第4章

"Ger。Lib。，"c。viii。xli。

(Betterdefencethanshieldorbreastplateisholyinnocencetothenakedbreast。)

Andtheyburiedthemusicianandhisbarbitontogether，inthesamecoffin。ThatfamousSteiner——primevalTitanofthegreatTyroleserace——oftenhastthousoughttoscaletheheavens，andthereforemustthou，likethemeanerchildrenofmen，descendtothedismalHades!Harderfatefortheethanthymortalmaster。

ForTHYsoulsleepswiththeeinthecoffin。AndthemusicthatbelongstoHIS，separatefromtheinstrument，ascendsonhigh，tobeheardoftenbyadaughter"spiousearswhentheheavenissereneandtheearthsad。Forthereisasenseofhearingthatthevulgarknownot。Andthevoicesofthedeadbreathesoftandfrequenttothosewhocanunitethememorywiththefaith。

AndnowViolaisaloneintheworld，——aloneinthehomewherelonelinesshadseemedfromthecradleathingthatwasnotofnature。Andatfirstthesolitudeandthestillnesswereinsupportable。Haveyou，yemourners，towhomthesesibylleaves，weirdwithmanyadarkenigma，shallbeborne，haveyounotfeltthatwhenthedeathofsomebest-lovedonehasmadethehearthdesolate，——haveyounotfeltasifthegloomofthealteredhomewastooheavyforthoughttobear？——youwouldleaveit，thoughapalace，evenforacabin。Andyet，——sadtosay，——

whenyouobeytheimpulse，whenyouflyfromthewalls，wheninthestrangeplaceinwhichyouseekyourrefugenothingspeakstoyouofthelost，haveyenotfeltagainayearningforthatveryfoodtomemorywhichwasjustbeforebutbitternessandgall？Isitnotalmostimpiousandprofanetoabandonthatdearhearthtostrangers？Andthedesertionofthehomewhereyourparentsdwelt，andblessedyou，upbraidsyourconscienceasifyouhadsoldtheirtombs。

BeautifulwastheEtruscansuperstitionthattheancestorsbecomethehouseholdgods。DeafisthehearttowhichtheLarescallfromthedesolatefloorsinvain。AtfirstViolahad，inherintolerableanguish，gratefullywelcomedtherefugewhichthehouseandfamilyofakindlyneighbour，muchattachedtoherfather，andwhowasoneoftheorchestrathatPisanishallperplexnomore，hadprofferedtotheorphan。Butthecompanyoftheunfamiliarinourgrief，theconsolationofthestranger，howitirritatesthewound!Andthen，tohearelsewherethenameoffather，mother，child，——asifdeathcamealonetoyou，——toseeelsewherethecalmregularityofthoselivesunitedinloveandorder，keepingaccountofhappyhours，theunbrokentimepieceofhome，asifnowhereelsethewheelswerearrested，thechainshattered，thehandsmotionless，thechimestill!No，thegraveitselfdoesnotremindusofourlosslikethecompanyofthosewhohavenolosstomourn。Gobacktothysolitude，youngorphan，——gobacktothyhome:thesorrowthatmeetstheeonthethresholdcangreetthee，eveninitssadness，likethesmileuponthefaceofthedead。Andthere，fromthycasement，andthere，fromwithoutthydoor，thouseeststillthetree，solitaryasthyself，andspringingfromthecleftsoftherock，butforcingitswaytolight，——as，throughallsorrow，whiletheseasonsyetcanrenewtheverdureandbloomofyouth，strivestheinstinctofthehumanheart!Onlywhenthesapisdriedup，onlywhenagecomeson，doesthesunshineinvainformanandforthetree。

Weeksandmonths——monthssadandmany——againpassed，andNapleswillnotlongersufferitsidoltosecludeitselffromhomage。

Theworldeverplucksusbackfromourselveswithathousandarms。AndagainViola"svoiceishearduponthestage，which，mysticallyfaithfultolife，isinnoughtmorefaithfulthanthis，thatitistheappearancesthatfillthescene；andwepausenottoaskofwhatrealitiestheyaretheproxies。WhentheactorofAthensmovedallheartsasheclaspedtheburialurn，andburstintobrokensobs；howfew，there，knewthatitheldtheashesofhisson!Gold，aswellasfame，wasshoweredupontheyoungactress；butshestillkepttohersimplemodeoflife，toherlowlyhome，totheoneservantwhosefaults，selfishastheywere，Violawastooinexperiencedtoperceive。AnditwasGionettawhohadplacedherwhenfirstborninherfather"sarms!Shewassurroundedbyeverysnare，wooedbyeverysolicitationthatcouldbesetherunguardedbeautyandherdangerouscalling。Buthermodestvirtuepassedunsulliedthroughthemall。Itistruethatshehadbeentaughtbylipsnowmutethemaidendutiesenjoinedbyhonourandreligion。Andalllovethatspokenotofthealtaronlyshockedandrepelledher。Butbesidesthat，asgriefandsolituderipenedherheart，andmadehertrembleattimestothinkhowdeeplyitcouldfeel，hervagueandearlyvisionsshapedthemselvesintoanidealoflove。Andtilltheidealisfound，howtheshadowthatitthrowsbeforeitchillsustotheactual!Withthatideal，everandever，unconsciously，andwithacertainaweandshrinking，cametheshapeandvoiceofthewarningstranger。NearlytwoyearshadpassedsincehehadappearedatNaples。Nothinghadbeenheardofhim，savethathisvesselhadbeendirected，somemonthsafterhisdeparture，tosailforLeghorn。BythegossipsofNaples，hisexistence，supposedsoextraordinary，waswellnighforgotten；buttheheartofViolawasmorefaithful。Oftenheglidedthroughherdreams，andwhenthewindsighedthroughthatfantastictree，associatedwithhisremembrance，shestartedwithatremorandablush，asifshehadheardhimspeak。

