Серце темряви
Chapter 3
"ThusIwasleftatlastwithaslimpacketoflettersandthegirl’sportrait.Shestruckmeasbeautiful—Imeanshehadabeautifulexpression.Iknowthatthesunlightycanbemadetolie,too,yetonefeltthatnomanipulationoflightandposecouldhaveconveyedthedelicateshadeoftruthfulnessuponthosefeatures.Sheseemedreadytolistenwithoutmentalreservation,withoutsuspicion,withoutathoughtforherself.IconcludedIwouldgoandgiveherbackherportraitandthoselettersmyself.Curiosity?Yes;andalsosomeotherfeelingperhaps.AllthathadbeenKurtz’shadpassedoutofmyhands:hissoul,hisbody,hisstation,hisplans,hisivory,hiscareer.ThereremainedonlyhismemoryandhisIntended—andIwantedtogivethatup,too,tothepast,inaway—tosurrenderpersonallyallthatremainedofhimwithmetothatoblivionwhichisthelastwordofourcommonfate.Idon’tdefendmyself.IhadnoclearperceptionofwhatitwasIreallywanted.Perhapsitwasanimpulseofunconsciousloyalty,orthefulfilmentofoneofthoseironicnecessitiesthatlurkinthefactsofhumanexistence.Idon’tknow.Ican’ttell.ButIwent.
