第10章

`Antoniawillkillherself！\'shecriedout。

Thiscryfellintothesilenceoftheroomwithstrangelylittleeffect。

Onlythedoctor，crumblingupapieceofbread，withhisheadinclinedononeside，raisedhisface，andthefewlonghairsstickingoutofhisshaggyeyebrowsstirredinaslightfrown。DrMonyghamthoughtquitesincerelythatDecoudwasasingularlyunworthyobjectforanywoman\'saffection。

Thenheloweredhisheadagain，withacurlofhislip，andhisheartfulloftenderadmirationforMrsGould。

`Shethinksofthatgirl，\'hesaidtohimself；`shethinksoftheViolachildren；shethinksofme；ofthewounded；oftheminers；shealwaysthinksofeverybodywhoispoorandmiserable！ButwhatwillshedoifCharlesgetstheworstofitinthisinfernalscrimmagethoseconfoundedAvellanoshavedrawnhiminto?Nooneseemstobethinkingofher。\'

CharlesGould，staringatthewall，pursuedhisreflectionssubtly。

`IshallwritetoHolroydthattheSanTomemineisbigenoughtotakeinhandthemakingofanewState。It\'llpleasehim。It\'llreconcilehimtotherisk。\'

ButwasBarriosreallyavailable?Perhaps。Buthewasinaccessible。

TosendoffaboattoCaytawasnolongerpossible，sinceSotillowasmasteroftheharbour，andhadasteamerathisdisposal。Andnow，withallthedemocratsintheprovinceup，andeveryCampotownshipinastateofdisturbance，wherecouldhefindamanwhowouldmakehiswaysuccessfullyoverlandtoCaytawithamessage，atendays\'rideatleast；amanofcourageandresolution，whowouldavoidarrestormurder，andifarrestedwouldfaithfullyeatthepaper?TheCapatazdeCargadoreswouldhavebeenjustsuchaman。

ButtheCapatazoftheCargadoreswasnomore。

AndCharlesGould，withdrawinghiseyesfromthewall，saidgently，`ThatHirsch！Whatanextraordinarything！Savedhimselfbyclingingtotheanchor，didhe?IhadnoideathathewasstillinSulaco。IthoughthehadgonebackoverlandtoEsmeraldamorethanaweekago。Hecamehereoncetotalktomeabouthishidebusinessandsomeotherthings。Imadeitcleartohimthatnothingcouldbedone。\'

`HewasafraidtostartbackonaccountofHernandezbeingabout，\'remarkedthedoctor。

`Andbutforhimwemightnothaveknownanythingofwhathashappened，\'

marvelledCharlesGould。

MrsGouldcriedout:

`Antoniamustnotknow！Shemustnotbetold。Notnow。\'

`Nobody\'slikelytocarrythenews，\'remarkedthedoctor。`It\'snoone\'sinterest。Moreover，thepeoplehereareafraidofHernandezasifhewerethedevil。\'HeturnedtoCharlesGould。`It\'sevenawkward，becauseifyouwantedtocommunicatewiththerefugeesyoucouldfindnomessenger。

WhenHernandezwasranginghundredsofmilesawayfromheretheSulacopopulaceusedtoshudderatthetalesofhimroastinghisprisonersalive。\'

`Yes，\'murmuredCharlesGould；`CaptainMitchell\'sCapatazwastheonlymaninthetownwhohadseenHernandezeyetoeye。FatherCorbelanemployedhim。Heopenedthecommunicationsfirst。Itisapitythat——\'

Hisvoicewascoveredbytheboomingofthegreatbellofthecathedral。

Threesinglestrokes，oneafteranother，burstoutexplosively，dyingawayindeepandmellowvibrations。Andthenallthebellsinthetowerofeverychurch，convent，orchapelintown，eventhosethathadremainedshutupforyears，pealedouttogetherwithacrash。InthisfuriousfloodofmetallicuproartherewasapowerofsuggestingimagesofstrifeandviolencewhichblanchedMrsGould\'scheek。Basilio，whohadbeenwaitingattable，shrinkingwithinhimself，clungtothesideboardwithchatteringteeth。Itwasimpossibletohearyourselfspeak。

`Shutthesewindows！\'CharlesGouldyelledathim，angrily。Alltheotherservants，terrifiedatwhattheytookforthesignalofageneralmassacre，hadrushedupstairs，tumblingovereachother，menandwomen，theobscureandgenerallyinvisiblepopulationofthegroundflooronthefoursidesofthepatio。Thewomen，screaming`Misericordia！\'ranrightintotheroom，and，fallingontheirkneesagainstthewalls，begantocrossthemselvesconvulsively。Thestaringheadsofmenblockedthedoorwayinaninstant——mozosfromthestable，gardeners，nondescripthelperslivingonthecrumbsofthemunificenthouse——andCharlesGouldbeheldalltheextentofhisdomesticestablishment，eventothegatekeeper。

Thiswasahalf-paralysedoldman，whoselongwhitelocksfelldowntohisshoulders:anheirloomtakenupbyCharlesGould\'sfamilialpiety。

HecouldrememberHenryGould，anEnglishmanandaCostaguaneroofthesecondgeneration，chiefoftheSulacoprovince；hehadbeenhispersonalmozoyearsandyearsagoinpeaceandwar；hadbeenallowedtoattendhismasterinprison；had，onthefatalmorning，followedthefiring-squad；

and，peepingfrombehindoneofthecypressesgrowingalongthewalloftheFranciscanConvent，hadseen，withhiseyesstartingoutofhishead，DonEnriquethrowuphishandsandfallwithhisfaceinthedust。CharlesGouldnotedparticularlythebigpatriarchalheadofthatwitnessintherearoftheotherservants。Buthewassurprisedtoseeashrivelledoldhagortwo，ofwhoseexistencewithinthewallsofhishousehehadnotbeenaware。Theymusthavebeenthemothers，oreventhegrandmothers，ofsomeofhispeople。Therewereafewchildren，too，moreorlessnaked，cryingandclingingtothelegsoftheirelders。Hehadneverbeforenoticedanysignofachildinhispatio。EvenLeonarda，thecamerista，cameinafright，pushingthrough，withherspoiled，poutingfaceofafavouritemaid，leadingtheViolagirlsbythehand。Thecrockeryrattledontableandsideboard，andthewholehouseseemedtoswayinthedeafeningwaveofsound。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part3Chapter55DuringthenighttheexpectantpopulacehadtakenpossessionofallthebelfriesinthetowninordertowelcomePedritoMontero，whowasmakinghisentryafterhavingsleptthenightinRincon。Andfirstcamestragglinginthroughthelandgatethearmedmobofallcolours，complexions，types，andstatesofraggedness，callingthemselvestheSulacoNationalGuard，andcommandedbySenorGamacho。Throughthemiddleofthestreetstreamed，likeatorrentofrubbish，amassofstrawhats，ponchos，gun-barrels，withanenormousgreenandyellowflagflappingintheirmidst，inacloudofdust，tothefuriousbeatingofdrums。Thespectatorsrecoiledagainstthewallsofthehousesshoutingtheir`Vivas！\'Behindtherabblecouldbeseenthelancesofthecavalry，the`army\'ofPedroMontero。HeadvancedbetweenSenoresFuentesandGamachoattheheadofhisIlaneros，whohadaccomplishedthefeatofcrossingtheParamosoftheHiguerotainasnow-storm。Theyrodefourabreast，mountedonconfiscatedCampohorses，cladintheheterogeneousstockofroadsidestorestheyhadlootedhurriedlyintheirrapidridethroughthenorthernpartoftheprovince；forPedroMonterohadbeeninagreathurrytooccupySulaco。Thehandkerchiefsknottedlooselyaroundtheirbarethroatswereglaringlynew，andalltherightsleevesoftheircottonshirtshadbeencutoffclosetotheshoulderforgreaterfreedominthrowingthelazo。Emaciatedgreybeardsrodebythesideofleandarkyouths，markedbyallthehardshipsofcampaigning，withstripsofrawbeeftwinedroundthecrownsoftheirhats，andhugeironspursfastenedtotheirnakedheels。ThosethatinthepassesofthemountainhadlosttheirlanceshadprovidedthemselveswiththegoadsusedbytheCampocattlemen:slendershaftsofpalmfullytenfeetlong，withalotoflooseringsjinglingundertheironshodpoint。Theywerearmedwithknivesandrevolvers。Ahaggardfearlessnesscharacterizedtheexpressionofallthesesun-blackedcountenances；theyglareddownhaughtilywiththeirscorchedeyesatthecrowd，or，blinkingupwardsinsolently，pointedouttoeachothersomeparticularheadamongstthewomenatthewindows。

WhentheyhadriddenintothePlazaandcaughtsightoftheequestrianstatuteoftheKingdazzlinglywhiteinthesunshine，toweringenormousandmotionlessabovethesurgesofthecrowd，withitseternalgestureofsaluting，amurmurofsurpriseranthroughtheirranks。`Whatisthatsaintinthebighat?\'theyaskedeachother。

TheywereagoodsampleofthecavalryoftheplainswithwhichPedroMonterohadhelpedsomuchthevictoriouscareerofhisbrotherthegeneral。

Theinfluencewhichthatman，broughtupincoasttowns，acquiredinashorttimeovertheplainsmenoftheRepubliccanbeascribedonlytoageniusfortreacheryofsoeffectiveakindthatitmusthaveappearedtothoseviolentmenbutlittleremovedfromastateofuttersavagery，astheperfectionofsagacityandvirtue。Thepopularloreofallnationstestifiedthatduplicityandcunning，togetherwithbodilystrength，werelookedupon，evenmorethancourage，asheroicvirtuesbyprimitivemankind。

