Sheraisedhereyesandlookedatherhusband\'sface，fromwhichallsignofsympathyoranyotherfeelinghaddisappeared。`Whydon\'tyoutellmesomething?\'shealmostwailed。
`Ithoughtyouhadunderstoodmeperfectlyfromthefirst，\'CharlesGouldsaid，slowly。`Ithoughtwehadsaidalltherewastosayalongtimeago。Thereisnothingtosaynow。Therewerethingstobedone。Wehavedonethem；wehavegoneondoingthem。Thereisnogoingbacknow。
Idon\'tsupposethat，evenfromthefirst，therewasreallyanypossiblewayback。Andwhat\'smore，wecan\'tevenaffordtostandstill。\'
`Ah，ifoneonlyknewhowfaryoumeantogo，\'saidhiswife，inwardlytrembling，butinanalmostplayfultone。
`Anydistance，anylength，ofcourse，\'wastheanswer，inamatter-of-facttone，whichcausedMrsGouldtomakeanotherefforttorepressashudder。
Shestoodup，smilinggraciously，andherlittlefigureseemedtobediminishedstillmorebytheheavymassofherhairandthelongtrainofhergown。
`Butalwaystosuccess，\'shesaid，persuasively。
CharlesGould，envelopingherinthesteelyblueglanceofhisattentiveeyes，answeredwithouthesitation:
`Oh，thereisnoalternative。\'
Heputanimmenseassuranceintohistone。Astothewords，thiswasallthathisconsciencewouldallowhimtosay。
MrsGould\'ssmileremainedashadetoolonguponherlips。Shemurmured:
`Iwillleaveyou；I\'veaslightheadache。Theheat，thedust，wereindeed——Isupposeyouaregoingbacktotheminebeforethemorning?\'
`Atmidnight，\'saidCharlesGould。`Wearebringingdownthesilvertomorrow。ThenIshalltakethreewholedaysoffintownwithyou。\'
`Ah，youaregoingtomeettheescort。Ishallbeonthebalconyatfiveo\'clocktoseeyoupass。Tillthen，good-bye。\'
CharlesGouldwalkedrapidlyroundthetable，and，seizingherhands，bentdown，pressingthembothtohislips。Beforehestraightenedhimselfupagaintohisfullheightshehaddisengagedonetosmoothhischeekwithalighttouch，asifhewerealittleboy。
`Trytogetsomerestforacoupleofhours，\'shemurmured，withaglanceatahammockstretchedinadistantpartoftheroom。Herlongtrainswishedsoftlyafterherontheredtiles。Atthedoorshelookedback。
Twobiglampswithunpolishedglassglobesbathedinasoftandabundantlightthefourwhitewallsoftheroom，withaglasscaseofarms，thebrasshiltofHenryGould\'scavalrysabreonitssquareofvelvet，andthewater-coloursketchoftheSanTomegorge。AndMrsGould，gazingatthelastinitsblackwoodenframe，sighedout:
`Ah，ifwehadleftitalone，Charley！\'
`No，\'CharlesGouldsaid，moodily；`itwasimpossibletoleaveitalone。\'
`Perhapsitwasimpossible，\'MrsGouldadmitted，slowly。Herlipsquiveredalittle，butshesmiledwithanairofdaintybravado。`WehavedisturbedagoodmanysnakesinthatParadise，Charley，haven\'twe?\'
`Yes，Iremember，\'saidCharlesGould，`itwasDonPepewhocalledthegorgetheParadiseofsnakes。Nodoubtwehavedisturbedagreatmany。
Butremember，mydear，thatitisnotnowasitwaswhenyoumadethatsketch。\'Hewavedhishandtowardsthesmallwater-colourhangingaloneuponthegreatbarewall。`ItisnolongeraParadiseofsnakes。Wehavebroughtmankindintoit，andwecannotturnourbacksuponthemtogoandbeginanewlifeelsewhere。\'
Heconfrontedhiswifewithafirm，concentratedgaze，whichMrsGouldreturnedwithabraveassumptionoffearlessnessbeforeshewentout，closingthedoorgentlyafterher。
Incontrastwiththewhiteglaringroomthedimlylitcorridorhadarestfulmysteriousnessofaforestglade，suggestedbythestemsandtheleavesoftheplantsrangedalongthebalustradeoftheopenside。Inthestreaksoflightfallingthroughtheopendoorsofthereception-rooms，theblossoms，whiteandredandpalelilac，cameoutvividwiththebrillianceofflowersinastreamofsunshine；andMrsGould，passingon，hadthevividnessofafigureseenintheclearpatchesofsunthatchequerthegloomofopengladesinthewoods。Thestonesintheringsuponherhandpressedtoherforeheadglitteredinthelamplightabreastofthedoorofthesala。
`Who\'sthere?\'sheasked，inastartledvoice。`Isthatyou，Basilio?\'
Shelookedin，andsawMartinDecoudwalkingabout，withanairofhavinglostsomething，amongstthechairsandtables。
`Antoniahasforgottenherfaninhere，\'saidDecoud，withastrangeairofdistraction；`soIenteredtosee。\'
But，evenashesaidthis，hehadobviouslygivenuphissearch，andwalkedstraighttowardsMrsGould，wholookedathimwithdoubtfulsurprise。
`Senora，\'hebegan，inalowvoice。
`Whatisit，DonMartin?\'askedMrsGould。Andthensheadded，withaslightlaugh，`Iamsonervoustoday，\'asiftoexplaintheeagernessofthequestion。
`Nothingimmediatelydangerous，\'saidDecoud，whonowcouldnotconcealhisagitation。`Praydon\'tdistressyourself。No，really，youmustnotdistressyourself。\'
MrsGould，withhercandideyesverywideopen，herlipscomposedintoasmile，wassteadyingherselfinthedoorwaywithalittlebejewelledhand。
`Perhapsyoudon\'tknowhowalarmingyouare，appearinglikethisunexpectedly——\'
`I！Alarming！\'heprotested，sincerelyvexedandsurprised。`IassureyouthatIamnotintheleastalarmedmyself。Afanislost；well，itwillbefoundagain。ButIdon\'tthinkitishere。ItisafanIamlookingfor。IcannotunderstandhowAntoniacould——Well！Haveyoufoundit，amigo?\'
`No，senor，\'saidbehindMrsGouldthesoftvoiceofBasilio，theheadservantoftheCasa。`Idon\'tthinkthesenoritacouldhaveleftitinthishouseatall。\'
`Goandlookforitinthepatioagain。Gonow，myfriend；lookforitonthesteps，underthegate；examineeveryflagstone；searchforittillIcomedownagain……Thatfellow\'——headdressedhimselfinEnglishtoMrsGould——`isalwaysstealingupbehindone\'sbackonhisbarefeet。
IsethimtolookforthatfandirectlyIcameintojustifymyreappearance，mysuddenreturn。\'
HepausedandMrsGouldsaid，amiably，`Youarealwayswelcome。\'Shepausedforasecond，too。`ButIamwaitingtolearnthecauseofyourreturn。\'
Decoudaffectedsuddenlytheutmostnonchalance。
`Ican\'tbeartobespiedupon。Oh，thecause?Yes，thereisacause；
thereissomethingelsethatislostbesidesAntonia\'sfavouritefan。AsIwaswalkinghomeafterseeingDonJoseandAntoniatotheirhouse，theCapatazdeCargadores，ridingdownthestreet，spoketome。\'
`HasanythinghappenedtotheViolas?\'inquiredMrsGould。
`TheViolas?YoumeantheoldGaribaldinowhokeepsthehotelwheretheengineerslive！Nothinghappenedthere。TheCapatazsaidnothingofthem；heonlytoldmethatthetelegraphistoftheCableCompanywaswalkingonthePlaza，bareheaded，lookingoutforme。Thisisnewsfromtheinterior，MrsGould。Ishouldrathersayrumoursofnews。\'
`Goodnews?\'saidMrsGouldinalowvoice。
`Worthless，Ishouldthink。ButifImustdefinethem，Iwouldsaybad。
Theyaretotheeffectthatatwodays\'battlehadbeenfoughtnearStaMarta，andthattheRibieristsaredefeated。Itmusthavehappenedafewdaysago——perhapsaweek。TherumourhasjustreachedCayta，andthemaninchargeofthecablestationtherehastelegraphedthenewstohiscolleaguehere。WemightjustaswellhavekeptBarriosinSulaco。\'
`What\'stobedonenow?\'murmuredMrsGould。
`Nothing。He\'satseawiththetroops。HewillgettoCaytainacoupleofdays\'timeandlearnthenewsthere。Whathewilldothen，whocansay?
