\"Iamstupid，\"whisperedMrs。Traverstoherself，withacompleteandreassuringconviction。Yetshewaitedmotionlesstillthefootstepsofthetwomenstoppedoutsidethedeckhouse，thenseparatedanddiedaway，beforeshewentoutondeck。Shecameoutondecksometimeafterherhusband。Asifinintendedcontrasttotheconflictsofmenagreataspectofserenitylayuponallvisiblethings。Mr。TravershadgoneinsidetheCageinwhichhereallylookedlikeacaptiveandthoroughlyoutofplace。D’Alcacerhadgoneinthere，too，buthepreserved——orwasitanillusion？——anairofindependence。Itwasnotthatheputiton。LikeMr。Travershesatinawickerarmchairinverymuchthesameattitudeastheothergentlemanandalsosilent；buttherewassomewhereasubtledifferencewhichdidawaywiththenotionofcaptivity。Moreover，d’Alcacerhadthatpeculiargiftofneverlookingoutofplaceinanysurroundings。Mrs。Travers，inordertosaveherEuropeanbootsforactiveservice，hadbeenpersuadedtouseapairofleathersandalsalsoextractedfromthatseaman’schestinthedeckhouse。Anadditionalfasteninghadbeenputonthembutshecouldnotavoidmakingadelicateclatterasshewalkedonthedeck。Nopartofhercostumemadeherfeelsoexotic。Italsoforcedhertoalterherusualgaitandmovewithquick，shortstepsverymuchlikeImmada。
\"Iamrobbingthegirlofherclothes，\"shehadthoughttoherself，\"besidesotherthings。\"Sheknewbythistimethatagirlofsuchhighrankwouldneverdreamofwearinganythingthathadbeenwornbysomebodyelse。
AttheslightnoiseofMrs。Travers’sandalsd’Alcacerlookedoverthebackofhischair。ButheturnedhisheadawayatonceandMrs。Travers，leaningherelbowontherailandrestingherheadonthepalmofherhand，lookedacrossthecalmsurfaceofthelagoon，idly。
ShewasturningherbackontheCage，thefore—partofthedeckandtheedgeofthenearestforest。Thatgreaterectionofenormoussolidtrunks，dark，ruggedcolumnsfestoonedwithwrithingcreepersandsteepedingloom，wassoclosetothebankthatbylookingoverthesideoftheshipshecouldseeinvertedintheglassybeltofwateritsmassiveandblackreflectiononthereflectedskythatgavetheimpressionofaclearblueabyssseenthroughatransparentfilm。Andwhensheraisedhereyesthesameabysmalimmobilityseemedtoreignoverthewholesun—bathedenlargementofthatlagoonwhichwasoneofthesecretplacesoftheearth。Shefeltstronglyherisolation。Shewassomuchtheonlybeingofherkindmovingwithinthismysterythateventoherselfshelookedlikeanapparitionwithoutrightsandwithoutdefenceandthatmustendbysurrenderingtothoseforceswhichseemedtoherbuttheexpressionoftheunconsciousgeniusoftheplace。Herswasthemostcompleteloneliness，chargedwithacatastrophictension。Itlayaboutherasthoughshehadbeensetapartwithinamagiccircle。Itcutoff——butitdidnotprotect。
Thefootstepsthatsheknewhowtodistinguishaboveallothersonthatdeckwereheardsuddenlybehindher。Shedidnotturnherhead。
Sincethatafternoonwhenthegentlemen，asLingardcalledthem，hadbeenbroughtonboard，Mrs。TraversandLingardhadnotexchangedonesignificantword。
WhenLingardhaddecidedtoproceedbywayofnegotiationshehadaskedhimonwhathebasedhishopeofsuccess；andhehadansweredher：\"Onmyluck。\"Whathereallydependedonwashisprestige；butevenifhehadbeenawareofsuchawordhewouldnothaveusedit，sinceitwouldhavesoundedlikeaboast。And，besides，hedidreallybelieveinhisluck。Nobody，eitherwhiteorbrown，hadeverdoubtedhiswordandthat，ofcourse，gavehimgreatassuranceinenteringuponthenegotiation。Buttheultimateissueofitwouldbealwaysamatterofluck。HesaidsodistinctlytoMrs。Traversatthemomentoftakingleaveofher，withJorgensonalreadywaitingforhimintheboatthatwastotakethemacrossthelagoontoBelarab’sstockade。
