第13章

AndNostromogoesawayobediently。Butwhathappensafterwards?Whatdoeshedointhegulfbetweenhalfpastsixandmidnight?Hehasbeenseenmorethanonceatthatlatehourpullingquietlyintotheharbour。Ramirezisdevouredbyjealousy。HedarenotapproacholdViola；buthepluckedupcouragetorailLindaaboutitonSundaymorningasshecameonthemainlandtohearMassandvisithermother\'sgrave。Therewasasceneonthewharf，which，asamatteroffact，Iwitnessed。Itwasearlymorning。

Hemusthavebeenwaitingforheronpurpose。Iwastherebythemerestchance，havingbeencalledtoanurgentconsultationbythedoctoroftheGermangunboatintheharbour。Shepouredwrath，scorn，andflameuponRamirez，whoseemedoutofhismind。Itwasastrangesight，MrsGould:

thelongjetty，withthisravingcargadorinhiscrimsonsashandthegirlallinblack，attheend；theearlySunday-morningquietoftheharbourintheshadeofthemountains；nothingbutacanoeortwomovingbetweentheshipsatanchor，andtheGermangunboat\'sgigcomingtotakemeoff。Lindapassedmewithinafoot。Inoticedherwildeyes。Icalledouttoher。Sheneverheardme。Sheneversawme。ButIlookedatherface。

Itwasawfulinitsangerandwretchedness。\'

MrsGouldsatup，openinghereyesverywide。

`Whatdoyoumean，DrMonygham?Doyoumeantosaythatyoususpecttheyoungersister?\'

`Quiensabe！Whocantell?\'saidthedoctor，shrugginghisshoulderslikeabornCostaguanero。`Ramirezcameuptomeonthewharf。Hereeled——helookedinsane。Hetookhisheadintohishands。Hehadtotalktosomeone——simplyhadto。Ofcourseforallhismadstateherecognizedme。Peopleknowmewellhere。Ihavelivedtoolongamongstthemtobeanythingelsebuttheevil-eyeddoctor，whocancurealltheillsoftheflesh，andbringbadluckbyaglance。Hecameuptome。Hetriedtobecalm。HetriedtomakeitoutthathewantedmerelytowarnmeagainstNostromo。ItseemsthatCaptainFidanzaatsomesecretmeetingorotherhadmentionedmeastheworstdespiserofallthepoor——ofthepeople。

It\'sverypossible。Hehonoursmewithhisundyingdislike。AndawordfromthegreatFidanzamaybequiteenoughtosendsomefool\'sknifeintomyback。TheSanitaryCommissionIpresideoverisnotinfavourwiththepopulace。“Bewareofhim，SenorDoctor。Destroyhim，SenorDoctor，“Ramirezhissedrightintomyface。Andthenhebrokeout。“Thatman，“hespluttered，“hascastaspelluponboththesegirls。”Astohimself，hehadsaidtoomuch。Hemustrunawaynow——runawayandhidesomewhere。HemoanedtenderlyaboutGiselle，andthencalledhernamesthatcannotberepeated。Ifhethoughtshecouldbemadetolovehimbyanymeans，hewouldcarryherofffromtheisland。Offintothewoods。Butitwasnogood……Hestrodeaway，flourishinghisarmsabovehishead。ThenInoticedanoldNegro，whohadbeensittingbehindapileofcases，fishingfromthewharf。Hewounduphislinesandslunkawayatonce。Buthemusthaveheardsomething，andmusthavetalked，too，becausesomeoftheoldGaribaldino\'srailwayfriends，Isuppose，warnedhimagainstRamirez。Atanyrate，thefatherhadbeenwarned。ButRamirezhasdisappearedfromthetown。\'

`IfeelIhaveadutytowardsthesegirls，\'saidMrsGould，uneasily。

`IsNostromoinSulaconow?\'

`Heis，sincelastSunday。\'

`Heoughttobespokento——atonce。\'

`Whowilldarespeaktohim?Eventhelove-madRamirezrunsawayfromthemereshadowofCaptainFidanza。\'

`Ican。Iwill，\'MrsGoulddeclared。`AwordwillbeenoughforamanlikeNostromo。\'

Thedoctorsmiledsourly。

`Hemustendthissituationwhichlendsitselfto——Ican\'tbelieveitofthatchild，\'pursuedMrsGould。

`He\'sveryattractive，\'mutteredthedoctor，gloomily。

`He\'llseeit，Iamsure。HemustputanendtoallthisbymarryingLindaatonce，\'pronouncedthefirstladyofSulacowithimmensedecision。

ThroughthegardengateemergedBasilio，grownfatandsleek，withanelderlyhairlessface，wrinklesatthecornersofhiseyes，andhisjet-black，coarsehairplastereddownsmoothly。Stoopingcarefullybehindanornamentalclumpofbushes，heputdownwithprecautionasmallchildhehadbeencarryingonhisshoulder——hisownandLeonarda\'slastborn。Thepouting，spoiledcameristaandtheheadmozooftheCasaGouldhadbeenmarriedforsomeyearsnow。

Heremainedsquattingonhisheelsforatime，gazingfondlyathisoffspring，whichreturnedhisstarewithimperturbablegravity；then，solemnandrespectable，walkeddownthepath。

`Whatisit，Basilio?\'askedMrsGould。

`Atelephonecallcamethroughfromtheofficeofthemine。Themasterremainstosleepatthemountaintonight。\'

DrMonyghamhadgotupandstoodlookingaway。AprofoundsilencereignedforatimeundertheshadeofthebiggesttreesinthelovelygardensoftheCasaGould。

`Verywell，Basilio，\'saidMrsGould。Shewatchedhimwalkawayalongthepath，stepasidebehindthefloweringbush，andreappearwiththechildseatedonhisshoulder。Hepassedthroughthegatewaybetweenthegardenandthepatiowithmeasuredsteps，carefulofhislightburden。

Thedoctor，withhisbacktoMrsGould，contemplatedaflower-bedawayinthesunshine。Peoplebelievedhimscornfulandsoured。Thetruthofhisnatureconsistedinhiscapacityforpassionandinthesensitivenessofhistemperament。Whathelackedwasthepolishedcallousnessofmenoftheworld，thecallousnessfromwhichspringsaneasytoleranceforoneselfandothers；thetolerancewideaspolesasunderfromtruesympathyandhumancompassion。Thiswantofcallousnessaccountedforhissardonicturnofmindandhisbitingspeeches。

Inprofoundsilence，andglaringviciouslyatthebrilliantflower-bed，DrMonyghampouredmentalimprecationsonCharlesGould\'shead。BehindhimtheimmobilityofMrsGouldaddedtothegraceofherseatedfigurethecharmofart，ofanattitudecaughtandinterpretedforever。Turningabruptly，thedoctortookhisleave。

MrsGouldleanedbackintheshadeofthebigtreesplantedinacircle。

Sheleanedbackwithhereyesclosedandherwhitehandslyingidleonthearmsofherseat。Thehalf-lightunderthethickmassofleavesbroughtouttheyouthfulprettinessofherface；madetheclear，lightfabricsandwhitelaceofherdressappearluminous。Smallanddainty，asifradiatingalightofherowninthedeepshadeoftheinterlacedboughs，sheresembledagoodfairy，wearywithalongcareerofwell-doing，touchedbythewitheringsuspicionoftheuselessnessofherlabours，thepowerlessnessofhermagic。

Hadanybodyaskedherofwhatshewasthinking，aloneinthegardenofthecasa，withherhusbandatthemineandthehouseclosedtothestreetlikeanemptydwelling，herfranknesswouldhavehadtoevadethequestion。Ithadcomeintohermindthatforlifetobelargeandfull，itmustcontainthecareofthepastandofthefutureineverypassingmomentofthepresent。Ourdailyworkmustbedonetothegloryofthedead，andforthegoodofthosewhocomeafter。Shethoughtthat，andsighedwithoutopeninghereyes——withoutmovingatall。MrsGould\'sfacebecamesetandrigidforasecond，asiftoreceive，withoutflinching，agreatwaveoflonelinessthatsweptoverherhead。Anditcameintohermind，too，thatnoonewouldeveraskherwithsolicitudewhatshewasthinkingof。Noone。Noone，butperhapsthemanwhohadjustgoneaway。No；noonewhocouldbeansweredwithcarelesssincerityintheidealperfectionofconfidence。

Theword`incorrigible\'——awordlatelypronouncedbyDrMonygham——

floatedintoherstillandsadimmobility。IncorrigibleinhisdevotiontothegreatsilverminewastheSenorAdministrador！Incorrigibleinhishard，determinedserviceofthematerialintereststowhichhehadpinnedhisfaithinthetriumphoforderandjustice。Poorboy！Shehadaclearvisionofthegreathairsonhistemples。Hewasperfect——perfect。Whatmorecouldshehaveexpected?Itwasacolossalandlastingsuccess；andlovewasonlyashortmomentofforgetfulness，ashortintoxication，whosedelightonerememberedwithasenseofsadness，asifithadbeenadeepgrieflivedthrough。Therewassomethinginherentinthenecessitiesofsuccessfulactionwhichcarriedwithitthemoraldegradationoftheidea。

ShesawtheSanTomemountainhangingovertheCampo，overthewholeland，feared，hated，wealthy；moresoullessthananytyrant，morepitilessandautocraticthantheworstGovernment；readytocrushinnumerablelivesintheexpansionofitsgreatness。Hedidnotseeit。Hecouldnotseeit。Itwasnothisfault。Hewasperfect，perfect；butshewouldneverhavehimtoherself。Never；notforoneshorthouraltogethertoherselfinthisoldSpanishhouseshelovedsowell！Incorrigible，thelastoftheCorbelans，thelastoftheAvellanos，thedoctorhadsaid；butshesawclearlytheSanTomeminepossessing，consuming，burningupthelifeofthelastoftheCostaguanaGoulds；masteringtheenergeticspiritofthesonasithadmasteredthelamentableweaknessofthefather。AterriblesuccessforthelastoftheGoulds。Thelast！Shehadhopedforalong，longtime，thatperhaps——Butno！Thereweretobenomore。Animmensedesolation，thedreadofherowncontinuedlife，descendeduponthefirstladyofSulaco。Withapropheticvisionshesawherselfsurvivingalonethedegradationofheryoungidealoflife，oflove，ofwork——allaloneintheTreasureHouseoftheWorld。Theprofound，blind，sufferingexpressionofapainfuldreamsettledonherfacewithitsclosedeyes。Intheindistinctvoiceofanunluckysleeper，lyingpassiveinthegripofamercilessnightmare，shestammeredoutaimlesslythewords:

`Materialinterest。\'

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part3Chapter1212Nostromohadbeengrowingrichveryslowly。Itwasaneffectofhisprudence。

Hecouldcommandhimselfevenwhenthrownoffhisbalance。Andtobecometheslaveofatreasurewithfullself-knowledgeisanoccurrencerareandmentallydisturbing。Butitwasalsoinagreatpartbecauseofthedifficultyofconvertingitintoaforminwhichitcouldbecomeavailable。

