\"Thepoorandvirtuouspeople,\"murmuredRobespierre。
\"Andeven,\"continuedPayan,\"ifourdesignattheFetefailus,wemustnotshrinkfromtheresourcesstillatourcommand。
Reflect!Henriot,thegeneraloftheParisianarmy,furnishesyouwithtroopstoarrest;theJacobinClubwithapublictoapprove;inexorableDumaswithjudgeswhoneveracquit。Wemustbebold!\"
\"AndweAREbold,\"exclaimedRobespierre,withsuddenpassion,andstrikinghishandonthetableasherose,withhiscresterect,asaserpentintheacttostrike。\"Inseeingthemultitudeofvicesthattherevolutionarytorrentmingleswithcivicvirtues,Itrembletobesulliedintheeyesofposteritybytheimpureneighbourhoodoftheseperversemenwhothrustthemselvesamongthesinceredefendersofhumanity。What!——theythinktodividethecountrylikeabooty!Ithankthemfortheirhatredtoallthatisvirtuousandworthy!Thesemen,\"——andhegraspedthelistofPayaninhishand,——\"these!——notWE——havedrawnthelineofdemarcationbetweenthemselvesandtheloversofFrance!\"
\"True,wemustreignalone!\"mutteredPayan;\"inotherwords,thestateneedsunityofwill;\"working,withhisstrongpracticalmind,thecorollaryfromthelogicofhisword-compellingcolleague。
\"IwillgototheConvention,\"continuedRobespierre。\"Ihaveabsentedmyselftoolong,——lestImightseemtooverawetheRepublicthatIhavecreated。Awaywithsuchscruples!Iwillpreparethepeople!Iwillblastthetraitorswithalook!\"
Hespokewiththeterriblefirmnessoftheoratorthathadneverfailed,——ofthemoralwillthatmarchedlikeawarrioronthecannon。Atthatinstanthewasinterrupted;aletterwasbroughttohim:heopenedit,——hisfacefell,heshookfromlimbtolimb;itwasoneoftheanonymouswarningsbywhichthehateandrevengeofthoseyetleftalivetothreatentorturedthedeath-
giver。
\"Thouartsmeared,\"ranthelines,\"withthebestbloodofFrance。Readthysentence!Iawaitthehourwhenthepeopleshallknelltheetothedoomsman。Ifmyhopedeceiveme,ifdeferredtoolong,——hearken,read!Thishand,whichthineeyesshallsearchinvaintodiscover,shallpiercethyheart。Iseetheeeveryday,——Iamwiththeeeveryday。Ateachhourmyarmrisesagainstthybreast。Wretch!liveyetawhile,thoughbutforfewandmiserabledays——livetothinkofme;sleeptodreamofme!Thyterrorandthythoughtofmearetheheraldsofthydoom。Adieu!thisdayitselfIgoforthtoriotonthyfears!\"
(See\"PapiersineditstrouveschezRobespierre,\"etc。,volumeii。
page155。(No。lx。))
\"Yourlistsarenotfullenough!\"saidthetyrant,withahollowvoice,asthepaperdroppedfromhistremblinghand。\"Givethemtome!——givethemtome!Thinkagain,thinkagain!Barrereisright——right!\'Frappons!iln\'yaquelesmortsquinerevientpas!\'\"
CHAPTER7。II。
Lahaine,dansceslieux,n\'aqu\'unglaiveassassin。
Ellemarchedansl\'ombre。
LaHarpe,\"JeannedeNaples,\"Activ。sc。1。
(Hate,intheseregions,hasbuttheswordoftheassassin。Shemovesintheshade。)
WhilesuchthedesignsandfearsofMaximilienRobespierre,commondanger,commonhatred,whateverwasyetleftofmercyorofvirtueintheagentsoftheRevolution,servedtounitestrangeoppositesinhostilitytotheuniversaldeath-dealer。
Therewas,indeed,anactualconspiracyatworkagainsthimamongmenlittlelessbespatteredthanhimselfwithinnocentblood。
Butthatconspiracywouldhavebeenidleofitself,despitetheabilitiesofTallienandBarras(theonlymenwhomitcomprised,worthy,byforesightandenergy,thenamesof\"leaders\")。ThesureanddestroyingelementsthatgatheredroundthetyrantwereTimeandNature;theone,whichhenolongersuited;theother,whichhehadoutragedandstirredupinthehumanbreast。ThemostatrociouspartyoftheRevolution,thefollowersofHebert,gonetohislastaccount,thebutcher-atheists,who,indesecratingheavenandearth,stillarrogatedinviolablesanctitytothemselves,wereequallyenragedattheexecutionoftheirfilthychief,andtheproclamationofaSupremeBeing。Thepopulace,brutalasithadbeen,startedasfromadreamofblood,whentheirhugeidol,Danton,nolongerfilledthestageofterror,renderingcrimepopularbythatcombinationofcarelessfranknessandeloquentenergywhichendearstheirheroestotheherd。TheglaiveoftheguillotinehadturnedagainstTHEMSELVES。Theyhadyelledandshouted,andsunganddanced,whenthevenerableage,orthegallantyouth,ofaristocracyorletters,passedbytheirstreetsinthedismaltumbrils;buttheyshutuptheirshops,andmurmuredtoeachother,whentheirownorderwasinvaded,andtailorsandcobblers,andjourneymenandlabourers,werehuddledofftotheembracesofthe\"HolyMotherGuillotine,\"withaslittleceremonyasiftheyhadbeentheMontmorenciesortheLaTremouilles,theMalesherbesortheLavoisiers。\"Atthistime,\"saidCouthon,justly,\"LesombresdeDanton,d\'Hebert,deChaumette,sepromenentparminous!\"(TheshadesofDanton,Hebert,andChaumettewalkamongstus。)
Amongthosewhohadsharedthedoctrines,andwhonowdreadedthefateoftheatheistHebert,wasthepainter,JeanNicot。
Mortifiedandenragedtofindthat,bythedeathofhispatron,hiscareerwasclosed;andthat,inthezenithoftheRevolutionforwhichhehadlaboured,hewaslurkingincavesandcellars,morepoor,moreobscure,moredespicablethanhehadbeenatthecommencement,——notdaringtoexerciseevenhisart,andfearfuleveryhourthathisnamewouldswellthelistsofthecondemned,——hewasnaturallyoneofthebitterestenemiesofRobespierreandhisgovernment。HeheldsecretmeetingswithCollotd\'Herbois,whowasanimatedbythesamespirit;andwiththecreepingandfurtivecraftthatcharacterisedhisabilities,hecontrived,undetected,todisseminatetractsandinvectivesagainsttheDictator,andtoprepare,amidst\"thepoorandvirtuouspeople,\"thetrainforthegrandexplosion。Butstillsofirmtotheeyes,evenofprofounderpoliticiansthanJeanNicot,appearedthesullenpoweroftheincorruptibleMaximilien;
