第18章
"Thepoorandvirtuouspeople，"murmuredRobespierre。
"Andeven，"continuedPayan，"ifourdesignattheFetefailus，wemustnotshrinkfromtheresourcesstillatourcommand。
Reflect!Henriot，thegeneraloftheParisianarmy，furnishesyouwithtroopstoarrest；theJacobinClubwithapublictoapprove；inexorableDumaswithjudgeswhoneveracquit。Wemustbebold!"
"AndweAREbold，"exclaimedRobespierre，withsuddenpassion，andstrikinghishandonthetableasherose，withhiscresterect，asaserpentintheacttostrike。"Inseeingthemultitudeofvicesthattherevolutionarytorrentmingleswithcivicvirtues，Itrembletobesulliedintheeyesofposteritybytheimpureneighbourhoodoftheseperversemenwhothrustthemselvesamongthesinceredefendersofhumanity。What!——theythinktodividethecountrylikeabooty!Ithankthemfortheirhatredtoallthatisvirtuousandworthy!Thesemen，"——andhegraspedthelistofPayaninhishand，——"these!——notWE——havedrawnthelineofdemarcationbetweenthemselvesandtheloversofFrance!"
"True，wemustreignalone!"mutteredPayan；"inotherwords，thestateneedsunityofwill；"working，withhisstrongpracticalmind，thecorollaryfromthelogicofhisword-compellingcolleague。
"IwillgototheConvention，"continuedRobespierre。"Ihaveabsentedmyselftoolong，——lestImightseemtooverawetheRepublicthatIhavecreated。Awaywithsuchscruples!Iwillpreparethepeople!Iwillblastthetraitorswithalook!"
Hespokewiththeterriblefirmnessoftheoratorthathadneverfailed，——ofthemoralwillthatmarchedlikeawarrioronthecannon。Atthatinstanthewasinterrupted；aletterwasbroughttohim:heopenedit，——hisfacefell，heshookfromlimbtolimb；itwasoneoftheanonymouswarningsbywhichthehateandrevengeofthoseyetleftalivetothreatentorturedthedeath-
giver。
"Thouartsmeared，"ranthelines，"withthebestbloodofFrance。Readthysentence!Iawaitthehourwhenthepeopleshallknelltheetothedoomsman。Ifmyhopedeceiveme，ifdeferredtoolong，——hearken，read!Thishand，whichthineeyesshallsearchinvaintodiscover，shallpiercethyheart。Iseetheeeveryday，——Iamwiththeeeveryday。Ateachhourmyarmrisesagainstthybreast。Wretch!liveyetawhile，thoughbutforfewandmiserabledays——livetothinkofme；sleeptodreamofme!Thyterrorandthythoughtofmearetheheraldsofthydoom。Adieu!thisdayitselfIgoforthtoriotonthyfears!"
(See"PapiersineditstrouveschezRobespierre，"etc。，volumeii。
page155。(No。lx。))
"Yourlistsarenotfullenough!"saidthetyrant，withahollowvoice，asthepaperdroppedfromhistremblinghand。"Givethemtome!——givethemtome!Thinkagain，thinkagain!Barrereisright——right!"Frappons!iln"yaquelesmortsquinerevientpas!""
CHAPTER7。II。
Lahaine，dansceslieux，n"aqu"unglaiveassassin。
Ellemarchedansl"ombre。
LaHarpe，"JeannedeNaples，"Activ。sc。1。
(Hate，intheseregions，hasbuttheswordoftheassassin。Shemovesintheshade。)
WhilesuchthedesignsandfearsofMaximilienRobespierre，commondanger，commonhatred，whateverwasyetleftofmercyorofvirtueintheagentsoftheRevolution，servedtounitestrangeoppositesinhostilitytotheuniversaldeath-dealer。
Therewas，indeed，anactualconspiracyatworkagainsthimamongmenlittlelessbespatteredthanhimselfwithinnocentblood。
Butthatconspiracywouldhavebeenidleofitself，despitetheabilitiesofTallienandBarras(theonlymenwhomitcomprised，worthy，byforesightandenergy，thenamesof"leaders")。ThesureanddestroyingelementsthatgatheredroundthetyrantwereTimeandNature；theone，whichhenolongersuited；theother，whichhehadoutragedandstirredupinthehumanbreast。ThemostatrociouspartyoftheRevolution，thefollowersofHebert，gonetohislastaccount，thebutcher-atheists，who，indesecratingheavenandearth，stillarrogatedinviolablesanctitytothemselves，wereequallyenragedattheexecutionoftheirfilthychief，andtheproclamationofaSupremeBeing。Thepopulace，brutalasithadbeen，startedasfromadreamofblood，whentheirhugeidol，Danton，nolongerfilledthestageofterror，renderingcrimepopularbythatcombinationofcarelessfranknessandeloquentenergywhichendearstheirheroestotheherd。TheglaiveoftheguillotinehadturnedagainstTHEMSELVES。Theyhadyelledandshouted，andsunganddanced，whenthevenerableage，orthegallantyouth，ofaristocracyorletters，passedbytheirstreetsinthedismaltumbrils；buttheyshutuptheirshops，andmurmuredtoeachother，whentheirownorderwasinvaded，andtailorsandcobblers，andjourneymenandlabourers，werehuddledofftotheembracesofthe"HolyMotherGuillotine，"withaslittleceremonyasiftheyhadbeentheMontmorenciesortheLaTremouilles，theMalesherbesortheLavoisiers。"Atthistime，"saidCouthon，justly，"LesombresdeDanton，d"Hebert，deChaumette，sepromenentparminous!"(TheshadesofDanton，Hebert，andChaumettewalkamongstus。)
Amongthosewhohadsharedthedoctrines，andwhonowdreadedthefateoftheatheistHebert，wasthepainter，JeanNicot。
