Hewasdisconcertedsomewhatbyherwhite，stillface，thebiglightvioleteyesrestingonhimstonily。Shehadnotutteredasound。Shefacedhim，steadyingherselfonthecornerofthepianowithoneextendedhand。Theotherwentonrubbingwithmechanicalpersistencytheplacehislipshadtouched。
\"What’sthetrouble？\"hesaid，offended。\"Startledyou？Lookhere：don’tletushaveanyofthatnonsense。Youdon’tmeantosayakissfrightensyousomuchasallthat……Iknowbetter……Idon’tmeantobeleftoutinthecold。\"
Hehadbeengazingintoherfacewithsuchstrainedintentnessthathecouldnolongerseeitdistinctly。Everythingroundhimwasrathermisty。Heforgottheoverturnedstool，caughthisfootagainstit，andlurchedforwardslightly，sayinginaningratiatingtone：
\"I’mnotbadfun，really。Youtryafewkissestobeginwith—\"
Hesaidnomore，becausehisheadreceivedaterrificconcussion，accompaniedbyanexplosivesound。Freyahadswungherround，strongarmwithsuchforcethattheimpactofheropenpalmonhisflatcheekturnedhimhalfround。Utteringafaint，hoarseyell，thelieutenantclappedbothhishandstotheleftsideofhisface，whichhadtakenonsuddenlyaduskybrick—redtinge。Freya，veryerect，hervioleteyesdarkened，herpalmstilltinglingfromtheblow，asortofrestraineddeterminedsmileshowingatinygleamofherwhiteteeth，heardherfather’srapid，heavytreadonthepathbelowtheverandah。Herexpressionlostitspugnacityandbecamesincerelyconcerned。Shewassorryforherfather。Shestoopedquicklytopickupthemusic—stool，asifanxioustoobliteratethetraces……Butthatwasnogood。Shehadresumedherattitude，onehandrestinglightlyonthepiano，beforeoldNelsongotuptothetopofthestairs。
Poorfather！Howfurioushewillbe—howupset！Andafterwards，whattremors，whatunhappiness！Whyhadshenotbeenopenwithhimfromthefirst？Hisround，innocentstareofamazementcuthertothequick。Buthewasnotlookingather。HisstarewasdirectedtoHeemskirk，who，withhisbacktohimandwithhishandsstilluptohisface，washissingcursesthroughhisteeth，and（shesawhiminprofile）glaringatherbalefullywithoneblack，evileye。
\"What’sthematter？\"askedoldNelson，verymuchbewildered。
Shedidnotanswerhim。ShethoughtofJasperonthedeckofthebrig，gazingupatthelightedbungalow，andshefeltfrightened。
Itwasamercythatoneofthematleastwasonboardoutoftheway。Sheonlywishedhewereahundredmilesoff。Andyetshewasnotcertainthatshedid。HadJasperbeenmysteriouslymovedthatmomenttoreappearontheverandahshewouldhavethrownherconsistency，herfirmness，herself—possession，tothewinds，andflownintohisarms。
\"Whatisit？Whatisit？\"insistedtheunsuspectingNelson，gettingquiteexcited。\"Onlythisminuteyouwereplayingatune，and—\"
Freya，unabletospeakinherapprehensionofwhatwascoming（shewasalsofascinatedbythatblack，evil，glaringeye），onlynoddedslightlyatthelieutenant，asmuchastosay：\"Justlookathim！\"
\"Why，yes！\"exclaimedoldNelson。\"Isee。Whatonearth—\"
MeantimehehadcautiouslyapproachedHeemskirk，who，burstingintoincoherentimprecations，wasstampingwithbothfeetwherehestood。Theindignityoftheblow，therageofbaffledpurpose，theridiculeoftheexposure，andtheimpossibilityofrevengemaddenedhimtoapointwhenhesimplyfelthemusthowlwithfury。
\"Oh，oh，oh！\"hehowled，stampingacrosstheverandahasthoughhemeanttodrivehisfootthroughthefloorateverystep。
\"Why，ishisfacehurt？\"askedtheastoundedoldNelson。Thetruthdawnedsuddenlyuponhisinnocentmind。\"Dearme！\"hecried，enlightened。\"Getsomebrandy，quick，Freya……Youaresubjecttoit，lieutenant？Fiendish，eh？Iknow，Iknow！Usedtogocrazyallofasuddenmyselfinthetime……Andthelittlebottleoflaudanumfromthemedicine—chest，too，Freya。Looksharp……Don’tyouseehe’sgotatoothache？\"
And，indeed，whatotherexplanationcouldhavepresenteditselftotheguilelessoldNelson，beholdingthischeeknursedwithbothhands，thesewildglances，thesestampings，thisdistractedswayingofthebody？Itwouldhavedemandedapreternaturalacutenesstohituponthetruecause。Freyahadnotmoved。ShewatchedHeemskirk’ssavagelyinquiring，blackstaredirectedstealthilyuponherself。\"Aha，youwouldliketobeletoff！\"shesaidtoherself。Shelookedathimunflinchingly，thinkingitout。Thetemptationofmakinganendofitallwithoutfurthertroublewasirresistible。Shegaveanalmostimperceptiblenodofassent，andglidedaway。
\"Hurryupthatbrandy！\"oldNelsonshouted，asshedisappearedinthepassage。
HeemskirkrelievedhisdeeperfeelingsbyasuddenstringofcursesinDutchandEnglishwhichhesentafterher。Heravedtohisheart’scontent，flingingtoandfrotheverandahandkickingchairsoutofhisway；whileNelson（orNielsen），whosesympathywasprofoundlystirredbytheseevidencesofagonisingpain，hoveredroundhisdear（anddreaded）lieutenant，fussinglikeanoldhen。
\"Dearme，dearme！Isitsobad？Iknowwellwhatitis。Iusedtofrightenmypoorwifesometimes。Doyougetitoftenlikethis，lieutenant？\"
Heemskirkshoulderedhimviciouslyoutofhisway，withashort，insanelaugh。Buthisstaggeringhosttookitingoodpart；amanbesidehimselfwithexcruciatingtoothacheisnotresponsible。
\"Gointomyroom，lieutenant，\"hesuggestedurgently。\"Throwyourselfonmybed。Wewillgetsomethingtoeaseyouinaminute。\"
Heseizedthepoorsuffererbythearmandforcedhimgentlyonwardstotheverybed，onwhichHeemskirk，inarenewedaccessofrage，flunghimselfdownwithsuchforcethathereboundedfromthemattresstotheheightofquiteafoot。
\"Dearme！\"exclaimedthescaredNelson，andincontinentlyranofftohurryupthebrandyandthelaudanum，veryangrythatsolittlealacritywasshowninrelievingthetorturesofhispreciousguest。
Intheendhegotthesethingshimself。
Halfanhourlaterhestoodintheinnerpassageofthehouse，surprisedbyfaint，spasmodicsoundsofamysteriousnature，betweenlaughterandsobs。Hefrowned；thenwentstraighttowardshisdaughter’sroomandknockedatthedoor。
Freya，hergloriousfairhairframingherwhitefaceandripplingdownadark—bluedressing—gown，openeditpartly。
Thelightintheroomwasdim。Antonia，crouchinginacorner，rockedherselfbackwardsandforwards，utteringfeeblemoans。OldNelsonhadnotmuchexperienceinvariouskindsoffemininelaughter，buthewascertaintherehadbeenlaughterthere。
\"Veryunfeeling，veryunfeeling！\"hesaid，withweightydispleasure。\"Whatistheresoamusinginamanbeinginpain？I
shouldhavethoughtawoman—ayounggirl—\"
\"Hewassofunny，\"murmuredFreya，whoseeyesglistenedstrangelyinthesemi—obscurityofthepassage。\"Andthen，youknow，Idon’tlikehim，\"sheadded，inanunsteadyvoice。
\"Funny！\"repeatedoldNelson，amazedatthisevidenceofcallousnessinonesoyoung。\"Youdon’tlikehim！Doyoumeantosaythat，becauseyoudon’tlikehim，you—Why，it’ssimplycruel！
Don’tyouknowit’sabouttheworstsortofpainthereis？Dogshavebeenknowntogomadwithit。\"
\"Hecertainlyseemedtohavegonemad，\"Freyasaidwithaneffort，asifshewerestrugglingwithsomehiddenfeeling。
Butherfatherwaslaunched。
\"Andyouknowhowheis。Henoticeseverything。Heisafellowtotakeoffencefortheleastlittlething—regularDutchman—andI
wanttokeepfriendlywithhim。It’slikethis，mygirl：ifthatrajahofoursweretodosomethingsilly—andyouknowheisasulky，rebelliousbeggar—andtheauthoritiestookintotheirheadsthatmyinfluenceoverhimwasn’tgood，youwouldfindyourselfwithoutaroofoveryourhead—\"
Shecried：\"Whatnonsense，father！\"inanotveryassuredtone，anddiscoveredthathewasangry，angryenoughtoachieveirony；
yes，oldNelson（orNielsen），irony！Justagleamofit。
\"Oh，ofcourse，ifyouhavemeansofyourown—amansion，aplantationthatIknownothingof—\"Buthewasnotcapableofsustainedirony。\"Itellyoutheywouldbundlemeoutofhere，\"hewhisperedforcibly；\"withoutcompensation，ofcourse。IknowtheseDutch。Andthelieutenant’sjustthefellowtostartthetroublegoing。Hehastheearofinfluentialofficials。Iwouldn’toffendhimforanything—foranything—onnoconsiderationwhatever……Whatdidyousay？\"
Itwasonlyaninarticulateexclamation。Ifsheeverhadahalf—
formedintentionoftellinghimeverythingshehadgivenitupnow。
Itwasimpossible，bothoutofregardforhisdignityandforthepeaceofhispoormind。
\"Idon’tcareforhimmyselfverymuch，\"oldNelson’ssubduedundertoneconfessedinasigh。\"He’seasiernow，\"hewenton，afterasilence。\"I’vegivenhimupmybedforthenight。Ishallsleeponmyverandah，inthehammock。No；Ican’tsayIlikehimeither，butfromthattolaughatamanbecausehe’sdrivencrazywithpainisalongway。You’vesurprisedme，Freya。Thatsideofhisfaceisquiteflushed。\"
