第5章

AtthatmomentyoungScarfeoftherailwaystaffemergedfromthedoorofthepartreservedfortheSignoriInglesi。Hehadcomedowntoheadquartersfromsomewhereupthelineonalightengine，andhadhadjusttimetogetabathandchangehisclothes。Hewasaniceboy，andMrsGouldwelcomedhim。

`It\'sadelightfulsurprisetoseeyou，MrsGould。I\'vejustcomedown。

Usualluck。Missedeverything，ofcourse。Thisshowisjustover，andI

heartherehasbeenagreatdanceatDonJusteLopez\'slastnight。Isittrue?\'

`Theyoungpatricians，\'DecoudbegansuddenlyinhispreciseEnglish，`haveindeedbeendancingbeforetheystartedofftothewarwiththeGreatPompey。\'

YoungScarfestared，astounded。`Youhaven\'tmetbefore，\'MrsGouldintervened。`MrDecoud——MrScarfe。\'

`Ah！ButwearenotgoingtoPharsalia，\'protestedDonJose，withnervoushaste，alsoinEnglish。`Youshouldnotjestlikethis，Martin。\'

Antonia\'sbreastroseandfellwithadeeperbreath。Theyoungengineerwasutterlyinthedark。`Greatwhat?\'hemuttered，vaguely。

`Luckily，MonteroisnotaCaesar，\'Decoudcontinued。`NotthetwoMonterosputtogetherwouldmakeadecentparodyofaCaesar。\'Hecrossedhisarmsonhisbreast，lookingatSenorAvellanos，whohadreturnedtohisimmobility。

`Itisonlyyou，DonJose，whoareagenuineoldRoman——virRomanus——eloquentandinflexible。\'

SincehehadheardthenameofMonteropronounced，youngScarfehadbeeneagertoexpresshissimplefeelings。InaloudandyouthfultonehehopedthatthisMonterowasgoingtobelickedonceforallanddonewith。Therewasnosayingwhatwouldhappentotherailwayiftherevolutiongottheupperhand。Perhapsitwouldhavetobeabandoned。ItwouldnotbethefirstrailwaygonetopotinCostaguana。`Youknow，it\'soneoftheirso-callednationalthings，\'heranon，wrinklinguphisnoseasiftheworldhadasuspiciousflavourtohisprofoundexperienceofSouthAmericanaffairs。And，ofcourse，hechattedwithanimation，ithadbeensuchanimmensepieceofluckforhimathisagetogetappointedonthestaff`ofabigthinglikethat——don\'tyouknow\'。Itwouldgivehimthepulloveralotofchapsallthroughlife，heasserted。`Therefore——downwithMontero！MrsGould。\'Hisartlessgrindisappearedslowlybeforetheunanimousgravityofthefacesturneduponhimfromthecarriage；onlythat`oldchap\'，DonJose，presentingamotionless，waxyprofile，staredstraightonasifdeaf。ScarfedidnotknowtheAvellanosverywell。Theydidnotgiveballs，andAntonianeverappearedataground-floorwindow，assomeotheryoungladiesusedtodoattendedbyelderwomen，tochatwiththecaballerosonhorsebackintheCalle。Thestaresofthesecreolesdidnotmattermuch；butwhatonearthhadcometoMrsGould?Shesaid，`Goon，Ignacio，\'andgavehimaslowinclinationofthehead。Heheardashortlaughfromthatround-faced，Frenchifiedfellow。Hecoloureduptotheeyes，andstaredatGiorgioViola，whohadfallenbackwiththechildren，hatinhand。

`Ishallwantahorsepresently，\'hesaidwithsomeasperitytotheoldman。

`Si，senor。Thereareplentyofhorses，\'murmuredtheGaribaldino，smoothingabsently，withhisbrownhands，thetwoheads，onedarkwithbronzeglints，theotherfairwithacopperyripple，ofthetwogirlsbyhisside。Thereturningstreamofsightseersraisedagreatdustontheroad。Horsemennoticedthegroup。`Gotoyourmother，\'hesaid。`TheyaregrowingupasIamgrowingolder，andthereisnobody——\'

Helookedattheyoungengineerandstopped，asifawakenedfromadream；

then，foldinghisarmsonhisbreast，tookuphisusualposition，leaningbackinthedoorwaywithanupwardglancefastenedonthewhiteshoulderofHiguerotafaraway。

InthecarriageMartinDecoud，shiftinghispositionasthoughhecouldnotmakehimselfcomfortable，mutteredasheswayedtowardsAntonia，`I

supposeyouhateme。\'TheninaloudvoicehebegantocongratulateDonJoseuponalltheengineersbeingconvincedRibierists。Theinterestofallthoseforeignerswasgratifying。`Youhaveheardthisone。Heisanenlightenedwellwisher。ItispleasanttothinkthattheprosperityofCostaguanaisofsomeusetotheworld。\'

`Heisveryyoung，\'MrsGouldremarked，quietly。

`Andsoverywiseforhisage，\'retortedDecoud。`Butherewehavethenakedtruthfromthemouthofthatchild。Youareright，DonJose。ThenaturaltreasuresofCostaguanaareofimportancetotheprogressiveEuroperepresentedbythisyouth，justasthreehundredyearsagothewealthofourSpanishfatherswasaseriousobjecttotherestofEurope——asrepresentedbytheboldbuccaneers。Thereisacurseoffutilityuponourcharacter:

DonQuixoteandSanchoPanza，chivalryandmaterialism，high-soundingsentimentsandasupinemorality，violenteffortsforanideaandasullenacquiescenceineveryformofcorruption。Weconvulsedacontinentforourindependenceonlytobecomethepassivepreyofademocraticparody，thehelplessvictimsofscoundrelsandcut-throats，ourinstitutionsamockery，ourlawsafarce——aGuzmanBentoourmaster！Andwehavesunksolowthatwhenamanlikeyouhasawakenedourconscience，astupidbarbarianofaMontero——GreatHeavens！

aMontero！——becomesadeadlydanger，andanignorant，boastfulindio，likeBarrios，isourdefender。\'

ButDonJose，disregardingthegeneralindictmentasthoughhehadnotheardawordofit，tookupthedefenceofBarrios。Themanwascompetentenoughforhisspecialtaskintheplanofcampaign。Itconsistedinanoffensivemovement，withCaytaasbase，upontheflankoftherevolutionistforcesadvancingfromthesouthagainstStaMarta，whichwascoveredbyanotherarmywiththePresident-Dictatorinitsmidst。DonJosebecamequiteanimatedwithagreatflowofspeech，bendingforwardanxiouslyunderthesteadyeyesofhisdaughter。Decoud，asifsilencedbysomuchardour，didnotmakeasound。ThebellsofthecitywerestrikingthehourofOracionwhenthecarriagerolledundertheoldgatewayfacingtheharbourlikeashapelessmonumentofleavesandstones。Therumbleofwheelsunderthesonorousarchwastraversedbyastrange，piercingshriek，andDecoud，fromhisbackseat，hadaviewofthepeoplebehindthecarriagetrudgingalongtheroadoutside，allturningtheirheads，insombrerosandrebozos，tolookatalocomotivewhichrolledquicklyoutofsightbehindGiorgioViola\'shouse，underawhitetrailofsteamthatseemedtovanishinthebreathless，hystericallyprolongedscreamofwarliketriumph。Anditwasalllikeafleetingvision，theshriekingghostofarailwayenginefleeingacrosstheframeofthearchway，behindthestartledmovementofthepeoplestreamingbackfromamilitaryspectaclewithsilentfootstepsonthedustoftheroad。ItwasamaterialtrainreturningfromtheCampotothepalisadedyards。Theemptycarsrolledlightlyonthesingletrack；therewasnorumbleofwheels，notremorontheground。Theengine-driver，runningpasttheCasaViolawiththesaluteofanupliftedarm，checkedhisspeedsmartlybeforeenteringtheyard；andwhentheear-splittingscreechofthesteam-whistleforthebrakeshadstopped，aseriesofhard，batteringshocks，mingledwiththeclankingofchain-couplings，madeatumultofblowsandshakenfettersunderthevaultofthegate。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part2Chapter55TheGouldcarriagewasthefirsttoreturnfromtheharbourtotheemptytown。Ontheancientpavement，laidoutinpatterns，sunkintorutsandholes，theportlyIgnacio，mindfulofthespringsoftheParisian-builtlandau，hadpulleduptoawalk，andDecoudinhiscornercontemplatedmoodilytheinneraspectofthegate。Thesquatturretedsidesheldupbetweenthemamassofmasonrywithbunchesofgrassgrowingatthetop，andagrey，heavilyscrolledarmorialshieldofstoneabovetheapexofthearchwiththearmsofSpainnearlysmoothedoutasifinreadinessforsomenewdevicetypicaloftheimpendingprogress。

TheexplosivenoiseoftherailwaytrucksseemedtoaugmentDecoud\'sirritation。Hemutteredsomethingtohimself，thenbegantotalkaloudincurt，angryphrasesthrownatthesilenceofthetwowomen。Theydidnotlookathimatall；whileDonJose，withhissemi-translucent，waxycomplexion，overshadowedbythesoftgreyhat，swayedalittletothejoltsofthecarriagebythesideofMrsGould。