Mortifiedandenragedtofindthat，bythedeathofhispatron，hiscareerwasclosed；andthat，inthezenithoftheRevolutionforwhichhehadlaboured，hewaslurkingincavesandcellars，morepoor，moreobscure，moredespicablethanhehadbeenatthecommencement，——notdaringtoexerciseevenhisart，andfearfuleveryhourthathisnamewouldswellthelistsofthecondemned，——hewasnaturallyoneofthebitterestenemiesofRobespierreandhisgovernment。HeheldsecretmeetingswithCollotd"Herbois，whowasanimatedbythesamespirit；andwiththecreepingandfurtivecraftthatcharacterisedhisabilities，hecontrived，undetected，todisseminatetractsandinvectivesagainsttheDictator，andtoprepare，amidst"thepoorandvirtuouspeople，"thetrainforthegrandexplosion。Butstillsofirmtotheeyes，evenofprofounderpoliticiansthanJeanNicot，appearedthesullenpoweroftheincorruptibleMaximilien；
sotimorouswasthemovementagainsthim，——thatNicot，incommonwithmanyothers，placedhishopesratherinthedaggeroftheassassinthantherevoltofthemultitude。ButNicot，thoughnotactuallyacoward，shrunkhimselffrombravingthefateofthemartyr；hehadsenseenoughtoseethat，thoughallpartiesmightrejoiceintheassassination，allpartieswouldprobablyconcurinbeheadingtheassassin。HehadnotthevirtuetobecomeaBrutus。Hisobjectwastoinspireaproxy-Brutus；andinthecentreofthatinflammablepopulationthiswasnoimprobablehope。
Amongstthoseloudestandsternestagainstthereignofblood；
amongstthosemostdisenchantedoftheRevolution；amongstthosemostappalledbyitsexcesses，——was，asmightbeexpected，theEnglishman，ClarenceGlyndon。Thewitandaccomplishments，theuncertainvirtuesthathadlightedwithfitfulgleamsthemindofCamilleDesmoulins，hadfascinatedGlyndonmorethanthequalitiesofanyotheragentintheRevolution。Andwhen(forCamilleDesmoulinshadaheart，whichseemeddeadordormantinmostofhiscontemporaries)thatvividchildofgeniusandoferror，shockedatthemassacreoftheGirondins，andrepentantofhisowneffortsagainstthem，begantorousetheserpentmaliceofRobespierrebynewdoctrinesofmercyandtoleration，Glyndonespousedhisviewswithhiswholestrengthandsoul。CamilleDesmoulinsperished，andGlyndon，hopelessatonceofhisownlifeandthecauseofhumanity，fromthattimesoughtonlytheoccasionofflightfromthedevouringGolgotha。Hehadtwolivestoheedbesideshisown；forthemhetrembled，andforthemheschemedandplottedthemeansofescape。ThoughGlyndonhatedtheprinciples，theparty(NoneweremoreopposedtotheHebertiststhanCamilleDesmoulinsandhisfriends。Itiscuriousandamusingtoseetheseleadersofthemob，callingthemob"thepeople"oneday，andthe"canaille"thenext，accordingasitsuitsthem。"Iknow，"saysCamille，"thatthey(theHebertists)haveallthecanaillewiththem。"——(Ilsonttoutelacanaillepoureux。))，andthevicesofNicot，heyetextendedtothepainter"spenurythemeansofsubsistence；andJeanNicot，inreturn，designedtoexaltGlyndontothatveryimmortalityofaBrutusfromwhichhemodestlyrecoiledhimself。Hefoundedhisdesignsonthephysicalcourage，onthewildandunsettledfanciesoftheEnglishartist，andonthevehementhateandindignantloathingwithwhichheopenlyregardedthegovernmentofMaximilien。
Atthesamehour，onthesamedayinJuly，inwhichRobespierreconferred(aswehaveseen)withhisallies，twopersonswereseatedinasmallroominoneofthestreetsleadingoutoftheRueSt。Honore；theone，aman，appearedlisteningimpatiently，andwithasullenbrow，tohiscompanion，awomanofsingularbeauty，butwithaboldandrecklessexpression，andherfaceasshespokewasanimatedbythepassionsofahalf-savageandvehementnature。
"Englishman，"saidthewoman，"beware!——youknowthat，whetherinflightorattheplaceofdeath，Iwouldbravealltobebyyourside，——youknowTHAT!Speak!"
"Well，Fillide；didIeverdoubtyourfidelity？"
"Doubtityoucannot，——betrayityoumay。Youtellmethatinflightyoumusthaveacompanionbesidesmyself，andthatcompanionisafemale。Itshallnotbe!"
"Shallnot!"
"Itshallnot!"repeatedFillide，firmly，andfoldingherarmsacrossherbreast。BeforeGlyndoncouldreply，aslightknockatthedoorwasheard，andNicotopenedthelatchandentered。
Fillidesankintoherchair，and，leaningherfaceonherhands，appearedunheedingoftheintruderandtheconversationthatensued。
"Icannotbidtheegood-day，Glyndon，"saidNicot，asinhissans-culottefashionhestrodetowardstheartist，hisraggedhatonhishead，hishandsinhispockets，andthebeardofaweek"sgrowthuponhischin，——"Icannotbidtheegood-day；forwhilethetyrantlives，eviliseverysunthatshedsitsbeamsonFrance。"
"Itistrue；whatthen？Wehavesownthewind，wemustreapthewhirlwind。"
"Andyet，"saidNicot，apparentlynotheedingthereply，andasifmusinglytohimself，"itisstrangetothinkthatthebutcherisasmortalasthebutchered；thathislifehangsonasslightathread；thatbetweenthecuticleandtheheartthereisasshortapassage，——that，inshort，oneblowcanfreeFranceandredeemmankind!"
Glyndonsurveyedthespeakerwithacarelessandhaughtyscorn，andmadenoanswer。
"And，"proceededNicot，"Ihavesometimeslookedroundforthemanbornforthisdestiny，andwheneverIhavedoneso，mystepshaveledmehither!"
