"DidInottellyou？"shesobbed，tryingtowrigglegentlyoutfromunderhisgrip。"DidInottellyouthatIsawthewitchwomanpushthecanoe？Ilayhiddeninthegrassandheardallthewords。ShethatweusedtocallthewhiteMemwantedtoreturntolookatyourface，butthewitchwomanforbadeher，and——"
　　Shesankloweryetonherelbow，turninghalfroundunderthedownwardpushoftheheavyhand，herfacelifteduptohimwithspitefuleyes。
　　"Andsheobeyed，"sheshoutedoutinahalf-laugh，half-cryofpain。"Letmego，Tuan。Whyareyouangrywithme？
　　Hasten，oryoushallbetoolatetoshowyourangertothedeceitfulwoman。"
　　Almayerdraggedheruptoherfeetandlookedcloseintoherfacewhileshestruggled，turningherheadawayfromhiswildstare。
　　"Whosentyouheretotormentme？"heasked，violently。"Idonotbelieveyou。Youlie。"
　　Hestraightenedhisarmsuddenlyandflungheracrosstheverandahtowardsthedoorway，whereshelayimmobileandsilent，asifshehadleftherlifeinhisgrasp，adarkheap，withoutasoundorastir。
　　"Oh！Nina！"whisperedAlmayer，inavoiceinwhichreproachandlovespoketogetherinpainedtenderness。"Oh！Nina！
　　Idonotbelieve。"
　　Alightdraughtfromtheriverranoverthecourtyardinawaveofbowinggrassand，enteringtheverandah，touchedAlmayer'sforeheadwithitscoolbreath，inacaressofinfinitepity。Thecurtaininthewomen'sdoorwayblewoutandinstantlycollapsedwithstartlinghelplessness。Hestaredattheflutteringstuff。
　　"Nina！"criedAlmayer。"Whereareyou，Nina？"
　　Thewindpassedoutoftheemptyhouseinatremuloussigh，andallwasstill。
　　Almayerhidhisfaceinhishandsasiftoshutoutaloathsomesight。When，hearingaslightrustle，heuncoveredhiseyes，thedarkheapbythedoorwasgone。
　　chapter11
　　CHAPTERXI。
　　Inthemiddleofashadowlesssquareofmoonlight，shiningonasmoothandlevelexpanseofyoungrice-shoots，alittleshelter-hutperchedonhighposts，thepileofbrushwoodnearbyandtheglowingembersofafirewithamanstretchedbeforeit，seemedverysmallandasiflostinthepalegreeniridescencereflectedfromtheground。Onthreesidesoftheclearing，appearingveryfarawayinthedeceptivelight，thebigtreesoftheforest，lashedtogetherwithmanifoldbondsbyamassoftangledcreepers，lookeddownatthegrowingyounglifeattheirfeetwiththesombreresignationofgiantsthathadlostfaithintheirstrength。Andinthemidstofthemthemercilesscreepersclungtothebigtrunksincable-likecoils，leapedfromtreetotree，hunginthornyfestoonsfromthelowerboughs，and，sendingslendertendrilsonhightoseekoutthesmallestbranches，carrieddeathtotheirvictimsinanexultingriotofsilentdestruction。
　　Onthefourthside，followingthecurveofthebankofthatbranchofthePantaithatformedtheonlyaccesstotheclearing，ranablacklineofyoungtrees，bushes，andthicksecondgrowth，unbrokensaveforasmallgapchoppedoutinoneplace。Atthatgapbeganthenarrowfootpathleadingfromthewater'sedgetothegrass-builtshelterusedbythenightwatcherswhentheripeningcrophadtobeprotectedfromthewildpigs。Thepathwayendedatthefootofthepilesonwhichthehutwasbuilt，inacircularspacecoveredwithashesandbitsofburntwood。Inthemiddleofthatspace，bythedimfire，layDain。
　　Heturnedoveronhissidewithanimpatientsigh，and，pillowinghisheadonhisbentarm，layquietlywithhisfacetothedyingfire。Theglowingembersshoneredlyinasmallcircle，throwingagleamintohiswide-openeyes，andateverydeepbreaththefinewhiteashofbygonefiresroseinalightcloudbeforehispartedlips，anddancedawayfromthewarmglowintothemoonbeamspouringdownuponBulangi'sclearing。Hisbodywaswearywiththeexertionofthepastfewdays，hismindmorewearystillwiththestrainofsolitarywaitingforhisfate。Neverbeforehadhefeltsohelpless。Hehadheardthereportofthegunfiredonboardthelaunch，andheknewthathislifewasinuntrustworthyhands，andthathisenemieswereverynear。Duringtheslowhoursoftheafternoonheroamedaboutontheedgeoftheforest，or，hidinginthebushes，watchedthecreekwithunquieteyesforsomesignofdanger。Hefearednotdeath，yethedesiredardentlytolive，forlifetohimwasNina。Shehadpromisedtocome，tofollowhim，tosharehisdangerandhissplendour。Butwithherbyhissidehecarednotfordanger，andwithouthertherecouldbenosplendourandnojoyinexistence。
