 Chapter 27 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 Gurgus. Zafloya by Charlotte Dacquary Chapter 27 During her own apartment, the miserable, because guilty, Victoria threw herself upon her bed, in torture too great to be described. The most infuriate passions forcibly restrained as they had been in the presence of Enriquez, now agitated her breast, and now found vent in terrible implications. She cursed herself, the hour that gave her being, and the mother that had borne her. Outrage pride swelled her heart to bursting, and its insatiable fury called aloud for vengeance, for blood, and the blood of the innocent Lilla. Oh, let me at once destroy the minion she wildly exclaimed, starting from the bed and snatching from her bosom a dagger, which she usually carried there. Let me at once, I say, destroy the puny wretch, who dares to call destruction on her head, by thus becoming of consequence. Not yet Victoria said a melodious voice, and before her stood the Moor, who gently seized her uplifted arm and smiled. How came you hithers of Floya, she cried, your voice nor your smile, nor your promises have power to calm me now? Beautiful Victoria, he answered, I come to counsel and to soothe. Thou canst do neither Moor, for Enriquez hates me. Canst thou change the genuine sentiment of the heart? Canst thou of hatred make love? I can do much, Victoria, if you will confide in me. But thou art not a sorcerer. It is possible to have a knowledge of physics and not yet be a physician. Oh, yes, thou hast infinite knowledge of Floya. Every day proves it beyond doubt. But thou canst not, no, thou canst not charm love for me into the heart that loves another. Not readily, while that other intervenes, fair Victoria. Canst thou assist me? Say at once, canst thou assist me, Zafloya? Lovely Victoria, the silver tones of the Moor penetrated to the very heart of Victoria. His wily accent was piteously tender, tears, spontaneous tears rushed into her eyes and voluntarily she threw herself unto his arms, which opened to receive her and went upon his bosom. Zafloya gently pressed her in his arms. The delusion of Victoria continued but a few moments. She hastily disengaged herself from his embrace and hesitantly she said, Tis strange, Zafloya, I know not why, but thou soothest me ever and attractest me irresistibly. I do indeed believe, she added with an earnest smile, that thou art truly a sorcerer. The Moor smiled also, and bent in acknowledgement. His graceful form, fascination dwelt in every movement of this singular being, and in nothing was it more evidenced than in the power he held over the proud heart of Victoria. Incomparable and lovely mistress he cried, falling upon one knee, and laying his hand upon his heart, deigned to inform the most lowly of your slaves that you would require of him, and having said trust to him for the performance. Rise then, Zafloya, cried Victoria, flattered and delighted by a condescension of late somewhat unusual with the Moor. Rise and tell me, ah, canst thou not define Zafloya, lila, lila? The orphan lila stands between you and your love, is it not so? Yes, yes, and you would have her die, cried Victoria, relapsing into frenzy. Calm, calm, in gentle accents said the Moor, the orphan lila must not die, senora. No, no, for it would excite instant suspicion, and then fare well to all your hopes. You forget fair Victoria, that already, true, true, hastily returned Victoria. But what then? It must not be. Oh madness, it shall, it must, without your aid then, Zafloya looked stern. Be to it then, senora, he cried, and moved with dignity towards the door. Oh, stay, inconsistent being, cried Victoria, and forgive my despair, despair, despair when I have bid you hope you must confide, oh, be at once explicit and tell me. Well then, lila must not die, but she shall be at your disposal, and you may inflict on her such misery that, such torments, interrupted Victoria, with demonic sparkling eyes. Yes, such torments as shall pay for those she has inflicted upon me. But when, oh, when Zafloya may this be? At tomorrow's dawn, be in the forest, proceed through the narrow break on your left. Then the steep rock which overlooks the wood, making it appear an inconsiderable dell. And when you have gained the summit, remain and wait my coming. I will be punctual, but lila, she will be with me, inquire no further Victoria. Joy and abominable triumph filled the breast of Victoria. While was she now versed, and well could decipher the ambiguous answers of the more? Zafloya, she cried in a voice of exaltation, excellent Zafloya, say, how can I repay you, and eagerly taking a brilliant of immense value from her finger, she added, accept this, and wear it for my sake, but wear it concealed in your bosom. With a proud and dignified air, Zafloya put back with his hand the offered gift. Keep your diamonds, senora, the riches of the world are valueless to me. My aim is higher. And what is it you aim at, then, Zafloya? Your friendship, your trust, your confidence, yourself, senora. Victoria smiled, at which she thought the gallantry of the more. The more smiled likewise, but with a different air. And bowing respectfully to Victoria as he advanced towards the door, he said, farewell, senora, for the present watch for the first streak of the morning. I shall not visit my eyes. I will gaze upon the firmament, and at the last fading of the stars will leave my chamber. The more waved gracefully his hand, and retired. No sooner was he gone, than Victoria extinguished the lamp, that no artificial light might render unobserved the first approach of dawn. Then, opening the window, she seated herself beside it, and gazed with unblushing front upon the serene majesty of the cloudless heavens. Patiently did she endure the loss of sleep, patiently attend like the bloodthirsty murderer who rendered invulnerable to external ills by the strong, nerved fierceness of his mind, lurks ambushed through the lonely night, for the unconscious footstep of his destined victim. So did she wake, so watch, anticipating alternately the gratification of her revenge, and scenes of future bliss with the beloved Enrique. Compelled at length, with the bitter reluctance to view the blooming lila, as the powerful shield presumptuously opposed to her fascinations, she determined with pride and hatred, nerfed anew her heart, to inflict upon the innocent girl all the malice or that vengeance could invent. Meanwhile, Enrique's, after being left to the solitude of his reflections, reviewed the conduct of Victoria. He began to feel he had ultimately treated her with too great lenity and forbearance. Disgust rose in his soul against her. He compared to her shameless and dishonorable confession, the blushing sweetness and retiring modesty of the young orphan lila. Artently, he longed for the hour in which with propriety, he could withdraw her from the tainted roof, under which, still rich in native purity, she continued to breathe. Joy and complacent delight diffused itself through his bosom, and when he reflected that a few days only need now elapse, ere the pious sculpts of his innocent love would be at an end, he might then call her legally and forever his. The probationary year was nearly expired. He resolved in the moment of its completion to claim her for his bride, and depart not only from the spot which he had lost and only an idolized brother, but from his native land forever, the very atmosphere of which had now become obnoxious to him. Now his mind wandered into anticipated scenes of happiness. He beheld himself the father of a blooming progeny, the delighted husband of a beauteous wife, and regret passed through his mind when he reflected that his lost berenza would never make one among the blissful group, enjoying a felicity he would have delighted to contemplate. Ah, miserable and riquez, little distou dream that these thy fairy visions of love and happiness were never, never to be realized, but to end, on the contrary, in reduplicated horror and despair. Victoria remained sitting at the window immensely in gloomy meditation, till the opening horizon began to show faint streaks of light between clouds of darker hue, and the blue midst of the distant waters slowly to dissipate. The stars became fainter and a fresher breeze was wafted from the east. When intent on evil, she stole with cautious footsteps from her chamber. Now with a beating heart, she gained the court and passed into the forest, hastening onwards to the path described by Zafloya. The deep gloom rendered almost impervious the lonely way and the break on the left, to which she had eluded. She ascertained it, however, and as she proceeded, a deeper gloom informed her that she approached the frowning rock which cast its dark shadow around. Though never before had she wandered in the light of day so far, she trusted implicitly to the directions of Zafloya and prepared to ascend the rockly aclivity. Morning gradually advanced, but surrounding objects were still rendered indistinct by a delusive mist. She proceeded a considerable way up the rock, when the loud, solemn roar of the foaming cataract dashing from a fissure on the opposite side of the precipice beneath broke upon her ear. She fearlessly advanced, however, till she gained the summit, while louder and more stunning became the angry sound of the waters. Here for a while she decided to remain. The dim light even yet afforded no correct view over the lengthened rocks. Mountains of mist appeared rising above each other till the last ridge dimly stretched its gigantic outline upon the distant horizon, showing no world beyond. The stars had all retired as though shrinking abashed from the view of so much guilt, but lure and crowds obscured the face of heaven. The wind sighed hollow among the trees of the forest. And though the lonely somer grander of the scene would have inspired in the breast of virtue deep on devotion, directing the soul to inward contemplation, yet was it sad and unwelcome to the evil mind which, bearing within itself an eternal light, feels troubled and appalled in the gloom of nature. Such was the state of Victoria, restless and impatient for the increasing light. Increasing light came on. She arose from the spot where she had seated herself and gazed around. On one side, the yet shade enveloped forest, seeming, as Zafloia had said, an inconsiderable dell appeared far beneath her feet. While on the other, a dark blue line of mist gave distant warning of the sky grid ocean in that a bleak ascent seemed blending with the heavens. The rock on which she stood, being an elevated point, had caught the first light of the morning, and to herself she was fully revealed. Objects below were still partially engloomed and eagerly she strained her anxious eyes to catch the first glimpse of what alone could interest her attention. Every moment which elapsed appeared to her sanguinary soul like so much time. Time robbed her of her revenge, but at length to her infinite joy, the sight so ardently desired greeted her view. Hanging lifeless over his shoulder, encircled by his nervous arms, he bore the once-blooming lila, blooming now no longer, but paler than a white rose taint. Swiftly he approached and careless of his birth and bounded like lightning up the rugged rock. Victoria contemplated with joyous exaltation, the helpless and devoted orphan. Her fragile, formally nervous, her snow-white arms bare nearly to the shoulder, for a thin nightdress alone covered her, hung down over the back of the moor. Her feet and legs resembling sculptured alabaster were likewise bare. Her languid head drooped insensible with the long flaxen tresses. Escaping from the net which had enveloped them, now partly shaded her ashi cheek and now streamed in disheveled luxuriance on the breeze. Shall we hurl her down the precipice, cried Victoria, while her fierce and jealous eyes wandered over the betrayed graces of her spotless victim? No, said Zafloia, follow me. He darted down a rugged path and on the opposite side of the rock, and though not with equal swiftness, Victoria pursued his steps. Now he hovered on the edge of a precipice, now ascended a mountainous steep at length in narrow valley, or rather rocky division, between two mountains of gigantic height. He paused for a moment, an irregular winding path forming a steep declivity seemed leading almost to a bottomless abyss. Zafloia, looking at Victoria, observed that she was nearly exhausted with violent