第17章
"AndIdarenotappointmyownhouse；tyrannymakesspiesofourverywalls。Buttheplacehereindesignatedissecure；"andheslippedanaddressintothehandofhiscorrespondent。
"To-night，then，atnine!MeanwhileIhaveotherbusiness。"Themanpaused，hiscolourchanged，anditwaswithaneagerandpassionatevoicethatheresumed，——
"Yourlastlettermentionedthiswealthyandmysteriousvisitor，——thisZanoni。HeisstillatVenice？"
"Iheardthathehadleftthismorning；buthiswifeisstillhere。"
"Hiswife!——thatiswell!"
"Whatknowyouofhim？Thinkyouthathewouldjoinus？Hiswealthwouldbe——"
"Hishouse，hisaddress，——quick!"interruptedtheman。
"ThePalazzodi——，ontheGrandCanal。"
"Ithankyou，——atninewemeet。"
Themanhurriedonthroughthestreetfromwhichhehademerged；
and，passingbythehouseinwhichhehadtakenuphislodging(hehadarrivedatVenicethenightbefore)，awomanwhostoodbythedoorcaughthisarm。
"Monsieur，"shesaidinFrench，"Ihavebeenwatchingforyourreturn。Doyouunderstandme？Iwillbraveall，riskall，togobackwithyoutoFrance，——tostand，throughlifeorindeath，bymyhusband"sside!"
"Citoyenne，Ipromisedyourhusbandthat，ifsuchyourchoice，I
wouldhazardmyownsafetytoaidit。Butthinkagain!YourhusbandisoneofthefactionwhichRobespierre"seyeshavealreadymarked；hecannotfly。AllFranceisbecomeaprisontothe"suspect。"Youdonotendangeryourselfbyreturn。Frankly，citoyenne，thefateyouwouldsharemaybetheguillotine。I
speak(asyouknowbyhisletter)asyourhusbandbademe。"
"Monsieur，Iwillreturnwithyou，"saidthewoman，withasmileuponherpaleface。
"AndyetyoudesertedyourhusbandinthefairsunshineoftheRevolution，toreturntohimamidstitsstormsandthunder，"saidtheman，inatonehalfofwonder，halfrebuke。
"Becausemyfather"sdaysweredoomed；becausehehadnosafetybutinflighttoaforeignland；becausehewasoldandpenniless，andhadnonebutmetoworkforhim；becausemyhusbandwasnotthenindanger，andmyfatherwas!HEisdead——
dead!Myhusbandisindangernow。Thedaughter"sdutiesarenomore，——thewife"sreturn!"
"Beitso，citoyenne；onthethirdnightIdepart。Beforethenyoumayretractyourchoice。"
"Never!"
Adarksmilepassedovertheman"sface。
"Oguillotine!"hesaid，"howmanyvirtueshastthoubroughttolight!Wellmaytheycallthee"AHolyMother!"Ogoryguillotine!"
Hepassedonmutteringtohimself，hailedagondola，andwassoonamidstthecrowdedwatersoftheGrandCanal。
CHAPTER6。V。
Cequej"ignoreEstplustristepeut-etreetplusaffreuxencore。
LaHarpe，"LeComtedeWarwick，"Act5，sc。1。
(ThatwhichIknownotis，perhaps，moresadandfearfulstill。)
Thecasementstoodopen，andViolawasseatedbyit。Beneathsparkledthebroadwatersinthecoldbutcloudlesssunlight；andtothatfairform，thathalf-avertedface，turnedtheeyesofmanyagallantcavalier，astheirgondolasglidedby。
Butatlast，inthecentreofthecanal，oneofthesedarkvesselshaltedmotionless，asamanfixedhisgazefromitslatticeuponthatstatelypalace。Hegavethewordtotherowers，——thevesselapproachedthemarge。Thestrangerquittedthegondola；hepassedupthebroadstairs；heenteredthepalace。Weepon，smilenomore，youngmother!——thelastpageisturned!
Anattendantenteredtheroom，andgavetoViolaacard，withthesewordsinEnglish，"Viola，Imustseeyou!ClarenceGlyndon。"
Oh，yes，howgladlyViolawouldseehim；howgladlyspeaktohimofherhappiness，ofZanoni!——howgladlyshowtohimherchild!
PoorClarence!shehadforgottenhimtillnow，asshehadallthefeverofherearlierlife，——itsdreams，itsvanities，itspoorexcitement，thelampsofthegaudytheatre，theapplauseofthenoisycrowd。
Heentered。Shestartedtobeholdhim，sochangedwerehisgloomybrow，hisresolute，carewornfeatures，fromthegracefulformandcarelesscountenanceoftheartist-lover。Hisdress，thoughnotmean，wasrude，neglected，anddisordered。Awild，desperate，half-savageairhadsupplantedthatingenuousmien，diffidentinitsgrace，earnestinitsdiffidence，whichhadoncecharacterisedtheyoungworshipperofArt，thedreamingaspirantaftersomestarrierlore。
"Isityou？"shesaidatlast。"PoorClarence，howchanged!"
"Changed!"hesaidabruptly，asheplacedhimselfbyherside。
"AndwhomamItothank，butthefiends——thesorcerers——whohaveseizeduponthyexistence，asuponmine？Viola，hearme。AfewweekssincethenewsreachedmethatyouwereinVenice。Underotherpretences，andthroughinnumerabledangers，Ihavecomehither，riskingliberty，perhapslife，ifmynameandcareerareknowninVenice，towarnandsaveyou。Changed，youcallme!——
changedwithout；butwhatisthattotheravageswithin？Bewarned，bewarnedintime!"
ThevoiceofGlyndon，soundinghollowandsepulchral，alarmedViolaevenmorethanhiswords。Pale，haggard，emaciated，heseemedalmostasonerisenfromthedead，toappallandaweher。
"What，"shesaid，atlast，inafalteringvoice，——"whatwildwordsdoyouutter!Canyou——"
"Listen!"interruptedGlyndon，layinghishanduponherarm，anditstouchwasascoldasdeath，——"listen!Youhaveheardoftheoldstoriesofmenwhohaveleaguedthemselveswithdevilsfortheattainmentofpreternaturalpowers。Thosestoriesarenotfables。Suchmenlive。Theirdelightistoincreasetheunhallowedcircleofwretcheslikethemselves。Iftheirproselytesfailintheordeal，thedemonseizesthem，eveninthislife，asithathseizedme!——iftheysucceed，woe，yea，amorelastingwoe!Thereisanotherlife，wherenospellscancharmtheevilone，orallaythetorture。Ihavecomefromascenewherebloodflowsinrivers，——whereDeathstandsbythesideofthebravestandthehighest，andtheonemonarchistheGuillotine；butallthemortalperilswithwhichmencanbebeset，arenothingtothedrearinessofthechamberwheretheHorrorthatpassesdeathmovesandstirs!"
