第3章
Thenthererushedfromall——witandnoble，courtierandrepublican——aconfusedchorus，harmoniousonlyinitsanticipationofthebrilliantthingstowhich"thegreatRevolution"wastogivebirth。HereCondrocetismoreeloquentthanbefore。
"IlfautabsolumentquelaSuperstitionetleFanatismefassentplacealaPhilosophie。(Itmustnecessarilyhappenthatsuperstitionandfanaticismgiveplacetophilosophy。)Kingspersecutepersons，priestsopinion。Withoutkings，menmustbesafe；andwithoutpriests，mindsmustbefree。"
"Ah，"murmuredthemarquis，"andascecherDiderothassowellsung，——
"EtdesboyauxdudernierpretreSerrezlecoududernierroi。""
(Andthrottletheneckofthelastkingwiththestringfromthebowelsofthelastpriest。)
"Andthen，"resumedCondorcet，——"thencommencestheAgeofReason!——equalityininstruction，equalityininstitutions，equalityinwealth!Thegreatimpedimentstoknowledgeare，first，thewantofacommonlanguage；andnext，theshortdurationofexistence。Butastothefirst，whenallmenarebrothers，whynotauniversallanguage？Astothesecond，theorganicperfectibilityofthevegetableworldisundisputed，isNaturelesspowerfulinthenoblerexistenceofthinkingman？
Theverydestructionofthetwomostactivecausesofphysicaldeterioration——here，luxuriouswealth；there，abjectpenury，——
mustnecessarilyprolongthegeneraltermoflife。(SeeCondorcet"sposthumousworkontheProgressoftheHumanMind——
Ed。)Theartofmedicinewillthenbehonouredintheplaceofwar，whichistheartofmurder:thenobleststudyoftheacutestmindswillbedevotedtothediscoveryandarrestofthecausesofdisease。Life，Igrant，cannotbemadeeternal；butitmaybeprolongedalmostindefinitely。Andasthemeaneranimalbequeathsitsvigourtoitsoffspring，somanshalltransmithisimprovedorganisation，mentalandphysical，tohissons。Oh，yes，tosuchaconsummationdoesourageapproach!"
ThevenerableMalesherbessighed。Perhapshefearedtheconsummationmightnotcomeintimeforhim。ThehandsomeMarquisde——andtheladies，yethandsomerthanhe，lookedconvictionanddelight。
Buttwomentherewere，seatednexttoeachother，whojoinednotinthegeneraltalk:theoneastrangernewlyarrivedinParis，wherehiswealth，hisperson，andhisaccomplishments，hadalreadymadehimremarkedandcourted；theother，anoldman，somewhereaboutseventy，——thewittyandvirtuous，brave，andstilllight-heartedCazotte，theauthorof"LeDiableAmoureux。"
Thesetwoconversedfamiliarly，andapartfromtherest，andonlybyanoccasionalsmiletestifiedtheirattentiontothegeneralconversation。
"Yes，"saidthestranger，——"yes，wehavemetbefore。"
"IthoughtIcouldnotforgetyourcountenance；yetItaskinvainmyrecollectionsofthepast。"
"Iwillassistyou。Recallthetimewhen，ledbycuriosity，orperhapsthenoblerdesireofknowledge，yousoughtinitiationintothemysteriousorderofMartinesdePasqualis。"
(ItissorecordedofCazotte。OfMartinesdePasqualislittleisknown；eventhecountrytowhichhebelongedismatterofconjecture。Equallysotherites，ceremonies，andnatureofthecabalisticorderheestablished。St。Martinwasadiscipleoftheschool，andthat，atleast，isinitsfavour；forinspiteofhismysticism，nomanmorebeneficent，generous，pure，andvirtuousthanSt。Martinadornedthelastcentury。Aboveall，nomanmoredistinguishedhimselffromtheherdofscepticalphilosophersbythegallantryandfervourwithwhichhecombatedmaterialism，andvindicatedthenecessityoffaithamidstachaosofunbelief。Itmayalsobeobserved，thatCazotte，whateverelsehelearnedofthebrotherhoodofMartines，learnednothingthatdiminishedtheexcellenceofhislifeandthesincerityofhisreligion。Atoncegentleandbrave，heneverceasedtoopposetheexcessesoftheRevolution。Tothelast，unliketheLiberalsofhistime，hewasadevoutandsincereChristian。
Beforehisexecution，hedemandedapenandpapertowritethesewords:"Mafemme，mesenfans，nemepleurezpas；nem"oubliezpas，maissouvenez-voussurtoutdenejamaisoffenserDieu。"
("Mywife，mychildren，weepnotforme；forgetmenot，butrememberaboveeverythingnevertooffendGod。)——Ed。)
"Ah，isitpossible!Youareoneofthattheurgicbrotherhood？"
"Nay，Iattendedtheirceremoniesbuttoseehowvainlytheysoughttorevivetheancientmarvelsofthecabala。"
"Suchstudiespleaseyou？Ihaveshakenofftheinfluencetheyoncehadonmyownimagination。"
"Youhavenotshakenitoff，"returnedthestranger，bravely；"itisonyoustill，——onyouatthishour；itbeatsinyourheart；itkindlesinyourreason；itwillspeakinyourtongue!"
