Ностромо
Chapter 7
Thelethargy—thelethargyofthesearistocrats!Thewantofpublicspirit!Theabsenceofallenterprise!I,withmyprofoundstudiesinEurope,youunderstand—”
Withonehandthrustintohisswellingbosom,heroseandfellonhistoes,andfortenminutes,almostwithoutdrawingbreath,wentonhurlinghimselfintellectuallytotheassaultofCharlesGould’spolitesilence;andwhen,stoppingabruptly,hefellbackintohischair,itwasasthoughhehadbeenbeatenofffromafortress.Tosavehisdignityhehastenedtodismissthissilentmanwithasolemninclinationoftheheadandthewords,pronouncedwithmoody,fatiguedcondescension—
“Youmaydependuponmyenlightenedgoodwillaslongasyourconductasagoodcitizendeservesit.”
Hetookupapaperfanandbegantocoolhimselfwithaconsequentialair,whileCharlesGouldbowedandwithdrew.Thenhedroppedthefanatonce,andstaredwithanappearanceofwonderandperplexityatthecloseddoorforquitealongtime.Atlastheshruggedhisshouldersasiftoassurehimselfofhisdisdain.Cold,dull.Nointellectuality.Redhair.AtrueEnglishman.Hedespisedhim.
Hisfacedarkened.Whatmeantthisunimpressedandfrigidbehaviour?HewasthefirstofthesuccessivepoliticianssentoutfromthecapitaltoruletheOccidentalProvincewhomthemannerofCharlesGouldinofficialintercoursewastostrikeasoffensivelyindependent.