sotimorouswasthemovementagainsthim,——thatNicot,incommonwithmanyothers,placedhishopesratherinthedaggeroftheassassinthantherevoltofthemultitude。ButNicot,thoughnotactuallyacoward,shrunkhimselffrombravingthefateofthemartyr;hehadsenseenoughtoseethat,thoughallpartiesmightrejoiceintheassassination,allpartieswouldprobablyconcurinbeheadingtheassassin。HehadnotthevirtuetobecomeaBrutus。Hisobjectwastoinspireaproxy-Brutus;andinthecentreofthatinflammablepopulationthiswasnoimprobablehope。
Amongstthoseloudestandsternestagainstthereignofblood;
amongstthosemostdisenchantedoftheRevolution;amongstthosemostappalledbyitsexcesses,——was,asmightbeexpected,theEnglishman,ClarenceGlyndon。Thewitandaccomplishments,theuncertainvirtuesthathadlightedwithfitfulgleamsthemindofCamilleDesmoulins,hadfascinatedGlyndonmorethanthequalitiesofanyotheragentintheRevolution。Andwhen(forCamilleDesmoulinshadaheart,whichseemeddeadordormantinmostofhiscontemporaries)thatvividchildofgeniusandoferror,shockedatthemassacreoftheGirondins,andrepentantofhisowneffortsagainstthem,begantorousetheserpentmaliceofRobespierrebynewdoctrinesofmercyandtoleration,Glyndonespousedhisviewswithhiswholestrengthandsoul。CamilleDesmoulinsperished,andGlyndon,hopelessatonceofhisownlifeandthecauseofhumanity,fromthattimesoughtonlytheoccasionofflightfromthedevouringGolgotha。Hehadtwolivestoheedbesideshisown;forthemhetrembled,andforthemheschemedandplottedthemeansofescape。ThoughGlyndonhatedtheprinciples,theparty(NoneweremoreopposedtotheHebertiststhanCamilleDesmoulinsandhisfriends。Itiscuriousandamusingtoseetheseleadersofthemob,callingthemob\"thepeople\"oneday,andthe\"canaille\"thenext,accordingasitsuitsthem。\"Iknow,\"saysCamille,\"thatthey(theHebertists)haveallthecanaillewiththem。\"——(Ilsonttoutelacanaillepoureux。)),andthevicesofNicot,heyetextendedtothepainter\'spenurythemeansofsubsistence;andJeanNicot,inreturn,designedtoexaltGlyndontothatveryimmortalityofaBrutusfromwhichhemodestlyrecoiledhimself。Hefoundedhisdesignsonthephysicalcourage,onthewildandunsettledfanciesoftheEnglishartist,andonthevehementhateandindignantloathingwithwhichheopenlyregardedthegovernmentofMaximilien。
Atthesamehour,onthesamedayinJuly,inwhichRobespierreconferred(aswehaveseen)withhisallies,twopersonswereseatedinasmallroominoneofthestreetsleadingoutoftheRueSt。Honore;theone,aman,appearedlisteningimpatiently,andwithasullenbrow,tohiscompanion,awomanofsingularbeauty,butwithaboldandrecklessexpression,andherfaceasshespokewasanimatedbythepassionsofahalf-savageandvehementnature。
\"Englishman,\"saidthewoman,\"beware!——youknowthat,whetherinflightorattheplaceofdeath,Iwouldbravealltobebyyourside,——youknowTHAT!Speak!\"
\"Well,Fillide;didIeverdoubtyourfidelity?\"
\"Doubtityoucannot,——betrayityoumay。Youtellmethatinflightyoumusthaveacompanionbesidesmyself,andthatcompanionisafemale。Itshallnotbe!\"
\"Shallnot!\"
\"Itshallnot!\"repeatedFillide,firmly,andfoldingherarmsacrossherbreast。BeforeGlyndoncouldreply,aslightknockatthedoorwasheard,andNicotopenedthelatchandentered。
Fillidesankintoherchair,and,leaningherfaceonherhands,appearedunheedingoftheintruderandtheconversationthatensued。
\"Icannotbidtheegood-day,Glyndon,\"saidNicot,asinhissans-culottefashionhestrodetowardstheartist,hisraggedhatonhishead,hishandsinhispockets,andthebeardofaweek\'sgrowthuponhischin,——\"Icannotbidtheegood-day;forwhilethetyrantlives,eviliseverysunthatshedsitsbeamsonFrance。\"
\"Itistrue;whatthen?Wehavesownthewind,wemustreapthewhirlwind。\"
\"Andyet,\"saidNicot,apparentlynotheedingthereply,andasifmusinglytohimself,\"itisstrangetothinkthatthebutcherisasmortalasthebutchered;thathislifehangsonasslightathread;thatbetweenthecuticleandtheheartthereisasshortapassage,——that,inshort,oneblowcanfreeFranceandredeemmankind!\"
Glyndonsurveyedthespeakerwithacarelessandhaughtyscorn,andmadenoanswer。
\"And,\"proceededNicot,\"Ihavesometimeslookedroundforthemanbornforthisdestiny,andwheneverIhavedoneso,mystepshaveledmehither!\"
\"ShouldtheynotratherhaveledtheetothesideofMaximilienRobespierre?\"saidGlyndon,withasneer。
\"No,\"returnedNicot,coldly,——\"no;forIama\'suspect:\'I
couldnotmixwithhistrain;Icouldnotapproachwithinahundredyardsofhisperson,butIshouldbeseized;YOU,asyet,aresafe。Hearme!\"——andhisvoicebecameearnestandexpressive,——\"hearme!Thereseemsdangerinthisaction;thereisnone。IhavebeenwithCollotd\'HerboisandBilaud-Varennes;
theywillholdhimharmlesswhostrikestheblow;thepopulacewouldruntothysupport;theConventionwouldhailtheeastheirdeliverer,the——\"
\"Hold,man!Howdarestthoucouplemynamewiththeactofanassassin?Letthetocsinsoundfromyondertower,toawarbetweenHumanityandtheTyrant,andIwillnotbethelastinthefield;butlibertyneveryetacknowledgedadefenderinafelon。\"
TherewassomethingsobraveandnobleinGlyndon\'svoice,mien,andmanner,ashethusspoke,thatNicotatoncewassilenced;atoncehesawthathehadmisjudgedtheman。
\"No,\"saidFillide,liftingherfacefromherhands,——\"no!yourfriendhasawiserschemeinpreparation;hewouldleaveyouwolvestomangleeachother。Heisright;but——\"
\"Flight!\"exclaimedNicot;\"isitpossible?Flight;how?——when?——
bywhatmeans?AllFrancebegirtwithspiesandguards!