Toovercomeyouradversarywasthegreataffairoflife。Couragewastakenforgranted。Buttheuseofintelligenceawakenedwonderandrespect。Stratagems，providingtheydidnotfail，werehonourable；theeasymassacreofanunsuspectingenemyevokednofeelingsbutthoseofgladness，pride，andadmiration。

Notperhapsthatprimitivemenweremorefaithlessthantheirdescendantsoftoday，butthattheywentstraightertotheiraim，andweremoreartlessintheirrecognitionofsuccessastheonlystandardofmorality。

Wehavechangedsince。Theuseofintelligenceawakenslittlewonderandlessrespect。Buttheignorantandbarbarousplainsmenengagingincivilstrifefollowedwillinglyaleaderwhooftenmanagedtodelivertheirenemiesbound，asitwere，intotheirhands。PedroMonterohadatalentforlullinghisadversariesintoasenseofsecurity。Andasmenlearnwisdomwithextremeslowness，andarealwaysreadytobelievepromisesthatflattertheirsecrethopes，PedroMonterowassuccessfultimeaftertime。WhetheronlyaservantorsomeinferiorofficialintheCostaguanaLegationinParis，hehadrushedbacktohiscountrydirectlyheheardthathisbrotherhademergedfromtheobscurityofhisfrontiercomandancia。

HehadmanagedtodeceivebyhisgiftofplausibilitythechiefsoftheRibieristmovementinthecapital，andeventheacuteagentoftheSanTomeminehadfailedtounderstandhimthoroughly。Atoncehehadobtainedanenormousinfluenceoverhisbrother。Theywereverymuchalikeinappearance，bothbald，withbunchesofcrisphairabovetheirears，arguingthepresenceofsomeNegroblood。OnlyPedrowassmallerthanthegeneral，moredelicatealtogether，withanape-likefacultyforimitatingalltheoutwardsignsofrefinementanddistinction，andwithaparrot-liketalentforlanguages。

BothbrothershadreceivedsomeelementaryinstructionbythemunificenceofagreatEuropeantraveller，towhomtheirfatherhadbeenabody-servantduringhisjourneysintheinteriorofthecountry。InGeneralMontero\'scaseitenabledhimtorisefromtheranks。Pedrito，theyounger，incorrigiblylazyandslovenly，haddriftedaimlesslyfromonecoasttowntoanother，hangingaboutcounting-houses，attachinghimselftostrangersasasortofvaletdeplace，pickingupaneasyanddisreputableliving。Hisabilitytoreaddidnothingforhimbutfillhisheadwithabsurdvisions。

Hisactionswereusuallydeterminedbymotivessoimprobableinthemselvesastoescapethepenetrationofarationalperson。

ThusatfirstsighttheagentoftheGouldConcessioninStaMartahadcreditedhimwiththepossessionsofsaneviews，andevenwitharestrainingpoweroverthegeneral\'severlastinglydiscontentedvanity。ItcouldneverhaveenteredhisheadthatPedritoMontero，lackeyorinferiorscribe，lodgedinthegarretsofthevariousParisianhotelswheretheCostaguanaLegationusedtoshelteritsdiplomaticdignity，hadbeendevouringthelightersortofhistoricalworksintheFrenchlanguage，such，forinstance，asthebooksofImbertdeSaintAmandupontheSecondEmpire。ButPedritohadbeenstruckbythesplendourofabrilliantcourt，andhadconceivedtheideaofanexistenceforhimselfwhere，liketheDucdeMorny，hewouldassociatethecommandofeverypleasurewiththeconductofpoliticalaffairsandenjoypowersupremelyineveryway。Nobodycouldhaveguessedthat。

AndyetthiswasoneoftheimmediatecausesoftheMonteristRevolution。

Thiswillappearlessincrediblebythereflectionthatthefundamentalcauseswerethesameasever，rootedinthepoliticalimmaturityofthepeople，intheindolenceoftheupperclassesandthementaldarknessofthelower。

PeditroMonterosawintheelevationofhisbrothertheroadwideopentohiswildestimaginings。ThiswaswhatmadetheMonteristpronunciamientosounpreventable。Thegeneralhimselfprobablycouldhavebeenboughtoff，pacifiedwithflatteries，dispatchedonadiplomaticmissiontoEurope。

Itwashisbrotherwhohadeggedhimonfromfirsttolast。HewantedtobecomethemostbrilliantstatesmanofSouthAmerica。Hedidnotdesiresupremepower。Hewouldhavebeenafraidofitslabourandrisk，infact。

Beforeall，PedritoMontero，taughtbyhisEuropeanexperience，meanttoacquireaseriousfortuneforhimself。Withthisobjectinviewheobtainedfromhisbrother，ontheverymorrowofthesuccessfulbattle，thepermissiontopushonoverthemountainsandtakepossessionofSulaco。Sulacowasthelandoffutureprosperity，thechosenlandofmaterialprogress，theonlyprovinceintheRepublicofinteresttoEuropeancapitalists。PedritoMontero，followingtheexampleoftheDucdeMorny，meanttohavehisshareofthisprosperity。Thisiswhathemeantliterally。Nowhisbrotherwasmasterofthecountry，whetheraspresident，dictator，orevenasEmperor——whynotasanEmperor?——hemeanttodemandashareineveryenterprise——inrailways，inmines，insugarestates，incottonmills，inlandcompanies，ineachandeveryundertaking——asthepriceofhisprotection。ThedesiretobeonthespotearlywastherealcauseofthecelebratedrideoverthemountainswithsometwohundredIlaneros，anenterpriseofwhichthedangershadnotappearedatfirstclearlytohisimpatience。Comingfromaseriesofvictories，itseemedtohimthataMonterohadonlytoappeartobemasterofthesituation。Thisillusionhadbetrayedhimintoarashnessofwhichhewasbecomingaware。AsherodeattheheadofhisIlanerosheregrettedthatthereweresofewofthem。Theenthusiasmofthepopulacereassuredhim。Theyyelled`VivaMontero！VivaPedrito！\'

Inordertomakethemstillmoreenthusiastic，andfromthenaturalpleasurehehadindissembling，hedroppedthereinsonhishorse\'sneck，andwithatremendouseffectoffamiliarityandconfidenceslippedhishandsunderthearmsofSenoresFuentesandGamacho。Inthatposture，witharaggedtownmozoholdinghishorsebythebridle，herodetriumphantlyacrossthePlazatothedooroftheIntendencia。Itsoldgloomywallsseemedtoshakeintheacclamationsthatrenttheairandcoveredthecrashingpealsofthecathedralbells。

PedroMontero，thebrotherofthegeneral，dismountedintoashoutingandperspiringthrongofenthusiastswhomtheraggedNationalswerepushingbackfiercely。Ascendingafewstepshesurveyedthelargecrowdgapingathimandthebullet-speckledwallsofthehousesoppositelightlyveiledbyasunnyhazeofdust。Theword`PROVENIR\'inimmenseblackcapitals，alternatingwithbrokenwindows，staredathimacrossthevastspace；andhethoughtwithdelightofthehourofvengeance，becausehewasverysureoflayinghishandsuponDecoud。Onhislefthand，Gamacho，bigandhot，wipinghishairywetface，uncoveredasetofyellowfangsinagrinofstupidhilarity。Onhisright，SenorFuentes，smallandlean，lookedonwithcompressedlips。Thecrowdstaredliterallyopen-mouthed，lostineagerstillness，asthoughtheyhadexpectedthegreatguerrillero，thefamousPedrito，tobeginscatteringatoncesomesortofvisiblelargesse。

Whathebeganwasaspeech。Hebeganitwiththeshoutedword`Citizens！\'

whichreachedeventhoseinthemiddleofthePlaza。Afterwardsthegreaterpartofthecitizensremainedfascinatedbytheorator\'sactionalone，histip-toeing，thearmsflungabovehisheadwiththefistsclenched，ahandlaidflatupontheheart，thesilvergleamofrollingeyes，thesweeping，pointing，embracinggestures，ahandlaidfamiliarlyonGamacho\'sshoulder；ahandwavedformallytowardsthelittleblack-coatedpersonofSenorFuentes，advocateandpoliticianandatruefriendofthepeople。

The`Vivas！\'ofthosenearesttotheoratorburstingoutsuddenlypropagatedthemselvesirregularlytotheconfinesofthecrowd，likeflamesrunningoverdrygrass，andexpiredintheopeningofthestreets。Intheintervals，overtheswarmingPlazabroodedaheavysilence，inwhichthemouthoftheoratorwentonopeningandshutting，anddetachedphrases——`Thehappinessofthepeople\'，`Sonsofthecountry\'，`Theentireworld，elmundoentiero\'——reachedeventhepackedstepsofthecathedralwithafeebleclearring，thinasthebuzzingofamosquito。Buttheoratorstruckhisbreast；heseemedtoprancebetweenhistwosupporters。Itwasthesupremeeffortofhisperoration。ThenthetwosmallerfiguresdisappearedfromthepublicgazeandtheenormousGamacho，leftalone，advanced，raisinghishathighabovehishead。Thenhecoveredhimselfproudlyandyelledout，`Ciudadanos！\'AdullroargreetedSenorGamacho，ex-pedlaroftheCampo，ComandanteoftheNationalGuard。

UpstairsPedritoMonterowalkedaboutrapidlyfromonewreckedroomoftheIntendenciatoanother，snarlingincessantly:

`Whatstupidity！Whatdestruction！\'

SenorFuentes，following，wouldrelaxhistaciturndispositiontomurmur:

`ItisalltheworkofGamachoandhisNationals\'；andthen，inclininghisheadonhisleftshoulder，wouldpresstogetherhislipssofirmlythatalittlehollowwouldappearateachcorner。HehadhisnominationforPoliticalChiefofthetowninhispocket，andwasallimpatiencetoenteruponhisfunctions。

