"Iamstupid，"whisperedMrs。Traverstoherself，withacompleteandreassuringconviction。Yetshewaitedmotionlesstillthefootstepsofthetwomenstoppedoutsidethedeckhouse，thenseparatedanddiedaway，beforeshewentoutondeck。Shecameoutondecksometimeafterherhusband。Asifinintendedcontrasttotheconflictsofmenagreataspectofserenitylayuponallvisiblethings。Mr。TravershadgoneinsidetheCageinwhichhereallylookedlikeacaptiveandthoroughlyoutofplace。D’Alcacerhadgoneinthere，too，buthepreserved——orwasitanillusion？——anairofindependence。Itwasnotthatheputiton。LikeMr。Travershesatinawickerarmchairinverymuchthesameattitudeastheothergentlemanandalsosilent；buttherewassomewhereasubtledifferencewhichdidawaywiththenotionofcaptivity。Moreover，d’Alcacerhadthatpeculiargiftofneverlookingoutofplaceinanysurroundings。Mrs。Travers，inordertosaveherEuropeanbootsforactiveservice，hadbeenpersuadedtouseapairofleathersandalsalsoextractedfromthatseaman’schestinthedeckhouse。Anadditionalfasteninghadbeenputonthembutshecouldnotavoidmakingadelicateclatterasshewalkedonthedeck。Nopartofhercostumemadeherfeelsoexotic。Italsoforcedhertoalterherusualgaitandmovewithquick，shortstepsverymuchlikeImmada。
　　"Iamrobbingthegirlofherclothes，"shehadthoughttoherself，"besidesotherthings。"Sheknewbythistimethatagirlofsuchhighrankwouldneverdreamofwearinganythingthathadbeenwornbysomebodyelse。
　　AttheslightnoiseofMrs。Travers’sandalsd’Alcacerlookedoverthebackofhischair。ButheturnedhisheadawayatonceandMrs。Travers，leaningherelbowontherailandrestingherheadonthepalmofherhand，lookedacrossthecalmsurfaceofthelagoon，idly。
　　ShewasturningherbackontheCage，thefore—partofthedeckandtheedgeofthenearestforest。Thatgreaterectionofenormoussolidtrunks，dark，ruggedcolumnsfestoonedwithwrithingcreepersandsteepedingloom，wassoclosetothebankthatbylookingoverthesideoftheshipshecouldseeinvertedintheglassybeltofwateritsmassiveandblackreflectiononthereflectedskythatgavetheimpressionofaclearblueabyssseenthroughatransparentfilm。Andwhensheraisedhereyesthesameabysmalimmobilityseemedtoreignoverthewholesun—bathedenlargementofthatlagoonwhichwasoneofthesecretplacesoftheearth。Shefeltstronglyherisolation。Shewassomuchtheonlybeingofherkindmovingwithinthismysterythateventoherselfshelookedlikeanapparitionwithoutrightsandwithoutdefenceandthatmustendbysurrenderingtothoseforceswhichseemedtoherbuttheexpressionoftheunconsciousgeniusoftheplace。Herswasthemostcompleteloneliness，chargedwithacatastrophictension。Itlayaboutherasthoughshehadbeensetapartwithinamagiccircle。Itcutoff——butitdidnotprotect。
　　Thefootstepsthatsheknewhowtodistinguishaboveallothersonthatdeckwereheardsuddenlybehindher。Shedidnotturnherhead。
　　Sincethatafternoonwhenthegentlemen，asLingardcalledthem，hadbeenbroughtonboard，Mrs。TraversandLingardhadnotexchangedonesignificantword。
　　WhenLingardhaddecidedtoproceedbywayofnegotiationshehadaskedhimonwhathebasedhishopeofsuccess；andhehadansweredher："Onmyluck。"Whathereallydependedonwashisprestige；butevenifhehadbeenawareofsuchawordhewouldnothaveusedit，sinceitwouldhavesoundedlikeaboast。And，besides，hedidreallybelieveinhisluck。Nobody，eitherwhiteorbrown，hadeverdoubtedhiswordandthat，ofcourse，gavehimgreatassuranceinenteringuponthenegotiation。Buttheultimateissueofitwouldbealwaysamatterofluck。HesaidsodistinctlytoMrs。Traversatthemomentoftakingleaveofher，withJorgensonalreadywaitingforhimintheboatthatwastotakethemacrossthelagoontoBelarab’sstockade。
