vendetta: a story of one forgotten by corelli, marie, 1855-1924

8/14/2019 Vendetta: a story of one forgotten by Corelli, Marie, 1855-1924

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Title:Vendetta

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VENDETTA

ASTORYOFONEFORGOTTEN

ByMARIECORELLI

Authorof"ARDATH,""THELMA,""AROMANCEOFTWOWORLDS,""WORMWOOD,"etc.,etc.

PREFACE

Lestthosewhoreadthefollowingpagesshoulddeemthisstoryatallimprobable,itisperhapsnecessarytosaythatitschiefincidentsarefoundedonanactualoccurrencewhichtookplaceinNaplesduringthelastscathingvisitationofthecholerain1884.Weknowwellenough,bythechronicleofdailyjournalism,thattheinfidelityofwivesis,mostunhappily,becomingcommon--fartoocommonforthepeaceandgoodreputeofsociety.Notsocommonisanoutragedhusband'svengeance--notoftendarehetakethelawinto

hisownhands--forinEngland,atleast,suchboldnessonhispartwoulddoubtlessbedeemedaworsecrimethanthatbywhichhepersonallyisdoomedtosuffer.ButinItalythingsareonadifferentfooting--theverbosityandred-tapeofthelaw,andthehesitatingverdictofspecialjuries,arenotthereconsideredsufficientlyefficacioustosoothsaman'sdamagedhonorandruinedname.Andthus--whetherrightorwrong--itoftenhappensthatstrangeandawfuldeedsareperpetrated--deedsofwhichtheworldingeneralhearsnothing,andwhich,whenbroughttolightatlast,arereceivedwithsurpriseandincredulity.Yettheromancesplannedbythebrainofthenovelistordramatistarepoorincomparisonwiththeromancesofreallife-lifewronglytermedcommonplace,butwhich,infact,teemswithtragediesasgreatanddarkandsoul-

torturingasanydevisedbySophoclesorShakespeare.Nothingismorestrangethantruth--nothing,attimes,moreterrible!

MARIECORELLI.

August,1886.

VENDETTA!

CHAPTERI.

I,whowritethis,amadeadman.Deadlegally--deadbyabsoluteproofs--deadandburied!AskformeinmynativecityandtheywilltellyouIwasoneofthevictimsofthecholerathatravagedNaplesin1884,andthatmymortalremainsliemolderinginthefuneralvaultofmyancestors.Yet--Ilive!Ifeelthewarmbloodcoursingthroughmyveins--thebloodofthirtysummers--theprimeofearlymanhoodinvigoratesme,andmakestheseeyesofminekeenandbright--thesemusclesstrongasiron--thishandpowerfulofgrip--


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thiswell-knitformerectandproudofbearing.Yes!--Iamalive,thoughdeclaredtobedead;aliveinthefullnessofmanlyforce--andevensorrowhasleftfewdistinguishingmarksuponme,saveone.Myhair,onceebony-black,iswhiteasawreathofAlpinesnow,thoughitsclusteringcurlsarethickasever.

"Aconstitutionalinheritance?"asksonephysician,observingmyfrostedlocks.

"Asuddenshock?"suggestsanother.

"Exposuretointenseheat?"hintsathird.

Ianswernoneofthem.Ididsoonce.ItoldmystorytoamanImetbychance--onerenownedformedicalskillandkindliness.Heheardmetotheendinevidentincredulityandalarm,andhintedatthepossibilityofmadness.SincethenIhaveneverspoken.

ButnowIwrite.Iamfarfromallpersecution--Icansetdownthetruthfearlessly.IcandipthepeninmyownbloodifIchoose,andnoneshallgainsayme!ForthegreensilenceofavastSouthAmericanforestencompassesme--thegrandandstatelysilenceofavirginalnature,almostunbrokenbytheruthlessstepofman'scivilization--ahavenofperfectcalm,delicatelydisturbedbythe

flutteringwingsandsoftvoicesofbirds,andthegentleorstormymurmurofthefreebornwindsofheaven.WithinthischarmedcircleofrestIdwell--hereIliftupmyoverburdenedheartlikeabrimmingchalice,andemptyitontheground,tothelastdropofgallcontainedtherein.Theworldshallknowmyhistory.

Dead,andyetliving!Howcanthatbe?--youask.Ah,myfriends!Ifyouseektoberidofyourdeadrelationsforacertainty,youshouldhavetheirbodiescremated.Otherwisethereisnoknowingwhatmayhappen!Cremationisthebestway--theonlyway.Itisclean,andSAFE.Whyshouldtherebeanyprejudiceagainstit?Surelyitisbettertogivetheremainsofwhatweloved(orpretendedtolove)tocleansingfireandpureairthantolaythem

inacoldvaultofstone,ordown,downinthewetandclingingearth.Forloathlythingsarehiddendeepinthemold--things,foulandallunnameable--longworms--slimycreatureswithblindeyesanduselesswings--abortionsanddeformitiesoftheinsecttribebornofpoisonousvapor--creaturestheverysightofwhichwoulddriveyou,oh,delicatewoman,intoafitofhysteria,andwouldprovokeevenyou,oh,strongman,toashudderofrepulsion!Butthereisaworsethingthanthesemerelyphysicalhorrorswhichcomeofso-calledChristianburial--thatis,theterribleUNCERTAINTY.What,ifafterwehaveloweredthenarrowstrongboxcontainingourdeardeceasedrelationintoitsvaultorhollowintheground--what,ifafterwehavewornaseemlygarbofwoe,andtorturedourfacesintothefittingexpressionofgentleandpatientmelancholy--what,Isay,if

afterallthereasonableprecautionstakentoinsuresafety,theyshouldactuallyproveinsufficient?What--iftheprisontowhichwehaveconsignedthedeeplyregrettedoneshouldnothavesuchclosedoorsaswefondlyimagined?What,ifthestoutcoffinshouldbewrenchedapartbyfierceandfrenziedfingers--what,ifourlatedearfriendshouldNOTbedead,butshould,likeLazarusofold,comeforthtochallengeouraffectionanew?Shouldwenotgrievesorelythatwehadfailedtoavailourselvesofthesecureandclassicalmethodofcremation?Especiallyifwehadbenefitedbyworldlygoodsormoneylefttousbythesodeservedlylamented!For


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weareself-deceivinghypocrites--fewofusarereallysorryforthedead--fewofusrememberthemwithanyrealtendernessoraffection.AndyetGodknows!theymayneedmorepitythanwedreamof!

Butletmetomytask.I,FabioRomani,latelydeceased,amabouttochronicletheeventsofoneshortyear--ayearinwhichwascompressedtheagonyofalongandtorturedlife-time!Onelittleyear!--onesharpthrustfromthedaggerofTime!Itpiercedmyheart--thewoundstillgapesandbleeds,andeverydropofbloodistaintedasitfalls!

Onesuffering,commontomany,Ihaveneverknown--thatis--poverty.Iwasbornrich.Whenmyfather,CountFilippoRomani,died,leavingme,thenaladofseventeen,soleheirtohisenormouspossessions--soleheadofhispowerfulhouse--thereweremanycandidfriendswho,withtheirusualkindness,prophesiedtheworstthingsofmyfuture.Nay,therewereevensomewholookedforwardtomyphysicalandmentaldestructionwithacertaindegreeofmalignantexpectation--andtheywereestimablepersonstoo.Theywererespectablyconnected--theirwordscarriedweight--andforatimeIwasanobjectoftheirmaliciouslypiousfears.Iwasdestined,accordingtotheircalculations,tobeagambler,aspendthrift,adrunkard,anincurableroueofthemostabandonedcharacter.Yet,strangetosay,Ibecamenoneofthesethings.ThoughaNeapolitan,withall

thefierypassionsandhotbloodofmyrace,Ihadaninnatescornforthecontemptiblevicesandlowdesiresoftheunthinkingvulgar.Gamblingseemedtomeadeliriousfolly--drink,adestroyerofhealthandreason--andlicentiousextravaganceanoutrageonthepoor.Ichosemyownwayoflife--amiddlecoursebetweensimplicityandluxury--ajudiciousminglingofhome-likepeacewiththegayetyofsympatheticsocialintercourse--aneventenorofintelligentexistencewhichneitherexhaustedthemindnorinjuredthebody.

Idweltinmyfather'svilla--aminiaturepalaceofwhitemarble,situatedonawoodedheightoverlookingtheBayofNaples.Mypleasure-groundswerefringedwithfragrantgrovesoforangeandmyrtle,wherehundredsoffull-voicednightingaleswarbledtheir

love-melodiestothegoldenmoon.Sparklingfountainsroseandfellinhugestonebasinscarvedwithmanyaquaintdesign,andtheircoolmurmuroussplashrefreshedtheburningsilenceofthehottestsummerair.InthisretreatIlivedatpeaceforsomehappyyears,surroundedbybooksandpictures,andvisitedfrequentlybyfriends--youngmenwhosetastesweremoreorlesslikemyown,andwhowerecapableofequallyappreciatingthemeritsofanantiquevolume,ortheflavorofararevintage.

OfwomenIsawlittleornothing.Truthtotell,Iinstinctivelyavoidedthem.Parentswithmarriageabledaughtersinvitedmefrequentlytotheirhouses,buttheseinvitationsIgenerallyrefused.Mybestbookswarnedmeagainstfemininesociety--andI

believedandacceptedthewarning.Thistendencyofmineexposedmetotheridiculeofthoseamongmycompanionswhowereamorouslyinclined,buttheirgayjestsatwhattheytermedmy"weakness"neveraffectedme.Itrustedinfriendshipratherthanlove,andIhadafriend--oneforwhomatthattimeIwouldgladlyhavelaiddownmylife--onewhoinspiredmewiththemostprofoundattachment.He,GuidoFerrari,alsojoinedoccasionallywithothersinthegood-naturedmockeryIbroughtdownuponmyselfbymyshrinkingdislikeofwomen.


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"Fieonthee,Fabio!"hewouldcry."Thouwiltnottastelifetillthouhastsippedthenectarfromapairofrose-redlips--thoushaltnotguesstheriddleofthestarstillthouhastgazeddeepdownintothefathomlessgloryofamaiden'seyes--thoucanstnotknowdelighttillthouhastclaspedeagerarmsroundacoywaistandheardthebeatingofapassionateheartagainstthineown!Atrucetothymustyvolumes!Believeit,thoseancientandsorrowfulphilosophershadnomanhoodinthem--theirbloodwaswater--andtheirslandersagainstwomenwerebutthepettishutterancesoftheirowndeserveddisappointments.Thosewhomissthechiefprizeoflifewouldfainpersuadeothersthatitisnotworthhaving.What,man!Thou,withareadywit,aglancingeye,agaysmile,asuppleform,thouwiltnotenterthelistsoflove?WhatsaysVoltaireoftheblindgod?

"'Quiquetusoisvoilatonmaitre,Ilfut--ilest--ouildoitetre!'"

WhenmyfriendspokethusIsmiled,butanswerednothing.Hisargumentsfailedtoconvinceme.YetIlovedtohearhimtalk--hisvoicewasmellowasthenoteofathrush,andhiseyeshadaneloquencegreaterthanallspeech.Ilovedhim--Godknows!unselfishly,sincerely--withthatraretendernesssometimesfeltbyschoolboysforoneanother,butseldomexperiencedbygrownmen.I

washappyinhissociety,ashe,indeed,appearedtobeinmine.Wepassedmostofourtimetogether,he,likemyself,havingbeenbereavedofhisparentsinearlyyouth,andthereforelefttoshapeouthisowncourseoflifeassuitedhisparticularfancy.Hechoseartasaprofession,and,thoughafairlysuccessfulpainter,wasaspoorasIwasrich.Iremediedthisneglectoffortuneforhiminvariouswayswithdueforethoughtanddelicacy--andgavehimasmanycommissionsasIpossiblycouldwithoutrousinghissuspicionorwoundinghispride.Forhepossessedastrongattractionforme--wehadmuchthesametastes,wesharedthesamesympathies,inshort,Idesirednothingbetterthanhisconfidenceandcompanionship.

