Hisangeragainsther，againstherwhowasthecauseofallhismisfortunes，vanishedbeforehisextremeneedforsomekindofconsolation。Perhaps——ifhemustresignhimselftohisfate——shemighthelphimtoforget。Toforget！Foramoment，inanaccessofdespairsoprofoundthatitseemedlikethebeginningofpeace，heplannedthedeliberatedescentfromhispedestal，thethrowingawayofhissuperiority，ofallhishopes，ofoldambitions，oftheungratefulcivilization。Foramoment，forgetfulnessinherarmsseemedpossible；andluredbythatpossibilitythesemblanceofreneweddesirepossessedhisbreastinaburstofrecklesscontemptforeverythingoutsidehimself——inasavagedisdainofEarthandofHeaven。Hesaidtohimselfthathewouldnotrepent。Thepunishmentforhisonlysinwastooheavy。TherewasnomercyunderHeaven。Hedidnotwantany。Hethought，desperately，thatifhecouldfindwithheragainthemadnessofthepast，thestrangedeliriumthathadchangedhim，thathadworkedhisundoing，hewouldbereadytopayforitwithaneternityofperdition。Hewasintoxicatedbythesubtleperfumesofthenight；hewascarriedawaybythesuggestivestirofthewarmbreeze；hewaspossessedbytheexaltationofthesolitude，ofthesilence，ofhismemories，inthepresenceofthatfigureofferingherselfinasubmissiveandpatientdevotion；comingtohiminthenameofthepast，inthenameofthosedayswhenhecouldseenothing，thinkofnothing，desirenothing——butherembrace。
Hetookhersuddenlyinhisarms，andsheclaspedherhandsroundhisneckwithalowcryofjoyandsurprise。Hetookherinhisarmsandwaitedforthetransport，forthemadness，forthesensationsrememberedandlost；andwhileshesobbedgentlyonhisbreastheheldherandfeltcold，sick，tired，exasperatedwithhisfailure——andendedbycursinghimself。Sheclungtohimtremblingwiththeintensityofherhappinessandherlove。Heheardherwhispering——herfacehiddenonhisshoulder——ofpastsorrow，ofcomingjoythatwouldlastforever；ofherunshakenbeliefinhislove。Shehadalwaysbelieved。Always！Evenwhilehisfacewasturnedawayfromherinthedarkdayswhilehismindwaswanderinginhisownland，amongsthisownpeople。
Butitwouldneverwanderawayfromheranymore，nowithadcomeback。Hewouldforgetthecoldfacesandthehardheartsofthecruelpeople。Whatwastheretoremember？Nothing？Wasitnotso？……
Helistenedhopelesslytothefaintmurmur。Hestoodstillandrigid，pressinghermechanicallytohisbreastwhilehethoughtthattherewasnothingforhimintheworld。Hewasrobbedofeverything；robbedofhispassion，ofhisliberty，offorgetfulness，ofconsolation。She，wildwithdelight，whisperedonrapidly，oflove，oflight，ofpeace，oflongyears……Helookeddrearilyaboveherheaddownintothedeepergloomofthecourtyard。And，allatonce，itseemedtohimthathewaspeeringintoasombrehollow，intoadeepblackholefullofdecayandofwhitenedbones；intoanimmenseandinevitablegravefullofcorruptionwheresoonerorlaterhemust，unavoidably，fall。
Inthemorninghecameoutearly，andstoodforatimeinthedoorway，listeningtothelightbreathingbehindhim——inthehouse。Sheslept。Hehadnotclosedhiseyesthroughallthatnight。Hestoodswaying——thenleanedagainstthelintelofthedoor。Hewasexhausted，doneup；fanciedhimselfhardlyalive。
Hehadadisgustedhorrorofhimselfthat，ashelookedatthelevelseaofmistathisfeet，fadedquicklyintodullindifference。Itwaslikeasuddenandfinaldecrepitudeofhissenses，ofhisbody，ofhisthoughts。Standingonthehighplatform，helookedovertheexpanseoflownightfogabovewhich，hereandthere，stoodoutthefeatheryheadsoftallbambooclumpsandtheroundtopsofsingletrees，resemblingsmallisletsemergingblackandsolidfromaghostlyandimpalpablesea。Uponthefaintlyluminousbackgroundoftheeasternsky，thesombrelineofthegreatforestsboundedthatsmoothseaofwhitevapourswithanappearanceofafantasticandunattainableshore。
Helookedwithoutseeinganything——thinkingofhimself。Beforehiseyesthelightoftherisingsunburstabovetheforestwiththesuddennessofanexplosion。Hesawnothing。Then，afteratime，hemurmuredwithconviction——speakinghalfaloudtohimselfintheshockofthepenetratingthought:
\"Iamalostman。\"
Heshookhishandabovehisheadinagesturecarelessandtragic，thenwalkeddownintothemistthatclosedabovehiminshiningundulationsunderthefirstbreathofthemorningbreeze。
CHAPTERFOUR
Willemsmovedlanguidlytowardstheriver，thenretracedhisstepstothetreeandlethimselffallontheseatunderitsshade。Ontheothersideoftheimmensetrunkhecouldheartheoldwomanmovingabout，sighingloudly，mutteringtoherself，snappingdrysticks，blowingupthefire。Afterawhileawhiffofsmokedriftedroundtowherehesat。Itmadehimfeelhungry，andthatfeelingwaslikeanewindignityaddedtoanintolerableloadofhumiliations。Hefeltinclinedtocry。Hefeltveryweak。Hehelduphisarmbeforehiseyesandwatchedforalittlewhilethetremblingoftheleanlimb。Skinandbone，byGod！Howthinhewas！……Hehadsufferedfromfeveragooddeal，andnowhethoughtwithtearfuldismaythatLingard，althoughhehadsenthimfood——andwhatfood，greatLord:alittlericeanddriedfish；quiteunfitforawhiteman——hadnotsenthimanymedicine。Didtheoldsavagethinkthathewaslikethewildbeaststhatareneverill？Hewantedquinine。
Heleanedthebackofhisheadagainstthetreeandclosedhiseyes。HethoughtfeeblythatifhecouldgetholdofLingardhewouldliketoflayhimalive；butitwasonlyablurred，ashortandapassingthought。Hisimagination，exhaustedbytherepeateddelineationsofhisownfate，hadnotenoughstrengthlefttogriptheideaofrevenge。Hewasnotindignantandrebellious。
