Helititandletthematchdropfromhispassivefingers。GiorgioViolalookedup，andsaidabruptly:
　　`Mysonwouldhavebeenjustsuchafineyoungmanasyou，Gian'Battista，ifhehadlived。'
　　`What?Yourson?Butyouareright，padrone。Ifhehadbeenlikemehewouldhavebeenaman。'
　　Heturnedhishorseslowly，andpacedonbetweenthebooths，checkingthemarealmosttoastandstillnowandthenforchildren，forthegroupsofpeoplefromthedistantCampo，whostaredafterhimwithadmiration。
　　TheCompany'slightermensalutedhimfromafar；andthegreatlyenviedCapatazdeCargadoresadvanced，amongstmurmursofrecognitionandobsequiousgreetings，towardsthehugecircus-likeerection。Thethrongthickened；
　　theguitarstinkledlouder；otherhorsemensatmotionless，smokingcalmlyabovetheheadsofthecrowd；iteddiedandpushedbeforethedoorsofthehigh-roofedbuilding，whenceissuedashuffleandthumpingoffeetintimetothedancemusicvibratingandshriekingwitharackingrhythm，overhungbythetremendous，sustained，hollowroarofthegombo。Theharbarousandimposingnoiseofthebigdrum，thatcanmaddenacrowd，andthatevenEuropeanscannothearwithoutastrangeemotion，seemedtodrawNostromoontoitssource，whileaman，wrappedupinafaded，tornponcho，walkedbyhisstirrup，and，buffetedrightandleft，begged`hisworship'insistentlyforemploymentonthewharf。Hewhined，offeringtheSenorCapatazhalfhisdailypayfortheprivilegeofbeingadmittedtotheswaggeringfraternityofcargadores；theotherhalfwouldbeenoughforhim，heprotested。
　　ButCaptainMitchell'sright-handman——`invaluableforourwork——aperfectlyincorruptiblefellow'——afterlookingdowncriticallyattheraggedmozo，shookhisheadwithoutawordintheuproargoingonaround。
　　Themanfellback；andalittlefartheronNostromohadtopullup。
　　Fromthedoorsofthedance-hallmenandwomenemergedtottering，streamingwithsweat，tremblingineverylimb，tolean，panting，withstaringeyesandpartedlips，againstthewallofthestructure，wheretheharpsandguitarsplayedonwithmadspeedinanincessantrollofthunder。Hundredsofhandsclappedinthere；voicesshrieked，andthenallatoncewouldsinklow，chantinginunisontherefrainofalovesong，withadyingfall。
　　Aredflower，flungwithagoodaimfromsomewhereinthecrowd，strucktheresplendentCapatazonthecheek。
　　Hecaughtitasitfell，neatly，butforsometimedidnotturnhishead。Whenatlasthecondescendedtolookround，thethrongnearhimhadpartedtomakewayforaprettyMorenita，herhairheldupbyasmallgoldencomb，whowaswalkingtowardshimintheopenspace。
　　Herarmsandneckemergedplumpandbarefromasnowychemisette；thebluewoollenskirt，withallthefullnessgatheredinfront，scantyonthehipsandtightacrosstheback，disclosedtheprovokingactionofherwalk。Shecamestraightonandlaidherhandonthemare'sneckwithatimid，coquettishlookupwardsoutofthecornerofhereyes。
　　`Querido，'shemurmured，caressingly，`whydoyoupretendnottoseemewhenIpass?'
　　`BecauseIdon'tlovetheeanymore，'saidNostromo，deliberately，afteramomentofreflectivesilence。
　　Thehandonthemare'snecktrembledsuddenly。Shedroppedherheadbeforealltheeyesinthewidecircleformedroundthegenerous，theterrible，theinconstantCapatazdeCargadores，andhisMorenita。
　　Nostromo，lookingdown，sawtearsbeginningtofalldownherface。
　　`Hasitcome，then，everbelovedofmyheart?'shewhispered。`Isittrue?'
　　`No，'saidNostromo，lookingawaycarelessly。`Itwasalie。Ilovetheeasmuchasever。'
　　`Isthattrue?'shecooed，joyously，hercheeksstillwetwithtears。
　　`Itistrue。'
　　`Trueonthelife?'
　　`Astrueasthat；butthoumustnotaskmetoswearitontheMadonnathatstandsinthyroom。'AndtheCapatazlaughedalittleinresponsetothegrinsofthecrowd。
　　Shepouted——verypretty——alittleuneasy。
　　`No，Iwillnotaskforthat。Icanseeloveinyoureyes。'Shelaidherhandonhisknee。`Whyareyoutremblinglikethis?Fromlove?'shecontinued，whilethecavernousthunderingofthegombowentonwithoutapause。`Butifyouloveherasmuchasthat，youmustgiveyourPaquitaagold-mountedrosaryofbeadsfortheneckofherMadonna。'
　　`No，'saidNostromo，lookingintoheruplifted，beggingeyes，whichsuddenlyturnedstonywithsurprise。
　　`No?Thenwhatelsewillyourworshipgivemeonthedayofthefiesta?'
　　sheasked，angrily；`soasnottoshamemebeforeallthesepeople。'
　　`Thereisnoshamefortheeingettingnothingfromthyloverforonce。'
　　`True！Theshameisyourworship's——mypoorlover's，'sheflaredup，sarcastically。
　　Laughswereheardatheranger，atherretort。Whatanaudaciousspitfireshewas！Thepeopleawareofthisscenewerecallingouturgentlytoothersinthecrowd。Thecircleroundthesilver-greymarenarrowedslowly。
　　Thegirlwentoffapaceortwo，confrontingthemockingcuriosityoftheeyes，thenflungbacktothestirrup，tiptoeing，herenragedfaceturneduptoNostromowithapairofblazingeyes。Hebentlowtoherinthesaddle。
　　`Juan，'shehissed，`Icouldstabtheetotheheart！'
　　ThedreadedCapatazdeCargadores，magnificentandcarelesslypublicinhisamours，flunghisarmroundherneckandkissedhersplutteringlips。Amurmurwentround。
　　`Aknife！'hedemandedatlarge，holdingherfirmlybytheshoulder。
　　Twentybladesflashedouttogetherinthecircle。Ayoungmaninholidayattire，boundingin，thrustoneinNostromo'shandandboundedbackintotheranks，veryproudofhimself。Nostromohadnotevenlookedathim。
　　`Standonmyfoot，'hecommandedthegirl，who，suddenlysubdued，roselightly，andwhenhehadherup，encirclingherwaist，herfaceneartohis，hepressedtheknifeintoherlittlehand。
　　`No，Morenita！Youshallnotputmetoshame，'hesaid。`Youshallhaveyourpresent；andsothateveryoneshouldknowwhoisyourlovertoday，youmaycutallthesilverbuttonsoffmycoat。'
　　Therewereshoutsoflaughterandapplauseatthiswittyfreak，whilethegirlpassedthekeenblade，andtheimpassiveriderjingledinhispalmtheincreasinghoardofsilverbuttons。Heeasedhertothegroundwithbothherhandsfull。Afterwhisperingforawhilewithaverystrenuousface，shewalkedaway，staringhaughtily，andvanishedintothecrowd。
　　Thecirclehadbrokenup，andthelordlyCapatazdeCargadores，theindispensableman，thetriedandtrustyNostromo，theMediterraneansailorcomeashorecasuallytotryhisluckinCostaguana，rodeslowlytowardstheharbour。TheJunowasjustthenswinginground；andevenasNostromoreinedupagaintolookon，aflagranupontheimprovisedflagstafferectedinanancientanddismantledlittlefortattheharbourentrance。
　　HalfabatteryoffieldgunshadbeenhurriedovertherefromtheSulacobarracksforthepurposeoffiringtheregulationsalutesforthePresident-DictatorandtheWarMinister。Asthemail-boatheadedthroughthepass，thebadlytimedreportsannouncedtheendofDonVincenteRibiera'sfirstofficialvisittoSulaco，andforCaptainMitchelltheendofanother`historicoccasion'。Nexttimewhenthe`Hopeofhonestmen'wastocomethatway，ayearandahalflater，itwasunofficially，overthemountaintracks，fleeingafteradefeatonalamemule，tobeonlyjustsavedbyNostromofromanignominiousdeathatthehandsofamob。Itwasaverydifferentevent，ofwhichCaptainMitchellusedtosay:
　　`Itwashistory——history，sir！Andthatfellowofmine，Nostromo，youknow，wasrightinit。Absolutelymakinghistory，sir。'
　　Butthisevent，creditabletoNostromo，wastoleadimmediatelytoanother，whichcouldnotbeclassedeitheras`history'oras`a'mistake'inCaptainMitchell'sphraseology。Hehadanotherwordforit。
　　`Sir，'heusedtosayafterwards，`thatwasnomistake。Itwasafatality。