Hershouldersshookconvulsivelyunderhishands，whichhelaidonherpaternally。Hisstraggly，wirymoustachebrushedherforeheadinagood—nightkiss。Sheclosedthedoor，andwentawayfromittothemiddleoftheroombeforesheallowedherselfatired—outsortoflaugh，withoutbuoyancy。
\"Flushed！Alittleflushed！\"sherepeatedtoherself。\"Ihopeso，indeed！Alittle—\"
Hereyelasheswerewet。Antonia，inhercorner，moanedandgiggled，anditwasimpossibletotellwherethemoansendedandthegigglesbegan。
Themistressandthemaidhadbeensomewhathysterical，forFreya，onfleeingintoherroom，hadfoundAntoniathere，andhadtoldhereverything。
\"Ihaveavengedyou，mygirl，\"sheexclaimed。
Andthentheyhadlaughinglycriedandcryinglylaughedwithadmonitions—\"Ssh，notsoloud！Bequiet！\"ononepart，andinterludesof\"Iamsofrightened……He’sanevilman，\"ontheother。
AntoniawasverymuchafraidofHeemskirk。Shewasafraidofhimbecauseofhispersonalappearance：becauseofhiseyesandhiseyebrows，andhismouthandhisnoseandhislimbs。Nothingcouldbemorerational。Andshethoughthimanevilman，because，tohereyes，helookedevil。Nogroundforanopinioncouldbesounder。
Inthedimnessoftheroom，withonlyanightlightburningattheheadofFreya’sbed，thecameristacreptoutofhercornertocrouchatthefeetofhermistress，supplicatinginwhispers：
\"There’sthebrig。CaptainAllen。Letusrunawayatonce—oh，letusrunaway！Iamsofrightened。Letus！Letus！\"
\"I！Runaway！\"thoughtFreyatoherself，withoutlookingdownatthescaredgirl。\"Never。\"
Boththeresolutemistressunderthemosquito—netandthefrightenedmaidlyingcurleduponamatatthefootofthebeddidnotsleepverywellthatnight。ThepersonthatdidnotsleepatallwasLieutenantHeemskirk。Helayonhisbackstaringvindictivelyinthedarkness。Inflamingimagesandhumiliatingreflectionssucceededeachotherinhismind，keepingup，augmentinghisanger。Aprettytalethistogetabout！Butitmustnotbeallowedtogetabout。Theoutragehadtobeswallowedinsilence。Aprettyaffair！Fooled，ledon，andstruckbythegirl—andprobablyfooledbythefather，too。Butno。Nielsenwasbutanothervictimofthatshamelesshussy，thatbrazenminx，thatsly，laughing，kissing，lying……
\"No；hedidnotdeceivemeonpurpose，\"thoughtthetormentedlieutenant。\"ButIshouldliketopayhimoff，allthesame，forbeingsuchanimbecile—\"
Well，someday，perhaps。Onethinghewasfirmlyresolvedon：hehadmadeuphismindtostealearlyoutofthehouse。Hedidnotthinkhecouldfacethegirlwithoutgoingoutofhismindwithfury。
\"Fireandperdition！Tenthousanddevils！Ishallchokeherebeforethemorning！\"hemutteredtohimself，lyingrigidonhisbackonoldNelson’sbed，hisbreastheavingforair。
Hearoseatdaylightandstartedcautiouslytoopenthedoor。
Faintsoundsinthepassagealarmedhim，andremainingconcealedhesawFreyacomingout。Thisunexpectedsightdeprivedhimofallpowertomoveawayfromthecrackofthedoor。Itwasthenarrowestcrackpossible，butcommandingtheviewoftheendoftheverandah。Freyamadeforthatendhastilytowatchthebrigpassingthepoint。Sheworeherdarkdressing—gown；herfeetwerebare，because，havingfallenasleeptowardsthemorning，sheranoutheadlonginherfearofbeingtoolate。Heemskirkhadneverseenherlookinglikethis，withherhairdrawnbacksmoothlytotheshapeofherhead，andhanginginoneheavy，fairtressdownherback，andwiththatairofextremeyouth，intensity，andeagerness。Andatfirsthewasamazed，andthenhegnashedhisteeth。Hecouldnotfaceheratall。Hemutteredacurse，andkeptstillbehindthedoor。
Withalow，deep—breathed\"Ah！\"whenshefirstsawthebrigalreadyunderway，shereachedforNelson’slongglassreposingonbracketshighupthewall。Thewidesleeveofthedressing—gownslippedback，uncoveringherwhitearmasfarastheshoulder。Heemskirkgrippingthedoor—handle，asiftocrushit，feltlikeamanjustrisentohisfeetfromadrinkingbout。
AndFreyaknewthathewaswatchingher。Sheknew。Shehadseenthedoormoveasshecameoutofthepassage。Shewasawareofhiseyesbeingonher，withscornfulbitterness，withtriumphantcontempt。
\"Youarethere，\"shethought，levellingthelongglass。\"Oh，well，lookon，then！\"
Thegreenisletsappearedlikeblackshadows，theashenseawassmoothasglass，theclearrobeofthecolourlessdawn，inwhicheventhebrigappearedshadowy，hadahemoflightintheeast。
DirectlyFreyahadmadeoutJasperondeck，withhisownlongglassdirectedtothebungalow，shelaidhersdownandraisedbothherbeautifulwhitearmsaboveherhead。Inthatattitudeofsupremecryshestoodstill，glowingwiththeconsciousnessofJasper’sadorationgoingouttoherfigureheldinthefieldofhisglassawaythere，andwarmed，too，bythefeelingofevilpassion，theburning，covetouseyesoftheother，fastenedonherback。Inthefervourofherlove，inthecapriceofhermind，andwiththatmysteriousknowledgeofmasculinenaturewomenseemtobebornto，shethought：
\"Youarelookingon—youwill—youmust！Thenyoushallseesomething。\"
Shebroughtbothherhandstoherlips，thenflungthemout，sendingakissoverthesea，asifshewantedtothrowherheartalongwithitonthedeckofthebrig。Herfacewasrosy，hereyesshone。Herrepeated，passionategestureseemedtoflingkissesbythehundredagainandagainandagain，whiletheslowlyascendingsunbroughtthegloryofcolourtotheworld，turningtheisletsgreen，theseablue，thebrigbelowherwhite—dazzlinglywhiteinthespreadofherwings—withtheredensignstreaminglikeatinyflamefromthepeak。
Andeachtimeshemurmuredwitharisinginflexion：
\"Takethis—andthis—andthis—\"tillsuddenlyherarmsfell。
Shehadseentheensigndippedinresponse，andnextmomentthepointbelowhidthehullofthebrigfromherview。Thensheturnedawayfromthebalustrade，and，passingslowlybeforethedoorofherfather’sroomwithhereyelidslowered，andanenigmaticexpressiononherface，shedisappearedbehindthecurtain。
Butinsteadofgoingalongthepassage，sheremainedconcealedandverystillontheothersidetowatchwhatwouldhappen。Forsometimethebroad，furnishedverandahremainedempty。ThenthedoorofoldNelson’sroomcameopensuddenly，andHeemskirkstaggeredout。Hishairwasrumpled，hiseyesbloodshot，hisunshavenfacelookedverydark。Hegazedwildlyabout，sawhiscaponatable，snatcheditup，andmadeforthestairsquietly，butwithastrange，totteringgait，likethelasteffortofwaningstrength。
Shortlyafterhisheadhadsunkbelowthelevelofthefloor，Freyacameoutfrombehindthecurtain，withcompressed，scheminglips，andnosoftnessatallinherluminouseyes。Hecouldnotbeallowedtosneakoffscotfree。Never—never！Shewasexcited，shetingledallover，shehadtastedblood！Hemustbemadetounderstandthatshehadbeenawareofhavingbeenwatched；hemustknowthathehadbeenseenslinkingoffshamefully。Buttoruntothefrontrailandshoutafterhimwouldhavebeenchildish，crude—undignified。Andtoshout—what？Whatword？Whatphrase？No；
itwasimpossible。Thenhow？……Shefrowned，discoveredit，dashedatthepiano，whichhadstoodopenallnight，andmadetherosewoodmonstergrowlsavageryinanirritatedbass。Shestruckchordsasiffiringshotsafterthatstraddling，broadfigureinamplewhitetrousersandadarkuniformjacketwithgoldshoulder—
straps，andthenshepursuedhimwiththesamethingshehadplayedtheeveningbefore—amodern，fiercepieceoflovemusicwhichhadbeentriedmorethanonceagainstthethunderstormsofthegroup。
Sheaccentuateditsrhythmwithtriumphantmalice，soabsorbedinherpurposethatshedidnotnoticethepresenceofherfather，who，wearinganoldthreadbareulsterofacheckpatternoverhissleepingsuit，hadrunoutfromthebackverandahtoinquirethereasonofthisuntimelyperformance。Hestaredather。
\"Whatonearth？……Freya！\"Hisvoicewasnearlydrownedbythepiano。\"What’sbecomeofthelieutenant？\"heshouted。
Shelookedupathimasifhersoulwerelostinhermusic，withunseeingeyes。
\"Gone。\"
\"Wha—a—t？……Where？\"
Sheshookherheadslightly，andwentonplayinglouderthanbefore。OldNelson’sinnocentlyanxiousgazestartingfromtheopendoorofhisroom，exploredthewholeplacehighandlow，asifthelieutenantweresomethingsmallwhichmighthavebeencrawlingonthefloororclingingtoawall。Butashrillwhistlecomingsomewherefrombelowpiercedtheamplevolumeofsoundrollingoutofthepianoingreat，vibratingwaves。Thelieutenantwasdownatthecove，whistlingfortheboattocomeandtakehimofftohisship。Andheseemedtobeinaterrifichurry，too，forhewhistledagainalmostdirectly，waitedforamoment，andthensentoutalong，interminable，shrillcallasdistressfultohearasthoughhehadshriekedwithoutdrawingbreath。Freyaceasedplayingsuddenly。
