Ностромо

           AndbehindthepalelongfrontoftheCustomHouse,thereappearedtheextentofthetownlikeagroveofthicktimberontheplainwithagatewayinfront,andthecupolas,towers,andmiradorsrisingabovethetrees,alldark,asifsurrenderedalreadytothenight.Thethoughtthatitwasnolongeropentohimtoridethroughthestreets,recognizedbyeveryone,greatandlittle,asheusedtodoeveryeveningonhiswaytoplaymonteintheposadaoftheMexicanDomingo;ortositintheplaceofhonour,listeningtosongsandlookingatdances,madeitappeartohimasatownthathadnoexistence.

           Foralongtimehegazedon,thenletthepartedbushesspringback,and,crossingovertotheothersideofthefort,surveyedthevasteremptinessofthegreatgulf.TheIsabelsstoodoutheavilyuponthenarrowinglongbandofredinthewest,whichgleamedlowbetweentheirblackshapes,andtheCapatazthoughtofDecoudalonetherewiththetreasure.ThatmanwastheonlyonewhocaredwhetherhefellintothehandsoftheMonteristsornot,theCapatazreflectedbitterly.Andthatmerelywouldbeananxietyforhisownsake.Astotherest,theyneitherknewnorcared.WhathehadheardGiorgioViolasayoncewasverytrue.Kings,ministers,aristocrats,therichingeneral,keptthepeopleinpovertyandsubjection;theykeptthemastheykeptdogs,tofightandhuntfortheirservice.