Thenthererushedfromall——witandnoble，courtierandrepublican——aconfusedchorus，harmoniousonlyinitsanticipationofthebrilliantthingstowhich\"thegreatRevolution\"wastogivebirth。HereCondrocetismoreeloquentthanbefore。
\"IlfautabsolumentquelaSuperstitionetleFanatismefassentplacealaPhilosophie。(Itmustnecessarilyhappenthatsuperstitionandfanaticismgiveplacetophilosophy。)Kingspersecutepersons，priestsopinion。Withoutkings，menmustbesafe；andwithoutpriests，mindsmustbefree。\"
\"Ah，\"murmuredthemarquis，\"andascecherDiderothassowellsung，——
\'EtdesboyauxdudernierpretreSerrezlecoududernierroi。\'\"
(Andthrottletheneckofthelastkingwiththestringfromthebowelsofthelastpriest。)
\"Andthen，\"resumedCondorcet，——\"thencommencestheAgeofReason!——equalityininstruction，equalityininstitutions，equalityinwealth!Thegreatimpedimentstoknowledgeare，first，thewantofacommonlanguage；andnext，theshortdurationofexistence。Butastothefirst，whenallmenarebrothers，whynotauniversallanguage？Astothesecond，theorganicperfectibilityofthevegetableworldisundisputed，isNaturelesspowerfulinthenoblerexistenceofthinkingman？
Theverydestructionofthetwomostactivecausesofphysicaldeterioration——here，luxuriouswealth；there，abjectpenury，——
mustnecessarilyprolongthegeneraltermoflife。(SeeCondorcet\'sposthumousworkontheProgressoftheHumanMind——
Ed。)Theartofmedicinewillthenbehonouredintheplaceofwar，whichistheartofmurder:thenobleststudyoftheacutestmindswillbedevotedtothediscoveryandarrestofthecausesofdisease。Life，Igrant，cannotbemadeeternal；butitmaybeprolongedalmostindefinitely。Andasthemeaneranimalbequeathsitsvigourtoitsoffspring，somanshalltransmithisimprovedorganisation，mentalandphysical，tohissons。Oh，yes，tosuchaconsummationdoesourageapproach!\"
ThevenerableMalesherbessighed。Perhapshefearedtheconsummationmightnotcomeintimeforhim。ThehandsomeMarquisde——andtheladies，yethandsomerthanhe，lookedconvictionanddelight。
Buttwomentherewere，seatednexttoeachother，whojoinednotinthegeneraltalk:theoneastrangernewlyarrivedinParis，wherehiswealth，hisperson，andhisaccomplishments，hadalreadymadehimremarkedandcourted；theother，anoldman，somewhereaboutseventy，——thewittyandvirtuous，brave，andstilllight-heartedCazotte，theauthorof\"LeDiableAmoureux。\"
Thesetwoconversedfamiliarly，andapartfromtherest，andonlybyanoccasionalsmiletestifiedtheirattentiontothegeneralconversation。
\"Yes，\"saidthestranger，——\"yes，wehavemetbefore。\"
\"IthoughtIcouldnotforgetyourcountenance；yetItaskinvainmyrecollectionsofthepast。\"
\"Iwillassistyou。Recallthetimewhen，ledbycuriosity，orperhapsthenoblerdesireofknowledge，yousoughtinitiationintothemysteriousorderofMartinesdePasqualis。\"
(ItissorecordedofCazotte。OfMartinesdePasqualislittleisknown；eventhecountrytowhichhebelongedismatterofconjecture。Equallysotherites，ceremonies，andnatureofthecabalisticorderheestablished。St。Martinwasadiscipleoftheschool，andthat，atleast，isinitsfavour；forinspiteofhismysticism，nomanmorebeneficent，generous，pure，andvirtuousthanSt。Martinadornedthelastcentury。Aboveall，nomanmoredistinguishedhimselffromtheherdofscepticalphilosophersbythegallantryandfervourwithwhichhecombatedmaterialism，andvindicatedthenecessityoffaithamidstachaosofunbelief。Itmayalsobeobserved，thatCazotte，whateverelsehelearnedofthebrotherhoodofMartines，learnednothingthatdiminishedtheexcellenceofhislifeandthesincerityofhisreligion。Atoncegentleandbrave，heneverceasedtoopposetheexcessesoftheRevolution。Tothelast，unliketheLiberalsofhistime，hewasadevoutandsincereChristian。
Beforehisexecution，hedemandedapenandpapertowritethesewords:\"Mafemme，mesenfans，nemepleurezpas；nem\'oubliezpas，maissouvenez-voussurtoutdenejamaisoffenserDieu。\"
(\"Mywife，mychildren，weepnotforme；forgetmenot，butrememberaboveeverythingnevertooffendGod。)——Ed。)
\"Ah，isitpossible!Youareoneofthattheurgicbrotherhood？\"
\"Nay，Iattendedtheirceremoniesbuttoseehowvainlytheysoughttorevivetheancientmarvelsofthecabala。\"
\"Suchstudiespleaseyou？Ihaveshakenofftheinfluencetheyoncehadonmyownimagination。\"
\"Youhavenotshakenitoff，\"returnedthestranger，bravely；\"itisonyoustill，——onyouatthishour；itbeatsinyourheart；itkindlesinyourreason；itwillspeakinyourtongue!\"