exertion to keep him in view. Half courage he cried but a few steps further. Victoria endeavored to smile and followed him with new alacrity for the base passions of her soul stung her with desperate firmness. Suddenly Zafloia stopped. He laid his still inanimate burden upon the rugged path, and with apparent ease, though it seemed to require superhuman strength, removed what had appeared a projecting point of rock, but which Victoria now perceived to be only a huge and independent fragment of it. A deep narrow opening presented itself beneath the moor, raising Lilla again in his arms, entered the aperture with an inclination of the body. Victoria still followed and soon beheld herself in a spacious cavern, gloomily enlightened alone by the opening at which they had entered. Here Victoria cried the moor, your rival may be at least secured from the possibility of further molesting you. Now if the heart of Enriquez be invincible, there is nothing to impede your happiness, but answered Victoria with a gloomy air. While Lilla lives, there is not a remote possibility that she might escape hence. Behold then said the moor, what shall ever remove that vain fear, lifting from the flood of the cavern as he spoke a massy chain, which though fixed to the opposite side of the wall, extended in length to the sloping irregular ascent leading to the mouth of the aperture. With this ring at the extremity he pursued, while the girl is still insensible, I will fasten it around her wrist. Will you then, Victoria, be satisfied? I will endeavor, hesitatingly replied Victoria, still desiring nothing less than the death of one whose beauty was blasting to her sight. It shall be done then, said Zafloya, though wholly unnecessary, for when she returns to the power of thought, how will she be enabled to divine the true situation of the spot in which she will find herself? She will even be ignorant of the means by which she came hither, as when she awakened, she found me bearing her from her bed, for deep in sleep as she was and smiling at her dreams of love no doubt. I seized her in my arms to fulfill my promise to you. Then, vainly struggling within my grasp, she fainted and has since remained insensible. How then, unassisted, incredulous, fearful Victoria, could she trace out a path which she had not even power to observe? Further precautions than leaving her here are, be assured, unnecessary. Still, I would wish the chain, muttered Victoria. If unnecessary as a precaution, it may have its advantage as a punishment. Come, hasten, good Zafloya, she continued, putting in his hand the fair and lifeless hand of Lila. Let us depart from hence, before our absence is discovered. Zafloya, smiling with a scornful arches, retained the hand of Lila in one hand and holding the chain in the other while he looked upon it, said to her in a jeering accent. I think, you, Victoria, that Il Conci gi l'od desi hath ever confined any of his victims in a spot so remote as this cavern. This ring, this massy chain, seem almost an evidence that, at that terrible name, the color of Victoria forsook her cheek. Cruel and ill-timed remark, she cried, interrupting the mourn his malicious insinuation. Why, at this moment, allude to subjects irrelevant? I pray you fasten the chain and let us go. Still, with the smile upon his countenance, he prepared to obey the desire of the terror struck Victoria. In a moment, the galling chain was clasped around the delicate risk of Lila and Victoria, hastening toward the aperture, exclaimed, Let us now leave this place. Come, Zafloya, and proceed me hence. Suffering the devoted orphan to remain stretched upon the flinty ground, both now prepared to quit the cavern. Already, they had gained the ascent, when, at that moment, the miserable Lila opened her eyes. Without being fully restored to sense, she perceived with dismay her situation. She essayed to speak, but could not, and, starting up, cast herself despairingly upon her knees, raising her innocent hands in agonized supplication. The motion and noise of the chain caused Victoria to turn her head. She beheld the kneeling defenseless orphan, but saw only her rival, and, pausing, while a smile of exalting malice passed over her features. She waved her hand in derision, and instantly hastened on, as she gained the mouth of the aperture, and retreated from the sight of the wretched girl, who, with horror, had recognized Victoria. A shrill and piercing scream assailed her ears, but failed to excite in her breast one emotion of pity. For the state in which she had abandoned her. Senora observed Zafloia, as again they had took the path across the mountains. It is my intention to return hither in the course of the day, with provisions for our prisoner, and a mantle of leopard skin, which I possessed to serve her, at once, forbidding and covering. I likewise intend, me thinks, you are tender of the upstart, angrily interrupted Victoria. It is not my intention, Cooley returned the more, that the death of your rival should be caused by famine. She shall have food therefore, for in the spot where she is doomed to breathe the residue for her days, her dissolution will be accelerated in sufficient time. Why, there is certainly a pleasure with a fierce malignant smile observed Victoria, and the infliction of prolonged torment. I therefore approve your engagement. You will sometimes visit the girl, Senora, will you not? It will be an exquisite delight that I shall occasionally confer on myself, she replied. But if Enrique has proved unkind, she shall have no reason to thank me for my visit. Adjust an excellent combination, Senora, satirically remarked the more. If Enrique has proved unkind, she deservedly suffer whose memory is the causes. Indeed, I admire that inflexible spirit you possess, Senora. That unyielding soul whose thirsty vengeance is never satiated. Victoria turned her looks upon the Moor to read if he spoke earnestly, and she rejoiced to behold in the lambent fire of his ardent eyes, relentless cruelty and mischievous delight, as he had uttered the last words. The morning was now far advanced, but no beams of the cheering sun irradiated the heavens. Light hovering clouds overspread with gloom the deep recesses of the forest, upon which they almost appeared to descend. All was awful stillness. Not even the carol of a bird broke the solemn silence, as though the eye of the morning paused in grief upon the crimes that had ushered in its dawn. The Moor spoke not, and Victoria absorbed in calculations of the conduct most eligible to be pursued for the attainment of her wishes, sought not to draw him into converse. In this manner, they proceeded till they gained the open forest. When Zafloia observed, it would be expedient to separate before they came in view of the castle. Victoria acquiesced in the propriety of the idea. She hastened towards the castle and struck into an opposite direction. End of chapter 27. Chapter 28 of Zafloia. 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 Gurgus from the TidePod podcast. Zafloia by Charlotte Dacker. Enrique is awakened in the fond hope of beholding her whose lovely image had visited him in his dreams. He hastened to a certain part of the wood, the most open and cheerful, where, as frequent, he expected to find her. For Lila sometimes inhaled the pure breeze from the mountains at an early hour of the morning. For some time, he traversed this favorite spot with patience, conceiving it possible that yielding longer than usual to sleep, she had not yet arisen. Yet, the morning was already so far advanced that every moment rendered this idea more improbable. He determined therefore to return into the house. Still, he beheld no sign of her soul adorned. Impatiently, he summoned a female servant and ordered her to repair to the chamber of the senora Lila to awaken her and inform her of the lateness of the hour. What alarm then must have seized him when the servant, returning, informed him that the bed of the young senora was vacant and appeared to have been so for some time, but that her clothes remained upon the chair beside it, where they seem to have been cast on the preceding night. Enriquez, naturally impetuous, made no remark, but springing from his seat, rushed past the servant and flew wildly into her chamber, where, failing indeed to behold her with frantic impatience, he searched every part of the castle that was habitable. It is needless to say, in vain. Regardless at length of everything, but his lost love, the door of Victoria's chamber meeting his view, he burst it with the strength of madness open and rushed into her apartment. The artful Victoria, fully prepared for the scene she expected to ensue, had retired to her bed on returning from the dreadful deed of the early morning, and Enriquez forced himself into her chamber, appeared to start up alarmed as if suddenly aroused from a peaceful slumber. Enriquez, regardless of her seeming terror or surprise, flew towards the bed, scarce knowing what he did, and seized her by the arm, exclaimed in a frantic voice. My Lila is missing. Tell me, tell me I implore thee where she is. Lila missing, answered Victoria with assumed surprise. Impossible, senor, but observing the air with which Enriquez regarded her, she added, yet if it be so, would I could indeed inform you where to seek her? Oh, I shall die mad with agony, cried Enriquez, if my Lila be not found. Retire a moment then, senor Enriquez, in sympathizing accents said Victoria. I will arise and dress myself, and together we will seek our beloved little friend. Perceiving the despair and anguish of Enriquez painted in his eyes, she continued, be pacified, I entreat you, and rest assured the fair girl cannot be far distanced. Enriquez, striking his hand upon his forehead, darted out of the room, and Victoria, hastily rising and dressing herself, followed him into the apartment where they usually assembled. She proposed to the distracted lover that they should seek Lila together. Again, every corner of the castle was searched. Again, the forest was inspected and resounded to the name of Lila. In vain, in voice of agony, Enriquez called upon that name. The lovely innocent naked chained and solitary was far, far beyond the possibility of her plank. Once more, they now entered her chamber. The clothes she had worn on the preceding day remained untouched upon the spot where she appeared, upon taking them off to have cast them. The bed clothes seemed dragged on one side and lay partly upon the floor. In one place, the curtains were twisted and torn, and the net which was supposed to have encircled her head at night lay likewise upon the ground near the door as though it had fallen off. Upon this more accurate examination, the despair of Enriquez knew no bounds. It appeared as if his innocent love had been torn defenseless from her bed. The terrible idea wound his mind to a pitch of dreadful anguish and scarcely knowing what he did. He darted like lightning from the house, determined to explore the inmost recesses of the wood and even to traverse the very mountains in search of her. After a lapse of many hours towards the close of the evening, he returned unable to give the smallest account of where he had been wandering and with a raging fever burning in his veins. Scares had he power, distracted as he was, to ask if tidings of his lila had arrived yet. You're confirmed by a dreadful negative in his despair he fell senseless upon the earth. He was immediately conveyed to bed by order of Victoria. While delirium seized his brain, his ravings and frantic struggles to escape from those who surrounded him were dreadful to hear and to behold. For three weeks his life was despaired of and the frenzy which possessed him scarcely left hopes that even if it were spared, his mind could ever recover its former sanity. Meanwhile, the poor lila, the guiltless cause of so much havoc, continued to linger in her dreadful confinement. The moors of Flauia attended her with undeviating punctuality, furnished her with provisions and a mantle of leopard skin to preserve her in some degree from the flinty hardness of the ground and on which too often she was in her own despite, compelled to stretch her tender limbs. Yet in this pitable situation she lived and still cherished faint hope in her spotless bosom that time would end her miseries and restore her to the world and to him she fondly adored. Sometimes she trusted to soften the impenetrable moor but hopes of that