第6章

Sheraisedhereyesandlookedatherhusband\'sface，fromwhichallsignofsympathyoranyotherfeelinghaddisappeared。`Whydon\'tyoutellmesomething?\'shealmostwailed。

`Ithoughtyouhadunderstoodmeperfectlyfromthefirst，\'CharlesGouldsaid，slowly。`Ithoughtwehadsaidalltherewastosayalongtimeago。Thereisnothingtosaynow。Therewerethingstobedone。Wehavedonethem；wehavegoneondoingthem。Thereisnogoingbacknow。

Idon\'tsupposethat，evenfromthefirst，therewasreallyanypossiblewayback。Andwhat\'smore，wecan\'tevenaffordtostandstill。\'

`Ah，ifoneonlyknewhowfaryoumeantogo，\'saidhiswife，inwardlytrembling，butinanalmostplayfultone。

`Anydistance，anylength，ofcourse，\'wastheanswer，inamatter-of-facttone，whichcausedMrsGouldtomakeanotherefforttorepressashudder。

Shestoodup，smilinggraciously，andherlittlefigureseemedtobediminishedstillmorebytheheavymassofherhairandthelongtrainofhergown。

`Butalwaystosuccess，\'shesaid，persuasively。

CharlesGould，envelopingherinthesteelyblueglanceofhisattentiveeyes，answeredwithouthesitation:

`Oh，thereisnoalternative。\'

Heputanimmenseassuranceintohistone。Astothewords，thiswasallthathisconsciencewouldallowhimtosay。

MrsGould\'ssmileremainedashadetoolonguponherlips。Shemurmured:

`Iwillleaveyou；I\'veaslightheadache。Theheat，thedust，wereindeed——Isupposeyouaregoingbacktotheminebeforethemorning?\'

`Atmidnight，\'saidCharlesGould。`Wearebringingdownthesilvertomorrow。ThenIshalltakethreewholedaysoffintownwithyou。\'

`Ah，youaregoingtomeettheescort。Ishallbeonthebalconyatfiveo\'clocktoseeyoupass。Tillthen，good-bye。\'

CharlesGouldwalkedrapidlyroundthetable，and，seizingherhands，bentdown，pressingthembothtohislips。Beforehestraightenedhimselfupagaintohisfullheightshehaddisengagedonetosmoothhischeekwithalighttouch，asifhewerealittleboy。

`Trytogetsomerestforacoupleofhours，\'shemurmured，withaglanceatahammockstretchedinadistantpartoftheroom。Herlongtrainswishedsoftlyafterherontheredtiles。Atthedoorshelookedback。

Twobiglampswithunpolishedglassglobesbathedinasoftandabundantlightthefourwhitewallsoftheroom，withaglasscaseofarms，thebrasshiltofHenryGould\'scavalrysabreonitssquareofvelvet，andthewater-coloursketchoftheSanTomegorge。AndMrsGould，gazingatthelastinitsblackwoodenframe，sighedout:

`Ah，ifwehadleftitalone，Charley！\'

`No，\'CharlesGouldsaid，moodily；`itwasimpossibletoleaveitalone。\'

`Perhapsitwasimpossible，\'MrsGouldadmitted，slowly。Herlipsquiveredalittle，butshesmiledwithanairofdaintybravado。`WehavedisturbedagoodmanysnakesinthatParadise，Charley，haven\'twe?\'

`Yes，Iremember，\'saidCharlesGould，`itwasDonPepewhocalledthegorgetheParadiseofsnakes。Nodoubtwehavedisturbedagreatmany。

Butremember，mydear，thatitisnotnowasitwaswhenyoumadethatsketch。\'Hewavedhishandtowardsthesmallwater-colourhangingaloneuponthegreatbarewall。`ItisnolongeraParadiseofsnakes。Wehavebroughtmankindintoit，andwecannotturnourbacksuponthemtogoandbeginanewlifeelsewhere。\'

Heconfrontedhiswifewithafirm，concentratedgaze，whichMrsGouldreturnedwithabraveassumptionoffearlessnessbeforeshewentout，closingthedoorgentlyafterher。

Incontrastwiththewhiteglaringroomthedimlylitcorridorhadarestfulmysteriousnessofaforestglade，suggestedbythestemsandtheleavesoftheplantsrangedalongthebalustradeoftheopenside。Inthestreaksoflightfallingthroughtheopendoorsofthereception-rooms，theblossoms，whiteandredandpalelilac，cameoutvividwiththebrillianceofflowersinastreamofsunshine；andMrsGould，passingon，hadthevividnessofafigureseenintheclearpatchesofsunthatchequerthegloomofopengladesinthewoods。Thestonesintheringsuponherhandpressedtoherforeheadglitteredinthelamplightabreastofthedoorofthesala。

`Who\'sthere?\'sheasked，inastartledvoice。`Isthatyou，Basilio?\'

Shelookedin，andsawMartinDecoudwalkingabout，withanairofhavinglostsomething，amongstthechairsandtables。

`Antoniahasforgottenherfaninhere，\'saidDecoud，withastrangeairofdistraction；`soIenteredtosee。\'

But，evenashesaidthis，hehadobviouslygivenuphissearch，andwalkedstraighttowardsMrsGould，wholookedathimwithdoubtfulsurprise。

`Senora，\'hebegan，inalowvoice。

`Whatisit，DonMartin?\'askedMrsGould。Andthensheadded，withaslightlaugh，`Iamsonervoustoday，\'asiftoexplaintheeagernessofthequestion。

`Nothingimmediatelydangerous，\'saidDecoud，whonowcouldnotconcealhisagitation。`Praydon\'tdistressyourself。No，really，youmustnotdistressyourself。\'

MrsGould，withhercandideyesverywideopen，herlipscomposedintoasmile，wassteadyingherselfinthedoorwaywithalittlebejewelledhand。

`Perhapsyoudon\'tknowhowalarmingyouare，appearinglikethisunexpectedly——\'

`I！Alarming！\'heprotested，sincerelyvexedandsurprised。`IassureyouthatIamnotintheleastalarmedmyself。Afanislost；well，itwillbefoundagain。ButIdon\'tthinkitishere。ItisafanIamlookingfor。IcannotunderstandhowAntoniacould——Well！Haveyoufoundit，amigo?\'

`No，senor，\'saidbehindMrsGouldthesoftvoiceofBasilio，theheadservantoftheCasa。`Idon\'tthinkthesenoritacouldhaveleftitinthishouseatall。\'

`Goandlookforitinthepatioagain。Gonow，myfriend；lookforitonthesteps，underthegate；examineeveryflagstone；searchforittillIcomedownagain……Thatfellow\'——headdressedhimselfinEnglishtoMrsGould——`isalwaysstealingupbehindone\'sbackonhisbarefeet。

IsethimtolookforthatfandirectlyIcameintojustifymyreappearance，mysuddenreturn。\'

HepausedandMrsGouldsaid，amiably，`Youarealwayswelcome。\'Shepausedforasecond，too。`ButIamwaitingtolearnthecauseofyourreturn。\'

Decoudaffectedsuddenlytheutmostnonchalance。

`Ican\'tbeartobespiedupon。Oh，thecause?Yes，thereisacause；

thereissomethingelsethatislostbesidesAntonia\'sfavouritefan。AsIwaswalkinghomeafterseeingDonJoseandAntoniatotheirhouse，theCapatazdeCargadores，ridingdownthestreet，spoketome。\'

`HasanythinghappenedtotheViolas?\'inquiredMrsGould。

`TheViolas?YoumeantheoldGaribaldinowhokeepsthehotelwheretheengineerslive！Nothinghappenedthere。TheCapatazsaidnothingofthem；heonlytoldmethatthetelegraphistoftheCableCompanywaswalkingonthePlaza，bareheaded，lookingoutforme。Thisisnewsfromtheinterior，MrsGould。Ishouldrathersayrumoursofnews。\'

`Goodnews?\'saidMrsGouldinalowvoice。

`Worthless，Ishouldthink。ButifImustdefinethem，Iwouldsaybad。

Theyaretotheeffectthatatwodays\'battlehadbeenfoughtnearStaMarta，andthattheRibieristsaredefeated。Itmusthavehappenedafewdaysago——perhapsaweek。TherumourhasjustreachedCayta，andthemaninchargeofthecablestationtherehastelegraphedthenewstohiscolleaguehere。WemightjustaswellhavekeptBarriosinSulaco。\'

`What\'stobedonenow?\'murmuredMrsGould。

`Nothing。He\'satseawiththetroops。HewillgettoCaytainacoupleofdays\'timeandlearnthenewsthere。Whathewilldothen，whocansay?