　　Startledbyhisdecision（forithadcomesuddenlyclinchedbythewords"IbelieveIcandoit"），Mrs。Travershaddroppedherhandintohisstrongopenpalmonwhichanexpertinpalmistrycouldhavedistinguishedotherlinesthanthelineofluck。
　　Lingard’shandclosedonherswithagentlepressure。Shelookedathim，speechless。Hewaitedforamoment，theninanunconsciouslytendervoicehesaid："Well，wishmeluckthen。"
　　Sheremainedsilent。Andhestillholdingherhandlookedsurprisedatherhesitation。Itseemedtoherthatshecouldnotlethimgo，andshedidn’tknowwhattosaytillitoccurredtohertomakeuseofthepowersheknewshehadoverhim。Shewouldtryitagain。"Iamcomingwithyou，"shedeclaredwithdecision。
　　"Youdon’tsupposeIcouldremainhereinsuspenseforhours，perhaps。"
　　Hedroppedherhandsuddenlyasifithadburnthim——"Oh，yes，ofcourse，"hemumbledwithanairofconfusion。Oneofthemenovertherewasherhusband！Andnothinglesscouldbeexpectedfromsuchawoman。Hehadreallynothingtosaybutshethoughthehesitated。——"Doyouthinkmypresencewouldspoileverything？I
　　assureyouIamaluckyperson，too，inaway……Asluckyasyou，atleast，"shehadaddedinamurmurandwithasmilewhichprovokedhisresponsivemutter——"Oh，yes，wearealuckypairofpeople。"——"Icountmyselfluckyinhavingfoundamanlikeyoutofightmy——ourbattles，"shesaid，warmly。"Supposeyouhadnotexisted？……Youmustletmecomewithyou！"Forthesecondtimebeforeherexpressedwishtostandbyhissidehebowedhishead。Afterall，ifthingscametotheworst，shewouldbeassafebetweenhimandJorgensonasleftaloneonboardtheEmmawithafewMalayspearmenforalldefence。ForamomentLingardthoughtofpickingupthepistolshehadtakenoutofhisbeltpreparatorytojoiningJorgensonintheboat，thinkingitwouldbebettertogotoabigtalkcompletelyunarmed。Theywerelyingontherailbuthedidn’tpickthemup。Fourshotsdidn’tmatter。
　　Theycouldnotmatteriftheworldofhiscreationweretogotopieces。HesaidnothingofthattoMrs。Traversbutbusiedhimselfingivingherthemeanstoalterherpersonalappearance。
　　Itwasthenthatthesea—chestinthedeckhousewasopenedforthefirsttimebeforetheinterestedMrs。Traverswhohadfollowedhiminside。LingardhandedtoheraMalaywoman’slightcottoncoatwithjewelledclaspstoputoverherEuropeandress。
　　Itcoveredhalfofheryachtingskirt。Mrs。Traversobeyedhimwithoutcomment。Hepulledoutalongandwidescarfofwhitesilkembroideredheavilyontheedgesandends，andbeggedhertoputitoverherheadandarrangetheendssoastomuffleherface，leavinglittlemorethanhereyesexposedtoview。——"WearegoingamongstalotofMohammedans，"heexplained。——"Isee。Youwantmetolookrespectable，"shejested。——"Iassureyou，Mrs。
　　Travers，"heprotested，earnestly，"thatmostofthepeoplethereandcertainlyallthegreatmenhaveneverseenawhitewomanintheirlives。Butperhapsyouwouldlikebetteroneofthoseotherscarves？Therearethreeinthere。"——"No，Ilikethisonewellenough。Theyareallverygorgeous。IseethatthePrincessistobesentbacktoherlandwithallpossiblesplendour。Whatathoughtfulmanyouare，CaptainLingard。Thatchildwillbetouchedbyyourgenerosity……WillIdolikethis？"
　　"Yes，"saidLingard，avertinghiseyes。Mrs。TraversfollowedhimintotheboatwheretheMalaysstaredinsilencewhileJorgenson，stiffandangular，gavenosignoflife，notevensomuchasamovementoftheeyes。Lingardsettledherinthesternsheetsandsatdownbyherside。Theardentsunshinedevouredallcolours。
　　Theboatswamforwardontheglareheadingforthestripofcoralbeachdazzlinglikeacrescentofmetalraisedtoawhiteheat。
