\"Ger。Lib。，\"c。viii。xli。
(Betterdefencethanshieldorbreastplateisholyinnocencetothenakedbreast。)
Andtheyburiedthemusicianandhisbarbitontogether，inthesamecoffin。ThatfamousSteiner——primevalTitanofthegreatTyroleserace——oftenhastthousoughttoscaletheheavens，andthereforemustthou，likethemeanerchildrenofmen，descendtothedismalHades!Harderfatefortheethanthymortalmaster。
ForTHYsoulsleepswiththeeinthecoffin。AndthemusicthatbelongstoHIS，separatefromtheinstrument，ascendsonhigh，tobeheardoftenbyadaughter\'spiousearswhentheheavenissereneandtheearthsad。Forthereisasenseofhearingthatthevulgarknownot。Andthevoicesofthedeadbreathesoftandfrequenttothosewhocanunitethememorywiththefaith。
AndnowViolaisaloneintheworld，——aloneinthehomewherelonelinesshadseemedfromthecradleathingthatwasnotofnature。Andatfirstthesolitudeandthestillnesswereinsupportable。Haveyou，yemourners，towhomthesesibylleaves，weirdwithmanyadarkenigma，shallbeborne，haveyounotfeltthatwhenthedeathofsomebest-lovedonehasmadethehearthdesolate，——haveyounotfeltasifthegloomofthealteredhomewastooheavyforthoughttobear？——youwouldleaveit，thoughapalace，evenforacabin。Andyet，——sadtosay，——
whenyouobeytheimpulse，whenyouflyfromthewalls，wheninthestrangeplaceinwhichyouseekyourrefugenothingspeakstoyouofthelost，haveyenotfeltagainayearningforthatveryfoodtomemorywhichwasjustbeforebutbitternessandgall？Isitnotalmostimpiousandprofanetoabandonthatdearhearthtostrangers？Andthedesertionofthehomewhereyourparentsdwelt，andblessedyou，upbraidsyourconscienceasifyouhadsoldtheirtombs。
BeautifulwastheEtruscansuperstitionthattheancestorsbecomethehouseholdgods。DeafisthehearttowhichtheLarescallfromthedesolatefloorsinvain。AtfirstViolahad，inherintolerableanguish，gratefullywelcomedtherefugewhichthehouseandfamilyofakindlyneighbour，muchattachedtoherfather，andwhowasoneoftheorchestrathatPisanishallperplexnomore，hadprofferedtotheorphan。Butthecompanyoftheunfamiliarinourgrief，theconsolationofthestranger，howitirritatesthewound!Andthen，tohearelsewherethenameoffather，mother，child，——asifdeathcamealonetoyou，——toseeelsewherethecalmregularityofthoselivesunitedinloveandorder，keepingaccountofhappyhours，theunbrokentimepieceofhome，asifnowhereelsethewheelswerearrested，thechainshattered，thehandsmotionless，thechimestill!No，thegraveitselfdoesnotremindusofourlosslikethecompanyofthosewhohavenolosstomourn。Gobacktothysolitude，youngorphan，——gobacktothyhome:thesorrowthatmeetstheeonthethresholdcangreetthee，eveninitssadness，likethesmileuponthefaceofthedead。Andthere，fromthycasement，andthere，fromwithoutthydoor，thouseeststillthetree，solitaryasthyself，andspringingfromthecleftsoftherock，butforcingitswaytolight，——as，throughallsorrow，whiletheseasonsyetcanrenewtheverdureandbloomofyouth，strivestheinstinctofthehumanheart!Onlywhenthesapisdriedup，onlywhenagecomeson，doesthesunshineinvainformanandforthetree。
Weeksandmonths——monthssadandmany——againpassed，andNapleswillnotlongersufferitsidoltosecludeitselffromhomage。
Theworldeverplucksusbackfromourselveswithathousandarms。AndagainViola\'svoiceishearduponthestage，which，mysticallyfaithfultolife，isinnoughtmorefaithfulthanthis，thatitistheappearancesthatfillthescene；andwepausenottoaskofwhatrealitiestheyaretheproxies。WhentheactorofAthensmovedallheartsasheclaspedtheburialurn，andburstintobrokensobs；howfew，there，knewthatitheldtheashesofhisson!Gold，aswellasfame，wasshoweredupontheyoungactress；butshestillkepttohersimplemodeoflife，toherlowlyhome，totheoneservantwhosefaults，selfishastheywere，Violawastooinexperiencedtoperceive。AnditwasGionettawhohadplacedherwhenfirstborninherfather\'sarms!Shewassurroundedbyeverysnare，wooedbyeverysolicitationthatcouldbesetherunguardedbeautyandherdangerouscalling。Buthermodestvirtuepassedunsulliedthroughthemall。Itistruethatshehadbeentaughtbylipsnowmutethemaidendutiesenjoinedbyhonourandreligion。Andalllovethatspokenotofthealtaronlyshockedandrepelledher。Butbesidesthat，asgriefandsolituderipenedherheart，andmadehertrembleattimestothinkhowdeeplyitcouldfeel，hervagueandearlyvisionsshapedthemselvesintoanidealoflove。Andtilltheidealisfound，howtheshadowthatitthrowsbeforeitchillsustotheactual!Withthatideal，everandever，unconsciously，andwithacertainaweandshrinking，cametheshapeandvoiceofthewarningstranger。NearlytwoyearshadpassedsincehehadappearedatNaples。Nothinghadbeenheardofhim，savethathisvesselhadbeendirected，somemonthsafterhisdeparture，tosailforLeghorn。BythegossipsofNaples，hisexistence，supposedsoextraordinary，waswellnighforgotten；buttheheartofViolawasmorefaithful。Oftenheglidedthroughherdreams，andwhenthewindsighedthroughthatfantastictree，associatedwithhisremembrance，shestartedwithatremorandablush，asifshehadheardhimspeak。
