ExtractsfromLetterIV。
　　Ihavereceivedthycommunication。What!isitso？Hasthypupildisappointedthee？Alas，poorpupil!But……
　　HerefollowcommentsonthosepassagesinGlyndon'slifealreadyknowntothereader，orabouttobemadeso，withearnestadjurationstoMejnourtowatchyetoverthefateofhisscholar。……
　　ButIcherishthesamedesire，withawarmerheart。Mypupil!
　　howtheterrorsthatshallencompassthineordealwarnmefromthetask!OncemoreIwillseektheSonofLight……
　　Yes；Adon-Ai，longdeaftomycall，atlasthasdescendedtomyvision，andleftbehindhimthegloryofhispresenceintheshapeofHope。Oh，notimpossible，Viola，——notimpossible，thatweyetmaybeunited，soulwithsoul!
　　ExtractfromLetterV——Manymonthsafterthelast。
　　Mejnour，awakefromthineapathy，——rejoice!Anewsoulwillbeborntotheworld，——anewsoulthatshallcallmefather。Ah，iftheyforwhomexistalltheoccupationsandresourcesofhumanlife，——iftheycanthrillwithexquisiteemotionatthethoughtofhailingagaintheirownchildhoodinthefacesoftheirchildren；ifinthatbirththeyarebornoncemoreintotheholyInnocencewhichisthefirststateofexistence；iftheycanfeelthatonmandevolvesalmostanangel'sduty，whenhehasalifetoguidefromthecradle，andasoultonurturefortheheaven，——
　　whattomemustbetherapturetowelcomeaninheritorofallthegiftswhichdoublethemselvesinbeingshared!Howsweetthepowertowatch，andtoguard，——toinstiltheknowledge，toaverttheevil，andtoguidebacktheriveroflifeinaricherandbroaderanddeeperstreamtotheparadisefromwhichitflows!
　　Andbesidethatriveroursoulsshallmeet，sweetmother。Ourchildshallsupplythesympathythatfailsasyet；andwhatshapeshallhauntthee，whatterrorshalldismay，whenthyinitiationisbesidethecradleofthychild!
　　CHAPTER4。XI。
　　TheythusbeguilethewayUntilltheblustringstormeisoverblowne，Whenweeningtoreturnewhencetheydidstray，Theycannotfindethatpathwhichfirstwasshowne，Butwandertoandfroinwaiesunknowne。
　　Spenser's"FaerieQueene，"booki。cantoi。st。x。
　　Yes，Viola，thouartanotherbeingthanwhen，bythethresholdofthyItalianhome，thoudidstfollowthydimfanciesthroughtheLandofShadow；orwhenthoudidstvainlyseektogivevoicetoanidealbeauty，ontheboardswhereillusioncounterfeitsearthandheavenforanhour，tillthewearysense，awaking，seesbutthetinselandthescene-shifter。Thyspiritreposesinitsownhappiness。Itswanderingshavefoundagoal。Inamomentthereoftendwellsthesenseofeternity；forwhenprofoundlyhappy，weknowthatitisimpossibletodie。WheneverthesoulFEELS
　　ITSELF，itfeelseverlastinglife。
　　Theinitiationisdeferred，——thydaysandnightsarelefttonoothervisionsthanthosewithwhichacontentedheartenchantsaguilelessfancy。GlendoveersandSylphs，pardonmeifIquestionwhetherthosevisionsarenotlovelierthanyourselves。
　　Theystandbythebeach，andseethesunsinkingintothesea。
　　Howlongnowhavetheydweltonthatisland？Whatmatters!——itmaybemonths，oryears——whatmatters!WhyshouldI，orthey，keepaccountofthathappytime？Asinthedreamofamomentagesmayseemtopass，soshallwemeasuretransportorwoe，——bythelengthofthedream，orthenumberofemotionsthatthedreaminvolves？
　　Thesunsinksslowlydown；theairisaridandoppressive；onthesea，thestatelyvesselliesmotionless；ontheshore，noleaftremblesonthetrees。
　　VioladrewnearertoZanoni。Apresentimentshecouldnotdefinemadeherheartbeatmorequickly；and，lookingintohisface，shewasstruckwithitsexpression:itwasanxious，abstracted，perturbed。"Thisstillnessawesme，"shewhispered。
　　Zanonididnotseemtohearher。Hemutteredtohimself，andhiseyesgazedroundrestlessly。Sheknewnotwhy，butthatgaze，whichseemedtopierceintospace，——thatmutteredvoiceinsomeforeignlanguage——reviveddimlyherearliersuperstitions。Shewasmorefearfulsincethehourwhensheknewthatshewastobeamother。Strangecrisisinthelifeofwoman，andinherlove!
　　Somethingyetunbornbeginsalreadytodivideherheartwiththatwhichhadbeenbeforeitsonlymonarch。
　　"Lookonme，Zanoni，"shesaid，pressinghishand。
　　Heturned:"Thouartpale，Viola；thyhandtrembles!"
　　"Itistrue。Ifeelasifsomeenemywerecreepingnearus。"
　　"Andtheinstinctdeceivestheenot。Anenemyisindeedathand。
　　Iseeitthroughtheheavyair；Ihearitthroughthesilence:
　　theGhostlyOne，——theDestroyer，thePESTILENCE!Ah，seestthouhowtheleavesswarmwithinsects，onlybyaneffortvisibletotheeye。Theyfollowthebreathoftheplague!"Ashespoke，abirdfellfromtheboughsatViola'sfeet；itfluttered，itwrithedaninstant，andwasdead。
　　"Oh，Viola!"criedZanoni，passionately，"thatisdeath。Dostthounotfeartodie？"
　　"Toleavethee？Ah，yes!"
