\"Itshallbeasthouwilt,\"saidNicot,withadevil\'ssneer;
\"buthemustbearrestedforthemoment。Noharmshallhappentohim,fornoaccusershallappear。Buther,——thouwiltnotrelentforher?\"
Fillideturneduponhimhereyes,andtheirdarkglancewassufficientanswer。
CHAPTER7。VI。
InpoppaquellaCheguidarglidovea,fatalDonsella。
\"Ger。Lib。\"cant。xv。3。
Bytheprowwasthefatalladyordainedtobetheguide。
TheItaliandidnotoverratethatcraftofsimulationproverbialwithhercountryandhersex。Notaword,notalook,thatdayrevealedtoGlyndonthedeadlychangethathadconverteddevotionintohate。Hehimself,indeed,absorbedinhisownschemes,andinreflectionsonhisownstrangedestiny,wasnoniceobserver。
Buthermanner,milderandmoresubduedthanusual,producedasofteningeffectuponhismeditationstowardstheevening;andhethenbegantoconversewithheronthecertainhopeofescape,andonthefuturethatwouldawaittheminlessunhallowedlands。
\"Andthyfairfriend,\"saidFillide,withanavertedeyeandafalsesmile,\"whowastobeourcompanion?——thouhastresignedher,Nicottellsme,infavourofoneinwhomheisinterested。
Isitso?\"
\"Hetoldtheethis!\"returnedGlyndon,evasively。\"Well!doesthechangecontentthee?\"
\"Traitor!\"mutteredFillide;andsherosesuddenly,approachedhim,partedthelonghairfromhisforeheadcaressingly,andpressedherlipsconvulsivelyonhisbrow。
\"Thisweretoofairaheadforthedoomsman,\"saidshe,withaslightlaugh,and,turningaway,appearedoccupiedinpreparationsfortheirdeparture。
Thenextmorning,whenherose,GlyndondidnotseetheItalian;
shewasabsentfromthehousewhenheleftit。ItwasnecessarythatheshouldoncemorevisitC——beforehisfinalDeparture,notonlytoarrangeforNicot\'sparticipationintheflight,butlestanysuspicionshouldhavearisentothwartorendangertheplanhehadadopted。C——,thoughnotoneoftheimmediatecoterieofRobespierre,andindeedsecretlyhostiletohim,hadpossessedtheartofkeepingwellwitheachfactionasitrosetopower。Sprungfromthedregsofthepopulace,hehad,nevertheless,thegraceandvivacitysooftenfoundimpartiallyamongsteveryclassinFrance。Hehadcontrivedtoenrichhimself——noneknewhow——inthecourseofhisrapidcareer。Hebecame,indeed,ultimatelyoneofthewealthiestproprietorsofParis,andatthattimekeptasplendidandhospitablemansion。
Hewasoneofthosewhom,fromvariousreasons,Robespierredeignedtofavour;andhehadoftensavedtheproscribedandsuspected,byprocuringthempassportsunderdisguisednames,andadvisingtheirmethodofescape。ButC——wasamanwhotookthistroubleonlyfortherich。\"TheincorruptibleMaximilien,\"whodidnotwantthetyrant\'sfacultyofpenetration,probablysawthroughallhismanoeuvres,andtheavaricewhichhecloakedbeneathhischarity。ButitwasnoticeablethatRobespierrefrequentlyseemedtowinkat——nay,partiallytoencourage——suchviceinmenwhomhemeanthereaftertodestroy,aswouldtendtolowertheminthepublicestimation,andtocontrastwithhisownaustereandunassailableintegrityandPURISM。And,doubtless,heoftengrimlysmiledinhissleeveatthesumptuousmansionandthegripingcovetousnessoftheworthyCitizenC。
Tothispersonage,then,Glyndonmusinglybenthisway。Itwastrue,ashehaddarklysaidtoViola,thatinproportionashehadresistedthespectre,itsterrorshadlosttheirinfluence。
Thetimehadcomeatlast,when,seeingcrimeandviceinalltheirhideousness,andinsovastatheatre,hehadfoundthatinviceandcrimetherearedeadlierhorrorsthanintheeyesofaphantom-fear。Hisnativenoblenessbegantoreturntohim。Ashepassedthestreets,herevolvedinhismindprojectsoffuturerepentanceandreformation。Heevenmeditated,asajustreturnforFillide\'sdevotion,thesacrificeofallthereasoningsofhisbirthandeducation。Hewouldrepairwhatevererrorshehadcommittedagainsther,bytheself-immolationofmarriagewithonelittlecongenialwithhimself。HewhohadoncerevoltedfrommarriagewiththenobleandgentleViola!——hehadlearnedinthatworldofwrongtoknowthatrightisright,andthatHeavendidnotmaketheonesextobethevictimoftheother。TheyoungvisionsoftheBeautifulandtheGoodroseoncemorebeforehim;
andalongthedarkoceanofhismindlaythesmileofreawakeningvirtue,asapathofmoonlight。Never,perhaps,hadtheconditionofhissoulbeensoelevatedandunselfish。
InthemeanwhileJeanNicot,equallyabsorbedindreamsofthefuture,andalreadyinhisownmindlayingouttothebestadvantagethegoldofthefriendhewasabouttobetray,tookhiswaytothehousehonouredbytheresidenceofRobespierre。HehadnointentiontocomplywiththerelentingprayerofFillide,thatthelifeofGlyndonshouldbespared。HethoughtwithBarrere,\"Iln\'yaquelesmortsquinerevientpas。\"Inallmenwhohavedevotedthemselvestoanystudy,oranyart,withsufficientpainstoattainacertaindegreeofexcellence,theremustbeafundofenergyimmeasurablyabovethatoftheordinaryherd。Usuallythisenergyisconcentratedontheobjectsoftheirprofessionalambition,andleavesthem,therefore,apathetictotheotherpursuitsofmen。Butwherethoseobjectsaredenied,wherethestreamhasnotitslegitimatevent,theenergy,irritatedandaroused,possessesthewholebeing,andifnotwastedondesultoryschemes,orifnotpurifiedbyconscienceandprinciple,becomesadangerousanddestructiveelementinthesocialsystem,throughwhichitwandersinriotanddisorder。