Butamongstthetrainofhersuitorswasonetowhomshelistenedmoregentlythantotherest；partlybecause，perhaps，hespokeinhermother\'snativetongue；partlybecauseinhisdiffidencetherewaslittletoalarmanddisplease；partlybecausehisrank，nearertoherownthanthatoflordlierwooers，preventedhisadmirationfromappearinginsult；partlybecausehehimself，eloquentandadreamer，oftenutteredthoughtsthatwerekindredtothoseburieddeepestinhermind。Shebegantolike，perhapstolovehim，butasasisterloves；asortofprivilegedfamiliaritysprungupbetweenthem。IfintheEnglishman\'sbreastarosewildandunworthyhopes，hehadnotyetexpressedthem。Istheredangertotheehere，loneViola，oristhedangergreaterinthyunfoundideal？
Andnow，astheoverturetosomestrangeandwizardspectacle，closesthisopeningprelude。Wiltthouhearmore？Comewiththyfaithprepared。Iasknottheblindedeyes，buttheawakenedsense。AstheenchantedIsle，remotefromthehomesofmen，——
\"OvealcunlegnoRado，ononmaivadallenostresponde，\"——
\"Ger。Lib。，\"cant。xiv。69。
(Whereshipseldomornevercomesfromourcoasts。)
isthespaceinthewearyoceanofactuallifetowhichtheMuseorSibyl(ancientinyears，buteveryounginaspect)，offerstheenounhallowedsail，——
\"QuinciellaincimaaunamontagnaascendeDisabitata，ed\'ombreoscuraebruna；
EparincantoaleinevoserendeLespalleeifianchi；esensanevealcunaGlilasciailcapoverdeggianteevago；
Evifondaunpalagioappressounlago。\"
(There，sheamountain\'sloftypeakascends，Unpeopled，shady，shagg\'dwithforestsbrown，Whosesides，bypowerofmagic，half-waydownSheheapswithslipperyiceandfrostandsnow，ButsunshinyandverdantleavesthecrownWithorange-woodsandmyrtles，——speaks，andlo!
Richfromtheborderinglakeapalacerisesslow。
Wiffin\'s\"Translation。\"
BOOKII。
ART，LOVE，ANDWONDER。
Diversiaspettiinunconfusiemisti。
\"Ger。Lib，\"cant。iv。7。
Differentappearances，confusedandmixtinone。
CHAPTER2。I。
Centauri，eSfingi，epallideGorgoni。
\"Ger。Lib。，\"c。iv。v。
(CentaursandSphinxesandpallidGorgons。)
Onemoonlitnight，intheGardensatNaples，somefourorfivegentlemanwereseatedunderatree，drinkingtheirsherbet，andlistening，intheintervalsofconversation，tothemusicwhichenlivenedthatgayandfavouriteresortofanindolentpopulation。OneofthislittlepartywasayoungEnglishman，whohadbeenthelifeofthewholegroup，butwho，forthelastfewmoments，hadsunkintoagloomyandabstractedreverie。Oneofhiscountrymenobservedthissuddengloom，and，tappinghimontheback，said，\"Whatailsyou，Glyndon？Areyouill？Youhavegrownquitepale，——youtremble。Isitasuddenchill？Youhadbettergohome:theseItaliannightsareoftendangeroustoourEnglishconstitutions。\"
\"No，Iamwellnow；itwasapassingshudder。Icannotaccountforitmyself。\"
Aman，apparentlyofaboutthirtyyearsofage，andofamienandcountenancestrikinglysuperiortothosearoundhim，turnedabruptly，andlookedsteadfastlyatGlyndon。
\"IthinkIunderstandwhatyoumean，\"saidhe；\"andperhaps，\"headded，withagravesmile，\"Icouldexplainitbetterthanyourself。\"Here，turningtotheothers，headded，\"Youmustoftenhavefelt，gentlemen，eachandallofyou，especiallywhensittingaloneatnight，astrangeandunaccountablesensationofcoldnessandawecreepoveryou；yourbloodcurdles，andtheheartstandsstill；thelimbsshiver；thehairbristles；youareafraidtolookup，toturnyoureyestothedarkercornersoftheroom；youhaveahorriblefancythatsomethingunearthlyisathand；presentlythewholespell，ifImaysocallit，passesaway，andyouarereadytolaughatyourownweakness。HaveyounotoftenfeltwhatIhavethusimperfectlydescribed？——ifso，youcanunderstandwhatouryoungfriendhasjustexperienced，evenamidstthedelightsofthismagicalscene，andamidstthebalmywhispersofaJulynight。\"
\"Sir，\"repliedGlyndon，evidentlymuchsurprised，\"youhavedefinedexactlythenatureofthatshudderwhichcameoverme。
Buthowcouldmymannerbesofaithfulanindextomyimpressions？\"
\"Iknowthesignsofthevisitation，\"returnedthestranger，gravely；\"theyarenottobemistakenbyoneofmyexperience。\"
Allthegentlemanpresentthendeclaredthattheycouldcomprehend，andhadfelt，whatthestrangerhaddescribed。
\"Accordingtooneofournationalsuperstitions，\"saidMervale，theEnglishmanwhohadfirstaddressedGlyndon，\"themomentyousofeelyourbloodcreep，andyourhairstandonend，someoneiswalkingoverthespotwhichshallbeyourgrave。\"
