第10章

Hisangeragainsther，againstherwhowasthecauseofallhismisfortunes，vanishedbeforehisextremeneedforsomekindofconsolation。Perhaps——ifhemustresignhimselftohisfate——shemighthelphimtoforget。Toforget！Foramoment，inanaccessofdespairsoprofoundthatitseemedlikethebeginningofpeace，heplannedthedeliberatedescentfromhispedestal，thethrowingawayofhissuperiority，ofallhishopes，ofoldambitions，oftheungratefulcivilization。Foramoment，forgetfulnessinherarmsseemedpossible；andluredbythatpossibilitythesemblanceofreneweddesirepossessedhisbreastinaburstofrecklesscontemptforeverythingoutsidehimself——inasavagedisdainofEarthandofHeaven。Hesaidtohimselfthathewouldnotrepent。Thepunishmentforhisonlysinwastooheavy。TherewasnomercyunderHeaven。Hedidnotwantany。Hethought，desperately，thatifhecouldfindwithheragainthemadnessofthepast，thestrangedeliriumthathadchangedhim，thathadworkedhisundoing，hewouldbereadytopayforitwithaneternityofperdition。Hewasintoxicatedbythesubtleperfumesofthenight；hewascarriedawaybythesuggestivestirofthewarmbreeze；hewaspossessedbytheexaltationofthesolitude，ofthesilence，ofhismemories，inthepresenceofthatfigureofferingherselfinasubmissiveandpatientdevotion；comingtohiminthenameofthepast，inthenameofthosedayswhenhecouldseenothing，thinkofnothing，desirenothing——butherembrace。

Hetookhersuddenlyinhisarms，andsheclaspedherhandsroundhisneckwithalowcryofjoyandsurprise。Hetookherinhisarmsandwaitedforthetransport，forthemadness，forthesensationsrememberedandlost；andwhileshesobbedgentlyonhisbreastheheldherandfeltcold，sick，tired，exasperatedwithhisfailure——andendedbycursinghimself。Sheclungtohimtremblingwiththeintensityofherhappinessandherlove。Heheardherwhispering——herfacehiddenonhisshoulder——ofpastsorrow，ofcomingjoythatwouldlastforever；ofherunshakenbeliefinhislove。Shehadalwaysbelieved。Always！Evenwhilehisfacewasturnedawayfromherinthedarkdayswhilehismindwaswanderinginhisownland，amongsthisownpeople。

Butitwouldneverwanderawayfromheranymore，nowithadcomeback。Hewouldforgetthecoldfacesandthehardheartsofthecruelpeople。Whatwastheretoremember？Nothing？Wasitnotso？……

Helistenedhopelesslytothefaintmurmur。Hestoodstillandrigid，pressinghermechanicallytohisbreastwhilehethoughtthattherewasnothingforhimintheworld。Hewasrobbedofeverything；robbedofhispassion，ofhisliberty，offorgetfulness，ofconsolation。She，wildwithdelight，whisperedonrapidly，oflove，oflight，ofpeace，oflongyears……Helookeddrearilyaboveherheaddownintothedeepergloomofthecourtyard。And，allatonce，itseemedtohimthathewaspeeringintoasombrehollow，intoadeepblackholefullofdecayandofwhitenedbones；intoanimmenseandinevitablegravefullofcorruptionwheresoonerorlaterhemust，unavoidably，fall。

Inthemorninghecameoutearly，andstoodforatimeinthedoorway，listeningtothelightbreathingbehindhim——inthehouse。Sheslept。Hehadnotclosedhiseyesthroughallthatnight。Hestoodswaying——thenleanedagainstthelintelofthedoor。Hewasexhausted，doneup；fanciedhimselfhardlyalive。

Hehadadisgustedhorrorofhimselfthat，ashelookedatthelevelseaofmistathisfeet，fadedquicklyintodullindifference。Itwaslikeasuddenandfinaldecrepitudeofhissenses，ofhisbody，ofhisthoughts。Standingonthehighplatform，helookedovertheexpanseoflownightfogabovewhich，hereandthere，stoodoutthefeatheryheadsoftallbambooclumpsandtheroundtopsofsingletrees，resemblingsmallisletsemergingblackandsolidfromaghostlyandimpalpablesea。Uponthefaintlyluminousbackgroundoftheeasternsky，thesombrelineofthegreatforestsboundedthatsmoothseaofwhitevapourswithanappearanceofafantasticandunattainableshore。

Helookedwithoutseeinganything——thinkingofhimself。Beforehiseyesthelightoftherisingsunburstabovetheforestwiththesuddennessofanexplosion。Hesawnothing。Then，afteratime，hemurmuredwithconviction——speakinghalfaloudtohimselfintheshockofthepenetratingthought:

"Iamalostman。"

Heshookhishandabovehisheadinagesturecarelessandtragic，thenwalkeddownintothemistthatclosedabovehiminshiningundulationsunderthefirstbreathofthemorningbreeze。

CHAPTERFOUR

Willemsmovedlanguidlytowardstheriver，thenretracedhisstepstothetreeandlethimselffallontheseatunderitsshade。Ontheothersideoftheimmensetrunkhecouldheartheoldwomanmovingabout，sighingloudly，mutteringtoherself，snappingdrysticks，blowingupthefire。Afterawhileawhiffofsmokedriftedroundtowherehesat。Itmadehimfeelhungry，andthatfeelingwaslikeanewindignityaddedtoanintolerableloadofhumiliations。Hefeltinclinedtocry。Hefeltveryweak。Hehelduphisarmbeforehiseyesandwatchedforalittlewhilethetremblingoftheleanlimb。Skinandbone，byGod！Howthinhewas！……Hehadsufferedfromfeveragooddeal，andnowhethoughtwithtearfuldismaythatLingard，althoughhehadsenthimfood——andwhatfood，greatLord:alittlericeanddriedfish；quiteunfitforawhiteman——hadnotsenthimanymedicine。Didtheoldsavagethinkthathewaslikethewildbeaststhatareneverill？Hewantedquinine。

Heleanedthebackofhisheadagainstthetreeandclosedhiseyes。HethoughtfeeblythatifhecouldgetholdofLingardhewouldliketoflayhimalive；butitwasonlyablurred，ashortandapassingthought。Hisimagination，exhaustedbytherepeateddelineationsofhisownfate，hadnotenoughstrengthlefttogriptheideaofrevenge。Hewasnotindignantandrebellious。