\"Goingonboard，\"saidoldNelson，perturbedbytheevent。\"Whatcouldhavemadehimclearoutsoearly？Queerchap。Devilishlytouchy，too！Ishouldn’twonderifitwasyourconductlastnightthathurthisfeelings？Inoticedyou，Freya。Youaswellaslaughedinhisface，whilehewassufferingagoniesfromneuralgia。
Itisn’tthewaytogetyourselfliked。He’soffendedwithyou。\"
Freya’shandsnowreposedpassiveonthekeys；shebowedherfairhead，feelingasuddendiscontent，anervouslassitude，asthoughshehadpassedthroughsomeexhaustingcrisis。OldNelson（orNielsen），lookingaggrieved，wasrevolvingmattersofpolicyinhisbaldhead。
\"Ithinkitwouldberightformetogoonboardjusttoinquire，sometimethismorning，\"hedeclaredfussily。\"Whydon’ttheybringmemymorningtea？Doyouhear，Freya？Youhaveastonishedme，Imustsay。Ididn’tthinkayounggirlcouldbesounfeeling。
Andthelieutenantthinkshimselfafriendofours，too！What？
No？Well，hecallshimselfafriend，andthat’ssomethingtoapersoninmyposition。Certainly！Oh，yes，Imustgoonboard。\"
\"Mustyou？\"murmuredFreyalistlessly；thenadded，inherthought：
\"Poorman！\"
CHAPTERV
Inrespectofthenextsevenweeks，allthatisnecessarytosayis，first，thatoldNelson（orNielsen）failedinpayinghispoliticcall。TheNeptungunboatofH。M。theKingoftheNetherlands，commandedbyanoutragedandinfuriatedlieutenant，leftthecoveatanunexpectedlyearlyhour。WhenFreya’sfathercamedowntotheshore，afterseeinghispreciouscropoftobaccospreadoutproperlyinthesun，shewasalreadysteamingroundthepoint。OldNelsonregrettedthecircumstanceformanydays。
\"Now，Idon’tknowinwhatdispositionthemanwentaway，\"helamentedtohisharddaughter。Hewasamazedatherhardness。Hewasalmostfrightenedbyherindifference。
Next，itmustberecordedthatthesamedaythegunboatNeptun，steeringeast，passedthebrigBonitobecalmedinsightofCarimata，withherheadtotheeastward，too。Hercaptain，JasperAllen，givinghimselfupconsciouslytoatender，possessivereverieofhisFreya，didnotgetoutofhislongchaironthepooptolookattheNeptunwhichpassedsoclosethatthesmokebelchingoutsuddenlyfromhershortblackfunnelrolledbetweenthemastsoftheBonito，obscuringforamomentthesunlitwhitenessofhersails，consecratedtotheserviceoflove。Jasperdidnoteventurnhisheadforaglance。ButHeemskirk，onthebridge，hadgazedlongandearnestlyatthebrigfromthedistance，grippinghardthebrassrailinfrontofhim，till，thetwoshipsclosing，helostallconfidenceinhimself，andretreatingtothechartroom，pulledthedoortowithacrash。There，hisbrowsknitted，hismouthdrawnononesideinsardonicmeditation，hesatthroughmanystillhours—asortofPrometheusinthebondsofunholydesire，havinghisveryvitalstornbythebeakandclawsofhumiliatedpassion。
Thatspeciesoffowlisnottobeshooedoffaseasilyasachicken。Fooled，cheated，deceived，ledon，outraged，mockedat—
beakandclaws！Asinisterbird！ThelieutenanthadnomindtobecomethetalkoftheArchipelago，asthenavalofficerwhohadhadhisfaceslappedbyagirl。Wasitpossiblethatshereallylovedthatrascallytrader？Hetriednottothink，but，worsethanthoughts，definiteimpressionsbesethiminhisretreat。Hesawher—avisionplain，closeto，detailed，plastic，coloured，lightedup—hesawherhangingroundtheneckofthatfellow。Andheshuthiseyes，onlytodiscoverthatthiswasnoremedy。Thenapianobegantoplaynearby，veryplainly；andheputhisfingerstohisearswithnobettereffect。Itwasnottobeborne—notinsolitude。Heboltedoutofthechartroom，andtalkedofindifferentthingssomewhatwildlywiththeofficerofthewatchonthebridge，tothemockingaccompanimentofaghostlypiano。
ThelastthingtoberecordedisthatLieutenantHeemskirkinsteadofpursuinghiscoursetowardsTernate，wherehewasexpected，wentoutofhiswaytocallatMakassar，wherenoonewaslookingforhisarrival。Oncethere，hegavecertainexplanationsandlaidacertainproposalbeforethegovernor，orsomeotherauthority，andobtainedpermissiontodowhathethoughtfitinthesematters。
ThereupontheNeptun，givingupTernatealtogether，steamednorthinviewofthemountainouscoastofCelebes，andthencrossingthebroadstraitstookupherstationonthelowcoastofvirginforests，inviolateandmute，inwatersphosphorescentatnight；
deepblueindaytimewithgleaminggreenpatchesoverthesubmergedreefs。FordaystheNeptuncouldbeseenmovingsmoothlyupanddownthesombrefaceoftheshore，orhangingaboutwithawatchfulairnearthesilverybreaksofbroadestuaries，underthegreatluminousskyneversoftened，neverveiled，andfloodingtheearthwiththeeverlastingsunshineofthetropics—thatsunshinewhich，initsunbrokensplendour，oppressesthesoulwithaninexpressiblemelancholymoreintimate，morepenetrating，moreprofoundthanthegreysadnessofthenorthernmists。
ThetradingbrigBonitoappearedglidingroundasombreforest—cladpointoflandonthesilveryestuaryofagreatriver。Thebreathofairthatgavehermotionwouldnothaveflutteredtheflameofatorch。Shestoleoutintotheopenfrombehindaveilofunstirringleaves，mysteriouslysilent，ghostlywhite，andsolemnlystealthyinherimperceptibleprogress；andJasper，hiselbowinthemainrigging，andhisheadleaningagainsthishand，thoughtofFreya。Everythingintheworldremindedhimofher。ThebeautyofthelovedwomanexistsinthebeautiesofNature。Theswellingoutlinesofthehills，thecurvesofacoast，thefreesinuositiesofariverarelesssuavethantheharmoniouslinesofherbody，andwhenshemoves，glidinglightly，thegraceofherprogresssuggeststhepowerofoccultforceswhichrulethefascinatingaspectsofthevisibleworld。
Dependentonthingsasallmenare，Jasperlovedhisvessel—thehouseofhisdreams。HelenttohersomethingofFreya’ssoul。
Herdeckwasthefootholdoftheirlove。Thepossessionofhisbrigappeasedhispassioninasoothingcertitudeofhappinessalreadyconquered。
Thefullmoonwassomewayup，perfectandserene，floatinginairascalmandlimpidastheglanceofFreya’seyes。Therewasnotasoundinthebrig。
\"Heresheshallstand，bymyside，oneveningslikethis，\"hethought，withrapture。
Anditwasatthatmoment，inthispeace，inthisserenity，underthefull，benigngazeofthemoonpropitioustolovers，onaseawithoutawrinkle，underaskywithoutacloud，asifallNaturehadassumeditsmostclementmoodinaspiritofmockery，thatthegunboatNeptun，detachingherselffromthedarkcoastunderwhichshehadbeenlyinginvisible，steamedouttointerceptthetradingbrigBonitostandingouttosea。
Directlythegunboathadbeenmadeoutemergingfromherambush，Schultz，ofthefascinatingvoice，hadgivensignsofstrangeagitation。Allthatday，eversinceleavingtheMalaytownuptheriver，hehadshownahaggardface，goingabouthisdutieslikeamanwithsomethingweighingonhismind。Jasperhadnoticedit，butthemate，turningaway，asthoughhehadnotlikedbeinglookedat，hadmutteredshamefacedlyofaheadacheandatouchoffever。
Hemusthavehaditverybadlywhen，dodgingbehindhiscaptainhewonderedaloud：\"Whatcanthatfellowwantwithus？\"……Anakedmanstandinginafreezingblastandtryingnottoshivercouldnothavespokenwithamoreharshlyuncertainintonation。Butitmighthavebeenfever—acoldfit。
\"Hewantstomakehimselfdisagreeable，simply，\"saidJasper，withperfectgoodhumour。\"Hehastrieditonmebefore。However，weshallsoonsee。\"
And，indeed，beforelongthetwovesselslayabreastwithineasyhail。Thebrig，withherfinelinesandherwhitesails，lookedvaporousandsylph—likeinthemoonlight。Thegunboat，short，squat，withherstumpydarksparsnakedlikedeadtrees，raisedagainsttheluminousskyofthatresplendentnight，threwaheavyshadowonthelaneofwaterbetweenthetwoships。
Freyahauntedthembothlikeanubiquitousspirit，andasifsheweretheonlywomanintheworld。Jasperrememberedherearnestrecommendationtobeguardedandcautiousinallhisactsandwordswhilehewasawayfromher。Inthisquiteunforeseenencounterhefeltonhiseartheverybreathofthesehurriedadmonitionscustomarytothelastmomentoftheirpartings，heardthehalf—
jestingfinalwhisperofthe\"Mind，kid，I’dneverforgiveyou！\"
withaquickpressureonhisarm，whichheansweredbyaquiet，confidentsmile。Heemskirkwashauntedinanotherfashion。Therewerenowhispersinit；itwasmorelikevisions。Hesawthatgirlhangingroundtheneckofalowvagabond—thatvagabond，thevagabondwhohadjustansweredhishail。Hesawherstealingbare—