ItwasthenthatGlyndon，withacoldanddistinctprecision，detailed，ashehaddonetoAdela，theinitiationthroughwhichhehadgone。Hedescribed，inwordsthatfrozethebloodofhislistener，theappearanceofthatformlessphantom，withtheeyesthatsearedthebrainandcongealedthemarrowofthosewhobeheld。Onceseen，itneverwastobeexorcised。Itcameatitsownwill，promptingblackthoughts，——whisperingstrangetemptations。Onlyinscenesofturbulentexcitementwasitabsent!Solitude，serenity，thestrugglingdesiresafterpeaceandvirtue，——THESEweretheelementsitlovedtohaunt!
Bewildered，terror-stricken，thewildaccountconfirmedbythedimimpressionsthatnever，inthedepthandconfidenceofaffection，hadbeencloselyexamined，butratherbanishedassoonasfelt，——thatthelifeandattributesofZanoniwerenotlikethoseofmortals，——impressionswhichherownlovehadmadeherhithertocensureassuspicionsthatwronged，andwhich，thusmitigated，hadperhapsonlyservedtorivetthefascinatedchainsinwhichheboundherheartandsenses，butwhichnow，asGlyndon"sawfulnarrativefilledherwithcontagiousdread，halfunboundtheveryspellstheyhadwovenbefore，——Violastartedupinfear，notforHERSELF，andclaspedherchildinherarms!
"Unhappiestone!"criedGlyndon，shuddering，"hastthouindeedgivenbirthtoavictimthoucanstnotsave？Refuseitsustenance，——letitlooktotheeinvainforfood!Inthegrave，atleast，therearereposeandpeace!"
ThentherecamebacktoViola"smindtheremembranceofZanoni"snight-longwatchesbythatcradle，andthefearwhicheventhenhadcreptoverherassheheardhismurmuredhalf-chantedwords。
Andasthechildlookedatherwithitsclear，steadfasteye，inthestrangeintelligenceofthatlooktherewassomethingthatonlyconfirmedherawe。SotherebothMotherandForewarnerstoodinsilence，——thesunsmilinguponthemthroughthecasement，anddarkbythecradle，thoughtheysawitnot，satthemotionless，veiledThing!
Butbydegreesbetterandjusterandmoregratefulmemoriesofthepastreturnedtotheyoungmother。Thefeaturesoftheinfant，asshegazed，tooktheaspectoftheabsentfather。A
voiceseemedtobreakfromthoserosylips，andsay，mournfully，"Ispeaktotheeinthychild。Inreturnforallmylovefortheeandthine，dostthoudistrustme，atthefirstsentenceofamaniacwhoaccuses？"
Herbreastheaved，herstaturerose，hereyesshonewithasereneandholylight。
"Go，poorvictimofthineowndelusions，"shesaidtoGlyndon；"I
wouldnotbelievemineownsenses，iftheyaccusedITSfather!
AndwhatknowestthouofZanoni？WhatrelationhaveMejnourandthegrislyspectresheinvoked，withtheradiantimagewithwhichthouwouldstconnectthem？"
"Thouwiltlearntoosoon，"repliedGlyndon，gloomily。"Andtheveryphantomthathauntsme，whispers，withitsbloodlesslips，thatitshorrorsawaitboththineandthee!Itakenotthydecisionyet；beforeIleaveVeniceweshallmeetagain。"
Hesaid，anddeparted。
CHAPTER6。VI。
Quelestl"egarementoutonameselivre？
LaHarpe，"LeComtedeWarwick，"Act4，sc。4。
(Towhatdelusiondoesthysoulabandonitself？)
Alas，Zanoni!theaspirer，thedark，brightone!——didstthouthinkthatthebondbetweenthesurvivorofagesandthedaughterofadaycouldendure？Didstthounotforeseethat，untiltheordealwaspast，therecouldbenoequalitybetweenthywisdomandherlove？Artthouabsentnowseekingamidstthysolemnsecretsthesolemnsafeguardsforchildandmother，andforgettestthouthatthephantomthatservedtheehathpoweroveritsowngifts，——overthelivesittaughttheetorescuefromthegrave？DostthounotknowthatFearandDistrust，oncesownintheheartofLove，springupfromtheseedintoaforestthatexcludesthestars？Dark，brightone!thehatefuleyesglarebesidethemotherandthechild!
