第5章
Themaskretiredfromthedoor，andanotherandyettallerformpresenteditself。"Becalm，ViolaPisani，"saidhe，inalowvoice；"withmeyouareindeedsafe!"Heliftedhismaskashespoke，andshowedthenoblefeaturesofZanoni。
"Becalm，behushed，——Icansaveyou。"Hevanished，leavingViolalostinsurprise，agitation，anddelight。Therewere，inall，ninemasks:twowereengagedwiththedriver；onestoodattheheadofthecarriage-horses；afourthguardedthewell-trainedsteedsoftheparty；threeothers(besidesZanoniandtheonewhohadfirstaccostedViola)stoodapartbyacarriagedrawntothesideoftheroad。TothesethreeZanonimotioned；theyadvanced；hepointedtowardsthefirstmask，whowasinfactthePrincedi——，andtohisunspeakableastonishmenttheprincewassuddenlyseizedfrombehind。
"Treason!"hecried。"Treasonamongmyownmen!Whatmeansthis？"
"Placehiminhiscarriage!Ifheresist，hisbloodbeonhisownhead!"saidZanoni，calmly。
Heapproachedthemenwhohaddetainedthecoachman。
"Youareoutnumberedandoutwitted，"saidhe；"joinyourlord；
youarethreemen，——wesix，armedtotheteeth。Thankourmercythatwespareyourlives。Go!"
Themengaveway，dismayed。Thedriverremounted。
"Cutthetracesoftheircarriageandthebridlesoftheirhorses，"saidZanoni，asheenteredthevehiclecontainingViola，whichnowdroveonrapidly，leavingthediscomfitedravisherinastateofrageandstuporimpossibletodescribe。
"Allowmetoexplainthismysterytoyou，"saidZanoni。"I
discoveredtheplotagainstyou，——nomatterhow；Ifrustrateditthus:Theheadofthisdesignisanobleman，whohaslongpersecutedyouinvain。Heandtwoofhiscreatureswatchedyoufromtheentranceofthetheatre，havingdirectedsixotherstoawaithimonthespotwhereyouwereattacked；myselfandfiveofmyservantssuppliedtheirplace，andweremistakenforhisownfollowers。Ihadpreviouslyriddenalonetothespotwherethemenwerewaiting，andinformedthemthattheirmasterwouldnotrequiretheirservicesthatnight。Theybelievedme，andaccordinglydispersed。Ithenjoinedmyownband，whomIhadleftintherear；youknowall。Weareatyourdoor。"
CHAPTER2。III。
WhenmostIwink，thendomineeyesbestsee，Forallthedaytheyviewthingsunrespected；
ButwhenIsleep，indreamstheylookonthee，And，darklybright，arebrightindarkdirected。
Shakespeare。
ZanonifollowedtheyoungNeapolitanintoherhouse；Gionettavanished，——theywereleftalone。
Alone，inthatroomsooftenfilled，intheoldhappydays，withthewildmelodiesofPisani；andnow，asshesawthismysterious，haunting，yetbeautifulandstatelystranger，standingontheveryspotwhereshehadsatatherfather"sfeet，thrilledandspellbound，——shealmostthought，inherfantasticwayofpersonifyingherownairynotions，thatthatspiritualMusichadtakenshapeandlife，andstoodbeforehergloriousintheimageitassumed。Shewasunconsciousallthewhileofherownloveliness。Shehadthrownasideherhoodandveil；herhair，somewhatdisordered，fellovertheivoryneckwhichthedresspartiallydisplayed；andasherdarkeyesswamwithgratefultears，andhercheekflushedwithitslateexcitement，thegodoflightandmusichimselfnever，amidsthisArcadianvalleys，wooed，inhismortalguise，maidenornymphmorefair。
Zanonigazedatherwithalookinwhichadmirationseemednotunmingledwithcompassion。Hemutteredafewwordstohimself，andthenaddressedheraloud。
"Viola，Ihavesavedyoufromagreatperil；notfromdishonouronly，butperhapsfromdeath。ThePrincedi——，underaweakdespotandavenaladministration，isamanabovethelaw。Heiscapableofeverycrime；butamongsthispassionshehassuchprudenceasbelongstoambition；ifyouwerenottoreconcileyourselftoyourshame，youwouldneverentertheworldagaintotellyourtale。Theravisherhasnoheartforrepentance，buthehasahandthatcanmurder。Ihavesavedyou，Viola。Perhapsyouwouldaskmewherefore？"Zanonipaused，andsmiledmournfully，asheadded，"Youwillnotwrongmebythethoughtthathewhohaspreservedisnotlessselfishthanhewhowouldhaveinjured。Orphan，Idonotspeaktoyouinthelanguageofyourwooers；enoughthatIknowpity，andamnotungratefulforaffection。Whyblush，whytrembleattheword？IreadyourheartwhileIspeak，andIseenotonethoughtthatshouldgiveyoushame。Isaynotthatyoulovemeyet；happily，thefancymayberousedlongbeforetheheartistouched。Butithasbeenmyfatetofascinateyoureye，toinfluenceyourimagination。Itistowarnyouagainstwhatcouldbringyoubutsorrow，asI