Butamongstthetrainofhersuitorswasonetowhomshelistenedmoregentlythantotherest；partlybecause，perhaps，hespokeinhermother"snativetongue；partlybecauseinhisdiffidencetherewaslittletoalarmanddisplease；partlybecausehisrank，nearertoherownthanthatoflordlierwooers，preventedhisadmirationfromappearinginsult；partlybecausehehimself，eloquentandadreamer，oftenutteredthoughtsthatwerekindredtothoseburieddeepestinhermind。Shebegantolike，perhapstolovehim，butasasisterloves；asortofprivilegedfamiliaritysprungupbetweenthem。IfintheEnglishman"sbreastarosewildandunworthyhopes，hehadnotyetexpressedthem。Istheredangertotheehere，loneViola，oristhedangergreaterinthyunfoundideal？

Andnow，astheoverturetosomestrangeandwizardspectacle，closesthisopeningprelude。Wiltthouhearmore？Comewiththyfaithprepared。Iasknottheblindedeyes，buttheawakenedsense。AstheenchantedIsle，remotefromthehomesofmen，——

"OvealcunlegnoRado，ononmaivadallenostresponde，"——

"Ger。Lib。，"cant。xiv。69。

(Whereshipseldomornevercomesfromourcoasts。)

isthespaceinthewearyoceanofactuallifetowhichtheMuseorSibyl(ancientinyears，buteveryounginaspect)，offerstheenounhallowedsail，——

"QuinciellaincimaaunamontagnaascendeDisabitata，ed"ombreoscuraebruna；

EparincantoaleinevoserendeLespalleeifianchi；esensanevealcunaGlilasciailcapoverdeggianteevago；

Evifondaunpalagioappressounlago。"

(There，sheamountain"sloftypeakascends，Unpeopled，shady，shagg"dwithforestsbrown，Whosesides，bypowerofmagic，half-waydownSheheapswithslipperyiceandfrostandsnow，ButsunshinyandverdantleavesthecrownWithorange-woodsandmyrtles，——speaks，andlo!

Richfromtheborderinglakeapalacerisesslow。

Wiffin"s"Translation。"

BOOKII。

ART，LOVE，ANDWONDER。

Diversiaspettiinunconfusiemisti。

"Ger。Lib，"cant。iv。7。

Differentappearances，confusedandmixtinone。

CHAPTER2。I。

Centauri，eSfingi，epallideGorgoni。

"Ger。Lib。，"c。iv。v。

(CentaursandSphinxesandpallidGorgons。)

Onemoonlitnight，intheGardensatNaples，somefourorfivegentlemanwereseatedunderatree，drinkingtheirsherbet，andlistening，intheintervalsofconversation，tothemusicwhichenlivenedthatgayandfavouriteresortofanindolentpopulation。OneofthislittlepartywasayoungEnglishman，whohadbeenthelifeofthewholegroup，butwho，forthelastfewmoments，hadsunkintoagloomyandabstractedreverie。Oneofhiscountrymenobservedthissuddengloom，and，tappinghimontheback，said，"Whatailsyou，Glyndon？Areyouill？Youhavegrownquitepale，——youtremble。Isitasuddenchill？Youhadbettergohome:theseItaliannightsareoftendangeroustoourEnglishconstitutions。"

"No，Iamwellnow；itwasapassingshudder。Icannotaccountforitmyself。"

Aman，apparentlyofaboutthirtyyearsofage，andofamienandcountenancestrikinglysuperiortothosearoundhim，turnedabruptly，andlookedsteadfastlyatGlyndon。

"IthinkIunderstandwhatyoumean，"saidhe；"andperhaps，"headded，withagravesmile，"Icouldexplainitbetterthanyourself。"Here，turningtotheothers，headded，"Youmustoftenhavefelt，gentlemen，eachandallofyou，especiallywhensittingaloneatnight，astrangeandunaccountablesensationofcoldnessandawecreepoveryou；yourbloodcurdles，andtheheartstandsstill；thelimbsshiver；thehairbristles；youareafraidtolookup，toturnyoureyestothedarkercornersoftheroom；youhaveahorriblefancythatsomethingunearthlyisathand；presentlythewholespell，ifImaysocallit，passesaway，andyouarereadytolaughatyourownweakness。HaveyounotoftenfeltwhatIhavethusimperfectlydescribed？——ifso，youcanunderstandwhatouryoungfriendhasjustexperienced，evenamidstthedelightsofthismagicalscene，andamidstthebalmywhispersofaJulynight。"

"Sir，"repliedGlyndon，evidentlymuchsurprised，"youhavedefinedexactlythenatureofthatshudderwhichcameoverme。

Buthowcouldmymannerbesofaithfulanindextomyimpressions？"

"Iknowthesignsofthevisitation，"returnedthestranger，gravely；"theyarenottobemistakenbyoneofmyexperience。"

Allthegentlemanpresentthendeclaredthattheycouldcomprehend，andhadfelt，whatthestrangerhaddescribed。

"Accordingtooneofournationalsuperstitions，"saidMervale，theEnglishmanwhohadfirstaddressedGlyndon，"themomentyousofeelyourbloodcreep，andyourhairstandonend，someoneiswalkingoverthespotwhichshallbeyourgrave。"

