 10. Some time passed on bus and still Lorenza, languishing for positive conviction of Victoria's love for him, continued to treat her as a beloved and innocent sister, rather than as a destined mistress, for though his taste in female beauty led him to view that of Victoria with the eye of an enraptured amateur, still he was too scrupulously refined to accept the privilege fortune had thrown in his way, or anticipate by premature encroachment the smallest of pleasures he promised himself for the future, when she should prove to him it's a delightful idea that her heart was intrinsically his, charmed as he was by the boldness of her natural character, charmed as he was with the graces of her face and figure, yet was Lorenza a man of too proud a mind to be swayed to a conduct that his peculiar delicacy contempt. In vain would he sometimes seek for a trait of innocent tenderness in the countenance of Victoria, something that should convince him he was beloved. No, hers was not the countenance of a Madonna, it was not of angelic mold, yet though there was a fierceness in it, it was not certainly a repelling, but a beautiful fierceness, dark, noble, strongly expressive, every lineament bespoke the mind which animated it, true, no mild, no gentle, no endearing virtues were depicted there, but while you gazed upon her, you observed not the want of any charm. Her smile was fascination itself, and in her large dark eyes which sparkled with incomparable radiance, you read the traces of a strong and resolute mind capable of attempting anything undismayed by consequences, and well and truly did they speak. Her figure though above the middling height was symmetry itself. She was as the tall and graceful antelope, her air was dignified and commanding, yet free from stiffness, she moved along with heteract and was step firm and majestic, nor was her carriage ever degraded by levity or affectation. Living under his roof, almost perpetually in his company, she became daily a more dangerous object to the peace and to the forbearance of Lorenza. Yet even in those times when his ideas and actions were least subject to the control of his reason, it was but for an instant to admit the tormenting reflection that perhaps she felt not for him a genuine and ardent affection for a sudden gloom to take possession of him and overspread his countenance. The singularity of his conduct surprised Victoria. She endeavored to investigate the cause and to trace if possible the workings of his mind. To this end she watched with scrutinizing eye every movement every look she listened to and weighed every word he spoke. Then combining the whole discovered ere long the secret which pressed upon his feelings. What then would she exclaim confiding her reflections to her pillow, prevents a fierce that I love him not. This idea then is the grand source of his constrained mysterious conduct towards me. Then reverting to herself she examined the state of her heart respecting him. And do I not then love Lorenza? She said, I know not. Nor what may be the precise nature of love, but this I know, that I prefer him to all men, that I think him elegant and accomplished, and that if death snatched him from me, I should grieve. True, my sensations towards him have nothing ardent in them, nor do I feel that oppression of soul, that doubt, that uneasiness respecting his attachment for me, that he seems to entertain of mine. Yes, I feel it is requisite to my future prospects, to those plans and views, yet vague and indefinite, which are floating in my brain, that he should not entertain any, not the smallest doubts of my regard for him. I must endeavor then to suit my conduct to the fastidious delicacy of his ideas. So reasoned, from combined inferences, the subtle Victoria, true indeed it was, she did not love the scrupulous, the refined Lorenza. She was incapable of loving such a man. Nay, she was by nature unfitted to admit so soft, so pure a sentiment as real love. Victoria's heart was a stranger to every gentle, noble, or superior feeling. The ambitious, the selfish, the wild, and the turbulent were hers. Hers were the stormy passions of the soul, goading on to ruin and despair. Lorenzas were mild, philosophic, though proudly tenacious. His were as the even stream, calm yet deep. Hers as the foaming cataract, rushing headlong from the rocky steep and raging in the abyss below. She was not susceptible of a single sentiment, vibrating from a tender movement of the heart. She could not feel gratitude. She could not therefore feel affection. She could inflict pain without remorse, and she could utterly revenge the slightest attempt to inflict it on herself. The wildest passions predominated in her bosom. To gratify them, she possessed an unshrinking, relentless soul that would not startle at the darkest crime. Unhappy girl, whom nature organized when offended with mankind, and whom education, but might have corrected, tended only to confirm in depravity. Lorenza, as before has been remarked, was the only man who had ever paid her particular attention. Consequently, it was natural that what feeling of preference she was capable of entertaining should be given to him. She voluntarily sought his protection, because she knew not whom else to solicit. She remained under his roof, for she knew not of another, and though any heart but hers would have been deeply and enthusiastically affected by the nobleness and delicacy of conduct he had under all these circumstances observed towards her, yet that she remained wholly unimpressed, nor was a single idea awakened by it that did not revert to self. She saw only that it would be necessary and politic to answer his sincere and honorable love, at least with an appearance equally ardent and sincere. The peculiar cast of Lorenza's disposition was in reality melancholy, somber and reflective, though in society seeming gay and careless. She then must become melancholy, retired and abstracted. Lorenza would hence be induced to scrutinize the cause, artifice on her side and natural self-love on his, would easily make him attribute it to the effects of a violent and concealed love, thus would an explanation be the result and the reserve, the doubts, the hesitations of Lorenza at an end. Her plan arranged, she entered on it gradually. Her eyes no longer full of the wild and beautiful animation, were taught to languish or to fix for hours with musing air upon the ground. Her gait, no longer firm and elevated, became hesitating and despondent. She no longer engrossed the conversation. She became silent, apparently absent and plunged in thought. It was now Lorenza who had to call her from a melancholy abstraction to inquire if any hidden uneasiness preyed upon her mind. Victoria saw, exultingly saw, the gradual operation of her plan. New and rapturous ideas scarcely admitted even to himself began to occupy the soul of Lorenza, but as yet, he spoke not, he hoped not. He was slow because he was fearful to believe. It was one night after a day of well-acted gloom and oppression of spirits that Victoria, having left the apartment occupied by the colants, retired into the saloon and throwing herself upon a sofa near one of the windows, enjoyed the delicious fresco of the evening. She had not been long in this situation before Lorenza, unable to bear her absence, determined to seek her in the saloon and, perceiving her, reclined upon a sofa, imagined she slept. Closing gently the door, therefore, he softly approached her. In an instant an idea had glanced across the mind of Victoria. She determined to avail herself of this circumstance and of Lorenza's mistake. Shutting her eyes, she affected in reality to be asleep. The conch drew near and gazing upon her for a few moments, he seated himself beside her. Oh, Victoria, in a low voice, he tenderly said, Why, why, my love, are thou unhappy? Oh, that I, that I might only hope I were the envied cause. Ah, were it indeed so, Lorenza would be too happy. He paused. Victoria, as if disturbed in her sleep, heaved a broken sigh, faintly giving utterance to the name of— Lorenza. Lorenza scarcely ventured to breathe. Why will but not love me, Lorenza, she murmured. Lorenza's heart beat high. He drew his breath quick. Victoria was sensible of his emotion. One word more thought she. Indeed, indeed, Lorenza, I love thee. She articulated, starting up and stretching out her arms as if under the impression of her dream, attempting to embrace him. When opening her eyes and affecting surprise and shame at the sight of Lorenza, she covered her face with her hands and turned aside. The violent emotion of Lorenza was such that for some moments he was deprived of the power of speech. The blood rushed from his heart to his head. His senses became confused. When, seizing wildly in his arms, the artful Victoria, he exclaimed in a hurried accent, thou art mine. Yes, I know now that thou art mine. Proud of her achievement, it was Victoria's care that her lover should not recover from his delusion. Well, did she support the character she had assumed? And the tender, refined Lorenza became convinced that he possessed the first pure and genuine affections of an innocent and lovely girl. The Iowa, Savloia by Charlotte Decree, Chapter 11. Lorenza became daily more attached to Victoria, his scrupulous doubts, his reserves wholly vanished, and fondly he flattered himself that he was as much the possessor of her dearest affections as she was the mistress over his. Still, though his love for her was carried in some respects to a romantic height, his pride forbade him to marry her. There was a certain stigma in his idea attached to her through the misconduct of her mother, which it was impossible for his delicate mind to overlook. Of this sentiment, however, the haughty Victoria was unconscious, and she simply imagined that her present union with the Kant was chosen by him expressly for the purpose of convincing her that his devotion towards her needed not be aid of artificial ties to rivet it. Under this impression, her vain spirit was flattered, and little did she ever suppose that while the proud Venetian deemed her worthy of becoming his mistress, he conceived her unfit for the high distinction of becoming his wife. It was one beautiful evening that, accompanied by the admired Victoria, Berenza at his splendid gondola mixed with the gay concourse upon the Laguna. Everyone appeared exhilarated, and Victoria, gazing around, felt in the moment that she excited the