第9章

Glyndonrecoveredhimself，andspedonward。Below，heheardthevoiceofMervalecallingonhim，thoughhenolongersawhisform。Thesoundservedasaguide。Dizzyandbreathless，heboundedforward；when——hark!——asullen，slowrollingsoundedinhisear!Hehalted，——andturnedbacktogaze。Thefirehadoverfloweditscourse；ithadopeneditselfachannelamidstthefurrowsofthemountain。Thestreampursuedhimfast——fast；andthehotbreathofthechasingandpreternaturalfoecamecloserandcloseruponhischeek!Heturnedaside；heclimbeddesperatelywithhandsandfeetuponacragthat，totheright，brokethescathedandblastedlevelofthesoil。Thestreamrolledbesideandbeneathhim，andthentakingasuddenwindroundthespotonwhichhestood，interposeditsliquidfire，——abroadandimpassablebarrierbetweenhisresting-placeandescape。Therehestood，cutofffromdescent，andwithnoalternativebuttoretracehisstepstowardsthecrater，andthenceseek，withoutguideorclew，someotherpathway。

Foramomenthiscouragelefthim；hecriedindespair，andinthatoverstrainedpitchofvoicewhichisneverheardafaroff，totheguide，toMervale，toreturntoaidhim。

Noanswercame；andtheEnglishman，thusabandonedsolelytohisownresources，felthisspiritandenergyriseagainstthedanger。Heturnedback，andventuredasfartowardsthecraterasthenoxiousexhalationwouldpermit；then，gazingbelow，carefullyanddeliberatelyhechalkedoutforhimselfapathbywhichhetrustedtoshunthedirectionthefire-streamhadtaken，andtrodfirmlyandquicklyoverthecrumblingandheatedstrata。

Hehadproceededaboutfiftyyards，whenhehaltedabruptly；anunspeakableandunaccountablehorror，nothithertoexperiencedamidstallhisperil，cameoverhim。Heshookineverylimb；hismusclesrefusedhiswill，——hefelt，asitwere，palsiedanddeath-stricken。Thehorror，Isay，wasunaccountable，forthepathseemedclearandsafe。Thefire，aboveandbehind，burnedclearandfar；andbeyond，thestarslenthimtheircheeringguidance。Noobstaclewasvisible，——nodangerseemedathand。

Asthus，spell-bound，andpanic-stricken，hestoodchainedtothesoil，——hisbreastheaving，largedropsrollingdownhisbrow，andhiseyesstartingwildlyfromtheirsockets，——hesawbeforehim，atsomedistance，graduallyshapingitselfmoreandmoredistinctlytohisgaze，acolossalshadow；ashadowthatseemedpartiallyborrowedfromthehumanshape，butimmeasurablyabovethehumanstature；vague，dark，almostformless；anddiffering，hecouldnottellwhereorwhy，notonlyfromtheproportions，butalsofromthelimbsandoutlineofman。

Theglareofthevolcano，thatseemedtoshrinkandcollapsefromthisgiganticandappallingapparition，neverthelessthrewitslight，redlyandsteadily，uponanothershapethatstoodbeside，quietandmotionless；anditwas，perhaps，thecontrastofthesetwothings——theBeingandtheShadow——thatimpressedthebeholderwiththedifferencebetweenthem，——theManandtheSuperhuman。

Itwasbutforamoment——nay，forthetenthpartofamoment——

thatthissightwaspermittedtothewanderer。Asecondeddyofsulphureousvapoursfromthevolcano，yetmorerapidly，yetmoredenselythanitspredecessor，rolledoverthemountain；andeitherthenatureoftheexhalation，ortheexcessofhisowndread，wassuch，thatGlyndon，afteronewildgaspforbreath，fellsenselessontheearth。

CHAPTER3。XI。

Washab"ich，WennichnichtAlleshabe？——sprachderJungling。

"DasVerschleierteBildzuSais。"

("WhathaveI，ifIpossessnotAll？"saidtheyouth。)

MervaleandtheItaliansarrivedinsafetyatthespotwheretheyhadleftthemules；andnottilltheyhadrecoveredtheirownalarmandbreathdidtheythinkofGlyndon。Butthen，astheminutespassed，andheappearednot，Mervale，whoseheartwasasgoodatleastashumanheartsareingeneral，grewseriouslyalarmed。Heinsistedonreturningtosearchforhisfriend；andbydintofprodigalpromisesprevailedatlastontheguidetoaccompanyhim。Thelowerpartofthemountainlaycalmandwhiteinthestarlight；andtheguide"spractisedeyecoulddiscernallobjectsonthesurfaceataconsiderabledistance。Theyhadnot，however，goneveryfar，beforetheyperceivedtwoformsslowlyapproachingthem。

Astheycamenear，Mervalerecognisedtheformofhisfriend。

"ThankHeaven，heissafe!"hecried，turningtotheguide。

"Holyangelsbefriendus!"saidtheItalian，trembling，——"beholdtheverybeingthatcrossedmelastFridaynight。Itishe，buthisfaceishumannow!"