Startledbyhisdecision（forithadcomesuddenlyclinchedbythewords\"IbelieveIcandoit\"），Mrs。Travershaddroppedherhandintohisstrongopenpalmonwhichanexpertinpalmistrycouldhavedistinguishedotherlinesthanthelineofluck。
Lingard’shandclosedonherswithagentlepressure。Shelookedathim，speechless。Hewaitedforamoment，theninanunconsciouslytendervoicehesaid：\"Well，wishmeluckthen。\"
Sheremainedsilent。Andhestillholdingherhandlookedsurprisedatherhesitation。Itseemedtoherthatshecouldnotlethimgo，andshedidn’tknowwhattosaytillitoccurredtohertomakeuseofthepowersheknewshehadoverhim。Shewouldtryitagain。\"Iamcomingwithyou，\"shedeclaredwithdecision。
\"Youdon’tsupposeIcouldremainhereinsuspenseforhours，perhaps。\"
Hedroppedherhandsuddenlyasifithadburnthim——\"Oh，yes，ofcourse，\"hemumbledwithanairofconfusion。Oneofthemenovertherewasherhusband！Andnothinglesscouldbeexpectedfromsuchawoman。Hehadreallynothingtosaybutshethoughthehesitated。——\"Doyouthinkmypresencewouldspoileverything？I
assureyouIamaluckyperson，too，inaway……Asluckyasyou，atleast，\"shehadaddedinamurmurandwithasmilewhichprovokedhisresponsivemutter——\"Oh，yes，wearealuckypairofpeople。\"——\"Icountmyselfluckyinhavingfoundamanlikeyoutofightmy——ourbattles，\"shesaid，warmly。\"Supposeyouhadnotexisted？……Youmustletmecomewithyou！\"Forthesecondtimebeforeherexpressedwishtostandbyhissidehebowedhishead。Afterall，ifthingscametotheworst，shewouldbeassafebetweenhimandJorgensonasleftaloneonboardtheEmmawithafewMalayspearmenforalldefence。ForamomentLingardthoughtofpickingupthepistolshehadtakenoutofhisbeltpreparatorytojoiningJorgensonintheboat，thinkingitwouldbebettertogotoabigtalkcompletelyunarmed。Theywerelyingontherailbuthedidn’tpickthemup。Fourshotsdidn’tmatter。
Theycouldnotmatteriftheworldofhiscreationweretogotopieces。HesaidnothingofthattoMrs。Traversbutbusiedhimselfingivingherthemeanstoalterherpersonalappearance。
Itwasthenthatthesea—chestinthedeckhousewasopenedforthefirsttimebeforetheinterestedMrs。Traverswhohadfollowedhiminside。LingardhandedtoheraMalaywoman’slightcottoncoatwithjewelledclaspstoputoverherEuropeandress。
Itcoveredhalfofheryachtingskirt。Mrs。Traversobeyedhimwithoutcomment。Hepulledoutalongandwidescarfofwhitesilkembroideredheavilyontheedgesandends，andbeggedhertoputitoverherheadandarrangetheendssoastomuffleherface，leavinglittlemorethanhereyesexposedtoview。——\"WearegoingamongstalotofMohammedans，\"heexplained。——\"Isee。Youwantmetolookrespectable，\"shejested。——\"Iassureyou，Mrs。
Travers，\"heprotested，earnestly，\"thatmostofthepeoplethereandcertainlyallthegreatmenhaveneverseenawhitewomanintheirlives。Butperhapsyouwouldlikebetteroneofthoseotherscarves？Therearethreeinthere。\"——\"No，Ilikethisonewellenough。Theyareallverygorgeous。IseethatthePrincessistobesentbacktoherlandwithallpossiblesplendour。Whatathoughtfulmanyouare，CaptainLingard。Thatchildwillbetouchedbyyourgenerosity……WillIdolikethis？\"
\"Yes，\"saidLingard，avertinghiseyes。Mrs。TraversfollowedhimintotheboatwheretheMalaysstaredinsilencewhileJorgenson，stiffandangular，gavenosignoflife，notevensomuchasamovementoftheeyes。Lingardsettledherinthesternsheetsandsatdownbyherside。Theardentsunshinedevouredallcolours。
Theboatswamforwardontheglareheadingforthestripofcoralbeachdazzlinglikeacrescentofmetalraisedtoawhiteheat。