admiration so dear to her soul that she required nothing more in the power of man to bestow. While her eyes still wandered, exacting attention from all, a gondola passed close by that of Berenza's. It contained only one female besides the gondolieri, who, in the moment of rapidly passing, fixed her eyes upon Victoria with a rage and malignity so exquisitely bitter that it was impossible, momentary as was the glance, that its expression could be mistaken. For an instant, Victoria was awakened from her dream of vanity. She looked at Berenza, but perceiving from the unaltered expression of his countenance that he had not observed the circumstance, she thought it too insignificant to advert to, and other objects soon made her forget it altogether. At length they returned home, and the evening was concluded with a convivial party and a dance, to which many were invited but had not been present during the early part of the evening. At a late hour the company separated, and Victoria and the Count retired to repose. Victoria, however, felt no inclination to sleep. The festive scenes of the evening passed in mirthful review before her. The music sounded in her ears, and the dancer still figured in her sight. She skimmed over in her mind the adulation, the elegant and well-turned compliments she had received, and in idea again she enjoyed and smiled at them. Then she reverted to her evening's amusement on the Laguna, and, on reverting to that, she suddenly remembered the look she had received from the female who had passed so swiftly by. She was on the point of mentioning to the Count the circumstance, but perceiving that overcome by wine and the fatigue of the evening, he slept. She would not awaken him and pursued the diversified current of her ideas. Still, however, she could not lose the remembrance of this malignant glance, and was embarrassing herself in vain conjectures as to the cause which should induce anyone to view her with particular rancor, when a gentle rustling at the further end of the chamber caught her attention. This interrupted her thoughts and called them to external objects. The bed on which she lay was surmounted by a superb canopy. The curtains were drawn on each side, but remained open to the foot. The rustling increased. She fixed her eyes on the opposite side of the room, where a large window jutted out and opened into a balcony on the outside. The window itself was concealed by a thick curtain. By degrees this curtain was moved a little on one side. Half the figure of a man became visible, and presently the whole. The chamber was faintly enlightened by a lamp, and she observed as softly, though with long strides, the figure approached that his face was concealed by a mask. At length he reached the side of the bed at which the Count slept, and gently divided the curtains. Victoria firmly now believed some evil was intended, yet feared to awaken Lorenza, lest his surprise and alarm by depriving him of the requisite presence of mind should hasten any attempt against him, which she hoped herself by being awake and remaining tranquil to circumvent. The intruder now stood at the side of the bed and paused. Then, stooping down, he examined earnestly the face of the Count, the countenance of Victoria he could not see, for her arm was thrown over her head in such a manner that her hand concealed her eyes, though she could observe all that passed, and the lower part of her face was shaded by the covering. The stranger, however, appeared to imagine that she slept, appeared to imagine that she slept. For drawing a dagger from his bosom, he waved it to and froe near the closed eyes of the unconscious Lorenza. Then, gently uncovering his bosom, approached the point of the dagger towards it. His hand appeared to tremble. He stifled a sigh and retreated a few steps. Then again he drew nearer, with his left hand he held back the curtain and raising his right. As if with sudden resolution he prepared to strike. Just as the dagger was descending, the undaunted and watchful of Victoria caught his wrist. The force of the intended blow, being thus broken, the assassin, who was in an inclining attitude, lost his equilibrium, and falling across the bed, the point of the dagger entered the shoulder of Victoria. At this instant the Count awakened. His first impulse was to seize the man, but he struggled violently, and Lorenza being unable to obtain a firm hold shackled as he was by the weight of his body, which lay across him, he contrived swiftly to disengage himself. As he did so, he could not, however, prevent his mask from falling off. He sought to recover it and rush from the spot, but ere he could achieve his purpose, the eyes of the wounded and fainting Victoria were riveted upon accountants that memory immediately identified for her brother, that brother who, on the desertion of his mother from her home, had fled the paternal roof and now was recognized as an intended murderer. Monstrous assassin, she feebly exclaimed, while Leonardo, with horror depicted in his countenance, fled across the apartment and, gaining the window, appeared to precipitate himself from it. Lorenza, now released, started from the bed, but as he was flying after the assassin, a faint groan from Victoria arrested him. He turned and beheld the bed closed, died in blood. The sight distracted him. You are wounded, my life, he frantically exclaimed, only slain me, my lord, murmured Victoria, but I do, I do not regret it. Lorenza, in agony, reciprocated for assistance. He dispatched the servants fifty different ways for medical aid. Then taking Victoria in his arms, he examined the wound, while the big tears of love and anguish fell upon her bosom. Ah, do not weep, Lorenza, faintly ejaculated Victoria. I would suffer ten thousand times more to prove my love to thee. Nay, I rejoiced to prove it. And in fact, Victoria did rejoice, for she felt that the wound obtained in defense of her lover's life, and of which her firm mind, entertained no apprehensions, would bind him inseparably to her. The triumph she experienced then, when she beheld his violent anguish, more than repaid her for the pain she felt. She assayed to take his hand, and pressed it to her bosom. But all her firmness, all her contempt of pain, could not conquer the weakness of nature, and she fainted from loss of blood. But Kant was half mad. The medical men arrived, they dressed the wound, they announced that it was not dangerous, and that repose and quiet would, in all probability, avert the appearance of fever. By degree she recovered from her temporary insensibility. But Kant seated himself by her bedside, and gazed in agony upon her. She turned her eyes upon him, the brilliancy of which had given place to a seducing linger, that penetrated Berenzus in most soul. And in his mind he vowed that his whole life, henceforth, should be dedicated to her happiness. He now felt that she was dearer, far dearer to him, that he had ever imagined, on the noble and enthusiastic soul of Berenza, the conduct of Victoria had wrought the most powerful effect. Such cool intrepidity, such contempt of her own life in the defense of his. The patience made the pleasure with which she bore the unhappy consequences of her courage. What woman in existence thought he? Would have done thus much for me. These reflections swelled his heart with a love almost idolatrous, and his violent feelings sought relief in an irrepressible gush of tears. Victoria determined carefully to conceal from her lover her conviction that the intended assassin was her brother. A certain indefinable feeling prevented her from confessing her knowledge, and was feigned to rejoice in his escape. But of his motives for an attempt so heinous, she could not form the smallest idea. As for Berenza, he merely concluded that he was some daring and determined robber, who might easily have obtained an entrance into the house during the careless festivity that had generally prevailed during the evening. But respecting a circumstance that he now deemed immaterial, he gave himself but little concern. His whole thoughts were concentrated in Victoria, and he looked forward with impatient anxiety to the much desired period of her recovery. Scarcely could he be prevailed on to quit her bedside, even to obtain necessary repose. And what little food he could be induced to take was taken without stirring from her chamber. In a few days, however, to reward such unwaried anxiety, Victoria was unable to leave her bed, and by marks of attachment apparently more strong than ever, repaid the care and tenderness of her lover. Raised by her seducing manners to a pitch of enthusiasm, Berenza sometimes wavered in his pride and almost determined that he would make her his wife. The moment that her re-established health should permit him to do so. One day, while sitting with her at her apartment, a fortnight having nearly a lap since the accident which he'd confined her there, a letter was delivered by a servant into his hands. Opening it, he ran as follows. Wretch! By the time you receive this, I shall be far from pursuit if such your meanness or your revenge should lead you to attempt. Know that it was I who directed to your faithless and unworthy request, that hand which failed in executing its office. It was I who intended and who hoped that the accursed stiletto which aired in its duty should have found a bloody sheath in the recesses of your heart. Yes, miscreant! It was Megalina who beheld on you. Yes, miscreant! It was Megalina who beheld you on the Laguna, accompanied by the Minion whose temerity robbed her of your love. Oh, and if a look could kill, mine should have blasted her to the earth. What durst you openly exhibit your novelty and believe that your audacity should remain unpunished! Did you not know me? You should have carefully guarded your late-found gen. You should not have suffered her to sparkle in the light of day, in the eyes of but she, and even you, for the present have eluded my vengeance. Yet, ah, my heart beats. It revives in the faint hope that she perhaps may not have escaped. If it be not so, nothing shall bind me to life, but the dearly cherished hope that the time will yet arrive when no barrier shall intercept the blow I would aim at your life. No, even the hated form of your newly acquired love couldst thou indeed hope, fond fool, that with impunity thou mightest despise the passion and insult the feelings of Megalina Straussie, vile and abandoned warnton, exclaimed