“Using the current definition, which is the one that has existed since time immemorial,” he added, “madness and reason are perfectly delineated. We all know where one ends and the other begins. Why start moving the fence?”

Across the thin, discreet lips of the alienist danced the faintest shadow of an incipient laugh, in which disdain marched arm in arm with pity. But not a single word emerged.

Science merely extended its hand to theology, and with such self-assurance that theology no longer knew whether to believe in one or the other. Itaguaí and the universe stood on the brink of a revolution.

Chapter 5

THE TERROR

Four days later, the inhabitants of Itaguaí heard with some consternation that a certain fellow by the name of Costa had been taken to the Casa Verde.

“Impossible!”

“What do you mean, ‘impossible’? He was taken there this morning.”

“But surely he is the last person to deserve that . . . After all he’s done!”