Let us now return to Fernand Wagner, whom we left flying from his
Nisida, flying in horror and alarm from her whom he nevertheless loved
so tenderly and devotedly. He fled as if from the brink of the yawning
pit of hell, into which the malignant fiend who coveted his soul was
about to plunge him. Nor once did he look back. Absorbed as his feelings
were in the full conviction of the tremendous peril from which he had
just escaped, he still found room for the reflection that were he to
turn and catch but one glimpse of the beauteous, oh! too beauteous
creature from whom he had torn himself away, he should be lost. His mind
was bent upon the salvation of his immortal soul; and he knew that the
enemy of mankind was assailing him with a power and with an energy which
nothing save the assistance of Heaven could enable him to resist. He
knew also that Heaven helps only those who are willing and anxious to
help themselves; and of this doctrine he had received a striking and
triumphant proof in the sudden and evanescent appearance of his guardian
angel at the instant when, overpowered by the strong, the earnest, and
the pathetic pleading of the siren Nisida, he was about to proclaim his
readiness to effect the crowning sacrifice. And it was to avoid the
chance of that direful yielding--to fly from a temptation which became
irresistible when embellished with all the eloquence of a woman on whom
he doted, that Wagner sped with lightning rapidity toward the mountains.
But the beauteous form of Nisida met not now his eyes; and deeply,
profoundly, ardently as he still loved her, and felt that he must ever
love her, yet, to speak soothly, he deplored not that she was no longer
there. The vision of the previous night had so firmly established hope
in his soul, that he had prepared and tutored himself, during his
journey across the mountains, to sacrifice all his happiness on earth to
insure the eternal felicity of heaven.
No. Nisida was not there. But as he drew closer to the shore, he beheld,
to his ineffable joy, the dark spot gradually assume that defined shape
which left no room to doubt the truth of his vision, even were he
inclined to be skeptical. For there, indeed, touching the strand, but
still so far in the water that a slight exertion would send it
completely afloat, was a large boat, curiously shaped, and painted in a
variety of fantastic colors. It had a mast standing, but the sail was
lowered and, on a closer inspection, the boat proved to be altogether
unimpaired.
"Heaven delights to effect its wise intentions by natural means,"
thought Wagner within himself. "But surely it could not have been
through the agency of Nisida that this boat was left upon the shore?
No," he added aloud, after a still closer inspection; "the rope fastened
to the prow has been snapped asunder! Doubtless the boat became detached
from one of the ships which appeared off the island yesterday, and
which," he said in a low murmuring voice, and with an ill-subdued sigh,
"have afforded Nisida the means of departure hence."
He sat down, exhausted; and as he found leisure for recollection--as his
thoughts composed themselves and settled down into something like
collected calmness--he felt a sensation of indescribable joy at having
triumphed over the appalling temptations which had beset him. And in his
soul a voice seemed to be singing an anthem of delight and gratitude;
and he soon experienced a serenity of mind such as he had not known for
many hours past! When man, having yielded to temptation, succeeds in
escaping the perils of the consequences, he beholds a strong motive for
self-gratulation;--but how ineffably more sweet is it to be able to
reflect that the temptation itself has been avoided in the first
instance, and that the dangers of the results have never even been
risked.
Thus thought Wagner:--but not for a moment did he attribute to any
strength of mind on his own part, the escape which had just been
effected from the snares set by the evil one. No; he acknowledged within
himself, and with all due humility, that the hand of the Almighty had
sustained him in his most trying moments of peril; and ere he thought of
resuming his journey to that side of the island on which Nisida was not,
he knelt in fervent prayer. Rising from his knees, his eyes accidentally
swept the sea:--and he was riveted to the spot from which he was about
to turn away--for the white sails of the Ottoman fleet met his
astonished view. He remained gazing on those objects for some time,
until he was convinced they were nearing the island. For a few moments a
deep regret took possession of him:--he should lose his Nisida
irrevocably! But his next impulse was to wrestle with this feeling--to
combat this weakness. How could he have hoped ever to rejoin her without
rendering himself again liable to the witchery of her siren tongue--the
eloquence of her silver-toned voice--the persuasiveness of her graceful
manners? No; it were better that she should depart; it were preferable
that he should lose her and preserve his immortal soul. Thus reasoned
he;--and that reasoning was effectual. He waited only long enough to
assure himself that the fleet was positively approaching the island:--he
then knew that she would depart;--and, without permitting himself to
yield again to the weakness which had for a few moments threatened to
send him back within the sphere of Nisida's fatal influence, he tore
himself away from that point amongst the heights which commanded the
view of the side of the island where she was. Hastening around the base
of the volcano, he reached the defiles leading to that part of the isle
where he had periodically fulfilled his dreadful destiny as a Wehr-Wolf.
Carefully avoiding the outskirts of the forest and the knots of large
trees, he proceeded toward the shore; and his heart was rent with
feelings of deep anguish as he everywhere beheld the traces of
destruction left behind him by his recent run in the horrible form of a
savage monster. Then, too, when melancholy thoughts had once again
entered his soul, the image of Nisida appeared to flit before him in the
most tempting manner; and the more he endeavored to banish from his
memory the recollection of her charms, the more vividly delineated did
they become.
At length jealousy took possession of him;--and suddenly stopping short
in his progress toward the shore, he exclaimed aloud, "What if she
should be wooed and won by another? If she return to her native land, as
assuredly she now will, she may meet some handsome and elegant cavalier
who will succeed in winning her passions:--and I--I, who love her so
well--shall be forgotten! Oh! this is madness! To think that another may
possess her, clasp her in his arms, press his lips to hers, feel her
fragrant breath fan his cheek, play with the rich tresses of her
beauteous hair, oh! no, no, the bare thought is enough to goad me to
despair! She must not depart thus, we have separated, if not in anger at
least abruptly, too abruptly, considering how we have loved, and that we
have wedded each other in the sight of Heaven! Heaven!" repeated Wagner,
his tone changing from despair to a deep solemnity; "heaven! Oh! I
rejoice that I gave utterance to the word;--for it reminds me that to
regain my Nisida I must lose heaven!"
And, as if to fly from his own reflections, he rushed on toward the sea;
and there he stopped to gaze, as oft before he had gazed, on the mighty
expanse, seeming, in the liquid sunlight, as it stretched away from the
yellow sand, a resplendent lake of molten silver bounded by a golden
shore.
"How like to the human countenance art thou, oh mighty sea!" thought
Wagner, as he stood with folded arms on the brink of the eternal waters.