Inthelongaudience-room，withitstallmirrorsallstarredbystones，thehangingstorndown，andthecanopyovertheplatformattheupperendpulledtopieces，thevast，deepmutteringofthecrowdandthehowlingvoiceofGamachospeakingjustbelowreachedthemthroughtheshuttersastheystoodidlyindimnessanddesolation。

`Thebrute！\'observedhisExcellencyDonPedroMonterothroughclenchedteeth。`WemustcontriveasquicklyaspossibletosendhimandhisNationalsouttheretofightHernandez。\'

ThenewJefePoliticoonlyjerkedhisheadsideways，andtookapuffathiscigaretteinsignofhisagreementwithhismethodforriddingthetownofGamachoandhisinconvenientrabble。

PedritoMonterolookedwithdisgustattheabsolutelybarefloor，andatthebeltofheavygiltpicture-framesrunningroundtheroom，outofwhichtheremnantsoftornandslashedcanvasesflutteredlikedingyrags。

`Wearenotbarbarians，\'hesaid。

ThiswaswhatsaidhisExcellency，thepopularPedrito，theguerrilleroskilledintheartoflayingambushes，chargedbyhisbrotherathisowndemandwiththeorganizationofSulacoondemocraticprinciples。Thenightbefore，duringtheconsultationwithhispartisans，whohadcomeouttomeethiminRincon，hehadopenedhisintentionstoSenorFuentes:

`Weshallorganizeapopularvote，byyesorno，confidingthedestiniesofourbelovedcountrytothewisdomandvalianceofmyheroicbrother，theinvinciblegeneral。Aplebiscite。Doyouunderstand?\'

AndSenorFuentes，puffingouthisleatherycheeks，hadinclinedhisheadslightlytotheleft，lettingathin，bluishjetofsmokeescapethroughhispursedlips。Hehadunderstood。

HisExcellencywasexasperatedatthedevastation。Notasinglechair，table，sofa，etagere，orconsolehadbeenleftinthestateroomsoftheIntendencia。HisExcellency，thoughtwitchingalloverwithrage，wasrestrainedfromburstingintoviolencebyasenseofhisremotenessandisolation。Hisheroicbrotherwasveryfaraway。Meantime，howwashegoingtotakehissiesta?HehadexpectedtofindcomfortandluxuryintheIntendenciaafterayearofhardcamplife，endingwiththehardshipsandprivationsofthedaringdashuponSulaco——upontheprovincewhichwasworthmoreinwealthandinfluencethanalltherestoftheRepublic\'sterritory。HewouldgetevenwithGamachoby-and-by。AndSenorGamacho\'soration，delectabletopopularears，wentonintheheatandglareofthePlazaliketheuncouthhowlingsofaninferiorsortofdevilcastintoawhite-hotfurnace。Everymomenthehadtowipehisstreamingfacewithhisbarefore-arm；hehadflungoffhiscoat，andhadturnedupthesleevesofhisshirthighabovetheelbows；buthekeptonhisheadthelargecockedhatwithwhiteplumes。HisingenuousnesscherishedthissignofhisrankasComandanteoftheNationalGuard。Approvingandgravemurmursgreetedhisperiods。HisopinionwasthatwarshouldbedeclaredatonceagainstFrance，England，Germany，andtheUnitedStates，who，byintroducingrailways，miningenterprises，colonization，andundersuchothershallowpretences，aimedatrobbingpoorpeopleoftheirlands，andwiththehelpoftheseGothsandparalytics，thearistocratswouldconvertthemintotoilingandmiserableslaves。Andtheleperos，flingingaboutthecornersoftheirdirtywhitemantas，yelledtheirapprobation。GeneralMontero，Gamachohowledwithconviction，wastheonlymanequaltothepatriotictask。Theyassentedtothat，too。

Themorningwaswearingon；therewerealreadysignsofdisruption，currentsandeddiesinthecrowd。SomewereseekingtheshadeofthewallsandunderthetreesoftheAlameda。Horsemenspurredthrough，shouting；

groupsofsombrerossetlevelonheadsagainsttheverticalsunweredriftingawayintothestreets，wheretheopendoorsofpulperiasrevealedanenticinggloomresoundingwiththegentletinklingofguitars。TheNationalGuardswerethinkingofsiesta，andtheeloquenceofGamacho，theirchief，wasexhausted。Lateron，when，inthecoolerhoursoftheafternoon，theytriedtoassembleagainforfurtherconsiderationofpublicaffairs，detachmentsofMontero\'scavalrycampedontheAlamedachargedthemwithoutparley，atspeed，withlonglanceslevelledattheirflyingbacksasfarastheendsofthestreets。TheNationalGuardsofSulacoweresurprisedbythisproceeding。Buttheywerenotindignant。NoCostaguanerohadeverlearnedtoquestiontheeccentricitiesofamilitaryforce。Theywerepartofthenaturalorderofthings。Thismustbe，theyconcluded，somekindofadministrativemeasure，nodoubt。Butthemotiveofitescapedtheirunaidedintelligence，andtheirchiefandorator，Gamacho，ComandanteoftheNationalGuard，waslyingdrunkandasleepinthebosomofhisfamily。Hisbarefeetwereupturnedintheshadowsrepulsively，inthemannerofacorpse。Hiseloquentmouthhaddroppedopen。Hisyoungestdaughter，scratchingherheadwithonehand，withtheotherwavedagreenboughoverhisscorchedandpeelingface。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part3Chapter66Thedecliningsunhadshiftedtheshadowsfromwesttoeastamongstthehousesofthetown。IthadshiftedthemuponthewholeextentoftheimmenseCampo，withthewhitewallsofitshaciendasontheknollsdominatingthegreendistances；withitsgrass-thatchedranchoscrouchinginthefoldsofgroundbythebanksofstreams；withthedarkislandsofclusteredtreesonaclearseaofgrass，andtheprecipitousrangeoftheCordillera，immenseandmotionless，emergingfromthebillowsofthelowerforestslikethebarrencoastofalandofgiants。Thesunsetraysstrikingthesnow-slopeofHiguerotafromafargaveitanairofrosyyouth，whiletheserratedmassofdistantpeaksremainedblack，asifcalcinedinthefieryradiance。Theundulatingsurfaceoftheforestsseemedpowderedwithpalegolddust；andawaythere，beyondRincon，hiddenfromthetownbytwowoodedspurs，therocksoftheSanTomegorge，withtheflatwallofthemountainitselfcrownedbygiganticferns，tookonwarmtonesofbrownandyellow，withredrustystreaks，andthedarkgreenclumpsofbushesrootedincrevices。

Fromtheplainthestampshedsandthehousesofthemineappeareddarkandsmall，highup，likethenestsofbirdsclusteredontheledgesofacliff。Thezigzagpathsresembledfainttracingsscratchedonthewallofacyclopeanblockhouse。Tothetwoserenosofthemineonpatrolduty，strolling，carbineinhand，andwatchfuleyes，intheshadeofthetreesliningthestreamnearthebridge，DonPepe，descendingthepathfromtheupperplateau，appearednobiggerthanalargebeetle。

Withhisairofaimless，insect-likegoingtoandfrouponthefaceoftherock，DonPepe\'sfigurekeptondescendingsteadily，and，whennearthebottom，sankatlastbehindtheroofsofstore-houses，forges，andworkshops。Foratimethepairofserenosstrolledbackandforthbeforethebridge，onwhichtheyhadstoppedahorsemanholdingalargewhiteenvelopeinhishand。ThenDonPepe，emerginginthevillagestreetfromamongstthehouses，notastone\'sthrowfromthefrontierbridge，approached，stridinginwidedarktrouserstuckedintoboots，awhitelinenjacket，sabreathisside，andrevolverathisbelt。InthisdisturbedtimenothingcouldfindtheSenorGobernadorwithhisbootsoff，asthesayingis。

Ataslightnodfromoneoftheserenos，theman，amessengerfromthetown，dismounted，andcrossedthebridge，leadinghishorsebythebridle。

DonPepereceivedtheletterfromhisotherhand，slappedhisleftsideandhishipsinsuccession，feelingforhisspectaclecase。Aftersettlingtheheavysilver-mountedaffairastridehisnose，andadjustingitcarefullybehindhisears，heopenedtheenvelope，holdingitupataboutafootinfrontofhiseyes。Thepaperhepulledoutcontainedsomethreelinesofwriting。Helookedatthemforalongtime。Hisgreymoustachemovedslightlyupanddown，andthewrinkles，radiatingatthecornersofhiseyes，rantogether。Henoddedserenely。`Bueno，\'hesaid。`Thereisnoanswer。\'

Then，inhisquiet，kindlyway，heengagedinacautiousconversationwiththeman，whowaswillingtotalkcheerily，asifsomethingluckyhadhappenedtohimrecently。HehadseenfromadistanceSotillo\'sinfantrycampedalongtheshoreoftheharbouroneachsideoftheCustomHouse。

Theyhaddonenodamagetothebuildings。Theforeignersoftherailwayremainedshutupwithintheyards。Theywerenolongeranxioustoshootpoorpople。Hecursedtheforeigners；thenhereportedMontero\'sentryandtherumoursofthetown。Thepoorweregoingtobemaderichnow。Thatwasverygood。Morehedidnotknow，and，breakingintopropitiatorysmiles，heintimatedthathewashungryandthirsty。Theoldmajordirectedhimtogotothealcaldeofthefirstvillage。Themanrodeoff，andDonPepe，stridingslowlyinthedirectionofalittlewoodenbelfry，lookedoverahedgeintoalittlegarden，andsawFatherRomansittinginawhitehammockslungbetweentwoorangetreesinfrontofthepresbytery。

