第8章

"What？"saidAlmayer。

"Sheiscrying，"murmuredDain，softly。

"Sheiscrying！Why？"askedAlmayer，indifferently。

"Icametoaskyou。MyRaneesmileswhenlookingatthemansheloves。Itisthewhitewomanthatiscryingnow。Youwouldknow。"

Almayershruggedhisshouldersandturnedawayagaintowardsthesea。

"Go，TuanPutih，"urgedDain。"Gotoher；hertearsaremoreterribletomethantheangerofgods。"

"Arethey？Youwillseethemmorethanonce。Shetoldmeshecouldnotlivewithoutyou，"answeredAlmayer，speakingwithoutthefaintestsparkofexpressioninhisface，"soitbehovesyoutogotoherquick，forfearyoumayfindherdead。"

HeburstintoaloudandunpleasantlaughwhichmadeDainstareathimwithsomeapprehension，butgotoffthegunwaleoftheboatandmovedslowlytowardsNina，glancingupatthesunashewalked。

"Andyougowhenthesunisoverhead？"hesaid。

"Yes，Tuan。Thenwego，"answeredDain。

"Ihavenotlongtowait，"mutteredAlmayer。"Itismostimportantformetoseeyougo。Bothofyou。Mostimportant，"

herepeated，stoppingshortandlookingatDainfixedly。

HewentonagaintowardsNina，andDainremainedbehind。Almayerapproachedhisdaughterandstoodforatimelookingdownonher。

Shedidnotopenhereyes，buthearingfootstepsnearher，murmuredinalowsob，"Dain。"

Almayerhesitatedforaminuteandthensankonthesandbyherside。She，nothearingaresponsiveword，notfeelingatouch，openedhereyes——sawherfather，andsatupsuddenlywithamovementofterror。

"Oh，father！"shemurmuredfaintly，andinthatwordtherewasexpressedregretandfearanddawninghope。

"Ishallneverforgiveyou，Nina，"saidAlmayer，inadispassionatevoice。"YouhavetornmyheartfrommewhileI

dreamtofyourhappiness。Youhavedeceivedme。Youreyesthatformewereliketruthitselfliedtomeineveryglance——forhowlong？Youknowthatbest。Whenyouwerecaressingmycheekyouwerecountingtheminutestothesunsetthatwasthesignalforyourmeetingwiththatman——there！"

Heceased，andtheybothsatsilentsidebyside，notlookingateachother，butgazingatthevastexpanseofthesea。Almayer"swordshaddriedNina"stears，andherlookgrewhardasshestaredbeforeherintothelimitlesssheetofbluethatshonelimpid，unwaving，andsteadylikeheavenitself。Helookedatitalso，buthisfeatureshadlostallexpression，andlifeinhiseyesseemedtohavegoneout。Thefacewasablank，withoutasignofemotion，feeling，reason，orevenknowledgeofitself。

Allpassion，regret，grief，hope，oranger——allweregone，erasedbythehandoffate，asifafterthislaststrokeeverythingwasoverandtherewasnoneedforanyrecord。

ThosefewwhosawAlmayerduringtheshortperiodofhisremainingdayswerealwaysimpressedbythesightofthatfacethatseemedtoknownothingofwhatwentonwithin：liketheblankwallofaprisonenclosingsin，regrets，andpain，andwastedlife，inthecoldindifferenceofmortarandstones。

"Whatistheretoforgive？"askedNina，notaddressingAlmayerdirectly，butmoreasifarguingwithherself。"CanInotlivemyownlifeasyouhavelivedyours？Thepathyouwouldhavewishedmetofollowhasbeenclosedtomebynofaultofmine。"

"Younevertoldme，"mutteredAlmayer。

"Youneveraskedme，"sheanswered，"andIthoughtyouwereliketheothersanddidnotcare。Iborethememoryofmyhumiliationalone，andwhyshouldItellyouthatitcametomebecauseIamyourdaughter？Iknewyoucouldnotavengeme。"

"AndyetIwasthinkingofthatonly，"interruptedAlmayer，"andIwantedtogiveyouyearsofhappinessfortheshortdayofyoursuffering。Ionlyknewofoneway。"

"Ah！butitwasnotmyway！"shereplied。"Couldyougivemehappinesswithoutlife？Life！"sherepeatedwithsuddenenergythatsentthewordringingoverthesea。"Lifethatmeanspowerandlove，"sheaddedinalowvoice。

"That！"saidAlmayer，pointinghisfingeratDainstandingclosebyandlookingatthemincuriouswonder。

"Yes，that！"shereplied，lookingherfatherfullinthefaceandnoticingforthefirsttimewithaslightgaspoffeartheunnaturalrigidityofhisfeatures。

