Серце темряви

           "Iwasonthepointofcryingather,‘Don’tyouhearthem?’Theduskwasrepeatingtheminapersistentwhisperallaroundus,inawhisperthatseemedtoswellmenacinglylikethefirstwhisperofarisingwind.‘Thehorror!Thehorror!’

           "‘Hislastword—tolivewith,’sheinsisted.‘Don’tyouunderstandIlovedhim—Ilovedhim—Ilovedhim!’

           "Ipulledmyselftogetherandspokeslowly.

           "‘Thelastwordhepronouncedwas—yourname.’

           "Iheardalightsighandthenmyheartstoodstill,stoppeddeadshortbyanexultingandterriblecry,bythecryofinconceivabletriumphandofunspeakablepain.‘Iknewit—Iwassure!’...Sheknew.Shewassure.Iheardherweeping;shehadhiddenherfaceinherhands.ItseemedtomethatthehousewouldcollapsebeforeIcouldescape,thattheheavenswouldfalluponmyhead.Butnothinghappened.Theheavensdonotfallforsuchatrifle.Wouldtheyhavefallen,Iwonder,ifIhadrenderedKurtzthatjusticewhichwashisdue?Hadn’thesaidhewantedonlyjustice?ButIcouldn’t.Icouldnottellher.Itwouldhavebeentoodark—toodarkaltogether..."

           Marlowceased,andsatapart,indistinctandsilent,intheposeofameditatingBuddha.Nobodymovedforatime."Wehavelostthefirstoftheebb,"saidtheDirectorsuddenly.Iraisedmyhead.Theoffingwasbarredbyablackbankofclouds,andthetranquilwaterwayleadingtotheuttermostendsoftheearthflowedsombreunderanovercastsky—seemedtoleadintotheheartofanimmensedarkness.