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。