GeneralMontero，whomthebeginningofthestrugglehadfoundanobscurearmycaptainemployedonthewildeasternfrontieroftheState，hadthrowninhislotwiththeRibierapartyatamomentwhenspecialcircumstanceshadgiventhatsmalladhesionafortuitousimportance。Thefortunesofwarservedhimmarvellously，andthevictoryofRioSeco(afteradayofdesperatefighting)putasealtohissuccess。AttheendheemergedGeneral，MinisterofWar，andthemilitaryheadoftheBlancoparty，althoughtherewasnothingaristocraticinhisdescent。Indeed，itwassaidthatheandhisbrother，orphans，hadbeenbroughtupbythemunificenceofafamousEuropeantraveller，inwhoseservicetheirfatherhadlosthislife。Anotherstorywasthattheirfatherhadbeennothingbutacharcoalburnerinthewoods，andtheirmotherabaptizedIndianwomanfromthefarinterior。

Howeverthatmightbe，theCostaguanaPresswasinthehabitofstylingMontero'sforestmarchfromhiscommandanciatojointheBlancoforcesatthebeginningofthetroubles，the`mostheroicmilitaryexploitofmoderntimes'。Aboutthesametime，too，hisbrotherhadturnedupfromEurope，wherehehadgoneapparentlyassecretarytoaconsul。Having，however，collectedasmallbandofoutlaws，heshowedsometalentasguerrillachiefandhadbeenrewardedatthepacificationbythepostofMilitaryCommandantofthecapital。

TheMinisterofWar，then，accompaniedtheDictator。TheboardoftheO。S。N。Company，workinghand-in-handwiththerailwaypeopleforthegoodoftheRepublic，hadonthisimportantoccasioninstructedCaptainMitchelltoputthemail-boatJunoatthedisposalofthedistinguishedparty。

DonVincente，journeyingsouthfromStaMarta，hadembarkedatCayta，theprincipalportofCostaguana，andcametoSulacobysea。Butthechairmanoftherailwaycompanyhadcourageouslycrossedthemountainsinaramshacklediligencia，mainlyforthepurposeofmeetinghisengineer-in-chiefengagedinthefinalsurveyoftheroad。

Foralltheindifferenceofamanofaffairstonature，whosehostilitycanalwaysbeovercomebytheresourcesoffinance，hecouldnothelpbeingimpressedbyhissurroundingsduringhishaltatthesurveyingcampestablishedatthehighestpointhisrailwaywastoreach。Hespentthenightthere，arrivingjusttoolatetoseethelastdyingglowofsunlightuponthesnowyflankofHiguerota。Pillaredmassesofblackbasaltframedlikeanopenportalaportionofthewhitefieldlyingaslantagainstthewest。

Inthetransparentairofthehighaltitudeseverythingseemedverynear，steepedinaclearstillnessasinanimponderableliquid；andwithhisearreadytocatchthefirstsoundoftheexpecteddiligenciatheengineer-in-chief，atthedoorofahutofroughstones，hadcontemplatedthechanginghuesontheenormoussideofthemountain，thinkingthatinthissight，asinapieceofinspiredmusic，therecouldbefoundtogethertheutmostdelicacyofshadedexpressionandastupendousmagnificenceofeffect。

SirJohnarrivedtoolatetohearthemagnificentandinaudiblestrainsungbythesunsetamongstthehighpeaksoftheSierra。Ithadsungitselfoutintothebreathlesspauseofdeepduskbefore，climbingdowntheforewheelofthediligenciawithstifflimbs，heshookhandswiththeengineer。

Theygavehimhisdinnerinastonehutlikeacubicalboulder，withnodoororwindowsinitstwoopenings；abrightfireofsticks(broughtonmulebackfromthefirstvalleybelow)burningoutsidesentinawaveringglare；andtwocandlesintincandlesticks——lighted，itwasexplainedtohim，inhishonour——stoodonasortofroughcamptable，atwhichhesatontherighthandofthechief。Heknewhowtobeamiable；andtheyoungmenoftheengineeringstaff，forwhomthesurveyingoftherailwaytrackhadtheglamourofthefirststepsonthepathoflife，satthere，too，listeningmodestly，withtheirsmoothfacestannedbytheweather，andverypleasedtowitnesssomuchaffabilityinsogreataman。

Afterwards，lateatnight，pacingtoandfrooutside，hehadalongtalkwithhischiefengineer。Heknewhimwellofold。Thiswasnotthefirstundertakinginwhichtheirgifts，aselementallydifferentasfireandwater，hadworkedinconjunction。Fromthecontactofthesetwopersonalities，whohadnotthesamevisionoftheworld，therewasgeneratedapowerfortheworld'sservice——asubtleforcethatcouldsetinmotionmightymachines，men'smuscles，andawakenalsoinhumanbreastsanunboundeddevotiontothetask。Oftheyoungfellowsatthetable，towhomthesurveyofthetrackwaslikethetracingofthepathoflife，morethanonewouldbecalledtomeetdeathbeforetheworkwasdone。Buttheworkwouldbedone:

theforcewouldbealmostasstrongasafaith。Notquite，however。Inthesilenceofthesleepingcampuponthemoonlitplateauformingthetopofthepasslikethefloorofavastarenasurroundedbythebasaltwallsofprecipices，twostrollingfiguresinthickulstersstoodstill，andthevoiceoftheengineerpronounceddistinctlythewords:

`Wecan'tmovemountains！'

SirJohn，raisinghisheadtofollowthepointinggesture，feltthefullforceofthewords。ThewhiteHiguerotasoaredoutoftheshadowsofrockandearthlikeafrozenbubbleunderthemoon。Allwasstill，tillnearby，behindthewallofacorralforthecampanimals，builtroughlyofloosestonesintheformofacircle，apackmulestampedhisforefootandblewheavilytwice。

Theengineer-in-chiefhadusedthephraseinanswertothechairman'stentativesuggestionthatthetracingofthelinecould，perhaps，bealteredindeferencetotheprejudicesoftheSulacolandowners。Thechiefengineerbelievedthattheobstinacyofmenwasthelesserobstacle。Moreover，tocombatthattheyhadthegreatinfluenceofCharlesGould，whereastunnellingunderHiguerotawouldhavebeenacolossalundertaking。

`Ah，yes！Gould。Whatsortofamanishe?'

SirJohnhadheardmuchofCharlesGouldinStaMarta，andwantedtoknowmore。Theengineer-in-chiefassuredhimthattheadministratoroftheSanTomesilverminehadanimmenseinfluenceoveralltheseSpanishDons。HehadalsooneofthebesthousesinSulaco，andtheGouldhospitalitywasbeyondallpraise。

`Theyreceivedmeasiftheyhadknownmeforyears，'hesaid。`Thelittleladyiskindnesspersonified。Istayedwiththemforamonth。Hehelpedmetoorganizethesurveyingparties。HispracticalownershipoftheSanTomesilverminegiveshimaspecialposition。Heseemstohavetheearofeveryprovincialauthorityapparently，and，asIsaid，hecanwindallthehidalgosoftheprovinceroundhislittlefinger。Ifyoufollowhisadvicethedifficultieswillfallaway，becausehewantstherailway。Ofcourse，youmustbecarefulinwhatyousay。He'sEnglish，andbesideshemustbeimmenselywealthy。TheHolroydhouseisinwithhiminthatmine，soyoumayimagine——'

Heinterruptedhimselfas，frombeforeoneofthelittlefiresburningoutsidethelowwallofthecorral，arosethefigureofamanwrappedinaponchouptotheneck。Thesaddlewhichhehadbeenusingforapillowmadeadarkpatchonthegroundagainsttheredglowofembers。

`IshallseeHolroydhimselfonmywaybackthroughtheStates，'saidSirJohn。`I'veascertainedthathe，too，wantstherailway。'

Themanwho，perhapsdisturbedbytheproximityofthevoices，hadarisenfromtheground，struckamatchtolightacigarette。Theflameshowedabronzed，black-whiskeredface，apairofeyesgazingstraight；then，rearranginghiswrappings，hesankfulllengthandlaidhisheadagainonthesaddle。

`That'sourcamp-master，whomImustsendbacktoSulaconowwearegoingtocarryoursurveyintotheStaMartaValley，'saidtheengineer。

`Amostusefulfellow，lentmebyCaptainMitchelloftheO。S。N。Company。

ItwasverygoodofMitchell。CharlesGouldtoldmeIcouldn'tdobetterthantakeadvantageoftheoffer。Heseemstoknowhowtoruleallthesemuleteersandpeons。Wehadnottheslightesttroublewithourpeople。

HeshallescortyourdiligenciarightintoSulacowithsomeofourrailwaypeons。Theroadisbad。Tohavehimathandmaysaveyouanupsetortwo。Hepromisedmetotakecareofyourpersonallthewaydownasifyouwerehisfather。'

Thiscamp-masterwastheItaliansailorwhomalltheEuropeansinSulaco，followingCaptainMitchell'smispronunciation，wereinthehabitofcallingNostromo。Andindeed，taciturnandready，hedidtakeexcellentcareofhischargeatthebadpartsoftheroad，asSirJohnhimselfacknowledgedtoMrsGouldafterwards。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part1Chapter66AtthattimeNostromohadbeenalreadylongenoughinthecountrytoraisetothehighestpitchCaptainMitchell'sopinionoftheextraordinaryvalueofhisdiscovery。Clearlyhewasoneofthoseinvaluablesubordinateswhomtopossessisalegitimatecauseofboasting。CaptainMitchellplumedhimselfuponhiseyeformen——buthewasnotselfish——andintheinnocenceofhispridewasalreadydevelopingthatmaniafor`lendingyoumyCapatazdeCargadores'whichwastobringNostromointopersonalcontact，soonerorlater，witheveryEuropeaninSulaco，asasortofuniversalfactotum——aprodigyofefficiencyinhisownsphereoflife。

