\"Rashman，\"saidZanoni，inatoneofcompassion，\"thycrisisispast，andthychoicemade!Icanonlybidtheebeboldandprosper；yes，IresigntheetoamasterwhoHASthepowerandthewilltoopentotheethegatesofanawfulworld。Thywealorwoeareasnoughtintheeyesofhisrelentlesswisdom。Iwouldbidhimsparethee，buthewillheedmenot。Mejnour，receivethypupil!\"Glyndonturned，andhisheartbeatwhenheperceivedthatthestranger，whosefootstepshehadnothearduponthepebbles，whoseapproachhehadnotbeheldinthemoonlight，wasoncemorebyhisside。
\"Farewell，\"resumedZanoni；\"thytrialcommences。Whennextwemeet，thouwiltbethevictimorthevictor。\"
Glyndon\'seyesfollowedtherecedingformofthemysteriousstranger。Hesawhimentertheboat，andhethenforthefirsttimenoticedthatbesidestherowerstherewasafemale，whostoodupasZanonigainedtheboat。Evenatthedistanceherecognisedtheonce-adoredformofViola。Shewavedherhandtohim，andacrossthestillandshiningaircamehervoice，mournfullyandsweetly，inhermother\'stongue，\"Farewell，Clarence，——Iforgivethee!——farewell，farewell!\"
Hestrovetoanswer；butthevoicetouchedachordathisheart，andthewordsfailedhim。Violawasthenlostforever，gonewiththisdreadstranger；darknesswasroundherlot!Andhehimselfhaddecidedherfateandhisown!Theboatboundedon，thesoftwavesflashedandsparkledbeneaththeoars，anditwasalongonesapphiretrackofmoonlightthatthefrailvesselboreawaythelovers。Fartherandfartherfromhisgazespedtheboat，tillatlastthespeck，scarcelyvisible，touchedthesideoftheshipthatlaylifelessinthegloriousbay。Atthatinstant，asifbymagic，upsprang，withagladmurmur，theplayfulandfresheningwind:andGlyndonturnedtoMejnourandbrokethesilence。
\"Tellme——ifthoucanstreadthefuture——tellmethatHERlotwillbefair，andthatHERchoiceatleastiswise？\"
\"Mypupil!\"answeredMejnour，inavoicethecalmnessofwhichwellaccordedwiththechillingwords，\"thyfirsttaskmustbetowithdrawallthought，feeling，sympathyfromothers。Theelementarystageofknowledgeistomakeself，andselfalone，thystudyandthyworld。Thouhastdecidedthineowncareer；
thouhastrenouncedlove；thouhastrejectedwealth，fame，andthevulgarpompsofpower。What，then，areallmankindtothee？
Toperfectthyfaculties，andconcentratethyemotions，ishenceforththyonlyaim!\"
\"Andwillhappinessbetheend？\"
\"Ifhappinessexist，\"answeredMejnour，\"itmustbecentredinaSELFtowhichallpassionisunknown。Buthappinessisthelaststateofbeing；andasyetthouartonthethresholdofthefirst。\"
AsMejnourspoke，thedistantvesselspreaditssailstothewind，andmovedslowlyalongthedeep。Glyndonsighed，andthepupilandthemasterretracedtheirstepstowardsthecity。
BOOKIV。
THEDWELLEROFTHETHRESHOLD。
Beyhinterihmwaswill!Ichhebihnauf。
\"DasVerschleierteBildzuSais\"
Bebehindwhattheremay，-Iraisetheveil。
CHAPTER4。I。
Comevittimaiovengoall\'ara。
\"Metast。，\"At。ii。Sc。7。
AsavictimIgotothealtar。
ItwasaboutamonthafterthedateofZanoni\'sdepartureandGlyndon\'sintroductiontoMejnour，whentwoEnglishmenwerewalking，arm-in-arm，throughtheToledo。
\"Itellyou，\"saidonewhospokewarmly，\"thatifyouhaveaparticleofcommon-senseleftinyou，youwillaccompanymetoEngland。ThisMejnourisanimpostermoredangerous，becausemoreinearnest，thanZanoni。Afterall，whatdohispromisesamountto？Youallowthatnothingcanbemoreequivocal。YousaythathehasleftNaples，——thathehasselectedaretreatmorecongenialthanthecrowdedthoroughfaresofmentothestudiesinwhichheistoinitiateyou；andthisretreatisamongthehauntsofthefiercestbanditsofItaly，——hauntswhichjusticeitselfdaresnotpenetrate。Fittinghermitageforasage!Itrembleforyou。Whatifthisstranger——ofwhomnothingisknown——beleaguedwiththerobbers；andtheseluresforyourcredulitybaitbutthetrapsforyourproperty，——perhapsyourlife？Youmightcomeoffcheaplybyaransomofhalfyourfortune。Yousmileindignantly!Well，putcommon-senseoutofthequestion；takeyourownviewofthematter。YouaretoundergoanordealwhichMejnourhimselfdoesnotprofesstodescribeasaverytemptingone。Itmay，oritmaynot，succeed:ifitdoesnot，youaremenacedwiththedarkestevils；andifitdoes，youcannotbebetteroffthanthedullandjoylessmysticwhomyouhavetakenforamaster。Awaywiththisfolly；enjoyyouthwhileitislefttoyou；returnwithmetoEngland；forgetthesedreams；enteryourpropercareer；formaffectionsmorerespectablethanthosewhichluredyouawhiletoanItalianadventuress。Attendtoyourfortune，makemoney，andbecomeahappyanddistinguishedman。
Thisistheadviceofsoberfriendship；yetthepromisesIholdouttoyouarefairerthanthoseofMejnour。\"
\"Mervale，\"saidGlyndon，doggedly，\"Icannot，ifIwould，yieldtoyourwishes。Apowerthatisabovemeurgesmeon；Icannotresistitsinfluence。IwillproceedtothelastinthestrangecareerIhavecommenced。Thinkofmenomore。Followyourselftheadviceyougivetome，andbehappy。\"
\"Thisismadness，\"saidMervale；\"yourhealthisalreadyfailing；
youaresochangedIshouldscarcelyknowyou。Come；Ihavealreadyhadyournameenteredinmypassport；inanotherhourI
shallbegone，andyou，boythatyouare，willbeleft，withoutafriend，tothedeceitsofyourownfancyandthemachinationsofthisrelentlessmountebank。\"
