第9章

"Hey！Johnnie！Habgotfish？Fish！Onepeeceefish！Eh？Savee？

Fish！Fish——"Hegaveitupsuddenlytosayinadeferentialtone——"Can’tmakethemsavagesunderstandanything，sir，"andwithdrewasifafteracleverfeat。

HassimlookedatLingard。

"Whydidthelittlewhitemanmakethatoutcry？"heasked，anxiously。

"Theirdesireistoeatfish，"saidLingardinanenragedtone。

Thenbeforetheairofextremesurprisewhichincontinentlyappearedontheother’sface，hecouldnotrestrainashortandhopelesslaugh。

"Eatfish，"repeatedHassim，staring。"Oyouwhitepeople！Oyouwhitepeople！Eatfish！Good！Butwhymakethatnoise？Andwhydidyousendthemherewithoutguns？"Afterasignificantglancedownupontheslopeofthedeckcausedbythevesselbeingontheground，headdedwithaslightnodatLingard——"Andwithoutknowledge？"

"Youshouldnothavecomehere，OHassim，"saidLingard，testily。

"Herenooneunderstands。Theytakearajahforafisherman——"

"Ya—wa！Agreatmistake，for，truly，thechiefoftenfugitiveswithoutacountryismuchlessthantheheadmanofafishingvillage，"observedHassim，composedly。Immadasighed。"Butyou，Tuan，atleastknowthetruth，"hewentonwithquietirony；thenafterapause——"Wecameherebecauseyouhadforgottentolooktowardus，whohadwaited，sleepinglittleatnight，andinthedaywatchingwithhoteyestheemptywateratthefootoftheskyforyou。"

Immadamurmured，withoutliftingherhead：

"Youneverlookedforus。Never，neveronce。"

"Therewastoomuchtroubleinmyeyes，"explainedLingardwiththatpatientgentlenessoftoneandfacewhich，everytimehespoketotheyounggirl，seemedtodisengageitselffromhiswholeperson，envelopinghisfierceness，softeninghisaspect，suchasthedreamymistthatintheearlyradianceofthemorningweavesaveiloftendercharmaboutaruggedrockinmid—ocean。

"Imustlooknowtotherightandtotheleftasinatimeofsuddendanger，"headdedafteramomentandshewhisperedanappalled"Why？"solowthatitspainfloatedawayinthesilenceofattentivemen，withoutresponse，unheard，ignored，likethepainofanimpalpablethought。

IV

D’Alcacer，standingback，surveyedthemallwithaprofoundandalertattention。Lingardseemedunabletotearhimselfawayfromtheyacht，andremained，checked，asitwereintheactofgoing，likeamanwhohasstoppedtothinkoutthelastthingtosay；

andthatstillnessofabody，forgottenbythelabouringmind，remindedCarterofthatmomentinthecabin，whenalonehehadseenthismanthuswrestlingwithhisthought，motionlessandlockedinthegripofhisconscience。

Mr。Traversmutteredaudiblythroughhisteeth：

"Howlongisthisperformancegoingtolast？Ihavedesiredyoutogo。"

"Thinkofthesepoordevils，"whisperedLingard，withaquickglanceatthecrewhuddledupnearby。

"YouarethekindofmanIwouldbeleastdisposedtotrust——inanycase，"saidMr。Travers，incisively，verylow，andwithaninexplicablebutveryapparentsatisfaction。"Youareonlywastingyourtimehere。"

"You——You——"Hestammeredandstared。Hechewedwithgrowlssomeinsultingwordandatlastswalloweditwithaneffort。"Mytimepaysforyourlife，"hesaid。

Hebecameawareofasuddenstir，andsawthatMrs。Travershadrisenfromherchair。

Shewalkedimpulsivelytowardthegrouponthequarter—deck，makingstraightforImmada。HassimhadsteppedasideandhisdetachedgazeofaMalaygentlemanpassedbyherasifshehadbeeninvisible。

