinsidetheirheads？Noone。Youcanknownothing。Theonlythingyoucanknowisthatitisn’tanythinglikewhatcomesthroughtheirlips。Theylivebythesideofyou。Theyseemtohateyou，ortheyseemtoloveyou；theycaressortormentyou；theythrowyouoverorsticktoyoucloserthanyourskinforsomeinscrutableandawfulreasonoftheirown——whichyoucanneverknow！Lookather——andlookatme。Atme！——herinfernalwork。Whathasshebeensaying？\"
Hisvoicehadsunktoawhisper。Lingardlistenedwithgreatattention，holdinghischininhishand，whichgraspedagreathandfulofhiswhitebeard。Hiselbowwasinthepalmofhisotherhand，andhiseyeswerestillfixedontheground。Hemurmured，withoutlookingup——
\"Shebeggedmeforyourlife——ifyouwanttoknow——asifthethingwereworthgivingortaking！\"
\"Andforthreedaysshebeggedmetotakeyours，\"saidWillemsquickly。\"Forthreedaysshewouldn’tgivemeanypeace。Shewasneverstill。Sheplannedambushes。ShehasbeenlookingforplacesalloverherewhereIcouldhideanddropyouwithasafeshotasyouwalkedup。It’strue。Igiveyoumyword。\"
\"Yourword，\"mutteredLingard，contemptuously。
Willemstooknonotice。
\"Ah！Sheisaferociouscreature，\"hewenton。\"Youdon’tknow……Iwantedtopassthetime——todosomething——tohavesomethingtothinkabout——toforgetmytroublestillyoucameback。And……lookather……shetookmeasifIdidnotbelongtomyself。Shedid。Ididnotknowtherewassomethinginmeshecouldgetholdof。She，asavage。I，acivilizedEuropean，andclever！Shethatknewnomorethanawildanimal！
Well，shefoundoutsomethinginme。Shefounditout，andIwaslost。Iknewit。Shetormentedme。Iwasreadytodoanything。
Iresisted——butIwasready。Iknewthattoo。Thatfrightenedmemorethananything；morethanmyownsufferings；andthatwasfrightfulenough，Iassureyou。\"
Lingardlistened，fascinatedandamazedlikeachildlisteningtoafairytale，and，whenWillemsstoppedforbreath，heshuffledhisfeetalittle。
\"Whatdoeshesay？\"criedoutAissa，suddenly。
Thetwomenlookedatherquickly，andthenlookedatoneanother。
Willemsbeganagain，speakinghurriedly——
\"Itriedtodosomething。Takeherawayfromthosepeople。I
wenttoAlmayer；thebiggestblindfoolthatyouever……ThenAbdullacame——andshewentaway。ShetookawaywithhersomethingofmewhichIhadtogetback。Ihadtodoit。Asfarasyouareconcerned，thechangeherehadtohappensoonerorlater；youcouldn’tbemasterhereforever。Itisn’twhatI
havedonethattormentsme。Itisthewhy。It’sthemadnessthatdrovemetoit。It’sthatthingthatcameoverme。Thatmaycomeagain，someday。\"
\"Itwilldonoharmtoanybodythen，Ipromiseyou，\"saidLingard，significantly。
Willemslookedathimforasecondwithablankstare，thenwenton——
\"Ifoughtagainsther。Shegoadedmetoviolenceandtomurder。
Nobodyknowswhy。Shepushedmetoitpersistently，desperately，allthetime。FortunatelyAbdullahadsense。Idon’tknowwhatIwouldn’thavedone。Sheheldmethen。Heldmelikeanightmarethatisterribleandsweet。Byandbyitwasanotherlife。Iwokeup。Ifoundmyselfbesideananimalasfullofharmasawildcat。Youdon’tknowthroughwhatIhavepassed。
Herfathertriedtokillme——andsheverynearlykilledhim。I
believeshewouldhavestuckatnothing。Idon’tknowwhichwasmoreterrible！Shewouldhavestuckatnothingtodefendherown。AndwhenIthinkthatitwasme——me——Willems……Ihateher。To-morrowshemaywantmylife。HowcanIknowwhat’sinher？Shemaywanttokillmenext！\"
Hepausedingreattrepidation，thenaddedinascaredtone——
\"Idon’twanttodiehere。\"
\"Don’tyou？\"saidLingard，thoughtfully。
WillemsturnedtowardsAissaandpointedatherwithabonyforefinger。
\"Lookather！Alwaysthere。Alwaysnear。Alwayswatching，watching……forsomething。Lookathereyes。Ain’ttheybig？
Don’ttheystare？Youwouldn’tthinkshecanshutthemlikehumanbeingsdo。Idon’tbelievesheeverdoes。Igotosleep，ifIcan，undertheirstare，andwhenIwakeupIseethemfixedonmeandmovingnomorethantheeyesofacorpse。WhileIamstilltheyarestill。ByGod——shecan’tmovethemtillIstir，andthentheyfollowmelikeapairofjailers。Theywatchme；
whenIstoptheyseemtowaitpatientandglisteningtillIamoffmyguard——fortodosomething。Todosomethinghorrible。
Lookatthem！Youcanseenothinginthem。Theyarebig，menacing——andempty。Theeyesofasavage；ofadamnedmongrel，half-Arab，half-Malay。Theyhurtme！Iamwhite！IsweartoyouIcan’tstandthis！Takemeaway。Iamwhite！Allwhite！\"
