"Disposeofmeasthouwilt!"
　　Zanonistoodinsilenceforsomemoments:hesawthestrugglewhichthegirlthoughtsheconcealedsowell；hemadeaninvoluntarymovementtowardsher，andpressedherhandtohislips；itwasthefirsttimehehadeverdepartedevensofarfromacertainausteritywhichperhapsmadeherfearhimandherownthoughtstheless。
　　"Viola，"saidhe，andhisvoicetrembled，"thedangerthatIcanavertnomore，ifthoulingerstillinNaples，comeshourlynearandneartothee!Onthethirddayfromthisthyfatemustbedecided。Iacceptthypromise。Beforethelasthourofthatday，comewhatmay，Ishallseetheeagain，HERE，atthineownhouse。Tillthen，farewell!"
　　CHAPTER3。IV。
　　Betweentwoworldslifehoverslikeastar'Twixtnightandmorn。
　　Byron。
　　WhenGlyndonleftViola，asrecordedintheconcludingchapteroftheseconddivisionofthiswork，hewasabsorbedagaininthosemysticaldesiresandconjectureswhichthehauntingrecollectionofZanonialwaysservedtocreate。Andashewanderedthroughthestreets，hewasscarcelyconsciousofhisownmovementstill，inthemechanismofcustom，hefoundhimselfinthemidstofoneofthenoblecollectionsofpictureswhichformtheboastofthoseItaliancitieswhosegloryisinthepast。Thitherhehadbeenwont，almostdaily，torepair，forthegallerycontainedsomeofthefinestspecimensofamasterespeciallytheobjectofhisenthusiasmandstudy。There，beforetheworksofSalvator，hehadoftenpausedindeepandearnestreverence。Thestrikingcharacteristicofthatartististhe"VigourofWill；"voidoftheelevatedideaofabstractbeauty，whichfurnishesamodelandarchetypetothegeniusofmoreillustriousorder，thesingularenergyofthemanhewsoutoftherockadignityofhisown。Hisimageshavethemajesty，notofthegod，butthesavage；utterlyfree，likethesublimerschools，fromthecommon-placeofimitation，——apart，withthem，fromtheconventionallittlenessoftheReal，——hegraspstheimagination，andcompelsittofollowhim，nottotheheaven，butthroughallthatismostwildandfantasticuponearth；asorcery，notofthestarrymagian，butofthegloomywizard，——amanofromancewhoseheartbeatstrongly，gripingartwithahandofiron，andforcingittoidealisethescenesofhisactuallife。Beforethispowerfulwill，GlyndondrewbackmoreawedandadmiringthanbeforethecalmerbeautywhichrosefromthesoulofRaphael，likeVenusfromthedeep。
　　Andnow，asawakingfromhisreverie，hestoodoppositetothatwildandmagnificentgloomofNaturewhichfrownedonhimfromthecanvas，theveryleavesonthosegnome-like，distortedtreesseemedtorustlesibyllinesecretsinhisear。ThoseruggedandsombreApennines，thecataractthatdashedbetween，suited，morethantheactualsceneswouldhavedone，themoodandtemperofhismind。Thestern，uncouthformsatrestonthecragsbelow，anddwarfedbythegiantsizeoftheMatterthatreignedaroundthem，impressedhimwiththemightofNatureandthelittlenessofMan。Asingeniusofthemorespiritualcast，thelivingman，andthesoulthatlivesinhim，arestudiouslymadetheprominentimage；andthemereaccessoriesofscenekeptdown，andcastback，asiftoshowthattheexilefromparadiseisyetthemonarchoftheoutwardworld，——so，inthelandscapesofSalvator，thetree，themountain，thewaterfall，becometheprincipal，andmanhimselfdwindlestotheaccessory。TheMatterseemstoreignsupreme，anditstruelordtocreepbeneathitsstupendousshadow。Inertmattergivinginteresttotheimmortalman，nottheimmortalmantotheinertmatter。Aterriblephilosophyinart!