Shewastall，supple，movingfreely。Hercomplexionwassodazzlingintheshadethatitseemedtothrowoutahaloroundherhead。Uponasmoothandwidebrowanabundanceofpalefairhair，fineassilk，undulatinglikethesea，heavylikeahelmet，descendedlowwithoutatraceofgloss，withoutagleaminitscoils，asthoughithadneverbeentouchedbyarayoflight；andathroatwhite，smooth，palpitatingwithlife，aroundneckmodelledwithstrengthanddelicacy，supportedgloriouslythatradiantfaceandthatpalemassofhairunkissedbysunshine。

Shesaidwithanimation：

"Why，it’sagirl！"

Mrs。Traversextortedfromd’Alcacerafreshtributeofcuriosity。Astrongpuffofwindflutteredtheawningsandoneofthescreensblowingoutwideletinuponthequarter—decktheripplingglitteroftheShallows，showingtod’Alcacertheluminousvastnessofthesea，withthelineofthedistanthorizon，darkliketheedgeoftheencompassingnight，drawnattheheightofMrs。Travers’shoulder……Wherewasithehadseenherlast——alongtimebefore，ontheothersideoftheworld？Therewasalsotheglitterofsplendouraroundherthen，andanimpressionofluminousvastness。Theencompassingnight，too，wasthere，thenightthatwaitsforitstimetomoveforwardupontheglitter，thesplendour，themen，thewomen。

Hecouldnotrememberforthemoment，buthebecameconvincedthatofallthewomenheknew，shealoneseemedtobemadeforaction。Everyoneofhermovementshadfirmness，ease，themeaningofavitalfact，themoralbeautyofafearlessexpression。Hersupplefigurewasnotdishonouredbyanyfalteringofoutlinesundertheplaindressofdarkbluestuffmouldingherformwithboldsimplicity。

Shehadonlyveryfewstepstomake，butbeforeshehadstopped，confrontingImmada，d’Alcacerrememberedhersuddenlyashehadseenherlast，outWest，faraway，impossiblydifferent，asifinanotheruniverse，asifpresentedbythefantasyofafeveredmemory。Hesawherinaluminousperspectiveofpalatialdrawingrooms，intherestlesseddyandflowofahumansea，atthefootofwallshighascliffs，underloftyceilingsthatlikeatropicalskyflunglightandheatupontheshallowglitterofuniforms，ofstars，ofdiamonds，ofeyessparklinginthewearyorimpassivefacesofthethrongatanofficialreception。

Outsidehehadfoundtheunavoidabledarknesswithitsaspectofpatientwaiting，acloudyskyholdingbackthedawnofaLondonmorning。Itwasdifficulttobelieve。

Lingard，whohadbeenlookingdangerouslyfierce，slappedhisthighandshowedsignsofagitation。

"Byheavens，Ihadforgottenallaboutyou！"hepronouncedindismay。

Mrs。TraversfixedhereyesonImmada。Fairhairedandwhitesheassertedherselfbeforethegirlofolivefaceandravenlockswiththematurityofperfection，withthesuperiorityoftheflowerovertheleaf，ofthephrasethatcontainsathoughtoverthecrythatcanonlyexpressanemotion。Immensespacesandcountlesscenturiesstretchedbetweenthem：andshelookedatheraswhenonelooksintoone’sownheartwithabsorbedcuriosity，withstillwonder，withanimmensecompassion。Lingardmurmured，warningly：

"Don’ttouchher。"

Mrs。Traverslookedathim。

"DoyouthinkIcouldhurther？"sheasked，softly，andwassostartledtohearhimmutteragloomy"Perhaps，"thatshehesitatedbeforeshesmiled。

