CHAPTERVIII
　　Atlast，onemorning，inaclearspotofaglassyhorizonchargedwithheraldicmassesofblackvapours，theislandgrewoutfromthesea，showinghereandthereitsnakedmembersofbasalticrockthroughtherentsofheavyfoliage。Later，inthegreatspillingofalltherichesofsunset，Malatastoodoutgreenandrosybeforeturningintoavioletshadowintheautumnallightoftheexpiringday。Thencamethenight。Inthefaintairstheschoonercreptonpastasturdysquatheadland，anditwaspitchdarkwhenherheadsailsrandown，sheturnedshortonherheel，andheranchorbitintothesandybottomontheedgeoftheouterreef；foritwastoodangerousthentoattemptenteringthelittlebayfullofshoals。AfterthelastsolemnflutterofthemainsailthemurmuringvoicesoftheMoorsompartylingered，veryfrail，intheblackstillness。
　　Theyweresittingaft，onchairs，andnobodymadeamove。Earlyintheday，whenithadbecomeevidentthatthewindwasfailing，Renouard，basinghisadviceontheshortcomingsofhisbachelorestablishment，hadurgedontheladiestheadvisabilityofnotgoingashoreinthemiddleofthenight。Nowheapproachedtheminaconstrainedmanneritwasastonishingtheconstraintthathadreignedbetweenhimandhisguestsallthroughthepassageandrenewedhisarguments。Nooneashorewoulddreamofhisbringinganyvisitorswithhim。Nobodywouldeventhinkofcomingoff。
　　Therewasonlyoneoldcanoeontheplantation。Andlandingintheschooner'sboatswouldbeawkwardinthedark。Therewastheriskofgettingagroundonsomeshallowpatches。Itwouldbebesttospendtherestofthenightonboard。
　　Therewasreallynoopposition。Theprofessorsmokingapipe，andverycomfortableinanulsterbuttonedoverhistropicalclothes，wasthefirsttospeakfromhislongchair。
　　"Mostexcellentadvice。"
　　NexttohimMissMoorsomassentedbyalongsilence。Theninavoiceasofonecomingoutofadream-
　　"AndsothisisMalata，"shesaid。"Ihaveoftenwondered……"
　　AshiverpassedthroughRenouard。Shehadwondered!Whatabout？
　　Malatawashimself。HeandMalatawereone。Andshehadwondered!
　　Shehad……
　　Theprofessor'ssisterleanedovertowardsRenouard。Throughallthesedaysatseatheman's-thefoundman's-existencehadnotbeenalludedtoonboardtheschooner。Thatreticencewaspartofthegeneralconstraintlyinguponthemall。She，herself，certainlyhadnotbeenexactlyelatedbythisfinding-poorArthur，withoutmoney，withoutprospects。Butshefeltmovedbythesentimentandromanceofthesituation。
　　"Isn'titwonderful，"shewhisperedoutofherwhitewrap，"tothinkofpoorArthursleepingthere，soneartoourdearlovelyFelicia，andnotknowingtheimmensejoyinstoreforhimto-
　　morrow。"
　　Therewassuchartificialityinthewax-flowerladythatnothinginthisspeechtouchedRenouard。Itwasbutthesimpleanxietyofhisheartthathewasvoicingwhenhemutteredgloomily-
　　"Nooneintheworldknowswhatto-morrowmayholdinstore。"
　　Thematureladyhadarecoilasthoughhehadsaidsomethingimpolite。Whataharshthingtosay-insteadoffindingsomethingniceandappropriate。Onboard，wheresheneversawhimineveningclothes，Renouard'sresemblancetoaduke'ssonwasnotsoapparenttoher。Nothingbuthis-ah-bohemianismremained。Sherosewithasortofostentation。
　　"It'slate-andsincewearegoingtosleeponboardto-night……"shesaid。"Butitdoesseemsocruel。"
　　Theprofessorstartedupeagerly，knockingtheashesoutofhispipe。"Infinitelymoresensible，mydearEmma。"
　　RenouardwaitedbehindMissMoorsom'schair。
　　Shegotupslowly，movedonestepforward，andpausedlookingattheshore。Theblacknessoftheislandblottedoutthestarswithitsvaguemasslikealowthundercloudbroodingoverthewatersandreadytoburstintoflameandcrashes。
　　"Andso-thisisMalata，"sherepeateddreamily，movingtowardsthecabindoor。Theclearcloakhangingfromhershoulders，theivoryface-forthenighthadputoutnothingofherbutthegleamsofherhair-madeherresembleashiningdream-womanutteringwordsofwistfulinquiry。Shedisappearedwithoutasign，leavingRenouardpenetratedtotheverymarrowbythesoundsthatcamefromherbodylikeamysteriousresonanceofanexquisiteinstrument。
　　Hestoodstockstill。Whatwasthisaccidentaltouchwhichhadevokedthestrangeaccentofhervoice？Hedarednotanswerthatquestion。Buthehadtoanswerthequestionofwhatwastobedonenow。Hadthemomentofconfessioncome？Thethoughtwasenoughtomakeone'sbloodruncold。
　　Itwasasifthosepeoplehadapremonitionofsomething。Inthetaciturndaysofthepassagehehadnoticedtheirreserveevenamongstthemselves。Theprofessorsmokedhispipemoodilyinretiredspots。RenouardhadcaughtMissMoorsom'seyesrestingonhimselfmorethanonce，withapeculiarandgraveexpression。Hefanciedthatsheavoidedallopportunitiesofconversation。Themaidenladyseemedtonurseagrievance。Andnowwhathadhetodo？
　　Thelightsonthedeckhadgoneoutoneaftertheother。Theschoonerslept。
