第10章
placeontheChiaja，hadseenbythemoonlightacarriage，whichherecognisedasbelongingtothePrincedi——，passandrepassthatroadaboutthefirsthourofmorning。Glyndon，ongatheringfromtheconfusedwordsandbrokensobsoftheoldnursetheheadsofthisaccount，abruptlylefther，andrepairedtothepalaceofZanoni。TherehewasinformedthatthesignorwasgonetothebanquetofthePrincedi——，andwouldnotreturntilllate。Glyndonstoodmotionlesswithperplexityanddismay；heknewnotwhattobelieve，orhowtoact。EvenMervalewasnotathandtoadvisehim。Hisconsciencesmotehimbitterly。Hehadhadthepowertosavethewomanhehadloved，andhadforegonethatpower；buthowwasitthatinthisZanonihimselfhadfailed？Howwasitthathewasgonetotheverybanquetoftheravisher？CouldZanonibeawareofwhathadpassed？Ifnot，shouldheloseamomentinapprisinghim？Thoughmentallyirresolute，nomanwasmorephysicallybrave。Hewouldrepairatoncetothepalaceoftheprincehimself；andifZanonifailedinthetrusthehadhalf-appearedtoarrogate，he，thehumbleforeigner，woulddemandthecaptiveoffraudandforce，intheveryhallsandbeforetheassembledguestsofthePrincedi。
CHAPTER3。XVI。
Arduavallaturdurissapientiascrupis。
Hadr。Jun。，"Emblem。"xxxvii。
(Loftywisdomiscircledroundwithruggedrocks。)
Wemustgobacksomehoursintheprogressofthisnarrative。Itwasthefirstfaintandgradualbreakofthesummerdawn；andtwomenstoodinabalconyoverhangingagardenfragrantwiththescentsoftheawakeningflowers。Thestarshadnotyetleftthesky，——thebirdswereyetsilentontheboughs:allwasstill，hushed，andtranquil；buthowdifferentthetranquillityofrevivingdayfromthesolemnreposeofnight!Inthemusicofsilencethereareathousandvariations。Thesemen，whoaloneseemedawakeinNaples，wereZanoniandthemysteriousstrangerwhohadbutanhourortwoagostartledthePrincedi——inhisvoluptuouspalace。
"No，"saidthelatter；"hadstthoudelayedtheacceptanceoftheArch-giftuntilthouhadstattainedtotheyears，andpassedthroughallthedesolatebereavementsthatchilledandsearedmyselferemyresearcheshadmadeitmine，thouwouldsthaveescapedthecurseofwhichthoucomplainestnow，——thouwouldstnothavemournedoverthebrevityofhumanaffectionascomparedtothedurationofthineownexistence；forthouwouldsthavesurvivedtheverydesireanddreamoftheloveofwoman。
Brightest，and，butforthaterror，perhapstheloftiest，ofthesecretandsolemnracethatfillsuptheintervalincreationbetweenmankindandthechildrenoftheEmpyreal，ageafteragewiltthouruethesplendidfollywhichmadetheeasktocarrythebeautyandthepassionsofyouthintothedrearygrandeurofearthlyimmortality。"
"Idonotrepent，norshallI，"answeredZanoni。"Thetransportandthesorrow，sowildlyblended，whichhaveatintervalsdiversifiedmydoom，arebetterthanthecalmandbloodlesstenorofthysolitaryway——thou，wholovestnothing，hatestnothing，feelestnothing，andwalkesttheworldwiththenoiselessandjoylessfootstepsofadream!"
"Youmistake，"repliedhewhohadownedthenameofMejnour，——
"thoughIcarenotforlove，andamdeadtoeveryPASSIONthatagitatesthesonsofclay，Iamnotdeadtotheirmoresereneenjoyments。Icarrydownthestreamofthecountlessyears，nottheturbulentdesiresofyouth，butthecalmandspiritualdelightsofage。WiselyanddeliberatelyIabandonedyouthforeverwhenIseparatedmylotfrommen。Letusnotenvyorreproacheachother。IwouldhavesavedthisNeapolitan，Zanoni(sincesoitnowpleasestheetobecalled)，partlybecausehisgrandsirewasbutdividedbythelastairybarrierfromourownbrotherhood，partlybecauseIknowthatinthemanhimselflurktheelementsofancestralcourageandpower，whichinearlierlifewouldhavefittedhimforoneofus。EarthholdsbutfewtowhomNaturehasgiventhequalitiesthatcanbeartheordeal。
Buttimeandexcess，thathavequickenedhisgrossersenses，havebluntedhisimagination。Irelinquishhimtohisdoom。"
"Andstill，then，Mejnour，youcherishthedesiretoreviveourorder，limitednowtoourselvesalone，bynewconvertsandallies。Surely——surely——thyexperiencemighthavetaughtthee，thatscarcelyonceinathousandyearsisbornthebeingwhocanpassthroughthehorriblegatesthatleadintotheworldswithout!Isnotthypathalreadystrewedwiththyvictims？Donottheirghastlyfacesofagonyandfear——theblood-stainedsuicide，theravingmaniac——risebeforethee，andwarnwhatisyetlefttotheeofhumansympathyfromthyinsaneambition？"
"Nay，"answeredMejnour；"haveInothadsuccesstocounterbalancefailure？AndcanIforegothisloftyandaugusthope，worthyaloneofourhighcondition，——thehopetoformamightyandnumerousracewithaforceandpowersufficienttopermitthemtoacknowledgetomankindtheirmajesticconquestsanddominion，tobecomethetruelordsofthisplanet，invaders，perchance，ofothers，mastersoftheinimicalandmalignanttribesbywhichatthismomentwearesurrounded:aracethatmayproceed，intheirdeathlessdestinies，fromstagetostageofcelestialglory，andrankatlastamongstthenearestministrantsandagentsgatheredroundtheThroneofThrones？Whatmatterathousandvictimsforoneconverttoourband？Andyou，Zanoni，"
continuedMejnour，afterapause，——"you，evenyou，shouldthisaffectionforamortalbeautythatyouhavedared，despiteyourself，tocherish，bemorethanapassingfancy；shouldit，onceadmittedintoyourinmostnature，partakeofitsbrightandenduringessence，——evenyoumaybraveallthingstoraisethebelovedoneintoyourequal。Nay，interruptmenot。Canyouseesicknessmenaceher；dangerhoveraround；yearscreepon；theeyesgrowdim；thebeautyfade，whiletheheart，youthfulstill，clingsandfastensroundyourown，——canyouseethis，andknowitisyoursto——"
"Cease!"criedZanoni，fiercely。"Whatisallotherfateascomparedtothedeathofterror？What，whenthecoldestsage，themostheatedenthusiast，thehardiestwarriorwithhisnervesofiron，havebeenfounddeadintheirbeds，withstrainingeyeballsandhorrenthair，atthefirststepoftheDreadProgress，——thinkestthouthatthisweakwoman——fromwhosecheekasoundatthewindow，thescreechofthenight-owl，thesightofadropofbloodonaman"ssword，wouldstartthecolour——couldbraveoneglanceof——Away!theverythoughtofsuchsightsforhermakesevenmyselfacoward!"
