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Chapter 6
”Hisarmpressedherslightformclosertohissideforamoment.“AndwhoknowswhetherinthatsenseeventheSanTomeminemaynotbecomethatlittleriftinthedarknesswhichpoorfatherdespairedofeverseeing?”
Sheglancedupathimwithadmiration.Hewascompetent;hehadgivenavastshapetothevaguenessofherunselfishambitions.
“Charley,”shesaid,“youaresplendidlydisobedient.”
Helefthersuddenlyinthecorredortogoandgethishat,asoft,greysombrero,anarticleofnationalcostumewhichcombinedunexpectedlywellwithhisEnglishget-up.Hecameback,ariding-whipunderhisarm,buttoningupadogskinglove;hisfacereflectedtheresolutenatureofhisthoughts.Hiswifehadwaitedforhimattheheadofthestairs,andbeforehegaveherthepartingkisshefinishedtheconversation—
“Whatshouldbeperfectlycleartous,”hesaid,“isthefactthatthereisnogoingback.Wherecouldwebeginlifeafresh?Weareinnowforallthatthereisinus.”
Hebentoverherupturnedfaceverytenderlyandalittleremorsefully.CharlesGouldwascompetentbecausehehadnoillusions.TheGouldConcessionhadtofightforlifewithsuchweaponsascouldbefoundatonceinthemireofacorruptionthatwassouniversalasalmosttoloseitssignificance.Hewaspreparedtostoopforhisweapons