　　Whilesomethingofthesethoughtspassedthroughthemindofthepainter，hefelthisarmtouched，andsawNicotbyhisside。
　　"Agreatmaster，"saidNicot，"butIdonotlovetheschool。"
　　"Idonotlove，butIamawedbyit。Welovethebeautifulandserene，butwehaveafeelingasdeepaslovefortheterribleanddark。"
　　"True，"saidNicot，thoughtfully。"Andyetthatfeelingisonlyasuperstition。Thenursery，withitstalesofghostsandgoblins，isthecradleofmanyofourimpressionsintheworld。
　　Butartshouldnotseektopandertoourignorance；artshouldrepresentonlytruths。IconfessthatRaphaelpleasesmeless，becauseIhavenosympathywithhissubjects。Hissaintsandvirginsaretomeonlymenandwomen。"
　　"Andfromwhatsourceshouldpainting，then，takeitsthemes？"
　　"Fromhistory，withoutdoubt，"returnedNicot，pragmatically，——
　　"thosegreatRomanactionswhichinspiremenwithsentimentsoflibertyandvalour，withthevirtuesofarepublic。IwishthecartoonsofRaphaelhadillustratedthestoryoftheHoratii；butitremainsforFranceandherRepublictogivetoposteritythenewandthetrueschool，whichcouldneverhaveariseninacountryofpriestcraftanddelusion。"
　　"AndthesaintsandvirginsofRaphaelaretoyouonlymenandwomen？"repeatedGlyndon，goingbacktoNicot'scandidconfessioninamaze，andscarcelyhearingthedeductionstheFrenchmandrewfromhisproposition。
　　"Assuredly。Ha，ha!"andNicotlaughedhideously，"doyouaskmetobelieveinthecalendar，orwhat？"
　　"Buttheideal？"
　　"Theideal!"interruptedNicot。"Stuff!TheItaliancritics，andyourEnglishReynolds，haveturnedyourhead。Theyaresofondoftheir'gustogrande，'andtheir'idealbeautythatspeakstothesoul!'——soul!——ISthereasoul？Iunderstandamanwhenhetalksofcomposingforarefinedtaste，——foraneducatedandintelligentreason；forasensethatcomprehendstruths。Butasforthesoul，——bah!——wearebutmodificationsofmatter，andpaintingismodificationofmatteralso。"
　　GlyndonturnedhiseyesfromthepicturebeforehimtoNicot，andfromNicottothepicture。Thedogmatistgaveavoicetothethoughtswhichthesightofthepicturehadawakened。Heshookhisheadwithoutreply。
　　"Tellme，"saidNicot，abruptly，"thatimposter，——Zanoni!——oh!I
　　havenowlearnedhisnameandquackeries，forsooth，——whatdidhesaytotheeofme？"
　　"Ofthee？Nothing；buttowarnmeagainstthydoctrines。"
　　"Aha!wasthatall？"saidNicot。"Heisanotableinventor，andsince，whenwemetlast，Iunmaskedhisdelusions，Ithoughthemightretaliatebysometaleofslander。"
　　"Unmaskedhisdelusions!——how？"
　　"Adullandlongstory:hewishedtoteachanolddotingfriendofminehissecretsofprolongedlifeandphilosophicalalchemy。
　　Iadvisetheetorenouncesodiscreditableanacquaintance。"
　　WiththatNicotnoddedsignificantly，and，notwishingtobefurtherquestioned，wenthisway。
　　Glyndon'smindatthatmomenthadescapedtohisart，andthecommentsandpresenceofNicothadbeennowelcomeinterruption。
　　HeturnedfromthelandscapeofSalvator，andhiseyefallingonaNativitybyCoreggio，thecontrastbetweenthetworanksofgeniusstruckhimasadiscovery。Thatexquisiterepose，thatperfectsenseofbeauty，thatstrengthwithouteffort，thatbreathingmoralofhighart，whichspeakstothemindthroughtheeye，andraisesthethoughts，bytheaidoftendernessandlove，totheregionsofaweandwonder，——ay!THATwasthetrueschool。
　　Hequittedthegallerywithreluctantstepsandinspiredideas；
　　hesoughthisownhome。Here，pleasednottofindthesoberMervale，heleanedhisfaceonhishands，andendeavouredtorecallthewordsofZanoniintheirlastmeeting。Yes，hefeltNicot'stalkevenonartwascrime；itdebasedtheimaginationitselftomechanism。Couldhe，whosawnothinginthesoulbutacombinationofmatter，prateofschoolsthatshouldexcelaRaphael？Yes，artwasmagic；andasheownedthetruthoftheaphorism，hecouldcomprehendthatinmagictheremaybereligion，forreligionisanessentialtoart。Hisoldambition，freeingitselffromthefrigidprudencewithwhichMervalesoughttodesecrateallimageslesssubstantialthanthegoldencalfoftheworld，revived，andstirred，andkindled。Thesubtledetectionofwhatheconceivedtobeanerrorintheschoolhehadhithertoadopted，mademoremanifesttohimbythegrinningcommentaryofNicot，seemedtoopentohimanewworldofinvention。Heseizedthehappymoment，——heplacedbeforehimthecoloursandthecanvas。Lostinhisconceptionsofafreshideal，hismindwasliftedaloftintotheairyrealmsofbeauty；
　　darkthoughts，unhalloweddesires，vanished。Zanoniwasright:
　　thematerialworldshrunkfromhisgaze；heviewedNatureasfromamountain-topafar；andasthewavesofhisunquietheartbecamecalmandstill，againtheangeleyesofViolabeamedonthemasaholystar。
　　Lockinghimselfinhischamber，herefusedeventhevisitsofMervale。Intoxicatedwiththepureairofhisfreshexistence，heremainedforthreedays，andalmostnights，absorbedinhisemployment；butonthefourthmorningcamethatreactiontowhichalllabourisexposed。Hewokelistlessandfatigued；andashecasthiseyesonthecanvas，thegloryseemedtohavegonefromit。Humiliatingrecollectionsofthegreatmastersheaspiredtorivalforcedthemselvesuponhim；defectsbeforeunseenmagnifiedthemselvestodeformitiesinhislanguidanddiscontentedeyes。
　　Hetouchedandretouched，buthishandfailedhim；hethrewdownhisinstrumentsindespair；heopenedhiscasement:thedaywithoutwasbrightandlovely；thestreetwascrowdedwiththatlifewhichiseversojoyousandaffluentintheanimatedpopulationofNaples。Hesawthelover，ashepassed，conversingwithhismistressbythosemutegestureswhichhavesurvivedallchangesoflanguages，thesamenowaswhentheEtruscanpaintedyonvasesintheMuseoBorbonico。Lightfromwithoutbeckonedhisyouthtoitsmirthanditspleasures；andthedullwallswithin，latelylargeenoughtocompriseheavenandearth，seemednowcabinedandconfinedasafelon'sprison。HewelcomedthestepofMervaleathisthreshold，andunbarredthedoor。
　　"Andisthatallyouhavedone？"saidMervale，glancingdisdainfullyatthecanvas。"IsitforthisthatyouhaveshutyourselfoutfromthesunnydaysandmoonlitnightsofNaples？"
　　"Whilethefitwasonme，Ibaskedinabrightersun，andimbibedthevoluptuousluxuryofasoftermoon。"
　　"Youownthatthefitisover。Well，thatissomesignofreturningsense。Afterall，itisbettertodaubcanvasforthreedaysthanmakeafoolofyourselfforlife。Thislittlesiren？"
　　"Bedumb!Ihatetohearyounameher。"
　　MervaledrewhischairnearertoGlyndon's，thrusthishandsdeepinhisbreeches-pockets，stretchedhislegs，andwasabouttobeginaseriousstrainofexpostulation，whenaknockwasheardatthedoor，andNicot，withoutwaitingforleave，obtrudedhisuglyhead。
　　"Good-day，moncherconfrere。Iwishedtospeaktoyou。Hein!
