Ностромо

           HebelievedSidoni’swarningastoRamirez’sdesignsuponhisyoungerdaughter.Andhedidnottrusther.Shewasflighty.Hesaidnothingofhiscaresto“SonGian’Battista.”Itwasatouchofsenilevanity.Hewantedtoshowthathewasequalyettothetaskofguardingalonethehonourofhishouse.

           Nostromowentawayearly.Assoonashehaddisappeared,walkingtowardsthebeach,Lindasteppedoverthethresholdand,withahaggardsmile,satdownbythesideofherfather.

           EversincethatSunday,whentheinfatuatedanddesperateRamirezhadwaitedforheronthewharf,shehadnodoubtswhatever.Thejealousravingsofthatmanwerenorevelation.Theyhadonlyfixedwithprecision,aswithanaildrivenintoherheart,thatsenseofunrealityanddeceptionwhich,insteadofblissandsecurity,shehadfoundinherintercoursewithherpromisedhusband.Shehadpassedon,pouringindignationandscornuponRamirez;but,thatSunday,shenearlydiedofwretchednessandshame,lyingonthecarvedandletteredstoneofTeresa’sgrave,subscribedforbytheengine-driversandthefittersoftherailwayworkshops,insignoftheirrespectfortheheroofItalianUnity.OldViolahadnotbeenabletocarryouthisdesireofburyinghiswifeinthesea;andLindaweptuponthestone.

           Thegratuitousoutrageappalledher.Ifhewishedtobreakherheart—wellandgood.EverythingwaspermittedtoGian’Battista.