"Now thou hast smiles as soft and dimples as beautiful as ever appeared
in the face of innocence and youth, while the joyous sunlight is on
thee. But if the dark clouds gather in the heaven above thee, thou
straightway assumed a mournful and a gloomy aspect, and thou growest
threatening and somber. And in how many varied voices dost thou speak.
Oh, treacherous and changeful sea! Now thou whisperest softly as if thy
ripples conveyed faint murmurs of love;--but, if the gale arise, thou
canst burst forth into notes of laughter as thy waters leap to the shore
with bounding mirth;--and, if the wind grow higher, thou canst speak
louder and more menacingly; till, when the storm comes on, thou lashest
thyself into a fury,--thou boilest with rage, and thy wrathful voice
vies with the rush of the tempest and the roar of the thunder! Deceitful
sea--imaging the beauties, thoughts, and passions of the earth! Within
thy mighty depths, too, thou hast gems to deck the crowns of kings and
the brows of loveliness; and yet thou cravest for more--more--and
engulfest rich argosies with all their treasures--thou insatiate sea!
And in thy dark caverns are the skeletons of the myriads of human beings
whom thou hast swallowed up in thy fury; and whose bones are trophies
which thou retainest in thy fathomless depths, as the heart of man
enshrineth the relics of those hopes which have wasted away and
perished!"
Thus thought Wagner, as he stood gazing upon the sea, then so calm and
beautiful, but which he knew to be so treacherous. When wearied of the
reflections which that scene inspired, and not daring to allow his mind
to dwell upon the image of Nisida, he repaired to the nearest grove and
refreshed himself with the cooling fruits which he plucked. Then he
extended his rambles amongst the verdant plains, and strove strenuously
to divert his thoughts as much as possible from the one grand and
mournful idea--the departure of Nisida from the island! But vainly did
he endeavor to fix his attention upon the enchanting characteristics of
that clime;--the flowers appeared to him less brilliant in hue than they
were wont to be--the fruits were less inviting--the verdure was of a
less lively green--and the plumage of the birds seemed to have lost the
bright gloss that rendered its colors so gorgeous in the sunlight. For,
oh! the powers of his vision were almost completely absorbed in his
mind; and that mind was a mirror wherein was now reflected with a
painful vividness all the incidents of the last few hours.
But still he was sustained in his determination not to retrace his way
to the spot where he had left Nisida; and when several hours had passed,
and the sun was drawing near the western horizon, he exclaimed, in a
moment of holy triumph, "She has doubtless by this time quitted the
island, and I have been enabled to resist those anxious longings which
prompted me to return and clasp her in my arms! O God! I thank thee that
thou hast given me this strength!"
Wagner now felt so overcome with weariness after his wanderings and
roamings of so many hours, especially as the two preceding nights had
been sleepless for him--that he sat down upon a piece of low rock near
the shore. A quiet, dreamy repose insensibly stole over him: in a few
minutes his slumber was profound. And now he beheld a strange vision.
Gradually the darkness which appeared to surround him grew less intense;
and a gauzy vapor that rose in the midst, at first of the palest bluish
tint possible, by degrees obtained more consistency, when its nature
began to undergo a sudden change, assuming the semblance of a luminous
mist. Wagner's heart seemed to flutter and leap in his breast, as if
with a presentiment of coming joy; for the luminous mist became a
glorious halo, surrounding the beauteous and holy form of a protecting
angel, clad in white and shining garments, and with snowy wings drooping
slowly from her shoulders! And ineffably--supernally benign and
reassuring was the look which the angel bent upon the sleeping Wagner,
as she said in the softest, most melodious tones, "The choir of the
heavenly host has hymned thanks for thy salvation! After thou hadst
resisted the temptations of the enemy of mankind when he spoke to thee
with his own lips, an angel came to thee in a dream to give thee
assurance that thou hadst already done much in atonement for the crime
that endangered thy soul; but he warned thee then that much more
remained to be done ere that atonement would be complete. And the rest
is now accomplished; for thou hast resisted the temptations of the evil
one when urged by the tongue and in the melodious voice of lovely woman!
This was thy crowning triumph: and the day when thou shalt reap thy
reward is near at hand; for the bonds which connect thee with the
destiny of a Wehr-Wolf shall be broken, and thy name shall be inscribed
in Heaven's own Book of Life! And I will give thee a sign, that what
thou seest and hearest now in thy slumber is no idle and delusive vision
conjured up by a fevered brain. The sign shall be this: On awaking from
thy sleep, retrace thy way to the spot where this morning thou didst
separate from her whom thou lovest; and there shalt thou find a boat
upon the sand. The boat will waft thee to Sicily; and there, in the town
of Syracuse, thou must inquire for a man whose years have numbered one
hundred and sixty-two; for that man it is who will teach thee how the
spell which has made thee a Wehr-Wolf may be broken."
Scarcely had the angel finished speaking, when a dark form rose suddenly
near that heavenly being; and Wagner had no difficulty in recognizing
the demon. But the enemy of mankind appeared not armed with terrors of
countenance, nor with the withering scorn of infernal triumph; for a
moment his features denoted ineffable rage--and then that expression
yielded to one of the profoundest melancholy, as if he were saying
within himself, "There is salvation for repentant man, but none for me!"
A cloud now seemed to sweep before Wagner's eyes; denser and more dense
it grew--first absorbing in its increasing obscurity the form of the
demon, and then enveloping the radiant being who still continued to
smile sweetly and benignly upon the sleeping mortal until the glorious
countenance and the shining garments were no longer visible, but all was
black darkness around. And Fernand Wagner continued to sleep profoundly.
Many hours elapsed ere he woke; and his slumber was serene and soothing.
At length when he opened his eyes and slowly raised his head from the
hard pillow which a mass of rock had formed, he beheld the rich red
streaks in the eastern horizon, heralding the advent of the sun; and as
the various features of the island gradually developed themselves to his
view, as if breaking slowly from a mist, he collected and rearranged in
his mind all the details of the strange vision which he had seen. For a
few minutes he was oppressed with a fear that his vision would indeed
prove the delusive sport of his fevered brain; for there seemed to be in
its component parts a wild admixture of the sublime and the fantastic.
The solemn language of the angel appeared strangely diversified by the
intimation that he would find a boat upon the shore, that this boat
would convey him to a place where he was to inquire for a man whose age
was one hundred and sixty-two years, and that this man was the being
destined to save him from the doom of a Wehr-Wolf.