Inthisworldnoone,howeverharmless,isallowedtocontinue

happy.Fate--orcaprice--cannotenduretoseeusmonotonouslyatrest.Somethingperfectlytrivial--alook,aword,atouch,andlo!alongchainofoldassociationsisbrokenasunder,andthepeacewedeemedsodeepandlastinginfinallyinterrupted.Thischangecametome,assurelyasitcomestoall.Oneday--howwellIrememberit!--onesultryeveningtowardtheendofMay,1881,IwasinNaples.Ihadpassedtheafternooninmyyacht,idlyandslowlysailingoverthebay,availingmyselfofwhatlittlewindtherewas.Guido'sabsence(hehadgonetoRomeonavisitofsomeweeks'duration)renderedmesomewhatofasolitary,andasmylightcraftranintoharbor,Ifoundmyselfinapensive,half-uncertainmood,whichbroughtwithititsowndepression.Thefewsailorswhomannedmyvesseldispersedrightandleftassoonastheywerelanded--each

tohisownfavoritehauntsofpleasureordissipation--butIwasinnohumortobeeasilyamused.ThoughIhadplentyofacquaintanceinthecity,Icaredlittleforsuchentertainmentastheycouldofferme.AsIstrolledalongthroughoneoftheprincipalstreets,consideringwhetherornotIshouldreturnonfoottomyowndwellingontheheights,Iheardasoundofsinging,andperceivedinthedistanceaglimmerofwhiterobes.ItwastheMonthofMary,andIatonceconcludedthatthismustbeanapproachingProcessionoftheVirgin.Halfinidleness,halfincuriosity,Istoodstillandwaited.Thesingingvoicescamenearerandnearer--Isawthe


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priests,theacolytes,theswinginggoldcensersheavywithfragrance,theflaringcandles,thesnowyveilsofchildrenandgirls--andthenallsuddenlythepicturesquebeautyofthescenedancedbeforemyeyesinawhirlingblurofbrilliancyandcolorfromwhichlookedforth--oneface!Onefacebeamingoutlikeastarfromacloudofambertresses--onefaceofrose-tinted,childlikeloveliness--alovelinessabsolutelyperfect,lightedupbytwoluminouseyes,largeandblackasnight--onefaceinwhichthesmall,curvedmouthsmiledhalfprovokingly,halfsweetly!Igazedandgazedagain,dazzledandexcited,beautymakessuchfoolsofusall!Thiswasawoman--oneofthesexImistrustedandavoided--awomanintheearliestspringofheryouth,agirloffifteenorsixteenattheutmost.Herveilhadbeenthrownbackbyaccidentordesign,andforonebriefmomentIdrankinthatsoul-temptingglance,thatwitch-likesmile!Theprocessionpassed--thevisionfaded--butinthatbreathoftimeoneepochofmylifehadclosedforever,andanotherhadbegun!

*************

OfcourseImarriedher.WeNeapolitanslosenotimeinsuchmatters.Wearenotprudent.UnlikethecalmbloodofEnglishmen,oursrushesswiftlythroughourveins--itiswarmaswineandsunlight,andneedsnofictitiousstimulant.Welove,wedesire,we

possess;andthen?Wetire,yousay?Thesesouthernracesaresofickle!Allwrong--wearelesstiredthanyoudeem.AnddonotEnglishmentire?Havetheynosecretennuiattimeswhensittinginthechimneynookof"home,sweethome,"withtheirfatwivesandever-spreadingfamilies?Truly,yes!Buttheyaretoocautioustosayso.

Ineednotrelatethestoryofmycourtship--itwasbriefandsweetasasongsungperfectly.Therewerenoobstacles.ThegirlIsoughtwastheonlydaughterofaruinedFlorentinenobleofdissolutecharacter,whogainedabaresubsistencebyfrequentingthegaming-tables.Hischildhadbeenbroughtupinaconventrenownedforstrictdiscipline--sheknewnothingoftheworld.Shewas,he

assuredme,withmaudlintearsinhiseyes,"asinnocentasafloweronthealtaroftheMadonna."Ibelievedhim--forwhatcouldthislovely,youthful,low-voicedmaidenknowofeventheshadowofevil?Iwaseagertogathersofairalilyformyownproudwearing--andherfathergladlygavehertome,nodoubtinwardlycongratulatinghimselfonthewealthymatchthathadfallentothelotofhisdowerlessdaughter.

WeweremarriedattheendofJune,andGuidoFerrarigracedourbridalwithhishandsomeandgallantpresence.

"BythebodyofBacchus!"heexclaimedtomewhenthenuptialceremonywasover,"thouhastprofitedbymyteaching,Fabio!A

quietrogueisoftenmostcunning!ThouhastrifledthecasketofVenus,andstolenherfairestjewel--thouhastsecuredtheloveliestmaideninthetwoSicilies!"

Ipressedhishand,andatouchofremorsestoleoverme,forhewasnolongerfirstinmyaffection.AlmostIregrettedit--yes,onmyverywedding-mornIlookedbacktotheolddays--oldnowthoughsorecent--andsighedtothinktheywereended.IglancedatNina,mywife.Itwasenough!Herbeautydazzledandovercameme.Themeltinglanguorofherlargelimpideyesstoleintomyveins--Iforgotall


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buther.Iwasinthathighdeliriumofpassioninwhichlove,andloveonly,seemsthekeynoteofcreation.Itouchedthetopmostpeakoftheheightofjoy--thedayswerefeastsoffairy-land,thenightsdreamsofrapture!No;Inevertired!Mywife'sbeautyneverpalleduponme;shegrewfairerwitheachdayofpossession.Ineversawherotherwisethanattractive,andwithinafewmonthsshehadprobedallthedepthsofmynature.Shediscoveredhowcertainsweetlooksofherscoulddrawmetoherside,awillinganddevotedslave;shemeasuredmyweaknesswithherownpower;sheknew--whatdidshenotknow?Itorturemyselfwiththesefoolishmemories.Allmenpasttheageoftwentyhavelearnedsomewhatofthetricksofwomen--theprettyplayfulnothingsthatweakenthewillandsaptheforceofthestrongesthero.Shelovedme?Oh,yes,Isupposeso!Lookingbackonthosedays,IcanfranklysayIbelieveshelovedme--asninehundredwivesoutofathousandlovetheirhusbands,namely--forwhattheycanget.AndIgrudgedhernothing.IfIchosetoidolizeher,andraisehertothestatureofanangelwhenshewasbutonthelowlevelofmerewomanhood,thatwasmyfolly,notherfault.

Wekeptopenhouse.OurvillawasaplaceofrendezvousfortheleadingmembersofthebestsocietyinandaroundNaples.Mywifewasuniversallyadmired;herlovelyfaceandgracefulmannerswerethemesofconversationthroughoutthewholeneighborhood.Guido

Ferrari,myfriend,wasoneofthosewhowereloudestinherpraise,andthechivalroushomagehedisplayedtowardherdoublyendearedhimtome.Itrustedhimasabrother;hecameandwentaspleasedhim;hebroughtNinagiftsofflowersandfancifultriflesadaptedtohertaste,andtreatedherwithfraternalanddelicatekindness.Ideemedmyhappinessperfect--withlove,wealth,andfriendship,whatmorecouldamandesire?

Yetanotherdropofhoneywasaddedtomycupofsweetness.OnthefirstmorningofMay,1882,ourchildwasborn--agirl-babe,fairasoneofthewhiteanemoneswhichatthatseasongrewthicklyinthewoodssurroundingouthome.TheybroughtthelittleonetomeintheshadedverandawhereIsatatbreakfastwithGuido--atiny,almost

shapelessbundle,wrappedinsoftcashmereandoldlace.Itookthefragilethinginmyarmswithatenderreverence;itopeneditseyes;theywerelargeanddarklikeNina's,andthelightofarecentheavenseemedstilltolingerintheirpuredepths.Ikissedthelittleface;Guidodidthesame;andthoseclear,quieteyesregardedusbothwithastrangehalf-inquiringsolemnity.Abirdperchedonaboughofjasminebrokeintoalow,sweetsong,thesoftwindblewandscatteredthepetalsofawhiteroseatourfeet.Igavetheinfantbacktothenurse,whowaitedtoreceiveit,andsaid,withasmile,"TellmywifewehavewelcomedherMay-blossom."

Guidolaidhishandonmyshoulderastheservantretired;hisfacewasunusuallypale.

"Thouartagoodfellow,Fabio!"hesaid,abruptly.

"Indeed!Howso?"Iasked,halflaughingly;"Iamnobetterthanothermen."

"Youarelesssuspiciousthanthemajority,"hereturned,turningawayfrommeandplayingidlywithasprayofclematisthattrailedononeofthepillarsoftheveranda.


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Iglancedathiminsurprise."Whatdoyoumean,amico?HaveIreasontosuspectanyone?"

Helaughedandresumedhisseatatthebreakfast-table.

"Why,no!"heanswered,withafranklook."ButinNaplestheairispregnantwithsuspicion--jealousy'sdaggeriseverreadytostrike,justlyorunjustly--theverychildrenarelearnedinthewaysofvice.Penitentsconfesstopriestswhoareworsethanpenitents,andbyHeaven!insuchastateofsociety,whereconjugalfidelityisafarce"--hepausedamoment,andthenwenton--"isitnotwonderfultoknowamanlikeyou,Fabio?Amanhappyinhomeaffections,withoutacloudontheskyofhisconfidence?"

"Ihavenocausefordistrust,"Isaid."Ninaisasinnocentasthelittlechildofwhomsheisto-daythemother."

"True!"exclaimedFerrari."Perfectlytrue!"andhelookedmefullintheeyes,withasmile."WhiteasthevirginsnowonthesummitofMontBlanc--purerthantheflawlessdiamond--andunapproachableasthefurtheststar!Isitnotso?"

Iassentedwithacertaingravity;somethinginhismannerpuzzledme.Ourconversationsoonturnedondifferenttopics,andIthought

nomoreofthematter.Butatimecame--andthatspeedily--whenIhadsternreasontoremembereverywordhehaduttered.

CHAPTERII.

EveryoneknowswhatkindofsummerwehadinNaplesin1884.Thenewspapersofalllandsteemedwiththestoryofitshorrors.Thecholerawalkedabroadlikeadestroyingdemon;underitswitheringtouchscoresofpeople,youngandold,droppeddowninthestreets

todie.Thefelldisease,bornofdirtandcriminalneglectofsanitaryprecautions,gainedonthecitywithawfulrapidity,andworseeventhantheplaguewastheunreasoningbutuniversalpanic.Thenever-to-be-forgottenheroismofKingHumberthaditseffectonthemoreeducatedclasses,butamongthelowNeapolitanpopulace,abjectfear,vulgarsuperstition,andutterselfishnessreignedsupreme.Onecasemayserveasanexampleofmanyothers.Afisherman,wellknownintheplace,ahandsomeandpopularyoungfellow,wasseized,whileworkinginhisboat,withthefirstsymptomsofcholera.Hewascarriedtohismother'shouse.Theoldwoman,avillainous-lookinghag,watchedthelittleprocessionasitapproachedherdwelling,andtakinginthesituationatonce,sheshutandbarricadedherdoor.

"SantissimaMadonna!"sheyelled,shrilly,throughahalf-openedwindow."Leavehiminthestreet,theabandoned,miserableone!Theungratefulpig!Hewouldbringtheplaguetohisownhard-working,honestmother!HolyJoseph!whowouldhavechildren?Leavehiminthestreet,Itellyou!"