"Whenyoutoldheryoulovedher，——whenyouclaspedhertoyourbreast，yourenouncedallpowertoforeseeherfuturelot，orprotectherfromharm。Henceforthtoheryouarehuman，andhumanonly。Howknowyou，then，towhatyoumaybetempted；howknowyouwhathercuriositymaylearnandhercouragebrave？Butenoughofthis，——youarebentonyourpursuit？"
"Thefiathasgoneforth。"
"Andto-morrow？"
"To-morrow，atthishour，ourbarkwillbeboundingoveryonderocean，andtheweightofageswillhavefallenfrommyheart!I
compassionatethee，Ofoolishsage，——THOUhastgivenupTHY
youth!"
CHAPTER3。XVII。
Alch:Thoualwaysspeakestriddles。TellmeifthouartthatfountainofwhichBernardLordTrevizanwrit？
Merc:Iamnotthatfountain，butIamthewater。Thefountaincompassethmeabout。
Sandivogius，"NewLightofAlchymy。"
ThePrincedi——wasnotamanwhomNaplescouldsupposetobeaddictedtosuperstitiousfancies。Still，intheSouthofItaly，therewasthen，andtherestilllingersacertainspiritofcredulity，whichmay，everandanon，bevisibleamidsttheboldestdogmasoftheirphilosophersandsceptics。Inhischildhood，theprincehadlearnedstrangetalesoftheambition，thegenius，andthecareerofhisgrandsire，——andsecretly，perhapsinfluencedbyancestralexample，inearlieryouthhehimselfhadfollowedscience，notonlythroughherlegitimatecourse，butherantiquatedanderraticwindings。Ihave，indeed，beenshowninNaplesalittlevolume，blazonedwiththearmsoftheVisconti，andascribedtothenoblemanIreferto，whichtreatsofalchemyinaspirithalf-mockingandhalf-reverential。
Pleasuresoondistractedhimfromsuchspeculations，andhistalents，whichwereunquestionablygreat，werewhollypervertedtoextravagantintrigues，ortotheembellishmentofagorgeousostentationwithsomethingofclassicgrace。Hisimmensewealth，hisimperiouspride，hisunscrupulousanddaringcharacter，madehimanobjectofnoinconsiderablefeartoafeebleandtimidcourt；andtheministersoftheindolentgovernmentwillinglyconnivedatexcesseswhichalluredhimatleastfromambition。
ThestrangevisitandyetmorestrangedepartureofMejnourfilledthebreastoftheNeapolitanwithaweandwonder，againstwhichallthehaughtyarroganceandlearnedscepticismofhismaturermanhoodcombatedinvain。TheapparitionofMejnourserved，indeed，toinvestZanoniwithacharacterinwhichtheprincehadnothithertoregardedhim。Hefeltastrangealarmattherivalhehadbraved，——atthefoehehadprovoked。When，alittlebeforehisbanquet，hehadresumedhisself-possession，itwaswithafellandgloomyresolutionthathebroodedovertheperfidiousschemeshehadpreviouslyformed。HefeltasifthedeathofthemysteriousZanoniwerenecessaryforthepreservationofhisownlife；andifatanearlierperiodoftheirrivalryhehaddeterminedonthefateofZanoni，thewarningsofMejnouronlyservedtoconfirmhisresolve。
"Wewilltryifhismagiccaninventanantidotetothebane，"
saidhe，half-aloud，andwithasternsmile，ashesummonedMascaritohispresence。Thepoisonwhichtheprince，withhisownhands，mixedintothewineintendedforhisguest，wascompoundedfrommaterials，thesecretofwhichhadbeenoneoftheproudestheir-loomsofthatableandevilracewhichgavetoItalyherwisestandguiltiesttyrants。Itsoperationwasquickyetnotsudden:itproducednopain，——itleftontheformnogrimconvulsion，ontheskinnopurplingspot，toarousesuspicion；youmighthavecutandcarvedeverymembraneandfibreofthecorpse，butthesharpesteyesoftheleechwouldnothavedetectedthepresenceofthesubtlelife-queller。Fortwelvehoursthevictimfeltnothingsaveajoyousandelatedexhilarationoftheblood；adeliciouslanguorfollowed，thesureforerunnerofapoplexy。Nolancetthencouldsave!ApoplexyhadrunmuchinthefamiliesoftheenemiesoftheVisconti!