Lorenza, is it then even so? And is it to thee and to thy absurd and insolent jealousy that I am to attribute my present misfortune? But it is well, he continued, the worthless fury will molest us no more. She has left Venice. As he concluded, he gave the letter to Victoria, who, after hastily perusing it, exclaimed, that look, that look then which so strongly impressed my mind, is now accounted for, it was Megalina Straussie who would have blasted me to the earth. Then, turning towards Lorenza, she explained to him the circumstance to which she alluded and which at the moment of its occurrence so forcibly called her attention, Nay had even employed her thoughts just before the projected attempt upon his life took place. While she spoke, Lorenza did indeed recognize the vindictive Florentine. But anxiously, though silently, did Victoria ransack her brain to discover what connection could possibly subsist between this female and her brother, a connection evidently of no slight nature that could already so deeply have influenced his character and conduct as to drive him to the intended commission of murder to the very brink of destruction for her sake. Recurring frequently to vain surmises upon this subject and rapidly recovering from the effects of her wound, for the present let us leave her to explain certain events which will carry us back to an earlier period of this history. End of chapter 11. Chapter 12 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 Nila, Iowa City, Iowa. Zafloia by Charlotte Dacri. Chapter 12. It may be remembered that when detailing the misfortunes which befell the family of Lorenzani in consequence of the desertion of Lorena from her husband and children to the arms of an adulter, we related at that epic the sudden flight of the young Leonardo from his paternal roof to which he had never more returned. It is his progress from that time and the events which led him ultimately to determine on the commission of the most horrible of crimes that we are now going briefly to revert to. The high and susceptible feelings which actuated the bosom of this youth when little more than sixteen years of age caused him under their uncontrollable influence to rush from the house of his father as soon as he learned the unfortunate dereliction from the path of honor of his other parent. Scarcely to the youth himself were his sensations definable but his naturally soaring spirit strengthened too by the high notions of family honor which the Marquez had delighted to inculcate in the air of his house and fortunes gave him a feeling confused and agonized that to remain longer on the spot where his mother had heaped disgrace upon her ruined family would be vile and unworthy. Impressed with this idea he took his rash determination it was to fly from Venice never perhaps to behold it more. In the shortest possible time he endeavored to accelerate his distance from a city now grown hateful to him and to lose by motion and change of scene the uneasy reflections that oppressed his proud but noble heart even to fly from Venice was not enough to remain near it was death to his soul nor did he for an hour intermit the rapidity of his movements until almost without knowing certainly without designing it he found himself in the delightful country of Tuscany awakened to cooler recollection here then he energetically exclaimed here then I may breathe without an oppression of the heart and here too necessity compelled him to rest for the enthusiastic youth careless of the future when he left his luxurious home was but scantily supplied with money and all he had possessed was by this time expended and what then he cried as sober reason suggested this reflection to his mind better to die in exile in the furthest corner of the globe better to die in poverty and want then live in a luxury which the soul despises it was evening and the young Leonardo reclined pensively on the bank of the majestic Arno the sun had sunk in the west and misty shadows were collecting upon the mountains for the first time he began to reflect upon his situation wither he must now continue to bend his steps and how he should support life having thus cast himself upon a friendless world his thoughts became painful and embarrassing he sought again to lose them in activity and spring hastily from his recumbent posture he had not proceeded far ere he beheld a large and elegant mansion which from the extreme beauty of its architecture standing too wholly by itself riveted his attention he continued to approach and when he drew near stopped involuntarily to contemplate it while he was thus employed a gentleman of a noble and superior appearance came from the house and being attracted by the animated countenance and figure of Leonardo he was induced to approach him and acquire by what chance he had wandered to this beautiful solitude Leonardo replied firmly and without hesitation that he was a youth whom misfortunes not to be explained had driven from his home and that he was straying he neither knew nor was solicitous wither struck by the singularity of this reply in which there was something to interest an expanded mind the stranger, who was called Senor Zoppe felt impelled to increase if possible his acquaintance with the youth whom chance had thus introduced to his attention well my young friend he said if you will enter my mansion what seems to have attracted your notice we may have some conversation that perhaps may not prove unsatisfactory to either of us your appearance and manner please me and I should feel happy to know more of you to this frank invitation the warm hearted youth readily assented and accepting with an ingenuous air the proffered hand of Senor Zoppe they entered the house together Leonardo was conducted into an elegant apartment where, desiring him to be seated Senor Zoppe inquired of him if he stood in need of refreshment Leonardo replied in the negative some in different conversation than ensued when, though with the utmost delicacy his liberal host expressed a desire to be informed of his name the youth blushed my name he replied is Leonardo that which is subjoined to it I must be excused from revealing circumstances have impelled me to leave my home and as I feel it impossible, Senor utterly impossible he added, rising hastily from his chair to gratify a curiosity so proper and so natural for you to feel respecting one you have admitted beneath your roof I will, with your permission take my leave and no longer intrude upon your hospitality that must not be indeed my young friend answered Senor Zoppe there is that in your appearance and manner as I have said which interests me considerably keep then your secret if you wish it and since you are avowedly at present a child of fortune indifferent and undecided wither you bend your course remain for a short time where chance has directed you and forbear young and enthusiastic as you appear to cast yourself upon the careless world Leonardo's heart was penetrated with gratitude at the kind words of the benevolent stranger his dreadful and as he conceived it disgraceful family secret his pride shrunk from acknowledging but feeling in an instant the good fortune he experienced and having met in the forlornness of his situation one who appeared inclined to befriend him he cast himself at the feet of Zoppe unable to restrain his tears this excellent being whose philanthropic heart led him to seek every opportunity not only of befriending his species but if possible of preserving them from ill was deeply affected that the nature of the youth was noble he easily conceived that some sentiment of a high and honorable though perhaps misguided tendency had induced him to fly his home he likewise believed therefore gently raising him in his arms he said come then Leonardo I desire to know you by no other name come let us quit this room and as a son of a friend I will introduce you to my wife and daughter the wife of Zoppe however chance to be and every respect the reverse of her husband for she possessed an intriguing spirit and a profligate heart but it is not intended to dwell minutely upon every progressive incident that befell the young Leonardo to skim lightly on the contrary overall accepting that which led to his connection with Megalina Strozzi is the present purpose the senior Zoppe then daily Groomour attached to the youth of his adoption when absent his conversation to his wife teamed with his praises when present he continually sought modes of drawing forth his character and every trait he discovered added to the warm impression that his pristine ingenuousness had made upon his benevolent mind it so happened unfortunately that Zoppe was not singular in his admiration of the youth for he had not been very long an inmate in his house before the senior Zoppe became a warmer eulogist in his favor than even her husband she paid him beside the most pointed attentions yet it was not his ardent character his talents or his virtues which attracted her distinguished regard no, it was the charms of his person the beauty of his form and face which had drawn towards him her attention and true it is they displayed a manliness and grace far above his ears yet, not similarly disposed in her favor was the object of her growing passion his admiration, his thoughts and all he knew of love was bestowed upon Amania her lovely and more approximating daughter this to her dismay the wife of Zoppe soon discovered but bent upon carrying her point she resorted to all the fascination of dress to the allurements of softness and the most tender attentions that all this too might be more forcibly impress his mind she, as much as possible upon various pretexts removed the fair Amania from his view still all was unavailing the youth felt gratitude for the kindness shown him by the wife of his friend but he felt no more about a year had now elapsed since his first introduction to the house of Zoppe yet still the secret of his alienation from home was locked in the recesses of his heart guarded by an impenetrable aegis a punctilious pride and delicacy the good Zoppe indeed had long ceased to hint at any desire for information upon the subject he felt happy in the society of the youth and he required no painful acknowledgments on his side for the friendship he had delighted to shoe him he had never yet from any act or any conduct of Leonardo had occasion to regret his intimacy in his family no trait of vice of meanness or ingratitude had ever yet exhibited