第7章
"DidInottellyou？"shesobbed，tryingtowrigglegentlyoutfromunderhisgrip。"DidInottellyouthatIsawthewitchwomanpushthecanoe？Ilayhiddeninthegrassandheardallthewords。ShethatweusedtocallthewhiteMemwantedtoreturntolookatyourface，butthewitchwomanforbadeher，and——"
Shesankloweryetonherelbow，turninghalfroundunderthedownwardpushoftheheavyhand，herfacelifteduptohimwithspitefuleyes。
"Andsheobeyed，"sheshoutedoutinahalf-laugh，half-cryofpain。"Letmego，Tuan。Whyareyouangrywithme？
Hasten，oryoushallbetoolatetoshowyourangertothedeceitfulwoman。"
Almayerdraggedheruptoherfeetandlookedcloseintoherfacewhileshestruggled，turningherheadawayfromhiswildstare。
"Whosentyouheretotormentme？"heasked，violently。"Idonotbelieveyou。Youlie。"
Hestraightenedhisarmsuddenlyandflungheracrosstheverandahtowardsthedoorway，whereshelayimmobileandsilent，asifshehadleftherlifeinhisgrasp，adarkheap，withoutasoundorastir。
"Oh！Nina！"whisperedAlmayer，inavoiceinwhichreproachandlovespoketogetherinpainedtenderness。"Oh！Nina！
Idonotbelieve。"
Alightdraughtfromtheriverranoverthecourtyardinawaveofbowinggrassand，enteringtheverandah，touchedAlmayer"sforeheadwithitscoolbreath，inacaressofinfinitepity。Thecurtaininthewomen"sdoorwayblewoutandinstantlycollapsedwithstartlinghelplessness。Hestaredattheflutteringstuff。
"Nina！"criedAlmayer。"Whereareyou，Nina？"
Thewindpassedoutoftheemptyhouseinatremuloussigh，andallwasstill。
Almayerhidhisfaceinhishandsasiftoshutoutaloathsomesight。When，hearingaslightrustle，heuncoveredhiseyes，thedarkheapbythedoorwasgone。
chapter11
CHAPTERXI。
Inthemiddleofashadowlesssquareofmoonlight，shiningonasmoothandlevelexpanseofyoungrice-shoots，alittleshelter-hutperchedonhighposts，thepileofbrushwoodnearbyandtheglowingembersofafirewithamanstretchedbeforeit，seemedverysmallandasiflostinthepalegreeniridescencereflectedfromtheground。Onthreesidesoftheclearing，appearingveryfarawayinthedeceptivelight，thebigtreesoftheforest，lashedtogetherwithmanifoldbondsbyamassoftangledcreepers，lookeddownatthegrowingyounglifeattheirfeetwiththesombreresignationofgiantsthathadlostfaithintheirstrength。Andinthemidstofthemthemercilesscreepersclungtothebigtrunksincable-likecoils，leapedfromtreetotree，hunginthornyfestoonsfromthelowerboughs，and，sendingslendertendrilsonhightoseekoutthesmallestbranches，carrieddeathtotheirvictimsinanexultingriotofsilentdestruction。
Onthefourthside，followingthecurveofthebankofthatbranchofthePantaithatformedtheonlyaccesstotheclearing，ranablacklineofyoungtrees，bushes，andthicksecondgrowth，unbrokensaveforasmallgapchoppedoutinoneplace。Atthatgapbeganthenarrowfootpathleadingfromthewater"sedgetothegrass-builtshelterusedbythenightwatcherswhentheripeningcrophadtobeprotectedfromthewildpigs。Thepathwayendedatthefootofthepilesonwhichthehutwasbuilt，inacircularspacecoveredwithashesandbitsofburntwood。Inthemiddleofthatspace，bythedimfire，layDain。
Heturnedoveronhissidewithanimpatientsigh，and，pillowinghisheadonhisbentarm，layquietlywithhisfacetothedyingfire。Theglowingembersshoneredlyinasmallcircle，throwingagleamintohiswide-openeyes，andateverydeepbreaththefinewhiteashofbygonefiresroseinalightcloudbeforehispartedlips，anddancedawayfromthewarmglowintothemoonbeamspouringdownuponBulangi"sclearing。Hisbodywaswearywiththeexertionofthepastfewdays，hismindmorewearystillwiththestrainofsolitarywaitingforhisfate。Neverbeforehadhefeltsohelpless。Hehadheardthereportofthegunfiredonboardthelaunch，andheknewthathislifewasinuntrustworthyhands，andthathisenemieswereverynear。Duringtheslowhoursoftheafternoonheroamedaboutontheedgeoftheforest，or，hidinginthebushes，watchedthecreekwithunquieteyesforsomesignofdanger。Hefearednotdeath，yethedesiredardentlytolive，forlifetohimwasNina。Shehadpromisedtocome，tofollowhim，tosharehisdangerandhissplendour。Butwithherbyhissidehecarednotfordanger，andwithouthertherecouldbenosplendourandnojoyinexistence。