`Thissoundputsanewedgeonaveryoldtruth。\'

DecoudspokeinFrench，perhapsbecauseofIgnacioontheboxabovehim；theoldcoachman，withhisbroadbackfillingashort，silver-braidedjacket，hadabigpairofears，whosethickrimsstoodwellawayfromhiscroppedhead。

`Yes，thenoiseoutsidethecitywallisnew，buttheprincipleisold。\'

Heruminatedhisdiscontentforawhile，thenbeganafreshwithasidelongglanceatAntonia:

`No，butjustimagineourforefathersinmorionsandcorseletsdrawnupoutsidethisgate，andabandofadventurersjustlandedfromtheirshipsintheharbourthere。Thieves，ofcourse。Speculators，too。Theirexpeditions，eachone，werethespeculationsofgraveandreverendpersonsinEngland。Thatishistory，asthatabsurdsailorMitchellisalwayssaying。\'

`Mitchell\'sarrangementsfortheembarkationofthetroopswereexcellent！\'

exclaimedDonJose。

`That！——that！oh，that\'sreallytheworkofthatGenoeseseaman！Buttoreturntomynoises；thereusedtobeintheolddaysthesoundoftrumpetsoutsidethatgate。Wartrumpets！I\'msuretheyweretrumpets。IhavereadsomewherethatDrake，whowasthegreatestofthesemen，usedtodinealoneinhiscabinonboardshiptothesoundoftrumpets。Inthosedaysthistownwasfullofwealth。Thosemencametotakeit。Nowthewholelandislikeatreasure-house，andallthesepeoplearebreakingintoit，whilstwearecuttingeachother\'sthroats。Theonlythingthatkeepsthemoutismutualjealousy。Butthey\'llcometoanagreementsomeday——andbythetimewe\'vesettledourquarrelsandbecomedecentandhonourable，there\'llbenothingleftforus。Ithasalwaysbeenthesame。Weareawonderfulpeople，butithasalwaysbeenourfatetobe\'——hedidnotsay`robbed\'，butadded，afterapause——`exploited！\'

MrsGouldsaid，`Oh，thisisunjust！\'AndAntoniainterjected，`Don\'tanswerhim，Emilia。Heisattackingme。\'

`YousurelydonotthinkIwasattackingDonCarlos！\'Decoudanswered。

AndthenthecarriagestoppedbeforethedooroftheCasaGould。Theyoungmanofferedhishandtotheladies。Theywentinfirsttogether；

DonJosewalkedbythesideofDecoud，andthegoutyoldportertotteredafterthemwithsomelightwrapsonhisarm。

DonJoseslippedhishandunderthearmofthejournalistofSulaco。

`ThePorvenirmusthavealongandconfidentarticleuponBarriosandtheirresistiblenessofhisarmyofCayta！Themoraleffectshouldbekeptupinthecountry。WemustcableencouragingextractstoEuropeandtheUnitedStatestomaintainafavourableimpressionabroad。\'

Decoudmuttered，`Oh，yes，wemustcomfortourfriends，thespeculators。\'

Thelongopengallerywasinshadow，withitsscreenofplantsinvasesalongthebalustrade，holdingoutmotionlessblossoms，andalltheglassdoorsofthereception-roomsthrownopen。Ajingleofspursdiedoutatthefartherend。

Basilio，standingasideagainstthewall，saidinasofttonetothepassingladies，`TheSenorAdministradorisjustbackfromthemountain。\'

Inthegreatsala，withitsgroupsofancientSpanishandmodernEuropeanfurnituremakingasifdifferentcentresunderthehighwhitespreadoftheceiling，thesilverandporcelainofthetea-servicegleamedamongaclusterofdwarfchairs，likeabitofalady\'sboudoir，puttinginanoteoffeminineandintimatedelicacy。

DonJoseinhisrocking-chairplacedhishatonhislap，andDecoudwalkedupanddownthewholelengthoftheroom，passingbetweentablesloadedwithknick-knacksandalmostdisappearingbehindthehighbacksofleathernsofas。HewasthinkingoftheangryfaceofAntonia；hewasconfidentthathewouldmakehispeacewithher。HehadnotstayedinSulacotoquarrelwithAntonia。

MartinDecoudwasangrywithhimself。AllhesawandheardgoingonaroundhimexasperatedthepreconceivedviewsofhisEuropeancivilization。

TocontemplaterevolutionsfromthedistanceoftheParisianBoulevardswasquiteanothermatter。Hereonthespotitwasnotpossibletodismisstheirtragiccomedywiththeexpression，`Quellefarce！\'

Therealityofthepoliticalaction，suchasitwas，seemedcloser，andacquiredpoignancybyAntonia\'sbeliefinthecause。Itscrudenesshurthisfeelings。Hewassurprisedathisownsensitiveness。

`IsupposeIammoreofaCostaguanerothanIwouldhavebelievedpossible，\'

hethoughttohimself。

HisdisdaingrewlikeareactionofhisscepticismagainsttheactionintowhichhewasforcedbyhisinfatuationforAntonia。Hesoothedhimselfbysayinghewasnotapatriot，butalover。

Theladiescameinbareheaded，andMrsGouldsanklowbeforethelittletea-table。Antoniatookupherusualplaceatthereceptionhour——thecornerofaleatherncouch，witharigidgraceinherposeandafaninherhand。

Decoud，swervingfromthestraightlineofhismarch，cametoleanoverthehighbackofherseat。

Foralongtimehetalkedintoherearfrombehind，softly，withahalfsmileandanairofapologeticfamiliarity。Herfanlayhalfgraspedonherknees。Sheneverlookedathim。Hisrapidutterancegrewmoreandmoreinsistentandcaressing。Atlastheventuredaslightlaugh。

`No，really。Youmustforgiveme。Onemustbeserioussometimes。\'Hepaused。Sheturnedherheadalittle；herblueeyesglidedslowlytowardshim，slightlyupwards，mollifiedandquestioning。

`Youcan\'tthinkIamseriouswhenIcallMonteroagran\'bestiaeveryseconddayinthePorvenir?Thatisnotaseriousoccupation。

Nooccupationisserious，notevenwhenabulletthroughtheheartisthepenaltyoffailure！\'

Herhandcloselyfirmlyonherfan。

`Somereason，youunderstand，Imeansomesense，maycreepintothinking；

someglimpseoftruth。Imeansomeeffectivetruth，forwhichthereisnoroominpoliticsorjournalism。IhappentohavesaidwhatIthought。

Andyouareangry！IfyoudomethekindnesstothinkalittleyouwillseethatIspokelikeapatriot。\'

Sheopenedherredlipsforthefirsttime，notunkindly。

`Yes，butyouneverseetheaim。Menmustbeusedastheyare。Isupposenobodyisreallydisinterested，unless，perhaps，you，DonMartin。\'

`Godforbid！It\'sthelastthingIshouldlikeyoutobelieveofme。\'

Hespokelightly，andpaused。

Shebegantofanherselfwithaslowmovementwithoutraisingherhand。

Afteratimehewhisperedpassionately:

`Antonia！\'

Shesmiled，andextendedherhandaftertheEnglishmannertowardsCharlesGould，whowasbowingbeforeher；whileDecoud，withhiselbowsspreadonthebackofthesofa，droppedhiseyesandmurmured，`Bonjour。\'

TheSenorAdministradoroftheSanTomeminebentoverhiswifeforamoment。Theyexchangedafewwords，ofwhichonlythephrase，`Thegreatestenthusiasm，\'pronouncedbyMrsGould，couldbeheard。

`Yes，\'Decoudbeganinamurmur。`Evenhe！\'

`Thisissheercalumny，\'saidAntonia，notveryseverely。

`Youjustaskhimtothrowhismineintothemelting-potforthegreatcause，\'Decoudwhispered。

DonJosehadraisedhisvoice。Herubbedhishandscheerily。Theexcellentaspectofthetroopsandthegreatquantityofnewdeadlyriflesontheshouldersofthosebravemenseemedtofillhimwithanecstaticconfidence。

CharlesGould，verytallandthinbeforehischair，listened，butnothingcouldbediscoveredinhisfaceexceptakindanddeferentialattention。

Meantime，Antoniahadrisen，and，crossingtheroom，stoodlookingoutofoneofthethreelongwindowsgivingonthestreet。Decoudfollowedher。Thewindowwasthrownopen，andheleanedagainstthethicknessofthewall。Thelongfoldsofthedamaskcurtain，fallingstraightfromthebroadbrasscornice，hidhimpartlyfromtheroom。Hefoldedhisarmsonhisbreast，andlookedsteadilyatAntonia\'sprofile。

Thepeoplereturningfromtheharbourfilledthepavements；theshuffleofsandalsandalowmurmurofvoicesascendedtothewindow。NowandthenacoachrolledslowlyalongthedisjointedroadwayoftheCalledelaConstitucion。