themselves in his character Zoppe was a plain and pure professor of morality as well as a benevolent being and if he had had reason to suspect ought amiss in the heart of his young friend painful as would have been the task he would have felt it his duty to drive him from beneath his roof lest by appearing to protect and cherish vice he should inculcate lessons of dangerous tendency into the mind of his daughter and by an inevitable progression injure rather than benefit society the passion of Zoppe's wife had by this time grown to such a height that she felt it utterly impossible longer to conceal it from the object that had inspired it she determined therefore whatever the consequence and make it known to him for this purpose she seized an opportunity when her husband and the fair Amalia were absent to follow him into the garden whither he had retired to think without interruption and with all the enthusiasm of an innocent first love upon his mistress as he reclined upon a seat he beheld coming towards him the mother of her he loved and respectfully he would have risen but as she drew near him gently laying her hand upon his shoulder she prevented him from doing so and seated herself beside him you were absorbed in thoughts Leonardo said she I was indeed answered the youth blushing you were thinking of her you love I wager pursued the wanton wife of Zoppe and heaved a sigh fixing upon him her eyes at the same time in which were depicted the troubled emotions of her agitated soul Leonardo who was thinking of Amalia re-echoed her sigh the sigh was electric fluid through her breast and fanned the fires which were raging in her heart she took his hand and fervently pressing it said you are beloved in return yes Leonardo most charming of yous you are indeed beloved are you certain replied the transported boy springing from his recumbent attitude oh I am but too certain frantically replied the degraded female falling at his feet and thrown completely off her guard you are beloved loved oh how madly by me by you senora cried the astonished youth you jest surely rise rise I beseech you from your unbecoming posture unbecoming towards me he sternly added oh Leonardo I love I adore you cried the abandoned wife burn me not then I conjure you for I cannot conquer the fatal passion with which you have inspired me senora zappy you strike me with horror exclaimed the youth it is your daughter it is your blooming daughter that I love what and we never loved me boy in an accent of rage and grief she cried no never while I have breath never emphatically replied Leonardo disengaging himself from her wild embrace allow me if possible to respect you curses then seize the misgrant shriek the wife of zappy in an agony of rage and disappointment and casting her from her silence I will live to blast thee for this most infamous of women returned Leonardo passionately let me fly from my loathed presence let me again in the wide world seek a refuge from infamy and shame for infamy it is to be the object of thy love so saying with impetuosity and would have fled from the house altogether but thought a thought of a mamma darting across his mind he felt an irresistible desire to see her once more ere he quitted forever a roof that had sheltered him so long he therefore hastened to his chamber where he determined to abide to the arrival of zappy and his daughter meantime his disappointed enamorata rendered half frantic by the contempt and indignation with which her abandoned overtures had been received resolved in the tumultuous vengeance of her soul to destroy and blacken the youth whose virtue she had failed to corrupt or it was not virtue that actuated him but merely that the temptation offered him was not sufficient to seduce it the reflection was in either case maddening and humiliating and how she might most bitterly cause him to repent his conduct was now her soul consideration at length the demon of hate and revenge suggested to her a plan sufficiently diabolical with eager and triumphant malice she instantly began tearing her apparel to tatters then taking some gravel between her hands careless of pain in pursuance of her revenge she rubbed it with violence over her face and hands to the blood flowed and in this state determined to await the return of her husband presently she heard him arrive she flew around the garden and as he entered the house met him at the door herself as if in an agony of shame and horror before him zapi who tenderly loved his wife was shocked and dismayed he caused her to be carried into the house and laid upon a bed and then tremblingly and treated to be informed what terrible event had befallen her the false and unworthy wife then motioned for everyone to withdraw and pressing with seeming love and agitation his hand to her lips she replied thus to his anxious enquiries oh my beloved husband that scorpion we have nourished so long behold what has been our reward it is to that audacious that hypocritical stripling you must attribute what you now behold finding me alone in the garden he first presumed to insult me with professions of a dishonorable love I rebuked the saucy boy and attempted to rise when suddenly seizing me in his arms I found my strength unequal to his I shrieked aloud he became I suppose apprehensive of discovery and fled from the garden leaving his infamous purpose all accomplished the wife of Zopi ceased and bursting into tears as if oppressed with a sense of shame covered her face with her hands depraved ungrateful viper exclaimed the deluded Zopi could I ever have imagined of thee this but instantly shall he know first he shall appear before us and be forced to reply whether sudden madness or deliberate villainy impelled to this criminal attempt so saying Zopi summoning a servant bade him tell the young Leonardo that his presence was immediately desired at this mandate the infamous wife of Zopi felt somewhat alarmed but resolving to persevere in her plot she offered no objection in the course of a few moments the youth entered the room he started on beholding the maimed figure of his accuser but his step was firm and unhesitating his eye was open and on his blooming cheek guilt had set no mark wretch began senor Zopi unmindful of these appearances tallying so little with imputed crime wretch you to appear before me with that audacious front see there your work young but most infamous monster so green in years so old in the basis profligacy what might not the wife of your benefactor have been held sacred by you durst you endeavor to break through the nearest and the dearest connections that are respected between man and man could you trample thus on every principle of honor and of gratitude attempt the subversion of moral order and trespass upon sacred social affinities worthless profligate and unfeeling boy quit instantly a roof which has sheltered you too long and never let me more behold your face during this bitter language which was addressed to him Leonardo made no attempt to speak he folded his arms upon his bosom and as the deluded Zopi proceeded he saw the depth of the plot which had been imagined against him by his depraved wife the instinctive pride however of his nature spurned at the unmerited imputations which had been cast upon him and the poignant invective with which they were accompanied he scorned proudly scorned to attempt a vindication and perhaps a magnanimous sentiment of gratitude made him desire to spare his friend and benefactor to accurate information of his wife's depravity if such his indignation would have allowed him to listen to therefore when he perceived that he had concluded in a gentle but firm voice thus replied I am ready senior Zopi to depart your house I thank you for all the favors you have conferred on me and wish you may never experience from others greater in gratitude than you have met for me so saying he bowed respectfully and moved towards the door yet air he quitted the room turning his eyes full upon the wife of Zopi he looked at her for a moment with such dignity and scorn blended that her soul trembled within her and involuntarily she passed her hand over her eyes with firm and majestic step he retired his first impulse led him to the chamber he had been taught to call his there was swelling heart but tearless eye he placed with indignant eagerness upon a table every trinket he had about him which as benefactor in the plenitude of fond affection had bestowed upon him of money he retained not a mervedi then unlocking a drawer where on first becoming an inmate in the house of senior Zopi he had deposited from a certain feeling at the moment indefinable the clothes which he had worn on entering it and the only ones he possessed he cast off hastily those in which he was now clad and substituted for them such of his own as his increased height and bulk would allow him to make use of bitterly did it corrode the heart of the youth that he could not in like manner return every benefit he had received yet since that was impossible he could only determine to retain nothing that might be resigned than surveying himself from head to foot with a mingled feeling he exclaimed these are they own all too that I can well call mine oh mother mother for this I thank thee becoming now more violently agitated from succeeding reflections he rushed from the chamber and fled hastily through the house once he stopped with the fond wish to take a last leave of the fair Amamia but on the recollection that he must either expose to her the infamy of his mother or himself appear culpable in her eyes he conquered the impulse and pursued his way hastily across the garden anxious to lose sight of the house not till he found himself at a considerable distance from it and had walked at a rapid pace for several hours actual weariness at length compelled him for a moment to rest the energy of his mind had till now supported him he became conscious that he had walked many miles nature felt overpowered and reluctantly he seated himself at the foot of a tree recollections began to enter his mind with his head reclining on his hand and voluntarily he suffered a deep gloom to take possession of him it was past noon when he quitted the abode of Zappi he now strained his tearful eyes and beheld the east beginning to be obscured by the shades of evening his oppression increased but his strength of mind shooed him the necessity of combating it he started on his feet and turned his face to the west there he beheld the