\"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！