TherewerenotmanyprivatecarriagesinSulaco；atthemostcrowdedhourontheAlamedatheycouldbecountedwithoneglanceoftheeye。Thegreatfamilyarksswayedonhighleathernsprings，fullofprettypowderedfacesinwhichtheeyeslookedintenselyaliveandblack。AndfirstDonJusteLopez，thePresidentoftheProvincialAssembly，passedwithhisthreelovelydaughters，solemninablackfrock-coatandstiffwhitetie，aswhendirectingadebatefromahightribune。Thoughtheyallraisedtheireyes，Antoniadidnotmaketheusualgreetinggestureofaflutteredhand，andtheyaffectednottoseethetwoyoungpeople，CostaguaneroswithEuropeanmanners，whoseeccentricitieswerediscussedbehindthebarredwindowsofthefirstfamiliesinSulaco。AndthenthewidowedSenoraGavilasodeValdesrolledby，handsomeanddignified，inagreatmachineinwhichsheusedtotraveltoandfromhercountryhouse，surroundedbyanarmedretinueinleathersuitsandbigsombreros，withcarbinesatthebowsoftheirsaddles。Shewasawomanofmostdistinguishedfamily，proud，rich，andkind-hearted。Hersecondson，Jaime，hadjustgoneoffontheStaffofBarrios。Theeldest，aworthlessfellowofamoodydisposition，filledSulacowiththenoiseofhisdissipations，andgambledheavilyattheclub。

Thetwoyoungestboys，withyellowRibieristcockadesintheircaps，satonthefrontseat。She，too，affectednottoseetheSenorDecoudtalkingpubliclywithAntoniaindefianceofeveryconvention。Andhenotevenhernovioasfarastheworldknew！Though，eveninthatcase，itwouldhavebeenscandalenough。Butthedignifiedoldlady，respectedandadmiredbythefirstfamilies，wouldhavebeenstillmoreshockedifshecouldhaveheardthewordstheywereexchanging。

`DidyousayIlostsightoftheaim?Ihaveonlyoneaimintheworld。\'

Shemadeanalmostimperceptiblenegativemovementofherhead，stillstaringacrossthestreetattheAvellanos\'shouse，grey，markedwithdecay，andwithironbarslikeaprison。

`Anditwouldbesoeasyofattainment，\'hecontinued，`thisaimwhich，whetherknowinglyornot，Ihavealwayshadinmyheart——eversincethedaywhenyousnubbedmesohorriblyonceinParis，youremember。\'

Aslightsmileseemedtomovethecornerofthelipthatwasonhisside。

`Youknowyouwereaveryterribleperson，asortofCharlotteCordayinaschoolgirl\'sdress；aferociouspatriot。IsupposeyouwouldhavestuckaknifeintoGuzmanBento?\'

Sheinterruptedhim。`Youdometoomuchhonour。\'

`Atanyrate，\'hesaid，changingsuddenlytoatoneofbitterlevity，`youwouldhavesentmetostabhimwithoutcompunction。\'

`Ah，parexample！\'shemurmuredinashockedtone。

`Well，\'heargued，mockingly，`youdokeepmeherewritingdeadlynonsense。

Deadlytome！Ithasalreadykilledmyself-respect。Andyoumayimagine，\'

hecontinued，histonepassingintolightbanter，`thatMontero，shouldhebesuccessful，wouldgetevenwithmeintheonlywaysuchabrutecangetevenwithamanofintelligencewhocondescendstocallhimagran\'

bestiathreetimesaweek。It\'sasortofintellectualdeath；butthereistheotheroneinthebackgroundforajournalistofmyability。\'

`Ifheissuccessful！\'saidAntonia，thoughtfully。

`Youseemsatisfiedtoseemylifehangonathread，\'Decoudreplied，withabroadsmile。`AndtheotherMontero，the“mytrustedbrother“oftheproclamations，theguerrillero——haven\'tIwrittenthathewastakingtheguests\'overcoatsandchangingplatesinParisatourLegationintheintervalsofspyingonourrefugeesthere，inthetimeofRojas?

Hewillwashoutthatsacredtruthinblood。Inmyblood！Whydoyoulookannoyed?Thisissimplyabitofthebiographyofoneofourgreatmen。

Whatdoyouthinkhewilldotome?ThereisacertainconventwallroundthecornerofthePlaza，oppositethedooroftheBullRing。Youknow?

Oppositethedoorwiththeinscription，“IntradadelaSombra“。Appropriate，perhaps！That\'swheretheuncleofourhostgaveuphisAnglo-South-Americansoul。And，note，hemighthaverunaway。Amanwhohasfoughtwithweaponsmayrunaway。YoumighthaveletmegowithBarriosifyouhadcaredforme。Iwouldhavecarriedoneofthoserifles，inwhichDonJosebelieves，withthegreatestsatisfaction，intheranksofpoorpeonsandindios，thatknownothingeitherofreasonorpolitics。Themostforlornhopeinthemostforlornarmyonearthwouldhavebeensaferthanthatforwhichyoumademestayhere。Whenyoumakewaryoumayretreat，butnotwhenyouspendyourtimeinincitingpoorignorantfoolstokillandtodie。\'

Histoneremainedlight，andasifunawareofhispresenceshestoodmotionless，herhandsclaspedlightly，thefanhangingdownfromherinterlacedfingers。Hewaitedforawhile，andthen:

`Ishallgotothewall，\'hesaid，withasortofjoculardesperation。

Eventhatdeclarationdidnotmakeherlookathim。Herheadremainedstill，hereyesfixeduponthehouseoftheAvellanos，whosechippedpilasters，brokencornices，thewholedegradationofdignitywashiddennowbythegatheringduskofthestreet。Inherwholefigureherlipsalonemoved，formingthewords:

`Martin，youwillmakemecry。\'

Heremainedsilentforaminute，startled，asifoverwhelmedbyasortofawedhappiness，withthelinesofthemockingsmilestillstiffenedabouthismouth，andincreduloussurpriseinhiseyes。Thevalueofasentenceisinthepersonalitywhichuttersit，fornothingnewcanbesaidbymanorwoman；andthosewerethelastwords，itseemedtohim，thatcouldeverhavebeenspokenbyAntonia。Hehadnevermadeitupwithhersocompletelyinalltheirintercourseofsmallencounters；butevenbeforeshehadtimetoturntowardshim，whichshedidslowlywitharigidgrace，hehadbeguntoplead:

`Mysisterisonlywaitingtoembraceyou。Myfatheristransportedwithjoy。Iwon\'tsayanythingofmymother！Ourmotherswerelikesisters。

Thereisthemail-boatforthesouthnextweek——letusgo。ThatMoragaisafool！AmanlikeMonteroisbribed。It\'sthepracticeofthecountry。

It\'stradition——it\'spolitics。ReadFiftyYearsofMisrule。\'

`Leavepoorpapaalone，DonMartin。Hebelieves——\'

`Ihavethegreatesttendernessforyourfather，\'hebegan，hurriedly。

`ButIloveyou，Antonia！AndMoragahasmiserablymismanagedthisbusiness。

Perhapsyourfatherdid，too；Idon\'tknow。Monterowasbribable。Why，Isupposeheonlywantedhisshareofthisfamousloanfornationaldevelopment。

Whydidn\'tthestupidStaMartapeoplegivehimamissiontoEurope，orsomething?Hewouldhavetakenfiveyears\'salaryinadvance，andgoneonloafinginParis，thisstupid，ferociousindio！\'

`Theman，\'shesaid，thoughtfully，andverycalmbeforethisoutburst，`wasintoxicatedwithvanity。Wehadalltheinformation，notfromMoragaonly；fromothers，too。Therewashisbrotherintriguing，too。\'

`Oh，yes！\'hesaid。`Ofcourseyouknow。Youknoweverything。Youreadallthecorrespondence，youwriteallthepapers——allthoseStatepapersthatareinspiredhere，inthisroom，inblinddeferencetoatheoryofpoliticalpurity。Hadn\'tyouCharlesGouldbeforeyoureyes?“ReydeSulaco！“

Heandhisminearethepracticaldemonstrationofwhatcouldhavebeendone。Doyouthinkhesucceededbyhisfidelitytoatheoryofvirtue?