"Almostachild！Andsopretty！Whatadelicateface，"shesaid，whileanotherdeepsighoftheseabreezeliftedandletfallthescreens，sothatthesound，thewind，andtheglitterseemedtorushintogetherandbearherwordsawayintospace。"Ihadnoideaofanythingsocharminglygentle，"shewentoninavoicethatwithouteffortglowed，caressed，andhadamagicpowerofdelighttothesoul。"Soyoung！Andsheliveshere——doesshe？Onthesea——orwhere？Lives——"Thenfaintly，asifshehadbeenintheactofspeaking，removedinstantlytoagreatdistance，shewasheardagain："Howdoesshelive？"

LingardhadhardlyseenEdithTraverstillthen。HehadseennoonereallybutMr。Travers……Helookedandlistenedwithsomethingofthestuporofanewsensation。

Thenhemadeadistinctefforttocollecthisthoughtsandsaidwitharemnantofanger：

"Whathaveyougottodowithher？Sheknowswar。Doyouknowanythingaboutit？Andhunger，too，andthirst，andunhappiness；

thingsyouhaveonlyheardabout。ShehasbeenasneardeathasI

amtoyou——andwhatisallthattoanyofyouhere？"

"Thatchild！"shesaidinslowwonder。

ImmadaturneduponMrs。Travershereyesblackascoal，sparklingandsoftlikeatropicalnight；andtheglancesofthetwowomen，theirdissimilarandinquiringglancesmet，seemedtotouch，clasp，holdeachotherwiththegripofanintimatecontact。Theyseparated。

"Whataretheycomefor？Whydidyoushowthemthewaytothisplace？"askedImmada，faintly。

Lingardshookhisheadindenial。

"Poorgirl，"saidMrs。Travers。"Aretheyallsopretty？"

"Who—all？"mumbledLingard。"Thereisn’tanotheronelikeherifyouweretoransacktheislandsallroundthecompass。"

"Edith！"ejaculatedMr。Traversinaremonstrating，acrimoniousvoice，andeveryonegavehimalookofvaguesurprise。

ThenMrs。Traversasked：

"Whoisshe？"

Lingardveryredandgravedeclaredcurtly：

"Aprincess。"

Immediatelyhelookedroundwithsuspicion。Noonesmiled。

D’Alcacer，courteousandnonchalant，loungedupclosetoMrs。

Travers’elbow。

"Ifsheisaprincess，thenthismanisaknight，"hemurmuredwithconviction。"AknightasIlive！Adescendantoftheimmortalhidalgoerrantuponthesea。Itwouldbegoodforustohavehimforafriend。SeriouslyIthinkthatyouought——"

Thetwosteppedasideandspokelowandhurriedly。

"Yes，youought——"

"HowcanI？"sheinterrupted，catchingthemeaninglikeaball。

"Bysayingsomething。"

"Isitreallynecessary？"sheasked，doubtfully。

"Itwoulddonoharm，"saidd’Alcacerwithsuddencarelessness；

"afriendisalwaysbetterthananenemy。"

"Always？"sherepeated，meaningly。"ButwhatcouldIsay？"

"Somewords，"heanswered；"Ishouldthinkanywordsinyourvoice——"

"Mr。d’Alcacer！"

"Oryoucouldperhapslookathimonceortwiceasthoughhewerenotexactlyarobber，"hecontinued。

"Mr。d’Alcacer，areyouafraid？"

"Extremely，"hesaid，stoopingtopickupthefanatherfeet。

"ThatisthereasonIamsoanxioustoconciliate。Andyoumustnotforgetthatoneofyourqueensoncesteppedonthecloakofperhapssuchaman。"

Hereyessparkledandshedroppedthemsuddenly。

"Iamnotaqueen，"shesaid，coldly。

"Unfortunatelynot，"headmitted；"butthentheotherwasawomanwithnocharmbuthercrown。"

AtthatmomentLingard，towhomHassimhadbeentalkingearnestly，protestedaloud：

"Ineversawthesepeoplebefore。"

Immadacaughtholdofherbrother’sarm。Mr。Traverssaidharshly：

"Obligemebytakingthesenativesaway。"