　　AboutanhourafterMissMoorsomhadgonebelowwithoutasignorawordforhim，Renouardgotoutofhishammockslunginthewaistunderthemidshipawning-forhehadgivenupalltheaccommodationbelowtohisguests。Hegotoutwithasuddenswiftmovement，flungoffhissleepingjacket，rolledhispyjamasuphisthighs，andstoleforward，unseenbytheoneKanakaoftheanchor-
　　watch。Hiswhitetorso，nakedlikeastrippedathlete's，glimmered，ghostly，inthedeepshadowsofthedeck。Unnoticedhegotoutoftheshipovertheknight-heads，ranalongthebackrope，andseizingthedolphin-strikerfirmlywithbothhands，loweredhimselfintotheseawithoutasplash。
　　Heswamaway，noiselesslikeafish，andthenstruckboldlyfortheland，sustained，embraced，bythetepidwater。Thegentle，voluptuousheaveofitsbreastswunghimupanddownslightly；
　　sometimesawaveletmurmuredinhisears；fromtimetotime，loweringhisfeet，hefeltforthebottomonashallowpatchtorestandcorrecthisdirection。Helandedatthelowerendofthebungalowgarden，intothedeadstillnessoftheisland。Therewerenolights。Theplantationseemedtosleep，asprofoundlyastheschooner。Onthepathasmallshellcrackedunderhisnakedheel。
　　Thefaithfulhalf-casteforemangoinghisroundscockedhisearsatthesharpsound。Hegaveoneenormousstartoffearatthesightoftheswiftwhitefigureflyingathimoutofthenight。Hecrouchedinterror，andthensprangupandclickedhistongueinamazedrecognition。
　　"Tse!Tse!Themaster!"
　　"Bequiet，Luiz，andlistentowhatIsay。"
　　Yes，itwasthemaster，thestrongmasterwhowasneverknowntoraisehisvoice，themanblindlyobeyedandneverquestioned。Hetalkedlowandrapidlyinthequietnight，asifeveryminutewereprecious。OnlearningthatthreeguestswerecomingtostayLuizclickedhistonguerapidly。Theseclicksweretheuniform，stenographicsymbolsofhisemotions，andhecouldgivethemaninfinitevarietyofmeaning。Helistenedtotherestinadeepsilencehardlyaffectedbythelow，"Yes，master，"wheneverRenouardpaused。
　　"Youunderstand？"thelatterinsisted。"Nopreparationsaretobemadetillwelandinthemorning。AndyouaretosaythatMr。
　　Walterhasgoneoffinatradingschooneronaroundoftheislands。"
　　"Yes，master。"
　　"Nomistakes-mind!"
　　"No，master。"
　　Renouardwalkedbacktowardsthesea。Luiz，followinghim，proposedtocallouthalfadozenboysandmanthecanoe。
　　"Imbecile!"
　　"Tse!Tse!Tse!"
　　"Don'tyouunderstandthatyouhaven'tseenme？"
　　"Yes，master。Butwhatalongswim。Supposeyoudrown。"
　　"ThenyoucansayofmeandofMr。Walterwhatyoulike。Thedeaddon'tmind。"
　　Renouardenteredtheseaandheardafaint"Tse!Tse!Tse!"ofconcernfromthehalf-caste，whohadalreadylostsightofthemaster'sdarkheadontheovershadowedwater。
　　Renouardsethisdirectionbyabigstarthat，dippingonthehorizon，seemedtolookcuriouslyintohisface。Onthisswimbackhefeltthemournfulfatigueofallthatlengthofthetraversedroad，whichbroughthimnonearertohisdesire。Itwasasifhislovehadsappedtheinvisiblesupportsofhisstrength。Therecameamomentwhenitseemedtohimthathemusthaveswumbeyondtheconfinesoflife。Hehadasensationofeternitycloseathand，demandingnoeffort-offeringitspeace。Itwaseasytoswimlikethisbeyondtheconfinesoflifelookingatastar。Butthethought:"TheywillthinkIdarednotfacethemandcommittedsuicide，"causedarevoltofhismindwhichcarriedhimon。Hereturnedonboard，ashehadleft，unheardandunseen。Helayinhishammockutterlyexhaustedandwithaconfusedfeelingthathehadbeenbeyondtheconfinesoflife，somewherenearastar，andthatitwasveryquietthere。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　Shelteredbythesquatheadlandfromthefirstmorningsparkleoftheseathelittlebaybreathedadeliciousfreshness。Thepartyfromtheschoonerlandedatthebottomofthegarden。Theyexchangedinsignificantwordsinstudiouslycasualtones。Theprofessor'ssisterputupalong-handledeye-glassasiftoscanthenovelsurroundings，butinrealitysearchingforpoorArthuranxiously。Havingneverseenhimotherwisethaninhistownclothesshehadnoideawhathewouldlooklike。IthadbeenlefttotheprofessortohelphisladiesoutoftheboatbecauseRenouard，asifintentongivingdirections，hadsteppedforwardatoncetomeetthehalf-casteLuizhurryingdownthepath。Inthedistance，infrontofthedazzlinglysunlitbungalow，arowofdark-facedhouse-boysunequalinstatureandvariedincomplexionpreservedtheimmobilityofaguardofhonour。
　　Luizhadtakenoffhissoftfelthatbeforecomingwithinearshot。
　　Renouardbenthisheadtohisrapidtalkofdomesticarrangementshemeanttomakeforthevisitors；anotherbedinthemaster'sroomfortheladiesandacotforthegentlemantobehungintheroomoppositewhere-whereMr。Walter-herehegaveascaredlookallround-Mr。Walter-haddied。
　　"Verygood，"assentedRenouardinanevenundertone。"Andrememberwhatyouhavetosayofhim。"
　　"Yes，master。Only"-hewriggledslightlyandputonebarefootontheotherforamomentinapologeticembarrassment-"onlyI-I-
　　don'tliketosayit。"
　　Renouardlookedathimwithoutanger，withoutanysortofexpression。"Frightenedofthedead？Eh？Well-allright。I
　　willsayitmyself-Isupposeonceforall……Immediatelyheraisedhisvoiceverymuch。