"SignorInglese，"saidthevoiceofZanoni，asGlyndon——pale，wan，andsilent——returnedpassivelythejoyousgreetingofMervale，——"SignorInglese，Itoldyourfriendthatweshouldmeetto-night。YouseeyouhaveNOTfoiledmyprediction。"

"Buthow？——butwhere？"stammeredMervale，ingreatconfusionandsurprise。

"Ifoundyourfriendstretchedontheground，overpoweredbythemephiticexhalationofthecrater。Iborehimtoapureratmosphere；andasIknowthemountainwell，Ihaveconductedhimsafelytoyou。Thisisallourhistory。Yousee，sir，thatwereitnotforthatprophecywhichyoudesiredtofrustrate，yourfriendwoulderethistimehavebeenacorpse；oneminutemore，andthevapourhaddoneitswork。Adieu；goodnight，andpleasantdreams。"

"But，mypreserver，youwillnotleaveus？"saidGlyndon，anxiously，andspeakingforthefirsttime。"Willyounotreturnwithus？"

Zanonipaused，anddrewGlyndonaside。"Youngman，"saidhe，gravely，"itisnecessarythatweshouldagainmeetto-night。Itisnecessarythatyoushould，erethefirsthourofmorning，decideonyourownfate。Iknowthatyouhaveinsultedherwhomyouprofesstolove。Itisnottoolatetorepent。Consultnotyourfriend:heissensibleandwise；butnotnowishiswisdomneeded。Therearetimesinlifewhen，fromtheimagination，andnotthereason，shouldwisdomcome，——this，foryou，isoneofthem。Iasknotyouranswernow。Collectyourthoughts，——

recoveryourjadedandscatteredspirits。Itwantstwohoursofmidnight。BeforemidnightIwillbewithyou。"

"Incomprehensiblebeing!"repliedtheEnglishman，"Iwouldleavethelifeyouhavepreservedinyourownhands；butwhatIhaveseenthisnighthassweptevenViolafrommythoughts。Afiercerdesirethanthatofloveburnsinmyveins，——thedesirenottoresemblebuttosurpassmykind；thedesiretopenetrateandtosharethesecretofyourownexistence——thedesireofapreternaturalknowledgeandunearthlypower。Imakemychoice。

Inmyancestor"sname，Iadjureandremindtheeofthypledge。

Instructme；schoolme；makemethine；andIsurrendertotheeatonce，andwithoutamurmur，thewomanwhom，tillIsawthee，I

wouldhavedefiedaworldtoobtain。"

"Ibidtheeconsiderwell:ontheonehand，Viola，atranquilhome，ahappyandserenelife；ontheotherhand，allisdarkness，——darkness，thateventheseeyescannotpenetrate。"

"Butthouhasttoldme，thatifIwedViola，Imustbecontentedwiththecommonexistence，——ifIrefuse，itistoaspiretothyknowledgeandthypower。"

"Vainman，knowledgeandpowerarenothappiness。"

"Buttheyarebetterthanhappiness。Say!——ifImarryViola，wiltthoubemymaster，——myguide？Saythis，andIamresolved。

"Itwereimpossible。"

"ThenIrenounceher？Irenouncelove。Irenouncehappiness。

Welcomesolitude，——welcomedespair；iftheyaretheentrancestothydarkandsublimesecret。"

"Iwillnottakethyanswernow。Beforethelasthourofnightthoushaltgiveitinoneword，——ayorno!Farewelltillthen。"

Zanoniwavedhishand，and，descendingrapidly，wasseennomore。

Glyndonrejoinedhisimpatientandwonderingfriend；butMervale，gazingonhisface，sawthatagreatchangehadpassedthere。

Theflexileanddubiousexpressionofyouthwasforevergone。

Thefeatureswerelocked，rigid，andstern；andsofadedwasthenaturalbloom，thatanhourseemedtohavedonetheworkofyears。

CHAPTER3。XII。

Wasist"sDashinterdiesemSchleiersichverbirgt？

"DasVerschleierteBildzuSais。"

(Whatisitthatconcealsitselfbehindthisveil？)

OnreturningfromVesuviusorPompeii，youenterNaplesthroughitsmostanimated，itsmostNeapolitanquarter，——throughthatquarterinwhichmodernlifemostcloselyresemblestheancient；

andinwhich，when，onafair-day，thethoroughfareswarmsalikewithIndolenceandTrade，youareimpressedatoncewiththerecollectionofthatrestless，livelyracefromwhichthepopulationofNaplesderivesitsorigin；sothatinonedayyoumayseeatPompeiithehabitationsofaremoteage；andontheMole，atNaples，youmayimagineyoubeholdtheverybeingswithwhomthosehabitationshadbeenpeopled。

Butnow，astheEnglishmenrodeslowlythroughthedesertedstreets，lightedbutbythelampsofheaven，allthegayetyofdaywashushedandbreathless。Hereandthere，stretchedunderaporticooradingybooth，weresleepinggroupsofhouselessLazzaroni，——atribenowmergingitsindolentindividualityamidstanenergeticandactivepopulation。

TheEnglishmanrodeoninsilence；forGlyndonneitherappearedtoheednorhearthequestionsandcommentsofMervale，andMervalehimselfwasalmostaswearyasthejadedanimalhebestrode。

Suddenlythesilenceofearthandoceanwasbrokenbythesoundofadistantclockthatproclaimedthequarterprecedingthelasthourofnight。Glyndonstartedfromhisreverie，andlookedanxiouslyround。Asthefinalstrokedied，thenoiseofhoofsrungonthebroadstonesofthepavement，andfromanarrowstreettotherightemergedtheformofasolitaryhorseman。HenearedtheEnglishmen，andGlyndonrecognisedthefeaturesandmienofZanoni。

"What!dowemeetagain，signor？"saidMervale，inavexedbutdrowsytone。

"YourfriendandIhavebusinesstogether，"repliedZanoni，ashewheeledhissteedtothesideofGlyndon。"Butitwillbesoontransacted。Perhapsyou，sir，willrideontoyourhotel。"

"Alone!"