Crouchinginhisshadyhiding-place，heclosedhiseyes，tryingtoevokethegraciousandcharmingimageofthewhitefigurethatforhimwasthebeginningandtheendoflife。Witheyesshuttight，histeethhardset，hetriedinagreateffortofpassionatewilltokeephisholdonthatvisionofsupremedelight。Invain！HisheartgrewheavyasthefigureofNinafadedawaytobereplacedbyanothervisionthistime——avisionofarmedmen，ofangryfaces，ofglitteringarms——andheseemedtohearthehumofexcitedandtriumphantvoicesastheydiscoveredhiminhishiding-place。Startledbythevividnessofhisfancy，hewouldopenhiseyes，and，leapingoutintothesunlight，resumehisaimlesswanderingsaroundtheclearing。Asheskirtedinhiswearymarchtheedgeoftheforestheglancednowandthenintoitsdarkshade，soenticinginitsdeceptiveappearanceofcoolness，sorepellentwithitsunrelievedgloom，wherelay，entombedandrotting，countlessgenerationsoftrees，andwheretheirsuccessorsstoodasifmourning，indarkgreenfoliage，immenseandhelpless，awaitingtheirturn。Onlytheparasitesseemedtolivethereinasinuousrushupwardsintotheairandsunshine，feedingonthedeadandthedyingalike，andcrowningtheirvictimswithpinkandblueflowersthatgleamedamongsttheboughs，incongruousandcruel，likeastridentandmockingnoteinthesolemnharmonyofthedoomedtrees。
Amancouldhidethere，thoughtDain，asheapproachedaplacewherethecreepershadbeentornandhackedintoanarchwaythatmighthavebeenthebeginningofapath。Ashebentdowntolookthroughheheardangrygrunting，andasounderofwildpigcrashedawayintheundergrowth。Anacridsmellofdampearthandofdecayingleavestookhimbythethroat，andhedrewbackwithascaredface，asifhehadbeentouchedbythebreathofDeathitself。Theveryairseemeddeadinthere——heavyandstagnating，poisonedwiththecorruptionofcountlessages。Hewenton，staggeringonhisway，urgedbythenervousrestlessnessthatmadehimfeeltiredyetcausedhimtoloathetheveryideaofimmobilityandrepose。Washeawildmantohideinthewoodsandperhapsbekilledthere——inthedarkness——wheretherewasnoroomtobreathe？Hewouldwaitforhisenemiesinthesunlight，wherehecouldseetheskyandfeelthebreeze。HeknewhowaMalaychiefshoulddie。Thesombreanddesperatefury，thatpeculiarinheritanceofhisrace，tookpossessionofhim，andheglaredsavagelyacrosstheclearingtowardsthegapinthebushesbytheriverside。Theywouldcomefromthere。Inimaginationhesawthemnow。Hesawthebeardedfacesandthewhitejacketsoftheofficers，thelightonthelevelledbarrelsoftherifles。
Whatisthebraveryofthegreatestwarriorbeforethefirearmsinthehandofaslave？Hewouldwalktowardthemwithasmilingface，withhishandsheldoutinasignofsubmissiontillhewasverynearthem。Hewouldspeakfriendlywords——comeneareryet——yetnearer——sonearthattheycouldtouchhimwiththeirhandsandstretchthemouttomakehimacaptive。Thatwouldbethetime：withashoutandaleaphewouldbeinthemidstofthem，krissinhand，killing，killing，killing，andwoulddiewiththeshoutsofhisenemiesinhisears，theirwarmbloodspurtingbeforehiseyes。
Carriedawaybyhisexcitement，hesnatchedthekrisshiddeninhissarong，and，drawingalongbreath，rushedforward，struckattheemptyair，andfellonhisface。Helayasifstunnedinthesuddenreactionfromhisexaltation，thinkingthat，evenifhediedthusgloriously，itwouldhavetobebeforehesawNina。
Betterso。Ifhesawheragainhefeltthatdeathwouldbetooterrible。Withhorrorhe，thedescendantofRajahsandofconquerors，hadtofacethedoubtofhisownbravery。Hisdesireoflifetormentedhiminaparoxysmofagonisingremorse。Hehadnotthecouragetostiralimb。Hehadlostfaithinhimself，andtherewasnothingelseinhimofwhatmakesaman。Thesufferingremained，foritisorderedthatitshouldabideinthehumanbodyeventothelastbreath，andfearremained。Dimlyhecouldlookintothedepthsofhispassionatelove，seeitsstrengthanditsweakness，andfeltafraid。
Thesunwentdownslowly。Theshadowofthewesternforestmarchedovertheclearing，coveredtheman"sscorchedshoulderswithitscoolmantle，andwentonhurriedlytominglewiththeshadowsofotherforestsontheeasternside。Thesunlingeredforawhileamongstthelighttraceryofthehigherbranches，asifinfriendlyreluctancetoabandonthebodystretchedinthegreenpaddy-field。ThenDain，revivedbythecooloftheeveningbreeze，satupandstaredroundhim。Ashedidsothesundippedsharply，asifashamedofbeingdetectedinasympathisingattitude，andtheclearing，whichduringthedaywasalllight，becamesuddenlyalldarkness，wherethefiregleamedlikeaneye。
Dainwalkedslowlytowardsthecreek，and，divestinghimselfofhistornsarong，hisonlygarment，enteredthewatercautiously。
Hehadhadnothingtoeatthatday，andhadnotdaredshowhimselfindaylightbythewater-sidetodrink。Now，asheswamsilently，heswallowedafewmouthfulsofwaterthatlappedabouthislips。Thisdidhimgood，andhewalkedwithgreaterconfidenceinhimselfandothersashereturnedtowardsthefire。
HadhebeenbetrayedbyLakambaallwouldhavebeenoverbythis。
Hemadeupabigblaze，andwhileitlasteddriedhimself，andthenlaydownbytheembers。Hecouldnotsleep，buthefeltagreatnumbnessinallhislimbs。Hisrestlessnesswasgone，andhewascontenttolaystill，measuringthetimebywatchingthestarsthatroseinendlesssuccessionabovetheforests，whiletheslightpuffsofwindunderthecloudlessskyseemedtofantheirtwinkleintoagreaterbrightness。Dreamilyheassuredhimselfoverandoveragainthatshewouldcome，tillthecertitudecreptintohisheartandfilledhimwithagreatpeace。