HoldCayta?OfferhissubmissiontoMontero?Disbandhisarmy——thislastmostlikely，andgohimselfinoneoftheO。S。N。Company\'ssteamers，northorsouth——toValparaisoortoSanFrancisco，nomatterwhere。OurBarrioshasagreatpracticeinexilesandrepatriations，whichmarkthepointsinthepoliticalgame。\'

Decoud，exchangingasteadystarewithMrsGould，added，tentatively，asitwere，`Andyet，ifwehadBarrioswithhis2，000improvedrifleshere，somethingcouldhavebeendone。\'

`Monterovictorious，completelyvictorious！\'MrsGouldbreathedoutinatoneofunbelief。

`Acanard，probably。Thatsortofbirdishatchedingreatnumbersinsuchtimesasthese。Andevenifitweretrue?Well，letusputthingsattheirworst，letussayitistrue。\'

`Theneverythingislost，\'saidMrsGould，withthecalmnessofdespair。

Suddenlysheseemedtodivine，sheseemedtoseeDecoud\'stremendousexcitementunderitscloakofstudiedcarelessness。Itwas，indeed，becomingvisibleinhisaudaciousandwatchfulstare，inthecurve，half-reckless，half-contemptuous，ofhislips。AndaFrenchphrasecameuponthemasif，forthisCostaguanerooftheBoulevard，thathadbeentheonlyforciblelanguage:

`Non，Madame。Rienn\'estperdu。\'

ItelectrifiedMrsGouldoutofherbenumbedattitude，andshesaid，vivaciously:

`Whatwouldyouthinkofdoing?\'

ButalreadytherewassomethingofmockeryinDecoud\'ssuppressedexcitement。

`WhatwouldyouexpectatrueCostaguanerotodo?Anotherrevolution，ofcourse。Onmywordofhonour，MrsGould，IbelieveIamatruehijodelpais，atruesonofthecountry，whateverFatherCorbelanmaysay。

AndI\'mnotsomuchofanunbelieverasnottohavefaithinmyownideas，inmyownremedies，inmyowndesires。\'

`Yes，\'saidMrsGould，doubtfully。

`Youdon\'tseemconvinced，\'DecoudwentonagaininFrench。`Say，then，inmypassions。\'

MrsGouldreceivedthisadditionunflinchingly。Tounderstanditthoroughlyshedidnotrequiretohearhismutteredassurance:

`ThereisnothingIwouldnotdoforthesakeofAntonia。ThereisnothingIamnotpreparedtoundertake。ThereisnoriskIamnotreadytorun。\'

Decoudseemedtofindafreshaudacityinthisvoicingofhisthoughts。

`YouwouldnotbelievemeifIweretosaythatitistheloveofthecountrywhich——\'

Shemadeasortofdiscouragedprotestwithherarm，asiftoexpressthatshehadgivenupexpectingthatmotivefromanyone。

`ASulacorevolution，\'Decoudpursuedinaforcibleundertone。`TheGreatCausemaybeservedhere，ontheveryspotofitsinception，intheplaceofitsbirth，MrsGould。\'

Frowning，andbitingherlowerlipthoughtfully，shemadeastepawayfromthedoor。

`Youarenotgoingtospeaktoyourhusband?\'Decoudarrestedheranxiously。

`Butyouwillneedhishelp?\'

`Nodoubt，\'Decoudadmittedwithouthesitation。`EverythingturnsupontheSanTomemine，butIwouldratherhedidn\'tknowanythingasyetofmy——myhopes。\'

ApuzzledlookcameuponMrsGould\'sface，andDecoud，approaching，explainedconfidentially:

`Don\'tyousee，he\'ssuchanidealist。\'

MrsGouldflushedpink，andhereyesgrewdarkeratthesametime。

`Charleyanidealist！\'shesaid，asiftoherself，wonderingly。`Whatonearthdoyoumean?\'

`Yes，\'concededDecoud，`it\'sawonderfulthingtosaywiththesightoftheSanTomemine，thegreatestfactinthewholeofSouthAmerica，perhaps，beforeourveryeyes。Butlookevenatthat，hehasidealizedthisfacttoapoint——\'Hepaused。`MrsGould，areyouawaretowhatpointhehadidealizedtheexistence，theworth，themeaningoftheSanTomemine?Areyouawareofit?\'

Hemusthaveknownwhathewastalkingabout。

Theeffectheexpectedwasproduced。MrsGould，readytotakefire，gaveitupsuddenlywithalowlittlesoundthatresembledamoan。

`Whatdoyouknow?\'sheaskedinafeeblevoice。

`Nothing，\'answeredDecoud，firmly。`But，then，don\'tyousee，he\'sanEnglishman?\'

`Well，whatofthat?\'askedMrsGould。

`Simplythathecannotactorexistwithoutidealizingeverysimplefeeling，desire，orachievement。Hecouldnotbelievehisownmotivesifhedidnotmakethemfirstapartofsomefairytale。Theearthisnotquitegoodenoughforhim，Ifear。Doyouexcusemyfrankness?Besides，whetheryouexcuseitornot，itispartofthetruthofthingswhichhurtsthe——whatdoyoucallthem?——theAnglo-Saxon\'ssusceptibilities，andatthepresentmomentIdon\'tfeelasifIcouldtreatseriouslyeitherhisconceptionofthingsor——ifyouallowmetosayso——oryetyours。\'

MrsGouldgavenosignofbeingoffended。`IsupposeAntoniaunderstandsyouthoroughly?\'

`Understands?Well，yes。ButIamnotsurethatsheapproves。That，however，makesnodifference。Iamhonestenoughtotellyouthat，MrsGould。\'

`Youridea，ofcourse，isseparation，\'shesaid。

`Separation，ofcourse，\'declaredMartin。`Yes；separationofthewholeOccidentalProvincefromtherestoftheunquietbody。Butmytrueidea，theonlyoneIcarefor，isnottobeseparatedfromAntonia。\'

`Andthatisall?\'askedMrsGould，withoutseverity。

`Absolutely。Iamnotdeceivingmyselfaboutmymotives。Shewon\'tleaveSulacoformysake，thereforeSulacomustleavetherestoftheRepublictoitsfate。Nothingcouldbeclearerthanthat。Ilikeaclearlydefinedsituation。IcannotpartwithAntonia，thereforetheoneandindivisibleRepublicofCostaguanamustbemadetopartwithitswesternprovince。

Fortunatelyithappenstobealsoasoundpolicy。Therichest，themostfertilepartofthislandmaybesavedfromanarchy。Personally，Icarelittle；butit\'safactthattheestablishmentofMonteroinpowerwouldmeandeathtome。InalltheproclamationsofgeneralpardonwhichIhaveseen，myname，withafewothers，isspeciallyexcepted。Thebrothershateme，asyouknowverywell，MrsGould；andbehold，hereistherumourofthemhavingwonabattle。Yousaythatsupposingitistrue，Ihaveplentyoftimetorunaway。\'

Theslight，protestingmurmuronthepartofMrsGouldmadehimpauseforamoment，whilehelookedatherwithasombreandresoluteglance。

`Oh，butIwould，MrsGould。Iwouldrunawayifitservedthatwhichatpresentismyonlydesire。Iamcourageousenoughtosaythat，andtodoit，too。Butwomen，evenourwomen，areidealists。ItisAntoniathatwon\'trunaway。Anovelsortofvanity。\'

`Youcallitvanity，\'saidMrsGould，inashockedvoice。

`Saypride，then，which，FatherCorbelanwouldtellyou，isamortalsin。ButIamnotproud。Iamsimplytoomuchinlovetorunaway。AtthesametimeIwanttolive。Thereisnoloveforadeadman。ThereforeitisnecessarythatSulacoshouldnotrecognizethevictoriousMontero。\'

`Andyouthinkmyhusbandwillgiveyouhissupport?\'

`Ithinkhecanbedrawnintoit，likeallidealists，whenheonceseesasentimentalbasisforhisaction。ButIwouldn\'ttalktohim。Mereclearfactswon\'tappealtohissentiment。Itismuchbetterforhimtoconvincehimselfinhisownway。And，frankly，Icouldnot，perhaps，justnowpaysufficientrespecttoeitherhismotivesoreven，perhaps，toyours，MrsGould。\'

ItwasevidentthatMrsGouldwasverydeterminednottobeoffended。

Shesmiledvaguely，whilesheseemedtothinkthematterover。Asfarasshecouldjudgefromthegirl\'shalf-confidences，Antoniaunderstoodthatyoungman。Obviouslytherewaspromiseofsafetyinhisplan，orratherinhisidea。Moreover，rightorwrong，theideacoulddonoharm。Anditwasquitepossible，also，thattherumourwasfalse。

`Youhavesomesortofaplan，\'shesaid。

`Simplicityitself。Barrioshasstarted，lethimgoonthen；hewillholdCayta，whichisthedoorofthesearoutetoSulaco。Theycannotsendasufficientforceoverthemountains。No；noteventocopewiththebandofHernandez。Meantimeweshallorganizeourresistancehere。Andforthat，thisveryHernandezwillbeuseful。Hehasdefeatedtroopsasabandit；

hewillnodoubtaccomplishthesamethingifheismadeacolonelorevenageneral。YouknowthecountrywellenoughnottobeshockedbywhatI

say，MrsGould。Ihaveheardyouassertthatthispoorbanditwastheliving，breathingexampleofcruelty，injustice，stupidity，andoppression，thatruinmen\'ssoulsaswellastheirfortunesinthiscountry。Well，therewouldbesomepoeticalretributioninthatmanarisingtocrushtheevilswhichhaddrivenanhonestrancherointoalifeofcrime。Afineideaofretributioninthat，isn\'tthere?\'

DecoudhaddroppedeasilyintoEnglish，whichhespokewithprecision，verycorrectly，butwithtoomanyzsounds。