"Neverbefore，"murmuredImmadaasiflostinecstasy。D’AlcacerglancedatMrs。Traversandmadeastepforward。

"Couldnotthedifficulty，whateveritis，bearranged，Captain？"

hesaidwithcarefulpoliteness。"Observethatwearenotonlymenhere——"

"Letthemdie！"criedImmada，triumphantly。

ThoughLingardaloneunderstoodthemeaningofthesewords，allonboardfeltoppressedbytheuneasysilencewhichfollowedhercry。

"Ah！Heisgoing。Now，Mrs。Travers，"whisperedd’Alcacer。

"Ihope！"saidMrs。Travers，impulsively，andstoppedasifalarmedatthesound。

Lingardstoodstill。

"Ihope，"shebeganagain，"thatthispoorgirlwillknowhappierdays——"Shehesitated。

Lingardwaited，attentiveandserious。

"Underyourcare，"shefinished。"AndIbelieveyoumeanttobefriendlytous。"

"Thankyou，"saidLingardwithdignity。

"Youandd’Alcacer，"observedMr。Travers，austerely，"areunnecessarilydetainingthis——ah——person，and——ah——friends——ah！"

"Ihadforgottenyou——andnow——what？Onemust——itishard——hard——"wentonLingard，disconnectedly，whilehelookedintoMrs。Travers’violeteyes，andfelthismindoverpoweredandtroubledasifbythecontemplationofvastdistances。"I——youdon’tknow——I——you——cannot……Ha！It’sallthatman’sdoing，"

heburstout。

Foratime，asifbesidehimself，heglaredatMrs。Travers，thenflunguponearmandstrodeofftowardthegangway，whereHassimandImmadawaitedforhim，interestedandpatient。Withasingleword"Come，"heprecededthemdownintotheboat。Notasoundwasheardontheyacht’sdeck，whilethesethreedisappearedoneafteranotherbelowtherailasiftheyhaddescendedintothesea。

V

Theafternoondraggeditselfoutinsilence。Mrs。Traverssatpensiveandidlewithherfanonherknees。D’Alcacer，whothoughttheincidentshouldhavebeentreatedinaconciliatoryspirit，attemptedtocommunicatehisviewtohishost，butthatgentleman，purposelymisunderstandinghismotive，overwhelmedhimwithsomanyapologiesandexpressionsofregretattheirksomeandperhapsinconvenientdelay"whichyousufferfromthroughyourgood—naturedacceptanceofourinvitation"thattheotherwasobligedtorefrainfrompursuingthesubjectfurther。

"Evenmyregardforyou，mydeard’Alcacer，couldnotinducemetosubmittosuchabare—facedattemptatextortion，"affirmedMr。Traverswithuncompromisingvirtue。"Themanwantedtoforcehisservicesuponme，andthenputinaheavyclaimforsalvage。

Thatisthewholesecret——youmaydependonit。Idetectedhimatonce，ofcourse。"Theeye—glassglitteredperspicuously。"Heunderratedmyintelligence；andwhataviolentscoundrel！Theexistenceofsuchamaninthetimeweliveinisascandal。"

D’Alcacerretired，and，fullofvagueforebodings，triedinvainforhourstointeresthimselfinabook。Mr。Traverswalkedupanddownrestlessly，tryingtopersuadehimselfthathisindignationwasbasedonpurelymoralgrounds。Theglaringday，likeamassofwhite—hotironwithdrawnfromthefire，waslosinggraduallyitsheatanditsglareinaricherdeepeningoftone。

Attheusualtimetwoseamen，walkingnoiselesslyaftintheiryachtingshoes，rolledupinsilencethequarter—deckscreens；

andthecoast，theshallows，thedarkisletsandthesnowysandbanksuncoveredthusdayafterdaywereseenoncemoreintheiraspectofdumbwatchfulness。Thebrig，swungendonintheforeground，hersquaredyardscrossingheavilythesoaringsymmetryoftherigging，resembledacreatureinstinctwithlife，withthepowerofspringingintoactionlurkinginthelightgraceofitsrepose。