Yes，whenthenextdaybroke，theywouldbetogetheronthegreatblueseathatwaslikelife——awayfromtheforeststhatwerelikedeath。HemurmuredthenameofNinaintothesilentspacewithatendersmile：thisseemedtobreakthespellofstillness，andfarawaybythecreekafrogcroakedloudlyasifinanswer。A
chorusofloudroarsandplaintivecallsrosefromthemudalongthelineofbushes。Helaughedheartily；doubtlessitwastheirlove-song。Hefeltaffectionatetowardsthefrogsandlistened，pleasedwiththenoisylifenearhim。
Whenthemoonpeepedabovethetreeshefelttheoldimpatienceandtheoldrestlessnessstealoverhim。Whywasshesolate？
True，itwasalongwaytocomewithasinglepaddle。Withwhatskillandwhatendurancecouldthosesmallhandsmanageaheavypaddle！Itwasverywonderful——suchsmallhands，suchsoftlittlepalmsthatknewhowtotouchhischeekwithafeellighterthanthefanningofabutterfly"swing。Wonderful！Helosthimselflovinglyinthecontemplationofthistremendousmystery，andwhenhelookedatthemoonagainithadrisenahand"sbreadthabovethetrees。Wouldshecome？Heforcedhimselftolaystill，overcomingtheimpulsetoriseandrushroundtheclearingagain。Heturnedthiswayandthat；atlast，quiveringwiththeeffort，helayonhisback，andsawherfaceamongthestarslookingdownonhim。
Thecroakingoffrogssuddenlyceased。WiththewatchfulnessofahuntedmanDainsatup，listeninganxiously，andheardseveralsplashesinthewaterasthefrogstookrapidheadersintothecreek。Heknewthattheyhadbeenalarmedbysomething，andstoodupsuspiciousandattentive。Aslightgratingnoise，thenthedrysoundasoftwopiecesofwoodstruckagainsteachother。
Somebodywasabouttoland！Hetookupanarmfulofbrushwood，and，withouttakinghiseyesfromthepath，helditovertheembersofhisfire。Hewaited，undecided，andsawsomethinggleamamongstthebushes；thenawhitefigurecameoutoftheshadowsandseemedtofloattowardshiminthepalelight。Hisheartgaveagreatleapandstoodstill，thenwentonshakinghisframeinfuriousbeats。Hedroppedthebrushwoodupontheglowingcoals，andhadanimpressionofshoutinghername——ofrushingtomeether；yetheemittednosound，hestirrednotaninch，buthestoodsilentandmotionlesslikechiselledbronzeunderthemoonlightthatstreamedoverhisnakedshoulders。Ashestoodstill，fightingwithhisbreath，asifbereftofhissensesbytheintensityofhisdelight，shewalkeduptohimwithquick，resolutesteps，and，withtheappearanceofoneabouttoleapfromadangerousheight，threwbothherarmsroundhisneckwithasuddengesture。Asmallbluegleamcreptamongstthedrybranches，andthecracklingofrevivingfirewastheonlysoundastheyfacedeachotherinthespeechlessemotionofthatmeeting；thenthedryfuelcaughtatonce，andabrighthotflameshotupwardsinablazeashighastheirheads，andinitslighttheysaweachother"seyes。
Neitherofthemspoke。Hewasregaininghissensesinaslighttremorthatranupwardsalonghisrigidbodyandhungabouthistremblinglips。Shedrewbackherheadandfastenedhereyesonhisinoneofthoselonglooksthatareawoman"smostterribleweapon；alookthatismorestirringthantheclosesttouch，andmoredangerousthanthethrustofadagger，becauseitalsowhipsthesouloutofthebody，butleavesthebodyaliveandhelpless，tobeswayedhereandtherebythecapricioustempestsofpassionanddesire；alookthatenwrapsthewholebody，andthatpenetratesintotheinnermostrecessesofthebeing，bringingterribledefeatinthedeliriousupliftingofaccomplishedconquest。Ithasthesamemeaningforthemanoftheforestsandtheseaasforthemanthreadingthepathsofthemoredangerouswildernessofhousesandstreets。Menthathadfeltintheirbreaststheawfulexultationsuchalookawakensbecomemerethingsofto-day——whichisparadise；forgetyesterday——whichwassuffering；carenotforto-morrow——whichmaybeperdition。Theywishtoliveunderthatlookforever。Itisthelookofwoman"ssurrender。
Heunderstood，and，asifsuddenlyreleasedfromhisinvisiblebonds，fellatherfeetwithashoutofjoy，and，embracingherknees，hidhisheadinthefoldsofherdress，murmuringdisjointedwordsofgratitudeandlove。Neverbeforehadhefeltsoproudasnow，whenatthefeetofthatwomanthathalfbelongedtohisenemies。Herfingersplayedwithhishairinanabsent-mindedcaressasshestoodabsorbedinthought。Thethingwasdone。Hermotherwasright。Themanwasherslave。
Assheglanceddownathiskneelingformshefeltagreatpityingtendernessforthatmanshewasusedtocall——eveninherthoughts——themasteroflife。Sheliftedhereyesandlookedsadlyatthesouthernheavensunderwhichlaythepathoftheirlives——herown，andthatman"satherfeet。Didhenotsayhimselfisthatshewasthelightofhislife？Shewouldbehislightandhiswisdom；shewouldbehisgreatnessandhisstrength；yethiddenfromtheeyesofallmenshewouldbe，aboveall，hisonlyandlastingweakness。Averywoman！Inthesublimevanityofherkindshewasthinkingalreadyofmouldingagodfromtheclayatherfeet。Agodforotherstoworship。
