第21章

lightofheaven；oneveryleafinthenumberlessforests，ineverydropoftheunmeasuredseas，hesurveyeditsseparateandswarmingworld；farup，inthefarthestblue，hesaworbuponorbripeningintoshape，andplanetsstartingfromthecentralfire，toruntheirdayoftenthousandyears。ForeverywhereincreationisthebreathoftheCreator，andineveryspotwherethebreathbreathesislife!Andalone，inthedistance，thelonelymanbeheldhisMagianbrother。There，atworkwithhisnumbersandhisCabala，amidstthewrecksofRome，passionlessandcalm，satinhiscellthemysticMejnour，——livingon，livingeverwhiletheworldlasts，indifferentwhetherhisknowledgeproduceswealorwoe；amechanicalagentofamoretenderandawiserwill，thatguideseveryspringtoitsinscrutabledesigns。

Livingon，——livingever，——assciencethatcaresaloneforknowledge，andhaltsnottoconsiderhowknowledgeadvanceshappiness；howHumanImprovement，rushingthroughcivilisation，crushesinitsmarchallwhocannotgrappletoitswheels("YoucolonisethelandsofthesavagewiththeAnglo-Saxon，——youcivilisethatportionofTHEEARTH；butistheSAVAGEcivilised？

Heisexterminated!Youaccumulatemachinery，——youincreasethetotalofwealth；butwhatbecomesofthelabouryoudisplace？

Onegenerationissacrificedtothenext。Youdiffuseknowledge，——andtheworldseemstogrowbrighter；butDiscontentatPovertyreplacesIgnorance，happywithitscrust。Everyimprovement，everyadvancementincivilisation，injuressome，tobenefitothers，andeithercherishesthewantofto-day，orpreparestherevolutionofto-morrow。"——StephenMontague。)；ever，withitsCabalaanditsnumber，livesontochange，initsbloodlessmovements，thefaceofthehabitableworld!

And，"Oh，farewelltolife!"murmuredthegloriousdreamer。

"Sweet，Olife!hastthoubeentome。Howfathomlessthyjoys，——

howrapturouslyhasmysoulboundedforthupontheupwardpaths!

TohimwhoforeverrenewshisyouthintheclearfountofNature，howexquisiteisthemerehappinessTOBE!Farewell，yelampsofheaven，andyemilliontribes，thePopulaceofAir。Notamoteinthebeam，notanherbonthemountain，notapebbleontheshore，notaseedfar-blownintothewilderness，butcontributedtothelorethatsoughtinallthetrueprincipleoflife，theBeautiful，theJoyous，theImmortal。Toothers，aland，acity，ahearth，hasbeenahome；MYhomehasbeenwherevertheintellectcouldpierce，orthespiritcouldbreathetheair。"

Hepaused，andthroughtheimmeasurablespacehiseyesandhisheart，penetratingthedismaldungeon，restedonhischild。Hesawitslumberinginthearmsofthepalemother，andHISsoulspoketothesleepingsoul。"Forgiveme，ifmydesirewassin；I

dreamedtohaverearedandnurturedtheetothedivinestdestiniesmyvisionscouldforesee。Betimes，asthemortalpartwas###第23章

strengthenedagainstdisease，tohavepurifiedthespiritualfromeverysin；tohaveledthee，heavenuponheaven，throughtheholyecstasieswhichmakeuptheexistenceoftheordersthatdwellonhigh；tohaveformed，fromthysublimeaffections，thepureandever-livingcommunicationbetweenthymotherandmyself。

Thedreamwasbutadream——itisnomore!Insightmyselfofthegrave，Ifeel，atlast，thatthroughtheportalsofthegraveliesthetrueinitiationintotheholyandthewise。BeyondthoseportalsIawaityeboth，belovedpilgrims!"

FromhisnumbersandhisCabala，inhiscell，amidstthewrecksofRome，Mejnour，startled，lookedup，andthroughthespirit，feltthatthespiritofhisdistantfriendaddressedhim。

"Faretheewellforeveruponthisearth!Thylastcompanionforsakesthyside。Thineagesurvivestheyouthofall；andtheFinalDayshallfindtheestillthecontemplatorofourtombs。I

gowithmyfreewillintothelandofdarkness；butnewsunsandsystemsblazearoundusfromthegrave。IgowherethesoulsofthoseforwhomIresigntheclayshallbemyco-matesthrougheternalyouth。AtlastIrecognisethetrueordealandtherealvictory。Mejnour，castdownthyelixir；laybythyloadofyears!Whereverthesoulcanwander，theEternalSoulofallthingsprotectsitstill!"

CHAPTER7。XV。

Ilneveulentplusperdreunmomentd\'unenuitsiprecieuse。

Lacretelle，tom。xii。

(Theywouldnotloseanothermomentofsopreciousanight。)

Itwaslatethatnight，andRene-FrancoisDumas，PresidentoftheRevolutionaryTribunal，hadre-enteredhiscabinet，onhisreturnfromtheJacobinClub。Withhimweretwomenwhomightbesaidtorepresent，theonethemoral，theotherthephysicalforceoftheReignofTerror:Fouquier-Tinville，thePublicAccuser，andFrancoisHenriot，theGeneraloftheParisianNationalGuard。

Thisformidabletriumviratewereassembledtodebateontheproceedingsofthenextday；andthethreesister-witchesovertheirhellishcaldronwerescarcelyanimatedbyamorefiend-likespirit，orengagedinmoreexecrabledesigns，thanthesethreeheroesoftheRevolutionintheirpremeditatedmassacreofthemorrow。

Dumaswasbutlittlealteredinappearancesince，intheearlierpartofthisnarrative，hewaspresentedtothereader，exceptthathismannerwassomewhatmoreshortandsevere，andhiseyeyetmorerestless。Butheseemedalmostasuperiorbeingbythesideofhisassociates。ReneDumas，bornofrespectableparents，andwelleducated，despitehisferocity，wasnotwithoutacertainrefinement，whichperhapsrenderedhimthemoreacceptabletothepreciseandformalRobespierre。(Dumaswasabeauinhisway。Hisgala-dresswasaBLOOD-REDCOAT，withthefinestruffles。)ButHenriothadbeenalackey，athief，aspyofthepolice；hehaddrunkthebloodofMadamedeLamballe，andhadrisentohispresentrankfornoqualitybuthisruffianism；

andFouquier-Tinville，thesonofaprovincialagriculturist，andafterwardsaclerkattheBureauofthePolice，waslittlelessbaseinhismanners，andyetmore，fromacertainloathsomebuffoonery，revoltinginhisspeech，——bull-headed，withblack，sleekhair，withanarrowandlividforehead，withsmalleyes，thattwinkledwithasinistermalice；stronglyandcoarselybuilt，helookedwhathewas，theaudaciousbullyofalawlessandrelentlessBar。

Dumastrimmedthecandles，andbentoverthelistofthevictimsforthemorrow。

"Itisalongcatalogue，"saidthepresident；"eightytrialsforoneday!AndRobespierre\'sorderstodespatchthewholefourneeareunequivocal。"

"Pooh!"saidFouquier，withacoarse，loudlaugh；"wemusttrythemenmasse。Iknowhowtodealwithourjury。\'Jepense，citoyens，quevousetesconvaincusducrimedesaccuses？\'(I

think，citizens，thatyouareconvincedofthecrimeoftheaccused。)Ha!ha!——thelongerthelist，theshorterthework。"

"Oh，yes，"growledoutHenriot，withanoath，——asusual，half-

drunk，andlollingonhischair，withhisspurredheelsonthetable，——"littleTinvilleisthemanfordespatch。"

"CitizenHenriot，"saidDumas，gravely，"permitmetorequesttheetoselectanotherfootstool；andfortherest，letmewarntheethatto-morrowisacriticalandimportantday；onethatwilldecidethefateofFrance。"

"AfigforlittleFrance!ViveleVertueuxRobespierre，laColonnedelaRepublique!(LonglifetothevirtuousRobespierre，thepillaroftheRepublic!)Plagueonthistalking；itisdrywork。Hastthounoeaudevieinthatlittlecupboard？"

DumasandFouquierexchangedlooksofdisgust。Dumasshruggedhisshoulders，andreplied，——

"Itistoguardtheeagainsteaudevie，CitizenGeneralHenriot，thatIhaverequestedtheetomeetmehere。Listenifthoucanst!"