Theylanded。Gravely，JorgensonopenedaboveMrs。Travers’headabigwhitecottonparasolandsheadvancedbetweenthetwomen，dazed，asifinadreamandhavingnoothercontactwiththeearthbutthroughthesolesofherfeet。Everythingwasstill，empty，incandescent，andfantastic。Thenwhenthegateofthestockadewasthrownopensheperceivedanexpectantandstillmultitudeofbronzefiguresdrapedincolouredstuffs。Theycrowdedthepatchesofshadeunderthethreeloftyforesttreesleftwithintheenclosurebetweenthesun—smittenemptyspacesofhard—bakedground。Thebroadbladesofthespearsdecoratedwithcrimsontuftsofhorsehairhadacoolgleamundertheoutspreadboughs。Totheleftagroupofbuildingsonpileswithlongverandahsandimmenseroofstoweredhighintheairabovetheheadsofthecrowd，andseemedtofloatintheglare，lookingmuchlesssubstantialthantheirheavyshadows。Lingard，pointingtooneofthesmallest，saidinanundertone，\"IlivedthereforafortnightwhenIfirstcametoseeBelarab\"；andMrs。Traversfeltmorethaneverasifwalkinginadreamwhensheperceivedbeyondtherailsofitsverandahandvisiblefromheadtofoottwofiguresinanarmourofchainmailwithpointedsteelhelmetscrestedwithwhiteandblackfeathersandguardingthecloseddoor。Ahighbenchdrapedinturkeyclothstoodinanopenspaceofthegreataudienceshed。Lingardledheruptoit，Jorgensononherothersideclosedtheparasolcalmly，andwhenshesatdownbetweenthemthewholethrongbeforehereyessanktothegroundwithoneaccorddisclosinginthedistanceofthecourtyardalonelyfigureleaningagainstthesmoothtrunkofatree。Awhiteclothwasfastenedroundhisheadbyayellowcord。
Itspointedendsfellonhisshoulders，framingathindarkfacewithlargeeyes，asilkcloakstripedblackandwhitefelltohisfeet，andinthedistancehelookedaloofandmysteriousinhiserectandcarelessattitudesuggestingassuranceandpower。
Lingard，bendingslightly，whisperedintoMrs。Travers’earthatthatman，apartanddominatingthescene，wasDaman，thesupremeleaderoftheIllanuns，theonewhohadorderedthecaptureofthosegentlemeninorderperhapstoforcehishand。Thetwobarbarous，half—nakedfigurescoveredwithornamentsandcharms，squattingathisfeetwiththeirheadsenfoldedincrimsonandgoldhandkerchiefsandwithstraightswordslyingacrosstheirknees，werethePangeranswhocarriedouttheorder，andhadbroughtthecaptivesintothelagoon。ButthetwomeninchainarmouronwatchoutsidethedoorofthesmallhousewereBelarab’stwoparticularbody—guards，whogotthemselvesupinthatwayonlyonverygreatoccasions。TheyweretheoutwardandvisiblesignthattheprisonerswereinBelarab’skeeping，andthiswasgood，sofar。ThepitywasthattheGreatChiefhimselfwasnotthere。ThenLingardassumedaformalposeandMrs。
Traversstaredintothegreatcourtyardandwithrowsandrowsoffacesrangedonthegroundatherfeetfeltalittlegiddyforamoment。
Everymovementhaddiedinthecrowd。Eventheeyeswerestillunderthevariegatedmassofcolouredheadkerchiefs：whilebeyondtheopengateanoblepalmtreelookedintenselyblackagainsttheglitterofthelagoonandthepaleincandescenceofthesky。
Mrs。TraversgazingthatwaywonderedattheabsenceofHassimandImmada。ButthegirlmighthavebeensomewherewithinoneofthehouseswiththeladiesofBelarab’sstockade。ThensuddenlyMrs。Traversbecameawarethatanotherbenchhadbeenbroughtoutandwasalreadyoccupiedbyfivemendressedingorgeoussilks，andembroideredvelvets，round—facedandgrave。Theirhandsreposedontheirknees；butoneamongstthemcladinawhiterobeandwithalargenearlyblackturbanonhisheadleanedforwardalittlewithhischininhishand。Hischeeksweresunkenandhiseyesremainedfixedonthegroundasiftoavoidlookingattheinfidelwoman。
