Glyndonrecoveredhimself，andspedonward。Below，heheardthevoiceofMervalecallingonhim，thoughhenolongersawhisform。Thesoundservedasaguide。Dizzyandbreathless，heboundedforward；when——hark!——asullen，slowrollingsoundedinhisear!Hehalted，——andturnedbacktogaze。Thefirehadoverfloweditscourse；ithadopeneditselfachannelamidstthefurrowsofthemountain。Thestreampursuedhimfast——fast；andthehotbreathofthechasingandpreternaturalfoecamecloserandcloseruponhischeek!Heturnedaside；heclimbeddesperatelywithhandsandfeetuponacragthat，totheright，brokethescathedandblastedlevelofthesoil。Thestreamrolledbesideandbeneathhim，andthentakingasuddenwindroundthespotonwhichhestood，interposeditsliquidfire，——abroadandimpassablebarrierbetweenhisresting-placeandescape。Therehestood，cutofffromdescent，andwithnoalternativebuttoretracehisstepstowardsthecrater，andthenceseek，withoutguideorclew，someotherpathway。
　　Foramomenthiscouragelefthim；hecriedindespair，andinthatoverstrainedpitchofvoicewhichisneverheardafaroff，totheguide，toMervale，toreturntoaidhim。
　　Noanswercame；andtheEnglishman，thusabandonedsolelytohisownresources，felthisspiritandenergyriseagainstthedanger。Heturnedback，andventuredasfartowardsthecraterasthenoxiousexhalationwouldpermit；then，gazingbelow，carefullyanddeliberatelyhechalkedoutforhimselfapathbywhichhetrustedtoshunthedirectionthefire-streamhadtaken，andtrodfirmlyandquicklyoverthecrumblingandheatedstrata。
　　Hehadproceededaboutfiftyyards，whenhehaltedabruptly；anunspeakableandunaccountablehorror，nothithertoexperiencedamidstallhisperil，cameoverhim。Heshookineverylimb；hismusclesrefusedhiswill，——hefelt，asitwere，palsiedanddeath-stricken。Thehorror，Isay，wasunaccountable，forthepathseemedclearandsafe。Thefire，aboveandbehind，burnedclearandfar；andbeyond，thestarslenthimtheircheeringguidance。Noobstaclewasvisible，——nodangerseemedathand。
　　Asthus，spell-bound，andpanic-stricken，hestoodchainedtothesoil，——hisbreastheaving，largedropsrollingdownhisbrow，andhiseyesstartingwildlyfromtheirsockets，——hesawbeforehim，atsomedistance，graduallyshapingitselfmoreandmoredistinctlytohisgaze，acolossalshadow；ashadowthatseemedpartiallyborrowedfromthehumanshape，butimmeasurablyabovethehumanstature；vague，dark，almostformless；anddiffering，hecouldnottellwhereorwhy，notonlyfromtheproportions，butalsofromthelimbsandoutlineofman。
　　Theglareofthevolcano，thatseemedtoshrinkandcollapsefromthisgiganticandappallingapparition，neverthelessthrewitslight，redlyandsteadily，uponanothershapethatstoodbeside，quietandmotionless；anditwas，perhaps，thecontrastofthesetwothings——theBeingandtheShadow——thatimpressedthebeholderwiththedifferencebetweenthem，——theManandtheSuperhuman。
　　Itwasbutforamoment——nay，forthetenthpartofamoment——
　　thatthissightwaspermittedtothewanderer。Asecondeddyofsulphureousvapoursfromthevolcano，yetmorerapidly，yetmoredenselythanitspredecessor，rolledoverthemountain；andeitherthenatureoftheexhalation，ortheexcessofhisowndread，wassuch，thatGlyndon，afteronewildgaspforbreath，fellsenselessontheearth。
　　CHAPTER3。XI。
　　Washab'ich，WennichnichtAlleshabe？——sprachderJungling。
　　"DasVerschleierteBildzuSais。"
　　"WhathaveI，ifIpossessnotAll？"saidtheyouth。
　　MervaleandtheItaliansarrivedinsafetyatthespotwheretheyhadleftthemules；andnottilltheyhadrecoveredtheirownalarmandbreathdidtheythinkofGlyndon。Butthen，astheminutespassed，andheappearednot，Mervale，whoseheartwasasgoodatleastashumanheartsareingeneral，grewseriouslyalarmed。Heinsistedonreturningtosearchforhisfriend；andbydintofprodigalpromisesprevailedatlastontheguidetoaccompanyhim。Thelowerpartofthemountainlaycalmandwhiteinthestarlight；andtheguide'spractisedeyecoulddiscernallobjectsonthesurfaceataconsiderabledistance。Theyhadnot，however，goneveryfar，beforetheyperceivedtwoformsslowlyapproachingthem。
　　Astheycamenear，Mervalerecognisedtheformofhisfriend。
　　"ThankHeaven，heissafe!"hecried，turningtotheguide。
　　"Holyangelsbefriendus!"saidtheItalian，trembling，——"beholdtheverybeingthatcrossedmelastFridaynight。Itishe，buthisfaceishumannow!"