`Thinkalsoofyourhospitals，ofyourschools，ofyourailingmothersandfeebleoldmen，ofallthatpopulationwhichyouandyourhusbandhavebroughtintotherockygorgeofSanTome。Areyounotresponsibletoyourconscienceforallthesepeople?Isitnotworthwhiletomakeanothereffort，whichisnotatallsodesperateasitlooks，ratherthan——\'

Decoudfinishedhisthoughtwithanupwardtossofthearm，suggestingannihilation；andMrsGouldturnedawayherheadwithalookofhorror。

`Whydon\'tyousayallthistomyhusband?\'sheasked，withoutlookingatDecoud，whostoodwatchingtheeffectofhiswords。

`Ah！ButDonCarlosissoEnglish，\'hebegan。MrsGouldinterrupted:

`Leavethatalone，DonMartin。He\'sasmuchaCostaguanero——No！He\'smoreofaCostaguanerothanyourself。\'

`Sentimentalist，sentimentalist，\'Decoudalmostcooed，inatoneofgentleandsoothingdeference。`Sentimentalist，aftertheamazingmannerofyourpeople。IhavebeenwatchingElReydeSulacosinceIcamehereonafool\'serrand，andperhapsimpelledbysometreasonoffatelurkingbehindtheunaccountableturnsofaman\'slife。ButIdon\'tmatter，Iamnotasentimentalist，Icannotendowmypersonaldesireswithashiningrobeofsilkandjewels。Lifeisnotformeamoreromancederivedfromthetraditionofaprettyfairytale。No，MrsGould；Iampractical。I

amnotafraidofmymotives。But，pardonme，Ihavebeenrathercarriedaway。WhatIwishtosayisthatIhavebeenobserving。Iwon\'ttellyouwhatIhavediscovered——\'

`No。Thatisunnecessary，\'whisperedMrsGould，oncemoreavertingherhead。

`Itis。Exceptonelittlefact，thatyourhusbanddoesnotlikeme。

It\'sasmallmatter，which，inthecircumstances，seemstoacquireaperfectlyridiculousimportance。Ridiculousandimmense；for，clearlymoneyisrequiredformyplan，\'hereflected；thenadded，meaningly，`andwehavetwosentimentaliststodealwith。\'

`Idon\'tknowthatIunderstandyou，DonMartin，\'saidMrsGould，coldly，preservingthelowkeyoftheirconversation。`But，speakingasifIdid，whoistheother?\'

`ThegreatHolroydinSanFrancisco，ofcourse，\'Decoudwhispered，lightly。

`Ithinkyouunderstandmeverywell。Womenareidealists；butthentheyaresoperspicacious。\'

Butwhateverwasthereasonofthatremark，disparagingandcomplimentaryatthesametime，MrsGouldseemednottopayattentiontoit。ThenameofHolroydhadgivenanewtonetoheranxiety。

`Thesilverescortiscomingdowntotheharbourtomorrow；awholesixmonths\'working，DonMartin！\'shecriedindismay。

`Letitcomedown，then，\'breathedoutDecoud，earnestly，almostintoherear。

`Butiftherumourshouldgetabout，andespeciallyifitturnedouttrue，troublesmightbreakoutinthetown，\'objectedMrsGould。

Decoudadmittedthatitwaspossible。HeknewwellthetownchildrenoftheSulacoCampo:sullen，thievish，vindictive，andbloodthirsty，whatevergreatqualitiestheirbrothersoftheplainmighthavehad。Butthentherewasthatothersentimentalist，whoattachedastrangelyidealisticmeaningtoconcretefacts。ThisstreamofsilvermustbekeptflowingnorthtoreturnintheformoffinancialbackingfromthegreathouseofHolroyd。

Upatthemountaininthestrong-roomoftheminethesilverbarswereworthlessforhispurposethansomuchlead，fromwhichatleastbulletsmayberun。Letitcomedowntotheharbour，readyforshipment。

Thenextnorth-goingsteamerwouldcarryitofffortheverysalvationoftheSanTomemine，whichhasproducedsomuchtreasure。And，moreover，therumourwasprobablyfalse，heremarked，withmuchconvictioninhishurriedtone。

`Besides，senora，\'concludedDecoud，`wemaysuppressitformanydays。IhavebeentalkingwiththetelegraphistinthemiddleofthePlazaMayor；thusIamcertainthatwecouldnothavebeenoverheard。Therewasnotevenabirdintheairnearus。Andalsoletmetellyousomethingmore。IhavebeenmakingfriendswiththismancalledNostromo，theCapataz。

Wehadaconversationthisveryevening，Iwalkingbythesideofhishorseasherodeslowlyoutofthetownjustnow。Hepromisedmethatifariottookplaceforanyreason——evenforthemostpoliticalofreasons，youunderstand——hiscargadores，animportantpartofthepopulace，youwilladmit，shouldbefoundonthesideoftheEuropeans。\'

`Hehaspromisedyouthat?\'MrsGouldinquired，withinterest。`Whatmadehimmakethatpromisetoyou?\'

`Uponmyword，Idon\'tknow，\'declaredDecoud，inaslightlysurprisedtone。`Hecertainlypromisedmethat，butnowyouaskmewhyIcertainlycouldnottellyouhisreasons。Hetalkedwithhisusualcarelessness，which，ifhehadbeenanythingelsebutacommonsailor，Iwouldcallaposeoranaffectation。\'

Decoud，interruptinghimself，lookedatMrsGouldcuriously。

`Uponthewhole，\'hecontinued，`Isupposeheexpectssomethingtohisadvantagefromit。Youmustn\'tforgetthathedoesnotexercisehisextraordinarypoweroverthelowerclasseswithoutacertainamountofpersonalriskandwithoutagreatprofusioninspendinghismoney。Onemustpayinsomewayorotherforsuchasolidthingasindividualprestige。Hetoldmeafterwemadefriendsatadance，inaposadakeptbyaMexicanjustoutsidethewalls，thathehadcomeheretomakehisfortune。Isupposehelooksuponhisprestigeasasortofinvestment。\'

`Perhapsheprizesitforitsownsake，\'MrsGouldsaidinatoneasifshewererepellinganundeservedaspersion。`Viola，theGaribaldino，withwhomhehaslivedforsomeyears，callshimtheIncorruptible。

`Ah！hebelongstothegroupofyourprotegesouttheretowardstheharbour，MrsGould。Muybien。AndCaptainMitchellcallshimwonderful。

Ihaveheardnoendoftalesofhisstrength，hisaudacity，hisfidelity。

Noendoffinethings。H\'m！incorruptible！ItisindeedanameofhonourfortheCapatazoftheCargadoresofSulaco。Incorruptible！Fine，butvague。

However，Isupposehe\'ssensible，too。AndItalkedtohimuponthatsaneandpracticalassumption。\'

`Iprefertothinkhimdisinterested，andthereforetrustworthy，\'MrsGouldsaid，withthenearestapproachtocurtnessitwasinhernaturetoassume。

`Well，ifso，thenthesilverwillbestillmoresafe。Letitcomedown，senora。Letitcomedown，sothatitmaygonorthandreturntousintheshapeofcredit。\'

MrsGouldglancedalongthecorridortowardsthedoorofherhusband\'sroom。Decoud，watchingherasifshehadhisfateinherhands，detectedanalmostimperceptiblenodofassent。Hebowedwithasmile，and，puttinghishandintothebreastpocketofhiscoat，pulledoutafanoflightfeatherssetuponpaintedleavesofsandal-wood。`Ihaditinmypocket，\'

hemurmured，triumphantly，`foraplausiblepretext。\'Hebowedagain。`Goodnight，senora。\'

MrsGouldcontinuedalongthecorridorawayfromherhusband\'sroom。

ThefateoftheSanTomeminewaslyingheavyuponherheart。Itwasalongtimenowsinceshehadbeguntofearit。Ithadbeenanidea。Shehadwatcheditwithmisgivingsturningintoafetish，andnowthefetishhadgrownintoamonstrousandcrushingweight。Itwasasiftheinspirationoftheirearlyyearshadleftherhearttoturnintoawallofsilver-bricks，erectedbythesilentworkofevilspirits，betweenherandherhusband。

Heseemedtodwellalonewithinacircumvallationofpreciousmetal，leavingheroutsidewithherschool，herhospital，thesickmothers，andthefeebleoldmen，mereinsignificantvestigesoftheinitialinspiration。`Thosepoorpeople！\'shemurmuredtoherself。

BelowsheheardthevoiceofMartinDecoudinthepatiospeakingloudly:

`IhavefoundDonaAntonia\'sfan，Basilio。Look，hereitis！\'

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part2Chapter77ItwaspartofwhatDecoudwouldhavecalledhissanematerialismthathedidnotbelieveinthepossibilityoffriendshipbetweenmanandwoman。

Theoneexceptionheallowedconfirmed，hemaintained，thatabsoluterule。Friendshipwaspossiblebetweenbrotherandsister，meaningbyfriendshipthefrankunreserve，asbeforeanotherhumanbeing，ofthoughtsandsensations；

alltheobjectlessandnecessarysincerityofone\'sinnermostlifetryingtoreactupontheprofoundsympathiesofanotherexistence。

Hisfavouritesister，thehandsome，slightlyarbitrary，andresoluteangel，rulingthefatherandmotherDecoudinthefirst-floorapartmentsofaveryfineParisianhouse，wastherecipientofMartinDecoud\'sconfidencesastohisthoughts，actions，purposes，doubts，andevenfailures……