　　Theylanded。Gravely，JorgensonopenedaboveMrs。Travers’headabigwhitecottonparasolandsheadvancedbetweenthetwomen，dazed，asifinadreamandhavingnoothercontactwiththeearthbutthroughthesolesofherfeet。Everythingwasstill，empty，incandescent，andfantastic。Thenwhenthegateofthestockadewasthrownopensheperceivedanexpectantandstillmultitudeofbronzefiguresdrapedincolouredstuffs。Theycrowdedthepatchesofshadeunderthethreeloftyforesttreesleftwithintheenclosurebetweenthesun—smittenemptyspacesofhard—bakedground。Thebroadbladesofthespearsdecoratedwithcrimsontuftsofhorsehairhadacoolgleamundertheoutspreadboughs。Totheleftagroupofbuildingsonpileswithlongverandahsandimmenseroofstoweredhighintheairabovetheheadsofthecrowd，andseemedtofloatintheglare，lookingmuchlesssubstantialthantheirheavyshadows。Lingard，pointingtooneofthesmallest，saidinanundertone，"IlivedthereforafortnightwhenIfirstcametoseeBelarab"；andMrs。Traversfeltmorethaneverasifwalkinginadreamwhensheperceivedbeyondtherailsofitsverandahandvisiblefromheadtofoottwofiguresinanarmourofchainmailwithpointedsteelhelmetscrestedwithwhiteandblackfeathersandguardingthecloseddoor。Ahighbenchdrapedinturkeyclothstoodinanopenspaceofthegreataudienceshed。Lingardledheruptoit，Jorgensononherothersideclosedtheparasolcalmly，andwhenshesatdownbetweenthemthewholethrongbeforehereyessanktothegroundwithoneaccorddisclosinginthedistanceofthecourtyardalonelyfigureleaningagainstthesmoothtrunkofatree。Awhiteclothwasfastenedroundhisheadbyayellowcord。
　　Itspointedendsfellonhisshoulders，framingathindarkfacewithlargeeyes，asilkcloakstripedblackandwhitefelltohisfeet，andinthedistancehelookedaloofandmysteriousinhiserectandcarelessattitudesuggestingassuranceandpower。
　　Lingard，bendingslightly，whisperedintoMrs。Travers’earthatthatman，apartanddominatingthescene，wasDaman，thesupremeleaderoftheIllanuns，theonewhohadorderedthecaptureofthosegentlemeninorderperhapstoforcehishand。Thetwobarbarous，half—nakedfigurescoveredwithornamentsandcharms，squattingathisfeetwiththeirheadsenfoldedincrimsonandgoldhandkerchiefsandwithstraightswordslyingacrosstheirknees，werethePangeranswhocarriedouttheorder，andhadbroughtthecaptivesintothelagoon。ButthetwomeninchainarmouronwatchoutsidethedoorofthesmallhousewereBelarab’stwoparticularbody—guards，whogotthemselvesupinthatwayonlyonverygreatoccasions。TheyweretheoutwardandvisiblesignthattheprisonerswereinBelarab’skeeping，andthiswasgood，sofar。ThepitywasthattheGreatChiefhimselfwasnotthere。ThenLingardassumedaformalposeandMrs。
　　Traversstaredintothegreatcourtyardandwithrowsandrowsoffacesrangedonthegroundatherfeetfeltalittlegiddyforamoment。
　　Everymovementhaddiedinthecrowd。Eventheeyeswerestillunderthevariegatedmassofcolouredheadkerchiefs：whilebeyondtheopengateanoblepalmtreelookedintenselyblackagainsttheglitterofthelagoonandthepaleincandescenceofthesky。
　　Mrs。TraversgazingthatwaywonderedattheabsenceofHassimandImmada。ButthegirlmighthavebeensomewherewithinoneofthehouseswiththeladiesofBelarab’sstockade。ThensuddenlyMrs。Traversbecameawarethatanotherbenchhadbeenbroughtoutandwasalreadyoccupiedbyfivemendressedingorgeoussilks，andembroideredvelvets，round—facedandgrave。Theirhandsreposedontheirknees；butoneamongstthemcladinawhiterobeandwithalargenearlyblackturbanonhisheadleanedforwardalittlewithhischininhishand。Hischeeksweresunkenandhiseyesremainedfixedonthegroundasiftoavoidlookingattheinfidelwoman。
