Thetwoofficerslookedateachotherhelplessly。
\"Thiswon\'tdo，\"saidthelieutenant，addressinghisjunior。
\"Havethemenmusteredinthecompoundhere。Imustgetsomesenseoutofhim。Hi！Almayer！Wakeup，man。Redeemyourword。
Yougaveyourword。Yougaveyourwordofhonour，youknow。\"
Almayershookofftheofficer\'shandwithimpatience，buthisill-humourvanishedatonce，andhelookedup，puttinghisforefingertothesideofhisnose。
\"Youareveryyoung；thereistimeforallthings，\"hesaid，withanairofgreatsagacity。
ThelieutenantturnedtowardsNina，who，leaningbackinherchair，watchedherfathersteadily。
\"ReallyIamverymuchdistressedbyallthisforyoursake，\"heexclaimed。\"Idonotknow；\"hewenton，speakingwithsomeembarrassment，\"whetherIhaveanyrighttoaskyouanything，unless，perhaps，towithdrawfromthispainfulscene，butIfeelthatImust——foryourfather\'sgood——suggestthatyoushould——I
meanifyouhaveanyinfluenceoverhimyououghttoexertitnowtomakehimkeepthepromisehegavemebeforehe——beforehegotintothisstate。\"
Heobservedwithdiscouragementthatsheseemednottotakeanynoticeofwhathesaidsittingstillwithhalf-closedeyes。
\"Itrust——\"hebeganagain。
\"Whatisthepromiseyouspeakof？\"abruptlyaskedNina，leavingherseatandmovingtowardsherfather。
\"Nothingthatisnotjustandproper。Hepromisedtodelivertousamanwhointimeofprofoundpeacetookthelivesofinnocentmentoescapethepunishmenthedeservedforbreakingthelaw。
Heplannedhismischiefonalargescale。Itisnothisfaultifitfailed，partially。OfcourseyouhaveheardofDainMaroola。
Yourfathersecuredhim，Iunderstand。Weknowheescapedupthisriver。Perhapsyou——\"
\"Andhekilledwhitemen！\"interruptedNina。
\"Iregrettosaytheywerewhite。Yes，twowhitemenlosttheirlivesthroughthatscoundrel\'sfreak。\"
\"Twoonly！\"exclaimedNina。
Theofficerlookedatherinamazement。
\"Why！why！You-\"hestammered，confused。
\"Theremighthavebeenmore，\"interruptedNina。\"Andwhenyougetthis——thisscoundrelwillyougo？\"
Thelieutenant，stillspeechless，bowedhisassent。
\"ThenIwouldgethimforyouifIhadtoseekhiminaburningfire，\"sheburstoutwithintenseenergy。\"Ihatethesightofyourwhitefaces。Ihatethesoundofyourgentlevoices。
Thatisthewayyouspeaktowomen，droppingsweetwordsbeforeanyprettyface。Ihaveheardyourvoicesbefore。Ihopedtoliveherewithoutseeinganyotherwhitefacebutthis，\"sheaddedinagentlertone，touchinglightlyherfather\'scheek。
Almayerceasedhismumblingandopenedhiseyes。Hecaughtholdofhisdaughter\'shandandpressedittohisface，whileNinawiththeotherhandsmoothedhisrumpledgreyhair，lookingdefiantlyoverherfather\'sheadattheofficer，whohadnowregainedhiscomposureandreturnedherlookwithacool，steadystare。Below，infrontoftheverandah，theycouldhearthetrampofseamenmusteringthereaccordingtoorders。Thesub-lieutenantcameupthesteps，whileBabalatchistoodupuneasilyand，withfingeronlip，triedtocatchNina\'seye。
\"Youareagoodgirl，\"whisperedAlmayer，absently，droppinghisdaughter\'shand。
\"Father！father！\"shecried，bendingoverhimwithpassionateentreaty。\"Seethosetwomenlookingatus。Sendthemaway。
I
cannotbearitanymore。Sendthemaway。Dowhattheywantandletthemgo。\"
ShecaughtsightofBabalatchiandceasedspeakingsuddenly，butherfoottappedthefloorwithrapidbeatsinaparoxysmofnervousrestlessness。Thetwoofficersstoodclosetogetherlookingoncuriously。
\"Whathashappened？Whatisthematter？\"whisperedtheyoungerman。
\"Don\'tknow，\"answeredtheother，underhisbreath。\"Oneisfurious，andtheotherisdrunk。Notsodrunk，either。Queer，this。Look！\"
Almayerhadrisen，holdingontohisdaughter\'sarm。Hehesitatedamoment，thenheletgohisholdandlurchedhalf-wayacrosstheverandah。Therehepulledhimselftogether，andstoodverystraight，breathinghardandglaringroundangrily。
\"Arethemenready？\"askedthelieutenant。
\"Allready，sir。\"
\"Now，Mr。Almayer，leadtheway，\"saidthelieutenantAlmayerrestedhiseyesonhimasifhesawhimforthefirsttime。
\"Twomen，\"hesaidthickly。Theeffortofspeakingseemedtointerferewithhisequilibrium。Hetookaquicksteptosavehimselffromafall，andremainedswayingbackwardsandforwards。
\"Twomen，\"hebeganagain，speakingwithdifficulty。\"Twowhitemen——meninuniform——honourablemen。Iwanttosay——menofhonour。Areyou？\"
\"Come！Noneofthat，\"saidtheofficerimpatiently。\"Letushavethatfriendofyours。\"
\"WhatdoyouthinkIam？\"askedAlmayer，fiercely。
\"Youaredrunk，butnotsodrunkasnottoknowwhatyouaredoing。Enoughofthistomfoolery，\"saidtheofficersternly，\"orIwillhaveyouputunderarrestinyourownhouse。\"
