 Chapter 31 of Zafloya. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org recording by Anthony Gurgis of the TidePod podcast. Zafloya by Charlotte Dacker, Chapter 31. Some time had now elapsed since Victoria had been the associate of Banditi, the vile and lawless outcasts of society. Her constant companion and presumed lover, Avile Moore, introduced originally to her notice in a menial capacity, banished from the world by her crimes and her vices in seeking in the depth of an almost unfathomable obscurity, safety from the punishment they're due. Such was now the situation of one whose early character and propensities naturally evil required in youth the strong curb of virtuous example to reprove and ultimately reform them. Maternal imprudence and maternal discretion by destroying the bonds of respect rendered a board of all future attempt to preserve from baffled example the hopeless victim of premature corruption. Thus too noble emulation was perished and with the character became identified as cureless habits, errors which time in strict education would have withered in the germ. In the moments of solitude which occurred but seldom the wretched Victoria reflecting upon her early youth what she might have been and what she was, cursed, terrible to say, the mother that had weakly indulged and then by her own example tempted and destroyed her. During the whole of the time that she had resided among the Condotieri, never once had she beheld the countenance of their cheap. Yet in her absence the Flue had said that he unmasked, he hath a reason added he for concealing his features from you, but time will develop all and then you will know it. In manners however the haughty chief was considerably changed. He seemed to have remarked and approved the terms on which Victoria and the Moor continued to live. Ever delicately respectful in his presence, though incomparably tender at other times, was the manner of the Flue towards her. The more distant indeed, the more reserved and punctilious he appeared. The more did the chief unbend and the more appeared pleased, but if by a word or even a look he expressed awe of tenderness or warmth, then did he become agitated, lay his hand upon his dagger or start uneasily from his chair, in his voice there was something powerfully awakened the attention of Victoria. His manner affected her less for its solemnity than for other reasons which she could not define and she would at times have given the universe for a glance at his features. As for the mistress of the chief, her manners underwent a considerable change. She behaved to Victoria with civility, sometimes even with attention, but at others particularly in the absence of the chief, she would regard her with a look that wanted only the power of destroying. The Moors of Flue occasionally accompanied a chosen troupe of the bandit in their adventurous excursions among the Elbs. Victoria could not avoid observing that when he did so. They were such generally as were esteemed most desperate and were most in repute for their ferociousity and contempt of life, such too as were considered by the rest capable of any enormity and troubled neither with the weakness of compassion, qualms of conscience or a distaste to bloodshed. They were in fact ruffians rather than robbers and the bloodhounds of the band. These of Flue chose to select. When he went forth with any and unanimously they swore that when he was among them they felt impelled to deeds which otherwise would have remained unattempted. One gloomy evening, seated on the declivity of a mountain, Victoria reflected involuntarily upon this circumstance. She loved yet trembled at the inscrutables of Flue, but lost in abandon seeking an object to fix on. She yielded without struggle to his fascinations. That he loved her, she believed. Yet such was the dignity, sometimes haughty repulsiveness of his manners. That even in the softest moods she watched the turning of his eye with secret dread, fearing and dubious of what the next moment might produce. Never even had she been completely at ease with him. There was always a proud reserve about him in the midst of his tenderness. His softness resembled more the condescension of a superior than the devotion of a lover. Strange mysterious being, she mentally exclaimed. Thy looks, thy words, thine actions have ever to me been indefinable. Better ah, better perhaps it were she added with a sigh, that I had never known thee. She paused. Her ideas reverted to her past life. She retraced its black and disastrous career. Ah, mother, mother, she cried. All is attributable to thee. Why didst thou, when in early youth, when my passions were strong and my judgment weak, why didst thou imprudently bring before my eyes scenes to inflame my soul and set my senses maddening? It was thou first taughtest me to put not check nor strength upon the incitement of unholy love. Tost thy example, too, which caused me to deem lightly of the marriage vow. Thy heart wandered from its allegiance to thy husband. My heart wandered from mine. Thy husband dined through means of thee. Mine died by poison, which I administered. Yet wherefore do I thus retrace, she added, casting herself upon the mountain. Do I repent me of that which I have done? No. I regret only the state to which circumstance have reduced me. Wretch that I am, Zafloia, O Zafloia, thou hast helped on my destruction. Yet am I now so bound, so trampled to thee? By what magic arts I know not. That though at this moment I feel strong wish to fly thee, yet it is counteracted by conviction that the attempt is impossible. She sighed deeply, and then in a mournful voice resumed, Here must I wait thy coming, for into the cavern I will not descend. The gloomy silence of the chief oppresses my soul, while the now cool, now ferocious looks of the mistress throw my senses into confusion. She remained still prostrate on the side of the mountain till wearied with grievous and unavailing reflection, she closed her eyes, by degrees sleep stole over her faculties, and she dreamed that gliding lightly over the highest rocks, she beheld a beautiful and seraphic form approach. When it came near it seemed to her that her eyes could not sustain the exceeding brilliancy which shot from the countenance, the hair and the garments of the celestial