　　"AndifIcouldteachtheehowDeathmaybedefied；ifIcouldarrestforthyyouththecourseoftime；ifIcould——"
　　Hepausedabruptly，forViola'seyesspokeonlyterror；hercheekandlipswerepale。
　　"Speaknotthus，——looknotthus，"shesaid，recoilingfromhim。
　　"Youdismayme。Ah，speaknotthus，orIshouldtremble，——no，notformyself，butforthychild。"
　　"Thychild!Butwouldstthourejectforthychildthesamegloriousboon？"
　　"Zanoni!"
　　"Well!"
　　"Thesunhassunkfromoureyes，buttoriseonthoseofothers。
　　Todisappearfromthisworldistoliveintheworldafar。Oh，lover，——oh，husband!"shecontinued，withsuddenenergy，"tellmethatthoudidstbutjest，——thatthoudidstbuttriflewithmyfolly!Thereislessterrorinthepestilencethaninthywords。"
　　Zanoni'sbrowdarkened；helookedatherinsilenceforsomemoments，andthensaid，almostseverely，——
　　"Whathastthouknownofmetodistrust？"
　　"Oh，pardon，pardon!——nothing!"criedViola，throwingherselfonhisbreast，andburstingintotears。"Iwillnotbelieveeventhineownwords，iftheyseemtowrongthee!"Hekissedthetearsfromhereyes，butmadenoanswer。
　　"Andah!"sheresumed，withanenchantingandchild-likesmile，"ifthouwouldstgivemeacharmagainstthepestilence!see，I
　　willtakeitfromthee。"Andshelaidherhandonasmall，antiqueamuletthatheworeonhisbreast。
　　"Thouknowesthowoftenthishasmademejealousofthepast；
　　surelysomelove-gift，Zanoni？Butno，thoudidstnotlovethegiverasthoudostme。ShallIstealthineamulet？"
　　"Infant!"saidZanoni，tenderly；"shewhoplacedthisroundmyneckdeemeditindeedacharm，forshehadsuperstitionslikethyself；buttomeitismorethanthewizard'sspell，——itistherelicofasweetvanishedtimewhennonewholovedmecoulddistrust。"
　　HesaidthesewordsinatoneofsuchmelancholyreproachthatitwenttotheheartofViola；butthetonechangedintoasolemnitywhichchilledbackthegushofherfeelingsasheresumed:"Andthis，Viola，oneday，perhaps，Iwilltransferfrommybreasttothine；yes，wheneverthoushaltcomprehendmebetter，——WHENEVER
　　THELAWSOFOURBEINGSHALLBETHESAME!"
　　Hemovedongently。Theyreturnedslowlyhome；butfearstillwasintheheartofViola，thoughshestrovetoshakeitoff。
　　ItalianandCatholicshewas，withallthesuperstitionsoflandandsect。ShestoletoherchamberandprayedbeforealittlerelicofSanGennaro，whichthepriestofherhousehadgiventoherinchildhood，andwhichhadaccompaniedherinallherwanderings。Shehadneverdeemeditpossibletopartwithitbefore。Now，iftherewasacharmagainstthepestilence，didshefearthepestilenceforherself？Thenextmorning，whenheawoke，Zanonifoundtherelicofthesaintsuspendedwithhismysticamuletroundhisneck。
　　"Ah!thouwilthavenothingtofearfromthepestilencenow，"
　　saidViola，betweentearsandsmiles；"andwhenthouwouldsttalktomeagainasthoudidstlastnight，thesaintshallrebukethee。"
　　Well，Zanoni，canthereeverindeedbecommuneofthoughtandspirit，exceptwithequals？
　　Yes，theplaguebrokeout，——theislandhomemustbeabandoned。
　　MightySeer，THOUHASTNOPOWERTOSAVETHOSEWHOMTHOULOVEST!
　　Farewell，thoubridalroof!——sweetresting-placefromcare，farewell!Climatesassoftmaygreetye，Olovers，——skiesasserene，andwatersasblueandcalm；butTHATTIME，——canitevermorereturn？Whoshallsaythattheheartdoesnotchangewiththescene，——theplacewherewefirstdweltwiththebelovedone？
　　EveryspotTHEREhassomanymemorieswhichtheplaceonlycanrecall。Thepastthathauntsitseemstocommandsuchconstancyinthefuture。Ifathoughtlesskind，lesstrustful，enterwithinus，thesightofatreeunderwhichavowhasbeenexchanged，atearhasbeenkissedaway，restoresusagaintothehoursofthefirstdivineillusion。Butinahomewherenothingspeaksofthefirstnuptials，wherethereisnoeloquenceofassociation，noholyburial-placesofemotions，whoseghostsareangels!——yes，whothathasgonethroughthesadhistoryofaffectionwilltellusthattheheartchangesnotwiththescene!
　　Blowfair，yefavouringwinds；cheerilyswell，yesails；awayfromthelandwheredeathhascometosnatchthesceptreofLove!