Hewascowed。Hewascowedbytheimmensecataclysmofhisdisaster。Likemostmen，hehadcarriedsolemnlywithinhisbreastthewholeuniverse，andtheapproachingendofallthingsinthedestructionofhisownpersonalityfilledhimwithparalyzingawe。Everythingwastopplingover。Heblinkedhiseyesquickly，anditseemedtohimthattheverysunshineofthemorningdisclosedinitsbrightnessasuggestionofsomehiddenandsinistermeaning。Inhisunreasoningfearhetriedtohidewithinhimself。Hedrewhisfeetup，hisheadsankbetweenhisshoulders，hisarmshuggedhissides。Underthehighandenormoustreesoaringsuperblyoutofthemistinavigorousspreadofloftyboughs，witharestlessandeagerflutterofitsinnumerableleavesintheclearsunshine，heremainedmotionless，huddleduponhisseat:terrifiedandstill。
Willems’gazeroamedovertheground，andthenhewatchedwithidioticfixityhalfadozenblackantsenteringcourageouslyatuftoflonggrasswhich，tothem，musthaveappearedadarkandadangerousjungle。Suddenlyhethought:Theremustbesomethingdeadinthere。Somedeadinsect。Deatheverywhere！Heclosedhiseyesagaininanaccessoftremblingpain。Deatheverywhere——whereveronelooks。Hedidnotwanttoseetheants。
Hedidnotwanttoseeanybodyoranything。Hesatinthedarknessofhisownmaking，reflectingbitterlythattherewasnopeaceforhim。Heheardvoicesnow……Illusion！Misery！
Torment！Whowouldcome？Whowouldspeaktohim？Whatbusinesshadhetohearvoices？……yetheheardthemfaintly，fromtheriver。Faintly，asifshoutedfaroffoverthere，camethewords\"Wecomebacksoon。\"……Deliriumandmockery！Whowouldcomeback？Nobodyevercomesback！Fevercomesback。Hehaditonhimthismorning。Thatwasit……Heheardunexpectedlytheoldwomanmutteringsomethingnearby。Shehadcomeroundtohissideofthetree。Heopenedhiseyesandsawherbentbackbeforehim。Shestood，withherhandshadinghereyes，lookingtowardsthelanding-place。Thensheglidedaway。Shehadseen——andnowshewasgoingbacktohercooking；awomanincurious；expectingnothing；withoutfearandwithouthope。
Shehadgonebackbehindthetree，andnowWillemscouldseeahumanfigureonthepathtothelanding-place。Itappearedtohimtobeawoman，inaredgown，holdingsomeheavybundleinherarms；itwasanapparitionunexpected，familiarandodd。Hecursedthroughhisteeth……Ithadwantedonlythis！Seethingslikethatinbroaddaylight！Hewasverybad——verybad……Hewashorriblyscaredatthisawfulsymptomofthedesperatestateofhishealth。
Thisscarelastedforthespaceofaflashoflightning，andinthenextmomentitwasrevealedtohimthatthewomanwasreal；
thatshewascomingtowardshim；thatshewashiswife！Heputhisfeetdowntothegroundquickly，butmadenoothermovement。
Hiseyesopenedwide。Hewassoamazedthatforatimeheabsolutelyforgothisownexistence。Theonlyideainhisheadwas:Whyonearthdidshecomehere？
Joannawascomingupthecourtyardwitheager，hurriedsteps。
Shecarriedinherarmsthechild，wrappedupinoneofAlmayer’swhiteblanketsthatshehadsnatchedoffthebedatthelastmoment，beforeleavingthehouse。Sheseemedtobedazedbythesuninhereyes；bewilderedbyherstrangesurroundings。Shemovedon，lookingquicklyrightandleftinimpatientexpectationofseeingherhusbandatanymoment。Then，approachingthetree，sheperceivedsuddenlyakindofadried-up，yellowcorpse，sittingverystiffonabenchintheshadeandlookingatherwithbigeyesthatwerealive。Thatwasherhusband。
Shestoppeddeadshort。Theystaredatoneanotherinprofoundstillness，withastoundedeyes，witheyesmaddenedbythememoriesofthingsfaroffthatseemedlostinthelapseoftime。
Theirlookscrossed，passedeachother，andappearedtodartatthemthroughfantasticdistances，tocomestraightfromtheincredible。
Lookingathimsteadilyshecamenearer，anddepositedtheblanketwiththechildinitonthebench。LittleLouis，afterhowlingwithterrorinthedarknessoftherivermostofthenight，nowsleptsoundlyanddidnotwake。Willems’eyesfollowedhiswife，hisheadturningslowlyafterher。Heacceptedherpresencetherewithatiredacquiescenceinitsfabulousimprobability。Anythingmighthappen。Whatdidshecomefor？Shewaspartofthegeneralschemeofhismisfortune。
Hehalfexpectedthatshewouldrushathim，pullhishair，andscratchhisface。Whynot？Anythingmighthappen！Inanexaggeratedsenseofhisgreatbodilyweaknesshefeltsomewhatapprehensiveofpossibleassault。Atanyrate，shewouldscreamathim。Heknewherofold。Shecouldscreech。Hehadthoughtthathewasridofherforever。Shecamenowprobablytoseetheend……
Suddenlysheturned，andembracinghimslidgentlytotheground。
Thisstartledhim。Withherforeheadonhiskneesshesobbednoiselessly。Helookeddowndismallyatthetopofherhead。
Whatwassheupto？Hehadnotthestrengthtomove——togetaway。Heheardherwhisperingsomething，andbentovertolisten。Hecaughttheword\"Forgive。\"
Thatwaswhatshecamefor！Allthatway。Womenarequeer。
Forgive。Nothe！……Allatoncethisthoughtdartedthroughhisbrain:Howdidshecome？Inaboat。Boat！boat！
Heshouted\"Boat！\"andjumpedup，knockingherover。Beforeshehadtimetopickherselfuphepounceduponherandwasdraggingherupbytheshoulders。Nosoonerhadsheregainedherfeetthansheclaspedhimtightlyroundtheneck，coveringhisface，hiseyes，hismouth，hisnosewithdesperatekisses。Hedodgedhisheadabout，shakingherarms，tryingtokeepheroff，tospeak，toaskher……Shecameinaboat，boat，boat！……
Theystruggledandswunground，trampinginasemicircle。Heblurtedout，\"Leaveoff。Listen，\"whilehetoreatherhands。
Thismeetingoflawfulloveandsincerejoyresembledfight。
LouisWillemssleptpeacefullyunderhisblanket。
AtlastWillemsmanagedtofreehimself，andheldheroff，pressingherarmsdown。Helookedather。Hehadhalfasuspicionthathewasdreaming。Herlipstrembled；hereyeswanderedunsteadily，alwayscomingbacktohisface。Hesawherthesameasever，inhispresence。Sheappearedstartled，tremulous，readytocry。Shedidnotinspirehimwithconfidence。Heshouted——