Anenormoustamarindshadedwithitsdarkfoliagethewholewhiteframe-house。

AyoungIndiangirlwithlonghair，bigeyes，andsmallhandsandfeet，carriedoutawoodenchair，whileathinoldwoman，crabbedandvigilant，watchedherallthetimefromtheveranda。

DonPepesatdowninthechairandlightedacigar；thepriestdrewinanimmensequantityofsnuffoutofthehollowofhispalm。Onhisreddish-brownface，worn，hollowedasifcrumbled，theeyes，freshandcandid，sparkledliketwoblackdiamonds。

DonPepe，inamildandhumorousvoice，informedFatherRomanthatPedritoMontero，bythehandofSenorFuentes，hadaskedhimonwhattermshewouldsurrenderthemineinproperworkingordertoalegallyconstitutedcommissionofpatrioticcitizens，escortedbyasmallmilitaryforce。Thepriestcasthiseyesuptoheaven。However，DonPepecontinued，themozowhobroughtthelettersaidthatDonCarlosGouldwasalive，andsofarunmolested。

FatherRomanexpressedinafewwordshisthankfulnessathearingoftheSenorAdministrador\'ssafety。

Thehouroforationhadgonebyinthesilveryringingofabellinthelittlebelfry。Thebeltofforestclosingtheentranceofthevalleystoodlikeascreenbetweenthelowsunandthestreetofthevillage。

Attheotherendoftherockygorge，betweenthewallsofbasaltandgranite，aforest-cladmountain，hidingalltherangefromtheSanTomedwellers，rosesteeply，lightedupandleafytotheverytop。Threesmallrosycloudshungmotionlessoverheadinthegreatdepthofblue。Knotsofpeoplesatinthestreetbetweenthewattledhuts。Beforethecasaofthealcalde，theforemenofthenight-shift，alreadyassembledtoleadtheirmen，squattedonthegroundinacircleofleatherskull-caps，and，bowingtheirbronzebacks，werepassingroundthegourdofmate。Themozofromthetown，havingfastenedhishorsetoawoodenpostbeforethedoor，wastellingthemthenewsofSulacoastheblackenedgourdofthedecoctionpassedfromhandtohand。Thegravealcaldehimself，inawhitewaist-clothandafloweredchintzgownwithsleeves，openwideuponhisnakedstoutpersonwithaneffectofagaudybathingrobe，stoodby，wearingaroughbeaverhatatthebackofhishead，andgraspingatallstaffwithasilverknobinhishand。TheseinsigniaofhisdignityhadbeenconferreduponhimbytheAdministrationofthemine，thefountainofhonour，ofprosperity，andpeace。Hehadbeenoneofthefirstimmigrantsintothisvalley；hissonsandsons-in-lawworkedwithinthemountainwhichseemedwithitstreasurestopourdownthethunderingoreshootsoftheuppermesa，thegiftsofwell-being，security，andjusticeuponthetoilers。Helistenedtothenewsfromthetownwithcuriosityandindifference，asifconcerninganotherworldthanhisown。Anditwastruethattheyappearedtohimso。Inaveryfewyearsthesenseofbelongingtoapowerfulorganizationhadbeendevelopedintheseharassed，half-wildIndians。Theywereproudof，andattachedto，themine。Ithadsecuredtheirconfidenceandbelief。Theyinvesteditwithaprotectingandinvinciblevirtueasthoughitwereafetishmadebytheirownhands，fortheywereignorant，andinotherrespectsdidnotdifferappreciablyfromtherestofmankindwhichputsinfinitetrustinitsowncreations。Itneverenteredthealcalde\'sheadthattheminecouldfailinitsprotectionandforce。PoliticsweregoodenoughforthepeopleofthetownandtheCampo。Hisyellow，roundface，withwidenostrils，andmotionlessinexpression，resembledafiercefullmoon。Helistenedtotheexcitedvapouringsofthemozowithoutmisgivings，withoutsurprise，withoutanyactivesentimentwhatever。

PadreRomansatdejectedlybalancinghimself，hisfeetjusttouchingtheground，hishandsgrippingtheedgeofthehammock。Withlessconfidence，butasignorantashisflock，heaskedthemajorwhatdidhethinkwasgoingtohappennow。

DonPepe，boltuprightinthechair，foldedhishandspeacefullyonthehiltofhissword，standingperpendicularbetweenhisthighs，andansweredthathedidnotknow。Theminecouldbedefendedagainstanyforcelikelytobesenttotakepossession。Ontheotherhand，fromthearidcharacterofthevalley，whentheregularsuppliesfromtheCampohadbeencutoff，thepopulationofthethreevillagescouldbestarvedintosubmission。

DonPepeexposedthesecontingencieswithserenitytoFatherRoman，who，asanoldcampaigner，wasabletounderstandthereasoningofamilitaryman。Theytalkedwithsimplicityanddirectness。FatherRomanwassaddenedattheideaofhisflockbeingscatteredorelseenslaved。Hehadnoillusionsastotheirfate，notfrompenetration，butfromlongexperienceofpoliticalatrocities，whichseemedtohimfatalandunavoidableinthelifeofaState。Theworkingoftheusualpublicinstitutionspresenteditselftohimmostdistinctlyasaseriesofcalamitiesovertakingprivateindividualsandflowinglogicallyfromeachotherthroughhate，revenge，folly，andrapacity，asthoughtheyhadbeenpartofadivinedispensation。FatherRoman\'sclear-sightednesswasservedbyanuninformedintelligence；buthisheart，preservingitstendernessamongstscenesofcarnage，spoliation，andviolence，abhorredthesecalamitiesthemoreashisassociationwiththevictimswascloser。HeentertainedtowardstheIndiansofthevalleyfeelingsofpaternalscorn。Hehadbeenmarrying，baptizing，confessing，absolving，andburyingtheworkersoftheSanTomeminewithdignityandunctionforfiveyearsormore；andhebelievedinthesacrednessoftheseministrations，whichmadethemhisowninaspiritualsense。Theyweredeartohissacerdotalsupremacy。MrsGould\'searnestinterestintheconcernsofthesepeopleenhancedtheirimportanceinthepriest\'seyes，becauseitreallyaugmentedhisown。WhentalkingoverwithhertheinnumerableMariasandBrigidasofthevillages，hefelthisownhumanityexpand。PadreRomanwasincapableoffanaticismtoanalmostreprehensibledegree。TheEnglishsenorawasevidentlyaheretic；butatthesametimesheseemedtohimwonderfulandangelic。Wheneverthatconfusedstateofhisfeelingsoccurredtohim，whilestrolling，forinstance，hisbreviaryunderhisarm，inthewideshadeofthetamarind，hewouldstopshorttoinhalewithastrongsnufflingnoisealargequantityofsnuff，andshakehisheadprofoundly。Atthethoughtofwhatmightbefalltheillustrioussenorapresently，hebecamegraduallyovercomewithdismay。Hevoiceditinanagitatedmurmur。EvenDonPepelosthisserenityforamoment。Heleanedforwardstiffly。

`Listen，Padre。TheveryfactthatthosethievingmacaquesinSulacoaretryingtofindoutthepriceofmyhonourprovesthatSenorDonCarlosandallintheCasaGouldaresafe。Astomyhonour，thatalsoissafe，aseveryman，woman，andchildknows。ButtheNegroliberalswhohavesnatchedthetownbysurprisedonotknowthat。Bueno。Letthemsitandwait。Whiletheywaittheycandonoharm。\'

Andheregainedhiscomposure。Heregainediteasily，becausewhateverhappenedhishonourofanoldofficerofPaezwassafe。HehadpromisedCharlesGouldthatattheapproachofanarmedforcehewoulddefendthegorgejustlongenoughtogivehimselftimetodestroyscientificallythewholeplant，buildings，andworkshopsoftheminewithheavychargesofdynamite；blockwithruinsthemaintunnel，breakdownthepathways，blowupthedamofthewater-power，shatterthefamousGouldConcessionintofragments，flyingsky-highoutofahorrifiedworld。TheminehadgotholdofCharlesGouldwithagripasdeadlyaseverithadlaiduponhisfather。

ButthisextremeresolutionhadseemedtoDonPepethemostnaturalthingintheworld。Hismeasureshadbeentakenwithjudgement。Everythingwaspreparedwithacarefulcompleteness。AndDonPepefoldedhishandspacificallyonhisswordhilt，andnoddedatthepriest。Inhisexcitement，FatherRomanhadflungsnuffinhandfulsathisface，and，allbesmearedwithtobacco，round-eyed，andbesidehimself，hadgotoutofthehammocktowalkabout，utteringexclamations。

DonPepestrokedhisgreyandpendantmoustache，whosefineendshungfarbelowtheclean-cutlineofhisjaw，andspokewithaconsciousprideinhisreputation。

`So，Padre，Idon\'tknowwhatwillhappen。ButIknowthataslongasIamhereDonCarloscanspeaktothatmacaque，PedritoMontero，andthreatenthedestructionoftheminewithperfectassurancethatwillbetakenseriously。Forpeopleknowme。\'

Hebegantoturnthecigarinhislipsalittlenervously，andwenton:

`Butthatistalk——goodforthepoliticos。Iamamilitaryman。Idonotknowwhatmayhappen。ButIknowwhatoughttobedone——themineshouldmarchuponthetownwithguns，axes，knivestieduptosticks——perDios。Thatiswhatshouldbedone。Only——\'

Hisfoldedhandstwitchedonthehilt。Thecigarturnedfasterinthecornerofhislips。

`AndwhoshouldleadbutI?Unfortunately——observe——IhavegivenmywordofhonourtoDonCarlosnottolettheminefallintothehandsofthesethieves。Inwar——youknowthis，Padre——thefateofbattlesisuncertain，andwhomcouldIleaveheretoactformeincaseofdefeat?Theexplosivesareready。Butitwouldrequireamanofhighhonour，ofintelligence，ofjudgement，ofcourage，tocarryouttheprepareddestruction。SomebodyIcantrustwithmyhonourasIcantrustmyself。AnotheroldofficerofPaez，forinstance。Or——or——perhapsoneofPaez\'soldchaplainswoulddo。\'

