Ностромо
Chapter 3
Thetwowomenembraced;whilefromtheothersideofthelandauFatherCorbelan’semissary,withhisraggedbeardallstreakedwithgrey,andhigh,bronzedcheek-bones,stared,sittinguprightinthesaddle.ThenAntonia,dry-eyed,gotinbythesideofthestretcher,and,aftermakingthesignofthecrossrapidly,loweredathickveiluponherface.Theservantsandthethreeorfourneighbourswhohadcometoassist,stoodback,uncoveringtheirheads.Onthebox,Ignacio,resignednowtodrivingallnight(andtohavingperhapshisthroatcutbeforedaylight)lookedbacksurlilyoverhisshoulder.
“Drivecarefully,”criedMrs.Gouldinatremulousvoice.
“Si,carefully;sinina,”hemumbled,chewinghislips,hisroundleatherycheeksquivering.Andthelandaurolledslowlyoutofthelight.
“Iwillseethemasfarastheford,”saidCharlesGouldtohiswife.Shestoodontheedgeofthesidewalkwithherhandsclaspedlightly,andnoddedtohimashefollowedafterthecarriage.AndnowthewindowsoftheAmarillaClubweredark.Thelastsparkofresistancehaddiedout.Turninghisheadatthecorner,CharlesGouldsawhiswifecrossingovertotheirowngateinthelightedpatchofthestreet.Oneoftheirneighbours,awell-knownmerchantandlandowneroftheprovince,followedatherelbow,talkingwithgreatgestures.Asshepassedinallthelightswentoutinthestreet,whichremaineddarkandemptyfromendtoend.
ThehousesofthevastPlazawerelostinthenight.