第6章

Idon’tmeantosaythatHeemskirkwasatypicalDutchnavalofficer。Ihaveseenenoughofthemnottofallintothatabsurdmistake。Hehadabig，clean—shavenface；greatflat，browncheeks，withathin，hookednoseandasmall，pursymouthsqueezedinbetween。Therewereafewsilverthreadsinhisblackhair，andhisunpleasanteyeswerenearlyblack，too。Hehadasurlywayofcastingsideglanceswithoutmovinghishead，whichwassetlowonashort，roundneck。Athick，roundtrunkinadarkundressjacketwithgoldshoulder—straps，wassustainedbyastraddlypairofthick，roundlegs，inwhitedrilltrousers。Hisroundskullunderawhitecaplookedasifitwereimmenselythicktoo，buttherewerebrainsenoughinittodiscoverandtakeadvantagemaliciouslyofpooroldNelson’snervousnessbeforeeverythingthatwasinvestedwiththemerestshredofauthority。

Heemskirkwouldlandonthepointandperambulatesilentlyeverypartoftheplantationasifthewholeplacebelongedtohim，beforeherwenttothehouse。Ontheverandahhewouldtakethebestchair，andwouldstayfortiffinordinner，justsimplystayon，withouttakingthetroubletoinvitehimselfbysomuchasaword。

Heoughttohavebeenkicked，ifonlyforhismannertoMissFreya。

Hadhebeenanakedsavage，armedwithspearsandpoisonedarrows，oldNelson（orNielsen）wouldhavegoneforhimwithhisbarefists。Butthesegoldshoulder—straps—Dutchshoulder—strapsatthat—wereenoughtoterrifytheoldfellow；soheletthebeggartreathimwithheavycontempt，devourhisdaughterwithhiseyes，anddrinkthebestpartofhislittlestockofwine。

Isawsomethingofthis，andononeoccasionItriedtopassaremarkonthesubject。ItwaspitiabletoseethetroubleinoldNelson’sroundeyes。Atfirsthecriedoutthatthelieutenantwasagoodfriendofhis；averygoodfellow。Iwentonstaringathimprettyhard，sothatatlasthefaltered，andhadtoownthat，ofcourse，Heemskirkwasnotaverygenialpersonoutwardly，butallthesameatbottom……

"Ihaven’tyetmetagenialDutchmanouthere，"Iinterrupted。

"Geniality，afterall，isnotofmuchconsequence，butdon’tyousee—"

NelsonlookedsuddenlysofrightenedatwhatIwasgoingtosaythatIhadn’tthehearttogoon。Ofcourse，Iwasgoingtotellhimthatthefellowwasafterhisgirl。Thatjustdescribesitexactly。WhatHeemskirkmighthaveexpectedorwhathethoughthecoulddo，Idon’tknow。ForallIcantell，hemighthaveimaginedhimselfirresistible，orhavetakenFreyaforwhatshewasnot，onaccountofherlively，assured，unconstrainedmanner。Butthereitis。Hewasafterthatgirl。Nelsoncouldseeitwellenough。

Onlyhepreferredtoignoreit。Hedidnotwanttobetoldofit。

"AllIwantistoliveinpeaceandquietnesswiththeDutchauthorities，"hemumbledshamefacedly。

Hewasincurable。Iwassorryforhim，andIreallythinkMissFreyawassorryforherfather，too。Sherestrainedherselfforhissake，andaseverythingshedidshediditsimply，unaffectedly，andevengoodhumouredly。Nosmalleffortthat，becauseinHeemskirk’sattentionstherewasaninsolenttouchofscorn，hardtoputupwith。Dutchmenofthatsortareover—bearingtotheirinferiors，andthatofficerofthekinglookeduponoldNelsonandFreyaasquitebeneathhimineveryway。

Ican’tsayIfeltsorryforFreya。Shewasnotthesortofgirltotakeanythingtragically。Onecouldfeelforherandsympathisewithherdifficulty，butsheseemedequaltoanysituation。Itwasratheradmirationsheextortedbyhercompetentserenity。ItwasonlywhenJasperandHeemskirkweretogetheratthebungalow，asithappenednowandthen，thatshefeltthestrain，andeventhenitwasnotforeverybodytosee。Myeyesalonecoulddetectafaintshadowontheradianceofherpersonality。OnceIcouldnothelpsayingtoherappreciatively：

"Uponmywordyouarewonderful。"

Sheletitpasswithafaintsmile。

"ThegreatthingistopreventJasperbecomingunreasonable，"shesaid；andIcouldseerealconcernlurkinginthequietdepthsofherfrankeyesgazingstraightatme。"Youwillhelptokeephimquiet，won’tyou？"

"Ofcourse，wemustkeephimquiet，"Ideclared，understandingverywellthenatureofheranxiety。"He’ssuchalunatic，too，whenhe’sroused。"

"Heis！"sheassented，inasofttone；foritwasourjoketospeakofJasperabusively。"ButIhavetamedhimabit。He’squiteagoodboynow。"

"HewouldsquashHeemskirklikeablackbeetleallthesame，"I

remarked。

"Rather！"shemurmured。"Andthatwouldn’tdo，"sheaddedquickly。

"Imaginethestatepoorpapawouldgetinto。Besides，Imeantobemistressofthedearbrigandsailabouttheseseas，notgooffwanderingtenthousandmilesawayfromhere。"

"Thesooneryouareonboardtolookafterthemanandthebrigthebetter，"Isaidseriously。"Theyneedyoutosteadythembothabit。Idon’tthinkJasperwillevergetsobereddowntillhehascarriedyouofffromthisisland。Youdon’tseehimwhenheisawayfromyou，asIdo。He’sinastateofperpetualelationwhichalmostfrightensme。"

Atthisshesmiledagain，andthenlookedserious。Foritcouldnotbeunpleasanttohertobetoldofherpower，andshehadsomesenseofherresponsibility。Sheslippedawayfrommesuddenly，becauseHeemskirk，witholdNelsoninattendanceathiselbow，wascomingupthestepsoftheverandah。Directlyhisheadcameabovethelevelofthefloorhisill—naturedblackeyesshotglanceshereandthere。

"Where’syourgirl，Nelson？"heasked，inatoneasifeverysoulintheworldbelongedtohim。Andthentome："Thegoddesshasflown，eh？"

Nelson’sCove—asweusedtocallit—wascrowdedwithshippingthatday。Therewasfirstmysteamer，thentheNeptungunboatfurtherout，andtheBonito，brig，anchoredasusualsocloseinshorethatitlookedasif，withalittleskillandjudgment，onecouldshyahatfromtheverandahontoherscrupulouslyholystonedquarter—deck。Herbrassesflashedlikegold，herwhitebody—painthadasheenlikeasatinrobe。Therakeofhervarnishedsparsandthebigyards，squaredtoahair，gaveherasortofmartialelegance。Shewasabeauty。NowonderthatinpossessionofacraftlikethatandthepromiseofagirllikeFreya，Jasperlivedinastateofperpetualelationfit，perhaps，fortheseventhheaven，butnotexactlysafeinaworldlikeours。

IremarkedpolitelytoHeemskirkthat，withthreeguestsinthehouse，MissFreyahadnodoubtdomesticmatterstoattendto。I

knew，ofcourse，thatshehadgonetomeetJasperatacertainclearedspotonthebanksoftheonlystreamonNelson’slittleisland。ThecommanderoftheNeptungavemeadubiousblacklook，andbegantomakehimselfathome，flinginghisthick，cylindricalcarcassintoarocking—chair，andunbuttoninghiscoat。OldNelsonsatdownoppositehiminamostunassumingmanner，staringanxiouslywithhisroundeyesandfanninghimselfwithhishat。I

triedtomakeconversationtowhilethetimeaway；notaneasytaskwithamorose，enamouredDutchmanconstantlylookingfromonedoortoanotherandansweringone’sadvanceseitherwithajeeroragrunt。

However，theeveningpassedoffallright。Luckily，thereisadegreeofblisstoointenseforelation。JasperwasquietandconcentratedsilentlyinwatchingFreya。AswewentonboardourrespectiveshipsIofferedtogivehisbrigatowoutnextmorning。