Andthen，withayetlowervoice，thestrangercontinuedtoaddresshim，toremindhimofcertainceremoniesanddoctrines，——
toexplainandenforcethembyreferencestotheactualexperienceandhistoryofhislistener，whichCazottethrilledtofindsofamiliartoastranger。
Graduallytheoldman\'spleasingandbenevolentcountenancegrewovercast，andheturned，fromtimetotime，searching，curious，uneasyglancestowardshiscompanion。
ThecharmingDuchessedeG——archlypointedouttothelivelygueststheabstractedairandcloudedbrowofthepoet；andCondorcet，wholikednooneelsetoberemarked，whenhehimselfwaspresent，saidtoCazotte，\"Well，andwhatdoYOUpredictoftheRevolution，——how，atleast，willitaffectus？\"
AtthatquestionCazottestarted；hischeeksgrewpale，largedropsstoodonhisforehead；hislipswrithed；hisgaycompanionsgazedonhiminsurprise。
\"Speak!\"whisperedthestranger，layinghishandgentlyuponthearmoftheoldwit。
AtthatwordCazotte\'sfacegrewlockedandrigid，hiseyesdweltvacantlyonspace，andinalow，hollowvoice，hethusanswered(Thefollowingprophecy(notunfamiliar，perhaps，tosomeofmyreaders)，withsomeslightvariations，andatgreaterlength，inthetextoftheauthorityIamabouttocite，istobefoundinLaHarpe\'sposthumousworks。TheMS。issaidtoexiststillinLaHarpe\'shandwriting，andthestoryisgivenonM。Petitot\'sauthority，volumei。page62。Itisnotformetoenquireiftherebedoubtsofitsfoundationonfact——Ed。)，——
\"Youaskhowitwillaffectyourselves，——you，itsmostlearned，anditsleastselfishagents。Iwillanswer:you，MarquisdeCondorcet，willdieinprison，butnotbythehandoftheexecutioner。Inthepeacefulhappinessofthatday，thephilosopherwillcarryaboutwithhimnottheelixirbutthepoison。\"
\"MypoorCazotte，\"saidCondorcet，withhisgentlesmile，\"whathaveprisons，executioners，andpoisontodowithanageoflibertyandbrotherhood？\"
\"ItisinthenamesofLibertyandBrotherhoodthattheprisonswillreek，andtheheadsmanbeglutted。\"
\"Youarethinkingofpriestcraft，notphilosophy，Cazotte，\"saidChampfort。
(Champfort，oneofthosemenofletterswho，thoughmisledbythefirstfairshowoftheRevolution，refusedtofollowthebasermenofactionintoitshorribleexcesses，livedtoexpressthemurderousphilanthropyofitsagentsbythebestbonmotofthetime。Seeingwrittenonthewalls，\"FraterniteoulaMort，\"heobservedthatthesentimentshouldbetranslatedthus，\"Soismonfrere，oujetetue。\"(\"Bemybrother，orIkillthee。\"))\"Andwhatofme？\"
\"YouwillopenyourownveinstoescapethefraternityofCain。
Becomforted；thelastdropswillnotfollowtherazor。Foryou，venerableMalesherbes；foryou，AimarNicolai；foryou，learnedBailly，——Iseethemdressthescaffold!Andallthewhile，O
greatphilosophers，yourmurdererswillhavenowordbutphilosophyontheirlips!\"
ThehushwascompleteanduniversalwhenthepupilofVoltaire——
theprinceoftheacademicsceptics，hotLaHarpe——criedwithasarcasticlaugh，\"Donotflatterme，Oprophet，byexemptionfromthefateofmycompanions。Shall_I_havenoparttoplayinthisdramaofyourfantasies。\"
Atthisquestion，Cazotte\'scountenancelostitsunnaturalexpressionofaweandsternness；thesardonichumourmostcommontoitcamebackandplayedinhisbrighteningeyes。
\"Yes，LaHarpe，themostwonderfulpartofall!YOUwillbecome——aChristian!\"
Thiswastoomuchfortheaudiencethatamomentbeforeseemedgraveandthoughtful，andtheyburstintoanimmoderatefitoflaughter，whileCazotte，asifexhaustedbyhispredictions，sankbackinhischair，andbreathedhardandheavily。
\"Nay，saidMadamedeG——，\"youwhohavepredictedsuchgravethingsconcerningus，mustprophesysomethingalsoaboutyourself。\"
Aconvulsivetremorshooktheinvoluntaryprophet，——itpassed，andlefthiscountenanceelevatedbyanexpressionofresignationandcalm。\"Madame，\"saidhe，afteralongpause，\"duringthesiegeofJerusalem，wearetoldbyitshistorianthataman，forsevensuccessivedays，wentroundtheramparts，exclaiming，\'Woetothee，Jerusalem，——woetomyself!\'\"
\"Well，Cazotte，well？\"
\"Andontheseventhday，whilehethusspoke，astonefromthemachinesoftheRomansdashedhimintoatoms!\"
Withthesewords，Cazotterose；andtheguests，awedinspiteofthemselves，shortlyafterwardsbrokeupandretired。
CHAPTER1。VII。
Quidonct\'adonnelamissions\'annonceraupeuplequeladiviniten\'existepas？Quelavantagetrouves-tuapersuaderal\'hommequ\'uneforceaveuglepresideasesdestineesetfrappeauhasardlecrimeetlavertu？——Robespierre，\"Discours，\"Mai7，1794。