PrepareourlittlecircleinParisforthebirthofanotherSouthAmericanRepublic。Onemoreorless，whatdoesitmatter?Theymaycomeintotheworldlikeevilflowersonahotbedofrotteninstitutions；buttheseedofthisonehasgerminatedinyourbrother\'sbrain，andthatwillbeenoughforyourdevotedassent。Iamwritingthistoyoubythelightofasinglecandle，inasortofinn，neartheharbour，keptbyanItaliancalledViola，aprotegeofMrsGould。Thewholebuilding，which，forallIknow，mayhavebeencontrivedbyaConquistadorfarmerofthepearlfisherythreehundredyearsago，isperfectlysilent。Soistheplainbetweenthetownandtheharbour；silent，butnotsodarkasthehouse，becausethepicketsofItalianworkmenguardingtherailwayhavelightedlittlefiresallalongtheline。Itwasnotsoquietaroundhereyesterday。Wehadanawfulriot——asuddenoutbreakofthepopulace，whichwasnotsuppressedtilllatetoday。Itsobject，nodoubt，wasloot，andthatwasdefeated，asyoumusthavelearnedalreadyfromthecablegramsentviaSanFranciscoandNewYorklastnight，whenthecableswerestillopen。YouhavereadalreadytherethattheenergeticactionoftheEuropeansoftherailwayhassavedthetownfromdestruction，andyoumaybelievethat。Iwroteoutthecablemyself。WehavenoReuter\'sagencymanhere。Ihavealsofiredatthemobfromthewindowsoftheclub，incompanywithsomeotheryoungmenofposition。

OurobjectwastokeeptheCalledelaConstitucionclearfortheexodusoftheladiesandchildren，whohavetakenrefugeonboardacoupleofcargoshipsnowintheharbourhere。Thatwasyesterday。YoushouldalsohavelearnedfromthecablethatthemissingPresident，Ribiera，whohaddisappearedafterthebattleofStaMarta，hasturneduphereinSulacobyoneofthosestrangecoincidencesthatarealmostincredible，ridingonalamemuleintotheverymidstofthestreetfighting。Itappearsthathehadfled，incompanywithamuleteercalledBonifacio，acrossthemountainsfromthethreatsofMonterointothearmsofanenragedmob。

TheCapatazofCargadores，thatItaliansailorofwhomIhavewrittentoyoubefore，hassavedhimfromanignobledeath。Thatmanseemstohaveaparticulartalentforbeingonthespotwheneverthereissomethingpicturesquetobedone。

Hewaswithmeatfouro\'clockinthemorningattheofficesofthePorvenir，wherehehadturnedupsoearlyinordertowarnmeofthecomingtrouble，andalsotoassuremethathewouldkeephiscargadoresonthesideoforder。Whenthefulldaylightcamewewerelookingtogetheratthecrowdonfootandonhorseback，demonstratingonthePlazaandshyingstonesatthewindowsoftheIntendencia。Nostromo(thatisthenametheycallhimbyhere)waspointingouttomehiscargadoresinterspersedinthemob。

ThesunshineslateuponSulaco，forithasfirsttoclimbabovethemountains。Inthatclearmorninglight，brighterthantwilight，NostromosawrightacrossthevastPlaza，attheendofthestreetbeyondthecathedral，amountedmanapparentlyindifficultieswithayellingknotofleperos。

Atoncehesaidtome，`That\'sastranger。Whatisittheyaredoingtohim?\'Thenhetookoutthesilverwhistleheisinthehabitofusingonthewharf(thismanseemstodisdaintheuseofanymetallesspreciousthansilver)andblewintoittwice，evidentlyapreconcertedsignalforhiscargadores。Heranoutimmediately，andtheyralliedroundhim。

Iranout，too，butwastoolatetofollowthemandhelpintherescueofthestranger，whoseanimalhadfallen。Iwassetuponatonceasahatedaristocrat，andwasonlytoogladtogetintotheclub，whereDonJaimeBerges(youmayrememberhimvisitingatourhouseinParissomethreeyearsago)thrustasportinggunintomyhands。Theywerealreadyfiringfromthewindows。Therewerelittleheapsofcartridgeslyingaboutontheopencard-tables。Irememberacoupleofoverturnedchairs，somebottlesrollingontheflooramongstthepacksofcardsscatteredsuddenlyasthecaballerosrosefromtheirgametoopenfireuponthemob。Mostoftheyoungmenhadspentthenightattheclubintheexpectationofsomesuchdisturbance。Intwoofthecandelabra，ontheconsoles，thecandleswereburningdownintheirsockets。Alargeironnut，probablystolenfromtherailwayworkshops，flewinfromthestreetasIentered，andbrokeoneofthelargemirrorssetinthewall。Inoticedalsooneoftheclubservantstieduphandandfootwiththecordsofthecurtainandflunginacorner。IhaveavaguerecollectionofDonJaimeassuringmehastilythatthefellowhadbeendetectedputtingpoisonintothedishesatsupper。

ButIrememberdistinctlyhewasshriekingformercy，withoutstoppingatall，continuously，andsoabsolutelydisregardedthatnobodyeventookthetroubletogaghim。ThenoisehemadewassodisagreeablethatIhadhalfamindtodoitmyself。Buttherewasnotimetowasteonsuchtrifles。

Itookmyplaceatoneofthewindowsandbeganfiring。

Ididn\'tlearntilllaterintheafternoonwhomitwasthatNostromo，withhiscargadoresandsomeItalianworkmenaswell，hadmanagedtosavefromthosedrunkenrascals。Thatmanhasapeculiartalentwhenanythingstrikingtotheimaginationhastobedone。Imadethatremarktohimafterwardswhenwemetaftersomesortoforderhadbeenrestoredinthetown，andtheanswerhemaderathersurprisedme。Hesaidquitemoodily，`AndhowmuchdoIgetforthat，senor?\'Thenitdawneduponmethatperhapsthisman\'svanityhasbeensatiatedbytheadulationofthecommonpeopleandtheconfidenceofhissuperiors！

Decoudpausedtolightacigarette，then，withhisheadstilloverhiswriting，heblewacloudofsmoke，whichseemedtoreboundfromthepaper。

Hetookupthepencilagain。

ThatwasyesterdayeveningonthePlaza，whilehesatonthestepsofthecathedral，hishandsbetweenhisknees，holdingthebridleofhisfamoussilver-greymare。Hehadledhisbodyofcargadoressplendidlyalldaylong。Helookedfatigued。Idon\'tknowhowIlooked。Verydirty，I

suppose。ButIsupposeIalsolookedpleased。FromthetimethefugitivePresidenthadbeengotofftothes。s。Minerva，thetideofsuccesshadturnedagainstthemob。Theyhadbeendrivenofftheharbour，andoutofthebetterstreetsofthetown，intotheirownmazeofruinsandtolderias。

Youmustunderstandthatthisriot，whoseprimaryobjectwasundoubtedlythegettingholdoftheSanTomesilverstoredinthelowerroomsoftheCustomHouse(besidesthegenerallootingofthericos)，hadacquiredapoliticalcolouringfromthefactoftwoDeputiestotheProvincialAssembly，SenoresGamachoandFuentes，bothfromBolson，puttingthemselvesattheheadofit——lateintheafternoon，itistrue，whenthemob，disappointedintheirhopesofloot，madeastandinthenarrowstreetstothecriesof`Vivalalibertad！DownwithFeudalism！\'(Iwonderwhattheyimaginefeudalismtobe?)`DownwiththeGothsandParalytics。\'IsupposetheSenoresGamachoandFuentesknewwhattheyweredoing。Theyareprudentgentlemen。IntheAssemblytheycalledthemselvesModerates，andopposedeveryenergeticmeasurewithphilanthropicpensiveness。AtthefirstrumoursofMontero\'svictory，theybegantoshowasubtlechangeofthepensivetemper，andbegantodefypoorDonJusteLopezinhisPresidentialtribunewithaneffronterytowhichthepoormancouldonlyrespondbyadazedsmoothingofhisbeardandtheringingofthePresidentialbell。Then，whenthedownfalloftheRibieristcausebecameconfirmedbeyondtheshadowofadoubt，theyhaveblossomedintoconvincedLiberals，actingtogetherasiftheywereSiamesetwins，andultimatelytakingcharge，asitwere，oftheriotinthenameofMonteristprinciples。

Theirlastmoveofeighto\'clocklastnightwastoorganizethemselvesintoaMonteristCommitteewhichsits，asfarasIknow，inaposadakeptbyaretiredMexicanbull-fighter，agreatpolitician，too，whosenameIhaveforgotten。Thencetheyhaveissuedacommunicationtous，theGothsandParalyticsoftheAmarillaClub(whohaveourowncommittee)，invitingustocometosomeprovisionalunderstandingforatruce，inorder，theyhavetheimpudencetosay，thatthenoblecauseofLiberty`shouldnotbestainedbythecriminalexcessesofConservativeselfishness\'！AsIcameouttositwithNostromoonthecathedralstepstheclubwasbusyconsideringaproperreplyintheprincipalroom，litteredwithexplodedcartridges，withalotofbrokenglass，bloodsmears，candlesticks，andallsortsofwreckageonthefloor。Butallthisisnonsense。Nobodyinthetownhasanyrealpowerexcepttherailwayengineers，whosemenoccupythedismantledhousesacquiredbytheCompanyfortheirtownstationononesideofthePlaza，andNostromo，whosecargadoresweresleepingunderthearcadesalongthefrontofAnzani\'sshops。AfireofbrokenfurnitureoutoftheIntendenciasaloons，mostlygilt，wasburningonthePlaza，inahighflameswayingrightuponthestatueofCharlesIV。Thedeadbodyofamanwaslyingonthestepsofthepedestal，hisarmsthrownwideopen，andhissombrerocoveringhisface——theattentionofsomefriend，perhaps。

