placeontheChiaja，hadseenbythemoonlightacarriage，whichherecognisedasbelongingtothePrincedi——，passandrepassthatroadaboutthefirsthourofmorning。Glyndon，ongatheringfromtheconfusedwordsandbrokensobsoftheoldnursetheheadsofthisaccount，abruptlylefther，andrepairedtothepalaceofZanoni。TherehewasinformedthatthesignorwasgonetothebanquetofthePrincedi——，andwouldnotreturntilllate。Glyndonstoodmotionlesswithperplexityanddismay；heknewnotwhattobelieve，orhowtoact。EvenMervalewasnotathandtoadvisehim。Hisconsciencesmotehimbitterly。Hehadhadthepowertosavethewomanhehadloved，andhadforegonethatpower；buthowwasitthatinthisZanonihimselfhadfailed？Howwasitthathewasgonetotheverybanquetoftheravisher？CouldZanonibeawareofwhathadpassed？Ifnot，shouldheloseamomentinapprisinghim？Thoughmentallyirresolute，nomanwasmorephysicallybrave。Hewouldrepairatoncetothepalaceoftheprincehimself；andifZanonifailedinthetrusthehadhalf-appearedtoarrogate，he，thehumbleforeigner，woulddemandthecaptiveoffraudandforce，intheveryhallsandbeforetheassembledguestsofthePrincedi。
　　CHAPTER3。XVI。
　　Arduavallaturdurissapientiascrupis。
　　Hadr。Jun。，"Emblem。"xxxvii。
　　Loftywisdomiscircledroundwithruggedrocks。
　　Wemustgobacksomehoursintheprogressofthisnarrative。Itwasthefirstfaintandgradualbreakofthesummerdawn；andtwomenstoodinabalconyoverhangingagardenfragrantwiththescentsoftheawakeningflowers。Thestarshadnotyetleftthesky，——thebirdswereyetsilentontheboughs:allwasstill，hushed，andtranquil；buthowdifferentthetranquillityofrevivingdayfromthesolemnreposeofnight!Inthemusicofsilencethereareathousandvariations。Thesemen，whoaloneseemedawakeinNaples，wereZanoniandthemysteriousstrangerwhohadbutanhourortwoagostartledthePrincedi——inhisvoluptuouspalace。
　　"No，"saidthelatter；"hadstthoudelayedtheacceptanceoftheArch-giftuntilthouhadstattainedtotheyears，andpassedthroughallthedesolatebereavementsthatchilledandsearedmyselferemyresearcheshadmadeitmine，thouwouldsthaveescapedthecurseofwhichthoucomplainestnow，——thouwouldstnothavemournedoverthebrevityofhumanaffectionascomparedtothedurationofthineownexistence；forthouwouldsthavesurvivedtheverydesireanddreamoftheloveofwoman。
　　Brightest，and，butforthaterror，perhapstheloftiest，ofthesecretandsolemnracethatfillsuptheintervalincreationbetweenmankindandthechildrenoftheEmpyreal，ageafteragewiltthouruethesplendidfollywhichmadetheeasktocarrythebeautyandthepassionsofyouthintothedrearygrandeurofearthlyimmortality。"
　　"Idonotrepent，norshallI，"answeredZanoni。"Thetransportandthesorrow，sowildlyblended，whichhaveatintervalsdiversifiedmydoom，arebetterthanthecalmandbloodlesstenorofthysolitaryway——thou，wholovestnothing，hatestnothing，feelestnothing，andwalkesttheworldwiththenoiselessandjoylessfootstepsofadream!"
　　"Youmistake，"repliedhewhohadownedthenameofMejnour，——
　　"thoughIcarenotforlove，andamdeadtoeveryPASSIONthatagitatesthesonsofclay，Iamnotdeadtotheirmoresereneenjoyments。Icarrydownthestreamofthecountlessyears，nottheturbulentdesiresofyouth，butthecalmandspiritualdelightsofage。WiselyanddeliberatelyIabandonedyouthforeverwhenIseparatedmylotfrommen。Letusnotenvyorreproacheachother。IwouldhavesavedthisNeapolitan，Zanonisincesoitnowpleasestheetobecalled，partlybecausehisgrandsirewasbutdividedbythelastairybarrierfromourownbrotherhood，partlybecauseIknowthatinthemanhimselflurktheelementsofancestralcourageandpower，whichinearlierlifewouldhavefittedhimforoneofus。EarthholdsbutfewtowhomNaturehasgiventhequalitiesthatcanbeartheordeal。
　　Buttimeandexcess，thathavequickenedhisgrossersenses，havebluntedhisimagination。Irelinquishhimtohisdoom。"
　　"Andstill，then，Mejnour，youcherishthedesiretoreviveourorder，limitednowtoourselvesalone，bynewconvertsandallies。Surely——surely——thyexperiencemighthavetaughtthee，thatscarcelyonceinathousandyearsisbornthebeingwhocanpassthroughthehorriblegatesthatleadintotheworldswithout!Isnotthypathalreadystrewedwiththyvictims？Donottheirghastlyfacesofagonyandfear——theblood-stainedsuicide，theravingmaniac——risebeforethee，andwarnwhatisyetlefttotheeofhumansympathyfromthyinsaneambition？"
　　"Nay，"answeredMejnour；"haveInothadsuccesstocounterbalancefailure？AndcanIforegothisloftyandaugusthope，worthyaloneofourhighcondition，——thehopetoformamightyandnumerousracewithaforceandpowersufficienttopermitthemtoacknowledgetomankindtheirmajesticconquestsanddominion，tobecomethetruelordsofthisplanet，invaders，perchance，ofothers，mastersoftheinimicalandmalignanttribesbywhichatthismomentwearesurrounded:aracethatmayproceed，intheirdeathlessdestinies，fromstagetostageofcelestialglory，andrankatlastamongstthenearestministrantsandagentsgatheredroundtheThroneofThrones？Whatmatterathousandvictimsforoneconverttoourband？Andyou，Zanoni，"
　　continuedMejnour，afterapause，——"you，evenyou，shouldthisaffectionforamortalbeautythatyouhavedared，despiteyourself，tocherish，bemorethanapassingfancy；shouldit，onceadmittedintoyourinmostnature，partakeofitsbrightandenduringessence，——evenyoumaybraveallthingstoraisethebelovedoneintoyourequal。Nay，interruptmenot。Canyouseesicknessmenaceher；dangerhoveraround；yearscreepon；theeyesgrowdim；thebeautyfade，whiletheheart，youthfulstill，clingsandfastensroundyourown，——canyouseethis，andknowitisyoursto——"
　　"Cease!"criedZanoni，fiercely。"Whatisallotherfateascomparedtothedeathofterror？What，whenthecoldestsage，themostheatedenthusiast，thehardiestwarriorwithhisnervesofiron，havebeenfounddeadintheirbeds，withstrainingeyeballsandhorrenthair，atthefirststepoftheDreadProgress，——thinkestthouthatthisweakwoman——fromwhosecheekasoundatthewindow，thescreechofthenight-owl，thesightofadropofbloodonaman'ssword，wouldstartthecolour——couldbraveoneglanceof——Away!theverythoughtofsuchsightsforhermakesevenmyselfacoward!"