"Iwouldhaveratherstrangledyouwithmyownhands，"saidAlmayer，inanexpressionlessvoicewhichwassuchacontrasttothedesperatebitternessofhisfeelingsthatitsurprisedevenhimself。Heaskedhimselfwhospoke，and，afterlookingslowlyroundasifexpectingtoseesomebody，turnedagainhiseyestowardsthesea。

"Yousaythatbecauseyoudonotunderstandthemeaningofmywords，"shesaidsadly。"Betweenyouandmymotherthereneverwasanylove。WhenIreturnedtoSambirIfoundtheplacewhichIthoughtwouldbeapeacefulrefugeformyheart，filledwithwearinessandhatred——andmutualcontempt。Ihavelistenedtoyourvoiceandtohervoice。ThenIsawthatyoucouldnotunderstandme；forwasInotpartofthatwoman？Ofherwhowastheregretandshameofyourlife？Ihadtochoose——Ihesitated。

Whywereyousoblind？Didyounotseemestrugglingbeforeyoureyes？But，whenhecame，alldoubtdisappeared，andIsawonlythelightoftheblueandcloudlessheaven——"

"Iwilltellyoutherest，"interruptedAlmayer："whenthatmancameIalsosawtheblueandthesunshineofthesky。A

thunderbolthasfallenfromthatsky，andsuddenlyallisstillanddarkaroundmeforever。Iwillneverforgiveyou，Nina；andto-morrowIshallforgetyou！Ishallneverforgiveyou，"herepeatedwithmechanicalobstinacywhileshesat，herheadboweddownasifafraidtolookatherfather。

Tohimitseemedoftheutmostimportancethatheshouldassureherofhisintentionofneverforgiving。Hewasconvincedthathisfaithinherhadbeenthefoundationofhishopes，themotiveofhiscourage，ofhisdeterminationtoliveandstruggle，andtobevictoriousforhersake。Andnowhisfaithwasgone，destroyedbyherownhands；destroyedcruelly，treacherously，inthedark；intheverymomentofsuccess。Intheutterwreckofhisaffectionsandofallhisfeelings，inthechaoticdisorderofhisthoughts，abovetheconfusedsensationofphysicalpainthatwrappedhimupinastingasofawhiplashcurlingroundhimfromhisshouldersdowntohisfeet，onlyoneidearemainedclearanddefinite——nottoforgiveher；onlyonevividdesire——toforgether。Andthismustbemadecleartoher——andtohimself——byfrequentrepetition。Thatwashisideaofhisdutytohimself——tohisrace——tohisrespectableconnections；tothewholeuniverseunsettledandshakenbythisfrightfulcatastropheofhislife。Hesawitclearlyandbelievedhewasastrongman。

Hehadalwayspridedhimselfuponhisunflinchingfirmness。Andyethewasafraid。Shehadbeenallinalltohim。Whatifheshouldletthememoryofhisloveforherweakenthesenseofhisdignity？Shewasaremarkablewoman；hecouldseethat；allthelatentgreatnessofhisnature——inwhichhehonestlybelieved——hadbeentransfusedintothatslight，girlishfigure。

Greatthingscouldbedone！Whatifheshouldsuddenlytakehertohisheart，forgethisshame，andpain，andanger，and——followher！Whatifhechangedhisheartifnothisskinandmadeherlifeeasierbetweenthetwolovesthatwouldguardherfromanymischance！Hisheartyearnedforher。Whatifheshouldsaythathisloveforherwasgreaterthan……

"Iwillneverforgiveyou，Nina！"heshouted，leapingupmadlyinthesuddenfearofhisdream。

Thiswasthelasttimeinhislifethathewasheardtoraisehisvoice。Henceforthhespokealwaysinamonotonouswhisperlikeaninstrumentofwhichallthestringsbutonearebrokeninalastringingclamourunderaheavyblow。

Sherosetoherfeetandlookedathim。Theveryviolenceofhiscrysoothedherinanintuitiveconvictionofhislove，andshehuggedtoherbreastthelamentableremnantsofthataffectionwiththeunscrupulousgreedinessofwomenwhoclingdesperatelytotheveryscrapsandragsoflove，anykindoflove，asathingthatofrightbelongstothemandistheverybreathoftheirlife。SheputbothherhandsonAlmayer"sshoulders，andlookingathimhalftenderly，halfplayfully，shesaid——

"Youspeaksobecauseyouloveme。"

Almayershookhishead。

"Yes，youdo，"sheinsistedsoftly；thenafterashortpausesheadded，"andyouwillneverforgetme。"

Almayershiveredslightly。Shecouldnothavesaidamorecruelthing。

"Hereistheboatcomingnow，"saidDain，hisarmoutstretchedtowardsablackspeckonthewaterbetweenthecoastandtheislet。