　　Crouchinginhisshadyhiding-place，heclosedhiseyes，tryingtoevokethegraciousandcharmingimageofthewhitefigurethatforhimwasthebeginningandtheendoflife。Witheyesshuttight，histeethhardset，hetriedinagreateffortofpassionatewilltokeephisholdonthatvisionofsupremedelight。Invain！HisheartgrewheavyasthefigureofNinafadedawaytobereplacedbyanothervisionthistime——avisionofarmedmen，ofangryfaces，ofglitteringarms——andheseemedtohearthehumofexcitedandtriumphantvoicesastheydiscoveredhiminhishiding-place。Startledbythevividnessofhisfancy，hewouldopenhiseyes，and，leapingoutintothesunlight，resumehisaimlesswanderingsaroundtheclearing。Asheskirtedinhiswearymarchtheedgeoftheforestheglancednowandthenintoitsdarkshade，soenticinginitsdeceptiveappearanceofcoolness，sorepellentwithitsunrelievedgloom，wherelay，entombedandrotting，countlessgenerationsoftrees，andwheretheirsuccessorsstoodasifmourning，indarkgreenfoliage，immenseandhelpless，awaitingtheirturn。Onlytheparasitesseemedtolivethereinasinuousrushupwardsintotheairandsunshine，feedingonthedeadandthedyingalike，andcrowningtheirvictimswithpinkandblueflowersthatgleamedamongsttheboughs，incongruousandcruel，likeastridentandmockingnoteinthesolemnharmonyofthedoomedtrees。
　　Amancouldhidethere，thoughtDain，asheapproachedaplacewherethecreepershadbeentornandhackedintoanarchwaythatmighthavebeenthebeginningofapath。Ashebentdowntolookthroughheheardangrygrunting，andasounderofwildpigcrashedawayintheundergrowth。Anacridsmellofdampearthandofdecayingleavestookhimbythethroat，andhedrewbackwithascaredface，asifhehadbeentouchedbythebreathofDeathitself。Theveryairseemeddeadinthere——heavyandstagnating，poisonedwiththecorruptionofcountlessages。Hewenton，staggeringonhisway，urgedbythenervousrestlessnessthatmadehimfeeltiredyetcausedhimtoloathetheveryideaofimmobilityandrepose。Washeawildmantohideinthewoodsandperhapsbekilledthere——inthedarkness——wheretherewasnoroomtobreathe？Hewouldwaitforhisenemiesinthesunlight，wherehecouldseetheskyandfeelthebreeze。HeknewhowaMalaychiefshoulddie。Thesombreanddesperatefury，thatpeculiarinheritanceofhisrace，tookpossessionofhim，andheglaredsavagelyacrosstheclearingtowardsthegapinthebushesbytheriverside。Theywouldcomefromthere。Inimaginationhesawthemnow。Hesawthebeardedfacesandthewhitejacketsoftheofficers，thelightonthelevelledbarrelsoftherifles。
　　Whatisthebraveryofthegreatestwarriorbeforethefirearmsinthehandofaslave？Hewouldwalktowardthemwithasmilingface，withhishandsheldoutinasignofsubmissiontillhewasverynearthem。Hewouldspeakfriendlywords——comeneareryet——yetnearer——sonearthattheycouldtouchhimwiththeirhandsandstretchthemouttomakehimacaptive。Thatwouldbethetime：withashoutandaleaphewouldbeinthemidstofthem，krissinhand，killing，killing，killing，andwoulddiewiththeshoutsofhisenemiesinhisears，theirwarmbloodspurtingbeforehiseyes。
　　Carriedawaybyhisexcitement，hesnatchedthekrisshiddeninhissarong，and，drawingalongbreath，rushedforward，struckattheemptyair，andfellonhisface。Helayasifstunnedinthesuddenreactionfromhisexaltation，thinkingthat，evenifhediedthusgloriously，itwouldhavetobebeforehesawNina。
　　Betterso。Ifhesawheragainhefeltthatdeathwouldbetooterrible。Withhorrorhe，thedescendantofRajahsandofconquerors，hadtofacethedoubtofhisownbravery。Hisdesireoflifetormentedhiminaparoxysmofagonisingremorse。Hehadnotthecouragetostiralimb。Hehadlostfaithinhimself，andtherewasnothingelseinhimofwhatmakesaman。Thesufferingremained，foritisorderedthatitshouldabideinthehumanbodyeventothelastbreath，andfearremained。Dimlyhecouldlookintothedepthsofhispassionatelove，seeitsstrengthanditsweakness，andfeltafraid。
　　Thesunwentdownslowly。Theshadowofthewesternforestmarchedovertheclearing，coveredtheman'sscorchedshoulderswithitscoolmantle，andwentonhurriedlytominglewiththeshadowsofotherforestsontheeasternside。Thesunlingeredforawhileamongstthelighttraceryofthehigherbranches，asifinfriendlyreluctancetoabandonthebodystretchedinthegreenpaddy-field。ThenDain，revivedbythecooloftheeveningbreeze，satupandstaredroundhim。Ashedidsothesundippedsharply，asifashamedofbeingdetectedinasympathisingattitude，andtheclearing，whichduringthedaywasalllight，becamesuddenlyalldarkness，wherethefiregleamedlikeaneye。
　　Dainwalkedslowlytowardsthecreek，and，divestinghimselfofhistornsarong，hisonlygarment，enteredthewatercautiously。
　　Hehadhadnothingtoeatthatday，andhadnotdaredshowhimselfindaylightbythewater-sidetodrink。Now，asheswamsilently，heswallowedafewmouthfulsofwaterthatlappedabouthislips。Thisdidhimgood，andhewalkedwithgreaterconfidenceinhimselfandothersashereturnedtowardsthefire。
　　HadhebeenbetrayedbyLakambaallwouldhavebeenoverbythis。
　　Hemadeupabigblaze，andwhileitlasteddriedhimself，andthenlaydownbytheembers。Hecouldnotsleep，buthefeltagreatnumbnessinallhislimbs。Hisrestlessnesswasgone，andhewascontenttolaystill，measuringthetimebywatchingthestarsthatroseinendlesssuccessionabovetheforests，whiletheslightpuffsofwindunderthecloudlessskyseemedtofantheirtwinkleintoagreaterbrightness。Dreamilyheassuredhimselfoverandoveragainthatshewouldcome，tillthecertitudecreptintohisheartandfilledhimwithagreatpeace。