Shebecameawaresuddenlyofasoftmurmur，andglancingatLingardshesawhiminanattitudeofimpassiveattention。Themomentousnegotiationshadbegun，anditwentonlikethisinlowundertoneswithlongpausesandintheimmobilityofalltheattendantssquattingontheground，withthedistantfigureofDamanfaroffintheshadetoweringoveralltheassembly。Butinhim，too，Mrs。Traverscouldnotdetecttheslightestmovementwhiletheslightlymodulatedmurmurswentonenvelopingherinafeelingofpeace。
Thefactthatshecouldn’tunderstandanythingofwhatwassaidsoothedherapprehensions。SometimesasilencefellandLingardbendingtowardherwouldwhisper，\"Itisn’tsoeasy，\"andthestillnesswouldbesoperfectthatshewouldheartheflutterofapigeon’swingsomewherehighupinthegreatovershadowingtrees。Andsuddenlyoneofthemenbeforeherwithoutmovingalimbwouldbeginanotherspeechrenderedmoremysteriousstillbythetotalabsenceofactionorplayoffeature。OnlythewatchfulnessoftheeyeswhichshowedthatthespeakerwasnotcommuningwithhimselfmadeitclearthatthiswasnotaspokenmeditationbutaflowofargumentdirectedtoLingardwhonowandthenutteredafewwordseitherwithagraveorasmilingexpression。Theywerealwaysfollowedbymurmurswhichseemedmostlytohertoconveyassent；andthenareflectivesilencewouldreignagainandtheimmobilityofthecrowdwouldappearmoreperfectthanbefore。
WhenLingardwhisperedtoherthatitwasnowhisturntomakeaspeechMrs。Traversexpectedhimtogetupandasserthimselfbysomecommandinggesture。Buthedidnot。Heremainedseated，onlyhisvoicehadavibratingqualitythoughheobviouslytriedtorestrainit，andittravelledmasterfullyfarintothesilence。
Hespokeforalongtimewhilethesunclimbingtheunstainedskyshiftedthediminishedshadowsofthetrees，pouringontheheadsofmenitsheatthroughthethickandmotionlessfoliage。
Whenevermurmursarosehewouldstopandglancingfearlesslyattheassembly，waittilltheysubsided。Onceortwice，theyrosetoaloudhumandMrs。TraverscouldhearontheothersideofherJorgensonmutteringsomethinginhismoustache。BeyondtherowsofheadsDamanunderthetreehadfoldedhisarmsonhisbreast。TheedgeofthewhiteclothconcealedhisforeheadandathisfeetthetwoIllanunchiefs，halfnakedandbedeckedwithcharmsandornamentsofbrightfeathers，ofshells，withnecklacesofteeth，claws，andshiningbeads，remainedcross—leggedwiththeirswordsacrosstheirkneesliketwobronzeidols。Eventheplumesoftheirhead—dressesstirrednot。
\"Sudah！Itisfinished！\"Amovementpassedalongalltheheads，theseatedbodiesswayedtoandfro。Lingardhadceasedspeaking。
HeremainedseatedforamomentlookinghisaudiencealloverandwhenhestooduptogetherwithMrs。TraversandJorgensonthewholeassemblyrosefromthegroundtogetherandlostitsorderedformation。SomeofBelarab’sretainers，youngbroad—facedfellows，wearingasortofuniformofcheck—patternedsarongs，blacksilkjacketsandcrimsonskull—capssetatarakishangle，swaggeredthroughthebrokengroupsandrangedthemselvesintworowsbeforethemotionlessDamanandhisIllanunchiefsinmartialarray。Themembersofthecouncilwhohadlefttheirbenchapproachedthewhitepeoplewithgentlesmilesanddeferentialmovementsofthehands。Theirbearingwasfaintlypropitiatory；onlythemaninthebigturbanremainedfanaticallyaloof，keepinghiseyesfixedontheground。