Itwasuselesstoexpostulatewiththisfemininescarecrow;hersonwas,happilyforhimself,unconscious,andaftersomemorewranglinghewaslaiddownonherdoorstep,whereheshortlyafterward


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expired,hisbodybeingafterwardcartedawaylikesomuchrubbishbythebeccamorti.

Theheatinthecitywasintense.Theskywasaburningdomeofbrilliancy,thebaywasstillasaglitteringsheetofglass.AthincolumnofsmokeissuingfromthecraterofVesuviusincreasedtheimpressionofanall-pervading,thoughimperceptibleringoffire,thatseemedtosurroundtheplace.Nobirdssungsaveinthelateevening,whenthenightingalesinmygardensbrokeoutinabubblingtorrentofmelody,halfjoyous,halfmelancholy.UponthatwoodedheightwhereIdweltitwascomparativelycool.Itookallprecautionsnecessarytopreventthecontagionfromattackingourhousehold;Infact,Iwouldhavelefttheneighborhoodaltogether,hadInotknownthathastyflightfromaninfecteddistrictoftencarrieswithitthepossibilityofclosercontactwiththedisease.Mywife,besides,wasnotnervous--Ithinkverybeautifulwomenseldomare.Theirsuperbvanityisanexcellentshieldtorepelpestilence;itdoesawaywiththeprincipalelementofdanger--fear.AsforourStella,atoddlingmiteoftwoyearsold,shewasahealthychild,forwhomneitherhermothernormyselfentertainedtheleastanxiety.

GuidoFerraricameandstayedwithus,andwhilethecholera,likeasharpscytheputintoafieldofripecorn,moweddownthedirt-

lovingNeapolitansbyhundreds,wethree,withasmallretinueofservants,noneofwhomwereeverpermittedtovisitthecity,livedonfarinaceousfoodanddistilledwater,bathedregularly,roseandretiredearly,andenjoyedthemostperfecthealth.

Amonghermanyotherattractionsmywifewasgiftedwithabeautifulandwell-trainedvoice.Shesungwithexquisiteexpression,andmanyaneveningwhenGuidoandmyselfsatsmokinginthegarden,afterlittleStellahadgonetobed,Ninawouldravishourearswiththemusicofhernightingalenotes,singingsongaftersong,quaintstornelliandritornelli--songsofthepeople,fullofwildandpassionatebeauty.IntheseGuidowouldoftenjoinher,hisfullbarytonechiminginwithherdelicateandclearsopranoas

deliciouslyasthefallofafountainwiththetrillofabird.Icanhearthosetwovoicesnow;theirunitedmelodystillringsmockinglyinmyears;theheavyperfumeoforange-blossom,mingledwithmyrtle,floatstowardmeontheair;theyellowmoonburnsroundandfullinthedensebluesky,liketheKingofThule'sgobletofgoldflungintoadeepsea,andagainIbeholdthosetwoheadsleaningtogether,theonefair,theotherdark;mywife,myfriend--thosetwowhoseliveswereamilliontimesdearertomethanmyown.Ah!theywerehappydays--daysofself-delusionalwaysare.Wearenevergratefulenoughtothecandidpersonswhowakeusfromourdream--yetsuchareintruthourbestfriends,couldwebutrealizeit.

AugustwasthemostterribleofallthesummermonthsinNaples.Thecholeraincreasedwithfrightfulsteadiness,andthepeopleseemedtobeliterallymadwithterror.Someofthem,seizedwithawildspiritofdefiance,plungedintoorgiesofviceandintemperancewitharecklessdisregardofconsequences.Oneofthesefranticrevelstookplaceatawell-knowncafe.Eightyoungmen,accompaniedbyeightgirlsofremarkablebeauty,arrived,andorderedaprivateroom,wheretheywereservedwithasumptuousrepast.Atitscloseoneofthepartyraisedhisglassandproposed,"Successtothecholera!"Thetoastwasreceivedwithriotousshoutsofapplause,


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andalldrankitwithdeliriouslaughter.Thatverynighteveryoneoftherevelersdiedinhorribleagony;theirbodies,asusual,werethrustintoflimsycoffinsandburiedoneontopofanotherinaholehastilydugforthepurpose.Dismalstorieslikethesereacheduseveryday,butwewerenotmorbidlyimpressedbythem.Stellawasalivingcharmagainstpestilence;herinnocentplayfulnessandprattlekeptusamusedandemployed,andsurroundeduswithanatmospherethatwasphysicallyandmentallywholesome.

Onemorning--oneoftheveryhottestmorningsofthatscorchingmonth--Iwokeatanearlierhourthanusual.Asuggestionofpossiblecoolnessintheairtemptedmetoriseandstrollthroughthegarden.Mywifesleptsoundlyatmyside.Idressedsoftly,withoutdisturbingher.AsIwasabouttoleavetheroomsomeinstinctmademeturnbacktolookatheroncemore.Howlovelyshewas!shesmiledinhersleep!MyheartbeatasIgazed--shehadbeenmineforthreeyears--mineonly!--andmypassionateadmirationandloveofherhadincreasedinproportiontothatlengthoftime.Iraisedoneofthescatteredgoldenlocksthatlayshininglikeasunbeamonthepillow,andkissedittenderly.Then--allunconsciousofmyfate--Ilefther.

AfaintbreezegreetedmeasIsaunteredslowlyalongthegardenwalks--abreathofwindscarcestrongenoughtofluttertheleaves,

yetithadasaltsavorinitthatwasrefreshingafterthetropicalheatofthepastnight.IwasatthattimeabsorbedinthestudyofPlato,andasIwalked,mymindoccupieditselfwithmanyhighproblemsanddeepquestionssuggestedbythatgreatteacher.Lostinatrainofprofoundyetpleasantthought,IstrayedonfurtherthanIintended,andfoundmyselfatlastinaby-path,longdisusedbyourhousehold--awindingfootwayleadingdownwardinthedirectionoftheharbor.Itwasshadyandcool,andIfollowedtheroadalmostunconsciously,tillIcaughtaglimpseofmastsandwhitesailsgleamingthroughtheleafageoftheoverarchingtrees.Iwasthenabouttoretracemysteps,whenIwasstartledbyasuddensound.Itwasalowmoanofintensepain--asmotheredcrythatseemedtobewrungfromsomeanimalintorture.Iturnedinthedirectionwhence

itcame,andsaw,lyingfacedownwardonthegrass,aboy--alittlefruit-sellerofelevenortwelveyearsofage.Hisbasketofwaresstoodbesidehim,atemptingpileofpeaches,grapes,pomegranates,andmelons--lovelybutdangerouseatingincholeratimes.Itouchedtheladontheshoulder.

"Whatailsyou?"Iasked.Hetwistedhimselfconvulsivelyandturnedhisfacetowardme--abeautifulface,thoughlividwithanguish.

"Theplague,signor!"hemoaned;"theplague!Keepawayfromme,fortheloveofGod!Iamdying!"

Ihesitated.FormyselfIhadnofear.Butmywife--mychild--for

theirsakesitwasnecessarytobeprudent.YetIcouldnotleavethispoorboyunassisted.Iresolvedtogototheharborinsearchofmedicalaid.WiththisideainmymindIspokecheerfully.

"Courage,myboy,"Isaid;"donotloseheart!Allillnessisnottheplague.RestheretillIreturn;Iamgoingtofetchadoctor."

Thelittlefellowlookedatmewithwondering,patheticeyes,andtriedtosmile.Hepointedtohisthroat,andmadeanefforttospeak,butvainly.Thenhecroucheddowninthegrassandwrithedin


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torturelikeahuntedanimalwoundedtothedeath.Ilefthimandwalkedonrapidly;reachingtheharbor,wheretheheatwassulphurousandintense,Ifoundafewscared-lookingmenstandingaimlesslyabout,towhomIexplainedtheboy'scase,andappealedforassistance.Theyallhungback--noneofthemwouldaccompanyme,notevenforthegoldIoffered.Cursingtheircowardice,Ihurriedoninsearchofaphysician,andfoundoneatlast,asallowFrenchman,wholistenedwithobviousreluctancetomyaccountoftheconditioninwhichIhadleftthelittlefruit-seller,andattheendshookhisheaddecisively,andrefusedtomove.

"Heisasgoodasdead,"heobserved,withcoldbrevity."BettercallatthehouseoftheMiserecordia;thebrethrenwillfetchhisbody."

"What!"Icried;"youwillnortryifyoucansavehim?"

TheFrenchmanbowedwithsatiricalsuavity.

"Monsieurmustpardonme!Myownhealthwouldbeseriouslyendangeredbytouchingacholeracorpse.Allowmetowishmonsieurthegood-day!"

Andhedisappeared,shuttinghisdoorinmyface.Iwasthoroughly

exasperated,andthoughtheheatandthefetidodorofthesun-bakedstreetsmademefeelfaintandsick,IforgotalldangerformyselfasIstoodintheplague-strickencity,wonderingwhatIshoulddonexttoobtainsuccor.Agrave,kindvoicesalutedmyear.

"Youseekaid,myson?"

Ilookedup.Atallmonk,whosecowlpartlyconcealedhispale,butresolutefeatures,stoodatmyside--oneofthoseheroeswho,fortheloveofChrist,cameforthatthatterribletimeandfacedthepestilencefearlessly,wheretheblatantboastersofno-religionscurriedawaylikefrightenedharesfromtheveryscentofdanger.Igreetedhimwithanobeisance,andexplainedmyerrand.

"Iwillgoatonce,"hesaid,withanaccentofpityinhisvoice."ButIfeartheworst.Ihaveremedieswithme;Imaynotbetoolate."

"Iwillaccompanyyou,"Isaid,eagerly."Onewouldnotletadogdieunaided;muchlessthispoorlad,whoseemsfriendless."

Themonklookedatmeattentivelyaswewalkedontogether.

"YouarenotresidinginNaples?"heasked.

Igavehimmyname,whichheknewbyrepute,anddescribedthe

positionofmyvilla.

"Uponthatheightweenjoyperfecthealth,"Iadded."Icannotunderstandthepanicthatprevailsinthecity.Theplagueisfosteredbysuchcowardice."

"Ofcourse!"heanswered,calmly."Butwhatwillyou?Thepeopleherelovepleasure.Theirheartsaresetsolelyonthislife.Whendeath,commontoall,enterstheirmidst,theyarelikebabesscaredbyadarkshadow.Religionitself"--herehesigheddeeply--"hasno


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holduponthem."

"Butyou,myfather,"Ibegan,andstoppedabruptly,consciousofasharpthrobbingpaininmytemples.

"I,"heanswered,gravely,"amtheservantofChrist.Assuch,theplaguehasnoterrorsforme.UnworthyasIam,formyMaster'ssakeIamready--nay,willing--tofacealldeaths."

Hespokefirmly,yetwithoutarrogance.Ilookedathiminacertainadmiration,andwasabouttospeak,whenacuriousdizzinessovercameme,andIcaughtathisarmtosavemyselffromfalling.Thestreetrockedlikeashipatsea,andtheskieswhirledroundmeincirclesofbluefire.Thefeelingslowlypassed,andIheardthemonk'svoice,asthoughitwerealongwayoff,askingmeanxiouslywhatwasthematter.Iforcedasmile.

"Itistheheat,Ithink,"Isaid,infeebletoneslikethoseofaveryagedman."Iamfaint--giddy.Youhadbestleavemehere--seetotheboy.Oh,myGod!"