Theyalllookedatitandremainedstandinginsilencetillthelittlecanoecamegentlyonthebeachandamanlandedandwalkedtowardsthem。Hestoppedsomedistanceoffandhesitated。

"Whatnews？"askedDain。

"Wehavehadorderssecretlyandinthenighttotakeofffromthisisletamanandawoman。Iseethewoman。Whichofyouistheman？"

"Come，delightofmyeyes，"saidDaintoNina。"Nowwego，andyourvoiceshallbeformyearsonly。YouhavespokenyourlastwordstotheTuanPutih，yourfather。Come。"

Shehesitatedforawhile，lookingatAlmayer，whokepthiseyessteadilyonthesea，thenshetouchedhisforeheadinalingeringkiss，andatear——oneofhertears——fellonhischeekandrandownhisimmovableface。

"Goodbye，"shewhispered，andremainedirresolutetillhepushedhersuddenlyintoDain"sarms。

"Ifyouhaveanypityforme，"murmuredAlmayer，asifrepeatingsomesentencelearnedbyheart，"takethatwomanaway。"

Hestoodverystraight，hisshouldersthrownback，hisheadheldhigh，andlookedatthemastheywentdownthebeachtothecanoe，walkingenlacedineachother"sarms。Helookedatthelineoftheirfootstepsmarkedinthesand。Hefollowedtheirfiguresmovinginthecrudeblazeoftheverticalsun，inthatlightviolentandvibrating，likeatriumphalflourishofbrazentrumpets。Helookedattheman"sbrownshoulders，attheredsarongroundhiswaist；atthetall，slender，dazzlingwhitefigurehesupported。Helookedatthewhitedress，atthefallingmassesofthelongblackhair。Helookedatthemembarking，andatthecanoegrowingsmallerinthedistance，withrage，despair，andregretinhisheart，andonhisfaceapeaceasthatofacarvedimageofoblivion。Inwardlyhefelthimselftorntopieces，butAli——whonowaroused——stoodclosetohismaster，sawonhisfeaturestheblankexpressionofthosewholiveinthathopelesscalmwhichsightlesseyesonlycangive。

Thecanoedisappeared，andAlmayerstoodmotionlesswithhiseyesfixedonitswake。Alifromundertheshadeofhishandexaminedthecoastcuriously。Asthesundeclined，thesea-breezesprangupfromthenorthwardandshiveredwithitsbreaththeglassysurfaceofthewater。

"Dapat！"exclaimedAli，joyously。"Gothim，master！Gotprau！

Notthere！LookmoreTanahMirrahside。Aha！Thatway！

Master，see？Nowplain。See？"

AlmayerfollowedAli"sforefingerwithhiseyesforalongtimeinvain。AtlasthesightedatriangularpatchofyellowlightontheredbackgroundofthecliffsofTanjongMirrah。Itwasthesailoftheprauthathadcaughtthesunlightandstoodout，distinctwithitsgaytint，onthedarkredofthecape。Theyellowtrianglecreptslowlyfromclifftocliff，tillitclearedthelastpointoflandandshonebrilliantlyforafleetingminuteontheblueoftheopensea。Thentheprauboreuptothesouthward：thelightwentoutofthesail，andallatoncethevesselitselfdisappeared，vanishingintheshadowofthesteepheadlandthatlookedon，patientandlonely，watchingovertheemptysea。

Almayernevermoved。Roundthelittleislettheairwasfullofthetalkoftheripplingwater。Thecrestedwaveletsranupthebeachaudaciously，joyously，withthelightnessofyounglife，anddiedquickly，unresistingly，andgraciously，inthewidecurvesoftransparentfoamontheyellowsand。Above，thewhitecloudssailedrapidlysouthwardsasifintentuponovertakingsomething。Aliseemedanxious。

"Master，"hesaidtimidly，"timetogethousenow。Longwayofftopull。Allready，sir。"

"Wait，"whisperedAlmayer。

Nowshewasgonehisbusinesswastoforget，andhehadastrangenotionthatitshouldbedonesystematicallyandinorder。ToAli"sgreatdismayhefellonhishandsandknees，and，creepingalongthesand，erasedcarefullywithhishandalltracesofNina"sfootsteps。Hepiledupsmallheapsofsand，leavingbehindhimalineofminiaturegravesrightdowntothewater。

AfterburyingthelastslightimprintofNina"sslipperhestoodup，and，turninghisfacetowardstheheadlandwherehehadlastseentheprau，hemadeanefforttoshoutoutloudagainhisfirmresolvetoneverforgive。Aliwatchinghimuneasilysawonlyhislipsmove，butheardnosound。Hebroughthisfootdownwithastamp。Hewasafirmman——firmasarock。Lethergo。

