"If you move another step," she exclaimed, breathing quickly, "I shall
cry out. Do you see those lights in the big house? There sit two white
men, angry because they cannot have the blood of the man you love. And
in those dark houses," she continued, more calmly as she pointed towards
the settlement, "my voice could wake up men that would lead the Orang
Blanda soldiers to him who is waiting--for you."
She could not see her daughter's face, but the white figure before her
stood silent and irresolute in the darkness. Mrs. Almayer pursued her
advantage.
"Give up your old life! Forget!" she said in entreating tones. "Forget
that you ever looked at a white face; forget their words; forget their
thoughts. They speak lies. And they think lies because they despise us
that are better than they are, but not so strong. Forget their
friendship and their contempt; forget their many gods. Girl, why do you
want to remember the past when there is a warrior and a chief ready to
give many lives--his own life--for one of your smiles?"
While she spoke she pushed gently her daughter towards the canoes, hiding
her own fear, anxiety, and doubt under the flood of passionate words that
left Nina no time to think and no opportunity to protest, even if she had
wished it.
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