\"Howdidyoucome？\"
Sheansweredinhurriedwords，lookingathimintently——
\"Inabigcanoewiththreemen。Iknoweverything。Lingard’saway。Icometosaveyou。Iknow……Almayertoldme。\"
\"Canoe！——Almayer——Lies。Toldyou——You！\"stammeredWillemsinadistractedmanner。\"Whyyou？——Toldwhat？\"
Wordsfailedhim。Hestaredathiswife，thinkingwithfearthatshe——stupidwoman——hadbeenmadeatoolinsomeplanoftreachery……insomedeadlyplot。
Shebegantocry——
\"Don’tlookatmelikethat，Peter。WhathaveIdone？Icometobeg——tobeg——forgiveness……Save——Lingard——danger。\"
Hetrembledwithimpatience，withhope，withfear。Shelookedathimandsobbedoutinafreshoutburstofgrief——
\"Oh！Peter。What’sthematter？——Areyouill？……Oh！youlooksoill……\"
Heshookherviolentlyintoaterrifiedandwonderingsilence。
\"Howdareyou！——Iamwell——perfectlywell……Where’sthatboat？Willyoutellmewherethatboatis——atlast？Theboat，I
say……You！……\"
\"Youhurtme，\"shemoaned。
Helethergo，and，masteringherterror，shestoodquiveringandlookingathimwithstrangeintensity。Thenshemadeamovementforward，butheliftedhisfinger，andsherestrainedherselfwithalongsigh。Hecalmeddownsuddenlyandsurveyedherwithcoldcriticism，withthesameappearanceaswhen，intheolddays，heusedtofindfaultwiththehouseholdexpenses。Shefoundakindoffearfuldelightinthisabruptreturnintothepast，intoheroldsubjection。
Hestoodoutwardlycollectednow，andlistenedtoherdisconnectedstory。Herwordsseemedtofallroundhimwiththedistractingclatterofstunninghail。Hecaughtthemeaninghereandthere，andstraightwaywouldlosehimselfinatremendousefforttoshapeoutsomeintelligibletheoryofevents。Therewasaboat。Aboat。Abigboatthatcouldtakehimtoseaifnecessary。Thatmuchwasclear。Shebroughtit。WhydidAlmayerlietoherso？Wasitaplantodecoyhimintosomeambush？Betterthatthanhopelesssolitude。Shehadmoney。Themenwerereadytogoanywhere……shesaid。
Heinterruptedher——
\"Wherearetheynow？\"
\"Theyarecomingdirectly，\"sheanswered，tearfully。\"Directly。
Therearesomefishingstakesnearhere——theysaid。Theyarecomingdirectly。\"
Againshewastalkingandsobbingtogether。Shewantedtobeforgiven。Forgiven？Whatfor？Ah！thesceneinMacassar。Asifhehadtimetothinkofthat！Whatdidhecarewhatshehaddonemonthsago？Heseemedtostruggleinthetoilsofcomplicateddreamswhereeverythingwasimpossible，yetamatterofcourse，wherethepasttooktheaspectsofthefutureandthepresentlayheavyonhisheart——seemedtotakehimbythethroatlikethehandofanenemy。Andwhileshebegged，entreated，kissedhishands，weptonhisshoulder，adjuredhiminthenameofGod，toforgive，toforget，tospeakthewordforwhichshelonged，tolookathisboy，tobelieveinhersorrowandinherdevotion——hiseyes，inthefascinatedimmobilityofshiningpupils，lookedfaraway，farbeyondher，beyondtheriver，beyondthisland，throughdays，weeks，months；lookedintoliberty，intothefuture，intohistriumph……intothegreatpossibilityofastartlingrevenge。
Hefeltasuddendesiretodanceandshout。Heshouted——
\"Afterall，weshallmeetagain，CaptainLingard。\"
\"Oh，no！No！\"shecried，joiningherhands。
Helookedatherwithsurprise。Hehadforgottenshewastheretillthebreakofhercryinthemonotonoustonesofherprayerrecalledhimintothatcourtyardfromthegloriousturmoilofhisdreams。Itwasverystrangetoseeherthere——nearhim。Hefeltalmostaffectionatetowardsher。Afterall，shecamejustintime。Thenhethought:Thatotherone。Imustgetawaywithoutascene。Whoknows；shemaybedangerous！……AndallatoncehefelthehatedAissawithanimmensehatredthatseemedtochokehim。Hesaidtohiswife——
\"Waitamoment。\"
She，obedient，seemedtogulpdownsomewordswhichwantedtocomeout。Hemuttered:\"Stayhere，\"anddisappearedroundthetree。
Thewaterintheironpanonthecookingfireboiledfuriously，belchingoutvolumesofwhitesteamthatmixedwiththethinblackthreadofsmoke。Theoldwomanappearedtohimthroughthisasifinafog，squattingonherheels，impassiveandweird。
Willemscameupnearandasked，\"Whereisshe？\"
Thewomandidnotevenliftherhead，butansweredatonce，readily，asthoughshehadexpectedthequestionforalongtime。
\"Whileyouwereasleepunderthetree，beforethestrangecanoecame，shewentoutofthehouse。Isawherlookatyouandpassonwithagreatlightinhereyes。Agreatlight。AndshewenttowardstheplacewhereourmasterLakambahadhisfruittrees。
Whenweweremanyhere。Many，many。Menwitharmsbytheirside。Many……men。Andtalk……andsongs……\"
Shewentonlikethat，ravinggentlytoherselfforalongtimeafterWillemshadlefther。
Willemswentbacktohiswife。Hecameupclosetoherandfoundhehadnothingtosay。NowallhisfacultieswereconcentrateduponhiswishtoavoidAissa。Shemightstayallthemorninginthatgrove。Whydidthoserascallyboatmengo？Hehadaphysicalrepugnancetoseteyesonher。Andsomewhere，attheverybottomofhisheart，therewasafearofher。Why？Whatcouldshedo？Nothingonearthcouldstophimnow。Hefeltstrong，reckless，pitiless，andsuperiortoeverything。Hewantedtopreservebeforehiswifetheloftypurityofhischaracter。Hethought:Shedoesnotknow。AlmayerheldhistongueaboutAissa。Butifshefindsout，Iamlost。Ifithadn’tbeenfortheboyIwould……freeofbothofthem……
Theideadartedthroughhishead。Nothe！Married……Sworesolemnly。No……sacredtie……Lookingonhiswife，hefeltforthefirsttimeinhislifesomethingapproachingremorse。Remorse，arisingfromhisconceptionoftheawfulnatureofanoathbeforethealtar……Shemustn’tfindout……Oh，forthatboat！Hemustruninandgethisrevolver。