　　Amisfortune，pureandsimple，sir。Andthatpoorfellowofminewasrightinit——rightinthemiddleofit！Afatality，ifevertherewasone——andtomymindhehasneverbeenthesamemansince。'
　　NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part2Chapter1PARTTWO
　　THEISABELSIThroughgoodandevilreportinthevaryingfortuneofthatstrugglewhichDonJosehadcharacterizedinthephrase，`thefateofnationalhonestytremblesinthebalance'，theGouldConcession，`ImperiuminImperio'，hadgoneonworking；thesquaremountainhadgoneonpouringitstreasuredownthewoodenshootstotheunrestingbatteriesofstamps；thelightsofSanTomehadtwinklednightafternightuponthegreat，limitlessshadowoftheCampo；everythreemonthsthesilverescorthadgonedowntotheseaasifneitherthewarnoritsconsequencescouldeveraffecttheancientOccidentalStatesecludedbeyonditshighbarrieroftheCordillera。AllthefightingtookplaceontheothersideofthatmightywallofserratedpeakslordedoverbythewhitedomeofHiguerotaandasyetunbreachedbytherailway，ofwhichonlythefirstpart，theeasyCampopartfromSulacototheIvieValleyatthefootofthepass，hadbeenlaid。Neitherdidthetelegraphlinecrossthemountainsyet；itspoles，likeslenderbeaconsontheplain，penetratedintotheforestfringeofthefoothillscutbythedeepavenueofthetrack；anditswireendedabruptlyintheconstructioncampatawhitedealtablesupportingaMorseapparatus，inalonghutofplankswithacorrugated-ironroofovershadowedbygiganticcedartrees——thequartersoftheengineerinchargeoftheadvancesection。
　　Theharbourwasbusy，too，withthetrafficinrailwaymaterial，andwiththemovementsoftroopsalongthecoast。TheO。S。N。Companyfoundmuchoccupationforitsfleet。Costaguanahadnonavy，and，apartfromafewcoastguardcutters，therewerenonationalshipsexceptacoupleofoldmerchantsteamersusedastransports。
　　CaptainMitchell，feelingmoreandmoreinthethickofhistory，foundtimeforanhourorsoduringanafternooninthedrawing-roomoftheCasaGould，where，withastrangeignoranceoftherealforcesatworkaroundhim，heprofessedhimselfdelightedtogetawayfromthestrainofaffairs。
　　HedidnotknowwhathewouldhavedonewithouthisinvaluableNostromo，hedeclared。ThoseconfoundedCostaguanapoliticsgavehimmorework——heconfidedtoMrsGould——thanhehadbargainedfor。
　　DonJoseAvellanoshaddisplayedintheserviceoftheendangeredRibieraGovernmentanorganizingactivityandaneloquenceofwhichtheechoesreachedevenEurope。For，afterthenewloantotheRibieraGovernment，EuropehadbecomeinterestedinCostaguana。TheSalaoftheProvincialAssemblyintheMunicipalBuildingsofSulaco，withitsportraitsoftheLiberatorsonthewallsandanoldflagofCortespreservedinaglasscaseabovethePresident'schair，hadheardallthesespeeches——theearlyonecontainingtheimpassioneddeclaration`Militarismistheenemy'，thefamousoneofthe`tremblingbalance'deliveredontheoccasionofthevotefortheraisingofasecondSulacoregimentinthedefenceofthereformingGovernment；andwhentheprovincesagaindisplayedtheiroldflagsproscribedinGuzmanBento'stimetherewasanotherofthosegreatorations，whenDonJosegreetedtheseoldemblemsofthewarofIndependence，broughtoutagaininthenameofnewIdeals。TheoldideaofFederalismhaddisappeared。Forhisparthedidnotwishtoreviveoldpoliticaldoctrines。
　　Theywereperishable。Theydied。Butthedoctrineofpoliticalrectitudewasimmortal。ThesecondSulacoregiment，towhomhewaspresentingthisflag，wasgoingtoshowitsvalourinacontestfororder，peace，progress；
　　fortheestablishmentofnationalself-respectwithoutwhich——hedeclaredwithenergy——`weareareproachandabywordamongstthepowersoftheworld'。
　　DonJoseAvellanoslovedhiscountry。Hehadserveditlavishlywithhisfortuneduringhisdiplomaticcareer，andthelaterstoryofhiscaptivityandbarbarousill-usageunderGuzmanBentowaswellknowntohislisteners。
　　Itwasawonderthathehadnotbeenavictimoftheferociousandsummaryexecutionswhichmarkedthecourseofthattyranny；forGuzmanhadruledthecountrywiththesombreimbecilityofpoliticalfanaticism。ThepowerofSupremeGovernmenthadbecomeinhisdullmindanobjectofstrangeworship，asifitweresomesortofcrueldeity。Itwasincarnatedinhimself，andhisadversaries，theFederalists，werethesupremesinners，objectsofhate，abhorrence，andfear，ashereticswouldbetoaconvincedInquisitor。
　　ForyearshehadcarriedaboutatthetailoftheArmyofPacification，alloverthecountry，acaptivebandofsuchatrociouscriminals，whoconsideredthemselvesmostunfortunateatnothavingbeensummarilyexecuted。Itwasadiminishingcompanyofnearlynakedskeletons，loadedwithirons，coveredwithdirt，withvermin，withrawwounds，allmenofposition，ofeducation，ofwealth，whohadlearnedtofightamongstthemselvesforscrapsofrottenbeefthrowntothembysoldiers，ortobegaNegrocookforadrinkofmuddywaterinpitifulaccents。DonJoseAvellanos，clankinghischainsamongsttheothers，seemedonlytoexistinordertoprovehowmuchhunger，pain，degradation，andcrueltortureahumanbodycanstandwithoutpartingwiththelastsparkoflife。Sometimesinterrogatories，backedbysomeprimitivemethodoftorture，wereadministeredtothembyacommissionofofficershastilyassembledinahutofsticksandbranches，andmadepitilessbythefearfortheirownlives。Aluckyoneortwoofthatspectralcompanyofprisonerswouldperhapsbeledtotteringbehindabushtobeshotbyafileofsoldiers。Alwaysanarmychaplain——someunshaven，dirtyman，girtwithaswordandwithatinycrossembroideredinwhitecottonontheleftbreastofalieutenant'suniform——wouldfollow，cigaretteinthecornerofthemouth，woodenstoolinhand，toheartheconfessionandgiveabsolution；fortheCitizenSaviouroftheCountryGuzmanBentowascalledthusofficiallyinpetitionswasnotaversefromtheexerciseofrationalclemency。Theirregularreportofthefiringsquadwouldbeheard，followedsometimesbyasinglefinishingshot；alittlebluishcloudofsmokewouldfloatupabovethegreenbushes，andtheArmyofPacificationwouldmoveonoverthesavannas，throughtheforests，crossingrivers，invadingruralpueblos，devastatingthehaciendasofthehorridaristocrats，occupyingtheinlandtownsinthefulfilmentofitspatrioticmission，andleavingbehindaunitedlandwhereintheeviltaintofFederalismcouldnolongerbedetectedinthesmokeofburninghousesandthesmellofspiltblood。
　　DonJoseAvellanoshadsurvivedthattime。
　　Perhaps，whencontemptuouslysignifyingtohimhisrelease，theCitizenSaviouroftheCountrymighthavethoughtthisbenightedaristocrattoobrokeninhealthandspiritandfortunetobeanylongerdangerous。Or，perhaps，itmayhavebeenasimplecaprice。GuzmanBento，usuallyfulloffancifulfearsandbroodingsuspicions，hadsuddenaccessesofunreasonableself-confidencewhenheperceivedhimselfelevatedonapinnacleofpowerandsafetybeyondthereachofmeremortalplotters。AtsuchtimeshewouldimpulsivelycommandthecelebrationofasolemnMassofthanksgivingwhichwouldbesungingreatpompinthecathedralofStaMartabythetrembling，subservientArchbishopofhiscreation。Hehearditsittinginagiltarmchairplacedbeforethehighaltar，surroundedbythecivilandmilitaryheadsofhisGovernment。TheunofficialworldofStaMartawouldcrowdintothecathedral，foritwasnotquitesafeforanybodyofmarktostayawayfromthesemanifestationsofpresidentialpiety。Havingthusacknowledgedtheonlypowerhewasatalldisposedtorecognizeasabovehimself，hewouldscatteractsofpoliticalgraceinasardonicwantonnessofclemency。Therewasnootherwayleftnowtoenjoyhispowerbutbyseeinghiscrushedadversariescrawlimpotentlyintothelightofdayoutofthedark，noisomecellsoftheCollegio。Theirharmlessnessfedhisinsatiablevanity，andtheycouldalwaysbegotholdofagain。Itwastheruleforallthewomenoftheirfamiliestopresentthanksafterwardsinaspecialaudience。Theincarnationofthatstrangegod:ElGobiernoSupremo，receivedthemstanding，cockedhatonhead，andexhortedtheminamenacingmuttertoshowtheirgratitudebybringinguptheirchildreninfidelitytothedemocraticformofgovernment，`whichIhaveestablishedforthehappinessofourcountry'。
