"What？"saidAlmayer。
　　"Sheiscrying，"murmuredDain，softly。
　　"Sheiscrying！Why？"askedAlmayer，indifferently。
　　"Icametoaskyou。MyRaneesmileswhenlookingatthemansheloves。Itisthewhitewomanthatiscryingnow。Youwouldknow。"
　　Almayershruggedhisshouldersandturnedawayagaintowardsthesea。
　　"Go，TuanPutih，"urgedDain。"Gotoher；hertearsaremoreterribletomethantheangerofgods。"
　　"Arethey？Youwillseethemmorethanonce。Shetoldmeshecouldnotlivewithoutyou，"answeredAlmayer，speakingwithoutthefaintestsparkofexpressioninhisface，"soitbehovesyoutogotoherquick，forfearyoumayfindherdead。"
　　HeburstintoaloudandunpleasantlaughwhichmadeDainstareathimwithsomeapprehension，butgotoffthegunwaleoftheboatandmovedslowlytowardsNina，glancingupatthesunashewalked。
　　"Andyougowhenthesunisoverhead？"hesaid。
　　"Yes，Tuan。Thenwego，"answeredDain。
　　"Ihavenotlongtowait，"mutteredAlmayer。"Itismostimportantformetoseeyougo。Bothofyou。Mostimportant，"
　　herepeated，stoppingshortandlookingatDainfixedly。
　　HewentonagaintowardsNina，andDainremainedbehind。Almayerapproachedhisdaughterandstoodforatimelookingdownonher。
　　Shedidnotopenhereyes，buthearingfootstepsnearher，murmuredinalowsob，"Dain。"
　　Almayerhesitatedforaminuteandthensankonthesandbyherside。She，nothearingaresponsiveword，notfeelingatouch，openedhereyes——sawherfather，andsatupsuddenlywithamovementofterror。
　　"Oh，father！"shemurmuredfaintly，andinthatwordtherewasexpressedregretandfearanddawninghope。
　　"Ishallneverforgiveyou，Nina，"saidAlmayer，inadispassionatevoice。"YouhavetornmyheartfrommewhileI
　　dreamtofyourhappiness。Youhavedeceivedme。Youreyesthatformewereliketruthitselfliedtomeineveryglance——forhowlong？Youknowthatbest。Whenyouwerecaressingmycheekyouwerecountingtheminutestothesunsetthatwasthesignalforyourmeetingwiththatman——there！"
　　Heceased，andtheybothsatsilentsidebyside，notlookingateachother，butgazingatthevastexpanseofthesea。Almayer'swordshaddriedNina'stears，andherlookgrewhardasshestaredbeforeherintothelimitlesssheetofbluethatshonelimpid，unwaving，andsteadylikeheavenitself。Helookedatitalso，buthisfeatureshadlostallexpression，andlifeinhiseyesseemedtohavegoneout。Thefacewasablank，withoutasignofemotion，feeling，reason，orevenknowledgeofitself。
　　Allpassion，regret，grief，hope，oranger——allweregone，erasedbythehandoffate，asifafterthislaststrokeeverythingwasoverandtherewasnoneedforanyrecord。
　　ThosefewwhosawAlmayerduringtheshortperiodofhisremainingdayswerealwaysimpressedbythesightofthatfacethatseemedtoknownothingofwhatwentonwithin：liketheblankwallofaprisonenclosingsin，regrets，andpain，andwastedlife，inthecoldindifferenceofmortarandstones。
　　"Whatistheretoforgive？"askedNina，notaddressingAlmayerdirectly，butmoreasifarguingwithherself。"CanInotlivemyownlifeasyouhavelivedyours？Thepathyouwouldhavewishedmetofollowhasbeenclosedtomebynofaultofmine。"
　　"Younevertoldme，"mutteredAlmayer。
　　"Youneveraskedme，"sheanswered，"andIthoughtyouwereliketheothersanddidnotcare。Iborethememoryofmyhumiliationalone，andwhyshouldItellyouthatitcametomebecauseIamyourdaughter？Iknewyoucouldnotavengeme。"
　　"AndyetIwasthinkingofthatonly，"interruptedAlmayer，"andIwantedtogiveyouyearsofhappinessfortheshortdayofyoursuffering。Ionlyknewofoneway。"
　　"Ah！butitwasnotmyway！"shereplied。"Couldyougivemehappinesswithoutlife？Life！"sherepeatedwithsuddenenergythatsentthewordringingoverthesea。"Lifethatmeanspowerandlove，"sheaddedinalowvoice。
　　"That！"saidAlmayer，pointinghisfingeratDainstandingclosebyandlookingatthemincuriouswonder。
　　"Yes，that！"shereplied，lookingherfatherfullinthefaceandnoticingforthefirsttimewithaslightgaspoffeartheunnaturalrigidityofhisfeatures。