Andallthoserailwaypeople，withtheirhonestwork！Ofcourse，theirworkishonest！Butwhatifyoucannotworkhonestlytillthethievesaresatisfied?Couldhenot，agentleman，havetoldthisSirJohnwhat\'s-his-namethatMonterohadtobeboughtoff——heandallhisNegroliberalshangingontohisgold-lacedsleeve?Heoughttohavebeenboughtoffwithhisownstupidweightofgold——hisweightofgold，Itellyou，boots，sabre，spurs，cockedhat，andall。\'

Sheshookherheadslightly。`Itwasimpossible，\'shemurmured。

`Hewantedthewholelot?What?\'

Shewasfacinghimnowinthedeeprecessofthewindow，verycloseandmotionless。Herlipsmovedrapidly。Decoud，leaninghisbackagainstthewall，listenedwithcrossedarmsandloweredeyelids。Hedrankthetonesofherevenvoice，andwatchedtheagitatedlifeofherthroat，asifwavesofemotionhadrunfromherhearttopassoutintotheairinherreasonablewords。Healsohadhisaspirations，heaspiredtocarryherawayoutofthesedeadlyfutilitiesofpronunciamientosandreforms。Allthiswaswrong——utterlywrong；butshefascinatedhim，andsometimesthesheersagacityofaphrasewouldbreakthecharm，replacethefascinationbyasuddenunwillingthrillofinterest。Somewomenhovered，asitwere，onthethresholdofgenius，hereflected。Theydidnotwanttoknow，orthink，orunderstand。Passionstoodforallthat，andhewasreadytobelievethatsomestartlinglyprofoundremark，someappreciationofcharacter，orajudgmentuponanevent，borderedonthemiraculous。

InthematureAntoniahecouldseewithanextraordinaryvividnesstheaustereschoolgirloftheearlierdays。Sheseducedhisattention；sometimeshecouldnotrestrainamurmurofassent；nowandthenheadvancedanobjectionquiteseriously。Graduallytheybegantoargue；thecurtainhalfhidthemfromthepeopleinthesala。

Outsideithadgrowndark。Fromthedeeptrenchofshadowbetweenthehouses，litupvaguelybytheglimmerofstreetlamps，ascendedtheeveningsilenceofSulaco；thesilenceofatownwithafewcarriages，ofunshodhorses，andasoftlysandalledpopulation。ThewindowsoftheCasaGouldflungtheirshiningparallelogramsuponthehouseoftheAvellanos。Nowandthenashuffleoffeetpassedbelowwiththepulsatingredglowofacigaretteatthefootofthewalls；andthenightair，asifcooledbythesnowsofHiguerota，refreshedtheirfaces。

`WeOccidentals，\'saidMartinDecoud，usingtheusualtermtheprovincialsofSulacoappliedtothemselves，`havebeenalwaysdistinctandseparated。

AslongasweholdCaytanothingcanreachus。Inallourtroublesnoarmyhasmarchedoverthosemountains。Arevolutioninthecentralprovincesisolatesusatonce。Lookhowcompleteitisnow！ThenewsofBarrios\'smovementwillbecabledtotheUnitedStates，andonlyinthatwaywillitreachStaMartabythecablefromtheotherseaboard。Wehavethegreatestriches，thegreatestfertility，thepurestbloodinourgreatfamilies，themostlaboriouspopulation。TheOccidentalProvinceshouldstandalone。

TheearlyFederalismwasnotbadforus。ThencamethisunionwhichDonHenriqueGouldresisted。Itopenedtheroadtotyranny；and，eversince，therestofCostaguanahangslikeamillstoneroundournecks。TheOccidentalterritoryislargeenoughtomakeanyman\'scountry。Lookatthemountains！

Natureitselfseemstocrytous“Separate！“\'

Shemadeanenergeticgestureofnegation。Asilencefell。

`O，yes，Iknowit\'scontrarytothedoctrinelaiddownintheHistoryofFiftyYears\'Misrule。Iamonlytryingtobesensible。Butmysenseseemsalwaystogiveyoucauseforoffence。HaveIstartledyouverymuchwiththisperfectlyreasonableaspiration?\'

Sheshookherhead。No，shewasnotstartled，buttheideashockedherearlyconvictions。Herpatriotismwaslarger。Shehadneverconsideredthatpossibility。

`Itmayyetbethemeansofsavingsomeofyourconvictions，\'hesaid，prophetically。

Shedidnotanswer。Sheseemedtired。Theyleanedsidebysideontherailofthelittlebalcony，veryfriendly，havingexhaustedpolitics，givingthemselvesuptothesilentfeelingoftheirnearness，inoneofthoseprofoundpausesthatfallupontherhythmofpassion。Towardstheplazaendofthestreettheglowingcoalsinthebrazerosofthemarketwomencookingtheireveningmealgleamedredalongtheedgeofthepavement。

Amanappearedwithoutasoundinthelightofastreetlamp，showingthecolouredinvertedtriangleofhisborderedponcho，squareonhisshoulders，hangingtoapointbelowhisknees。Fromtheharbourendofthecalleahorsemanwalkedhissoft-steppingmount，gleamingsilver-greyabreasteachlampunderthedarkshapeoftherider。

`BeholdtheillustriousCapatazdeCargadores，\'saidDecoud，gently，`cominginallhissplendourafterhisworkisdone。ThenextgreatmanofSulacoafterDonCarlosGould。Butheisgood-natured，andletmemakefriendswithhim。\'

`Ah，indeed！\'saidAntonia。`Howdidyoumakefriends?\'

`Ajournalistoughttohavehisfingeronthepopularpulse，andthismanisoneoftheleadersofthepopulace。Ajournalistoughttoknowremarkablemen——andthismanisremarkableinhisway。\'

`Ah，yes！\'saidAntonia，thoughtfully。`ItisknownthatthisItalianhasagreatinfluence。\'

Thehorsemanhadpassedbelowthem，withagleamofdimlightontheshiningbroadquartersofthegreymare，onabrightheavystirrup，onalongsilverspur；buttheshortflickofyellowishflameintheduskwaspowerlessagainstthemuffled-upmysteriousnessofthedarkfigurewithaninvisiblefaceconcealedbyagreatsombrero。

DecoudandAntoniaremainedleaningoverthebalcony，sidebyside，touchingelbows，withtheirheadsoverhangingthedarknessofthestreet，andthebrilliantlylightedsalaattheirbacks。Thiswasatete-a-teteofextremeimpropriety；somethingofwhichinthewholeextentoftheRepubliconlytheextraordinaryAntoniacouldbecapable——thepoor，motherlessgirl，neveraccompanied，withacarelessfather，whohadthoughtonlyofmakingherlearned。EvenDecoudhimselfseemedtofeelthatthiswasasmuchashecouldexpectofhavinghertohimselftill——tilltherevolutionwasoverandhecouldcarryherofftoEurope，awayfromtheendlessnessofcivilstrife，whosefollyseemedevenhardertobearthanitsignominy。

AfteroneMonterotherewouldbeanother，thelawlessnessofapopulaceofallcoloursandraces，barbarism，irremediabletyranny。AsthegreatLiberatorBolivarhadsaidinthebitternessofhisspirit，`Americaisungovernable。Thosewhoworkedforherindependencehaveploughedthesea。\'

Hedidnotcare，hedeclaredboldly；heseizedeveryopportunitytotellherthatthoughshehadmanagedtomakeaBlancojournalistofhim，hewasnopatriot。Firstofall，thewordhasnosenseforculturedminds，towhomthenarrownessofeverybeliefisodious；andsecondly，inconnexionwiththeeverlastingtroublesofthisunhappycountryitwashopelesslybesmirched；ithadbeenthecryofdarkbarbarism，thecloakoflawlessness，ofcrimes，ofrapacity，ofsimplethieving。

Hewassurprisedatthewarmthofhisownutterance。Hehadnoneedtodrophisvoice；ithadbeenlowallthetime，ameremurmurinthesilenceofdarkhouseswiththeirshuttersclosedearlyagainstthenightair，asisthecustomofSulaco。OnlythesalaoftheCasaGouldflungoutdefiantlytheblazeofitsfourwindows，thebrightappealoflightinthewholedumbobscurityofthestreet。Andthemurmuronthelittlebalconywentonafterashortpause。

`Butwearelabouringtochangeallthat，\'Antoniaprotested。`Itisexactlywhatwedesire。Itisourobject。Itisthegreatcause。Andthewordyoudespisehasstoodalsoforsacrifice，forcourage，forconstancy，forsuffering。Papa，who——\'

`Ploughingthesea，\'interruptedDecoud，lookingdown。

Therewasbelowthesoundofhastyandponderousfootsteps。

`Youruncle，theGrandVicarofthecathedral，hasjustturnedunderthegate，\'observedDecoud。`HesaidMassforthetroopsinthePlazathismorning。Theyhadbuiltforhimanaltarofdrums，youknow。Andtheybroughtoutsideallthepaintedblockstotaketheair。Allthewoodensaintsstoodmilitarilyinarowatthetopofthegreatflightofsteps。TheylookedlikeagorgeousescortattendingtheVicar-General。IsawthegreatfunctionfromthewindowsofthePorvenir。Heisamazing，youruncle，thelastoftheCorbelans。Heglitteredexceedinglyinhisvestmentswithagreatcrimsonvelvetcrossdownhisback。AndallthetimeoursaviourBarriossatintheAmarillaClubdrinkingpunchatanopenwindow。Espritfort——ourBarrios。Iexpectedeverymomentyouruncletolaunchanexcommunicationthereandthenattheblackeye-patchinthewindowacrossthePlaza。Butnotatall。Ultimatelythetroopsmarchedoff。LaterBarrioscamedownwithsomeoftheofficers，andstoodwithhisuniformallunbuttoned，discoursingattheedgeofthepavement。Suddenlyyouruncleappeared，nolongerglittering，butallblack，atthecathedraldoorwiththatthreateningaspecthehas——youknow，likeasortofavengingspirit。Hegivesonelook，stridesoverstraightatthegroupofuniforms，andleadsawaythegeneralbytheelbow。Hewalkedhimforaquarterofanhourintheshadeofawall。Neverletgohiselbowforamoment，talkingallthetimewithexaltation，andgesticulatingwithalongblackarm。Itwasacuriousscene。