"Thereisnodanger!"returnedZanoni，withaslightexpressionofdisdaininhisvoice。

"Nonetome；buttoGlyndon？"

"Dangerfromme!Ah，perhapsyouareright。"

"Goon，mydearMervale，"saidGlyndon；"Iwilljoinyoubeforeyoureachthehotel。"

Mervalenodded，whistled，andpushedhishorseintoakindofamble。

"Nowyouranswer，——quick？"

"Ihavedecided。TheloveofViolahasvanishedfrommyheart。

Thepursuitisover。"

"Youhavedecided？"

"Ihave；andnowmyreward。"

"Thyreward!Well；erethishourto-morrowitshallawaitthee。"

Zanonigavethereintohishorse；itsprangforwardwithabound:thesparksflewfromitshoofs，andhorseandriderdisappearedamidsttheshadowsofthestreetwhencetheyhademerged。

Mervalewassurprisedtoseehisfriendbyhisside，aminuteaftertheyhadparted。

"WhathaspassedbetweenyouandZanoni？"

"Mervale，donotaskmeto-night!Iaminadream。"

"Idonotwonderatit，forevenIaminasleep。Letuspushon。"

Intheretirementofhischamber，Glyndonsoughttorecollecthisthoughts。Hesatdownonthefootofhisbed，andpressedhishandstightlytohisthrobbingtemples。Theeventsofthelastfewhours；theapparitionofthegiganticandshadowyCompanionoftheMystic，amidstthefiresandcloudsofVesuvius；thestrangeencounterwithZanonihimself，onaspotinwhichhecouldnever，byordinaryreasoning，havecalculatedonfindingGlyndon，filledhismindwithemotions，inwhichterrorandawetheleastprevailed。Afire，thetrainofwhichhadbeenlonglaid，waslightedathisheart，——theasbestos-firethat，oncelit，isnevertobequenched。Allhisearlyaspirations——hisyoungambition，hislongingsforthelaurel——weremergedinonepassionateyearningtosurpasstheboundsofthecommonknowledgeofman，andreachthatsolemnspot，betweentwoworlds，onwhichthemysteriousstrangerappearedtohavefixedhishome。

Farfromrecallingwithrenewedaffrighttheremembranceoftheapparitionthathadsoappalledhim，therecollectiononlyservedtokindleandconcentratehiscuriosityintoaburningfocus。Hehadsaidaright，——LOVEHADVANISHEDFROMHISHEART；therewasnolongeraserenespaceamidstitsdisorderedelementsforhumanaffectiontomoveandbreathe。Theenthusiastwasraptfromthisearth；andhewouldhavesurrenderedallthatmortalbeautyeverpromised，thatmortalhopeeverwhispered，foronehourwithZanonibeyondtheportalsofthevisibleworld。

Herose，oppressedandfeveredwiththenewthoughtsthatragedwithinhim，andthrewopenhiscasementforair。Theoceanlaysuffusedinthestarrylight，andthestillnessoftheheavensnevermoreeloquentlypreachedthemoralityofreposetothemadnessofearthlypassions。ButsuchwasGlyndon"smoodthattheirveryhushonlyservedtodeepenthewilddesiresthatpreyeduponhissoul；andthesolemnstars，thataremysteriesinthemselves，seemed，byakindredsympathy，toagitatethewingsofthespiritnolongercontentedwithitscage。Ashegazed，astarshotfromitsbrethren，andvanishedfromthedepthofspace!

CHAPTER3。XIII。

O，begone!

ByHeaven，Ilovetheebetterthanmyself，ForIcamehitherarmedagainstmyself。

"RomeoandJuliet。"

TheyoungactressandGionettahadreturnedfromthetheatre；andViolafatiguedandexhausted，hadthrownherselfonasofa，whileGionettabusiedherselfwiththelongtresseswhich，releasedfromthefilletthatboundthem，half-concealedtheformoftheactress，likeaveilofthreadsofgold。Asshesmoothedtheluxuriantlocks，theoldnurserangossipingonaboutthelittleeventsofthenight，thescandalandpoliticsofthescenesandthetireroom。Gionettawasaworthysoul。Almanzor，inDryden"stragedyof"Almahide，"didnotchangesideswithmoregallantindifferencethantheexemplarynurse。ShewasatlastgrievedandscandalisedthatViolahadnotselectedonechosencavalier。