　　"Whenyoutoldheryoulovedher，——whenyouclaspedhertoyourbreast，yourenouncedallpowertoforeseeherfuturelot，orprotectherfromharm。Henceforthtoheryouarehuman，andhumanonly。Howknowyou，then，towhatyoumaybetempted；howknowyouwhathercuriositymaylearnandhercouragebrave？Butenoughofthis，——youarebentonyourpursuit？"
　　"Thefiathasgoneforth。"
　　"Andto-morrow？"
　　"To-morrow，atthishour，ourbarkwillbeboundingoveryonderocean，andtheweightofageswillhavefallenfrommyheart!I
　　compassionatethee，Ofoolishsage，——THOUhastgivenupTHY
　　youth!"
　　CHAPTER3。XVII。
　　Alch:Thoualwaysspeakestriddles。TellmeifthouartthatfountainofwhichBernardLordTrevizanwrit？
　　Merc:Iamnotthatfountain，butIamthewater。Thefountaincompassethmeabout。
　　Sandivogius，"NewLightofAlchymy。"
　　ThePrincedi——wasnotamanwhomNaplescouldsupposetobeaddictedtosuperstitiousfancies。Still，intheSouthofItaly，therewasthen，andtherestilllingersacertainspiritofcredulity，whichmay，everandanon，bevisibleamidsttheboldestdogmasoftheirphilosophersandsceptics。Inhischildhood，theprincehadlearnedstrangetalesoftheambition，thegenius，andthecareerofhisgrandsire，——andsecretly，perhapsinfluencedbyancestralexample，inearlieryouthhehimselfhadfollowedscience，notonlythroughherlegitimatecourse，butherantiquatedanderraticwindings。Ihave，indeed，beenshowninNaplesalittlevolume，blazonedwiththearmsoftheVisconti，andascribedtothenoblemanIreferto，whichtreatsofalchemyinaspirithalf-mockingandhalf-reverential。
　　Pleasuresoondistractedhimfromsuchspeculations，andhistalents，whichwereunquestionablygreat，werewhollypervertedtoextravagantintrigues，ortotheembellishmentofagorgeousostentationwithsomethingofclassicgrace。Hisimmensewealth，hisimperiouspride，hisunscrupulousanddaringcharacter，madehimanobjectofnoinconsiderablefeartoafeebleandtimidcourt；andtheministersoftheindolentgovernmentwillinglyconnivedatexcesseswhichalluredhimatleastfromambition。
　　ThestrangevisitandyetmorestrangedepartureofMejnourfilledthebreastoftheNeapolitanwithaweandwonder，againstwhichallthehaughtyarroganceandlearnedscepticismofhismaturermanhoodcombatedinvain。TheapparitionofMejnourserved，indeed，toinvestZanoniwithacharacterinwhichtheprincehadnothithertoregardedhim。Hefeltastrangealarmattherivalhehadbraved，——atthefoehehadprovoked。When，alittlebeforehisbanquet，hehadresumedhisself-possession，itwaswithafellandgloomyresolutionthathebroodedovertheperfidiousschemeshehadpreviouslyformed。HefeltasifthedeathofthemysteriousZanoniwerenecessaryforthepreservationofhisownlife；andifatanearlierperiodoftheirrivalryhehaddeterminedonthefateofZanoni，thewarningsofMejnouronlyservedtoconfirmhisresolve。
　　"Wewilltryifhismagiccaninventanantidotetothebane，"
　　saidhe，half-aloud，andwithasternsmile，ashesummonedMascaritohispresence。Thepoisonwhichtheprince，withhisownhands，mixedintothewineintendedforhisguest，wascompoundedfrommaterials，thesecretofwhichhadbeenoneoftheproudestheir-loomsofthatableandevilracewhichgavetoItalyherwisestandguiltiesttyrants。Itsoperationwasquickyetnotsudden:itproducednopain，——itleftontheformnogrimconvulsion，ontheskinnopurplingspot，toarousesuspicion；youmighthavecutandcarvedeverymembraneandfibreofthecorpse，butthesharpesteyesoftheleechwouldnothavedetectedthepresenceofthesubtlelife-queller。Fortwelvehoursthevictimfeltnothingsaveajoyousandelatedexhilarationoftheblood；adeliciouslanguorfollowed，thesureforerunnerofapoplexy。Nolancetthencouldsave!ApoplexyhadrunmuchinthefamiliesoftheenemiesoftheVisconti!