　　"SignorInglese，"saidthevoiceofZanoni，asGlyndon——pale，wan，andsilent——returnedpassivelythejoyousgreetingofMervale，——"SignorInglese，Itoldyourfriendthatweshouldmeetto-night。YouseeyouhaveNOTfoiledmyprediction。"
　　"Buthow？——butwhere？"stammeredMervale，ingreatconfusionandsurprise。
　　"Ifoundyourfriendstretchedontheground，overpoweredbythemephiticexhalationofthecrater。Iborehimtoapureratmosphere；andasIknowthemountainwell，Ihaveconductedhimsafelytoyou。Thisisallourhistory。Yousee，sir，thatwereitnotforthatprophecywhichyoudesiredtofrustrate，yourfriendwoulderethistimehavebeenacorpse；oneminutemore，andthevapourhaddoneitswork。Adieu；goodnight，andpleasantdreams。"
　　"But，mypreserver，youwillnotleaveus？"saidGlyndon，anxiously，andspeakingforthefirsttime。"Willyounotreturnwithus？"
　　Zanonipaused，anddrewGlyndonaside。"Youngman，"saidhe，gravely，"itisnecessarythatweshouldagainmeetto-night。Itisnecessarythatyoushould，erethefirsthourofmorning，decideonyourownfate。Iknowthatyouhaveinsultedherwhomyouprofesstolove。Itisnottoolatetorepent。Consultnotyourfriend:heissensibleandwise；butnotnowishiswisdomneeded。Therearetimesinlifewhen，fromtheimagination，andnotthereason，shouldwisdomcome，——this，foryou，isoneofthem。Iasknotyouranswernow。Collectyourthoughts，——
　　recoveryourjadedandscatteredspirits。Itwantstwohoursofmidnight。BeforemidnightIwillbewithyou。"
　　"Incomprehensiblebeing!"repliedtheEnglishman，"Iwouldleavethelifeyouhavepreservedinyourownhands；butwhatIhaveseenthisnighthassweptevenViolafrommythoughts。Afiercerdesirethanthatofloveburnsinmyveins，——thedesirenottoresemblebuttosurpassmykind；thedesiretopenetrateandtosharethesecretofyourownexistence——thedesireofapreternaturalknowledgeandunearthlypower。Imakemychoice。
　　Inmyancestor'sname，Iadjureandremindtheeofthypledge。
　　Instructme；schoolme；makemethine；andIsurrendertotheeatonce，andwithoutamurmur，thewomanwhom，tillIsawthee，I
　　wouldhavedefiedaworldtoobtain。"
　　"Ibidtheeconsiderwell:ontheonehand，Viola，atranquilhome，ahappyandserenelife；ontheotherhand，allisdarkness，——darkness，thateventheseeyescannotpenetrate。"
　　"Butthouhasttoldme，thatifIwedViola，Imustbecontentedwiththecommonexistence，——ifIrefuse，itistoaspiretothyknowledgeandthypower。"
　　"Vainman，knowledgeandpowerarenothappiness。"
　　"Buttheyarebetterthanhappiness。Say!——ifImarryViola，wiltthoubemymaster，——myguide？Saythis，andIamresolved。
　　"Itwereimpossible。"
　　"ThenIrenounceher？Irenouncelove。Irenouncehappiness。
　　Welcomesolitude，——welcomedespair；iftheyaretheentrancestothydarkandsublimesecret。"
　　"Iwillnottakethyanswernow。Beforethelasthourofnightthoushaltgiveitinoneword，——ayorno!Farewelltillthen。"
　　Zanoniwavedhishand，and，descendingrapidly，wasseennomore。
　　Glyndonrejoinedhisimpatientandwonderingfriend；butMervale，gazingonhisface，sawthatagreatchangehadpassedthere。
　　Theflexileanddubiousexpressionofyouthwasforevergone。
　　Thefeatureswerelocked，rigid，andstern；andsofadedwasthenaturalbloom，thatanhourseemedtohavedonetheworkofyears。
　　CHAPTER3。XII。
　　Wasist'sDashinterdiesemSchleiersichverbirgt？
　　"DasVerschleierteBildzuSais。"
　　Whatisitthatconcealsitselfbehindthisveil？
　　OnreturningfromVesuviusorPompeii，youenterNaplesthroughitsmostanimated，itsmostNeapolitanquarter，——throughthatquarterinwhichmodernlifemostcloselyresemblestheancient；
　　andinwhich，when，onafair-day，thethoroughfareswarmsalikewithIndolenceandTrade，youareimpressedatoncewiththerecollectionofthatrestless，livelyracefromwhichthepopulationofNaplesderivesitsorigin；sothatinonedayyoumayseeatPompeiithehabitationsofaremoteage；andontheMole，atNaples，youmayimagineyoubeholdtheverybeingswithwhomthosehabitationshadbeenpeopled。
　　Butnow，astheEnglishmenrodeslowlythroughthedesertedstreets，lightedbutbythelampsofheaven，allthegayetyofdaywashushedandbreathless。Hereandthere，stretchedunderaporticooradingybooth，weresleepinggroupsofhouselessLazzaroni，——atribenowmergingitsindolentindividualityamidstanenergeticandactivepopulation。
　　TheEnglishmanrodeoninsilence；forGlyndonneitherappearedtoheednorhearthequestionsandcommentsofMervale，andMervalehimselfwasalmostaswearyasthejadedanimalhebestrode。
　　Suddenlythesilenceofearthandoceanwasbrokenbythesoundofadistantclockthatproclaimedthequarterprecedingthelasthourofnight。Glyndonstartedfromhisreverie，andlookedanxiouslyround。Asthefinalstrokedied，thenoiseofhoofsrungonthebroadstonesofthepavement，andfromanarrowstreettotherightemergedtheformofasolitaryhorseman。HenearedtheEnglishmen，andGlyndonrecognisedthefeaturesandmienofZanoni。
　　"What!dowemeetagain，signor？"saidMervale，inavexedbutdrowsytone。
　　"YourfriendandIhavebusinesstogether，"repliedZanoni，ashewheeledhissteedtothesideofGlyndon。"Butitwillbesoontransacted。Perhapsyou，sir，willrideontoyourhotel。"
　　"Alone!"