ThelightoftheflametouchedthefoliageofthefirsttreesontheAlameda，andplayedontheendofaside-streetnearby，blockedupbyajumbleofox-cartsanddeadbullocks。Sittingononeofthecarcases，alepero，muffledup，smokedacigarette。Itwasatruce，youunderstand。TheonlyotherlivingbeingonthePlazabesidesourselveswasacargadorwalkingtoandfro，withalong，bareknifeinhishand，likeasentrybeforetheArcades，wherehisfriendsweresleeping。Andtheonlyotherspotoflightinthedarktownwerethelightedwindowsoftheclub，atthecorneroftheCalle。

Afterhavingwrittensofar，DonMartinDecoud，theexoticdandyoftheParisianboulevard，gotupandwalkedacrossthesandedfloorofthecafeatoneendoftheAlbergoofUnitedItaly，keptbyGiorgioViola，theoldcompanionofGaribaldi。ThehighlycolouredlithographoftheFaithfulHeroseemedtolookdimly，inthelightofonecandle，atthemanwithnofaithinanythingexceptthetruthofhisownsensations。Lookingoutofthewindow，Decoudwasmetbyadarknesssoimpenetrablethathecouldseeneitherthemountainsnorthetown，noryetthebuildingsneartheharbour；andtherewasnotasound，asifthetremendousobscurityofthePlacidGulf，spreadingfromthewatersovertheland，hadmadeitdumbaswellasblind。PresentlyDecoudfeltalighttremorofthefloorandadistantclankofiron。Abrightwhitelightappeared，deepinthedarkness，growingbiggerwithathunderingnoise。TherollingstockusuallykeptonthesidingsinRinconwasbeingrunbacktotheyardsforsafekeeping。

Likeamysteriousstirringofthedarknessbehindtheheadlightoftheengine，thetrainpassedinagustofhollowuproar，bytheendofthehouse，whichseemedtovibratealloverinresponse。Andnothingwasclearlyvisiblebut，ontheendofthelastflatcar，aNegro，inwhitetrousersandnakedtothewaist，swingingablazingtorchbasketincessantlywithacircularmovementofhisbarearm。Decouddidnotstir。

Behindhim，onthebackofthechairfromwhichhehadrisen，hunghiselegantParisianovercoat，withapearl-greysilklining。Butwhenheturnedbacktocometothetablethecandlelightfelluponafacethatwasgrimyandscratched。Hisrosylipswereblackenedwithheat，thesmokeofgun-powder。

Dirtandrusttarnishedthelustreofhisshortbeard。Hisshirtcollarandcuffswerecrumpled；thebluesilkentiehungdownhisbreastlikearag；agreasysmudgecrossedhiswhitebrow。Hehadnottakenoffhisclothingnorusedwater；excepttosnatchahastydrinkgreedily，forsomefortyhours。Anawfulrestlessnesshadmadehimitsown，hadmarkedhimwithallthesignsofdesperatestrife，andputadry，sleeplessstareintohiseyes。Hemurmuredtohimselfinahoarsevoice，`Iwonderifthere\'sanybreadhere，\'lookedvaguelyabouthim，thendroppedintothechairandtookthepencilupagain。Hebecameawarehehadnoteatenanythingformanyhours。

Itoccurredtohimthatnoonecouldunderstandhimsowellashissister。

Inthemostscepticalhearttherelurksatsuchmoments，whenthechancesofexistenceareinvolved，adesiretoleaveacorrectimpressionofthefeelings，likealightbywhichtheactionmaybeseenwhenpersonalityisgone，gonewherenolightofinvestigationcaneverreachthetruthwhicheverydeathtakesoutoftheworld。Therefore，insteadoflookingforsomethingtoeat，ortryingtosnatchanhourorsoofsleep，Decoudwasfillingthepagesofalargepocket-bookwithalettertohissister。

Intheintimacyofthatintercoursehecouldnotkeepouthisweariness，hisgreatfatigue，theclosetouchofhisbodilysensations。Hebeganagainasifheweretalkingtoher。Withalmostanillusionofherpresence，hewrotethephrase，`Iamveryhungry。\'

Ihavethefeelingofagreatsolitudearoundme[hecontinued]。Isit，perhaps，becauseIamtheonlymanwithadefiniteideainhishead，inthecompletecollapseofeveryresolve，intention，andhopeaboutme?

Butthesolitudeisalsoveryreal。Alltheengineersareout，andhavebeenfortwodays，lookingafterthepropertyoftheNationalCentralRailway，ofthatgreatCostaguanaundertakingwhichistoputmoneyintothepocketsofEnglishmen，Frenchmen，Americans，Germans，andGodknowswhoelse。Thesilenceaboutmeisominous。Thereisabovethemiddlepartofthishouseasortoffirstfloor，withnarrowopeningslikeloopholesforwindows，probablyusedinoldtimesforthebetterdefenceagainstthesavages，whenthepersistentbarbarismofournativecontinentdidnotweartheblackcoatsofpoliticians，butwentaboutyelling，half-naked，withbowsandarrowsinitshands。Thewomanofthehouseisdyingupthere，Ibelieve，allalonewithheroldhusband。Thereisanarrowstaircase，thesortofstaircaseonemancouldeasilydefendagainstamob，leadingupthere，andIhavejustheard，throughthethicknessofthewall，theoldfellowgoingdownintotheirkitchenforsomethingorother。Itwasasortofnoiseamousemightmakebehindtheplasterofawall。Alltheservantstheyhadranawayyesterdayandhavenotreturnedyet，ifevertheydo。

Fortherest，thereareonlytwochildrenhere，twogirls。Thefatherhassentthemdownstairs，andtheyhavecreptintothiscafe，perhapsbecauseIamhere。Theyhuddletogetherinacorner，ineachother\'sarms；Ijustnoticedthemafewminutesago，andIfeelmorelonelythanever。

Decoudturnedhalfroundinhischair，andasked，`Isthereanybreadhere?\'

Linda\'sdarkheadwasshakennegativelyinresponse，abovethefairheadofhersisternestlingonherbreast。

`Youcouldn\'tgetmesomebread?\'insistedDecoud。Thechilddidnotmove；hesawherlargeeyesstareathimverydarkfromthecorner。`You\'renotafraidofme?\'hesaid。

`No，\'saidLinda，`wearenotafraidofyou。YoucameherewithGian\'

Battista。\'

`YoumeanNostromo?\'saidDecoud。

`TheEnglishcallhimso，butthatisnonameeitherformanorbeast，\'

saidthegirl，passingherhandgentlyoverhersister\'shair。

`Butheletspeoplecallhimso，\'remarkedDecoud。

`Notinthishouse，\'retortedthechild。

`Ah！well，IshallcallhimtheCapatazthen。\'

Decoudgaveupthepoint，andafterwritingsteadilyforawhileturnedroundagain。

`Whendoyouexpecthimback?\'heasked。

`AfterhebroughtyouhereherodeofftofetchtheSenorDoctorfromthetownformother。Hewillbebacksoon。\'

`Hestandsagoodchanceofgettingshotsomewhereontheroad，\'Decoudmurmuredtohimselfaudibly；andLindadeclaredinherhigh-pitchedvoice:

`NobodywoulddaretofireashotatGian\'Battista。\'

`Youbelievethat，\'askedDecoud，`doyou?\'

`Iknowit，\'saidthechild，withconviction。`ThereisnooneinthisplacebraveenoughtoattackGian\'Battista。\'

`Itdoesn\'trequiremuchbraverytopullatriggerbehindabush，\'mutteredDecoudtohimself。`Fortunately，thenightisdark，ortherewouldbebutlittlechanceofsavingthesilverofthemine。\'

Heturnedagaintohispocket-book，glancedbackthroughthepages，andagainstartedhispencil。