Heshoutedtowardsthesombreheaven，proclaimingdesperatelyunderthefrownofthickeningcloudsthefactofhispureandsuperiordescent。Heshouted，hisheadthrownup，hisarmsswingingaboutwildly；lean，ragged，disfigured；atallmadmanmakingagreatdisturbanceaboutsomethinginvisible；abeingabsurd，repulsive，pathetic，anddroll。Lingard，whowaslookingdownasifabsorbedindeepthought，gavehimaquickglancefromunderhiseyebrows:Aissastoodwithclaspedhands。Attheotherendofthecourtyardtheoldwoman，likeavagueanddecrepitapparition，rosenoiselesslytolook，thensankdownagainwithastealthymovementandcrouchedlowoverthesmallglowofthefire。Willems’voicefilledtheenclosure，risinglouderwitheveryword，andthen，suddenly，atitsveryloudest，stoppedshort——likewaterstopsrunningfromanover-turnedvessel。Assoonasithadceasedthethunderseemedtotakeuptheburdeninalowgrowlcomingfromtheinlandhills。Thenoiseapproachedinconfusedmutteringswhichkeptonincreasing，swellingintoaroarthatcamenearer，rusheddowntheriver，passedcloseinatearingcrash——andinstantlysoundedfaint，dyingawayinmonotonousanddullrepetitionsamongsttheendlesssinuositiesofthelowerreaches。Overthegreatforests，overalltheinnumerablepeopleofunstirringtrees——overallthatlivingpeopleimmense，motionless，andmute——thesilence，thathadrushedinonthetrackofthepassingtumult，remainedsuspendedasdeepandcompleteasifithadneverbeendisturbedfromthebeginningofremoteages。Then，throughit，afteratime，cametoLingard’searsthevoiceoftherunningriver:avoicelow，discreet，andsad，likethepersistentandgentlevoicesthatspeakofthepastinthesilenceofdreams。
Hefeltagreatemptinessinhisheart。Itseemedtohimthattherewaswithinhisbreastagreatspacewithoutanylight，wherehisthoughtswanderedforlornly，unabletoescape，unabletorest，unabletodie，tovanish——andtorelievehimfromthefearfuloppressionoftheirexistence。Speech，action，anger，forgiveness，allappearedtohimalikeuselessandvain，appearedtohimunsatisfactory，notworththeeffortofhandorbrainthatwasneededtogivethemeffect。Hecouldnotseewhyheshouldnotremainstandingthere，withouteverdoinganything，totheendoftime。Hefeltsomething，somethinglikeaheavychain，thatheldhimthere。Thiswouldn’tdo。HebackedawayalittlefromWillemsandAissa，leavingthemclosetogether，thenstoppedandlookedatboth。Themanandthewomanappearedtohimmuchfurtherthantheyreallywere。Hehadmadeonlyaboutthreestepsbackward，buthebelievedforamomentthatanotherstepwouldtakehimoutofearshotforever。Theyappearedtohimslightlyunderlifesize，andwithagreatcleannessofoutlines，likefigurescarvedwithgreatprecisionofdetailandhighlyfinishedbyaskilfulhand。Hepulledhimselftogether。Thestrongconsciousnessofhisownpersonalitycamebacktohim。Hehadanotionofsurveyingthemfromagreatandinaccessibleheight。
Hesaidslowly:\"Youhavebeenpossessedofadevil。\"
\"Yes，\"answeredWillemsgloomily，andlookingatAissa。\"Isn’titpretty？\"
\"I’veheardthiskindoftalkbefore，\"saidLingard，inascornfultone；thenpaused，andwentonsteadilyafterawhile:
\"Iregretnothing。Ipickedyouupbythewaterside，likeastarvingcat——byGod。Iregretnothing；nothingthatIhavedone。Abdulla——twentyothers——nodoubtHudighimself，wereafterme。That’sbusiness——forthem。Butthatyoushould……Moneybelongstohimwhopicksitupandisstrongenoughtokeepit——butthisthingwasdifferent。Itwaspartofmylife……
Iamanoldfool。\"
Hewas。Thebreathofhiswords，oftheverywordshespoke，fannedthesparkofdivinefollyinhisbreast，thesparkthatmadehim——thehard-headed，heavy-handedadventurer——standoutfromthecrowd，fromthesordid，fromthejoyous，unscrupulous，andnoisycrowdofmenthatweresomuchlikehimself。
Willemssaidhurriedly:\"Itwasn’tme。Theevilwasnotinme，CaptainLingard。\"
\"Andwhereelseconfoundyou！Whereelse？\"interruptedLingard，raisinghisvoice。\"Didyoueverseemecheatandlieandsteal？
Tellmethat。Didyou？Hey？IwonderwhereinperditionyoucamefromwhenIfoundyouundermyfeet……Nomatter。Youwilldonomoreharm。\"
Willemsmovednearer，gazinguponhimanxiously。Lingardwentonwithdistinctdeliberation——
\"Whatdidyouexpectwhenyouaskedmetoseeyou？What？Youknowme。IamLingard。Youlivedwithme。You’veheardmenspeak。Youknewwhatyouhaddone。Well！Whatdidyouexpect？\"
\"HowcanIknow？\"groanedWillems，wringinghishands；\"Iwasaloneinthatinfernalsavagecrowd。Iwasdeliveredintotheirhands。Afterthethingwasdone，IfeltsolostandweakthatI
wouldhavecalledthedevilhimselftomyaidifithadbeenanygood——ifhehadn’tputinallhisworkalready。Inthewholeworldtherewasonlyonemanthathadevercaredforme。Onlyonewhiteman。You！Hateisbetterthanbeingalone！Deathisbetter！Iexpected……anything。Somethingtoexpect。
Somethingtotakemeoutofthis。Outofhersight！\"
Helaughed。Hislaughseemedtobetornoutfromhimagainsthiswill，seemedtobebroughtviolentlyonthesurfacefromunderhisbitterness，hisself-contempt，fromunderhisdespairingwonderathisownnature。
\"WhenIthinkthatwhenIfirstknewheritseemedtomethatmywholelifewouldn’tbeenoughto……AndnowwhenIlookather！Shediditall。Imusthavebeenmad。Iwasmad。EverytimeIlookatherIremembermymadness。Itfrightensme……
AndwhenIthinkthatofallmylife，ofallmypast，ofallmyfuture，ofmyintelligence，ofmywork，thereisnothingleftbutshe，thecauseofmyruin，andyouwhomIhavemortallyoffended……\"