HoldCayta?OfferhissubmissiontoMontero?Disbandhisarmy——thislastmostlikely，andgohimselfinoneoftheO。S。N。Company\'ssteamers，northorsouth——toValparaisoortoSanFrancisco，nomatterwhere。OurBarrioshasagreatpracticeinexilesandrepatriations，whichmarkthepointsinthepoliticalgame。\'
Decoud，exchangingasteadystarewithMrsGould，added，tentatively，asitwere，`Andyet，ifwehadBarrioswithhis2，000improvedrifleshere，somethingcouldhavebeendone。\'
`Monterovictorious，completelyvictorious！\'MrsGouldbreathedoutinatoneofunbelief。
`Acanard，probably。Thatsortofbirdishatchedingreatnumbersinsuchtimesasthese。Andevenifitweretrue?Well，letusputthingsattheirworst，letussayitistrue。\'
`Theneverythingislost，\'saidMrsGould，withthecalmnessofdespair。
Suddenlysheseemedtodivine，sheseemedtoseeDecoud\'stremendousexcitementunderitscloakofstudiedcarelessness。Itwas，indeed，becomingvisibleinhisaudaciousandwatchfulstare，inthecurve，half-reckless，half-contemptuous，ofhislips。AndaFrenchphrasecameuponthemasif，forthisCostaguanerooftheBoulevard，thathadbeentheonlyforciblelanguage:
`Non，Madame。Rienn\'estperdu。\'
ItelectrifiedMrsGouldoutofherbenumbedattitude，andshesaid，vivaciously:
`Whatwouldyouthinkofdoing?\'
ButalreadytherewassomethingofmockeryinDecoud\'ssuppressedexcitement。
`WhatwouldyouexpectatrueCostaguanerotodo?Anotherrevolution，ofcourse。Onmywordofhonour，MrsGould，IbelieveIamatruehijodelpais，atruesonofthecountry，whateverFatherCorbelanmaysay。
AndI\'mnotsomuchofanunbelieverasnottohavefaithinmyownideas，inmyownremedies，inmyowndesires。\'
`Yes，\'saidMrsGould，doubtfully。
`Youdon\'tseemconvinced，\'DecoudwentonagaininFrench。`Say，then，inmypassions。\'
MrsGouldreceivedthisadditionunflinchingly。Tounderstanditthoroughlyshedidnotrequiretohearhismutteredassurance:
`ThereisnothingIwouldnotdoforthesakeofAntonia。ThereisnothingIamnotpreparedtoundertake。ThereisnoriskIamnotreadytorun。\'
Decoudseemedtofindafreshaudacityinthisvoicingofhisthoughts。
`YouwouldnotbelievemeifIweretosaythatitistheloveofthecountrywhich——\'
Shemadeasortofdiscouragedprotestwithherarm，asiftoexpressthatshehadgivenupexpectingthatmotivefromanyone。
`ASulacorevolution，\'Decoudpursuedinaforcibleundertone。`TheGreatCausemaybeservedhere，ontheveryspotofitsinception，intheplaceofitsbirth，MrsGould。\'
Frowning，andbitingherlowerlipthoughtfully，shemadeastepawayfromthedoor。
`Youarenotgoingtospeaktoyourhusband?\'Decoudarrestedheranxiously。
`Butyouwillneedhishelp?\'
`Nodoubt，\'Decoudadmittedwithouthesitation。`EverythingturnsupontheSanTomemine，butIwouldratherhedidn\'tknowanythingasyetofmy——myhopes。\'
ApuzzledlookcameuponMrsGould\'sface，andDecoud，approaching，explainedconfidentially:
`Don\'tyousee，he\'ssuchanidealist。\'
MrsGouldflushedpink，andhereyesgrewdarkeratthesametime。
`Charleyanidealist！\'shesaid，asiftoherself，wonderingly。`Whatonearthdoyoumean?\'
`Yes，\'concededDecoud，`it\'sawonderfulthingtosaywiththesightoftheSanTomemine，thegreatestfactinthewholeofSouthAmerica，perhaps，beforeourveryeyes。Butlookevenatthat，hehasidealizedthisfacttoapoint——\'Hepaused。`MrsGould，areyouawaretowhatpointhehadidealizedtheexistence，theworth，themeaningoftheSanTomemine?Areyouawareofit?\'
Hemusthaveknownwhathewastalkingabout。
Theeffectheexpectedwasproduced。MrsGould，readytotakefire，gaveitupsuddenlywithalowlittlesoundthatresembledamoan。
`Whatdoyouknow?\'sheaskedinafeeblevoice。
`Nothing，\'answeredDecoud，firmly。`But，then，don\'tyousee，he\'sanEnglishman?\'
`Well，whatofthat?\'askedMrsGould。
`Simplythathecannotactorexistwithoutidealizingeverysimplefeeling，desire，orachievement。Hecouldnotbelievehisownmotivesifhedidnotmakethemfirstapartofsomefairytale。Theearthisnotquitegoodenoughforhim，Ifear。Doyouexcusemyfrankness?Besides，whetheryouexcuseitornot，itispartofthetruthofthingswhichhurtsthe——whatdoyoucallthem?——theAnglo-Saxon\'ssusceptibilities，andatthepresentmomentIdon\'tfeelasifIcouldtreatseriouslyeitherhisconceptionofthingsor——ifyouallowmetosayso——oryetyours。\'
MrsGouldgavenosignofbeingoffended。`IsupposeAntoniaunderstandsyouthoroughly?\'
`Understands?Well，yes。ButIamnotsurethatsheapproves。That，however，makesnodifference。Iamhonestenoughtotellyouthat，MrsGould。\'
`Youridea，ofcourse，isseparation，\'shesaid。
`Separation，ofcourse，\'declaredMartin。`Yes；separationofthewholeOccidentalProvincefromtherestoftheunquietbody。Butmytrueidea，theonlyoneIcarefor，isnottobeseparatedfromAntonia。\'
`Andthatisall?\'askedMrsGould，withoutseverity。
`Absolutely。Iamnotdeceivingmyselfaboutmymotives。Shewon\'tleaveSulacoformysake，thereforeSulacomustleavetherestoftheRepublictoitsfate。Nothingcouldbeclearerthanthat。Ilikeaclearlydefinedsituation。IcannotpartwithAntonia，thereforetheoneandindivisibleRepublicofCostaguanamustbemadetopartwithitswesternprovince。
Fortunatelyithappenstobealsoasoundpolicy。Therichest，themostfertilepartofthislandmaybesavedfromanarchy。Personally，Icarelittle；butit\'safactthattheestablishmentofMonteroinpowerwouldmeandeathtome。InalltheproclamationsofgeneralpardonwhichIhaveseen，myname，withafewothers，isspeciallyexcepted。Thebrothershateme，asyouknowverywell，MrsGould；andbehold，hereistherumourofthemhavingwonabattle。Yousaythatsupposingitistrue，Ihaveplentyoftimetorunaway。\'
Theslight，protestingmurmuronthepartofMrsGouldmadehimpauseforamoment，whilehelookedatherwithasombreandresoluteglance。
`Oh，butIwould，MrsGould。Iwouldrunawayifitservedthatwhichatpresentismyonlydesire。Iamcourageousenoughtosaythat，andtodoit，too。Butwomen，evenourwomen，areidealists。ItisAntoniathatwon\'trunaway。Anovelsortofvanity。\'
`Youcallitvanity，\'saidMrsGould，inashockedvoice。
`Saypride，then，which，FatherCorbelanwouldtellyou，isamortalsin。ButIamnotproud。Iamsimplytoomuchinlovetorunaway。AtthesametimeIwanttolive。Thereisnoloveforadeadman。ThereforeitisnecessarythatSulacoshouldnotrecognizethevictoriousMontero。\'
`Andyouthinkmyhusbandwillgiveyouhissupport?\'
`Ithinkhecanbedrawnintoit，likeallidealists，whenheonceseesasentimentalbasisforhisaction。ButIwouldn\'ttalktohim。Mereclearfactswon\'tappealtohissentiment。Itismuchbetterforhimtoconvincehimselfinhisownway。And，frankly，Icouldnot，perhaps，justnowpaysufficientrespecttoeitherhismotivesoreven，perhaps，toyours，MrsGould。\'
ItwasevidentthatMrsGouldwasverydeterminednottobeoffended。
Shesmiledvaguely，whilesheseemedtothinkthematterover。Asfarasshecouldjudgefromthegirl\'shalf-confidences，Antoniaunderstoodthatyoungman。Obviouslytherewaspromiseofsafetyinhisplan，orratherinhisidea。Moreover，rightorwrong，theideacoulddonoharm。Anditwasquitepossible，also，thattherumourwasfalse。
`Youhavesomesortofaplan，\'shesaid。
`Simplicityitself。Barrioshasstarted，lethimgoonthen；hewillholdCayta，whichisthedoorofthesearoutetoSulaco。Theycannotsendasufficientforceoverthemountains。No；noteventocopewiththebandofHernandez。Meantimeweshallorganizeourresistancehere。Andforthat，thisveryHernandezwillbeuseful。Hehasdefeatedtroopsasabandit；
hewillnodoubtaccomplishthesamethingifheismadeacolonelorevenageneral。YouknowthecountrywellenoughnottobeshockedbywhatI
say，MrsGould。Ihaveheardyouassertthatthispoorbanditwastheliving，breathingexampleofcruelty，injustice，stupidity，andoppression，thatruinmen\'ssoulsaswellastheirfortunesinthiscountry。Well，therewouldbesomepoeticalretributioninthatmanarisingtocrushtheevilswhichhaddrivenanhonestrancherointoalifeofcrime。Afineideaofretributioninthat，isn\'tthere?\'
