"Rashman，"saidZanoni，inatoneofcompassion，"thycrisisispast，andthychoicemade!Icanonlybidtheebeboldandprosper；yes，IresigntheetoamasterwhoHASthepowerandthewilltoopentotheethegatesofanawfulworld。Thywealorwoeareasnoughtintheeyesofhisrelentlesswisdom。Iwouldbidhimsparethee，buthewillheedmenot。Mejnour，receivethypupil!"Glyndonturned，andhisheartbeatwhenheperceivedthatthestranger，whosefootstepshehadnothearduponthepebbles，whoseapproachhehadnotbeheldinthemoonlight，wasoncemorebyhisside。
　　"Farewell，"resumedZanoni；"thytrialcommences。Whennextwemeet，thouwiltbethevictimorthevictor。"
　　Glyndon'seyesfollowedtherecedingformofthemysteriousstranger。Hesawhimentertheboat，andhethenforthefirsttimenoticedthatbesidestherowerstherewasafemale，whostoodupasZanonigainedtheboat。Evenatthedistanceherecognisedtheonce-adoredformofViola。Shewavedherhandtohim，andacrossthestillandshiningaircamehervoice，mournfullyandsweetly，inhermother'stongue，"Farewell，Clarence，——Iforgivethee!——farewell，farewell!"
　　Hestrovetoanswer；butthevoicetouchedachordathisheart，andthewordsfailedhim。Violawasthenlostforever，gonewiththisdreadstranger；darknesswasroundherlot!Andhehimselfhaddecidedherfateandhisown!Theboatboundedon，thesoftwavesflashedandsparkledbeneaththeoars，anditwasalongonesapphiretrackofmoonlightthatthefrailvesselboreawaythelovers。Fartherandfartherfromhisgazespedtheboat，tillatlastthespeck，scarcelyvisible，touchedthesideoftheshipthatlaylifelessinthegloriousbay。Atthatinstant，asifbymagic，upsprang，withagladmurmur，theplayfulandfresheningwind:andGlyndonturnedtoMejnourandbrokethesilence。
　　"Tellme——ifthoucanstreadthefuture——tellmethatHERlotwillbefair，andthatHERchoiceatleastiswise？"
　　"Mypupil!"answeredMejnour，inavoicethecalmnessofwhichwellaccordedwiththechillingwords，"thyfirsttaskmustbetowithdrawallthought，feeling，sympathyfromothers。Theelementarystageofknowledgeistomakeself，andselfalone，thystudyandthyworld。Thouhastdecidedthineowncareer；
　　thouhastrenouncedlove；thouhastrejectedwealth，fame，andthevulgarpompsofpower。What，then，areallmankindtothee？
　　Toperfectthyfaculties，andconcentratethyemotions，ishenceforththyonlyaim!"
　　"Andwillhappinessbetheend？"
　　"Ifhappinessexist，"answeredMejnour，"itmustbecentredinaSELFtowhichallpassionisunknown。Buthappinessisthelaststateofbeing；andasyetthouartonthethresholdofthefirst。"
　　AsMejnourspoke，thedistantvesselspreaditssailstothewind，andmovedslowlyalongthedeep。Glyndonsighed，andthepupilandthemasterretracedtheirstepstowardsthecity。
　　BOOKIV。
　　THEDWELLEROFTHETHRESHOLD。
　　Beyhinterihmwaswill!Ichhebihnauf。
　　"DasVerschleierteBildzuSais"
　　Bebehindwhattheremay，-Iraisetheveil。
　　CHAPTER4。I。
　　Comevittimaiovengoall'ara。
　　"Metast。，"At。ii。Sc。7。
　　AsavictimIgotothealtar。
　　ItwasaboutamonthafterthedateofZanoni'sdepartureandGlyndon'sintroductiontoMejnour，whentwoEnglishmenwerewalking，arm-in-arm，throughtheToledo。
　　"Itellyou，"saidonewhospokewarmly，"thatifyouhaveaparticleofcommon-senseleftinyou，youwillaccompanymetoEngland。ThisMejnourisanimpostermoredangerous，becausemoreinearnest，thanZanoni。Afterall，whatdohispromisesamountto？Youallowthatnothingcanbemoreequivocal。YousaythathehasleftNaples，——thathehasselectedaretreatmorecongenialthanthecrowdedthoroughfaresofmentothestudiesinwhichheistoinitiateyou；andthisretreatisamongthehauntsofthefiercestbanditsofItaly，——hauntswhichjusticeitselfdaresnotpenetrate。Fittinghermitageforasage!Itrembleforyou。Whatifthisstranger——ofwhomnothingisknown——beleaguedwiththerobbers；andtheseluresforyourcredulitybaitbutthetrapsforyourproperty，——perhapsyourlife？Youmightcomeoffcheaplybyaransomofhalfyourfortune。Yousmileindignantly!Well，putcommon-senseoutofthequestion；takeyourownviewofthematter。YouaretoundergoanordealwhichMejnourhimselfdoesnotprofesstodescribeasaverytemptingone。Itmay，oritmaynot，succeed:ifitdoesnot，youaremenacedwiththedarkestevils；andifitdoes，youcannotbebetteroffthanthedullandjoylessmysticwhomyouhavetakenforamaster。Awaywiththisfolly；enjoyyouthwhileitislefttoyou；returnwithmetoEngland；forgetthesedreams；enteryourpropercareer；formaffectionsmorerespectablethanthosewhichluredyouawhiletoanItalianadventuress。Attendtoyourfortune，makemoney，andbecomeahappyanddistinguishedman。
　　Thisistheadviceofsoberfriendship；yetthepromisesIholdouttoyouarefairerthanthoseofMejnour。"
　　"Mervale，"saidGlyndon，doggedly，"Icannot，ifIwould，yieldtoyourwishes。Apowerthatisabovemeurgesmeon；Icannotresistitsinfluence。IwillproceedtothelastinthestrangecareerIhavecommenced。Thinkofmenomore。Followyourselftheadviceyougivetome，andbehappy。"
　　"Thisismadness，"saidMervale；"yourhealthisalreadyfailing；
　　youaresochangedIshouldscarcelyknowyou。Come；Ihavealreadyhadyournameenteredinmypassport；inanotherhourI
　　shallbegone，andyou，boythatyouare，willbeleft，withoutafriend，tothedeceitsofyourownfancyandthemachinationsofthisrelentlessmountebank。"