　　"Iwouldhaveratherstrangledyouwithmyownhands，"saidAlmayer，inanexpressionlessvoicewhichwassuchacontrasttothedesperatebitternessofhisfeelingsthatitsurprisedevenhimself。Heaskedhimselfwhospoke，and，afterlookingslowlyroundasifexpectingtoseesomebody，turnedagainhiseyestowardsthesea。
　　"Yousaythatbecauseyoudonotunderstandthemeaningofmywords，"shesaidsadly。"Betweenyouandmymotherthereneverwasanylove。WhenIreturnedtoSambirIfoundtheplacewhichIthoughtwouldbeapeacefulrefugeformyheart，filledwithwearinessandhatred——andmutualcontempt。Ihavelistenedtoyourvoiceandtohervoice。ThenIsawthatyoucouldnotunderstandme；forwasInotpartofthatwoman？Ofherwhowastheregretandshameofyourlife？Ihadtochoose——Ihesitated。
　　Whywereyousoblind？Didyounotseemestrugglingbeforeyoureyes？But，whenhecame，alldoubtdisappeared，andIsawonlythelightoftheblueandcloudlessheaven——"
　　"Iwilltellyoutherest，"interruptedAlmayer："whenthatmancameIalsosawtheblueandthesunshineofthesky。A
　　thunderbolthasfallenfromthatsky，andsuddenlyallisstillanddarkaroundmeforever。Iwillneverforgiveyou，Nina；andto-morrowIshallforgetyou！Ishallneverforgiveyou，"herepeatedwithmechanicalobstinacywhileshesat，herheadboweddownasifafraidtolookatherfather。
　　Tohimitseemedoftheutmostimportancethatheshouldassureherofhisintentionofneverforgiving。Hewasconvincedthathisfaithinherhadbeenthefoundationofhishopes，themotiveofhiscourage，ofhisdeterminationtoliveandstruggle，andtobevictoriousforhersake。Andnowhisfaithwasgone，destroyedbyherownhands；destroyedcruelly，treacherously，inthedark；intheverymomentofsuccess。Intheutterwreckofhisaffectionsandofallhisfeelings，inthechaoticdisorderofhisthoughts，abovetheconfusedsensationofphysicalpainthatwrappedhimupinastingasofawhiplashcurlingroundhimfromhisshouldersdowntohisfeet，onlyoneidearemainedclearanddefinite——nottoforgiveher；onlyonevividdesire——toforgether。Andthismustbemadecleartoher——andtohimself——byfrequentrepetition。Thatwashisideaofhisdutytohimself——tohisrace——tohisrespectableconnections；tothewholeuniverseunsettledandshakenbythisfrightfulcatastropheofhislife。Hesawitclearlyandbelievedhewasastrongman。
　　Hehadalwayspridedhimselfuponhisunflinchingfirmness。Andyethewasafraid。Shehadbeenallinalltohim。Whatifheshouldletthememoryofhisloveforherweakenthesenseofhisdignity？Shewasaremarkablewoman；hecouldseethat；allthelatentgreatnessofhisnature——inwhichhehonestlybelieved——hadbeentransfusedintothatslight，girlishfigure。
　　Greatthingscouldbedone！Whatifheshouldsuddenlytakehertohisheart，forgethisshame，andpain，andanger，and——followher！Whatifhechangedhisheartifnothisskinandmadeherlifeeasierbetweenthetwolovesthatwouldguardherfromanymischance！Hisheartyearnedforher。Whatifheshouldsaythathisloveforherwasgreaterthan……
　　"Iwillneverforgiveyou，Nina！"heshouted，leapingupmadlyinthesuddenfearofhisdream。
　　Thiswasthelasttimeinhislifethathewasheardtoraisehisvoice。Henceforthhespokealwaysinamonotonouswhisperlikeaninstrumentofwhichallthestringsbutonearebrokeninalastringingclamourunderaheavyblow。
　　Sherosetoherfeetandlookedathim。Theveryviolenceofhiscrysoothedherinanintuitiveconvictionofhislove，andshehuggedtoherbreastthelamentableremnantsofthataffectionwiththeunscrupulousgreedinessofwomenwhoclingdesperatelytotheveryscrapsandragsoflove，anykindoflove，asathingthatofrightbelongstothemandistheverybreathoftheirlife。SheputbothherhandsonAlmayer'sshoulders，andlookingathimhalftenderly，halfplayfully，shesaid——
　　"Youspeaksobecauseyouloveme。"
　　Almayershookhishead。
　　"Yes，youdo，"sheinsistedsoftly；thenafterashortpausesheadded，"andyouwillneverforgetme。"
　　Almayershiveredslightly。Shecouldnothavesaidamorecruelthing。
　　"Hereistheboatcomingnow，"saidDain，hisarmoutstretchedtowardsablackspeckonthewaterbetweenthecoastandtheislet。
