第19章

"Itshallbeasthouwilt，"saidNicot，withadevil"ssneer；

"buthemustbearrestedforthemoment。Noharmshallhappentohim，fornoaccusershallappear。Buther，——thouwiltnotrelentforher？"

Fillideturneduponhimhereyes，andtheirdarkglancewassufficientanswer。

CHAPTER7。VI。

InpoppaquellaCheguidarglidovea，fatalDonsella。

"Ger。Lib。"cant。xv。3。

(Bytheprowwasthefatalladyordainedtobetheguide。)

TheItaliandidnotoverratethatcraftofsimulationproverbialwithhercountryandhersex。Notaword，notalook，thatdayrevealedtoGlyndonthedeadlychangethathadconverteddevotionintohate。Hehimself，indeed，absorbedinhisownschemes，andinreflectionsonhisownstrangedestiny，wasnoniceobserver。

Buthermanner，milderandmoresubduedthanusual，producedasofteningeffectuponhismeditationstowardstheevening；andhethenbegantoconversewithheronthecertainhopeofescape，andonthefuturethatwouldawaittheminlessunhallowedlands。

"Andthyfairfriend，"saidFillide，withanavertedeyeandafalsesmile，"whowastobeourcompanion？——thouhastresignedher，Nicottellsme，infavourofoneinwhomheisinterested。

Isitso？"

"Hetoldtheethis!"returnedGlyndon，evasively。"Well!doesthechangecontentthee？"

"Traitor!"mutteredFillide；andsherosesuddenly，approachedhim，partedthelonghairfromhisforeheadcaressingly，andpressedherlipsconvulsivelyonhisbrow。

"Thisweretoofairaheadforthedoomsman，"saidshe，withaslightlaugh，and，turningaway，appearedoccupiedinpreparationsfortheirdeparture。

Thenextmorning，whenherose，GlyndondidnotseetheItalian；

shewasabsentfromthehousewhenheleftit。ItwasnecessarythatheshouldoncemorevisitC——beforehisfinalDeparture，notonlytoarrangeforNicot"sparticipationintheflight，butlestanysuspicionshouldhavearisentothwartorendangertheplanhehadadopted。C——，thoughnotoneoftheimmediatecoterieofRobespierre，andindeedsecretlyhostiletohim，hadpossessedtheartofkeepingwellwitheachfactionasitrosetopower。Sprungfromthedregsofthepopulace，hehad，nevertheless，thegraceandvivacitysooftenfoundimpartiallyamongsteveryclassinFrance。Hehadcontrivedtoenrichhimself——noneknewhow——inthecourseofhisrapidcareer。Hebecame，indeed，ultimatelyoneofthewealthiestproprietorsofParis，andatthattimekeptasplendidandhospitablemansion。

Hewasoneofthosewhom，fromvariousreasons，Robespierredeignedtofavour；andhehadoftensavedtheproscribedandsuspected，byprocuringthempassportsunderdisguisednames，andadvisingtheirmethodofescape。ButC——wasamanwhotookthistroubleonlyfortherich。"TheincorruptibleMaximilien，"whodidnotwantthetyrant"sfacultyofpenetration，probablysawthroughallhismanoeuvres，andtheavaricewhichhecloakedbeneathhischarity。ButitwasnoticeablethatRobespierrefrequentlyseemedtowinkat——nay，partiallytoencourage——suchviceinmenwhomhemeanthereaftertodestroy，aswouldtendtolowertheminthepublicestimation，andtocontrastwithhisownaustereandunassailableintegrityandPURISM。And，doubtless，heoftengrimlysmiledinhissleeveatthesumptuousmansionandthegripingcovetousnessoftheworthyCitizenC。

Tothispersonage，then，Glyndonmusinglybenthisway。Itwastrue，ashehaddarklysaidtoViola，thatinproportionashehadresistedthespectre，itsterrorshadlosttheirinfluence。

Thetimehadcomeatlast，when，seeingcrimeandviceinalltheirhideousness，andinsovastatheatre，hehadfoundthatinviceandcrimetherearedeadlierhorrorsthanintheeyesofaphantom-fear。Hisnativenoblenessbegantoreturntohim。Ashepassedthestreets，herevolvedinhismindprojectsoffuturerepentanceandreformation。Heevenmeditated，asajustreturnforFillide"sdevotion，thesacrificeofallthereasoningsofhisbirthandeducation。Hewouldrepairwhatevererrorshehadcommittedagainsther，bytheself-immolationofmarriagewithonelittlecongenialwithhimself。HewhohadoncerevoltedfrommarriagewiththenobleandgentleViola!——hehadlearnedinthatworldofwrongtoknowthatrightisright，andthatHeavendidnotmaketheonesextobethevictimoftheother。TheyoungvisionsoftheBeautifulandtheGoodroseoncemorebeforehim；

andalongthedarkoceanofhismindlaythesmileofreawakeningvirtue，asapathofmoonlight。Never，perhaps，hadtheconditionofhissoulbeensoelevatedandunselfish。