Thehourofthefeastarrived，——theguestsassembled。TherewerethefloweroftheNeapolitanseignorie，thedescendantsoftheNorman，theTeuton，theGoth；forNapleshadthenanobility，butderiveditfromtheNorth，whichhasindeedbeentheNutrixLeonum，——thenurseofthelion-heartedchivalryoftheworld。
LastoftheguestscameZanoni；andthecrowdgavewayasthedazzlingforeignermovedalongtothelordofthepalace。Theprincegreetedhimwithameaningsmile，towhichZanoniansweredbyawhisper，"Hewhoplayswithloadeddicedoesnotalwayswin。"
Theprincebithislip，andZanoni，passingon，seemeddeepinconversationwiththefawningMascari。
"Whoistheprince"sheir？"askedtheguest。
"Adistantrelationonthemother"sside；withhisExcellencydiesthemaleline。"
"Istheheirpresentatourhost"sbanquet？"
"No；theyarenotfriends。"
"Nomatter；hewillbehereto-morrow。"
Mascaristaredinsurprise；butthesignalforthebanquetwasgiven，andtheguestsweremarshalledtotheboard。Aswasthecustomthen，thefeasttookplacenotlongaftermid-day。Itwasalong，ovalhall，thewholeofonesideopeningbyamarblecolonnadeuponacourtorgarden，inwhichtheeyerestedgratefullyuponcoolfountainsandstatuesofwhitestmarble，half-shelteredbyorange-trees。Everyartthatluxurycouldinventtogivefreshnessandcoolnesstothelanguidandbreezelessheatofthedaywithout(adayonwhichthebreathofthesiroccowasabroad)hadbeencalledintoexistence。
Artificialcurrentsofairthroughinvisibletubes，silkenblindswavingtoandfro，asiftocheatthesensesintothebeliefofanAprilwind，andminiaturejetsd"eauineachcorneroftheapartment，gavetotheItaliansthesamesenseofexhilarationandCOMFORT(ifImayusetheword)whichthewell-drawncurtainsandtheblazinghearthaffordtothechildrenofcolderclimes。
Theconversationwassomewhatmorelivelyandintellectualthaniscommonamongstthelanguidpleasure-huntersoftheSouth；fortheprince，himselfaccomplished，soughthisacquaintancenotonlyamongstthebeauxespritsofhisowncountry，butamongstthegayforeignerswhoadornedandrelievedthemonotonyoftheNeapolitancircles。TherewerepresenttwoorthreeofthebrilliantFrenchmenoftheoldregime，whohadalreadyemigratedfromtheadvancingRevolution；andtheirpeculiarturnofthoughtandwitwaswellcalculatedforthemeridianofasocietythatmadethedolcefarnienteatonceitsphilosophyanditsfaith。
Theprince，however，wasmoresilentthanusual；andwhenhesoughttorousehimself，hisspiritswereforcedandexaggerated。
Tothemannersofhishost，thoseofZanoniaffordedastrikingcontrast。Thebearingofthissingularpersonwasatalltimescharacterisedbyacalmandpolishedease，whichwasattributedbythecourtierstothelonghabitofsociety。Hecouldscarcelybecalledgay；yetfewpersonsmoretendedtoanimatethegeneralspiritsofaconvivialcircle。Heseemed，byakindofintuition，toelicitfromeachcompanionthequalitiesinwhichhemostexcelled；andifoccasionallyacertaintoneoflatentmockerycharacterisedhisremarksuponthetopicsonwhichtheconversationfell，itappearedtomenwhotooknothinginearnesttobethelanguagebothofwitandwisdom。TotheFrenchmen，inparticular，therewassomethingstartlinginhisintimateknowledgeoftheminutesteventsintheirowncapitalandcountry，andhisprofoundpenetration(evincedbutinepigramsandsarcasms)intotheeminentcharacterswhowerethenplayingapartuponthegreatstageofcontinentalintrigue。
Itwaswhilethisconversationgrewanimated，andthefeastwasatitsheight，thatGlyndonarrivedatthepalace。Theporter，perceivingbyhisdressthathewasnotoneoftheinvitedguests，toldhimthathisExcellencywasengaged，andonnoaccountcouldbedisturbed；andGlyndonthen，forthefirsttime，becameawarehowstrangeandembarrassingwasthedutyhehadtakenonhimself。Toforceanentranceintothebanquet-hallofagreatandpowerfulnoble，surroundedbytherankofNaples，andtoarraignhimforwhattohisboon-companionswouldappearbutanactofgallantry，wasanexploitthatcouldnotfailtobeatonceludicrousandimpotent。Hemusedamoment，and，slippingapieceofgoldintotheporter"shand，saidthathewascommissionedtoseektheSignorZanoniuponanerrandoflifeanddeath，andeasilywonhiswayacrossthecourt，andintotheinteriorbuilding。Hepassedupthebroadstaircase，andthevoicesandmerrimentoftherevellerssmotehisearatadistance。Attheentranceofthereception-roomshefoundapage，whomhedespatchedwithamessagetoZanoni。Thepagedidtheerrand；andZanoni，onhearingthewhisperednameofGlyndon，turnedtohishost。
"Pardonme，mylord；anEnglishfriendofmine，theSignorGlyndon(notunknownbynametoyourExcellency)waitswithout，——
thebusinessmustindeedbeurgentonwhichhehassoughtmeinsuchanhour。Youwillforgivemymomentaryabsence。"
"Nay，signor，"answeredtheprince，courteously，butwithasinistersmileonhiscountenance，"woulditnotbebetterforyourfriendtojoinus？AnEnglishmaniswelcomeeverywhere；andevenwereheaDutchman，yourfriendshipwouldinvesthispresencewithattraction。Prayhisattendance；wewouldnotspareyouevenforamoment。"
Zanonibowed；thepagewasdespatchedwithallflatteringmessagestoGlyndon，——aseatnexttoZanoniwasplacedforhim，andtheyoungEnglishmanentered。
"Youaremostwelcome，sir。Itrustyourbusinesstoourillustriousguestisofgoodomenandpleasantimport。Ifyoubringevilnews，deferit，Iprayyou。"
Glyndon"sbrowwassullen；andhewasabouttostartletheguestsbyhisreply，whenZanoni，touchinghisarmsignificantly，whisperedinEnglish，"Iknowwhyyouhavesoughtme。Besilent，andwitnesswhatensues。"
"YouknowthenthatViola，whomyouboastedyouhadthepowertosavefromdanger——"
"Isinthishouse!——yes。IknowalsothatMurdersitsattherighthandofourhost。Buthisfateisnowseparatedfromhersforever；andthemirrorwhichglassesittomyeyeisclearthroughthestreamsofblood。Bestill，andlearnthefatethatawaitsthewicked!