Heneverhadadaughter。Hewouldforget。Hewasforgettingalready。

Aliapproachedhimagain，insistingonimmediatedeparture，andthistimeheconsented，andtheywenttogethertowardstheircanoe，Almayerleading。Forallhisfirmnesshelookedverydejectedandfeebleashedraggedhisfeetslowlythroughthesandonthebeach；andbyhisside——invisibletoAli——stalkedthatparticularfiendwhosemissionitistojogthememoriesofmen，lesttheyshouldforgetthemeaningoflife。HewhisperedintoAlmayer"searachildishprattleofmanyyearsago。

Almayer，hisheadbentononeside，seemedtolistentohisinvisiblecompanion，buthisfacewaslikethefaceofamanthathasdiedstruckfrombehind——afacefromwhichallfeelingsandallexpressionaresuddenlywipedoffbythehandofunexpecteddeath。

Theysleptontheriverthatnight，mooringtheircanoeunderthebushesandlyingdowninthebottomsidebyside，intheabsoluteexhaustionthatkillshunger，thirst，allfeelingandallthoughtintheoverpoweringdesireforthatdeepsleepwhichislikethetemporaryannihilationofthetiredbody。Nextdaytheystartedagainandfoughtdoggedlywiththecurrentallthemorning，tillaboutmiddaytheyreachedthesettlementandmadefasttheirlittlecrafttothejettyofLingardandCo。Almayerwalkedstraighttothehouse，andAlifollowed，paddlesonshoulder，thinkingthathewouldliketoeatsomething。Astheycrossedthefrontcourtyardtheynoticedtheabandonedlookoftheplace。

Alilookedinatthedifferentservants"houses：allwereempty。

Inthebackcourtyardtherewasthesameabsenceofsoundandlife。Inthecooking-shedthefirewasoutandtheblackemberswerecold。Atall，leanmancamestealthilyoutofthebananaplantation，andwentawayrapidlyacrosstheopenspacelookingatthemwithbig，frightenedeyesoverhisshoulder。Somevagabondwithoutamaster；thereweremanysuchinthesettlement，andtheylookeduponAlmayerastheirpatron。Theyprowledabouthispremisesandpickedtheirlivingthere，surethatnothingworsecouldbefallthemthanashowerofcurseswhentheygotinthewayofthewhiteman，whomtheytrustedandliked，andcalledafoolamongstthemselves。Inthehouse，whichAlmayerenteredthroughthebackverandah，theonlylivingthingthatmethiseyeswashissmallmonkeywhich，hungryandunnoticedforthelasttwodays，begantocryandcomplaininmonkeylanguageassoonasitcaughtsightofthefamiliarface。

AlmayersootheditwithafewwordsandorderedAlitobringinsomebananas，thenwhileAliwasgonetogetthemhestoodinthedoorwayofthefrontverandahlookingatthechaosofoverturnedfurniture。Finallyhepickedupthetableandsatonitwhilethemonkeyletitselfdownfromtheroof-stickbyitschainandperchedonhisshoulder。Whenthebananascametheyhadtheirbreakfasttogether；bothhungry，botheatinggreedilyandshoweringtheskinsroundthemrecklessly，inthetrustingsilenceofperfectfriendship。Aliwentaway，grumbling，tocooksomericehimself，forallthewomenaboutthehousehaddisappeared；hedidnotknowwhere。Almayerdidnotseemtocare，and，afterhefinishedeating，hesatonthetableswinginghislegsandstaringattheriverasiflostinthought。

Aftersometimehegotupandwenttothedoorofaroomontherightoftheverandah。Thatwastheoffice。TheofficeofLingardandCo。Heveryseldomwentinthere。Therewasnobusinessnow，andhedidnotwantanoffice。Thedoorwaslocked，andhestoodbitinghislowerlip，tryingtothinkoftheplacewherethekeycouldbe。Suddenlyheremembered：inthewomen"sroomhunguponanail。Hewentovertothedoorwaywheretheredcurtainhungdowninmotionlessfolds，andhesitatedforamomentbeforepushingitasidewithhisshoulderasifbreakingdownsomesolidobstacle。Agreatsquareofsunshineenteringthroughthewindowlayonthefloor。OnthelefthesawMrs。

Almayer"sbigwoodenchest，thelidthrownback，empty；nearitthebrassnailsofNina"sEuropeantrunkshoneinthelargeinitialsN。A。onthecover。AfewofNina"sdresseshungonwoodenpegs，stiffenedinalookofoffendeddignityattheirabandonment。Herememberedmakingthepegshimselfandnoticedthattheywereverygoodpegs。Wherewasthekey？Helookedroundandsawitnearthedoorwherehestood。Itwasredwithrust。Hefeltverymuchannoyedatthat，anddirectlyafterwardswonderedathisownfeeling。Whatdiditmatter？Theresoonwouldbenokey——nodoor——nothing！Hepaused，keyinhand，andaskedhimselfwhetherheknewwellwhathewasabout。Hewentoutagainontheverandahandstoodbythetablethinking。Themonkeyjumpeddown，and，snatchingabananaskin，absorbeditselfinpickingittoshredsindustriously。