InthemeanwhileJeanNicot，equallyabsorbedindreamsofthefuture，andalreadyinhisownmindlayingouttothebestadvantagethegoldofthefriendhewasabouttobetray，tookhiswaytothehousehonouredbytheresidenceofRobespierre。HehadnointentiontocomplywiththerelentingprayerofFillide，thatthelifeofGlyndonshouldbespared。HethoughtwithBarrere，"Iln"yaquelesmortsquinerevientpas。"Inallmenwhohavedevotedthemselvestoanystudy，oranyart，withsufficientpainstoattainacertaindegreeofexcellence，theremustbeafundofenergyimmeasurablyabovethatoftheordinaryherd。Usuallythisenergyisconcentratedontheobjectsoftheirprofessionalambition，andleavesthem，therefore，apathetictotheotherpursuitsofmen。Butwherethoseobjectsaredenied，wherethestreamhasnotitslegitimatevent，theenergy，irritatedandaroused，possessesthewholebeing，andifnotwastedondesultoryschemes，orifnotpurifiedbyconscienceandprinciple，becomesadangerousanddestructiveelementinthesocialsystem，throughwhichitwandersinriotanddisorder。

Hence，inallwisemonarchies，——nay，inallwell-constitutedstates，——thepeculiarcarewithwhichchannelsareopenedforeveryartandeveryscience；hencethehonourpaidtotheircultivatorsbysubtleandthoughtfulstatesmen，who，perhaps，forthemselves，seenothinginapicturebutcolouredcanvas，——

nothinginaproblembutaningeniouspuzzle。Nostateisevermoreindangerthanwhenthetalentthatshouldbeconsecratedtopeacehasnooccupationbutpoliticalintrigueorpersonaladvancement。Talentunhonouredistalentatwarwithmen。Andhereitisnoticeable，thattheclassofactorshavingbeenthemostdegradedbythepublicopinionoftheoldregime，theirverydustdeprivedofChristianburial，nomen(withcertainexceptionsinthecompanyespeciallyfavouredbytheCourt)weremorerelentlessandrevengefulamongthescourgesoftheRevolution。InthesavageCollotd"Herbois，mauvaiscomedien，wereembodiedthewrongsandthevengeanceofaclass。

NowtheenergyofJeanNicothadneverbeensufficientlydirectedtotheartheprofessed。Eveninhisearliestyouth，thepoliticaldisquisitionsofhismaster，David，haddistractedhimfromthemoretediouslaboursoftheeasel。Thedefectsofhispersonhadembitteredhismind；theatheismofhisbenefactorhaddeadenedhisconscience。Foronegreatexcellenceofreligion——

aboveall，theReligionoftheCross——is，thatitraisesPATIENCE

firstintoavirtue，andnextintoahope。Takeawaythedoctrineofanotherlife，ofrequitalhereafter，ofthesmileofaFatheruponoursufferingsandtrialsinourordealhere，andwhatbecomesofpatience？Butwithoutpatience，whatisman？——

andwhatapeople？Withoutpatience，artnevercanbehigh；

withoutpatience，libertynevercanbeperfected。Bywildthroes，andimpetuous，aimlessstruggles，IntellectseekstosoarfromPenury，andanationtostruggleintoFreedom。Andwoe，thusunfortified，guideless，andunenduring，——woetoboth!

Nicotwasavillainasaboy。Inmostcriminals，howeverabandoned，therearetouchesofhumanity，——relicsofvirtue；andthetruedelineatorofmankindoftenincursthetauntofbadheartsanddullminds，forshowingthateventheworstalloyhassomeparticlesofgold，andeventhebestthatcomestampedfromthemintofNaturehavesomeadulterationofthedross。Butthereareexceptions，thoughfew，tothegeneralrule，——

exceptions，whentheconscienceliesutterlydead，andwhengoodorbadarethingsindifferentbutasmeanstosomeselfishend。

Sowasitwiththeprotegeoftheatheist。Envyandhatefilleduphiswholebeing，andtheconsciousnessofsuperiortalentonlymadehimcursethemoreallwhopassedhiminthesunlightwithafairerformorhappierfortunes。But，monsterthoughhewas，whenhismurderousfingersgripedthethroatofhisbenefactor，Time，andthatfermentofallevilpassions——theReignofBlood——

hadmadeinthedeephellofhisheartadeeperstill。Unabletoexercisehiscalling(forevenhadhedaredtomakehisnameprominent，revolutionsarenoseasonforpainters；andnoman——

no!nottherichestandproudestmagnateoftheland，hassogreataninterestinpeaceandorder，hassohighandessentialastakeinthewellbeingofsociety，asthepoetandtheartist)，hiswholeintellect，everrestlessandunguided，waslefttoponderovertheimagesofguiltmostcongenialtoit。Hehadnofuturebutinthislife；andhowinthislifehadthemenofpoweraroundhim，thegreatwrestlersfordominion，thriven？Allthatwasgood，pure，unselfish，——whetheramongRoyalistsorRepublicans，——swepttotheshambles，andthedeathsmenleftaloneinthepompandpurpleoftheirvictims!NoblerpaupersthanJeanNicotwoulddespair；andPovertywouldriseinitsghastlymultitudestocutthethroatofWealth，andthengashitselflimbbylimb，ifPatience，theAngelofthePoor，satnotbyitsside，pointingwithsolemnfingertothelifetocome!Andnow，asNicotnearedthehouseoftheDictator，hebegantomeditateareversalofhisplansofthepreviousday:notthathefalteredinhisresolutiontodenounceGlyndon，andViolawouldnecessarilysharehisfate，asacompanionandaccomplice，——no，THEREhewasresolved!forhehatedboth(tosaynothingofhisoldbutnever-to-be-forgottengrudgeagainstZanoni)。Violahadscornedhim，Glyndonhadserved，andthethoughtofgratitudewasasintolerabletohimasthememoryofinsult。Butwhy，now，shouldheflyfromFrance？——hecouldpossesshimselfofGlyndon"sgold；hedoubtednotthathecouldsomasterFillidebyherwrathandjealousythathecouldcommandheracquiescenceinallheproposed。Thepapershehadpurloined——Desmoulins"

correspondencewithGlyndon——whileitinsuredthefateofthelatter，mightbeeminentlyserviceabletoRobespierre，mightinducethetyranttoforgethisownoldliaisonswithHebert，andenlisthimamongthealliesandtoolsoftheKingofTerror。

