Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Shefeltvividlythatcertainuncongenialitywhich,whenallissaid,foreverremainsbetweenhumanityandtheearthwhichsupportsit.Sherecognisedthecolossalindifferenceofnature,nothostile,evenkindlyandfriendly,solongasthehumanant-swarmwassubmissive,workingwithit,hurryingalongatitssideinthemysteriousmarchofthecenturies.Let,however,theinsectrebel,strivetomakeheadagainstthepowerofthisnature,andatonceitbecamerelentless,agiganticengine,avastpower,huge,terrible;aleviathanwithaheartofsteel,knowingnocompunction,noforgiveness,notolerance;crushingoutthehumanatomwithsoundlesscalm,theagonyofdestructionsendingneverajar,neverthefaintesttremourthroughallthatprodigiousmechanismofwheelsandcogs.

           Suchthoughtsasthesedidnottakeshapedistinctlyinhermind.Shecouldnothavetoldherselfexactlywhatitwasthatdisquietedher.Sheonlyreceivedthevaguesensationofthesethings,asitwereabreathofwinduponherface,confused,troublous,anindefinitesenseofhostilityintheair.

           Thesoundofhoofsgrindinguponthegravelofthedrivewaybroughthertoherselfagain,and,withdrawinghergazefromtheemptyplainofLosMuertos,shesawyoungAnnixterstoppinghishorsebythecarriagesteps.Butthesightofhimonlydivertedhermindtotheothertrouble.Shecouldnotbutregardhimwithaversion.Hewasoneoftheconspirators,wasoneoftheleadersinthebattlethatimpended;nodoubt,hehadcometomakeafreshattempttowinoverMagnustotheunholyalliance.