80
passionately. "Come back to you and abandon her? Do you think I am mad? Without her! Man! what are you made of? To think that she moves, lives, breathes out of my sight. I am jealous of the wind that fans her, of the air she breathes, of the earth that receives the caress of her foot, of the sun that looks at her now while I . . . I haven't seen her for two days--two days." The intensity of Willems' feeling moved Almayer somewhat, but he affected to yawn elaborately "You do bore me," he muttered. "Why don't you go after her instead of coming here?" "Why indeed?" "Don't you know where she is? She can't be very far. No native craft has left this river for the last fortnight." "No! not very far--and I will tell you where she is. She is in Lakamba's campong." And Willems fixed his eyes steadily on Almayer's face. "Phew! Patalolo never sent to let me know. Strange," said Almayer, thoughtfully. "Are you afraid of that lot?" he added, after a short pause. "I--afraid!" "Then is it the care of your dignity which prevents you from following her there, my high-minded friend?" asked Almayer, with mock solicitude. "How noble of you!" There was a short silence; then Willems said, quietly, "You are a fool. I should like to kick you." "No fear," answered Almayer, carelessly; "you are too weak for that. You look starved." "I don't think I have eaten anything for the last two days; perhaps more--I don't remember. It does not matter. I am full of live embers," said Willems, gloomily. "Look!" and he bared an arm covered with fresh scars. "I have been biting myself to forget in that pain the fire that hurts me there!" He struck his breast violently with his fist, reeled under his own blow, fell into a chair that stood near and closed his eyes slowly. "Disgusting exhibition," said Almayer, loftily. "What could father ever see in you? You are as estimable as a heap of garbage." "You talk like that! You, who sold your soul for a few guilders," muttered Willems, wearily, without opening his eyes. "Not so few," said Almayer, with instinct