　　"Thereisnodanger!"returnedZanoni，withaslightexpressionofdisdaininhisvoice。
　　"Nonetome；buttoGlyndon？"
　　"Dangerfromme!Ah，perhapsyouareright。"
　　"Goon，mydearMervale，"saidGlyndon；"Iwilljoinyoubeforeyoureachthehotel。"
　　Mervalenodded，whistled，andpushedhishorseintoakindofamble。
　　"Nowyouranswer，——quick？"
　　"Ihavedecided。TheloveofViolahasvanishedfrommyheart。
　　Thepursuitisover。"
　　"Youhavedecided？"
　　"Ihave；andnowmyreward。"
　　"Thyreward!Well；erethishourto-morrowitshallawaitthee。"
　　Zanonigavethereintohishorse；itsprangforwardwithabound:thesparksflewfromitshoofs，andhorseandriderdisappearedamidsttheshadowsofthestreetwhencetheyhademerged。
　　Mervalewassurprisedtoseehisfriendbyhisside，aminuteaftertheyhadparted。
　　"WhathaspassedbetweenyouandZanoni？"
　　"Mervale，donotaskmeto-night!Iaminadream。"
　　"Idonotwonderatit，forevenIaminasleep。Letuspushon。"
　　Intheretirementofhischamber，Glyndonsoughttorecollecthisthoughts。Hesatdownonthefootofhisbed，andpressedhishandstightlytohisthrobbingtemples。Theeventsofthelastfewhours；theapparitionofthegiganticandshadowyCompanionoftheMystic，amidstthefiresandcloudsofVesuvius；thestrangeencounterwithZanonihimself，onaspotinwhichhecouldnever，byordinaryreasoning，havecalculatedonfindingGlyndon，filledhismindwithemotions，inwhichterrorandawetheleastprevailed。Afire，thetrainofwhichhadbeenlonglaid，waslightedathisheart，——theasbestos-firethat，oncelit，isnevertobequenched。Allhisearlyaspirations——hisyoungambition，hislongingsforthelaurel——weremergedinonepassionateyearningtosurpasstheboundsofthecommonknowledgeofman，andreachthatsolemnspot，betweentwoworlds，onwhichthemysteriousstrangerappearedtohavefixedhishome。
　　Farfromrecallingwithrenewedaffrighttheremembranceoftheapparitionthathadsoappalledhim，therecollectiononlyservedtokindleandconcentratehiscuriosityintoaburningfocus。Hehadsaidaright，——LOVEHADVANISHEDFROMHISHEART；therewasnolongeraserenespaceamidstitsdisorderedelementsforhumanaffectiontomoveandbreathe。Theenthusiastwasraptfromthisearth；andhewouldhavesurrenderedallthatmortalbeautyeverpromised，thatmortalhopeeverwhispered，foronehourwithZanonibeyondtheportalsofthevisibleworld。
　　Herose，oppressedandfeveredwiththenewthoughtsthatragedwithinhim，andthrewopenhiscasementforair。Theoceanlaysuffusedinthestarrylight，andthestillnessoftheheavensnevermoreeloquentlypreachedthemoralityofreposetothemadnessofearthlypassions。ButsuchwasGlyndon'smoodthattheirveryhushonlyservedtodeepenthewilddesiresthatpreyeduponhissoul；andthesolemnstars，thataremysteriesinthemselves，seemed，byakindredsympathy，toagitatethewingsofthespiritnolongercontentedwithitscage。Ashegazed，astarshotfromitsbrethren，andvanishedfromthedepthofspace!
　　CHAPTER3。XIII。
　　O，begone!