Then, again, he thought that heaven worked out its designs by means
often inscrutable to human comprehension: and he blamed himself for
having doubted the truth of the vision. Feelings of joy therefore
accompanied the reassurance of his soul; and, having poured forth his
thanksgivings for the merciful intervention of Providence in his behalf,
he tarried not even to break his fast with the fruits clustering at a
short distance from him, but hastened to retrace his way across the
mountains, no longer doubting to find the sign fulfilled and the boat
upon the shore. And now these thoughts rose within him. Should he again
behold Nisida? Was the fleet, which he had seen on the previous day,
still off the island? Or had it departed, bearing Nisida away to another
clime?
He expected not to behold either the fleet or his loved one; for he felt
convinced that the angel would not send him back within the influence of
her temptations. Nor was he mistaken, for having traversed the volcanic
range of heights, he beheld naught to break the uniform and monotonous
aspect of the sunlit sea. But, on drawing nearer to the shore, he saw a
dark spot almost immediately in front of the little hut which Nisida and
himself had constructed, and wherein they had passed so many, many happy
hours.
He now advanced with a beating heart to the hut. The door was closed.
Was it possible that Nisida might be within? Oh, how weak in purpose is
the strongest minded of mortals. For an instant a pleasing hope filled
Wagner's breast; and then, again summoning all his resolutions to his
aid, he opened the door, resolved, should she indeed be there, to remain
proof against all the appeals she might make to induce him to sacrifice
to their mundane prosperity his immortal soul. But the hut was empty. He
lingered in it for a few moments; and the reminiscences of happy hours
passed therein swept across his brain. Suddenly the note which Nisida
had left for him met his eyes; and it would be representing him as
something far more or else far less than human, were we to declare he
did not experience a feeling of intense pleasure at beholding the
memorial of her love. The tears flowed down his cheeks as he read the
following lines:
"The hour approaches, dearest Fernand, when, in all probability,
I shall quit the island. But think not that this hope is
unaccompanied by severe pangs. Oh, thou knowest that I love
thee, and I will return to thee, my own adored Fernand, so soon
as my presence shall be no longer needed at Florence. Yes, I
will come back to thee, and we will not part until death shall
deprive thee of _me_--for I must perish first, and while thou
still remainest in all the glory of regenerated youth. Alas,
thou hast fled from me this morning in anger--perhaps in
disgust. But thou wilt forgive me, Fernand, if, yielding to some
strange influence which I could not control, I urged an appeal
so well calculated to strike terror into thy soul. Oh, that I
could embrace thee ere I leave this isle; but alas! thou comest
not back--thou hast fled to the mountains. It is, however, in
the ardent hope of thy return to this spot, that I leave these
few lines to assure thee of my undying affection, to pledge to
thee my intention to hasten back to thine arms as soon as
possible, and to implore thee not to nourish anger against thy
devoted NISIDA."
Wagner placed the letter to his lips, exclaiming, "Oh, wherefore did an
evil influence ever prove its power on thee, thou loving, loved, and
beauteous being. Why was thy hand raised against the hapless Agnes?
wherefore did fate make thee a murderess--and why, oh, why didst thou
assail me with prayers, tears, reproaches, menaces, to induce me to
consign my soul to Satan? Nisida, may Heaven manifest its merciful
goodness unto thee, even as that same benign care has been extended to
me."
Fernand then placed the letter in his bosom, next to his heart, and
dashing away the tears from his long lashes, began to turn his attention
toward the preparation for his own departure from the island. As he
approached the pile of stores, he beheld the light drapery which Nisida
had lately worn, but which she had laid aside previous to leaving the
island; and he also observed that the rich dress, which he had often
seen her examine with care, was no longer there.
"How beautiful she must have appeared in the garb!" he murmured to
himself. "But, alas! she returns to the great world to resume her former
character of the deaf and dumb."
Nisida and himself had often employed themselves in gathering quantities
of those fruits which form an excellent aliment when dried in the sun;
and there was a large supply of these comestibles now at his disposal.
He accordingly transferred them to the boat; then he procured a quantity
of fresh fruits; and lastly he filled with pure water a cask which had
been saved by Nisida from the corsair-wreck. His preparations were
speedily completed; and he was about to depart, when it struck him that
he might never behold Nisida again, and that she might perform her
promise of returning to the island sooner or later. He accordingly
availed himself of the writing materials left amongst the stores, to pen
a brief but affectionate note, couched in the following terms:
"DEAREST NISIDA,--I have found, read, and wept over thy letter.
Thou hast my sincerest forgiveness, because I love thee more
than man ever before loved woman. Heaven has sent me the means
of escape from this island--and the doom at which my regenerated
existence was purchased, will shortly lose its spell. But
perhaps my life may be surrendered up at the same time; at all
events, everything is dark and mysterious in respect to means by
which that spell is to be broken. Should we never meet again,
but shouldst thou return hither and find this note, receive it
as a proof of the unchanging affection of thy
"FERNAND."
The letter was placed in the hut, in precisely the same spot where the
one written by Nisida had been left; and Wagner then hastened to the
boat, which he had no difficulty in pushing away from the shore. Without
being able to form any idea of the direction in which the island of
Sicily lay, but trusting entirely to the aid of Heaven to guide him to
the coast whither his destiny now required him to proceed, he hoisted
the sail and abandoned the boat to the gentle breeze which swept the
surface of the Mediterranean.
* * * * *
The state-cabins--they might more properly be called spacious
apartments--occupied by the Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha, on board the
ship of the lord high admiral, were fitted up in a most sumptuous and
luxurious manner. They consisted of two large saloons in a suit, and
from each of which opened, on either side, a number of small cabins,
tenanted by the officers immediately attached to the grand vizier's
person, and the page and slaves in attendance on him.
The first of the two large saloons was lighted by a handsome conical
skylight on the deck: the innermost had the advantage of the stern
windows. The drapery--the curtains, the carpets, the sofas, and the
hangings were all of the richest materials; the sides and ceilings of
the cabin were beautifully painted and elaborately gilded, and the
wood-work of the windows was incrusted with thin slabs of
variously-colored marbles, on which were engraved the ciphers of the
different lord high admirals who had hoisted their flags at any time on
board that ship. For the state-apartments which we are describing
properly belonged to the kapitan-pasha himself; but they had been
surrendered to the grand vizier, as a mark of respect to the superior
rank of this minister, during his stay on board.