Ididitonpurposetogethimawayattheearliestpossiblemoment。Sointhefirstcoldlightofthedawnwepassedbythegunboatlyingblackandstillwithoutasoundinheratthemouthoftheglassycove。Butwithtropicalswiftnessthesunhadclimbedtwiceitsdiameterabovethehorizonbeforewehadroundedthereefandgotabreastofthepoint。OnthebiggestbouldertherestoodFreya，allinwhiteand，inherhelmet，likeafeminineandmartialstatuewitharosyface，asIcouldseeverywellwithmyglasses。Sheflutteredanexpressivehandkerchief，andJasper，runningupthemainriggingofthewhiteandwarlikebrig，wavedhishatinresponse。Shortlyafterwardsweparted，ItothenorthwardandJasperheadingeastwithalightwindonthequarter，forBanjermassinandtwootherports，Ibelieveitwas，thattrip。

ThispeacefuloccasionwasthelastonwhichIsawallthesepeopleassembledtogether；thecharminglyfreshandresoluteFreya，theinnocentlyround—eyedoldNelson，Jasper，keen，longlimbed，leanfaced，admirablyself—contained，inhismanner，becauseinconceivablyhappyundertheeyesofhisFreya；allthreetall，fair，andblue—eyedinvariedshades，andamongstthemtheswarthy，arrogant，black—hairedDutchman，shorternearlybyahead，andsomuchthickerthananyofthemthatheseemedtobeacreaturecapableofinflatingitself，agrotesquespecimenofmankindfromsomeotherplanet。

Thecontraststruckmeallatonceaswestoodinthelightedverandah，afterrisingfromthedinner—table。Iwasfascinatedbyitfortherestoftheevening，andIremembertheimpressionofsomethingfunnyandill—omenedatthesametimeinittothisday。

CHAPTERIII

Afewweekslater，comingearlyonemorningintoSingapore，fromajourneytothesouthward，Isawthebriglyingatanchorinallherusualsymmetryandsplendourofaspectasthoughshehadbeentakenoutofaglasscaseandputdelicatelyintothewaterthatverymoment。

Shewaswelloutintheroadstead，butIsteamedinandtookupmyhabitualberthcloseinfrontofthetown。Beforewehadfinishedbreakfastaquarter—mastercametotellmethatCaptainAllen’sboatwascomingourway。

Hissmartgigdashedalongside，andintwoboundshewasupouraccommodation—ladderandshakingmebythehandwithhisnervousgrip，hiseyessnappinginquisitively，forhesupposedIhadcalledattheSevenIslesgrouponmyway。Ireachedintomypocketforanicelyfoldedlittlenote，whichhegrabbedoutofmyhandwithoutceremonyandcarriedoffonthebridgetoreadbyhimself。AfteradecentintervalIfollowedhimupthere，andfoundhimpacingtoandfro；forthenatureofhisemotionsmadehimrestlesseveninhismostthoughtfulmoments。

Heshookhisheadatmetriumphantly。

"Well，mydearboy，"hesaid，"Ishallbecountingthedaysnow。"

Iunderstoodwhathemeant。Iknewthatthoseyoungpeoplehadsettledalreadyonarunawaymatchwithoutofficialpreliminaries。

Thiswasreallyalogicaldecision。OldNelson（orNielsen）wouldneverhaveagreedtogiveupFreyapeaceablytothiscompromisingJasper。Heavens！WhatwouldtheDutchauthoritiessaytosuchamatch！Itsoundstooridiculousforwords。Butthere’snothingintheworldmoreselfishlyhardthanatimorousmaninafrightabouthis"littleestate，"asoldNelsonusedtocallitinapologeticaccents。Aheartpermeatedbyaparticularsortoffunkisproofagainstsense，feeling，andridicule。It’saflint。

Jasperwouldhavemadehisrequestallthesameandthentakenhisownway；butitwasFreyawhodecidedthatnothingshouldbesaid，onthegroundthat，"Papawouldonlyworryhimselftodistraction。"

Hewascapableofmakinghimselfill，andthenshewouldn’thavethehearttoleavehim。Hereyouhavethesanityoffeminineoutlookandthefranknessoffemininereasoning。Andfortherest，MissFreyacouldread"poordearpapa"inthewayawomanreadsaman—likeanopenbook。Hisdaughteroncegone，oldNelsonwouldnotworryhimself。Hewouldraiseagreatoutcry，andmakenoendoflamentablefuss，butthat’snotthesamething。Therealagoniesofindecision，theanguishofconflictingfeelingswouldbesparedtohim。Andashewastoounassumingtorage，hewould，afteraperiodoflamentation，devotehimselftohis"littleestate，"andtokeepingongoodtermswiththeauthorities。

Timewoulddotherest。AndFreyathoughtshecouldaffordtowait，whilerulingoverherownhomeinthebeautifulbrigandoverthemanwholovedher。Thiswasthelifeforherwhohadlearnedtowalkonaship’sdeck。Shewasaship—child，asea—girlifevertherewasone。AndofcourseshelovedJasperandtrustedhim；buttherewasashadeofanxietyinherpride。Itisveryfineandromantictopossessforyourveryownafinelytemperedandtrustysword—blade，butwhetheritisthebestweapontocounterwiththecommoncudgel—playofFate—that’sanotherquestion。

Sheknewthatshehadthemoresubstanceofthetwo—youneedn’ttryanycheapjokes，Iamnottalkingoftheirweights。Shewasjustalittleanxiouswhilehewasaway，andshehadmewho，beingatriedconfidant，tookthelibertytowhisperfrequently"Thesoonerthebetter。"ButtherewasapeculiarveinofobstinacyinMissFreya，andherreasonfordelaywascharacteristic。"Notbeforemytwenty—firstbirthday；sothatthereshallbenomistakeinpeople’smindsastomebeingoldenoughtoknowwhatIamdoing。"

Jasper’sfeelingswereinsuchsubjectionthathehadneverevenremonstratedagainstthedecree。Shewasjustsplendid，whatevershedidorsaid，andtherewasanendofitforhim。Ibelievethathewassubtleenoughtobeevenflatteredatbottom—attimes。AndthentoconsolehimhehadthebrigwhichseemedpervadedbythespiritofFreya，sincewhateverhedidonboardwasalwaysdoneunderthesupremesanctionofhislove。

"Yes。I’llsoonbegintocountthedays，"herepeated。"Elevenmonthsmore。I’llhavetocrowdthreetripsintothat。"

"Mindyoudon’tcometogrieftryingtodotoomuch，"Iadmonishedhim。Buthedismissedmycautionwithalaughandanelatedgesture。Pooh！Nothing，nothingcouldhappentothebrig，hecried，asiftheflameofhisheartcouldlightupthedarknightsofunchartedseas，andtheimageofFreyaserveforanunerringbeaconamongsthiddenshoals；asifthewindshadtowaitonhisfuture，thestarsfightforitintheircourses；asifthemagicofhispassionhadthepowertofloatashiponadropofdeworsailherthroughtheeyeofaneedle—simplybecauseitwashermagnificentlottobetheservantofalovesofullofgraceastomakeallthewaysoftheearthsafe，resplendent，andeasy。

"Isuppose，"Isaid，afterhehadfinishedlaughingatmyinnocentenoughremark，"Isupposeyouwillbeoffto—day。"

Thatwaswhathemeanttodo。Hehadnotgoneatdaylightonlybecauseheexpectedmetocomein。

"Andonlyfancywhathashappenedyesterday，"hewenton。"Mymateleftmesuddenly。Hadto。Andasthere’snobodytobefoundatashortnoticeIamgoingtotakeSchultzwithme。ThenotoriousSchultz！Whydon’tyoujumpoutofyourskin？ItellyouIwentandunearthedSchultzlatelastevening，afternoendoftrouble。

’Iamyourman，captain，’hesays，inthatwonderfulvoiceofhis，’butIamsorrytoconfessIhavepracticallynoclothestomyback。Ihavehadtosellallmywardrobetogetalittlefoodfromdaytoday。’Whatavoicethatmanhasgot。Talkaboutmovingstones！Butpeopleseemtogetusedtoit。Ihadneverseenhimbefore，and，uponmyword，Ifeltsuddenlytearsrisingtomyeyes。

Luckilyitwasdusk。Hewassittingveryquietunderatreeinanativecompoundasthinasalath，andwhenIpeereddownathimallhehadonwasanoldcottonsingletandapairofraggedpyjamas。Iboughthimsixwhitesuitsandtwopairsofcanvasshoes。Can’tcleartheshipwithoutamate。Musthavesomebody。