Themereactofgettingitawayfromtheislandpiecemeal，littlebylittle，wassurroundedbydifficulties，bythedangersofimminentdetection。HehadtovisittheGreatIsabelinsecret，betweenhisvoyagesalongthecoast，whichweretheostensiblesourceofhisfortune。Thecrewofhisownschoonerweretobefearedasiftheyhadbeenspiesupontheirdreadedcaptain。Hedidnotdarestaytoolonginport。Whenhiscoasterwasunloaded，hehurriedawayonanothertrip，forhefearedarousingsuspicionevenbyaday\'sdelay。Sometimesduringaweek\'sstay，ormore，hecouldonlymanageonevisittothetreasure。Andthatwasall。Acoupleofingots。

Hesufferedthroughhisfearsasmuchasthroughhisprudence。Todothingsbystealthhumiliatedhim。Andhesufferedmostfromtheconcentrationofhisthoughtuponthetreasure。

Atransgression，acrime，enteringaman\'sexistence，eatsituplikeamalignantgrowth，consumesitlikeafever。Nostromohadlosthispeace；

thegenuinenessofallhisqualitieswasdestroyed。Hefeltithimself，andoftencursedthesilverofSanTome。Hiscourage，hismagnificence，hisleisure，hiswork，everythingwasasbefore，onlyeverythingwasasham。Butthetreasurewasreal。Heclungtoitwithamoretenacious，mentalgrip。Buthehatedthefeeloftheingots。Sometimes，afterputingawayacoupleoftheminhiscabin——thefruitofasecretnightexpeditiontotheGreatIsabel——hewouldlookfixedlyathisfingers，asifsurprisedtheyhadleftnostainonhisskin。

Hehadfoundmeansofdisposingofthesilverbarsindistantports。

Thenecessitytogofarafieldmadehiscoastingvoyageslong，andcausedhisvisitstotheViolahouseholdtoberareandfarbetween。Hewasfatedtohavehiswifefromthere。HehadsaidsooncetoGiorgiohimself。ButtheGaribaldinohadputthesubjectasidewithamajesticwaveofhishand，clutchingasmoulderingblackbriar-rootpipe。Therewasplentyoftime；

hewasnotthemantoforcehisgirlsuponanybody。

Astimewenton，Nostromodiscoveredhispreferencefortheyoungerofthetwo。Theyhadsomeprofoundsimilaritiesofnature，whichmustexistforcompleteconfidenceandunderstanding，nomatterwhatoutwarddifferencesoftemperamenttheremaybetoexercisetheirownfascinationofcontrast。

Hiswifewouldhavetoknowhissecretorelselifewouldbeimpossible。

HewasattractedbyGiselle，withhercandidgazeandwhitethroat，pliable，silent，fondofexcitementunderherquietindolence；whereasLinda，withherintense，passionatelypaleface，energetic，allfireandwords，touchedwithgloomandscorn，achipofftheoldblock，truedaughteroftheaustererepublican，butwithTeresa\'svoice，inspiredhimwithadeep-seatedmistrust。

Moreover，thepoorgirlcouldnotconcealherloveforGian\'Battista。

Hecouldseeitwouldbeviolent，exacting，suspicious，uncompromising——likehersoul。Giselle，byherfairbutwarmbeauty，bythesurfaceplacidityofhernatureholdingapromiseofsubmissiveness，bythecharmofhergirlishmysteriousness，excitedhispassionandallayedhisfearsastothefuture。

HisabsencesfromSulacowerelong。Onreturningfromthelongestofthem，hemadeoutlightersloadedwithblocksofstonelyingunderthecliffoftheGreatIsabel；cranesandscaffoldingabove；workmen\'sfiguresmovingabout，andasmalllighthousealreadyrisingfromitsfoundationsontheedgeofthecliff。

Atthisunexpected，undreamt-of，startlingsight，hethoughthimselflostirretrievably。Whatcouldsavehimfromdetectionnow?Nothing！Hewasstruckwithamazeddreadatthisturnofchance，thatwouldkindleafar-reachinglightupontheonlysecretspotofhislife；thatlifewhoseveryessence，value，reality，consistedinitsreflectionfromtheadmiringeyesofmen。Allofitbutthatthingwhichwasbeyondcommoncomprehension；

whichstoodbetweenhimandthepowerthathearsandgiveseffecttotheevilintentionofcurses。Itwasdark。Noteverymanhadsuchadarkness。

Andtheyweregoingtoputalightthere。Alight！Hesawitshiningupondisgrace，poverty，contempt。Somebodywassureto……Perhapssomebodyhadalready……

TheincomparableNostromo，theCapataz，therespectedandfearedCaptainFidanza，theunquestionedpatronofsecretsocieties，arepublicanlikeoldGiorgio，andarevolutionistatheart(butinanothermanner)，wasonthepointofjumpingoverboardfromthedeckofhisownschooner。Thatman，subjectivealmosttoinsanity，lookedsuicidedeliberatelyintheface。Butheneverlosthishead。Hewascheckedbythethoughtthatthiswasnoescape。Heimaginedhimselfdead，andthedisgrace，theshamegoingon。Or，rather，properlyspeaking，hecouldnotimaginehimselfdead。Hewaspossessedtoostronglybythesenseofhisownexistence，athingofinfinitedurationinitschanges，tograspthenotionoffinality。Theearthgoesonforever。

Andhewascourageous。Itwasacorruptcourage，butitwasasgoodforhispurposesastheotherkind。HesailedclosetothecliffoftheGreatIsabel，throwingapenetratingglancefromthedeckatthemouthoftheravine，tangledinanundisturbedgrowthofbushes。Hesailedcloseenoughtoexchangehailswiththeworkmen，shadingtheireyesontheedgeofthesheerdropofthecliffoverhungbythejib-headofapowerfulcrane。

Heperceivedthatnoneofthemhadanyoccasioneventoapproachtheravinewherethesilverlayhidden；letalonetoenterit。Intheharbourhelearnedthatnoonesleptontheisland。Thelabouringgangsreturnedtoporteveryevening，singingchorussongsintheemptylighterstowedbyaharbourtug。Forthemomenthehadnothingtofear。

Butafterwards?heaskedhimself。Later，whenakeepercametoliveinthecottagethatwasbeingbuiltsomehundredandfiftyyardsbackfromthelowlight-tower，andfourhundredorsofromthedark，shaded，junglyravine，containingthesecretofhissafety，ofhisinfluence，ofhismagnificence，ofhispoweroverthefuture，ofhisdefianceofill-luck，ofeverypossiblebetrayalfromrichandpooralike——whatthen?Hecouldnevershakeoffthetreasure。Hisaudacity，greaterthanthatofothermen，hadweldedthatveinofsilverintohislife。Andthefeelingoffearfulandardentsubjection，thefeelingofhisslavery——soirremediableandprofoundthatoften，inhisthoughts，hecomparedhimselftothelegendarygringos，neitherdeadnoralive，bounddowntotheirconquestofunlawfulwealthonAzuera——weighedheavilyontheindependentCaptainFidanza，ownerandmasterofacoastingschooner，whosesmartappearance(andfabulousgoodluckintrading)weresowellknownalongthewesternseaboardofavastcontinent。

Fiercelywhiskeredandgrave，ashadelesssuppleinhiswalk，thevigourandsymmetryofhispowerfullimbslostinthevulgarityofabrowntweedsuit，madebyJewsintheslumsofLondon，andsoldbytheclothingdepartmentoftheCompaniaAnzani，CaptainFidanzawasseeninthestreetsofSulacoattendingtohisbusiness，asusual，thattrip。And，asusual，heallowedittogetaboutthathehadmadeagreatprofitonhiscargo。Itwasacargoofsaltfish，andLentwasapproaching。Hewasseenintramcarsgoingtoandfrobetweenthetownandtheharbour；hetalkedwithpeopleinacafeortwoinhismeasured，steadyvoice。CaptainFidanzawasseen。ThegenerationthatwouldknownothingofthefamousridetoCaytawasnotbornyet。

Nostromo，themiscalledCapatazdeCargadores，hadmadeforhimself，underhisrightfulname，anotherpublicexistence，butmodifiedbythenewconditions，lesspicturesque，moredifficulttokeepupintheincreasedsizeandvariedpopulationofSulaco，theprogressivecapitaloftheOccidentalRepublic。

CaptainFidanza，unpicturesque，butalwaysalittlemysterious，wasrecognizedquitesufficientlyundertheloftyglassandironroofoftheSulacorailwaystation。Hetookalocaltrain，andgotoutinRincon，wherehevisitedthewidowofthecargadorwhohaddiedofhiswounds(atthedawnoftheNewEra，likeDonJoseAvellanos)inthepatiooftheCasaGould。Heconsentedtositdownanddrinkaglassofcoollemonadeinthehut，whilethewoman，standingup，pouredaperfecttorrentofwordstowhichhedidnotlisten。Heleftsomemoneywithher，asusual。Theorphanedchildren，growingupandwellschooled，callinghimuncle，clamouredforhisblessing。Hegavethat，too；andinthedoorwaypausedforamomenttolookattheflatfaceoftheSanTomemountainwithafaintfrown。Thisslightcontractionofhisbronzedbrowcastingamarkedtingeofseverityuponhisusualunbendingexpression，wasobservedattheLodgewhichheattended——butwentawaybeforethebanquet。Heworeitatthemeetingofsomegoodcomrades，ItaliansandOccidentals，assembledinhishonourunderthepresidencyofanindigent，sickly，somewhathunchbackedlittlephotographer，withawhitefaceandamagnanimoussouldyedcrimsonbyabloodthirstyhateofallcapitalists，oppressorsofthetwohemispheres。

TheheroicGiorgioViola，oldrevolutionist，wouldhaveunderstoodnothingofhisopeningspeech；andCaptainFidanza，lavishlygenerousasusualtosomepoorcomrades，madenospeechatall。Hehadlistened，frowningwithhismindfaraway，andwalkedoffunapproachable，silent，likeamanfullofcares。

Hisfrowndeepenedas，intheearlymorning，hewatchedthestone-masonsgoofftotheGreatIsabel，inlightersloadedwithsquaredblocksofstone，enoughtoaddanothercoursetothesquatlight-tower。Thatwastherateofthework。Onecourseperday。

AndCaptainFidanzameditated。Thepresenceofstrangersontheislandwouldcuthimcompletelyoffthetreasure。Ithadbeendifficultanddangerousenoughbefore。Hewasafraid，andhewasangry。Hethoughtwiththeresolutionofamasterandthecunningofacowedslave。Thenhewentashore。

Hewasamanofresourceandingenuity；and，asusual，theexpedienthefoundatacriticalmomentwaseffectiveenoughtoalterthesituationradically。Hehadthegiftofevolvingsafetyoutoftheverydanger，thisincomparableNostromo，this`fellowinathousand\'。WithGiorgioestablishedontheGreatIsabel，therewouldbenoneedforconcealment。Hewouldbeabletogoopenly，indaylight，toseehisdaughters——oneofhisdaughters——andstaylatetalkingtotheoldGaribaldino。Theninthedark……

