Ностромо

           TheladiesofSulacowerenotadvancedenoughtotakepartinthepubliclifetothatextent.TheyhadcomeoutstronglyatthegreatballattheIntendenciatheeveningbefore,butMrs.Gouldalonehadappeared,abrightspotinthegroupofblackcoatsbehindthePresident-Dictator,onthecrimsoncloth-coveredstageerectedunderashadytreeontheshoreoftheharbour,wheretheceremonyofturningthefirstsodhadtakenplace.Shehadcomeoffinthecargolighter,fullofnotabilities,sittingundertheflutterofgayflags,intheplaceofhonourbythesideofCaptainMitchell,whosteered,andhercleardressgavetheonlytrulyfestivenotetothesombregatheringinthelong,gorgeoussaloonoftheJuno.

           Theheadofthechairmanoftherailwayboard(fromLondon),handsomeandpaleinasilverymistofwhitehairandclippedbeard,hoverednearhershoulderattentive,smiling,andfatigued.ThejourneyfromLondontoSta.MartainmailboatsandthespecialcarriagesoftheSta.Martacoast-line(theonlyrailwaysofar)hadbeentolerable—evenpleasant—quitetolerable.ButthetripoverthemountainstoSulacowasanothersortofexperience,inanolddiligenciaoverimpassableroadsskirtingawfulprecipices.

           “Wehavebeenupsettwiceinonedayonthebrinkofverydeepravines,”hewastellingMrs.Gouldinanundertone.“AndwhenwearrivedhereatlastIdon’tknowwhatweshouldhavedonewithoutyourhospitality.