"’Now，ifhedoesnotsaytherightthingtothemwearealldonefor，’saidtheRussianatmyelbow。Theknotofmenwiththestretcherhadstoppedtoo，half-waytothesteamer，asifpetrified。Isawthemanonthestretchersitup，lankandwithanupliftedarm，abovetheshouldersofthebearers。’Letushopethatthemanwhocantalksowellofloveingeneralwillfindsomeparticularreasontospareusthistime，’Isaid。I
　　resentedbitterlytheabsurddangerofoursituation，asiftobeatthemercyofthatatrociousphantomhadbeenadishonoringnecessity。Icouldnothearasound，butthroughmyglassesIsawthethinarmextendedcommandingly，thelowerjawmoving，theeyesofthatapparitionshiningdarklyfarinitsbonyheadthatnoddedwithgrotesquejerks。Kurtz——Kurtz——thatmeansshortinGerman——don’tit？Well，thenamewasastrueaseverythingelseinhislife——anddeath。Helookedatleastsevenfeetlong。Hiscoveringhadfallenoff，andhisbodyemergedfromitpitifulandappallingasfromawinding-sheet。Icouldseethecageofhisribsallastir，thebonesofhisarmwaving。Itwasasthoughananimatedimageofdeathcarvedoutofoldivoryhadbeenshakingitshandwithmenacesatamotionlesscrowdofmenmadeofdarkandglitteringbronze。Isawhimopenhismouthwide——itgavehimaweirdlyvoraciousaspect，asthoughhehadwantedtoswallowalltheair，alltheearth，allthemenbeforehim。
　　Adeepvoicereachedmefaintly。Hemusthavebeenshouting。Hefellbacksuddenly。Thestretchershookasthebearersstaggeredforwardagain，andalmostatthesametimeInoticedthatthecrowdofsavageswasvanishingwithoutanyperceptiblemovementofretreat，asiftheforestthathadejectedthesebeingssosuddenlyhaddrawntheminagainasthebreathisdrawninalongaspiration。
　　"Someofthepilgrimsbehindthestretchercarriedhisarms——twoshot-guns，aheavyrifle，andalightrevolver-
　　carbine——thethunderboltsofthatpitifulJupiter。Themanagerbentoverhimmurmuringashewalkedbesidehishead。Theylaidhimdowninoneofthelittlecabins——justaroomforabed-placeandacamp-stoolortwo，youknow。Wehadbroughthisbelatedcorrespondence，andalotoftornenvelopesandopenletterslitteredhisbed。Hishandroamedfeeblyamongstthesepapers。I
　　wasstruckbythefireofhiseyesandthecomposedlanguorofhisexpression。Itwasnotsomuchtheex-
　　haustionofdisease。Hedidnotseeminpain。Thisshadowlookedsatiatedandcalm，asthoughforthemomentithadhaditsfillofalltheemotions。
　　"Herustledoneoftheletters，andlookingstraightinmyfacesaid，’Iamglad。’Somebodyhadbeenwrit-
　　ingtohimaboutme。Thesespecialrecommendationswereturningupagain。Thevolumeoftoneheemittedwithouteffort，almostwithoutthetroubleofmovinghislips，amazedme。Avoice！avoice！Itwasgrave，pro-
　　found，vibrating，whilethemandidnotseemcapableofawhisper。However，hehadenoughstrengthinhim——factitiousnodoubt——toverynearlymakeanendofus，asyoushallheardirectly。
　　"Themanagerappearedsilentlyinthedoorway;I
　　steppedoutatonceandhedrewthecurtainafterme。
　　TheRussian，eyedcuriouslybythepilgrims，wasstar-
　　ingattheshore。Ifollowedthedirectionofhisglance。
　　"Darkhumanshapescouldbemadeoutinthedistance，flittingindistinctlyagainstthegloomyborderoftheforest，andneartherivertwobronzefigures，leaningontallspears，stoodinthesunlightunderfantastichead-
　　dressesofspottedskins，warlikeandstillinstatuesquerepose。Andfromrighttoleftalongthelightedshoremovedawildandgorgeousapparitionofawoman。
　　"Shewalkedwithmeasuredsteps，drapedinstripedandfringedcloths，treadingtheearthproudly，withaslightjingleandflashofbarbarousornaments。Shecarriedherheadhigh;herhairwasdoneintheshapeofahelmet;shehadbrassleggingstotheknee，brasswiregauntletstotheelbow，acrimsonspotonhertawnycheek，innumerablenecklacesofglassbeadsonherneck;
　　bizarrethings，charms，giftsofwitch-men，thathungabouther，glitteredandtrembledateverystep。Shemusthavehadthevalueofseveralelephanttusksuponher。Shewassavageandsuperb，wild-eyedandmagnifi-
　　cent;therewassomethingominousandstatelyinherdeliberateprogress。Andinthehushthathadfallensuddenlyuponthewholesorrowfulland，theimmensewilderness，thecolossalbodyofthefecundandmys-
　　teriouslifeseemedtolookather，pensive，asthoughithadbeenlookingattheimageofitsowntenebrousandpassionatesoul。
　　"Shecameabreastofthesteamer，stoodstill，andfacedus。Herlongshadowfelltothewater’sedge。Herfacehadatragicandfierceaspectofwildsorrowandofdumbpainmingledwiththefearofsomestruggling，half-shapedresolve。Shestoodlookingatuswithoutastirandlikethewildernessitself，withanairofbrood-
　　ingoveraninscrutablepurpose。Awholeminutepassed，andthenshemadeastepforward。Therewasalowjingle，aglintofyellowmetal，aswayoffringeddraper-
　　ies，andshestoppedasifherhearthadfailedher。Theyoungfellowbymysidegrowled。Thepilgrimsmur-
　　muredatmyback。Shelookedatusallasifherlifehaddependedupontheunswervingsteadinessofherglance。Suddenlysheopenedherbaredarmsandthrewthemuprigidaboveherhead，asthoughinanuncon-
　　trollabledesiretotouchthesky，andatthesametimetheswiftshadowsdartedoutontheearth，sweptaroundontheriver，gatheringthesteamerintoashadowyem-
　　brace。Aformidablesilencehungoverthescene。
　　"Sheturnedawayslowly，walkedon，followingthebank，andpassedintothebushestotheleft。Onceonlyhereyesgleamedbackatusintheduskofthethicketsbeforeshedisappeared。
　　"’IfshehadofferedtocomeaboardIreallythinkI
　　wouldhavetriedtoshoother，’saidthemanofpatches，nervously。’Ihadbeenriskingmylifeeverydayforthelastfortnighttokeepheroutofthehouse。Shegotinonedayandkickeduparowaboutthosemiser-
　　ableragsIpickedupinthestoreroomtomendmyclotheswith。Iwasn’tdecent。Atleastitmusthavebeenthat，forshetalkedlikeafurytoKurtzforanhour，point-
　　ingatmenowandthen。Idon’tunderstandthedia-
　　lectofthistribe。Luckilyforme，IfancyKurtzfelttooillthatdaytocare，ortherewouldhavebeenmis-