Thislastexclamationwaswrungoutofmebysheeranguish.Mylimbsrefusedtosupportme,andapang,coldandbitterasthoughnakedsteelhadbeenthrustthroughmybody,causedmetosinkdownupon

thepavementinakindofconvulsion.Thetallandsinewymonk,withoutamoment'shesitation,draggedmeupandhalfcarried,halfledmeintoakindofauberge,orrestaurantforthepoorerclasses.Hereheplacedmeinarecumbentpositionononeofthewoodenbenches,andcalleduptheproprietoroftheplace,amantowhomheseemedtobewellknown.ThoughsufferingacutelyIwasconscious,andcouldhearandseeeverythingthatpassed.

"Attendtohimwell,Pietro--itistherichCountFabioRomani.Thouwiltnotlosebythypains.Iwillreturnwithinanhour."

"TheCountRomani!SantissimaMadonna!Hehascaughttheplague!"

"Thoufool!"exclaimedthemonk,fiercely."Howcanstthoutell?Astrokeofthesunisnottheplague,thoucoward!Seetohim,orbySt.Peterandthekeysthereshallbenoplacefortheeinheaven!"

Thetremblinginnkeeperlookedterrifiedatthismenace,andsubmissivelyapproachedmewithpillows,whichheplacedundermyhead.Themonk,meanwhile,heldaglasstomylipscontainingsomemedicinalmixture,whichIswallowedmechanically.

"Resthere,myson,"hesaid,addressingmeinsoothingtones."Thesepeoplearegood-natured.Iwillbuthastentotheboyforwhomyousoughtassistance--inlessthananhourIwillbewithyouagain."

Ilaidadetaininghandonhisarm.

"Stay,"Imurmured,feebly,"letmeknowtheworst.Isthistheplague?"

"Ihopenot!"hereplied,compassionately."Butwhatifitbe?Youareyoungandstrongenoughtofightagainstitwithoutfear."

"Ihavenofear,"Isaid."But,father,promisemeonething--send


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nowordofmyillnesstomywife--swearit!EvenifIamunconscious--dead--swearthatIshallnotbetakentothevilla.Swearit!IcannotresttillIhaveyourword."

"Iswearitmostwillingly,myson,"heanswered,solemnly."ByallIholdsacred,Iwillrespectyourwishes."

Iwasinfinitelyrelieved--thesafetyofthoseIlovedwasassured--andIthankedhimbyamutegesture.Iwastooweaktosaymore.Hedisappeared,andmybrainwanderedintoachaosofstrangefancies.Letmetrytorevolvethesedelusions.IplainlyseetheinteriorofthecommonroomwhereIlie.Thereisthetimidinnkeeper--hepolisheshisglassesandbottles,castingeverandanonascaredglanceinmydirection.Groupsofmenlookinatthedoor,and,seeingme,hurryaway.Iobserveallthis--IknowwhereIam--yetIamalsoclimbingthesteeppassesofanAlpinegorge--thecoldsnowisatmyfeet--Iheartherushandroarofathousandtorrents.Acrimsoncloudfloatsabovethesummitofawhiteglacier--itpartsasundergradually,andinitsbrightcenterafacesmilesforth!"Nina!mylove,mywife,mysoul!"Icryaloud.Istretchoutmyarms--Iclaspher!--bah!itisthisgoodrogueofaninnkeeperwhoholdsmeinhismustyembrace!Istrugglewithhimfiercely--pantingly.

"Fool!"Ishriekinhisear."Letmegotoher--herlipspoutforkisses--letmego!"

Anothermanadvancesandseizesme;heandtheinnkeeperforcemebackonthepillows--theyovercomeme,andtheutterincapacityofaterribleexhaustionstealsawaymystrength.Iceasetostruggle.Pietroandhisassistantlookdownuponme.

"Emorto!"theywhisperonetotheother.

Ihearthemandsmile.Dead?NotI!Thescorchingsunlightstreamsthroughtheopendooroftheinn--thethirstyfliesbuzzwithpersistentloudness--somevoicesaresinging"LaFatadiAmalfi"--I

candistinguishthewords--

"ChiagnarolamiasventuraSinontuornechiu,Rosella!Tud'Amalfilachiubella,TunaFatasipeme!Viene,vie,reginamie,Vienecurreachistocore,Canonc'enonc'esciore,Nonc'eStellacomm'ate!"[Footnote:ApopularsongintheNeapolitandialect.]

Thatisatruesong,Ninamia!"Nonc'eStellacomm'ate!"Whatdid

Guidosay?"Purerthantheflawlessdiamond--unapproachableasthefurtheststar!"ThatfoolishPietrostillpolisheshiswine-bottles.Iseehim--hismeekroundfaceisgreasywithheatanddust;butIcannotunderstandhowhecomestobehereatall,forIamonthebanksofatropicalriverwherehugepalmsgrowwild,anddrowsyalligatorslieasleepinthesun.Theirlargejawsareopen--theirsmalleyesglittergreenly.Alightboatglidesoverthesilentwater--initIbeholdtheerectlithefigureofanIndian.HisfeaturesarestrangelysimilartothoseofGuido.Hedrawsalongthinshiningbladeofsteelasheapproaches.Bravefellow!--hemeansto


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attacksingle-handedthecruelcreatureswholieinwaitforhimonthesultryshore.Hespringstoland--Iwatchhimwithaweirdfascination.Hepassesthealligators--heseemsnottobeawareoftheirpresence--hecomeswithswift,unhesitatingsteptoME--itisIwhomheseeks--itisinMYheartthatheplungesthecoldsteeldagger,anddrawsitoutagaindrippingwithblood!Once--twice--thrice!--andyetIcannotdie!Iwrithe--Imoaninbitteranguish!Thensomethingdarkcomesbetweenmeandtheglaringsun--somethingcoolandshadowy,againstwhichIflingmyselfdespairingly.Twodarkeyeslooksteadilyintomine,andavoicespeaks:

"Becalm,myson,becalm.CommendthyselftoChrist!"

Itismyfriendthemonk.Irecognizehimgladly.Hehasreturnedfromhiserrandofmercy.ThoughIcanscarcelyspeak,Ihearmyselfaskingfornewsoftheboy.Theholymancrosseshimselfdevoutly.

"Mayhisyoungsoulrestinpeace!Ifoundhimdead."

Iamdreamilyastonishedatthis.Dead--sosoon!Icannotunderstandit;andIdriftoffagainintoastateofconfusedimaginings.AsIlookbacknowtothattime,IfindIhavenospeciallydistinctrecollectionofwhatafterwardhappenedtome.IknowIsuffered

intense,intolerablepain--thatIwasliterallytorturedonarackofexcruciatinganguish--andthatthroughallthedeliriumofmysensesIheardamuffled,melancholysoundlikeachantorprayer.IhaveanideathatIalsoheardthetinkleofthebellthataccompaniestheHost,butmybrainreeledmorewildlywitheachmoment,andIcannotbecertainofthis.Iremembershriekingoutafterwhatseemedaneternityofpain,"Nottothevilla!no,no,notthere!Youshallnottakeme--mycurseonhimwhodisobeysme!"

Irememberthenafearfulsensation,asofbeingdraggedintoadeepwhirlpool,fromwhenceIstretchedupappealinghandsandeyestothemonkwhostoodaboveme--Icaughtadrowningglimpseofasilvercrucifixglitteringbeforemygaze,andatlast,withoneloudcry

forhelp,Isunk--down--down!intoanabyssofblacknightandnothingness!

CHAPTERIII.

Therefollowedalongdrowsytimeofstillnessandshadow.Iseemedtohavefalleninsomedeepwellofdeliciousoblivionandobscurity.Dream-likeimagesstillflittedbeforemyfancy--thesewereatfirstundefinable,butafterawhiletheytookmorecertain

shapes.Strangeflutteringcreatureshoveredaboutme--lonelyeyesstaredatmefromavisibledeepgloom;longwhitebonyfingersgraspingatnothingmadesignstomeofwarningormenace.Then--verygradually,theredawneduponmysenseofvisionacloudyredmistlikeastormysunset,andfromthemiddleoftheblood-likehazeahugeblackhanddescendedtowardme.Itpounceduponmychest--itgraspedmythroatinitsmonstrousclutch,andheldmedownwithaweightofiron.Istruggledviolently--Istrovetocryout,butthatterrificpressuretookfrommeallpowerofutterance.Itwistedmyselftorightandleftinanendeavortoescape--butmy


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tyrantofthesablehandhadboundmeinonallsides.YetIcontinuedtowrestlewiththecruelopposingforcethatstrovetooverwhelmme--littlebylittle--inchbyinch--so!Atlast!Onemorestruggle--victory!Iwoke!MercifulGod!WherewasI?Inwhathorribleatmosphere--inwhatdensedarkness?Slowly,asmysensesreturnedtome,Irememberedmyrecentillness.Themonk--themanPietro--wherewerethey?Whathadtheydonetome?Bydegrees,IrealizedthatIwaslyingstraightdownuponmyback--thecouchwassurelyveryhard?Whyhadtheytakenthepillowsfromundermyhead?Aprickingsensationdartedthroughmyveins--Ifeltmyownhandscuriously--theywerewarm,andmypulsebeatstrongly,thoughfitfully.Butwhatwasthisthathinderedmybreathing?Air--air!Imusthaveair!Iputupmyhands--horror!Theystruckagainstahardopposingsubstanceaboveme.Quickaslightningthenthetruthflasheduponmymind!Ihadbeenburied--buriedalive;thiswoodenprisonthatinclosedmewasacoffin!Afrenzysurpassingthatofaninfuriatedtigertookswiftpossessionofme--withhandsandnailsItoreandscratchedattheaccursedboards--withalltheforceofmyshouldersandarmsItoiledtowrenchopentheclosedlid!Myeffortswerefruitless!Igrewmoreferociouslymadwithrageandterror.Howeasywerealldeathscomparedtoonelikethis!Iwassuffocating--Ifeltmyeyesstartfromtheirsockets--bloodsprungfrommymouthandnostrils--andicydropsofsweattrickledfrommyforehead.Ipaused,gaspingforbreath.Then,suddenlynerving

myselfforonemorewildeffort,Ihurledmylimbswithalltheforceofagonyanddesperationagainstonesideofmynarrowprison.Itcracked--itsplitasunder!--andthen--anewandhorridfearbesetme,andIcrouchedback,pantingheavily.If--ifIwereburiedintheground--soranmyghastlythoughts--ofwhatusetobreakopenthecoffinandletinthemold--thedampwormymold,richwiththebonesofthedead--thepenetratingmoldthatwouldchokeupmymouthandeyes,andsealmeintosilenceforever!Mymindquailedatthisidea--mybraintotteredonthevergeofmadness!Ilaughed--thinkofit!--andmylaughsoundedinmyearslikethelastrattleinthethroatofadyingman.ButIcouldbreathemoreeasily--eveninthestupefactionofmyfears--Iwasconsciousofair.Yes!--theblessedairhadrushedinsomehow.RevivedandencouragedasIrecognized

thisfact,IfeltwithbothhandstillIfoundthecreviceIhadmade,andthenwithfrantichasteandstrengthIpulledanddraggedatthewood,tillsuddenlythewholesideofthecoffingaveway,andIwasabletoforceupthelid.Istretchedoutmyarms--noweightofearthimpededtheirmovements--Ifeltnothingbutair--emptyair.Yieldingtomyfirststrongimpulse,Ileapedoutofthehatefulbox,andfell--fellsomelittledistance,bruisingmyhandsandkneesonwhatseemedtobeastonepavement.Somethingweightyfellalso,withadullcrashingthudclosetome.Thedarknesswasimpenetrable.Buttherewasbreathingroom,andtheatmospherewascoolandrefreshing.WithsomepainanddifficultyIraisedmyselftoasittingpositionwhereIhadfallen.Mylimbswerestiffandcrampedaswellaswounded,andIshiveredaswithstrongague.But

mysenseswereclear--thetangledchainofmydisorderedthoughtsbecameevenandconnected--mypreviousmadexcitementgraduallycalmed,andIbegantoconsidermycondition.Ihadcertainlybeenburiedalive--therewasnodoubtofthat.Intensepainhad,Isuppose,resolveditselfintoalongtranceofunconsciousness--thepeopleoftheinnwhereIhadbeentakenillhadatoncebelievedmetobedeadofcholera,andwiththepanic-stricken,indecenthastecommoninallItaly,especiallyatatimeofplague,hadthrustmeintooneofthoseflimsycoffinswhichwerethenbeingmanufacturedbyscoresinNaples--mereshellsofthindeal,nailedtogetherwith