vision. Victoria, it pronounced in a sweet and awful voice, I am thy good genius, I come to warn thee at this moment, because it is the first for many years in which a spark of repentance hath visited thy guilt-benighted soul. The almighty who wishes to save his creatures from destruction permits that I appear before thee. If thou wilt forsake even yet the dark and thorny path of sin, if thou wilt endeavor by thy future life to make amends for the terrible list of the past, even yet shalt thou be saved, but above all thou must fly the Morse of Flawyer who is not what he seems. At that instant, Victoria saw beneath the feet of the resplendent vision, the Morse of Flawyer. He lay prostrate stripped of his gaudy habiliments and appearing monstrous and deformed. Still she recognized him for the Flawyer. Attend, pursued the angel. Fly immediately, the false pretended moor and heaven will direct thy steps. Retire for a while from the world. Look into thine heart. Repent, and thy sins shall be forgiven thee. Yet mock, and louder thunder seem to rattle from above. If thou pursuest thy present path, speedy death and eternal destruction will be thine. As a splendid form pronounced these words, the earth opening at its feet shud an immeasurable abyss. Down headlong it spurned the moor, who uttering terrific yells which echoed through the mountains, sunk struggling from view. The celestial vision ascended, pointing as it rose its fair finger to heaven. The awful voice of the thunder solemnity sounded. The dazzled eyes of Victoria beheld the heavens open as the spirit drew towards them. The music of the spheres and loud choral harmony struck for an instant on her ravished ears. Her high-wrought fancy could bear no more, and she awoke. Opening her eyes, she beheld that all around her was still in gloomy, yet so far was she possessed by her dream, that even yet she beheld a stream of radiance in the air. And fancy she could identify that spot in the sky, at which the angel entered his bright abode. Celestial shapes and sparkling crustaceans still swarm in her view, and when she closed her eyes she saw them with increased brilliancy in imagination's eye. By degrees, the vividness of her impression subsided. She felt ashamed to yield observance to a dream, yet still her soul was touched. But wither, and how can I fly, she cried. Yet destruction awaits me if I stay. Oh no, it cannot be. I will not yield thus to a vision. A frolic of the fancy let loose when the senses slumber and for that to quits a floya. Ungrateful Victoria, no, I feel that to be impossible. Scare said the unhappy Victoria, pronounced these words when darting from a cleft in the mountain, the more appeared before her. Even through the dusky gloom, Victoria beheld the fire which sparkled in his eyes. His whole figure seemed more proudly dignified, more lofty than even. If she hesitated before to adopt the conduct, she was warned to pursue that hesitation now vanished. She remembered her dream no longer. The presence of Zafloia put reflection and consideration to flight. He took her hand and a gentle voice said, You would not forsake me, Victoria. Victoria started, for this remark implied a knowledge of her thoughts. How is this Zafloia? She said and faintly smiled. You seem to read. Your thoughts, fair creature, added the more. And have I not always read them? True, true, said the embarrassed Victoria. But how? No matter cried the more. You are mine, I have gained you. And lose you now I neither can nor will. You do not hate me, Victoria. Victoria replied not. Her thoughts were confused respecting the more began a sentiment of fear predominated over every other sensation. Come, he resumed. Nothing checked by her silence. Come, let us remain here no longer, but return to our home. It is more cheerful than this gloom, my Victoria, and will disperse thy melancholy. He passed her arm gently round her waist and let her on. Though her scuples ceased to occupy her, her heart was oppressed and she could not speak. In softest language, the more addressed her as they walked. By degrees the sweet tones of his harmonious voice, his honied flattery and his soft attentions produced their wanted effect. Again the changing Victoria began to feel irresistibly riveted to him, and the more from the temporary gloom that had affected her in his absence. Work thou always with me, Zafloia, she at length said in a low voice, as they approached the cavern. Black melancholy and gloomy visions would never agitate my soul. Zafloia pressed her hand. While thou livest said he, I will remain with thee, and thus shall have no power to tear thee from me. They now entered the cave in the midst of a few straggling bandits sat the chief still masked, with his bold companion by his side, showily habited and looking the wild genius of the terrible abode. The chief sat solemn and reserved, listening rather than partaking in the conversation of his band. Some of them sat cross-legged, some are climbed, talking over deeds of bloody outrage, while the red fire light cast upon their marked features an additional tinge of ferocity. Victoria seated herself among them, and the more took his station beside her, though at a respectful distance. The chief looked towards them not unkindly, but did not speak. His fierce companion scowled upon Victoria, to whose features exercised an agitation, had given an unusual brilliancy. The look as usual caused a thousand dimmer memorances to rush into the mind of Victoria. For an instant she almost identified the countenance before her, but at all events returned the malignant glance with visible contempt and indignation. Fire flashed from the eyes of the female. She half rose, but the chief who silently observed both caught her arm and restrained her on her seat. At this instant three loud distinct knocks were heard outside the door. One of the robbers started up and returned them on the inside with the hilt of his stiletto, then sounded without. The loud shrill of the horn and the robber instantly touching a spring the door flew open. Several of the bandit entered and in the midst of them was a female supported by the leaning on the arm of one of them. Her figure, though faded, was still beautiful. Her features were haggard and pale. Tears streamed down her cheeks and on her temple appeared