第8章
"Formerly，whenIwastoappearuponthestage，myheartbeatmoreloudly。Itrembledtoencountertheaudience，whosebreathgaveshameorrenown；andnowIhavenofearofthem。Iseethem，heedthem，hearthemnot!Iknowthattherewillbemusicinmyvoice，foritisahymnthatIpourtothee。Thounevercomesttothetheatre；andthatnolongergrievesme。Thouartbecometoosacredtoappearapartofthecommonworld，andI
feelgladthatthouartnotbywhencrowdshavearighttojudgeme……
"AndhespoketomeofANOTHER:toanotherhewouldconsignme!
No，itisnotlovethatIfeelforthee，Zanoni；orwhydidI
heartheewithoutanger，whydidthycommandseemtomenotathingimpossible？Asthestringsoftheinstrumentobeythehandofthemaster，thylookmodulatesthewildestchordsofmyhearttothywill。Ifitpleasethee，——yes，letitbeso。Thouartlordofmydestinies；theycannotrebelagainstthee!IalmostthinkIcouldlovehim，whoeveritbe，onwhomthouwouldstshedtheraysthatcircumfusethyself。Whateverthouhasttouched，I
love；whateverthouspeakestof，Ilove。Thyhandplayedwiththesevineleaves；Iweartheminmybosom。Thouseemesttomethesourceofalllove；toohighandtoobrighttobelovedthyself，butdartinglightintootherobjects，onwhichtheeyecangazelessdazzled。No，no；itisnotlovethatIfeelforthee，andthereforeitisthatIdonotblushtonourishandconfessit。ShameonmeifIloved，knowingmyselfsoworthlessathingtothee!……
"ANOTHER!——mymemoryechoesbackthatword。Another!DostthoumeanthatIshallseetheenomore？Itisnotsadness，——itisnotdespairthatseizesme。Icannotweep。Itisanuttersenseofdesolation。Iamplungedbackintothecommonlife；andI
shuddercoldlyatthesolitude。ButIwillobeythee，ifthouwilt。ShallInotseetheeagainbeyondthegrave？Ohowsweetitweretodie!
"WhydoInotstrugglefromthewebinwhichmywillisthusentangled？Hastthouarighttodisposeofmethus？Givemeback——givemebackthelifeIknewbeforeIgavelifeitselfawaytothee。Givemebackthecarelessdreamsofmyyouth，——mylibertyofheartthatsungaloudasitwalkedtheearth。Thouhastdisenchantedmeofeverythingthatisnotofthyself。Wherewasthesin，atleast，tothinkofthee，——toseethee？Thykissstillglowsuponmyhand；isthathandminetobestow？Thykissclaimedandhallowedittothyself。Stranger，IwillNOTobeythee……
"Anotherday，——onedayofthefatalthreeisgone!Itisstrangetomethatsincethesleepofthelastnight，adeepcalmhassettleduponmybreast。Ifeelsoassuredthatmyverybeingisbecomeapartofthee，thatIcannotbelievethatmylifecanbeseparatedfromthine；andinthisconvictionIrepose，andsmileevenatthywordsandmyownfears。Thouartfondofonemaxim，whichthourepeatestinathousandforms，——thatthebeautyofthesoulisfaith；thatasideallovelinesstothesculptor，faithistotheheart；thatfaith，rightlyunderstood，extendsoveralltheworksoftheCreator，whomwecanknowbutthroughbelief；
thatitembracesatranquilconfidenceinourselves，andaserenereposeastoourfuture；thatitisthemoonlightthatswaysthetidesofthehumansea。ThatfaithIcomprehendnow。Irejectalldoubt，allfear。IknowthatIhaveinextricablylinkedthewholethatmakestheinnerlifetothee；andthoucanstnottearmefromthee，ifthouwouldst!Andthischangefromstruggleintocalmcametomewithsleep，——asleepwithoutadream；butwhenIwoke，itwaswithamysterioussenseofhappiness，——anindistinctmemoryofsomethingblessed，——asifthouhadstcastfromafaroffasmileuponmyslumber。AtnightIwassosad；
notablossomthathadnotcloseditselfup，asifnevermoretoopentothesun；andthenightitself，intheheartasontheearth，hasripenedtheblossomsintoflowers。Theworldisbeautifuloncemore，butbeautifulinrepose，——notabreezestirsthytree，notadoubtmysoul!"
CHAPTER3。VI。
TuveggaoperviolenziaoperingannoPatireodisonoreomortaldanno。
"OrlandoFurioso，"Cant。xlii。i。
(Thouartabout，eitherthroughviolenceorartifice，tosuffereitherdishonourormortalloss。)
Itwasasmallcabinet；thewallswerecoveredwithpictures，oneofwhichwasworthmorethanthewholelineageoftheownerofthepalace。Oh，yes!Zanoniwasright。ThepainterISamagician；thegoldheatleastwringsfromhiscrucibleisnodelusion。AVenetiannoblemightbeafribble，oranassassin，——
ascoundrel，oradolt；worthless，orworsethanworthless，yethemighthavesattoTitian，andhisportraitmaybeinestimable，——afewinchesofpaintedcanvasathousandtimesmorevaluablethanamanwithhisveinsandmuscles，brain，will，heart，andintellect!