soon faded from her heart when he appeared. For though he brought her food, he never uttered a single sentence. And if by chance his eyes met hers, the gloomy fierceness of its expression damped the assumed courage of her innocent soul and the little resolution she might have acquired in his absence. Faint drawings of reason and reanimated life began at length to reveal themselves in the unhappy Enriquez. During the whole of his illness, Victoria had never quitted his apartment, administering to him with her own hands every medicine that was prescribed and sleeping by night with one of her attendants in his chamber. When the powers of his mind became sufficiently restored to recognize surrounding objects, her attentions, if possible, redoubled and could Enriquez have divested himself of the unconquerable disgust with which he viewed her. Her singular tenderness and care towards him must have excited in him the utmost gratitude in regard. But vain was her solicitude, rather painful than pleasing to him and the moment in which his wretched mind felt most relief from intolerable anguish were those few in which she was absent from him. But as coldness and repugnance was either unperceived or unheeded by Victoria, she became daily more passionately tender, more undisguised in her manner towards him and this as well and voluntarily as the previous decision of her mind. Gloomy melancholy and perpetual abstraction still, however, possessed the unfortunate Enriquez when conceiving that she advanced too slowly. By simply paying the attentions of friendship she understood at least to Enriquez, she resolved once more gently to probe the present situation of his heart respecting her. For presumptuously she flattered herself that her complete devotion to him throughout a long and dangerous malady must in some degrees have impressed him in her favor. One evening when she was sitting in his apartment with the silent meditative Enriquez, he feeling an anxious wish to indulge in solitude, the luxury of his grief, gently through with perfect coolness observed to her. I do not desire senora, thus to be a tax upon your time and your friendship. I pray you now that I am so far convalescent to be less punctilious in your attentions toward me and use some recreation to relieve your mind. Determined to let no opportunity pass for touching upon the subject nearest her heart, Victoria replied in a voice of tender reproach. Cruel Enriquez, it is thus, is it thus you address one who lives but in your presence? Forbear, at least forbear to taunt a heart that loves as, senora with agitation interrupted Enriquez. Is this a time? Is this a subject? I thought it was never more to be renewed. I can forbear no longer exclaimed Victoria throwing herself at his feet. Oh Enriquez, I love. I adore you to madness. If you have a spark of feeling, of compassion in your soul, reject me not, the piteous wretch who feels it impossible to overcome her fatal passion. Enriquez knew not how to reply, for he felt that local circumstances made gratitude due to Victoria. Yet her present base of vowel, doubly infamous at such a time, her abject prostration at his feet, excited anew all the gale of his bosom against her. And, spite of every consideration, he found it impossible to treat her with softness. For a few moments then, he remained in painful silence. But his determination to crush at once those hopes, his anguished heart told him he could never realize, shocked too at the cruel and delicacy that so early could attempt to obliterate from his mind. All traces of his first and only love, he attempted with impatient gesture to raise her from the ground, finding, however, that with still existing feebleness, he was incapable of doing so, he said, Senora, I entreat you to rise from your unworthy situation. Till then, I cannot say anything. Victoria and violent agitation arose. Senora then pursued Enriquez. My heart is still smarting with agony in the never to be forgotten affliction of having lost the only being for whom I ever considered life desirable. I feel, Senora, that the anguish of that heart will not long endure. For though my body becomes sane, my feelings convince me that the wound I have received no time can heal and that I shall expire. God granted soon of a broken heart. This alone, Senora, you might deem a sufficient reply to the confession with which you have dishonored me. But that I may not, by an undue warmth of expression, leave the shadow of a doubt upon your mind respecting my cooler feelings or my unchangeable sentiments. Let me at once add that where circumstance is even different from what they are, or my soul even unattached to the pure heavenly memory of my lost Lila, had I never known her to become attached, still Senora, the present feelings of my heart towards you convince me that even then I could have never returned your flattering partiality. I feel that we are dissimilar in every aspect, name more, whether from a fault of my nature I know not. But I feel likewise that I could sooner point out myself. He added with an increased elevation of voice that bring myself to entertain for you the slightest sentiments of tenderness. Tiss well, cried Victoria, an accent scarcely articulate. Ungrateful Enriquez, you are indeed explicit, farewell. I will no longer pain you with my present, yet ere I go, call to mind that your Lila still mourned for is no more. But her memory still lives, still triumphs in my bleeding heart, cried the agonized Enriquez, starting from his seat and wildly clasping his emaciated hand. When overcome by weakness and the conflicting violence of emotions, he could no longer support himself but fell in anguished on the floor. Victoria returning flew towards him and raising him in her arms, laid her head upon his bosom. Ah, she cried with the bitter smile of disappointed pride and passion passing over her features. Ah, stubborn, relentless Enriquez, thou shalt yet be mine, though death were the consequence. Death, death will be the consequence, cried the half frantic Enriquez, who had caught her last words and perceiving that his head reclined upon her bosom, started hastily from the floor as though he felt the sting of a scorpion. Victoria, fearful of returning delirium, spoke no more but assisting him against his will to rise, led him to the side of his bed and left him to himself. With perturbed and gloomy spirits, mechanically, she bent her steps towards the forest. It was late in the evening, the sky was overcast with black heavy clouds, but unheeding, she pursued her way. The thunder now rattled over her head and the blue lightning flashed across her path. Her mind, however, too engaged in its internal warfare regarded not the warning of the elements. An external circumstances had rarely powered to affect her stubborn mind. Ah, what means can I pursue? She cried aloud, certain that no one was nigh. How satisfy my destroying passion? Shall all I have done be in vain then and the sole object of my ardent wishes, the goal of my hopes elude at last my wild pursuit? No, no, it must not be. Yet that he were mine at last, I would not hesitate to plunge my soul and deepest perdition fix his sake. For without him I cannot live. This world would be to me an earthly purgatory. As a floya, why art thou not here to offer thy assistant an advice? Surely thou wilt not forsake me at this period when moat I need thy aid, or perhaps even thou art powerless to assist me in this. As she uttered those words, a soul-enchanting melody rose gradually in swelling notes upon her ear. She paused to listen. Her mind became calmed and wrapped in attention. She wondered at the magical powers of the invisible musician. In a few minutes, it sunk in thrilling cadence and was heard no more. The gloom of Victoria's mind began to return, and angry that any external circumstance should have had the power for a moment to interrupt the despondency of her thoughts, she prepared, disgusted as she was, and not having met with the floya to leave the forest. As she hastily turned, however, suddenly she encountered him. I am glad the floya to behold thee, she cried. But how came it then here? For till this moment I have not seen thee. I have followed you, senora, for some time past, and why wouldst thou not overtake me? Then I might have had the frequent, yet ever new delight fail Victoria of hearing myself called upon. Then why didst thou not reveal thyself? You were listening, I believe, to the music, so as it seized you turned, and we met. But say, Victoria, how speed your wishes. Alas, miserable wretch that I am, returned Victoria, much I fear success will never be mine, and Rika's loathes me. This evening only did he formally, finally, and coolly reject me. And his excuse for refusing the loveliest of her sex? Love and ceaseless devotion to the memory of his lila. Yet he has insultingly added that had a lila never existed, Victoria could have had no power to excite his love. Most insensible idiot, indignantly cried the more. He would have loved you, I presume, had you chance to have resembled lila. Ah, would, cried the degenerate Victoria, would that this unwieldy form could be compressed into the fair delicacy of hers. These bold masculine features assumed the likeness of her baby face. Ah, that would I not submit to gain, but one look of love from the pitiless and Rika's. Beautiful Victoria, cried the more, and a soft, flattering voice, called not that graceful form unwieldly, nor to those noble and commanding features offer such indignity. Eminent loveliness is yours, could the tasteless and Rika's but believe you, lila. He paused, and Victoria fixed her eager searching eyes upon his countenance. When finding that Zafloia did not proceed, she exclaimed, speak, speak, Zafloia, if you have ought to suggest, withhold it not at an instant from me. At this moment, a vivid flash of lightning dividing the skies, Zafloia said, let us seek, senora, a more sheltered spot. The storm appears increasing. Oh, heed not the storm, but speak, cried Victoria, if ought you adduced to soothe the despair of my mind. You heed not the lightning, senora, neither do I. Dain then to answer me. Is it now your firm belief that Rika's would never grant you his love? Alas, I have said so, replied Victoria, in a gloomy accent, and under these circumstances, do you still love him? Still feel him necessary to your happiness. Sooner than resign all hopes of obtaining him, I would plunge this instant as stiletto in my bosom. Zafloia remained a few moments silent and then resumed. If you could only obtain his love and every mark of unrestrained passion in the delusive belief on his side that you were his betrothed lila, would you upon such terms accept, oh, yes, with joy and delight interrupted Victoria? Say, but how such blissful delusion could be conveyed into his mind? It grows late, senora, the storm becomes more violent. Shall I defer to the morrow what further I might say? If you would have me expire at your feet, cried Victoria wildly, attempt to leave me thus unsatisfied in the very midst of the faint hope you have suffered to beam upon my soul. What of the hour? What of the storm? She pursued as the blue lightning conjured trees of fire and seemed to dance upon the summit of the mountains. What even of the dissolution of nature in a moment like this when my soul pants for well then interrupted the morrow? Noble and trepid Victoria, mark me for truly do I love and glory in your firm unshrinking spirit. I possess a drug, the peculiar property of which it is, not to stupefy the faculties or induce actual insanity, but to cause a sort of temporary delirium upon any particular point optionable with those who shall administer this drug. For instance, a partial mania as it were, as many that are termed mad may be perfectly sane upon every subject, but the individual one which caused their madness. This drug has a singular power of confusing the mind and of so far deluding it that those who take it must inevitably believe that which it is desired to convey in their minds. Thus, those who go mad for love imagine that in every female they see her who caused their madness and voluntarily pursuing and indulging the conceit which is uppermost in their diseased fancies. You begin, Senora, to obtain some insight into the nature of my plan, the only one that suggests itself at this pressure for the achievement of your love. Allow me to proceed however. This drug which I give you being administered