　　ByHeaven，Ilovetheebetterthanmyself，ForIcamehitherarmedagainstmyself。
　　"RomeoandJuliet。"
　　TheyoungactressandGionettahadreturnedfromthetheatre；andViolafatiguedandexhausted，hadthrownherselfonasofa，whileGionettabusiedherselfwiththelongtresseswhich，releasedfromthefilletthatboundthem，half-concealedtheformoftheactress，likeaveilofthreadsofgold。Asshesmoothedtheluxuriantlocks，theoldnurserangossipingonaboutthelittleeventsofthenight，thescandalandpoliticsofthescenesandthetireroom。Gionettawasaworthysoul。Almanzor，inDryden'stragedyof"Almahide，"didnotchangesideswithmoregallantindifferencethantheexemplarynurse。ShewasatlastgrievedandscandalisedthatViolahadnotselectedonechosencavalier。
　　Butthechoicesheleftwhollytoherfaircharge。ZegriorAbencerrage，GlyndonorZanoni，ithadbeenthesametoher，exceptthattherumoursshehadcollectedrespectingthelatter，combinedwithhisownrecommendationsofhisrival，hadgivenherpreferencetotheEnglishman。SheinterpretedilltheimpatientandheavysighwithwhichViolagreetedherpraisesofGlyndon，andherwonderthathehadoflatesoneglectedhisattentionsbehindthescenes，andsheexhaustedallherpowersofpanegyricuponthesupposedobjectofthesigh。"Andthen，too，"shesaid，"ifnothingelseweretobesaidagainsttheothersignor，itisenoughthatheisabouttoleaveNaples。"
　　"LeaveNaples!——Zanoni？"
　　"Yes，darling!InpassingbytheMoleto-day，therewasacrowdroundsomeoutlandish-lookingsailors。Hisshiparrivedthismorning，andanchorsinthebay。Thesailorssaythattheyaretobepreparedtosailwiththefirstwind；theyweretakinginfreshstores。They——"
　　"Leaveme，Gionetta!Leaveme!"
　　ThetimehadalreadypassedwhenthegirlcouldconfideinGionetta。Herthoughtshadadvancedtothatpointwhentheheartrecoilsfromallconfidence，andfeelsthatitcannotbecomprehended。Alonenow，intheprincipalapartmentofthehouse，shepaceditsnarrowboundarieswithtremulousandagitatedsteps:sherecalledthefrightfulsuitofNicot，——theinjurioustauntofGlyndon；andshesickenedattheremembranceofthehollowapplauseswhich，bestowedontheactress，notthewoman，onlysubjectedhertocontumelyandinsult。Inthatroomtherecollectionofherfather'sdeath，thewitheredlaurelandthebrokenchords，rosechillinglybeforeher。Hers，shefelt，wasayetgloomierfate，——thechordsmaybreakwhilethelaurelisyetgreen。Thelamp，waninginitssocket，burnedpaleanddim，andhereyesinstinctivelyturnedfromthedarkercorneroftheroom。Orphan，bythehearthofthyparent，dostthoufearthepresenceofthedead!
　　AndwasZanoniindeedabouttoquitNaples？Shouldsheseehimnomore？Oh，fool，tothinkthattherewasgriefinanyotherthought!Thepast!——thatwasgone!Thefuture!——therewasnofuturetoher，Zanoniabsent!ButthiswasthenightofthethirddayonwhichZanonihadtoldherthat，comewhatmight，hewouldvisitheragain。Itwas，then，ifshemightbelievehim，someappointedcrisisinherfate；andhowshouldshetellhimofGlyndon'shatefulwords？Thepureandtheproudmindcanneverconfideitswrongstoanother，onlyitstriumphsanditshappiness。ButatthatlatehourwouldZanonivisither，——couldshereceivehim？Midnightwasathand。Stillinundefinedsuspense，inintenseanxiety，shelingeredintheroom。Thequarterbeforemidnightsounded，dullanddistant。Allwasstill，andshewasabouttopasstohersleeping-room，whensheheardthehoofsofahorseatfullspeed；thesoundceased，therewasaknockatthedoor。Herheartbeatviolently；butfeargavewaytoanothersentimentwhensheheardavoice，toowellknown，callingonhername。Shepaused，andthen，withthefearlessnessofinnocence，descendedandunbarredthedoor。
　　Zanonienteredwithalightandhastystep。Hishorseman'scloakfittedtightlytohisnobleform，andhisbroadhatthrewagloomyshadeoverhiscommandingfeatures。
　　Thegirlfollowedhimintotheroomshehadjustleft，tremblingandblushingdeeply，andstoodbeforehimwiththelampsheheldshiningupwardonhercheekandthelonghairthatfelllikeashoweroflightoverthehalf-cladshouldersandheavingbust。
　　"Viola，"saidZanoni，inavoicethatspokedeepemotion，"Iambythysideoncemoretosavethee。Notamomentistobelost。
　　Thoumustflywithme，orremainthevictimofthePrincedi。
　　IwouldhavemadethechargeInowundertakeanother's；thouknowestIwould，——thouknowestit!——butheisnotworthyofthee，thecoldEnglishman!Ithrowmyselfatthyfeet；havetrustinme，andfly。"
　　Hegraspedherhandpassionatelyashedroppedonhisknee，andlookedupintoherfacewithhisbright，beseechingeyes。
　　"Flywiththee!"saidViola，scarcebelievinghersenses。
　　"Withme。Name，fame，honour，——allwillbesacrificedifthoudostnot。"
　　"Then——then，"saidthewildgirl，falteringly，andturningasideherface，——"thenIamnotindifferenttothee；thouwouldstnotgivemetoanother？"
　　Zanoniwassilent；buthisbreastheaved，hischeeksflushed，hiseyesdarteddarkandimpassionedfire。
　　"Speak!"exclaimedViola，injealoussuspicionofhissilence。
　　"Indifferenttome!No；butIdarenotyetsaythatIlovethee。"
　　"Thenwhatmattersmyfate？"saidViola，turningpale，andshrinkingfromhisside；"leaveme，——Ifearnodanger。Mylife，andthereforemyhonour，isinmineownhands。"
　　"Benotsomad，"saidZanoni。"Hark!doyouheartheneighofmysteed？——itisanalarmthatwarnsusoftheapproachingperil。
　　Haste，oryouarelost!"
