Ностромо

           Then,turningtoGiselleViola,“Comenearerme,child;comecloser.Wewillwaithere.”

           GiselleViola,heartbrokenandchildlike,herfaceveiledinherfallinghair,creptuptoherside.Mrs.GouldslippedherhandthroughthearmoftheunworthydaughterofoldViola,theimmaculaterepublican,theherowithoutastain.Slowly,gradually,asawitheredflowerdroops,theheadofthegirl,whowouldhavefollowedathieftotheendoftheworld,restedontheshoulderofDonaEmilia,thefirstladyofSulaco,thewifeoftheSenorAdministradoroftheSanTomemine.AndMrs.Gould,feelinghersuppressedsobbing,nervousandexcited,hadthefirstandonlymomentofbitternessinherlife.ItwasworthyofDr.Monyghamhimself.

           “Consoleyourself,child.Verysoonhewouldhaveforgottenyouforhistreasure.”

           “Senora,helovedme.Helovedme,”Gisellewhispered,despairingly.“Helovedmeasnoonehadeverbeenlovedbefore.”

           “Ihavebeenloved,too,”Mrs.Gouldsaidinaseveretone.

           Giselleclungtoherconvulsively.“Oh,senora,butyoushallliveadoredtotheendofyourlife,”shesobbedout.

           Mrs.Gouldkeptanunbrokensilencetillthecarriagearrived.Shehelpedinthehalf-faintinggirl.Afterthedoctorhadshutthedoorofthelandau,sheleanedovertohim.

           “Youcandonothing?”shewhispered.

           “No,Mrs.Gould.Moreover,hewon’tletustouchhim.Itdoesnotmatter.