Ностромо
Chapter 1
Theincarnationofthatstrangegod,ElGobiernoSupremo,receivedthemstanding,cockedhatonhead,andexhortedtheminamenacingmuttertoshowtheirgratitudebybringinguptheirchildreninfidelitytothedemocraticformofgovernment,“whichIhaveestablishedforthehappinessofourcountry.”Hisfrontteethhavingbeenknockedoutinsomeaccidentofhisformerherdsman’slife,hisutterancewassplutteringandindistinct.HehadbeenworkingforCostaguanaaloneinthemidstoftreacheryandopposition.Letitceasenowlestheshouldbecomewearyofforgiving!
DonJoseAvellanoshadknownthisforgiveness.
Hewasbrokeninhealthandfortunedeplorablyenoughtopresentatrulygratifyingspectacletothesupremechiefofdemocraticinstitutions.HeretiredtoSulaco.Hiswifehadanestateinthatprovince,andshenursedhimbacktolifeoutofthehouseofdeathandcaptivity.Whenshedied,theirdaughter,anonlychild,wasoldenoughtodevoteherselfto“poorpapa.”
MissAvellanos,borninEuropeandeducatedpartlyinEngland,wasatall,gravegirl,withaself-possessedmanner,awide,whiteforehead,awealthofrichbrownhair,andblueeyes.
TheotheryoungladiesofSulacostoodinaweofhercharacterandaccomplishments.Shewasreputedtobeterriblylearnedandserious.Astopride,itwaswellknownthatalltheCorbelanswereproud,andhermotherwasaCorbelan.DonJoseAvellanosdependedverymuchuponthedevotionofhisbelovedAntonia.