"Oh，talkaway!thymetieristotalk，minetofightandtodrink。"

"To-morrow，Itelltheethen，thepopulacewillbeabroad；allfactionswillbeastir。Itisprobableenoughthattheywillevenseektoarrestourtumbrilsontheirwaytotheguillotine。

Havethymenarmedandready；keepthestreetsclear；cutdownwithoutmercywhomsoevermayobstructtheways。"

"Iunderstand，"saidHenriot，strikinghisswordsoloudlythatDumashalf-startedattheclank，——"BlackHenriotisno\'Indulgent。\'"

"Looktoit，then，citizen，——looktoit!Andharkthee，"headded，withagraveandsombrebrow，"ifthouwouldstkeepthineownheadonthyshoulders，bewareoftheeaudevie。"

"Myownhead!——sacremilletonnerres!DostthouthreatenthegeneraloftheParisianarmy？"

Dumas，likeRobespierre，apreciseatrabilious，andarrogantman，wasabouttoretort，whenthecraftierTinvillelaidhishandonhisarm，and，turningtothegeneral，said，"MydearHenriot，thydauntlessrepublicanism，whichistooreadytogiveoffence，mustlearntotakeareprimandfromtherepresentativeofRepublicanLaw。Seriously，moncher，thoumustbesoberforthenextthreeorfourdays；afterthecrisisisover，thouandIwilldrinkabottletogether。Come，Dumasrelaxthineausterity，andshakehandswithourfriend。Noquarrelsamongstourselves!"

Dumashesitated，andextendedhishand，whichtheruffianclasped；and，maudlintearssucceedinghisferocity，hehalf-

sobbed，half-hiccoughedforthhisprotestationsofcivismandhispromisesofsobriety。

"Well，wedependonthee，mongeneral，"saidDumas；"andnow，sinceweshallallhaveneedofvigourforto-morrow，gohomeandsleepsoundly。"

"Yes，Iforgivethee，Dumas，——Iforgivethee。Iamnotvindictive，——I!butstill，ifamanthreatensme；ifamaninsultsme——"and，withthequickchangesofintoxication，againhiseyesgleamedfirethroughtheirfoultears。WithsomedifficultyFouquiersucceededatlastinsoothingthebrute，andleadinghimfromthechamber。Butstill，assomewildbeastdisappointedofaprey，hegrowledandsnarledashisheavytreaddescendedthestairs。Atalltrooper，mounted，wasleadingHenriot\'shorsetoandfrothestreets；andasthegeneralwaitedattheporchtillhisattendantturned，astrangerstationedbythewallaccostedhim:

"GeneralHenriot，Ihavedesiredtospeakwiththee。NexttoRobespierre，thouart，orshouldstbe，themostpowerfulmaninFrance。"

"Hem!——yes，Ioughttobe。Whatthen？——everymanhasnothisdeserts!"

"Hist!"saidthestranger；"thypayisscarcelysuitabletothyrankandthywants。"

"Thatistrue。"

"Eveninarevolution，amantakescareofhisfortunes!"

"Diable!speakout，citizen。"

"Ihaveathousandpiecesofgoldwithme，——theyarethine，ifthouwiltgrantmeonesmallfavour。"

"Citizen，Igrantit!"saidHenriot，wavinghishandmajestically。"Isittodenouncesomerascalwhohasoffendedthee？"

"No；itissimplythis:writethesewordstoPresidentDumas，\'Admitthebearertothypresence；and，ifthoucanst，granthimtherequesthewillmaketothee，itwillbeaninestimableobligationtoFrancoisHenriot。\'"Thestranger，ashespoke，placedpencilandtabletsintheshakinghandsofthesoldier。

"Andwhereisthegold？"

"Here。"

Withsomedifficulty，Henriotscrawledthewordsdictatedtohim，clutchedthegold，mountedhishorse，andwasgone。

MeanwhileFouquier，whenhehadclosedthedooruponHenriot，saidsharply，"Howcanstthoubesomadastoincensethatbrigand？KnowestthounotthatourlawsarenothingwithoutthephysicalforceoftheNationalGuard，andthatheistheirleader？"

"Iknowthis，thatRobespierremusthavebeenmadtoplacethatdrunkardattheirhead；andmarkmywords，Fouquier，ifthestrugglecome，itisthatman\'sincapacityandcowardicethatwilldestroyus。Yes，thoumaystlivethyselftoaccusethybelovedRobespierre，andtoperishinhisfall。"

"Forallthat，wemustkeepwellwithHenriottillwecanfindtheoccasiontoseizeandbeheadhim。Tobesafe，wemustfawnonthosewhoarestillinpower；andfawnthemore，themorewewoulddeposethem。DonotthinkthisHenriot，whenhewakesto-

morrow，willforgetthythreats。Heisthemostrevengefulofhumanbeings。Thoumustsendandsoothehiminthemorning!"

"Right，"saidDumas，convinced。"Iwastoohasty；andnowI

thinkwehavenothingfurthertodo，sincewehavearrangedtomakeshortworkwithourfourneeofto-morrow。IseeinthelistaknaveIhavelongmarkedout，thoughhiscrimeonceprocuredmealegacy，——Nicot，theHebertist。"

"AndyoungAndreChenier，thepoet？Ah，Iforgot；webeheadedHIMto-day!Revolutionaryvirtueisatitsacme。Hisownbrotherabandonedhim。"(Hisbrotherissaid，indeed，tohavecontributedtothecondemnationofthisvirtuousandillustriousperson。Hewasheardtocryaloud，"Simonfrereestcoupable，qu\'ilperisse"(Ifmybrotherbeculpable，lethimdie)。Thisbrother，Marie-Joseph，alsoapoet，andtheauthorof"CharlesIX。，"socelebratedintheearlierdaysoftheRevolution，enjoyed，ofcourse，accordingtothewontedjusticeoftheworld，atriumphantcareer，andwasproclaimedintheChampdeMars"lepremierdepoetesFrancais，"atitleduetohismurderedbrother。)

"Thereisaforeigner，——anItalianwomaninthelist；butIcanfindnochargemadeoutagainsther。"

"Allthesamewemustexecuteherforthesakeoftheroundnumber；eightysoundsbetterthanseventy-nine!"

HereahuissierbroughtapaperonwhichwaswrittentherequestofHenriot。

"Ah!thisisfortunate，"saidTinville，towhomDumaschuckedthescroll，——"granttheprayerbyallmeans；soatleastthatitdoesnotlessenourbead-roll。ButIwilldoHenriotthejusticetosaythatheneveraskstoletoff，buttoputon。Good-night!I

amwornout——myescortwaitsbelow。OnlyonsuchanoccasionwouldIventureforthinthestreetsatnight。"(DuringthelatterpartoftheReignofTerror，Fouquierrarelystirredoutatnight，andneverwithoutanescort。IntheReignofTerrorthosemostterrifiedwereitskings。)AndFouquier，withalongyawn，quittedtheroom。

"Admitthebearer!"saidDumas，who，witheredanddried，aslawyersinpracticemostlyare，seemedtorequireaslittlesleepashisparchments。

Thestrangerentered。

"Rene-FrancoisDumas，"saidhe，seatinghimselfoppositetothepresident，andmarkedlyadoptingtheplural，asifincontemptoftherevolutionaryjargon，"amidsttheexcitementandoccupationsofyourlaterlife，Iknownotifyoucanrememberthatwehavemetbefore？"

Thejudgescannedthefeaturesofhisvisitor，andapaleblushsettledonhissallowcheeks，"Yes，citizen，Iremember!"