　　Theyalllookedatitandremainedstandinginsilencetillthelittlecanoecamegentlyonthebeachandamanlandedandwalkedtowardsthem。Hestoppedsomedistanceoffandhesitated。
　　"Whatnews？"askedDain。
　　"Wehavehadorderssecretlyandinthenighttotakeofffromthisisletamanandawoman。Iseethewoman。Whichofyouistheman？"
　　"Come，delightofmyeyes，"saidDaintoNina。"Nowwego，andyourvoiceshallbeformyearsonly。YouhavespokenyourlastwordstotheTuanPutih，yourfather。Come。"
　　Shehesitatedforawhile，lookingatAlmayer，whokepthiseyessteadilyonthesea，thenshetouchedhisforeheadinalingeringkiss，andatear——oneofhertears——fellonhischeekandrandownhisimmovableface。
　　"Goodbye，"shewhispered，andremainedirresolutetillhepushedhersuddenlyintoDain'sarms。
　　"Ifyouhaveanypityforme，"murmuredAlmayer，asifrepeatingsomesentencelearnedbyheart，"takethatwomanaway。"
　　Hestoodverystraight，hisshouldersthrownback，hisheadheldhigh，andlookedatthemastheywentdownthebeachtothecanoe，walkingenlacedineachother'sarms。Helookedatthelineoftheirfootstepsmarkedinthesand。Hefollowedtheirfiguresmovinginthecrudeblazeoftheverticalsun，inthatlightviolentandvibrating，likeatriumphalflourishofbrazentrumpets。Helookedattheman'sbrownshoulders，attheredsarongroundhiswaist；atthetall，slender，dazzlingwhitefigurehesupported。Helookedatthewhitedress，atthefallingmassesofthelongblackhair。Helookedatthemembarking，andatthecanoegrowingsmallerinthedistance，withrage，despair，andregretinhisheart，andonhisfaceapeaceasthatofacarvedimageofoblivion。Inwardlyhefelthimselftorntopieces，butAli——whonowaroused——stoodclosetohismaster，sawonhisfeaturestheblankexpressionofthosewholiveinthathopelesscalmwhichsightlesseyesonlycangive。
　　Thecanoedisappeared，andAlmayerstoodmotionlesswithhiseyesfixedonitswake。Alifromundertheshadeofhishandexaminedthecoastcuriously。Asthesundeclined，thesea-breezesprangupfromthenorthwardandshiveredwithitsbreaththeglassysurfaceofthewater。
　　"Dapat！"exclaimedAli，joyously。"Gothim，master！Gotprau！
　　Notthere！LookmoreTanahMirrahside。Aha！Thatway！
　　Master，see？Nowplain。See？"
　　AlmayerfollowedAli'sforefingerwithhiseyesforalongtimeinvain。AtlasthesightedatriangularpatchofyellowlightontheredbackgroundofthecliffsofTanjongMirrah。Itwasthesailoftheprauthathadcaughtthesunlightandstoodout，distinctwithitsgaytint，onthedarkredofthecape。Theyellowtrianglecreptslowlyfromclifftocliff，tillitclearedthelastpointoflandandshonebrilliantlyforafleetingminuteontheblueoftheopensea。Thentheprauboreuptothesouthward：thelightwentoutofthesail，andallatoncethevesselitselfdisappeared，vanishingintheshadowofthesteepheadlandthatlookedon，patientandlonely，watchingovertheemptysea。
　　Almayernevermoved。Roundthelittleislettheairwasfullofthetalkoftheripplingwater。Thecrestedwaveletsranupthebeachaudaciously，joyously，withthelightnessofyounglife，anddiedquickly，unresistingly，andgraciously，inthewidecurvesoftransparentfoamontheyellowsand。Above，thewhitecloudssailedrapidlysouthwardsasifintentuponovertakingsomething。Aliseemedanxious。
　　"Master，"hesaidtimidly，"timetogethousenow。Longwayofftopull。Allready，sir。"
　　"Wait，"whisperedAlmayer。
　　Nowshewasgonehisbusinesswastoforget，andhehadastrangenotionthatitshouldbedonesystematicallyandinorder。ToAli'sgreatdismayhefellonhishandsandknees，and，creepingalongthesand，erasedcarefullywithhishandalltracesofNina'sfootsteps。Hepiledupsmallheapsofsand，leavingbehindhimalineofminiaturegravesrightdowntothewater。
　　AfterburyingthelastslightimprintofNina'sslipperhestoodup，and，turninghisfacetowardstheheadlandwherehehadlastseentheprau，hemadeanefforttoshoutoutloudagainhisfirmresolvetoneverforgive。Aliwatchinghimuneasilysawonlyhislipsmove，butheardnosound。Hebroughthisfootdownwithastamp。Hewasafirmman——firmasarock。Lethergo。