\"Arrest！\"laughedAlmayer，discordantly。\"Ha！ha！ha！Arrest！
Why，Ihavebeentryingtogetoutofthisinfernalplacefortwentyyears，andIcan\'t。Youhear，man！Ican\'t，andnevershall！Never！\"
Heendedhiswordswithasob，andwalkedunsteadilydownthestairs。Wheninthecourtyardthelieutenantapproachedhim，andtookhimbythearm。Thesub-lieutenantandBabalatchifollowedclose。
\"That\'sbetter，Almayer，\"saidtheofficerencouragingly。\"Whereareyougoingto？Thereareonlyplanksthere。Here，\"hewenton，shakinghimslightly，\"dowewanttheboats？\"
\"No，\"answeredAlmayer，viciously。\"Youwantagrave。\"
\"What？Wildagain！Trytotalksense。\"
\"Grave！\"roaredAlmayer，strugglingtogethimselffree。\"Aholeintheground。Don\'tyouunderstand？Youmustbedrunk。
Letmego！Letgo，Itellyou！\"
Hetoreawayfromtheofficer\'sgrasp，andreeledtowardstheplankswherethebodylayunderitswhitecover；thenheturnedroundquickly，andfacedthesemicircleofinterestedfaces。Thesunwassinkingrapidly，throwinglongshadowsofhouseandtreesoverthecourtyard，butthelightlingeredyetontheriver，wherethelogswentdriftingpastinmidstream，lookingverydistinctandblackinthepaleredglow。Thetrunksofthetreesintheforestontheeastbankwerelostingloomwhiletheirhighestbranchesswayedgentlyinthedepartingsunlight。Theairfeltheavyandcoldinthebreeze，expiringinslightpuffsthatcameoverthewater。
Almayershiveredashemadeanefforttospeak，andagainwithanuncertaingestureheseemedtofreehisthroatfromthegripofaninvisiblehand。Hisbloodshoteyeswanderedaimlesslyfromfacetoface。
\"There！\"hesaidatlast。\"Areyouallthere？Heisadangerousman。\"
Hedraggedatthecoverwithhastyviolence，andthebodyrolledstifflyofftheplanksandfellathisfeetinrigidhelplessness。
\"Cold，perfectlycold，\"saidAlmayer，lookingroundwithamirthlesssmile。\"Sorrycandonobetter。Andyoucan\'thanghim，either。Asyouobserve，gentlemen，\"headdedgravely，\"thereisnohead，andhardlyanyneck。\"
Thelastrayoflightwassnatchedawayfromthetree-tops，therivergrewsuddenlydark，andinthegreatstillnessthemurmuroftheflowingwaterseemedtofillthevastexpanseofgreyshadowthatdescendedupontheland。
\"ThisisDain，\"wentonAlmayertothesilentgroupthatsurroundedhim。\"AndIhavekeptmyword。Firstonehope，thenanother，andthisismylast。Nothingisleftnow。Youthinkthereisonedeadmanhere？Mistake，I\'sureyou。Iammuchmoredead。Whydon\'tyouhangme？\"hesuggestedsuddenly，inafriendlytone，addressingthelieutenant。\"Iassure，assureyouitwouldbeamat——matterofformaltog——altogether。\"
Theselastwordshemutteredtohimself，andwalkedzigzagingtowardshishouse。\"Getout！\"hethunderedatAli，whowasapproachingtimidlywithoffersofassistance。Fromafar，scaredgroupsofmenandwomenwatchedhisdeviousprogress。Hedraggedhimselfupthestairsbythebanister，andmanagedtoreachachairintowhichhefellheavily。Hesatforawhilepantingwithexertionandanger，andlookingroundvaguelyforNina；thenmakingathreateninggesturetowardsthecompound，wherehehadheardBabalatchi\'svoice，heoverturnedthetablewithhisfootinagreatcrashofsmashedcrockery。Hemutteredyetmenacinglytohimself，thenhisheadfellonhisbreast，hiseyesclosed，andwithadeepsighhefellasleep。
Thatnight——forthefirsttimeinitshistory——thepeacefulandflourishingsettlementofSambirsawthelightsshiningabout\"Almayer\'sFolly。\"ThesewerethelanternsoftheboatshungupbytheseamenundertheverandahwherethetwoofficerswereholdingacourtofinquiryintothetruthofthestoryrelatedtothembyBabalatchi。Babalatchihadregainedallhisimportance。
Hewaseloquentandpersuasive，callingHeavenandEarthtowitnessthetruthofhisstatements。Therewerealsootherwitnesses。MahmatBanjerandagoodmanyothersunderwentacloseexaminationthatdraggeditswearylengthfarintotheevening。AmessengerwassentforAbdulla，whoexcusedhimselffromcomingonthescoreofhisvenerableage，butsentReshid。
Mahmathadtoproducethebangle，andsawwithrageandmortificationthelieutenantputitinhispocket，asoneoftheproofsofDain\'sdeath，tobesentinwiththeofficialreportofthemission。Babalatchi\'sringwasalsoimpoundedforthesamepurpose，buttheexperiencedstatesmanwasresignedtothatlossfromtheverybeginning。Hedidnotmindaslongashewassure，thatthewhitemenbelieved。Heputthatquestiontohimselfearnestlyasheleft，oneofthelast，whentheproceedingscametoaclose。Hewasnotcertain。Still，iftheybelievedonlyforanight，hewouldputDainbeyondtheirreachandfeelsafehimself。Hewalkedawayfast，lookingfromtimetotimeoverhisshoulderinthefearofbeingfollowed，buthesawandheardnothing。