Nightafternight……Hewoulddaretogrowrichquickernow。Heyearnedtoclasp，embrace，absorb，subjugateinunquestionedpossessionthistreasure，whosetyrannyhadweigheduponhismind，hisactions，hisverysleep。

HewenttoseehisfriendCaptainMitchell——andthethingwasdoneasDrMonyghamhadrelatedtoMrsGould。WhentheprojectwasmootedtotheGaribaldino，somethinglikethefaintreflection，thedimghostofaveryancientsmile，stoleunderthewhiteandenormousmoustachesoftheoldhaterofkingsandministers。Hisdaughtersweretheobjectofhisanxiouscare。Theyounger，especially。Linda，withhermother\'svoice，hadtakenmorehermother\'splace。Herdeep，vibrating`Eh，Padre?\'seemed，butforthechangeoftheword，theveryechooftheimpassioned，remonstrating`Eh，Giorgio?\'ofpoorSignoraTeresa。Itwashisfixedopinionthatthetownwasnoproperplaceforhisgirls。TheinfatuatedbutguilelessRamirezwastheobjectofhisprofoundaversion，asresumingthesinsofthecountrywhosepeoplewereblind，vileesclavos。

Onhisreturnfromhisnextvoyage，CaptainFidanzafoundtheViolassettledinthelight-keeper\'scottage。HisknowledgeofGiorgio\'sidiosyncrasieshadnotplayedhimfalse。TheGaribaldinohadrefusedtoentertaintheideaofanycompanionwhatever，excepthisgirls。AndCaptainMitchell，anxioustopleasehispoorNostromo，withthatfelicityofinspirationwhichonlytrueaffectioncangive，hadformallyappointedLindaViolaasunder-keeperoftheIsabel\'sLight。

`Thelightisprivateproperty，\'heusedtoexplain。`ItbelongstomyCompany。I\'vethepowertonominatewhomIlike，andViolaitshallbe。It\'sabouttheonlythingNostromo——amanworthhisweightingold，mindyou——haseveraskedmetodoforhim。\'

DirectlyhisschoonerwasanchoredoppositetheNewCustomHouse，withitsshamairofaGreektemple，flat-roofed，withacolonnade，CaptainFidanzawentpullinghissmallboatoutoftheharbour，boundfortheGreatIsabel，openlyinthelightofadecliningday，beforeallmen\'seyes，withasenseofhavingmasteredthefates。Hemustestablisharegularposition。Hewouldaskhimforhisdaughternow。HethoughtofGiselleashepulled。Lindalovedhim，perhaps，buttheoldmanwouldbegladtokeeptheeldest，whohadhiswife\'svoice。

HedidnotpullforthenarrowstrandwherehehadlandedwithDecoud，andafterwardsaloneonhisfirstvisittothetreasure。Hemadeforthebeachattheotherend，andwalkeduptheregularandgentleslopeofthewedge-shapedisland。GiorgioViola，whomhesawfromafar，sittingonabenchunderthefrontwallofthecottage，liftedhisarmslightlytohisloudhail。Hewalkedup。Neitherofthegirlsappeared。

`Itisgoodhere，\'saidtheoldman，inhisaustere，far-awaymanner。

Nostromonodded；then，afterashortsilence:

`Yousawmyschoonerpassinnottwohoursago?DoyouknowwhyIamherebefore，sotospeak，myanchorhasfairlybittenintothegroundofthisportofSulaco?\'

`Youarewelcomelikeason，\'theoldmandeclared，quietly，staringawayuponthesea。

`Ah！thyson。Iknow。Iamwhatthysonwouldhavebeen。Itiswell，viejo。Itisaverygoodwelcome。Listen，Ihavecometoaskyoufor——\'

AsuddendreadcameuponthefearlessandincorruptibleNostromo。Hedarednotutterthenameinhismind。Theslightpauseonlyimpartedamarkedweightandsolemnitytothechangedendofthephrase。

`Formywife！\'……Hisheartwasbeatingfast。`Itistimeyou——\'

TheGaribaldinoarrestedhimwithanextendedarm。`Thatwasleftforyoutojudge。\'

Hegotupslowly。Hisbeard，unclippedsinceTeresa\'sdeath，thick，snow-white，coveredhispowerfulchest。Heturnedhisheadtothedoor，andcalledoutinhisstrongvoice:

`Linda。\'

Heranswercamesharpandfaintfromwithin；andtheappalledNostromostoodup，too，butremainedmute，gazingatthedoor。Hewasafraid。Hewasnotafraidofbeingrefusedthegirlheloved——nomererefusalcouldstandbetweenhimandawomanhedesired——buttheshiningspectreofthetreasurerosebeforehim，claiminghisallegianceinasilencethatcouldnotbegainsaid。Hewasafraid，because，neitherdeadnoralive，likethegringosonAzuera，hebelongedbodyandsoultotheunlawfulnessofhisaudacity。Hewasafraidofbeingforbiddentheisland。Hewasafraid，andsaidnothing。

Seeingthetwomenstandingupsidebysidetoawaither，Lindastoppedinthedoorway。Nothingcouldalterthepassionatedeadwhitenessofherface；butherblackeyesseemedtocatchandconcentrateallthelightofthelowsuninaflamingsparkwithintheblackdepths，coveredatoncebytheslowdescentofheavyeyelids。

`Beholdthyhusband，master，andbenefactor。\'OldViola\'svoiceresoundedwithaforcethatseemedtofillthewholegulf。

Shesteppedforwardwithhereyesnearlyclosed，likeasleepwalkerinabeatificdream。

Nostromomadeasuperhumaneffort。`Itistime，Linda，wetwowerebetrothed，\'

hesaid，steadily，inhislevel，careless，unbendingtone。

Sheputherhandintohisofferedpalm，loweringherhead，darkwithbronzeglints，uponwhichherfather\'shandrestedforamoment。

`Andsothesoulofthedeadissatisfied。\'

ThiscamefromGiorgioViola，whowentontalkingforawhileofhisdeadwife；whilethetwo，sittingsidebyside，neverlookedateachother。

Thentheoldmanceased；andLinda，motionless，begantospeak。

`EversinceIfeltIlivedintheworld，Ihavelivedforyoualone，Gian\'Battista。Andthatyouknew！Youknewit……Battistino。\'

Shepronouncedthenameexactlywithhermother\'sintonation。AgloomasofthegravecoveredNostromo\'sheart。

`Yes。Iknew，\'hesaid。

TheheroicGaribaldinosatonthesamebenchbowinghishoaryhead，hisoldsouldwellingalonewithitsmemories，tenderandviolent，terribleanddreary——solitaryontheearthfullofmen。

AndLinda，hisbest-loveddaughter，wassaying，`IwasyourseversinceIcanremember。Ihadonlytothinkofyoufortheearthtobecomeemptytomyeyes。Whenyouwerethere，Icouldseenooneelse。Iwasyours。

Nothingischanged。Theworldbelongstoyou，andyouletmeliveinit……\'Shedroppedherlow，vibratingvoicetoastilllowernote，andfoundotherthingstosay——torturingforthemanatherside。Hermurmurranonardentandvoluble。Shedidnotseemtoseehersister，whocameoutwithanaltar-clothshewasembroideringinherhands，andpassedinfrontofthem，silent，fresh，fair，withaquickglanceandafaintsmile，tositalittleawayontheothersideofNostromo。

Theeveningwasstill。Thesunsankalmosttotheedgeofapurpleocean；

andthewhitelighthouse，lividagainstthebackgroundofcloudsfillingtheheadofthegulf，borethelanternredandglowing，likealiveemberkindledbythefireofthesky。Giselle，indolentanddemure，raisedthealtar-clothfromtimetotimetohidenervousyawns，asofayoungpanther。

SuddenlyLindarushedathersister，and，seizingherhead，coveredherfacewithkisses。Nostromo\'sbrainreeled。Whenshelefther，asifstunnedbytheviolentcaresses，withherhandslyinginherlap，theslaveofthetreasurefeltasifhecouldshootthatwoman。OldGiorgioliftedhisleoninehead。

`Whereareyougoing，Linda?\'

`Tothelight，padremio。\'

`Si，si——toyourduty。\'

Hegotup，too，lookedafterhiseldestdaughter；then，inatonewhosefestivenoteseemedtheechoofamoodlostinthenightofages:

`Iamgoingintocooksomething。Aha！Son！Theoldmanknowswheretofindabottleofwine，too。\'

HeturnedtoGiselle，withachangetoausteretenderness。

`Andyou，littleone，praynottotheGodofpriestsandslaves，buttotheGodoforphans，oftheoppressed，ofthepoor，oflittlechildren，togivetheeamanlikethisoneforahusband。\'

HishandrestedheavilyforamomentonNostromo\'sshoulder；thenhewentin。ThehopelessslaveoftheSanTomesilverfeltatthesewordsthevenomousfangsofjealousybitingdeepintohisheart。Hewasappalledbythenoveltyoftheexperience，byitsforce，byitsphysicalintimacy。

Ahusband！Ahusbandforher！AndyetitwasnaturalthatGiselleshouldhaveahusbandatsometimeorother。Hehadneverrealizedthatbefore。

IndiscoveringthatherbeautycouldbelongtoanotherhefeltasthoughhecouldkillthisoneofoldGiorgio\'sdaughtersalso。Hemutteredmoodily:

`TheysayyouloveRamirez。\'

Sheshookherheadwithoutlookingathim。Copperyglintsrippledtoandfroonthewealthofhergoldhair。Hersmoothforeheadhadthesoft，puresheenofapricelesspearlinthesplendourofthesunset，minglingthegloomofstarryspaces，thepurpleofthesea，andthecrimsonoftheskyinamagnificentstillness。

`No，\'shesaid，slowly。`Ineverlovedhim。IthinkInever……Helovesme——perhaps。\'

Theseductionofherslowvoicediedoutoftheair，andherraisedeyesremainedfixedonnothing，asifindifferentandwithoutthought。

`Ramireztoldyouhelovedyou?\'askedNostromo，restraininghimself。

`Ah！once——oneevening……\'

`Themiserable……Ha！\'

Hehadjumpedupasifstungbyagad-fly，andstoodbeforehermutewithanger。

`MisericordiaDivina！You，too，Gian\'Battista！PoorwretchthatIam！\'shelamentediningenuoustones。`ItoldLinda，andshescolded——shescolded。AmItoliveblind，dumb，anddeafinthisworld?Andshetoldfather，whotookdownhisgunandcleanedit。PoorRamirez！Thenyoucame，andshetoldyou。\'

Helookedather。Hefastenedhiseyesuponthehollowofherwhitethroat，whichhadtheinvinciblecharmofthingsyoung，palpitating，delicate，andalive。Wasthisthechildhehadknown?Wasitpossible?Itdawneduponhimthatintheselastyearshehadreallyseenverylittle——nothing——ofher。Nothing。Shehadcomeintotheworldlikeathingunknown。Shehadcomeuponhimunawares。Shewasadanger。Afrightfuldanger。Theinstinctivemoodoffiercedeterminationthathadneverfailedhimbeforetheperilsofthislifeaddeditssteadyforcetotheviolenceofhispassion。She，inavoicethatrecalledtohimthesongofrunningwater，thetinklingofasilverbell，continued:

