and much which still seems abstruse, had we the key to the mystic
phraseology they were compelled to adopt, might open the way to yet
more noble acquisitions. The Philosopher's Stone itself has seemed no
visionary chimera to some of the soundest chemists that even the present
century has produced. (Mr. Disraeli, in his "Curiosities of Literature"
(article "Alchem"), after quoting the sanguine judgments of modern
chemists as to the transmutation of metals, observes of one yet greater
and more recent than those to which Glyndon's thoughts could have
referred, "Sir Humphry Davy told me that he did not consider this
undiscovered art as impossible; but should it ever be discovered, it
would certainly be useless.") Man cannot contradict the Laws of Nature.
But are all the laws of Nature yet discovered?

"Give me a proof of your art," says the rational inquirer. "When I have
seen the effect, I will endeavour, with you, to ascertain the causes."

Somewhat to the above effect were the first thoughts of Clarence Glyndon
on quitting Zanoni. But Clarence Glyndon was no "rational inquirer." The
more vague and mysterious the language of Zanoni, the more it imposed
upon him. A proof would have been something tangible, with which he
would have sought to grapple. And it would have only disappointed his
curiosity to find the supernatural reduced to Nature. He endeavoured in
vain, at some moments rousing himself from credulity to the scepticism
he deprecated, to reconcile what he had heard with the probable motives
and designs of an imposter. Unlike Mesmer and Cagliostro, Zanoni,
whatever his pretensions, did not make them a source of profit; nor was
Glyndon's position or rank in life sufficient to render any influence
obtained over his mind, subservient to schemes, whether of avarice or
ambition. Yet, ever and anon, with the suspicion of worldly knowledge,
he strove to persuade himself that Zanoni had at least some sinister
object in inducing him to what his English pride and manner of thought
considered a derogatory marriage with the poor actress. Might not Viola
and the Mystic be in league with each other? Might not all this jargon
of prophecy and menace be but artifices to dupe him?

He felt an unjust resentment towards Viola at having secured such an
ally. But with that resentment was mingled a natural jealousy. Zanoni
threatened him with rivalry. Zanoni, who, whatever his character or his
arts, possessed at least all the external