　　"Whydostthoucareforme？"saidthegirl，bitterly。"Thouhastreadmyheart；thouknowestthatthouartbecomethelordofmydestiny。Buttobeboundbeneaththeweightofacoldobligation；tobethebeggarontheeyesofindifference；tocastmyselfononewholovesmenot，——THATwereindeedthevilestsinofmysex。Ah，Zanoni，ratherletmedie!"
　　Shehadthrownbackherclusteringhairfromherfacewhileshespoke；andasshenowstood，withherarmsdroopingmournfully，andherhandsclaspedtogetherwiththeproudbitternessofherwaywardspirit，givingnewzestandcharmtohersingularbeauty，itwasimpossibletoconceiveasightmoreirresistibletotheeyeandtheheart。
　　"Temptmenottothineowndanger，——perhapsdestruction!"
　　exclaimedZanoni，infalteringaccents。"Thoucanstnotdreamofwhatthouwouldstdemand，——come!"and，advancing，hewoundhisarmroundherwaist。"Come，Viola；believeatleastinmyfriendship，myhonour，myprotection——"
　　"Andnotthylove，"saidtheItalian，turningonhimherreproachfuleyes。Thoseeyesmethis，andhecouldnotwithdrawfromthecharmoftheirgaze。Hefeltherheartthrobbingbeneathhisown；herbreathcamewarmuponhischeek。Hetrembled，——HE!thelofty，themysteriousZanoni，whoseemedtostandalooffromhisrace。Withadeepandburningsigh，hemurmured，"Viola，Ilovethee!Oh!"hecontinuedpassionately，and，releasinghishold，hethrewhimselfabruptlyatherfeet，"Inomorecommand，——aswomanshouldbewooed，Iwoothee。Fromthefirstglanceofthoseeyes，fromthefirstsoundofthyvoice，thoubecamesttoofatallydeartome。Thouspeakestoffascination，——itlivesanditbreathesinthee!IfledfromNaplestoflyfromthypresence，——itpursuedme。Months，yearspassed，andthysweetfacestillshoneuponmyheart。I
　　returned，becauseIpicturedtheealoneandsorrowfulintheworld，andknewthatdangers，fromwhichImightsavethee，weregatheringneartheeandaround。BeautifulSoul!whoseleavesI
　　havereadwithreverence，itwasforthysake，thinealone，thatIwouldhavegiventheetoonewhomightmaketheehappieronearththanIcan。Viola!Viola!thouknowestnot——nevercanstthouknow——howdearthouarttome!"
　　Itisinvaintoseekforwordstodescribethedelight——theproud，thefull，thecomplete，andtheentiredelight——thatfilledtheheartoftheNeapolitan。Hewhomshehadconsideredtooloftyevenforlove，——morehumbletoherthanthoseshehadhalf-despised!Shewassilent，buthereyesspoketohim；andthenslowly，asaware，atlast，thatthehumanlovehadadvancedontheideal，sheshrankintotheterrorsofamodestandvirtuousnature。Shedidnotdare，——shedidnotdreamtoaskhimthequestionshehadsofearlesslymadetoGlyndon；butshefeltasuddencoldness，——asensethatabarrierwasyetbetweenloveandlove。"Oh，Zanoni!"shemurmured，withdowncasteyes，"askmenottoflywiththee；temptmenottomyshame。Thouwouldstprotectmefromothers。Oh，protectmefromthyself!"
　　"Poororphan!"saidhe，tenderly，"andcanstthouthinkthatI
　　askfromtheeonesacrifice，——stilllessthegreatestthatwomancangivetolove？AsmywifeIwoothee，andbyeverytie，andbyeveryvowthatcanhallowandendearaffection。Alas!theyhavebeliedlovetotheeindeed，ifthoudostnotknowthereligionthatbelongstoit!Theywhotrulylovewouldseek，forthetreasuretheyobtain，everybondthatcanmakeitlastingandsecure。Viola，weepnot，unlessthougivestmetheholyrighttokissawaythytears!"
