Ностромо

           CharlesGould,lookingdownoverthebalustrade,sawthreemendressedceremoniouslyinblackfrock-coatswithwhiteshirts,andwearingEuropeanroundhats,enterthepatiofromthestreet.Oneofthem,headandshoulderstallerthanthetwoothers,advancedwithmarkedgravity,leadingtheway.ThiswasDonJusteLopez,accompaniedbytwoofhisfriends,membersofAssembly,comingtocallupontheAdministradoroftheSanTomemineatthisearlyhour.Theysawhim,too,wavedtheirhandstohimurgently,walkingupthestairsasifinprocession.

           DonJuste,astonishinglychangedbyhavingshavedoffaltogetherhisdamagedbeard,hadlostwithitninetenthsofhisoutwarddignity.Evenatthattimeofseriouspre-occupationCharlesGouldcouldnothelpnotingtherevealedineptitudeintheaspectoftheman.Hiscompanionslookedcrestfallenandsleepy.Onekeptonpassingthetipofhistongueoverhisparchedlips;theother’seyesstrayeddullyoverthetiledfloorofthecorredor,whileDonJuste,standingalittleinadvance,haranguedtheSenorAdministradoroftheSanTomemine.Itwashisfirmopinionthatformshadtobeobserved.AnewgovernorisalwaysvisitedbydeputationsfromtheCabildo,whichistheMunicipalCouncil,fromtheConsulado,thecommercialBoard,anditwasproperthattheProvincialAssemblyshouldsendadeputation,too,ifonlytoasserttheexistenceofparliamentaryinstitutions.