CHAPTERI
\"Kaspar！Makan！\"
Thewell-knownshrillvoicestartledAlmayerfromhisdreamofsplendidfutureintotheunpleasantrealitiesofthepresenthour。Anunpleasantvoicetoo。Hehadhearditformanyyears，andwitheveryyearhelikeditless。Nomatter；therewouldbeanendtoallthissoon。
Heshuffleduneasily，buttooknofurthernoticeofthecall。
Leaningwithbothhiselbowsonthebalustradeoftheverandah，hewentonlookingfixedlyatthegreatriverthatflowed——
indifferentandhurried——beforehiseyes。Helikedtolookatitaboutthetimeofsunset；perhapsbecauseatthattimethesinkingsunwouldspreadaglowinggoldtingeonthewatersofthePantai，andAlmayer\'sthoughtswereoftenbusywithgold；
goldhehadfailedtosecure；goldtheothershadsecured——
dishonestly，ofcourse——orgoldhemeanttosecureyet，throughhisownhonestexertions，forhimselfandNina。Heabsorbedhimselfinhisdreamofwealthandpowerawayfromthiscoastwherehehaddweltforsomanyyears，forgettingthebitternessoftoilandstrifeinthevisionofagreatandsplendidreward。
TheywouldliveinEurope，heandhisdaughter。Theywouldberichandrespected。Nobodywouldthinkofhermixedbloodinthepresenceofhergreatbeautyandofhisimmensewealth。
Witnessinghertriumphshewouldgrowyoungagain，hewouldforgetthetwenty-fiveyearsofheart-breakingstruggleonthiscoastwherehefeltlikeaprisoner。Allthiswasnearlywithinhisreach。LetonlyDainreturn！Andreturnsoonhemust——inhisowninterest，forhisownshare。Hewasnowmorethanaweeklate！Perhapshewouldreturnto-night。SuchwereAlmayer\'sthoughtsas，standingontheverandahofhisnewbutalreadydecayinghouse——thatlastfailureofhislife——helookedonthebroadriver。Therewasnotingeofgoldonitthisevening，forithadbeenswollenbytherains，androlledanangryandmuddyfloodunderhisinattentiveeyes，carryingsmalldrift-woodandbigdeadlogs，andwholeuprootedtreeswithbranchesandfoliage，amongstwhichthewaterswirledandroaredangrily。
Oneofthosedriftingtreesgroundedontheshelvingshore，justbythehouse，andAlmayer，neglectinghisdream，watcheditwithlanguidinterest。Thetreeswungslowlyround，amidthehissandfoamofthewater，andsoongettingfreeoftheobstructionbegantomovedownstreamagain，rollingslowlyover，raisingupwardsalong，denudedbranch，likeahandliftedinmuteappealtoheavenagainsttheriver\'sbrutalandunnecessaryviolence。Almayer\'sinterestinthefateofthattreeincreasedrapidly。Heleanedovertoseeifitwouldclearthelowpointbelow。Itdid；thenhedrewback，thinkingthatnowitscoursewasfreedowntothesea，andheenviedthelotofthatinanimatethingnowgrowingsmallandindistinctinthedeepeningdarkness。Ashelostsightofitaltogetherhebegantowonderhowfarouttoseaitwoulddrift。Wouldthecurrentcarryitnorthorsouth？South，probably，tillitdriftedinsightofCelebes，asfarasMacassar，perhaps！
Macassar！Almayer\'squickenedfancydistancedthetreeonitsimaginaryvoyage，buthismemorylaggingbehindsometwentyyearsormoreinpointoftimesawayoungandslimAlmayer，cladallinwhiteandmodest-looking，landingfromtheDutchmail-boatonthedustyjettyofMacassar，comingtowoofortuneinthegodownsofoldHudig。Itwasanimportantepochinhislife，thebeginningofanewexistenceforhim。Hisfather，asubordinateofficialemployedintheBotanicalGardensofBuitenzorg，wasnodoubtdelightedtoplacehissoninsuchafirm。TheyoungmanhimselftoowasnothinglothtoleavethepoisonousshoresofJava，andthemeagrecomfortsoftheparentalbungalow，wherethefathergrumbledalldayatthestupidityofnativegardeners，andthemotherfromthedepthsofherlongeasy-chairbewailedthelostgloriesofAmsterdam，whereshehadbeenbroughtup，andofherpositionasthedaughterofacigardealerthere。
Almayerhadlefthishomewithalightheartandalighterpocket，speakingEnglishwell，andstronginarithmetic；readytoconquertheworld，neverdoubtingthathewould。
Afterthosetwentyyears，standinginthecloseandstiflingheatofaBorneanevening，herecalledwithpleasurableregrettheimageofHudig\'sloftyandcoolwarehouseswiththeirlongandstraightavenuesofgincasesandbalesofManchestergoods；thebigdoorswingingnoiselessly；thedimlightoftheplace，sodelightfulaftertheglareofthestreets；thelittlerailed-offspacesamongstpilesofmerchandisewheretheChineseclerks，neat，cool，andsad-eyed，wroterapidlyandinsilenceamidstthedinoftheworkinggangsrollingcasksorshiftingcasestoamutteredsong，endingwithadesperateyell。Attheupperend，facingthegreatdoor，therewasalargerspacerailedoff，welllighted；therethenoisewassubduedbydistance，andaboveitrosethesoftandcontinuousclinkofsilverguilderswhichotherdiscreetChinamenwerecountingandpilingupunderthesupervisionofMr。Vinck，thecashier，thegeniuspresidingintheplace——therighthandoftheMaster。
InthatclearspaceAlmayerworkedathistablenotfarfromalittlegreenpainteddoor，bywhichalwaysstoodaMalayinaredsashandturban，andwhosehand，holdingasmallstringdanglingfromabove，movedupanddownwiththeregularityofamachine。
Thestringworkedapunkahontheothersideofthegreendoor，wheretheso-calledprivateofficewas，andwhereoldHudig——theMaster——satenthroned，holdingnoisyreceptions。Sometimesthelittledoorwouldflyopendisclosingtotheouterworld，throughthebluishhazeoftobaccosmoke，alongtableloadedwithbottlesofvariousshapesandtallwater-pitchers，rattaneasy-chairsoccupiedbynoisymeninsprawlingattitudes，whiletheMasterwouldputhisheadthroughand，holdingbythehandle，wouldgruntconfidentiallytoVinck；perhapssendanorderthunderingdownthewarehouse，orspyahesitatingstrangerandgreethimwithafriendlyroar，\"Welgome，Gapitan！ver\'yougomevrom？Bali，eh？Gotbonies？Ivantbonies！Vantallyougot；
