SuchmadeasmallpartofthenumerousconversationsMejnourheldwithhispupil，——conversationsthat，whiletheyappearedtoaddressthemselvestothereason，inflamedyetmorethefancy。
　　ItwastheverydisclaimingofallpowerswhichNature，properlyinvestigated，didnotsufficetocreate，thatgaveanairofprobabilitytothosewhichMejnourassertedNaturemightbestow。
　　Thusdaysandweeksrolledon；andthemindofGlyndon，graduallyfittedtothissequesteredandmusinglife，forgotatlastthevanitiesandchimerasoftheworldwithout。
　　Oneeveninghehadlingeredaloneandlateupontheramparts，watchingthestarsas，onebyone，theybrokeuponthetwilight。
　　Neverhadhefeltsosensiblythemightypoweroftheheavensandtheearthuponman；howmuchthespringsofourintellectualbeingaremovedandacteduponbythesolemninfluencesofNature。Asapatientonwhom，slowlyandbydegrees，theagenciesofmesmerismarebroughttobear，heacknowledgedtohisheartthegrowingforceofthatvastanduniversalmagnetismwhichisthelifeofcreation，andbindstheatomtothewhole。
　　Astrangeandineffableconsciousnessofpower，oftheSOMETHING
　　GREATwithintheperishableclay，appealedtofeelingsatoncedimandglorious，——likethefaintrecognitionsofaholierandformerbeing。Animpulse，thathecouldnotresist，ledhimtoseekthemystic。Hewoulddemand，thathour，hisinitiationintotheworldsbeyondourworld，——hewaspreparedtobreatheadivinerair。Heenteredthecastle，andstrodetheshadowyandstarlitgallerywhichconductedtoMejnour'sapartment。
　　CHAPTER4。III。
　　Manistheeyeofthings——Euryph，"deVit。Hum。"……Thereis，therefore，acertainecstaticalortransportingpower，which，ifatanytimeitshallbeexcitedorstirredupbyanardentdesireandmoststrongimagination，isabletoconductthespiritofthemoreoutwardeventosomeabsentandfar-distantobject——VonHelmont。
　　TheroomsthatMejnouroccupiedconsistedoftwochamberscommunicatingwitheachother，andathirdinwhichheslept。
　　Alltheseroomswereplacedinthehugesquaretowerthatbeetledoverthedarkandbush-grownprecipice。ThefirstchamberwhichGlyndonenteredwasempty。Withanoiselessstephepassedon，andopenedthedoorthatadmittedintotheinnerone。Hedrewbackatthethreshold，overpoweredbyastrongfragrancewhichfilledthechamber:akindofmistthickenedtheairratherthanobscuredit，forthisvapourwasnotdark，butresembledasnow-
　　cloudmovingslowly，andinheavyundulations，waveuponwaveregularlyoverthespace。AmortalcoldstrucktotheEnglishman'sheart，andhisbloodfroze。Hestoodrootedtothespot；andashiseyesstrainedinvoluntarilythroughthevapour，hefanciedforhecouldnotbesurethatitwasnotthetrickofhisimaginationthathesawdim，spectre-like，butgiganticformsfloatingthroughthemist；orwasitnotratherthemistitselfthatformeditsvapoursfantasticallyintothosemoving，impalpable，andbodilessapparitions？Agreatpainterofantiquityissaid，inapictureofHades，tohaverepresentedthemonstersthatglidethroughtheghostlyRiveroftheDead，soartfully，thattheeyeperceivedatoncethattheriveritselfwasbutaspectre，andthebloodlessthingsthattenantedithadnolife，theirformsblendingwiththedeadwaterstill，astheeyecontinuedtogaze，itceasedtodiscernthemfromthepreternaturalelementtheyweresupposedtoinhabit。Suchwerethemovingoutlinesthatcoiledandfloatedthroughthemist；butbeforeGlyndonhadevendrawnbreathinthisatmosphere——forhislifeitselfseemedarrestedorchangedintoakindofhorridtrance——hefelthishandseized，andhewasledfromthatroomintotheouterone。Heheardthedoorclose，——hisbloodrushedagainthroughhisveins，andhesawMejnourbyhisside。Strongconvulsionsthensuddenlyseizedhiswholeframe，——hefelltothegroundinsensible。Whenherecovered，hefoundhimselfintheopenairinarudebalconyofstonethatjuttedfromthechamber，thestarsshiningserenelyoverthedarkabyssbelow，andrestingcalmlyuponthefaceofthemystic，whostoodbesidehimwithfoldedarms。
　　"Youngman，"saidMejnour，"judgebywhatyouhavejustfelt，howdangerousitistoseekknowledgeuntilpreparedtoreceiveit。
　　Anothermomentintheairofthatchamberandyouhadbeenacorpse。"
　　"Thenofwhatnaturewastheknowledgethatyou，oncemortallikemyself，couldsafelyhavesoughtinthaticyatmosphere，whichitwasdeathformetobreathe？Mejnour，"continuedGlyndon，andhiswilddesire，sharpenedbytheverydangerhehadpassed，oncemoreanimatedandnervedhim，"Iampreparedatleastforthefirststeps。IcometoyouasofoldthepupiltotheHierophant，anddemandtheinitiation。"
　　Mejnourpassedhishandovertheyoungman'sheart，——itbeatloud，regularly，andboldly。Helookedathimwithsomethingalmostlikeadmirationinhispassionlessandfrigidfeatures，andmuttered，halftohimself，"Surely，insomuchcouragethetruediscipleisfoundatlast。"Then，speakingaloud，headded，"Beitso；man'sfirstinitiationisinTRANCE。Indreamscommencesallhumanknowledge；indreamshoversovermeasurelessspacethefirstfaintbridgebetweenspiritandspirit，——thisworldandtheworldsbeyond!Looksteadfastlyonyonderstar!"