AllthatdayViolawasdistractedbyathousandthoughtsandterrors，whichfledassheexaminedthemtosettlebackthedarklier。Sherememberedthat，asshehadoncesaidtoGlyndon，herverychildhoodhadbeenhauntedwithstrangeforebodings，thatshewasordainedforsomepreternaturaldoom。Sherememberedthat，asshehadtoldhimthis，sittingbytheseasthatslumberedinthearmsoftheBayofNaples，he，too，hadacknowledgedthesameforebodings，andamysterioussympathyhadappearedtounitetheirfates。Sheremembered，aboveall，that，comparingtheirentangledthoughts，bothhadthensaid，thatwiththefirstsightofZanonitheforeboding，theinstinct，hadspokentotheirheartsmoreaudiblythanbefore，whisperingthat"withHIMwasconnectedthesecretoftheunconjecturedlife。"
Andnow，whenGlyndonandViolametagain，thehauntingfearsofchildhood，thusreferredto，wokefromtheirenchantedsleep。
WithGlyndon"sterrorshefeltasympathy，againstwhichherreasonandherlovestruggledinvain。Andstill，whensheturnedherlooksuponherchild，itwatchedherwiththatsteady，earnesteye，anditslipsmovedasifitsoughttospeaktoher，——butnosoundcame。Theinfantrefusedtosleep。Whenevershegazeduponitsface，stillthosewakeful，watchfuleyes!——andintheirearnestness，therespokesomethingofpain，ofupbraiding，ofaccusation。Theychilledherasshelooked。Unabletoendure，ofherself，thissuddenandcompleterevulsionofallthefeelingswhichhadhithertomadeupherlife，sheformedtheresolutionnaturaltoherlandandcreed；shesentforthepriestwhohadhabituallyattendedheratVenice，andtohimsheconfessed，withpassionatesobsandintenseterror，thedoubtsthathadbrokenuponher。Thegoodfather，aworthyandpiousman，butwithlittleeducationandlesssense，onewhoheld(asmanyofthelowerItaliansdotothisday)evenapoettobeasortofsorcerer，seemedtoshutthegatesofhopeuponherheart。Hisremonstranceswereurgent，forhishorrorwasunfeigned。HejoinedwithGlyndoninimploringhertofly，ifshefeltthesmallestdoubtthatherhusband"spursuitswereofthenaturewhichtheRomanChurchhadbenevolentlyburnedsomanyscholarsforadopting。AndeventhelittlethatViolacouldcommunicateseemed，totheignorantascetic，irrefragableproofofsorceryandwitchcraft；hehad，indeed，previouslyheardsomeofthestrangerumourswhichfollowedthepathofZanoni，andwasthereforepreparedtobelievetheworst；theworthyBartolomeowouldhavemadenobonesofsendingWatttothestake，hadheheardhimspeakofthesteam-engine。ButViola，asuntutoredashimself，wasterrifiedbyhisroughandvehementeloquence，——
terrified，forbythatpenetrationwhichCatholicpriests，howeverdull，generallyacquire，intheirvastexperienceofthehumanhearthourlyexposedtotheirprobe，Bartolomeospokelessofdangertoherselfthantoherchild。"Sorcerers，"saidhe，"haveeversoughtthemosttodecoyandseducethesoulsoftheyoung，——nay，theinfant；"andtherewithheenteredintoalongcatalogueoflegendaryfables，whichhequotedashistoricalfacts。AllatwhichanEnglishwomanwouldhavesmiled，appalledthetenderbutsuperstitiousNeapolitan；andwhenthepriestlefther，withsolemnrebukesandgraveaccusationsofaderelictionofherdutiestoherchild，ifshehesitatedtoflywithitfromanabodepollutedbythedarkerpowersandunhallowedarts，Viola，stillclingingtotheimageofZanoni，sankintoapassivelethargywhichheldherveryreasoninsuspense。
Thehourspassed:nightcameon；thehousewashushed；andViola，slowlyawakenedfromthenumbnessandtorporwhichhadusurpedherfaculties，tossedtoandfroonhercouch，restlessandperturbed。Thestillnessbecameintolerable；yetmoreintolerablethesoundthatalonebrokeit，thevoiceoftheclock，knellingmomentaftermomenttoitsgrave。Themoments，atlast，seemedthemselvestofindvoice，——togainshape。Shethoughtshebeheldthemspringing，wanandfairy-like，fromthewombofdarkness；anderetheyfellagain，extinguished，intothatwomb，theirgrave，theirlowsmallvoicesmurmured，"Woman，wereporttoeternityallthatisdoneintime!Whatshallwereportofthee，Oguardianofanew-bornsoul？"Shebecamesensiblethatherfancieshadbroughtasortofpartialdelirium，thatshewasinastatebetweensleepandwaking，whensuddenlyonethoughtbecamemorepredominantthantherest。Thechamberwhich，inthatandeveryhousetheyhadinhabited，eventhatintheGreekisles，Zanonihadsetaparttoasolitudeonwhichnonemightintrude，thethresholdofwhichevenViola"sstepwasforbidtocross，andnever，hitherto，inthatsweetreposeofconfidencewhichbelongstocontentedlove，hadsheevenfeltthecuriousdesiretodisobey，——now，thatchamberdrewhertowardsit。PerhapsTHEREmightbefoundasomewhattosolvetheriddle，todispelorconfirmthedoubt:thatthoughtgrewanddeepenedinitsintenseness；itfastenedonheraswithapalpableandirresistiblegrasp；itseemedtoraiseherlimbswithoutherwill。
Andnow，throughthechamber，alongthegalleriesthouglidest，O
lovelyshape!sleep-walking，yetawake。Themoonshinesontheeasthouglidestby，casementaftercasement，white-robedandwanderingspirit!——thinearmscrosseduponthybosom，thineeyesfixedandopen，withacalmunfearingawe。Mother，itisthychildthatleadstheeon!Thefairymomentsgobeforethee；thouheareststilltheclock-knelltollingthemtotheirgravesbehind。On，glidingon，thouhastgainedthedoor；nolockbarsthee，nomagicspelldrivestheeback。Daughterofthedust，thoustandestalonewithnightinthechamberwhere，paleandnumberless，thehostsofspacehavegatheredroundtheseer!
CHAPTER6。VII。
DesErdenlebensSchweresTraumbildsinkt，undsinkt，undsinkt。
"DasIdealunddasLebens。"
(TheDreamShapeoftheheavyearthlylifesinks，andsinks，andsinks。)
Shestoodwithinthechamber，andgazedaroundher；nosignsbywhichaninquisitorofoldcouldhavedetectedthescholaroftheBlackArtwerevisible。Nocruciblesandcaldrons，nobrass-
boundvolumesandcipheredgirdles，noskullsandcross-bones。
Quietlystreamedthebroadmoonlightthroughthedesolatechamberwithitsbare，whitewalls。Afewbunchesofwitheredherbs，afewantiquevesselsofbronze，placedcarelesslyonawoodenform，wereallwhichthatcuriousgazecouldidentifywiththepursuitsoftheabsentowner。Themagic，ifitexisted，dweltintheartificer，andthematerials，tootherhands，werebutherbsandbronze。Soisiteverwiththyworksandwonders，OGenius，——SeekeroftheStars!Wordsthemselvesarethecommonpropertyofallmen；yet，fromwordsthemselves，ThouArchitectofImmortalities，pilestuptemplesthatshalloutlivethePyramids，andtheveryleafofthePapyrusbecomesaShinar，statelywithtowers，roundwhichtheDelugeofAges，shallroarinvain!