(WhotheninvestedyouwiththemissiontoannouncetothepeoplethatthereisnoGod？Whatadvantagefindyouinpersuadingmanthatnothingbutblindforcepresidesoverhisdestinies，andstrikeshaphazardbothcrimeandvirtue？)
Itwassometimebeforemidnightwhenthestrangerreturnedhome。
HisapartmentsweresituatedinoneofthosevastabodeswhichmaybecalledanepitomeofParisitself，——thecellarsrentedbymechanics，scarcelyremovedastepfrompaupers，oftenbyoutcastsandfugitivesfromthelaw，oftenbysomedaringwriter，who，afterscatteringamongstthepeopledoctrinesthemostsubversiveoforder，orthemostlibellousonthecharactersofpriest，minister，andking，retiredamongsttherats，toescapethepersecutionthatattendsthevirtuous；theground-flooroccupiedbyshops；theentresolbyartists；theprincipalstoriesbynobles；andthegarretsbyjourneymenorgrisettes。
Asthestrangerpassedupthestairs，ayoungmanofaformandcountenancesingularlyunprepossessingemergedfromadoorintheentresol，andbrushedbesidehim。Hisglancewasfurtive，sinister，savage，andyettimorous；theman\'sfacewasofanashenpaleness，andthefeaturesworkedconvulsively。
Thestrangerpaused，andobservedhimwiththoughtfullooks，ashehurrieddownthestairs。Whilehethusstood，heheardagroanfromtheroomwhichtheyoungmanhadjustquitted；thelatterhadpulledtothedoorwithhastyvehemence，butsomefragment，probablyoffuel，hadpreventeditsclosing，anditnowstoodslightlyajar；thestrangerpusheditopenandentered。Hepassedasmallanteroom，meanlyfurnished，andstoodinabedchamberofmeagreandsordiddiscomfort。Stretchedonthebed，andwrithinginpain，layanoldman；asinglecandlelittheroom，andthrewitsfeeblerayoverthefurrowedanddeath-likefaceofthesickperson。Noattendantwasby；heseemedleftalone，tobreathehislast。\"Water，\"hemoanedfeebly，——\"water:——Iparch，——Iburn!\"Theintruderapproachedthebed，bentoverhim，andtookhishand。\"Oh，blessthee，Jean，blessthee!\"saidthesufferer；\"hastthoubroughtbackthephysicianalready？Sir，Iampoor，butIcanpayyouwell。I
wouldnotdieyet，forthatyoungman\'ssake。\"Andhesatuprightinhisbed，andfixedhisdimeyesanxiouslyonhisvisitor。
\"Whatareyoursymptoms，yourdisease？\"
\"Fire，fire，fireintheheart，theentrails:Iburn!\"
\"Howlongisitsinceyouhavetakenfood？\"
\"Food!onlythisbroth。Thereisthebasin，allIhavetakenthesesixhours。Ihadscarcedrunkiterethesepainsbegan。\"
Thestrangerlookedatthebasin；someportionofthecontentswasyetleftthere。
\"Whoadministeredthistoyou？\"
\"Who？Jean!Whoelseshould？Ihavenoservant，——none!Iampoor，verypoor，sir。Butno!youphysiciansdonotcareforthepoor。IAMRICH!canyoucureme？\"
\"Yes，ifHeavenpermit。Waitbutafewmoments。\"
Theoldmanwasfastsinkingundertherapideffectsofpoison。
Thestrangerrepairedtohisownapartments，andreturnedinafewmomentswithsomepreparationthathadtheinstantresultofanantidote。Thepainceased，theblueandlividcolourrecededfromthelips；theoldmanfellintoaprofoundsleep。Thestrangerdrewthecurtainsroundthebed，tookupthelight，andinspectedtheapartment。Thewallsofbothroomswerehungwithdrawingsofmasterlyexcellence。Aportfoliowasfilledwithsketchesofequalskill，——buttheselastweremostlysubjectsthatappalledtheeyeandrevoltedthetaste:theydisplayedthehumanfigureineveryvarietyofsuffering，——therack，thewheel，thegibbet；allthatcrueltyhasinventedtosharpenthepangsofdeathseemedyetmoredreadfulfromthepassionategustoandearnestforceofthedesigner。Andsomeofthecountenancesofthosethusdelineatedweresufficientlyremovedfromtheidealtoshowthattheywereportraits；inalarge，bold，irregularhandwaswrittenbeneaththesedrawings，\"TheFutureoftheAristocrats。\"Inacorneroftheroom，andclosebyanoldbureau，wasasmallbundle，overwhich，asiftohideit，acloakwasthrowncarelessly。Severalshelveswerefilledwithbooks；
thesewerealmostentirelytheworksofthephilosophersofthetime，——thephilosophersofthematerialschool，especiallytheEncyclopedistes，whomRobespierreafterwardssosingularlyattackedwhenthecowarddeemeditunsafetoleavehisreignwithoutaGod。
(\"Cettesecte(lesEncyclopedistes)propageaavecbeaucoupdezelel\'opiniondumaterialisme，quiprevalutparmilesgrandsetparmilesbeauxesprits；onluidoitenpartiecetteespecedephilosophiepratiquequi，reduisantl\'Egoismeensystemeregardelasocietehumainecommeuneguerrederuse，lesuccescommelaregledujusteetdel\'injuste，laprobitecommeuneaffairedegout，oudebienseance，lemondecommelepatrimoinedesfriponsadroits。\"——\"DiscoursdeRobespierre，\"Mai7，1794。(Thissect(theEncyclopaedists)propagatewithmuchzealthedoctrineofmaterialism，whichprevailsamongthegreatandthewits；weowetoitpartlythatkindofpracticalphilosophywhich，reducingEgotismtoasystem，looksuponsocietyasawarofcunning；
