Сто лет одиночества

           Accordingtothegirl’scalculations,shestillhadtenyearsofseventymenpernight,becauseshealsohadtopaytheexpensesofthetripandfoodforbothofthemaswellasthepayoftheIndianswhocarriedtherockingchair.Whenthematronknockedonthedoorthesecondtime,Aurelianolefttheroomwithouthavingdoneanything,troubledbyadesiretoweep.Thatnighthecouldnotsleep,thinkingaboutthegirl,withamixtureofdesireandpity.Hefeltanirresistibleneedtoloveherandprotecther.Atdawn,wornoutbyinsomniaandfever,hemadethecalmdecisiontomarryherinordertofreeherfromthedespotismofhergrandmotherandtoenjoyallthenightsofsatisfactionthatshewouldgivetheseventymen.Butatteno’clockinthemorning,whenhereachedCatarino’sstore,thegirlhadlefttown.

           Timemitigatedhismadproposal,butitaggravatedhisfeelingsoffrustration.Hetookrefugeinwork.Heresignedhimselftobeingawomanlessmanforallhislifeinordertohidetheshameofhisuselessness.Inthemeantime,MelquíadeshadprintedonhisplateseverythingthatwasprintableinMacondo,andheleftthedaguerreotypelaboratorytothefantasiesofJoséArcadioBuendíawhohadresolvedtouseittoobtainscientificproofoftheexistenceofGod.Throughacomplicatedprocessofsuperimposedexposurestakenindifferentpartsofthehouse,hewassurethatsoonerorlaterhewouldgetadaguerreotypeofGod,ifHeexisted,orputanendonceandforalltothesuppositionofHisexistence.