　　Shebecameawaresuddenlyofasoftmurmur，andglancingatLingardshesawhiminanattitudeofimpassiveattention。Themomentousnegotiationshadbegun，anditwentonlikethisinlowundertoneswithlongpausesandintheimmobilityofalltheattendantssquattingontheground，withthedistantfigureofDamanfaroffintheshadetoweringoveralltheassembly。Butinhim，too，Mrs。Traverscouldnotdetecttheslightestmovementwhiletheslightlymodulatedmurmurswentonenvelopingherinafeelingofpeace。
　　Thefactthatshecouldn’tunderstandanythingofwhatwassaidsoothedherapprehensions。SometimesasilencefellandLingardbendingtowardherwouldwhisper，"Itisn’tsoeasy，"andthestillnesswouldbesoperfectthatshewouldheartheflutterofapigeon’swingsomewherehighupinthegreatovershadowingtrees。Andsuddenlyoneofthemenbeforeherwithoutmovingalimbwouldbeginanotherspeechrenderedmoremysteriousstillbythetotalabsenceofactionorplayoffeature。OnlythewatchfulnessoftheeyeswhichshowedthatthespeakerwasnotcommuningwithhimselfmadeitclearthatthiswasnotaspokenmeditationbutaflowofargumentdirectedtoLingardwhonowandthenutteredafewwordseitherwithagraveorasmilingexpression。Theywerealwaysfollowedbymurmurswhichseemedmostlytohertoconveyassent；andthenareflectivesilencewouldreignagainandtheimmobilityofthecrowdwouldappearmoreperfectthanbefore。
　　WhenLingardwhisperedtoherthatitwasnowhisturntomakeaspeechMrs。Traversexpectedhimtogetupandasserthimselfbysomecommandinggesture。Buthedidnot。Heremainedseated，onlyhisvoicehadavibratingqualitythoughheobviouslytriedtorestrainit，andittravelledmasterfullyfarintothesilence。
　　Hespokeforalongtimewhilethesunclimbingtheunstainedskyshiftedthediminishedshadowsofthetrees，pouringontheheadsofmenitsheatthroughthethickandmotionlessfoliage。
　　Whenevermurmursarosehewouldstopandglancingfearlesslyattheassembly，waittilltheysubsided。Onceortwice，theyrosetoaloudhumandMrs。TraverscouldhearontheothersideofherJorgensonmutteringsomethinginhismoustache。BeyondtherowsofheadsDamanunderthetreehadfoldedhisarmsonhisbreast。TheedgeofthewhiteclothconcealedhisforeheadandathisfeetthetwoIllanunchiefs，halfnakedandbedeckedwithcharmsandornamentsofbrightfeathers，ofshells，withnecklacesofteeth，claws，andshiningbeads，remainedcross—leggedwiththeirswordsacrosstheirkneesliketwobronzeidols。Eventheplumesoftheirhead—dressesstirrednot。
　　"Sudah！Itisfinished！"Amovementpassedalongalltheheads，theseatedbodiesswayedtoandfro。Lingardhadceasedspeaking。
　　HeremainedseatedforamomentlookinghisaudiencealloverandwhenhestooduptogetherwithMrs。TraversandJorgensonthewholeassemblyrosefromthegroundtogetherandlostitsorderedformation。SomeofBelarab’sretainers，youngbroad—facedfellows，wearingasortofuniformofcheck—patternedsarongs，blacksilkjacketsandcrimsonskull—capssetatarakishangle，swaggeredthroughthebrokengroupsandrangedthemselvesintworowsbeforethemotionlessDamanandhisIllanunchiefsinmartialarray。Themembersofthecouncilwhohadlefttheirbenchapproachedthewhitepeoplewithgentlesmilesanddeferentialmovementsofthehands。Theirbearingwasfaintlypropitiatory；onlythemaninthebigturbanremainedfanaticallyaloof，keepinghiseyesfixedontheground。