Inthiscabinetsatamanofaboutthree-and-forty，——dark-eyed，sallow，withshort，prominentfeatures，amassiveconformationofjaw，andthick，sensual，butresolutelips；thismanwasthePrincedi。Hisform，abovethemiddleheight，andratherinclinedtocorpulence，wascladinaloosedressing-robeofrichbrocade。Onatablebeforehimlayanold-fashionedswordandhat，amask，diceanddice-box，aportfolio，andaninkstandofsilvercuriouslycarved。
"Well，Mascari，"saidtheprince，lookinguptowardshisparasite，whostoodbytheembrasureofthedeep-setbarricadoedwindow，——"well!theCardinalsleepswithhisfathers。Irequirecomfortforthelossofsoexcellentarelation；andwhereamoredulcetvoicethanViolaPisani"s？"
"IsyourExcellencyserious？SosoonafterthedeathofhisEminence？"
"Itwillbethelesstalkedof，andIthelesssuspected。Hastthouascertainedthenameoftheinsolentwhobaffledusthatnight，andadvisedtheCardinalthenextday？"
"Notyet。"
"SapientMascari!Iwillinformthee。ItwasthestrangeUnknown。"
"TheSignorZanoni!Areyousure，myprince？"
"Mascari，yes。Thereisatoneinthatman"svoicethatInevercanmistake；soclear，andsocommanding，whenIhearitIalmostfancythereissuchathingasconscience。However，wemustridourselvesofanimpertinent。Mascari，SignorZanonihathnotyethonouredourpoorhousewithhispresence。Heisadistinguishedstranger，——wemustgiveabanquetinhishonour。"
"Ah，andtheCypruswine!Thecypressisaproperemblemofthegrave。"
"Butthisanon。Iamsuperstitious；therearestrangestoriesofZanoni"spowerandforesight；rememberthedeathofUghelli。Nomatter，thoughtheFiendwerehisally，heshouldnotrobmeofmyprize；no，normyrevenge。"
"YourExcellencyisinfatuated；theactresshasbewitchedyou。"
"Mascari，"saidtheprince，withahaughtysmile，"throughtheseveinsrollsthebloodoftheoldVisconti——ofthosewhoboastedthatnowomaneverescapedtheirlust，andnomantheirresentment。Thecrownofmyfathershasshrunkintoagewgawandatoy，——theirambitionandtheirspiritareundecayed!Myhonourisnowenlistedinthispursuit，——Violamustbemine!"
"Anotherambuscade？"saidMascari，inquiringly。
"Nay，whynotenterthehouseitself？——thesituationislonely，andthedoorisnotmadeofiron。"
"Butwhatif，onherreturnhome，shetellthetaleofourviolence？Ahouseforced，——avirginstolen!Reflect；thoughthefeudalprivilegesarenotdestroyed，evenaViscontiisnotnowabovethelaw。"
"Ishenot，Mascari？Fool!inwhatageoftheworld，eveniftheMadmenofFrancesucceedintheirchimeras，willtheironoflawnotbenditself，likeanosiertwig，tothestronghandofpowerandgold？Butlooknotsopale，Mascari；Ihaveforeplannedallthings。Thedaythatsheleavesthispalace，shewillleaveitforFrance，withMonsieurJeanNicot。"
BeforeMascaricouldreply，thegentlemanofthechamberannouncedtheSignorZanoni。
Theprinceinvoluntarilylaidhishandupontheswordplacedonthetable，thenwithasmileathisownimpulse，rose，andmethisvisitoratthethreshold，withalltheprofuseandrespectfulcourtesyofItaliansimulation。
"Thisisanhonourhighlyprized，"saidtheprince。"Ihavelongdesiredtoclaspthehandofonesodistinguished。"
"AndIgiveitinthespiritwithwhichyouseekit，"repliedZanoni。
TheNeapolitanbowedoverthehandhepressed；butashetoucheditashivercameoverhim，andhisheartstoodstill。Zanonibentonhimhisdark，smilingeyes，andthenseatedhimselfwithafamiliarair。
"Thusitissignedandsealed；Imeanourfriendship，nobleprince。AndnowIwilltellyoutheobjectofmyvisit。Ifind，Excellency，that，unconsciouslyperhaps，wearerivals。Canwenotaccommodateoutpretensions!"
"Ah!"saidtheprince，carelessly，"you，then，werethecavalierwhorobbedmeoftherewardofmychase。Allstratagemsfairinlove，asinwar。Reconcileourpretensions!Well，hereisthedice-box；letusthrowforher。Hewhocaststhelowestshallresignhisclaim。"
"Isthisadecisionbywhichyouwillpromisetobebound？"
"Yes，onmyfaith。"
"Andforhimwhobreakshiswordsoplighted，whatshallbetheforfeit？"
"Theswordliesnexttothedice-box，SignorZanoni。Lethimwhostandsnotbyhishonourfallbythesword。"
"Andyouinvokethatsentenceifeitherofusfailhisword？Beitso；letSignorMascaricastforus。"
"Wellsaid!——Mascari，thedice!"