a wound from whence the blood flowed over her bosom which was bare and cruelly bruised. Her long dark hair hung wild and disheveled. Her clothes were torn to tatters and one fair arm gashed at the wrist, hung uselessly by her side. This miserable object was led or rather brought into the midst of the assembly. The chief drew near and regarded her for a few moments with agitated but steadfast air. Then, staggering back several paces, he laid his hand upon his heart with convulsive emotion. Is it possible in a voice of smothered agony he cried? Hardly had he spoken when more of the band rushed in with daggers drawn in their right hands and securing with their left a man of tall majestic figure in whose countenance was discernible traces of the deepest rage. His gloomy ferocity. In an instant the attention of the chief was attacked towards him. He gazed no longer on the pitable object before him but approached with uneven pace the stranger thus forcibly secured. Scarce could seem to fix his eyes upon his countenance ere he recoiled, horror struck, then he silly returned and looked again as doubting the testimony of his senses. Now he appeared dreadfully convinced his whole frame trembled with violent emotion. Madly impelled as it were he snatched the stiletto from his belt. He rushed towards the unarmed stranger and tearing him from the grasp of the bandidi. With the strength of a raging lion he buried it to the hilt in his panting bosom. At this the wounded female uttering a cry of horror sunk upon the floor but as if new strung by this very circumstance the chief with tenfold fury tore the reeking dagger from the breast of the stranger and plunged it unnumbered times in different parts of his body. The band perceiving this unusual and sanguinary violence on the part of the chief and that he no longer required of them to secure the object of his rage resigned entirely the hold they had resumed and retired to a distant. Exhausted then by horrible and repeated wounds that stranger sunk down bathed in his blood the chief bent over him still gasping with unsaded vengeance. He knelt on his mangled form and with his left hand pinioned him to the earth then raising his dagger high transfixed it in the center of his panting heart. Die infamous and thrice damned villain he cried in a tremendous voice. Thus die for this moment I am portioned incessantly just heaven and heaven in its justice has at length granted my prayer. As he uttered these words he tore off his mask and throwing back his plumed helm Victoria recognized her brother. Now wretched Victoria he cried gazing full upon her with stern piercing eyes. Thus thou know me and thus thou know the wretch who lies there weltering in his blood him who within this instant he exultingly cried in my hand the punishment his due. Thus thou not know him me thinks unhappy girl thou shouldst remember Ardolf the vile Ardolf the betrayer of thy miserable mother of that mother who now lies extended on the ground in the wretched person of that dying female. Victoria was on the point of speaking when Leonardo rushing wildly towards the bleeding body of Ardolf exclaimed with a convulsive laugh. What did the wretch hope to escape for ever the vengeance of my soul? Villain and coward he pursued spurning the body with his foot. That put thy trust for safety in the weakness of my youthful arm didst thou believe it would remain forever weak and that thy infamy would pass unpunished to rob us of our mother to destroy our father and to blast forever the fair honor and the happiness of their children. Ah villain and coward didst thou dare to hope that the young boyish Leonardo would forget thee? No no, he whose soul could feel disgrace and injury sufficiently to fly the spot where it had overwhelmed his miserable family could never, never forget the wretch who had caused it could never forget those accursed features stamped in indelible characters upon his burning brain. No no I tell thee nor age nor time nor circumstances could hide thee with veil so thick that outraged honor could not pierce it of a niche's outraged honor. For this blessed hour my young heart panted for this my mature feelings increasing as I grew in bitter sense of the wrong done us and in the desire of revenge longed with wilder enthusiasm. For this I implored heaven and heaven he cried falling on his knees while a fierce but noble enthusiasm burnt in his eyes. He has listened to me. Father, my injured father, thy wrongs are avenged, he smiled exultingly, on the disfigured corpse of the once gay but now justly punished Ardolf and arose from his knees. At this moment the wretched Lorena uttered a faint sigh. Leonard started and appeared recall to himself. He clasped his hands and tears started to his eyes. He approached his wretched mother and Victoria followed. Between them they raised her in their arms. Leonardo turned fiercely towards the silent though surprised Bandidi who stood around in an angry voice exclaimed which among ye have dared thus to maltreat a female? Not any of us in one voice answered the Bandidi. How came she thus wounded? One of the bands stepped forward and replied we had wandered far and were turning homers when loud shrieks from a distant first called our attention. We turned again and hastened to the spot from whence they appeared to proceed. There we discovered him who lies bleeding yonder cruelly beating the Signora. On perceiving us he attempted to drag her forward. She fell and cut her temple against the point of Iraq. On this he redoubled his blows and barbariously kicked her. The Signora must have upon her head wounds more dangerous than that which is apparent. We secured the inhuman Signore however Bravo seized the mules in baggage which were following at a distance. They could not retain possession however without encountering the servants and muley tears whom they soon routed some one way or some another. We then no more cried the chief haughtily I have heard enough. The offended Bravo bit his lips and muttered somewhat between his teeth to Zafloia who stood beside him and regarded him with an approving air. What? How sayest thou villain? exclaimed Leonardo passionately. I say we did our duty and peace vase born Ruffian cried the chief. I hear no more. The vindicted Bravo laid his hand upon his dagger. The