to Enriquez, suppose this night when with a restrained and tranquil tenderness, such as might be fit a sister, you give him ear he sleeps, some draught of a refreshing or composing nature. During the night, it will have leisure to attain its proposed effect. In the morning on awakening, he will be furious for Lila, her image having so possessed him during the night that he will be almost incapable of considering it as a mere delusion of a dreamy and consequence of his possession, strange and uncountable to those around, being reported to you considered by all as a proof of confirming lunacy. You will instantly hasten to his chamber. Scarcely will you have entered ear flying towards you. He will clasp you with wild fervor in his arms, calling you his adorned, his long lost Lila. Victoria unable any longer to restrain her emotions, threw herself upon her knees and clasped her hands eagerly together. Oh rapture, oh inexpressible bliss, she cried. Oh moment for which my heart so long has panted. Shall I then at length be clasped voluntarily and ardently, clasp the bosom of Enriquez? Oh enfeebled soul, help me to support the reality of this happiness, which now thou tremblest but to think of. Reserve your transports, fair Victoria. Reserve them for that moment which I swear to you shall arrive. Meantime arise and hear me to an end. Enriquez being fully persuaded that you are his idolized Lila, will call you by the name of wife, and believe you such or his mind will be in that state of anarchy and confusion. He will have no conception of time that has passed, nor that his marriage, fixed to have been taking place on a given day long since elapsed has never yet been performed. He will merely be enabled to combine your appearance with your supposed return. And feel as though after suffering for your loss, deep affliction for a certain space of time, you were at length restored to his arms. The elation of his spirits will be great in consequence. His mind will be attuned to love and pleasure, and you must be aware of doing out to thwart or offend him. Indulge him with wine and liven him with music, let an elegant banquet be prepared, humor his delusion, assume as much as possible the character of Lila, and of his wife, and all that you do, be collected, be firm, and love shall be propitious to your wishes. Once more, and for the last time, Zofloya drew forth the box, the fatal repository of so much mischief, then placing in the hands of Victor a small folded paper containing the filter to which he had eluded he bade her with a serious smile, used well her advantages, and without another sentence turned suddenly away. As he retreated into the thick gloom of the forest, a vivid flash now, and then revealed a swift moving figure to her view, now emerging among the trees, now scaling the pointed rack, and now appearing a figure of fire upon its lofty summit. Victoria, too inebriated with joy at the prospect she beheld of at length, obtaining her dearest wishes to remark her wonder at the perceptive departure of the Moor, thought only of the exquisite happiness he had promised her, and unmindful of the awe-inspiring thunder, unmindful of the red lightning which gleaming rounded quick repeated intervals shrewd mountains, rocks, and forests of fire, remained with undefended form, but a heart beating high with a fervor of hope, rooted as it was to the spot an idolatrous anticipation of future bliss. At length, forcibly rousing herself, she returned to the castle. On her way, she beheld no traces of Zafloia and concluded an idea not unfavorable to his character that he had chosen a night like the present to wander among the mountains. She proceeded, however, and entering the castle, gently approached the chamber of Enriquez with air humbled and avashed. She presented herself before him and addressed him in a faltering voice of tender humility. Again, Enriquez became the dupe of her artifice. Again, he regretted his cruel explicitness, and though he could not help feeling for her a certain portion been voluntarily discussed, he received her with gentle politeness. She, with well, assumed a melancholy softness but secret exaltation, busied herself in silence in little orifices about his chamber. These completed and arranged, she proposed to retire for the night. Enriquez, with a graceful bow, as if for her attention, acquiesced in the movement, when Victoria, retreating with an air of mortified resignation towards the door, pretended suddenly to remember that she had not administered to him a certain restorative medicine, with which her own hand she had insisted on presenting to him every night since his recovery. Hastily returning at the further end of the room, remote from the pensive Enriquez, she prepared his mixture and infused the drug given her by Zafloya. Approaching him then, with hand rendered unsteady from ravishing anticipation of the effects it would produce, she tended it to him. Enriquez felt no inclination for his potion, yet unwilling to dismiss Victoria from him with an aching heart, he took it with a soft, thankful smile from her hand and instantly drank it off. This accomplished so far with frames still tremulous and heart wildly beating with the thoughts of the morning. Victoria received back the glass and bidding him farewell, retired from the chamber. Enriquez, having laid his head upon his pillow, soon fell into a heavy sleep. His mind became gradually disturbed and the form of Lila glided in his view. Now, as formerly, he beheld her under the same roof with himself, constituting a part of the family. Now she sat beside him, now rambled with him in the forest and now bestowed on him her innocent endearments, pure as innocence itself. All night, these blissful but deceptive visions haunted his fancy and went towards the morning he awoke. So far was the delusion from vanishing with sleep that scarce could he restrain himself in his bed, though a confused idea of the eerliness of the hour prevented him from arising. Every moment, however, his infatuation increased. He believed that he had been for a long time in a state of mental derangement. They had only now recovered his senses and that the image of Lila, being so deeply impressed upon his might, was owing to his having actually beheld her the day proceeding, of which he even thought he entertained a faint recollection. Unable longer, to contend with the powerful delusions of his disordered fancy, he stared wildly from his bed and flew towards the well-known spot in the forest where frequently he had been want to ramble. Loudly he called upon the name of Lila until his voice obtaining involuntary latitude. He repeated that dear love name briefly and incessantly till he panted for breath. Finding at length that a search was in vain, he returned to the castle. Victoria anxiously upon the watch heard all his movements. The better to deceive him, she wore a veil of lilas and such parts of her dress as might suit indiscriminately either the one or the other. His conduct had already evinced her. How powerfully the filter was acting, but she deemed it expedient to increase his impatience that the delusion practiced upon him might be the less liable to detection. She had left her own apartment and now occupied that of the poor victim Lila. Presently she heard the distracted lover pacing to and fro from the well-known door he firmly believed to enclose his mistress. This was the moment for Victoria. She threw open the door of the chamber as if by chance and came forth. Scarcely was she beheld by Enrique's are he darted towards her and seizing her in his arms exclaimed. Wife of my soul, my beloved, my darling Lila, have I then at length recovered the pride of my life? The darling of my bosom, her for whom alone existence is worthy of bearing. O my heart's Lila, speak to me my love and tell me once thou comest and wither thou hast been. Who can describe the delight of Victoria at this proof of the extravagance of Enrique's? She clearly perceived his distraction to be at the height and that without fear she might humor the deception looking tenderly upon him, she cried. Dearest Enriquez, be composed. I have indeed never departed from thee since the day of our marriage but thus thou not remember on that eve which should have proved so blissful that were attacked by sudden malady and conveyed to bed for nearly three weeks that were insensible nor couldst thou, O my love, recognize even thy faithful wife although she never quitted thee by night nor day but no more of the melancholy past than knowest me now. Ah, little dist I hope, when sad and heartbroken I retired from thee last night that this morning would bring with it such happiness. And were thou with me last night, my Lila? Oh yes, I know that word for I recollect and he pressed his hand upon his burning forehead. Now I recollect, surely thou hast never once been from me yet I thought, I thought, fool must I have been that thou were not Lila, but I must indeed have been scarcely ill to mistake that heavenly face. No more, my Enriquez, my husband, cried the artful Victoria but let this blissful day be dedicated to love and joy and although we have never in reality been separated let us celebrate this day as for our restoration to each other. At these words, the heart of the poor Enriquez bounded in his bosom, for his brain was high, route, fire to frenzy and madly eager for noisily revelry and delight. He seized the hand of Victoria and pressing into his lips, quite aloud in a mirthful voice. Let us feast and dance then on this glorious day, my Lila. Let's have a banquet, let's have music and cause the mountains to re-echo. Yes, yes, my love interrupted Victoria, joyfully smiling. We will have a banquet and music and in these beautiful solitudes we will be the world to each other. Ah, spoken like my Lila, cried Enriquez. If we were in Venice, we should be tortured with guests, yet do we need no company but that of each other. Thou sayest true, but we must dance then, my Lila. Yes, he added with a loud laugh, we must dance together or by heaven I shall die of pent-up bliss. He threw his arm round the waist of the joy-mad Victoria and in wild sport dragged her rather than led her from the spot. On this day, high beat her heart, her bosom's fierce triumph flashed from her eyes. As she gazed on the devoted youth and secretly she swore to stow upon Zofloia whatever reward he should desire for this accomplishing her soul's first wish. At once she gave orders for a sumptuous feast and delivered that the day should be dedicated in compliance to the whim of Enriquez, to mirth and revelry. The most delicious viens, the choicest and most intoxicating wines constituted the banquet and as she pressed them upon Enriquez his blood circulated with wilder rapidity and the delirium of his brain increased. The graceful Zofloia highly skilled in the science of harmony and seated at the further end of the banquet in group retired from others who occasionally joined him but a host in himself drew from his harp sounds of such overpowering melody as by turns reduced the soul into the most delicious softness or excited it with transport even to madness. Now drowned in tender tears the inspired Enriquez listened with restrained enthusiasm now raised to distracting rapture he leaped from his seat and a strong emotion found no vent but on the beating bosom of Victoria. Her he pressed eagerly in his arms and on that treacherous breast shred tears of the wildest transport. In his frenzy he had desired to dance and Victoria with the grace of a silt flitted in varied movements to the soft music of Zofloia. Enriquez gazed with ravished eyes but soon starting up seized her by the hands and joined with her in the dance while Zofloia struck a wilder note to the no longer measured footsteps. Till the late hour in the evening the pleasures of the banquets were protracted even till the high-wrought spirits of Enriquez becoming less violent though his delusion still continued in full force he said I am weary beloved Lila in this excess of happiness my mind feels jaded and confused as though it stood in need of rest to restore its energies. Let us retire then my life and in gentle dreams we may retrace the pleasures of the day. End of chapter 28 Recording by Anthony Gurgus of the TidePod podcast. Chapter 29 of Zofloia. This is a LibriVox recording. Our LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Anthony Gurgus of the TidePod podcast. Zofloia by Charlotte