ButinthatsolitudehasthePresencethattherehadinvokeditswondersleftnoenchantmentofitsown？Itseemedso；forasViolastoodinthechamber，shebecamesensiblethatsomemysteriouschangewasatworkwithinherself。Herbloodcoursedrapidly，andwithasensationofdelight，throughherveins，——shefeltasifchainswerefallingfromherlimbs，asifcloudaftercloudwasrollingfromhergaze。AlltheconfusedthoughtswhichhadmovedthroughhertrancesettledandcentredthemselvesinoneintensedesiretoseetheAbsentOne，——tobewithhim。Themonadsthatmakeupspaceandairseemedchargedwithaspiritualattraction，——tobecomeamediumthroughwhichherspiritcouldpassfromitsclay，andconferwiththespirittowhichtheunutterabledesirecompelledit。Afaintnessseizedher；shetotteredtotheseatonwhichthevesselsandherbswereplaced，and，asshebentdown，shesawinoneofthevesselsasmallvaseofcrystal。Byamechanicalandinvoluntaryimpulse，herhandseizedthevase；sheopenedit，andthevolatileessenceitcontainedsparkledup，andspreadthroughtheroomapowerfulanddeliciousfragrance。Sheinhaledtheodour，shelavedhertempleswiththeliquid，andsuddenlyherlifeseemedtospringupfromthepreviousfaintness，——tospring，tosoar，tofloat，todilateuponthewingsofabird。Theroomvanishedfromhereyes。Away，away，overlandsandseasandspaceontherushingdesirefliesthedisprisonedmind!
Uponastratum，notofthisworld，stoodtheworld-bornshapesofthesonsofScience，uponanembryoworld，uponacrude，wan，attenuatedmassofmatter，oneoftheNebulae，whichthesunsofthemyriadsystemsthrowoffastheyrollroundtheCreator"sthrone*，tobecomethemselvesnewworldsofsymmetryandglory，——
planetsandsunsthatforeverandforevershallintheirturnmultiplytheirshiningrace，andbethefathersofsunsandplanetsyettocome。
(*"Astronomyinstructsusthat，intheoriginalconditionofthesolarsystem，thesunwasthenucleusofanebulosityorluminousmasswhichrevolvedonitsaxis，andextendedfarbeyondtheorbitsofalltheplanets，——theplanetsasyethavingnoexistence。Itstemperaturegraduallydiminished，and，becomingcontractedbycooling，therotationincreasedinrapidity，andzonesofnebulosityweresuccessivelythrownoff，inconsequenceofthecentrifugalforceoverpoweringthecentralattraction。
Thecondensationoftheseseparatemassesconstitutedtheplanetsandsatellites。Butthisviewoftheconversionofgaseousmatterintoplanetarybodiesisnotlimitedtoourownsystem；itextendstotheformationoftheinnumerablesunsandworldswhicharedistributedthroughouttheuniverse。Thesublimediscoveriesofmodernastronomershaveshownthateverypartoftherealmsofspaceaboundsinlargeexpansionsofattenuatedmattertermednebulae，whichareirregularlyreflectiveoflight，ofvariousfigures，andindifferentstatesofcondensation，fromthatofadiffused，luminousmasstosunsandplanetslikeourown。"——FromMantell"seloquentanddelightfulwork，entitled"TheWondersofGeology，"volumei。page22。)
There，inthatenormoussolitudeofaninfantworld，whichthousandsandthousandsofyearscanaloneripenintoform，thespiritofViolabeheldtheshapeofZanoni，orratherthelikeness，thesimulacrun，theLEMURofhisshape，notitshumanandcorporealsubstance，——asif，likehers，theIntelligencewaspartedfromtheClay，——andasthesun，whileitrevolvesandglows，hadcastoffintoremotestspacethatnebularimageofitself，sothethingofearth，intheactionofitsmoreluminousandenduringbeing，hadthrownitslikenessintothatnew-bornstrangeroftheheavens。Therestoodthephantom，——aphantomMejnour，byitsside。Inthegiganticchaosaroundravedandstruggledthekindlingelements；waterandfire，darknessandlight，atwar，——vapourandcloudhardeningintomountains，andtheBreathofLifemovinglikeasteadfastsplendouroverall。
Asthedreamerlooked，andshivered，shebeheldthateventherethetwophantomsofhumanitywerenotalone。Dimmonster-formsthatthatdisorderedchaosalonecouldengender，thefirstreptileColossalracethatwreatheandcrawlthroughtheearlieststratumofaworldlabouringintolife，coiledintheoozingmatterorhoveredthroughthemeteorousvapours。Butthesethetwoseekersseemednottoheed；theirgazewasfixedintentuponanobjectinthefarthestspace。Withtheeyesofthespirit，Violafollowedtheirs；withaterrorfargreaterthanthechaosanditshideousinhabitantsproduced，shebeheldashadowylikenessoftheveryroominwhichherformyetdwelt，itswhitewalls，themoonshinesleepingonitsfloor，itsopencasement，withthequietroofsanddomesofVeniceloomingovertheseathatsighedbelow，——andinthatroomtheghost-likeimageofherself!Thisdoublephantom——hereherselfaphantom，gazingthereuponaphantom-self——hadinitahorrorwhichnowordscantell，nolengthoflifeforego。
Butpresentlyshesawthisimageofherselfriseslowly，leavetheroomwithitsnoiselessfeet:itpassesthecorridor，itkneelsbyacradle!HeavenofHeaven!Shebeholdsherchild!——
stillwithitswondrous，child-likebeautyanditssilent，wakefuleyes。Butbesidethatcradletheresitscoweringamantled，shadowyform，——themorefearfulandghastlyfromitsindistinctandunsubstantialgloom。Thewallsofthatchamberseemtoopenasthesceneofatheatre。Agrimdungeon；streetsthroughwhichpourshadowycrowds；wrathandhatred，andtheaspectofdemonsintheirghastlyvisages；aplaceofdeath；amurderousinstrument；ashamble-houseofhumanflesh；herself；
herchild；——all，all，rapidphantasmagoria，chasedeachother。
Suddenlythephantom-Zanoniturned，itseemedtoperceiveherself，——hersecondself。Itsprangtowardsher；herspiritcouldbearnomore。Sheshrieked，shewoke。Shefoundthatintruthshehadleftthatdismalchamber；thecradlewasbeforeher，thechild!all——allasthattrancehadseenit；and，vanishingintoair，eventhatdark，formlessThing!
"Mychild!mychild!thymothershallsavetheeyet!"
CHAPTER6。VIII。
Qui？Toim"abandonner!Ouvas-tu？Non!demeure，Demeure!
