\"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。