　　"Sendtheboysdowntobringuptheluggage。"
　　"Yes，master。"
　　Renouardturnedtohisdistinguishedguestswho，likeapersonallyconductedpartyoftourists，hadstoppedandwerelookingaboutthem。
　　"Iamsorry，"hebeganwithanimpassiveface。"MymanhasjusttoldmethatMr。Walter……"hemanagedtosmile，butdidn'tcorrecthimself……"hasgoneinatradingschooneronashorttouroftheislands，tothewestward。"
　　Thiscommunicationwasreceivedinprofoundsilence。
　　Renouardforgothimselfinthethought:"It'sdone!"Butthesightofthestringofboysmarchinguptothehousewithsuit-
　　casesanddressing-bagsrescuedhimfromthatappallingabstraction。
　　"AllIcandoistobegyoutomakeyourselvesathome……withwhatpatienceyoumay。"
　　Thiswassoobviouslytheonlythingtodothateverybodymovedonatonce。TheprofessorwalkedalongsideRenouard，behindthetwoladies。
　　"Ratherunexpected-thisabsence。"
　　"Notexactly，"mutteredRenouard。"Atriphastobemadeeveryyeartoengagelabour。"
　　"Isee……Andhe……Howvexinglyelusivethepoorfellowhasbecome!I'llbegintothinkthatsomewickedfairyisfavouringthislovetalewithunpleasantattentions。"
　　Renouardnoticedthatthepartydidnotseemweigheddownbythisnewdisappointment。Onthecontrarytheymovedwithafreerstep。
　　Theprofessor'ssisterdroppedhereye-glasstotheendofitschain。MissMoorsomtookthelead。Theprofessor，hislipsunsealed，lingeredintheopen:butRenouarddidnotlistentothatman'stalk。Helookedafterthatman'sdaughter-ifindeedthatcreatureofirresistibleseductionswereadaughterofmortals。Theveryintensityofhisdesire，asifhissoulwerestreamingafterherthroughhiseyes，defeatedhisobjectofkeepingholdofheraslongaspossiblewith，atleast，oneofhissenses。Hermovingoutlinesdissolvedintoamistycolouredshimmerofawomanmadeofflameandshadows，crossingthethresholdofhishouse。
　　ThedayswhichfollowedwerenotexactlysuchasRenouardhadfeared-yettheywerenotbetterthanhisfears。Theywereaccursedinallthemoodstheybroughthim。Butthegeneralaspectofthingswasquiet。Theprofessorsmokedinnumerablepipeswiththeairofaworkeronhisholiday，alwaysinmovementandlookingatthingswiththatmysteriouslysagaciousaspectofmenwhoareadmittedlywiserthantherestoftheworld。Hiswhiteheadofhair-whiterthananythingwithinthehorizonexceptthebrokenwateronthereefs-wasglimpsedineverypartoftheplantationalwaysonthemoveunderthewhiteparasol。Andonceheclimbedtheheadlandandappearedsuddenlytothosebelow，awhitespeckelevatedintheblue，withadiminutivebutstatuesqueeffect。
　　FeliciaMoorsomremainednearthehouse。Sometimesshecouldbeseenwithadespairingexpressionscribblingrapidlyinherlock-updairy。Butonlyforamoment。AtthesoundofRenouard'sfootstepsshewouldturntowardshimherbeautifulface，adorableinthatcalmwhichwaslikeawilful，likeacruelignoringofhertremendouspower。Whenevershesatontheverandah，onachairmorespeciallyreservedforheruse，Renouardwouldstrollupandsitonthestepsnearher，mostlysilent，andoftennottrustinghimselftoturnhisglanceonher。She，verystillwithhereyeshalf-closed，lookeddownonhishead-sothattoabeholdersuchasProfessorMoorsom，forinstanceshewouldappeartobeturningoverinhermindprofoundthoughtsaboutthatmansittingatherfeet，hisshouldersbowedalittle，hishandslistless-asifvanquished。And，indeed，themoralpoisonoffalsehoodhassuchadecomposingpowerthatRenouardfelthisoldpersonalityturntodeaddust。Often，intheevening，whentheysatoutsideconversinglanguidlyinthedark，hefeltthathemustresthisforeheadonherfeetandburstintotears。
　　Theprofessor'ssistersufferedfromsomelittlestraincausedbytheunstabilityofherownfeelingstowardRenouard。Shecouldnottellwhethershereallydiddislikehimornot。Attimesheappearedtohermostfascinating；and，thoughhegenerallyendedbysayingsomethingshockinglycrude，shecouldnotresistherinclinationtotalkwithhim-atleastnotalways。Onedaywhenherniecehadleftthemaloneontheverandahsheleanedforwardinherchair-speckless，resplendent，and，inherway，almostasstrikingapersonalityasherniece，whodidnotresembleherintheleast。"DearFeliciahasinheritedherhairandthegreatestpartofherappearancefromhermother，"themaidenladyusedtotellpeople。
　　Sheleanedforwardthen，confidentially。
　　"Oh!Mr。Renouard!Haven'tyousomethingcomfortingtosay？"
　　Helookedup，assurprisedasifavoicefromheavenhadspokenwiththisperfectsocietyintonation，andbythepuzzledprofundityofhisblueeyesflutteredthewax-flowerofrefinedwomanhood。
　　Shecontinued。"For-Icanspeaktoyouopenlyonthistiresomesubject-onlythinkwhataterriblestrainthishopedeferredmustbeforFelicia'sheart-forhernerves。"
　　"Whyspeaktomeaboutit，"hemutteredfeelinghalfchokedsuddenly。
　　"Why!Asafriend-awell-wisher-thekindestofhosts。Iamafraidwearereallyeatingyououtofhouseandhome。"Shelaughedalittle。"Ah!When，whenwillthissuspenseberelieved!