　　Glyndonobeyed，andMejnourretiredintothechamber，fromwhichtherethenslowlyemergedavapour，somewhatpalerandoffainterodourthanthatwhichhadnearlyproducedsofatalaneffectonhisframe。This，onthecontrary，asitcoiledaroundhim，andthenmeltedinthinspiresintotheair，breathedarefreshingandhealthfulfragrance。Hestillkepthiseyesonthestar，andthestarseemedgraduallytofixandcommandhisgaze。Asortoflanguornextseizedhisframe，butwithout，ashethought，communicatingitselftothemind；andasthiscreptoverhim，hefelthistemplessprinkledwithsomevolatileandfieryessence。
　　Atthesamemomentaslighttremorshookhislimbsandthrilledthroughhisveins。Thelanguorincreased，stillhekepthisgazeuponthestar，andnowitsluminouscircumferenceseemedtoexpandanddilate。Itbecamegraduallysofterandclearerinitslight；spreadingwiderandbroader，itdiffusedallspace，——allspaceseemedswallowedupinit。Andatlast，inthemidstofasilvershiningatmosphere，hefeltasifsomethingburstwithinhisbrain，——asifastrongchainwerebroken；andatthatmomentasenseofheavenlyliberty，ofunutterabledelight，offreedomfromthebody，ofbirdlikelightness，seemedtofloathimintothespaceitself。"Whom，nowuponearth，dostthouwishtosee？"
　　whisperedthevoiceofMejnour。"ViolaandZanoni!"answeredGlyndon，inhisheart；buthefeltthathislipsmovednot。
　　Suddenlyatthatthought，——throughthisspace，inwhichnothingsaveonemellowtranslucentlighthadbeendiscernible，——aswiftsuccessionofshadowylandscapesseemedtoroll:trees，mountains，cities，seas，glidedalonglikethechangesofaphantasmagoria；andatlast，settledandstationary，hesawacavebythegradualmargeofanoceanshore，——myrtlesandorange-treesclothingthegentlebanks。Onaheight，atadistance，gleamedthewhitebutshatteredrelicsofsomeruinedheathenedifice；andthemoon，incalmsplendour，shiningoverall，literallybathedwithitslighttwoformswithoutthecave，atwhosefeetthebluewaterscrept，andhethoughtthatheevenheardthemmurmur。Herecognisedboththefigures。Zanoniwasseatedonafragmentofstone；Viola，half-recliningbyhisside，waslookingintohisface，whichwasbentdowntoher，andinhercountenancewastheexpressionofthatperfecthappinesswhichbelongstoperfectlove。"Wouldstthouhearthemspeak？"
　　whisperedMejnour；andagain，withoutsound，Glyndoninlyanswered，"Yes!"Theirvoicesthencametohisear，butintonesthatseemedtohimstrange；sosubduedwerethey，andsounding，asitwere，sofaroff，thattheywereasvoicesheardinthevisionsofsomeholiermenfromadistantsphere。
　　"Andhowisit，"saidViola，"thatthoucanstfindpleasureinlisteningtotheignorant？"
　　"Becausetheheartisneverignorant；becausethemysteriesofthefeelingsareasfullofwonderasthoseoftheintellect。Ifattimesthoucanstnotcomprehendthelanguageofmythoughts，attimesalsoIhearsweetenigmasinthatofthyemotions。"
　　"Ah，saynotso!"saidViola，windingherarmtenderlyroundhisneck，andunderthatheavenlylightherfaceseemedlovelierforitsblushes。"Fortheenigmasarebutlove'scommonlanguage，andloveshouldsolvethem。TillIknewthee，——tillIlivedwiththee；tillIlearnedtowatchforthyfootstepwhenabsent:yeteveninabsencetoseetheeeverywhere!——Idreamednothowstrongandall-pervadingistheconnectionbetweennatureandthehumansoul!……
　　"Andyet，"shecontinued，"IamnowassuredofwhatIatfirstbelieved，——thatthefeelingswhichattractedmetowardstheeatfirstwerenotthoseoflove。IknowTHAT，bycomparingthepresentwiththepast，——itwasasentimentthenwhollyofthemindorthespirit!Icouldnotheartheenowsay，'Viola，behappywithanother!'"
　　"AndIcouldnotnowtelltheeso!Ah，Viola，neverbewearyofassuringmethatthouarthappy!"
　　"Happywhilethouartso。Yetattimes，Zanoni，thouartsosad!"
　　"Becausehumanlifeissoshort；becausewemustpartatlast；
　　becauseyonmoonshinesonwhenthenightingalesingstoitnomore!Alittlewhile，andthineeyeswillgrowdim，andthybeautyhaggard，andtheselocksthatItoywithnowwillbegreyandloveless。"
　　"Andthou，cruelone!"saidViola，touchingly，"Ishallneverseethesignsofageinthee!Butshallwenotgrowoldtogether，andoureyesbeaccustomedtoachangewhichtheheartshallnotshare!"