"Mylord，"saidZanoni，speakingaloud，"theSignorGlyndonhasindeedbroughtmetidingsnotwhollyunexpected。IamcompelledtoleaveNaples，——anadditionalmotivetomakethemostofthepresenthour。"
"Andwhat，ifImayventuretoask，maybethecausethatbringssuchafflictiononthefairdamesofNaples？"
"Itistheapproachingdeathofonewhohonouredmewithmostloyalfriendship，"repliedZanoni，gravely。"Letusnotspeakofit；griefcannotputbackthedial。Aswesupplybynewflowersthosethatfadeinourvases，soitisthesecretofworldlywisdomtoreplacebyfreshfriendshipsthosethatfadefromourpath。"
"Truephilosophy!"exclaimedtheprince。""Nottoadmire，"wastheRoman"smaxim；"Nevertomourn，"ismine。Thereisnothinginlifetogrievefor，save，indeed，SignorZanoni，whensomeyoungbeauty，onwhomwehavesetourhearts，slipsfromourgrasp。Insuchamomentwehaveneedofallourwisdom，nottosuccumbtodespair，andshakehandswithdeath。Whatsayyou，signor？Yousmile!Suchnevercouldbeyourlot。Pledgemeinasentiment，"Longlifetothefortunatelover，——aquickreleasetothebaffledsuitor"？"
"Ipledgeyou，"saidZanoni；and，asthefatalwinewaspouredintohisglass，herepeated，fixinghiseyesontheprince，"I
pledgeyoueveninthiswine!"
Heliftedtheglasstohislips。Theprinceseemedghastlypale，whilethegazeofhisguestbentuponhim，withanintentandsternbrightness，beneathwhichtheconscience-strickenhostcoweredandquailed。Nottillhehaddrainedhisdraft，andreplacedtheglassupontheboard，didZanoniturnhiseyesfromtheprince；andhethensaid，"Yourwinehasbeenkepttoolong；
ithaslostitsvirtues。Itmightdisagreewithmany，butdonotfear:itwillnotharmme，prince，SignorMascari，youareajudgeofthegrape；willyoufavouruswithyouropinion？"
"Nay，"answeredMascari，withwell-affectedcomposure，"IlikenotthewinesofCyprus；theyareheating。PerhapsSignorGlyndonmaynothavethesamedistaste？TheEnglisharesaidtolovetheirpotationswarmandpungent。"
"Doyouwishmyfriendalsototastethewine，prince？"saidZanoni。"Recollect，allcannotdrinkitwiththesameimpunityasmyself。"
"No，"saidtheprince，hastily；"ifyoudonotrecommendthewine，Heavenforbidthatweshouldconstrainourguests!Mylordduke，"turningtooneoftheFrenchmen，"yoursisthetruesoilofBacchus。WhatthinkyouofthiscaskfromBurgundy？Hasitbornethejourney？"
"Ah，"saidZanoni，"letuschangeboththewineandthetheme。"
Withthat，Zanonigrewyetmoreanimatedandbrilliant。Neverdidwitmoresparkling，airy，exhilarating，flashfromthelipsofreveller。Hisspiritsfascinatedallpresent——eventheprincehimself，evenGlyndon——withastrangeandwildcontagion。Theformer，indeed，whomthewordsandgazeofZanoni，whenhedrainedthepoison，hadfilledwithfearfulmisgivings，nowhailedinthebrillianteloquenceofhiswitacertainsignoftheoperationofthebane。Thewinecirculatedfast；butnoneseemedconsciousofitseffects。Onebyonetherestofthepartyfellintoacharmedandspellboundsilence，asZanonicontinuedtopourforthsallyuponsally，taleupontale。Theyhungonhiswords，theyalmostheldtheirbreathtolisten。Yet，howbitterwashismirth；howfullofcontemptforthetriflerspresent，andforthetrifleswhichmadetheirlife!