Andthen，withayetlowervoice，thestrangercontinuedtoaddresshim，toremindhimofcertainceremoniesanddoctrines，——
toexplainandenforcethembyreferencestotheactualexperienceandhistoryofhislistener，whichCazottethrilledtofindsofamiliartoastranger。
Graduallytheoldman"spleasingandbenevolentcountenancegrewovercast，andheturned，fromtimetotime，searching，curious，uneasyglancestowardshiscompanion。
ThecharmingDuchessedeG——archlypointedouttothelivelygueststheabstractedairandcloudedbrowofthepoet；andCondorcet，wholikednooneelsetoberemarked，whenhehimselfwaspresent，saidtoCazotte，"Well，andwhatdoYOUpredictoftheRevolution，——how，atleast，willitaffectus？"
AtthatquestionCazottestarted；hischeeksgrewpale，largedropsstoodonhisforehead；hislipswrithed；hisgaycompanionsgazedonhiminsurprise。
"Speak!"whisperedthestranger，layinghishandgentlyuponthearmoftheoldwit。
AtthatwordCazotte"sfacegrewlockedandrigid，hiseyesdweltvacantlyonspace，andinalow，hollowvoice，hethusanswered(Thefollowingprophecy(notunfamiliar，perhaps，tosomeofmyreaders)，withsomeslightvariations，andatgreaterlength，inthetextoftheauthorityIamabouttocite，istobefoundinLaHarpe"sposthumousworks。TheMS。issaidtoexiststillinLaHarpe"shandwriting，andthestoryisgivenonM。Petitot"sauthority，volumei。page62。Itisnotformetoenquireiftherebedoubtsofitsfoundationonfact——Ed。)，——
"Youaskhowitwillaffectyourselves，——you，itsmostlearned，anditsleastselfishagents。Iwillanswer:you，MarquisdeCondorcet，willdieinprison，butnotbythehandoftheexecutioner。Inthepeacefulhappinessofthatday，thephilosopherwillcarryaboutwithhimnottheelixirbutthepoison。"
"MypoorCazotte，"saidCondorcet，withhisgentlesmile，"whathaveprisons，executioners，andpoisontodowithanageoflibertyandbrotherhood？"
"ItisinthenamesofLibertyandBrotherhoodthattheprisonswillreek，andtheheadsmanbeglutted。"
"Youarethinkingofpriestcraft，notphilosophy，Cazotte，"saidChampfort。
(Champfort，oneofthosemenofletterswho，thoughmisledbythefirstfairshowoftheRevolution，refusedtofollowthebasermenofactionintoitshorribleexcesses，livedtoexpressthemurderousphilanthropyofitsagentsbythebestbonmotofthetime。Seeingwrittenonthewalls，"FraterniteoulaMort，"heobservedthatthesentimentshouldbetranslatedthus，"Soismonfrere，oujetetue。"("Bemybrother，orIkillthee。"))"Andwhatofme？"
"YouwillopenyourownveinstoescapethefraternityofCain。
Becomforted；thelastdropswillnotfollowtherazor。Foryou，venerableMalesherbes；foryou，AimarNicolai；foryou，learnedBailly，——Iseethemdressthescaffold!Andallthewhile，O
greatphilosophers，yourmurdererswillhavenowordbutphilosophyontheirlips!"
ThehushwascompleteanduniversalwhenthepupilofVoltaire——
theprinceoftheacademicsceptics，hotLaHarpe——criedwithasarcasticlaugh，"Donotflatterme，Oprophet，byexemptionfromthefateofmycompanions。Shall_I_havenoparttoplayinthisdramaofyourfantasies。"
Atthisquestion，Cazotte"scountenancelostitsunnaturalexpressionofaweandsternness；thesardonichumourmostcommontoitcamebackandplayedinhisbrighteningeyes。
"Yes，LaHarpe，themostwonderfulpartofall!YOUwillbecome——aChristian!"
Thiswastoomuchfortheaudiencethatamomentbeforeseemedgraveandthoughtful，andtheyburstintoanimmoderatefitoflaughter，whileCazotte，asifexhaustedbyhispredictions，sankbackinhischair，andbreathedhardandheavily。
"Nay，saidMadamedeG——，"youwhohavepredictedsuchgravethingsconcerningus，mustprophesysomethingalsoaboutyourself。"
Aconvulsivetremorshooktheinvoluntaryprophet，——itpassed，andlefthiscountenanceelevatedbyanexpressionofresignationandcalm。"Madame，"saidhe，afteralongpause，"duringthesiegeofJerusalem，wearetoldbyitshistorianthataman，forsevensuccessivedays，wentroundtheramparts，exclaiming，"Woetothee，Jerusalem，——woetomyself!""
"Well，Cazotte，well？"
"Andontheseventhday，whilehethusspoke，astonefromthemachinesoftheRomansdashedhimintoatoms!"