Iamgoingonshorepresentlytosignhimon，andIshalltakehimwithmeasIgobackonboardtogetunderway。Now，Iamalunatic—amInot？Mad，ofcourse。Comeon！Layitonthick。

Letyourselfgo。Iliketoseeyougetexcited。"

HesoevidentlyexpectedmetoscoldthatItookespecialpleasureinexaggeratingthecalmnessofmyattitude。

"TheworstthatcanbebroughtupagainstSchultz，"Ibegan，foldingmyarmsandspeakingdispassionately，"isanawkwardhabitofstealingthestoresofeveryshiphehaseverbeenin。Hewilldoit。That’sreallyallthat’swrong。Idon’tcreditabsolutelythatstoryCaptainRobinsontellsofSchultzconspiringinChantabunwithsomeruffiansinaChinesejunktostealtheanchoroffthestarboardbowoftheBohemianGirlschooner。Robinson’sstoryistooingeniousaltogether。ThatothertaleoftheengineersoftheNan—ShanfindingSchultzatmidnightintheengine—roombusyhammeringatthebrassbearingstocarrythemoffforsaleonshoreseemstomemoreauthentic。Apartfromthislittleweakness，letmetellyouthatSchultzisasmartersailorthanmanywhonevertookadropofdrinkintheirlives，andperhapsnoworsemorallythansomemenyouandIknowwhohaveneverstolenthevalueofapenny。Hemaynotbeadesirablepersontohaveonboardone’sship，butsinceyouhavenochoicehemaybemadetodo，Ibelieve。Theimportantthingistounderstandhispsychology。Don’tgivehimanymoneytillyouhavedonewithhim。Notacent，ifhebegseverso。ForassureasFatethemomentyougivehimanymoneyhewillbegintosteal。Justrememberthat。"

IenjoyedJasper’sincreduloussurprise。

"Thedevilhewill！"hecried。"Whatonearthfor？Aren’tyoutryingtopullmyleg，oldboy？"

"No。I’mnot。YoumustunderstandSchultz’spsychology。He’sneitheraloafernoracadger。He’snotlikelytowanderaboutlookingforsomebodytostandhimdrinks。Butsupposehegoesonshorewithfivedollars，orfiftyforthatmatter，inhispocket？

Afterthethirdorfourthglasshebecomesfuddledandcharitable。

Heeitherdropshismoneyallovertheplace，orelsedistributesthelotaround；givesittoanyonewhowilltakeit。Thenitoccurstohimthatthenightisyoungyet，andthathemayrequireagoodmanymoredrinksforhimselfandhisfriendsbeforemorning。

Sohestartsoffcheerfullyforhisship。Hislegsnevergetaffectednorhisheadeitherintheusualway。Hegetsaboardandsimplygrabsthefirstthingthatseemstohimsuitable—thecabinlamp，acoilofrope，abagofbiscuits，adrumofoil—andconvertsitintomoneywithoutthinkingtwiceaboutit。Thisistheprocessandnoother。Youhaveonlytolookoutthathedoesn’tgetastart。That’sall。"

"Confoundhispsychology，"mutteredJasper。"Butamanwithavoicelikehisisfittotalktotheangels。Isheincurabledoyouthink？"

IsaidthatIthoughtso。Nobodyhadprosecutedhimyet，butnoonewouldemployhimanylonger。Hisendwouldbe，Ifeared，tostarveinsomeholeorother。

"Ah，well，"reflectedJasper。"TheBonitoisn’ttradingtoanyportsofcivilisation。That’llmakeiteasierforhimtokeepstraight。"

Thatwastrue。Thebrig’sbusinesswasonuncivilisedcoasts，withobscurerajahsdwellinginnearlyunknownbays；withnativesettlementsupmysteriousriversopeningtheirsombre，forest—linedestuariesamongawelterofpalegreenreefsanddazzlingsand—

banks，inlonelystraitsofcalmbluewaterallaglitterwithsunshine。Alone，farfromthebeatentracks，sheglided，allwhite，rounddark，frowningheadlands，stoleout，silentlikeaghost，frombehindpointsoflandstretchingoutallblackinthemoonlight；orlayhove—to，likeasleepingsea—bird，undertheshadowofsomenamelessmountainwaitingforasignal。Shewouldbeglimpsedsuddenlyonmisty，squallydaysdashingdisdainfullyasidetheshortaggressivewavesoftheJavaSea；orbeseenfar，faraway，atinydazzlingwhitespeckflyingacrossthebroodingpurplemassesofthundercloudspileduponthehorizon。Sometimes，ontheraremailtracks，wherecivilisationbrushesagainstwildmystery，whenthenaivepassengerscrowdingalongtherailexclaimed，pointingatherwithinterest："Oh，here’sayacht！"

theDutchcaptain，withahostileglance，wouldgruntcontemptuously："Yacht！No！That’sonlyEnglishJasper。A

pedlar—"

"Agoodseamanyousay，"ejaculatedJasper，stillinthematterofthehopelessSchultzwiththewonderfullytouchingvoice。

"Firstrate。Askanyone。Quiteworthhaving—onlyimpossible，"

Ideclared。

"Heshallhavehischancetoreforminthebrig，"saidJasper，withalaugh。"TherewillbenotemptationseithertodrinkorstealwhereIamgoingtothistime。"

Ididn’tpresshimforanythingmoredefiniteonthatpoint。Infact，intimateaswewere，Ihadaprettyclearnotionofthegeneralrunofhisbusiness。

Butaswearegoingashoreinhisgigheaskedsuddenly："Bytheway，doyouknowwhereHeemskirkis？"

Ieyedhimcovertly，andwasreassured。Hehadaskedthequestion，notasalover，butasatrader。ItoldhimthatIhadheardinPalembangthattheNeptunwasondutydownaboutFloresandSumbawa。Quiteoutofhisway。Heexpressedhissatisfaction。

"Youknow，"hewenton，"thatfellow，whenhegetsontheBorneocoast，amuseshimselfbyknockingdownmybeacons。Ihavehadtoputupafewtohelpmeinandoutoftherivers。EarlythisyearaCelebestraderbecalmedinaprauwaswatchinghimatit。Hesteamedthegunboatfulltiltattwoofthem，oneafteranother，smashingthemtopieces，andthenloweredaboatonpurposetopulloutathird，whichIhadalotoftroublesixmonthsagotostickupinthemiddleofamudflatforatidemark。Didyoueverhearofanythingmoreprovoking—eh？"

"Iwouldn’tquarrelwiththebeggar，"Iobservedcasually，yetdislikingthatpieceofnewsstrongly。"Itisn’tworthwhile。"

"Iquarrel？"criedJasper。"Idon’twanttoquarrel。Idon’twanttohurtasinglehairofhisuglyhead。Mydearfellow，whenI

thinkofFreya’stwenty—firstbirthday，alltheworld’smyfriend，Heemskirkincluded。It’sanasty，spitefulamusement，allthesame。"

Wepartedratherhurriedlyonthequay，eachofushavinghisownpressingbusinesstoattendto。IwouldhavebeenverymuchcutuphadIknownthatthishurriedgraspofthehandwith"Solong，oldboy。Goodlucktoyou！"wasthelastofourpartings。

OnhisreturntotheStraitsIwasaway，andhewasgoneagainbeforeIgotback。HewastryingtoachievethreetripsbeforeFreya’stwenty—firstbirthday。AtNelson’sCoveImissedhimagainbyonlyacoupleofdays。FreyaandItalkedof"thatlunatic"and"perfectidiot"withgreatdelightandinfiniteappreciation。Shewasveryradiant，withamorepronouncedgaiety，notwithstandingthatshehadjustpartedfromJasper。Butthiswastobetheirlastseparation。

"Dogetaboardassoonasyoucan，MissFreya，"Ientreated。

Shelookedmestraightintheface，hercolouralittleheightenedandwithasortofsolemnardour—iftherewasalittlecatchinhervoice。

"Theverynextday。"

Ah，yes！Theverynextdayafterhertwenty—firstbirthday。Iwaspleasedatthishintofdeepfeeling。Itwasasifshehadgrownimpatientatlastoftheself—imposeddelay。IsupposedthatJasper’srecentvisithadtoldheavily。

"That’sright，"Isaidapprovingly。"IshallbemucheasierinmymindwhenIknowyouhavetakenchargeofthatlunatic。Don’tyouloseaminute。He，ofcourse，willbeontime—unlessheavensfall。"

