Лорд Джим

Chapter 21

           TheonlywomanthathadeverexistedforhimwastheMalaygirlhecalled“Mywifetheprincess,”or,morerarely,inmomentsofexpansion,“themotherofmyEmma.”WhowasthewomanhehadmentionedinconnectionwithPatusanIcan’tsay;butfromhisallusionsIunderstandshehadbeenaneducatedandverygood-lookingDutch-Malaygirl,withatragicorperhapsonlyapitifulhistory,whosemostpainfulpartnodoubtwashermarriagewithaMalaccaPortuguesewhohadbeenclerkinsomecommercialhouseintheDutchcolonies.IgatheredfromSteinthatthismanwasanunsatisfactorypersoninmorewaysthanone,allbeingmoreorlessindefiniteandoffensive.Itwassolelyforhiswife’ssakethatSteinhadappointedhimmanagerofStein&Co.‘stradingpostinPatusan;butcommerciallythearrangementwasnotasuccess,atanyrateforthefirm,andnowthewomanhaddied,Steinwasdisposedtotryanotheragentthere.ThePortuguese,whosenamewasCornelius,consideredhimselfaverydeservingbutill-usedperson,entitledbyhisabilitiestoabetterposition.ThismanJimwouldhavetorelieve.“ButIdon’tthinkhewillgoawayfromtheplace,”remarkedStein.“Thathasnothingtodowithme.ItwasonlyforthesakeofthewomanthatI...ButasIthinkthereisadaughterleft,Ishalllethim,ifhelikestostay,keeptheoldhouse.”

           ‘Patusanisaremotedistrictofanative-ruledstate,andthechiefsettlementbearsthesamename.

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