"Ger。Lib。，"c。viii。xli。
　　Betterdefencethanshieldorbreastplateisholyinnocencetothenakedbreast。
　　Andtheyburiedthemusicianandhisbarbitontogether，inthesamecoffin。ThatfamousSteiner——primevalTitanofthegreatTyroleserace——oftenhastthousoughttoscaletheheavens，andthereforemustthou，likethemeanerchildrenofmen，descendtothedismalHades!Harderfatefortheethanthymortalmaster。
　　ForTHYsoulsleepswiththeeinthecoffin。AndthemusicthatbelongstoHIS，separatefromtheinstrument，ascendsonhigh，tobeheardoftenbyadaughter'spiousearswhentheheavenissereneandtheearthsad。Forthereisasenseofhearingthatthevulgarknownot。Andthevoicesofthedeadbreathesoftandfrequenttothosewhocanunitethememorywiththefaith。
　　AndnowViolaisaloneintheworld，——aloneinthehomewherelonelinesshadseemedfromthecradleathingthatwasnotofnature。Andatfirstthesolitudeandthestillnesswereinsupportable。Haveyou，yemourners，towhomthesesibylleaves，weirdwithmanyadarkenigma，shallbeborne，haveyounotfeltthatwhenthedeathofsomebest-lovedonehasmadethehearthdesolate，——haveyounotfeltasifthegloomofthealteredhomewastooheavyforthoughttobear？——youwouldleaveit，thoughapalace，evenforacabin。Andyet，——sadtosay，——
　　whenyouobeytheimpulse，whenyouflyfromthewalls，wheninthestrangeplaceinwhichyouseekyourrefugenothingspeakstoyouofthelost，haveyenotfeltagainayearningforthatveryfoodtomemorywhichwasjustbeforebutbitternessandgall？Isitnotalmostimpiousandprofanetoabandonthatdearhearthtostrangers？Andthedesertionofthehomewhereyourparentsdwelt，andblessedyou，upbraidsyourconscienceasifyouhadsoldtheirtombs。
　　BeautifulwastheEtruscansuperstitionthattheancestorsbecomethehouseholdgods。DeafisthehearttowhichtheLarescallfromthedesolatefloorsinvain。AtfirstViolahad，inherintolerableanguish，gratefullywelcomedtherefugewhichthehouseandfamilyofakindlyneighbour，muchattachedtoherfather，andwhowasoneoftheorchestrathatPisanishallperplexnomore，hadprofferedtotheorphan。Butthecompanyoftheunfamiliarinourgrief，theconsolationofthestranger，howitirritatesthewound!Andthen，tohearelsewherethenameoffather，mother，child，——asifdeathcamealonetoyou，——toseeelsewherethecalmregularityofthoselivesunitedinloveandorder，keepingaccountofhappyhours，theunbrokentimepieceofhome，asifnowhereelsethewheelswerearrested，thechainshattered，thehandsmotionless，thechimestill!No，thegraveitselfdoesnotremindusofourlosslikethecompanyofthosewhohavenolosstomourn。Gobacktothysolitude，youngorphan，——gobacktothyhome:thesorrowthatmeetstheeonthethresholdcangreetthee，eveninitssadness，likethesmileuponthefaceofthedead。Andthere，fromthycasement，andthere，fromwithoutthydoor，thouseeststillthetree，solitaryasthyself，andspringingfromthecleftsoftherock，butforcingitswaytolight，——as，throughallsorrow，whiletheseasonsyetcanrenewtheverdureandbloomofyouth，strivestheinstinctofthehumanheart!Onlywhenthesapisdriedup，onlywhenagecomeson，doesthesunshineinvainformanandforthetree。
　　Weeksandmonths——monthssadandmany——againpassed，andNapleswillnotlongersufferitsidoltosecludeitselffromhomage。
　　Theworldeverplucksusbackfromourselveswithathousandarms。AndagainViola'svoiceishearduponthestage，which，mysticallyfaithfultolife，isinnoughtmorefaithfulthanthis，thatitistheappearancesthatfillthescene；andwepausenottoaskofwhatrealitiestheyaretheproxies。WhentheactorofAthensmovedallheartsasheclaspedtheburialurn，andburstintobrokensobs；howfew，there，knewthatitheldtheashesofhisson!Gold，aswellasfame，wasshoweredupontheyoungactress；butshestillkepttohersimplemodeoflife，toherlowlyhome，totheoneservantwhosefaults，selfishastheywere，Violawastooinexperiencedtoperceive。AnditwasGionettawhohadplacedherwhenfirstborninherfather'sarms!Shewassurroundedbyeverysnare，wooedbyeverysolicitationthatcouldbesetherunguardedbeautyandherdangerouscalling。Buthermodestvirtuepassedunsulliedthroughthemall。Itistruethatshehadbeentaughtbylipsnowmutethemaidendutiesenjoinedbyhonourandreligion。Andalllovethatspokenotofthealtaronlyshockedandrepelledher。Butbesidesthat，asgriefandsolituderipenedherheart，andmadehertrembleattimestothinkhowdeeplyitcouldfeel，hervagueandearlyvisionsshapedthemselvesintoanidealoflove。Andtilltheidealisfound，howtheshadowthatitthrowsbeforeitchillsustotheactual!Withthatideal，everandever，unconsciously，andwithacertainaweandshrinking，cametheshapeandvoiceofthewarningstranger。NearlytwoyearshadpassedsincehehadappearedatNaples。Nothinghadbeenheardofhim，savethathisvesselhadbeendirected，somemonthsafterhisdeparture，tosailforLeghorn。BythegossipsofNaples，hisexistence，supposedsoextraordinary，waswellnighforgotten；buttheheartofViolawasmorefaithful。Oftenheglidedthroughherdreams，andwhenthewindsighedthroughthatfantastictree，associatedwithhisremembrance，shestartedwithatremorandablush，asifshehadheardhimspeak。