"Forget！"mutteredAlmayer，andthatwordstartedbeforehimasequenceofevents，adetailedprogrammeofthingstodo。Heknewperfectlywellwhatwastobedonenow。Firstthis，thenthat，andthenforgetfulnesswouldcomeeasy。Veryeasy。

Hehadafixedideathatifheshouldnotforgetbeforehediedhewouldhavetoremembertoalleternity。Certainthingshadtobetakenoutofhislife，stampedoutofsight，destroyed，forgotten。Foralongtimehestoodindeepthought，lostinthealarmingpossibilitiesofunconquerablememory，withthefearofdeathandeternitybeforehim。"Eternity！"hesaidaloud，andthesoundofthatwordrecalledhimoutofhisreverie。Themonkeystarted，droppedtheskin，andgrinnedupathimamicably。

Hewenttowardstheofficedoorandwithsomedifficultymanagedtoopenit。Heenteredinacloudofdustthatroseunderhisfeet。

Booksopenwithtornpagesbestrewedthefloor；otherbookslayaboutgrimyandblack，lookingasiftheyhadneverbeenopened。

Accountbooks。Inthosebookshehadintendedtokeepdaybydayarecordofhisrisingfortunes。Longtimeago。Averylongtime。Formanyyearstherehasbeennorecordtokeepontheblueandredruledpages！Inthemiddleoftheroomthebigofficedesk，withoneofitslegsbroken，careenedoverlikethehullofastrandedship；mostofthedrawershadfallenout，disclosingheapsofpaperyellowwithageanddirt。Therevolvingofficechairstoodinitsplace，buthefoundthepivotsetfastwhenhetriedtoturnit。Nomatter。Hedesisted，andhiseyeswanderedslowlyfromobjecttoobject。Allthosethingshadcostalotofmoneyatthetime。Thedesk，thepaper，thetornbooks，andthebrokenshelves，allunderathickcoatofdust。Theverydustandbonesofadeadandgonebusiness。

Helookedatallthesethings，allthatwasleftaftersomanyyearsofwork，ofstrife，ofweariness，ofdiscouragement，conqueredsomanytimes。Andallforwhat？Hestoodthinkingmournfullyofhispastlifetillhehearddistinctlytheclearvoiceofachildspeakingamongstallthiswreck，ruin，andwaste。Hestartedwithagreatfearinhisheart，andfeverishlybegantorakeinthepapersscatteredonthefloor，brokethechairintobits，splinteredthedrawersbybangingthemagainstthedesk，andmadeabigheapofallthatrubbishinonecorneroftheroom。

Hecameoutquickly，slammedthedoorafterhim，turnedthekey，and，takingitout，rantothefrontrailoftheverandah，and，withagreatswingofhisarm，sentthekeywhizzingintotheriver。Thisdonehewentbackslowlytothetable，calledthemonkeydown，unhookeditschain，andinducedittoremainquietinthebreastofhisjacket。Thenhesatagainonthetableandlookedfixedlyatthedooroftheroomhehadjustleft。Helistenedalsointently。Heheardadrysoundofrustling；sharpcracksasofdrywoodsnapping；awhirrlikeofabird"swingswhenitrisessuddenly，andthenhesawathinstreamofsmokecomethroughthekeyhole。Themonkeystruggledunderhiscoat。

Aliappearedwithhiseyesstartingoutofhishead。

"Master！Houseburn！"heshouted。

Almayerstoodupholdingbythetable。Hecouldheartheyellsofalarmandsurpriseinthesettlement。Aliwrunghishands，lamentingaloud。

"Stopthisnoise，fool！"saidAlmayer，quietly。"Pickupmyhammockandblanketsandtakethemtotheotherhouse。Quick，now！"

Thesmokeburstthroughthecrevicesofthedoor，andAli，withthehammockinhisarms，clearedinoneboundthestepsoftheverandah。

"Ithascaughtwell，"mutteredAlmayertohimself。"Bequiet，Jack，"headded，asthemonkeymadeafranticefforttoescapefromitsconfinement。

Thedoorsplitfromtoptobottom，andarushofflameandsmokedroveAlmayerawayfromthetabletothefrontrailoftheverandah。Heheldontheretillagreatroaroverheadassuredhimthattheroofwasablaze。Thenherandownthestepsoftheverandah，coughing，halfchokedwiththesmokethatpursuedhiminbluishwreathscurlingabouthishead。

