"That must be looked to," said the Count, "we may find that something is going forward worth discovering; beware, that you do not make a mistake.

For myself, I would not imbue my hands with blood. It would be but slight satisfaction to feel my dagger entering his bosom, and his warm life-blood streaming from the wound: I leave those feelings to the pa.s.sionate, fiery-blooded Italians. Yet, mark me Groff! I hate the young Galetzoff, and it would be enough for me to know that he had ceased to live. There are many dark lanes in Moscow, and the Istvostchiks are great villains, and often commit murder with no better object, than for the sake of the paltry sums a person may have about him; you understand me. I loathe the very sight of that youth. He faces me with the coolest indifference, as if he had not injured me to the utmost; and yet there is something in his eye, when he meets my gaze, by which I have strong suspicions that he knows me. I cannot rest till I am revenged on him. You will probably win one reward, and here take half for what you have already done, in earnest of the future."

The Count then tendered a purse which Groff weighed in his hand, as if to consider whether the bribe was high enough for the deed. "I will do my best to please you, Sir," he answered.

"Enough, I need now say no more then; ten times the sum you hold in your hand shall be yours, if, by chance, I hear of that youth's death. The police are not over vigilant in those matters, and I think the Baron will take no great pains to discover the author of his son's death, for he seems not to have much love for him. Now leave me, and think well on what I have said. Should the Gipsy girl fall into your snare, let me immediately know of her arrival; but take care that she does not see your face--that alone is enough to frighten her, and she would remember it. See that the wounded boy is well tended, that he may learn to speak well of the owner of the mansion; and let the girl remain some time with him, if possible, ere I go to her."

As soon as Groff had disappeared, the Count continued his walk through the corridor. "Fortune seems to favour me," he soliloquised; "as to young Galetzoff, I need trouble myself no more;--his fate is sealed! I saw that in the look that villain Groff gave, as I promised him the gold! His eyes glistened as he seemed eager to clutch it. He is a faithful ruffian, and well earns his reward. Such slaves as he, would sell their very souls for gold; and I, some would say, would sell mine; but oh! for what?--Not for gold; no;--for revenge--for love--for power-- a worthy exchange too! What would life be worth, if one could not enjoy all three?

"That Gipsy maiden has enchained me. I scarce know why, but, though lowly her lot, there is a fascination about her which I cannot withstand. I must win her at all hazards in some way. Either gold or flattery must gain her; she must be more than woman if she holds out against the two combined. And if she does, with that proud and haughty air she possesses, she is worthy to become the Countess Erintoff, though that is an alternative I would avoid. Bah! I cannot think I shall be brought so low as to sue at the feet of a Gipsy!"

While the Count was thus uttering his thoughts aloud, Groff returned.

"Success attends us, Sir," he exclaimed. "The maiden is at length safe within your palace, from whence she may have some difficulty in escaping, though she firmly believes that she is under the roof of the most grave and virtuous Prince Raziminski, and continues heaping blessings on his head, for his charity in protecting one of her tribe."

"Enough, knave! the reward shall be yours," said the Count. "In what part of the palace have they put the boy?"

"I will lead you to it, Sir," answered Groff, "for I doubt if alone you could find the room."

"Shew me to it then, and leave me," said the Count; "your presence would alarm the maiden!"

Saying which, he followed Groff down several flights of steps, and through long pa.s.sages to a room in the lower part of the palace. He then waited at the half open door, through which he heard the sound of voices.

"I thought that few of the n.o.bles of this city possessed charity sufficient to shelter a humble Gipsy boy; but I see that I am mistaken, and may blessings rest on the head of the good and kind Prince," said Azila.

"He is indeed, kind," said one of the boys, "for he has sent us abundance of good things to eat, and his servants told us we should have more, and that he would send us away with plenty of money in our pockets."

"He will not go unrewarded. See, Conrin! I have bound up your brother's arm, and he will now do well, and if the kind Prince will let you remain, you must take charge of him, for I have matters of importance to attend to, and must away!"