Withthesewords，Cazotterose；andtheguests，awedinspiteofthemselves，shortlyafterwardsbrokeupandretired。
CHAPTER1。VII。
Quidonct"adonnelamissions"annonceraupeuplequeladiviniten"existepas？Quelavantagetrouves-tuapersuaderal"hommequ"uneforceaveuglepresideasesdestineesetfrappeauhasardlecrimeetlavertu？——Robespierre，"Discours，"Mai7，1794。
(WhotheninvestedyouwiththemissiontoannouncetothepeoplethatthereisnoGod？Whatadvantagefindyouinpersuadingmanthatnothingbutblindforcepresidesoverhisdestinies，andstrikeshaphazardbothcrimeandvirtue？)
Itwassometimebeforemidnightwhenthestrangerreturnedhome。
HisapartmentsweresituatedinoneofthosevastabodeswhichmaybecalledanepitomeofParisitself，——thecellarsrentedbymechanics，scarcelyremovedastepfrompaupers，oftenbyoutcastsandfugitivesfromthelaw，oftenbysomedaringwriter，who，afterscatteringamongstthepeopledoctrinesthemostsubversiveoforder，orthemostlibellousonthecharactersofpriest，minister，andking，retiredamongsttherats，toescapethepersecutionthatattendsthevirtuous；theground-flooroccupiedbyshops；theentresolbyartists；theprincipalstoriesbynobles；andthegarretsbyjourneymenorgrisettes。
Asthestrangerpassedupthestairs，ayoungmanofaformandcountenancesingularlyunprepossessingemergedfromadoorintheentresol，andbrushedbesidehim。Hisglancewasfurtive，sinister，savage，andyettimorous；theman"sfacewasofanashenpaleness，andthefeaturesworkedconvulsively。
Thestrangerpaused，andobservedhimwiththoughtfullooks，ashehurrieddownthestairs。Whilehethusstood，heheardagroanfromtheroomwhichtheyoungmanhadjustquitted；thelatterhadpulledtothedoorwithhastyvehemence，butsomefragment，probablyoffuel，hadpreventeditsclosing，anditnowstoodslightlyajar；thestrangerpusheditopenandentered。Hepassedasmallanteroom，meanlyfurnished，andstoodinabedchamberofmeagreandsordiddiscomfort。Stretchedonthebed，andwrithinginpain，layanoldman；asinglecandlelittheroom，andthrewitsfeeblerayoverthefurrowedanddeath-likefaceofthesickperson。Noattendantwasby；heseemedleftalone，tobreathehislast。"Water，"hemoanedfeebly，——"water:——Iparch，——Iburn!"Theintruderapproachedthebed，bentoverhim，andtookhishand。"Oh，blessthee，Jean，blessthee!"saidthesufferer；"hastthoubroughtbackthephysicianalready？Sir，Iampoor，butIcanpayyouwell。I
wouldnotdieyet，forthatyoungman"ssake。"Andhesatuprightinhisbed，andfixedhisdimeyesanxiouslyonhisvisitor。
"Whatareyoursymptoms，yourdisease？"
"Fire，fire，fireintheheart，theentrails:Iburn!"
"Howlongisitsinceyouhavetakenfood？"
"Food!onlythisbroth。Thereisthebasin，allIhavetakenthesesixhours。Ihadscarcedrunkiterethesepainsbegan。"
Thestrangerlookedatthebasin；someportionofthecontentswasyetleftthere。
"Whoadministeredthistoyou？"
"Who？Jean!Whoelseshould？Ihavenoservant，——none!Iampoor，verypoor，sir。Butno!youphysiciansdonotcareforthepoor。IAMRICH!canyoucureme？"
"Yes，ifHeavenpermit。Waitbutafewmoments。"
Theoldmanwasfastsinkingundertherapideffectsofpoison。
Thestrangerrepairedtohisownapartments，andreturnedinafewmomentswithsomepreparationthathadtheinstantresultofanantidote。Thepainceased，theblueandlividcolourrecededfromthelips；theoldmanfellintoaprofoundsleep。Thestrangerdrewthecurtainsroundthebed，tookupthelight，andinspectedtheapartment。Thewallsofbothroomswerehungwithdrawingsofmasterlyexcellence。Aportfoliowasfilledwithsketchesofequalskill，——buttheselastweremostlysubjectsthatappalledtheeyeandrevoltedthetaste:theydisplayedthehumanfigureineveryvarietyofsuffering，——therack，thewheel，thegibbet；allthatcrueltyhasinventedtosharpenthepangsofdeathseemedyetmoredreadfulfromthepassionategustoandearnestforceofthedesigner。Andsomeofthecountenancesofthosethusdelineatedweresufficientlyremovedfromtheidealtoshowthattheywereportraits；inalarge，bold，irregularhandwaswrittenbeneaththesedrawings，"TheFutureoftheAristocrats。"Inacorneroftheroom，andclosebyanoldbureau，wasasmallbundle，overwhich，asiftohideit，acloakwasthrowncarelessly。Severalshelveswerefilledwithbooks；
thesewerealmostentirelytheworksofthephilosophersofthetime，——thephilosophersofthematerialschool，especiallytheEncyclopedistes，whomRobespierreafterwardssosingularlyattackedwhenthecowarddeemeditunsafetoleavehisreignwithoutaGod。