　　"Ihavedoneit，"murmuredLingardtoMrs。Travers。——"Wasitverydifficult？"sheasked。——"No，"hesaid，consciousinhisheartthathehadstrainedtothefullestextenttheprestigeofhisgoodnameandthathabitofdeferencetohisslightestwishestablishedbytheglamourofhiswealthandthefearofhispersonalityinthisgreattalkwhichafterallhaddonenothingexceptputoffthedecisivehour。HeofferedMrs。Travershisarmreadytoleadheraway，butatthelastmomentdidnotmove。
　　WithanauthoritativegestureDamanhadpartedtheranksofBelarab’syoungfollowerswiththeredskullcapsandwasseenadvancingtowardthewhitesstrikingintoanastonishedsilenceallthescatteredgroupsinthecourtyard。Butthebrokenrankshadclosedbehindhim。TheIllanunchiefs，foralltheirtruculentaspect，weremuchtooprudenttoattempttomove。TheyhadnotneededforthatthefaintwarningmurmurfromDaman。Headvancedalone。Theplainhiltofaswordprotrudedfromtheopenedgesofhiscloak。Thepartededgesdisclosedalsothebuttsoftwoflintlockpistols。TheKoraninavelvetcasehungonhisbreastbyaredcordofsilk。Hewaspious，magnificent，andwarlike，withcalmmovementsandastraightglancefromunderthehemofthesimplepieceoflinencoveringhishead。Hecarriedhimselfrigidlyandhisbearinghadasortofsolemnmodesty。
　　LingardsaidhurriedlytoMrs。Traversthatthemanhadmetwhitepeoplebeforeandthat，shouldheattempttoshakehandswithher，sheoughttoofferherowncoveredwiththeendofherscarf。——"Why？"sheasked。"Propriety？"——"Yes，itwillbebetter，"
　　saidLingardandthenextmomentMrs。TraversfeltherenvelopedhandpressedgentlybyslenderdarkfingersandfeltextremelyOrientalherselfwhen，withherfacemuffledtotheeyes，sheencounteredthelustrousblackstareofthesea—robbers’leader。
　　Itwasonlyforaninstant，becauseDamanturnedawayatoncetoshakehandswithLingard。Inthestraight，amplefoldsofhisrobeshelookedveryslenderfacingtherobustwhiteman。
　　"Greatisyourpower，"hesaid，inapleasantvoice。"Thewhitemenaregoingtobedeliveredtoyou。"
　　"Yes，theypassintomykeeping，"saidLingard，returningtheother’sbrightsmilebutotherwiselookinggrimenoughwiththefrownwhichhadsettledonhisforeheadatDaman’sapproach。Heglancedoverhisshoulderatagroupofspearmenescortingthetwocaptiveswhohadcomedownthestepsfromthehut。AtthesightofDamanbarringasitwereLingard’swaytheyhadstoppedatsomedistanceandhadclosedroundthetwowhitemen。Damanalsoglanceddispassionatelythatway。
　　"Theyweremyguests，"hemurmured。"PleaseGodIshallcomesoontoaskyouforthem……asafriend，"headdedafteraslightpause。
　　"AndpleaseGodyouwillnotgoawayemptyhanded，"saidLingard，smoothinghisbrow。"AfterallyouandIwerenotmeanttomeetonlytoquarrel。WouldyouhavepreferredtoseethempassintoTengga’skeeping？"
　　"Tenggaisfatandfullofwiles，"saidDaman，disdainfully，"amereshopkeepersmittenbyadesiretobeachief。Heisnothing。
　　ButyouandIarementhathaverealpower。YetthereisatruththatyouandIcanconfesstoeachother。Men’sheartsgrowquicklydiscontented。Listen。Theleadersofmenarecarriedforwardinthehandsoftheirfollowers；andcommonmen’smindsareunsteady，theirdesireschangeable，andtheirthoughtsnottobetrusted。Youareagreatchieftheysay。DonotforgetthatI
　　amachief，too，andaleaderofarmedmen。"
　　"Ihaveheardofyou，too，"saidLingardinacomposedvoice。
　　Damanhadcasthiseyesdown。SuddenlyheopenedthemverywidewithaneffectthatstartledMrs。Travers。——"Yes。Butdoyousee？"Mrs。Travers，herhandrestinglightlyonLingard’sarm，hadthesensationofactinginagorgeouslygotupplayonthebrilliantlylightedstageofanexoticoperawhoseaccompanimentwasnotmusicbutthevariedstrainsoftheall—pervadingsilence。——"Yes，Isee，"Lingardrepliedwithasurprisinglyconfidentialintonation。"Butpower，too，isinthehandsofagreatleader。"