\"Enough，\"saidGlyndon，coldly；\"youceasetobeaneffectivecounsellorwhenyousufferyourprejudicestobethusevident。I
havealreadyhadampleproof，\"addedtheEnglishman，andhispalecheekgrewmorepale，\"ofthepowerofthisman，——ifmanhebe，whichIsometimesdoubt，——and，comelife，comedeath，Iwillnotshrinkfromthepathsthatallureme。Farewell，Mervale；ifwenevermeetagain，——ifyouhear，amidstouroldandcheerfulhaunts，thatClarenceGlyndonsleepsthelastsleepbytheshoresofNaples，oramidstyondistanthills，saytothefriendsofouryouth，\'Hediedworthily，asthousandsofmartyr-studentshavediedbeforehim，inthepursuitofknowledge。\'\"
HewrungMervale\'shandashespoke，dartedfromhisside，anddisappearedamidstthecrowd。
BythecorneroftheToledohewasarrestedbyNicot。
\"Ah，Glyndon!Ihavenotseenyouthismonth。Wherehaveyouhidyourself？Haveyoubeenabsorbedinyourstudies？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"IamabouttoleaveNaplesforParis。Willyouaccompanyme？
Talentofallorderiseagerlysoughtforthere，andwillbesuretorise。\"
\"Ithankyou；Ihaveotherschemesforthepresent。\"
\"Solaconic!——whatailsyou？DoyougrieveforthelossofthePisani？Takeexamplebyme。IhavealreadyconsoledmyselfwithBiancaSacchini，——ahandsomewoman，enlightened，noprejudices。
AvaluablecreatureIshallfindher，nodoubt。ButasforthisZanoni!\"
\"Whatofhim？\"
\"IfeverIpaintanallegoricalsubject，IwilltakehislikenessasSatan。Ha，ha!atruepainter\'srevenge，——eh？Andthewayoftheworld，too!Whenwecandonothingelseagainstamanwhomwehate，wecanatleastpainthiseffigiesastheDevil\'s。
Seriously，though:Iabhorthatman。\"
\"Wherefore？\'
\"Wherefore!HashenotcarriedoffthewifeandthedowryIhadmarkedformyself!Yet，afterall，\"addedNicot，musingly，\"hadheservedinsteadofinjuredme，Ishouldhavehatedhimallthesame。Hisveryform，andhisveryface，mademeatonceenvyanddetesthim。Ifeltthatthereissomethingantipatheticinournatures。Ifeel，too，thatweshallmeetagain，whenJeanNicot\'shatemaybelessimpotent。We，too，cherconfrere，——we，too，maymeetagain!VivelaRepublique!Itomynewworld!\"
\"AndItomine。Farewell!\"
ThatdayMervaleleftNaples；thenextmorningGlyndonalsoquittedtheCityofDelightalone，andonhorseback。Hebenthiswayintothosepicturesquebutdangerouspartsofthecountrywhichatthattimewereinfestedbybanditti，andwhichfewtravellersdaredtopass，eveninbroaddaylight，withoutastrongescort。Aroadmorelonelycannotwellbeconceivedthanthatonwhichthehoofsofhissteed，strikinguponthefragmentsofrockthatencumberedtheneglectedway，wokeadullandmelancholyecho。Largetractsofwasteland，variedbytherankandprofusefoliageoftheSouth，laybeforehim；occasionallyawildgoatpeepeddownfromsomerockycrag，orthediscordantcryofabirdofprey，startledinitssombrehaunt，washeardabovethehills。Theseweretheonlysignsoflife；notahumanbeingwasmet，——notahutwasvisible。Wrappedinhisownardentandsolemnthoughts，theyoungmancontinuedhisway，tillthesunhadspentitsnoondayheat，andabreezethatannouncedtheapproachofevesprungupfromtheunseenoceanwhichlayfardistanttohisright。Itwasthenthataturnintheroadbroughtbeforehimoneofthoselong，desolate，gloomyvillageswhicharefoundintheinterioroftheNeapolitandominions:andnowhecameuponasmallchapelononesidetheroad，withagaudilypaintedimageoftheVirginintheopenshrine。Aroundthisspot，which，intheheartofaChristianland，retainedthevestigeoftheoldidolatryforjustsuchwerethechapelsthatinthepaganagewerededicatedtothedemon-saintsofmythology，gatheredsixorsevenmiserableandsqualidwretches，whomthecurseoftheleperhadcutofffrommankind。Theysetupashrillcryastheyturnedtheirghastlyvisagestowardsthehorseman；and，withoutstirringfromthespot，stretchedouttheirgauntarms，andimploredcharityinthenameoftheMercifulMother!Glyndonhastilythrewthemsomesmallcoins，and，turningawayhisface，clappedspurstohishorse，andrelaxednothisspeedtillheenteredthevillage。Oneithersidethenarrowandmirystreet，fierceandhaggardforms——someleaningagainsttheruinedwallsofblackenedhuts，someseatedatthethreshold，somelyingatfulllengthinthemud——presentedgroupsthatatonceinvokedpityandarousedalarm:pityfortheirsqualor，alarmfortheferocityimprintedontheirsavageaspects。Theygazedathim，grimandsullen，asherodeslowlyuptheruggedstreet；sometimeswhisperingsignificantlytoeachother，butwithoutattemptingtostophisway。Eventhechildrenhushedtheirbabble，andraggedurchins，devouringhimwithsparklingeyes，mutteredtotheirmothers；\"Weshallfeastwellto-morrow!\"Itwas，indeed，oneofthosehamletsinwhichLawsetsnotitssoberstep，inwhichViolenceandMurderhousesecure，——hamletscommontheninthewilderpartsofItaly，inwhichthepeasantwasbutthegentlernamefortherobber。
Glyndon\'sheartsomewhatfailedhimashelookedaround，andthequestionhedesiredtoaskdieduponhislips。Atlengthfromoneofthedismalcabinsemergedaformsuperiortotherest。
Insteadofthepatchedandraggedover-all，whichmadetheonlygarmentofthemenhehadhithertoseen，thedressofthispersonwascharacterisedbyallthetrappingsofthenationalbravery。