("Cettesecte(lesEncyclopedistes)propageaavecbeaucoupdezelel"opiniondumaterialisme，quiprevalutparmilesgrandsetparmilesbeauxesprits；onluidoitenpartiecetteespecedephilosophiepratiquequi，reduisantl"Egoismeensystemeregardelasocietehumainecommeuneguerrederuse，lesuccescommelaregledujusteetdel"injuste，laprobitecommeuneaffairedegout，oudebienseance，lemondecommelepatrimoinedesfriponsadroits。"——"DiscoursdeRobespierre，"Mai7，1794。(Thissect(theEncyclopaedists)propagatewithmuchzealthedoctrineofmaterialism，whichprevailsamongthegreatandthewits；weowetoitpartlythatkindofpracticalphilosophywhich，reducingEgotismtoasystem，looksuponsocietyasawarofcunning；
successtheruleofrightandwrong，honestyasanaffairoftasteordecency:andtheworldasthepatrimonyofcleverscoundrels。))
Avolumelayonatable，——itwasoneofVoltaire，andthepagewasopenedathisargumentativeassertionoftheexistenceoftheSupremeBeing。("HistoiredeJenni。")Themarginwascoveredwithpencillednotes，inthestiffbuttremuloushandofoldage；
allinattempttorefuteortoridiculethelogicofthesageofFerney:Voltairedidnotgofarenoughfortheannotator!Theclockstrucktwo，whenthesoundofstepswasheardwithout。Thestrangersilentlyseatedhimselfonthefarthersideofthebed，anditsdraperyscreenedhim，ashesat，fromtheeyesofamanwhonowenteredontiptoe；itwasthesamepersonwhohadpassedhimonthestairs。Thenew-comertookupthecandleandapproachedthebed。Theoldman"sfacewasturnedtothepillow；
buthelaysostill，andhisbreathingwassoinaudible，thathissleepmightwell，bythathasty，shrinking，guiltyglance，bemistakenforthereposeofdeath。Thenew-comerdrewback，andagrimsmilepassedoverhisface:hereplacedthecandleonthetable，openedthebureauwithakeywhichhetookfromhispocket，andloadedhimselfwithseveralrouleausofgoldthathefoundinthedrawers。Atthistimetheoldmanbegantowake。
Hestirred，helookedup；heturnedhiseyestowardsthelightnowwaninginitssocket；hesawtherobberathiswork；hesaterectforaninstant，asiftransfixed，moreevenbyastonishmentthanterror。Atlasthesprangfromhisbed。
"JustHeaven!doIdream!Thou——thou——thou，forwhomItoiledandstarved!——THOU!"
Therobberstarted；thegoldfellfromhishand，androlledonthefloor。
"What!"hesaid，"artthounotdeadyet？Hasthepoisonfailed？"
"Poison，boy!Ah!"shriekedtheoldman，andcoveredhisfacewithhishands；then，withsuddenenergy，heexclaimed，"Jean!
Jean!recallthatword。Rob，plundermeifthouwilt，butdonotsaythoucouldstmurderonewhoonlylivedforthee!There，there，takethegold；Ihoardeditbutforthee。Go!go!"andtheoldman，whoinhispassionhadquittedhisbed，fellatthefeetofthefoiledassassin，andwrithedontheground，——thementalagonymoreintolerablethanthatofthebody，whichhehadsolatelyundergone。Therobberlookedathimwithaharddisdain。
"WhathaveIeverdonetothee，wretch？"criedtheoldman，——
"whatbutlovedandcherishedthee？Thouwertanorphan，——anoutcast。Inurtured，nursed，adoptedtheeasmyson。Ifmencallmeamiser，itwasbutthatnonemightdespisethee，myheir，becauseNaturehasstuntedanddeformedthee，whenIwasnomore。ThouwouldsthavehadallwhenIwasdead。Couldstthounotsparemeafewmonthsordays，——nothingtothyyouth，allthatislefttomyage？WhathaveIdonetothee？"
"Thouhastcontinuedtolive，andthouwouldstmakenowill。"
"MonDieu!MonDieu!"
"TONDIEU!ThyGod!Fool!Hastthounottoldme，frommychildhood，thatthereisNOGod？Hastthounotfedmeonphilosophy？Hastthounotsaid，"Bevirtuous，begood，bejust，forthesakeofmankind:butthereisnolifeafterthislife"？
Mankind!whyshouldIlovemankind？Hideousandmisshapen，mankindjeeratmeasIpassthestreets。Whathastthoudonetome？Thouhasttakenawayfromme，whoamthescoffofthisworld，thehopesofanother!Istherenootherlife？Well，then，Iwantthygold，thatatleastImayhastentomakethebestofthis!"
"Monster!Curseslightonthyingratitude，thy——"
"Andwhohearsthycurses？ThouknowestthereisnoGod!Markme；Ihavepreparedalltofly。See，——Ihavemypassport；myhorseswaitwithout；relaysareordered。Ihavethygold。"(Andthewretch，ashespoke，continuedcoldlytoloadhispersonwiththerouleaus)。"Andnow，ifIsparethylife，howshallIbesurethatthouwiltnotinformagainstmine？"Headvancedwithagloomyscowlandamenacinggestureashespoke。
Theoldman"sangerchangedtofear。Hecoweredbeforethesavage。"Letmelive!letmelive!——that——that——"
"That——what？"
"Imaypardonthee!Yes，thouhastnothingtofearfromme。I
swearit!"