　　Yes，whenthenextdaybroke，theywouldbetogetheronthegreatblueseathatwaslikelife——awayfromtheforeststhatwerelikedeath。HemurmuredthenameofNinaintothesilentspacewithatendersmile：thisseemedtobreakthespellofstillness，andfarawaybythecreekafrogcroakedloudlyasifinanswer。A
　　chorusofloudroarsandplaintivecallsrosefromthemudalongthelineofbushes。Helaughedheartily；doubtlessitwastheirlove-song。Hefeltaffectionatetowardsthefrogsandlistened，pleasedwiththenoisylifenearhim。
　　Whenthemoonpeepedabovethetreeshefelttheoldimpatienceandtheoldrestlessnessstealoverhim。Whywasshesolate？
　　True，itwasalongwaytocomewithasinglepaddle。Withwhatskillandwhatendurancecouldthosesmallhandsmanageaheavypaddle！Itwasverywonderful——suchsmallhands，suchsoftlittlepalmsthatknewhowtotouchhischeekwithafeellighterthanthefanningofabutterfly'swing。Wonderful！Helosthimselflovinglyinthecontemplationofthistremendousmystery，andwhenhelookedatthemoonagainithadrisenahand'sbreadthabovethetrees。Wouldshecome？Heforcedhimselftolaystill，overcomingtheimpulsetoriseandrushroundtheclearingagain。Heturnedthiswayandthat；atlast，quiveringwiththeeffort，helayonhisback，andsawherfaceamongthestarslookingdownonhim。
　　Thecroakingoffrogssuddenlyceased。WiththewatchfulnessofahuntedmanDainsatup，listeninganxiously，andheardseveralsplashesinthewaterasthefrogstookrapidheadersintothecreek。Heknewthattheyhadbeenalarmedbysomething，andstoodupsuspiciousandattentive。Aslightgratingnoise，thenthedrysoundasoftwopiecesofwoodstruckagainsteachother。
　　Somebodywasabouttoland！Hetookupanarmfulofbrushwood，and，withouttakinghiseyesfromthepath，helditovertheembersofhisfire。Hewaited，undecided，andsawsomethinggleamamongstthebushes；thenawhitefigurecameoutoftheshadowsandseemedtofloattowardshiminthepalelight。Hisheartgaveagreatleapandstoodstill，thenwentonshakinghisframeinfuriousbeats。Hedroppedthebrushwoodupontheglowingcoals，andhadanimpressionofshoutinghername——ofrushingtomeether；yetheemittednosound，hestirrednotaninch，buthestoodsilentandmotionlesslikechiselledbronzeunderthemoonlightthatstreamedoverhisnakedshoulders。Ashestoodstill，fightingwithhisbreath，asifbereftofhissensesbytheintensityofhisdelight，shewalkeduptohimwithquick，resolutesteps，and，withtheappearanceofoneabouttoleapfromadangerousheight，threwbothherarmsroundhisneckwithasuddengesture。Asmallbluegleamcreptamongstthedrybranches，andthecracklingofrevivingfirewastheonlysoundastheyfacedeachotherinthespeechlessemotionofthatmeeting；thenthedryfuelcaughtatonce，andabrighthotflameshotupwardsinablazeashighastheirheads，andinitslighttheysaweachother'seyes。
　　Neitherofthemspoke。Hewasregaininghissensesinaslighttremorthatranupwardsalonghisrigidbodyandhungabouthistremblinglips。Shedrewbackherheadandfastenedhereyesonhisinoneofthoselonglooksthatareawoman'smostterribleweapon；alookthatismorestirringthantheclosesttouch，andmoredangerousthanthethrustofadagger，becauseitalsowhipsthesouloutofthebody，butleavesthebodyaliveandhelpless，tobeswayedhereandtherebythecapricioustempestsofpassionanddesire；alookthatenwrapsthewholebody，andthatpenetratesintotheinnermostrecessesofthebeing，bringingterribledefeatinthedeliriousupliftingofaccomplishedconquest。Ithasthesamemeaningforthemanoftheforestsandtheseaasforthemanthreadingthepathsofthemoredangerouswildernessofhousesandstreets。Menthathadfeltintheirbreaststheawfulexultationsuchalookawakensbecomemerethingsofto-day——whichisparadise；forgetyesterday——whichwassuffering；carenotforto-morrow——whichmaybeperdition。Theywishtoliveunderthatlookforever。Itisthelookofwoman'ssurrender。
　　Heunderstood，and，asifsuddenlyreleasedfromhisinvisiblebonds，fellatherfeetwithashoutofjoy，and，embracingherknees，hidhisheadinthefoldsofherdress，murmuringdisjointedwordsofgratitudeandlove。Neverbeforehadhefeltsoproudasnow，whenatthefeetofthatwomanthathalfbelongedtohisenemies。Herfingersplayedwithhishairinanabsent-mindedcaressasshestoodabsorbedinthought。Thethingwasdone。Hermotherwasright。Themanwasherslave。
　　Assheglanceddownathiskneelingformshefeltagreatpityingtendernessforthatmanshewasusedtocall——eveninherthoughts——themasteroflife。Sheliftedhereyesandlookedsadlyatthesouthernheavensunderwhichlaythepathoftheirlives——herown，andthatman'satherfeet。Didhenotsayhimselfisthatshewasthelightofhislife？Shewouldbehislightandhiswisdom；shewouldbehisgreatnessandhisstrength；yethiddenfromtheeyesofallmenshewouldbe，aboveall，hisonlyandlastingweakness。Averywoman！Inthesublimevanityofherkindshewasthinkingalreadyofmouldingagodfromtheclayatherfeet。Agodforotherstoworship。