DecoudhaddroppedeasilyintoEnglish，whichhespokewithprecision，verycorrectly，butwithtoomanyzsounds。
`Thinkalsoofyourhospitals，ofyourschools，ofyourailingmothersandfeebleoldmen，ofallthatpopulationwhichyouandyourhusbandhavebroughtintotherockygorgeofSanTome。Areyounotresponsibletoyourconscienceforallthesepeople?Isitnotworthwhiletomakeanothereffort，whichisnotatallsodesperateasitlooks，ratherthan——\'
Decoudfinishedhisthoughtwithanupwardtossofthearm，suggestingannihilation；andMrsGouldturnedawayherheadwithalookofhorror。
`Whydon\'tyousayallthistomyhusband?\'sheasked，withoutlookingatDecoud，whostoodwatchingtheeffectofhiswords。
`Ah！ButDonCarlosissoEnglish，\'hebegan。MrsGouldinterrupted:
`Leavethatalone，DonMartin。He\'sasmuchaCostaguanero——No！He\'smoreofaCostaguanerothanyourself。\'
`Sentimentalist，sentimentalist，\'Decoudalmostcooed，inatoneofgentleandsoothingdeference。`Sentimentalist，aftertheamazingmannerofyourpeople。IhavebeenwatchingElReydeSulacosinceIcamehereonafool\'serrand，andperhapsimpelledbysometreasonoffatelurkingbehindtheunaccountableturnsofaman\'slife。ButIdon\'tmatter，Iamnotasentimentalist，Icannotendowmypersonaldesireswithashiningrobeofsilkandjewels。Lifeisnotformeamoreromancederivedfromthetraditionofaprettyfairytale。No，MrsGould；Iampractical。I
amnotafraidofmymotives。But，pardonme，Ihavebeenrathercarriedaway。WhatIwishtosayisthatIhavebeenobserving。Iwon\'ttellyouwhatIhavediscovered——\'
`No。Thatisunnecessary，\'whisperedMrsGould，oncemoreavertingherhead。
`Itis。Exceptonelittlefact，thatyourhusbanddoesnotlikeme。
It\'sasmallmatter，which，inthecircumstances，seemstoacquireaperfectlyridiculousimportance。Ridiculousandimmense；for，clearlymoneyisrequiredformyplan，\'hereflected；thenadded，meaningly，`andwehavetwosentimentaliststodealwith。\'
`Idon\'tknowthatIunderstandyou，DonMartin，\'saidMrsGould，coldly，preservingthelowkeyoftheirconversation。`But，speakingasifIdid，whoistheother?\'
`ThegreatHolroydinSanFrancisco，ofcourse，\'Decoudwhispered，lightly。
`Ithinkyouunderstandmeverywell。Womenareidealists；butthentheyaresoperspicacious。\'
Butwhateverwasthereasonofthatremark，disparagingandcomplimentaryatthesametime，MrsGouldseemednottopayattentiontoit。ThenameofHolroydhadgivenanewtonetoheranxiety。
`Thesilverescortiscomingdowntotheharbourtomorrow；awholesixmonths\'working，DonMartin！\'shecriedindismay。
`Letitcomedown，then，\'breathedoutDecoud，earnestly，almostintoherear。
`Butiftherumourshouldgetabout，andespeciallyifitturnedouttrue，troublesmightbreakoutinthetown，\'objectedMrsGould。
Decoudadmittedthatitwaspossible。HeknewwellthetownchildrenoftheSulacoCampo:sullen，thievish，vindictive，andbloodthirsty，whatevergreatqualitiestheirbrothersoftheplainmighthavehad。Butthentherewasthatothersentimentalist，whoattachedastrangelyidealisticmeaningtoconcretefacts。ThisstreamofsilvermustbekeptflowingnorthtoreturnintheformoffinancialbackingfromthegreathouseofHolroyd。
Upatthemountaininthestrong-roomoftheminethesilverbarswereworthlessforhispurposethansomuchlead，fromwhichatleastbulletsmayberun。Letitcomedowntotheharbour，readyforshipment。
Thenextnorth-goingsteamerwouldcarryitofffortheverysalvationoftheSanTomemine，whichhasproducedsomuchtreasure。And，moreover，therumourwasprobablyfalse，heremarked，withmuchconvictioninhishurriedtone。
`Besides，senora，\'concludedDecoud，`wemaysuppressitformanydays。IhavebeentalkingwiththetelegraphistinthemiddleofthePlazaMayor；thusIamcertainthatwecouldnothavebeenoverheard。Therewasnotevenabirdintheairnearus。Andalsoletmetellyousomethingmore。IhavebeenmakingfriendswiththismancalledNostromo，theCapataz。
Wehadaconversationthisveryevening，Iwalkingbythesideofhishorseasherodeslowlyoutofthetownjustnow。Hepromisedmethatifariottookplaceforanyreason——evenforthemostpoliticalofreasons，youunderstand——hiscargadores，animportantpartofthepopulace，youwilladmit，shouldbefoundonthesideoftheEuropeans。\'
`Hehaspromisedyouthat?\'MrsGouldinquired，withinterest。`Whatmadehimmakethatpromisetoyou?\'
`Uponmyword，Idon\'tknow，\'declaredDecoud，inaslightlysurprisedtone。`Hecertainlypromisedmethat，butnowyouaskmewhyIcertainlycouldnottellyouhisreasons。Hetalkedwithhisusualcarelessness，which，ifhehadbeenanythingelsebutacommonsailor，Iwouldcallaposeoranaffectation。\'
Decoud，interruptinghimself，lookedatMrsGouldcuriously。
`Uponthewhole，\'hecontinued，`Isupposeheexpectssomethingtohisadvantagefromit。Youmustn\'tforgetthathedoesnotexercisehisextraordinarypoweroverthelowerclasseswithoutacertainamountofpersonalriskandwithoutagreatprofusioninspendinghismoney。Onemustpayinsomewayorotherforsuchasolidthingasindividualprestige。Hetoldmeafterwemadefriendsatadance，inaposadakeptbyaMexicanjustoutsidethewalls，thathehadcomeheretomakehisfortune。Isupposehelooksuponhisprestigeasasortofinvestment。\'
`Perhapsheprizesitforitsownsake，\'MrsGouldsaidinatoneasifshewererepellinganundeservedaspersion。`Viola，theGaribaldino，withwhomhehaslivedforsomeyears，callshimtheIncorruptible。
`Ah！hebelongstothegroupofyourprotegesouttheretowardstheharbour，MrsGould。Muybien。AndCaptainMitchellcallshimwonderful。
Ihaveheardnoendoftalesofhisstrength，hisaudacity，hisfidelity。
Noendoffinethings。H\'m！incorruptible！ItisindeedanameofhonourfortheCapatazoftheCargadoresofSulaco。Incorruptible！Fine，butvague。
However，Isupposehe\'ssensible，too。AndItalkedtohimuponthatsaneandpracticalassumption。\'
`Iprefertothinkhimdisinterested，andthereforetrustworthy，\'MrsGouldsaid，withthenearestapproachtocurtnessitwasinhernaturetoassume。
`Well，ifso，thenthesilverwillbestillmoresafe。Letitcomedown，senora。Letitcomedown，sothatitmaygonorthandreturntousintheshapeofcredit。\'
MrsGouldglancedalongthecorridortowardsthedoorofherhusband\'sroom。Decoud，watchingherasifshehadhisfateinherhands，detectedanalmostimperceptiblenodofassent。Hebowedwithasmile，and，puttinghishandintothebreastpocketofhiscoat，pulledoutafanoflightfeatherssetuponpaintedleavesofsandal-wood。`Ihaditinmypocket，\'
hemurmured，triumphantly，`foraplausiblepretext。\'Hebowedagain。`Goodnight，senora。\'
MrsGouldcontinuedalongthecorridorawayfromherhusband\'sroom。
ThefateoftheSanTomeminewaslyingheavyuponherheart。Itwasalongtimenowsinceshehadbeguntofearit。Ithadbeenanidea。Shehadwatcheditwithmisgivingsturningintoafetish，andnowthefetishhadgrownintoamonstrousandcrushingweight。Itwasasiftheinspirationoftheirearlyyearshadleftherhearttoturnintoawallofsilver-bricks，erectedbythesilentworkofevilspirits，betweenherandherhusband。
Heseemedtodwellalonewithinacircumvallationofpreciousmetal，leavingheroutsidewithherschool，herhospital，thesickmothers，andthefeebleoldmen，mereinsignificantvestigesoftheinitialinspiration。`Thosepoorpeople！\'shemurmuredtoherself。
BelowsheheardthevoiceofMartinDecoudinthepatiospeakingloudly:
`IhavefoundDonaAntonia\'sfan，Basilio。Look，hereitis！\'
NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part2Chapter77ItwaspartofwhatDecoudwouldhavecalledhissanematerialismthathedidnotbelieveinthepossibilityoffriendshipbetweenmanandwoman。
Theoneexceptionheallowedconfirmed，hemaintained，thatabsoluterule。Friendshipwaspossiblebetweenbrotherandsister，meaningbyfriendshipthefrankunreserve，asbeforeanotherhumanbeing，ofthoughtsandsensations；
alltheobjectlessandnecessarysincerityofone\'sinnermostlifetryingtoreactupontheprofoundsympathiesofanotherexistence。