successtheruleofrightandwrong，honestyasanaffairoftasteordecency:andtheworldasthepatrimonyofcleverscoundrels。))
Avolumelayonatable，——itwasoneofVoltaire，andthepagewasopenedathisargumentativeassertionoftheexistenceoftheSupremeBeing。(\"HistoiredeJenni。\")Themarginwascoveredwithpencillednotes，inthestiffbuttremuloushandofoldage；
allinattempttorefuteortoridiculethelogicofthesageofFerney:Voltairedidnotgofarenoughfortheannotator!Theclockstrucktwo，whenthesoundofstepswasheardwithout。Thestrangersilentlyseatedhimselfonthefarthersideofthebed，anditsdraperyscreenedhim，ashesat，fromtheeyesofamanwhonowenteredontiptoe；itwasthesamepersonwhohadpassedhimonthestairs。Thenew-comertookupthecandleandapproachedthebed。Theoldman\'sfacewasturnedtothepillow；
buthelaysostill，andhisbreathingwassoinaudible，thathissleepmightwell，bythathasty，shrinking，guiltyglance，bemistakenforthereposeofdeath。Thenew-comerdrewback，andagrimsmilepassedoverhisface:hereplacedthecandleonthetable，openedthebureauwithakeywhichhetookfromhispocket，andloadedhimselfwithseveralrouleausofgoldthathefoundinthedrawers。Atthistimetheoldmanbegantowake。
Hestirred，helookedup；heturnedhiseyestowardsthelightnowwaninginitssocket；hesawtherobberathiswork；hesaterectforaninstant，asiftransfixed，moreevenbyastonishmentthanterror。Atlasthesprangfromhisbed。
\"JustHeaven!doIdream!Thou——thou——thou，forwhomItoiledandstarved!——THOU!\"
Therobberstarted；thegoldfellfromhishand，androlledonthefloor。
\"What!\"hesaid，\"artthounotdeadyet？Hasthepoisonfailed？\"
\"Poison，boy!Ah!\"shriekedtheoldman，andcoveredhisfacewithhishands；then，withsuddenenergy，heexclaimed，\"Jean!
Jean!recallthatword。Rob，plundermeifthouwilt，butdonotsaythoucouldstmurderonewhoonlylivedforthee!There，there，takethegold；Ihoardeditbutforthee。Go!go!\"andtheoldman，whoinhispassionhadquittedhisbed，fellatthefeetofthefoiledassassin，andwrithedontheground，——thementalagonymoreintolerablethanthatofthebody，whichhehadsolatelyundergone。Therobberlookedathimwithaharddisdain。
\"WhathaveIeverdonetothee，wretch？\"criedtheoldman，——
\"whatbutlovedandcherishedthee？Thouwertanorphan，——anoutcast。Inurtured，nursed，adoptedtheeasmyson。Ifmencallmeamiser，itwasbutthatnonemightdespisethee，myheir，becauseNaturehasstuntedanddeformedthee，whenIwasnomore。ThouwouldsthavehadallwhenIwasdead。Couldstthounotsparemeafewmonthsordays，——nothingtothyyouth，allthatislefttomyage？WhathaveIdonetothee？\"
\"Thouhastcontinuedtolive，andthouwouldstmakenowill。\"
\"MonDieu!MonDieu!\"
\"TONDIEU!ThyGod!Fool!Hastthounottoldme，frommychildhood，thatthereisNOGod？Hastthounotfedmeonphilosophy？Hastthounotsaid，\'Bevirtuous，begood，bejust，forthesakeofmankind:butthereisnolifeafterthislife\'？
Mankind!whyshouldIlovemankind？Hideousandmisshapen，mankindjeeratmeasIpassthestreets。Whathastthoudonetome？Thouhasttakenawayfromme，whoamthescoffofthisworld，thehopesofanother!Istherenootherlife？Well，then，Iwantthygold，thatatleastImayhastentomakethebestofthis!\"
\"Monster!Curseslightonthyingratitude，thy——\"
\"Andwhohearsthycurses？ThouknowestthereisnoGod!Markme；Ihavepreparedalltofly。See，——Ihavemypassport；myhorseswaitwithout；relaysareordered。Ihavethygold。\"(Andthewretch，ashespoke，continuedcoldlytoloadhispersonwiththerouleaus)。\"Andnow，ifIsparethylife，howshallIbesurethatthouwiltnotinformagainstmine？\"Headvancedwithagloomyscowlandamenacinggestureashespoke。
Theoldman\'sangerchangedtofear。Hecoweredbeforethesavage。\"Letmelive!letmelive!——that——that——\"
\"That——what？\"
\"Imaypardonthee!Yes，thouhastnothingtofearfromme。I
swearit!\"
\"Swear!Butbywhomandwhat，oldman？Icannotbelievethee，ifthoubelievestnotinanyGod!Ha，ha!beholdtheresultofthylessons。\"
Anothermomentandthosemurderousfingerswouldhavestrangledtheirprey。Butbetweentheassassinandhisvictimroseaformthatseemedalmosttobothavisitorfromtheworldthatbothdenied，——statelywithmajesticstrength，gloriouswithawfulbeauty。
Theruffianrecoiled，looked，trembled，andthenturnedandfledfromthechamber。Theoldmanfellagaintothegroundinsensible。