Dacker chapter 29. Never had the sun risen on a day of equal horror to that which succeeded the one just described. Scarce had its first beam played into the chamber of Enriquez ere sleep first took his eyes and with that all the traces of the wild delirium that had possessed his brain on the preceding day. Yes, the delusion was at an end. Scarce could as frenzied gaze believe the sight which presented itself. Not the fair Lila, the betrothed and heart-witted wife of his bosom, but Victoria appearing Lila no longer blasting his strained eyes with her hatred image sleeping still overpowered her senses unconscious of the horror she inspired. Those black-fringed eyelids are posing upon a cheek of dark and animated hue. Those raven tresses hanging unconfined. Oh, sad. Oh, damning proofs. Where was the fair enameled cheek? The flaxen ringlets of the delicate Lila. Real madness now sees the brain of the wretched Enriquez. His eyeballs bursting from their sockets furiously rolled so he could gaze no longer. A frantic cry escaped his lips. It was the inarticulate name of Lila. As springing, eraging maniac from the bed, he snatched a sword that hung on the opposite wall and dashing its hilt on the floor threw himself in desperate agony upon its point. Exposed, defenseless as he was, it entered instantly his beating breast and he sunk to the ground bathed in his purple gore. Victoria had awakened as he sprang from the bed, but not in time to prevent his dreadful and unthought-for deed. She reached him only as he fell, casting herself wildly on his knees beside him, raised his head upon her bosom. At her touch, strong convulsive shuddering seized the frame of the dying Enriquez. He sought to lift his head from her breast and dash it to the ground. When finding himself incapable of doing so, his agony's increased tenfold. For a moment his closing eyes gazed upon her as in desire of vengeance, but the strong emotion expired with his fleeting breath and a harrowing smile, a smile of despairing triumph passed over his waning features. As though he would have said, thus do I escape thee, forever persecuting fiend, no words passed his lips, no sigh heaved his bosom, and exalting in his agonies, he died. Thus vanishing at once, Victoria beheld her death-reared visions. Frantic raised fired her soul at the thought, and keen disappointment matted her brain. Now she clasped her hands and twisted her fingers in each other and now tore by handfuls the hair from her head, strewing it in agony over the lifeless body of Enriquez. At length her violence subsided. A sudden portentious calm took possession of her mind and she started on her feet. Wildly she seized her dagger and throwing a few clasps over her revolved her in her mind a confusion of horrible intent. Quitting hastily the chamber of despair and death, yet instinctively securing the door after her, she spread her way into the forest. Scarce was she herself conscious of the dire purpose that throbbed at her heart, yet her steps were directed towards that fatal spot where in hopeless imprisonment the miserable lila still languished. New, nerfed with hellish strength, she ascended the sloping rock. Now the cataract foamed loud in her ears. The rapidity of her movements increased. Scarcely she felt the rugged ground. The mountainous steep appeared a level path and yawning precipices inspired no dread. At length she beheld herself for instinctive rage and terrible despair had led her. Till this moment, never had she visited the defenseless object of her hate and vengeance indifferent to her state. Whether of death or long protracted torment, never had she thought of Zafloya odd concerning her and unnoticed even on this fatal mourn. Had she still remained, but the horrible purpose that had seized her soul. A purpose fitted as the catastrophe to the scenes which had preceded it. Without pause to take breath, she rushed hastily down the rugged descent which led into the gloomy dungeon of the orphan lila. The sight that then presented herself instead of softening the fierce range of her bosom, extended on the flinty ground, lay the emaciated and almost expiring girl, her pale cheek reposing on her snowy arm, barely preserving it from unworthy contact with the Toraki pillow. Beside her were some coarse fragments of scanty food. Victoria approaching raised her dagger which she firmly grasped and seizing her chained wrist, loudly commanded her to rise. With trembling limbs, the feeble lila endeavored to obey. Over her alabaster shoulder was thrown a mantle of leopard skin brought to her by Zafloya and her flaxen tresses hung around her in mournful disorder. Clasping her thin hands upon her polished bosom and with some of her long tresses still impure and altered modesty, is sang to veil it. She raised her eyes of heavenly blue to the stern frantic countenance of her gloomy persecutor, appearing in figure, grace, and attitude a miniature semblance of the Meditian Venus. Minion, a cursed child, wildly shrieked the maddened Victoria. Prepare for death, for even in the state of forlornness of woe, the seraph beauty of the orphan lila, rising preeminent to the circumstance and situation, excited her jealousy and renewed her range. Ah, Victoria, in mournful accent, she cried. Is it you, you then who would kill me? I thought, I hoped only that your angry looks would be me doubt that you came here to give me liberty. I do, wretch puny babbler, she answered. Behold, unloosing with frantic violence the chain from her wrist, I come to give thee liberty, the liberty of death. Alas, Victoria, in what then have I offended you that you should hate me thus? Ah, I consider I am but a poor and friendless orphan who can never do you ill. Peace, I say, puppet shrieked Victoria. Thou hast already done me more ill than the sacrifice of thy worthless life can repay. Follow me. I cannot walk, I cannot follow you indeed, sobbed the innocent lila, while the tears rolled fast on her snow-white cheeks. Then will I teach thee, cried Victoria, and seizing her by the arm, dragged her over the rugged ground and up the irregular ascent, while her delicate feet, naked and defenseless to the pointed rock, left their blood-red traces at every step. Still to the uttermost height, she forced, relentless, her panting victim. Now look down, she cried, a bottomless abyss yonder the mountain's base, and from the opposite side, the tumbling torrent rushed furious over immense projections, till the finding receptacle of the abyss, it dashed down the rugged sides into the cavity below. See, as thou, cried Victoria again, now then, stand firm, beautiful and conquerable lila, thou whom no art could root from the breast of Enriquez. Stand firm, I say, for now I push thee headlong. Oh mercy, mercy, shrieked in accents of agony, the terrified lila, clinging with the strength of horror around the body of Victoria. Oh, sweet Victoria, remember we have been friends. I love thee, nay, even now I love thee, and believe that thou art mad. Oh, think, think we have been companions, betfellows, sweet and gentle Victoria, murder not then the friendless lila, who for worlds would not injure thee. I tell thee, thou shall die, wretch, work thou not the beloved of Enriquez. Enriquez, ah, me, I was indeed, but where, where's Enriquez now, Victoria? Dead, dead, with fiend-like laugh, cried Victoria, let me send thee to him. Dead, accrual Victoria, murdered by thee? Murdered by thee, Viper, fiercely returned Victoria, to as thee who plunged the sword into his breast, thy accursed image reveling there impaled him to the frantic deed. Leave thy hold, I say, or by heaven I will dash thee at once down the rock. Oh, Enriquez, our doubt indeed gone. Yes, yes, or the wretched lila would not be thus. No one would dare, she sobbed, while thou art near, thus to treat the miserable lila, no hope, no happiness for her now unlengthened life. Die then at once presumptuous babbler, exclaimed Victoria, endeavouring to shake off the firmly-cleaning form of the defenseless lila. Ah, dearest Victoria, I'm afraid of so terrible a death. If I must die, be it then the same death as my Enriquez suffered, plunge thy stiletto into my heart. That will I do, cried the enraged Victoria, and dash thee headlong beside, raising her dagger high. She sought then to plunge it in the fair bosom of the beauteous orphan, but she, suddenly relinquishing her hold, the point of the dagger wounded only her uplifted hand, and glancing across her alabaster shoulder, the blood that issued thin slightly tinged her flaxen tresses with a brilliant red. The courage of the wretched lila foresook her, the death she had preferred her innocent soul shrunk from enduring, but perceiving that Victoria was desperate and determined, she resolved to make a last effort for her life. Again, the fell-pointered was uplifted for sure her aim, while springing from her knees, on which she had cast herself to implore mercy, she forgot at once her wounds and her weakness, and endeavored by speed to escape her barbarous enemy, seeming as she wildly flew the beauteous, intimate spirit of the solitude. Nerved anew by this feeble attempt to escape her vengeance, Victoria pursued her flying victim. At the uttermost edge of the mountain, she gained upon her, when lila perceiving that hope of escape was vain, caught frantic for safety at the scathed branches of a blasted oak, that bowed by repeated storms hung almost perpendicularly over the yawning depth beneath. Around these, she twisted her slender arms, while waving to and fro with her gentle weight over the immeasurable abyss. They seemed to promise but precarious support. Victoria advanced with furious looks. She shook the branches of the tree that lila might fall headlong, and horrid at this terrible menace, the miserable girl quitted suddenly her hold, and on the brink of the mountain sought despairingly to grapple with the superior force of her adversary. Her powers were soon exhausted, when clasping together her hands and looking piteously upon that which had received the wound. From whence the blood now streamed up to her elbow, she exclaimed, Barbaria's Victoria, look down upon me, behold what thou hast done, and let the blood thou hast shed appease thee. Ah, little did I think when a deserted orphan invited by thee to remain beneath thy roof, that such would be my miserable fate. Remember that, Victoria, have pity on me, and I will pray of heaven to forgive thee the past. The only answer of Victoria was a wild laugh, and again she raised the point art to strike. Is it even so then, cried the despairing lila, take then my life, Victoria, take it at once, but kill me, I implore, with that same dagger with which you murdered Enriquez, because he loved me more than he did you. Fired to madness by this accusation and the concluding remark, Victoria no longer mistress of her actions, nor desiring to be so. Seized by her streaming tresses, the fragile lila and held her back. With her poignred, she stabbed her in the bosom, in the shoulder, and other parts. The expiring lila sank upon her knees. Victoria pursued her blows, she covered her fair body with innumerable wounds, then dashed her head long over the sharp edge of the steep. Her fairy form bounded as it fell against the projecting crags of the mountain, diminishing to the sight of her cruel enemy, who followed it far as her eye could reach. Soon as a hollow momentary sound stuck on the wrapped ear of Victoria, and forming her that lila was sunk into her grave, no more to ride. She hastened from the dreadful spot in a state of mind, which if exalting was far from being at ease, possessed rather with the madness and confusion of hell. A certain trepidation of spirits that she had never before experienced caused her to rush along with even greater rapidity, if possible, than she had used in her way thither. Though sinking with fatigue, she durst not abide in these gloomy solitudes to rest. She feared even to turn her head lest the mangled form of lila, risen from the steam, should be pursuing her. Now precipices yawned at her feet, and now that lovely form bounding from crag to crag seemed at every turn to meet her view. Those fair tresses died in crimson gore, that bleeding bosom was before her, and now the agonized streaks for mercy rang in her distracted ears. At length she passed the melts and issued into the forest from the narrow break that led to them. At this moment, the moors of Floya appeared before her, as if he had