footedacrossaverandahwithgreat，clear，wide—open，eagereyestolookatabrig—thatbrig。Ifshehadshrieked，scolded，callednames！……Butshehadsimplytriumphedoverhim。Thatwasall。Ledon（hefirmlybelievedit），fooled，deceived，outraged，struck，mockedat……Beakandclaws！Thetwomen，sodifferentlyhauntedbyFreyaoftheSevenIsles，werenotequallymatched。
Intheintensestillness，asofsleep，whichhadfallenuponthetwovessels，inaworldthatitselfseemedbutadelicatedream，aboatpulledbyJavanesesailorscrossingthedarklaneofwatercamealongsidethebrig。Thewhitewarrantofficerinher，perhapsthegunner，climbedaboard。Hewasashortman，witharotundstomachandawheezyvoice。Hisimmovablefatfacelookedlifelessinthemoonlight，andhewalkedwithhisthickarmshangingawayfromhisbodyasthoughhehadbeenstuffed。Hiscunninglittleeyesglitteredlikebitsofmica。HeconveyedtoJasper，inbrokenEnglish，arequesttocomeonboardtheNeptun。
Jasperhadnotexpectedanythingsounusual。Butafterashortreflectionhedecidedtoshowneitherannoyance，norevensurprise。
Theriverfromwhichhehadcomehadbeenpoliticallydisturbedforacoupleofyears，andhewasawarethathisvisitstherewerelookeduponwithsomesuspicion。Buthedidnotmindmuchthedispleasureoftheauthorities，soterrifyingtooldNelson。Hepreparedtoleavethebrig，andSchultzfollowedhimtotherailasiftosaysomething，butintheendstoodbyinsilence。Jaspergettingovertheside，noticedhisghastlyface。Theeyesofthemanwhohadfoundsalvationinthebrigfromtheeffectsofhispeculiarpsychologylookedathimwithadumb，beseechingexpression。
\"What’sthematter？\"Jasperasked。
\"Iwonderhowthiswillend？\"saidheofthebeautifulvoice，whichhadevenfascinatedthesteadyFreyaherself。Butwherewasitscharmingtimbrenow？Thesewordshadsoundedlikearaven’scroak。
\"Youareill，\"saidJasperpositively。
\"IwishIweredead！\"wasthestartlingstatementutteredbySchultztalkingtohimselfintheextremityofsomemysterioustrouble。Jaspergavehimakeenglance，butthiswasnotthetimetoinvestigatethemorbidoutbreakofafeverishman。Hedidnotlookasthoughhewereactuallydelirious，andthatforthemomentmustsuffice。Schultzmadeadartforward。
\"Thatfellowmeansharm！\"hesaiddesperately。\"Hemeansharmtoyou，CaptainAllen。Ifeelit，andI—\"
Hechokedwithinexplicableemotion。
\"Allright，Schultz。Iwon’tgivehimanopening。\"Jaspercuthimshortandswunghimselfintotheboat。
OnboardtheNeptunHeemskirk，standingstraddle—legsinthefloodofmoonlight，hisinkyshadowfallingrightacrossthequarter—
deck，madenosignathisapproach，butsecretlyhefeltsomethingliketheheaveoftheseainhischestatthesightofthatman。
Jasperwaitedbeforehiminsilence。
Broughtfacetofaceindirectpersonalcontact，theyfellatonceintothemanneroftheircasualmeetingsinoldNelson’sbungalow。
Theyignoredeachother’sexistence—Heemskirkmoodily；Jasper，withaperfectlycolourlessquietness。
\"What’sgoingoninthatriveryou’vejustcomeoutof？\"askedthelieutenantstraightaway。
\"Iknownothingofthetroubles，ifyoumeanthat，\"Jasperanswered。\"I’velandedtherehalfacargoofrice，forwhichIgotnothinginexchange，andwentaway。There’snotradetherenow，buttheywouldhavebeenstarvinginanotherweek—ifIhadn’tturnedup。\"
\"Meddling！Englishmeddling！Andsupposetherascalsdon’tdeserveanythingbetterthantostarve，eh？\"
\"Therearewomenandchildrenthere，youknow，\"observedJasper，inhiseventone。
\"Oh，yes！WhenanEnglishmantalksofwomenandchildren，youmaybesurethere’ssomethingfishyaboutthebusiness。Yourdoingswillhavetobeinvestigated。\"
Theyspokeinturn，asthoughtheyhadbeendisembodiedspirits—
merevoicesinemptyair；fortheylookedateachotherasiftherehadbeennothingthere，or，atmost，withasmuchrecognitionasonegivestoaninanimateobject，andnomore。Butnowasilencefell。Heemskirkhadthought，allatonce：\"Shewilltellhimallaboutit。Shewilltellhimwhileshehangsroundhisnecklaughing。\"AndthesuddendesiretoannihilateJasperonthespotalmostdeprivedhimofhissensesbyitsvehemence。Helostthepowerofspeech，ofvision。Foramomentheabsolutelycouldn’tseeJasper。Butheheardhiminquiring，asoftheworldatlarge：
\"AmI，then，toconcludethatthebrigisdetained？\"
Heemskirkmadearecoveryinaflushofmalignantsatisfaction。
\"Sheis。IamgoingtotakehertoMakassarintow。\"
\"Thecourtswillhavetodecideonthelegalityofthis，\"saidJasper，awarethatthematterwasbecomingserious，butwithassumedindifference。
\"Oh，yes，thecourts！Certainly。Andastoyou，Ishallkeepyouonboardhere。\"
Jasper’sdismayatbeingpartedfromhisshipwasbetrayedbyastonyimmobility。Itlastedbutaninstant。Thenheturnedawayandhailedthebrig。Mr。Schultzanswered：
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Getreadytoreceiveatow—ropefromthegunboat！WearegoingtobetakentoMakassar。\"
\"GoodGod！What’sthatfor，sir？\"cameananxiouscryfaintly。
\"Kindness，Isuppose，\"Jasper，ironical，shoutedwithgreatdeliberation。\"Wemighthavebeen—becalmedinhere—fordays。
Andhospitality。Iaminvitedtostay—onboardhere。\"
Theanswertothisinformationwasaloudejaculationofdistress。
Jasperthoughtanxiously：\"Why，thefellow’snerve’sgonetopieces；\"andwithanawkwarduneasinessofanewsort，lookedintentlyatthebrig。Thethoughtthathewaspartedfromher—
forthefirsttimesincetheycametogether—shooktheapparentlycarelessfortitudeofhischaractertoitsveryfoundations，whichweredeep。AllthattimeneitherHeemskirknorevenhisinkyshadowhadstirredintheleast。
\"Iamgoingtosendaboat’screwandanofficeronboardyourvessel，\"heannouncedtonooneinparticular。Jasper，tearinghimselfawayfromtheabsorbedcontemplationofthebrig，turnedround，and，withoutpassion，almostwithoutexpressioninhisvoice，enteredhisprotestagainstthewholeoftheproceedings。
Whathewasthinkingofwasthedelay。Hecountedthedays。
Makassarwasactuallyonhisway；andtobetowedtherereallysavedtime。Ontheotherhand，therewouldbesomevexingformalitiestogothrough。Butthethingwastooabsurd。\"Thebeetle’sgonemad，\"hethought。\"I’llbereleasedatonce。Andifnot，Mesmanmustenterintoabondforme。\"MesmanwasaDutchmerchantwithwhomJasperhadhadmanydealings，aconsiderablepersoninMakassar。
\"Youprotest？H’m！\"Heemskirkmuttered，andforalittlelongerremainedmotionless，hislegsplantedwellapart，andhisheadloweredasthoughhewerestudyinghisowncomical，deeply—splitshadow。Thenhemadeasigntotherotundgunner，whohadkeptathand，motionless，likeavilely—stuffedspecimenofafatman，withalifelessfaceandglitteringlittleeyes。Thefellowapproached，andstoodatattention。
\"Youwillboardthebrigwithaboat’screw！\"
\"Ya，mynherr！\"
\"Youwillhaveoneofyourmentosteerherallthetime，\"wentonHeemskirk，givinghisordersinEnglish，apparentlyforJasper’sedification。\"Youhear？\"
\"Ya，mynherr。\"
\"Youwillremainondeckandinchargeallthetime。\"
\"Ya，mynherr。\"
Jasperfeltasif，togetherwiththecommandofthebrig，hisveryheartwerebeingtakenoutofhisbreast。Heemskirkasked，withachangeoftone：
\"Whatweaponshaveyouonboard？\"
AtonetimealltheshipstradingintheChinaSeashadalicencetocarryacertainquantityoffirearmsforpurposesofdefence。
Jasperanswered：
\"Eighteenrifleswiththeirbayonets，whichwereonboardwhenI
boughther，fouryearsago。Theyhavebeendeclared。\"
\"Wherearetheykept？\"
\"Fore—cabin。Matehasthekey。\"
\"Youwilltakepossessionofthem，\"saidHeemskirktothegunner。
\"Ya，mynherr。\"
\"Whatisthisfor？Whatdoyoumeantoimply？\"criedoutJasper；
thenbithislip。\"It’smonstrous！\"hemuttered。
Heemskirkraisedforamomentaheavy，asifsuffering，glance。
\"Youmaygo，\"hesaidtohisgunner。Thefatmansaluted，anddeparted。
Duringthenextthirtyhoursthesteadytowingwasinterruptedonce。Atasignalfromthebrig，madebywavingaflagontheforecastle，thegunboatwasstopped。Thebadly—stuffedspecimenofawarrant—officer，gettingintohisboat，arrivedonboardtheNeptunandhurriedstraightintohiscommander’scabin，hisexcitementatsomethinghehadtocommunicatebeingbetrayedbytheblinkingofhissmalleyes。Thesetwowereclosetedtogetherforsometime，whileJasperatthetaffrailtriedtomakeoutifanythingoutofthecommonhadoccurredonboardthebrig。
Butnothingseemedtobeamissonboard。However，hekeptalook—
outforthegunner；and，thoughhehadavoidedspeakingtoanybodysincehehadfinishedwithHeemskirk，hestoppedthatmanwhenhecameoutondeckagaintoaskhowhismatewas。