　　Butamongstthetrainofhersuitorswasonetowhomshelistenedmoregentlythantotherest；partlybecause，perhaps，hespokeinhermother'snativetongue；partlybecauseinhisdiffidencetherewaslittletoalarmanddisplease；partlybecausehisrank，nearertoherownthanthatoflordlierwooers，preventedhisadmirationfromappearinginsult；partlybecausehehimself，eloquentandadreamer，oftenutteredthoughtsthatwerekindredtothoseburieddeepestinhermind。Shebegantolike，perhapstolovehim，butasasisterloves；asortofprivilegedfamiliaritysprungupbetweenthem。IfintheEnglishman'sbreastarosewildandunworthyhopes，hehadnotyetexpressedthem。Istheredangertotheehere，loneViola，oristhedangergreaterinthyunfoundideal？
　　Andnow，astheoverturetosomestrangeandwizardspectacle，closesthisopeningprelude。Wiltthouhearmore？Comewiththyfaithprepared。Iasknottheblindedeyes，buttheawakenedsense。AstheenchantedIsle，remotefromthehomesofmen，——
　　"OvealcunlegnoRado，ononmaivadallenostresponde，"——
　　"Ger。Lib。，"cant。xiv。69。
　　Whereshipseldomornevercomesfromourcoasts。
　　isthespaceinthewearyoceanofactuallifetowhichtheMuseorSibylancientinyears，buteveryounginaspect，offerstheenounhallowedsail，——
　　"QuinciellaincimaaunamontagnaascendeDisabitata，ed'ombreoscuraebruna；
　　EparincantoaleinevoserendeLespalleeifianchi；esensanevealcunaGlilasciailcapoverdeggianteevago；
　　Evifondaunpalagioappressounlago。"
　　There，sheamountain'sloftypeakascends，Unpeopled，shady，shagg'dwithforestsbrown，Whosesides，bypowerofmagic，half-waydownSheheapswithslipperyiceandfrostandsnow，ButsunshinyandverdantleavesthecrownWithorange-woodsandmyrtles，——speaks，andlo!
　　Richfromtheborderinglakeapalacerisesslow。
　　Wiffin's"Translation。"
　　BOOKII。
　　ART，LOVE，ANDWONDER。
　　Diversiaspettiinunconfusiemisti。
　　"Ger。Lib，"cant。iv。7。
　　Differentappearances，confusedandmixtinone。
　　CHAPTER2。I。
　　Centauri，eSfingi，epallideGorgoni。
　　"Ger。Lib。，"c。iv。v。
　　CentaursandSphinxesandpallidGorgons。
　　Onemoonlitnight，intheGardensatNaples，somefourorfivegentlemanwereseatedunderatree，drinkingtheirsherbet，andlistening，intheintervalsofconversation，tothemusicwhichenlivenedthatgayandfavouriteresortofanindolentpopulation。OneofthislittlepartywasayoungEnglishman，whohadbeenthelifeofthewholegroup，butwho，forthelastfewmoments，hadsunkintoagloomyandabstractedreverie。Oneofhiscountrymenobservedthissuddengloom，and，tappinghimontheback，said，"Whatailsyou，Glyndon？Areyouill？Youhavegrownquitepale，——youtremble。Isitasuddenchill？Youhadbettergohome:theseItaliannightsareoftendangeroustoourEnglishconstitutions。"
　　"No，Iamwellnow；itwasapassingshudder。Icannotaccountforitmyself。"
　　Aman，apparentlyofaboutthirtyyearsofage，andofamienandcountenancestrikinglysuperiortothosearoundhim，turnedabruptly，andlookedsteadfastlyatGlyndon。
　　"IthinkIunderstandwhatyoumean，"saidhe；"andperhaps，"headded，withagravesmile，"Icouldexplainitbetterthanyourself。"Here，turningtotheothers，headded，"Youmustoftenhavefelt，gentlemen，eachandallofyou，especiallywhensittingaloneatnight，astrangeandunaccountablesensationofcoldnessandawecreepoveryou；yourbloodcurdles，andtheheartstandsstill；thelimbsshiver；thehairbristles；youareafraidtolookup，toturnyoureyestothedarkercornersoftheroom；youhaveahorriblefancythatsomethingunearthlyisathand；presentlythewholespell，ifImaysocallit，passesaway，andyouarereadytolaughatyourownweakness。HaveyounotoftenfeltwhatIhavethusimperfectlydescribed？——ifso，youcanunderstandwhatouryoungfriendhasjustexperienced，evenamidstthedelightsofthismagicalscene，andamidstthebalmywhispersofaJulynight。"
　　"Sir，"repliedGlyndon，evidentlymuchsurprised，"youhavedefinedexactlythenatureofthatshudderwhichcameoverme。
　　Buthowcouldmymannerbesofaithfulanindextomyimpressions？"
　　"Iknowthesignsofthevisitation，"returnedthestranger，gravely；"theyarenottobemistakenbyoneofmyexperience。"
　　Allthegentlemanpresentthendeclaredthattheycouldcomprehend，andhadfelt，whatthestrangerhaddescribed。
　　"Accordingtooneofournationalsuperstitions，"saidMervale，theEnglishmanwhohadfirstaddressedGlyndon，"themomentyousofeelyourbloodcreep，andyourhairstandonend，someoneiswalkingoverthespotwhichshallbeyourgrave。"
