Penny Dreadful Multipack Vol. 1 (Illustrated. Annotated. 'Wagner The Wehr-Wolf,' 'Varney The Vampire,' 'The Mysteries of London Vol. 1' + Bonus Features) (Penny Dreadful Multipacks) (47 page)

“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.”