Couldn’tthinkoftrustinghimselfunarmedwiththoseBajowfellows。Getitnowwhilesheisaway。Oh，forthatboat！……
Hedarednotgototheriverandhail。Hethought:Shemighthearme……I’llgoandget……cartridges……thenwillbeallready……nothingelse。No。
Andwhilehestoodmeditatingprofoundlybeforehecouldmakeuphismindtoruntothehouse，Joannapleaded，holdingtohisarm——pleadeddespairingly，broken-hearted，hopelesswheneversheglancedupathisface，whichtoherseemedtoweartheaspectofunforgivingrectitude，ofvirtuousseverity，ofmercilessjustice。Andshepleadedhumbly——abashedbeforehim，beforetheunmovedappearanceofthemanshehadwrongedindefianceofhumananddivinelaws。Heheardnotawordofwhatshesaidtillsheraisedhervoiceinafinalappeal——
\"……Don’tyouseeIlovedyoualways？Theytoldmehorriblethingsaboutyou……Myownmother！Theytoldme——youhavebeen——youhavebeenunfaithfultome，andI……\"
\"It’sadamnedlie！\"shoutedWillems，wakingupforamomentintorighteousindignation。
\"Iknow！Iknow——Begenerous——Thinkofmymiserysinceyouwentaway——Oh！Icouldhavetornmytongueout……Iwillneverbelieveanybody——Lookattheboy——Bemerciful——IcouldneverresttillIfoundyou……Say——aword——oneword……\"
\"Whatthedevildoyouwant？\"exclaimedWillems，lookingtowardstheriver。\"Where’sthatdamnedboat？Whydidyouletthemgoaway？Youstupid！\"
\"Oh，Peter！——Iknowthatinyourheartyouhaveforgivenme——Youaresogenerous——Iwanttohearyousayso……Tellme——doyou？\"
\"Yes！yes！\"saidWillems，impatiently。\"Iforgiveyou。Don’tbeafool。\"
\"Don’tgoaway。Don’tleavemealonehere。Whereisthedanger？
Iamsofrightened……Areyoualonehere？Sure？……Letusgoaway！\"
\"That’ssense，\"saidWillems，stilllookinganxiouslytowardstheriver。
Shesobbedgently，leaningonhisarm。
\"Letmego，\"hesaid。
Hehadseenabovethesteepbanktheheadsofthreemenglidealongsmoothly。Then，wheretheshoreshelveddowntothelanding-place，appearedabigcanoewhichcameslowlytoland。
\"Heretheyare，\"hewenton，briskly。\"Imustgetmyrevolver。\"
Hemadeafewhurriedpacestowardsthehouse，butseemedtocatchsightofsomething，turnedshortroundandcamebacktohiswife。Shestaredathim，alarmedbythesuddenchangeinhisface。Heappearedmuchdiscomposed。Hestammeredalittleashebegantospeak。
\"Takethechild。Walkdowntotheboatandtellthemtodropitoutofsight，quick，behindthebushes。Doyouhear？Quick！I
willcometoyoutheredirectly。Hurryup！\"
\"Peter！Whatisit？Iwon’tleaveyou。Thereissomedangerinthishorribleplace。\"
\"WillyoudowhatItellyou？\"saidWillems，inanirritablewhisper。
\"No！no！no！Iwon’tleaveyou。Iwillnotloseyouagain。
Tellme，whatisit？\"
Frombeyondthehousecameafaintvoicesinging。Willemsshookhiswifebytheshoulder。
\"DowhatItellyou！Runatonce！\"
Shegrippedhisarmandclungtohimdesperately。Helookeduptoheavenasiftakingittowitnessofthatwoman’sinfernalfolly。
Thesonggrewlouder，thenceasedsuddenly，andAissaappearedinsight，walkingslowly，herhandsfullofflowers。
Shehadturnedthecornerofthehouse，comingoutintothefullsunshine，andthelightseemedtoleapuponherinastreambrilliant，tender，andcaressing，asifattractedbytheradianthappinessofherface。Shehaddressedherselfforafestiveday，forthememorabledayofhisreturntoher，ofhisreturntoanaffectionthatwouldlastforever。Theraysofthemorningsunwerecaughtbytheovalclaspoftheembroideredbeltthatheldthesilksarongroundherwaist。Thedazzlingwhitestuffofherbodyjacketwascrossedbyabarofyellowandsilverofherscarf，andintheblackhairtwistedhighonhersmallheadshonetheroundballsofgoldpinsamongstcrimsonblossomsandwhitestar-shapedflowers，withwhichshehadcrownedherselftocharmhiseyes；thoseeyesthatwerehenceforthtoseenothingintheworldbutherownresplendentimage。Andshemovedslowly，bendingherfaceoverthemassofpurewhitechampakasandjasminepressedtoherbreast，inadreamyintoxicationofsweetscentsandofsweeterhopes。
Shedidnotseemtoseeanything，stoppedforamomentatthefootoftheplankwayleadingtothehouse，then，leavingherhigh-heeledwoodensandalsthere，ascendedtheplanksinalightrun；straight，graceful，flexible，andnoiseless，asifshehadsoareduptothedooroninvisiblewings。Willemspushedhiswiferoughlybehindthetree，andmadeuphismindquicklyforarushtothehouse，tograbhisrevolverand……Thoughts，doubts，expedientsseemedtoboilinhisbrain。Hehadaflashingvisionofdeliveringastunningblow，oftyingupthatflowerbedeckedwomaninthedarkhouse——avisionofthingsdoneswiftlywithenragedhaste——tosavehisprestige，hissuperiority——somethingofimmenseimportance……HehadnotmadetwostepswhenJoannaboundedafterhim，caughtthebackofhisraggedjacket，toreoutabigpiece，andinstantlyhookedherselfwithbothhandstothecollar，nearlydragginghimdownonhisback。Althoughtakenbysurprise，hemanagedtokeephisfeet。Frombehindshepantedintohisear——
\"Thatwoman！Who’sthatwoman？Ah！that’swhatthoseboatmenweretalkingabout。Iheardthem……heardthem……heard……inthenight。Theyspokeaboutsomewoman。Idarednotunderstand。Iwouldnotask……listen……believe！HowcouldI？Thenit’strue。No。Sayno……Who’sthatwoman？\"
Heswayed，tuggingforward。Shejerkedathimtillthebuttongaveway，andthenheslippedhalfoutofhisjacketand，turninground，remainedstrangelymotionless。Hisheartseemedtobeatinhisthroat。Hechoked——triedtospeak——couldnotfindanywords。Hethoughtwithfury:Iwillkillbothofthem。
Forasecondnothingmovedaboutthecourtyardinthegreatvividclearnessoftheday。Onlydownbythelanding-placeawaringan-tree，allinablazeofclusteringredberries，seemedalivewiththestiroflittlebirdsthatfilledwiththefeverishflutteroftheirfeathersthetangleofoverloadedbranches。