\"Teno\'clock，\"saidthelieutenant，lookingathiswatchandyawning。\"Ishallhearsomeofthecaptain\'scomplimentaryremarkswhenwegetback。Miserablebusiness，this。\"
\"Doyouthinkallthisistrue？\"askedtheyoungerman。
\"True！Itisjustpossible。Butifitisn\'ttruewhatcanwedo？
Ifwehadadozenboatswecouldpatrolthecreeks；andthatwouldn\'tbemuchgood。Thatdrunkenmadmanwasright；wehaven\'tenoughholdonthiscoast。Theydowhattheylike。Areourhammocksslung？\"
\"Yes，Itoldthecoxswain。Strangecoupleoverthere，\"saidthesub，withawaveofhishandtowardsAlmayer\'shouse。
\"Hem！Queer，certainly。Whathaveyoubeentellingher？
Iwasattendingtothefathermostofthetime。\"
\"IassureyouIhavebeenperfectlycivil，\"protestedtheotherwarmly。
\"Allright。Don\'tgetexcited。Sheobjectstocivility，then，fromwhatIunderstand。Ithoughtyoumighthavebeentender。
Youknowweareonservice。\"
\"Well，ofcourse。Neverforgetthat。Coldlycivil。
That\'sall。\"
Theybothlaughedalittle，andnotfeelingsleepybegantopacetheverandahsidebyside。Themoonrosestealthilyabovethetrees，andsuddenlychangedtheriverintoastreamofscintillatingsilver。Theforestcameoutoftheblackvoidandstoodsombreandpensiveoverthesparklingwater。Thebreezediedawayintoabreathlesscalm。
Seamanlike，thetwoofficerstrampedmeasuredlyupanddownwithoutexchangingaword。Thelooseplanksrattledrhythmicallyundertheirstepswithobstrusivedrysoundintheperfectsilenceofthenight。Astheywerewheelingroundagaintheyoungermanstoodattentive。
\"Didyouhearthat？\"heasked。
\"No！\"saidtheother。\"Hearwhat？\"
\"IthoughtIheardacry。Eversofaint。Seemedawoman\'svoice。Inthatotherhouse。Ah！Again！Hearit？\"
\"No，\"saidthelieutenant，afterlisteningawhile。\"Youyoungfellowsalwayshearwomen\'svoices。Ifyouaregoingtodreamyouhadbettergetintoyourhammock。Good-night。\"
Themoonmountedhigher，andthewarmshadowsgrewsmallerandcreptawayasifhidingbeforethecoldandcruellight。
chapter10
CHAPTERX。
\"Ithassetatlast，\"saidNinatohermotherpointingtowardsthehillsbehindwhichthesunhadsunk。\"Listen，mother，IamgoingnowtoBulangi\'screek，andifIshouldneverreturn——\"
Sheinterruptedherself，andsomethinglikedoubtdimmedforamomentthefireofsuppressedexaltationthathadglowedinhereyesandhadilluminatedthesereneimpassivenessofherfeatureswitharayofeagerlifeduringallthatlongdayofexcitement——
thedayofjoyandanxiety，ofhopeandterror，ofvaguegriefandindistinctdelight。Whilethesunshonewiththatdazzlinglightinwhichherlovewasbornandgrewtillitpossessedherwholebeing，shewaskeptfirminherunwaveringresolvebythemysteriouswhisperingsofdesirewhichfilledherheartwithimpatientlongingforthedarknessthatwouldmeantheendofdangerandstrife，thebeginningofhappiness，thefulfillingoflove，thecompletenessoflife。Ithadsetatlast！Theshorttropicaltwilightwentoutbeforeshecoulddrawthelongbreathofrelief；andnowthesuddendarknessseemedtobefullofmenacingvoicescallinguponhertorushheadlongintotheunknown；tobetruetoherownimpulses，togiveherselfuptothepassionshehadevokedandshared。Hewaswaiting！Inthesolitudeofthesecludedclearing，inthevastsilenceoftheforesthewaswaitingalone，afugitiveinfearofhislife。
Indifferenttohisdangerhewaswaitingforher。Itwasforheronlythathehadcome；andnowasthetimeapproachedwhenheshouldhavehisreward，sheaskedherselfwithdismaywhatmeantthatchillingdoubtofherownwillandofherowndesire？Withaneffortsheshookoffthefearofthepassingweakness。Heshouldhavehisreward。Herwoman\'sloveandherwoman\'shonourovercamethefalteringdistrustofthatunknownfuturewaitingforherinthedarknessoftheriver。
\"No，youwillnotreturn，\"mutteredMrs。Almayer，prophetically。
\"Withoutyouhewillnotgo，andifheremainshere——\"Shewavedherhandtowardsthelightsof\"Almayer\'sFolly，\"andtheunfinishedsentencediedoutinathreateningmurmur。
Thetwowomenhadmetbehindthehouse，andnowwerewalkingslowlytogethertowardsthecreekwhereallthecanoesweremoored。Arrivedatthefringeofbushestheystoppedbyacommonimpulse，andMrs。Almayer，layingherhandonherdaughter\'sarm，triedinvaintolookcloseintothegirl\'savertedface。Whensheattemptedtospeakherfirstwordswerelostinastifledsobthatsoundedstrangelycomingfromthatwomanwho，ofallhumanpassions，seemedtoknowonlythoseofangerandhate。
\"YouaregoingawaytobeagreatRanee，\"shesaidatlast，inavoicethatwassteadyenoughnow，\"andifyoubewiseyoushallhavemuchpowerthatwillenduremanydays，andevenlastintoyouroldage。WhathaveIbeen？Aslaveallmylife，andIhavecookedriceforamanwhohadnocourageandnowisdom。Hai！