　　Hisfrontteethhavingbeenknockedoutinsomeaccidentofhisformerherdsman'slife，hisutterancewassplutteringandindistinct。HehadbeenworkingforCostaguanaaloneinthemidstoftreacheryandopposition。
　　Letitceasenowlestheshouldbecomewearyofforgiving！
　　DonJoseAvellanoshadknownthisforgiveness。
　　Hewasbrokeninhealthandfortunedeplorablyenoughtopresentatrulygratifyingspectacletothesupremechiefofdemocraticinstitutions。HeretiredtoSulaco。Hiswifehadanestateinthatprovince，andshenursedhimbacktolifeoutofthehouseofdeathandcaptivity。Whenshedied，theirdaughter，anonlychild，wasoldenoughtodevoteherselfto`poorpapa'。
　　MissAvellanos，borninEuropeandeducatedpartlyinEngland，wasatall，gravegirl，withaself-possessedmanner，awide，whiteforehead，awealthofrichbrownhair，andblueeyes。
　　TheotheryoungladiesofSulacostoodinaweofhercharacterandaccomplishments。
　　Shewasreputedtobeterriblylearnedandserious。Astopride，itwaswellknownthatalltheCorbelanswereproud，andhermotherwasaCorbelan。
　　DonJoseAvellanosdependedverymuchuponthedevotionofhisbelovedAntonia。Heaccepteditinthebenightedwayofmen，who，thoughmadeinGod'simage，arelikestoneidolswithoutsensebeforethesmokeofcertainburntofferings。Hewasruinedineveryway，butamanpossessedofpassionisnotabankruptinlife。DonJoseAvellanosdesiredpassionatelyforhiscountry:peace，prosperity，andastheendoftheprefacetoFiftyYearsofMisrulehasit`anhonourableplaceinthecomityofcivilizednations'。InthislastphrasetheMinisterPlenipotentiary，cruellyhumiliatedbythebadfaithofhisGovernmenttowardstheforeignbondholders，standsdisclosedinthepatriot。
　　ThefatuousturmoilofgreedyfactionssucceedingthetyrannyofGuzmanBentoseemedtobringhisdesiretotheverydoorofopportunity。HewastoooldtodescendpersonallyintothecentreofthearenaatStaMarta。
　　Butthemenwhoactedtheresoughthisadviceateverystep。Hehimselfthoughtthathecouldbemostusefulatadistance，inSulaco。Hisname，hisconnexions，hisformerposition，hisexperiencecommandedtherespectofhisclass。Thediscoverythatthisman，livingindignifiedpovertyintheCorbelantownresidenceoppositetheCasaGould，coulddisposeofmaterialmeanstowardsthesupportofthecauseincreasedhisinfluence。
　　ItwashisopenletterofappealthatdecidedthecandidatureofDonVincenteRibieraforthePresidency。AnotheroftheseinformalStatepapersdrawnupbyDonJosethistimeintheshapeofanaddressfromtheProvince
　　inducedthatscrupulousconstitutionalisttoaccepttheextraordinarypowersconferreduponhimforfiveyearsbyanoverwhelmingvoteofcongressinStaMarta。Itwasaspecificmandatetoestablishtheprosperityofthepeopleonthebasisoffirmpeaceathome，andtoredeemthenationalcreditbythesatisfactionofalljustclaimsabroad。
　　IntheafternoonthenewsofthatvotehadreachedSulacobytheusualroundaboutpostalwaythroughCayta，andupthecoastbysteamer。DonJose，whohadbeenwaitingforthemailintheGoulds'drawing-room，gotoutoftherocking-chair，lettinghishatfalloffhisknees。Herubbedhissilvery，shorthairwithbothhands，speechlesswiththeexcessofjoy。
　　`Emilia，mysoul，'hehadburstout，`letmeembraceyou！Letme——'
　　CaptainMitchell，hadhebeenthere，wouldnodoubthavemadeanaptremarkaboutthedawnofanewera；butifDonJosethoughtsomethingofthekind，hiseloquencefailedhimonthisoccasion。TheinspirerofthatrevivaloftheBlancopartytotteredwherehestood。MrsGouldmovedforwardquicklyand，assheofferedhercheekwithasmiletoheroldfriend，managedverycleverlytogivehimthesupportofherarmhereallyneeded。
　　DonJosehadrecoveredhimselfatonce，butforatimehecoulddonomorethanmurmur，`Oh，youtwopatriots！Oh，youtwopatriots！'——lookingfromonetotheother。Vagueplansofanotherhistoricalwork，whereinallthedevotionstotheregenerationofthecountryhelovedwouldbeenshrinedforthereverentworshipofposterity，flittedthroughhismind。
　　ThehistorianwhohadenoughelevationofsoultowriteofGuzmanBento:
　　`Yetthismonster，imbruedinthebloodofhiscountrymen，mustnotbeheldunreservedlytotheexecrationoffutureyears。Itappearstobetruethathe，too，lovedhiscountry。Hehadgivenittwelveyearsofpeace；
　　and，absolutemasteroflivesandfortunesashewas，hediedpoor。Hisworstfault，perhaps，wasnothisferocity，buthisignorance'；themanwhocouldwritethusofacruelpersecutorthepassageoccursinhisHistoryofMisrulefeltattheforeshadowingofsuccessanalmostboundlessaffectionforhistwohelpers，forthesetwoyoungpeoplefromoverthesea。
　　Justasyearsago，calmly，fromtheconvictionofpracticalnecessity，strongerthananyabstractpoliticaldoctrine，HenryGouldhaddrawnthesword，sonow，thetimesbeingchanged，CharlesGouldhadflungthesilveroftheSanTomeintothefray。TheInglesofSulaco，the`CostaguanaEnglishman'
　　ofthethirdgeneration，wasasfarfrombeingapoliticalintriguerashisunclefromarevolutionaryswashbuckler。Springingfromtheinstinctiveuprightnessoftheirnaturestheiractionwasreasoned。Theysawanopportunityandusedtheweapontohand。
　　CharlesGould'sposition——acommandingpositioninthebackgroundofthatattempttoretrievethepeaceandthecreditoftheRepublic——
　　wasveryclear。Atthebeginninghehadhadtoaccommodatehimselftoexistingcircumstancesofcorruptionsonaivelybrazenastodisarmthehatredofamancourageousenoughnottobeafraidofitsirresponsiblepotencytoruineverythingittouched。Itseemedtohimtoocontemptibleforhotangereven。Hemadeuseofitwithacold，fearlessscorn，manifestedratherthanconcealedbytheformsofstonycourtesywhichdidawaywithmuchoftheignominyofthesituation。Atbottom，perhaps，hesufferedfromit，forhewasnotamanofcowardlyillusions，butherefusedtodiscusstheethicalviewwithhiswife。Hetrustedthat，thoughalittledisenchanted，shewouldbeintelligentenoughtounderstandthathischaractersafeguardedtheenterpriseoftheirlivesasmuchormorethanhispolicy。Theextraordinarydevelopmentoftheminehadputagreatpowerintohishands。Tofeelthatprosperityalwaysatthemercyofunintelligentgreedhadgrownirksometohim。ToMrsGoulditwashumiliating。Atanyrate，itwasdangerous。
　　IntheconfidentialcommunicationspassingbetweenCharlesGould，theKingofSulaco，andtheheadofthesilverandsteelinterestsfarawayinCalifornia，theconvictionwasgrowingthatanyattemptmadebymenofeducationandintegrityoughttobediscreetlysupported。`YoumaytellyourfriendAvellanosthatIthinkso，'MrHolroydhadwrittenatthepropermomentfromhisinviolablesanctuarywithintheeleven-storey-highfactoryofgreataffairs。