　　Zanonisighed。Heturnedaway，andseemedtocommunewithhimself。
　　Glyndon'sattentiongrewyetmoreearnest。
　　"Butwereitso，"mutteredZanoni；andthenlookingsteadfastlyatViola，hesaid，withahalf-smile，"HastthounocuriositytolearnmoreoftheloverthouoncecouldstbelievetheagentoftheEvilOne？"
　　"None；allthatonewishestoknowofthebelovedone，Iknow——
　　THATTHOULOVESTME!"
　　"Ihavetoldtheethatmylifeisapartfromothers。Wouldstthounotseektoshareit？"
　　"Ishareitnow!"
　　"Butwereitpossibletobethusyoungandfairforever，tilltheworldblazesroundusasonefuneralpyre!"
　　"Weshallbeso，whenweleavetheworld!"
　　Zanoniwasmuteforsomemoments，andatlengthhesaid，——
　　"Canstthourecallthosebrilliantandaerialdreamswhichoncevisitedthee，whenthoudidstfancythatthouwertpreordainedtosomefatealoofandafarfromthecommonchildrenoftheearth？"
　　"Zanoni，thefateisfound。"
　　"Andhastthounoterrorofthefuture？"
　　"Thefuture!Iforgetit!Timepastandpresentandtocomereposesinthysmile。Ah，Zanoni，playnotwiththefoolishcredulitiesofmyyouth!Ihavebeenbetterandhumblersincethypresencehasdispelledthemistoftheair。Thefuture!——
　　well，whenIhavecausetodreadit，Iwilllookuptoheaven，andrememberwhoguidesourfate!"
　　Assheliftedhereyesabove，adarkcloudsweptsuddenlyoverthescene。Itwrappedtheorange-trees，theazureocean，thedensesands；butstillthelastimagesthatitveiledfromthecharmedeyesofGlyndonweretheformsofViolaandZanoni。Thefaceoftheonerapt，serene，andradiant；thefaceoftheother，dark，thoughtful，andlockedinmorethanitsusualrigidnessofmelancholybeautyandprofoundrepose。
　　"Rousethyself，"saidMejnour；"thyordealhascommenced!Therearepretenderstothesolemnsciencewhocouldhaveshowntheetheabsent，andpratedtothee，intheircharlatanicjargon，ofthesecretelectricitiesandthemagneticfluidofwhosetruepropertiestheyknowbutthegermsandelements。Iwilllendtheethebooksofthosegloriousdupes，andthouwiltfind，inthedarkages，howmanyerringstepshavestumbleduponthethresholdofthemightylearning，andfanciedtheyhadpiercedthetemple。HermesandAlbertandParacelsus，Iknewyeall；
　　but，nobleasyewere，yewerefatedtobedeceived。Yehadnotsoulsoffaith，anddaringfittedforthedestiniesatwhichyeaimed!YetParacelsus——modestParacelsus——hadanarrogancethatsoaredhigherthanallourknowledge。Ho，ho!——hethoughthecouldmakearaceofmenfromchemistry；hearrogatedtohimselftheDivinegift，——thebreathoflife。Paracelsus，"DeNat。
　　Rer。，"lib。i。
　　Hewouldhavemademen，and，afterall，confessedthattheycouldbebutpygmies!Myartistomakemenabovemankind。Butyouareimpatientofmydigressions。Forgiveme。Allthesementheyweregreatdreamers，asyoudesiretobewereintimatefriendsofmine。Buttheyaredeadandrotten。Theytalkedofspirits，——buttheydreadedtobeinothercompanythanthatofmen。LikeoratorswhomIhaveheard，whenIstoodbythePnyxofAthens，blazingwithwordslikecometsintheassembly，andextinguishingtheirardourlikeholidayrocketswhentheywereinthefield。Ho，ho!Demosthenes，myhero-coward，hownimblewerethyheelsatChaeronea!Andthouartimpatientstill!Boy，I
　　couldtelltheesuchtruthsofthepastaswouldmaketheetheluminaryofschools。Butthoulustestonlyfortheshadowsofthefuture。Thoushalthavethywish。Butthemindmustbefirstexercisedandtrained。Gotothyroom，andsleep；fastausterely，readnobooks；meditate，imagine，dream，bewilderthyselfifthouwilt。Thoughtshapesoutitsownchaosatlast。
　　Beforemidnight，seekmeagain!"