`Thefellowisdevotedtome，bodyandsoul！'CaptainMitchellwasgiventoaffirm；andthoughnobody，perhaps，couldhaveexplainedwhyitshouldbeso，itwasimpossibleonasurveyoftheirrelationtothrowdoubtonthatstatement，unless，indeed，onewereabitter，eccentriccharacterlikeDrMonygham——forinstance——whoseshort，hopelesslaughexpressedsomehowanimmensemistrustofmankind。NotthatDrMonyghamwasaprodigaleitheroflaughterorofwords。Hewasbitterlytaciturnwhenathisbest。Athisworstpeoplefearedtheopenscornfulnessofhistongue。OnlyMrsGouldcouldkeephisunbeliefinmen'smotiveswithinduebounds；buteventoher(onanoccasionnotconnectedwithNostromo，andinatonewhichforhimwasgentle)，eventoher，hehadsaidonce，`Really，itismostunreasonabletodemandthatamanshouldthinkofotherpeoplesomuchbetterthanheisabletothinkofhimself。'

AndMrsGouldhadhastenedtodropthesubject。TherewerestrangerumoursoftheEnglishdoctor。Yearsago，inthetimeofGuzmanBento，hehadbeenmixedup，itwaswhispered，inaconspiracywhichwasbetrayedand，aspeopleexpressedit，drownedinblood。Hishairhadturnedgrey，hishairless，seamedfacewasofabrick-dustcolour；thelargecheckpatternofhisflannelshirtandhisoldstainedPanamahatwereanestablisheddefiancetotheconventionalitiesofSulaco。HaditnotbeenfortheimmaculatecleanlinessofhisapparelhemighthavebeentakenforoneofthoseshiftlessEuropeansthatareamoraleyesoretotherespectabilityofaforeigncolonyinalmosteveryexoticpartoftheworld。TheyoungladiesofSulaco，adorningwithclustersofprettyfacesthebalconiesalongtheStreetoftheConstitution，whentheysawhimpass，withhislimpinggaitandbowedhead，ashortlinenjacketdrawnoncarelesslyovertheflannelcheckshirt，wouldremarktoeachother，`HereistheSenorDoctorgoingtocallonDonaEmilia。Hehasgothislittlecoaton。'Theinferencewastrue。Itsdeepermeaningwashiddenfromtheirsimpleintelligence。Moreover，theyexpendednostoreofthoughtonthedoctor。Hewasold，ugly，learned——andalittleloco——mad，ifnotabitofasorcerer，asthecommonpeoplesuspectedhimofbeing。

ThelittlewhitejacketwasinrealityaconcessiontoMrsGould'shumanizinginfluence。Thedoctor，withhishabitofsceptical，bitterspeech，hadnoothermeansofshowinghisprofoundrespectforthecharacterofthewomanwhowasknowninthecountryastheEnglishSenora。Hepresentedthistributeveryseriouslyindeed；itwasnotrifleforamanofhishabits。

MrsGouldfeltthat，too，perfectly。Shewouldneverhavethoughtofimposinguponhimthismarkedshowofdeference。

ShekeptheroldSpanishhouse(oneofthefinestspecimensinSulaco)

openforthedispensationofthesmallgracesofexistence。Shedispensedthemwithsimplicityandcharmbecauseshewasguidedbyanalertperceptionofvalues。Shewashighlygiftedintheartofhumanintercoursewhichconsistsindelicateshadesofself-forgetfulnessandinthesuggestionofuniversalcomprehension。CharlesGould(theGouldfamily，establishedinCostaguanaforthreegenerations，alwayswenttoEnglandfortheireducationandfortheirwives)imaginedthathehadfalleninlovewithagirl'ssoundcommonsenselikeanyotherman，butthesewerenotexactlythereasonswhy，forinstance，thewholesurveyingcamp，fromtheyoungestoftheyoungmentotheirmaturechief，shouldhavefoundoccasiontoalludetoMrsGould'shousesofrequentlyamongstthehighpeaksoftheSierra。Shewouldhaveprotestedthatshehaddonenothingforthem，withalowlaughandasurprisedwideningofhergreyeyes，hadanybodytoldherhowconvincinglyshewasrememberedontheedgeofthesnow-lineaboveSulaco。Butdirectly，withalittlecapableairofsettingherwitstowork，shewouldhavefoundanexplanation。`Ofcourse，itwassuchasurprisefortheseboystofindanysortofwelcomehere。AndIsupposetheyarehomesick。Isupposeeverybodymustbealwaysjustalittlehomesick。'

Shewasalwayssorryforhomesickpeople。

Borninthecountry，ashisfatherbeforehim，spareandtall，withaflamingmoustache，aneatchin，clearblueeyes，auburnhair，andathin，fresh，redface，CharlesGouldlookedlikeanewarrivalfromoverthesea。HisgrandfatherhadfoughtinthecauseofindependenceunderBolivar，inthatfamousEnglishlegionwhichonthebattlefieldofCarabobohadbeensalutedbythegreatLiberatorasSavioursofhiscountry。OneofCharlesGould'suncleshadbeentheelectedPresidentofthatveryprovinceofSulaco(thencalledaState)inthedaysofFederation，andafterwardshadbeenputupagainstthewallofachurchandshotbytheorderofthebarbarousUnionistgeneral，GuzmanBento。ItwasthesameGuzmanBentowho，becominglaterPerpetualPresident，famedforhisruthlessandcrueltyranny，reachedhisapotheosisinthepopularlegendofasanguinaryland-hauntingspectrewhosebodyhadbeencarriedoffbythedevilinpersonfromthebrickmausoleuminthenaveoftheChurchofAssumptioninStaMarta。Thus，atleast，thepriestsexplaineditsdisappearancetothebarefootedmultitudethatstreamedin，awestruck，togazeattheholeinthesideoftheuglyboxofbricksbeforethegreataltar。

GuzmanBentoofcruelmemoryhadputtodeathgreatnumbersofpeoplebesidesCharlesGould'suncle；butwitharelativemartyredinthecauseofaristocracy，theSulacoOligarchs(thiswasthephraseologyofGuzmanBento'stime；nowtheywerecalledBlancos，andhadgivenupthefederalidea)，whichmeantthefamiliesofpureSpanishdescent，consideredCharlesasoneofthemselves。Withsuchafamilyrecord，noonecouldbemoreofaCostaguanerothanDonCarlosGould；buthisaspectwassocharacteristicthatinthetalkofcommonpeoplehewasjusttheIngles——theEnglishmanofSulaco。HelookedmoreEnglishthanacasualtourist，asortofhereticpilgrim，however，quiteunknowninSulaco。HelookedmoreEnglishthanthelastarrivedbatchofyoungrailwayengineers，thananybodyoutofthehunting-fieldpicturesinthenumbersofPunchreachinghiswife'sdrawing-roomtwomonthsorsoafterdate。ItastonishedyoutohearhimtalkSpanish(Castillan，asthenativessay)ortheIndiandialectofthecountry-peoplesonaturally。HisaccenthadneverbeenEnglish；

buttherewassomethingsoindelibleinalltheseancestralGoulds——liberators，explorers，coffeeplanters，merchants，revolutionists——ofCostaguana，thathe，theonlyrepresentativeofthethirdgenerationinacontinentpossessingitsownstyleofhorsemanship，wentonlookingthoroughlyEnglishevenonhorseback。ThisisnotsaidofhiminthemockingspiritoftheIlaneros——menofthegreatplains——whothinkthatnooneintheworldknowshowtositahorsebutthemselves。CharlesGould，tousethesuitablyloftyphrase，rodelikeacentaur。Ridingforhimwasnotaspecialformofexercise；itwasanaturalfaculty，aswalkingstraightistoallmensoundofmindandlimb；but，allthesame，whencanteringbesidetheruttyox-carttracktotheminehelookedinhisEnglishclothesandwithhisimportedsaddleryasthoughhehadcomethismomenttoCostaguanaathiseasyswiftpasotrote，straightoutofsomegreenmeadowattheothersideoftheworld。

HiswaywouldliealongtheoldSpanishroad——theCaminoRealofpopularspeech——theonlyremainingvestigeofafactandnameleftbythatroyaltyoldGiorgioViolahated，andwhoseveryshadowhaddepartedfromtheland；

forthebigequestrianstatueofCharlesIVattheentranceoftheAlameda，toweringwhiteagainstthetrees，wasonlyknowntothefolkfromthecountryandtothebeggarsofthetownthatsleptonthestepsaroundthepedestal，astheHorseofStone。TheotherCarlos，turningofftotheleftwitharapidclatterofhoofsonthedisjointedpavement——DonCarlosGould，inhisEnglishclothes，lookedasincongruous，butmuchmoreathomethanthekinglycavalierreininginhissteedonthepedestalabovethesleepingleperos，withhismarblearmraisedtowardsthemarblerimofaplumedhat。

Theweather-stainedeffigyofthemountedking，withitsvaguesuggestionofasalutinggesture，seemedtopresentaninscrutablebreasttothepoliticalchangeswhichhadrobbeditofitsveryname；butneitherdidtheotherhorseman，wellknowntothepeople，keenandaliveonhiswell-shaped，slate-colouredbeastwithawhiteeye，wearhisheartonthesleeveofhisEnglishcoat。HismindpreserveditssteadypoiseasifshelteredinthepassionlessstabilityofprivateandpublicdecenciesathomeinEurope。