　　Thehourofthefeastarrived，——theguestsassembled。TherewerethefloweroftheNeapolitanseignorie，thedescendantsoftheNorman，theTeuton，theGoth；forNapleshadthenanobility，butderiveditfromtheNorth，whichhasindeedbeentheNutrixLeonum，——thenurseofthelion-heartedchivalryoftheworld。
　　LastoftheguestscameZanoni；andthecrowdgavewayasthedazzlingforeignermovedalongtothelordofthepalace。Theprincegreetedhimwithameaningsmile，towhichZanoniansweredbyawhisper，"Hewhoplayswithloadeddicedoesnotalwayswin。"
　　Theprincebithislip，andZanoni，passingon，seemeddeepinconversationwiththefawningMascari。
　　"Whoistheprince'sheir？"askedtheguest。
　　"Adistantrelationonthemother'sside；withhisExcellencydiesthemaleline。"
　　"Istheheirpresentatourhost'sbanquet？"
　　"No；theyarenotfriends。"
　　"Nomatter；hewillbehereto-morrow。"
　　Mascaristaredinsurprise；butthesignalforthebanquetwasgiven，andtheguestsweremarshalledtotheboard。Aswasthecustomthen，thefeasttookplacenotlongaftermid-day。Itwasalong，ovalhall，thewholeofonesideopeningbyamarblecolonnadeuponacourtorgarden，inwhichtheeyerestedgratefullyuponcoolfountainsandstatuesofwhitestmarble，half-shelteredbyorange-trees。Everyartthatluxurycouldinventtogivefreshnessandcoolnesstothelanguidandbreezelessheatofthedaywithoutadayonwhichthebreathofthesiroccowasabroadhadbeencalledintoexistence。
　　Artificialcurrentsofairthroughinvisibletubes，silkenblindswavingtoandfro，asiftocheatthesensesintothebeliefofanAprilwind，andminiaturejetsd'eauineachcorneroftheapartment，gavetotheItaliansthesamesenseofexhilarationandCOMFORTifImayusethewordwhichthewell-drawncurtainsandtheblazinghearthaffordtothechildrenofcolderclimes。
　　Theconversationwassomewhatmorelivelyandintellectualthaniscommonamongstthelanguidpleasure-huntersoftheSouth；fortheprince，himselfaccomplished，soughthisacquaintancenotonlyamongstthebeauxespritsofhisowncountry，butamongstthegayforeignerswhoadornedandrelievedthemonotonyoftheNeapolitancircles。TherewerepresenttwoorthreeofthebrilliantFrenchmenoftheoldregime，whohadalreadyemigratedfromtheadvancingRevolution；andtheirpeculiarturnofthoughtandwitwaswellcalculatedforthemeridianofasocietythatmadethedolcefarnienteatonceitsphilosophyanditsfaith。
　　Theprince，however，wasmoresilentthanusual；andwhenhesoughttorousehimself，hisspiritswereforcedandexaggerated。
　　Tothemannersofhishost，thoseofZanoniaffordedastrikingcontrast。Thebearingofthissingularpersonwasatalltimescharacterisedbyacalmandpolishedease，whichwasattributedbythecourtierstothelonghabitofsociety。Hecouldscarcelybecalledgay；yetfewpersonsmoretendedtoanimatethegeneralspiritsofaconvivialcircle。Heseemed，byakindofintuition，toelicitfromeachcompanionthequalitiesinwhichhemostexcelled；andifoccasionallyacertaintoneoflatentmockerycharacterisedhisremarksuponthetopicsonwhichtheconversationfell，itappearedtomenwhotooknothinginearnesttobethelanguagebothofwitandwisdom。TotheFrenchmen，inparticular，therewassomethingstartlinginhisintimateknowledgeoftheminutesteventsintheirowncapitalandcountry，andhisprofoundpenetrationevincedbutinepigramsandsarcasmsintotheeminentcharacterswhowerethenplayingapartuponthegreatstageofcontinentalintrigue。
　　Itwaswhilethisconversationgrewanimated，andthefeastwasatitsheight，thatGlyndonarrivedatthepalace。Theporter，perceivingbyhisdressthathewasnotoneoftheinvitedguests，toldhimthathisExcellencywasengaged，andonnoaccountcouldbedisturbed；andGlyndonthen，forthefirsttime，becameawarehowstrangeandembarrassingwasthedutyhehadtakenonhimself。Toforceanentranceintothebanquet-hallofagreatandpowerfulnoble，surroundedbytherankofNaples，andtoarraignhimforwhattohisboon-companionswouldappearbutanactofgallantry，wasanexploitthatcouldnotfailtobeatonceludicrousandimpotent。Hemusedamoment，and，slippingapieceofgoldintotheporter'shand，saidthathewascommissionedtoseektheSignorZanoniuponanerrandoflifeanddeath，andeasilywonhiswayacrossthecourt，andintotheinteriorbuilding。Hepassedupthebroadstaircase，andthevoicesandmerrimentoftherevellerssmotehisearatadistance。Attheentranceofthereception-roomshefoundapage，whomhedespatchedwithamessagetoZanoni。Thepagedidtheerrand；andZanoni，onhearingthewhisperednameofGlyndon，turnedtohishost。
　　"Pardonme，mylord；anEnglishfriendofmine，theSignorGlyndonnotunknownbynametoyourExcellencywaitswithout，——
　　thebusinessmustindeedbeurgentonwhichhehassoughtmeinsuchanhour。Youwillforgivemymomentaryabsence。"
　　"Nay，signor，"answeredtheprince，courteously，butwithasinistersmileonhiscountenance，"woulditnotbebetterforyourfriendtojoinus？AnEnglishmaniswelcomeeverywhere；andevenwereheaDutchman，yourfriendshipwouldinvesthispresencewithattraction。Prayhisattendance；wewouldnotspareyouevenforamoment。"
　　Zanonibowed；thepagewasdespatchedwithallflatteringmessagestoGlyndon，——aseatnexttoZanoniwasplacedforhim，andtheyoungEnglishmanentered。
　　"Youaremostwelcome，sir。Itrustyourbusinesstoourillustriousguestisofgoodomenandpleasantimport。Ifyoubringevilnews，deferit，Iprayyou。"
　　Glyndon'sbrowwassullen；andhewasabouttostartletheguestsbyhisreply，whenZanoni，touchinghisarmsignificantly，whisperedinEnglish，"Iknowwhyyouhavesoughtme。Besilent，andwitnesswhatensues。"
　　"YouknowthenthatViola，whomyouboastedyouhadthepowertosavefromdanger——"
　　"Isinthishouse!——yes。IknowalsothatMurdersitsattherighthandofourhost。Buthisfateisnowseparatedfromhersforever；andthemirrorwhichglassesittomyeyeisclearthroughthestreamsofblood。Bestill，andlearnthefatethatawaitsthewicked!