"Thereareinalllandsdifferentsuperstitionstoaccountforsocommonanoccurrence，"repliedthestranger:"onesectamongtheArabiansholdsthatatthatinstantGodisdecidingthehoureitherofyourdeath，orofsomeonedeartoyou。TheAfricansavage，whoseimaginationisdarkenedbythehideousritesofhisgloomyidolatry，believesthattheEvilSpiritispullingyoutowardshimbythehair:sodotheGrotesqueandtheTerribleminglewitheachother。"

"Itisevidentlyamerephysicalaccident，——aderangementofthestomach，achilloftheblood，"saidayoungNeapolitan，withwhomGlyndonhadformedaslightacquaintance。

"Thenwhyisitalwayscoupledinallnationswithsomesuperstitiouspresentimentorterror，——someconnectionbetweenthematerialframeandthesupposedworldwithoutus？Formypart，Ithink——"

"Ay，whatdoyouthink，sir？"askedGlyndon，curiously。

"Ithink，"continuedthestranger，"thatitistherepugnanceandhorrorwithwhichourmorehumanelementsrecoilfromsomething，indeed，invisible，butantipathetictoourownnature；andfromaknowledgeofwhichwearehappilysecuredbytheimperfectionofoursenses。"

"Youareabelieverinspirits，then？"saidMervale，withanincreduloussmile。

"Nay，itwasnotpreciselyofspiritsthatIspoke；buttheremaybeformsofmatterasinvisibleandimpalpabletousastheanimalculaeintheairwebreathe，——inthewaterthatplaysinyonderbasin。Suchbeingsmayhavepassionsandpowerslikeourown——astheanimalculaetowhichIhavecomparedthem。Themonsterthatlivesanddiesinadropofwater——carnivorous，insatiable，subsistingonthecreaturesminuterthanhimself——isnotlessdeadlyinhiswrath，lessferociousinhisnature，thanthetigerofthedesert。Theremaybethingsaroundusthatwouldbedangerousandhostiletomen，ifProvidencehadnotplacedawallbetweenthemandus，merelybydifferentmodificationsofmatter。"

"Andthinkyouthatwallnevercanberemoved？"askedyoungGlyndon，abruptly。"Arethetraditionsofsorcererandwizard，universalandimmemorialastheyare，merelyfables？"

"Perhapsyes，——perhapsno，"answeredthestranger，indifferently。

"Butwho，inanageinwhichthereasonhaschosenitsproperbounds，wouldbemadenoughtobreakthepartitionthatdivideshimfromtheboaandthelion，——torepineatandrebelagainstthelawwhichconfinesthesharktothegreatdeep？Enoughoftheseidlespeculations。"

Herethestrangerrose，summonedtheattendant，paidforhissherbet，and，bowingslightlytothecompany，soondisappearedamongthetrees。

"Whoisthatgentleman？"askedGlyndon，eagerly。

Therestlookedateachother，withoutreplying，forsomemoments。

"Ineversawhimbefore，"saidMervale，atlast。

"NorI。"

"NorI。"

"Iknowhimwell，"saidtheNeapolitan，whowas，indeed，theCountCetoxa。"Ifyouremember，itwasasmycompanionthathejoinedyou。HevisitedNaplesabouttwoyearsago，andhasrecentlyreturned；heisveryrich，——indeed，enormouslyso。A

mostagreeableperson。Iamsorrytohearhimtalksostrangelyto-night；itservestoencouragethevariousfoolishreportsthatarecirculatedconcerninghim。"

"Andsurely，"saidanotherNeapolitan，"thecircumstancethatoccurredbuttheotherday，sowellknowntoyourself，Cetoxa，justifiesthereportsyoupretendtodeprecate。"

"Myselfandmycountryman，"saidGlyndon，"mixsolittleinNeapolitansociety，thatwelosemuchthatappearswellworthyoflivelyinterest。MayIenquirewhatarethereports，andwhatisthecircumstanceyoureferto？"

"Astothereports，gentlemen，"saidCetoxa，courteously，addressinghimselftothetwoEnglishmen，"itmaysufficetoobserve，thattheyattributetotheSignorZanonicertainqualitieswhicheverybodydesiresforhimself，butdamnsanyoneelseforpossessing。TheincidentSignorBelgiosoalludesto，illustratesthesequalities，andis，Imustown，somewhatstartling。Youprobablyplay，gentlemen？"(HereCetoxapaused；

andasbothEnglishmenhadoccasionallystakedafewscudiatthepublicgaming-tables，theybowedassenttotheconjecture。)

Cetoxacontinued。"Well，then，notmanydayssince，andontheverydaythatZanonireturnedtoNaples，itsohappenedthatI

hadbeenplayingprettyhigh，andhadlostconsiderably。Irosefromthetable，resolvednolongertotemptfortune，whenI

suddenlyperceivedZanoni，whoseacquaintanceIhadbeforemade(andwho，Imaysay，wasundersomeslightobligationtome)，standingby，aspectator。EreIcouldexpressmygratificationatthisunexpectedrecognition，helaidhishandonmyarm。"Youhavelostmuch，"saidhe；"morethanyoucanafford。Formypart，Idislikeplay；yetIwishtohavesomeinterestinwhatisgoingon。Willyouplaythissumforme？theriskismine，——thehalfprofitsyours。"Iwasstartled，asyoumaysuppose，atsuchanaddress；butZanonihadanairandtonewithhimitwasimpossibletoresist；besides，Iwasburningtorecovermylosses，andshouldnothaverisenhadIhadanymoneyleftaboutme。ItoldhimIwouldaccepthisoffer，providedwesharedtheriskaswellasprofits。"Asyouwill，"saidhe，smiling；"weneedhavenoscruple，foryouwillbesuretowin。"Isatdown；

Zanonistoodbehindme；myluckrose，——Iinvariablywon。Infact，Irosefromthetablearichman。"