HeacceptedwithalikecalmtheshockingmannerinwhichtheSulacoladiessmotheredtheirfaceswithpearlpowdertilltheylookedlikewhiteplastercastswithbeautifullivingeyes，thepeculiargossipofthetown，andthecontinuouspoliticalchanges，theconstant`savingofthecountry'，whichtohiswifeseemedapuerileandbloodthirstygameofmurderandrapineplayedwithterribleearnestnessbydepravedchildren。IntheearlydaysofherCostaguanalife，thelittleladyusedtoclenchherhandswithexasperationatnotbeingabletotakethepublicaffairsofthecountryasseriouslyastheincidentalatrocityofmethodsdeserved。Shesawinthemacomedyofnaivepretences，buthardlyanythinggenuineexceptherownappalledindignation。Charles，veryquietandtwistinghislongmoustaches，woulddeclinetodiscussthematall。Once，however，heobservedtohergently:

`Mydear，youseemtoforgetthatIwasbornhere。'

Thesefewwordsmadeherpauseasiftheyhadbeenasuddenrevelation。

Perhapsthemerefactofbeingborninthecountrydidmakeadifference。

Shehadagreatconfidenceinherhusband；ithadalwaysbeenverygreat。

Hehadstruckherimaginationfromthefirstbyhisunsentimentalism，bythatveryquietudeofmindwhichshehaderectedinherthoughtforasignofperfectcompetencyinthebusinessoflivingDonJoseAvellanos，theirneighbouracrossthestreet，astatesman，apoet，amanofculture，whohadrepresentedhiscountryatseveralEuropeanCourts(andhadsuffereduntoldindignitiesasastateprisonerinthetimeofthetyrantGuzmanBento)，usedtodeclareinDonaEmilia'sdrawing-roomthatCarloshadalltheEnglishqualitiesofcharacterwithatrulypatrioticheart。

MrsGould，raisinghereyestoherhusband'sthin，redandtanface，couldnotdetecttheslightestquiverofafeatureatwhathemusthaveheardsaidofhispatriotism。Perhapshehadjustdismountedonhisreturnfromthemine；hewasEnglishenoughtodisregardthehottesthoursoftheday。Basilio，inaliveryofwhitelinenandaredsash，hadsquattedforamomentbehindhisheelstounstraptheheavy，bluntspursinthepatio；andthentheSenorAdministratorwouldgoupthestaircaseintothegallery。Rowsofplantsinpots，rangedonthebalus-tradebetweenthepilastersofthearches，screenedthecorredorwiththeirleavesandflowersfromthequadranglebelow，whosepavedspaceisthetruehearthstoneofaSouthAmericanhouse，wherethequiethoursofdomesticlifearemarkedbytheshiftingoflightandshadowontheflagstones。

SenorAvellanoswasinthehabitofcrossingthepatioatfiveo'clockalmosteveryday。DonJosechosetocomeoverattea-timebecausetheEnglishriteatDonaEmilia'shouseremindedhimofthetimewhenhelivedinLondonasMinisterPlenipotentiarytotheCourtofStJames。Hedidnotliketea；

and，usually，rockinghisAmericanchair，hisneatlittleshinybootscrossedonthefoot-rest，hewouldtalkonandonwithasortofcomplacentvirtuositywonderfulinamanofhisage，whileheheldthecupinhishandsforalongtime。Hisclose-croppedheadwasperfectlywhite；hiseyescoal-black。

OnseeingCharlesGouldstepintothesalahewouldnodprovisionallyandgoontotheendoftheoratorialperiod。Onlythenhewouldsay:

`Carlos，myfriend，youhaveriddenfromSanTomeintheheatoftheday。AlwaysthetrueEnglishactivity。No?What?'

Hedrankupalltheteaatonceinonedraught。Thisperformancewasinvariablyfollowedbyaslightshudderandalow，involuntary`br-r-r-r'，whichwasnotcoveredbythehastyexclamation，`Excellent！'

Thengivinguptheemptycupintohisyoungfriend'shand，extendedwithasmile，hecontinuedtoexpatiateuponthepatrioticnatureoftheSanTomemineforthesimplepleasureoftalkingfluently，itseemed，whilehisrecliningbodyjerkedbackwardsandforwardsinarocking-chairofthesortexportedfromtheUnitedStates。Theceilingofthelargestdrawing-roomoftheCasaGouldextendeditswhitelevelfarabovehishead。Theloftinessdwarfedthemixtureofheavy，straight-backedSpanishchairsofbrownwoodwithleathernseats，andEuropeanfurniture，low，andcushionedallover，likesquatlittlemonstersgorgedtoburstingwithsteelspringsandhorsehair。

Therewereknick-knacksonlittletables，mirrorsletintothewallabovemarbleconsoles，squarespacesofcarpetunderthetwogroupsofarmchairs，eachpresidedoverbyadeepsofa；smallerrugsscatteredalloverthefloorofredtiles；threewindowsfromceilingdowntotheground，openingonabalcony，andflankedbytheperpendicularfoldsofthedarkhangings。

Thestatelinessofancientdayslingeredbetweenthefourhigh，smoothwalls，tintedadelicateprimrose-colour；andMrsGould，withherlittleheadandshiningcoilsofhair，sittinginacloudofmuslinandlacebeforeaslendermahoganytable，resembledafairyposedlightlybeforedaintyphiltresdispensedoutofvesselsofsilverandporcelain。

MrsGouldknewthehistoryoftheSanTomemine。Workedintheearlydaysmostlybymeansoflashesonthebacksofslaves，itsyieldhadbeenpaidforinitsownweightofhumanbones。WholetribesofIndianshadperishedintheexploitation；andthentheminewasabandoned，sincewiththisprimitivemethodithadceasedtomakeaprofitablereturn，nomatterhowmanycorpseswerethrownintoitsmaw。Thenitbecameforgotten。ItwasrediscoveredaftertheWarofIndependence。AnEnglishcompanyobtainedtherighttoworkit，andfoundsorichaveinthatneithertheexactionsofsuccessivegovernments，northeperiodicalraidsofrecruitingofficersuponthepopulationofpaidminerstheyhadcreated，coulddiscouragetheirperseverance。Butintheend，duringthelongturmoilofpronunciamientosthatfollowedthedeathofthefamousGuzmanBento，thenativeminers，incitedtorevoltbytheemissariessentoutfromthecapital，hadrisenupontheirEnglishchiefsandmurderedthemtoaman。ThedecreeofconfiscationwhichappearedimmediatelyafterwardsintheDiarioOficial，publishedinStaMarta，beganwiththewords:

Justlyincensedatthegrindingoppressionofforeigners，actuatedbysordidmotivesofgainratherthanbyloveforacountrywheretheycomeimpoverishedtoseektheirfortunes，theminingpopulationofSanTome，etc……

andendedwiththedeclaration:

ThechiefoftheStatehasresolvedtoexercisetothefullhispowerofclemency。Themine，whichbyeverylaw，international，human，anddivine，revertsnowtotheGovernmentasnationalproperty，shallremainclosedtillthesworddrawnforthesacreddefenceofliberalprincipleshasaccomplisheditsmissionofsecuringthehappinessofourbelovedcountry。

AndformanyyearsthiswasthelastoftheSanTomemine。WhatadvantagethatGovernmenthadexpectedfromthespoliation，itisimpossibletotellnow。Costaguanawasmadewithdifficultytopayabeggarlymoneycompensationtothefamiliesofthevictims，andthenthematterdroppedoutofdiplomaticdispatches。ButafterwardsanotherGovernmentbe-thoughtitselfofthatvaluableasset。ItwasanordinaryCostaguanaGovernment——thefourthinsixyears——butitjudgedofitsopportunitiessanely。ItrememberedtheSanTomeminewithasecretconvictionofitsworthlessnessintheirownhands，butwithaningeniousinsightintothevarioususesasilverminecanbeputto，apartfromthesordidprocessofextractingthemetalfromundertheground。ThefatherofCharlesGould，foralongtimeoneofthemostwealthymerchantsofCostaguana，hadalreadylostaconsiderablepartofhisfortuneinforcedloanstothesuccessiveGovernments。Hewasamanofcalmjudgement，whoneverdreamedofpressinghisclaims；andwhen，suddenly，theperpetualconcessionoftheSanTomeminewasofferedtohiminfullsettlement，hisalarmbecameextreme。HewasversedinthewaysofGovernments。Indeed，theintentionofthisaffair，thoughnodoubtdeeplymeditatedinthecloset，layopenonthesurfaceofthedocumentpresentedurgentlyforhissignature。Thethirdandmostimportantclausestipulatedthattheconcession-holdershouldpayatoncetotheGovernmentfiveyears'royaltiesontheestimatedoutputofthemine。

MrGould，senior，defendedhimselffromthisfatalfavourwithmanyargumentsandentreaties，butwithoutsuccess。Heknewnothingofmining；

hehadnomeanstoputhisconcessionontheEuropeanmarket；themineasaworkingconcerndidnotexist。Thebuildingshadbeenburntdown，theminingplanthadbeendestroyed，theminingpopulationhaddisappearedfromtheneighbourhoodyearsandyearsago；theveryroadhadvanishedunderafloodoftropicalvegetationaseffectuallyasifswallowedbythesea；andthemaingalleryhadfalleninwithinahundredyardsfromtheentrance。Itwasnolongeranabandonedmine；itwasawild，inaccessible，androckygorgeoftheSierra，wherevestigesofcharredtimber，someheapsofsmashedbricks，andafewshapelesspiecesofrustyironcouldhavebeenfoundunderthemattedmassofthornycreeperscoveringtheground。

MrGould，senior，didnotdesiretheperpetualpossessionofthatdesolatelocality；infact，themerevisionofitarisingbeforehismindinthestillwatchesofthenighthadthepowertoexasperatehimintohoursofhotandagitatedinsomnia。