Hence,inallwisemonarchies,——nay,inallwell-constitutedstates,——thepeculiarcarewithwhichchannelsareopenedforeveryartandeveryscience;hencethehonourpaidtotheircultivatorsbysubtleandthoughtfulstatesmen,who,perhaps,forthemselves,seenothinginapicturebutcolouredcanvas,——
nothinginaproblembutaningeniouspuzzle。Nostateisevermoreindangerthanwhenthetalentthatshouldbeconsecratedtopeacehasnooccupationbutpoliticalintrigueorpersonaladvancement。Talentunhonouredistalentatwarwithmen。Andhereitisnoticeable,thattheclassofactorshavingbeenthemostdegradedbythepublicopinionoftheoldregime,theirverydustdeprivedofChristianburial,nomenwithcertainexceptionsinthecompanyespeciallyfavouredbytheCourtweremorerelentlessandrevengefulamongthescourgesoftheRevolution。InthesavageCollotd\'Herbois,mauvaiscomedien,wereembodiedthewrongsandthevengeanceofaclass。
NowtheenergyofJeanNicothadneverbeensufficientlydirectedtotheartheprofessed。Eveninhisearliestyouth,thepoliticaldisquisitionsofhismaster,David,haddistractedhimfromthemoretediouslaboursoftheeasel。Thedefectsofhispersonhadembitteredhismind;theatheismofhisbenefactorhaddeadenedhisconscience。Foronegreatexcellenceofreligion——
aboveall,theReligionoftheCross——is,thatitraisesPATIENCE
firstintoavirtue,andnextintoahope。Takeawaythedoctrineofanotherlife,ofrequitalhereafter,ofthesmileofaFatheruponoursufferingsandtrialsinourordealhere,andwhatbecomesofpatience?Butwithoutpatience,whatisman?——
andwhatapeople?Withoutpatience,artnevercanbehigh;
withoutpatience,libertynevercanbeperfected。Bywildthroes,andimpetuous,aimlessstruggles,IntellectseekstosoarfromPenury,andanationtostruggleintoFreedom。Andwoe,thusunfortified,guideless,andunenduring,——woetoboth!
Nicotwasavillainasaboy。Inmostcriminals,howeverabandoned,therearetouchesofhumanity,——relicsofvirtue;andthetruedelineatorofmankindoftenincursthetauntofbadheartsanddullminds,forshowingthateventheworstalloyhassomeparticlesofgold,andeventhebestthatcomestampedfromthemintofNaturehavesomeadulterationofthedross。Butthereareexceptions,thoughfew,tothegeneralrule,——
exceptions,whentheconscienceliesutterlydead,andwhengoodorbadarethingsindifferentbutasmeanstosomeselfishend。
Sowasitwiththeprotegeoftheatheist。Envyandhatefilleduphiswholebeing,andtheconsciousnessofsuperiortalentonlymadehimcursethemoreallwhopassedhiminthesunlightwithafairerformorhappierfortunes。But,monsterthoughhewas,whenhismurderousfingersgripedthethroatofhisbenefactor,Time,andthatfermentofallevilpassions——theReignofBlood——
hadmadeinthedeephellofhisheartadeeperstill。Unabletoexercisehiscallingforevenhadhedaredtomakehisnameprominent,revolutionsarenoseasonforpainters;andnoman——
no!nottherichestandproudestmagnateoftheland,hassogreataninterestinpeaceandorder,hassohighandessentialastakeinthewellbeingofsociety,asthepoetandtheartist,hiswholeintellect,everrestlessandunguided,waslefttoponderovertheimagesofguiltmostcongenialtoit。Hehadnofuturebutinthislife;andhowinthislifehadthemenofpoweraroundhim,thegreatwrestlersfordominion,thriven?Allthatwasgood,pure,unselfish,——whetheramongRoyalistsorRepublicans,——swepttotheshambles,andthedeathsmenleftaloneinthepompandpurpleoftheirvictims!NoblerpaupersthanJeanNicotwoulddespair;andPovertywouldriseinitsghastlymultitudestocutthethroatofWealth,andthengashitselflimbbylimb,ifPatience,theAngelofthePoor,satnotbyitsside,pointingwithsolemnfingertothelifetocome!Andnow,asNicotnearedthehouseoftheDictator,hebegantomeditateareversalofhisplansofthepreviousday:notthathefalteredinhisresolutiontodenounceGlyndon,andViolawouldnecessarilysharehisfate,asacompanionandaccomplice,——no,THEREhewasresolved!forhehatedbothtosaynothingofhisoldbutnever-to-be-forgottengrudgeagainstZanoni。Violahadscornedhim,Glyndonhadserved,andthethoughtofgratitudewasasintolerabletohimasthememoryofinsult。Butwhy,now,shouldheflyfromFrance?——hecouldpossesshimselfofGlyndon\'sgold;hedoubtednotthathecouldsomasterFillidebyherwrathandjealousythathecouldcommandheracquiescenceinallheproposed。Thepapershehadpurloined——Desmoulins\'
correspondencewithGlyndon——whileitinsuredthefateofthelatter,mightbeeminentlyserviceabletoRobespierre,mightinducethetyranttoforgethisownoldliaisonswithHebert,andenlisthimamongthealliesandtoolsoftheKingofTerror。
Hopesofadvancement,ofwealth,ofacareer,againrosebeforehim。Thiscorrespondence,datedshortlybeforeCamilleDesmoulins\'death,waswrittenwiththatcarelessanddaringimprudencewhichcharacterisedthespoiledchildofDanton。ItspokeopenlyofdesignsagainstRobespierre;itnamedconfederateswhomthetyrantdesiredonlyapopularpretexttocrush。ItwasanewinstrumentofdeathinthehandsoftheDeath-compeller。WhatgreatergiftcouldhebestowonMaximilientheIncorruptible?