Nightcameon；theroomgrewdim，andthefeasthadlastedseveralhourslongerthanwasthecustomarydurationofsimilarentertainmentsatthatday。Stilltheguestsstirrednot，andstillZanonicontinued，withglitteringeyeandmockinglip，tolavishhisstoresofintellectandanecdote；whensuddenlythemoonrose，andsheditsraysovertheflowersandfountainsinthecourtwithout，leavingtheroomitselfhalfinshadow，andhalftingedbyaquietandghostlylight。
ItwasthenthatZanonirose。"Well，gentlemen，"saidhe，"wehavenotyetweariedourhost，Ihope；andhisgardenoffersanewtemptationtoprotractourstay。Haveyounomusiciansamongyourtrain，prince，thatmightregaleourearswhileweinhalethefragranceofyourorange-trees？"
"Anexcellentthought!"saidtheprince。"Mascari，seetothemusic。"
Thepartyrosesimultaneouslytoadjourntothegarden；andthen，forthefirsttime，theeffectofthewinetheyhaddrunkseemedtomakeitselffelt。
Withflushedcheeksandunsteadystepstheycameintotheopenair，whichtendedyetmoretostimulatethatglowingfeverofthegrape。AsiftomakeupforthesilencewithwhichtheguestshadhithertolistenedtoZanoni，everytonguewasnowloosened，——
everymantalked，nomanlistened。Therewassomethingwildandfearfulinthecontrastbetweenthecalmbeautyofthenightandscene，andthehubbubandclamourofthesedisorderlyroysters。
OneoftheFrenchmen，inespecial，theyoungDucdeR——，anoblemanofthehighestrank，andofallthequick，vivacious，andirascibletemperamentofhiscountrymen，wasparticularlynoisyandexcited。Andascircumstances，theremembranceofwhichisstillpreservedamongcertaincirclesofNaples，rendereditafterwardsnecessarythattheducshouldhimselfgiveevidenceofwhatoccurred，Iwillheretranslatetheshortaccounthedrewup，andwhichwaskindlysubmittedtomesomefewyearsagobymyaccomplishedandlivelyfriend，IlCavalierediB。
"Ineverremember，"writestheduc，"tohavefeltmyspiritssoexcitedasonthatevening；wewerelikesomanyboysreleasedfromschool，jostlingeachotheraswereeledorrandowntheflightofsevenoreightstairsthatledfromthecolonnadeintothegarden，——somelaughing，somewhooping，somescolding，somebabbling。Thewinehadbroughtout，asitwere，eachman"sinmostcharacter。Somewereloudandquarrelsome，otherssentimentalandwhining；some，whomwehadhithertothoughtdull，mostmirthful；some，whomwehadeverregardedasdiscreetandtaciturn，mostgarrulousanduproarious。Irememberthatinthemidstofourclamorousgayety，myeyefelluponthecavalierSignorZanoni，whoseconversationhadsoenchantedusall；andI
feltacertainchillcomeovermetoperceivethatheworethesamecalmandunsympathisingsmileuponhiscountenancewhichhadcharacteriseditinhissingularandcuriousstoriesofthecourtofLouisXIV。Ifelt，indeed，half-inclinedtoseekaquarrelwithonewhosecomposurewasalmostaninsulttoourdisorder。
Norwassuchaneffectofthisirritatingandmockingtranquillityconfinedtomyselfalone。Severalofthepartyhavetoldmesince，thatonlookingatZanonitheyfelttheirbloodyetmoreheated，andgayetychangetoresentment。Thereseemedinhisicysmileaverycharmtowoundvanityandprovokerage。
Itwasatthismomentthattheprincecameuptome，and，passinghisarmintomine，ledmealittleapartfromtherest。Hehadcertainlyindulgedinthesameexcessasourselves，butitdidnotproducethesameeffectofnoisyexcitement。Therewas，onthecontrary，acertaincoldarroganceandsuperciliousscorninhisbearingandlanguage，which，evenwhileaffectingsomuchcaressingcourtesytowardsme，rousedmyself-loveagainsthim。
HeseemedasifZanonihadinfectedhim；andinimitatingthemannerofhisguest，hesurpassedtheoriginal。Heralliedmeonsomecourtgossip，whichhadhonouredmynamebyassociatingitwithacertainbeautifulanddistinguishedSicilianlady，andaffectedtotreatwithcontemptthatwhich，haditbeentrue，I
shouldhaveregardedasaboast。Hespoke，indeed，asifhehimselfhadgatheredalltheflowersofNaples，andleftusforeignersonlythegleaningshehadscorned。Atthismynaturalandnationalgallantrywaspiqued，andIretortedbysomesarcasmsthatIshouldcertainlyhavesparedhadmybloodbeencooler。Helaughedheartily，andleftmeinastrangefitofresentmentandanger。Perhaps(Imustownthetruth)thewinehadproducedinmeawilddispositiontotakeoffenceandprovokequarrel。Astheprinceleftme，Iturned，andsawZanoniatmyside。
""Theprinceisabraggart，"saidhe，withthesamesmilethatdispleasedmebefore。"Hewouldmonopolizeallfortuneandalllove。Letustakeourrevenge。"
""Andhow？"
""Hehasatthismoment，inhishouse，themostenchantingsingerinNaples，——thecelebratedViolaPisani。Sheishere，itistrue，notbyherownchoice；hecarriedherhitherbyforce，buthewillpretendthatsheadoreshim。Letusinsistonhisproducingthissecrettreasure，andwhensheenters，theDucdeR——canhavenodoubtthathisflatteriesandattentionswillcharmthelady，andprovokeallthejealousfearsofourhost。
Itwouldbeafairrevengeuponhisimperiousself-conceit。"
"Thissuggestiondelightedme。Ihastenedtotheprince。Atthatinstantthemusicianshadjustcommenced；Iwavedmyhand，orderedthemusictostop，and，addressingtheprince，whowasstandinginthecentreofoneofthegayestgroups，complainedofhiswantofhospitalityinaffordingtoussuchpoorproficientsintheart，whilehereservedforhisownsolacetheluteandvoiceofthefirstperformerinNaples。Idemanded，half-laughingly，half-seriously，thatheshouldproducethePisani。Mydemandwasreceivedwithshoutsofapplausebytherest。Wedrownedtherepliesofourhostwithuproar，andwouldhearnodenial。"Gentlemen，"atlastsaidtheprince，whenhecouldobtainanaudience，"evenwereItoassenttoyourproposal，Icouldnotinducethesignoratopresentherselfbeforeanassemblageasriotousastheyarenoble。Youhavetoomuchchivalrytousecompulsionwithher，thoughtheDucdeR——
forgetshimselfsufficientlytoadministerittome。"
"Iwasstungbythistaunt，howeverwelldeserved。"Prince，"
saidI，"IhavefortheindelicacyofcompulsionsoillustriousanexamplethatIcannothesitatetopursuethepathhonouredbyyourownfootsteps。AllNaplesknowsthatthePisanidespisesatonceyourgoldandyourlove；thatforcealonecouldhavebroughtherunderyourroof；andthatyourefusetoproduceher，becauseyoufearhercomplaints，andknowenoughofthechivalryyourvanitysneersattofeelassuredthatthegentlemenofFrancearenotmoredisposedtoworshipbeautythantodefenditfromwrong。"
""Youspeakwell，sir，"saidZanoni，gravely。"Theprincedaresnotproducehisprize!"