Suddenlythevariegatedflockrosespinninginasoftwhirranddispersed，slashingthesunlithazewiththesharpoutlinesofstiffenedwings。Mahmatandoneofhisbrothersappearedcomingupfromthelanding-place，theirlancesintheirhands，tolookfortheirpassengers。
Aissacomingnowempty-handedoutofthehouse，caughtsightofthetwoarmedmen。Inhersurprisesheemittedafaintcry，vanishedbackandinaflashreappearedinthedoorwaywithWillems’revolverinherhand。Toherthepresenceofanymantherecouldonlyhaveanominousmeaning。Therewasnothingintheouterworldbutenemies。Sheandthemanshelovedwerealone，withnothingroundthembutmenacingdangers。Shedidnotmindthat，forifdeathcame，nomatterfromwhathand，theywoulddietogether。
Herresoluteeyestookinthecourtyardinacircularglance。
Shenoticedthatthetwostrangershadceasedtoadvanceandnowwerestandingclosetogetherleaningonthepolishedshaftsoftheirweapons。ThenextmomentshesawWillems，withhisbacktowardsher，apparentlystrugglingunderthetreewithsomeone。
Shesawnothingdistinctly，and，unhesitating，flewdowntheplankwaycallingout:\"Icome！\"
Heheardhercry，andwithanunexpectedrushdrovehiswifebackwardstotheseat。Shefellonit；hejerkedhimselfaltogetheroutofhisjacket，andshecoveredherfacewiththesoiledrags。Heputhislipsclosetoher，asking——
\"Forthelasttime，willyoutakethechildandgo？\"
Shegroanedbehindtheuncleanruinsofhisuppergarment。Shemumbledsomething。Hebentlowertohear。Shewassaying——
\"Iwon’t。Orderthatwomanaway。Ican’tlookather！\"
\"Youfool！\"
Heseemedtospitthewordsather，then，makinguphismind，spunroundtofaceAissa。Shewascomingtowardsthemslowlynow，withalookofunboundedamazementonherface。Thenshestoppedandstaredathim——whostoodthere，strippedtothewaist，bare-headedandsombre。
Somewayoff，Mahmatandhisbrotherexchangedrapidwordsincalmundertones……Thiswasthestrongdaughteroftheholymanwhohaddied。Thewhitemanisverytall。Therewouldbethreewomenandthechildtotakeintheboat，besidesthatwhitemanwhohadthemoney……Thebrotherwentawaybacktotheboat，andMahmatremainedlookingon。Hestoodlikeasentinel，theleaf-shapedbladeofhislanceglintingabovehishead。
Willemsspokesuddenly。
\"Givemethis，\"hesaid，stretchinghishandtowardstherevolver。
Aissasteppedback。Herlipstrembled。Shesaidverylow:
\"Yourpeople？\"
Henoddedslightly。Sheshookherheadthoughtfully，andafewdelicatepetalsoftheflowersdyinginherhairfelllikebigdropsofcrimsonandwhiteatherfeet。
\"Didyouknow？\"shewhispered。
\"No！\"saidWillems。\"Theysentforme。\"
\"Tellthemtodepart。Theyareaccursed。Whatistherebetweenthemandyou——andyouwhocarrymylifeinyourheart！\"
Willemssaidnothing。Hestoodbeforeherlookingdownonthegroundandrepeatingtohimself:Imustgetthatrevolverawayfromher，atonce，atonce。Ican’tthinkoftrustingmyselfwiththosemenwithoutfirearms。Imusthaveit。
Sheasked，aftergazinginsilenceatJoanna，whowassobbinggently——
\"Whoisshe？\"
\"Mywife，\"answeredWillems，withoutlookingup。\"Mywifeaccordingtoourwhitelaw，whichcomesfromGod！\"
\"Yourlaw！YourGod！\"murmuredAissa，contemptuously。
\"Givemethisrevolver，\"saidWillems，inaperemptorytone。Hefeltanunwillingnesstoclosewithher，togetitbyforce。
Shetooknonoticeandwenton——
\"Yourlaw……oryourlies？WhatamItobelieve？Icame——I
rantodefendyouwhenIsawthestrangemen。Youliedtomewithyourlips，withyoureyes。Youcrookedheart！……Ah！\"
sheadded，afteranabruptpause。\"Sheisthefirst！AmIthentobeaslave？\"
\"Youmaybewhatyoulike，\"saidWillems，brutally。\"Iamgoing。\"
Hergazewasfastenedontheblanketunderwhichshehaddetectedaslightmovement。Shemadealongstridetowardsit。Willemsturnedhalfround。Hislegsseemedtohimtobemadeoflead。
Hefeltfaintandsoweakthat，foramoment，thefearofdyingtherewherehestood，beforehecouldescapefromsinanddisaster，passedthroughhismindinawaveofdespair。
Shelifteduponecorneroftheblanket，andwhenshesawthesleepingchildasuddenquickshuddershookherasthoughshehadseensomethinginexpressiblyhorrible。ShelookedatLouisWillemswitheyesfixedinanunbelievingandterrifiedstare。
Thenherfingersopenedslowly，andashadowseemedtosettleonherfaceasifsomethingobscureandfatalhadcomebetweenherandthesunshine。Shestoodlookingdown，absorbed，asthoughshehadwatchedatthebottomofagloomyabyssthemournfulprocessionofherthoughts。
Willemsdidnotmove。Allhisfacultieswereconcentratedupontheideaofhisrelease。Anditwasonlythenthattheassuranceofitcametohimwithsuchforcethatheseemedtohearaloudvoiceshoutingintheheavensthatallwasover，thatinanotherfive，tenminutes，hewouldstepintoanotherexistence；thatallthis，thewoman，themadness，thesin，theregrets，allwouldgo，rushintothepast，disappear，becomeasdust，assmoke，asdriftingclouds——asnothing！Yes！Allwouldvanishintheunappeasablepastwhichwouldswallowupall——eventheverymemoryofhistemptationandofhisdownfall。Nothingmattered。
Hecaredfornothing。HehadforgottenAissa，hiswife，Lingard，Hudig——everybody，intherapidvisionofhishopefulfuture。
AfterawhileheheardAissasaying——
\"Achild！Achild！WhathaveIdonetobemadetodevourthissorrowandthisgrief？Andwhileyourman-childandthemotherlivedyoutoldmetherewasnothingforyoutorememberinthelandfromwhichyoucame！AndIthoughtyoucouldbemine。I
thoughtthatIwould……\"
Hervoiceceasedinabrokenmurmur，andwithit，inherheart，seemedtodiethegreaterandmostprecioushopeofhernewlife。