\"HewasfeelingnotverywellwhenIleft，\"heexplained。
Thefatwarrant—officer，holdinghimselfasthoughtheeffortofcarryinghisbigstomachinfrontofhimdemandedarigidcarriage，understoodwithdifficulty。Notasingleoneofhisfeaturesshowedtheslightestanimation，buthislittleeyesblinkedrapidlyatlast。
\"Oh，ya！Themate。Ya，ya！Heisverywell。But，meinGott，heisoneveryfunnyman！\"
Jaspercouldgetnoexplanationofthatremark，becausetheDutchmangotintotheboathurriedly，andwentbackonboardthebrig。Butheconsoledhimselfwiththethoughtthatverysoonallthisunpleasantandratherabsurdexperiencewouldbeover。TheroadsteadofMakassarwasinsightalready。Heemskirkpassedbyhimgoingonthebridge。ForthefirsttimethelieutenantlookedatJasperwithmarkedintention；andthestrangerollofhiseyeswassofunny—ithadbeenlongagreedbyJasperandFreyathatthelieutenantwasfunny—soecstaticallygratified，asthoughhewererollingatastymorselonhistongue，thatJaspercouldnothelpabroadsmile。Andthenheturnedtohisbrigagain。
Toseeher，hischerishedpossession，animatedbysomethingofhisFreya’ssoul，theonlyfootholdoftwolivesonthewideearth，thesecurityofhispassion，thecompanionofadventure，thepowertosnatchthecalm，adorableFreyatohisbreast，andcarryherofftotheendoftheworld；toseethisbeautifulthingembodyingworthilyhisprideandhislove，toseehercaptiveattheendofatow—ropewasnotindeedapleasantexperience。Ithadsomethingnightmarishinit，as，forinstance，thedreamofawildsea—birdloadedwithchains。
Yetwhatelsecouldhewanttolookat？Herbeautywouldsometimescometohisheartwiththeforceofaspell，sothathewouldforgetwherehewas。And，besides，thatsenseofsuperioritywhichthecertitudeofbeinglovedgivestoayoungman，thatillusionofbeingsetabovetheFatesbyatenderlookinawoman’seyes，helpedhim，thefirstshockover，togothroughtheseexperienceswithanamusedself—confidence。ForwhatevilcouldtouchtheelectofFreya？
Itwasnowafternoon，thesunbeingbehindthetwovesselsastheyheadedfortheharbour。\"Thebeetle’slittlejokeshallsoonbeover，\"thoughtJasper，withoutanygreatanimosity。Asaseamanwellacquaintedwiththatpartoftheworld，acasualglancewasenoughtotellhimwhatwasbeingdone。\"Hallo，\"hethought，\"heisgoingthroughSpermondePassage。WeshallberoundingTamissareefpresently。\"Andagainhereturnedtothecontemplationofhisbrig，thatmain—stayofhismaterialandemotionalexistencewhichwouldbesooninhishandsagain。Onasea，calmlikeamillpond，aheavysmoothrippleundulatedandstreamedawayfromherbows，forthepowerfulNeptunwastowingatgreatspeed，asifforawager。TheDutchgunnerappearedontheforecastleoftheBonito，andwithhimacoupleofmen。Theystoodlookingatthecoast，andJasperlosthimselfinaloverliketrance。
Thedeep—tonedblastofthegunboat’ssteam—whistlemadehimshudderbyitsunexpectedness。Slowlyhelookedabout。Swiftaslightningheleapedfromwherehestood，boundingforwardalongthedeck。
\"YouwillbeonTamissareef！\"heyelled。
HighuponthebridgeHeemskirklookedbackoverhisshoulderheavily；twoseamenwerespinningthewheelround，andtheNeptunwasalreadyswingingrapidlyawayfromtheedgeofthepalewateroverthedanger。Ha！justintime。Jasperturnedaboutinstantlytowatchhisbrig；and，evenbeforeherealisedthat—inobedience，itappears，toHeemskirk’sordersgivenbeforehandtothegunner—thetow—ropehadbeenletgoattheblastofthewhistle，beforehehadtimetocryoutortomovealimb，hesawhercastadriftandshootingacrossthegunboat’ssternwiththeimpetusofherspeed。Hefollowedherfine，glidingformwitheyesgrowingbigwithincredulity，wildwithhorror。Thecriesonboardofhercametohimonlyasadreadfulandconfusedmurmurthroughtheloudthumpingofbloodinhisears，whilesheheldon。Sheranuprightinaterribledisplayofhergiftofspeed，withanincomparableairoflifeandgrace。Sheranontillthesmoothlevelofwaterinfrontofherbowsseemedtosinkdownsuddenlyasifsuckedaway；and，withastrange，violenttremorofhermast—
headsshestopped，inclinedherloftysparsalittle，andlaystill。Shelaystillonthereef，whiletheNeptun，fetchingawidecircle，continuedatfullspeedupSpermondePassage，headingforthetown。Shelaystill，perfectlystill，withsomethingill—
omenedandunnaturalinherattitude。Inaninstantthesubtlemelancholyofthingstouchedbydecayhadfallenonherinthesunshine；shewasbutaspeckinthebrilliantemptinessofspace，alreadylonely，alreadydesolate。
\"Holdhim！\"yelledavoicefromthebridge。
Jasperhadstartedtoruntohisbrigwithaheadlongimpulse，asamandashesforwardtopullawaywithhishandsaliving，breathing，lovedcreaturefromthebrinkofdestruction。\"Holdhim！Sticktohim！\"vociferatedthelieutenantatthetopofthebridge—ladder，whileJasperstruggledmadlywithoutaword，onlyhisheademergingfromtheheavingcrowdoftheNeptun’sseamen，whohadflungthemselvesuponhimobediently。\"Hold—Iwouldnothavethatfellowdrownhimselfforanythingnow！\"
Jasperceasedstruggling。
Onebyonetheyletgoofhim；theyfellbackgraduallyfartherandfarther，inattentivesilence，leavinghimstandingunsupportedinawidened，clearspace，asiftogivehimplentyofroomtofallafterthestruggle。Hedidnotevenswayperceptibly。Halfanhourlater，whentheNeptunanchoredinfrontofthetown，hehadnotstirredyet，hadmovedneitherheadnorlimbasmuchasahair’sbreadth。Directlytherumbleofthegunboat’scablehadceased，Heemskirkcamedownheavilyfromthebridge。
\"Callasampan\"hesaid，inagloomytone，ashepassedthesentryatthegangway，andthenmovedonslowlytowardsthespotwhereJasper，theobjectofmanyawedglances，stoodlookingatthedeck，asiflostinabrownstudy。Heemskirkcameupclose，andstaredathimthoughtfully，withhisfingersoverhislips。Herehewas，thefavouredvagabond，theonlymantowhomthatinfernalgirlwaslikelytotellthestory。Buthewouldnotfinditfunny。ThestoryhowLieutenantHeemskirk—No，hewouldnotlaughatit。Helookedasthoughhewouldneverlaughatanythinginhislife。
SuddenlyJasperlookedup。Hiseyes，withoutanyotherexpressionbutbewilderment，metthoseofHeemskirk，observantandsombre。
\"Goneonthereef！\"hesaid，inalow，astoundedtone。\"On—the—
reef！\"herepeatedstilllower，andasifattendinginwardlytothebirthofsomeawfulandamazingsensation。
\"Ontheverytopofhigh—water，springtides，\"Heemskirkstruckin，withavindictive，exultingviolencewhichflashedandexpired。Hepaused，asifweary，fixinguponJasperhisarroganteyes，overwhichsecretdisenchantment，theunavoidableshadowofallpassion，seemedtopasslikeasaddeningcloud。\"Ontheverytop，\"herepeated，rousinghimselfinfiercereactiontosnatchhislacedcapoffhisheadwithahorizontal，derisiveflourishtowardsthegangway。\"Andnowyoumaygoashoretothecourts，youdamnedEnglishman！\"hesaid。
CHAPTERVI
TheaffairofthebrigBonitowasboundtocauseasensationinMakassar，theprettiest，andperhapsthecleanest—lookingofallthetownsintheIslands；whichhoweverknowsfewoccasionsforexcitement。The\"front，\"withitsspecialpopulation，wassoonawarethatsomethinghadhappened。Asteamertowingasailingvesselhadbeenobservedfarouttoseaforsometime，andwhenthesteamercameinalone，leavingtheotheroutside，attentionwasaroused。Whywasthat？Hermastsonlycouldbeseen—withfurledsails—remaininginthesameplacetothesouthward。AndsoontherumourranallalongthecrowdedseashorestreetthattherewasashiponTamissareef。Thatcrowdinterpretedtheappearancecorrectly。Itscausewasbeyondtheirpenetration，forwhocouldassociateagirlninehundredmilesawaywiththestrandingofashiponTamissareef，orlookfortheremotefiliationofthateventinthepsychologyofatleastthreepeople，evenifoneofthem，LieutenantHeemskirk，wasatthatverymomentpassingamongstthemonhiswaytomakehisverbalreport？
No；themindsonthe\"front\"werenotcompetentforthatsortofinvestigation，butmanyhandsthere—brownhands，yellowhands，whitehands—wereraisedtoshadetheeyesgazingouttosea。Therumourspreadquickly。Chineseshopkeeperscametotheirdoors，morethanonewhitemerchant，even，rosefromhisdesktogotothewindow。Afterall，ashiponTamissawasnotaneverydayoccurrence。Andpresentlytherumourtookamoredefiniteshape。
AnEnglishtrader—detainedonsuspicionatseabytheNeptun—
Heemskirkwastowinghimintotestacase，andbysomestrangeaccident—
Lateronthenamecameout。\"TheBonito—what！Impossible！Yes—yes，theBonito。Look！Youcanseefromhere；onlytwomasts。