　　chief。Idon’tunderstand……No——it’stoomuchforme。Ah，well，it’sallovernow。’
　　"AtthismomentIheardKurtz’sdeepvoicebehindthecurtain，’Saveme！——savetheivory，youmean。Don’ttellme。SaveME！Why，I’vehadtosaveyou。Youareinterruptingmyplansnow。Sick！Sick！Notsosickasyouwouldliketobelieve。Nevermind。I’llcarrymyideasoutyet——Iwillreturn。I’llshowyouwhatcanbedone。Youwithyourlittlepeddlingno-
　　tions——youareinterferingwithme。Iwillreturn。
　　I……’
　　"Themanagercameout。Hedidmethehonortotakemeunderthearmandleadmeaside。’Heisverylow，verylow，’hesaid。Heconsidereditnecessarytosigh，butneglectedtobeconsistentlysorrowful。’Wehavedoneallwecouldforhim——haven’twe？Butthereisnodisguisingthefact，Mr。KurtzhasdonemoreharmthangoodtotheCompany。Hedidnotseethetimewasnotripeforvigorousaction。Cautiously，cau-
　　tiously——that’smyprinciple。Wemustbecautiousyet。
　　Thedistrictisclosedtousforatime。Deplorable！Uponthewhole，thetradewillsuffer。Idon’tdenythereisaremarkablequantityofivory——mostlyfossil。Wemustsaveit，atallevents——butlookhowprecarioustheposi-
　　tionis——andwhy？Becausethemethodisunsound。’
　　’Doyou，’saidI，lookingattheshore，’callit"unsoundmethod"？’’Withoutdoubt，’heexclaimed，hotly。
　　’Don’tyou？’……’Nomethodatall，’Imurmuredafterawhile。’Exactly，’heexulted。’Ianticipatedthis。Showsacompletewantofjudgment。Itismydutytopointitoutintheproperquarter。’’Oh，’saidI，’thatfellow——what’shisname？——thebrickmaker，willmakeareadablereportforyou。’Heappearedcon-
　　foundedforamoment。ItseemedtomeIhadneverbreathedanatmospheresovile，andIturnedmentallytoKurtzforrelief——positivelyforrelief。’Neverthe-
　　lessIthinkMr。Kurtzisaremarkableman，’Isaidwithemphasis。Hestarted，droppedonmeacoldheavyglance，saidveryquietly，’HeWAS，’andturnedhisbackonme。Myhouroffavorwasover;IfoundmyselflumpedalongwithKurtzasapartisanofmethodsforwhichthetimewasnotripe：Iwasunsound！Ah！butitwassomethingtohaveatleastachoiceofnightmares。
　　"Ihadturnedtothewildernessreally，nottoMr。
　　Kurtz，who，Iwasreadytoadmit，wasasgoodasburied。
　　AndforamomentitseemedtomeasifIalsowereburiedinavastgravefullofunspeakablesecrets。I
　　feltanintolerableweightoppressingmybreast，thesmellofthedampearth，theunseenpresenceofvictoriouscorruption，thedarknessofanimpenetrablenight……
　　TheRussiantappedmeontheshoulder。Iheardhimmumblingandstammeringsomethingabout’brotherseaman——couldn’tconceal——knowledgeofmattersthatwouldaffectMr。Kurtz’sreputation。’Iwaited。ForhimevidentlyMr。Kurtzwasnotinhisgrave;IsuspectthatforhimMr。Kurtzwasoneoftheimmortals。
　　’Well！’saidIatlast，’speakout。Asithappens，IamMr。Kurtz’sfriend——inaway。’
　　"Hestatedwithagooddealofformalitythathadwenotbeen’ofthesameprofession，’hewouldhavekeptthemattertohimselfwithoutregardtoconse-
　　quences。’Hesuspectedtherewasanactiveill-willto-
　　wardshimonthepartofthesewhitementhat——’
　　’Youareright，’Isaid，rememberingacertainconversa-
　　tionIhadoverheard。’Themanagerthinksyououghttobehanged。’Heshowedaconcernatthisintelligencewhichamusedmeatfirst。’Ihadbettergetoutofthewayquietly，’hesaid，earnestly。’IcandonomoreforKurtznow，andtheywouldsoonfindsomeexcuse。
　　What’stostopthem？There’samilitarypostthreehun-
　　dredmilesfromhere。’’Well，uponmyword，’saidI，’perhapsyouhadbettergoifyouhaveanyfriendsamongstthesavagesnearby。’’Plenty，’hesaid。’Theyaresimplepeople——andIwantnothing，youknow。’
　　Hestoodbitinghislips，then：’Idon’twantanyharmtohappentothesewhiteshere，butofcourseIwasthink-
　　ingofMr。Kurtz’sreputation——butyouareabrotherseamanand——’’Allright，’saidI，afteratime。
　　’Mr。Kurtz’sreputationissafewithme。’IdidnotknowhowtrulyIspoke。
　　"Heinformedme，loweringhisvoice，thatitwasKurtzwhohadorderedtheattacktobemadeonthesteamer。’Hehatedsometimestheideaofbeingtakenaway——andthenagain……ButIdon’tunderstandthesematters。Iamasimpleman。Hethoughtitwouldscareyouaway——thatyouwouldgiveitup，thinkinghimdead。Icouldnotstophim。Oh，Ihadanawfultimeofitthislastmonth。’’Verywell，’Isaid。’Heisallrightnow。’’Ye-e-es，’hemuttered，notverycon-
　　vincedapparently。’Thanks，’saidI;’Ishallkeepmyeyesopen。’’Butquiet——eh？’heurged，anxiously。’Itwouldbeawfulforhisreputationifanybodyhere——’
　　Ipromisedacompletediscretionwithgreatgravity。’I
　　haveacanoeandthreeblackfellowswaitingnotveryfar。Iamoff。CouldyougivemeafewMartini-Henrycartridges？’Icould，anddid，withpropersecrecy。Hehelpedhimself，withawinkatme，toahandfulofmytobacco。’Betweensailors——youknow——goodEnglishtobacco。’Atthedoorofthepilot-househeturnedround——’Isay，haven’tyouapairofshoesyoucouldspare？’
　　Heraisedoneleg。’Look。’Thesolesweretiedwithknottedstringssandal-wiseunderhisbarefeet。Irootedoutanoldpair，atwhichhelookedwithadmirationbe-
　　foretuckingitunderhisleftarm。Oneofhispockets（brightred）wasbulgingwithcartridges，fromtheother（darkblue）peeped’Towson’sInquiry，’&c。，&c。
　　Heseemedtothinkhimselfexcellentlywellequippedforarenewedencounterwiththewilderness。’Ah！I’llnever，nevermeetsuchamanagain。Yououghttohaveheardhimrecitepoetry——hisowntooitwas，hetoldme。Poetry！’Herolledhiseyesattherecollectionofthesedelights。’Oh，heenlargedmymind！’’Good-
　　by，’saidI。Heshookhandsandvanishedinthenight。
　　SometimesIaskmyselfwhetherIhadeverreallyseenhim——whetheritwaspossibletomeetsuchaphenome-
　　non！……
　　"WhenIwokeupshortlyaftermidnighthiswarningcametomymindwithitshintofdangerthatseemed，inthestarreddarkness，realenoughtomakemegetupforthepurposeofhavingalookround。Onthehillabigfireburned，illuminatingfitfullyacrookedcornerofthestation-house。Oneoftheagentswithapicketofafewofourblacks，armedforthepurpose，waskeepingguardovertheivory;butdeepwithintheforest，redgleamsthatwavered，thatseemedtosinkandrisefromthegroundamongstconfusedcolumnarshapesofintenseblackness，showedtheexactpositionofthecampwhereMr。Kurtz’sadorerswerekeepingtheirun-