Itsohappened，however，thattheFinanceMinisterofthetimewasamantowhom，inyearsgoneby，MrGouldhad，unfortunately，declinedtograntsomesmallpecuniaryassistance，basinghisrefusalonthegroundthattheapplicantwasanotoriousgamblerandcheat，besidesbeingmorethanhalfsuspectedofarobberywithviolenceonawealthyrancheroinaremotecountrydistrict，wherehewasactuallyexercisingthefunctionofajudge。Now，afterreachinghisexaltedposition，thatpoliticianhadproclaimedhisintentiontorepayevilwithgoodtoSenorGould——thepoorman。Heaffirmedandreaffirmedthisresolutioninthedrawing-roomsofStaMarta，inasoftandimplacablevoice，andwithsuchmaliciousglancesthatMrGould'sbestfriendsadvisedhimearnestlytoattemptnobriberytogetthematterdropped。Itwouldhavebeenuseless。Indeed，itwouldnothavebeenaverysafeproceeding。Suchwasalsotheopinionofastout，loud-voicedladyofFrenchextraction，thedaughter，shesaid，ofanofficerofhighrank(officersuperieurdel'armee)，whowasaccommodatedwithlodgingswithinthewallsofasecularizedconventnextdoortotheMinistryofFinance。Thatfloridperson，whenapproachedonbehalfofMrGouldinapropermanner，andwithasuitablepresent，shookherheaddespondently。

Shewasgood-natured，andherdespondencywasgenuine。Sheimaginedshecouldnottakemoneyinconsiderationofsomethingshecouldnotaccomplish。

ThefriendofMrGould，chargedwiththedelicatemission，usedtosayafterwardsthatshewastheonlyhonestpersoncloselyorremotelyconnectedwiththeGovernmenthehadevermet。`Nogo，'shehadsaidwithacavalier，huskyintonationwhichwasnaturaltoher，andusingturnsofexpressionmoresuitabletoachildofparentsunknownthantotheorphaneddaughterofageneralofficer。`No；it'snogo。Pasmoyen，mongarcon。C'estdommage，toutdememe。Ah！zut！Jenevolepasmonmonde。Jenesuispasministre——moi！Vouspouvezemportervotrepetitsac。'

Foramoment，bitinghercarminelip，shedeploredinwardlythetyrannyoftherigidprinciplesgoverningthesaleofherinfluenceinhighplaces。

Then，significantly，andwithatouchofimpatience，`Allez，'sheadded，`etditesbienavotrebonhomme——entendez-vous?——qu'ilfautavalerlapilule。'

Aftersuchawarningtherewasnothingforitbuttosignandpay。MrGouldhadswallowedthepill，anditwasasthoughithadbeencompoundedofsomesubtlepoisonthatacteddirectlyonhisbrain。Hebecameatoncemine-ridden，andashewaswellreadinlightliteratureittooktohismindtheformoftheOldManoftheSeafasteneduponhisshoulders。Healsobegantodreamofvampires。MrGouldexaggeratedtohimselfthedisadvantagesofhisnewposition，becausehevieweditemotionally。HispositioninCostaguanawasnoworsethanbefore。Butmanisadesperatelyconservativecreature，andtheextravagantnoveltyofthisoutrageuponhispursedistressedhissensibilities。EverybodyaroundhimwasbeingrobbedbythegrotesqueandmurderousbandsthatplayedtheirgameofgovernmentsandrevolutionsafterthedeathofGuzmanBento。Hisexperiencehadtaughthimthat，howevershorttheplundermightfalloftheirlegitimateexpectations，noganginpossessionofthePresidentialPalacewouldbesoincompetentastosufferitselftobebaffledbythewantofapretext。Thefirstcasualcolonelofthebarefootedarmyofscarecrowsthatcamealongwasabletoexposewithforceandprecisiontoanymerecivilianhistitlestoasumoftenthousanddollars；thewhilehishopewouldbeimmutablyfixeduponagratuity，atanyrate，ofnolessthanathousand。MrGouldknewthatverywell，and，armedwithresignation，hadwaitedforbettertimes。Buttoberobbedundertheformsoflegalityandbusinesswasintolerabletohisimagination。MrGould，thefather，hadonefaultinhissagaciousandhonourablecharacter:heattachedtoomuchimportancetoform。Itisafailingcommontomankind，whoseviewsaretingedbyprejudices。Therewasforhiminthataffairamalignancyofpervertedjusticewhich，bymeansofamoralshock，attackedhisvigorousphysique。`Itwillendbykillingme，'heusedtoaffirmmanytimesaday。And，infact，sincethattimehebegantosufferfromfever，fromliverpains，andmostlyfromaworryinginabilitytothinkofanythingelse。TheFinanceMinistercouldhaveformednoconceptionoftheprofoundsubtletyofhisrevenge。EvenMrGould'sletterstohisfourteen-year-oldboyCharles，thenawayinEnglandforhiseducation，cameatlasttotalkofpracticallynothingbutthemine。Hegroanedovertheinjustice，thepersecution，theoutrageofthatmine；heoccupiedwholepagesintheexpositionofthefatalconsequencesattachingtothepossessionofthatminefromeverypointofview，witheverydismalinference，withwordsofhorrorattheapparentlyeternalcharacterofthatcurse。FortheConcessionhadbeengrantedtohimandhisdescendantsforever。HeimploredhissonnevertoreturntoCostaguana，nevertoclaimanypartofhisinheritancethere，becauseitwastaintedbytheinfamousConcession；nevertotouchit，nevertoapproachit，toforgetthatAmericaexisted，andpursueamercantilecareerinEurope。

Andeachletterendedwithbitterself-reproachesforhavingstayedtoolonginthatcavernofthieves，intriguers，andbrigands。

Tobetoldrepeatedlythatone'sfutureisblightedbecauseofthepossessionofasilvermineisnot，attheageoffourteen，amatterofprimeimportanceastoitsmainstatement；butinitsformitiscalculatedtoexciteacertainamountofwonderandattention。Incourseoftimetheboy，atfirstonlypuzzledbytheangryjeremiads，butrathersorryforhisdad，begantoturnthematteroverinhismindinsuchmomentsashecouldsparefromplayandstudy。InaboutayearhehadevolvedfromthelectureofthelettersadefiniteconvictionthattherewasasilvermineintheSulacoprovinceoftheRepublicofCostaguana，wherepoorUncleHarryhadbeenshotbysoldiersagreatmanyyearsbefore。Therewasalsoconnectedcloselywiththatmineathingcalledthe`iniquitousGouldConcession'，apparentlywrittenonapaperwhichhisfatherdesiredardentlyto`tearandflingintothefaces'ofpresidents，membersofjudicature，andministersofState。Andthisdesirepersisted，thoughthenamesofthesepeople，henoticed，seldomremainedthesameforawholeyeartogether。Thisdesire(sincethethingwasiniquitous)seemedquitenaturaltotheboy，thoughwhytheaffairwasiniquitoushedidnotknow。Afterwards，withadvancingwisdom，hemanagedtocleartheplaintruthofthebusinessfromthefantasticintrusionsoftheOldManoftheSea，vampires，andghouls，whichhadlenttohisfather'scorrespondencetheflavourofagruesomeArabianNightstale。Intheend，thegrowingyouthattainedtoascloseanintimacywiththeSanTomemineastheoldmanwhowrotetheseplaintiveandenragedlettersontheothersideofthesea。Hehadbeenmadeseveraltimesalreadytopayheavyfinesforneglectingtoworkthemine，hereported，besidesothersumsextractedfromhimonaccountoffutureroyalties，onthegroundthatamanwithsuchavaluableconcessioninhispocketcouldnotrefusehisfinancialtotheGovernmentoftheRepublic。Thelastofhisfortunewaspassingawayfromhimagainstworthlessreceipts，hewrote，inarage，whilsthewasbeingpointedoutasanindividualwhohadknownhowtosecureenormousadvantagesfromthenecessitiesofhiscountry。AndtheyoungmaninEuropegrewmoreandmoreinterestedinthatthingwhichcouldprovokesuchatumultofwordsandpassion。

Hethoughtofiteveryday；buthethoughtofitwithoutbitterness。

Itmighthavebeenanunfortunateaffairforhispoordad，andthewholestorythrewaqueerlightuponthesocialandpoliticallifeofCostaguana。

Theviewhetookofitwassympathetictohisfather，yetcalmandreflective。

Hispersonalfeelingshadnotbeenoutraged，anditisdifficulttoresentwithproperanddurableindignationthephysicalormentalanguishofanotherorganism，evenifthatotherorganismisone'sownfather。BythetimehewastwentyCharlesGouldhad，inhisturn，fallenunderthespelloftheSanTomemine。Butitwasanotherformofenchantment，moresuitabletohisyouth，intowhosemagicformulathereenteredhope，vigour，andself-confidence，insteadofwearyindignationanddespair。Leftafterhewastwentytohisownguidance(exceptforthesevereinjunctionnottoreturntoCostaguana)，hehadpursuedhisstudiesinBelgiumandFrancewiththeideaofqualifyingforaminingengineer。Butthisscientificaspectofhislaboursremainedvagueandimperfectinhismind。Mineshadacquiredforhimadramaticinterest。Hestudiedtheirpeculiaritiesfromapersonalpointofview，too，asonewouldstudythevariedcharactersofmen。Hevisitedthemasonegoeswithcuriositytocalluponremarkablepersons。HevisitedminesinGermany，inSpain，inCornwall。Abandonedworkingshadforhimstrongfascination。Theirdesolationappealedtohimlikethesightofhumanmisery，whosecausesarevariedandprofound。Theymighthavebeenworthless，butalsotheymighthavebeenmisunderstood。