action was not unnoted by Leonardo. He left the feeble Lorena in the arms of Victoria and rushing towards him with one blow leveled him to the earth. Insolent Ruffian he cried. There's thou rebel against thy chief. Lend me a dagger he called aloud. It shall drink his heart's blood. Seventy hands at once tendered their daggers. Leonardo seizing one brandished it for a moment over the prostrate robber and seeming to consider the object unworthy checked his rage and bade him rise. The wily robber rose upon his knees and crossing his arms upon his bosom declined his head in token of submission. The chief threw the weapon from him with a smile of contempt. Thou art unworthy of death from my hand he cried our eyes reptile. The robber rose on his feet and joined his comrades with a sullen air. Leonardo returned to his mother. He regarded her with an air of pity and supporting her in his arms brought her forward and offered her wine to her lips. The wretched Lorena swallowed a little and it appeared to revive her. Leonardo then commanded that a bed should be prepared. The very best that the cavern could afford. When ready with his own hands he endeavored to render it more comodious. But still it was a sorry couch for one who had till now reposed on beds of doubt and made the grievous transition at a period like the present. On this however her languid limbs were stretched. The wounds on her head were bathed and her gastricist bound up. All these tender offices were performed by Leonardo. While victorious stood silently by regarding her wretched mother with a stern, unpitying air or wholly indifferent to what was passing conversed with Zafloia in another part of the cavern. At length the miserable Lorena sunk into the chamber and Leonardo quitting then her lowly couch rejoined his companions. Supper was prepared and while partaking of it those of the bandit that had been out detailed more of the large particulars of the evening's adventure. Little more of moment was however related than what the bravo had already specified. Still Leonardo listened with the deepest attention making however no comment while Victoria terrible to say seemed to exalt in the awful fate that had overtaken her deeply punished mother. The wine passed briskly about. The bandit resided themselves by degrees to the arms of sleep reclining around the expiring embers of the fire. Victoria retired to her usual place of rest while Leonardo motioning his female companion to retire approached the uneasy pillow of his mother with intent to watch beside her during the night. Thus by the wonderful and inscrutable ways of providence were gathered together under the same brew those whose fates were so intimately connected with each other. The one suffering under the dreadful visitation of her crime her children under its fatal consequences while the infamous author of all had meant unprepared the fate due to his guilt as to his barbarity towards the woman he had betrayed. Not long had the hapless Lorena retained that unworthy love for which she had made such sacrifices the injured Laura Dainy no more. Her son Leonardo fled no one knew with her. Victoria eloped the confinement in which she had been placed no further obstacles no further allowance to encounter the passion of the ungenerous Ardolf cool to pace not existing not occurring to give it their acquired zest he began to regret that he had resigned his liberty for a woman whose almost constant melancholy damped his spirits or restrained attempt to gaiety but approached him for expecting the effort he became first and different to and at length even hated the wretched victim of his artifices he retained no longer traces of the fascinating elegant Ardolf but degenerated gradually into the harsh and savage tyrant. Grief had stolen the roses from the cheeks of Lorena remorse had faded her graceful form she was no longer an object of triumph or of envy to exhibit to the worthless ephemera of the day and she was reproached with her broken charms the gay the infamous seducer became weary of his acquisition by degrees he absented himself from her for lengthened periods mirthful and joyous went away he returned to her gloomy and severe next frequent infidelity struck the barbed arrow of despised love into her soul bitter reproaches and at length personal ill treatment even to a degree of barbarity closed the list of her outrages and filled up the measure of her punishment and misery it was these dreadful moments or in those who've cheerful solitude smarting to agony beneath the pangs and indignities of brutal tyranny that the wretched Lorena reflected upon her past conduct upon the husband and the children she appended upon the husband the fond husband that for her had died upon her children hating her and flying from her presence a terrible and severe must be the compunctuous visitings of the mother who stepping aside from the path of honor and virtue becomes amenable for the distraction and debt of adoring husband for the crimes and miseries of her offspring a while faintly may you triumph sad daughter of infamy glitter a while the vain and despised pageant of the hour but short lived is your ignoble glory bitter and permanent your punishment and regret among other vices restored to by the vile and grateful Ardolf was that of deep play in this he engaged with the spirit of enterprise so hazardous and wild that the fortune became rapidly impoverished it was the conviction of this that determined him to quit Venice and retired to Switzerland in haughty terms he expressed his intention to Lorena and brutally added that his exile from the gay world would be pleasing if unaccompanied by her but the lost and broken hearted mourner replied not to the insinuation to accompany him she felt unavoidable for spite of his baseness spite of his inhumanity she loved him still on their journey notwithstanding he continued to treat her with the utmost harshness and severity not to the period of their encounter on the Alps however with Leonardo's band had he resorted to personal ill usage thus that it happened that his aggravated crimes and cruelty caused him to rush upon his fate for terror of her life excited by the violence of his blows extorted loud shrieks from the terrified Lorena these shrieks attracted and guided the robbers to the spot