Flight!wouldtoHeavenitwereinourpower!\"
\"Dostthou,too,desiretoescapetheblessedRevolution?\"
\"Desire!Oh!\"criedNicot,suddenly,and,fallingdown,heclaspedGlyndon\'sknees,——\"oh,savemewiththyself!Mylifeisatorture;everymomenttheguillotinefrownsbeforeme。Iknowthatmyhoursarenumbered;Iknowthatthetyrantwaitsbuthistimetowritemynameinhisinexorablelist;IknowthatReneDumas,thejudgewhoneverpardons,has,fromthefirst,resolveduponmydeath。Oh,Glyndon,byouroldfriendship,byourcommonart,bythyloyalEnglishfaithandgoodEnglishheart,letmesharethyflight!\"
\"Ifthouwilt,sobeit。\"
\"Thanks!——mywholelifeshallthankthee。Buthowhastthoupreparedthemeans,thepassports,thedisguise,the——\"
\"Iwilltellthee。ThouknowestC——,oftheConvention,——hehaspower,andheiscovetous。\'Qu\'onmemeprise,pourvuquejedine\'(Letthemdespiseme,providedthatIdine。),saidhe,whenreproachedforhisavarice。\"
\"Well?\"
\"Bythehelpofthissturdyrepublican,whohasfriendsenoughintheComite,Ihaveobtainedthemeansnecessaryforflight;I
havepurchasedthem。ForaconsiderationIcanprocurethypassportalso。\"
\"Thyriches,then,arenotinassignats?\"
\"No;Ihavegoldenoughforusall。\"
AndhereGlyndon,beckoningNicotintothenextroom,firstbrieflyandrapidlydetailedtohimtheplanproposed,andthedisguisestobeassumedconformablytothepassports,andthenadded,\"InreturnfortheserviceIrenderthee,grantmeonefavour,whichIthinkisinthypower。ThourememberestViolaPisani?\"
\"Ah,——remember,yes!——andtheloverwithwhomshefled。\"
\"AndFROMwhomsheisafugitivenow。\"
\"Indeed——what!——Iunderstand。Sacrebleu!butyouarealuckyfellow,cherconfrere。\"
\"Silence,man!withthyeternalprateofbrotherhoodandvirtue,thouseemestnevertobelieveinonekindlyaction,oronevirtuousthought!\"
Nicotbithislip,andrepliedsullenly,\"Experienceisagreatundeceiver。Humph!WhatservicecanIdotheewithregardtotheItalian?\"
\"Ihavebeenaccessorytoherarrivalinthiscityofsnaresandpitfalls。Icannotleaveheraloneamidstdangersfromwhichneitherinnocencenorobscurityisasafeguard。InyourblessedRepublic,agoodandunsuspectedcitizen,whocastsadesireonanywoman,maidorwife,hasbuttosay,\'Bemine,orIdenounceyou!\'Inaword,Violamustshareourflight。\"
\"Whatsoeasy?Iseeyourpassportsprovideforher。\"
\"Whatsoeasy?Whatsodifficult?ThisFillide——wouldthatI
hadneverseenher!——wouldthatIhadneverenslavedmysoultomysenses!Theloveofanuneducated,violent,unprincipledwoman,openswithaheaven,tomergeinahell!SheisjealousasalltheFuries;shewillnothearofafemalecompanion;andwhenoncesheseesthebeautyofViola!——Itrembletothinkofit。Sheiscapableofanyexcessinthestormofherpassions。\"
\"Aha,Iknowwhatsuchwomenare!Mywife,BeatriceSacchini,whomItookfromNaples,whenIfailedwiththisveryViola,divorcedmewhenmymoneyfailed,and,asthemistressofajudge,passesmeinhercarriagewhileIcrawlthroughthestreets。Plagueonher!——butpatience,patience!suchisthelotofvirtue。WouldIwereRobespierreforaday!\"
\"Ceasethesetirades!\"exclaimedGlyndon,impatiently;\"andtothepoint。Whatwouldyouadvise?\"
\"LeaveyourFillidebehind。\"
\"Leavehertoherownignorance;leaveherunprotectedevenbythemind;leaveherintheSaturnaliaofRapeandMurder?No!I
havesinnedagainstheronce。Butcomewhatmay,Iwillnotsobaselydesertonewho,withallhererrors,trustedherfatetomylove。\"
\"YoudesertedheratMarseilles。\"
\"True;butIleftherinsafety,andIdidnotthenbelieveherlovetobesodeepandfaithful。Ilefthergold,andIimaginedshewouldbeeasilyconsoled;butsinceTHENWEHAVEKNOWNDANGER
TOGETHER!Andnowtoleaveheralonetothatdangerwhichshewouldneverhaveincurredbutfordevotiontome!——no,thatisimpossible。Aprojectoccurstome。Canstthounotsaythatthouhastasister,arelative,orabenefactress,whomthouwouldstsave?Canwenot——tillwehaveleftFrance——makeFillidebelievethatViolaisoneinwhomTHOUonlyartinterested;andwhom,forthysakeonly,Ipermittoshareinourescape?\"
\"Ha,wellthoughtof!——certainly!\"
\"IwillthenappeartoyieldtoFillide\'swishes,andresigntheproject,whichshesoresents,ofsavingtheinnocentobjectofherfranticjealousy。You,meanwhile,shallyourselfentreatFillidetointercedewithmetoextendthemeansofescapeto——\"
\"Toalady(sheknowsIhavenosister)whohasaidedmeinmydistress。Yes,Iwillmanageall,neverfear。Onewordmore,——
whathasbecomeofthatZanoni?\"
