And beneath that stood the name of the man on whose “zeal, capacity, and good faith,” the King said that he could rely, when he signed his appointment as Governor-General of the Dutch Indies.
“We go from here, dear Tine,” said Havelaar; and he gave the letter to Verbrugge, who read the document with Duclari.
Verbrugge had tears in his eyes, but did not speak. Duclari, a very polite and well-bred man, burst out with a wild curse.
“G———, I have seen rogues and thieves in the Government here, . . . they have gone from here with honours, and to you they write such a letter!”
“It is nothing,” said Havelaar; “the Governor-General is an honest man, . . . he must be deceived; though he could have guarded himself against that deceit, by first hearing me. But I will go to him, and show him how matters stand here. . . he will do justice, I am certain of it.”
“But if you go to Ngawie. . . .”
“I know this for certain. The Regent of Ngawie is related to the Regent of Bantam. I should have to do the same at Ngawie that I have done here: that would be a useless journey.
“Moreover, it was impossible for me to serve the trial as if I had behaved ill. . . . and, finally, I see that to put an end to all this deceit, I can no longer be a functionary.
