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-