第8章

Heletgotherevolveraltogether，stoodhesitating，thenthrowinghishandsout，strodeforward——andeverythingpassedfromhissight。Hecouldnotseetheman，thewoman，theearth，thesky——sawnothing，asifinthatonestridehehadleftthevisibleworldbehindtostepintoablackanddesertedspace。Heheardscreamsroundhiminthatobscurity，screamslikethemelancholyandpitifulcriesofsea-birdsthatdwellonthelonelyreefsofgreatoceans。Thensuddenlyafaceappearedwithinafewinchesofhisown。Hisface。Hefeltsomethinginhislefthand。Histhroat……Ah！thethinglikeasnake’sheadthatdartsupanddown……Hesqueezedhard。Hewasbackintheworld。Hecouldseethequickbeatingofeyelidsoverapairofeyesthatwereallwhites，thegrinofadrawn-uplip，arowofteethgleamingthroughthedroopinghairofamoustache……Strongwhiteteeth。Knockthemdownhislyingthroat……

Hedrewbackhisrighthand，thefistuptotheshoulder，knucklesout。Fromunderhisfeetrosethescreamsofsea-birds。

Thousandsofthem。Somethingheldhislegs……Whatthedevil……Hedeliveredhisblowstraightfromtheshoulder，feltthejarrightuphisarm，andrealizedsuddenlythathewasstrikingsomethingpassiveandunresisting。Hisheartsankwithinhimwithdisappointment，withrage，withmortification。Hepushedwithhisleftarm，openingthehandwithhaste，asifhehadjustperceivedthathegotholdbyaccidentofsomethingrepulsive——

andhewatchedwithstupefiedeyesWillemstotteringbackwardsingropingstrides，thewhitesleeveofhisjacketacrosshisface。

Hewatchedhisdistancefromthatmanincrease，whileheremainedmotionless，withoutbeingabletoaccounttohimselfforthefactthatsomuchemptyspacehadcomeinbetweenthem。Itshouldhavebeentheotherway。Theyoughttohavebeenveryclose，and……Ah！Hewouldn’tfight，hewouldn’tresist，hewouldn’tdefendhimself！Acur！Evidentlyacur！……Hewasamazedandaggrieved——profoundly——bitterly——withtheimmenseandblankdesolationofasmallchildrobbedofatoy。Heshouted——

unbelieving:

"Willyoubeacheattotheend？"

Hewaitedforsomeanswer。Hewaitedanxiouslywithanimpatiencethatseemedtolifthimoffhisfeet。Hewaitedforsomeword，somesign；forsomethreateningstir。Nothing！Onlytwounwinkingeyesglitteredintentlyathimabovethewhitesleeve。Hesawtheraisedarmdetachitselffromthefaceandsinkalongthebody。Awhitecladarm，withabigstainonthewhitesleeve。Aredstain。Therewasacutonthecheek。Itbled。Thenosebledtoo。Thebloodrandown，madeonemoustachelooklikeadarkragstuckoverthelip，andwentoninawetstreakdowntheclippedbeardononesideofthechin。Adropofbloodhungontheendofsomehairsthatweregluedtogether；ithungforawhileandtookaleapdownontheground。Manymorefollowed，leapingoneafteranotherinclosefile。Onealightedonthebreastandglideddowninstantlywithdeviousvivacity，likeasmallinsectrunningaway；itleftanarrowdarktrackonthewhiteskin。Helookedatit，lookedatthetinyandactivedrops，lookedatwhathehaddone，withobscuresatisfaction，withanger，withregret。Thiswasn’tmuchlikeanactofjustice。Hehadadesiretogoupnearertotheman，tohearhimspeak，tohearhimsaysomethingatrociousandwickedthatwouldjustifytheviolenceoftheblow。Hemadeanattempttomove，andbecameawareofacloseembraceroundbothhislegs，justabovetheankles。Instinctively，hekickedoutwithhisfoot，brokethroughtheclosebondandfeltatoncetheclasptransferredtohisotherleg；theclaspwarm，desperateandsoft，ofhumanarms。Helookeddownbewildered。Hesawthebodyofthewomanstretchedatlength，flattenedonthegroundlikeadarkbluerag。Shetrailedfacedownwards，clingingtohislegwithbotharmsinatenacioushug。Hesawthetopofherhead，thelongblackhairstreamingoverhisfoot，alloverthebeatenearth，aroundhisboot。Hecouldn’tseehisfootforit。Heheardtheshortandrepeatedmoaningofherbreath。Heimaginedtheinvisiblefaceclosetohisheel。Withonekickintothatfacehecouldfreehimself。Hedarednotstir，andshouteddown——

"Letgo！Letgo！Letgo！"

Theonlyresultofhisshoutingwasatighteningofthepressureofherarms。Withatremendousefforthetriedtobringhisrightfootuptohisleft，andsucceededpartly。Hehearddistinctlytherubofherbodyonthegroundashejerkedheralong。Hetriedtodisengagehimselfbydrawinguphisfoot。Hestamped。Heheardavoicesayingsharply——

"Steady，CaptainLingard，steady！"

HiseyesflewbacktoWillemsatthesoundofthatvoice，and，inthequickawakeningofsleepingmemories，Lingardstoodsuddenlystill，appeasedbytheclearringoffamiliarwords。Appeasedasindaysofold，whentheyweretradingtogether，whenWillemswashistrustedandhelpfulcompanioninout-of-the-wayanddangerousplaces；whenthatfellow，whocouldkeephistempersomuchbetterthanhecouldhimself，hadsparedhimmanyadifficulty，hadsavedhimfrommanyanactofhastyviolencebythetimelyandgood-humouredwarning，whisperedorshouted，"Steady，CaptainLingard，steady。"Asmartfellow。Hehadbroughthimup。Thesmartestfellowintheislands。Ifhehadonlystayedwithhim，thenallthis……HecalledouttoWillems——

"Tellhertoletmegoor……"

HeheardWillemsshoutingsomething，waitedforawhile，thenglancedvaguelydownandsawthewomanstillstretchedoutperfectlymuteandunstirring，withherheadathisfeet。Hefeltanervousimpatiencethat，somehow，resembledfear。

"Tellhertoletgo，togoaway，Willems，Itellyou。I’vehadenoughofthis，"hecried。

"Allright，CaptainLingard，"answeredthecalmvoiceofWillems，"shehasletgo。Takeyourfootoffherhair；shecan’tgetup。"

Lingardleapedaside，cleanaway，andspunroundquickly。Hesawhersitupandcoverherfacewithbothhands，thenheturnedslowlyonhisheelandlookedattheman。Willemsheldhimselfverystraight，butwasunsteadyonhisfeet，andmovedaboutnearlyonthesamespot，likeatipsymanattemptingtopreservehisbalance。Aftergazingathimforawhile，Lingardcalled，rancorousandirritable——

"Whathaveyougottosayforyourself？"

Willemsbegantowalktowardshim。Hewalkedslowly，reelingalittlebeforehetookeachstep，andLingardsawhimputhishandtohisface，thenlookatitholdingituptohiseyes，asifhehadthere，concealedinthehollowofthepalm，somesmallobjectwhichhewantedtoexaminesecretly。Suddenlyhedrewit，withabrusquemovement，downthefrontofhisjacketandleftalongsmudge。

"That’safinethingtodo，"saidWillems。

HestoodinfrontofLingard，oneofhiseyessunkdeepintheincreasingswellingofhischeek，stillrepeatingmechanicallythemovementoffeelinghisdamagedface；andeverytimehedidthishepressedthepalmtosomecleanspotonhisjacket，coveringthewhitecottonwithbloodyimprintsasofsomedeformedandmonstroushand。Lingardsaidnothing，lookingon。