　　"Enough，"saidGlyndon，coldly；"youceasetobeaneffectivecounsellorwhenyousufferyourprejudicestobethusevident。I
　　havealreadyhadampleproof，"addedtheEnglishman，andhispalecheekgrewmorepale，"ofthepowerofthisman，——ifmanhebe，whichIsometimesdoubt，——and，comelife，comedeath，Iwillnotshrinkfromthepathsthatallureme。Farewell，Mervale；ifwenevermeetagain，——ifyouhear，amidstouroldandcheerfulhaunts，thatClarenceGlyndonsleepsthelastsleepbytheshoresofNaples，oramidstyondistanthills，saytothefriendsofouryouth，'Hediedworthily，asthousandsofmartyr-studentshavediedbeforehim，inthepursuitofknowledge。'"
　　HewrungMervale'shandashespoke，dartedfromhisside，anddisappearedamidstthecrowd。
　　BythecorneroftheToledohewasarrestedbyNicot。
　　"Ah，Glyndon!Ihavenotseenyouthismonth。Wherehaveyouhidyourself？Haveyoubeenabsorbedinyourstudies？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"IamabouttoleaveNaplesforParis。Willyouaccompanyme？
　　Talentofallorderiseagerlysoughtforthere，andwillbesuretorise。"
　　"Ithankyou；Ihaveotherschemesforthepresent。"
　　"Solaconic!——whatailsyou？DoyougrieveforthelossofthePisani？Takeexamplebyme。IhavealreadyconsoledmyselfwithBiancaSacchini，——ahandsomewoman，enlightened，noprejudices。
　　AvaluablecreatureIshallfindher，nodoubt。ButasforthisZanoni!"
　　"Whatofhim？"
　　"IfeverIpaintanallegoricalsubject，IwilltakehislikenessasSatan。Ha，ha!atruepainter'srevenge，——eh？Andthewayoftheworld，too!Whenwecandonothingelseagainstamanwhomwehate，wecanatleastpainthiseffigiesastheDevil's。
　　Seriously，though:Iabhorthatman。"
　　"Wherefore？'
　　"Wherefore!HashenotcarriedoffthewifeandthedowryIhadmarkedformyself!Yet，afterall，"addedNicot，musingly，"hadheservedinsteadofinjuredme，Ishouldhavehatedhimallthesame。Hisveryform，andhisveryface，mademeatonceenvyanddetesthim。Ifeltthatthereissomethingantipatheticinournatures。Ifeel，too，thatweshallmeetagain，whenJeanNicot'shatemaybelessimpotent。We，too，cherconfrere，——we，too，maymeetagain!VivelaRepublique!Itomynewworld!"
　　"AndItomine。Farewell!"
　　ThatdayMervaleleftNaples；thenextmorningGlyndonalsoquittedtheCityofDelightalone，andonhorseback。Hebenthiswayintothosepicturesquebutdangerouspartsofthecountrywhichatthattimewereinfestedbybanditti，andwhichfewtravellersdaredtopass，eveninbroaddaylight，withoutastrongescort。Aroadmorelonelycannotwellbeconceivedthanthatonwhichthehoofsofhissteed，strikinguponthefragmentsofrockthatencumberedtheneglectedway，wokeadullandmelancholyecho。Largetractsofwasteland，variedbytherankandprofusefoliageoftheSouth，laybeforehim；occasionallyawildgoatpeepeddownfromsomerockycrag，orthediscordantcryofabirdofprey，startledinitssombrehaunt，washeardabovethehills。Theseweretheonlysignsoflife；notahumanbeingwasmet，——notahutwasvisible。Wrappedinhisownardentandsolemnthoughts，theyoungmancontinuedhisway，tillthesunhadspentitsnoondayheat，andabreezethatannouncedtheapproachofevesprungupfromtheunseenoceanwhichlayfardistanttohisright。Itwasthenthataturnintheroadbroughtbeforehimoneofthoselong，desolate，gloomyvillageswhicharefoundintheinterioroftheNeapolitandominions:andnowhecameuponasmallchapelononesidetheroad，withagaudilypaintedimageoftheVirginintheopenshrine。Aroundthisspot，which，intheheartofaChristianland，retainedthevestigeoftheoldidolatryforjustsuchwerethechapelsthatinthepaganagewerededicatedtothedemon-saintsofmythology，gatheredsixorsevenmiserableandsqualidwretches，whomthecurseoftheleperhadcutofffrommankind。Theysetupashrillcryastheyturnedtheirghastlyvisagestowardsthehorseman；and，withoutstirringfromthespot，stretchedouttheirgauntarms，andimploredcharityinthenameoftheMercifulMother!Glyndonhastilythrewthemsomesmallcoins，and，turningawayhisface，clappedspurstohishorse，andrelaxednothisspeedtillheenteredthevillage。Oneithersidethenarrowandmirystreet，fierceandhaggardforms——someleaningagainsttheruinedwallsofblackenedhuts，someseatedatthethreshold，somelyingatfulllengthinthemud——presentedgroupsthatatonceinvokedpityandarousedalarm:pityfortheirsqualor，alarmfortheferocityimprintedontheirsavageaspects。Theygazedathim，grimandsullen，asherodeslowlyuptheruggedstreet；sometimeswhisperingsignificantlytoeachother，butwithoutattemptingtostophisway。Eventhechildrenhushedtheirbabble，andraggedurchins，devouringhimwithsparklingeyes，mutteredtotheirmothers；"Weshallfeastwellto-morrow!"Itwas，indeed，oneofthosehamletsinwhichLawsetsnotitssoberstep，inwhichViolenceandMurderhousesecure，——hamletscommontheninthewilderpartsofItaly，inwhichthepeasantwasbutthegentlernamefortherobber。
　　Glyndon'sheartsomewhatfailedhimashelookedaround，andthequestionhedesiredtoaskdieduponhislips。Atlengthfromoneofthedismalcabinsemergedaformsuperiortotherest。
　　Insteadofthepatchedandraggedover-all，whichmadetheonlygarmentofthemenhehadhithertoseen，thedressofthispersonwascharacterisedbyallthetrappingsofthenationalbravery。