"Swear!Butbywhomandwhat，oldman？Icannotbelievethee，ifthoubelievestnotinanyGod!Ha，ha!beholdtheresultofthylessons。"
Anothermomentandthosemurderousfingerswouldhavestrangledtheirprey。Butbetweentheassassinandhisvictimroseaformthatseemedalmosttobothavisitorfromtheworldthatbothdenied，——statelywithmajesticstrength，gloriouswithawfulbeauty。
Theruffianrecoiled，looked，trembled，andthenturnedandfledfromthechamber。Theoldmanfellagaintothegroundinsensible。
CHAPTER1。VIII。
Toknowhowabadmanwillactwheninpower，reverseallthedoctrineshepreacheswhenobscure——S。Montague。
Antipathiesalsoformapartofmagic(falsely)so-called。Mannaturallyhasthesameinstinctastheanimals，whichwarnstheminvoluntarilyagainstthecreaturesthatarehostileorfataltotheirexistence。ButHEsooftenneglectsit，thatitbecomesdormant。NotsothetruecultivatoroftheGreatScience，etc——
TrismegistustheFourth(aRosicrucian)。
Whenheagainsawtheoldmanthenextday，thestrangerfoundhimcalm，andsurprisinglyrecoveredfromthesceneandsufferingsofthenight。Heexpressedhisgratitudetohispreserverwithtearfulfervour，andstatedthathehadalreadysentforarelationwhowouldmakearrangementsforhisfuturesafetyandmodeoflife。"ForIhavemoneyyetleft，"saidtheoldman；"andhenceforthhavenomotivetobeamiser。"Heproceededthenbrieflytorelatetheoriginandcircumstancesofhisconnectionwithhisintendedmurderer。
Itseemsthatinearlierlifehehadquarrelledwithhisrelations，——fromadifferenceinopinionsofbelief。Rejectingallreligionasafable，heyetcultivatedfeelingsthatinclinedhim——forthoughhisintellectwasweak，hisdispositionsweregood——tothatfalseandexaggeratedsensibilitywhichitsdupessooftenmistakeforbenevolence。Hehadnochildren；heresolvedtoadoptanenfantdupeuple。Heresolvedtoeducatethisboyaccordingto"reason。"Heselectedanorphanofthelowestextraction，whosedefectsofpersonandconstitutiononlyyetthemoremovedhispity，andfinallyengrossedhisaffection。
Inthisoutcasthenotonlylovedason，helovedatheory!Hebroughthimupmostphilosophically。Helvetiushadprovedtohimthateducationcandoall；andbeforehewaseightyearsold，thelittleJean"sfavouriteexpressionswere，"Lalumiereetlavertu。"(Lightandvirtue。)Theboyshowedtalents，especiallyinart。
Theprotectorsoughtforamasterwhowasasfreefrom"superstition"ashimself，andselectedthepainterDavid。Thatperson，ashideousashispupil，andwhosedispositionswereasviciousashisprofessionalabilitieswereundeniable，wascertainlyasfreefrom"superstition"astheprotectorcoulddesire。ItwasreservedforRobespierrehereaftertomakethesanguinarypainterbelieveintheEtreSupreme。Theboywasearlysensibleofhisugliness，whichwasalmostpreternatural。
HisbenefactorfounditinvaintoreconcilehimtothemaliceofNaturebyhisphilosophicalaphorisms；butwhenhepointedouttohimthatinthisworldmoney，likecharity，coversamultitudeofdefects，theboylistenedeagerlyandwasconsoled。Tosavemoneyforhisprotege，——fortheonlythingintheworldheloved，——thisbecamethepatron"spassion。Verily，hehadmetwithhisreward。
"ButIamthankfulhehasescaped，"saidtheoldman，wipinghiseyes。"Hadheleftmeabeggar，Icouldneverhaveaccusedhim。"
"No，foryouaretheauthorofhiscrimes。"
"How!I，whoneverceasedtoinculcatethebeautyofvirtue？
Explainyourself。"
"Alas!ifthypupildidnotmakethiscleartotheelastnightfromhisownlips，anangelmightcomefromheaventopreachtotheeinvain。"
Theoldmanmoveduneasily，andwasabouttoreply，whentherelativehehadsentfor——andwho，anativeofNancy，happenedtobeatParisatthetime——enteredtheroom。Hewasamansomewhatpastthirty，andofadry，saturnine，meagrecountenance，restlesseyes，andcompressedlips。Helistened，withmanyejaculationsofhorror，tohisrelation"srecital，andsoughtearnestly，butinvain，toinducehimtogiveinformationagainsthisprotege。
"Tush，tush，ReneDumas!"saidtheoldman，"youarealawyer。
Youarebredtoregardhumanlifewithcontempt。Letanymanbreakalaw，andyoushout，"Executehim!""
"I!"criedDumas，liftinguphishandsandeyes:"venerablesage，howyoumisjudgeme!Ilamentmorethananyonetheseverityofourcode。Ithinkthestatenevershouldtakeawaylife，——no，noteventhelifeofamurderer。Iagreewiththatyoungstatesman，——MaximilienRobespierre，——thattheexecutioneristheinventionofthetyrant。Myveryattachmenttoouradvancingrevolutionis，thatitmustsweepawaythislegalbutchery。"
Thelawyerpaused，outofbreath。Thestrangerregardedhimfixedlyandturnedpale。
"Youchangecountenance，sir，"saidDumas；"youdonotagreewithme。"
"Pardonme，Iwasatthatmomentrepressingavaguefearwhichseemedprophetic。"
"Andthat——"
"Wasthatweshouldmeetagain，whenyouropinionsonDeathandthephilosophyofRevolutionsmightbedifferent。"
"Never!"