Hehidhisfaceforamomentinhishands，andwhenhetookthemawayhehadlosttheappearanceofcomparativecalmandgavewaytoawilddistress。
\"CaptainLingard……anything……adesertedisland……
anywhere……Ipromise……\"
\"Shutup！\"shoutedLingard，roughly。
Hebecamedumb，suddenly，completely。
Thewanlightofthecloudedmorningretiredslowlyfromthecourtyard，fromtheclearings，fromtheriver，asifithadgoneunwillinglytohideintheenigmaticalsolitudesofthegloomyandsilentforests。Thecloudsovertheirheadsthickenedintoalowvaultofuniformblackness。Theairwasstillandinexpressiblyoppressive。Lingardunbuttonedhisjacket，flungitwideopenand，inclininghisbodysidewaysalittle，wipedhisforeheadwithhishand，whichhejerkedsharplyafterwards。ThenhelookedatWillemsandsaid——
\"Nopromiseofyoursisanygoodtome。Iamgoingtotakeyourconductintomyownhands。PayattentiontowhatIamgoingtosay。Youaremyprisoner。\"
Willems’headmovedimperceptibly；thenhebecamerigidandstill。Heseemednottobreathe。
\"Youshallstayhere，\"continuedLingard，withsombredeliberation。\"Youarenotfittogoamongstpeople。Whocouldsuspect，whocouldguess，whocouldimaginewhat’sinyou？I
couldn’t！Youaremymistake。Ishallhideyouhere。IfIletyououtyouwouldgoamongstunsuspectingmen，andlie，andsteal，andcheatforalittlemoneyorforsomewoman。Idon’tcareaboutshootingyou。Itwouldbethesafestwaythough。ButIwon’t。Donotexpectmetoforgiveyou。Toforgiveonemusthavebeenangryandbecomecontemptuous，andthereisnothinginmenow——noanger，nocontempt，nodisappointment。TomeyouarenotWillems，themanIbefriendedandhelpedthroughthickandthin，andthoughtmuchof……Youarenotahumanbeingthatmaybedestroyedorforgiven。Youareabitterthought，asomethingwithoutabodyandthatmustbehidden……Youaremyshame。\"
Heceasedandlookedslowlyround。Howdarkitwas！Itseemedtohimthatthelightwasdyingprematurelyoutoftheworldandthattheairwasalreadydead。
\"Ofcourse，\"hewenton，\"Ishallseetoitthatyoudon’tstarve。\"
\"Youdon’tmeantosaythatImustlivehere，CaptainLingard？\"
saidWillems，inakindofmechanicalvoicewithoutanyinflections。
\"DidyoueverhearmesaysomethingIdidnotmean？\"askedLingard。\"Yousaidyoudidn’twanttodiehere——well，youmustlive……Unlessyouchangeyourmind，\"headded，asifininvoluntaryafterthought。
HelookedatWillemsnarrowly，thenshookhishead。
\"Youarealone，\"hewenton。\"Nothingcanhelpyou。Nobodywill。Youareneitherwhitenorbrown。Youhavenocolourasyouhavenoheart。YouraccompliceshaveabandonedyoutomebecauseIamstillsomebodytobereckonedwith。Youarealonebutforthatwomanthere。Yousayyoudidthisforher。Well，youhaveher。\"
Willemsmumbledsomething，andthensuddenlycaughthishairwithbothhishandsandremainedstandingso。Aissa，whohadbeenlookingathim，turnedtoLingard。
\"Whatdidyousay，RajahLaut？\"shecried。
Therewasaslightstiramongstthefilmythreadsofherdisorderedhair，thebushesbytheriversidestrembled，thebigtreenoddedprecipitatelyoverthemwithanabruptrustle，asifwakingwithastartfromatroubledsleep——andthebreathofhotbreezepassed，light，rapid，andscorching，underthecloudsthatwhirledround，unbrokenbutundulating，likearestlessphantomofasombresea。
Lingardlookedatherpityinglybeforehesaid——
\"Ihavetoldhimthathemustlivehereallhislife……andwithyou。\"
Thesunseemedtohavegoneoutatlastlikeaflickeringlightawayupbeyondtheclouds，andinthestiflinggloomofthecourtyardthethreefiguresstoodcolourlessandshadowy，asifsurroundedbyablackandsuperheatedmist。AissalookedatWillems，whoremainedstill，asthoughhehadbeenchangedintostoneintheveryactoftearinghishair。ThensheturnedherheadtowardsLingardandshouted——
\"Youlie！Youlie！……Whiteman。Likeyoualldo。You……whomAbdullamadesmall。Youlie！\"
Herwordsrangoutshrillandvenomouswithhersecretscorn，withheroverpoweringdesiretowoundregardlessofconsequences；
inherwoman’srecklessdesiretocausesufferingatanycost，tocauseitbythesoundofherownvoice——byherownvoice，thatwouldcarrythepoisonofherthoughtintothehatedheart。
Willemslethishandsfall，andbegantomumbleagain。Lingardturnedhiseartowardshiminstinctively，caughtsomethingthatsoundedlike\"Verywell\"——thensomemoremumbling——thenasigh。
\"Asfarastherestoftheworldisconcerned，\"saidLingard，afterwaitingforawhileinanattentiveattitude，\"yourlifeisfinished。Nobodywillbeabletothrowanyofyourvillainiesinmyteeth；nobodywillbeabletopointatyouandsay，’HeregoesascoundrelofLingard’sup-bringing。’Youareburiedhere。\"
\"AndyouthinkthatIwillstay……thatIwillsubmit？\"
exclaimedWillems，asifhehadsuddenlyrecoveredthepowerofspeech。
\"Youneedn’tstayhere——onthisspot，\"saidLingard，drily。
\"Therearetheforests——andhereistheriver。Youmayswim。
Fifteenmilesup，orfortydown。AtoneendyouwillmeetAlmayer，attheotherthesea。Takeyourchoice。\"