　　easyvigil。Themonotonousbeatingofabigdrumfilledtheairwithmuffledshocksandalingeringvibration。A
　　steadydroningsoundofmanymenchantingeachtohimselfsomeweirdincantationcameoutfromtheblack，flatwallofthewoodsasthehummingofbeescomesoutofahive，andhadastrangenarcoticeffectuponmyhalf-awakesenses。IbelieveIdozedoffleaningovertherail，tillanabruptburstofyells，anover-
　　whelmingoutbreakofapent-upandmysteriousfrenzy，wokemeupinabewilderedwonder。Itwascutshortallatonce，andthelowdroningwentonwithaneffectofaudibleandsoothingsilence。Iglancedcasuallyintothelittlecabin。Alightwasburningwithin，butMr。
　　Kurtzwasnotthere。
　　"IthinkIwouldhaveraisedanoutcryifIhadbe-
　　lievedmyeyes。ButIdidn’tbelievethematfirst——thethingseemedsoimpossible。ThefactisIwascompletelyunnervedbyasheerblankfright，pureabstractterror，unconnectedwithanydistinctshapeofphysicaldanger。
　　Whatmadethisemotionsooverpoweringwas——howshallIdefineit？——themoralshockIreceived，asifsomethingaltogethermonstrous，intolerabletothoughtandodioustothesoul，hadbeenthrustuponmeunexpectedly。Thislastedofcoursethemerestfractionofasecond，andthentheusualsenseofcommonplace，deadlydanger，thepossibilityofasuddenonslaughtandmassacre，orsome-
　　thingofthekind，whichIsawimpending，waspositivelywelcomeandcomposing。Itpacifiedme，infact，somuch，thatIdidnotraiseanalarm。
　　"Therewasanagentbuttonedupinsideanulsterandsleepingonachairondeckwithinthreefeetofe。Theyellshadnotawakenedhim;hesnoredveryslightly;Ilefthimtohisslumbersandleapedashore。
　　IdidnotbetrayMr。Kurtz——itwasorderedIshouldneverbetrayhim——itwaswrittenIshouldbeloyaltothenightmareofmychoice。Iwasanxioustodealwiththisshadowbymyselfalone，——andtothisdayI
　　don’tknowwhyIwassojealousofsharingwithany-
　　onethepeculiarblacknessofthatexperience。
　　"AssoonasIgotonthebankIsawatrail——abroadtrailthroughthegrass。IremembertheexultationwithwhichIsaidtomyself，’Hecan’twalk——heiscrawlingonall-fours——I’vegothim。’Thegrasswaswetwithdew。Istroderapidlywithclenchedfists。IfancyI
　　hadsomevaguenotionoffallinguponhimandgivinghimadrubbing。Idon’tknow。Ihadsomeimbecilethoughts。Theknittingoldwomanwiththecatob-
　　trudedherselfuponmymemoryasamostimproperpersontobesittingattheotherendofsuchanaffair。
　　IsawarowofpilgrimssquirtingleadintheairoutofWinchestersheldtothehip。IthoughtIwouldnevergetbacktothesteamer，andimaginedmyselflivingaloneandunarmedinthewoodstoanadvancedage。Suchsillythings——youknow。AndIrememberIconfoundedthebeatofthedrumwiththebeatingofmyheart，andwaspleasedatitscalmregularity。
　　"Ikepttothetrackthough——thenstoppedtolisten。
　　Thenightwasveryclear：adarkbluespace，sparklingwithdewandstarlight，inwhichblackthingsstoodverystill。IthoughtIcouldseeakindofmotionaheadofme。Iwasstrangelycocksureofeverythingthatnight。Iactuallyleftthetrackandraninawidesemi-
　　circle（Iverilybelievechucklingtomyself）soastogetinfrontofthatstir，ofthatmotionIhadseen——
　　ifindeedIhadseenanything。IwascircumventingKurtzasthoughithadbeenaboyishgame。
　　"Icameuponhim，and，ifhehadnotheardmecoming，Iwouldhavefallenoverhimtoo，buthegotupintime。Herose，unsteady，long，pale，indistinct，likeavaporexhaledbytheearth，andswayedslightly，mistyandsilentbeforeme;whileatmybackthefiresloomedbetweenthetrees，andthemurmurofmanyvoicesissuedfromtheforest。Ihadcuthimoffcleverly;butwhenactuallyconfrontinghimIseemedtocometomysenses，Isawthedangerinitsrightproportion。Itwasbynomeansoveryet。Supposehebegantoshout？Thoughhecouldhardlystand，therewasstillplentyofvigorinhisvoice。’Goaway——hideyourself，’hesaid，inthatprofoundtone。Itwasveryawful。Iglancedback。
　　Wewerewithinthirtyyardsfromthenearestfire。A
　　blackfigurestoodup，strodeonlongblacklegs，wavinglongblackarms，acrosstheglow。Ithadhorns——ante-
　　lopehorns，Ithink——onitshead。Somesorcerer，somewitch-man，nodoubt：itlookedfiend-likeenough。’Doyouknowwhatyouaredoing？’Iwhispered。’Per-
　　fectly，’heanswered，raisinghisvoiceforthatsingleword：itsoundedtomefaroffandyetloud，likeahailthroughaspeaking-trumpet。Ifhemakesarowwearelost，Ithoughttomyself。Thisclearlywasnotacaseforfisticuffs，evenapartfromtheverynaturalaversionIhadtobeatthatShadow——thiswanderingandtormentedthing。’Youwillbelost，’Isaid——’utterlylost。’Onegetssometimessuchaflashofinspiration，youknow。Ididsaytherightthing，thoughindeedhecouldnothavebeenmoreirretrievablylostthanhewasatthisverymoment，whenthefoundationsofourintimacywerebeinglaid——toendure——toendure——eventotheend——evenbeyond。
　　"’Ihadimmenseplans，’hemutteredirresolutely。
　　’Yes，’saidI;’butifyoutrytoshoutI’llsmashyourheadwith——’therewasnotastickorastonenear。’I
　　willthrottleyouforgood，’Icorrectedmyself。’Iwasonthethresholdofgreatthings，’hepleaded，inavoiceoflonging，withawistfulnessoftonethatmademybloodruncold。’Andnowforthisstupidscoundrel——’
　　’YoursuccessinEuropeisassuredinanycase，’Iaf-
　　firmed，steadily。Ididnotwanttohavethethrottlingofhim，youunderstand——andindeeditwouldhavebeenverylittleuseforanypracticalpurpose。Itriedtobreakthespell——theheavy，mutespellofthewilder-