AtlastWillemsleftoffstaunchingthebloodandstood，hisarmshangingbyhisside，withhisfacestiffanddistortedunderthepatchesofcoagulatedblood；andheseemedasthoughhehadbeensetupthereforawarning:anincomprehensiblefiguremarkedalloverwithsomeawfulandsymbolicsignsofdeadlyimport。

Speakingwithdifficulty，herepeatedinareproachfultone——

"Thatwasafinethingtodo。"

"Afterall，"answeredLingard，bitterly，"Ihadtoogoodanopinionofyou。"

"AndIofyou。Don’tyouseethatIcouldhavehadthatfoolovertherekilledandthewholethingburnttotheground，sweptoffthefaceoftheearth。Youwouldn’thavefoundasmuchasaheapofasheshadIliked。Icouldhavedoneallthat。AndI

wouldn’t。"

"You——could——not。Youdarednot。Youscoundrel！"criedLingard。

"What’stheuseofcallingmenames？"

"True，"retortedLingard——"there’snonamebadenoughforyou。"

Therewasashortintervalofsilence。Atthesoundoftheirrapidlyexchangedwords，Aissahadgotupfromthegroundwhereshehadbeensitting，inasorrowfulanddejectedpose，andapproachedthetwomen。Shestoodononesideandlookedoneagerly，inadesperateeffortofherbrain，withthequickanddistractedeyesofapersontryingforherlifetopenetratethemeaningofsentencesutteredinaforeigntongue:themeaningportentousandfatefulthatlurksinthesoundsofmysteriouswords；inthesoundssurprising，unknownandstrange。

WillemsletthelastspeechofLingardpassby；seemedbyaslightmovementofhishandtohelpitonitswaytojointheothershadowsofthepast。Thenhesaid——

"Youhavestruckme；youhaveinsultedme……"

"Insultedyou！"interruptedLingard，passionately。"Who——whatcaninsultyou……you……"

Hechoked，advancedastep。

"Steady！steady！"saidWillemscalmly。"ItellyouIsha’n’tfight。IsitclearenoughtoyouthatIsha’n’t？

I——shall——not——lift——a——finger。"

Ashespoke，slowlypunctuatingeachwordwithaslightjerkofhishead，hestaredatLingard，hisrighteyeopenandbig，theleftsmallandnearlyclosedbytheswellingofonehalfofhisface，thatappearedalldrawnoutononesidelikefacesseeninaconcaveglass。Andtheystoodexactlyoppositeeachother:onetall，slightanddisfigured；theothertall，heavyandsevere。

Willemswenton——

"IfIhadwantedtohurtyou——ifIhadwantedtodestroyyou，itwaseasy。Istoodinthedoorwaylongenoughtopullatrigger——andyouknowIshootstraight。"

"Youwouldhavemissed，"saidLingard，withassurance。"Thereis，underheaven，suchathingasjustice。"

Thesoundofthatwordonhisownlipsmadehimpause，confused，likeanunexpectedandunanswerablerebuke。Theangerofhisoutragedpride，theangerofhisoutragedheart，hadgoneoutintheblow；andthereremainednothingbutthesenseofsomeimmenseinfamy——ofsomethingvague，disgustingandterrible，whichseemedtosurroundhimonallsides，hoverabouthimwithshadowyandstealthymovements，likeabandofassassinsinthedarknessofvastandunsafeplaces。Wasthere，underheaven，suchathingasjustice？Helookedatthemanbeforehimwithsuchanintensityofprolongedglancethatheseemedtoseerightthroughhim，thatatlasthesawbutafloatingandunsteadymistinhumanshape。Woulditblowawaybeforethefirstbreathofthebreezeandleavenothingbehind？

ThesoundofWillems’voicemadehimstartviolently。Willemswassaying——

"Ihavealwaysledavirtuouslife；youknowIhave。Youalwayspraisedmeformysteadiness；youknowyouhave。YouknowalsoI

neverstole——ifthat’swhatyou’rethinkingof。Iborrowed。YouknowhowmuchIrepaid。Itwasanerrorofjudgment。Butthenconsidermypositionthere。Ihadbeenalittleunluckyinmyprivateaffairs，andhaddebts。CouldIletmyselfgounderbeforetheeyesofallthosemenwhoenviedme？Butthat’sallover。Itwasanerrorofjudgment。I’vepaidforit。Anerrorofjudgment。"

Lingard，astoundedintoperfectstillness，lookeddown。HelookeddownatWillems’barefeet。Then，astheotherhadpaused，herepeatedinablanktone——

"Anerrorofjudgment……"

"Yes，"drawledoutWillems，thoughtfully，andwentonwithincreasinganimation:"AsIsaid，Ihavealwaysledavirtuouslife。MoresothanHudig——thanyou。Yes，thanyou。Idrankalittle，Iplayedcardsalittle。Whodoesn’t？ButIhadprinciplesfromaboy。Yes，principles。Businessisbusiness，andIneverwasanass。Ineverrespectedfools。Theyhadtosufferfortheirfollywhentheydealtwithme。Theevilwasinthem，notinme。Butastoprinciples，it’sanothermatter。I

keptclearofwomen。It’sforbidden——Ihadnotime——andI

despisedthem。NowIhatethem！"

Heputhistongueoutalittle；atonguewhosepinkandmoistendranhereandthere，likesomethingindependentlyalive，underhisswollenandblackenedlip；hetouchedwiththetipsofhisfingersthecutonhischeek，feltallrounditwithprecaution:

andtheunharmedsideofhisfaceappearedforamomenttobepreoccupiedanduneasyaboutthestateofthatothersidewhichwassoverysoreandstiff。

Herecommencedspeaking，andhisvoicevibratedasthoughwithrepressedemotionofsomekind。

"Youaskmywife，whenyouseeherinMacassar，whetherIhavenoreasontohateher。Shewasnobody，andImadeherMrs。Willems。

Ahalf-castegirl！Youaskherhowsheshowedhergratitudetome。Youask……Nevermindthat。Well，youcameanddumpedmeherelikealoadofrubbish；dumpedmehereandleftmewithnothingtodo——nothinggoodtoremember——anddamnlittletohopefor。Youleftmehereatthemercyofthatfool，Almayer，whosuspectedmeofsomething。Ofwhat？Devilonlyknows。Buthesuspectedandhatedmefromthefirst；Isupposebecauseyoubefriendedme。Oh！Icouldreadhimlikeabook。Heisn’tverydeep，yourSambirpartner，CaptainLingard，butheknowshowtobedisagreeable。Monthspassed。IthoughtIwoulddieofsheerweariness，ofmythoughts，ofmyregretsAndthen……"

HemadeaquickstepnearertoLingard，andasifmovedbythesamethought，bythesameinstinct，bytheimpulseofhiswill，Aissaalsosteppednearertothem。Theystoodinaclosegroup，andthetwomencouldfeelthecalmairbetweentheirfacesstirredbythelightbreathoftheanxiouswomanwhoenvelopedthembothintheuncomprehending，inthedespairingandwonderingglancesofherwildandmournfuleyes。

CHAPTERFIVE

Willemsturnedalittlefromherandspokelower。

"Lookatthat，"hesaid，withanalmostimperceptiblemovementofhisheadtowardsthewomantowhomhewaspresentinghisshoulder。"Lookatthat！Don’tbelieveher！Whathasshebeensayingtoyou？What？Ihavebeenasleep。Hadtosleepatlast。

I’vebeenwaitingforyouthreedaysandnights。Ihadtosleepsometime。Hadn’tI？Itoldhertoremainawakeandwatchforyou，andcallmeatonce。Shedidwatch。Youcan’tbelieveher。