　　Theshoresglideby；newcoastssucceedtothegreenhillsandorange-grovesoftheBridalIsle。Fromafarnowgleaminthemoonlightthecolumns，yetextant，ofatemplewhichtheAtheniandedicatedtowisdom；and，standingonthebarkthatboundedoninthefresheninggale，thevotarywhohadsurvivedthegoddessmurmuredtohimself，——
　　"Hasthewisdomofagesbroughtmenohappierhoursthanthosecommontotheshepherdandtheherdsman，withnoworldbeyondtheirvillage，noaspirationbeyondthekissandthesmileofhome？"
　　Andthemoon，restingalikeovertheruinsofthetempleofthedepartedcreed，overthehutofthelivingpeasant，overtheimmemorialmountain-top，andtheperishableherbagethatclotheditssides，seemedtosmilebackitsanswerofcalmdisdaintothebeingwho，perchance，mighthaveseenthetemplebuilt，andwho，inhisinscrutableexistence，mightbeholdthemountainshatteredfromitsbase。
　　BOOKV。
　　THEEFFECTSOFTHEELIXIR。
　　CHAPTER5。I。
　　Frommet'sdenSchleieraufzuheben，WodasnaheSchrecknessdroht？
　　NurdasIrrthumistdasLebenUnddasWissenistderTod，——Schiller，Kassandro。
　　DelusionisthelifeweliveAndknowledgedeath；ohwherefore，then，TosightthecomingevilsgiveAndlifttheveilofFatetoMan？
　　ZweiSeelenwohnen，ach!inmeinerBrust。
　　Twosoulsdwell，alas!inmybreast。……
　　Wasstehstduso，undblicksterstaunthinaus？
　　Whystandestthouso，andlookestoutastonished？
　　"Faust。"
　　ItwillberememberedthatweleftMasterPaolobythebedsideofGlyndon；andas，wakingfromthatprofoundslumber，therecollectionsofthepastnightcamehorriblybacktohismind，theEnglishmanutteredacry，andcoveredhisfacewithhishands。
　　"Goodmorrow，Excellency!"saidPaolo，gayly。"CorpodiBacco，youhavesleptsoundly!"
　　Thesoundofthisman'svoice，solusty，ringing，andhealthful，servedtoscatterbeforeitthephantasmathatyethauntedGlyndon'smemory。
　　Heroseerectinhisbed。"Andwheredidyoufindme？Whyareyouhere？"
　　"WheredidIfindyou!"repeatedPaolo，insurprise，——"inyourbed，tobesure。WhyamIhere!——becausethePadronebademeawaityourwaking，andattendyourcommands。"
　　"ThePadrone，Mejnour!——ishearrived？"
　　"Arrivedanddeparted，signor。Hehasleftthisletterforyou。"
　　"Giveitme，andwaitwithouttillIamdressed。"
　　"Atyourservice。Ihavebespokeanexcellentbreakfast:youmustbehungry。Iamaverytolerablecook；amonk'ssonoughttobe!Youwillbestartledatmygeniusinthedressingoffish。Mysinging，Itrust，willnotdisturbyou。IalwayssingwhileIprepareasalad；itharmonisestheingredients。"Andslinginghiscarbineoverhisshoulder，Paolosaunteredfromtheroom，andclosedthedoor。
　　Glyndonwasalreadydeepinthecontentsofthefollowingletter:——
　　"WhenIfirstreceivedtheeasmypupil，IpromisedZanoni，ifconvincedbythyfirsttrialsthatthoucouldstbutswell，notthenumberofourorder，butthelistofthevictimswhohaveaspiredtoitinvain，Iwouldnotreartheetothineownwretchednessanddoom，——Iwoulddismisstheebacktotheworld。
　　Ifulfilmypromise。Thineordealhasbeentheeasiestthatneophyteeverknew。Iaskedfornothingbutabstinencefromthesensual，andabriefexperimentofthypatienceandthyfaith。
　　Gobacktothineownworld；thouhastnonaturetoaspiretoours!
　　"ItwasIwhopreparedPaolotoreceivetheeattherevel。ItwasIwhoinstigatedtheoldbeggartoasktheeforalms。ItwasIwholeftopenthebookthatthoucouldstnotreadwithoutviolatingmycommand。Well，thouhastseenwhatawaitstheeatthethresholdofknowledge。Thouhastconfrontedthefirstfoethatmenaceshimwhomthesensesyetgraspandinthrall。DostthouwonderthatIcloseupontheethegatesforever？Dostthounotcomprehend，atlast，thatitneedsasoultemperedandpurifiedandraised，notbyexternalspells，butbyitsownsublimityandvalour，topassthethresholdanddisdainthefoe？
　　Wretch!allmysilenceavailsnothingfortherash，forthesensual，——forhimwhodesiresoursecretsbuttopollutethemtogrossenjoymentsandselfishvice。Howhavetheimpostersandsorcerersoftheearliertimesperishedbytheirveryattempttopenetratethemysteriesthatshouldpurify，andnotdeprave!