The little cabins communicating with the large saloons were in reality
intended to accomodate the ladies of the kapitan-pasha's harem; but
Ibrahim did not turn them to a similar use, because it was contrary to
Ottoman usage for the Princess Aischa, being the sultan's sister, to
accompany her husband on any expedition; and he had received so menacing
a warning in the fate of Calanthe not to provoke the jealousy of Aischa
or the vengeance of her mother, the Sultana Valida, that he had brought
none of the ladies of his own harem with him. Indeed, since the violent
death of Calanthe the harem had been maintained at Constantinople rather
as an appendage of high rank than as a source of sensual enjoyment.
Nisida of Riverola was treated with the utmost deference and attention
by the Grand Vizier, Ibrahim Pasha; and on reaching the lord high
admiral's ship, she was instantly conducted to the innermost saloon,
which she was given to understand by signs would be exclusively
appropriated to her own use. The slaves occupying the small cabins
opening therefrom were removed to another part of the ship; and the key
of the door connecting the two saloons was handed by the polite Ibrahim
to the lady as a guaranty, or at least an apparent one, of the respect
with which she should be treated and the security she might hope to
enjoy.
The fleet weighed anchor and set sail again almost immediately after the
return of the grand vizier to the admiral's ship; and as she was wafted
away from the Island of Snakes, Nisida sat at the window of her splendid
saloon gazing at the receding shores, and so strangely balancing between
her anxiety to revisit Florence and her regrets at abandoning Fernand
Wagner, that while smiles were on her lips, tears were in her eyes, and
if her bosom palpitated with joy at one moment it would heave with
profound sighs at the next.
In the afternoon four male slaves entered Nisida's cabin, and spread
upon the table a magnificent repast, accompanied with the most delicious
wines of Cyprus and Greece--and while the lady partook slightly of the
banquet, two other slaves appeared and danced in a pleasing style for
several minutes. They retired, but shortly returned, carrying in their
hands massive silver censers, in which burnt aloes, cinnamon and other
odoriferous woods diffused a delicious perfume around. The four slaves
who attended at table removed the dishes on splendid silver salvers, and
then served sherbet and a variety of delicious fruits; and when the
repast was terminated, they all withdrew, leaving Nisida once more
alone. The Island of Snakes had been lost sight of for some hours, and
the fresh breeze of evening was playing upon the cheeks of the Lady
Nisida as she sat at the open casement of her splendid saloon, watching
the ships that followed in the wake of that in which she was, when the
sounds of voices in the adjacent cabin attracted her attention; and as
the partition was but slight, and the persons discoursing spoke Italian,
she could not help overhearing the conversation which there look place,
even if she had possessed any punctilious feelings to have prevented her
from becoming a willing listener.
"The Lady Nisida is a magnificent woman, Demetrius," observed a voice
which our heroine immediately recognized to be that of the grand vizier.
"Such a splendid aquiline countenance I never before beheld! Such eyes,
too, such a delicious mouth, and such brilliant teeth! What a pity 'tis
that she has not the use of her tongue! The voice of such a glorious
creature, speaking mine own dear Italian language, would be music
itself. And how admirably is she formed--upon somewhat too large a
scale, perhaps, to precisely suit my taste, and yet the contours of her
shape are so well rounded--so perfectly proportioned in the most
harmonious symmetry, that were she less of the Hebe she would be less
charming."
"Is your highness already enamored of Donna Nisida?" asked the person to
whom the grand vizier had addressed the preceding observations.
"I must confess that I am, Demetrius," replied Ibrahim; "I would give a
year of my life to become her favored lover for one day. But considering
that I hope to see my sister Flora become the wife of Donna Nisida's
brother Francisco, I must restrain this passion of mine within due
bounds. But wherefore do you sigh thus heavily, Demetrius?"
"Alas! my lord, the mention you make of your sister reminded me that I
once possessed a sister also," returned the Greek in a plaintive tone.
"But when I returned to Constantinople, I sought vainly for her, and
Heaven knows what has become of her, and whether I shall ever see her
more. Poor Calanthe! some treachery has doubtless been practiced toward
thee!"
"Don't give way to despair, Demetrius," said the grand vizier. "Who
knows but Calanthe may have espoused some youth on whom her affections
were set----"
"Ah! my lord!" interrupted the Greek, "it is considerate--it is kind on
the part of your highness to suggest such a consolatory belief; but
Calanthe would not keep an honorable bridal secret. Yet better were it
that she should be dead--that she should have been basely murdered by
some ruthless robber, than that she should live dishonored. However, I
will not intrude my griefs upon your highness, although the friendship
and the condescension which your highness manifests toward me, emboldens
me to mention these sorrows in your presence."
"Would that I could really console thee, Demetrius," answered Ibrahim,
with well-affected sincerity; "for thou hast shown thyself a sincere
friend to my poor sister Flora. And now that we are alone together,
Demetrius, for almost the first time since this hastily undertaken
voyage began, let us recapitulate in detail all the occurrences which
have led me to enter upon the present expedition the real nature of
which you alone know, save my imperial master. And, moreover, let us
continue to discourse in Italian; for thou canst speak that language
more fluently than I can express myself in thy native Greek; besides, it
rejoices my heart," he added with a sigh, "to converse in a tongue so
dear as that of the land which gave me birth. And, if Donna Nisida only
knew that in the representative of the mighty Solyman she had beholden
the brother of her late menial, Flora, how surprised would she be!"
"And it were not prudent that she should learn that fact, my lord!"
observed Demetrius, "for more reasons than one; since from sundry hints
which the Signora Francatelli, your lordship's worthy aunt, dropped to
me, it is easy to believe that the Donna Nisida was averse to the
attachment which her brother Francisco had formed, and that her ladyship
indeed was the means of consigning your highness' sister to the convent
of the Carmelites."
"Albeit I shall not treat Count Francisco's sister the less worthily,
now that she is in my power," said Ibrahim Pasha; "indeed, her matchless
beauty would command my forbearance, were I inclined to be vindictive.
Moreover, deaf and dumb as she is, she could not obtain the least
insight into my plans; and therefore she is unable to thwart them."
The reader may suppose that not one single word of all this conversation
was lost upon Nisida, who had indeed learnt, with the most unbounded
wonderment, that the high and mighty grand vizier of the Ottoman
Empire--a man enjoying an almost sovereign rank, and who bore a title
which placed him on a level with the greatest princes of Christendom,
was the brother of the detested Flora Francatelli! During a short pause
which ensued in the dialogue between Ibrahim Pasha and his Greek
confidant, Nisida stole gently up to the door in the partitions between
the two saloons, so fearful was she of losing a single word of a
discourse that so deeply interested and nearly concerned her.