"Yes。Unless—"sherepeatedinathoughtfulwhisper，raisinghereyestotheeveningskywithoutaspeckofcloudanywhere。Silentforatime，weletoureyeswanderoverthewatersbelow，lookingmysteriouslystillinthetwilight，asiftrustfullycomposedforalong，longdreaminthewarm，tropicalnight。Andthepeaceallroundusseemedwithoutlimitsandwithoutend。

AndthenwebeganagaintotalkJasperoverinourusualstrain。

Weagreedthathewastoorecklessinmanyways。Luckily，thebrigwasequaltothesituation。Nothingapparentlywastoomuchforher。Aperfectdarlingofaship，saidMissFreya。Sheandherfatherhadspentanafternoononboard。Jasperhadgiventhemsometea。Papawasgrumpy……IhadavisionofoldNelsonunderthebrig’ssnowyawnings，nursinghisunassumingvexation，andfanninghimselfwithhishat。Acomedyfather……AsanewinstanceofJasper’slunacy，Iwastoldthathewasdistressedathisinabilitytohavesolidsilverhandlesfittedtoallthecabindoors。"AsifIwouldhavelethim！"commentedMissFreya，withamusedindignation。Incidentally，IlearnedalsothatSchultz，thenauticalkleptomaniacwiththepatheticvoice，wasstillhangingontohisjob，withMissFreya’sapproval。Jasperhadconfidedtotheladyofhishearthispurposeofstraighteningoutthefellow’spsychology。Yes，indeed。AlltheworldwashisfriendbecauseitbreathedthesameairwithFreya。

Somehoworother，IbroughtHeemskirk’snameintoconversation，and，tomygreatsurprise，startledMissFreya。Hereyesexpressedsomethinglikedistress，whileshebitherlipasiftocontainanexplosionoflaughter。Oh！Yes。HeemskirkwasatthebungalowatthesametimewithJasper，buthearrivedthedayafter。Heleftthesamedayasthebrig，butafewhourslater。

"Whatanuisancehemusthavebeentoyoutwo，"Isaidfeelingly。

Hereyesflashedatmeasortoffrightenedmerriment，andsuddenlysheexplodedintoaclearburstoflaughter。"Ha，ha，ha！"

Iechoeditheartily，butnotwiththegamecharmingtone："Ha，ha，ha！……Isn’thegrotesque？Ha，ha，ha！"AndtheludicrousnessofoldNelson’sinanelyfierceroundeyesinassociationwithhisconciliatorymannertothelieutenantpresentingitselftomymindbroughtonanotherfit。

"Helooks，"Ispluttered，"helooks—Ha，ha，ha！—amongstyouthree……likeanunhappyblack—beetle。Ha，ha，ha！"

Shegaveoutanotherringingpeal，ranoffintoherownroom，andslammedthedoorbehindher，leavingmeprofoundlyastounded。I

stoppedlaughingatonce。

"What’sthejoke？"askedoldNelson’svoice，halfwaydownthesteps。

Hecameup，satdown，andblewouthischeeks，lookinginexpressiblyfatuous。ButIdidn’twanttolaughanymore。Andwhatonearth，Iaskedmyself，havewebeenlaughingatinthisuncontrollablefashion。Ifeltsuddenlydepressed。

Oh，yes。Freyahadstartedit。Thegirl’soverwrought，Ithought。

Andreallyonecouldn’twonderatit。

IhadnoanswertooldNelson’squestion，buthewastooaggrievedatJasper’svisittothinkofanythingelse。HeasgoodasaskedmewhetherIwouldn’tundertaketohinttoJasperthathewasnotwantedattheSevenIslesgroup。Ideclaredthatitwasnotnecessary。Fromcertaincircumstanceswhichhadcometomyknowledgelately，IhadreasontothinkthathewouldnotbemuchtroubledbyJasperAlleninthefuture。

Heemittedanearnest"ThankGod！"whichnearlysetmelaughingagain，buthedidnotbrightenupproportionately。ItseemedHeemskirkhadtakenspecialpainstomakehimselfdisagreeable。

ThelieutenanthadfrightenedoldNelsonverymuchbyexpressingasinisterwonderattheGovernmentpermittingawhitemantosettledowninthatpartatall。"Itisagainstourdeclaredpolicy，"hehadremarked。HehadalsochargedhimwithbeinginrealitynobetterthananEnglishman。HehadeventriedtopickaquarrelwithhimfornotlearningtospeakDutch。

"ItoldhimIwastoooldtolearnnow，"sighedoutoldNelson（orNielsen）dismally。"HesaidIoughttohavelearnedDutchlongbefore。IhadbeenmakingmylivinginDutchdependencies。ItwasdisgracefulofmenottospeakDutch，hesaid。HewasassavagewithmeasifIhadbeenaChinaman。"

Itwasplainhehadbeenviciouslybadgered。Hedidnotmentionhowmanybottlesofhisbestclarethehadoffereduponthealtarofconciliation。Itmusthavebeenagenerouslibation。ButoldNelson（orNielsen）wasreallyhospitable。Hedidn’tmindthat；

andIonlyregrettedthatthisvirtueshouldbelavishedonthelieutenant—commanderoftheNeptun。IlongedtotellhimthatinallprobabilityhewouldberelievedfromHeemskirk’svisitationsalso。Ididnotdosoonlyfromthefear（absurd，Iadmit）ofarousingsomesortofsuspicioninhismind。Asifwiththisguilelesscomedyfathersuchathingwerepossible！

Strangelyenough，thelastwordsonthesubjectofHeemskirkwerespokenbyFreya，andinthatverysense。ThelieutenantwasturninguppersistentlyinoldNelson’sconversationatdinner。AtlastImutteredahalfaudible"Damnthelieutenant。"Icouldseethatthegirlwasgettingexasperated，too。

"Andhewasn’twellatall—washe，Freya？"oldNelsonwentonmoaning。"Perhapsitwasthatwhichmadehimsosnappish，hey，Freya？Helookedverybadwhenheleftussosuddenly。Hislivermustbeinabadstate，too。"

"Oh，hewillendbygettingoverit，"saidFreyaimpatiently。"Anddoleaveoffworryingabouthim，papa。Verylikelyyouwon’tseemuchofhimforalongtimetocome。"

Thelookshegavemeinexchangeformydiscreetsmilehadnohiddenmirthinit。Hereyesseemedhollowed，herfacegonewaninacoupleofhours。Wehadbeenlaughingtoomuch。Overwrought！

Overwroughtbytheapproachofthedecisivemoment。Afterall，sincere，courageous，andself—reliantasshewas，shemusthavefeltboththepassionandthecompunctionofherresolve。Theverystrengthoflovewhichhadcarriedheruptothatpointmusthaveputherunderagreatmoralstrain，inwhichtheremighthavebeenalittlesimpleremorse，too。Forshewashonest—andthere，acrossthetable，satpooroldNelson（orNielsen）staringather，round—eyedandsopatheticallycomicinhisfierceaspectastotouchthemostlightsomeheart。

Heretiredearlytohisroomtosoothehimselfforanight’srestbyperusinghisaccount—books。Wetworemainedontheverandahforanotherhourorso，butweexchangedonlylanguidphrasesonthingswithoutimportance，asthoughwehadbeenemotionallyjadedbyourlongday’stalkontheonlymomentoussubject。Andyettherewassomethingshemighthavetoldafriend。Butshedidn’t。Wepartedsilently。Shedistrustedmymasculinelackofcommonsense，perhaps……O！Freya！

Goingdowntheprecipitouspathtothelanding—stage，Iwasconfrontedintheshadowsofbouldersandbushesbyadrapedfemininefigurewhoseappearancestartledmeatfirst。Itglidedintomywaysuddenlyfrombehindapieceofrock。ButinamomentitoccurredtomethatitcouldbenooneelsebutFreya’smaid，ahalf—casteMalaccaPortuguese。Onecaughtfleetingglimpsesofherolivefaceanddazzlingwhiteteethaboutthehouse。Ihadobservedherattimesfromadistance，asshesatwithincallundertheshadeofsomefruittrees，brushingandplaitingherlongravenlocks。Itseemedtobetheprincipaloccupationofherleisurehours。Wehadoftenexchangednodsandsmiles—andafewwords，too。Shewasaprettycreature。AndonceIhadwatchedherapprovinglymakefunnyandexpressivegrimacesbehindHeemskirk’sback。Iunderstood（fromJasper）thatshewasinthesecret，likeacomedycamerista。ShewastoaccompanyFreyaonherirregularwaytomatrimonyand"everafter"happiness。Whyshouldsheberoamingbynightnearthecove—unlessonsomeloveaffairofherown—Iaskedmyself。ButtherewasnobodysuitablewithintheSevenIslesgroup，asfarasIknew。Itflasheduponmethatitwasmyselfshehadbeenlyinginwaitfor。