Butthechoicesheleftwhollytoherfaircharge。ZegriorAbencerrage，GlyndonorZanoni，ithadbeenthesametoher，exceptthattherumoursshehadcollectedrespectingthelatter，combinedwithhisownrecommendationsofhisrival，hadgivenherpreferencetotheEnglishman。SheinterpretedilltheimpatientandheavysighwithwhichViolagreetedherpraisesofGlyndon，andherwonderthathehadoflatesoneglectedhisattentionsbehindthescenes，andsheexhaustedallherpowersofpanegyricuponthesupposedobjectofthesigh。"Andthen，too，"shesaid，"ifnothingelseweretobesaidagainsttheothersignor，itisenoughthatheisabouttoleaveNaples。"

"LeaveNaples!——Zanoni？"

"Yes，darling!InpassingbytheMoleto-day，therewasacrowdroundsomeoutlandish-lookingsailors。Hisshiparrivedthismorning，andanchorsinthebay。Thesailorssaythattheyaretobepreparedtosailwiththefirstwind；theyweretakinginfreshstores。They——"

"Leaveme，Gionetta!Leaveme!"

ThetimehadalreadypassedwhenthegirlcouldconfideinGionetta。Herthoughtshadadvancedtothatpointwhentheheartrecoilsfromallconfidence，andfeelsthatitcannotbecomprehended。Alonenow，intheprincipalapartmentofthehouse，shepaceditsnarrowboundarieswithtremulousandagitatedsteps:sherecalledthefrightfulsuitofNicot，——theinjurioustauntofGlyndon；andshesickenedattheremembranceofthehollowapplauseswhich，bestowedontheactress，notthewoman，onlysubjectedhertocontumelyandinsult。Inthatroomtherecollectionofherfather"sdeath，thewitheredlaurelandthebrokenchords，rosechillinglybeforeher。Hers，shefelt，wasayetgloomierfate，——thechordsmaybreakwhilethelaurelisyetgreen。Thelamp，waninginitssocket，burnedpaleanddim，andhereyesinstinctivelyturnedfromthedarkercorneroftheroom。Orphan，bythehearthofthyparent，dostthoufearthepresenceofthedead!

AndwasZanoniindeedabouttoquitNaples？Shouldsheseehimnomore？Oh，fool，tothinkthattherewasgriefinanyotherthought!Thepast!——thatwasgone!Thefuture!——therewasnofuturetoher，Zanoniabsent!ButthiswasthenightofthethirddayonwhichZanonihadtoldherthat，comewhatmight，hewouldvisitheragain。Itwas，then，ifshemightbelievehim，someappointedcrisisinherfate；andhowshouldshetellhimofGlyndon"shatefulwords？Thepureandtheproudmindcanneverconfideitswrongstoanother，onlyitstriumphsanditshappiness。ButatthatlatehourwouldZanonivisither，——couldshereceivehim？Midnightwasathand。Stillinundefinedsuspense，inintenseanxiety，shelingeredintheroom。Thequarterbeforemidnightsounded，dullanddistant。Allwasstill，andshewasabouttopasstohersleeping-room，whensheheardthehoofsofahorseatfullspeed；thesoundceased，therewasaknockatthedoor。Herheartbeatviolently；butfeargavewaytoanothersentimentwhensheheardavoice，toowellknown，callingonhername。Shepaused，andthen，withthefearlessnessofinnocence，descendedandunbarredthedoor。

Zanonienteredwithalightandhastystep。Hishorseman"scloakfittedtightlytohisnobleform，andhisbroadhatthrewagloomyshadeoverhiscommandingfeatures。

Thegirlfollowedhimintotheroomshehadjustleft，tremblingandblushingdeeply，andstoodbeforehimwiththelampsheheldshiningupwardonhercheekandthelonghairthatfelllikeashoweroflightoverthehalf-cladshouldersandheavingbust。

"Viola，"saidZanoni，inavoicethatspokedeepemotion，"Iambythysideoncemoretosavethee。Notamomentistobelost。

Thoumustflywithme，orremainthevictimofthePrincedi。

IwouldhavemadethechargeInowundertakeanother"s；thouknowestIwould，——thouknowestit!——butheisnotworthyofthee，thecoldEnglishman!Ithrowmyselfatthyfeet；havetrustinme，andfly。"

Hegraspedherhandpassionatelyashedroppedonhisknee，andlookedupintoherfacewithhisbright，beseechingeyes。

"Flywiththee!"saidViola，scarcebelievinghersenses。

"Withme。Name，fame，honour，——allwillbesacrificedifthoudostnot。"

"Then——then，"saidthewildgirl，falteringly，andturningasideherface，——"thenIamnotindifferenttothee；thouwouldstnotgivemetoanother？"

Zanoniwassilent；buthisbreastheaved，hischeeksflushed，hiseyesdarteddarkandimpassionedfire。

"Speak!"exclaimedViola，injealoussuspicionofhissilence。

"Indifferenttome!No；butIdarenotyetsaythatIlovethee。"

"Thenwhatmattersmyfate？"saidViola，turningpale，andshrinkingfromhisside；"leaveme，——Ifearnodanger。Mylife，andthereforemyhonour，isinmineownhands。"

"Benotsomad，"saidZanoni。"Hark!doyouheartheneighofmysteed？——itisanalarmthatwarnsusoftheapproachingperil。

Haste，oryouarelost!"