I！
evenI，wasgiveningiftbyachiefandawarriortoamanthatwasneither。Hai！Hai！\"
Shewailedtoherselfsoftly，lamentingthelostpossibilitiesofmurderandmischiefthatcouldhavefallentoherlothadshebeenmatedwithacongenialspirit。NinabentdownoverMrs。
Almayer\'sslightformandscannedattentively，underthestarsthathadrushedoutontheblackskyandnowhungbreathlessoverthatstrangeparting，hermother\'sshrivelledfeatures，andlookedcloseintothesunkeneyesthatcouldseeintoherowndarkfuturebythelightofalongandapainfulexperience。
Againshefeltherselffascinated，asofold，byhermother\'sexaltedmoodandbytheoracularcertaintyofexpressionwhich，togetherwithherfitsofviolence，hadcontributednotalittletothereputationforwitchcraftsheenjoyedinthesettlement。
\"Iwasaslave，andyoushallbeaqueen，\"wentonMrs。Almayer，lookingstraightbeforeher；\"butremembermen\'sstrengthandtheirweakness。Tremblebeforehisanger，sothathemayseeyourfearinthelightofday；butinyourheartyoumaylaugh，foraftersunsetheisyourslave。\"
\"Aslave！He！Themasteroflife！Youdonotknowhim，mother。\"
Mrs。Almayercondescendedtolaughcontemptuously。
\"Youspeaklikeafoolofawhitewoman，\"sheexclaimed。\"Whatdoyouknowofmen\'sangerandofmen\'slove？Haveyouwatchedthesleepofmenwearyofdealingdeath？Haveyoufeltaboutyouthestrongarmthatcoulddriveakrissdeepintoabeatingheart？Yah！youareawhitewoman，andoughttopraytoawoman-god！\"
\"Whydoyousaythis？IhavelistenedtoyourwordssolongthatIhaveforgottenmyoldlife。IfIwaswhitewouldIstandhere，readytogo？Mother，Ishallreturntothehouseandlookoncemoreatmyfather\'sface。\"
\"No！\"saidMrs。Almayer，violently。\"No，hesleepsnowthesleepofgin；andifyouwentbackhemightawakeandseeyou。No，heshallneverseeyou。Whentheterribleoldmantookyouawayfrommewhenyouwerelittle，youremember——\"
\"Itwassuchalongtimeago，\"murmuredNina。
\"Iremember，\"wentonMrs。Almayer，fiercely。\"Iwantedtolookatyourfaceagain。Hesaidno！Iheardyoucryandjumpedintotheriver。Youwerehisdaughterthen；youaremydaughternow。
Nevershallyougobacktothathouse；youshallnevercrossthiscourtyardagain。No！no！\"
Hervoicerosealmosttoashout。Ontheothersideofthecreektherewasarustleinthelonggrass。Thetwowomenheardit，andlistenedforawhileinstartledsilence。\"Ishallgo，\"saidNina，inacautiousbutintensewhisper。\"Whatisyourhateoryourrevengetome？\"
Shemovedtowardsthehouse，Mrs。Almayerclingingtoherandtryingtopullherback。
\"Stop，youshallnotgo！\"shegasped。
Ninapushedawayhermotherimpatientlyandgatheredupherskirtsforaquickrun，butMrs。Almayerranforwardandturnedround，facingherdaughterwithoutstretchedarms。
\"Ifyoumoveanotherstep，\"sheexclaimed，breathingquickly，\"I
shallcryout。Doyouseethoselightsinthebighouse？
Theresittwowhitemen，angrybecausetheycannothavethebloodofthemanyoulove。Andinthosedarkhouses，\"shecontinued，morecalmlyasshepointedtowardsthesettlement，\"myvoicecouldwakeupmenthatwouldleadtheOrangBlandasoldierstohimwhoiswaiting——foryou。\"
Shecouldnotseeherdaughter\'sface，butthewhitefigurebeforeherstoodsilentandirresoluteinthedarkness。Mrs。
Almayerpursuedheradvantage。
\"Giveupyouroldlife！Forget！\"shesaidinentreatingtones。
\"Forgetthatyoueverlookedatawhiteface；forgettheirwords；
forgettheirthoughts。Theyspeaklies。Andtheythinkliesbecausetheydespiseusthatarebetterthantheyare，butnotsostrong。Forgettheirfriendshipandtheircontempt；forgettheirmanygods。Girl，whydoyouwanttorememberthepastwhenthereisawarriorandachiefreadytogivemanylives——hisownlife——
foroneofyoursmiles？\"
Whileshespokeshepushedgentlyherdaughtertowardsthecanoes，hidingherownfear，anxiety，anddoubtunderthefloodofpassionatewordsthatleftNinanotimetothinkandnoopportunitytoprotest，evenifshehadwishedit。Butshedidnotwishitnow。Atthebottomofthatpassingdesiretolookagainatherfather\'sfacetherewasnostrongaffection。Shefeltnoscruplesandnoremorseatleavingsuddenlythatmanwhosesentimenttowardsherselfshecouldnotunderstand，shecouldnotevensee。Therewasonlyaninstinctiveclingingtooldlife，tooldhabits，tooldfaces；thatfearoffinalitywhichlurksineveryhumanbreastandpreventssomanyheroismsandsomanycrimes。Foryearsshehadstoodbetweenhermotherandherfather，theonesostronginherweakness，theothersoweakwherehecouldhavebeenstrong。Betweenthosetwobeingssodissimilar，soantagonistic，shestoodwithmuteheartwonderingandangryatthefactofherownexistence。