Ностромо
Chapter 1
GuzmanBento,usuallyfulloffancifulfearsandbroodingsuspicions,hadsuddenaccessesofunreasonableself-confidencewhenheperceivedhimselfelevatedonapinnacleofpowerandsafetybeyondthereachofmeremortalplotters.AtsuchtimeshewouldimpulsivelycommandthecelebrationofasolemnMassofthanksgiving,whichwouldbesungingreatpompinthecathedralofSta.Martabythetrembling,subservientArchbishopofhiscreation.Hehearditsittinginagiltarmchairplacedbeforethehighaltar,surroundedbythecivilandmilitaryheadsofhisGovernment.TheunofficialworldofSta.Martawouldcrowdintothecathedral,foritwasnotquitesafeforanybodyofmarktostayawayfromthesemanifestationsofpresidentialpiety.Havingthusacknowledgedtheonlypowerhewasatalldisposedtorecognizeasabovehimself,hewouldscatteractsofpoliticalgraceinasardonicwantonnessofclemency.Therewasnootherwayleftnowtoenjoyhispowerbutbyseeinghiscrushedadversariescrawlimpotentlyintothelightofdayoutofthedark,noisomecellsoftheCollegio.Theirharmlessnessfedhisinsatiablevanity,andtheycouldalwaysbegotholdofagain.Itwastheruleforallthewomenoftheirfamiliestopresentthanksafterwardsinaspecialaudience.
