The Rajah departed, baffled but courteous, and soon Almayer began to reap the benefit of improved relations with the ruler in the shape of the recovery of some debts, paid to him with many apologies and many a low salaam by debtors till then considered hopelessly insolvent.
Under these improving circumstances Almayer brightened up a little.

All was not lost perhaps.

Those Arabs and Malays saw at last that he was a man of some ability, he thought.

And he began, after his manner, to plan great things, to dream of great fortunes for himself and Nina.

Especially for Nina! Under these vivifying impulses he asked Captain Ford to write to his friends in England making inquiries after Lingard.