Nursingthesethoughts,hearrivedatlastbeforethedoorofCitizenDupleix。Aroundthethresholdweregrouped,inadmiredconfusion,someeightortensturdyJacobins,thevoluntarybody-
guardofRobespierre,——tallfellows,wellarmed,andinsolentwiththepowerthatreflectspower,mingledwithwomen,youngandfair,andgaylydressed,whohadcome,upontherumourthatMaximilienhadhadanattackofbile,toinquiretenderlyofhishealth;forRobespierre,strangethoughitseem,wastheidolofthesex!
Throughthiscortegestationedwithoutthedoor,andreachingupthestairstothelanding-place,——forRobespierre\'sapartmentswerenotspaciousenoughtoaffordsufficientantechamberforleveessonumerousandmiscellaneous,——Nicotforcedhisway;andfarfromfriendlyorflatteringweretheexpressionsthatregaledhisears。
\"Aha,lejoliPolichinelle!\"saidacomelymatron,whoserobehisobtrusiveandangularelbowscruellydiscomposed。\"Buthowcouldoneexpectgallantryfromsuchascarecrow!\"
\"Citizen,IbegtoadvisetheeThecourteoususeofthepluralwasproscribedatParis。TheSocietiesPopulaireshaddecidedthatwhoeveruseditshouldbeprosecutedassuspectetadulateur!Atthedoorofthepublicadministrationsandpopularsocietieswaswrittenup,\"Icions\'honoreduCitoyen,etonsetutoye\"!!!\"HeretheyrespectthetitleofCitizen,andthey\'thee\'and\'thou\'oneanother。\"TakeawayMurderfromtheFrenchRevolutionanditbecomesthegreatestfarceeverplayedbeforetheangels!thatthouarttreadingonmyfeet。Ibegthypardon,butnowIlookatthine,Iseethehallisnotwideenoughforthem。\"
\"Ho!CitizenNicot,\"criedaJacobin,shoulderinghisformidablebludgeon,\"andwhatbringstheehither?——thinkestthouthatHebert\'scrimesareforgottenalready?Off,sportofNature!andthanktheEtreSupremethathemadetheeinsignificantenoughtobeforgiven。\"
\"AprettyfacetolookoutoftheNationalWindow\"TheGuillotine。,saidthewomanwhoserobethepainterhadruffled。
\"Citizens,\"saidNicot,whitewithpassion,butconstraininghimselfsothathiswordsseemedtocomefromgrindedteeth,\"I
havethehonourtoinformyouthatIseektheRepresentantuponbusinessoftheutmostimportancetothepublicandhimself;
and,\"headdedslowlyandmalignantly,glaringround,\"IcallallgoodcitizenstobemywitnesseswhenIshallcomplaintoRobespierreofthereceptionbestowedonmebysomeamongstyou。\"
Therewasintheman\'slookandhistoneofvoicesomuchofdeepandconcentratedmalignity,thattheidlersdrewback,andastheremembranceofthesuddenupsanddownsofrevolutionarylifeoccurredtothem,severalvoiceswereliftedtoassurethesqualidandraggedpainterthatnothingwasfartherfromtheirthoughtsthantoofferaffronttoacitizenwhoseveryappearanceprovedhimtobeanexemplarysans-culotte。Nicotreceivedtheseapologiesinsullensilence,and,foldinghisarms,leanedagainstthewall,waitingingrimpatienceforhisadmission。
Theloitererstalkedtoeachotherinseparateknotsoftwoandthree;andthroughthegeneralhumrangtheclear,loud,carelesswhistleofthetallJacobinwhostoodguardbythestairs。NexttoNicot,anoldwomanandayoungvirginweremutteringinearnestwhispers,andtheatheistpainterchuckledinlytooverheartheirdiscourse。
\"Iassurethee,mydear,\"saidthecrone,withamysteriousshakeofhead,\"thatthedivineCatherineTheot,whomtheimpiousnowpersecute,isreallyinspired。Therecanbenodoubtthattheelect,ofwhomDomGerleandthevirtuousRobespierrearedestinedtobethetwograndprophets,willenjoyeternallifehere,andexterminatealltheirenemies。Thereisnodoubtofit,——nottheleast!\"
\"Howdelightful!\"saidthegirl;\"cecherRobespierre!——hedoesnotlookverylong-livedeither!\"
\"Thegreaterthemiracle,\"saidtheoldwoman。\"Iamjusteighty-one,andIdon\'tfeeladayoldersinceCatherineTheotpromisedmeIshouldbeoneoftheelect!\"
Herethewomenwerejostledasidebysomenewcomers,whotalkedloudandeagerly。
\"Yes,\"criedabrawnyman,whosegarbdenotedhimtobeabutcher,withbarearms,andacapoflibertyonhishead;\"IamcometowarnRobespierre。Theylayasnareforhim;theyofferhimthePalaisNational。\'Onnepeutetreamidupeupleethabiterunpalais。\'\"\"Noonecanbeafriendofthepeople,anddwellinapalace。\"——\"PapiersineditstrouveschezRobespierre,\"
etc。,volumeii。page132。
\"No,indeed,\"answeredacordonnier;\"Ilikehimbestinhislittlelodgingwiththemenuisier:itlookslikeoneofUS。\"