"Theprinceremainedspeechlessforafewmoments，asifwithindignation。AtlasthebrokeoutintoexpressionsthemostinjuriousandinsultingagainstSignorZanoniandmyself。Zanonirepliednot；Iwasmorehotandhasty。Theguestsappearedtodelightinourdispute。None，exceptMascari，whomwepushedasideanddisdainedtohear，strovetoconciliate；sometookoneside，someanother。Theissuemaybewellforeseen。Swordswerecalledforandprocured。Twowereofferedmebyoneoftheparty。Iwasabouttochooseone，whenZanoniplacedinmyhandtheother，which，fromitshilt，appearedofantiquatedworkmanship。Atthesamemoment，lookingtowardstheprince，hesaid，smilingly，"Theductakesyourgrandsire"ssword。Prince，youaretoobraveamanforsuperstition；youhaveforgottheforfeit!"Ourhostseemedtometorecoilandturnpaleatthosewords；nevertheless，hereturnedZanoni"ssmilewithalookofdefiance。Thenextmomentallwasbroilanddisorder。Theremightbesomesixoreightpersonsengagedinastrangeandconfusedkindofmelee，buttheprinceandmyselfonlysoughteachother。Thenoisearoundus，theconfusionoftheguests，thecriesofthemusicians，theclashofourownswords，onlyservedtostimulateourunhappyfury。Wefearedtobeinterruptedbytheattendants，andfoughtlikemadmen，withoutskillormethod。Ithrustandparriedmechanically，blindandfrantic，asifademonhadenteredintome，tillIsawtheprincestretchedatmyfeet，bathedinhisblood，andZanonibendingoverhim，andwhisperinginhisear。Thatsightcooledusall。
Thestrifeceased；wegathered，inshame，remorse，andhorror，roundourill-fatedhost；butitwastoolate，——hiseyesrolledfearfullyinhishead。Ihaveseenmanymendie，butneveronewhoworesuchhorroronhiscountenance。Atlastallwasover!
Zanonirosefromthecorpse，and，taking，withgreatcomposure，theswordfrommyhand，saidcalmly，"Yearewitnesses，gentlemen，thattheprincebroughthisfateuponhimself。Thelastofthatillustrioushousehasperishedinabrawl。"
"IsawnomoreofZanoni。Ihastenedtoourenvoytonarratetheevent，andabidetheissue。IamgratefultotheNeapolitangovernment，andtotheillustriousheiroftheunfortunatenobleman，forthelenientandgenerous，yetjust，interpretationputuponamisfortunethememoryofwhichwillafflictmetothelasthourofmylife。
(Signed)"LouisVictor，DucdeR。"
Intheabovememorial，thereaderwillfindthemostexactandminuteaccountyetgivenofaneventwhichcreatedthemostlivelysensationatNaplesinthatday。
Glyndonhadtakennopartintheaffray，neitherhadheparticipatedlargelyintheexcessesoftherevel。ForhisexemptionfrombothhewasperhapsindebtedtothewhisperedexhortationsofZanoni。Whenthelastrosefromthecorpse，andwithdrewfromthatsceneofconfusion，GlyndonremarkedthatinpassingthecrowdhetouchedMascariontheshoulder，andsaidsomethingwhichtheEnglishmandidnotoverhear。GlyndonfollowedZanoniintothebanquet-room，which，savewherethemoonlightsleptonthemarblefloor，waswrappedinthesadandgloomyshadowsoftheadvancingnight。
"Howcouldyouforetellthisfearfulevent？Hefellnotbyyourarm!"saidGlyndon，inatremulousandhollowtone。
"Thegeneralwhocalculatesonthevictorydoesnotfightinperson，"answeredZanoni；"letthepastsleepwiththedead。
Meetmeatmidnightbythesea-shore，halfamiletotheleftofyourhotel。Youwillknowthespotbyarudepillar——theonlyonenear——towhichabrokenchainisattached。Thereandthen，ifthouwouldstlearnourlore，thoushaltfindthemaster。Go；
Ihavebusinesshereyet。Remember，Violaisstillinthehouseofthedeadman!"