Hewascowed。Hewascowedbytheimmensecataclysmofhisdisaster。Likemostmen，hehadcarriedsolemnlywithinhisbreastthewholeuniverse，andtheapproachingendofallthingsinthedestructionofhisownpersonalityfilledhimwithparalyzingawe。Everythingwastopplingover。Heblinkedhiseyesquickly，anditseemedtohimthattheverysunshineofthemorningdisclosedinitsbrightnessasuggestionofsomehiddenandsinistermeaning。Inhisunreasoningfearhetriedtohidewithinhimself。Hedrewhisfeetup，hisheadsankbetweenhisshoulders，hisarmshuggedhissides。Underthehighandenormoustreesoaringsuperblyoutofthemistinavigorousspreadofloftyboughs，witharestlessandeagerflutterofitsinnumerableleavesintheclearsunshine，heremainedmotionless，huddleduponhisseat:terrifiedandstill。

Willems’gazeroamedovertheground，andthenhewatchedwithidioticfixityhalfadozenblackantsenteringcourageouslyatuftoflonggrasswhich，tothem，musthaveappearedadarkandadangerousjungle。Suddenlyhethought:Theremustbesomethingdeadinthere。Somedeadinsect。Deatheverywhere！Heclosedhiseyesagaininanaccessoftremblingpain。Deatheverywhere——whereveronelooks。Hedidnotwanttoseetheants。

Hedidnotwanttoseeanybodyoranything。Hesatinthedarknessofhisownmaking，reflectingbitterlythattherewasnopeaceforhim。Heheardvoicesnow……Illusion！Misery！

Torment！Whowouldcome？Whowouldspeaktohim？Whatbusinesshadhetohearvoices？……yetheheardthemfaintly，fromtheriver。Faintly，asifshoutedfaroffoverthere，camethewords"Wecomebacksoon。"……Deliriumandmockery！Whowouldcomeback？Nobodyevercomesback！Fevercomesback。Hehaditonhimthismorning。Thatwasit……Heheardunexpectedlytheoldwomanmutteringsomethingnearby。Shehadcomeroundtohissideofthetree。Heopenedhiseyesandsawherbentbackbeforehim。Shestood，withherhandshadinghereyes，lookingtowardsthelanding-place。Thensheglidedaway。Shehadseen——andnowshewasgoingbacktohercooking；awomanincurious；expectingnothing；withoutfearandwithouthope。

Shehadgonebackbehindthetree，andnowWillemscouldseeahumanfigureonthepathtothelanding-place。Itappearedtohimtobeawoman，inaredgown，holdingsomeheavybundleinherarms；itwasanapparitionunexpected，familiarandodd。Hecursedthroughhisteeth……Ithadwantedonlythis！Seethingslikethatinbroaddaylight！Hewasverybad——verybad……Hewashorriblyscaredatthisawfulsymptomofthedesperatestateofhishealth。

Thisscarelastedforthespaceofaflashoflightning，andinthenextmomentitwasrevealedtohimthatthewomanwasreal；

thatshewascomingtowardshim；thatshewashiswife！Heputhisfeetdowntothegroundquickly，butmadenoothermovement。

Hiseyesopenedwide。Hewassoamazedthatforatimeheabsolutelyforgothisownexistence。Theonlyideainhisheadwas:Whyonearthdidshecomehere？

Joannawascomingupthecourtyardwitheager，hurriedsteps。

Shecarriedinherarmsthechild，wrappedupinoneofAlmayer’swhiteblanketsthatshehadsnatchedoffthebedatthelastmoment，beforeleavingthehouse。Sheseemedtobedazedbythesuninhereyes；bewilderedbyherstrangesurroundings。Shemovedon，lookingquicklyrightandleftinimpatientexpectationofseeingherhusbandatanymoment。Then，approachingthetree，sheperceivedsuddenlyakindofadried-up，yellowcorpse，sittingverystiffonabenchintheshadeandlookingatherwithbigeyesthatwerealive。Thatwasherhusband。

Shestoppeddeadshort。Theystaredatoneanotherinprofoundstillness，withastoundedeyes，witheyesmaddenedbythememoriesofthingsfaroffthatseemedlostinthelapseoftime。

Theirlookscrossed，passedeachother，andappearedtodartatthemthroughfantasticdistances，tocomestraightfromtheincredible。

Lookingathimsteadilyshecamenearer，anddepositedtheblanketwiththechildinitonthebench。LittleLouis，afterhowlingwithterrorinthedarknessoftherivermostofthenight，nowsleptsoundlyanddidnotwake。Willems’eyesfollowedhiswife，hisheadturningslowlyafterher。Heacceptedherpresencetherewithatiredacquiescenceinitsfabulousimprobability。Anythingmighthappen。Whatdidshecomefor？Shewaspartofthegeneralschemeofhismisfortune。

Hehalfexpectedthatshewouldrushathim，pullhishair，andscratchhisface。Whynot？Anythingmighthappen！Inanexaggeratedsenseofhisgreatbodilyweaknesshefeltsomewhatapprehensiveofpossibleassault。Atanyrate，shewouldscreamathim。Heknewherofold。Shecouldscreech。Hehadthoughtthathewasridofherforever。Shecamenowprobablytoseetheend……

Suddenlysheturned，andembracinghimslidgentlytotheground。

Thisstartledhim。Withherforeheadonhiskneesshesobbednoiselessly。Helookeddowndismallyatthetopofherhead。

Whatwassheupto？Hehadnotthestrengthtomove——togetaway。Heheardherwhisperingsomething，andbentovertolisten。Hecaughttheword"Forgive。"

Thatwaswhatshecamefor！Allthatway。Womenarequeer。

Forgive。Nothe！……Allatoncethisthoughtdartedthroughhisbrain:Howdidshecome？Inaboat。Boat！boat！

Heshouted"Boat！"andjumpedup，knockingherover。Beforeshehadtimetopickherselfuphepounceduponherandwasdraggingherupbytheshoulders。Nosoonerhadsheregainedherfeetthansheclaspedhimtightlyroundtheneck，coveringhisface，hiseyes，hismouth，hisnosewithdesperatekisses。Hedodgedhisheadabout，shakingherarms，tryingtokeepheroff，tospeak，toaskher……Shecameinaboat，boat，boat！……

Theystruggledandswunground，trampinginasemicircle。Heblurtedout，"Leaveoff。Listen，"whilehetoreatherhands。

Thismeetingoflawfulloveandsincerejoyresembledfight。

LouisWillemssleptpeacefullyunderhisblanket。

AtlastWillemsmanagedtofreehimself，andheldheroff，pressingherarmsdown。Helookedather。Hehadhalfasuspicionthathewasdreaming。Herlipstrembled；hereyeswanderedunsteadily，alwayscomingbacktohisface。Hesawherthesameasever，inhispresence。Sheappearedstartled，tremulous，readytocry。Shedidnotinspirehimwithconfidence。Heshouted——

"Howdidyoucome？"