　　"Mylord，"saidZanoni，speakingaloud，"theSignorGlyndonhasindeedbroughtmetidingsnotwhollyunexpected。IamcompelledtoleaveNaples，——anadditionalmotivetomakethemostofthepresenthour。"
　　"Andwhat，ifImayventuretoask，maybethecausethatbringssuchafflictiononthefairdamesofNaples？"
　　"Itistheapproachingdeathofonewhohonouredmewithmostloyalfriendship，"repliedZanoni，gravely。"Letusnotspeakofit；griefcannotputbackthedial。Aswesupplybynewflowersthosethatfadeinourvases，soitisthesecretofworldlywisdomtoreplacebyfreshfriendshipsthosethatfadefromourpath。"
　　"Truephilosophy!"exclaimedtheprince。"'Nottoadmire，'wastheRoman'smaxim；'Nevertomourn，'ismine。Thereisnothinginlifetogrievefor，save，indeed，SignorZanoni，whensomeyoungbeauty，onwhomwehavesetourhearts，slipsfromourgrasp。Insuchamomentwehaveneedofallourwisdom，nottosuccumbtodespair，andshakehandswithdeath。Whatsayyou，signor？Yousmile!Suchnevercouldbeyourlot。Pledgemeinasentiment，'Longlifetothefortunatelover，——aquickreleasetothebaffledsuitor'？"
　　"Ipledgeyou，"saidZanoni；and，asthefatalwinewaspouredintohisglass，herepeated，fixinghiseyesontheprince，"I
　　pledgeyoueveninthiswine!"
　　Heliftedtheglasstohislips。Theprinceseemedghastlypale，whilethegazeofhisguestbentuponhim，withanintentandsternbrightness，beneathwhichtheconscience-strickenhostcoweredandquailed。Nottillhehaddrainedhisdraft，andreplacedtheglassupontheboard，didZanoniturnhiseyesfromtheprince；andhethensaid，"Yourwinehasbeenkepttoolong；
　　ithaslostitsvirtues。Itmightdisagreewithmany，butdonotfear:itwillnotharmme，prince，SignorMascari，youareajudgeofthegrape；willyoufavouruswithyouropinion？"
　　"Nay，"answeredMascari，withwell-affectedcomposure，"IlikenotthewinesofCyprus；theyareheating。PerhapsSignorGlyndonmaynothavethesamedistaste？TheEnglisharesaidtolovetheirpotationswarmandpungent。"
　　"Doyouwishmyfriendalsototastethewine，prince？"saidZanoni。"Recollect，allcannotdrinkitwiththesameimpunityasmyself。"
　　"No，"saidtheprince，hastily；"ifyoudonotrecommendthewine，Heavenforbidthatweshouldconstrainourguests!Mylordduke，"turningtooneoftheFrenchmen，"yoursisthetruesoilofBacchus。WhatthinkyouofthiscaskfromBurgundy？Hasitbornethejourney？"
　　"Ah，"saidZanoni，"letuschangeboththewineandthetheme。"
　　Withthat，Zanonigrewyetmoreanimatedandbrilliant。Neverdidwitmoresparkling，airy，exhilarating，flashfromthelipsofreveller。Hisspiritsfascinatedallpresent——eventheprincehimself，evenGlyndon——withastrangeandwildcontagion。Theformer，indeed，whomthewordsandgazeofZanoni，whenhedrainedthepoison，hadfilledwithfearfulmisgivings，nowhailedinthebrillianteloquenceofhiswitacertainsignoftheoperationofthebane。Thewinecirculatedfast；butnoneseemedconsciousofitseffects。Onebyonetherestofthepartyfellintoacharmedandspellboundsilence，asZanonicontinuedtopourforthsallyuponsally，taleupontale。Theyhungonhiswords，theyalmostheldtheirbreathtolisten。Yet，howbitterwashismirth；howfullofcontemptforthetriflerspresent，andforthetrifleswhichmadetheirlife!