Uponhisravenhair，theglossycurlsofwhichmadeanotablecontrasttothemattedandelfinlocksofthesavagesaround，wasplacedaclothcap，withagoldtasselthathungdowntohisshoulder；hismustachesweretrimmedwithcare，andasilkkerchiefofgayhueswastwistedroundawell-shapedbutsinewythroat；ashortjacketofroughclothwasdecoratedwithseveralrowsofgiltfilagreebuttons；hisnethergarmentsfittedtighttohislimbs，andwerecuriouslybraided；whileinabroadparti-
colouredsashwereplacedtwosilver-hiltedpistols，andthesheathedknife，usuallywornbyItaliansofthelowerorder，mountedinivoryelaboratelycarved。Asmallcarbineofhandsomeworkmanshipwasslungacrosshisshoulderandcompletedhiscostume。Themanhimselfwasofmiddlesize，athleticyetslender，withstraightandregularfeatures，sunburnt，butnotswarthy；andanexpressionofcountenancewhich，thoughrecklessandbold，hadinitfranknessratherthanferocity，and，ifdefying，wasnotaltogetherunprepossessing。
Glyndon，aftereyeingthisfigureforsomemomentswithgreatattention，checkedhisrein，andaskedthewaytothe\"CastleoftheMountain。\"
Themanliftedhiscapasheheardthequestion，and，approachingGlyndon，laidhishandupontheneckofthehorse，andsaid，inalowvoice，\"Thenyouarethecavalierwhomourpatronthesignorexpected。Hebademewaitforyouhere，andleadyoutothecastle。Andindeed，signor，itmighthavebeenunfortunateifI
hadneglectedtoobeythecommand。\"
Themanthen，drawingalittleaside，calledouttothebystandersinaloudvoice，\"Ho，ho!myfriends，payhenceforthandforeverallrespecttothisworshipfulcavalier。HeistheexpectedguestofourblessedpatronoftheCastleoftheMountain。Longlifetohim!Mayhe，likehishost，besafebydayandbynight；onthehillandinthewaste；againstthedaggerandthebullet，——inlimbandinlife!Cursedbehewhotouchesahairofhishead，orabaiocchoinhispouch。Nowandforeverwewillprotectandhonourhim，——forthelaworagainstthelaw；withthefaithandtothedeath。Amen!Amen!\"
\"Amen!\"responded，inwildchorus，ahundredvoices；andthescatteredandstragglinggroupspressedupthestreet，nearerandnearertothehorseman。
\"Andthathemaybeknown，\"continuedtheEnglishman\'sstrangeprotector，\"totheeyeandtotheear，Iplacearoundhimthewhitesash，andIgivehimthesacredwatchword，\'PeacetotheBrave。\'Signor，whenyouwearthissash，theproudestinthesepartswillbaretheheadandbendtheknee。Signor，whenyouutterthiswatchword，thebravestheartswillbeboundtoyourbidding。Desireyousafety，oraskyourevenge——togainabeauty，ortoloseafoe，——speakbuttheword，andweareyours:
weareyours!Isitnotso，comrades？\"
Andagainthehoarsevoicesshouted，\"Amen，Amen!\"
\"Now，signor，\"whisperedthebravo，\"ifyouhaveafewcoinstospare，scatterthemamongstthecrowd，andletusbegone。\"
Glyndon，notdispleasedattheconcludingsentence，emptiedhispurseinthestreets；andwhile，withmingledoaths，blessings，shrieks，andyells，men，women，andchildrenscrambledforthemoney，thebravo，takingthereinofthehorse，leditafewpacesthroughthevillageatabrisktrot，andthen，turningupanarrowlanetotheleft，inafewminutesneitherhousesnormenwerevisible，andthemountainsclosedtheirpathoneitherside。
Itwasthenthat，releasingthebridleandslackeninghispace，theguideturnedhisdarkeyesonGlyndonwithanarchexpression，andsaid，——
\"YourExcellencywasnot，perhaps，preparedfortheheartywelcomewehavegivenyou。\"
\"Why，intruth，IOUGHTtohavebeenpreparedforit，sincethesignor，towhosehouseIambound，didnotdisguisefrommethecharacteroftheneighbourhood。Andyourname，myfriend，ifI
maysocallyou？\"
\"Oh，noceremonieswithme，Excellency。InthevillageIamgenerallycalledMaestroPaolo。Ihadasurnameonce，thoughaveryequivocalone；andIhaveforgottenTHATsinceIretiredfromtheworld。\"
\"Andwasitfromdisgust，frompoverty，orfromsome——someebullitionofpassionwhichentailedpunishment，thatyoubetookyourselftothemountains？\"
\"Why，signor，\"saidthebravo，withagaylaugh，\"hermitsofmyclassseldomlovetheconfessional。However，Ihavenosecretswhilemystepisinthesedefiles，mywhistleinmypouch，andmycarbineatmyback。\"Withthattherobber，asifhelovedpermissiontotalkathiswill，hemmedthrice，andbeganwithmuchhumour；though，ashistaleproceeded，thememoriesitrousedseemedtocarryhimfartherthanheatfirstintended，andrecklessandlight-heartedeasegavewaytothatfierceandvariedplayofcountenanceandpassionofgesturewhichcharacterisetheemotionsofhiscountrymen。
