Ностромо

           Andwhenhesaweveryfaceset,alltheeyesfixeduponhislips,hebegantoshoutasortofcatalogueofperfections:“Generous,valorous,affable,profound”—(hesnatchedoffhishatenthusiastically)—“astatesman,aninvinciblechiefofpartisans—”Hedroppedhisvoicestartlinglytoadeep,hollownote—“andadentist.”

           Hewasoffinstantlyatasmartwalk;therigidstraddleofhislegs,theturned-outfeet,thestiffback,therakishslantofthesombreroabovethesquare,motionlesssetoftheshouldersexpressinganinfinite,awe-inspiringimpudence.

           Upstairs,behindthejalousies,Sotillodidnotmoveforalongtime.Theaudacityofthefellowappalledhim.Whatwerehisofficerssayingbelow?Theyweresayingnothing.Completesilence.Hequaked.Itwasnotthusthathehadimaginedhimselfatthatstageoftheexpedition.Hehadseenhimselftriumphant,unquestioned,appeased,theidolofthesoldiers,weighinginsecretcomplacencytheagreeablealternativesofpowerandwealthopentohischoice.Alas!Howdifferent!Distracted,restless,supine,burningwithfury,orfrozenwithterror,hefeltadreadasfathomlessastheseacreepuponhimfromeveryside.Thatrogueofadoctorhadtocomeoutwithhisinformation.Thatwasclear.Itwouldbeofnousetohim—alone.Hecoulddonothingwithit.Malediction!Thedoctorwouldnevercomeout.Hewasprobablyunderarrestalready,shutuptogetherwithDonCarlos.Helaughedaloudinsanely.