Theprincethrewhimselfbackinhischair；and，world-hardenedashewas，couldnotsuppresstheglowoftriumphandsatisfactionthatspreaditselfoverhisfeatures。Mascaritookupthethreedice，andrattledthemnoisilyinthebox。Zanoni，leaninghischeekonhishand，andbendingoverthetable，fixedhiseyessteadfastlyontheparasite；Mascariinvainstruggledtoextricatefromthatsearchinggaze；hegrewpale，andtrembled，heputdownthebox。
"IgivethefirstthrowtoyourExcellency。SignorMascari，bepleasedtoterminateoursuspense。"
AgainMascaritookupthebox；againhishandshooksothatthedicerattledwithin。Hethrew；thenumbersweresixteen。
"Itisahighthrow，"saidZanoni，calmly；"nevertheless，SignorMascari，Idonotdespond。"
Mascarigatheredupthedice，shookthebox，androlledthecontentsoncemoreonthetable:thenumberwasthehighestthatcanbethrown，——eighteen。
Theprincedartedaglanceoffireathisminion，whostoodwithgapingmouth，staringatthedice，andtremblingfromheadtofoot。
"Ihavewon，yousee，"saidZanoni；"maywebefriendsstill？"
"Signor，"saidtheprince，obviouslystrugglingwithangerandconfusion，"thevictoryisyours。Butpardonme，youhavespokenlightlyofthisyounggirl，——willanythingtemptyoutoyieldyourclaim？"
"Ah，donotthinksoillofmygallantry；and，"resumedZanoni，withasternmeaninginhisvoice，"forgetnottheforfeityourownlipshavenamed。"
Theprinceknithisbrow，butconstrainedthehaughtyanswerthatwashisfirstimpulse。
"Enough!"hesaid，forcingasmile；"Iyield。LetmeprovethatIdonotyieldungraciously；willyoufavourmewithyourpresenceatalittlefeastIproposetogiveinhonour，"headded，withasardonicmockery，"oftheelevationofmykinsman，thelateCardinal，ofpiousmemory，tothetrueseatofSt。
Peter？"
"Itis，indeed，ahappinesstohearonecommandofyoursIcanobey。"
Zanonithenturnedtheconversation，talkedlightlyandgayly，andsoonafterwardsdeparted。
"Villain!"thenexclaimedtheprince，graspingMascaribythecollar，"youbetrayedme!"
"IassureyourExcellencythatthedicewereproperlyarranged；
heshouldhavethrowntwelve；butheistheDevil，andthat"stheendofit。"
"Thereisnotimetobelost，"saidtheprince，quittinghisholdofhisparasite，whoquietlyresettledhiscravat。
"Mybloodisup，——Iwillwinthisgirl，ifIdieforit!Whatnoiseisthat？"
"Itisbuttheswordofyourillustriousancestorthathasfallenfromthetable。"
CHAPTER3。VII。
Ilnefautappeleraucunordresicen"estentemsclairetserein。
"LesClaviculesduRabbiSalomon。"
(Noorderofspiritsmustbeinvokedunlesstheweatherbeclearandserene。)
LetterfromZanonitoMejnour。
Myartisalreadydimandtroubled。Ihavelostthetranquillitywhichispower。IcannotinfluencethedecisionsofthosewhomI
wouldmostguidetotheshore；Iseethemwanderfartheranddeeperintotheinfiniteoceanwhereourbarkssailevermoretothehorizonthatfliesbeforeus!AmazedandawedtofindthatI
canonlywarnwhereIwouldcontrol，Ihavelookedintomyownsoul。Itistruethatthedesiresofearthchainmetothepresent，andshutmefromthesolemnsecretswhichIntellect，purifiedfromallthedrossoftheclay，alonecanexamineandsurvey。Thesternconditiononwhichweholdournobleranddivinergiftsdarkensourvisiontowardsthefutureofthoseforwhomweknowthehumaninfirmitiesofjealousyorhateorlove。
Mejnour，allaroundmeismistandhaze；Ihavegonebackinoursublimeexistence；andfromthebosomoftheimperishableyouththatbloomsonlyinthespirit，springsupthedarkpoison-flowerofhumanlove。
Thismanisnotworthyofher，——Iknowthattruth；yetinhisnaturearetheseedsofgoodandgreatness，ifthetaresandweedsofworldlyvanitiesandfearswouldsufferthemtogrow。
Ifshewerehis，andIhadthustransplantedtoanothersoilthepassionthatobscuresmygazeanddisarmsmypower，unseen，unheard，unrecognised，Icouldwatchoverhisfate，andsecretlyprompthisdeeds，andministertoherwelfarethroughhisown。
Buttimerusheson!Throughtheshadowsthatencircleme，Isee，gatheringroundher，thedarkestdangers。Nochoicebutflight，——noescapesavewithhimorme。Withme!——therapturousthought，——theterribleconviction!Withme!Mejnour，canstthouwonderthatIwouldsaveherfrommyself？Amomentinthelifeofages，——abubbleontheshorelesssea。Whatelsetomecanbehumanlove？Andinthisexquisitenatureofhers，——morepure，morespiritual，eveninitsyoungaffectionsthaneverheretoforethecountlessvolumesoftheheart，raceafterrace，havegiventomygaze:thereisyetadeep-buriedfeelingthatwarnsmeofinevitablewoe。ThouaustereandremorselessHierophant，——thouwhohastsoughttoconverttoourbrotherhoodeveryspiritthatseemedtotheemosthighandbold，——eventhouknowest，byhorribleexperience，howvainthehopetobanishFEARfromtheheartofwoman。