"Youenchantme，CousinRene，"saidtheoldman，whohadlistenedtohisrelationwithdelight。"Ah，Iseeyouhavepropersentimentsofjusticeandphilanthropy。WhydidInotseektoknowyoubefore？YouadmiretheRevolution；——you，equallywithme，detestthebarbarityofkingsandthefraudofpriests？"
"Detest!HowcouldIlovemankindifIdidnot？"
"And，"saidtheoldman，hesitatingly，"youdonotthink，withthisnoblegentleman，thatIerredinthepreceptsIinstilledintothatwretchedman？"
"Erred!WasSocratestoblameifAlcibiadeswasanadultererandatraitor？"
"Youhearhim，youhearhim!ButSocrateshadalsoaPlato；
henceforthyoushallbeaPlatotome。Youhearhim？"exclaimedtheoldman，turningtothestranger。
Butthelatterwasatthethreshold。Whoshallarguewiththemoststubbornofallbigotries，——thefanaticismofunbelief？
"Areyougoing？"exclaimedDumas，"andbeforeIhavethankedyou，blessedyou，forthelifeofthisdearandvenerableman？Oh，ifeverIcanrepayyou，——ifeveryouwanttheheart"sbloodofReneDumas!"Thusvolublydeliveringhimself，hefollowedthestrangertothethresholdofthesecondchamber，andthere，gentlydetaininghim，andafterlookingoverhisshoulder，tobesurethathewasnotheardbytheowner，hewhispered，"IoughttoreturntoNancy。Onewouldnotloseone"stime，——youdon"tthink，sir，thatthatscoundreltookawayALLtheoldfool"smoney？"
"WasitthusPlatospokeofSocrates，MonsieurDumas？"
"Ha，ha!——youarecaustic。Well，youhavearight。Sir，weshallmeetagain。"
"AGAIN!"mutteredthestranger，andhisbrowdarkened。Hehastenedtohischamber；hepassedthedayandthenightalone，andinstudies，nomatterofwhatnature，——theyservedtoincreasehisgloom。
WhatcouldeverconnecthisfatewithReneDumas，orthefugitiveassassin？WhydidthebuoyantairofParisseemtohimheavywiththesteamsofblood；whydidaninstincturgehimtoflyfromthosesparklingcircles，fromthatfocusoftheworld"sawakenedhopes，warninghimfromreturn？——he，whoseloftyexistencedefied——butawaythesedreamsandomens!HeleavesFrancebehind。Back，OItaly，tothymajesticwrecks!OntheAlpshissoulbreathesthefreeaironcemore。Freeair!Alas!
lettheworld-healersexhausttheirchemistry；mannevershallbeasfreeinthemarketplaceasonthemountain。Butwe，reader，wetooescapefromthesescenesoffalsewisdomclothinggodlesscrime。Away，oncemore"IndenheiternRegionenWodiereinenFormenwohnen。"
Away，totheloftierrealmwherethepuredwellersare。
UnpollutedbytheActual，theIdeallivesonlywithArtandBeauty。SweetViola，bytheshoresoftheblueParthenope，byVirgil"stomb，andtheCimmeriancavern，wereturntotheeoncemore。
CHAPTER1。IX。
Chenonvuolche"ldestrierpiuvadainalto，PoiloleganelmarginemarinoAunverdemirtoinmezzounlauroEUNPINO。
"OrlandoFurioso，"c。vi。xxiii。
(Ashedidnotwishthathischarger(thehippogriff)shouldtakeanyfurtherexcursionsintothehigherregionsforthepresent，heboundhimatthesea-shoretoagreenmyrtlebetweenalaurelandapine。)
OMusician!artthouhappynow？Thouartreinstalledatthystatelydesk，——thyfaithfulbarbitonhasitsshareinthetriumph。Itisthymasterpiecewhichfillsthyear；itisthydaughterwhofillsthescene，——themusic，theactress，sounited，thatapplausetooneisapplausetoboth。Theymakewayforthee，attheorchestra，——theynolongerjeerandwink，when，withafiercefondness，thoudostcaressthyFamiliar，thatplains，andwails，andchides，andgrowls，underthyremorselesshand。
Theyunderstandnowhowirregulariseverthesymmetryofrealgenius。Theinequalitiesinitssurfacemakethemoonluminoustoman。GiovanniPaisiello，MaestrodiCapella，ifthygentlesoulcouldknowenvy，thoumustsickentoseethyElfridaandthyPirrolaidaside，andallNaplesturnedfanatictotheSiren，atwhosemeasuresshookquerulouslythygentlehead!Butthou，Paisiello，calminthelongprosperityoffame，knowestthattheNewwillhaveitsday，andcomfortestthyselfthattheElfridaandthePirrowillliveforever。Perhapsamistake，butitisbysuchmistakesthattruegeniusconquersenvy。"Tobeimmortal，"
saysSchiller，"liveinthewhole。"Tobesuperiortothehour，liveinthyself-esteem。Theaudiencenowwouldgivetheirearsforthosevariationsandflightstheywereoncewonttohiss。
No!——Pisanihasbeentwo-thirdsofalifeatsilentworkonhismasterpiece:thereisnothinghecanaddtoTHAT，howeverhemighthavesoughttoimproveonthemasterpiecesofothers。Isnotthiscommon？Theleastlittlecritic，inreviewingsomeworkofart，willsay，"pitythis，andpitythat；""thisshouldhavebeenaltered，——thatomitted。"Yea，withhiswiryfiddlestringwillhecreakouthisaccursedvariations。Butlethimsitdownandcomposehimself。HeseesnoimprovementinvariationsTHEN!