HereMascariapproached，andZanoni，turningtotheItalian，andwavinghishandtoGlyndon，drewtheformeraside。Glyndonslowlydeparted。
"Mascari，"saidZanoni，"yourpatronisnomore；yourserviceswillbevaluelesstohisheir，——asobermanwhompovertyhaspreservedfromvice。Foryourself，thankmethatIdonotgiveyouuptotheexecutioner；recollectthewineofCyprus。Well，nevertremble，man；itcouldnotactonme，thoughitmightreactonothers；inthatitisacommontypeofcrime。Iforgiveyou；
andifthewineshouldkillme，Ipromiseyouthatmyghostshallnothauntsoworshipfulapenitent。Enoughofthis；conductmetothechamberofViolaPisani。Youhavenofurtherneedofher。
Thedeathofthejaileropensthecellofthecaptive。Bequick；
Iwouldbegone。"
Mascarimutteredsomeinaudiblewords，bowedlow，andledthewaytothechamberinwhichViolawasconfined。
CHAPTER3。XVIII。
Merc:Tellme，therefore，whatthouseekestafter，andwhatthouwilthave。Whatdostthoudesiretomake？
Alch:ThePhilosopher"sStone。
Sandivogius。
Itwantedseveralminutesofmidnight，andGlyndonrepairedtotheappointedspot。ThemysteriousempirewhichZanonihadacquiredoverhim，wasstillmoresolemnlyconfirmedbytheeventsofthelastfewhours；thesuddenfateoftheprince，sodeliberatelyforeshadowed，andyetsoseeminglyaccidental，broughtoutbycausesthemostcommonplace，andyetassociatedwithwordsthemostprophetic，impressedhimwiththedeepestsentimentsofadmirationandawe。Itwasasifthisdarkandwondrousbeingcouldconvertthemostordinaryeventsandthemeanestinstrumentsintotheagenciesofhisinscrutablewill；
yet，ifso，whyhavepermittedthecaptureofViola？Whynothavepreventedthecrimeratherthanpunishthecriminal？AnddidZanonireallyfeelloveforViola？Love，andyetoffertoresignhertohimself，——toarivalwhomhisartscouldnothavefailedtobaffle。HenolongerrevertedtothebeliefthatZanoniorViolahadsoughttodupehimintomarriage。Hisfearandreverencefortheformernowforbadethenotionofsopooranimposture。DidheanylongerloveViolahimself？No；whenthatmorninghehadheardofherdanger，hehad，itistrue，returnedtothesympathiesandthefearsofaffection；butwiththedeathoftheprinceherimagefadedfromhisheart，andhefeltnojealouspangatthethoughtthatshehadbeensavedbyZanoni，——
thatatthatmomentshewasperhapsbeneathhisroof。Whoeverhas，inthecourseofhislife，indulgedtheabsorbingpassionofthegamester，willrememberhowallotherpursuitsandobjectsvanishedfromhismind；howsolelyhewaswrappedintheonewilddelusion；withwhatasceptreofmagicpowerthedespot-demonruledeveryfeelingandeverythought。FarmoreintensethanthepassionofthegamesterwasthefranticyetsublimedesirethatmasteredthebreastofGlyndon。HewouldbetherivalofZanoni，notinhumanandperishableaffections，butinpreternaturalandeternallore。Hewouldhavelaiddownlifewithcontent——nay，rapture——asthepriceoflearningthosesolemnsecretswhichseparatedthestrangerfrommankind。Enamouredofthegoddessofgoddesses，hestretchedforthhisarms——thewildIxion——andembracedacloud!
Thenightwasmostlovelyandserene，andthewavesscarcelyrippledathisfeetastheEnglishmanglidedonbythecoolandstarrybeach。Atlengthhearrivedatthespot，andthere，leaningagainstthebrokenpillar，hebeheldamanwrappedinalongmantle，andinanattitudeofprofoundrepose。Heapproached，andutteredthenameofZanoni。Thefigureturned，andhesawthefaceofastranger:afacenotstampedbythegloriousbeautyofZanoni，butequallymajesticinitsaspect，andperhapsstillmoreimpressivefromthematureageandthepassionlessdepthofthoughtthatcharacterisedtheexpandedforehead，anddeep-setbutpiercingeyes。
"YouseekZanoni，"saidthestranger；"hewillbehereanon；but，perhaps，hewhomyouseebeforeyouismoreconnectedwithyourdestiny，andmoredisposedtorealiseyourdreams。"
"Haththeearth，then，anotherZanoni？"
"Ifnot，"repliedthestranger，"whydoyoucherishthehopeandthewildfaithtobeyourselfaZanoni？Thinkyouthatnoneothershaveburnedwiththesamegodlikedream？Who，indeedinhisfirstyouth，——youthwhenthesoulisnearertotheheavenfromwhichitsprang，anditsdivineandprimallongingsarenotalleffacedbythesordidpassionsandpettycaresthatarebegotintime，——whoisthereinyouththathasnotnourishedthebeliefthattheuniversehassecretsnotknowntothecommonherd，andpanted，asthehartforthewater-springs，forthefountainsthatliehidandfarawayamidstthebroadwildernessoftracklessscience？ThemusicofthefountainisheardinthesoulWITHIN，tillthesteps，deceivedanderring，roveawayfromitswaters，andthewandererdiesinthemightydesert。Thinkyouthatnonewhohavecherishedthehopehavefoundthetruth，orthattheyearningaftertheIneffableKnowledgewasgiventousutterlyinvain？No!Everydesireinhumanheartsisbutaglimpseofthingsthatexist，alikedistantanddivine。No!intheworldtherehavebeenfromagetoagesomebrighterandhappierspiritswhohaveattainedtotheairinwhichthebeingsabovemankindmoveandbreathe。Zanoni，greatthoughhebe，standsnotalone。
Hehashadhispredecessors，andlonglinesofsuccessorsmaybeyettocome。"
"Andwillyoutellme，"saidGlyndon，"thatinyourselfIbeholdoneofthatmightyfewoverwhomZanonihasnosuperiorityinpowerandwisdom？"