\"Thereareinalllandsdifferentsuperstitionstoaccountforsocommonanoccurrence，\"repliedthestranger:\"onesectamongtheArabiansholdsthatatthatinstantGodisdecidingthehoureitherofyourdeath，orofsomeonedeartoyou。TheAfricansavage，whoseimaginationisdarkenedbythehideousritesofhisgloomyidolatry，believesthattheEvilSpiritispullingyoutowardshimbythehair:sodotheGrotesqueandtheTerribleminglewitheachother。\"
\"Itisevidentlyamerephysicalaccident，——aderangementofthestomach，achilloftheblood，\"saidayoungNeapolitan，withwhomGlyndonhadformedaslightacquaintance。
\"Thenwhyisitalwayscoupledinallnationswithsomesuperstitiouspresentimentorterror，——someconnectionbetweenthematerialframeandthesupposedworldwithoutus？Formypart，Ithink——\"
\"Ay，whatdoyouthink，sir？\"askedGlyndon，curiously。
\"Ithink，\"continuedthestranger，\"thatitistherepugnanceandhorrorwithwhichourmorehumanelementsrecoilfromsomething，indeed，invisible，butantipathetictoourownnature；andfromaknowledgeofwhichwearehappilysecuredbytheimperfectionofoursenses。\"
\"Youareabelieverinspirits，then？\"saidMervale，withanincreduloussmile。
\"Nay，itwasnotpreciselyofspiritsthatIspoke；buttheremaybeformsofmatterasinvisibleandimpalpabletousastheanimalculaeintheairwebreathe，——inthewaterthatplaysinyonderbasin。Suchbeingsmayhavepassionsandpowerslikeourown——astheanimalculaetowhichIhavecomparedthem。Themonsterthatlivesanddiesinadropofwater——carnivorous，insatiable，subsistingonthecreaturesminuterthanhimself——isnotlessdeadlyinhiswrath，lessferociousinhisnature，thanthetigerofthedesert。Theremaybethingsaroundusthatwouldbedangerousandhostiletomen，ifProvidencehadnotplacedawallbetweenthemandus，merelybydifferentmodificationsofmatter。\"
\"Andthinkyouthatwallnevercanberemoved？\"askedyoungGlyndon，abruptly。\"Arethetraditionsofsorcererandwizard，universalandimmemorialastheyare，merelyfables？\"
\"Perhapsyes，——perhapsno，\"answeredthestranger，indifferently。
\"Butwho，inanageinwhichthereasonhaschosenitsproperbounds，wouldbemadenoughtobreakthepartitionthatdivideshimfromtheboaandthelion，——torepineatandrebelagainstthelawwhichconfinesthesharktothegreatdeep？Enoughoftheseidlespeculations。\"
Herethestrangerrose，summonedtheattendant，paidforhissherbet，and，bowingslightlytothecompany，soondisappearedamongthetrees。
\"Whoisthatgentleman？\"askedGlyndon，eagerly。
Therestlookedateachother，withoutreplying，forsomemoments。
\"Ineversawhimbefore，\"saidMervale，atlast。
\"NorI。\"
\"NorI。\"
\"Iknowhimwell，\"saidtheNeapolitan，whowas，indeed，theCountCetoxa。\"Ifyouremember，itwasasmycompanionthathejoinedyou。HevisitedNaplesabouttwoyearsago，andhasrecentlyreturned；heisveryrich，——indeed，enormouslyso。A
mostagreeableperson。Iamsorrytohearhimtalksostrangelyto-night；itservestoencouragethevariousfoolishreportsthatarecirculatedconcerninghim。\"
\"Andsurely，\"saidanotherNeapolitan，\"thecircumstancethatoccurredbuttheotherday，sowellknowntoyourself，Cetoxa，justifiesthereportsyoupretendtodeprecate。\"
\"Myselfandmycountryman，\"saidGlyndon，\"mixsolittleinNeapolitansociety，thatwelosemuchthatappearswellworthyoflivelyinterest。MayIenquirewhatarethereports，andwhatisthecircumstanceyoureferto？\"
\"Astothereports，gentlemen，\"saidCetoxa，courteously，addressinghimselftothetwoEnglishmen，\"itmaysufficetoobserve，thattheyattributetotheSignorZanonicertainqualitieswhicheverybodydesiresforhimself，butdamnsanyoneelseforpossessing。TheincidentSignorBelgiosoalludesto，illustratesthesequalities，andis，Imustown，somewhatstartling。Youprobablyplay，gentlemen？\"(HereCetoxapaused；
andasbothEnglishmenhadoccasionallystakedafewscudiatthepublicgaming-tables，theybowedassenttotheconjecture。)
Cetoxacontinued。\"Well，then，notmanydayssince，andontheverydaythatZanonireturnedtoNaples，itsohappenedthatI
hadbeenplayingprettyhigh，andhadlostconsiderably。Irosefromthetable，resolvednolongertotemptfortune，whenI
suddenlyperceivedZanoni，whoseacquaintanceIhadbeforemade(andwho，Imaysay，wasundersomeslightobligationtome)，standingby，aspectator。EreIcouldexpressmygratificationatthisunexpectedrecognition，helaidhishandonmyarm。\'Youhavelostmuch，\'saidhe；\'morethanyoucanafford。Formypart，Idislikeplay；yetIwishtohavesomeinterestinwhatisgoingon。Willyouplaythissumforme？theriskismine，——thehalfprofitsyours。\'Iwasstartled，asyoumaysuppose，atsuchanaddress；butZanonihadanairandtonewithhimitwasimpossibletoresist；besides，Iwasburningtorecovermylosses，andshouldnothaverisenhadIhadanymoneyleftaboutme。ItoldhimIwouldaccepthisoffer，providedwesharedtheriskaswellasprofits。\'Asyouwill，\'saidhe，smiling；\'weneedhavenoscruple，foryouwillbesuretowin。\'Isatdown；
