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。