"AndyourecallthewordsIthenuttered!Youspoketenderlyandphilanthropicallyofyourhorrorofcapitalexecutions；youexultedintheapproachingRevolutionastheterminationofallsanguinarypunishments；youquotedreverentlythesayingofMaximilienRobespierre，therisingstatesman，\'Theexecutioneristheinventionofthetyrant:\'andIreplied，thatwhileyouspoke，aforebodingseizedmethatweshouldmeetagainwhenyourideasofdeathandthephilosophyofrevolutionsmightbechanged!WasIright，CitizenRene-FrancoisDumas，PresidentoftheRevolutionaryTribunal？"

"Pooh!"saidDumas，withsomeconfusiononhisbrazenbrow，"I

spokethenasmenspeakwhohavenotacted。Revolutionsarenotmadewithrose-water!Buttrucetothegossipofthelong-ago。

Iremember，also，thatthoudidstthensavethelifeofmyrelation，anditwillpleasetheetolearnthathisintendedmurdererwillbeguillotinedto-morrow。"

"Thatconcernsyourself，——yourjusticeoryourrevenge。Permitmetheegotismtoremindyouthatyouthenpromisedthatifeveradayshouldcomewhenyoucouldserveme，yourlife——yes，thephrasewas，\'yourheart\'sblood\'——wasatmybidding。Thinknot，austerejudge，thatIcometoaskaboonthatcanaffectyourself，——Icomebuttoaskaday\'srespiteforanother!"

"Citizen，itisimpossible!IhavetheorderofRobespierrethatnotonelessthanthetotalonmylistmustundergotheirtrialforto-morrow。Asfortheverdict，thatrestswiththejury!"

"Idonotaskyoutodiminishthecatalogue。Listenstill!Inyourdeath-rollthereisthenameofanItalianwomanwhoseyouth，whosebeauty，andwhosefreedomnotonlyfromeverycrime，buteverytangiblecharge，willexciteonlycompassion，andnotterror。EvenYOUwouldtrembletopronouncehersentence。Itwillbedangerousonadaywhenthepopulacewillbeexcited，whenyourtumbrilsmaybearrested，toexposeyouthandinnocenceandbeautytothepityandcourageofarevoltedcrowd。"

Dumaslookedupandshrunkfromtheeyeofthestranger。

"Idonotdeny，citizen，thatthereisreasoninwhatthouurgest。Butmyordersarepositive。"

"Positiveonlyastothenumberofthevictims。Iofferyouasubstituteforthisone。IofferyoutheheadofamanwhoknowsalloftheveryconspiracywhichnowthreatensRobespierreandyourself，andcomparedwithoneclewtowhich，youwouldthinkeveneightyordinarylivesacheappurchase。"

"Thataltersthecase，"saidDumas，eagerly；"ifthoucanstdothis，onmyownresponsibilityIwillpostponethetrialoftheItalian。Nownametheproxy!"

"Youbeholdhim!"

"Thou!"exclaimedDumas，whileafearhecouldnotconcealbetrayeditselfthroughhissurprise。"Thou!——andthoucomesttomealoneatnight，toofferthyselftojustice。Ha!——thisisasnare。Tremble，fool!——thouartinmypower，andIcanhaveBOTH!"

"Youcan，"saidthestranger，withacalmsmileofdisdain；"butmylifeisvaluelesswithoutmyrevelations。Sitstill，I

commandyou，——hearme!"andthelightinthosedauntlesseyesspell-boundandawedthejudge。"YouwillremovemetotheConciergerie，——youwillfixmytrial，underthenameofZanoni，amidstyourfourneeofto-morrow。IfIdonotsatisfyyoubymyspeech，youholdthewomanIdietosaveasyourhostage。ItisbutthereprieveforherofasingledaythatIdemand。ThedayfollowingthemorrowIshallbedust，andyoumaywreakyourvengeanceonthelifethatremains。Tush!judgeandcondemnerofthousands，doyouhesitate，——doyouimaginethatthemanwhovoluntarilyoffershimselftodeathwillbedauntedintoutteringonesyllableatyourBaragainsthiswill？Haveyounothadexperienceenoughoftheinflexibilityofprideandcourage？

President，Iplacebeforeyoutheinkandimplements!Writetothejailerareprieveofonedayforthewomanwhoselifecanavailyounothing，andIwillbeartheordertomyownprison:

I，whocannowtellthismuchasanearnestofwhatIcancommunicate，——whileIspeak，yourownname，judge，isinalistofdeath。Icantellyoubywhosehanditiswrittendown；Icantellyouinwhatquartertolookfordanger；Icantellyoufromwhatcloud，inthisluridatmosphere，hangsthestormthatshallburstonRobespierreandhisreign!"

Dumasgrewpale；andhiseyesvainlysoughttoescapethemagneticgazethatoverpoweredandmasteredhim。Mechanically，andasifunderanagencynothisown，hewrotewhilethestrangerdictated。

"Well，"hesaidthen，forcingasmiletohislips，"IpromisedI

wouldserveyou；see，Iamfaithfultomyword。Isupposethatyouareoneofthosefoolsoffeeling，——thoseprofessorsofanti-

revolutionaryvirtue，ofwhomIhaveseennotafewbeforemyBar。Faugh!itsickensmetoseethosewhomakeameritofincivism，andperishtosavesomebadpatriot，becauseitisason，orafather，orawife，oradaughter，whoissaved。"

"IAMoneofthosefoolsoffeeling，"saidthestranger，rising。

"Youhavedivinedaright。"

"Andwiltthounot，inreturnformymercy，utterto-nighttherevelationsthouwouldstproclaimto-morrow？Come；andperhapsthoutoo——nay，thewomanalso——mayreceive，notreprieve，butpardon。"

"Beforeyourtribunal，andtherealone!NorwillIdeceiveyou，president。Myinformationmayavailyounot；andevenwhileI

showthecloud，theboltmayfall。"

"Tush!prophet，looktothyself!Go，madman，go。IknowtoowellthecontumaciousobstinacyoftheclasstowhichIsuspectthoubelongest，towastefurtherwords。Diable!butyegrowsoaccustomedtolookondeath，thatyeforgettherespectyeowetoit。Sincethouofferestmethyhead，Iacceptit。To-morrowthoumaystrepent；itwillbetoolate。"

"Ay，toolate，president!"echoedthecalmvisitor。

"But，remember，itisnotpardon，itisbutaday\'sreprieve，I

havepromisedtothiswoman。Accordingasthoudostsatisfymeto-morrow，shelivesordies。Iamfrank，citizen；thyghostshallnothauntmeforwantoffaith。"

"ItisbutadaythatIhaveasked；therestIleavetojusticeandtoHeaven。Yourhuissierswaitbelow。"

CHAPTER7。XVI。

UnddenMordstahlseh\'ichblinken；

UnddasMorderaugegluhn!

"Kassandra。"

(AndIseethesteelofMurderglitter，AndtheeyeofMurderglow。)

Violawasintheprisonthatopenednotbutforthosealreadycondemnedbeforeadjudged。SinceherexilefromZanoni，herveryintellecthadseemedparalysed。Allthatbeautifulexuberanceoffancywhich，ifnotthefruitofgenius，seemeditsblossoms；allthatgushofexquisitethoughtwhichZanonihadjustlytoldherflowedwithmysteriesandsubtletiesevernewtohim，thewiseone，——allweregone，annihilated；theblossomwithered，thefountdriedup。Fromsomethingalmostabovewomanhood，sheseemedlistlesslytosinkintosomethingbelowchildhood。Withtheinspirertheinspirationshadceased；and，indesertinglove，geniusalsowasleftbehind。

Shescarcelycomprehendedwhyshehadbeenthustornfromherhomeandthemechanismofherdulltasks。Shescarcelyknewwhatmeantthosekindlygroups，that，struckwithherexceedingloveliness，hadgatheredroundherintheprison，withmournfullooks，butwithwordsofcomfort。She，whohadhithertobeentaughttoabhorthosewhomLawcondemnsforcrime，wasamazedtohearthatbeingsthuscompassionateandtender，withcloudlessandloftybrows，withgallantandgentlemien，werecriminalsforwhomLawhadnopunishmentshortofdeath。Butthey，thesavages，gauntandmenacing，whohaddraggedherfromherhome，whohadattemptedtosnatchfromhertheinfantwhilesheclaspeditinherarms，andlaughedfiercescornathermute，quiveringlips，——THEYwerethechosencitizens，themenofvirtue，thefavouritesofPower，theministersofLaw!Suchthyblackcaprices，Othou，theever-shiftingandcalumnious，——HumanJudgment!