　　Mrs。TraverswatchedthefaintmovementsofDaman’snostrilsasthoughthemanweresufferingfromsomepowerfulemotion，whileunderherfingersLingard’sforearminitswhitesleevewasassteadyasalimbofmarble。Withoutlookingathimsheseemedtofeelthatwithonemovementhecouldcrushthatnervousfigureinwhichlivedthebreathofthegreatdeserthauntedbyhisnomad，camel—ridingancestors。——"PowerisinthehandofGod，"hesaid，allanimationdyingoutofhisface，andpausedtowaitforLingard’s"Verytrue，"thencontinuedwithafinesmile，"butHeapportionsitaccordingtoHiswillforHisownpurposes，eventothosethatarenotoftheFaith。"
　　"SuchbeingthewillofGodyoushouldharbournobitternessagainsttheminyourheart。"
　　Thelowexclamation，"Againstthose！"andaslightdismissinggestureofameagredarkhandoutofthefoldsofthecloakwerealmostunderstandabletoMrs。Traversintheperfectionoftheirmelancholycontempt，andgaveLingardafurtherinsightintothecharacteroftheallysecuredtohimbythediplomacyofBelarab。
　　Hewasonlyhalfreassuredbythisassumptionofsuperiordetachment。Hetrustedtotheman’sself—interestmore；forDamannodoubtlookedtothereconqueredkingdomfortherewardofdignityandease。Hisfatherandgrandfather（themenofwhomJorgensonhadwrittenashavingbeenhangedforanexampletwelveyearsbefore）hadbeenfriendsofSultans，advisersofRulers，wealthyfinanciersofthegreatraidingexpeditionsofthepast。
　　ItwashatredthathadturnedDamanintoaself—madeoutcast，tillBelarab’sdiplomacyhaddrawnhimoutfromsomeobscureanduneasyretreat。
　　InafewwordsLingardassuredDamanofthecompletesafetyofhisfollowersaslongastheythemselvesmadenoattempttogetpossessionofthestrandedyacht。LingardunderstoodverywellthatthecaptureofTraversandd’Alcacerwastheresultofasuddenfear，amovedirectedbyDamantosecurehisownsafety。
　　Thesightofthestrandedyachtshookhisconfidencecompletely。
　　Itwasasifthesecretsoftheplacehadbeenbetrayed。Afterall，itwasperhapsagreatfollytotrustanywhiteman，nomatterhowmuchheseemedestrangedfromhisownpeople。Damanfelthemighthavebeenthevictimofaplot。Lingard’sbrigappearedtohimaformidableengineofwar。Hedidnotknowwhattothinkandthemotiveforgettingholdofthetwowhitemenwasreallythewishtosecurehostages。DistrustingthefierceimpulsesofhisfollowershehadhastenedtoputthemintoBelarab’skeeping。ButeverythingintheSettlementseemedtohimsuspicious：Belarab’sabsence，Jorgenson’srefusaltomakeoveratoncethepromisedsupplyofarmsandammunition。AndnowthatwhitemanhadbythepowerofhisspeechgotthemawayfromBelarab’speople。SomuchinfluencefilledDamanwithwonderandawe。ArecluseformanyyearsinthemostobscurecorneroftheArchipelagohefelthimselfsurroundedbyintrigues。Butthealliancewasagreatthing，too。Hedidnotwanttoquarrel。HewasquitewillingforthetimebeingtoacceptLingard’sassurancethatnoharmshouldbefallhispeopleencampedonthesandbanks。Attentiveandslight，heseemedtoletLingard’sdeliberatewordssinkintohim。Theforceofthatunarmedbigmanseemedoverwhelming。Hebowedhisheadslowly。
　　"Allahisourrefuge，"hemurmured，acceptingtheinevitable。
　　HedelightedMrs。Traversnotasalivingbeingbutlikeacleversketchincolours，avividrenderingofanartist’svisionofsomesoul，delicateandfierce。Hisbrighthalf—smilewasextraordinary，sharplikeclearsteel，painfullypenetrating。
　　GlancingrightandleftMrs。Traverssawthewholecourtyardsmittenbythedesolatingfuryofsunshineandpeopledwithshadows，theirformsandcoloursfadingintheviolenceofthelight。Theverybrowntonesofroofandwalldazzledtheeye。