ha！ha！ha！Gomein！\"Thenthestrangerwasdraggedin，inatempestofyells，thedoorwasshut，andtheusualnoisesrefilledtheplace；thesongoftheworkmen，therumbleofbarrels，thescratchofrapidpens；whileaboveallrosethemusicalchinkofbroadsilverpiecesstreamingceaselesslythroughtheyellowfingersoftheattentiveChinamen。
AtthattimeMacassarwasteemingwithlifeandcommerce。Itwasthepointintheislandswheretendedallthoseboldspiritswho，fittingoutschoonersontheAustraliancoast，invadedtheMalayArchipelagoinsearchofmoneyandadventure。Bold，reckless，keeninbusiness，notdisinclinedforabrushwiththepiratesthatweretobefoundonmanyacoastasyet，makingmoneyfast，theyusedtohaveageneral\"rendezvous\"inthebayforpurposesoftradeanddissipation。TheDutchmerchantscalledthosemenEnglishpedlars；someofthemwereundoubtedlygentlemenforwhomthatkindoflifehadacharm；mostwereseamen；theacknowledgedkingofthemallwasTomLingard，hewhomtheMalays，honestordishonest，quietfishermenordesperatecut-throats，recognisedas\"theRajah-Laut\"——theKingoftheSea。
AlmayerhadheardofhimbeforehehadbeenthreedaysinMacassar，hadheardthestoriesofhissmartbusinesstransactions，hisloves，andalsoofhisdesperatefightswiththeSulupirates，togetherwiththeromantictaleofsomechild——
agirl——foundinapiraticalpraubythevictoriousLingard，when，afteralongcontest，heboardedthecraft，drivingthecrewoverboard。Thisgirl，itwasgenerallyknown，Lingardhadadopted，washavinghereducatedinsomeconventinJava，andspokeofheras\"mydaughter。\"Hehadswornamightyoathtomarryhertoawhitemanbeforehewenthomeandtoleaveherallhismoney。\"AndCaptainLingardhaslotsofmoney，\"wouldsayMr。Vincksolemnly，withhisheadononeside，\"lotsofmoney；
morethanHudig！\"Andafterapause——justtolethishearersrecoverfromtheirastonishmentatsuchanincredibleassertion——
hewouldaddinanexplanatorywhisper，\"Youknow，hehasdiscoveredariver。\"
Thatwasit！Hehaddiscoveredariver！ThatwasthefactplacingoldLingardsomuchabovethecommoncrowdofsea-goingadventurerswhotradedwithHudiginthedaytimeanddrankchampagne，gambled，sangnoisysongs，andmadelovetohalf-castegirlsunderthebroadverandahoftheSundaHotelatnight。Intothatriver，whoseentranceshimselfonlyknew，LingardusedtotakehisassortedcargoofManchestergoods，brassgongs，riflesandgunpowder。HisbrigFlash，whichhecommandedhimself，wouldonthoseoccasionsdisappearquietlyduringthenightfromtheroadsteadwhilehiscompanionsweresleepingofftheeffectsofthemidnightcarouse，Lingardseeingthemdrunkunderthetablebeforegoingonboard，himselfunaffectedbyanyamountofliquor。Manytriedtofollowhimandfindthatlandofplentyforgutta-perchaandrattans，pearlshellsandbirds\'nests，waxandgum-dammar，butthelittleFlashcouldoutsaileverycraftinthoseseas。Afewofthemcametogriefonhiddensandbanksandcoralreefs，losingtheirallandbarelyescapingwithlifefromthecruelgripofthissunnyandsmilingsea；othersgotdiscouraged；andformanyyearsthegreenandpeaceful-lookingislandsguardingtheentrancestothepromisedlandkepttheirsecretwithallthemercilessserenityoftropicalnature。AndsoLingardcameandwentonhissecretoropenexpeditions，becomingaheroinAlmayer\'seyesbytheboldnessandenormousprofitsofhisventures，seemingtoAlmayeraverygreatmanindeedashesawhimmarchingupthewarehouse，gruntinga\"howareyou？\"toVinck，orgreetingHudig，theMaster，withaboisterous\"Hallo，oldpirate！Aliveyet？\"asapreliminarytotransactingbusinessbehindthelittlegreendoor。Oftenofanevening，inthesilenceofthethendesertedwarehouse，AlmayerputtingawayhispapersbeforedrivinghomewithMr。Vinck，inwhosehouseholdhelived，wouldpauselisteningtothenoiseofahotdiscussionintheprivateoffice，wouldhearthedeepandmonotonousgrowloftheMaster，andtheroared-outinterruptionsofLingard——twomastiffsfightingoveramarrowybone。ButtoAlmayer\'searsitsoundedlikeaquarrelofTitans——abattleofthegods。
AfterayearorsoLingard，havingbeenbroughtoftenincontactwithAlmayerinthecourseofbusiness，tookasuddenand，totheonlookers，aratherinexplicablefancytotheyoungman。Hesanghispraises，lateatnight，overaconvivialglasstohiscroniesintheSundaHotel，andonefinemorningelectrifiedVinckbydeclaringthathemusthave\"thatyoungfellowforasupercargo。
Kindofcaptain\'sclerk。Doallmyquill-drivingforme。\"
Hudigconsented。Almayer，withyouth\'snaturalcravingforchange，wasnothingloth，andpackinghisfewbelongings，startedintheFlashononeofthoselongcruiseswhentheoldseamanwaswonttovisitalmosteveryislandinthearchipelago。Monthsslippedby，andLingard\'sfriendshipseemedtoincrease。OftenpacingthedeckwithAlmayer，whenthefaintnightbreeze，heavywitharomaticexhalationsoftheislands，shovedthebriggentlyalongunderthepeacefulandsparklingsky，didtheoldseamanopenhishearttohisentrancedlistener。Hespokeofhispastlife，ofescapeddangers，ofbigprofitsinhistrade，ofnewcombinationsthatwereinthefuturetobringprofitsbiggerstill。Oftenhehadmentionedhisdaughter，thegirlfoundinthepirateprau，speakingofherwithastrangeassumptionoffatherlytenderness。