Youcan’tbelieveanywoman。Whocantellwhat’sinsidetheirheads？Noone。Youcanknownothing。Theonlythingyoucanknowisthatitisn’tanythinglikewhatcomesthroughtheirlips。Theylivebythesideofyou。Theyseemtohateyou，ortheyseemtoloveyou；theycaressortormentyou；theythrowyouoverorsticktoyoucloserthanyourskinforsomeinscrutableandawfulreasonoftheirown——whichyoucanneverknow！Lookather——andlookatme。Atme！——herinfernalwork。Whathasshebeensaying？"

Hisvoicehadsunktoawhisper。Lingardlistenedwithgreatattention，holdinghischininhishand，whichgraspedagreathandfulofhiswhitebeard。Hiselbowwasinthepalmofhisotherhand，andhiseyeswerestillfixedontheground。Hemurmured，withoutlookingup——

"Shebeggedmeforyourlife——ifyouwanttoknow——asifthethingwereworthgivingortaking！"

"Andforthreedaysshebeggedmetotakeyours，"saidWillemsquickly。"Forthreedaysshewouldn’tgivemeanypeace。Shewasneverstill。Sheplannedambushes。ShehasbeenlookingforplacesalloverherewhereIcouldhideanddropyouwithasafeshotasyouwalkedup。It’strue。Igiveyoumyword。"

"Yourword，"mutteredLingard，contemptuously。

Willemstooknonotice。

"Ah！Sheisaferociouscreature，"hewenton。"Youdon’tknow……Iwantedtopassthetime——todosomething——tohavesomethingtothinkabout——toforgetmytroublestillyoucameback。And……lookather……shetookmeasifIdidnotbelongtomyself。Shedid。Ididnotknowtherewassomethinginmeshecouldgetholdof。She，asavage。I，acivilizedEuropean，andclever！Shethatknewnomorethanawildanimal！

Well，shefoundoutsomethinginme。Shefounditout，andIwaslost。Iknewit。Shetormentedme。Iwasreadytodoanything。

Iresisted——butIwasready。Iknewthattoo。Thatfrightenedmemorethananything；morethanmyownsufferings；andthatwasfrightfulenough，Iassureyou。"

Lingardlistened，fascinatedandamazedlikeachildlisteningtoafairytale，and，whenWillemsstoppedforbreath，heshuffledhisfeetalittle。

"Whatdoeshesay？"criedoutAissa，suddenly。

Thetwomenlookedatherquickly，andthenlookedatoneanother。

Willemsbeganagain，speakinghurriedly——

"Itriedtodosomething。Takeherawayfromthosepeople。I

wenttoAlmayer；thebiggestblindfoolthatyouever……ThenAbdullacame——andshewentaway。ShetookawaywithhersomethingofmewhichIhadtogetback。Ihadtodoit。Asfarasyouareconcerned，thechangeherehadtohappensoonerorlater；youcouldn’tbemasterhereforever。Itisn’twhatI

havedonethattormentsme。Itisthewhy。It’sthemadnessthatdrovemetoit。It’sthatthingthatcameoverme。Thatmaycomeagain，someday。"

"Itwilldonoharmtoanybodythen，Ipromiseyou，"saidLingard，significantly。

Willemslookedathimforasecondwithablankstare，thenwenton——

"Ifoughtagainsther。Shegoadedmetoviolenceandtomurder。

Nobodyknowswhy。Shepushedmetoitpersistently，desperately，allthetime。FortunatelyAbdullahadsense。Idon’tknowwhatIwouldn’thavedone。Sheheldmethen。Heldmelikeanightmarethatisterribleandsweet。Byandbyitwasanotherlife。Iwokeup。Ifoundmyselfbesideananimalasfullofharmasawildcat。Youdon’tknowthroughwhatIhavepassed。

Herfathertriedtokillme——andsheverynearlykilledhim。I

believeshewouldhavestuckatnothing。Idon’tknowwhichwasmoreterrible！Shewouldhavestuckatnothingtodefendherown。AndwhenIthinkthatitwasme——me——Willems……Ihateher。To-morrowshemaywantmylife。HowcanIknowwhat’sinher？Shemaywanttokillmenext！"

Hepausedingreattrepidation，thenaddedinascaredtone——

"Idon’twanttodiehere。"

"Don’tyou？"saidLingard，thoughtfully。

WillemsturnedtowardsAissaandpointedatherwithabonyforefinger。

"Lookather！Alwaysthere。Alwaysnear。Alwayswatching，watching……forsomething。Lookathereyes。Ain’ttheybig？

Don’ttheystare？Youwouldn’tthinkshecanshutthemlikehumanbeingsdo。Idon’tbelievesheeverdoes。Igotosleep，ifIcan，undertheirstare，andwhenIwakeupIseethemfixedonmeandmovingnomorethantheeyesofacorpse。WhileIamstilltheyarestill。ByGod——shecan’tmovethemtillIstir，andthentheyfollowmelikeapairofjailers。Theywatchme；

whenIstoptheyseemtowaitpatientandglisteningtillIamoffmyguard——fortodosomething。Todosomethinghorrible。

Lookatthem！Youcanseenothinginthem。Theyarebig，menacing——andempty。Theeyesofasavage；ofadamnedmongrel，half-Arab，half-Malay。Theyhurtme！Iamwhite！IsweartoyouIcan’tstandthis！Takemeaway。Iamwhite！Allwhite！"

Heshoutedtowardsthesombreheaven，proclaimingdesperatelyunderthefrownofthickeningcloudsthefactofhispureandsuperiordescent。Heshouted，hisheadthrownup，hisarmsswingingaboutwildly；lean，ragged，disfigured；atallmadmanmakingagreatdisturbanceaboutsomethinginvisible；abeingabsurd，repulsive，pathetic，anddroll。Lingard，whowaslookingdownasifabsorbedindeepthought，gavehimaquickglancefromunderhiseyebrows:Aissastoodwithclaspedhands。Attheotherendofthecourtyardtheoldwoman，likeavagueanddecrepitapparition，rosenoiselesslytolook，thensankdownagainwithastealthymovementandcrouchedlowoverthesmallglowofthefire。Willems’voicefilledtheenclosure，risinglouderwitheveryword，andthen，suddenly，atitsveryloudest，stoppedshort——likewaterstopsrunningfromanover-turnedvessel。Assoonasithadceasedthethunderseemedtotakeuptheburdeninalowgrowlcomingfromtheinlandhills。Thenoiseapproachedinconfusedmutteringswhichkeptonincreasing，swellingintoaroarthatcamenearer，rusheddowntheriver，passedcloseinatearingcrash——andinstantlysoundedfaint，dyingawayinmonotonousanddullrepetitionsamongsttheendlesssinuositiesofthelowerreaches。Overthegreatforests，overalltheinnumerablepeopleofunstirringtrees——overallthatlivingpeopleimmense，motionless，andmute——thesilence，thathadrushedinonthetrackofthepassingtumult，remainedsuspendedasdeepandcompleteasifithadneverbeendisturbedfromthebeginningofremoteages。Then，throughit，afteratime，cametoLingard’searsthevoiceoftherunningriver:avoicelow，discreet，andsad，likethepersistentandgentlevoicesthatspeakofthepastinthesilenceofdreams。