the barbarian was immediately secured by ruffians less ferocious than himself and deservedly met his death by the hands of one on whom he had entailed misery and destruction such are the retributions of a just providence which though sometimes tardy are generally sure even in this world the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit leapofox.org recording by Linda Bray Nielsen Vancouver B.C. Sophia by Charlotte Dacker Chapter 32 about noon the following day the wretched Lorena who had not during the night nor till the present period uttered ought but incoherent exclamations appearing wholly unconscious and insensible to surrounding objects opened her dim eyes they fell first upon the counterance of Victoria who happened to be standing near her she gazed for a few moments by degrees we can memory resumed its power she identified her daughter and faintly shrieked she passed her feeble hand over her eyes then raised it trembling to heaven and extended it towards Victoria daughter, beloved daughter in broken accents she said by what chance do I behold thee but no matter I have not time to ask forgive, forgive me Victoria answered not neither did she extend her hand but the soul of Leonardo was more noble he likewise stood beside the deathbed of his mother though she knew him not he bent over her and took her feeble hand which had sunk again upon her miserable couch mother he cried glancing angrily towards the cruel Victoria mother does though forget thy son Leonardo the wretched parent turned upon him her heavy eyes nature spoke resistless in her bosom and in the strong mark features the muscular figure of the chief of a bandit he she recognized the once delicate and blooming boy that she had nurtured in her bosom and an anguished sigh convulsed her heart oh God! she murmured can this be and dost thou pardon me say dost thou whom I deserted and abandoned mother as I love and pardon thee may heaven look down and speak peace to thy soul oh my Leonardo thy nature was ever noble raise me in thy arms beloved injured son raise me in thy arms if thou dreadest not pollution she added, shuddering violently the cavern at this time contained only Victoria and Leonardo at the further end blazed a bright wood fire but still it served not wholly to reveal its gloomy expanse to the dim sight of the expiring Lorena near her object couch upon a fragment of stone serving for a table burned a lamp which shed its red rays full upon the objects near her and partially revealed the rude horrors by which her last moments were encompassed here plumed hats here stilettos swords and other instruments of murder hung around and there the spoils of the slain were scattered in lawless profusion the body of the murdered Ardolf had been removed and cast perhaps marking no other burial down some measureless abscess but his unwashed blood still died in a dark red stream the flinty ground while his garments crimson over and pierced in unnumbered holes by the fierce dagger of the avenging Leonardo remained awful mementos scattered near upon such a scene of massacre and confusion Leonardo in her last moments raised his mother in his arms she gazed wildly rounds but at this fearful moment thoughts of higher import appeared to possess her soul her eyes reverted again towards her daughter who remained still standing beside her with folded arms and the stern counterance of a relentless fiend daughter in a hollow voice cried the dying mother clasping the weak hand which she could just move over that which was handed and incapable of motion daughter thy dying mother prays to thee for pardon ah look not so unkindly upon her unbend those stern features beck me not enter the presence offended god unpitted unforgiven by thee daughter I say oh Victoria a deep and shuddering sigh interrupted further utterance and she remained gasping in the arms of Leonardo speak speak to thy poor mother Victoria cried the superior soul Leonardo being in thy own conduct all so faultless and so pure that thou shouldest die to thy mother the assurance of love and pardon in an hour like this huh huh that is the very point exclaimed Victoria with a wild frightful laugh that which I have been my mother made me mother she pursued addressing the anguished Larina what dis though desert thy children to follow the seducer who hath justly rewarded thee tis thou who has caused my ruin on thy head therefore will my sins be numbered can I oh can I reflect upon my deeds of horror without arraigning thee as the primary cause thou toughest me to give the reins to lawless passion or that I dishonored my husband cause the death of his brother and murdered a defenseless orphan for these crimes all all say rising out of my example I am now a despised exile in the midst of robbers of robbers of whom the noble son who supports thee in his arms is chief for this infamous abandoned girl exclaimed Leonardo Paul's seed by thy tongue can't thou wretch without one contemptuous pain shrew with sharp thorns the dying pillow of thy mother kneel monster of barbarity kneel and solicit heaven and her for pardon the fierce counterance of Victoria relaxed into a smile of contempt and she remained immovable Lorena still gassed in the arms of her son convulsive shutterings seized her shattered frame her eyes fixed on Leonardo beheld his noble features irradiated with file love and tenderness in the agony of approaching death she could only grasp his hand but the grass spoke eloquent to his heart the anguished gratitude which filled her own once more she turned her pious looks upon Victoria who unfeelingly regarded her pale counterance rendered doubly pallid by the blood stained bandage which bound her wounded forehead but spoke not excess of agony pressed upon the burning brain of the wretched mother the pulsation of her breaking heart increased to violence then it nearly ceased the film of death crapped over her eyes cold damp speed dude her brows and in accents scarcely articulate she murmured terrible yet just God pardon pardon mercy the last word quivered on her lips violent and universal convulsion seized for a moment her frame it was the last struggle of life with death the struggle ended life became extinct forever when Leonardo could no longer doubt that his mother had expired he reclined her gently upon the rugged