Heburstintoashort，joylesslaugh，thenaddedwithseveregravity——
\"Thereisalsoanotherway。\"
\"Ifyouwanttodrivemysoulintodamnationbytryingtodrivemetosuicideyouwillnotsucceed，\"saidWillemsinwildexcitement。\"Iwilllive。Ishallrepent。Imayescape……
Takethatwomanaway——sheissin。\"
Ahookeddartoffiretoreintwothedarknessofthedistanthorizonandlitupthegloomoftheearthwithadazzlingandghastlyflame。Thenthethunderwasheardfaraway，likeanincrediblyenormousvoicemutteringmenaces。
Lingardsaid——
\"Idon’tcarewhathappens，butImaytellyouthatwithoutthatwomanyourlifeisnotworthmuch——nottwopence。Thereisafellowherewho……andAbdullahimselfwouldn’tstandonanyceremony。Thinkofthat！Andthenshewon’tgo。\"
Hebegan，evenwhilehespoke，towalkslowlydowntowardsthelittlegate。Hedidn’tlook，buthefeltassurethatWillemswasfollowinghimasifhehadbeenleadinghimbyastring。
Directlyhehadpassedthroughthewicket-gateintothebigcourtyardheheardavoice，behindhisback，saying——
\"Ithinkshewasright。Ioughttohaveshotyou。Icouldn’thavebeenworseoff。\"
\"Timeyet，\"answeredLingard，withoutstoppingorlookingback。
\"But，yousee，youcan’t。Thereisnoteventhatinyou。\"
\"Don’tprovokeme，CaptainLingard，\"criedWillems。
Lingardturnedroundsharply。WillemsandAissastopped。
Anotherforkedflashoflightningsplitupthecloudsoverhead，andthrewupontheirfacesasuddenburstoflight——ablazeviolent，sinisterandfleeting；andinthesameinstanttheyweredeafenedbyanear，singlecrashofthunder，whichwasfollowedbyarushingnoise，likeafrightenedsighofthestartledearth。
\"Provokeyou！\"saidtheoldadventurer，assoonashecouldmakehimselfheard。\"Provokeyou！Hey！What’sthereinyoutoprovoke？WhatdoIcare？\"
\"Itiseasytospeaklikethatwhenyouknowthatinthewholeworld——inthewholeworld——Ihavenofriend，\"saidWillems。
\"Whosefault？\"saidLingard，sharply。
Theirvoices，afterthedeepandtremendousnoise，soundedtothemveryunsatisfactory——thinandfrail，likethevoicesofpigmies——andtheybecamesuddenlysilent，asifonthataccount。
FromupthecourtyardLingard’sboatmencamedownandpassedthem，keepingstepinasinglefile，theirpaddlesonshoulder，andholdingtheirheadsstraightwiththeireyesfixedontheriver。Ali，whowaswalkinglast，stoppedbeforeLingard，verystiffandupright。Hesaid——
\"Thatone-eyedBabalatchiisgone，withallhiswomen。Hetookeverything。Allthepotsandboxes。Big。Heavy。Threeboxes。\"
Hegrinnedasifthethinghadbeenamusing，thenaddedwithanappearanceofanxiousconcern，\"Raincoming。\"
\"Wereturn，\"saidLingard。\"Makeready。\"
\"Aye，aye，sir！\"ejaculatedAliwithprecision，andmovedon。HehadbeenquartermasterwithLingardbeforemakinguphismindtostayinSambirasAlmayer’sheadman。Hestruttedtowardsthelanding-placethinkingproudlythathewasnotlikethoseotherignorantboatmen，andknewhowtoanswerproperlytheverygreatestofwhitecaptains。
\"Youhavemisunderstoodmefromthefirst，CaptainLingard，\"saidWillems。
\"HaveI？It’sallright，aslongasthereisnomistakeaboutmymeaning，\"answeredLingard，strollingslowlytothelanding-place。Willemsfollowedhim，andAissafollowedWillems。
TwohandswereextendedtohelpLingardinembarking。Hesteppedcautiouslyandheavilyintothelongandnarrowcanoe，andsatinthecanvasfolding-chairthathadbeenplacedinthemiddle。Heleanedbackandturnedhisheadtothetwofiguresthatstoodonthebankalittleabovehim。Aissa’seyeswerefastenedonhisfaceinavisibleimpatiencetoseehimgone。Willems’lookwentstraightabovethecanoe，straightattheforestontheothersideoftheriver。
\"Allright，Ali，\"saidLingard，inalowvoice。
Aslightstiranimatedthefaces，andafaintmurmurranalongthelineofpaddlers。Theforemostmanpushedwiththepointofhispaddle，cantedtheforeendoutofthedeadwaterintothecurrent；andthecanoefellrapidlyoffbeforetherushofbrownwater，thesternrubbinggentlyagainstthelowbank。
\"Weshallmeetagain，CaptainLingard！\"criedWillems，inanunsteadyvoice。
\"Never！\"saidLingard，turninghalfroundinhischairtolookatWillems。Hisfierceredeyesglitteredremorselesslyoverthehighbackofhisseat。
\"Mustcrosstheriver。Waterlessquickoverthere，\"saidAli。
Hepushedinhisturnnowwithallhisstrength，throwinghisbodyrecklesslyrightoutoverthestern。Thenherecoveredhimselfjustintimeintothesquattingattitudeofamonkeyperchedonahighshelf，andshouted:\"Dayong！\"
Thepaddlesstruckthewatertogether。Thecanoedartedforwardandwentonsteadilycrossingtheriverwithasidewaysmotionmadeupofitsownspeedandthedownwarddriftofthecurrent。