Thatwasthepositionyesterday，aftertheMinervawiththefugitivePresidenthadgoneoutofharbour，andtheriotershadbeendrivenbackintotheside-lanesofthetown。IsatonthestepsofthecathedralwithNostromo，aftersendingoutthecablemessagefortheinformationofamoreorlessattentiveworld。Strangelyenough，thoughtheofficesoftheCableCompanyareinthesamebuildingasthePorvenir，themob，whichhasthrownmypressesoutofthewindowandscatteredthetypealloverthePlaza，hasbeenkeptfrominterferingwiththeinstrumentsontheothersideofthecourtyard。AsIsattalkingwithNostromo，Bernhardt，thetelegraphist，cameoutfromundertheArcadeswithapieceofpaperinhishand。Thelittlemanhadtiedhimselfuptoanenormousswordandwashungalloverwithrevolvers。Heisridiculous，butthebravestGermanofhissizethatevertappedthekeyofaMorsetransmitter。HehadreceivedthemessagefromCaytareportingthetransportswithBarrio\'sarmyjustenteringtheport，andendingwiththewords，`Thegreatestenthusiasmprevails。\'Iwalkedofftodrinksomewateratthefountain，andIwasshotatfromtheAlamedabysomebodyhidingbehindatree。ButIdrank，anddidn\'tcare；withBarriosinCaytaandthegreatCordillerabetweenusandMontero\'svictoriousarmyIseemed，nothwithstandingMessrsGamachoandFuentes，toholdmynewStateinthehollowofmyhand。Iwasreadytosleep，butwhenIgotasfarastheCasaGouldIfoundthepatiofullofwoundedlaidoutonstraw。Lightswereburning，andinthatenclosedcourtyardonthathotnightafaintodourofchloroformandbloodhungabout。AtoneendDrMonygham，thedoctorofthemine，wasdressingthewounds；attheother，nearthestairs，FatherCorbelankneeling，listenedtotheconfessionofadyingcargador。MrsGouldwaswalkingaboutthroughtheseshambleswithalargebottleinonehandandalotofcottonwoolintheother。Shejustlookedatmeandneverevenwinked。Hercameristawasfollowingher，alsoholdingabottle，andsobbinggentlytoherself。

Ibusiedmyselfforsometimeinfetchingwaterfromthecisternforthewounded。AfterwardsIwanderedupstairs，meetingsomeofthefirstladiesofSulaco，palerthanIhadeverseenthembefore，withbandagesovertheirarms。Notallofthemhadfledtotheships。AgoodmanyhadtakenrefugeforthedayintheCasaGould。Onthelandingagirl，withherhairhalfdown，waskneelingagainstthewallunderthenichewherestandsaMadonnainbluerobesandagiltcrownonherhead。IthinkitwastheeldestMissLopez；Icouldn\'tseeherface，butIrememberlookingatthehighFrenchheelofherlittleshoe。Shedidnotmakeasound，shedidnotstir，shewasnotsobbing；sheremainedthere，perfectlystill，allblackagainstthewhitewall，asilentfigureofpassionatepiety。

Iamsureshewasnomorefrightenedthantheotherwhite-facedladiesImetcarryingbandages。Onewassittingonthetopsteptearingapieceoflinenhastilyintostrips——theyoungwifeofanelderlymanoffortunehere。Sheinterruptedherselftowaveherhandtomybow，asthoughshewereinhercarriageontheAlameda。Thewomenofourcountryareworthlookingatduringarevolution。Therougeandpearlpowderfalloff，togetherwiththatpassiveattitudetowardstheouterworldwhicheducation，tradition，customimposeuponthemfromtheearliestinfancy。Ithoughtofyourface，whichfromyourinfancyhadthestampofintelligenceinsteadofthatpatientandresignedcastwhichappearswhensomepoliticalcommotiontearsdowntheveilofcosmeticsandusage。

InthegreatsalaupstairsasortofJuntaofNotableswassitting，theremnantofthevanishedProvincialAssembly。DonJusteLopezhadhadhalfhisbeardsingedoffatthemuzzleofatrabucoloadedwithslugs，ofwhicheveryonemissedhim，providentially。Andasheturnedhisheadfromsidetosideitwasexactlyasiftherehadbeentwomeninsidehisfrock-coat，onenoblywhiskeredandsolemn，theotheruntidyandscared。

Theyraisedacryof`Decoud！DonMartin！\'atmyentrance。Iaskedthem，`Whatareyoudeliberatingupon，gentlemen?\'Theredidnotseemtobeanypresident，thoughDonJoseAvellanossatattheheadofthetable。Theyallansweredtogether，`Onthepreservationoflifeandproperty。\'`Tillthenewofficialsarrive，\'DonJusteexplainedtome，withthesolemnsideofhisfaceofferedtomyview。ItwasasifastreamofwaterhadbeenpoureduponmyglowingideaofanewState。Therewasahissingsoundinmyears，andtheroomgrewdim，asifsuddenlyfilledwithvapour。

Iwalkeduptothetableblindly，asthoughIhadbeendrunk。`Youaredeliberatinguponsurrender，\'Isaid。Theyallsatstill，withtheirnosesoverthesheetofpapereachhadbeforehim，Godonlyknowswhy。OnlyDonJosehidhisfaceinhishands，muttering，`Never，never！\'ButasIlookedathim，itseemedtomethatIcouldhaveblownhimawaywithmybreath，helookedsofrail，soweak，sowornout。Whateverhappens，hewillnotsurvive。Thedeceptionistoogreatforamanofhisage；andhasn\'theseenthesheetsofFiftyYearsofMisrule，whichwehavebegunprintingonthepressesofthePorvenir，litteringthePlaza，floatinginthegutters，firedoutaswadsfortrabucosloadedwithhandfulsoftype，blowninthewind，trampledinthemud?Ihaveseenpagesfloatingupontheverywatersoftheharbour。Itwouldbeunreasonabletoexpecthimtosurvive。Itwouldbecruel。

`Doyouknow，\'Icried，`whatsurrendermeanstoyou，toyourwomen，toyourchildren，toyourproperty?\'

Ideclaimedforfiveminuteswithoutdrawingbreath，itseemstome，harpingonourbestchances，ontheferocityofMontero，whomImadeouttobeasgreatabeastasIhavenodoubthewouldliketobeifhehadintelligenceenoughtoconceiveasystematicreignofterror。AndthenforanotherfiveminutesormoreIpouredoutanimpassionedappealtotheircourageandmanliness，withallthepassionofmyloveforAntonia。

Forifevermanspokewell，itwouldbefromapersonalfeeling，denouncinganenemy，defendinghimself，orpleadingforwhatreallymaybedearerthanlife。Mydeargirl，Iabsolutelythunderedatthem。Itseemedasifmyvoicewouldburstthewallsasunder，andwhenIstoppedIsawalltheirscaredeyeslookingatmedubiously。AndthatwasalltheeffectIhadproduced！OnlyDonJose\'sheadhadsunklowerandloweronhisbreast。

Ibentmyeartohiswitheredlips，andmadeouthiswhisper，somethinglike，`InGod\'sname，then，Martin，myson！\'Idon\'tknowexactly。TherewasthenameofGodinit，Iamcertain。ItseemstomeIhavecaughthislastbreath——thebreathofhisdepartingsoulonhislips。

Helivesyet，itistrue。Ihaveseenhimsince；butitwasonlyasenilebody，lyingonitsback，coveredtothechin，withopeneyes，andsostillthatyoumighthavesaiditwasbreathingnolonger。Ilefthimthus，withAntoniakneelingbythesideofthebed，justbeforeIcametothisItalian\'sposada，wheretheubiquitousdeathisalsowaiting。ButIknowthatDonJosehasreallydiedthere，intheCasaGould，withthatwhisperurgingmetoattemptwhatnodoubthissoul，wrappedupinthesanctityofdiplomatictreatiesandsolemndeclarations，musthaveabhorred。Ihadexclaimedveryloud，`ThereisneveranyGodinacountrywheremenwillnothelpthemselves。\'

Meanwhile，DonJustehadbegunaponderedorationwhosesolemneffectwasspoiledbytheridiculousdisastertohisbeard。Ididnotwaittomakeitout。HeseemedtoarguethatMontero\'s(hecalledhimTheGeneral)

intentionswereprobablynotevil，though，hewenton，`thatdistinguishedman\'(onlyaweekagoweusedtocallhimagran\'bestia)`wasperhapsmistakenastothetruemeans\'。Asyoumayimagine，Ididn\'tstaytoheartherest。IknowtheintentionsofMontero\'sbrother，Pedrito，theguerrillero，whomIexposedinParis，someyearsago，inacafefrequentedbySouthAmericanstudents，wherehetriedtopasshimselfoffforaSecretaryofLegation。Heusedtocomeinandtalkforhours，twistinghisfelthatinhishairypaws，andhisambitionseemedtobecomeasortofDucdeMornytoasortofNapoleon。Already，then，heusedtotalkofhisbrotherininflatedterms。Heseemedfairlysafefrombeingfoundout，becausethestudents，alloftheBlancofamilies，didnot，asyoumayimagine，frequenttheLegation。ItwasonlyDecoud，amanwithoutfaithandprinciples，astheyusedtosay，thatwentintheresometimesforthesakeofthefun，asitweretoanassemblyoftrainedmonkeys。Iknowhisintentions。I

haveseenhimchangetheplatesattable。Whoeverisallowedtoliveoninterror，Imustdiethedeath。

No，Ididn\'tstaytotheendtohearDonJusteLopeztryingtopersuadehimselfinagraveorationoftheclemencyandjustice，andhonesty，andpurityofthebrothersMontero。IwentoutabruptlytoseekAntonia。I

sawherinthegallery。AsIopenedthedoor，sheextendedtomeherclaspedhands。

`Whataretheydoinginthere?\'sheasked。

`Talking，\'Isaid，withmyeyeslookingintohers。

`Yes，yes，but——\'

`Emptyspeeches，\'Iinterruptedher。`Hidingtheirfearsbehindimbecilehopes。TheyareallgreatParliamentariansthere——ontheEnglishmodel，asyouknow。\'IwassofuriousthatIcouldhardlyspeak。Shemadeagestureofdespair。

