Ностромо
Chapter 2
WheneverpossibleAntoniaattendedherfather;herrecognizeddevotionweakenedtheshockingeffectofherscornfortherigidconventionsregulatingthelifeofSpanish-Americangirlhood.And,intruth,shewasnolongergirlish.ItwassaidthatsheoftenwroteStatepapersfromherfather’sdictation,andwasallowedtoreadallthebooksinhislibrary.Atthereceptions—wherethesituationwassavedbythepresenceofaverydecrepitoldlady(arelationoftheCorbelans),quitedeafandmotionlessinanarmchair—Antoniacouldholdherowninadiscussionwithtwoorthreemenatatime.Obviouslyshewasnotthegirltobecontentwithpeepingthroughabarredwindowatacloakedfigureofaloverensconcedinadoorwayopposite—whichisthecorrectformofCostaguanacourtship.ItwasgenerallybelievedthatwithherforeignupbringingandforeignideasthelearnedandproudAntoniawouldnevermarry—unless,indeed,shemarriedaforeignerfromEuropeorNorthAmerica,nowthatSulacoseemedonthepointofbeinginvadedbyalltheworld.