Shehadhopedthatinthefuturethefrailarmsofachildwouldbindtheirtwolivestogetherinabondwhichnothingonearthcouldbreak，abondofaffection，ofgratitude，oftenderrespect。Shethefirst——theonlyone！Butintheinstantshesawthesonofthatotherwomanshefeltherselfremovedintothecold，thedarkness，thesilenceofasolitudeimpenetrableandimmense——veryfarfromhim，beyondthepossibilityofanyhope，intoaninfinityofwrongswithoutanyredress。
ShestrodenearertoJoanna。Shefelttowardsthatwomananger，envy，jealousy。Beforehershefelthumiliatedandenraged。SheseizedthehangingsleeveofthejacketinwhichJoannawashidingherfaceandtoreitoutofherhands，exclaimingloudly——
\"LetmeseethefaceofherbeforewhomIamonlyaservantandaslave。Ya-wa！Iseeyou！\"
Herunexpectedshoutseemedtofillthesunlitspaceofclearedgrounds，risehighandrunonfarintothelandovertheunstirringtree-topsoftheforests。Shestoodinsuddenstillness，lookingatJoannawithsurprisedcontempt。
\"ASiraniwoman！\"shesaid，slowly，inatoneofwonder。
JoannarushedatWillems——clungtohim，shrieking:\"Defendme，Peter！Defendmefromthatwoman！\"
\"Bequiet。Thereisnodanger，\"mutteredWillems，thickly。
Aissalookedatthemwithscorn。\"Godisgreat！Isitinthedustatyourfeet，\"sheexclaimedjeeringly，joiningherhandsaboveherheadinagestureofmockhumility。\"BeforeyouIamasnothing。\"SheturnedtoWillemsfiercely，openingherarmswide。\"Whathaveyoumadeofme？\"shecried，\"youlyingchildofanaccursedmother！Whathaveyoumadeofme？Theslaveofaslave。Don’tspeak！Yourwordsareworsethanthepoisonofsnakes。ASiraniwoman。Awomanofapeopledespisedbyall。\"
ShepointedherfingeratJoanna，steppedback，andbegantolaugh。
\"Makeherstop，Peter！\"screamedJoanna。\"Thatheathenwoman。
Heathen！Heathen！Beather，Peter。\"
WillemscaughtsightoftherevolverwhichAissahadlaidontheseatnearthechild。HespokeinDutchtohiswife，withoutmovinghishead。
\"Snatchtheboy——andmyrevolverthere。See。Runtotheboat。
Iwillkeepherback。Now’sthetime。\"
Aissacamenearer。ShestaredatJoanna，whilebetweentheshortgustsofbrokenlaughtersheraved，fumblingdistractedlyatthebuckleofherbelt。
\"Toher！Toher——themotherofhimwhowillspeakofyourwisdom，ofyourcourage。Alltoher。Ihavenothing。Nothing。
Take，take。\"
ShetorethebeltoffandthrewitatJoanna’sfeet。Sheflungdownwithhastethearmlets，thegoldpins，theflowers；andthelonghair，released，fellscatteredoverhershoulders，framinginitsblacknessthewildexaltationofherface。
\"Driveheroff，Peter。Driveofftheheathensavage，\"persistedJoanna。Sheseemedtohavelostherheadaltogether。Shestamped，clingingtoWillems’armwithbothherhands。
\"Look，\"criedAissa。\"Lookatthemotherofyourson！Sheisafraid。Whydoesshenotgofrombeforemyface？Lookather。
Sheisugly。\"
Joannaseemedtounderstandthescornfultoneofthewords。AsAissasteppedbackagainnearertothetreesheletgoherhusband’sarm，rushedathermadly，slappedherface，then，swervinground，dartedatthechildwho，unnoticed，hadbeenwailingforsometime，and，snatchinghimup，flewdowntothewaterside，sendingshriekaftershriekinanaccessofinsaneterror。
Willemsmadefortherevolver。Aissapassedswiftly，givinghimanunexpectedpushthatsenthimstaggeringawayfromthetree。
Shecaughtuptheweapon，putitbehindherback，andcried——
\"Youshallnothaveit。Goafterher。Gotomeetdanger……
Gotomeetdeath……Gounarmed……Gowithemptyhandsandsweetwords……asyoucametome……Gohelplessandlietotheforests，tothesea……tothedeaththatwaitsforyou……\"
Sheceasedasifstrangled。Shesawinthehorrorofthepassingsecondsthehalf-naked，wild-lookingmanbeforeher；sheheardthefaintshrillnessofJoanna’sinsaneshrieksforhelpsomewheredownbytheriverside。Thesunlightstreamedonher，onhim，onthemuteland，onthemurmuringriver——thegentlebrillianceofaserenemorningthat，toher，seemedtraversedbyghastlyflashesofuncertaindarkness。Hatefilledtheworld，filledthespacebetweenthem——thehateofrace，thehateofhopelessdiversity，thehateofblood；thehateagainstthemanborninthelandofliesandofevilfromwhichnothingbutmisfortunecomestothosewhoarenotwhite。Andasshestood，maddened，sheheardawhispernearher，thewhisperofthedeadOmar’svoicesayinginherear:\"Kill！Kill！\"
Shecried，seeinghimmove——
\"Donotcomenearme……oryoudienow！GowhileIrememberyet……remember……\"
Willemspulledhimselftogetherforastruggle。Hedarednotgounarmed。Hemadealongstride，andsawherraisetherevolver。
Henoticedthatshehadnotcockedit，andsaidtohimselfthat，evenifshedidfire，shewouldsurelymiss。Gotoohigh；itwasastifftrigger。Hemadeastepnearer——sawthelongbarrelmovingunsteadilyattheendofherextendedarm。Hethought:
Thisismytime……Hebenthiskneesslightly，throwinghisbodyforward，andtookoffwithalongboundforatearingrush。
Hesawaburstofredflamebeforehiseyes，andwasdeafenedbyareportthatseemedtohimlouderthanaclapofthunder。
Somethingstoppedhimshort，andhestoodaspiringinhisnostrilstheacridsmellofthebluesmokethatdriftedfrombeforehiseyeslikeanimmensecloud……Missed，byHeaven！……Thoughtso！……Andhesawherveryfaroff，throwingherarmsup，whiletherevolver，verysmall，layonthegroundbetweenthem……Missed！……Hewouldgoandpickitupnow。Neverbeforedidheunderstand，asinthatsecond，thejoy，thetriumphantdelightofsunshineandoflife。Hismouthwasfullofsomethingsaltandwarm。Hetriedtocough；spatout……Whoshrieks:InthenameofGod，hedies！——hedies！——Whodies？——Mustpickup——Night！——What？……Nightalready……