　　youhavebeenatwork，Isee。Thisiswell，——verywell!Aboldoutline，——greatfreedominthatrighthand。But，hold!isthecompositiongood？Youhavenotgotthegreatpyramidalform。
　　Don'tyouthink，too，thatyouhavelosttheadvantageofcontrastinthisfigure；sincetherightlegisputforward，surelytherightarmshouldbeputback？Peste!butthatlittlefingerisveryfine!"
　　MervaledetestedNicot。Forallspeculators，Utopians，alterersoftheworld，andwanderersfromthehighroad，wereequallyhatefultohim；buthecouldhavehuggedtheFrenchmanatthatmoment。HesawinGlyndon'sexpressivecountenanceallthewearinessanddisgustheendured。Aftersowrappedastudy，tobepratedtoaboutpyramidalformsandrightarmsandrightlegs，theaccidenceoftheart，thewholeconceptiontobeoverlooked，andthecriticismtoendinapprovalofthelittlefinger!
　　"Oh，"saidGlyndon，peevishly，throwingtheclothoverhisdesign，"enoughofmypoorperformance。Whatisityouhavetosaytome？"
　　"Inthefirstplace，"saidNicot，huddlinghimselftogetheruponastool，——"inthefirstplace，thisSignorZanoni，——thissecondCagliostro，——whodisputesmydoctrines!nodoubtaspyofthemanCapetIamnotvindictive；asHelvetiussays，'ourerrorsarisefromourpassions。'Ikeepmineinorder；butitisvirtuoustohateinthecauseofmankind；IwouldIhadthedenouncingandthejudgingofSignorZanoniatParis。"AndNicot'ssmalleyesshotfire，andhegnashedhisteeth。
　　"Haveyouanynewcausetohatehim？"
　　"Yes，"saidNicot，fiercely。"Yes，IhearheiscourtingthegirlImeantomarry。"
　　"You!Whomdoyouspeakof？"
　　"ThecelebratedPisani!Sheisdivinelyhandsome。Shewouldmakemyfortuneinarepublic。Andarepublicweshallhavebeforetheyearisout。"
　　Mervalerubbedhishands，andchuckled。Glyndoncolouredwithrageandshame。
　　"DoyouknowtheSignoraPisani？Haveyoueverspokentoher？"
　　"Notyet。ButwhenImakeupmymindtoanything，itissoondone。IamabouttoreturntoParis。Theywritemewordthatahandsomewifeadvancesthecareerofapatriot。Theageofprejudiceisover。Thesublimervirtuesbegintobeunderstood。
　　IshalltakebackthehandsomestwifeinEurope。"
　　"Bequiet!Whatareyouabout？"saidMervale，seizingGlyndonashesawhimadvancetowardstheFrenchman，hiseyessparkling，andhishandsclenched。
　　"Sir!"saidGlyndon，betweenhisteeth，"youknownotofwhomyouthusspeak。DoyouaffecttosupposethatViolaPisaniwouldacceptYOU？"
　　"Notifshecouldgetabetteroffer，"saidMervale，lookinguptotheceiling。
　　"Abetteroffer？Youdon'tunderstandme，"saidNicot。"I，JeanNicot，proposetomarrythegirl；marryher!Othersmaymakehermoreliberaloffers，butnoone，Iapprehend，wouldmakeonesohonourable。Ialonehavepityonherfriendlesssituation。
　　Besides，accordingtothedawningstateofthings，onewillalways，inFrance，beabletogetridofawifewheneveronewishes。Weshallhavenewlawsofdivorce。DoyouimaginethatanItaliangirl——andinnocountryintheworldaremaidens，itseems，morechastethoughwivesmayconsolethemselveswithvirtuesmorephilosophical——wouldrefusethehandofanartistforthesettlementsofaprince？No；IthinkbetterofthePisanithanyoudo。Ishallhastentointroducemyselftoher。"
　　"Iwishyouallsuccess，MonsieurNicot，"saidMervale，rising，andshakinghimheartilybythehand。
　　Glyndoncastatthembothadisdainfulglance。
　　"Perhaps，MonsieurNicot，"saidhe，atlength，constraininghislipsintoabittersmile，——"perhapsyoumayhaverivals。"
　　"Somuchthebetter，"repliedMonsieurNicot，carelessly，kickinghisheelstogether，andappearingabsorbedinadmirationatthesizeofhislargefeet。
　　"ImyselfadmireViolaPisani。"
　　"Everypaintermust!"
　　"Imayofferhermarriageaswellasyourself。"
　　"Thatwouldbefollyinyou，thoughwisdominme。Youwouldnotknowhowtodrawprofitfromthespeculation!Cherconfrere，youhaveprejudices。"
　　"Youdonotdaretosayyouwouldmakeprofitfromyourownwife？"
　　"ThevirtuousCatolenthiswifetoafriend。Ilovevirtue，andIcannotdobetterthanimitateCato。Buttobeserious，——Idonotfearyouasarival。Youaregood-looking，andIamugly。
　　Butyouareirresolute，andIdecisive。Whileyouareutteringfinephrases，Ishallsay，simply，'Ihaveabonetat。Willyoumarryme？'Sodoyourworst，cherconfrere。Aurevoir，behindthescenes!"