"Whydostthoucareforme？"saidthegirl，bitterly。"Thouhastreadmyheart；thouknowestthatthouartbecomethelordofmydestiny。Buttobeboundbeneaththeweightofacoldobligation；tobethebeggarontheeyesofindifference；tocastmyselfononewholovesmenot，——THATwereindeedthevilestsinofmysex。Ah，Zanoni，ratherletmedie!"

Shehadthrownbackherclusteringhairfromherfacewhileshespoke；andasshenowstood，withherarmsdroopingmournfully，andherhandsclaspedtogetherwiththeproudbitternessofherwaywardspirit，givingnewzestandcharmtohersingularbeauty，itwasimpossibletoconceiveasightmoreirresistibletotheeyeandtheheart。

"Temptmenottothineowndanger，——perhapsdestruction!"

exclaimedZanoni，infalteringaccents。"Thoucanstnotdreamofwhatthouwouldstdemand，——come!"and，advancing，hewoundhisarmroundherwaist。"Come，Viola；believeatleastinmyfriendship，myhonour，myprotection——"

"Andnotthylove，"saidtheItalian，turningonhimherreproachfuleyes。Thoseeyesmethis，andhecouldnotwithdrawfromthecharmoftheirgaze。Hefeltherheartthrobbingbeneathhisown；herbreathcamewarmuponhischeek。Hetrembled，——HE!thelofty，themysteriousZanoni，whoseemedtostandalooffromhisrace。Withadeepandburningsigh，hemurmured，"Viola，Ilovethee!Oh!"hecontinuedpassionately，and，releasinghishold，hethrewhimselfabruptlyatherfeet，"Inomorecommand，——aswomanshouldbewooed，Iwoothee。Fromthefirstglanceofthoseeyes，fromthefirstsoundofthyvoice，thoubecamesttoofatallydeartome。Thouspeakestoffascination，——itlivesanditbreathesinthee!IfledfromNaplestoflyfromthypresence，——itpursuedme。Months，yearspassed，andthysweetfacestillshoneuponmyheart。I

returned，becauseIpicturedtheealoneandsorrowfulintheworld，andknewthatdangers，fromwhichImightsavethee，weregatheringneartheeandaround。BeautifulSoul!whoseleavesI

havereadwithreverence，itwasforthysake，thinealone，thatIwouldhavegiventheetoonewhomightmaketheehappieronearththanIcan。Viola!Viola!thouknowestnot——nevercanstthouknow——howdearthouarttome!"

Itisinvaintoseekforwordstodescribethedelight——theproud，thefull，thecomplete，andtheentiredelight——thatfilledtheheartoftheNeapolitan。Hewhomshehadconsideredtooloftyevenforlove，——morehumbletoherthanthoseshehadhalf-despised!Shewassilent，buthereyesspoketohim；andthenslowly，asaware，atlast，thatthehumanlovehadadvancedontheideal，sheshrankintotheterrorsofamodestandvirtuousnature。Shedidnotdare，——shedidnotdreamtoaskhimthequestionshehadsofearlesslymadetoGlyndon；butshefeltasuddencoldness，——asensethatabarrierwasyetbetweenloveandlove。"Oh，Zanoni!"shemurmured，withdowncasteyes，"askmenottoflywiththee；temptmenottomyshame。Thouwouldstprotectmefromothers。Oh，protectmefromthyself!"

"Poororphan!"saidhe，tenderly，"andcanstthouthinkthatI

askfromtheeonesacrifice，——stilllessthegreatestthatwomancangivetolove？AsmywifeIwoothee，andbyeverytie，andbyeveryvowthatcanhallowandendearaffection。Alas!theyhavebeliedlovetotheeindeed，ifthoudostnotknowthereligionthatbelongstoit!Theywhotrulylovewouldseek，forthetreasuretheyobtain，everybondthatcanmakeitlastingandsecure。Viola，weepnot，unlessthougivestmetheholyrighttokissawaythytears!"

Andthatbeautifulface，nomoreaverted，droopeduponhisbosom；

andashebentdown，hislipssoughttherosymouth:alongandburningkiss，——danger，life，theworldwasforgotten!SuddenlyZanonitorehimselffromher。

"Hearestthouthewindthatsighs，anddiesaway？Asthatwind，mypowertopreservethee，toguardthee，toforeseethestorminthyskies，isgone。Nomatter。Haste，haste；andmaylovesupplythelossofallthatithasdaredtosacrifice!Come。"

Violahesitatednomore。Shethrewhermantleoverhershoulders，andgatheredupherdishevelledhair；amoment，andshewasprepared，whenasuddencrashwasheardbelow。

"Toolate!——foolthatIwas，toolate!"criedZanoni，inasharptoneofagony，ashehurriedtothedoor。Heopenedit，onlytobebornebackbythepressofarmedmen。Theroomliterallyswarmedwiththefollowersoftheravisher，masked，andarmedtotheteeth。