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clumsyhurryandfear.ButhowIblessedtheirwretchedconstruction!HadIbeenlaidinastrongercasket,whoknowsifeventhemostdesperatefrenzyofmystrengthmightnothaveprovedunavailing!Ishudderedatthethought.Yetthequestionremained--WherewasI?Ireviewedmycasefromallpoints,andforsometimecouldarriveatnosatisfactoryconclusion.Stay,though!IrememberedthatIhadtoldthemonkmyname;heknewthatIwastheonlydescendantoftherichRomanifamily.Whatfollowed?Why,naturally,thegoodfatherhadonlydonewhathisdutycalleduponhimtodo.Hehadseenmelaidinthevaultofmyancestors--thegreatRomanivaultthathadneverbeenopenedsincemyfather'sbodywascarriedtoitslastresting-placewithallthesolemnpompandmagnificenceofawealthynobleman'sfuneralobsequies.ThemoreIthoughtofthisthemoreprobableitseemed.TheRomanivault!ItsforbiddinggloomhadterrifiedmeasaladwhenIfollowedmyfather'scoffintothestonenicheassignedtoit,andIhadturnedmyeyesawayinshudderingpainwhenIwastoldtolookattheheavyoakencaskethungwithtatteredvelvetandornamentedwithtarnishedsilver,whichcontainedallthatwasleftofmymother,whodiedyoung.Ihadfeltsickandfaintandcold,andhadonlyrecoveredmyselfwhenIstoodoutagaininthefreeairwiththebluedomeofheavenhighaboveme.AndnowIwasshutinthesamevault--aprisoner--withwhathopeofescape?Ireflected.Theentrancetothevault,Iremembered,wasbarredbyaheavydoorofcloselytwisted

iron--fromthenceaflightofsteepstepsleddownward--downwardtowhereinallprobabilityInowwas.SupposeIcouldinthedensedarknessfeelmywaytothosestepsandclimbuptothatdoor--ofwhatavail?Itwaslocked--nay,barred--andasitwassituatedinaremotepartoftheburial-ground,therewasnolikelihoodofeventhekeeperofthecemeterypassingbyitfordays--perhapsnotforweeks.ThenmustIstarve?Ordieofthirst?Torturedbytheseimaginings,Iroseupfromthepavementandstooderect.Myfeetwerebare,andthecoldstoneonwhichIstoodchilledmetothemarrow.Itwasfortunateforme,Ithought,thattheyhadburiedmeasacholeracorpse--theyhadleftmehalf-clothedforfearofinfection.Thatis,Ihadmyflannelshirtonandmyusualwalkingtrousers.Somethingtherewas,too,roundmyneck;Ifeltit,andas

Ididsoafloodofsweetandsorrowfulmemoriesrushedoverme.Itwasaslightgoldchain,andonithungalocketcontainingtheportraitsofmywifeandchild.Idrewitoutinthedarkness;Icovereditwithpassionatekissesandtears--thefirstIhadshedsincemydeath--liketrance-tearsscaldingandbitterwelledintomyeyes.LifewasworthlivingwhileNina'ssmilelightenedtheworld!Iresolvedtofightforexistence,nomatterwhatdirehorrorsshouldbeyetinstoreforme.Nina--mylove--mybeautifulone!Herfacegleamedoutuponmeinthepestilentgloomofthecharnel-house;hereyesbeckonedme--heryoungfaithfuleyesthatwerenow,Ifeltsure,drownedinweepingformysupposeddeath.Iseemedtoseemytender-hearteddarlingsobbingaloneintheemptysilenceoftheroomthathadwitnessedathousandembracesbetweenherselfand

me;herlovelyhairdisheveled;hersweetfacepaleandhaggardwiththebitternessofgrief!BabyStella,too,nodoubtshewouldwonder,poorinnocent!whyIdidnotcometoswingherasusualundertheorangeboughs.AndGuido--braveandtruefriend!Ithoughtofhimwithtenderness.IfeltIknewhowdeepandlastingwouldbehishonestregretformyloss.Oh,Iwouldleavenomeansofescapeuntried;Iwouldfindsomewayoutofthisgrimvault!Howoverjoyedtheywouldallbetoseemeagain--toknowthatIwasnotdeadafterall!WhatawelcomeIshouldreceive!HowNinawouldnestleintomyarms;howmylittlechildwouldclingtome;howGuidowouldclasp


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mebythehand!IsmiledasIpicturedthesceneofrejoicingatthedearoldvilla--thehappyhomesanctifiedbyperfectfriendshipandfaithfullove!

Adeephollowsoundboomingsuddenlyonmyearsstartledme--one!two!three!Icountedthestrokesuptotwelve.Itwassomechurchbelltollingthehour.Mypleasingfanciesdispersed--Iagainfacedthedrearrealityofmyposition.Twelveo'clock!Middayormidnight?Icouldnottell.Ibegantocalculate.ItwasearlymorningwhenIhadbeentakenill--notmuchpasteightwhenIhadmetthemonkandsoughthisassistanceforthepoorlittlefruit-sellerwhohadafterallperishedaloneinhissufferings.Nowsupposingmyillnesshadlastedsomehours,Imighthavefallenintoatrance--died--asthosearoundmehadthought,somewhereaboutnoon.Inthatcasetheywouldcertainlyhaveburiedmewithaslittledelayaspossible--beforesunsetatallevents.Thinkingthesepointsoveronebyone,IcametotheconclusionthatthebellIhadjustheardmusthavestruckmidnight--themidnightoftheverydayofmyburial.Ishivered;akindofnervousdreadstoleoverme.Ihavealwaysbeenphysicallycourageous,butatthesametime,inspiteofmyeducation,Iamsomewhatsuperstitious--whatNeapolitanisnot?itrunsinthesouthernblood.Andtherewassomethingunutterablyfearfulinthesoundofthatmidnightbellclangingharshlyontheearsofamanpentupaliveinafuneralvaultwith

thedecayingbodiesofhisancestorsclosewithinreachofhishand!Itriedtoconquermyfeelings--tosummonupmyfortitude.Iendeavoredtoreasonoutthebestmethodofescape.Iresolvedtofeelmyway,ifpossible,tothestepsofthevault,andwiththisideainmymindIputoutmyhandsandbegantomovealongslowlyandwiththeutmostcare.Whatwasthat?Istopped;Ilistened;thebloodcurdledinmyveins!Ashrillcry,piercing,prolonged,andmelancholy,echoedthroughthehollowarchesofmytomb.Acoldperspirationbrokeoutallovermybody--myheartbeatsoloudlythatIcouldhearitthumpingagainstmyribs.Again--again--thatweirdshriek,followedbyawhirandflapofwings.Ibreathedagain.

"Itisanowl,"Isaidtomyself,ashamedofmyfears;"apoorinnocentbird--acompanionandwatcherofthedead,andthereforeitsvoiceisfullofsorrowfullamentation--butitisharmless,"andIcreptonwithincreasedcaution.Suddenlyoutofthedensedarknesstherestaredtwolargeyelloweyes,glitteringwithfiendishhungerandcruelty.ForamomentIwasstartled,andsteppedback;thecreatureflewatmewiththeferocityofatiger-cat!Ifoughtwiththehorriblethinginalldirections;itwheeledroundmyhead,itpouncedtowardmyface,itbeatmewithitslargewings--wingsthatIcouldfeelbutnotsee;theyelloweyesaloneshoneinthethickgloomliketheeyesofsomevindictivedemon!Istruckatitrightandleft--therevoltingcombatlastedsomemoments--Igrewsickanddizzy,yetIbattledonrecklessly.At

last,thankHeaven!thehugeowlwasvanquished;itflutteredbackwardanddownward,apparentlyexhausted,givingonewildscreechofbaffledfury,asitslamp-likeeyesdisappearedinthedarkness.Breathless,butnotsubdued--everynerveinmybodyquiveringwithexcitement--Ipursuedmyway,asIthought,towardthestonestaircasefeelingtheairwithmyoutstretchedhandsasIgropedalong.InalittlewhileImetwithanobstruction--itwashardandcold--astonewall,surely?Ifeltitupanddownandfoundahollowinit--wasthisthefirststepofthestair?Iwondered;itseemedveryhigh.Itoucheditcautiously--suddenlyIcameincontactwith


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somethingsoftandclammytothetouchlikemossorwetvelvet.Fingeringthiswithakindofrepulsion,IsoontracedouttheoblongshapeofacoffinCuriouslyenough,Iwasnotaffectedmuchbythediscovery.Ifoundmyselfmonotonouslycountingthebitsofraisedmetalwhichserved,asIjudged,foritsornamentation.Eightbitslengthwise--andthesoftwetstuffbetween--fourbitsacross;thenapangshotthroughme,andIdrewmyhandawayquickly,asIconsidered--WHOSEcoffinwasthis?Myfather's?OrwasIthusplucking,likeamanindelirium,atthefragmentsofvelvetonthatcumbrousoakencasketwhereinlaythesacredashesofmymother'sperishedbeauty?IrousedmyselffromtheapathyintowhichIhadfallen.AllthepainsIhadtakentofindmywaythroughthevaultwerewasted;Iwaslostintheprofoundgloom,andknewnotwheretoturn.Thehorrorofmysituationpresenteditselftomewithredoubledforce.Ibegantobetormentedwiththirst.Ifellonmykneesandgroanedaloud.

"Godofinfinitemercy!"Icried."Saviouroftheworld!BythesoulsofthesacreddeadwhomThouhastinThyholykeeping,havepityuponme!Oh,mymother!ifindeedthineearthlyremainsarenearme--thinkofme,sweetangelinthatheavenwherethyspiritdwellsatrest--pleadformeandsaveme,orletmedienowandbetorturednomore!"

Iutteredthesewordsaloud,andthesoundofmywailingvoiceringingthroughthesomberarchesofthevaultwasstrangeandfulloffantasticterrortomyownears.IknewthatweremyagonymuchfurtherprolongedIshouldgomad.AndIdarednotpicturetomyselfthefrightfulthingswhichamaniacmightbecapableof,shutupinsuchaplaceofdeathanddarkness,withmolderingcorpsesforcompanions!Iremainedonmyknees,myfaceburiedinmyhands.Iforcedmyselfintocomparativecalmness,andstrovetopreservetheequilibriumofmydistractedmind.Hush!Whatexquisitefar-offfloatingvoiceofcheerwasthat?Iraisedmyheadandlistened,entranced!

"Jug,jug,Jug!lodola,lodola!trill-lil-lil!sweet,sweet,sweet!"

Itwasanightingale.Familiar,delicious,angel-throatedbird!HowIblessedtheeinthatdarkhourofdespair!HowIpraisedGodforthineinnocentexistence!HowIsprungupandlaughedandweptforjoy,as,allunconsciousofme,thoudidstshakeoutashowerofpearlywarblingsonthebreastofthesoothedair!Heavenlymessengerofconsolation!--evennowIthinkoftheewithtenderness--forthysweetsakeallbirdspossessmeastheirworshiper;humanityhasgrownhideousinmysight,butthesinging-lifeofthewoodsandhills--howpure,howfresh!--thenearestthingtohappinessonthissideheaven!

