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Chapter 11
Whatmorecouldshehaveexpected?Itwasacolossalandlastingsuccess;andlovewasonlyashortmomentofforgetfulness,ashortintoxication,whosedelightonerememberedwithasenseofsadness,asifithadbeenadeepgrieflivedthrough.Therewassomethinginherentinthenecessitiesofsuccessfulactionwhichcarriedwithitthemoraldegradationoftheidea.ShesawtheSanTomemountainhangingovertheCampo,overthewholeland,feared,hated,wealthy;moresoullessthananytyrant,morepitilessandautocraticthantheworstGovernment;readytocrushinnumerablelivesintheexpansionofitsgreatness.Hedidnotseeit.Hecouldnotseeit.Itwasnothisfault.Hewasperfect,perfect;butshewouldneverhavehimtoherself.Never;notforoneshorthouraltogethertoherselfinthisoldSpanishhouseshelovedsowell!Incorrigible,thelastoftheCorbelans,thelastoftheAvellanos,thedoctorhadsaid;butshesawclearlytheSanTomeminepossessing,consuming,burningupthelifeofthelastoftheCostaguanaGoulds;masteringtheenergeticspiritofthesonasithadmasteredthelamentableweaknessofthefather.AterriblesuccessforthelastoftheGoulds.Thelast!Shehadhopedforalong,longtime,thatperhaps——Butno!Thereweretobenomore.Animmensedesolation,thedreadofherowncontinuedlife,descendeduponthefirstladyofSulaco.Withapropheticvisionshesawherselfsurvivingalonethedegradationofheryoungidealoflife,oflove,ofwork—allaloneintheTreasureHouseoftheWorld