# The Fate of Faustina explained — The Black Mask

> Chapter companion for The Black Mask by E. W. Hornung.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_mask_se/chapters/the-fate-of-faustina
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_mask_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_mask_se/chapters