Hisfavouritesister，thehandsome，slightlyarbitrary，andresoluteangel，rulingthefatherandmotherDecoudinthefirst-floorapartmentsofaveryfineParisianhouse，wastherecipientofMartinDecoud\'sconfidencesastohisthoughts，actions，purposes，doubts，andevenfailures……
PrepareourlittlecircleinParisforthebirthofanotherSouthAmericanRepublic。Onemoreorless，whatdoesitmatter?Theymaycomeintotheworldlikeevilflowersonahotbedofrotteninstitutions；buttheseedofthisonehasgerminatedinyourbrother\'sbrain，andthatwillbeenoughforyourdevotedassent。Iamwritingthistoyoubythelightofasinglecandle，inasortofinn，neartheharbour，keptbyanItaliancalledViola，aprotegeofMrsGould。Thewholebuilding，which，forallIknow，mayhavebeencontrivedbyaConquistadorfarmerofthepearlfisherythreehundredyearsago，isperfectlysilent。Soistheplainbetweenthetownandtheharbour；silent，butnotsodarkasthehouse，becausethepicketsofItalianworkmenguardingtherailwayhavelightedlittlefiresallalongtheline。Itwasnotsoquietaroundhereyesterday。Wehadanawfulriot——asuddenoutbreakofthepopulace，whichwasnotsuppressedtilllatetoday。Itsobject，nodoubt，wasloot，andthatwasdefeated，asyoumusthavelearnedalreadyfromthecablegramsentviaSanFranciscoandNewYorklastnight，whenthecableswerestillopen。YouhavereadalreadytherethattheenergeticactionoftheEuropeansoftherailwayhassavedthetownfromdestruction，andyoumaybelievethat。Iwroteoutthecablemyself。WehavenoReuter\'sagencymanhere。Ihavealsofiredatthemobfromthewindowsoftheclub，incompanywithsomeotheryoungmenofposition。
OurobjectwastokeeptheCalledelaConstitucionclearfortheexodusoftheladiesandchildren，whohavetakenrefugeonboardacoupleofcargoshipsnowintheharbourhere。Thatwasyesterday。YoushouldalsohavelearnedfromthecablethatthemissingPresident，Ribiera，whohaddisappearedafterthebattleofStaMarta，hasturneduphereinSulacobyoneofthosestrangecoincidencesthatarealmostincredible，ridingonalamemuleintotheverymidstofthestreetfighting。Itappearsthathehadfled，incompanywithamuleteercalledBonifacio，acrossthemountainsfromthethreatsofMonterointothearmsofanenragedmob。
TheCapatazofCargadores，thatItaliansailorofwhomIhavewrittentoyoubefore，hassavedhimfromanignobledeath。Thatmanseemstohaveaparticulartalentforbeingonthespotwheneverthereissomethingpicturesquetobedone。
Hewaswithmeatfouro\'clockinthemorningattheofficesofthePorvenir，wherehehadturnedupsoearlyinordertowarnmeofthecomingtrouble，andalsotoassuremethathewouldkeephiscargadoresonthesideoforder。Whenthefulldaylightcamewewerelookingtogetheratthecrowdonfootandonhorseback，demonstratingonthePlazaandshyingstonesatthewindowsoftheIntendencia。Nostromothatisthenametheycallhimbyherewaspointingouttomehiscargadoresinterspersedinthemob。
ThesunshineslateuponSulaco，forithasfirsttoclimbabovethemountains。Inthatclearmorninglight，brighterthantwilight，NostromosawrightacrossthevastPlaza，attheendofthestreetbeyondthecathedral，amountedmanapparentlyindifficultieswithayellingknotofleperos。
Atoncehesaidtome，`That\'sastranger。Whatisittheyaredoingtohim?\'Thenhetookoutthesilverwhistleheisinthehabitofusingonthewharfthismanseemstodisdaintheuseofanymetallesspreciousthansilverandblewintoittwice，evidentlyapreconcertedsignalforhiscargadores。Heranoutimmediately，andtheyralliedroundhim。
Iranout，too，butwastoolatetofollowthemandhelpintherescueofthestranger，whoseanimalhadfallen。Iwassetuponatonceasahatedaristocrat，andwasonlytoogladtogetintotheclub，whereDonJaimeBergesyoumayrememberhimvisitingatourhouseinParissomethreeyearsagothrustasportinggunintomyhands。Theywerealreadyfiringfromthewindows。Therewerelittleheapsofcartridgeslyingaboutontheopencard-tables。Irememberacoupleofoverturnedchairs，somebottlesrollingontheflooramongstthepacksofcardsscatteredsuddenlyasthecaballerosrosefromtheirgametoopenfireuponthemob。Mostoftheyoungmenhadspentthenightattheclubintheexpectationofsomesuchdisturbance。Intwoofthecandelabra，ontheconsoles，thecandleswereburningdownintheirsockets。Alargeironnut，probablystolenfromtherailwayworkshops，flewinfromthestreetasIentered，andbrokeoneofthelargemirrorssetinthewall。Inoticedalsooneoftheclubservantstieduphandandfootwiththecordsofthecurtainandflunginacorner。IhaveavaguerecollectionofDonJaimeassuringmehastilythatthefellowhadbeendetectedputtingpoisonintothedishesatsupper。
ButIrememberdistinctlyhewasshriekingformercy，withoutstoppingatall，continuously，andsoabsolutelydisregardedthatnobodyeventookthetroubletogaghim。ThenoisehemadewassodisagreeablethatIhadhalfamindtodoitmyself。Buttherewasnotimetowasteonsuchtrifles。
Itookmyplaceatoneofthewindowsandbeganfiring。
Ididn\'tlearntilllaterintheafternoonwhomitwasthatNostromo，withhiscargadoresandsomeItalianworkmenaswell，hadmanagedtosavefromthosedrunkenrascals。Thatmanhasapeculiartalentwhenanythingstrikingtotheimaginationhastobedone。Imadethatremarktohimafterwardswhenwemetaftersomesortoforderhadbeenrestoredinthetown，andtheanswerhemaderathersurprisedme。Hesaidquitemoodily，`AndhowmuchdoIgetforthat，senor?\'Thenitdawneduponmethatperhapsthisman\'svanityhasbeensatiatedbytheadulationofthecommonpeopleandtheconfidenceofhissuperiors！
Decoudpausedtolightacigarette，then，withhisheadstilloverhiswriting，heblewacloudofsmoke，whichseemedtoreboundfromthepaper。
Hetookupthepencilagain。
ThatwasyesterdayeveningonthePlaza，whilehesatonthestepsofthecathedral，hishandsbetweenhisknees，holdingthebridleofhisfamoussilver-greymare。Hehadledhisbodyofcargadoressplendidlyalldaylong。Helookedfatigued。Idon\'tknowhowIlooked。Verydirty，I
suppose。ButIsupposeIalsolookedpleased。FromthetimethefugitivePresidenthadbeengotofftothes。s。Minerva，thetideofsuccesshadturnedagainstthemob。Theyhadbeendrivenofftheharbour，andoutofthebetterstreetsofthetown，intotheirownmazeofruinsandtolderias。
Youmustunderstandthatthisriot，whoseprimaryobjectwasundoubtedlythegettingholdoftheSanTomesilverstoredinthelowerroomsoftheCustomHousebesidesthegenerallootingofthericos，hadacquiredapoliticalcolouringfromthefactoftwoDeputiestotheProvincialAssembly，SenoresGamachoandFuentes，bothfromBolson，puttingthemselvesattheheadofit——lateintheafternoon，itistrue，whenthemob，disappointedintheirhopesofloot，madeastandinthenarrowstreetstothecriesof`Vivalalibertad！DownwithFeudalism！\'Iwonderwhattheyimaginefeudalismtobe?`DownwiththeGothsandParalytics。\'IsupposetheSenoresGamachoandFuentesknewwhattheyweredoing。Theyareprudentgentlemen。IntheAssemblytheycalledthemselvesModerates，andopposedeveryenergeticmeasurewithphilanthropicpensiveness。AtthefirstrumoursofMontero\'svictory，theybegantoshowasubtlechangeofthepensivetemper，andbegantodefypoorDonJusteLopezinhisPresidentialtribunewithaneffronterytowhichthepoormancouldonlyrespondbyadazedsmoothingofhisbeardandtheringingofthePresidentialbell。Then，whenthedownfalloftheRibieristcausebecameconfirmedbeyondtheshadowofadoubt，theyhaveblossomedintoconvincedLiberals，actingtogetherasiftheywereSiamesetwins，andultimatelytakingcharge，asitwere，oftheriotinthenameofMonteristprinciples。