warnedyouoncetoprepareforsorrowitself，thatIamnowyourguest。TheEnglishman，Glyndon，lovestheewell，——better，perhaps，thanIcaneverlove；ifnotworthyofthee，yet，hehasbuttoknowtheemoretodeservetheebetter。Hemaywedthee，hemaybeartheetohisownfreeandhappyland，——thelandofthymother"skin。Forgetme；teachthyselftoreturnanddeservehislove；andItelltheethatthouwiltbehonouredandbehappy。"
Violalistenedwithsilent，inexpressibleemotion，andburningblushes，tothisstrangeaddress，andwhenhehadconcluded，shecoveredherfacewithherhands，andwept。Andyet，muchashiswordswerecalculatedtohumbleorirritate，toproduceindignationorexciteshame，thosewerenotthefeelingswithwhichhereyesstreamedandherheartswelled。Thewomanatthatmomentwaslostinthechild；andASachild，withallitsexacting，craving，yetinnocentdesiretobeloved，weepsinunrebukingsadnesswhenitsaffectionisthrownausterelybackuponitself，——so，withoutangerandwithoutshame，weptViola。
Zanonicontemplatedherthus，ashergracefulhead，shadowedbyitsredundanttresses，bentbeforehim；andafteramoment"spausehedrewneartoher，andsaid，inavoiceofthemostsoothingsweetness，andwithahalfsmileuponhislip，——
"Doyouremember，whenItoldyoutostruggleforthelight，thatIpointedforexampletotheresoluteandearnesttree？Ididnottellyou，fairchild，totakeexamplebythemoth，thatwouldsoartothestar，butfallsscorchedbesidethelamp。Come，I
willtalktothee。ThisEnglishman——"
Violadrewherselfaway，andweptyetmorepassionately。
"ThisEnglishmanisofthineownyears，notfarabovethineownrank。Thoumaystsharehisthoughtsinlife，——thoumaystsleepbesidehiminthesamegraveindeath!AndI——butTHATviewofthefutureshouldconcernusnot。Lookintothyheart，andthouwiltseethattillagainmyshadowcrossedthypath，therehadgrownupforthisthineequalapureandcalmaffectionthatwouldhaveripenedintolove。Hastthouneverpicturedtothyselfahomeinwhichthypartnerwasthyyoungwooer？"
"Never!"saidViola，withsuddenenergy，——"neverbuttofeelthatsuchwasnotthefateordainedme。And，oh!"shecontinued，risingsuddenly，and，puttingasidethetressesthatveiledherface，shefixedhereyesuponthequestioner，——"and，oh!whoeverthouartthatthuswouldstreadmysoulandshapemyfuture，donotmistakethesentimentthat，that——"shefalteredaninstant，andwentonwithdowncasteyes，——"thathasfascinatedmythoughtstothee。DonotthinkthatIcouldnourishaloveunsoughtandunreturned。ItisnotlovethatIfeelforthee，stranger。WhyshouldI？Thouhastneverspokentomebuttoadmonish，——andnow，towound!"Againshepaused，againhervoicefaltered；thetearstrembledonhereyelids；shebrushedthemawayandresumed。
"No，notlove，——ifthatbelovewhichIhaveheardandreadof，andsoughttosimulateonthestage，——butamoresolemn，fearful，and，itseemstome，almostpreternaturalattraction，whichmakesmeassociatethee，wakingordreaming，withimagesthatatoncecharmandawe。Thinkestthou，ifitwerelove，thatIcouldspeaktotheethus；that，"sheraisedherlookssuddenlytohis，"mineeyescouldthussearchandconfrontthineown？Stranger，I
askbutattimestosee，tohearthee!Stranger，talknottomeofothers。Forewarn，rebuke，bruisemyheart，rejectthenotunworthygratitudeitoffersthee，ifthouwilt，butcomenotalwaystomeasanomenofgriefandtrouble。SometimeshaveI
seentheeinmydreamssurroundedbyshapesofgloryandlight；
thylooksradiantwithacelestialjoywhichtheywearnotnow。
Stranger，thouhastsavedme，andIthankandblessthee!Isthatalsoahomagethouwouldstreject？"Withthesewords，shecrossedherarmsmeeklyonherbosom，andinclinedlowlilybeforehim。Nordidherhumilityseemunwomanlyorabject，northatofmistresstolover，ofslavetomaster，butratherofachildtoitsguardian，ofaneophyteoftheoldreligiontoherpriest。
Zanoni"sbrowwasmelancholyandthoughtful。Helookedatherwithastrangeexpressionofkindness，ofsorrow，yetoftenderaffection，inhiseyes；buthislipswerestern，andhisvoicecold，ashereplied，——
"Doyouknowwhatyouask，Viola？Doyouguessthedangertoyourself——perhapstobothofus——whichyoucourt？Doyouknowthatmylife，separatedfromtheturbulentherdofmen，isoneworshipoftheBeautiful，fromwhichIseektobanishwhattheBeautifulinspiresinmost？Asacalamity，Ishunwhattomanseemsthefairestfate，——theloveofthedaughtersofearth。AtpresentIcanwarnandsavetheefrommanyevils；ifIsawmoreofthee，wouldthepowerstillbemine？Youunderstandmenot。
WhatIamabouttoadd，itwillbeeasiertocomprehend。Ibidtheebanishfromthyheartallthoughtofme，butasonewhomtheFuturecriesaloudtotheetoavoid。Glyndon，ifthouacceptesthishomage，willlovetheetillthetombclosesuponboth。I，too，"headdedwithemotion，——"I，too，mightlovethee!"