"But, as I was saying ere now, Demetrius," resumed the grand vizier,
who, young as he was, had acquired all the methodical habits of a wise
statesman, "let us examine in detail the whole posture of affairs in
Florence, so that I may maturely consider the precise bearings of the
case, and finally determine how to act. For, although I have at my
disposal a fleet which might cope with even that of enterprising England
or imperious France, though twenty thousand well-disciplined soldiers on
board these ships are ready to draw the sword at my nod, and though, as
the seraskier and sipehsalar of the armies of the sultan, I am
responsible for my actions to his majesty alone, yet it is not a small
thing, Demetrius, to march an invading force into the heart of Italy,
and thereby risk a war with all Christendom. Therefore, let us pause to
reflect upon every detail of all those incidents which occurred two
months ago at Florence."
"Good, my lord," said Demetrius. "I will therefore begin with my arrival
in that fair city, to which I repaired with all possible dispatch, as
soon as I had received the instructions of your highness. It would
appear that the Lord Count of Riverola reached Florence the same day as
myself, he having been detained at the outset of his voyage home from
Rhodes by contrary winds and a severe storm. It was somewhat late in the
evening when I called at the cottage of the Signora Francatelli, your
highness' worthy aunt; for I previously passed a few hours in
instituting by indirect means as many inquiries concerning her
circumstances and welfare as could be prudently made. To my grief,
however, I could not ascertain any tidings concerning your highness'
sister; and I therefore came to the mournful conclusion that her
disappearance still remained unaccounted for. Pondering upon the sad
tidings which, in this respect, I should have to forward to your
highness, and having already devised a fitting tale whereby to introduce
myself to your lordship's aunt, I went to the cottage, which, as I heard
in the course of a subsequent conversation, Don Francisco of Riverola
had just quitted. Your highness' aunt received me with as much
cordiality as she could well show toward a stranger. Then, in accordance
with my pre-arranged method of procedure, I stated I was sent by a son
of a debtor to the estate of the late Signor Francatelli, to repay to
any of his surviving relations a large sum of money which had been so
long--so very long owing, and the loss of which at the time had mainly
contributed to plunge Signor Francatelli into embarrassment. I added
that the son of the debtor having grown rich, had deemed it an act of
duty and honor to liquidate this liability on the part of his deceased
father. My tale was believed; the case of jewels, which I had previously
caused to be estimated by a goldsmith in Florence, was received as the
means of settling the fictitious debt; and I was forthwith a welcome
friend at the worthy lady's table."
"The stratagem was a good one, Demetrius," observed the grand vizier.
"But proceed, and fear not that thou wilt weary me with lengthened
details."
"I stayed to partake of the evening repast," continued the Greek; "and
the Signora Francatelli grew confiding and communicative, as was nothing
more than natural, inasmuch as I necessarily appeared in the light of
the agent of a worthy and honorable man who had not forgotten the
obligation to a family that had suffered by his father's conduct. I
assured the signora that the person by whom I was employed to liquidate
that debt, would be rejoiced to hear of the success of the Francatellis,
and I ventured to make inquiries concerning the orphan children of the
late merchant."
"Proceed, Demetrius," said the grand vizier, "spare not a single
detail."
"Your highness shall be obeyed," returned the Greek, though now speaking
with considerable diffidence. "The worthy lady shook her head
mournfully, observing that Alessandro, the son of the late merchant, was
in Turkey, she believed; and then she rose hastily, and opening a door
leading to a staircase, called her niece to descend, as 'there was only
a friend present.' I was overjoyed to learn thus unexpectedly, that the
Signora Flora had reappeared; and when she entered the room, could
scarcely conceal my delight beneath that aspect of mere cold courtesy
which it became a stranger to wear. The young lady appeared perfectly
happy, and no wonder! For when she had retired, after staying a few
minutes in the room, her good aunt, in the fullness of her confidence in
me, not only related all the particulars of the Signora Flora's
immurement in the Carmelite Convent, but also explained to me her
motives for so long concealing the young lady's return home, as I have
heretofore narrated to your highness. The worthy aunt then informed me
that the Count of Riverola had only returned that day from the
wars--that he had made honorable proposals to her on behalf of the
Signora Flora--and that it was intended to sustain the mystery which
veiled the young lady's existence and safety in the cottage, until the
marriage should have been privately effected, when it would be too late
for the count's friends to interfere or renew their persecutions against
your lordship's sister. Your highness' aunt dropped hints intimating her
suspicion that the Lady Nisida was the principal, if not indeed the sole
means of those persecutions which had consigned the innocent young
maiden to the Carmelite Convent. And the more I reflect on this point,
in view of all I know of the affairs, and of Donna Nisida's strange and
resolute character, the more I am convinced that she really perpetrated
that diabolical outrage."
"Were it not for young Francisco's sake, and that I should bring
dishonor into a family with which my sister will, I hope, be soon
connected with marriage ties," exclaimed Ibrahim, "I would avenge myself
and my sister's wrongs by forcing the cruel Nisida to yield herself to
my arms. But no, it must not be."
And Nisida, who overheard every syllable, curled her lips, while her
eyes flashed fire at the dark menace which the renegade had dared to
utter, qualified though it were by the avowal of the motive which would
prevent him from putting it into execution.
"No, it must not be," repeated Ibrahim. "And yet, she is so wondrously
beautiful that I would risk a great deal to win her love. But proceed,
Demetrius--we now come to that portion of the narrative which so nearly
concerns my present proceedings."
"Yes, my lord, and God give your highness success!" exclaimed the young
Greek. "Having taken leave of your excellent aunt, who invited me to
visit her again, as I had casually observed that business would detain
me in Florence for some time, and having promised the strictest secrecy
relative to all she had told me, I repaired to the inn at which I had
put up, intending to devote the next day to writing the details of all
those particulars which I have just related, and which I purposed to
send by some special messenger to your highness. But it then struck me
that I should only attract undue attention to myself by conducting at a
public tavern a correspondence having so important an aspect, and I
accordingly rose very early in the morning to sally forth to seek after
a secluded but respectable lodging, I eventually obtained suitable
apartments in the house of a widow named Dame Margaretha, and there I
immediately took up my abode. Having written my letters to your
highness, I was anxious to get them expedited to Constantinople, for I
was well aware that your highness would be rejoiced to hear that your
beloved sister was indeed in the land of the living, that she was in
good health, and that a brilliant marriage was in store for her. I
accordingly spoke to Dame Margaretha relative to the means of obtaining
a trusty messenger who would undertake a journey to Constantinople. The
old woman assured me that her son Antonio, who was a valet in the
service of the Count of Arestino, would be able to procure me such a
messenger as I desired, and in the course of the day that individual was
fetched by his mother to speak to me on the subject. Having repeated my
wishes to him, he asked me several questions which seemed to indicate a
prying disposition, and a curiosity as impertinent as it was
inconvenient. In fact, I did not like his manner at all; but conceiving
that his conduct might arise from sheer ignorance, and from no sinister
motive, I still felt inclined to avail myself of his assistance to
procure a messenger. Finding that he could not sift me, he at length
said that he had no doubt a friend of his, whom he named Venturo, would
undertake my commission, and he promised to return with that individual
in the evening. He then left me, and true to his promise, he came back
shortly after dusk, accompanied by this same Venturo. The bargain was
soon struck between us, and he promised to set off that very night for
Rimini, whence vessels were constantly sailing for Constantinople. I
gave him a handsome sum in advance, and also a sealed packet, addressed
to your highness' private secretary, but containing an inclosure, also
well sealed, directed to your highness, for I did not choose to excite
the curiosity of these Italians by allowing them to discover that I was
corresponding with the grand vizier of the Ottoman Empire, Venturo
accordingly left me, promising to acquit himself faithfully of his
mission."