`Andbetweenyouthreeyouhavebroughtmehereintothiscaptivitytotheskyandwater。Nothingelse。Skyandwater。Oh，SantissimaMadre。

Myhairshallturngreyonthistediousisland。Icouldhateyou，Gian\'

Battista！\'

Helaughedloudly。Hervoiceenvelopedhimlikeacaress。Shebemoanedherfate，spreadingunconsciously，likeafloweritsperfumeinthecoolnessoftheevening，theindefinableseductionofherperson。WasitherfaultthatnobodyeverhadadmiredLinda?Evenwhentheywerelittle，goingoutwiththeirmothertoMass，sherememberedthatpeopletooknonoticeofLinda，whowasfearless，andchoseinsteadtofrightenher，whowastimid，withtheirattention。Itwasherhairlikegold，shesupposed。

Hebrokeout:

`Yourhairlikegold，andyoureyeslikeviolets，andyourlipsliketherose；yourroundarms，yourwhitethroat……\'

Imperturbableintheindolenceofherpose，sheblusheddeeplyallovertotherootsofherhair。Shewasnotconceited。Shewasnomoreself-consciousthanaflower。Butshewaspleased。Andperhapsevenaflowerlovestohearitselfpraised。Heglanceddown，andadded，impetuously:

`Yourlittlefeet！\'

Leaningbackagainsttheroughstonewallofthecottage，sheseemedtobasklanguidlyinthewarmthoftherosyflush。Onlyherloweredeyesglancedatherlittlefeet。

`AndsoyouaregoingatlasttomarryourLinda。Sheisterrible。Ah！

nowshewillunderstandbettersinceyouhavetoldheryouloveher。Shewillnotbesofierce。\'

`Chica！\'saidNostromo，`Ihavenottoldheranything。\'

`Thenmakehaste。Cometomorrow。Comeandtellher，sothatImayhavesomepeacefromherscoldingand——perhaps——whoknows……\'

`BeallowedtolistentoyourRamirez，eh?Isthatit?You……\'

`MercyofGod！Howviolentyouare，Giovanni，\'shesaid，unmoved。`WhoisRamirez……Ramirez……Whoishe?\'sherepeated，dreamily，intheduskandgloomofthecloudedgulf，withalowredstreakinthewestlikeahotbarofglowingironlaidacrosstheentranceofaworldsombreasacavern，wherethemagnificentCapatazdeCargadoreshadhiddenhisconquestsofloveandwealth。

`Listen，Giselle，\'hesaid，inmeasuredtones；`Iwilltellnowordoflovetoyoursister。Doyouwanttoknowwhy?\'

`Alas！Icouldnotunderstandperhaps，Giovanni。Fathersaysyouarenotlikeothermen；thatnoonehaseverunderstoodyouproperly；thattherichwillbesurprisedyet……Oh！saintsinheaven！Iamweary。\'

Sheraisedherembroiderytoconcealthelowerpartofherface，thenletitfallonherlap。Thelanternwasshadedonthelandside，butslantingawayfromthedarkcolumnofthelighthousetheycouldseethelongshaftoflight，kindledbyLinda，goouttostriketheexpiringglowinahorizonofpurpleandred。

GiselleViola，withherheadrestingagainstthewallofthehouse，hereyeshalfclosed，andherlittlefeet，inwhitestockingsandblackslippers，crossedovereachother，seemedtosurrenderherself，tranquilandfatal，tothegatheringdusk。Thecharmofherbody，thepromisingmysteriousnessofherindolence，wentoutintothenightofthePlacidGulflikeafreshandintoxicatingfragrancespreadingoutintheshadows，impregnatingtheair。TheincorruptibleNostromobreathedherambientseductioninthetumultuousheavingofhisbreast。BeforeleavingtheharbourhehadthrownoffthestoreclothingofCaptainFidanza，forgreatereaseinthelongpullouttotheislands。HestoodbeforeherintheredsashandcheckshirtasheusedtoappearontheCompany\'swharf——aMediterraneansailorcomeashoretotryhisluckinCostaguana。Theduskofpurpleandredenvelopedhim，too——close，soft，profound，asnomorethanfiftyyardsfromthatspotithadgatheredeveningaftereveningabouttheself-destructivepassionofDonMartinDecoud\'sutterscepticism，flaminguptodeathinsolitude。

`Youhavegottohear，\'hebeganatlast，withperfectselfcontrol。

`Ishallsaynowordoflovetoyoursister，towhomIambetrothedfromthisevening，becauseitisyouthatIlove。Itisyou！……\'

Thedusklethimseeyetthetenderandvoluptuoussmilethatcameinstinctivelyuponherlipsshapedforloveandkisses，freezehardinthedrawn，haggardlinesofterror。Hecouldnotrestrainhimselfanylonger。Whilesheshrankfromhisapproach，herarmswentouttohim，abandonedandregalinthedignityofherlanguidsurrender。Heheldherheadinhistwohands，andshoweredrapidkissesupontheupturnedfacethatgleamedinthepurpledusk。Masterfulandtender，hewasenteringslowlyuponthefullnessofhispossession。Andheperceivedthatshewascrying。ThentheincomparableCapataz，themanofcarelessloves，becamegentleandcaressing，likeawomantothegriefofachild。Hemurmuredtoherfondly。Hesatdownbyherandnursedherfairheadonhisbreast。Hecalledherhisstarandhislittleflower。

Ithadgrowndark。Fromtheliving-roomofthelight-keeper\'scottage，whereGiorgio，oneoftheImmortalThousand，wasbendinghisleonineandheroicheadoveracharcoalfire，therecamethesoundofsizzlingandthearomaofanartisticfrittura。

Intheobscuredisarrayofthatthing，happeninglikeacataclysm，itwasinherfeminineheadthatsomegleamofreasonsurvived。Hewaslosttotheworldintheirembracedstillness。Butshesaid，whisperingintohisear:

`Godofmercy！Whatwillbecomeofme——here——now——betweenthisskyandthiswaterIhate?Linda，Linda——Iseeher！……\'Shetriedtogetoutofhisarms，suddenlyrelaxedatthesoundofthatname。Buttherewasnooneapproachingtheirblackshapes，enlacedandstrugglingonthewhitebackroundofthewall。`Linda！PoorLinda！Itremble！IshalldieoffearbeforemypoorsisterLinda，betrothedtodaytoGiovanni——

mylover！Giovanni，youmusthavebeenmad！Icannotunderstandyou！Youarenotlikeothermen！Iwillnotgiveyouup——never——onlytoGodhimself！Butwhyhaveyoudonethisblind，mad，cruel，frightfulthing?\'

Released，shehungherhead，letfallherhands。Thealtarcloth，asiftossedbyagreatwind，layfarawayfromthem，gleamingwhiteontheblackground。

`Fromfearoflosingmyhopeofyou，\'saidNostromo。

`Youknewthatyouhadmysoul！Youknoweverything！Itwasmadeforyou！Butwhatcouldstandbetweenyouandme?What?Tellme！\'sherepeated，withoutimpatience，insuperbassurance。

`Yourdeadmother，\'hesaid，verylow。

`Ah！……Poormother！Shehasalways……Sheisasaintinheavennow，andIcannotgiveyouuptoher。No，Giovanni。OnlytoGodalone。

Youweremad——butitisdone。Oh！whathaveyoudone?Giovanni，mybeloved，mylife，mymaster，donotleavemehereinthisgraveofclouds。Youcannotleavemenow。Youmusttakemeaway——atonce——thisinstant——inthelittleboat。Giovanni，carrymeofftonight，frommyfearofLinda\'seyes，beforeIhavetolookatheragain。\'

Shenestledclosetohim。TheslaveoftheSanTomesilverfelttheweightasofchainsuponhislimbs，apressureasofacoldhanduponhislips。Hestruggledagainstthespell。

`Icannot，\'hesaid。`Notyet。Thereissomethingthatstandsbetweenustwoandthefreedomoftheworld。\'

Shepressedherformclosertohissidewithasubtleandnaiveinstinctofseduction。

`Yourave，Giovanni——mylover！\'shewhispered，engagingly。`Whatcantherebe?Carrymeoff——inthyveryhands——toDonaEmilia——awayfromhere。Iamnotveryheavy。\'

Itseemedasthoughsheexpectedhimtoliftherupatonceinhistwopalms。Shehadlostthenotionofallimpossibility。Anythingcouldhappenonthisnightofwonder。Ashemadenomovement，shealmostcriedaloud:

`ItellyouIamafraidofLinda！\'Andstillhedidnotmove。Shebecamequietandwily。`Whatcantherebe?\'sheasked，coaxingly。

Hefeltherwarm，breathing，alive，quiveringinthehollowofhisarm。

Intheexultingconsciousnessofhisstrength，andthetriumphantexcitementofhismind，hestruckoutforhisfreedom。

`Atreasure，\'hesaid。Allwasstill。Shedidnotunderstand。`Atreasure。

Atreasureofsilvertobuyagoldcrownforthybrow。\'

`Atreasure?\'sherepeatedinafaintvoice，asiffromthedepthsofadream。`Whatisityousay?\'

Shedisengagedherselfgently。Hegotupandlookeddownather，awareofherface，ofherhair，herlips，thedimplesonhercheeks——seeingthefascinationofherpersoninthenightofthegulfasifintheblazeofnoonday。Hernonchalantandseductivevoicetrembledwiththeexcitementofadmiringaweandungovernablecuriosity。

`Atreasureofsilver！\'shestammeredout。Thenpressedonfaster:`What?