　　"Thereareinalllandsdifferentsuperstitionstoaccountforsocommonanoccurrence，"repliedthestranger:"onesectamongtheArabiansholdsthatatthatinstantGodisdecidingthehoureitherofyourdeath，orofsomeonedeartoyou。TheAfricansavage，whoseimaginationisdarkenedbythehideousritesofhisgloomyidolatry，believesthattheEvilSpiritispullingyoutowardshimbythehair:sodotheGrotesqueandtheTerribleminglewitheachother。"
　　"Itisevidentlyamerephysicalaccident，——aderangementofthestomach，achilloftheblood，"saidayoungNeapolitan，withwhomGlyndonhadformedaslightacquaintance。
　　"Thenwhyisitalwayscoupledinallnationswithsomesuperstitiouspresentimentorterror，——someconnectionbetweenthematerialframeandthesupposedworldwithoutus？Formypart，Ithink——"
　　"Ay，whatdoyouthink，sir？"askedGlyndon，curiously。
　　"Ithink，"continuedthestranger，"thatitistherepugnanceandhorrorwithwhichourmorehumanelementsrecoilfromsomething，indeed，invisible，butantipathetictoourownnature；andfromaknowledgeofwhichwearehappilysecuredbytheimperfectionofoursenses。"
　　"Youareabelieverinspirits，then？"saidMervale，withanincreduloussmile。
　　"Nay，itwasnotpreciselyofspiritsthatIspoke；buttheremaybeformsofmatterasinvisibleandimpalpabletousastheanimalculaeintheairwebreathe，——inthewaterthatplaysinyonderbasin。Suchbeingsmayhavepassionsandpowerslikeourown——astheanimalculaetowhichIhavecomparedthem。Themonsterthatlivesanddiesinadropofwater——carnivorous，insatiable，subsistingonthecreaturesminuterthanhimself——isnotlessdeadlyinhiswrath，lessferociousinhisnature，thanthetigerofthedesert。Theremaybethingsaroundusthatwouldbedangerousandhostiletomen，ifProvidencehadnotplacedawallbetweenthemandus，merelybydifferentmodificationsofmatter。"
　　"Andthinkyouthatwallnevercanberemoved？"askedyoungGlyndon，abruptly。"Arethetraditionsofsorcererandwizard，universalandimmemorialastheyare，merelyfables？"
　　"Perhapsyes，——perhapsno，"answeredthestranger，indifferently。
　　"Butwho，inanageinwhichthereasonhaschosenitsproperbounds，wouldbemadenoughtobreakthepartitionthatdivideshimfromtheboaandthelion，——torepineatandrebelagainstthelawwhichconfinesthesharktothegreatdeep？Enoughoftheseidlespeculations。"
　　Herethestrangerrose，summonedtheattendant，paidforhissherbet，and，bowingslightlytothecompany，soondisappearedamongthetrees。
　　"Whoisthatgentleman？"askedGlyndon，eagerly。
　　Therestlookedateachother，withoutreplying，forsomemoments。
　　"Ineversawhimbefore，"saidMervale，atlast。
　　"NorI。"
　　"NorI。"
　　"Iknowhimwell，"saidtheNeapolitan，whowas，indeed，theCountCetoxa。"Ifyouremember，itwasasmycompanionthathejoinedyou。HevisitedNaplesabouttwoyearsago，andhasrecentlyreturned；heisveryrich，——indeed，enormouslyso。A
　　mostagreeableperson。Iamsorrytohearhimtalksostrangelyto-night；itservestoencouragethevariousfoolishreportsthatarecirculatedconcerninghim。"
　　"Andsurely，"saidanotherNeapolitan，"thecircumstancethatoccurredbuttheotherday，sowellknowntoyourself，Cetoxa，justifiesthereportsyoupretendtodeprecate。"
　　"Myselfandmycountryman，"saidGlyndon，"mixsolittleinNeapolitansociety，thatwelosemuchthatappearswellworthyoflivelyinterest。MayIenquirewhatarethereports，andwhatisthecircumstanceyoureferto？"
　　"Astothereports，gentlemen，"saidCetoxa，courteously，addressinghimselftothetwoEnglishmen，"itmaysufficetoobserve，thattheyattributetotheSignorZanonicertainqualitieswhicheverybodydesiresforhimself，butdamnsanyoneelseforpossessing。TheincidentSignorBelgiosoalludesto，illustratesthesequalities，andis，Imustown，somewhatstartling。Youprobablyplay，gentlemen？"HereCetoxapaused；
　　andasbothEnglishmenhadoccasionallystakedafewscudiatthepublicgaming-tables，theybowedassenttotheconjecture。
　　Cetoxacontinued。"Well，then，notmanydayssince，andontheverydaythatZanonireturnedtoNaples，itsohappenedthatI
　　hadbeenplayingprettyhigh，andhadlostconsiderably。Irosefromthetable，resolvednolongertotemptfortune，whenI
　　suddenlyperceivedZanoni，whoseacquaintanceIhadbeforemadeandwho，Imaysay，wasundersomeslightobligationtome，standingby，aspectator。EreIcouldexpressmygratificationatthisunexpectedrecognition，helaidhishandonmyarm。'Youhavelostmuch，'saidhe；'morethanyoucanafford。Formypart，Idislikeplay；yetIwishtohavesomeinterestinwhatisgoingon。Willyouplaythissumforme？theriskismine，——thehalfprofitsyours。'Iwasstartled，asyoumaysuppose，atsuchanaddress；butZanonihadanairandtonewithhimitwasimpossibletoresist；besides，Iwasburningtorecovermylosses，andshouldnothaverisenhadIhadanymoneyleftaboutme。ItoldhimIwouldaccepthisoffer，providedwesharedtheriskaswellasprofits。'Asyouwill，'saidhe，smiling；'weneedhavenoscruple，foryouwillbesuretowin。'Isatdown；