　　Uponhisravenhair，theglossycurlsofwhichmadeanotablecontrasttothemattedandelfinlocksofthesavagesaround，wasplacedaclothcap，withagoldtasselthathungdowntohisshoulder；hismustachesweretrimmedwithcare，andasilkkerchiefofgayhueswastwistedroundawell-shapedbutsinewythroat；ashortjacketofroughclothwasdecoratedwithseveralrowsofgiltfilagreebuttons；hisnethergarmentsfittedtighttohislimbs，andwerecuriouslybraided；whileinabroadparti-
　　colouredsashwereplacedtwosilver-hiltedpistols，andthesheathedknife，usuallywornbyItaliansofthelowerorder，mountedinivoryelaboratelycarved。Asmallcarbineofhandsomeworkmanshipwasslungacrosshisshoulderandcompletedhiscostume。Themanhimselfwasofmiddlesize，athleticyetslender，withstraightandregularfeatures，sunburnt，butnotswarthy；andanexpressionofcountenancewhich，thoughrecklessandbold，hadinitfranknessratherthanferocity，and，ifdefying，wasnotaltogetherunprepossessing。
　　Glyndon，aftereyeingthisfigureforsomemomentswithgreatattention，checkedhisrein，andaskedthewaytothe"CastleoftheMountain。"
　　Themanliftedhiscapasheheardthequestion，and，approachingGlyndon，laidhishandupontheneckofthehorse，andsaid，inalowvoice，"Thenyouarethecavalierwhomourpatronthesignorexpected。Hebademewaitforyouhere，andleadyoutothecastle。Andindeed，signor，itmighthavebeenunfortunateifI
　　hadneglectedtoobeythecommand。"
　　Themanthen，drawingalittleaside，calledouttothebystandersinaloudvoice，"Ho，ho!myfriends，payhenceforthandforeverallrespecttothisworshipfulcavalier。HeistheexpectedguestofourblessedpatronoftheCastleoftheMountain。Longlifetohim!Mayhe，likehishost，besafebydayandbynight；onthehillandinthewaste；againstthedaggerandthebullet，——inlimbandinlife!Cursedbehewhotouchesahairofhishead，orabaiocchoinhispouch。Nowandforeverwewillprotectandhonourhim，——forthelaworagainstthelaw；withthefaithandtothedeath。Amen!Amen!"
　　"Amen!"responded，inwildchorus，ahundredvoices；andthescatteredandstragglinggroupspressedupthestreet，nearerandnearertothehorseman。
　　"Andthathemaybeknown，"continuedtheEnglishman'sstrangeprotector，"totheeyeandtotheear，Iplacearoundhimthewhitesash，andIgivehimthesacredwatchword，'PeacetotheBrave。'Signor，whenyouwearthissash，theproudestinthesepartswillbaretheheadandbendtheknee。Signor，whenyouutterthiswatchword，thebravestheartswillbeboundtoyourbidding。Desireyousafety，oraskyourevenge——togainabeauty，ortoloseafoe，——speakbuttheword，andweareyours:
　　weareyours!Isitnotso，comrades？"
　　Andagainthehoarsevoicesshouted，"Amen，Amen!"
　　"Now，signor，"whisperedthebravo，"ifyouhaveafewcoinstospare，scatterthemamongstthecrowd，andletusbegone。"
　　Glyndon，notdispleasedattheconcludingsentence，emptiedhispurseinthestreets；andwhile，withmingledoaths，blessings，shrieks，andyells，men，women，andchildrenscrambledforthemoney，thebravo，takingthereinofthehorse，leditafewpacesthroughthevillageatabrisktrot，andthen，turningupanarrowlanetotheleft，inafewminutesneitherhousesnormenwerevisible，andthemountainsclosedtheirpathoneitherside。
　　Itwasthenthat，releasingthebridleandslackeninghispace，theguideturnedhisdarkeyesonGlyndonwithanarchexpression，andsaid，——
　　"YourExcellencywasnot，perhaps，preparedfortheheartywelcomewehavegivenyou。"
　　"Why，intruth，IOUGHTtohavebeenpreparedforit，sincethesignor，towhosehouseIambound，didnotdisguisefrommethecharacteroftheneighbourhood。Andyourname，myfriend，ifI
　　maysocallyou？"
　　"Oh，noceremonieswithme，Excellency。InthevillageIamgenerallycalledMaestroPaolo。Ihadasurnameonce，thoughaveryequivocalone；andIhaveforgottenTHATsinceIretiredfromtheworld。"
　　"Andwasitfromdisgust，frompoverty，orfromsome——someebullitionofpassionwhichentailedpunishment，thatyoubetookyourselftothemountains？"
　　"Why，signor，"saidthebravo，withagaylaugh，"hermitsofmyclassseldomlovetheconfessional。However，Ihavenosecretswhilemystepisinthesedefiles，mywhistleinmypouch，andmycarbineatmyback。"Withthattherobber，asifhelovedpermissiontotalkathiswill，hemmedthrice，andbeganwithmuchhumour；though，ashistaleproceeded，thememoriesitrousedseemedtocarryhimfartherthanheatfirstintended，andrecklessandlight-heartedeasegavewaytothatfierceandvariedplayofcountenanceandpassionofgesturewhichcharacterisetheemotionsofhiscountrymen。
