第6章
Thetwoofficerslookedateachotherhelplessly。
"Thiswon"tdo，"saidthelieutenant，addressinghisjunior。
"Havethemenmusteredinthecompoundhere。Imustgetsomesenseoutofhim。Hi！Almayer！Wakeup，man。Redeemyourword。
Yougaveyourword。Yougaveyourwordofhonour，youknow。"
Almayershookofftheofficer"shandwithimpatience，buthisill-humourvanishedatonce，andhelookedup，puttinghisforefingertothesideofhisnose。
"Youareveryyoung；thereistimeforallthings，"hesaid，withanairofgreatsagacity。
ThelieutenantturnedtowardsNina，who，leaningbackinherchair，watchedherfathersteadily。
"ReallyIamverymuchdistressedbyallthisforyoursake，"heexclaimed。"Idonotknow；"hewenton，speakingwithsomeembarrassment，"whetherIhaveanyrighttoaskyouanything，unless，perhaps，towithdrawfromthispainfulscene，butIfeelthatImust——foryourfather"sgood——suggestthatyoushould——I
meanifyouhaveanyinfluenceoverhimyououghttoexertitnowtomakehimkeepthepromisehegavemebeforehe——beforehegotintothisstate。"
Heobservedwithdiscouragementthatsheseemednottotakeanynoticeofwhathesaidsittingstillwithhalf-closedeyes。
"Itrust——"hebeganagain。
"Whatisthepromiseyouspeakof？"abruptlyaskedNina，leavingherseatandmovingtowardsherfather。
"Nothingthatisnotjustandproper。Hepromisedtodelivertousamanwhointimeofprofoundpeacetookthelivesofinnocentmentoescapethepunishmenthedeservedforbreakingthelaw。
Heplannedhismischiefonalargescale。Itisnothisfaultifitfailed，partially。OfcourseyouhaveheardofDainMaroola。
Yourfathersecuredhim，Iunderstand。Weknowheescapedupthisriver。Perhapsyou——"
"Andhekilledwhitemen！"interruptedNina。
"Iregrettosaytheywerewhite。Yes，twowhitemenlosttheirlivesthroughthatscoundrel"sfreak。"
"Twoonly！"exclaimedNina。
Theofficerlookedatherinamazement。
"Why！why！You-"hestammered，confused。
"Theremighthavebeenmore，"interruptedNina。"Andwhenyougetthis——thisscoundrelwillyougo？"
Thelieutenant，stillspeechless，bowedhisassent。
"ThenIwouldgethimforyouifIhadtoseekhiminaburningfire，"sheburstoutwithintenseenergy。"Ihatethesightofyourwhitefaces。Ihatethesoundofyourgentlevoices。
Thatisthewayyouspeaktowomen，droppingsweetwordsbeforeanyprettyface。Ihaveheardyourvoicesbefore。Ihopedtoliveherewithoutseeinganyotherwhitefacebutthis，"sheaddedinagentlertone，touchinglightlyherfather"scheek。
Almayerceasedhismumblingandopenedhiseyes。Hecaughtholdofhisdaughter"shandandpressedittohisface，whileNinawiththeotherhandsmoothedhisrumpledgreyhair，lookingdefiantlyoverherfather"sheadattheofficer，whohadnowregainedhiscomposureandreturnedherlookwithacool，steadystare。Below，infrontoftheverandah，theycouldhearthetrampofseamenmusteringthereaccordingtoorders。Thesub-lieutenantcameupthesteps，whileBabalatchistoodupuneasilyand，withfingeronlip，triedtocatchNina"seye。
"Youareagoodgirl，"whisperedAlmayer，absently，droppinghisdaughter"shand。
"Father！father！"shecried，bendingoverhimwithpassionateentreaty。"Seethosetwomenlookingatus。Sendthemaway。
I
cannotbearitanymore。Sendthemaway。Dowhattheywantandletthemgo。"
ShecaughtsightofBabalatchiandceasedspeakingsuddenly，butherfoottappedthefloorwithrapidbeatsinaparoxysmofnervousrestlessness。Thetwoofficersstoodclosetogetherlookingoncuriously。
"Whathashappened？Whatisthematter？"whisperedtheyoungerman。
"Don"tknow，"answeredtheother，underhisbreath。"Oneisfurious，andtheotherisdrunk。Notsodrunk，either。Queer，this。Look！"
Almayerhadrisen，holdingontohisdaughter"sarm。Hehesitatedamoment，thenheletgohisholdandlurchedhalf-wayacrosstheverandah。Therehepulledhimselftogether，andstoodverystraight，breathinghardandglaringroundangrily。
"Arethemenready？"askedthelieutenant。
"Allready，sir。"
"Now，Mr。Almayer，leadtheway，"saidthelieutenantAlmayerrestedhiseyesonhimasifhesawhimforthefirsttime。
"Twomen，"hesaidthickly。Theeffortofspeakingseemedtointerferewithhisequilibrium。Hetookaquicksteptosavehimselffromafall，andremainedswayingbackwardsandforwards。
"Twomen，"hebeganagain，speakingwithdifficulty。"Twowhitemen——meninuniform——honourablemen。Iwanttosay——menofhonour。Areyou？"
"Come！Noneofthat，"saidtheofficerimpatiently。"Letushavethatfriendofyours。"
"WhatdoyouthinkIam？"askedAlmayer，fiercely。
"Youaredrunk，butnotsodrunkasnottoknowwhatyouaredoing。Enoughofthistomfoolery，"saidtheofficersternly，"orIwillhaveyouputunderarrestinyourownhouse。"
