Ностромо
Chapter 13
”
Heapproachedthen,and,lookingthroughthewindowintothebedroomforfearofbeingdetectedbyLindareturningthereforsomereason,hesaid,movingonlyhislips—
“Youloveme?”
“Morethanmylife.”Shewentonwithherembroideryunderhiscontemplatinggazeandcontinuedtospeak,lookingatherwork,“OrIcouldnotlive.Icouldnot,Giovanni.Forthislifeislikedeath.Oh,Giovanni,Ishallperishifyoudonottakemeaway.”
Hesmiledcarelessly.“Iwillcometothewindowwhenit’sdark,”hesaid.
“No,don’t,Giovanni.Not-to-night.Lindaandfatherhavebeentalkingtogetherforalongtimetoday.”
“Whatabout?”
“Ramirez,IfancyIheard.Idonotknow.Iamafraid.Iamalwaysafraid.Itislikedyingathousandtimesaday.Yourloveistomelikeyourtreasuretoyou.Itisthere,butIcannevergetenoughofit.”
Helookedatherverystill.Shewasbeautiful.Hisdesirehadgrownwithinhim.Hehadtwomastersnow.Butshewasincapableofsustainedemotion.Shewassincereinwhatshesaid,butshesleptplacidlyatnight.Whenshesawhimsheflamedupalways.Thenonlyanincreasedtaciturnitymarkedthechangeinher.Shewasafraidofbetrayingherself.Shewasafraidofpain,ofbodilyharm,ofsharpwords,offacinganger,andwitnessingviolence.Forhersoulwaslightandtenderwithapagansincerityinitsimpulses.