"Your plans were all wisely taken," said the grand vizier, "and no human
foresight could have anticipated other than successful results. Proceed,
for although you have hastily sketched all these particulars to me
before, yet I am anxious to consider them in more attentive detail."
"Having thus disposed of that important business," resumed the young
Greek, "I went out to saunter through the streets of Florence, and while
away an hour or two in viewing the splendid appearance of that charming
city, when lighted up with the innumerable lamps of its palaces and
casinos. At length I entered a dark and obscure street, which I knew
must lead toward the river. I had not proceeded far down the street when
I heard the sound of many steps rapidly approaching, as if of a patrol.
I stepped aside under a deep archway, but as chance would have it, they
stopped short within a few paces of the spot where I was shrouded in the
utter obscurity of the arch. I should have immediately passed on my way,
but was induced to stop by hearing a voice which I recognized to be that
of Venturo, whom I believed to be already some miles away from Florence.
I was perfectly astounded at this discovery, and if I had entertained
any doubts as to the identity of that voice, they were speedily cleared
up by the conversation between the men. 'We had better separate here,'
said Venturo, 'and break into at least two parties, as at the bottom of
this street we shall come within the blaze of the lights of the casinos
on the Arno's bank.' 'Well spoken,' returned a voice which, to my
increasing wonder, I recognized to be that of Antonio, my landlady's
son; 'you and I, Venturo, will keep together, and our friends can go on
first. We will follow them in a few minutes, and then unite again at the
angle of the grove nearest to Dame Francatelli's cottage. What say you,
Lomellino?' 'Just as you think fit, Antonio,' returned a third person,
whom I naturally concluded to be the individual addressed as Lomellino.
'You, or rather your master, the Count of Arestino, pays for this
business, and so I am bound to obey you.' 'Listen, then,' resumed
Antonio, 'the young Count of Riverola, whom I have traced to the cottage
this evening, will no doubt be coming away about the time we shall all
meet down there; and therefore we shall have nothing to do but to carry
him off to the cave.' 'Why is the Count of Arestino so hostile to young
Riverola?' demanded the man who had answered to the name of Lomellino.
'He cares nothing about young Riverola, either one way or the other,'
replied Antonio, 'but I have persuaded his lordship that if Francisco be
left at large, he will only use his influence to mitigate the vengeance
of the law against the Countess Giulia, who is the friend of Flora
Francatelli: and so the Count of Arestino has consented to follow my
advice and have Francisco locked up until the inquisition has dealt with
the countess, her lover, the Marquis of Orsini, and the Francatellis,
aunt and niece.' 'Then you have a spite against this man,' said
Lomellino. 'Truly have I,' responded Antonio. 'You remember that night
when you, with Stephano Verrina and Piero, got into the Riverola Palace
some months ago? Well, I don't know who discovered the plot, but I was
locked in my room, and next morning young Francisco dismissed me in a
way that made me his mortal enemy: and I must have vengeance. For this
purpose I have urged on the count to cause Flora Francatelli, whom
Francisco loves and wishes to marry, to be included in the proceedings
taken by the inquisition at his lordship's instigation against the
Countess Giulia and the Marquis d'Orsini; and the old aunt must
necessarily be thrown in, into the bargain, for harboring sacrilegious
persons.' 'And so young Francisco is to lose his mistress, Flora, and be
kept a prisoner in the cavern till he has been condemned along with the
others?' said Lomellino. 'Neither more nor less than what you imagine,
and I only wish I had the Lady Nisida also in my power, for I have no
doubt she instigated her brother to turn me off suddenly like a common
thief, because from all you have since told me, Lomellino, I dare swear
it was she who got an inkling of our intentions to plunder the Riverola
Palace; though how she could have done so, being deaf and dumb, passes
my understanding.' 'Well, well,' growled Lomellino, 'it is no use to
waste time talking of the past: let us only think of the present. Come,
my men, we will go on first, as already agreed.' Three or four armed
ruffians then put themselves in motion, passing close by the place where
I was concealed, but fortunately without discovering my presence."
"Oh! those miscreants would have assuredly murdered you, my faithful
Demetrius," said the grand vizier.
"Of that, my lord, there is little doubt," returned the young Greek;
"and I must confess that I shuddered more than once while listening to
the discourse of the cold-blooded monsters. But Venturo and Antonio
still remained behind for a few minutes, and the discourse which took
place between them, gave me a still further insight into the characters
of the gang. 'Well, Venturo,' said Antonio, after a short pause, 'have
you examined the packet which was intrusted to you?' 'I have, and the
contents are written in Greek or Arabic, or some such outlandish tongue,
for I could not read a word of them,' answered Venturo; 'and so I
thought the best plan was to destroy them.' 'You acted wisely,' observed
Antonio; 'by the saints! it was a good thought of mine to introduce you
to my mother's lodger as a trustworthy messenger! If he only knew that
we had shared his gold, and were laughing at him for his credulity, he
would not be over well pleased. His purse appears to be pretty well
lined, and when we have got all our present business off our hands we
will devote our attention to the lodger. The Arno is deep and a
foreigner the less in the city will not be noticed.' 'Not at all,'
answered Venturo; 'but let us now hasten to join our companions. At what
time are the officers of the inquisition to visit the cottage?' 'They
are no doubt already in the neighborhood,' replied Antonio, 'and will
pounce upon their victims as soon as young Francisco leaves the place.
Another set of officers are after the Marquis of Orsini.' The two
miscreants then departed, continuing their conversation in a low tone as
they went along the street, but I overheard no more."