　　CHAPTER4。IV。
　　Itisfitthatwewhoendeavourtorisetoanelevationsosublime，shouldstudyfirsttoleavebehindcarnalaffections，thefrailtyofthesenses，thepassionsthatbelongtomatter；
　　secondly，tolearnbywhatmeanswemayascendtotheclimaxofpureintellect，unitedwiththepowersabove，withoutwhichnevercanwegaintheloreofsecretthings，northemagicthateffectstruewonders——Tritemius"OnSecretThingsandSecretSpirits。"
　　Itwantedstillmanyminutesofmidnight，andGlyndonwasoncemoreintheapartmentofthemystic。Hehadrigidlyobservedthefastordainedtohim；andintheraptandintensereveriesintowhichhisexcitedfancyhadplungedhim，hewasnotonlyinsensibletothewantsoftheflesh，——hefeltabovethem。
　　Mejnour，seatedbesidehisdisciple，thusaddressedhim:——
　　"Manisarrogantinproportiontohisignorance。Man'snaturaltendencyistoegotism。Man，inhisinfancyofknowledge，thinksthatallcreationwasformedforhim。Forseveralageshesawinthecountlessworldsthatsparklethroughspacelikethebubblesofashorelessoceanonlythepettycandles，thehouseholdtorches，thatProvidencehadbeenpleasedtolightfornootherpurposebuttomakethenightmoreagreeabletoman。Astronomyhascorrectedthisdelusionofhumanvanity；andmannowreluctantlyconfessesthatthestarsareworldslargerandmoregloriousthanhisown，——thattheearthonwhichhecrawlsisascarcevisiblespeckonthevastchartofcreation。Butinthesmallasinthevast，Godisequallyprofuseoflife。Thetravellerlooksuponthetree，andfanciesitsboughswereformedforhisshelterinthesummersun，orhisfuelinthewinterfrosts。ButineachleafoftheseboughstheCreatorhasmadeaworld；itswarmswithinnumerableraces。Eachdropofthewaterinyonmoatisanorbmorepopulousthanakingdomisofmen。
　　Everywhere，then，inthisimmensedesign，sciencebringsnewlifetolight。Lifeistheonepervadingprinciple，andeventhethingthatseemstodieandputrifybutengendersnewlife，andchangestofreshformsofmatter。Reasoning，then，byevidentanalogy:ifnotaleaf，ifnotadropofwater，butis，nolessthanyonderstar，ahabitableandbreathingworld，——nay，ifevenmanhimselfisaworldtootherlives，andmillionsandmyriadsdwellintheriversofhisblood，andinhabitman'sframeasmaninhabitsearth，commonsenseifyourschoolmenhaditwouldsufficetoteachthatthecircumfluentinfinitewhichyoucallspace——thecountlessImpalpablewhichdividesearthfromthemoonandstars——isfilledalsowithitscorrespondentandappropriatelife。Isitnotavisibleabsurditytosupposethatbeingiscrowdeduponeveryleaf，andyetabsentfromtheimmensitiesofspace？ThelawoftheGreatSystemforbidsthewasteevenofanatom；itknowsnospotwheresomethingoflifedoesnotbreathe。
　　Intheverycharnel-houseisthenurseryofproductionandanimation。Isthattrue？Well，then，canyouconceivethatspace，whichistheInfiniteitself，isaloneawaste，isalonelifeless，islessusefultotheonedesignofuniversalbeingthanthedeadcarcassofadog，thanthepeopledleaf，thantheswarmingglobule？Themicroscopeshowsyouthecreaturesontheleaf；nomechanicaltubeisyetinventedtodiscoverthenoblerandmoregiftedthingsthathoverintheillimitableair。Yetbetweentheselastandmanisamysteriousandterribleaffinity。
　　Andhence，bytalesandlegends，notwhollyfalsenorwhollytrue，havearisenfromtimetotime，beliefsinapparitionsandspectres。Ifmorecommontotheearlierandsimplertribesthantothemenofyourdullerage，itisbutthat，withthefirst，thesensesaremorekeenandquick。Andasthesavagecanseeorscentmilesawaythetracesofafoe，invisibletothegrosssenseofthecivilisedanimal，sothebarrieritselfbetweenhimandthecreaturesoftheairyworldislessthickenedandobscured。Doyoulisten？"
　　"Withmysoul!"
　　"Butfirst，topenetratethisbarrier，thesoulwithwhichyoulistenmustbesharpenedbyintenseenthusiasm，purifiedfromallearthlierdesires。Notwithoutreasonhavetheso-styledmagicians，inalllandsandtimes，insistedonchastityandabstemiousreverieasthecommunicantsofinspiration。Whenthusprepared，sciencecanbebroughttoaidit；thesightitselfmayberenderedmoresubtle，thenervesmoreacute，thespiritmorealiveandoutward，andtheelementitself——theair，thespace——
　　maybemade，bycertainsecretsofthehigherchemistry，morepalpableandclear。Andthis，too，isnotmagic，asthecredulouscallit；asIhavesooftensaidbefore，magicorsciencethatviolatesNatureexistsnot:itisbutthesciencebywhichNaturecanbecontrolled。Now，inspacetherearemillionsofbeingsnotliterallyspiritual，fortheyhaveall，liketheanimalculaeunseenbythenakedeye，certainformsofmatter，thoughmattersodelicate，air-drawn，andsubtle，thatitis，asitwere，butafilm，agossamerthatclothesthespirit。