\"IwasbornatTerracina，——afairspot，isitnot？Myfatherwasalearnedmonkofhighbirth；mymother——Heavenresther!——aninnkeeper\'sprettydaughter。Ofcoursetherecouldbenomarriageinthecase；andwhenIwasborn，themonkgravelydeclaredmyappearancetobemiraculous。Iwasdedicatedfrommycradletothealtar；andmyheadwasuniversallydeclaredtobetheorthodoxshapeforacowl。AsIgrewup，themonktookgreatpainswithmyeducation；andIlearnedLatinandpsalmodyassoonaslessmiraculousinfantslearncrowing。Nordidtheholyman\'scarestintitselftomyinterioraccomplishments。Althoughvowedtopoverty，healwayscontrivedthatmymothershouldhaveherpocketsfull；andbetweenherpocketsandminetherewassoonestablishedaclandestinecommunication；accordingly，atfourteen，Iworemycapononeside，stuckpistolsinmybelt，andassumedtheswaggerofacavalierandagallant。Atthatagemypoormotherdied；andaboutthesameperiodmyfather，havingwrittenaHistoryofthePontificalBulls，infortyvolumes，andbeing，asIsaid，ofhighbirth，obtainedacardinal\'shat。Fromthattimehethoughtfittodisownyourhumbleservant。HeboundmeovertoanhonestnotaryatNaples，andgavemetwohundredcrownsbywayofprovision。Well，signor，IsawenoughofthelawtoconvincemethatIshouldneverberogueenoughtoshineintheprofession。So，insteadofspoilingparchment，Imadelovetothenotary\'sdaughter。Mymasterdiscoveredourinnocentamusement，andturnedmeoutofdoors；thatwasdisagreeable。
ButmyNinettalovedme，andtookcarethatIshouldnotlieoutinthestreetswiththeLazzaroni。Littlejade!IthinkIseehernowwithherbarefeet，andherfingertoherlips，openingthedoorinthesummernights，andbiddingmecreepsoftlyintothekitchen，where，praisedbethesaints!aflaskandamanchetalwaysawaitedthehungryamoroso。Atlast，however，Ninettagrewcold。Itisthewayofthesex，signor。Herfatherfoundheranexcellentmarriageinthepersonofawitheredoldpicture-dealer。Shetookthespouse，andveryproperlyclappedthedoorinthefaceofthelover。Iwasnotdisheartened，Excellency；no，notI。Womenareplentifulwhileweareyoung。
So，withoutaducatinmypocketoracrustformyteeth，IsetouttoseekmyfortuneonboardofaSpanishmerchantman。ThatwasdullerworkthanIexpected；butluckilywewereattackedbyapirate，——halfthecrewwerebutchered，therestcaptured。I
wasoneofthelast:alwaysinluck，yousee，signor，——monks\'
sonshaveaknackthatway!Thecaptainofthepiratestookafancytome。\'Servewithus？\'saidhe。\'Toohappy，\'saidI。
Beholdme，then，apirate!Ojollylife!howIblessedtheoldnotaryforturningmeoutofdoors!Whatfeasting，whatfighting，whatwooing，whatquarrelling!Sometimesweranashoreandenjoyedourselveslikeprinces；sometimeswelayinacalmfordaystogetherontheloveliestseathatmanevertraversed。
Andthen，ifthebreezeroseandasailcameinsight，whosomerryaswe？Ipassedthreeyearsinthatcharmingprofession，andthen，signor，Igrewambitious。Icaballedagainstthecaptain；Iwantedhispost。Onestillnightwestrucktheblow。
Theshipwaslikealoginthesea，nolandtobeseenfromthemast-head，thewaveslikeglass，andthemoonatitsfull。Upwerose，thirtyofusandmore。Upwerosewithashout；wepouredintothecaptain\'scabin，Iatthehead。Thebraveoldboyhadcaughtthealarm，andtherehestoodatthedoorway，apistolineachhand；andhisoneeyehehadonlyoneworsetomeetthanthepistolswere。
\"\'Yield!\'criedI；\'yourlifeshallbesafe。\'
\"\'Takethat，\'saidhe，andwhizwentthepistol；butthesaintstookcareoftheirown，andtheballpassedbymycheek，andshottheboatswainbehindme。Iclosedwiththecaptain，andtheotherpistolwentoffwithoutmischiefinthestruggle。Suchafellowhewas，——sixfeetfourwithouthisshoes!Overwewent，rollingeachontheother。SantaMaria!notimetogetholdofone\'sknife。Meanwhileallthecrewwereup，someforthecaptain，someforme，——clashingandfiring，andswearingandgroaning，andnowandthenaheavysplashinthesea。Finesupperforthesharksthatnight!AtlastoldBilboagotuppermost；outflashedhisknife；downitcame，butnotinmyheart。No!Igavemyleftarmasashield；andthebladewentthroughtothehilt，withthebloodspurtingupliketherainfromawhale\'snostril!Withtheweightoftheblowthestoutfellowcamedownsothathisfacetouchedmine；withmyrighthandIcaughthimbythethroat，turnedhimoverlikealamb，signor，andfaithitwassoonallupwithhim:theboatswain\'sbrother，afatDutchman，ranhimthroughwithapike。
\"\'Oldfellow，\'saidI，asheturnedhisterribleeyetome，\'I
bearyounomalice，butwemusttrytogetonintheworld，youknow。\'Thecaptaingrinnedandgaveuptheghost。Iwentupondeck，——whatasight!Twentyboldfellowsstarkandcold，andthemoonsparklingonthepuddlesofbloodascalmlyasifitwerewater。Well，signor，thevictorywasours，andtheshipmine；I
ruledmerrilyenoughforsixmonths。WethenattackedaFrenchshiptwiceoursize；whatsportitwas!Andwehadnothadagoodfightsolong，wewerequitelikevirginsatit!Wegotthebestofit，andwonshipandcargo。Theywantedtopistolthecaptain，butthatwasagainstmylaws:sowegaggedhim，forhescoldedasloudasifweweremarriedtohim；lefthimandtherestofhiscrewonboardourownvessel，whichwasterriblybattered；clappedourblackflagontheFrenchman\'s，andsetoffmerrily，withabriskwindinourfavour。Butluckdesertedusonforsakingourowndearoldship。Astormcameon，aplankstruck；severalofusescapedinaboat；wehadlotsofgoldwithus，butnowater。Fortwodaysandtwonightswesufferedhorribly；butatlastweranashorenearaFrenchseaport。Oursorryplightmovedcompassion，andaswehadmoney，wewerenotsuspected，——peopleonlysuspectthepoor。Herewesoonrecoveredourfatigues，riggedourselvesoutgayly，andyourhumbleservantwasconsideredasnobleacaptainaseverwalkeddeck。Butnow，alas!myfatewouldhaveitthatIshouldfallinlovewithasilk-mercer\'sdaughter。Ah，howIlovedher!——theprettyClara!