\"Shemustbeabiggirlnow，\"heusedtosay。\"It\'snighuntofouryearssinceIhaveseenher！Damme，Almayer，ifIdon\'tthinkwewillrunintoSourabayathistrip。\"Andaftersuchadeclarationhealwaysdivedintohiscabinmutteringtohimself，\"Somethingmustbedone——mustbedone。\"MorethanoncehewouldastonishAlmayerbywalkinguptohimrapidly，clearinghisthroatwithapowerful\"Hem！\"asifhewasgoingtosaysomething，andthenturningabruptlyawaytoleanoverthebulwarksinsilence，andwatch，motionless，forhours，thegleamandsparkleofthephosphorescentseaalongtheship\'sside。ItwasthenightbeforearrivinginSourabayawhenoneofthoseattemptsatconfidentialcommunicationsucceeded。Afterclearinghisthroathespoke。Hespoketosomepurpose。HewantedAlmayertomarryhisadopteddaughter。\"Anddon\'tyoukickbecauseyou\'rewhite！\"heshouted，suddenly，notgivingthesurprisedyoungmanthetimetosayaword。\"Noneofthatwithme！Nobodywillseethecolourofyourwife\'sskin。Thedollarsaretoothickforthat，Itellyou！Andmindyou，theywillbethickeryetbeforeIdie。Therewillbemillions，Kaspar！
MillionsIsay！Andallforher——andforyou，ifyoudowhatyouaretold。\"
Startledbytheunexpectedproposal，Almayerhesitated，andremainedsilentforaminute。Hewasgiftedwithastrongandactiveimagination，andinthatshortspaceoftimehesaw，asinaflashofdazzlinglight，greatpilesofshiningguilders，andrealisedallthepossibilitiesofanopulentexistence。Theconsideration，theindolenteaseoflife——forwhichhefelthimselfsowellfitted——hisships，hiswarehouses，hismerchandise（oldLingardwouldnotliveforever），and，crowningall，inthefarfuturegleamedlikeafairypalacethebigmansioninAmsterdam，thatearthlyparadiseofhisdreams，where，madekingamongstmenbyoldLingard\'smoney，hewouldpasstheeveningofhisdaysininexpressiblesplendour。Astotheothersideofthepicture——thecompanionshipforlifeofaMalaygirl，thatlegacyofaboatfulofpirates——therewasonlywithinhimaconfusedconsciousnessofshamethatheawhiteman——Still，aconventeducationoffouryears！——andthenshemaymercifullydie。Hewasalwayslucky，andmoneyispowerful！Gothroughit。
Whynot？Hehadavagueideaofshuttingherupsomewhere，anywhere，outofhisgorgeousfuture。EasyenoughtodisposeofaMalaywoman，aslave，afterall，tohisEasternmind，conventornoconvent，ceremonyornoceremony。
Heliftedhisheadandconfrontedtheanxiousyetirateseaman。
\"I——ofcourse——anythingyouwish，CaptainLingard。\"
\"Callmefather，myboy。Shedoes，\"saidthemollifiedoldadventurer。\"Damme，though，ifIdidn\'tthinkyouweregoingtorefuse。Mindyou，Kaspar，Ialwaysgetmyway，soitwouldhavebeennouse。Butyouarenofool。\"
Herememberedwellthattime——thelook，theaccent，thewords，theeffecttheyproducedonhim，hisverysurroundings。Herememberedthenarrowslantingdeckofthebrig，thesilentsleepingcoast，thesmoothblacksurfaceoftheseawithagreatbarofgoldlaidonitbytherisingmoon。Heremembereditall，andherememberedhisfeelingsofmadexultationatthethoughtofthatfortunethrownintohishands。Hewasnofoolthen，andhewasnofoolnow。Circumstanceshadbeenagainsthim；thefortunewasgone，buthoperemained。
Heshiveredinthenightair，andsuddenlybecameawareoftheintensedarknesswhich，onthesun\'sdeparture，hadclosedinupontheriver，blottingouttheoutlinesoftheoppositeshore。
OnlythefireofdrybrancheslitoutsidethestockadeoftheRajah\'scompoundcalledfitfullyintoviewtheraggedtrunksofthesurroundingtrees，puttingastainofglowingredhalf-wayacrosstheriverwherethedriftinglogswerehurryingtowardstheseathroughtheimpenetrablegloom。Hehadahazyrecollectionofhavingbeencalledsometimeduringtheeveningbyhiswife。Tohisdinnerprobably。Butamanbusycontemplatingthewreckageofhispastinthedawnofnewhopescannotbehungrywheneverhisriceisready。Timehewenthome，though；itwasgettinglate。
Hesteppedcautiouslyonthelooseplankstowardstheladder。
A
lizard，disturbedbythenoise，emittedaplaintivenoteandscurriedthroughthelonggrassgrowingonthebank。Almayerdescendedtheladdercarefully，nowthoroughlyrecalledtotherealitiesoflifebythecarenecessarytopreventafallontheunevengroundwherethestones，decayingplanks，andhalf-sawnbeamswerepiledupininextricableconfusion。Asheturnedtowardsthehousewherehelived——\"myoldhouse\"hecalledit——
hiseardetectedthesplashofpaddlesawayinthedarknessoftheriver。Hestoodstillinthepath，attentiveandsurprisedatanybodybeingontheriveratthislatehourduringsuchaheavyfreshet。Nowhecouldhearthepaddlesdistinctly，andevenarapidlyexchangedwordinlowtones，theheavybreathingofmenfightingwiththecurrent，andhuggingthebankonwhichhestood。Quiteclose，too，butitwastoodarktodistinguishanythingundertheoverhangingbushes。
\"Arabs，nodoubt，\"mutteredAlmayertohimself，peeringintothesolidblackness。\"Whataretheyuptonow？SomeofAbdulla\'sbusiness；cursehim！\"
Theboatwasveryclosenow。
\"Oh，ya！Man！\"hailedAlmayer。
Thesoundofvoicesceased，butthepaddlesworkedasfuriouslyasbefore。ThenthebushinfrontofAlmayershook，andthesharpsoundofthepaddlesfallingintothecanoeranginthequietnight。Theywereholdingontothebushnow；butAlmayercouldhardlymakeoutanindistinctdarkshapeofaman\'sheadandshouldersabovethebank。
\"YouAbdulla？\"saidAlmayer，doubtfully。
Agravevoiceanswered——
\"TuanAlmayerisspeakingtoafriend。ThereisnoArabhere。\"
Almayer\'sheartgaveagreatleap。
\"Dain！\"heexclaimed。\"Atlast！atlast！Ihavebeenwaitingforyoueverydayandeverynight。Ihadnearlygivenyouup。\"