Hearing this, the Count moved from the door, and went in search of a servant.

"Go quickly," said he, "to the chamber where the wounded boy and the Gipsy girl are, and say that the Prince--mark you, the Prince, your master, desires to see her, ere she departs, to inquire how her brother fares; then conduct her to the state apartment. Guard her well, and see that she escapes not, by any chance."

The Count repaired immediately to the magnificent room he had mentioned, to await the coming of Azila. The floor was covered with rich Turkey carpets; superb pictures, and mirrors, reaching from the ground to the highly embossed ceiling, ornamented the walls, the latter reflecting the luxurious and handsome furniture which filled the room, while from the windows was seen an extensive view of the beautiful city of Moscow.

"Though other means have failed," he said, "I will try if she is not to be tempted by this display of magnificence and luxury to become the mistress here. Surely a girl, brought up beneath a skin-covered tent, cannot resist such a temptation; and if so, my conquest is easy."

He stood partly concealed by the thick drapery of the curtains; a light step approached; Azila entered the apartment, and the door was closed behind her. She was dressed in the same graceful costume as when Ivan and Thaddeus had first seen her, except that a cloak, worn over her dress, almost concealed her form. She advanced to the centre of the apartment, ere she had perceived the Count, when he turned towards her.

She started slightly as she saw him, but betrayed no other sign of trepidation or fear.

"I must have been deceived," she said. "I came to thank the n.o.ble Prince Raziminski for his kindness and charity to a wounded boy of my tribe; but it seems that to you is due the credit of that charitable deed. I will send some of our people to take away the child, and beg to offer you our grateful thanks for your charity in taking care of him.

With your leave I will now depart."

She was turning to go, when the Count advanced somewhat nearer towards her.

"Lovely girl," he said, with an impa.s.sioned air, "I took advantage of the boy's accident, and used an excusable artifice to draw you here. I sought but to see you, to convince you of the ardour--the truth of my affection. Believe me, that I regret the violence I before used, which your coldness--your cruelty compelled me to resort to. Let me hear my pardon from those lips, beautiful maiden! 'tis all I ask for!"

"For the favour you have done to one of my tribe, I would endeavour to forget any injury you would have caused me. Beyond this, I have nothing to forgive: I bear you no malice, n.o.ble Lord! and all I now ask is leave to depart," said Azila.

"Still haughty and cold! why this indifference? you know not the love-- the pa.s.sion--with which your charms have inspired my bosom. Surely it cannot be in your nature to be thus so cruel to me, who love you to desperation, who would do ought to please you. Behold this s.p.a.cious palace! these magnificent chambers! Are they not superior to your skin-covered tents? Remain, and you shall be mistress of all; numberless servants will obey you; sumptuous fare shall be served to you; boundless wealth shall be at your command. Every luxury and indulgence which love can invent shall surround you, if you will but consent to accept them at my hands. Whatever you may desire--any thing--every thing shall be granted to you?"

"I make but one simple demand," answered the maiden. "It is to be allowed to depart, free as I came;--more I cannot say."

"Have you no other answer to make than that, cruel, inexorable maiden?

Hear me!" exclaimed the Count, throwing himself at her feet, and seizing her hand, which she vainly endeavoured to disengage. "Hear me! I love, I adore you to desperation; your very coldness has inflamed my pa.s.sion!

the bright glance of your eyes consumes me; the sweet tones of your voice thrill through my frame, and drive me to madness at the thought of losing you! I cannot exist without you. Hear me once again! I offer you wealth, power, unbounded luxury! I offer you more--my name--my rank--for well could you, as the Countess Erintoff, grace that station.

Speak, ere I die at your feet, for I rise not till you give me hopes of life and happiness with you."

Azila for an instant seemed moved, and turned aside her head, to avoid his fixed gaze; but there was no answering softness in the expression of her full bright eye.