LaHarpe，"LeComtedeWarwick，"Act3，sc。5。
(Who？THOUabandonme!——wheregoestthou？No!stay，stay!)
LetterfromViolatoZanoni。
"Ithascometothis!——Iamthefirsttopart!I，theunfaithfulone，bidtheefarewellforever。Whenthineeyesfalluponthiswritingthouwiltknowmeasoneofthedead。Forthouthatwert，andstillartmylife，——Iamlosttothee!Olover!O
husband!Ostillworshippedandadored!ifthouhasteverlovedme，ifthoucanststillpity，seeknottodiscoverthestepsthatflythee。Ifthycharmscandetectandtractme，spareme，spareourchild!Zanoni，Iwillrearittolovethee，tocalltheefather!Zanoni，itsyounglipsshallprayforthee!Ah，sparethychild，forinfantsarethesaintsofearth，andtheirmediationmaybeheardonhigh!ShallItelltheewhyIpart？
No；thou，thewisely-terrible，canstdivinewhatthehandtremblestorecord；andwhileIshudderatthypower，——whileitisthypowerIfly(ourchilduponmybosom)，——itcomfortsmestilltothinkthatthypowercanreadtheheart!Thouknowestthatitisthefaithfulmotherthatwritestothee，itisnotthefaithlesswife!Istheresininthyknowledge，Zanoni？Sinmusthavesorrow:anditweresweet——oh，howsweet——tobethycomforter。Butthechild，theinfant，thesoulthatlookstomineforitsshield!——magician，Iwrestfromtheethatsoul!
Pardon，pardon，ifmywordswrongthee。See，Ifallonmykneestowritetherest!
"WhydidIneverrecoilbeforefromthymysteriouslore；whydidtheverystrangenessofthineunearthlylifeonlyfascinatemewithadelightfulfear？Because，ifthouwertsorcererorangel-
demon，therewasnoperiltootherbutmyself:andnonetome，formylovewasmyheavenliestpart；andmyignoranceinallthings，exceptthearttolovethee，repelledeverythoughtthatwasnotbrightandgloriousasthineimagetomyeyes。ButNOW
thereisanother!Look!whydoesitwatchmethus，——whythatnever-sleeping，earnest，rebukinggaze？Havethyspellsencompasseditalready？Hastthoumarkedit，cruelone，fortheterrorsofthyunutterableart？Donotmaddenme，——donotmaddenme!——unbindthespell!
"Hark!theoarswithout!Theycome，——theycome，tobearmefromthee!Ilookround，andmethinksthatIseetheeeverywhere。
Thouspeakesttomefromeveryshadow，fromeverystar。There，bythecasement，thylipslastpressedmine；there，therebythatthresholddidstthouturnagain，andthysmileseemedsotrustinglytoconfideinme!Zanoni——husband!——Iwillstay!I
cannotpartfromthee!No，no!Iwillgototheroomwherethydearvoice，withitsgentlemusic，assuagedthepangsoftravail!——where，heardthroughthethrillingdarkness，itfirstwhisperedtomyear，"Viola，thouartamother!"Amother!——yes，Irisefrommyknees，——IAMamother!Theycome!Iamfirm；
farewell!"
Yes；thussuddenly，thuscruelly，whetherinthedeliriumofblindandunreasoningsuperstition，orintheresolveofthatconvictionwhichspringsfromduty，thebeingforwhomhehadresignedsomuchofempireandofgloryforsookZanoni。Thisdesertion，neverforeseen，neveranticipated，wasyetbuttheconstantfatethatattendsthosewhowouldplaceMindBEYONDtheearth，andyettreasuretheHeartWITHINit。Ignoranceeverlastinglyshallrecoilfromknowledge。Butneveryet，fromnoblerandpurermotivesofself-sacrifice，didhumanlovelinkitselftoanother，thandidtheforsakingwifenowabandontheabsent。Forrightlyhadshesaidthatitwasnotthefaithlesswife，itWASthefaithfulmotherthatfledfromallinwhichherearthlyhappinesswascentred。
Aslongasthepassionandfervourthatimpelledtheactanimatedherwithfalsefever，sheclaspedherinfanttoherbreast，andwasconsoled，——resigned。Butwhatbitterdoubtofherownconduct，whaticypangofremorseshotthroughherheart，when，astheyrestedforafewhoursontheroadtoLeghorn，sheheardthewomanwhoaccompaniedherselfandGlyndonprayforsafetytoreachherhusband"sside，andstrengthtosharetheperilsthatwouldmeetherthere!Terriblecontrasttoherowndesertion!
Sheshrunkintothedarknessofherownheart，——andthennovoicefromwithinconsoledher。
CHAPTER6。IX。
Zukunfthastdumirgegeben，DochdunehmstdenAugenblick。
"Kassandra。"
(Futurityhastthougiventome，——yettakestfrommetheMoment。)
"Mejnour，beholdthywork!Out，outuponourlittlevanitiesofwisdom!——outuponouragesofloreandlife!TosaveherfromPerilIleftherpresence，andthePerilhasseizedherinitsgrasp!"
"Chidenotthywisdombutthypassions!Abandonthineidlehopeoftheloveofwoman。See，forthosewhowouldunitetheloftywiththelowly，theinevitablecurse；thyverynatureuncomprehended，——thysacrificesunguessed。Thelowlyoneviewsbutintheloftyanecromancerorafiend。Titan，canstthouweep？"
"Iknowitnow，Iseeitall!ItWASherspiritthatstoodbesideourown，andescapedmyairyclasp!Ostrongdesireofmotherhoodandnature!unveilingalloursecrets，piercingspaceandtraversingworlds!——Mejnour，whatawfullearninglieshidintheignoranceoftheheartthatloves!"
"Theheart，"answeredthemystic，coldly；"ay，forfivethousandyearsIhaveransackedthemysteriesofcreation，butIhavenotyetdiscoveredallthewondersintheheartofthesimplestboor!"
"Yetoursolemnritesdeceivedusnot；theprophet-shadows，darkwithterrorandredwithblood，stillforetoldthat，eveninthedungeon，andbeforethedeathsman，I，——Ihadthepowertosavethemboth!"
"Butatsomeunconjecturedandmostfatalsacrificetothyself。"
"Tomyself!Icysage，thereisnoselfinlove!Igo。Nay，alone:Iwanttheenot。Iwantnownootherguidebutthehumaninstinctsofaffection。Nocavesodark，nosolitudesovast，astoconcealher。Thoughmineartfailme；thoughthestarsheedmenot；thoughspace，withitsshiningmyriads，isagaintomebuttheazurevoid，——Ireturnbuttoloveandyouthandhope!