　　Nightcameon；theroomgrewdim，andthefeasthadlastedseveralhourslongerthanwasthecustomarydurationofsimilarentertainmentsatthatday。Stilltheguestsstirrednot，andstillZanonicontinued，withglitteringeyeandmockinglip，tolavishhisstoresofintellectandanecdote；whensuddenlythemoonrose，andsheditsraysovertheflowersandfountainsinthecourtwithout，leavingtheroomitselfhalfinshadow，andhalftingedbyaquietandghostlylight。
　　ItwasthenthatZanonirose。"Well，gentlemen，"saidhe，"wehavenotyetweariedourhost，Ihope；andhisgardenoffersanewtemptationtoprotractourstay。Haveyounomusiciansamongyourtrain，prince，thatmightregaleourearswhileweinhalethefragranceofyourorange-trees？"
　　"Anexcellentthought!"saidtheprince。"Mascari，seetothemusic。"
　　Thepartyrosesimultaneouslytoadjourntothegarden；andthen，forthefirsttime，theeffectofthewinetheyhaddrunkseemedtomakeitselffelt。
　　Withflushedcheeksandunsteadystepstheycameintotheopenair，whichtendedyetmoretostimulatethatglowingfeverofthegrape。AsiftomakeupforthesilencewithwhichtheguestshadhithertolistenedtoZanoni，everytonguewasnowloosened，——
　　everymantalked，nomanlistened。Therewassomethingwildandfearfulinthecontrastbetweenthecalmbeautyofthenightandscene，andthehubbubandclamourofthesedisorderlyroysters。
　　OneoftheFrenchmen，inespecial，theyoungDucdeR——，anoblemanofthehighestrank，andofallthequick，vivacious，andirascibletemperamentofhiscountrymen，wasparticularlynoisyandexcited。Andascircumstances，theremembranceofwhichisstillpreservedamongcertaincirclesofNaples，rendereditafterwardsnecessarythattheducshouldhimselfgiveevidenceofwhatoccurred，Iwillheretranslatetheshortaccounthedrewup，andwhichwaskindlysubmittedtomesomefewyearsagobymyaccomplishedandlivelyfriend，IlCavalierediB。
　　"Ineverremember，"writestheduc，"tohavefeltmyspiritssoexcitedasonthatevening；wewerelikesomanyboysreleasedfromschool，jostlingeachotheraswereeledorrandowntheflightofsevenoreightstairsthatledfromthecolonnadeintothegarden，——somelaughing，somewhooping，somescolding，somebabbling。Thewinehadbroughtout，asitwere，eachman'sinmostcharacter。Somewereloudandquarrelsome，otherssentimentalandwhining；some，whomwehadhithertothoughtdull，mostmirthful；some，whomwehadeverregardedasdiscreetandtaciturn，mostgarrulousanduproarious。Irememberthatinthemidstofourclamorousgayety，myeyefelluponthecavalierSignorZanoni，whoseconversationhadsoenchantedusall；andI
　　feltacertainchillcomeovermetoperceivethatheworethesamecalmandunsympathisingsmileuponhiscountenancewhichhadcharacteriseditinhissingularandcuriousstoriesofthecourtofLouisXIV。Ifelt，indeed，half-inclinedtoseekaquarrelwithonewhosecomposurewasalmostaninsulttoourdisorder。
　　Norwassuchaneffectofthisirritatingandmockingtranquillityconfinedtomyselfalone。Severalofthepartyhavetoldmesince，thatonlookingatZanonitheyfelttheirbloodyetmoreheated，andgayetychangetoresentment。Thereseemedinhisicysmileaverycharmtowoundvanityandprovokerage。
　　Itwasatthismomentthattheprincecameuptome，and，passinghisarmintomine，ledmealittleapartfromtherest。Hehadcertainlyindulgedinthesameexcessasourselves，butitdidnotproducethesameeffectofnoisyexcitement。Therewas，onthecontrary，acertaincoldarroganceandsuperciliousscorninhisbearingandlanguage，which，evenwhileaffectingsomuchcaressingcourtesytowardsme，rousedmyself-loveagainsthim。
　　HeseemedasifZanonihadinfectedhim；andinimitatingthemannerofhisguest，hesurpassedtheoriginal。Heralliedmeonsomecourtgossip，whichhadhonouredmynamebyassociatingitwithacertainbeautifulanddistinguishedSicilianlady，andaffectedtotreatwithcontemptthatwhich，haditbeentrue，I
　　shouldhaveregardedasaboast。Hespoke，indeed，asifhehimselfhadgatheredalltheflowersofNaples，andleftusforeignersonlythegleaningshehadscorned。Atthismynaturalandnationalgallantrywaspiqued，andIretortedbysomesarcasmsthatIshouldcertainlyhavesparedhadmybloodbeencooler。Helaughedheartily，andleftmeinastrangefitofresentmentandanger。PerhapsImustownthetruththewinehadproducedinmeawilddispositiontotakeoffenceandprovokequarrel。Astheprinceleftme，Iturned，andsawZanoniatmyside。
　　"'Theprinceisabraggart，'saidhe，withthesamesmilethatdispleasedmebefore。'Hewouldmonopolizeallfortuneandalllove。Letustakeourrevenge。'
　　"'Andhow？'
　　"'Hehasatthismoment，inhishouse，themostenchantingsingerinNaples，——thecelebratedViolaPisani。Sheishere，itistrue，notbyherownchoice；hecarriedherhitherbyforce，buthewillpretendthatsheadoreshim。Letusinsistonhisproducingthissecrettreasure，andwhensheenters，theDucdeR——canhavenodoubtthathisflatteriesandattentionswillcharmthelady，andprovokeallthejealousfearsofourhost。
　　Itwouldbeafairrevengeuponhisimperiousself-conceit。'
　　"Thissuggestiondelightedme。Ihastenedtotheprince。Atthatinstantthemusicianshadjustcommenced；Iwavedmyhand，orderedthemusictostop，and，addressingtheprince，whowasstandinginthecentreofoneofthegayestgroups，complainedofhiswantofhospitalityinaffordingtoussuchpoorproficientsintheart，whilehereservedforhisownsolacetheluteandvoiceofthefirstperformerinNaples。Idemanded，half-laughingly，half-seriously，thatheshouldproducethePisani。Mydemandwasreceivedwithshoutsofapplausebytherest。Wedrownedtherepliesofourhostwithuproar，andwouldhearnodenial。'Gentlemen，'atlastsaidtheprince，whenhecouldobtainanaudience，'evenwereItoassenttoyourproposal，Icouldnotinducethesignoratopresentherselfbeforeanassemblageasriotousastheyarenoble。Youhavetoomuchchivalrytousecompulsionwithher，thoughtheDucdeR——
　　forgetshimselfsufficientlytoadministerittome。'
　　"Iwasstungbythistaunt，howeverwelldeserved。'Prince，'
　　saidI，'IhavefortheindelicacyofcompulsionsoillustriousanexamplethatIcannothesitatetopursuethepathhonouredbyyourownfootsteps。AllNaplesknowsthatthePisanidespisesatonceyourgoldandyourlove；thatforcealonecouldhavebroughtherunderyourroof；andthatyourefusetoproduceher，becauseyoufearhercomplaints，andknowenoughofthechivalryyourvanitysneersattofeelassuredthatthegentlemenofFrancearenotmoredisposedtoworshipbeautythantodefenditfromwrong。'
　　"'Youspeakwell，sir，'saidZanoni，gravely。'Theprincedaresnotproducehisprize!'