Hopesofadvancement，ofwealth，ofacareer，againrosebeforehim。Thiscorrespondence，datedshortlybeforeCamilleDesmoulins"death，waswrittenwiththatcarelessanddaringimprudencewhichcharacterisedthespoiledchildofDanton。ItspokeopenlyofdesignsagainstRobespierre；itnamedconfederateswhomthetyrantdesiredonlyapopularpretexttocrush。ItwasanewinstrumentofdeathinthehandsoftheDeath-compeller。WhatgreatergiftcouldhebestowonMaximilientheIncorruptible？

Nursingthesethoughts，hearrivedatlastbeforethedoorofCitizenDupleix。Aroundthethresholdweregrouped，inadmiredconfusion，someeightortensturdyJacobins，thevoluntarybody-

guardofRobespierre，——tallfellows，wellarmed，andinsolentwiththepowerthatreflectspower，mingledwithwomen，youngandfair，andgaylydressed，whohadcome，upontherumourthatMaximilienhadhadanattackofbile，toinquiretenderlyofhishealth；forRobespierre，strangethoughitseem，wastheidolofthesex!

Throughthiscortegestationedwithoutthedoor，andreachingupthestairstothelanding-place，——forRobespierre"sapartmentswerenotspaciousenoughtoaffordsufficientantechamberforleveessonumerousandmiscellaneous，——Nicotforcedhisway；andfarfromfriendlyorflatteringweretheexpressionsthatregaledhisears。

"Aha，lejoliPolichinelle!"saidacomelymatron，whoserobehisobtrusiveandangularelbowscruellydiscomposed。"Buthowcouldoneexpectgallantryfromsuchascarecrow!"

"Citizen，Ibegtoadvisethee(ThecourteoususeofthepluralwasproscribedatParis。TheSocietiesPopulaireshaddecidedthatwhoeveruseditshouldbeprosecutedassuspectetadulateur!Atthedoorofthepublicadministrationsandpopularsocietieswaswrittenup，"Icions"honoreduCitoyen，etonsetutoye"!!!("HeretheyrespectthetitleofCitizen，andthey"thee"and"thou"oneanother。")TakeawayMurderfromtheFrenchRevolutionanditbecomesthegreatestfarceeverplayedbeforetheangels!)thatthouarttreadingonmyfeet。Ibegthypardon，butnowIlookatthine，Iseethehallisnotwideenoughforthem。"

"Ho!CitizenNicot，"criedaJacobin，shoulderinghisformidablebludgeon，"andwhatbringstheehither？——thinkestthouthatHebert"scrimesareforgottenalready？Off，sportofNature!andthanktheEtreSupremethathemadetheeinsignificantenoughtobeforgiven。"

"AprettyfacetolookoutoftheNationalWindow"(TheGuillotine。)，saidthewomanwhoserobethepainterhadruffled。

"Citizens，"saidNicot，whitewithpassion，butconstraininghimselfsothathiswordsseemedtocomefromgrindedteeth，"I

havethehonourtoinformyouthatIseektheRepresentantuponbusinessoftheutmostimportancetothepublicandhimself；

and，"headdedslowlyandmalignantly，glaringround，"IcallallgoodcitizenstobemywitnesseswhenIshallcomplaintoRobespierreofthereceptionbestowedonmebysomeamongstyou。"

Therewasintheman"slookandhistoneofvoicesomuchofdeepandconcentratedmalignity，thattheidlersdrewback，andastheremembranceofthesuddenupsanddownsofrevolutionarylifeoccurredtothem，severalvoiceswereliftedtoassurethesqualidandraggedpainterthatnothingwasfartherfromtheirthoughtsthantoofferaffronttoacitizenwhoseveryappearanceprovedhimtobeanexemplarysans-culotte。Nicotreceivedtheseapologiesinsullensilence，and，foldinghisarms，leanedagainstthewall，waitingingrimpatienceforhisadmission。

Theloitererstalkedtoeachotherinseparateknotsoftwoandthree；andthroughthegeneralhumrangtheclear，loud，carelesswhistleofthetallJacobinwhostoodguardbythestairs。NexttoNicot，anoldwomanandayoungvirginweremutteringinearnestwhispers，andtheatheistpainterchuckledinlytooverheartheirdiscourse。

"Iassurethee，mydear，"saidthecrone，withamysteriousshakeofhead，"thatthedivineCatherineTheot，whomtheimpiousnowpersecute，isreallyinspired。Therecanbenodoubtthattheelect，ofwhomDomGerleandthevirtuousRobespierrearedestinedtobethetwograndprophets，willenjoyeternallifehere，andexterminatealltheirenemies。Thereisnodoubtofit，——nottheleast!"