"Therecanbenofoulplayatthepublictables，especiallywhenfoulplaywouldmakeagainstthebank？"ThisquestionwasputbyGlyndon。

"Certainlynot，"repliedthecount。"Butourgoodfortunewas，indeed，marvellous，——soextraordinarythataSicilian(theSiciliansareallill-bred，bad-temperedfellows)grewangryandinsolent。"Sir，"saidhe，turningtomynewfriend，"youhavenobusinesstostandsoneartothetable。Idonotunderstandthis；youhavenotactedfairly。"Zanonireplied，withgreatcomposure，thathehaddonenothingagainsttherules，——thathewasverysorrythatonemancouldnotwinwithoutanothermanlosing；andthathecouldnotactunfairly，evenifdisposedtodoso。TheSiciliantookthestranger"smildnessforapprehension，andblusteredmoreloudly。Infact，herosefromthetable，andconfrontedZanoniinamannerthat，tosaytheleastofit，wasprovokingtoanygentlemanwhohassomequicknessoftemper，orsomeskillwiththesmall-sword。"

"And，"interruptedBelgioso，"themostsingularpartofthewholetomewas，thatthisZanoni，whostoodoppositetowhereIsat，andwhosefaceIdistinctlysaw，madenoremark，showednoresentment。HefixedhiseyessteadfastlyontheSicilian；nevershallIforgetthatlook!itisimpossibletodescribeit，——itfrozethebloodinmyveins。TheSicilianstaggeredbackasifstruck。Isawhimtremble；hesankonthebench。Andthen——"

"Yes，then，"saidCetoxa，"tomyinfinitesurprise，ourgentleman，thusdisarmedbyalookfromZanoni，turnedhiswholeangeruponme，THE——butperhapsyoudonotknow，gentlemen，thatIhavesomereputewithmyweapon？"

"ThebestswordsmaninItaly，"saidBelgioso。

"BeforeIcouldguesswhyorwherefore，"resumedCetoxa，"Ifoundmyselfinthegardenbehindthehouse，withUghelli(thatwastheSicilian"sname)facingme，andfiveorsixgentlemen，thewitnessesoftheduelabouttotakeplace，around。Zanonibeckonedmeaside。"Thismanwillfall，"saidhe。"Whenheisontheground，gotohim，andaskwhetherhewillbeburiedbythesideofhisfatherinthechurchofSanGennaro？""Doyouthenknowhisfamily？"Iaskedwithgreatsurprise。Zanonimademenoanswer，andthenextmomentIwasengagedwiththeSicilian。Todohimjustice，hisimbrogliatowasmagnificent，andaswifterloungernevercrossedasword；nevertheless，"addedCetoxa，withapleasingmodesty，"hewasrunthroughthebody。I

wentuptohim；hecouldscarcelyspeak。"Haveyouanyrequesttomake，——anyaffairstosettle？"Heshookhishead。"Wherewouldyouwishtobeinterred？"HepointedtowardstheSiciliancoast。"What!"saidI，insurprise，"NOTbythesideofyourfather，inthechurchofSanGennaro？"AsIspoke，hisfacealteredterribly；heutteredapiercingshriek，——thebloodgushedfromhismouth，andhefelldead。Themoststrangepartofthestoryistocome。WeburiedhiminthechurchofSanGennaro。

Indoingso，wetookuphisfather"scoffin；thelidcameoffinmovingit，andtheskeletonwasvisible。Inthehollowoftheskullwefoundaveryslenderwireofsharpsteel；thiscausedsurpriseandinquiry。Thefather，whowasrichandamiser，haddiedsuddenly，andbeenburiedinhaste，owing，itwassaid，totheheatoftheweather。Suspiciononceawakened，theexaminationbecameminute。Theoldman"sservantwasquestioned，andatlastconfessedthatthesonhadmurderedthesire。Thecontrivancewasingenious:thewirewassoslenderthatitpiercedtothebrain，anddrewbutonedropofblood，whichthegreyhairsconcealed。Theaccomplicewillbeexecuted。"

"AndZanoni，——didhegiveevidence，didheaccountfor——"

"No，"interruptedthecount:"hedeclaredthathehadbyaccidentvisitedthechurchthatmorning；thathehadobservedthetombstoneoftheCountUghelli；thathisguidehadtoldhimthecount"ssonwasinNaples，——aspendthriftandagambler。

Whilewewereatplay，hehadheardthecountmentionedbynameatthetable；andwhenthechallengewasgivenandaccepted，ithadoccurredtohimtonametheplaceofburial，byaninstinctwhichheeithercouldnotorwouldnotaccountfor。"

"Averylamestory，"saidMervale。

"Yes!butweItaliansaresuperstitious，——theallegedinstinctwasregardedbymanyasthewhisperofProvidence。Thenextdaythestrangerbecameanobjectofuniversalinterestandcuriosity。Hiswealth，hismannerofliving，hisextraordinarypersonalbeauty，haveassistedalsotomakehimtherage；

besides，Ihavehadthepleasureinintroducingsoeminentapersontoourgayestcavaliersandourfairestladies。"

"Amostinterestingnarrative，"saidMervale，rising。"Come，Glyndon；shallweseekourhotel？Itisalmostdaylight。Adieu，signor!"