Theirlastmoveofeighto\'clocklastnightwastoorganizethemselvesintoaMonteristCommitteewhichsits，asfarasIknow，inaposadakeptbyaretiredMexicanbull-fighter，agreatpolitician，too，whosenameIhaveforgotten。Thencetheyhaveissuedacommunicationtous，theGothsandParalyticsoftheAmarillaClubwhohaveourowncommittee，invitingustocometosomeprovisionalunderstandingforatruce，inorder，theyhavetheimpudencetosay，thatthenoblecauseofLiberty`shouldnotbestainedbythecriminalexcessesofConservativeselfishness\'！AsIcameouttositwithNostromoonthecathedralstepstheclubwasbusyconsideringaproperreplyintheprincipalroom，litteredwithexplodedcartridges，withalotofbrokenglass，bloodsmears，candlesticks，andallsortsofwreckageonthefloor。Butallthisisnonsense。Nobodyinthetownhasanyrealpowerexcepttherailwayengineers，whosemenoccupythedismantledhousesacquiredbytheCompanyfortheirtownstationononesideofthePlaza，andNostromo，whosecargadoresweresleepingunderthearcadesalongthefrontofAnzani\'sshops。AfireofbrokenfurnitureoutoftheIntendenciasaloons，mostlygilt，wasburningonthePlaza，inahighflameswayingrightuponthestatueofCharlesIV。Thedeadbodyofamanwaslyingonthestepsofthepedestal，hisarmsthrownwideopen，andhissombrerocoveringhisface——theattentionofsomefriend，perhaps。
ThelightoftheflametouchedthefoliageofthefirsttreesontheAlameda，andplayedontheendofaside-streetnearby，blockedupbyajumbleofox-cartsanddeadbullocks。Sittingononeofthecarcases，alepero，muffledup，smokedacigarette。Itwasatruce，youunderstand。TheonlyotherlivingbeingonthePlazabesidesourselveswasacargadorwalkingtoandfro，withalong，bareknifeinhishand，likeasentrybeforetheArcades，wherehisfriendsweresleeping。Andtheonlyotherspotoflightinthedarktownwerethelightedwindowsoftheclub，atthecorneroftheCalle。
Afterhavingwrittensofar，DonMartinDecoud，theexoticdandyoftheParisianboulevard，gotupandwalkedacrossthesandedfloorofthecafeatoneendoftheAlbergoofUnitedItaly，keptbyGiorgioViola，theoldcompanionofGaribaldi。ThehighlycolouredlithographoftheFaithfulHeroseemedtolookdimly，inthelightofonecandle，atthemanwithnofaithinanythingexceptthetruthofhisownsensations。Lookingoutofthewindow，Decoudwasmetbyadarknesssoimpenetrablethathecouldseeneitherthemountainsnorthetown，noryetthebuildingsneartheharbour；andtherewasnotasound，asifthetremendousobscurityofthePlacidGulf，spreadingfromthewatersovertheland，hadmadeitdumbaswellasblind。PresentlyDecoudfeltalighttremorofthefloorandadistantclankofiron。Abrightwhitelightappeared，deepinthedarkness，growingbiggerwithathunderingnoise。TherollingstockusuallykeptonthesidingsinRinconwasbeingrunbacktotheyardsforsafekeeping。
Likeamysteriousstirringofthedarknessbehindtheheadlightoftheengine，thetrainpassedinagustofhollowuproar，bytheendofthehouse，whichseemedtovibratealloverinresponse。Andnothingwasclearlyvisiblebut，ontheendofthelastflatcar，aNegro，inwhitetrousersandnakedtothewaist，swingingablazingtorchbasketincessantlywithacircularmovementofhisbarearm。Decouddidnotstir。
Behindhim，onthebackofthechairfromwhichhehadrisen，hunghiselegantParisianovercoat，withapearl-greysilklining。Butwhenheturnedbacktocometothetablethecandlelightfelluponafacethatwasgrimyandscratched。Hisrosylipswereblackenedwithheat，thesmokeofgun-powder。
Dirtandrusttarnishedthelustreofhisshortbeard。Hisshirtcollarandcuffswerecrumpled；thebluesilkentiehungdownhisbreastlikearag；agreasysmudgecrossedhiswhitebrow。Hehadnottakenoffhisclothingnorusedwater；excepttosnatchahastydrinkgreedily，forsomefortyhours。Anawfulrestlessnesshadmadehimitsown，hadmarkedhimwithallthesignsofdesperatestrife，andputadry，sleeplessstareintohiseyes。Hemurmuredtohimselfinahoarsevoice，`Iwonderifthere\'sanybreadhere，\'lookedvaguelyabouthim，thendroppedintothechairandtookthepencilupagain。Hebecameawarehehadnoteatenanythingformanyhours。
Itoccurredtohimthatnoonecouldunderstandhimsowellashissister。
Inthemostscepticalhearttherelurksatsuchmoments，whenthechancesofexistenceareinvolved，adesiretoleaveacorrectimpressionofthefeelings，likealightbywhichtheactionmaybeseenwhenpersonalityisgone，gonewherenolightofinvestigationcaneverreachthetruthwhicheverydeathtakesoutoftheworld。Therefore，insteadoflookingforsomethingtoeat，ortryingtosnatchanhourorsoofsleep，Decoudwasfillingthepagesofalargepocket-bookwithalettertohissister。
Intheintimacyofthatintercoursehecouldnotkeepouthisweariness，hisgreatfatigue，theclosetouchofhisbodilysensations。Hebeganagainasifheweretalkingtoher。Withalmostanillusionofherpresence，hewrotethephrase，`Iamveryhungry。\'
Ihavethefeelingofagreatsolitudearoundme[hecontinued]。Isit，perhaps，becauseIamtheonlymanwithadefiniteideainhishead，inthecompletecollapseofeveryresolve，intention，andhopeaboutme?
Butthesolitudeisalsoveryreal。Alltheengineersareout，andhavebeenfortwodays，lookingafterthepropertyoftheNationalCentralRailway，ofthatgreatCostaguanaundertakingwhichistoputmoneyintothepocketsofEnglishmen，Frenchmen，Americans，Germans，andGodknowswhoelse。Thesilenceaboutmeisominous。Thereisabovethemiddlepartofthishouseasortoffirstfloor，withnarrowopeningslikeloopholesforwindows，probablyusedinoldtimesforthebetterdefenceagainstthesavages，whenthepersistentbarbarismofournativecontinentdidnotweartheblackcoatsofpoliticians，butwentaboutyelling，half-naked，withbowsandarrowsinitshands。Thewomanofthehouseisdyingupthere，Ibelieve，allalonewithheroldhusband。Thereisanarrowstaircase，thesortofstaircaseonemancouldeasilydefendagainstamob，leadingupthere，andIhavejustheard，throughthethicknessofthewall，theoldfellowgoingdownintotheirkitchenforsomethingorother。Itwasasortofnoiseamousemightmakebehindtheplasterofawall。Alltheservantstheyhadranawayyesterdayandhavenotreturnedyet，ifevertheydo。
Fortherest，thereareonlytwochildrenhere，twogirls。Thefatherhassentthemdownstairs，andtheyhavecreptintothiscafe，perhapsbecauseIamhere。Theyhuddletogetherinacorner，ineachother\'sarms；Ijustnoticedthemafewminutesago，andIfeelmorelonelythanever。
Decoudturnedhalfroundinhischair，andasked，`Isthereanybreadhere?\'
Linda\'sdarkheadwasshakennegativelyinresponse，abovethefairheadofhersisternestlingonherbreast。
`Youcouldn\'tgetmesomebread?\'insistedDecoud。Thechilddidnotmove；hesawherlargeeyesstareathimverydarkfromthecorner。`You\'renotafraidofme?\'hesaid。
`No，\'saidLinda，`wearenotafraidofyou。YoucameherewithGian\'
Battista。\'
`YoumeanNostromo?\'saidDecoud。
`TheEnglishcallhimso，butthatisnonameeitherformanorbeast，\'
saidthegirl，passingherhandgentlyoverhersister\'shair。
`Butheletspeoplecallhimso，\'remarkedDecoud。
`Notinthishouse，\'retortedthechild。
`Ah！well，IshallcallhimtheCapatazthen。\'
Decoudgaveupthepoint，andafterwritingsteadilyforawhileturnedroundagain。
`Whendoyouexpecthimback?\'heasked。
`AfterhebroughtyouhereherodeofftofetchtheSenorDoctorfromthetownformother。Hewillbebacksoon。\'
`Hestandsagoodchanceofgettingshotsomewhereontheroad，\'Decoudmurmuredtohimselfaudibly；andLindadeclaredinherhigh-pitchedvoice:
`NobodywoulddaretofireashotatGian\'Battista。\'
`Youbelievethat，\'askedDecoud，`doyou?\'
`Iknowit，\'saidthechild，withconviction。`ThereisnooneinthisplacebraveenoughtoattackGian\'Battista。\'
`Itdoesn\'trequiremuchbraverytopullatriggerbehindabush，\'mutteredDecoudtohimself。`Fortunately，thenightisdark，ortherewouldbebutlittlechanceofsavingthesilverofthemine。\'
Heturnedagaintohispocket-book，glancedbackthroughthepages，andagainstartedhispencil。