Mylifewouldbetoheronemarvel。Evenif，ontheotherhand，Isoughttoguideherpaththroughtherealmsofterrortothelight，thinkoftheHaunteroftheThreshold，andshudderwithmeattheawfulhazard!IhaveendeavouredtofilltheEnglishman"sambitionwiththetruegloryofhisart；buttherestlessspiritofhisancestorstillseemstowhisperinhim，andtoattracttothespheresinwhichitlostitsownwanderingway。Thereisamysteryinman"sinheritancefromhisfathers。Peculiaritiesofthemind，asdiseasesofthebody，restdormantforgenerations，toreviveinsomedistantdescendant，bafflealltreatmentandeludeallskill。CometomefromthysolitudeamidstthewrecksofRome!Ipantforalivingconfidant，——foronewhointheoldtimehashimselfknownjealousyandlove。IhavesoughtcommunewithAdon-Ai；buthispresence，thatonceinspiredsuchheavenlycontentwithknowledge，andsosereneaconfidenceindestiny，nowonlytroublesandperplexesme。FromtheheightfromwhichI
strivetosearchintotheshadowsofthingstocome，Iseeconfusedspectresofmenaceandwrath。MethinksIbeholdaghastlylimittothewondrousexistenceIhaveheld，——methinksthat，afteragesoftheIdealLife，IseemycoursemergeintothemoststormywhirlpooloftheReal。Wherethestarsopenedtometheirgates，thereloomsascaffold，——thicksteamsofbloodriseasfromashambles。Whatismorestrangetome，acreaturehere，averytypeofthefalseidealofcommonmen，——bodyandmind，ahideousmockeryoftheartthatshapestheBeautiful，andthedesiresthatseekthePerfect，everhauntsmyvisionamidsttheseperturbedandbrokencloudsofthefatetobe。Bythatshadowyscaffolditstandsandgibbersatme，withlipsdroppingslimeandgore。Come，Ofriendofthefar-time；forme，atleast，thywisdomhasnotpurgedawaythyhumanaffections。
Accordingtothebondsofoursolemnorder，reducednowtotheeandmyself，lonesurvivorsofsomanyhaughtyandgloriousaspirants，thouartpledged，too，towarnthedescendantofthosewhomthycounselssoughttoinitiateintothegreatsecretinaformerage。ThelastofthatboldViscontiwhowasoncethypupilistherelentlesspersecutorofthisfairchild。Withthoughtsoflustandmurder，heisdigginghisowngrave；thoumayestyetdaunthimfromhisdoom。AndIalsomysteriously，bythesamebond，ampledgedtoobey，ifhesocommand，alessguiltydescendantofabaffledbutnoblerstudent。Ifherejectmycounsel，andinsistuponthepledge，Mejnour，thouwilthaveanotherneophyte。Bewareofanothervictim!Cometome!Thiswillreachtheewithallspeed。AnsweritbythepressureofonehandthatIcandaretoclasp!
CHAPTER3。VIII。
IllupoFerito，credo，miconobbee"ncontroMivenneconlaboccasanguinosa。
"Aminta，"At。iv。Sc。i。
(Thewoundedwolf，Ithink，knewme，andcametomeetmewithitsbloodymouth。)
AtNaples，thetombofVirgil，beetlingoverthecaveofPosilipo，isreverenced，notwiththefeelingsthatshouldhallowthememoryofthepoet，buttheawethatwrapsthememoryofthemagician。Tohischarmstheyascribethehollowingofthatmountainpassage；andtraditionyetguardshistombbythespiritshehadraisedtoconstructthecavern。Thisspot，intheimmediatevicinityofViola"shome，hadoftenattractedhersolitaryfootsteps。Shehadlovedthedimandsolemnfanciesthatbesetherasshelookedintothelengthenedgloomofthegrotto，or，ascendingtothetomb，gazedfromtherockonthedwarfedfiguresofthebusycrowdthatseemedtocreeplikeinsectsalongthewindingsofthesoilbelow；andnow，atnoon，shebentthitherherthoughtfulway。Shethreadedthenarrowpath，shepassedthegloomyvineyardthatclambersuptherock，andgainedtheloftyspot，greenwithmossandluxuriantfoliage，wherethedustofhimwhoyetsoothesandelevatesthemindsofmenisbelievedtorest。FromafarrosethehugefortressofSt。
Elmo，frowningdarklyamidstspiresanddomesthatglitteredinthesun。LulledinitsazuresplendourlaytheSiren"ssea；andthegreysmokeofVesuvius，inthecleardistance，soaredlikeamovingpillarintothelucidsky。Motionlessonthebrinkoftheprecipice，Violalookeduponthelovelyandlivingworldthatstretchedbelow；andthesullenvapourofVesuviusfascinatedhereyeyetmorethanthescatteredgardens，orthegleamingCaprea，smilingamidstthesmilesofthesea。Sheheardnotastepthathadfollowedheronherpathandstartedtohearavoiceathand。
Sosuddenwastheapparitionoftheformthatstoodbyherside，emergingfromthebushesthatcladthecrags，andsosingularlydiditharmoniseinitsuncouthuglinesswiththewildnatureofthesceneimmediatelyaroundher，andthewizardtraditionsoftheplace，thatthecolourlefthercheek，andafaintcrybrokefromherlips。
"Tush，prettytrembler!——donotbefrightenedatmyface，"saidtheman，withabittersmile。"Afterthreemonths"marriage，thereisnodifferentbetweenuglinessandbeauty。Customisagreatleveller。IwascomingtoyourhousewhenIsawyouleaveit；so，asIhavemattersofimportancetocommunicate，I
venturedtofollowyourfootsteps。MynameisJeanNicot，anamealreadyfavourablyknownasaFrenchartist。Theartofpaintingandtheartofmusicarenearlyconnected，andthestageisanaltarthatunitesthetwo。"