"Arrest！"laughedAlmayer，discordantly。"Ha！ha！ha！Arrest！
Why，Ihavebeentryingtogetoutofthisinfernalplacefortwentyyears，andIcan"t。Youhear，man！Ican"t，andnevershall！Never！"
Heendedhiswordswithasob，andwalkedunsteadilydownthestairs。Wheninthecourtyardthelieutenantapproachedhim，andtookhimbythearm。Thesub-lieutenantandBabalatchifollowedclose。
"That"sbetter，Almayer，"saidtheofficerencouragingly。"Whereareyougoingto？Thereareonlyplanksthere。Here，"hewenton，shakinghimslightly，"dowewanttheboats？"
"No，"answeredAlmayer，viciously。"Youwantagrave。"
"What？Wildagain！Trytotalksense。"
"Grave！"roaredAlmayer，strugglingtogethimselffree。"Aholeintheground。Don"tyouunderstand？Youmustbedrunk。
Letmego！Letgo，Itellyou！"
Hetoreawayfromtheofficer"sgrasp，andreeledtowardstheplankswherethebodylayunderitswhitecover；thenheturnedroundquickly，andfacedthesemicircleofinterestedfaces。Thesunwassinkingrapidly，throwinglongshadowsofhouseandtreesoverthecourtyard，butthelightlingeredyetontheriver，wherethelogswentdriftingpastinmidstream，lookingverydistinctandblackinthepaleredglow。Thetrunksofthetreesintheforestontheeastbankwerelostingloomwhiletheirhighestbranchesswayedgentlyinthedepartingsunlight。Theairfeltheavyandcoldinthebreeze，expiringinslightpuffsthatcameoverthewater。
Almayershiveredashemadeanefforttospeak，andagainwithanuncertaingestureheseemedtofreehisthroatfromthegripofaninvisiblehand。Hisbloodshoteyeswanderedaimlesslyfromfacetoface。
"There！"hesaidatlast。"Areyouallthere？Heisadangerousman。"
Hedraggedatthecoverwithhastyviolence，andthebodyrolledstifflyofftheplanksandfellathisfeetinrigidhelplessness。
"Cold，perfectlycold，"saidAlmayer，lookingroundwithamirthlesssmile。"Sorrycandonobetter。Andyoucan"thanghim，either。Asyouobserve，gentlemen，"headdedgravely，"thereisnohead，andhardlyanyneck。"
Thelastrayoflightwassnatchedawayfromthetree-tops，therivergrewsuddenlydark，andinthegreatstillnessthemurmuroftheflowingwaterseemedtofillthevastexpanseofgreyshadowthatdescendedupontheland。
"ThisisDain，"wentonAlmayertothesilentgroupthatsurroundedhim。"AndIhavekeptmyword。Firstonehope，thenanother，andthisismylast。Nothingisleftnow。Youthinkthereisonedeadmanhere？Mistake，I"sureyou。Iammuchmoredead。Whydon"tyouhangme？"hesuggestedsuddenly，inafriendlytone，addressingthelieutenant。"Iassure，assureyouitwouldbeamat——matterofformaltog——altogether。"
Theselastwordshemutteredtohimself，andwalkedzigzagingtowardshishouse。"Getout！"hethunderedatAli，whowasapproachingtimidlywithoffersofassistance。Fromafar，scaredgroupsofmenandwomenwatchedhisdeviousprogress。Hedraggedhimselfupthestairsbythebanister，andmanagedtoreachachairintowhichhefellheavily。Hesatforawhilepantingwithexertionandanger，andlookingroundvaguelyforNina；thenmakingathreateninggesturetowardsthecompound，wherehehadheardBabalatchi"svoice，heoverturnedthetablewithhisfootinagreatcrashofsmashedcrockery。Hemutteredyetmenacinglytohimself，thenhisheadfellonhisbreast，hiseyesclosed，andwithadeepsighhefellasleep。
Thatnight——forthefirsttimeinitshistory——thepeacefulandflourishingsettlementofSambirsawthelightsshiningabout"Almayer"sFolly。"ThesewerethelanternsoftheboatshungupbytheseamenundertheverandahwherethetwoofficerswereholdingacourtofinquiryintothetruthofthestoryrelatedtothembyBabalatchi。Babalatchihadregainedallhisimportance。
Hewaseloquentandpersuasive，callingHeavenandEarthtowitnessthetruthofhisstatements。Therewerealsootherwitnesses。MahmatBanjerandagoodmanyothersunderwentacloseexaminationthatdraggeditswearylengthfarintotheevening。AmessengerwassentforAbdulla，whoexcusedhimselffromcomingonthescoreofhisvenerableage，butsentReshid。
Mahmathadtoproducethebangle，andsawwithrageandmortificationthelieutenantputitinhispocket，asoneoftheproofsofDain"sdeath，tobesentinwiththeofficialreportofthemission。Babalatchi"sringwasalsoimpoundedforthesamepurpose，buttheexperiencedstatesmanwasresignedtothatlossfromtheverybeginning。Hedidnotmindaslongashewassure，thatthewhitemenbelieved。Heputthatquestiontohimselfearnestlyasheleft，oneofthelast，whentheproceedingscametoaclose。Hewasnotcertain。Still，iftheybelievedonlyforanight，hewouldputDainbeyondtheirreachandfeelsafehimself。Hewalkedawayfast，lookingfromtimetotimeoverhisshoulderinthefearofbeingfollowed，buthesawandheardnothing。
