I can see the end of a long road, and
it leads us away from this miserable swamp. We shall soon get away from
here, I and you, my dear little girl, and then--"
He rose from the table and stood looking fixedly before him as if
contemplating some enchanting vision.
"And then," he went on, "we shall be happy, you and I. Live rich and
respected far from here, and forget this life, and all this struggle, and
all this misery!"
He approached his daughter and passed his hand caressingly over her hair.
"It is bad to have to trust a Malay," he said, "but I must own that this
Dain is a perfect gentleman--a perfect gentleman," he repeated.
"Did you ask him to come here, father?" inquired Nina, not looking at
him.
"Well, of course. We shall start on the day after to-morrow," said
Almayer, joyously. "We must not lose any time. Are you glad, little
girl?"
She was nearly as tall as himself, but he liked to recall the time when
she was little and they were all in all to each other.
"I am glad," she said, very low.
"Of course," said Almayer, vivaciously, "you cannot imagine what is
before you. I myself have not been to Europe, but I have heard my mother
talk so often that I seem to know all about it.
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