"The wretches!" exclaimed the grand vizier, in an excited voice. "But
vengeance will light upon them yet!"
"Heaven grant that they may not go unpunished!" said Demetrius. "Your
highness may imagine the consternation with which I had listened to the
development of the damnable plots then in progress; but I nevertheless
experienced a material solace in the fact that accident had thus
revealed to me the whole extent of the danger which menaced those whom
your highness held dear. Without pausing to deliberate, I resolved, at
all risks, to proceed at once to the cottage, and, if not too late, warn
your aunt and lovely sister of the terrible danger which menaced them.
Nay, more--I determined to remove them immediately from Florence--that
very night--without an unnecessary moment's delay. Darting along the
streets, as if my speed involved matters of life and death, I succeeded
in passing the two villains, Venturo and Antonio, before they had
entered the sphere of the brilliant illuminations of the casinos in the
vale of Arno; and I beard one say to the other, 'There's some cowardly
knave who has just done a deed of which he is no doubt afraid.'
Convinced by this remark that they suspected not who the person that
passed them so rapidly was, I hurried on with increasing speed, and
likewise with augmented hope to be enabled to save not only your
lordship's aunt and sister from the officers of the inquisition, but
also the young Count of Riverola from the power of his miscreant
enemies. Alas! my anticipations were not to be fulfilled! I lost my way
amongst a maze of gardens connected with the villas bordering on the
Arno; and much valuable time at such a crisis was wasted in the circuits
which I had to make to extricate myself from the labyrinth and reach the
bank of the river. At length I drew within sight of the cottage; but my
heart beat with terrible alarms as I beheld lights moving rapidly about
the house. 'It is too late,' I thought: and yet I rushed on toward the
place. But suddenly the door opened, and by a glare of light within, I
saw three females closely muffled in veils, led forth by several armed
men. It instantly struck me that the third must be the Countess Giulia
of Arestino to whom I heard the miscreants allude. I stopped short--for
I knew that any violent demonstration or interference on my part would
be useless, and that measures of another kind must be adopted on behalf
of the victims. As the procession now advanced from a cottage, I
concealed myself in the adjacent grove, wondering whether Count
Francisco had been already arrested or whether he had managed to elude
his enemies. The procession, consisting of the officers of the
inquisition with their three female prisoners, who were dragged rather
than led along, passed by the spot where I lay concealed; and the deep
sobs which came from the unfortunate ladies, gagged though they
evidently were, filled my heart with horror and anguish. As soon as they
had disappeared I struck further into the grove, knowing by its
situation that the outlet on the other side would conduct me to the
nearest road to that quarter of the city in which I lodged. But scarcely
had I reached the outskirts of the little wood in the direction which I
have named, when I saw a party of men moving on in front of me, through
the obscurity of the night. It struck me that this party might consist
of Antonio, Venturo, and other worthies, and I determined to ascertain
whether Count Francisco had fallen into their hands. I accordingly
followed them as cautiously as possible, taking care to skirt the grove
in such a manner that I was concealed by its deep shade, whereas those
whom I was watching proceeded further away from the trees. Thus the
party in advance and myself continued our respective paths for nearly a
quarter of an hour, during which I ascertained beyond all doubt that the
men whom I was following were really the villains of the Antonio gang,
and that they had a prisoner with them who could be no other than the
Count of Riverola.
"At length the grove terminated, and I was about to abandon further
pursuit as dangerous, when it struck me that I should be acting in a
cowardly and unworthy manner not to endeavor to ascertain the locality
of the cave of which I had heard the miscreants speak, and to which they
were most probably conveying him who was so dear to the beautiful
Signora Flora. Accordingly I managed to track the party across several
fields to a grove of evergreens. But as they advanced without caring how
they broke through the crackling thickets, the noise of their movements
absorbed the far fainter sounds which accompanied my progress. So
successful was my undertaking that I was soon within twenty paces of
them. But it was profoundly dark, and I was unable to observe their
movements. I computed the distance they were from me, and calculated so
as to form an idea of the exact spot where they were standing; for, by
an observation which one of the villains let drop, I learnt that they
had reached the entrance of their cavern. It also struck me that I heard
a bell ring as if in the depths of the earth, and I concluded that this
was a signal to obtain admittance. While I was weighing these matters in
my mind, Lomellino suddenly exclaimed, 'Let the prisoner be taken down
first; and have a care, Venturo, that the bandage is well fastened.'
'All right, captain,' was the reply; and thus I ascertained that
Lomellino was the chief of some band most probably, I thought, of
robbers; for I remembered the allusions which had been made that evening
by Antonio to a certain predatory visit some months previously to the
Riverola mansion. 'God help Francisco,' I said within myself, as I
reflected upon the desperate character of the men who had him in their
power; and then I was consoled by the remembrance that he was merely to
be detained as a prisoner for a period, and not harmed."
"Unfortunately such demons as those Florentine banditti are capable of
every atrocity," observed the grand vizier.
"True, my lord," observed Demetrius; "but let us hope that all those in
whom your highness is interested, will yet be saved. I shall, however,
continue my narrative. Three or four minutes had elapsed since the
robbers had come to a full stop, when I knew by the observations made
amongst them, that they were descending into some subterranean place. I
accordingly waited with the utmost anxiety until I was convinced that
they had all disappeared with their prisoner; and then I crept
cautiously along to the place at which I had already reckoned them to
have paused. I stooped down, and carefully felt upon the ground, until I
was enabled to ascertain the precise point at which the marks of their
footsteps had ceased. At this moment the moon shone forth with such
extreme brilliancy, that its beams penetrated the thick foliage; and I
now observed with horror that I had advanced to the very verge of a
steep precipice, on the brink of which the grove suddenly ceased. Had
not the moon thus providentially appeared at that instant, I should have
continued to grope about in the utter darkness, and have assuredly
fallen into the abyss. I breathed a fervent prayer for this signal
deliverance. But not a trace of any secret entrance to a cavern could I
find--no steps, no trap-door! Well aware that it would be dangerous for
me to be caught in that spot, should any of the banditti emerge suddenly
from their cave, I was reluctantly compelled to depart. But before I
quitted the place, I studied it so well that I should have no difficulty
in recognizing it again. In fact, just at the precise spot where the
footsteps of the banditti ceased, an enormous chestnut tree, which for
more than a century must have continued to draw from the earth its
nourishment, slopes completely over the precipice, while on the right of
this tree, as you face the abyss, is a knot of olives, and on the left
an umbrageous lime. These features of the spot I committed to memory,
with the idea that such a clew to the robbers' retreat might not
eventually prove useless.