Where?Howdidyougetit，Giovanni?\'

Hewrestledwiththespellofcaptivity。Itwasasifstrikingaheroicblowthatheburstout:

`Likeathief！\'

ThedensestblacknessofthePlacidGulfseemedtofalluponhishead。

Hecouldnotseehernow。Shehadvanishedintoalong，obscure，abysmalsilence，whencehervoicecamebacktohimafteratimewithafaintglimmer，whichwasherface。

`Iloveyou！Iloveyou！\'

Thesewordsgavehimanunwontedsenseoffreedom；theycastaspellstrongerthantheaccursedspellofthetreasure；theychangedhiswearysubjectiontothatdeadthingintoanexultingconvictionofhispower。

Hewouldcherishher，hesaid，inasplendourasgreatasDonaEmilia\'s。

Therichlivedonwealthstolenfromthepeople，buthehadtakenfromtherichnothing——nothingthatwasnotlosttothemalreadybytheirfollyandtheirbetrayal。Forhehadbeenbetrayed——hesaid——deceived，tempted。Shebelievedhim……Hehadkeptthetreasureforpurposesofrevenge；butnowhecarednothingforit。Hecaredonlyforher。Hewouldputherbeautyinapalaceonahillcrownedwitholivetrees——

awhitepalaceaboveabluesea。Hewouldkeephertherelikeajewelinacasket。Hewouldgetlandforher——herownlandfertilewithvinesandcorn——tosetherlittlefeetupon。Hekissedthem……Hehadalreadypaidforitallwiththesoulofawomanandthelifeofaman……TheCapatazdeCargadorestastedthesupremeintoxicationofhisgenerosity。

Heflungthemasteredtreasuresuperblyatherfeetintheimpenetrabledarknessofthegulf，inthedarknessdefying——asmensaid——theknowledgeofGodandthewitofthedevil。Butshemustlethimgrowrichfirst——

hewarnedher。

Shelistenedasifinatrance。Herfingerstirredinhishair。Hegotupfromhiskneesreeling，weak，empty，asthoughhehadflunghissoulaway。

`Makehaste，then，\'shesaid。`Makehaste，Giovanni，mylover，mymaster，forIwillgivetheeuptonoonebutGod。AndIamafraidofLinda。\'

Heguessedathershudder，andsworetodohisbest。Hetrustedthecourageofherlove。Shepromisedtobebraveinordertobelovedalways——farawayinawhitepalaceuponahillaboveabluesea。Thenwithatimid，tentativeeagernessshemurmured:

`Whereisit?Where?Tellmethat，Giovanni。\'

Heopenedhismouthandremainedsilent——thunderstruck。

`Notthat！Notthat！\'hegaspedout，appalledatthespellofsecrecythathadkepthimdumbbeforesomanypeoplefallinguponhislipsagainwithunimpairedforce。Noteventoher。Noteventoher。Itwastoodangerous。

`Iforbidtheetoask，\'hecriedather，deadeningcautiouslytheangerofhisvoice。

Hehadnotregainedhisfreedom。Thespectreoftheunlawfultreasurearose，standingbyhersidelikeafigureofsilver，pitilessandsecret，withafingeronitspalelips。Hissouldiedwithinhimatthevisionofhimselfcreepinginpresentlyalongtheravine，withthesmellofearth，ofdampfoliageinhisnostrils——creepingin，determinedinapurposethatnumbedhisbreast，andcreepingoutagainloadedwithsilver，withhisearsalerttoeverysound。Itmustbedoneonthisverynight——thatworkofacravenslave！

Hestoopedlow，pressedthehemofherskirttohislips，withamutteredcommand:

`TellhimIwouldnotstay，\'andwasgonesuddenlyfromher，silent，withoutasmuchasafootfallinthedarknight。

Shesatstill，herheadrestingindolentlyagainstthewall，andherlittlefeetinwhitestockingsandblackslipperscrossedovereachother。

OldGiorgio，comingout，didnotseemtobesurprisedattheintelligenceasmuchasshehadvaguelyfeared。Forshewasfullofinexplicablefearnow——fearofeverythingandeverybodyexceptofherGiovanniandhistreasure。Butthatwasincredible。

TheheroicGaribaldinoacceptedNostromo\'sabruptdeparturewithasagaciousindulgence。Herememberedhisownfeelings，andexhibitedamasculinepenetrationofthetruestateofthecase。

`Vabene。Lethimgo。Ha！ha！Nomatterhowfairthewoman，itgallsalittle。Liberty，liberty。There\'smorethanonekind！Hehassaidthegreatword，andsonGian\'Battistaisnottame。\'HeseemedtobeinstructingthemotionlessandscaredGiselle……`Amanshouldnotbetame，\'headded，dogmaticallyoutofthedoorway。Herstillnessandsilenceseemedtodispleasehim。`Donotgivewaytotheenviousnessofyoursister\'slot，\'headmonishedher，verygrave，inhisdeepvoice。

Presentlyhehadtocometothedooragaintocallinhisyoungerdaughter。

Itwaslate。Heshoutedhernamethreetimesbeforesheevenmovedherhead。Leftalone，shehadbecomethehelplesspreyofastonishment。ShewalkedintothebedroomshesharedwithLindalikeapersonprofoundlyasleep。ThataspectwassomarkedthatevenoldGiorgio，spectacled，raisinghiseyesfromtheBible，shookhisheadassheshutthedoorbehindher。

Shewalkedrightacrosstheroomwithoutlookingatanything，andsatdownatoncebytheopenwindow。Linda，stealingdownfromthetowerintheexuberanceofherhappiness，foundherwithalightedcandleatherback，facingtheblacknightfullofsighinggustsofwindandthesoundofdistantshowers——atruenightofthegulf，toodensefortheeyeofGodandthewilesofthedevil。Shedidnotturnherheadattheopeningofthedoor。

TherewassomethinginthatimmobilitywhichreachedLindainthedepthsofherparadise。Theeldersisterguessedangrily:thechildisthinkingofthatwretchedRamirez。Lindalongedtotalk。Shesaidinherarbitraryvoice，`Giselle！\'andwasnotansweredbytheslightestmovement。

Thegirlthatwasgoingtoliveinapalaceandwalkongroundofherownwasreadytodiewithterror。Notforanythingintheworldwouldshehaveturnedherheadtofacehersister。Herheartwasbeatingmadly。Shesaidwithsubduedhaste:

`Donotspeaktome。Iampraying。\'

Linda，disappointed，wentoutquietly；andGisellesaton，unbelieving，lost，dazed，patient，asifwaitingfortheconfirmationoftheincredible。

Thehopelessblacknessofthecloudsseemedpartofadream，too。Shewaited。

Shedidnotwaitinvain。Themanwhosesoulwasdeadwithinhim，creepingoutoftheravine，weightedwithsilver，hadseenthegleamofthelightedwindow，andcouldnothelpretracinghisstepsfromthebeach。

Onthatimpenetrablebackground，obliteratingtheloftymountainsbytheseaboard，shesawtheslaveoftheSanTomesilver，asifbyanextraordinarypowerofamiracle。Sheacceptedhisreturnasifhenceforththeworldcouldholdnosurpriseforalleternity。

Sherose，compelledandrigid，andbegantospeaklongbeforethelightfromwithinfelluponthefaceoftheapproachingman。

`Youhavecomebacktocarrymeoff。Itiswell！Openthyarms，Giovanni，mylover。Iamcoming。\'

Hisprudentfootstepsstopped，andwithhiseyesglisteningwildly，hespokeinaharshvoice:

`Notyet。Imustgrowrichslowly。\'……Athreateningnotecameintohistone。`Donotforgetthatyouhaveathiefforyourlover。\'

`Yes！Yes！\'shewhispered，hastily。`Comenearer！Listen！Donotgivemeup，Giovanni！Never，never！……Iwillbepatient！……\'

Herformdroopedconsolinglyoverthelowcasementtowardstheslaveoftheunlawfultreasure。Thelightintheroomwentout，andweightedwithsilver，themagnificentCapatazclaspedherroundherwhiteneckinthedarknessofthegulfasadrowningmanclutchesatastraw。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part3Chapter1313OnthedayMrsGouldwasgoing，inDrMonygham\'swords，to`giveatertulia\'，CaptainFidanzawentdownthesideofhisschoonerlyinginSulacoharbour，calm，unbending，deliberateinthewayhesatdowninhisdinghyandtookuphissculls。Hewaslaterthanusual。TheafternoonwaswelladvancedbeforehelandedonthebeachoftheGreatIsabel，andwithasteadypaceclimbedtheslopeoftheisland。

FromadistancehemadeoutGisellesittinginachairtiltedbackagainsttheendofthehouse，underthewindowofthegirl\'sroom。Shehadherembroideryinherhands，andhelditwelluptohereyes。Thetranquillityofthatgirlishfigureexasperatedthefeelingofperpetualstruggleandstrifehecarriedinhisbreast。Hebecameangry。Itseemedtohimthatsheoughttoheartheclankingofhisfetters——hissilverfetters，fromafar。Andwhileashorethatday，hehadmetthedoctorwiththeevileye，whohadlookedathimveryhard。

Theraisingofhereyesmollifiedhim。Theysmiledintheirflower-likefreshnessstraightuponhisheart。Thenshefrowned。Itwasawarningtobecautious。Hestoppedsomedistanceaway，andinaloud，indifferenttone，said:

`Goodday，Giselle。IsLindaupyet?\'

`Yes。Sheisinthebigroomwithfather。\'

Heapproachedthen，and，lookingthroughthewindowintothebedroomforfearofbeingdetectedbyLindareturningthereforsomereason，hesaid，movingonlyhislips:

`Youloveme?\'

`Morethanmylife，\'Shewentonwithherembroideryunderhiscontemplatinggazeandcontinuedtospeak，lookingatherwork，`OrIcouldnotlive。

Icouldnot，Giovanni。Forthislifeislikedeath。Oh，Giovanni，Ishallperishifyoudonottakemeaway。\'

Hesmiledcarelessly。`Iwillcometothewindowwhenit\'sdark，\'hesaid。

`No，don\'t，Giovanni。Nottonight。Lindaandfatherhavebeentalkingtogetherforalongtimetoday。\'

`Whatabout?\'

`Ramirez，IfancyIheard。Idonotknow。Iamafraid。Iamalwaysafraid。

Itislikedyingathousandtimesaday。Yourloveistomelikeyourtreasuretoyou。Itisthere，butIcannevergetenoughofit。\'

Helookedatherverystill。Shewasbeautiful。Hisdesirehadgrownwithinhim。Hehadtwomastersnow。Butshewasincapableofsustainedemotion。Shewassincereinwhatshesaid，butshesleptplacidlyatnight。

Whenshesawhimsheflamedupalways。Thenonlyanincreasedtaciturnitymarkedthechangeinher。Shewasafraidofbetrayingherself。Shewasafraidofpain，ofbodilyharm，ofsharpwords，offacinganger，andwitnessingviolence。Forhersoulwaslightandtenderwithapagansincerityinitsimpulses。Shemurmured:

`Giveupthepalazzo，Giovanni，andthevineyardonthehills，forwhichwearestarvingourlove。\'

Sheceased，seeingLindastandingsilentatthecornerofthehouse。

Nostromoturnedtohisaffiancedwifewithagreeting，andwasamazedathersunkeneyes，atherhollowcheeks，attheairofillnessandanguishinherface。

`Haveyoubeenill?\'heasked，tryingtoputsomeconcernintothisquestion。

Herblackeyesblazedathim。`AmIthinner?\'sheasked。

`Yes——perhaps——alittle。\'

`Andolder?\'

`Everydaycounts——forallofus。\'

`Ishallgogrey，Ifear，beforetheringisonmyfinger，\'shesaid，slowly，keepinghergazefasteneduponhim。

Shewaitedforwhathewouldsay，rollingdownherturnedupsleeves。

`Nofearofthat，\'hesaid，absently。

Sheturnedawayasifithadbeensomethingfinal，andbusiedherselfwithhouseholdcareswhileNostromotalkedwithherfather。ConversationwiththeoldGaribaldinowasnoteasy。Agehadlefthisfacultiesunimpaired，onlytheyseemedtohavewithdrawnsomewheredeepwithinhim。Hisanswerswereslowincoming，withaneffectofaugustgravity。Butthatdayhewasmoreanimated，quicker；thereseemedtobemorelifeintheoldlion。