"ShouldtheynotratherhaveledtheetothesideofMaximilienRobespierre？"saidGlyndon，withasneer。
"No，"returnedNicot，coldly，——"no；forIama"suspect:"I
couldnotmixwithhistrain；Icouldnotapproachwithinahundredyardsofhisperson，butIshouldbeseized；YOU，asyet，aresafe。Hearme!"——andhisvoicebecameearnestandexpressive，——"hearme!Thereseemsdangerinthisaction；thereisnone。IhavebeenwithCollotd"HerboisandBilaud-Varennes；
theywillholdhimharmlesswhostrikestheblow；thepopulacewouldruntothysupport；theConventionwouldhailtheeastheirdeliverer，the——"
"Hold，man!Howdarestthoucouplemynamewiththeactofanassassin？Letthetocsinsoundfromyondertower，toawarbetweenHumanityandtheTyrant，andIwillnotbethelastinthefield；butlibertyneveryetacknowledgedadefenderinafelon。"
TherewassomethingsobraveandnobleinGlyndon"svoice，mien，andmanner，ashethusspoke，thatNicotatoncewassilenced；atoncehesawthathehadmisjudgedtheman。
"No，"saidFillide，liftingherfacefromherhands，——"no!yourfriendhasawiserschemeinpreparation；hewouldleaveyouwolvestomangleeachother。Heisright；but——"
"Flight!"exclaimedNicot；"isitpossible？Flight；how？——when？——
bywhatmeans？AllFrancebegirtwithspiesandguards!
Flight!wouldtoHeavenitwereinourpower!"
"Dostthou，too，desiretoescapetheblessedRevolution？"
"Desire!Oh!"criedNicot，suddenly，and，fallingdown，heclaspedGlyndon"sknees，——"oh，savemewiththyself!Mylifeisatorture；everymomenttheguillotinefrownsbeforeme。Iknowthatmyhoursarenumbered；Iknowthatthetyrantwaitsbuthistimetowritemynameinhisinexorablelist；IknowthatReneDumas，thejudgewhoneverpardons，has，fromthefirst，resolveduponmydeath。Oh，Glyndon，byouroldfriendship，byourcommonart，bythyloyalEnglishfaithandgoodEnglishheart，letmesharethyflight!"
"Ifthouwilt，sobeit。"
"Thanks!——mywholelifeshallthankthee。Buthowhastthoupreparedthemeans，thepassports，thedisguise，the——"
"Iwilltellthee。ThouknowestC——，oftheConvention，——hehaspower，andheiscovetous。"Qu"onmemeprise，pourvuquejedine"(Letthemdespiseme，providedthatIdine。)，saidhe，whenreproachedforhisavarice。"
"Well？"
"Bythehelpofthissturdyrepublican，whohasfriendsenoughintheComite，Ihaveobtainedthemeansnecessaryforflight；I
havepurchasedthem。ForaconsiderationIcanprocurethypassportalso。"
"Thyriches，then，arenotinassignats？"
"No；Ihavegoldenoughforusall。"
AndhereGlyndon，beckoningNicotintothenextroom，firstbrieflyandrapidlydetailedtohimtheplanproposed，andthedisguisestobeassumedconformablytothepassports，andthenadded，"InreturnfortheserviceIrenderthee，grantmeonefavour，whichIthinkisinthypower。ThourememberestViolaPisani？"
"Ah，——remember，yes!——andtheloverwithwhomshefled。"
"AndFROMwhomsheisafugitivenow。"
"Indeed——what!——Iunderstand。Sacrebleu!butyouarealuckyfellow，cherconfrere。"
"Silence，man!withthyeternalprateofbrotherhoodandvirtue，thouseemestnevertobelieveinonekindlyaction，oronevirtuousthought!"
Nicotbithislip，andrepliedsullenly，"Experienceisagreatundeceiver。Humph!WhatservicecanIdotheewithregardtotheItalian？"
"Ihavebeenaccessorytoherarrivalinthiscityofsnaresandpitfalls。Icannotleaveheraloneamidstdangersfromwhichneitherinnocencenorobscurityisasafeguard。InyourblessedRepublic，agoodandunsuspectedcitizen，whocastsadesireonanywoman，maidorwife，hasbuttosay，"Bemine，orIdenounceyou!"Inaword，Violamustshareourflight。"
"Whatsoeasy？Iseeyourpassportsprovideforher。"
"Whatsoeasy？Whatsodifficult？ThisFillide——wouldthatI
hadneverseenher!——wouldthatIhadneverenslavedmysoultomysenses!Theloveofanuneducated，violent，unprincipledwoman，openswithaheaven，tomergeinahell!SheisjealousasalltheFuries；shewillnothearofafemalecompanion；andwhenoncesheseesthebeautyofViola!——Itrembletothinkofit。Sheiscapableofanyexcessinthestormofherpassions。"
"Aha，Iknowwhatsuchwomenare!Mywife，BeatriceSacchini，whomItookfromNaples，whenIfailedwiththisveryViola，divorcedmewhenmymoneyfailed，and，asthemistressofajudge，passesmeinhercarriagewhileIcrawlthroughthestreets。Plagueonher!——butpatience，patience!suchisthelotofvirtue。WouldIwereRobespierreforaday!"
"Ceasethesetirades!"exclaimedGlyndon，impatiently；"andtothepoint。Whatwouldyouadvise？"
"LeaveyourFillidebehind。"
"Leavehertoherownignorance；leaveherunprotectedevenbythemind；leaveherintheSaturnaliaofRapeandMurder？No!I
havesinnedagainstheronce。Butcomewhatmay，Iwillnotsobaselydesertonewho，withallhererrors，trustedherfatetomylove。"
"YoudesertedheratMarseilles。"
"True；butIleftherinsafety，andIdidnotthenbelieveherlovetobesodeepandfaithful。Ilefthergold，andIimaginedshewouldbeeasilyconsoled；butsinceTHENWEHAVEKNOWNDANGER
TOGETHER!Andnowtoleaveheralonetothatdangerwhichshewouldneverhaveincurredbutfordevotiontome!——no，thatisimpossible。Aprojectoccurstome。Canstthounotsaythatthouhastasister，arelative，orabenefactress，whomthouwouldstsave？Canwenot——tillwehaveleftFrance——makeFillidebelievethatViolaisoneinwhomTHOUonlyartinterested；andwhom，forthysakeonly，Ipermittoshareinourescape？"
"Ha，wellthoughtof!——certainly!"
