Joseph Conrad: Nostromo

PART SECOND: THE ISABELS 5. CHAPTER FIVE (continued)

"That!--that! oh, that's really the work of that Genoese seaman!
But to return to my noises; there used to be in the old days the
sound of trumpets outside that gate. War trumpets! I'm sure they
were trumpets. I have read somewhere that Drake, who was the
greatest of these men, used to dine alone in his cabin on board
ship to the sound of trumpets. In those days this town was full
of wealth. Those men came to take it. Now the whole land is like
a treasure-house, and all these people are breaking into it,
whilst we are cutting each other's throats. The only thing that
keeps them out is mutual jealousy. But they'll come to an
agreement some day--and by the time we've settled our quarrels
and become decent and honourable, there'll be nothing left for
us. It has always been the same. We are a wonderful people, but
it has always been our fate to be"--he did not say "robbed," but
added, after a pause--"exploited!"

Mrs. Gould said, "Oh, this is unjust!" And Antonia interjected,
"Don't answer him, Emilia. He is attacking me."

"You surely do not think I was attacking Don Carlos!" Decoud
answered.

And then the carriage stopped before the door of the Casa Gould.
The young man offered his hand to the ladies. They went in first
together; Don Jose walked by the side of Decoud, and the gouty
old porter tottered after them with some light wraps on his arm.

Don Jose slipped his hand under the arm of the journalist of
Sulaco.

"The Porvenir must have a long and confident article upon Barrios
and the irresistibleness of his army of Cayta! The moral effect
should be kept up in the country. We must cable encouraging
extracts to Europe and the United States to maintain a favourable
impression abroad."

Decoud muttered, "Oh, yes, we must comfort our friends, the
speculators."

The long open gallery was in shadow, with its screen of plants in
vases along the balustrade, holding out motionless blossoms, and
all the glass doors of the reception-rooms thrown open. A jingle
of spurs died out at the further end.