\"Nothingcouldhavestoppedmefromcomingbackhere，\"saidtheother，almostviolently。\"Notevendeath，\"hewhisperedtohimself。
\"Thisisafriend\'stalk，andisverygood，\"saidAlmayer，heartily。\"Butyouaretoofarhere。Dropdowntothejettyandletyourmencooktheirriceinmycampongwhilewetalkinthehouse。\"
Therewasnoanswertothatinvitation。
\"Whatisit？\"askedAlmayer，uneasily。\"Thereisnothingwrongwiththebrig，Ihope？\"
\"ThebrigiswherenoOrangBlandacanlayhishandsonher，\"
saidDain，withagloomytoneinhisvoice，whichAlmayer，inhiselation，failedtonotice。
\"Right，\"hesaid。\"Butwhereareallyourmen？Thereareonlytwowithyou。\"
\"Listen，TuanAlmayer，\"saidDain。\"To-morrow\'ssunshallseemeinyourhouse，andthenwewilltalk。NowImustgototheRajah。\"
\"TotheRajah！Why？WhatdoyouwantwithLakamba？\"
\"Tuan，to-morrowwetalklikefriends。ImustseeLakambato-night。\"
\"Dain，youarenotgoingtoabandonmenow，whenallisready？\"
askedAlmayer，inapleadingvoice。
\"HaveInotreturned？ButImustseeLakambafirstforyourgoodandmine。\"
Theshadowyheaddisappearedabruptly。Thebush，releasedfromthegraspofthebowman，sprungbackwithaswish，scatteringashowerofmuddywateroverAlmayer，ashebentforward，tryingtosee。
Inalittlewhilethecanoeshotintothestreakoflightthatstreamedontheriverfromthebigfireontheoppositeshore，disclosingtheoutlineoftwomenbendingtotheirwork，andathirdfigureinthesternflourishingthesteeringpaddle，hisheadcoveredwithanenormousroundhat，likeafantasticallyexaggeratedmushroom。
Almayerwatchedthecanoetillitpassedoutofthelineoflight。Shortlyafterthemurmurofmanyvoicesreachedhimacrossthewater。Hecouldseethetorchesbeingsnatchedoutoftheburningpile，andrenderingvisibleforamomentthegateinthestockaderoundwhichtheycrowded。Thentheywentinapparently。Thetorchesdisappeared，andthescatteredfiresentoutonlyadimandfitfulglare。
Almayersteppedhomewardswithlongstridesandminduneasy。
SurelyDainwasnotthinkingofplayinghimfalse。Itwasabsurd。DainandLakambawerebothtoomuchinterestedinthesuccessofhisscheme。TrustingtoMalayswaspoorwork；butthenevenMalayshavesomesenseandunderstandtheirowninterest。Allwouldbewell——mustbewell。Atthispointinhismeditationhefoundhimselfatthefootofthestepsleadingtotheverandahofhishome。Fromthelowpointoflandwherehestoodhecouldseebothbranchesoftheriver。ThemainbranchofthePantaiwaslostincompletedarkness，forthefireattheRajah\'shadgoneoutaltogether；butuptheSambirreachhiseyecouldfollowthelonglineofMalayhousescrowdingthebank，withhereandthereadimlighttwinklingthroughbamboowalls，orasmokytorchburningontheplatformsbuiltoutovertheriver。Furtheraway，wheretheislandendedinalowcliff，roseadarkmassofbuildingstoweringabovetheMalaystructures。
Foundedsolidlyonafirmgroundwithplentyofspace，starredbymanylightsburningstrongandwhite，withasuggestionofparaffinandlamp-glasses，stoodthehouseandthegodownsofAbdullabinSelim，thegreattraderofSambir。ToAlmayerthesightwasverydistasteful，andheshookhisfisttowardsthebuildingsthatintheirevidentprosperitylookedtohimcoldandinsolent，andcontemptuousofhisownfallenfortunes。
Hemountedthestepsofhishouseslowly。
Inthemiddleoftheverandahtherewasaroundtable。Onitaparaffinlampwithoutaglobeshedahardglareonthethreeinnersides。Thefourthsidewasopen，andfacedtheriver。
Betweentheroughsupportsofthehigh-pitchedroofhungtornrattanscreens。Therewasnoceiling，andtheharshbrillianceofthelampwastonedaboveintoasofthalf-lightthatlostitselfintheobscurityamongsttherafters。Thefrontwallwascutintwobythedoorwayofacentralpassageclosedbyaredcurtain。Thewomen\'sroomopenedintothatpassage，whichledtothebackcourtyardandtothecookingshed。Inoneofthesidewallstherewasadoorway。Halfobliteratedwords——\"Office：
LingardandCo。\"——werestilllegibleonthedustydoor，whichlookedasifithadnotbeenopenedforaverylongtime。Closetotheothersidewallstoodabent-woodrocking-chair，andbythetableandabouttheverandahfourwoodenarmchairsstraggledforlornly，asifashamedoftheirshabbysurroundings。Aheapofcommonmatslayinonecorner，withanoldhammockslungdiagonallyabove。Intheothercorner，hisheadwrappedinapieceofredcalico，huddledintoashapelessheap，sleptaMalay，oneofAlmayer\'sdomesticslaves——\"myownpeople，\"heusedtocallthem。Anumerousandrepresentativeassemblyofmothswereholdinghighrevelsroundthelamptothespiritedmusicofswarmingmosquitoes。Underthepalm-leafthatchlizardsracedonthebeamscallingsoftly。Amonkey，chainedtooneoftheverandahsupports——retiredforthenightundertheeaves——peeredandgrinnedatAlmayer，asitswungtooneofthebambooroofsticksandcausedashowerofdustandbitsofdriedleavestosettleontheshabbytable。Thefloorwasuneven，withmanywitheredplantsanddriedearthscatteredabout。Ageneralairofsqualidneglectpervadedtheplace。Greatredstainsonthefloorandwallstestifiedtofrequentandindiscriminatebetel-nutchewing。Thelightbreezefromtheriverswayedgentlythetatteredblinds，sendingfromthewoodsoppositeafaintandsicklyperfumeasofdecayingflowers。
UnderAlmayer\'sheavytreadtheboardsoftheverandahcreakedloudly。Thesleeperinthecornermoveduneasily，mutteringindistinctwords。Therewasaslightrustlebehindthecurtaineddoorway，andasoftvoiceaskedinMalay，\"Isityou，father？\"
\"Yes，Nina。Iamhungry。Iseverybodyasleepinthishouse？\"