"Inme，"answeredthestranger，"youseeonefromwhomZanonihimselflearnedsomeofhisloftiestsecrets。Ontheseshores，onthisspot，haveIstoodinagesthatyourchroniclersbutfeeblyreach。ThePhoenician，theGreek，theOscan，theRoman，theLombard，Ihaveseenthemall!——leavesgayandglitteringonthetrunkoftheuniversallife，scatteredindueseasonandagainrenewed；till，indeed，thesameracethatgaveitsglorytotheancientworldbestowedasecondyouthuponthenew。ForthepureGreeks，theHellenes，whoseoriginhasbewilderedyourdreamingscholars，wereofthesamegreatfamilyastheNormantribe，borntobethelordsoftheuniverse，andinnolandonearthdestinedtobecomethehewersofwood。Eventhedimtraditionsofthelearned，whichbringthesonsofHellasfromthevastandundeterminedterritoriesofNorthernThrace，tobethevictorsofthepastoralPelasgi，andthefoundersofthelineofdemi-gods；whichassigntoapopulationbronzedbeneaththesunsoftheWest，theblue-eyedMinervaandtheyellow-hairedAchilles(physicalcharacteristicsoftheNorth)；whichintroduce，amongstapastoralpeople，warlikearistocraciesandlimitedmonarchies，thefeudalismoftheclassictime，——eventhesemightserveyoutotracebacktheprimevalsettlementsoftheHellenestothesameregionwhence，inlatertimes，theNormanwarriorsbrokeonthedullandsavagehordesoftheCelt，andbecametheGreeksoftheChristianworld。Butthisinterestsyounot，andyouarewiseinyourindifference。Notintheknowledgeofthingswithout，butintheperfectionofthesoulwithin，liestheempireofmanaspiringtobemorethanman。"
"Andwhatbookscontainthatscience；fromwhatlaboratoryisitwrought？"
"Naturesuppliesthematerials；theyarearoundyouinyourdailywalks。Intheherbsthatthebeastdevoursandthechemistdisdainstocull；intheelementsfromwhichmatterinitsmeanestanditsmightiestshapesisdeduced；inthewidebosomoftheair；intheblackabyssesoftheearth；everywherearegiventomortalstheresourcesandlibrariesofimmortallore。Butasthesimplestproblemsinthesimplestofallstudiesareobscuretoonewhobracesnothismindtotheircomprehension；astherowerinyondervesselcannottellyouwhytwocirclescantoucheachotheronlyinonepoint，——sothoughallearthwerecarvedoverandinscribedwiththelettersofdivinerknowledge，thecharacterswouldbevaluelesstohimwhodoesnotpausetoinquirethelanguageandmeditatethetruth。Youngman，ifthyimaginationisvivid，ifthyheartisdaring，ifthycuriosityisinsatiate，Iwillaccepttheeasmypupil。Butthefirstlessonsaresternanddread。"
"Ifthouhastmasteredthem，whynotI？"answeredGlyndon，boldly。"Ihavefeltfrommyboyhoodthatstrangemysterieswerereservedformycareer；andfromtheproudestendsofordinaryambitionIhavecarriedmygazeintothecloudanddarknessthatstretchbeyond。TheinstantIbeheldZanoni，IfeltasifIhaddiscoveredtheguideandthetutorforwhichmyyouthhadidlylanguishedandvainlyburned。"
"Andtomehisdutyistransferred，"repliedthestranger。
"Yonderlies，anchoredinthebay，thevesselinwhichZanoniseeksafairerhome；alittlewhileandthebreezewillrise，thesailwillswell；andthestrangerwillhavepassed，likeawind，away。Still，likethewind，heleavesinthyhearttheseedsthatmaybeartheblossomandthefruit。Zanonihathperformedhistask，——heiswantednomore；theperfecterofhisworkisatthyside。Hecomes!Ihearthedashoftheoar。Youwillhaveyourchoicesubmittedtoyou。Accordingasyoudecideweshallmeetagain。"Withthesewordsthestrangermovedslowlyaway，anddisappearedbeneaththeshadowofthecliffs。Aboatglidedrapidlyacrossthewaters:ittouchedland；amanleapedonshore，andGlyndonrecognisedZanoni。
"Igivethee，Glyndon，——Igivetheenomoretheoptionofhappyloveandsereneenjoyment。Thathourispast，andfatehaslinkedthehandthatmighthavebeenthineowntomine。ButI
haveamplegiftstobestowuponthee，ifthouwiltabandonthehopethatgnawsthyheart，andtherealisationofwhicheven_I_
havenotthepowertoforesee。Bethineambitionhuman，andI
cangratifyittothefull。Mendesirefourthingsinlife，——
love，wealth，fame，power。ThefirstIcannotgivethee，therestareatmydisposal。Selectwhichofthemthouwilt，andletuspartinpeace。"
"SucharenotthegiftsIcovet。Ichooseknowledge；thatknowledgemustbethineown。Forthis，andforthisalone，I
surrenderedtheloveofViola；this，andthisalone，mustbemyrecompense。"
"Icannotgainsaythee，thoughIcanwarn。Thedesiretolearndoesnotalwayscontainthefacultytoacquire。Icangivethee，itistrue，theteacher，——therestmustdependonthee。Bewiseintime，andtakethatwhichIcanassuretothee。"
"Answermebutthesequestions，andaccordingtoyouranswerI
willdecide。Isitinthepowerofmantoattainintercoursewiththebeingsofotherworlds？Isitinthepowerofmantoinfluencetheelements，andtoinsurelifeagainsttheswordandagainstdisease？"
"Allthismaybepossible，"answeredZanoni，evasively，"tothefew；butforonewhoattainssuchsecrets，millionsmayperishintheattempt。"
"Onequestionmore。Thou——"
"Beware!Ofmyself，asIhavesaidbefore，Irendernoaccount。"
"Well，then，thestrangerIhavemetthisnight，——arehisboaststobebelieved？IsheintruthoneofthechosenseerswhomyouallowtohavemasteredthemysteriesIyearntofathom？"