Shewascontenttoseehimashewasnow，andtofeelhimquiverattheslightesttouchofherlightfingers。Andwhilehereyeslookedsadlyatthesouthernstarsafaintsmileseemedtobeplayingaboutherfirmlips。Whocantellinthefitfullightofacampfire？Itmighthavebeenasmileoftriumph，orofconsciouspower，oroftenderpity，or，perhaps，oflove。
Shespokesoftlytohim，andherosetohisfeet，puttinghisarmroundherinquietconsciousnessofhisownership；shelaidherheadonhisshoulderwithasenseofdefiancetoalltheworldintheencirclingprotectionofthatarm。Hewasherswithallhisqualitiesandallhisfaults。Hisstrengthandhiscourage，hisrecklessnessandhisdaring，hissimplewisdomandhissavagecunning——allwerehers。Astheypassedtogetheroutoftheredlightofthefireintothesilvershowerofraysthatfellupontheclearinghebenthisheadoverherface，andshesawinhiseyesthedreamyintoxicationofboundlessfelicityfromtheclosetouchofherslightfigureclaspedtohisside。Witharhythmicalswingoftheirbodiestheywalkedthroughthelighttowardstheoutlyingshadowsoftheforeststhatseemedtoguardtheirhappinessinsolemnimmobility。Theirformsmeltedintheplayoflightandshadowatthefootofthebigtrees，butthemurmuroftenderwordslingeredovertheemptyclearing，grewfaint，anddiedout。Asighasofimmensesorrowpassedoverthelandinthelasteffortofthedyingbreeze，andinthedeepsilencewhichsucceeded，theearthandtheheavensweresuddenlyhushedupinthemournfulcontemplationofhumanloveandhumanblindness。
Theywalkedslowlybacktothefire。Hemadeforheraseatoutofthedrybranches，and，throwinghimselfdownatherfeet，layhisheadinherlapandgavehimselfuptothedreamydelightofthepassinghour。Theirvoicesroseandfell，tenderoranimatedastheyspokeoftheirloveandoftheirfuture。She，withafewskilfulwordsspokenfromtimetotime，guidedhisthoughts，andhelethishappinessflowinastreamoftalkpassionateandtender，graveormenacing，accordingtothemoodwhichsheevoked。Hespoketoherofhisownisland，wherethegloomyforestsandthemuddyriverswereunknown。Hespokeofitsterracedfields，ofthemurmuringclearrillsofsparklingwaterthatfloweddownthesidesofgreatmountains，bringinglifetothelandandjoytoitstillers。Andhespokealsoofthemountainpeakthatrisinglonelyabovethebeltoftreesknewthesecretsofthepassingclouds，andwasthedwelling-placeofthemysteriousspiritofhisrace，oftheguardiangeniusofhishouse。Hespokeofvasthorizonssweptbyfiercewindsthatwhistledhighabovethesummitsofburningmountains。Hespokeofhisforefathersthatconqueredagesagotheislandofwhichhewastobethefutureruler。Andthenas，inherinterest，shebroughtherfacenearertohis，he，touchinglightlythethicktressesofherlonghair，feltasuddenimpulsetospeaktoheroftheseahelovedsowell；andhetoldherofitsnever-ceasingvoice，towhichhehadlistenedasachild，wonderingatitshiddenmeaningthatnolivingmanhaspenetratedyet；ofitsenchantingglitter；ofitssenselessandcapriciousfury；howitssurfacewasforeverchanging，andyetalwaysenticing，whileitsdepthswereforeverthesame，coldandcruel，andfullofthewisdomofdestroyedlife。Hetoldherhowitheldmenslavesofitscharmforalifetime，andthen，regardlessoftheirdevotion，swallowedthemup，angryattheirfearofitsmystery，whichitwouldneverdisclose，noteventothosethatloveditmost。
Whilehetalked，Nina"sheadhadbeengraduallysinkinglower，andherfacealmosttouchedhisnow。Herhairwasoverhiseyes，herbreathwasonhisforehead，herarmswereabouthisbody。
Notwobeingscouldbeclosertoeachother，yetsheguessedratherthanunderstoodthemeaningofhislastwordsthatcameoutafteraslighthesitationinafaintmurmur，dyingoutimperceptiblyintoaprofoundandsignificantsilence："Thesea，ONina，islikeawoman"sheart。"
Sheclosedhislipswithasuddenkiss，andansweredinasteadyvoice——
"Buttothementhathavenofear，Omasterofmylife，theseaisevertrue。"
Overtheirheadsafilmofdark，thread-likeclouds，lookinglikeimmensecobwebsdriftingunderthestars，darkenedtheskywiththepresageofthecomingthunderstorm。Fromtheinvisiblehillsthefirstdistantrumbleofthundercameinaprolongedrollwhich，aftertossingaboutfromhilltohill，lostitselfintheforestsofthePantai。DainandNinastoodup，andtheformerlookedattheskyuneasily。
"ItistimeforBabalatchitobehere，"hesaid。"Thenightismorethanhalfgone。Ourroadislong，andabullettravelsquickerthanthebestcanoe。"
"Hewillbeherebeforethemoonishiddenbehindtheclouds，"
saidNina。"Iheardasplashinthewater，"sheadded。"Didyouhearittoo？"
