elli; that his guide had told him the count's son was in
Naples,--a spendthrift and a gambler. While we were at play, he had
heard the count mentioned by name at the table; and when the challenge
was given and accepted, it had occurred to him to name the place of
burial, by an instinct which he either could not or would not account
for."

"A very lame story," said Mervale.

"Yes! but we Italians are superstitious,--the alleged instinct was
regarded by many as the whisper of Providence. The next day the stranger
became an object of universal interest and curiosity. His wealth, his
manner of living, his extraordinary personal beauty, have assisted also
to make him the rage; besides, I have had the pleasure in introducing so
eminent a person to our gayest cavaliers and our fairest ladies."

"A most interesting narrative," said Mervale, rising. "Come, Glyndon;
shall we seek our hotel? It is almost daylight. Adieu, signor!"

"What think you of this story?" said Glyndon, as the young men walked
homeward.

"Why, it is very clear that this Zanoni is some imposter,--some clever
rogue; and the Neapolitan shares the booty, and puffs him off with all
the hackneyed charlatanism of the marvellous. An unknown adventurer gets
into society by being made an object of awe and curiosity; he is more
than ordinarily handsome, and the women are quite content to receive him
without any other recommendation than his own face and Cetoxa's fables."

"I cannot agree with you. Cetoxa, though a gambler and a rake, is a
nobleman of birth and high repute for courage and honour. Besides,
this stranger, with his noble presence and lofty air,--so calm, so
unobtrusive,--has nothing in common with the forward garrulity of an
imposter."

"My dear Glyndon, pardon me; but you have not yet acquired any knowledge
of the world! The stranger makes the best of a fine person, and his
grand air is but a trick of the trade. But to change the subject,--how
advances the love affair?"

"Oh, Viola could not see me to-day."

"You must not marry her. What would they all say at home?"

"Let us enjoy the present," said Glyndon, with vivacity; "we are young,
rich, good-looking; let us not think of to-morrow."

"Bravo, Glyndon! Here we are at the hotel. Sleep sound, and don't dream
of Signor Zanoni."

CHAPTER 2.II.

Prende, giovine audace e impaziente,
L'occasione offerta avidamente.
"Ger. Lib.," c. vi. xxix.

(Take, youth, bold and i