"You!"criedViola，withthevehemenceofasuddenimpulseofdelight，ofrapture，whichshecouldnotsuppress；buttheinstantafter，shewouldhavegivenworldstorecalltheexclamation。
"Yes，Viola，Imightlovethee；butinthatlovewhatsorrowandwhatchange!Theflowergivesperfumetotherockonwhoseheartitgrows。Alittlewhile，andtheflowerisdead；buttherockstillendures，——thesnowatitsbreast，thesunshineonitssummit。Pause，——thinkwell。Dangerbesetstheeyet。Forsomedaysthoushaltbesafefromthyremorselesspersecutor；butthehoursooncomeswhenthyonlysecuritywillbeinflight。IftheEnglishmanlovetheeworthily，thyhonourwillbedeartohimashisown；ifnot，thereareyetotherlandswherelovewillbetruer，andvirtuelessindangerfromfraudandforce。Farewell；
myowndestinyIcannotforeseeexceptthroughcloudandshadow。
Iknow，atleast，thatweshallmeetagain；butlearnerethen，sweetflower，thattherearemoregenialresting-placesthantherock。"
Heturnedashespoke，andgainedtheouterdoorwhereGionettadiscreetlystood。Zanonilightlylaidhishandonherarm。Withthegayaccentofajestingcavalier，hesaid，——
"TheSignorGlyndonwoosyourmistress；hemaywedher。Iknowyourloveforher。Disabuseherofanycapriceforme。Iamabirdeveronthewing。"
HedroppedapurseintoGionetta"shandashespoke，andwasgone。
CHAPTER2。IV。
LesIntelligencesCelestessefontvoir，etseecommuniquentplusvolontiers，danslesilenceetdanslatranquillitedelasolitude。Onauradoncunepetitechambreouuncabinetsecret，etc。
"LesClaviculesdeRabbiSalomon，"chapter3；traduitesexactementdutexteHebreuparM。PierreMorissoneau，ProfesseurdesLanguesOrientales，etSectateurdelaPhilosophiedesSagesCabalistes。(ManuscriptTranslation。)
(TheCelestialIntelligencesexhibitandexplainthemselvesmostfreelyinsilenceandthetranquillityofsolitude。Onewillhavethenalittlechamber，orasecretcabinet，etc。)
ThepalaceretainedbyZanoniwasinoneofthelessfrequentedquartersofthecity。Itstillstands，nowruinedanddismantled，amonumentofthesplendourofachivalrylongsincevanishedfromNaples，withthelordlyracesoftheNormanandtheSpaniard。
Asheenteredtheroomsreservedforhisprivatehours，twoIndians，inthedressoftheircountry，receivedhimatthethresholdwiththegravesalutationsoftheEast。Theyhadaccompaniedhimfromthefarlandsinwhich，accordingtorumour，hehadformanyyearsfixedhishome。Buttheycouldcommunicatenothingtogratifycuriosityorjustifysuspicion。Theyspokenolanguagebuttheirown。Withtheexceptionofthesetwohisprincelyretinuewascomposedofthenativehirelingsofthecity，whomhislavishbutimperiousgenerositymadetheimplicitcreaturesofhiswill。Inhishouse，andinhishabits，sofarastheywereseen，therewasnothingtoaccountfortherumourswhichwerecirculatedabroad。Hewasnot，aswearetoldofAlbertusMagnusorthegreatLeonardodaVinci，servedbyairyforms；andnobrazenimage，theinventionofmagicmechanism，communicatedtohimtheinfluencesofthestars。Noneoftheapparatusofthealchemist——thecrucibleandthemetals——gavesolemnitytohischambers，oraccountedforhiswealth；nordidheevenseemtointeresthimselfinthoseserenerstudieswhichmightbesupposedtocolourhispeculiarconversationwithabstractnotions，andoftenwithreconditelearning。Nobooksspoketohiminhissolitude；andifeverhehaddrawnfromthemhisknowledge，itseemednowthattheonlypagehereadwasthewideoneofNature，andthatacapaciousandstartlingmemorysuppliedtherest。Yetwasthereoneexceptiontowhatinallelseseemedcustomaryandcommonplace，andwhich，accordingtotheauthoritywehaveprefixedtothischapter，mightindicatethefolloweroftheoccultsciences。WhetheratRomeorNaples，or，infact，whereverhisabode，heselectedoneroomremotefromtherestofthehouse，whichwasfastenedbyalockscarcelylargerthanthesealofaring，yetwhichsufficedtobafflethemostcunninginstrumentsofthelocksmith:atleast，oneofhisservants，promptedbyirresistiblecuriosity，hadmadetheattemptinvain；andthoughhehadfancieditwastriedinthemostfavourabletimeforsecrecy，——notasoulnear，inthedeadofnight，Zanonihimselfabsentfromhome，——yethissuperstition，orhisconscience，toldhimthereasonwhythenextdaytheMajorDomoquietlydismissedhim。Hecompensatedhimselfforthismisfortunebyspreadinghisownstory，withathousandamusingexaggerations。Hedeclaredthat，asheapproachedthedoor，invisiblehandsseemedtopluckhimaway；andthatwhenhetouchedthelock，hewasstruck，asbyapalsy，totheground。
Onesurgeon，whoheardthetale，observed，tothedistasteofthewonder-mongers，thatpossiblyZanonimadeadexteroususeofelectricity。Howbeit，thisroom，oncesosecured，wasneverenteredsavebyZanonihimself。
ThesolemnvoiceofTime，fromtheneighbouringchurchatlastarousedthelordofthepalacefromthedeepandmotionlessreverie，ratherresemblingatrancethanthought，inwhichhismindwasabsorbed。
"Itisonemoresandoutofthemightyhour-glass，"saidhe，murmuringly，"andyettimeneitheraddsto，norstealsfrom，anatomintheInfinite!Soulofmine，theluminous，theAugoeides(Augoeides，——awordfavouredbythemysticalPlatonists，sphairapsuchesaugoeides，otanmeteekteinetaiepiti，meteesosuntrechemetesunizane，allaphotilampetai，otenaletheianopatenpanton，kaitenenaute——Marc。Ant。，lib。2——Thesenseofwhichbeautifulsentenceoftheoldphilosophy，which，asBaylewellobserves，inhisarticleonCorneliusAgrippa，themodernQuietistshave(howeverimpotently)soughttoimitate，istotheeffectthat"thesphereofthesoulisluminouswhennothingexternalhascontactwiththesoulitself；butwhenlitbyitsownlight，itseesthetruthofallthingsandthetruthcentredinitself。")，whydescendestthoufromthysphere，——whyfromtheeternal，starlike，andpassionlessSerene，shrinkestthoubacktothemistsofthedarksarcophagus？Howlong，tooausterelytaughtthatcompanionshipwiththethingsthatdiebringswithitbutsorrowinitssweetness，hastthoudweltcontentedwiththymajesticsolitude？"
Ashethusmurmured，oneoftheearliestbirdsthatsalutethedawnbrokeintosuddensongfromamidsttheorange-treesinthegardenbelowhiscasement；andassuddenly，songansweredsong；
themate，awakenedatthenote，gavebackitshappyanswertothebird。Helistened；andnotthesoulhehadquestioned，buttheheartreplied。Herose，andwithrestlessstridespacedthenarrowfloor。"Awayfromthisworld!"heexclaimedatlength，withanimpatienttone。"Cannotimeloosenitsfatalties？Astheattractionthatholdstheearthinspace，istheattractionthatfixesthesoultoearth。Awayfromthedarkgreyplanet!