Sheansweredinhurriedwords，lookingathimintently——

"Inabigcanoewiththreemen。Iknoweverything。Lingard’saway。Icometosaveyou。Iknow……Almayertoldme。"

"Canoe！——Almayer——Lies。Toldyou——You！"stammeredWillemsinadistractedmanner。"Whyyou？——Toldwhat？"

Wordsfailedhim。Hestaredathiswife，thinkingwithfearthatshe——stupidwoman——hadbeenmadeatoolinsomeplanoftreachery……insomedeadlyplot。

Shebegantocry——

"Don’tlookatmelikethat，Peter。WhathaveIdone？Icometobeg——tobeg——forgiveness……Save——Lingard——danger。"

Hetrembledwithimpatience，withhope，withfear。Shelookedathimandsobbedoutinafreshoutburstofgrief——

"Oh！Peter。What’sthematter？——Areyouill？……Oh！youlooksoill……"

Heshookherviolentlyintoaterrifiedandwonderingsilence。

"Howdareyou！——Iamwell——perfectlywell……Where’sthatboat？Willyoutellmewherethatboatis——atlast？Theboat，I

say……You！……"

"Youhurtme，"shemoaned。

Helethergo，and，masteringherterror，shestoodquiveringandlookingathimwithstrangeintensity。Thenshemadeamovementforward，butheliftedhisfinger，andsherestrainedherselfwithalongsigh。Hecalmeddownsuddenlyandsurveyedherwithcoldcriticism，withthesameappearanceaswhen，intheolddays，heusedtofindfaultwiththehouseholdexpenses。Shefoundakindoffearfuldelightinthisabruptreturnintothepast，intoheroldsubjection。

Hestoodoutwardlycollectednow，andlistenedtoherdisconnectedstory。Herwordsseemedtofallroundhimwiththedistractingclatterofstunninghail。Hecaughtthemeaninghereandthere，andstraightwaywouldlosehimselfinatremendousefforttoshapeoutsomeintelligibletheoryofevents。Therewasaboat。Aboat。Abigboatthatcouldtakehimtoseaifnecessary。Thatmuchwasclear。Shebroughtit。WhydidAlmayerlietoherso？Wasitaplantodecoyhimintosomeambush？Betterthatthanhopelesssolitude。Shehadmoney。Themenwerereadytogoanywhere……shesaid。

Heinterruptedher——

"Wherearetheynow？"

"Theyarecomingdirectly，"sheanswered，tearfully。"Directly。

Therearesomefishingstakesnearhere——theysaid。Theyarecomingdirectly。"

Againshewastalkingandsobbingtogether。Shewantedtobeforgiven。Forgiven？Whatfor？Ah！thesceneinMacassar。Asifhehadtimetothinkofthat！Whatdidhecarewhatshehaddonemonthsago？Heseemedtostruggleinthetoilsofcomplicateddreamswhereeverythingwasimpossible，yetamatterofcourse，wherethepasttooktheaspectsofthefutureandthepresentlayheavyonhisheart——seemedtotakehimbythethroatlikethehandofanenemy。Andwhileshebegged，entreated，kissedhishands，weptonhisshoulder，adjuredhiminthenameofGod，toforgive，toforget，tospeakthewordforwhichshelonged，tolookathisboy，tobelieveinhersorrowandinherdevotion——hiseyes，inthefascinatedimmobilityofshiningpupils，lookedfaraway，farbeyondher，beyondtheriver，beyondthisland，throughdays，weeks，months；lookedintoliberty，intothefuture，intohistriumph……intothegreatpossibilityofastartlingrevenge。

Hefeltasuddendesiretodanceandshout。Heshouted——

"Afterall，weshallmeetagain，CaptainLingard。"

"Oh，no！No！"shecried，joiningherhands。

Helookedatherwithsurprise。Hehadforgottenshewastheretillthebreakofhercryinthemonotonoustonesofherprayerrecalledhimintothatcourtyardfromthegloriousturmoilofhisdreams。Itwasverystrangetoseeherthere——nearhim。Hefeltalmostaffectionatetowardsher。Afterall，shecamejustintime。Thenhethought:Thatotherone。Imustgetawaywithoutascene。Whoknows；shemaybedangerous！……AndallatoncehefelthehatedAissawithanimmensehatredthatseemedtochokehim。Hesaidtohiswife——

"Waitamoment。"

She，obedient，seemedtogulpdownsomewordswhichwantedtocomeout。Hemuttered:"Stayhere，"anddisappearedroundthetree。

Thewaterintheironpanonthecookingfireboiledfuriously，belchingoutvolumesofwhitesteamthatmixedwiththethinblackthreadofsmoke。Theoldwomanappearedtohimthroughthisasifinafog，squattingonherheels，impassiveandweird。

Willemscameupnearandasked，"Whereisshe？"

Thewomandidnotevenliftherhead，butansweredatonce，readily，asthoughshehadexpectedthequestionforalongtime。

"Whileyouwereasleepunderthetree，beforethestrangecanoecame，shewentoutofthehouse。Isawherlookatyouandpassonwithagreatlightinhereyes。Agreatlight。AndshewenttowardstheplacewhereourmasterLakambahadhisfruittrees。

Whenweweremanyhere。Many，many。Menwitharmsbytheirside。Many……men。Andtalk……andsongs……"

Shewentonlikethat，ravinggentlytoherselfforalongtimeafterWillemshadlefther。

Willemswentbacktohiswife。Hecameupclosetoherandfoundhehadnothingtosay。NowallhisfacultieswereconcentrateduponhiswishtoavoidAissa。Shemightstayallthemorninginthatgrove。Whydidthoserascallyboatmengo？Hehadaphysicalrepugnancetoseteyesonher。Andsomewhere，attheverybottomofhisheart，therewasafearofher。Why？Whatcouldshedo？Nothingonearthcouldstophimnow。Hefeltstrong，reckless，pitiless，andsuperiortoeverything。Hewantedtopreservebeforehiswifetheloftypurityofhischaracter。Hethought:Shedoesnotknow。AlmayerheldhistongueaboutAissa。Butifshefindsout，Iamlost。Ifithadn’tbeenfortheboyIwould……freeofbothofthem……

Theideadartedthroughhishead。Nothe！Married……Sworesolemnly。No……sacredtie……Lookingonhiswife，hefeltforthefirsttimeinhislifesomethingapproachingremorse。Remorse，arisingfromhisconceptionoftheawfulnatureofanoathbeforethealtar……Shemustn’tfindout……Oh，forthatboat！Hemustruninandgethisrevolver。

Couldn’tthinkoftrustinghimselfunarmedwiththoseBajowfellows。Getitnowwhilesheisaway。Oh，forthatboat！……

Hedarednotgototheriverandhail。Hethought:Shemighthearme……I’llgoandget……cartridges……thenwillbeallready……nothingelse。No。