　　"Theprinceremainedspeechlessforafewmoments，asifwithindignation。AtlasthebrokeoutintoexpressionsthemostinjuriousandinsultingagainstSignorZanoniandmyself。Zanonirepliednot；Iwasmorehotandhasty。Theguestsappearedtodelightinourdispute。None，exceptMascari，whomwepushedasideanddisdainedtohear，strovetoconciliate；sometookoneside，someanother。Theissuemaybewellforeseen。Swordswerecalledforandprocured。Twowereofferedmebyoneoftheparty。Iwasabouttochooseone，whenZanoniplacedinmyhandtheother，which，fromitshilt，appearedofantiquatedworkmanship。Atthesamemoment，lookingtowardstheprince，hesaid，smilingly，'Theductakesyourgrandsire'ssword。Prince，youaretoobraveamanforsuperstition；youhaveforgottheforfeit!'Ourhostseemedtometorecoilandturnpaleatthosewords；nevertheless，hereturnedZanoni'ssmilewithalookofdefiance。Thenextmomentallwasbroilanddisorder。Theremightbesomesixoreightpersonsengagedinastrangeandconfusedkindofmelee，buttheprinceandmyselfonlysoughteachother。Thenoisearoundus，theconfusionoftheguests，thecriesofthemusicians，theclashofourownswords，onlyservedtostimulateourunhappyfury。Wefearedtobeinterruptedbytheattendants，andfoughtlikemadmen，withoutskillormethod。Ithrustandparriedmechanically，blindandfrantic，asifademonhadenteredintome，tillIsawtheprincestretchedatmyfeet，bathedinhisblood，andZanonibendingoverhim，andwhisperinginhisear。Thatsightcooledusall。
　　Thestrifeceased；wegathered，inshame，remorse，andhorror，roundourill-fatedhost；butitwastoolate，——hiseyesrolledfearfullyinhishead。Ihaveseenmanymendie，butneveronewhoworesuchhorroronhiscountenance。Atlastallwasover!
　　Zanonirosefromthecorpse，and，taking，withgreatcomposure，theswordfrommyhand，saidcalmly，'Yearewitnesses，gentlemen，thattheprincebroughthisfateuponhimself。Thelastofthatillustrioushousehasperishedinabrawl。'
　　"IsawnomoreofZanoni。Ihastenedtoourenvoytonarratetheevent，andabidetheissue。IamgratefultotheNeapolitangovernment，andtotheillustriousheiroftheunfortunatenobleman，forthelenientandgenerous，yetjust，interpretationputuponamisfortunethememoryofwhichwillafflictmetothelasthourofmylife。
　　Signed"LouisVictor，DucdeR。"
　　Intheabovememorial，thereaderwillfindthemostexactandminuteaccountyetgivenofaneventwhichcreatedthemostlivelysensationatNaplesinthatday。
　　Glyndonhadtakennopartintheaffray，neitherhadheparticipatedlargelyintheexcessesoftherevel。ForhisexemptionfrombothhewasperhapsindebtedtothewhisperedexhortationsofZanoni。Whenthelastrosefromthecorpse，andwithdrewfromthatsceneofconfusion，GlyndonremarkedthatinpassingthecrowdhetouchedMascariontheshoulder，andsaidsomethingwhichtheEnglishmandidnotoverhear。GlyndonfollowedZanoniintothebanquet-room，which，savewherethemoonlightsleptonthemarblefloor，waswrappedinthesadandgloomyshadowsoftheadvancingnight。
　　"Howcouldyouforetellthisfearfulevent？Hefellnotbyyourarm!"saidGlyndon，inatremulousandhollowtone。
　　"Thegeneralwhocalculatesonthevictorydoesnotfightinperson，"answeredZanoni；"letthepastsleepwiththedead。
　　Meetmeatmidnightbythesea-shore，halfamiletotheleftofyourhotel。Youwillknowthespotbyarudepillar——theonlyonenear——towhichabrokenchainisattached。Thereandthen，ifthouwouldstlearnourlore，thoushaltfindthemaster。Go；
　　Ihavebusinesshereyet。Remember，Violaisstillinthehouseofthedeadman!"