Hefeltagreatemptinessinhisheart。Itseemedtohimthattherewaswithinhisbreastagreatspacewithoutanylight，wherehisthoughtswanderedforlornly，unabletoescape，unabletorest，unabletodie，tovanish——andtorelievehimfromthefearfuloppressionoftheirexistence。Speech，action，anger，forgiveness，allappearedtohimalikeuselessandvain，appearedtohimunsatisfactory，notworththeeffortofhandorbrainthatwasneededtogivethemeffect。Hecouldnotseewhyheshouldnotremainstandingthere，withouteverdoinganything，totheendoftime。Hefeltsomething，somethinglikeaheavychain，thatheldhimthere。Thiswouldn’tdo。HebackedawayalittlefromWillemsandAissa，leavingthemclosetogether，thenstoppedandlookedatboth。Themanandthewomanappearedtohimmuchfurtherthantheyreallywere。Hehadmadeonlyaboutthreestepsbackward，buthebelievedforamomentthatanotherstepwouldtakehimoutofearshotforever。Theyappearedtohimslightlyunderlifesize，andwithagreatcleannessofoutlines，likefigurescarvedwithgreatprecisionofdetailandhighlyfinishedbyaskilfulhand。Hepulledhimselftogether。Thestrongconsciousnessofhisownpersonalitycamebacktohim。Hehadanotionofsurveyingthemfromagreatandinaccessibleheight。

Hesaidslowly:"Youhavebeenpossessedofadevil。"

"Yes，"answeredWillemsgloomily，andlookingatAissa。"Isn’titpretty？"

"I’veheardthiskindoftalkbefore，"saidLingard，inascornfultone；thenpaused，andwentonsteadilyafterawhile:

"Iregretnothing。Ipickedyouupbythewaterside，likeastarvingcat——byGod。Iregretnothing；nothingthatIhavedone。Abdulla——twentyothers——nodoubtHudighimself，wereafterme。That’sbusiness——forthem。Butthatyoushould……Moneybelongstohimwhopicksitupandisstrongenoughtokeepit——butthisthingwasdifferent。Itwaspartofmylife……

Iamanoldfool。"

Hewas。Thebreathofhiswords，oftheverywordshespoke，fannedthesparkofdivinefollyinhisbreast，thesparkthatmadehim——thehard-headed，heavy-handedadventurer——standoutfromthecrowd，fromthesordid，fromthejoyous，unscrupulous，andnoisycrowdofmenthatweresomuchlikehimself。

Willemssaidhurriedly:"Itwasn’tme。Theevilwasnotinme，CaptainLingard。"

"Andwhereelseconfoundyou！Whereelse？"interruptedLingard，raisinghisvoice。"Didyoueverseemecheatandlieandsteal？

Tellmethat。Didyou？Hey？IwonderwhereinperditionyoucamefromwhenIfoundyouundermyfeet……Nomatter。Youwilldonomoreharm。"

Willemsmovednearer，gazinguponhimanxiously。Lingardwentonwithdistinctdeliberation——

"Whatdidyouexpectwhenyouaskedmetoseeyou？What？Youknowme。IamLingard。Youlivedwithme。You’veheardmenspeak。Youknewwhatyouhaddone。Well！Whatdidyouexpect？"

"HowcanIknow？"groanedWillems，wringinghishands；"Iwasaloneinthatinfernalsavagecrowd。Iwasdeliveredintotheirhands。Afterthethingwasdone，IfeltsolostandweakthatI

wouldhavecalledthedevilhimselftomyaidifithadbeenanygood——ifhehadn’tputinallhisworkalready。Inthewholeworldtherewasonlyonemanthathadevercaredforme。Onlyonewhiteman。You！Hateisbetterthanbeingalone！Deathisbetter！Iexpected……anything。Somethingtoexpect。

Somethingtotakemeoutofthis。Outofhersight！"

Helaughed。Hislaughseemedtobetornoutfromhimagainsthiswill，seemedtobebroughtviolentlyonthesurfacefromunderhisbitterness，hisself-contempt，fromunderhisdespairingwonderathisownnature。

"WhenIthinkthatwhenIfirstknewheritseemedtomethatmywholelifewouldn’tbeenoughto……AndnowwhenIlookather！Shediditall。Imusthavebeenmad。Iwasmad。EverytimeIlookatherIremembermymadness。Itfrightensme……

AndwhenIthinkthatofallmylife，ofallmypast，ofallmyfuture，ofmyintelligence，ofmywork，thereisnothingleftbutshe，thecauseofmyruin，andyouwhomIhavemortallyoffended……"

Hehidhisfaceforamomentinhishands，andwhenhetookthemawayhehadlosttheappearanceofcomparativecalmandgavewaytoawilddistress。

"CaptainLingard……anything……adesertedisland……

anywhere……Ipromise……"

"Shutup！"shoutedLingard，roughly。

Hebecamedumb，suddenly，completely。

Thewanlightofthecloudedmorningretiredslowlyfromthecourtyard，fromtheclearings，fromtheriver，asifithadgoneunwillinglytohideintheenigmaticalsolitudesofthegloomyandsilentforests。Thecloudsovertheirheadsthickenedintoalowvaultofuniformblackness。Theairwasstillandinexpressiblyoppressive。Lingardunbuttonedhisjacket，flungitwideopenand，inclininghisbodysidewaysalittle，wipedhisforeheadwithhishand，whichhejerkedsharplyafterwards。ThenhelookedatWillemsandsaid——

"Nopromiseofyoursisanygoodtome。Iamgoingtotakeyourconductintomyownhands。PayattentiontowhatIamgoingtosay。Youaremyprisoner。"

Willems’headmovedimperceptibly；thenhebecamerigidandstill。Heseemednottobreathe。

"Youshallstayhere，"continuedLingard，withsombredeliberation。"Youarenotfittogoamongstpeople。Whocouldsuspect，whocouldguess，whocouldimaginewhat’sinyou？I

couldn’t！Youaremymistake。Ishallhideyouhere。IfIletyououtyouwouldgoamongstunsuspectingmen，andlie，andsteal，andcheatforalittlemoneyorforsomewoman。Idon’tcareaboutshootingyou。Itwouldbethesafestwaythough。ButIwon’t。Donotexpectmetoforgiveyou。Toforgiveonemusthavebeenangryandbecomecontemptuous，andthereisnothinginmenow——noanger，nocontempt，nodisappointment。TomeyouarenotWillems，themanIbefriendedandhelpedthroughthickandthin，andthoughtmuchof……Youarenotahumanbeingthatmaybedestroyedorforgiven。Youareabitterthought，asomethingwithoutabodyandthatmustbehidden……Youaremyshame。"

Heceasedandlookedslowlyround。Howdarkitwas！Itseemedtohimthatthelightwasdyingprematurelyoutoftheworldandthattheairwasalreadydead。

"Ofcourse，"hewenton，"Ishallseetoitthatyoudon’tstarve。"

"Youdon’tmeantosaythatImustlivehere，CaptainLingard？"

saidWillems，inakindofmechanicalvoicewithoutanyinflections。

"DidyoueverhearmesaysomethingIdidnotmean？"askedLingard。"Yousaidyoudidn’twanttodiehere——well，youmustlive……Unlessyouchangeyourmind，"headded，asifininvoluntaryafterthought。

HelookedatWillemsnarrowly，thenshookhishead。

"Youarealone，"hewenton。"Nothingcanhelpyou。Nobodywill。Youareneitherwhitenorbrown。Youhavenocolourasyouhavenoheart。YouraccompliceshaveabandonedyoutomebecauseIamstillsomebodytobereckonedwith。Youarealonebutforthatwomanthere。Yousayyoudidthisforher。Well，youhaveher。"

Willemsmumbledsomething，andthensuddenlycaughthishairwithbothhishandsandremainedstandingso。Aissa，whohadbeenlookingathim，turnedtoLingard。

