Ностромо
Chapter 3
Hecameoutinaroundaboutway,throughMagellan’sStraitsbythemainlineandtheWestCoastServiceoftheO.S.N.Company.Hispreciousconsignmentarrivedjustintimetoconvertthefirstfeelingsofconsternationintoamoodofhopeandresolution.Publiclyhewasmademuchofbythefamiliasprincipales.PrivatelyDonJose,stillshakenandweak,embracedhimwithtearsinhiseyes.
“Youhavecomeoutyourself!NolesscouldbeexpectedfromaDecoud.Alas!ourworstfearshavebeenrealized,”hemoaned,affectionately.Andagainhehuggedhisgod-son.Thiswasindeedthetimeformenofintellectandconsciencetorallyroundtheendangeredcause.
ItwasthenthatMartinDecoud,theadoptedchildofWesternEurope,felttheabsolutechangeofatmosphere.Hesubmittedtobeingembracedandtalkedtowithoutaword.HewasmovedinspiteofhimselfbythatnoteofpassionandsorrowunknownonthemorerefinedstageofEuropeanpolitics.ButwhenthetallAntonia,advancingwithherlightstepinthedimnessofthebigbareSalaoftheAvellanoshouse,offeredhimherhand(inheremancipatedway),andmurmured,“Iamgladtoseeyouhere,DonMartin,”hefelthowimpossibleitwouldbetotellthesetwopeoplethathehadintendedtogoawaybythenextmonth’spacket.DonJose,meantime,continuedhispraises.