CHAPTER1。VIII。
Toknowhowabadmanwillactwheninpower，reverseallthedoctrineshepreacheswhenobscure——S。Montague。
Antipathiesalsoformapartofmagic(falsely)so-called。Mannaturallyhasthesameinstinctastheanimals，whichwarnstheminvoluntarilyagainstthecreaturesthatarehostileorfataltotheirexistence。ButHEsooftenneglectsit，thatitbecomesdormant。NotsothetruecultivatoroftheGreatScience，etc——
TrismegistustheFourth(aRosicrucian)。
Whenheagainsawtheoldmanthenextday，thestrangerfoundhimcalm，andsurprisinglyrecoveredfromthesceneandsufferingsofthenight。Heexpressedhisgratitudetohispreserverwithtearfulfervour，andstatedthathehadalreadysentforarelationwhowouldmakearrangementsforhisfuturesafetyandmodeoflife。\"ForIhavemoneyyetleft，\"saidtheoldman；\"andhenceforthhavenomotivetobeamiser。\"Heproceededthenbrieflytorelatetheoriginandcircumstancesofhisconnectionwithhisintendedmurderer。
Itseemsthatinearlierlifehehadquarrelledwithhisrelations，——fromadifferenceinopinionsofbelief。Rejectingallreligionasafable，heyetcultivatedfeelingsthatinclinedhim——forthoughhisintellectwasweak，hisdispositionsweregood——tothatfalseandexaggeratedsensibilitywhichitsdupessooftenmistakeforbenevolence。Hehadnochildren；heresolvedtoadoptanenfantdupeuple。Heresolvedtoeducatethisboyaccordingto\"reason。\"Heselectedanorphanofthelowestextraction，whosedefectsofpersonandconstitutiononlyyetthemoremovedhispity，andfinallyengrossedhisaffection。
Inthisoutcasthenotonlylovedason，helovedatheory!Hebroughthimupmostphilosophically。Helvetiushadprovedtohimthateducationcandoall；andbeforehewaseightyearsold，thelittleJean\'sfavouriteexpressionswere，\"Lalumiereetlavertu。\"(Lightandvirtue。)Theboyshowedtalents，especiallyinart。
Theprotectorsoughtforamasterwhowasasfreefrom\"superstition\"ashimself，andselectedthepainterDavid。Thatperson，ashideousashispupil，andwhosedispositionswereasviciousashisprofessionalabilitieswereundeniable，wascertainlyasfreefrom\"superstition\"astheprotectorcoulddesire。ItwasreservedforRobespierrehereaftertomakethesanguinarypainterbelieveintheEtreSupreme。Theboywasearlysensibleofhisugliness，whichwasalmostpreternatural。
HisbenefactorfounditinvaintoreconcilehimtothemaliceofNaturebyhisphilosophicalaphorisms；butwhenhepointedouttohimthatinthisworldmoney，likecharity，coversamultitudeofdefects，theboylistenedeagerlyandwasconsoled。Tosavemoneyforhisprotege，——fortheonlythingintheworldheloved，——thisbecamethepatron\'spassion。Verily，hehadmetwithhisreward。
\"ButIamthankfulhehasescaped，\"saidtheoldman，wipinghiseyes。\"Hadheleftmeabeggar，Icouldneverhaveaccusedhim。\"
\"No，foryouaretheauthorofhiscrimes。\"
\"How!I，whoneverceasedtoinculcatethebeautyofvirtue？
Explainyourself。\"
\"Alas!ifthypupildidnotmakethiscleartotheelastnightfromhisownlips，anangelmightcomefromheaventopreachtotheeinvain。\"
Theoldmanmoveduneasily，andwasabouttoreply，whentherelativehehadsentfor——andwho，anativeofNancy，happenedtobeatParisatthetime——enteredtheroom。Hewasamansomewhatpastthirty，andofadry，saturnine，meagrecountenance，restlesseyes，andcompressedlips。Helistened，withmanyejaculationsofhorror，tohisrelation\'srecital，andsoughtearnestly，butinvain，toinducehimtogiveinformationagainsthisprotege。
\"Tush，tush，ReneDumas!\"saidtheoldman，\"youarealawyer。
Youarebredtoregardhumanlifewithcontempt。Letanymanbreakalaw，andyoushout，\'Executehim!\'\"
\"I!\"criedDumas，liftinguphishandsandeyes:\"venerablesage，howyoumisjudgeme!Ilamentmorethananyonetheseverityofourcode。Ithinkthestatenevershouldtakeawaylife，——no，noteventhelifeofamurderer。Iagreewiththatyoungstatesman，——MaximilienRobespierre，——thattheexecutioneristheinventionofthetyrant。Myveryattachmenttoouradvancingrevolutionis，thatitmustsweepawaythislegalbutchery。\"
Thelawyerpaused，outofbreath。Thestrangerregardedhimfixedlyandturnedpale。
\"Youchangecountenance，sir，\"saidDumas；\"youdonotagreewithme。\"
\"Pardonme，Iwasatthatmomentrepressingavaguefearwhichseemedprophetic。\"
\"Andthat——\"
\"Wasthatweshouldmeetagain，whenyouropinionsonDeathandthephilosophyofRevolutionsmightbedifferent。\"
\"Never!\"