Yes，IlovedhersowellthatIwasseizedwithhorroratmypastlife!Iresolvedtorepent，tomarryher，andsettledownintoanhonestman。Accordingly，Isummonedmymessmates，toldthemmyresolution，resignedmycommand，andpersuadedthemtodepart。
Theyweregoodfellows，engagedwithaDutchman，againstwhomI
heardafterwardstheymadeasuccessfulmutiny，butIneversawthemmore。Ihadtwothousandcrownsstillleft；withthissumI
obtainedtheconsentofthesilk-mercer，anditwasagreedthatI
shouldbecomeapartnerinthefirm。IneednotsaythatnoonesuspectedthatIhadbeensogreataman，andIpassedforaNeapolitangoldsmith\'ssoninsteadofacardinal\'s。Iwasveryhappythen，signor，very，——Icouldnothaveharmedafly!HadI
marriedClara，Ihadbeenasgentleamerceraseverhandledameasure。\"
Thebravopausedamoment，anditwaseasytoseethathefeltmorethanhiswordsandtonebetokened。\"Well，well，wemustnotlookbackatthepasttooearnestly，——thesunlightuponitmakesone\'seyeswater。Thedaywasfixedforourwedding，——itapproached。Ontheeveningbeforetheappointedday，Clara，hermother，herlittlesister，andmyself，werewalkingbytheport；
andaswelookedonthesea，Iwastellingthemoldgossip-talesofmermaidsandsea-serpents，whenared-faced，bottle-nosedFrenchmanclappedhimselfrightbeforeme，and，placinghisspectaclesverydeliberatelyastridehisproboscis，echoedout，\'Sacre，milletonnerres!thisisthedamnedpiratewhoboardedthe\"Niobe\"!\'
\"\'Noneofyourjests，\'saidI，mildly。\'Ho，ho!\'saidhe；\'I
can\'tbemistaken；helpthere!\'andhegripedmebythecollar。
Ireplied，asyoumaysuppose，bylayinghiminthekennel；butitwouldnotdo。TheFrenchcaptainhadaFrenchlieutenantathisback，whosememorywasasgoodashischief\'s。Acrowdassembled；othersailorscameup:theoddswereagainstme。I
sleptthatnightinprison；andinafewweeksafterwardsIwassenttothegalleys。Theysparedmylife，becausetheoldFrenchmanpolitelyaverredthatIhadmademycrewsparehis。
Youmaybelievethattheoarandthechainwerenottomytaste。
Iandtwoothersescaped；theytooktotheroad，andhave，nodoubt，beenlongsincebrokenonthewheel。I，softsoul，wouldnotcommitanothercrimetogainmybread，forClarawasstillatmyheartwithhersweeteyes；so，limitingmyrogueriestothetheftofabeggar\'srags，whichIcompensatedbyleavinghimmygalleyattireinstead，IbeggedmywaytothetownwhereIleftClara。Itwasaclearwinter\'sdaywhenIapproachedtheoutskirtsofthetown。Ihadnofearofdetection，formybeardandhairwereasgoodasamask。Oh，MotherofMercy!therecameacrossmywayafuneralprocession!There，nowyouknowit；I
cantellyounomore。Shehaddied，perhapsoflove，morelikelyofshame。CanyouguesshowIspentthatnight？——Istoleapickaxefromamason\'sshed，andallaloneandunseen，underthefrostyheavens，Idugthefreshmouldfromthegrave；Iliftedthecoffin，Iwrenchedthelid，Isawheragain——again!Decayhadnottouchedher。Shewasalwayspaleinlife!Icouldhaveswornshelived!Itwasablessedthingtoseeheroncemore，andallalonetoo!Butthen，atdawn，togiveherbacktotheearth，——toclosethelid，tothrowdownthemould，tohearthepebblesrattleonthecoffin:thatwasdreadful!Signor，I
neverknewbefore，andIdon\'twishtothinknow，howvaluableathinghumanlifeis。AtsunriseIwasagainawanderer；butnowthatClarawasgone，myscruplesvanished，andagainIwasatwarwithmybetters。Icontrivedatlast，atO——，togettakenonboardavesselboundtoLeghorn，workingoutmypassage。FromLeghornIwenttoRome，andstationedmyselfatthedoorofthecardinal\'spalace。Outhecame，hisgildedcoachatthegate。
\"\'Ho，father!\'saidI；\'don\'tyouknowme？\'
\"\'Whoareyou？\'
\"\'Yourson，\'saidI，inawhisper。
\"Thecardinaldrewback，lookedatmeearnestly，andmusedamoment。\'Allmenaremysons，\'quothhethen，verymildly；
\'thereisgoldforthee!Tohimwhobegsonce，almsaredue；tohimwhobegstwice，jailsareopen。Takethehintandmolestmenomore。Heavenblessthee!\'Withthathegotintohiscoach，anddroveofftotheVatican。Hispursewhichhehadleftbehindwaswellsupplied。Iwasgratefulandcontented，andtookmywaytoTerracina。IhadnotlongpassedthemarsheswhenIsawtwohorsemenapproachatacanter。
\"\'Youlookpoor，friend，\'saidoneofthem，halting；\'yetyouarestrong。\'
\"\'Poormenandstrongarebothserviceableanddangerous，SignorCavalier。\'
\"\'Wellsaid；followus。\'
\"Iobeyed，andbecameabandit。Irosebydegrees；andasIhavealwaysbeenmildinmycalling，andhavetakenpurseswithoutcuttingthroats，Ibearanexcellentcharacter，andcaneatmymacaroniatNapleswithoutanydangertolifeandlimb。ForthelasttwoyearsIhavesettledintheseparts，whereIholdsway，andwhereIhavepurchasedland。Iamcalledafarmer，signor；
andImyselfnowonlyrobforamusement，andtokeepmyhandin。
ItrustIhavesatisfiedyourcuriosity。Wearewithinahundredyardsofthecastle。\"
\"Andhow，\"askedtheEnglishman，whoseinteresthadbeenmuchexcitedbyhiscompanion\'snarrative，——\"andhowcameyouacquaintedwithmyhost？——andbywhatmeanshashesowellconciliatedthegoodwillofyourselfandfriends？\"