　　Sosaying，Nicotrose，stretchedhislongarmsandshortlegs，yawnedtillheshowedallhisraggedteethfromeartoear，presseddownhiscaponhisshaggyheadwithanairofdefiance，andcastingoverhisleftshoulderaglanceoftriumphandmaliceattheindignantGlyndon，saunteredoutoftheroom。
　　Mervaleburstintoaviolentfitoflaughter。"SeehowyourViolaisestimatedbyyourfriend。Afinevictory，tocarryherofffromtheugliestdogbetweenLaplandandtheCalmucks。"
　　Glyndonwasyettooindignanttoanswer，whenanewvisitorarrived。ItwasZanonihimself。Mervale，onwhomtheappearanceandaspectofthispersonageimposedakindofreluctantdeference，whichhewasunwillingtoacknowledge，andstillmoretobetray，noddedtoGlyndon，andsaying，simply，"MorewhenI
　　seeyouagain，"leftthepainterandhisunexpectedvisitor。
　　"Isee，"saidZanoni，liftingtheclothfromthecanvas，"thatyouhavenotslightedtheadviceIgaveyou。Courage，youngartist；thisisanescapefromtheschools:thisisfulloftheboldself-confidenceofrealgenius。YouhadnoNicot——noMervale——atyourelbowwhenthisimageoftruebeautywasconceived!"
　　Charmedbacktohisartbythisunlooked-forpraise，Glyndonrepliedmodestly，"Ithoughtwellofmydesigntillthismorning；
　　andthenIwasdisenchantedofmyhappypersuasion。"
　　"Say，rather，that，unaccustomedtocontinuouslabour，youwerefatiguedwithyouremployment。"
　　"Thatistrue。ShallIconfessit？Ibegantomisstheworldwithout。Itseemedtomeasif，whileIlavishedmyheartandmyyouthuponvisionsofbeauty，Iwaslosingthebeautifulrealitiesofactuallife。AndIenviedthemerryfisherman，singingashepassedbelowmycasement，andtheloverconversingwithhismistress。"
　　"And，"saidZanoni，withanencouragingsmile，"doyoublameyourselfforthenaturalandnecessaryreturntoearth，inwhicheventhemosthabitualvisitoroftheHeavensofInventionseekshisrelaxationandrepose？Man'sgeniusisabirdthatcannotbealwaysonthewing；whenthecravingfortheactualworldisfelt，itisahungerthatmustbeappeased。Theywhocommandbesttheideal，enjoyevermostthereal。Seethetrueartist，whenabroadinmen'sthoroughfares，everobservant，everdivingintotheheart，everalivetotheleastastothegreatestofthecomplicatedtruthsofexistence；descendingtowhatpedantswouldcallthetrivialandthefrivolous。Fromeverymeshinthesocialweb，hecandisentangleagrace。Andforhimeachairygossamerfloatsinthegoldofthesunlight。Knowyounotthataroundtheanimalculethatsportsinthewaterthereshinesahalo，asaroundthestarThemonasmica，foundinthepurestpools，isencompassedwithahalo。Andthisisfrequentamongstmanyotherspeciesofanimalcule。thatrevolvesinbrightpastimethroughthespace？Trueartfindsbeautyeverywhere。Inthestreet，inthemarket-place，inthehovel，itgathersfoodforthehiveofitsthoughts。Inthemireofpolitics，DanteandMiltonselectedpearlsforthewreathofsong。
　　"WhoevertoldyouthatRaphaeldidnotenjoythelifewithout，carryingeverywherewithhimtheoneinwardideaofbeautywhichattractedandimbeddedinitsownambereverystrawthatthefeetofthedullmantrampledintomud？Assomelordoftheforestwandersabroadforitsprey，andscentsandfollowsitoverplainandhill，throughbrakeandjungle，but，seizingitatlast，bearsthequarrytoitsunwitnessedcave，——soGeniussearchesthroughwoodandwaste，untiringlyandeagerly，everysenseawake，everynervestrainedtospeedandstrength，forthescatteredandflyingimagesofmatter，thatitseizesatlastwithitsmightytalons，andbearsawaywithitintosolitudesnofootstepcaninvade。Go，seektheworldwithout；itisforarttheinexhaustiblepasture-groundandharvesttotheworldwithin!"