"Whatthinkyouofthisstory？"saidGlyndon，astheyoungmenwalkedhomeward。

"Why，itisveryclearthatthisZanoniissomeimposter，——somecleverrogue；andtheNeapolitansharesthebooty，andpuffshimoffwithallthehackneyedcharlatanismofthemarvellous。Anunknownadventurergetsintosocietybybeingmadeanobjectofaweandcuriosity；heismorethanordinarilyhandsome，andthewomenarequitecontenttoreceivehimwithoutanyotherrecommendationthanhisownfaceandCetoxa"sfables。"

"Icannotagreewithyou。Cetoxa，thoughagamblerandarake，isanoblemanofbirthandhighreputeforcourageandhonour。

Besides，thisstranger，withhisnoblepresenceandloftyair，——

socalm，sounobtrusive，——hasnothingincommonwiththeforwardgarrulityofanimposter。"

"MydearGlyndon，pardonme；butyouhavenotyetacquiredanyknowledgeoftheworld!Thestrangermakesthebestofafineperson，andhisgrandairisbutatrickofthetrade。Buttochangethesubject，——howadvancestheloveaffair？"

"Oh，Violacouldnotseemeto-day。"

"Youmustnotmarryher。Whatwouldtheyallsayathome？"

"Letusenjoythepresent，"saidGlyndon，withvivacity；"weareyoung，rich，good-looking；letusnotthinkofto-morrow。"

"Bravo，Glyndon!Hereweareatthehotel。Sleepsound，anddon"tdreamofSignorZanoni。"

CHAPTER2。II。

Prende，giovineaudaceeimpaziente，L"occasioneoffertaavidamente。

"Ger。Lib。，"c。vi。xxix。

(Take，youth，boldandimpatient，theofferedoccasioneagerly。)

ClarenceGlyndonwasayoungmanoffortune，notlarge，buteasyandindependent。Hisparentsweredead，andhisnearestrelationwasanonlysister，leftinEnglandunderthecareofheraunt，andmanyyearsyoungerthanhimself。Earlyinlifehehadevincedconsiderablepromiseintheartofpainting，andratherfromenthusiasmthananypecuniarynecessityforaprofession，hedeterminedtodevotehimselftoacareerinwhichtheEnglishartistgenerallycommenceswithraptureandhistoricalcomposition，toconcludewithavariciouscalculationandportraitsofAldermanSimpkins。Glyndonwassupposedbyhisfriendstopossessnoinconsiderablegenius；butitwasofarashandpresumptuousorder。Hewasaversefromcontinuousandsteadylabour，andhisambitionrathersoughttogatherthefruitthantoplantthetree。Incommonwithmanyartistsintheiryouth，hewasfondofpleasureandexcitement，yieldingwithlittleforethoughttowhateverimpressedhisfancyorappealedtohispassions。HehadtravelledthroughthemorecelebratedcitiesofEurope，withtheavowedpurposeandsincereresolutionofstudyingthedivinemasterpiecesofhisart。Butineach，pleasurehadtoooftenalluredhimfromambition，andlivingbeautydistractedhisworshipfromthesenselesscanvas。Brave，adventurous，vain，restless，inquisitive，hewaseverinvolvedinwildprojectsandpleasantdangers，——thecreatureofimpulseandtheslaveofimagination。

Itwasthentheperiodwhenafeverishspiritofchangewasworkingitswaytothathideousmockeryofhumanaspirations，theRevolutionofFrance；andfromthechaosintowhichwerealreadyjarringthesanctitiesoftheWorld"sVenerableBelief，arosemanyshapelessandunformedchimeras。NeedIremindthereaderthat，whilethatwasthedayforpolishedscepticismandaffectedwisdom，itwasthedayalsoforthemostegregiouscredulityandthemostmysticalsuperstitions，——thedayinwhichmagnetismandmagicfoundconvertsamongstthedisciplesofDiderot；whenprophecieswerecurrentineverymouth；whenthesalonofaphilosophicaldeistwasconvertedintoanHeraclea，inwhichnecromancyprofessedtoconjureuptheshadowsofthedead；whentheCrosierandtheBookwereridiculed，andMesmerandCagliostrowerebelieved。InthatHeliacalRising，heraldingthenewsunbeforewhichallvapoursweretovanish，stalkedfromtheirgravesinthefeudalagesallthephantomsthathadflittedbeforetheeyesofParacelsusandAgrippa。DazzledbythedawnoftheRevolution，Glyndonwasyetmoreattractedbyitsstrangeaccompaniments；andnaturalitwaswithhim，aswithothers，thatthefancywhichranriotamidstthehopesofasocialUtopia，shouldgraspwithavidityallthatpromised，outofthedustytracksofthebeatenscience，thebolddiscoveriesofsomemarvellousElysium。

Inhistravelshehadlistenedwithvividinterest，atleast，ifnotwithimplicitbelief，tothewonderstoldofeachmorerenownedGhost-seer，andhismindwasthereforepreparedfortheimpressionwhichthemysteriousZanoniatfirstsighthadproduceduponit。

Theremightbeanothercauseforthisdispositiontocredulity。

AremoteancestorofGlyndon"sonthemother"sside，hadachievednoinconsiderablereputationasaphilosopherandalchemist。

Strangestorieswereafloatconcerningthiswiseprogenitor。Hewassaidtohavelivedtoanagefarexceedingtheallottedboundariesofmortalexistence，andtohavepreservedtothelasttheappearanceofmiddlelife。Hehaddiedatlength，itwassupposed，ofgriefforthesuddendeathofagreat-grandchild，theonlycreaturehehadeverappearedtolove。Theworksofthisphilosopher，thoughrare，wereextant，andfoundinthelibraryofGlyndon"shome。TheirPlatonicmysticism，theirboldassertions，thehighpromisesthatmightbedetectedthroughtheirfigurativeandtypicalphraseology，hadearlymadeadeepimpressionontheyoungimaginationofClarenceGlyndon。Hisparents，notalivetotheconsequencesofencouragingfancieswhichtheveryenlightenmentoftheageappearedtothemsufficienttopreventordispel，werefond，inthelongwinternights，ofconversingonthetraditionalhistoryofthisdistinguishedprogenitor。AndClarencethrilledwithafearfulpleasurewhenhismotherplayfullydetectedastrikinglikenessbetweenthefeaturesoftheyoungheirandthefadedportraitofthealchemistthatoverhungtheirmantelpiece，andwastheboastoftheirhouseholdandtheadmirationoftheirfriends，——thechildis，indeed，moreoftenthanwethinkfor，"thefatheroftheman。"