Violawasalreadyinthegraspoftwoofthemyrmidons。HershrieksmotetheearofZanoni。Hesprangforward；andViolaheardhiswildcryinaforeigntongue。Shesawthebladesoftheruffianspointedathisbreast!Shelosthersenses；andwhensherecovered，shefoundherselfgagged，andinacarriagethatwasdrivenrapidly，bythesideofamaskedandmotionlessfigure。Thecarriagestoppedattheportalsofagloomymansion。

Thegatesopenednoiselessly；abroadflightofsteps，brilliantlyillumined，wasbeforeher。ShewasinthepalaceofthePrincedi。

CHAPTER3。XIV。

Malasciamo，perDio，Signore，ormaiDiparlard"ira，edicantardimorte。

"OrlandoFurioso，"Cantoxvii。xvii。

(Butleaveme，Isolemnlyconjurethee，signor，tospeakofwrath，andtosingofdeath。)

Theyoungactresswasledto，andleftaloneinachamberadornedwithalltheluxuriousandhalf-EasterntastethatatonetimecharacterisedthepalacesofthegreatseigneursofItaly。HerfirstthoughtwasforZanoni。Washeyetliving？Hadheescapedunscathedthebladesofthefoe，——hernewtreasure，thenewlightofherlife，herlord，atlastherlover？

Shehadshorttimeforreflection。Sheheardstepsapproachingthechamber；shedrewback，buttremblednot。Acouragenotofherself，neverknownbefore，sparkledinhereyes，anddilatedherstature。Livingordead，shewouldbefaithfulstilltoZanoni!Therewasanewmotivetothepreservationofhonour。

Thedooropened，andtheprinceenteredinthegorgeousandgaudycustumestillwornatthattimeinNaples。

"Fairandcruelone，"saidhe，advancingwithahalf-sneeruponhislip，"thouwiltnottooharshlyblametheviolenceoflove。"

Heattemptedtotakeherhandashespoke。

"Nay，"saidhe，assherecoiled，"reflectthatthouartnowinthepowerofonethatneverfalteredinthepursuitofanobjectlessdeartohimthanthouart。Thylover，presumptuousthoughhebe，isnotbytosavethee。Minethouart；butinsteadofthymaster，suffermetobethyslave。"

"Prince，"saidViola，withasterngravity，"yourboastisinvain。Yourpower!IamNOTinyourpower。Lifeanddeathareinmyownhands。Iwillnotdefy；butIdonotfearyou。I

feel——andinsomefeelings，"addedViola，withasolemnityalmostthrilling，"thereisallthestrength，andallthedivinityofknowledge——IfeelthatIamsafeevenhere；butyou——you，Princedi——，havebroughtdangertoyourhomeandhearth!"

TheNeapolitanseemedstartledbyanearnestnessandboldnesshewasbutlittlepreparedfor。Hewasnot，however，amaneasilyintimidatedordeterredfromanypurposehehadformed；and，approachingViola，hewasabouttoreplywithmuchwarmth，realoraffected，whenaknockwasheardatthedoorofthechamber。

Thesoundwasrepeated，andtheprince，chafedattheinterruption，openedthedooranddemandedimpatientlywhohadventuredtodisobeyhisorders，andinvadehisleisure。Mascaripresentedhimself，paleandagitated:"Mylord，"saidhe，inawhisper，"pardonme；butastrangerisbelow，whoinsistsonseeingyou；and，fromsomewordsheletfall，Ijudgeditadvisableeventoinfringeyourcommands。"

"Astranger!——andatthishour!Whatbusinesscanhepretend？

Whywasheevenadmitted？"

"Heassertsthatyourlifeisinimminentdanger。ThesourcewhenceitproceedshewillrelatetoyourExcellencyalone。"

Theprincefrowned；buthiscolourchanged。Hemusedamoment，andthen，re-enteringthechamberandadvancingtowardsViola，hesaid，——

"Believeme，faircreature，Ihavenowishtotakeadvantageofmypower。Iwouldfaintrustalonetothegentlerauthoritiesofaffection。Holdyourselfqueenwithinthesewallsmoreabsolutelythanyouhaveeverenactedthatpartonthestage。

To-night，farewell!Mayyoursleepbecalm，andyourdreamspropitioustomyhopes。"

Withthesewordsheretired，andinafewmomentsViolawassurroundedbyofficiousattendants，whomsheatlength，withsomedifficulty，dismissed；and，refusingtoretiretorest，shespentthenightinexaminingthechamber，whichshefoundwassecured，andinthoughtsofZanoni，inwhosepowershefeltanalmostpreternaturalconfidence。

Meanwhiletheprincedescendedthestairsandsoughttheroomintowhichthestrangerhadbeenshown。

Hefoundthevisitorwrappedfromheadtofootinalongrobe，half-gown，half-mantle，suchaswassometimeswornbyecclesiastics。Thefaceofthisstrangerwasremarkable。Sosunburntandswarthywerehishues，thathemust，apparently，havederivedhisoriginamongsttheracesofthefarthestEast。

Hisforeheadwaslofty，andhiseyessopenetratingyetsocalmintheirgazethattheprinceshrankfromthemasweshrinkfromaquestionerwhoisdrawingforththeguiltiestsecretofourhearts。

"Whatwouldyouwithme？"askedtheprince，motioninghisvisitortoaseat。

"Princeof——，"saidthestranger，inavoicedeepandsweet，butforeigninitsaccent，——"sonofthemostenergeticandmasculineracethateverappliedgodlikegeniustotheserviceofHumanWill，withitswindingwickednessanditsstubborngrandeur；

descendantofthegreatViscontiinwhosechroniclesliesthehistoryofItalyinherpalmyday，andinwhoserisewasthedevelopmentofthemightiestintellect，ripenedbythemostrestlessambition，——Icometogazeuponthelaststarinadarkeningfirmament。Bythishourto-morrowspaceshallknowitnot。Man，unlessthywholenaturechange，thydaysarenumbered!"