Andwhilehestoodmeditatingprofoundlybeforehecouldmakeuphismindtoruntothehouse，Joannapleaded，holdingtohisarm——pleadeddespairingly，broken-hearted，hopelesswheneversheglancedupathisface，whichtoherseemedtoweartheaspectofunforgivingrectitude，ofvirtuousseverity，ofmercilessjustice。Andshepleadedhumbly——abashedbeforehim，beforetheunmovedappearanceofthemanshehadwrongedindefianceofhumananddivinelaws。Heheardnotawordofwhatshesaidtillsheraisedhervoiceinafinalappeal——

"……Don’tyouseeIlovedyoualways？Theytoldmehorriblethingsaboutyou……Myownmother！Theytoldme——youhavebeen——youhavebeenunfaithfultome，andI……"

"It’sadamnedlie！"shoutedWillems，wakingupforamomentintorighteousindignation。

"Iknow！Iknow——Begenerous——Thinkofmymiserysinceyouwentaway——Oh！Icouldhavetornmytongueout……Iwillneverbelieveanybody——Lookattheboy——Bemerciful——IcouldneverresttillIfoundyou……Say——aword——oneword……"

"Whatthedevildoyouwant？"exclaimedWillems，lookingtowardstheriver。"Where’sthatdamnedboat？Whydidyouletthemgoaway？Youstupid！"

"Oh，Peter！——Iknowthatinyourheartyouhaveforgivenme——Youaresogenerous——Iwanttohearyousayso……Tellme——doyou？"

"Yes！yes！"saidWillems，impatiently。"Iforgiveyou。Don’tbeafool。"

"Don’tgoaway。Don’tleavemealonehere。Whereisthedanger？

Iamsofrightened……Areyoualonehere？Sure？……Letusgoaway！"

"That’ssense，"saidWillems，stilllookinganxiouslytowardstheriver。

Shesobbedgently，leaningonhisarm。

"Letmego，"hesaid。

Hehadseenabovethesteepbanktheheadsofthreemenglidealongsmoothly。Then，wheretheshoreshelveddowntothelanding-place，appearedabigcanoewhichcameslowlytoland。

"Heretheyare，"hewenton，briskly。"Imustgetmyrevolver。"

Hemadeafewhurriedpacestowardsthehouse，butseemedtocatchsightofsomething，turnedshortroundandcamebacktohiswife。Shestaredathim，alarmedbythesuddenchangeinhisface。Heappearedmuchdiscomposed。Hestammeredalittleashebegantospeak。

"Takethechild。Walkdowntotheboatandtellthemtodropitoutofsight，quick，behindthebushes。Doyouhear？Quick！I

willcometoyoutheredirectly。Hurryup！"

"Peter！Whatisit？Iwon’tleaveyou。Thereissomedangerinthishorribleplace。"

"WillyoudowhatItellyou？"saidWillems，inanirritablewhisper。

"No！no！no！Iwon’tleaveyou。Iwillnotloseyouagain。

Tellme，whatisit？"

Frombeyondthehousecameafaintvoicesinging。Willemsshookhiswifebytheshoulder。

"DowhatItellyou！Runatonce！"

Shegrippedhisarmandclungtohimdesperately。Helookeduptoheavenasiftakingittowitnessofthatwoman’sinfernalfolly。

Thesonggrewlouder，thenceasedsuddenly，andAissaappearedinsight，walkingslowly，herhandsfullofflowers。

Shehadturnedthecornerofthehouse，comingoutintothefullsunshine，andthelightseemedtoleapuponherinastreambrilliant，tender，andcaressing，asifattractedbytheradianthappinessofherface。Shehaddressedherselfforafestiveday，forthememorabledayofhisreturntoher，ofhisreturntoanaffectionthatwouldlastforever。Theraysofthemorningsunwerecaughtbytheovalclaspoftheembroideredbeltthatheldthesilksarongroundherwaist。Thedazzlingwhitestuffofherbodyjacketwascrossedbyabarofyellowandsilverofherscarf，andintheblackhairtwistedhighonhersmallheadshonetheroundballsofgoldpinsamongstcrimsonblossomsandwhitestar-shapedflowers，withwhichshehadcrownedherselftocharmhiseyes；thoseeyesthatwerehenceforthtoseenothingintheworldbutherownresplendentimage。Andshemovedslowly，bendingherfaceoverthemassofpurewhitechampakasandjasminepressedtoherbreast，inadreamyintoxicationofsweetscentsandofsweeterhopes。

Shedidnotseemtoseeanything，stoppedforamomentatthefootoftheplankwayleadingtothehouse，then，leavingherhigh-heeledwoodensandalsthere，ascendedtheplanksinalightrun；straight，graceful，flexible，andnoiseless，asifshehadsoareduptothedooroninvisiblewings。Willemspushedhiswiferoughlybehindthetree，andmadeuphismindquicklyforarushtothehouse，tograbhisrevolverand……Thoughts，doubts，expedientsseemedtoboilinhisbrain。Hehadaflashingvisionofdeliveringastunningblow，oftyingupthatflowerbedeckedwomaninthedarkhouse——avisionofthingsdoneswiftlywithenragedhaste——tosavehisprestige，hissuperiority——somethingofimmenseimportance……HehadnotmadetwostepswhenJoannaboundedafterhim，caughtthebackofhisraggedjacket，toreoutabigpiece，andinstantlyhookedherselfwithbothhandstothecollar，nearlydragginghimdownonhisback。Althoughtakenbysurprise，hemanagedtokeephisfeet。Frombehindshepantedintohisear——

"Thatwoman！Who’sthatwoman？Ah！that’swhatthoseboatmenweretalkingabout。Iheardthem……heardthem……heard……inthenight。Theyspokeaboutsomewoman。Idarednotunderstand。Iwouldnotask……listen……believe！HowcouldI？Thenit’strue。No。Sayno……Who’sthatwoman？"

Heswayed，tuggingforward。Shejerkedathimtillthebuttongaveway，andthenheslippedhalfoutofhisjacketand，turninground，remainedstrangelymotionless。Hisheartseemedtobeatinhisthroat。Hechoked——triedtospeak——couldnotfindanywords。Hethoughtwithfury:Iwillkillbothofthem。

Forasecondnothingmovedaboutthecourtyardinthegreatvividclearnessoftheday。Onlydownbythelanding-placeawaringan-tree，allinablazeofclusteringredberries，seemedalivewiththestiroflittlebirdsthatfilledwiththefeverishflutteroftheirfeathersthetangleofoverloadedbranches。

Suddenlythevariegatedflockrosespinninginasoftwhirranddispersed，slashingthesunlithazewiththesharpoutlinesofstiffenedwings。Mahmatandoneofhisbrothersappearedcomingupfromthelanding-place，theirlancesintheirhands，tolookfortheirpassengers。