\"Youenchantme，CousinRene，\"saidtheoldman，whohadlistenedtohisrelationwithdelight。\"Ah，Iseeyouhavepropersentimentsofjusticeandphilanthropy。WhydidInotseektoknowyoubefore？YouadmiretheRevolution；——you，equallywithme，detestthebarbarityofkingsandthefraudofpriests？\"
\"Detest!HowcouldIlovemankindifIdidnot？\"
\"And，\"saidtheoldman，hesitatingly，\"youdonotthink，withthisnoblegentleman，thatIerredinthepreceptsIinstilledintothatwretchedman？\"
\"Erred!WasSocratestoblameifAlcibiadeswasanadultererandatraitor？\"
\"Youhearhim，youhearhim!ButSocrateshadalsoaPlato；
henceforthyoushallbeaPlatotome。Youhearhim？\"exclaimedtheoldman，turningtothestranger。
Butthelatterwasatthethreshold。Whoshallarguewiththemoststubbornofallbigotries，——thefanaticismofunbelief？
\"Areyougoing？\"exclaimedDumas，\"andbeforeIhavethankedyou，blessedyou，forthelifeofthisdearandvenerableman？Oh，ifeverIcanrepayyou，——ifeveryouwanttheheart\'sbloodofReneDumas!\"Thusvolublydeliveringhimself，hefollowedthestrangertothethresholdofthesecondchamber，andthere，gentlydetaininghim，andafterlookingoverhisshoulder，tobesurethathewasnotheardbytheowner，hewhispered，\"IoughttoreturntoNancy。Onewouldnotloseone\'stime，——youdon\'tthink，sir，thatthatscoundreltookawayALLtheoldfool\'smoney？\"
\"WasitthusPlatospokeofSocrates，MonsieurDumas？\"
\"Ha，ha!——youarecaustic。Well，youhavearight。Sir，weshallmeetagain。\"
\"AGAIN!\"mutteredthestranger，andhisbrowdarkened。Hehastenedtohischamber；hepassedthedayandthenightalone，andinstudies，nomatterofwhatnature，——theyservedtoincreasehisgloom。
WhatcouldeverconnecthisfatewithReneDumas，orthefugitiveassassin？WhydidthebuoyantairofParisseemtohimheavywiththesteamsofblood；whydidaninstincturgehimtoflyfromthosesparklingcircles，fromthatfocusoftheworld\'sawakenedhopes，warninghimfromreturn？——he，whoseloftyexistencedefied——butawaythesedreamsandomens!HeleavesFrancebehind。Back，OItaly，tothymajesticwrecks!OntheAlpshissoulbreathesthefreeaironcemore。Freeair!Alas!
lettheworld-healersexhausttheirchemistry；mannevershallbeasfreeinthemarketplaceasonthemountain。Butwe，reader，wetooescapefromthesescenesoffalsewisdomclothinggodlesscrime。Away，oncemore\"IndenheiternRegionenWodiereinenFormenwohnen。\"
Away，totheloftierrealmwherethepuredwellersare。
UnpollutedbytheActual，theIdeallivesonlywithArtandBeauty。SweetViola，bytheshoresoftheblueParthenope，byVirgil\'stomb，andtheCimmeriancavern，wereturntotheeoncemore。
CHAPTER1。IX。
Chenonvuolche\'ldestrierpiuvadainalto，PoiloleganelmarginemarinoAunverdemirtoinmezzounlauroEUNPINO。
\"OrlandoFurioso，\"c。vi。xxiii。
(Ashedidnotwishthathischarger(thehippogriff)shouldtakeanyfurtherexcursionsintothehigherregionsforthepresent，heboundhimatthesea-shoretoagreenmyrtlebetweenalaurelandapine。)
OMusician!artthouhappynow？Thouartreinstalledatthystatelydesk，——thyfaithfulbarbitonhasitsshareinthetriumph。Itisthymasterpiecewhichfillsthyear；itisthydaughterwhofillsthescene，——themusic，theactress，sounited，thatapplausetooneisapplausetoboth。Theymakewayforthee，attheorchestra，——theynolongerjeerandwink，when，withafiercefondness，thoudostcaressthyFamiliar，thatplains，andwails，andchides，andgrowls，underthyremorselesshand。
Theyunderstandnowhowirregulariseverthesymmetryofrealgenius。Theinequalitiesinitssurfacemakethemoonluminoustoman。GiovanniPaisiello，MaestrodiCapella，ifthygentlesoulcouldknowenvy，thoumustsickentoseethyElfridaandthyPirrolaidaside，andallNaplesturnedfanatictotheSiren，atwhosemeasuresshookquerulouslythygentlehead!Butthou，Paisiello，calminthelongprosperityoffame，knowestthattheNewwillhaveitsday，andcomfortestthyselfthattheElfridaandthePirrowillliveforever。Perhapsamistake，butitisbysuchmistakesthattruegeniusconquersenvy。\"Tobeimmortal，\"
saysSchiller，\"liveinthewhole。\"Tobesuperiortothehour，liveinthyself-esteem。Theaudiencenowwouldgivetheirearsforthosevariationsandflightstheywereoncewonttohiss。
No!——Pisanihasbeentwo-thirdsofalifeatsilentworkonhismasterpiece:thereisnothinghecanaddtoTHAT，howeverhemighthavesoughttoimproveonthemasterpiecesofothers。Isnotthiscommon？Theleastlittlecritic，inreviewingsomeworkofart，willsay，\"pitythis，andpitythat；\"\"thisshouldhavebeenaltered，——thatomitted。\"Yea，withhiswiryfiddlestringwillhecreakouthisaccursedvariations。Butlethimsitdownandcomposehimself。HeseesnoimprovementinvariationsTHEN!