\"Talknotofhim,——Iknownot。\"
\"Doeshelovethisgirlstill?\"
\"Itwouldseemso。Sheishiswife,themotherofhisinfant,whoiswithher。\"
\"Wife!——mother!Helovesher。Aha!Andwhy——\"
\"Noquestionsnow。IwillgoandprepareViolafortheflight;
you,meanwhile,returntoFillide。\"
\"ButtheaddressoftheNeapolitan?ItisnecessaryIshouldknow,lestFillideinquire。\"
\"RueM——T——,No。27。Adieu。\"
Glyndonseizedhishatandhastenedfromthehouse。
Nicot,leftalone,seemedforafewmomentsburiedinthought。
\"Oho,\"hemutteredtohimself,\"canInotturnallthistomyaccount?CanInotavengemyselfonthee,Zanoni,asIhavesooftensworn,——throughthywifeandchild?CanInotpossessmyselfofthygold,thypassports,andthyFillide,hotEnglishman,whowouldsthumblemewiththyloathedbenefits,andwhohastchuckedmethinealmsastoabeggar?AndFillide,I
loveher:andthygold,IloveTHATmore!Puppets,Imoveyourstrings!\"
HepassedslowlyintothechamberwhereFillideyetsat,withgloomythoughtonherbrowandtearsstandinginherdarkeyes。
Shelookedupeagerlyasthedooropened,andturnedfromtheruggedfaceofNicotwithanimpatientmovementofdisappointment。
\"Glyndon,\"saidthepainter,drawingachairtoFillide\'s,\"hasleftmetoenlivenyoursolitude,fairItalian。HeisnotjealousoftheuglyNicot!——ha,ha!——yetNicotlovedtheewellonce,whenhisfortunesweremorefair。Butenoughofsuchpastfollies。\"
\"Yourfriend,then,hasleftthehouse。Whither?Ah,youlookaway;youfalter,——youcannotmeetmyeyes!Speak!Iimplore,I
commandthee,speak!\"
\"Enfant!Andwhatdostthoufear?\"
\"FEAR!——yes,alas,Ifear!\"saidtheItalian;andherwholeframeseemedtoshrinkintoitselfasshefelloncemorebackintoherseat。
Then,afterapause,shetossedthelonghairfromhereyes,and,startingupabruptly,pacedtheroomwithdisorderedstrides。AtlengthshestoppedoppositetoNicot,laidherhandonhisarm,drewhimtowardsanescritoire,whichsheunlocked,and,openingawell,pointedtothegoldthatlaywithin,andsaid,\"Thouartpoor,——thoulovestmoney;takewhatthouwilt,butundeceiveme。
Whoisthiswomanwhomthyfriendvisits,——anddoesheloveher?\"
Nicot\'seyessparkled,andhishandsopenedandclenched,andclenchedandopened,ashegazeduponthecoins。Butreluctantlyresistingtheimpulse,hesaid,withanaffectedbitterness,\"Thinkestthoutobribeme?——ifso,itcannotbewithgold。Butwhatifhedoeslovearival;whatifhebetraysthee;whatif,weariedbythyjealousies,hedesignsinhisflighttoleavetheebehind,——wouldsuchknowledgemaketheehappier?\"
\"Yes!\"exclaimedtheItalian,fiercely;\"yes,foritwouldbehappinesstohateandtobeavenged!Oh,thouknowestnothowsweetishatredtothosewhohavereallyloved!\"
\"Butwiltthouswear,ifIrevealtotheethesecret,thatthouwiltnotbetrayme,——thatthouwiltnotfall,aswomendo,intoweaktearsandfondreproaches,whenthybetrayerreturns?\"
\"Tears,reproaches!Revengehidesitselfinsmiles!\"
\"Thouartabravecreature!\"saidNicot,almostadmiringly。\"Oneconditionmore:thyloverdesignstoflywithhisnewlove,toleavetheetothyfate;ifIprovethistothee,andifIgivetheerevengeagainstthyrival,wiltthouflywithme?Ilovethee!——Iwillwedthee!\"
Fillide\'seyesflashedfire;shelookedathimwithunutterabledisdain,andwassilent。
Nicotfelthehadgonetoofar;andwiththatknowledgeoftheevilpartofournaturewhichhisownheartandassociationwithcrimehadtaughthim,heresolvedtotrusttheresttothepassionsoftheItalian,whenraisedtotheheighttowhichhewaspreparedtoleadthem。
\"Pardonme,\"hesaid;\"mylovemademetoopresumptuous;andyetitisonlythatlove,——mysympathyforthee,beautifulandbetrayed,thatcaninducemetowrong,withmyrevelations,onewhomIhaveregardedasabrother。IcandependuponthineoathtoconcealallfromGlyndon?\"
\"Onmyoathandmywrongsandmymountainblood!\"
\"Enough!getthyhatandmantle,andfollowme。\"
AsFillidelefttheroom,Nicot\'seyesagainrestedonthegold;
itwasmuch,——muchmorethanhehaddaredtohopefor;andashepeeredintothewellandopenedthedrawers,heperceivedapacketoflettersinthewell-knownhandofCamilleDesmoulins。
Heseized——heopenedthepacket;hislooksbrightenedasheglancedoverafewsentences。\"ThiswouldgivefiftyGlyndonstotheguillotine!\"hemuttered,andthrustthepacketintohisbosom。
Oartist!——Ohauntedone!——Oerringgenius!——beholdthetwoworstfoes,——theFalseIdealthatknowsnoGod,andtheFalseLovethatburnsfromthecorruptionofthesenses,andtakesnolustrefromthesoul!