Hisfuturewifewasthefirst，andperhapstheonlypersontodetectthissecretmoodwhichgovernedtheprofoundlysensible，almostvoicelessattitudeofthismantowardstheworldofmaterialthings。Andatonceherdelightinhim，lingeringwithhalf-openwingslikethosebirdsthatcannotriseeasilyfromaflatlevel，foundapinnaclefromwhichtosoarupintotheskies。

TheyhadbecomeacquaintedinItaly，wherethefutureMrsGouldwasstayingwithanoldandpaleauntwho，yearsbefore，hadmarriedamiddle-aged，impoverishedItalianmarquis。Shenowmournedthatman，whohadknownhowtogiveuphislifetotheindependenceandunityofhiscountry，whohadknownhowtobeasenthusiasticinhisgenerosityastheyoungestofthosewhofellforthatverycauseofwhicholdGiorgioViolawasadriftingrelic，asabrokensparissufferedtofloatawaydisregardedafteranavalvictory。TheMarchesaledastill，whisperingexistence，nun-likeinherblackrobesandawhitebandovertheforehead，inacornerofthefirstfloorofanancientandruinouspalace，whosebig，emptyhallsdownstairsshelteredundertheirpaintedceilingstheharvests，thefowls，andeventhecattle，togetherwiththewholefamilyofthetenantfarmer。

ThetwoyoungpeoplehadmetinLucca。AfterthatmeetingCharlesGouldvisitednomines，thoughtheywenttogetherinacarriage，once，toseesomemarblequarries，wheretheworkresembledmininginsofarthatitwasalsothetearingoftherawmaterialoftreasurefromtheearth。CharlesGoulddidnotopenhishearttoherinanysetspeeches。Hesimplywentonactingandthinkinginhersight。Thisisthetruemethodofsincerity。

Oneofhisfrequentremarkswas，`IthinksometimesthatpoorfathertakesawrongviewofthatSanTomebusiness。'Andtheydiscussedthatopinionlongandearnestly，asiftheycouldinfluenceamindacrosshalftheglobe；

butinrealitytheydiscusseditbecausethesentimentoflovecanenterintoanysubjectandliveardentlyinremotephrases。ForthisnaturalreasonthesediscussionswereprecioustoMrsGouldinherengagedstate。

CharlesfearedthatMrGould，senior，waswastinghisstrengthandmakinghimselfillbyhiseffortstogetridoftheConcession。`Ifancythatthisisnotthekindofhandlingitrequires，'hemusedaloud，asiftohimself。Andwhenshewonderedfranklythatamanofcharactershoulddevotehisenergiestoplottingandintrigues，Charleswouldremark，withagentleconcernthatunderstoodherwonder，`Youmustnotforgetthathewasbornthere。'

Shewouldsetherquickmindtoworkuponthat，andthenmaketheinconsequentretort，whichheacceptedasperfectlysagacious，because，infact，itwasso——

`Well，andyou?Youwerebornthere，too。'

Heknewhisanswer。

`That'sdifferent。I'vebeenawaytenyears。Dadneverhadsuchalongspell；anditwasmorethanthirtyyearsago。'

Shewasthefirstpersontowhomheopenedhislipsafterreceivingthenewsofhisfather'sdeath。

`Ithaskilledhim！'hesaid。

Hehadwalkedstraightoutoftownwiththenews，straightoutbeforehiminthenoondaysunonthewhiteroad，andhisfeethadbroughthimfacetofacewithherinthehalloftheruinedpalazzo，aroommagnificentandnaked，withhereandtherealongstripofdamask，blackwithdampandage，hangingdownonabarepanelofthewall。Itwasfurnishedwithexactlyonegiltarmchair，withabrokenback，andanoctagoncolumnarstandbearingaheavymarblevaseornamentedwithsculpturedmasksandgarlandsofflowers，andcrackedfromtoptobottom。CharlesGouldwasdustywiththewhitedustoftheroadlyingonhisboots，onhisshoulders，onhiscapwithtwopeaks。Waterdrippedfromunderitalloverhisface，andhegraspedathickoakencudgelinhisbarerighthand。

Shewentverypaleundertherosesofherbigstrawhat，gloved，swingingaclearsunshade，caughtjustasshewasgoingouttomeethimatthebottomofthehill，wherethreepoplarsstandnearthewallofavineyard。

`Ithaskilledhim！'herepeated。`Heoughttohavehadmanyyearsyet。

Wearealong-livedfamily。'

Shewastoostartledtosayanything；hewascontemplatingwithapenetratingandmotionlessstarethecrackedmarbleurnasthoughhehadresolvedtofixitsshapeforeverinhismemory。Itwasonlywhen，turningsuddenlytoher，heblurtedouttwice，`I'vecometoyou——I'vecomestraighttoyou——，'withoutbeingabletofinishhisphrase，thatthegreatpitifulnessofthatlonelyandtormenteddeathinCostaguanacametoherwiththefullforceofitsmisery。Hecaughtholdofherhand，raisedittohislips，andatthatshedroppedherparasoltopathimonthecheek，murmured`Poorboy'，andbegantodryhereyesunderthedownwardcurveofherhat-brim，verysmallinhersimple，whitefrock，almostlikealostchildcryinginthedegradedgrandeurofthenoblehall，whilehestoodbyher，againperfectlymotionlessinthecontemplationofthemarbleurn。

Afterwardstheywentoutforalongwalk，whichwassilenttillheexclaimedsuddenly:

`Yes。Butifhehadonlygrappledwithitinaproperway！'

Andthentheystopped。Everywheretherewerelongshadowslyingonthehills，ontheroads，ontheenclosedfieldsofolivetrees；theshadowsofpoplars，ofwidechestnuts，offarmbuildings，ofstonewalls；andinmid-airthesoundofabell，thinandalert，waslikethethrobbingpulseofthesunsetglow。Herlipswereslightlypartedasthoughinsurprisethatheshouldnotbelookingatherwithhisusualexpression。Hisusualexpressionwasunconditionallyapprovingandattentive。Hewasinhistalkswithherthemostanxiousanddeferentialofdictators，anattitudethatpleasedherimmensely。Itaffirmedherpowerwithoutdetractingfromhisdignity。Thatslightgirl，withherlittlefeet，littlehands，littlefaceattractivelyover-weightedbygreatcoilsofhair；witharatherlargemouth，whosemerepartingseemedtobreatheuponyouthefragranceoffranknessandgenerosity，hadthefastidioussoulofanexperiencedwoman。Shewas，beforeallthingsandallflatteries，carefulofherprideintheobjectofherchoice。Butnowhewasactuallynotlookingatheratall；andhisexpressionwastenseandirrational，asisnaturalinamanwhoelectstostareatnothingpastayounggirl'shead。

`Well，yes。Itwasiniquitous。Theycorruptedhimthoroughly，thepooroldboy。Oh！whywouldn'theletmegobacktohim?ButnowIshallknowhowtograpplewiththis。'

Afterpronouncingthesewordswithimmenseassurance，heglanceddownather，andatoncefellapreytodistress，incertitude，andfear。

Theonlythinghewantedtoknownow，hesaid，waswhethershedidlovehimenough——whethershewouldhavethecouragetogowithhimsofaraway?Heputthesequestionstoherinavoicethattrembledwithanxiety——forhewasadeterminedman。

Shedid。Shewould。AndimmediatelythefuturehostessofalltheEuropeansinSulacohadthephysicalexperienceoftheearthfallingawayfromunderher。Itvanishedcompletely，eventotheverysoundofthebell。Whenherfeettouchedthegroundagain，thebellwasstillringinginthevalley；

sheputherhandsuptoherhair，breathingquickly，andglancedupanddownthestonylane。Itwasreassuringlyempty。Meantime，Charles，steppingwithonefootintoadryanddustyditch，pickeduptheopenparasol，whichhadboundedawayfromthemwithamartialsoundofdrumtaps。Hehandedittohersoberly，alittlecrestfallen。

Theyturnedback，andaftershehadslippedherhandonhisarm，thefirstwordshepronouncedwere:

`It'sluckythatweshallbeabletosettleinacoasttown。You'vehearditsname。ItisSulaco。IamsogladpoorFatherdidgetthathouse。

Heboughtabighousethereyearsago，inorderthatthereshouldalwaysbeaCasaGouldintheprincipaltownofwhatusedtobecalledtheOccidentalProvince。Ilivedthereonce，asasmallboy，withmydearmother，forawholeyear，whilepoorFatherwasawayintheUnitedStatesonbusiness。

YoushallbethenewmistressoftheCasaGould。'

Andlater，intheinhabitedcornerofthePalazzoabovethevineyards，themarblehills，thepinesandolivesofLucca，healsosaid:

`ThenameofGouldhasbeenalwayshighlyrespectedinSulaco。MyuncleHarrywaschiefoftheStateforsometime，andhasleftagreatnameamongstthefirstfamilies。BythisImeanthepureCreolefamilies，whotakenopartinthemiserablefarceofgovernments。UncleHarrywasnoadventurer。

InCostaguanaweGouldsarenoadventurers。Hewasofthecountry，andhelovedit，butheremainedessentiallyanEnglishmaninhisideas。Hemadeuseofthepoliticalcryofhistime。ItwasFederation。Buthewasnopolitician。Hesimplystoodupforsocialorderoutofpureloveforrationallibertyandfromhishateofoppression。Therewasnononsenseabouthim。Hewenttoworkinhisownwaybecauseitseemedright，justasIfeelImustlayholdofthatmine。'