"IwillthenappeartoyieldtoFillide"swishes，andresigntheproject，whichshesoresents，ofsavingtheinnocentobjectofherfranticjealousy。You，meanwhile，shallyourselfentreatFillidetointercedewithmetoextendthemeansofescapeto——"
"Toalady(sheknowsIhavenosister)whohasaidedmeinmydistress。Yes，Iwillmanageall，neverfear。Onewordmore，——
whathasbecomeofthatZanoni？"
"Talknotofhim，——Iknownot。"
"Doeshelovethisgirlstill？"
"Itwouldseemso。Sheishiswife，themotherofhisinfant，whoiswithher。"
"Wife!——mother!Helovesher。Aha!Andwhy——"
"Noquestionsnow。IwillgoandprepareViolafortheflight；
you，meanwhile，returntoFillide。"
"ButtheaddressoftheNeapolitan？ItisnecessaryIshouldknow，lestFillideinquire。"
"RueM——T——，No。27。Adieu。"
Glyndonseizedhishatandhastenedfromthehouse。
Nicot，leftalone，seemedforafewmomentsburiedinthought。
"Oho，"hemutteredtohimself，"canInotturnallthistomyaccount？CanInotavengemyselfonthee，Zanoni，asIhavesooftensworn，——throughthywifeandchild？CanInotpossessmyselfofthygold，thypassports，andthyFillide，hotEnglishman，whowouldsthumblemewiththyloathedbenefits，andwhohastchuckedmethinealmsastoabeggar？AndFillide，I
loveher:andthygold，IloveTHATmore!Puppets，Imoveyourstrings!"
HepassedslowlyintothechamberwhereFillideyetsat，withgloomythoughtonherbrowandtearsstandinginherdarkeyes。
Shelookedupeagerlyasthedooropened，andturnedfromtheruggedfaceofNicotwithanimpatientmovementofdisappointment。
"Glyndon，"saidthepainter，drawingachairtoFillide"s，"hasleftmetoenlivenyoursolitude，fairItalian。HeisnotjealousoftheuglyNicot!——ha，ha!——yetNicotlovedtheewellonce，whenhisfortunesweremorefair。Butenoughofsuchpastfollies。"
"Yourfriend，then，hasleftthehouse。Whither？Ah，youlookaway；youfalter，——youcannotmeetmyeyes!Speak!Iimplore，I
commandthee，speak!"
"Enfant!Andwhatdostthoufear？"
"FEAR!——yes，alas，Ifear!"saidtheItalian；andherwholeframeseemedtoshrinkintoitselfasshefelloncemorebackintoherseat。
Then，afterapause，shetossedthelonghairfromhereyes，and，startingupabruptly，pacedtheroomwithdisorderedstrides。AtlengthshestoppedoppositetoNicot，laidherhandonhisarm，drewhimtowardsanescritoire，whichsheunlocked，and，openingawell，pointedtothegoldthatlaywithin，andsaid，"Thouartpoor，——thoulovestmoney；takewhatthouwilt，butundeceiveme。
Whoisthiswomanwhomthyfriendvisits，——anddoesheloveher？"
Nicot"seyessparkled，andhishandsopenedandclenched，andclenchedandopened，ashegazeduponthecoins。Butreluctantlyresistingtheimpulse，hesaid，withanaffectedbitterness，"Thinkestthoutobribeme？——ifso，itcannotbewithgold。Butwhatifhedoeslovearival；whatifhebetraysthee；whatif，weariedbythyjealousies，hedesignsinhisflighttoleavetheebehind，——wouldsuchknowledgemaketheehappier？"
"Yes!"exclaimedtheItalian，fiercely；"yes，foritwouldbehappinesstohateandtobeavenged!Oh，thouknowestnothowsweetishatredtothosewhohavereallyloved!"
"Butwiltthouswear，ifIrevealtotheethesecret，thatthouwiltnotbetrayme，——thatthouwiltnotfall，aswomendo，intoweaktearsandfondreproaches，whenthybetrayerreturns？"
"Tears，reproaches!Revengehidesitselfinsmiles!"
"Thouartabravecreature!"saidNicot，almostadmiringly。"Oneconditionmore:thyloverdesignstoflywithhisnewlove，toleavetheetothyfate；ifIprovethistothee，andifIgivetheerevengeagainstthyrival，wiltthouflywithme？Ilovethee!——Iwillwedthee!"
Fillide"seyesflashedfire；shelookedathimwithunutterabledisdain，andwassilent。
Nicotfelthehadgonetoofar；andwiththatknowledgeoftheevilpartofournaturewhichhisownheartandassociationwithcrimehadtaughthim，heresolvedtotrusttheresttothepassionsoftheItalian，whenraisedtotheheighttowhichhewaspreparedtoleadthem。
"Pardonme，"hesaid；"mylovemademetoopresumptuous；andyetitisonlythatlove，——mysympathyforthee，beautifulandbetrayed，thatcaninducemetowrong，withmyrevelations，onewhomIhaveregardedasabrother。IcandependuponthineoathtoconcealallfromGlyndon？"
"Onmyoathandmywrongsandmymountainblood!"
"Enough!getthyhatandmantle，andfollowme。"
AsFillidelefttheroom，Nicot"seyesagainrestedonthegold；
itwasmuch，——muchmorethanhehaddaredtohopefor；andashepeeredintothewellandopenedthedrawers，heperceivedapacketoflettersinthewell-knownhandofCamilleDesmoulins。
Heseized——heopenedthepacket；hislooksbrightenedasheglancedoverafewsentences。"ThiswouldgivefiftyGlyndonstotheguillotine!"hemuttered，andthrustthepacketintohisbosom。
Oartist!——Ohauntedone!——Oerringgenius!——beholdthetwoworstfoes，——theFalseIdealthatknowsnoGod，andtheFalseLovethatburnsfromthecorruptionofthesenses，andtakesnolustrefromthesoul!