　　ThenDamansteppedaside。HewasnolongersmilingandMrs。
　　TraversadvancedwithherhandonLingard’sarmthroughaheatsopotentthatitseemedtohaveataste，afeel，asmellofitsown。ShemovedonasiffloatinginitwithLingard’ssupport。
　　"Wherearethey？"sheasked。
　　"Theyarefollowingusallright，"heanswered。Lingardwassocertainthattheprisonerswouldbedeliveredtohimonthebeachthatheneverglancedbacktill，afterreachingtheboat，heandMrs。Traversturnedabout。
　　Thegroupofspearmenpartedrightandleft，andMr。Traversandd’Alcacerwalkedforwardalonelookingunrealandoddliketheirownday—ghosts。Mr。Traversgavenosignofbeingawareofhiswife’spresence。Itwascertainlyashocktohim。Butd’Alcaceradvancedsmiling，asifthebeachwereadrawing。room。
　　WithaveryfewpaddlerstheheavyoldEuropean—builtboatmovedslowlyoverthewaterthatseemedaspaleandblazingastheskyabove。Jorgensonhadperchedhimselfinthebow。Theotherfourwhitepeoplesatinthesternsheets，theex—prisonerssidebysideinthemiddle。Lingardspokesuddenly。
　　"Iwantyoubothtounderstandthatthetroubleisnotoveryet。
　　Nothingisfinished。Youareoutonmybareword。"
　　WhileLingardwasspeakingMr。Traversturnedhisfaceawaybutd’Alcacerlistenedcourteously。Notanotherwordwasspokenfortherestoftheway。Thetwogentlemenwentuptheship’ssidefirst。LingardremainedtohelpMrs。Traversatthefootoftheladder。Shepressedhishandstronglyandlookingdownathisupturnedface：
　　"Thiswasawonderfulsuccess，"shesaid。
　　Foratimethecharacterofhisfascinatedgazedidnotchange。
　　Itwasasifshehadsaidnothing。Thenhewhispered，admiringly，"Youunderstandeverything。"
　　Shemovedhereyesawayandhadtodisengageherhandtowhichheclungforamoment，giddy，likeamanfallingoutoftheworld。
　　III
　　Mrs。Travers，acutelyawareofLingardbehindher，remainedgazingoverthelagoon。Afteratimehesteppedforwardandplacedhimselfbesideherclosetotherail。Shewentonstaringatthesheetofwaterturnedtodeeppurpleunderthesunsetsky。
　　"Whyhaveyoubeenavoidingmesincewecamebackfromthestockade？"sheaskedinadeadenedvoice。
　　"ThereisnothingtotellyoutillRajahHassimandhissisterImmadareturnwithsomenews，"Lingardansweredinthesametone。
　　"Hasmyfriendsucceeded？WillBelarablistentoanyarguments？
　　Willheconsenttocomeoutofhisshell？Isheonhiswayback？
　　IwishIknew！……Notawhispercomesfromthere！HemayhavestartedtwodaysagoandhemaybenowneartheoutskirtsoftheSettlement。Orhemayhavegoneintocamphalfwaydown，fromsomewhimorother；orhemaybealreadyarrivedforallIknow。
　　Weshouldnothaveseenhim。Theroadfromthehillsdoesnotleadalongthebeach。"
　　Hesnatchednervouslyatthelongglassanddirecteditatthedarkstockade。Thesunhadsunkbehindtheforestsleavingthecontourofthetree—topsoutlinedbyathreadofgoldunderabandofdelicategreenlyingacrossthelowersky。Higherupafaintcrimsonglowfadedintothedarkenedblueoverhead。Theshadesoftheeveningdeepenedoverthelagoon，clungtothesidesoftheEmmaandtotheformsofthefurthershore。Lingardlaidtheglassdown。
　　"Mr。d’Alcacer，too，seemstohavebeenavoidingme，"saidMrs。
　　Travers。"Youareonverygoodtermswithhim，CaptainLingard。"
　　"Heisaverypleasantman，"murmuredLingard，absently。"Buthesaysfunnythingssometimes。Heinquiredtheotherdayiftherewereanyplayingcardsonboard，andwhenIaskedhimifhelikedcard—playing，justforsomethingtosay，hetoldmewiththatqueersmileofhisthathehadreadastoryofsomepeoplecondemnedtodeathwhopassedthetimebeforeexecutionplayingcardgameswiththeirguards。"
　　"Andwhatdidyousay？"