Insuchwordshetalkedtoherbecausehismemorywasveryfullofthecountryofhischildhood，hisheartofhislifewiththatgirl，andhismindoftheSanTomeConcession。HeaddedthathewouldhavetoleaveherforafewdaystofindanAmerican，amanfromSanFrancisco，whowasstillsomewhereinEurope。AfewmonthsbeforehehadmadehisacquaintanceinanoldhistoricGermantown，situatedinaminingdistrict。TheAmericanhadhiswomankindwithhim，butseemedlonelywhiletheyweresketchingalldaylongtheolddoorwaysandtheturretedcornersofthemedievalhouses。CharlesGouldhadwithhimtheinseparablecompanionshipofthemine。Theothermanwasinterestedinminingenterprises，knewsomethingofCostaguana，andwasnostrangertothenameofGould。Theyhadtalkedtogetherwithsomeintimacywhichwasmadepossiblebythedifferenceoftheirages。Charleswantednowtofindthatcapitalistofshrewdmindandaccessiblecharacter。Hisfather'sfortuneinCostaguana，whichhehadsupposedtobestillconsiderable，seemedtohavemeltedintherascallycrucibleofrevolutions。ApartfromsometenthousandpoundsdepositedinEngland，thereappearedtobenothingleftexceptthehouseinSulaco，avaguerightofforestexploitationinaremoteandsavagedistrict，andtheSanTomeConcession，whichhadattendedhispoorfathertotheverybrinkofthegrave。

Heexplainedthosethings。Itwaslatewhentheyparted。Shehadneverbeforegivenhimsuchafascinatingvisionofherself。Alltheeagernessofyouthforastrangelife，forgreatdistances，forafutureinwhichtherewasanairofadventure，ofcombat——asubtlethoughtofredressandconquest，hadfilledherwithanintenseexcitement，whichshereturnedtothegiverwithamoreopenandexquisitedisplayoftenderness。

Helefthertowalkdownthehill，anddirectlyhefoundhimselfalonehebecamesober。Thatirreparablechangeadeathmakesinthecourseofourdailythoughtscanbefeltinavagueandpoignantdiscomfortofmind。

IthurtCharlesGouldtofeelthatnevermore，bynoeffortofwill，wouldhebeabletothinkofhisfatherinthesamewayheusedtothinkofhimwhenthepoormanwasalive。Hisbreathingimagewasnolongerinhispower。

Thisconsideration，closelyaffectinghisownidentity，filledhisbreastwithamournfulandangrydesireforaction。Inthishisinstinctwasunerring。

Actionisconsolatory。Itistheenemyofthoughtandthefriendofflatteringillusions。OnlyintheconductofouractioncanwefindthesenseofmasteryovertheFates。Forhisaction，theminewasobviouslytheonlyfield。

Itwasimperativesometimestoknowhowtodisobeythesolemnwishesofthedead。Heresolvedfirmlytomakehisdisobedienceasthorough(bywayofatonement)asitwellcouldbe。Theminehadbeenthecauseofanabsurdmoraldisaster；itsworkingmustbemadeaseriousandmoralsuccess。Heowedittothedeadman'smemory。Suchwerethe——properlyspeaking——

emotionsofCharlesGould。HisthoughtsranuponthemeansofraisingalargeamountofcapitalinSanFranciscoorelsewhere；andincidentallythereoccurredtohimalsothegeneralreflectionthatthecounselofthedepartedmustbeanunsoundguide。Notoneofthemcouldbeawarebeforehandwhatenormouschangesthedeathofanygivenindividualmayproduceintheveryaspectoftheworld。

ThelatestphaseinthehistoryofthemineMrsGouldknewfrompersonalexperience。Itwasinessencethehistoryofhermarriedlife。ThemantleoftheGoulds'hereditarypositioninSulacohaddescendedamplyuponherlittleperson；butshewouldnotallowthepeculiaritiesofthestrangegarmenttoweighdownthevivacityofhercharacter，whichwasthesignofnomeremechanicalsprightliness，butofaneagerintelligence。ItmustnotbesupposedthatMrsGould'smindwasmasculine。Awomanwithamasculinemindisnotabeingofsuperiorefficiency；sheissimplyaphenomenonofimperfectdifferentiation——interestinglybarrenandwithoutimportance。

DonaEmilia'sintelligencebeingfeminineledhertoachievetheconquestofSulaco，simplybylightingthewayforherunselfishnessandsympathy。

Shecouldconversecharmingly，butshewasnottalkative。Thewisdomofthehearthavingnoconcernwiththeerectionordemolitionoftheoriesanymorethanwiththedefenceofprejudices，hasnorandomwordsatitscommand。Thewordsitpronounceshavethevalueofactsofintegrity，tolerance，andcompassion。Awoman'struetenderness，likethetruevirilityofman，isexpressedinactionofaconqueringkind。TheladiesofSulacoadoredMrsGould。`Theystilllookuponmeassomethingofamonster，'MrsGouldhadsaidpleasantlytooneofthethreegentlemenfromSanFranciscoshehadtoentertaininhernewSulacohousejustaboutayearafterhermarriage。

Theywereherfirstvisitorsfromabroad，andtheyhadcometolookattheSanTomemine。Shejestedmostagreeably，theythought；andCharlesGould，besidesknowingthoroughlywhathewasabout，hadshownhimselfarealhustler。Thesefactscausedthemtobewelldisposedtowardshiswife。Anunmistakableenthusiasm，pointedbyaslightflavourofirony，madehertalkofthemineabsolutelyfascinatingtohervisitors，andprovokedthemtograveandindulgentsmilesinwhichtherewasagooddealofdeference。

PerhapshadtheyknownhowmuchshewasinspiredbyanidealisticviewofsuccesstheywouldhavebeenamazedatthestateofhermindastheSpanish-Americanladieshadbeenamazedatthetirelessactivityofherbody。Shewould——inherownwords——havebeenforthem`somethingofamonster'。However，theGouldswereinessentialsareticentcouple，andtheirguestsdepartedwithoutthesuspicionofanyotherpurposebutsimpleprofitintheworkingofasilvermine。MrsGouldhadoutherowncarriage，withtwowhitemules，todrivethemdowntotheharbour，whencetheCereswastocarrythemoffintotheOlympusofplutocrats。CaptainMitchellhadsnatchedattheoccasionofleave-takingtoremarktoMrsGould，inalow，confidentialmutter，`Thismarksanepoch。'

MrsGouldlovedthepatioofherSpanishhouse。AbroadflightofstonestepswasoverlookedsilentlyfromanicheinthewallbyaMadonnainbluerobeswiththecrownedchildsittingonherarm。Subduedvoicesascendedintheearlymorningsfromthepavedwellofthequadrangle，withthestampingofhorsesandmulesledoutinpairstodrinkatthecistern。Atangleofslenderbamboostemsdroopeditsnarrow，blade-likeleavesoverthesquarepoolofwater，andthefatcoachmansatmuffledupontheedge，holdinglazilytheendsofhaltersinhishand。Barefootedservantspassedtoandfro，issuingfromdark，lowdoorwaysbelow；twolaundrygirlswithbasketsofwashedlinen；thebakerwiththetrayofbreadmadefortheday；Leonarda——herowncamerista——bearinghighup，swungfromherhandraisedaboveherravenblackhead，abunchofstarchedunderskirtsdazzlinglywhiteintheslantofsunshine。Thentheoldporterwouldhobblein，sweepingtheflagstones，andthehousewasreadyfortheday。Alltheloftyroomsonthreesidesofthequadrangleopenedintoeachotherandintothecorredor，withitswrought-ironrailingsandaborderofflowers，whence，liketheladyofthemedievalcastle，shecouldwitnessfromaboveallthedeparturesandarrivalsoftheCasa，towhichthesonorousarchedgatewaylentanairofstatelyimportance。

Shehadwatchedhercarriagerollawaywiththethreeguestsfromthenorth。Shesmiled。Theirthreearmswentupsimultaneouslytotheirthreehats。CaptainMitchell，thefourth，inattendance，hadalreadybegunapompousdiscourse。Thenshelingered。Shelingered，approachingherfacetotheclustersofflowershereandthereasiftogivetimetoherthoughtstocatchupwithherslowfootstepsalongthestraightvistaofthecorridor。

AfringedIndianhammockfromAroa，gaywithcolouredfeatherwork，hadbeenswungjudiciouslyinacornerthatcaughttheearlysun；forthemorningsarecoolinSulaco。Theclusterofflordenochebuenablazedingreatmassesbeforetheopenglassdoorsofthereception-rooms。Abiggreenparrot，brilliantlikeanemeraldinacagethatflashedlikegold，screamedoutferociously，`VivaCostaguana！'thencalledtwicemellifluously，`Leonarda！Leonarda！'inimitationofMrsGould'svoice，andsuddenlytookrefugeinimmobilityandsilence。MrsGouldreachedtheendofthegalleryandputherheadthroughthedoorofherhusband'sroom。

CharlesGould，withonefootonalowwoodenstool，wasalreadystrappinghisspurs。Hewantedtohurrybacktothemine。MrsGould，withoutcomingin，glancedabouttheroom。Onetall，broadbookcase，withglassdoors，wasfullofbooks；butintheother，withoutshelves，andlinedwithredbaize，werearrangedfirearms:Winchestercarbines，revolvers，acoupleofshot-guns，andeventwopairsofdouble-barrelledholsterpistols。Betweenthem，byitself，uponastripofscarletvelvet，hunganoldcavalrysabre，oncethepropertyofDonEnriqueGould，theherooftheOccidentalProvince，presentedbyDonJoseAvellanos，thehereditaryfriendofthefamily。

Otherwise，theplasteredwhitewallswerecompletelybare，exceptforawater-coloursketchoftheSanTomemountain——theworkofDonaEmiliaherself。Inthemiddleofthered-tiledfloorstoodtwolongtableslitteredwithplansandpapers，afewchairs，andaglassshow-casecontainingspecimensoforefromthemine。MrsGould，lookingatallthesethingsinturn，wonderedaloudwhythetalkofthesewealthyandenterprisingmendiscussingthepropects，theworking，andthesafetyoftheminerenderedhersoimpatientanduneasy，whereasshecouldtalkoftheminebythehourwithherhusbandwithunweariedinterestandsatisfaction。

Anddroppinghereyelidsexpressively，sheadded:

`Whatdoyoufeelaboutit，Charley?'