　　HencetheRosicrucian'slovelyphantomsofsylphandgnome。Yet，intruth，theseracesandtribesdiffermorewidely，eachfromeach，thantheCalmucfromtheGreek，——differinattributesandpowers。Inthedropofwateryouseehowtheanimalculaevary，howvastandterriblearesomeofthosemonstermitesascomparedwithothers。Equallysowiththeinhabitantsoftheatmosphere:
　　someofsurpassingwisdom，someofhorriblemalignity；somehostileasfiendstomen，othersgentleasmessengersbetweenearthandheaven。
　　Hewhowouldestablishintercoursewiththesevaryingbeingsresemblesthetravellerwhowouldpenetrateintounknownlands。
　　Heisexposedtostrangedangersandunconjecturedterrors。THAT
　　INTERCOURSEONCEGAINED，ICANNOTSECURETHEEFROMTHECHANCESTO
　　WHICHTHYJOURNEYISEXPOSED。Icannotdirecttheetopathsfreefromthewanderingsofthedeadliestfoes。Thoumustalone，andofthyself，faceandhazardall。Butifthouartsoenamouredoflifeastocareonlytoliveon，nomatterforwhatends，recruitingthenervesandveinswiththealchemist'svivifyingelixir，whyseekthesedangersfromtheintermediatetribes？
　　Becausetheveryelixirthatpoursamoregloriouslifeintotheframe，sosharpensthesensesthatthoselarvaeoftheairbecometotheeaudibleandapparent；sothat，unlesstrainedbydegreestoendurethephantomsandsubduetheirmalice，alifethusgiftedwouldbethemostawfuldoommancouldbringuponhimself。
　　Henceitis，thatthoughtheelixirbecompoundedofthesimplestherbs，hisframeonlyispreparedtoreceiveitwhohasgonethroughthesubtlesttrials。Nay，some，scaredanddauntedintothemostintolerablehorrorbythesightsthatburstupontheireyesatthefirstdraft，havefoundthepotionlesspowerfultosavethantheagonyandtravailofNaturetodestroy。Totheunpreparedtheelixiristhusbutthedeadliestpoison。AmidstthedwellersofthethresholdisONE，too，surpassinginmalignityandhatredallhertribe，——onewhoseeyeshaveparalyzedthebravest，andwhosepowerincreasesoverthespiritpreciselyinproportiontoitsfear。Doesthycouragefalter？"
　　"Nay；thywordsbutkindleit。"
　　"Followme，then，andsubmittotheinitiatorylabours。"
　　Withthat，Mejnourledhimintotheinteriorchamber，andproceededtoexplaintohimcertainchemicaloperationswhich，thoughextremelysimpleinthemselves，Glyndonsoonperceivedwerecapableofveryextraordinaryresults。
　　"Intheremotertimes，"saidMejnour，smiling，"ourbrotherhoodwereoftencompelledtorecurtodelusionstoprotectrealities；
　　and，asdexterousmechaniciansorexpertchemists，theyobtainedthenameofsorcerers。ObservehoweasytoconstructistheSpectreLionthatattendedtherenownedLeonardodaVinci!"
　　AndGlyndonbeheldwithdelightedsurprisethesimplemeansbywhichthewildestcheatsoftheimaginationcanbeformed。ThemagicallandscapesinwhichBaptistaPortarejoiced；theapparentchangeoftheseasonswithwhichAlbertusMagnusstartledtheEarlofHolland；nay，eventhosemoredreaddelusionsoftheGhostandImagewithwhichthenecromancersofHeracleawoketheconscienceoftheconquerorofPlataeaPausanias，——seePlutarch。，——allthese，astheshowmanenchantssometremblingchildrenonaChristmasEvewithhislanternandphantasmagoria，Mejnourexhibitedtohispupil……
　　"Andnowlaughforeveratmagic!whenthese，theverytricks，theverysportsandfrivolitiesofscience，weretheveryactswhichmenviewedwithabhorrence，andinquisitorsandkingsrewardedwiththerackandthestake。"
　　"Butthealchemist'stransmutationofmetals——"
　　"Natureherselfisalaboratoryinwhichmetals，andallelements，areforeveratchange。Easytomakegold，——easier，morecommodious，andcheaperstill，tomakethepearl，thediamond，andtheruby。Oh，yes；wisemenfoundsorceryinthistoo；buttheyfoundnosorceryinthediscoverythatbythesimplestcombinationofthingsofevery-dayusetheycouldraiseadevilthatwouldsweepawaythousandsoftheirkindbythebreathofconsumingfire。Discoverwhatwilldestroylife，andyouareagreatman!——whatwillprolongit，andyouareanimposter!Discoversomeinventioninmachinerythatwillmaketherichmorerichandthepoormorepoor，andtheywillbuildyouastatue!Discoversomemysteryinartthatwillequalisephysicaldisparities，andtheywillpulldowntheirownhousestostoneyou!Ha，ha，mypupil!suchistheworldZanonistillcaresfor!——youandIwillleavethisworldtoitself。Andnowthatyouhaveseensomefewoftheeffectsofscience，begintolearnitsgrammar。"
　　Mejnourthensetbeforehispupilcertaintasks，inwhichtherestofthenightworeitselfaway。
　　CHAPTER4。V。
　　GreattravellhaththegentleCalidoreAndtoyleendured……
　　Thereonaday，——
　　Hechaunsttospyasortofshepheardgroomes，Playingonpipesandcarolingapace……He，therebesydeSawafairedamzell。
　　Spenser，"FaerieQueene，"cant。ix。