Shehesitated，muffledfromheadtofoot，shadowyandbashful。I

advancedanotherpace，andhowIfeltisnobody’sbusiness。

"Whatisit？"Iasked，verylow。

"NobodyknowsIamhere，"shewhispered。

"Andnobodycanseeus，"Iwhisperedback。

Themurmurofwords"I’vebeensofrightened"reachedme。Justthenfortyfeetaboveourhead，fromtheyetlightedverandah，unexpectedandstartling，Freya’svoicerangoutinaclear，imperiouscall：

"Antonia！"

Withastifledexclamation，thehesitatinggirlvanishedoutofthepath。Abushnearbyrustled；thensilence。Iwaitedwondering。

Thelightsontheverandahwentout。Iwaitedawhilelongerthencontinueddownthepathtomyboat，wonderingmorethanever。

Iremembertheoccurrencesofthatvisitespecially，becausethiswasthelasttimeIsawtheNelsonbungalow。OnarrivingattheStraitsIfoundcablemessageswhichmadeitnecessaryformetothrowupmyemploymentatamoment’snoticeandgohomeatonce。I

hadadesperatescrambletocatchthemailboatwhichwasduetoleavenextday，butIfoundtimetowritetwoshortnotes，onetoFreya，theothertoJasper。LateronIwroteatlength，thistimetoAllenalone。Igotnoanswer。Ihuntedupthenhisbrother，or，rather，half—brother，asolicitorinthecity，asallow，calm，littlemanwholookedatmeoverhisspectaclesthoughtfully。

Jasperwastheonlychildofhisfather’ssecondmarriage，atransactionwhichhadfailedtocommenditselftothefirst，grown—

upfamily。

"Youhaven’theardforages，"Irepeated，withsecretannoyance。

"MayIaskwhat’forages’meansinthisconnection？"

"ItmeansthatIdon’tcarewhetherIeverhearfromhimornot，"

retortedthelittlemanoflaw，turningnastysuddenly。

IcouldnotblameJasperfornotwastinghistimeincorrespondencewithsuchanoutrageousrelative。Butwhydidn’thewritetome—

adecentsortoffriend，afterall；enoughofafriendtofindforhissilencetheexcuseofforgetfulnessnaturaltoastateoftranscendentalbliss？Iwaitedindulgently，butnothingevercame。

AndtheEastseemedtodropoutofmylifewithoutanecho，likeastonefallingintoawellofprodigiousdepth。

CHAPTERIV

Isupposepraiseworthymotivesareasufficientjustificationalmostforanything。Whatcouldbemorecommendableintheabstractthanagirl’sdeterminationthat"poorpapa"shouldnotbeworried，andheranxietythatthemanofherchoiceshouldbekeptbyanymeansfromeveryoccasionofdoingsomethingrash，somethingwhichmightendangerthewholeschemeoftheirhappiness？

Nothingcouldbemoretenderandmoreprudent。Wemustalsorememberthegirl’sself—relianttemperament，andthegeneralunwillingnessofwomen—Imeanwomenofsense—tomakeafussovermattersofthatsort。

Ashasbeensaidalready，HeemskirkturnedupsometimeafterJasper’sarrivalatNelson’sCove。Thesightofthebriglyingrightunderthebungalowwasveryoffensivetohim。HedidnotflyashorebeforehisanchortouchedthegroundasJasperusedtodo。

Onthecontrary，hehungabouthisquarter—deckmumblingtohimself；andwhenheorderedhisboattobemanneditwasinanangryvoice。Freya’sexistence，whichliftedJasperoutofhimselfintoablissfulelation，wasforHeemskirkacauseofsecrettorment，ofhoursofexasperatedbrooding。

Whilepassingthebrighehailedherharshlyandaskedifthemasterwasonboard。Schultz，smartandneatinaspotlesswhitesuit，leanedoverthetaffrail，findingthequestionsomewhatamusing。HelookedhumorouslydownintoHeemskirk’sboat，andanswered，inthemostamiablemodulationsofhisbeautifulvoice：

"CaptainAllenisupatthehouse，sir。"Buthisexpressionchangedsuddenlyatthesavagegrowl："Whatthedevilareyougrinningat？"whichacknowledgedthatinformation。

HewatchedHeemskirklandand，insteadofgoingtothehouse，strideawaybyanotherpathintothegrounds。

Thedesire—tormentedDutchmanfoundoldNelson（orNielsen）athisdrying—sheds，verybusysuperintendingthemanipulationofhistobaccocrop，which，thoughsmall，wasofexcellentquality，andenjoyinghimselfthoroughly。ButHeemskirksoonputastoptothissimplehappiness。Hesatdownbytheoldchap，andbythesortoftalkwhichheknewwasbestcalculatedforthepurpose，reducedhimbeforelongtoastateofconcealedandperspiringnervousness。Itwasahorridtalkof"authorities，"andoldNelsontriedtodefendhimself。IfhedealtwithEnglishtradersitwasbecausehehadtodisposeofhisproducesomehow。Hewasasconciliatoryasheknewhowtobe，andthisverythingseemedtoexciteHeemskirk，whohadworkedhimselfupintoaheavilybreathingstateofpassion。

"AndtheworstofthemallisthatAllen，"hegrowled。"Yourparticularfriend—eh？YouhaveletinalotoftheseEnglishmenintothispart。Yououghtnevertohavebeenallowedtosettlehere。Never。What’shedoingherenow？"

OldNelson（orNielsen），becomingveryagitated，declaredthatJasperAllenwasnoparticularfriendofhis。Nofriendatall—

atall。Hehadboughtthreetonsofricefromhimtofeedhisworkpeopleon。Whatsortofevidenceoffriendshipwasthat？

Heemskirkburstoutatlastwiththethoughtthathadbeengnawingathisvitals：

"Yes。Sellthreetonsofriceandflirtthreedayswiththatgirlofyours。Iamspeakingtoyouasafriend，Nielsen。Thiswon’tdo。Youareonlyonsufferancehere。"

OldNelsonwastakenabackatfirst，butrecoveredprettyquickly。

Won’tdo！Certainly！Ofcourse，itwouldn’tdo！Thelastmanintheworld。Buthisgirldidn’tcareforthefellow，andwastoosensibletofallinlovewithanyone。HewasveryearnestinimpressingonHeemskirkhisownfeelingofabsolutesecurity。Andthelieutenant，castingdoubtingglancessideways，wasyetwillingtobelievehim。

"Muchyouknowaboutit，"hegruntednevertheless。

"ButIdoknow，"insistedoldNelson，withthegreaterdesperationbecausehewantedtoresistthedoubtsarisinginhisownmind。

"Myowndaughter！Inmyownhouse，andInottoknow！Come！Itwouldbeagoodjoke，lieutenant。"

"Theyseemtobecarryingonconsiderably，"remarkedHeemskirkmoodily。"Isupposetheyaretogethernow，"headded，feelingapangwhichchangedwhathemeantforamockingsmileintoastrangegrimace。

TheharassedNelsonshookhishandathim。Hewasatbottomshockedatthisinsistence，andwasevenbeginningtofeelannoyedattheabsurdityofit。

"Pooh！Pooh！I’lltellyouwhat，lieutenant：yougotothehouseandhaveadropofgin—and—bittersbeforedinner。AskforFreya。

Imustseethelastofthistobaccoputawayforthenight，butI’llbealongpresently。"

Heemskirkwasnotinsensibletothissuggestion。Itansweredtohissecretlonging，whichwasnotalongingfordrink，however。

OldNelsonshoutedsolicitouslyafterhisbroadbackarecommendationtomakehimselfcomfortable，andthattherewasaboxofcherootsontheverandah。