CHAPTER7。III。
LiebesonntdasReichderNacht。
\"DerTriumphderLiebe。\"
(LoveillumestherealmofNight。)
LetterfromZanonitoMejnour。
Paris。
Dostthourememberintheoldtime,whentheBeautifulyetdweltinGreece,howwetwo,inthevastAthenianTheatre,witnessedthebirthofWordsasundyingasourselves?Dostthourememberthethrillofterrorthatranthroughthatmightyaudience,whenthewildCassandraburstfromherawfulsilencetoshriektoherrelentlessgod!Howghastly,attheentranceoftheHouseofAtreus,abouttobecomehertomb,rangoutherexclamationsofforebodingwoe:\"Dwellingabhorredofheaven!——humanshamble-
houseandfloorblood-bespattered!\"(Aesch。\"Agam。\"1098。)Dostthourememberhow,amidstthebreathlessaweofthoseassembledthousands,Idrewclosetothee,andwhispered,\"Verily,noprophetlikethepoet!Thissceneoffabledhorrorcomestomeasadream,shadowingforthsomelikenessinmyownremoterfuture!\"AsIenterthisslaughter-housethatscenereturnstome,andIhearkentothevoiceofCassandraringinginmyears。
Asolemnandwarningdreadgathersroundme,asifItoowerecometofindagrave,and\"theNetofHades\"hadalreadyentangledmeinitsweb!Whatdarktreasure-housesofvicissitudeandwoeareourmemoriesbecome!Whatourlives,butthechroniclesofunrelentingdeath!ItseemstomeasyesterdaywhenIstoodinthestreetsofthiscityoftheGaul,astheyshonewithplumedchivalry,andtheairrustledwithsilkenbraveries。YoungLouis,themonarchandthelover,wasvictoroftheTournamentattheCarousel;andallFrancefeltherselfsplendidinthesplendourofhergorgeouschief!Nowthereisneitherthronenoraltar;andwhatisintheirstead?Iseeityonder——theGUILLOTINE!Itisdismaltostandamidsttheruinsofmoulderingcities,tostartletheserpentandthelizardamidstthewrecksofPersepolisandThebes;butmoredismalstilltostandasI——thestrangerfromEmpiresthathaveceasedtobe——
standnowamidsttheyetghastlierruinsofLawandOrder,theshatteringofmankindthemselves!Yethere,evenhere,Love,theBeautifier,thathathledmysteps,canwalkwithunshrinkinghopethroughthewildernessofDeath。Strangeisthepassionthatmakesaworldinitself,thatindividualisestheOneamidsttheMultitude;that,throughallthechangesofmysolemnlife,yetsurvives,thoughambitionandhateandangeraredead;theonesolitaryangel,hoveringoverauniverseoftombsonitstwotremulousandhumanwings,——HopeandFear!
Howisit,Mejnour,that,asmydivinerartabandonedme,——as,inmysearchforViola,Iwasaidedbutbytheordinaryinstinctsofthemerestmortal,——howisitthatIhaveneverdesponded,thatI
havefeltineverydifficultytheprevailingpresciencethatweshouldmeetatlast?Socruellywaseveryvestigeofherflightconcealedfromme,——sosuddenly,sosecretlyhadshefled,thatallthespies,alltheauthoritiesofVenice,couldgivemenoclew。AllItalyIsearchedinvain!HeryounghomeatNaples!——
howstill,initshumblechambers,thereseemedtolingerthefragranceofherpresence!Allthesublimestsecretsofourlorefailedme,——failedtobringhersoulvisibletomine;yetmorningandnight,thouloneandchildlessone,morningandnight,detachedfrommyself,Icancommunewithmychild!Thereinthatmostblessed,typical,andmysteriousofallrelations,NatureherselfappearstosupplywhatSciencewouldrefuse。Spacecannotseparatethefather\'swatchfulsoulfromthecradleofhisfirst-born!Iknownotofitsresting-placeandhome,——myvisionspicturenottheland,——onlythesmallandtenderlifetowhichallspaceisasyettheheritage!Fortotheinfant,beforereasondawns,——beforeman\'sbadpassionscandimtheessencethatittakesfromtheelementithathleft,thereisnopeculiarcountry,nonativecity,andnomortallanguage。Itssoulasyetisthedenizenofallairsandofeveryworld;andinspaceitssoulmeetswithmine,——thechildcommuneswiththefather!Cruelandforsakingone,——thouforwhomIleftthewisdomofthespheres;thouwhosefataldowerhasbeentheweaknessandterrorsofhumanity,——couldstthouthinkthatyoungsoullesssafeonearthbecauseIwouldleaditevermoreuptoheaven!DidstthouthinkthatIcouldhavewrongedmineown?
DidstthounotknowthatinitsserenesteyesthelifethatI
gaveitspoketowarn,toupbraidthemotherwhowouldbindittothedarknessandpangsoftheprison-houseofclay?DidstthounotfeelthatitwasIwho,permittedbytheHeavens,shieldeditfromsufferinganddisease?Andinitswondrousbeauty,I
blessedtheholymediumthroughwhich,atlast,myspiritmightconferwiththine!
AndhowhaveItrackedthemhither?IlearnedthatthypupilhadbeenatVenice。IcouldnottracetheyoungandgentleneophyteofParthenopeinthedescriptionofthehaggardandsavagevisitorwhohadcometoViolabeforeshefled;butwhenIwouldhavesummonedhisIDEAbeforeme,itrefusedtoobey;andIknewthenthathisfatehadbecomeentwinedwithViola\'s。Ihavetrackedhim,then,tothisLazarHouse。Iarrivedbutyesterday;
Ihavenotyetdiscoveredhim……
Ihavejustreturnedfromtheircourtsofjustice,——denswheretigersarraigntheirprey。IfindnotwhomIwouldseek。Theyaresavedasyet;butIrecogniseinthecrimesofmortalsthedarkwisdomoftheEverlasting。Mejnour,Iseehere,forthefirsttime,howmajesticandbeauteousathingisdeath!Ofwhatsublimevirtueswerobbedourselves,when,inthethirstforvirtue,weattainedtheartbywhichwecanrefusetodie!Wheninsomehappyclime,wheretobreatheistoenjoy,thecharnel-
houseswallowsuptheyoungandfair;wheninthenoblepursuitofknowledge,Deathcomestothestudent,andshutsouttheenchantedlandwhichwasopeningtohisgaze,——hownaturalforustodesiretolive;hownaturaltomakeperpetuallifethefirstobjectofresearch!Buthere,frommytoweroftime,lookingoverthedarksomepast,andintothestarryfuture,Ilearnhowgreatheartsfeelwhatsweetnessandglorythereistodieforthethingstheylove!Isawafathersacrificinghimselfforhisson;hewassubjectedtochargeswhichawordofhiscoulddispel,——hewasmistakenforhisboy。Withwhatjoyheseizedtheerror,confessedthenoblecrimesofvalourandfidelitywhichthesonhadindeedcommitted,andwenttothedoom,exultingthathisdeathsavedthelifehehadgiven,notinvain!