Asqualid，andyetagayworld，didtheprison-housesofthatdaypresent。There，asinthesepulchretowhichtheyled，allrankswerecastwithaneven-handedscorn。Andyetthere，thereverencethatcomesfromgreatemotionsrestoredNature\'sfirstandimperishable，andmostlovely，andmostnobleLaw，——THE

INEQUALITYBETWEENMANANDMAN!There，placewasgivenbytheprisoners，whetherroyalistsorsans-culottes，toAge，toLearning，toRenown，toBeauty；andStrength，withitsowninbornchivalry，raisedintorankthehelplessandtheweak。TheironsinewsandtheHerculeanshouldersmadewayforthewomanandthechild；andthegracesofHumanity，lostelsewhere，soughttheirrefugeintheabodeofTerror。

"Andwherefore，mychild，dotheybringtheehither？"askedanold，grey-hairedpriest。

"Icannotguess。"

"Ah，ifyouknownotyouroffence，feartheworst!"

"Andmychild？"——fortheinfantwasstillsufferedtorestuponherbosom。

"Alas，youngmother，theywillsufferthychildtolive。\'

"Andforthis，——anorphaninthedungeon!"murmuredtheaccusingheartofViola，——"haveIreservedhisoffspring!Zanoni，eveninthought，asknot——asknotwhatIhavedonewiththechildIborethee!"

Nightcame；thecrowdrushedtothegratetohearthemuster-

roll。(Called，inthemockingjargonoftheday，"TheEveningGazette。")Hernamewaswiththedoomed。Andtheoldpriest，betterpreparedtodie，butreservedfromthedeath-list，laidhishandsonherhead，andblessedherwhilehewept。Sheheard，andwondered；butshedidnotweep。Withdowncasteyes，witharmsfoldedonherbosom，shebentsubmissivelytothecall。Butnowanothernamewasuttered；andaman，whohadpushedrudelypasthertogazeortolisten，shriekedoutahowlofdespairandrage。Sheturned，andtheireyesmet。Throughthedistanceoftimesherecognisedthathideousaspect。Nicot\'sfacesettledbackintoitsdevilishsneer。"Atleast，gentleNeapolitan，theguillotinewilluniteus。Oh，weshallsleepwellourwedding-

night!"And，withalaugh，hestrodeawaythroughthecrowd，andvanishedintohislair……

Shewasplacedinhergloomycell，toawaitthemorrow。Butthechildwasstillsparedher；andshethoughtitseemedasifconsciousoftheawfulpresent。Intheirwaytotheprisonithadnotmoanedorwept。Ithadlookedwithitscleareyes，unshrinking，onthegleamingpikesandsavagebrowsofthehuissiers。Andnow，aloneinthedungeon，itputitsarmsroundherneck，andmurmureditsindistinctsounds，lowandsweetassomeunknownlanguageofconsolationandofheaven。Andofheavenitwas!——for，atthemurmur，theterrormeltedfromhersoul；upward，fromthedungeonandthedeath，——upward，wherethehappycherubimchantthemercyoftheAll-loving，whisperedthatcherub\'svoice。Shefelluponherkneesandprayed。Thedespoilersofallthatbeautifiesandhallowslifehaddesecratedthealtar，anddeniedtheGod!——theyhadremovedfromthelasthouroftheirvictimsthePriest，theScripture，andtheCross!

ButFaithbuildsinthedungeonandthelazar-houseitssublimestshrines；andup，throughroofsofstone，thatshutouttheeyeofHeaven，ascendstheladderwheretheangelsglidetoandfro，——

PRAYER。

Andthere，intheverycellbesideherown，theatheistNicotsitsstolidamidstthedarkness，andhugsthethoughtofDanton，thatdeathisnothingness。("MademeureserabientotLENEANT"

(Myabodewillsoonbenothingness)，saidDantonbeforehisjudges。))His，nospectacleofanappalledandperturbedconscience!Remorseistheechoofalostvirtue，andvirtueheneverknew。Hadhetoliveagain，hewouldlivethesame。Butmoreterriblethanthedeath-bedofabelievinganddespairingsinnerthatblankgloomofapathy，——thatcontemplationofthewormandtheratofthecharnel-house；thatgrimandloathsomeNOTHINGNESSwhich，forhiseye，fallslikeapallovertheuniverseoflife。Still，staringintospace，gnawinghislividlip，helooksuponthedarkness，convincedthatdarknessisforeverandforever!……

Place，there!place!Roomyetinyourcrowdedcells。Anotherhascometotheslaughter-house。

Asthejailer，lampinhand，usheredinthestranger，thelattertouchedhimandwhispered。Thestrangerdrewajewelfromhisfinger。Diantre，howthediamondflashedintherayofthelamp!

Valueeachheadofyoureightyatathousandfrancs，andthejewelismoreworththanall!Thejailerpaused，andthediamondlaughedinhisdazzledeyes。OthouCerberus，thouhastmasteredallelsethatseemshumaninthatfellemploy!Thouhastnopity，nolove，andnoremorse。ButAvaricesurvivestherest，andthefoulheart\'smaster-serpentswallowsupthetribe。Ha!

ha!craftystranger，thouhastconquered!Theytreadthegloomycorridor；theyarriveatthedoorwherethejailerhasplacedthefatalmark，nowtobeerased，fortheprisonerwithinistobereprievedaday。Thekeygratesinthelock；thedooryawns，——

thestrangertakesthelampandenters。

CHAPTER7。XVII。TheSeventeenthandLast。

CosivinceGoffredo!

"Ger。Lib。"cant。xx-xliv。

(ThusconqueredGodfrey。)

AndViolawasinprayer。Sheheardnottheopeningofthedoor；

shesawnotthedarkshadowthatfellalongthefloor。HIS

power，HISartsweregone；butthemysteryandthespellknowntoHERsimpleheartdidnotdesertherinthehoursoftrialanddespair。WhenSciencefallsasafireworkfromtheskyitwouldinvade；whenGeniuswithersasaflowerinthebreathoftheicycharnel，——thehopeofachild-likesoulwrapstheairinlight，andtheinnocenceofunquestioningBeliefcoversthegravewithblossoms。

Inthefarthestcornerofthecellsheknelt；andtheinfant，asiftoimitatewhatitcouldnotcomprehend，bentitslittlelimbs，andboweditssmilingface，andkneltwithheralso，byherside。

Hestoodandgazeduponthemasthelightofthelampfellcalmlyontheirforms。Itfelloverthosecloudsofgoldenhair，dishevelled，parted，thrownbackfromtherapt，candidbrow；thedarkeyesraisedonhigh，where，throughthehumantears，alightasfromabovewasmirrored；thehandsclasped，thelipsapart，theformallanimateandholywiththesadserenityofinnocenceandthetouchinghumilityofwoman。Andheheardhervoice，thoughitscarcelyleftherlips:thelowvoicethattheheartspeaks，——loudenoughforGodtohear!

"Andifnevermoretoseehim，OFather!CanstThounotmakethelovethatwillnotdie，minister，evenbeyondthegrave，tohisearthlyfate？CanstThounotyetpermitit，asalivingspirit，tohoveroverhim，——aspiritfairerthanallhissciencecanconjure？Oh，whateverlotbeordainedtoeither，grant——eventhoughathousandagesmayrollbetweenus——grant，whenatlastpurifiedandregenerate，andfittedforthetransportofsuchreunion——grantthatwemaymeetoncemore!Andforhischild，——

itkneelstoTheefromthedungeonfloor!To-morrow，andwhosebreastshallcradleit；whosehandshallfeed；whoselipsshallprayforitswealbelowanditssoulhereafter!"Shepaused，——

hervoicechokedwithsobs。

"ThouViola!——thou，thyself。Hewhomthouhastdesertedisheretopreservethemothertothechild!"

Shestarted!——thoseaccents，tremulousasherown!Shestartedtoherfeet!——hewasthere，——inalltheprideofhisunwaningyouthandsuperhumanbeauty；there，inthehouseofdread，andinthehouroftravail；there，imageandpersonationofthelovethatcanpiercetheValleyoftheShadow，andcanglide，theunscathedwandererfromtheheaven，throughtheroaringabyssofhell!