　　"Youcomfortme，"saidGlyndon，brightening。"Ihadimaginedmywearinessaproofofmydeficiency!ButnotnowwouldIspeaktoyouoftheselabours。Pardonme，ifIpassfromthetoiltothereward。Youhaveuttereddimpropheciesofmyfuture，ifIwedonewho，inthejudgmentofthesoberworld，wouldonlydarkenitsprospectsandobstructitsambition。Doyouspeakfromthewisdomwhichisexperience，orthatwhichaspirestoprediction？"
　　"Aretheynotallied？Isitnothebestaccustomedtocalculationwhocansolveataglanceanynewprobleminthearithmeticofchances？"
　　"Youevademyquestion。"
　　"No；butIwilladaptmyanswerthebettertoyourcomprehension，foritisuponthisverypointthatIhavesoughtyou。Listentome!"Zanonifixedhiseyesearnestlyonhislistener，andcontinued:"Fortheaccomplishmentofwhateverisgreatandlofty，theclearperceptionoftruthsisthefirstrequisite，——
　　truthsadaptedtotheobjectdesired。Thewarriorthusreducesthechancesofbattletocombinationsalmostofmathematics。Hecanpredictaresult，ifhecanbutdependuponthematerialsheisforcedtoemploy。Atsuchalosshecancrossthatbridge；insuchatimehecanreducethatfort。Stillmoreaccurately，forhedependslessonmaterialcausesthanideasathiscommand，canthecommanderofthepurerscienceordivinerart，ifheonceperceivethetruthsthatareinhimandaround，foretellwhathecanachieve，andinwhatheiscondemnedtofail。Butthisperceptionoftruthsisdisturbedbymanycauses，——vanity，passion，fear，indolenceinhimself，ignoranceofthefittingmeanswithouttoaccomplishwhathedesigns。Hemaymiscalculatehisownforces；hemayhavenochartofthecountryhewouldinvade。Itisonlyinapeculiarstateofthemindthatitiscapableofperceivingtruth；andthatstateisprofoundserenity。
　　Yourmindisfeveredbyadesirefortruth:youwouldcompelittoyourembraces；youwouldaskmetoimparttoyou，withoutordealorpreparation，thegrandestsecretsthatexistinNature。
　　Buttruthcannomorebeseenbythemindunpreparedforit，thanthesuncandawnuponthemidstofnight。Suchamindreceivestruthonlytopolluteit:tousethesimileofonewhohaswanderedneartothesecretofthesublimeGoetiaorthemagicthatlieswithinNature，aselectricitywithinthecloud，'Hewhopourswaterintothemuddywell，doesbutdisturbthemud。'"
　　"Iamb。deVit。Pythag。"
　　"Whatdoyoutendto？"
　　"This:thatyouhavefacultiesthatmayattaintosurpassingpower，thatmayrankyouamongthoseenchanterswho，greaterthanthemagian，leavebehindthemanenduringinfluence，worshippedwhereverbeautyiscomprehended，whereverthesoulissensibleofahigherworldthanthatinwhichmatterstrugglesforcrudeandincompleteexistence。
　　"Buttomakeavailablethosefaculties，needIbeaprophettotellyouthatyoumustlearntoconcentreupongreatobjectsallyourdesires？Theheartmustrest，thatthemindmaybeactive。
　　Atpresentyouwanderfromaimtoaim。Astheballasttotheship，sotothespiritarefaithandlove。Withyourwholeheart，affections，humanity，centredinoneobject，yourmindandaspirationswillbecomeequallysteadfastandinearnest。Violaisachildasyet；youdonotperceivethehighnaturethetrialsoflifewilldevelop。Pardonme，ifIsaythathersoul，purerandloftierthanyourown，willbearitupward，asasecrethymncarriesaloftthespiritsoftheworld。Yournaturewantstheharmony，themusicwhich，asthePythagoreanswiselytaught，atonceelevatesandsoothes。Iofferyouthatmusicinherlove。"
　　"ButamIsurethatshedoesloveme？"
　　"Artist，no；shelovesyounotatpresent；heraffectionsarefullofanother。ButifIcouldtransfertoyou，astheloadstonetransfersitsattractiontothemagnet，thelovethatshehasnowforme，——ifIcouldcausehertoseeinyoutheidealofherdreams——"
　　"Issuchagiftinthepowerofman？"
　　"Iofferittoyou，ifyourlovebelawful，ifyourfaithinvirtueandyourselfbedeepandloyal；ifnot，thinkyouthatI
　　woulddisenchantherwithtruthtomakeheradoreafalsehood？"
　　"Butif，"persistedGlyndon，——"ifshebeallthatyoutellme，andifsheloveyou，howcanyourobyourselfofsopricelessatreasure？"
　　"Oh，shallowandmeanheartofman!"exclaimedZanoni，withunaccustomedpassionandvehemence，"dostthouconceivesolittleofloveasnottoknowthatitsacrificesall——loveitself——forthehappinessofthethingitloves？Hearme!"AndZanoni'sfacegrewpale。"Hearme!Ipressthisuponyou，becauseIloveher，andbecauseIfearthatwithmeherfatewillbelessfairthanwithyourself。Why，——asknot，forIwillnottellyou。
　　Enough!Timepressesnowforyouranswer；itcannotlongbedelayed。Beforethenightofthethirddayfromthis，allchoicewillbeforbidyou!"
　　"But，"saidGlyndon，stilldoubtingandsuspicious，——"butwhythishaste？"
　　"Man，youarenotworthyofherwhenyouaskme。AllIcantellyouhere，youshouldhaveknownyourself。Thisravisher，thismanofwill，thissonoftheoldVisconti，unlikeyou，——
　　steadfast，resolute，earnesteveninhiscrimes，——neverrelinquishesanobject。Butonepassioncontrolshislust，——itishisavarice。ThedayafterhisattemptonViola，hisuncle，theCardinal——，fromwhomhehaslargeexpectationsoflandandgold，sentforhim，andforbadehim，onpainofforfeitingallthepossessionswhichhisschemesalreadyhadparcelledout，topursuewithdishonourabledesignsonewhomtheCardinalhadheededandlovedfromchildhood。Thisisthecauseofhispresentpausefromhispursuit。Whilewespeak，thecauseexpires。Beforethehandoftheclockreachesthehourofnoon，theCardinal——willbenomore。Atthisverymomentthyfriend，JeanNicot，iswiththePrincedi。"
　　"He!wherefore？"
　　"ToaskwhatdowershallgowithViolaPisani，themorningthatsheleavesthepalaceoftheprince。"
　　"Andhowdoyouknowallthis？"
　　"Fool!Itelltheeagain，becausealoverisawatcherbynightandday；becauseloveneversleepswhendangermenacesthebelovedone!"