Therewassomethingfrankandunembarrassedintheman"saddressthatservedtodispelthefearhisappearancehadoccasioned。Heseatedhimself，ashespoke，onacragbesideher，and，lookingupsteadilyintoherface，continued:——
"Youareverybeautiful，ViolaPisani，andIamnotsurprisedatthenumberofyouradmirers。IfIpresumetoplacemyselfinthelist，itisbecauseIamtheonlyonewholovestheehonestly，andwoostheefairly。Nay，looknotsoindignant!Listentome。
HasthePrincedi——everspokentotheeofmarriage；orthebeautifulimposterZanoni，ortheyoungblue-eyedEnglishman，ClarenceGlyndon？Itismarriage，——itisahome，itissafety，itisreputation，thatIoffertothee；andtheselastwhenthestraightformgrowscrooked，andthebrighteyesdim。Whatsayyou？"andheattemptedtoseizeherhand。
Violashrunkfromhim，andsilentlyturnedtodepart。Heroseabruptlyandplacedhimselfonherpath。
"Actress，youmusthearme!Doyouknowwhatthiscallingofthestageisintheeyesofprejudice，——thatis，ofthecommonopinionofmankind？Itistobeaprincessbeforethelamps，andaPariahbeforetheday。Nomanbelievesinyourvirtue，nomancreditsyourvows；youarethepuppetthattheyconsenttotrickoutwithtinselfortheiramusement，notanidolfortheirworship。Areyousoenamouredofthiscareerthatyouscorneventothinkofsecurityandhonour？Perhapsyouaredifferentfromwhatyouseem。Perhapsyoulaughattheprejudicethatwoulddegradeyou，andwouldwiselyturnittoadvantage。Speakfranklytome；Ihavenoprejudiceeither。Sweetone，Iamsureweshouldagree。Now，thisPrincedi——，Ihaveamessagefromhim。ShallIdeliverit？"
NeverhadViolafeltasshefeltthen，neverhadshesothoroughlyseenalltheperilsofherforelornconditionandherfearfulrenown。Nicotcontinued:——
"Zanoniwouldbutamusehimselfwiththyvanity；Glyndonwoulddespisehimself，ifheofferedtheehisname，andthee，ifthouwouldstacceptit；butthePrincedi——isinearnest，andheiswealthy。Listen!"
AndNicotapproachedhislipstoher，andhissedasentencewhichshedidnotsufferhimtocomplete。Shedartedfromhimwithoneglanceofunutterabledisdain。Ashestrovetoregainhisholdofherarm，helosthisfooting，andfelldownthesidesoftherocktill，bruisedandlacerated，apine-branchsavedhimfromtheyawningabyssbelow。Sheheardhisexclamationofrageandpainassheboundeddownthepath，and，withoutonceturningtolookbehind，regainedherhome。BytheporchstoodGlyndon，conversingwithGionetta。Shepassedhimabruptly，enteredthehouse，and，sinkingonthefloor，weptloudandpassionately。
Glyndon，whohadfollowedherinsurprise，vainlysoughttosootheandcalmher。Shewouldnotreplytohisquestions；shedidnotseemtolistentohisprotestationsoflove，tillsuddenly，asNicot"sterriblepictureoftheworld"sjudgmentofthatprofessionwhichtoheryoungerthoughtshadseemedtheserviceofSongandtheBeautiful，forceditselfuponher，sheraisedherfacefromherhands，and，lookingsteadilyupontheEnglishman，said，"Falseone，dostthoutalkofmeoflove？"
"Bymyhonour，wordsfailtotelltheehowIlove!"
"Wiltthougivemethyhome，thyname？Dostthouwoomeasthywife？"Andatthatmoment，hadGlyndonansweredashisbetterangelwouldhavecounselled，perhaps，inthatrevolutionofherwholemindwhichthewordsofNicothadeffected，whichmadeherdespiseherveryself，sickenofherloftydreams，despairofthefuture，anddistrustherwholeideal，——perhaps，Isay，inrestoringherself-esteem，——hewouldhavewonherconfidence，andultimatelysecuredherlove。Butagainstthepromptingofhisnoblernatureroseupatthatsuddenquestionallthosedoubtswhich，asZanonihadsowellimplied，madethetrueenemiesofhissoul。Washethussuddenlytobeentangledintoasnarelaidforhiscredulitybydeceivers？Wasshenotinstructedtoseizethemomenttoforcehimintoanavowalwhichprudencemustrepent？Wasnotthegreatactressrehearsingapremeditatedpart？Heturnedround，asthesethoughts，thechildrenoftheworld，passedacrosshim，forheliterallyfanciedthatheheardthesarcasticlaughofMervalewithout。Norwashedeceived。
Mervalewaspassingbythethreshold，andGionettahadtoldhimhisfriendwaswithin。Whodoesnotknowtheeffectoftheworld"slaugh？Mervalewasthepersonationoftheworld。Thewholeworldseemedtoshoutderisioninthoseringingtones。Hedrewback，——herecoiled。Violafollowedhimwithherearnest，impatienteyes。Atlast，hefalteredforth，"Doallofthyprofession，beautifulViola，exactmarriageasthesoleconditionoflove？"Oh，bitterquestion!Oh，poisonedtaunt!Herepenteditthemomentafter。Hewasseizedwithremorseofreason，offeeling，andofconscience。Hesawherformshrink，asitwere，athiscruelwords。Hesawthecolourcomeandgo，toleavethewrithinglipslikemarble；andthen，withasad，gentlelookofself-pity，ratherthanreproach，shepressedherhandstightlytoherbosom，andsaid，——
"Hewasright!Pardonme，Englishman；Iseenow，indeed，thatI
amthePariahandtheoutcast。"
"Hearme。Iretract。Viola，Viola!itisforyoutoforgive!"