\"Ihavedoneit，\"murmuredLingardtoMrs。Travers。——\"Wasitverydifficult？\"sheasked。——\"No，\"hesaid，consciousinhisheartthathehadstrainedtothefullestextenttheprestigeofhisgoodnameandthathabitofdeferencetohisslightestwishestablishedbytheglamourofhiswealthandthefearofhispersonalityinthisgreattalkwhichafterallhaddonenothingexceptputoffthedecisivehour。HeofferedMrs。Travershisarmreadytoleadheraway，butatthelastmomentdidnotmove。
WithanauthoritativegestureDamanhadpartedtheranksofBelarab’syoungfollowerswiththeredskullcapsandwasseenadvancingtowardthewhitesstrikingintoanastonishedsilenceallthescatteredgroupsinthecourtyard。Butthebrokenrankshadclosedbehindhim。TheIllanunchiefs，foralltheirtruculentaspect，weremuchtooprudenttoattempttomove。TheyhadnotneededforthatthefaintwarningmurmurfromDaman。Headvancedalone。Theplainhiltofaswordprotrudedfromtheopenedgesofhiscloak。Thepartededgesdisclosedalsothebuttsoftwoflintlockpistols。TheKoraninavelvetcasehungonhisbreastbyaredcordofsilk。Hewaspious，magnificent，andwarlike，withcalmmovementsandastraightglancefromunderthehemofthesimplepieceoflinencoveringhishead。Hecarriedhimselfrigidlyandhisbearinghadasortofsolemnmodesty。
LingardsaidhurriedlytoMrs。Traversthatthemanhadmetwhitepeoplebeforeandthat，shouldheattempttoshakehandswithher，sheoughttoofferherowncoveredwiththeendofherscarf。——\"Why？\"sheasked。\"Propriety？\"——\"Yes，itwillbebetter，\"
saidLingardandthenextmomentMrs。TraversfeltherenvelopedhandpressedgentlybyslenderdarkfingersandfeltextremelyOrientalherselfwhen，withherfacemuffledtotheeyes，sheencounteredthelustrousblackstareofthesea—robbers’leader。
Itwasonlyforaninstant，becauseDamanturnedawayatoncetoshakehandswithLingard。Inthestraight，amplefoldsofhisrobeshelookedveryslenderfacingtherobustwhiteman。
\"Greatisyourpower，\"hesaid，inapleasantvoice。\"Thewhitemenaregoingtobedeliveredtoyou。\"
\"Yes，theypassintomykeeping，\"saidLingard，returningtheother’sbrightsmilebutotherwiselookinggrimenoughwiththefrownwhichhadsettledonhisforeheadatDaman’sapproach。Heglancedoverhisshoulderatagroupofspearmenescortingthetwocaptiveswhohadcomedownthestepsfromthehut。AtthesightofDamanbarringasitwereLingard’swaytheyhadstoppedatsomedistanceandhadclosedroundthetwowhitemen。Damanalsoglanceddispassionatelythatway。
\"Theyweremyguests，\"hemurmured。\"PleaseGodIshallcomesoontoaskyouforthem……asafriend，\"headdedafteraslightpause。
\"AndpleaseGodyouwillnotgoawayemptyhanded，\"saidLingard，smoothinghisbrow。\"AfterallyouandIwerenotmeanttomeetonlytoquarrel。WouldyouhavepreferredtoseethempassintoTengga’skeeping？\"
\"Tenggaisfatandfullofwiles，\"saidDaman，disdainfully，\"amereshopkeepersmittenbyadesiretobeachief。Heisnothing。
ButyouandIarementhathaverealpower。YetthereisatruththatyouandIcanconfesstoeachother。Men’sheartsgrowquicklydiscontented。Listen。Theleadersofmenarecarriedforwardinthehandsoftheirfollowers；andcommonmen’smindsareunsteady，theirdesireschangeable，andtheirthoughtsnottobetrusted。Youareagreatchieftheysay。DonotforgetthatI
amachief，too，andaleaderofarmedmen。\"
\"Ihaveheardofyou，too，\"saidLingardinacomposedvoice。
Damanhadcasthiseyesdown。SuddenlyheopenedthemverywidewithaneffectthatstartledMrs。Travers。——\"Yes。Butdoyousee？\"Mrs。Travers，herhandrestinglightlyonLingard’sarm，hadthesensationofactinginagorgeouslygotupplayonthebrilliantlylightedstageofanexoticoperawhoseaccompanimentwasnotmusicbutthevariedstrainsoftheall—pervadingsilence。——\"Yes，Isee，\"Lingardrepliedwithasurprisinglyconfidentialintonation。\"Butpower，too，isinthehandsofagreatleader。\"