It’sabrig。Didn’tthinkthatmanwouldeverlethimselfbecaught。Heemskirk’sprettysmart，too。Theysayshe’sfittedoutinhercabinlikeagentleman’syacht。ThatAllenisasortofgentlemantoo。Anextravagantbeggar。\"
AyoungmanenteredsmartlyMessrs。MesmanBrothers’officeonthe\"front，\"bubblingwithsomefurtherinformation。
\"Oh，yes；that’stheBonitoforcertain！Butyoudon’tknowthestoryI’veheardjustnow。Thefellowmusthavebeenfeedingthatriverwithfirearmsforthelastyearortwo。Well，itseemshehasgrownsorecklessfromlongimpunitythathehasactuallydaredtoselltheveryship’sriflesthistime。It’safact。Theriflesarenotonboard。Whatimpudence！Only，hedidn’tknowthattherewasoneofourwarshipsonthecoast。ButthoseEnglishmenaresoimpudentthatperhapshethoughtthatnothingwouldbedonetohimforit。Ourcourtsdoletoffthesefellowstoooften，onsomemiserableexcuseorother。But，atanyrate，there’sanendofthefamousBonito。Ihavejustheardintheharbour—officethatshemusthavegoneonattheverytopofhigh—water；andsheisinballast，too。Nohumanpower，theythink，canmoveherfromwheresheis。Ionlyhopeitisso。ItwouldbefinetohavethenotoriousBonitostuckupthereasawarningtoothers。\"
Mr。J。Mesman，acolonial—bornDutchman，akind，paternaloldfellow，withaclean—shaven，quiet，handsomefade，andaheadoffineiron—greyhaircurlingalittleonhiscollar，didnotsayawordindefenceofJasperandtheBonito。Herosefromhisarm—
chairsuddenly。Hisfacewasvisiblytroubled。Ithadsohappenedthatonce，fromabusinesstalkofwaysandmeans，islandtrade，moneymatters，andsoon，JasperhadbeenledtoopenhimselftohimonthesubjectofFreya；andtheexcellentman，whohadknownoldNelsonyearsbeforeandevenrememberedsomethingofFreya，wasmuchastonishedandamusedbytheunfoldingofthetale。
\"Well，well，well！Nelson！Yes；ofcourse。Averyhonestsortofman。Andalittlechildwithveryfairhair。Oh，yes！Ihaveadistinctrecollection。Andsoshehasgrownintosuchafinegirl，soverydetermined，sovery—\"Andhelaughedalmostboisterously。\"Mind，whenyouhavehappilyelopedwithyourfuturewife，CaptainAllen，youmustcomealongthisway，andweshallwelcomeherhere。Alittlefair—headedchild！Iremember。I
remember。\"
Itwasthatknowledgewhichhadbroughttroubletohisfaceatthefirstnewsofthewreck。Hetookuphishat。
\"Whereareyougoing，Mr。Mesman？\"
\"IamgoingtolookforAllen。Ithinkhemustbeashore。Doesanybodyknow？\"
Nooneofthosepresentknew。AndMr。Mesmanwentoutonthe\"front\"tomakeinquiries。
Theotherpartofthetown，thepartnearthechurchandthefort，gotitsinformationinanotherway。ThefirstthingdisclosedtoitwasJasperhimself，walkingrapidly，asthoughhewerepursued。
And，asamatteroffact，aChinaman，obviouslyasampanman，wasfollowinghimatthesameheadlongpace。Suddenly，whilepassingOrangeHouse，Jasperswervedandwentin，or，rather，rushedin，startlingGomez，thehotelclerk，verymuch。ButaChinamanbeginningtomakeanunseemlynoiseatthedoorclaimedtheimmediateattentionofGomez。Hisgrievancewasthatthewhitemanwhomhehadbroughtonshorefromthegunboathadnotpaidhimhisboat—fare。Hehadpursuedhimsofar，askingforitalltheway。
Butthewhitemanhadtakennonoticewhateverofhisjustclaim。
Gomezsatisfiedthecooliewithafewcoppers，andthenwenttolookforJasper，whomheknewverywell。Hefoundhimstandingstifflybyalittleroundtable。Attheotherendoftheverandahafewmensittingtherehadstoppedtalking，andwerelookingathiminsilence。Twobilliard—players，withcuesintheirhands，hadcometothedoorofthebilliard—roomandstared，too。
OnGomezcominguptohim，Jasperraisedonehandtopointathisownthroat。Gomeznotedthesomewhatsoiledstateofhiswhiteclothes，thentookonelookathisface，andfledawaytoorderthedrinkforwhichJasperseemedtobeasking。
Wherehewantedtogo—orwhatpurpose—wherehe，perhaps，onlyimaginedhimselftobegoing，whenasuddenimpulseorthesightofafamiliarplacehadmadehimturnintoOrangeHouse—itisimpossibletosay。Hewassteadyinghimselflightlywiththetipsofhisfingersonthelittletable。Therewereonthatverandahtwomenwhomheknewwellpersonally，buthisgazeroamingincessantlyasthoughhewerelookingforawayofescape，passedandrepassedoverthemwithoutasignofrecognition。They，ontheirside，lookingathim，doubtedtheevidenceoftheirowneyes。
Itwasnotthathisfacewasdistorted。Onthecontrary，itwasstill，itwasset。Butitsexpression，somehow，wasunrecognisable。Canthatbehim？theywonderedwithawe。
Inhisheadtherewasawildchaosofclearthoughts。Perfectlyclear。Itwasthisclearnesswhichwassoterribleinconjunctionwiththeutterinabilitytolayholdofanysingleoneofthemall。
Hewassayingtohimself，ortothem：\"Steady，steady。\"AChinaboyappearedbeforehimwithaglassonatray。Hepouredthedrinkdownhisthroat，andrushedout。Hisdisappearanceremovedthespellofwonderfromthebeholders。Oneofthemenjumpedupandmovedquicklytothatsideoftheverandahfromwhichalmostthewholeoftheroadsteadcouldbeseen。AttheverymomentwhenJasper，issuingfromthedooroftheOrangeHouse，waspassingunderhiminthestreetbelow，hecriedtotheothersexcitedly：
\"ThatwasAllenrightenough！Butwhereishisbrig？\"
Jasperheardthesewordswithextraordinaryloudness。Theheavensrangwiththem，asifcallinghimtoaccount；forthoseweretheverywordsFreyawouldhavetouse。Itwasanannihilatingquestion；itstruckhisconsciousnesslikeathunderboltandbroughtasuddennightuponthechaosofhisthoughtsevenashewalked。Hedidnotcheckhispace。Hewentoninthedarknessforanotherthreestrides，andthenfell。
ThegoodMesmanhadtopushonasfarasthehospitalbeforehefoundhim。Thedoctortheretalkedofaslightheatstroke。
Nothingverymuch。Outinthreedays……Itmustbeadmittedthatthedoctorwasright。Inthreedays，JasperAllencameoutofthehospitalandbecamevisibletothetown—veryvisibleindeed—
andremainedsoforquitealongtime；longenoughtobecomealmostoneofthesightsoftheplace；longenoughtobecomedisregardedatlast；longenoughforthetaleofhishauntingvisibilitytoberememberedintheislandstothisday。
Thetalkonthe\"front\"andJasper’sappearanceintheOrangeHousestandatthebeginningofthefamousBonitocase，andgiveaviewofitstwoaspects—thepracticalandthepsychological。Thecaseforthecourtsandthecaseforcompassion；thatlastterriblyevidentandyetobscure。
Ithas，youmustunderstand，remainedobscureevenforthatfriendofminewhowrotemethelettermentionedintheveryfirstlinesofthisnarrative。HewasoneofthoseinMr。Mesman’soffice，andaccompaniedthatgentlemaninhissearchforJasper。Hisletterdescribedtomethetwoaspectsandsomeoftheepisodesofthecase。Heemskirk’sattitudewasthatofdeepthankfulnessfornothavinglosthisownship，andthatwasall。HazeoverthelandwashisexplanationofhavinggotsoclosetoTamissareef。Hesavedhisship，andfortheresthedidnotcare。Astothefatgunner，hedeposedsimplythathethoughtatthetimethathewasactingforthebestbylettinggothetow—rope，butadmittedthathewasgreatlyconfusedbythesuddennessoftheemergency。
Asamatteroffact，hehadactedonverypreciseinstructionsfromHeemskirk，towhomthroughseveralyears’servicetogetherintheEasthehadbecomeasortofdevotedhenchman。WhatwasmostamazinginthedetentionoftheBonitowashisstoryhow，proceedingtotakepossessionofthefirearmsasordered，hediscoveredthattherewerenofirearmsonboard。Allhefoundinthefore—cabinwasanemptyrackforthepropernumberofeighteenrifles，butoftheriflesthemselvesneverasingleoneanywhereintheship。Themateofthebrig，wholookedratherillandbehavedexcitedly，asthoughhewereperhapsalunatic，wantedhimtobelievethatCaptainAllenknewnothingofthis；thatitwashe，themate，whohadrecentlysoldtheseriflesinthedeadofnighttoacertainpersonuptheriver。Inproofofthisstoryheproducedabagofsilverdollarsandpresseditonhis，thegunner’s，acceptance。Then，suddenlyflingingitdownonthedeck，hebeathisownheadwithbothhisfistsandstartedheapingshockingcursesuponhisownsoulforanungratefulwretchnotfittolive。
Allthisthegunnerreportedatoncetohiscommandingofficer。
WhatHeemskirkintendedbytakinguponhimselftodetaintheBonitoitisdifficulttosay，exceptthathemeanttobringsometroubleintothelifeofthemanfavouredbyFreya。HehadbeenlookingatJasperwithadesiretostrikethatmanofkissesandembracestotheearth。Thequestionwas：Howcouldhedoitwithoutgivinghimselfaway？Butthereportofthegunnercreatedaseriouscaseenough。YetAllenhadfriends—andwhocouldtellwhetherhewouldn’tsomehowsucceedinwrigglingoutofit？Theideaofsimplytowingthebrigsomuchcompromisedontothereefcametohimwhilehewaslisteningtothefatgunnerinhiscabin。Therewasbutlittleriskofbeingdisapprovednow。Anditshouldbemadetoappearanaccident。