　　TheyhaveboastedofthePhilosopher'sStone，anddiedinrags；
　　oftheimmortalelixir，andsunktotheirgrave，greybeforetheirtime。Legendstellyouthatthefiendrentthemintofragments。Yes；thefiendoftheirownunholydesiresandcriminaldesigns!Whattheycoveted，thoucovetest；andifthouhadstthewingsofaseraphthoucouldstsoarnotfromthesloughofthymortality。Thydesireforknowledge，butpetulantpresumption；thythirstforhappiness，butthediseasedlongingfortheuncleanandmuddiedwatersofcorporealpleasure；thyverylove，whichusuallyelevateseventhemean，apassionthatcalculatestreasonamidstthefirstglowoflust。THOUoneofus；thouabrotheroftheAugustOrder；thouanAspiranttotheStarsthatshineintheShemaiaoftheChaldeanlore!Theeaglecanraisebuttheeaglettothesun。Iabandontheetothytwilight!
　　"But，alasforthee，disobedientandprofane!thouhastinhaledtheelixir；thouhastattractedtothypresenceaghastlyandremorselessfoe。Thouthyselfmustexorcisethephantomthouhastraised。Thoumustreturntotheworld；butnotwithoutpunishmentandstrongeffortcanstthouregainthecalmandthejoyofthelifethouhastleftbehind。This，forthycomfort，willItellthee:hewhohasdrawnintohisframeevensolittleofthevolatileandvitalenergyoftheaerialjuicesasthyself，hasawakenedfacultiesthatcannotsleep，——facultiesthatmayyet，withpatienthumility，withsoundfaith，andthecouragethatisnotofthebodylikethine，butoftheresoluteandvirtuousmind，attain，ifnottotheknowledgethatreignsabove，tohighachievementinthecareerofmen。Thouwiltfindtherestlessinfluenceinallthatthouwouldstundertake。Thyheart，amidstvulgarjoyswillaspiretosomethingholier；thyambition，amidstcoarseexcitement，tosomethingbeyondthyreach。Butdeemnotthatthisofitselfwillsufficeforglory。
　　Equallymaythecravingleadtheetoshameandguilt。Itisbutanimperfectandnew-bornenergywhichwillnotsuffertheetorepose。Asthoudirectestit，mustthoubelieveittobetheemanationofthineevilgeniusorthygood。
　　"Butwoetothee!insectmeshedinthewebinwhichthouhastentangledlimbsandwings!Thouhastnotonlyinhaledtheelixir，thouhastconjuredthespectre；ofallthetribesofthespace，nofoeissomalignanttoman，——andthouhastliftedtheveilfromthygaze。Icannotrestoretotheethehappydimnessofthyvision。Know，atleast，thatallofus——thehighestandthewisest——whohave，insobertruth，passedbeyondthethreshold，havehad，asourfirstfearfultask，tomasterandsubdueitsgrislyandappallingguardian。KnowthatthouCANST
　　deliverthyselffromthoselivideyes，——knowthat，whiletheyhaunt，theycannotharm，ifthouresistestthethoughtstowhichtheytempt，andthehorrortheyengender。DREADTHEMMOSTWHEN
　　THOUBEHOLDESTTHEMNOT。Andthus，sonoftheworm，wepart!
　　AllthatIcantelltheetoencourage，yettowarnandtoguide，Ihavetoldtheeintheselines。Notfromme，fromthyselfhascomethegloomytrialfromwhichIyettrustthouwiltemergeintopeace。TypeoftheknowledgethatIserve，Iwithholdnolessonfromthepureaspirant；Iamadarkenigmatothegeneralseeker。Asman'sonlyindestructiblepossessionishismemory，soitisnotinminearttocrumbleintomattertheimmaterialthoughtsthathavesprungupwithinthybreast。Thetyromightshatterthiscastletothedust，andtoppledownthemountaintotheplain。Themasterhasnopowertosay，'Existnomore，'tooneTHOUGHTthathisknowledgehasinspired。Thoumaystchangethethoughtsintonewforms；thoumaystrarefyandsublimateitintoafinerspirit，——butthoucanstnotannihilatethatwhichhasnohomebutinthememory，nosubstancebuttheidea。EVERY
　　THOUGHTISASOUL!Vainly，therefore，wouldIorthouundothepast，orrestoretotheethegayblindnessofthyyouth。Thoumustenduretheinfluenceoftheelixirthouhastinhaled；thoumustwrestlewiththespectrethouhastinvoked!"