IhavesaidthatGlyndonwasfondofpleasure。Facile，asgeniusevermustbe，tocheerfulimpression，hiscarelessartist-life，ereartist-lifesettlesdowntolabour，hadwanderedfromflowertoflower。Hehadenjoyed，almosttothereactionofsatiety，thegayrevelriesofNaples，whenhefellinlovewiththefaceandvoiceofViolaPisani。Buthislove，likehisambition，wasvagueanddesultory。Itdidnotsatisfyhiswholeheartandfilluphiswholenature；notfromwantofstrongandnoblepassions，butbecausehismindwasnotyetmaturedandsettledenoughfortheirdevelopment。Asthereisoneseasonfortheblossom，anotherforthefruit；soitisnottillthebloomoffancybeginstofade，thattheheartripenstothepassionsthatthebloomprecedesandforetells。Joyousalikeathislonelyeaseloramidsthisbooncompanions，hehadnotyetknownenoughofsorrowtolovedeeply。Formanmustbedisappointedwiththelesserthingsoflifebeforehecancomprehendthefullvalueofthegreatest。ItistheshallowsensualistsofFrance，who，intheirsalon-language，calllove"afolly，"——love，betterunderstood，iswisdom。Besides，theworldwastoomuchwithClarenceGlyndon。HisambitionofartwasassociatedwiththeapplauseandestimationofthatmiserableminorityofthesurfacethatwecallthePublic。

Likethosewhodeceive，hewaseverfearfulofbeinghimselfthedupe。HedistrustedthesweetinnocenceofViola。HecouldnotventurethehazardofseriouslyproposingmarriagetoanItalianactress；butthemodestdignityofthegirl，andsomethinggoodandgenerousinhisownnature，hadhithertomadehimshrinkfromanymoreworldlybutlesshonourabledesigns。Thusthefamiliaritybetweenthemseemedratherthatofkindnessandregardthanpassion。Heattendedthetheatre；hestolebehindthescenestoconversewithher；hefilledhisportfoliowithcountlesssketchesofabeautythatcharmedhimasanartistaswellaslover；anddayafterdayhefloatedonthroughachangingseaofdoubtandirresolution，ofaffectionanddistrust。Thelast，indeed，constantlysustainedagainsthisbetterreasonbythesoberadmonitionsofMervale，amatter-of-factman!

Thedayfollowingthateveonwhichthissectionofmystoryopens，GlyndonwasridingalonebytheshoresoftheNeapolitansea，ontheothersideoftheCavernofPosilipo。Itwaspastnoon；thesunhadlostitsearlyfervour，andacoolbreezesprungupvoluptuouslyfromthesparklingsea。Bendingoverafragmentofstoneneartheroadside，heperceivedtheformofaman；andwhenheapproached，herecognisedZanoni。

TheEnglishmansalutedhimcourteously。"Haveyoudiscoveredsomeantique？"saidhe，withasmile；"theyarecommonaspebblesonthisroad。"

"No，"repliedZanoni；"itwasbutoneofthoseantiquesthathavetheirdate，indeed，fromthebeginningoftheworld，butwhichNatureeternallywithersandrenews。"Sosaying，heshowedGlyndonasmallherbwithapale-blueflower，andthenplaceditcarefullyinhisbosom。

"Youareanherbalist？"

"Iam。"

"Itis，Iamtold，astudyfullofinterest。"

"Tothosewhounderstandit，doubtless。"

"Istheknowledge，then，sorare？"

"Rare!Thedeeperknowledgeisperhapsrather，amongthearts，LOSTtothemodernphilosophyofcommonplaceandsurface!Doyouimaginetherewasnofoundationforthosetraditionswhichcomedimlydownfromremoterages，——asshellsnowfoundonthemountain-topsinformuswheretheseashavebeen？WhatwastheoldColchianmagic，buttheminutestudyofNatureinherlowliestworks？WhatthefableofMedea，butaproofofthepowersthatmaybeextractedfromthegermandleaf？ThemostgiftedofallthePriestcrafts，themysterioussisterhoodsofCuth，concerningwhoseincantationsLearningvainlybewildersitselfamidstthemazeoflegends，soughtinthemeanestherbswhat，perhaps，theBabylonianSagesexploredinvainamidsttheloftieststars。Traditionyettellsyouthatthereexistedarace("Plut。Symp。"l。5。c。7。)whocouldslaytheirenemiesfromafar，withoutweapon，withoutmovement。Theherbthatyetreadonmayhavedeadlierpowersthanyourengineerscangivetotheirmightiestinstrumentsofwar。CanyouguessthattotheseItalianshores，totheoldCircaeanPromontory，cametheWisefromthefarthestEast，tosearchforplantsandsimpleswhichyourPharmacistsoftheCounterwouldflingfromthemasweeds？

Thefirstherbalists——themasterchemistsoftheworld——werethetribethattheancientreverencecalledbythenameofTitans。

(Syncellus，page14——"ChemistrytheInventionoftheGiants。")

