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

ceptibilities, and at the present moment I don’t feel as if Icould treat seriously either his conception of things or—ifyou allow me to say so—or yet yours.’Mrs. Gould gave no sign of being offended. ‘I supposeAntonia understands you thoroughly?’‘Understands? Well, yes. But I am not sure that she approves.That, however, makes no difference. I am honestenough to tell you that, Mrs. Gould.’‘Your idea, of course, is separation,’ she said.‘Separation, of course,’ declared Martin. ‘Yes; separationof the whole Occidental Province from the rest of the unquietbody. But my true idea, the only one I care for, is notto be separated from Antonia.’‘And that is all?’ asked Mrs. Gould, without severity.‘Absolutely. I am not deceiving myself about my motives.She won’t leave Sulaco for my sake, therefore Sulaco mustleave the rest of the Republic to its fate. Nothing could beclearer than that. I like a clearly defined situation. I cannotpart with Antonia, therefore the one and indivisibleRepublic of Costaguana must be made to part with its westernprovince. Fortunately it happens to be also a soundpolicy. The richest, the most fertile part of this land maybe saved from anarchy. Personally, I care little, very little;but it’s a fact that the establishment of Montero in powerwould mean death to me. In all the proclamations of generalpardon which I have seen, my name, with a few others, isspecially excepted. The brothers hate me, as you know verywell, Mrs. Gould; and behold, here is the rumour of themhaving won a battle. You say that supposing it is true, I have