　　Andshortlyafterwards，withacreditopenedbytheThirdSouthernBanklocatednextdoorbutonetotheHolroydBuilding，theRibieristpartyinCostaguanatookapracticalshapeundertheeyeoftheadministratoroftheSanTomemine。AndDonJose，thehereditaryfriendoftheGouldfamily，couldsay:`Perhaps，mydearCarlos，Ishallnothavebelievedinvain。'
　　NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part2Chapter22Afteranotherarmedstruggle，decidedbyMontero'svictoryofRioSeco，hadbeenaddedtothetaleofcivilwars，the`honestmen'，asDonJosecalledthem，couldbreathefreelyforthefirsttimeinhalfacentury。
　　TheFive-Year-Mandatelawbecamethebasisofthatregeneration，thepassionatedesireandhopeforwhichhadbeenliketheelixirofeverlastingyouthforDonJoseAvellanos。
　　Andwhenitwassuddenly——andnotquiteunexpectedly——endangeredbythat`bruteMontero'，itwasapassionateindignationthatgavehimanewleaseoflife，asitwere。Already，atthetimeofthePresident-Dictator'svisittoSulaco，MoragahadsoundedanoteofwarningfromStaMartaabouttheWarMinister。MonteroandhisbrothermadethesubjectofanearnesttalkbetweentheDictator-PresidentandtheNestor-inspireroftheparty。
　　ButDonVincente，adoctorofphilosophyfromtheCordovaUniversity，seemedtohaveanexaggeratedrespectformilitaryability，whosemysteriousness——sinceitappearedtobealtogetherindependentofintellect——imposeduponhisimagination。TheVictorofRioSecowasapopularhero。HisservicesweresorecentthatthePresident-Dictatorquailedbeforetheobviouschargeofpoliticalingratitude。Greatregeneratingtransactionswerebeinginitiated——thefreshloan，anewrailwayline，avastcolonizationscheme。Anythingthatcouldunsettlethepublicopinioninthecapitalwastobeavoided。
　　DonJosebowedtotheseargumentsandtriedtodismissfromhismindthegold-lacedportentinboots，andwithasabre，mademeaninglessnowatlast，hehoped，intheneworderofthings。
　　LessthansixmonthsafterthePresident-Dictator'svisit，Sulacolearnedwithstupefactionofthemilitaryrevoltinthenameofnationalhonour。
　　TheMinisterofWar，inabarrack-squareallocutiontotheofficersoftheartilleryregimenthehadbeeninspecting，haddeclaredthenationalhonoursoldtoforeigners。TheDictator，byhisweakcompliancewiththedemandsoftheEuropeanpowers——forthesettlementoflongoutstandingmoneyclaims——hadshowedhimselfunfittorule。AletterfromMoragaexplainedafterwardsthattheinitiative，andeventheverytext，oftheincendiaryallocutioncame，inreality，fromtheotherMontero，theex-guerrillero，theCommandantedePlaza。TheenergetictreatmentofDrMonygham，sentforinhaste`tothemountain'，whocamegallopingthreeleaguesinthedark，savedDonJosefromadangerousattackofjaundice。
　　Aftergettingovertheshock，DonJoserefusedtolethimselfbeprostrated。
　　Indeed，betternewssucceededatfirst。Therevoltinthecapitalhadbeensuppressedafteranightoffightinginthestreets。Unfortunately，boththeMonteroshadbeenabletomaketheirescapesouth，totheirnativeprovinceofEntre-Montes。Theherooftheforestmarch，thevictorofRioSeco，hadbeenreceivedwithfrenziedacclamationsinNicoya，theprovincialcapital。Thetroopsingarrisontherehadgonetohiminabody。Thebrotherswereorganizinganarmy，gatheringmalcontents，sendingemissariesprimedwithpatrioticliestothepeople，andwithpromisesofplundertothewildllaneros。EvenaMonteristpresshadcomeintoexistence，speakingoracularlyofthesecretpromisesofsupportgivenby`ourgreatsisterRepublicoftheNorth'againstthesinisterland-grabbingdesignsofEuropeanpowers，cursingineveryissuethe`miserableRibiera'，whohadplottedtodeliverhiscountry，boundhandandfoot，forapreytoforeignspeculators。
　　Sulaco，pastoralandsleepy，withitsopulentCampoandtherichsilvermine，heardthedinofarmsfitfullyinitsfortunateisolation。Itwasneverthelessintheveryforefrontofthedefencewithmenandmoney；buttheveryrumoursreacheditcircuitously——fromabroadeven，somuchwasitcutofffromtherestoftheRepublic，notonlybynaturalobstacles，butalsobythevicissitudesofthewar。TheMonteristoswerebesiegingCayta，animportantpostallink。Theoverlandcouriersceasedtocomeacrossthemountains，andnomuleteerwouldconsenttoriskthejourneyatlast；
　　evenBonifacioononeoccasionfailedtoreturnfromStaMarta，eithernotdaringtostart，orperhapscapturedbythepartiesoftheenemyraidingthecountrybetweentheCordilleraandthecapital。Monteristpublications，however，foundtheirwayintotheprovince，mysteriouslyenough；andalsoMonteristemissariespreachingdeathtoaristocratsinthevillagesandtownsoftheCampo。Veryearly，atthebeginningofthetrouble，Hernandez，thebandit，hadproposedthroughtheagencyofanoldpriestofavillageinthewildstodelivertwoofthemtotheRibieristauthoritiesinTonoro。
　　TheyhadcometoofferhimafreepardonandtherankofcolonelfromGeneralMonteroinconsiderationofjoiningtherebelarmywithhismountedband。
　　Nonoticewastakenatthetimeoftheproposal。Itwasjoined，asanevidenceofgoodfaith，toapetitionprayingtheSulacoAssemblyforpermissiontoenlist，withallhisfollowers，intheforcesbeingthenraisedinSulacoforthedefenceoftheFive-YearMandateofregeneration。Thepetition，likeeverythingelse，hadfounditswayintoDonJose'shands。HehadshowedtoMrsGouldthesepagesofdirty-greyishroughpaperperhapslootedinsomevillagestore，coveredwiththecrabbed，illiteratehandwritingoftheoldpadre，carriedofffromhishutbythesideofamud-walledchurchtobethesecretaryofthedreadedSalteador。TheyhadbothbentinthelamplightoftheGoulddrawing-roomoverthedocumentcontainingthefierceandyethumbleappealofthemanagainsttheblindandstupidbarbarityturninganhonestrancherointoabandit。Apostscriptoftheprieststatedthat，butforbeingdeprivedofhislibertyfortendays，hehadbeentreatedwithhumanityandtherespectduetohissacredcalling。Hehadbeen，itappears，confessingandabsolvingthechiefandmostoftheband，andheguaranteedthesincerityoftheirgooddisposition。Hehaddistributedheavypenances，nodoubtinthewayoflitaniesandfasts；
　　buthearguedshrewdlythatitwouldbedifficultforthemtomaketheirpeacewithGoddurablytilltheyhadmadepeacewithmen。
　　Neverbefore，perhaps，hadHernandez'sheadbeeninlessjeopardythanwhenhepetitionedhumblyforpermissiontobuyapardonforhimselfandhisgangofdesertersbyarmedservice。Hecouldrangeafarfromthewastelandsprotectinghisfastness，unchecked，becausetherewerenotroopsleftinthewholeprovince。TheusualgarrisonofSulacohadgonesouthtothewar，withitsbrassbandplayingthe`BolivarMarch'onthebridgeofoneoftheO。S。N。Company'ssteamers。Thegreatfamilycoachesdrawnupalongtheshoreoftheharbourweremadetorockonthehighleathernspringsbytheenthusiasmofthesenorasandthesenoritasstandinguptowavetheirlacehandkerchiefs，aslighterafterlighterpackedfulloftroopslefttheendofthejetty。
　　Nostromodirectedtheembarkation，underthesuperintendenceofCaptainMitchell，red-facedinthesun，conspicuousinawhitewaistcoat，representingthealliedandanxiousgoodwillofallthematerialinterestsofcivilization。
　　GeneralBarrios，whocommandedthetroops，assuredDonJoseonpartingthatinthreeweekshewouldhaveMonteroinawoodencagedrawnbythreepairofoxenreadyforatourthroughallthetownsoftheRepublic。
　　`Andthen，senora，'hecontinued，baringhiscurlyiron-greyheadtoMrsGouldinherlandau——`andthen，senora，weshallconvertourswordsintoploughsharesandgrowrich。EvenI，myself，assoonasthislittlebusinessissettled，shallopenafundaciononsomelandIhaveonthellanosandtrytomakealittlemoneyinpeaceandquietness。Senora，youknow，allCostaguanaknows——whatdoIsay?——thiswholeSouthAmericancontinentknows，thatPabloBarrioshashadhisfillofmilitaryglory。'