Itseemedsounreasonable，sohumiliatingtobeflungthereinthatsettlementandtoseethedaysrushbyintothepast，withoutahope，adesire，oranaimthatwouldjustifythelifeshehadtoendureinever-growingweariness。Shehadlittlebeliefandnosympathyforherfather\'sdreams；butthesavageravingsofhermotherchancedtostrikearesponsivechord，deepdownsomewhereinherdespairingheart；andshedreameddreamsofherownwiththepersistentabsorptionofacaptivethinkingoflibertywithinthewallsofhisprisoncell。WiththecomingofDainshefoundtheroadtofreedombyobeyingthevoiceofthenew-bornimpulses，andwithsurprisedjoyshethoughtshecouldreadinhiseyestheanswertoallthequestioningsofherheart。Sheunderstoodnowthereasonandtheaimoflife；andinthetriumphantunveilingofthatmysteryshethrewawaydisdainfullyherpastwithitssadthoughts，itsbitterfeelings，anditsfaintaffections，nowwitheredanddeadincontactwithherfiercepassion。
Mrs。AlmayerunmooredNina\'sowncanoeand，straighteningherselfpainfully，stood，painterinhand，lookingatherdaughter。
\"Quick，\"shesaid；\"getawaybeforethemoonrises，whiletheriverisdark。IamafraidofAbdulla\'sslaves。Thewretchesprowlinthenightoften，andmightseeandfollowyou。Therearetwopaddlesinthecanoe。\"
Ninaapproachedhermotherandhesitatinglytouchedlightlywithherlipsthewrinkledforehead。Mrs。Almayersnortedcontemptuouslyinprotestagainstthattendernesswhichshe，nevertheless，fearedcouldbecontagious。
\"ShallIeverseeyouagain，mother？\"murmuredNina。
\"No，\"saidMrs。Almayer，afterashortsilence。\"Whyshouldyoureturnherewhereitismyfatetodie？Youwilllivefarawayinsplendourandmight。WhenIhearofwhitemendrivenfromtheislands，thenIshallknowthatyouarealive，andthatyouremembermywords。\"
\"Ishallalwaysremember，\"returnedNina，earnestly；\"butwhereismypower，andwhatcanIdo？\"
\"Donotlethimlooktoolonginyoureyes，norlayhisheadonyourkneeswithoutremindinghimthatmenshouldfightbeforetheyrest。Andifhelingers，givehimhiskrissyourselfandbidhimgo，asthewifeofamightyprinceshoulddowhentheenemiesarenear。Lethimslaythewhitementhatcometoustotrade，withprayersontheirlipsandloadedgunsintheirhands。
Ah！\"——sheendedwithasigh——\"theyareoneverysea，andoneveryshore；andtheyareverymany！\"
Sheswungthebowofthecanoetowardstheriver，butdidnotletgothegunwale，keepingherhandonitinirresolutethoughtfulness。
Ninaputthepointofthepaddleagainstthebank，readytoshoveoffintothestream。
\"Whatisit，mother？\"sheasked，inalowvoice。\"Doyouhearanything？\"
\"No，\"saidMrs。Almayer，absently。\"Listen，Nina，\"shecontinued，abruptly，afteraslightpause，\"inafteryearstherewillbeotherwomen——\"
Astifledcryintheboatinterruptedher，andthepaddlerattledinthecanoeasitslippedfromNina\'shands，whichsheputoutinaprotestinggesture。Mrs。Almayerfellonherkneesonthebankandleanedoverthegunwalesoastobringherownfaceclosetoherdaughter\'s。
\"Therewillbeotherwomen，\"sherepeatedfirmly；\"Itellyouthat，becauseyouarehalfwhite，andmayforgetthatheisagreatchief，andthatsuchthingsmustbe。Hideyouranger，anddonotlethimseeonyourfacethepainthatwilleatyourheart。Meethimwithjoyinyoureyesandwisdomonyourlips，fortoyouhewillturninsadnessorindoubt。Aslongashelooksuponmanywomenyourpowerwilllast，butshouldtherebeone，oneonlywithwhomheseemstoforgetyou，then——\"
\"Icouldnotlive，\"exclaimedNina，coveringherfacewithbothherhands。\"Donotspeakso，mother；itcouldnotbe。\"
\"Then，\"wentonMrs。Almayer，steadily，\"tothatwoman，Nina，shownomercy。\"
Shemovedthecanoedowntowardsthestreambythegunwale，andgrippeditwithbothherhands，thebowpointingintotheriver。
\"Areyoucrying？\"sheaskedsternlyofherdaughter，whosatstillwithcoveredface。\"Arise，andtakeyourpaddle，forhehaswaitedlongenough。Andremember，Nina，nomercy；andifyoumuststrike，strikewithasteadyhand。\"
Sheputoutallherstrength，andswingingherbodyoverthewater，shotthelightcraftfarintothestream。WhensherecoveredherselffromtheeffortshetriedvainlytocatchaglimpseofthecanoethatseemedtohavedissolvedsuddenlyintothewhitemisttrailingovertheheatedwatersofthePantai。
Afterlisteningforawhileintentlyonherknees，Mrs。Almayerrosewithadeepsigh，whiletwotearswanderedslowlydownherwitheredcheeks。Shewipedthemoffquicklywithawispofhergreyhairasifashamedofherself，butcouldnotstifleanotherloudsigh，forherheartwasheavyandshesufferedmuch，beingunusedtotenderemotions。Thistimeshefanciedshehadheardafaintnoise，liketheechoofherownsigh，andshestopped，strainingherearstocatchtheslightestsound，andpeeringapprehensivelytowardsthebushesnearher。