Mrs。TraverswatchedthefaintmovementsofDaman’snostrilsasthoughthemanweresufferingfromsomepowerfulemotion，whileunderherfingersLingard’sforearminitswhitesleevewasassteadyasalimbofmarble。Withoutlookingathimsheseemedtofeelthatwithonemovementhecouldcrushthatnervousfigureinwhichlivedthebreathofthegreatdeserthauntedbyhisnomad，camel—ridingancestors。——\"PowerisinthehandofGod，\"hesaid，allanimationdyingoutofhisface，andpausedtowaitforLingard’s\"Verytrue，\"thencontinuedwithafinesmile，\"butHeapportionsitaccordingtoHiswillforHisownpurposes，eventothosethatarenotoftheFaith。\"
\"SuchbeingthewillofGodyoushouldharbournobitternessagainsttheminyourheart。\"
Thelowexclamation，\"Againstthose！\"andaslightdismissinggestureofameagredarkhandoutofthefoldsofthecloakwerealmostunderstandabletoMrs。Traversintheperfectionoftheirmelancholycontempt，andgaveLingardafurtherinsightintothecharacteroftheallysecuredtohimbythediplomacyofBelarab。
Hewasonlyhalfreassuredbythisassumptionofsuperiordetachment。Hetrustedtotheman’sself—interestmore；forDamannodoubtlookedtothereconqueredkingdomfortherewardofdignityandease。Hisfatherandgrandfather（themenofwhomJorgensonhadwrittenashavingbeenhangedforanexampletwelveyearsbefore）hadbeenfriendsofSultans，advisersofRulers，wealthyfinanciersofthegreatraidingexpeditionsofthepast。
ItwashatredthathadturnedDamanintoaself—madeoutcast，tillBelarab’sdiplomacyhaddrawnhimoutfromsomeobscureanduneasyretreat。
InafewwordsLingardassuredDamanofthecompletesafetyofhisfollowersaslongastheythemselvesmadenoattempttogetpossessionofthestrandedyacht。LingardunderstoodverywellthatthecaptureofTraversandd’Alcacerwastheresultofasuddenfear，amovedirectedbyDamantosecurehisownsafety。
Thesightofthestrandedyachtshookhisconfidencecompletely。
Itwasasifthesecretsoftheplacehadbeenbetrayed。Afterall，itwasperhapsagreatfollytotrustanywhiteman，nomatterhowmuchheseemedestrangedfromhisownpeople。Damanfelthemighthavebeenthevictimofaplot。Lingard’sbrigappearedtohimaformidableengineofwar。Hedidnotknowwhattothinkandthemotiveforgettingholdofthetwowhitemenwasreallythewishtosecurehostages。DistrustingthefierceimpulsesofhisfollowershehadhastenedtoputthemintoBelarab’skeeping。ButeverythingintheSettlementseemedtohimsuspicious：Belarab’sabsence，Jorgenson’srefusaltomakeoveratoncethepromisedsupplyofarmsandammunition。AndnowthatwhitemanhadbythepowerofhisspeechgotthemawayfromBelarab’speople。SomuchinfluencefilledDamanwithwonderandawe。ArecluseformanyyearsinthemostobscurecorneroftheArchipelagohefelthimselfsurroundedbyintrigues。Butthealliancewasagreatthing，too。Hedidnotwanttoquarrel。HewasquitewillingforthetimebeingtoacceptLingard’sassurancethatnoharmshouldbefallhispeopleencampedonthesandbanks。Attentiveandslight，heseemedtoletLingard’sdeliberatewordssinkintohim。Theforceofthatunarmedbigmanseemedoverwhelming。Hebowedhisheadslowly。
\"Allahisourrefuge，\"hemurmured，acceptingtheinevitable。
HedelightedMrs。Traversnotasalivingbeingbutlikeacleversketchincolours，avividrenderingofanartist’svisionofsomesoul，delicateandfierce。Hisbrighthalf—smilewasextraordinary，sharplikeclearsteel，painfullypenetrating。
GlancingrightandleftMrs。Traverssawthewholecourtyardsmittenbythedesolatingfuryofsunshineandpeopledwithshadows，theirformsandcoloursfadingintheviolenceofthelight。Theverybrowntonesofroofandwalldazzledtheeye。