Zanonistoodbehindme；myluckrose，——Iinvariablywon。Infact，Irosefromthetablearichman。\"
\"Therecanbenofoulplayatthepublictables，especiallywhenfoulplaywouldmakeagainstthebank？\"ThisquestionwasputbyGlyndon。
\"Certainlynot，\"repliedthecount。\"Butourgoodfortunewas，indeed，marvellous，——soextraordinarythataSicilian(theSiciliansareallill-bred，bad-temperedfellows)grewangryandinsolent。\'Sir，\'saidhe，turningtomynewfriend，\'youhavenobusinesstostandsoneartothetable。Idonotunderstandthis；youhavenotactedfairly。\'Zanonireplied，withgreatcomposure，thathehaddonenothingagainsttherules，——thathewasverysorrythatonemancouldnotwinwithoutanothermanlosing；andthathecouldnotactunfairly，evenifdisposedtodoso。TheSiciliantookthestranger\'smildnessforapprehension，andblusteredmoreloudly。Infact，herosefromthetable，andconfrontedZanoniinamannerthat，tosaytheleastofit，wasprovokingtoanygentlemanwhohassomequicknessoftemper，orsomeskillwiththesmall-sword。\"
\"And，\"interruptedBelgioso，\"themostsingularpartofthewholetomewas，thatthisZanoni，whostoodoppositetowhereIsat，andwhosefaceIdistinctlysaw，madenoremark，showednoresentment。HefixedhiseyessteadfastlyontheSicilian；nevershallIforgetthatlook!itisimpossibletodescribeit，——itfrozethebloodinmyveins。TheSicilianstaggeredbackasifstruck。Isawhimtremble；hesankonthebench。Andthen——\"
\"Yes，then，\"saidCetoxa，\"tomyinfinitesurprise，ourgentleman，thusdisarmedbyalookfromZanoni，turnedhiswholeangeruponme，THE——butperhapsyoudonotknow，gentlemen，thatIhavesomereputewithmyweapon？\"
\"ThebestswordsmaninItaly，\"saidBelgioso。
\"BeforeIcouldguesswhyorwherefore，\"resumedCetoxa，\"Ifoundmyselfinthegardenbehindthehouse，withUghelli(thatwastheSicilian\'sname)facingme，andfiveorsixgentlemen，thewitnessesoftheduelabouttotakeplace，around。Zanonibeckonedmeaside。\'Thismanwillfall，\'saidhe。\'Whenheisontheground，gotohim，andaskwhetherhewillbeburiedbythesideofhisfatherinthechurchofSanGennaro？\'\'Doyouthenknowhisfamily？\'Iaskedwithgreatsurprise。Zanonimademenoanswer，andthenextmomentIwasengagedwiththeSicilian。Todohimjustice，hisimbrogliatowasmagnificent，andaswifterloungernevercrossedasword；nevertheless，\"addedCetoxa，withapleasingmodesty，\"hewasrunthroughthebody。I
wentuptohim；hecouldscarcelyspeak。\'Haveyouanyrequesttomake，——anyaffairstosettle？\'Heshookhishead。\'Wherewouldyouwishtobeinterred？\'HepointedtowardstheSiciliancoast。\'What!\'saidI，insurprise，\'NOTbythesideofyourfather，inthechurchofSanGennaro？\'AsIspoke，hisfacealteredterribly；heutteredapiercingshriek，——thebloodgushedfromhismouth，andhefelldead。Themoststrangepartofthestoryistocome。WeburiedhiminthechurchofSanGennaro。
Indoingso，wetookuphisfather\'scoffin；thelidcameoffinmovingit，andtheskeletonwasvisible。Inthehollowoftheskullwefoundaveryslenderwireofsharpsteel；thiscausedsurpriseandinquiry。Thefather，whowasrichandamiser，haddiedsuddenly，andbeenburiedinhaste，owing，itwassaid，totheheatoftheweather。Suspiciononceawakened，theexaminationbecameminute。Theoldman\'sservantwasquestioned，andatlastconfessedthatthesonhadmurderedthesire。Thecontrivancewasingenious:thewirewassoslenderthatitpiercedtothebrain，anddrewbutonedropofblood，whichthegreyhairsconcealed。Theaccomplicewillbeexecuted。\"
\"AndZanoni，——didhegiveevidence，didheaccountfor——\"
\"No，\"interruptedthecount:\"hedeclaredthathehadbyaccidentvisitedthechurchthatmorning；thathehadobservedthetombstoneoftheCountUghelli；thathisguidehadtoldhimthecount\'ssonwasinNaples，——aspendthriftandagambler。
Whilewewereatplay，hehadheardthecountmentionedbynameatthetable；andwhenthechallengewasgivenandaccepted，ithadoccurredtohimtonametheplaceofburial，byaninstinctwhichheeithercouldnotorwouldnotaccountfor。\"
\"Averylamestory，\"saidMervale。
\"Yes!butweItaliansaresuperstitious，——theallegedinstinctwasregardedbymanyasthewhisperofProvidence。Thenextdaythestrangerbecameanobjectofuniversalinterestandcuriosity。Hiswealth，hismannerofliving，hisextraordinarypersonalbeauty，haveassistedalsotomakehimtherage；
besides，Ihavehadthepleasureinintroducingsoeminentapersontoourgayestcavaliersandourfairestladies。\"
\"Amostinterestingnarrative，\"saidMervale，rising。\"Come，Glyndon；shallweseekourhotel？Itisalmostdaylight。Adieu，signor!\"
\"Whatthinkyouofthisstory？\"saidGlyndon，astheyoungmenwalkedhomeward。