Everymancancontrolhisfiddlewhenitishisownworkwithwhichitsvagarieswouldplaythedevil。
AndViolaistheidol，thethemeofNaples。Sheisthespoiledsultanaoftheboards。Tospoilheractingmaybeeasyenough，——
shalltheyspoilhernature？No，Ithinknot。There，athome，sheisstillgoodandsimple；andthere，undertheawningbythedoorway，——thereshestillsits，divinelymusing。Howoften，crook-trunkedtree，shelookstothygreenboughs；howoften，likethee，inherdreams，andfancies，doesshestruggleforthelight，——notthelightofthestage-lamps。Pooh，child!becontentedwiththelamps，evenwiththerush-lights。Afarthingcandleismoreconvenientforhouseholdpurposesthanthestars。
Weekspassed，andthestrangerdidnotreappear；monthshadpassed，andhisprophecyofsorrowwasnotyetfulfilled。OneeveningPisaniwastakenill。Hissuccesshadbroughtonthelong-neglectedcomposerpressingapplicationsforconcertiandsonata，adaptedtohismorepeculiarscienceontheviolin。Hehadbeenemployedforsomeweeks，dayandnight，onapieceinwhichhehopedtoexcelhimself。Hetook，asusual，oneofthoseseeminglyimpracticablesubjectswhichitwashispridetosubjecttotheexpressivepowersofhisart，——theterriblelegendconnectedwiththetransformationofPhilomel。Thepantomimeofsoundopenedwiththegaymerrimentofafeast。ThemonarchofThraceisathisbanquet；asuddendiscordbraysthroughthejoyousnotes，——thestringseemstoscreechwithhorror。Thekinglearnsthemurderofhissonbythehandsoftheavengingsisters。Swiftragethechords，throughthepassionsoffear，ofhorror，offury，anddismay。Thefatherpursuesthesisters。
Hark!whatchangesthedread——thediscord——intothatlong，silvery，mournfulmusic？Thetransformationiscompleted；andPhilomel，nowthenightingale，poursfromthemyrtle-boughthefull，liquid，subduingnotesthataretotellevermoretotheworldthehistoryofherwoesandwrongs。Now，itwasinthemidstofthiscomplicatedanddifficultattemptthatthehealthoftheover-taskedmusician，excitedalikebypasttriumphandnewambition，suddenlygaveway。Hewastakenillatnight。Thenextmorningthedoctorpronouncedthathisdiseasewasamalignantandinfectiousfever。HiswifeandViolasharedintheirtenderwatch；butsoonthattaskwaslefttothelastalone。TheSignoraPisanicaughttheinfection，andinafewhourswaseveninastatemorealarmingthanthatofherhusband。
TheNeapolitans，incommonwiththeinhabitantsofallwarmclimates，areapttobecomeselfishandbrutalintheirdreadofinfectiousdisorders。Gionettaherselfpretendedtobeill，toavoidthesick-chamber。ThewholelabourofloveandsorrowfellonViola。Itwasaterribletrial，——Iamwillingtohurryoverthedetails。Thewifediedfirst!
Oneday，alittlebeforesunset，Pisaniwokepartiallyrecoveredfromthedeliriumwhichhadpreyeduponhim，withfewintervals，sincetheseconddayofthedisease；andcastingabouthimhisdizzyandfeebleeyes，herecognisedViola，andsmiled。Hefalteredhernameasheroseandstretchedhisarms。Shefelluponhisbreast，andstrovetosuppresshertears。
\"Thymother？\"hesaid。\"Doesshesleep？\"
\"Shesleeps，——ah，yes!\"andthetearsgushedforth。
\"Ithought——eh!IknownotWHATIhavethought。Butdonotweep:Ishallbewellnow，——quitewell。Shewillcometomewhenshewakes，——willshe？\"
Violacouldnotspeak；butshebusiedherselfinpouringforthananodyne，whichshehadbeendirectedtogivethesuffererassoonasthedeliriumshouldcease。Thedoctorhadtoldher，too，tosendforhimtheinstantsoimportantachangeshouldoccur。
Shewenttothedoorandcalledtothewomanwho，duringGionetta\'spretendedillness，hadbeeninducedtosupplyherplace；butthehirelinganswerednot。Sheflewthroughthechamberstosearchforherinvain，——thehirelinghadcaughtGionetta\'sfears，andvanished。Whatwastobedone？Thecasewasurgent，——thedoctorhaddeclarednotamomentshouldbelostinobtaininghisattendance；shemustleaveherfather，——shemustgoherself!Shecreptbackintotheroom，——theanodyneseemedalreadytohavetakenbenigneffect；thepatient\'seyeswereclosed，andhebreathedregularly，asinsleep。Shestoleaway，threwherveiloverherface，andhurriedfromthehouse。