CHAPTER7。III。
LiebesonntdasReichderNacht。
"DerTriumphderLiebe。"
(LoveillumestherealmofNight。)
LetterfromZanonitoMejnour。
Paris。
Dostthourememberintheoldtime，whentheBeautifulyetdweltinGreece，howwetwo，inthevastAthenianTheatre，witnessedthebirthofWordsasundyingasourselves？Dostthourememberthethrillofterrorthatranthroughthatmightyaudience，whenthewildCassandraburstfromherawfulsilencetoshriektoherrelentlessgod!Howghastly，attheentranceoftheHouseofAtreus，abouttobecomehertomb，rangoutherexclamationsofforebodingwoe:"Dwellingabhorredofheaven!——humanshamble-
houseandfloorblood-bespattered!"(Aesch。"Agam。"1098。)Dostthourememberhow，amidstthebreathlessaweofthoseassembledthousands，Idrewclosetothee，andwhispered，"Verily，noprophetlikethepoet!Thissceneoffabledhorrorcomestomeasadream，shadowingforthsomelikenessinmyownremoterfuture!"AsIenterthisslaughter-housethatscenereturnstome，andIhearkentothevoiceofCassandraringinginmyears。
Asolemnandwarningdreadgathersroundme，asifItoowerecometofindagrave，and"theNetofHades"hadalreadyentangledmeinitsweb!Whatdarktreasure-housesofvicissitudeandwoeareourmemoriesbecome!Whatourlives，butthechroniclesofunrelentingdeath!ItseemstomeasyesterdaywhenIstoodinthestreetsofthiscityoftheGaul，astheyshonewithplumedchivalry，andtheairrustledwithsilkenbraveries。YoungLouis，themonarchandthelover，wasvictoroftheTournamentattheCarousel；andallFrancefeltherselfsplendidinthesplendourofhergorgeouschief!Nowthereisneitherthronenoraltar；andwhatisintheirstead？Iseeityonder——theGUILLOTINE!Itisdismaltostandamidsttheruinsofmoulderingcities，tostartletheserpentandthelizardamidstthewrecksofPersepolisandThebes；butmoredismalstilltostandasI——thestrangerfromEmpiresthathaveceasedtobe——
standnowamidsttheyetghastlierruinsofLawandOrder，theshatteringofmankindthemselves!Yethere，evenhere，Love，theBeautifier，thathathledmysteps，canwalkwithunshrinkinghopethroughthewildernessofDeath。Strangeisthepassionthatmakesaworldinitself，thatindividualisestheOneamidsttheMultitude；that，throughallthechangesofmysolemnlife，yetsurvives，thoughambitionandhateandangeraredead；theonesolitaryangel，hoveringoverauniverseoftombsonitstwotremulousandhumanwings，——HopeandFear!
Howisit，Mejnour，that，asmydivinerartabandonedme，——as，inmysearchforViola，Iwasaidedbutbytheordinaryinstinctsofthemerestmortal，——howisitthatIhaveneverdesponded，thatI
havefeltineverydifficultytheprevailingpresciencethatweshouldmeetatlast？Socruellywaseveryvestigeofherflightconcealedfromme，——sosuddenly，sosecretlyhadshefled，thatallthespies，alltheauthoritiesofVenice，couldgivemenoclew。AllItalyIsearchedinvain!HeryounghomeatNaples!——
howstill，initshumblechambers，thereseemedtolingerthefragranceofherpresence!Allthesublimestsecretsofourlorefailedme，——failedtobringhersoulvisibletomine；yetmorningandnight，thouloneandchildlessone，morningandnight，detachedfrommyself，Icancommunewithmychild!Thereinthatmostblessed，typical，andmysteriousofallrelations，NatureherselfappearstosupplywhatSciencewouldrefuse。Spacecannotseparatethefather"swatchfulsoulfromthecradleofhisfirst-born!Iknownotofitsresting-placeandhome，——myvisionspicturenottheland，——onlythesmallandtenderlifetowhichallspaceisasyettheheritage!Fortotheinfant，beforereasondawns，——beforeman"sbadpassionscandimtheessencethatittakesfromtheelementithathleft，thereisnopeculiarcountry，nonativecity，andnomortallanguage。Itssoulasyetisthedenizenofallairsandofeveryworld；andinspaceitssoulmeetswithmine，——thechildcommuneswiththefather!Cruelandforsakingone，——thouforwhomIleftthewisdomofthespheres；thouwhosefataldowerhasbeentheweaknessandterrorsofhumanity，——couldstthouthinkthatyoungsoullesssafeonearthbecauseIwouldleaditevermoreuptoheaven!DidstthouthinkthatIcouldhavewrongedmineown？
DidstthounotknowthatinitsserenesteyesthelifethatI
gaveitspoketowarn，toupbraidthemotherwhowouldbindittothedarknessandpangsoftheprison-houseofclay？DidstthounotfeelthatitwasIwho，permittedbytheHeavens，shieldeditfromsufferinganddisease？Andinitswondrousbeauty，I
blessedtheholymediumthroughwhich，atlast，myspiritmightconferwiththine!
AndhowhaveItrackedthemhither？IlearnedthatthypupilhadbeenatVenice。IcouldnottracetheyoungandgentleneophyteofParthenopeinthedescriptionofthehaggardandsavagevisitorwhohadcometoViolabeforeshefled；butwhenIwouldhavesummonedhisIDEAbeforeme，itrefusedtoobey；andIknewthenthathisfatehadbecomeentwinedwithViola"s。Ihavetrackedhim，then，tothisLazarHouse。Iarrivedbutyesterday；
Ihavenotyetdiscoveredhim……
Ihavejustreturnedfromtheircourtsofjustice，——denswheretigersarraigntheirprey。IfindnotwhomIwouldseek。Theyaresavedasyet；butIrecogniseinthecrimesofmortalsthedarkwisdomoftheEverlasting。Mejnour，Iseehere，forthefirsttime，howmajesticandbeauteousathingisdeath!Ofwhatsublimevirtueswerobbedourselves，when，inthethirstforvirtue，weattainedtheartbywhichwecanrefusetodie!Wheninsomehappyclime，wheretobreatheistoenjoy，thecharnel-
houseswallowsuptheyoungandfair；wheninthenoblepursuitofknowledge，Deathcomestothestudent，andshutsouttheenchantedlandwhichwasopeningtohisgaze，——hownaturalforustodesiretolive；hownaturaltomakeperpetuallifethefirstobjectofresearch!Buthere，frommytoweroftime，lookingoverthedarksomepast，andintothestarryfuture，Ilearnhowgreatheartsfeelwhatsweetnessandglorythereistodieforthethingstheylove!Isawafathersacrificinghimselfforhisson；hewassubjectedtochargeswhichawordofhiscoulddispel，——hewasmistakenforhisboy。Withwhatjoyheseizedtheerror，confessedthenoblecrimesofvalourandfidelitywhichthesonhadindeedcommitted，andwenttothedoom，exultingthathisdeathsavedthelifehehadgiven，notinvain!