Almayerspokejoviallyanddroppedwithacontentedsighintothearmchairnearesttothetable。NinaAlmayercamethroughthecurtaineddoorwayfollowedbyanoldMalaywoman，whobusiedherselfinsettinguponthetableaplatefulofriceandfish，ajarofwater，andabottlehalffullofgenever。Aftercarefullyplacingbeforehermasteracrackedglasstumblerandatinspoonshewentawaynoiselessly。Ninastoodbythetable，onehandlightlyrestingonitsedge，theotherhanginglistlesslybyherside。Herfaceturnedtowardstheouterdarkness，throughwhichherdreamyeyesseemedtoseesomeentrancingpicture，worealookofimpatientexpectancy。Shewastallforahalf-caste，withthecorrectprofileofthefather，modifiedandstrengthenedbythesquarenessofthelowerpartofthefaceinheritedfromhermaternalancestors——theSulupirates。Herfirmmouth，withthelipsslightlypartedanddisclosingagleamofwhiteteeth，putavaguesuggestionofferocityintotheimpatientexpressionofherfeatures。AndyetherdarkandperfecteyeshadallthetendersoftnessofexpressioncommontoMalaywomen，butwithagleamofsuperiorintelligence；theylookedgravely，wideopenandsteady，asiffacingsomethinginvisibletoallothereyes，whileshestoodthereallinwhite，straight，flexible，graceful，unconsciousofherself，herlowbutbroadforeheadcrownedwithashiningmassoflongblackhairthatfellinheavytressesoverhershoulders，andmadeherpaleolivecomplexionlookpalerstillbythecontrastofitscoal-blackhue。
Almayerattackedhisricegreedily，butafterafewmouthfulshepaused，spooninhand，andlookedathisdaughtercuriously。
\"DidyouhearaboatpassabouthalfanhouragoNina？\"heasked。
Thegirlgavehimaquickglance，andmovingawayfromthelightstoodwithherbacktothetable。
\"No，\"shesaid，slowly。
\"Therewasaboat。Atlast！Dainhimself；andhewentontoLakamba。Iknowit，forhetoldmeso。Ispoketohim，buthewouldnotcomehereto-night。Willcometo-morrow，hesaid。\"
Heswallowedanotherspoonful，thensaid——
\"Iamalmosthappyto-night，Nina。Icanseetheendofalongroad，anditleadsusawayfromthismiserableswamp。Weshallsoongetawayfromhere，Iandyou，mydearlittlegirl，andthen——\"
Herosefromthetableandstoodlookingfixedlybeforehimasifcontemplatingsomeenchantingvision。
\"Andthen，\"hewenton，\"weshallbehappy，youandI。Liverichandrespectedfarfromhere，andforgetthislife，andallthisstruggle，andallthismisery！\"
Heapproachedhisdaughterandpassedhishandcaressinglyoverherhair。
\"ItisbadtohavetotrustaMalay，\"hesaid，\"butImustownthatthisDainisaperfectgentleman——aperfectgentleman，\"herepeated。
\"Didyouaskhimtocomehere，father？\"inquiredNina，notlookingathim。
\"Well，ofcourse。Weshallstartonthedayafterto-morrow，\"
saidAlmayer，joyously。\"Wemustnotloseanytime。Areyouglad，littlegirl？\"
Shewasnearlyastallashimself，buthelikedtorecallthetimewhenshewaslittleandtheywereallinalltoeachother。
\"Iamglad，\"shesaid，verylow。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidAlmayer，vivaciously，\"youcannotimaginewhatisbeforeyou。ImyselfhavenotbeentoEurope，butIhaveheardmymothertalksooftenthatIseemtoknowallaboutit。
Weshalllivea——agloriouslife。Youshallsee。\"
Againhestoodsilentbyhisdaughter\'ssidelookingatthatenchantingvision。Afterawhileheshookhisclenchedhandtowardsthesleepingsettlement。
\"Ah！myfriendAbdulla，\"hecried，\"weshallseewhowillhavethebestofitafteralltheseyears！\"
Helookeduptheriverandremarkedcalmly：
\"Anotherthunderstorm。Well！Nothunderwillkeepmeawaketo-night，Iknow！Good-night，littlegirl，\"hewhispered，tenderlykissinghercheek。\"Youdonotseemtobeveryhappyto-night，butto-morrowyouwillshowabrighterface。Eh？\"
Ninahadlistenedtoherfatherwithherfaceunmoved，withherhalf-closedeyesstillgazingintothenightnowmademoreintensebyaheavythunder-cloudthathadcreptdownfromthehillsblottingoutthestars，mergingsky，forest，andriverintoonemassofalmostpalpableblackness。Thefaintbreezehaddiedout，butthedistantrumbleofthunderandpaleflashesoflightninggavewarningoftheapproachingstorm。Withasighthegirlturnedtowardsthetable。
Almayerwasinhishammocknow，alreadyhalfasleep。
\"Takethelamp，Nina，\"hemuttered，drowsily。\"Thisplaceisfullofmosquitoes。Gotosleep，daughter。\"
ButNinaputthelampoutandturnedbackagaintowardsthebalustradeoftheverandah，standingwithherarmroundthewoodensupportandlookingeagerlytowardsthePantaireach。Andmotionlessthereintheoppressivecalmofthetropicalnightshecouldseeateachflashoflightningtheforestliningbothbanksuptheriver，bendingbeforethefuriousblastofthecomingtempest，theupperreachoftheriverwhippedintowhitefoambythewind，andtheblackcloudstornintofantasticshapestrailinglowovertheswayingtrees。Roundherallwasasyetstillnessandpeace，butshecouldhearafarofftheroarofthewind，thehissofheavyrain，thewashofthewavesonthetormentedriver。Itcamenearerandnearer，withloudthunder-clapsandlongflashesofvividlightning，followedbyshortperiodsofappallingblackness。Whenthestormreachedthelowpointdividingtheriver，thehouseshookinthewind，andtherainpatteredloudlyonthepalm-leafroof，thethunderspokeinoneprolongedroll，andtheincessantlightningdisclosedaturmoilofleapingwaters，drivinglogs，andthebigtreesbendingbeforeabrutalandmercilessforce。
Undisturbedbythenightlyeventoftherainymonsoon，thefathersleptquietly，obliviousalikeofhishopes，hismisfortunes，hisfriends，andhisenemies；andthedaughterstoodmotionless，ateachflashoflightningeagerlyscanningthebroadriverwithasteadyandanxiousgaze。
