Ностромо

           “ThelastoftheAvellanosandthelastoftheCorbelansareconspiringwiththerefugeesfromSta.Martathatflockhereaftereveryrevolution.TheCafeLambrosoatthecornerofthePlazaisfullofthem;youcanheartheirchatteracrossthestreetlikethenoiseofaparrothouse.TheyareconspiringfortheinvasionofCostaguana.Anddoyouknowwheretheygoforstrength,forthenecessaryforce?Tothesecretsocietiesamongstimmigrantsandnatives,whereNostromo—IshouldsayCaptainFidanza—isthegreatman.Whatgiveshimthatposition?Whocansay?Genius?Hehasgenius.Heisgreaterwiththepopulacethaneverhewasbefore.Itisasifhehadsomesecretpower;somemysteriousmeanstokeepuphisinfluence.HeholdsconferenceswiththeArchbishop,asinthoseolddayswhichyouandIremember.Barriosisuseless.ButforamilitaryheadtheyhavethepiousHernandez.Andtheymayraisethecountrywiththenewcryofthewealthforthepeople.”

           “Willtherebeneveranypeace?Willtherebenorest?”Mrs.Gouldwhispered.“Ithoughtthatwe——”

           “No!”interruptedthedoctor.“Thereisnopeaceandnorestinthedevelopmentofmaterialinterests.Theyhavetheirlaw,andtheirjustice.Butitisfoundedonexpediency,andisinhuman;itiswithoutrectitude,withoutthecontinuityandtheforcethatcanbefoundonlyinamoralprinciple.Mrs.