Arushofstrengthandcourageinvigoratedme.Anewideaenteredmybrain.Ideterminedtofollowthevoiceofthenightingale.Itsung

onsweetly,encouragingly--andIbeganafreshmyjourneyingsthroughthedarkness.Ifanciedthatthebirdwasperchedononeofthetreesoutsidetheentranceofthevault,andthatifItriedtogetwithincloserhearingofitsvoice,IshouldmostlikelybethusguidedtotheverystaircaseIhadbeensopainfullyseeking.Istumbledalongslowly.Ifeltfeeble,andmylimbsshookunderme.Thistimenothingimpededmyprogress;thenightingale'sliquidnotesfloatednearerandnearer,andhope,almostexhausted,sprungupagaininmyheart.Iwasscarcelyconsciousofmyownmovements.Iseemedtobedrawnalonglikeoneinadreambythegoldenthread


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ofthebird'ssweetsinging.AllatonceIcaughtmyfootagainstastoneandfellforwardwithsomeforce,butIfeltnopain--mylimbsweretoonumbtobesensibleofanyfreshsuffering.Iraisedmyheavy,achingeyesinthedarkness;asIdidsoIutteredanexclamationofthanksgiving.Aslenderstreamofmoonlight,nothickerthanthestemofanarrow,slanteddownwardtowardme,andshowedmethatIhadatlastreachedthespotIsought--infact,Ihadfallenupontheloweststepofthestonestairway.Icouldnotdistinguishtheentrancedoorofthevault,butIknewthatitmustbeatthesummitofthesteepascent.Iwastoowearytomovefurtherjustthen.IlaystillwhereIwas,staringatthesolitarymoon-ray,andlisteningtothenightingale,whoserapturousmelodiesnowrangoutuponmyearswithfulldistinctness.ONE!Theharsh-tonedbellIhadheardbeforeclangedforththehour.Itwouldsoonbemorning;Iresolvedtoresttillthen.Utterlywornoutinbodyandmind,Ilaiddownmyheaduponthecoldstonesasreadilyasiftheyhadbeenthesoftestcushions,andinafewmomentsforgotallmymiseriesinaprofoundsleep.

***

Imusthaveslumberedforsometime,whenIwassuddenlyawakenedbyasuffocatingsensationoffaintnessandnausea,accompaniedbyasharppainonmyneckasthoughsomecreatureswerestingingme.I

putmyhanduptotheplace--God!shallIeverforgetthefeeloftheTHINGmytremblingfingersclosedupon!Itwasfastenedinmyflesh--awinged,clammy,breathinghorror!Itclungtomewithaloathlypersistencythatnearlydrovemefrantic,andwildwithdisgustandterrorIscreamedaloud!Iclosedbothhandsconvulsivelyuponitsfat,softbody--IliterallytoreitfrommyfleshandflungitasfarbackasIcouldintotheinteriorblacknessofthevault.ForatimeIbelieveIwasindeedmad--theechoesrangwiththepiercingshrieksIcouldnotrestrain!SilentatlastthroughsneerexhaustionIglaredaboutme.Themoonbeamhadvanished,initsplacelayashaftofpalegraylight,bywhichIcouldeasilydistinguishthewholelengthofthestaircaseandtheclosedgatewayititssummit.Irusheduptheascentwiththe

feverishhasteofamadman--IgraspedtheirongratingwithbothhandsandshookitfiercelyItwasfirmasarock,lockedfast.Icalledforhelp.Uttersilenceansweredme.Ipeeredthroughthecloselytwistedbars.Isawthegrass,thedroopingboughsoftrees,andstraightbeforemylineofvisionalittlepieceoftheblessedsky,opaltintedandfaintlyblushingwiththeconsciousnessoftheapproachingsunriseIdrankinthesweetfreshair,alongtrailingbranchofthewildgrapevinehungnearme;itsleaveswerecoveredthicklywithdew.Isqueezedonehandthroughthegratingandgatheredafewofthesegreenmorselsofcoolness--Iatethemgreedily.TheyseemedtomemoredeliciousthananythingIhadevertasted,theyrelievedtheburningfeverofmyparchedthroatandtongue.Theglimpseofthetreesandskysoothedandcalmedme.

Therewasagentletwitteringofawakingbirds,mynightingalehadceasedsinging.

Ibegantorecoverslowlyfrommynervousterrors,andleaningagainstthegloomyarchofmycharnelhouseItookcouragetoglancebackwarddownthesteepstairwayupwhichIhadsprungwithsuchfuriousprecipitation.Somethingwhitelayinacornerontheseventhstepfromthetop.Curioustoseewhatitwas,Idescendedcautiouslyandwithsomereluctance;itwasthehalfofathickwaxentaper,suchasareusedintheCatholicritualattheburial


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ofthedead.Nodoubtithadbeenthrowndowntherebysomecarelessacolyte,tosavehimselfthetroubleofcarryingitaftertheservicehadended.Ilookedatitmeditatively.IfIonlyhadalight!Iplungedmyhandshalfabstractedlyintothepocketsofmytrousers--somethingjingled!Trulytheyhadburiedmeinhaste.Mypurse,asmallbunchofkeys,mycard-case--onebyoneIdrewthemoutandexaminedthemsurprisedly--theylookedsofamiliar,andwithalsostrange!Isearchedagain;andthistimefoundsomethingofrealvaluetooneinmycondition--asmallboxofwaxvestas.Now,hadtheyleftmemycigar-case?No,thatwasgone.Itwasavaluablesilverone--nodoubtthemonk,whoattendedmysupposedlastmoments,hadtakenit,togetherwithmywatchandchain,tomywife.

Well,Icouldnotsmoke,butIcouldstrikealight.Andtherewasthefuneraltaperreadyforuse.Thesunhadnotyetrisen.ImustcertainlywaittillbroaddaybeforeIcouldhopetoattractbymyshoutsanystraypersonwhomightpassthroughthecemetery.Meanwhile,afantasticideasuggesteditself.Iwouldgoandlookatmyowncoffin!Whynot?Itwouldbeanovelexperience.Thesenseoffearhadentirelydesertedme;thepossessionofthatboxofmatcheswassufficienttoendowmewithabsolutehardihood.Ipickedupthechurch-candleandlightedit;itgaveatfirstafeebleflicker,butafterwardburnedwithaclearandsteadyflame.Shadingitwithone

handfromthedraught,Igaveapartingglanceatthefairdaylightthatpeepedsmilinglyinthroughmyprisondoor,andthenwentdown--downagainintothedismalplacewhereIhadpassedthenightinsuchindescribableagony.

CHAPTERIV.

NumbersoflizardsglidedawayfrommyfeetasIdescendedthesteps,andwhentheflareofmytorchpenetratedthedarknessI

heardascurryingofwingsmingledwithvarioushissingsoundsandwildcries.Iknewnow--nonebetter--whatweirdandabominablethingshadhabitationinthisstorehouseofthedead,butIfeltIcoulddefythemall,armedwiththelightIcarried.Thewaythathadseemedsolonginthedensegloomwasbriefandeasy,andIsoonfoundmyselfatthesceneofmyunexpectedawakeningfromsleep.Theactualbodyofthevaultwassquare-shaped,likeasmallroominclosedwithinhighwalls--wallswhichwerescoopedoutinvariousplacessoastoformnichesinwhichthenarrowcasketscontainingthebonesofallthedepartedmembersoftheRomanifamilywereplacedoneabovetheotherlikesomanybalesofgoodsarrangedevenlyontheshelvesofanordinarywarehouse.Iheldthecandlehighabovemyheadandlookedaboutmewithamorbidinterest.I

soonperceivedwhatIsought--myowncoffin.

Thereitwasinanichesomefivefeetfromtheground,itssplinteredportionsbearingdecidedwitnesstothedreadfulstruggleIhadmadetoobtainmyfreedom.Iadvancedandexamineditclosely.Itwasafrailshellenough--unlined,unornamented--awretchedsampleoftheundertaker'sart,thoughGodknows_I_hadnofaulttofindwithitsworkmanship,norwiththehasteofhimwhofashionedit.Somethingshoneatthebottomofit--itwasacrucifixofebonyandsilver.Thatgoodmonkagain!Hisconsciencehadnotallowedhim


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toseemeburiedwithoutthissacredsymbol;hehadperhapslaiditonmybreastasthelastservicehecouldrenderme;ithadfallenfromthence,nodoubt,whenIhadwrenchedmywaythroughtheboardsthatinclosedme.Itookitandkisseditreverently--IresolvedthatifeverImettheholyfatheragain,Iwouldtellhimmystory,and,asaproofofitstruth,restoretohimthiscross,whichhewouldbesuretorecognize.Hadtheyputmynameonthecoffin-lid?Iwondered.Yes,thereitwas--paintedonthewoodincoarse,blackletters,"FABIOROMANI"--thenfollowedthedateofmybirth;thenashortLatininscription,statingthatIhaddiedofcholeraonAugust15,1884.Thatwasyesterday--onlyyesterday!Iseemedtohavelivedacenturysincethen.

Iturnedtolookatmyfather'sresting-place.Thevelvetonhiscoffinhungfromitssidesinmolderingremnants--butitwasnotsoutterlydamp-destroyedandworm-eatenasthesoakedandindistinguishablematerialthatstillclungtothemassiveoakenchestinthenextniche,whereSHElay--shefromwhosetenderarmsIhadreceivedmyfirstembrace--sheinwhoselovingeyesIhadfirstbeheldtheworld!Iknewbyasortofinstinctthatitmusthavebeenwiththefrayedfragmentsonhercoffinthatmyfingershadidlyplayedinthedarkness.Icountedasbeforethebitsofmetal--eightbitslength-wise,andfourbitsacross--andonmyfather'sclosecasketthereweretensilverplateslengthwiseandfive

across.Mypoorlittlemother!Ithoughtofherpicture--ithunginmylibraryathome;thepictureofayoung,smiling,dark-hairedbeauty,whosedelicatetintwasasthatofapeachripeninginthesummersun.Allthatlovelinesshaddecayedinto--what?Ishudderedinvoluntarily--thenIknelthumblybeforethosetwosadhollowsinthecoldstone,andimploredtheblessingofthedeadandgonebelovedonestowhom,whiletheylived,mywelfarehadbeendear.WhileIoccupiedthiskneelingpositiontheflameofmytorchfelldirectlyonsomesmallobjectthatglitteredwithremarkableluster.Iwenttoexamineit;itwasajeweledpendantcomposedofonelargepear-shapedpearl,setroundwithfinerosebrilliants!Surprisedatthisdiscovery,IlookedabouttoseewheresuchavaluablegemcouldpossiblehavecomefromIthennoticedanunusuallylarge

coffinlyingsidewaysontheground;itappearedasifithadfallensuddenlyandwithforce,foranumberofloosestonesandmortarweresprinklednearit.Holdingthelightclosetotheground,Iobservedthatanicheexactlybelowtheoneinwhich_I_hadbeenlaidwasempty,andthataconsiderableportionofthewalltherewasbrokenaway.IthenrememberedthatwhenIhadsprungsodesperatelyoutofmynarrowboxIhadheardsomethingfallwithacrashbesideme,Thiswasthething,then--thislongcoffin,bigenoughtocontainamansevenfeethighandbroadinproportion.WhatgiganticancestorhadIirreverentlydislodged?--andwasitfromaskeletonthroatthattherarejewelwhichIheldinmyhandhadbeenaccidentallyshaken?

Mycuriositywasexcited,andIbentclosetoexaminethelidofthisfuneralchest.Therewasnonameonit--nomarkofanysort,saveone--adaggerroughlypaintedinred.Herewasamystery!Iresolvedtopenetrateit.Isetupmycandleinalittlecreviceofoneoftheemptyniches,andlaidthepearlanddiamondpendantbesideit,thusdisembarrassingmyselfofallincumbrance.Thehugecoffinlayonitsside,asIhavesaid;itsuppermostcornerwassplintered;Iappliedbothhandstotheworkofbreakingfurtherasunderthesealreadysplitportions.AsIdidsoaleathernpouchorbagrolledoutandfellatmyfeet.Ipickeditupandopenedit--itwasfullofgoldpieces!