　　Andthatbeautifulface，nomoreaverted，droopeduponhisbosom；
　　andashebentdown，hislipssoughttherosymouth:alongandburningkiss，——danger，life，theworldwasforgotten!SuddenlyZanonitorehimselffromher。
　　"Hearestthouthewindthatsighs，anddiesaway？Asthatwind，mypowertopreservethee，toguardthee，toforeseethestorminthyskies，isgone。Nomatter。Haste，haste；andmaylovesupplythelossofallthatithasdaredtosacrifice!Come。"
　　Violahesitatednomore。Shethrewhermantleoverhershoulders，andgatheredupherdishevelledhair；amoment，andshewasprepared，whenasuddencrashwasheardbelow。
　　"Toolate!——foolthatIwas，toolate!"criedZanoni，inasharptoneofagony，ashehurriedtothedoor。Heopenedit，onlytobebornebackbythepressofarmedmen。Theroomliterallyswarmedwiththefollowersoftheravisher，masked，andarmedtotheteeth。
　　Violawasalreadyinthegraspoftwoofthemyrmidons。HershrieksmotetheearofZanoni。Hesprangforward；andViolaheardhiswildcryinaforeigntongue。Shesawthebladesoftheruffianspointedathisbreast!Shelosthersenses；andwhensherecovered，shefoundherselfgagged，andinacarriagethatwasdrivenrapidly，bythesideofamaskedandmotionlessfigure。Thecarriagestoppedattheportalsofagloomymansion。
　　Thegatesopenednoiselessly；abroadflightofsteps，brilliantlyillumined，wasbeforeher。ShewasinthepalaceofthePrincedi。
　　CHAPTER3。XIV。
　　Malasciamo，perDio，Signore，ormaiDiparlard'ira，edicantardimorte。
　　"OrlandoFurioso，"Cantoxvii。xvii。
　　Butleaveme，Isolemnlyconjurethee，signor，tospeakofwrath，andtosingofdeath。
　　Theyoungactresswasledto，andleftaloneinachamberadornedwithalltheluxuriousandhalf-EasterntastethatatonetimecharacterisedthepalacesofthegreatseigneursofItaly。HerfirstthoughtwasforZanoni。Washeyetliving？Hadheescapedunscathedthebladesofthefoe，——hernewtreasure，thenewlightofherlife，herlord，atlastherlover？
　　Shehadshorttimeforreflection。Sheheardstepsapproachingthechamber；shedrewback，buttremblednot。Acouragenotofherself，neverknownbefore，sparkledinhereyes，anddilatedherstature。Livingordead，shewouldbefaithfulstilltoZanoni!Therewasanewmotivetothepreservationofhonour。
　　Thedooropened，andtheprinceenteredinthegorgeousandgaudycustumestillwornatthattimeinNaples。
　　"Fairandcruelone，"saidhe，advancingwithahalf-sneeruponhislip，"thouwiltnottooharshlyblametheviolenceoflove。"
　　Heattemptedtotakeherhandashespoke。
　　"Nay，"saidhe，assherecoiled，"reflectthatthouartnowinthepowerofonethatneverfalteredinthepursuitofanobjectlessdeartohimthanthouart。Thylover，presumptuousthoughhebe，isnotbytosavethee。Minethouart；butinsteadofthymaster，suffermetobethyslave。"
　　"Prince，"saidViola，withasterngravity，"yourboastisinvain。Yourpower!IamNOTinyourpower。Lifeanddeathareinmyownhands。Iwillnotdefy；butIdonotfearyou。I
　　feel——andinsomefeelings，"addedViola，withasolemnityalmostthrilling，"thereisallthestrength，andallthedivinityofknowledge——IfeelthatIamsafeevenhere；butyou——you，Princedi——，havebroughtdangertoyourhomeandhearth!"
　　TheNeapolitanseemedstartledbyanearnestnessandboldnesshewasbutlittlepreparedfor。Hewasnot，however，amaneasilyintimidatedordeterredfromanypurposehehadformed；and，approachingViola，hewasabouttoreplywithmuchwarmth，realoraffected，whenaknockwasheardatthedoorofthechamber。
　　Thesoundwasrepeated，andtheprince，chafedattheinterruption，openedthedooranddemandedimpatientlywhohadventuredtodisobeyhisorders，andinvadehisleisure。Mascaripresentedhimself，paleandagitated:"Mylord，"saidhe，inawhisper，"pardonme；butastrangerisbelow，whoinsistsonseeingyou；and，fromsomewordsheletfall，Ijudgeditadvisableeventoinfringeyourcommands。"
　　"Astranger!——andatthishour!Whatbusinesscanhepretend？
　　Whywasheevenadmitted？"
　　"Heassertsthatyourlifeisinimminentdanger。ThesourcewhenceitproceedshewillrelatetoyourExcellencyalone。"
　　Theprincefrowned；buthiscolourchanged。Hemusedamoment，andthen，re-enteringthechamberandadvancingtowardsViola，hesaid，——
　　"Believeme，faircreature，Ihavenowishtotakeadvantageofmypower。Iwouldfaintrustalonetothegentlerauthoritiesofaffection。Holdyourselfqueenwithinthesewallsmoreabsolutelythanyouhaveeverenactedthatpartonthestage。
　　To-night，farewell!Mayyoursleepbecalm，andyourdreamspropitioustomyhopes。"
　　Withthesewordsheretired，andinafewmomentsViolawassurroundedbyofficiousattendants，whomsheatlength，withsomedifficulty，dismissed；and，refusingtoretiretorest，shespentthenightinexaminingthechamber，whichshefoundwassecured，andinthoughtsofZanoni，inwhosepowershefeltanalmostpreternaturalconfidence。
　　Meanwhiletheprincedescendedthestairsandsoughttheroomintowhichthestrangerhadbeenshown。
　　Hefoundthevisitorwrappedfromheadtofootinalongrobe，half-gown，half-mantle，suchaswassometimeswornbyecclesiastics。Thefaceofthisstrangerwasremarkable。Sosunburntandswarthywerehishues，thathemust，apparently，havederivedhisoriginamongsttheracesofthefarthestEast。
　　Hisforeheadwaslofty，andhiseyessopenetratingyetsocalmintheirgazethattheprinceshrankfromthemasweshrinkfromaquestionerwhoisdrawingforththeguiltiestsecretofourhearts。
　　"Whatwouldyouwithme？"askedtheprince，motioninghisvisitortoaseat。
　　"Princeof——，"saidthestranger，inavoicedeepandsweet，butforeigninitsaccent，——"sonofthemostenergeticandmasculineracethateverappliedgodlikegeniustotheserviceofHumanWill，withitswindingwickednessanditsstubborngrandeur；
　　descendantofthegreatViscontiinwhosechroniclesliesthehistoryofItalyinherpalmyday，andinwhoserisewasthedevelopmentofthemightiestintellect，ripenedbythemostrestlessambition，——Icometogazeuponthelaststarinadarkeningfirmament。Bythishourto-morrowspaceshallknowitnot。Man，unlessthywholenaturechange，thydaysarenumbered!"