　　CharlesGouldwasnotpresentattheanxiousandpatrioticsend-off。
　　Itwasnothisparttoseethesoldiersembark。Itwasneitherhispart，norhisinclination，norhispolicy。Hispart，hisinclination，andhispolicywasunitedinoneendeavourtokeepuncheckedtheflowoftreasurehehadstartedsingle-handedfromthere-openedscarintheflankofthemountain。Astheminedevelopedhehadtrainedforhimselfsomenativehelp。Therewereforemen，artificers，andclerks，withDonPepeforthegobernadoroftheminingpopulation。Fortheresthisshouldersalonesustainedthewholeweightofthe`ImperiuminImperio'，thegreatGouldConcessionwhosemereshadowhadbeenenoughtocrushthelifeoutofhisfather。
　　MrsGouldhadnosilverminetolookafter。InthegenerallifeoftheGouldConcessionshewasrepresentedbyhertwolieutenants，thedoctorandthepriest，butshefedherwoman'sloveforexcitementoneventswhosesignificancewaspurifiedtoherbythefireofherimaginativepurpose。
　　OnthatdayshehadbroughttheAvellanos，fatheranddaughter，downtotheharbourwithher。
　　Amongsthisotheractivitiesofthatstirringtime，DonJosehadbecomethechairmanofaPatrioticCommitteewhichhadarmedagreatproportionoftroopsintheSulacocommandwithanimprovedmodelofamilitaryrifle。
　　IthadbeenjustdiscardedforsomethingstillmoredeadlybyoneofthegreatEuropeanpowers。Howmuchofthemarket-priceforsecondhandweaponswascoveredbythevoluntarycontributionsoftheprincipalfamilies，andhowmuchcamefromthosefundsDonJosewasunderstoodtocommandabroad，remainedasecretwhichhealonecouldhavedisclosed；butthericos，asthepopulacecalledthem，hadcontributedunderthepressureoftheirNestor'seloquence。Someofthemoreenthusiasticladieshadbeenmovedtobringofferingsofjewelsintothehandsofthemanwhowasthelifeandsouloftheparty。
　　Thereweremomentswhenbothhislifeandhissoulseemedovertaxedbysomanyyearsofundiscouragedbeliefinregeneration。Heappearedalmostinanimate，sittingrigidlybythesideofMrsGouldinthelandau，withhisfine，old，clean-shavenfaceofauniformtintasifmodelledinyellowwax，shadedbyasoftfelthat，thedarkeyeslookingoutfixedly。Antonia，thebeautifulAntonia，asMissAvellanoswascalledinSulaco，leanedback，facingthem；andherfullfigure，thegraveovalofherfacewithfullredlips，madeherlookmorematurethanMrsGould，withhermobileexpressionandsmall，erectpersonunderaslightlyswayingsunshade。
　　WheneverpossibleAntoniaattendedherfather；herrecognizeddevotionweakenedtheshockingeffectofherscornfortherigidconventionsregulatingthelifeofSpanish-Americangirlhood。And，intruth，shewasnolongergirlish。ItwassaidthatsheoftenwroteStatepapersfromherfather'sdictation，andwasallowedtoreadallthebooksinhislibrary。Atthereceptions——wherethesituationwassavedbythepresenceofaverydecrepitoldladyarelationoftheCorbelans，quitedeafandmotionlessinanarmchair——Antoniacouldholdherowninadiscussionwithtwoorthreemenatatime。Obviouslyshewasnotthegirltobecontentwithpeepingthroughabarredwindowatacloakedfigureofaloverensconcedinadoorwayopposite——whichisthecorrectformofCostaguanacourtship。ItwasgenerallybelievedthatwithherforeignupbringingandforeignideasthelearnedandproudAntoniawouldnevermarry——unless，indeed，shemarriedaforeignerfromEuropeorNorthAmerica，nowthatSulacoseemedonthepointofbeinginvadedbyalltheworld。
　　NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part2Chapter33WhenGeneralBarriosstoppedtoaddressMrsGould，Antoniaraisednegligentlyherhandholdinganopenfan，asiftoshadefromthesunherhead，wrappedinalightlaceshawl。Thecleargleamofherblueeyesglidingbehindtheblackfringeofeyelashespausedforamomentuponherfather，thentravelledfarthertothefigureofayoungmanofthirtyatmost，ofmediumheight，ratherthick-set，wearingalightovercoat。Bearingdownwiththeopenpalmofhishandupontheknobofaflexiblecane，hehadbeenlookingonfromadistance；butdirectlyhesawhimselfnoticed，heapproachedquietlyandputhiselbowoverthedoorofthelandau。
　　Theshirtcollar，cutlowintheneck，thebigbowofhiscravat，thestyleofhisclothing，fromtheroundhattothevarnishedshoes，suggestedanideaofFrenchelegance；butotherwisehewastheverytypeofafairSpanishcreole。Thefluffymoustacheandtheshort，curly，goldenbearddidnotconcealhislips，rosy，fresh，almostpoutinginexpression。Hisfull，roundfacewasofthatwarm，healthycreolewhitewhichisnevertannedbyitsnativesunshine。MartinDecoudwasseldomexposedtotheCostaguanasununderwhichhewasborn。HispeoplehadbeenlongsettledinParis，wherehehadstudiedlaw，haddabbledinliterature，hadhopednowandtheninmomentsofexaltationtobecomeapoetlikethatotherforeignerofSpanishblood，JoseMariaHeredia。Inothermomentshehad，topassthetime，condescendedtowritearticlesonEuropeanaffairsfortheSemenario，theprincipalnewspaperinStaMarta，whichprintedthemundertheheading`Fromourspecialcorrespondent'，thoughtheauthorshipwasanopensecret。EverybodyinCostaguana，wherethetaleofcompatriotsinEuropeisjealouslykept，knewthatitwas`thesonDecoud'，atalentedyoungman，supposedtobemovinginthehigherspheresofSociety。Asamatteroffact，hewasanidleboulevardier，intouchwithsomesmartjournalists，madefreeofafewnewspaperoffices，andwelcomedinthepleasure-hauntsofpressmen。Thislife，whosedrearysuperficialityiscoveredbytheglitterofuniversalblague，likethestupidclowningofaharlequinbythespanglesofamotleycostume，inducedinhimaFrenchified——butmostun-French——cosmopolitanism，inrealityamerebarrenindifferentismposingasintellectualsuperiority。OfhisowncountryheusedtosaytohisFrenchassociates:`Imagineanatmosphereofoperabouffeinwhichallthecomicbusinessofstagestatesmen，brigands，etc。，etc。，alltheirfarcicalstealing，intriguing，andstabbingisdoneindeadearnest。Itisscreaminglyfunny，thebloodflowsallthetime，andtheactorsbelievethemselvestobeinfluencingthefateoftheuniverse。Ofcourse，governmentingeneral，anygovernmentanywhere，isathingofexquisitecomicalitytoadiscerningmind；butreallyweSpanish-Americansdooverstepthebounds。
　　Nomanofordinaryintelligencecantakepartintheintriguesofunefarcemacabre。However，theseRibierists，ofwhomwehearsomuchjustnow，arereallytryingintheirowncomicalwaytomakethecountryhabitable，andeventopaysomeofitsdebts。Myfriends，youhadbetterwriteupSenorRibieraallyoucaninkindnesstoyourownbondholders。Really，ifwhatIamtoldinmylettersistrue，thereissomechanceforthematlast。'
　　AndhewouldexplainwithrailingvervewhatDonVincenteRibierastoodfor——amournfullittlemanoppressedbyhisowngoodintentions，thesignificanceofbattleswon，whoMonterowasungrotesquevaniteuxetferoce，andthemannerofthenewloanconnectedwithrailwaydevelopment，andthecolonizationofvasttractsoflandinonegreatfinancialscheme。
　　AndhisFrenchfriendswouldremarkthatevidentlythislittlefellowDecoudconnaissaitlaquestionafond。AnimportantParisianreviewaskedhimforanarticleonthesituation。Itwascomposedinaserioustoneandinaspiritoflevity。Afterwardsheaskedoneofhisintimates:
　　`HaveyoureadmythingabouttheregenerationofCostaguana——unebonneblague，hein?'
