Nostromo - A Tale of the Seaboard.pdf - Planet eBook

stood militarily in a row at the top of the great flight of steps.They looked like a gorgeous escort attending the Vicar-General. I saw the great function from the windows of thePorvenir. He is amazing, your uncle, the last of the Corbelans.He glittered exceedingly in his vestments with a greatcrimson velvet cross down his back. And all the time oursaviour Barrios sat in the Amarilla Club drinking punch atan open window. Esprit fort—our Barrios. I expected everymoment your uncle to launch an excommunication thereand then at the black eye-patch in the window across thePlaza. But not at all. Ultimately the troops marched off. LaterBarrios came down with some of the officers, and stoodwith his uniform all unbuttoned, discoursing at the edgeof the pavement. Suddenly your uncle appeared, no longerglittering, but all black, at the cathedral door with thatthreatening aspect he has—you know, like a sort of avengingspirit. He gives one look, strides over straight at thegroup of uniforms, and leads away the general by the elbow.He walked him for a quarter of an hour in the shadeof a wall. Never let go his elbow for a moment, talking allthe time with exaltation, and gesticulating with a long blackarm. It was a curious scene. The officers seemed struck withastonishment. Remarkable man, your missionary uncle. Hehates an infidel much less than a heretic, and prefers a heathenmany times to an infidel. He condescends graciouslyto call me a heathen, sometimes, you know.’Antonia listened with her hands over the balustrade,opening and shutting the fan gently; and Decoud talked alittle nervously, as if afraid that she would leave him at the