Hegotup，long，lank，upright，hard，withhismartialmoustacheandthebonystructureofhisface，fromwhichtheglanceofthesunkeneyesseemedtotransfixthepriest，whostoodstill，anemptywoodensnuff-boxheldupsidedowninhishand，andglaredback，speechless，atthegovernorofthemine。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part3Chapter77Ataboutthattime，intheIntendenciaofSulaco，CharlesGouldwasassuringPedritoMontero，whohadsentarequestforhispresencethere，thathewouldneverlettheminepassoutofhishandsfortheprofitofaGovernmentwhohadrobbedhimofit。TheGouldConcessioncouldnotberesumed。Hisfatherhadnotdesiredit。Thesonwouldneversurrenderit。Hewouldneversurrenderitalive。Andoncedead，wherewasthepowercapableofresuscitatingsuchanenterpriseinallitsvigourandwealthoutoftheashesandruinofdestruction?Therewasnosuchpowerinthecountry。Andwherewastheskillandcapitalabroadthatwouldcondescendtotouchsuchanill-omenedcorpse?CharlesGouldtalkedintheimpassivetonewhichhadformanyyearsservedtoconcealhisangerandcontempt。Hesuffered。Hewasdisgustedwithwhathehadtosay。Itwastoomuchlikeheroics。Inhimthestrictlypracticalinstinctwasinprofounddiscordwiththealmostmysticviewhetookofhisright。TheGouldConcessionwassymbolicofabstractjustice。

Lettheheavensfall。ButsincetheSanTomeminehaddevelopeditsworld-widefamehisthreathadenoughforceandeffectivenesstoreachtherudimentaryintelligenceofPedroMontero，wrappedupasitwasinthefutilitiesofhistoricalanecdotes。TheGouldConcessionwasaseriousassetinthecountry\'sfinance，and，whatwasmore，intheprivatebudgetsofmanyofficialsaswell。Itwastraditional。Itwasknown。Itwassaid。Itwascredible。EveryMinisterofInteriordrewasalaryfromtheSanTomemine。Itwasnatural。

AndPedritointendedtobeMinisteroftheInteriorandPresidentoftheCouncilinhisbrother\'sGovernment。TheDucdeMornyhadoccupiedthosehighpostsduringtheSecondFrenchEmpirewithconspicuousadvantagetohimself。

Atable，achair，awoodenbedsteadhadbeenprocuredforHisExcellency，who，afterashortsiesta，renderedabsolutelynecessarybythelaboursandthepompsofhisentryintoSulaco，hadbeengettingholdoftheadministrativemachinebymakingappointments，givingorders，andsigningproclamations。

AlonewithCharlesGouldintheaudienceroom，HisExcellencymanagedwithhiswell-knownskilltoconcealhisannoyanceandconsternation。Hehadbegunatfirsttotalkloftilyofconfiscation，butthewantofallproperfeelingandmobilityintheSenorAdministrador\'sfeaturesendedbyaffectingadverselyhispowerofmasterfulexpression。CharlesGouldhadrepeated:

`TheGovernmentcancertainlybringaboutthedestructionoftheSanTomemineifitlikes；butwithoutmeitcandonothingelse。\'Itwasanalarmingpronouncement，andwellcalculatedtohurtthesensibilitiesofapoliticianwhosemindisbentuponthespoilsofvictory。AndCharlesGouldsaidalsothatthedestructionoftheSanTomeminewouldcausetheruinofotherundertakings，thewithdrawalofEuropeancapital，thewithholding，mostprobably，ofthelastinstalmentoftheforeignloan。Thatstonyfiendofamansaidallthesethings(whichwereaccessibletoHisExcellency\'sintelligence)inacold-bloodedmannerwhichmadeoneshudder。

Alongcourseofreadinghistoricalworks，lightandgossipyintone，carriedoutingarretsofParisianhotels，sprawlingonanuntidybed，totheneglectofhisduties，menialorotherwise，hadaffectedthemannersofPedroMontero。HadheseenaroundhimthesplendouroftheoldIntendencia，themagnificenthangings，thegiltfurniturerangedalongthewalls；hadhestooduponadaisonanoblesquareofredcarpet，hewouldhaveprobablybeenverydangerousfromasenseofsuccessandelevation。Butinthissackedanddevastatedresidence，withthethreepiecesofcommonfurniturehuddledupinthemiddleofthevastapartment，Pedrito\'simaginationwassubduedbyafeelingofinsecurityandimpermanence。ThatfeelingandthefirmattitudeofCharlesGouldwhohadnotonce，sofar，pronouncedtheword`Excellency\'，diminishedhiminhisowneyes。Heassumedthetoneofanenlightenedmanoftheworld，andbeggedCharlesGouldtodismissfromhismindeverycauseforalarm。Hewasnowconversing，heremindedhim，withthebrotherofthemasterofthecountry，chargedwithareorganizingmission。Thetrustedbrotherofthemasterofthecountry，herepeated。

Nothingwasfartherfromthethoughtsofthatwiseandpatrioticherothanideasofdestruction。`Ientreatyou，DonCarlos，nottogivewaytoyouranti-democraticprejudices，\'hecried，inaburstofcondescendingeffusion。

PedritoMonterosurprisedoneatfirstsightbythevastdevelopmentofhisbaldforehead，ashinyyellowexpansebetweenthecrinklycoal-blacktuftsofhairwithoutanylustre，theengagingformofhismouth，andanunexpectedlycultivatedvoice。Buthiseyes，veryglisteningasiffreshlypaintedoneachsideofhishookednose，hadaround，hopeless，birdlikestarewhenopenedfully。Now，however，henarrowedthemagreeably，throwinghissquarechinupandspeakingwithclosedteethslightlythroughthenose，withwhatheimaginedtobethemannerofagrandseigneur。

Inthatattitude，hedeclaredsuddenlythatthehighestexpressionofdemocracywasCaesarism:theimperialrulebaseduponthedirectpopularvote。Caesarismwasconservative。Itwasstrong。Itrecognizedthelegitimateneedsofdemocracywhichrequiresorders，titles，anddistinctions。Theywouldbeshoweredupondeservingmen。Caesarismwaspeace。Itwasprogressive。

Itsecuredtheprosperityofacountry。PedritoMonterowascarriedaway。

LookatwhattheSecondEmpirehaddoneforFrance。ItwasaregimewhichdelightedtohonourmenofDonCarlos\'sstamp。TheSecondEmpirefell，butthatwasbecauseitschiefwasdevoidofthatmilitarygeniuswhichhadraisedGeneralMonterotothepinnacleoffameandglory。Pedritoelevatedhishandjerkilytohelptheideaofpinnacle，offame。`Weshallhavemanytalksyet。Weshallunderstandeachotherthoroughly，DonCarlos！\'

hecriedinatoneoffellowship。Republicanismhaddoneitswork。Imperialdemocracywasthepowerofthefuture。Pedrito，theguerrillero，showinghishand，loweredhisvoiceforcibly。Amansingledoutbyhisfellow-citizensforthehonourablenicknameofElReydeSulacocouldnotbutreceiveafullrecognitionfromanimperialdemocracyasagreatcaptainofindustryandapersonofweightycounsel，whosepopulardesignationwouldbesoonreplacedbyamoresolidtitle。`Eh，DonCarlos?No！Whatdoyousay?CondedeSulac——eh?——ormarquis……\'

Heceased。TheairwascoolonthePlaza，whereapatrolofcavalryroderoundandroundwithoutpenetratingintothestreets，whichresoundedwithshoutsandthestrummingofguitarsissuingfromtheopendoorsofpulperias。Theorderswerenottointerferewiththeenjoymentsofthepeople。Andabovetheroofs，nexttotheperpendicularlinesofthecathedraltowers，thesnowycurveofHiguerotablockedalargespaceofdarkeningblueskybeforethewindowsoftheIntendencia。AfteratimePedritoMontero，thrustinghishandinthebosomofhiscoat，bowedhisheadwithslowdignity。Theaudiencewasover。

CharlesGouldongoingoutpassedhishandoverhisforeheadasiftodispersethemistsofanoppressivedream，whosegrotesqueextravaganceleavesbehindasubtlesenseofbodilydangerandintellectualdecay。InthepassagesandonthestaircasesoftheoldpalaceMontero\'stroopersloungedaboutinsolently，smokingandmakingwayfornoone；theclankingofsabresandspursresoundedalloverthebuilding。Threesilentgroupsofciviliansinsevereblackwaitedinthemaingallery，formalandhelpless，alittlehuddledup，eachkeepingapartfromtheothers，asifintheexerciseofapublicdutytheyhadbeenovercomebyadesiretoshunthenoticeofeveryeye。Thesewerethedeputationswaitingfortheiraudience。TheonefromtheProvincialAssembly，morerestlessanduneasyinitscorporateexpression，wasovertoppedbythebigfaceofDonJusteLopez，softandwhite，withprominenteyelidsandwreathedinimpenetrablesolemnityasifinadensecloud。ThePresidentoftheProvincialAssembly，comingbravelytosavethelastshredofparliamentaryinstitutions(ontheEnglishmodel)，avertedhiseyesfromtheAdministradoroftheSanTomemineasadignifiedrebukeofhislittlefaithinthatonlysavingprinciple。