\"Why，itisveryclearthatthisZanoniissomeimposter，——somecleverrogue；andtheNeapolitansharesthebooty，andpuffshimoffwithallthehackneyedcharlatanismofthemarvellous。Anunknownadventurergetsintosocietybybeingmadeanobjectofaweandcuriosity；heismorethanordinarilyhandsome，andthewomenarequitecontenttoreceivehimwithoutanyotherrecommendationthanhisownfaceandCetoxa\'sfables。\"
\"Icannotagreewithyou。Cetoxa，thoughagamblerandarake，isanoblemanofbirthandhighreputeforcourageandhonour。
Besides，thisstranger，withhisnoblepresenceandloftyair，——
socalm，sounobtrusive，——hasnothingincommonwiththeforwardgarrulityofanimposter。\"
\"MydearGlyndon，pardonme；butyouhavenotyetacquiredanyknowledgeoftheworld!Thestrangermakesthebestofafineperson，andhisgrandairisbutatrickofthetrade。Buttochangethesubject，——howadvancestheloveaffair？\"
\"Oh，Violacouldnotseemeto-day。\"
\"Youmustnotmarryher。Whatwouldtheyallsayathome？\"
\"Letusenjoythepresent，\"saidGlyndon，withvivacity；\"weareyoung，rich，good-looking；letusnotthinkofto-morrow。\"
\"Bravo，Glyndon!Hereweareatthehotel。Sleepsound，anddon\'tdreamofSignorZanoni。\"
CHAPTER2。II。
Prende，giovineaudaceeimpaziente，L\'occasioneoffertaavidamente。
\"Ger。Lib。，\"c。vi。xxix。
(Take，youth，boldandimpatient，theofferedoccasioneagerly。)
ClarenceGlyndonwasayoungmanoffortune，notlarge，buteasyandindependent。Hisparentsweredead，andhisnearestrelationwasanonlysister，leftinEnglandunderthecareofheraunt，andmanyyearsyoungerthanhimself。Earlyinlifehehadevincedconsiderablepromiseintheartofpainting，andratherfromenthusiasmthananypecuniarynecessityforaprofession，hedeterminedtodevotehimselftoacareerinwhichtheEnglishartistgenerallycommenceswithraptureandhistoricalcomposition，toconcludewithavariciouscalculationandportraitsofAldermanSimpkins。Glyndonwassupposedbyhisfriendstopossessnoinconsiderablegenius；butitwasofarashandpresumptuousorder。Hewasaversefromcontinuousandsteadylabour，andhisambitionrathersoughttogatherthefruitthantoplantthetree。Incommonwithmanyartistsintheiryouth，hewasfondofpleasureandexcitement，yieldingwithlittleforethoughttowhateverimpressedhisfancyorappealedtohispassions。HehadtravelledthroughthemorecelebratedcitiesofEurope，withtheavowedpurposeandsincereresolutionofstudyingthedivinemasterpiecesofhisart。Butineach，pleasurehadtoooftenalluredhimfromambition，andlivingbeautydistractedhisworshipfromthesenselesscanvas。Brave，adventurous，vain，restless，inquisitive，hewaseverinvolvedinwildprojectsandpleasantdangers，——thecreatureofimpulseandtheslaveofimagination。
Itwasthentheperiodwhenafeverishspiritofchangewasworkingitswaytothathideousmockeryofhumanaspirations，theRevolutionofFrance；andfromthechaosintowhichwerealreadyjarringthesanctitiesoftheWorld\'sVenerableBelief，arosemanyshapelessandunformedchimeras。NeedIremindthereaderthat，whilethatwasthedayforpolishedscepticismandaffectedwisdom，itwasthedayalsoforthemostegregiouscredulityandthemostmysticalsuperstitions，——thedayinwhichmagnetismandmagicfoundconvertsamongstthedisciplesofDiderot；whenprophecieswerecurrentineverymouth；whenthesalonofaphilosophicaldeistwasconvertedintoanHeraclea，inwhichnecromancyprofessedtoconjureuptheshadowsofthedead；whentheCrosierandtheBookwereridiculed，andMesmerandCagliostrowerebelieved。InthatHeliacalRising，heraldingthenewsunbeforewhichallvapoursweretovanish，stalkedfromtheirgravesinthefeudalagesallthephantomsthathadflittedbeforetheeyesofParacelsusandAgrippa。DazzledbythedawnoftheRevolution，Glyndonwasyetmoreattractedbyitsstrangeaccompaniments；andnaturalitwaswithhim，aswithothers，thatthefancywhichranriotamidstthehopesofasocialUtopia，shouldgraspwithavidityallthatpromised，outofthedustytracksofthebeatenscience，thebolddiscoveriesofsomemarvellousElysium。
Inhistravelshehadlistenedwithvividinterest，atleast，ifnotwithimplicitbelief，tothewonderstoldofeachmorerenownedGhost-seer，andhismindwasthereforepreparedfortheimpressionwhichthemysteriousZanoniatfirstsighthadproduceduponit。
Theremightbeanothercauseforthisdispositiontocredulity。
AremoteancestorofGlyndon\'sonthemother\'sside，hadachievednoinconsiderablereputationasaphilosopherandalchemist。