pillow now no longer uneasy to the departed sufferer and kneeling beside her corpse pressed her cold hand to his lips and bedewed it with the heart wrung tears of bitterest anguish full exclaimed Victoria from the opposite side of the couch how canst thou weakly lament over the death of one who hath made thee what thou now art the vile chief of a band of robbers let the noble chief weep them well he may when he remembers that instead of being thus distinguished he should have figured the highest noble man in Venice base obdurate herited wretch replied Leonardo with dignity the vile chief of a band of robbers can lament at once over the errors and over the miserable fate of a misguided mother deeply too deeply by the death bed thou hast given her independently of the punishment her errors have received hath she expiated the wretched delusion of the moment nor holy on her abandoned girl dare to affix thy guilt and crimes far far beyond what her example ever taught thee no Victoria thy base mind was naturally evil a mother's example might have chacked thy depravity but could never have rendered thee virtuous but for her gloomily returned Victoria the accursed pleasures of illicit love would never have tempted me to sin she first corrupted and alerted my mind her example opened wide the flood gates of passion my soul from its resistless turbulence bearing down all before it first came my crimes if crimes they are and but who art thou that presumes to reproach me why do I reply to thee didst thou not attempt to murder in his sleep the man who never injured thee didst thou not spill the blood of thy sister didst thou not forsake thy brokenhearted father an art thou not now an outcast of society a lawless captain of Benderdy lurking amid dreary mountains to seize as he passes the unwary traveler to despoil him of his all perhaps to kill no doubt many a precipice among these solitudes safe but for thee and thee horde hath received the frequent course of the defenseless butchered victim no doubt babbly and aggravating fiend provoke me no further cried the outraged Leonardo starting on his feet the horrible Victoria burst into a loud laugh and flew to the extremity of the cavern Leonardo's blood boiled in his veins but he cast his eyes upon his mother's corpse her livid features which still wore the cast of anguish appealed to his heart they seemed to say such a moment for bear a sacred sentiment pervaded his bosom by a powerful effort conquering his indignation he reaped no merited vengeance upon a wretch that he remembered was his sister but turning hastily away he cast himself across the couch of his mother with his face with his hands at this juncture the figure of Zoflaya presented itself to Victoria at the entrance of the cavern he was unperceived by Leonardo and beckoned to her with his finger she flew joyfully towards him the moor received her with a smile but strange meaning appeared and he pressed his finger on his lip to enjoying her silence Victoria spoke not for to Zoflaya she was all yielding and obedience he gently took her arm and led her from the cavern they proceeded in silence till they gained the mountain when Zoflaya desiring her to be a rugged projection and taking his station beside her spoke thus Victoria thy brother half offended thee but er long thy revenge will be complete Dost though remember the bravo that he struck last night Gennady by name I stood beside him I remember him well answered Victoria I stood beside him didst thou mark I did bitter hate and thirst of vengeance instantly filled his bosom against thy brother at the first streak of dawn he stole from the cavern sleep had not closed his eyes during the night he went forth with the resolution of hurling destruction upon the head of his chief and rather than not sacrifice him to his vengeance implicate the whole of his associates er now he hath given information to the government of Turin and betrayed the cavern recess deemed without clue impenetrable at an early hour so voice duke will have dispatched a considerable force to mount Senes the avenue from the cavern will be surrounded and for those within there will be no escape thy brother will fall perhaps the first and what will be my fate eagerly inquired Victoria with her usual regard herself must I fall likewise Zoflaya hath I forsaken the yet sternly inquired the more return without fear to the cavern even were the troops already within its walls I would rescue thee but wherefore return Zoflaya I will it so replied the more loud voice learn to rely upon me even in the heart of danger now let us converse no more he added in a softened voice upon this subject Victoria durst not reply they continued wandering for a short time among the mountains Zoflaya then caused her to return to the cavern but to her infinite dismay did not himself follow at the usual hour still without having seen him she was compelled to retire to repose indifferent respecting the fate of others but tormented with selfish terrors for her own End of Chapter 32 Recording by Lindenry Nielsen Vancouver B.C. Chapter 33 of Zoflaya This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Lindenry Nielsen Vancouver B.C. Zoflaya by Charlotte Chapter 33 It was the hour of noon on the following day when Leonardo who had never quitted the cavern since the death of his unfortunate mother heard the usual signals for entrance given without the band were not often in the habits of returning at this hour he therefore conceived that somewhat extraordinary events must have occurred and hastened to give them entrance several of the robbers rushed to multilessly in with looks of harm and alarm we are lost they exclaimed in terrified accents we are betrayed our retreat is discovered an armed force now hastens to surround our escape will be blocked up such of our comrades as are out will stand no chance for they will be secured by innumerable soldiers awaiting them in ambush for ourselves our temporary security will be presently penetrated we shall all be sacrificed unless our captain can discover to us the secret paths by which we may find a passage under the mountains and invade our foes my brave comrades return Leonardo with a cool and dignified air if the case be such as you represent all is over with us I know of no secret paths leading from this cave