　　ForaconsiderableperiodthepupilofMejnourwasnowabsorbedinlabourdependentonthemostvigilantattention，onthemostminuteandsubtlecalculation。Resultsastonishingandvariousrewardedhistoilsandstimulatedhisinterest。Norwerethesestudieslimitedtochemicaldiscovery，——inwhichitispermittedmetosaythatthegreatestmarvelsupontheorganisationofphysicallifeseemedwroughtbyexperimentsofthevivifyinginfluenceofheat。Mejnourprofessedtofindalinkbetweenallintellectualbeingsintheexistenceofacertainall-pervadingandinvisiblefluidresemblingelectricity，yetdistinctfromtheknownoperationsofthatmysteriousagency——afluidthatconnectedthoughttothoughtwiththerapidityandprecisionofthemoderntelegraph，andtheinfluenceofthisfluid，accordingtoMejnour，extendedtotheremotestpast，——thatistosay，wheneverandwheresoevermanhadthought。Thus，ifthedoctrineweretrue，allhumanknowledgebecameattainablethroughamediumestablishedbetweenthebrainoftheindividualinquirerandallthefarthestandobscurestregionsintheuniverseofideas。
　　GlyndonwassurprisedtofindMejnourattachedtotheabstrusemysterieswhichthePythagoreansascribedtotheoccultscienceofNUMBERS。Inthislast，newlightsglimmereddimlyonhiseyes；andhebegantoperceivethateventhepowertopredict，orrathertocalculate，results，mightby——HerethereisanerasureintheMS。……
　　Butheobservedthatthelastbriefprocessbywhich，ineachoftheseexperiments，thewonderwasachieved，Mejnourreservedforhimself，andrefusedtocommunicatethesecret。Theanswerheobtainedtohisremonstrancesonthisheadwasmoresternthansatisfactory:
　　"Dostthouthink，"saidMejnour，"thatIwouldgivetothemerepupil，whosequalitiesarenotyettried，powersthatmightchangethefaceofthesocialworld？ThelastsecretsareintrustedonlytohimofwhosevirtuetheMasterisconvinced。
　　Patience!Itislabouritselfthatisthegreatpurifierofthemind；andbydegreesthesecretswillgrowuponthyselfasthymindbecomesripertoreceivethem。"
　　AtlastMejnourprofessedhimselfsatisfiedwiththeprogressmadebyhispupil。"Thehournowarrives，"hesaid，"whenthoumaystpassthegreatbutairybarrier，——whenthoumaystgraduallyconfronttheterribleDwelleroftheThreshold。Continuethylabours——continuetosurpassthineimpatienceforresultsuntilthoucanstfathomthecauses。Ileavetheeforonemonth；ifattheendofthatperiod，whenIreturn，thetaskssettheearecompleted，andthymindpreparedbycontemplationandausterethoughtfortheordeal，Ipromisetheetheordealshallcommence。
　　OnecautionaloneIgivethee:regarditasaperemptorycommand，enternotthischamber!"Theywerethenstandingintheroomwheretheirexperimentshadbeenchieflymade，andinwhichGlyndon，onthenighthehadsoughtthesolitudeofthemystic，hadnearlyfallenavictimtohisintrusion。
　　"Enternotthischambertillmyreturn；or，aboveall，ifbyanysearchformaterialsnecessarytothytoilsthoushouldstventurehither，forbeartolightthenaphthainthosevessels，andtoopenthevasesonyondershelves。Ileavethekeyoftheroominthykeeping，inordertotrythyabstinenceandself-control。
　　Youngman，thisverytemptationisapartofthytrial。"
　　Withthat，Mejnourplacedthekeyinhishands；andatsunsetheleftthecastle。
　　ForseveraldaysGlyndoncontinuedimmersedinemploymentswhichstrainedtotheutmostallthefacultiesofhisintellect。Eventhemostpartialsuccessdependedsoentirelyontheabstractionofthemind，andtheminutenessofitscalculations，thattherewasscarcelyroomforanyotherthoughtthanthoseabsorbedintheoccupation。AnddoubtlessthisperpetualstrainofthefacultieswastheobjectofMejnourinworksthatdidnotseemexactlypertinenttothepurposesinview。Asthestudyoftheelementarymathematics，forexample，isnotsoprofitableinthesolvingofproblems，uselessinourafter-callings，asitisserviceableintrainingtheintellecttothecomprehensionandanalysisofgeneraltruths。
　　ButinlessthanhalfthetimewhichMejnourhadstatedforthedurationofhisabsence，allthatthemystichadappointedtohistoilswascompletedbythepupil；andthenhismind，thusrelievedfromthedrudgeryandmechanismofemployment，oncemoresoughtoccupationindimconjectureandrestlessfancies。HisinquisitiveandrashnaturegrewexcitedbytheprohibitionofMejnour，andhefoundhimselfgazingtoooften，withperturbedanddaringcuriosity，uponthekeyoftheforbiddenchamber。Hebegantofeelindignantatatrialofconstancywhichhedeemedfrivolousandpuerile。WhatnurserytalesofBluebeardandhisclosetwererevivedtodauntandterrifyhim!Howcouldthemerewallsofachamber，inwhichhehadsooftensecurelypursuedhislabours，startintolivingdanger？Ifhaunted，itcouldbebutbythosedelusionswhichMejnourhadtaughthimtodespise，——ashadowylion，——achemicalphantasm!Tush!helosthalfhisaweofMejnour，whenhethoughtthatbysuchtricksthesagecouldpractiseupontheveryintellecthehadawakenedandinstructed!