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Moreexcitedthanever,Iseizedalargepointedstone,andbytheaidofthisextemporizedinstrument,togetherwiththeforceofmyownarms,hands,andfeet,Imanaged,aftersometenminutes'hardlabor,tobreakopenthemysteriouscasket.

WhenIhadaccomplishedthisdeedIstaredattheresultlikeamanstupefied.Nomolderinghorrormetmygaze--noblanchedordecayingbones;nogrinningskullmockedmewithitsholloweye-sockets.Ilookeduponatreasureworthyofanemperor'senvy!Thebigcoffinwasliterallylinedandpackedwithincalculablewealth.Fiftylargeleathernbagstiedwithcoarsecordlayuppermost;morethanhalfofthesewerecrammedwithgoldcoins,therestwerefullofpricelessgems--necklaces,tiaras,bracelets,watches,chains,andotherarticlesoffeminineadornmentweremingledwithloosepreciousstones--diamonds,rubies,emeralds,andopals,someofunusualsizeandluster,someuncut,andsomeallreadyforthejeweler'ssetting.Beneaththesebagswerepackedanumberofpiecesofsilk,velvet,andclothofgold,eachpiecebeingwrappedbyitselfinasortofoil-skin,stronglyperfumedwithcamphorandotherspices.Therewerealsothreelengthsofoldlace,fineasgossamer,ofmatchlessartisticdesign,inperfectcondition.Amongthesematerialslaytwolargetraysofsolidgoldworkmanship,mostexquisitelyengravedandornamented,alsofourgolddrinking-cups,ofquaintandmassiveconstruction.Othervaluablesandcurioustriflestherewere,suchas

anivorystatuetteofPsycheonasilverpedestal,awaistbandofcoinslinkedtogether,apaintedfanwithahandlesetinamberandturquois,afinesteeldaggerinajeweledsheath,andamirrorframedinoldpearls.Last,butnotleast,attheverybottomofthechestlayrollsuponrollsofpapermoneyamountingtosomemillionsoffrancs--inallfarsurpassingwhatIhadmyselfformerlyenjoyedfrommyownrevenues.Iplungedmyhandsdeepintheleathernbags;Ifingeredtherichmaterials;allthistreasurewasmine!Ihadfounditinmyownburialvault!Ihadsurelytherighttoconsideritasmyproperty?Ibegantoconsider--howcouldithavebeenplacedtherewithoutmyknowledge?Theanswertothisquestionoccurredtomeatonce.Brigands!Ofcourse!--whatafoolIwasnottohavethoughtofthembefore;thedaggerpaintedonthelidofthechestshouldhave

guidedmetothesolutionofthemystery.Areddaggerwastherecognizedsign-manualofaboldanddangerousbrigandnamedCarmeloNeri,who,withhisrecklessgang,hauntedthevicinityofPalermo.

"So!"Ithought,"thisisoneofyourbrightideas,mycut-throatCarmelo!Cunningrogue!youcalculatedwell--youthoughtthatnonewoulddisturbthedead,muchlessbreakopenacoffininsearchofgold.Admirablyplanned,myCarmelo!Butthistimeyoumustplayalosinggame!Asupposeddeadmancomingtolifeagaindeservessomethingforhistrouble,andIshouldbeafoolnottoacceptthegoodsthegodsandtherobbersprovide.Anill-gottenhoardofwealth,nodoubt;butbetterinmyhandsthaninyoursfriendCarmelo!"

AndImeditatedforsomeminutesonthisstrangeaffairIf,indeed--andIsawnoreasontodoubtit--IhadchancedtofindsomeofthespoilsoftheredoubtableNeri,thisgreatchestmusthavebeenbroughtoverbyseafromPalermo.Probablyfourstoutrascalshadcarriedthesupposedcoffininamocksolemnprocession,underthepretenseofitscontainingthebodyofacomrade.Thesethieveshaveahighsenseofhumor.Yetthequestionremainedtobesolved--HowhadtheygainedaccesstoMYancestralvault,unlessbymeansofafalsekey?AllatonceIwasleftindarkness,Mycandlewentoutas


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thoughblownuponbyagustofair.Ihadmymatches,andofcoursecouldeasilylightitagain,butIwaspuzzledtoimaginethecauseofitssuddenextinction.Ilookedaboutmeinthetemporarygloomandsaw,tomysurprise,arayoflightproceedingfromacorneroftheverynichewhereIhadfixedthecandlebetweentwostones.Iapproachedandputmyhandtotheplace;astrongdraughtblewthroughaholelargeenoughtoadmitthepassageofthreefingers.Iquicklyrelightedmytorch,andexaminingthisholeandthebackofthenicheattentively,foundthatfourblocksofgraniteinthewallhadbeenremovedandtheirplacessuppliedbythicksquarelogscutfromthetrunksoftrees.Theselogswerequitelooselyfitted.Itookthemouteasilyonebyone,andthencameuponaclosepileofbrushwood.AsIgraduallyclearedthisawayalargeaperturediscloseditselfwideenoughforanymantopassthroughwithouttrouble.Myheartbeatwiththeraptureofexpectedliberty;Iclamberedup--Ilooked--thankGod!Isawthelandscape--thesky!IntwominutesIstoodoutsidethevaultonthesoftgrass,withthehigharchofheavenaboveme,andthebroadBayofNaplesglitteringdeliciouslybeforemyeyes!Iclappedmyhandsandshoutedforpurejoy!Iwasfree!Freetoreturntolife,tolove,tothearmsofmybeautifulNina--freetoresumethepleasantcourseofexistenceonthegladsomeearth--freetoforget,ifIcould,thegloomyhorrorsofmyprematureburial.IfCarmeloNerihadheardtheblessingsIheapeduponhishead--hewouldforoncehavedeemedhimselfasaint

ratherthanabrigand.WhatdidInotowetothegloriousruffian!Fortuneandfreedom!foritwasevidentthatthissecretpassageintotheRomanivaulthadbeencunninglycontrivedbyhimselforhisfollowersfortheirownprivatepurposes.SeldomhasanymanbeenmoregratefultohisbestbenefactorthanIwastothefamousthiefuponwhosegrimhead,asIknew,apricehadbeensetformanymonths.Thepoorwretchwasinhiding.Well!theauthoritiesshouldgetnoaidfromme,Iresolved;evenifIweretodiscoverhiswhereabouts.WhyshouldIbetrayhim?Hehadunconsciouslydonemoreformethanmybestfriend.Nay,whatfriendswillyoufindatallintheworldwhenyouneedsubstantialgood?Few,ornone.Touchthepurse--testtheheart!

WhatcastlesintheairIbuiltasIstoodrejoicinginthemorninglightandmynewlyacquiredliberty--whatdreamsofperfecthappinessflittedradiantlybeforemyfancy!NinaandIwouldloveeachothermorefondlythanbefore,Ithought--ourseparationhadbeenbrief,butterrible--andtheideaofwhatitmighthavebeenwouldendearustooneanotherwithtenfoldfervor.AndlittleStella!Why--thisveryeveningIwouldswingheragainundertheorangeboughsandlistentohersweetshrilllaughter!ThisveryeveningIwouldclaspGuido'shandinagladnesstoogreatforwords!Thisverynightmywife'sfairheadwouldliepillowedonmybreastinanecstaticsilencebrokenonlybythemusicofkisses.Ah!mybraingrewdizzywiththejoyfulvisionsthatcrowdedthicklyanddazzlinglyuponme!Thesunhadrisen--hislongstraightbeams,

likegoldenspears,touchedthetopsofthegreentrees,androusedlittleflashesasofredandbluefireontheshiningsurfaceofthebay.Iheardtheripplingofwaterandthemeasuredsoftdashofoars;andsomewherefromadistantboatthemellifluousvoiceofasailorsungaverseofthepopularritornello--

"Sciored'amentaStaparolellamiatieul'ammentoZompallarillira!Sciorelimone!


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LevogliofamoridepassioneZompallarillira!"[Footnote:Neapolitandialect]

Ismiled--"Moridepassione!"NinaandIwouldknowthemeaningofthosesweetwordswhenthemoonroseandthenightingalessungtheirlove-songstothedreamingflowers!Fullofthesehappyfancies,Iinhaledthepuremorningairforsomeminutes,andthenre-enteredthevault.

CHAPTERV.

ThefirstthingIdidwastorepackallthetreasuresIhaddiscovered.Thisworkwaseasilyaccomplished.ForthepresentIcontentedmyselfwithtakingtwooftheleathernbagsformyownuse,onefullofgoldpieces,theotherofjewels.Thechesthadbeenstronglymade,andwasnotmuchinjuredbybeingforcedopen.Icloseditslidastightlyaspossible,anddraggedittoaremoteanddarkcornerofthevault,whereIplacedthreeheavystonesuponit.IthentookthetwoleathernpouchesIhadselected,andstuffed

oneineachofthepocketsofmytrousers.TheactionremindedmeofthescantinessofattireinwhichIstoodarrayed.CouldIbeseeninthepublicroadsinsuchaplight?Iexaminedmypurse,which,asIbeforestated,hadbeenlefttome,togetherwithmykeysandcard-case,bytheterrifiedpersonswhohadhuddledmeintomycoffinwithsuchscantceremony.Itcontainedtwotwenty-francpiecesandsomeloosesilver.Enoughtobuyadecentcostumeofsomesort.ButwherecouldImakethepurchase,andhow?MustIwaittilleveningandslinkoutofthischarnel-houseliketheghostofawretchedcriminal?No!comewhatwould,Imadeupmymindnottolingeramomentlongerinthevault.TheswarmsofbeggarsthatinfestNaplesexhibitthemselvesineveryconditionofrags,dirt,andmisery;attheveryworstIcouldonlybetakenforoneofthem.

AndwhateverdifficultiesImightencounter,nomatter!--theywouldsoonbeover.

SatisfiedthatIhadplacedthebrigandcoffininasafeposition,IsecuredthepearlanddiamondpendantIhadfirstfound,tothechainroundmyneck.Iintendedthisornamentasagiftformywife.Then,oncemoreclimbingthroughtheaperture,Icloseditcompletelywiththelogsandbrushwoodasitwasbefore,andexaminingitnarrowlyfromtheoutside,Isawthatitwasutterlyimpossibletodiscernthesmallesthintofanyentrancetoasubterraneanpassage,sowellandcunninglyhaditbeencontrived.Now,nothingmoreremainedformetodobuttomakethebestofmywaytothecity,theretodeclaremyidentity,obtainfoodand

clothes,andthentohastenwithallpossiblespeedtomyownresidence.

