Nina, reclining in the long chair, listened absently to the few disconnected words escaping from her father's lips.

Expedition! Gold! What did she care for all that?
But at the name of Maroola mentioned by her father she was all attention.
Dain was going down the river with his brig to-morrow to remain away for a few days, said Almayer.

It was very annoying, this delay.

As soon as Dain returned they would have to start without loss of time, for the river was rising.

He would not be surprised if a great flood was coming.
And he pushed away his plate with an impatient gesture on rising from the table.