　　ThatpoorlostArthur!IconfessthatIamalmostafraidofthegreatmoment。Itwillbelikeseeingaghost。"
　　"Haveyoueverseenaghost？"askedRenouard，inadullvoice。
　　Sheshiftedherhandsalittle。Herposewasperfectinitseaseandmiddle-agedgrace。
　　"Notactually。Onlyinaphotograph。Butwehavemanyfriendswhohadtheexperienceofapparitions。"
　　"Ah!TheyseeghostsinLondon，"mumbledRenouard，notlookingather。
　　"Frequently-inacertainveryinterestingset。Butallsortsofpeopledo。Wehaveafriend，averyfamousauthor-hisghostisagirl。Oneofmybrother'sintimatesisaverygreatmanofscience。Heisfriendlywithaghost……Ofagirltoo，"sheaddedinavoiceasifstruckforthefirsttimebythecoincidence。"ItisthephotographofthatapparitionwhichIhaveseen。Verysweet。Mostinteresting。Alittlecloudynaturally……Mr。Renouard!Ihopeyouarenotasceptic。It'ssoconsolingtothink……"
　　"Thoseplantationboysofmineseeghoststoo，"saidRenouardgrimly。
　　Thesisterofthephilosophersatupstiffly。Whatcrudeness!Itwasalwayssowiththisstrangeyoungman。
　　"Mr。Renouard!Howcanyoucomparethesuperstitiousfanciesofyourhorriblesavageswiththemanifestations……"
　　Wordsfailedher。Shebrokeoffwithaveryfaintprimlyangrysmile。Shewasperhapsthemoreoffendedwithhimbecauseofthatflutteratthebeginningoftheconversation。Andinamomentwithperfecttactanddignityshegotupfromherchairandlefthimalone。
　　Renouarddidn'tevenlookup。Itwasnotthedispleasureoftheladywhichdeprivedhimofhissleepthatnight。Hewasbeginningtoforgetwhatsimple，honestsleepwaslike。Hishammockfromtheshiphadbeenhungforhimonasideverandah，andhespenthisnightsinitonhisback，hishandsfoldedonhischest，inasortofhalfconscious，oppressedstupor。Inthemorninghewatchedwithunseeingeyestheheadlandcomeoutashapelessinkblotagainstthethinlightofthefalsedawn，passthroughallthestagesofdaybreaktothedeeppurpleofitsoutlinedmassnimbedgloriouslywiththegoldoftherisingsun。Helistenedtothevaguesoundsofwakingwithinthehouse:andsuddenlyhebecameawareofLuizstandingbythehammock-obviouslytroubled。
　　"What'sthematter？"
　　"Tse!Tse!Tse!"
　　"Well，whatnow？Troublewiththeboys？"
　　"No，master。ThegentlemanwhenItakehimhisbathwaterhespeaktome。Heaskme-heask-when，when，IthinkMr。Walter，hecomeback。"
　　Thehalf-caste'steethchatteredslightly。Renouardgotoutofthehammock。
　　"Andheishereallthetime-eh？"
　　Luiznoddedascaredaffirmative，butatonceprotested，"Inoseehim。Inever。NotI!Theignorantwildboyssaytheysee……
　　Something!Ough!"