　　Heneverhadadaughter。Hewouldforget。Hewasforgettingalready。
　　Aliapproachedhimagain，insistingonimmediatedeparture，andthistimeheconsented，andtheywenttogethertowardstheircanoe，Almayerleading。Forallhisfirmnesshelookedverydejectedandfeebleashedraggedhisfeetslowlythroughthesandonthebeach；andbyhisside——invisibletoAli——stalkedthatparticularfiendwhosemissionitistojogthememoriesofmen，lesttheyshouldforgetthemeaningoflife。HewhisperedintoAlmayer'searachildishprattleofmanyyearsago。
　　Almayer，hisheadbentononeside，seemedtolistentohisinvisiblecompanion，buthisfacewaslikethefaceofamanthathasdiedstruckfrombehind——afacefromwhichallfeelingsandallexpressionaresuddenlywipedoffbythehandofunexpecteddeath。
　　Theysleptontheriverthatnight，mooringtheircanoeunderthebushesandlyingdowninthebottomsidebyside，intheabsoluteexhaustionthatkillshunger，thirst，allfeelingandallthoughtintheoverpoweringdesireforthatdeepsleepwhichislikethetemporaryannihilationofthetiredbody。Nextdaytheystartedagainandfoughtdoggedlywiththecurrentallthemorning，tillaboutmiddaytheyreachedthesettlementandmadefasttheirlittlecrafttothejettyofLingardandCo。Almayerwalkedstraighttothehouse，andAlifollowed，paddlesonshoulder，thinkingthathewouldliketoeatsomething。Astheycrossedthefrontcourtyardtheynoticedtheabandonedlookoftheplace。
　　Alilookedinatthedifferentservants'houses：allwereempty。
　　Inthebackcourtyardtherewasthesameabsenceofsoundandlife。Inthecooking-shedthefirewasoutandtheblackemberswerecold。Atall，leanmancamestealthilyoutofthebananaplantation，andwentawayrapidlyacrosstheopenspacelookingatthemwithbig，frightenedeyesoverhisshoulder。Somevagabondwithoutamaster；thereweremanysuchinthesettlement，andtheylookeduponAlmayerastheirpatron。Theyprowledabouthispremisesandpickedtheirlivingthere，surethatnothingworsecouldbefallthemthanashowerofcurseswhentheygotinthewayofthewhiteman，whomtheytrustedandliked，andcalledafoolamongstthemselves。Inthehouse，whichAlmayerenteredthroughthebackverandah，theonlylivingthingthatmethiseyeswashissmallmonkeywhich，hungryandunnoticedforthelasttwodays，begantocryandcomplaininmonkeylanguageassoonasitcaughtsightofthefamiliarface。
　　AlmayersootheditwithafewwordsandorderedAlitobringinsomebananas，thenwhileAliwasgonetogetthemhestoodinthedoorwayofthefrontverandahlookingatthechaosofoverturnedfurniture。Finallyhepickedupthetableandsatonitwhilethemonkeyletitselfdownfromtheroof-stickbyitschainandperchedonhisshoulder。Whenthebananascametheyhadtheirbreakfasttogether；bothhungry，botheatinggreedilyandshoweringtheskinsroundthemrecklessly，inthetrustingsilenceofperfectfriendship。Aliwentaway，grumbling，tocooksomericehimself，forallthewomenaboutthehousehaddisappeared；hedidnotknowwhere。Almayerdidnotseemtocare，and，afterhefinishedeating，hesatonthetableswinginghislegsandstaringattheriverasiflostinthought。
　　Aftersometimehegotupandwenttothedoorofaroomontherightoftheverandah。Thatwastheoffice。TheofficeofLingardandCo。Heveryseldomwentinthere。Therewasnobusinessnow，andhedidnotwantanoffice。Thedoorwaslocked，andhestoodbitinghislowerlip，tryingtothinkoftheplacewherethekeycouldbe。Suddenlyheremembered：inthewomen'sroomhunguponanail。Hewentovertothedoorwaywheretheredcurtainhungdowninmotionlessfolds，andhesitatedforamomentbeforepushingitasidewithhisshoulderasifbreakingdownsomesolidobstacle。Agreatsquareofsunshineenteringthroughthewindowlayonthefloor。OnthelefthesawMrs。