"Howdelightful!"saidthegirl；"cecherRobespierre!——hedoesnotlookverylong-livedeither!"

"Thegreaterthemiracle，"saidtheoldwoman。"Iamjusteighty-one，andIdon"tfeeladayoldersinceCatherineTheotpromisedmeIshouldbeoneoftheelect!"

Herethewomenwerejostledasidebysomenewcomers，whotalkedloudandeagerly。

"Yes，"criedabrawnyman，whosegarbdenotedhimtobeabutcher，withbarearms，andacapoflibertyonhishead；"IamcometowarnRobespierre。Theylayasnareforhim；theyofferhimthePalaisNational。"Onnepeutetreamidupeupleethabiterunpalais。""("Noonecanbeafriendofthepeople，anddwellinapalace。"——"PapiersineditstrouveschezRobespierre，"

etc。，volumeii。page132。)

"No，indeed，"answeredacordonnier；"Ilikehimbestinhislittlelodgingwiththemenuisier:itlookslikeoneofUS。"

Anotherrushofthecrowd，andanewgroupwerethrownforwardinthevicinityofNicot。Andthesemengabbledandchatteredfasterandlouderthantherest。

"Butmyplanis——"

"AudiablewithYOURplan!ItellyouMYschemeis——"

"Nonsense!"criedathird。"WhenRobespierreunderstandsMYnewmethodofmakinggunpowder，theenemiesofFranceshall——"

"Bah!whofearsforeignenemies？"interruptedafourth；"theenemiestobefearedareathome。MYnewguillotinetakesofffiftyheadsatatime!"

"ButMYnewConstitution!"exclaimedafifth。

"MYnewReligion，citizen!"murmured，complacently，asixth。

"Sacremilletonnerres，silence!"roaredforthoneoftheJacobinguard。

Andthecrowdsuddenlypartedasafierce-lookingman，buttoneduptothechin，hisswordrattlingbyhisside，hisspursclinkingathisheel，descendedthestairs，——hischeeksswollenandpurplewithintemperance，hiseyesdeadandsavageasavulture"s。Therewasastillpause，asall，withpalecheeks，madewayfortherelentlessHenriot。(OrH_a_nriot。ItissingularhowundeterminedarenotonlythecharactersoftheFrenchRevolution，buteventhespellingoftheirnames。WiththehistoriansitisVergniau_d_，——withthejournalistsofthetimeitisVorgniau_x_。WithoneauthorityitisRobespierre，——

withanotherRobe_r_spierre。)Scarcehadthisgruffandironminionofthetyrantstalkedthroughthethrong，thananewmovementofrespectandagitationandfearswayedtheincreasingcrowd，asthereglidedin，withthenoiselessnessofashadow，asmiling，sobercitizen，plainlybutneatlyclad，withadowncasthumbleeye。Amilder，meekerfacenopastoralpoetcouldassigntoCorydonorThyrsis，——whydidthecrowdshrinkandholdtheirbreath？Astheferretinaburrowcreptthatslightformamongstthelargerandroughercreaturesthathuddledandpressedbackoneachotherashepassed。Awinkofhisstealthyeye，andthehugeJacobinsleftthepassageclear，withoutsoundorquestion。

Onhewenttotheapartmentofthetyrant，andthitherwillwefollowhim。

CHAPTER7。VII。

Constitutumest，utquisquiseumHOMINEMdixissetfuisse，capitalempenderetpoenam。

St。Augustine，"OftheGodSerapis，"l。18，"deCiv。Dei，"c。5。)

(Itwasdecreed，thatwhososhouldsaythathehadbeenaMAN，shouldsufferthepunishmentofacapitaloffence。)

Robespierrewasreclininglanguidlyinhisfauteuil，hiscadaverouscountenancemorejadedandfatiguedthanusual。HetowhomCatherineTheotassuredimmortallife，looked，indeed，likeamanatdeath"sdoor。Onthetablebeforehimwasadishheapedwithoranges，withthejuiceofwhichitissaidthathecouldaloneassuagetheacridbilethatoverflowedhissystem；andanoldwoman，richlydressed(shehadbeenaMarquiseintheoldregime)wasemployedinpeelingtheHesperianfruitsforthesickDragon，withdelicatefingerscoveredwithjewels。IhavebeforesaidthatRobespierrewastheidolofthewomen。Strangecertainly!——butthentheywereFrenchwomen!TheoldMarquise，who，likeCatherineTheot，calledhim"son，"reallyseemedtolovehimpiouslyanddisinterestedlyasamother；andasshepeeledtheoranges，andheapedonhimthemostcaressingandsoothingexpressions，thelividghostofasmileflutteredabouthismeagrelips。Atadistance，PayanandCouthon，seatedatanothertable，werewritingrapidly，andoccasionallypausingfromtheirworktoconsultwitheachotherinbriefwhispers。

SuddenlyoneoftheJacobinsopenedthedoor，and，approachingRobespierre，whisperedtohimthenameofGuerin。(SeefortheespionageonwhichGuerinwasemployed，"LesPapiersinedits，"

etc。，volumei。page366，No。xxviii。)Atthatwordthesickmanstartedup，asifnewlifewereinthesound。

"Mykindfriend，"hesaidtotheMarquise，"forgiveme；Imustdispensewiththytendercares。Francedemandsme。IamneverillwhenIcanservemycountry!"

TheoldMarquiselifteduphereyestoheavenandmurmured，"Quelange!"

