Summary

Chapter 5: "The Climax of the d'Anconias"

The Mexican government nationalizes Francisco's San Sebastian mines. When the government discovers they are worthless, Dagny is furious. On her way to confront him, she remembers how he used to be. They were friends as children and later became lovers. After a ten-year affair, Francisco left her. He said it was torture for him, but that he had no choice. He warned her not to ask any questions, and that he would do things to make her denounce him. Over the next few years, he became a notorious playboy that squandered his fortune.

When Dagny confronts Francisco, she asks him why he deliberately invested in worthless mines and ruined the fortunes of his stockholders, including Jim. He tells her he is fighting against her and the railroad, which horrifies her, and when she asks what he is trying...