Whenhavetheyeverfailedtotriumphandtosave!"
BOOKVII。
THEREIGNOFTERROR。
OrridamaestaneiferoaspettoTerroreaccresce，epiusuperboilrende；
Rosseggiangliocchi，edivenenoinfettoComeinfaustacometa，ilguardosplende，Gilinvolveilmento，esull"irsutopettoIspidaefoitalagranbarbescende；
EINGUISADEVORAGINEPROFONDA
SAPRELABOCCAA"ATROSANGUEIMMONDA。
(Ger。Lib。，Cant。iv。7。)
Ahorriblemajestyinthefierceaspectincreasesitterror，andrendersitmoresuperb。Redglowtheeyes，andtheaspectinfected，likeabalefulcomet，withenvenomedinfluences，glaresaround。Avastbeardcoversthechin——and，roughandthick，descendsovertheshaggybreast——Andlikeaprofoundgulfexpandthejaws，foulwithblackgore。
CHAPTER7。I。
Quisuis-je，moiqu"onaccuse？UnesclavedelaLiberte，unmartyrvivantdelaRepublique。
"DiscoursdeRobespierre，8Thermidor。"
(WhoamI，——_I_whomtheyaccuse？AslaveofLiberty，——alivingmartyrfortheRepublic。)
Itroars，——TheRiverofHell，whosefirstoutbreakwaschantedasthegushofachanneltoElysium。Howburstintoblossominghopesfairheartsthathadnourishedthemselvesonthediamonddewsoftherosydawn，whenLibertycamefromthedarkocean，andthearmsofdecrepitThraldom——AurorafromthebedofTithon!
Hopes!yehaveripenedintofruit，andthefruitisgoreandashes!BeautifulRoland，eloquentVergniaud，visionaryCondorcet，high-heartedMalesherbes!——wits，philosophers，statesmen，patriots，dreamers!beholdthemillenniumforwhichyedaredandlaboured!
Iinvoketheghosts!Saturnhathdevouredhischildren("LaRevolutionestcommeSaturne，elledevoreratoussesenfans。"——
Vergniaud。)，andlivesalone，——IhistruenameofMoloch!
ItistheReignofTerror，withRobespierretheking。Thestrugglesbetweentheboaandthelionarepast:theboahasconsumedthelion，andisheavywiththegorge，——Dantonhasfallen，andCamilleDesmoulins。Dantonhadsaidbeforehisdeath，"ThepoltroonRobespierre，——Ialonecouldhavesavedhim。"
Fromthathour，indeed，thebloodofthedeadgiantcloudedthecraftof"MaximilientheIncorruptible，"asatlast，amidstthedinoftherousedConvention，itchokedhisvoice。(LesangdeDantont"etouffe!"(thebloodofDantonchokesthee!)saidGarnierdel"Aube，whenonthefatal9thofThermidor，Robespierregaspedfeeblyforth，"Pourladernierefois，PresidentdesAssassins，jetedemandelaparole。"(Forthelasttime，PresidentofAssassins，Idemandtospeak。))If，afterthatlastsacrifice，essential，perhaps，tohissafety，RobespierrehadproclaimedthecloseoftheReignofTerror，andacteduponthemercywhichDantonhadbeguntopreach，hemighthavelivedanddiedamonarch。Buttheprisonscontinuedtoreek，——theglaivetofall；andRobespierreperceivednotthathismobsweregluttedtosatietywithdeath，andthestrongestexcitementachiefcouldgivewouldbeareturnfromdevilsintomen。
WearetransportedtoaroominthehouseofCitizenDupleix，themenuisier，inthemonthofJuly，1794；or，inthecalendaroftheRevolutionists，itwastheThermidoroftheSecondYearoftheRepublic，OneandIndivisible!Thoughtheroomwassmall，itwasfurnishedanddecoratedwithaminuteandcarefuleffortateleganceandrefinement。Itseemed，indeed，thedesireoftheownertoavoidatoncewhatwasmeanandrude，andwhatwasluxuriousandvoluptuous。Itwasatrim，orderly，precisegracethatshapedtheclassicchairs，arrangedtheampledraperies，sanktheframelessmirrorsintothewall，placedbustandbronzeontheirpedestals，andfilledupthenicheshereandtherewithwell-boundbooks，filedregularlyintheirappointedranks。Anobserverwouldhavesaid，"Thismanwishestoimplytoyou，——Iamnotrich；Iamnotostentatious；Iamnotluxurious；IamnoindolentSybarite，withcouchesofdown，andpicturesthatprovokethesense；Iamnohaughtynoble，withspacioushalls，andgalleriesthatawetheecho。ButsomuchthegreaterismymeritifIdisdaintheseexcessesoftheeaseorthepride，sinceIlovetheelegant，andhaveataste!Othersmaybesimpleandhonest，fromtheverycoarsenessoftheirhabits；ifI，withsomuchrefinementanddelicacy，amsimpleandhonest，——reflect，andadmireme!"