　　"Whatmeansthisjargon？"saidtheprince，invisibleastonishmentandsecretawe。"Comestthoutomenacemeinmyownhalls，orwouldstthouwarnmeofadanger？Artthousomeitinerantmountebank，orsomeunguessed-offriend？Speakout，andplainly。Whatdangerthreatensme？"
　　"Zanoniandthyancestor'ssword，"repliedthestranger。
　　"Ha!ha!"saidtheprince，laughingscournfully；"I
　　half-suspectedtheefromthefirst。Thouartthentheaccompliceorthetoolofthatmostdexterous，but，atpresent，defeatedcharlatan？AndIsupposethouwilttellmethatifIweretoreleaseacertaincaptiveIhavemade，thedangerwouldvanish，andthehandofthedialwouldbeputback？"
　　"Judgeofmeasthouwilt，Princedi。IconfessmyknowledgeofZanoni。Thou，too，wiltknowhispower，butnottillitconsumethee。Iwouldsave，thereforeIwarnthee。Dostthouaskmewhy？Iwilltellthee。Canstthouremembertohaveheardwildtalesofthygrandsire；ofhisdesireforaknowledgethatpassesthatoftheschoolsandcloisters；ofastrangemanfromtheEastwhowashisfamiliarandmasterinloreagainstwhichtheVaticanhas，fromagetoage，launcheditsmimicthunder？
　　Dostthoucalltomindthefortunesofthyancestor？——howhesucceededinyouthtolittlebutaname；how，afteracareerwildanddissoluteasthine，hedisappearedfromMilan，apauper，andaself-exile；how，afteryearsspent，noneknewinwhatclimesorinwhatpursuits，heagainrevisitedthecitywherehisprogenitorshadreigned；howwithhimcamethewisemanoftheEast，themysticMejnour；howtheywhobeheldhim，beheldwithamazeandfearthattimehadploughednofurrowonhisbrow；thatyouthseemedfixed，asbyaspell，uponhisfaceandform？Dostthounotknowthatfromthathourhisfortunesrose？Kinsmenthemostremotedied；estateuponestatefellintothehandsoftheruinednoble。Hebecametheguideofprinces，thefirstmagnateofItaly。Hefoundedanewthehouseofwhichthouartthelastlinealupholder，andtransferredhissplendourfromMilantotheSicilianrealms。Visionsofhighambitionwerethenpresentwithhimnightlyanddaily。Hadhelived，Italywouldhaveknownanewdynasty，andtheViscontiwouldhavereignedoverMagna-
　　Graecia。Hewasamansuchastheworldrarelysees；buthisends，tooearthly，wereatwarwiththemeanshesought。Hadhisambitionbeenmoreorless，hehadbeenworthyofarealmmightierthantheCaesarsswayed；worthyofoursolemnorder；
　　worthyofthefellowshipofMejnour，whomyounowbeholdbeforeyou。"
　　Theprince，whohadlistenedwithdeepandbreathlessattentiontothewordsofhissingularguest，startedfromhisseatathislastwords。"Imposter!"hecried，"canyoudarethustoplaywithmycredulity？Sixtyyearshaveflownsincemygrandsiredied；wereheliving，hehadpassedhishundredandtwentiethyear；andyou，whoseoldageiserectandvigorous，havetheassurancetopretendtohavebeenhiscontemporary!Butyouhaveimperfectlylearnedyourtale。Youknownot，itseems，thatmygrandsire，wiseandillustriousindeed，inallsavehisfaithinacharlatan，wasfounddeadinhisbed，intheveryhourwhenhiscolossalplanswereripeforexecution，andthatMejnourwasguiltyofhismurder。"
　　"Alas!"answeredthestranger，inavoiceofgreatsadness，"hadhebutlistenedtoMejnour，——hadhebutdelayedthelastandmostperilousordealofdaringwisdomuntiltherequisitetrainingandinitiationhadbeencompleted，——yourancestorwouldhavestoodwithmeuponaneminencewhichthewatersofDeathitselfwasheverlastingly，butcannotoverflow。Yourgrandsireresistedmyferventprayers，disobeyedmymostabsolutecommands，andinthesublimerashnessofasoulthatpantedforsecrets，whichhewhodesiresorbsandsceptresnevercanobtain，perished，thevictimofhisownfrenzy。"
　　"Hewaspoisoned，andMejnourfled。"
　　"Mejnourflednot，"answeredthestranger，proudly——"Mejnourcouldnotflyfromdanger；fortohimdangerisathinglongleftbehind。Itwasthedaybeforetheduketookthefataldraftwhichhebelievedwastoconferonthemortaltheimmortalboon，that，findingmypoweroverhimwasgone，Iabandonedhimtohisdoom。Butatrucewiththis:Ilovedyourgrandsire!Iwouldsavethelastofhisrace。OpposenotthyselftoZanoni。Yieldnotthysoultothineevilpassions。Drawbackfromtheprecipicewhilethereisyettime。Inthyfront，andinthineeyes，Idetectsomeofthatdivinerglorywhichbelongedtothyrace。Thouhastintheesomegermsoftheirhereditarygenius，buttheyarechokedupbyworsethanthyhereditaryvices。
　　Recollectthatbygeniusthyhouserose；byviceiteverfailedtoperpetuateitspower。Inthelawswhichregulatetheuniverse，itisdecreedthatnothingwickedcanlongendure。Bewise，andlethistorywarnthee。Thoustandestonthevergeoftwoworlds，thepastandthefuture；andvoicesfromeithershriekomeninthyear。Ihavedone。Ibidtheefarewell!"