"Whatdidyousay，RajahLaut？"shecried。

Therewasaslightstiramongstthefilmythreadsofherdisorderedhair，thebushesbytheriversidestrembled，thebigtreenoddedprecipitatelyoverthemwithanabruptrustle，asifwakingwithastartfromatroubledsleep——andthebreathofhotbreezepassed，light，rapid，andscorching，underthecloudsthatwhirledround，unbrokenbutundulating，likearestlessphantomofasombresea。

Lingardlookedatherpityinglybeforehesaid——

"Ihavetoldhimthathemustlivehereallhislife……andwithyou。"

Thesunseemedtohavegoneoutatlastlikeaflickeringlightawayupbeyondtheclouds，andinthestiflinggloomofthecourtyardthethreefiguresstoodcolourlessandshadowy，asifsurroundedbyablackandsuperheatedmist。AissalookedatWillems，whoremainedstill，asthoughhehadbeenchangedintostoneintheveryactoftearinghishair。ThensheturnedherheadtowardsLingardandshouted——

"Youlie！Youlie！……Whiteman。Likeyoualldo。You……whomAbdullamadesmall。Youlie！"

Herwordsrangoutshrillandvenomouswithhersecretscorn，withheroverpoweringdesiretowoundregardlessofconsequences；

inherwoman’srecklessdesiretocausesufferingatanycost，tocauseitbythesoundofherownvoice——byherownvoice，thatwouldcarrythepoisonofherthoughtintothehatedheart。

Willemslethishandsfall，andbegantomumbleagain。Lingardturnedhiseartowardshiminstinctively，caughtsomethingthatsoundedlike"Verywell"——thensomemoremumbling——thenasigh。

"Asfarastherestoftheworldisconcerned，"saidLingard，afterwaitingforawhileinanattentiveattitude，"yourlifeisfinished。Nobodywillbeabletothrowanyofyourvillainiesinmyteeth；nobodywillbeabletopointatyouandsay，’HeregoesascoundrelofLingard’sup-bringing。’Youareburiedhere。"

"AndyouthinkthatIwillstay……thatIwillsubmit？"

exclaimedWillems，asifhehadsuddenlyrecoveredthepowerofspeech。

"Youneedn’tstayhere——onthisspot，"saidLingard，drily。

"Therearetheforests——andhereistheriver。Youmayswim。

Fifteenmilesup，orfortydown。AtoneendyouwillmeetAlmayer，attheotherthesea。Takeyourchoice。"

Heburstintoashort，joylesslaugh，thenaddedwithseveregravity——

"Thereisalsoanotherway。"

"Ifyouwanttodrivemysoulintodamnationbytryingtodrivemetosuicideyouwillnotsucceed，"saidWillemsinwildexcitement。"Iwilllive。Ishallrepent。Imayescape……

Takethatwomanaway——sheissin。"

Ahookeddartoffiretoreintwothedarknessofthedistanthorizonandlitupthegloomoftheearthwithadazzlingandghastlyflame。Thenthethunderwasheardfaraway，likeanincrediblyenormousvoicemutteringmenaces。

Lingardsaid——

"Idon’tcarewhathappens，butImaytellyouthatwithoutthatwomanyourlifeisnotworthmuch——nottwopence。Thereisafellowherewho……andAbdullahimselfwouldn’tstandonanyceremony。Thinkofthat！Andthenshewon’tgo。"

Hebegan，evenwhilehespoke，towalkslowlydowntowardsthelittlegate。Hedidn’tlook，buthefeltassurethatWillemswasfollowinghimasifhehadbeenleadinghimbyastring。

Directlyhehadpassedthroughthewicket-gateintothebigcourtyardheheardavoice，behindhisback，saying——

"Ithinkshewasright。Ioughttohaveshotyou。Icouldn’thavebeenworseoff。"

"Timeyet，"answeredLingard，withoutstoppingorlookingback。

"But，yousee，youcan’t。Thereisnoteventhatinyou。"

"Don’tprovokeme，CaptainLingard，"criedWillems。

Lingardturnedroundsharply。WillemsandAissastopped。

Anotherforkedflashoflightningsplitupthecloudsoverhead，andthrewupontheirfacesasuddenburstoflight——ablazeviolent，sinisterandfleeting；andinthesameinstanttheyweredeafenedbyanear，singlecrashofthunder，whichwasfollowedbyarushingnoise，likeafrightenedsighofthestartledearth。

"Provokeyou！"saidtheoldadventurer，assoonashecouldmakehimselfheard。"Provokeyou！Hey！What’sthereinyoutoprovoke？WhatdoIcare？"

"Itiseasytospeaklikethatwhenyouknowthatinthewholeworld——inthewholeworld——Ihavenofriend，"saidWillems。

"Whosefault？"saidLingard，sharply。

Theirvoices，afterthedeepandtremendousnoise，soundedtothemveryunsatisfactory——thinandfrail，likethevoicesofpigmies——andtheybecamesuddenlysilent，asifonthataccount。

FromupthecourtyardLingard’sboatmencamedownandpassedthem，keepingstepinasinglefile，theirpaddlesonshoulder，andholdingtheirheadsstraightwiththeireyesfixedontheriver。Ali，whowaswalkinglast，stoppedbeforeLingard，verystiffandupright。Hesaid——

"Thatone-eyedBabalatchiisgone，withallhiswomen。Hetookeverything。Allthepotsandboxes。Big。Heavy。Threeboxes。"

Hegrinnedasifthethinghadbeenamusing，thenaddedwithanappearanceofanxiousconcern，"Raincoming。"

"Wereturn，"saidLingard。"Makeready。"

"Aye，aye，sir！"ejaculatedAliwithprecision，andmovedon。HehadbeenquartermasterwithLingardbeforemakinguphismindtostayinSambirasAlmayer’sheadman。Hestruttedtowardsthelanding-placethinkingproudlythathewasnotlikethoseotherignorantboatmen，andknewhowtoanswerproperlytheverygreatestofwhitecaptains。

"Youhavemisunderstoodmefromthefirst，CaptainLingard，"saidWillems。

"HaveI？It’sallright，aslongasthereisnomistakeaboutmymeaning，"answeredLingard，strollingslowlytothelanding-place。Willemsfollowedhim，andAissafollowedWillems。

TwohandswereextendedtohelpLingardinembarking。Hesteppedcautiouslyandheavilyintothelongandnarrowcanoe，andsatinthecanvasfolding-chairthathadbeenplacedinthemiddle。Heleanedbackandturnedhisheadtothetwofiguresthatstoodonthebankalittleabovehim。Aissa’seyeswerefastenedonhisfaceinavisibleimpatiencetoseehimgone。Willems’lookwentstraightabovethecanoe，straightattheforestontheothersideoftheriver。

"Allright，Ali，"saidLingard，inalowvoice。

Aslightstiranimatedthefaces，andafaintmurmurranalongthelineofpaddlers。Theforemostmanpushedwiththepointofhispaddle，cantedtheforeendoutofthedeadwaterintothecurrent；andthecanoefellrapidlyoffbeforetherushofbrownwater，thesternrubbinggentlyagainstthelowbank。

"Weshallmeetagain，CaptainLingard！"criedWillems，inanunsteadyvoice。

"Never！"saidLingard，turninghalfroundinhischairtolookatWillems。Hisfierceredeyesglitteredremorselesslyoverthehighbackofhisseat。

"Mustcrosstheriver。Waterlessquickoverthere，"saidAli。

Hepushedinhisturnnowwithallhisstrength，throwinghisbodyrecklesslyrightoutoverthestern。Thenherecoveredhimselfjustintimeintothesquattingattitudeofamonkeyperchedonahighshelf，andshouted:"Dayong！"

Thepaddlesstruckthewatertogether。Thecanoedartedforwardandwentonsteadilycrossingtheriverwithasidewaysmotionmadeupofitsownspeedandthedownwarddriftofthecurrent。