Goingoutondeckhehadgloateduponhisunconsciousvictimwithsuchasinisterrollofhiseyes，suchaqueerlypursedmouth，thatJaspercouldnothelpsmiling。Andthelieutenanthadgoneonthebridge，sayingtohimself：
\"Youwait！Ishallspoilthetasteofthosesweetkissesforyou。
WhenyouhearofLieutenantHeemskirkinthefuturethatnamewon’tbringasmileonyourlips，Iswear。Youaredeliveredintomyhands。\"
Andthispossibilityhadcomeaboutwithoutanyplanning，onecouldalmostsaynaturally，asifeventshadmysteriouslyshapedthemselvestofitthepurposesofadarkpassion。ThemostastuteschemingcouldnothaveservedHeemskirkbetter。Itwasgiventohimtotasteatranscendental，anincredibleperfectionofvengeance；tostrikeadeadlyblowintothathatedperson’sheart，andtowatchhimafterwardswalkingaboutwiththedaggerinhisbreast。
ForthatiswhatthestateofJasperamountedto。Hemoved，acted，weary—eyed，keen—faced，lankandrestless，withbrusquemovementsandfiercegestures；hetalkedincessantlyinafrenziedandfatiguedvoice，butwithinhimselfheknewthatnothingwouldevergivehimbackthebrig，justasnothingcanhealapiercedheart。
Hissoul，keptquietinthestressoflovebytheunflinchingFreya’sinfluence，waslikeastillbutoverwoundstring。Theshockhadstarteditvibrating，andthestringhadsnapped。Hehadwaitedfortwoyearsinaperfectlyintoxicatedconfidenceforadaythatnowwouldnevercometoamandisarmedforlifebythelossofthebrig，and，itseemedtohim，madeunfitforlovetowhichhehadnofootholdtooffer。
Dayafterdayhewouldtraversethelengthofthetown，followthecoast，and，reachingthepointoflandoppositethatpartofthereefonwhichhisbriglaystranded，looksteadilyacrossthewateratherbelovedform，oncethehomeofanexultinghope，andnow，inherinclined，desolatedimmobility，toweringabovethelonelysea—
horizon，asymbolofdespair。
Thecrewhadleftherinduecourseinherownboatswhichdirectlytheyreachedthetownweresequestratedbytheharbourauthorities。
Thevessel，too，wassequestratedpendingproceedings；butthesesameauthoritiesdidnottakethetroubletosetaguardonboard。
For，indeed，whatcouldmoveherfromthere？Nothing，unlessamiracle；nothing，unlessJasper’seyes，fastenedonhertenselyforhourstogether，asthoughhehopedbythemerepowerofvisiontodrawhertohisbreast。
Allthisstory，readinmyfriend’sverychattyletter，dismayedmenotalittle。ButitwasreallyappallingtoreadhisrelationofhowSchultz，themate，wentabouteverywhereaffirmingwithdesperatepertinacitythatitwashealonewhohadsoldtherifles。
\"Istolethem，\"heprotested。Ofcourse，noonewouldbelievehim。
Myfriendhimselfdidnotbelievehim，thoughhe，ofcourse，admiredthisself—sacrifice。Butagoodmanypeoplethoughtitwasgoingtoofartomakeoneselfoutathiefforthesakeofafriend。
Only，itwassuchanobviouslie，too，thatitdidnotmatter，perhaps。
I，who，inviewofSchultz’spsychology，knewhowtruethatmustbe，admitthatIwasappalled。Sothiswashowaperfidiousdestinytookadvantageofagenerousimpulse！AndIfeltasthoughIwereanaccompliceinthisperfidy，sinceIdidtoacertainextentencourageJasper。YetIhadwarnedhimaswell。
\"Themanseemedtohavegonecrazyonthispoint，\"wrotemyfriend。
\"HewenttoMesmanwithhisstory。Hesaysthatsomerascallywhitemanlivingamongstthenativesupthatrivermadehimdrunkwithsomeginoneevening，andthenjeeredathimforneverhavinganymoney。Thenhe，protestingtousthathewasanhonestmanandmustbebelieved，describedhimselfasbeingathiefwheneverhetookadroptoomuch，andtoldusthathewentonboardandpassedtheriflesonebyonewithouttheslightestcompunctiontoacanoewhichcamealongsidethatnight，receivingtendollarsapieceforthem。
\"Nextdayhewasillwithshameandgrief，buthadnotthecouragetoconfesshislapsetohisbenefactor。Whenthegunboatstoppedthebrighefeltreadytodiewiththeapprehensionoftheconsequences，andwouldhavediedhappily，ifhecouldhavebeenabletobringtheriflesbackbythesacrificeofhislife。HesaidnothingtoJasper，hopingthatthebrigwouldbereleasedpresently。Whenitturnedoutotherwiseandhiscaptainwasdetainedonboardthegunboat，hewasreadytocommitsuicidefromdespair；onlyhethoughtithisdutytoliveinordertoletthetruthbeknown。’Iamanhonestman！Iamanhonestman！’herepeated，inavoicethatbroughttearstooureyes。’YoumustbelievemewhenItellyouthatIamathief—avile，low，cunning，sneakingthiefassoonasI’vehadaglassortwo。TakemesomewherewhereImaytellthetruthonoath。’
\"WhenwehadatlastconvincedhimthathisstorycouldbeofnousetoJasper—forwhatDutchcourt，havingoncegotholdofanEnglishtrader，wouldacceptsuchanexplanation；and，indeed，how，when，wherecouldonehopetofindproofsofsuchatale？—hemadeasiftotearhishairinhandfuls，but，calmingdown，said：
’Good—bye，then，gentlemen，’andwentoutoftheroomsocrushedthatheseemedhardlyabletoputonefootbeforetheother。Thatverynighthecommittedsuicidebycuttinghisthroatinthehouseofahalf—castewithwhomhehadbeenlodgingsincehecameashorefromthewreck。\"
Thatthroat，Ithoughtwithashudder，whichcouldproducethetender，persuasive，manly，butfascinatingvoicewhichhadarousedJasper’sreadycompassionandhadsecuredFreya’ssympathy！Whocouldeverhavesupposedsuchanendinstorefortheimpossible，gentleSchultz，withhisidiosyncrasyofnaivepilfering，soabsurdlystraightforwardthat，eveninthepeoplewhohadsufferedfromit，itarousednothingmorethanasortofamusedexasperation？Hewasreallyimpossible。Hislotevidentlyshouldhavebeenahalf—starved，mysterious，butbynomeanstragicexistenceasamild—eyed，inoffensivebeachcomberonthefringeofnativelife。Thereareoccasionswhentheironyoffate，whichsomepeopleprofesstodiscoverintheworkingoutofourlives，wearstheaspectofcrudeandsavagejesting。
IshookmyheadoverthemanesofSchultz，andwentonwithmyfriend’sletter。Ittoldmehowthebrigonthereef，lootedbythenativesfromthecoastvillages，acquiredgraduallythelamentableaspect，thegreyghastlinessofawreck；whileJasper，fadingdailyintoamereshadowofaman，strodebrusquelyallalongthe\"front\"withhorriblylivelyeyesandafaint，fixedsmileonhislips，tospendthedayonalonelyspitofsandlookingeagerlyather，asthoughhehadexpectedsomeshapeonboardtoriseupandmakesomesortofsigntohimoverthedecayingbulwarks。TheMesmansweretakingcareofhimasfarasitwaspossible。TheBonitocasehadbeenreferredtoBatavia，wherenodoubtitwouldfadeawayinafogofofficialpapers……Itwasheartrendingtoreadallthis。Thatactiveandzealousofficer，LieutenantHeemskirk，hisairofsullen，darkly—painedself—importancenotlightenedbytheapprovalofhisactionconveyedtohimunofficially，hadgoneontotakeuphisstationintheMoluccas……
Then，attheendofthebulky，kindly—meantepistle，dealingwiththeislandnewsofhalfayearatleast，myfriendwrote：\"A
coupleofmonthsagooldNelsonturneduphere，arrivingbythemail—boatfromJava。CametoseeMesman，itseems。Arathermysteriousvisit，andextraordinarilyshort，aftercomingallthatway。HestayedjustfourdaysattheOrangeHouse，withapparentlynothinginparticulartodo，andthencaughtthesouth—goingsteamerfortheStraits。IrememberpeoplesayingatonetimethatAllenwasrathersweetonoldNelson’sdaughter，thegirlthatwasbroughtupbyMrs。HarleyandthenwenttolivewithhimattheSevenIslesgroup。SurelyyourememberoldNelson—\"
RememberoldNelson！Rather！
TheletterwentontoinformmefurtherthatoldNelson，atleast，rememberedme，sincesometimeafterhisflyingvisittoMakassarhehadwrittentotheMesmansaskingformyaddressinLondon。
ThatoldNelson（orNielsen），thenoteofwhosepersonalitywasaprofound，echolessirresponsivenesstoeverythingaroundhim，shouldwishtowrite，orfindanythingtowriteabouttoanybody，wasinitselfacausefornosmallwonder。Andtome，ofallpeople！Iwaitedwithuneasyimpatienceforwhateverdisclosurecouldcomefromthatnaturallybenightedintelligence，butmyimpatiencehadtimetowearoutbeforemyeyesbeheldoldNelson’strembling，painfully—formedhandwriting，senileandchildishatthesametime，onanenvelopebearingapennystampandthepostalmarkoftheNottingHilloffice。Idelayedopeningitinordertopaythetributeofastonishmentduetotheeventbyflingingmyhandsabovemyhead。SohehadcomehometoEngland，tobedefinitelyNelson；orelsewasonhiswayhometoDenmark，wherehewouldrevertforevertohisoriginalNielsen！ButoldNelson（orNielsen）outofthetropicsseemedunthinkable。Andyethewasthere，askingmetocall。