"Alligator，"answeredDainshortly，withacarelessglancetowardsthecreek。"Thedarkerthenight，"hecontinued，"theshorterwillbeourroad，forthenwecouldkeepinthecurrentofthemainstream，butifitislight——evennomorethannow——wemustfollowthesmallchannelsofsleepingwater，withnothingtohelpourpaddles。"
"Dain，"interposedNina，earnestly，"itwasnoalligator。I
heardthebushesrustlingnearthelanding-place。"
"Yes，"saidDain，afterlisteningawhile。"ItcannotbeBabalatchi，whowouldcomeinabigwarcanoe，andopenly。Thosethatarecoming，whoevertheyare，donotwishtomakemuchnoise。Butyouhaveheard，andnowIcansee，"hewentonquickly。"Itisbutoneman。Standbehindme，Nina。
Ifheisafriendheiswelcome；ifheisanenemyyoushallseehimdie。"
Helaidhishandonhiskriss，andawaitedtheapproachofhisunexpectedvisitor。Thefirewasburningverylow，andsmallclouds——precursorsofthestorm——crossedthefaceofthemooninrapidsuccession，andtheirflyingshadowsdarkenedtheclearing。
Hecouldnotmakeoutwhothemanmightbe，buthefeltuneasyatthesteadyadvanceofthetallfigurewalkingonthepathwithaheavytread，andhaileditwithacommandtostop。Themanstoppedatsomelittledistance，andDainexpectedhimtospeak，butallhecouldhearwashisdeepbreathing。Throughabreakintheflyingcloudsasuddenandfleetingbrightnessdescendedupontheclearing。Beforethedarknessclosedinagain，Dainsawahandholdingsomeglitteringobjectextendedtowardshim，heardNina"scryof"Father！"andinaninstantthegirlwasbetweenhimandAlmayer"srevolver。Nina"sloudcrywokeuptheechoesofthesleepingwoods，andthethreestoodstillasifwaitingforthereturnofsilencebeforetheywouldgiveexpressiontotheirvariousfeelings。AttheappearanceofNina，Almayer"sarmfellbyhisside，andhemadeastepforward。Dainpushedthegirlgentlyaside。
"AmIawildbeastthatyoushouldtrytokillmesuddenlyandinthedark，TuanAlmayer？"saidDain，breakingthestrainedsilence。"Throwsomebrushwoodonthefire，"hewenton，speakingtoNina，"whileIwatchmywhitefriend，lestharmshouldcometoyouortome，Odelightofmyheart！"
Almayergroundhisteethandraisedhisarmagain。WithaquickboundDainwasathisside：therewasashortscuffle，duringwhichonechamberoftherevolverwentoffharmlessly，thentheweapon，wrenchedoutofAlmayer"shand，whirledthroughtheairandfellinthebushes。Thetwomenstoodclosetogether，breathinghard。ThereplenishedfirethrewoutanunsteadycircleoflightandshoneontheterrifiedfaceofNina，wholookedatthemwithoutstretchedhands。
"Dain！"shecriedoutwarningly，"Dain！"
Hewavedhishandtowardsherinareassuringgesture，and，turningtoAlmayer，saidwithgreatcourtesy——
"Nowwemaytalk，Tuan。Itiseasytosendoutdeath，butcanyourwisdomrecallthelife？Shemighthavebeenharmed，"hecontinued，indicatingNina。"Yourhandshookmuch；formyselfI
wasnotafraid。"
"Nina！"exclaimedAlmayer，"cometomeatonce。Whatisthissuddenmadness？Whatbewitchedyou？Cometoyourfather，andtogetherweshalltrytoforgetthishorriblenightmare！"
Heopenedhisarmswiththecertitudeofclaspinghertohisbreastinanothersecond。Shedidnotmove。Asitdawneduponhimthatshedidnotmeantoobeyhefeltadeadlycoldcreepintohisheart，and，pressingthepalmsofhishandstohistemples，helookeddownonthegroundinmutedespair。DaintookNinabythearmandledhertowardsherfather。
"Speaktohiminthelanguageofhispeople，"hesaid。"Heisgrieving——aswhowouldnotgrieveatlosingthee，mypearl！
Speaktohimthelastwordsheshallhearspokenbythatvoice，whichmustbeverysweettohim，butisallmylifetome。"
Hereleasedher，and，steppingbackafewpacesoutofthecircleoflight，stoodinthedarknesslookingatthemwithcalminterest。Thereflectionofadistantflashoflightninglitupthecloudsovertheirheads，andwasfollowedafterashortintervalbythefaintrumbleofthunder，whichmingledwithAlmayer"svoiceashebegantospeak。
"Doyouknowwhatyouaredoing？Doyouknowwhatiswaitingforyouifyoufollowthatman？Haveyounopityforyourself？
Doyouknowthatyoushallbeatfirsthisplaythingandthenascornedslave，adrudge，andaservantofsomenewfancyofthatman？"
Sheraisedherhandtostophim，andturningherheadslightly，asked——
"YouhearthisDain！Isittrue？"
"Byallthegods！"cametheimpassionedanswerfromthedarkness——"byheavenandearth，bymyheadandthineIswear：
thisisawhiteman"slie。Ihavedeliveredmysoulintoyourhandsforever；Ibreathewithyourbreath，Iseewithyoureyes，Ithinkwithyourmind，andItakeyouintomyheartforever。"
"Youthief！"shoutedtheexasperatedAlmayer。
Adeepsilencesucceededthisoutburst，thenthevoiceofDainwasheardagain。
"Nay，Tuan，"hesaidinagentletone，"thatisnottruealso。
Thegirlcameofherownwill。Ihavedonenomorebuttoshowhermylovelikeaman；sheheardthecryofmyheart，andshecame，andthedowryIhavegiventothewomanyoucallyourwife。"
Almayergroanedinhisextremityofrageandshame。Ninalaidherhandlightlyonhisshoulder，andthecontact，lightasthetouchofafallingleaf，seemedtocalmhim。Hespokequickly，andinEnglishthistime。