　　Stillheresistedtheimpulsesofhiscuriosityandhispride，and，toescapefromtheirdictation，hetooklongramblesonthehills，oramidstthevalleysthatsurroundedthecastle，——seekingbybodilyfatiguetosubduetheunreposingmind。Onedaysuddenlyemergingfromadarkravine，hecameupononeofthoseItalianscenesofruralfestivityandmirthinwhichtheclassicageappearstorevive。Itwasafestival，partlyagricultural，partlyreligious，heldyearlybythepeasantsofthatdistrict。
　　Assembledattheoutskirtsofavillage，animatedcrowds，justreturnedfromaprocessiontoaneighbouringchapel，werenowformingthemselvesintogroups:theoldtotastethevintage，theyoungtodance，——alltobegayandhappy。Thissuddenpictureofeasyjoyandcarelessignorance，contrastingsoforciblywiththeintensestudiesandthatparchingdesireforwisdomwhichhadsolongmadeuphisownlife，andburnedathisownheart，sensiblyaffectedGlyndon。Ashestoodaloofandgazingonthem，theyoungmanfeltoncemorethathewasyoung。
　　Thememoryofallhehadbeencontenttosacrificespoketohimlikethesharpvoiceofremorse。Theflittingformsofthewomenintheirpicturesqueattire，theirhappylaughterringingthroughthecool，stillairoftheautumnnoon，broughtbacktotheheart，orratherperhapstothesenses，theimagesofhispasttime，the"goldenshepherdhours，"whentolivewasbuttoenjoy。
　　Heapproachednearerandnearertothescene，andsuddenlyanoisygroupsweptroundhim；andMaestroPaolo，tappinghimfamiliarlyontheshoulder，exclaimedinaheartyvoice，"Welcome，Excellency!——wearerejoicedtoseeyouamongstus。"
　　Glyndonwasabouttoreplytothissalutation，whenhiseyesresteduponthefaceofayounggirlleaningonPaolo'sarm，ofabeautysoattractivethathiscolourroseandhisheartbeatasheencounteredhergaze。Hereyessparkledwitharoguishandpetulantmirth，herpartedlipsshowedteethlikepearls；asifimpatientatthepauseofhercompanionfromthereveloftherest，herlittlefootbeatthegroundtoameasurethatshehalf-hummed，half-chanted。Paololaughedashesawtheeffectthegirlhadproducedupontheyoungforeigner。
　　"Willyounotdance，Excellency？Come，layasideyourgreatness，andbemerry，likeuspoordevils。SeehowourprettyFillideislongingforapartner。Takecompassiononher。"
　　Fillidepoutedatthisspeech，and，disengagingherarmfromPaolo's，turnedaway，butthrewoverhershoulderaglancehalfinviting，halfdefying。Glyndon，almostinvoluntarily，advancedtoher，andaddressedher。
　　Oh，yes；headdressesher!Shelooksdown，andsmiles。Paololeavesthemtothemselves，saunteringoffwithadevil-me-carishair。Fillidespeaksnow，andlooksupatthescholar'sfacewitharchinvitation。Heshakeshishead；Fillidelaughs，andherlaughissilvery。Shepointstoagaymountaineer，whoistrippinguptohermerrily。WhydoesGlyndonfeeljealous？Why，whenshespeaksagain，doesheshakehisheadnomore？Heoffershishand；Fillideblushes，andtakesitwithademurecoquetry。
　　What!isitso，indeed!Theywhirlintothenoisycircleoftherevellers。Ha!ha!isnotthisbetterthandistillingherbs，andbreakingthybrainsonPythagoreannumbers？HowlightlyFillideboundsalong!Howherlithesomewaistsupplesitselftothycirclingarm!Tara-ra-tara，ta-tara，rara-ra!Whatthedevilisinthemeasurethatitmakesthebloodcourselikequicksilverthroughtheveins？WasthereeverapairofeyeslikeFillide's？
　　Nothingofthecoldstarsthere!Yethowtheytwinkleandlaughatthee!Andthatrosy，pursed-upmouththatwillanswersosparinglytothyflatteries，asifwordswereawasteoftime，andkissesweretheirproperlanguage。Oh，pupilofMejnour!
　　Oh，would-beRosicrucian，Platonist，Magian，Iknownotwhat!I
　　amashamedofthee!What，inthenamesofAverroesandBurriandAgrippaandHermeshavebecomeofthyausterecontemplations？
　　WasitforthisthoudidstresignViola？Idon'tthinkthouhastthesmallestrecollectionoftheelixirortheCabala。Takecare!Whatareyouabout，sir？Whydoyouclaspthatsmallhandlockedwithinyourown？Whydoyou——Tara-raratara-ratara-rara-
　　ra，rarara，ta-ra，a-ra!Keepyoureyesoffthoseslenderanklesandthatcrimsonbodice!Tara-rara-ra!Theretheygoagain!
　　Andnowtheyrestunderthebroadtrees。Therevelhaswhirledawayfromthem。Theyhear——ordotheynothear——thelaughteratthedistance？Theysee——oriftheyhavetheireyesaboutthem，theySHOULDsee——coupleaftercoupleglidingby，love-talkingandlove-looking。ButIwilllayawager，astheysitunderthattree，andtheroundsungoesdownbehindthemountains，thattheyseeorhearverylittleexceptthemselves。
　　"Hollo，SignorExcellency!andhowdoesyourpartnerpleaseyou？
　　Comeandjoinourfeast，loiterers；onedancesmoremerrilyafterwine。"
　　Downgoestheroundsun；upcomestheautumnmoon。Tara，tara，rarara，rarara，tarara-ra!Dancingagain；isitadance，orsomemovementgayer，noisier，wilderstill？Howtheyglanceandgleamthroughthenightshadows，thoseflittingforms!Whatconfusion!——whatorder!Ha，thatistheTarantuladance；MaestroPaolofootsitbravely!Diavolo，whatfury!theTarantulahasstungthemall。Danceordie；itisfury，——theCorybantes，theMaenads，the——Ho，ho!morewine!theSabbatoftheWitchesatBeneventoisajoketothis!Fromcloudtocloudwandersthemoon，——nowshining，nowlost。Dimnesswhilethemaidenblushes；
　　lightwhenthemaidensmiles。
　　"Fillide，thouartanenchantress!"
