Joseph Conrad: Nostromo

PART SECOND: THE ISABELS 7. CHAPTER SEVEN (continued)

He sat down on the end of a bench. "She wants to give them her
blessing, I suppose."

Dazedly Decoud observed that he must have fallen sound asleep,
and Nostromo said, with a vague smile, that he had looked in at
the window and had seen him lying still across the table with his
head on his arms. The English senora had also come in the
carriage, and went upstairs at once with the doctor. She had told
him not to wake up Don Martin yet; but when they sent for the
children he had come into the cafe.

The half of the horse with its half of the rider swung round
outside the door; the torch of tow and resin in the iron basket
which was carried on a stick at the saddle-bow flared right into
the room for a moment, and Mrs. Gould entered hastily with a
very white, tired face. The hood of her dark, blue cloak had
fallen back. Both men rose.

"Teresa wants to see you, Nostromo," she said. The Capataz did
not move. Decoud, with his back to the table, began to button up
his coat.

"The silver, Mrs. Gould, the silver," he murmured in English.
"Don't forget that the Esmeralda garrison have got a steamer.
They may appear at any moment at the harbour entrance."

"The doctor says there is no hope," Mrs. Gould spoke rapidly,
also in English. "I shall take you down to the wharf in my
carriage and then come back to fetch away the girls." She changed
swiftly into Spanish to address Nostromo. "Why are you wasting
time? Old Giorgio's wife wishes to see you."

"I am going to her, senora," muttered the Capataz. Dr. Monygham
now showed himself, bringing back the children. To Mrs. Gould's
inquiring glance he only shook his head and went outside at once,
followed by Nostromo.