　　ness——thatseemedtodrawhimtoitspitilessbreastbytheawakeningofforgottenandbrutalinstincts，bythememoryofgratifiedandmonstrouspassions。Thisalone，Iwasconvinced，haddrivenhimouttotheedgeoftheforest，tothebush，towardsthegleamoffires，thethrobofdrums，thedroneofweirdincantations;thisalonehadbeguiledhisunlawfulsoulbeyondtheboundsofpermittedaspirations。And，don’tyousee，theterrorofthepositionwasnotinbeingknockedonthehead——thoughIhadaverylivelysenseofthatdangertoo——butinthis，thatIhadtodealwithabeingtowhomIcouldnotappealinthenameofanythinghighorlow。
　　Ihad，evenliketheniggers，toinvokehim——himself——
　　hisownexaltedandincredibledegradation。Therewasnothingeitheraboveorbelowhim，andIknewit。Hehadkickedhimselflooseoftheearth。Confoundtheman！hehadkickedtheveryearthtopieces。Hewasalone，andIbeforehimdidnotknowwhetherIstoodonthegroundorfloatedintheair。I’vebeentellingyouwhatwesaid——repeatingthephraseswepronounced，——butwhat’sthegood？Theywerecommoneverydaywords，——thefamiliar，vaguesoundsexchangedoneverywakingdayoflife。Butwhatofthat？Theyhadbe-
　　hindthem，tomymind，theterrificsuggestivenessofwordsheardindreams，ofphrasesspokeninnight-
　　mares。Soul！Ifanybodyhadeverstruggledwithasoul，Iamtheman。AndIwasn’targuingwithaluna-
　　ticeither。Believemeornot，hisintelligencewasper-
　　fectlyclear——concentrated，itistrue，uponhimselfwithhorribleintensity，yetclear;andthereinwasmyonlychance——barring，ofcourse，thekillinghimthereandthen，whichwasn’tsogood，onaccountofunavoidablenoise。Buthissoulwasmad。Beingaloneinthewilder-
　　ness，ithadlookedwithinitself，and，byheavens！Itellyou，ithadgonemad。Ihad——formysins，Isuppose——
　　togothroughtheordealoflookingintoitmyself。Noeloquencecouldhavebeensowitheringtoone’sbeliefinmankindashisfinalburstofsincerity。Hestruggledwithhimself，too。Isawit，——Iheardit。Isawthein-
　　conceivablemysteryofasoulthatknewnorestraint，nofaith，andnofear，yetstrugglingblindlywithitself。I
　　keptmyheadprettywell;butwhenIhadhimatlaststretchedonthecouch，Iwipedmyforehead，whilemylegsshookundermeasthoughIhadcarriedhalfatononmybackdownthathill。AndyetIhadonlysupportedhim，hisbonyarmclaspedroundmyneck——andhewasnotmuchheavierthanachild。
　　"Whennextdayweleftatnoon，thecrowd，ofwhosepresencebehindthecurtainoftreesIhadbeenacutelyconsciousallthetime，flowedoutofthewoodsagain，filledtheclearing，coveredtheslopewithamassofnaked，breathing，quivering，bronzebodies。Isteamedupabit，thenswungdown-stream，andtwothousandeyesfollowedtheevolutionsofthesplashing，thumping，fierceriver-demonbeatingthewaterwithitsterribletailandbreathingblacksmokeintotheair。Infrontofthefirstrank，alongtheriver，threemen，plasteredwithbrightredearthfromheadtofoot，struttedtoandfrorestlessly。Whenwecameabreastagain，theyfacedtheriver，stampedtheirfeet，noddedtheirhornedheads，swayedtheirscarletbodies;theyshooktowardsthefierceriver-demonabunchofblackfeathers，amangyskinwithapendenttail——somethingthatlookedlikeadriedgourd;theyshoutedperiodicallytogetherstringsofamazingwordsthatresemblednosoundsofhumanlan-
　　guage;andthedeepmurmursofthecrowd，inter-
　　ruptedsuddenly，wereliketheresponseofsomesataniclitany。
　　"WehadcarriedKurtzintothepilot-house：therewasmoreairthere。Lyingonthecouch，hestaredthroughtheopenshutter。Therewasaneddyinthemassofhumanbodies，andthewomanwithhelmetedheadandtawnycheeksrushedouttotheverybrinkofthestream。
　　Sheputoutherhands，shoutedsomething，andallthatwildmobtookuptheshoutinaroaringchorusofarticulated，rapid，breathlessutterance。
　　"’Doyouunderstandthis？’Iasked。
　　"Hekeptonlookingoutpastmewithfiery，longingeyes，withamingledexpressionofwistfulnessandhate。
　　Hemadenoanswer，butIsawasmile，asmileofinde-
　　finablemeaning，appearonhiscolorlesslipsthatamo-
　　mentaftertwitchedconvulsively。’DoInot？’hesaidslowly，gasping，asifthewordshadbeentornoutofhimbyasupernaturalpower。
　　"Ipulledthestringofthewhistle，andIdidthisbecauseIsawthepilgrimsondeckgettingouttheirrifleswithanairofanticipatingajollylark。Atthesuddenscreechtherewasamovementofabjectterrorthroughthatwedgedmassofbodies。’Don’t！don’t！
　　youfrightenthemaway，’criedsomeoneondeckdis-
　　consolately。Ipulledthestringtimeaftertime。Theybrokeandran，theyleaped，theycrouched，theyswerved，theydodgedtheflyingterrorofthesound。Thethreeredchapshadfallenflat，facedownontheshore，asthoughtheyhadbeenshotdead。Onlythebarbarousandsuperbwomandidnotsomuchasflinch，andstretchedtragicallyherbarearmsafterusoverthesomberandglitteringriver。
　　"Andthenthatimbecilecrowddownonthedeckstartedtheirlittlefun，andIcouldseenothingmoreforsmoke。
　　"Thebrowncurrentranswiftlyoutoftheheartofdarkness，bearingusdowntowardstheseawithtwicethespeedofourupwardprogress;andKurtz’slifewasrunningswiftlytoo，ebbing，ebbingoutofhisheartintotheseaofinexorabletime。Themanagerwasveryplacid，hehadnovitalanxietiesnow，hetookusbothinwithacomprehensiveandsatisfiedglance：the’affair’
　　hadcomeoffaswellascouldbewished。IsawthetimeapproachingwhenIwouldbeleftaloneofthepartyof’unsoundmethod。’Thepilgrimslookeduponmewithdisfavor。Iwas，sotospeak，numberedwiththedead。
　　ItisstrangehowIacceptedthisunforeseenpartner-
　　ship，thischoiceofnightmaresforceduponmeinthetenebrouslandinvadedbythesemeanandgreedyphan-
　　toms。
　　"Kurtzdiscoursed。Avoice！avoice！Itrangdeeptotheverylast。Itsurvivedhisstrengthtohideinthemagnificentfoldsofeloquencethebarrendarknessofhisheart。Oh，hestruggled！hestruggled！Thewastesofhiswearybrainwerehauntedbyshadowyimagesnow——imagesofwealthandfamerevolvingobsequiouslyroundhisunextinguishablegiftofnobleandloftyexpression。MyIntended，mystation，mycareer，myideas——thesewerethesubjectsfortheocca-
　　sionalutterancesofelevatedsentiments。TheshadeoftheoriginalKurtzfrequentedthebedsideofthehollowsham，whosefateitwastobeburiedpresentlyinthemoldofprimevalearth。Butboththediabolicloveandtheunearthlyhateofthemysteriesithadpenetratedfoughtforthepossessionofthatsoulsatiatedwithprimitiveemotions，avidoflyingfame，ofshamdis-