Robespierrewavedhishandimpatiently；andtheoldwoman，withasigh，pattedhispalecheek，kissedhisforehead，andsubmissivelywithdrew。Thenextmoment，thesmiling，sobermanwehavebeforedescribed，stood，bendinglow，beforethetyrant。

AndwellmightRobespierrewelcomeoneofthesubtlestagentsofhispower，——oneonwhomhereliedmorethantheclubsofhisJacobins，thetonguesofhisorators，thebayonetsofhisarmies；

Guerin，themostrenownedofhisecouteurs，——thesearching，prying，universal，omnipresentspy，whoglidedlikeasunbeamthroughchinkandcrevice，andbroughttohimintelligencenotonlyofthedeeds，buttheheartsofmen!

"Well，citizen，well!——andwhatofTallien？"

"Thismorning，early，twominutesaftereight，hewentout。"

"Soearly？——hem!"

"HepassedRuedesQuatreFils，RuedeTemple，RuedelaReunion，auMarais，RueMartin；nothingobservable，exceptthat——"

"Thatwhat？"

"Heamusedhimselfatastallinbargainingforsomebooks。"

"Bargainingforbooks!Aha，thecharlatan!——hewouldcloaktheintriguantunderthesavant!Well!"

"Atlast，intheRuedesFossesMontmartre，anindividualinabluesurtout(unknown)accostedhim。Theywalkedtogetheraboutthestreetsomeminutes，andwerejoinedbyLegendre。"

"Legendre!approach，Payan!Legendre，thouhearest!"

"Iwentintoafruit-stall，andhiredtwolittlegirlstogoandplayatballwithinhearing。TheyheardLegendresay，"Ibelievehispoweriswearingitselfout。"AndTallienanswered，"AndHIMSELFtoo。Iwouldnotgivethreemonths"purchaseforhislife。"Idonotknow，citizen，iftheymeantTHEE？"

"NorI，citizen，"answeredRobespierre，withafellsmile，succeededbyanexpressionofgloomythought。"Ha!"hemuttered；

"Iamyoungyet，——intheprimeoflife。Icommitnoexcess。No；

myconstitutionissound，sound。AnythingfartherofTallien？"

"Yes。Thewomanwhomheloves——TeresadeFontenai——wholiesinprison，stillcontinuestocorrespondwithhim；tourgehimtosaveherbythydestruction:thismylistenersoverheard。Hisservantisthemessengerbetweentheprisonerandhimself。"

"So!TheservantshallbeseizedintheopenstreetsofParis。

TheReignofTerrorisnotoveryet。Withthelettersfoundonhim，ifsuchtheircontext，IwillpluckTallienfromhisbenchesintheConvention。"

Robespierrerose，andafterwalkingafewmomentstoandfrotheroominthought，openedthedoorandsummonedoneoftheJacobinswithout。TohimhegavehisordersforthewatchandarrestofTallien"sservant，andthenthrewhimselfagainintohischair。

AstheJacobindeparted，Guerinwhispered，——

"IsnotthattheCitizenAristides？"

"Yes；afaithfulfellow，ifhewouldwashhimself，andnotswearsomuch。"

"Didstthounotguillotinehisbrother？"

"ButAristidesdenouncedhim。"

"Nevertheless，aresuchmensafeaboutthyperson？"

"Humph!thatistrue。"AndRobespierre，drawingouthispocket-

book，wroteamemoranduminit，replaceditinhisvest，andresumed，——

"WhatelseofTallien？"

"Nothingmore。HeandLegendre，withtheunknown，walkedtotheJardinEgalite，andthereparted。IsawTallientohishouse。

ButIhaveothernews。Thoubadestmewatchforthosewhothreatentheeinsecretletters。"

"Guerin!hastthoudetectedthem？Hastthou——hastthou——"

Andthetyrant，ashespoke，openedandshutbothhishands，asifalreadygraspingthelivesofthewriters，andoneofthoseconvulsivegrimacesthatseemedlikeanepilepticaffection，towhichhewassubject，distortedhisfeatures。

"Citizen，IthinkIhavefoundone。ThoumustknowthatamongstthosemostdisaffectedisthepainterNicot。"

"Stay，stay!"saidRobespierre，openingamanuscriptbook，boundinredmorocco(forRobespierrewasneatandprecise，eveninhisdeath-lists)，andturningtoanalphabeticalindex，——"Nicot!——I

havehim，——atheist，sans-culotte(Ihateslovens)，friendofHebert!Aha!N。B——ReneDumasknowsofhisearlycareerandcrimes。Proceed!"

"ThisNicothasbeensuspectedofdiffusingtractsandpamphletsagainstthyselfandtheComite。Yesterdayevening，whenhewasout，hisporteradmittedmeintohisapartment，RueBeauRepaire。

Withmymaster-keyIopenedhisdeskandescritoire。Ifoundhereinadrawingofthyselfattheguillotine；andunderneathwaswritten，"Bourreaudetonpays，lisl"arretdetonchatiment!"

(Executionerofthycountry，readthedecreeofthypunishment!)