nor do I believe there are any its own concealed and secret situation its or hanging portico and labyrinthian avenues having ever been deemed sufficient protection malice or treachery could alone have revealed us all I can recommend therefore is that we sell our liberty and our lives and yield not an inch that is not purchased by blood while thus he spoke the signals from without were rapidly repeated some of our brave fellows have found means to elude the villagers of the guards cried Leonardo our signal is unknown to any but ourselves haste and give them entrance perhaps they bring further intelligence at this time the cavern contained only an inconsiderable number of bandetti their chief Leonardo his mistress and Victoria who sat beside her trembling with apprehension of danger and dismayed at the non appearance of Victoria whom she began to fear intended to abandon her in the common ruin the order of Leonardo was obeyed the signals were exchanged the door thrown open when in rushed to the whore of all a numerous band of armed soldiers headed and conducted by genotti the dastard whom momentary passion had struck surprised and shocked even the brave soul of the chief was daunted the soldiers hastened to surround him with the pride of genuine nobility he waved his hand and instinctively they fell back but a few moments seniors he cried and I am yours an instant he beheld that resistance against and host would be vain I would but speak he continued a few words to this female the companion of my fortunes then I will no longer claim your courtesy he approached his mistress who more surprise than intimidated remain sitting beside Victoria megalena strawsie he exclaimed the name in a moment electrified Victoria she beheld herself seated next a dire foe surrounded by death and danger she looked for Zoflaya he was nowhere to be seen and her soul shook within her she sat in fearful silence listening to the words of Leonardo megalena strawsie he cried again then lowering his voice he proceeded I will not reproach thee now I will not tell thee that thy delusions misled my useful mind or have ultimately caused my ruin no I will not tell thee so for the original cause lies deeper and more remote but look around at this moment oh megalena I consider only the love that I have born thee the years that we have been united that thou has uniformly shared my perils and my miseries and at the remembrance my soul freely pardons whatever evil thou hast caused me yet less lightly will thou be judged of by others and suffer common ignomity with the lowest of our band a disgraceful death I have security against that in an agitated but low voice interrupted megalena snatching a silhouetto from her bosom I but first thou infamous victoria who in the splendor of youth crossed my path and robbed me of a lover thus do I thank the fate which has thrown thee in my power then bringing on this victoria she would have plunged the weapon in her bosom when suddenly between them stood more Zoflaya victoria is mine he cried in a voice of thunder fired to frenzy megalena without further hesitation buried the dagger in her own breast thus Leonardo found I escape an ignominous death and thus cried Leonardo rushing upon Gennady and ere his intention could be surmised plunging a polygnard in his heart thus do I reward a traitor and disappoint him of his expected triumph as he fell bathed in blood and uttering hideous implications the guards hastened to seize the frantic Leonardo but breaking with the strength of madness from their grasp he fled to the extremity of the cavern and before he could be again secured had given himself repeated wounds from the heart of the treacherous Gennady fainting, bleeding profusely he staggered and would have fallen the soldiers supported him in their arms and some attempted to staunch his wounds but even in the agonies of death he struggled furiously to prevent them crying out repeatedly in broken accents of joy tis too late heaven be praised he endeavoured to dash himself upon the earth when finding he was forcibly restrained and that his strength failed him he rolled his wild eyes around as in contempt of their further power and resigning himself calmly into their arms with a smile of triumph on his features finding that the chief of the robbers had thus escaped them the soldiers hastened to secure with all possible diligence the remainder of the band some approached and offered to seize Zoflaya supposing him to be at least second in command oh, we are lost whispered victoria to him in accents of alarm fear not softly returned the moor but accustomed thyself to rely upon me holy senora he cried addressing himself to the guards retire immediately from the cavern if you persist in remaining evil must be tied you you impede my movements and will yourself suffer here is my dagger take it and be now convinced I mediate not to escape your hands by means of self destruction selfish terror or awe perhaps both acted involuntarily upon the minds of the soldiers and they retreated to a distance Zoflaya then passing his arm round the waist of victoria stepped back a few paces suddenly a frightful noise like the rumbling of thunder was heard the cavern and even the mountain itself seemed to shake to the foundation huge pieces from the walls and from the roof became as it was forcibly disjointed the soldiers frantic from terror no longer retained their hold of the bandetti but rushed in one common crowd towards the entrance of the cavern pressing tumultuously forward to escape as expecting to meet death at every footstep even victoria though supported by the arm Zoflaya yielded to the terrible impressions excited by the scene of dismay the reiterated shouts of the soldier of an explosion an explosion and the feeling she had of her own inevitable danger her senses became overpowered confused horrors danced in her sight closed and unable to preserve her fleeting faculties she swooned on recovering she beheld herself in the midst of a spacious plane reclining in the arms of Zoflaya and encompassed by mirids of guards she gazed wildly around scarcely could she believe that she still existed oh Zoflaya Zoflaya she cried in a voice of horror where are we no longer in the cavern but in a situation equally perilous oh dost thou not mean at last to preserve