Theofficersseemedstruckwithastonishment。Remarkableman，yourmissionaryuncle。Hehatesaninfidelmuchlessthanaheretic，andprefersaheathenmanytimestoaninfidel。Hecondescendsgraciouslytocallmeaheathen，sometimes，youknow。\'

Antonialistenedwithherhandsoverthebalustrade，openingandshuttingthefangently；andDecoudtalkedalittlenervously，asifafraidthatshewouldleavehimatthefirstpause。Theircomparativeisolation，theprecioussenseofintimacy，theslightcontactoftheirarms，affectedhimsoftly；fornowandthenatenderinflectioncreptintotheflowofhisironicmurmurs。

`Anyslightsignoffavourfromarelativeofyoursiswelcome，Antonia。

Andperhapsheunderstandsme，afterall！ButIknowhim，too，ourPadreCorbelan。Theideaofpoliticalhonour，justice，andhonestyforhimconsistsintherestitutionoftheconfiscatedChurchproperty。NothingelsecouldhavedrawnthatfierceconverterofsavageIndiansoutofthewildstoworkfortheRibieristcause！Nothingelsebutthatwildhope！HewouldmakeapronunciamientohimselfforsuchanobjectagainstanyGovernmentifhecouldonlygetfollowers！WhatdoesDonCarlosGouldthinkofthat?

But，ofcourse，withhisEnglishimpenetrability，nobodycantellwhathethinks。Probablyhethinksofnothingapartfromhismine；ofhis“ImperiuminImperio“。AstoMrsGould，shethinksofherschools，ofherhospitals，ofthemotherswiththeyoungbabies，ofeverysickoldmaninthethreevillages。Ifyouweretoturnyourheadnowyouwouldseeherextractingareportfromthatsinisterdoctorinacheckshirt——what\'shisname?

Monygham——orelsecatechizingDonPepeorperhapslisteningtoPadreRoman。Theyarealldownheretoday——allherministersofstate。Well，sheisasensiblewoman，andperhapsDonCarlosisasensibleman。It\'sapartofsolidEnglishsensenottothinktoomuch；toseeonlywhatmaybeofpracticaluseatthemoment。Thesepeoplearenotlikeourselves。

Wehavenopoliticalreason；wehavepoliticalpassions——sometimes。Whatisaconviction?Aparticularviewofourpersonaladvantageeitherpracticaloremotional。Nooneisapatriotfornothing。Thewordservesuswell。

ButIamclear-sighted，andIshallnotusethatwordtoyou，Antonia！

Ihavenopatrioticillusions。Ihaveonlythesupremeillusionofalover。\'

Hepaused，thenmutteredalmostinaudibly，`Thatcanleadoneveryfar，though。\'

Behindtheirbacksthepoliticaltidethatonceineverytwenty-fourhourssetwithastrongfloodthroughtheGoulddrawing-roomcouldbeheard，risinghigherinahumofvoices。Menhadbeendroppinginsingly，orintwosandthrees:thehigherofficialsoftheprovince，engineersoftherailway，sunburntandintweeds，withthefrostedheadoftheirchiefsmilingwithslow，humorousindulgenceamongsttheyoungeagerfaces。Scarfe，theloveroffandangos，hadalreadyslippedoutinsearchofsomedance，nomatterwhere，ontheoutskirtsofthetown。DonJusteLopez，aftertakinghisdaughtershome，hadenteredsolemnly，inablackcreasedcoatbuttonedupunderhisspreadingbrownbeard。ThefewmembersoftheProvincialAssemblypresentclusteredatoncearoundtheirPresidenttodiscussthenewsofthewarandthelastproclamationoftherebelMontero，themiserableMontero，callinginthenameof`ajustlyincenseddemocracy\'uponalltheProvincialAssembliesoftheRepublictosuspendtheirsittingstillhisswordhadmadepeaceandthewillofthepeoplecouldbeconsulted。Itwaspracticallyaninvitationtodissolve:anunheard-ofaudacityofthatevilmadman。

TheindignationranhighintheknotofdeputiesbehindJoseAvellanos。

DonJose，liftinguphisvoice，criedouttothemoverthehighbackofhischair，`Sulacohasansweredbysendingtodayanarmyuponhisflank。

Ifalltheotherprovincesshowonlyhalfasmuchpatriotismaswe，Occidentals——\'

Agreatoutburstofacclamationscoveredthevibratingtrebleofthelifeandsouloftheparty。Yes！Yes！Thiswastrue！Agreattruth！Sulacowasintheforefrontasever！Itwasaboastfultumult，thehopelessnessinspiredbytheeventofthedaybreakingoutamongstthosecaballerosoftheCampothinkingoftheirherds，oftheirlands，ofthesafetyoftheirfamilies。Everythingwasatstake……No！ItwasimpossiblethatMonteroshouldsucceed！Thiscriminal，thisshamelessindio！Theclamourcontinuedforsometime，everybodyelseintheroomlookingtowardsthegroupwhereDonJustehadputonhisairofimpartialsolemnityasifpresidingatasittingoftheProvincialAssembly。Decoudhadturnedroundatthenoise，and，leaninghisbackonthebalustrade，shoutedintotheroomwithallthestrengthofhislungs，`Gran\'bestia！\'

Thisunexpectedcryhadtheeffectofstillingthenoise。Alltheeyesweredirectedtothewindowwithanapprovingexpectation；butDecoudhadalreadyturnedhisbackupontheroom，andwasagainleaningoutoverthequietstreet。

`Thisisthequintessenceofmyjournalism；thisisthesupremeargument，\'

hesaidtoAntonia。`Ihaveinventedthisdefinition，thislastwordonagreatquestion。ButIamnopatriot。IamnomoreofapatriotthantheCapatazoftheSulacoCargadores，thisGenoesewhohasdonesuchgreatthingsforthisharbour——thisactiveusher-inofthematerialimplementsforourprogress。YouhaveheardCaptainMitchellconfessoverandoveragainthattillhegotthismanhecouldnevertellhowlongitwouldtaketounloadaship。Thatisbadforprogress。Youhaveseenhimpassbyafterhislaboursonhisfamoushorsetodazzlethegirlsinsomeballroomwithanearthenfloor。Heisafortunatefellow！Hisworkisanexerciseofpersonalpowers；hisleisureisspentinreceivingthemarksofextraordinaryadulation。Andhelikesit，too。Cananybodybemorefortunate?Tobefearedandadmiredis——\'

`Andaretheseyourhighestaspirations，DonMartin?\'interruptedAntonia。

`Iwasspeakingofamanofthatsort，\'saidDecoud，curtly。`Theheroesoftheworldhavebeenfearedandadmired。Whatmorecouldhewant?\'

DecoudhadoftenfelthisfamiliarhabitofironicthoughtfallshatteredagainstAntonia\'sgravity。Sheirritatedhimasifshe，too，hadsufferedfromthatinexplicablefeminineobtusenesswhichstandssooftenbetweenamanandawomanofthemoreordinarysort。Butheovercamehisvexationatonce。HewasveryfarfromthinkingAntoniaordinary，whateververdicthisscepticismmighthavepronounceduponhimself。Withatouchofpenetratingtendernessinhisvoiceheassuredherthathisonlyaspirationwastoafelicitysohighthatitseemedalmostunrealizableonthisearth。

Shecolouredinvisibly，withawarmthagainstwhichthebreezefromthesierraseemedtohavelostitscoolingpowerinthesuddenmeltingofthesnows。Hiswhispercouldnothavecarriedsofar，thoughtherewasenoughardourinhistonetomeltaheartofice。Antoniaturnedawayabruptly，asiftocarryhiswhisperedassuranceintotheroombehind，fulloflight，noisywithvoices。

Thetideofpoliticalspeculationwasbeatinghighwithinthefourwallsofthegreatsala，asifdrivenbeyondthemarksbyagreatgustofhope。DonJuste\'sfan-shapedbeardwasstillthecentreofloudandanimateddiscussions。Therewasaself-confidentringinallthevoices。

EventhefewEuropeansaroundCharlesGould——aDane，acoupleofFrenchmen，adiscreetfatGerman，smiling，withdown-casteyes，therepresentativesofthosematerialintereststhathadgotafootinginSulacoundertheprotestingmightoftheSanTomemine——hadinfusedalotofgoodhumourintotheirdeference。CharlesGould，towhomtheywerepayingtheircourt，wasthevisiblesignofthestabilitythatcouldbeachievedontheshiftinggroundofrevolutions。Theyfelthopefulabouttheirvariousundertakings。

OneofthetwoFrenchmen，small，black，withglitteringeyeslostinanimmensegrowthofbushybeard，wavedhistinybrownhandsanddelicatewrists。HehadbeentravellingintheinterioroftheprovinceforasyndicateofEuropeancapitalists。Hisforcible`Monsieurl\'Administrateur\'

returningeveryminuteshrilledabovethesteadyhumofconversations。

Hewasrelatinghisdiscoveries。Hewasecstatic。CharlesGouldglanceddownathimcourteously。