MaestroPaoloturnedhisblackeyesverygravelytowardshisquestioner。\"Why，signor，\"saidhe，\"youmustsurelyknowmoreoftheforeigncavalierwiththehardnamethanIdo。AllIcansayis，thataboutafortnightagoIchancedtobestandingbyaboothintheToledoatNaples，whenasober-lookinggentlemantouchedmebythearm，andsaid，\'MaestroPaolo，Iwanttomakeyouracquaintance；domethefavourtocomeintoyondertavern，anddrinkaflaskoflacrima。\'\'Willingly，\'saidI。Soweenteredthetavern。Whenwewereseated，mynewacquaintancethusaccostedme:\'TheCountd\'O——hasofferedtoletmehirehisoldcastlenearB。Youknowthespot？\'
\"\'Extremelywell；noonehasinhabiteditforacenturyatleast；
itishalfinruins，signor。Aqueerplacetohire；Ihopetherentisnotheavy。\'
\"\'MaestroPaolo，\'saidhe，\'Iamaphilosopher，anddon\'tcareforluxuries。Iwantaquietretreatforsomescientificexperiments。Thecastlewillsuitmeverywell，providedyouwillacceptmeasaneighbour，andplacemeandmyfriendsunderyourspecialprotection。Iamrich；butIshalltakenothingtothecastleworthrobbing。Iwillpayonerenttothecount，andanothertoyou。\'
\"Withthatwesooncametoterms；andasthestrangesignordoubledthesumImyselfproposed，heisinhighfavourwithallhisneighbours。Wewouldguardthewholecastleagainstanarmy。
Andnow，signor，thatIhavebeenthusfrank，befrankwithme。
Whoisthissingularcavalier？\"
\"Who？——hehimselftoldyou，aphilosopher。\"
\"Hem!searchingforthePhilosopher\'sStone，——eh，abitofamagician；afraidofthepriests？\"
\"Precisely；youhavehitit。\"
\"Ithoughtso；andyouarehispupil？\"
\"Iam。\"
\"Iwishyouwellthroughit，\"saidtherobber，seriously，andcrossinghimselfwithmuchdevotion；\"Iamnotmuchbetterthanotherpeople，butone\'ssoulisone\'ssoul。Idonotmindalittlehonestrobbery，orknockingamanontheheadifneedbe，——buttomakeabargainwiththedevil!Ah，takecare，younggentleman，takecare!\"
\"Youneednotfear，\"saidGlyndon，smiling；\"mypreceptoristoowiseandtoogoodforsuchacompact。Buthereweare，I
suppose。Anobleruin，——agloriousprospect!\"
Glyndonpauseddelightedly，andsurveyedthescenebeforeandbelowwiththeeyeofapainter。Insensibly，whilelisteningtothebandit，hehadwoundupaconsiderableascent，andnowhewasuponabroadledgeofrockcoveredwithmossesanddwarfshrubs。
Betweenthiseminenceandanotherofequalheight，uponwhichthecastlewasbuilt，therewasadeepbutnarrowfissure，overgrownwiththemostprofusefoliage，sothattheeyecouldnotpenetratemanyyardsbelowtheruggedsurfaceoftheabyss；buttheprofoundnessmightbewellconjecturedbythehoarse，low，monotonousroarofwatersunseenthatrolledbelow，andthesubsequentcourseofwhichwasvisibleatadistanceinaperturbedandrapidstreamthatintersectedthewasteanddesolatevalleys。
Totheleft，theprospectseemedalmostboundless，——theextremeclearnessofthepurpleairservingtorenderdistinctthefeaturesofarangeofcountrythataconquerorofoldmighthavedeemedinitselfakingdom。LonelyanddesolateastheroadwhichGlyndonhadpassedthatdayhadappeared，thelandscapenowseemedstuddedwithcastles，spires，andvillages。Afaroff，Naplesgleamedwhitelyinthelastraysofthesun，andtherose-tintsofthehorizonmeltedintotheazureofhergloriousbay。Yetmoreremote，andinanotherpartoftheprospect，mightbecaught，dimandshadowy，andbackedbythedarkestfoliage，theruinedpillarsoftheancientPosidonia。There，inthemidstofhisblackenedandsterilerealms，rosethedismalMountofFire；whileontheotherhand，windingthroughvariegatedplains，towhichdistancelentallitsmagic，glitteredmanyandmanyastreambywhichEtruscanandSybarite，RomanandSaracenandNormanhad，atintervalsofages，pitchedtheinvadingtent。Allthevisionsofthepast——thestormyanddazzlinghistoriesofSouthernItaly——rushedovertheartist\'smindashegazedbelow。
Andthen，slowlyturningtolookbehind，hesawthegreyandmoulderingwallsofthecastleinwhichhesoughtthesecretsthatweretogivetohopeinthefutureamightierempirethanmemoryownsinthepast。ItwasoneofthosebaronialfortresseswithwhichItalywasstuddedintheearliermiddleages，havingbutlittleoftheGothicgraceorgrandeurwhichbelongstotheecclesiasticalarchitectureofthesametime，butrude，vast，andmenacing，evenindecay。Awoodenbridgewasthrownoverthechasm，wideenoughtoadmittwohorsemenabreast；andtheplankstrembledandgavebackahollowsoundasGlyndonurgedhisjadedsteedacross。
Aroadwhichhadoncebeenbroadandpavedwithroughflags，butwhichnowwashalf-obliteratedbylonggrassandrankweeds，conductedtotheoutercourtofthecastlehardby；thegateswereopen，andhalfthebuildinginthispartwasdismantled；theruinspartiallyhidbyivythatwasthegrowthofcenturies。Butonenteringtheinnercourt，Glyndonwasnotsorrytonoticethattherewaslessappearanceofneglectanddecay；somewildrosesgaveasmiletothegreywalls，andinthecentretherewasafountaininwhichthewatersstilltrickledcoolly，andwithapleasingmurmur，fromthejawsofagiganticTriton。HerehewasmetbyMejnourwithasmile。
\"Welcome，myfriendandpupil，\"saidhe:\"hewhoseeksforTruthcanfindinthesesolitudesanimmortalAcademe。\"
CHAPTER4。II。
AndAbaris，sofarfromesteemingPythagoras，whotaughtthesethings，anecromancerorwizard，ratherreveredandadmiredhimassomethingdivine——Iamblich。，\"Vit。Pythag。\"