Aissacomingnowempty-handedoutofthehouse，caughtsightofthetwoarmedmen。Inhersurprisesheemittedafaintcry，vanishedbackandinaflashreappearedinthedoorwaywithWillems’revolverinherhand。Toherthepresenceofanymantherecouldonlyhaveanominousmeaning。Therewasnothingintheouterworldbutenemies。Sheandthemanshelovedwerealone，withnothingroundthembutmenacingdangers。Shedidnotmindthat，forifdeathcame，nomatterfromwhathand，theywoulddietogether。

Herresoluteeyestookinthecourtyardinacircularglance。

Shenoticedthatthetwostrangershadceasedtoadvanceandnowwerestandingclosetogetherleaningonthepolishedshaftsoftheirweapons。ThenextmomentshesawWillems，withhisbacktowardsher，apparentlystrugglingunderthetreewithsomeone。

Shesawnothingdistinctly，and，unhesitating，flewdowntheplankwaycallingout:"Icome！"

Heheardhercry，andwithanunexpectedrushdrovehiswifebackwardstotheseat。Shefellonit；hejerkedhimselfaltogetheroutofhisjacket，andshecoveredherfacewiththesoiledrags。Heputhislipsclosetoher，asking——

"Forthelasttime，willyoutakethechildandgo？"

Shegroanedbehindtheuncleanruinsofhisuppergarment。Shemumbledsomething。Hebentlowertohear。Shewassaying——

"Iwon’t。Orderthatwomanaway。Ican’tlookather！"

"Youfool！"

Heseemedtospitthewordsather，then，makinguphismind，spunroundtofaceAissa。Shewascomingtowardsthemslowlynow，withalookofunboundedamazementonherface。Thenshestoppedandstaredathim——whostoodthere，strippedtothewaist，bare-headedandsombre。

Somewayoff，Mahmatandhisbrotherexchangedrapidwordsincalmundertones……Thiswasthestrongdaughteroftheholymanwhohaddied。Thewhitemanisverytall。Therewouldbethreewomenandthechildtotakeintheboat，besidesthatwhitemanwhohadthemoney……Thebrotherwentawaybacktotheboat，andMahmatremainedlookingon。Hestoodlikeasentinel，theleaf-shapedbladeofhislanceglintingabovehishead。

Willemsspokesuddenly。

"Givemethis，"hesaid，stretchinghishandtowardstherevolver。

Aissasteppedback。Herlipstrembled。Shesaidverylow:

"Yourpeople？"

Henoddedslightly。Sheshookherheadthoughtfully，andafewdelicatepetalsoftheflowersdyinginherhairfelllikebigdropsofcrimsonandwhiteatherfeet。

"Didyouknow？"shewhispered。

"No！"saidWillems。"Theysentforme。"

"Tellthemtodepart。Theyareaccursed。Whatistherebetweenthemandyou——andyouwhocarrymylifeinyourheart！"

Willemssaidnothing。Hestoodbeforeherlookingdownonthegroundandrepeatingtohimself:Imustgetthatrevolverawayfromher，atonce，atonce。Ican’tthinkoftrustingmyselfwiththosemenwithoutfirearms。Imusthaveit。

Sheasked，aftergazinginsilenceatJoanna，whowassobbinggently——

"Whoisshe？"

"Mywife，"answeredWillems，withoutlookingup。"Mywifeaccordingtoourwhitelaw，whichcomesfromGod！"

"Yourlaw！YourGod！"murmuredAissa，contemptuously。

"Givemethisrevolver，"saidWillems，inaperemptorytone。Hefeltanunwillingnesstoclosewithher，togetitbyforce。

Shetooknonoticeandwenton——

"Yourlaw……oryourlies？WhatamItobelieve？Icame——I

rantodefendyouwhenIsawthestrangemen。Youliedtomewithyourlips，withyoureyes。Youcrookedheart！……Ah！"

sheadded，afteranabruptpause。"Sheisthefirst！AmIthentobeaslave？"

"Youmaybewhatyoulike，"saidWillems，brutally。"Iamgoing。"

Hergazewasfastenedontheblanketunderwhichshehaddetectedaslightmovement。Shemadealongstridetowardsit。Willemsturnedhalfround。Hislegsseemedtohimtobemadeoflead。

Hefeltfaintandsoweakthat，foramoment，thefearofdyingtherewherehestood，beforehecouldescapefromsinanddisaster，passedthroughhismindinawaveofdespair。

Shelifteduponecorneroftheblanket，andwhenshesawthesleepingchildasuddenquickshuddershookherasthoughshehadseensomethinginexpressiblyhorrible。ShelookedatLouisWillemswitheyesfixedinanunbelievingandterrifiedstare。

Thenherfingersopenedslowly，andashadowseemedtosettleonherfaceasifsomethingobscureandfatalhadcomebetweenherandthesunshine。Shestoodlookingdown，absorbed，asthoughshehadwatchedatthebottomofagloomyabyssthemournfulprocessionofherthoughts。

Willemsdidnotmove。Allhisfacultieswereconcentratedupontheideaofhisrelease。Anditwasonlythenthattheassuranceofitcametohimwithsuchforcethatheseemedtohearaloudvoiceshoutingintheheavensthatallwasover，thatinanotherfive，tenminutes，hewouldstepintoanotherexistence；thatallthis，thewoman，themadness，thesin，theregrets，allwouldgo，rushintothepast，disappear，becomeasdust，assmoke，asdriftingclouds——asnothing！Yes！Allwouldvanishintheunappeasablepastwhichwouldswallowupall——eventheverymemoryofhistemptationandofhisdownfall。Nothingmattered。

Hecaredfornothing。HehadforgottenAissa，hiswife，Lingard，Hudig——everybody，intherapidvisionofhishopefulfuture。

AfterawhileheheardAissasaying——

"Achild！Achild！WhathaveIdonetobemadetodevourthissorrowandthisgrief？Andwhileyourman-childandthemotherlivedyoutoldmetherewasnothingforyoutorememberinthelandfromwhichyoucame！AndIthoughtyoucouldbemine。I

thoughtthatIwould……"

Hervoiceceasedinabrokenmurmur，andwithit，inherheart，seemedtodiethegreaterandmostprecioushopeofhernewlife。

Shehadhopedthatinthefuturethefrailarmsofachildwouldbindtheirtwolivestogetherinabondwhichnothingonearthcouldbreak，abondofaffection，ofgratitude，oftenderrespect。Shethefirst——theonlyone！Butintheinstantshesawthesonofthatotherwomanshefeltherselfremovedintothecold，thedarkness，thesilenceofasolitudeimpenetrableandimmense——veryfarfromhim，beyondthepossibilityofanyhope，intoaninfinityofwrongswithoutanyredress。