Then，surprisedatherhusband'ssilence，sheraisedhereyes，openedwide，asprettypaleflowers。Hehaddonewiththespurs，and，twistinghismoustachewithbothhands，horizontally，hecontemplatedherfromtheheightofhislonglegswithavisibleappreciationofherappearance。

TheconsciousnessofbeingthuscontemplatedpleasedMrsGould。

`Theyareconsiderablemen，'hesaid。

`Iknow。Buthaveyoulistenedtotheirconversation?Theydon'tseemtohaveunderstoodanythingtheyhaveseenhere。'

`Theyhaveseenthemine。Theyhaveunderstoodthattosomepurpose，'

CharlesGouldinterjected，indefenceofthevisitors；andthenhiswifementionedthenameofthemostconsiderableofthethree。Hewasconsiderableinfinanceandinindustry。Hisnamewasfamiliartomanymillionsofpeople。

Hewassoconsiderablethathewouldneverhavetravelledsofarawayfromthecentreofhisactivityifthedoctorshadnotinsisted，withveiledmenaces，onhistakingalongholiday。

`MrHolroyd'ssenseofreligion，'MrsGouldpursued，`wasshockedanddisgustedatthetawdrinessofthedressed-upsaintsinthecathedral——

theworship，hecalledit，ofwoodandtinsel。ButitseemedtomethathelookeduponhisownGodasasortofinfluentialpartner，whogetshisshareofprofitsintheendowmentofchurches。That'sasortofidolatry。

Hetoldmeheendowedchurcheseveryyear，Charley。'

`Noendofthem，'saidMrGould，marvellinginwardlyatthemobilityofherphysiognomy。`Alloverthecountry。He'sfamousforthatsortofmunificence。'

`Oh，hedidn'tboast，'MrsGoulddeclared，scrupulously。`Ibelievehe'sreallyagoodman，butsostupid！ApoorChulowhooffersalittlesilverarmorlegtothankhisgodforacureisasrationalandmoretouching。'

`He'sattheheadofimmensesilverandironinterests，'CharlesGouldobserved。

`Ah，yes！Thereligionofsilverandiron。He'saverycivilman，thoughhelookedawfullysolemnwhenhefirstsawtheMadonnaonthestaircase，who'sonlywoodandpaint；buthesaidnothingtome。MydearCharley，Iheardthosementalkamongthemselves。Canitbethattheyreallywishtobecome，foranimmenseconsideration，drawersofwaterandhewersofwoodtoallthecountriesandnationsoftheearth?'

`Amanmustworktosomeend，'CharlesGouldsaid，vaguely。

MrsGould，frowning，surveyedhimfromheadtofoot。Withhisriding-breeches，leatherleggings(anarticleofapparelneverbeforeseeninCostaguana)，aNorfolkcoatofgreyflannel，andthosegreatflamingmoustaches，hesuggestedanofficerofcavalryturnedgentlemanfarmer。ThiscombinationwasgratifyingtoMrsGould'stastes。`Howthinthepoorboyis！'shethought。

`Heoverworkshimself。'Buttherewasnodenyingthathisfinedrawn，keenredface，andhiswhole，long-limbed，lankpersonhadanairofbreedinganddistinction。AndMrsGouldrelented。

`Ionlywonderedwhatyoufelt，'shemurmured，gently。

Duringthelastfewdays，asithappened，CharlesGouldhadbeenkepttoobusythinkingtwicebeforehespoketohavepaidmuchattentiontothestateofhisfeelings。Buttheirswasasuccessfulmatch，andhehadnodifficultyinfindinghisanswer。

`Thebestofmyfeelingsareinyourkeeping，mydear，'hesaidlightly；

andtherewassomuchtruthinthatobscurephrasethatheexperiencedtowardsheratthemomentagreatincreaseofgratitudeandtenderness。

MrsGould，however，didnotseemtofindthisanswerintheleastobscure。

Shebrightenedupdelicately；alreadyhehadchangedhistone。

`Buttherearefacts。Theworthofthemine——asamine——isbeyonddoubt。Itshallmakeusverywealthy。Themereworkingofitisamatteroftechnicalknowledge，whichIhave——whichtenthousandothermenintheworldhave。Butit'ssafety，itscontinuedexistenceasanenterprise，givingareturntomen——tostrangers，comparativestrangers——whoinvestmoneyinit，isleftaltogetherinmyhands。Ihaveinspiredconfidenceinamanofwealthandposition。Youseemtothinkthisperfectlynatural——doyou?Well，Idon'tknow。Idon'tknowwhyIhave；butitisafact。

Thisfactmakeseverythingpossible，becausewithoutitIwouldneverhavethoughtofdisregardingmyfather'swishes。IwouldneverhavedisposedoftheConcessionasaspeculatordisposesofavaluablerighttoacompany——forcashandshares，togrowricheventuallyifpossible，butatanyratetoputsomemoneyatonceinhispocket。No。Evenifithadbeenfeasible——whichIdoubt——Iwouldnothavedoneso。PoorFatherdidnotunderstand。

HewasafraidIwouldhangontotheruinousthing，waitingforjustsomesuchchance，andwastemylifemiserably。Thatwasthetruesenseofhisprohibition，whichwehavedeliberatelysetaside。'

Theywerewalkingupanddownthecorridor。Herheadjustreachedtohisshoulder。Hisarm，extendeddownwards，wasaboutherwaist。Hisspursjingledslightly。

`Hehadnotseenmefortenyears。Hedidnotknowme。Hepartedfrommeformysake，andhewouldneverletmecomeback。HewasalwaystalkinginhislettersofleavingCostaguana，ofabandoningeverythingandmakinghisescape。Buthewastoovaluableaprey。Theywouldhavethrownhimintooneoftheirprisonsatthefirstsuspicion。'

Hisspurredfeetclinkedslowly。Hewasbendingoverhiswifeastheywalked。Thebigparrot，turningitsheadaskew，followedtheirpacingfigureswitharound，unblinkingeye。

`Hewasalonelyman。EversinceIwastenyearsoldheusedtotalktomeasifIhadbeengrownup。WhenIwasinEuropehewrotetomeeverymonth。Ten，twelvepageseverymonthofmylifefortenyears。And，afterall，hedidnotknowme！Justthinkofit——tenwholeyearsaway；theyearsIwasgrowingupintoaman。Hecouldnotknowme。Doyouthinkhecould?'

MrsGouldshookherheadnegatively；whichwasjustwhatherhusbandhadexpectedfromthestrengthoftheargument。ButsheshookherheadnegativelyonlybecauseshethoughtthatnoonecouldknowherCharles——reallyknowhimforwhathewasbutherself。Thethingwasobvious。

Itcouldbefelt。Itrequirednoargument。AndpoorMrGould，senior，whohaddiedtoosoontoeverhearoftheirengagement，remainedtooshadowyafigureforhertobecreditedwithknowledgeofanysortwhatever。

`No，hedidnotunderstand。Inmyviewthisminecouldneverhavebeenathingtosell。Never！AfterallhismiseryIsimplycouldnothavetoucheditformoneyalone，'CharlesGouldpursued:andshepressedherheadtohisshoulderapprovingly。

Thesetwoyoungpeoplerememberedthelifewhichhadendedwretchedlyjustwhentheirownliveshadcometogetherinthatsplendourofhopefullove，whichtothemostsensiblemindsappearslikeatriumphofgoodoveralltheevilsoftheearth。Avagueideaofrehabilitationhadenteredtheplanoftheirlife。Thatitwassovagueastoeludethesupportofargumentmadeitonlythestronger。Ithadpresenteditselftothemattheinstantwhenthewoman'sinstinctofdevotionandtheman'sinstinctofactivityreceivefromthestrongestofillusionstheirmostpowerfulimpulse。Theveryprohibitionimposedthenecessityofsuccess。Itwasasiftheyhadbeenmorallyboundtomakegoodtheirvigorousviewoflifeagainsttheunnaturalerrorofwearinessanddespair。Iftheideaofwealthwaspresenttothemitwasonlysofarasitwasboundwiththatothersuccess。MrsGould，anorphanfromearlychildhoodandwithoutfortune，broughtupinanatmosphereofintellectualinterests，hadneverconsideredtheaspectsofgreatwealth。Theyweretooremote，andshehadnotlearnedthattheyweredesirable。Ontheotherhand，shehadnotknownanythingofabsolutewant。Eventheverypovertyofheraunt，theMarchesa，hadnothingintolerabletoarefinedmind；itseemedinaccordwithagreatgrief；ithadtheausterityofasacrificeofferedtoanobleideal。ThuseventhemostlegitimatetouchofmaterialismwaswantinginMrsGould'scharacter。Thedeadmanofwhomshethoughtwithtenderness(becausehewasCharley'sfather)，andwithsomeimpatience(becausehehadbeenweak)，mustbeputcompletelyinthewrong。Nothingelsewoulddotokeeptheirprosperitywithoutastainonitsonlyreal，onitsimmaterialside！

CharlesGould，onhispart，hadbeenobligedtokeeptheideaofwealthwelltothefore；buthebroughtitforwardasameans，notasanend。