Isawwomen，young，delicate，inthebloomoftheirbeauty；theyhadvowedthemselvestothecloister。Handssmearedwiththebloodofsaintsopenedthegatethathadshutthemfromtheworld，andbadethemgoforth，forgettheirvows，forsweartheDivineonethesedemonswoulddepose，findloversandhelpmates，andbefree。Andsomeoftheseyoungheartshadloved，andeven，thoughinstruggles，lovedyet。Didtheyforswearthevow？Didtheyabandonthefaith？Didevenloveallurethem？Mejnour，withonevoice，theypreferredtodie。Andwhencecomesthiscourage？——becausesuchHEARTSLIVEINSOMEMOREABSTRACTAND
HOLIERLIFETHANTHEIROWN。BUTTOLIVEFOREVERUPONTHISEARTH
ISTOLIVEINNOTHINGDIVINERTHANOURSELVES。Yes，evenamidstthisgorybutcherdom，God，theEver-living，vindicatestomanthesanctityofHisservant，Death!……
AgainIhaveseentheeinspirit；Ihaveseenandblessedthee，mysweetchild!Dostthounotknowmealsointhydreams？Dostthounotfeelthebeatingofmyheartthroughtheveilofthyrosyslumbers？DostthounothearthewingsofthebrighterbeingsthatIyetcanconjurearoundthee，towatch，tonourish，andtosave？Andwhenthespellfadesatthywaking，whenthineeyesopentotheday，willtheynotlookroundforme，andaskthymother，withtheirmuteeloquence，"Whyshehasrobbedtheeofafather？"
Woman，dostthounotrepentthee？Flyingfromimaginaryfears，hastthounotcometotheverylairofterror，whereDangersitsvisibleandincarnate？Oh，ifwecouldbutmeet，wouldstthounotfalluponthebosomthouhastsowronged，andfeel，poorwandereramidstthestorms，asifthouhadstregainedtheshelter？Mejnour，stillmyresearchesfailme。Iminglewithallmen，eventheirjudgesandtheirspies，butIcannotyetgaintheclew。Iknowthatsheishere。Iknowitbyaninstinct；
thebreathofmychildseemswarmerandmorefamiliar。
Theypeeratmewithvenomouslooks，asIpassthroughtheirstreets。WithaglanceIdisarmtheirmalice，andfascinatethebasilisks。EverywhereIseethetrackandscentthepresenceoftheGhostlyOnethatdwellsontheThreshold，andwhosevictimsarethesoulsthatwouldASPIRE，andcanonlyFEAR。Iseeitsdimshapelessnessgoingbeforethemenofblood，andmarshallingtheirway。Robespierrepassedmewithhisfurtivestep。Thoseeyesofhorrorweregnawingintohisheart。Ilookeddownupontheirsenate；thegrimPhantomsatcoweringonitsfloor。
IthathtakenupitsabodeinthecityofDread。Andwhatintrutharethesewould-bebuildersofanewworld？Likethestudentswhohavevainlystruggledafteroursupremescience，theyhaveattemptedwhatisbeyondtheirpower；theyhavepassedfromthissolidearthofusagesandformsintothelandofshadow，anditsloathsomekeeperhasseizedthemasitsprey。Ilookedintothetyrant"sshudderingsoul，asittrembledpastme。There，amidsttheruinsofathousandsystemswhichaimedatvirtue，satCrime，andshiveredatitsdesolation。YetthismanistheonlyThinker，theonlyAspirant，amongstthemall。Hestilllooksforafutureofpeaceandmercy，tobegin，——ay!atwhatdate？Whenhehassweptawayeveryfoe。Fool!newfoesspringfromeverydropofblood。LedbytheeyesoftheUnutterable，heiswalkingtohisdoom。
OViola，thyinnocenceprotectsthee!Thouwhomthesweethumanitiesofloveshutoutevenfromthedreamsofaerialandspiritualbeauty，makingthyheartauniverseofvisionsfairerthanthewandererovertherosyHesperuscansurvey，——shallnotthesamepureaffectionencompassthee，evenhere，withacharmedatmosphere，andterroritselffallharmlessonalifetooinnocentforwisdom？
CHAPTER7。IV。
Ombrapiuchedinotte，incuidiluceRaggiomistonone；……
Nepiuilpalagioappar，nepiulesueVestigia；nedirpuossi——egliquifue。
"Ger。Lib。，cantoxvi-lxix。
(Darknessgreaterthanofnight，inwhichnotarayoflightismixed；……Thepalaceappearsnomore:notevenavestige，——norcanonesaythatithasbeen。)
Theclubsarenoisywithclamorousfrenzy；theleadersaregrimwithschemes。BlackHenriotflieshereandthere，mutteringtohisarmedtroops，"Robespierre，yourbeloved，isindanger!"
Robespierrestalksperturbed，hislistofvictimsswellingeveryhour。Tallien，theMacdufftothedoomedMacbeth，iswhisperingcouragetohispaleconspirators。Alongthestreetsheavilyrollthetumbrils。Theshopsareclosed，——thepeoplearegorgedwithgore，andwilllapnomore。Andnightafternight，totheeightytheatresflockthechildrenoftheRevolution，tolaughatthequipsofcomedy，andweepgentletearsoverimaginarywoes!