Break，yefetters:arise，yewings!"
Hepassedthroughthesilentgalleries，anduptheloftystairs，andenteredthesecretchamber……
CHAPTER2。V。
IandmyfellowsAreministersofFate。
"TheTempest。"
ThenextdayGlyndonbenthisstepstowardsZanoni"spalace。Theyoungman"simagination，naturallyinflammable，wassingularlyexcitedbythelittlehehadseenandheardofthisstrangebeing，——aspell，hecouldneithermasternoraccountfor，attractedhimtowardsthestranger。Zanoni"spowerseemedmysteriousandgreat，hismotiveskindlyandbenevolent，yethismannerschillingandrepellent。WhyatonemomentrejectGlyndon"sacquaintance，atanothersavehimfromdanger？HowhadZanonithusacquiredtheknowledgeofenemiesunknowntoGlyndonhimself？Hisinterestwasdeeplyroused，hisgratitudeappealedto；heresolvedtomakeanotherefforttoconciliatetheungraciousherbalist。
Thesignorwasathome，andGlyndonwasadmittedintoaloftysaloon，whereinafewmomentsZanonijoinedhim。
"Iamcometothankyouforyourwarninglastnight，"saidhe，"andtoentreatyoutocompletemyobligationbyinformingmeofthequartertowhichImaylookforenmityandperil。"
"Youareagallant，"saidZanoni，withasmile，andintheEnglishlanguage，"anddoyouknowsolittleoftheSouthasnottobeawarethatgallantshavealwaysrivals？"
"Areyouserious？"saidGlyndon，colouring。
"Mostserious。YouloveViolaPisani；youhaveforrivaloneofthemostpowerfulandrelentlessoftheNeapolitanprinces。Yourdangerisindeedgreat。"
"Butpardonme!——howcameitknowntoyou？"
"Igivenoaccountofmyselftomortalman，"repliedZanoni，haughtily；"andtomeitmattersnothingwhetheryouregardorscornmywarning。"
"Well，ifImaynotquestionyou，beitso；butatleastadvisemewhattodo。"
"Wouldyoufollowmyadvice？"
"Whynot？"
"Becauseyouareconstitutionallybrave；youarefondofexcitementandmystery；youliketobetheheroofaromance。
WereItoadviseyoutoleaveNaples，wouldyoudosowhileNaplescontainsafoetoconfrontoramistresstopursue？"
"Youareright，"saidtheyoungEnglishman，withenergy。"No!
andyoucannotreproachmeforsucharesolution。"
"Butthereisanothercourselefttoyou:doyouloveViolaPisanitrulyandfervently？——ifso，marryher，andtakeabridetoyournativeland。"
"Nay，"answeredGlyndon，embarrassed；"Violaisnotofmyrank。
Herprofession，too，is——inshort，Iamenslavedbyherbeauty，butIcannotwedher。"
Zanonifrowned。
"Yourlove，then，isbutselfishlust，andIadviseyoutoyourownhappinessnomore。Youngman，Destinyislessinexorablethanitappears。TheresourcesofthegreatRuleroftheUniversearenotsoscantyandsosternastodenytomenthedivineprivilegeofFreeWill；allofuscancarveoutourownway，andGodcanmakeourverycontradictionsharmonisewithHissolemnends。Youhavebeforeyouanoption。Honourableandgenerouslovemayevennowworkoutyourhappiness，andeffectyourescape；afranticandselfishpassionwillbutleadyoutomiseryanddoom。"
"Doyoupretend，then，toreadthefuture？"
"Ihavesaidallthatitpleasesmetoutter。"
"Whileyouassumethemoralisttome，SignorZanoni，"saidGlyndon，withasmile，"areyouyourselfsoindifferenttoyouthandbeautyastoactthestoictoitsallurements？"
"Ifitwerenecessarythatpracticesquarewithprecept，"saidZanoni，withabittersmile，"ourmonitorswouldbebutfew。Theconductoftheindividualcanaffectbutasmallcirclebeyondhimself；thepermanentgoodorevilthatheworkstoothersliesratherinthesentimentshecandiffuse。Hisactsarelimitedandmomentary；hissentimentsmaypervadetheuniverse，andinspiregenerationstillthedayofdoom。Allourvirtues，allourlaws，aredrawnfrombooksandmaxims，whichAREsentiments，notfromdeeds。Inconduct，JulianhadthevirtuesofaChristian，andConstantinethevicesofaPagan。ThesentimentsofJulianreconvertedthousandstoPaganism；thoseofConstantinehelped，underHeaven"swill，tobowtoChristianitythenationsoftheearth。Inconduct，thehumblestfishermanonyondersea，whobelievesinthemiraclesofSanGennaro，maybeabettermanthanLuther；tothesentimentsofLutherthemindofmodernEuropeisindebtedforthenoblestrevolutionithasknown。Ouropinions，youngEnglishman，aretheangelpartofus；ouracts，theearthly。"
"YouhavereflecteddeeplyforanItalian，"saidGlyndon。
"WhotoldyouthatIwasanItalian？"
"Areyounot？Andyet，whenIhearyouspeakmyownlanguageasanative，I——"
"Tush!"interruptedZanoni，impatientlyturningaway。Then，afterapause，heresumedinamildvoice，"Glyndon，doyourenounceViolaPisani？WillyoutakesomedaystoconsiderwhatIhavesaid？"
"Renounceher，——never!"