ThemournfulseverityofthatreproofdidnotaffectCharlesGould，buthewassensibletotheglancesoftheothersdirecteduponhimwithoutreproach，asifonlytoreadtheirownfateuponhisface。Allofthemhadtalked，shouted，anddeclaimedinthegreatsalaoftheCasaGould。Thefeelingofcompassionforthosemen，struckwithastrangeimpotenceinthetoilsofmoraldegradation，didnotinducehimtomakeasign。Hesufferedfromhisfellowshipinevilwiththemtoomuch。HecrossedthePlazaunmolested。TheAmarillaClubwasfulloffestiveregamuffins。Theirfrowsyheadsprotrudedfromeverywindow，andfromwithincamedrunkenshouts，thethumpingoffeet，andthetwangingofharps。Brokenbottlesstrewedthepavementbelow。CharlesGouldfoundthedoctorstillinhishouse。

DrMonyghamcameawayfromthecrackintheshutterthroughwhichhehadbeenwatchingthestreet。

`Ah！Youarebackatlast！\'hesaidinatoneofrelief。`IhavebeentellingMrsGouldthatyouwereperfectlysafe，butIwasnotbyanymeanscertainthatthefellowwouldhaveletyougo。\'

`NeitherwasI，\'confessedCharlesGould，layinghishatonthetable。

`Youwillhavetotakeaction。\'

ThesilenceofCharlesGouldseemedtoadmitthatthiswastheonlycourse。ThiswasasfarasCharlesGouldwasaccustomedtogotowardsexpressinghisintentions。

`IhopeyoudidnotwarnMonteroofwhatyoumeantodo，\'thedoctorsaid，anxiously。

`Itriedtomakehimseethattheexistenceoftheminewasboundupwithmypersonalsafety，\'continuedCharlesGould，lookingawayfromthedoctor，andfixinghiseyesuponthewater-coloursketchuponthewall。

`Hebelievedyou?\'thedoctorasked，eagerly。

`Godknows！\'saidCharlesGould。`Iowedittomywifetosaythatmuch。

Heiswellenoughinformed。HeknowsthatIhaveDonPepethere。Fuentesmusthavetoldhim。TheyknowthattheoldmajorisperfectlycapableofblowinguptheSanTomeminewithouthesitationorcompunction。HaditnotbeenforthatIdon\'tthinkI\'dhavelefttheIntendenciaafreeman。

Hewouldbloweverythingupfromloyaltyandfromhate——fromhateoftheseLiberals，astheycallthemselves。Liberals！Thewordsoneknowssowellhaveanightmarishmeaninginthiscountry。Liberty，democracy，patriotism，government——allofthemhaveaflavouroffollyandmurder。Haven\'tthey，doctor?……IalonecanrestrainDonPepe。Iftheywereto——todoawaywithme，nothingcouldpreventhim。\'

`Theywilltrytotamperwithhim，\'thedoctorsuggested，thoughtfully。

`Itisverypossible，\'CharlesGouldsaidverylow，asifspeakingtohimself，andstillgazingatthesketchoftheSanTomegorgeuponthewall。`Yes，Iexpecttheywilltrythat。\'CharlesGouldlookedforthefirsttimeatthedoctor。`Itwouldgivemetime，\'headded。

`Exactly，\'saidDrMonygham，suppressinghisexcitement。`EspeciallyifDonPepebehavesdiplomatically。Whyshouldn\'thegivethemsomehopeofsuccess?Eh?Otherwiseyouwouldn\'tgainsomuchtime。Couldn\'thebeinstructedto——\'

CharlesGould，lookingatthedoctorsteadily，shookhishead，butthedoctorcontinuedwithacertainamountoffire:

`Yes，toenterintonegotiationsforthesurrenderofthemine。Itisagoodnotion。Youwouldmatureyourplan。Ofcourse，Idon\'taskwhatitis。Idon\'twanttoknow。Iwouldrefusetolistentoyouifyoutriedtotellme。Iamnotfitforconfidences。\'

`Whatnonsense！\'mutteredCharlesGould，withdispleasure。

Hedisapprovedofthedoctor\'ssensitivenessaboutthatfar-offepisodeofhislife。SomuchmemoryshockedCharlesGould。Itwaslikemorbidness。

Andagainheshookhishead。HerefusedtotamperwiththeopenrectitudeofDonPepe\'sconduct，bothfromtasteandfrompolicy。Instructionswouldhavetobeeitherverbalorinwriting。Ineithercasetheyrantheriskofbeingintercepted。Itwasbynomeanscertainthatamessengercouldreachthemine；and，besides，therewasnoonetosend。ItwasonthetipofCharles\'stonguetosaythatonlythelateCapatazdeCargadorescouldhavebeenemployedwithsomechanceofsuccessandthecertitudeofdiscretion。

Buthedidnotsaythat。Hepointedouttothedoctorthatitwouldhavebeenbadpolicy。DirectlyDonPepeletitbesupposedthathecouldbeboughtover，theAdministrador\'spersonalsafetyandthesafetyofhisfriendswouldbecomeendangered。Fortherewouldbethennoreasonformoderation。TheincorruptibilityofDonPepewastheessentialandrestrainingfact。Thedoctorhunghisheadandadmittedthatinawayitwasso。

Hecouldn\'tdenytohimselfthatthereasoningwassoundenough。DonPepe\'susefulnessconsistedinhisunstainedcharacter。Astohisownusefulness，hereflectedbitterly，itwasalsohisowncharacter。HedeclaredtoCharlesGouldthathehadthemeansofkeepingSotillofromjoininghisforceswithMontero，atleastforthepresent。

`Ifyouhadhadallthissilverhere，\'thedoctorsaid，`orevenifithadbeenknowntobeatthemine，youcouldhavebribedSotillotothrowoffhisrecentMonterism。Youcouldhaveinducedhimeithertogoawayinhissteameroreventojoinyou。\'

`Certainlynotthatlast，\'CharlesGoulddeclared，firmly。`Whatcouldonedowithamanlikethat，afterwards——tellme，doctor?Thesilverisgone，andIamgladofit。Itwouldhavebeenanimmediateandstrongtemptation。

Thescrambleforthatvisibleplunderwouldhaveprecipitatedadisastrousending。Iwouldhavehadtodefendit，too。Iamgladwe\'veremovedit——evenifitislost。Itwouldhavebeenadangerandacurse。\'

`Perhapsheisright，\'thedoctor，anhourlater，saidhurriedlytoMrsGould，whomhemetinthecorridor。`Thethingisdone，andtheshadowofthetreasuremaydojustaswellasthesubstance。Letmetrytoserveyoutothewholeextentofmyevilreputation。IamoffnowtoplaymygameofbetrayalwithSotillo，andkeephimoffthetown。\'

Sheputoutbothherhandsimpulsively。`DrMonygham，youarerunningaterriblerisk，\'shewhispered，avertingfromhisfacehereyes，fulloftears，forashortglanceatthedoorofherhusband\'sroom。Shepressedbothhishands，andthedoctorstoodasifrootedtothespot，lookingdownather，andtryingtotwisthislipsintoasmile。

`Oh，Iknowyouwilldefendmymemory，\'heutteredatlast，andrantotteringdownthestairsacrossthepatio，andoutofthehouse。Inthestreethekeptupagreatpacewithhissmarthobblingwalk，acaseofinstrumentsunderhisarm。Hewasknownforbeingloco。Nobodyinterferedwithhim。Fromundertheseawardgate，acrossthedusty，aridplain，interspersedwithlowbushes，hesaw，morethanamileaway，theuglyenormityoftheCustomHouse，andthetwoorthreeotherbuildingswhichatthattimeconstitutedtheseaportofSulaco。Farawaytothesouthgrovesofpalmtreesedgedthecurveoftheharbourshore。ThedistantpeaksoftheCordillerahadlosttheiridentityofclear-cutshapesinthesteadilydeepeningblueoftheeasternsky。Thedoctorwalkedbriskly。Adarklingshadowseemedtofalluponhimfromthezenith。Thesunhadset。ForatimethesnowsofHiguerotacontinuedtoglowwiththereflectedgloryofthewest。Thedoctor，holdingastraightcoursefortheCustomHouse，appearedlonely，hoppingamongstthedarkbusheslikeatallbirdwithabrokenwing。

Tintsofpurple，gold，andcrimsonweremirroredintheclearwateroftheharbour。Alongtongueofland，straightasawall，withthegrass-grownruinsofthefortmakingasortofroundedgreenmound，plainlyvisiblefromtheinnershore，closeditscircuit；whilebeyondthePlacidGulfrepeatedthosesplendoursofcolouringonagreaterscaleandwithamoresombremagnificence。Thegreatmassofcloudfillingtheheadofthegulfhadlongredsmearsamongstitsconvolutedfoldsofgreyandblack，asofafloatingmantlestainedwithblood。ThethreeIsabels，overshadowedandclearcutinagreatsmoothnessconfoundingtheseaandsky，appearedsuspended，purple-black，intheair。Thelittlewaveletsseemedtobetossingtinyredsparksuponthesandybeaches。Theglassybandsofwateralongthehorizongaveoutafieryredglow，asiffireandwaterhadbeenmingledtogetherinthevastbedoftheocean。

Atlasttheconflagrationofseaandsky，lyingembracedandstillinaflamingcontactupontheedgeoftheworld，wentout。TheredsparksinthewatervanishedtogetherwiththestainsofbloodintheblackmantledrapingthesombreheadofthePlacidGulf；asuddenbreezesprangupanddiedoutafterrustlingheavilythegrowthofbushesontheruinedearthworkofthefort。Nostromowokeupfromafourteenhours\'sleep，andarosefulllengthfromhislairinthelonggrass。Hestoodkneedeepamongstthewhisperingundulationsofthegreenbladeswiththelostairofamanjustbornintotheworld。Handsome，robust，andsupple，hethrewbackhishead，flunghisarmsopen，andstretchedhimselfwithaslowtwistofthewaistandaleisurelygrowlingyawnofwhiteteeth，asnaturalandfreefromevilinthemomentofwakingasamagnificentandunconsciouswildbeast。