　　tinction，ofalltheappearancesofsuccessandpower。
　　"Sometimeshewascontemptiblychildish。Hedesiredtohavekingsmeethimatrailway-stationsonhisreturnfromsomeghastlyNowhere，whereheintendedtoac-
　　complishgreatthings。’Youshowthemyouhaveinyousomethingthatisreallyprofitable，andthentherewillbenolimitstotherecognitionofyourability，’hewouldsay。’Ofcourseyoumusttakecareofthemo-
　　tives——rightmotives——always。’Thelongreachesthatwerelikeoneandthesamereach，monotonousbendsthatwereexactlyalike，slippedpastthesteamerwiththeirmultitudeofseculartreeslookingpatientlyafterthisgrimyfragmentofanotherworld，theforerunnerofchange，ofconquest，oftrade，ofmassacres，ofblessings。
　　Ilookedahead——piloting。’Closetheshutter，’saidKurtzsuddenlyoneday;’Ican’tbeartolookatthis。’
　　Ididso。Therewasasilence。’Oh，butIwillwringyourheartyet！’hecriedattheinvisiblewilderness。
　　"Webrokedown——asIhadexpected——andhadtolieupforrepairsattheheadofanisland。ThisdelaywasthefirstthingthatshookKurtz’sconfidence。Onemorninghegavemeapacketofpapersandaphoto-
　　graph，——thelottiedtogetherwithashoe-string。’Keepthisforme，’hesaid。’Thisnoxiousfool’（meaningthemanager）’iscapableofpryingintomyboxeswhenIamnotlooking。’IntheafternoonIsawhim。Hewaslyingonhisbackwithclosedeyes，andIwithdrewquietly，butIheardhimmutter，’Liverightly，die，die……’Ilistened。Therewasnothingmore。Washerehearsingsomespeechinhissleep，orwasitafrag-
　　mentofaphrasefromsomenewspaperarticle？Hehadbeenwritingforthepapersandmeanttodosoagain，’forthefurtheringofmyideas。It’saduty。’
　　"Hiswasanimpenetrabledarkness。Ilookedathimasyoupeerdownatamanwhoislyingatthebottomofaprecipicewherethesunnevershines。ButIhadnotmuchtimetogivehim，becauseIwashelpingtheengine-drivertotaketopiecestheleakycylinders，tostraightenabentconnecting-rod，andinothersuchmatters。Ilivedinaninfernalmessofrust，filings，nuts，bolts，spanners，hammers，ratchet-drills——thingsI
　　abominate，becauseIdon’tgetonwiththem。Itendedthelittleforgewefortunatelyhadaboard;Itoiledwearilyinawretchedscrap-heap——unlessIhadtheshakestoobadtostand。
　　"OneeveningcominginwithacandleIwasstartledtohearhimsayalittletremulously，’Iamlyinghereinthedarkwaitingfordeath。’Thelightwaswithinafootofhiseyes。Iforcedmyselftomurmur，’Oh，nonsense！’andstoodoverhimasiftransfixed。
　　"AnythingapproachingthechangethatcameoverhisfeaturesIhaveneverseenbefore，andhopenevertoseeagain。Oh，Iwasn’ttouched。Iwasfascinated。
　　Itwasasthoughaveilhadbeenrent。Isawonthativoryfacetheexpressionofsomberpride，ofruthlesspower，ofcraventerror——ofanintenseandhopelessdespair。Didhelivehislifeagainineverydetailofdesire，temptation，andsurrenderduringthatsuprememomentofcompleteknowledge？Hecriedinawhisperatsomeimage，atsomevision，——hecriedouttwice，acrythatwasnomorethanabreath——
　　"’Thehorror！Thehorror！’
　　"Iblewthecandleoutandleftthecabin。Thepil-
　　grimsweredininginthemess-room，andItookmyplaceoppositethemanager，wholiftedhiseyestogivemeaquestioningglance，whichIsuccessfullyignored。
　　Heleanedback，serene，withthatpeculiarsmileofhissealingtheunexpresseddepthsofhismeanness。Acon-
　　tinuousshowerofsmallfliesstreameduponthelamp，uponthecloth，uponourhandsandfaces。Suddenlythemanager’sboyputhisinsolentblackheadinthedoorway，andsaidinatoneofscathingcontempt——
　　"’MistahKurtz——hedead。’
　　"Allthepilgrimsrushedouttosee。Iremained，andwentonwithmydinner。IbelieveIwasconsideredbrutallycallous。However，Ididnoteatmuch。Therewasalampinthere——light，don’tyouknow——andoutsideitwassobeastly，beastlydark。Iwentnomoreneartheremarkablemanwhohadpronouncedajudgmentupontheadventuresofhissoulonthisearth。Thevoicewasgone。Whatelsehadbeenthere？ButIamofcourseawarethatnextdaythepilgrimsburiedsome-
　　thinginamuddyhole。
　　"Andthentheyverynearlyburiedme。
　　"However，asyousee，IdidnotgotojoinKurtzthereandthen。Ididnot。Iremainedtodreamthenightmareouttotheend，andtoshowmyloyaltytoKurtzoncemore。Destiny。Mydestiny！Drollthinglifeis——thatmysteriousarrangementofmercilesslogicforafutilepurpose。Themostyoucanhopefromitissomeknowledgeofyourself——thatcomestoolate——acropofunextinguishableregrets。Ihavewrestledwithdeath。Itisthemostunexcitingcontestyoucanimagine。
　　Ittakesplaceinanimpalpablegrayness，withnothingunderfoot，withnothingaround，withoutspectators，withoutclamor，withoutglory，withoutthegreatdesireofvictory，withoutthegreatfearofdefeat，inasicklyatmosphereoftepidskepticism，withoutmuchbeliefinyourownright，andstilllessinthatofyouradversary。
　　Ifsuchistheformofultimatewisdom，thenlifeisagreaterriddlethansomeofusthinkittobe。Iwaswithinahair’s-breadthofthelastopportunityforpro-
　　nouncement，andIfoundwithhumiliationthatprobablyIwouldhavenothingtosay。ThisisthereasonwhyI
　　affirmthatKurtzwasaremarkableman。Hehadsome-
　　thingtosay。Hesaidit。SinceIhadpeepedovertheedgemyself，Iunderstandbetterthemeaningofhisstare，thatcouldnotseetheflameofthecandle，butwaswideenoughtoembracethewholeuniverse，piercingenoughtopenetratealltheheartsthatbeatinthedark-
　　ness。Hehadsummedup——hehadjudged。’Thehorror！’Hewasaremarkableman。Afterall，thiswastheexpressionofsomesortofbelief;ithadcandor，ithadconviction，ithadavibratingnoteofrevoltinitswhisper，ithadtheappallingfaceofaglimpsedtruth——thestrangecomminglingofdesireandhate。AnditisnotmyownextremityIrememberbest——avisionofgraynesswithoutformfilledwithphysicalpain，andacarelesscontemptfortheevanescenceofallthings——evenofthispainitself。No！ItishisextremitythatIseemtohavelivedthrough。True，hehadmadethatlaststride，hehadsteppedovertheedge，whileIhadbeenpermittedtodrawbackmyhesitatingfoot。Andper-