Lingardwatchedtheshoreastern。Thewomanshookherhandathim，andthensquattedatthefeetofthemanwhostoodmotionless。Afterawhileshegotupandstoodbesidehim，reachinguptohishead——andLingardsawthenthatshehadwettedsomepartofhercoveringandwastryingtowashthedriedbloodofftheman’simmovableface，whichdidnotseemtoknowanythingaboutit。Lingardturnedawayandthrewhimselfbackinhischair，stretchinghislegsoutwithasighoffatigue。Hisheadfellforward；andunderhisredfacethewhitebeardlayfan-likeonhisbreast，theendsoffinelonghairsallastirinthefaintdraughtmadebytherapidmotionofthecraftthatcarriedhimawayfromhisprisoner——fromtheonlythinginhislifehewishedtohide。
InitscourseacrosstheriverthecanoecameintothelineofWillems’sightandhiseyescaughttheimage，followediteagerlyasitglided，smallbutdistinct，onthedarkbackgroundoftheforest。Hecouldseeplainlythefigureofthemansittinginthemiddle。Allhislifehehadfeltthatmanbehindhisback，areassuringpresencereadywithhelp，withcommendation，withadvice；friendlyinreproof，enthusiasticinapprobation；amaninspiringconfidencebyhisstrength，byhisfearlessness，bytheveryweaknessofhissimpleheart。Andnowthatmanwasgoingaway。Hemustcallhimback。
Heshouted，andhiswords，whichhewantedtothrowacrosstheriver，seemedtofallhelplesslyathisfeet。Aissaputherhandonhisarminarestrainingattempt，butheshookitoff。Hewantedtocallbackhisverylifethatwasgoingawayfromhim。
Heshoutedagain——andthistimehedidnotevenhearhimself。Nouse。Hewouldneverreturn。Andhestoodinsullensilencelookingatthewhitefigureoverthere，lyingbackinthechairinthemiddleoftheboat；afigurethatstruckhimsuddenlyasveryterrible，heartlessandastonishing，withitsunnaturalappearanceofrunningoverthewaterinanattitudeoflanguidrepose。
Foratimenothingonearthstirred，seemingly，butthecanoe，whichglidedup-streamwithamotionsoevenandsmooththatitdidnotconveyanysenseofmovement。Overhead，themassedcloudsappearedsolidandsteadyasifheldthereinapowerfulgrip，butontheirunevensurfacetherewasacontinuousandtremblingglimmer，afaintreflectionofthedistantlightningfromthethunderstormthathadbrokenalreadyonthecoastandwasworkingitswayuptheriverwithlowandangrygrowls。
Willemslookedon，asmotionlessaseverythingroundhimandabovehim。Onlyhiseyesseemedtolive，astheyfollowedthecanoeonitscoursethatcarrieditawayfromhim，steadily，unhesitatingly，finally，asifitweregoing，notupthegreatriverintothemomentousexcitementofSambir，butstraightintothepast，intothepastcrowdedyetempty，likeanoldcemeteryfullofneglectedgraves，whereliedeadhopesthatneverreturn。
Fromtimetotimehefeltonhisfacethepassing，warmtouchofanimmensebreathcomingfrombeyondtheforest，liketheshortpantingofanoppressedworld。Thentheheavyairroundhimwaspiercedbyasharpgustofwind，bringingwithitthefresh，dampfeelofthefallingrain；andalltheinnumerabletree-topsoftheforestsswayedtotheleftandsprangbackagaininatumultuousbalancingofnoddingbranchesandshudderingleaves。
Alightfrownranovertheriver，thecloudsstirredslowly，changingtheiraspectbutnottheirplace，asiftheyhadturnedponderouslyover；andwhenthesuddenmovementhaddiedoutinaquickenedtremoroftheslenderesttwigs，therewasashortperiodofformidableimmobilityaboveandbelow，duringwhichthevoiceofthethunderwasheard，speakinginasustained，emphaticandvibratingroll，withviolentlouderburstsofcrashingsound，likeawrathfulandthreateningdiscourseofanangrygod。Foramomentitdiedout，andthenanothergustofwindpassed，drivingbeforeitawhitemistwhichfilledthespacewithacloudofwaterdustthathidsuddenlyfromWillemsthecanoe，theforests，theriveritself；thatwokehimupfromhisnumbnessinaforlornshiver，thatmadehimlookrounddespairinglytoseenothingbutthewhirlingdriftofrainspraybeforethefresheningbreeze，whilethroughittheheavybigdropsfellabouthimwithsonorousandrapidbeatsuponthedryearth。Hemadeafewhurriedstepsupthecourtyardandwasarrestedbyanimmensesheetofwaterthatfellallatonceonhim，fellsuddenandoverwhelmingfromtheclouds，cuttinghisrespiration，streamingoverhishead，clingingtohim，runningdownhisbody，offhisarms，offhislegs。Hestoodgaspingwhilethewaterbeathiminaverticaldownpour，droveonhimslantinginsqualls，andhefeltthedropsstrikinghimfromabove，fromeverywhere；dropsthick，pressedanddashingathimasifflungfromallsidesbyamobofinfuriatedhands。Fromunderhisfeetagreatvapourofbrokenwaterfloatedup，hefeltthegroundbecomesoft——meltunderhim——andsawthewaterspringoutfromthedryearthtomeetthewaterthatfellfromthesombreheaven。Aninsanedreadtookpossessionofhim，thedreadofallthatwateraroundhim，ofthewaterthatrandownthecourtyardtowardshim，ofthewaterthatpressedhimoneveryside，oftheslantingwaterthatdroveacrosshisfaceinwaveringsheetswhichgleamedpaleredwiththeflickeroflightningstreamingthroughthem，asiffireandwaterwerefallingtogether，monstrouslymixed，uponthestunnedearth。
