ugh."

"The arrest should be effected before dark," remarked the young sub.

"I shall hold you responsible for any failure. We are ready, but can do
nothing just now without you," added the senior, with evident annoyance.

Almayer made a gesture of assent. "On my word of honour," he repeated
vaguely. "And now let us dine," he added briskly.

Nina came through the doorway and stood for a moment holding the curtain
aside for Ali and the old Malay woman bearing the dishes; then she moved
towards the three men by the table.

"Allow me," said Almayer, pompously. "This is my daughter. Nina, these
gentlemen, officers of the frigate outside, have done me the honour to
accept my hospitality."

Nina answered the low bows of the two officers by a slow inclination of
the head and took her place at the table opposite her father. All sat
down. The coxswain of the steam launch came up carrying some bottles of
wine.

"You will allow me to have this put upon the table?" said the lieutenant
to Almayer.

"What! Wine! You are very kind. Certainly, I have none myself. Times
are very hard."

The last words of his reply were spoken by Almayer in a faltering voice.
The thought that Dain was dead recurred to him vividly again, and he felt
as if an invisible hand was gripping his throat. He reached for the gin
bottle while they were uncorking the wine and swallowed a big gulp. The
lieutenant, who was speaking to Nina, gave him a quick glance. The young
sub began to recover from the astonishment and confusion caused by Nina's
unexpected appearance and great beauty. "She was very beautiful and
imposing," he reflected, "but after all a half-caste girl." This thought
caused him to pluck up heart and look at Nina sideways. Nina, with
composed face, was answering in a low, even voice the elder officer's
polite questions as to the country and her mode of life. Almayer pushed
his plate away and drank his guest's wine in gloomy silence.

CHAPTER IX.

"Can I believe what you tell me? It is like a tale for men that listen
only half awake by the camp fire, and it seems to have run off a woman's
tongue."

"Who is there here for me to deceive, O Rajah?" answered Babalatchi.
"Without you I am nothing. All I have told you I believe to be true. I
have been safe for many years in the hollow of your hand. This is no
time to harbour suspicions. The danger is very great. We should advise
and act at once, before the sun