　　HeimaginedhimselfParisiantothetipsofhisfingers。Butfarfrombeingthathewasindangerofremainingasortofnondescriptdilettanteallhislife。Hehadpushedthehabitofuniversalraillerytoapointwhereitblindedhimtothegenuineimpulsesofhisownnature。Tobesuddenlyselectedfortheexecutivememberofthepatrioticsmall-armscommitteeofSulacoseemedtohimtheheightoftheunexpected，oneofthosefantasticmovesofwhichonlyhis`dearcountrymen'werecapable。
　　`It'slikeatilefallingonmyhead。I——I——executivemember！It'sthefirstIhearofit！WhatdoIknowofmilitaryrifles?C'estfunambulesque！'
　　hehadexclaimedtohisfavouritesister；fortheDecoudfamily——excepttheoldfatherandmother——usedtheFrenchlanguageamongstthemselves。
　　`Andyoushouldseetheexplanatoryandconfidentialletter！Eightpagesofit——noless！'
　　Thisletter，inAntonia'shandwriting，wassignedbyDonJose，whoappealedtothe`youngandgiftedCostaguanero'onpublicgrounds，andprivatelyopenedhishearttohistalentedgodson，amanofwealthandleisure，withwiderelations，andbyhisparentageandbringing-upworthyofallconfidence。
　　`Whichmeans，'Martincommented，cynically，tohissister，`thatIamnotlikelytomisappropriatethefunds，orgoblabbingtoourCharged'Affaireshere。'
　　ThewholethingwasbeingcarriedoutbehindthebackoftheWarMinister，Montero，amistrustedmemberoftheRibieraGovernment，butdifficulttogetridofatonce。HewasnottoknowanythingofittillthetroopsunderBarrios'scommandhadthenewrifleintheirhands。ThePresident-Dictator，whosepositionwasverydifficult，wasaloneinthesecret。
　　`Howfunny！'commentedMartin'ssisterandconfidant；towhichthebrother，withanairofbestParisianblague，hadretorted:
　　`It'simmense！TheideaofthatChiefoftheStateengaged，withthehelpofprivatecitizens，indiggingamineunderhisownindispensableWarMinister。No！Weareunapproachable！'Andhelaughedimmoderately。
　　Afterwardshissisterwassurprisedattheearnestnessandabilityhedisplayedincarryingouthismission，whichcircumstancesmadedelicate，andhiswantofspecialknowledgerendereddifficult。ShehadneverseenMartintakesomuchtroubleaboutanythinginhiswholelife。
　　`Itamusesme，'hehadexplained，briefly。`Iambesetbyalotofswindlerstryingtosellallsortsofgaspipeweapons。Theyarecharming；theyinvitemetoexpensiveluncheons；Ikeepuptheirhopes；it'sextremelyentertaining。
　　Meanwhile，therealaffairisbeingcarriedthroughinquiteanotherquarter。'
　　WhenthebusinesswasconcludedhedeclaredsuddenlyhisintentionofseeingthepreciousconsignmentdeliveredsafelyinSulaco。Thewholeburlesquebusiness，hethought，wasworthfollowinguptotheend。Hemumbledhisexcuses，tuggingathisgoldenbeard，beforetheacuteyoungladywhoafterthefirstwidestareofastonishmentlookedathimwithnarrowedeyes，andpronouncedslowly:
　　`IbelieveyouwanttoseeAntonia。'
　　`WhatAntonia?'askedtheCostaguanaboulevardier，inavexedanddisdainfultone。Heshruggedhisshoulders，andspunroundonhisheel。Hissistercalledoutafterhimjoyously:
　　`TheAntoniayouusedtoknowwhensheworeherhairintwoplaitsdownherback。'
　　Hehadknownhersomeeightyearssince，shortlybeforetheAvellanoshadleftEuropeforgood，asatallgirlofsixteen，youthfullyaustere，andofacharacteralreadysoformedthatsheventuredtotreatslightinglyhisposeofdisabusedwisdom。Ononeoccasion，asthoughshehadlostallpatience，sheflewoutathimabouttheaimlessnessofhislifeandthelevityofhisopinion。Hewastwentythen，anonlyson，spoiledbyhisadoringfamily。Thisattackdisconcertedhimsogreatlythathehadfalteredinhisaffectionofamusedsuperioritybeforethatinsignificantchitofaschool-girl。ButtheimpressionleftwassostrongthateversinceallthegirlfriendsofhissistersrecalledtohimAntoniaAvellanosbysomefaintresemblance，orbythegreatforceofcontrast。Itwas，hetoldhimself，likearidiculousfatality。And，ofcourse，inthenewstheDecoudsreceivedregularlyfromCostaguana，thenameoftheirfriends，theAvellanos，croppedupfrequently——thearrestandtheabominabletreatmentoftheex-Minister，thedangersandhardshipsenduredbythefamily，itswithdrawalinpovertytoSulaco，thedeathofthemother。
　　TheMonteristpronunciamientohadtakenplacebeforeMartinDecoudreachedCostaguana。Hecameoutinaround-aboutway，throughMagellan'sStraitsbythemainlineandtheWestCoastServiceoftheO。S。N。Company。
　　Hispreciousconsignmentarrivedjustintimetoconvertthefirstfeelingsofconsternationintoamoodofhopeandresolution。Publiclyhewasmademuchofbythefamiliasprincipales。PrivatelyDonJose，stillshakenandweak，embracedhimwithtearsinhiseyes。
　　`Youhavecomeoutyourself！NolesscouldbeexpectedfromaDecoud。
　　Alas！ourworstfearshavebeenrealized，'hemoaned，affectionately。Andagainhehuggedhisgodson。Thiswasindeedthetimeformenofintellectandconsciencetorallyroundtheendangeredcause。
　　ItwasthenthatMartinDecoud，theadoptedchildofWesternEurope，felttheabsolutechangeofatmosphere。Hesubmittedtobeingembracedandtalkedtowithoutaword。HewasmovedinspiteofhimselfbythatnoteofpassionandsorrowunknownonthemorerefinedstageofEuropeanpolitics。ButwhenthetallAntonia，advancingwithherlightstepinthedimnessofthebigbaresalaoftheAvellanoshouse，offeredhimherhandinheremancipatedway，andmurmured，`Iamgladtoseeyouhere，DonMartin，'hefelthowimpossibleitwouldbetotellthesetwopeoplethathehadintendedtogoawaybythenextmonth'spacket。DonJose，meantime，continuedhispraises。Everyaccessionaddedtopublicconfidence，and，besides，whatanexampletotheyoungmenathomefromthebrilliantdefenderofthecountry'sregeneration，theworthyexpounderoftheparty'spoliticalfaithbeforetheworld！EverybodyhadreadthemagnificentarticleinthefamousParisianReview。Theworldwasnowinformed:andtheauthor'sappearanceatthismomentwaslikeapublicactoffaith。YoungDecoudfeltovercomebyafeelingofimpatientconfusion。
　　HisplanhadbeentoreturnbywayoftheUnitedStatesthroughCalifornia，visitYellowstonePark，seeChicago，Niagara，havealookatCanada，perhapsmakeashortstayinNewYork，alongeroneinNewport，usehislettersofintroduction。ThepressureofAntonia'shandwassofrank，thetoneofhervoicewassounexpectedlyunchangedinitsapprovingwarmth，thatallhefoundtosayafterhislowbowwas:
　　`Iaminexpressiblygratefulforyourwelcome；butwhyneedamanbethankedforreturningtohisnativecountry?IamsureDonaAntoniadoesnotthinkso。'
　　`Certainlynot，senor，'shesaid，withthatperfectlycalmopennessofmannerwhichcharacterizedallherutterances。`Butwhenhereturns，asyoureturn，onemaybeglad——forthesakeofboth。'
　　MartinDecoudsaidnothingofhisplans。Henotonlyneverbreathedawordofthemtoanyone，butonlyafortnightlateraskedthemistressoftheCasaGouldwherehehadofcourseobtainedadmissionatonce，leaningforwardinhischairwithanairofwell-bredfamiliarity，whethershecouldnotdetectinhimthatdayamarkedchange——anair，heexplained，ofmoreexcellentgravity。AtthisMrsGouldturnedherfacefulltowardshimwiththesilentinquiryofslightlywidenedeyesandthemerestghostofasmile，ahabitualmovementwithher，whichwasveryfascinatingtomenbysomethingsubtlydevoted，finelyself-forgetfulinitslivelyreadinessofattention。Because，Decoudcontinuedimperturbably，hefeltnolongeranidlecumbereroftheearth。Shewas，heassuredher，actuallybeholdingatthatmomenttheJournalistofSulaco。AtonceMrsGouldglancedtowardsAntonia，poseduprightinthecornerofahigh，straight-backedSpanishsofa，alargeblackfanwavingslowlyagainstthecurvesofherfinefigure，thetipsofcrossedfeetpeepingfromunderthehemoftheblackskirt。