Anotherrushofthecrowd,andanewgroupwerethrownforwardinthevicinityofNicot。Andthesemengabbledandchatteredfasterandlouderthantherest。
\"Butmyplanis——\"
\"AudiablewithYOURplan!ItellyouMYschemeis——\"
\"Nonsense!\"criedathird。\"WhenRobespierreunderstandsMYnewmethodofmakinggunpowder,theenemiesofFranceshall——\"
\"Bah!whofearsforeignenemies?\"interruptedafourth;\"theenemiestobefearedareathome。MYnewguillotinetakesofffiftyheadsatatime!\"
\"ButMYnewConstitution!\"exclaimedafifth。
\"MYnewReligion,citizen!\"murmured,complacently,asixth。
\"Sacremilletonnerres,silence!\"roaredforthoneoftheJacobinguard。
Andthecrowdsuddenlypartedasafierce-lookingman,buttoneduptothechin,hisswordrattlingbyhisside,hisspursclinkingathisheel,descendedthestairs,——hischeeksswollenandpurplewithintemperance,hiseyesdeadandsavageasavulture\'s。Therewasastillpause,asall,withpalecheeks,madewayfortherelentlessHenriot。OrH_a_nriot。ItissingularhowundeterminedarenotonlythecharactersoftheFrenchRevolution,buteventhespellingoftheirnames。WiththehistoriansitisVergniau_d_,——withthejournalistsofthetimeitisVorgniau_x_。WithoneauthorityitisRobespierre,——
withanotherRobe_r_spierre。Scarcehadthisgruffandironminionofthetyrantstalkedthroughthethrong,thananewmovementofrespectandagitationandfearswayedtheincreasingcrowd,asthereglidedin,withthenoiselessnessofashadow,asmiling,sobercitizen,plainlybutneatlyclad,withadowncasthumbleeye。Amilder,meekerfacenopastoralpoetcouldassigntoCorydonorThyrsis,——whydidthecrowdshrinkandholdtheirbreath?Astheferretinaburrowcreptthatslightformamongstthelargerandroughercreaturesthathuddledandpressedbackoneachotherashepassed。Awinkofhisstealthyeye,andthehugeJacobinsleftthepassageclear,withoutsoundorquestion。
Onhewenttotheapartmentofthetyrant,andthitherwillwefollowhim。
CHAPTER7。VII。
Constitutumest,utquisquiseumHOMINEMdixissetfuisse,capitalempenderetpoenam。
St。Augustine,\"OftheGodSerapis,\"l。18,\"deCiv。Dei,\"c。5。
Itwasdecreed,thatwhososhouldsaythathehadbeenaMAN,shouldsufferthepunishmentofacapitaloffence。
Robespierrewasreclininglanguidlyinhisfauteuil,hiscadaverouscountenancemorejadedandfatiguedthanusual。HetowhomCatherineTheotassuredimmortallife,looked,indeed,likeamanatdeath\'sdoor。Onthetablebeforehimwasadishheapedwithoranges,withthejuiceofwhichitissaidthathecouldaloneassuagetheacridbilethatoverflowedhissystem;andanoldwoman,richlydressedshehadbeenaMarquiseintheoldregimewasemployedinpeelingtheHesperianfruitsforthesickDragon,withdelicatefingerscoveredwithjewels。IhavebeforesaidthatRobespierrewastheidolofthewomen。Strangecertainly!——butthentheywereFrenchwomen!TheoldMarquise,who,likeCatherineTheot,calledhim\"son,\"reallyseemedtolovehimpiouslyanddisinterestedlyasamother;andasshepeeledtheoranges,andheapedonhimthemostcaressingandsoothingexpressions,thelividghostofasmileflutteredabouthismeagrelips。Atadistance,PayanandCouthon,seatedatanothertable,werewritingrapidly,andoccasionallypausingfromtheirworktoconsultwitheachotherinbriefwhispers。
SuddenlyoneoftheJacobinsopenedthedoor,and,approachingRobespierre,whisperedtohimthenameofGuerin。SeefortheespionageonwhichGuerinwasemployed,\"LesPapiersinedits,\"
etc。,volumei。page366,No。xxviii。Atthatwordthesickmanstartedup,asifnewlifewereinthesound。
\"Mykindfriend,\"hesaidtotheMarquise,\"forgiveme;Imustdispensewiththytendercares。Francedemandsme。IamneverillwhenIcanservemycountry!\"
TheoldMarquiselifteduphereyestoheavenandmurmured,\"Quelange!\"
Robespierrewavedhishandimpatiently;andtheoldwoman,withasigh,pattedhispalecheek,kissedhisforehead,andsubmissivelywithdrew。Thenextmoment,thesmiling,sobermanwehavebeforedescribed,stood,bendinglow,beforethetyrant。
AndwellmightRobespierrewelcomeoneofthesubtlestagentsofhispower,——oneonwhomhereliedmorethantheclubsofhisJacobins,thetonguesofhisorators,thebayonetsofhisarmies;
Guerin,themostrenownedofhisecouteurs,——thesearching,prying,universal,omnipresentspy,whoglidedlikeasunbeamthroughchinkandcrevice,andbroughttohimintelligencenotonlyofthedeeds,buttheheartsofmen!
