Page "Heart of Darkness" Paragraph 22

Upon Marlow's return to Europe he seems embittered.

The everyday life of the Europeans seem to be something a sham-like some sort of hoax.

Eventually Marlow took care of the bundle of papers Kurtz had entrusted to him.

To a clean-shaven man who had an official manner, Marlow gave the paper entitled ' Suppression of Savage Customs ' - " with the postscriptum torn off "-To another, who claims to be Kurtz's cousin, Marlow gave family letters and memoranda of no importance.

To a journalist he gave a Report for publication, if the journalist saw fit.

Finally Marlow was left with some personal letters and the photograph of the girl's portrait-Kurtz's fiancée, his intended.

At her door, even before Marlow entered her house, memories of Kurtz began to flow, along with the final words that he whispered.

The girl came forward, dressed in black, and met Marlow in a drawing-room.

Although it has been more than a year since Kurtz died, she was still in mourning.

It was late, and the room was growing darker.

The final words of Kurtz's seemed to echo in the room with the girl.

Marlow envisioned them together: " I saw her and him in the same instant of time — his death and her sorrow — I saw her sorrow in the very moment of his death.

" She presses Marlow for information, ultimately asking him to repeat the final words Kurtz had spoken.

Being very uncomfortable Marlow tells her that the final words that Kurtz pronounce was her name.

Marlow was surprised by her reaction: " I heard a light sigh and then my heart stood still, stopped dead short by an exulting and terrible cry, by the cry of inconceivable triumph and of unspeakable pain.

' I knew it — I was sure !'...

She knew.

She was sure.

I heard her weeping "-" I wonder, if I had rendered Kurtz that justice which was his due?

Hadn't he said he wanted only justice?

But I couldn't.

I could not tell her.

It would have been too dark — too dark altogether ...."