Ontheothersideoftheditch，separatingAlmayer"scourtyardfromthesettlement，acrowdoftheinhabitantsofSambirlookedattheburninghouseofthewhiteman。Inthecalmairtheflamesrusheduponhigh，colouredpalebrick-red，withvioletgleamsinthestrongsunshine。Thethincolumnofsmokeascendedstraightandunwaveringtillitlostitselfintheclearblueofthesky，and，inthegreatemptyspacebetweenthetwohousestheinterestedspectatorscouldseethetallfigureoftheTuanPutih，withbowedheadanddraggingfeet，walkingslowlyawayfromthefiretowardstheshelterof"Almayer"sFolly。"

InthatmannerdidAlmayermoveintohisnewhouse。Hetookpossessionofthenewruin，andintheundyingfollyofhisheartsethimselftowaitinanxietyandpainforthatforgetfulnesswhichwassoslowtocome。Hehaddoneallhecould。EveryvestigeofNina"sexistencehadbeendestroyed；andnowwitheverysunriseheaskedhimselfwhetherthelonged-foroblivionwouldcomebeforesunset，whetheritwouldcomebeforehedied？

Hewantedtoliveonlylongenoughtobeabletoforget，andthetenacityofhismemoryfilledhimwithdreadandhorrorofdeath；

forshoulditcomebeforehecouldaccomplishthepurposeofhislifehewouldhavetorememberforever！Healsolongedforloneliness。Hewantedtobealone。Buthewasnot。

Inthedimlightoftheroomswiththeirclosedshutters，inthebrightsunshineoftheverandah，whereverhewent，whicheverwayheturned，hesawthesmallfigureofalittlemaidenwithprettyoliveface，withlongblackhair，herlittlepinkrobeslippingoffhershoulders，herbigeyeslookingupathiminthetendertrustfulnessofapettedchild。Alididnotseeanything，buthealsowasawareofthepresenceofachildinthehouse。InhislongtalksbytheeveningfiresofthesettlementheusedtotellhisintimatefriendsofAlmayer"sstrangedoings。Hismasterhadturnedsorcererinhisoldage。AlisaidthatoftenwhenTuanPutihhadretiredforthenighthecouldhearhimtalkingtosomethinginhisroom。Alithoughtthatitwasaspiritintheshapeofachild。Heknewhismasterspoketoachildfromcertainexpressionsandwordshismasterused。HismasterspokeinMalayalittle，butmostlyinEnglish，whichhe，Ali，couldunderstand。Masterspoketothechildattimestenderly，thenhewouldweepoverit，laughatit，scoldit，begofittogoaway；

curseit。Itwasabadandstubbornspirit。Alithoughthismasterhadimprudentlycalleditup，andnowcouldnotgetridofit。Hismasterwasverybrave；hewasnotafraidtocursethisspiritintheveryPresence；andoncehefoughtwithit。Alihadheardagreatnoiseasofrunningaboutinsidetheroomandgroans。Hismastergroaned。Spiritsdonotgroan。

Hismasterwasbrave，butfoolish。Youcannothurtaspirit。Aliexpectedtofindhismasterdeadnextmorning，buthecameoutveryearly，lookingmucholderthanthedaybefore，andhadnofoodallday。

SofarAlitothesettlement。ToCaptainFordhewasmuchmorecommunicative，forthegoodreasonthatCaptainFordhadthepurseandgaveorders。OneachofFord"smonthlyvisitstoSambirAlihadtogoonboardwithareportabouttheinhabitantof"Almayer"sFolly。"OnhisfirstvisittoSambir，afterNina"sdeparture，FordhadtakenchargeofAlmayer"saffairs。Theywerenotcumbersome。Theshedforthestorageofgoodswasempty，theboatshaddisappeared，appropriated——generallyinnight-time——byvariouscitizensofSambirinneedofmeansoftransport。DuringagreatfloodthejettyofLingardandCo。leftthebankandfloateddowntheriver，probablyinsearchofmorecheerfulsurroundings；eventheflockofgeese——"theonlygeeseontheeastcoast"——departedsomewhere，preferringtheunknowndangersofthebushtothedesolationoftheiroldhome。Astimewentonthegrassgrewovertheblackpatchofgroundwheretheoldhouseusedtostand，andnothingremainedtomarktheplaceofthedwellingthathadshelteredAlmayer"syounghopes，hisfoolishdreamofsplendidfuture，hisawakening，andhisdespair。