\"Well,citizen,well!——andwhatofTallien?\"
\"Thismorning,early,twominutesaftereight,hewentout。\"
\"Soearly?——hem!\"
\"HepassedRuedesQuatreFils,RuedeTemple,RuedelaReunion,auMarais,RueMartin;nothingobservable,exceptthat——\"
\"Thatwhat?\"
\"Heamusedhimselfatastallinbargainingforsomebooks。\"
\"Bargainingforbooks!Aha,thecharlatan!——hewouldcloaktheintriguantunderthesavant!Well!\"
\"Atlast,intheRuedesFossesMontmartre,anindividualinabluesurtoutunknownaccostedhim。Theywalkedtogetheraboutthestreetsomeminutes,andwerejoinedbyLegendre。\"
\"Legendre!approach,Payan!Legendre,thouhearest!\"
\"Iwentintoafruit-stall,andhiredtwolittlegirlstogoandplayatballwithinhearing。TheyheardLegendresay,\'Ibelievehispoweriswearingitselfout。\'AndTallienanswered,\'AndHIMSELFtoo。Iwouldnotgivethreemonths\'purchaseforhislife。\'Idonotknow,citizen,iftheymeantTHEE?\"
\"NorI,citizen,\"answeredRobespierre,withafellsmile,succeededbyanexpressionofgloomythought。\"Ha!\"hemuttered;
\"Iamyoungyet,——intheprimeoflife。Icommitnoexcess。No;
myconstitutionissound,sound。AnythingfartherofTallien?\"
\"Yes。Thewomanwhomheloves——TeresadeFontenai——wholiesinprison,stillcontinuestocorrespondwithhim;tourgehimtosaveherbythydestruction:thismylistenersoverheard。Hisservantisthemessengerbetweentheprisonerandhimself。\"
\"So!TheservantshallbeseizedintheopenstreetsofParis。
TheReignofTerrorisnotoveryet。Withthelettersfoundonhim,ifsuchtheircontext,IwillpluckTallienfromhisbenchesintheConvention。\"
Robespierrerose,andafterwalkingafewmomentstoandfrotheroominthought,openedthedoorandsummonedoneoftheJacobinswithout。TohimhegavehisordersforthewatchandarrestofTallien\'sservant,andthenthrewhimselfagainintohischair。
AstheJacobindeparted,Guerinwhispered,——
\"IsnotthattheCitizenAristides?\"
\"Yes;afaithfulfellow,ifhewouldwashhimself,andnotswearsomuch。\"
\"Didstthounotguillotinehisbrother?\"
\"ButAristidesdenouncedhim。\"
\"Nevertheless,aresuchmensafeaboutthyperson?\"
\"Humph!thatistrue。\"AndRobespierre,drawingouthispocket-
book,wroteamemoranduminit,replaceditinhisvest,andresumed,——
\"WhatelseofTallien?\"
\"Nothingmore。HeandLegendre,withtheunknown,walkedtotheJardinEgalite,andthereparted。IsawTallientohishouse。
ButIhaveothernews。Thoubadestmewatchforthosewhothreatentheeinsecretletters。\"
\"Guerin!hastthoudetectedthem?Hastthou——hastthou——\"
Andthetyrant,ashespoke,openedandshutbothhishands,asifalreadygraspingthelivesofthewriters,andoneofthoseconvulsivegrimacesthatseemedlikeanepilepticaffection,towhichhewassubject,distortedhisfeatures。
\"Citizen,IthinkIhavefoundone。ThoumustknowthatamongstthosemostdisaffectedisthepainterNicot。\"
\"Stay,stay!\"saidRobespierre,openingamanuscriptbook,boundinredmoroccoforRobespierrewasneatandprecise,eveninhisdeath-lists,andturningtoanalphabeticalindex,——\"Nicot!——I
havehim,——atheist,sans-culotteIhateslovens,friendofHebert!Aha!N。B——ReneDumasknowsofhisearlycareerandcrimes。Proceed!\"
\"ThisNicothasbeensuspectedofdiffusingtractsandpamphletsagainstthyselfandtheComite。Yesterdayevening,whenhewasout,hisporteradmittedmeintohisapartment,RueBeauRepaire。
Withmymaster-keyIopenedhisdeskandescritoire。Ifoundhereinadrawingofthyselfattheguillotine;andunderneathwaswritten,\'Bourreaudetonpays,lisl\'arretdetonchatiment!\'
Executionerofthycountry,readthedecreeofthypunishment!