Everymancancontrolhisfiddlewhenitishisownworkwithwhichitsvagarieswouldplaythedevil。
AndViolaistheidol，thethemeofNaples。Sheisthespoiledsultanaoftheboards。Tospoilheractingmaybeeasyenough，——
shalltheyspoilhernature？No，Ithinknot。There，athome，sheisstillgoodandsimple；andthere，undertheawningbythedoorway，——thereshestillsits，divinelymusing。Howoften，crook-trunkedtree，shelookstothygreenboughs；howoften，likethee，inherdreams，andfancies，doesshestruggleforthelight，——notthelightofthestage-lamps。Pooh，child!becontentedwiththelamps，evenwiththerush-lights。Afarthingcandleismoreconvenientforhouseholdpurposesthanthestars。
Weekspassed，andthestrangerdidnotreappear；monthshadpassed，andhisprophecyofsorrowwasnotyetfulfilled。OneeveningPisaniwastakenill。Hissuccesshadbroughtonthelong-neglectedcomposerpressingapplicationsforconcertiandsonata，adaptedtohismorepeculiarscienceontheviolin。Hehadbeenemployedforsomeweeks，dayandnight，onapieceinwhichhehopedtoexcelhimself。Hetook，asusual，oneofthoseseeminglyimpracticablesubjectswhichitwashispridetosubjecttotheexpressivepowersofhisart，——theterriblelegendconnectedwiththetransformationofPhilomel。Thepantomimeofsoundopenedwiththegaymerrimentofafeast。ThemonarchofThraceisathisbanquet；asuddendiscordbraysthroughthejoyousnotes，——thestringseemstoscreechwithhorror。Thekinglearnsthemurderofhissonbythehandsoftheavengingsisters。Swiftragethechords，throughthepassionsoffear，ofhorror，offury，anddismay。Thefatherpursuesthesisters。
Hark!whatchangesthedread——thediscord——intothatlong，silvery，mournfulmusic？Thetransformationiscompleted；andPhilomel，nowthenightingale，poursfromthemyrtle-boughthefull，liquid，subduingnotesthataretotellevermoretotheworldthehistoryofherwoesandwrongs。Now，itwasinthemidstofthiscomplicatedanddifficultattemptthatthehealthoftheover-taskedmusician，excitedalikebypasttriumphandnewambition，suddenlygaveway。Hewastakenillatnight。Thenextmorningthedoctorpronouncedthathisdiseasewasamalignantandinfectiousfever。HiswifeandViolasharedintheirtenderwatch；butsoonthattaskwaslefttothelastalone。TheSignoraPisanicaughttheinfection，andinafewhourswaseveninastatemorealarmingthanthatofherhusband。
TheNeapolitans，incommonwiththeinhabitantsofallwarmclimates，areapttobecomeselfishandbrutalintheirdreadofinfectiousdisorders。Gionettaherselfpretendedtobeill，toavoidthesick-chamber。ThewholelabourofloveandsorrowfellonViola。Itwasaterribletrial，——Iamwillingtohurryoverthedetails。Thewifediedfirst!
Oneday，alittlebeforesunset，Pisaniwokepartiallyrecoveredfromthedeliriumwhichhadpreyeduponhim，withfewintervals，sincetheseconddayofthedisease；andcastingabouthimhisdizzyandfeebleeyes，herecognisedViola，andsmiled。Hefalteredhernameasheroseandstretchedhisarms。Shefelluponhisbreast，andstrovetosuppresshertears。
"Thymother？"hesaid。"Doesshesleep？"
"Shesleeps，——ah，yes!"andthetearsgushedforth。
"Ithought——eh!IknownotWHATIhavethought。Butdonotweep:Ishallbewellnow，——quitewell。Shewillcometomewhenshewakes，——willshe？"
Violacouldnotspeak；butshebusiedherselfinpouringforthananodyne，whichshehadbeendirectedtogivethesuffererassoonasthedeliriumshouldcease。Thedoctorhadtoldher，too，tosendforhimtheinstantsoimportantachangeshouldoccur。
Shewenttothedoorandcalledtothewomanwho，duringGionetta"spretendedillness，hadbeeninducedtosupplyherplace；butthehirelinganswerednot。Sheflewthroughthechamberstosearchforherinvain，——thehirelinghadcaughtGionetta"sfears，andvanished。Whatwastobedone？Thecasewasurgent，——thedoctorhaddeclarednotamomentshouldbelostinobtaininghisattendance；shemustleaveherfather，——shemustgoherself!Shecreptbackintotheroom，——theanodyneseemedalreadytohavetakenbenigneffect；thepatient"seyeswereclosed，andhebreathedregularly，asinsleep。Shestoleaway，threwherveiloverherface，andhurriedfromthehouse。