Thatwasthepositionyesterday，aftertheMinervawiththefugitivePresidenthadgoneoutofharbour，andtheriotershadbeendrivenbackintotheside-lanesofthetown。IsatonthestepsofthecathedralwithNostromo，aftersendingoutthecablemessagefortheinformationofamoreorlessattentiveworld。Strangelyenough，thoughtheofficesoftheCableCompanyareinthesamebuildingasthePorvenir，themob，whichhasthrownmypressesoutofthewindowandscatteredthetypealloverthePlaza，hasbeenkeptfrominterferingwiththeinstrumentsontheothersideofthecourtyard。AsIsattalkingwithNostromo，Bernhardt，thetelegraphist，cameoutfromundertheArcadeswithapieceofpaperinhishand。Thelittlemanhadtiedhimselfuptoanenormousswordandwashungalloverwithrevolvers。Heisridiculous，butthebravestGermanofhissizethatevertappedthekeyofaMorsetransmitter。HehadreceivedthemessagefromCaytareportingthetransportswithBarrio\'sarmyjustenteringtheport，andendingwiththewords，`Thegreatestenthusiasmprevails。\'Iwalkedofftodrinksomewateratthefountain，andIwasshotatfromtheAlamedabysomebodyhidingbehindatree。ButIdrank，anddidn\'tcare；withBarriosinCaytaandthegreatCordillerabetweenusandMontero\'svictoriousarmyIseemed，nothwithstandingMessrsGamachoandFuentes，toholdmynewStateinthehollowofmyhand。Iwasreadytosleep，butwhenIgotasfarastheCasaGouldIfoundthepatiofullofwoundedlaidoutonstraw。Lightswereburning，andinthatenclosedcourtyardonthathotnightafaintodourofchloroformandbloodhungabout。AtoneendDrMonygham，thedoctorofthemine，wasdressingthewounds；attheother，nearthestairs，FatherCorbelankneeling，listenedtotheconfessionofadyingcargador。MrsGouldwaswalkingaboutthroughtheseshambleswithalargebottleinonehandandalotofcottonwoolintheother。Shejustlookedatmeandneverevenwinked。Hercameristawasfollowingher，alsoholdingabottle，andsobbinggentlytoherself。
Ibusiedmyselfforsometimeinfetchingwaterfromthecisternforthewounded。AfterwardsIwanderedupstairs，meetingsomeofthefirstladiesofSulaco，palerthanIhadeverseenthembefore，withbandagesovertheirarms。Notallofthemhadfledtotheships。AgoodmanyhadtakenrefugeforthedayintheCasaGould。Onthelandingagirl，withherhairhalfdown，waskneelingagainstthewallunderthenichewherestandsaMadonnainbluerobesandagiltcrownonherhead。IthinkitwastheeldestMissLopez；Icouldn\'tseeherface，butIrememberlookingatthehighFrenchheelofherlittleshoe。Shedidnotmakeasound，shedidnotstir，shewasnotsobbing；sheremainedthere，perfectlystill，allblackagainstthewhitewall，asilentfigureofpassionatepiety。
Iamsureshewasnomorefrightenedthantheotherwhite-facedladiesImetcarryingbandages。Onewassittingonthetopsteptearingapieceoflinenhastilyintostrips——theyoungwifeofanelderlymanoffortunehere。Sheinterruptedherselftowaveherhandtomybow，asthoughshewereinhercarriageontheAlameda。Thewomenofourcountryareworthlookingatduringarevolution。Therougeandpearlpowderfalloff，togetherwiththatpassiveattitudetowardstheouterworldwhicheducation，tradition，customimposeuponthemfromtheearliestinfancy。Ithoughtofyourface，whichfromyourinfancyhadthestampofintelligenceinsteadofthatpatientandresignedcastwhichappearswhensomepoliticalcommotiontearsdowntheveilofcosmeticsandusage。
InthegreatsalaupstairsasortofJuntaofNotableswassitting，theremnantofthevanishedProvincialAssembly。DonJusteLopezhadhadhalfhisbeardsingedoffatthemuzzleofatrabucoloadedwithslugs，ofwhicheveryonemissedhim，providentially。Andasheturnedhisheadfromsidetosideitwasexactlyasiftherehadbeentwomeninsidehisfrock-coat，onenoblywhiskeredandsolemn，theotheruntidyandscared。
Theyraisedacryof`Decoud！DonMartin！\'atmyentrance。Iaskedthem，`Whatareyoudeliberatingupon，gentlemen?\'Theredidnotseemtobeanypresident，thoughDonJoseAvellanossatattheheadofthetable。Theyallansweredtogether，`Onthepreservationoflifeandproperty。\'`Tillthenewofficialsarrive，\'DonJusteexplainedtome，withthesolemnsideofhisfaceofferedtomyview。ItwasasifastreamofwaterhadbeenpoureduponmyglowingideaofanewState。Therewasahissingsoundinmyears，andtheroomgrewdim，asifsuddenlyfilledwithvapour。
Iwalkeduptothetableblindly，asthoughIhadbeendrunk。`Youaredeliberatinguponsurrender，\'Isaid。Theyallsatstill，withtheirnosesoverthesheetofpapereachhadbeforehim，Godonlyknowswhy。OnlyDonJosehidhisfaceinhishands，muttering，`Never，never！\'ButasIlookedathim，itseemedtomethatIcouldhaveblownhimawaywithmybreath，helookedsofrail，soweak，sowornout。Whateverhappens，hewillnotsurvive。Thedeceptionistoogreatforamanofhisage；andhasn\'theseenthesheetsofFiftyYearsofMisrule，whichwehavebegunprintingonthepressesofthePorvenir，litteringthePlaza，floatinginthegutters，firedoutaswadsfortrabucosloadedwithhandfulsoftype，blowninthewind，trampledinthemud?Ihaveseenpagesfloatingupontheverywatersoftheharbour。Itwouldbeunreasonabletoexpecthimtosurvive。Itwouldbecruel。
`Doyouknow，\'Icried，`whatsurrendermeanstoyou，toyourwomen，toyourchildren，toyourproperty?\'
Ideclaimedforfiveminuteswithoutdrawingbreath，itseemstome，harpingonourbestchances，ontheferocityofMontero，whomImadeouttobeasgreatabeastasIhavenodoubthewouldliketobeifhehadintelligenceenoughtoconceiveasystematicreignofterror。AndthenforanotherfiveminutesormoreIpouredoutanimpassionedappealtotheircourageandmanliness，withallthepassionofmyloveforAntonia。
Forifevermanspokewell，itwouldbefromapersonalfeeling，denouncinganenemy，defendinghimself，orpleadingforwhatreallymaybedearerthanlife。Mydeargirl，Iabsolutelythunderedatthem。Itseemedasifmyvoicewouldburstthewallsasunder，andwhenIstoppedIsawalltheirscaredeyeslookingatmedubiously。AndthatwasalltheeffectIhadproduced！OnlyDonJose\'sheadhadsunklowerandloweronhisbreast。
Ibentmyeartohiswitheredlips，andmadeouthiswhisper，somethinglike，`InGod\'sname，then，Martin，myson！\'Idon\'tknowexactly。TherewasthenameofGodinit，Iamcertain。ItseemstomeIhavecaughthislastbreath——thebreathofhisdepartingsoulonhislips。
Helivesyet，itistrue。Ihaveseenhimsince；butitwasonlyasenilebody，lyingonitsback，coveredtothechin，withopeneyes，andsostillthatyoumighthavesaiditwasbreathingnolonger。Ilefthimthus，withAntoniakneelingbythesideofthebed，justbeforeIcametothisItalian\'sposada，wheretheubiquitousdeathisalsowaiting。ButIknowthatDonJosehasreallydiedthere，intheCasaGould，withthatwhisperurgingmetoattemptwhatnodoubthissoul，wrappedupinthesanctityofdiplomatictreatiesandsolemndeclarations，musthaveabhorred。Ihadexclaimedveryloud，`ThereisneveranyGodinacountrywheremenwillnothelpthemselves。\'
Meanwhile，DonJustehadbegunaponderedorationwhosesolemneffectwasspoiledbytheridiculousdisastertohisbeard。Ididnotwaittomakeitout。HeseemedtoarguethatMontero\'shecalledhimTheGeneral
intentionswereprobablynotevil，though，hewenton，`thatdistinguishedman\'onlyaweekagoweusedtocallhimagran\'bestia`wasperhapsmistakenastothetruemeans\'。Asyoumayimagine，Ididn\'tstaytoheartherest。IknowtheintentionsofMontero\'sbrother，Pedrito，theguerrillero，whomIexposedinParis，someyearsago，inacafefrequentedbySouthAmericanstudents，wherehetriedtopasshimselfoffforaSecretaryofLegation。Heusedtocomeinandtalkforhours，twistinghisfelthatinhishairypaws，andhisambitionseemedtobecomeasortofDucdeMornytoasortofNapoleon。Already，then，heusedtotalkofhisbrotherininflatedterms。Heseemedfairlysafefrombeingfoundout，becausethestudents，alloftheBlancofamilies，didnot，asyoumayimagine，frequenttheLegation。ItwasonlyDecoud，amanwithoutfaithandprinciples，astheyusedtosay，thatwentintheresometimesforthesakeofthefun，asitweretoanassemblyoftrainedmonkeys。Iknowhisintentions。I
haveseenhimchangetheplatesattable。Whoeverisallowedtoliveoninterror，Imustdiethedeath。
No，Ididn\'tstaytotheendtohearDonJusteLopeztryingtopersuadehimselfinagraveorationoftheclemencyandjustice，andhonesty，andpurityofthebrothersMontero。IwentoutabruptlytoseekAntonia。I
sawherinthegallery。AsIopenedthedoor，sheextendedtomeherclaspedhands。
`Whataretheydoinginthere?\'sheasked。
`Talking，\'Isaid，withmyeyeslookingintohers。
`Yes，yes，but——\'
`Emptyspeeches，\'Iinterruptedher。`Hidingtheirfearsbehindimbecilehopes。TheyareallgreatParliamentariansthere——ontheEnglishmodel，asyouknow。\'IwassofuriousthatIcouldhardlyspeak。Shemadeagestureofdespair。
