Haydée looked up suddenly, as if his voice had woken her from a dream, and resumed her story.
"It was around four in the afternoon. Although it was bright and sunny outside, we were wrapped in the complete darkness of the cavern. Only one light burned there, looking like a lone star in a black sky, Selim's burning lance.
My mother was a Christian, and she prayed. Selim occasionally repeated, 'God is great!' But my mother still had some hope. Coming down, she thought she'd recognized the French officer who'd been sent to negotiate, the one my father trusted so much. She knew that French soldiers were naturally honorable and generous.
She moved toward the stairs and listened. 'They're getting closer,' she said. 'Maybe they're bringing peace and freedom!'
'What do you fear, Vasiliki?' Selim said, his voice gentle yet proud. 'If they don't bring peace, we'll give them war. If they don't bring life, we'll give them death.' He adjusted the flame on his lance with a dramatic gesture.