"Thenyouwillmarryher？"
"Impossible!"
"Beitso；shewillthenrenounceyou。Itellyouthatyouhaverivals。"
"Yes；thePrincedi——；butIdonotfearhim。"
"Youhaveanotherwhomyouwillfearmore。"
"Andwhoishe？"
"Myself。"
Glyndonturnedpale，andstartedfromhisseat。
"You，SignorZanoni!——you，——andyoudaretotellmeso？"
"Dare!Alas!therearetimeswhenIwishthatIcouldfear。"
Thesearrogantwordswerenotutteredarrogantly，butinatoneofthemostmournfuldejection。Glyndonwasenraged，confounded，andyetawed。However，hehadabraveEnglishheartwithinhisbreast，andherecoveredhimselfquickly。
"Signor，"saidhe，calmly，"Iamnottobedupedbythesesolemnphrasesandthesemysticalassumptions。YoumayhavepowerswhichIcannotcomprehendoremulate，oryoumaybebutakeenimposter。"
"Well，proceed!"
"Imean，then，"continuedGlyndon，resolutely，thoughsomewhatdisconcerted，——"Imeanyoutounderstand，that，thoughIamnottobepersuadedorcompelledbyastrangertomarryViolaPisani，Iamnotthelessdeterminednevertamelytoyieldhertoanother。"
Zanonilookedgravelyattheyoungman，whosesparklingeyesandheightenedcolourtestifiedthespirittosupporthiswords，andreplied，"Sobold!well；itbecomesyou。Buttakemyadvice；
waityetninedays，andtellmethenifyouwillmarrythefairestandthepurestcreaturethatevercrossedyourpath。"
"Butifyouloveher，why——why——"
"WhyamIanxiousthatsheshouldwedanother？——tosaveherfrommyself!Listentome。Thatgirl，humbleanduneducatedthoughshebe，hasinhertheseedsofthemostloftyqualitiesandvirtues。Shecanbealltothemansheloves，——allthatmancandesireinwife。Hersoul，developedbyaffection，willelevateyourown；itwillinfluenceyourfortunes，exaltyourdestiny；
youwillbecomeagreatandaprosperousman。If，onthecontrary，shefalltome，Iknownotwhatmaybeherlot；butI
knowthatthereisanordealwhichfewcanpass，andwhichhithertonowomanhassurvived。"
AsZanonispoke，hisfacebecamecolourless，andtherewassomethinginhisvoicethatfrozethewarmbloodofthelistener。
"Whatisthismysterywhichsurroundsyou？"exclaimedGlyndon，unabletorepresshisemotion。"Areyou，intruth，differentfromothermen？Haveyoupassedtheboundaryoflawfulknowledge？Areyou，assomedeclare，asorcerer，oronlya——"
"Hush!"interruptedZanoni，gently，andwithasmileofsingularbutmelancholysweetness；"haveyouearnedtherighttoaskmethesequestions？ThoughItalystillboastanInquisition，itspowerisrivelledasaleafwhichthefirstwindshallscatter。
Thedaysoftortureandpersecutionareover；andamanmayliveashepleases，andtalkasitsuitshim，withoutfearofthestakeandtherack。SinceIcandefypersecution，pardonmeifI
donotyieldtocuriosity。"
Glyndonblushed，androse。InspiteofhisloveforViola，andhisnaturalterrorofsucharival，hefelthimselfirresistiblydrawntowardstheverymanhehadmostcausetosuspectanddread。HeheldouthishandtoZanoni，saying，"Well，then，ifwearetoberivals，ourswordsmustsettleourrights；tillthenIwouldfainbefriends。"
"Friends!Youknownotwhatyouask。"
"Enigmasagain!"