there awaited her coming. Victoria, he cried, in a voice less sweet than usual, and with a brow more gloomy. Thou art too precipitate, and thereby hastenest thy fate. Why hast thou destroyed the orphan lila? The deed was premature, and thou wilt repent it. Meantime, enter not the castle, for evil awaits thee there. Who told thee I had murdered the orphan lila, haughtily returned Victoria? But if I have, the deed is mine, and I will answer it. Stand aside more, the castle is mine, and I will enter it. Do so, said the moor, with a bitter smile, and thereby court the fate thou mightest yet a little have protracted. The consequences beyond my own head, answered Victoria, I will pass. Thou shalt. But remember, poor Victoria, that independently of me, thou canst not even breathe. With a look of scorn and disgust at the changed manner of the moor, Victoria turned from him and pursued her way. Her mind, already in affirmant, could burk no additional irritation. Just as she reached the castle, she behelds of Floya entering before her. Yet she had not seen him pass her, and he had even remained some moments upon the spot where she had encountered him. This circumstance excited some slight surprise, but objects of higher consequence engaged her mind, and she followed him into the castle. Her first step was to repair to the chamber of Enriquez. It immediately appeared to her that no one had found entrance to it during her absence. The lifeless body bathed in its blood still remained extended on the floor, and all was in the state where she had left it. She decided therefore, despising in her mind the false prophecies of Zafloya, to secure the door without his yet making known the death of Enriquez. His non-appearance she readily conceived would excite no immediate remark. He having frequently of late passed the whole of the day in his chamber. Thus she determined for her mind was a chaos and could suggest no better conduct for the moment. To make fast the door, repairing then to the solitude of her own apartment. She secured it likewise and thrown herself upon her bed, desired to take a retrospect of the past, and consider if possible respecting the future. She endeavored to collect her wandering thoughts. But instead of this, an unconquerable lassitude crept over her, accompanied by a disposition to sleep. In vain she tried to shake it off. The influence became restless, her eyelids involuntarily closed, and she was compelled to yield to a power superior to her will. Total forgetfulness however, did not ensue. She experienced a sensation similar to that of persons who have taken too large a quantity of opium to allow of calm undisturbed her pose. To herself, her eyes appeared as if strained to their fullest extent. Strange visions swam in her sight, yet unable to trust the delusion, she believed herself under the unconquerable horrors of a waking dream. Now the ringing of bells sounded in her ears and now she beheld herself transported into an apartment, distant from the habitable part of the castle and which ever since the deaths of Lorenza had not even been opened. In this room, formerly there, had stood a huge iron chest. This she had once seen. Now likewise it was present to her view and she recognized it. Suddenly the door of the apartment was thrown open and a number of persons appeared rushing in, consisting chiefly of the domestics of the castle. One however proceeded the rest and him her mind identified for the old and favorite servant of Lorenza named Antonio. With horror and perturbation in his looks, Antonio seemed rapidly advancing towards the chest and calling aloud for some of his companions to assist him. By their joint efforts, they raised the lid. This was no sooner accomplished than a shot of universal horror prevailed, accompanied by the strongest marks of terror and perturbation. The cause was presently explained. Fourth from the chest they drew the disclosed half-moldered skeleton that once had been Lorenza. At this side of horror, it seemed to her that with animated gestures of indignation and revenge, they unanimously rushed towards her to drag her from her bed. In the midst of this terrible scenes, Afloia entered. At once the crowd vanished. The confusion ceased and in indescribable agony she awoke while the cold drops of terror bedued her forehead. On opening her eyes, the first object she beheld was the morse standing in fixed attitude at the foot of her bed. His aspect was frigid and severe yet his eyes shown with lambered fire as a dark thunder cloud emits the vivid flame. Conceiving the whole to be still delusion, she cast her eyes anxiously around the chamber. It was gloomy and dim and the evening seemed far advanced. Surprised that she should have slumbered so long, she saw it in confusion of mind. To throw herself from the bed when the sweetly solemn voice of Afloia arrested her movement. Victoria, he said, attend, this morning you unwearly disregarded my words, but nevertheless, for the love I bear towards you, I desire to preserve you from immediate destruction. Already have the unrestrained passions of your soul precipitated your fate and hastened the shame that waits to overcome you. From that shame even yet, I offer to rescue you. Listen to what I shall reveal. You have dreamt, but it was no fable. You have slept some hours. The sun had not long passed the horizon when you entered your chamber and now the evening is drawn to a close. At an early hour of the night, the servant of the deceased Lorenza Antonio will retire to her pose. A fearful dream will awaken him concerning the disappearance of the body of his late master. Actuated by his resistless influence, he will arise and alarm his fellow domestics. He will relate to them his dream, naturally weak and superstitious. They will all be induced to accompany him to the solitary chamber, remote from the habitable part of the castle. There, contained in the iron, they will discover the moldering skeleton of Lorenza. Oh, Zafloia, Zafloia, is this thy truth and thy friendship, exclaimed Victoria? Didst thou not promise thou wouldst preserve me from suspicion and from ill? I said not that I could do so forever. Over the body of the Conti I had not eternal power, yet thy own falling impatience hath hastened. Ah, little could I dream of this reserve-interrupted Victoria. Yet surely, surely it is in thy power to preserve me forever from suspicion. For Zafloia, thou possesses superior power. The future is exposed to thy view. Thou anticipatest events and canst therefore guard against them. Save me, then. Save me, I implore thee. From the shame thou sayest awaits me, or ret shall I consider myself ever to have been confined in thy power or thy promises. The terrible eyes of Zafloia shot fire as they turned their burning glances on Victoria. This is no time, he fiercely exclaimed, for retrospect or idle observation. If you repent your confidence, do in the present instance without my assistance. Rithe between the pillars of Saint Mark. I may visit you there perhaps. Farewell. But remember, he added, shaking his finger with her menacing air. Remember, there is now no escape for you. Oh, strange, mysterious, and to me indefinable being, cried Victoria. Your words, your looks, terrifying confound me. Yet go not, she continued, as with angry though majestic pace. Zafloia moved towards the door. Abandon me not in this crisis, cruel Zafloia. The moor turned from the door. Fire gleamed no longer in his eyes. But a beautiful and haughty smile diffused itself over his countenance, which appeared like the sun beaming from a gloomy cloud. Well then, once more thou entreatest, he cried. Once more I befriend thee. But beware, Victoria, how again I am reproached. To irritate me now would be vain and impolitic, and sharpen against thyself that sentiment of hate which I bear. But this is irrelevant, he hastily added. Suspicion will, as I said, attach to thee. By what means induced, I scarcely need now explain. The terrible inquisition will drag thee before its tribunal. Infinite confusion will reign in this castle. The chamber of Enriquez will be forced open for strange surmises begin already to prevail concerning thee, and instantly they will discover that which of itself would damn thee. The body of Enriquez remains bathed in its blood upon the floor of its chamber. Beside it lies thy veil and diverse articles of dress in which thou were seen yesterday. Thy guilt and the estimation of all will be made clearly evident, but for bearing to alarm thee with the knowledge of their discovery, they will secure thee merely a prisoner in thine own apartment, and dispatch messengers to Venice for the purpose of making it known and bringing con-dined punishment on thy head. Need I expatiate upon the events that will follow? Public infamy and public- Oh, spare me, cried Victoria. Horrible is my fate! Yet I swear to thee, Zafloia, that I would meet it within difference if Enriquez still lived, and lived for me. Ah, tell me more. Didst thou not promise that? Beware, Victoria, to the very extent of my promise have I performed. I swore to thee that Enriquez should call thee his and clasp thee voluntarily to his bosom. I swore to thee that thou shouldst have love. Did I promise thee that this delusion should last forever? Or profess to be amenable for those consequences which should follow the completion of my promise? Victoria longed to reply, but awe and terror checked the words that rose to her lips. Yet the idea glanced for an instant through her mind and bitter was the suggestion, how fleeting and how short-lived had been the moments of precarious pleasure procured for her by Zafloia, yet how terrible and how lasting the evils they had produced. They were, as the passing shadows, the mere mockery, only of what they'd promised. While real horrors waited to overwhelm and destroy, attended close upon them. The moor with a piercing glance seemed to penetrate her inmost thoughts. A shade of severity passed over his features, and he said, if you hesitate respecting the path you should pursue at present, I leave you free to choose. Victoria clasped her hands too well she beheld the desolate prospect before her. Too keenly felt the words of the moor. There appeared indeed no escape for her. Decide, Victoria, cried Zafloia, with increased sternness. I do, I do, replied Victoria. I confide in you. I rely on you to save me from the horrors that now encompass me, or to bear me safely through them, to save me from them Zafloia, she said emphatically. Forever. To that I pledge myself. You shall be saved forever from the disgrace and horrors that hear await you, but you must fly. Fly, yes, for I cannot turn the tides of events in which I have no concern. I cannot, Victoria, influence the course of justice nor prevent that from arising, which rises independently of me. Whatever you may deem my power be assured that although I may induce the occurrence of many events that otherwise might not have been, yet I cannot prevent from occurring flight, which is already written in the Book of Fate. And whither then must I fly with an abstracted air, demanded Victoria? Intrust that to me. A few words more, and I go. Take heed that you rest where you are. Resign yourself unresistingly to repose. It will be calm and undisturbed, but deep. On the morrow, when this abode shall be the seat of confusion, when the city of Venice shall be alarmed and your person be even vociferated for the populace who will surround your palazzo there, then shall you be far from danger, from pursuit, and from Venice. As Zafloia concluded, slightly waving his hand, he suddenly turned and retreated from the apartment with the rapidity of a passing shade. It was now quite dark. Victoria was sensible neither of hunger nor thirst, yet felt a desire to restrace the terrible events that had been crowded into her life. The attempt was vain. A numbing torpor began to creep over her as before. She essayed to conquer it, though contrary to the direction of Zafloia, and her incapacity to do so conveyed a bitter pang to her heart. While she felt that she was no longer mistress over herself or her faculties, chill horror took possession of her, and in an agony of mind that words cannot describe. Seeming subject as it were to an unknown power and unable to resist, she hopelessly resigned herself to the arbitrary spell that appeared to be cast over her. End of chapter 29, recording by Anthony Gurgus of the Tide Pod podcast. Chapter 30 of Zafloia. 