******
ManyyearsafterwardsAlmayerwastellingthestoryofthegreatrevolutioninSambirtoachancevisitorfromEurope。HewasaRoumanian，halfnaturalist，halforchid-hunterforcommercialpurposes，whousedtodeclaretoeverybody，inthefirstfiveminutesofacquaintance，hisintentionofwritingascientificbookabouttropicalcountries。OnhiswaytotheinteriorhehadquarteredhimselfuponAlmayer。Hewasamanofsomeeducation，buthedrankhisginneat，oronly，atmost，wouldsqueezethejuiceofhalfasmalllimeintotherawspirit。Hesaiditwasgoodforhishealth，and，withthatmedicinebeforehim，hewoulddescribetothesurprisedAlmayerthewondersofEuropeancapitals；whileAlmayer，inexchange，boredhimbyexpounding，withgusto，hisunfavourableopinionsofSambir’ssocialandpoliticallife。Theytalkedfarintothenight，acrossthedealtableontheverandah，while，betweenthem，clear-winged，small，andflabbyinsects，dissatisfiedwithmoonlight，streamedinandperishedinthousandsroundthesmokylightoftheevil-smellinglamp。
Almayer，hisfaceflushed，wassaying——
\"Ofcourse，Ididnotseethat。ItoldyouIwasstuckinthecreekonaccountoffather’s——CaptainLingard’s——susceptibletemper。IamsureIdiditallforthebestintryingtofacilitatethefellow’sescape；butCaptainLingardwasthatkindofman——youknow——onecouldn’targuewith。Justbeforesunsetthewaterwashighenough，andwegotoutofthecreek。WegottoLakamba’sclearingaboutdark。Allveryquiet；Ithoughttheyweregone，ofcourse，andfeltveryglad。Wewalkedupthecourtyard——sawabigheapofsomethinglyinginthemiddle。Outofthatsheroseandrushedatus。ByGod……Youknowthosestoriesoffaithfuldogswatchingtheirmasters’corpses……
don’tletanybodyapproach……gottobeatthemoff——andallthat……Well，’ponmywordwehadtobeatheroff。Hadto！
Shewaslikeafury。Wouldn’tletustouchhim。Dead——ofcourse。Shouldthinkso。Shotthroughthelung，ontheleftside，ratherhighup，andatprettyclosequarterstoo，forthetwoholesweresmall。Bulletcameoutthroughtheshoulder-blade。Afterwehadoverpoweredher——youcan’timaginehowstrongthatwomanwas；ittookthreeofus——wegotthebodyintotheboatandshovedoff。Wethoughtshehadfaintedthen，butshegotupandrushedintothewaterafterus。Well，Iletherclamberin。WhatcouldIdo？Theriver’sfullofalligators。Iwillneverforgetthatpullup-streaminthenightaslongasIlive。Shesatinthebottomoftheboat，holdinghisheadinherlap，andnowandagainwipinghisfacewithherhair。Therewasalotofblooddriedabouthismouthandchin。
Andforallthesixhoursofthatjourneyshekeptonwhisperingtenderlytothatcorpse！……Ihadthemateoftheschoonerwithme。Themansaidafterwardsthathewouldn’tgothroughitagain——notforahandfulofdiamonds。AndIbelievedhim——Idid。
Itmakesmeshiver。Doyouthinkheheard？No！Imeansomebody——something——heard？……\"
\"Iamamaterialist，\"declaredthemanofscience，tiltingthebottleshakilyovertheemptiedglass。
Almayershookhisheadandwenton——
\"NobodysawhowitreallyhappenedbutthatmanMahmat。Healwayssaidthathewasnofurtherofffromthemthantwolengthsofhislance。ItappearsthetwowomenrowedeachotherwhilethatWillemsstoodbetweenthem。ThenMahmatsaysthatwhenJoannastruckherandranoff，theothertwoseemedtobecomesuddenlymadtogether。Theyrushedhereandthere。Mahmatsays——thosewerehisverywords:’Isawherstandingholdingthepistolthatfiresmanytimesandpointingitalloverthecampong。Iwasafraid——lestshemightshootme，andjumpedononeside。ThenIsawthewhitemancomingatherswiftly。Hecamelikeourmasterthetigerwhenherushesoutofthejungleatthespearsheldbymen。Shedidnottakeaim。Thebarrelofherweaponwentlikethis——fromsidetoside，butinhereyesI
couldseesuddenlyagreatfear。Therewasonlyoneshot。Sheshriekedwhilethewhitemanstoodblinkinghiseyesandverystraight，tillyoucouldcountslowlyone，two，three；thenhecoughedandfellonhisface。ThedaughterofOmarshriekedwithoutdrawingbreath，tillhefell。Iwentawaythenandleftsilencebehindme。Thesethingsdidnotconcernme，andinmyboattherewasthatotherwomanwhohadpromisedmemoney。Weleftdirectly，payingnoattentiontohercries。Weareonlypoormen——andhadbutasmallrewardforourtrouble！’That’swhatMahmatsaid。Nevervaried。Youaskhimyourself。He’sthemanyouhiredtheboatsfrom，foryourjourneyuptheriver。\"
\"ThemostrapaciousthiefIevermet！\"exclaimedthetraveller，thickly。
\"Ah！Heisarespectableman。Histwobrothersgotthemselvesspeared——servedthemright。TheywentinforrobbingDyakgraves。Goldornamentsinthemyouknow。Servethemright。Buthekeptrespectableandgoton。Aye！Everybodygoton——butI。
AndallthroughthatscoundrelwhobroughttheArabshere。\"
\"Demortuisnilni……num，\"mutteredAlmayer’sguest。
\"IwishyouwouldspeakEnglishinsteadofjabberinginyourownlanguage，whichnoonecanunderstand，\"saidAlmayer，sulkily。
\"Don’tbeangry，\"hiccoughedtheother。\"It’sLatin，andit’swisdom。Itmeans:Don’twasteyourbreathinabusingshadows。
Nooffencethere。Ilikeyou。YouhaveaquarrelwithProvidence——sohaveI。Iwasmeanttobeaprofessor，while——look。\"
Hisheadnodded。Hesatgraspingtheglass。Almayerwalkedupanddown，thenstoppedsuddenly。
\"Yes，theyallgotonbutI。Why？Iambetterthananyofthem。
LakambacallshimselfaSultan，andwhenIgotoseehimonbusinesssendsthatone-eyedfiendofhis——Babalatchi——totellmethattherulerisasleep；andshallsleepforalongtime。AndthatBabalatchi！HeistheShahbandaroftheState——ifyouplease。OhLord！Shahbandar！Thepig！AvagabondIwouldn’tletcomeupthesestepswhenhefirstcamehere……LookatAbdullanow。Helivesherebecause——hesays——hereheisawayfromwhitemen。Buthehashundredsofthousands。HasahouseinPenang。Ships。Whatdidhenothavewhenhestolemytradefromme！Heknockedeverythinghereintoacockedhat，drovefathertogold-hunting——thentoEurope，wherehedisappeared。
FancyamanlikeCaptainLingarddisappearingasthoughhehadbeenacommoncoolie。FriendsofminewrotetoLondonaskingabouthim。Nobodyeverheardofhimthere！Fancy！NeverheardofCaptainLingard！\"