Isawwomen,young,delicate,inthebloomoftheirbeauty;theyhadvowedthemselvestothecloister。Handssmearedwiththebloodofsaintsopenedthegatethathadshutthemfromtheworld,andbadethemgoforth,forgettheirvows,forsweartheDivineonethesedemonswoulddepose,findloversandhelpmates,andbefree。Andsomeoftheseyoungheartshadloved,andeven,thoughinstruggles,lovedyet。Didtheyforswearthevow?Didtheyabandonthefaith?Didevenloveallurethem?Mejnour,withonevoice,theypreferredtodie。Andwhencecomesthiscourage?——becausesuchHEARTSLIVEINSOMEMOREABSTRACTAND
HOLIERLIFETHANTHEIROWN。BUTTOLIVEFOREVERUPONTHISEARTH
ISTOLIVEINNOTHINGDIVINERTHANOURSELVES。Yes,evenamidstthisgorybutcherdom,God,theEver-living,vindicatestomanthesanctityofHisservant,Death!……
AgainIhaveseentheeinspirit;Ihaveseenandblessedthee,mysweetchild!Dostthounotknowmealsointhydreams?Dostthounotfeelthebeatingofmyheartthroughtheveilofthyrosyslumbers?DostthounothearthewingsofthebrighterbeingsthatIyetcanconjurearoundthee,towatch,tonourish,andtosave?Andwhenthespellfadesatthywaking,whenthineeyesopentotheday,willtheynotlookroundforme,andaskthymother,withtheirmuteeloquence,\"Whyshehasrobbedtheeofafather?\"
Woman,dostthounotrepentthee?Flyingfromimaginaryfears,hastthounotcometotheverylairofterror,whereDangersitsvisibleandincarnate?Oh,ifwecouldbutmeet,wouldstthounotfalluponthebosomthouhastsowronged,andfeel,poorwandereramidstthestorms,asifthouhadstregainedtheshelter?Mejnour,stillmyresearchesfailme。Iminglewithallmen,eventheirjudgesandtheirspies,butIcannotyetgaintheclew。Iknowthatsheishere。Iknowitbyaninstinct;
thebreathofmychildseemswarmerandmorefamiliar。
Theypeeratmewithvenomouslooks,asIpassthroughtheirstreets。WithaglanceIdisarmtheirmalice,andfascinatethebasilisks。EverywhereIseethetrackandscentthepresenceoftheGhostlyOnethatdwellsontheThreshold,andwhosevictimsarethesoulsthatwouldASPIRE,andcanonlyFEAR。Iseeitsdimshapelessnessgoingbeforethemenofblood,andmarshallingtheirway。Robespierrepassedmewithhisfurtivestep。Thoseeyesofhorrorweregnawingintohisheart。Ilookeddownupontheirsenate;thegrimPhantomsatcoweringonitsfloor。
IthathtakenupitsabodeinthecityofDread。Andwhatintrutharethesewould-bebuildersofanewworld?Likethestudentswhohavevainlystruggledafteroursupremescience,theyhaveattemptedwhatisbeyondtheirpower;theyhavepassedfromthissolidearthofusagesandformsintothelandofshadow,anditsloathsomekeeperhasseizedthemasitsprey。Ilookedintothetyrant\'sshudderingsoul,asittrembledpastme。There,amidsttheruinsofathousandsystemswhichaimedatvirtue,satCrime,andshiveredatitsdesolation。YetthismanistheonlyThinker,theonlyAspirant,amongstthemall。Hestilllooksforafutureofpeaceandmercy,tobegin,——ay!atwhatdate?Whenhehassweptawayeveryfoe。Fool!newfoesspringfromeverydropofblood。LedbytheeyesoftheUnutterable,heiswalkingtohisdoom。
OViola,thyinnocenceprotectsthee!Thouwhomthesweethumanitiesofloveshutoutevenfromthedreamsofaerialandspiritualbeauty,makingthyheartauniverseofvisionsfairerthanthewandererovertherosyHesperuscansurvey,——shallnotthesamepureaffectionencompassthee,evenhere,withacharmedatmosphere,andterroritselffallharmlessonalifetooinnocentforwisdom?
CHAPTER7。IV。
Ombrapiuchedinotte,incuidiluceRaggiomistonone;……
Nepiuilpalagioappar,nepiulesueVestigia;nedirpuossi——egliquifue。
\"Ger。Lib。,cantoxvi-lxix。
(Darknessgreaterthanofnight,inwhichnotarayoflightismixed;……Thepalaceappearsnomore:notevenavestige,——norcanonesaythatithasbeen。)
Theclubsarenoisywithclamorousfrenzy;theleadersaregrimwithschemes。BlackHenriotflieshereandthere,mutteringtohisarmedtroops,\"Robespierre,yourbeloved,isindanger!\"
Robespierrestalksperturbed,hislistofvictimsswellingeveryhour。Tallien,theMacdufftothedoomedMacbeth,iswhisperingcouragetohispaleconspirators。Alongthestreetsheavilyrollthetumbrils。Theshopsareclosed,——thepeoplearegorgedwithgore,andwilllapnomore。Andnightafternight,totheeightytheatresflockthechildrenoftheRevolution,tolaughatthequipsofcomedy,andweepgentletearsoverimaginarywoes!
