Page 247 - nostromo-a-tale-of-the-seaboard

plenty of time to run away.’
The slight, protesting murmur on the part of Mrs. Gould
made him pause for a moment, while he looked at her with
a sombre and resolute glance.
‘Ah, but I would, Mrs. Gould. I would run away if it
served that which at present is my only desire. I am coura-
geous enough to say that, and to do it, too. But women, even
our women, are idealists. It is Antonia that won’t run away.
A novel sort of vanity.’
‘You call it vanity,’ said Mrs. Gould, in a shocked voice.
‘Say pride, then, which. Father Corbelan would tell you,
is a mortal sin. But I am not proud. I am simply too much
in love to run away. At the same time I want to live. There is
no love for a dead man. Therefore it is necessary that Sulaco
should not recognize the victorious Montero.’
‘And you think my husband will give you his support?’
‘I think he can be drawn into it, like all idealists, when he
once sees a sentimental basis for his action. But I wouldn’t
talk to him. Mere clear facts won’t appeal to his sentiment.
It is much better for him to convince himself in his own
way. And, frankly, I could not, perhaps, just now pay suffi-
cient respect to either his motives or even, perhaps, to yours,
Mrs. Gould.’
It was evident that Mrs. Gould was very determined not
to be offended. She smiled vaguely, while she seemed to
think the matter over. As far as she could judge from the
girl’s half-confidences, Antonia understood that young
man. Obviously there was promise of safety in his plan, or
rather in his idea. Moreover, right or wrong, the idea could

Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard