The Black Mask · Chapter
The Fate of Faustina explained
Raffles recounts his tragic love affair with Faustina in Italy, her murder by Stefano and Count Corbucci, and his subsequent revenge and escape back to London.
What happens
Raffles recounts his tragic love affair with Faustina in Italy, her murder by Stefano and Count Corbucci, and his subsequent revenge and escape back to London.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Identity
Raffles' past as a criminal and his revenge killing of Stefano highlight his dual identity as both gentleman and murderer.
Redemption and Morality
Raffles struggles with guilt over Faustina's death and his violent actions, seeking a form of redemption through his confession.
Characters to notice
- A. J. Raffles
Narrates his passionate yet tragic relationship with Faustina, her murder, and his revenge.
- Bunny
Listener to Raffles' story, provides gentle prompts and reactions.
- Faustina
Raffles' lover, murdered by Stefano and Corbucci.
- Stefano
Faustina's jealous fiancé, kills her and is shot by Raffles.
- Count Corbucci
Mastermind behind the plot; Raffles binds and gags him.
Key passages
“It was the most exquisite face I ever saw or shall see in this life.”
Raffles describes Faustina's beauty as unparalleled.
Raffles' idealized view of Faustina.
“I would have married her, and lived happily ever after in such a hovel as her people's—with her.”
Raffles would have given up his old life for Faustina.
Shows depth of his love.
“I had taken blood for blood, and it was not Corbucci who had killed Faustina.”
Raffles avenged Faustina by killing Stefano, not Corbucci.
Clarifies his motive for revenge.
“I left him pretty sorry for himself; but what was the good of that?”
Raffles left Corbucci bound but alive, feeling little satisfaction.
Reflects his ambivalence about revenge.