　　Decoud'seyesalsoremainedfixedthere，whileinanundertoneheaddedthatMissAvellanoswasquiteawareofhisnewandunexpectedvocation，whichinCostaguanawasgenerallythespecialityofhalf-educatedNegroesandwhollypennilesslawyers。Then，confrontingwithasortofurbaneeffronteryMrsGould'sgaze，nowturnedsympatheticallyuponhimself，hebreathedoutthewords，`Propatria！'
　　WhathadhappenedwasthathehadallatonceyieldedtoDonJose'spressingentreatiestotakethedirectionofanewspaperthatwould`voicetheaspirationsoftheprovince'。IthadbeenDonJose'soldandcherishedidea。ThenecessaryplantonamodestscaleandalargeconsignmentofpaperhadbeenreceivedfromAmericasometimebefore；therightmanalonewaswanted。EvenSenorMoragainStaMartahadnotbeenabletofindone，andthematterwasnowbecomingpressing；someorganwasabsolutelyneededtocounteracttheeffectoftheliesdisseminatedbytheMonteristpress:
　　theatrociouscalumnies，theappealsofthepeoplecallinguponthemtorisewiththeirknivesintheirhandsandputanendonceforalltotheBlancos，totheseGothicremnants，tothesesinistermummies，theseimpotentparaliticos，whoplottedwithforeignersforthesurrenderofthelandsandtheslaveryofthepeople。
　　Theclamourofthis`NegroLiberalism'frightenedSenorAvellanos。A
　　newspaperwastheonlyremedy。AndnowthattherightmanhadbeenfoundinDecoud，greatblacklettersappearedpaintedbetweenthewindowsabovethearcadedgroundfloorofahouseonthePlaza。Itwasnextto`Anzani'sgreatemporiumofboots，silks，ironware，muslins，woodentoys，tinysilverarms，legs，heads，heartsforex-votoofferings，rosaries，champagne，women'shats，patentmedicines，evenafewdustybooksinpapercoversandmostlyintheFrenchlanguage。Thebigblacklettersformedthewords，`OfficesofthePorvenir'。FromtheseofficesasinglefoldedsheetofMartin'sjournalismissuedthreetimesaweek；andthesleekyellowAnzaniprowlinginasuitofampleblackandcarpetslippers，beforethemanydoorsofhisestablishment，greetedbyadeep，side-longinclinationofhisbodytheJournalistofSulacogoingtoandfroonthebusinessofhisaugustcalling。
　　NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part2Chapter44Perhapsitwasintheexerciseofhiscallingthathehadcometoseethetroopsdepart。ThePorvenirofthedayafternextwouldnodoubtrelatetheevent，butitseditor，leaninghissideagainstthelandau，seemedtolookatnothing。Thefrontrankofthecompanyofinfantrydrawnupthreedeepacrosstheshore-endofthejettywhenpressedtooclosewouldbringtheirbayonetstothechargeferociously，withanawfulrattle；
　　andthenthecrowdofspectatorsswayedbackbodily，evenunderthenosesofthebigwhitemules。Notwithstandingthegreatmultitudetherewasonlyalow，mutteringnoise；thedusthunginabrownhaze，inwhichthehorsemen，wedgedinthethronghereandthere，toweredfromthehipsupwards，gazingallonewayovertheheads。Almosteveryoneofthemhadmountedafriend，whosteadiedhimselfwithbothhandsgraspinghisshouldersfrombehind；
　　andtherimsoftheirhatstouching，madelikeonediscsustainingtheconesoftwopointedcrownswithadoublefaceunderneath。Ahoarsemozowouldbawloutsomethingtoanacquaintanceintheranks，orawomanwouldshrieksuddenlythewordAdios！followedbytheChristiannameofaman。
　　GeneralBarrios，inashabbybluetunicandwhitepeg-toptrousersfallinguponstrangeredboots，kepthisheaduncoveredandstoopedslightly，proppinghimselfupwithathickstick。No！Hehadearnedenoughmilitaryglorytosatiateanyman，heinsistedtoMrsGould，tryingatthesametimetoputanairofgallantryintohisattitude。Afewjettyhairshungsparselyfromhisupperlip，hehadasalientnose，athinlongjaw，andablacksilkpatchoveroneeye。Hisothereye，smallanddeep-set，twinklederraticallyinalldirections，aimlesslyaffable。ThefewEuropeanspectators，allmen，whohadnaturallydriftedintotheneighbourhoodoftheGouldcarriage，betrayedbythesolemnityoftheirfacestheirimpressionthatthegeneralmusthavehadtoomuchpunchSwedishpunch，importedinbottlesbyAnzani
　　attheAmarillaClubbeforehehadstartedwithhisStaffonafuriousridetotheharbour。ButMrsGouldbentforward，self-possessed，anddeclaredherconvictionthatstillmoregloryawaitedthegeneralinthenearfuture。
　　`Senora！'heremonstrated，withgreatfeeling，`inthenameofGod，reflect！Howcantherebeanygloryforamanlikemeinovercomingthatbald-headedembusterowiththedyedmoustaches?'
　　PabloIgnacioBarrios，sonofavillagealcalde，generalofdivision，commandinginchieftheOccidentalMilitarydistrict，didnotfrequentthehighersocietyofthetown。Hepreferredtheunceremoniousgatheringsofmenwherehecouldtelljaguar-huntstories，boastofhispowerswiththelasso，withwhichhecouldperformextremelydifficultfeatsofthesort`nomarriedmanshouldattempt'，asthesayinggoesamongstthellaneros；
　　relatetalesofextraordinarynightrides，encounterswithwildbulls，struggleswithcrocodiles，adventuresinthegreatforests，crossingsofswollenrivers。Anditwasnotmereboastfulnessthatpromptedthegeneral'sreminiscences，butagenuineloveofthatwildlifewhichhehadledinhisyoungdaysbeforeheturnedhisbackforeveronthethatchedroofoftheparentaltolderiainthewoods。WanderingawayasfarasMexicohehadfoughtagainsttheFrenchbythesideashesaidofJuarez，andwastheonlymilitarymanofCostaguanawhohadeverencounteredEuropeantroopsinthefield。ThatfactshedagreatlustreuponhisnametillitbecameeclipsedbytherisingstarofMontero。Allhislifehehadbeenaninveterategambler。Healludedhimselfquiteopenlytothecurrentstoryhowonce，duringsomecampaignwhenincommandofabrigade，hehadgambledawayhishorses，pistols，andaccoutrements，totheveryepaulettes，playingmontewithhiscolonelsthenightbeforethebattle。Finally，hehadsentunderescorthisswordapresentationsword，withagoldhilt
　　tothetownintherearofhispositiontobeimmediatelypledgedforfivehundredpesetaswithasleepyandfrightenedshopkeeper。Byday-breakhehadlostthelastofthatmoney，too，whenhisonlyremark，asherosecalmly，was，`Nowletusgoandfighttothedeath。'Fromthattimehehadbecomeawarethatageneralcouldleadhistroopsintobattleverywellwithasimplestickinhishand。`Ithasbeenmycustomeversince，'
　　hewouldsay。
　　Hewasalwaysoverwhelmedwithdebts；evenduringtheperiodsofsplendourinhisvariedfortunesofaCostaguanageneral，whenheheldhighmilitarycommands，hisgold-laceduniformswerealmostalwaysinpawnwithsometradesman。Andatlast，toavoidtheincessantdifficultiesofcostumecausedbytheanxiouslenders，hehadassumedadisdainofmilitarytrappings，aneccentricfashionofshabbyoldtunics，whichhadbecomelikeasecondnature。ButthefactionBarriosjoinedneededtofearnopoliticalbetrayal。