"Whatmeansthisjargon？"saidtheprince，invisibleastonishmentandsecretawe。"Comestthoutomenacemeinmyownhalls，orwouldstthouwarnmeofadanger？Artthousomeitinerantmountebank，orsomeunguessed-offriend？Speakout，andplainly。Whatdangerthreatensme？"

"Zanoniandthyancestor"ssword，"repliedthestranger。

"Ha!ha!"saidtheprince，laughingscournfully；"I

half-suspectedtheefromthefirst。Thouartthentheaccompliceorthetoolofthatmostdexterous，but，atpresent，defeatedcharlatan？AndIsupposethouwilttellmethatifIweretoreleaseacertaincaptiveIhavemade，thedangerwouldvanish，andthehandofthedialwouldbeputback？"

"Judgeofmeasthouwilt，Princedi。IconfessmyknowledgeofZanoni。Thou，too，wiltknowhispower，butnottillitconsumethee。Iwouldsave，thereforeIwarnthee。Dostthouaskmewhy？Iwilltellthee。Canstthouremembertohaveheardwildtalesofthygrandsire；ofhisdesireforaknowledgethatpassesthatoftheschoolsandcloisters；ofastrangemanfromtheEastwhowashisfamiliarandmasterinloreagainstwhichtheVaticanhas，fromagetoage，launcheditsmimicthunder？

Dostthoucalltomindthefortunesofthyancestor？——howhesucceededinyouthtolittlebutaname；how，afteracareerwildanddissoluteasthine，hedisappearedfromMilan，apauper，andaself-exile；how，afteryearsspent，noneknewinwhatclimesorinwhatpursuits，heagainrevisitedthecitywherehisprogenitorshadreigned；howwithhimcamethewisemanoftheEast，themysticMejnour；howtheywhobeheldhim，beheldwithamazeandfearthattimehadploughednofurrowonhisbrow；thatyouthseemedfixed，asbyaspell，uponhisfaceandform？Dostthounotknowthatfromthathourhisfortunesrose？Kinsmenthemostremotedied；estateuponestatefellintothehandsoftheruinednoble。Hebecametheguideofprinces，thefirstmagnateofItaly。Hefoundedanewthehouseofwhichthouartthelastlinealupholder，andtransferredhissplendourfromMilantotheSicilianrealms。Visionsofhighambitionwerethenpresentwithhimnightlyanddaily。Hadhelived，Italywouldhaveknownanewdynasty，andtheViscontiwouldhavereignedoverMagna-

Graecia。Hewasamansuchastheworldrarelysees；buthisends，tooearthly，wereatwarwiththemeanshesought。Hadhisambitionbeenmoreorless，hehadbeenworthyofarealmmightierthantheCaesarsswayed；worthyofoursolemnorder；

worthyofthefellowshipofMejnour，whomyounowbeholdbeforeyou。"

Theprince，whohadlistenedwithdeepandbreathlessattentiontothewordsofhissingularguest，startedfromhisseatathislastwords。"Imposter!"hecried，"canyoudarethustoplaywithmycredulity？Sixtyyearshaveflownsincemygrandsiredied；wereheliving，hehadpassedhishundredandtwentiethyear；andyou，whoseoldageiserectandvigorous，havetheassurancetopretendtohavebeenhiscontemporary!Butyouhaveimperfectlylearnedyourtale。Youknownot，itseems，thatmygrandsire，wiseandillustriousindeed，inallsavehisfaithinacharlatan，wasfounddeadinhisbed，intheveryhourwhenhiscolossalplanswereripeforexecution，andthatMejnourwasguiltyofhismurder。"

"Alas!"answeredthestranger，inavoiceofgreatsadness，"hadhebutlistenedtoMejnour，——hadhebutdelayedthelastandmostperilousordealofdaringwisdomuntiltherequisitetrainingandinitiationhadbeencompleted，——yourancestorwouldhavestoodwithmeuponaneminencewhichthewatersofDeathitselfwasheverlastingly，butcannotoverflow。Yourgrandsireresistedmyferventprayers，disobeyedmymostabsolutecommands，andinthesublimerashnessofasoulthatpantedforsecrets，whichhewhodesiresorbsandsceptresnevercanobtain，perished，thevictimofhisownfrenzy。"

"Hewaspoisoned，andMejnourfled。"