ShestrodenearertoJoanna。Shefelttowardsthatwomananger，envy，jealousy。Beforehershefelthumiliatedandenraged。SheseizedthehangingsleeveofthejacketinwhichJoannawashidingherfaceandtoreitoutofherhands，exclaimingloudly——

"LetmeseethefaceofherbeforewhomIamonlyaservantandaslave。Ya-wa！Iseeyou！"

Herunexpectedshoutseemedtofillthesunlitspaceofclearedgrounds，risehighandrunonfarintothelandovertheunstirringtree-topsoftheforests。Shestoodinsuddenstillness，lookingatJoannawithsurprisedcontempt。

"ASiraniwoman！"shesaid，slowly，inatoneofwonder。

JoannarushedatWillems——clungtohim，shrieking:"Defendme，Peter！Defendmefromthatwoman！"

"Bequiet。Thereisnodanger，"mutteredWillems，thickly。

Aissalookedatthemwithscorn。"Godisgreat！Isitinthedustatyourfeet，"sheexclaimedjeeringly，joiningherhandsaboveherheadinagestureofmockhumility。"BeforeyouIamasnothing。"SheturnedtoWillemsfiercely，openingherarmswide。"Whathaveyoumadeofme？"shecried，"youlyingchildofanaccursedmother！Whathaveyoumadeofme？Theslaveofaslave。Don’tspeak！Yourwordsareworsethanthepoisonofsnakes。ASiraniwoman。Awomanofapeopledespisedbyall。"

ShepointedherfingeratJoanna，steppedback，andbegantolaugh。

"Makeherstop，Peter！"screamedJoanna。"Thatheathenwoman。

Heathen！Heathen！Beather，Peter。"

WillemscaughtsightoftherevolverwhichAissahadlaidontheseatnearthechild。HespokeinDutchtohiswife，withoutmovinghishead。

"Snatchtheboy——andmyrevolverthere。See。Runtotheboat。

Iwillkeepherback。Now’sthetime。"

Aissacamenearer。ShestaredatJoanna，whilebetweentheshortgustsofbrokenlaughtersheraved，fumblingdistractedlyatthebuckleofherbelt。

"Toher！Toher——themotherofhimwhowillspeakofyourwisdom，ofyourcourage。Alltoher。Ihavenothing。Nothing。

Take，take。"

ShetorethebeltoffandthrewitatJoanna’sfeet。Sheflungdownwithhastethearmlets，thegoldpins，theflowers；andthelonghair，released，fellscatteredoverhershoulders，framinginitsblacknessthewildexaltationofherface。

"Driveheroff，Peter。Driveofftheheathensavage，"persistedJoanna。Sheseemedtohavelostherheadaltogether。Shestamped，clingingtoWillems’armwithbothherhands。

"Look，"criedAissa。"Lookatthemotherofyourson！Sheisafraid。Whydoesshenotgofrombeforemyface？Lookather。

Sheisugly。"

Joannaseemedtounderstandthescornfultoneofthewords。AsAissasteppedbackagainnearertothetreesheletgoherhusband’sarm，rushedathermadly，slappedherface，then，swervinground，dartedatthechildwho，unnoticed，hadbeenwailingforsometime，and，snatchinghimup，flewdowntothewaterside，sendingshriekaftershriekinanaccessofinsaneterror。

Willemsmadefortherevolver。Aissapassedswiftly，givinghimanunexpectedpushthatsenthimstaggeringawayfromthetree。

Shecaughtuptheweapon，putitbehindherback，andcried——

"Youshallnothaveit。Goafterher。Gotomeetdanger……

Gotomeetdeath……Gounarmed……Gowithemptyhandsandsweetwords……asyoucametome……Gohelplessandlietotheforests，tothesea……tothedeaththatwaitsforyou……"

Sheceasedasifstrangled。Shesawinthehorrorofthepassingsecondsthehalf-naked，wild-lookingmanbeforeher；sheheardthefaintshrillnessofJoanna’sinsaneshrieksforhelpsomewheredownbytheriverside。Thesunlightstreamedonher，onhim，onthemuteland，onthemurmuringriver——thegentlebrillianceofaserenemorningthat，toher，seemedtraversedbyghastlyflashesofuncertaindarkness。Hatefilledtheworld，filledthespacebetweenthem——thehateofrace，thehateofhopelessdiversity，thehateofblood；thehateagainstthemanborninthelandofliesandofevilfromwhichnothingbutmisfortunecomestothosewhoarenotwhite。Andasshestood，maddened，sheheardawhispernearher，thewhisperofthedeadOmar’svoicesayinginherear:"Kill！Kill！"

Shecried，seeinghimmove——

"Donotcomenearme……oryoudienow！GowhileIrememberyet……remember……"

Willemspulledhimselftogetherforastruggle。Hedarednotgounarmed。Hemadealongstride，andsawherraisetherevolver。

Henoticedthatshehadnotcockedit，andsaidtohimselfthat，evenifshedidfire，shewouldsurelymiss。Gotoohigh；itwasastifftrigger。Hemadeastepnearer——sawthelongbarrelmovingunsteadilyattheendofherextendedarm。Hethought:

Thisismytime……Hebenthiskneesslightly，throwinghisbodyforward，andtookoffwithalongboundforatearingrush。

Hesawaburstofredflamebeforehiseyes，andwasdeafenedbyareportthatseemedtohimlouderthanaclapofthunder。

Somethingstoppedhimshort，andhestoodaspiringinhisnostrilstheacridsmellofthebluesmokethatdriftedfrombeforehiseyeslikeanimmensecloud……Missed，byHeaven！……Thoughtso！……Andhesawherveryfaroff，throwingherarmsup，whiletherevolver，verysmall，layonthegroundbetweenthem……Missed！……Hewouldgoandpickitupnow。Neverbeforedidheunderstand，asinthatsecond，thejoy，thetriumphantdelightofsunshineandoflife。Hismouthwasfullofsomethingsaltandwarm。Hetriedtocough；spatout……Whoshrieks:InthenameofGod，hedies！——hedies！——Whodies？——Mustpickup——Night！——What？……Nightalready……