Nowtheanodynehadnotproducedtheeffectwhichitappearedtohavedone；insteadofhealthfulsleep，ithadbroughtonakindoflight-headedsomnolence，inwhichthemind，preternaturallyrestless，wanderedaboutitsaccustomedhaunts，wakingupitsoldfamiliarinstinctsandinclinations。Itwasnotsleep，——itwasnotdelirium；itwasthedream-wakefulnesswhichopiumsometimesinduces，wheneverynervegrowstremulouslyalive，andcreatesacorrespondingactivityintheframe，towhichitgivesafalseandhecticvigour。Pisanimissedsomething，——what，hescarcelyknew；itwasacombinationofthetwowantsmostessentialtohismentallife，——thevoiceofhiswife，thetouchofhisFamiliar。
Herose，——helefthisbed，heleisurelyputonhisolddressing-robe，inwhichhehadbeenwonttocompose。Hesmiledcomplacentlyastheassociationsconnectedwiththegarmentcameoverhismemory；hewalkedtremulouslyacrosstheroom，andenteredthesmallcabinetnexttohischamber，inwhichhiswifehadbeenaccustomedmoreoftentowatchthansleep，whenillnessseparatedherfromhisside。Theroomwasdesolateandvoid。Helookedroundwistfully，andmutteredtohimself，andthenproceededregularly，andwithanoiselessstep，throughthechambersofthesilenthouse，onebyone。
HecameatlasttothatinwhicholdGionetta——faithfultoherownsafety，ifnothingelse——nursedherself，intheremotestcornerofthehouse，fromthedangerofinfection。Asheglidedin，——wan，emaciated，withanuneasy，anxious，searchinglookinhishaggardeyes，——theoldwomanshriekedaloud，andfellathisfeet。Hebentoverher，passedhisthinhandsalongheravertedface，shookhishead，andsaidinahollowvoice，——
"Icannotfindthem；wherearethey？"
"Who，dearmaster？Oh，havecompassiononyourself；theyarenothere。Blessedsaints!thisisterrible；hehastouchedme；Iamdead!"
"Dead!whoisdead？Isanyonedead？"
"Ah!don"ttalkso；youmustknowitwell:mypoormistress，——
shecaughtthefeverfromyou；itisinfectiousenoughtokillawholecity。SanGennaroprotectme!Mypoormistress，sheisdead，——buried，too；andI，yourfaithfulGionetta，woeisme!
Go，go——to——tobedagain，dearestmaster，——go!"
Thepoormusicianstoodforonemomentmuteandunmoving，thenaslightshiverranthroughhisframe；heturnedandglidedback，silentandspectre-like，ashehadentered。Hecameintotheroomwherehehadbeenaccustomedtocompose，——wherehiswife，inhersweetpatience，hadsooftensatbyhisside，andpraisedandflatteredwhentheworldhadbutjeeredandscorned。Inonecornerhefoundthelaurel-wreathshehadplacedonhisbrowsthathappynightoffameandtriumph；andnearit，halfhidbyhermantilla，layinitscasetheneglectedinstrument。
Violawasnotlonggone:shehadfoundthephysician；shereturnedwithhim；andastheygainedthethreshold，theyheardastrainofmusicfromwithin，——astrainofpiercing，heart-rendinganguish。Itwasnotlikesomesenselessinstrument，mechanicalinitsobediencetoahumanhand，——itwasassomespiritcalling，inwailandagonyfromtheforlornshades，totheangelsitbeheldafarbeyondtheEternalGulf。Theyexchangedglancesofdismay。Theyhurriedintothehouse；theyhastenedintotheroom。Pisaniturned，andhislook，fullofghastlyintelligenceandsterncommand，awedthemback。Theblackmantilla，thefadedlaurel-leaf，laytherebeforehim。Viola"sheartguessedallatasingleglance；shesprungtohisknees；sheclaspedthem，——
"Father，father，_I_amlefttheestill!"
Thewailceased，——thenotechanged；withaconfusedassociation——
halfoftheman，halfoftheartist——theanguish，stillamelody，wasconnectedwithsweetersoundsandthoughts。Thenightingalehadescapedthepursuit，——soft，airy，bird-like，thrilledthedeliciousnotesamoment，andthendiedaway。Theinstrumentfelltothefloor，anditschordssnapped。Youheardthatsoundthroughthesilence。Theartistlookedonhiskneelingchild，andthenonthebrokenchords……"Burymebyherside，"hesaid，inaverycalm，lowvoice；"andTHATbymine。"Andwiththesewordshiswholeframebecamerigid，asifturnedtostone。Thelastchangepassedoverhisface。Hefelltotheground，suddenandheavy。ThechordsTHERE，too，——thechordsofthehumaninstrumentweresnappedasunder。Ashefell，hisrobebrushedthelaurel-wreath，andthatfellalso，nearbutnotinreachofthedeadman"snervelesshand。
Brokeninstrument，brokenheart，witheredlaurel-wreath!——thesettingsunthroughthevine-cladlatticestreamedonall!SosmilestheeternalNatureonthewrecksofallthatmakelifeglorious!Andnotasunthatsetsnotsomewhereonthesilencedmusic，——onthefadedlaurel!
CHAPTER1。X。
Chedifesamigliorch"usbergoescudo，Elasantainnocenzaalpettoignudo!