　　TheletterfellfromGlyndon'shand。Asortofstuporsucceededtothevariousemotionswhichhadchasedeachotherintheperusal，——astuporresemblingthatwhichfollowsthesuddendestructionofanyardentandlong-nursedhopeinthehumanheart，whetheritbeoflove，ofavarice，ofambition。Theloftierworldforwhichhehadsothirsted，sacrificed，andtoiled，wascloseduponhim"forever，"andbyhisownfaultsofrashnessandpresumption。ButGlyndon'swasnotofthatnaturewhichsubmitslongtocondemnitself。HisindignationbegantokindleagainstMejnour，whoownedhehadtempted，andwhonowabandonedhim，——abandonedhimtothepresenceofaspectre。Themystic'sreproachesstungratherthanhumbledhim。Whatcrimehadhecommittedtodeservelanguagesoharshanddisdainful？
　　WasitsodeepadebasementtofeelpleasureinthesmileandtheeyesofFillide？HadnotZanonihimselfconfessedloveforViola；hadhenotfledwithherashiscompanion？Glyndonneverpausedtoconsideriftherearenodistinctionsbetweenonekindofloveandanother。Where，too，wasthegreatoffenceofyieldingtoatemptationwhichonlyexistedforthebrave？HadnotthemysticvolumewhichMejnourhadpurposelyleftopen，bidhimbut"Bewareoffear"？Wasnot，then，everywilfulprovocativeheldouttothestrongestinfluencesofthehumanmind，intheprohibitiontoenterthechamber，inthepossessionofthekeywhichexcitedhiscuriosity，inthevolumewhichseemedtodictatethemodebywhichthecuriositywastobegratified？Asrapidlythesethoughtspassedoverhim，hebegantoconsiderthewholeconductofMejnoureitherasaperfidiousdesigntoentraphimtohisownmisery，orasthetrickofanimposter，whoknewthathecouldnotrealisethegreatprofessionshehadmade。OnglancingagainoverthemoremysteriousthreatsandwarningsinMejnour'sletter，theyseemedtoassumethelanguageofmereparableandallegory，——thejargonofthePlatonistsandPythagoreans。Bylittleandlittle，hebegantoconsiderthattheveryspectrahehadseen——eventhatonephantomsohorridinitsaspect——werebutthedelusionswhichMejnour'ssciencehadenablehimtoraise。Thehealthfulsunlight，fillingupeverycrannyinhischamber，seemedtolaughawaytheterrorsofthepastnight。Hisprideandhisresentmentnervedhishabitualcourage；andwhen，havinghastilydressedhimself，herejoinedPaolo，itwaswithaflushedcheekandahaughtystep。
　　"So，Paolo，"saidhe，"thePadrone，asyoucallhim，toldyoutoexpectandwelcomemeatyourvillagefeast？"
　　"Hedidsobyamessagefromawretchedoldcripple。Thissurprisedmeatthetime，forIthoughthewasfardistant；butthesegreatphilosophersmakeajokeoftwoorthreehundredleagues。"
　　"WhydidyounottellmeyouhadheardfromMejnour？"
　　"Becausetheoldcrippleforbademe。"
　　"Didyounotseethemanafterwardsduringthedance？"
　　"No，Excellency。"
　　"Humph!"
　　"Allowmetoserveyou，"saidPaolo，pilingGlyndon'splate，andthenfillinghisglass。"Iwish，signor，nowthePadroneisgone，——not，"addedPaolo，ashecastratherafrightenedandsuspiciousglanceroundtheroom，"thatImeantosayanythingdisrespectfulofhim，——Iwish，Isay，nowthatheisgone，thatyouwouldtakepityonyourself，andaskyourownheartwhatyouryouthwasmeantfor？Nottoburyyourselfaliveintheseoldruins，andendangerbodyandsoulbystudieswhichIamsurenosaintcouldapproveof。"
　　"Arethesaintssopartial，then，toyourownoccupations，MasterPaolo？"
　　"Why，"answeredthebandit，alittleconfused，"agentlemanwithplentyofpistolesinhispurseneednot，ofnecessity，makeithisprofessiontotakeawaythepistolesofotherpeople!Itisadifferentthingforuspoorrogues。Afterall，too，IalwaysdevoteatitheofmygainstotheVirgin；andIsharetherestcharitablywiththepoor。Buteat，drink，enjoyyourself；beabsolvedbyyourconfessorforanylittlepeccadilloesanddon'truntoolongscoresatatime，——that'smyadvice。Yourhealth，Excellency!Pshaw，signor，fasting，exceptonthedaysprescribedtoagoodCatholic，onlyengendersphantoms。"
　　"Phantoms!"
　　"Yes；thedevilalwaystemptstheemptystomach。Tocovet，tohate，tothieve，torob，andtomurder，——thesearethenaturaldesiresofamanwhoisfamishing。Withafullbelly，signor，weareatpeacewithalltheworld。That'sright；youlikethepartridge!Cospetto!whenImyselfhavepassedtwoorthreedaysinthemountains，withnothingfromsunsettosunrisebutablackcrustandanonion，Igrowasfierceasawolf。That'snottheworst，too。InthesetimesIseelittleimpsdancingbeforeme。
　　Oh，yes；fastingisasfullofspectresasafieldofbattle。"
　　Glyndonthoughttherewassomesoundphilosophyinthereasoningofhiscompanion；andcertainlythemoreheateanddrank，themoretherecollectionofthepastnightandofMejnour'sdesertionfadedfromhismind。Thecasementwasopen，thebreezeblew，thesunshone，——allNaturewasmerry；andmerryasNatureherselfgrewMaestroPaolo。Hetalkedofadventures，oftravel，ofwomen，withaheartygustothathaditsinfection。ButGlyndonlistenedyetmorecomplacentlywhenPaoloturnedwithanarchsmiletopraisesoftheeye，theteeth，theankles，andtheshapeofthehandsomeFillide。