"Teno"clock，"saidthelieutenant，lookingathiswatchandyawning。"Ishallhearsomeofthecaptain"scomplimentaryremarkswhenwegetback。Miserablebusiness，this。"
"Doyouthinkallthisistrue？"askedtheyoungerman。
"True！Itisjustpossible。Butifitisn"ttruewhatcanwedo？
Ifwehadadozenboatswecouldpatrolthecreeks；andthatwouldn"tbemuchgood。Thatdrunkenmadmanwasright；wehaven"tenoughholdonthiscoast。Theydowhattheylike。Areourhammocksslung？"
"Yes，Itoldthecoxswain。Strangecoupleoverthere，"saidthesub，withawaveofhishandtowardsAlmayer"shouse。
"Hem！Queer，certainly。Whathaveyoubeentellingher？
Iwasattendingtothefathermostofthetime。"
"IassureyouIhavebeenperfectlycivil，"protestedtheotherwarmly。
"Allright。Don"tgetexcited。Sheobjectstocivility，then，fromwhatIunderstand。Ithoughtyoumighthavebeentender。
Youknowweareonservice。"
"Well，ofcourse。Neverforgetthat。Coldlycivil。
That"sall。"
Theybothlaughedalittle，andnotfeelingsleepybegantopacetheverandahsidebyside。Themoonrosestealthilyabovethetrees，andsuddenlychangedtheriverintoastreamofscintillatingsilver。Theforestcameoutoftheblackvoidandstoodsombreandpensiveoverthesparklingwater。Thebreezediedawayintoabreathlesscalm。
Seamanlike，thetwoofficerstrampedmeasuredlyupanddownwithoutexchangingaword。Thelooseplanksrattledrhythmicallyundertheirstepswithobstrusivedrysoundintheperfectsilenceofthenight。Astheywerewheelingroundagaintheyoungermanstoodattentive。
"Didyouhearthat？"heasked。
"No！"saidtheother。"Hearwhat？"
"IthoughtIheardacry。Eversofaint。Seemedawoman"svoice。Inthatotherhouse。Ah！Again！Hearit？"
"No，"saidthelieutenant，afterlisteningawhile。"Youyoungfellowsalwayshearwomen"svoices。Ifyouaregoingtodreamyouhadbettergetintoyourhammock。Good-night。"
Themoonmountedhigher，andthewarmshadowsgrewsmallerandcreptawayasifhidingbeforethecoldandcruellight。
chapter10
CHAPTERX。
"Ithassetatlast，"saidNinatohermotherpointingtowardsthehillsbehindwhichthesunhadsunk。"Listen，mother，IamgoingnowtoBulangi"screek，andifIshouldneverreturn——"
Sheinterruptedherself，andsomethinglikedoubtdimmedforamomentthefireofsuppressedexaltationthathadglowedinhereyesandhadilluminatedthesereneimpassivenessofherfeatureswitharayofeagerlifeduringallthatlongdayofexcitement——
thedayofjoyandanxiety，ofhopeandterror，ofvaguegriefandindistinctdelight。Whilethesunshonewiththatdazzlinglightinwhichherlovewasbornandgrewtillitpossessedherwholebeing，shewaskeptfirminherunwaveringresolvebythemysteriouswhisperingsofdesirewhichfilledherheartwithimpatientlongingforthedarknessthatwouldmeantheendofdangerandstrife，thebeginningofhappiness，thefulfillingoflove，thecompletenessoflife。Ithadsetatlast！Theshorttropicaltwilightwentoutbeforeshecoulddrawthelongbreathofrelief；andnowthesuddendarknessseemedtobefullofmenacingvoicescallinguponhertorushheadlongintotheunknown；tobetruetoherownimpulses，togiveherselfuptothepassionshehadevokedandshared。Hewaswaiting！Inthesolitudeofthesecludedclearing，inthevastsilenceoftheforesthewaswaitingalone，afugitiveinfearofhislife。
Indifferenttohisdangerhewaswaitingforher。Itwasforheronlythathehadcome；andnowasthetimeapproachedwhenheshouldhavehisreward，sheaskedherselfwithdismaywhatmeantthatchillingdoubtofherownwillandofherowndesire？Withaneffortsheshookoffthefearofthepassingweakness。Heshouldhavehisreward。Herwoman"sloveandherwoman"shonourovercamethefalteringdistrustofthatunknownfuturewaitingforherinthedarknessoftheriver。
"No，youwillnotreturn，"mutteredMrs。Almayer，prophetically。
"Withoutyouhewillnotgo，andifheremainshere——"Shewavedherhandtowardsthelightsof"Almayer"sFolly，"andtheunfinishedsentencediedoutinathreateningmurmur。
Thetwowomenhadmetbehindthehouse，andnowwerewalkingslowlytogethertowardsthecreekwhereallthecanoesweremoored。Arrivedatthefringeofbushestheystoppedbyacommonimpulse，andMrs。Almayer，layingherhandonherdaughter"sarm，triedinvaintolookcloseintothegirl"savertedface。Whensheattemptedtospeakherfirstwordswerelostinastifledsobthatsoundedstrangelycomingfromthatwomanwho，ofallhumanpassions，seemedtoknowonlythoseofangerandhate。
"YouaregoingawaytobeagreatRanee，"shesaidatlast，inavoicethatwassteadyenoughnow，"andifyoubewiseyoushallhavemuchpowerthatwillenduremanydays，andevenlastintoyouroldage。WhathaveIbeen？Aslaveallmylife，andIhavecookedriceforamanwhohadnocourageandnowisdom。Hai！