Then，inthesuddenlysteadiedglancefixeduponnothingfromunderathoughtfulfrown，appearedtheman。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part3Chapter88AfterlandingfromhisswimNostromohadscrambledup，alldripping，intothemainquadrangleoftheoldfort；andthere，amongstruinedbitsofwallsandrottingremnantsofroofsandsheds，hehadsleptthedaythrough。

Hehadsleptintheshadowofthemountains，inthewhiteblazeofnoon，inthestillnessandsolitudeofthatovergrownpieceoflandbetweentheovaloftheharbourandthespacioussemi-circleofthegulf。Helayasifdead。Areyzamuro，appearinglikeatinyblackspeckintheblue，stooped，circlingprudentlywithastealthinessofflightstartlinginabirdofthatgreatsize。Theshadowofhispearly-whitebody，ofhisblack-tippedwings，fellonthegrassnomoresilentlythanhealightedhimselfonahillockofrubbishwithinthreeyardsofthatman，lyingasstillasacorpse。Thebirdstretchedhisbareneck，cranedhisbaldhead，loath-someinthebrillianceofvariedcolouring，withanairofvoraciousanxietytowardsthepromisingstillnessofthatprostratebody。Then，sinkinghisheaddeeplyintohissoftplumage，hesettledhimselftowait。ThefirstthinguponwhichNostromo\'seyesfellonwakingwasthispatientwatcherforthesignsofdeathandcorruption。Whenthemangotupthevulturehoppedawayingreat，side-long，flutteringjumps。Helingeredforawhile，moroseandreluctant，beforeherose，circlingnoiselesslywithasinisterdroopofbeakandclaws。

Longafterhehadvanished，Nostromo，liftinghiseyesuptothesky，muttered，`Iamnotdeadyet。\'

TheCapatazoftheSulacoCargadoreshadlivedinsplendourandpublicityuptotheverymoment，asitwere，whenhetookchargeofthelightercontainingthetreasureofsilveringots。

ThelastacthehadperformedinSulacowasincompleteharmonywithhisvanity，andassuchperfectlygenuine。Hehadgivenhislastdollartoanoldwomanmoaningwiththegriefandfatigueofadismalsearchunderthearchoftheancientgate。Performedinobscurityandwithoutwitnesses，ithadstillthecharacteristicsofsplendourandpublicity，andwasinstrictkeepingwithhisreputation。Butthisawakeninginsolitude，exceptforthewatchfulvulture，amongsttheruinsofthefort，hadnosuchcharacteristics。

Hisfirstconfusedfeelingwasexactlythis——thatitwasnotinkeeping。

Itwasmoreliketheendofthings。Thenecessityoflivingconcealedsomehow，forGodknowshowlong，whichassailedhimonhisreturntoconsciousness，madeeverythingthathadgonebeforeforyearsappearvainandfoolish，likeaflatteringdreamcomesuddenlytoanend。

Heclimbedthecrumblingslopeoftherampart，and，puttingasidethebushes，lookedupontheharbour。Hesawacoupleofshipsatanchoruponthesheetofwaterreflectingthelastgleamsoflight，andSotillo\'ssteamermooredtothejetty。AndbehindthepalelongfrontoftheCustomHouse，thereappearedtheextentofthetownlikeagroveofthicktimberontheplainwithagatewayinfront，andthecupolas，towers，andmiradorsrisingabovethetrees，alldark，asifsurrenderedalreadytothenight。Thethoughtthatitwasnolongeropentohimtoridethroughthestreets，recognizedbyeveryone，greatandlittle，asheusedtodoeveryeveningonhiswaytoplaymonteintheposadaoftheMexicanDomingo；

ortositintheplaceofhonour，listeningtosongsandlookingatdances，madeitappeartohimasatownthathadnoexistence。

Foralongtimehegazedon，thenletthepartedbushesspringback，and，crossingovertotheothersideofthefort，surveyedthevasteremptinessofthegreatgulf。TheIsabelsstoodoutheavilyuponthenarrowinglongbandofredinthewest，whichgleamedlowbetweentheirblackshapes，andtheCapatazthoughtofDecoudalonetherewiththetreasure。ThatmanwastheonlyonewhocaredwhetherhefellintothehandsoftheMonteristsornot，theCapatazreflectedbitterly。Andthatmerelywouldbeananxietyforhisownsake。Astotherest，theyneitherknewnorcared。WhathehadheardGiorgioViolasayoncewasverytrue。Kings，ministers，aristocrats，therichingeneral，keptthepeopleinpovertyandsubjection；theykeptthemastheykeptdogs，tofightandhuntfortheirservice。

Thedarknessoftheskyhaddescendedtothelineofthehorizon，envelopingthewholegulf，theislets，andtheloverofAntoniaalonewiththetreasureontheGreatIsabel。TheCapataz，turninghisbackonthesethingsinvisibleandexisting，satdownandtookhisfacebetweenhisfists。Hefeltthepinchofpovertyforthefirsttimeinhislife。Tofindhimselfwithoutmoneyafterarunofbadluckatmonteinthelow，smokyroomofDomingo\'sposada，wherethefraternityofcargadoresgambled，sang，anddancedofanevening；toremainwithemptypocketsafteraburstofpublicgenerositytosomepeyned\'orogirlorother(forwhomhedidnotcare)，hadnoneofthehumiliationofdestitution。Heremainedrichingloryandreputation。Butsinceitwasnolongerpossibleforhimtoparadethestreetsofthetown，andbehailedwithrespectintheusualhauntsofhisleisure，thissailorfelthimselfdestituteindeed。

Hismouthwasdry。Itwasdrywithheavysleepandextremelyanxiousthinking，asithadneverbeendrybefore。ItmaybesaidthatNostromotastedthedustandashesofthefruitoflifeintowhichhehadbittendeeplyinhishungerforpraise。Withoutremovinghisheadfrombetweenhisfists，hetriedtospitbeforehim——`Tfui\'——andmutteredacurseupontheselfishnessofalltherichpeople。

SinceeverythingseemedlostinSulaco(andthatwasthefeelingofhiswaking)，theideaofleavingthecountryaltogetherhadpresenteditselftoNostromo。Atthatthoughthehadseen，likethebeginningofanotherdream，avisionofsteepandtidelessshores，withdarkpinesontheheightsandwhitehouseslowdownnearaverybluesky。Hesawthequaysofabigport，wherethecoastingfeluccas，withtheirlateensailsoutspreadlikemotionlesswings，enterglidingsilentlybetweentheendoflongmolesofsquaredblocksthatprojectangularlytowardseachother，huggingaclusterofshippingtothesuperbbosomofahillcoveredwithpalaces。

Herememberedthesesightsnotwithoutsomefilialemotion，thoughhehadbeenhabituallyandseverelybeatenasaboyononeofthesefeluccasbyashort-necked，shavenGenoese，withadeliberateanddistrustfulmanner，who(hefirmlybelieved)hadcheatedhimoutofhisorphan\'sinheritance。

Butitismercifullydecreedthattheevilsofthepastshouldappearbutfaintlyinretrospect。Underthesenseofloneliness，abandonment，andfailure，theideaofreturntothesethingsappearedtolerable。But，what?

Return?Withbarefeetandhand，withonecheckshirtandapairofcottoncalzonerosforallworldlypossessions?

TherenownedCapataz，hiselbowsonhiskneesandafistdugintoeachcheek，laughedwithself-derision，ashehadspatwithdisgust，straightoutbeforehimintothenight。Theconfusedandintimateimpressionsofuniversaldissolutionwhichbesetasubjectivenatureatanystrongchecktoitsrulingpassionhadabitternessapproachingthatofdeathitself。

Hewassimple。Hewasasreadytobecomethepreyofanybelief，superstition，ordesireasachild。

Thefactsofhissituationhecouldappreciatelikeamanwithadistinctexperienceofthecountry。Hesawthemclearly。Hewasasifsoberedafteralongboutofintoxication。Hisfidelityhadbeentakenadvantageof。

HehadpersuadedthebodyofcargadorestosidewiththeBlancosagainsttherestofthepeople；hehadhadinterviewswithDonJose；hehadbeenmadeuseofbyFatherCorbelanfornegotiatingwithHernandez；

itwasknownthatDonMartinDecoudhadadmittedhimtoasortofintimacy，sothathehadbeenfreeoftheofficesofthePorvenir。Allthesethingshadflatteredhimintheusualway。Whatdidhecareabouttheirpolitics?Nothingatall。Andattheendofitall——NostromohereandNostromothere——whereisNostromo?Nostromocandothisandthat——workalldayandrideallnight——behold！hefoundhimselfamarkedRibieristforanysortofvengeanceGamacho，forinstance，wouldchoosetotake，nowtheMonteropartyhad，afterall，masteredthetown。TheEuropeanshadgivenup；thecaballeroshadgivenup。DonMartinhadindeedexplaineditwasonlytemporary——thathewasgoingtobringBarriostotherescue。Wherewasthatnow——withDonMartin(whoseironicmanneroftalkhadalwaysmadetheCapatazfeelvaguelyuneasy)strandedontheGreatIsabel?Everybodyhadgivenup。EvenDonCarloshadgivenup。Thehurriedremovalofthetreasureouttoseameantnothingelsethanthat。

TheCapatazdeCargadores，onarevulsionofsubjectiveness，exasperatedalmosttoinsanity，beheldallhisworldwithoutfaithandcourage。Hehadbeenbetrayed！

Withtheboundlessshadowsoftheseabehindhim，outofhissilenceandimmobility，facingtheloftyshapesofthelowerpeakscrowdedaroundthewhite，mistysheenofHiguerota，Nostromolaughedaloudagain，sprangabruptlytohisfeet，andstoodstill。Hemustgo。Butwhere?