　　"IwasbornatTerracina，——afairspot，isitnot？Myfatherwasalearnedmonkofhighbirth；mymother——Heavenresther!——aninnkeeper'sprettydaughter。Ofcoursetherecouldbenomarriageinthecase；andwhenIwasborn，themonkgravelydeclaredmyappearancetobemiraculous。Iwasdedicatedfrommycradletothealtar；andmyheadwasuniversallydeclaredtobetheorthodoxshapeforacowl。AsIgrewup，themonktookgreatpainswithmyeducation；andIlearnedLatinandpsalmodyassoonaslessmiraculousinfantslearncrowing。Nordidtheholyman'scarestintitselftomyinterioraccomplishments。Althoughvowedtopoverty，healwayscontrivedthatmymothershouldhaveherpocketsfull；andbetweenherpocketsandminetherewassoonestablishedaclandestinecommunication；accordingly，atfourteen，Iworemycapononeside，stuckpistolsinmybelt，andassumedtheswaggerofacavalierandagallant。Atthatagemypoormotherdied；andaboutthesameperiodmyfather，havingwrittenaHistoryofthePontificalBulls，infortyvolumes，andbeing，asIsaid，ofhighbirth，obtainedacardinal'shat。Fromthattimehethoughtfittodisownyourhumbleservant。HeboundmeovertoanhonestnotaryatNaples，andgavemetwohundredcrownsbywayofprovision。Well，signor，IsawenoughofthelawtoconvincemethatIshouldneverberogueenoughtoshineintheprofession。So，insteadofspoilingparchment，Imadelovetothenotary'sdaughter。Mymasterdiscoveredourinnocentamusement，andturnedmeoutofdoors；thatwasdisagreeable。
　　ButmyNinettalovedme，andtookcarethatIshouldnotlieoutinthestreetswiththeLazzaroni。Littlejade!IthinkIseehernowwithherbarefeet，andherfingertoherlips，openingthedoorinthesummernights，andbiddingmecreepsoftlyintothekitchen，where，praisedbethesaints!aflaskandamanchetalwaysawaitedthehungryamoroso。Atlast，however，Ninettagrewcold。Itisthewayofthesex，signor。Herfatherfoundheranexcellentmarriageinthepersonofawitheredoldpicture-dealer。Shetookthespouse，andveryproperlyclappedthedoorinthefaceofthelover。Iwasnotdisheartened，Excellency；no，notI。Womenareplentifulwhileweareyoung。
　　So，withoutaducatinmypocketoracrustformyteeth，IsetouttoseekmyfortuneonboardofaSpanishmerchantman。ThatwasdullerworkthanIexpected；butluckilywewereattackedbyapirate，——halfthecrewwerebutchered，therestcaptured。I
　　wasoneofthelast:alwaysinluck，yousee，signor，——monks'
　　sonshaveaknackthatway!Thecaptainofthepiratestookafancytome。'Servewithus？'saidhe。'Toohappy，'saidI。
　　Beholdme，then，apirate!Ojollylife!howIblessedtheoldnotaryforturningmeoutofdoors!Whatfeasting，whatfighting，whatwooing，whatquarrelling!Sometimesweranashoreandenjoyedourselveslikeprinces；sometimeswelayinacalmfordaystogetherontheloveliestseathatmanevertraversed。
　　Andthen，ifthebreezeroseandasailcameinsight，whosomerryaswe？Ipassedthreeyearsinthatcharmingprofession，andthen，signor，Igrewambitious。Icaballedagainstthecaptain；Iwantedhispost。Onestillnightwestrucktheblow。
　　Theshipwaslikealoginthesea，nolandtobeseenfromthemast-head，thewaveslikeglass，andthemoonatitsfull。Upwerose，thirtyofusandmore。Upwerosewithashout；wepouredintothecaptain'scabin，Iatthehead。Thebraveoldboyhadcaughtthealarm，andtherehestoodatthedoorway，apistolineachhand；andhisoneeyehehadonlyoneworsetomeetthanthepistolswere。
　　"'Yield!'criedI；'yourlifeshallbesafe。'
　　"'Takethat，'saidhe，andwhizwentthepistol；butthesaintstookcareoftheirown，andtheballpassedbymycheek，andshottheboatswainbehindme。Iclosedwiththecaptain，andtheotherpistolwentoffwithoutmischiefinthestruggle。Suchafellowhewas，——sixfeetfourwithouthisshoes!Overwewent，rollingeachontheother。SantaMaria!notimetogetholdofone'sknife。Meanwhileallthecrewwereup，someforthecaptain，someforme，——clashingandfiring，andswearingandgroaning，andnowandthenaheavysplashinthesea。Finesupperforthesharksthatnight!AtlastoldBilboagotuppermost；outflashedhisknife；downitcame，butnotinmyheart。No!Igavemyleftarmasashield；andthebladewentthroughtothehilt，withthebloodspurtingupliketherainfromawhale'snostril!Withtheweightoftheblowthestoutfellowcamedownsothathisfacetouchedmine；withmyrighthandIcaughthimbythethroat，turnedhimoverlikealamb，signor，andfaithitwassoonallupwithhim:theboatswain'sbrother，afatDutchman，ranhimthroughwithapike。
　　"'Oldfellow，'saidI，asheturnedhisterribleeyetome，'I
　　bearyounomalice，butwemusttrytogetonintheworld，youknow。'Thecaptaingrinnedandgaveuptheghost。Iwentupondeck，——whatasight!Twentyboldfellowsstarkandcold，andthemoonsparklingonthepuddlesofbloodascalmlyasifitwerewater。Well，signor，thevictorywasours，andtheshipmine；I
　　ruledmerrilyenoughforsixmonths。WethenattackedaFrenchshiptwiceoursize；whatsportitwas!Andwehadnothadagoodfightsolong，wewerequitelikevirginsatit!Wegotthebestofit，andwonshipandcargo。Theywantedtopistolthecaptain，butthatwasagainstmylaws:sowegaggedhim，forhescoldedasloudasifweweremarriedtohim；lefthimandtherestofhiscrewonboardourownvessel，whichwasterriblybattered；clappedourblackflagontheFrenchman's，andsetoffmerrily，withabriskwindinourfavour。Butluckdesertedusonforsakingourowndearoldship。Astormcameon，aplankstruck；severalofusescapedinaboat；wehadlotsofgoldwithus，butnowater。Fortwodaysandtwonightswesufferedhorribly；butatlastweranashorenearaFrenchseaport。Oursorryplightmovedcompassion，andaswehadmoney，wewerenotsuspected，——peopleonlysuspectthepoor。Herewesoonrecoveredourfatigues，riggedourselvesoutgayly，andyourhumbleservantwasconsideredasnobleacaptainaseverwalkeddeck。Butnow，alas!myfatewouldhaveitthatIshouldfallinlovewithasilk-mercer'sdaughter。Ah，howIlovedher!——theprettyClara!
