Ностромо

           Hewouldgetlandforher—herownlandfertilewithvinesandcorn—tosetherlittlefeetupon.Hekissedthem....Hehadalreadypaidforitallwiththesoulofawomanandthelifeofaman....TheCapatazdeCargadorestastedthesupremeintoxicationofhisgenerosity.Heflungthemasteredtreasuresuperblyatherfeetintheimpenetrabledarknessofthegulf,inthedarknessdefying—asmensaid—theknowledgeofGodandthewitofthedevil.Butshemustlethimgrowrichfirst—hewarnedher.

           Shelistenedasifinatrance.Herfingersstirredinhishair.Hegotupfromhiskneesreeling,weak,empty,asthoughhehadflunghissoulaway.

           “Makehaste,then,”shesaid.“Makehaste,Giovanni,mylover,mymaster,forIwillgivetheeuptonoonebutGod.AndIamafraidofLinda.”

           Heguessedathershudder,andsworetodohisbest.Hetrustedthecourageofherlove.Shepromisedtobebraveinordertobelovedalways—farawayinawhitepalaceuponahillaboveabluesea.Thenwithatimid,tentativeeagernessshemurmured—

           “Whereisit?Where?Tellmethat,Giovanni.”

           Heopenedhismouthandremainedsilent—thunderstruck.

           “Notthat!Notthat!”hegaspedout,appalledatthespellofsecrecythathadkepthimdumbbeforesomanypeoplefallinguponhislipsagainwithunimpairedforce.Noteventoher.Noteventoher.Itwastoodangerous.