　　Hewastoomuchofarealsoldierfortheignobletrafficofbuyingandsellingvictories。AmemberoftheforeigndiplomaticbodyinStaMartahadoncepassedajudgementuponhim:`Barriosisamanofperfecthonestyandevenofsometalentforwar，maisilmanquedetenue。'AfterthetriumphoftheRibieristshehadobtainedthereputedlylucrativeOccidentalcommand，mainlythroughtheexertionsofhiscreditorstheStaMartashopkeepers，allgreatpoliticians，whomovedheavenandearthinhisinterestpublicly，andprivatelybesiegedSenorMoraga，theinfluentialagentoftheSanTomemine，withtheexaggeratedlamentationsthatifthegeneralwerepassedover，`weshallallberuined'。AnincidentalbutfavourablementionofhisnameinMrGouldsenior'slongcorrespondencewithhissonhadsomethingtodowithhisappointment，too；butmostofallundoubtedlyhisestablishedpoliticalhonesty。NoonequestionedthepersonalbraveryoftheTiger-killer，asthepopulacecalledhim。Hewas，however，saidtobeunluckyinthefield——butthiswastobethebeginningofaneraofpeace。Thesoldierslikedhimforhishumanetemper，whichwaslikeastrangeandpreciousflowerunexpectedlybloomingonthehotbedofcorruptrevolutions；andwhenherodeslowlythroughthestreetsduringsomemilitarydisplay，thecontemptuousgoodhumourofhissolitaryeyeroamingoverthecrowdsextortedtheacclamationsofthepopulace。Thewomenofthatclassespeciallyseemedpositivelyfascinatedbythelongdroppingnose，thepeakedchin，theheavylowerlip，theblacksilkeye-patchandbandslantingrakishlyovertheforehead。Hishighrankalwaysprocuredanaudienceofcaballerosforhissportingstories，whichhedetailedverywellwithasimple，graveenjoyment。Astothesocietyofladies，itwasirksomebytherestraintsitimposedwithoutanyequivalent，asfarashecouldsee。Hehadnot，perhaps，spokenthreetimesonthewholetoMrsGouldsincehehadtakenuphishighcommand；buthehadobservedherfrequentlyridingwiththeSenorAdministrador，andhadpronouncedthattherewasmoresenseinherlittlebridle-handthaninallthefemaleheadsinSulaco。Hisimpulsehadbeentobeverycivilonpartingtoawomanwhodidnotwobbleinthesaddle，andhappenedtobethewifeofapersonalityveryimportanttoamanalwaysshortofmoney。Heevenpushedhisattentionssofarastodesiretheaide-de-campathissideathick-set，shortcaptainwithaTartarphysiognomytobringalongacorporalwithafileofmeninfrontofthecarriage，lestthecrowdinitsbackwardsurgeswould`incommodethemulesofthesenora'。Then，turningtothesmallknotofsilentEuropeanslookingonwithinearshot，heraisedhisvoiceprotectingly:
　　`Senores，havenoapprehension。GoonquietlymakingyourFerroCarril——yourrailways，yourtelegraphs。Your——There'senoughwealthinCostaguanatopayforeverything——orelseyouwouldnotbehere。Ha！ha！
　　Don'tmindthislittlepicardiaofmyfriendMontero。Inalittlewhileyoushallbeholdhisdyedmoustachesthroughthebarsofastrongwoodencage。Si，senores！Fearnothing，developthecountry，work，work！'
　　Thelittlegroupofengineersreceivedthisexhortationwithoutaword，andafterwavinghishandatthemloftily，headdressedhimselfagaintoMrsGould:
　　`ThatiswhatDonJosesayswemustdo。Beenterprising！Work！Growrich！ToputMonteroinacageismywork；andwhenthatinsignificantpieceofbusinessisdone，then，asDonJosewishesus，weshallgrowrich，oneandall，likesomanyEnglishmen，becauseitismoneythatsavesacountry，and——'
　　Butayoungofficerinaverynewuniform，hurryingupfromthedirectionofthejetty，interruptedhisinterpretationofSenorAvellanos'sideals。
　　Thegeneralmadeamovementofimpatience；theotherwentontalkingtohiminsistently，withanairofrespect。ThehorsesoftheStaffhadbeenembarked，thesteamer'sgigwasawaitingthegeneralattheboatsteps；
　　andBarrios，afterafiercestareofhisoneeye，begantotakeleave。
　　DonJoserousedhimselfforanappropriatephrasepronouncedmechanically。
　　Theterriblestrainofhopeandfearwastellingonhim，andheseemedtohusbandthelastsparksofhisfireforthoseoratoricaleffortsofwhicheventhedistantEuropewastohear。Antonia，herredlipsfirmlyclosed，avertedherheadbehindtheraisedfan；andyoungDecoud，thoughhefeltthegirl'seyesuponhim，gazedawaypersistently，hookedonhiselbow，withascornfulandcompletedetachment。MrsGouldheroicallyconcealedherdismayattheappearanceofmenandeventssoremotefromherracialconventions，dismaytoodeeptobeutteredinwordseventoherhusband。
　　Sheunderstoodhisvoicelessreservebetternow。Theirconfidentialintercoursefell，notinmomentsofprivacy，butpreciselyinpublic，whenthequickmeetingoftheirglanceswouldcommentuponsomefreshturnofevents。
　　Shehadgonetohisschoolofuncompromisingsilence，theonlyonepossible，sincesomuchthatseemedshocking，weird，andgrotesqueintheworkingoutoftheirpurposeshadtobeacceptedasnormalinthiscountry。Decidedly，thestatelyAntonialookedmorematureandinfinitelycalm；butshewouldneverhaveknownhowtoreconcilethesuddensinkingsofherheartwithanamiablemobilityofexpression。
　　MrsGouldsmiledagood-byeatBarrios，noddedroundtotheEuropeanswhoraisedtheirhatssimultaneouslywithanengaginginvitation，`I
　　hopetoseeyouallpresently，athome'；thensaidnervouslytoDecoud，`Getin，DonMartin，'andheardhimmuttertohimselfinFrench，asheopenedthecarriagedoor，`Lesortenestjete。'Sheheardhimwithasortofexasperation。Nobodyoughttohaveknownbetterthanhimselfthatthefirstcastofdicehadbeenalreadythrownlongagoinamostdesperategame。Distantacclamations，wordsofcommandyelledout，andarollofdrumsonthejettygreetedthedepartinggeneral。Somethinglikeaslightfaintnesscameoverher，andshelookedblanklyatAntonia'sstillface，wonderingwhatwouldhappentoCharleyifthatabsurdmanfailed。
　　`Alacasa，Ignacio，'shecriedatthemotionlessbroadbackofthecoachman，whogatheredthereinswithouthaste，mumblingtohimselfunderhisbreath，`Si，lacasa。Si，si，nina。'
　　Thecarriagerollednoiselesslyonthesofttrack，theshadowsfelllongonthedustylittleplaininterspersedwithdarkbushes，moundsofturned-upearth，lowwoodenbuildingswithironroofsoftheRailwayCompany；
　　thesparserowoftelegraphpolesstrodeobliquelyclearofthetown，bearingasingle，almostinvisiblewirefarintothegreatcampo——likeaslender，vibratingfeelerofthatprogresswaitingoutsideforamomentofpeacetoenterandtwineitselfaboutthewearyheartoftheland。
　　ThecafewindowoftheAlbergod'ItaliaUnawasfullofsunburnt，whiskeredfacesofrailwaymen。Butattheotherendofthehouse，theendoftheSignoriInglesi，oldGiorgio，atthedoorwithoneofhisgirlsoneachside，baredhisbushyhead，aswhiteasthesnowsofHiguerota。MrsGouldstoppedthecarriage。Sheseldomfailedtospeaktotheprotege；moreover，theexcitement，theheat，andthedusthadmadeherthirsty。Sheaskedforaglassofwater。Giorgiosentthechildrenindoorsforit，andapproachedwithpleasureexpressedinhiswholeruggedcountenance。Itwasnotoftenthathehadoccasiontoseehisbenefactress，whowasalsoanEnglishwoman——anothertitletohisregard。Heofferedsomeexcusesforhiswife。Itwasabaddaywithher；heroppressions——hetappedhisownbroadchest。Shecouldnotmovefromherchairthatday。
　　Decoud，ensconcedinthecornerofhisseat，observedgloomilyMrsGould'soldrevolutionist，then，offhand:
　　`Well，andwhatdoyouthinkofitall，Garibaldino?'
　　OldGiorgio，lookingathimwithsomecuriosity，saidcivillythatthetroopshadmarchedverywell。One-eyedBarriosandhisofficershaddonewonderswiththerecruitsinashorttime。Thoseindios，onlycaughttheotherday，hadgoneswingingpastindouble-quicktime，likebersaglieri；
　　theylookedwellfed，too，andhadwholeuniforms。`Uniforms！'herepeatedwithahalf-smileofpity。Alookofgrimretrospectstoleoverhispiercing，steadyeyes。Ithadbeenotherwiseinhistimewhenmenfoughtagainsttyranny，intheforestsofBrazil，orontheplainsofUruguay，starvingonhalf-rawbeefwithoutsalt，halfnaked，withoftenonlyaknifetiedtoastickforaweapon。`Andyetweusedtoprevailagainsttheoppressor，'
　　heconcluded，proudly。
　　Hisanimationfell；theslightgestureofhishandexpresseddiscouragement；
　　butheaddedthathehadaskedoneofthesergeantstoshowhimthenewrifle。Therewasnosuchweaponinhisfightingdays；andifBarrioscouldnot——
　　`Yes，yes，'brokeinDonJose，almosttremblingwitheagerness。`Wearesafe。ThegoodSenorViolaisamanofexperience。Extremelydeadly——isitnotso?Youhaveaccomplishedyourmissionadmirably，mydearMartin。'
　　Decoud，lollingbackmoodily，contemplatedoldViola。
　　`Ah！Yes。Amanofexperience。Butwhoareyoufor，really，inyourheart?'
　　MrsGouldleanedovertothechildren。Lindahadbroughtoutaglassofwateronatray，withextremecare；Gisellepresentedherwithabunchofflowersgatheredhastily。
　　`Forthepeople，'declaredoldViola，sternly。
　　`Weareallforthepeople——intheend。'
　　`Yes，'mutteredoldViola，savagely。`Andmeantimetheyfightforyou。
　　Blind。Esclavos！'