"Tellme，"hesaid——"tellme，whathavetheydonetoyou，yourmotherandthatman？Whatmadeyougiveyourselfuptothatsavage？Forheisasavage。Betweenhimandyouthereisabarrierthatnothingcanremove。Icanseeinyoureyesthelookofthosewhocommitsuicidewhentheyaremad。Youaremad。
Don"tsmile。Itbreaksmyheart。IfIweretoseeyoudrowningbeforemyeyes，andIwithoutthepowertohelpyou，Icouldnotsufferagreatertorment。Haveyouforgottentheteachingofsomanyyears？"
"No，"sheinterrupted，"Irememberitwell。Irememberhowitendedalso。Scornforscorn，contemptforcontempt，hateforhate。Iamnotofyourrace。Betweenyourpeopleandmethereisalsoabarrierthatnothingcanremove。YouaskwhyIwanttogo，andIaskyouwhyIshouldstay。"
Hestaggeredasifstruckintheface，butwithaquick，unhesitatinggraspshecaughthimbythearmandsteadiedhim。
"Whyyoushouldstay！"herepeatedslowly，inadazedmanner，andstoppedshort，astoundedatthecompletenessofhismisfortune。
"Youtoldmeyesterday，"shewentonagain，"thatIcouldnotunderstandorseeyourloveforme：itisso。HowcanI？
Notwohumanbeingsunderstandeachother。Theycanunderstandbuttheirownvoices。Youwantedmetodreamyourdreams，toseeyourownvisions——thevisionsoflifeamongstthewhitefacesofthosewhocastmeoutfromtheirmidstinangrycontempt。ButwhileyouspokeIlistenedtothevoiceofmyownself；thenthismancame，andallwasstill；therewasonlythemurmurofhislove。Youcallhimasavage！Whatdoyoucallmymother，yourwife？"
"Nina！"criedAlmayer，"takeyoureyesoffmyface。"
Shelookeddowndirectly，butcontinuedspeakingonlyalittleaboveawhisper。
"Intime，"shewenton，"bothourvoices，thatman"sandmine，spoketogetherinasweetnessthatwasintelligibletoourearsonly。Youwerespeakingofgoldthen，butourearswerefilledwiththesongofourlove，andwedidnothearyou。ThenIfoundthatwecouldseethrougheachother"seyes：thathesawthingsthatnobodybutmyselfandhecouldsee。Weenteredalandwherenoonecouldfollowus，andleastofallyou。ThenIbegantolive。"
Shepaused。Almayersigheddeeply。Withhereyesstillfixedonthegroundshebeganspeakingagain。
"AndImeantolive。Imeantofollowhim。Ihavebeenrejectedwithscornbythewhitepeople，andnowIamaMalay！Hetookmeinhisarms，helaidhislifeatmyfeet。Heisbrave；hewillbepowerful，andIholdhisbraveryandhisstrengthinmyhand，andIshallmakehimgreat。Hisnameshallberememberedlongafterbothourbodiesarelaidinthedust。IloveyounolessthanIdidbefore，butIshallneverleavehim，forwithouthimI
cannotlive。"
"Ifheunderstoodwhatyouhavesaid，"answeredAlmayer，scornfully，"hemustbehighlyflattered。Youwanthimasatoolforsomeincomprehensibleambitionofyours。Enough，Nina。
Ifyoudonotgodownatoncetothecreek，whereAliiswaitingwithmycanoe，IshalltellhimtoreturntothesettlementandbringtheDutchofficershere。Youcannotescapefromthisclearing，forIhavecastadriftyourcanoe。IftheDutchcatchthisheroofyourstheywillhanghimassureasIstandhere。
Nowgo。"
Hemadeasteptowardshisdaughterandlaidholdofherbytheshoulder，hisotherhandpointingdownthepathtothelanding-place。
"Beware！"exclaimedDain；"thiswomanbelongstome！"
NinawrenchedherselffreeandlookedstraightatAlmayer"sangryface。
"No，Iwillnotgo，"shesaidwithdesperateenergy。"IfhediesIshalldietoo！"
"Youdie！"saidAlmayer，contemptuously。"Oh，no！Youshalllivealifeofliesanddeceptiontillsomeothervagabondcomesalongtosing；howdidyousaythat？Thesongoflovetoyou！
Makeupyourmindquickly。"
Hewaitedforawhile，andthenaddedmeaningly——
"ShallIcallouttoAli？"
"Callout，"sheansweredinMalay，"youthatcannotbetruetoyourowncountrymen。Onlyafewdaysagoyouweresellingthepowderfortheirdestruction；nowyouwanttogiveuptothemthemanthatyesterdayyoucalledyourfriend。Oh，Dain，"shesaid，turningtowardsthemotionlessbutattentivefigureinthedarkness，"insteadofbringingyoulifeIbringyoudeath，forhewillbetrayunlessIleaveyouforever！"
Daincameintothecircleoflight，and，throwinghisarmaroundNina"sneck，whisperedinherear——"Icankillhimwherehestands，beforeasoundcanpasshislips。Foryouitistosayyesorno。Babalatchicannotbefarnow。"
Hestraightenedhimselfup，takinghisarmoffhershoulder，andconfrontedAlmayer，wholookedatthembothwithanexpressionofconcentratedfury，"No！"shecried，clingingtoDaininwildalarm。"No！Killme！
Thenperhapshewillletyougo。Youdonotknowthemindofawhiteman。HewouldratherseemedeadthanstandingwhereIam。
Forgiveme，yourslave，butyoumustnot。"Shefellathisfeetsobbingviolentlyandrepeating，"Killme！Killme！"
"Iwantyoualive，"saidAlmayer，speakingalsoinMalay，withsombrecalmness。"Yougo，orhehangs。Willyouobey？"
DainshookNinaoff，and，makingasuddenlunge，struckAlmayerfullinthechestwiththehandleofhiskriss，keepingthepointtowardshimself。