"Enigmas!"criedZanoni，passionately；"ay!canyoudaretosolvethem？NottillthencouldIgiveyoumyrighthand，andcallyoufriend。"
"Icoulddareeverythingandallthingsfortheattainmentofsuperhumanwisdom，"saidGlyndon，andhiscountenancewaslightedupwithwildandintenseenthusiasm。
Zanoniobservedhiminthoughtfulsilence。
"Theseedsoftheancestorliveintheson，"hemuttered；"hemay——yet——"Hebrokeoffabruptly；then，speakingaloud，"Go，Glyndon，"saidhe；"weshallmeetagain，butIwillnotaskyouranswertillthehourpressesfordecision。"
CHAPTER2。VI。
"Tiscertainthatthismanhasanestateoffiftythousandlivres，andseemstobeapersonofverygreataccomplishments。
But，then，ifhe"sawizard，arewizardssodevoutlygivenasthismanseemstobe？Inshort，Icouldmakeneitherheadnortailon"t——TheCountdeGabalis，Translationaffixedtothesecondeditionofthe"RapeoftheLock。"
Ofalltheweaknesseswhichlittlemenrailagainst，thereisnonethattheyaremoreapttoridiculethanthetendencytobelieve。Andofallthesignsofacorruptheartandafeeblehead，thetendencyofincredulityisthesurest。
Realphilosophyseeksrathertosolvethantodeny。Whilewehear，everyday，thesmallpretenderstosciencetalkoftheabsurditiesofalchemyandthedreamofthePhilosopher"sStone，amoreeruditeknowledgeisawarethatbyalchemiststhegreatestdiscoveriesinsciencehavebeenmade，andmuchwhichstillseemsabstruse，hadwethekeytothemysticphraseologytheywerecompelledtoadopt，mightopenthewaytoyetmorenobleacquisitions。ThePhilosopher"sStoneitselfhasseemednovisionarychimeratosomeofthesoundestchemiststhateventhepresentcenturyhasproduced。(Mr。Disraeli，inhis"CuriositiesofLiterature"(article"Alchem")，afterquotingthesanguinejudgmentsofmodernchemistsastothetransmutationofmetals，observesofoneyetgreaterandmorerecentthanthosetowhichGlyndon"sthoughtscouldhavereferred，"SirHumphryDavytoldmethathedidnotconsiderthisundiscoveredartasimpossible；butshoulditeverbediscovered，itwouldcertainlybeuseless。")
MancannotcontradicttheLawsofNature。ButareallthelawsofNatureyetdiscovered？
"Givemeaproofofyourart，"saystherationalinquirer。"WhenIhaveseentheeffect，Iwillendeavour，withyou，toascertainthecauses。"
SomewhattotheaboveeffectwerethefirstthoughtsofClarenceGlyndononquittingZanoni。ButClarenceGlyndonwasno"rationalinquirer。"ThemorevagueandmysteriousthelanguageofZanoni，themoreitimposeduponhim。Aproofwouldhavebeensomethingtangible，withwhichhewouldhavesoughttograpple。
AnditwouldhaveonlydisappointedhiscuriositytofindthesupernaturalreducedtoNature。Heendeavouredinvain，atsomemomentsrousinghimselffromcredulitytothescepticismhedeprecated，toreconcilewhathehadheardwiththeprobablemotivesanddesignsofanimposter。UnlikeMesmerandCagliostro，Zanoni，whateverhispretensions，didnotmakethemasourceofprofit；norwasGlyndon"spositionorrankinlifesufficienttorenderanyinfluenceobtainedoverhismind，subservienttoschemes，whetherofavariceorambition。Yet，everandanon，withthesuspicionofworldlyknowledge，hestrovetopersuadehimselfthatZanonihadatleastsomesinisterobjectininducinghimtowhathisEnglishprideandmannerofthoughtconsideredaderogatorymarriagewiththepooractress。MightnotViolaandtheMysticbeinleaguewitheachother？Mightnotallthisjargonofprophecyandmenacebebutartificestodupehim？
HefeltanunjustresentmenttowardsViolaathavingsecuredsuchanally。Butwiththatresentmentwasmingledanaturaljealousy。Zanonithreatenedhimwithrivalry。Zanoni，who，whateverhischaracterorhisarts，possessedatleastalltheexternalattributesthatdazzleandcommand。Impatientofhisowndoubts，heplungedintothesocietyofsuchacquaintancesashehadmadeatNaples——chieflyartists，likehimself，menofletters，andtherichcommercialists，whowerealreadyvyingwiththesplendour，thoughdebarredfromtheprivileges，ofthenobles。FromtheseheheardmuchofZanoni，alreadywiththem，aswiththeidlerclasses，anobjectofcuriosityandspeculation。
Hehadnoticed，asathingremarkable，thatZanonihadconversedwithhiminEnglish，andwithacommandofthelanguagesocompletethathemighthavepassedforanative。Ontheotherhand，inItalian，Zanoniwasequallyatease。Glyndonfoundthatitwasthesameinlanguageslessusuallylearnedbyforeigners。