AtagivenmomentofthesenecessaryreceptionsitwasMrsGould\'shabittowithdrawquietlyintoalittledrawing-room，especiallyherown，nexttothegreatsala。Shehadrisen，and，waitingforAntonia，listenedwithaslightlyworriedgraciousnesstotheengineer-in-chiefoftherailway，whostoopedoverher，relatingslowly，withouttheslightestgesture，somethingapparentlyamusing，forhiseyeshadahumoroustwinkle。Antonia，beforesheadvancedintotheroomtojoinMrsGould，turnedherheadoverhershouldertowardsDecoud，onlyforamoment。

`Whyshouldanyoneofusthinkhisaspirationsunrealizable?\'shesaid，rapidly。

`Iamgoingtoclingtominetotheend，Antonia，\'heanswered，throughclenchedteeth，thenbowedverylow，alittledistantly。

Theengineer-in-chiefhadnotfinishedtellinghisamusingstory。ThehumoursofrailwaybuildinginSouthAmericaappealedtohiskeenappreciationoftheabsurd，andhetoldhisinstancesofignorantprejudiceandasignorantcunningverywell。Now，MrsGouldgavehimallherattentionashewalkedbyhersideescortingtheladiesoutoftheroom。Finallyallthreepassedunnoticedthroughtheglassdoorsinthegallery。Onlyatallprieststalkingsilentlyinthenoiseofthesalacheckedhimselftolookafterthem。FatherCorbelan，whomDecoudhadseenfromthebalconyturningintothegatewayoftheCasaGould，hadaddressednoonesincecomingin。Thelong，skimpysoutaneaccentuatedthetallnessofhisstature；hecarriedhispowerfultorsothrownforward；andthestraight，blackbarofhisjoinedeyebrows，thepugnaciousoutlineofthebonyface，thewhitespotofascaronthebluishshavencheeks(atestimonialtohisapostoliczealfromapartyofunconvertedIndians)，suggestedsomethingunlawfulbehindhispriesthood，theideaofachaplainofbandits。

Heseparatedhisbonyknottedhandsclaspedbehindhisback，toshakehisfingeratMartin。

DecoudhadsteppedintotheroomafterAntonia。Buthedidnotgofar。

Hehadremainedjustwithin，againstthecurtain，withanexpressionofnotquitegenuinegravity，likeagrown-uppersontakingpartinagameofchildren。Hegazedquietlyatthethreateningfinger。

`IhavewatchedyourreverenceconvertingGeneralBarriosbyaspecialsermononthePlaza，\'hesaid，withoutmakingtheslightestmovement。

`Whatmiserablenonsense！\'FatherCorbelan\'sdeepvoiceresoundedallovertheroom，makingalltheheadsturnontheshoulders。`Themanisadrunkard。Senores，theGodofyourGeneralisabottle！\'

Hiscontemptuous，arbitraryvoicecausedanuneasysuspensionofeverysound，asiftheself-confidenceofthegatheringhadbeenstaggeredbyablow。ButnobodytookupFatherCorbelan\'sdeclaration。

ItwasknownthatFatherCorbelanhadcomeoutofthewildstoadvocatethesacredrightsoftheChurchwiththesamefanaticalfearlessnesswithwhichhehadgonepreachingtoblood-thirstysavages，devoidofhumancompassionorworshipofanykind。RumoursoflegendaryproportionstoldofhissuccessesasamissionarybeyondtheeyeofChristianmen。HehadbaptizedwholenationsofIndians，livingwiththemlikeasavagehimself。ItwasrelatedthatthepadreusedtoridewithhisIndiansfordays，halfnaked，carryingabullock-hideshield，and，nodoubt，alonglance，too——whoknows?Thathehadwanderedclothedinskins，seekingforproselytessomewherenearthesnowlineoftheCordillera。OftheseexploitsPadreCorbelanhimselfwasneverknowntotalk。ButhemadenosecretofhisopinionthatthepoliticiansofStaMartahadharderheartsandmorecorruptmindsthantheheathentowhomhehadcarriedthewordofGod。HisinjudiciouszealforthetemporalwelfareoftheChurchwasdamagingtheRibieristcause。

ItwascommonknowledgethathehadrefusedtobemadetitularbishopoftheOccidentaldiocesetilljusticewasdonetoadespoiledChurch。ThepoliticaljefeofSulaco(thesamedignitarywhomCaptainMitchellsavedfromthemobafterwards)hintedwithnaivecynicismthatdoubtlesstheirExcellenciestheMinisterssentthepadreoverthemountainstoSulacointheworstseasonoftheyearinthehopethathewouldbefrozentodeathbytheicyblastsofthehighparamos。Everyyearafewhardymuleteers——meninuredtoexposure——wereknowntoperishinthatway。

Butwhatwouldyouhave?TheirExcellenciespossiblyhadnotrealizedwhatatoughpriesthewas。Meantime，theignorantwerebeginningtomurmurthattheRibieristreformsmeantsimplythetakingawayofthelandfromthepeople。Someofitwastobegiventoforeignerswhomadetherailway；

thegreaterpartwastogotothepadres。

TheseweretheresultsoftheGrandVicar\'szeal。EvenfromtheshortallocutiontothetroopsonthePlaza(whichonlythefirstrankscouldhaveheard)hehadnotbeenabletokeepouthisfixedideaofanoutragedChurchwaitingforreparationfromapenitentcountry。Thepoliticaljefehadbeenexasperated。Buthecouldnotverywellthrowthebrother-in-lawofDonJoseintotheprisonoftheCabildo。Thechiefmagistrate，aneasy-goingandpopularofficial，visitedtheCasaGould，walkingoveraftersunsetfromtheIntendencia，unattended，acknowledgingwithdignifiedcourtesythesalutationsofhighandlowalike。ThateveninghehadwalkedupstraighttoCharlesGouldandhadhissedouttohimthathewouldhavelikedtodeporttheGrandVicaroutofSulaco，anywhere，tosomedesertisland，totheIsabels，forinstance。`Theonewithoutwaterpreferably——eh，DonCarlos?\'hehadaddedinatonebetweenjestandearnest。Thisuncontrollablepriest，whohadrejectedhisofferoftheepiscopalpalaceforaresidenceandpreferredtohanghisshabbyhammockamongsttherubbleandspidersofthesequestratedDominicanConvent，hadtakenintohisheadtoadvocateanunconditionedpardonforHernandeztheRobber！Andthiswasnotenough；

heseemedtohaveenteredintocommunicationwiththemostaudaciouscriminalthecountryhadknownforyears。TheSulacopoliceknew，ofcourse，whatwasgoingon。PadreCorbelanhadgotholdofthatrecklessItalian，theCapatazdeCargadores，theonlymanfitforsuchanerrand，andhadsentamessagethroughhim。FatherCorbelanhadstudiedinRome，andcouldspeakItalian。TheCapatazwasknowntovisittheoldDominicanConventatnight。

AnoldwomanwhoservedtheGrandVicarhadheardthenameofHernandezpronounced；andonlylastSaturdayafternoontheCapatazhadbeenobservedgallopingoutoftown。Hedidnotreturnfortwodays。ThepolicewouldhavelaidtheItalianbytheheelsifithadnotbeenforfearofthecargadores，aturbulentbodyofmen，quiteapttoraiseatumult。NowadaysitwasnotsoeasytogovernSulaco。Badcharactersflockedintoit，attractedbythemoneyinthepocketsoftherailwayworkmen。ThepopulacewasmaderestlessbyFatherCorbelan\'sdiscourses。AndthefirstmagistrateexplainedtoCharlesGouldthatnowtheprovincewasstrippedoftroopsanyoutbreakoflawlessnesswouldfindtheauthoritieswiththeirbootsoff，asitwere。

Thenhewentawaymoodilytositinanarmchair，smokingalong，thincigar，notveryfarfromDonJose，withwhom，bendingoversideways，heexchangedafewwordsfromtimetotime。Heignoredtheentranceofthepriest，andwheneverFatherCorbelan\'svoicewasraisedbehindhim，heshruggedhisshouldersimpatiently。

FatherCorbelanhadremainedquitemotionlessforatimewiththatsomethingvengefulinhisimmobilitywhichseemedtocharacterizeallhisattitudes。

Aluridglowofstrongconvictionsgaveitspeculiaraspecttotheblackfigure。Butitsfiercenessbecamesoftenedasthepadre，fixinghiseyesuponDecoud，raisedhislong，blackarmslowly，impressively:

`Andyou——youareaperfectheathen，\'hesaid，inasubdued，deepvoice。

Hemadeastepnearer，pointingaforefingerattheyoungman\'sbreast。

Decoud，verycalm，feltthewallbehindthecurtainwiththebackofhishead。Then，withhischintiltedwellup，hesmiled。

`Verywell，\'heagreedwiththeslightlywearynonchalanceofamanwellusedtothesepassages。`ButisitperhapsthatyouhavenotdiscoveredyetwhatistheGodofmyworship?ItwasaneasiertaskwithourBarrios。\'