　　Zanonistoodbehindme；myluckrose，——Iinvariablywon。Infact，Irosefromthetablearichman。"
　　"Therecanbenofoulplayatthepublictables，especiallywhenfoulplaywouldmakeagainstthebank？"ThisquestionwasputbyGlyndon。
　　"Certainlynot，"repliedthecount。"Butourgoodfortunewas，indeed，marvellous，——soextraordinarythataSiciliantheSiciliansareallill-bred，bad-temperedfellowsgrewangryandinsolent。'Sir，'saidhe，turningtomynewfriend，'youhavenobusinesstostandsoneartothetable。Idonotunderstandthis；youhavenotactedfairly。'Zanonireplied，withgreatcomposure，thathehaddonenothingagainsttherules，——thathewasverysorrythatonemancouldnotwinwithoutanothermanlosing；andthathecouldnotactunfairly，evenifdisposedtodoso。TheSiciliantookthestranger'smildnessforapprehension，andblusteredmoreloudly。Infact，herosefromthetable，andconfrontedZanoniinamannerthat，tosaytheleastofit，wasprovokingtoanygentlemanwhohassomequicknessoftemper，orsomeskillwiththesmall-sword。"
　　"And，"interruptedBelgioso，"themostsingularpartofthewholetomewas，thatthisZanoni，whostoodoppositetowhereIsat，andwhosefaceIdistinctlysaw，madenoremark，showednoresentment。HefixedhiseyessteadfastlyontheSicilian；nevershallIforgetthatlook!itisimpossibletodescribeit，——itfrozethebloodinmyveins。TheSicilianstaggeredbackasifstruck。Isawhimtremble；hesankonthebench。Andthen——"
　　"Yes，then，"saidCetoxa，"tomyinfinitesurprise，ourgentleman，thusdisarmedbyalookfromZanoni，turnedhiswholeangeruponme，THE——butperhapsyoudonotknow，gentlemen，thatIhavesomereputewithmyweapon？"
　　"ThebestswordsmaninItaly，"saidBelgioso。
　　"BeforeIcouldguesswhyorwherefore，"resumedCetoxa，"Ifoundmyselfinthegardenbehindthehouse，withUghellithatwastheSicilian'snamefacingme，andfiveorsixgentlemen，thewitnessesoftheduelabouttotakeplace，around。Zanonibeckonedmeaside。'Thismanwillfall，'saidhe。'Whenheisontheground，gotohim，andaskwhetherhewillbeburiedbythesideofhisfatherinthechurchofSanGennaro？''Doyouthenknowhisfamily？'Iaskedwithgreatsurprise。Zanonimademenoanswer，andthenextmomentIwasengagedwiththeSicilian。Todohimjustice，hisimbrogliatowasmagnificent，andaswifterloungernevercrossedasword；nevertheless，"addedCetoxa，withapleasingmodesty，"hewasrunthroughthebody。I
　　wentuptohim；hecouldscarcelyspeak。'Haveyouanyrequesttomake，——anyaffairstosettle？'Heshookhishead。'Wherewouldyouwishtobeinterred？'HepointedtowardstheSiciliancoast。'What!'saidI，insurprise，'NOTbythesideofyourfather，inthechurchofSanGennaro？'AsIspoke，hisfacealteredterribly；heutteredapiercingshriek，——thebloodgushedfromhismouth，andhefelldead。Themoststrangepartofthestoryistocome。WeburiedhiminthechurchofSanGennaro。
　　Indoingso，wetookuphisfather'scoffin；thelidcameoffinmovingit，andtheskeletonwasvisible。Inthehollowoftheskullwefoundaveryslenderwireofsharpsteel；thiscausedsurpriseandinquiry。Thefather，whowasrichandamiser，haddiedsuddenly，andbeenburiedinhaste，owing，itwassaid，totheheatoftheweather。Suspiciononceawakened，theexaminationbecameminute。Theoldman'sservantwasquestioned，andatlastconfessedthatthesonhadmurderedthesire。Thecontrivancewasingenious:thewirewassoslenderthatitpiercedtothebrain，anddrewbutonedropofblood，whichthegreyhairsconcealed。Theaccomplicewillbeexecuted。"
　　"AndZanoni，——didhegiveevidence，didheaccountfor——"
　　"No，"interruptedthecount:"hedeclaredthathehadbyaccidentvisitedthechurchthatmorning；thathehadobservedthetombstoneoftheCountUghelli；thathisguidehadtoldhimthecount'ssonwasinNaples，——aspendthriftandagambler。
　　Whilewewereatplay，hehadheardthecountmentionedbynameatthetable；andwhenthechallengewasgivenandaccepted，ithadoccurredtohimtonametheplaceofburial，byaninstinctwhichheeithercouldnotorwouldnotaccountfor。"
　　"Averylamestory，"saidMervale。
　　"Yes!butweItaliansaresuperstitious，——theallegedinstinctwasregardedbymanyasthewhisperofProvidence。Thenextdaythestrangerbecameanobjectofuniversalinterestandcuriosity。Hiswealth，hismannerofliving，hisextraordinarypersonalbeauty，haveassistedalsotomakehimtherage；
　　besides，Ihavehadthepleasureinintroducingsoeminentapersontoourgayestcavaliersandourfairestladies。"
　　"Amostinterestingnarrative，"saidMervale，rising。"Come，Glyndon；shallweseekourhotel？Itisalmostdaylight。Adieu，signor!"