　　Yes，IlovedhersowellthatIwasseizedwithhorroratmypastlife!Iresolvedtorepent，tomarryher，andsettledownintoanhonestman。Accordingly，Isummonedmymessmates，toldthemmyresolution，resignedmycommand，andpersuadedthemtodepart。
　　Theyweregoodfellows，engagedwithaDutchman，againstwhomI
　　heardafterwardstheymadeasuccessfulmutiny，butIneversawthemmore。Ihadtwothousandcrownsstillleft；withthissumI
　　obtainedtheconsentofthesilk-mercer，anditwasagreedthatI
　　shouldbecomeapartnerinthefirm。IneednotsaythatnoonesuspectedthatIhadbeensogreataman，andIpassedforaNeapolitangoldsmith'ssoninsteadofacardinal's。Iwasveryhappythen，signor，very，——Icouldnothaveharmedafly!HadI
　　marriedClara，Ihadbeenasgentleamerceraseverhandledameasure。"
　　Thebravopausedamoment，anditwaseasytoseethathefeltmorethanhiswordsandtonebetokened。"Well，well，wemustnotlookbackatthepasttooearnestly，——thesunlightuponitmakesone'seyeswater。Thedaywasfixedforourwedding，——itapproached。Ontheeveningbeforetheappointedday，Clara，hermother，herlittlesister，andmyself，werewalkingbytheport；
　　andaswelookedonthesea，Iwastellingthemoldgossip-talesofmermaidsandsea-serpents，whenared-faced，bottle-nosedFrenchmanclappedhimselfrightbeforeme，and，placinghisspectaclesverydeliberatelyastridehisproboscis，echoedout，'Sacre，milletonnerres!thisisthedamnedpiratewhoboardedthe"Niobe"!'
　　"'Noneofyourjests，'saidI，mildly。'Ho，ho!'saidhe；'I
　　can'tbemistaken；helpthere!'andhegripedmebythecollar。
　　Ireplied，asyoumaysuppose，bylayinghiminthekennel；butitwouldnotdo。TheFrenchcaptainhadaFrenchlieutenantathisback，whosememorywasasgoodashischief's。Acrowdassembled；othersailorscameup:theoddswereagainstme。I
　　sleptthatnightinprison；andinafewweeksafterwardsIwassenttothegalleys。Theysparedmylife，becausetheoldFrenchmanpolitelyaverredthatIhadmademycrewsparehis。
　　Youmaybelievethattheoarandthechainwerenottomytaste。
　　Iandtwoothersescaped；theytooktotheroad，andhave，nodoubt，beenlongsincebrokenonthewheel。I，softsoul，wouldnotcommitanothercrimetogainmybread，forClarawasstillatmyheartwithhersweeteyes；so，limitingmyrogueriestothetheftofabeggar'srags，whichIcompensatedbyleavinghimmygalleyattireinstead，IbeggedmywaytothetownwhereIleftClara。Itwasaclearwinter'sdaywhenIapproachedtheoutskirtsofthetown。Ihadnofearofdetection，formybeardandhairwereasgoodasamask。Oh，MotherofMercy!therecameacrossmywayafuneralprocession!There，nowyouknowit；I
　　cantellyounomore。Shehaddied，perhapsoflove，morelikelyofshame。CanyouguesshowIspentthatnight？——Istoleapickaxefromamason'sshed，andallaloneandunseen，underthefrostyheavens，Idugthefreshmouldfromthegrave；Iliftedthecoffin，Iwrenchedthelid，Isawheragain——again!Decayhadnottouchedher。Shewasalwayspaleinlife!Icouldhaveswornshelived!Itwasablessedthingtoseeheroncemore，andallalonetoo!Butthen，atdawn，togiveherbacktotheearth，——toclosethelid，tothrowdownthemould，tohearthepebblesrattleonthecoffin:thatwasdreadful!Signor，I
　　neverknewbefore，andIdon'twishtothinknow，howvaluableathinghumanlifeis。AtsunriseIwasagainawanderer；butnowthatClarawasgone，myscruplesvanished，andagainIwasatwarwithmybetters。Icontrivedatlast，atO——，togettakenonboardavesselboundtoLeghorn，workingoutmypassage。FromLeghornIwenttoRome，andstationedmyselfatthedoorofthecardinal'spalace。Outhecame，hisgildedcoachatthegate。
　　"'Ho，father!'saidI；'don'tyouknowme？'
　　"'Whoareyou？'
　　"'Yourson，'saidI，inawhisper。
　　"Thecardinaldrewback，lookedatmeearnestly，andmusedamoment。'Allmenaremysons，'quothhethen，verymildly；
　　'thereisgoldforthee!Tohimwhobegsonce，almsaredue；tohimwhobegstwice，jailsareopen。Takethehintandmolestmenomore。Heavenblessthee!'Withthathegotintohiscoach，anddroveofftotheVatican。Hispursewhichhehadleftbehindwaswellsupplied。Iwasgratefulandcontented，andtookmywaytoTerracina。IhadnotlongpassedthemarsheswhenIsawtwohorsemenapproachatacanter。
　　"'Youlookpoor，friend，'saidoneofthem，halting；'yetyouarestrong。'
　　"'Poormenandstrongarebothserviceableanddangerous，SignorCavalier。'
　　"'Wellsaid；followus。'
　　"Iobeyed，andbecameabandit。Irosebydegrees；andasIhavealwaysbeenmildinmycalling，andhavetakenpurseswithoutcuttingthroats，Ibearanexcellentcharacter，andcaneatmymacaroniatNapleswithoutanydangertolifeandlimb。ForthelasttwoyearsIhavesettledintheseparts，whereIholdsway，andwhereIhavepurchasedland。Iamcalledafarmer，signor；
　　andImyselfnowonlyrobforamusement，andtokeepmyhandin。
　　ItrustIhavesatisfiedyourcuriosity。Wearewithinahundredyardsofthecastle。"
　　"Andhow，"askedtheEnglishman，whoseinteresthadbeenmuchexcitedbyhiscompanion'snarrative，——"andhowcameyouacquaintedwithmyhost？——andbywhatmeanshashesowellconciliatedthegoodwillofyourselfandfriends？"