Thepriestsuppressedagestureofdiscouragement。`Youbelieveneitherinsticknorstone，\'hesaid。

`Norbottle，\'addedDecoudwithoutstirring。`Neitherdoestheotherofyourreverence\'sconfidants。ImeantheCapatazoftheCargadores。Hedoesnotdrink。Yourreadingofmycharacterdoeshonourtoyourperspicacity。

Butwhycallmeaheathen?\'

`True，\'retortedthepriest。`Youaretentimesworse。Amiraclecouldnotconvertyou。\'

`Icertainlydonotbelieveinmiracles，\'saidDecoud，quietly。FatherCorbelnshruggedhishigh，broadshouldersdoubtfully。

`AsortofFrenchman——godless——materialist，\'hepronouncedslowly，asifweighingthetermsofacarefulanalysis。`Neitherthesonofhisowncountrynorofanyother，\'hecontinued，thoughtfully。

`Scarcelyhuman，infact，\'Decoudcommentedunderhisbreath，hisheadatrestagainstthewall，hiseyesgazingupattheceiling。

`Thevictimofthisfaithlessage，\'FatherCorbelanresumedinadeepbutsubduedvoice。

`Butofsomeuseasajournalist。\'Decoudchangedhisposeandspokeinamoreanimatedtone。`HasyourworshipneglectedtoreadthelastnumberofthePorvenir?Iassureyouitisjustliketheothers。OnthegeneralpolicyitcontinuestocallMonteroagran\'bestia，andstigmatizehisbrother，theguerrillero，foracombinationoflacqueyandspy。Whatcouldbemoreeffective?InlocalaffairsiturgestheProvincialGovernmenttoenlistbodilyintothenationalarmythebandofHernandeztheRobber——whoisapparentlytheprotegeoftheChurch——oratleastoftheGreatVicar。Nothingcouldbemoresound。\'

Thepriestnoddedandturnedontheheelsofhissquare-toedshoeswithbigsteelbuckles。Again，withhishandsclaspedbehindhisback，hepacedtoandfro，plantinghisfeetfirmly。Whenheswungabout，theskirtofhissoutanewasinflatedslightlybythebrusquenessofhismovements。

Thegreatsalahadbeenemptyingitselfslowly。WhentheJefePoliticorosetogo，mostofthosestillremainingstoodupsuddenlyinsignofrespect，andDonJoseAvellanosstoppedtherockingofhischair。

Butthegood-naturedFirstOfficialmadeadeprecatorygesture，wavedhishandtoCharlesGould，andwentoutdiscreetly。

Inthecomparativepeaceoftheroomthescreaming`Monsieurl\'Administrateur\'

ofthefrail，hairyFrenchmanseemedtoacquireapreternaturalshrillness。

TheexploreroftheCapitalistsyndicatewasstillenthusiastic。`Tenmilliondollars\'worthofcopperpracticallyinsight，Monsieurl\'Administrateur。

Tenmillionsinsight！Andarailwaycoming——arailway！Theywillneverbelievemyreport。C\'esttropbeau。\'Hefellapreytoascreamingecstasy，inthemidstofsagelynoddingheads，beforeCharlesGould\'simperturbablecalm。

Andonlythepriestcontinuedhispacing，flingingroundtheskirtofhissoutaneateachendofhisbeat。Decoudmurmuredtohimironically:

`Thosegentlementalkabouttheirgods。\'

FatherCorbelanstoppedshort，lookedatthejournalistofSulacofixedlyforamoment，shruggedhisshouldersslightly，andresumedhisploddingwalkofanobstinatetraveller。

AndnowtheEuropeansweredroppingofffromthegrouparoundCharlesGouldtilltheAdministratoroftheGreatSilverMinecouldbeseeninhiswholelanklength，fromheadtofoot，leftstrandedbytheebbingtideofhisguestsonthegreatsquareofcarpet，asitwereamulti-colouredshoalofflowersandarabesquesunderhisbrownboots。FatherCorbelanapproachedtherocking-chairofDonJoseAvellanos。

`Come，brother，\'hesaid，withkindlybrusquenessandatouchofrelievedimpatienceamanmayfeelattheendofaperfectlyuselessceremony。`A

laCasa！AlaCasa！Thishasbeenalltalk。LetusnowgoandthinkandprayforguidancefromHeaven。\'

Herolledhisblackeyesupwards。Bythesideofthefraildiplomatist——thelifeandsouloftheparty——heseemedgigantic，withagleamoffanaticismintheglance。Butthevoiceoftheparty，or，rather，itsmouthpiece，the`sonDecoud\'fromParis，turnedjournalistforthesakeofAntonia\'seyes，knewverywellthatitwasnotso，thathewasonlyastrenuouspriestwithoneidea，fearedbythewomenandexecratedbythemenofthepeople。

MartinDecoud，thedilettanteinlife，imaginedhimselftoderiveanartisticpleasurefromwatchingthepicturesqueextremeofwrong-headednessintowhichanhonest，almostsacred，convictionmaydriveaman。`Itislikemadness。Itmustbe——becauseit\'sself-destructive，\'Decoudhadsaidtohimselfoften。Itseemedtohimthateveryconviction，assoonasitbecameeffective，turnedintothatformofdementiathegodssenduponthosetheywishtodestroy。Butheenjoyedthebitterflavourofthatexamplewiththezestofaconnoisseurintheartofhischoice。Thosetwomengotonwelltogether，asifeachhadfeltrespectivelythatamasterfulconviction，aswellasutterscepticism，mayleadamanveryfarontheby-pathsofpoliticalaction。

DonJoseobeyedthetouchofthebighairyhand。Decoudfollowedoutthebrothers-in-law。Andthereremainedonlyonevisitorinthevastemptysala，bluishlyhazywithtobaccosmoke，aheavy-eyed，round-cheekedman，withadroopingmoustache，ahidemerchantfromEsmeralda，whohadcomeoverlandtoSulaco，ridingwithafewpeonsacrossthecoastrange。

Hewasveryfullofhisjourney，undertakenmostlyforthepurposeofseeingtheSenorAdministradorofSanTomeinrelationtosomeassistanceherequiredinhishide-exportingbusiness。Hehopedtoenlargeitgreatlynowthatthecountrywasgoingtobesettled。Itwasgoingtobesettled，herepeatedseveraltimes，degradingbyastrange，anxiouswhinethesonorityoftheSpanishlanguage，whichhepatteredrapidly，likesomesortofcringingjargon。Aplainmancouldcarryonhislittlebusinessnowinthecountry，andeventhinkofenlargingit——withsafety。Wasitnotso?HeseemedtobegCharlesGouldforaconfirmatoryword，agruntofassent，asimplenodeven。

Hecouldgetnothing。Hisalarmincreased，andinthepauseshewoulddarthiseyeshereandthere；then，lothtogiveup，hewouldbranchoffintofeelingallusiontothedangersofhisjourney。TheaudaciousHernandez，leavinghisusualhaunts，hadcrossedtheCampoofSulaco，andwasknowntobelurkingintheravinesofthecoastrange。Yesterday，whendistantonlyafewhoursfromSulaco，thehidemerchantandhisservantshadseenthreemenontheroadarrestedsuspiciously，withtheirhorses\'headstogether。

Twooftheserodeoffatonceanddisappearedinashallowquebradatotheleft。`Westopped，\'continuedthemanfromEsmeralda，`andItriedtohidebehindasmallbush。Butnoneofmymozoswouldgoforwardtofindoutwhatitmeant，andthethirdhorsemanseemedtobewaitingforustocomeup。Itwasnouse。Wehadbeenseen。Sowerodeslowlyon，trembling。Heletuspass——amanonagreyhorsewithhishatdownonhiseyes——withoutawordofgreeting；butby-and-byweheardhimgallopingafterus。Wefacedabout，butthatdidnotseemtointimidatehim。Herodeupatspeed，andtouchingmyfootwiththetoeofhisboot，askedmeforacigar，withablood-curdlinglaugh。Hedidnotseemarmed，butwhenheputhishandbacktoreachforthematchesIsawanenormousrevolverstrappedtohiswaist。Ishuddered。Hehadveryfiercewhiskers，DonCarlos，andashedidnotoffertogoonwedarednotmove。Atlast，blowingthesmokeofmycigarintotheairthroughhisnostrils，hesaid，“Senor，itwouldbeperhapsbetterforyouifIrodebehindyourparty。YouarenotveryfarfromSulaconow。GoyouwithGod。”Whatwouldyou?Wewenton。Therewasnoresistinghim。HemighthavebeenHernandezhimself；thoughmyservant，whohasbeenmanytimestoSulacobysea，assuredmethathehadrecognizedhimverywellfortheCapatazoftheSteamshipCompany\'scargadores。Later，thatsameevening，IsawthatverymanatthecornerofthePlazatalkingtoagirl，aMorenita，whostoodbythestirrupwithherhandonthegreyhorse\'smane。\'

`Iassureyou，SenorHirsch，\'murmuredCharlesGould，`thatyourannoriskonthisoccasion。\'