TheattendantswhomMejnourhadengagedforhisstrangeabodeweresuchasmightsuitaphilosopheroffewwants。AnoldArmenianwhomGlyndonrecognisedasinthemystic\'sserviceatNaples，atall，hard-featuredwomanfromthevillage，recommendedbyMaestroPaolo，andtwolong-haired，smooth-spoken，butfierce-visagedyouthsfromthesameplace，andhonouredbythesamesponsorship，constitutedtheestablishment。Theroomsusedbythesagewerecommodiousandweather-proof，withsomeremainsofancientsplendourinthefadedarrasthatclothedthewalls，andthehugetablesofcostlymarbleandelaboratecarving。
Glyndon\'ssleepingapartmentcommunicatedwithakindofbelvedere，orterrace，thatcommandedprospectsofunrivalledbeautyandextent，andwasseparatedontheothersidebyalonggallery，andaflightoftenoradozenstairs，fromtheprivatechambersofthemystic。Therewasaboutthewholeplaceasombreandyetnotdispleasingdepthofrepose。Itsuitedwellwiththestudiestowhichitwasnowtobeappropriated。
ForseveraldaysMejnourrefusedtoconferwithGlyndononthesubjectsnearesttohisheart。
\"Allwithout，\"saidhe，\"isprepared，butnotallwithin；yourownsoulmustgrowaccustomedtothespot，andfilledwiththesurroundingnature；forNatureisthesourceofallinspiration。\"
WiththesewordsMejnourturnedtolightertopics。HemadetheEnglishmanaccompanyhiminlongramblesthroughthewildscenesaround，andhesmiledapprovinglywhentheyoungartistgavewaytotheenthusiasmwhichtheirfearfulbeautycouldnothavefailedtorouseinadullerbreast；andthenMejnourpouredforthtohiswonderingpupilthestoresofaknowledgethatseemedinexhaustibleandboundless。Hegaveaccountsthemostcurious，graphic，andminuteofthevariousracestheircharacters，habits，creeds，andmannersbywhichthatfairlandhadbeensuccessivelyoverrun。Itistruethathisdescriptionscouldnotbefoundinbooks，andwereunsupportedbylearnedauthorities；
buthepossessedthetruecharmofthetale-teller，andspokeofallwiththeanimatedconfidenceofapersonalwitness。
Sometimes，too，hewouldconverseuponthemoredurableandtheloftiermysteriesofNaturewithaneloquenceandaresearchwhichinvestedthemwithallthecoloursratherofpoetrythanscience。Insensiblytheyoungartistfoundhimselfelevatedandsoothedbytheloreofhiscompanion；thefeverofhiswilddesireswasslaked。Hismindbecamemoreandmorelulledintothedivinetranquillityofcontemplation；hefelthimselfanoblerbeing，andinthesilenceofhissensesheimaginedthatheheardthevoiceofhissoul。
ItwastothisstatethatMejnourevidentlysoughttobringtheneophyte，andinthiselementaryinitiationthemysticwaslikeeverymoreordinarysage。ForhewhoseekstoDISCOVERmustfirstreducehimselfintoakindofabstractidealism，andberenderedup，insolemnandsweetbondage，tothefacultieswhichCONTEMPLATEandIMAGINE。
Glyndonnoticedthat，intheirrambles，Mejnouroftenpaused，wherethefoliagewasrifest，togathersomeherborflower；andthisremindedhimthathehadseenZanonisimilarlyoccupied。
\"CanthesehumblechildrenofNature，\"saidheonedaytoMejnour，——\"thingsthatbloomandwitherinaday，beserviceabletothescienceofthehighersecrets？Isthereapharmacyforthesoulaswellasthebody，anddothenurslingsofthesummerministernotonlytohumanhealthbutspiritualimmortality？\"
\"If，\"answeredMejnour，\"astrangerhadvisitedawanderingtribebeforeonepropertyofherbalismwasknowntothem；ifhehadtoldthesavagesthattheherbswhicheverydaytheytrampledunderfootwereendowedwiththemostpotentvirtues；thatonewouldrestoretohealthabrotheronthevergeofdeath；thatanotherwouldparalyseintoidiocytheirwisestsage；thatathirdwouldstrikelifelesstothedusttheirmoststalwartchampion；thattearsandlaughter，vigouranddisease，madnessandreason，wakefulnessandsleep，existenceanddissolution，werecoiledupinthoseunregardedleaves，——wouldtheynothaveheldhimasorcereroraliar？TohalfthevirtuesofthevegetableworldmankindareyetinthedarknessofthesavagesI
havesupposed。Therearefacultieswithinuswithwhichcertainherbshaveaffinity，andoverwhichtheyhavepower。Themolyoftheancientsisnotallafable。\"
TheapparentcharacterofMejnourdifferedinmuchfromthatofZanoni；andwhileitfascinatedGlyndonless，itsubduedandimpressedhimmore。TheconversationofZanonievincedadeepandgeneralinterestformankind，——afeelingapproachingtoenthusiasmforartandbeauty。Thestoriescirculatedconcerninghishabitselevatedthemysteryofhislifebyactionsofcharityandbeneficence。Andinallthistherewassomethinggenialandhumanethatsoftenedtheawehecreated，andtended，perhaps，toraisesuspicionsastotheloftiersecretsthathearrogatedtohimself。ButMejnourseemedwhollyindifferenttoalltheactualworld。Ifhecommittednoevil，heseemedequallyapathetictogood。Hisdeedsrelievednowant，hiswordspitiednodistress。
Whatwecalltheheartappearedtohavemergedintotheintellect。Hemoved，thought，andlivedlikesomeregularandcalmabstraction，ratherthanonewhoyetretained，withtheform，thefeelingsandsympathiesofhiskind。
