Chapter 20 Chapter 3 What Happened in Laguze

As these things happened on Antekyte, things happened at La Gouz. Mrs. Bathory was no longer in the city at that time. After her son died, Bolick, with the help of several friends, took her away from the house in Marinella Lane.During the first few days, it was feared that the unfortunate mother would lose her mind from this new shock.In fact, even though the woman was very strong, she developed some symptoms of insanity that disturbed the doctors.It was under these circumstances that they proposed that Madame Bathory should be sent to live with a friend in a small village called Vanticello, where she would be well cared for.But what comforts this widow and mother who has been devastated by the double whammy of bereavement?

The old servant couldn't bear to leave her behind.The house in Marinella Alley has since closed.He went to the countryside with his wife, he was humble and industrious, and solved his master's worries and problems. As for Sawa Doronta, whom Madame Bathory had cursed, neither master nor servant spoke of her anymore, and they did not even know that her marriage had been greatly postponed. In fact, the girl was bedridden after this unexpected and terrible shock.Her beloved is dead... He must have died of despair! ... It was his body that had been carried to the cemetery when she left the mansion for the abominable wedding!

For ten days, that is to say, until July 16, Sharapova's situation was disturbing.Her mother stood guard beside her daughter's bed.This is the last time that Mrs. Doronta will take care of her daughter, because she herself has suffered a lot and will die soon. What thoughts have been exchanged between mother and daughter during these ten long days?Needless to say, everyone can guess.They exchanged tears, kept chanting the two names, cursed Saccani, and wailed for Pierre-the only name on the tombstone that he left in this world now. Silas Dononta never participated in such conversations, he even avoided seeing his own daughter.Madame Doronta then wanted to make a last effort in front of her husband to get him to renounce the marriage, so that Sawa would not be afraid of it day and night.

The banker was stubborn and noncommittal.Originally, maybe this man who always does his own thing, regardless of any pressure, can listen to his wife's opinion, and he himself agrees with it?However, under the firm control of his accomplices, he refused to listen to Madame Doronta.Sharapova and Sarkani's marriage is a foregone conclusion, as soon as Sharapova's health permits, the wedding will be held immediately. It is not difficult to imagine how angry this unexpected incident made Sarkani!Seeing that the plan was frustrated, how angry he was!He was determined to tangle with Silas Dronta to the end!Undoubtedly, the wedding date was only postponed, but if he continued to delay like this, the bright future he had dreamed of day and night would be in danger of coming to nothing.Besides, he was not unaware that Sharapova was disgusted with him.

What would the girl's disgust turn into if she learned that this imposed husband was the one who had stabbed Pierre? As for himself, he is still complacent because he seized the opportunity to kill his rival in love!This inhuman guy has no regrets at all! "What good luck!" he said to Silas Dronta one day: "The boy has committed suicide! As far as we are concerned, the few remaining of the Bathory family the better! God bless you!" Now, who are the remaining members of Sandov, Zatmar, and Bathory?There is only an old woman who will not live for a few days.It seems like God bless these villains, and it will continue like this until the day Sarkani becomes Sharapova's husband and gets her property!

However, it seems that God intends to test Sarkani's patience, because it seems that the wedding will be delayed again. When the girl had just recovered from the terrible blow, and when Sakani thought it was time to bring up the marriage again, Mrs. Doronta fell ill again.The unfortunate woman has run out of energy.It was only after the Trieste incident that she learned that her husband was such a despicable and shameless villain. She tried every means, hoping to make up for the damage caused to the Bathory family, but due to the obstruction of the uninvited guest Sakani , her entreaties were of no avail.

Since the onset, she has been exhausted and terminally ill.The doctors said she had only a few more days to live before dying of exhaustion.No cure could save her life, not even if Pierre could walk out of the grave and marry her daughter! Sharapova took good care of her mother, waiting by the hospital bed day and night. The wedding was postponed again, and Sakani was very annoyed.He blamed the banker endlessly, and Duolongta, like him, felt helpless. How it will end is really unpredictable. Near the twenty-ninth of July, a few days after Mrs. Dorronta's illness, she seemed to regain some strength.