Icomparedthewordswiththefragmentsofthevariouslettersthougavestme:thehandwritingtallieswithone。See,Itoreoffthewriting。\"
Robespierrelooked,smiled,and,asifhisvengeancewerealreadysatisfied,threwhimselfonhischair。\"Itiswell!Ifeareditwasamorepowerfulenemy。Thismanmustbearrestedatonce。\"
\"Andhewaitsbelow。IbrushedbyhimasIascendedthestairs。\"
\"Doesheso?——admit!——nay,——hold!hold!Guerin,withdrawintotheinnerchambertillIsummontheeagain。DearPayan,seethatthisNicotconcealsnoweapons。\"
Payan,whowasasbraveasRobespierrewaspusillanimous,repressedthesmileofdisdainthatquiveredonhislipsamoment,andlefttheroom。
MeanwhileRobespierre,withhisheadburiedinhisbosom,seemedplungedindeepthought。\"Lifeisamelancholything,Couthon!\"
saidhe,suddenly。
\"Beggingyourpardon,Ithinkdeathworse,\"answeredthephilanthropist,gently。
Robespierremadenorejoinder,buttookfromhisportefeuillethatsingularletter,whichwasfoundafterwardsamongsthispapers,andismarkedLXI。inthepublishedcollection。
\"Papiersinedits,\'etc。,volumeii。page156。
\"Withoutdoubt,\"itbegan,\"youareuneasyatnothavingearlierreceivednewsfromme。Benotalarmed;youknowthatIoughtonlytoreplybyourordinarycourier;andashehasbeeninterrupted,danssadernierecourse,thatisthecauseofmydelay。Whenyoureceivethis,employalldiligencetoflyatheatrewhereyouareabouttoappearanddisappearforthelasttime。Itwereidletorecalltoyouallthereasonsthatexposeyoutoperil。Thelaststepthatshouldplaceyousurlesophadelapresidence,butbringsyoutothescaffold;andthemobwillspitonyourfaceasithasspatonthosewhomyouhavejudged。Since,then,youhaveaccumulatedhereasufficienttreasureforexistence,Iawaityouwithgreatimpatience,tolaughwithyouatthepartyouhaveplayedinthetroublesofanationascredulousasitisavidofnovelties。Takeyourpartaccordingtoourarrangements,——allisprepared。Iconclude,——
ourcourierwaits。Iexpectyourreply。\"
MusinglyandslowlytheDictatordevouredthecontentsofthisepistle。\"No,\"hesaidtohimself,——\"no;hewhohastastedpowercannolongerenjoyrepose。Yet,Danton,Danton!thouwertright;bettertobeapoorfishermanthantogovernmen。\"\"Ilvaudraitmieux,\"saidDanton,inhisdungeon,\"etreunpauvrepecheurquedegouvernerleshommes。\"
Thedooropened,andPayanreappearedandwhisperedRobespierre,\"Allissafe!Seetheman。\"
TheDictator,satisfied,summonedhisattendantJacobintoconductNicottohispresence。Thepainterenteredwithafearlessexpressioninhisdeformedfeatures,andstooderectbeforeRobespierre,whoscannedhimwithasidelongeye。
ItisremarkablethatmostoftheprincipalactorsoftheRevolutionweresingularlyhideousinappearance,——fromthecolossaluglinessofMirabeauandDanton,orthevillanousferocityinthecountenancesofDavidandSimon,tothefilthysqualorofMarat,thesinisterandbiliousmeannessoftheDictator\'sfeatures。ButRobespierre,whowassaidtoresembleacat,hadalsoacat\'scleanness;andhisprimanddaintydress,hisshavensmoothness,thewomanlywhitenessofhisleanhands,madeyetmoreremarkablethedisorderlyruffianismthatcharacterisedtheattireandmienofthepainter-sans-culotte。
\"Andso,citizen,\"saidRobespierre,mildly,\"thouwouldstspeakwithme?Iknowthymeritsandcivismhavebeenoverlookedtoolong。Thouwouldstasksomesuitableprovisioninthestate?
Scruplenot——sayon!\"
\"VirtuousRobespierre,toiquieclairesl\'universThouwhoenlightenesttheworld。,Icomenottoaskafavour,buttorenderservicetothestate。Ihavediscoveredacorrespondencethatlaysopenaconspiracyofwhichmanyoftheactorsareyetunsuspected。\"Andheplacedthepapersonthetable。
Robespierreseized,andranhiseyeoverthemrapidlyandeagerly。
\"Good!——good!\"hemutteredtohimself:\"thisisallIwanted。
Barrere,Legendre!Ihavethem!CamilleDesmoulinswasbuttheirdupe。Ilovedhimonce;Ineverlovedthem!CitizenNicot,Ithankthee。IobservetheselettersareaddressedtoanEnglishman。WhatFrenchmanbutmustdistrusttheseEnglishwolvesinsheep\'sclothing!Francewantsnolongercitizensoftheworld;thatfarceendedwithAnarcharsisClootz。Ibegpardon,CitizenNicot;butClootzandHebertwereTHYfriends。\"
\"Nay,\"saidNicot,apologetically,\"weareallliabletobedeceived。Iceasedtohonourthemwhomthoudidstdeclareagainst;forIdisownmyownsensesratherthanthyjustice。\"