　　hapsinthisisthewholedifference;perhapsallthewis-
　　dom，andalltruth，andallsincerity，arejustcompressedintothatinappreciablemomentoftimeinwhichwestepoverthethresholdoftheinvisible。Perhaps！Iliketothinkmysumming-upwouldnothavebeenawordofcarelesscontempt。Betterhiscry——muchbetter。Itwasanaffirmation，amoralvictorypaidforbyinnumerabledefeats，byabominableterrors，byabominablesatisfac-
　　tions。Butitwasavictory！ThatiswhyIhavere-
　　mainedloyaltoKurtztothelast，andevenbeyond，whenalongtimeafterIheardoncemore，nothisownvoice，buttheechoofhismagnificenteloquencethrowntomefromasoulastranslucentlypureasacliffofcrystal。
　　"No，theydidnotburyme，thoughthereisaperiodoftimewhichIremembermistily，withashudderingwonder，likeapassagethroughsomeinconceivableworldthathadnohopeinitandnodesire。Ifoundmyselfbackinthesepulchralcityresentingthesightofpeoplehurryingthroughthestreetstofilchalittlemoneyfromeachother，todevourtheirinfamouscookery，togulptheirunwholesomebeer，todreamtheirinsignificantandsillydreams。Theytrespasseduponmythoughts。Theywereintruderswhoseknowledgeoflifewastomeanirritatingpretense，becauseIfeltsosuretheycouldnotpossiblyknowthethingsIknew。Theirbearing，whichwassimplythebearingofcommonplaceindividualsgoingabouttheirbusinessintheassuranceofperfectsafety，wasoffensivetomeliketheoutrageousflaunt-
　　ingsoffollyinthefaceofadangeritisunabletocomprehend。Ihadnoparticulardesiretoenlightenthem，butIhadsomedifficultyinrestrainingmyselffromlaughingintheirfaces，sofullofstupidimpor-
　　tance。IdaresayIwasnotverywellatthattime。I
　　totteredaboutthestreets——therewerevariousaffairstosettle——grinningbitterlyatperfectlyrespectableper-
　　sons。Iadmitmybehaviorwasinexcusable，butthenmytemperaturewasseldomnormalinthesedays。Mydearaunt’sendeavorsto’nurseupmystrength’seemedalto-
　　getherbesidethemark。Itwasnotmystrengththatwantednursing，itwasmyimaginationthatwantedsoothing。IkeptthebundleofpapersgivenmebyKurtz，notknowingexactlywhattodowithit。Hismotherhaddiedlately，watchedover，asIwastold，byhisIntended。Aclean-shavedman，withanofficialmannerandwearinggold-rimmedspectacles，calledonmeonedayandmadeinquiries，atfirstcircuitous，after-
　　wardssuavelypressing，aboutwhathewaspleasedtodenominatecertain’documents。’Iwasnotsurprised，becauseIhadhadtworowswiththemanageronthesubjectoutthere。Ihadrefusedtogiveupthesmallestscrapoutofthatpackage，andItookthesameattitudewiththespectacledman。Hebecamedarklymenacingatlast，andwithmuchheatarguedthattheCompanyhadtherighttoeverybitofinformationaboutits’ter-
　　ritories。’And，saidhe，’Mr。Kurtz’sknowledgeofunexploredregionsmusthavebeennecessarilyextensiveandpeculiar——owingtohisgreatabilitiesandtothedeplorablecircumstancesinwhichhehadbeenplaced：
　　therefore’——IassuredhimMr。Kurtz’sknowledge，howeverextensive，didnotbearupontheproblemsofcommerceoradministration。Heinvokedthenthenameofscience。’Itwouldbeanincalculablelossif，’&c。，&c。
　　Iofferedhimthereportonthe’SuppressionofSavageCustoms，’withthepostscriptumtornoff。Hetookitupeagerly，butendedbysniffingatitwithanairofcontempt。’Thisisnotwhatwehadarighttoexpect，’
　　heremarked。’Expectnothingelse，’Isaid。’Thereareonlyprivateletters。’Hewithdrewuponsomethreatoflegalproceedings，andIsawhimnomore;butan-
　　otherfellow，callinghimselfKurtz’scousin，appearedtwodayslater，andwasanxioustohearallthedetailsabouthisdearrelative’slastmoments。IncidentallyhegavemetounderstandthatKurtzhadbeenessentiallyagreatmusician。’Therewasthemakingofanim-
　　mensesuccess，’saidtheman，whowasanorganist，I
　　believe，withlankgrayhairflowingoveragreasycoat-
　　collar。Ihadnoreasontodoubthisstatement;andtothisdayIamunabletosaywhatwasKurtz’spro-
　　fession，whetherheeverhadany——whichwasthegreatestofhistalents。Ihadtakenhimforapainterwhowroteforthepapers，orelseforajournalistwhocouldpaint——buteventhecousin（whotooksnuffduringtheinter-
　　view）couldnottellmewhathehadbeen——exactly。Hewasauniversalgenius——onthatpointIagreedwiththeoldchap，whothereuponblewhisnosenoisilyintoalargecottonhandkerchiefandwithdrewinsenileagita-
　　tion，bearingoffsomefamilylettersandmemorandawithoutimportance。Ultimatelyajournalistanxioustoknowsomethingofthefateofhis’dearcolleague’
　　turnedup。ThisvisitorinformedmeKurtz’spropersphereoughttohavebeenpolitics’onthepopularside。’
　　Hehadfurrystraighteyebrows，bristlyhaircroppedshort，aneye-glassonabroadribbon，and，becomingexpansive，confessedhisopinionthatKurtzreallycouldn’twriteabit——’butheavens！howthatmancouldtalk！Heelectrifiedlargemeetings。Hehadfaith——
　　don’tyousee？——hehadthefaith。Hecouldgethimselftobelieveanything——anything。Hewouldhavebeenasplendidleaderofanextremeparty。’’Whatparty？’
　　Iasked。’Anyparty，’answeredtheother。’Hewasan——an——extremist。’DidInotthinkso？Iassented。
　　DidIknow，heasked，withasuddenflashofcuriosity，’whatitwasthathadinducedhimtogooutthere？’
　　’Yes，’saidI，andforthwithhandedhimthefamousReportforpublication，ifhethoughtfit。Heglancedthroughithurriedly，mumblingallthetime，judged’itwoulddo，’andtookhimselfoffwiththisplunder。
　　"ThusIwasleftatlastwithaslimpacketoflettersandthegirl’sportrait。Shestruckmeasbeautiful——
　　Imeanshehadabeautifulexpression。Iknowthatthesunlightcanbemadetolietoo，yetonefeltthatnomanipulationoflightandposecouldhaveconveyedthedelicateshadeoftruthfulnessuponthosefeatures。Sheseemedreadytolistenwithoutmentalreservation，with-