I！
evenI，wasgiveningiftbyachiefandawarriortoamanthatwasneither。Hai！Hai！"
Shewailedtoherselfsoftly，lamentingthelostpossibilitiesofmurderandmischiefthatcouldhavefallentoherlothadshebeenmatedwithacongenialspirit。NinabentdownoverMrs。
Almayer"sslightformandscannedattentively，underthestarsthathadrushedoutontheblackskyandnowhungbreathlessoverthatstrangeparting，hermother"sshrivelledfeatures，andlookedcloseintothesunkeneyesthatcouldseeintoherowndarkfuturebythelightofalongandapainfulexperience。
Againshefeltherselffascinated，asofold，byhermother"sexaltedmoodandbytheoracularcertaintyofexpressionwhich，togetherwithherfitsofviolence，hadcontributednotalittletothereputationforwitchcraftsheenjoyedinthesettlement。
"Iwasaslave，andyoushallbeaqueen，"wentonMrs。Almayer，lookingstraightbeforeher；"butremembermen"sstrengthandtheirweakness。Tremblebeforehisanger，sothathemayseeyourfearinthelightofday；butinyourheartyoumaylaugh，foraftersunsetheisyourslave。"
"Aslave！He！Themasteroflife！Youdonotknowhim，mother。"
Mrs。Almayercondescendedtolaughcontemptuously。
"Youspeaklikeafoolofawhitewoman，"sheexclaimed。"Whatdoyouknowofmen"sangerandofmen"slove？Haveyouwatchedthesleepofmenwearyofdealingdeath？Haveyoufeltaboutyouthestrongarmthatcoulddriveakrissdeepintoabeatingheart？Yah！youareawhitewoman，andoughttopraytoawoman-god！"
"Whydoyousaythis？IhavelistenedtoyourwordssolongthatIhaveforgottenmyoldlife。IfIwaswhitewouldIstandhere，readytogo？Mother，Ishallreturntothehouseandlookoncemoreatmyfather"sface。"
"No！"saidMrs。Almayer，violently。"No，hesleepsnowthesleepofgin；andifyouwentbackhemightawakeandseeyou。No，heshallneverseeyou。Whentheterribleoldmantookyouawayfrommewhenyouwerelittle，youremember——"
"Itwassuchalongtimeago，"murmuredNina。
"Iremember，"wentonMrs。Almayer，fiercely。"Iwantedtolookatyourfaceagain。Hesaidno！Iheardyoucryandjumpedintotheriver。Youwerehisdaughterthen；youaremydaughternow。
Nevershallyougobacktothathouse；youshallnevercrossthiscourtyardagain。No！no！"
Hervoicerosealmosttoashout。Ontheothersideofthecreektherewasarustleinthelonggrass。Thetwowomenheardit，andlistenedforawhileinstartledsilence。"Ishallgo，"saidNina，inacautiousbutintensewhisper。"Whatisyourhateoryourrevengetome？"
Shemovedtowardsthehouse，Mrs。Almayerclingingtoherandtryingtopullherback。
"Stop，youshallnotgo！"shegasped。
Ninapushedawayhermotherimpatientlyandgatheredupherskirtsforaquickrun，butMrs。Almayerranforwardandturnedround，facingherdaughterwithoutstretchedarms。
"Ifyoumoveanotherstep，"sheexclaimed，breathingquickly，"I
shallcryout。Doyouseethoselightsinthebighouse？
Theresittwowhitemen，angrybecausetheycannothavethebloodofthemanyoulove。Andinthosedarkhouses，"shecontinued，morecalmlyasshepointedtowardsthesettlement，"myvoicecouldwakeupmenthatwouldleadtheOrangBlandasoldierstohimwhoiswaiting——foryou。"
Shecouldnotseeherdaughter"sface，butthewhitefigurebeforeherstoodsilentandirresoluteinthedarkness。Mrs。
Almayerpursuedheradvantage。
"Giveupyouroldlife！Forget！"shesaidinentreatingtones。
"Forgetthatyoueverlookedatawhiteface；forgettheirwords；
forgettheirthoughts。Theyspeaklies。Andtheythinkliesbecausetheydespiseusthatarebetterthantheyare，butnotsostrong。Forgettheirfriendshipandtheircontempt；forgettheirmanygods。Girl，whydoyouwanttorememberthepastwhenthereisawarriorandachiefreadytogivemanylives——hisownlife——
foroneofyoursmiles？"
Whileshespokeshepushedgentlyherdaughtertowardsthecanoes，hidingherownfear，anxiety，anddoubtunderthefloodofpassionatewordsthatleftNinanotimetothinkandnoopportunitytoprotest，evenifshehadwishedit。Butshedidnotwishitnow。Atthebottomofthatpassingdesiretolookagainatherfather"sfacetherewasnostrongaffection。Shefeltnoscruplesandnoremorseatleavingsuddenlythatmanwhosesentimenttowardsherselfshecouldnotunderstand，shecouldnotevensee。Therewasonlyaninstinctiveclingingtooldlife，tooldhabits，tooldfaces；thatfearoffinalitywhichlurksineveryhumanbreastandpreventssomanyheroismsandsomanycrimes。Foryearsshehadstoodbetweenhermotherandherfather，theonesostronginherweakness，theothersoweakwherehecouldhavebeenstrong。Betweenthosetwobeingssodissimilar，soantagonistic，shestoodwithmuteheartwonderingandangryatthefactofherownexistence。