ItwasthewestverandahthatoldNelsonmeant，theonewhichwastheliving—roomofthehouse，andhadsplit—rattanscreensoftheveryfinestquality。Theeastverandah，sacredtohisownprivacy，puffingoutofcheeks，andothersignsofperplexedthinking，wasfittedwithstoutblindsofsailcloth。Thenorthverandahwasnotaverandahatall，really。Itwasmorelikealongbalcony。Itdidnotcommunicatewiththeothertwo，andcouldonlybeapproachedbyapassageinsidethehouse。Thusithadaprivacywhichmadeitaconvenientplaceforamaiden’smeditationswithoutwords，andalsoforthediscourses，apparentlywithoutsense，which，passingbetweenayoungmanandamaid，becomepregnantwithadiversityoftranscendentalmeanings。

Thisnorthverandahwasemboweredwithclimbingplants。Freya，whoseroomopenedoutonit，hadfurnisheditasasortofboudoirforherself，withafewcanechairsandasofaofthesamekind。

OnthissofasheandJaspersatasclosetogetherasispossibleinthisimperfectworldwhereneithercanabodybeintwoplacesatoncenoryettwobodiescanbeinoneplaceatthesametime。Theyhadbeensittingtogetheralltheafternoon，andIwon’tsaythattheirtalkhadbeenwithoutsense。Lovinghimwithalittlejudiciousanxietylestinhiselationheshouldbreakhisheartoversomemishap，Freyanaturallywouldtalktohimsoberly。He，nervousandbrusquewhenawayfromher，appearedalwaysasifovercomebyhervisibility，bythegreatwonderofbeingpalpablyloved。Anoldman’schild，havinglosthismotherearly，thrownouttoseaoutofthewaywhileveryyoung，hehadnotmuchexperienceoftendernessofanykind。

Inthisprivate，foliage—emboweredverandah，andatthislatehouroftheafternoon，hebentdownalittle，and，possessinghimselfofFreya’shands，waskissingthemoneafteranother，whileshesmiledandlookeddownathisheadwiththeeyesofapprovingcompassion。

AtthatsamemomentHeemskirkwasapproachingthehousefromthenorth。

Antoniawasonthewatchonthatside。Butshedidnotkeepaverygoodwatch。Thesunwassetting；sheknewthatheryoungmistressandthecaptainoftheBonitowereabouttoseparate。Shewaswalkingtoandfrointheduskygrovewithaflowerinherhair，andsingingsoftlytoherself，whensuddenly，withinafootofher，thelieutenantappearedfrombehindatree。Sheboundedasidelikeastartledfawn，butHeemskirk，withalucidcomprehensionofwhatshewastherefor，pounceduponher，and，catchingherarm，clappedhisotherthickhandoverhermouth。

"IfyoutrytomakeanoiseI’lltwistyourneck！"

Thisferociousfigureofspeechterrifiedthegirlsufficiently。

HeemskirkhadseenplainlyenoughontheverandahFreya’sgoldenheadwithanotherheadveryclosetoit。Hedraggedtheunresistingmaidwithhimbyacircuitouswayintothecompound，wherehedismissedherwithaviciouspushinthedirectionoftheclusterofbamboohutsfortheservants。

ShewasverymuchlikethefaithfulcameristaofItaliancomedy，butinherterrorsheboltedawaywithoutasoundfromthatthick，short，black—eyedmanwithacruelgripoffingerslikeavice。

Quakingalloveratadistance，extremelyscaredandhalfinclinedtolaugh，shesawhimenterthehouseattheback。

Theinteriorofthebungalowwasdividedbytwopassagescrossingeachotherinthemiddle。AtthatpointHeemskirk，byturninghisheadslightlytotheleftashepassed，securedtheevidenceof"carryingon"soirreconcilablewitholdNelson’sassurancesthatitmadehimstagger，witharushofbloodtohishead。Twowhitefigures，distinctagainstthelight，stoodinanunmistakableattitude。Freya’sarmswereroundJasper’sneck。Theirfaceswerecharacteristicallysuperimposedoneachother，andHeemskirkwenton，histhroatchokedwithasuddenrisingofcurses，tillonthewestverandahhestumbledblindlyagainstachairandthendroppedintoanotherasthoughhislegshadbeensweptfromunderhim。HehadindulgedtoolonginthehabitofappropriatingFreyatohimselfinhisthoughts。"Isthathowyouentertainyourvisitors—you……"hethought，sooutragedthathecouldnotfindasufficientlydegradingepithet。

Freyastruggledalittleandthrewherheadback。

"Somebodyhascomein，"shewhispered。Jasper，holdingherclaspedcloselytohisbreast，andlookingdownintoherface，suggestedcasually：

"Yourfather。"

Freyatriedtodisengageherself，butshehadnottheheartabsolutelytopushhimawaywithherhands。

"Ibelieveit’sHeemskirk，"shebreathedoutathim。

He，plungingintohereyesinaquietrapture，wasprovokedtoavaguesmilebythesoundofthename。

"Theassisalwaysknockingdownmybeaconsoutsidetheriver，"hemurmured。HeattachednoothermeaningtoHeemskirk’sexistence；

butFreyawasaskingherselfwhetherthelieutenanthadseenthem。

"Letmego，kid，"sheorderedinaperemptorywhisper。Jasperobeyed，and，steppingbackatonce，continuedhiscontemplationofherfaceunderanotherangle。"Imustgoandsee，"shesaidtoherselfanxiously。

Sheinstructedhimhurriedlytowaitamomentaftershewasgoneandthentoslipontothebackverandahandgetaquietsmokebeforeheshowedhimself。

"Don’tstaylatethisevening，"washerlastrecommendationbeforeshelefthim。

ThenFreyacameoutonthewestverandahwithherlight，rapidstep。Whilegoingthroughthedoorwayshemanagedtoshakedownthefoldsofthelooped—upcurtainsattheendofthepassagesoastocoverJasper’sretreatfromthebower。DirectlysheappearedHeemskirkjumpedupasiftoflyather。Shepausedandhemadeheranexaggeratedlowbow。

ItirritatedFreya。

"Oh！It’syou，Mr。Heemskirk。Howdoyoudo？"Shespokeinherusualtone。Herfacewasnotplainlyvisibletohimintheduskofthedeepverandah。Hedarednottrusthimselftospeak，hisrageatwhathehadseenwassogreat。Andwhensheaddedwithserenity："Papawillbecominginbeforelong，"hecalledherhorridnamessilently，tohimself，beforehespokewithcontortedlips。

"Ihaveseenyourfatheralready。Wehadatalkinthesheds。Hetoldmesomeveryinterestingthings。Oh，very—"

Freyasatdown。Shethought："Hehasseenus，forcertain。"Shewasnotashamed。Whatshewasafraidofwassomefoolishorawkwardcomplication。ButshecouldnotconceivehowmuchherpersonhadbeenappropriatedbyHeemskirk（inhisthoughts）。Shetriedtobeconversational。

"YouarecomingnowfromPalembang，Isuppose？"

"Eh？What？Oh，yes！IcomefromPalembang。Ha，ha，ha！Youknowwhatyourfathersaid？Hesaidhewasafraidyouwerehavingaverydulltimeofithere。"

"AndIsupposeyouaregoingtocruiseintheMoluccas，"continuedFreya，whowantedtoimpartsomeusefulinformationtoJasperifpossible。Atthesametimeshewasalwaysgladtoknowthatthosetwomenwereafewhundredmilesapartwhennotunderhereye。

Heemskirkgrowledangrily。

"Yes。Moluccas，"glaringinthedirectionofhershadowyfigure。

"Yourfatherthinksit’sveryquietforyouhere。Itellyouwhat，MissFreya。Thereisn’tsuchaquietspotonearththatawomancan’tfindanopportunityofmakingafoolofsomebody。"

Freyathought："Imustn’tlethimprovokeme。"PresentlytheTamilboy，whowasNelson’sheadservant，cameinwiththelights。

Sheaddressedhimatoncewithvolubledirectionswheretoputthelamps，toldhimtobringthetraywiththeginandbitters，andtosendAntoniaintothehouse。

"Iwillhavetoleaveyoutoyourself，Mr。Heemskirk，forawhile，"

shesaid。

Andshewenttoherroomtoputonanotherfrock。Shemadeaquickchangeofitbecauseshewishedtobeontheverandahbeforeherfatherandthelieutenantmetagain。Shereliedonherselftoregulatethatevening’sintercoursebetweenthesetwo。ButAntonia，stillscaredandhysterical，exhibitedabruiseonherarmwhichrousedFreya’sindignation。