　　Heclappedhisteethonanothershortrattle，andstoodthere，shrunk，blighted，likeamaninafreezingblast。
　　"Andwhatdidyousaytothegentleman？"
　　"IsayIdon'tknow-andIclearout。I-Idon'tliketospeakofhim。"
　　"Allright。Weshalltrytolaythatpoorghost，"saidRenouardgloomily，goingofftoasmallhutnearbytodress。Hewassayingtohimself:"Thisfellowwillendbygivingmeaway。ThelastthingthatI……No!Thatmustn'tbe。"Andfeelinghishandbeingforcedhediscoveredthewholeextentofhiscowardice。
　　CHAPTERX
　　Thatmorningwanderingabouthisplantation，morelikeafrightenedsoulthanitscreatorandmaster，hedodgedthewhiteparasolbobbinguphereandtherelikeabuoyadriftonaseaofdark-greenplants。Thecroppromisedtobemagnificent，andthefashionablephilosopheroftheagetookotherthanamerelyscientificinterestintheexperiment。Hisinvestmentswerejudicious，buthehadalwayssomelittlemoneylyingby，forexperiments。
　　Afterlunch，beingleftalonewithRenouard，hetalkedalittleofcultivationandsuchmatters。Thensuddenly:
　　"Bytheway，isittruewhatmysistertellsme，thatyourplantationboyshavebeendisturbedbyaghost？"
　　Renouard，whosincetheladieshadleftthetablewasnotkeepingsuchastrictwatchonhimself，cameoutofhisabstractionwithastartandastiffsmile。
　　"Myforemanhadsometroublewiththemduringmyabsence。Theyfunkworkinginacertainfieldontheslopeofthehill。"
　　"Aghosthere!"exclaimedtheamusedprofessor。"Thenourwholeconceptionofthepsychologyofghostsmustberevised。Thisislandhasbeenuninhabitedprobablysincethedawnofages。Howdidaghostcomehere。Byairorwater？Andwhydiditleaveitsnativehaunts。Wasitfrommisanthropy？Washeexpelledfromsomecommunityofspirits？"
　　Renouardessayedtorespondinthesametone。Thewordsdiedonhislips。Wasitamanorawomanghost，theprofessorinquired。
　　"Idon'tknow。"Renouardmadeanefforttoappearatease。Hehad，hesaid，acoupleofTahitianamongsthisboys-aghost-
　　riddenrace。Theyhadstartedthescare。Theyhadprobablybroughttheirghostwiththem。
　　"Letusinvestigatethematter，Renouard，"proposedtheprofessorhalfinearnest。"Wemaymakesomeinterestingdiscoveriesastothestateofprimitiveminds，atanyrate。"
　　Thiswastoomuch。Renouardjumpedupandleavingtheroomwentoutandwalkedaboutinfrontofthehouse。Hewouldallownoonetoforcehishand。Presentlytheprofessorjoinedhimoutside。Hecarriedhisparasol，buthadneitherhisbooknorhispipewithhim。Amiablyserioushelaidhishandonhis"dearyoungfriend's"
　　arm。
　　"Weareallofusalittlestrungup，"hesaid。"FormypartI
　　havebeenlikesisterAnneinthestory。ButIcannotseeanythingcoming。Anythingthatwouldbetheleastgoodforanybody-I
　　mean。"
　　Renouardhadrecoveredsufficientlytomurmurcoldlyhisregretofthiswasteoftime。Forthatwaswhat，hesupposed，theprofessorhadinhismind。
　　"Time，"musedProfessorMoorsom。"Idon'tknowthattimecanbewasted。ButIwilltellyou，mydearfriend，whatthisis:itisanawfulwasteoflife。Imeanforallofus。Evenformysister，whohasgotaheadacheandisgonetoliedown。"
　　HeshookgentlyRenouard'sarm。"Yes，forallofus!Onemaymeditateonlifeendlessly，onemayevenhaveapooropinionofit-butthefactremainsthatwehaveonlyonelifetolive。Anditisshort。Thinkofthat，myyoungfriend。"
　　HereleasedRenouard'sarmandsteppedoutoftheshadeopeninghisparasol。Itwasclearthattherewassomethingmoreinhismindthanmereanxietyaboutthedateofhislecturesforfashionableaudiences。Whatdidthemanmeanbyhisconfoundedplatitudes？ToRenouard，scaredbyLuizinthemorningforhefeltthatnothingcouldbemorefatalthantohavehisdeceptionunveiledotherwisethanbypersonalconfession，thistalksoundedlikeencouragementorawarningfromthatmanwhoseemedtohimtobeverybrazenandverysubtle。Itwaslikebeingbulliedbythedeadandcajoledbythelivingintoathrowofdiceforasupremestake。
　　Renouardwentawaytosomedistancefromthehouseandthrewhimselfdownintheshadeofatree。Helaythereperfectlystillwithhisforeheadrestingonhisfoldedarms，light-headedandthinking。Itseemedtohimthathemustbeonfire，thenthathehadfallenintoacoolwhirlpool，asmoothfunnelofwaterswirlingaboutwithnauseatingrapidity。Andthenitmusthavebeenareminiscenceofhisboyhoodhewaswalkingonthedangerousthiniceofariver，unabletoturnback……Suddenlyitpartedfromshoretoshorewithaloudcracklikethereportofagun。
　　Withoneleaphefoundhimselfonhisfeet。Allwaspeace，stillness，sunshine。Hewalkedawayfromthereslowly。Hadhebeenagamblerhewouldhaveperhapsbeensupportedinameasurebythemereexcitement。Buthewasnotagambler。Hehadalwaysdisdainedthatartificialmannerofchallengingthefates。Thebungalowcameintoview，brightandpretty，andallabouteverythingwaspeace，stillness，sunshine……
