Ностромо
Chapter 4
DonJusteproposedthatDonCarlosGould,asthemostprominentcitizenoftheprovince,shouldjointheAssembly’sdeputation.Hispositionwasexceptional,hispersonalityknownthroughthelengthandbreadthofthewholeRepublic.Officialcourtesiesmustnotbeneglected,iftheyaregonethroughwithableedingheart.Theacceptanceofaccomplishedfactsmaysaveyetthepreciousvestigesofparliamentaryinstitutions.DonJuste’seyesgloweddully;hebelievedinparliamentaryinstitutions—andtheconvinceddroneofhisvoicelostitselfinthestillnessofthehouselikethedeepbuzzingofsomeponderousinsect.
CharlesGouldhadturnedroundtolistenpatiently,leaninghiselbowonthebalustrade.Heshookhisheadalittle,refusing,almosttouchedbytheanxiousgazeofthePresidentoftheProvincialAssembly.ItwasnotCharlesGould’spolicytomaketheSanTomemineapartytoanyformalproceedings.
“Myadvice,senores,isthatyoushouldwaitforyourfateinyourhouses.ThereisnonecessityforyoutogiveyourselvesupformallyintoMontero’shands.Submissiontotheinevitable,asDonJustecallsit,isallverywell,butwhentheinevitableiscalledPedritoMonterothereisnoneedtoexhibitpointedlythewholeextentofyoursurrender.Thefaultofthiscountryisthewantofmeasureinpoliticallife.Flatacquiescenceinillegality,followedbysanguinaryreaction—that,senores,isnotthewaytoastableandprosperousfuture.