\"Whoisthere？\"sheasked，inanunsteadyvoice，whileherimaginationpeopledthesolitudeoftheriversidewithghost-likeforms。\"Whoisthere？\"sherepeatedfaintly。
Therewasnoanswer：onlythevoiceoftherivermurmuringinsadmonotonebehindthewhiteveilseemedtoswelllouderforamoment，todieawayagaininasoftwhisperofeddieswashingagainstthebank。
Mrs。Almayershookherheadasifinanswertoherownthoughts，andwalkedquicklyawayfromthebushes，lookingtotherightandleftwatchfully。Shewentstraighttowardsthecooking-shed，observingthattheembersofthefirethereglowedmorebrightlythanusual，asifsomebodyhadbeenaddingfreshfueltothefiresduringtheevening。Assheapproached，Babalatchi，whohadbeensquattinginthewarmglow，roseandmetherintheshadowoutside。
\"Isshegone？\"askedtheanxiousstatesman，hastily。
\"Yes，\"answeredMrs。Almayer。\"Whatarethewhitemendoing？
Whendidyouleavethem？\"
\"Theyaresleepingnow，Ithink。Maytheyneverwake！\"exclaimedBabalatchi，fervently。\"Oh！buttheyaredevils，andmademuchtalkandtroubleoverthatcarcase。Thechiefthreatenedmetwicewithhishand，andsaidhewouldhavemetieduptoatree。
Tiemeuptoatree！Me！\"herepeated，strikinghisbreastviolently。
Mrs。Almayerlaughedtauntingly。
\"Andyousalaamedandaskedformercy。MenwitharmsbytheirsideactedotherwisewhenIwasyoung。\"
\"Andwherearethey，themenofyouryouth？Youmadwoman！\"
retortedBabalatchi，angrily。\"KilledbytheDutch。Aha！
ButI
shalllivetodeceivethem。Amanknowswhentofightandwhentotellpeacefullies。Youwouldknowthatifyouwerenotawoman。\"
ButMrs。Almayerdidnotseemtohearhim。Withbentbodyandoutstretchedarmsheappearedtobelisteningtosomenoisebehindtheshed。
\"Therearestrangesounds，\"shewhispered，withevidentalarm。
\"Ihaveheardintheairthesoundsofgrief，asofasighandweeping。Thatwasbytheriverside。AndnowagainIheard——\"
\"Where？\"askedBabalatchi，inanalteredvoice。\"Whatdidyouhear？\"
\"Closehere。Itwaslikeabreathlongdrawn。IwishIhadburntthepaperoverthebodybeforeitwasburied。\"
\"Yes，\"assentedBabalatchi。\"Butthewhitemenhadhimthrownintoaholeatonce。Youknowhefoundhisdeathontheriver，\"
headdedcheerfully，\"andhisghostmayhailthecanoes，butwouldleavethelandalone。\"
Mrs。Almayer，whohadbeencraninghernecktolookroundthecorneroftheshed，drewbackherhead。
\"Thereisnobodythere，\"shesaid，reassured。\"IsitnottimefortheRajahwar-canoetogototheclearing？\"
\"Ihavebeenwaitingforithere，forImyselfmustgo，\"
explainedBabalatchi。\"IthinkIwillgooverandseewhatmakesthemlate。Whenwillyoucome？TheRajahgivesyourefuge。\"
\"Ishallpaddleoverbeforethebreakofday。Icannotleavemydollarsbehind，\"mutteredMrs。Almayer。
Theyseparated。Babalatchicrossedthecourtyardtowardsthecreektogethiscanoe，andMrs。Almayerwalkedslowlytothehouse，ascendedtheplankway，andpassingthroughthebackverandahenteredthepassageleadingtothefrontofthehouse；
butbeforegoinginsheturnedinthedoorwayandlookedbackattheemptyandsilentcourtyard，nowlitupbytheraysoftherisingmoon。Nosoonershehaddisappeared，however，thanavagueshapeflittedoutfromamongstthestalksofthebananaplantation，dartedoverthemoonlitspace，andfellinthedarknessatthefootoftheverandah。Itmighthavebeentheshadowofadrivingcloud，sonoiselessandrapidwasitspassage，butforthetrailofdisturbedgrass，whosefeatheryheadstrembledandswayedforalongtimeinthemoonlightbeforetheyrestedmotionlessandgleaming，likeadesignofsilverspraysembroideredonasombrebackground。
Mrs。Almayerlightedthecocoanutlamp，andliftingcautiouslytheredcurtain，gazeduponherhusband，shadingthelightwithherhand。
Almayer，huddledupinthechair，oneofhisarmshangingdown，theotherthrownacrossthelowerpartofhisfaceasiftowardoffaninvisibleenemy，hislegsstretchedstraightout，sleptheavily，unconsciousoftheunfriendlyeyesthatlookeduponhimindisparagingcriticism。Athisfeetlaytheoverturnedtable，amongstawreckofcrockeryandbrokenbottles。Theappearanceasoftracesleftbyadesperatestrugglewasaccentuatedbythechairs，whichseemedtohavebeenscatteredviolentlyallovertheplace，andnowlayabouttheverandahwithalamentableaspectofinebrietyintheirhelplessattitudes。OnlyNina\'sbigrocking-chair，standingblackandmotionlessonitshighrunners，toweredabovethechaosofdemoralisedfurniture，unflinchinglydignifiedandpatient，waitingforitsburden。