She spoke at length: "Rise, n.o.ble Lord! rise, you but demean yourself by thus bending before one humble as myself! I am grateful for your generous offers, but I cannot accept them. A captive can make no just conditions with his jailor, and I still ask but one favour; to depart as I came."

The Count started from the ground, astonishment and rising fury blending in his look.

"Can that heart," he exclaimed, "be so frozen by the frosts of winter, that it is callous to the voice of love? But no, it would be contrary to the law of nature, it is impossible! Maiden, you love another! I know it--answer me--is it not the truth? By heavens! I cannot brook a rival in your love, and he shall deeply rue it!"

As the Count spoke, a blush did now for the first time rise on her cheeks and brow, and as he went on threatening his vengeance, with furious action against his rival, the colour again forsook her face, and left her as she then stood in an unintentionally commanding att.i.tude; like some lovely statue of a G.o.ddess uttering her commands to mortals.

"If my love is given to another, why ask me for what I no longer possess? but I say not, that it is so. Again I ask to depart; for in no way, while an unwilling prisoner, could I make any engagements with my captor."

The Count advanced furiously again to seize her hand, but she started back a step from him.

"Girl," he cried, "think you I can tamely submit to be thus despised, to have my love--my devotion trampled on. Again I ask you, consent to return here--to become my Countess! to accept my love, and you are free to depart; my carriage shall then convey you where you will."

"It cannot be," answered Azila, firmly, "I have but to repeat my former words."

"Rash girl, your obduracy has driven me to madness, and the blame must rest on your own head!" exclaimed the Count, again springing forward to seize her; but she calmly retreated, placing her hand beneath her vest.

"Proud n.o.ble, forbear! I fear you not, for I venture not abroad without the means of defending myself, since you first taught me the necessity of so doing. Advance another step, and you either destroy me or yourself." The Count seemed again about to spring forward, when she drew a dagger from beneath her vest, and pointed it to her bosom.

"See," she said, "my weapon is of so fine a tempered steel, that even my feeble arm will suffice to protect me."

The Count stood astounded; he seemed fearful of advancing, and unable to speak, as she continued:

"Now let me depart, lead the way and I will follow you. See! I hold my firmest protector to my bosom, so attempt not to stop me, or the first hand that is laid on me will be the signal of my death. I fear not to die, so think not to detain me; with full confidence I leave the boys of my tribe under your care."

The Count exclaimed, "Inexplicable girl! you have conquered for a time; I now obey you! but you have kindled an inextinguishable flame within my bosom, which will consume us both. We must soon meet again. I will lead the way as you desire."

Uttering these words, the Count led the way from the apartment towards the hall of entrance, where the domestics stood with amazed looks, as their haughty lord pa.s.sed, followed by the humble Gipsy girl. The portal stood open as Azila pa.s.sed out, bowing coldly to the Count, when he stepped aside to allow her to pa.s.s; she did not cast a glance at the others who were present. She seemed more like some distinguished guest respectfully attended to the entrance of the mansion by her host, than one of a despised and lowly race, escaping from the toils of a proud and libertine n.o.ble.

The Count retreated to the upper apartments of his sumptuous palace, moody, and furious at his defeat. The ruffian Groff was then summoned to attend him.

"Hear me, villain," he exclaimed, "the youth I spoke of must die! I will have no doubt or hesitation on your part. The sum I promised you, when I hear of his death, shall be doubled; although you have enough to revenge for your own sake, without requiring any other stimulant. Mark me! he has again crossed my path, so let there be no delay, for I cannot longer endure the thought that he should triumph over me."

"Your orders are sufficiently clear," Sir, answered Groff, "and they shall be obeyed without fear of the consequences. I am not a man to hesitate in my duty to so generous a master; and perhaps you will recollect that my first plan succeeded as far as it was in my power; the ultimate failure will be no fault of mine."

"I understand you, knave, you would receive your wages as you proceed; here, take this purse, it contains a trifle in comparison with the sum you will be soon possessed of, if I do not mistake. Now begone! and let me not see your face till you can bring me the news I wish to hear."

Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.