Joseph Conrad: Nostromo

PART THIRD: THE LIGHTHOUSE 3. CHAPTER THREE (continued)

Sotillo's manner had changed. The colonel's off-hand civility was
slightly irresolute, as though he were in doubt if civility were
the proper course in this case. He observed Captain Mitchell
attentively before he spoke from the big armchair behind the
table in a condescending voice--

"I have concluded not to detain you, Senor Mitchell. I am of a
forgiving disposition. I make allowances. Let this be a lesson
to you, however."

The peculiar dawn of Sulaco, which seems to break far away to the
westward and creep back into the shade of the mountains, mingled
with the reddish light of the candles. Captain Mitchell, in sign
of contempt and indifference, let his eyes roam all over the
room, and he gave a hard stare to the doctor, perched already on
the casement of one of the windows, with his eyelids lowered,
careless and thoughtful--or perhaps ashamed.

Sotillo, ensconced in the vast armchair, remarked, "I should have
thought that the feelings of a caballero would have dictated to
you an appropriate reply."

He waited for it, but Captain Mitchell remaining mute, more from
extreme resentment than from reasoned intention, Sotillo
hesitated, glanced towards the doctor, who looked up and nodded,
then went on with a slight effort--

"Here, Senor Mitchell, is your watch. Learn how hasty and unjust
has been your judgment of my patriotic soldiers."

Lying back in his seat, he extended his arm over the table and
pushed the watch away slightly. Captain Mitchell walked up with
undisguised eagerness, put it to his ear, then slipped it into
his pocket coolly.

Sotillo seemed to overcome an immense reluctance. Again he
looked aside at the doctor, who stared at him unwinkingly.

But as Captain Mitchell was turning away, without as much as a
nod or a glance, he hastened to say--

"You may go and wait downstairs for the senor doctor, whom I am
going to liberate, too. You foreigners are insignificant, to my
mind."