\"Yes,Ipretendtojustice;thatISthevirtueIaffect,\"saidRobespierre,meekly;andwithhisfelinepropensitiesheenjoyed,eveninthatcriticalhourofvastschemes,ofimminentdanger,ofmeditatedrevenge,thepleasureofplayingwithasolitaryvictim。ThemostdetestableanecdoteofthispeculiarhypocrisyinRobespierreisthatinwhichheisrecordedtohavetenderlypressedthehandofhisoldschool-friend,CamilleDesmoulins,thedaythathesignedthewarrantforhisarrest。\"Andmyjusticeshallnolongerbeblindtothyservices,goodNicot。
ThouknowestthisGlyndon?\"
\"Yes,well,——intimately。HeWASmyfriend,butIwouldgiveupmybrotherifhewereoneofthe\'indulgents。\'IamnotashamedtosaythatIhavereceivedfavoursfromthisman。\"
\"Aha!——andthoudosthonestlyholdthedoctrinethatwhereamanthreatensmylifeallpersonalfavoursaretobeforgotten?\"
\"All!\"
\"Goodcitizen!——kindNicot!——obligemebywritingtheaddressofthisGlyndon。\"
Nicotstoopedtothetable;andsuddenlywhenthepenwasinhishand,athoughtflashedacrosshim,andhepaused,embarrassedandconfused。
\"Writeon,KINDNicot!\"
Thepainterslowlyobeyed。
\"WhoaretheotherfamiliarsofGlyndon?\"
\"ItwasonthatpointIwasabouttospeaktothee,Representant,\"saidNicot。\"Hevisitsdailyawoman,aforeigner,whoknowsallhissecrets;sheaffectstobepoor,andtosupportherchildbyindustry。ButsheisthewifeofanItalianofimmensewealth,andthereisnodoubtthatshehasmoneyswhicharespentincorruptingthecitizens。Sheshouldbeseizedandarrested。\"
\"Writedownhernamealso。\"
\"Butnotimeistobelost;forIknowthatbothhaveadesigntoescapefromParisthisverynight。\"
\"Ourgovernmentisprompt,goodNicot,——neverfear。Humph!——
humph!\"andRobespierretookthepaperonwhichNicothadwritten,andstoopingoverit——forhewasnear-sighted——added,smilingly,\"Dostthoualwayswritethesamehand,citizen?Thisseemsalmostlikeadisguisedcharacter。\"
\"Ishouldnotlikethemtoknowwhodenouncedthem,Representant。\"
\"Good!good!Thyvirtueshallberewarded,trustme。Salutetfraternite!\"
Robespierrehalfroseashespoke,andNicotwithdrew。
\"Ho,there!——without!\"criedtheDictator,ringinghisbell;andasthereadyJacobinattendedthesummons,\"Followthatman,JeanNicot。Theinstanthehasclearedthehouseseizehim。AtoncetotheConciergeriewithhim。Stay!——nothingagainstthelaw;
thereisthywarrant。Thepublicaccusershallhavemyinstruction。Away!——quick!\"
TheJacobinvanished。Alltraceofillness,ofinfirmity,hadgonefromthevaletudinarian;hestooderectonthefloor,hisfacetwitchingconvulsively,andhisarmsfolded。\"Ho!Guerin!\"
thespyreappeared——\"taketheseaddresses!WithinanhourthisEnglishmanandhiswomanmustbeinprison;theirrevelationswillaidmeagainstworthierfoes。Theyshalldie:theyshallperishwiththerestonthe10th,——thethirddayfromthis。
There!\"andhewrotehastily,——\"there,also,isthywarrant!
Off!
\"Andnow,Couthon,Payan,wewilldallynolongerwithTallienandhiscrew。IhaveinformationthattheConventionwillNOT
attendtheFeteonthe10th。Wemusttrustonlytotheswordofthelaw。Imustcomposemythoughts,——preparemyharangue。To-
morrow,IwillreappearattheConvention;to-morrow,boldSt。
Justjoinsus,freshfromourvictoriousarmies;to-morrow,fromthetribune,IwilldartthethunderboltonthemaskedenemiesofFrance;to-morrow,Iwilldemand,inthefaceofthecountry,theheadsoftheconspirators。\"
CHAPTER7。VIII。
Leglaiveestcontretoitournedetoutesparties。
LaHarpe,\"JeannedeNaples,\"Activ。sc。4。
Theswordisraisedagainstyouonallsides。
InthemeantimeGlyndon,afteranaudienceofsomelengthwithC——,inwhichthefinalpreparationswerearranged,sanguineofsafety,andforeseeingnoobstacletoescape,benthiswaybacktoFillide。Suddenly,inthemidstofhischeerfulthoughts,hefanciedheheardavoicetoowellandtooterriblyrecognised,hissinginhisear,\"What!thouwouldstdefyandescapeme!thouwouldstgobacktovirtueandcontent。Itisinvain,——itistoolate。No,_I_willnothauntthee;HUMANfootsteps,nolessinexorable,dogtheenow。Methoushaltnotseeagaintillinthedungeon,atmidnight,beforethydoom!Behold——\"
AndGlyndon,mechanicallyturninghishead,saw,closebehindhim,thestealthyfigureofamanwhomhehadobservedbefore,butwithlittleheed,passandrepasshim,ashequittedthehouseofCitizenC。Instantlyandinstinctivelyheknewthathewaswatched,——thathewaspursued。Thestreethewasinwasobscureanddeserted,forthedaywasoppressivelysultry,anditwasthehourwhenfewwereabroad,eitheronbusinessorpleasure。Boldashewas,anicychillshotthroughhisheart,heknewtoowellthetremendoussystemthatthenreignedinParisnottobeawareofhisdanger。Asthesightofthefirstplague-
boiltothevictimofthepestilence,wasthefirstsightoftheshadowyspytothatoftheRevolution:thewatch,thearrest,thetrial,theguillotine,——thesemadetheregularandrapidstepsofthemonsterthattheanarchistscalledLaw!Hebreathedhard,hehearddistinctlytheloudbeatingofhisheart。Andsohepaused,stillandmotionless,gazingupontheshadowthathaltedalsobehindhim。