Hewantedtorunaway，butwhenhemoveditwastoslideaboutpainfullyandslowlyuponthatearthwhichhadbecomemudsosuddenlyunderhisfeet。Hefoughthiswayupthecourtyardlikeamanpushingthroughacrowd，hisheaddown，oneshoulderforward，stoppingoften，andsometimescarriedbackapaceortwointherushofwaterwhichhisheartwasnotstoutenoughtoface。Aissafollowedhimstepbystep，stoppingwhenhestopped，recoilingwithhim，movingforwardwithhiminhistoilsomewayuptheslipperydeclivityofthecourtyard，ofthatcourtyard，fromwhicheverythingseemedtohavebeensweptawaybythefirstrushofthemightydownpour。Theycouldseenothing。Thetree，thebushes，thehouse，andthefences——allhaddisappearedinthethicknessofthefallingrain。Theirhairstuck，streaming，totheirheads；theirclothingclungtothem，beatenclosetotheirbodies；waterranoffthem，offtheirheadsovertheirshoulders。
Theymoved，patient，upright，slowanddark，inthegleamclearorfieryofthefallingdrops，undertherollofunceasingthunder，liketwowanderingghostsofthedrownedthat，condemnedtohauntthewaterforever，hadcomeupfromtherivertolookattheworldunderadeluge。
Ontheleftthetreeseemedtostepouttomeetthem，appearingvaguely，high，motionlessandpatient；witharustlingplaintofitsinnumerableleavesthroughwhicheverydropofwatertoreitsseparatewaywithcruelhaste。Andthen，totheright，thehousesurgedupinthemist，veryblack，andclamorouswiththequickpatterofrainonitshigh-pitchedroofabovethesteadysplashofthewaterrunningofftheeaves。Downtheplankwayleadingtothedoorflowedathinandpellucidstream，andwhenWillemsbeganhisascentitbrokeoverhisfootasifheweregoingupasteepravineinthebedofarapidandshallowtorrent。Behindhisheelstwostreamingsmudgesofmudstainedforaninstantthepurityoftherushingwater，andthenhesplashedhiswayupwithaspurtandstoodonthebambooplatformbeforetheopendoorundertheshelteroftheoverhangingeaves——undershelteratlast！
AlowmoanendinginabrokenandplaintivemutterarrestedWillemsonthethreshold。Hepeeredroundinthehalf-lightundertheroofandsawtheoldwomancrouchingclosetothewallinashapelessheap，andwhilehelookedhefeltatouchoftwoarmsonhisshoulders。Aissa！Hehadforgottenher。Heturned，andsheclaspedhimroundtheneckinstantly，pressingclosetohimasifafraidofviolenceorescape。Hestiffenedhimselfinrepulsion，inhorror，inthemysteriousrevoltofhisheart；
whilesheclungtohim——clungtohimasifhewerearefugefrommisery，fromstorm，fromweariness，fromfear，fromdespair；anditwasonthepartofthatbeinganembraceterrible，enragedandmournful，inwhichallherstrengthwentouttomakehimcaptive，toholdhimforever。
Hesaidnothing。Helookedintohereyeswhilehestruggledwithherfingersaboutthenapeofhisneck，andsuddenlyhetoreherhandsapart，holdingherarmsupinastronggripofherwrists，andbendinghisswollenfacecloseoverhers，hesaid——
\"Itisallyourdoing。You……\"
Shedidnotunderstandhim——notaword。Hespokeinthelanguageofhispeople——ofhispeoplethatknownomercyandnoshame。
Andhewasangry。Alas！hewasalwaysangrynow，andalwaysspeakingwordsthatshecouldnotunderstand。Shestoodinsilence，lookingathimthroughherpatienteyes，whileheshookherarmsalittleandthenflungthemdown。
\"Don’tfollowme！\"heshouted。\"Iwanttobealone——Imeantobeleftalone！\"
Hewentin，leavingthedooropen。
Shedidnotmove。Whatneedtounderstandthewordswhentheyarespokeninsuchavoice？Inthatvoicewhichdidnotseemtobehisvoice——hisvoicewhenhespokebythebrook，whenhewasneverangryandalwayssmiling！Hereyeswerefixeduponthedarkdoorway，butherhandsstrayedmechanicallyupwards；shetookupallherhair，and，incliningherheadslightlyoverhershoulder，wrungoutthelongblacktresses，twistingthempersistently，whileshestood，sadandabsorbed，likeonelisteningtoaninwardvoice——thevoiceofbitter，ofunavailingregret。Thethunderhadceased，thewindhaddiedout，andtherainfellperpendicularandsteadythroughagreatpaleclearness——thelightofremotesuncomingvictoriousfromamongstthedissolvingblacknessoftheclouds。Shestoodnearthedoorway。Hewasthere——aloneinthegloomofthedwelling。Hewasthere。Hespokenot。Whatwasinhismindnow？Whatfear？
Whatdesire？Notthedesireofherasinthedayswhenheusedtosmile……Howcouldsheknow？……
Asighcomingfromthebottomofherheart，flewoutintotheworldthroughherpartedlips。Asighfaint，profound，andbroken；asighfullofpainandfear，likethesighofthosewhoareabouttofacetheunknown:tofaceitinloneliness，indoubt，andwithouthope。Sheletgoherhair，thatfellscatteredoverhershoulderslikeafuneralveil，andshesankdownsuddenlybythedoor。Herhandsclaspedherankles；sherestedherheadonherdrawn-upknees，andremainedstill，verystill，underthestreamingmourningofherhair。Shewasthinkingofhim；ofthedaysbythebrook；shewasthinkingofallthathadbeentheirlove——andshesatintheabandonedpostureofthosewhositweepingbythedead，ofthosewhowatchandmournoveracorpse。
PARTV
CHAPTERONE