　　"Notso；thoushaltnotquitthesewalls。Iwillmakeexperimentofthyboastedpower。What，hothere!——ho!"
　　Theprinceshouted；theroomwasfilledwithhisminions。
　　"Seizethatman!"hecried，pointingtothespotwhichhadbeenfilledbytheformofMejnour。Tohisinconceivableamazeandhorror，thespotwasvacant。Themysteriousstrangerhadvanishedlikeadream；butathinandfragrantmistundulated，inpalevolumes，roundthewallsofthechamber。"Looktomylord，"
　　criedMascari。Theprincehadfallentothefloorinsensible。
　　Formanyhoursheseemedinakindoftrance。Whenherecovered，hedismissedhisattendants，andhisstepwasheardinhischamber，pacingtoandfro，withheavyanddisorderedstrides。
　　Nottillanhourbeforehisbanquetthenextdaydidheseemrestoredtohiswontedself。
　　CHAPTER3。XV。
　　Oime!comeposs'ioAltritrovar，semetrovarnonposso。
　　"Amint。，"At。i。Sc。ii。
　　Alas!howcanIfindanotherwhenIcannotfindmyself？
　　ThesleepofGlyndon，thenightafterhislastinterviewwithZanoni，wasunusuallyprofound；andthesunstreamedfulluponhiseyesasheopenedthemtotheday。Heroserefreshed，andwithastrangesentimentofcalmnessthatseemedmoretheresultofresolutionthanexhaustion。Theincidentsandemotionsofthepastnighthadsettledintodistinctandclearimpressions。Hethoughtofthembutslightly，——hethoughtratherofthefuture。
　　HewasasoneoftheinitiatedintheoldEgyptianmysterieswhohavecrossedthegateonlytolongmoreardentlyforthepenetralia。
　　Hedressedhimself，andwasrelievedtofindthatMervalehadjoinedapartyofhiscountrymenonanexcursiontoIschia。Hespenttheheatofnooninthoughtfulsolitude，andgraduallytheimageofViolareturnedtohisheart。Itwasaholy——foritwasaHUMAN——image。Hehadresignedher；andthoughherepentednot，hewastroubledatthethoughtthatrepentancewouldhavecometoolate。
　　Hestartedimpatientlyfromhisseat，andstrodewithrapidstepstothehumbleabodeoftheactress。
　　Thedistancewasconsiderable，andtheairoppressive。Glyndonarrivedatthedoorbreathlessandheated。Heknocked；noanswercame。Heliftedthelatchandentered。Heascendedthestairs；
　　nosound，nosightoflifemethisearandeye。Inthefrontchamber，onatable，laytheguitaroftheactress，andsomemanuscriptpartsinthefavouriteoperas。Hepaused，and，summoningcourage，tappedatthedoorwhichseemedtoleadintotheinnerapartment。Thedoorwasajar；and，hearingnosoundwithin，hepusheditopen。Itwasthesleeping-chamberoftheyoungactress，thatholiestgroundtoalover；andwelldidtheplacebecomethepresidingdeity:noneofthetawdryfineryoftheprofessionwasvisible，ontheonehand；noneoftheslovenlydisordercommontothehumblerclassesoftheSouth，ontheother。Allwaspureandsimple；eventheornamentswerethoseofaninnocentrefinement，——afewbooks，placedcarefullyonshelves，afewhalf-fadedflowersinanearthenvase，whichwasmodelledandpaintedintheEtruscanfashion。Thesunlightstreamedoverthesnowydraperiesofthebed，andafewarticlesofclothingonthechairbesideit。Violawasnotthere；butthenurse!——wasshegonealso？HemadethehouseresoundwiththenameofGionetta，buttherewasnotevenanechotoreply。Atlast，ashereluctantlyquittedthedesolateabode，heperceivedGionettacomingtowardshimfromthestreet。
　　Thepooroldwomanutteredanexclamationofjoyonseeinghim；
　　but，totheirmutualdisappointment，neitherhadanycheerfultidingsorsatisfactoryexplanationtoaffordtheother。
　　Gionettahadbeenarousedfromherslumberthenightbeforebythenoiseintheroomsbelow；butereshecouldmustercouragetodescend，Violawasgone!Shefoundthemarksofviolenceonthedoorwithout；andallshehadsincebeenabletolearnintheneighbourhoodwas，thataLazzarone，fromhisnocturnalresting-