`Thatmaybe，senor，thoughItrembleyet。Amostfierceman——tolookat。Andwhatdoesitmean?ApersonemployedbytheSteamshipCompanytalkingwithsalteadores——noless，senor；theotherhorsemenweresalteadores——inalonelyplace，andbehavinglikearobberhimself！Acigarisnothing，butwhatwastheretopreventhimaskingmeformypurse?\'

`No，no，SenorHirsch，\'CharlesGouldmurmured，lettinghisglancestrayawayalittlevacantlyfromtheroundface，withitshookedbeakupturnedtowardshiminanalmostchildlikeappeal。`IfitwastheCapatazdeCargadoresyoumet——andthereisnodoubt，isthere?——youwereperfectlysafe。\'

`Thankyou。Youareverygood。Averyfierce-lookingman，DonCarlos。

Heaskedmeforacigarinamostfamiliarmanner。WhatwouldhavehappenedifIhadnothadacigar?Ishudderyet。Whatbusinesshadhetobetalkingwithrobbersinalonelyplace?\'

ButCharlesGould，openlypreoccupiednow，gavenotasign，madenosound。TheimpenetrabilityoftheembodiedGouldConcessionhaditssurfaceshades。Tobedumbismerelyafatalaffliction；buttheKingofSulacohadwordsenoughtogivehimallthemysteriousweightofataciturnforce。

Hissilences，backedbythepowerofspeech，hadasmanyshadesofsignificanceasutteredwordsinthewayofassent，ofdoubt，ofnegation——evenofsimplecomment。Someseemedtosayplainly，`Thinkitover\'；other\'smeantclearly`Goahead\'，asimple，low`Isee\'，withanaffirmativenod，attheendofapatientlisteninghalf-hourwastheequivalentofaverbalcontract，whichmenhadlearnedtotrustimplicitly，sincebehinditalltherewasthegreatSanTomemine，theheadandfrontofthematerialinterests，sostrongthatitdependedonnoman\'sgoodwillinthewholelengthandbreadthoftheOccidentalProvince——thatis，onnogoodwillwhichitcouldnotbuytentimesover。Buttothelittlehook-nosedmanfromEsmeralda，anxiousabouttheexportofhides，thesilenceofCharlesGouldportendedafailure。Evidentlythiswasnotimeforextendingamodestman\'sbusiness。

Heenvelopedinaswiftmentalmaledictionthewholecountry，withallitsinhabitants，partisansofRibieraandMonteroalike；andtherewereincipienttearsinhismuteangeratthethoughtoftheinnumerableox-hidesgoingtowasteuponthedreamyexpanseoftheCampo，withitssinglepalmsrisinglikeshipsatseawithintheperfectcircleofthehorizon，itsclumpsofheavytimbermotionlesslikesolidislandsofleavesabovetherunningwavesofgrass。Therewerehidesthere，rotting，withnoprofittoanybody——rottingwheretheyhadbeendroppedbymencalledawaytoattendtheurgentnecessitiesofpoliticalrevolutions。Thepractical，mercantilesoulofSenorHirschrebelledagainstallthatfoolishness，whilehewastakingarespectfulbutdisconcertedleaveofthemightandmajestyoftheSanTomemineinthepersonofCharlesGould。Hecouldnotrestrainaheart-brokenmurmur，wrungoutofhisveryachingheart，asitwere。

`Itisagreat，greatfoolishness，DonCarlos，allthis。ThepriceofhidesinHamburgisgoneup——up。OfcoursetheRibieristGovernmentwilldoawaywithallthat——whenitgetsestablishedfirmly。Meantime——\'

Hesighed。

`Yes，meantime，\'repeatedCharlesGould，inscrutably。

Theothershruggedhisshoulders。Buthewasnotreadytogoyet。Therewasalittlematterhewouldliketomentionverymuchifpermitted。ItappearedhehadsomegoodfriendsinHamburg(hemurmuredthenameofthefirm)whowereveryanxioustodobusiness，indynamite，heexplained。

AcontractfordynamitewiththeSanTomemine，andthen，perhaps，lateron，othermines，whichweresureto——ThelittlemanfromEsmeraldawasreadytoenlarge，butCharlesinterruptedhim。ItseemedasthoughthepatienceoftheSenorAdministradorwasgivingwayatlast。

`SenorHirsch，\'hesaid，`Ihaveenoughdynamitestoredupatthemountaintosenditdowncrashingintothevalley\'——hisvoicerosealittle——

`tosendhalfSulacointotheairifIliked。\'

CharlesGouldsmiledattheround，startledeyesofthedealerinhides，whowasmurmuringhastily，`Justso。Justso。\'Andnowhewasgoing。ItwasimpossibletodobusinessinexplosiveswithanAdministradorsowellprovidedandsodiscouraging。HehadsufferedagoniesinthesaddleandhadexposedhimselftotheatrocitiesofthebanditHernandezfornothingatall。Neitherhidesnordynamite——andtheveryshouldersoftheenterprisingIsraeliteexpresseddejection。Atthedoorhebowedlowtotheengineer-in-chief。

Butatthebottomofthestairsinthepatiohestoppedshort，withhispodgyhandoverhislipsinanattitudeofmeditativeastonishment。

`Whatdoeshewanttokeepsomuchdynamitefor?\'hemuttered。`Anywhydoeshetalklikethistome?\'

Theengineer-in-chief，lookinginatthedooroftheemptysala，whencethepoliticaltidehadebbedouttothelastinsignificantdrop，noddedfamiliarlytothemasterofthehouse，standingmotionlesslikeatallbeaconamongstthedesertedshoalsoffurniture。

`Goodnight，Iamgoing。Gotmybikedownstairs。Therailwaywillknowwheretogofordynamiteshouldwegetshortatanytime。Wehavedonecuttingandchoppingforawhilenow。Weshallbeginsoontoblastourwaythrough。\'

`Don\'tcometome，\'saidCharlesGould，withperfectserenity。`Ishan\'thaveanouncetospareforanybody。Notanounce。Notformyownbrother，ifIhadabrother，andheweretheengineer-in-chiefofthemostpromisingrailwayintheworld。\'

`What\'sthat?\'askedtheengineer-in-chief，withequanimity。`Unkindness?\'

`No，\'saidCharlesGould，stolidly。`Policy。\'

`Radical，Ishouldthink，\'theengineer-in-chiefobservedfromthedoorway。

`Isthattherightname?\'CharlesGouldsaid，fromthemiddleoftheroom。

`Imean，goingtotheroots，youknow，\'theengineerexplained，withanairofenjoyment。

`Why，yes，\'Charlespronounced，slowly。`TheGouldConcessionhasstrucksuchdeeprootsinthiscountry，inthisprovince，inthatgorgeofthemountains，thatnothingbutdynamiteshallbeallowedtodislodgeitfromthere。It\'smychoice。It\'smylastcardtoplay。\'

Theengineer-in-chiefwhistledlow。`Aprettygame，\'hesaid，withashadeofdiscretion。`AndhaveyoutoldHolroydofthatextraordinarytrumpcardyouholdinyourhand?\'

`Cardonlywhenit\'splayed；whenitfallsattheendofthegame。Tillthenyoumaycallita-a——\'

`Weapon，\'suggestedtherailwayman。

`No。Youmaycallitratheranargument，\'correctedCharlesGould，gently。

`Andthat\'showI\'vepresentedittoMrHolroyd。\'

`Andwhatdidhesaytoit?\'askedtheengineer，withundisguisedinterest。

`He\'——CharlesGouldspokeafteraslightpause——`hesaidsomethingaboutholdingonlikegrimdeathandputtingourtrustinGod。Ishouldimaginehemusthavebeenratherstartled。Butthen\'——pursuedtheAdministradoroftheSanTomemine——`butthen，heisveryfaraway，youknow，and，astheysayinthiscountry，Godisveryhighabove。\'

Theengineer\'sappreciativelaughdiedawaydownthestairs，wheretheMadonnawiththeChildonherarmseemedtolookafterhisshakingbroadbackfromhershallowniche。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part2Chapter66AprofoundstillnessreignedintheCasaGould。Themasterofthehouse，walkingalongthecorridor，openedthedoorofhisroom，andsawhiswifesittinginabigarmchair——hisownsmokingarmchair——thoughtful，contemplatingherlittleshoes。Andshedidnotraisehereyeswhenhewalkedin。

`Tired?\'askedCharlesGould。

`Alittle，\'saidMrsGould。Stillwithoutlookingup，sheaddedwithfeeling，`Thereisanawfulsenseofunrealityaboutallthis。\'

CharlesGould，beforethelongtablestrewnwithpapers，onwhichlayahuntingcropandapairofspurs，stoodlookingathiswife:`Theheatanddustmusthavebeenawfulthisafternoonbythewaterside，\'hemurmured，sympathetically。`Theglareonthewatermusthavebeensimplyterrible。\'

`Onecouldcloseone\'seyestotheglare，\'saidMrsGould。`But，mydearCharley，itisimpossibleformetoclosemyeyestoourposition；

tothisawful……\'