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？\"