　　Whilehewasploddingtowardsithehadadisagreeablesenseofthedeadman'scompanyathiselbow。Theghost!Heseemedtobeeverywherebutinhisgrave。Couldoneevershakehimoff？hewondered。AtthatmomentMissMoorsomcameoutontheverandah；
　　andatonce，asifbyamysteryofradiatingwaves，sherousedagreattumultinhisheart，shookearthandskytogether-butheploddedon。Thenlikeagravesong-noteinthestormhervoicecametohimominously。
　　"Ah!Mr。Renouard……"Hecameupandsmiled，butshewasveryserious。"Ican'tkeepstillanylonger。Istheretimetowalkupthisheadlandandbackbeforedark？"
　　Theshadowswerelyinglengthenedontheground；allwasstillnessandpeace。"No，"saidRenouard，feelingsuddenlyassteadyasarock。"ButIcanshowyouaviewfromthecentralhillwhichyourfatherhasnotseen。Aviewofreefsandofbrokenwaterwithoutend，andofgreatwheelingcloudsofsea-birds。"
　　Shecamedowntheverandahstepsatonceandtheymovedoff。"Yougofirst，"heproposed，"andI'lldirectyou。Totheleft。"
　　Shewaswearingashortnankinskirt，amuslinblouse；hecouldseethroughthethinstufftheskinofhershoulders，ofherarms。Thenobledelicacyofherneckcausedhimasortoftransport。"Thepathbeginswherethesethreepalmsare。Theonlypalmsontheisland。"
　　"Isee。"
　　Sheneverturnedherhead。Afterawhilesheobserved:"Thispathlooksasifithadbeenmaderecently。"
　　"Quiterecently，"heassentedverylow。
　　Theywentonclimbingsteadilywithoutexchanginganotherword；andwhentheystoodonthetopshegazedalongtimebeforeher。Theloweveningmistveiledthefurtherlimitofthereefs。Abovetheenormousandmelancholyconfusion，asofafleetofwreckedislands，therestlessmyriadsofsea-birdsrolledandunrolleddarkribbonsonthesky，gatheredinclouds，soaredandstoopedlikeaplayofshadows，fortheyweretoofarforthemtoheartheircries。
　　Renouardbrokethesilenceinlowtones。
　　"They'llbesettlingforthenightpresently。"Shemadenosound。
　　Roundthemallwaspeaceanddecliningsunshine。Nearby，thetopmostpinnacleofMalata，resemblingthetopofaburiedtower，rosearock，weather-worn，grey，wearyofwatchingthemonotonouscenturiesofthePacific。Renouardleanedhisshouldersagainstit。FeliciaMoorsomfacedhimsuddenly，hersplendidblackeyesfullonhisfaceasthoughshehadmadeuphermindatlasttodestroyhiswitsonceandforall。Dazzled，heloweredhiseyelidsslowly。
　　"Mr。Renouard!Thereissomethingstrangeinallthis。Tellmewhereheis？"
　　Heanswereddeliberately。
　　"Ontheothersideofthisrock。Iburiedhimtheremyself。"
　　Shepressedherhandstoherbreast，struggledforherbreathforamoment，then:"Ohhh!……Youburiedhim!……Whatsortofmanareyou？……Youdarednottell!……Heisanotherofyourvictims？……Youdarednotconfessthatevening……Youmusthavekilledhim。Whatcouldhehavedonetoyou？……Youfastenedonhimsomeatrociousquarreland……"
　　Hervengefulaspect，herpoignantcrieslefthimasunmovedasthewearyrockagainstwhichheleaned。Heonlyraisedhiseyelidstolookatherandloweredthemslowly。Nothingmore。Itsilencedher。Andasifashamedshemadeagesturewithherhand，puttingawayfromherthatthought。Hespoke，quietlyironicatfirst。
　　"Ha!thelegendaryRenouardofsensitiveidiots-theruthlessadventurer-theogrewithafuture。Thatwasaparrotcry，MissMoorsom。Idon'tthinkthatthegreatestfoolofthemalleverdaredhintsuchastupidthingofmethatIkilledmenfornothing。
　　No，Ihadnoticedthismaninahotel。HehadcomefromupcountryIwastold，andwasdoingnothing。Isawhimsittingtherelonelyinacornerlikeasickcrow，andIwentoveroneeveningtotalktohim。Justonimpulse。Hewasn'timpressive。Hewaspitiful。
　　Myworstenemycouldhavetoldyouhewasn'tgoodenoughtobeoneofRenouard'svictims。Itdidn'ttakemelongtojudgethathewasdrugginghimself。Notdrinking。Drugs。"
　　"Ah!It'snowthatyouaretryingtomurderhim，"shecried。
　　"Really。AlwaystheRenouardofshopkeepers'legend。Listen!I
　　wouldneverhavebeenjealousofhim。AndyetIamjealousoftheairyoubreathe，ofthesoilyoutreadon，oftheworldthatseesyou-movingfree-notmine。Butnevermind。Iratherlikedhim。
　　ForacertainreasonIproposedheshouldcometobemyassistanthere。Hesaidhebelievedthiswouldsavehim。Itdidnotsavehimfromdeath。Itcametohimasitwerefromnothing-justafall。Amereslipandtumbleoftenfeetintoaravine。Butitseemshehadbeenhurtbeforeup-country-byahorse。Heailedandailed。No，hewasnotasteel-tippedman。Andhispoorsoulseemedtohavebeendamagedtoo。Itgavewayverysoon。"
　　"Thisistragic!"FeliciaMoorsomwhisperedwithfeeling。
　　Renouard'slipstwitched，buthislevelvoicecontinuedmercilessly。
　　"That'sthestory。Heralliedalittleonenightandsaidhewantedtotellmesomething。I，beingagentleman，hesaid，hecouldconfideinme。Itoldhimthathewasmistaken。Thattherewasagooddealofaplebeianinme，thathecouldn'tknow。Heseemeddisappointed。Hemutteredsomethingabouthisinnocenceandsomethingthatsoundedlikeacurseonsomewoman，thenturnedtothewalland-justgrewcold。"