　　outsuspicion，withoutathoughtforherself。Icon-
　　cludedIwouldgoandgiveherbackherportraitandthoselettersmyself。Curiosity？Yes;andalsosomeotherfeelingperhaps。AllthathadbeenKurtz’shadpassedoutofmyhands：hissoul，hisbody，hisstation，hisplans，hisivory，hiscareer。ThereremainedonlyhismemoryandhisIntended——andIwantedtogivethatuptootothepast，inaway，——tosurrenderpersonallyallthatremainedofhimwithmetothatoblivionwhichisthelastwordofourcommonfate。Idon’tdefendmyself。IhadnoclearperceptionofwhatitwasI
　　reallywanted。Perhapsitwasanimpulseofuncon-
　　sciousloyalty，orthefulfillmentofoneoftheseironicnecessitiesthatlurkinthefactsofhumanexistence。
　　Idon’tknow。Ican’ttell。ButIwent。
　　"Ithoughthismemorywasliketheothermemoriesofthedeadthataccumulateineveryman’slife，——avagueimpressonthebrainofshadowsthathadfallenonitintheirswiftandfinalpassage;butbeforethehighandponderousdoor，betweenthetallhousesofastreetasstillanddecorousasawell-keptalleyinacemetery，I
　　hadavisionofhimonthestretcher，openinghismouthvoraciously，asiftodevouralltheearthwithallitsmankind。Helivedthenbeforeme;helivedasmuchashehadeverlived——ashadowinsatiableofsplendidappearances，offrightfulrealities;ashadowdarkerthantheshadowofthenight，anddrapednoblyinthefoldsofagorgeouseloquence。Thevisionseemedtoenterthehousewithme——thestretcher，thephantom-bearers，thewildcrowdofobedientworshipers，thegloomoftheforests，theglitterofthereachbetweenthemurkybends，thebeatofthedrum，regularandmuffledlikethebeat-
　　ingofaheart——theheartofaconqueringdarkness。Itwasamomentoftriumphforthewilderness，aninvad-
　　ingandvengefulrushwhich，itseemedtome，Iwouldhavetokeepbackaloneforthesalvationofanothersoul。AndthememoryofwhatIhadheardhimsayafarthere，withthehornedshapesstirringatmyback，intheglowoffires，withinthepatientwoods，thosebrokenphrasescamebacktome，wereheardagainintheirominousandterrifyingsimplicity。Irememberedhisabjectpleading，hisabjectthreats，thecolossalscaleofhisviledesires，themeanness，thetorment，thetem-
　　pestuousanguishofhissoul。AndlateronIseemedtoseehiscollectedlanguidmanner，whenhesaidoneday，’Thislotofivorynowisreallymine。TheCompanydidnotpayforit。Icollecteditmyselfataverygreatpersonalrisk。Iamafraidtheywilltrytoclaimitastheirsthough。H’m。Itisadifficultcase。WhatdoyouthinkIoughttodo——resist？Eh？Iwantnomorethanjustice。’……Hewantednomorethanjustice——
　　nomorethanjustice。Irangthebellbeforeamahoganydooronthefirstfloor，andwhileIwaitedheseemedtostareatmeoutoftheglassypanel——starewiththatwideandimmensestareembracing，condemning，loathingalltheuniverse。Iseemedtohearthewhisperedcry，’Thehorror！Thehorror！’
　　"Theduskwasfalling。Ihadtowaitinaloftydraw-
　　ing-roomwiththreelongwindowsfromfloortoceilingthatwerelikethreeluminousandbedrapedcolumns。
　　Thebentgiltlegsandbacksofthefurnitureshoneinindistinctcurves。Thetallmarblefireplacehadacoldandmonumentalwhiteness。Agrandpianostoodmas-
　　sivelyinacorner，withdarkgleamsontheflatsur-
　　faceslikeasomberandpolishedsarcophagus。Ahighdooropened——closed。Irose。
　　"Shecameforward，allinblack，withapalehead，floatingtowardsmeinthedusk。Shewasinmourning。
　　Itwasmorethanayearsincehisdeath，morethanayearsincethenewscame;sheseemedasthoughshewouldrememberandmournforever。Shetookbothmyhandsinhersandmurmured，’Ihadheardyouwerecoming。’Inoticedshewasnotveryyoung——I
　　meannotgirlish。Shehadamaturecapacityforfidelity，forbelief，forsuffering。Theroomseemedtohavegrowndarker，asifallthesadlightofthecloudyeveninghadtakenrefugeonherforehead。Thisfairhair，thispalevisage，thispurebrow，seemedsurroundedbyanashyhalofromwhichthedarkeyeslookedoutatme。Theirglancewasguileless，profound，confident，andtrustful。Shecarriedhersorrowfulheadasthoughshewereproudofthatsorrow，asthoughshewouldsay，I
　　——Ialoneknowhowtomournforhimashedeserves。
　　Butwhilewewerestillshakinghands，suchalookofawfuldesolationcameuponherfacethatIperceivedshewasoneofthosecreaturesthatarenottheplaythingsofTime。Forherhehaddiedonlyyesterday。And，byJove！theimpressionwassopowerfulthatformetooheseemedtohavediedonlyyesterday——nay，thisveryminute。Isawherandhiminthesameinstantoftime——hisdeathandhersorrow——Isawhersorrowintheverymomentofhisdeath。Doyouunderstand？Isawthemtogether——Iheardthemtogether。Shehadsaid，withadeepcatchofthebreath，’Ihavesurvived;’whilemystrainedearsseemedtoheardistinctly，mingledwithhertoneofdespairingregret，thesumming-upwhisperofhiseternalcondemnation。IaskedmyselfwhatI
　　wasdoingthere，withasensationofpanicinmyheartasthoughIhadblunderedintoaplaceofcruelandabsurdmysteriesnotfitforahumanbeingtobehold。
　　Shemotionedmetoachair。Wesatdown。Ilaidthepacketgentlyonthelittletable，andsheputherhandoverit……’Youknewhimwell，’shemurmured，afteramomentofmourningsilence。
　　"’Intimacygrowsquickoutthere，’Isaid。’Iknewhimaswellasitispossibleforonemantoknowanother。’
　　"’Andyouadmiredhim，’shesaid。’Itwasimpossibletoknowhimandnottoadmirehim。Wasit？’
　　"’Hewasaremarkableman，’Isaid，unsteadily。Thenbeforetheappealingfixityofhergaze，thatseemedtowatchformorewordsonmylips，Iwenton，’Itwasimpossiblenotto——’
　　"’Lovehim，’shefinishedeagerly，silencingmeintoanappalleddumbness。’Howtrue！howtrue！ButwhenyouthinkthatnooneknewhimsowellasI！I
　　hadallhisnobleconfidence。Iknewhimbest。’
　　"’Youknewhimbest，’Irepeated。Andperhapsshedid。Butwitheverywordspokentheroomwasgrowingdarker，andonlyherforehead，smoothandwhite，re-
　　mainedilluminedbytheunextinguishablelightofbeliefandlove。
　　"’Youwerehisfriend，’shewenton。’Hisfriend，’
