"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。