Itseemedsounreasonable，sohumiliatingtobeflungthereinthatsettlementandtoseethedaysrushbyintothepast，withoutahope，adesire，oranaimthatwouldjustifythelifeshehadtoendureinever-growingweariness。Shehadlittlebeliefandnosympathyforherfather"sdreams；butthesavageravingsofhermotherchancedtostrikearesponsivechord，deepdownsomewhereinherdespairingheart；andshedreameddreamsofherownwiththepersistentabsorptionofacaptivethinkingoflibertywithinthewallsofhisprisoncell。WiththecomingofDainshefoundtheroadtofreedombyobeyingthevoiceofthenew-bornimpulses，andwithsurprisedjoyshethoughtshecouldreadinhiseyestheanswertoallthequestioningsofherheart。Sheunderstoodnowthereasonandtheaimoflife；andinthetriumphantunveilingofthatmysteryshethrewawaydisdainfullyherpastwithitssadthoughts，itsbitterfeelings，anditsfaintaffections，nowwitheredanddeadincontactwithherfiercepassion。
Mrs。AlmayerunmooredNina"sowncanoeand，straighteningherselfpainfully，stood，painterinhand，lookingatherdaughter。
"Quick，"shesaid；"getawaybeforethemoonrises，whiletheriverisdark。IamafraidofAbdulla"sslaves。Thewretchesprowlinthenightoften，andmightseeandfollowyou。Therearetwopaddlesinthecanoe。"
Ninaapproachedhermotherandhesitatinglytouchedlightlywithherlipsthewrinkledforehead。Mrs。Almayersnortedcontemptuouslyinprotestagainstthattendernesswhichshe，nevertheless，fearedcouldbecontagious。
"ShallIeverseeyouagain，mother？"murmuredNina。
"No，"saidMrs。Almayer，afterashortsilence。"Whyshouldyoureturnherewhereitismyfatetodie？Youwilllivefarawayinsplendourandmight。WhenIhearofwhitemendrivenfromtheislands，thenIshallknowthatyouarealive，andthatyouremembermywords。"
"Ishallalwaysremember，"returnedNina，earnestly；"butwhereismypower，andwhatcanIdo？"
"Donotlethimlooktoolonginyoureyes，norlayhisheadonyourkneeswithoutremindinghimthatmenshouldfightbeforetheyrest。Andifhelingers，givehimhiskrissyourselfandbidhimgo，asthewifeofamightyprinceshoulddowhentheenemiesarenear。Lethimslaythewhitementhatcometoustotrade，withprayersontheirlipsandloadedgunsintheirhands。
Ah！"——sheendedwithasigh——"theyareoneverysea，andoneveryshore；andtheyareverymany！"
Sheswungthebowofthecanoetowardstheriver，butdidnotletgothegunwale，keepingherhandonitinirresolutethoughtfulness。
Ninaputthepointofthepaddleagainstthebank，readytoshoveoffintothestream。
"Whatisit，mother？"sheasked，inalowvoice。"Doyouhearanything？"
"No，"saidMrs。Almayer，absently。"Listen，Nina，"shecontinued，abruptly，afteraslightpause，"inafteryearstherewillbeotherwomen——"
Astifledcryintheboatinterruptedher，andthepaddlerattledinthecanoeasitslippedfromNina"shands，whichsheputoutinaprotestinggesture。Mrs。Almayerfellonherkneesonthebankandleanedoverthegunwalesoastobringherownfaceclosetoherdaughter"s。
"Therewillbeotherwomen，"sherepeatedfirmly；"Itellyouthat，becauseyouarehalfwhite，andmayforgetthatheisagreatchief，andthatsuchthingsmustbe。Hideyouranger，anddonotlethimseeonyourfacethepainthatwilleatyourheart。Meethimwithjoyinyoureyesandwisdomonyourlips，fortoyouhewillturninsadnessorindoubt。Aslongashelooksuponmanywomenyourpowerwilllast，butshouldtherebeone，oneonlywithwhomheseemstoforgetyou，then——"
"Icouldnotlive，"exclaimedNina，coveringherfacewithbothherhands。"Donotspeakso，mother；itcouldnotbe。"
"Then，"wentonMrs。Almayer，steadily，"tothatwoman，Nina，shownomercy。"
Shemovedthecanoedowntowardsthestreambythegunwale，andgrippeditwithbothherhands，thebowpointingintotheriver。
"Areyoucrying？"sheaskedsternlyofherdaughter，whosatstillwithcoveredface。"Arise，andtakeyourpaddle，forhehaswaitedlongenough。Andremember，Nina，nomercy；andifyoumuststrike，strikewithasteadyhand。"
Sheputoutallherstrength，andswingingherbodyoverthewater，shotthelightcraftfarintothestream。WhensherecoveredherselffromtheeffortshetriedvainlytocatchaglimpseofthecanoethatseemedtohavedissolvedsuddenlyintothewhitemisttrailingovertheheatedwatersofthePantai。
Afterlisteningforawhileintentlyonherknees，Mrs。Almayerrosewithadeepsigh，whiletwotearswanderedslowlydownherwitheredcheeks。Shewipedthemoffquicklywithawispofhergreyhairasifashamedofherself，butcouldnotstifleanotherloudsigh，forherheartwasheavyandshesufferedmuch，beingunusedtotenderemotions。Thistimeshefanciedshehadheardafaintnoise，liketheechoofherownsigh，andshestopped，strainingherearstocatchtheslightestsound，andpeeringapprehensivelytowardsthebushesnearher。