　　"Whatthinkyouofthisstory？"saidGlyndon，astheyoungmenwalkedhomeward。
　　"Why，itisveryclearthatthisZanoniissomeimposter，——somecleverrogue；andtheNeapolitansharesthebooty，andpuffshimoffwithallthehackneyedcharlatanismofthemarvellous。Anunknownadventurergetsintosocietybybeingmadeanobjectofaweandcuriosity；heismorethanordinarilyhandsome，andthewomenarequitecontenttoreceivehimwithoutanyotherrecommendationthanhisownfaceandCetoxa'sfables。"
　　"Icannotagreewithyou。Cetoxa，thoughagamblerandarake，isanoblemanofbirthandhighreputeforcourageandhonour。
　　Besides，thisstranger，withhisnoblepresenceandloftyair，——
　　socalm，sounobtrusive，——hasnothingincommonwiththeforwardgarrulityofanimposter。"
　　"MydearGlyndon，pardonme；butyouhavenotyetacquiredanyknowledgeoftheworld!Thestrangermakesthebestofafineperson，andhisgrandairisbutatrickofthetrade。Buttochangethesubject，——howadvancestheloveaffair？"
　　"Oh，Violacouldnotseemeto-day。"
　　"Youmustnotmarryher。Whatwouldtheyallsayathome？"
　　"Letusenjoythepresent，"saidGlyndon，withvivacity；"weareyoung，rich，good-looking；letusnotthinkofto-morrow。"
　　"Bravo，Glyndon!Hereweareatthehotel。Sleepsound，anddon'tdreamofSignorZanoni。"
　　CHAPTER2。II。
　　Prende，giovineaudaceeimpaziente，L'occasioneoffertaavidamente。
　　"Ger。Lib。，"c。vi。xxix。
　　Take，youth，boldandimpatient，theofferedoccasioneagerly。
　　ClarenceGlyndonwasayoungmanoffortune，notlarge，buteasyandindependent。Hisparentsweredead，andhisnearestrelationwasanonlysister，leftinEnglandunderthecareofheraunt，andmanyyearsyoungerthanhimself。Earlyinlifehehadevincedconsiderablepromiseintheartofpainting，andratherfromenthusiasmthananypecuniarynecessityforaprofession，hedeterminedtodevotehimselftoacareerinwhichtheEnglishartistgenerallycommenceswithraptureandhistoricalcomposition，toconcludewithavariciouscalculationandportraitsofAldermanSimpkins。Glyndonwassupposedbyhisfriendstopossessnoinconsiderablegenius；butitwasofarashandpresumptuousorder。Hewasaversefromcontinuousandsteadylabour，andhisambitionrathersoughttogatherthefruitthantoplantthetree。Incommonwithmanyartistsintheiryouth，hewasfondofpleasureandexcitement，yieldingwithlittleforethoughttowhateverimpressedhisfancyorappealedtohispassions。HehadtravelledthroughthemorecelebratedcitiesofEurope，withtheavowedpurposeandsincereresolutionofstudyingthedivinemasterpiecesofhisart。Butineach，pleasurehadtoooftenalluredhimfromambition，andlivingbeautydistractedhisworshipfromthesenselesscanvas。Brave，adventurous，vain，restless，inquisitive，hewaseverinvolvedinwildprojectsandpleasantdangers，——thecreatureofimpulseandtheslaveofimagination。
　　Itwasthentheperiodwhenafeverishspiritofchangewasworkingitswaytothathideousmockeryofhumanaspirations，theRevolutionofFrance；andfromthechaosintowhichwerealreadyjarringthesanctitiesoftheWorld'sVenerableBelief，arosemanyshapelessandunformedchimeras。NeedIremindthereaderthat，whilethatwasthedayforpolishedscepticismandaffectedwisdom，itwasthedayalsoforthemostegregiouscredulityandthemostmysticalsuperstitions，——thedayinwhichmagnetismandmagicfoundconvertsamongstthedisciplesofDiderot；whenprophecieswerecurrentineverymouth；whenthesalonofaphilosophicaldeistwasconvertedintoanHeraclea，inwhichnecromancyprofessedtoconjureuptheshadowsofthedead；whentheCrosierandtheBookwereridiculed，andMesmerandCagliostrowerebelieved。InthatHeliacalRising，heraldingthenewsunbeforewhichallvapoursweretovanish，stalkedfromtheirgravesinthefeudalagesallthephantomsthathadflittedbeforetheeyesofParacelsusandAgrippa。DazzledbythedawnoftheRevolution，Glyndonwasyetmoreattractedbyitsstrangeaccompaniments；andnaturalitwaswithhim，aswithothers，thatthefancywhichranriotamidstthehopesofasocialUtopia，shouldgraspwithavidityallthatpromised，outofthedustytracksofthebeatenscience，thebolddiscoveriesofsomemarvellousElysium。
　　Inhistravelshehadlistenedwithvividinterest，atleast，ifnotwithimplicitbelief，tothewonderstoldofeachmorerenownedGhost-seer，andhismindwasthereforepreparedfortheimpressionwhichthemysteriousZanoniatfirstsighthadproduceduponit。
　　Theremightbeanothercauseforthisdispositiontocredulity。
　　AremoteancestorofGlyndon'sonthemother'sside，hadachievednoinconsiderablereputationasaphilosopherandalchemist。