Inasmallchamber,intheheartofthecity,sitsthemother,watchingoverherchild。Itisquiet,happynoon;thesunlight,brokenbythetallroofsinthenarrowstreet,comesyetthroughtheopencasement,theimpartialplayfellowoftheair,gleesomealikeintempleandprison,hallandhovel;asgoldenandasblithe,whetheritlaughoverthefirsthouroflife,orquiverinitsgaydelightontheterrorandagonyofthelast!Thechild,whereitlayatthefeetofViola,stretchedoutitsdimpledhandsasiftoclaspthedancingmotesthatrevelledinthebeam。Themotherturnedhereyesfromtheglory;itsaddenedheryetmore。Sheturnedandsighed。
IsthisthesameViolawhobloomedfairerthantheirownIdaliaundertheskiesofGreece?Howchanged!Howpaleandworn!Shesatlistlessly,herarmsdroppingonherknee;thesmilethatwashabitualtoherlipswasgone。Aheavy,dulldespondency,asifthelifeoflifewerenomore,seemedtoweighdownheryouth,andmakeitwearyofthathappysun!Intruth,herexistencehadlanguishedawaysinceithadwandered,assomemelancholystream,fromthesourcethatfedit。Thesuddenenthusiasmoffearorsuperstitionthathadalmost,asifstillintheunconsciousmovementsofadream,ledhertoflyfromZanoni,hadceasedfromthedaywhichdawneduponherinaforeignland。Then——there——
shefeltthatinthesmileshehadevermoreabandonedlivedherlife。Shedidnotrepent,——shewouldnothaverecalledtheimpulsethatwingedherflight。Thoughtheenthusiasmwasgone,thesuperstitionyetremained;shestillbelievedshehadsavedherchildfromthatdarkandguiltysorcery,concerningwhichthetraditionsofalllandsareprodigal,butinnonedotheyfindsuchcredulity,orexcitesuchdread,asintheSouthofItaly。
ThisimpressionwasconfirmedbythemysteriousconversationsofGlyndon,andbyherownperceptionofthefearfulchangethathadpassedoveronewhorepresentedhimselfasthevictimoftheenchanters。Shedidnot,therefore,repent;butherveryvolitionseemedgone。
OntheirarrivalatParis,Violasawhercompanion——thefaithfulwife——nomore。Erethreeweekswerepassed,husbandandwifehadceasedtolive。
Andnow,forthefirsttime,thedrudgeriesofthishardearthclaimedthebeautifulNeapolitan。Inthatprofession,givingvoiceandshapetopoetryandsong,inwhichherfirstyearswerepassed,thereis,whileitlasts,anexcitementintheartthatliftsitfromthelabourofacalling。Hoveringbetweentwolives,theRealandIdeal,dwellsthelifeofmusicandthestage。ButthatlifewaslostevermoretotheidoloftheeyesandearsofNaples。Liftedtothehigherrealmofpassionatelove,itseemedasifthefictitiousgeniuswhichrepresentsthethoughtsofotherswasmergedinthegeniusthatgrowsallthoughtitself。IthadbeentheworstinfidelitytotheLost,tohavedescendedagaintoliveontheapplauseofothers。Andso——
forshewouldnotacceptalmsfromGlyndon——so,bythecommonestarts,thehumblestindustrywhichthesexknows,aloneandunseen,shewhohadsleptonthebreastofZanonifoundashelterfortheirchild。Aswhen,inthenobleverseprefixedtothischapter,Armidaherselfhasdestroyedherenchantedpalace,——notavestigeofthatbower,raisedofoldbyPoetryandLove,remainedtosay,\"Ithadbeen!\"
Andthechildavengedthefather;itbloomed,itthrived,——itwaxedstronginthelightoflife。Butstillitseemedhauntedandpreservedbysomeotherbeingthanherown。Initssleeptherewasthatslumber,sodeepandrigid,whichathunderboltcouldnothavedisturbed;andinsuchsleepoftenitmoveditsarms,astoembracetheair:oftenitslipsstirredwithmurmuredsoundsofindistinctaffection,——NOTFORHER;andallthewhileuponitscheeksahueofsuchcelestialbloom,uponitslipsasmileofsuchmysteriousjoy!Then,whenitwaked,itseyesdidnotturnfirsttoHER,——wistful,earnest,wandering,theyrovedaround,tofixonherpaleface,atlast,inmutesorrowandreproach。
NeverhadViolafeltbeforehowmightywasherloveforZanoni;
howthought,feeling,heart,soul,life,——alllaycrushedanddormantintheicyabsencetowhichshehaddoomedherself!Sheheardnottheroarwithout,shefeltnotoneamidstthosestormymillions,——worldsofexcitementlabouringthrougheveryhour。
OnlywhenGlyndon,haggard,wan,andspectre-like,glidedin,dayafterday,tovisither,didthefairdaughterofthecarelessSouthknowhowheavyanduniversalwastheDeath-Airthatgirtherround。Sublimeinherpassiveunconsciousness,——hermechaniclife,——shesat,andfearednot,inthedenoftheBeastsofPrey。
Thedooroftheroomopenedabruptly,andGlyndonentered。Hismannerwasmoreagitatedthanusual。
\"Isityou,Clarence?\"shesaidinhersoft,languidtones。\"YouarebeforethehourIexpectedyou。\"
\"WhocancountonhishoursatParis?\"returnedGlyndon,withafrightfulsmile。\"IsitnotenoughthatIamhere!Yourapathyinthemidstofthesesorrowsappallsme。Yousaycalmly,\'Farewell;\'calmlyyoubidme,\'Welcome!\'——asifineverycornertherewasnotaspy,andasifwitheverydaytherewasnotamassacre!\"
\"Pardonme!Butinthesewallsliesmyworld。Icanhardlycreditallthetalesyoutellme。Everythinghere,saveTHAT,\"
andshepointedtotheinfant,\"seemsalreadysolifeless,thatinthetombitselfonecouldscarcelylessheedthecrimesthataredonewithout。\"
Glyndonpausedforafewmoments,andgazedwithstrangeandmingledfeelingsuponthatfaceandform,stillsoyoung,andyetsoinvestedwiththatsaddestofallrepose,——whentheheartfeelsold。
\"OViola,\"saidhe,atlast,andinavoiceofsuppressedpassion,\"wasitthusIeverthoughttoseeyou,——everthoughttofeelforyou,whenwetwofirstmetinthegayhauntsofNaples?
