第19章
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  \"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!\"

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