ButViolawavedhimfromher，and，smilingmournfullyasshepassedhimby，glidedfromthechamber；andhedidnotdaretodetainher。
CHAPTER3。IX。
Dafne:Ma，chilung"ed"Amor？
Tirsi:Chitemeefugge。
Dafne:Echegiovafuggirdaluich"hal"ali？
Tirsi:AMORNASCENTEHACORTEL"ALI!
"Aminta，"At。ii。Sc。ii。
(Dafne:But，whoisfarfromLove？
Tirsi:Hewhofearsandflies。
Dafne:Whatusetofleefromonewhohaswings？
Tirsi:ThewingsofLove，whileheyetgrows，areshort。)
WhenGlyndonfoundhimselfwithoutViola"shouse，Mervale，stillloiteringatthedoor，seizedhisarm。Glyndonshookhimoffabruptly。
"Thouandthycounsels，"saidhe，bitterly，"havemademeacowardandawretch。ButIwillgohome，——Iwillwritetoher。
Iwillpouroutmywholesoul；shewillforgivemeyet。"
Mervale，whowasamanofimperturbabletemper，arrangedhisruffles，whichhisfriend"sangrygesturehadalittlediscomposed，andnottillGlyndonhadexhaustedhimselfawhilebypassionateexclamationsandreproaches，didtheexperiencedanglerbegintotightentheline。HethendrewfromGlyndontheexplanationofwhathadpassed，andartfullysoughtnottoirritate，butsoothehim。Mervale，indeed，wasbynomeansabadman；hehadstrongermoralnotionsthanarecommonamongsttheyoung。Hesincerelyreprovedhisfriendforharbouringdishonourableintentionswithregardtotheactress。"BecauseI
wouldnothaveherthywife，Ineverdreamedthatthoushouldstdegradehertothymistress。Betterofthetwoanimprudentmatchthananillicitconnection。Butpauseyet，donotactontheimpulseofthemoment。"
"Butthereisnotimetolose。IhavepromisedtoZanonitogivehimmyanswerbyto-morrownight。Laterthanthattime，alloptionceases。"
"Ah!"saidMervale，"thisseemssuspicious。Explainyourself。"
AndGlyndon，intheearnestnessofhispassion，toldhisfriendwhathadpassedbetweenhimselfandZanoni，——suppressingonly，hescarceknewwhy，thereferencetohisancestorandthemysteriousbrotherhood。
ThisrecitalgavetoMervalealltheadvantagehecoulddesire。
Heavens!withwhatsound，shrewdcommon-sensehetalked。Howevidentlysomecharlataniccoalitionbetweentheactress，andperhaps，——whoknows？——herclandestineprotector，satedwithpossession!Howequivocalthecharacterofone，——thepositionoftheother!Whatcunninginthequestionoftheactress!HowprofoundlyhadGlyndon，atthefirstsuggestionofhissoberreason，seenthroughthesnare。What!washetobethusmysticallycajoledandhurriedintoarashmarriage，becauseZanoni，amerestranger，toldhimwithagravefacethathemustdecidebeforetheclockstruckacertainhour？
"Dothisatleast，"saidMervale，reasonablyenough，——"waittillthetimeexpires；itisbutanotherday。BaffleZanoni。Hetellstheethathewillmeettheebeforemidnightto-morrow，anddefiestheetoavoidhim。Pooh!letusquitNaplesforsomeneighbouringplace，where，unlesshebeindeedtheDevil，hecannotpossiblyfindus。Showhimthatyouwillnotbeledblindfoldevenintoanactthatyoumeditateyourself。Defertowritetoher，ortoseeher，tillafterto-morrow。ThisisallI
ask。Thenvisither，anddecideforyourself。"
Glyndonwasstaggered。Hecouldnotcombatthereasoningsofhisfriend；hewasnotconvinced，buthehesitated；andatthatmomentNicotpassedthem。Heturnedround，andstopped，ashesawGlyndon。
"Well，anddoyouthinkstillofthePisani？"
"Yes；andyou——"
"Haveseenandconversedwithher。SheshallbeMadameNicotbeforethisdayweek!Iamgoingtothecafe，intheToledo；andharkye，whennextyoumeetyourfriendSignorZanoni，tellhimthathehastwicecrossedmypath。JeanNicot，thoughapainter，isaplain，honestman，andalwayspayshisdebts。"
"Itisagooddoctrineinmoneymatters，"saidMervale；"astorevenge，itisnotsomoral，andcertainlynotsowise。ButisitinyourlovethatZanonihascrossedyourpath？Howthat，ifyoursuitprospersowell？"
"AskViolaPisanithatquestion。Bah!Glyndon，sheisaprudeonlytothee。ButIhavenoprejudices。Oncemore，farewell。"
"Rousethyself，man!"saidMervale，slappingGlyndonontheshoulder。"Whatthinkyouofyourfaironenow？"
"Thismanmustlie。"
"Willyouwritetoheratonce？"
"No；ifshebereallyplayingagame，Icouldrenounceherwithoutasigh。Iwillwatchherclosely；and，atallevents，Zanonishallnotbethemasterofmyfate。Letus，asyouadvise，leaveNaplesatdaybreakto-morrow。"
CHAPTER3。X。
Ochiunquetusia，chefuord"ogniusoPieghiNaturaadoprealtereestrane，E，spiandoisegreti，entrialpiuchiusoSpazi"atuavogliadellementiumane——
Deh，Dimmi!