　　Almayer'sbigwoodenchest，thelidthrownback，empty；nearitthebrassnailsofNina'sEuropeantrunkshoneinthelargeinitialsN。A。onthecover。AfewofNina'sdresseshungonwoodenpegs，stiffenedinalookofoffendeddignityattheirabandonment。Herememberedmakingthepegshimselfandnoticedthattheywereverygoodpegs。Wherewasthekey？Helookedroundandsawitnearthedoorwherehestood。Itwasredwithrust。Hefeltverymuchannoyedatthat，anddirectlyafterwardswonderedathisownfeeling。Whatdiditmatter？Theresoonwouldbenokey——nodoor——nothing！Hepaused，keyinhand，andaskedhimselfwhetherheknewwellwhathewasabout。Hewentoutagainontheverandahandstoodbythetablethinking。Themonkeyjumpeddown，and，snatchingabananaskin，absorbeditselfinpickingittoshredsindustriously。
　　"Forget！"mutteredAlmayer，andthatwordstartedbeforehimasequenceofevents，adetailedprogrammeofthingstodo。Heknewperfectlywellwhatwastobedonenow。Firstthis，thenthat，andthenforgetfulnesswouldcomeeasy。Veryeasy。
　　Hehadafixedideathatifheshouldnotforgetbeforehediedhewouldhavetoremembertoalleternity。Certainthingshadtobetakenoutofhislife，stampedoutofsight，destroyed，forgotten。Foralongtimehestoodindeepthought，lostinthealarmingpossibilitiesofunconquerablememory，withthefearofdeathandeternitybeforehim。"Eternity！"hesaidaloud，andthesoundofthatwordrecalledhimoutofhisreverie。Themonkeystarted，droppedtheskin，andgrinnedupathimamicably。
　　Hewenttowardstheofficedoorandwithsomedifficultymanagedtoopenit。Heenteredinacloudofdustthatroseunderhisfeet。
　　Booksopenwithtornpagesbestrewedthefloor；otherbookslayaboutgrimyandblack，lookingasiftheyhadneverbeenopened。
　　Accountbooks。Inthosebookshehadintendedtokeepdaybydayarecordofhisrisingfortunes。Longtimeago。Averylongtime。Formanyyearstherehasbeennorecordtokeepontheblueandredruledpages！Inthemiddleoftheroomthebigofficedesk，withoneofitslegsbroken，careenedoverlikethehullofastrandedship；mostofthedrawershadfallenout，disclosingheapsofpaperyellowwithageanddirt。Therevolvingofficechairstoodinitsplace，buthefoundthepivotsetfastwhenhetriedtoturnit。Nomatter。Hedesisted，andhiseyeswanderedslowlyfromobjecttoobject。Allthosethingshadcostalotofmoneyatthetime。Thedesk，thepaper，thetornbooks，andthebrokenshelves，allunderathickcoatofdust。Theverydustandbonesofadeadandgonebusiness。
　　Helookedatallthesethings，allthatwasleftaftersomanyyearsofwork，ofstrife，ofweariness，ofdiscouragement，conqueredsomanytimes。Andallforwhat？Hestoodthinkingmournfullyofhispastlifetillhehearddistinctlytheclearvoiceofachildspeakingamongstallthiswreck，ruin，andwaste。Hestartedwithagreatfearinhisheart，andfeverishlybegantorakeinthepapersscatteredonthefloor，brokethechairintobits，splinteredthedrawersbybangingthemagainstthedesk，andmadeabigheapofallthatrubbishinonecorneroftheroom。
　　Hecameoutquickly，slammedthedoorafterhim，turnedthekey，and，takingitout，rantothefrontrailoftheverandah，and，withagreatswingofhisarm，sentthekeywhizzingintotheriver。Thisdonehewentbackslowlytothetable，calledthemonkeydown，unhookeditschain，andinducedittoremainquietinthebreastofhisjacket。Thenhesatagainonthetableandlookedfixedlyatthedooroftheroomhehadjustleft。Helistenedalsointently。Heheardadrysoundofrustling；sharpcracksasofdrywoodsnapping；awhirrlikeofabird'swingswhenitrisessuddenly，andthenhesawathinstreamofsmokecomethroughthekeyhole。Themonkeystruggledunderhiscoat。
　　Aliappearedwithhiseyesstartingoutofhishead。
　　"Master！Houseburn！"heshouted。
　　Almayerstoodupholdingbythetable。Hecouldheartheyellsofalarmandsurpriseinthesettlement。Aliwrunghishands，lamentingaloud。
　　"Stopthisnoise，fool！"saidAlmayer，quietly。"Pickupmyhammockandblanketsandtakethemtotheotherhouse。Quick，now！"
　　Thesmokeburstthroughthecrevicesofthedoor，andAli，withthehammockinhisarms，clearedinoneboundthestepsoftheverandah。
　　"Ithascaughtwell，"mutteredAlmayertohimself。"Bequiet，Jack，"headded，asthemonkeymadeafranticefforttoescapefromitsconfinement。