"Hejumpedonmeoutofthebushlikeatiger，"saidthegirl，laughingnervouslywithfrightenedeyes。

"Thebrute！"thoughtFreya。"Hemeanttospyonus，then。"Shewasenraged，buttherecollectionofthethickDutchmaninwhitetrouserswideatthehipsandnarrowattheankles，withhisshoulder—strapsandblackbullethead，glaringatherinthelightofthelamps，wassorepulsivelycomicalthatshecouldnothelpasmilinggrimace。Thenshebecameanxious。Theabsurditiesofthreemenwereforcingthisanxietyuponher：Jasper’simpetuosity，herfather’sfears，Heemskirk’sinfatuation。Shewasverytendertothefirsttwo，andshemadeuphermindtodisplayallherfemininediplomacy。Allthis，shesaidtoherself，willbeoveranddonewithbeforeverylongnow。

Heemskirkontheverandah，lollinginachair，hislegsextendedandhiswhitecapreposingonhisstomach，waslashinghimselfintoafuryofanatrociouscharacteraltogetherincomprehensibletoagirllikeFreya。Hischinwasrestingonhischest，hiseyesgazedstonilyathisshoes。Freyaexaminedhimfrombehindthecurtain。

Hedidn’tstir。Hewasridiculous。Butthisabsolutestillnesswasimpressive。Shestolebackalongthepassagetotheeastverandah，whereJasperwassittingquietlyinthedark，doingwhathewastold，likeagoodboy。

"Psst，"shehissed。Hewasbyhersideinamoment。

"Yes。Whatisit？"hemurmured。

"It’sthatbeetle，"shewhispereduneasily。UndertheimpressionofHeemskirk’ssinisterimmobilityshehadhalfamindtoletJasperknowthattheyhadbeenseen。ButshewasbynomeanscertainthatHeemskirkwouldtellherfather—andatanyratenotthatevening。SheconcludedrapidlythatthesafestthingwouldbetogetJasperoutofthewayassoonaspossible。

"Whathashebeendoing？"askedJasperinacalmundertone。

"Oh，nothing！Nothing。Hesitstherelookingcross。Butyouknowhowhe’salwaysworryingpapa。"

"Yourfather’squiteunreasonable，"pronouncedJasperjudicially。

"Idon’tknow，"shesaidinadoubtfultone。SomethingofoldNelson’sdreadoftheauthoritieshadrubbedoffonthegirlsinceshehadtolivewithitdayafterday。"Idon’tknow。Papa’safraidofbeingreducedtobeggary，ashesays，inhisolddays。

Lookhere，kid，youhadbetterclearoutto—morrow，firstthing。"

JasperhadhopedforanotherafternoonwithFreya，anafternoonofquietfelicitywiththegirlbyhissideandhiseyesonhisbrig，anticipatingablissfulfuture。Hissilencewaseloquentwithdisappointment，andFreyaunderstooditverywell。She，too，wasdisappointed。Butitwasherbusinesstobesensible。

"Weshan’thaveamomenttoourselveswiththatbeetlecreepingroundthehouse，"shearguedinalow，hurriedvoice。"Sowhat’sthegoodofyourstaying？Andhewon’tgowhilethebrig’shere。

Youknowhewon’t。"

"Heoughttobereportedforloitering，"murmuredJasperwithavexedlittlelaugh。

"Mindyougetunderwayatdaylight，"recommendedFreyaunderherbreath。

Hedetainedherafterthemanneroflovers。Sheexpostulatedwithoutstrugglingbecauseitwashardforhertorepulsehim。Hewhisperedintoherearwhileheputhisarmsroundher。

"Nexttimewetwomeet，nexttimeIholdyoulikethis，itshallbeonboard。YouandI，inthebrig—alltheworld，allthelife—"

Andthenheflashedout："IwonderIcanwait！IfeelasifI

mustcarryyouoffnow，atonce。Icouldrunwithyouinmyhands—downthepath—withoutstumbling—withouttouchingtheearth—

"

Shewasstill。Shelistenedtothepassioninhisvoice。Shewassayingtoherselfthatifsheweretowhisperthefaintestyes，ifshewerebuttosighlightlyherconsent，hewoulddoit。Hewascapableofdoingit—withouttouchingtheearth。Sheclosedhereyesandsmiledinthedark，abandoningherselfinadelightfulgiddiness，foraninstant，tohisencirclingarm。Butbeforehecouldbetemptedtotightenhisgraspshewasoutofit，afootawayfromhimandinfullpossessionofherself。

ThatwasthesteadyFreya。ShewastouchedbythedeepsighwhichfloateduptoherfromthewhitefigureofJasper，whodidnotstir。

"Youareamadkid，"shesaidtremulously。Thenwithachangeoftone："Noonecouldcarrymeoff。Notevenyou。Iamnotthesortofgirlthatgetscarriedoff。"Hiswhiteformseemedtoshrinkalittlebeforetheforceofthatassertionandsherelented。"Isn’titenoughforyoutoknowthatyouhave—thatyouhavecarriedmeaway？"sheaddedinatendertone。

Hemurmuredanendearingword，andshecontinued：

"I’vepromisedyou—I’vesaidIwouldcome—andIshallcomeofmyownfreewill。Youshallwaitformeonboard。Ishallgetuptheside—bymyself，andwalkuptoyouonthedeckandsay：

’HereIam，kid。’Andthen—andthenIshallbecarriedoff。Butitwillbenomanwhowillcarrymeoff—itwillbethebrig，yourbrig—ourbrig……Ilovethebeauty！"

Sheheardaninarticulatesound，somethinglikeamoanwrungoutbypainordelight，andglidedaway。Therewasthatothermanontheotherverandah，thatdark，surlyDutchmanwhocouldmaketroublebetweenJasperandherfather，bringaboutaquarrel，uglywords，andperhapsaphysicalcollision。Whatahorriblesituation！But，evenputtingasidethatawfulextremity，sheshrankfromhavingtoliveforsomethreemonthswithawretched，tormented，angry，distracted，absurdman。Andwhenthedaycame，thedayandthehour，whatshouldshedoifherfathertriedtodetainherbymainforce—aswas，afterall，possible？Couldsheactuallystrugglewithhimhandtohand？Butitwasoflamentationsandentreatiesthatshewasreallyafraid。Couldshewithstandthem？Whatanodious，cruel，ridiculouspositionwouldthatbe！

"Butitwon’tbe。He’llsaynothing，"shethoughtasshecameoutquicklyonthewestverandah，and，seeingthatHeemskirkdidnotmove，satdownonachairnearthedoorwayandkepthereyesonhim。Theoutragedlieutenanthadnotchangedhisattitude；onlyhiscaphadfallenoffhisstomachandwaslyingonthefloor。Histhickblackeyebrowswereknittedbyafrown，whilehelookedatheroutofthecornersofhiseyes。Andtheirsidewaysglanceinconjunctionwiththehookednose，thewholebulky，ungainly，sprawlingperson，struckFreyaassocomicallymoodythat，inwardlydiscomposedasshewas，shecouldnothelpsmiling。Shedidherbesttogivethatsmileaconciliatorycharacter。ShedidnotwanttoprovokeHeemskirkneedlessly。

Andthelieutenant，perceivingthatsmile，wasmollified。Itneverenteredhisheadthathisoutwardappearance，anavalofficer，inuniform，couldappearridiculoustothatgirlofnoposition—thedaughterofoldNielsen。TherecollectionofherarmsroundJasper’sneckstillirritatedandexcitedhim。"Thehussy！"hethought。"Smiling—eh？That’showyouareamusingyourself。

Foolingyourfatherfinely，aren’tyou？Youhaveatasteforthatsortoffun—haveyou？Well，weshallsee—"Hedidnotalterhisposition，butonhispursed—uplipstherealsoappearedasmileofsurlyandill—omenedamusement，whilehiseyesreturnedtothecontemplationofhisboots。

Freyafelthotwithindignation。Shesatradiantlyfairinthelamplight，herstrong，well—shapedhandslyingoneontopoftheotherinherlap……"Odiouscreature，"shethought。Herfacecolouredwithsuddenanger。"Youhavescaredmymaidoutofhersenses，"shesaidaloud。"Whatpossessedyou？"

Hewasthinkingsodeeplyofherthatthesoundofhervoice，pronouncingtheseunexpectedwords，startledhimextremely。HejerkeduphisheadandlookedsobewilderedthatFreyainsistedimpatiently：