chapter02
CHAPTERII。
When，incompliancewithLingard\'sabruptdemand，AlmayerconsentedtowedtheMalaygirl，nooneknewthatonthedaywhentheinterestingyoungconverthadlostallhernaturalrelationsandfoundawhitefather，shehadbeenfightingdesperatelyliketherestofthemonboardtheprau，andwasonlypreventedfromleapingoverboard，likethefewothersurvivors，byaseverewoundintheleg。There，onthefore-deckoftheprau，oldLingardfoundherunderaheapofdeadanddyingpirates，andhadhercarriedonthepoopoftheFlashbeforetheMalaycraftwassetonfireandsentadrift。Shewasconscious，andinthegreatpeaceandstillnessofthetropicaleveningsucceedingtheturmoilofthebattle，shewatchedallshehelddearonearthafterherownsavagemanner，driftawayintothegloominagreatroarofflameandsmoke。Shelaythereunheedingthecarefulhandsattendingtoherwound，silentandabsorbedingazingatthefuneralpileofthosebravemenshehadsomuchadmiredandsowellhelpedintheircontestwiththeredoubtable\"Rajah-Laut。\"
Thelightnightbreezefannedthebriggentlytothesouthward，andthegreatblazeoflightgotsmallerandsmallertillittwinkledonlyonthehorizonlikeasettingstar。Itset：
theheavycanopyofsmokereflectedtheglareofhiddenflamesforashorttimeandthendisappearedalso。
Sherealisedthatwiththisvanishinggleamheroldlifedepartedtoo。Thenceforththerewasslaveryinthefarcountries，amongststrangers，inunknownandperhapsterriblesurroundings。Beingfourteenyearsold，sherealisedherpositionandcametothatconclusion，theonlyonepossibletoaMalaygirl，soonripenedunderatropicalsun，andnotunawareofherpersonalcharms，ofwhichsheheardmanyayoungbravewarriorofherfather\'screwexpressanappreciativeadmiration。Therewasinherthedreadoftheunknown；otherwisesheacceptedherpositioncalmly，afterthemannerofherpeople，andevenconsidereditquitenatural；
forwasshenotadaughterofwarriors，conqueredinbattle，anddidshenotbelongrightfullytothevictoriousRajah？Eventheevidentkindnessoftheterribleoldmanmustspring，shethought，fromadmirationforhiscaptive，andtheflatteredvanityeasedforherthepangsofsorrowaftersuchanawfulcalamity。Perhapshadsheknownofthehighwalls，thequietgardens，andthesilentnunsoftheSamarangconvent，whereherdestinywasleadingher，shewouldhavesoughtdeathinherdreadandhateofsucharestraint。ButinimaginationshepicturedtoherselftheusuallifeofaMalaygirl——theusualsuccessionofheavyworkandfiercelove，ofintrigues，goldornaments，ofdomesticdrudgery，andofthatgreatbutoccultinfluencewhichisoneofthefewrightsofhalf-savagewomankind。Butherdestinyintheroughhandsoftheoldsea-dog，actingunderunreasoningimpulsesoftheheart，tookastrangeandtoheraterribleshape。Sheboreitall——therestraintandtheteachingandthenewfaith——withcalmsubmission，concealingherhateandcontemptforallthatnewlife。Shelearnedthelanguageveryeasily，yetunderstoodbutlittleofthenewfaiththegoodsisterstaughther，assimilatingquicklyonlythesuperstitiouselementsofthereligion。ShecalledLingardfather，gentlyandcaressingly，ateachofhisshortandnoisyvisits，undertheclearimpressionthathewasagreatanddangerouspoweritwasgoodtopropitiate。Washenotnowhermaster？Andduringthoselongfouryearsshenourishedahopeoffindingfavourinhiseyesandultimatelybecominghiswife，counsellor，andguide。
ThosedreamsofthefutureweredispelledbytheRajahLaut\'s\"fiat，\"whichmadeAlmayer\'sfortune，asthatyoungmanfondlyhoped。AnddressedinthehatefulfineryofEurope，thecentreofaninterestedcircleofBataviansociety，theyoungconvertstoodbeforethealtarwithanunknownandsulky-lookingwhiteman。ForAlmayerwasuneasy，alittledisgusted，andgreatlyinclinedtorunaway。Ajudiciousfearoftheadoptedfather-in-lawandajustregardforhisownmaterialwelfarepreventedhimfrommakingascandal；yet，whileswearingfidelity，hewasconcoctingplansforgettingridoftheprettyMalaygirlinamoreorlessdistantfuture。She，however，hadretainedenoughofconventualteachingtounderstandwellthataccordingtowhitemen\'slawsshewasgoingtobeAlmayer\'scompanionandnothisslave，andpromisedtoherselftoactaccordingly。
SowhentheFlashfreightedwithmaterialsforbuildinganewhouselefttheharbourofBatavia，takingawaytheyoungcoupleintotheunknownBorneo，shedidnotcarryonherdecksomuchloveandhappinessasoldLingardwaswonttoboastofbeforehiscasualfriendsintheverandahsofvarioushotels。Theoldseamanhimselfwasperfectlyhappy。Nowhehaddonehisdutybythegirl。\"YouknowImadeheranorphan，\"heoftenconcludedsolemnly，whentalkingabouthisownaffairstoascratchaudienceofshoreloafers——asitwashishabittodo。Andtheapprobativeshoutsofhishalf-intoxicatedauditorsfilledhissimplesoulwithdelightandpride。\"Icarryeverythingrightthrough，\"wasanotherofhissayings，andinpursuanceofthatprinciplehepushedthebuildingofhouseandgodownsonthePantaiRiverwithfeverishhaste。Thehousefortheyoungcouple；thegodownsforthebigtradeAlmayerwasgoingtodevelopwhilehe（Lingard）wouldbeabletogivehimselfuptosomemysteriousworkwhichwasonlyspokenofinhints，butwasunderstoodtorelatetogoldanddiamondsintheinterioroftheisland。Almayerwasimpatienttoo。HadheknownwhatwasbeforehimhemightnothavebeensoeagerandfullofhopeashestoodwatchingthelastcanoeoftheLingardexpeditiondisappearinthebenduptheriver。When，turninground，hebeheldtheprettylittlehouse，thebiggodownsbuiltneatlybyanarmyofChinesecarpenters，thenewjettyroundwhichwereclusteredthetradingcanoes，hefeltasuddenelationinthethoughtthattheworldwashis。