Almayerpropped，aloneontheverandahofhishouse，withbothhiselbowsonthetable，andholdinghisheadbetweenhishands，staredbeforehim，awayoverthestretchofsproutingyounggrassinhiscourtyard，andovertheshortjettywithitsclusterofsmallcanoes，amongstwhichhisbigwhale-boatfloatedhigh，likeawhitemotherofallthatdarkandaquaticbrood。Hestaredontheriver，pasttheschooneranchoredinmid-stream，pasttheforestsoftheleftbank；hestaredthroughandpasttheillusionofthematerialworld。
Thesunwassinking。Undertheskywasstretchedanetworkofwhitethreads，anetworkfineandclose-meshed，wherehereandtherewerecaughtthickerwhitevapoursofglobularshape；andtotheeastward，abovetheraggedbarrieroftheforests，surgedthesummitsofachainofgreatclouds，growingbiggerslowly，inimperceptiblemotion，asifcarefulnottodisturbtheglowingstillnessoftheearthandofthesky。Abreastofthehousetheriverwasemptybutforthemotionlessschooner。Higherup，asolitarylogcameoutfromthebendaboveandwentondriftingslowlydownthestraightreach:adeadandwanderingtreegoingouttoitsgraveinthesea，betweentworanksoftreesmotionlessandliving。
AndAlmayersat，hisfaceinhishands，lookingonandhatingallthis:themuddyriver；thefadedblueofthesky；theblacklogpassingbyonitsfirstandlastvoyage；thegreenseaofleaves——theseathatglowedshimmered，andstirredabovetheuniformandimpenetrablegloomoftheforests——thejoyousseaoflivinggreenpowderedwiththebrilliantdustofobliquesunrays。
Hehatedallthis；hebegrudgedeveryday——everyminute——ofhislifespentamongstallthesethings；hebegrudgeditbitterly，angrily，withenragedandimmenseregret，likeamisercompelledtogiveupsomeofhistreasuretoanearrelation。Andyetallthiswasveryprecioustohim。Itwasthepresentsignofasplendidfuture。
Hepushedthetableawayimpatiently，gotup，madeafewstepsaimlessly，thenstoodbythebalustradeandagainlookedattheriver——atthatriverwhichwouldhavebeentheinstrumentforthemakingofhisfortuneif……if……
\"Whatanabominablebrute！\"hesaid。
Hewasalone，buthespokealoud，asoneisapttodoundertheimpulseofastrong，ofanovermasteringthought。
\"Whatabrute！\"hemutteredagain。
Theriverwasdarknow，andtheschoonerlayonit，ablack，alonely，andagracefulform，withtheslendermastsdartingupwardsfromitintwofrailandrakinglines。Theshadowsoftheeveningcreptupthetrees，creptupfromboughtobough，tillatlastthelongsunbeamscoursingfromthewesternhorizonskimmedlightlyoverthetopmostbranches，thenflewupwardsamongstthepiled-upclouds，givingthemasombreandfieryaspectinthelastflushoflight。Andsuddenlythelightdisappearedasiflostintheimmensityofthegreat，blue，andemptyhollowoverhead。Thesunhadset:andtheforestsbecameastraightwallofformlessblackness。Abovethem，ontheedgeoflingeringclouds，asinglestarglimmeredfitfully，obscurednowandthenbytherapidflightofhighandinvisiblevapours。
Almayerfoughtwiththeuneasinesswithinhisbreast。HeheardAli，whomovedbehindhimpreparinghiseveningmeal，andhelistenedwithstrangeattentiontothesoundsthemanmade——totheshort，drybangoftheplateputuponthetable，totheclinkofglassandthemetallicrattleofknifeandfork。Themanwentaway。Nowhewascomingback。Hewouldspeakdirectly；andAlmayer，notwithstandingtheabsorbinggravityofhisthoughts，listenedforthesoundofexpectedwords。Heheardthem，spokeninEnglishwithpainstakingdistinctness。
\"Ready，sir！\"
\"Allright，\"saidAlmayer，curtly。Hedidnotmove。Heremainedpensive，withhisbacktothetableuponwhichstoodthelightedlampbroughtbyAli。Hewasthinking:WherewasLingardnow？
Halfwaydowntheriverprobably，inAbdulla’sship。Hewouldbebackinaboutthreedays——perhapsless。Andthen？Thentheschoonerwouldhavetobegotoutoftheriver，andwhenthatcraftwasgonethey——heandLingard——wouldremainhere；alonewiththeconstantthoughtofthatotherman，thatothermanlivingnearthem！Whatanextraordinaryideatokeephimthereforever。Forever！Whatdidthatmean——forever？Perhapsayear，perhapstenyears。Preposterous！Keephimtheretenyears——ormaybetwenty！Thefellowwascapableoflivingmorethantwentyyears。Andforallthattimehewouldhavetobewatched，fed，lookedafter。TherewasnobodybutLingardtohavesuchnotions。Twentyyears！Why，no！Inlessthantenyearstheirfortunewouldbemadeandtheywouldleavethisplace，firstforBatavia——yes，Batavia——andthenforEurope。England，nodoubt。LingardwouldwanttogotoEngland。Andwouldtheyleavethatmanhere？Howwouldthatfellowlookintenyears？
Veryoldprobably。Well，deviltakehim。Ninawouldbefifteen。
Shewouldberichandveryprettyandhehimselfwouldnotbesooldthen……\"
Almayersmiledintothenight……Yes，rich！Why！Ofcourse！CaptainLingardwasaresourcefulman，andhehadplentyofmoneyevennow。Theywererichalready；butnotenough。Decidedlynotenough。Moneybringsmoney。Thatgoldbusinesswasgood。Famous！CaptainLingardwasaremarkableman。Hesaidthegoldwasthere——anditwasthere。Lingardknewwhathewastalkingabout。Buthehadqueerideas。Forinstance，aboutWillems。Nowwhatdidhewanttokeephimalivefor？Why？