After she had a high fever, she was slightly awake, but once the fever flared up again, she could only live for twenty-four hours. She dreamed of eating from time to time during the high fever, and spoke incoherently, which was incomprehensible. There was a word—a name that was on her lips—that surprised Sharapova.That's Bathory's name.But it was not the young man's name that the patient called, begged, and chanted, but his mother, Madame Bathory.She begged with infinite remorse: "Forgive me! . . . Madame! . . . Please forgive me! . . . " When Mrs. Duolongta regained consciousness slightly, when the girl asked about what she had just heard, she exclaimed:

"Don't ask!...Sawa!...Don't ask!...I didn't say anything!..." On the night of July 30, the doctors thought that Mrs. Doronta's condition was out of danger and began to improve. He was in good condition during the day and no coma occurred.The unexpected improvement in the condition surprised people.It is certain that the night will pass as safely as the day. However, the reason why this happened was because Mrs. Duolongta felt an unbelievable power in her body before she died.After she confessed to God, she made up her mind to find a chance to do something. In the evening, Mrs. Doronta asked the girl to rest for a few hours.Sharapova found many excuses to hold back, but her mother insisted on this, and she couldn't go against it.

It was nearly eleven o'clock in the evening, and Sharapova went back to her room.Mrs. Doronta was alone in the house.Everything in the mansion is completely silent, it can be said to be "death-like silence". Mrs. Doronta sat up.The patient, who was supposed to be exhausted and immobile, had the strength to dress, went to the little desk and sat down. She took out a piece of letter paper, wrote a few lines with trembling hands, and signed her name.Then she put the letter in an envelope, sealed it, and wrote this address on it: Alley of Marinella in Laguz Mrs. Bathory received