Apairofstewardsinwhitejacketswithbrassbuttonsappearedondeckandbegantoflitaboutwithoutasound，layingthetablefordinnerontheflattopofthecabinskylight。Thesun，driftingawaytowardotherlands，towardotherseas，towardothermen；thesun，allredinacloudlessskyrakedtheyachtwithapartingsalvoofcrimsonraysthatshatteredthemselvesintosparksoffireuponthecrystalandsilverofthedinner—service，putashortflameintothebladesofknives，andspreadarosytintoverthewhiteofplates。Atrailofpurple，likeasmearofbloodonablueshield，layoverthesea。

OnsittingdownMr。Traversalludedinavexedtonetothenecessityoflivingonpreserves，allthestockoffreshprovisionsforthepassagetoBataviahavingbeenalreadyconsumed。Itwasdistinctlyunpleasant。

"Idon’ttravelformypleasure，however，"headded；"andthebeliefthatthesacrificeofmytimeandcomfortwillbeproductiveofsomegoodtotheworldatlargewouldmakeupforanyamountofprivations。"

Mrs。Traversandd’Alcacerseemedunabletoshakeoffastrongaversiontotalk，andtheconversation，likeanexpiringbreeze，keptondyingoutrepeatedlyaftereachlanguidgust。Thelargesilenceofthehorizon，theprofoundreposeofallthingsvisible，envelopingthebodiesandpenetratingthesoulswiththeirquietinginfluence，stilledthoughtaswellasvoice。Foralongtimenoonespoke。Behindthetaciturnityofthemasterstheservantshoveredwithoutnoise。

Suddenly，Mr。Travers，asifconcludingatrainofthought，mutteredaloud：

"IownwithregretIdidinameasurelosemytemper；butthenyouwilladmitthattheexistenceofsuchamanisadisgracetocivilization。"

Thisremarkwasnottakenupandhereturnedforatimetothenursingofhisindignation，atthebottomofwhich，likeamonsterinafog，creptabizarrefeelingofrancour。Hewavedawayanoffereddish。

"Thiscoast，"hebeganagain，"hasbeenplacedunderthesoleprotectionofHollandbytheTreatyof1820。TheTreatyof1820

createsspecialrightsandobligations……"

Bothhishearersfeltvividlytheurgentnecessitytohearnomore。D’Alcacer，uncomfortableonacampstool，satstiffandstaredattheglassstopperofacarafe。Mrs。Traversturnedalittlesidewaysandleaningonherelbowrestedherheadonthepalmofherhandlikeonethinkingaboutmattersofprofoundimport。Mr。Traverstalked；hetalkedinflexibly，inaharshblankvoice，asifreadingaproclamation。Theothertwo，asifinastateofincompletetrance，hadtheirearsassailedbyfragmentsofofficialverbiage。

"Aninternationalunderstanding——thedutytocivilize——failedtocarryout——compact——Canning——"D’Alcacerbecameattentiveforamoment。"——notthatthisattempt，almostamusinginitsimpudence，influencesmyopinion。Iwon’tadmitthepossibilityofanyviolencebeingofferedtopeopleofourposition。ItisthesocialaspectofsuchanincidentIamdesirousofcriticising。"

Hered’AlcacerlosthimselfagainintherecollectionofMrs。

TraversandImmadalookingateachother——thebeginningandtheend，theflowerandtheleaf，thephraseandthecry。Mr。

Travers’voicewentondogmaticandobstinateforalongtime。

Theendcamewithacertainvehemence。

"Andiftheinferiorracemustperish，itisagain，asteptowardtheperfectingofsocietywhichistheaimofprogress。"