`Thereisnomistake。Theykeepusandencourageusasifweweredogsborntofightandhuntforthem。Thevecchioisright，\'hesaid，slowlyandscathingly。HerememberedoldGiorgiotakinghispipeoutofhismouthtothrowthesewordsoverhisshoulderatthecafe，fullofengine-driversandfittersfromtherailwayworkshops。Thisimagefixedhiswaveringpurpose。

HewouldtrytofindoldGiorgioifhecould。Godknowswhatmighthavehappenedtohim！Hemadeafewsteps，thenstoppedagainandshookhishead。Totheleftandright，infrontandbehindhim，thescrubbybushrustledmysteriouslyinthedarkness。

`Teresawasright，too，\'headdedinalowtonetouchedwithawe。Hewonderedwhethershewasdeadinherangerwithhimorstillalive。Asifinanswertothisthought，halfofremorseandhalfofhope，withasoftflutterandobliqueflight，abigowl，whoseappallingcry:`Ya-acabo！

Ya-acabo！——itisfinished；itisfinished\'——announcescalamityanddeathinthepopularbelief，driftedvaguelylikealargedarkballacrosshispath。Inthedownfallofalltherealitiesthatmadehisforce，hewasaffectedbythesuperstition，andshudderedslightly。SignoraTeresamusthavedied，then。Itcouldmeannothingelse。Thecryoftheill-omenedbird，thefirstsoundhewastohearonhisreturn，wasafittingwelcomeforhisbetrayedindividuality。Theunseenpowerswhichhehadoffendedbyrefusingtobringapriesttoadyingwomanwereliftinguptheirvoiceagainsthim。Shewasdead。Withadmirableandhumanconsistencyhereferredeverythingtohimself。Shehadbeenawomanofgoodcounselalways。AndthebereavedoldGiorgioremainedstunnedbyhislossjustashewaslikelytorequiretheadviceofhissagacity。Theblowwouldrenderthedreamyoldmanquitestupidforatime。

AstoCaptainMitchell，Nostromo，afterthemanneroftrustedsubordinates，consideredhimasapersonfittedbyeducationperhapstosignpapersinanofficeandtogiveorders，butotherwiseofnousewhatever，andsomethingofafool。Thenecessityofwindingroundhislittlefinger，almostdaily，thepompousandtestyself-importanceoftheoldseamanhadgrownirksomewithusetoNostromo。Atfirstithadgivenhimaninwardsatisfaction。

Butthenecessityofovercomingsmallobstaclesbecomeswearisometoaself-confidentpersonalityasmuchbythecertitudeofsuccessasbythemonotonyofeffort。Hemistrustedhissuperior\'spronenesstofussyaction。

ThatoldEnglishmanhadnojudgement，hesaidtohimself。Itwasuselesstosupposethat，acquaintedwiththetruetasteofthecase，hewouldkeepittohimself。Hewouldtalkofdoingimpracticablethings。Nostromofearedhimasonewouldfearsaddlingone\'sselfwithsomepersistentworry。Hehadnodiscretion。Hewouldbetraythetreasure。AndNostromohadmadeuphismindthatthetreasureshouldnotbebetrayed。

Thewordhadfixeditselftenaciouslyinhisintelligence。Hisimaginationhadseizedupontheclearandsimplenotionofbetrayaltoaccountforthedazedfeelingofenlightenmentastobeingdonefor，ofhavinginadvertentlygoneoutofhisexistenceonanissueinwhichhispersonalityhadnotbeentakenintoaccount。Amanbetrayedisamandestroyed。SignoraTeresa(mayGodhavehersoul！)hadbeenright。Hehadneverbeentakenintoaccount。

Destroyed！Herwhiteformsittingupbowedinbed，thefallingblackhair，thewide-browedsufferingfaceraisedtohim，theangerofherdenunciationsappearedtohimnowmajesticwiththeawfulnessofinspirationandofdeath。

Foritwasnotfornothingthattheevilbirdhaduttereditslamentableshriekoverhishead。Shewasdead——mayGodhavehersoul！

Sharingintheanti-priestlyfreethoughtofthemasses，hismindusedthepiousformulafromthesuperficialforceofhabit，butwithadeep-seatedsincerity。Thepopularmindisincapableofscepticism；andthatincapacitydeliverstheirhelplessstrengthtothewilesofswindlersandtothepitilessenthusiasmsofleadersinspiredbyvisionsofahighdestiny。Shewasdead。

ButwouldGodconsenttoreceivehersoul?Shehaddiedwithoutconfessionorabsolution，becausehehadnotbeenwillingtospareheranothermomentofhistime。Hisscornofpriestsaspriestsremained；butafterall，itwasimpossibletoknowwhetherwhattheyaffirmedwasnottrue。Power，punishment，pardonaresimpleandcrediblenotions。ThemagnificentCapatazdeCargadores，deprivedofcertainsimplerealities，suchastheadmirationofwomen，theadulationofmen，theadmiredpublicityofhislife，wasreadytofeeltheburdenofsacrilegiousguiltdescenduponhisshoulders。

Bareheaded，inathinshirtanddrawers，hefeltthelingeringwarmthofthefinesandunderthesolesofhisfeet。Thenarrowstrandgleamedfaraheadinalongcurve，definingtheoutlineofthiswildsideoftheharbour。Heflittedalongtheshorelikeapursuedshadowbetweenthesombrepalm-grovesandthesheetofwaterlyingasstillasdeathonhisrighthand。Hestrodewithheadlonghasteinthesilenceandsolitudeasthoughhehadforgottenallprudenceandcaution。Butheknewthatonthissideofthewaterherannoriskofdiscovery。Theonlyinhabitantwasalonely，silent，apatheticIndianinchargeofthepalmarias，whobroughtsometimesaloadofcoconutstothetownforsale。Helivedwithoutawomaninanopenshed，withaperpetualfireofdrystickssmoulderingnearanoldcanoelyingbottomuponthebeach。Hecouldbeeasilyavoided。

Thebarkingofthedogsaboutthatman\'sranchewasthefirstthingthatcheckedhisspeed。Hehadforgottenthedogs。Heswervedsharply，andplungedintothepalm-grove，asintoawildernessofcolumnsinanimmensehall，whosedenseobscurityseemedtowhisperandrustlefaintlyhighabovehishead。Hetraversedit，enteredaravine，climbedtothetopofasteepridgefreeoftreesandbushes。

Fromthere，openandvagueinthestarlight，hesawtheplainbetweenthetownandtheharbour。Inthewoodsabovesomenight-birdmadeastrangedrummingnoise。Belowbeyondthepalmariaonthebeach，theIndian\'sdogscontinuedtobarkuproariously。Hewonderedwhathadupsetthemsomuch，and，peeringdownfromhiselevation，wassurprisedtodetectunaccountablemovementsofthegroundbelow，asifseveraloblongpiecesoftheplainhadbeeninmotion。Thosedark，shiftingpatches，alternatelycatchingandeludingtheeye，alteredtheirplacealwaysawayfromtheharbour，withasuggestionofconsecutiveorderandpurpose。Alightdawneduponhim。Itwasacolumnofinfantryonanightmarchtowardsthehigherbrokencountryatthefootofthehills。Buthewastoomuchinthedarkabouteverythingforwonderandspeculation。

Theplainhadresumeditsshadowyimmobility。Hedescendedtheridgeandfoundhimselfintheopensolitude，betweentheharbourandthetown。

Itsspaciousness，extendedindefinitelybyaneffectofobscurity，renderedmoresensiblehisprofoundisolation。Hispacebecameslower。Noonewaitedforhim；noonethoughtofhim；nooneexpectedorwishedhisreturn。`Betrayed！

Betrayed！\'hemutteredtohimself。Noonecared。Hemighthavebeendrownedbythistime。Noonewouldhavecared——unless，perhaps，thechildren，hethoughttohimself。ButtheywerewiththeEnglishsignora，andnotthinkingofhimatall。

HewaveredinhispurposeofmakingstraightfortheCasaViola。Towhatend?Whatcouldheexpectthere?Hislifeseemedtofailhiminallitsdetails，eventothescornfulreproachesofTeresa。Hewasawarepainfullyofhisreluctance。Wasitthatremorsewhichshehadprophesiedwith，whathesawnow，washerlastbreath?

Meantime，hehaddeviatedfromthestraightcourse，incliningbyasortofinstincttotheleft，towardsthejettyandtheharbour，thesceneofhisdailylabours。ThegreatlengthoftheCustomHouseloomedupallatoncelikethewallofafactory。Notasoulchallengedhisapproach，andhiscuriositybecameexcitedashepassedcautiouslytowardsthefrontbytheunexpectedsightoftwolightedwindows。

Theyhadthefascinationofalonelyvigilkeptbysomemysteriouswatcherupthere，thosetwowindowsshiningdimlyupontheharbourinthewholevastextentoftheabandonedbuilding。Thesolitudecouldalmostbefelt。

Astrongsmellofwoodsmokehungaboutinathinhaze，whichwasfaintlyperceptibletohisraisedeyesagainsttheglitterofthestars。Asheadvancedintheprofoundsilence，theshrillingofinnumerablecicadasinthedrygrassseemedpositivelydeafeningtohisstrainedears。Slowly，stepbystep，hefoundhimselfinthegreathall，sombreandfullofacridsmoke。

Afirebuiltagainstthestaircasehadburntdownimpotentlytoalowheapofembers。Thehardwoodhadfailedtocatch；onlyafewstepsatthebottomsmouldered，withacreepingglowofsparksdefiningtheircharrededges。Atthetophesawastreakoflightfromanopendoor。Itfelluponthevastlanding，allfoggywithaslowdriftofsmoke。Thatwastheroom。