Лорд Джим

Chapter 20

           Hishandhoveredoverthecasewhereabutterflyinsolitarygrandeurspreadoutdarkbronzewings,seveninchesormoreacross,withexquisitewhiteveiningsandagorgeousborderofyellowspots.“OnlyonespecimenlikethistheyhaveinyourLondon,andthen—nomore.TomysmallnativetownthismycollectionIshallbequeath.Somethingofme.Thebest.”

           ‘Hebentforwardinthechairandgazedintently,hischinoverthefrontofthecase.Istoodathisback.“Marvellous,”hewhispered,andseemedtoforgetmypresence.Hishistorywascurious.HehadbeenborninBavaria,andwhenayouthoftwenty-twohadtakenanactivepartintherevolutionarymovementof1848.Heavilycompromised,hemanagedtomakehisescape,andatfirstfoundarefugewithapoorrepublicanwatchmakerinTrieste.FromtherehemadehiswaytoTripoliwithastockofcheapwatchestohawkabout,—notaverygreatopeningtruly,butitturnedoutluckyenough,becauseitwastherehecameuponaDutchtraveller—aratherfamousman,Ibelieve,butIdon’trememberhisname.Itwasthatnaturalistwho,engaginghimasasortofassistant,tookhimtotheEast.TheytravelledintheArchipelagotogetherandseparately,collectinginsectsandbirds,forfouryearsormore.Thenthenaturalistwenthome,andStein,havingnohometogoto,remainedwithanoldtraderhehadcomeacrossinhisjourneysintheinteriorofCelebes—ifCelebesmaybesaidtohaveaninterior.

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