Buttheworldhadtobeconqueredfirst，anditsconquestwasnotsoeasyashethought。HewasverysoonmadetounderstandthathewasnotwantedinthatcornerofitwhereoldLingardandhisownweakwillplacedhim，inthemidstofunscrupulousintriguesandofafiercetradecompetition。TheArabshadfoundouttheriver，hadestablishedatradingpostinSambir，andwheretheytradedtheywouldbemastersandsuffernorival。Lingardreturnedunsuccessfulfromhisfirstexpedition，anddepartedagainspendingalltheprofitsofthelegitimatetradeonhismysteriousjourneys。Almayerstruggledwiththedifficultiesofhisposition，friendlessandunaided，savefortheprotectiongiventohimforLingard\'ssakebytheoldRajah，thepredecessorofLakamba。Lakambahimself，thenlivingasaprivateindividualonariceclearing，sevenmilesdowntheriver，exercisedallhisinfluencetowardsthehelpofthewhiteman\'senemies，plottingagainsttheoldRajahandAlmayerwithacertaintyofcombination，pointingclearlytoaprofoundknowledgeoftheirmostsecretaffairs。Outwardlyfriendly，hisportlyformwasoftentobeseenonAlmayer\'sverandah；hisgreenturbanandgold-embroideredjacketshoneinthefrontrankofthedecorousthrongofMalayscomingtogreetLingardonhisreturnsfromtheinterior；hissalaamswereofthelowest，andhishand-shakingsoftheheartiest，whenwelcomingtheoldtrader。Buthissmalleyestookinthesignsofthetimes，andhedepartedfromthoseinterviewswithasatisfiedandfurtivesmiletoholdlongconsultationswithhisfriendandally，SyedAbdulla，thechiefoftheArabtradingpost，amanofgreatwealthandofgreatinfluenceintheislands。
ItwascurrentlybelievedatthattimeinthesettlementthatLakamba\'svisitstoAlmayer\'shousewerenotlimitedtothoseofficialinterviews。OftenonmoonlightnightsthebelatedfishermenofSambirasawasmallcanoeshootingoutfromthenarrowcreekatthebackofthewhiteman\'shouse，andthesolitaryoccupantpaddlecautiouslydowntheriverinthedeepshadowsofthebank；andthoseevents，dulyreported，werediscussedroundtheeveningfiresfarintothenightwiththecynicismofexpressioncommontoaristocraticMalays，andwithamaliciouspleasureinthedomesticmisfortunesoftheOrangBlando——thehatedDutchman。Almayerwentonstrugglingdesperately，butwithafeeblenessofpurposedeprivinghimofallchanceofsuccessagainstmensounscrupulousandresoluteashisrivalstheArabs。Thetradefellawayfromthelargegodowns，andthegodownsthemselvesrottedpiecemeal。Theoldman\'sbanker，HudigofMacassar，failed，andwiththiswentthewholeavailablecapital。TheprofitsofpastyearshadbeenswallowedupinLingard\'sexploringcraze。Lingardwasintheinterior——perhapsdead——atalleventsgivingnosignoflife。
Almayerstoodaloneinthemidstofthoseadversecircumstances，derivingonlyalittlecomfortfromthecompanionshipofhislittledaughter，borntwoyearsafterthemarriage，andatthetimesomesixyearsold。Hiswifehadsooncommencedtotreathimwithasavagecontemptexpressedbysulkysilence，onlyoccasionallyvariedbyafloodofsavageinvective。Hefeltshehatedhim，andsawherjealouseyeswatchinghimselfandthechildwithalmostanexpressionofhate。Shewasjealousofthelittlegirl\'sevidentpreferenceforthefather，andAlmayerfelthewasnotsafewiththatwomaninthehouse。Whileshewasburningthefurniture，andtearingdowntheprettycurtainsinherunreasoninghateofthosesignsofcivilisation，Almayer，cowedbytheseoutburstsofsavagenature，meditatedinsilenceonthebestwayofgettingridofher。Hethoughtofeverything；
evenplannedmurderinanundecidedandfeeblesortofway，butdareddonothing——expectingeverydaythereturnofLingardwithnewsofsomeimmensegoodfortune。Hereturnedindeed，butaged，ill，aghostofhisformerself，withthefireoffeverburninginhissunkeneyes，almosttheonlysurvivorofthenumerousexpedition。Buthewassuccessfulatlast！Untoldricheswereinhisgrasp；hewantedmoremoney——onlyalittlemoretorealiseadreamoffabulousfortune。AndHudighadfailed！Almayerscrapedallhecouldtogether，buttheoldmanwantedmore。IfAlmayercouldnotgetithewouldgotoSingapore——toEuropeeven，butbeforealltoSingapore；andhewouldtakethelittleNinawithhim。Thechildmustbebroughtupdecently。HehadgoodfriendsinSingaporewhowouldtakecareofherandhavehertaughtproperly。Allwouldbewell，andthatgirl，uponwhomtheoldseamanseemedtohavetransferredallhisformeraffectionforthemother，wouldbetherichestwomanintheEast——intheworldeven。SooldLingardshouted，pacingtheverandahwithhisheavyquarter-deckstep，gesticulatingwithasmoulderingcheroot；ragged，dishevelled，enthusiastic；andAlmayer，sittinghuddleduponapileofmats，thoughtwithdreadoftheseparationwiththeonlyhumanbeingheloved——withgreaterdreadstill，perhaps，ofthescenewithhiswife，thesavagetigressdeprivedofheryoung。Shewillpoisonme，thoughtthepoorwretch，wellawareofthateasyandfinalmannerofsolvingthesocial，political，orfamilyproblemsinMalaylife。