Lingardwatchedtheshoreastern。Thewomanshookherhandathim，andthensquattedatthefeetofthemanwhostoodmotionless。Afterawhileshegotupandstoodbesidehim，reachinguptohishead——andLingardsawthenthatshehadwettedsomepartofhercoveringandwastryingtowashthedriedbloodofftheman’simmovableface，whichdidnotseemtoknowanythingaboutit。Lingardturnedawayandthrewhimselfbackinhischair，stretchinghislegsoutwithasighoffatigue。Hisheadfellforward；andunderhisredfacethewhitebeardlayfan-likeonhisbreast，theendsoffinelonghairsallastirinthefaintdraughtmadebytherapidmotionofthecraftthatcarriedhimawayfromhisprisoner——fromtheonlythinginhislifehewishedtohide。

InitscourseacrosstheriverthecanoecameintothelineofWillems’sightandhiseyescaughttheimage，followediteagerlyasitglided，smallbutdistinct，onthedarkbackgroundoftheforest。Hecouldseeplainlythefigureofthemansittinginthemiddle。Allhislifehehadfeltthatmanbehindhisback，areassuringpresencereadywithhelp，withcommendation，withadvice；friendlyinreproof，enthusiasticinapprobation；amaninspiringconfidencebyhisstrength，byhisfearlessness，bytheveryweaknessofhissimpleheart。Andnowthatmanwasgoingaway。Hemustcallhimback。

Heshouted，andhiswords，whichhewantedtothrowacrosstheriver，seemedtofallhelplesslyathisfeet。Aissaputherhandonhisarminarestrainingattempt，butheshookitoff。Hewantedtocallbackhisverylifethatwasgoingawayfromhim。

Heshoutedagain——andthistimehedidnotevenhearhimself。Nouse。Hewouldneverreturn。Andhestoodinsullensilencelookingatthewhitefigureoverthere，lyingbackinthechairinthemiddleoftheboat；afigurethatstruckhimsuddenlyasveryterrible，heartlessandastonishing，withitsunnaturalappearanceofrunningoverthewaterinanattitudeoflanguidrepose。

Foratimenothingonearthstirred，seemingly，butthecanoe，whichglidedup-streamwithamotionsoevenandsmooththatitdidnotconveyanysenseofmovement。Overhead，themassedcloudsappearedsolidandsteadyasifheldthereinapowerfulgrip，butontheirunevensurfacetherewasacontinuousandtremblingglimmer，afaintreflectionofthedistantlightningfromthethunderstormthathadbrokenalreadyonthecoastandwasworkingitswayuptheriverwithlowandangrygrowls。

Willemslookedon，asmotionlessaseverythingroundhimandabovehim。Onlyhiseyesseemedtolive，astheyfollowedthecanoeonitscoursethatcarrieditawayfromhim，steadily，unhesitatingly，finally，asifitweregoing，notupthegreatriverintothemomentousexcitementofSambir，butstraightintothepast，intothepastcrowdedyetempty，likeanoldcemeteryfullofneglectedgraves，whereliedeadhopesthatneverreturn。

Fromtimetotimehefeltonhisfacethepassing，warmtouchofanimmensebreathcomingfrombeyondtheforest，liketheshortpantingofanoppressedworld。Thentheheavyairroundhimwaspiercedbyasharpgustofwind，bringingwithitthefresh，dampfeelofthefallingrain；andalltheinnumerabletree-topsoftheforestsswayedtotheleftandsprangbackagaininatumultuousbalancingofnoddingbranchesandshudderingleaves。

Alightfrownranovertheriver，thecloudsstirredslowly，changingtheiraspectbutnottheirplace，asiftheyhadturnedponderouslyover；andwhenthesuddenmovementhaddiedoutinaquickenedtremoroftheslenderesttwigs，therewasashortperiodofformidableimmobilityaboveandbelow，duringwhichthevoiceofthethunderwasheard，speakinginasustained，emphaticandvibratingroll，withviolentlouderburstsofcrashingsound，likeawrathfulandthreateningdiscourseofanangrygod。Foramomentitdiedout，andthenanothergustofwindpassed，drivingbeforeitawhitemistwhichfilledthespacewithacloudofwaterdustthathidsuddenlyfromWillemsthecanoe，theforests，theriveritself；thatwokehimupfromhisnumbnessinaforlornshiver，thatmadehimlookrounddespairinglytoseenothingbutthewhirlingdriftofrainspraybeforethefresheningbreeze，whilethroughittheheavybigdropsfellabouthimwithsonorousandrapidbeatsuponthedryearth。Hemadeafewhurriedstepsupthecourtyardandwasarrestedbyanimmensesheetofwaterthatfellallatonceonhim，fellsuddenandoverwhelmingfromtheclouds，cuttinghisrespiration，streamingoverhishead，clingingtohim，runningdownhisbody，offhisarms，offhislegs。Hestoodgaspingwhilethewaterbeathiminaverticaldownpour，droveonhimslantinginsqualls，andhefeltthedropsstrikinghimfromabove，fromeverywhere；dropsthick，pressedanddashingathimasifflungfromallsidesbyamobofinfuriatedhands。Fromunderhisfeetagreatvapourofbrokenwaterfloatedup，hefeltthegroundbecomesoft——meltunderhim——andsawthewaterspringoutfromthedryearthtomeetthewaterthatfellfromthesombreheaven。Aninsanedreadtookpossessionofhim，thedreadofallthatwateraroundhim，ofthewaterthatrandownthecourtyardtowardshim，ofthewaterthatpressedhimoneveryside，oftheslantingwaterthatdroveacrosshisfaceinwaveringsheetswhichgleamedpaleredwiththeflickeroflightningstreamingthroughthem，asiffireandwaterwerefallingtogether，monstrouslymixed，uponthestunnedearth。

Hewantedtorunaway，butwhenhemoveditwastoslideaboutpainfullyandslowlyuponthatearthwhichhadbecomemudsosuddenlyunderhisfeet。Hefoughthiswayupthecourtyardlikeamanpushingthroughacrowd，hisheaddown，oneshoulderforward，stoppingoften，andsometimescarriedbackapaceortwointherushofwaterwhichhisheartwasnotstoutenoughtoface。Aissafollowedhimstepbystep，stoppingwhenhestopped，recoilingwithhim，movingforwardwithhiminhistoilsomewayuptheslipperydeclivityofthecourtyard，ofthatcourtyard，fromwhicheverythingseemedtohavebeensweptawaybythefirstrushofthemightydownpour。Theycouldseenothing。Thetree，thebushes，thehouse，andthefences——allhaddisappearedinthethicknessofthefallingrain。Theirhairstuck，streaming，totheirheads；theirclothingclungtothem，beatenclosetotheirbodies；waterranoffthem，offtheirheadsovertheirshoulders。

Theymoved，patient，upright，slowanddark，inthegleamclearorfieryofthefallingdrops，undertherollofunceasingthunder，liketwowanderingghostsofthedrownedthat，condemnedtohauntthewaterforever，hadcomeupfromtherivertolookattheworldunderadeluge。

Ontheleftthetreeseemedtostepouttomeetthem，appearingvaguely，high，motionlessandpatient；witharustlingplaintofitsinnumerableleavesthroughwhicheverydropofwatertoreitsseparatewaywithcruelhaste。Andthen，totheright，thehousesurgedupinthemist，veryblack，andclamorouswiththequickpatterofrainonitshigh-pitchedroofabovethesteadysplashofthewaterrunningofftheeaves。Downtheplankwayleadingtothedoorflowedathinandpellucidstream，andwhenWillemsbeganhisascentitbrokeoverhisfootasifheweregoingupasteepravineinthebedofarapidandshallowtorrent。Behindhisheelstwostreamingsmudgesofmudstainedforaninstantthepurityoftherushingwater，andthenhesplashedhiswayupwithaspurtandstoodonthebambooplatformbeforetheopendoorundertheshelteroftheoverhangingeaves——undershelteratlast！