\"Thatscoundrel，\"mutteredAlmayeragain。
\"MakanTuan！\"ejaculatedAlisuddenly，veryloudinapressingtone。
Almayerwalkedtothetable，satdown，andhisanxiousvisagedroppedfromaboveintothelightthrowndownbythelamp-shade。
Hehelpedhimselfabsently，andbegantoeatingreatmouthfuls……Undoubtedly，Lingardwasthemantostickto！Themanundismayed，masterfulandready。HowquicklyhehadplannedanewfuturewhenWillems’treacherydestroyedtheirestablishedpositioninSambir！Andthepositionevennowwasnotsobad。
WhatanimmenseprestigethatLingardhadwithallthosepeople——Arabs，Malaysandall。Ah，itwasgoodtobeabletocallamanlikethatfather。Fine！Wonderhowmuchmoneyreallytheoldfellowhad。Peopletalked——theyexaggeratedsurely，butifhehadonlyhalfofwhattheysaid……
Hedrank，throwinghisheadup，andfelltoagain……Now，ifthatWillemshadknownhowtoplayhiscardswell，hadhestucktotheoldfellowhewouldhavebeeninhisposition，hewouldbenowmarriedtoLingard’sadopteddaughterwithhisfutureassured——splendid……
\"Thebeast！\"growledAlmayer，betweentwomouthfuls。
Alistoodrigidlystraightwithanuninterestedface，hisgazelostinthenightwhichpressedroundthesmallcircleoflightthatshoneonthetable，ontheglass，onthebottle，andonAlmayer’sheadasheleanedoverhisplatemovinghisjaws……AfamousmanLingard——yetyouneverknewwhathewoulddonext。ItwasnotoriousthathehadshotawhitemanonceforlessthanWillemshaddone。Forless？……Why，fornothing，sotospeak！Itwasnotevenhisownquarrel。ItwasaboutsomeMalayreturningfrompilgrimagewithwifeandchildren。
Kidnapped，orrobbed，orsomething。Astupidstory——anoldstory。AndnowhegoestoseethatWillemsand——nothing。Comesbacktalkingbigabouthisprisoner；butafterallhesaidverylittle。WhatdidthatWillemstellhim？Whatpassedbetweenthem？Theoldfellowmusthavehadsomethinginhismindwhenheletthatscoundreloff。AndJoanna！Shewouldgetroundtheoldfellow。Sure。Thenhewouldforgiveperhaps。Impossible。Butatanyratehewouldwastealotofmoneyonthem。Theoldmanwastenaciousinhishates，butalsoinhisaffections。HehadknownthatbeastWillemsfromaboy。Theywouldmakeitupinayearorso。Everythingispossible:whydidhenotrushoffatfirstandkillthebrute？ThatwouldhavebeenmorelikeLingard……
Almayerlaiddownhisspoonsuddenly，andpushinghisplateaway，threwhimselfbackinthechair……Unsafe。Decidedlyunsafe。HehadnomindtoshareLingard’smoneywithanybody。Lingard’smoneywasNina’smoneyinasense。AndifWillemsmanagedtobecomefriendlywiththeoldmanitwouldbedangerousforhim——Almayer。Suchanunscrupulousscoundrel！Hewouldousthimfromhisposition。Hewouldlieandslander。Everythingwouldbelost。Lost。PoorNina。Whatwouldbecomeofher？Poorchild。ForhersakehemustremovethatWillems。Must。Buthow？Lingardwantedtobeobeyed。ImpossibletokillWillems。Lingardmightbeangry。
Incredible，butsoitwas。Hemight……
AwaveofheatpassedthroughAlmayer’sbody，flushedhisface，andbrokeoutofhimincopiousperspiration。Hewriggledinhischair，andpressedhishandstogetherunderthetable。Whatanawfulprospect！HefanciedhecouldseeLingardandWillemsreconciledandgoingawayarm-in-arm，leavinghimaloneinthisGod-forsakenhole——inSambir——inthisdeadlyswamp！Andallhissacrifices，thesacrificeofhisindependence，ofhisbestyears，hissurrendertoLingard’sfanciesandcaprices，wouldgofornothing！Horrible！Thenhethoughtofhislittledaughter——hisdaughter！——andtheghastlinessofhissuppositionoverpoweredhim。Hehadadeepemotion，asuddenemotionthatmadehimfeelquitefaintattheideaofthatyounglifespoiledbeforeithadfairlybegun。Hisdearchild’slife！Lyingbackinhischairhecoveredhisfacewithbothhishands。
Aliglanceddownathimandsaid，unconcernedly——\"Masterfinish？\"
Almayerwaslostintheimmensityofhiscommiserationforhimself，forhisdaughter，whowas——perhaps——notgoingtobetherichestwomanintheworld——notwithstandingLingard’spromises。
Hedidnotunderstandtheother’squestion，andmutteredthroughhisfingersinadolefultone——
\"Whatdidyousay？What？Finishwhat？\"
\"Clearupmeza，\"explainedAli。
\"Clearup！\"burstoutAlmayer，withincomprehensibleexasperation。\"Deviltakeyouandthetable。Stupid！
Chatterer！Chelakka！Getout！\"
Heleanedforward，glaringathisheadman，thensankbackinhisseatwithhisarmshangingstraightdownoneachsideofthechair。Andhesatmotionlessinameditationsoconcentratedandsoabsorbing，withallhispowerofthoughtsodeepwithinhimself，thatallexpressiondisappearedfromhisfaceinanaspectofstaringvacancy。
Aliwasclearingthetable。Hedroppednegligentlythetumblerintothegreasydish，flungtherethespoonandfork，thenslippedintheplatewithapushamongsttheremnantsoffood。