At this time, Mrs. Dorronta was exhausted, but she pushed open the door, walked down the stairs, crossed the mansion compound, pushed open the small door facing the street with difficulty, and walked to Stratton Street. It was past midnight, and Stratton Street was dark and still. Mrs. Duolongta dragged her heavy steps, staggered onto the sidewalk on the left, walked about fifty steps, stopped in front of a mailbox, put the letter in, and then returned to the mansion. Mrs. Doronta did her best to complete this last move, then fell down at the gate and passed out. An hour later, she was found at the gate.When Silas Dronta heard the news, she came and carried her into the bedroom, but she still did not wake up. The next day, Silas Doronta told Saccani what had happened that night, and neither of them guessed that Mrs. Doronta would go to Stratton Street at night to drop a letter.But why did she leave the mansion?They could not explain it, so they became suspicious and restless. The patient remained comatose for another twenty-four hours.Except for a few convulsive convulsions that signaled her last struggles, there was no other sign of life.Sharapova held her hand, as if she wanted to keep her in this world, don't let her be alone here.But now the mother is silent, and she doesn't say Bathory's name anymore.No doubt her last wish had been fulfilled, her soul was at peace, and there was no need to pray, no need to ask for forgiveness. The next night, near three o'clock in the morning, Sharapova was alone with the patient, who was dying and reached out to touch her daughter's hand. Then, her closed eyes slightly opened, and her eyes fell on Sharapova.Sharapova realized that it was a questioning look.she asked: "Mom... Mom! What do you want to say?" Madame nodded. "Do you have something to tell me?" "Yes!" Madame replied clearly. Sharapova leaned over, and Madam motioned her to get closer. Sawa stuck her head out and pressed it against her mother's head.Madame said: "My child, I am dying! . . . " "Mommy mommy!" "Keep your voice down!..." Mrs. Duolongta muttered: "Keep your voice down!...Don't let others hear me!" Then she pushed again, and said: "Sharapova, I ask you to forgive me for causing you... I don't have the courage to stop this unfortunate thing!" "You...Mom!...You killed me!...You have to ask me to forgive me!" "Kiss me one last time, Sawa! . . . yes... one last time! . . . Then you forgive me!" The girl gently pressed her lips to the pale brow of the dying man. The patient struggled to put his arms around his daughter's neck, sat up, looked directly at Sawa with a horrified look, and said: "Sawa!...Sawa!...You are not Silas Dronta's own daughter!...You are not my own daughter, your father..." Before she finished speaking, she had another convulsion.She loosened her arms, and passed away exuberantly carrying the last words! The girl threw herself on the dead man! ...she wants to wake her up! ...but to no avail. She yelled loudly, and the whole mansion ran over.Silas Dronta was the first to burst into his wife's room. Seeing him approaching, Sharapova backed away a few steps, filled with disgust.She now has the right to despise him and hate him because he is not her real father!This is what my mother said before she died, people who are dying will not lie! Then, Sharapova escaped from the room.Mrs. Doronta treated her like her own daughter before her death. Her words before her death made her feel terrified and disturbed. Perhaps what terrified her even more were those words that were too late to say! On the third day, a grand funeral was held for Mrs. Duolongta.The rich men who came from the city surrounded the banker.Sarkani walked beside the banker, showing that he has not changed his plans to become a member of the Doronta family in the slightest.But this is just his hope, and there are still many obstacles to overcome to turn his hope into reality.He believes that the current situation can only help him realize his plan, because Sharapova will be completely at his mercy. However, the wedding, which was postponed due to Mrs. Doronta's illness, will be delayed again.During the period when the whole family is in filial piety, marriage cannot be discussed.Traditionally, weddings should not be held until at least several months after the funeral. This undoubtedly disappointed Sarkani who was eager to achieve his goal.In any case, customs must be respected, Silas Doronta tried his best to explain to Sakani again and again.Every time I explain, I always end with this sentence: "There's nothing I can do about it, and besides, you've only got five months to wait for the wedding, and you have no reason to worry." Apparently, the two had a tacit understanding of each other.But every time this matter was mentioned, Sakani was furious, and sometimes even had a big fight. Mrs. Duolongta behaved abnormally before her death, making people unpredictable, which made the two of them always worried.Sarkani even thought that the deceased might have sent a letter with a confidential address before his death. He told his thoughts to the banker, who was not too far behind him. "If that's the case," Saccani said, "this letter threatens us directly and seriously. Your wife always sided with Sharapova against me, and she even supported my rival. Who would have thought, Did she have such an unbelievable energy before she died? Will she give away our secret? From this point of view, shouldn't we be the first to leave this doomed city? " "If this letter poses a threat to us," Silas Dronta pointed out, "we will see the result in a few days. But until now, our situation has not changed!" After hearing this, Sakani didn't know how to answer.In fact, if that letter had really jeopardized their future plans, at least it hadn't had any effect yet, and it looked like there would be no trouble if it went on like this.It is never too late