Irememberonce，bytheHebrus，inthereignof——Butthistalk，"saidZanoni，checkinghimselfabruptly，andwithacoldsmile，"servesonlytowasteyourtimeandmyown。"Hepaused，lookedsteadilyatGlyndon，andcontinued，"Youngman，thinkyouthatvaguecuriositywillsupplytheplaceofearnestlabour？I

readyourheart。Youwishtoknowme，andnotthishumbleherb:

butpasson；yourdesirecannotbesatisfied。"

"Youhavenotthepolitenessofyourcountrymen，"saidGlyndon，somewhatdiscomposed。"SupposeIweredesiroustocultivateyouracquaintance，whyshouldyourejectmyadvances？"

"Irejectnoman"sadvances，"answeredZanoni；"Imustknowthemiftheysodesire；butME，inreturn，theycannevercomprehend。

Ifyouaskmyacquaintance，itisyours；butIwouldwarnyoutoshunme。"

"Andwhyareyou，then，sodangerous？"

"Onthisearth，menareoften，withouttheirownagency，fatedtobedangeroustoothers。IfIweretopredictyourfortunebythevaincalculationsoftheastrologer，Ishouldtellyou，intheirdespicablejargon，thatmyplanetsatdarklyinyourhouseoflife。Crossmenot，ifyoucanavoidit。Iwarnyounowforthefirsttimeandlast。"

"Youdespisetheastrologers，yetyouutterajargonasmysteriousastheirs。Ineithergamblenorquarrel；why，then，shouldIfearyou？"

"Asyouwill；Ihavedone。"

"Letmespeakfrankly，——yourconversationlastnightinterestedandperplexedme。"

"Iknowit:mindslikeyoursareattractedbymystery。"

Glyndonwaspiquedatthesewords，thoughinthetoneinwhichtheywerespokentherewasnocontempt。

"Iseeyoudonotconsidermeworthyofyourfriendship。Beitso。Good-day!"

Zanonicoldlyrepliedtothesalutation；andastheEnglishmanrodeon，returnedtohisbotanicalemployment。

Thesamenight，Glyndonwent，asusual，tothetheatre。HewasstandingbehindthesceneswatchingViola，whowasonthestageinoneofhermostbrilliantparts。Thehouseresoundedwithapplause。Glyndonwastransportedwithayoungman"spassionandayoungman"spride:"Thisgloriouscreature，"thoughthe，"mayyetbemine。"

Hefelt，whilethuswrappedindeliciousreverie，aslighttouchuponhisshoulder；heturned，andbeheldZanoni。"Youareindanger，"saidthelatter。"Donotwalkhometo-night；orifyoudo，gonotalone。"

BeforeGlyndonrecoveredfromhissurprise，Zanonidisappeared；

andwhentheEnglishmansawhimagain，hewasintheboxofoneoftheNeapolitannobles，whereGlyndoncouldnotfollowhim。

Violanowleftthestage，andGlyndonaccostedherwithanunaccustomedwarmthofgallantry。ButViola，contrarytohergentlehabit，turnedwithanevidentimpatiencefromtheaddressofherlover。TakingasideGionetta，whowasherconstantattendantatthetheatre，shesaid，inanearnestwhisper，——

"Oh，Gionetta!Heishereagain!——thestrangerofwhomIspoketothee!——andagain，healone，ofthewholetheatre，withholdsfrommehisapplause。"

"Whichishe，mydarling？"saidtheoldwoman，withfondnessinhervoice。"Hemustindeedbedull——notworthathought。"

TheactressdrewGionettanearertothestage，andpointedouttoheramaninoneoftheboxes，conspicuousamongstallelsebythesimplicityofhisdress，andtheextraordinarybeautyofhisfeatures。

"Notworthathought，Gionetta!"repeatedViola，——"Notworthathought!Alas，nottothinkofhim，seemstheabsenceofthoughtitself!"

ThepromptersummonedtheSignoraPisani。"Findouthisname，Gionetta，"saidshe，movingslowlytothestage，andpassingbyGlyndon，whogazedatherwithalookofsorrowfulreproach。

Thesceneonwhichtheactressnowenteredwasthatofthefinalcatastrophe，whereinallherremarkablepowersofvoiceandartwerepre-eminentlycalledforth。Thehousehungoneverywordwithbreathlessworship；buttheeyesofViolasoughtonlythoseofonecalmandunmovedspectator；sheexertedherselfasifinspired。Zanonilistened，andobservedherwithanattentivegaze，butnoapprovalescapedhislips；noemotionchangedtheexpressionofhiscoldandhalf-disdainfulaspect。Viola，whowasinthecharacterofonewholoved，butwithoutreturn，neverfeltsoacutelythepartsheplayed。Hertearsweretruthful；

herpassionthatofnature:itwasalmosttooterribletobehold。Shewasbornefromthestageexhaustedandinsensible，amidstsuchatempestofadmiringraptureasContinentalaudiencesalonecanraise。Thecrowdstoodup，handkerchiefswaved，garlandsandflowerswerethrownonthestage，——menwipedtheireyes，andwomensobbedaloud。

"Byheavens!"saidaNeapolitanofgreatrank，"Shehasfiredmebeyondendurance。To-night——thisverynight——sheshallbemine!