"Hai，look！Itwaseasyformetoturnthepointtheotherway，"
hesaidinhisevenvoice。"Go，TuanPutih，"headdedwithdignity。"Igiveyouyourlife，mylife，andherlife。I
amtheslaveofthiswoman"sdesire，andshewillsitso。"
Therewasnotaglimmeroflightintheskynow，andthetopsofthetreeswereasinvisibleastheirtrunks，beinglostinthemassofcloudsthathunglowoverthewoods，theclearing，andtheriver。
Everyoutlinehaddisappearedintheintenseblacknessthatseemedtohavedestroyedeverythingbutspace。Onlythefireglimmeredlikeastarforgotteninthisannihilationofallvisiblethings，andnothingwasheardafterDainceasedspeakingbutthesobsofNina，whomheheldinhisarms，kneelingbesidethefire。Almayerstoodlookingdownatthemingloomythoughtfulness。Ashewasopeninghislipstospeaktheywerestartledbyacryofwarningbytheriverside，followedbythesplashofmanypaddlesandthesoundofvoices。
"Babalatchi！"shoutedDain，liftingupNinaashegotuponhisfeetquickly。
"Ada！Ada！"cametheanswerfromthepantingstatesmanwhoranupthepathandstoodamongstthem。"Runtomycanoe，"hesaidtoDainexcitedly，withouttakinganynoticeofAlmayer。"Run！
wemustgo。Thatwomanhastoldthemall！"
"Whatwoman？"askedDain，lookingatNina。Justthentherewasonlyonewomaninthewholeworldforhim。
"Theshe-dogwithwhiteteeth；theseventimesaccursedslaveofBulangi。SheyelledatAbdulla"sgatetillshewokeupallSambir。Nowthewhiteofficersarecoming，guidedbyherandReshid。Ifyouwanttolive，donotlookatme，butgo！"
"Howdoyouknowthis？"askedAlmayer。
"Oh，Tuan！whatmattershowIknow！Ihaveonlyoneeye，butI
sawlightsinAbdulla"shouseandinhiscampongaswewerepaddlingpast。Ihaveears，andwhilewelayunderthebankI
haveheardthemessengerssentouttothewhitemen"shouse。"
"Willyoudepartwithoutthatwomanwhoismydaughter？"saidAlmayer，addressingDain，whileBabalatchistampedwithimpatience，muttering，"Run！Runatonce！"
"No，"answeredDain，steadily，"Iwillnotgo；tonomanwillI
abandonthiswoman。"
"Thenkillmeandescapeyourself，"sobbedoutNina。
Heclaspedherclose，lookingathertenderly，andwhispered，"Wewillneverpart，ONina！"
"Ishallnotstayhereanylonger，"brokeinBabalatchi，angrily。
"Thisisgreatfoolishness。Nowomanisworthaman"slife。
I
amanoldman，andIknow。"
Hepickeduphisstaff，and，turningtogo，lookedatDainasifofferinghimhislastchanceofescape。ButDain"sfacewashiddenamongstNina"sblacktresses，andhedidnotseethislastappealingglance。
Babalatchivanishedinthedarkness。Shortlyafterhisdisappearancetheyheardthewarcanoeleavethelanding-placeintheswishofthenumerouspaddlesdippedinthewatertogether。
AlmostatthesametimeAlicameupfromtheriverside，twopaddlesonhisshoulder。
"Ourcanoeishiddenupthecreek，TuanAlmayer，"hesaid，"inthedensebushwheretheforestcomesdowntothewater。ItookittherebecauseIheardfromBabalatchi"spaddlersthatthewhitemenarecominghere。"
"Waitformethere，"saidAlmayer，"butkeepthecanoehidden。"
Heremainedsilent，listeningtoAli"sfootsteps，thenturnedtoNina。
"Nina，"hesaidsadly，"willyouhavenopityforme？"
Therewasnoanswer。Shedidnoteventurnherhead，whichwaspressedclosetoDain"sbreast。
Hemadeamovementasiftoleavethemandstopped。Bythedimglowoftheburning-outfirehesawtheirtwomotionlessfigures。
Thewoman"sbackturnedtohimwiththelongblackhairstreamingdownoverthewhitedress，andDain"scalmfacelookingathimaboveherhead。
"Icannot，"hemutteredtohimself。Afteralongpausehespokeagainalittlelower，butinanunsteadyvoice，"Itwouldbetoogreatadisgrace。Iamawhiteman。"Hebrokedowncompletelythere，andwentontearfully，"Iamawhiteman，andofgoodfamily。Verygoodfamily，"herepeated，weepingbitterly。
"Itwouldbeadisgrace……allovertheislands，……theonlywhitemanontheeastcoast。No，itcannotbe……whitemenfindingmydaughterwiththisMalay。Mydaughter！"hecriedaloud，witharingofdespairinhisvoice。
Herecoveredhiscomposureafterawhileandsaiddistinctly——
"Iwillneverforgiveyou，Nina——never！Ifyouweretocomebacktomenow，thememoryofthisnightwouldpoisonallmylife。
I
shalltrytoforget。Ihavenodaughter。Thereusedtobeahalf-castewomaninmyhouse，butsheisgoingevennow。You，Dain，orwhateveryournamemaybe，Ishalltakeyouandthatwomantotheislandatthemouthoftherivermyself。Comewithme。"
Heledtheway，followingthebankasfarastheforest。Aliansweredtohiscall，and，pushingtheirwaythroughthedensebush，theysteppedintothecanoehiddenundertheoverhangingbranches。DainlaidNinainthebottom，andsatholdingherheadonhisknees。AlmayerandAlieachtookupapaddle。AstheyweregoingtopushoutAlihissedwarningly。Alllistened。
Inthegreatstillnessbeforetheburstingoutofthethunderstormtheycouldhearthesoundofoarsworkingregularlyintheirrow-locks。Thesoundapproachedsteadily，andDain，lookingthroughthebranches，couldseethefaintshapeofabigwhiteboat。Awoman"svoicesaidinacautioustone——