Icomparedthewordswiththefragmentsofthevariouslettersthougavestme:thehandwritingtallieswithone。See，Itoreoffthewriting。"

Robespierrelooked，smiled，and，asifhisvengeancewerealreadysatisfied，threwhimselfonhischair。"Itiswell!Ifeareditwasamorepowerfulenemy。Thismanmustbearrestedatonce。"

"Andhewaitsbelow。IbrushedbyhimasIascendedthestairs。"

"Doesheso？——admit!——nay，——hold!hold!Guerin，withdrawintotheinnerchambertillIsummontheeagain。DearPayan，seethatthisNicotconcealsnoweapons。"

Payan，whowasasbraveasRobespierrewaspusillanimous，repressedthesmileofdisdainthatquiveredonhislipsamoment，andlefttheroom。

MeanwhileRobespierre，withhisheadburiedinhisbosom，seemedplungedindeepthought。"Lifeisamelancholything，Couthon!"

saidhe，suddenly。

"Beggingyourpardon，Ithinkdeathworse，"answeredthephilanthropist，gently。

Robespierremadenorejoinder，buttookfromhisportefeuillethatsingularletter，whichwasfoundafterwardsamongsthispapers，andismarkedLXI。inthepublishedcollection。

("Papiersinedits，"etc。，volumeii。page156。)

"Withoutdoubt，"itbegan，"youareuneasyatnothavingearlierreceivednewsfromme。Benotalarmed；youknowthatIoughtonlytoreplybyourordinarycourier；andashehasbeeninterrupted，danssadernierecourse，thatisthecauseofmydelay。Whenyoureceivethis，employalldiligencetoflyatheatrewhereyouareabouttoappearanddisappearforthelasttime。Itwereidletorecalltoyouallthereasonsthatexposeyoutoperil。Thelaststepthatshouldplaceyousurlesophadelapresidence，butbringsyoutothescaffold；andthemobwillspitonyourfaceasithasspatonthosewhomyouhavejudged。Since，then，youhaveaccumulatedhereasufficienttreasureforexistence，Iawaityouwithgreatimpatience，tolaughwithyouatthepartyouhaveplayedinthetroublesofanationascredulousasitisavidofnovelties。Takeyourpartaccordingtoourarrangements，——allisprepared。Iconclude，——

ourcourierwaits。Iexpectyourreply。"

MusinglyandslowlytheDictatordevouredthecontentsofthisepistle。"No，"hesaidtohimself，——"no；hewhohastastedpowercannolongerenjoyrepose。Yet，Danton，Danton!thouwertright；bettertobeapoorfishermanthantogovernmen。"("Ilvaudraitmieux，"saidDanton，inhisdungeon，"etreunpauvrepecheurquedegouvernerleshommes。")

Thedooropened，andPayanreappearedandwhisperedRobespierre，"Allissafe!Seetheman。"

TheDictator，satisfied，summonedhisattendantJacobintoconductNicottohispresence。Thepainterenteredwithafearlessexpressioninhisdeformedfeatures，andstooderectbeforeRobespierre，whoscannedhimwithasidelongeye。

ItisremarkablethatmostoftheprincipalactorsoftheRevolutionweresingularlyhideousinappearance，——fromthecolossaluglinessofMirabeauandDanton，orthevillanousferocityinthecountenancesofDavidandSimon，tothefilthysqualorofMarat，thesinisterandbiliousmeannessoftheDictator"sfeatures。ButRobespierre，whowassaidtoresembleacat，hadalsoacat"scleanness；andhisprimanddaintydress，hisshavensmoothness，thewomanlywhitenessofhisleanhands，madeyetmoreremarkablethedisorderlyruffianismthatcharacterisedtheattireandmienofthepainter-sans-culotte。

"Andso，citizen，"saidRobespierre，mildly，"thouwouldstspeakwithme？Iknowthymeritsandcivismhavebeenoverlookedtoolong。Thouwouldstasksomesuitableprovisioninthestate？

Scruplenot——sayon!"

"VirtuousRobespierre，toiquieclairesl"univers(Thouwhoenlightenesttheworld。)，Icomenottoaskafavour，buttorenderservicetothestate。Ihavediscoveredacorrespondencethatlaysopenaconspiracyofwhichmanyoftheactorsareyetunsuspected。"Andheplacedthepapersonthetable。

Robespierreseized，andranhiseyeoverthemrapidlyandeagerly。

"Good!——good!"hemutteredtohimself:"thisisallIwanted。

Barrere，Legendre!Ihavethem!CamilleDesmoulinswasbuttheirdupe。Ilovedhimonce；Ineverlovedthem!CitizenNicot，Ithankthee。IobservetheselettersareaddressedtoanEnglishman。WhatFrenchmanbutmustdistrusttheseEnglishwolvesinsheep"sclothing!Francewantsnolongercitizensoftheworld；thatfarceendedwithAnarcharsisClootz。Ibegpardon，CitizenNicot；butClootzandHebertwereTHYfriends。"

"Nay，"saidNicot，apologetically，"weareallliabletobedeceived。Iceasedtohonourthemwhomthoudidstdeclareagainst；forIdisownmyownsensesratherthanthyjustice。"

"Yes，Ipretendtojustice；thatISthevirtueIaffect，"saidRobespierre，meekly；andwithhisfelinepropensitiesheenjoyed，eveninthatcriticalhourofvastschemes，ofimminentdanger，ofmeditatedrevenge，thepleasureofplayingwithasolitaryvictim。(ThemostdetestableanecdoteofthispeculiarhypocrisyinRobespierreisthatinwhichheisrecordedtohavetenderlypressedthehandofhisoldschool-friend，CamilleDesmoulins，thedaythathesignedthewarrantforhisarrest。)"Andmyjusticeshallnolongerbeblindtothyservices，goodNicot。

ThouknowestthisGlyndon？"

"Yes，well，——intimately。HeWASmyfriend，butIwouldgiveupmybrotherifhewereoneofthe"indulgents。"IamnotashamedtosaythatIhavereceivedfavoursfromthisman。"

"Aha!——andthoudosthonestlyholdthedoctrinethatwhereamanthreatensmylifeallpersonalfavoursaretobeforgotten？"

"All!"