　　Strangestorieswereafloatconcerningthiswiseprogenitor。Hewassaidtohavelivedtoanagefarexceedingtheallottedboundariesofmortalexistence，andtohavepreservedtothelasttheappearanceofmiddlelife。Hehaddiedatlength，itwassupposed，ofgriefforthesuddendeathofagreat-grandchild，theonlycreaturehehadeverappearedtolove。Theworksofthisphilosopher，thoughrare，wereextant，andfoundinthelibraryofGlyndon'shome。TheirPlatonicmysticism，theirboldassertions，thehighpromisesthatmightbedetectedthroughtheirfigurativeandtypicalphraseology，hadearlymadeadeepimpressionontheyoungimaginationofClarenceGlyndon。Hisparents，notalivetotheconsequencesofencouragingfancieswhichtheveryenlightenmentoftheageappearedtothemsufficienttopreventordispel，werefond，inthelongwinternights，ofconversingonthetraditionalhistoryofthisdistinguishedprogenitor。AndClarencethrilledwithafearfulpleasurewhenhismotherplayfullydetectedastrikinglikenessbetweenthefeaturesoftheyoungheirandthefadedportraitofthealchemistthatoverhungtheirmantelpiece，andwastheboastoftheirhouseholdandtheadmirationoftheirfriends，——thechildis，indeed，moreoftenthanwethinkfor，"thefatheroftheman。"
　　IhavesaidthatGlyndonwasfondofpleasure。Facile，asgeniusevermustbe，tocheerfulimpression，hiscarelessartist-life，ereartist-lifesettlesdowntolabour，hadwanderedfromflowertoflower。Hehadenjoyed，almosttothereactionofsatiety，thegayrevelriesofNaples，whenhefellinlovewiththefaceandvoiceofViolaPisani。Buthislove，likehisambition，wasvagueanddesultory。Itdidnotsatisfyhiswholeheartandfilluphiswholenature；notfromwantofstrongandnoblepassions，butbecausehismindwasnotyetmaturedandsettledenoughfortheirdevelopment。Asthereisoneseasonfortheblossom，anotherforthefruit；soitisnottillthebloomoffancybeginstofade，thattheheartripenstothepassionsthatthebloomprecedesandforetells。Joyousalikeathislonelyeaseloramidsthisbooncompanions，hehadnotyetknownenoughofsorrowtolovedeeply。Formanmustbedisappointedwiththelesserthingsoflifebeforehecancomprehendthefullvalueofthegreatest。ItistheshallowsensualistsofFrance，who，intheirsalon-language，calllove"afolly，"——love，betterunderstood，iswisdom。Besides，theworldwastoomuchwithClarenceGlyndon。HisambitionofartwasassociatedwiththeapplauseandestimationofthatmiserableminorityofthesurfacethatwecallthePublic。
　　Likethosewhodeceive，hewaseverfearfulofbeinghimselfthedupe。HedistrustedthesweetinnocenceofViola。HecouldnotventurethehazardofseriouslyproposingmarriagetoanItalianactress；butthemodestdignityofthegirl，andsomethinggoodandgenerousinhisownnature，hadhithertomadehimshrinkfromanymoreworldlybutlesshonourabledesigns。Thusthefamiliaritybetweenthemseemedratherthatofkindnessandregardthanpassion。Heattendedthetheatre；hestolebehindthescenestoconversewithher；hefilledhisportfoliowithcountlesssketchesofabeautythatcharmedhimasanartistaswellaslover；anddayafterdayhefloatedonthroughachangingseaofdoubtandirresolution，ofaffectionanddistrust。Thelast，indeed，constantlysustainedagainsthisbetterreasonbythesoberadmonitionsofMervale，amatter-of-factman!
　　Thedayfollowingthateveonwhichthissectionofmystoryopens，GlyndonwasridingalonebytheshoresoftheNeapolitansea，ontheothersideoftheCavernofPosilipo。Itwaspastnoon；thesunhadlostitsearlyfervour，andacoolbreezesprungupvoluptuouslyfromthesparklingsea。Bendingoverafragmentofstoneneartheroadside，heperceivedtheformofaman；andwhenheapproached，herecognisedZanoni。
　　TheEnglishmansalutedhimcourteously。"Haveyoudiscoveredsomeantique？"saidhe，withasmile；"theyarecommonaspebblesonthisroad。"
　　"No，"repliedZanoni；"itwasbutoneofthoseantiquesthathavetheirdate，indeed，fromthebeginningoftheworld，butwhichNatureeternallywithersandrenews。"Sosaying，heshowedGlyndonasmallherbwithapale-blueflower，andthenplaceditcarefullyinhisbosom。
　　"Youareanherbalist？"
　　"Iam。"
　　"Itis，Iamtold，astudyfullofinterest。"
　　"Tothosewhounderstandit，doubtless。"
　　"Istheknowledge，then，sorare？"
　　"Rare!Thedeeperknowledgeisperhapsrather，amongthearts，LOSTtothemodernphilosophyofcommonplaceandsurface!Doyouimaginetherewasnofoundationforthosetraditionswhichcomedimlydownfromremoterages，——asshellsnowfoundonthemountain-topsinformuswheretheseashavebeen？WhatwastheoldColchianmagic，buttheminutestudyofNatureinherlowliestworks？WhatthefableofMedea，butaproofofthepowersthatmaybeextractedfromthegermandleaf？ThemostgiftedofallthePriestcrafts，themysterioussisterhoodsofCuth，concerningwhoseincantationsLearningvainlybewildersitselfamidstthemazeoflegends，soughtinthemeanestherbswhat，perhaps，theBabylonianSagesexploredinvainamidsttheloftieststars。Traditionyettellsyouthatthereexistedarace"Plut。Symp。"l。5。c。7。whocouldslaytheirenemiesfromafar，withoutweapon，withoutmovement。Theherbthatyetreadonmayhavedeadlierpowersthanyourengineerscangivetotheirmightiestinstrumentsofwar。CanyouguessthattotheseItalianshores，totheoldCircaeanPromontory，cametheWisefromthefarthestEast，tosearchforplantsandsimpleswhichyourPharmacistsoftheCounterwouldflingfromthemasweeds？