******

ManyyearsafterwardsAlmayerwastellingthestoryofthegreatrevolutioninSambirtoachancevisitorfromEurope。HewasaRoumanian，halfnaturalist，halforchid-hunterforcommercialpurposes，whousedtodeclaretoeverybody，inthefirstfiveminutesofacquaintance，hisintentionofwritingascientificbookabouttropicalcountries。OnhiswaytotheinteriorhehadquarteredhimselfuponAlmayer。Hewasamanofsomeeducation，buthedrankhisginneat，oronly，atmost，wouldsqueezethejuiceofhalfasmalllimeintotherawspirit。Hesaiditwasgoodforhishealth，and，withthatmedicinebeforehim，hewoulddescribetothesurprisedAlmayerthewondersofEuropeancapitals；whileAlmayer，inexchange，boredhimbyexpounding，withgusto，hisunfavourableopinionsofSambir’ssocialandpoliticallife。Theytalkedfarintothenight，acrossthedealtableontheverandah，while，betweenthem，clear-winged，small，andflabbyinsects，dissatisfiedwithmoonlight，streamedinandperishedinthousandsroundthesmokylightoftheevil-smellinglamp。

Almayer，hisfaceflushed，wassaying——

"Ofcourse，Ididnotseethat。ItoldyouIwasstuckinthecreekonaccountoffather’s——CaptainLingard’s——susceptibletemper。IamsureIdiditallforthebestintryingtofacilitatethefellow’sescape；butCaptainLingardwasthatkindofman——youknow——onecouldn’targuewith。Justbeforesunsetthewaterwashighenough，andwegotoutofthecreek。WegottoLakamba’sclearingaboutdark。Allveryquiet；Ithoughttheyweregone，ofcourse，andfeltveryglad。Wewalkedupthecourtyard——sawabigheapofsomethinglyinginthemiddle。Outofthatsheroseandrushedatus。ByGod……Youknowthosestoriesoffaithfuldogswatchingtheirmasters’corpses……

don’tletanybodyapproach……gottobeatthemoff——andallthat……Well，’ponmywordwehadtobeatheroff。Hadto！

Shewaslikeafury。Wouldn’tletustouchhim。Dead——ofcourse。Shouldthinkso。Shotthroughthelung，ontheleftside，ratherhighup，andatprettyclosequarterstoo，forthetwoholesweresmall。Bulletcameoutthroughtheshoulder-blade。Afterwehadoverpoweredher——youcan’timaginehowstrongthatwomanwas；ittookthreeofus——wegotthebodyintotheboatandshovedoff。Wethoughtshehadfaintedthen，butshegotupandrushedintothewaterafterus。Well，Iletherclamberin。WhatcouldIdo？Theriver’sfullofalligators。Iwillneverforgetthatpullup-streaminthenightaslongasIlive。Shesatinthebottomoftheboat，holdinghisheadinherlap，andnowandagainwipinghisfacewithherhair。Therewasalotofblooddriedabouthismouthandchin。

Andforallthesixhoursofthatjourneyshekeptonwhisperingtenderlytothatcorpse！……Ihadthemateoftheschoonerwithme。Themansaidafterwardsthathewouldn’tgothroughitagain——notforahandfulofdiamonds。AndIbelievedhim——Idid。

Itmakesmeshiver。Doyouthinkheheard？No！Imeansomebody——something——heard？……"

"Iamamaterialist，"declaredthemanofscience，tiltingthebottleshakilyovertheemptiedglass。

Almayershookhisheadandwenton——

"NobodysawhowitreallyhappenedbutthatmanMahmat。Healwayssaidthathewasnofurtherofffromthemthantwolengthsofhislance。ItappearsthetwowomenrowedeachotherwhilethatWillemsstoodbetweenthem。ThenMahmatsaysthatwhenJoannastruckherandranoff，theothertwoseemedtobecomesuddenlymadtogether。Theyrushedhereandthere。Mahmatsays——thosewerehisverywords:’Isawherstandingholdingthepistolthatfiresmanytimesandpointingitalloverthecampong。Iwasafraid——lestshemightshootme，andjumpedononeside。ThenIsawthewhitemancomingatherswiftly。Hecamelikeourmasterthetigerwhenherushesoutofthejungleatthespearsheldbymen。Shedidnottakeaim。Thebarrelofherweaponwentlikethis——fromsidetoside，butinhereyesI

couldseesuddenlyagreatfear。Therewasonlyoneshot。Sheshriekedwhilethewhitemanstoodblinkinghiseyesandverystraight，tillyoucouldcountslowlyone，two，three；thenhecoughedandfellonhisface。ThedaughterofOmarshriekedwithoutdrawingbreath，tillhefell。Iwentawaythenandleftsilencebehindme。Thesethingsdidnotconcernme，andinmyboattherewasthatotherwomanwhohadpromisedmemoney。Weleftdirectly，payingnoattentiontohercries。Weareonlypoormen——andhadbutasmallrewardforourtrouble！’That’swhatMahmatsaid。Nevervaried。Youaskhimyourself。He’sthemanyouhiredtheboatsfrom，foryourjourneyuptheriver。"

"ThemostrapaciousthiefIevermet！"exclaimedthetraveller，thickly。

"Ah！Heisarespectableman。Histwobrothersgotthemselvesspeared——servedthemright。TheywentinforrobbingDyakgraves。Goldornamentsinthemyouknow。Servethemright。Buthekeptrespectableandgoton。Aye！Everybodygoton——butI。

AndallthroughthatscoundrelwhobroughttheArabshere。"

"Demortuisnilni……num，"mutteredAlmayer’sguest。

"IwishyouwouldspeakEnglishinsteadofjabberinginyourownlanguage，whichnoonecanunderstand，"saidAlmayer，sulkily。

"Don’tbeangry，"hiccoughedtheother。"It’sLatin，andit’swisdom。Itmeans:Don’twasteyourbreathinabusingshadows。

Nooffencethere。Ilikeyou。YouhaveaquarrelwithProvidence——sohaveI。Iwasmeanttobeaprofessor，while——look。"

Hisheadnodded。Hesatgraspingtheglass。Almayerwalkedupanddown，thenstoppedsuddenly。

"Yes，theyallgotonbutI。Why？Iambetterthananyofthem。

LakambacallshimselfaSultan，andwhenIgotoseehimonbusinesssendsthatone-eyedfiendofhis——Babalatchi——totellmethattherulerisasleep；andshallsleepforalongtime。AndthatBabalatchi！HeistheShahbandaroftheState——ifyouplease。OhLord！Shahbandar！Thepig！AvagabondIwouldn’tletcomeupthesestepswhenhefirstcamehere……LookatAbdullanow。Helivesherebecause——hesays——hereheisawayfromwhitemen。Buthehashundredsofthousands。HasahouseinPenang。Ships。Whatdidhenothavewhenhestolemytradefromme！Heknockedeverythinghereintoacockedhat，drovefathertogold-hunting——thentoEurope，wherehedisappeared。

FancyamanlikeCaptainLingarddisappearingasthoughhehadbeenacommoncoolie。FriendsofminewrotetoLondonaskingabouthim。Nobodyeverheardofhimthere！Fancy！NeverheardofCaptainLingard！"