glorious sun declining indeed but declining in a blaze of radiance the sky around represented a thousand brilliant figures the tops of the mountains catching the last rays reflected many different degrees of light and shade the youth felt no longer calm by melancholy his heart cheated painful ideas gave place to indefinite hopes and he determined that he would no more indulge in the weakness of useless regret pursuing a path that chance alone directed he soon found himself winding among those beautiful mountains whose beautiful bosoms are covered with olive and the luxurious vine wherever a beautiful villa met his eye instinctively he turned aside the shades of evening began to thicken and the young exile from home was still unsheltered for the night at length wandering onwards he beheld situated in a glen a small and low-roofed cottage to perceive it fully it was even necessary to ascend a considerable way the mountain at the foot of which it humbly rose it was embossed by trees and surrounded by a garden seeming the abode of industrious poverty rather than the seclusion of romantic win at all events Leonardo shunned it not but resolved to investigate it nearer and ascertained by whom it was inhabited as he continued to approach the voice of moaning and distress sounded on his ear this hastened his steps and he speedily gained the little narrow path which led to the cottage there seated outside of the door he beheld an aged female weeping and ringing her hands sorrow was in unison with the heart of the youth and in a gentle voice he asked if her grief might admit of consolation and assistance alas no she answered redoubling her tears death admits no remedy it has deprived me of my only hope and comfort in this world of my poor Hugo my darling son oh senor that he should go before me who now will support my tottering limbs who provide for the short remnant of my days who work for my friend the poor forsaken Nina but weep not so bitterly good mother so Leonardo admit me into your cottage and if you will be kind enough to give me a draft of milk we will talk further upon the subject of your sorrow perhaps things may not prove so bad as you at this moment apprehend the voice of consolation is always sweet doubly sweet when coming from buoyant youth to age the poor Nina rose with the utmost alacrity she possessed from her seat and hobbling into her cottage she set in silence before him while her tears continued though more slowly to flow the best that her cottage afforded when Leonardo had a little satisfied his hunger for the almost unremitting fatigue he had undergone for the last seven or eight hours had completely exhausted him he took the hand of his aged hostess who involuntarily had seated herself beside him and said tell me my good mother how old was your son Hugo he was twenty senior on the blessed day of sanga bear and tell me Nina but Nina would not allow him to proceed oh santo pedro was he not everything to poor Nina senior I have a little garden and Hugo it was who turned it to account I have a vineyard too and Hugo looked to it but he would seldom leave his aged mother senior for mother he would say it is better to give this or that or a little upon what we dispose of to Pietro or Varro and let them manage for us then for me to leave you mother who can't well help yourself senior I have lately got a little the better of a terrible pain in my poor limbs and now oh Mr. Ricardo to lose my staff my dear boy oh senior I vexed my heart and think he works beyond his strength for he was always weak and sickly from a dear child here poor Nina was interrupted by her tears at the recollection of what her son had been to her an idea had entered the mind of Leonardo while she spoke which every moment acquired fresh force from a view of its eligibility a garden to cultivate a vineyard to attend no occasion republic exposition in the market or even the town her son in a declining state too and yet capable of doing all that was necessary to be done surely I he turned towards Nina who was still bitterly lamenting come worthy Nina dry up your tears what if I could supply to you the place of your son would you allow me to remain under your roof and accept of my best endeavors oh, Ciello be praised be adored for this joyfully exclaimed the aged Nina dropping on her knees and fervently kissing the ground oh as I live my heart began to feel lighter the instant I set my eyes upon you and though I did continue to weep senior weeping again for my dear lost son Hugo yet I vow and protest by the blessed Maria I felt as if a ray of light shot through my breast well rise now my good Nina and let us talk further Nina trembling arose you must give me some instructions my good Nina for though I understand sufficient of gardening there are many things I shall require you to explain to me this Nina her heart almost bursting with conflicting joy and regret joy that she had found to protect her and regret that she had lost one readily promised some necessary conversation then ensued and Leonardo filling within himself no doubt of success in his new situation consented and an early hour to retire to repose sensible of intense fatigue from the exertion of the day aged Nina conducted him to a little chamber which had appertained her deceased son and with a heart infinitely lightened, Leonardo took possession of the holy bed which it contained as he reclined his head upon the pillow this is the second time he exclaimed that the air of lorandani has been indebted to the benevolence of strangers for shelter that the humanity of strangers has compassionate his forlornness and that the bounty of strangers has cherished and protected him oh mother mother unkind to thee and thee alone do I owe all this with this bitter though just reflection burning at his heart he fell asleep and had the son of Lorena expired in that sleep he would have appeared at the bar of heaven accusation against his mother registered in his heart let other mothers tremble at this reflection and pause on mediated guilt end of chapter 12 chapter 13 of Zofloia this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Zofloia by Charlotte Daker chapter 13 at an early hour the following morning Leonardo awakened and immediately repaired to the garden to enter upon his self-allotted task while in the mansion of Zappi he had obtained considerable knowledge with respect to gardening from having at leisure hours resorted to it as an amusement Senor Zappi likewise fell pleasure in giving him instructions because he himself passed much of his time organizing, implanting and trying various experiments upon the fecund earth the young Leonardo had additional motives to strengthen his perseverance for he felt, though he should in reality reap the benefits of his own exertions that he laid himself under no obligations to be again pitter reflection reproached with them he repaid by the service he rendered the benefit he received his proud heart was therefore at rest and his spirit became even buoyant the recollection of his real woes woes no less real because his peculiar sentiments whether romantic or otherwise induced him to prefer their pressure to the ease and splendor which he would have deemed disgrace and infamy nothing assuredly calms the mind like a settled purpose Leonardo had determined to persevere while circumstances should render it expedient in a course of labor and activity each successive day brought with it lighter because more habitual toil with an increase of pleasure to his heart in the conviction of being no idle member of society in his knowledge superior to that of Hugo the pornina soon discerned a multiplied advantage everything flourished beneath his fostering hand and excellent arrangement his mind warm and enthusiastic slackened not in the pursuit of his object he became gradually enamored of his peaceful innocent and industrious life his humble retirement and total seclusion from the world he felt no want he'd received no favor he beheld the little store of the aged Nina daily increasing and while he experienced the sweet reward of constant employ his heart bounded for the first time with the exalting consciousness of being useful to a fellow creature he anticipated the future however with a feeling of melancholy his uncertain destination occasionally employed his thoughts his remains thus he would exclaim alas no yet surely these are Halcyon days but still I have an unquench sentiment in my soul that tells me this forever though in itself laudable would be an inglorious life for the heir of Lord Donnie what said I the heir of Lord Donnie is disgraced he may be happy he may be honored in the shade but despised condemned if he offers to emerge in the betraying light of day and though no Lord Donnie the world is no place for thee in thine own character never mayest thou appear among men these reflections sometimes overwhelmed his mind with gloom he had then no refuge but in redoubled activity resolving to allow himself no leisure for useless anticipation of future fate it happened however one morning that the aged Nina complained of an unwanted sensation towards noon it amounted to indisposition in Leonardo whom she had ever called her son assisted her to her bed from which she was doomed never more to arise of this in a few hours the worthy creature became conscious she felt undeniable symptoms of approaching disillusion and knew them for what they were alas said she feebly to the youth Leonardo I feel my beloved my second son that I have not longed to survive my dear Hugo let me behold thy sweet face in the moment of death and let me bless thee with my last breath Leonardo was deeply affected he beheld on the point of departing forever her who had admitted him unhesitatingly beneath her humble roof to share of her little comforts to the disposition of her trifling all true the event had rewarded her kindness but that was not the consideration of the moment of her genuine hospitality could he then forsake her lonely pillow no longer than to procure every assistance every necessary that might contribute to her ease or tend perhaps to revive the feeble embers yet lingering of life but vain were his attentions vain his endeavors ere long extinct became every hope after some hours of painful watching by her bedside during which she had not spoken and her breath had been heard to fluctuate she in a low almost inarticulate voice desired Leonardo to raise her in his arms he obeyed with tender anxiety all