　　Shewascontenttoseehimashewasnow，andtofeelhimquiverattheslightesttouchofherlightfingers。Andwhilehereyeslookedsadlyatthesouthernstarsafaintsmileseemedtobeplayingaboutherfirmlips。Whocantellinthefitfullightofacampfire？Itmighthavebeenasmileoftriumph，orofconsciouspower，oroftenderpity，or，perhaps，oflove。
　　Shespokesoftlytohim，andherosetohisfeet，puttinghisarmroundherinquietconsciousnessofhisownership；shelaidherheadonhisshoulderwithasenseofdefiancetoalltheworldintheencirclingprotectionofthatarm。Hewasherswithallhisqualitiesandallhisfaults。Hisstrengthandhiscourage，hisrecklessnessandhisdaring，hissimplewisdomandhissavagecunning——allwerehers。Astheypassedtogetheroutoftheredlightofthefireintothesilvershowerofraysthatfellupontheclearinghebenthisheadoverherface，andshesawinhiseyesthedreamyintoxicationofboundlessfelicityfromtheclosetouchofherslightfigureclaspedtohisside。Witharhythmicalswingoftheirbodiestheywalkedthroughthelighttowardstheoutlyingshadowsoftheforeststhatseemedtoguardtheirhappinessinsolemnimmobility。Theirformsmeltedintheplayoflightandshadowatthefootofthebigtrees，butthemurmuroftenderwordslingeredovertheemptyclearing，grewfaint，anddiedout。Asighasofimmensesorrowpassedoverthelandinthelasteffortofthedyingbreeze，andinthedeepsilencewhichsucceeded，theearthandtheheavensweresuddenlyhushedupinthemournfulcontemplationofhumanloveandhumanblindness。
　　Theywalkedslowlybacktothefire。Hemadeforheraseatoutofthedrybranches，and，throwinghimselfdownatherfeet，layhisheadinherlapandgavehimselfuptothedreamydelightofthepassinghour。Theirvoicesroseandfell，tenderoranimatedastheyspokeoftheirloveandoftheirfuture。She，withafewskilfulwordsspokenfromtimetotime，guidedhisthoughts，andhelethishappinessflowinastreamoftalkpassionateandtender，graveormenacing，accordingtothemoodwhichsheevoked。Hespoketoherofhisownisland，wherethegloomyforestsandthemuddyriverswereunknown。Hespokeofitsterracedfields，ofthemurmuringclearrillsofsparklingwaterthatfloweddownthesidesofgreatmountains，bringinglifetothelandandjoytoitstillers。Andhespokealsoofthemountainpeakthatrisinglonelyabovethebeltoftreesknewthesecretsofthepassingclouds，andwasthedwelling-placeofthemysteriousspiritofhisrace，oftheguardiangeniusofhishouse。Hespokeofvasthorizonssweptbyfiercewindsthatwhistledhighabovethesummitsofburningmountains。Hespokeofhisforefathersthatconqueredagesagotheislandofwhichhewastobethefutureruler。Andthenas，inherinterest，shebroughtherfacenearertohis，he，touchinglightlythethicktressesofherlonghair，feltasuddenimpulsetospeaktoheroftheseahelovedsowell；andhetoldherofitsnever-ceasingvoice，towhichhehadlistenedasachild，wonderingatitshiddenmeaningthatnolivingmanhaspenetratedyet；ofitsenchantingglitter；ofitssenselessandcapriciousfury；howitssurfacewasforeverchanging，andyetalwaysenticing，whileitsdepthswereforeverthesame，coldandcruel，andfullofthewisdomofdestroyedlife。Hetoldherhowitheldmenslavesofitscharmforalifetime，andthen，regardlessoftheirdevotion，swallowedthemup，angryattheirfearofitsmystery，whichitwouldneverdisclose，noteventothosethatloveditmost。
　　Whilehetalked，Nina'sheadhadbeengraduallysinkinglower，andherfacealmosttouchedhisnow。Herhairwasoverhiseyes，herbreathwasonhisforehead，herarmswereabouthisbody。
　　Notwobeingscouldbeclosertoeachother，yetsheguessedratherthanunderstoodthemeaningofhislastwordsthatcameoutafteraslighthesitationinafaintmurmur，dyingoutimperceptiblyintoaprofoundandsignificantsilence："Thesea，ONina，islikeawoman'sheart。"
　　Sheclosedhislipswithasuddenkiss，andansweredinasteadyvoice——
　　"Buttothementhathavenofear，Omasterofmylife，theseaisevertrue。"
　　Overtheirheadsafilmofdark，thread-likeclouds，lookinglikeimmensecobwebsdriftingunderthestars，darkenedtheskywiththepresageofthecomingthunderstorm。Fromtheinvisiblehillsthefirstdistantrumbleofthundercameinaprolongedrollwhich，aftertossingaboutfromhilltohill，lostitselfintheforestsofthePantai。DainandNinastoodup，andtheformerlookedattheskyuneasily。
　　"ItistimeforBabalatchitobehere，"hesaid。"Thenightismorethanhalfgone。Ourroadislong，andabullettravelsquickerthanthebestcanoe。"
　　"Hewillbeherebeforethemoonishiddenbehindtheclouds，"
　　saidNina。"Iheardasplashinthewater，"sheadded。"Didyouhearittoo？"
　　"Alligator，"answeredDainshortly，withacarelessglancetowardsthecreek。"Thedarkerthenight，"hecontinued，"theshorterwillbeourroad，forthenwecouldkeepinthecurrentofthemainstream，butifitislight——evennomorethannow——wemustfollowthesmallchannelsofsleepingwater，withnothingtohelpourpaddles。"