Strangestorieswereafloatconcerningthiswiseprogenitor。Hewassaidtohavelivedtoanagefarexceedingtheallottedboundariesofmortalexistence，andtohavepreservedtothelasttheappearanceofmiddlelife。Hehaddiedatlength，itwassupposed，ofgriefforthesuddendeathofagreat-grandchild，theonlycreaturehehadeverappearedtolove。Theworksofthisphilosopher，thoughrare，wereextant，andfoundinthelibraryofGlyndon\'shome。TheirPlatonicmysticism，theirboldassertions，thehighpromisesthatmightbedetectedthroughtheirfigurativeandtypicalphraseology，hadearlymadeadeepimpressionontheyoungimaginationofClarenceGlyndon。Hisparents，notalivetotheconsequencesofencouragingfancieswhichtheveryenlightenmentoftheageappearedtothemsufficienttopreventordispel，werefond，inthelongwinternights，ofconversingonthetraditionalhistoryofthisdistinguishedprogenitor。AndClarencethrilledwithafearfulpleasurewhenhismotherplayfullydetectedastrikinglikenessbetweenthefeaturesoftheyoungheirandthefadedportraitofthealchemistthatoverhungtheirmantelpiece，andwastheboastoftheirhouseholdandtheadmirationoftheirfriends，——thechildis，indeed，moreoftenthanwethinkfor，\"thefatheroftheman。\"
IhavesaidthatGlyndonwasfondofpleasure。Facile，asgeniusevermustbe，tocheerfulimpression，hiscarelessartist-life，ereartist-lifesettlesdowntolabour，hadwanderedfromflowertoflower。Hehadenjoyed，almosttothereactionofsatiety，thegayrevelriesofNaples，whenhefellinlovewiththefaceandvoiceofViolaPisani。Buthislove，likehisambition，wasvagueanddesultory。Itdidnotsatisfyhiswholeheartandfilluphiswholenature；notfromwantofstrongandnoblepassions，butbecausehismindwasnotyetmaturedandsettledenoughfortheirdevelopment。Asthereisoneseasonfortheblossom，anotherforthefruit；soitisnottillthebloomoffancybeginstofade，thattheheartripenstothepassionsthatthebloomprecedesandforetells。Joyousalikeathislonelyeaseloramidsthisbooncompanions，hehadnotyetknownenoughofsorrowtolovedeeply。Formanmustbedisappointedwiththelesserthingsoflifebeforehecancomprehendthefullvalueofthegreatest。ItistheshallowsensualistsofFrance，who，intheirsalon-language，calllove\"afolly，\"——love，betterunderstood，iswisdom。Besides，theworldwastoomuchwithClarenceGlyndon。HisambitionofartwasassociatedwiththeapplauseandestimationofthatmiserableminorityofthesurfacethatwecallthePublic。
Likethosewhodeceive，hewaseverfearfulofbeinghimselfthedupe。HedistrustedthesweetinnocenceofViola。HecouldnotventurethehazardofseriouslyproposingmarriagetoanItalianactress；butthemodestdignityofthegirl，andsomethinggoodandgenerousinhisownnature，hadhithertomadehimshrinkfromanymoreworldlybutlesshonourabledesigns。Thusthefamiliaritybetweenthemseemedratherthatofkindnessandregardthanpassion。Heattendedthetheatre；hestolebehindthescenestoconversewithher；hefilledhisportfoliowithcountlesssketchesofabeautythatcharmedhimasanartistaswellaslover；anddayafterdayhefloatedonthroughachangingseaofdoubtandirresolution，ofaffectionanddistrust。Thelast，indeed，constantlysustainedagainsthisbetterreasonbythesoberadmonitionsofMervale，amatter-of-factman!
Thedayfollowingthateveonwhichthissectionofmystoryopens，GlyndonwasridingalonebytheshoresoftheNeapolitansea，ontheothersideoftheCavernofPosilipo。Itwaspastnoon；thesunhadlostitsearlyfervour，andacoolbreezesprungupvoluptuouslyfromthesparklingsea。Bendingoverafragmentofstoneneartheroadside，heperceivedtheformofaman；andwhenheapproached，herecognisedZanoni。
TheEnglishmansalutedhimcourteously。\"Haveyoudiscoveredsomeantique？\"saidhe，withasmile；\"theyarecommonaspebblesonthisroad。\"
\"No，\"repliedZanoni；\"itwasbutoneofthoseantiquesthathavetheirdate，indeed，fromthebeginningoftheworld，butwhichNatureeternallywithersandrenews。\"Sosaying，heshowedGlyndonasmallherbwithapale-blueflower，andthenplaceditcarefullyinhisbosom。
\"Youareanherbalist？\"
\"Iam。\"
\"Itis，Iamtold，astudyfullofinterest。\"
\"Tothosewhounderstandit，doubtless。\"
\"Istheknowledge，then，sorare？\"
\"Rare!Thedeeperknowledgeisperhapsrather，amongthearts，LOSTtothemodernphilosophyofcommonplaceandsurface!Doyouimaginetherewasnofoundationforthosetraditionswhichcomedimlydownfromremoterages，——asshellsnowfoundonthemountain-topsinformuswheretheseashavebeen？WhatwastheoldColchianmagic，buttheminutestudyofNatureinherlowliestworks？WhatthefableofMedea，butaproofofthepowersthatmaybeextractedfromthegermandleaf？ThemostgiftedofallthePriestcrafts，themysterioussisterhoodsofCuth，concerningwhoseincantationsLearningvainlybewildersitselfamidstthemazeoflegends，soughtinthemeanestherbswhat，perhaps，theBabylonianSagesexploredinvainamidsttheloftieststars。Traditionyettellsyouthatthereexistedarace(\"Plut。Symp。\"l。5。c。7。)whocouldslaytheirenemiesfromafar，withoutweapon，withoutmovement。Theherbthatyetreadonmayhavedeadlierpowersthanyourengineerscangivetotheirmightiestinstrumentsofwar。CanyouguessthattotheseItalianshores，totheoldCircaeanPromontory，cametheWisefromthefarthestEast，tosearchforplantsandsimpleswhichyourPharmacistsoftheCounterwouldflingfromthemasweeds？