　　"AndyouitwasthatinformedtheCardinal——？"
　　"Yes；andwhathasbeenmytaskmightaseasilyhavebeenthine。
　　Speak，——thineanswer!"
　　"Youshallhaveitonthethirddayfromthis。"
　　"Beitso。Putoff，poorwaverer，thyhappinesstothelasthour。Onthethirddayfromthis，Iwillasktheethyresolve。"
　　"Andwhereshallwemeet？"
　　"Beforemidnight，whereyoumayleastexpectme。Youcannotshunme，thoughyoumayseektodoso!"
　　"Stayonemoment!Youcondemnmeasdoubtful，irresolute，suspicious。HaveInocause？CanIyieldwithoutastruggletothestrangefascinationyouexertuponmymind？Whatinterestcanyouhaveinme，astranger，thatyoushouldthusdictatetomethegravestactioninthelifeofman？Doyousupposethatanyoneinhissenseswouldnotpause，anddeliberate，andaskhimself，'Whyshouldthisstrangercarethusforme？'"
　　"Andyet，"saidZanoni，"ifItoldtheethatIcouldinitiatetheeintothesecretsofthatmagicwhichthephilosophyofthewholeexistingworldtreatsasachimera，orimposture；ifI
　　promisedtoshowtheehowtocommandthebeingsofairandocean，howtoaccumulatewealthmoreeasilythanachildcangatherpebblesontheshore，toplaceinthyhandstheessenceoftheherbswhichprolonglifefromagetoage，themysteryofthatattractionbywhichtoawealldangeranddisarmallviolenceandsubduemanastheserpentcharmsthebird，——ifItoldtheethatalltheseitwasminetopossessandtocommunicate，thouwouldstlistentomethen，andobeymewithoutadoubt!"
　　"Itistrue；andIcanaccountforthisonlybytheimperfectassociationsofmychildhood，——bytraditionsinourhouseof——"
　　"Yourforefather，who，intherevivalofscience，soughtthesecretsofApolloniusandParacelsus。"
　　"What!"saidGlyndon，amazed，"areyousowellacquaintedwiththeannalsofanobscurelineage？"
　　"Tothemanwhoaspirestoknow，nomanwhohasbeenthemeaneststudentofknowledgeshouldbeunknown。YouaskmewhyIhaveshownthisinterestinyourfate？ThereisonereasonwhichI
　　havenotyettoldyou。Thereisafraternityastowhoselawsandwhosemysteriesthemostinquisitiveschoolmenareinthedark。Bythoselawsallarepledgedtowarn，toaid，andtoguideeventheremotestdescendantsofmenwhohavetoiled，thoughvainly，likeyourancestor，inthemysteriesoftheOrder。
　　Weareboundtoadvisethemtotheirwelfare；nay，more，——iftheycommandustoit，wemustacceptthemasourpupils。Iamasurvivorofthatmostancientandimmemorialunion。Thisitwasthatboundmetotheeatthefirst；this，perhaps，attractedthyselfunconsciously，SonofourBrotherhood，tome。"
　　"Ifthisbeso，Icommandthee，inthenameofthelawsthouobeyest，toreceivemeasthypupil!"
　　"Whatdoyouask？"saidZanoni，passionately。"Learn，first，theconditions。Noneophytemusthave，athisinitiation，oneaffectionordesirethatchainshimtotheworld。Hemustbepurefromtheloveofwoman，freefromavariceandambition，freefromthedreamsevenofart，orthehopeofearthlyfame。Thefirstsacrificethoumustmakeis——Violaherself。Andforwhat？
　　Foranordealthatthemostdaringcourageonlycanencounter，themostetherealnaturesalonesurvive!Thouartunfitforthesciencethathasmademeandotherswhatweareorhavebeen；forthywholenatureisonefear!"