"I will extirpate that nest of vipers--that horde of remorseless
banditti!" exclaimed Ibrahim Pasha, in a tone indicative of strong
excitement.
"Your highness has the power," responded Demetrius; "but the Florentine
authorities must be completely impotent in respect to such a formidable
horde of lawless men. The remainder of my narrative is soon told, my
lord," returned the young Greek. "I returned to my lodgings in safety,
but determined not to remain there a single hour longer than necessary.
For apart from the resolve which I had formed already, in consequence of
the various and unforeseen incidents which had occurred, to return to
Constantinople, the murderous designs of Antonio and Venturo in respect
to myself, would have hastened my removal at all events to another
lodging. That night sleep never visited my eyes--so amazed and grieved
was I at the calamities which had befallen those who were so dear to
your highness. Very early in the morning I arose from a feverish bed and
sallied forth to learn tidings of the Marquis of Orsini. 'For,' thought
I, 'if this nobleman has escaped arrest by the officers of the
inquisition, he might be enabled to effect somewhat in aiding the female
victims.' But I heard at his dwelling that he had been arrested the
previous evening on a charge of sacrilege, perpetrated with others, in
respect to the Carmelite Convent. Frustrated in this quarter, I repaired
to the principal clerk of the criminal tribunal, and inquired the name
and address of a lawyer of eminence and repute. The clerk complied with
my demand, and recommended me to Angelo Duras, the brother of a
celebrated Florentine physician."
"Both of whom are known to me by name," observed the grand vizier; "and
Angelo Duras is a man of unblemished integrity. It delights me much to
know you employed him."
"I found him, too," continued Demetrius, "a kind-hearted and benevolent
man. He received me with affability; and I narrated to him as much as
necessary of the particulars which I have detailed to your highness.
Without stating by whom I was employed, I merely represented to him that
I was deeply interested in the Francatelli family, and that it was of
the utmost importance to obtain a delay for two or three months in the
criminal proceedings instituted against those innocent females, as, in
the meantime, I should undertake a journey to a place at some
considerable distance, but the result of which would prove materially
beneficial to the cause of the accused. He observed that the interest of
the Count of Arestino, who would doubtless endeavor to hasten the
proceedings in order to wreak speedy vengeance upon his wife and the
Marquis of Orsini, was very powerful to contend against; but that gold
could accomplish much. I assured him that there would be no lack of
funds to sustain even the most expensive process; and I threw down a
heavy purse as an earnest of my ability to bear the cost of the suit. He
committed to paper all the particulars that I had thought it prudent to
reveal to him, and after some consideration, said, 'I now see my way
clearly. I will undertake that the final hearing of this case, at least
so far as it regards the Francatellis, shall be postponed for three
months. You may rely upon the fulfillment of this promise, let the Count
of Arestino do his worst.' Thus assured, I quitted the worthy pleader,
and proceeded to visit Father Marco, who, as I had happened to learn
when in conversation with your highness' aunt, was the family confessor.
I found that excellent man overwhelmed with grief at the calamities
which had occurred; and to him I confided, under a solemn promise of
inviolable secrecy, who the present grand vizier of the Ottoman Empire
really was, and how I had been employed by you to visit Florence for the
purpose of watching over the safety of your relatives. I however
explained to Father Marco that his vow of secrecy was to cease to be
binding at any moment when the lives of the Francatellis should be
menaced by circumstances that might possibly arise in spite of all the
precautions that I had adopted to postpone the final hearing of their
case; and that should imminent peril menace those lives, he was
immediately to reveal to the Duke of Florence the fact of the
relationship of the Francatellis with one who has power to punish any
injury that might be done to them. Though well knowing, my lord, the
obstinancy of the Christian states in venturing to beard Ottoman might,
I considered this precaution to be at all events a prudent one; and
Father Marco promised to obey my injunctions in all respects."
"I was not mistaken in thee, Demetrius," said the grand vizier, "when I
chose thee for that mission on account of thy discreetness and
foresight."
"Your highness' praises are my best reward," answered the Greek. "I have
now done all that I could possibly effect or devise under the
circumstances which prompted me to think or act; and it grieved me that
I was unable to afford the slightest assistance to the young Count of
Riverola. But I dare not wait longer in Italy; and I was convinced that
the authorities in Florence were too inefficient to root out the horde
of banditti, even had I explained to them the clew which I myself
obtained to the stronghold of those miscreants. I accordingly quitted
Florence in the afternoon of the day following the numerous arrests
which I have mentioned; and had I not been detained so long at Rimini,
by adverse winds, your highness would not have been kept for so many
weeks without the mournful tidings which it was at length my painful
duty to communicate in person to your lordship."
"That delay, my faithful Demetrius," said the grand vizier, "was no
fault of thine. Fortunately the squadron was already equipped for sea;
and, instead of repairing to the African frontier to chastise the daring
pirates, it is on its way to the Tuscan coast, where, if need be, it
will land twenty thousand soldiers to liberate my relations and the
young Count of Riverola. A pretext for making war upon the Italian
states has been afforded by their recent conduct in sending auxiliaries
to the succor of Rhodes; and of that excuse I shall not hesitate to
avail myself to commence hostilities against the proud Florentines
should a secret and peaceful negotiation fail. But now that thou hast
recapitulated to me all those particulars which thou didst merely sketch
forth at first, it seems to me fitting that I anchor the fleet at the
mouth of the Arno, and that I send thee, Demetrius, as an envoy in a
public capacity, but in reality to stipulate privately for the release
of those in whom I am interested."
Thus terminated the conference between Ibrahim Pasha and his Greek
dependent--a conference which had revealed manifold and astounding
occurrences to the ears of the Lady Nisida of Riverola. Astounding
indeed! Francisco in the hands of the formidable banditti--Flora in the
prison of the inquisition--and the Ottoman grand vizier bent upon
effecting the marriage which Nisida abhorred--these tidings were
sufficient to arouse all the wondrous energies of that mind which was so
prompt in combining intrigues and plots, so resolute in carrying them
out, and so indomitable when it had formed a will of its own.
Ominous were the fires which flashed in her large dark eyes, and
powerful were the workings of those emotions which caused her heaving
bosom to swell as if about to burst the bodice which confined it, when,
retreating from the partition floor between the two saloons, and
resuming her seat at the cabin-windows to permit the evening breeze to
fan her fevered cheek, Nisida thought within herself, "It was indeed
time that I should quit that accursed island, and return to Italy!"