Hewasuneasyfortheintegrityofhishonour。HebelievedSidoni\'swarningastoRamirez\'sdesignsuponhisyoungerdaughter。Andhedidnottrusther。Shewasflighty。Hesaidnothingofhiscaresto`SonGian\'Battista\'。

Itwasatouchofsenilevanity。Hewantedtoshowthathewasequalyettothetaskofguardingalonethehonourofhishouse。

Nostromowentawayearly。Assoonashehaddisappeared，walkingtowardsthebeach，Lindasteppedoverthethresholdand，withahaggardsmile，satdownbythesideofherfather。

EversincethatSunday，whentheinfatuatedanddesperateRamirezhadwaitedforheronthewharf，shehadnodoubtswhatever。Thejealousravingsofthatmanwerenorevelation。Theyhadonlyfixedwithprecision，aswithanaildrivenintoherheart，thatsenseofunrealityanddeceptionwhich，insteadofblissandsecurity，shehadfoundinherintercoursewithherpromisedhusband。Shehadpassedon，pouringindignationandscornuponRamirez；but，thatSunday，shenearlydiedofwretchednessandshame，lyingonthecarvedandletteredstoneofTeresa\'sgrave，subscribedforbytheengine-driversandthefittersoftherailwayworkshops，insignoftheirrespectfortheheroofItalianUnity。OldViolahadnotbeenabletocarryouthisdesireofburyinghiswifeinthesea；andLindaweptuponthestone。

Thegratuitousoutrageappalledher。Ifhewishedtobreakherheart——wellandgood。EverythingwaspermittedtoGian\'Battista。Butwhytrampleuponthepieces；whyseektohumiliateherspirit?Aha！Hecouldnotbreakthat。Shedriedhertears。AndGiselle！Giselle！Thelittleonethat，eversinceshecouldtoddle，hadalwaysclungtoherskirtforprotection。Whatduplicity！Butshecouldnothelpitprobably。Whentherewasamaninthecasethepoorfeatherheadedwretchcouldnothelpherself。

LindahadagoodshareoftheViolastoicism。Sheresolvedtosaynothing。

Butwoman-likesheputpassionintoherstoicism。Giselle\'sshortanswers，promptedbyfearfulcaution，droveherbesideherselfbytheircurtnessthatresembleddisdain。OnedaysheflungherselfuponthechairinwhichherindolentsisterwaslyingandimpressedthemarkofherteethatthebaseofthewhitestneckinSulaco。Gisellecriedout。ButshehadhershareoftheViolaheroism。Readytofaintwithterror，sheonlysaid，inalazyvoice，`MadredeDios！Areyougoingtoeatmealive，Linda?\'Andthisoutburstpassedoffleavingnotraceuponthesituation。

`Sheknowsnothing。Shecannotknowanything，\'reflectedGiselle。`Perhapsitisnottrue。Itcannotbetrue，\'Lindatriedtopersuadeherself。

ButwhenshesawCaptainFidanzaforthefirsttimeafterhermeetingwiththedistractedRamirez，thecertitudeofhermisfortunereturned。

Shewatchedhimfromthedoorwaygoawaytohisboat，askingherselfstoically，`Willtheymeettonight?\'Shemadeuphermindnottoleavethetowerforasecond。Whenhehaddisappearedshecameoutandsatdownbyherfather。

ThevenerableGaribaldinofelt，inhisownwords，`ayoungmanyet\'。

InonewayoranotheragooddealoftalkaboutRamirezhadreachedhimoflate；andhiscontemptanddislikeofthatmanwhoobviouslywasnotwhathissonwouldhavebeen，hadmadehimrestless。Hesleptverylittlenow；butforseveralnightspastinsteadofreading——oronlysitting，withMrsGould\'ssilverspectaclesonhisnose，beforetheopenBible，hehadbeenprowlingactivelyallabouttheislandwithhisoldgun，onwatchoverhishonour。

Linda，layingherthinbrownhandonhisknee，triedtosoothehisexcitement。

RamirezwasnotinSulaco。Nobodyknewwherehewas。Hewasgone。Histalkofwhathewoulddomeantnothing。

`No，\'theoldmaninterrupted。`ButsonGian\'Battistatoldme——quiteofhimself——thatthecowardlyesclavowasdrinkingandgamblingwiththerascalsofZapiga，overthereonthenorthsideofthegulf。HemaygetsomeoftheworstscoundrelsofthatscoundrellytownofNegroestohelphiminhisattemptuponthelittleone……ButIamnotsoold。

No！\'

Shearguedearnestlyagainsttheprobabilityofanyattemptbeingmade；

andatlasttheoldmanfellsilent，chewinghiswhitemoustache。Womenhadtheirobstinatenotionswhichmustbehumoured——hispoorwifewaslikethat，andLindaresembledhermother。Itwasnotseemlyforamantoargue。`Maybe。Maybe，\'hemumbled。

Shewasbynomeanseasyinhermind。ShelovedNostromo。SheturnedhereyesuponGiselle，sittingatadistance，withsomethingofmaternaltenderness，andthejealousanguishofarivaloutragedinherdefeat。

Thensheroseandwalkedovertoher。

`Listen——you，\'shesaid，roughly。

Theinvinciblecandourofthegaze，raisedupallvioletanddew，excitedherrageandadmiration。Shehadbeautifuleyes——thechica——

thisvilethingofwhitefleshandblackdeception。Shedidnotknowwhethershewantedtotearthemoutwithshoutsofvengeanceorcoveruptheirmysteriousandshamelessinnocencewithkissesofpityandlove。Andsuddenlytheybecameempty，gazingblanklyather，exceptforalittlefearnotquiteburieddeepenoughwithalltheotheremotionsinGiselle\'sheart。

Lindasaid，`Ramirezisboastingintownthathewillcarryyouofffromtheisland。\'

`Whatfolly！\'answeredtheother，andinaperversitybornoflongrestraint，sheadded:`Heisnottheman，\'inajestingtonewithatremblingaudacity。

`No?\'saidLinda，throughherclenchedteeth。`Ishenot?Well，then，looktoit；becausefatherhasbeenwalkingaboutwithaloadedgunatnight。\'

`Itisnotgoodforhim。Youmusttellhimnotto，Linda。Hewillnotlistentome。\'

`Ishallsaynothing——neveranymore——toanybody，\'criedLinda，passionately。

Thiscouldnotlast，thoughtGiselle。Giovannimusttakeherawaysoon——theverynexttimehecame。Shewouldnotsuffertheseterrorsforeversomuchsilver。Tospeakwithhersistermadeherill。Butshewasnotuneasyatherfather\'swatchfulness。ShehadbeggedNostromonottocometothewindowthatnight。Hehadpromisedtokeepawayforthisonce。Andshedidnotknow，couldnotguessorimagine，thathehadanotherreasonforcomingontheisland。

Lindahadgonestraighttothetower。Itwastimetolightup。Sheunlockedthelittledoor，andwentheavilyupthespiralstaircase，carryingherloveforthemagnificentCapatazdeCargadoreslikeanever-increasingloadofshamefulfetters。No；shecouldnotthrowitoff。No；letHeavendisposeofthesetwo。Andmovingaboutthelantern，filledwithtwilightandthesheenofthemoon，withcarefulmovementsshelightedthelamp。

Thenherarmsfellalongherbody。

`Andwithourmotherlookingon，\'shemurmured。`Myownsister——thechica！\'

Thewholerefractingapparatus，withitsbrassfittingsandringsofprisms，glitteredandsparkledlikeadome-shapedshrineofdiamonds，containingnotalamp，butsomesacredflame，dominatingthesea。AndLinda，thekeeper，inblack，withapaleface，droopedlowinawoodenchair，alonewithherjealousy，farabovetheshamesandpassionsoftheearth。Astrange，draggingpain，asifsomebodywerepullingheraboutbrutallybyherdarkhairwithbronzeglints，madeherputherhandsuptohertemples。Theywouldmeet。

Theywouldmeet。Andsheknewwhere，too。Atthewindow。Thesweatoftorturefellindropsonhercheeks，whilethemoonlightintheoffingclosedasifwithacolossalbarofsilvertheentranceofthePlacidGulf——thesombrecavernofcloudsandstillnessinthesurf-frettedseaboard。

LindaViolastoodupsuddenlywithafingeronherlip。Helovedneitherhernorhersister。Thewholethingseemedsoobjectlessastofrightenher，andalsogivehersomehope。Whydidhenotcarryheroff?Whatpreventedhim?Hewasincomprehensible。Whatweretheywaitingfor?Forwhatendwerethesetwolyinganddeceiving?Notfortheendsoftheirlove。Therewasnosuchthing。Thehopeofregaininghimforherselfmadeherbreakhervowofnotleavingthetowerthatnight。Shemusttalkatoncetoherfather，whowaswise，andwouldunderstand。Sherandownthespiralstairs。

AtthemomentofopeningthedooratthebottomsheheardthesoundofthefirstshoteverfiredontheGreatIsabel。

Shefeltashock，asthoughthebullethadstruckherbreast。Sheranonwithoutpausing。Thecottagewasdark。Shecriedatthedoor，`Giselle！

Giselle！\'thendashedroundthecornerandscreamedhersister\'snameattheopenwindow，withoutgettingananswer；butasshewasrushing，distracted，roundthehouse，Gisellecameoutofthedoor，anddartedpasther，runningsilently，herhairloose，andhereyesstaringstraightahead。Sheseemedtoskimalongthegrassasifontiptoe，andvanished。

Lindawalkedonslowly，withherarmsstretchedoutbeforeher。Allwasstillontheisland；shedidnotknowwhereshewasgoing。ThetreeunderwhichMartinDecoudspenthislastdays，beholdinglifelikeasuccessionofsenselessimages，threwalargeblotchofblackshadeuponthegrass。

Suddenlyshesawherfather，standingquietlyallaloneinthemoonlight。

TheGaribaldino——big，erect，withhissnow-whitehairandbeard——

hadamonumentalreposeinhisimmobility，leaninguponarifle。Sheputherhanduponhisarmlightly。Heneverstirred。

`Whathaveyoudone?\'sheasked，inherordinaryvoice。

`IhaveshotRamirez——infame！\'heanswered，withhiseyesdirectedtowheretheshadewasblackest。`Likeathiefhecame，andlikeathiefhefell。Thechildhadtobeprotected。\'

Hedidnotoffertomoveaninch，toadvanceasinglestep。Hestoodthere，ruggedandunstirring，likeastatueofanoldmanguardingthehonourofhishouse。Lindaremovedhertremblinghandfromhisarm，firmandsteadylikeanarmofstone，and，withoutaword，enteredtheblacknessoftheshade。Shesawastirofformlessshapesontheground，andstoppedshort。Amurmurofdespairandtearsgrewloudertoherstrainedhearing。