me from impending fate behold how we are surrounded no hope of escape with that like Leonardo I had preserved myself from the ignominious death that too well I see awaits me will then not trust to me then in a terrible voice cried the more I tell thee I can save thee from the fate thou dreadest those surrounded by numbers they are beheld of none swear that thou wilt confide in me trust me holy and in an instant I bear thee from the midst of them oh I swear I swear cried the agonized Victoria more swift than a point of time was the transition she beheld herself no longer in the midst of armed soldiers but on the summit of a mighty rock Sophia led her to its uttermost brink extreme terror failed the soul of Victoria but she could not speak involuntarily she cast downwards her eyes a dizzying precipice that made the census stagger dawned at her feet far far in its bottomless abyss battled the deafening cataract which from the summit of the adjacent rock tumbled a broad tremendous stream to broken midway in its course by some rude projection it divided into numberless dancing sprays and branches of foam uniting again at a considerable distance beneath and thundering as it fell with restless fury down the rugged sides of the precipice whose hollow bosom sternly re-echoed to the mighty sounds Victoria trembled for the spirit of the beautiest Lilia seemed to rise to her view from the depth of this frightful abyss mournful it appeared and mangled with many a wound Victoria remembered that for her she had felt no pity the images of the dying Brezna of the destroyed Henrique gliding before her on the rocky steep filled her guilty soul but filled it too late for it came accompanied by despair in terrible anguish she gazed around and wildly clasped her hands now then Victoria cried the more but not in the gentle voice in which he had been wont to address her now then the spirit emancipated from falling ruins from hostile guards from fear of shame and ignominious death already has thou witnessed my power therefore thou knowest what I am capable of I have watched thee followed thee and served thee until now if then from all future accidents all future worldly misery all future disgrace say world thou for that future resigned thyself entirely to me alas Sophia answered the terrified Victoria am I not already in thy power can I choose then thine no evasion woman sternly cried the more no forced concessions has thou not always promised to be mine have I ever he added in a soften voice have I ever availed myself till now or that promise which thou madest but yet I cannot Victoria tell thee nor so dearly do I covet thee will thy force compliance satisfy me say then at once will thou unequivocally give thyself to me heart and body and soul oh yes yes forever answered Victoria rejoiced at even turning softness in the more in whose power she so completely beheld herself oh yes forever but rescue me I implore thee at once from this frightful situation and hereafter thou shall dispose of me as the wilt taunt me no more oh Sophia hope of safety and of peace for my soul grows sick with me at the view of surrounding horrors yet while fair Victoria thou must first swear to abide by what thou hast now said I swear then answered the trembling Victoria and thou hast said it often rash girl replied the more bursting into a loud laugh and fixing on her his terrible eyes from whose fiery glances Victoria turned in horde nay turn not away he tauntingly pursued but look again and see to whom thou hast sworn Victoria raised her eyes horrible was the sight which met them no traces of the beautiful Sophia remain but in his place stripped as in her dream of his gaudy habitiments stood a figure fierce gigantic and hideous to behold terror and despair seized the soul of Victoria she shrieked and would have fallen from the dizzying height had not his hand who appeared Sophia no longer seized her with a grass of iron by the neck Dost thou mark vain fool he cried in a terrific voice which drowned the thundering echo of the waters behold me as I am no longer that which I appeared to see but the sworn enemy of all created nature by men called Satan kiss I that lay in wait for frail humanity but rare too rarely it is that by allurement or temptation I seduce them to my toils few venture far as thou hast in the alarming paths of sin thy loose and evil thoughts first pointed thee out to my keen my searching view and attracted me towards thee in the eager hope of prey yea I it was that under semblance of the more slave suppose the recovered favorite of Henrique appeared to thee first in thy dreams luring thee to attempt the completion of thy wildest wishes I found thee O of most exquisite willingness and yielding readily to all of my temptations but what hast that gained for I have deceived thee throughout yet hast thou permitted myself to be led along thou hast damned thy soul with unnumbered crimes rendering thyself by each more fully mine thou hast enjoyed no moment of peace nor even the smallest of those fruits for which thou was reduced so deeply to sin thus hath my triumph been richly completed thou art at once betrayed and cursed and the glory of thy utter destruction is mine thus then with a terrible laugh he pursued thus do I now perform my promise to thee of saving from future as he spoke he grasped more firmly the net of the wretched Victoria with one push he whirled her head long down the dreadful abyss as she fell his loud demonic laugh his yells of triumph echoed in her ears and a mangled course she was received into the foaming waters below reader consider not this as a romance merely over their passions and their weaknesses mortals cannot keep a curb too strong the progress of vice is gradual and imperceptible and the arc enemy ever waits to take advantage of the failings of mankind destruction is his glory that his seductions may prevail we dare not doubt for can we otherwise account for these crimes dreadful and repungent to nature which human beings are sometimes tempted to commit either we must suppose that the love of evil is born with us the insult to the deity or we must attribute them as appears more consonant with reason to the suggestions of infernal influence for me end of chapter 33 recording by then DeMarie Nielsen Vancouver BC end of Zoflaya Jack Kerr