Nowtheanodynehadnotproducedtheeffectwhichitappearedtohavedone；insteadofhealthfulsleep，ithadbroughtonakindoflight-headedsomnolence，inwhichthemind，preternaturallyrestless，wanderedaboutitsaccustomedhaunts，wakingupitsoldfamiliarinstinctsandinclinations。Itwasnotsleep，——itwasnotdelirium；itwasthedream-wakefulnesswhichopiumsometimesinduces，wheneverynervegrowstremulouslyalive，andcreatesacorrespondingactivityintheframe，towhichitgivesafalseandhecticvigour。Pisanimissedsomething，——what，hescarcelyknew；itwasacombinationofthetwowantsmostessentialtohismentallife，——thevoiceofhiswife，thetouchofhisFamiliar。
Herose，——helefthisbed，heleisurelyputonhisolddressing-robe，inwhichhehadbeenwonttocompose。Hesmiledcomplacentlyastheassociationsconnectedwiththegarmentcameoverhismemory；hewalkedtremulouslyacrosstheroom，andenteredthesmallcabinetnexttohischamber，inwhichhiswifehadbeenaccustomedmoreoftentowatchthansleep，whenillnessseparatedherfromhisside。Theroomwasdesolateandvoid。Helookedroundwistfully，andmutteredtohimself，andthenproceededregularly，andwithanoiselessstep，throughthechambersofthesilenthouse，onebyone。
HecameatlasttothatinwhicholdGionetta——faithfultoherownsafety，ifnothingelse——nursedherself，intheremotestcornerofthehouse，fromthedangerofinfection。Asheglidedin，——wan，emaciated，withanuneasy，anxious，searchinglookinhishaggardeyes，——theoldwomanshriekedaloud，andfellathisfeet。Hebentoverher，passedhisthinhandsalongheravertedface，shookhishead，andsaidinahollowvoice，——
\"Icannotfindthem；wherearethey？\"
\"Who，dearmaster？Oh，havecompassiononyourself；theyarenothere。Blessedsaints!thisisterrible；hehastouchedme；Iamdead!\"
\"Dead!whoisdead？Isanyonedead？\"
\"Ah!don\'ttalkso；youmustknowitwell:mypoormistress，——
shecaughtthefeverfromyou；itisinfectiousenoughtokillawholecity。SanGennaroprotectme!Mypoormistress，sheisdead，——buried，too；andI，yourfaithfulGionetta，woeisme!
Go，go——to——tobedagain，dearestmaster，——go!\"
Thepoormusicianstoodforonemomentmuteandunmoving，thenaslightshiverranthroughhisframe；heturnedandglidedback，silentandspectre-like，ashehadentered。Hecameintotheroomwherehehadbeenaccustomedtocompose，——wherehiswife，inhersweetpatience，hadsooftensatbyhisside，andpraisedandflatteredwhentheworldhadbutjeeredandscorned。Inonecornerhefoundthelaurel-wreathshehadplacedonhisbrowsthathappynightoffameandtriumph；andnearit，halfhidbyhermantilla，layinitscasetheneglectedinstrument。
Violawasnotlonggone:shehadfoundthephysician；shereturnedwithhim；andastheygainedthethreshold，theyheardastrainofmusicfromwithin，——astrainofpiercing，heart-rendinganguish。Itwasnotlikesomesenselessinstrument，mechanicalinitsobediencetoahumanhand，——itwasassomespiritcalling，inwailandagonyfromtheforlornshades，totheangelsitbeheldafarbeyondtheEternalGulf。Theyexchangedglancesofdismay。Theyhurriedintothehouse；theyhastenedintotheroom。Pisaniturned，andhislook，fullofghastlyintelligenceandsterncommand，awedthemback。Theblackmantilla，thefadedlaurel-leaf，laytherebeforehim。Viola\'sheartguessedallatasingleglance；shesprungtohisknees；sheclaspedthem，——
\"Father，father，_I_amlefttheestill!\"
Thewailceased，——thenotechanged；withaconfusedassociation——
halfoftheman，halfoftheartist——theanguish，stillamelody，wasconnectedwithsweetersoundsandthoughts。Thenightingalehadescapedthepursuit，——soft，airy，bird-like，thrilledthedeliciousnotesamoment，andthendiedaway。Theinstrumentfelltothefloor，anditschordssnapped。Youheardthatsoundthroughthesilence。Theartistlookedonhiskneelingchild，andthenonthebrokenchords……\"Burymebyherside，\"hesaid，inaverycalm，lowvoice；\"andTHATbymine。\"Andwiththesewordshiswholeframebecamerigid，asifturnedtostone。Thelastchangepassedoverhisface。Hefelltotheground，suddenandheavy。ThechordsTHERE，too，——thechordsofthehumaninstrumentweresnappedasunder。Ashefell，hisrobebrushedthelaurel-wreath，andthatfellalso，nearbutnotinreachofthedeadman\'snervelesshand。
Brokeninstrument，brokenheart，witheredlaurel-wreath!——thesettingsunthroughthevine-cladlatticestreamedonall!SosmilestheeternalNatureonthewrecksofallthatmakelifeglorious!Andnotasunthatsetsnotsomewhereonthesilencedmusic，——onthefadedlaurel!
CHAPTER1。X。
Chedifesamigliorch\'usbergoescudo，Elasantainnocenzaalpettoignudo!