I have is thine she murmured making an effort to open her eyes and fix upon him her last look no sooner had she beheld that ingenuous countenance than her wishes seemed fulfilled her head sunk heavy on his bosom and she expired in his arms with the serenity of a child great was the grief of Leonardo he summoned her few friends and neighbors who occupied here and there a cottage on the mountain to perform the last sad offices for his humble but affectionate friend and feeling now the inutility of remaining on the spot he resolved to defer his departure only till he had seen her decently consigned to the earth in a few days therefore Leonardo dividing her slight possessions among those who had obeyed his call at her decease and reserving to himself only a trifling sum of money the produce of his own labor since he had resided beneath her roof he left the simple cottage where he had passed some happy hours and furnished with a small stock of provisions once more renewed his wanderings of shelter for the night he was no longer solicitous for his late toil and regular healthful habits had so far increased his hardy hood and vigor that he no longer shrunk at reposing in the open air nor would he felt while possessed of sufficient for half a meal attempt to enter the habitation of a man night at length overtook him he threw himself carelessly upon the earth and began to reflect the vagueness of his own intentions the desultoriousness of his mode of life forcibly struck him it is now two years and three months thought he since I left my native city of Venice since I left the disgraced abode of my father who so much loved me since that I have been once accused of the most dreadful crimes and driven with ignomy from the shelter to which I had no claim then have I been inured to poverty and toil and earned by bread like the meanest peasant by the sweat of my brow now am I again an outcast on the wide expanse of creation no friend, no home nor a prospect of attaining bread for tomorrow's substance a mother and all this for thee he exclaimed, clasping his hands fervently together through thee I have endured all this now the probable fate of that mother how his father had supported her loss and the situation of his sister with a thousand dear and tender recollections pressed upon his mind the fond wish of revisiting his home flashed across his mind but scarcely at first would he admit the idea irresistibly however it hung around his heart and why not then said he at length in an eager voice, why not as he contemplated the alteration of his appearance who in the present hearty Leonardo robust by toil and browned by the fierce rays of the midday sun and habited to in the coarse costume of the humble peasant shall trace the once luxurious air of Lord Donnie yes, I am determined he pursued starting on his feet a danger of being known once more revisit my home I can satisfy my mind respecting my unfortunate family and then take of it an eternal edgy he walked rapidly a few steps forgetting in the enthusiasm of the moment that it was night at length he grew calm early in the morning then said he mentally meantime here is my bed once more he cast himself upon the earth and sleep stealing over him soon calmed the agitation of his mind prompt was the decision and prompt ever the execution of Leonardo leaving at early dawn the mountains of Tuscany behind him he pursued his journey with the most eorepidity that his humble means would allow ever cautious that no one should suspect him for other than he appeared who can describe his sensations when he found himself even near the city of Venice yet he resolved not to enter it during the day when he arrived at Padua determined to proceed as far as he could on foot thinking by this means that it would be impossible for him to reach Venice before nightfall curbing his impatience therefore after taking some slight refreshment he deliberately set out on his allotted task but notwithstanding that he walked as he conceived at a moderate pace by the time he reached the extremity of the terra firma he perceived the sun still far above the western hemisphere he continued therefore slowly to wander along the borders of the lake idly stopping to remark whatever villa or splendid domain attracted his eye of which the Venetian nobility have many on the terra firma at length however feeling somewhat weary he threw himself upon the bed of the earth to him no longer unfamiliar as such and fell as usual into a train of thought tears involuntarily filled his eyes and coarsed each other down his cheeks he closed those eyes filled as they were with tears and ruminated over the sorrows of his youth ah tears painful as you were as yet rising from an unpolluted heart from a heart though bursting with grief yet unstained by guilt why why must it so soon become changed destroyed and plunged into an abyss of shame and infamy why aren't their doomed Leonardo to add another blot to the page which registers Lorena's crimes nature will often become exhausted by the intenseness of its own sensations Leonardo sunk by degrees from keen feeling into a temporary insensibility a soft sleep stole over his faculties and he forgot for a time the unhappiness of his situation while unconsciously he thus reposed a female chance to wander near the spot she had quitted her house for the purpose of enjoying more fully the fresco of the evening and to stroll along the banks of the lake however, arrested her attention and she softly approached to contemplate him his hands were clasped over his head and on his cheek where the hand of health had planted her brown red rose the pearly gems of his tears still hung his auburn hair sported in graceful curls about his forehead in temples agitated by the passing breeze his vermal lips were half open and disclosed his polished teeth his bosom which he had uncovered fresh air remained disclosed and contrasted by its snowy whiteness the animated hue of his complexion beautiful and fascinating though in the simple garb of a peasant did the wondering female consider the youth before her struck with lively admiration she knew not how to quit the spot when an insect suddenly alighting on his cheek he started and awaked somewhat confused he hastily arose for the female that met his eyes appeared to him supremely beautiful gently and with a smile she laid her hand upon his arm and in a gentle voice said you appear a stranger here and though your dress bespeaks inferiority of situation pardon me if I distrust what it seems meant to convey without therefore deeming me impertently curious allow me to inquire whether you intend to bend your course as the evening is already far advanced and I know not of any house near this for the night this was the first beautiful and attractive female say the innocent Amamia whose attraction too was of a nature wholly different to that of hers before him who had ever addressed herself to the warm imagination of Leonardo his cheeks became suffused with deepening blushes and his eyes which he longed to gaze upon her were yet cast bashfully towards the earth in a faltering voice he replied while every consideration but of the object before him vanished from his mind I have no I have not any particular destination for this night Signora but I have I have it in contemplation where to bend my course soon at least I am solicitous you stopped unable to proceed from a confusion of idea well but then in the voice of tender anxiety answered Megalina Strozzi for her it was who addressed the youth if you are not absolutely decided if you are not particularly desirous of proceeding further tonight perhaps you will for the present dine to enter my villa and allow me the happiness of offering you a dwelling for the night Leonardo raised his eyes and was about to reply come I perceive you will not deny me gaily resumed the fair Florentine taking him lightly by the arm and leading him onwards my house is but a small distance from hence look you may be hold it as you stand she added painting with her finger to a small and beautiful edifice built in the form of a pavilion impossible lovely Signora to refuse you anything said the youth enthusiastic at her charms and the gracefulness of her manner impossible to refuse you anything the fair Florentine only smiled and proceeded with alacrity as though apprehensive that the youth should retract they soon reached the villa and a smothered sigh as he entered it was the last tribute paid to the memory of his neglected home the character of Megalina Strozzi has already been so far revealed that to amplify upon it here or to the excesses into which it perpetually hurried her would be vain suffice to say that enraptured with the novel graces of the young Leonardo she spared no artifice or allurement to induce him to protract his stay beneath her roof she devoted herself to fascinate and seduce him and day after day contrived fresh causes to prevent his departure by degrees these artifices as Megalina had hoped they would became unnecessary it was now him who forebore to press up the subject who sought excuses to remain and who constantly trembled less the necessity of departing should be pointed out to him it was not with the beautiful Megalina as with the profligate wife of Zappy for though equally depraved herself she knew better how to disguise beneath an artificial delicacy and refinement the tumultuous wishes of her heart it was not vainly then that she sought to seduce the imagination and lure the senses of the youth no he had in his own high wrought feelings in his susceptible soul powerful and treacherous advocates in her cause he beheld her with a mixed sentiment of admiration and passion far different to the sentiments with which he had regarded the young amamia those he had entertained for her were innocent peaceful and refined for Megalina, turbulent painful wild her charms kindled his soul amamias had filled it with a halcyon tenderness his sensations for the one were like the burning heat of a fierce meridian sun for the other like the gentle calmness of a summer eve Megalina who had only retired to the villa which she sat at presently occupied with the intent to remain there for a few days and that nearly on the account of a quarrel she had had with the Conte Berenza wherein she had bitterly reproached him for the infrequency of his visits to her now forgetting the cause of chagrin that induced her to leave Venice found herself from the delightful chance that had introduced