第71章

`Yes,' conceded Decoud, `it's a wonderful thing to say with the sight of the San Tome mine, the greatest fact in the whole of South America, perhaps, before our very eyes. But look even at that, he has idealized this fact to a point--' He paused. `Mrs Gould, are you aware to what point he had idealized the existence, the worth, the meaning of the San Tome mine? Are you aware of it?'

He must have known what he was talking about.

The effect he expected was produced. Mrs Gould, ready to take fire, gave it up suddenly with a low little sound that resembled a moan.

`What do you know?' she asked in a feeble voice.

`Nothing,' answered Decoud, firmly. `But, then, don't you see, he's an Englishman?'

`Well, what of that?' asked Mrs Gould.

`Simply that he cannot act or exist without idealizing every simple feeling, desire, or achievement. He could not believe his own motives if he did not make them first a part of some fairy tale. The earth is not quite good enough for him, I fear. Do you excuse my frankness? Besides, whether you excuse it or not, it is part of the truth of things which hurts the -- what do you call them? -- the Anglo-Saxon's susceptibilities, and at the present moment I don't feel as if I could treat seriously either his conception of things or -- if you allow me to say so -- or yet yours.'

Mrs Gould gave no sign of being offended. `I suppose Antonia understands you thoroughly?'

`Understands? Well, yes. But I am not sure that she approves. That, however, makes no difference. I am honest enough to tell you that, Mrs Gould.'

`Your idea, of course, is separation,' she said.

`Separation, of course,' declared Martin. `Yes; separation of the whole Occidental Province from the rest of the unquiet body. But my true idea, the only one I care for, is not to 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 must leave the rest of the Republic to its fate. Nothing could be clearer than that. I like a clearly defined situation. I cannot part with Antonia, therefore the one and indivisible Republic of Costaguana must be made to part with its western province.

Fortunately it happens to be also a sound policy. The richest, the most fertile part of this land may be saved from anarchy. Personally, I care little; but it's a fact that the establishment of Montero in power would mean death to me. In all the proclamations of general pardon which I have seen, my name, with a few others, is specially excepted. The brothers hate me, as you know very well, Mrs Gould; and behold, here is the rumour of them having won a battle. You say that supposing it is true, I have 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.

`Oh, but I would, Mrs Gould. I would run away if it served that which at present is my only desire. I am courageous 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 sufficient 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 do no harm. And it was quite possible, also, that the rumour was false.

`You have some sort of a plan,' she said.

`Simplicity itself. Barrios has started, let him go on then; he will hold Cayta, which is the door of the sea route to Sulaco. They cannot send a sufficient force over the mountains. No; not even to cope with the band of Hernandez. Meantime we shall organize our resistance here. And for that, this very Hernandez will be useful. He has defeated troops as a bandit;he will no doubt accomplish the same thing if he is made a colonel or even a general. You know the country well enough not to be shocked by what Isay, Mrs Gould. I have heard you assert that this poor bandit was the living, breathing example of cruelty, injustice, stupidity, and oppression, that ruin men's souls as well as their fortunes in this country. Well, there would be some poetical retribution in that man arising to crush the evils which had driven an honest ranchero into a life of crime. A fine idea of retribution in that, isn't there?'

Decoud had dropped easily into English, which he spoke with precision, very correctly, but with too many z sounds.

`Think also of your hospitals, of your schools, of your ailing mothers and feeble old men, of all that population which you and your husband have brought into the rocky gorge of San Tome. Are you not responsible to your conscience for all these people? Is it not worth while to make another effort, which is not at all so desperate as it looks, rather than--'

Decoud finished his thought with an upward toss of the arm, suggesting annihilation; and Mrs Gould turned away her head with a look of horror.

`Why don't you say all this to my husband?' she asked, without looking at Decoud, who stood watching the effect of his words.