　　Thisman，indeed，seemedtheverypersonationofanimalsensuallife。HewouldhavebeentoFaustamoredangeroustempterthanMephistopheles。TherewasnosneeronHISlipatthepleasureswhichanimatedhisvoice。Tooneawakingtoasenseofthevanitiesinknowledge，thisrecklessignorantjoyousnessoftemperwasaworsecorrupterthanalltheicymockeriesofalearnedFiend。ButwhenPaolotookhisleave，withapromisetoreturnthenextday，themindoftheEnglishmanagainsettledbacktoagraverandmorethoughtfulmood。Theelixirseemed，intruth，tohavelefttherefiningeffectsMejnourhadascribedtoit。AsGlyndonpacedtoandfrothesolitarycorridor，or，pausing，gazedupontheextendedandgloriousscenerythatstretchedbelow，highthoughtsofenterpriseandambition——brightvisionsofglory——passedinrapidsuccessionthroughhissoul。
　　"Mejnourdeniesmehisscience。Well，"saidthepainter，proudly，"hehasnotrobbedmeofmyart。"
　　What!ClarenceGlyndon，dostthoureturntothatfromwhichthycareercommenced？WasZanonirightafterall？
　　Hefoundhimselfinthechamberofthemystic；notavessel，——notanherb!thesolemnvolumeisvanished，——theelixirshallsparkleforhimnomore!Butstillintheroomitselfseemstolingertheatmosphereofacharm。Fasterandfierceritburnswithinthee，thedesiretoachieve，tocreate!Thoulongestforalifebeyondthesensual!——butthelifethatispermittedtoallgenius，——thatwhichbreathesthroughtheimmortalwork，andenduresintheimperishablename。
　　Wherearetheimplementsforthineart？Tush!——whendidthetrueworkmaneverfailtofindhistools？Thouartagaininthineownchamber，——thewhitewallthycanvas，afragmentofcharcoalforthypencil。Theysuffice，atleast，togiveoutlinetotheconceptionthatmayotherwisevanishwiththemorrow。
　　Theideathatthusexcitedtheimaginationoftheartistwasunquestionablynobleandaugust。ItwasderivedfromthatEgyptianceremonialwhichDiodorushasrecorded，——theJudgmentoftheDeadbytheLivingDiod。，lib。i。:whenthecorpse，dulyembalmed，isplacedbythemarginoftheAcherusianLake；andbeforeitmaybeconsignedtothebarkwhichistobearitacrossthewaterstoitsfinalresting-place，itispermittedtotheappointedjudgestohearallaccusationsofthepastlifeofthedeceased，and，ifproved，todeprivethecorpseoftheritesofsepulture。
　　Unconsciouslytohimself，itwasMejnour'sdescriptionofthiscustom，whichhehadillustratedbyseveralanecdotesnottobefoundinbooks，thatnowsuggestedthedesigntotheartist，andgaveitrealityandforce。Hesupposedapowerfulandguiltykingwhominlifescarceawhisperhaddaredtoarraign，butagainstwhom，nowthebreathwasgone，cametheslavefromhisfetters，themutilatedvictimfromhisdungeon，lividandsqualidasifdeadthemselves，invokingwithparchedlipsthejusticethatoutlivesthegrave。
　　Strangefervourthis，Oartist!breakingsuddenlyforthfromthemistsanddarknesswhichtheoccultsciencehadspreadsolongoverthyfancies，——strangethatthereactionofthenight'sterrorandtheday'sdisappointmentshouldbebacktothineholyart!Oh，howfreelygoestheboldhandoverthelargeoutline!
　　How，despitethoserudematerials，speaksforthnomorethepupil，butthemaster!Freshyetfromthegloriouselixir，howthougivesttothycreaturesthefinerlifedeniedtothyself!——
　　somepowernotthineownwritesthegrandsymbolsonthewall。
　　Behindrisesthemightysepulchre，onthebuildingofwhichreposetothedeadthelivesofthousandshadbeenconsumed。
　　Theresitinasemicirclethesolemnjudges。Blackandsluggishflowsthelake。Thereliesthemummiedandroyaldead。Dostthouquailatthefrownonhislifelikebrow？Ha!——bravelydone，Oartist!——uprisethehaggardforms!——palespeaktheghastlyfaces!ShallnotHumanityafterdeathavengeitselfonPower？
　　Thyconception，ClarenceGlyndon，isasublimetruth；thydesignpromisesrenowntogenius。Betterthismagicthanthecharmsofthevolumeandthevessel。Hourafterhourhasgone；thouhastlightedthelamp；nightseestheeyetatthylabour。MercifulHeaven!whatchillstheatmosphere；whydoesthelampgrowwan；
　　whydoesthyhairbristle？There!——there!——there!atthecasement!Itgazesonthee，thedark，mantled，loathsomething!
　　There，withtheirdevilishmockeryandhatefulcraft，glareontheethosehorrideyes!
　　Hestoodandgazed，——itwasnodelusion。Itspokenot，movednot，till，unabletobearlongerthatsteadyandburninglook，hecoveredhisfacewithhishands。Withastart，withathrill，heremovedthem；hefeltthenearerpresenceofthenameless。Thereitcoweredonthefloorbesidehisdesign；andlo!thefiguresseemedtostartfromthewall!Thosepaleaccusingfigures，theshapeshehimselfhadraised，frownedathim，andgibbered。Withaviolenteffortthatconvulsedhiswholebeing，andbathedhisbodyinthesweatofagony，theyoungmanmasteredhishorror。
　　Hestrodetowardsthephantom；heendureditseyes；heaccosteditwithasteadyvoice；hedemandeditspurposeanddefieditspower。
　　Andthen，asawindfromacharnel，washearditsvoice。Whatitsaid，whatrevealed，itisforbiddenthelipstorepeat，thehandtorecord。Nothingsavethesubtlelifethatyetanimatedtheframetowhichtheinhalationsoftheelixirhadgivenvigourandenergybeyondthestrengthofthestrongest，couldhavesurvivedthatawfulhour。Bettertowakeinthecatacombsandseetheburiedrisefromtheircerements，andheartheghouls，intheirhorridorgies，amongstthefesteringghastlinessofcorruption，thantofrontthosefeatureswhentheveilwaslifted，andlistentothatwhisperedvoice!……
　　ThenextdayGlyndonfledfromtheruinedcastle。Withwhathopesofstarrylighthadhecrossedthethreshold；withwhatmemoriestoshudderevermoreatthedarknessdidhelookbackatthefrownofitstime-worntowers!