ApainterfromSweden，whohadconversedwithhim，waspositivethathewasaSwede；andamerchantfromConstantinople，whohadsoldsomeofhisgoodstoZanoni，professedhisconvictionthatnonebutaTurk，oratleastanativeoftheEast，couldhavesothoroughlymasteredthesoftOrientalintonations。Yetinalltheselanguages，whentheycametocomparetheirseveralrecollections，therewasaslight，scarceperceptibledistinction，notinpronunciation，norevenaccent，butinthekeyandchime，asitwere，ofthevoice，betweenhimselfandanative。ThisfacultywasonewhichGlyndoncalledtomind，thatsect，whosetenetsandpowershaveneverbeenmorethanmostpartiallyexplored，theRosicrucians，especiallyarrogated。HerememberedtohaveheardinGermanyoftheworkofJohnBringeret(Printedin1615。)，assertingthatallthelanguagesoftheearthwereknowntothegenuineBrotherhoodoftheRosyCross。DidZanonibelongtothismysticalFraternity，who，inanearlierage，boastedofsecretsofwhichthePhilosopher"sStonewasbuttheleast；whoconsideredthemselvestheheirsofallthattheChaldeans，theMagi，theGymnosophists，andthePlatonistshadtaught；andwhodifferedfromallthedarkerSonsofMagicinthevirtueoftheirlives，thepurityoftheirdoctrines，andtheirinsisting，asthefoundationofallwisdom，onthesubjugationofthesenses，andtheintensityofReligiousFaith？——aglorioussect，iftheyliednot!And，intruth，ifZanonihadpowersbeyondtheraceofworldlysages，theyseemednotunworthilyexercised。Thelittleknownofhislifewasinhisfavour。Someacts，notofindiscriminate，butjudiciousgenerosityandbeneficence，wererecorded；inrepeatingwhich，still，however，thenarratorsshooktheirheads，andexpressedsurprisehowastrangershouldhavepossessedsominuteaknowledgeofthequietandobscuredistresseshehadrelieved。Twoorthreesickpersons，whenabandonedbytheirphysicians，hehadvisited，andconferredwithalone。Theyhadrecovered:theyascribedtohimtheirrecovery；yettheycouldnottellbywhatmedicinestheyhadbeenhealed。Theycouldonlydeposethathecame，conversedwiththem，andtheywerecured；itusually，however，happenedthatadeepsleephadprecededtherecovery。
Anothercircumstancewasalsobeginningtoberemarked，andspokeyetmoreinhiscommendation。Thosewithwhomheprincipallyassociated——thegay，thedissipated，thethoughtless，thesinnersandpublicansofthemorepolishedworld——allappearedrapidly，yetinsensiblytothemselves，toawakentopurerthoughtsandmoreregulatedlives。EvenCetoxa，theprinceofgallants，duellists，andgamesters，wasnolongerthesamemansincethenightofthesingulareventswhichhehadrelatedtoGlyndon。
Thefirsttraceofhisreformwasinhisretirementfromthegaming-houses；thenextwashisreconciliationwithanhereditaryenemyofhishouse，whomithadbeenhisconstantobjectforthelastsixyearstoentangleinsuchaquarrelasmightcallforthhisinimitablemanoeuvreofthestoccata。NorwhenCetoxaandhisyoungcompanionswereheardtospeakofZanoni，diditseemthatthischangehadbeenbroughtaboutbyanysoberlecturesoradmonitions。TheyalldescribedZanoniasamankeenlyalivetoenjoyment:ofmannersthereverseofformal，——notpreciselygay，butequable，serene，andcheerful；everreadytolistentothetalkofothers，howeveridle，ortocharmallearswithaninexhaustiblefundofbrilliantanecdoteandworldlyexperience。
Allmanners，allnations，allgradesofmen，seemedfamiliartohim。Hewasreservedonlyifallusionwereeverventuredtohisbirthorhistory。
Themoregeneralopinionofhisorigincertainlyseemedthemoreplausible。Hisriches，hisfamiliaritywiththelanguagesoftheEast，hisresidenceinIndia，acertaingravitywhichneverdesertedhismostcheerfulandfamiliarhours，thelustrousdarknessofhiseyesandhair，andeventhepeculiaritiesofhisshape，inthedelicatesmallnessofthehands，andtheArab-liketurnofthestatelyhead，appearedtofixhimasbelongingtooneatleastoftheOrientalraces。AndadabblerintheEasterntonguesevensoughttoreducethesimplenameofZanoni，whichacenturybeforehadbeenbornebyaninoffensivenaturalistofBologna(Theauthoroftwoworksonbotanyandrareplants。)，totheradicalsoftheextinctlanguage。ZanwasunquestionablytheChaldeanappellationforthesun。EventheGreeks，whomutilatedeveryOrientalname，hadretainedtherightoneinthiscase，astheCretaninscriptiononthetombofZeus(OdemegaskeitaiZan——"CyrilcontraJulian。"(HereliesgreatJove。))
significantlyshowed。Astotherest，theZan，orZaun，was，withtheSidonians，nouncommonprefixtoOn。AdoniswasbutanothernameforZanonas，whoseworshipinSidonHesychiusrecords。TothisprofoundandunanswerablederivationMervalelistenedwithgreatattention，andobservedthathenowventuredtoannounceaneruditediscoveryhehimselfhadlongsincemade，——
namely，thatthenumerousfamilyofSmithsinEnglandwereundoubtedlytheancientpriestsofthePhrygianApollo。"For，"
saidhe，"wasnotApollo"ssurname，inPhrygia，Smintheus？Howclearalltheensuingcorruptionsoftheaugustname，——Smintheus，Smitheus，Smithe，Smith!Andevennow，Imayremarkthatthemoreancientbranchesofthatillustriousfamily，unconsciouslyanxioustoapproximateatleastbyaletternearertothetruetitle，takeapiouspleasureinwritingtheirnamesSmith_e_!"