Ah,whythendidyourefusemylove;orwhywasminenotworthyofyou?Nay,shrinknot!——letmetouchyourhand。Nopassionsosweetasthatyouthfullovecanreturntomeagain。Ifeelforyoubutasabrotherforsomeyoungerandlonelysister。Withyou,inyourpresence,sadthoughitbe,Iseemtobreathebackthepurerairofmyearlylife。Herealone,exceptinscenesofturbulenceandtempest,thePhantomceasestopursueme。I
forgeteventheDeaththatstalksbehind,andhauntsmeasmyshadow。Butbetterdaysmaybeinstoreforusyet。Viola,IatlastbegindimlytoperceivehowtobaffleandsubduethePhantomthathascursedmylife,——itistobrave,anddefyit。Insinandinriot,asIhavetoldthee,ithauntsmenot。ButI
comprehendnowwhatMejnoursaidinhisdarkapothegms,\'thatI
shoulddreadthespectremostWHENUNSEEN。\'Invirtuousandcalmresolutionitappears,——ay,Ibeholditnow;there,there,withitslivideyes!\"——andthedropsfellfromhisbrow。\"Butitshallnolongerdauntmefromthatresolution。Ifaceit,anditgraduallydarkensbackintotheshade。\"Hepaused,andhiseyesdweltwithaterribleexultationuponthesunlitspace;then,withaheavyanddeep-drawnbreath,heresumed,\"Viola,Ihavefoundthemeansofescape。Wewillleavethiscity。Insomeotherlandwewillendeavourtocomforteachother,andforgetthepast。\"
\"No,\"saidViola,calmly;\"Ihavenofurtherwishtostir,tillI
ambornhencetothelastresting-place。Idreamedofhimlastnight,Clarence!——dreamedofhimforthefirsttimesinceweparted;and,donotmockme,methoughtthatheforgavethedeserter,andcalledme\'Wife。\'Thatdreamhallowstheroom。
PerhapsitwillvisitmeagainbeforeIdie。\"
\"Talknotofhim,——ofthedemi-fiend!\"criedGlyndon,fiercely,andstampinghisfoot。\"ThanktheHeavensforanyfatethathathrescuedtheefromhim!\"
\"Hush!\"saidViola,gravely。Andasshewasabouttoproceed,hereyefelluponthechild。Itwasstandingintheverycentreofthatslantingcolumnoflightwhichthesunpouredintothechamber;andtheraysseemedtosurrounditasahalo,andsettled,crown-like,onthegoldofitsshininghair。Initssmallshape,soexquisitelymodelled,initslarge,steady,tranquileyes,therewassomethingthatawed,whileitcharmedthemother\'spride。ItgazedonGlyndonashespoke,withalookwhichalmostmighthaveseemeddisdain,andwhichViola,atleast,interpretedasadefenceoftheAbsent,strongerthanherownlipscouldframe。
Glyndonbrokethepause。
\"Thouwouldststay,forwhat?Tobetrayamother\'sduty!Ifanyevilhappentotheehere,whatbecomesofthineinfant?Shallitbebroughtupanorphan,inacountrythathasdesecratedthyreligion,andwherehumancharityexistsnomore?Ah,weep,andclaspittothybosom;buttearsdonotprotectandsave。\"
\"Thouhastconquered,myfriend,Iwillflywiththee。\"
\"To-morrownight,then,beprepared。Iwillbringtheethenecessarydisguises。\"
AndGlyndonthenproceededtosketchrapidlytheoutlineofthepaththeyweretotake,andthestorytheyweretotell。Violalistened,butscarcelycomprehended;hepressedherhandtohisheartanddeparted。
CHAPTER7。V。
VansecopurancoSdegnoedAmor,quasidueVeltrialfianco。
\"Ger。Lib。\"cant。xx。cxvii。
(TherewentwithhimstillDisdainandLove,liketwogreyhoundssidebyside。)
Glyndondidnotperceive,ashehurriedfromthehouse,twoformscrouchingbytheangleofthewall。Hesawstillthespectreglidingbyhisside;buthebeheldnottheyetmorepoisonouseyesofhumanenvyandwoman\'sjealousythatglaredonhisretreatingfootsteps。
Nicotadvancedtothehouse;Fillidefollowedhiminsilence。
Thepainter,anoldsans-culotte,knewwellwhatlanguagetoassumetotheporter。Hebeckonedthelatterfromhislodge,\"Howisthis,citizen?Thouharbouresta\'suspect。\'\"
\"Citizen,youterrifyme!——ifso,namehim。\"
\"Itisnotaman;arefugee,anItalianwoman,lodgeshere。\"
\"Yes,autroisieme,——thedoortotheleft。Butwhatofher?——shecannotbedangerous,poorchild!\"
\"Citizen,beware!Dostthoudaretopityher?\"
\"I?No,no,indeed。But——\"
\"Speakthetruth!Whovisitsher?\"
\"NoonebutanEnglishman。\"
\"Thatisit,——anEnglishman,aspyofPittandCoburg。\"
\"JustHeaven!isitpossible?\"
\"How,citizen!dostthouspeakofHeaven?Thoumustbeanaristocrat!\"
\"No,indeed;itwasbutanoldbadhabit,andescapedmeunawares。\"
\"HowoftendoestheEnglishmanvisither?\"
\"Daily。\"
Fillideutteredanexclamation。
Sheneverstirsout,\"saidtheporter。\"Hersoleoccupationsareinwork,andcareofherinfant。\"
\"Herinfant!\"
Fillidemadeaboundforward。Nicotinvainendeavouredtoarresther。Shesprangupthestairs;shepausednottillshewasbeforethedoorindicatedbytheporter;itstoodajar,sheentered,shestoodatthethreshold,andbeheldthatface,stillsolovely!Thesightofsomuchbeautyleftherhopeless。Andthechild,overwhomthemotherbent!——shewhohadneverbeenamother!——sheutterednosound;thefurieswereatworkwithinherbreast。Violaturned,andsawher,and,terrifiedbythestrangeapparition,withfeaturesthatexpressedthedeadliesthateandscornandvengeance,utteredacry,andsnatchedthechildtoherbosom。TheItalianlaughedaloud,——turned,descended,and,gainingthespotwhereNicotstillconversedwiththefrightenedporterdrewhimfromthehouse。Whentheywereintheopenstreet,shehaltedabruptly,andsaid,\"Avengeme,andnamethyprice!\"
\"Myprice,sweetone!isbutpermissiontolovethee。Thouwiltflywithmeto-morrownight;thouwiltpossessthyselfofthepassportsandtheplan。\"
\"Andthey——\"
\"Shall,beforethen,findtheirasylumintheConciergerie。Theguillotineshallrequitethywrongs。\"
\"Dothis,andIamsatisfied,\"saidFillide,firmly。
Andtheyspokenomoretilltheyregainedthehouse。Butwhenshethere,lookinguptothedullbuilding,sawthewindowsoftheroomwhichthebeliefofGlyndon\'slovehadoncemadeaparadise,thetigerrelentedattheheart;somethingofthewomangushedbackuponhernature,darkandsavageasitwas。Shepressedthearmonwhichsheleanedconvulsively,andexclaimed,\"No,no!nothim!denounceher,——letherperish;butIhavesleptonHISbosom,——notHIM!\"