　　MaestroPaoloturnedhisblackeyesverygravelytowardshisquestioner。"Why，signor，"saidhe，"youmustsurelyknowmoreoftheforeigncavalierwiththehardnamethanIdo。AllIcansayis，thataboutafortnightagoIchancedtobestandingbyaboothintheToledoatNaples，whenasober-lookinggentlemantouchedmebythearm，andsaid，'MaestroPaolo，Iwanttomakeyouracquaintance；domethefavourtocomeintoyondertavern，anddrinkaflaskoflacrima。''Willingly，'saidI。Soweenteredthetavern。Whenwewereseated，mynewacquaintancethusaccostedme:'TheCountd'O——hasofferedtoletmehirehisoldcastlenearB。Youknowthespot？'
　　"'Extremelywell；noonehasinhabiteditforacenturyatleast；
　　itishalfinruins，signor。Aqueerplacetohire；Ihopetherentisnotheavy。'
　　"'MaestroPaolo，'saidhe，'Iamaphilosopher，anddon'tcareforluxuries。Iwantaquietretreatforsomescientificexperiments。Thecastlewillsuitmeverywell，providedyouwillacceptmeasaneighbour，andplacemeandmyfriendsunderyourspecialprotection。Iamrich；butIshalltakenothingtothecastleworthrobbing。Iwillpayonerenttothecount，andanothertoyou。'
　　"Withthatwesooncametoterms；andasthestrangesignordoubledthesumImyselfproposed，heisinhighfavourwithallhisneighbours。Wewouldguardthewholecastleagainstanarmy。
　　Andnow，signor，thatIhavebeenthusfrank，befrankwithme。
　　Whoisthissingularcavalier？"
　　"Who？——hehimselftoldyou，aphilosopher。"
　　"Hem!searchingforthePhilosopher'sStone，——eh，abitofamagician；afraidofthepriests？"
　　"Precisely；youhavehitit。"
　　"Ithoughtso；andyouarehispupil？"
　　"Iam。"
　　"Iwishyouwellthroughit，"saidtherobber，seriously，andcrossinghimselfwithmuchdevotion；"Iamnotmuchbetterthanotherpeople，butone'ssoulisone'ssoul。Idonotmindalittlehonestrobbery，orknockingamanontheheadifneedbe，——buttomakeabargainwiththedevil!Ah，takecare，younggentleman，takecare!"
　　"Youneednotfear，"saidGlyndon，smiling；"mypreceptoristoowiseandtoogoodforsuchacompact。Buthereweare，I
　　suppose。Anobleruin，——agloriousprospect!"
　　Glyndonpauseddelightedly，andsurveyedthescenebeforeandbelowwiththeeyeofapainter。Insensibly，whilelisteningtothebandit，hehadwoundupaconsiderableascent，andnowhewasuponabroadledgeofrockcoveredwithmossesanddwarfshrubs。
　　Betweenthiseminenceandanotherofequalheight，uponwhichthecastlewasbuilt，therewasadeepbutnarrowfissure，overgrownwiththemostprofusefoliage，sothattheeyecouldnotpenetratemanyyardsbelowtheruggedsurfaceoftheabyss；buttheprofoundnessmightbewellconjecturedbythehoarse，low，monotonousroarofwatersunseenthatrolledbelow，andthesubsequentcourseofwhichwasvisibleatadistanceinaperturbedandrapidstreamthatintersectedthewasteanddesolatevalleys。
　　Totheleft，theprospectseemedalmostboundless，——theextremeclearnessofthepurpleairservingtorenderdistinctthefeaturesofarangeofcountrythataconquerorofoldmighthavedeemedinitselfakingdom。LonelyanddesolateastheroadwhichGlyndonhadpassedthatdayhadappeared，thelandscapenowseemedstuddedwithcastles，spires，andvillages。Afaroff，Naplesgleamedwhitelyinthelastraysofthesun，andtherose-tintsofthehorizonmeltedintotheazureofhergloriousbay。Yetmoreremote，andinanotherpartoftheprospect，mightbecaught，dimandshadowy，andbackedbythedarkestfoliage，theruinedpillarsoftheancientPosidonia。There，inthemidstofhisblackenedandsterilerealms，rosethedismalMountofFire；whileontheotherhand，windingthroughvariegatedplains，towhichdistancelentallitsmagic，glitteredmanyandmanyastreambywhichEtruscanandSybarite，RomanandSaracenandNormanhad，atintervalsofages，pitchedtheinvadingtent。Allthevisionsofthepast——thestormyanddazzlinghistoriesofSouthernItaly——rushedovertheartist'smindashegazedbelow。
　　Andthen，slowlyturningtolookbehind，hesawthegreyandmoulderingwallsofthecastleinwhichhesoughtthesecretsthatweretogivetohopeinthefutureamightierempirethanmemoryownsinthepast。ItwasoneofthosebaronialfortresseswithwhichItalywasstuddedintheearliermiddleages，havingbutlittleoftheGothicgraceorgrandeurwhichbelongstotheecclesiasticalarchitectureofthesametime，butrude，vast，andmenacing，evenindecay。Awoodenbridgewasthrownoverthechasm，wideenoughtoadmittwohorsemenabreast；andtheplankstrembledandgavebackahollowsoundasGlyndonurgedhisjadedsteedacross。
　　Aroadwhichhadoncebeenbroadandpavedwithroughflags，butwhichnowwashalf-obliteratedbylonggrassandrankweeds，conductedtotheoutercourtofthecastlehardby；thegateswereopen，andhalfthebuildinginthispartwasdismantled；theruinspartiallyhidbyivythatwasthegrowthofcenturies。Butonenteringtheinnercourt，Glyndonwasnotsorrytonoticethattherewaslessappearanceofneglectanddecay；somewildrosesgaveasmiletothegreywalls，andinthecentretherewasafountaininwhichthewatersstilltrickledcoolly，andwithapleasingmurmur，fromthejawsofagiganticTriton。HerehewasmetbyMejnourwithasmile。
　　"Welcome，myfriendandpupil，"saidhe:"hewhoseeksforTruthcanfindinthesesolitudesanimmortalAcademe。"
　　CHAPTER4。II。
　　AndAbaris，sofarfromesteemingPythagoras，whotaughtthesethings，anecromancerorwizard，ratherreveredandadmiredhimassomethingdivine——Iamblich。，"Vit。Pythag。"