　　HereMascariapproached，andZanoni，turningtotheItalian，andwavinghishandtoGlyndon，drewtheformeraside。Glyndonslowlydeparted。
　　"Mascari，"saidZanoni，"yourpatronisnomore；yourserviceswillbevaluelesstohisheir，——asobermanwhompovertyhaspreservedfromvice。Foryourself，thankmethatIdonotgiveyouuptotheexecutioner；recollectthewineofCyprus。Well，nevertremble，man；itcouldnotactonme，thoughitmightreactonothers；inthatitisacommontypeofcrime。Iforgiveyou；
　　andifthewineshouldkillme，Ipromiseyouthatmyghostshallnothauntsoworshipfulapenitent。Enoughofthis；conductmetothechamberofViolaPisani。Youhavenofurtherneedofher。
　　Thedeathofthejaileropensthecellofthecaptive。Bequick；
　　Iwouldbegone。"
　　Mascarimutteredsomeinaudiblewords，bowedlow，andledthewaytothechamberinwhichViolawasconfined。
　　CHAPTER3。XVIII。
　　Merc:Tellme，therefore，whatthouseekestafter，andwhatthouwilthave。Whatdostthoudesiretomake？
　　Alch:ThePhilosopher'sStone。
　　Sandivogius。
　　Itwantedseveralminutesofmidnight，andGlyndonrepairedtotheappointedspot。ThemysteriousempirewhichZanonihadacquiredoverhim，wasstillmoresolemnlyconfirmedbytheeventsofthelastfewhours；thesuddenfateoftheprince，sodeliberatelyforeshadowed，andyetsoseeminglyaccidental，broughtoutbycausesthemostcommonplace，andyetassociatedwithwordsthemostprophetic，impressedhimwiththedeepestsentimentsofadmirationandawe。Itwasasifthisdarkandwondrousbeingcouldconvertthemostordinaryeventsandthemeanestinstrumentsintotheagenciesofhisinscrutablewill；
　　yet，ifso，whyhavepermittedthecaptureofViola？Whynothavepreventedthecrimeratherthanpunishthecriminal？AnddidZanonireallyfeelloveforViola？Love，andyetoffertoresignhertohimself，——toarivalwhomhisartscouldnothavefailedtobaffle。HenolongerrevertedtothebeliefthatZanoniorViolahadsoughttodupehimintomarriage。Hisfearandreverencefortheformernowforbadethenotionofsopooranimposture。DidheanylongerloveViolahimself？No；whenthatmorninghehadheardofherdanger，hehad，itistrue，returnedtothesympathiesandthefearsofaffection；butwiththedeathoftheprinceherimagefadedfromhisheart，andhefeltnojealouspangatthethoughtthatshehadbeensavedbyZanoni，——
　　thatatthatmomentshewasperhapsbeneathhisroof。Whoeverhas，inthecourseofhislife，indulgedtheabsorbingpassionofthegamester，willrememberhowallotherpursuitsandobjectsvanishedfromhismind；howsolelyhewaswrappedintheonewilddelusion；withwhatasceptreofmagicpowerthedespot-demonruledeveryfeelingandeverythought。FarmoreintensethanthepassionofthegamesterwasthefranticyetsublimedesirethatmasteredthebreastofGlyndon。HewouldbetherivalofZanoni，notinhumanandperishableaffections，butinpreternaturalandeternallore。Hewouldhavelaiddownlifewithcontent——nay，rapture——asthepriceoflearningthosesolemnsecretswhichseparatedthestrangerfrommankind。Enamouredofthegoddessofgoddesses，hestretchedforthhisarms——thewildIxion——andembracedacloud!
　　Thenightwasmostlovelyandserene，andthewavesscarcelyrippledathisfeetastheEnglishmanglidedonbythecoolandstarrybeach。Atlengthhearrivedatthespot，andthere，leaningagainstthebrokenpillar，hebeheldamanwrappedinalongmantle，andinanattitudeofprofoundrepose。Heapproached，andutteredthenameofZanoni。Thefigureturned，andhesawthefaceofastranger:afacenotstampedbythegloriousbeautyofZanoni，butequallymajesticinitsaspect，andperhapsstillmoreimpressivefromthematureageandthepassionlessdepthofthoughtthatcharacterisedtheexpandedforehead，anddeep-setbutpiercingeyes。
　　"YouseekZanoni，"saidthestranger；"hewillbehereanon；but，perhaps，hewhomyouseebeforeyouismoreconnectedwithyourdestiny，andmoredisposedtorealiseyourdreams。"
　　"Haththeearth，then，anotherZanoni？"
　　"Ifnot，"repliedthestranger，"whydoyoucherishthehopeandthewildfaithtobeyourselfaZanoni？Thinkyouthatnoneothershaveburnedwiththesamegodlikedream？Who，indeedinhisfirstyouth，——youthwhenthesoulisnearertotheheavenfromwhichitsprang，anditsdivineandprimallongingsarenotalleffacedbythesordidpassionsandpettycaresthatarebegotintime，——whoisthereinyouththathasnotnourishedthebeliefthattheuniversehassecretsnotknowntothecommonherd，andpanted，asthehartforthewater-springs，forthefountainsthatliehidandfarawayamidstthebroadwildernessoftracklessscience？ThemusicofthefountainisheardinthesoulWITHIN，tillthesteps，deceivedanderring，roveawayfromitswaters，andthewandererdiesinthemightydesert。Thinkyouthatnonewhohavecherishedthehopehavefoundthetruth，orthattheyearningaftertheIneffableKnowledgewasgiventousutterlyinvain？No!Everydesireinhumanheartsisbutaglimpseofthingsthatexist，alikedistantanddivine。No!intheworldtherehavebeenfromagetoagesomebrighterandhappierspiritswhohaveattainedtotheairinwhichthebeingsabovemankindmoveandbreathe。Zanoni，greatthoughhebe，standsnotalone。
　　Hehashadhispredecessors，andlonglinesofsuccessorsmaybeyettocome。"
　　"Andwillyoutellme，"saidGlyndon，"thatinyourselfIbeholdoneofthatmightyfewoverwhomZanonihasnosuperiorityinpowerandwisdom？"