Withacrynever，perhaps，heardbeforeinthatgloomyvault，——acryofdelightandrapture，shesprangforward，andfellathisfeet。

Hebentdowntoraiseher；butsheslidfromhisarms。Hecalledherbythefamiliarepithetsoftheoldendearment，andsheonlyansweredhimbysobs。Wildly，passionately，shekissedhishands，thehemofhisgarment，butvoicewasgone。

"Lookup，lookup!——Iamhere，——Iamheretosavethee!Wiltthoudenytomethysweetface？Truant，wouldstthouflymestill？"

"Flythee!"shesaid，atlast，andinabrokenvoice；"oh，ifmythoughtswrongedthee，——oh，ifmydream，thatawfuldream，deceived，——kneeldownwithme，andprayforourchild!"Thenspringingtoherfeetwithasuddenimpulse，shecaughtuptheinfant，and，placingitinhisarms，sobbedforth，withdeprecatingandhumbletones，"Notformysake，——notformine，didIabandonthee，but——"

"Hush!"saidZanoni；"Iknowallthethoughtsthatthyconfusedandstrugglingsensescanscarcelyanalysethemselves。Andseehow，withalook，thychildanswersthem!"

Andintruththefaceofthatstrangeinfantseemedradiantwithitssilentandunfathomablejoy。Itseemedasifitrecognisedthefather；itclung——itforceditselftohisbreast，andthere，nestling，turneditsbright，cleareyesuponViola，andsmiled。

"Prayformychild!"saidZanoni，mournfully。"ThethoughtsofsoulsthatwouldaspireasmineareAllPRAYER!"And，seatinghimselfbyherside，hebegantorevealtohersomeoftheholiersecretsofhisloftybeing。Hespokeofthesublimeandintensefaithfromwhichalonethedivinerknowledgecanarise，——thefaithwhich，seeingtheimmortaleverywhere，purifiesandexaltsthemortalthatbeholds，thegloriousambitionthatdwellsnotinthecabalsandcrimesofearth，butamidstthosesolemnwondersthatspeaknotofmen，butofGod；ofthatpowertoabstractthesoulfromtheclaywhichgivestotheeyeofthesoulitssubtlevision，andtothesoul\'swingtheunlimitedrealm；ofthatpure，severe，anddaringinitiationfromwhichthemindemerges，asfromdeath，intoclearperceptionsofitskindredwiththeFather-Principlesoflifeandlight，sothatinitsownsenseoftheBeautifulitfindsitsjoy；intheserenityofitswill，itspower；initssympathywiththeyouthfulnessoftheInfiniteCreation，ofwhichitselfisanessenceandapart，thesecretsthatembalmtheveryclaywhichtheyconsecrate，andrenewthestrengthoflifewiththeambrosiaofmysteriousandcelestialsleep。Andwhilehespoke，Violalistened，breathless。Ifshecouldnotcomprehend，shenolongerdaredtodistrust。Shefeltthatinthatenthusiasm，self-deceivingornot，nofiendcouldlurk；andbyanintuition，ratherthananeffortofthereason，shesawbeforeher，likeastarryocean，thedepthandmysteriousbeautyofthesoulwhichherfearshadwronged。Yet，whenhesaid(concludinghisstrangeconfessions)thattothislifeWITHINlifeandABOVElifehehaddreamedtoraiseherown，thefearofhumanitycreptoverher，andhereadinhersilencehowvain，withallhisscience，wouldthedreamhavebeen。

Butnow，asheclosed，and，leaningonhisbreast，shefelttheclaspofhisprotectingarms，——when，inoneholykiss，thepastwasforgivenandthepresentlost，——thentherereturnedtoherthesweetandwarmhopesofthenaturallife，ofthelovingwoman。Hewascometosaveher!Sheaskednothow，——shebelieveditwithoutaquestion。Theyshouldbeatlastagainunited。Theywouldflyfarfromthosescenesofviolenceandblood。TheirhappyIonianisle，theirfearlesssolitudes，wouldoncemorereceivethem。Shelaughed，withachild\'sjoy，asthispictureroseupamidstthegloomofthedungeon。Hermind，faithfultoitssweet，simpleinstincts，refusedtoreceivetheloftyimagesthatflittedconfusedlybyit，andsettledbacktoitshumanvisions，yetmorebaseless，oftheearthlyhappinessandthetranquilhome。

"Talknotnowtome，beloved，——talknotmorenowtomeofthepast!Thouarthere，——thouwiltsaveme；weshallliveyetthecommonhappylife，thatlifewiththeeishappinessandgloryenoughtome。Traverse，ifthouwilt，inthyprideofsoul，theuniverse；thyheartagainistheuniversetomine。IthoughtbutnowthatIwaspreparedtodie；Iseethee，touchthee，andagainIknowhowbeautifulathingislife!Seethroughthegratethestarsarefadingfromthesky；themorrowwillsoonbehere，——TheMORROWwhichwillopentheprisondoors!Thousayestthoucanstsaveme，——Iwillnotdoubtitnow。Oh，letusdwellnomoreincities!Ineverdoubtedtheeinourlovelyisle；nodreamshauntedmethere，exceptdreamsofjoyandbeauty；andthineeyesmadeyetmorebeautifulandjoyoustheworldinwaking。To-

morrow!——whydoyounotsmile？To-morrow，love!isnotTO-MORROW

ablessedword!Cruel!youwouldpunishmestill，thatyouwillnotsharemyjoy。Aha!seeourlittleone，howitlaughstomyeyes!IwilltalktoTHAT。Child，thyfatheriscomeback!"

Andtakingtheinfantinherarms，andseatingherselfatalittledistance，sherockedittoandfroonherbosom，andprattledtoit，andkisseditbetweeneveryword，andlaughedandweptbyfits，aseverandanonshecastoverhershoulderherplayful，mirthfulglanceuponthefathertowhomthosefadingstarssmiledsadlytheirlastfarewell。Howbeautifulsheseemedasshethussat，unconsciousofthefuture!Stillhalfachildherself，herchildlaughingtoherlaughter，——twosofttriflersonthebrinkofthegrave!Overherthroat，asshebent，fell，likeagoldencloud，herredundanthair；itcoveredhertreasurelikeaveiloflight，andthechild\'slittlehandsputitasidefromtimetotime，tosmilethroughthepartedtresses，andthentocoveritsfaceandpeepandsmileagain。Itwerecrueltodampthatjoy，morecruelstilltoshareit。

"Viola，"saidZanoni，atlast，"dostthourememberthat，seatedbythecaveonthemoonlitbeach，inourbridalisle，thouoncedidstaskmeforthisamulet？——thecharmofasuperstitionlongvanishedfromtheworld，withthecreedtowhichitbelonged。Itisthelastrelicofmynativeland，andmymother，onherdeathbed，placeditroundmyneck。ItoldtheethenIwouldgiveittheeonthatdayWHENTHELAWSOFOURBEINGSHOULDBECOMETHE

SAME。"

"Irememberitwell。"

"To-morrowitshallbethine!"

"Ah，thatdearto-morrow!"And，gentlylayingdownherchild，——

foritsleptnow，——shethrewherselfonhisbreast，andpointedtothedawnthatbegangreylytocreepalongtheskies。

There，inthosehorror-breathingwalls，theday-starlookedthroughthedismalbarsuponthosethreebeings，inwhomwereconcentratedwhateverismosttenderinhumanties；whateverismostmysteriousinthecombinationsofthehumanmind；thesleepingInnocence；thetrustfulAffection，that，contentedwithatouch，abreath，canforeseenosorrow；thewearySciencethat，traversingallthesecretsofcreation，comesatlasttoDeathfortheirsolution，andstillclings，asitnearsthethreshold，tothebreastofLove。Thus，within，THEWITHIN，——adungeon；

without，theWITHOUT，——statelywithmartsandhalls，withpalacesandtemples；RevengeandTerror，attheirdarkschemesandcounter-schemes；toandfro，uponthetideoftheshiftingpassions，reeledthedestiniesofmenandnations；andhardathandthatday-star，waningintospace，lookedwithimpartialeyeonthechurchtowerandtheguillotine。Upspringstheblithesomemorn。Inyongardensthebirdsrenewtheirfamiliarsong。ThefishesaresportingthroughthefresheningwatersoftheSeine。Thegladnessofdivinenature，theroaranddissonanceofmortallife，awakeagain:thetraderunbarshiswindows；theflower-girlstroopgaylytotheirhaunts；busyfeetaretrampingtothedailydrudgeriesthatrevolutionswhichstrikedownkingsandkaisars，leavethesameCain\'sheritagetotheboor；thewagonsgroanandreeltothemart；Tyranny，upbetimes，holdsitspallidlevee；Conspiracy，thathathnotslept，hearstheclock，andwhisperstoitsownheart，"Thehourdrawsnear。"Agroupgather，eager-eyed，roundthepurlieusoftheConventionHall；to-daydecidesthesovereigntyofFrance，——aboutthecourtsoftheTribunaltheircustomaryhumandstir。Nomatterwhatthehazardofthedie，orwhotheruler，thisdayeightyheadsshallfall!……