ForddidnotoftenvisitAlmayer，forvisitingAlmayerwasnotapleasanttask。Atfirstheusedtorespondlistlesslytotheoldseaman"sboisterousinquiriesabouthishealth；heevenmadeeffortstotalk，askingfornewsinavoicethatmadeitperfectlyclearthatnonewsfromthisworldhadanyinterestforhim。Thengraduallyhebecamemoresilent——notsulkily——butasifhewasforgettinghowtospeak。Heusedalsotohideinthedarkestroomsofthehouse，whereFordhadtoseekhimoutguidedbythepatterofthemonkeygallopingbeforehim。ThemonkeywasalwaystheretoreceiveandintroduceFord。Thelittleanimalseemedtohavetakencompletechargeofitsmaster，andwheneveritwishedforhispresenceontheverandahitwouldtugperseveringlyathisjacket，tillAlmayerobedientlycameoutintothesunshine，whichheseemedtodislikesomuch。

OnemorningFordfoundhimsittingontheflooroftheverandah，hisbackagainstthewall，hislegsstretchedstifflyout，hisarmshangingbyhisside。Hisexpressionlessface，hiseyesopenwidewithimmobilepupils，andtherigidityofhispose，madehimlooklikeanimmenseman-dollbrokenandflungthereoutoftheway。AsFordcameupthestepsheturnedhisheadslowly。

"Ford，"hemurmuredfromthefloor，"Icannotforget。"

"Can"tyou？"saidFord，innocently，withanattemptatjoviality：

"IwishIwaslikeyou。Iamlosingmymemory——age，Isuppose；

onlytheotherdaymymate——"

Hestopped，forAlmayerhadgotup，stumbled，andsteadiedhimselfonhisfriend"sarm。

"Hallo！Youarebetterto-day。Soonbeallright，"saidFord，cheerfully，butfeelingratherscared。

Almayerletgohisarmandstoodverystraightwithhisheadupandshouldersthrownback，lookingstonilyatthemultitudeofsunsshininginripplesoftheriver。Hisjacketandhisloosetrousersflappedinthebreezeonhisthinlimbs。

"Lethergo！"hewhisperedinagratingvoice。"Lethergo。

To-

morrowIshallforget。Iamafirmman，……firmasa……

rock，……firm……"

Fordlookedathisface——andfled。Theskipperwasatolerablyfirmmanhimself——asthosewhohadsailedwithhimcouldtestify——

butAlmayer"sfirmnesswasaltogethertoomuchforhisfortitude。

NexttimethesteamercalledinSambirAlicameonboardearlywithagrievance。HecomplainedtoFordthatJim-EngtheChinamanhadinvadedAlmayer"shouse，andactuallyhadlivedthereforthelastmonth。

"Andtheybothsmoke，"addedAli。

"Phew！Opium，youmean？"

Alinodded，andFordremainedthoughtful；thenhemutteredtohimself，"Poordevil！Thesoonerthebetternow。"Intheafternoonhewalkeduptothehouse。

"Whatareyoudoinghere？"heaskedofJim-Eng，whomhefoundstrollingaboutontheverandah。

Jim-EngexplainedinbadMalay，andspeakinginthatmonotonous，uninterestedvoiceofanopiumsmokerprettyfargone，thathishousewasold，theroofleaked，andthefloorwasrotten。So，beinganoldfriendformany，manyyears，hetookhismoney，hisopium，andtwopipes，andcametoliveinthisbighouse。

"Thereisplentyofroom。Hesmokes，andIlivehere。Hewillnotsmokelong，"heconcluded。

"Whereishenow？"askedFord。

"Inside。Hesleeps，"answeredJim-Eng，wearily。Fordglancedinthroughthedoorway。InthedimlightoftheroomhecouldseeAlmayerlyingonhisbackonthefloor，hisheadonawoodenpillow，thelongwhitebeardscatteredoverhisbreast，theyellowskinoftheface，thehalf-closedeyelidsshowingthewhitesoftheeyeonly……

Heshudderedandturnedaway。Ashewasleavinghenoticedalongstripoffadedredsilk，withsomeChineselettersonit，whichJim-Enghadjustfastenedtooneofthepillars。

"What"sthat？"heasked。

"That，"saidJim-Eng，inhiscolourlessvoice，"thatisthenameofthehouse。Allthesamelikemyhouse。Verygoodname。"

Fordlookedathimforawhileandwentaway。Hedidnotknowwhatthecrazy-lookingmazeoftheChineseinscriptionontheredsilkmeant。HadheaskedJim-Eng，thatpatientChinamanwouldhaveinformedhimwithproperpridethatitsmeaningwas："Houseofheavenlydelight。"

IntheeveningofthesamedayBabalatchicalledonCaptainFord。

Thecaptain"scabinopenedondeck，andBabalatchisatastrideonthehighstep，whileFordsmokedhispipeonthesetteeinside。

Thesteamerwasleavingnextmorning，andtheoldstatesmancameasusualforalastchat。

"WehadnewsfromBalilastmoon，"remarkedBabalatchi。"A

grandsonisborntotheoldRajah，andthereisgreatrejoicing。"