　　"Dain，"interposedNina，earnestly，"itwasnoalligator。I
　　heardthebushesrustlingnearthelanding-place。"
　　"Yes，"saidDain，afterlisteningawhile。"ItcannotbeBabalatchi，whowouldcomeinabigwarcanoe，andopenly。Thosethatarecoming，whoevertheyare，donotwishtomakemuchnoise。Butyouhaveheard，andnowIcansee，"hewentonquickly。"Itisbutoneman。Standbehindme，Nina。
　　Ifheisafriendheiswelcome；ifheisanenemyyoushallseehimdie。"
　　Helaidhishandonhiskriss，andawaitedtheapproachofhisunexpectedvisitor。Thefirewasburningverylow，andsmallclouds——precursorsofthestorm——crossedthefaceofthemooninrapidsuccession，andtheirflyingshadowsdarkenedtheclearing。
　　Hecouldnotmakeoutwhothemanmightbe，buthefeltuneasyatthesteadyadvanceofthetallfigurewalkingonthepathwithaheavytread，andhaileditwithacommandtostop。Themanstoppedatsomelittledistance，andDainexpectedhimtospeak，butallhecouldhearwashisdeepbreathing。Throughabreakintheflyingcloudsasuddenandfleetingbrightnessdescendedupontheclearing。Beforethedarknessclosedinagain，Dainsawahandholdingsomeglitteringobjectextendedtowardshim，heardNina'scryof"Father！"andinaninstantthegirlwasbetweenhimandAlmayer'srevolver。Nina'sloudcrywokeuptheechoesofthesleepingwoods，andthethreestoodstillasifwaitingforthereturnofsilencebeforetheywouldgiveexpressiontotheirvariousfeelings。AttheappearanceofNina，Almayer'sarmfellbyhisside，andhemadeastepforward。Dainpushedthegirlgentlyaside。
　　"AmIawildbeastthatyoushouldtrytokillmesuddenlyandinthedark，TuanAlmayer？"saidDain，breakingthestrainedsilence。"Throwsomebrushwoodonthefire，"hewenton，speakingtoNina，"whileIwatchmywhitefriend，lestharmshouldcometoyouortome，Odelightofmyheart！"
　　Almayergroundhisteethandraisedhisarmagain。WithaquickboundDainwasathisside：therewasashortscuffle，duringwhichonechamberoftherevolverwentoffharmlessly，thentheweapon，wrenchedoutofAlmayer'shand，whirledthroughtheairandfellinthebushes。Thetwomenstoodclosetogether，breathinghard。ThereplenishedfirethrewoutanunsteadycircleoflightandshoneontheterrifiedfaceofNina，wholookedatthemwithoutstretchedhands。
　　"Dain！"shecriedoutwarningly，"Dain！"
　　Hewavedhishandtowardsherinareassuringgesture，and，turningtoAlmayer，saidwithgreatcourtesy——
　　"Nowwemaytalk，Tuan。Itiseasytosendoutdeath，butcanyourwisdomrecallthelife？Shemighthavebeenharmed，"hecontinued，indicatingNina。"Yourhandshookmuch；formyselfI
　　wasnotafraid。"
　　"Nina！"exclaimedAlmayer，"cometomeatonce。Whatisthissuddenmadness？Whatbewitchedyou？Cometoyourfather，andtogetherweshalltrytoforgetthishorriblenightmare！"
　　Heopenedhisarmswiththecertitudeofclaspinghertohisbreastinanothersecond。Shedidnotmove。Asitdawneduponhimthatshedidnotmeantoobeyhefeltadeadlycoldcreepintohisheart，and，pressingthepalmsofhishandstohistemples，helookeddownonthegroundinmutedespair。DaintookNinabythearmandledhertowardsherfather。
　　"Speaktohiminthelanguageofhispeople，"hesaid。"Heisgrieving——aswhowouldnotgrieveatlosingthee，mypearl！
　　Speaktohimthelastwordsheshallhearspokenbythatvoice，whichmustbeverysweettohim，butisallmylifetome。"
　　Hereleasedher，and，steppingbackafewpacesoutofthecircleoflight，stoodinthedarknesslookingatthemwithcalminterest。Thereflectionofadistantflashoflightninglitupthecloudsovertheirheads，andwasfollowedafterashortintervalbythefaintrumbleofthunder，whichmingledwithAlmayer'svoiceashebegantospeak。
　　"Doyouknowwhatyouaredoing？Doyouknowwhatiswaitingforyouifyoufollowthatman？Haveyounopityforyourself？
　　Doyouknowthatyoushallbeatfirsthisplaythingandthenascornedslave，adrudge，andaservantofsomenewfancyofthatman？"
　　Sheraisedherhandtostophim，andturningherheadslightly，asked——
　　"YouhearthisDain！Isittrue？"
　　"Byallthegods！"cametheimpassionedanswerfromthedarkness——"byheavenandearth，bymyheadandthineIswear：
　　thisisawhiteman'slie。Ihavedeliveredmysoulintoyourhandsforever；Ibreathewithyourbreath，Iseewithyoureyes，Ithinkwithyourmind，andItakeyouintomyheartforever。"
　　"Youthief！"shoutedtheexasperatedAlmayer。
　　Adeepsilencesucceededthisoutburst，thenthevoiceofDainwasheardagain。
　　"Nay，Tuan，"hesaidinagentletone，"thatisnottruealso。
　　Thegirlcameofherownwill。Ihavedonenomorebuttoshowhermylovelikeaman；sheheardthecryofmyheart，andshecame，andthedowryIhavegiventothewomanyoucallyourwife。"
　　Almayergroanedinhisextremityofrageandshame。Ninalaidherhandlightlyonhisshoulder，andthecontact，lightasthetouchofafallingleaf，seemedtocalmhim。Hespokequickly，andinEnglishthistime。