"Whoisthere？"sheasked，inanunsteadyvoice，whileherimaginationpeopledthesolitudeoftheriversidewithghost-likeforms。"Whoisthere？"sherepeatedfaintly。
Therewasnoanswer：onlythevoiceoftherivermurmuringinsadmonotonebehindthewhiteveilseemedtoswelllouderforamoment，todieawayagaininasoftwhisperofeddieswashingagainstthebank。
Mrs。Almayershookherheadasifinanswertoherownthoughts，andwalkedquicklyawayfromthebushes，lookingtotherightandleftwatchfully。Shewentstraighttowardsthecooking-shed，observingthattheembersofthefirethereglowedmorebrightlythanusual，asifsomebodyhadbeenaddingfreshfueltothefiresduringtheevening。Assheapproached，Babalatchi，whohadbeensquattinginthewarmglow，roseandmetherintheshadowoutside。
"Isshegone？"askedtheanxiousstatesman，hastily。
"Yes，"answeredMrs。Almayer。"Whatarethewhitemendoing？
Whendidyouleavethem？"
"Theyaresleepingnow，Ithink。Maytheyneverwake！"exclaimedBabalatchi，fervently。"Oh！buttheyaredevils，andmademuchtalkandtroubleoverthatcarcase。Thechiefthreatenedmetwicewithhishand，andsaidhewouldhavemetieduptoatree。
Tiemeuptoatree！Me！"herepeated，strikinghisbreastviolently。
Mrs。Almayerlaughedtauntingly。
"Andyousalaamedandaskedformercy。MenwitharmsbytheirsideactedotherwisewhenIwasyoung。"
"Andwherearethey，themenofyouryouth？Youmadwoman！"
retortedBabalatchi，angrily。"KilledbytheDutch。Aha！
ButI
shalllivetodeceivethem。Amanknowswhentofightandwhentotellpeacefullies。Youwouldknowthatifyouwerenotawoman。"
ButMrs。Almayerdidnotseemtohearhim。Withbentbodyandoutstretchedarmsheappearedtobelisteningtosomenoisebehindtheshed。
"Therearestrangesounds，"shewhispered，withevidentalarm。
"Ihaveheardintheairthesoundsofgrief，asofasighandweeping。Thatwasbytheriverside。AndnowagainIheard——"
"Where？"askedBabalatchi，inanalteredvoice。"Whatdidyouhear？"
"Closehere。Itwaslikeabreathlongdrawn。IwishIhadburntthepaperoverthebodybeforeitwasburied。"
"Yes，"assentedBabalatchi。"Butthewhitemenhadhimthrownintoaholeatonce。Youknowhefoundhisdeathontheriver，"
headdedcheerfully，"andhisghostmayhailthecanoes，butwouldleavethelandalone。"
Mrs。Almayer，whohadbeencraninghernecktolookroundthecorneroftheshed，drewbackherhead。
"Thereisnobodythere，"shesaid，reassured。"IsitnottimefortheRajahwar-canoetogototheclearing？"
"Ihavebeenwaitingforithere，forImyselfmustgo，"
explainedBabalatchi。"IthinkIwillgooverandseewhatmakesthemlate。Whenwillyoucome？TheRajahgivesyourefuge。"
"Ishallpaddleoverbeforethebreakofday。Icannotleavemydollarsbehind，"mutteredMrs。Almayer。
Theyseparated。Babalatchicrossedthecourtyardtowardsthecreektogethiscanoe，andMrs。Almayerwalkedslowlytothehouse，ascendedtheplankway，andpassingthroughthebackverandahenteredthepassageleadingtothefrontofthehouse；
butbeforegoinginsheturnedinthedoorwayandlookedbackattheemptyandsilentcourtyard，nowlitupbytheraysoftherisingmoon。Nosoonershehaddisappeared，however，thanavagueshapeflittedoutfromamongstthestalksofthebananaplantation，dartedoverthemoonlitspace，andfellinthedarknessatthefootoftheverandah。Itmighthavebeentheshadowofadrivingcloud，sonoiselessandrapidwasitspassage，butforthetrailofdisturbedgrass，whosefeatheryheadstrembledandswayedforalongtimeinthemoonlightbeforetheyrestedmotionlessandgleaming，likeadesignofsilverspraysembroideredonasombrebackground。
Mrs。Almayerlightedthecocoanutlamp，andliftingcautiouslytheredcurtain，gazeduponherhusband，shadingthelightwithherhand。
Almayer，huddledupinthechair，oneofhisarmshangingdown，theotherthrownacrossthelowerpartofhisfaceasiftowardoffaninvisibleenemy，hislegsstretchedstraightout，sleptheavily，unconsciousoftheunfriendlyeyesthatlookeduponhimindisparagingcriticism。Athisfeetlaytheoverturnedtable，amongstawreckofcrockeryandbrokenbottles。Theappearanceasoftracesleftbyadesperatestrugglewasaccentuatedbythechairs，whichseemedtohavebeenscatteredviolentlyallovertheplace，andnowlayabouttheverandahwithalamentableaspectofinebrietyintheirhelplessattitudes。OnlyNina"sbigrocking-chair，standingblackandmotionlessonitshighrunners，toweredabovethechaosofdemoralisedfurniture，unflinchinglydignifiedandpatient，waitingforitsburden。