Andshesleptsosweetly。Weariedoutwithjoy，secureinthepresenceoftheeyesregained，shehadlaughedandweptherselftosleep；andstillinthatslumberthereseemedahappyconsciousnessthatthelovedwasby，——thelostwasfound。Forshesmiledandmurmuredtoherself，andbreathedhisnameoften，andstretchedoutherarms，andsighediftheytouchedhimnot。

Hegazeduponherashestoodapart，——withwhatemotionsitwerevaintosay。Shewouldwakenomoretohim；shecouldnotknowhowdearlythesafetyofthatsleepwaspurchased。Thatmorrowshehadsoyearnedfor，——ithadcomeatlast。HOWWOULDSHE

GREETTHEEVE？Amidstalltheexquisitehopeswithwhichloveandyouthcontemplatethefuture，hereyeshadclosed。Thosehopesstilllenttheiriris-colourstoherdreams。Shewouldwaketolive!To-morrow，andtheReignofTerrorwasnomore；

theprisongateswouldbeopened，——shewouldgoforth，withtheirchild，intothatsummer-worldoflight。AndHE？——heturned，andhiseyefelluponthechild；itwasbroadawake，andthatclear，serious，thoughtfullookwhichitmostlywore，watchedhimwithasolemnsteadiness。Hebentoverandkisseditslips。

"Nevermore，"hemurmured，"Oheritorofloveandgrief，——nevermorewiltthouseemeinthyvisions；nevermorewillthelightofthoseeyesbefedbycelestialcommune；nevermorecanmysoulguardfromthypillowthetroubleandthedisease。NotsuchasI

wouldhavevainlyshapedit，mustbethylot。Incommonwiththyrace，itmustbethinetosuffer，tostruggle，andtoerr。Butmildbethyhumantrials，andstrongbethyspirittoloveandtobelieve!Andthus，asIgazeuponthee，——thusmaymynaturebreatheintothineitslastandmostintensedesire；maymyloveforthymotherpasstothee，andinthylooksmayshehearmyspiritcomfortandconsoleher。Hark!theycome!Yes!Iawaityebothbeyondthegrave!"

Thedoorslowlyopened；thejailerappeared，andthroughtheaperturerushed，atthesameinstant，arayofsunlight:itstreamedoverthefair，hushedfaceofthehappysleeper，——itplayedlikeasmileuponthelipsofthechildthat，still，mute，andsteadfast，watchedthemovementsofitsfather。AtthatmomentViolamutteredinhersleep，"Thedayiscome，——thegatesareopen!Givemethyhand；wewillgoforth!Tosea，tosea!

Howthesunshineplaysuponthewaters!——tohome，belovedone，tohomeagain!"

"Citizen，thinehouriscome!"

"Hist!shesleeps!Amoment!There，itisdone!thankHeaven!——

andSTILLshesleeps!"Hewouldnotkiss，lestheshouldawakenher，butgentlyplacedroundhernecktheamuletthatwouldspeaktoher，hereafter，thefarewell，——andpromise，inthatfarewell，reunion!Heisatthethreshold，——heturnsagain，andagain。

Thedoorcloses!Heisgoneforever!

Shewokeatlast，——shegazedround。"Zanoni，itisday!"Noanswerbutthelowwailofherchild。MercifulHeaven!wasitthenalladream？Shetossedbackthelongtressesthatmustveilhersight；shefelttheamuletonherbosom，——itwasNO

dream!"OGod!andheisgone!"Shesprangtothedoor，——sheshriekedaloud。Thejailercomes。"Myhusband，mychild\'sfather？"

"Heisgonebeforethee，woman!"

"Whither？Speak——speak!"

"Totheguillotine!"——andtheblackdoorclosedagain。

Itcloseduponthesenseless!Asalightning-flash，Zanoni\'swords，hissadness，thetruemeaningofhismysticgift，theverysacrificehemadeforher，allbecamedistinctforamomenttohermind，——andthendarknesssweptonitlikeastorm，yetdarknesswhichhaditslight。Andwhileshesatthere，mute，rigid，voiceless，ascongealedtostone，AVISION，likeawind，glidedoverthedeepswithin，——thegrimcourt，thejudge，thejury，theaccuser；andamidstthevictimstheonedauntlessandradiantform。

"ThouknowestthedangertotheState，——confess!"

"Iknow；andIkeepmypromise。Judge，Irevealthydoom!I

knowthattheAnarchythoucallestaStateexpireswiththesettingofthissun。Hark，tothetrampwithout；harktotheroarofvoices!Roomthere，yedead!——roominhellforRobespierreandhiscrew!"

Theyhurryintothecourt，——thehastyandpalemessengers；thereisconfusionandfearanddismay!"Offwiththeconspirator，###第24章

andto-morrowthewomanthouwouldsthavesavedshalldie!"

"To-morrow，president，thesteelfallsonTHEE!"

On，throughthecrowdedandroaringstreets，onmovestheProcessionofDeath。Ha，bravepeople!thouartarousedatlast。

Theyshallnotdie!Deathisdethroned!——Robespierrehasfallen!——theyrushtotherescue!Hideousinthetumbril，bythesideofZanoni，ravedandgesticulatedthatformwhich，inhispropheticdreams，hehadseenhiscompanionattheplaceofdeath。"Saveus!——saveus!"howledtheatheistNicot。"On，bravepopulace!weSHALLbesaved!"Andthroughthecrowd，herdarkhairstreamingwild，hereyesflashingfire，pressedafemaleform，"MyClarence!"sheshrieked，inthesoftSouthernlanguagenativetotheearsofViola；"butcher!whathastthoudonewithClarence？"Hereyesrovedovertheeagerfacesoftheprisoners；shesawnottheoneshesought。"ThankHeaven!——thankHeaven!Iamnotthymurderess!"

Nearerandnearerpressthepopulace，——anothermoment，andthedeathsmanisdefrauded。OZanoni!whystilluponTHYbrowtheresignationthatspeaksnohope？Tramp!tramp!throughthestreetsdashthearmedtroop；faithfultohisorders，BlackHenriotleadsthemon。Tramp!tramp!overthecravenandscatteredcrowd!Here，flyingindisorder，——there，trampledinthemire，theshriekingrescuers!Andamidstthem，strickenbythesabresoftheguard，herlonghairblood-bedabbled，liestheItalianwoman；andstilluponherwrithinglipssitsjoy，astheymurmur，"Clarence!Ihavenotdestroyedthee!"

OntotheBarriereduTrone。Itfrownsdarkintheair，——thegiantinstrumentofmurder!Oneafteronetotheglaive，——

anotherandanotherandanother!Mercy!Omercy!Isthebridgebetweenthesunandtheshadessobrief，——briefasasigh？

There，there，——HISturnhascome。"Dienotyet；leavemenotbehind；hearme——hearme!"shriekedtheinspiredsleeper。"What!

andthousmileststill!"Theysmiled，——thosepalelips，——andWITHthesmile，theplaceofdoom，theheadsman，thehorrorvanished。Withthatsmile，allspaceseemedsuffusedineternalsunshine。Upfromtheearthherose；hehoveredoverher，——athingnotofmatter，anIDEAofjoyandlight!Behind，Heavenopened，deepafterdeep；andtheHostsofBeautywereseen，rankuponrank，afar；and"Welcome!"inamyriadmelodies，brokefromyourchoralmultitude，yePeopleoftheSkies，——"welcome!O

purifiedbysacrifice，andimmortalonlythroughthegrave，——thisitistodie。"Andradiantamidsttheradiant，theIMAGE

stretchedforthitsarms，andmurmuredtothesleeper:

"CompanionofEternity!——THISitistodie!"……

"Ho!whereforedotheymakeussignsfromthehouse-tops？

Whereforegatherthecrowdsthroughthestreet？Whysoundsthebell？Whyshrieksthetocsin？Harktotheguns!——thearmedclash!Fellow-captives，istherehopeforusatlast？"

Sogaspouttheprisoners，eachtoeach。Daywanes——eveningcloses；stilltheypresstheirwhitefacestothebars，andstillfromwindowandfromhouse-toptheyseethesmilesoffriends，——

thewavingsignals!"Hurrah!"atlast，——"Hurrah!Robespierreisfallen!TheReignofTerrorisnomore!Godhathpermittedustolive!"