Thefirstherbalists——themasterchemistsoftheworld——werethetribethattheancientreverencecalledbythenameofTitans。
(Syncellus，page14——\"ChemistrytheInventionoftheGiants。\")
Irememberonce，bytheHebrus，inthereignof——Butthistalk，\"saidZanoni，checkinghimselfabruptly，andwithacoldsmile，\"servesonlytowasteyourtimeandmyown。\"Hepaused，lookedsteadilyatGlyndon，andcontinued，\"Youngman，thinkyouthatvaguecuriositywillsupplytheplaceofearnestlabour？I
readyourheart。Youwishtoknowme，andnotthishumbleherb:
butpasson；yourdesirecannotbesatisfied。\"
\"Youhavenotthepolitenessofyourcountrymen，\"saidGlyndon，somewhatdiscomposed。\"SupposeIweredesiroustocultivateyouracquaintance，whyshouldyourejectmyadvances？\"
\"Irejectnoman\'sadvances，\"answeredZanoni；\"Imustknowthemiftheysodesire；butME，inreturn，theycannevercomprehend。
Ifyouaskmyacquaintance，itisyours；butIwouldwarnyoutoshunme。\"
\"Andwhyareyou，then，sodangerous？\"
\"Onthisearth，menareoften，withouttheirownagency，fatedtobedangeroustoothers。IfIweretopredictyourfortunebythevaincalculationsoftheastrologer，Ishouldtellyou，intheirdespicablejargon，thatmyplanetsatdarklyinyourhouseoflife。Crossmenot，ifyoucanavoidit。Iwarnyounowforthefirsttimeandlast。\"
\"Youdespisetheastrologers，yetyouutterajargonasmysteriousastheirs。Ineithergamblenorquarrel；why，then，shouldIfearyou？\"
\"Asyouwill；Ihavedone。\"
\"Letmespeakfrankly，——yourconversationlastnightinterestedandperplexedme。\"
\"Iknowit:mindslikeyoursareattractedbymystery。\"
Glyndonwaspiquedatthesewords，thoughinthetoneinwhichtheywerespokentherewasnocontempt。
\"Iseeyoudonotconsidermeworthyofyourfriendship。Beitso。Good-day!\"
Zanonicoldlyrepliedtothesalutation；andastheEnglishmanrodeon，returnedtohisbotanicalemployment。
Thesamenight，Glyndonwent，asusual，tothetheatre。HewasstandingbehindthesceneswatchingViola，whowasonthestageinoneofhermostbrilliantparts。Thehouseresoundedwithapplause。Glyndonwastransportedwithayoungman\'spassionandayoungman\'spride:\"Thisgloriouscreature，\"thoughthe，\"mayyetbemine。\"
Hefelt，whilethuswrappedindeliciousreverie，aslighttouchuponhisshoulder；heturned，andbeheldZanoni。\"Youareindanger，\"saidthelatter。\"Donotwalkhometo-night；orifyoudo，gonotalone。\"
BeforeGlyndonrecoveredfromhissurprise，Zanonidisappeared；
andwhentheEnglishmansawhimagain，hewasintheboxofoneoftheNeapolitannobles，whereGlyndoncouldnotfollowhim。
Violanowleftthestage，andGlyndonaccostedherwithanunaccustomedwarmthofgallantry。ButViola，contrarytohergentlehabit，turnedwithanevidentimpatiencefromtheaddressofherlover。TakingasideGionetta，whowasherconstantattendantatthetheatre，shesaid，inanearnestwhisper，——
\"Oh，Gionetta!Heishereagain!——thestrangerofwhomIspoketothee!——andagain，healone，ofthewholetheatre，withholdsfrommehisapplause。\"
\"Whichishe，mydarling？\"saidtheoldwoman，withfondnessinhervoice。\"Hemustindeedbedull——notworthathought。\"
TheactressdrewGionettanearertothestage，andpointedouttoheramaninoneoftheboxes，conspicuousamongstallelsebythesimplicityofhisdress，andtheextraordinarybeautyofhisfeatures。
\"Notworthathought，Gionetta!\"repeatedViola，——\"Notworthathought!Alas，nottothinkofhim，seemstheabsenceofthoughtitself!\"
ThepromptersummonedtheSignoraPisani。\"Findouthisname，Gionetta，\"saidshe，movingslowlytothestage，andpassingbyGlyndon，whogazedatherwithalookofsorrowfulreproach。
Thesceneonwhichtheactressnowenteredwasthatofthefinalcatastrophe，whereinallherremarkablepowersofvoiceandartwerepre-eminentlycalledforth。Thehousehungoneverywordwithbreathlessworship；buttheeyesofViolasoughtonlythoseofonecalmandunmovedspectator；sheexertedherselfasifinspired。Zanonilistened，andobservedherwithanattentivegaze，butnoapprovalescapedhislips；noemotionchangedtheexpressionofhiscoldandhalf-disdainfulaspect。Viola，whowasinthecharacterofonewholoved，butwithoutreturn，neverfeltsoacutelythepartsheplayed。Hertearsweretruthful；
herpassionthatofnature:itwasalmosttooterribletobehold。Shewasbornefromthestageexhaustedandinsensible，amidstsuchatempestofadmiringraptureasContinentalaudiencesalonecanraise。Thecrowdstoodup，handkerchiefswaved，garlandsandflowerswerethrownonthestage，——menwipedtheireyes，andwomensobbedaloud。
\"Byheavens!\"saidaNeapolitanofgreatrank，\"Shehasfiredmebeyondendurance。To-night——thisverynight——sheshallbemine!