Thephilologistwasmuchstruckwiththisdiscovery，andbeggedMervale"spermissiontonoteitdownasanillustrationsuitabletoaworkhewasabouttopublishontheoriginoflanguages，tobecalled"Babel，"andpublishedinthreequartosbysubscription。
CHAPTER2。VII。
Learntobepoorinspirit，myson，ifyouwouldpenetratethatsacrednightwhichenvironstruth。LearnoftheSagestoallowtotheDevilsnopowerinNature，sincethefatalstonehasshut"emupinthedepthoftheabyss。LearnofthePhilosophersalwaystolookfornaturalcausesinallextraordinaryevents；
andwhensuchnaturalcausesarewanting，recurtoGod——TheCountdeGabalis。
AlltheseadditionstohisknowledgeofZanoni，pickedupinthevariouslounging-placesandresortsthathefrequented，wereunsatisfactorytoGlyndon。ThatnightVioladidnotperformatthetheatre；andthenextday，stilldisturbedbybewilderedfancies，andaversetothesoberandsarcasticcompanionshipofMervale，Glyndonsaunteredmusinglyintothepublicgardens，andpausedundertheverytreeunderwhichhehadfirstheardthevoicethathadexerciseduponhismindsosingularaninfluence。
Thegardensweredeserted。Hethrewhimselfononeoftheseatsplacedbeneaththeshade；andagain，inthemidstofhisreverie，thesamecoldshuddercameoverhimwhichZanonihadsodistinctlydefined，andtowhichhehadascribedsoextraordinaryacause。
Herousedhimselfwithasuddeneffort，andstartedtosee，seatednexthim，afigurehideousenoughtohavepersonatedoneofthemalignantbeingsofwhomZanonihadspoken。Itwasasmallman，dressedinafashionstrikinglyatvariancewiththeelaboratecostumeoftheday:anaffectationofhomelinessandpovertyapproachingtosqualor，intheloosetrousers，coarseasaship"ssail；intheroughjacket，whichappearedrentwilfullyintoholes；andtheblack，ragged，tangledlocksthatstreamedfromtheirconfinementunderawoollencap，accordedbutillwithotherdetailswhichspokeofcomparativewealth。Theshirt，openatthethroat，wasfastenedbyabroochofgaudystones；andtwopendentmassivegoldchainsannouncedthefopperyoftwowatches。
Theman"sfigure，ifnotabsolutelydeformed，wasyetmarvellouslyill-favoured；hisshouldershighandsquare；hischestflattened，asifcrushedin；hisglovelesshandswereknottedatthejoints，and，large，bony，andmuscular，dangledfromlean，emaciatedwrists，asifnotbelongingtothem。Hisfeatureshadthepainfuldistortionsometimesseeninthecountenanceofacripple，——large，exaggerated，withthenosenearlytouchingthechin；theeyessmall，butglowingwithacunningfireastheydweltonGlyndon；andthemouthwastwistedintoagrinthatdisplayedrowsofjagged，black，brokenteeth。
Yetoverthisfrightfulfacetherestillplayedakindofdisagreeableintelligence，anexpressionatonceastuteandbold；
andasGlyndon，recoveringfromthefirstimpression，lookedagainathisneighbour，heblushedathisowndismay，andrecognisedaFrenchartist，withwhomhehadformedanacquaintance，andwhowaspossessedofnoinconsiderabletalentsinhiscalling。
Indeed，itwastoberemarkedthatthiscreature，whoseexternalsweresodesertedbytheGraces，particularlydelightedindesignsaspiringtomajestyandgrandeur。Thoughhiscolouringwashardandshallow，aswasthatgenerallyoftheFrenchschoolatthetime，hisDRAWINGSwereadmirableforsymmetry，simpleelegance，andclassicvigour；atthesametimetheyunquestionablywantedidealgrace。HewasfondofselectingsubjectsfromRomanhistory，ratherthanfromthecopiousworldofGrecianbeauty，orthosestillmoresublimestoriesofscripturalrecordfromwhichRaphaelandMichaelAngeloborrowedtheirinspirations。Hisgrandeurwasthatnotofgodsandsaints，butmortals。Hisdelineationofbeautywasthatwhichtheeyecannotblameandthesouldoesnotacknowledge。Inaword，asitwassaidofDionysius，hewasanAnthropographos，orPainterofMen。Itwasalsoanotablecontradictioninthisperson，whowasaddictedtothemostextravagantexcessesineverypassion，whetherofhateorlove，implacableinrevenge，andinsatiableindebauch，thathewasinthehabitofutteringthemostbeautifulsentimentsofexaltedpurityandgenialphilanthropy。Theworldwasnotgoodenoughforhim；hewas，tousetheexpressiveGermanphrase，A
WORLD-BETTERER!Nevertheless，hissarcasticlipoftenseemedtomockthesentimentsheuttered，asifitsoughttoinsinuatethathewasaboveeventheworldhewouldconstruct。
Finally，thispainterwasinclosecorrespondencewiththeRepublicansofParis，andwasheldtobeoneofthosemissionarieswhom，fromtheearliestperiodoftheRevolution，theregeneratorsofmankindwerepleasedtodespatchtothevariousstatesyetshackled，whetherbyactualtyrannyorwholesomelaws。Certainly，asthehistorianofItaly(Botta。)
hasobserved，therewasnocityinItalywherethesenewdoctrineswouldbereceivedwithgreaterfavourthanNaples，partlyfromthelivelytemperofthepeople，principallybecausethemosthatefulfeudalprivileges，howeverpartiallycurtailedsomeyearsbeforebythegreatminister，Tanuccini，stillpresentedsomanydailyandpracticalevilsastomakechangewearamoresubstantialcharmthanthemereandmeretriciousbloomonthecheekoftheharlot，Novelty。Thisman，whomIwillcallJeanNicot，was，therefore，anoracleamongtheyoungerandbolderspiritsofNaples；andbeforeGlyndonhadmetZanoni，theformerhadnotbeenamongtheleastdazzledbytheeloquentaspirationsofthehideousphilanthropist。
"Itissolongsincewehavemet，cherconfrere，"saidNicot，drawinghisseatnearertoGlyndon"s，"thatyoucannotbesurprisedthatIseeyouwithdelight，andeventakethelibertytointrudeonyourmeditations。
"Theywereofnoagreeablenature，"saidGlyndon；"andneverwasintrusionmorewelcome。"
"Youwillbecharmedtohear，"saidNicot，drawingseverallettersfromhisbosom，"thatthegoodworkproceedswithmarvellousrapidity。Mirabeau，indeed，isnomore；but，mortDiable!theFrenchpeoplearenowaMirabeauthemselves。"Withthisremark，MonsieurNicotproceededtoreadandtocommentuponseveralanimatedandinterestingpassagesinhiscorrespondence，inwhichthewordvirtuewasintroducedtwenty-seventimes，andGodnotonce。Andthen，warmedbythecheeringprospectsthusopenedtohim，hebegantoindulgeinthoseanticipationsofthefuture，theoutlineofwhichwehavealreadyseenintheeloquentextravaganceofCondorcet。AlltheoldvirtuesweredethronedforanewPantheon:patriotismwasanarrowsentiment；