Youhavearrangedall，Mascari？"

"All，signor。AndtheyoungEnglishman？"

"Thepresumingbarbarian!AsIbeforetoldthee，lethimbleedforhisfolly。Iwillhavenorival。"

"ButanEnglishman!ThereisalwaysasearchafterthebodiesoftheEnglish。"

"Fool!isnottheseadeepenough，ortheearthsecretenough，tohideonedeadman？Ourruffiansaresilentasthegraveitself；

andI!——whowoulddaretosuspect，toarraignthePrincedi——？

Seetoit，——thisnight。Itrusthimtoyou。Robbersmurderhim，youunderstand，——thecountryswarmswiththem；plunderandstriphim，thebettertofavoursuchreport。Takethreemen；therestshallbemyescort。"

Mascarishruggedhisshoulders，andbowedsubmissively。

ThestreetsofNapleswerenotthensosafeasnow，andcarriageswerebothlessexpensiveandmorenecessary。Thevehiclewhichwasregularlyengagedbytheyoungactresswasnottobefound。

Gionetta，tooawareofthebeautyofhermistressandthenumberofheradmirerstocontemplatewithoutalarmtheideaoftheirreturnonfoot，communicatedherdistresstoGlyndon，andhebesoughtViola，whorecoveredbutslowly，toaccepthisowncarriage。Perhapsbeforethatnightshewouldnothaverejectedsoslightaservice。Now，forsomereasonorother，sherefused。

Glyndon，offended，wasretiringsullenly，whenGionettastoppedhim。"Stay，signor，"saidshe，coaxingly:"thedearsignoraisnotwell，——donotbeangrywithher；Iwillmakeheracceptyouroffer。"

Glyndonstayed，andafterafewmomentsspentinexpostulationonthepartofGionetta，andresistanceonthatofViola，theofferwasaccepted。Gionettaandherchargeenteredthecarriage，andGlyndonwasleftatthedoorofthetheatretoreturnhomeonfoot。ThemysteriouswarningofZanonithensuddenlyoccurredtohim；hehadforgottenitintheinterestofhislover"squarrelwithViola。Hethoughtitnowadvisabletoguardagainstdangerforetoldbylipssomysterious。Helookedroundforsomeoneheknew:thetheatrewasdisgorgingitscrowds；theyhustled，andjostled，andpresseduponhim；butherecognisednofamiliarcountenance。Whilepausingirresolute，heheardMervale"svoicecallingonhim，and，tohisgreatrelief，discoveredhisfriendmakinghiswaythroughthethrong。

"Ihavesecuredyou，"saidhe，"aplaceintheCountCetoxa"scarriage。Comealong，heiswaitingforus。"

"Howkindinyou!howdidyoufindmeout？"

"ImetZanoniinthepassage，——"Yourfriendisatthedoorofthetheatre，"saidhe；"donotlethimgohomeonfootto-night；thestreetsofNaplesarenotalwayssafe。"IimmediatelyrememberedthatsomeoftheCalabrianbravoshadbeenbusywithinthecitythelastfewweeks，andsuddenlymeetingCetoxa——buthereheis。"

Furtherexplanationwasforbidden，fortheynowjoinedthecount。

AsGlyndonenteredthecarriageanddrewuptheglass，hesawfourmenstandingapartbythepavement，whoseemedtoeyehimwithattention。

"Cospetto!"criedone；"thatistheEnglishman!"Glyndonimperfectlyheardtheexclamationasthecarriagedroveon。Hereachedhomeinsafety。

ThefamiliarandendearingintimacywhichalwaysexistsinItalybetweenthenurseandthechildshehasreared，andwhichthe"RomeoandJuliet"ofShakespeareinnowayexaggerates，couldnotbutbedrawnyetcloserthanusual，inasituationsofriendlessasthatoftheorphan-actress。Inallthatconcernedtheweaknessesoftheheart，Gionettahadlargeexperience；andwhen，threenightsbefore，Viola，onreturningfromthetheatre，hadweptbitterly，thenursehadsucceededinextractingfromheraconfessionthatshehadseenone，——notseenfortwowearyandeventfulyears，——butneverforgotten，andwho，alas!hadnotevincedtheslightestrecognitionofherself。Gionettacouldnotcomprehendallthevagueandinnocentemotionsthatswelledthissorrow；butsheresolvedthemall，withherplain，bluntunderstanding，totheonesentimentoflove。Andhere，shewaswellfittedtosympathiseandconsole。ConfidantetoViola"sentireanddeepheartshenevercouldbe，——forthatheartnevercouldhavewordsforallitssecrets。Butsuchconfidenceasshecouldobtain，shewasreadytorepaybythemostunreprovingpityandthemostreadyservice。

"Haveyoudiscoveredwhoheis？"askedViola，asshewasnowaloneinthecarriagewithGionetta。

"Yes；heisthecelebratedSignorZanoni，aboutwhomallthegreatladieshavegonemad。Theysayheissorich!——oh!somuchricherthananyoftheInglesi!——notbutwhattheSignorGlyndon——"

"Cease!"interruptedtheyoungactress。"Zanoni!SpeakoftheEnglishmannomore。"

ThecarriagewasnowenteringthatmorelonelyandremotepartofthecityinwhichViola"shousewassituated，whenitsuddenlystopped。

Gionetta，inalarm，thrustherheadoutofthewindow，andperceived，bythepalelightofthemoon，thatthedriver，tornfromhisseat，wasalreadypinionedinthearmsoftwomen；thenextmomentthedoorwasopenedviolently，andatallfigure，maskedandmantled，appeared。

"Fearnot，fairestPisani，"saidhe，gently；"noillshallbefallyou。"Ashespoke，hewoundhisarmroundtheformofthefairactress，andendeavouredtoliftherfromthecarriage。ButGionettawasnoordinaryally，——shethrustbacktheassailantwithaforcethatastonishedhim，andfollowedtheshockbyavolleyofthemostenergeticreprobation。

Themaskdrewback，andcomposedhisdisorderedmantle。

"BythebodyofBacchus!"saidhe，halflaughing，"sheiswellprotected。Here，Luigi，Giovanni!seizethehag!——quick!——whyloiterye？"