Youhavearrangedall，Mascari？\"
\"All，signor。AndtheyoungEnglishman？\"
\"Thepresumingbarbarian!AsIbeforetoldthee，lethimbleedforhisfolly。Iwillhavenorival。\"
\"ButanEnglishman!ThereisalwaysasearchafterthebodiesoftheEnglish。\"
\"Fool!isnottheseadeepenough，ortheearthsecretenough，tohideonedeadman？Ourruffiansaresilentasthegraveitself；
andI!——whowoulddaretosuspect，toarraignthePrincedi——？
Seetoit，——thisnight。Itrusthimtoyou。Robbersmurderhim，youunderstand，——thecountryswarmswiththem；plunderandstriphim，thebettertofavoursuchreport。Takethreemen；therestshallbemyescort。\"
Mascarishruggedhisshoulders，andbowedsubmissively。
ThestreetsofNapleswerenotthensosafeasnow，andcarriageswerebothlessexpensiveandmorenecessary。Thevehiclewhichwasregularlyengagedbytheyoungactresswasnottobefound。
Gionetta，tooawareofthebeautyofhermistressandthenumberofheradmirerstocontemplatewithoutalarmtheideaoftheirreturnonfoot，communicatedherdistresstoGlyndon，andhebesoughtViola，whorecoveredbutslowly，toaccepthisowncarriage。Perhapsbeforethatnightshewouldnothaverejectedsoslightaservice。Now，forsomereasonorother，sherefused。
Glyndon，offended，wasretiringsullenly，whenGionettastoppedhim。\"Stay，signor，\"saidshe，coaxingly:\"thedearsignoraisnotwell，——donotbeangrywithher；Iwillmakeheracceptyouroffer。\"
Glyndonstayed，andafterafewmomentsspentinexpostulationonthepartofGionetta，andresistanceonthatofViola，theofferwasaccepted。Gionettaandherchargeenteredthecarriage，andGlyndonwasleftatthedoorofthetheatretoreturnhomeonfoot。ThemysteriouswarningofZanonithensuddenlyoccurredtohim；hehadforgottenitintheinterestofhislover\'squarrelwithViola。Hethoughtitnowadvisabletoguardagainstdangerforetoldbylipssomysterious。Helookedroundforsomeoneheknew:thetheatrewasdisgorgingitscrowds；theyhustled，andjostled，andpresseduponhim；butherecognisednofamiliarcountenance。Whilepausingirresolute，heheardMervale\'svoicecallingonhim，and，tohisgreatrelief，discoveredhisfriendmakinghiswaythroughthethrong。
\"Ihavesecuredyou，\"saidhe，\"aplaceintheCountCetoxa\'scarriage。Comealong，heiswaitingforus。\"
\"Howkindinyou!howdidyoufindmeout？\"
\"ImetZanoniinthepassage，——\'Yourfriendisatthedoorofthetheatre，\'saidhe；\'donotlethimgohomeonfootto-night；thestreetsofNaplesarenotalwayssafe。\'IimmediatelyrememberedthatsomeoftheCalabrianbravoshadbeenbusywithinthecitythelastfewweeks，andsuddenlymeetingCetoxa——buthereheis。\"
Furtherexplanationwasforbidden，fortheynowjoinedthecount。
AsGlyndonenteredthecarriageanddrewuptheglass，hesawfourmenstandingapartbythepavement，whoseemedtoeyehimwithattention。
\"Cospetto!\"criedone；\"thatistheEnglishman!\"Glyndonimperfectlyheardtheexclamationasthecarriagedroveon。Hereachedhomeinsafety。
ThefamiliarandendearingintimacywhichalwaysexistsinItalybetweenthenurseandthechildshehasreared，andwhichthe\"RomeoandJuliet\"ofShakespeareinnowayexaggerates，couldnotbutbedrawnyetcloserthanusual，inasituationsofriendlessasthatoftheorphan-actress。Inallthatconcernedtheweaknessesoftheheart，Gionettahadlargeexperience；andwhen，threenightsbefore，Viola，onreturningfromthetheatre，hadweptbitterly，thenursehadsucceededinextractingfromheraconfessionthatshehadseenone，——notseenfortwowearyandeventfulyears，——butneverforgotten，andwho，alas!hadnotevincedtheslightestrecognitionofherself。Gionettacouldnotcomprehendallthevagueandinnocentemotionsthatswelledthissorrow；butsheresolvedthemall，withherplain，bluntunderstanding，totheonesentimentoflove。Andhere，shewaswellfittedtosympathiseandconsole。ConfidantetoViola\'sentireanddeepheartshenevercouldbe，——forthatheartnevercouldhavewordsforallitssecrets。Butsuchconfidenceasshecouldobtain，shewasreadytorepaybythemostunreprovingpityandthemostreadyservice。
\"Haveyoudiscoveredwhoheis？\"askedViola，asshewasnowaloneinthecarriagewithGionetta。
\"Yes；heisthecelebratedSignorZanoni，aboutwhomallthegreatladieshavegonemad。Theysayheissorich!——oh!somuchricherthananyoftheInglesi!——notbutwhattheSignorGlyndon——\"
\"Cease!\"interruptedtheyoungactress。\"Zanoni!SpeakoftheEnglishmannomore。\"
ThecarriagewasnowenteringthatmorelonelyandremotepartofthecityinwhichViola\'shousewassituated，whenitsuddenlystopped。
Gionetta，inalarm，thrustherheadoutofthewindow，andperceived，bythepalelightofthemoon，thatthedriver，tornfromhisseat，wasalreadypinionedinthearmsoftwomen；thenextmomentthedoorwasopenedviolently，andatallfigure，maskedandmantled，appeared。
\"Fearnot，fairestPisani，\"saidhe，gently；\"noillshallbefallyou。\"Ashespoke，hewoundhisarmroundtheformofthefairactress，andendeavouredtoliftherfromthecarriage。ButGionettawasnoordinaryally，——shethrustbacktheassailantwithaforcethatastonishedhim，andfollowedtheshockbyavolleyofthemostenergeticreprobation。
Themaskdrewback，andcomposedhisdisorderedmantle。
\"BythebodyofBacchus!\"saidhe，halflaughing，\"sheiswellprotected。Here，Luigi，Giovanni!seizethehag!——quick!——whyloiterye？\"