　　"Tellme，"hesaid——"tellme，whathavetheydonetoyou，yourmotherandthatman？Whatmadeyougiveyourselfuptothatsavage？Forheisasavage。Betweenhimandyouthereisabarrierthatnothingcanremove。Icanseeinyoureyesthelookofthosewhocommitsuicidewhentheyaremad。Youaremad。
　　Don'tsmile。Itbreaksmyheart。IfIweretoseeyoudrowningbeforemyeyes，andIwithoutthepowertohelpyou，Icouldnotsufferagreatertorment。Haveyouforgottentheteachingofsomanyyears？"
　　"No，"sheinterrupted，"Irememberitwell。Irememberhowitendedalso。Scornforscorn，contemptforcontempt，hateforhate。Iamnotofyourrace。Betweenyourpeopleandmethereisalsoabarrierthatnothingcanremove。YouaskwhyIwanttogo，andIaskyouwhyIshouldstay。"
　　Hestaggeredasifstruckintheface，butwithaquick，unhesitatinggraspshecaughthimbythearmandsteadiedhim。
　　"Whyyoushouldstay！"herepeatedslowly，inadazedmanner，andstoppedshort，astoundedatthecompletenessofhismisfortune。
　　"Youtoldmeyesterday，"shewentonagain，"thatIcouldnotunderstandorseeyourloveforme：itisso。HowcanI？
　　Notwohumanbeingsunderstandeachother。Theycanunderstandbuttheirownvoices。Youwantedmetodreamyourdreams，toseeyourownvisions——thevisionsoflifeamongstthewhitefacesofthosewhocastmeoutfromtheirmidstinangrycontempt。ButwhileyouspokeIlistenedtothevoiceofmyownself；thenthismancame，andallwasstill；therewasonlythemurmurofhislove。Youcallhimasavage！Whatdoyoucallmymother，yourwife？"
　　"Nina！"criedAlmayer，"takeyoureyesoffmyface。"
　　Shelookeddowndirectly，butcontinuedspeakingonlyalittleaboveawhisper。
　　"Intime，"shewenton，"bothourvoices，thatman'sandmine，spoketogetherinasweetnessthatwasintelligibletoourearsonly。Youwerespeakingofgoldthen，butourearswerefilledwiththesongofourlove，andwedidnothearyou。ThenIfoundthatwecouldseethrougheachother'seyes：thathesawthingsthatnobodybutmyselfandhecouldsee。Weenteredalandwherenoonecouldfollowus，andleastofallyou。ThenIbegantolive。"
　　Shepaused。Almayersigheddeeply。Withhereyesstillfixedonthegroundshebeganspeakingagain。
　　"AndImeantolive。Imeantofollowhim。Ihavebeenrejectedwithscornbythewhitepeople，andnowIamaMalay！Hetookmeinhisarms，helaidhislifeatmyfeet。Heisbrave；hewillbepowerful，andIholdhisbraveryandhisstrengthinmyhand，andIshallmakehimgreat。Hisnameshallberememberedlongafterbothourbodiesarelaidinthedust。IloveyounolessthanIdidbefore，butIshallneverleavehim，forwithouthimI
　　cannotlive。"
　　"Ifheunderstoodwhatyouhavesaid，"answeredAlmayer，scornfully，"hemustbehighlyflattered。Youwanthimasatoolforsomeincomprehensibleambitionofyours。Enough，Nina。
　　Ifyoudonotgodownatoncetothecreek，whereAliiswaitingwithmycanoe，IshalltellhimtoreturntothesettlementandbringtheDutchofficershere。Youcannotescapefromthisclearing，forIhavecastadriftyourcanoe。IftheDutchcatchthisheroofyourstheywillhanghimassureasIstandhere。
　　Nowgo。"
　　Hemadeasteptowardshisdaughterandlaidholdofherbytheshoulder，hisotherhandpointingdownthepathtothelanding-place。
　　"Beware！"exclaimedDain；"thiswomanbelongstome！"
　　NinawrenchedherselffreeandlookedstraightatAlmayer'sangryface。
　　"No，Iwillnotgo，"shesaidwithdesperateenergy。"IfhediesIshalldietoo！"
　　"Youdie！"saidAlmayer，contemptuously。"Oh，no！Youshalllivealifeofliesanddeceptiontillsomeothervagabondcomesalongtosing；howdidyousaythat？Thesongoflovetoyou！
　　Makeupyourmindquickly。"
　　Hewaitedforawhile，andthenaddedmeaningly——
　　"ShallIcallouttoAli？"
　　"Callout，"sheansweredinMalay，"youthatcannotbetruetoyourowncountrymen。Onlyafewdaysagoyouweresellingthepowderfortheirdestruction；nowyouwanttogiveuptothemthemanthatyesterdayyoucalledyourfriend。Oh，Dain，"shesaid，turningtowardsthemotionlessbutattentivefigureinthedarkness，"insteadofbringingyoulifeIbringyoudeath，forhewillbetrayunlessIleaveyouforever！"
　　Daincameintothecircleoflight，and，throwinghisarmaroundNina'sneck，whisperedinherear——"Icankillhimwherehestands，beforeasoundcanpasshislips。Foryouitistosayyesorno。Babalatchicannotbefarnow。"
　　Hestraightenedhimselfup，takinghisarmoffhershoulder，andconfrontedAlmayer，wholookedatthembothwithanexpressionofconcentratedfury，"No！"shecried，clingingtoDaininwildalarm。"No！Killme！
　　Thenperhapshewillletyougo。Youdonotknowthemindofawhiteman。HewouldratherseemedeadthanstandingwhereIam。
　　Forgiveme，yourslave，butyoumustnot。"Shefellathisfeetsobbingviolentlyandrepeating，"Killme！Killme！"
　　"Iwantyoualive，"saidAlmayer，speakingalsoinMalay，withsombrecalmness。"Yougo，orhehangs。Willyouobey？"
　　DainshookNinaoff，and，makingasuddenlunge，struckAlmayerfullinthechestwiththehandleofhiskriss，keepingthepointtowardshimself。