Withalastscornfullooktowardsthesleeper，Mrs。Almayerpassedbehindthecurtainintoherownroom。Acoupleofbats，encouragedbythedarknessandthepeacefulstateofaffairs，resumedtheirsilentandobliquegambolsaboveAlmayer\'shead，andforalongtimetheprofoundquietofthehousewasunbroken，saveforthedeepbreathingofthesleepingmanandthefainttinkleofsilverinthehandsofthewomanpreparingforflight。
Intheincreasinglightofthemoonthathadrisennowabovethenightmist，theobjectsontheverandahcameoutstronglyoutlinedinblacksplashesofshadowwithalltheuncompromisinguglinessoftheirdisorder，andacaricatureofthesleepingAlmayerappearedonthedirtywhitewashofthewallbehindhiminagrotesquelyexaggerateddetailofattitudeandfeatureenlargedtoaheroicsize。Thediscontentedbatsdepartedinquestofdarkerplaces，andalizardcameoutinshort，nervousrushes，and，pleasedwiththewhitetable-cloth，stoppedonitinbreathlessimmobilitythatwouldhavesuggestedsuddendeathhaditnotbeenforthemelodiouscallheexchangedwithalessadventurousfriendhidingamongstthelumberinthecourtyard。
Thentheboardsinthepassagecreaked，thelizardvanished，andAlmayerstirreduneasilywithasigh：slowly，outofthesenselessannihilationofdrunkensleep，hewasreturning，throughthelandofdreams，towakingconsciousness。Almayer\'sheadrolledfromshouldertoshoulderintheoppressionofhisdream；theheavenshaddescendeduponhimlikeaheavymantle，andtrailedinstarredfoldsfarunderhim。Starsabove，starsallroundhim；andfromthestarsunderhisfeetroseawhisperfullofentreatiesandtears，andsorrowfulfacesflittedamongsttheclustersoflightfillingtheinfinitespacebelow。Howescapefromtheimportunityoflamentablecriesandfromthelookofstaring，sadeyesinthefaceswhichpressedroundhimtillhegaspedforbreathunderthecrushingweightofworldsthathungoverhisachingshoulders？Getaway！Buthow？Ifheattemptedtomovehewouldstepoffintonothing，andperishinthecrashingfallofthatuniverseofwhichhewastheonlysupport。
Andwhatwerethevoicessaying？Urginghimtomove！Why？
Movetodestruction！Notlikely！Theabsurdityofthethingfilledhimwithindignation。Hegotafirmerfootholdandstiffenedhismusclesinheroicresolvetocarryhisburdentoalleternity。
Andagespassedinthesuperhumanlabour，amidsttherushofcirclingworlds；intheplaintivemurmurofsorrowfulvoicesurginghimtodesistbeforeitwastoolate——tillthemysteriouspowerthathadlaiduponhimthegianttaskseemedatlasttoseekhisdestruction。Withterrorhefeltanirresistiblehandshakinghimbytheshoulder，whilethechorusofvoicesswelledlouderintoanagonisedprayertogo，gobeforeitistoolate。
Hefelthimselfslipping，losinghisbalance，assomethingdraggedathislegs，andhefell。Withafaintcryheglidedoutoftheanguishofperishingcreationintoanimperfectwakingthatseemedtobestillunderthespellofhisdream。
\"What？What？\"hemurmuredsleepily，withoutmovingoropeninghiseyes。Hisheadstillfeltheavy，andhehadnotthecouragetoraisehiseyelids。Inhisearstherestilllingeredthesoundofentreatingwhisper。——\"AmIawake？——WhydoIhearthevoices？\"
hearguedtohimself，hazily。——\"Icannotgetridofthehorriblenightmareyet。——Ihavebeenverydrunk。——Whatisthatshakingme？
Iamdreamingyet——Imustopenmyeyesandbedonewithit。I
amonlyhalfawake，itisevident。\"
Hemadeanefforttoshakeoffhisstuporandsawafaceclosetohis，glaringathimwithstaringeyeballs。Heclosedhiseyesagaininamazedhorrorandsatupstraightinthechair，tremblingineverylimb。Whatwasthisapparition？——Hisownfancy，nodoubt。——Hisnerveshadbeenmuchtriedthedaybefore——andthenthedrink！Hewouldnotseeitagainifhehadthecouragetolook。——Hewouldlookdirectly。——Getalittlesteadierfirst。——So。——Now。
Helooked。Thefigureofawomanstandinginthesteelylight，herhandsstretchedforthinasuppliantgesture，confrontedhimfromthefar-offendoftheverandah；andinthespacebetweenhimandtheobstinatephantomfloatedthemurmurofwordsthatfellonhisearsinajumbleoftorturingsentences，themeaningofwhichescapedtheutmosteffortsofhisbrain。WhospoketheMalaywords？Whoranaway？Whytoolate——andtoolateforwhat？
Whatmeantthosewordsofhateandlovemixedsostrangelytogether，theever-recurringnamesfallingonhisearsagainandagain——Nina，Dain；Dain，Nina？Dainwasdead，andNinawassleeping，unawareoftheterribleexperiencethroughwhichhewasnowpassing。Washegoingtobetormentedforever，sleepingorwaking，andhavenopeaceeithernightorday？Whatwasthemeaningofthis？
Heshoutedthelastwordsaloud。Theshadowywomanseemedtoshrinkandrecedealittlefromhimtowardsthedoorway，andtherewasashriek。Exasperatedbytheincomprehensiblenatureofhistorment，Almayermadearushupontheapparition，whicheludedhisgrasp，andhebroughtupheavilyagainstthewall。