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 Gurgus from the Tide Pod podcast. Zafloia by Charlotte Dacker. Chapter 30. Darkness and gloomy solitude reigned around when the eyes of Victoria again open to the sense of life and perception. She found herself reclining on the bare earth, the thunder rolled around over her head and flashes a vivid flame now and then, displayed the terrific sublimity of surrounding objects. Immense mountains piled upon one another appear to encompass her and to include within their inaccessible bosoms the whole of the universe. Beyond the towering walls, kept only by the misty clouds, the imagination suddenly thrown back and staggered at its own conceptions could not presume to penetrate. Mighty rocks and dizzying precipices at their base in which the water falling from an immeasurable height frantically battled gloomy caverns which seemed the entrance to pandemonium. Alpine cliffs and in their fierce projection menaced ruin to the wretched beneath. Such was the scene that as the blue lightning flashed in terrible and stupendous confusion struck upon her view. Amidst these awful horrors with folded arms and majestic air station nearly opposite to her stood the towering Zofloya. To him the scene appeared congenial and Victoria acknowledged to herself that never before had she beheld him in his proper sphere. Common objects seemed to shrink in his presence, the earth to tremble at the firmness of his step. Now alone his native grandeur shown in its full glory not eclipsed by but adding to the terrible magnificence of the scene. On him the eyes of Victoria involuntarily fixed, dignity and ineffable grace were diffused over his whole figure. For the first time she felt towards him an emotion of tenderness, blended with her admiration and strange inconsistency. Amidst the gloomy terrors that pressed upon her heart, amidst the sensible misery that oppressed her she experienced something like pride in reflecting that a being so wonderful, so superior and so beautiful should thus appear to be interested in her fate. As if he penetrated her thoughts the more approached with a sweet though awful smile and extended his hand for her to rise. Trembling as much from consciousness at the confused sentiment she felt arising in her bosom as from alarm, occasioned by external circumstances she took his proffered hand. Tell me, Zafloia, she said in a tremulous accent, tell me where we now are and how we came hither. Know you're not beautiful, Victoria, that we are among the Alps, the boundaries of your native kingdom. How we came hither is surely not material for you to know, but we are safe. But I have no remembrance of our journey. If I recollect, all right, it was evening when we last parted. It appears evening still, though late, in what time then? It appears that it is late in the evening. It was, as you justly observe, evening when we parted. This then infers the probability that a night and a day have nearly elapsed. But how? Have my faculties been so long suspended? cried Victoria with uneasiness. And it is to you alone that I am now indebted for this restoration. O Zafloia, I perceive too clearly how much, how completely I am in your power. She sighed deeply as she uttered these words and the conviction of her subjection pressed heavily upon her mind. Her self-confidence vanished and uneasy sensations filled her bosom. Zafloia smiled and tenderly took her hand. Why these reflections, Victoria, and why these inferences? Are you not now secure from the shame and horror that awaited you? No common means could have extricated you in such exigeance. The case pressed and required prompt exertion. Why then regret if superior power was employed to save and to deliver you? Zafloia paused. A loud peel of thunder rattled madly above them and reverberated in stern and hollow sounds among the echoing rocks. The pointed lightning fearfully gleamed in long and tremulous flashes. Victoria's firm bosom felt appalled. For never before had she witnessed the terrible phenomena of nature in storm among the Alps. She drew closer to the proud and shrinking figure of the Moor. He passed his arms around her waist and gently pressed her to his breast. Victoria felt reassured. She seemed to herself as an isolated being possessing no earthly friend or protector, but him on whose bosom she now tremblingly reposed. Never till this moment had she been so near the person of the Moor. Such powerful fascination dwelt around him that she felt incapable of withdrawing from his arms. Yet ashamed, for Victoria was still proud and blushing at her feelings when she remembered that Zafloia, however he appeared, was but a menial slave and as such alone had originally become known to her. She sought but sought vainly to repress them. For no sooner enveloped in the lightning's flashes he seemed when it gleamed around him without touching his person, did she behold that beautiful and majestic visage, that towering and graceful form, then all thought of his inferiority vanished and the ravish sense spurning at the calamitous idea confessed him a being of superior order. While thus they remained in the midst of these terrible and sublime solitudes, as there was a solemn pause in the fury of the storm which exhausted by its own violence seemed suspended only to collect force for renovated explosion. The sound of human voices broke on their ears. Lights gleamed suddenly from the rocky heights which appearing rapidly to move like flaming meteors a thwart a gloomy sky were discovered at length to be torches carried by the hands of men. As they continued to approach their dress, their arms and furious demeanor revealed them for condotieri, or banditie. Zafloia, inclining his body, said in a low voice to Victoria, be not alarmed, we shall be presently surrounded by these bands, hordes of whom infest these mountains, particularly the Mount Sinus where we now are. But regret not the circumstance, no immediate ill will arise. On the contrary, we may, if we will, procure shelter and accommodation. Victoria made no reply. For by this time, a ring began to be formed around them of armed men, the red flame of whose torches betrayed forms and features of such desperate and horrid cast that scarcely bore they the semblance of human beings. One stepping from among them brandished his dagger and thus spoke, what do ye hear in the midst of this storm? Whence came ye, where are ye going? And what riches do ye carry that ye will resign at once without bloodshed? Whence we come and wither we design to go is now immaterial, answered Zafloia. The riches we possess are nor worthy your notice, but we desire to be led to your chief. There was a long pause among the band. Zafloia resumed, you behold that we are unarmed. You have nothing therefore to fear and permitting us to see your chief. We are neither spies nor enemies with bad intent. So saying with an authoritative air, he waved his hand as if to say, lead on without further question. Thus at least the action appeared to be understood. Respectfully, the ring opened on either side and him who had first spoken, inclining his head with a submissive air to the moor, motion to lead the way. With one arm round the waist of Victoria and holding a torch that had been tender to him, in the other hand, Zafloia walked stately in the midst of the band. His plumed head towering above all as the lofty poplar of the forest proudly towers above surrounding shrubs. Astonishing being that he is, thought Victoria, even these ferocious bandits are tamed into submission by the magic power of that fascinating voice. They ascended the side of the mountain, then by narrow and dangerous defiles, gradually declined. Now they touched on the brink of a precipice, now glided with the ease of habit along the slippery ridges of stupendous rocks. At length, a deep hollow presented itself. They descended its almost perpendicular sides and reached the rocky valley below. A rude protruding mass of rocks seemed to sustain itself in mid-air, as it were, became by the winding of the path presently visible. It extended nearly to the opposite side of the mountain, forming thereby a kind of huge irregular arch. Entering beneath it, a narrow aperture presented itself, through which one by one of the band began to pass. Victoria beheld herself in her turn at the darksome mouth of this cavern to which the overhanging brow of the rock formed a natural and tremendous portico and again her spirits failed and her heart began to sink. Compelled to proceed, however, for the bandit from behind pressed onwards, she consoled herself with the reflection that Zafloia was nigh and resumed her courage. By degrees, the opening became more spacious, but turning and winding in an endless labyrinth, while other openings perpetually crossed their path, sometimes divided from each other by an arc, whose heavy summit was indivisible from the roof of the cavern. Sometimes by root pillars of stone forming an irregular colonnade, at length they found themselves in an extensive space, whose sliming walls as the red glare of the torches passed along, reflected the various and blended colors of the rainbow. Victoria looked around. The gloomy cave reminded her of that in which the unfortunate Lila had been pitilessly immersed and involuntarily she trembled. One of the bandit approaching a certain part of the cavern with the butt end of his trombone knocked loud and distinctly three successive times against it. After a pause of about a minute, the knocks were repeated on the inside. He then drew from his girdle a small instrument in shape resembling a horn, and applying it to his mouth, he blew a shrill peculiar sound. Immediately that part, which bore no remarkable appearance, but seemed only a plain indissoluble portion of the rocky wall, flew suddenly open in form of a rude door, as if actuated by a secret spring and discovered seated round a blazing fire with wine in various provisions, spread in rude confusion before them, a crowd of bandit in savage attire, resembling those who now rapidly poured in, as if inspired by an anxious desire to partake of the good cheer they beheld. In the midst of this horde, the bandit ranged respectfully on either side, elevated by a rude bench of stone from the rest, who merely squatted on the floor, appeared a graceful figure distinguished by his high and single-plumed helmet, and by the fierce eccentric costume of his dress, he looked and was the chief of the Condotieri, elected unanimously as their leader on the death of a famed chief who had preceded him. His face was concealed by a mask, which circumstance excited the surprise of Victoria. Beside him sat, fancifully but splendidly attire, a female whose countenance, though neither remarkable for extreme youth or beauty, struck instantly peculiar emotion to her breast in the confused but uneasy recollection of having somewhere before beheld it. In this idea she was confirmed by the look with which her slight glance was returned. It bespoke instant recognition and with it fury and unfaded hate. Zafloia boldly advanced, leading his companion by the hand. The chief instinctively rose with a dignified and commanding air, as the trangers drew neither chief. The tenacious and suspicious bandit sprang on their feet, to a man and draw, as with one accord, the shining stiletto from their belts to guard against the bare possibility of treachery or evil intent. Zafloia observing this movement, hotly smiled and waved his hand, as if to imply that their suspicions were erroneous. The chief, by a turn of the head, commanded them to put up their weapons, and Zafloia thus addressed him. Senor, we are strangers, but would willingly become friends. We fly from danger and persecution, and request for a while the safety of your protection. Victoria felt surprised to hear them more speak thus, but surprised that his conduct had ceased to be a new sensation. She remained silent, therefore, and the chief thus replied, It is enough. We injure not the defenseless, nor those who throw themselves upon our mercy. Honor is in our law, and the lives of those who would place themselves under our protection are sacred. I pray you then be seated in partake without compliments of our supper. Friends, be seated all and let your daggers remain sheathed. In a moment, everyone resumed his seat. Drink, said the masked chief, and offered Zafloia a flask of wine, who, receiving it, presented it immediately to Victoria. This