AlowmoanendinginabrokenandplaintivemutterarrestedWillemsonthethreshold。Hepeeredroundinthehalf-lightundertheroofandsawtheoldwomancrouchingclosetothewallinashapelessheap，andwhilehelookedhefeltatouchoftwoarmsonhisshoulders。Aissa！Hehadforgottenher。Heturned，andsheclaspedhimroundtheneckinstantly，pressingclosetohimasifafraidofviolenceorescape。Hestiffenedhimselfinrepulsion，inhorror，inthemysteriousrevoltofhisheart；

whilesheclungtohim——clungtohimasifhewerearefugefrommisery，fromstorm，fromweariness，fromfear，fromdespair；anditwasonthepartofthatbeinganembraceterrible，enragedandmournful，inwhichallherstrengthwentouttomakehimcaptive，toholdhimforever。

Hesaidnothing。Helookedintohereyeswhilehestruggledwithherfingersaboutthenapeofhisneck，andsuddenlyhetoreherhandsapart，holdingherarmsupinastronggripofherwrists，andbendinghisswollenfacecloseoverhers，hesaid——

"Itisallyourdoing。You……"

Shedidnotunderstandhim——notaword。Hespokeinthelanguageofhispeople——ofhispeoplethatknownomercyandnoshame。

Andhewasangry。Alas！hewasalwaysangrynow，andalwaysspeakingwordsthatshecouldnotunderstand。Shestoodinsilence，lookingathimthroughherpatienteyes，whileheshookherarmsalittleandthenflungthemdown。

"Don’tfollowme！"heshouted。"Iwanttobealone——Imeantobeleftalone！"

Hewentin，leavingthedooropen。

Shedidnotmove。Whatneedtounderstandthewordswhentheyarespokeninsuchavoice？Inthatvoicewhichdidnotseemtobehisvoice——hisvoicewhenhespokebythebrook，whenhewasneverangryandalwayssmiling！Hereyeswerefixeduponthedarkdoorway，butherhandsstrayedmechanicallyupwards；shetookupallherhair，and，incliningherheadslightlyoverhershoulder，wrungoutthelongblacktresses，twistingthempersistently，whileshestood，sadandabsorbed，likeonelisteningtoaninwardvoice——thevoiceofbitter，ofunavailingregret。Thethunderhadceased，thewindhaddiedout，andtherainfellperpendicularandsteadythroughagreatpaleclearness——thelightofremotesuncomingvictoriousfromamongstthedissolvingblacknessoftheclouds。Shestoodnearthedoorway。Hewasthere——aloneinthegloomofthedwelling。Hewasthere。Hespokenot。Whatwasinhismindnow？Whatfear？

Whatdesire？Notthedesireofherasinthedayswhenheusedtosmile……Howcouldsheknow？……

Asighcomingfromthebottomofherheart，flewoutintotheworldthroughherpartedlips。Asighfaint，profound，andbroken；asighfullofpainandfear，likethesighofthosewhoareabouttofacetheunknown:tofaceitinloneliness，indoubt，andwithouthope。Sheletgoherhair，thatfellscatteredoverhershoulderslikeafuneralveil，andshesankdownsuddenlybythedoor。Herhandsclaspedherankles；sherestedherheadonherdrawn-upknees，andremainedstill，verystill，underthestreamingmourningofherhair。Shewasthinkingofhim；ofthedaysbythebrook；shewasthinkingofallthathadbeentheirlove——andshesatintheabandonedpostureofthosewhositweepingbythedead，ofthosewhowatchandmournoveracorpse。

PARTV

CHAPTERONE

Almayerpropped，aloneontheverandahofhishouse，withbothhiselbowsonthetable，andholdinghisheadbetweenhishands，staredbeforehim，awayoverthestretchofsproutingyounggrassinhiscourtyard，andovertheshortjettywithitsclusterofsmallcanoes，amongstwhichhisbigwhale-boatfloatedhigh，likeawhitemotherofallthatdarkandaquaticbrood。Hestaredontheriver，pasttheschooneranchoredinmid-stream，pasttheforestsoftheleftbank；hestaredthroughandpasttheillusionofthematerialworld。

Thesunwassinking。Undertheskywasstretchedanetworkofwhitethreads，anetworkfineandclose-meshed，wherehereandtherewerecaughtthickerwhitevapoursofglobularshape；andtotheeastward，abovetheraggedbarrieroftheforests，surgedthesummitsofachainofgreatclouds，growingbiggerslowly，inimperceptiblemotion，asifcarefulnottodisturbtheglowingstillnessoftheearthandofthesky。Abreastofthehousetheriverwasemptybutforthemotionlessschooner。Higherup，asolitarylogcameoutfromthebendaboveandwentondriftingslowlydownthestraightreach:adeadandwanderingtreegoingouttoitsgraveinthesea，betweentworanksoftreesmotionlessandliving。

AndAlmayersat，hisfaceinhishands，lookingonandhatingallthis:themuddyriver；thefadedblueofthesky；theblacklogpassingbyonitsfirstandlastvoyage；thegreenseaofleaves——theseathatglowedshimmered，andstirredabovetheuniformandimpenetrablegloomoftheforests——thejoyousseaoflivinggreenpowderedwiththebrilliantdustofobliquesunrays。

Hehatedallthis；hebegrudgedeveryday——everyminute——ofhislifespentamongstallthesethings；hebegrudgeditbitterly，angrily，withenragedandimmenseregret，likeamisercompelledtogiveupsomeofhistreasuretoanearrelation。Andyetallthiswasveryprecioustohim。Itwasthepresentsignofasplendidfuture。

Hepushedthetableawayimpatiently，gotup，madeafewstepsaimlessly，thenstoodbythebalustradeandagainlookedattheriver——atthatriverwhichwouldhavebeentheinstrumentforthemakingofhisfortuneif……if……

"Whatanabominablebrute！"hesaid。

Hewasalone，buthespokealoud，asoneisapttodoundertheimpulseofastrong，ofanovermasteringthought。

"Whatabrute！"hemutteredagain。

Theriverwasdarknow，andtheschoonerlayonit，ablack，alonely，andagracefulform，withtheslendermastsdartingupwardsfromitintwofrailandrakinglines。Theshadowsoftheeveningcreptupthetrees，creptupfromboughtobough，tillatlastthelongsunbeamscoursingfromthewesternhorizonskimmedlightlyoverthetopmostbranches，thenflewupwardsamongstthepiled-upclouds，givingthemasombreandfieryaspectinthelastflushoflight。Andsuddenlythelightdisappearedasiflostintheimmensityofthegreat，blue，andemptyhollowoverhead。Thesunhadset:andtheforestsbecameastraightwallofformlessblackness。Abovethem，ontheedgeoflingeringclouds，asinglestarglimmeredfitfully，obscurednowandthenbytherapidflightofhighandinvisiblevapours。

Almayerfoughtwiththeuneasinesswithinhisbreast。HeheardAli，whomovedbehindhimpreparinghiseveningmeal，andhelistenedwithstrangeattentiontothesoundsthemanmade——totheshort，drybangoftheplateputuponthetable，totheclinkofglassandthemetallicrattleofknifeandfork。Themanwentaway。Nowhewascomingback。Hewouldspeakdirectly；andAlmayer，notwithstandingtheabsorbinggravityofhisthoughts，listenedforthesoundofexpectedwords。Heheardthem，spokeninEnglishwithpainstakingdistinctness。