"Gerus。Lib。，"Cant。x。xviii。
(Othou，whoeverthouart，whothrougheveryusebendestNaturetoworksforeignandstrange；andbyspyingintohersecrets，enterestatthywillintotheclosestrecessesofthehumanmind，——Ospeak!Otellme!)
EarlythenextmorningtheyoungEnglishmenmountedtheirhorses，andtooktheroadtowardsBaiae。Glyndonleftwordathishotel，thatifSignorZanonisoughthim，itwasintheneighbourhoodofthatoncecelebratedwatering-placeoftheancientsthatheshouldbefound。
TheypassedbyViola"shouse，butGlyndonresistedthetemptationofpausingthere；andafterthreadingthegrottoofPosilipo，theywoundbyacircuitousroutebackintothesuburbsofthecity，andtooktheoppositeroad，whichconductstoPorticiandPompeii。Itwaslateatnoonwhentheyarrivedattheformeroftheseplaces。Heretheyhaltedtodine；forMervalehadheardmuchoftheexcellenceofthemacaroniatPortici，andMervalewasabonvivant。
Theyputupataninnofveryhumblepretensions，anddinedunderanawning。Mervalewasmorethanusuallygay；hepressedthelacrimauponhisfriend，andconversedgayly。
"Well，mydearfriend，wehavefoiledSignorZanoniinoneofhispredictionsatleast。Youwillhavenofaithinhimhereafter。"
"Theidesarecome，notgone。"
"Tush!Ifhebethesoothsayer，youarenottheCaesar。Itisyourvanitythatmakesyoucredulous。ThankHeaven，IdonotthinkmyselfofsuchimportancethattheoperationsofNatureshouldbechangedinordertofrightenme。"
"ButwhyshouldtheoperationsofNaturebechanged？Theremaybeadeeperphilosophythanwedreamof，——aphilosophythatdiscoversthesecretsofNature，butdoesnotalter，bypenetrating，itscourses。"
"Ah，yourelapseintoyourhereticalcredulity；youseriouslysupposeZanonitobeaprophet，——areaderofthefuture；perhapsanassociateofgeniiandspirits!"
Herethelandlord，alittle，fat，oilyfellow，cameupwithafreshbottleoflacrima。HehopedtheirExcellencieswerepleased。Hewasmosttouched——touchedtotheheart，thattheylikedthemacaroni。WeretheirExcellenciesgoingtoVesuvius？
Therewasaslighteruption；theycouldnotseeitwheretheywere，butitwaspretty，andwouldbeprettierstillaftersunset。
"Acapitalidea!"criedMervale。"Whatsayyou，Glyndon？"
"Ihavenotyetseenaneruption；Ishouldlikeitmuch。"
"Butistherenodanger？"askedtheprudentMervale。
"Oh，notatall；themountainisverycivilatpresent。Itonlyplaysalittle，justtoamusetheirExcellenciestheEnglish。"
"Well，orderthehorses，andbringthebill；wewillgobeforeitisdark。Clarence，myfriend，——nuncestbibendum；buttakecareofthepedelibero，whichwillscarcedoforwalkingonlava!"
Thebottlewasfinished，thebillpaid；thegentlemenmounted，thelandlordbowed，andtheybenttheirway，inthecoolofthedelightfulevening，towardsResina。
Thewine，perhapstheexcitementofhisthoughts，animatedGlyndon，whoseunequalspiritswere，attimes，highandbrilliantasthoseofaschoolboyreleased；andthelaughteroftheNortherntouristssoundedoftandmerrilyalongthemelancholydomainsofburiedcities。
HesperushadlightedhislampamidsttherosyskiesastheyarrivedatResina。Heretheyquittedtheirhorses，andtookmulesandaguide。Astheskygrewdarkerandmoredark，themountainfireburnedwithanintenselustre。Invariousstreaksandstreamlets，thefountainofflamerolleddownthedarksummit，andtheEnglishmenbegantofeelincreaseuponthem，astheyascended，thatsensationofsolemnityandawewhichmakestheveryatmospherethatsurroundstheGiantofthePlainsoftheAntiqueHades。
Itwasnight，when，leavingthemules，theyascendedonfoot，accompaniedbytheirguide，andapeasantwhoborearudetorch。
Theguidewasaconversable，garrulousfellow，likemostofhiscountryandhiscalling；andMervale，whopossessedasociabletemper，lovedtoamuseortoinstructhimselfoneveryincidentaloccasion。
"Ah，Excellency，"saidtheguide，"yourcountrymenhaveastrongpassionforthevolcano。Longlifetothem，theybringusplentyofmoney!IfourfortunesdependedontheNeapolitans，weshouldstarve。"
"True，theyhavenocuriosity，"saidMervale。"Doyouremember，Glyndon，thecontemptwithwhichthatoldcountsaidtous，"YouwillgotoVesuvius，Isuppose？Ihaveneverbeen；whyshouldI
go？Youhavecold，youhavehunger，youhavefatigue，youhavedanger，andallfornothingbuttoseefire，whichlooksjustaswellinabrazierasonamountain。"Ha!ha!theoldfellowwasright。"
"But，Excellency，"saidtheguide，"thatisnotall:somecavaliersthinktoascendthemountainwithoutourhelp。Iamsuretheydeservetotumbleintothecrater。"
"Theymustbeboldfellowstogoalone；youdon"toftenfindsuch。"
"SometimesamongtheFrench，signor。Buttheothernight——I
neverwassofrightened——IhadbeenwithanEnglishparty，andaladyhadleftapocket-bookonthemountain，whereshehadbeensketching。Sheofferedmeahandsomesumtoreturnforit，andbringittoheratNaples。SoIwentintheevening。Ifoundit，sureenough，andwasabouttoreturn，whenIsawafigurethatseemedtoemergefromthecrateritself。TheairtherewassopestiferousthatIcouldnothaveconceivedahumancreaturecouldbreatheit，andlive。IwassoastoundedthatIstoodstillasastone，tillthefigurecameoverthehotashes，andstoodbeforeme，facetoface。SantaMaria，whatahead!"