movement appeared to draw towards her the regards of the chief. For a moment, they were fixed up fastly upon her. He became agitated and laid his hand upon the hilt of the stiletto on his belt. Then half rose from his seat and again receded himself. Victoria trembled. She knew not why. The company seemed surprised. Zafloia alone remained collected and unmoved. He pressed Victoria to eat with respectful entreaty. By degrees, the chief resumed his composure. He looked no longer towards Victoria with pointed regard, and her uneasiness abating, she accepted the attentions of Zafloia. Reserve wore off. Cheerfulness and at length conviviality began to prevail. The band drank success to each other and held to their brave commander. They joked, they laughed, they sang. The female joined in their merriment with endecorous glee. But the chief, though, no longer disturbed, remained still silent and absorbed. At length, either displeased at their mirth or rousing himself by an effort, he said, our brave comrades are all here. I'll, replied several voices at once. They go forth no more tonight. Let everyone retire to repose. Save those whose turn it is to guard. For you, senior, looking towards Zafloia, you must fare as we do. Victoria, the senior, I mean. She is neither your wife nor mistress, I presume. We'll find matting to repose on in a separate nook of our cavern. The words of the mass chief, electrified Victoria, surprised possessed her soul, for it was evident she was known to him. She looked towards them more, but in a strong marked countenance, so no unusual expression. The senora is not my wife, he replied, addressing the chief, neither is she my mistress. She will be mine, however, for we are linked by indissoluble bands. What? I suppose the bands of love, cried the female with a loud laugh, as she sat beside the chief and now resembled a vacante. Again, the chief became visibly agitated. Yours, he muttered, but suddenly checking himself added, the accommodations here are scanty. You must arrange for the best, therefore. Then, haughtily inclining his head, he retired beneath an arch to the extremity of the cavern, which appeared to lead into an interior recess. The female, who seemed either his wife or a companion, retired likewise. With skins and matting, the Moors of Zafloia composed for Victoria, a tolerable bet. He spread it in a rugged nook, remote from the band, and leading her towards it was retiring. When Victoria's proud, but now almost subjugated heart, touched with the respectful attentions of the only companion her vices and her crimes had left her, extended to him with softened looks, her hand. He took it with tenderness, yet delicate reserved, and raised it to his lips, his manner but increased to ardour the feelings of Victoria. The dying embers at the further side of the cavern cast round a dusky light. The form, the features, and above all, the luminous eyes of Zafloia appeared more than human. They shone with a brilliant fire, resistless fascination dwelt about him. Victoria, as he held her hand to his lips, gazed upon him with admiration and gratitude, and her high wrought emotion vented itself in a flood of tears. Yes, the proud, the inhuman Victoria, conquered and affected by the shoe of kindness, wept from feeling, from an emotion of the heart. But who could withstand the enchanting influence of Zafloia? Sweet and gentle Victoria, he cried, in a voice that seemed the music of the spheres. Compose yourself and retire to rest. Why should my trifling attentions call forth the successive feeling? Believe me, I feel that you will yet repay me all. Repay, these of Zafloia, I am thine ever. I know thou art in a degree, lovely Victoria, but not sufficiently so. Ah, tell me Zafloia, can I be more so? Teach me, for I feel, I think that it is impossible. The gratitude of my heart, the sentiments of my soul are thine, an indefinable yet bewitching smile passed over the features of Zafloia. Ah, Victoria, he softly said, the time is not yet come. I will not claim thee yet, but when I do, then thou will be holy and completely mine, wilt thou not? Ah, Zafloia, Zafloia, thou wilt, thou shalt fear Victoria. I have sworn it, by myself have sworn it. But now, now I leave thee to repose, delay will, but increase the value of my prize. Oh, inscrutable Moor, thy language is ever indefinable. Time will explain it, fairest Victoria, good night. The Moor withdrew, and Victoria sunk oppressed upon her couch, a couch harder far than any on which hitherto she had reposed. Yet the poor departed Lilla, whispered conscience, which in the gloomy hour of adversity ever wakes. The poor Lilla, she had not even such as this. Yet for the hardness of the couch, for the pang of conscience, what repaid? Strange to say, the conviction of Zafloia's proximity, which now shed enchantment around and ravished her deluded mind. She fell at length into a slumber, from which she did not awake till the noise of the bandit, moving to and fro in the cavern, caused her to start and gaze eagerly round for Zafloia, the only being on whom she now considered herself to possess the smallest claim. He observed her eager looks and hassling towards her said, I have obtained permission of the chief, sweet Victoria, that you shall quit the cavern and enjoy the keen air of the mountains. He relies upon the word of Zafloia that we turn to this spot, which has afforded a shelter in an hour of necessity, and that whenever we quit it, we shall consent to being escorted by some of his troop to the other side of the mountain or some miles forward in whatever direction we may desire to go. This to avoid possibility of evil design on our parts and to satisfy his mind with respect to us. Meantime, he permits us to go unaccompanied. Has he yet unmasked, whispered Victoria, and can I see him? He has not. Nor does he ever understand in the presence of strangers. Come, I have basket of provisions on my arm. Let us quit for a few hours this subterraneous abode. I last night noted the labyrinthian windings of the path, leading to and from the mountain. We shall need no guide. Victoria gave her hand to the more secretly surprised she should have been able so readily to mark the devious way, but nothing was impossible for Zafloia. His noble presence seemed to diffuse around respect and admiration. Submissively, the fierce bandit fell back as he passed when as they reached the rugged ascent leading to the mouth of the cavern and were on the point of issuing fence. The graceful chief, still masked, appeared before them with his female companion leaning on his arm. For a moment, he stopped with a proud uneasy air. When seeming to remark, the respect manifested by the more towards Victoria, he slightly bowed and retreated a few steps, leaving room for them to pat. Beneath the frowning portico that concealed and overhung the aperture of the cavern. His companion, however, fixed her eyes upon Victoria with a look at once of hate and malicious scorn. Victoria felt agitated and again the features of this woman impressed forcibly her mind. Well, she remembered that bold and frenzied countenance, though appearing far less beautiful than when she saw it first, being now from irregular living or some other cause bloated in course, but yet the never fading expression of features so familiar to her fancy remained, though the power of memory was a vein to identify them. As they emerged from subterranean gloom to the light of day, Victoria expressed to them more the sensations which oppressed her. "'I know not whence it is,' she said, "'but the stately and solemn deportment "'of that chief affects me strangely. "'His regards not of an approving kind "'are pointed particularly at me. "'The sight of the female, too, agitates and discomforts me. "'Sure, I am, Zafloia, that I have somewhere beheld that face. "'It is far from improbable, observed Zafloia. "'But why should she regard me, pursued Victoria, "'with looks so hostile and malignant? "'Why should the chief direct his looks towards me?' "'Time will explain it all, "'laconically, though with emphasis, "'observed Zafloia again. "'But you are not surprised, Zafloia, "'these incidents draw no remark from you. "'I am never surprised. "'But tell me at least thy thoughts, I entreat thee.' "'My thoughts,' said the Moor, with a serious air, "'and looking gloomily upon Victoria. "'Yes, thou takest me thanks to Zafloia, "'no part in the common occurrences of life. "'What are thy thoughts?' "'Destruction,' he returned in a terrible voice. "'Victoria involuntarily shuttered. "'True,' he pursued. "'I like no part in the common occurrences of life. "'Common occurrences do not interest me. "'The dreadful, the terrific, "'the surprising alone of nature "'have power to call me forth. "'Nor even in them do I mix unless invited or allured. "'O Zafloia,' cried Victoria, "'wretched and friendless as I am, "'yet ever to lament that thy converse to me "'is unintelligible. "'It will not always be so, Victoria, "'but seat thyself here beside me, "'and let us discourse on other subjects.' "'Victoria obeyed, for it was impossible for her "'to resist the smallest proposition of the more. "'He placed himself near her "'and treated her to partake "'of the provisions he had brought, "'but she felt an impression at her heart "'and could not eat. "'Perceiving her uneasiness, "'he passed his arm round her waist and said, "'Fair Victoria, why this discontent? "'Wherefore this gloom? "'Canst thou not place thy entire confidence in me? "'Or canst thou not be happy with Zafloia? "'Say at once, for thou knowest lovely creature "'that we are affianced.' "'Victoria started involuntarily. "'Zafloia, what mean you? "'A truce, fair Victoria, to folly! "'Am I not thy equal? "'I, thy superior, proud girl, "'to suppose that the more Zafloia "'is a slave in mind.' "'Victoria repented her ill-time check. "'She felt herself in the power of the more, "'while his manner at once, proud and imperious, "'carried with it an irresistible charm, "'as somewhat that penetrated her heart "'and took from her the wish "'as well as the power to offer further reproop.' "'Victoria, resume the more. "'Remember that I have been thy willing instrument "'and that literally I have performed to thee "'the promises I made.' "'The heart of Victoria did not assent. "'She felt that his promises had been felitious "'or indefinitely performed. "'But she forebore remark, "'and he proceeded as though he understood her thoughts. "'Am I to blame if circumstances operated "'to make thy services unpropitious? "'Have I not sacrificed all future prospects "'to save thee from disgrace "'and accompany thee in thy flight? "'Thou canst not be displeased, Victoria. "'Am I to blame for the unkindness of fortune? "'The speciesness and futility of his arguments "'were sufficiently evident to Victoria, "'yet her soul involuntarily became softened. "'Graceful beauty shone conspicuous "'in the form of the more, "'and a fascinating sweetness dwelt on his features. "'His resplendent yet tender-beaming eyes "'sent their powerful softness through her bosom, "'and her heart dissolved in willing-pleasing delusion, "'delighting to cherish while it felt its weakness. "'A triumphant smile now lighted up "'the expressive countenance of the more. "'He took her hand and pressed it to his lips "'with haughty tenderness. "'Yes, too sure I feel,' cried Victoria, "'unable to contend with the emotions of her heart, "'that for these, Afloia, "'I could at this moment resign the world in a life itself. "'Yet my soul sickened at the prospect before me. "'Say, how long must we reside "'amid the savage Condotieri?' "'Yet while, lovely Victoria, "'and when thou quittest these solitudes he pursued, "'while his eyes sparkled with more than mortal fire. "'Then art thou mine, for ever.' "'Victoria ventured to look upon him, but did not speak. "'Say, wilt thou not be mine,' resumed Afloia. "'Yet why do I ask? "'Since there is no appeal for thee,' he added "'with a terrible smile, "'thou, in reality, being mine already.' "'As he concluded, he grasped the hand "'which he held in his with violence. "'A faint exclamation of pain escaped the lips of Victoria, "'but looking at his countenance, "'illumed as it was with wild and singular expression, "'she attributed his violence to uncontrollable ardor "'and only smiled. "'The more seized her in his arms "'than pushing her from him, surveyed her from head to foot. "'Yes, yes, thou wilt be mine,' he exclaimed, "'to all eternity.'"