"Ready，sir！"

"Allright，"saidAlmayer，curtly。Hedidnotmove。Heremainedpensive，withhisbacktothetableuponwhichstoodthelightedlampbroughtbyAli。Hewasthinking:WherewasLingardnow？

Halfwaydowntheriverprobably，inAbdulla’sship。Hewouldbebackinaboutthreedays——perhapsless。Andthen？Thentheschoonerwouldhavetobegotoutoftheriver，andwhenthatcraftwasgonethey——heandLingard——wouldremainhere；alonewiththeconstantthoughtofthatotherman，thatothermanlivingnearthem！Whatanextraordinaryideatokeephimthereforever。Forever！Whatdidthatmean——forever？Perhapsayear，perhapstenyears。Preposterous！Keephimtheretenyears——ormaybetwenty！Thefellowwascapableoflivingmorethantwentyyears。Andforallthattimehewouldhavetobewatched，fed，lookedafter。TherewasnobodybutLingardtohavesuchnotions。Twentyyears！Why，no！Inlessthantenyearstheirfortunewouldbemadeandtheywouldleavethisplace，firstforBatavia——yes，Batavia——andthenforEurope。England，nodoubt。LingardwouldwanttogotoEngland。Andwouldtheyleavethatmanhere？Howwouldthatfellowlookintenyears？

Veryoldprobably。Well，deviltakehim。Ninawouldbefifteen。

Shewouldberichandveryprettyandhehimselfwouldnotbesooldthen……"

Almayersmiledintothenight……Yes，rich！Why！Ofcourse！CaptainLingardwasaresourcefulman，andhehadplentyofmoneyevennow。Theywererichalready；butnotenough。Decidedlynotenough。Moneybringsmoney。Thatgoldbusinesswasgood。Famous！CaptainLingardwasaremarkableman。Hesaidthegoldwasthere——anditwasthere。Lingardknewwhathewastalkingabout。Buthehadqueerideas。Forinstance，aboutWillems。Nowwhatdidhewanttokeephimalivefor？Why？

"Thatscoundrel，"mutteredAlmayeragain。

"MakanTuan！"ejaculatedAlisuddenly，veryloudinapressingtone。

Almayerwalkedtothetable，satdown，andhisanxiousvisagedroppedfromaboveintothelightthrowndownbythelamp-shade。

Hehelpedhimselfabsently，andbegantoeatingreatmouthfuls……Undoubtedly，Lingardwasthemantostickto！Themanundismayed，masterfulandready。HowquicklyhehadplannedanewfuturewhenWillems’treacherydestroyedtheirestablishedpositioninSambir！Andthepositionevennowwasnotsobad。

WhatanimmenseprestigethatLingardhadwithallthosepeople——Arabs，Malaysandall。Ah，itwasgoodtobeabletocallamanlikethatfather。Fine！Wonderhowmuchmoneyreallytheoldfellowhad。Peopletalked——theyexaggeratedsurely，butifhehadonlyhalfofwhattheysaid……

Hedrank，throwinghisheadup，andfelltoagain……Now，ifthatWillemshadknownhowtoplayhiscardswell，hadhestucktotheoldfellowhewouldhavebeeninhisposition，hewouldbenowmarriedtoLingard’sadopteddaughterwithhisfutureassured——splendid……

"Thebeast！"growledAlmayer，betweentwomouthfuls。

Alistoodrigidlystraightwithanuninterestedface，hisgazelostinthenightwhichpressedroundthesmallcircleoflightthatshoneonthetable，ontheglass，onthebottle，andonAlmayer’sheadasheleanedoverhisplatemovinghisjaws……AfamousmanLingard——yetyouneverknewwhathewoulddonext。ItwasnotoriousthathehadshotawhitemanonceforlessthanWillemshaddone。Forless？……Why，fornothing，sotospeak！Itwasnotevenhisownquarrel。ItwasaboutsomeMalayreturningfrompilgrimagewithwifeandchildren。

Kidnapped，orrobbed，orsomething。Astupidstory——anoldstory。AndnowhegoestoseethatWillemsand——nothing。Comesbacktalkingbigabouthisprisoner；butafterallhesaidverylittle。WhatdidthatWillemstellhim？Whatpassedbetweenthem？Theoldfellowmusthavehadsomethinginhismindwhenheletthatscoundreloff。AndJoanna！Shewouldgetroundtheoldfellow。Sure。Thenhewouldforgiveperhaps。Impossible。Butatanyratehewouldwastealotofmoneyonthem。Theoldmanwastenaciousinhishates，butalsoinhisaffections。HehadknownthatbeastWillemsfromaboy。Theywouldmakeitupinayearorso。Everythingispossible:whydidhenotrushoffatfirstandkillthebrute？ThatwouldhavebeenmorelikeLingard……

Almayerlaiddownhisspoonsuddenly，andpushinghisplateaway，threwhimselfbackinthechair……Unsafe。Decidedlyunsafe。HehadnomindtoshareLingard’smoneywithanybody。Lingard’smoneywasNina’smoneyinasense。AndifWillemsmanagedtobecomefriendlywiththeoldmanitwouldbedangerousforhim——Almayer。Suchanunscrupulousscoundrel！Hewouldousthimfromhisposition。Hewouldlieandslander。Everythingwouldbelost。Lost。PoorNina。Whatwouldbecomeofher？Poorchild。ForhersakehemustremovethatWillems。Must。Buthow？Lingardwantedtobeobeyed。ImpossibletokillWillems。Lingardmightbeangry。

Incredible，butsoitwas。Hemight……

AwaveofheatpassedthroughAlmayer’sbody，flushedhisface，andbrokeoutofhimincopiousperspiration。Hewriggledinhischair，andpressedhishandstogetherunderthetable。Whatanawfulprospect！HefanciedhecouldseeLingardandWillemsreconciledandgoingawayarm-in-arm，leavinghimaloneinthisGod-forsakenhole——inSambir——inthisdeadlyswamp！Andallhissacrifices，thesacrificeofhisindependence，ofhisbestyears，hissurrendertoLingard’sfanciesandcaprices，wouldgofornothing！Horrible！Thenhethoughtofhislittledaughter——hisdaughter！——andtheghastlinessofhissuppositionoverpoweredhim。Hehadadeepemotion，asuddenemotionthatmadehimfeelquitefaintattheideaofthatyounglifespoiledbeforeithadfairlybegun。Hisdearchild’slife！Lyingbackinhischairhecoveredhisfacewithbothhishands。

Aliglanceddownathimandsaid，unconcernedly——"Masterfinish？"

Almayerwaslostintheimmensityofhiscommiserationforhimself，forhisdaughter，whowas——perhaps——notgoingtobetherichestwomanintheworld——notwithstandingLingard’spromises。

Hedidnotunderstandtheother’squestion，andmutteredthroughhisfingersinadolefultone——

"Whatdidyousay？What？Finishwhat？"

"Clearupmeza，"explainedAli。

"Clearup！"burstoutAlmayer，withincomprehensibleexasperation。"Deviltakeyouandthetable。Stupid！

Chatterer！Chelakka！Getout！"

Heleanedforward，glaringathisheadman，thensankbackinhisseatwithhisarmshangingstraightdownoneachsideofthechair。Andhesatmotionlessinameditationsoconcentratedandsoabsorbing，withallhispowerofthoughtsodeepwithinhimself，thatallexpressiondisappearedfromhisfaceinanaspectofstaringvacancy。

Aliwasclearingthetable。Hedroppednegligentlythetumblerintothegreasydish，flungtherethespoonandfork，thenslippedintheplatewithapushamongsttheremnantsoffood。