Standingonalittlehillock,IlookedaboutmetoseewhichdirectionIshouldtake.ThecemeterywassituatedontheoutskirtsofNaples--Naplesitselflayonmylefthand.Iperceivedaslopingroadwindinginthatdirection,andjudgedthatifIfollowedititwouldleadmetothecitysuburbs.WithoutfurtherhesitationIcommencedmywalk.Itwasnowfullday.Mybarefeetsunkdeepinthedustthatwashotasdesertsand--theblazingsunbeatdown


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fiercelyonmyuncoveredhead,butIfeltnoneofthesediscomforts;myheartwastoofullofgladness.IcouldhavesungaloudfordelightasIsteppedswiftlyalongtowardhome--andNina!Iwasawareofagreatweaknessinmylimbs--myeyesandheadachedwiththestrongdazzlinglight;occasionally,too,anicyshiverranthroughmethatmademyteethchatter.ButIrecognizedthesesymptomsastheaftereffectsofmysonearlyfatalillness,andIpaidnoheedtothem.Afewweeks'restundermywife'slovingcare,andIknewIshouldbeaswellasever.Isteppedonbravely.ForsometimeImetnoone,butatlastIovertookasmallcartladenwithfreshlygatheredgrapes.Thedriverlayonhisseatasleep;hisponymeanwhilecroppedthegreenherbagebytheroadside,andeverynowandthenshookthejinglingbellsonhisharnessasthoughexpressingthesatisfactionhefeltatbeinglefttohisowndevices.Thepiled-upgrapeslookedtempting,andIwasbothhungryandthirsty,Ilaidahandonthesleepingman'sshoulder;heawokewithastart.Seeingme,hisfaceassumedanexpressionofthewildestterror;hejumpedfromhiscartandsunkdownonhiskneesinthedust,imploringmebytheMadonna,St.Joseph,andallthesaintstosparehislife.Ilaughed;hisfearsseemedtomeludicrous.Surelytherewasnothingalarmingaboutmebeyondmypaucityofclothing.

"Getup,man!"Isaid."Iwantnothingofyoubutafewgrapes,and

forthemIwillpay."AndIheldouttohimacoupleoffrancs.Herosefromthedust,stilltremblingandeyingmeaskancewithevidentsuspicion,tookseveralbunchesofthepurplefruit,andgavethemtomewithoutsayingaword.Then,pocketingthemoneyIproffered,hesprungintohiscart,andlashinghisponytilltheunfortunateanimalplungedandrearedwithpainandfury,rattledoffdowntheroadatsuchabreak-neckspeedthatIsawnothingbutawhirlingblotofwheelsdisappearinginthedistance.Iwasamusedattheabsurdityofthisman'sterror.Whatdidhetakemefor,Iwondered?Aghostorabrigand?IatemygrapesleisurelyasIwalkedalong--theyweredeliciouslycoolandrefreshing--foodandwineinone.ImetseveralotherpersonsasInearedthecity,marketpeopleandvendersofices--buttheytooknonoteofme--in

fact,Iavoidedthemallasmuchaspossible.OnreachingthesuburbsIturnedintothefirststreetIsawthatseemedlikelytocontainafewshops.Itwascloseanddarkandfoul-smelling,butIhadnotgonefardownitwhenIcameuponthesortofplaceIsought--awretchedtumble-downhovel,withapartlybrokenwindow,throughwhichashabbyarrayofsecond-handgarmentsweretobedimlyperceived,strungupforshowonpiecesofcoarsetwine.Itwasoneofthosedirtydenswheresailors,returningfromlongvoyages,frequentlygotodisposeofthevarioustriflestheyhavepickedupinforeigncountries,sothatamongtheforlornspecimensofsecond-handwearingapparelmanyquaintandcuriousobjectsweretobeseen,suchasshells,branchesofroughcoral,stringsofbeads,cupsanddishescarvedoutofcocoa-nut,driedgourds,horns

ofanimals,fans,stuffedparakeets,andoldcoins--whileagrotesquewoodenidolpeeredhideouslyforthfrombetweenthestretched-outportionsofapairofoldnankeentrousers,asthoughsurveyingthemiscellaneouscollectioninidioticamazement.Anagedmansatsmokingattheopendoorofthispromisinghabitation--atruespecimenofaNeapolitangrownold.Theskinofhisfacewaslikeapieceofbrownparchmentscoredalloverwithdeepfurrowsandwrinkles,asthoughTime,disapprovingofthehistoryhehadhimselfpenneduponit,hadscratchedoverandblottedoutallrecords,sothatnooneshouldhenceforthbeabletoreadwhathad


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oncebeenclearwriting.Theonlyanimationleftinhimseemedtohaveconcentrateditselfinhiseyes,whichwereblackandbead-like,androvedhitherandthitherwithaglanceofever-restlessandever-suspiciousinquiry.Hesawmecomingtowardhim,buthepretendedtobeabsorbedinaprofoundstudyofthepatchofblueskythatgleamedbetweenthecloselyleaninghousesofthenarrowstreet.Iaccostedhim--andhebroughthisgazeswiftlydowntomylevel,andstaredatmewithkeeninquisitiveness.

"Ihavehadalongtramp,"Isaid,briefly,forhewasnotthekindofmantowhomIcouldexplainmyrecentterribleadventure,"andIhavelostsomeofmyclothesbyanaccidentontheway.Canyousellmeasuit?Anythingwilldo--Iamnotparticular."

Theoldmantookhispipefromhismouth.

"Doyoufeartheplague?"heasked.

"Ihavejustrecoveredfromanattackofit,"Ireplied,coolly.

Helookedatmeattentivelyfromheadtofoot,andthenbrokeintoalowchucklinglaugh.

"Ha!ha!"hemuttered,halftohimself,halftome."Good--good!

Hereisonelikemyself--notafraid--notafraid!Wearenotcowards.Wedonotfindfaultwiththeblessedsaints--theysendtheplague.Thebeautifulplague!--Iloveit!IbuyalltheclothesIcangetthataretakenfromthecorpses--theyarenearlyalwaysexcellentclothes.Inevercleanthem--Isellthemagainatonce--yes--yes!Whynot?Thepeoplemustdie--thesoonerthebetter!IhelpthegoodGodasmuchasIcan."Andtheoldblasphemercrossedhimselfdevoutly.

IlookeddownuponhimfromwhereIstooddrawnuptomyfullheight,withaglanceofdisgust.HefilledmewithsomethingofthesamerepulsionIhadfeltwhenItouchedtheunnameableThingthatfastenedonmyneckwhileIsleptinthevault.

"Come!"Isaid,somewhatroughly,"willyousellmeasuitorno?"

"Yes,yes!"andherosestifflyfromhisseat;hewasveryshortofstature,andsobentwithageandinfirmitythathelookedmorelikethecrookedboughofatreethanaman,ashehobbledbeforemeintohisdarkshop."Comeinside,comeinside!Takeyourchoice;thereisenoughheretosuitalltastes.Seenow,whatwouldyou?Beholdherethedressofagentleman,ah!whatbeautifulcloth,whatstrongwool!Englishmake?Yes,yes!HewasEnglishthatworeit;abig,strongmilord,thatdrankbeerandbrandylikewater--andrich--justheaven!--howrich!Buttheplaguetookhim;hediedcursingGod,andcallingbravelyformorebrandy.Ha,ha!afinedeath--asplendid

death!Hislandlordsoldmehisclothesforthreefrancs--one,two,three--butyoumustgivemesix;thatisfairprofit,isitnot?AndIamoldandpoor.Imustmakesomethingtoliveupon."

Ithrewasidethetweedsuithedisplayedformyinspection."Nay,"Isaid,"Icarenothingfortheplague,butfindmesomethingbetterthanthecast-offclothingofabrandy-soakedEnglishman.Iwouldratherwearthemotleygarbofafellowwhoplayedthefoolincarnival."


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Theolddealerlaughedwithacracklingsoundinhiswitheredthroat,liketherattlingofstonesinatinpot.

"Good,good!"hecroaked."Ilikethat,Ilikethat!Thouartold,butthouartmerry.Thatpleasesme;oneshouldlaughalways.Whynot?Deathlaughs;youneverseeasolemnskull;itlaughsalways!"

Andheplungedhislongleanfingersintoadeepdrawerfullofmiscellaneousgarments,mumblingtohimselfallthewhile.Istoodbesidehiminsilence,ponderingonhiswords,"ThouartOLD,butmerry."WhatdidhemeanbycallingMEold?Hemustbeblind,Ithought,orinhisdotage.Suddenlyhelookedup.

"Talkingoftheplague,"hesaid,"itisnotalwayswise.Itdidafoolishthingyesterday--averyfoolishthing.Ittookoneoftherichestmenintheneighborhood,youngtoo,strongandbrave;lookedasifhewouldneverdie.Theplaguetouchedhiminthemorning--beforesunsethewasnailedupandputdowninhisbigfamilyvault--acoldlodging,andlesshandsomelyfurnishedthanhisgrandmarblevillaontheheightsyonder.WhenIheardthenewsItoldtheMadonnashewaswicked.Oh,yes!Iratedhersoundly;sheisawoman,andcapricious;agoodscoldingbringshertoreason.Lookyou!IamafriendtoGodandtheplague,buttheybothdidastupidthingwhentheytookCountFabioRomani."

Istarted,butquicklycontrolledmyselfintoanappearanceofindifference.

"Indeed!"Isaid,carelessly."Andpraywhowashethatheshouldnotdeservetodieaswellasotherpeople?"

Theoldmanraisedhimselffromhisstoopingattitude,andstaredatmewithhiskeenblackeyes.

"Whowashe?whowashe?"hecried,inashrilltone."Oh,he!OnecanseeyouknownothingofNaples.YouhavenotheardoftherichRomani?Seeyou,Iwishedhimtolive.Hewascleverandbold,butI

didnotgrudgehimthat--no,hewasgoodtothepoor;hegaveawayhundredsoffrancsincharity.Ihaveseenhimoften--Isawhimmarried."Andherehisparchmentfacescreweditselfintoanexpressionofthemostmalignantcruelty."Pah!Ihatehiswife--afair,softthing,likeawhitesnake!Iusedtowatchthembothfromthecornersofthestreetsastheydrovealongintheirfinecarriage,andIwonderedhowitwouldallend,whetherheorshewouldgainthevictoryfirst.IwantedHIMtowin;Iwouldhavehelpedhimtokillher,yes!Butthesaintshavemadeamistakethistime,forheisdead,andthatshe-devilhasall.Oh,yes!Godandtheplaguehavedoneafoolishthingforonce."

Ilistenedtotheoldwretchwithdeepeningaversion,yetwithsome

curiositytoo.Whyshouldhehatemywife?Ithought,unless,indeed,hehatedallyouthandbeauty,aswasprobablythecase.Andifhehadseenmeasoftenasheaverredhemustknowmebysight.Howwasitthenthathedidnotrecognizemenow?Followingoutthisthought,Isaidaloud:

"WhatsortoflookingmanwasthisCountRomani?Yousayhewashandsome--washetallorshort--darkorfair?"

Puttingbackhisstragglinggraylocksfromhisforehead,thedealer


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stretchedoutayellow,claw-likehand,asthoughpointingtosomedistantvision.

"Abeautifulman!"heexclaimed;"amangoodfortheeyestosee!Asstraightasyouare!--astallasyouare!--asbroadasyouare!Butyoureyesaresunkenanddim--hiswerefullandlargeandsparkling.Yourfaceisdrawnandpale--hiswasofaclearolivetint,roundandflushedwithhealth;andhishairwasglossyblack--ah!asjet-black,myfriend,asyoursissnow-white!"

Irecoiledfromtheselastwordsinasortofterror;theywerelikeanelectricshock!WasIindeedsochanged?Wasitpossiblethatthehorrorsofanightinthevaulthadmadesuchadireimpressionuponme?Myhairwhite?--mine!Icouldhardlybelieveit.Ifso,perhapsNinawouldnotrecognizeme--shemightbeterrifiedatmyaspect--Guidohimselfmighthavedoubtsofmyidentity.Though,forthatmatter,IcouldeasilyprovemyselftobeindeedFabioRomani--evenifIhadtoshowthevaultandmyownsunderedcoffin.WhileIrevolvedallthisinmymindtheoldman,unconsciousofmyemotion,wentonwithhismumblingchatter.

"Ah,yes,yes!Hewasafinefellow--astrongfellow.Iusedtorejoicethathewassostrong.Hecouldhavetakenthelittlethroatofhiswifebetweenfingerandthumbandnippedit--so!andshe

wouldhavetoldnomorelies.Iwantedhimtodoit--Iwaitedforit.Hewouldhaved

vendetta: a story of one forgotten by corelli, marie, 1855-1924

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