Ностромо
Chapter 12
“Icannot,”hesaid.“Notyet.Thereissomethingthatstandsbetweenustwoandthefreedomoftheworld.”
Shepressedherformclosertohissidewithasubtleandnaiveinstinctofseduction.
“Yourave,Giovanni—mylover!”shewhispered,engagingly.“Whatcantherebe?Carrymeoff—inthyveryhands—toDonaEmilia—awayfromhere.Iamnotveryheavy.”
Itseemedasthoughsheexpectedhimtoliftherupatonceinhistwopalms.Shehadlostthenotionofallimpossibility.Anythingcouldhappenonthisnightofwonder.Ashemadenomovement,shealmostcriedaloud—
“ItellyouIamafraidofLinda!”Andstillhedidnotmove.Shebecamequietandwily.“Whatcantherebe?”sheasked,coaxingly.
Hefeltherwarm,breathing,alive,quiveringinthehollowofhisarm.Intheexultingconsciousnessofhisstrength,andthetriumphantexcitementofhismind,hestruckoutforhisfreedom.
“Atreasure,”hesaid.Allwasstill.Shedidnotunderstand.“Atreasure.Atreasureofsilvertobuyagoldcrownforthybrow.”
“Atreasure?”sherepeatedinafaintvoice,asiffromthedepthsofadream.“Whatisityousay?”
Shedisengagedherselfgently.Hegotupandlookeddownather,awareofherface,ofherhair,herlips,thedimplesonhercheeks—seeingthefascinationofherpersoninthenightofthegulfasifintheblazeofnoonday.