Tohisgreatsurpriseshetookthenewsveryquietly，givingonlyhimandLingardafurtiveglance，andsayingnotaword。This，however，didnotpreventherthenextdayfromjumpingintotheriverandswimmingaftertheboatinwhichLingardwascarryingawaythenursewiththescreamingchild。Almayerhadtogivechasewithhiswhale-boatanddragherinbythehairinthemidstofcriesandcursesenoughtomakeheavenfall。Yetaftertwodaysspentinwailing，shereturnedtoherformermodeoflife，chewingbetel-nut，andsittingalldayamongstherwomeninstupefiedidleness。Sheagedveryrapidlyafterthat，andonlyrousedherselffromherapathytoacknowledgebyascathingremarkoraninsultingexclamationtheaccidentalpresenceofherhusband。Hehadbuiltforherariversidehutinthecompoundwhereshedweltinperfectseclusion。Lakamba\'svisitshadceasedwhen，byaconvenientdecreeofProvidenceandthehelpofalittlescientificmanipulation，theoldrulerofSambirdepartedthislife。Lakambareignedinhissteadnow，havingbeenwellservedbyhisArabfriendswiththeDutchauthorities。
SyedAbdullawasthegreatmanandtraderofthePantai。Almayerlayruinedandhelplessundertheclose-meshednetoftheirintrigues，owinghislifeonlytohissupposedknowledgeofLingard\'svaluablesecret。Lingardhaddisappeared。HewroteoncefromSingaporesayingthechildwaswell，andunderthecareofaMrs。Vinck，andthathehimselfwasgoingtoEuropetoraisemoneyforthegreatenterprise。\"Hewascomingbacksoon。
Therewouldbenodifficulties，\"hewrote；\"peoplewouldrushinwiththeirmoney。\"Evidentlytheydidnot，fortherewasonlyonelettermorefromhimsayinghewasill，hadfoundnorelationliving，butlittleelsebesides。Thencameacompletesilence。
EuropehadswalloweduptheRajahLautapparently，andAlmayerlookedvainlywestwardforarayoflightoutofthegloomofhisshatteredhopes。Yearspassed，andtherarelettersfromMrs。Vinck，lateronfromthegirlherself，weretheonlythingtobelookedtotomakelifebearableamongstthetriumphantsavageryoftheriver。Almayerlivednowalone，havingevenceasedtovisithisdebtorswhowouldnotpay，sureofLakamba\'sprotection。ThefaithfulSumatreseAlicookedhisriceandmadehiscoffee，forhedarednottrustanyoneelse，andleastofallhiswife。Hekilledtimewanderingsadlyintheovergrownpathsroundthehouse，visitingtheruinedgodownswhereafewbrassgunscoveredwithverdigrisandonlyafewbrokencasesofmoulderingManchestergoodsremindedhimofthegoodearlytimeswhenallthiswasfulloflifeandmerchandise，andheoverlookedabusysceneontheriverbank，hislittledaughterbyhisside。
Nowtheup-countrycanoesglidedpastthelittlerottenwharfofLingardandCo。，topaddleupthePantaibranch，andclusterroundthenewjettybelongingtoAbdulla。NotthattheylovedAbdulla，buttheydarednottradewiththemanwhosestarhadset。HadtheydonesotheyknewtherewasnomercytobeexpectedfromAraborRajah；noricetobegotoncreditinthetimesofscarcityfromeither；andAlmayercouldnothelpthem，havingattimeshardlyenoughforhimself。Almayer，inhisisolationanddespair，oftenenviedhisnearneighbourtheChinaman，Jim-Eng，whomhecouldseestretchedonapileofcoolmats，awoodenpillowunderhishead，anopiumpipeinhisnervelessfingers。Hedidnotseek，however，consolationinopium——perhapsitwastooexpensive——perhapshiswhiteman\'spridesavedhimfromthatdegradation；butmostlikelyitwasthethoughtofhislittledaughterinthefar-offStraitsSettlements。HeheardfromheroftenersinceAbdullaboughtasteamer，whichrannowbetweenSingaporeandthePantaisettlementeverythreemonthsorso。Almayerfelthimselfnearerhisdaughter。Helongedtoseeher，andplannedavoyagetoSingapore，butputoffhisdeparturefromyeartoyear，alwaysexpectingsomefavourableturnoffortune。Hedidnotwanttomeetherwithemptyhandsandwithnowordsofhopeonhislips。
Hecouldnottakeherbackintothatsavagelifetowhichhewascondemnedhimself。Hewasalsoalittleafraidofher。Whatwouldshethinkofhim？Hereckonedtheyears。Agrownwoman。
Acivilisedwoman，youngandhopeful；whilehefeltoldandhopeless，andverymuchlikethosesavagesroundhim。Heaskedhimselfwhatwasgoingtobeherfuture。Hecouldnotanswerthatquestionyet，andhedarednotfaceher。Andyethelongedafterher。Hehesitatedforyears。
HishesitationwasputanendtobyNina\'sunexpectedappearanceinSambir。Shearrivedinthesteamerunderthecaptain\'scare。
Almayerbeheldherwithsurprisenotunmixedwithwonder。Duringthosetenyearsthechildhadchangedintoawoman，black-haired，olive-skinned，tall，andbeautiful，withgreatsadeyes，wherethestartledexpressioncommontoMalaywomankindwasmodifiedbyathoughtfultingeinheritedfromherEuropeanancestry。Almayerthoughtwithdismayofthemeetingofhiswifeanddaughter，ofwhatthisgravegirlinEuropeanclotheswouldthinkofherbetel-nutchewingmother，squattinginadarkhut，disorderly，halfnaked，andsulky。Healsofearedanoutbreakoftemperonthepartofthatpestofawomanhehadhithertomanagedtokeeptolerablyquiet，therebysavingtheremnantsofhisdilapidatedfurniture。Andhestoodtherebeforethecloseddoorofthehutintheblazingsunshinelisteningtothemurmurofvoices，wonderingwhatwentoninside，wherefromalltheservant-maidshadbeenexpelledatthebeginningoftheinterview，andnowstoodclusteredbythepalingswithhalf-coveredfacesinachatterofcuriousspeculation。Heforgothimselftheretryingtocatchastraywordthroughthebamboowalls，tillthecaptainofthesteamer，whohadwalkedupwiththegirl，fearingasunstroke，tookhimunderthearmandledhimintotheshadeofhisownverandah：whereNina\'strunkstoodalready，havingbeenlandedbythesteamer\'smen。AssoonasCaptainFordhadhisglassbeforehimandhischerootlighted，Almayeraskedfortheexplanationofhisdaughter\'sunexpectedarrival。Fordsaidlittlebeyondgeneralisinginvaguebutviolenttermsuponthefoolishnessofwomeningeneral，andofMrs。Vinckinparticular。