　　"Onawoman，"criedMissMoorsomindignantly。"Whatwoman？"
　　"Iwonder!"saidRenouard，raisinghiseyesandnotingthecrimsonofherear-lobesagainstthelivewhitenessofhercomplexion，thesombre，asifsecret，night-splendourofhereyesunderthewrithingflamesofherhair。"Somewomanwhowouldn'tbelieveinthatpoorinnocenceofhis……Yes。Youprobably。Andnowyouwillnotbelieveinme-noteveninmewhomustintruthbewhatI
　　am-eventodeath。No!Youwon't。Andyet，Felicia，awomanlikeyouandamanlikemedonotoftencometogetheronthisearth。"
　　Theflameofhergloriousheadscorchedhisface。Heflunghishatfaraway，andhissuddenlyloweredeyelidsbroughtoutstartlinglyhisresemblancetoantiquebronze，theprofileofPallas，still，austere，bowedalittleintheshadowoftherock。"Oh!Ifyoucouldonlyunderstandthetruththatisinme!"headded。
　　Shewaited，asiftooastoundedtospeak，tillhelookedupagain，andthenwithunnaturalforceasifdefendingherselffromsomeunspokenaspersion，"It'sIwhostandfortruthhere!Believeinyou!Inyou，whobyaheartlessfalsehood-andnothingelse，nothingelse，doyouhear？-havebroughtmehere，deceived，cheated，asinsomeabominablefarce!"Shesatdownonaboulder，restedherchininherhands，intheposeofsimplegrief-
　　mourningforherself。
　　"Itonlywantedthis。Why!Oh!Whyisitthatugliness，ridicule，andbasenessmustfallacrossmypath。"
　　Onthatheight，alonewiththesky，theyspoketoeachotherasiftheearthhadfallenawayfromundertheirfeet。
　　"Areyougrievingforyourdignity？Hewasamediocresoulandcouldhavegivenyoubutanunworthyexistence。"
　　Shedidnotevensmileatthosewords，but，superb，asifliftingacorneroftheveil，sheturnedonhimslowly。
　　"AnddoyouimagineIwouldhavedevotedmyselftohimforsuchapurpose!Don'tyouknowthatreparationwasduetohimfromme？A
　　sacreddebt-afineduty。Toredeemhimwouldnothavebeeninmypower-Iknowit。Buthewasblameless，anditwasformetocomeforward。Don'tyouseethatintheeyesoftheworldnothingcouldhaverehabilitatedhimsocompletelyashismarriagewithme？NowordofevilcouldbewhisperedofhimafterIhadgivenhimmyhand。Astogivingmyselfuptoanythinglessthantheshapingofaman'sdestiny-ifIthoughtIcoulddoitIwouldabhormyself……"Shespokewithauthorityinherdeepfascinating，unemotionalvoice。Renouardmeditated，gloomy，asifoversomesinisterriddleofabeautifulsphinxmetonthewildroadofhislife。
　　"Yes。Yourfatherwasright。Youareoneofthesearistocrats……"
　　Shedrewherselfuphaughtily。
　　"Whatdoyousay？Myfather!……Ianaristocrat。"
　　"Oh!Idon'tmeanthatyouarelikethemenandwomenofthetimeofarmours，castles，andgreatdeeds。Oh，no!Theystoodonthenakedsoil，hadtraditionstobefaithfulto，hadtheirfeetonthisearthofpassionsanddeathwhichisnotahothouse。Theywouldhavebeentooplebeianforyousincetheyhadtolead，tosufferwith，tounderstandthecommonesthumanity。No，youaremerelyofthetopmostlayer，disdainfulandsuperior，themerepurefrothandbubbleontheinscrutabledepthswhichsomedaywilltossyououtofexistence。Butyouareyou!Youareyou!Youaretheeternalloveitself-only，ODivinity，itisn'tyourbody，itisyoursoulthatismadeoffoam。"
　　Shelistenedasifinadream。Hehadsucceededsowellinhisefforttodrivebackthefloodofhispassionthathislifeitselfseemedtorunwithitoutofhisbody。Atthatmomenthefeltasonedeadspeaking。Buttheheadlongwavereturningwithtenfoldforceflunghimonhersuddenly，withopenarmsandblazingeyes。
　　Shefoundherselflikeafeatherinhisgrasp，helpless，unabletostruggle，withherfeetofftheground。Butthiscontactwithher，maddeningliketoomuchfelicity，destroyeditsownend。Fireranthroughhisveins，turnedhispassiontoashes，burnthimoutandlefthimempty，withoutforce-almostwithoutdesire。Helethergobeforeshecouldcryout。Andshewassousedtotheformsofrepressionenveloping，softeningthecrudeimpulsesofoldhumanitythatshenolongerbelievedintheirexistenceasifitwereanexplodedlegend。Shedidnotrecognisewhathadhappenedtoher。
　　Shecamesafeoutofhisarms，withoutastruggle，notevenhavingfeltafraid。
　　"What'sthemeaningofthis？"shesaid，outragedbutcalminascornfulway。
　　Hegotdownonhiskneesinsilence，bentlowtoherveryfeet，whileshelookeddownathim，alittlesurprised，withoutanimosity，asifmerelycurioustoseewhathewoulddo。Then，whileheremainedbowedtothegroundpressingthehemofherskirttohislips，shemadeaslightmovement。Hegotup。
　　"No，"hesaid。"WereyoueversomuchminewhatcouldIdowithyouwithoutyourconsent？No。Youdon'tconquerawraith，coldmist，stuffofdreams，illusion。Itmustcometoyouandclingtoyourbreast。Andthen!Oh!Andthen!"