Heceased。Thesparksofsunsetincrystalandsilverhadgoneout，andaroundtheyachttheexpanseofcoastandShallowsseemedtoawait，unmoved，thecomingofutterdarkness。Thedinnerwasoveralongtimeagoandthepatientstewardshadbeenwaiting，stoicalinthedownpourofwordslikesentriesunderashower。

Mrs。Traversrosenervouslyandgoingaftbegantogazeatthecoast。Behindherthesun，sunkalready，seemedtoforcethroughthemassofwaterstheglowofanunextinguishablefire，andbelowherfeet，oneachsideoftheyacht，thelustroussea，asifreflectingthecolourofhereyes，wastingedasombreviolethue。

D’Alcacercameuptoherwithquietfootstepsandforsometimetheyleanedsidebysideovertherailinsilence。Thenhesaid——"Howquietitis！"andsheseemedtoperceivethatthequietnessofthateveningwasmoreprofoundandmoresignificantthaneverbefore。Almostwithoutknowingitshemurmured——"It’slikeadream。"Anotherlongsilenceensued；thetranquillityoftheuniversehadsuchanAugustamplenessthatthesoundsremainedonthelipsasifcheckedbythefearofprofanation。

Theskywaslimpidlikeadiamond，andunderthelastgleamsofsunsetthenightwasspreadingitsveilovertheearth。Therewassomethingpreciousandsoothinginthebeautifullysereneendofthatexpiringday，ofthedayvibrating，glitteringandardent，anddyingnowininfinitepeace，withoutastir，withoutatremor，withoutasigh——inthecertitudeofresurrection。

Thenallatoncetheshadowdeepenedswiftly，thestarscameoutinacrowd，scatteringarainofpalesparksupontheblacknessofthewater，whilethecoaststretchedlowdown，adarkbeltwithoutagleam。Aboveitthetop—hamperofthebrigloomedindistinctandhigh。

Mrs。Traversspokefirst。

"Howunnaturallyquiet！Itislikeadesertoflandandwaterwithoutalivingsoul。"

"Onemanatleastdwellsinit，"saidd’Alcacer，lightly，"andifheistobebelievedthereareothermen，fullofevilintentions。"

"Doyouthinkitistrue？"Mrs。Traversasked。

Beforeansweringd’Alcacertriedtoseetheexpressionofherfacebuttheobscuritywastooprofoundalready。

"Howcanoneseeadarktruthonsuchadarknight？"hesaid，evasively。"Butitiseasytobelieveinevil，hereoranywhereelse。"

Sheseemedtobelostinthoughtforawhile。

"Andthatmanhimself？"sheasked。

Aftersometimed’Alcacerbegantospeakslowly。"Rough，uncommon，decidedlyuncommonofhiskind。NotatallwhatDonMartinthinkshimtobe。Fortherest——mysterioustome。HeisYOURcountrymanafterall——"

Sheseemedquitesurprisedbythatview。

"Yes，"shesaid，slowly。"Butyouknow，Icannot——whatshallI

say？——imaginehimatall。HehasnothingincommonwiththemankindIknow。Thereisnothingtobeginupon。Howdoessuchamanlive？Whatarehisthoughts？Hisactions？Hisaffections？

His——"

"Hisconventions，"suggestedd’Alcacer。"Thatwouldincludeeverything。"

Mr。Traversappearedsuddenlybehindthemwithaglowingcigarinhisteeth。Hetookitbetweenhisfingerstodeclarewithpersistentacrimonythatnoamountof"scoundrellyintimidation"

wouldpreventhimfromhavinghisusualwalk。Therewasaboutthreehundredyardstothesouthwardoftheyachtasandbanknearlyamilelong，gleamingasilverywhiteinthedarkness，plumettedinthecentrewithathicketofdrybushesthatrustledveryloudintheslighteststiroftheheavynightair。Thedayafterthestrandingtheyhadlandedonit"tostretchtheirlegsabit，"asthesailing—masterdefinedit，andeveryeveningsince，asifexercisingaprivilegeorperformingaduty，thethreepacedthereforanhourbackwardandforwardlostinduskyimmensity，threadingattheedgeofwaterthebeltofdampsand，smooth，level，elastictothetouchlikelivingfleshandsweatingalittleunderthepressureoftheirfeet。