　　"Hai，look！Itwaseasyformetoturnthepointtheotherway，"
　　hesaidinhisevenvoice。"Go，TuanPutih，"headdedwithdignity。"Igiveyouyourlife，mylife，andherlife。I
　　amtheslaveofthiswoman'sdesire，andshewillsitso。"
　　Therewasnotaglimmeroflightintheskynow，andthetopsofthetreeswereasinvisibleastheirtrunks，beinglostinthemassofcloudsthathunglowoverthewoods，theclearing，andtheriver。
　　Everyoutlinehaddisappearedintheintenseblacknessthatseemedtohavedestroyedeverythingbutspace。Onlythefireglimmeredlikeastarforgotteninthisannihilationofallvisiblethings，andnothingwasheardafterDainceasedspeakingbutthesobsofNina，whomheheldinhisarms，kneelingbesidethefire。Almayerstoodlookingdownatthemingloomythoughtfulness。Ashewasopeninghislipstospeaktheywerestartledbyacryofwarningbytheriverside，followedbythesplashofmanypaddlesandthesoundofvoices。
　　"Babalatchi！"shoutedDain，liftingupNinaashegotuponhisfeetquickly。
　　"Ada！Ada！"cametheanswerfromthepantingstatesmanwhoranupthepathandstoodamongstthem。"Runtomycanoe，"hesaidtoDainexcitedly，withouttakinganynoticeofAlmayer。"Run！
　　wemustgo。Thatwomanhastoldthemall！"
　　"Whatwoman？"askedDain，lookingatNina。Justthentherewasonlyonewomaninthewholeworldforhim。
　　"Theshe-dogwithwhiteteeth；theseventimesaccursedslaveofBulangi。SheyelledatAbdulla'sgatetillshewokeupallSambir。Nowthewhiteofficersarecoming，guidedbyherandReshid。Ifyouwanttolive，donotlookatme，butgo！"
　　"Howdoyouknowthis？"askedAlmayer。
　　"Oh，Tuan！whatmattershowIknow！Ihaveonlyoneeye，butI
　　sawlightsinAbdulla'shouseandinhiscampongaswewerepaddlingpast。Ihaveears，andwhilewelayunderthebankI
　　haveheardthemessengerssentouttothewhitemen'shouse。"
　　"Willyoudepartwithoutthatwomanwhoismydaughter？"saidAlmayer，addressingDain，whileBabalatchistampedwithimpatience，muttering，"Run！Runatonce！"
　　"No，"answeredDain，steadily，"Iwillnotgo；tonomanwillI
　　abandonthiswoman。"
　　"Thenkillmeandescapeyourself，"sobbedoutNina。
　　Heclaspedherclose，lookingathertenderly，andwhispered，"Wewillneverpart，ONina！"
　　"Ishallnotstayhereanylonger，"brokeinBabalatchi，angrily。
　　"Thisisgreatfoolishness。Nowomanisworthaman'slife。
　　I
　　amanoldman，andIknow。"
　　Hepickeduphisstaff，and，turningtogo，lookedatDainasifofferinghimhislastchanceofescape。ButDain'sfacewashiddenamongstNina'sblacktresses，andhedidnotseethislastappealingglance。
　　Babalatchivanishedinthedarkness。Shortlyafterhisdisappearancetheyheardthewarcanoeleavethelanding-placeintheswishofthenumerouspaddlesdippedinthewatertogether。
　　AlmostatthesametimeAlicameupfromtheriverside，twopaddlesonhisshoulder。
　　"Ourcanoeishiddenupthecreek，TuanAlmayer，"hesaid，"inthedensebushwheretheforestcomesdowntothewater。ItookittherebecauseIheardfromBabalatchi'spaddlersthatthewhitemenarecominghere。"
　　"Waitformethere，"saidAlmayer，"butkeepthecanoehidden。"
　　Heremainedsilent，listeningtoAli'sfootsteps，thenturnedtoNina。
　　"Nina，"hesaidsadly，"willyouhavenopityforme？"
　　Therewasnoanswer。Shedidnoteventurnherhead，whichwaspressedclosetoDain'sbreast。
　　Hemadeamovementasiftoleavethemandstopped。Bythedimglowoftheburning-outfirehesawtheirtwomotionlessfigures。
　　Thewoman'sbackturnedtohimwiththelongblackhairstreamingdownoverthewhitedress，andDain'scalmfacelookingathimaboveherhead。
　　"Icannot，"hemutteredtohimself。Afteralongpausehespokeagainalittlelower，butinanunsteadyvoice，"Itwouldbetoogreatadisgrace。Iamawhiteman。"Hebrokedowncompletelythere，andwentontearfully，"Iamawhiteman，andofgoodfamily。Verygoodfamily，"herepeated，weepingbitterly。
　　"Itwouldbeadisgrace……allovertheislands，……theonlywhitemanontheeastcoast。No，itcannotbe……whitemenfindingmydaughterwiththisMalay。Mydaughter！"hecriedaloud，witharingofdespairinhisvoice。
　　Herecoveredhiscomposureafterawhileandsaiddistinctly——
　　"Iwillneverforgiveyou，Nina——never！Ifyouweretocomebacktomenow，thememoryofthisnightwouldpoisonallmylife。
　　I
　　shalltrytoforget。Ihavenodaughter。Thereusedtobeahalf-castewomaninmyhouse，butsheisgoingevennow。You，Dain，orwhateveryournamemaybe，Ishalltakeyouandthatwomantotheislandatthemouthoftherivermyself。Comewithme。"
　　Heledtheway，followingthebankasfarastheforest。Aliansweredtohiscall，and，pushingtheirwaythroughthedensebush，theysteppedintothecanoehiddenundertheoverhangingbranches。DainlaidNinainthebottom，andsatholdingherheadonhisknees。AlmayerandAlieachtookupapaddle。AstheyweregoingtopushoutAlihissedwarningly。Alllistened。
　　Inthegreatstillnessbeforetheburstingoutofthethunderstormtheycouldhearthesoundofoarsworkingregularlyintheirrow-locks。Thesoundapproachedsteadily，andDain，lookingthroughthebranches，couldseethefaintshapeofabigwhiteboat。Awoman'svoicesaidinacautioustone——