Thelearnedgathereroforchidsliftedhishead。

"Hewasasen——sentimen——taloldbuc——buccaneer，"hestammeredout，"Ilikehim。I’msent——talmyself。"

HewinkedslowlyatAlmayer，wholaughed。

"Yes！Itoldyouaboutthatgravestone。Yes！Anotherhundredandtwentydollarsthrownaway。WishIhadthemnow。Hewoulddoit。Andtheinscription。Ha！ha！ha！’PeterWillems，DeliveredbytheMercyofGodfromhisEnemy。’Whatenemy——unlessCaptainLingardhimself？Andthenithasnosense。

Hewasagreatman——fatherwas——butstrangeinmanyways……

Youhaven’tseenthegrave？Onthetopofthathill，there，ontheothersideoftheriver。Imustshowyou。Wewillgothere。"

"NotI！"saidtheother。"Nointerest——inthesun——tootiring……Unlessyoucarrymethere。"

Asamatteroffacthewascarriedthereafewmonthsafterwards，andhiswasthesecondwhiteman’sgraveinSambir；butatpresenthewasaliveifratherdrunk。Heaskedabruptly——

"Andthewoman？"

"Oh！Lingard，ofcourse，keptherandheruglybratinMacassar。

Sinfulwasteofmoney——that！Devilonlyknowswhatbecameofthemsincefatherwenthome。Ihadmydaughtertolookafter。I

shallgiveyouawordtoMrs。VinckinSingaporewhenyougoback。YoushallseemyNinathere。Luckyman。Sheisbeautiful，andIhearsoaccomplished，so……"

"Ihaveheardalreadytwenty……ahundredtimesaboutyourdaughter。Whatab——about——that——thatotherone，Ai——ssa？"

"She！Oh！wekeptherhere。Shewasmadforalongtimeinaquietsortofway。Fatherthoughtalotofher。Hegaveherahousetolivein，inmycampong。Shewanderedabout，speakingtonobodyunlessshecaughtsightofAbdulla，whenshewouldhaveafitoffury，andshriekandcurselikeanything。Veryoftenshewoulddisappear——andthenweallhadtoturnoutandhuntforher，becausefatherwouldworrytillshewasbroughtback。Foundherinallkindsofplaces。OnceintheabandonedcampongofLakamba。Sometimessimplywanderinginthebush。Shehadonefavouritespotwealwaysmadeforatfirst。Itwastentooneonfindingherthere——akindofagrassygladeonthebanksofasmallbrook。Whyshepreferredthatplace，Ican’timagine！Andsuchajobtogetherawayfromthere。Hadtodragherawaybymainforce。Then，asthetimepassed，shebecamequieterandmoresettled，like。Still，allmypeoplefearedhergreatly。ItwasmyNinathattamedher。Youseethechildwasnaturallyfearlessandusedtohaveherownway，soshewouldgotoherandpullathersarong，andorderherabout，asshedideverybody。

Finallyshe，Iverilybelieve，cametolovethechild。Nothingcouldresistthatlittleone——youknow。Shemadeacapitalnurse。Oncewhenthelittledevilranawayfrommeandfellintotheriverofftheendofthejetty，shejumpedinandpulledheroutinnotime。Iverynearlydiedoffright。Nowofcoursesheliveswithmyservinggirls，butdoeswhatshelikes。AslongasIhaveahandfulofriceorapieceofcottoninthestoreshesha’n’twantforanything。Youhaveseenher。ShebroughtinthedinnerwithAli。"

"What！Thatdoubled-upcrone？"

"Ah！"saidAlmayer。"Theyagequicklyhere。Andlongfoggynightsspentinthebushwillsoonbreakthestrongestbacks——asyouwillfindoutyourselfsoon。"

"Dis……disgusting，"growledthetraveller。

Hedozedoff。Almayerstoodbythebalustradelookingoutatthebluishsheenofthemoonlitnight。Theforests，unchangedandsombre，seemedtohangoverthewater，listeningtotheunceasingwhisperofthegreatriver；andabovetheirdarkwallthehillonwhichLingardhadburiedthebodyofhislateprisonerroseinablack，roundedmass，uponthesilverpalenessofthesky。

Almayerlookedforalongtimeattheclean-cutoutlineofthesummit，asiftryingtomakeoutthroughdarknessanddistancetheshapeofthatexpensivetombstone。Whenheturnedroundatlasthesawhisguestsleeping，hisarmsonthetable，hisheadonhisarms。

"Now，lookhere！"heshouted，slappingthetablewiththepalmofhishand。

Thenaturalistwokeup，andsatallinaheap，staringowlishly。

"Here！"wentonAlmayer，speakingveryloudandthumpingthetable，"Iwanttoknow。You，whosayyouhavereadallthebooks，justtellme……whysuchinfernalthingsareeverallowed。HereIam！Doneharmtonobody，livedanhonestlife……andascoundrellikethatisborninRotterdamorsomesuchplaceattheotherendoftheworldsomewhere，travelsouthere，robshisemployer，runsawayfromhiswife，andruinsmeandmyNina——heruinedme，Itellyou——andgetshimselfshotatlastbyapoormiserablesavage，thatknowsnothingatallabouthimreally。Where’sthesenseofallthis？Where’syourProvidence？

Where’sthegoodforanybodyinallthis？Theworld’saswindle！

Aswindle！WhyshouldIsuffer？WhathaveIdonetobetreatedso？"

Hehowledouthisstringofquestions，andsuddenlybecamesilent。Themanwhooughttohavebeenaprofessormadeatremendousefforttoarticulatedistinctly——

"Mydearfellow，don’t——don’tyouseethattheba-barefac——thefactofyourexistenceisoff——offensive……I——Ilikeyou——like……"

Hefellforwardonthetable，andendedhisremarksbyanunexpectedandprolongedsnore。

Almayershruggedhisshouldersandwalkedbacktothebalustrade。

Hedrankhisowntradeginveryseldom，butwhenhedid，aridiculouslysmallquantityofthestuffcouldinducehimtoassumearebelliousattitudetowardstheschemeoftheuniverse。

Andnow，throwinghisbodyovertherail，heshoutedimpudentlyintothenight，turninghisfacetowardsthatfar-offandinvisibleslabofimportedgraniteuponwhichLingardhadthoughtfittorecordGod’smercyandWillems’escape。

"Fatherwaswrong——wrong！"heyelled。"Iwantyoutosmartforit。Youmustsmartforit！Whereareyou，Willems？Hey？……

Hey？……Wherethereisnomercyforyou——Ihope！"

"Hope，"repeatedinawhisperingechothestartledforests，theriverandthehills；andAlmayer，whostoodwaiting，withasmileoftipsyattentiononhislips，heardnootheranswer。

End