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第36章

zanoni-第36章

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rival forced themselves upon him; defects before unseen magnified

themselves to deformities in his languid and discontented eyes。

He touched and retouched; but his hand failed him; he threw down

his instruments in despair; he opened his casement:  the day

without was bright and lovely; the street was crowded with that

life which is ever so joyous and affluent in the animated

population of Naples。  He saw the lover; as he passed; conversing

with his mistress by those mute gestures which have survived all

changes of languages; the same now as when the Etruscan painted

yon vases in the Museo Borbonico。  Light from without beckoned

his youth to its mirth and its pleasures; and the dull walls

within; lately large enough to comprise heaven and earth; seemed

now cabined and confined as a felon's prison。  He welcomed the

step of Mervale at his threshold; and unbarred the door。



〃And is that all you have done?〃 said Mervale; glancing

disdainfully at the canvas。  〃Is it for this that you have shut

yourself out from the sunny days and moonlit nights of Naples?〃



〃While the fit was on me; I basked in a brighter sun; and imbibed

the voluptuous luxury of a softer moon。〃



〃You own that the fit is over。  Well; that is some sign of

returning sense。  After all; it is better to daub canvas for

three days than make a fool of yourself for life。  This little

siren?〃



〃Be dumb!  I hate to hear you name her。〃



Mervale drew his chair nearer to Glyndon's; thrust his hands deep

in his breeches…pockets; stretched his legs; and was about to

begin a serious strain of expostulation; when a knock was heard

at the door; and Nicot; without waiting for leave; obtruded his

ugly head。



〃Good…day; mon cher confrere。  I wished to speak to you。  Hein!

you have been at work; I see。  This is well;very well!  A bold

outline;great freedom in that right hand。  But; hold! is the

composition good?  You have not got the great pyramidal form。

Don't you think; too; that you have lost the advantage of

contrast in this figure; since the right leg is put forward;

surely the right arm should be put back?  Peste! but that little

finger is very fine!〃



Mervale detested Nicot。  For all speculators; Utopians; alterers

of the world; and wanderers from the high road; were equally

hateful to him; but he could have hugged the Frenchman at that

moment。  He saw in Glyndon's expressive countenance all the

weariness and disgust he endured。  After so wrapped a study; to

be prated to about pyramidal forms and right arms and right legs;

the accidence of the art; the whole conception to be overlooked;

and the criticism to end in approval of the little finger!



〃Oh;〃 said Glyndon; peevishly; throwing the cloth over his

design; 〃enough of my poor performance。  What is it you have to

say to me?〃



〃In the first place;〃 said Nicot; huddling himself together upon

a stool;〃in the first place; this Signor Zanoni;this second

Cagliostro;who disputes my doctrines! (no doubt a spy of the

man Capet) I am not vindictive; as Helvetius says; 'our errors

arise from our passions。'  I keep mine in order; but it is

virtuous to hate in the cause of mankind; I would I had the

denouncing and the judging of Signor Zanoni at Paris。〃  And

Nicot's small eyes shot fire; and he gnashed his teeth。



〃Have you any new cause to hate him?〃



〃Yes;〃 said Nicot; fiercely。  〃Yes; I hear he is courting the

girl I mean to marry。〃



〃You!  Whom do you speak of?〃



〃The celebrated Pisani!  She is divinely handsome。  She would

make my fortune in a republic。  And a republic we shall have

before the year is out。〃



Mervale rubbed his hands; and chuckled。  Glyndon coloured with

rage and shame。



〃Do you know the Signora Pisani?  Have you ever spoken to her?〃



〃Not yet。  But when I make up my mind to anything; it is soon

done。  I am about to return to Paris。  They write me word that a

handsome wife advances the career of a patriot。  The age of

prejudice is over。  The sublimer virtues begin to be understood。

I shall take back the handsomest wife in Europe。〃



〃Be quiet!  What are you about?〃 said Mervale; seizing Glyndon as

he saw him advance towards the Frenchman; his eyes sparkling; and

his hands clenched。



〃Sir!〃 said Glyndon; between his teeth; 〃you know not of whom you

thus speak。  Do you affect to suppose that Viola Pisani would

accept YOU?〃



〃Not if she could get a better offer;〃 said Mervale; looking up

to the ceiling。



〃A better offer?  You don't understand me;〃 said Nicot。  〃I; Jean

Nicot; propose to marry the girl; marry her!  Others may make her

more liberal offers; but no one; I apprehend; would make one so

honourable。  I alone have pity on her friendless situation。

Besides; according to the dawning state of things; one will

always; in France; be able to get rid of a wife whenever one

wishes。  We shall have new laws of divorce。  Do you imagine that

an Italian girland in no country in the world are maidens; it

seems; more chaste (though wives may console themselves with

virtues more philosophical)would refuse the hand of an artist

for the settlements of a prince?  No; I think better of the

Pisani than you do。  I shall hasten to introduce myself to her。〃



〃I wish you all success; Monsieur Nicot;〃 said Mervale; rising;

and shaking him heartily by the hand。



Glyndon cast at them both a disdainful glance。



〃Perhaps; Monsieur Nicot;〃 said he; at length; constraining his

lips into a bitter smile;〃perhaps you may have rivals。〃



〃So much the better;〃 replied Monsieur Nicot; carelessly; kicking

his heels together; and appearing absorbed in admiration at the

size of his large feet。



〃I myself admire Viola Pisani。〃



〃Every painter must!〃



〃I may offer her marriage as well as yourself。〃



〃That would be folly in you; though wisdom in me。  You would not

know how to draw profit from the speculation!  Cher confrere; you

have prejudices。〃



〃You do not dare to say you would make profit from your own

wife?〃



〃The virtuous Cato lent his wife to a friend。  I love virtue; and

I cannot do better than imitate Cato。  But to be serious;I do

not fear you as a rival。  You are good…looking; and I am ugly。

But you are irresolute; and I decisive。  While you are uttering

fine phrases; I shall say; simply; 'I have a bon etat。  Will you

marry me?'  So do your worst; cher confrere。  Au revoir; behind

the scenes!〃



So saying; Nicot rose; stretched his long arms and short legs;

yawned till he showed all his ragged teeth from ear to ear;

pressed down his cap on his shaggy head with an air of defiance;

and casting over his left shoulder a glance of triumph and malice

at the indignant Glyndon; sauntered out of the room。



Mervale burst into a violent fit of laughter。  〃See how your

Viola is estimated by your friend。  A fine victory; to carry her

off from the ugliest dog between Lapland and the Calmucks。〃



Glyndon was yet too indignant to answer; when a new visitor

arrived。  It was Zanoni himself。  Mervale; on whom the appearance

and aspect of this personage imposed a kind of reluctant

deference; which he was unwilling to acknowledge; and still more

to betray; nodded to Glyndon; and saying; simply; 〃More when I

see you again;〃 left the painter and his unexpected visitor。



〃I see;〃 said Zanoni; lifting the cloth from the canvas; 〃that

you have not slighted the advice I gave you。  Courage; young

artist; this is an escape from the schools:  this is full of the

bold self…confidence of real genius。  You had no Nicotno

Mervaleat your elbow when this image of true beauty was

conceived!〃



Charmed back to his art by this unlooked…for praise; Glyndon

replied modestly; 〃I thought well of my design till this morning;

and then I was disenchanted of my happy persuasion。〃



〃Say; rather; that; unaccustomed to continuous labour; you were

fatigued with your employment。〃



〃That is tr

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