ThroughthedoorIheldalittleajarbehindme，weheardDonJuste\'smeasuredmouthingmonotonegoonfromphrasetophrase，likeasortofawfulandsolemnmadness。
`Afterall，theDemocraticaspirationshave，perhaps，theirlegitimacy。
Thewaysofhumanprogressareinscrutable，andifthefateofthecountryisinthehandofMontero，weought——\'
Icrashedthedoortoonthat；itwasenough；itwastoomuch。TherewasneverabeautifulfaceexpressingmorehorroranddespairthanthefaceofAntonia。Icouldn\'tbearit；Iseizedherwrists。
`Havetheykilledmyfatherinthere?\'sheasked。
Hereyesblazedwithindignation，butasIlookedon，fascinated，thelightinthemwentout。
`Itisasurrender，\'Isaid。AndIrememberIwasshakingherwristsIheldapartinmyhands。`Butit\'smorethantalk。YourfathertoldmetogooninGod\'sname。\'
Mydeargirl，thereisthatinAntoniawhichwouldmakemebelieveinthefeasibilityofanything。Onelookatherfaceisenoughtosetmybrainonfire。AndyetIloveherasanyothermanwould——withtheheart，andwiththatalone。SheismoretomethanhisChurchtoFatherCorbelantheGrandVicardisappearedlastnightfromthetown；perhapsgonetojointhebandofHernandez。SheismoretomethanhispreciousminetothatsentimentalEnglishman。Iwon\'tspeakofhiswife。Shemayhavebeensentimentalonce。TheSanTomeminestandsnowbetweenthosetwopeople。`Yourfatherhimself，Antonia，\'Irepeated；`yourfather，doyouunderstand?hastoldmetogoon。\'
Sheavertedherface，andinapainedvoice——
`Hehas?\'shecried。`Then，indeed，Ifearhewillneverspeakagain。\'
Shefreedherwristsfrommyclutchandbegantocryinherhandkerchief。
Idisregardedhersorrow；Iwouldratherseehermiserablethannotseeheratall，neveranymore；forwhetherIescapedorstayedtodie，therewasforusnocomingtogether，nofuture。Andthatbeingso，Ihadnopitytowasteuponthepassingmomentsofhersorrow。IsentheroffintearstofetchDonaEmiliaandDonCarlos，too。Theirsentimentwasnecessarytotheverylifeofmyplan；thesentimentalismofthepeoplethatwillneverdoanythingforthesakeoftheirpassionatedesire，unlessitcomestothemclothedinthefairrobesofanidea。
Lateatnightweformedasmalljuntaoffour——thetwowomen，DonCarlos，andmyself——inMrsGould\'sblue-and-whiteboudoir。
ElReydeSulacothinkshimself，nodoubt，averyhonestman。Andsoheis，ifonecouldlookbehindhistaciturnity。Perhapshethinksthatthisalonemakeshishonestyunstained。ThoseEnglishmenliveonillusionswhichsomehoworotherhelpthemtogetafirmholdofthesubstance。Whenhespeaksitisbyarare`yes\'or`no\'thatseemsasimpersonalasthewordsofanoracle。Buthecouldnotimposeonmebyhisdumbreserve。
Iknewwhathehadinhishead；hehashismineinhishead；andhiswifehadnothinginherheadbuthispreciousperson，whichhehasboundupwiththeGouldConcessionandtiedtothatlittlewoman\'sneck。Nomatter。
ThethingwastomakehimpresenttheaffairtoHolroydtheSteelandSilverKinginsuchamannerastosecurehisfinancialsupport。Atthattimelastnight，justtwenty-fourhoursago，wethoughtthesilveroftheminesafeintheCustomHousevaultstillthenorth-boundsteamercametotakeitaway。Andaslongasthetreasureflowednorth，withoutabreak，thatuttersentimentalist，Holroyd，wouldnotdrophisideaofintroducing，notonlyjustice，industry，peace，tothebenightedcontinents，butalsothatpetdreamofhisofapurerformofChristianity。Lateron，theprincipalEuropeanreallyinSulaco，theengineer-in-chiefoftherailway，cameridingupthecalle，fromtheharbour，andwasadmittedtoourconclave。
Meantime，theJuntaoftheNotablesinthegreatsalawasstilldeliberating；only，oneofthemhadrunoutinthecorridortoasktheservantwhethersomethingtoeatcouldn\'tbesentin。Thefirstwordstheengineer-in-chiefsaidashecameintotheboudoirwere，`Whatisyourhouse，dearMrsGould?Awarhospitalbelow，andapparentlyarestaurantabove。Isawthemcarryingtraysfullofgoodthingsintothesala。\'
`Andhere，inthisboudoir，\'Isaid，`youbeholdtheinnercabinetoftheOccidentalRepublicthatistobe。\'
Hewassopreoccupiedthathedidn\'tsmileatthat，hedidn\'tevenlooksurprised。
Hetoldusthathewasattendingtothegeneraldispositionsforthedefenceoftherailwaypropertyattherailwayyardswhenhewassentfortogointotherailwaytelegraphoffice。Theengineeroftherailhead，atthefootofthemountains，wantedtotalktohimfromhisendofthewire。Therewasnobodyintheofficebuthimselfandtheoperatoroftherailwaytelegraph，whoreadofftheclicksaloudasthetapecoileditslengthuponthefloor。Andthepurportofthattalk，clickednervouslyfromawoodenshedinthedepthsoftheforests，hadinformedthechiefthatPresidentRibierahadbeen，orwasbeing，pursued。Thiswasnews，indeed，toallofusinSulaco。Ribiera，himself，whenrescued，revived，andsoothedbyus，hadbeeninclinedtothinkthathehadnotbeenpursued。
Ribierahadyieldedtotheurgentsolicitationsofhisfriends，andhadlefttheheadquartersofhisdiscomfitedarmyalone，undertheguidanceofBonifacio，themuleteer，whohadbeenwillingtotaketheresponsibilitywiththerisk。Hehaddepartedatdaybreakofthethirdday。Hisremainingforceshadmeltedawayduringthenight。BonifacioandherodehardonhorsestowardstheCordillera；thentheyobtainedmules，enteredthepasses，andcrossedtheParamoofIviejustbeforeafreezingblastsweptoverthatstonyplateau，buryinginadriftofsnowthelittleshelter-hutofstonesinwhichtheyhadspentthenight。AfterwardspoorRibierahadmanyadventures，gotseparatedfromhisguide，losthismount，struggleddowntotheCampoonfoot，andifhehadnotthrownhimselfonthemercyofarancherowouldhaveperishedalongwayfromSulaco。Thatman，who，asamatteroffact，recognizedhimatonce，lethimhaveafreshmule，whichthefugitive，heavyandunskilful，hadriddentodeath。AnditwastruehehadbeenpursuedbyapartycommandedbynolessapersonthanPedroMontero，thebrotherofthegeneral。ThecoldwindoftheParamoluckilycaughtthepursuersonthetopofthepass。Somefewmen，andalltheanimals，perishedintheicyblast。Thestragglersdied，butthemainbodykepton。TheyfoundpoorBonifaciolyinghalf-deadatthefootofasnowslope，andbayonetedhimpromptlyinthetrueCivilWarstyle。TheywouldhavehadRibiera，too，iftheyhadnot，forsomereasonorother，turnedoffthetrackoftheoldcaminoreal，onlytolosetheirwayintheforestsatthefootofthelowerslopes。Andtheretheywereatlast，havingstumbledinunexpectedlyupontheconstructioncamp。TheengineerattherailheadtoldhischiefbywirethathehadPedroMonteroabsolutelythere，intheveryoffice，listeningtotheclicks。HewasgoingtotakepossessionofSulacointhenameoftheDemocracy。Hewasveryoverbearing。HismenslaughteredsomeoftheRailwayCompany\'scattlewithoutaskingleave，andwenttoworkbroilingthemeatontheembers。Pedritomademanypointedinquiriesastothesilvermine，andwhathadbecomeoftheproductofthelastsixmonths\'working。Hehadsaidperemptorily，`Askyourchiefuptherebywire，heoughttoknow；tellhimthatDonPedroMontero，ChiefoftheCampoandMinisteroftheInteriorofthenewGovernment，desirestobecorrectlyinformed。\'
Hehadhisfeetwrappedupinblood-stainedrags，alean，haggardface，raggedbeardandhair，andhadwalkedinlimping，withacrookedbranchofatreeforastaff。Hefollowerswere，perhaps，inaworseplight，butapparentlytheyhadnotthrownawaytheirarms，and，atanyrate，notalltheirammunition。Theirleanfacesfilledthedoorandthewindowsofthetelegraphhut。Asitwasatthesametimethebedroomoftheengineer-in-chargethere，MonterohadthrownhimselfonhiscleanblanketsandlaythereshiveringanddictatingrequisitionstobetransmittedbywiretoSulaco。Hedemandedatrainofcarstobesentdownatoncetotransporthismenup。
`TothisIansweredfrommyend，\'theengineer-in-chiefrelatedtous，`thatIdarednotrisktherolling-stockintheinterior，astherehadbeenattemptstowrecktrainsallalongthelineseveraltimes。Ididthatforyoursake，Gould，\'saidthechiefengineer。`Theanswertothiswas，inthewordsofmysubordinate，“Thefilthybruteonmybedsaid，`SupposeIweretohaveyoushot\'“Towhichmysubordinate，who，itappearswashimselfoperating，remarkedthatitwouldnotbringthecarsup。Uponthat，theother，yawning，said，“Nevermind，thereisnolackofhorsesontheCampo。”And，turningover，wenttosleeponHarris\'sbed。\'