Thistimed’AlcaceralonefollowedMr。Travers。Mrs。Traversheardthemgetintotheyacht’ssmallestboat，andthenight—watchman，tuggingatapairofsculls，pulledthemofftothenearestpoint。Thenthemanreturned。Hecameuptheladderandsheheardhimsaytosomeoneondeck：

"Orderstogobackinanhour。"

Hisfootstepsdiedoutforward，andasomnolent，unbreathingreposetookpossessionofthestrandedyacht。

VI

AfteratimethisabsolutesilencewhichshealmostcouldfeelpressinguponheronallsidesinducedinMrs。Traversastateofhallucination。Shesawherselfstandingalone，attheendoftime，onthebrinkofdays。Allwasunmovingasifthedawnwouldnevercome，thestarswouldneverfade，thesunwouldneverriseanymore；allwasmute，still，dead——asiftheshadowoftheouterdarkness，theshadowoftheuninterrupted，oftheeverlastingnightthatfillstheuniverse，theshadowofthenightsoprofoundandsovastthattheblazingsunslostinitareonlylikesparks，likepin—pointsoffire，therestlessshadowthatlikeasuspicionofaneviltruthdarkenseverythingupontheearthonitspassage，hadenvelopedher，hadstoodarrestedasiftoremainwithherforever。

Andtherewassuchafinalityinthatillusion，suchanaccordwiththetrendofherthoughtthatwhenshemurmuredintothedarknessafaint"sobeit"sheseemedtohavespokenoneofthosesentencesthatresumeandclosealife。

Asayounggirl，oftenreprovedforherromanticideas，shehaddreamswherethesincerityofagreatpassionappearedliketheidealfulfilmentandtheonlytruthoflife。Enteringtheworldshediscoveredthatidealtobeunattainablebecausetheworldistooprudenttobesincere。Thenshehopedthatshecouldfindthetruthoflifeanambitionwhichsheunderstoodasalifelongdevotiontosomeunselfishideal。Mr。Travers’namewasonmen’slips；heseemedcapableofenthusiasmandofdevotion；heimpressedherimaginationbyhisimpenetrability。Shemarriedhim，foundhimenthusiasticallydevotedtothenursingofhisowncareer，andhadnothingtohopefornow。

Thatherhusbandshouldbebewilderedbythecuriousmisunderstandingwhichhadtakenplaceandalsopermanentlygrievedbyherdisloyaltytohisrespectableidealswasonlynatural。Hewas，however，perfectlysatisfiedwithherbeauty，herbrilliance，andherusefulconnections。Shewasadmired，shewasenvied；shewassurroundedbysplendourandadulation；thedayswentonrapid，brilliant，uniform，withoutaglimpseofsincerityortruepassion，withoutasingletrueemotion——noteventhatofagreatsorrow。Andswiftlyandstealthilytheyhadledheronandon，tothisevening，tothiscoast，tothissea，tothismomentoftimeandtothisspotontheearth’ssurfacewhereshefeltunerringlythatthemovingshadowoftheunbrokennighthadstoodstilltoremainwithherforever。

"Sobeit！"shemurmured，resignedanddefiant，atthemuteandsmoothobscuritythathungbeforehereyesinablackcurtainwithoutafold；andasifinanswertothatwhisperalanternwasrunuptotheforeyard—armofthebrig。Shesawitascendswingingfora。shortspace，andsuddenlyremainmotionlessintheair，piercingthedensenightbetweenthetwovesselsbyitsglanceofflamethatstrongandsteadyseemed，fromafar，tofalluponheralone。