　　Thedoorsplitfromtoptobottom，andarushofflameandsmokedroveAlmayerawayfromthetabletothefrontrailoftheverandah。Heheldontheretillagreatroaroverheadassuredhimthattheroofwasablaze。Thenherandownthestepsoftheverandah，coughing，halfchokedwiththesmokethatpursuedhiminbluishwreathscurlingabouthishead。
　　Ontheothersideoftheditch，separatingAlmayer'scourtyardfromthesettlement，acrowdoftheinhabitantsofSambirlookedattheburninghouseofthewhiteman。Inthecalmairtheflamesrusheduponhigh，colouredpalebrick-red，withvioletgleamsinthestrongsunshine。Thethincolumnofsmokeascendedstraightandunwaveringtillitlostitselfintheclearblueofthesky，and，inthegreatemptyspacebetweenthetwohousestheinterestedspectatorscouldseethetallfigureoftheTuanPutih，withbowedheadanddraggingfeet，walkingslowlyawayfromthefiretowardstheshelterof"Almayer'sFolly。"
　　InthatmannerdidAlmayermoveintohisnewhouse。Hetookpossessionofthenewruin，andintheundyingfollyofhisheartsethimselftowaitinanxietyandpainforthatforgetfulnesswhichwassoslowtocome。Hehaddoneallhecould。EveryvestigeofNina'sexistencehadbeendestroyed；andnowwitheverysunriseheaskedhimselfwhetherthelonged-foroblivionwouldcomebeforesunset，whetheritwouldcomebeforehedied？
　　Hewantedtoliveonlylongenoughtobeabletoforget，andthetenacityofhismemoryfilledhimwithdreadandhorrorofdeath；
　　forshoulditcomebeforehecouldaccomplishthepurposeofhislifehewouldhavetorememberforever！Healsolongedforloneliness。Hewantedtobealone。Buthewasnot。
　　Inthedimlightoftheroomswiththeirclosedshutters，inthebrightsunshineoftheverandah，whereverhewent，whicheverwayheturned，hesawthesmallfigureofalittlemaidenwithprettyoliveface，withlongblackhair，herlittlepinkrobeslippingoffhershoulders，herbigeyeslookingupathiminthetendertrustfulnessofapettedchild。Alididnotseeanything，buthealsowasawareofthepresenceofachildinthehouse。InhislongtalksbytheeveningfiresofthesettlementheusedtotellhisintimatefriendsofAlmayer'sstrangedoings。Hismasterhadturnedsorcererinhisoldage。AlisaidthatoftenwhenTuanPutihhadretiredforthenighthecouldhearhimtalkingtosomethinginhisroom。Alithoughtthatitwasaspiritintheshapeofachild。Heknewhismasterspoketoachildfromcertainexpressionsandwordshismasterused。HismasterspokeinMalayalittle，butmostlyinEnglish，whichhe，Ali，couldunderstand。Masterspoketothechildattimestenderly，thenhewouldweepoverit，laughatit，scoldit，begofittogoaway；
　　curseit。Itwasabadandstubbornspirit。Alithoughthismasterhadimprudentlycalleditup，andnowcouldnotgetridofit。Hismasterwasverybrave；hewasnotafraidtocursethisspiritintheveryPresence；andoncehefoughtwithit。Alihadheardagreatnoiseasofrunningaboutinsidetheroomandgroans。Hismastergroaned。Spiritsdonotgroan。
　　Hismasterwasbrave，butfoolish。Youcannothurtaspirit。Aliexpectedtofindhismasterdeadnextmorning，buthecameoutveryearly，lookingmucholderthanthedaybefore，andhadnofoodallday。
　　SofarAlitothesettlement。ToCaptainFordhewasmuchmorecommunicative，forthegoodreasonthatCaptainFordhadthepurseandgaveorders。OneachofFord'smonthlyvisitstoSambirAlihadtogoonboardwithareportabouttheinhabitantof"Almayer'sFolly。"OnhisfirstvisittoSambir，afterNina'sdeparture，FordhadtakenchargeofAlmayer'saffairs。Theywerenotcumbersome。Theshedforthestorageofgoodswasempty，theboatshaddisappeared，appropriated——generallyinnight-time——byvariouscitizensofSambirinneedofmeansoftransport。DuringagreatfloodthejettyofLingardandCo。leftthebankandfloateddowntheriver，probablyinsearchofmorecheerfulsurroundings；eventheflockofgeese——"theonlygeeseontheeastcoast"——departedsomewhere，preferringtheunknowndangersofthebushtothedesolationoftheiroldhome。Astimewentonthegrassgrewovertheblackpatchofgroundwheretheoldhouseusedtostand，andnothingremainedtomarktheplaceofthedwellingthathadshelteredAlmayer'syounghopes，hisfoolishdreamofsplendidfuture，hisawakening，andhisdespair。