　　TheattendantswhomMejnourhadengagedforhisstrangeabodeweresuchasmightsuitaphilosopheroffewwants。AnoldArmenianwhomGlyndonrecognisedasinthemystic'sserviceatNaples，atall，hard-featuredwomanfromthevillage，recommendedbyMaestroPaolo，andtwolong-haired，smooth-spoken，butfierce-visagedyouthsfromthesameplace，andhonouredbythesamesponsorship，constitutedtheestablishment。Theroomsusedbythesagewerecommodiousandweather-proof，withsomeremainsofancientsplendourinthefadedarrasthatclothedthewalls，andthehugetablesofcostlymarbleandelaboratecarving。
　　Glyndon'ssleepingapartmentcommunicatedwithakindofbelvedere，orterrace，thatcommandedprospectsofunrivalledbeautyandextent，andwasseparatedontheothersidebyalonggallery，andaflightoftenoradozenstairs，fromtheprivatechambersofthemystic。Therewasaboutthewholeplaceasombreandyetnotdispleasingdepthofrepose。Itsuitedwellwiththestudiestowhichitwasnowtobeappropriated。
　　ForseveraldaysMejnourrefusedtoconferwithGlyndononthesubjectsnearesttohisheart。
　　"Allwithout，"saidhe，"isprepared，butnotallwithin；yourownsoulmustgrowaccustomedtothespot，andfilledwiththesurroundingnature；forNatureisthesourceofallinspiration。"
　　WiththesewordsMejnourturnedtolightertopics。HemadetheEnglishmanaccompanyhiminlongramblesthroughthewildscenesaround，andhesmiledapprovinglywhentheyoungartistgavewaytotheenthusiasmwhichtheirfearfulbeautycouldnothavefailedtorouseinadullerbreast；andthenMejnourpouredforthtohiswonderingpupilthestoresofaknowledgethatseemedinexhaustibleandboundless。Hegaveaccountsthemostcurious，graphic，andminuteofthevariousracestheircharacters，habits，creeds，andmannersbywhichthatfairlandhadbeensuccessivelyoverrun。Itistruethathisdescriptionscouldnotbefoundinbooks，andwereunsupportedbylearnedauthorities；
　　buthepossessedthetruecharmofthetale-teller，andspokeofallwiththeanimatedconfidenceofapersonalwitness。
　　Sometimes，too，hewouldconverseuponthemoredurableandtheloftiermysteriesofNaturewithaneloquenceandaresearchwhichinvestedthemwithallthecoloursratherofpoetrythanscience。Insensiblytheyoungartistfoundhimselfelevatedandsoothedbytheloreofhiscompanion；thefeverofhiswilddesireswasslaked。Hismindbecamemoreandmorelulledintothedivinetranquillityofcontemplation；hefelthimselfanoblerbeing，andinthesilenceofhissensesheimaginedthatheheardthevoiceofhissoul。
　　ItwastothisstatethatMejnourevidentlysoughttobringtheneophyte，andinthiselementaryinitiationthemysticwaslikeeverymoreordinarysage。ForhewhoseekstoDISCOVERmustfirstreducehimselfintoakindofabstractidealism，andberenderedup，insolemnandsweetbondage，tothefacultieswhichCONTEMPLATEandIMAGINE。
　　Glyndonnoticedthat，intheirrambles，Mejnouroftenpaused，wherethefoliagewasrifest，togathersomeherborflower；andthisremindedhimthathehadseenZanonisimilarlyoccupied。
　　"CanthesehumblechildrenofNature，"saidheonedaytoMejnour，——"thingsthatbloomandwitherinaday，beserviceabletothescienceofthehighersecrets？Isthereapharmacyforthesoulaswellasthebody，anddothenurslingsofthesummerministernotonlytohumanhealthbutspiritualimmortality？"
　　"If，"answeredMejnour，"astrangerhadvisitedawanderingtribebeforeonepropertyofherbalismwasknowntothem；ifhehadtoldthesavagesthattheherbswhicheverydaytheytrampledunderfootwereendowedwiththemostpotentvirtues；thatonewouldrestoretohealthabrotheronthevergeofdeath；thatanotherwouldparalyseintoidiocytheirwisestsage；thatathirdwouldstrikelifelesstothedusttheirmoststalwartchampion；thattearsandlaughter，vigouranddisease，madnessandreason，wakefulnessandsleep，existenceanddissolution，werecoiledupinthoseunregardedleaves，——wouldtheynothaveheldhimasorcereroraliar？TohalfthevirtuesofthevegetableworldmankindareyetinthedarknessofthesavagesI
　　havesupposed。Therearefacultieswithinuswithwhichcertainherbshaveaffinity，andoverwhichtheyhavepower。Themolyoftheancientsisnotallafable。"
　　TheapparentcharacterofMejnourdifferedinmuchfromthatofZanoni；andwhileitfascinatedGlyndonless，itsubduedandimpressedhimmore。TheconversationofZanonievincedadeepandgeneralinterestformankind，——afeelingapproachingtoenthusiasmforartandbeauty。Thestoriescirculatedconcerninghishabitselevatedthemysteryofhislifebyactionsofcharityandbeneficence。Andinallthistherewassomethinggenialandhumanethatsoftenedtheawehecreated，andtended，perhaps，toraisesuspicionsastotheloftiersecretsthathearrogatedtohimself。ButMejnourseemedwhollyindifferenttoalltheactualworld。Ifhecommittednoevil，heseemedequallyapathetictogood。Hisdeedsrelievednowant，hiswordspitiednodistress。
　　Whatwecalltheheartappearedtohavemergedintotheintellect。Hemoved，thought，andlivedlikesomeregularandcalmabstraction，ratherthanonewhoyetretained，withtheform，thefeelingsandsympathiesofhiskind。