　　sherepeated，alittlelouder。’Youmusthavebeen，ifhehadgivenyouthis，andsentyoutome。IfeelI
　　canspeaktoyou——andoh！Imustspeak。Iwantyou——youwhohaveheardhislastwords——toknowIhavebeenworthyofhim……Itisnotpride……Yes！
　　IamproudtoknowIunderstoodhimbetterthanany-
　　oneonearth——hetoldmesohimself。AndsincehismotherdiedIhavehadnoone——noone——to——to——’
　　"Ilistened。Thedarknessdeepened。Iwasnotevensurewhetherhehadgivenmetherightbundle。Irathersuspecthewantedmetotakecareofanotherbatchofhispaperswhich，afterhisdeath，Isawthemanagerexaminingunderthelamp。Andthegirltalked，easingherpaininthecertitudeofmysympathy;shetalkedasthirstymendrink。IhadheardthatherengagementwithKurtzhadbeendisapprovedbyherpeople。Hewasn’trichenoughorsomething。AndindeedIdon’tknowwhetherhehadnotbeenapauperallhislife。Hehadgivenmesomereasontoinferthatitwashisim-
　　patienceofcomparativepovertythatdrovehimoutthere。
　　"’……Whowasnothisfriendwhohadheardhimspeakonce？’shewassaying。’Hedrewmentowardshimbywhatwasbestinthem。’Shelookedatmewithintensity。’Itisthegiftofthegreat，’shewenton，andthesoundofherlowvoiceseemedtohavetheac-
　　companimentofalltheothersounds，fullofmystery，desolation，andsorrow，Ihadeverheard——therippleoftheriver，thesoughingofthetreesswayedbythewind，themurmursofwildcrowds，thefaintringofincom-
　　prehensiblewordscriedfromafar，thewhisperofavoicespeakingfrombeyondthethresholdofaneternaldarkness。’Butyouhaveheardhim！Youknow！’shecried。
　　"’Yes，Iknow，’Isaidwithsomethinglikedespairinmyheart，butbowingmyheadbeforethefaiththatwasinher，beforethatgreatandsavingillusionthatshonewithanunearthlyglowinthedarkness，inthetriumphantdarknessfromwhichIcouldnothavede-
　　fendedher——fromwhichIcouldnotevendefendmyself。
　　"’Whatalosstome——tous！’——shecorrectedherselfwithbeautifulgenerosity;thenaddedinamurmur，’Totheworld。’BythelastgleamsoftwilightIcouldseetheglitterofhereyes，fulloftears——oftearsthatwouldnotfall。
　　"’Ihavebeenveryhappy——veryfortunate——veryproud，’shewenton。’Toofortunate。Toohappyforalittlewhile。AndnowIamunhappyfor——forlife。’
　　"Shestoodup;herfairhairseemedtocatchalltheremaininglightinaglimmerofgold。Irosetoo。
　　"’Andofallthis，’shewenton，mournfully，’ofallhispromise，andofallhisgreatness，ofhisgenerousmind，ofhisnobleheart，nothingremains——nothingbutamemory。YouandI——’
　　"’Weshallalwaysrememberhim，’Isaid，hastily。
　　"’No！’shecried。’Itisimpossiblethatallthisshouldbelost——thatsuchalifeshouldbesacrificedtoleavenothing——butsorrow。Youknowwhatvastplanshehad。Iknewofthemtoo——Icouldnotperhapsunder-
　　stand，——butothersknewofthem。Somethingmustre-
　　main。Hiswords，atleast，havenotdied。’
　　"’Hiswordswillremain，’Isaid。
　　"’Andhisexample，’shewhisperedtoherself。’Menlookeduptohim，——hisgoodnessshoneineveryact。Hisexample——’
　　"’True，’Isaid;’hisexampletoo。Yes，hisexample。
　　Iforgotthat。’
　　"’ButIdonot。Icannot——Icannotbelieve——notyet。
　　IcannotbelievethatIshallneverseehimagain，thatnobodywillseehimagain，never，never，never。’
　　"Sheputoutherarmsasifafteraretreatingfigure，stretchingthemblackandwithclaspedpalehandsacrossthefadingandnarrowsheenofthewindow。Neverseehim！Isawhimclearlyenoughthen。IshallseethiseloquentphantomaslongasIlive，andIshallseehertoo，atragicandfamiliarShade，resemblinginthisges-
　　tureanotherone，tragicalso，andbedeckedwithpower-
　　lesscharms，stretchingbarebrownarmsovertheglitteroftheinfernalstream，thestreamofdarkness。Shesaidsuddenlyverylow，’Hediedashelived。’
　　"’Hisend，’saidI，withdullangerstirringinme，’wasineverywayworthyofhislife。’
　　"’AndIwasnotwithhim，’shemurmured。Myangersubsidedbeforeafeelingofinfinitepity。
　　"’Everythingthatcouldbedone——’Imumbled。
　　"’Ah，butIbelievedinhimmorethananyoneonearth——morethanhisownmother，morethan——himself。
　　Heneededme！Me！Iwouldhavetreasuredeverysigh，everyword，everysign，everyglance。’
　　"Ifeltlikeachillgriponmychest。’Don’t，’Isaid，inamuffledvoice。
　　"’Forgiveme。I——I——havemournedsolonginsilence——insilence……Youwerewithhim——tothelast？
　　Ithinkofhisloneliness。NobodyneartounderstandhimasIwouldhaveunderstood。Perhapsnoonetohear……’
　　"’Totheveryend，’Isaid，shakily。’Iheardhisverylastwords……’Istoppedinafright。
　　"’Repeatthem，’shesaidinaheart-brokentone。’I
　　want——Iwant——something——something——to——tolivewith。’
　　"Iwasonthepointofcryingather，’Don’tyouhearthem？’Theduskwasrepeatingtheminapersistentwhisperallaroundus，inawhisperthatseemedtoswellmenacinglylikethefirstwhisperofarisingwind。’Thehorror！thehorror！’
　　"’Hislastword——tolivewith，’shemurmured。’Don’tyouunderstandIlovedhim——Ilovedhim——Ilovedhim！’
　　"Ipulledmyselftogetherandspokeslowly。
　　"’Thelastwordhepronouncedwas——yourname。’
　　"Iheardalightsigh，andthenmyheartstoodstill，stoppeddeadshortbyanexultingandterriblecry，bythecryofinconceivabletriumphandofunspeakablepain。’Iknewit——Iwassure！’……Sheknew。Shewassure。Iheardherweeping;shehadhiddenherfaceinherhands。ItseemedtomethatthehousewouldcollapsebeforeIcouldescape，thattheheavenswouldfalluponmyhead。Butnothinghappened。Theheavensdonotfallforsuchatrifle。Wouldtheyhavefallen，Iwonder，ifIhadrenderedKurtzthatjusticewhichwashisdue？Hadn’thesaidhewantedonlyjus-
　　tice？ButIcouldn’t。Icouldnottellher。Itwouldhavebeentoodark——toodarkaltogether……"
　　Marlowceased，andsatapart，indistinctandsilent，intheposeofameditatingBuddha。Nobodymovedforatime。"Wehavelostthefirstoftheebb，"saidtheDi-
　　rector，suddenly。Iraisedmyhead。Theoffingwasbarredbyablackbankofclouds，andthetranquilwater-
　　wayleadingtotheuttermostendsoftheearthflowedsomberunderanovercastsky——seemedtoleadintotheheartofanimmensedarkness。