Yes；castthineeyesintothehallwherethetyrantandhisconclavehearkenedtotheroarwithout!FulfillingtheprophecyofDumas，Henriot，drunkwithbloodandalcohol，reelswithin，andchuckshisgorysabreonthefloor。"Allislost!"

"Wretch!thycowardicehathdestroyedus!"yelledthefierceCoffinhal，ashehurledthecowardfromthewindow。

CalmasdespairstandsthesternSt。Just；thepalsiedCouthoncrawls，grovelling，beneathtable；ashot，——anexplosion!

Robespierrewoulddestroyhimself!Thetremblinghandhasmangled，andfailedtokill!TheclockoftheHoteldeVillestrikesthethirdhour。Throughthebattereddoor，alongthegloomypassages，intotheDeath-hall，burstthecrowd。Mangled，livid，blood-stained，speechlessbutnotunconscious，sitshaughtyyet，inhisseaterect，theMaster-Murderer!Aroundhimtheythrong；theyhoot，——theyexecrate，theirfacesgleaminginthetossingtorches!HE，andnotthestarryMagian，theREAL

Sorcerer!AndroundHISlasthoursgathertheFiendsheraised!

Theydraghimforth!Openthygates，inexorableprison!TheConciergeriereceivesitsprey!NeverawordagainonearthspokeMaximilienRobespierre!Pourforththythousands，andtensofthousands，emancipatedParis!TothePlacedelaRevolutionrollsthetumbriloftheKingofTerror，——St。Just，Dumas，Couthon，hiscompanionstothegrave!Awoman——achildlesswoman，withhoaryhair——springstohisside，"Thydeathmakesmedrunkwithjoy!"Heopenedhisbloodshoteyes，——"Descendtohellwiththecursesofwivesandmothers!"

Theheadsmenwrenchtheragfromtheshatteredjaw；ashriek，andthecrowdlaugh，andtheaxedescendsamidsttheshoutofthecountlessthousands，andblacknessrushesonthysoul，MaximilienRobespierre!SoendedtheReignofTerror……

Daylightintheprison。Fromcelltocelltheyhurrywiththenews，——crowduponcrowd；thejoyouscaptivesmingledwiththeveryjailers，who，forfear，wouldfainseemjoyoustoo；theystreamthroughthedensandalleysofthegrimhousetheywillshortlyleave。Theyburstintoacell，forgottensincethepreviousmorning。Theyfoundthereayoungfemale，sittinguponherwretchedbed；herarmscrosseduponherbosom，herfaceraisedupward；theeyesunclosed，andasmileofmorethanserenity——ofbliss——uponherlips。Evenintheriotoftheirjoy，theydrewbackinastonishmentandawe。Neverhadtheyseenlifesobeautiful；andastheycreptnearer，andwithnoiselessfeet，theysawthatthelipsbreathednot，thatthereposewasofmarble，thatthebeautyandtheecstasywereofdeath。Theygatheredroundinsilence；andlo!atherfeettherewasayounginfant，who，wakenedbytheirtread，lookedatthemsteadfastly，andwithitsrosyfingersplayedwithitsdeadmother\'srobe。Anorphanthereinadungeonvault!

"Poorone!"saidafemale(herselfaparent)，"andtheysaythefatherfellyesterday；andnowthemother!Aloneintheworld，whatcanbeitsfate？"

Theinfantsmiledfearlesslyonthecrowd，asthewomanspokethus。Andtheoldpriest，whostoodamongstthem，saidgently，"Woman，see!theorphansmiles!THEFATHERLESSARETHECAREOF

GOD!"

ThecuriositywhichZanonihasexcitedamongthosewhothinkitworthwhiletodiveintothesubtlermeaningstheybelieveitintendedtoconvey，mayexcusemeinaddingafewwords，notinexplanationofitsmysteries，butupontheprincipleswhichpermitthem。Zanoniisnot，assomehavesupposed，anallegory；

butbeneaththenarrativeitrelates，TYPICALmeaningsareconcealed。Itistoberegardedintwocharacters，distinctyetharmonious，——1st，thatofthesimpleandobjectivefiction，inwhich(oncegrantingthelicenseoftheauthortoselectasubjectwhichis，orappearstobe，preternatural)thereaderjudgesthewriterbytheusualcanons，——namely，bytheconsistencyofhischaractersundersuchadmittedcircumstances，theinterestofhisstory，andthecoherenceofhisplot；oftheworkregardedinthisview，itisnotmyintentiontosayanything，whetherinexpositionofthedesign，orindefenceoftheexecution。Notypicalmeanings(which，inplaintermsarebutmoralsuggestions，moreorlessnumerous，moreorlesssubtle)canaffordjustexcusetoawriteroffiction，fortheerrorsheshouldavoidinthemostordinarynovel。Wehavenorighttoexpectthemostingeniousreadertosearchfortheinnermeaning，iftheobviouscourseofthenarrativebetediousanddispleasing。Itis，onthecontrary，inproportionaswearesatisfiedwiththeobjectivesenseofaworkofimagination，thatweareinclinedtosearchintoitsdepthsforthemoresecretintentionsoftheauthor。Werewenotsodivinelycharmedwith"Faust，"and"Hamlet，"and"Prometheus，"soardentlycarriedonbytheinterestofthestorytoldtothecommonunderstanding，weshouldtroubleourselveslittlewiththetypesineachwhichallofuscandetect，——noneofuscanelucidate；noneelucidate，fortheessenceoftypeismystery。Webeholdthefigure，wecannotlifttheveil。Theauthorhimselfisnotcalledupontoexplainwhathedesigned。Anallegoryisapersonationofdistinctanddefinitethings，——virtuesorqualities，——andthekeycanbegiveneasily；butawriterwhoconveystypicalmeanings，mayexpresstheminmyriads。Hecannotdisentangleallthehueswhichcommingleintothelightheseekstocastupontruth；andthereforethegreatmastersofthisenchantedsoil，——FairylandofFairyland，PoetryimbeddedbeneathPoetry，——wiselyleavetoeachmindtoguessatsuchtruthsasbestpleaseorinstructit。TohaveaskedGoethetoexplainthe"Faust"wouldhaveentailedascomplexandpuzzlingananswerastohaveaskedMephistophelestoexplainwhatisbeneaththeearthwetreadon。Thestoresbeneathmaydifferforeverypassenger；eachstepmayrequireanewdescription；andwhatistreasuretothegeologistmayberubbishtotheminer。Sixworldsmaylieunderasod，buttothecommoneyetheyarebutsixlayersofstone。

Artinitself，ifnotnecessarilytypical，isessentiallyasuggesterofsomethingsubtlerthanthatwhichitembodiestothesense。WhatPlinytellsusofagreatpainterofold，istrueofmostgreatpainters；"theirworksexpresssomethingbeyondtheworks，"——"morefeltthanunderstood。"Thisbelongstotheconcentrationofintellectwhichhighartdemands，andwhich，ofallthearts，sculpturebestillustrates。TakeThorwaldsen\'sStatueofMercury，——itisbutasinglefigure，yetittellstothoseconversantwithmythologyawholelegend。Thegodhasremovedthepipefromhislips，becausehehasalreadylulledtosleeptheArgus，whomyoudonotsee。Heispressinghisheelagainsthissword，becausethemomentiscomewhenhemayslayhisvictim。Applytheprincipleofthisnobleconcentrationofarttothemoralwriter:he，too，givestoyoureyebutasinglefigure；yeteachattitude，eachexpression，mayrefertoeventsandtruthsyoumusthavethelearningtoremember，theacutenesstopenetrate，ortheimaginationtoconjecture。Buttoaclassicaljudgeofsculpture，wouldnottheexquisitepleasureofdiscoveringtheallnottoldinThorwaldsen\'smasterpiecebedestroyediftheartisthadengravedindetailhismeaningatthebaseofthestatue？Isitnotthesamewiththetypicalsensewhichtheartistinwordsconveys？Thepleasureofdiviningartineachisthenobleexerciseofallbywhomartisworthilyregarded。