"Goodcitizen!——kindNicot!——obligemebywritingtheaddressofthisGlyndon。"

Nicotstoopedtothetable；andsuddenlywhenthepenwasinhishand，athoughtflashedacrosshim，andhepaused，embarrassedandconfused。

"Writeon，KINDNicot!"

Thepainterslowlyobeyed。

"WhoaretheotherfamiliarsofGlyndon？"

"ItwasonthatpointIwasabouttospeaktothee，Representant，"saidNicot。"Hevisitsdailyawoman，aforeigner，whoknowsallhissecrets；sheaffectstobepoor，andtosupportherchildbyindustry。ButsheisthewifeofanItalianofimmensewealth，andthereisnodoubtthatshehasmoneyswhicharespentincorruptingthecitizens。Sheshouldbeseizedandarrested。"

"Writedownhernamealso。"

"Butnotimeistobelost；forIknowthatbothhaveadesigntoescapefromParisthisverynight。"

"Ourgovernmentisprompt，goodNicot，——neverfear。Humph!——

humph!"andRobespierretookthepaperonwhichNicothadwritten，andstoopingoverit——forhewasnear-sighted——added，smilingly，"Dostthoualwayswritethesamehand，citizen？Thisseemsalmostlikeadisguisedcharacter。"

"Ishouldnotlikethemtoknowwhodenouncedthem，Representant。"

"Good!good!Thyvirtueshallberewarded，trustme。Salutetfraternite!"

Robespierrehalfroseashespoke，andNicotwithdrew。

"Ho，there!——without!"criedtheDictator，ringinghisbell；andasthereadyJacobinattendedthesummons，"Followthatman，JeanNicot。Theinstanthehasclearedthehouseseizehim。AtoncetotheConciergeriewithhim。Stay!——nothingagainstthelaw；

thereisthywarrant。Thepublicaccusershallhavemyinstruction。Away!——quick!"

TheJacobinvanished。Alltraceofillness，ofinfirmity，hadgonefromthevaletudinarian；hestooderectonthefloor，hisfacetwitchingconvulsively，andhisarmsfolded。"Ho!Guerin!"

thespyreappeared——"taketheseaddresses!WithinanhourthisEnglishmanandhiswomanmustbeinprison；theirrevelationswillaidmeagainstworthierfoes。Theyshalldie:theyshallperishwiththerestonthe10th，——thethirddayfromthis。

There!"andhewrotehastily，——"there，also，isthywarrant!

Off!

"Andnow，Couthon，Payan，wewilldallynolongerwithTallienandhiscrew。IhaveinformationthattheConventionwillNOT

attendtheFeteonthe10th。Wemusttrustonlytotheswordofthelaw。Imustcomposemythoughts，——preparemyharangue。To-

morrow，IwillreappearattheConvention；to-morrow，boldSt。

Justjoinsus，freshfromourvictoriousarmies；to-morrow，fromthetribune，IwilldartthethunderboltonthemaskedenemiesofFrance；to-morrow，Iwilldemand，inthefaceofthecountry，theheadsoftheconspirators。"

CHAPTER7。VIII。

Leglaiveestcontretoitournedetoutesparties。

LaHarpe，"JeannedeNaples，"Activ。sc。4。

(Theswordisraisedagainstyouonallsides。)

InthemeantimeGlyndon，afteranaudienceofsomelengthwithC——，inwhichthefinalpreparationswerearranged，sanguineofsafety，andforeseeingnoobstacletoescape，benthiswaybacktoFillide。Suddenly，inthemidstofhischeerfulthoughts，hefanciedheheardavoicetoowellandtooterriblyrecognised，hissinginhisear，"What!thouwouldstdefyandescapeme!thouwouldstgobacktovirtueandcontent。Itisinvain，——itistoolate。No，_I_willnothauntthee；HUMANfootsteps，nolessinexorable，dogtheenow。Methoushaltnotseeagaintillinthedungeon，atmidnight，beforethydoom!Behold——"

AndGlyndon，mechanicallyturninghishead，saw，closebehindhim，thestealthyfigureofamanwhomhehadobservedbefore，butwithlittleheed，passandrepasshim，ashequittedthehouseofCitizenC。Instantlyandinstinctivelyheknewthathewaswatched，——thathewaspursued。Thestreethewasinwasobscureanddeserted，forthedaywasoppressivelysultry，anditwasthehourwhenfewwereabroad，eitheronbusinessorpleasure。Boldashewas，anicychillshotthroughhisheart，heknewtoowellthetremendoussystemthatthenreignedinParisnottobeawareofhisdanger。Asthesightofthefirstplague-

boiltothevictimofthepestilence，wasthefirstsightoftheshadowyspytothatoftheRevolution:thewatch，thearrest，thetrial，theguillotine，——thesemadetheregularandrapidstepsofthemonsterthattheanarchistscalledLaw!Hebreathedhard，hehearddistinctlytheloudbeatingofhisheart。Andsohepaused，stillandmotionless，gazingupontheshadowthathaltedalsobehindhim。

Presently，theabsenceofallalliestothespy，thesolitudeofthestreets，reanimatedhiscourage；hemadeasteptowardshispursuer，whoretreatedasheadvanced。"Citizen，thoufollowestme，"hesaid。"Thybusiness？"

"Surely，"answeredtheman，withadeprecatingsmile，"thestreetsarebroadenoughforboth？ThouartnotsobadarepublicanastoarrogateallParistothyself!"