　　"Thereistheplacewhereyoumaylandwhitemen；alittlehigher——there！"
　　Theboatwaspassingthemsocloseinthenarrowcreekthatthebladesofthelongoarsnearlytouchedthecanoe。
　　"Wayenough！Standbytojumponshore！Heisaloneandunarmed，"wasthequietorderinaman'svoice，andinDutch。
　　Somebodyelsewhispered："IthinkIcanseeaglimmerofafirethroughthebush。"Andthentheboatfloatedpastthem，disappearinginstantlyinthedarkness。
　　"Now，"whisperedAli，eagerly，"letuspushoutandpaddleaway。"
　　Thelittlecanoeswungintothestream，andasitsprungforwardinresponsetothevigorousdigofthepaddlestheycouldhearanangryshout。
　　"Heisnotbythefire。Spreadout，men，andsearchforhim！"
　　Bluelightsblazedoutindifferentpartsoftheclearing，andtheshrillvoiceofawomancriedinaccentsofrageandpain——
　　"Toolate！Osenselesswhitemen！Hehasescaped！"
　　chapter12
　　CHAPTERXII。
　　"Thatistheplace，"saidDain，indicatingwiththebladeofhispaddleasmallisletaboutamileaheadofthecanoe——"thatistheplacewhereBabalatchipromisedthataboatfromtheprauwouldcomeformewhenthesunisoverhead。Wewillwaitforthatboatthere。"
　　Almayer，whowassteering，noddedwithoutspeaking，andbyaslightsweepofhispaddlelaidtheheadofthecanoeintherequireddirection。
　　TheywerejustleavingthesouthernoutletofthePantai，whichlaybehindtheminastraightandlongvistaofwatershiningbetweentwowallsofthickverdurethatrandownwardsandtowardseachother，tillatlasttheyjoinedandsanktogetherinthefar-awaydistance。Thesun，risingabovethecalmwatersoftheStraits，markeditsownpathbyastreakoflightthatglidedupontheseaanddartedupthewidereachoftheriver，ahurriedmessengeroflightandlifetothegloomyforestsofthecoast；
　　andinthisradianceofthesun'spathwayfloatedtheblackcanoeheadingfortheisletwhichlaybathedinsunshine，theyellowsandsofitsencirclingbeachshininglikeaninlaidgoldendisconthepolishedsteeloftheunwrinkledsea。Tothenorthandsouthofitroseotherislets，joyousintheirbrilliantcolouringofgreenandyellow，andonthemaincoastthesombrelineofmangrovebushesendedtothesouthwardinthereddishcliffsofTanjongMirrah，advancingintothesea，steepandshadowlessundertheclear，lightoftheearlymorning。
　　Thebottomofthecanoegrateduponthesandasthelittlecraftranuponthebeach。AlileapedonshoreandheldonwhileDainsteppedoutcarryingNinainhisarms，exhaustedbytheeventsandthelongtravellingduringthenight。Almayerwasthelasttoleavetheboat，andtogetherwithAliranithigheruponthebeach。ThenAli，tiredoutbythelongpaddling，laiddownintheshadeofthecanoe，andincontinentlyfellasleep。Almayersatsidewaysonthegunwale，andwithhisarmscrossedonhisbreast，lookedtothesouthwarduponthesea。
　　AftercarefullylayingNinadownintheshadeofthebushesgrowinginthemiddleoftheislet，Dainthrewhimselfbesideherandwatchedinsilentconcernthetearsthatrandownfromunderherclosedeyelids，andlostthemselvesinthatfinesanduponwhichtheybothwerelyingfacetoface。Thesetearsandthissorrowwereforhimaprofoundanddisquietingmystery。Now，whenthedangerwaspast，whyshouldshegrieve？Hedoubtedherlovenomorethanhewouldhavedoubtedthefactofhisownexistence，butashelaylookingardentlyinherface，watchinghertears，herpartedlips，herverybreath，hewasuneasilyconsciousofsomethinginherhecouldnotunderstand。Doubtlessshehadthewisdomofperfectbeings。Hesighed。Hefeltsomethinginvisiblethatstoodbetweenthem，somethingthatwouldlethimapproachhersofar，butnofarther。Nodesire，nolonging，noeffortofwillorlengthoflifecoulddestroythisvaguefeelingoftheirdifference。Withawebutalsowithgreatprideheconcludedthatitwasherownincomparableperfection。
　　Shewashis，andyetshewaslikeawomanfromanotherworld。
　　His！His！Heexultedinthegloriousthought；neverthelesshertearspainedhim。
　　Withawispofherownhairwhichhetookinhishandwithtimidreverencehetriedinanaccessofclumsytendernesstodrythetearsthattrembledonhereyelashes。Hehadhisrewardinafleetingsmilethatbrightenedherfacefortheshortfractionofasecond，butsoonthetearsfellfasterthanever，andhecouldbearitnomore。HeroseandwalkedtowardsAlmayer，whostillsatabsorbedinhiscontemplationofthesea。Itwasavery，verylongtimesincehehadseenthesea——thatseathatleadseverywhere，bringseverything，andtakesawaysomuch。Hehadalmostforgottenwhyhewasthere，anddreamilyhecouldseeallhispastlifeonthesmoothandboundlesssurfacethatglitteredbeforehiseyes。
　　Dain'shandlaidonAlmayer'sshoulderrecalledhimwithastartfromsomecountryveryfarawayindeed。Heturnedround，buthiseyesseemedtolookratherattheplacewhereDainstoodthanatthemanhimself。Dainfeltuneasyundertheunconsciousgaze。