Quickaslightningheturnedroundandpursuedfiercelythemysteriousfigurefleeingfromhimwithpiercingshrieksthatwerelikefueltotheflamesofhisanger。Overthefurniture，roundtheoverturnedtable，andnowhehaditcorneredbehindNina\'schair。Totheleft，totherighttheydodged，thechairrockingmadlybetweenthem，shesendingoutshriekaftershriekateveryfeint，andhegrowlingmeaninglesscursesthroughhishardsetteeth。\"Oh！thefiendishnoisethatsplithisheadandseemedtochokehisbreath。——Itwouldkillhim。——Itmustbestopped！\"Aninsanedesiretocrushthatyellingthinginducedhimtocasthimselfrecklesslyoverthechairwithadesperategrab，andtheycamedowntogetherinacloudofdustamongstthesplinteredwood。Thelastshriekdiedoutunderhiminafaintgurgle，andhehadsecuredthereliefofabsolutesilence。
Helookedatthewoman\'sfaceunderhim。Arealwoman！Heknewher。Byallthatiswonderful！Taminah！Hejumpedupashamedofhisfuryandstoodperplexed，wipinghisforehead。Thegirlstruggledtoakneelingpostureandembracedhislegsinafrenziedprayerformercy。
\"Don\'tbeafraid，\"hesaid，raisingher。\"Ishallnothurtyou。
Whydoyoucometomyhouseinthenight？Andifyouhadtocome，whynotgobehindthecurtainwherethewomensleep？\"
\"Theplacebehindthecurtainisempty，\"gaspedTaminah，catchingherbreathbetweenthewords。\"Therearenowomeninyourhouseanymore，Tuan。IsawtheoldMemgoawaybeforeItriedtowakeyou。Ididnotwantyourwomen，Iwantedyou。\"
\"OldMem！\"repeatedAlmayer。\"Doyoumeanmywife？\"
Shenoddedherhead。
\"Butofmydaughteryouarenotafraid？\"saidAlmayer。
\"Haveyounotheardme？\"sheexclaimed。\"HaveInotspokenforalongtimewhenyoulaytherewitheyeshalfopen？Sheisgonetoo。\"
\"Iwasasleep。Canyounottellwhenamanissleepingandwhenawake？\"
\"Sometimes，\"answeredTaminahinalowvoice；\"sometimesthespiritlingersclosetoasleepingbodyandmayhear。IspokealongtimebeforeItouchedyou，andIspokesoftlyforfearitwoulddepartatasuddennoiseandleaveyousleepingforever。
ItookyoubytheshoulderonlywhenyoubegantomutterwordsI
couldnotunderstand。Haveyounotheard，then，anddoyouknownothing？\"
\"Nothingofwhatyousaid。Whatisit？Tellagainifyouwantmetoknow。\"
Hetookherbytheshoulderandledherunresistingtothefrontoftheverandahintoastrongerlight。Shewrungherhandswithsuchanappearanceofgriefthathebegantobealarmed。
\"Speak，\"hesaid。\"Youmadenoiseenoughtowakeevendeadmen。
Andyetnobodylivingcame，\"headdedtohimselfinanuneasywhisper。\"Areyoumute？Speak！\"herepeated。
InarushofwordswhichbrokeoutafterashortstrugglefromhertremblinglipsshetoldhimthetaleofNina\'sloveandherownjealousy。Severaltimeshelookedangrilyintoherfaceandtoldhertobesilent；buthecouldnotstopthesoundsthatseemedtohimtorunoutinahotstream，swirlabouthisfeet，andriseinscaldingwavesabouthim，higher，higher，drowninghisheart，touchinghislipswithafeelofmoltenlead，blottingouthissightinscorchingvapour，closingoverhishead，mercilessanddeadly。WhenshespokeofthedeceptionastoDain\'sdeathofwhichhehadbeenthevictimonlythatday，heglancedagainatherwithterribleeyes，andmadeherfalterforasecond，butheturnedawaydirectly，andhisfacesuddenlylostallexpressioninastonystarefarawayovertheriver。Ah！theriver！Hisoldfriendandhisoldenemy，speakingalwayswiththesamevoiceasherunsfromyeartoyearbringingfortuneordisappointmenthappinessorpain，uponthesamevaryingbutunchangedsurfaceofglancingcurrentsandswirlingeddies。Formanyyearshehadlistenedtothepassionlessandsoothingmurmurthatsometimeswasthesongofhope，attimesthesongoftriumph，ofencouragement；moreoftenthewhisperofconsolationthatspokeofbetterdaystocome。Forsomanyyears！Somanyyears！Andnowtotheaccompanimentofthatmurmurhelistenedtotheslowandpainfulbeatingofhisheart。Helistenedattentively，wonderingattheregularityofitsbeats。Hebegantocountmechanically。One，two。Whycount？Atthenextbeatitmuststop。Noheartcouldsuffersoandbeatsosteadilyforlong。Thoseregularstrokesasofamuffledhammerthatranginhisearsmuststopsoon。Stillbeatingunceasingandcruel。
Nomancanbearthis；andisthisthelast，orwillthenextonebethelast？——Howmuchlonger？OGod！howmuchlonger？Hishandweighedheavierunconsciouslyonthegirl\'sshoulder，andshespokethelastwordsofherstorycrouchingathisfeetwithtearsofpainandshameandanger。Washerrevengetofailher？
Thiswhitemanwaslikeasenselessstone。Toolate！Toolate！
\"Andyousawhergo？\"Almayer\'svoicesoundedharshlyaboveherhead。