Hisaddresswasataboarding—houseinoneofthoseBayswatersquares，onceofleisure，whichnowadaysarereducedtoearningtheirliving。Somebodyhadrecommendedhimthere。IstartedtocallonhimononeofthoseJanuarydaysinLondon，oneofthosewintrydayscomposedofthefourdevilishelements，cold，wet，mud，andgrime，combinedwithaparticularstickinessofatmospherethatclingslikeanuncleangarmenttoone’sverysoul。YetonapproachinghisabodeIsaw，likeaflickerfarbehindthesoiledveilofthefourelements，thewearisomeandsplendidglitterofablueseawiththeSevenIsletslikeminutespecksswimminginmyeye，thehighredroofofthebungalowcrowningtheverysmallestofthemall。Thisvisualreminiscencewasprofoundlydisturbing。
Iknockedatthedoorwithafalteringhand。
OldNelson（orNielsen）gotupfromthetableatwhichhewassittingwithashabbypocket—bookfullofpapersbeforehim。Hetookoffhisspectaclesbeforeshakinghands。Foramomentneitherofussaidaword；then，noticingmelookingroundsomewhatexpectantly，hemurmuredsomewords，ofwhichIcaughtonly\"daughter\"and\"HongKong，\"casthiseyesdown，andsighed。
Hismoustache，stickingallwaysout，asofyore，wasquitewhitenow。Hisoldcheeksweresoftlyrounded，withsomecolourinthem；
strangelyenough，thatsomethingchildlikealwaysnoticeableinthegeneralcontourofhisphysiognomyhadbecomemuchmoremarked。
Likehishandwriting，helookedchildishandsenile。Heshowedhisagemostinhisunintelligentlyfurrowed，anxiousforeheadandinhisround，innocenteyes，whichappearedtomeweakandblinkingandwatery；orwasitthattheywerefulloftears？……
TodiscoveroldNelsonfullyinformeduponanymatterwhateverwasanewexperience。Andafterthefirstawkwardnesshadwornoffhetalkedfreely，with，nowandthen，aquestiontostarthimgoingwheneverhelapsedintosilence，whichhewoulddosuddenly，claspinghishandsonhiswaistcoatinanattitudewhichwouldrecalltometheeastverandah，whereheusedtosittalkingquietlyandpuffingouthischeeksinwhatseemednowold，veryolddays。Hetalkedinareasonablesomewhatanxioustone。
\"No，no。Wedidnotknowanythingforweeks。Outofthewaylikethat，wecouldn’t，ofcourse。NomailservicetotheSevenIsles。
ButonedayIranovertoBankainmybigsailing—boattoseewhethertherewereanyletters，andsawaDutchpaper。Butitlookedonlylikeabitofmarinenews：EnglishbrigBonitogoneashoreoutsideMakassarroads。Thatwasall。Itookthepaperhomewithmeandshowedittoher。’Iwillneverforgivehim！’shecrieswithheroldspirit。’Mydear，’Isaid，’youareasensiblegirl。Thebestmanmayloseaship。Butwhataboutyourhealth？’
Iwasbeginningtobefrightenedatherlooks。ShewouldnotletmetalkevenofgoingtoSingaporebefore。But，really，suchasensiblegirlcouldn’tkeeponobjectingforever。’Dowhatyoulike，papa，’shesays。Ratherajob，that。Hadtocatchasteameratsea，butIgotheroverallright。There，doctors，ofcourse。
Fever。Anaemia。Puthertobed。Twoorthreewomenverykindtoher。Naturallyinourpapersthewholestorycameoutbeforelong。
Shereadsittotheend，lyingonthecouch；thenhandsthenewspaperbacktome，whispers’Heemskirk，’andgoesoffintoafaint。\"
Heblinkedatmeforquitealongtime，hiseyesrunningfulloftearsagain。
\"Nextday，\"hebegan，withoutanyemotioninhisvoice，\"shefeltstronger，andwehadalongtalk。Shetoldmeeverything。\"
HereoldNelson，withhiseyescastdown，gavemethewholestoryoftheHeemskirkepisodeinFreya’swords；thenwentoninhisratherjerkyutterance，andlookingupinnocently：
\"’Mydear，’Isaid，’youhavebehavedinthemainlikeasensiblegirl。’’Ihavebeenhorrid，’shecries，’andheisbreakinghisheartoverthere。’Well，shewastoosensiblenottoseeshewasn’tinastatetotravel。ButIwent。Shetoldmetogo。Shewasbeinglookedafterverywell。Anaemia。Gettingbetter，theysaid。\"
Hepaused。
\"Youdidseehim？\"Imurmured。
\"Oh，yes；Ididseehim，\"hestartedagain，talkinginthatreasonablevoiceasthoughhewerearguingapoint。\"Ididseehim。Icameuponhim。Eyessunkaninchintohishead；nothingbutskinonthebonesofhisface，askeletonindirtywhiteclothes。That’swhathelookedlike。HowFreya……Butsheneverdid—notreally。Hewassittingthere，theonlylivethingformilesalongthatcoast，onadrift—logwashedupontheshore。
Theyhadclippedhishairinthehospital，andithadnotgrownagain。Hestared，holdinghischininhishand，andwithnothingontheseabetweenhimandtheskybutthatwreck。WhenIcameuptohimhejustmovedhisheadabit。’Isthatyou，oldman？’sayshe—likethat。
\"IfyouhadseenhimyouwouldhaveunderstoodatoncehowimpossibleitwasforFreyatohaveeverlovedthatman。Well，well。Idon’tsay。Shemighthave—something。Shewaslonely，youknow。Butreallytogoawaywithhim！Never！Madness。Shewastoosensible……Ibegantoreproachhimgently。Andbyandbyheturnsonme。’Writetoyou！Whatabout？Cometoher！Whatwith？IfIhadbeenamanIwouldhavecarriedheroff，butshemadeachild，ahappychild，ofme。TellherthatthedaytheonlythingIhadbelongingtomeintheworldperishedonthisreefI
discoveredthatIhadnopoweroverher……Hasshecomeherewithyou？’heshouts，blazingatmesuddenlywithhisholloweyes。I
shookmyhead。Comewithme，indeed！Anaemia！’Aha！Yousee？
Goaway，then，oldman，andleavemealoneherewiththatghost，’
hesays，jerkinghisheadatthewreckofhisbrig。
\"Mad！Itwasgettingdusk。Ididnotcaretostopanylongerallbymyselfwiththatmaninthatlonelyplace。IwasnotgoingtotellhimofFreya’sillness。Anaemia！Whatwasthegood？Mad！
Andwhatsortofhusbandwouldhehavemade，anyhow，forasensiblegirllikeFreya？Why，evenmylittlepropertyIcouldnothaveleftthem。TheDutchauthoritieswouldneverhaveallowedanEnglishmantosettlethere。Itwasnotsoldthen。MymanMahmat，youknow，waslookingafteritforme。LateronIletitgoforatenthofitsvaluetoaDutchhalf—caste。Butnevermind。Itwasnothingtomethen。Yes；Iwentawayfromhim。Icaughtthereturnmail—boat。ItoldeverythingtoFreya。’He’smad，’Isaid；
’and，mydear，theonlythinghelovedwashisbrig。’
\"’Perhaps，’shesaystoherself，lookingstraightaway—hereyeswerenearlyashollowashis—’perhapsitistrue。Yes！Iwouldneverallowhimanypoweroverme。’\"
OldNelsonpaused。Isatfascinated，andfeelingalittlecoldinthatroomwithablazingfire。
\"Soyousee，\"hecontinued，\"sheneverreallycaredforhim。Muchtoosensible。ItookherawaytoHongKong。Changeofclimate，theysaid。Oh，thesedoctors！MyGod！Wintertime！Therecametendaysofcoldmistsandwindandrain。Pneumonia。Butlookhere！Wetalkedalottogether。Daysandevenings。Whoelsehadshe？……Shetalkedalottome，myowngirl。Sometimesshewouldlaughalittle。Lookatmeandlaughalittle—\"
Ishuddered。Helookedupvaguely，withachildish，puzzledmoodiness。
\"Shewouldsay：’Ididnotreallymeantobeabaddaughtertoyou，papa。’AndIwouldsay：’Ofcourse，mydear。Youcouldnothavemeantit。’Shewouldliequietandthensay：’Iwonder？’
Andsometimes，’I’vebeenreallyacoward，’shewouldtellme。Youknow，sickpeopletheysaythings。Andsoshewouldsaytoo：
’I’vebeenconceited，headstrong，capricious。Isoughtmyowngratification。Iwasselfishorafraid。’……Butsickpeople，youknow，theysayanything。Andonce，afterlyingsilentalmostallday，shesaid：’Yes；perhaps，whenthedaycameIwouldnothavegone。Perhaps！Idon’tknow，’shecried。’Drawthecurtain，papa。Shuttheseaout。Itreproachesmewithmyfolly。’\"Hegaspedandpaused。
\"Soyousee，\"hewentoninamurmur。\"Veryill，veryillindeed。
Pneumonia。Verysudden。\"Hepointedhisfingeratthecarpet，whilethethoughtofthepoorgirl，vanquishedinherstrugglewiththreemen’sabsurdities，andcomingatlasttodoubtherownself，heldmeinaveryanguishofpity。
\"Youseeyourself，\"hebeganagaininadowncastmanner。\"Shecouldnothavereally……Shementionedyouseveraltimes。Goodfriend。Sensibleman。SoIwantedtotellyoumyself—letyouknowthetruth。Afellowlikethat！Howcoulditbe？Shewaslonely。Andperhapsforawhile……Merenothing。TherecouldneverhavebeenaquestionofloveformyFreya—suchasensiblegirl—\"
\"Man！\"Icried，risinguponhimwrathfully，\"don’tyouseethatshediedofit？\"
Hegotuptoo。\"No！no！\"hestammered，asifangry。\"Thedoctors！
Pneumonia。Lowstate。Theinflammationofthe……Theytoldme。
Pneu—\"
Hedidnotfinishtheword。Itendedinasob。Heflunghisarmsoutinagestureofdespair，givinguphisghastlypretencewithalow，heartrendingcry：
\"AndIthoughtthatshewassosensible！\"