Withalastscornfullooktowardsthesleeper，Mrs。Almayerpassedbehindthecurtainintoherownroom。Acoupleofbats，encouragedbythedarknessandthepeacefulstateofaffairs，resumedtheirsilentandobliquegambolsaboveAlmayer"shead，andforalongtimetheprofoundquietofthehousewasunbroken，saveforthedeepbreathingofthesleepingmanandthefainttinkleofsilverinthehandsofthewomanpreparingforflight。
Intheincreasinglightofthemoonthathadrisennowabovethenightmist，theobjectsontheverandahcameoutstronglyoutlinedinblacksplashesofshadowwithalltheuncompromisinguglinessoftheirdisorder，andacaricatureofthesleepingAlmayerappearedonthedirtywhitewashofthewallbehindhiminagrotesquelyexaggerateddetailofattitudeandfeatureenlargedtoaheroicsize。Thediscontentedbatsdepartedinquestofdarkerplaces，andalizardcameoutinshort，nervousrushes，and，pleasedwiththewhitetable-cloth，stoppedonitinbreathlessimmobilitythatwouldhavesuggestedsuddendeathhaditnotbeenforthemelodiouscallheexchangedwithalessadventurousfriendhidingamongstthelumberinthecourtyard。
Thentheboardsinthepassagecreaked，thelizardvanished，andAlmayerstirreduneasilywithasigh：slowly，outofthesenselessannihilationofdrunkensleep，hewasreturning，throughthelandofdreams，towakingconsciousness。Almayer"sheadrolledfromshouldertoshoulderintheoppressionofhisdream；theheavenshaddescendeduponhimlikeaheavymantle，andtrailedinstarredfoldsfarunderhim。Starsabove，starsallroundhim；andfromthestarsunderhisfeetroseawhisperfullofentreatiesandtears，andsorrowfulfacesflittedamongsttheclustersoflightfillingtheinfinitespacebelow。Howescapefromtheimportunityoflamentablecriesandfromthelookofstaring，sadeyesinthefaceswhichpressedroundhimtillhegaspedforbreathunderthecrushingweightofworldsthathungoverhisachingshoulders？Getaway！Buthow？Ifheattemptedtomovehewouldstepoffintonothing，andperishinthecrashingfallofthatuniverseofwhichhewastheonlysupport。
Andwhatwerethevoicessaying？Urginghimtomove！Why？
Movetodestruction！Notlikely！Theabsurdityofthethingfilledhimwithindignation。Hegotafirmerfootholdandstiffenedhismusclesinheroicresolvetocarryhisburdentoalleternity。
Andagespassedinthesuperhumanlabour，amidsttherushofcirclingworlds；intheplaintivemurmurofsorrowfulvoicesurginghimtodesistbeforeitwastoolate——tillthemysteriouspowerthathadlaiduponhimthegianttaskseemedatlasttoseekhisdestruction。Withterrorhefeltanirresistiblehandshakinghimbytheshoulder，whilethechorusofvoicesswelledlouderintoanagonisedprayertogo，gobeforeitistoolate。
Hefelthimselfslipping，losinghisbalance，assomethingdraggedathislegs，andhefell。Withafaintcryheglidedoutoftheanguishofperishingcreationintoanimperfectwakingthatseemedtobestillunderthespellofhisdream。
"What？What？"hemurmuredsleepily，withoutmovingoropeninghiseyes。Hisheadstillfeltheavy，andhehadnotthecouragetoraisehiseyelids。Inhisearstherestilllingeredthesoundofentreatingwhisper。——"AmIawake？——WhydoIhearthevoices？"
hearguedtohimself，hazily。——"Icannotgetridofthehorriblenightmareyet。——Ihavebeenverydrunk。——Whatisthatshakingme？
Iamdreamingyet——Imustopenmyeyesandbedonewithit。I
amonlyhalfawake，itisevident。"
Hemadeanefforttoshakeoffhisstuporandsawafaceclosetohis，glaringathimwithstaringeyeballs。Heclosedhiseyesagaininamazedhorrorandsatupstraightinthechair，tremblingineverylimb。Whatwasthisapparition？——Hisownfancy，nodoubt。——Hisnerveshadbeenmuchtriedthedaybefore——andthenthedrink！Hewouldnotseeitagainifhehadthecouragetolook。——Hewouldlookdirectly。——Getalittlesteadierfirst。——So。——Now。
Helooked。Thefigureofawomanstandinginthesteelylight，herhandsstretchedforthinasuppliantgesture，confrontedhimfromthefar-offendoftheverandah；andinthespacebetweenhimandtheobstinatephantomfloatedthemurmurofwordsthatfellonhisearsinajumbleoftorturingsentences，themeaningofwhichescapedtheutmosteffortsofhisbrain。WhospoketheMalaywords？Whoranaway？Whytoolate——andtoolateforwhat？
Whatmeantthosewordsofhateandlovemixedsostrangelytogether，theever-recurringnamesfallingonhisearsagainandagain——Nina，Dain；Dain，Nina？Dainwasdead，andNinawassleeping，unawareoftheterribleexperiencethroughwhichhewasnowpassing。Washegoingtobetormentedforever，sleepingorwaking，andhavenopeaceeithernightorday？Whatwasthemeaningofthis？
Heshoutedthelastwordsaloud。Theshadowywomanseemedtoshrinkandrecedealittlefromhimtowardsthedoorway，andtherewasashriek。Exasperatedbytheincomprehensiblenatureofhistorment，Almayermadearushupontheapparition，whicheludedhisgrasp，andhebroughtupheavilyagainstthewall。