　　ForddidnotoftenvisitAlmayer，forvisitingAlmayerwasnotapleasanttask。Atfirstheusedtorespondlistlesslytotheoldseaman'sboisterousinquiriesabouthishealth；heevenmadeeffortstotalk，askingfornewsinavoicethatmadeitperfectlyclearthatnonewsfromthisworldhadanyinterestforhim。Thengraduallyhebecamemoresilent——notsulkily——butasifhewasforgettinghowtospeak。Heusedalsotohideinthedarkestroomsofthehouse，whereFordhadtoseekhimoutguidedbythepatterofthemonkeygallopingbeforehim。ThemonkeywasalwaystheretoreceiveandintroduceFord。Thelittleanimalseemedtohavetakencompletechargeofitsmaster，andwheneveritwishedforhispresenceontheverandahitwouldtugperseveringlyathisjacket，tillAlmayerobedientlycameoutintothesunshine，whichheseemedtodislikesomuch。
　　OnemorningFordfoundhimsittingontheflooroftheverandah，hisbackagainstthewall，hislegsstretchedstifflyout，hisarmshangingbyhisside。Hisexpressionlessface，hiseyesopenwidewithimmobilepupils，andtherigidityofhispose，madehimlooklikeanimmenseman-dollbrokenandflungthereoutoftheway。AsFordcameupthestepsheturnedhisheadslowly。
　　"Ford，"hemurmuredfromthefloor，"Icannotforget。"
　　"Can'tyou？"saidFord，innocently，withanattemptatjoviality：
　　"IwishIwaslikeyou。Iamlosingmymemory——age，Isuppose；
　　onlytheotherdaymymate——"
　　Hestopped，forAlmayerhadgotup，stumbled，andsteadiedhimselfonhisfriend'sarm。
　　"Hallo！Youarebetterto-day。Soonbeallright，"saidFord，cheerfully，butfeelingratherscared。
　　Almayerletgohisarmandstoodverystraightwithhisheadupandshouldersthrownback，lookingstonilyatthemultitudeofsunsshininginripplesoftheriver。Hisjacketandhisloosetrousersflappedinthebreezeonhisthinlimbs。
　　"Lethergo！"hewhisperedinagratingvoice。"Lethergo。
　　To-
　　morrowIshallforget。Iamafirmman，……firmasa……
　　rock，……firm……"
　　Fordlookedathisface——andfled。Theskipperwasatolerablyfirmmanhimself——asthosewhohadsailedwithhimcouldtestify——
　　butAlmayer'sfirmnesswasaltogethertoomuchforhisfortitude。
　　NexttimethesteamercalledinSambirAlicameonboardearlywithagrievance。HecomplainedtoFordthatJim-EngtheChinamanhadinvadedAlmayer'shouse，andactuallyhadlivedthereforthelastmonth。
　　"Andtheybothsmoke，"addedAli。
　　"Phew！Opium，youmean？"
　　Alinodded，andFordremainedthoughtful；thenhemutteredtohimself，"Poordevil！Thesoonerthebetternow。"Intheafternoonhewalkeduptothehouse。
　　"Whatareyoudoinghere？"heaskedofJim-Eng，whomhefoundstrollingaboutontheverandah。
　　Jim-EngexplainedinbadMalay，andspeakinginthatmonotonous，uninterestedvoiceofanopiumsmokerprettyfargone，thathishousewasold，theroofleaked，andthefloorwasrotten。So，beinganoldfriendformany，manyyears，hetookhismoney，hisopium，andtwopipes，andcametoliveinthisbighouse。
　　"Thereisplentyofroom。Hesmokes，andIlivehere。Hewillnotsmokelong，"heconcluded。
　　"Whereishenow？"askedFord。
　　"Inside。Hesleeps，"answeredJim-Eng，wearily。Fordglancedinthroughthedoorway。InthedimlightoftheroomhecouldseeAlmayerlyingonhisbackonthefloor，hisheadonawoodenpillow，thelongwhitebeardscatteredoverhisbreast，theyellowskinoftheface，thehalf-closedeyelidsshowingthewhitesoftheeyeonly……
　　Heshudderedandturnedaway。Ashewasleavinghenoticedalongstripoffadedredsilk，withsomeChineselettersonit，whichJim-Enghadjustfastenedtooneofthepillars。
　　"What'sthat？"heasked。
　　"That，"saidJim-Eng，inhiscolourlessvoice，"thatisthenameofthehouse。Allthesamelikemyhouse。Verygoodname。"
　　Fordlookedathimforawhileandwentaway。Hedidnotknowwhatthecrazy-lookingmazeoftheChineseinscriptionontheredsilkmeant。HadheaskedJim-Eng，thatpatientChinamanwouldhaveinformedhimwithproperpridethatitsmeaningwas："Houseofheavenlydelight。"
　　IntheeveningofthesamedayBabalatchicalledonCaptainFord。
　　Thecaptain'scabinopenedondeck，andBabalatchisatastrideonthehighstep，whileFordsmokedhispipeonthesetteeinside。