Unlesstheminewasgoodbusinessitcouldnotbetouched。Hehadtoinsistonthataspectoftheenterprise。Itwashislevertomovemenwhohadcapital。AndCharlesGouldbelievedinthemine。Hekneweverythingthatcouldbeknownofit。Hisfaithintheminewascontagious，thoughitwasnotservedbyagreateloquence；butbusinessmenarefrequentlyassanguineandimaginativeaslovers。Theyareaffectedbyapersonalitymuchoftenerthanpeoplewouldsuppose；andCharlesGould，inhisunshakenassurance，wasabsolutelyconvincing。Besides，itwasamatterofcommonknowledgetothementowhomheaddressedhimselfthatmininginCostaguanawasagamethatcouldbemadeconsiderablymorethanworththecandle。Themenofaffairsknewthatverywell。Therealdifficultyintouchingitwaselsewhere。AgainstthattherewasanimplicationofcalmandimplacableresolutioninCharlesGould'sveryvoice。Menofaffairsventuresometimesonactsthatthecommonjudgementoftheworldwouldpronounceabsurd；

theymaketheirdecisionsonapparentlyimpulsiveandhumangrounds。`Verywell，'hadsaidtheconsiderablepersonagetowhomCharlesGouldonhiswayoutthroughSanFranciscohadlucidlyexposedhispointofview。`LetussupposethattheminingaffairsofSulacoaretakeninhand。Therewouldthenbeinit:first，thehouseofHolroyd，whichisallright；then，MrCharlesGould，acitizenofCostaguana，whoisalsoallright；and，lastly，theGovernmentoftheRepublic。SofarthisresemblesthefirststartoftheAtacamanitratefields，wheretherewasafinancinghouse，agentlemanofthenameofEdwards，and——aGovernment；or，rather，twoGovernments——twoSouthAmericanGovernments。Andyouknowwhatcameofit。Warcameofit；devastatingandprolongedwarcameofit，MrGould。However，herewepossesstheadvantageofhavingonlyoneSouthAmericanGovernmenthangingaroundforplunderoutofthedeal。Itisanadvantage；butthentherearedegreesofbadness，andthatGovernmentistheCostaguanaGovernment。'

Thusspoketheconsiderablepersonage，themillionaireendowerofchurchesonascalebefittingthegreatnessofhisnativeland——thesametowhomthedoctorsusedthelanguageofhorridandveiledmenaces。Hewasabig-limbed，deliberateman，whosequietburlinesslenttoanamplesilk-facedfrockcoatasuperfinedignity。Hishairwasirongrey，hiseyebrowswerestillblack，andhismassiveprofilewastheprofileofaCaesar'sheadonanoldRomancoin。ButhisparentagewasGermanandScotchandEnglish，withremotestrainsofDanishandFrenchblood，givinghimthetemperamentofaPuritanandaninsatiableimaginationofconquest。Hewascompletelyunbendingtohisvisitor，becauseofthewarmintroductionthevisitorhadbroughtfromEurope，andbecauseofanirrationallikingforearnestnessanddeterminationwherevermet，towhateverenddirected。

`TheCostaguanaGovernmentshallplayitshandforallit'sworth——

anddon'tyouforgetit，MrGould。Now，whatisCostaguana?Itisthebottomlesspitoften-per-centloansandotherfoolinvestments。Europeancapitalhadbeenflungintoitwithbothhandsforyears。Notours，though。Weinthiscountryknowjustaboutenoughtokeepindoorswhenitrains。Wecansitandwatch。Ofcourse，somedayweshallstepin。Weareboundto。

Butthere'snohurry。TimeitselfhasgottowaitonthegreatestcountryinthewholeofGod'sUniverse。Weshallbegivingthewordforeverything:

industry，trade，law，journalism，art，politics，andreligion，fromCapeHornclearovertoSmith'sSound，andbeyond，too，ifanythingworthtakingholdofturnsupattheNorthPole。Andthenweshallhavetheleisuretotakeinhandtheoutlyingislandsandcontinentsoftheearth。Weshallruntheworld'sbusinesswhethertheworldlikesitornot。Theworldcan'thelpit——andneithercanwe，Iguess。'

Bythishemeanttoexpresshisfaithindestinyinwordssuitabletohisintelligence，whichwasunskilledinthepresentationofgeneralideas。

Hisintelligencewasnourishedonfacts；andCharlesGould，whoseimaginationhadbeenpermanentlyaffectedbytheonegreatfactofasilvermine，hadnoobjectiontothistheoryoftheworld'sfuture。Ifithadseemeddistastefulforamomentitwasbecausethesuddenstatementofsuchvasteventualitiesdwarfedalmosttonothingnesstheactualmatterinhand。HeandhisplansandallthemineralwealthoftheOccidentalProvinceappearedsuddenlyrobbedofeveryvestigeofmagnitude。Thesensationwasdisagreeable；butCharlesGouldwasnotdull。Alreadyhefeltthathewasproducingafavourableimpression；theconsciousnessofthatflatteringfacthelpedhimtoavaguesmile，whichhisbiginterlocutortookforasmileofdiscreetandadmiringassent。Hesmiledquietly，too；andimmediatelyCharlesGould，withthatmentalagilitymankindwilldisplayindefenceofacherishedhope，reflectedthattheveryapparentinsignificanceofhisaimwouldhelphimtosuccess。

Hispersonalityandhisminewouldbetakenupbecauseitwasamatterofnogreatconsequence，onewayoranother，toamanwhoreferredhisactiontosuchaprodigiousdestiny。AndCharlesGouldwasnothumiliatedbythisconsideration，becausethethingremainedasbigaseverforhim。

Nobodyelse'svastconceptionsofdestinycoulddiminishtheaspectofhisdesirefortheredemptionoftheSanTomemine。Incomparisontothecorrectnessofhisaim，definiteinspaceandabsolutelyattainablewithinalimitedtime，theothermanappearedforaninstantasadreamyidealistofnoimportance。

Thegreatman，massiveandbenignant，hadbeenlookingathimthoughtfully；

whenhebroketheshortsilenceitwastoremarkthatconcessionsflewaboutthickintheairofCostaguana。Anysimplesoulthatjustyearnedtobetakenincouldbringdownaconcessionatthefirstshot。

`Ourconsulsgettheirmouthsstoppedwiththem，'hecontinued，withatwinkleofgenialscorninhiseyes。Butinamomenthebecamegrave。

`Aconscientious，uprightman，thatcaresnothingforboodle，andkeepsclearoftheirintrigues，conspiracies，andfactions，soongetshispassports。

Seethat，MrGould?Personanongrata。That'sthereasonourGovernmentisneverproperlyinformed，Ontheotherhand，Europemustbekeptoutofthiscontinent，andforproperinterferenceonourpartthetimeisnotyetripe，Idaresay。Butwehere——wearenotthiscountry'sGovernment，neitherarewesimplesouls。Youraffairisallright。Themainquestionforusiswhetherthesecondpartner，andthat'syou，istherightsorttoholdhisownagainstthethirdandunwelcomepartner，whichisoneoranotherofthehighandmightyrobbergangsthatruntheCostaguanaGovernment。

Whatdoyouthink，MrGould，eh?'

HebentforwardtolooksteadilyintotheunflinchingeyesofCharlesGould，who，rememberingthelargeboxfullofhisfather'sletters，puttheaccumulatedscornandbitternessofmanyyearsintothetoneofhisanswer:

`Asfarastheknowledgeofthesemenandtheirmethodsandtheirpoliticsisconcerned，Icananswerformyself。IhavebeenfedonthatsortofknowledgesinceIwasaboy。Iamnotlikelytofallintomistakesfromexcessofoptimism。'

`Notlikely，eh?That'sallright。Tactandastiffupperlipiswhatyou'llwant；andyoucouldbluffalittleonthestrengthofyourbacking。

Nottoomuch，though。Wewillgowithyouaslongasthethingrunsstraight。

Butwewon'tbedrawnintoanylargetrouble。ThisistheexperimentwhichIamwillingtomake。Thereissomerisk，andwewilltakeit；butifyoucan'tkeepupyourend，wewillstandourloss，ofcourse，andthen——

we'llletthethinggo。Thisminecanwait；ithasbeenshutupbefore，youknow。Youmustunderstandthatundernocircumstanceswillweconsenttothrowgoodmoneyafterbad。'

Thusthegreatpersonagehadspokenthen，inhisownprivateoffice，inagreatcitywhereothermen(veryconsiderableintheeyesofavainpopulace)waitedwithalacrityuponawaveofhishand。Andrathermorethanayearlater，duringhisunexpectedappearanceinSulaco，hehademphasizedhisuncompromisingattitudewithafreedomofsinceritypermittedtohiswealthandinfluence。Hedidthiswiththelessreserve，perhaps，becausetheinspectionofwhathadbeendone，andmorestillthewayinwhichsuccessivestepshadbeentaken，hadimpressedhimwiththeconvictionthatCharlesGouldwasperfectlycapableofkeepinguphisend。

`Thisyoungfellow，'hethoughttohimself，`mayyetbecomeapowerintheland。'

Thisthoughtflatteredhim，forhithertotheonlyaccountofthisyoungmanhecouldgivetohisintimateswas:

`Mybrother-in-lawmethiminoneoftheseone-horseoldGermantowns，nearsomemines，andsenthimontomewithaletter。He'soneoftheCostaguanaGoulds，pure-bredEnglishmen，butallborninthecountry。Hisunclewentintopolitics，wasthelastProvincialPresidentofSulaco，andgotshotafterabattle。HisfatherwasaprominentbusinessmaninStaMarta，triedtokeepclearoftheirpolitics，anddiedruinedafteralotofrevolutions。

Andthat'syourCostaguanainanutshell。'

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读