"Mejnourflednot，"answeredthestranger，proudly——"Mejnourcouldnotflyfromdanger；fortohimdangerisathinglongleftbehind。Itwasthedaybeforetheduketookthefataldraftwhichhebelievedwastoconferonthemortaltheimmortalboon，that，findingmypoweroverhimwasgone，Iabandonedhimtohisdoom。Butatrucewiththis:Ilovedyourgrandsire!Iwouldsavethelastofhisrace。OpposenotthyselftoZanoni。Yieldnotthysoultothineevilpassions。Drawbackfromtheprecipicewhilethereisyettime。Inthyfront，andinthineeyes，Idetectsomeofthatdivinerglorywhichbelongedtothyrace。Thouhastintheesomegermsoftheirhereditarygenius，buttheyarechokedupbyworsethanthyhereditaryvices。

Recollectthatbygeniusthyhouserose；byviceiteverfailedtoperpetuateitspower。Inthelawswhichregulatetheuniverse，itisdecreedthatnothingwickedcanlongendure。Bewise，andlethistorywarnthee。Thoustandestonthevergeoftwoworlds，thepastandthefuture；andvoicesfromeithershriekomeninthyear。Ihavedone。Ibidtheefarewell!"

"Notso；thoushaltnotquitthesewalls。Iwillmakeexperimentofthyboastedpower。What，hothere!——ho!"

Theprinceshouted；theroomwasfilledwithhisminions。

"Seizethatman!"hecried，pointingtothespotwhichhadbeenfilledbytheformofMejnour。Tohisinconceivableamazeandhorror，thespotwasvacant。Themysteriousstrangerhadvanishedlikeadream；butathinandfragrantmistundulated，inpalevolumes，roundthewallsofthechamber。"Looktomylord，"

criedMascari。Theprincehadfallentothefloorinsensible。

Formanyhoursheseemedinakindoftrance。Whenherecovered，hedismissedhisattendants，andhisstepwasheardinhischamber，pacingtoandfro，withheavyanddisorderedstrides。

Nottillanhourbeforehisbanquetthenextdaydidheseemrestoredtohiswontedself。

CHAPTER3。XV。

Oime!comeposs"ioAltritrovar，semetrovarnonposso。

"Amint。，"At。i。Sc。ii。

(Alas!howcanIfindanotherwhenIcannotfindmyself？)

ThesleepofGlyndon，thenightafterhislastinterviewwithZanoni，wasunusuallyprofound；andthesunstreamedfulluponhiseyesasheopenedthemtotheday。Heroserefreshed，andwithastrangesentimentofcalmnessthatseemedmoretheresultofresolutionthanexhaustion。Theincidentsandemotionsofthepastnighthadsettledintodistinctandclearimpressions。Hethoughtofthembutslightly，——hethoughtratherofthefuture。

HewasasoneoftheinitiatedintheoldEgyptianmysterieswhohavecrossedthegateonlytolongmoreardentlyforthepenetralia。

Hedressedhimself，andwasrelievedtofindthatMervalehadjoinedapartyofhiscountrymenonanexcursiontoIschia。Hespenttheheatofnooninthoughtfulsolitude，andgraduallytheimageofViolareturnedtohisheart。Itwasaholy——foritwasaHUMAN——image。Hehadresignedher；andthoughherepentednot，hewastroubledatthethoughtthatrepentancewouldhavecometoolate。

Hestartedimpatientlyfromhisseat，andstrodewithrapidstepstothehumbleabodeoftheactress。

Thedistancewasconsiderable，andtheairoppressive。Glyndonarrivedatthedoorbreathlessandheated。Heknocked；noanswercame。Heliftedthelatchandentered。Heascendedthestairs；

nosound，nosightoflifemethisearandeye。Inthefrontchamber，onatable，laytheguitaroftheactress，andsomemanuscriptpartsinthefavouriteoperas。Hepaused，and，summoningcourage，tappedatthedoorwhichseemedtoleadintotheinnerapartment。Thedoorwasajar；and，hearingnosoundwithin，hepusheditopen。Itwasthesleeping-chamberoftheyoungactress，thatholiestgroundtoalover；andwelldidtheplacebecomethepresidingdeity:noneofthetawdryfineryoftheprofessionwasvisible，ontheonehand；noneoftheslovenlydisordercommontothehumblerclassesoftheSouth，ontheother。Allwaspureandsimple；eventheornamentswerethoseofaninnocentrefinement，——afewbooks，placedcarefullyonshelves，afewhalf-fadedflowersinanearthenvase，whichwasmodelledandpaintedintheEtruscanfashion。Thesunlightstreamedoverthesnowydraperiesofthebed，andafewarticlesofclothingonthechairbesideit。Violawasnotthere；butthenurse!——wasshegonealso？HemadethehouseresoundwiththenameofGionetta，buttherewasnotevenanechotoreply。Atlast，ashereluctantlyquittedthedesolateabode，heperceivedGionettacomingtowardshimfromthestreet。

Thepooroldwomanutteredanexclamationofjoyonseeinghim；

but，totheirmutualdisappointment，neitherhadanycheerfultidingsorsatisfactoryexplanationtoaffordtheother。

Gionettahadbeenarousedfromherslumberthenightbeforebythenoiseintheroomsbelow；butereshecouldmustercouragetodescend，Violawasgone!Shefoundthemarksofviolenceonthedoorwithout；andallshehadsincebeenabletolearnintheneighbourhoodwas，thataLazzarone，fromhisnocturnalresting-