　　"Buonanotte，Excellency；youwillseemeagain!"
　　"Ah，youngman，"saidanold，decrepit，hollow-eyedoctogenarian，leaningonhisstaff，"makethebestofyouryouth。I，too，oncehadaFillide!Iwashandsomerthanyouthen!Alas!ifwecouldbealwaysyoung!"
　　"Alwaysyoung!"Glyndonstarted，asheturnedhisgazefromthefresh，fair，rosyfaceofthegirl，andsawtheeyesdroppingrheum，theyellowwrinkledskin，thetotteringframeoftheoldman。
　　"Ha，ha!"saidthedecrepitcreature，hobblingneartohim，andwithamaliciouslaugh。"YetI，too，wasyoungonce!Givemeabaiocchoforaglassofaquavitae!"
　　Tara，rara，ra-rara，tara，rara-ra!TheredancesYouth!Wrapthyragsroundthee，andtotteroff，OldAge!
　　CHAPTER4。VI。
　　WhilestCalidoredoesfollowthatfairemayd，UnmindfulofhisvowandhighbeheastWhichbytheFaerieQueenewasonhimlayd。
　　Spenser，"FaerieQueene，"cant。x。s。1。
　　Itwasthatgrey，indistinct，strugglingintervalbetweenthenightandthedawn，whenClarencestoodoncemoreinhischamber。
　　Theabstrusecalculationslyingonhistablecaughthiseye，andfilledhimwithasentimentofwearinessanddistaste。But——
　　"Alas，ifwecouldbealwaysyoung!Oh，thouhorridspectreoftheold，rheum-eyedman!Whatapparitioncanthemysticchambershadowforthmoreuglyandmorehatefulthanthou？Oh，yes，ifwecouldbealwaysyoung!Butnot[thinkstheneophytenow]——nottolabourforeveratthesecrabbedfiguresandthesecoldcompoundsofherbsanddrugs。No；buttoenjoy，tolove，torevel!Whatshouldbethecompanionofyouthbutpleasure？Andthegiftofeternalyouthmaybeminethisveryhour!WhatmeansthisprohibitionofMejnour's？Isitnotofthesamecomplexionashisungenerousreserveevenintheminutestsecretsofchemistry，orthenumbersofhisCabala？——compellingmetoperformallthetoils，andyetwithholdingfrommetheknowledgeofthecrowningresult？Nodoubthewillstill，onhisreturn，showmethatthegreatmysteryCANbeattained；butwillstillforbidMEtoattainit。Isitnotasifhedesiredtokeepmyyouththeslavetohisage；tomakemedependentsolelyonhimself；tobindmetoajourneyman'sservicebyperpetualexcitementtocuriosity，andthesightofthefruitsheplacesbeyondmylips？"These，andmanyreflectionsstillmorerepining，disturbedandirritatedhim。Heatedwithwine——excitedbythewildrevelshehadleft——hewasunabletosleep。TheimageofthatrevoltingOldAgewhichTime，unlessdefeated，mustbringuponhimself，quickenedtheeagernessofhisdesireforthedazzlingandimperishableYouthheascribedtoZanoni。Theprohibitiononlyservedtocreateaspiritofdefiance。Therevivingday，laughingjocundlythroughhislattice，dispelledallthefearsandsuperstitionsthatbelongtonight。Themysticchamberpresentedtohisimaginationnothingtodifferfromanyotherapartmentinthecastle。Whatfoulormalignantapparitioncouldharmhiminthelightofthatblessedsun!Itwasthepeculiar，andonthewholemostunhappy，contradictioninGlyndon'snature，thatwhilehisreasoningsledhimtodoubt，——
　　anddoubtrenderedhiminMORALconductirresoluteandunsteady；
　　hewasPHYSICALLYbravetorashness。Noristhisuncommon:
　　scepticismandpresumptionareoftentwins。Whenamanofthischaracterdeterminesuponanyaction，personalfearneverdetershim；andforthemoralfear，anysophistrysufficestoself-will。
　　Almostwithoutanalysinghimselfthementalprocessbywhichhisnerveshardenedthemselvesandhislimbsmoved，hetraversedthecorridor，gainedMejnour'sapartment，andopenedtheforbiddendoor。Allwasashehadbeenaccustomedtoseeit，savethatonatableinthecentreoftheroomlayopenalargevolume。Heapproached，andgazedonthecharactersonthepage；theywereinacipher，thestudyofwhichhadmadeapartofhislabours。
　　Withbutslightdifficultyheimaginedthatheinterpretedthemeaningofthefirstsentences，andthattheyranthus:——
　　"Toquafftheinnerlife，istoseetheouterlife:toliveindefianceoftime，istoliveinthewhole。Hewhodiscoverstheelixirdiscoverswhatliesinspace；forthespiritthatvivifiestheframestrengthensthesenses。Thereisattractionintheelementaryprincipleoflight。InthelampsofRosicruciusthefireisthepureelementaryprinciple。Kindlethelampswhilethouopenstthevesselthatcontainstheelixir，andthelightattractstowardstheethosebeingswhoselifeisthatlight。
　　BewareofFear。FearisthedeadliestenemytoKnowledge。"Herethecipherschangedtheircharacter，andbecameincomprehensible。