　　Allecstasy，allexpressionwentoutofhisface。
　　"Mr。Renouard，"shesaid，"thoughyoucanhavenoclaimonmyconsiderationafterhavingdecoyedmehereforthevilepurpose，apparently，ofgloatingovermeasyourpossibleprey，IwilltellyouthatIamnotperhapstheextraordinarybeingyouthinkIam。
　　Youmaybelieveme。HereIstandfortruthitself。"
　　"What'sthattomewhatyouare？"heanswered。"AtasignfromyouIwouldclimbuptotheseventhheaventobringyoudowntoearthformyown-andifIsawyousteepedtothelipsinvice，incrime，inmud，Iwouldgoafteryou，takeyoutomyarms-wearyouforanincomparablejewelonmybreast。Andthat'slove-truelove-thegiftandthecurseofthegods。Thereisnoother。"
　　Thetruthvibratinginhisvoicemadeherrecoilslightly，forshewasnotfittohearit-notevenalittle-notevenonesingletimeinherlife。Itwasrevoltingtoher；andinhertrouble，perhapspromptedbythesuggestionofhisnameortosoftentheharshnessofexpression，forshewasobscurelymoved，shespoketohiminFrench。
　　"ASSEZ!J'AIHORREURDETOUTCELA，"shesaid。
　　Hewaswhitetohisverylips，buthewastremblingnomore。Thedicehadbeencast，andnotevenviolencecouldalterthethrow。
　　Shepassedbyhimunbendingly，andhefollowedherdownthepath。
　　Afteratimesheheardhimsaying:
　　"Andyourdreamistoinfluenceahumandestiny？"
　　"Yes!"sheansweredcurtly，unabashed，withawoman'scompleteassurance。
　　"Thenyoumayrestcontent。Youhavedoneit。"
　　Sheshruggedhershouldersslightly。Butjustbeforereachingtheendofthepathsherelented，stopped，andwentbacktohim。
　　"Idon'tsupposeyouareveryanxiousforpeopletoknowhownearyoucametoabsoluteturpitude。Youmayresteasyonthatpoint。
　　Ishallspeaktomyfather，ofcourse，andwewillagreetosaythathehasdied-nothingmore。"
　　"Yes，"saidRenouardinalifelessvoice。"Heisdead。Hisveryghostshallbedonewithpresently。"
　　Shewenton，butheremainedstandingstockstillinthedusk。Shehadalreadyreachedthethreepalmswhensheheardbehindheraloudpealoflaughter，cynicalandjoyless，suchasisheardinsmoking-roomsattheendofascandalousstory。Itmadeherfeelpositivelyfaintforamoment。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　SlowlyacompletedarknessenvelopedGeoffreyRenouard。Hisresolutionhadfailedhim。InsteadoffollowingFeliciaintothehouse，hehadstoppedunderthethreepalms，andleaningagainstasmoothtrunkhadabandonedhimselftoasenseofanimmensedeceptionandthefeelingofextremefatigue。Thiswalkupthehillanddownagainwaslikethesupremeeffortofanexplorertryingtopenetratetheinteriorofanunknowncountry，thesecretofwhichistoowelldefendedbyitscruelandbarrennature。
　　Decoyedbyamirage，hehadgonetoofar-sofarthattherewasnogoingback。Hisstrengthwasatanend。Forthefirsttimeinhislifehehadtogiveup，andwithasortofdespairingself-
　　possessionhetriedtounderstandthecauseofthedefeat。Hedidnotascribeittothatabsurddeadman。
　　ThehesitatingshadowofLuizapproachedhimunnoticedtillitspoketimidly。Renouardstarted。
　　"Eh？What？Dinnerwaiting？YoumustsayIbegtobeexcused。I
　　can'tcome。ButIshallseethemto-morrowmorning，atthelandingplace。Takeyourordersfromtheprofessorastothesailingoftheschooner。Gonow。"
　　Luiz，dumbfounded，retreatedintothedarkness。Renouarddidnotmove，buthoursafterwards，likethebitterfruitofhisimmobility，thewords:"Ihadnothingtooffertohervanity，"
　　camefromhislipsinthesilenceoftheisland。Anditwasthenonlythathestirred，onlytowearthenightoutinrestlesstrampingupanddownthevariouspathsoftheplantation。Luiz，whosesleepwasmadelightbytheconsciousnessofsomeimpendingchange，heardfootstepspassingbyhishut，thefirmtreadofthemaster；andturningonhismatsemittedafaintTse!Tse!Tse!ofdeepconcern。