`Ientreatedyounottocometonight。Oh，myGiovanni！Andyoupromised。

Oh！Why——whydidyoucome，Giovanni?\'

Itwashersister\'svoice。Itbrokeonaheartrendingsob。AndthevoiceoftheresourcefulCapatazdeCargadores，masterandslaveoftheSanTometreasure，whohadbeencaughtunawaresbyoldGiorgiowhilestealingacorsstheopentowardstheravinetogetsomemoresilver，answeredcarelessandcool，butsoundingstartlinglyweakfromtheground。

`ItseemedasthoughIcouldnotlivethroughthenightwithoutseeingtheeoncemore——mystar，mylittleflower。\'

Thebrillianttertuliawasjustover，thelastguestshaddeparted，andtheSenorAdministradorhadgonetohisroomalready，whenDrMonygham，whohadbeenexpectedintheeveningbuthadnotturnedup，arriveddrivingalongthewood-blockpavementundertheelectric-lampsofthedesertedCalledelaConstitucion，andfoundthegreatgatewayofthecasastillopen。

Helimpedin，stumpedupthestairs，andfoundthefatandsleekBasilioonthepointofturningoffthelightsinthesala。Theprosperousmajordomoremainedopen-mouthedatthislateinvasion。

`Don\'tputoutthelights，\'commandedthedoctor。`Iwanttoseethesenora。\'

`ThesenoraisintheSenorAdministrador\'scancillaria，\'

saidBasilio，inanunctuousvoice。`TheSenorAdministradorstartsforthemountaininanhour。Thereissometroublewiththeworkmentobefeared，itappears。Ashamelesspeoplewithoutreasonanddecency。Andidle，senor。

Idle。\'

`Youareshamelesslylazyandimbecileyourself，\'saidthedoctor，withthatfacultyforexasperationwhichmadehimsogenerallybeloved。`Don\'tputthelightsout。\'

Basilioretiredwithdignity。DrMonygham，waitinginthebrilliantlylightedsala，heardpresentlyadoorcloseatthefartherendofthehouse。Ajingleofspursdiedout。TheSenorAdministradorwasofftothemountain。

Withameasuredswishofherlongtrain，flashingwithjewelsandtheshimmerofsilk，herdelicateheadbowedasifundertheweightofamassoffairhair，inwhichthesilverthreadswerelost，the`firstladyofSulaco\'，asCaptainMitchellusedtodescribeher，movedalongthelightedcorridor，wealthybeyondgreatdreamsofwealth，considered，loved，respected，honoured，andassolitaryasanyhumanbeinghadeverbeen，perhaps，onthisearth。

Thedoctor\'s`MrsGould！Oneminute！\'stoppedherwithastartatthedoorofthelightedandemptysala。Fromthesimilarityofmoodandcircumstance，thesightofthedoctor，standingthereallaloneamongstthegroupsoffurniture，recalledtoheremotionalmemoryherunexpectedmeetingwithMartinDecoud；sheseemedtohearinthesilencethevoiceofthatman，deadmiserablysomanyyearsago，pronouncethewords，`Antonialeftherfanhere。\'Butitwasthedoctor\'svoicethatspoke，alittlealteredbyhisexcitement。Sheremarkedhisshiningeyes。

`MrsGould，youarewanted。Doyouknowwhathashappened?YourememberwhatItoldyouyesterdayaboutNostromo。Well，itseemsthatalancha，adeckedboat，comingfromZapiga，withfourNegroesinher，passingclosetotheGreatIsabel，washailedfromthecliffbyawoman\'svoice——Linda\'s，asamatteroffact——commandingthem(it\'samoonlightnight)togoroundtothebeachandtakeupawoundedmantothetown。Thepatron(fromwhomI\'veheardallthis)，ofcourse，didsoatonce。HetoldmethatwhentheygotroundtothelowsideoftheGreatIsabel，theyfoundLindaViolawaitingforthem。Theyfollowedher:sheledthemunderatreenotfarfromthecottage。TheretheyfoundNostromolyingonthegroundwithhisheadintheyoungergirl\'slap，andfatherViolastandingsomedistanceoffleaningonhisgun。UnderLinda\'sdirectiontheygotatableoutofthecottageforastretcher，afterbreakingoffthelegs。Theyarehere，MrsGould。ImeanNostromoand——andGiselle。TheNegroesbroughthimintothefirst-aidhospitalneartheharbour。Hemadetheattendantsendforme。Butitisnotmehewantedtosee——itwasyou，MrsGould！Itwasyou。\'

`Me?\'whisperedMrsGould，shrinkingalittle。

`Yes，you！\'thedoctorburstout。`Hebeggedme——hisenemy，ashethinks——tobringyoutohimatonce。Itseemshehassomethingtosaytoyoualone。\'

`Impossible！\'murmuredMrsGould。

`Hesaidtome，“RemindherthatIhavedonesomethingtokeeparoofoverherhead。”……MrsGould，\'thedoctorpursued，inthegreatestexcitement。

`Doyourememberthesilver?Thesilverinthelighter——thatwaslost！\'

MrsGouldremembered。Butshedidnotsayshehatedthemerementionofthatsilver。Franknesspersonified，sherememberedwithanexaggeratedhorrorthatforthefirstandlasttimeofherlifeshehadconcealedthetruthfromherhusbandaboutthatverysilver。Shehadbeencorruptedbyherfearsatthattime，andshehadneverforgivenherself。Moreover，thatsilver，whichwouldneverhavecomedownifherhusbandhadbeenmadeacquaintedwiththenewsbroughtbyDecould，hadbeeninaroundaboutwaynearlythecauseofDrMonygham\'sdeath。Andthesethingsappearedtoherverydreadful。

`Wasitlost，though?\'thedoctorexclaimed。`I\'vealwaysfeltthattherewasamysteryaboutourNostromoeversince。Idobelievehewantsnow，atthepointofdeath——\'

`Thepointofdeath，\'repeatedMrsGould。

`Yes。Yes……Hewantsperhapstotellyousomethingconcerningthatsilverwhich——\'

`Oh，no！No！\'exclaimedMrsGould，inalowvoice。`Isn\'titlostanddonewith?Isn\'tthereenoughtreasurewithoutittomakeeverybodyintheworldmiserable?\'

Thedoctorremainedstill，inasubmissive，disappointedsilence。Atlastheventured，verylow:

`AndthereisthatViolagirl，Giselle。Whatarewetodo?Itlooksasthoughfatherandsisterhad——\'

MrsGouldadmittedthatshefeltindutyboundtodoherbestforthesegirls。

`Ihaveavolantehere，\'thedoctorsaid。`Ifyoudon\'tmindgettingintothat——\'

Hewaited，allimpatience，tillMrsGouldreappeared，havingthrownoverherdressagreycloakwithadeephood。

Itwasthusthat，cloakedandmonasticallyhoodedoverhereveningcostume，thiswoman，fullofenduranceandcompassion，stoodbythesideofthebedonwhichthesplendidCapatazdeCargadoreslaystretchedoutmotionlessonhisback。Thewhitenessofsheetsandpillowsgaveasombreandenergeticrelieftohisbronzedface，tothedark，nervoushands，sogoodonatiller，uponabridle，andonatrigger，lyingopenandidleuponawhitecoverlet。

`Sheisinnocent，\'theCapatazwassayinginadeepandlevelvoice，asthoughafraidthatalouderwordwouldbreaktheslenderholdhisspiritstillkeptuponhisbody。`Sheisinnocent。ItisIalone。Butnomatter。

ForthesethingsIwouldanswertonomanorwomanalive。\'

Hepaused。MrsGould\'sface，verywhitewithintheshadowofthehood，bentoverhimwithaninvincibleanddrearysadness。AndthelowsobsofGiselleViola，kneelingattheendofthebed，hergoldhairwithcopperygleamslooseandscatteredovertheCapataz\'sfeet，hardlytroubledthesilenceoftheroom。

`Ha！OldGiorgio——theguardianofthinehonour！FancytheVecchiocominguponmesolightoffoot，sosteadyofaim。Imyselfcouldhavedonenobetter。Butthepriceofachargeofpowdermighthavebeensaved。

Thehonourwassafe……Senora，shewouldhavefollowedtotheendoftheworldNostromothethief……Ihavesaidtheword。Thespellisbroken！\'

Alowmoanfromthegirlmadehimcasthiseyesdown。

`Icannotseeher……Nomatter，\'hewenton，withtheshadowoftheoldmagnificentcarelessnessinhisvoice。`Onekissisenough，ifthereisnotimeformore。Anairysoul，senora！Brightandwarm，likesunshine——soonclouded，andsoonserene。Theywouldcrushittherebetweenthem。Senora，castonhertheeyeofyourcompassion，asfamedfromoneendofthelandtotheotherasthecourageanddaringofthemanwhospeakstoyou。Shewillconsoleherselfintime。AndevenRamirezisnotabadfellow。Iamnotangry。No！ItisnotRamirezwhoovercametheCapatazoftheSulacoCargadores。\'Hepaused，madeaneffort，andinaloudervoice，alittlewildly，declared:

`Idiebetrayed——betrayedby——\'

Buthedidnotsaybywhomorbywhathewasdyingbetrayed。

`Shewouldnothavebetrayedme，\'hebeganagain，openinghiseyesverywide。`Shewasfaithful。Weweregoingveryfar——verysoon。Icouldhavetornmyselfawayfromthataccursedtreasureforher。ForthatchildI

wouldhaveleftboxesandboxesofit——full。AndDecoudtookfour。Fouringots。Why?Picardia！Tobetrayme?HowcouldIgivebackthetreasurewithfouringotsmissing?TheywouldhavesaidIhadpurloinedthem。Thedoctorwouldhavesaidthat。Alas！itholdsmeyet！\'

MrsGouldbentlow，fascinated——coldwithapprehension。

`WhatbecameofDonMartinonthatnight，Nostromo?\'

`Whoknows！Iwonderedwhatwouldbecomeofme。NowIknow。Deathwastocomeuponmeunawares。Hewentaway！Hebetrayedme。AndyouthinkI

havekilledhim！Youareallalike，youfinepeople。Thesilverhaskilledme。Ithasheldme。Itholdsmeyet。Nobodyknowswhereitis。ButyouarethewifeofDonCarlos，whoputitintomyhandsandsaid，“Saveitonyourlife。”AndwhenIreturned，andyouallthoughtitwaslost，whatdoIhear?Itwasnothingofimportance。Letitgo。Up，Nostromo，thefaithful，andrideawaytosaveus，fordearlife！\'

`Nostromo！\'MrsGouldwhispered，bendingverylow。`I，too，havehatedtheideaofthatsilverfromthebottomofmyheart。\'

`Marvellous！——thatoneofyoushouldhatethewealththatyouknowsowellhowtotakefromthehandsofthepoor。Theworldrestsuponthepoor，asoldGiorgiosays。Youhavebeenalwaysgoodtothepoor。Butthereissomethingaccursedinwealth。Senora，shallItellyouwherethetreasureis?Toyoualone……Shining！Incorruptible！\'