"Thereistheplacewhereyoumaylandwhitemen；alittlehigher——there！"
Theboatwaspassingthemsocloseinthenarrowcreekthatthebladesofthelongoarsnearlytouchedthecanoe。
"Wayenough！Standbytojumponshore！Heisaloneandunarmed，"wasthequietorderinaman"svoice，andinDutch。
Somebodyelsewhispered："IthinkIcanseeaglimmerofafirethroughthebush。"Andthentheboatfloatedpastthem，disappearinginstantlyinthedarkness。
"Now，"whisperedAli，eagerly，"letuspushoutandpaddleaway。"
Thelittlecanoeswungintothestream，andasitsprungforwardinresponsetothevigorousdigofthepaddlestheycouldhearanangryshout。
"Heisnotbythefire。Spreadout，men，andsearchforhim！"
Bluelightsblazedoutindifferentpartsoftheclearing，andtheshrillvoiceofawomancriedinaccentsofrageandpain——
"Toolate！Osenselesswhitemen！Hehasescaped！"
chapter12
CHAPTERXII。
"Thatistheplace，"saidDain，indicatingwiththebladeofhispaddleasmallisletaboutamileaheadofthecanoe——"thatistheplacewhereBabalatchipromisedthataboatfromtheprauwouldcomeformewhenthesunisoverhead。Wewillwaitforthatboatthere。"
Almayer，whowassteering，noddedwithoutspeaking，andbyaslightsweepofhispaddlelaidtheheadofthecanoeintherequireddirection。
TheywerejustleavingthesouthernoutletofthePantai，whichlaybehindtheminastraightandlongvistaofwatershiningbetweentwowallsofthickverdurethatrandownwardsandtowardseachother，tillatlasttheyjoinedandsanktogetherinthefar-awaydistance。Thesun，risingabovethecalmwatersoftheStraits，markeditsownpathbyastreakoflightthatglidedupontheseaanddartedupthewidereachoftheriver，ahurriedmessengeroflightandlifetothegloomyforestsofthecoast；
andinthisradianceofthesun"spathwayfloatedtheblackcanoeheadingfortheisletwhichlaybathedinsunshine，theyellowsandsofitsencirclingbeachshininglikeaninlaidgoldendisconthepolishedsteeloftheunwrinkledsea。Tothenorthandsouthofitroseotherislets，joyousintheirbrilliantcolouringofgreenandyellow，andonthemaincoastthesombrelineofmangrovebushesendedtothesouthwardinthereddishcliffsofTanjongMirrah，advancingintothesea，steepandshadowlessundertheclear，lightoftheearlymorning。
Thebottomofthecanoegrateduponthesandasthelittlecraftranuponthebeach。AlileapedonshoreandheldonwhileDainsteppedoutcarryingNinainhisarms，exhaustedbytheeventsandthelongtravellingduringthenight。Almayerwasthelasttoleavetheboat，andtogetherwithAliranithigheruponthebeach。ThenAli，tiredoutbythelongpaddling，laiddownintheshadeofthecanoe，andincontinentlyfellasleep。Almayersatsidewaysonthegunwale，andwithhisarmscrossedonhisbreast，lookedtothesouthwarduponthesea。
AftercarefullylayingNinadownintheshadeofthebushesgrowinginthemiddleoftheislet，Dainthrewhimselfbesideherandwatchedinsilentconcernthetearsthatrandownfromunderherclosedeyelids，andlostthemselvesinthatfinesanduponwhichtheybothwerelyingfacetoface。Thesetearsandthissorrowwereforhimaprofoundanddisquietingmystery。Now，whenthedangerwaspast，whyshouldshegrieve？Hedoubtedherlovenomorethanhewouldhavedoubtedthefactofhisownexistence，butashelaylookingardentlyinherface，watchinghertears，herpartedlips，herverybreath，hewasuneasilyconsciousofsomethinginherhecouldnotunderstand。Doubtlessshehadthewisdomofperfectbeings。Hesighed。Hefeltsomethinginvisiblethatstoodbetweenthem，somethingthatwouldlethimapproachhersofar，butnofarther。Nodesire，nolonging，noeffortofwillorlengthoflifecoulddestroythisvaguefeelingoftheirdifference。Withawebutalsowithgreatprideheconcludedthatitwasherownincomparableperfection。
Shewashis，andyetshewaslikeawomanfromanotherworld。
His！His！Heexultedinthegloriousthought；neverthelesshertearspainedhim。
Withawispofherownhairwhichhetookinhishandwithtimidreverencehetriedinanaccessofclumsytendernesstodrythetearsthattrembledonhereyelashes。Hehadhisrewardinafleetingsmilethatbrightenedherfacefortheshortfractionofasecond，butsoonthetearsfellfasterthanever，andhecouldbearitnomore。HeroseandwalkedtowardsAlmayer，whostillsatabsorbedinhiscontemplationofthesea。Itwasavery，verylongtimesincehehadseenthesea——thatseathatleadseverywhere，bringseverything，andtakesawaysomuch。Hehadalmostforgottenwhyhewasthere，anddreamilyhecouldseeallhispastlifeonthesmoothandboundlesssurfacethatglitteredbeforehiseyes。
Dain"shandlaidonAlmayer"sshoulderrecalledhimwithastartfromsomecountryveryfarawayindeed。Heturnedround，buthiseyesseemedtolookratherattheplacewhereDainstoodthanatthemanhimself。Dainfeltuneasyundertheunconsciousgaze。