Inasmallchamber，intheheartofthecity，sitsthemother，watchingoverherchild。Itisquiet，happynoon；thesunlight，brokenbythetallroofsinthenarrowstreet，comesyetthroughtheopencasement，theimpartialplayfellowoftheair，gleesomealikeintempleandprison，hallandhovel；asgoldenandasblithe，whetheritlaughoverthefirsthouroflife，orquiverinitsgaydelightontheterrorandagonyofthelast!Thechild，whereitlayatthefeetofViola，stretchedoutitsdimpledhandsasiftoclaspthedancingmotesthatrevelledinthebeam。Themotherturnedhereyesfromtheglory；itsaddenedheryetmore。Sheturnedandsighed。
IsthisthesameViolawhobloomedfairerthantheirownIdaliaundertheskiesofGreece？Howchanged!Howpaleandworn!Shesatlistlessly，herarmsdroppingonherknee；thesmilethatwashabitualtoherlipswasgone。Aheavy，dulldespondency，asifthelifeoflifewerenomore，seemedtoweighdownheryouth，andmakeitwearyofthathappysun!Intruth，herexistencehadlanguishedawaysinceithadwandered，assomemelancholystream，fromthesourcethatfedit。Thesuddenenthusiasmoffearorsuperstitionthathadalmost，asifstillintheunconsciousmovementsofadream，ledhertoflyfromZanoni，hadceasedfromthedaywhichdawneduponherinaforeignland。Then——there——
shefeltthatinthesmileshehadevermoreabandonedlivedherlife。Shedidnotrepent，——shewouldnothaverecalledtheimpulsethatwingedherflight。Thoughtheenthusiasmwasgone，thesuperstitionyetremained；shestillbelievedshehadsavedherchildfromthatdarkandguiltysorcery，concerningwhichthetraditionsofalllandsareprodigal，butinnonedotheyfindsuchcredulity，orexcitesuchdread，asintheSouthofItaly。
ThisimpressionwasconfirmedbythemysteriousconversationsofGlyndon，andbyherownperceptionofthefearfulchangethathadpassedoveronewhorepresentedhimselfasthevictimoftheenchanters。Shedidnot，therefore，repent；butherveryvolitionseemedgone。
OntheirarrivalatParis，Violasawhercompanion——thefaithfulwife——nomore。Erethreeweekswerepassed，husbandandwifehadceasedtolive。
Andnow，forthefirsttime，thedrudgeriesofthishardearthclaimedthebeautifulNeapolitan。Inthatprofession，givingvoiceandshapetopoetryandsong，inwhichherfirstyearswerepassed，thereis，whileitlasts，anexcitementintheartthatliftsitfromthelabourofacalling。Hoveringbetweentwolives，theRealandIdeal，dwellsthelifeofmusicandthestage。ButthatlifewaslostevermoretotheidoloftheeyesandearsofNaples。Liftedtothehigherrealmofpassionatelove，itseemedasifthefictitiousgeniuswhichrepresentsthethoughtsofotherswasmergedinthegeniusthatgrowsallthoughtitself。IthadbeentheworstinfidelitytotheLost，tohavedescendedagaintoliveontheapplauseofothers。Andso——
forshewouldnotacceptalmsfromGlyndon——so，bythecommonestarts，thehumblestindustrywhichthesexknows，aloneandunseen，shewhohadsleptonthebreastofZanonifoundashelterfortheirchild。Aswhen，inthenobleverseprefixedtothischapter，Armidaherselfhasdestroyedherenchantedpalace，——notavestigeofthatbower，raisedofoldbyPoetryandLove，remainedtosay，"Ithadbeen!"
Andthechildavengedthefather；itbloomed，itthrived，——itwaxedstronginthelightoflife。Butstillitseemedhauntedandpreservedbysomeotherbeingthanherown。Initssleeptherewasthatslumber，sodeepandrigid，whichathunderboltcouldnothavedisturbed；andinsuchsleepoftenitmoveditsarms，astoembracetheair:oftenitslipsstirredwithmurmuredsoundsofindistinctaffection，——NOTFORHER；andallthewhileuponitscheeksahueofsuchcelestialbloom，uponitslipsasmileofsuchmysteriousjoy!Then，whenitwaked，itseyesdidnotturnfirsttoHER，——wistful，earnest，wandering，theyrovedaround，tofixonherpaleface，atlast，inmutesorrowandreproach。
NeverhadViolafeltbeforehowmightywasherloveforZanoni；
howthought，feeling，heart，soul，life，——alllaycrushedanddormantintheicyabsencetowhichshehaddoomedherself!Sheheardnottheroarwithout，shefeltnotoneamidstthosestormymillions，——worldsofexcitementlabouringthrougheveryhour。
OnlywhenGlyndon，haggard，wan，andspectre-like，glidedin，dayafterday，tovisither，didthefairdaughterofthecarelessSouthknowhowheavyanduniversalwastheDeath-Airthatgirtherround。Sublimeinherpassiveunconsciousness，——hermechaniclife，——shesat，andfearednot，inthedenoftheBeastsofPrey。
Thedooroftheroomopenedabruptly，andGlyndonentered。Hismannerwasmoreagitatedthanusual。
"Isityou，Clarence？"shesaidinhersoft，languidtones。"YouarebeforethehourIexpectedyou。"
"WhocancountonhishoursatParis？"returnedGlyndon，withafrightfulsmile。"IsitnotenoughthatIamhere!Yourapathyinthemidstofthesesorrowsappallsme。Yousaycalmly，"Farewell；"calmlyyoubidme，"Welcome!"——asifineverycornertherewasnotaspy，andasifwitheverydaytherewasnotamassacre!"
"Pardonme!Butinthesewallsliesmyworld。Icanhardlycreditallthetalesyoutellme。Everythinghere，saveTHAT，"
andshepointedtotheinfant，"seemsalreadysolifeless，thatinthetombitselfonecouldscarcelylessheedthecrimesthataredonewithout。"
Glyndonpausedforafewmoments，andgazedwithstrangeandmingledfeelingsuponthatfaceandform，stillsoyoung，andyetsoinvestedwiththatsaddestofallrepose，——whentheheartfeelsold。
"OViola，"saidhe，atlast，andinavoiceofsuppressedpassion，"wasitthusIeverthoughttoseeyou，——everthoughttofeelforyou，whenwetwofirstmetinthegayhauntsofNaples？
Ah，whythendidyourefusemylove；orwhywasminenotworthyofyou？Nay，shrinknot!——letmetouchyourhand。Nopassionsosweetasthatyouthfullovecanreturntomeagain。Ifeelforyoubutasabrotherforsomeyoungerandlonelysister。Withyou，inyourpresence，sadthoughitbe，Iseemtobreathebackthepurerairofmyearlylife。Herealone，exceptinscenesofturbulenceandtempest，thePhantomceasestopursueme。I
forgeteventheDeaththatstalksbehind，andhauntsmeasmyshadow。Butbetterdaysmaybeinstoreforusyet。Viola，IatlastbegindimlytoperceivehowtobaffleandsubduethePhantomthathascursedmylife，——itistobrave，anddefyit。Insinandinriot，asIhavetoldthee，ithauntsmenot。ButI
comprehendnowwhatMejnoursaidinhisdarkapothegms，"thatI
shoulddreadthespectremostWHENUNSEEN。"Invirtuousandcalmresolutionitappears，——ay，Ibeholditnow；there，there，withitslivideyes!"——andthedropsfellfromhisbrow。"Butitshallnolongerdauntmefromthatresolution。Ifaceit，anditgraduallydarkensbackintotheshade。"Hepaused，andhiseyesdweltwithaterribleexultationuponthesunlitspace；then，withaheavyanddeep-drawnbreath，heresumed，"Viola，Ihavefoundthemeansofescape。Wewillleavethiscity。Insomeotherlandwewillendeavourtocomforteachother，andforgetthepast。"
"No，"saidViola，calmly；"Ihavenofurtherwishtostir，tillI
ambornhencetothelastresting-place。Idreamedofhimlastnight，Clarence!——dreamedofhimforthefirsttimesinceweparted；and，donotmockme，methoughtthatheforgavethedeserter，andcalledme"Wife。"Thatdreamhallowstheroom。
PerhapsitwillvisitmeagainbeforeIdie。"
"Talknotofhim，——ofthedemi-fiend!"criedGlyndon，fiercely，andstampinghisfoot。"ThanktheHeavensforanyfatethathathrescuedtheefromhim!"