"ImeanAntonia。Youhavebruisedherarm。Whatdidyoudoitfor？"

"Doyouwanttoquarrelwithme？"heaskedthickly，withasortofamazement。Heblinkedlikeanowl。Hewasfunny。Freya，likeallwomen，hadakeensenseoftheridiculousinoutwardappearance。

"Well，no；Idon’tthinkIdo。"Shecouldnothelpherself。Shelaughedoutright，aclear，nervouslaughinwhichHeemskirkjoinedsuddenlywithaharsh"Ha，ha，ha！"

Voicesandfootstepswereheardinthepassage，andJasper，witholdNelson，cameout。OldNelsonlookedathisdaughterapprovingly，forhelikedthelieutenanttobekeptingoodhumour。

Andhealsojoinedsympatheticallyinthelaugh。"Now，lieutenant，weshallhavesomedinner，"hesaid，rubbinghishandscheerily。

Jasperhadgonestraighttothebalustrade。Theskywasfullofstars，andinthebluevelvetynightthecovebelowhadadenserblackness，inwhichtheriding—lightsofthebrigandofthegunboatglimmeredredly，likesuspendedsparks。"Nexttimethisriding—lightglimmersdownthere，I’llbewaitingforheronthequarter—decktocomeandsay’HereIam，’"Jasperthought；andhisheartseemedtogrowbiggerinhischest，dilatedbyanoppressivehappinessthatnearlywrungoutacryfromhim。Therewasnowind。

Notaleafbelowhimstirred，andeventheseawasbutastilluncomplainingshadow。Farawayontheuncloudedskythepalelightning，theheat—lightningofthetropics，playedtremulouslyamongstthelowstarsinshort，faint，mysteriouslyconsecutiveflashes，likeincomprehensiblesignalsfromsomedistantplanet。

Thedinnerpassedoffquietly。Freyasatfacingherfather，calmbutpale。HeemskirkaffectedtotalkonlytooldNelson。Jasper’sbehaviourwasexemplary。Hekepthiseyesundercontrol，baskinginthesenseofFreya’snearness，aspeoplebaskinthesunwithoutlookinguptoheaven。Andverysoonafterdinnerwasover，mindfulofhisinstructions，hedeclaredthatitwastimeforhimtogoonboardhisship。

Heemskirkdidnotlookup。Ensconcedintherocking—chair，andpuffingatacheroot，hehadtheairofmeditatingsurlilyoversomeodiousoutbreak。SoatleastitseemedtoFreya。OldNelsonsaidatonce："I’llstrolldownwithyou。"HehadbegunaprofessionalconversationaboutthedangersoftheNewGuineacoast，andwantedtorelatetoJaspersomeexperienceofhisown"overthere。"Jasperwassuchagoodlistener！Freyamadeasiftoaccompanythem，butherfatherfrowned，shookhishead，andnoddedsignificantlytowardstheimmovableHeemskirkblottingoutsmokewithhalf—closedeyesandprotrudedlips。Thelieutenantmustnotbeleftalone。Takeoffence，perhaps。

Freyaobeyedthesesigns。"Perhapsitisbetterformetostay，"

shethought。Womenarenotgenerallypronetoreviewtheirownconduct，stilllesstocondemnit。Theembarrassingmasculineabsurditiesareinthemainresponsibleforitsethics。But，lookingatHeemskirk，Freyafeltregretandevenremorse。Histhickbulkinreposesuggestedtheideaofrepletion，butasamatteroffacthehadeatenverylittle。Hehaddrunkagreatdeal，however。Thefleshylobesofhisunpleasantbigearswithdeeplyfoldedrimswerecrimson。Theyquiteflamedintheneighbourhoodoftheflat，sallowcheeks。Foraconsiderabletimehedidnotraisehisheavybrowneyelids。Tobeatthemercyofsuchacreaturewashumiliating；andFreya，whoalwaysendedbybeingfrankwithherself，thoughtregretfully："IfonlyIhadbeenopenwithpapafromthefirst！Butthenwhatanimpossiblelifehewouldhaveledme！"Yes。Menwereabsurdinmanyways；lovablylikeJasper，impracticablylikeherfather，odiouslylikethatgrotesquelysupinecreatureinthechair。Wasitpossibletotalkhimover？Perhapsitwasnotnecessary？"Oh！Ican’ttalktohim，"shethought。AndwhenHeemskirk，stillwithoutlookingather，beganresolutelytocrushhishalf—smokedcherootonthecoffee—tray，shetookalarm，glidedtowardsthepiano，openeditintremendoushaste，andstruckthekeysbeforeshesatdown。

Inaninstanttheverandah，thewholecarpetlesswoodenbungalowraisedonpiles，becamefilledwithanuproarious，confusedresonance。Butthroughitallsheheard，shefeltonthefloortheheavy，prowlingfootstepsofthelieutenantmovingtoandfroatherback。Hewasnotexactlydrunk，buthewassufficientlyprimedtomakethesuggestionsofhisexcitedimaginationseemperfectlyfeasibleandevenclever；beautifully，unscrupulouslyclever。

Freya，awarethathehadstoppedjustbehindher，wentonplayingwithoutturningherhead。Sheplayedwithspirit，brilliantly，afiercepieceofmusic，butwhenhisvoicereachedhershewentcoldallover。Itwasthevoice，notthewords。Theinsolentfamiliarityoftonedismayedhertosuchanextentthatshecouldnotunderstandatfirstwhathewassaying。Hisutterancewasthick，too。

"Isuspected……OfcourseIsuspectedsomethingofyourlittlegoingson。Iamnotachild。Butfromsuspectingtoseeing—

seeing，youunderstand—there’sanenormousdifference。Thatsortofthing……Come！Oneisn’tmadeofstone。AndwhenamanhasbeenworriedbyagirlasIhavebeenworriedbyyou，MissFreya—

sleepingandwaking，then，ofcourse……ButIamamanoftheworld。Itmustbedullforyouhere……Isay，won’tyouleaveoffthisconfoundedplaying……？"

Thislastwastheonlysentencereallywhichshemadeout。Sheshookherheadnegatively，andindesperationputontheloudpedal，butshecouldnotmakethesoundofthepianocoverhisraisedvoice。

"Only，Iamsurprisedthatyoushould……AnEnglishtradingskipper，acommonfellow。Low，cheekylot，infestingtheseislands。Iwouldmakeshortworkofsuchtrash！Whileyouhavehereagoodfriend，agentlemanreadytoworshipatyourfeet—

yourprettyfeet—anofficer，amanoffamily。Strange，isn’tit？

Butwhatofthat！Youarefitforaprince。"

Freyadidnotturnherhead。Herfacewentstiffwithhorrorandindignation。Thisadventurewasaltogetherbeyondherconceptionofwhatwaspossible。Itwasnotinhercharactertojumpupandrunaway。Itseemedtoher，too，thatifshedidmovetherewasnosayingwhatmighthappen。Presentlyherfatherwouldbeback，andthentheotherwouldhavetoleaveoff。Itwasbesttoignore—toignore。Shewentonplayingloudlyandcorrectly，asthoughshewerealone，asifHeemskirkdidnotexist。Thatproceedingirritatedhim。

"Come！Youmaydeceiveyourfather，"hebawledangrily，"butIamnottobemadeafoolof！Stopthisinfernalnoise……Freya……Hey！YouScandinavianGoddessofLove！Stop！Doyouhear？

That’swhatyouare—oflove。Buttheheathengodsareonlydevilsindisguise，andthat’swhatyouare，too—adeeplittledevil。Stopit，Isay，orIwillliftyouoffthatstool！"

Standingbehindher，hedevouredherwithhiseyes，fromthegoldencrownofherrigidlymotionlessheadtotheheelsofhershoes，thelineofhershapelyshoulders，thecurvesofherfinefigureswayingalittlebeforethekeyboard。Shehadonalightdress；

thesleevesstoppedshortattheelbowsinanedgingoflace。A

satinribbonencircledherwaist。Inanaccessofirresistible，recklesshopefulnessheclappedbothhishandsonthatwaist—andthentheirritatingmusicstoppedatlast。But，quickasshewasinspringingawayfromthecontact（theroundmusic—stoolgoingoverwithacrash），Heemskirk’slips，aimingatherneck，landedahungry，smackingkissjustunderherear。Adeepsilencereignedforatime。Andthenhelaughedratherfeebly。