ThroughthedoorIheldalittleajarbehindme，weheardDonJuste\'smeasuredmouthingmonotonegoonfromphrasetophrase，likeasortofawfulandsolemnmadness。

`Afterall，theDemocraticaspirationshave，perhaps，theirlegitimacy。

Thewaysofhumanprogressareinscrutable，andifthefateofthecountryisinthehandofMontero，weought——\'

Icrashedthedoortoonthat；itwasenough；itwastoomuch。TherewasneverabeautifulfaceexpressingmorehorroranddespairthanthefaceofAntonia。Icouldn\'tbearit；Iseizedherwrists。

`Havetheykilledmyfatherinthere?\'sheasked。

Hereyesblazedwithindignation，butasIlookedon，fascinated，thelightinthemwentout。

`Itisasurrender，\'Isaid。AndIrememberIwasshakingherwristsIheldapartinmyhands。`Butit\'smorethantalk。YourfathertoldmetogooninGod\'sname。\'

Mydeargirl，thereisthatinAntoniawhichwouldmakemebelieveinthefeasibilityofanything。Onelookatherfaceisenoughtosetmybrainonfire。AndyetIloveherasanyothermanwould——withtheheart，andwiththatalone。SheismoretomethanhisChurchtoFatherCorbelan(theGrandVicardisappearedlastnightfromthetown；perhapsgonetojointhebandofHernandez)。SheismoretomethanhispreciousminetothatsentimentalEnglishman。Iwon\'tspeakofhiswife。Shemayhavebeensentimentalonce。TheSanTomeminestandsnowbetweenthosetwopeople。`Yourfatherhimself，Antonia，\'Irepeated；`yourfather，doyouunderstand?hastoldmetogoon。\'

Sheavertedherface，andinapainedvoice——

`Hehas?\'shecried。`Then，indeed，Ifearhewillneverspeakagain。\'

Shefreedherwristsfrommyclutchandbegantocryinherhandkerchief。

Idisregardedhersorrow；Iwouldratherseehermiserablethannotseeheratall，neveranymore；forwhetherIescapedorstayedtodie，therewasforusnocomingtogether，nofuture。Andthatbeingso，Ihadnopitytowasteuponthepassingmomentsofhersorrow。IsentheroffintearstofetchDonaEmiliaandDonCarlos，too。Theirsentimentwasnecessarytotheverylifeofmyplan；thesentimentalismofthepeoplethatwillneverdoanythingforthesakeoftheirpassionatedesire，unlessitcomestothemclothedinthefairrobesofanidea。

Lateatnightweformedasmalljuntaoffour——thetwowomen，DonCarlos，andmyself——inMrsGould\'sblue-and-whiteboudoir。

ElReydeSulacothinkshimself，nodoubt，averyhonestman。Andsoheis，ifonecouldlookbehindhistaciturnity。Perhapshethinksthatthisalonemakeshishonestyunstained。ThoseEnglishmenliveonillusionswhichsomehoworotherhelpthemtogetafirmholdofthesubstance。Whenhespeaksitisbyarare`yes\'or`no\'thatseemsasimpersonalasthewordsofanoracle。Buthecouldnotimposeonmebyhisdumbreserve。

Iknewwhathehadinhishead；hehashismineinhishead；andhiswifehadnothinginherheadbuthispreciousperson，whichhehasboundupwiththeGouldConcessionandtiedtothatlittlewoman\'sneck。Nomatter。

ThethingwastomakehimpresenttheaffairtoHolroyd(theSteelandSilverKing)insuchamannerastosecurehisfinancialsupport。Atthattimelastnight，justtwenty-fourhoursago，wethoughtthesilveroftheminesafeintheCustomHousevaultstillthenorth-boundsteamercametotakeitaway。Andaslongasthetreasureflowednorth，withoutabreak，thatuttersentimentalist，Holroyd，wouldnotdrophisideaofintroducing，notonlyjustice，industry，peace，tothebenightedcontinents，butalsothatpetdreamofhisofapurerformofChristianity。Lateron，theprincipalEuropeanreallyinSulaco，theengineer-in-chiefoftherailway，cameridingupthecalle，fromtheharbour，andwasadmittedtoourconclave。

Meantime，theJuntaoftheNotablesinthegreatsalawasstilldeliberating；only，oneofthemhadrunoutinthecorridortoasktheservantwhethersomethingtoeatcouldn\'tbesentin。Thefirstwordstheengineer-in-chiefsaidashecameintotheboudoirwere，`Whatisyourhouse，dearMrsGould?Awarhospitalbelow，andapparentlyarestaurantabove。Isawthemcarryingtraysfullofgoodthingsintothesala。\'

`Andhere，inthisboudoir，\'Isaid，`youbeholdtheinnercabinetoftheOccidentalRepublicthatistobe。\'

Hewassopreoccupiedthathedidn\'tsmileatthat，hedidn\'tevenlooksurprised。

Hetoldusthathewasattendingtothegeneraldispositionsforthedefenceoftherailwaypropertyattherailwayyardswhenhewassentfortogointotherailwaytelegraphoffice。Theengineeroftherailhead，atthefootofthemountains，wantedtotalktohimfromhisendofthewire。Therewasnobodyintheofficebuthimselfandtheoperatoroftherailwaytelegraph，whoreadofftheclicksaloudasthetapecoileditslengthuponthefloor。Andthepurportofthattalk，clickednervouslyfromawoodenshedinthedepthsoftheforests，hadinformedthechiefthatPresidentRibierahadbeen，orwasbeing，pursued。Thiswasnews，indeed，toallofusinSulaco。Ribiera，himself，whenrescued，revived，andsoothedbyus，hadbeeninclinedtothinkthathehadnotbeenpursued。

Ribierahadyieldedtotheurgentsolicitationsofhisfriends，andhadlefttheheadquartersofhisdiscomfitedarmyalone，undertheguidanceofBonifacio，themuleteer，whohadbeenwillingtotaketheresponsibilitywiththerisk。Hehaddepartedatdaybreakofthethirdday。Hisremainingforceshadmeltedawayduringthenight。BonifacioandherodehardonhorsestowardstheCordillera；thentheyobtainedmules，enteredthepasses，andcrossedtheParamoofIviejustbeforeafreezingblastsweptoverthatstonyplateau，buryinginadriftofsnowthelittleshelter-hutofstonesinwhichtheyhadspentthenight。AfterwardspoorRibierahadmanyadventures，gotseparatedfromhisguide，losthismount，struggleddowntotheCampoonfoot，andifhehadnotthrownhimselfonthemercyofarancherowouldhaveperishedalongwayfromSulaco。Thatman，who，asamatteroffact，recognizedhimatonce，lethimhaveafreshmule，whichthefugitive，heavyandunskilful，hadriddentodeath。AnditwastruehehadbeenpursuedbyapartycommandedbynolessapersonthanPedroMontero，thebrotherofthegeneral。ThecoldwindoftheParamoluckilycaughtthepursuersonthetopofthepass。Somefewmen，andalltheanimals，perishedintheicyblast。Thestragglersdied，butthemainbodykepton。TheyfoundpoorBonifaciolyinghalf-deadatthefootofasnowslope，andbayonetedhimpromptlyinthetrueCivilWarstyle。TheywouldhavehadRibiera，too，iftheyhadnot，forsomereasonorother，turnedoffthetrackoftheoldcaminoreal，onlytolosetheirwayintheforestsatthefootofthelowerslopes。Andtheretheywereatlast，havingstumbledinunexpectedlyupontheconstructioncamp。TheengineerattherailheadtoldhischiefbywirethathehadPedroMonteroabsolutelythere，intheveryoffice，listeningtotheclicks。HewasgoingtotakepossessionofSulacointhenameoftheDemocracy。Hewasveryoverbearing。HismenslaughteredsomeoftheRailwayCompany\'scattlewithoutaskingleave，andwenttoworkbroilingthemeatontheembers。Pedritomademanypointedinquiriesastothesilvermine，andwhathadbecomeoftheproductofthelastsixmonths\'working。Hehadsaidperemptorily，`Askyourchiefuptherebywire，heoughttoknow；tellhimthatDonPedroMontero，ChiefoftheCampoandMinisteroftheInteriorofthenewGovernment，desirestobecorrectlyinformed。\'

Hehadhisfeetwrappedupinblood-stainedrags，alean，haggardface，raggedbeardandhair，andhadwalkedinlimping，withacrookedbranchofatreeforastaff。Hefollowerswere，perhaps，inaworseplight，butapparentlytheyhadnotthrownawaytheirarms，and，atanyrate，notalltheirammunition。Theirleanfacesfilledthedoorandthewindowsofthetelegraphhut。Asitwasatthesametimethebedroomoftheengineer-in-chargethere，MonterohadthrownhimselfonhiscleanblanketsandlaythereshiveringanddictatingrequisitionstobetransmittedbywiretoSulaco。Hedemandedatrainofcarstobesentdownatoncetotransporthismenup。

`TothisIansweredfrommyend，\'theengineer-in-chiefrelatedtous，`thatIdarednotrisktherolling-stockintheinterior，astherehadbeenattemptstowrecktrainsallalongthelineseveraltimes。Ididthatforyoursake，Gould，\'saidthechiefengineer。`Theanswertothiswas，inthewordsofmysubordinate，“Thefilthybruteonmybedsaid，`SupposeIweretohaveyoushot\'“Towhichmysubordinate，who，itappearswashimselfoperating，remarkedthatitwouldnotbringthecarsup。Uponthat，theother，yawning，said，“Nevermind，thereisnolackofhorsesontheCampo。”And，turningover，wenttosleeponHarris\'sbed。\'