ThenDamansteppedaside。HewasnolongersmilingandMrs。
TraversadvancedwithherhandonLingard’sarmthroughaheatsopotentthatitseemedtohaveataste，afeel，asmellofitsown。ShemovedonasiffloatinginitwithLingard’ssupport。
\"Wherearethey？\"sheasked。
\"Theyarefollowingusallright，\"heanswered。Lingardwassocertainthattheprisonerswouldbedeliveredtohimonthebeachthatheneverglancedbacktill，afterreachingtheboat，heandMrs。Traversturnedabout。
Thegroupofspearmenpartedrightandleft，andMr。Traversandd’Alcacerwalkedforwardalonelookingunrealandoddliketheirownday—ghosts。Mr。Traversgavenosignofbeingawareofhiswife’spresence。Itwascertainlyashocktohim。Butd’Alcaceradvancedsmiling，asifthebeachwereadrawing。room。
WithaveryfewpaddlerstheheavyoldEuropean—builtboatmovedslowlyoverthewaterthatseemedaspaleandblazingastheskyabove。Jorgensonhadperchedhimselfinthebow。Theotherfourwhitepeoplesatinthesternsheets，theex—prisonerssidebysideinthemiddle。Lingardspokesuddenly。
\"Iwantyoubothtounderstandthatthetroubleisnotoveryet。
Nothingisfinished。Youareoutonmybareword。\"
WhileLingardwasspeakingMr。Traversturnedhisfaceawaybutd’Alcacerlistenedcourteously。Notanotherwordwasspokenfortherestoftheway。Thetwogentlemenwentuptheship’ssidefirst。LingardremainedtohelpMrs。Traversatthefootoftheladder。Shepressedhishandstronglyandlookingdownathisupturnedface：
\"Thiswasawonderfulsuccess，\"shesaid。
Foratimethecharacterofhisfascinatedgazedidnotchange。
Itwasasifshehadsaidnothing。Thenhewhispered，admiringly，\"Youunderstandeverything。\"
Shemovedhereyesawayandhadtodisengageherhandtowhichheclungforamoment，giddy，likeamanfallingoutoftheworld。
III
Mrs。Travers，acutelyawareofLingardbehindher，remainedgazingoverthelagoon。Afteratimehesteppedforwardandplacedhimselfbesideherclosetotherail。Shewentonstaringatthesheetofwaterturnedtodeeppurpleunderthesunsetsky。
\"Whyhaveyoubeenavoidingmesincewecamebackfromthestockade？\"sheaskedinadeadenedvoice。
\"ThereisnothingtotellyoutillRajahHassimandhissisterImmadareturnwithsomenews，\"Lingardansweredinthesametone。
\"Hasmyfriendsucceeded？WillBelarablistentoanyarguments？
Willheconsenttocomeoutofhisshell？Isheonhiswayback？
IwishIknew！……Notawhispercomesfromthere！HemayhavestartedtwodaysagoandhemaybenowneartheoutskirtsoftheSettlement。Orhemayhavegoneintocamphalfwaydown，fromsomewhimorother；orhemaybealreadyarrivedforallIknow。
Weshouldnothaveseenhim。Theroadfromthehillsdoesnotleadalongthebeach。\"
Hesnatchednervouslyatthelongglassanddirecteditatthedarkstockade。Thesunhadsunkbehindtheforestsleavingthecontourofthetree—topsoutlinedbyathreadofgoldunderabandofdelicategreenlyingacrossthelowersky。Higherupafaintcrimsonglowfadedintothedarkenedblueoverhead。Theshadesoftheeveningdeepenedoverthelagoon，clungtothesidesoftheEmmaandtotheformsofthefurthershore。Lingardlaidtheglassdown。
\"Mr。d’Alcacer，too，seemstohavebeenavoidingme，\"saidMrs。
Travers。\"Youareonverygoodtermswithhim，CaptainLingard。\"
\"Heisaverypleasantman，\"murmuredLingard，absently。\"Buthesaysfunnythingssometimes。Heinquiredtheotherdayiftherewereanyplayingcardsonboard，andwhenIaskedhimifhelikedcard—playing，justforsomethingtosay，hetoldmewiththatqueersmileofhisthathehadreadastoryofsomepeoplecondemnedtodeathwhopassedthetimebeforeexecutionplayingcardgameswiththeirguards。\"
\"Andwhatdidyousay？\"