Quickaslightningheturnedroundandpursuedfiercelythemysteriousfigurefleeingfromhimwithpiercingshrieksthatwerelikefueltotheflamesofhisanger。Overthefurniture，roundtheoverturnedtable，andnowhehaditcorneredbehindNina"schair。Totheleft，totherighttheydodged，thechairrockingmadlybetweenthem，shesendingoutshriekaftershriekateveryfeint，andhegrowlingmeaninglesscursesthroughhishardsetteeth。"Oh！thefiendishnoisethatsplithisheadandseemedtochokehisbreath。——Itwouldkillhim。——Itmustbestopped！"Aninsanedesiretocrushthatyellingthinginducedhimtocasthimselfrecklesslyoverthechairwithadesperategrab，andtheycamedowntogetherinacloudofdustamongstthesplinteredwood。Thelastshriekdiedoutunderhiminafaintgurgle，andhehadsecuredthereliefofabsolutesilence。
Helookedatthewoman"sfaceunderhim。Arealwoman！Heknewher。Byallthatiswonderful！Taminah！Hejumpedupashamedofhisfuryandstoodperplexed，wipinghisforehead。Thegirlstruggledtoakneelingpostureandembracedhislegsinafrenziedprayerformercy。
"Don"tbeafraid，"hesaid，raisingher。"Ishallnothurtyou。
Whydoyoucometomyhouseinthenight？Andifyouhadtocome，whynotgobehindthecurtainwherethewomensleep？"
"Theplacebehindthecurtainisempty，"gaspedTaminah，catchingherbreathbetweenthewords。"Therearenowomeninyourhouseanymore，Tuan。IsawtheoldMemgoawaybeforeItriedtowakeyou。Ididnotwantyourwomen，Iwantedyou。"
"OldMem！"repeatedAlmayer。"Doyoumeanmywife？"
Shenoddedherhead。
"Butofmydaughteryouarenotafraid？"saidAlmayer。
"Haveyounotheardme？"sheexclaimed。"HaveInotspokenforalongtimewhenyoulaytherewitheyeshalfopen？Sheisgonetoo。"
"Iwasasleep。Canyounottellwhenamanissleepingandwhenawake？"
"Sometimes，"answeredTaminahinalowvoice；"sometimesthespiritlingersclosetoasleepingbodyandmayhear。IspokealongtimebeforeItouchedyou，andIspokesoftlyforfearitwoulddepartatasuddennoiseandleaveyousleepingforever。
ItookyoubytheshoulderonlywhenyoubegantomutterwordsI
couldnotunderstand。Haveyounotheard，then，anddoyouknownothing？"
"Nothingofwhatyousaid。Whatisit？Tellagainifyouwantmetoknow。"
Hetookherbytheshoulderandledherunresistingtothefrontoftheverandahintoastrongerlight。Shewrungherhandswithsuchanappearanceofgriefthathebegantobealarmed。
"Speak，"hesaid。"Youmadenoiseenoughtowakeevendeadmen。
Andyetnobodylivingcame，"headdedtohimselfinanuneasywhisper。"Areyoumute？Speak！"herepeated。
InarushofwordswhichbrokeoutafterashortstrugglefromhertremblinglipsshetoldhimthetaleofNina"sloveandherownjealousy。Severaltimeshelookedangrilyintoherfaceandtoldhertobesilent；buthecouldnotstopthesoundsthatseemedtohimtorunoutinahotstream，swirlabouthisfeet，andriseinscaldingwavesabouthim，higher，higher，drowninghisheart，touchinghislipswithafeelofmoltenlead，blottingouthissightinscorchingvapour，closingoverhishead，mercilessanddeadly。WhenshespokeofthedeceptionastoDain"sdeathofwhichhehadbeenthevictimonlythatday，heglancedagainatherwithterribleeyes，andmadeherfalterforasecond，butheturnedawaydirectly，andhisfacesuddenlylostallexpressioninastonystarefarawayovertheriver。Ah！theriver！Hisoldfriendandhisoldenemy，speakingalwayswiththesamevoiceasherunsfromyeartoyearbringingfortuneordisappointmenthappinessorpain，uponthesamevaryingbutunchangedsurfaceofglancingcurrentsandswirlingeddies。Formanyyearshehadlistenedtothepassionlessandsoothingmurmurthatsometimeswasthesongofhope，attimesthesongoftriumph，ofencouragement；moreoftenthewhisperofconsolationthatspokeofbetterdaystocome。Forsomanyyears！Somanyyears！Andnowtotheaccompanimentofthatmurmurhelistenedtotheslowandpainfulbeatingofhisheart。Helistenedattentively，wonderingattheregularityofitsbeats。Hebegantocountmechanically。One，two。Whycount？Atthenextbeatitmuststop。Noheartcouldsuffersoandbeatsosteadilyforlong。Thoseregularstrokesasofamuffledhammerthatranginhisearsmuststopsoon。Stillbeatingunceasingandcruel。
Nomancanbearthis；andisthisthelast，orwillthenextonebethelast？——Howmuchlonger？OGod！howmuchlonger？Hishandweighedheavierunconsciouslyonthegirl"sshoulder，andshespokethelastwordsofherstorycrouchingathisfeetwithtearsofpainandshameandanger。Washerrevengetofailher？
Thiswhitemanwaslikeasenselessstone。Toolate！Toolate！
"Andyousawhergo？"Almayer"svoicesoundedharshlyaboveherhead。