　　Thesteamerwasleavingnextmorning，andtheoldstatesmancameasusualforalastchat。
　　"WehadnewsfromBalilastmoon，"remarkedBabalatchi。"A
　　grandsonisborntotheoldRajah，andthereisgreatrejoicing。"
　　Fordsatupinterested。
　　"Yes，"wentonBabalatchi，inanswertoFord'slook。"Itoldhim。Thatwasbeforehebegantosmoke。"
　　"Well，andwhat？"askedFord。
　　"Iescapedwithmylife，"saidBabalatchi，withperfectgravity，"becausethewhitemanisveryweakandfellasherusheduponme。"Then，afterapause，headded，"Sheismadwithjoy。"
　　"Mrs。Almayer，youmean？"
　　"Yes，shelivesinourRajah'shouse。Shewillnotdiesoon。
　　Suchwomenlivealongtime，"saidBabalatchi，withaslighttingeofregretinhisvoice。"Shehasdollars，andshehasburiedthem，butweknowwhere。Wehadmuchtroublewiththosepeople。Wehadtopayafineandlistentothreatsfromthewhitemen，andnowwehavetobecareful。"Hesighedandremainedsilentforalongwhile。Thenwithenergy：
　　"Therewillbefighting。Thereisabreathofwarontheislands。ShallIlivelongenoughtosee？……Ah，Tuan！"hewenton，morequietly，"theoldtimeswerebest。EvenIhavesailedwithLanunmen，andboardedinthenightsilentshipswithwhitesails。ThatwasbeforeanEnglishRajahruledinKuching。
　　Thenwefoughtamongstourselvesandwerehappy。Nowwhenwefightwithyouwecanonlydie！"
　　Herosetogo。"Tuan，"hesaid，"yourememberthegirlthatmanBulangihad？Herthatcausedallthetrouble？"
　　"Yes，"saidFord。"Whatofher？"
　　"Shegrewthinandcouldnotwork。ThenBulangi，whoisathiefandapig-eater，gavehertomeforfiftydollars。Isentheramongstmywomentogrowfat。Iwantedtohearthesoundofherlaughter，butshemusthavebeenbewitched，and……shediedtwodaysago。Nay，Tuan。Whydoyouspeakbadwords？
　　Iamold——thatistrue——butwhyshouldInotlikethesightofayoungfaceandthesoundofayoungvoiceinmyhouse？"Hepaused，andthenaddedwithalittlemournfullaugh，"Iamlikeawhitemantalkingtoomuchofwhatisnotmen'stalkwhentheyspeaktooneanother。"
　　Andhewentofflookingverysad。
　　Thecrowdmassedinasemicirclebeforethestepsof"Almayer'sFolly，"swayedsilentlybackwardsandforwards，andopenedoutbeforethegroupofwhite-robedandturbanedmenadvancingthroughthegrasstowardsthehouse。Abdullawalkedfirst，supportedbyReshidandfollowedbyalltheArabsinSambir。Astheyenteredthelanemadebytherespectfulthrongtherewasasubduedmurmurofvoices，wheretheword"Mati"wastheonlyonedistinctlyaudible。Abdullastoppedandlookedroundslowly。
　　"Ishedead？"heasked。
　　"Mayyoulive！"answeredthecrowdinoneshout，andthentheresucceededabreathlesssilence。
　　Abdullamadeafewpacesforwardandfoundhimselfforthelasttimefacetofacewithhisoldenemy。Whateverhemighthavebeenoncehewasnotdangerousnow，lyingstiffandlifelessinthetenderlightoftheearlyday。Theonlywhitemanontheeastcoastwasdead，andhissoul，deliveredfromthetrammelsofhisearthlyfolly，stoodnowinthepresenceofInfiniteWisdom。
　　Ontheupturnedfacetherewasthatserenelookwhichfollowsthesuddenrelieffromanguishandpain，andittestifiedsilentlybeforethecloudlessheaventhatthemanlyingthereunderthegazeofindifferenteyeshadbeenpermittedtoforgetbeforehedied。
　　AbdullalookeddownsadlyatthisInfidelhehadfoughtsolongandhadbestedsomanytimes。SuchwastherewardoftheFaithful！
　　YetintheArab'soldhearttherewasafeelingofregretforthatthinggoneoutofhislife。Hewasleavingfastbehindhimfriendships，andenmities，successes，anddisappointments——allthatmakesupalife；andbeforehimwasonlytheend。PrayerwouldfilluptheremainderofthedaysallottedtotheTrueBeliever！Hetookinhishandthebeadsthathungathiswaist。
　　"Ifoundhimhere，likethis，inthemorning，"saidAli，inalowandawedvoice。
　　Abdullaglancedcoldlyoncemoreatthesereneface。
　　"Letusgo，"hesaid，addressingReshid。
　　Andastheypassedthroughthecrowdthatfellbackbeforethem，thebeadsinAbdulla'shandclicked，whileinasolemnwhisperhebreathedoutpiouslythenameofAllah！TheMerciful！TheCompassionate！