to act when there is danger. But things backfired.Half a month after Mrs. Duolongta passed away, something happened. Since her mother's death, Sharapova has not been seen, not even a step in the boudoir.I also don't see her at three meals a day.The banker felt embarrassed in her presence, and did not want to trouble himself with talking to her alone, so he let her do her own thing, and let her live alone in her part of the mansion. More than once Saccani had lashed out at Silas Dronta for tolerating the situation.It has become a habit for the girl to stay behind closed doors, and he will never have any chance to see her again.This will make it difficult for him to realize his future plans.So he made it clear to the banker that although weddings could not be held in the first few months of the mourning period, Sharapova could not think that her father and Sakani had abandoned the marriage. Sarkani finally couldn't hold it back anymore, and threatened and demanded Silas Doronta again, so the banker had no choice but to send someone to notify Sharapova on August 16, saying that he would have a talk with her that night.Because he informed Sharapova that Sarkani also wanted to participate in the conversation, it is estimated that Sharapova would not agree.Unexpectedly, Sharapova replied that she obeyed her father's order. In the evening, Silas Doronta waited anxiously for Sharapova in the hall of the mansion.The banker was determined to project his fatherly authority in the conversation and to make his daughter obey him.Sakani tried his best to restrain himself, listen less and listen more. He especially wanted to find out what the girl was thinking.He was always afraid that the girls knew something they hadn't expected. Sawa came on time.Sarkani stood up and saluted, but the girl ignored her without even nodding her head.She didn't seem to see him, or rather, she didn't want to see him. Silas Dronta gestured, and Sharapova sat down.Against the backdrop of the filial piety, her complexion became even paler.She looked indifferent, waiting for Silas Dronta to ask questions. "Sawa," said the banker, "your mother died, and you lived alone in a corner of grief. I can understand your feelings, so I have never disturbed you. But after these sad events, it is necessary for us to take care of some related matters. Matters of vital interest!...Even though you are underage, you should know about your share of inheritance..." "If it's just about the inheritance," Sharapova replied, "then needless to say. I don't want anything from what you're talking about!" Sakani couldn't help being taken aback for a moment, feeling greatly disappointed, with a little uneasiness mixed with surprise. "I think, Sawa," went on Silas Dronta, "you don't know what you're talking about yourself! You are the heir to your mother's estate, Mrs. Dorronta, whether you like it or not, And once you become an adult, I have to hand over this property to you according to the law..." "I renounce this right of inheritance!" the girl replied calmly. "why?" "It's clear because I don't have any rights!" The banker jumped up from his chair.He had never expected such an answer.Sakani said nothing.He thought that Sharapova was playing tricks, and he concentrated on trying to figure out what tricks Sharapova was playing. "I don't understand," Silas Doronta became impatient when he saw the girl's answer so cold and quick: "I don't understand what you mean, and I don't know what thought made you say that." Come on! Besides, I’m not here to discuss rights and laws with you! You are protected by me, so you have no right to say no to rejection or acceptance! I think you should obey your father’s will, and you shouldn’t oppose it arbitrarily, right? ..." "Maybe!" Sawa replied. "That's right!" Duolongta became a little restless, and he yelled: "That's right! You uttered wild words three years in advance! You won't be able to freely dispose of your property until you are an adult! Before that , all your interests are under my control, and I will keep it according to my own wishes!" "Okay," Sharapova replied, "then I'll wait." "What are you waiting for?" the banker asked back: "You forgot that once the mourning period is over, your situation will be different! You still have to inherit property, which is not only related to you alone, so you can't take it lightly. ..." "Yes!...that deal!" Sharapova replied contemptuously. "Please believe, miss," Sakani interrupted quickly after being hit to the point, "Please believe, it is a more noble feeling..." Sharapova didn't seem to hear him at all, she kept staring at the banker.The banker was irritated and said to her: "Yes, you are not the only one... Your mother's death will not change our plan at all!" "What plan?" asked the girl. "You pretend like you forgot! It's the plan for Sarkani to marry you and be my son-in-law!" "Do you really think that with this marriage, Sarkani will be your son-in-law?" Sharapova's rhetorical question was straightforward. Duolongta stood up and was about to go out. He tried his best to hide his inner panic.But Sarkani stopped him with a gesture.Sarkani wanted to continue the conversation and figure out what the problem was. "Listen, father, because this is the last time I will call you that," said the girl now; "Mr. Saccani wants to marry me, not because he loves me, but for the fortune that I will refuse today No matter how impudent this fellow is, he dared not deny it to me! Since he reminded me that I had agreed to the marriage, my answer was simple! Yes! When I saw that my father's honor was compromised on this issue , I will have to make sacrifices! But father, you know this very well, you cannot take part in this dirty business! If you want Mr. Saccani to become rich, give him your property!  … That's all he wants!" The girl stood up and walked towards the door. "Sawa," Silas Doronta said, walking in front of her, "in your words... the preamble is wrong, and I can't understand...maybe even you can't understand it yourself!...I think, don't you? The death of your mother..." "My mother... yes! It's my mother... my poor mother!" the girl muttered. "...Is it because you are overwhelmed with grief and lost your mind?" Silas Doronta continued blindly: "Yes, if you are not crazy..." "I'm crazy!" "What I have decided must be done! Six months later, you will be Sarkani's wife!" "no way!" "I will tell you to be obedient!" "By what right?" the girl finally asked angrily. "By my father's right! . . . " "You ... sir! ... You are not my father! I am not called Sawa Doronta either!" As soon as this remark came out, the banker was speechless and couldn't help but took a few steps back.The girl walked out of the living room without looking back, and returned to her room. During the conversation, Sarkani kept watching the girl carefully.The outcome of the conversation did not surprise him, as he had expected it would.However, what he was afraid of finally happened. Sharapova already knew that she had no blood relationship with the Duolongta family. The banker was already extremely depressed after being hit by this accident, and he was even more bewildered when he saw Sarkani coming over. Sakani spoke.He outlined the current situation with his usual clarity.Silas Dronta just listened and couldn't help agreeing.His old accomplice's words were perfectly logical and indisputable. "Don't expect Sharapova to agree one day, at least she won't agree to this marriage willingly." Sakani said: "But for our benefit, this marriage must be done! Does she know anything about our past? Impossible, if she knew, she would have said it long ago! All she knows is that she is not your daughter, that's all! Does she know who her biological father is? Impossible! If she knew, she would throw her at us the moment she opened her mouth Did she know about your relationship a long time ago? Impossible. It is likely that Mrs. Doronta said it before she died! But I am sure that she just said something that Sharapova must know to give her the right to refuse to obey you who are not her father!" Silas Dronta nodded yes.How did Sharapova know these things, when did she know them, and who told her the secret about her life experience? Sarkani guessed all these things correctly. "Now let's wrap it up," Sarkani continued, "even though Sharapova doesn't know much about herself, and even though she doesn't know about our past, both of us have been threatened because of it. You're pulling Guz has a respected position, and I have a considerable interest in this marriage. I will never give up on this matter! Therefore, what must be done now and must be done as soon as possible is to leave La Guz! Just you and me, then Take Sawa, don't let her meet and talk with anyone, it's better to leave today, not tomorrow! We can't come back to Laguz until we get married. At that time, Sawa has become my wife, so there is no way What more! Once she is abroad, she has to be obedient, we don’t need to be afraid of her at all! As for asking her to marry me submissively, and marry me within the time limit that is beneficial to me, I promise to let me get her My fortune, that's all I care about. If it doesn't work out, God send me to hell!" Silas Doronta admitted: The situation is exactly as Saccani said.He doesn't want to argue anymore.He is increasingly controlled by his accomplices and has no choice.Why had he come to such a state?Isn't it just for that girl?Duolongta never had a good impression of her, and never treated her sincerely. That night, they agreed to evacuate Rajuz as planned, and Sharapova should not be allowed to run away from home by herself.Afterwards, the two parted ways.It is not without reason that they are so eager to act. On the third day, Mrs. Bathory left the village of Vanticello accompanied by Paulic.This is the first time she has returned to her home in Marinella Lane since her son's death.She has made up her mind to leave this home forever, and leave this city that has brought back too many painful memories for her.When I come back this time, I am preparing to move. Paulik opened the door and found a letter in the mailbox. This was the letter that Mrs. Dorronta sent on the night before her death.We still remember the situation at that time. Mrs. Bathory took the letter, opened it, glanced at the signature, and then read the few lines in one breath. This is the secret of Sharapova's life written by the dying person. The names of Sharapova and Pierre were suddenly linked together in Mrs. Bathory's mind. "She! . . . he! . . . " she cried. Then, she didn't say a word—she couldn't speak! ——The old servant was about to hold her hand, but she pushed him away without answering, and ran out of the door quickly, down Marinella Alley, across Stratton Avenue, and kept running It stopped in front of the Duolongta mansion. Does she know the consequences of what she will do?Did she understand that, for Sharapova's sake, it was better to act more cautiously and less rashly?No!She can't care about anything!An irresistible force pushed her towards Sawa, as if her husband Étienne Bathory had come out of the grave with her son Pierre, calling to her: "Save Sawa! . . . Save her!" Mrs. Bathory knocked and the door opened.A servant came out and asked her what was the matter. Mrs. Bathory wants to meet Sawa. Mrs. Duolongta is no longer in the mansion. Madame Bathory wants to speak to the banker Dorronta. The banker left the day before without saying where he was going, and he took Sharapova with him. Madam Bathory staggered after receiving the final blow, and fell into the arms of Paulic who was chasing up. Then, when the old servant took her to the house in Marinella Lane, she said: "Baolik, let's go to Sharapova and Pierre's wedding tomorrow!" Madame Bathory is insane.