"What!hideous？"
"No；sobeautiful，butsoterrible。Ithadnothinghumaninitsaspect。"
"Andwhatsaidthesalamander？"
"Nothing!Itdidnotevenseemtoperceiveme，thoughIwasnearasIamtoyou；butitseyesseemedtoemergepryingintotheair。Itpassedbymequickly，and，walkingacrossastreamofburninglava，soonvanishedontheothersideofthemountain。I
wascuriousandfoolhardy，andresolvedtoseeifIcouldbeartheatmospherewhichthisvisitorhadleft；butthoughIdidnotadvancewithinthirtyyardsofthespotatwhichhehadfirstappeared，Iwasdrivenbackbyavapourthatwellnighstifledme。
Cospetto!Ihavespatbloodeversince。"
"NowwillIlayawagerthatyoufancythisfire-kingmustbeZanoni，"whisperedMervale，laughing。
Thelittlepartyhadnowarrivednearlyatthesummitofthemountain；andunspeakablygrandwasthespectacleonwhichtheygazed。Fromthecrateraroseavapour，intenselydark，thatoverspreadthewholebackgroundoftheheavens；inthecentrewhereofroseaflamethatassumedaformsingularlybeautiful。
Itmighthavebeencomparedtoacrestofgiganticfeathers，thediademofthemountain，high-arched，anddroopingdownward，withthehuesdelicatelyshadedoff，andthewholeshiftingandtremulousastheplumageonawarrior"shelmet。
Theglareoftheflamespread，luminousandcrimson，overthedarkandruggedgroundonwhichtheystood，anddrewaninnumerablevarietyofshadowsfromcragandhollow。Anoppressiveandsulphureousexhalationservedtoincreasethegloomyandsublimeterroroftheplace。Butonturningfromthemountain，andtowardsthedistantandunseenocean，thecontrastwaswonderfullygreat；theheavenssereneandblue，thestarsstillandcalmastheeyesofDivineLove。ItwasasiftherealmsoftheopposingprinciplesofEvilandofGoodwerebroughtinoneviewbeforethegazeofman!Glyndon——oncemoretheenthusiast，theartist——wasenchainedandentrancedbyemotionsvagueandundefinable，halfofdelightandhalfofpain。
Leaningontheshoulderofhisfriend，hegazedaroundhim，andheardwithdeepeningawetherumblingoftheearthbelow，thewheelsandvoicesoftheMinistryofNatureinherdarkestandmostinscrutablerecess。Suddenly，asabombfromashell，ahugestonewasflunghundredsofyardsupfromthejawsofthecrater，andfallingwithamightycrashupontherockbelow，splitintotenthousandfragments，whichboundeddownthesidesofthemountain，sparklingandgroaningastheywent。Oneofthese，thelargestfragment，struckthenarrowspaceofsoilbetweentheEnglishmenandtheguide，notthreefeetfromthespotwheretheformerstood。Mervaleutteredanexclamationofterror，andGlyndonheldhisbreath，andshuddered。
"Diavolo!"criedtheguide。"Descend，Excellencies，——descend!wehavenotamomenttolose；followmeclose!"
Sosaying，theguideandthepeasantfledwithasmuchswiftnessastheywereabletobringtobear。Mervale，evermorepromptandreadythanhisfriend，imitatedtheirexample；andGlyndon，moreconfusedthanalarmed，followedclose。Buttheyhadnotgonemanyyards，before，witharushingandsuddenblast，camefromthecrateranenormousvolumeofvapour。Itpursued，——itovertook，itoverspreadthem。Itsweptthelightfromtheheavens。Allwasabruptandutterdarkness；andthroughthegloomwasheardtheshoutoftheguide，alreadydistant，andlostinaninstantamidstthesoundoftherushinggustandthegroansoftheearthbeneath。Glyndonpaused。Hewasseparatedfromhisfriend，fromtheguide。Hewasalone，——withtheDarknessandtheTerror。Thevapourrolledsullenlyaway；theformoftheplumedfirewasagaindimlyvisible，anditsstrugglingandperturbedreflectionagainshedaglowoverthehorrorsofthepath。