　　"Fear!"criedGlyndon，colouringwithresentment，andrisingtothefullheightofhisstature。
　　"Fear!andtheworstfear，——fearoftheworld'sopinion；fearoftheNicotsandtheMervales；fearofthineownimpulseswhenmostgenerous；fearofthineownpowerswhenthygeniusismostbold；
　　fearthatvirtueisnoteternal；fearthatGoddoesnotliveinheaventokeepwatchonearth；fear，thefearoflittlemen；andthatfearisneverknowntothegreat。"
　　WiththesewordsZanoniabruptlylefttheartist，humbled，bewildered，andnotconvinced。Heremainedalonewithhisthoughtstillhewasarousedbythestrikingoftheclock；hethensuddenlyrememberedZanoni'spredictionoftheCardinal'sdeath；and，seizedwithanintensedesiretolearnitstruth，hehurriedintothestreets，——hegainedtheCardinal'spalace。FiveminutesbeforenoonhisEminencehadexpired，afteranillnessoflessthananhour。Zanoni'svisithadoccupiedmoretimethantheillnessoftheCardinal。Awedandperplexed，heturnedfromthepalace，andashewalkedthroughtheChiaja，hesawJeanNicotemergefromtheportalsofthePrincedi。
　　CHAPTER3。V。
　　TwolovesIhaveofcomfortanddespair，Whichliketwospiritsdosuggestmestill。
　　Shakespeare。
　　VenerableBrotherhood，sosacredandsolittleknown，fromwhosesecretandpreciousarchivesthematerialsforthishistoryhavebeendrawn；yewhohaveretained，fromcenturytocentury，allthattimehassparedoftheaugustandvenerablescience，——thankstoyou，ifnow，forthefirsttime，somerecordofthethoughtsandactionsofnofalseandself-styledluminaryofyourOrderbegiven，howeverimperfectly，totheworld。Manyhavecalledthemselvesofyourband；manyspuriouspretendershavebeenso-calledbythelearnedignorancewhichstill，baffledandperplexed，isdriventoconfessthatitknowsnothingofyourorigin，yourceremoniesordoctrines，norevenifyoustillhavelocalhabitationontheearth。ThankstoyouifI，theonlyoneofmycountry，inthisage，admitted，withaprofanefootstep，intoyourmysteriousAcademeThereaderwillhavethegoodnesstorememberthatthisissaidbytheauthoroftheoriginalMS。，notbytheeditor。，havebeenbyyouempoweredandinstructedtoadapttothecomprehensionoftheuninitiated，somefewofthestarrytruthswhichshoneonthegreatShemaiaoftheChaldeanLore，andgleameddimlythroughthedarkenedknowledgeoflatterdisciples，labouring，likePsellusandIamblichus，torevivetheembersofthefirewhichburnedintheHamarinoftheEast。
　　ThoughnottousofanagedandhoaryworldisvouchsafedtheNAMEwhich，sosaytheearliestoraclesoftheearth，"rushesintotheinfiniteworlds，"yetisitourstotracetherevivingtruths，througheachnewdiscoveryofthephilosopherandchemist。Thelawsofattraction，ofelectricity，andoftheyetmoremysteriousagencyofthatgreatprincipaloflife，which，ifdrawnfromtheuniverse，wouldleavetheuniverseagrave，werebutthecodeinwhichtheTheurgyofoldsoughttheguidesthatledittoalegislationandscienceofitsown。Torebuildonwordsthefragmentsofthishistory，itseemstomeasif，inasolemntrance，Iwasledthroughtheruinsofacitywhoseonlyremainsweretombs。FromthesarcophagusandtheurnIawakethegeniusTheGreekGeniusofDeath。oftheextinguishedTorch，andsocloselydoesitsshaperesembleEros，thatatmomentsI
　　scarcelyknowwhichofyedictatestome，——OLove!ODeath!
　　Anditstirredinthevirgin'sheart，——thisnew，unfathomable，anddivineemotion!Wasitonlytheordinaryaffectionofthepulseandthefancy，oftheeyetotheBeautiful，oftheeartotheEloquent，ordiditnotjustifythenotionsheherselfconceivedofit，——thatitwasbornnotofthesenses，thatitwaslessofearthlyandhumanlovethantheeffectofsomewondrousbutnotunholycharm？Isaidthat，fromthatdayinwhich，nolongerwithaweandtrembling，shesurrenderedherselftotheinfluenceofZanoni，shehadsoughttoputherthoughtsintowords。Letthethoughtsattesttheirownnature。
　　THESELFCONFESSIONAL。
　　"Isitthedaylightthatshinesonme，orthememoryofthypresence？WhereverIlook，theworldseemsfullofthee；ineveryraythattremblesonthewater，thatsmilesupontheleaves，Ibeholdbutalikenesstothineeyes。Whatisthischange，thataltersnotonlymyself，butthefaceofthewholeuniverse？……
　　Howinstantaneouslyleapedintolifethepowerwithwhichthouswayestmyheartinitsebbandflow。Thousandswerearoundme，andIsawbutthee。ThatwasthenightinwhichIfirstenteredupontheworldwhichcrowdslifeintoadrama，andhasnolanguagebutmusic。Howstrangelyandhowsuddenlywiththeebecamethatworldevermoreconnected!Whatthedelusionofthestagewastoothers，thypresencewastome。Mylife，too，seemedtocentreintothoseshorthours，andfromthylipsI
　　heardamusic，mutetoallearsbutmine。Isitintheroomwheremyfatherdwelt。Here，onthathappynight，forgettingwhyTHEYweresohappy，Ishrunkintotheshadow，andsoughttoguesswhatthouwerttome；andmymother'slowvoicewokeme，andI
　　crepttomyfather'sside，close——close，fromfearofmyownthoughts。
　　"Ah!sweetandsadwasthemorrowtothatnight，whenthylipswarnedmeofthefuture。Anorphannow，——whatistherethatlivesformetothinkof，todreamupon，torevere，butthou!