Presently,theabsenceofallalliestothespy,thesolitudeofthestreets,reanimatedhiscourage;hemadeasteptowardshispursuer,whoretreatedasheadvanced。\"Citizen,thoufollowestme,\"hesaid。\"Thybusiness?\"
\"Surely,\"answeredtheman,withadeprecatingsmile,\"thestreetsarebroadenoughforboth?ThouartnotsobadarepublicanastoarrogateallParistothyself!\"
\"Goonfirst,then。Imakewayforthee。\"
Themanbowed,doffedhishatpolitely,andpassedforward。ThenextmomentGlyndonplungedintoawindinglane,andfledfastthroughalabyrinthofstreets,passages,andalleys。Bydegreeshecomposedhimself,and,lookingbehind,imaginedthathehadbaffledthepursuer;hethen,byacircuitousroute,benthiswayoncemoretohishome。Asheemergedintooneofthebroaderstreets,apassenger,wrappedinamantle,brushingsoquicklybyhimthathedidnotobservehiscountenance,whispered,\"ClarenceGlyndon,youaredogged,——followme!\"andthestrangerwalkedquicklybeforehim。Clarenceturned,andsickenedoncemoretoseeathisheels,withthesameservilesmileonhisface,thepursuerhefanciedhehadescaped。Heforgottheinjunctionofthestrangertofollowhim,andperceivingacrowdgatheredcloseathand,roundacaricature-shop,divedamidstthem,and,gaininganotherstreet,alteredthedirectionhehadbeforetaken,and,afteralongandbreathlesscourse,gainedwithoutoncemoreseeingthespy,adistantquartierofthecity。
Here,indeed,allseemedsosereneandfairthathisartisteye,eveninthatimminenthour,restedwithpleasureonthescene。
Itwasacomparativelybroadspace,formedbyoneofthenoblequays。TheSeineflowedmajesticallyalong,withboatsandcraftrestingonitssurface。Thesungiltathousandspiresanddomes,andgleamedonthewhitepalacesofafallenchivalry。
Herefatiguedandpanting,hepausedaninstant,andacoolerairfromtheriverfannedhisbrow。\"Awhile,atleast,Iamsafehere,\"hemurmured;andashespoke,somethirtypacesbehindhim,hebeheldthespy。Hestoodrootedtothespot;weariedandspentashewas,escapeseemednolongerpossible,——theriverononesidenobridgeathand,andthelongrowofmansionsclosinguptheother。Ashehalted,heheardlaughterandobscenesongsfromahousealittleinhisrear,betweenhimselfandthespy。Itwasacafefearfullyknowninthatquarter。
HitheroftenresortedtheblacktroopofHenriot,——theminionsandhuissiersofRobespierre。Thespy,then,hadhuntedthevictimwithinthejawsofthehounds。Themanslowlyadvanced,and,pausingbeforetheopenwindowofthecafe,puthisheadthroughtheaperture,astoaddressandsummonforthitsarmedinmates。
Atthatveryinstant,andwhilethespy\'sheadwasthusturnedfromhim,standinginthehalf-opengatewayofthehouseimmediatelybeforehim,heperceivedthestrangerwhohadwarned;
thefigure,scarcelydistinguishablethroughthemantlethatwrappedit,motionedtohimtoenter。Hesprangnoiselesslythroughthefriendlyopening:thedoorclosed;breathlesslyhefollowedthestrangerupaflightofbroadstairsandthroughasuiteofemptyrooms,until,havinggainedasmallcabinet,hisconductordoffedthelargehatandthelongmantlethathadhithertoconcealedhisshapeandfeatures,andGlyndonbeheldZanoni!
CHAPTER7。IX。
ThinknotmymagicwonderswroughtbyaidOfStygianangelssummonedupfromhell;
ScornedandaccursedbethosewhohaveessayedHergloomyDivesandAfritestocompel。
ButbyperceptionofthesecretpowersOfmineralspringsinNature\'sinmostcell,Ofherbsincurtainofhergreenestbowers,Andofthemovingstarso\'ermountaintopsandtowers。
Wiffen\'s\"TranslationofTasso,\"cant。xiv。xliii。
\"Youaresafehere,youngEnglishman!\"saidZanoni,motioningGlyndontoaseat。\"FortunateforyouthatIcomeonyourtrackatlast!\"
\"Farhappierhaditbeenifwehadnevermet!Yetevenintheselasthoursofmyfate,IrejoicetolookoncemoreonthefaceofthatominousandmysteriousbeingtowhomIcanascribeallthesufferingsIhaveknown。Here,then,thoushaltnotpalterwithoreludeme。Here,beforewepart,thoushaltunraveltomethedarkenigma,ifnotofthylife,ofmyown!\"
\"Hastthousuffered?Poorneophyte!\"saidZanoni,pityingly。
\"Yes;Iseeitonthybrow。Butwhereforewouldstthoublameme?
DidInotwarntheeagainstthewhispersofthyspirit;didInotwarntheetoforbear?DidInottelltheethattheordealwasoneofawfulhazardandtremendousfears,——nay,didInotoffertoresigntotheetheheartthatwasmightyenough,whilemine,Glyndon,tocontentme?Wasitnotthineowndaringandresolutechoicetobravetheinitiation!OfthineownfreewilldidstthoumakeMejnourthymaster,andhislorethystudy!\"