Fordsatupinterested。

"Yes，"wentonBabalatchi，inanswertoFord"slook。"Itoldhim。Thatwasbeforehebegantosmoke。"

"Well，andwhat？"askedFord。

"Iescapedwithmylife，"saidBabalatchi，withperfectgravity，"becausethewhitemanisveryweakandfellasherusheduponme。"Then，afterapause，headded，"Sheismadwithjoy。"

"Mrs。Almayer，youmean？"

"Yes，shelivesinourRajah"shouse。Shewillnotdiesoon。

Suchwomenlivealongtime，"saidBabalatchi，withaslighttingeofregretinhisvoice。"Shehasdollars，andshehasburiedthem，butweknowwhere。Wehadmuchtroublewiththosepeople。Wehadtopayafineandlistentothreatsfromthewhitemen，andnowwehavetobecareful。"Hesighedandremainedsilentforalongwhile。Thenwithenergy：

"Therewillbefighting。Thereisabreathofwarontheislands。ShallIlivelongenoughtosee？……Ah，Tuan！"hewenton，morequietly，"theoldtimeswerebest。EvenIhavesailedwithLanunmen，andboardedinthenightsilentshipswithwhitesails。ThatwasbeforeanEnglishRajahruledinKuching。

Thenwefoughtamongstourselvesandwerehappy。Nowwhenwefightwithyouwecanonlydie！"

Herosetogo。"Tuan，"hesaid，"yourememberthegirlthatmanBulangihad？Herthatcausedallthetrouble？"

"Yes，"saidFord。"Whatofher？"

"Shegrewthinandcouldnotwork。ThenBulangi，whoisathiefandapig-eater，gavehertomeforfiftydollars。Isentheramongstmywomentogrowfat。Iwantedtohearthesoundofherlaughter，butshemusthavebeenbewitched，and……shediedtwodaysago。Nay，Tuan。Whydoyouspeakbadwords？

Iamold——thatistrue——butwhyshouldInotlikethesightofayoungfaceandthesoundofayoungvoiceinmyhouse？"Hepaused，andthenaddedwithalittlemournfullaugh，"Iamlikeawhitemantalkingtoomuchofwhatisnotmen"stalkwhentheyspeaktooneanother。"

Andhewentofflookingverysad。

Thecrowdmassedinasemicirclebeforethestepsof"Almayer"sFolly，"swayedsilentlybackwardsandforwards，andopenedoutbeforethegroupofwhite-robedandturbanedmenadvancingthroughthegrasstowardsthehouse。Abdullawalkedfirst，supportedbyReshidandfollowedbyalltheArabsinSambir。Astheyenteredthelanemadebytherespectfulthrongtherewasasubduedmurmurofvoices，wheretheword"Mati"wastheonlyonedistinctlyaudible。Abdullastoppedandlookedroundslowly。

"Ishedead？"heasked。

"Mayyoulive！"answeredthecrowdinoneshout，andthentheresucceededabreathlesssilence。

Abdullamadeafewpacesforwardandfoundhimselfforthelasttimefacetofacewithhisoldenemy。Whateverhemighthavebeenoncehewasnotdangerousnow，lyingstiffandlifelessinthetenderlightoftheearlyday。Theonlywhitemanontheeastcoastwasdead，andhissoul，deliveredfromthetrammelsofhisearthlyfolly，stoodnowinthepresenceofInfiniteWisdom。

Ontheupturnedfacetherewasthatserenelookwhichfollowsthesuddenrelieffromanguishandpain，andittestifiedsilentlybeforethecloudlessheaventhatthemanlyingthereunderthegazeofindifferenteyeshadbeenpermittedtoforgetbeforehedied。

AbdullalookeddownsadlyatthisInfidelhehadfoughtsolongandhadbestedsomanytimes。SuchwastherewardoftheFaithful！

YetintheArab"soldhearttherewasafeelingofregretforthatthinggoneoutofhislife。Hewasleavingfastbehindhimfriendships，andenmities，successes，anddisappointments——allthatmakesupalife；andbeforehimwasonlytheend。PrayerwouldfilluptheremainderofthedaysallottedtotheTrueBeliever！Hetookinhishandthebeadsthathungathiswaist。

"Ifoundhimhere，likethis，inthemorning，"saidAli，inalowandawedvoice。

Abdullaglancedcoldlyoncemoreatthesereneface。

"Letusgo，"hesaid，addressingReshid。

Andastheypassedthroughthecrowdthatfellbackbeforethem，thebeadsinAbdulla"shandclicked，whileinasolemnwhisperhebreathedoutpiouslythenameofAllah！TheMerciful！TheCompassionate！