Leonardo to her inclined to protract her stay far beyond what she had originally intended it so happened that about this time Berenza had recovered his beloved Victoria the absence therefore of the fair Megalina remained not only noticed but unknown while she secretly congratulated herself upon the revenge she believed herself to be taking upon the indifference of Berenza towards her yet indifferent as he was the Florentine could not forget that she had loved him once with a passion almost equal to that which she now felt for Leonardo and whether or not he still continued to repay her diminished regards with all the ardent gratitude she had the vanity to conceive her due for having once preferred him to all other men in her heart that the hour in which she should discover in him a preference to another should be the last of his existence yet for her own conduct she had no standard but her wishes inconstancy and duplicity towards him from whom she presumed to require such implicit devotion were esteemed as nothing her excesses, her irregularities if she had ingenuity enough to conceal them from his knowledge she considered perfectly allowable and far from affording to Berenza an excuse for attaching himself elsewhere with these sentiments she gave unbounded latitude for her passion for Leonardo and to such an excess did it speedily arrive that she almost felt as if for him she could resign every other man End of Chapter 13 Read by Theresa Mayer of Shrewsbury Township, New Jersey Chapter 14 of Zafloia This is the LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Elsie Selwyn Zafloia by Charlotte Dacri Chapter 14 Three months had now elapsed since Leonardo, fatally for himself, had become known to the siren Megalina He was not yet 19 Megalina was his senior by several years yet so far had her full-blown but unfaded charms her playful yet elegant manners her various seductive blandishments obtained the ascendancy over his imagination that the bare idea of separating from her became to him at length distraction she had bewitched and enslaved his heart she had awakened his soul to new existence the image of the delicate Alamia faded from his mind in a more wild a more unbounded passion took of it in the form of Megalina with a novel delight superior to art she had ever felt at any former conquest did the artful Florentine behold her triumph she had sown as she believed the first germs of love and passion in a pure youthful breast she had seen those germs shoot forth and expand beneath the fervid rays of her influence and she enjoyed the fruits with a voluptuous pleasure at length however the vanity of her sex became predominant assured of the perfect regard of Leonardo enamored of his beauty and proud of her conquest she had yet another feeling to gratify she longed to exhibit him at Venice to the females of her acquaintance to excite their envy and their admiration for of their attraction she entertained no fear no dread of rivalry with herself had the Haughty Florentine but how to conceal from Berenza her new and highly prized lover she resolved then to let her return eye to Venice remain a secret to him and in order to maintain it such go but little from home this point determined on she expressed to Leonardo her desire to revisit Venice at the mention of Venice he became visibly agitated the color for took his cheeks and returned to them again with deepened die that very event which he had a little time before so eagerly desired he now contemplated with mingled sensations of terror and reluctance but could he refuse to his seducing mistress impossible for her he forgot the firmest purpose to her he laid open the painful secret which till now was scrupulous care a high mindedness that shrunk from the idea of divulgement he had deviatingly guarded the secret of his name and family throwing himself into the arms of Megalina he acknowledged himself for what he was and hesitatingly expressed his unwillingness openly to revisit Venice at least in his proper character are you then exclaimed Megalina the fire of increased exultation sparkling in her eyes are you then the son of Laura Donnie I am beautiful Strozzi he answered but dropping on his knees and fervently clasping his hands together guard, guard I beseech you the secret which your charms have extracted from me respect my honor my happiness in my life and never by any chance oh never let it transpire from your lips that I am the disgraced the wandering offspring of that unhappy house or that to the name of Leonardo I add his voice faltered I had that of Laura Donnie never never solemnly answered the Florentine swear it's lovely woman swear to her I rise passionately added Leonardo I swear solemnly swear answered Megalina laying one hand upon his shoulder and raising the other to heaven I swear never to divulge thy secret to mortal being and in the moment I forget my oath may the lightning of heaven blast me Megalina I thank thee cried Leonardo fervently rising from his knees and embracing her with a tender solemnity while tears troubled in his eyes I earnestly thank thee for the discovery of my secret I would never survive but you will go to Venice then Leonardo oh Megalina does not my father dwell there how going with thee might I remain concealed from his knowledge no you not then dear youth that the march chess is no more that events and those which followed are sufficiently known in Venice and none of your family at present reside there Leonardo heard only the words the march chess is no more his hands were raised in mute anguish to heaven the eloquent tears rolled slowly down his cheeks and emphatically he exclaimed merciful god I thank thee then turning towards Megalina he said in a voice of assumed calmness from me of what you know I can bear to listen the Florentine appearing deeply affected at the visible emotion of Leonardo stated and certainly with all possible regard to those high and susceptible feelings which she perceived at him whatever had come to her knowledge respecting the occurrences in the family of Luridani she concluded her detail which she had rendered as concise and as little painful as possible by again observing as she believed Jocely then no part of that family was decided now in the city of Venice oh lost oh miserable mother silently ejaculated the youth thou has completed then the measures of thy crimes adieu forever to the honor to the happiness of thy children thou has now blasted them and ever trevably to Megalina however his smart and pride his anguish feelings suffered him to make no remark and therefore it was too towering even in its humility to ask a sharer in such griefs and wilt thou not then accompany me to the city interrogated Megalina again taking his hand and looking fondly in his face yes yes there Megalina he replied passing his hand hastily across his forehead as if to chase away every uneasy thought yes I can now do anything but remember only Leonardo delighted to have gained her point the Florentine promised obedience to his smallest desire anticipated and entered warmly into his every wish arranging with eager facility a plan for his remaining concealed and unknown Leonardo yielding to all she proposed hastened from her presence to wander a while in gloomy retrospection for his mind incapable of recovering immediately from the shock it had sustained required in solitude to wear off in fact and conquer the gloom that oppressed it Megalina however determined that her lover should not retract resumed as soon as she again beheld him the subject nearest her heart and fixed the following day for their departure from the villa Agua Dolque to whose friendly seclusion she considered herself indebted for pleasure beyond any she had ever enjoyed accordingly in the cool of the evening on the following day they embarked for Venice and began to get dusk as they arrived they soon reached her luxurious residence but nothing could remove the oppression which momentarily had been growing upon Leonardo increasing at every step that brought him nearer to the place of his nativity Megalina perceiving this exerted herself by every tender acidity and insinuating art to lighten and disperse she welcomed the youthful lover to her home and cast a splendid supper to be prepared at length her powerful influence began to prevail and her colleague Leonardo gave way before it potent goblets of wine assisted her efforts the uselessness of regret became manifest to his mind it was displaced by a vivacity resulting rather from the animation imparted to the spirits by wine and luxurious vans then the sober reasoning of philosophy the bland seductress Megalina possessed over him in unlimited power she had caused a new world to open on his view at he was not awakened from the dream of pleasure with which she had bewitched his soul feelings and ideas unknown before swelled in his bosom and his heart was rapidly becoming immersed in an infatuating sea of voluptuousness Megalina to his heated enthusiastic fancy appeared an angel at once beneficent and beautiful jealous of every idea that was not directed to herself she seduously endeavored to banish from his mind all painful recurrence to the past to this end she thought it expedient to seek for him amusement and recreation but of a nature that should not involve publicity for in his determination of concealment Leonardo continued firm and tremblingly alive to the remotest idea of discovery accordingly at her own house Megalina assembled most of her female friends and such of her male acquaintance who wow from vacancy they affected to admire her profess not to be lovers to all these she presented her cherished lover as a young Florentine and distant relation of her own for even Megalina bold and unprincipled as she was did not desire to have known the real circumstances of her acquaintance with Leonardo among the visitors that frequented this abode of levity and ignoble pleasure it was not probable that any should be found who had formally visited at the Marches Loredonis yet had such an accident occurred nearly three years of absence from Venice joined to the life which he had led amid the mountains of Tuscany had so far changed his originally delicate appearance that it would have been almost impossible for any but a near relative to recognize the pampered boy Leonardo and the hardy and robust looking Florentine increased to the most elegant stature of the full grown man but yet although unknown and undiscovered Megalina vainly