Thisiswhy，mydeargirl，Iamafugitivetonight。ThelastwirefromrailheadsaysthatPedroMonteroandhismenleftatday-break，afterfeedingonasadobeefallnight。Theytookallthehorses；theywillfindmoreontheroad；they\'llbehereinlessthanthirtyhours，andthusSulacoisnoplaceeitherformeorthegreatstoreofsilverbelongingtotheGouldConcession。
Butthatisnottheworst。ThegarrisonofEsmeraldahasgoneovertothevictoriousparty。WehaveheardthisbymeansofthetelegraphistoftheCableCompany，whocametotheCasaGouldintheearlymorningwiththenews。Infact，itwassoearlythatthedayhadnotyetquitebrokenoverSulaco。HiscolleagueinEsmeraldahadcalledhimuptosaythatthegarrison，aftershootingsomeoftheirofficers，hadtakenpossessionofaGovernmentsteamerlaidupintheharbour。Itisreallyaheavyblowforme。IthoughtIcoulddependoneverymaninthisprovince。Itwasamistake。ItwasaMonteristRevolutioninEsmeralda，justsuchaswasattemptedinSulaco，onlythatthatonecameoff。ThetelegraphistwassignallingtoBernhardtallthetime，andhislasttransmittedwordswere，`Theyareburstinginthedoor，andtakingpossessionofthecableoffice。Youarecutoff。Candonomore。\'
But，asamatteroffact，hemanagedsomehowtoescapethevigilanceofhiscaptors，whohadtriedtostopthecommunicationwiththeouterworld。Hedidmanageit。HowitwasdoneIdon\'tknow，butafewhoursafterwardshecalledupSulacoagain，andwhathesaidwas，`TheinsurgentarmyhastakenpossessionoftheGovernmenttransportinthebayandarefillingherwithtroops，withtheintentionofgoingroundthecoasttoSulaco。Thereforelookoutforyourselves。Theywillbereadytostartinafewhours，andmaybeuponyoubeforedaybreak。\'
Thisisallhecouldsay。Theydrovehimawayfromhisinstrumentthistimeforgood，becauseBernhardthasbeencallingupEsmeraldaeversincewithoutgettingananswer。
Aftersettingthesewordsdowninthepocket-bookwhichhewasfillingupforthebenefitofhissister，Decoudliftedhisheadtolisten。Buttherewerenosounds，neitherintheroomnorinthehouse，exceptthedripofthewaterfromthefilterintothevastearthenwarejarunderthewoodenstand。Andoutsidethehousetherewasagreatsilence。Decoudloweredhisheadagainoverthepocket-book。
Iamnotrunningaway，youunderstand[hewroteon]。Iamsimplygoingawaywiththatgreattreasureofsilverwhichmustbesavedatallcosts。
PedroMonterofromtheCampoandtherevoltedgarrisonofEsmeraldafromtheseaareconverginguponit。Thatitistherelyingreadyforthemisonlyanaccident。TherealobjectiveistheSanTomemineitself，asyoumaywellimagine；otherwisetheOccidentalProvincewouldhavebeen，nodoubt，leftaloneformanyweeks，tobegatheredatleisureintothearmsofthevictoriousparty。DonCarlosGouldwillhaveenoughtodotosavehismine，withitsorganizationanditspeople；this`ImperiuminImperio\'，thiswealth-producingthing，towhichhissentimentalismattachesastrangeideaofjustice。Heholdstoitassomemenholdtotheideaofloveorrevenge。UnlessIammuchmistakenintheman，itmustremaininviolateorperishbyanactofhiswillalone。Apassionhascreptintohiscoldandidealisticlife。ApassionwhichIcanonlycomprehendintellectually。
Apassionthatisnotlikethepassionsweknow，wemenofanotherblood。
Butitisasdangerousasanyofours。
Hiswifehasunderstoodit，too。Thatiswhysheissuchagoodallyofmine。SheseizesuponallmysuggestionswithasureinstinctthatintheendtheymakeforthesafetyoftheGouldConcession。Andhedeferstoherbecausehetrustsherperhaps，butIfancymoreratherasifhewishedtomakeupforsomesubtlewrong，forthatsentimentalunfaithfulnesswhichsurrendersherhappiness，herlife，totheseductionofanidea。
Thelittlewomanhasdiscoveredthathelivesforthemineratherthanforher。Butletthembe。Toeachhisfate，shapedbypassionorsentiment。
Theprincipalthingisthatshehasbackedupmyadvicetogetthesilveroutofthetown，outofthecountry，atonce，atanycost，atanyrisk。
DonCarlos\'smissionistopreserveunstainedthefairnameofhismine；
MrsGould\'smissionistosavehimfromtheeffectsofthatcoldandovermasteringpassion，whichshedreadsmorethanifitwereaninfatuationforanotherwoman。Nostromo\'smissionistosavethesilver。TheplanistoloaditintothelargestoftheCompany\'slighters，andsenditacrossthegulftoasmallportoutofCostaguanaterritoryjustontheothersideoftheAzuera，wherethefirstnorthboundsteamerwillgetorderstopickitup。
Thewatersherearecalm。WeshallslipawayintothedarknessofthegulfbeforetheEsmeraldarebelsarrive；andbythetimethedaybreaksovertheoceanweshallbeoutofsight，invisible，hiddenbyAzuera，whichitselflooksfromtheSulacoshorelikeafaintbluecloudonthehorizon。
TheincorruptibleCapatazdeCargadoresisthemanforthatwork；andI，themanwithapassion，butwithoutamission，Igowithhimtoreturn——toplaymypartinthefarcetotheend，and，ifsuccessful，toreceivemyreward，whichnoonebutAntoniacangiveme。
IshallnotseeheragainnowbeforeIdepart。Ilefther，asIhavesaid，byDonJose\'sbedside。Thestreetwasdark，thehousesshutup，andIwalkedoutofthetowninthenight。Notasinglestreet-lamphadbeenlitfortwodays，andthearchwayofthegatewasonlyamassofdarknessinthevagueformofatower，inwhichIheardlow，dismalgroansthatseemedtoanswerthemurmursofaman\'svoice。
Irecognizedsomethingimpassiveandcarelessinthetone，characteristicofthatGenoesesailorwho，likeme，hascomecasuallyheretobedrawnintotheeventsforwhichhisscepticismaswellasmineseemstoentertainasortofpassivecontempt。Theonlythingheseemstocarefor，asfarasIhavebeenabletodiscover，istobewellspokenof。Anambitionfitfornoblesouls，butalsoaprofitableoneforanexceptionallyintelligentscoundrel。Yes。Hisverywords，`Tobewellspokenof。Si，senor。\'
Hedoesnotseemtomakeanydifferencebetweenspeakingandthinking。
Isitsheernaivenessorthepracticalpointofview，Iwonder?Exceptionalindividualitiesalwaysinterestme，becausetheyaretruetothegeneralformulaexpressingthemoralstateofhumanity。
HejoinedmeontheharbourroadafterIhadpassedthemunderthedarkarchwaywithoutstopping。Itwasawomanintroublehehadbeentalkingto。ThroughdiscretionIkeptsilentwhilehewalkedbymyside。Afteratimehebegantotalkhimself。ItwasnotwhatIexpected。Itwasonlyanoldwoman，anoldlace-maker，insearchofherson，oneofthestreet-sweepersemployedbythemunicipality。Friendshadcomethedaybeforeatdaybreaktothedooroftheirhovelcallinghimout。Hehadgonewiththem，andshehadnotseenhimsince；soshehadleftthefoodshehadbeenpreparinghalf-cookedontheextinctembersandhadcrawledoutasfarastheharbour，whereshehadheardthatsometownmozoshadbeenkilledonthemorningoftheriot。OneofthecargadoresguardingtheCustomHousehadbroughtoutalantern，andhadhelpedhertolookatthefewdeadleftlyingaboutthere。Nowshewascreepingback，havingfailedinhersearch。
Soshesatdownonthestoneseatunderthearch，moaning，becauseshewasverytired。TheCapatazhadquestionedher，andafterhearingherbrokenandgroaningtalehadadvisedhertogoandlookamongstthewoundedinthepatiooftheCasaGould。Hehadalsogivenheraquarterdollar，hementionedcarelessly。
`Whydidyoudothat?\'Iasked。`Doyouknowher?\'
`No，senor。Idon\'tsupposeIhaveeverseenherbefore。HowshouldI?Shehasnotprobablybeenoutinthestreetsforyears。Sheisoneofthoseoldwomenthatyoufindinthiscountryatthebackofhuts，crouchingoverfireplaces，withastickonthegroundbytheirside，andalmosttoofeebletodriveawaythestraydogsfromtheircooking-pots。Caramba！Icouldtellbyhervoicethatdeathhadforgottenher。
But，oldoryoung，theylikemoney，andwillspeakwellofthemanwhogivesittothem。\'Helaughedalittle。`Senor，youshouldhavefelttheclutchofherpawasIputthepieceinherpalm。\'Hepaused。