　　Thefirstherbalists——themasterchemistsoftheworld——werethetribethattheancientreverencecalledbythenameofTitans。
　　Syncellus，page14——"ChemistrytheInventionoftheGiants。"
　　Irememberonce，bytheHebrus，inthereignof——Butthistalk，"saidZanoni，checkinghimselfabruptly，andwithacoldsmile，"servesonlytowasteyourtimeandmyown。"Hepaused，lookedsteadilyatGlyndon，andcontinued，"Youngman，thinkyouthatvaguecuriositywillsupplytheplaceofearnestlabour？I
　　readyourheart。Youwishtoknowme，andnotthishumbleherb:
　　butpasson；yourdesirecannotbesatisfied。"
　　"Youhavenotthepolitenessofyourcountrymen，"saidGlyndon，somewhatdiscomposed。"SupposeIweredesiroustocultivateyouracquaintance，whyshouldyourejectmyadvances？"
　　"Irejectnoman'sadvances，"answeredZanoni；"Imustknowthemiftheysodesire；butME，inreturn，theycannevercomprehend。
　　Ifyouaskmyacquaintance，itisyours；butIwouldwarnyoutoshunme。"
　　"Andwhyareyou，then，sodangerous？"
　　"Onthisearth，menareoften，withouttheirownagency，fatedtobedangeroustoothers。IfIweretopredictyourfortunebythevaincalculationsoftheastrologer，Ishouldtellyou，intheirdespicablejargon，thatmyplanetsatdarklyinyourhouseoflife。Crossmenot，ifyoucanavoidit。Iwarnyounowforthefirsttimeandlast。"
　　"Youdespisetheastrologers，yetyouutterajargonasmysteriousastheirs。Ineithergamblenorquarrel；why，then，shouldIfearyou？"
　　"Asyouwill；Ihavedone。"
　　"Letmespeakfrankly，——yourconversationlastnightinterestedandperplexedme。"
　　"Iknowit:mindslikeyoursareattractedbymystery。"
　　Glyndonwaspiquedatthesewords，thoughinthetoneinwhichtheywerespokentherewasnocontempt。
　　"Iseeyoudonotconsidermeworthyofyourfriendship。Beitso。Good-day!"
　　Zanonicoldlyrepliedtothesalutation；andastheEnglishmanrodeon，returnedtohisbotanicalemployment。
　　Thesamenight，Glyndonwent，asusual，tothetheatre。HewasstandingbehindthesceneswatchingViola，whowasonthestageinoneofhermostbrilliantparts。Thehouseresoundedwithapplause。Glyndonwastransportedwithayoungman'spassionandayoungman'spride:"Thisgloriouscreature，"thoughthe，"mayyetbemine。"
　　Hefelt，whilethuswrappedindeliciousreverie，aslighttouchuponhisshoulder；heturned，andbeheldZanoni。"Youareindanger，"saidthelatter。"Donotwalkhometo-night；orifyoudo，gonotalone。"
　　BeforeGlyndonrecoveredfromhissurprise，Zanonidisappeared；
　　andwhentheEnglishmansawhimagain，hewasintheboxofoneoftheNeapolitannobles，whereGlyndoncouldnotfollowhim。
　　Violanowleftthestage，andGlyndonaccostedherwithanunaccustomedwarmthofgallantry。ButViola，contrarytohergentlehabit，turnedwithanevidentimpatiencefromtheaddressofherlover。TakingasideGionetta，whowasherconstantattendantatthetheatre，shesaid，inanearnestwhisper，——
　　"Oh，Gionetta!Heishereagain!——thestrangerofwhomIspoketothee!——andagain，healone，ofthewholetheatre，withholdsfrommehisapplause。"
　　"Whichishe，mydarling？"saidtheoldwoman，withfondnessinhervoice。"Hemustindeedbedull——notworthathought。"
　　TheactressdrewGionettanearertothestage，andpointedouttoheramaninoneoftheboxes，conspicuousamongstallelsebythesimplicityofhisdress，andtheextraordinarybeautyofhisfeatures。
　　"Notworthathought，Gionetta!"repeatedViola，——"Notworthathought!Alas，nottothinkofhim，seemstheabsenceofthoughtitself!"
　　ThepromptersummonedtheSignoraPisani。"Findouthisname，Gionetta，"saidshe，movingslowlytothestage，andpassingbyGlyndon，whogazedatherwithalookofsorrowfulreproach。
　　Thesceneonwhichtheactressnowenteredwasthatofthefinalcatastrophe，whereinallherremarkablepowersofvoiceandartwerepre-eminentlycalledforth。Thehousehungoneverywordwithbreathlessworship；buttheeyesofViolasoughtonlythoseofonecalmandunmovedspectator；sheexertedherselfasifinspired。Zanonilistened，andobservedherwithanattentivegaze，butnoapprovalescapedhislips；noemotionchangedtheexpressionofhiscoldandhalf-disdainfulaspect。Viola，whowasinthecharacterofonewholoved，butwithoutreturn，neverfeltsoacutelythepartsheplayed。Hertearsweretruthful；
　　herpassionthatofnature:itwasalmosttooterribletobehold。Shewasbornefromthestageexhaustedandinsensible，amidstsuchatempestofadmiringraptureasContinentalaudiencesalonecanraise。Thecrowdstoodup，handkerchiefswaved，garlandsandflowerswerethrownonthestage，——menwipedtheireyes，andwomensobbedaloud。
　　"Byheavens!"saidaNeapolitanofgreatrank，"Shehasfiredmebeyondendurance。To-night——thisverynight——sheshallbemine!