Thelearnedgathereroforchidsliftedhishead。
\"Hewasasen——sentimen——taloldbuc——buccaneer，\"hestammeredout，\"Ilikehim。I’msent——talmyself。\"
HewinkedslowlyatAlmayer，wholaughed。
\"Yes！Itoldyouaboutthatgravestone。Yes！Anotherhundredandtwentydollarsthrownaway。WishIhadthemnow。Hewoulddoit。Andtheinscription。Ha！ha！ha！’PeterWillems，DeliveredbytheMercyofGodfromhisEnemy。’Whatenemy——unlessCaptainLingardhimself？Andthenithasnosense。
Hewasagreatman——fatherwas——butstrangeinmanyways……
Youhaven’tseenthegrave？Onthetopofthathill，there，ontheothersideoftheriver。Imustshowyou。Wewillgothere。\"
\"NotI！\"saidtheother。\"Nointerest——inthesun——tootiring……Unlessyoucarrymethere。\"
Asamatteroffacthewascarriedthereafewmonthsafterwards，andhiswasthesecondwhiteman’sgraveinSambir；butatpresenthewasaliveifratherdrunk。Heaskedabruptly——
\"Andthewoman？\"
\"Oh！Lingard，ofcourse，keptherandheruglybratinMacassar。
Sinfulwasteofmoney——that！Devilonlyknowswhatbecameofthemsincefatherwenthome。Ihadmydaughtertolookafter。I
shallgiveyouawordtoMrs。VinckinSingaporewhenyougoback。YoushallseemyNinathere。Luckyman。Sheisbeautiful，andIhearsoaccomplished，so……\"
\"Ihaveheardalreadytwenty……ahundredtimesaboutyourdaughter。Whatab——about——that——thatotherone，Ai——ssa？\"
\"She！Oh！wekeptherhere。Shewasmadforalongtimeinaquietsortofway。Fatherthoughtalotofher。Hegaveherahousetolivein，inmycampong。Shewanderedabout，speakingtonobodyunlessshecaughtsightofAbdulla，whenshewouldhaveafitoffury，andshriekandcurselikeanything。Veryoftenshewoulddisappear——andthenweallhadtoturnoutandhuntforher，becausefatherwouldworrytillshewasbroughtback。Foundherinallkindsofplaces。OnceintheabandonedcampongofLakamba。Sometimessimplywanderinginthebush。Shehadonefavouritespotwealwaysmadeforatfirst。Itwastentooneonfindingherthere——akindofagrassygladeonthebanksofasmallbrook。Whyshepreferredthatplace，Ican’timagine！Andsuchajobtogetherawayfromthere。Hadtodragherawaybymainforce。Then，asthetimepassed，shebecamequieterandmoresettled，like。Still，allmypeoplefearedhergreatly。ItwasmyNinathattamedher。Youseethechildwasnaturallyfearlessandusedtohaveherownway，soshewouldgotoherandpullathersarong，andorderherabout，asshedideverybody。
Finallyshe，Iverilybelieve，cametolovethechild。Nothingcouldresistthatlittleone——youknow。Shemadeacapitalnurse。Oncewhenthelittledevilranawayfrommeandfellintotheriverofftheendofthejetty，shejumpedinandpulledheroutinnotime。Iverynearlydiedoffright。Nowofcoursesheliveswithmyservinggirls，butdoeswhatshelikes。AslongasIhaveahandfulofriceorapieceofcottoninthestoreshesha’n’twantforanything。Youhaveseenher。ShebroughtinthedinnerwithAli。\"
\"What！Thatdoubled-upcrone？\"
\"Ah！\"saidAlmayer。\"Theyagequicklyhere。Andlongfoggynightsspentinthebushwillsoonbreakthestrongestbacks——asyouwillfindoutyourselfsoon。\"
\"Dis……disgusting，\"growledthetraveller。
Hedozedoff。Almayerstoodbythebalustradelookingoutatthebluishsheenofthemoonlitnight。Theforests，unchangedandsombre，seemedtohangoverthewater，listeningtotheunceasingwhisperofthegreatriver；andabovetheirdarkwallthehillonwhichLingardhadburiedthebodyofhislateprisonerroseinablack，roundedmass，uponthesilverpalenessofthesky。
Almayerlookedforalongtimeattheclean-cutoutlineofthesummit，asiftryingtomakeoutthroughdarknessanddistancetheshapeofthatexpensivetombstone。Whenheturnedroundatlasthesawhisguestsleeping，hisarmsonthetable，hisheadonhisarms。
\"Now，lookhere！\"heshouted，slappingthetablewiththepalmofhishand。
Thenaturalistwokeup，andsatallinaheap，staringowlishly。
\"Here！\"wentonAlmayer，speakingveryloudandthumpingthetable，\"Iwanttoknow。You，whosayyouhavereadallthebooks，justtellme……whysuchinfernalthingsareeverallowed。HereIam！Doneharmtonobody，livedanhonestlife……andascoundrellikethatisborninRotterdamorsomesuchplaceattheotherendoftheworldsomewhere，travelsouthere，robshisemployer，runsawayfromhiswife，andruinsmeandmyNina——heruinedme，Itellyou——andgetshimselfshotatlastbyapoormiserablesavage，thatknowsnothingatallabouthimreally。Where’sthesenseofallthis？Where’syourProvidence？
Where’sthegoodforanybodyinallthis？Theworld’saswindle！
Aswindle！WhyshouldIsuffer？WhathaveIdonetobetreatedso？\"
Hehowledouthisstringofquestions，andsuddenlybecamesilent。Themanwhooughttohavebeenaprofessormadeatremendousefforttoarticulatedistinctly——
\"Mydearfellow，don’t——don’tyouseethattheba-barefac——thefactofyourexistenceisoff——offensive……I——Ilikeyou——like……\"
Hefellforwardonthetable，andendedhisremarksbyanunexpectedandprolongedsnore。
Almayershruggedhisshouldersandwalkedbacktothebalustrade。
Hedrankhisowntradeginveryseldom，butwhenhedid，aridiculouslysmallquantityofthestuffcouldinducehimtoassumearebelliousattitudetowardstheschemeoftheuniverse。
Andnow，throwinghisbodyovertherail，heshoutedimpudentlyintothenight，turninghisfacetowardsthatfar-offandinvisibleslabofimportedgraniteuponwhichLingardhadthoughtfittorecordGod’smercyandWillems’escape。
\"Fatherwaswrong——wrong！\"heyelled。\"Iwantyoutosmartforit。Youmustsmartforit！Whereareyou，Willems？Hey？……
Hey？……Wherethereisnomercyforyou——Ihope！\"
\"Hope，\"repeatedinawhisperingechothestartledforests，theriverandthehills；andAlmayer，whostoodwaiting，withasmileoftipsyattentiononhislips，heardnootheranswer。
End