Weofthehumblerracenotunreasonablyshelterourselvesundertheauthorityofthemasters，onwhomtheworld\'sjudgmentispronounced；andgreatnamesarecited，notwiththearroganceofequals，butwiththehumilityofinferiors。

TheauthorofZanonigives，then，nokeytomysteries，betheytrivialorimportant，whichmaybefoundinthesecretchambersbythosewholiftthetapestryfromthewall；butoutofthemanysolutionsofthemainenigma——ifenigma，indeed，therebe——whichhavebeensenttohim，heventurestoselecttheonewhichhesubjoins，fromtheingenuityandthoughtwhichitdisplays，andfromrespectforthedistinguishedwriter(oneofthemosteminentourtimehasproduced)whodeemedhimworthyofanhonourheisproudtodisplay。Heleavesittothereadertoagreewith，ordissentfromtheexplanation。"Ahundredmen，"saystheoldPlatonist，"mayreadthebookbythehelpofthesamelamp，yetallmaydifferonthetext，forthelamponlylightsthecharacters，——themindmustdivinethemeaning。"Theobjectofaparableisnotthatofaproblem；itdoesnotseektoconvince，buttosuggest。Ittakesthethoughtbelowthesurfaceoftheunderstandingtothedeeperintelligencewhichtheworldrarelytasks。Itisnotsunlightonthewater；itisahymnchantedtothenymphwhohearkensandawakesbelow……

"ZANONIEXPLAINED。

BY。"

MEJNOUR:——ContemplationoftheActual，——SCIENCE。Alwaysold，andmustlastaslongastheActual。LessfalliblethanIdealism，butlesspracticallypotent，fromitsignoranceofthehumanheart。

ZANONI:——ContemplationoftheIdeal，——IDEALISM。Alwaysnecessarilysympathetic:livesbyenjoyment；andisthereforetypifiedbyeternalyouth。("IdonotunderstandthemakingIdealismlessundying(onthissceneofexistence)thanScience。"——Commentator。Because，grantingtheabovepremises，IdealismismoresubjectedthanSciencetotheAffections，ortoInstinct，becausetheAffections，soonerorlater，forceIdealismintotheActual，andintheActualitsimmortalitydeparts。TheonlyabsolutelyActualportionoftheworkisfoundintheconcludingscenesthatdepicttheReignofTerror。Theintroductionofthispartwasobjectedtobysomeasoutofkeepingwiththefancifulportionsthatprecededit。Butifthewriterofthesolutionhasrightlyshownorsuggestedtheintentionoftheauthor，themoststronglyandrudelyactualsceneoftheageinwhichthestoryiscastwasthenecessaryandharmoniouscompletionofthewhole。TheexcessesandcrimesofHumanityarethegraveoftheIdeal——Author。)IdealismisthepotentInterpreterandProphetoftheReal；butitspowersareimpairedinproportiontotheirexposuretohumanpassion。

VIOLA:——HumanINSTINCT。(HardlyworthytobecalledLOVE，asLovewouldnotforsakeitsobjectatthebiddingofSuperstition。)Resorts，firstinitsaspirationaftertheIdeal，totinselshows；thenrelinquishestheseforahigherlove；butisstill，fromtheconditionsofitsnature，inadequatetothis，andliabletosuspicionandmistrust。Itsgreatestforce(MaternalInstinct)haspowertopenetratesomesecrets，totracesomemovementsoftheIdeal，but，toofeebletocommandthem，yieldstoSuperstition，seessinwherethereisnone，whilecommittingsin，underafalseguidance；weaklyseekingrefugeamidsttheverytumultsofthewarringpassionsoftheActual，whiledesertingthesereneIdeal，——pining，nevertheless，intheabsenceoftheIdeal，andexpiring(notperishing，butbecomingtransmuted)intheaspirationafterhavingthelawsofthetwonaturesreconciled。

(ItmightbestsuitpopularapprehensiontocallthesethreetheUnderstanding，theImagination，andtheHeart。)

CHILD:——NEW-BORNINSTINCT，whiletrainedandinformedbyIdealism，promisesapreter-humanresultbyitsearly，incommunicablevigilanceandintelligence，butiscompelled，byinevitableorphanhood，andtheone-halfofthelawsofitsexistence，tolapseintoordinaryconditions。

AIDON-AI:——FAITH，whichmanifestsitssplendour，anddeliversitsoracles，andimpartsitsmarvels，onlytothehighermoodsofthesoul，andwhosedirectedantagonismiswithFear；sothatthosewhoemploytheresourcesofFearmustdispensewiththoseofFaith。Yetaspirationholdsopenawayofrestoration，andmaysummonFaith，evenwhenthecryissuesfrombeneaththeyokeoffear。

DWELLEROFTHETHRESHOLD:——FEAR(orHORROR)，fromwhoseghastlinessmenareprotectedbytheopacityoftheregionofPrescriptionandCustom。Themomentthisprotectionisrelinquished，andthehumanspiritpiercesthecloud，andentersaloneontheunexploredregionsofNature，thisNaturalHorrorhauntsit，andistobesuccessfullyencounteredonlybydefiance，——byaspirationtowards，andrelianceon，theFormerandDirectorofNature，whoseMessengerandInstrumentofreassuranceisFaith。

MERVALE:——CONVENTIONALISM。

NICOT:——Base，grovelling，malignantPASSION。

GLYNDON:——UNSUSTAINEDASPIRATION:WouldfollowInstinct，butisdeterredbyConventionalism，isoverawedbyIdealism，yetattracted，andtransientlyinspired，buthasnotsteadinessfortheinitiatorycontemplationoftheActual。Heconjoinsitssnatchedprivilegeswithabesettingsensualism，andsuffersatoncefromthehorroroftheoneandthedisgustoftheother，involvingtheinnocentinthefatalconflictofhisspirit。Whenonthepointofperishing，heisrescuedbyIdealism，and，unabletorisetothatspeciesofexistence，isgratefultobereplungedintotheregionoftheFamiliar，andtakesuphisresthenceforthinCustom。(MirrorofYoungManhood。)

ARGUMENT。

HumanExistencesubjectto，andexemptfrom，ordinaryconditions(Sickness，Poverty，Ignorance，Death)。

SCIENCEiseverstrivingtocarrythemostgiftedbeyondordinaryconditions，——theresultbeingasmanyvictimsasefforts，andthestriverbeingfinallyleftasolitary，——forhisobjectisunsuitabletothenatureshehastodealwith。

ThepursuitoftheIdealinvolvessomuchemotionastorendertheIdealistvulnerablebyhumanpassion，howeverlongandwellguarded，stillvulnerable，——liable，atlast，toaunionwithInstinct。PassionobscuresbothInsightandForecast。AllefforttoelevateInstincttoIdealismisabortive，thelawsoftheirbeingnotcoinciding(intheearlystageoftheexistenceoftheone)。Instinctiseitheralarmed，andtakesrefugeinSuperstitionorCustom，orislefthelplesstohumancharity，orgivenovertoprovidentialcare。

Idealism，strippedofinsightandforecast，losesitsserenity，becomessubjectoncemoretothehorrorfromwhichithadescaped，andbyacceptingitsaids，forfeitsthehigherhelpofFaith；aspiration，however，remainingstillpossible，and，thereby，slowrestoration；andalso，SOMETHINGBETTER。

Summonedbyaspiration，FaithextortsfromFearitselfthesavingtruthtowhichSciencecontinuesblind，andwhichIdealismitselfhailsasitscrowningacquisition，——theinestimablePROOFwroughtoutbyalllaboursandallconflicts。

Pendingtheelaborationofthisproof，CONVENTIONALISMplodson，safeandcomplacent；

SELFISHPASSIONperishes，grovellingandhopeless；

INSTINCTsleeps，inordertoaloftierwaking；andIDEALISMlearns，asitsultimatelesson，thatself-sacrificeistrueredemption；thattheregionbeyondthegraveisthefittingoneforexemptionfrommortalconditions；andthatDeathistheeverlastingportal，indicatedbythefingerofGod，——thebroadavenuethroughwhichmandoesnotissuesolitaryandstealthyintotheregionofFreeExistence，butenterstriumphant，hailedbyahierarchyofimmortalnatures。