　　Youhavearrangedall，Mascari？"
　　"All，signor。AndtheyoungEnglishman？"
　　"Thepresumingbarbarian!AsIbeforetoldthee，lethimbleedforhisfolly。Iwillhavenorival。"
　　"ButanEnglishman!ThereisalwaysasearchafterthebodiesoftheEnglish。"
　　"Fool!isnottheseadeepenough，ortheearthsecretenough，tohideonedeadman？Ourruffiansaresilentasthegraveitself；
　　andI!——whowoulddaretosuspect，toarraignthePrincedi——？
　　Seetoit，——thisnight。Itrusthimtoyou。Robbersmurderhim，youunderstand，——thecountryswarmswiththem；plunderandstriphim，thebettertofavoursuchreport。Takethreemen；therestshallbemyescort。"
　　Mascarishruggedhisshoulders，andbowedsubmissively。
　　ThestreetsofNapleswerenotthensosafeasnow，andcarriageswerebothlessexpensiveandmorenecessary。Thevehiclewhichwasregularlyengagedbytheyoungactresswasnottobefound。
　　Gionetta，tooawareofthebeautyofhermistressandthenumberofheradmirerstocontemplatewithoutalarmtheideaoftheirreturnonfoot，communicatedherdistresstoGlyndon，andhebesoughtViola，whorecoveredbutslowly，toaccepthisowncarriage。Perhapsbeforethatnightshewouldnothaverejectedsoslightaservice。Now，forsomereasonorother，sherefused。
　　Glyndon，offended，wasretiringsullenly，whenGionettastoppedhim。"Stay，signor，"saidshe，coaxingly:"thedearsignoraisnotwell，——donotbeangrywithher；Iwillmakeheracceptyouroffer。"
　　Glyndonstayed，andafterafewmomentsspentinexpostulationonthepartofGionetta，andresistanceonthatofViola，theofferwasaccepted。Gionettaandherchargeenteredthecarriage，andGlyndonwasleftatthedoorofthetheatretoreturnhomeonfoot。ThemysteriouswarningofZanonithensuddenlyoccurredtohim；hehadforgottenitintheinterestofhislover'squarrelwithViola。Hethoughtitnowadvisabletoguardagainstdangerforetoldbylipssomysterious。Helookedroundforsomeoneheknew:thetheatrewasdisgorgingitscrowds；theyhustled，andjostled，andpresseduponhim；butherecognisednofamiliarcountenance。Whilepausingirresolute，heheardMervale'svoicecallingonhim，and，tohisgreatrelief，discoveredhisfriendmakinghiswaythroughthethrong。
　　"Ihavesecuredyou，"saidhe，"aplaceintheCountCetoxa'scarriage。Comealong，heiswaitingforus。"
　　"Howkindinyou!howdidyoufindmeout？"
　　"ImetZanoniinthepassage，——'Yourfriendisatthedoorofthetheatre，'saidhe；'donotlethimgohomeonfootto-night；thestreetsofNaplesarenotalwayssafe。'IimmediatelyrememberedthatsomeoftheCalabrianbravoshadbeenbusywithinthecitythelastfewweeks，andsuddenlymeetingCetoxa——buthereheis。"
　　Furtherexplanationwasforbidden，fortheynowjoinedthecount。
　　AsGlyndonenteredthecarriageanddrewuptheglass，hesawfourmenstandingapartbythepavement，whoseemedtoeyehimwithattention。
　　"Cospetto!"criedone；"thatistheEnglishman!"Glyndonimperfectlyheardtheexclamationasthecarriagedroveon。Hereachedhomeinsafety。
　　ThefamiliarandendearingintimacywhichalwaysexistsinItalybetweenthenurseandthechildshehasreared，andwhichthe"RomeoandJuliet"ofShakespeareinnowayexaggerates，couldnotbutbedrawnyetcloserthanusual，inasituationsofriendlessasthatoftheorphan-actress。Inallthatconcernedtheweaknessesoftheheart，Gionettahadlargeexperience；andwhen，threenightsbefore，Viola，onreturningfromthetheatre，hadweptbitterly，thenursehadsucceededinextractingfromheraconfessionthatshehadseenone，——notseenfortwowearyandeventfulyears，——butneverforgotten，andwho，alas!hadnotevincedtheslightestrecognitionofherself。Gionettacouldnotcomprehendallthevagueandinnocentemotionsthatswelledthissorrow；butsheresolvedthemall，withherplain，bluntunderstanding，totheonesentimentoflove。Andhere，shewaswellfittedtosympathiseandconsole。ConfidantetoViola'sentireanddeepheartshenevercouldbe，——forthatheartnevercouldhavewordsforallitssecrets。Butsuchconfidenceasshecouldobtain，shewasreadytorepaybythemostunreprovingpityandthemostreadyservice。
　　"Haveyoudiscoveredwhoheis？"askedViola，asshewasnowaloneinthecarriagewithGionetta。
　　"Yes；heisthecelebratedSignorZanoni，aboutwhomallthegreatladieshavegonemad。Theysayheissorich!——oh!somuchricherthananyoftheInglesi!——notbutwhattheSignorGlyndon——"
　　"Cease!"interruptedtheyoungactress。"Zanoni!SpeakoftheEnglishmannomore。"
　　ThecarriagewasnowenteringthatmorelonelyandremotepartofthecityinwhichViola'shousewassituated，whenitsuddenlystopped。
　　Gionetta，inalarm，thrustherheadoutofthewindow，andperceived，bythepalelightofthemoon，thatthedriver，tornfromhisseat，wasalreadypinionedinthearmsoftwomen；thenextmomentthedoorwasopenedviolently，andatallfigure，maskedandmantled，appeared。
　　"Fearnot，fairestPisani，"saidhe，gently；"noillshallbefallyou。"Ashespoke，hewoundhisarmroundtheformofthefairactress，andendeavouredtoliftherfromthecarriage。ButGionettawasnoordinaryally，——shethrustbacktheassailantwithaforcethatastonishedhim，andfollowedtheshockbyavolleyofthemostenergeticreprobation。
　　Themaskdrewback，andcomposedhisdisorderedmantle。
　　"BythebodyofBacchus!"saidhe，halflaughing，"sheiswellprotected。Here，Luigi，Giovanni!seizethehag!——quick!——whyloiterye？"