Glyndononce，observingthetoneofsupremeindifferencewithwhichhespokeofthosechangesonthefaceofearthwhichheassertedhehadwitnessed，venturedtoremarktohimthedistinctionhehadnoted。
\"Itistrue，\"saidMejnour，coldly。\"Mylifeisthelifethatcontemplates，——Zanoni\'sisthelifethatenjoys:whenIgathertheherb，Ithinkbutofitsuses；Zanoniwillpausetoadmireitsbeauties。\"
\"Andyoudeemyourownthesuperiorandtheloftierexistence？\"
\"No。Hisistheexistenceofyouth，——mineofage。Wehavecultivateddifferentfaculties。Eachhaspowerstheothercannotaspireto。Thosewithwhomheassociateslivebetter，——thosewhoassociatewithmeknowmore。\"
\"Ihaveheard，intruth，\"saidGlyndon，\"thathiscompanionsatNapleswereobservedtoleadpurerandnoblerlivesafterintercoursewithZanoni；yetweretheynotstrangecompanions，atthebest，forasage？Thisterriblepower，too，thatheexercisesatwill，asinthedeathofthePrincedi——，andthatoftheCountUghelli，scarcelybecomesthetranquilseekeraftergood。\"
\"True，\"saidMejnour，withanicysmile；\"suchmusteverbetheerrorofthosephilosopherswhowouldmeddlewiththeactivelifeofmankind。Youcannotservesomewithoutinjuringothers；youcannotprotectthegoodwithoutwarringonthebad；andifyoudesiretoreformthefaulty，why，youmustloweryourselftolivewiththefaultytoknowtheirfaults。EvensosaithParacelsus，agreatman，thoughoftenwrong。\"Itisasnecessarytoknowevilthingsasgood；forwhocanknowwhatisgoodwithouttheknowingwhatisevil？\"etc——Paracelsus，\"DeNat。Rer。，\"lib。3。
Notminethisfolly；Ilivebutinknowledge，——Ihavenolifeinmankind!\"
AnothertimeGlyndonquestionedthemysticastothenatureofthatunionorfraternitytowhichZanonihadoncereferred。
\"Iamright，Isuppose，\"saidhe，\"inconjecturingthatyouandhimselfprofesstobethebrothersoftheRosyCross？\"
\"Doyouimagine，\"answeredMejnour，\"thattherewerenomysticandsolemnunionsofmenseekingthesameendthroughthesamemeansbeforetheArabiansofDamus，in1378，taughttoawanderingGermanthesecretswhichfoundedtheInstitutionoftheRosicrucians？Iallow，however，thattheRosicruciansformedasectdescendedfromthegreaterandearlierschool。TheywerewiserthantheAlchemists，——theirmastersarewiserthanthey。\"
\"Andofthisearlyandprimaryorderhowmanystillexist？\"
\"Zanoniandmyself。\"
\"What，twoonly!——andyouprofessthepowertoteachtoallthesecretthatbafflesDeath？\"
\"Yourancestorattainedthatsecret；hediedratherthansurvivetheonlythingheloved。Wehave，mypupil，noartsbywhichweCANPUTDEATHOUTOFOUROPTION，oroutofthewillofHeaven。
ThesewallsmaycrushmeasIstand。Allthatweprofesstodoisbutthis，——tofindoutthesecretsofthehumanframe；toknowwhythepartsossifyandthebloodstagnates，andtoapplycontinualpreventivestotheeffectsoftime。Thisisnotmagic；
itistheartofmedicinerightlyunderstood。Inourorderweholdmostnoble，——first，thatknowledgewhichelevatestheintellect；secondly，thatwhichpreservesthebody。Butthemereartextractedfromthejuicesandsimpleswhichrecruitstheanimalvigourandarreststheprogressofdecay，orthatmorenoblesecret，whichIwillonlyhinttotheeatpresent，bywhichHEAT，orCALORIC，asyecallit，being，asHeraclituswiselytaught，theprimordialprincipleoflife，canbemadeitsperpetualrenovater，——theseIsay，wouldnotsufficeforsafety。
Itisoursalsotodisarmandeludethewrathofmen，toturntheswordsofourfoesagainsteachother，toglideifnotincorporealinvisibletoeyesoverwhichwecanthrowamistanddarkness。Andthissomeseershaveprofessedtobethevirtueofastoneofagate。Abarisplaceditinhisarrow。Iwillfindyouanherbinyonvalleythatwillgiveasurercharmthantheagateandthearrow。Inoneword，knowthis，thatthehumblestandmeanestproductsofNaturearethosefromwhichthesublimestpropertiesaretobedrawn。\"
\"But，\"saidGlyndon，\"ifpossessedofthesegreatsecrets，whysochurlishinwithholdingtheirdiffusion？Doesnotthefalseorcharlatanicsciencedifferinthisfromthetrueandindisputable，——thatthelastcommunicatestotheworldtheprocessbywhichitattainsitsdiscoveries；thefirstboastsofmarvellousresults，andrefusestoexplainthecauses？\"
\"Wellsaid，OLogicianoftheSchools；butthinkagain。Supposeweweretoimpartallourknowledgetoallmankindindiscriminately，——aliketotheviciousandthevirtuous，——shouldwebebenefactorsorscourges？Imaginethetyrant，thesensualist，theevilandcorruptedbeingpossessedofthesetremendouspowers；wouldhenotbeademonletlooseonearth？
Grantthatthesameprivilegebeaccordedalsotothegood；andinwhatstatewouldbesociety？EngagedinaTitanwar，——thegoodforeveronthedefensive，thebadforeverinassault。Inthepresentconditionoftheearth，evilisamoreactiveprinciplethangood，andtheevilwouldprevail。Itisforthesereasonsthatwearenotonlysolemnlyboundtoadministerourloreonlytothosewhowillnotmisuseandpervertit，butthatweplaceourordealinteststhatpurifythepassionsandelevatethedesires。AndNatureinthiscontrolsandassistsus:foritplacesawfulguardiansandinsurmountablebarriersbetweentheambitionofviceandtheheavenoftheloftierscience。\"