"Goonfirst，then。Imakewayforthee。"

Themanbowed，doffedhishatpolitely，andpassedforward。ThenextmomentGlyndonplungedintoawindinglane，andfledfastthroughalabyrinthofstreets，passages，andalleys。Bydegreeshecomposedhimself，and，lookingbehind，imaginedthathehadbaffledthepursuer；hethen，byacircuitousroute，benthiswayoncemoretohishome。Asheemergedintooneofthebroaderstreets，apassenger，wrappedinamantle，brushingsoquicklybyhimthathedidnotobservehiscountenance，whispered，"ClarenceGlyndon，youaredogged，——followme!"andthestrangerwalkedquicklybeforehim。Clarenceturned，andsickenedoncemoretoseeathisheels，withthesameservilesmileonhisface，thepursuerhefanciedhehadescaped。Heforgottheinjunctionofthestrangertofollowhim，andperceivingacrowdgatheredcloseathand，roundacaricature-shop，divedamidstthem，and，gaininganotherstreet，alteredthedirectionhehadbeforetaken，and，afteralongandbreathlesscourse，gainedwithoutoncemoreseeingthespy，adistantquartierofthecity。

Here，indeed，allseemedsosereneandfairthathisartisteye，eveninthatimminenthour，restedwithpleasureonthescene。

Itwasacomparativelybroadspace，formedbyoneofthenoblequays。TheSeineflowedmajesticallyalong，withboatsandcraftrestingonitssurface。Thesungiltathousandspiresanddomes，andgleamedonthewhitepalacesofafallenchivalry。

Herefatiguedandpanting，hepausedaninstant，andacoolerairfromtheriverfannedhisbrow。"Awhile，atleast，Iamsafehere，"hemurmured；andashespoke，somethirtypacesbehindhim，hebeheldthespy。Hestoodrootedtothespot；weariedandspentashewas，escapeseemednolongerpossible，——theriverononeside(nobridgeathand)，andthelongrowofmansionsclosinguptheother。Ashehalted，heheardlaughterandobscenesongsfromahousealittleinhisrear，betweenhimselfandthespy。Itwasacafefearfullyknowninthatquarter。

HitheroftenresortedtheblacktroopofHenriot，——theminionsandhuissiersofRobespierre。Thespy，then，hadhuntedthevictimwithinthejawsofthehounds。Themanslowlyadvanced，and，pausingbeforetheopenwindowofthecafe，puthisheadthroughtheaperture，astoaddressandsummonforthitsarmedinmates。

Atthatveryinstant，andwhilethespy"sheadwasthusturnedfromhim，standinginthehalf-opengatewayofthehouseimmediatelybeforehim，heperceivedthestrangerwhohadwarned；

thefigure，scarcelydistinguishablethroughthemantlethatwrappedit，motionedtohimtoenter。Hesprangnoiselesslythroughthefriendlyopening:thedoorclosed；breathlesslyhefollowedthestrangerupaflightofbroadstairsandthroughasuiteofemptyrooms，until，havinggainedasmallcabinet，hisconductordoffedthelargehatandthelongmantlethathadhithertoconcealedhisshapeandfeatures，andGlyndonbeheldZanoni!

CHAPTER7。IX。

ThinknotmymagicwonderswroughtbyaidOfStygianangelssummonedupfromhell；

ScornedandaccursedbethosewhohaveessayedHergloomyDivesandAfritestocompel。

ButbyperceptionofthesecretpowersOfmineralspringsinNature"sinmostcell，Ofherbsincurtainofhergreenestbowers，Andofthemovingstarso"ermountaintopsandtowers。

Wiffen"s"TranslationofTasso，"cant。xiv。xliii。

"Youaresafehere，youngEnglishman!"saidZanoni，motioningGlyndontoaseat。"FortunateforyouthatIcomeonyourtrackatlast!"

"Farhappierhaditbeenifwehadnevermet!Yetevenintheselasthoursofmyfate，IrejoicetolookoncemoreonthefaceofthatominousandmysteriousbeingtowhomIcanascribeallthesufferingsIhaveknown。Here，then，thoushaltnotpalterwithoreludeme。Here，beforewepart，thoushaltunraveltomethedarkenigma，ifnotofthylife，ofmyown!"

"Hastthousuffered？Poorneophyte!"saidZanoni，pityingly。

"Yes；Iseeitonthybrow。Butwhereforewouldstthoublameme？

DidInotwarntheeagainstthewhispersofthyspirit；didInotwarntheetoforbear？DidInottelltheethattheordealwasoneofawfulhazardandtremendousfears，——nay，didInotoffertoresigntotheetheheartthatwasmightyenough，whilemine，Glyndon，tocontentme？Wasitnotthineowndaringandresolutechoicetobravetheinitiation!OfthineownfreewilldidstthoumakeMejnourthymaster，andhislorethystudy!"