Onthewallsofthischamberhungmanyportraits，mostofthemrepresentedbutoneface；ontheformalpedestalsweregroupedmanybusts，mostofthemsculpturedbutonehead。InthatsmallchamberEgotismsatsupreme，andmadetheArtsitslooking-
glasses。Erectinachair，beforealargetablespreadwithletters，sattheoriginalofbustandcanvas，theowneroftheapartment。Hewasalone，yethesaterect，formal，stiff，precise，asifinhisveryhomehewasnotatease。Hisdresswasinharmonywithhispostureandhischamber；itaffectedaneatnessofitsown，——foreignbothtothesumptuousfashionsofthedeposednobles，andthefilthyruggednessofthesans-
culottes。Frizzledandcoiffe，notahairwasoutoforder，notaspecklodgedonthesleeksurfaceofthebluecoat，notawrinklecrumpledthesnowyvest，withitsunder-reliefofdelicatepink。Atthefirstglance，youmighthaveseeninthatfacenothingbuttheill-favouredfeaturesofasicklycountenance；atasecondglance，youwouldhaveperceivedthatithadapower，acharacterofitsown。Theforehead，thoughlowandcompressed，wasnotwithoutthatappearanceofthoughtandintelligencewhich，itmaybeobserved，thatbreadthbetweentheeyebrowsalmostinvariablygives；thelipswerefirmandtightlydrawntogether，yeteverandanontheytrembled，andwrithedrestlessly。Theeyes，sullenandgloomy，wereyetpiercing，andfullofaconcentratedvigourthatdidnotseemsupportedbythethin，feebleframe，orthegreenlividnessofthehues，whichtoldofanxietyanddisease。
SuchwasMaximilienRobespierre；suchthechamberoverthemenuisier"sshop，whenceissuedtheedictsthatlaunchedarmiesontheircareerofglory，andordainedanartificialconduittocarryoffthebloodthatdelugedthemetropolisofthemostmartialpeopleintheglobe!Suchwasthemanwhohadresignedajudicialappointment(theearlyobjectofhisambition)ratherthanviolatehisphilanthropicalprinciplesbysubscribingtothedeathofasinglefellow-creature；suchwasthevirginenemytocapitalpunishments；andsuch，Butcher-Dictatornow，wasthemanwhosepureandrigidmanners，whoseincorruptiblehonesty，whosehatredoftheexcessesthattempttoloveandwine，would，hadhediedfiveyearsearlier，havelefthimthemodelforprudentfathersandcarefulcitizenstoplacebeforetheirsons。Suchwasthemanwhoseemedtohavenovice，tillcircumstance，thathotbed，broughtforththetwowhich，inordinarytimes，lieeverthedeepestandmostlatentinaman"sheart，——CowardiceandEnvy。Tooneofthesesourcesistobetracedeverymurderthatmaster-fiendcommitted。Hiscowardicewasofapeculiarandstrangesort；foritwasaccompaniedwiththemostunscrupulousanddeterminedWILL，——awillthatNapoleonreverenced；awillofiron，andyetnervesofaspen。Mentally，hewasahero，——
physically，adastard。Whentheveriestshadowofdangerthreatenedhisperson，theframecowered，butthewillsweptthedangertotheslaughter-house。Sotherehesat，boltupright，——
hissmall，leanfingersclenchedconvulsively；hissulleneyesstrainingintospace，theirwhitesyellowedwithstreaksofcorruptblood；hisearsliterallymovingtoandfro，liketheignobleranimals"，tocatcheverysound，——aDionysiusinhiscave；buthisposturedecorousandcollected，andeveryformalhairinitsfrizzledplace。
"Yes，yes，"hesaidinamutteredtone，"Ihearthem；mygoodJacobinsareattheirpostonthestairs。Pitytheyswearso!I
havealawagainstoaths，——themannersofthepoorandvirtuouspeoplemustbereformed。Whenallissafe，anexampleortwoamongstthosegoodJacobinswouldmakeeffect。Faithfulfellows，howtheyloveme!Hum!——whatanoathwasthat!——theyneednotswearsoloud，——upontheverystaircase，too!Itdetractsfrommyreputation。Ha!steps!"
Thesoliloquistglancedattheoppositemirror，andtookupavolume；heseemedabsorbedinitscontents，asatallfellow，abludgeoninhishand，agirdleadornedwithpistolsroundhiswaist，openedthedoor，andannouncedtwovisitors。Theonewasayoungman，saidtoresembleRobespierreinperson，butofafarmoredecidedandresoluteexpressionofcountenance。Heenteredfirst，and，lookingoverthevolumeinRobespierre"shand，forthelatterseemedstillintentonhislecture，exclaimed，——
"What!Rousseau"sHeloise？Alove-tale!"
"DearPayan，itisnotthelove，——itisthephilosophythatcharmsme。Whatnoblesentiments!——whatardourofvirtue!IfJeanJacqueshadbutlivedtoseethisday!"
WhiletheDictatorthuscommentedonhisfavouriteauthor，whominhisorationshelabouredhardtoimitate，thesecondvisitorwaswheeledintotheroominachair。Thismanwasalsoinwhat，tomost，istheprimeoflife，——namely，aboutthirty-eight；buthewasliterallydeadinthelowerlimbs:crippled，paralytic，distorted，hewasyet，asthetimesooncametotellhim，——aHerculesinCrime!Butthesweetestofhumansmilesdweltuponhislips；abeautyalmostangeliccharacterisedhisfeatures("Figured"ange，"saysoneofhiscontemporaries，indescribingCouthon。Theaddress，drawnupmostprobablybyPayan(Thermidor9)，afterthearrestofRobespierre，thusmentionshiscrippledcolleague:"Couthon，cecitoyenvertueux，QUIN"AQUELECOEUR
ETLATETEDEVIVANS，maisquilesabrulantsdepatriotisme"
(Couthon，thatvirtuouscitizen，whohasbuttheheadandtheheartoftheliving，yetpossessestheseallonflamewithpatriotism。))；aninexpressibleaspectofkindness，andtheresignationofsufferingbutcheerfulbenignity，stoleintotheheartsofthosewhoforthefirsttimebeheldhim。Withthemostcaressing，silver，flute-likevoice，CitizenCouthonsalutedtheadmirerofJeanJacques。
"Nay，——donotsaythatitisnottheLOVEthatattractsthee；itISthelove!butnotthegross，sensualattachmentofmanforwoman。No!thesublimeaffectionforthewholehumanrace，andindeed，forallthatlives!"
