The Moor's Last Sigh

The title of the novel and of its fourth division, it refers to the place in Spain where the Moors lost their last stand. The defeated sultan's nickname gave the Zogoiby's their family name, and the events were embraced as their family heritage. Vasco Miranda first painted the theme to cover up a shocking portrait of Aurora. She returned to the theme throughout her career, and left an unfinished masterpiece on her easel bearing this title.

Benengeli

Vasco Miranda's fortress in the Andalusian mountains of Spain, site of the final events of the book, where Moor puts down on paper the full story of his family's notoriety, and escapes Miranda's vengeance.

Elephanta

This is the Zogoiby's estate atop the cliffs of Malabar Hill, Bombay. Wryly named for the feast of Ganesha celebrated annually on the beach below, its walls house where the children grow...