　　CHAPTER5。II。
　　Faust:Wohinsollesnungehm？
　　Mephist:WohinesDirgefallt。
　　Wirsehndiekleine，danndiegrosseWelt。
　　"Faust。"
　　Faust:Whithergonow!
　　Mephist:Whitheritpleasesthee。
　　Weseethesmallworld，thenthegreat。
　　Drawyourchairtothefireside，brushcleanthehearth，andtrimthelights。Oh，homeofsleekness，order，substance，comfort!
　　Oh，excellentthingartthou，MatterofFact!
　　Itissometimeafterthedateofthelastchapter。Hereweare，notinmoonlitislandsormoulderingcastles，butinaroomtwenty-sixfeetbytwenty-two，——wellcarpeted，wellcushioned，solidarm-chairsandeightsuchbadpictures，insuchfineframes，uponthewalls!ThomasMervale，Esq。，merchant，ofLondon，youareanenviabledog!
　　ItwastheeasiestthingintheworldforMervale，onreturningfromhisContinentalepisodeoflife，tosettledowntohisdesk，——hishearthadbeenalwaysthere。Thedeathofhisfathergavehim，asabirthright，ahighpositioninarespectablethoughsecond-ratefirm。Tomakethisestablishmentfirst-ratewasanhonourableambition，——itwashis!Hehadlatelymarried，notentirelyformoney，——no!hewasworldlyratherthanmercenary。Hehadnoromanticideasoflove；buthewastoosensibleamannottoknowthatawifeshouldbeacompanion，——
　　notmerelyaspeculation。Hedidnotcareforbeautyandgenius，buthelikedhealthandgoodtemper，andacertainproportionofusefulunderstanding。Hechoseawifefromhisreason，nothisheart，andaverygoodchoicehemade。Mrs。Mervalewasanexcellentyoungwoman，——bustling，managing，economical，butaffectionateandgood。Shehadawillofherown，butwasnoshrew。Shehadagreatnotionoftherightsofawife，andastrongperceptionofthequalitiesthatinsurecomfort。Shewouldneverhaveforgivenherhusband，hadshefoundhimguiltyofthemostpassingfancyforanother；but，inreturn，shehadthemostadmirablesenseofproprietyherself。Sheheldinabhorrencealllevity，allflirtation，allcoquetry，——smallviceswhichoftenruindomestichappiness，butwhichagiddynatureincurswithoutconsideration。Butshedidnotthinkitrighttoloveahusbandovermuch。Sheleftasurplusofaffection，forallherrelations，allherfriends，someofheracquaintances，andthepossibilityofasecondmarriage，shouldanyaccidenthappentoMr。M。Shekeptagoodtable，foritsuitedtheirstation；andhertemperwasconsideredeven，thoughfirm；butshecouldsayasharpthingortwo，ifMr。Mervalewasnotpunctualtoamoment。Shewasveryparticularthatheshouldchangehisshoesoncominghome，——thecarpetswerenewandexpensive。Shewasnotsulky，norpassionate，——Heavenblessherforthat!——butwhendispleasedsheshowedit，administeredadignifiedrebuke，alludedtoherownvirtues，toherunclewhowasanadmiral，andtothethirtythousandpoundswhichshehadbroughttotheobjectofherchoice。ButasMr。Mervalewasagood-humouredman，ownedhisfaults，andsubscribedtoherexcellence，thedispleasurewassoonover。
　　Everyhouseholdhasitslittledisagreements，nonefewerthanthatofMr。andMrs。Mervale。Mrs。Mervale，withoutbeingimproperlyfondofdress，paiddueattentiontoit。Shewasneverseenoutofherchamberwithpapersinherhair，norinthatworstofdis-illusions，——amorningwrapper。Athalf-pasteighteverymorningMrs。Mervalewasdressedfortheday，——thatis，tillshere-dressedfordinner，——herstayswelllaced，hercapprim，hergowns，winterandsummer，ofathick，handsomesilk。Ladiesatthattimeworeveryshortwaists；sodidMrs。
　　Mervale。Hermorningornamentswereathick，goldchain，towhichwassuspendedagoldwatch，——noneofthosefragiledwarfsofmechanismthatlooksoprettyandgosoill，butahandsomerepeaterwhichchronicledFatherTimetoamoment；alsoamosaicbrooch；alsoaminiatureofheruncle，theadmiral，setinabracelet。Fortheeveningshehadtwohandsomesets，——necklace，earrings，andbraceletscomplete，——oneofamethysts，theothertopazes。Withthese，hercostumeforthemostpartwasagold-
　　colouredsatinandaturban，inwhichlastherpicturehadbeentaken。Mrs。Mervalehadanaquilinenose，goodteeth，fairhair，andlighteyelashes，ratherahighcomplexion，whatisgenerallycalledafinebust；fullcheeks；largeusefulfeetmadeforwalking；large，whitehandswithfilbertnails，onwhichnotaspeckofdusthad，eveninchildhood，everbeenknowntoalight。
　　Shelookedalittleolderthanshereallywas；butthatmightarisefromacertainairofdignityandtheaforesaidaquilinenose。Shegenerallyworeshortmittens。SheneverreadanypoetrybutGoldsmith'sandCowper's。Shewasnotamusedbynovels，thoughshehadnoprejudiceagainstthem。Shelikedaplayandapantomime，withaslightsupperafterwards。Shedidnotlikeconcertsnoroperas。Atthebeginningofthewintersheselectedsomebooktoread，andsomepieceofworktocommence。
　　Thetwolastedhertillthespring，when，thoughshecontinuedtowork，sheleftoffreading。Herfavouritestudywashistory，whichshereadthroughthemediumofDr。Goldsmith。Herfavouriteauthorinthebelleslettreswas，ofcourse，Dr。
　　Johnson。Aworthierwoman，oronemorerespected，wasnottobefound，exceptinanepitaph!