AndCitizenCouthon，bendingdown，fondledthelittlespanielthatheinvariablycarriedinhisbosom，eventotheConvention，asaventfortheexuberantsensibilitieswhichoverflowedhisaffectionateheart。(ThistendernessforsomepetanimalwasbynomeanspeculiartoCouthon；itseemsratheracommonfashionwiththegentlebutchersoftheRevolution。M。GeorgeDuvalinformsus("SouvenirsdelaTerreur，"volumeiiipage183)thatChaumettehadanaviary，towhichhedevotedhisharmlessleisure；themurderousFourniercarriedonhisshouldersaprettylittlesquirrel，attachedbyasilverchain；Panisbestowedthesuperfluityofhisaffectionsupontwogoldpheasants；andMarat，whowouldnotabateoneofthethreehundredthousandheadshedemanded，REAREDDOVES!AproposofthespanielofCouthon，DuvalgivesusanamusinganecdoteofSergent，notoneoftheleastrelentlessagentsofthemassacreofSeptember。AladycametoimplorehisprotectionforoneofherrelationsconfinedintheAbbaye。Hescarcelydeignedtospeaktoher。Assheretiredindespair，shetrodbyaccidentonthepawofhisfavouritespaniel。Sergent，turninground，enragedandfurious，exclaimed，"MADAM，HAVEYOUNOHUMANITY？")
"Yes，forallthatlives，"repeatedRobespierre，tenderly。"GoodCouthon，——poorCouthon!Ah，themaliceofmen!——howwearemisrepresented!Tobecalumniatedastheexecutionersofourcolleagues!Ah，itisTHATwhichpiercestheheart!Tobeanobjectofterrortotheenemiesofourcountry，——THATisnoble；
buttobeanobjectofterrortothegood，thepatriotic，tothoseonelovesandreveres，——THATisthemostterribleofhumantorturesatleast，toasusceptibleandhonestheart!"(Nottofatiguethereaderwithannotations，ImayhereobservethatnearlyeverysentimentascribedinthetexttoRobespierreistobefoundexpressedinhisvariousdiscourses。)
"HowIlovetohearhim!"ejaculatedCouthon。
"Hem!"saidPayan，withsomeimpatience。"Butnowtobusiness!"
"Ah，tobusiness!"saidRobespierre，withasinisterglancefromhisbloodshoteyes。
"Thetimehascome，"saidPayan，"whenthesafetyoftheRepublicdemandsacompleteconcentrationofitspower。ThesebrawlersoftheComiteduSalutPubliccanonlydestroy；theycannotconstruct。Theyhatedyou，Maximilien，fromthemomentyouattemptedtoreplaceanarcybyinstitutions。HowtheymockatthefestivalwhichproclaimedtheacknowledgmentofaSupremeBeing:theywouldhavenoruler，eveninheaven!Yourclearandvigorousintellectsawthat，havingwreckedanoldworld，itbecamenecessarytoshapeanewone。Thefirststeptowardsconstructionmustbetodestroythedestroyers。Whilewedeliberate，yourenemiesact。Betterthisverynighttoattackthehandfulofgensdarmesthatguardthem，thantoconfrontthebattalionstheymayraiseto-morrow。"
"No，"saidRobespierre，whorecoiledbeforethedeterminedspiritofPayan；"Ihaveabetterandsaferplan。Thisisthe6thofThermidor；onthe10th——onthe10th，theConventiongoinabodytotheFeteDecadaire。Amobshallform；thecanonniers，thetroopsofHenriot，theyoungpupilsdel"EcoledeMars，shallmixinthecrowd。Easy，then，tostriketheconspiratorswhomweshalldesignatetoouragents。Onthesameday，too，FouquierandDumasshallnotrest；andasufficientnumberof"thesuspect"tomaintainsalutaryawe，andkeepuptherevolutionaryexcitement，shallperishbytheglaiveofthelaw。The10thshallbethegreatdayofaction。Payan，oftheselastculprits，haveyoupreparedalist？"
"Itishere，"returnedPayan，laconically，presentingapaper。
Robespierreglancedoveritrapidly。"Collotd"Herbois!——good!
Barrere!——ay，itwasBarrerewhosaid，"Letusstrike:thedeadaloneneverreturn。"("Frappons!iln"yaquelesmortsquinerevientpas。"——Barrere。)Vadier，thesavagejester!——good——good!
VadieroftheMountain。Hehascalledme"Mahomet!"Scelerat!
blasphemer!"
"MahometiscomingtotheMountain，"saidCouthon，withhissilveryaccent，ashecaressedhisspaniel。
"Buthowisthis？IdonotseethenameofTallien？Tallien，——I
hatethatman；thatis，"saidRobespierre，correctinghimselfwiththehypocrisyorself-deceitwhichthosewhoformedthecouncilofthisphrase-mongerexhibitedhabitually，evenamongthemselves，——"thatis，VirtueandourCountryhatehim!ThereisnomaninthewholeConventionwhoinspiresmewiththesamehorrorasTallien。Couthon，IseeathousandDantonswhereTalliensits!"
"Tallienhastheonlyheadthatbelongstothisdeformedbody，"
saidPayan，whoseferocityandcrime，likethoseofSt。Just，werenotunaccompaniedbytalentsofnocommonorder。"Wereitnotbettertodrawawaythehead，towin，tobuyhim，forthetime，anddisposeofhimbetterwhenleftalone？HemayhateYOU，buthelovesMONEY!"
"No，"saidRobespierre，writingdownthenameofJeanLambertTallien，withaslowhandthatshapedeachletterwithsterndistinctness；"thatoneheadISMYNECESSITY!"
"IhaveaSMALLlisthere，"saidCouthon，sweetly，——"aVERYsmalllist。YouaredealingwiththeMountain；itisnecessarytomakeafewexamplesinthePlain。Thesemoderatesareasstrawswhichfollowthewind。TheyturnedagainstusyesterdayintheConvention。Alittleterrorwillcorrecttheweathercocks。Poorcreatures!Iowethemnoill-will；Icouldweepforthem。Butbeforeall，lacherepatrie!"
TheterribleglanceofRobespierredevouredthelistwhichthemanofsensibilitysubmittedtohim。"Ah，thesearewellchosen；
mennotofmarkenoughtoberegretted，whichisthebestpolicywiththerelicsofthatparty；someforeignerstoo，——yes，THEY
havenoparentsinParis。Thesewivesandparentsarebeginningtopleadagainstus。Theircomplaintsdemoralisetheguillotine!"
"Couthonisright，"saidPayan；"MYlistcontainsthosewhomitwillbesafertodespatchenmasseinthecrowdassembledattheFete。HISlistselectsthosewhomwemayprudentlyconsigntothelaw。Shallitnotbesignedatonce？"
"ItISsigned，"saidRobespierre，formallyreplacinghispenupontheinkstand。"Nowtomoreimportantmatters。Thesedeathswillcreatenoexcitement；butCollotd"Herbois，BourdonDel"Oise，Tallien，"thelastnameRobespierregaspedashepronounced，"THEYaretheheadsofparties。Thisislifeordeathtousaswellasthem。"
"Theirheadsarethefootstoolstoyourcurulechair，"saidPayan，inahalfwhisper。"Thereisnodangerifwearebold。
Judges，juries，allhavebeenyourselection。Youseizewithonehandthearmy，withtheother，thelaw。Yourvoiceyetcommandsthepeople——"