"Hush!"saidViola，gravely。Andasshewasabouttoproceed，hereyefelluponthechild。Itwasstandingintheverycentreofthatslantingcolumnoflightwhichthesunpouredintothechamber；andtheraysseemedtosurrounditasahalo，andsettled，crown-like，onthegoldofitsshininghair。Initssmallshape，soexquisitelymodelled，initslarge，steady，tranquileyes，therewassomethingthatawed，whileitcharmedthemother"spride。ItgazedonGlyndonashespoke，withalookwhichalmostmighthaveseemeddisdain，andwhichViola，atleast，interpretedasadefenceoftheAbsent，strongerthanherownlipscouldframe。
Glyndonbrokethepause。
"Thouwouldststay，forwhat？Tobetrayamother"sduty!Ifanyevilhappentotheehere，whatbecomesofthineinfant？Shallitbebroughtupanorphan，inacountrythathasdesecratedthyreligion，andwherehumancharityexistsnomore？Ah，weep，andclaspittothybosom；buttearsdonotprotectandsave。"
"Thouhastconquered，myfriend，Iwillflywiththee。"
"To-morrownight，then，beprepared。Iwillbringtheethenecessarydisguises。"
AndGlyndonthenproceededtosketchrapidlytheoutlineofthepaththeyweretotake，andthestorytheyweretotell。Violalistened，butscarcelycomprehended；hepressedherhandtohisheartanddeparted。
CHAPTER7。V。
VansecopurancoSdegnoedAmor，quasidueVeltrialfianco。
"Ger。Lib。"cant。xx。cxvii。
(TherewentwithhimstillDisdainandLove，liketwogreyhoundssidebyside。)
Glyndondidnotperceive，ashehurriedfromthehouse，twoformscrouchingbytheangleofthewall。Hesawstillthespectreglidingbyhisside；buthebeheldnottheyetmorepoisonouseyesofhumanenvyandwoman"sjealousythatglaredonhisretreatingfootsteps。
Nicotadvancedtothehouse；Fillidefollowedhiminsilence。
Thepainter，anoldsans-culotte，knewwellwhatlanguagetoassumetotheporter。Hebeckonedthelatterfromhislodge，"Howisthis，citizen？Thouharbouresta"suspect。""
"Citizen，youterrifyme!——ifso，namehim。"
"Itisnotaman；arefugee，anItalianwoman，lodgeshere。"
"Yes，autroisieme，——thedoortotheleft。Butwhatofher？——shecannotbedangerous，poorchild!"
"Citizen，beware!Dostthoudaretopityher？"
"I？No，no，indeed。But——"
"Speakthetruth!Whovisitsher？"
"NoonebutanEnglishman。"
"Thatisit，——anEnglishman，aspyofPittandCoburg。"
"JustHeaven!isitpossible？"
"How，citizen!dostthouspeakofHeaven？Thoumustbeanaristocrat!"
"No，indeed；itwasbutanoldbadhabit，andescapedmeunawares。"
"HowoftendoestheEnglishmanvisither？"
"Daily。"
Fillideutteredanexclamation。
Sheneverstirsout，"saidtheporter。"Hersoleoccupationsareinwork，andcareofherinfant。"
"Herinfant!"
Fillidemadeaboundforward。Nicotinvainendeavouredtoarresther。Shesprangupthestairs；shepausednottillshewasbeforethedoorindicatedbytheporter；itstoodajar，sheentered，shestoodatthethreshold，andbeheldthatface，stillsolovely!Thesightofsomuchbeautyleftherhopeless。Andthechild，overwhomthemotherbent!——shewhohadneverbeenamother!——sheutterednosound；thefurieswereatworkwithinherbreast。Violaturned，andsawher，and，terrifiedbythestrangeapparition，withfeaturesthatexpressedthedeadliesthateandscornandvengeance，utteredacry，andsnatchedthechildtoherbosom。TheItalianlaughedaloud，——turned，descended，and，gainingthespotwhereNicotstillconversedwiththefrightenedporterdrewhimfromthehouse。Whentheywereintheopenstreet，shehaltedabruptly，andsaid，"Avengeme，andnamethyprice!"
"Myprice，sweetone!isbutpermissiontolovethee。Thouwiltflywithmeto-morrownight；thouwiltpossessthyselfofthepassportsandtheplan。"
"Andthey——"
"Shall，beforethen，findtheirasylumintheConciergerie。Theguillotineshallrequitethywrongs。"
"Dothis，andIamsatisfied，"saidFillide，firmly。
Andtheyspokenomoretilltheyregainedthehouse。Butwhenshethere，lookinguptothedullbuilding，sawthewindowsoftheroomwhichthebeliefofGlyndon"slovehadoncemadeaparadise，thetigerrelentedattheheart；somethingofthewomangushedbackuponhernature，darkandsavageasitwas。Shepressedthearmonwhichsheleanedconvulsively，andexclaimed，"No，no!nothim!denounceher，——letherperish；butIhavesleptonHISbosom，——notHIM!"