flattered herself and believing that the tale of his relationship to her self was credited enamored as she appeared of the imminent beauty of his person and evidently incapable of remaining at ease if for a moment he quitted her presence it required no singular degree of penetration to discern that ties more tender and more animated than those resulting from consanguinity attracted her towards him it so happened that among the females to which the vanity Florentine incited her to introduce her lover was one by name Teresa this girl was of exquisite beauty but deeply immersed in a stream of vice and dissipation to the further disgrace of Megalina and must he acknowledged that she was in a high degree accessory to her fall from virtue the unfortunate girl though she appeared to court her society and to entertain towards her friendship and affection was in her heart deeply sensible of this and when reflection transiently pervaded her wretched mind and the bitterness of an abhorrent half-repentant spirit she silently cursed the enemy that had betrayed her soon her penetrating and observant eye remarked the fond expression of regard with which Megalina Stratzi so frequently regarded her lover the concealed exultation with which she viewed him was discovered by the watchful Teresa she felt convinced in her mind that he bore relationship to her accepting that of love if love it might be termed and rejoiced at a prospect of obtaining revenge for the misery that an envying in fallen female had induced her to partake of inspired to by something of passion for the attractive Leonardo she resolved if possible to attach him wholly from her hated associate by courting him to herself eager in the prosecution of this plan she left untried no artifices that could facilitate it she invited Megalina frequently to her house and spite of her watchfulness and care contrived to have her attention engaged that she might steal Leonardo from her side and hold private conferences with him she appeared as the Florentine had done to his imagination and his senses and by younger therefore more blooming charms sought to reduce his heart from its alliance to her but while Teresa angled as she thought thus securely and unsuspected the demon of jealousy had taken possession of the Florentine's soul and raged to madness of what she saw yet wildly and apparently cool with vengeance burning in her breast she resolved still to appear unconscious and to see how far the daring treachery of Teresa would carry her to this end she forebored to circumvent her various plans to invoke her lover and while Teresa believed herself wholly unobserved she only fell the reddier into the snare which was laid for her at length her incessant and evident assiduities began to attract and return the attentions of Leonardo now no longer diffident no longer retiring he sought not to repress the sensations she excited sensations not so ardent indeed because no longer new as though he had experienced for Megalina but yet gradually acquiring strength and from the novelty of the object at least increasing in allurement his eyes and his language began to trace that she had in some measure achieved her anxiously desired object desirous of possible to rivet him at once her own she with eager and ill concealed the light appointed an evening wind by a plan of her own suggestion he might unsuspected steal to her house the sentiments of Leonardo though high and tremblingly alive to whatever regarded his pride or dignity of birth were not yet so punctilious as may shrink from the idea of infringing on the fidelity of love unused even from childhood to occur the slightest of his wishes and his self love flattered by the early acquired regard of so young and lovely a female he hesitated not and accepting her invitation though his native delicacy taught him to consider it as somewhat premature but what then Megalina herself had first inspired him with a taste for ignoble pleasures and it could scarcely be dishonorable to pursue with another the path her fascinations had pointed out the evening then was mutually agreed on and even the very hour fixed to this length did the secure and artful throttle permit everything to advance Leonardo which suffered to make his escape to enter the house and even the apartment where his impatient fair one awaited to receive him but then so well so accurately had the Florentine arranged her plan she burst upon them like a thunder cloud for a few moments she even surveyed them but with that kind of horrible betokens an approaching storm Teresa had greeted Leonardo with a fervent embrace and such was still their attitude with a look wherein was depicted the blackest rage the deepest vengeance and the bitterest scorn without advancing a step she continued to contemplate them then firmly and deliberately approaching Leonardo she seized him by the arm so unimpaired with her power over his soul such was the almost the terror which he involuntarily felt while sinking evashed beneath the powerful glance of her eye that he had no power to resist the decisiveness of her action there was a something at this junction there are relative situations that made her even in his own eyes appear the injured person and himself the worthless aggressor without a single rebellious struggle therefore on his side the Florentine retained his arm which he grasped with the violence of smothered rage then casting on the trembling and foiled Teresa a look which spoke volumes to her trembling soul she led with step haughty and indignant her recovered captive from the room returning homewards Megalina preserved a gloomy silence Leonardo essayed twice or thrice to speak but his tongue refused its office and accents half formed quivered on his lips shocked and repentant his mind suggested nothing that could allay the resentment he knew was boiling in the breast of his mistress at length they reached home and entered an apartment the Florentine stole preserving an uninterrupted silence through herself upon a sofa and covering her face with her hands remain apparently absorbed in thought Leonardo could bear no longer this terrible demeanor he became agonized the remembrance of the happiness he had till now enjoyed with his still adored Megalina rushed impetuously over his ardent soul of Teresa he knew little or nothing he felt an emotion bordering on rage and disgust rising in his bosom against her for having even momentarily alienated his thoughts from her to whom he fondly conceived that he owed so much no longer master of himself he rushed towards her he threw himself with violence at her feet kissed them and bedoed them with his tears this was only what the artful Florentine had expected knowing well the haughtiness of his nature yet knowing likewise well the susceptibility of his feelings she had foreborn to irritate by reproach him who was to be conquered by an appeal to the heart oh lovely oh adored Megalina cried the repentant lover forgive forgive me I feel yes I feel that is you alone I love pardon then in this conviction your unhappy guilty slave the Florentine answered not what not a word not a word oh Megalina resumed he almost distracted and snatching his stiletto forth I have lived too long then thus let in force existence from my worthless though agonized heart as he spoke he tore open his vest and frantically made an attempt to plunge it in his bosom Megalina starting up wrenched it from his furious grasp and threw it far still the devoted youth remained at her feet she cast her eyes downward upon his graceful form and tenfold love assailed her softened soul she stretched forth her hand and bade him rise her voice reanimated him and springing up he bolded her with ardor to his breast the artful Stratzi returned his embrace but suddenly pushing him from her she exclaimed go bring me that stiletto he felt surprised but obeyed her imperious command she took it hastily from his hand then said in a solemn serious voice Leonardo do you love me love you he eagerly repeated then mark me she resumed by this stiletto and by your hand Teresa dies the youth shuttered and recoiled a few steps for human nature shrinks instinctively at murder ah false wretch do you hesitate fiercely explained the Florentine go then go to your Tevesa and quit my sight forever and will nothing less than appease the Omega Lina faltered out the enslaved Leonardo to his plane he loves her gloomily muttered the vindictive Stratzi oh no by heaven I do not eagerly replied Leonardo prove it then by plunging this stiletto in her heart not else can or shall convince me that you do not oh megalina my first my only mistress you will not you cannot surely require proof so dreadful and imploringly he looked in her countenance that fierce countenance still retained its unchanging expression in it he read consent or leave me this dreadful fiat made her appear from the apprehension and excited of losing her more beautiful than ever in his eyes her symmetrical form shone forth with redoubled loveliness to his heated fancy and while he gazed his struggles died away or were displaced by sensations which overpowered them he stretched forth his burning hand and trembled with the consciousness of intended murder and in faint faltering voice he said give me the dagger you consent then said the seductress megalina to let it shed the blood of the insolent Venetian I do I do and to bring it me again stained and dripping with her gore oh oh you require ground the miserable Leonardo I love you cruel megalina oh how much when to prove it I would murder the Florentine cast this stiletto with violence away fair arms wide the bewildered Leonardo rushed into their embrace and sunk overpowered on her bosom I forgive thee she cried I now forgive thee Leonardo I wanted after thy cool dereliction for me some proof that I was still loved that proof I have obtained and thou art mine again oh I was thine ever replied the infatuated youth tears gushing from his eyes I now believe that thou werent answered the Florentine gazing exultingly upon her victim and then gently seating him beside her with a smile such was the fatal empire that a worthless wanton had acquired over young and susceptible heart left to its wild energies a reason could preponderate and thus darkly colored became the future character of one yielding progressively to the most horrible crimes which, if differently directed might have become an honor in an ornament to human nature End of Chapter 14 Recording by Elsie Soen