Thisiswhy，mydeargirl，Iamafugitivetonight。ThelastwirefromrailheadsaysthatPedroMonteroandhismenleftatday-break，afterfeedingonasadobeefallnight。Theytookallthehorses；theywillfindmoreontheroad；they\'llbehereinlessthanthirtyhours，andthusSulacoisnoplaceeitherformeorthegreatstoreofsilverbelongingtotheGouldConcession。

Butthatisnottheworst。ThegarrisonofEsmeraldahasgoneovertothevictoriousparty。WehaveheardthisbymeansofthetelegraphistoftheCableCompany，whocametotheCasaGouldintheearlymorningwiththenews。Infact，itwassoearlythatthedayhadnotyetquitebrokenoverSulaco。HiscolleagueinEsmeraldahadcalledhimuptosaythatthegarrison，aftershootingsomeoftheirofficers，hadtakenpossessionofaGovernmentsteamerlaidupintheharbour。Itisreallyaheavyblowforme。IthoughtIcoulddependoneverymaninthisprovince。Itwasamistake。ItwasaMonteristRevolutioninEsmeralda，justsuchaswasattemptedinSulaco，onlythatthatonecameoff。ThetelegraphistwassignallingtoBernhardtallthetime，andhislasttransmittedwordswere，`Theyareburstinginthedoor，andtakingpossessionofthecableoffice。Youarecutoff。Candonomore。\'

But，asamatteroffact，hemanagedsomehowtoescapethevigilanceofhiscaptors，whohadtriedtostopthecommunicationwiththeouterworld。Hedidmanageit。HowitwasdoneIdon\'tknow，butafewhoursafterwardshecalledupSulacoagain，andwhathesaidwas，`TheinsurgentarmyhastakenpossessionoftheGovernmenttransportinthebayandarefillingherwithtroops，withtheintentionofgoingroundthecoasttoSulaco。Thereforelookoutforyourselves。Theywillbereadytostartinafewhours，andmaybeuponyoubeforedaybreak。\'

Thisisallhecouldsay。Theydrovehimawayfromhisinstrumentthistimeforgood，becauseBernhardthasbeencallingupEsmeraldaeversincewithoutgettingananswer。

Aftersettingthesewordsdowninthepocket-bookwhichhewasfillingupforthebenefitofhissister，Decoudliftedhisheadtolisten。Buttherewerenosounds，neitherintheroomnorinthehouse，exceptthedripofthewaterfromthefilterintothevastearthenwarejarunderthewoodenstand。Andoutsidethehousetherewasagreatsilence。Decoudloweredhisheadagainoverthepocket-book。

Iamnotrunningaway，youunderstand[hewroteon]。Iamsimplygoingawaywiththatgreattreasureofsilverwhichmustbesavedatallcosts。

PedroMonterofromtheCampoandtherevoltedgarrisonofEsmeraldafromtheseaareconverginguponit。Thatitistherelyingreadyforthemisonlyanaccident。TherealobjectiveistheSanTomemineitself，asyoumaywellimagine；otherwisetheOccidentalProvincewouldhavebeen，nodoubt，leftaloneformanyweeks，tobegatheredatleisureintothearmsofthevictoriousparty。DonCarlosGouldwillhaveenoughtodotosavehismine，withitsorganizationanditspeople；this`ImperiuminImperio\'，thiswealth-producingthing，towhichhissentimentalismattachesastrangeideaofjustice。Heholdstoitassomemenholdtotheideaofloveorrevenge。UnlessIammuchmistakenintheman，itmustremaininviolateorperishbyanactofhiswillalone。Apassionhascreptintohiscoldandidealisticlife。ApassionwhichIcanonlycomprehendintellectually。

Apassionthatisnotlikethepassionsweknow，wemenofanotherblood。

Butitisasdangerousasanyofours。

Hiswifehasunderstoodit，too。Thatiswhysheissuchagoodallyofmine。SheseizesuponallmysuggestionswithasureinstinctthatintheendtheymakeforthesafetyoftheGouldConcession。Andhedeferstoherbecausehetrustsherperhaps，butIfancymoreratherasifhewishedtomakeupforsomesubtlewrong，forthatsentimentalunfaithfulnesswhichsurrendersherhappiness，herlife，totheseductionofanidea。

Thelittlewomanhasdiscoveredthathelivesforthemineratherthanforher。Butletthembe。Toeachhisfate，shapedbypassionorsentiment。

Theprincipalthingisthatshehasbackedupmyadvicetogetthesilveroutofthetown，outofthecountry，atonce，atanycost，atanyrisk。

DonCarlos\'smissionistopreserveunstainedthefairnameofhismine；

MrsGould\'smissionistosavehimfromtheeffectsofthatcoldandovermasteringpassion，whichshedreadsmorethanifitwereaninfatuationforanotherwoman。Nostromo\'smissionistosavethesilver。TheplanistoloaditintothelargestoftheCompany\'slighters，andsenditacrossthegulftoasmallportoutofCostaguanaterritoryjustontheothersideoftheAzuera，wherethefirstnorthboundsteamerwillgetorderstopickitup。

Thewatersherearecalm。WeshallslipawayintothedarknessofthegulfbeforetheEsmeraldarebelsarrive；andbythetimethedaybreaksovertheoceanweshallbeoutofsight，invisible，hiddenbyAzuera，whichitselflooksfromtheSulacoshorelikeafaintbluecloudonthehorizon。

TheincorruptibleCapatazdeCargadoresisthemanforthatwork；andI，themanwithapassion，butwithoutamission，Igowithhimtoreturn——toplaymypartinthefarcetotheend，and，ifsuccessful，toreceivemyreward，whichnoonebutAntoniacangiveme。

IshallnotseeheragainnowbeforeIdepart。Ilefther，asIhavesaid，byDonJose\'sbedside。Thestreetwasdark，thehousesshutup，andIwalkedoutofthetowninthenight。Notasinglestreet-lamphadbeenlitfortwodays，andthearchwayofthegatewasonlyamassofdarknessinthevagueformofatower，inwhichIheardlow，dismalgroansthatseemedtoanswerthemurmursofaman\'svoice。

Irecognizedsomethingimpassiveandcarelessinthetone，characteristicofthatGenoesesailorwho，likeme，hascomecasuallyheretobedrawnintotheeventsforwhichhisscepticismaswellasmineseemstoentertainasortofpassivecontempt。Theonlythingheseemstocarefor，asfarasIhavebeenabletodiscover，istobewellspokenof。Anambitionfitfornoblesouls，butalsoaprofitableoneforanexceptionallyintelligentscoundrel。Yes。Hisverywords，`Tobewellspokenof。Si，senor。\'

Hedoesnotseemtomakeanydifferencebetweenspeakingandthinking。

Isitsheernaivenessorthepracticalpointofview，Iwonder?Exceptionalindividualitiesalwaysinterestme，becausetheyaretruetothegeneralformulaexpressingthemoralstateofhumanity。

HejoinedmeontheharbourroadafterIhadpassedthemunderthedarkarchwaywithoutstopping。Itwasawomanintroublehehadbeentalkingto。ThroughdiscretionIkeptsilentwhilehewalkedbymyside。Afteratimehebegantotalkhimself。ItwasnotwhatIexpected。Itwasonlyanoldwoman，anoldlace-maker，insearchofherson，oneofthestreet-sweepersemployedbythemunicipality。Friendshadcomethedaybeforeatdaybreaktothedooroftheirhovelcallinghimout。Hehadgonewiththem，andshehadnotseenhimsince；soshehadleftthefoodshehadbeenpreparinghalf-cookedontheextinctembersandhadcrawledoutasfarastheharbour，whereshehadheardthatsometownmozoshadbeenkilledonthemorningoftheriot。OneofthecargadoresguardingtheCustomHousehadbroughtoutalantern，andhadhelpedhertolookatthefewdeadleftlyingaboutthere。Nowshewascreepingback，havingfailedinhersearch。

Soshesatdownonthestoneseatunderthearch，moaning，becauseshewasverytired。TheCapatazhadquestionedher，andafterhearingherbrokenandgroaningtalehadadvisedhertogoandlookamongstthewoundedinthepatiooftheCasaGould。Hehadalsogivenheraquarterdollar，hementionedcarelessly。

`Whydidyoudothat?\'Iasked。`Doyouknowher?\'

`No，senor。Idon\'tsupposeIhaveeverseenherbefore。HowshouldI?Shehasnotprobablybeenoutinthestreetsforyears。Sheisoneofthoseoldwomenthatyoufindinthiscountryatthebackofhuts，crouchingoverfireplaces，withastickonthegroundbytheirside，andalmosttoofeebletodriveawaythestraydogsfromtheircooking-pots。Caramba！Icouldtellbyhervoicethatdeathhadforgottenher。

But，oldoryoung，theylikemoney，andwillspeakwellofthemanwhogivesittothem。\'Helaughedalittle。`Senor，youshouldhavefelttheclutchofherpawasIputthepieceinherpalm。\'Hepaused。