　　Itwasanautumnnight。Mr。andMrs。Mervale，latelyreturnedfromanexcursiontoWeymouth，areinthedrawing-room，——"thedamesatonthisside，themansatonthat。"
　　"Yes，Iassureyou，mydear，thatGlyndon，withallhiseccentricities，wasaveryengaging，amiablefellow。Youwouldcertainlyhavelikedhim，——allthewomendid。"
　　"MydearThomas，youwillforgivetheremark，——butthatexpressionofyours，'alltheWOMEN'——"
　　"Ibegyourpardon，——youareright。Imeanttosaythathewasageneralfavouritewithyourcharmingsex。"
　　"Iunderstand，——ratherafrivolouscharacter。"
　　"Frivolous!no，notexactly；alittleunsteady，——veryodd，butcertainlynotfrivolous；presumptuousandheadstrongincharacter，butmodestandshyinhismanners，rathertoomuchso，——justwhatyoulike。However，toreturn；IamseriouslyuneasyattheaccountsIhaveheardofhimto-day。Hehasbeenliving，itseems，averystrangeandirregularlife，travellingfromplacetoplace，andmusthavespentalreadyagreatdealofmoney。"
　　"Aproposofmoney，"saidMrs。Mervale；"Ifearwemustchangeourbutcher；heiscertainlyinleaguewiththecook。"
　　"Thatisapity；hisbeefisremarkablyfine。TheseLondonservantsareasbadastheCarbonari。But，asIwassaying，poorGlyndon——"
　　Hereaknockwasheardatthedoor。"Blessme，"saidMrs。
　　Mervale，"itispastten!Whocanthatpossiblybe？"
　　"Perhapsyouruncle，theadmiral，"saidthehusband，withaslightpeevishnessinhisaccent。"Hegenerallyfavoursusaboutthishour。"
　　"Ihope，mylove，thatnoneofmyrelationsareunwelcomevisitorsatyourhouse。Theadmiralisamostentertainingman，andhisfortuneisentirelyathisowndisposal。"
　　"NooneIrespectmore，"saidMr。Mervale，withemphasis。
　　Theservantthrewopenthedoor，andannouncedMr。Glyndon。
　　"Mr。Glyndon!——whatanextraordinary——"exclaimedMrs。Mervale；
　　butbeforeshecouldconcludethesentence，Glyndonwasintheroom。
　　Thetwofriendsgreetedeachotherwithallthewarmthofearlyrecollectionandlongabsence。AnappropriateandproudpresentationtoMrs。Mervaleensued；andMrs。Mervale，withadignifiedsmile，andafurtiveglanceathisboots，badeherhusband'sfriendwelcometoEngland。
　　GlyndonwasgreatlyalteredsinceMervalehadseenhimlast。
　　Thoughlessthantwoyearshadelapsedsincethen，hisfaircomplexionwasmorebronzedandmanly。Deeplinesofcare，orthought，ordissipation，hadreplacedthesmoothcontourofhappyyouth。Toamanneroncegentleandpolishedhadsucceededacertainrecklessnessofmien，tone，andbearing，whichbespokethehabitsofasocietythatcaredlittleforthecalmdecorumsofconventionalease。Stillakindofwildnobleness，notbeforeapparentinhim，characterisedhisaspect，andgavesomethingofdignitytothefreedomofhislanguageandgestures。
　　"So，then，youaresettled，Mervale，——Ineednotaskyouifyouarehappy。Worth，sense，wealth，character，andsofairacompaniondeservehappiness，andcommandit。"
　　"Wouldyoulikesometea，Mr。Glyndon？"askedMrs。Mervale，kindly。
　　"Thankyou，——no。Iproposeamoreconvivialstimulustomyoldfriend。Wine，Mervale，——wine，eh!——orabowlofoldEnglishpunch。Yourwifewillexcuseus，——wewillmakeanightofit!"
　　Mrs。Mervaledrewbackherchair，andtriednottolookaghast。
　　Glyndondidnotgivehisfriendtimetoreply。
　　"SoatlastIaminEngland，"hesaid，lookingroundtheroom，withaslightsneeronhislips；"surelythissoberairmusthaveitsinfluence；surelyhereIshallbeliketherest。"
　　"Haveyoubeenill，Glyndon？"
　　"Ill，yes。Humph!youhaveafinehouse。Doesitcontainaspareroomforasolitarywanderer？"
　　Mr。Mervaleglancedathiswife，andhiswifelookedsteadilyonthecarpet。"Modestandshyinhismanners——rathertoomuchso!"