　　Glyndononce，observingthetoneofsupremeindifferencewithwhichhespokeofthosechangesonthefaceofearthwhichheassertedhehadwitnessed，venturedtoremarktohimthedistinctionhehadnoted。
　　"Itistrue，"saidMejnour，coldly。"Mylifeisthelifethatcontemplates，——Zanoni'sisthelifethatenjoys:whenIgathertheherb，Ithinkbutofitsuses；Zanoniwillpausetoadmireitsbeauties。"
　　"Andyoudeemyourownthesuperiorandtheloftierexistence？"
　　"No。Hisistheexistenceofyouth，——mineofage。Wehavecultivateddifferentfaculties。Eachhaspowerstheothercannotaspireto。Thosewithwhomheassociateslivebetter，——thosewhoassociatewithmeknowmore。"
　　"Ihaveheard，intruth，"saidGlyndon，"thathiscompanionsatNapleswereobservedtoleadpurerandnoblerlivesafterintercoursewithZanoni；yetweretheynotstrangecompanions，atthebest，forasage？Thisterriblepower，too，thatheexercisesatwill，asinthedeathofthePrincedi——，andthatoftheCountUghelli，scarcelybecomesthetranquilseekeraftergood。"
　　"True，"saidMejnour，withanicysmile；"suchmusteverbetheerrorofthosephilosopherswhowouldmeddlewiththeactivelifeofmankind。Youcannotservesomewithoutinjuringothers；youcannotprotectthegoodwithoutwarringonthebad；andifyoudesiretoreformthefaulty，why，youmustloweryourselftolivewiththefaultytoknowtheirfaults。EvensosaithParacelsus，agreatman，thoughoftenwrong。"Itisasnecessarytoknowevilthingsasgood；forwhocanknowwhatisgoodwithouttheknowingwhatisevil？"etc——Paracelsus，"DeNat。Rer。，"lib。3。
　　Notminethisfolly；Ilivebutinknowledge，——Ihavenolifeinmankind!"
　　AnothertimeGlyndonquestionedthemysticastothenatureofthatunionorfraternitytowhichZanonihadoncereferred。
　　"Iamright，Isuppose，"saidhe，"inconjecturingthatyouandhimselfprofesstobethebrothersoftheRosyCross？"
　　"Doyouimagine，"answeredMejnour，"thattherewerenomysticandsolemnunionsofmenseekingthesameendthroughthesamemeansbeforetheArabiansofDamus，in1378，taughttoawanderingGermanthesecretswhichfoundedtheInstitutionoftheRosicrucians？Iallow，however，thattheRosicruciansformedasectdescendedfromthegreaterandearlierschool。TheywerewiserthantheAlchemists，——theirmastersarewiserthanthey。"
　　"Andofthisearlyandprimaryorderhowmanystillexist？"
　　"Zanoniandmyself。"
　　"What，twoonly!——andyouprofessthepowertoteachtoallthesecretthatbafflesDeath？"
　　"Yourancestorattainedthatsecret；hediedratherthansurvivetheonlythingheloved。Wehave，mypupil，noartsbywhichweCANPUTDEATHOUTOFOUROPTION，oroutofthewillofHeaven。
　　ThesewallsmaycrushmeasIstand。Allthatweprofesstodoisbutthis，——tofindoutthesecretsofthehumanframe；toknowwhythepartsossifyandthebloodstagnates，andtoapplycontinualpreventivestotheeffectsoftime。Thisisnotmagic；
　　itistheartofmedicinerightlyunderstood。Inourorderweholdmostnoble，——first，thatknowledgewhichelevatestheintellect；secondly，thatwhichpreservesthebody。Butthemereartextractedfromthejuicesandsimpleswhichrecruitstheanimalvigourandarreststheprogressofdecay，orthatmorenoblesecret，whichIwillonlyhinttotheeatpresent，bywhichHEAT，orCALORIC，asyecallit，being，asHeraclituswiselytaught，theprimordialprincipleoflife，canbemadeitsperpetualrenovater，——theseIsay，wouldnotsufficeforsafety。
　　Itisoursalsotodisarmandeludethewrathofmen，toturntheswordsofourfoesagainsteachother，toglideifnotincorporealinvisibletoeyesoverwhichwecanthrowamistanddarkness。Andthissomeseershaveprofessedtobethevirtueofastoneofagate。Abarisplaceditinhisarrow。Iwillfindyouanherbinyonvalleythatwillgiveasurercharmthantheagateandthearrow。Inoneword，knowthis，thatthehumblestandmeanestproductsofNaturearethosefromwhichthesublimestpropertiesaretobedrawn。"
　　"But，"saidGlyndon，"ifpossessedofthesegreatsecrets，whysochurlishinwithholdingtheirdiffusion？Doesnotthefalseorcharlatanicsciencedifferinthisfromthetrueandindisputable，——thatthelastcommunicatestotheworldtheprocessbywhichitattainsitsdiscoveries；thefirstboastsofmarvellousresults，andrefusestoexplainthecauses？"
　　"Wellsaid，OLogicianoftheSchools；butthinkagain。Supposeweweretoimpartallourknowledgetoallmankindindiscriminately，——aliketotheviciousandthevirtuous，——shouldwebebenefactorsorscourges？Imaginethetyrant，thesensualist，theevilandcorruptedbeingpossessedofthesetremendouspowers；wouldhenotbeademonletlooseonearth？
　　Grantthatthesameprivilegebeaccordedalsotothegood；andinwhatstatewouldbesociety？EngagedinaTitanwar，——thegoodforeveronthedefensive，thebadforeverinassault。Inthepresentconditionoftheearth，evilisamoreactiveprinciplethangood，andtheevilwouldprevail。Itisforthesereasonsthatwearenotonlysolemnlyboundtoadministerourloreonlytothosewhowillnotmisuseandpervertit，butthatweplaceourordealinteststhatpurifythepassionsandelevatethedesires。AndNatureinthiscontrolsandassistsus:foritplacesawfulguardiansandinsurmountablebarriersbetweentheambitionofviceandtheheavenoftheloftierscience。"