　　"Inme，"answeredthestranger，"youseeonefromwhomZanonihimselflearnedsomeofhisloftiestsecrets。Ontheseshores，onthisspot，haveIstoodinagesthatyourchroniclersbutfeeblyreach。ThePhoenician，theGreek，theOscan，theRoman，theLombard，Ihaveseenthemall!——leavesgayandglitteringonthetrunkoftheuniversallife，scatteredindueseasonandagainrenewed；till，indeed，thesameracethatgaveitsglorytotheancientworldbestowedasecondyouthuponthenew。ForthepureGreeks，theHellenes，whoseoriginhasbewilderedyourdreamingscholars，wereofthesamegreatfamilyastheNormantribe，borntobethelordsoftheuniverse，andinnolandonearthdestinedtobecomethehewersofwood。Eventhedimtraditionsofthelearned，whichbringthesonsofHellasfromthevastandundeterminedterritoriesofNorthernThrace，tobethevictorsofthepastoralPelasgi，andthefoundersofthelineofdemi-gods；whichassigntoapopulationbronzedbeneaththesunsoftheWest，theblue-eyedMinervaandtheyellow-hairedAchillesphysicalcharacteristicsoftheNorth；whichintroduce，amongstapastoralpeople，warlikearistocraciesandlimitedmonarchies，thefeudalismoftheclassictime，——eventhesemightserveyoutotracebacktheprimevalsettlementsoftheHellenestothesameregionwhence，inlatertimes，theNormanwarriorsbrokeonthedullandsavagehordesoftheCelt，andbecametheGreeksoftheChristianworld。Butthisinterestsyounot，andyouarewiseinyourindifference。Notintheknowledgeofthingswithout，butintheperfectionofthesoulwithin，liestheempireofmanaspiringtobemorethanman。"
　　"Andwhatbookscontainthatscience；fromwhatlaboratoryisitwrought？"
　　"Naturesuppliesthematerials；theyarearoundyouinyourdailywalks。Intheherbsthatthebeastdevoursandthechemistdisdainstocull；intheelementsfromwhichmatterinitsmeanestanditsmightiestshapesisdeduced；inthewidebosomoftheair；intheblackabyssesoftheearth；everywherearegiventomortalstheresourcesandlibrariesofimmortallore。Butasthesimplestproblemsinthesimplestofallstudiesareobscuretoonewhobracesnothismindtotheircomprehension；astherowerinyondervesselcannottellyouwhytwocirclescantoucheachotheronlyinonepoint，——sothoughallearthwerecarvedoverandinscribedwiththelettersofdivinerknowledge，thecharacterswouldbevaluelesstohimwhodoesnotpausetoinquirethelanguageandmeditatethetruth。Youngman，ifthyimaginationisvivid，ifthyheartisdaring，ifthycuriosityisinsatiate，Iwillaccepttheeasmypupil。Butthefirstlessonsaresternanddread。"
　　"Ifthouhastmasteredthem，whynotI？"answeredGlyndon，boldly。"Ihavefeltfrommyboyhoodthatstrangemysterieswerereservedformycareer；andfromtheproudestendsofordinaryambitionIhavecarriedmygazeintothecloudanddarknessthatstretchbeyond。TheinstantIbeheldZanoni，IfeltasifIhaddiscoveredtheguideandthetutorforwhichmyyouthhadidlylanguishedandvainlyburned。"
　　"Andtomehisdutyistransferred，"repliedthestranger。
　　"Yonderlies，anchoredinthebay，thevesselinwhichZanoniseeksafairerhome；alittlewhileandthebreezewillrise，thesailwillswell；andthestrangerwillhavepassed，likeawind，away。Still，likethewind，heleavesinthyhearttheseedsthatmaybeartheblossomandthefruit。Zanonihathperformedhistask，——heiswantednomore；theperfecterofhisworkisatthyside。Hecomes!Ihearthedashoftheoar。Youwillhaveyourchoicesubmittedtoyou。Accordingasyoudecideweshallmeetagain。"Withthesewordsthestrangermovedslowlyaway，anddisappearedbeneaththeshadowofthecliffs。Aboatglidedrapidlyacrossthewaters:ittouchedland；amanleapedonshore，andGlyndonrecognisedZanoni。
　　"Igivethee，Glyndon，——Igivetheenomoretheoptionofhappyloveandsereneenjoyment。Thathourispast，andfatehaslinkedthehandthatmighthavebeenthineowntomine。ButI
　　haveamplegiftstobestowuponthee，ifthouwiltabandonthehopethatgnawsthyheart，andtherealisationofwhicheven_I_
　　havenotthepowertoforesee。Bethineambitionhuman，andI
　　cangratifyittothefull。Mendesirefourthingsinlife，——
　　love，wealth，fame，power。ThefirstIcannotgivethee，therestareatmydisposal。Selectwhichofthemthouwilt，andletuspartinpeace。"
　　"SucharenotthegiftsIcovet。Ichooseknowledge；thatknowledgemustbethineown。Forthis，andforthisalone，I
　　surrenderedtheloveofViola；this，andthisalone，mustbemyrecompense。"
　　"Icannotgainsaythee，thoughIcanwarn。Thedesiretolearndoesnotalwayscontainthefacultytoacquire。Icangivethee，itistrue，theteacher，——therestmustdependonthee。Bewiseintime，andtakethatwhichIcanassuretothee。"
　　"Answermebutthesequestions，andaccordingtoyouranswerI
　　willdecide。Isitinthepowerofmantoattainintercoursewiththebeingsofotherworlds？Isitinthepowerofmantoinfluencetheelements，andtoinsurelifeagainsttheswordandagainstdisease？"
　　"Allthismaybepossible，"answeredZanoni，evasively，"tothefew；butforonewhoattainssuchsecrets，millionsmayperishintheattempt。"
　　"Onequestionmore。Thou——"
　　"Beware!Ofmyself，asIhavesaidbefore，Irendernoaccount。"
　　"Well，then，thestrangerIhavemetthisnight，——arehisboaststobebelieved？IsheintruthoneofthechosenseerswhomyouallowtohavemasteredthemysteriesIyearntofathom？"