Apained，involuntaryreluctancelingeredinhistone，inhiseyes，plaintothewomanwiththegeniusofsympatheticintuition。Sheavertedherglancefromthemiserablesubjectionofthedyingman，appalled，wishingtohearnomoreofthesilver。

`No，Capataz，\'shesaid。`Noonemissesitnow。Letitbelostforever。\'

Afterhearingthesewords，Nostromoclosedhiseyes，utterednoword，madenomovement。OutsidethedoorofthesickroomDrMonygham，excitedtothehighestpitch，hiseyesshiningwitheagerness，cameuptothetwowomen。

`Now，MrsGould，\'hesaid，almostbrutallyinhisimpatience，`tellme，wasIright?Thereisamystery。Youhavegotthewordofit，haveyounot?Hetoldyou——\'

`Hetoldmenothing，\'saidMrsGould，steadily。

ThelightofhistemperamentalenmitytoNostromowentoutofDrMonygham\'seyes。Hesteppedbacksubmissively。HedidnotbelieveMrsGould。Butherwordwaslaw。HeacceptedherdeniallikeaninexplicablefatalityaffirmingthevictoryofNostromo\'sgeniusoverhisown。Evenbeforethatwoman，whomhelovedwithsecretdevotion，hehadbeendefeatedbythemagnificentCapatazdeCargadores，themanwhohadlivedhisownlifeontheassumptionofunbrokenfidelity，rectitude，andcourage！

`Praysendatoncesomebodyformycarriage，\'spokeMrsGouldfromwithinherhood。Then，turningtoGiselleViola，`Comenearerme，child；comecloser。Wewillwaithere。\'

GiselleViola，heartbrokenandchildlike，herfaceveiledinherfallinghair，creptuptoherside。MrsGouldslippedherhandthroughthearmoftheunworthydaughterofoldViola，theimmaculaterepublican，theherowithoutastain。Slowly，gradually，asawitheredflowerdroops，theheadofthegirl，whowouldhavefollowedathieftotheendoftheworld，restedontheshoulderofDonaEmilia，thefirstladyofSulaco，thewifeoftheSenorAdministradoroftheSanTomemine。AndMrsGould，feelinghersuppressedsobbing，nervousandexcited，hadthefirstandonlymomentofbitternessinherlife。ItwasworthyofDrMonyghamhimself。

`Consoleyourself，child。Verysoonhewouldhaveforgottenyouforhistreasure。\'

`Senora，helovedme。Helovedme，\'Gisellewhispered，despairingly。

`Helovedmeasnoonehadeverbeenlovedbefore。\'

`Ihavebeenloved，too，\'MrsGouldsaidinaseveretone。

Giselleclungtoherconvulsively。`Oh，senora，butyoushallliveadoredtotheendofyourlife，\'shesobbedout。

MrsGouldkeptanunbrokensilencetillthecarriagearrived。Shehelpedinthehalf-faintinggirl。Afterthedoctorhadshutthedoorofthelandau，sheleanedovertohim。

`Youcandonothing?\'shewhispered。

`No，MrsGould。Moreover，hewon\'tletustouchhim。Itdoesnotmatter。

Ijusthadonelook……Useless。\'

ButhepromisedtoseeoldViolaandtheothergirlthatverynight。

Hecouldgetthepolice-boattotakehimofftotheisland。Heremainedinthestreet，lookingafterthelandaurollingawayslowlybehindthewhitemules。

Therumourofsomeaccident——anaccidenttoCaptainFidanza——hadbeenspreadingalongthenewquayswiththeirrowsoflampsandthedarkshapesoftoweringcranes。Aknotofnight-prowlers——thepoorestofthepoor——hungaboutthedoorofthefirst-aidhospital，whisperinginthemoonlightoftheemptystreet。

Therewasnoonewiththewoundedmanbutthepalephotographer，small，frail，bloodthirsty，thehaterofcapitalists，perchedonahighstoolneartheheadofthebedwithhiskneesupandhischininhishands。Hehadbeenfetchedbyacomradewho，workinglateonthewharf，hadheardfromaNegrobelongingtoalanchathatCaptainFidanzahadbeenbroughtashoremortallywounded。

`Haveyouanydispositionstomake，comrade?\'heasked，anxiously。`Donotforgetthatwewantmoneyforourwork。Therichmustbefoughtwiththeirownweapons。\'

Nostromomadenoanswer。Theotherdidnotinsist，remaininghuddleduponthestool，shock-headed，wildlyhairy，likeahunchbackedmonkey。

Then，afteralongsilence:

`ComradeFidanza，\'hebegan，solemnly，`youhaverefusedallaidfromthatdoctor。Ishereallyadangerousenemyofthepeople?\'

InthedimlylitroomNostromorolledhisheadslowlyonthepillowandopenedhiseyes，directingattheweirdfigureperchedbyhisbedsideaglanceofenigmaticandprofoundinquiry。Thenhisheadrolledback，hiseyelidsfell，andtheCapatazdeCargadoresdiedwithoutawordormoanafteranhourofimmobility，brokenbyshortshudderstestifyingtothemostatrocioussufferings。

DrMonygham，goingoutinthepolice-galleytotheislands，beheldtheglitterofthemoonuponthegulfandthehighblackshapeoftheGreatIsabelsendingashaftoflightafar，fromunderthecanopyofclouds。

`Pulleasy，\'hesaid，wonderingwhathewouldfindthere。HetriedtoimagineLindaandherfather，anddiscoveredastrangereluctancewithinhimself。`Pulleasy，\'herepeated。

Fromthemomenthefiredatthethiefofhishonour，GiorgioViolahadnotstirredfromthespot。Hestood，hisoldgungrounded，hishandgraspingthebarrelnearthemuzzle。AfterthelanchacarryingoffNostromoforeverfromherhadlefttheshore，Linda，comingup，stoppedbeforehim。Hedidnotseemtobeawareofherpresence，butwhen，losingherforcedcalmness，shecriedout:`Doyouknowwhomyouhavekilled?\'heanswered:`Ramirezthevagabond。\'

White，andstaringinsanelyatherfather，Lindalaughedinhisface。

Afteratimehejoinedherfaintlyinadeep-tonedanddistantechoofherpeals。Thenshestopped，andtheoldmanspokeasifstartled:

`HecriedoutinsonGian\'Battista\'svoice。\'

Thegunfellfromhisopenedhand，butthearmremainedextendedforamomentasifstillsupported。Lindaseizeditroughly。

`Youaretoooldtounderstand。Comeintothehouse。\'

Heletherleadhim。Onthethresholdhestumbledheavily，nearlycomingtothegroundtogetherwithhisdaughter。Hisexcitement，hisactivityofthelastfewdays，hadbeenliketheflareofadyinglamp。Hecaughtatthebackofhischair。

`InsonGian\'Battista\'svoice，\'herepeatedinaseveretone。`Iheardhim——Ramirez——themiserable——\'

Lindahelpedhimintothechair，and，bendinglow，hissedintohisear:

`YouhavekilledGian\'Battista。\'

Theoldmansmiledunderhisthickmoustache。Womenhadstrangefancies。

`Whereisthechild?\'heasked，surprisedatthepenetratingchillinessoftheairandtheunwonteddimnessofthelampbywhichheusedtosituphalfthenightwiththeopenBiblebeforehim。

Lindahesitatedamoment，thenavertedhereyes。

`Sheisasleep，\'shesaid。`Weshalltalkofhertomorrow。\'

Shecouldnotbeartolookathim。Hefilledherwithterrorandwithanalmostunbearablefeelingofpity。Shehadobservedthechangethatcameoverhim。Hewouldneverunderstandwhathehaddone；andeventoherthewholethingremainedincomprehensible。Hesaidwithdifficulty:

`Givemethebook。\'

Lindalaidonthetabletheclosedvolumeinitswornleathercover，theBiblegivenhimagesagobyanEnglishmaninPalermo。

`Thechildhadtobeprotected，\'hesaid，inastrange，mournfulvoice。

BehindhischairLindawrungherhands，cryingwithoutnoise。Suddenlyshestartedforthedoor。Heheardhermove。

`Whereareyougoing?\'heasked。

`Tothelight，\'sheanswered，turningroundtolookathimbalefully。

`Thelight！Si——duty。\'

Veryupright，white-haired，leonine，heroicinhisabsorbedquietness，hefeltinthepocketofhisredshirtforthespectaclesgivenhimbyDonaEmilia。Heputthemon。Afteralongperiodofimmobilityheopenedthebook，andfromonhighlookedthroughtheglassesatthesmallprintindoublecolumns。Arigid，sternexpressionsettleduponhisfeatureswithaslightfrown，asifinresponsetosomegloomythoughtorunpleasantsensation。Butheneverdetachedhiseyesfromthebookwhileheswayedforward，gently，gradually，tillhissnow-whiteheadrestedupontheopenpages。Awoodenclocktickedmethodicallyonthewhite-washedwall，andgrowingslowlycoldtheGaribaldinolayalone，rugged，undecayed，likeanoldoakuprootedbyatreacherousgustofwind。

ThelightoftheGreatIsabelburnedunfailingabovethelosttreasureoftheSanTomemine。Intothebluishsheenofanightwithoutstarsthelanternsentoutayellowbeamtowardsthefarhorizon。Likeablackspeckupontheshiningpanes，Linda，crouchingintheoutergallery，restedherheadontherail。Themoon，droopinginthewesternboard，lookedatherradiantly。

Below，atthefootofthecliff，theregularsplashofoarsfromapassingboatceased，andDrMonyghamstoodupinthesternsheets。

`Linda！\'heshouted，throwingbackhishead。`Linda！\'

Lindastoodup。Shehadrecognizedthevoice。

`Ishedead?\'shecried，bendingover。

`Yes，mypoorgirl。Iamcominground，\'thedoctoransweredfrombelow。

`Pulltothebeach，\'hesaidtotherowers。

Linda\'sblackfiguredetacheditselfuprightonthelightofthelanternwithherarmsraisedaboveherheadasthoughsheweregoingtothrowherselfover。

`ItisIwholovedyou，\'shewhispered，withafaceassetandwhiteasmarbleinthemoonlight。`I！OnlyI！Shewillforgetthee，killedmiserablyforherprettyface。Icannotunderstand。Icannotunderstand。ButIshallneverforgetthee。Never！\'

Shestoodsilentandstill，collectingherstrengthtothrowallherfidelity，herpain，bewilderment，anddespairintoonegreatcry。

`Never！Gian\'Battista！\'

DrMonygham，pullingroundinthepolice-galley，heardthenamepassoverhishead。ItwasanotherofNostromo\'striumphs，thegreatest，themostenviable，themostsinisterofall。InthattruecryofundyingpassionthatseemedtoringaloudfromPuntaMalatoAzueraandawaytothebrightlineofthehorizon，overhungbyabigwhitecloudshininglikeamassofsolidsilver，thegeniusofthemagnificentCapatazdeCargadoresdominatedthedarkgulfcontaininghisconquestsoftreasureandlove。