　　"Howtenderlythouhastrebukedmeforthegrievouswrongthatmythoughtsdidthee!WhyshouldIhaveshudderedtofeeltheeglancinguponmythoughtslikethebeamonthesolitarytree，towhichthoudidstoncelikenmesowell？Itwas——itwas，that，likethetree，Istruggledforthelight，andthelightcame。
　　Theytellmeoflove，andmyverylifeofthestagebreathesthelanguageofloveintomylips。No；againandagain，IknowTHAT
　　isnotthelovethatIfeelforthee!——itisnotapassion，itisathought!Iasknottobelovedagain。Imurmurnotthatthywordsaresternandthylooksarecold。IasknotifIhaverivals；Isighnottobefairinthineeyes。ItismySPIRIT
　　thatwouldblenditselfwiththine。Iwouldgiveworlds，thoughwewereapart，thoughoceansrolledbetweenus，toknowthehourinwhichthygazewasliftedtothestars，——inwhichthyheartpoureditselfinprayer。Theytellmethouartmorebeautifulthanthemarbleimagesthatarefairerthanallhumanforms；butIhaveneverdaredtogazesteadfastlyonthyface，thatmemorymightcomparetheewiththerest。Onlythineeyesandthysoft，calmsmilehauntme；aswhenIlookuponthemoon，allthatpassesintomyheartishersilentlight……
　　"Often，whentheairiscalm，IhavethoughtthatIhearthestrainsofmyfather'smusic；often，thoughlongstilledinthegrave，havetheywakedmefromthedreamsofthesolemnnight。
　　Methinks，erethoucomesttomethatIhearthemheraldthyapproach。MethinksIhearthemwailandmoan，whenIsinkbackintomyselfonseeingtheedepart。ThouartOFthatmusic，——itsspirit，itsgenius。Myfathermusthaveguessedattheeandthynativeregions，whenthewindshushedtolistentohistones，andtheworlddeemedhimmad!IhearwhereIsit，thefarmurmurofthesea。Murmuron，yeblessedwaters!Thewavesarethepulsesoftheshore。Theybeatwiththegladnessofthemorningwind，——
　　sobeatsmyheartinthefreshnessandlightthatmakeupthethoughtsofthee!……
　　"OfteninmychildhoodIhavemusedandaskedforwhatIwasborn；andmysoulansweredmyheartandsaid，'THOUWERTBORNTO
　　WORSHIP!'Yes；Iknowwhytherealworldhaseverseemedtomesofalseandcold。Iknowwhytheworldofthestagecharmedanddazzledme。Iknowwhyitwassosweettositapartandgazemywholebeingintothedistantheavens。Mynatureisnotformedforthislife，happythoughthatlifeseemtoothers。Itisitsverywanttohaveeverbeforeitsomeimageloftierthanitself!
　　Stranger，inwhatrealmabove，whenthegraveispast，shallmysoul，hourafterhour，worshipatthesamesourceasthine？……
　　"Inthegardensofmyneighbourthereisasmallfountain。I
　　stoodbyitthismorningaftersunrise。Howitsprungup，withitseagerspray，tothesunbeams!AndthenIthoughtthatI
　　shouldseetheeagainthisday，andsosprungmyhearttothenewmorningwhichthoubringestmefromtheskies……
　　"IHAVEseen，IhaveLISTENEDtotheeagain。HowboldIhavebecome!Iranonwithmychildlikethoughtsandstories，myrecollectionsofthepast，asifIhadknowntheefromaninfant。
　　Suddenlytheideaofmypresumptionstruckme。Istopped，andtimidlysoughtthineeyes。
　　"'Well，andwhenyoufoundthatthenightingalerefusedtosing？'——
　　"'Ah!'Isaid，'whattotheethishistoryoftheheartofachild？'
　　"'Viola，'didstthouanswer，withthatvoice，soinexpressiblycalmandearnest!——'Viola，thedarknessofachild'sheartisoftenbuttheshadowofastar。Speakon!Andthynightingale，whentheycaughtandcagedit，refusedtosing？'
　　"'AndIplacedthecageyonder，amidstthevine-leaves，andtookupmylute，andspoketoitonthestrings；forIthoughtthatallmusicwasitsnativelanguage，anditwouldunderstandthatI
　　soughttocomfortit。'
　　"'Yes，'saidstthou。'Andatlastitansweredthee，butnotwithsong，——inasharp，briefcry；somournful，thatthyhandsletfallthelute，andthetearsgushedfromthineeyes。Sosoftlydidstthouunbarthecage，andthenightingaleflewintoyonderthicket；andthouheardstthefoliagerustle，and，lookingthroughthemoonlight，thineeyessawthatithadfounditsmate。
　　Itsangtotheethenfromtheboughsalong，loud，joyousjubilee。Andmusing，thoudidstfeelthatitwasnotthevine-
　　leavesorthemoonlightthatmadethebirdgivemelodytonight，andthatthesecretofitsmusicwasthepresenceofathingbeloved。'
　　"HowdidstthouknowmythoughtsinthatchildliketimebetterthanIknewmyself!Howisthehumblelifeofmypastyears，withitsmeanevents，somysteriouslyfamiliartothee，brightstranger!Iwonder，——butIdonotagaindaretofearthee!……
　　"Oncethethoughtofhimoppressedandweighedmedown。Asaninfantthatlongsforthemoon，mybeingwasonevaguedesireforsomethingnevertobeattained。NowIfeelratherasiftothinkoftheesufficedtoremoveeveryfetterfrommyspirit。Ifloatinthestillseasoflight，andnothingseemstoohighformywings，toogloriousformyeyes。Itwasmineignorancethatmademefearthee。Aknowledgethatisnotinbooksseemstobreathearoundtheeasanatmosphere。HowlittlehaveIread!——howlittlehaveIlearned!Yetwhenthouartbymyside，itseemsasiftheveilwereliftedfromallwisdomandallNature。I
　　startlewhenIlookevenatthewordsIhavewritten；theyseemnottocomefrommyself，butarethesignsofanotherlanguagewhichthouhasttaughtmyheart，andwhichmyhandtracesrapidly，asatthydictation。Sometimes，whileIwriteormuse，IcouldfancythatIheardlightwingshoveringaroundme，andsawdimshapesofbeautyfloatinground，andvanishingastheysmileduponme。Nounquietandfearfuldreamevercomestomenowinsleep，yetsleepandwakingarealikebutasonedream。
　　InsleepIwanderwiththee，notthroughthepathsofearth，butthroughimpalpableair——anairwhichseemsamusic——upwardandupward，asthesoulmountsonthetonesofalyre!TillIknewthee，Iwasasaslavetotheearth。Thouhastgiventomethelibertyoftheuniverse!Before，itwaslife；itseemstomenowasifIhadcommencedeternity!