Abdulla understood the meaning of that silence, and rose to take leave with a grave salaam.

He wished his friend Almayer "a thousand years," and moved down the steps, helped dutifully by Reshid.

The torch-bearers shook their torches, scattering a shower of sparks into the river, and the cortege moved off, leaving Almayer agitated but greatly relieved by their departure.

He dropped into a chair and watched the glimmer of the lights amongst the tree trunks till they disappeared and complete silence succeeded the tramp of feet and the murmur of voices.

He did not move till the curtain rustled and Nina came out on the verandah and sat in the rocking-chair, where she used to spend many hours every day.