Ностромо

           Thetruthofhisnatureconsistedinhiscapacityforpassionandinthesensitivenessofhistemperament.Whathelackedwasthepolishedcallousnessofmenoftheworld,thecallousnessfromwhichspringsaneasytoleranceforoneselfandothers;thetolerancewideaspolesasunderfromtruesympathyandhumancompassion.Thiswantofcallousnessaccountedforhissardonicturnofmindandhisbitingspeeches.

           Inprofoundsilence,andglaringviciouslyatthebrilliantflower-bed,Dr.MonyghampouredmentalimprecationsonCharlesGould’shead.BehindhimtheimmobilityofMrs.Gouldaddedtothegraceofherseatedfigurethecharmofart,ofanattitudecaughtandinterpretedforever.Turningabruptly,thedoctortookhisleave.

           Mrs.Gouldleanedbackintheshadeofthebigtreesplantedinacircle.Sheleanedbackwithhereyesclosedandherwhitehandslyingidleonthearmsofherseat.Thehalf-lightunderthethickmassofleavesbroughtouttheyouthfulprettinessofherface;madetheclear,lightfabricsandwhitelaceofherdressappearluminous.Smallanddainty,asifradiatingalightofherowninthedeepshadeoftheinterlacedboughs,sheresembledagoodfairy,wearywithalongcareerofwell-doing,touchedbythewitheringsuspicionoftheuselessnessofherlabours,thepowerlessnessofhermagic.